Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Apprentice ❯ Family Feud ( Chapter 9 )

Sorry this update took so long. First my connection was temporarily severed, then FF kept going down, and I've been helping PowerGoddess with "Someone To Watch Over Me". It's a really good AU B/V fic. I suggest you read it. ^_^

Disclaimer: (Yes, I'm putting up another disclaimer. I'm playing with more than just DBZ now. *he he*) I do not own, nor am I associated with The Legend of Zelda or Final Fantasy. In any of their incarnations. As for DragonBall Z, see disclaimer at the beginning of the prologue. I don't own it either. Only Ashentara is mine. You can't have her! ^_^0

Apprentice by Alexa

Chapter Nine - Family Feud

From the Journal of Ashentara

Well these past few days have been ever so interesting. As of late my family has shown that they cannot stay out of my life. No matter what! Let's see, it all started last Tuesday morning when Bulma received an interesting visit from the local authorities. Apparently, my father had the ingenious idea to sue Capsule Corp. for 'experimentation without consent' or something like that . He thinks I'm part of an experiment!! Ugh, its in those moments that I want to drop kick his ass into the lowest level of hell.

At first everyone thought it was a joke. But when my father and brothers flew in with a lawyer, people started to take him seriously. Apparently one of the first things they did was notify the media of these 'allegations'. He's trying to claim that Bulma has been using and abusing me in some kind of study. The worst part is he won't stipulate what that study could possibly be and still it continues. He's also trying to make it seem like I was stolen since I was still a minor when I left. What a crock of shit!! I know he just doesn't want to face the fact that I left of my own will.

Master Vegeta has had to constantly remind me lately not to be too aggressive while in public. Damn media hounds! Bulma has talked to a judge about a preliminary hearing before any kind of official trial begins. I just hope that this can be taken care of quickly. I want to return to my training. All of this nonsense is interfering with my routine. Master Vegeta is becoming very pissed about this, as well. I can feel the anger resonate off him when I am near. The training has taken a somewhat new routine these past few months. Now each day is spent centering on specific abilities like balance, concentration, different senses; however, I do basically the same exercises everyday. Weekends are spent sparring with Trunks, as par usual.

Trunks and I have become friends. We rather enjoy the time we spend beating the proverbial hell out of each other. Master Vegeta says it is so I do not become too accustomed to only fighting him. We think its to keep both of us out of his hair and to allow him more time in the gravity chamber. Oh well. I learn either way. Sparring has become one of my favorite activities; it helps to exercise my body and mind.

Bulma has taken the time to teach me a few things about her work in the fields of the sciences. I now have a more advanced knowledge of engineering science. She keeps things up at their current pace, and I'll be able to take that gravity chamber apart. Not that I would dare do such a thing. Master Vegeta would be so pissed. I already have trouble doing fingertip handstand push-ups in 20 G's, I don't need more pressure.

"Ash!" Bulma's voice traveled from down the hall all the way into the kitchen where Ashentara sat. She continued her search of Capsule Corp. for the younger woman. "Where the hell is she? We're going to be late." Mumbling to herself, Bulma turned a corner into the kitchen. "There you are. Ready?"

"Yes." Ash spoke the simple word with a hint of disdain. So it begins. Oh, fun. There was that sarcastic inside voice, again. No one was exceptionally thrilled about attending the hearing; however, no one really had much choice in the matter.

Well, today is when it begins. That preliminary hearing I mentioned earlier. I have debated whether or not it would help to simply burn the courthouse, but doing so would only relocate all this shit elsewhere. Then, we'd have a longer drive to make. So in the interest of time, I'm going to leave the building standing. From the day this started, I have pondered what my so-called 'family' has hiding up their sleeves. Well, I'll find out soon.

Ash closed her journal and quickly took it back to her room. On the way up the stairs, she encountered Trunks coming down the hall. "Hey, man."

He merely nodded.

Hmm, I wonder what's bothering him.

The four made their way out to the air car. Ash sat in the back with Trunks who had his arms crossed in front of his chest. She noticed that he looked really uncomfortable. "Trunks, what's up with you?"

"What?" he snapped back.

Ash narrowed her eyes at him, studying him more closely. "You look uncomfortable."

"This suit …" He adjusted his shoulders. "Its too tight."

"Why didn't you wear a different one?"

"Almost all my suits fit this way."

Now Ash was puzzled. "Why are all of your suits too tight?"

Vegeta sat in the front passenger seat and answered for his son. "Because his mother doesn't want him to look like me."

Bulma sent a sideways glare in Vegeta's direction. She was silently daring him to say more.

The courthouse was surrounded by media vans with reporters lining the front steps. As the air car pulled into the parking lot, one journalist spotted them. They were swarmed before anyone could even open a car door. Bulma saw them coming, she had expected this.

"Now, I don't want anyone saying a word to these reporters. Especially you, Vegeta."

"Me?"

"Yes, you! You have no sense of diplomacy, no tact, and most of all you are rude."

"Feh!" Vegeta brushed her words off like they were a nuisance fly.

In the backseat, Ash and Trunks were both trying to keep straight faces.

Some members of the media recognized the Saiyans from previous martial arts tournaments; therefore, immediately got out of their way. For the most part, all four managed to get into the courthouse without any major problems. Unless you counted Vegeta's growling.

Security stopped all the reporters at the front door. This preliminary hearing was not to be open to the media. Bulma hoped to be able to settle the matter out of court. Ash knew it wasn't going to happen. How many times have you heard dearest dad talk about suing a major company to get rich quick? Ugh. I really don't want to think about it right now. Ash's thoughts were her only immediate company. Vegeta and Trunks stood on either side of her like bodyguards, and Bulma was pacing up and down a short length of the hallway mumbling to herself.

"Woman! Will you stop pacing?"

"Vegeta, I'm nervous. I'm not sure what to expect in there. And on top of that, I don't know what you're going to do."

Vegeta grumbled. "Woman, why are you harping on me?"

"I don't know, Vegeta. Let me think." Bulma tapped one finger on the side of her head as though in deep thought. "Maybe because you are unpredictable. Or because you have a short fuse. Maybe the fact that you can't stand down from an argument. Even when you know you can't win. That's why?"

Vegeta mumbled something under his breath causing Trunks to snicker.

Bulma eyed her husband suspiciously. "What was that?"

"Nothing of importance."

Ash shifted her eyes among the Briefs family. She was about to say something when a man in uniform approached them.

"Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Briefs?"

Bulma looked at the man and nervously replied, "Yes."

"Come with me, please."

The four exchanged glances before following the security officer. He led them into the small courtroom where the Emerald family and their lawyer were already seated. Trunks could hear the three younger men making comments about him. He turned his iciest glare to them. His blue eyes giving the hint of a winter storm.

Bulma expected that only she and Ash would be required to sit at the defendant's table. The guard proved her otherwise when Trunks and Vegeta began to sit in the audience and were asked to sit at the table. The room was rather empty. The Emerald men with the lawyer on one side, the Briefs and Ash on the other, one guard at the judge's bench, and two guards at the door were the only people in the room.

Within minutes the lawyer Bulma had hired arrived. He was medium height, blond, and looked very professional. "Hello, everyone. I'm Kokiri Link. Now, I've looked over the file for this case, but I'm still unsure of a few facts."

Bulma tentatively asked, "What facts would those be?"

"Well, a few things weren't exactly clear." He opened his briefcase, pulled out a manila folder, and laid out some papers. "Here, Mr. Briefs claimed that Miss Emerald first spoke to him at the last World Martial Arts Tournament. Yet, here you say that Miss Emerald started living with you and training under your husband only eleven months ago. Where was she for the unaccounted time?"

Bulma wasn't quite sure how to explain that Ash had been out roaming the world by herself in search of seven magic balls that were used to summon a dragon who would grant you a wish. Not to mention Vegeta demanded her to do it in order to prove her worth. "Well, you see …"

"Mr. Link, first of all, call me Ash. Second, in that time I was … fulfilling a task to prove I would … not waste Master Vegeta's time. He doesn't exactly take on students regularly."

"Alright. Ash, can you explain in more detail what that task was?"

"It's complicated and would take too long to explain. Just know that I suggested he give me a task. Also, I was not in any danger nor part of an experiment during that time."

"I'm not sure the judge or Mr. Emerald's lawyer will accept that." Link made a note on one of those yellow legal pads. "Ok, I just have one other question." He set down the pen, laced his fingers together, took a deep breath, and turned to face them. "Ash, … how would you describe the relationship between yourself and Mr. Briefs?"

"He is my teacher." The connotation in her voice held an inkling of mockery.

"And, that's all you see him as?"

What the hell is this guy getting at? Ok, that's a stupid question. "Yes."

The judge entered the courtroom from his private chamber. The guard near the judge's bench announced for all to stand, and the judge was one Honorable Judge Vincent Zidane. Once Judge Zidane was seated, the guard told everyone they were allowed to sit, as well. He briefly rummaged through the papers before speaking. "The point of this hearing is to establish whether or not a trial is necessary. Now, Mr. Link, Mr. Sephiroth, will you please approach the bench?"

Both men did as asked. Once they were standing before Judge Zidane, he spoke again this time only loud enough for them to hear. "Now remember, gentlemen, this is a hearing not a trial. I expect you to behave accordingly! Understand?"

"Yes, sir," replied Link.

"Why, of course, your honor." Sephiroth had a smug arrogance about him.

Judge Zidane gave him a long, hard look. Something about the man did not sit well with Vincent. Or really anyone else for that matter. Each lawyer returned to their respective clients.

Mr. Sephiroth briefly glanced at his opponent. He and Mr. Link had a kind of history together. This was not the first time they had faced each other in a court room, probably wouldn't be the last. He turned his attention to Mr. Emerald asking, "Do you remember everything we talked about?" Mr. Emerald nodded a 'yes'. "Good."

The hearing began at a somewhat slow pace. Each lawyer presented his side of the argument: Mr. Sephiroth on why a trial should be held, and Mr. Link explaining that one was not necessary. Judge Zidane seemed to be taking everything into account. He occasionally wrote down little notes. For the most part, the two were only presenting facts to support their side of the debate. No one had been asked to make any kind of testimony or answer any questions. Nevertheless, the men did eventually gravitate towards conflict over what evidence would be permissible during a trial.

Ash sat between Bulma and Vegeta trying to find a flaw in anything Sephiroth said. So far, nothing. This guy is doing one hell of a job. It can't be that easy to bullshit your way around for this long. She glanced at the watch on Bulma's wrist. Damn! We've been in here for two and a half hours already?! Well this day's been shot to hell. Maybe Master Vegeta will want to do a late training session when we get home. She listened to the man drone on for a while longer. If we ever get home.

The hearing didn't end until late in the evening. From the look and sound of everything, a trial would be held. Mr. Link briefly talked with Bulma about when to discuss strategy for the trial. The sea of reporters outside the courthouse had thinned, but there was still enough left to be a nuisance. Capsule Corp. seemed further away than normal; must have been the silence.

Ash sat in the backseat as before and pondered on what was to come. That Sephiroth is hiding something. His words were carefully chosen, too carefully chosen. I wonder what they have planned. *Sigh* I hate waiting for shit to happen.

Everyone had barely been home long enough to relax when Vegeta returned to the first floor. Bulma was muttering curses about everything that happened that day. No one really paid attention to her. Trunks had just taken off his jacket and tie and laid on the couch to relax. He planned to crash out for the night watching TV. Ash was heading upstairs to change. She didn't feel like doing much that night.

Vegeta killed their plans. "Trunks, Ash, gravity room, ten minutes." And with that he was out the door.

Ash paused on the steps to stare at Trunks on the couch. The youths exchanged a look of tired dread. Neither dared to defy Vegeta, so both headed upstairs to change.

The clock read 12:38. Ash's exhausted body ungracefully plopped down on the bed. Mental Note: Never wish to train late at night. Correction: Never wish to train in the gravity room with Master Vegeta late at night. She had never felt this drained in her entire life. How she managed to survive the session still amazed her. I wonder how Trunks is doing. Oh well, I'll find out tomorrow. Right now, sleep! The young woman stripped off her training clothes and crawled into bed only in her panties. She pulled the blanket over her head ready to fall asleep.

The clock read 1:12. Why am I still awake? Nothing answered her. Fuck this. Maybe I can exhaust my brain, too. Ash reached under her pillow retrieving the journal.

Well, today was mostly a waste. A trial will be held. I don't trust my family or their lawyer, Mr. Sephiroth. Something about that guy is kinda creepy. Our lawyer is nice, Mr. Link. He's kinda cute, too. Except that, …… I don't know. His ears almost seem too small for the rest of his face. I can't explain it.

Anyway, forgetting about the trial for a moment. Lets see what else has been happening. Master Vegeta has continued to teach me how to detect and measure energies. Sometimes, he'll blindfold me, and I have to find him by feeling for his energy. It feels,…… warm doesn't quite seem to fit. Yet, it is warm. But there is more to it than that.

As much as I am learning, I know there are still things he is not teaching me. I have yet to figure out how he or Goku/Kakarot can move as fast as they do, be as strong as they are. If a human can attain such power, then I want to know how. Then again, Vegeta may deem me unworthy to hold that kind of power. Oh well. Maybe, eventually, everything will become clearer to me. I can only wait. I hate waiting.

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I hope you are enjoying my story. Please leave a review. I kinda know where I'm going from here on out. I do know how I'm going to end this. The problem now is getting from Point K -this chapter- to Point R -the end.

If there is anything that you would like to read, tell me. If I can reasonably work it in, I'll try. Mind you, I still hope to keep these characters as true to their nature as I possibly can.

Click!

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