Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Girl Tornado ( Chapter 5 )

I don't own it and you should know that by now.

Every female rides her own internal tornado, especially when she have had a great shock or endured impossible emotional pain. Bulma was in the middle of her own personal category 5 black funnel cloud, stuck in a world of shit.

After stumbling around soaking wet, Bulma was disheveled and desperate. Her sparkling dress was now torn and filthy. Hair matted and makeup smeared, she was barely recognizable when she made it to the waiting taxi and gave her address.

Bulma didn't speak after that. The middle-aged cabbie tried to engage the quasi-pretty woman in conversation. Hell, if he played his cards right he might get laid. However, lady luck was not on his side as all the actions of his fare involved staring down at her dress and twisting her tiny hands.

Bulma paid upon arrival and stumbled through the front door, not turning on any lights. She felt her way to her room, landing in a heap on the floor once she got there.

Her phone was blinking. There were messages waiting for her. Messages full of apology and regret. Messages begging for absolution. Messages that, for the time being, were ignored.

Her broken heart couldn't handle the onslaught of emotion those hearing Yamcha's voice would bring. He could not unsay the things he said. They were true in his mind and there was no going back.

Bulma couldn't fathom what her next step could be; all she knew is that she wanted to avoid any more pain. She needed a lifeline, a safe place, so she switched to part of her that only knew logic and genius.

As she allowed that part of her mind to take over, she thought of new inventions to occupy her time and attention. `What about the patch to escalate the human healing factor?' she pondered. `I think I only started to research that when Daddy started giving me more duties.'

She opened her secret compartment in her bedroom, rummaged for a moment, and was pleasantly surprised. Aside from the research she sought, was the special project she came up with after seeing a movie.

`Yes, this will do nicely. Now what to base the sub-routine on…think, think, think.'

Then it hit her, `Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. Yes, that would be perfect!'

“But I will need time, space, and most of all distance” she wondered aloud. “Don't need to be barraged with emotional stability questions or worried looks from my parents because…because…” her eyes closed and she choked back a sob.

`No! No crying, just logic, just science--sweet science.'

Calmer, she began to pack. She chose the drabbest clothes from her closet, some work out gear, and as many of her special projects as she could find.

When she went to her dressing table, she frowned. `No make-up on this trip' she told herself. There was no reason if she were going to be alone, so she skipped that area entirely and instead bagged some facial soap and toner.

Finishing up, she realized she was making this decision rather quickly. While showering she thought through her flimsy plan. Was she being too rash? Shouldn't she be near in case he called? What would her parents think? `No, I need space. I need to just be alone for a while' she concluded. She scrubbed body with her favorite soap and washed her lovely cerulean locks with jasmine scented shampoo.

Resolutely, the refreshed woman went to the lab to upload the program on her special module.

`Oh, man this is a bit buggy and the code needs some serious work, but I will finish this and so much more' she vowed. Her hands began to fly over the keyboard as she breathed life in to her scheme. She would have to test it on herself. After all, the gadget was modeled after one of her most beloved pastimes.

Yawning, Bulma looked down to the lower right of her laptop to find that it was 7 a.m. `Good, time for a quick call.'

“Computer, call Dr. Winters,” she commanded. Dr. Winters' appeared to have just had his morning coffee.

“Russ, good morning.” Bulma said and by her tone, Dr. Winters could tell she wanted to get to the point.

“Mornin' Bulma. Did you call to brief me on this morning's meeting?” he inquired.

“No, actually I called to let you know there was a change in plans. I am going to Vegeta-sei in your place.”

Dr. Winters was all smiles. “Great! Because I just started this game called Dungeons and Dragons Online and I didn't know what type of internet connection I would get on another planet.”

Bulma nearly snorted `Russ you are such a geek'. “Don't worry, you won't miss a minute of your new game that you will beat the shit out of in no time.”

Dr. Winters barked a laugh. “It's true, I am a game master!”

“Gotta go, Russ. Kill one for me, ok?” Bulma said. She waved and ended the communication.

`Now to ready the Capsule 4.'

 

Bardock was on pins and needles waiting for word from Bulma. He had to get back to the King with progress or he knew there would be a very rough training session along with a trip to the tanks in his future.

Just when he had had enough, his communication screen blinked. “Incoming Message” it said mechanically. Then the Capsule Corporation logo appeared.

Bardock let out his breath slowly. `Finally' he thought.

He punched the answer button and was greeted with the unexpected. It was Bulma Briefs, however her skin was pale and her eyes had lost their shine. She was indeed still very beautiful, but she looked pained.

Upon viewing her extremely changed visage Bardock nearly shouted “Bulma, are you alright?”

Concern and anger was coming off him in waves. How dare anyone take away that spark in her soul.

“Fine, Bardock” she answered plainly. “I have news for you.”

Still not buying her act, he returned to his King's quest “Oh right...yes. Where is that scientist we were to meet with during this time?”

“You're lookin' at her,” said the guilty girl.

“What?!? Your father would never permit such a thing. Bulma, you are too much of an asset to be sent here. Do you not have another choice?”

Bulma dipped her head and twisted in her seat.

“He doesn't know,” she whispered.

Bardock nearly let the words slip beyond his notice.

“I will tell him” he tried, “I am sure he can convince you to find someone else for the job.”

Her cobalt eyes skipped guiltily away from Bardock's handsome face. “Umm…I don't know what good that will do you…s-s-since I'm on my way.”

“Not acceptable! You will turn back immediately. Now, Bulma, do you hear?” he thundered.

She mustered what courage she had left, looked him in the eye and said, “I am a grown woman, Bardock. You wanted the best and you're getting what you asked for. Stop trying to convince me otherwise. I'll see you in a week.” With that, she abruptly terminated the call and let out a shaky breath while a tear escaped down her face.

`That wasn't so hard' she tried to convince herself.

Taking in a few more deep breaths she checked the controls and made sure the panel was in order and autopilot was engaged properly.

Assured that the capsule was on course, she headed to the lab to work on her latest apparatus.