Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Another Time ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

Another Time

By Karete-chan

Chapter 5: Sorry what were we doing? Oh right. Plot!

Over the next couple of months Kat found her niche at Capsule Corp.

The day after hearing the conversation between Bulma and Piccolo she resolved that she would not let it get to her. She would prove to Piccolo that she was no weakling. To think that he presumed that she would go to pieces; she dearly wanted to prove him wrong. She only hoped she would die in a fight and not be killed by something stupid, like being hit by a car or something equally preventable. She was a fighter and that's how she should die. She had smiled at that thought ~How very Saiya-jin of me.~

But under her self-made façade she was still only a sixteen-year-old girl. She may have been Saiya-jin but she had been brought up human and with that came the fear of what lay beyond death. It had kept her awake at night for a week before she got sick of it. She decided that she just needed something to take her mind off it.

*****

After that first almost sleepless week Kat finally resolved to ask Bulma if she could help in the lab. She waited until after her sparring session with Gohan, in which he had brought an invitation to dinner that weekend, before she sought out the blue haired woman.

Appropriately she found Bulma in her lab calmly explaining to one of her technicians about the new advancements in capsule technology. She waited until they had finished then knocked on the door.

Bulma turned to her and Kat suddenly noticed how tired the woman looked.

"Hey Kat. What's up?"

"Um, well…I was wondering if I could ask a favour? I mean I know you've already done so much for me already but I…" the words fell out of her mouth in a long gush but she stopped at the look that Bulma was giving her. Pity. Kat suddenly had a flash of what it would be like to work with Bulma looking at her like that all the time. She took a deep breath. "On second thoughts maybe it was a bad idea," and she turned to leave.

"No, it's ok. Finish what you were saying and I'll try to grant the wish if it is in my power," the last part being in a halfway decent impression of Shenlon.

Kat smiled despite herself and looked back at Bulma. "Ok, I'll spill but only if you stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?" Bulma tried unsuccessfully to mask her emotions.

Kat sighed, "With pity. I am not going to fall into pieces just because of what Piccolo said was going to happen."

Bulma paled, "You…heard?"

Kat nodded, "And Gohan knows as well. I guess that'll teach me to eavesdrop." She smiled faintly, "But like I said, I'm not going to let this get to me and that's why I wanted this favour."

Bulma stared at her. "You're not going to let the news of your own death get to you? How can you not? I mean I know we can bring you back with the Dragonballs but dying shouldn't have to be an option in the first place. And look at you, you're only sixteen and…"

"She is Saiya-jin woman."

The two women turned to see Vegeta in the doorway. ~Damn~ thought Kat ~I didn't even sense him coming.~

"Death does not have a hold over us as it does you humans," he smirked, "so long as it is won honorably."

Bulma saw a distinct flicker in Kat's eyes at this statement. ~Maybe you don't fear death Vegeta but she was not brought up a Saiya-jin and she is still young. Those two things alone make her very different to you.~

"I suppose that you think that I don't have any honor," said Kat icily.

"I don't suppose anything brat," and he turned to Bulma. "That infernal machine has broken again. I want you to fix it."

"You mean you broke it," she sighed, "you might have to wait a couple of days, we're really busy right now."

"Days? What am I supposed to for training woman?"

It was out of Bulma's mouth before she could stop it. "You could train with Kat."

The silence was deafening. Kat braced herself in case he went into a rage. She was totally unprepared for the look of disgust on his face.

"I will not waste my time. Have the Gravity Room working by tomorrow woman," and he turned and walked out.

Kat stared after him. "Why is it that nobody can be bothered training with me? I mean I don't like the guy and I know he doesn't like me but he doesn't even have anything else to do. Even using me as a punching bag would help both of us."

"Don't ask me how the man's mind works, I'm still trying to work it out." Bulma started talking to herself, "Tomorrow, huh? Well he can just wait. I'm the only one who can fix the damn thing and I don't have the time."

That jolted Kat back to her real purpose for being there. "Bulma, I can help."

"Help?" The blue haired woman turned to her, "Sweetie, that's nice of you but the Gravity Room is a very sophisticated piece of machinery."

"No, no, not the Grav Room. Here in the lab. I can help out and then you'll have more time to do other things."

Bulma looked at her with sad eyes. "Oh Kat, I'm sorry. I'd absolutely love to have you helping out in the lab I need a new assistant but legally I can't let you. I need someone with experience and know how."

"But I do know how. Please Bulma let me help. It can be one way I can pay you back."

"I'm sorry," she said, shaking her head, "I really can't let you."

Kat sighed. "Ok. I'm sorry I disturbed you then," and she turned to leave.

"Kat wait!" The young girl turned around. "I know this mightn't sound very interesting but if you really want to help you could tidy the house for me. I've got some bigwigs coming for dinner in a couple of days."

~I offer to help in the lab and she gives me house cleaning.~ Kat gave a small smile, "Sure Bulma," and she left the lab to find the cleaning robots.

When she found the cupboard the housed the robots she found that there were only two in there. ~Two? This house is bloody huge, it's gonna take forever.~ She sighed and set them to cleaning the dining room and kitchen.

Silently she thanked Kami that Mrs. Briefs wasn't around. As nice as she was she could be a bit overwhelming with her offers of help. Kat chuckled to herself as she cleared the back entrance way. She could just see the lady walking around and offering snacks and drinks as she worked.

The back entrance way was scattered with toys of all kinds. Kat had only been in the house a week and already she was wishing Trunks was old enough to put his own toys away. She also wished that he wouldn't play so much with the servo-bots. There were parts strewn all over. ~No wonder Bulma doesn't have any time. When she's not busy with work she's busy fixing her home. Of course Mr. High and Mighty out there wouldn't think to lend a hand. I mean it wouldn't take a genius to put these things back together…~ she stopped and smacked her head. ~Of course. I'm so stupid.~

She quickly finished the entranceway and rushed to the kitchen. She cleared out half the fridge as a snack and headed to her room.

*****

Vegeta prodded the buttons on the gravity control. ~Baka machine, can't even stand a small ki blast.~

He had spent the last half hour trying to work out where in the complicated machine the wires had frizzled themselves. Finally giving up he resorted to prodding buttons and hoping that the machine would just come back on line.

Vegeta's knowledge of all things electrical was quite proficient but this was far beyond his expertise. Giving the machine a punch that left a fist sized dent in the console he decided that further grumbling could wait until after lunch.

Entering the kitchen he made a beeline for the refrigerator. His mood did not improve at the sight of half the contents missing. ~Stupid brat. She should have to get her own food~ forgetting (conveniently) that the food he ate was actually provided by Bulma. ~And she leaves these baka robots roaming around~ he growled and viciously kicked at the unfortunate robot that had run into his left shin. It flew across the room and smacked into the wall.

He smirked as one of its arms flew off. ~Stupid thing fared better against me than the brat would~ a picture of Juuhachi-gou flashed in his mind. ~Hmph, maybe Bulma could make some robot sparring partners~. He set off to find the annoying woman again.

*****

Kat bent over her work. Even over the music that was blaring in her ears she could hear the screaming from downstairs. ~I wonder what he did this time?~

After a few minutes the screaming stopped and she jumped a while later when something thudded against her door.

Opening the door a crack she was surprised to see Vegeta standing there. Even more surprising was that he had knocked and not just bashed the door in.

"What do you want?" she asked glaring at him.

He scowled. "Don't think I came here out of kindness brat."

"Wouldn't dream of it. Now tell me what you want or go away."

Anger flashed in his eyes, he held it in check with obvious difficulty. "You, brat, will come and spar with me."

Kat was taken aback. "You…you actually want to spar? With me?" She looked at him incredulously.

He lent towards her and sneered in her face. "You are the only punching bag around here. Now come. I don't have all day."

She fought hard with the feelings flowing through her. The calling of the impending fight pulled at her even if she knew the outcome but pulling just as hard from the other end was the screaming rage that he had the nerve to order her around.

"Well," she said sarcastically, "I absolutely hate to disappoint you but I don't have time to spend the afternoon in the regen tank," and she shut the door in his face.

"Insolent bitch!" he yelled from the other side. "You will do as your prince says or I will beat you to a bloody pulp right here!"

Calmly she walked back to the door without opening it and said quietly, "I doubt somehow, that Bulma would approve of you destroying the door to my room Vegeta. No matter how much you wanted to kill me."

There was silence from the other side. Kat waited minutes with a pounding heart wondering whether he would do as he had threatened or whether he wanted to avoid Bulma's wrath.

"You watch your back brat," and she heard footsteps heading away from her room.

Slowly she sank down against the door and waited for her breath to become steady again. ~I really have to stop pissing him off or I won't last another week.~ She stood and went back to her work.

*****

Bulma looked back at her darkened lab and sighed ~We're never going to get this shipment out on time. There are just too many other things to do.~ She turned to the house ~Damn, I need that assistant but all those I've interviewed might've had experience but they were the biggest bunch of blundering fools I've ever met. And it doesn't help having Vegeta on my back about the Grav room and some idea about sparring with…~ she opened the door ~…r…robots?~

She stared incredulously at the small robot in the hallway. It was diligently dusting away at one of the hallstands. Another was further up the hall making steady sweeps that left a sparkling floor behind it. ~What the hell? Where did all these come from?~

She watched as another robot scuttled into view baring a tray of food. It disappeared in the direction of the rec room. Bulma followed it.

Through the dining room and lounge she walked spotting three more of the mysterious workers. ~What the hell is going on here? And where is everybody?~ The robot with the tray disappeared around the corner. Suddenly Bulma heard a voice.

"Damn. I'm going to have to program these things to tell the difference between a Human and a Saiya-jin. That tray isn't even a nibble."

Bulma poked her head around the corner. Sitting on the rec room couch, Kat was staring disgustedly at the tray of food. She watched as the young Saiya-jin lifted her feet so another robot could vacuum underneath the couch.

Bulma stepped into the room. "Uh, Kat?"

Kat's head jerked up. She looked distinctly like a child who had been caught doing something that she shouldn't have.

"Bulma! Uh…hi! Er…I didn't hear you come in."

"That would be because of the vacuum cleaner. Kat, what is going on?"

Still sitting on the couch with her legs in the air Kat spread her arms. "Um…surprise?"

"Surprise," Bulma repeated dryly, "that would be an understatement. Where did all the `bots come from?"

"Ah, well, you know how you asked me to clean the house?" Bulma nodded. "Well, this place is huge and you only had two cleaner `bots so I…"

"Don't tell me you went and bought all these?" she sighed, "Kat I get them as free testing models from the factory."

"No, no, no," Kat shook her hands in front of her face, "I fixed all the broken ones around the house."

Bulma stared at her. "You…fixed the broken ones?"

Kat nodded. "Yeah. See I figured that the two `bots and myself would never get the whole house done so I thought that spending my time fixing the others so that there were more workers would be better." She grinned, "And I was right too. They're nearly finished."

Bulma continued to stare open mouthed at the girl in front of her.

"Uh, Bulma? Bulma? Hey are you ok?"

Bulma shook herself out of her daze. "I'm fine but…"

Kat stood and walked towards her. "Are you sure? It looked like you weren't entirely there a moment ago."

"No, it's…it's just that I can't believe that you fixed them."

Kat grinned. "It wasn't hard. Well not after I found all the bits and pieces," she frowned. "Trunks really did a number on a few of them. Some of those circuit boards will be teeth marked forever."

The young Saiya-jin smiled again and turned back to the couch. She lent over the back and reemerged with a screwdriver in her hand. "I suppose I'll just have to keep an eye on the `terror'" she continued. "Can't have him messing up all my hard work. Now let's see." She bent over the `bot that had brought the offensive tray of food and proceeded to pull out circuit boards and readjust them.

Slowly Bulma lowered herself into an armchair and absentmindedly lifted her feet when the `bot with the vacuum approached.

"I can't believe it."

"Believe what?" Kat asked without lifting her head.

"That I didn't take you up on your offer earlier. I just sat through a whole afternoon of interviewing boring, pretentious, yes-men when the person who really deserves the job has been inside cleaning my house."

Kat grinned. "Um, not to say I told you so but well, I did. Anyway I haven't really done much of the cleaning myself and putting the `bots back together was fun. I haven't had anything like that to do in ages."

Bulma looked at the very happy girl. "I won't go easy on you, you do know that don't you?"

"Of course. I wouldn't expect anything else."

They grinned at each other. It was short lived. Two yells came simultaneously from the hall.

Bulma and Kat reached the door to the hallway in time to see the `bot that had been cleaning the floor go sailing past.

Peering around the corner they saw Dr. and Mrs. Briefs staring at the strange scene in front of them. Trunks, who was wiggling wildly in his grandmother's arms was giggling like mad at something that Bulma and Kat couldn't see. Turning to look in the other direction (the one that the `bot had come from) they saw the source of that amusement.

Vegeta was sprawled on his butt in a puddle of soapy water looking murderously at the unfortunate culprit. Unable to help herself Bulma began to giggle in an almost identical way as her son. Vegeta swung his gaze to the two women in the doorway his expression not changing an inch.

Kat whispered so that only Bulma could hear. "I have to go before I start laughing otherwise he'll kill me." She turned to go. "I do feel sorry for the `bot though. I'd wet myself too if Vegeta had walked in on me like that." Then she bolted for her room as Bulma dissolved into peals of laughter.

*****

Kat watched as Gohan rolled around laughing on the grass outside his house. She had just finished recounting the story of `Vegeta and the robot'.

"W…what happened after he …w…wrecked the robot?" breathed Gohan between giggles.

"No idea. I got out of there so he couldn't hear me laughing. You didn't see the look on his face, I would've been dead so fast it wasn't funny and you have no idea how grateful I am that you invited me to dinner. I've had to be really careful that I don't rise to his taunts. He's been looking for an excuse to start a fight all week."

"Well at least Bulma is letting you help out in the lab now. You can spend most of the day in there and not have to see him."

"True but I still have to live in the same house as him and I don't work on the weekends. Plus I want to train too so I really want to use the gravity room but that means I have to ask Vegeta and that's not something that I want to do," she sighed. "At least I've got you and Bulma. I'd include your mum in that list but I think she's still not comfortable with all of this."

"Yeah well, mum's just doing what she does and it is sort of nervy having someone who looks like dad around."

"If I…"

"Dinner!" came ChiChi's yell from inside the house. Gohan and Kat left their shadows behind in their rush.

Inside the Ox King was already seated and ChiChi was dutifully ladling some kind of noodle dish into bowls. As soon as Gohan was handed his he started wolfing it down. Kat stared.

"Gohan!" admonished ChiChi. "We have guests."

"Oh don't mind me, I have to put up with Vegeta remember? He wolfs his food just as fast and so do I." Kat turned to Gohan. "Though I think we manage to get most of the food in our mouths and not around them." She grinned.

"Oops," said Gohan grinning back "Gomen."

The rest of dinner was pleasant as there wasn't much talking. ChiChi was thankful that she always prepared so much food, Kat didn't eat quite as much as Gohan but she could still put an elephant to shame. She did concede though that Kat was a neater eater than Gohan and her table manners were impeccable compared to Gokou's. Her father seemed to like the young girl and once she had finished eating was quite willing to engage in conversation with him. ChiChi herself didn't participate much and found excuses to leave the room as often as she could. On most of these occasions she wasn't actually doing anything she just needed a break from being in the same room as someone who looked so much like her Gokou.

When she had left the room for the tenth time Kat sighed and watched as the door to the kitchen swung shut behind the retreating woman's back. "This isn't working. She doesn't like me. It's getting late anyway, I should go."

"She's just sad Kat, that's not your fault in any way," the Ox King smiled gently at her.

"I know but my being here isn't helping her. I just remind her of Gokou." She got up and walked to the door. "Tell ChiChi that dinner was delicious. Mr. Popo couldn't have done better. Goodnight."

She was out the door and in the air before they could answer.

" `night."