Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Second Chance ❯ Chapter Six ( Chapter 6 )

6

Three waiters with wheeled trays arrived, unsure of the destination that they had been given.

''Table for three, right?'' said the young blond haired one tentatively.

''You've got the right table,'' Gohan assured him. ''Just unpack as many entrees as you can.''

''Oookay,'' muttered a more experienced waiter. ''All right then. Two Caesar salads with minestrone soup and breadsticks for the ladies, right?''

Bulma and Aki nodded.

''And,'' he took a deep breath, ''stuffed shells, lasagna, fettucine alfredo, vermicelli in clam sauce, spaghetti with meatballs, chicken parmigian, veal parmigian, eggplant parmigian, baked ziti, and just about every other dish we've got to offer, for the ambitious young gentleman over here."

Gohan grinned sheepishly. ''Heh, heh, I think I'll start with the pasta, sir. I'm really hungry, so if you don't mind..."

The waiter rolled his eyes and unloaded three of Gohan's entrees as the other waiters served Aki and Bulma. Aki ate a few breadsticks and some soup, but felt that she wasn't really very hungry. Gohan noticed this and commented between bites,

"You're not hungry, huh? That's because of the senzu beans(gulp).'' He continued to mow his way through his lunch, as the waiter swiped the empty plates and replaced them with full ones.

''Wow. This kid wasn't kidding,'' murmured the waiter. The other two waiters just stared in dumbstruck silence until their supervisor shouted for them to get back to work. They hastily ran back to the kitchen, while the other waiter continued to stack empty platters. Bulma finished her soup and salad, and waited patiently for Gohan to finish eating.

''Here you go. Thanks for your help,'' she said, handing the waiter a fat tip.

''No problem. How will you be paying for this, ma'am, cash or credit?''

Bulma cringed at the title 'ma'am' but said in a tight voice, ''Credit.'' She handed him her platinum card. Aki handed Gohan a napkin. He smiled and quickly wiped the sauce from his mouth.

"Ah, much better. So, what are we going to do now?'' Gohan asked.

''We're going to the hair salon so Aki can get a hair cut. The shop we went to earlier is having Aki's clothes delivered, so we don't have to worry about that. I've got about three hours before I have to make an appearance at Capsule Corp.'s developmental board, so I'll just drop you off before then, okay, Gohan?'

''Okay,'' Gohan replied, trying not to think about how his mother was going to react when he finally showed up. Well, at least Bulma would be there. Maybe the news about Aki's arrival and subsequent adoption would be enough to distract her from Gohan's tardiness.

Yeah, right.

The waiter returned with Bulma's credit card, and just as they reached Bulma's car, Gohan noticed a man with a camera following them.

''Hey, Bulma, do you know that guy? I think he's a reporter!''

''What! Where?'' Bulma turned around just in time to catch a flash bulb, and someone darting around a corner. Realizing that the car was still ked in front of that clothing store, Bulma deduced what must have happened.

''That store owner must have been pretty desperate for publicity. I can't believe he actually called a tabloid photographer. Oh, let's just go to the hair salon. I'm sure we'll be hearing about that again soon.''

Aki was confused

''What just happened, exactly?'' she asked Gohan as they got into the car.

''A photographer took a picture of us without asking. It's not illegal, but it's annoying.''

''It should be illegal,'' muttered Bulma, ''especially before 10:00 a.m.''

''Why?'' asked Aki and Gohan simultaneously. Bulma sighed.

''I guess I'm the only one here who isn't a morning person. Because unless I have a meeting, I usually look like something the cat dragged in.'' Aki snorted, imagining Bulma being dragged around by a tiny black cat, as they pulled into a parking space near a beauty salon.

''This is it. The best salon in town. Everybody out.'' Aki and Gohan followed Bulma into the salon. Bulma was immediately embraced by a man who was so beautiful that Aki thought he was a woman at first.

''Bulma! Hi! You're back so soon! We just saw each other last week! Bored already?'' the man said in a heavily accented voice.

''No, no. I love my hair, Jacque. I'm not here for myself. I'd like to introduce you to someone. Jacque, this is my adopted daughter Aki. Aki, this is Jacque-'' Bulma had barely finished her introductions before Jacque had swept Aki into a bone-crushing hug. Aki was so completely enveloped by the man that all Bulma could see of her was her hair and her wide brown eyes. Bulma held in a giggle with some effort.

''Bulma's daughter! I did not know Bulma had a daughter!'' cried the Frenchman. ''Oh look at you! You are so beautiful! It will be a pleasure to cut your hair! Come, come!'' And he hustled her into a styling chair. Bulma smiled and sat down in one of the waiting chairs and motioned for Gohan to join her. He seemed to be staring fixedly upon the cover of one of the magazines on the table.

''What are you looking at, kid?'' Bulma glanced at the periodical. ''Oh, no. Don't read that garbage. It makes me sick. Just-Gohan, why are you doing this to yourself?'' Gohan had stumbled upon one of the many articles praising Hercule for his heroic defeat of the evil android Cell. He shook his head and looked at Bulma instead.

''I don't care. Really. It doesn't matter. I wouldn't want all of those reporters bothering me anyway. Let Hercule get all the credit. At least I can live my life in peace.'' He sat down next to Bulma and tilted his head upwards, closing his eyes. Bulma decided to let Gohan be, and watched Jacque and Aki.

Jacque unbraided Aki's hair and combed it out to determine length. His eyes widened when he saw the sorry state of her hair, but all he said was, ''Well! You have come to the right place, petit. I am going to have to cut much, but I will try to preserve as much length as possible, okay? You like your hair long, right?'' Aki nodded, still mesmerized by the man's fine bone structure and long, glossy blond hair.

''Yes, that's fine.''

''Okay! We start with a shampoo and deep conditioner. To the sink!'' He took Aki's hand and led her to a special sink with a space cut out for her neck to rest upon. Aki sat down, and in a matter of moments, felt the shock of cold water on her head, the soothing feeling of warm water, and then, the completely unexpected euphoria that comes from a good scalp massage. And that was only the shampoo.

Jacque is the master.

Ten minutes later, a pink-faced Aki emerged from the sink area, so disoriented that she didn't know which chair she was supposed to sit in. Jacque chuckled and steered her toward his styling chair with a wink at one of his co.-workers.''First time,'' he mouthed at one of the other stylists, who tittered in response.

''Okay, now we're going to cut it,'' Jacque sang, as he parted Aki's hair down the middle, and spun her around so that she was facing the mirror. He got out his trusty scissors, combed her hair out twice, and started cutting. Large chunks of hair were falling like autumn leaves. Aki closed her eyes. Jacque murmured reassuringly in her ear.

''It's all right, petit. I know what I'm doing. You're going to look fine. See?'' He made one last snip, and Aki opened her eyes. Her hair was still wet, and clung to her face in places, but it wasn't as short as she thought it would be. She sighed in relief. Jacque laughed and patted her on the back.

''Now time for the hair dryer. Then it's all over, until next month when you come in for a trim. You will remind your mother, yes?'' Aki nodded, eyes glued to the unfamiliar aparatus in Jacque's hand. He plugged it in and turned it on so close to Aki's ear that she jumped, as it roared to life.

''Sit still,'' Jacque said gently, as he combed and dried Aki's hair at the same time to combat tangles. Aki cringed at the heat, but tried not to move too much. She held in a laugh as she watched Bulma trying to wake Gohan up in the mirror. Jacque fussed with her hair some more; it was almost dry, but he wasn't sure how he wanted it to look. He tried parting it on the side, and seemed satisfied with that. It was dry at last, and Aki was free to fidget around as she liked.

''Great job, Jacque. I love it. Don't you, Gohan? Gohan!'' Bulma elbowed him until he showed some signs of life.

''Um...'' Gohan glanced up at Aki, who was looking at her own reflection with some trepidation. ''It looks nice.''

''Thanks,'' Aki said faintly. She hardly recognized herself.

After receiving his payment, and delivering hugs to Aki and Bulma[Gohan said no thanks], Jacque bid them all a very fond farewell, and they set out to take Gohan back home.

''Good. We're right on schedule,'' said Bulma, as she directed the vehicle out of the city limits. ''We've got plenty of time to drop Gohan off, and have a little chat with Chi-Chi, too. That's Gohan's mom, Aki. She's a real piece of work, that one. Hey, Gohan? When's the last time we saw each other, not counting today?''

Gohan's brow furrowed.''Um, Trunks' birthday party?''

''Yes! That was six months ago! And by the time I said, 'Hey guys, don't be a stranger,' you were already gone! Back home to study until your cranium explodes.''

''That would not happen, Bulma,'' said Gohan nervously. Would it? I haven't gotten that far in Biology...

''I think it's nice that your mother worries about your future,'' Aki said hesitantly. ''It means she cares about you.''

''I know,'' Gohan agreed, ''but sometimes I feel like a prisoner. I mean, look at that forest down there. Sometimes I just want to go there and relax, and leave my books in my room.''

Aki looked out the window. She saw a lush forest, filled with animals, with a river slicing through it. She'd lived in a mountain village where the only greenery was what you grew in your plot.

''I want to go there too.''

Aki and Gohan watched the birds, and other large flying creatures that Aki didn't recognize, until Bulma announced:

''Almost there, guys, just looking for a nice flat area to land and-hoo boy, here comes Chi-Chi. You didn't promise her you'd come right back or anything, did you Gohan?''

Gohan swallowed, but didn't say anything.

The nearer the vehicle got to the ground, the larger the figure outside the modest house appeared. Aki stared out the window, curious about the woman who had brought Gohan into the world.

Well, she was very pretty.

And mad. That, too.

Bulma landed the aircraft, and they climbed out of the cockpit. Gohan did so a bit slower than he normally would.

Chi-Chi marched right up to him and shouted,''WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? IT HAS BEEN FIVE HOURS SINCE YOU LEFT! NO PHONE CALL, NOTHING! IF YOU HAD JUST ASKED-''

''You would have said no!'' interrupted Bulma. Ignoring the look of fury on Chi-Chi's face, she continued, ''I only took him out to lunch. It's no big deal.''

''No big deal! He could have been studying-''

''He's got the rest of his life to study-''

''And you can bet that's what he'll be doing! Not out getting into fights like his father-'' Chi-Chi stopped ranting abruptly and buried her face in her hands.

''Oh, Mom, don't cry,'' Gohan said sadly. He put his arms around her. ''I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry-''

''It's all right, Gohan. I'm okay.'' She looked up at him. ''I'm only trying to protect you, you know. Nothing bad can happen to you if you're home studying.''

''Nothing fun either,'' muttered Bulma.

''Studying can be fun,'' said Aki, hoping to get on Chi-Chi's good side.

''Yes, that's right, er-who is this?'' said Chi-Chi in surprise.

''This is Aki, my adopted daughter. Aki, this is Chi-Chi,'' said Bulma, smiling. She knew what Aki was up to, and hoped she could keep it up.

''It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Son,'' said Aki politely.

''Yes, of course. Why don't you all come in?'' said Chi-Chi, taking in the nice dress and hair cut, as well as the impeccable manners. Bulma smirked and followed them inside. Gohan breathed a sigh of relief. It was all over.

''Tell me about yourself, Aki,'' said Chi-Chi, as she poured her a cup of tea. ''How did you come to be adopted by Bulma?''

Aki looked at Bulma. Her eyes said Let me handle this.

''Poor Aki here is an orphan. Her ents were both martial artists-'' Chi-Chi's eyes widened. ''but she's not like them. How could she be, when they abandoned her like that? Aki wants to be a scholar, don't you Aki?'' Aki nodded vigorously. Bulma continued, ''But with schools these days, more fighting than studying-'' Chi-Chi shuddered in fear. ''I can see why you keep Gohan home-schooled. I'm afraid that with my busy schedule at Capsule Corp., I wouldn't have time to tutor her. But she could study with Gohan!''

Aki tried not to look too excited at this prospect. Gohan looked hopeful. Chi-Chi looked suspicious.

''Under your supervision, of course,'' Bulma added hastily. ''I mean, you are known for being quite the taskmaster, Chi-Chi. You could have been an incredible teacher, if you hadn't opted for being an excellent mother.''

''Flattery will get you nowhere, Bulma,'' Chi-Chi said dryly.

''Rats.''

''Although...'' Chi-Chi had often seen herself as the guide along the path of scholarship for Gohan. As long as it wouldn't detract from his studies, she could help Aki as well. The girl looked so desperate-wait, was that desperation, or cunning? With the blood of two martial artists running through her veins, one couldn't be too sure...

''Aki, do you think you can be as dedicated to your studies as my Gohan?'' Chi-Chi asked with a measuring look in her eye.

''Oh yes, definitely. Gohan is so smart and knowledgeable, I knew from the moment I first spoke to him that he had been receiving a fine education, far surpassing my own. I would be honored to learn the arts and sciences under your roof, Mrs. Son.'' Aki beamed adorably. Bulma coughed delicately into her palm, artfully disguising her mirth.

Chi-Chi was speechless. Finally she snapped out of it, and said,''Well, I guess it's all right if you study with Gohan.'' Almost sure that she had just been had, Chi-Chi turned around to see a cranky three-year old who had just woken up from his nap a bit early.

''Hey, Goten!'' called Gohan. Immediately the little boy cheered up, running across the room to hug his brother's legs.

''Gohan! Where did you go?''

''I went over to Bulma's, remember?''

''Oh yeah. But you missed lunch! Mom made macaronis! I ate yours, sorry.''

''That's okay, Goten. I already ate. Hey, there's someone here for you to meet. Goten, this is Aki. She's my friend, and we're going to be studying together.''

Goten's eyes filled with tears.

''Are you going to leave every day now?''

''No, no. I'm going to be coming over to your house, Goten. Gohan isn't going anywhere, okay? Don't cry,'' Aki said to the little boy.

''Wasn't gonna cry,'' protested Goten.

''Okay, big guy,'' teased Gohan. Goten made a face that was supposed to be mean, but came out looking even cuter than usual. Everyone laughed, and Goten pouted.

''Oh, I wish we could stay longer, but I've really got to go. It takes about an hour to get back to Capsule Corp. at top speed, and I've got a board meeting at five. Let's go, Aki,'' said Bulma. They went outside, Gohan and Goten following them to the hover car.

Aki turned to Gohan.''I suppose I'll see you tomorrow, then,'' she said, smiling.

''Yes, but how will you get here?'' Gohan asked.

''I could-jeez, that's two hours there and back,'' Bulma realized.

Gohan thought for a moment.''Aki, you could take the flying Nimbus! Just tell it you want to go to my house, and it'll get you here really fast.''

''The flying what?''

''It's easy. All you have to do is call out 'Nimbus' and it'll come. Watch. Hey, Nimbus!'' Gohan called. Soon a yellow cloud could be seen descending above their heads. Goten laughed and pointed at it. Aki stared, fascinated. It stopped right in front of Gohan. He took Aki's hand.

''Have a seat. If you're pure of heart, you can ride it.'' Gohan sat down on it and tried to pull Aki down beside him. Aki thought about the rebel soldiers who she had dispatched to Yahweh, and pulled back. True, they had been trying to kill her, but still...

''No, thanks.''

''Come on, Aki. I know you're a good person. Give it a try.'' She sighed, and sat down, fully expecting the cloud to fly away screaming. Nothing happened. The cloud bore her weight with ease.

''See? I told you. Up, Nimbus!''

"Hey, I wanna come too!'' cried Goten. Gohan laughed and grabbed his little brother as the cloud rose. Bulma shouted from the ground.

''Hey! Unless you're gonna fly home on that thing, we've got to go! I'm gonna be late to my meeting!''

''Down, Nimbus,'' Gohan said reluctantly. The cloud obeyed, and brought them down to the ground in front of Bulma. Aki hopped off the cloud and scampered into the car before Bulma could say anything more. Bulma sighed and got behind the steering wheel.

''Bye, Gohan! Bye Goten! See you tomorrow!'' Aki said happily, as she waved from the back seat. They waved back, and watched the hover car fly away until it was out of sight. Gohan and Goten went back inside, Goten to go play with his blocks, Gohan to sit in the kitchen and endure a long talk with Chi-Chi that started out like this:

''Now, Gohan, you're a young man now. Aki is a very nice girl, but you two are only going to be studying. I don't want any hanky-panky going on, do you hear me? That bedroom door is to be open at all times, understand?''

''What?!?''

''You know what I mean. Don't you? Oh, goodness. I have to explain. Okay, Gohan, when a man and a woman-''

''No, wait!''

''Hold on, Gohan. I want to make sure you understand what's going on here."

''That's just it, Mom! Nothing's going on here!'

''Not yet. And I'm going to keep it that way. Now where was I? Oh, yes. When a man and a woman-''

''Mom!''

Meanwhile, back in the hover car...

''So, Aki, how do you like the new arrangements? You can spend the days studying and hanging out with Gohan, and come home for dinner and tell me all about it.'' Aki smiled.

"It sounds like fun,'' she said, her own voice sounding unfamiliar to her; almost strange, because she was so happy.

"I'm just glad I managed to find a way to get you out of the house, and still be around people you know. I mean, I don't think people in public school would be too kind to someone who wasn't from around here, if you know what I mean. At least you won't be home with Vegeta all day. He'd probably try to get you to train with him or something.'' Bulma laughed at the thought.

Aki's smile faded. She had wanted to train with Vegeta. She'd completely forgotten about it. Of course, in the state she'd previously been in, training would have been impossible. But after consuming those senzu beans, she felt like she was at her full strength. Better, even. But she'd already agreed to resume her studies with Gohan. But she still really, really wanted to train.

It looked like she still had some choices to make.

*~*~*

Whew! That was a wild ride. And it\'s only going to get better. In honor of nycscribe46's triumphant return to the world of fanfiction, there is going to be a Choose Your Own Adventure style chapter this time around. If you think Aki should study with Gohan, say so in your review. If you think she should blow Gohan off and train with Vegeta, tell me, and if you think she should be nice about it and tell him first, and still go and train with Vegeta, let me know. I will see which option gets the most votes and pen the next chapter accordingly. If there's a tie, I'll pick the one I want to write. You've got three weeks. Go forth and review!

Thanks to Dark Samurai Vegeta, for pestering me to get this chapter out. Your annoying reviews really inspired me to write, but it wasn't until my aunt gave me this old second hand 6 GB computer that I was actually able to do it.