Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Smoke and Mirrors ❯ A Day Like Any Other...Or Not ( Chapter 1 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: Just in case you didn't know...I do not own DB/Z/GT. Surprised? Didn't think so *g*

~*~*~*~*~*~

" Help me... " those were the only two words she whispered before collapsing.

A wide-eyed Goten managed to catch the strange girl before she hit the ground, " Um, Trunks, do you have any idea who she is? "

The lavender haired youth looked just as puzzled as his friend, " Not a clue, but, " he paused shaking his head, " nevermind. That's impossible. We better get her back to my mom. She'll probably know what to do. "

Both guys took off into the air with Goten still cradling the unconscious girl. They kept a sharp watch for anything out of the ordinary but arrived back at Capsule Corp without incident.

" There you boys are, " shouted Bulma leaning out the back door with a spatula in one hand and a plate of food in the other. " Dinner was ready fifteen minutes ago! I told you not to be late! "

" Sorry, Mom, " Trunks apologized, " but something happened. You see..."

" Who is that girl Goten is carrying? I want some answers, boys! " She poked her head back in the door, " Chi Chi! Your son is finally back, and he has some strange girl in his arms! "

Goten blushed furiously when his mother appeared at the door. He was eighteen years old, but his mother still treated him like a little kid most of the time. Fortunately, Bulma was almost as bad as she questioned Trunks faster than he could possibly answer her.

" If you all don't mind, my arms are getting kind of tired, " Goten said loudly.

Everyone turned to look at him. " Well, get her in here, " Bulma commanded holding the door open wider.

" Isn't that what I was trying to do? " Goten muttered to Trunks as they made their way into the kitchen of Capsule Corp, and Trunks tried unsuccessfully to stifle a grin.

" Now, are you boys going to tell us who this girl is or not? " Chi Chi demanded as they all moved into the living room.

" Trunks and I were down by the river when we heard an explosion about a mile away. We went to see what was happening, but by the time we got there, all we found was some burnt grass and a damaged tree. " Goten explained as they continued through the house to the door leading to the basement and Bulma's laboratory.

" We heard a noise from the nearby trees, " Trunks continued, " and suddenly this girl came stumbling out. She asked for help then passed out. "

" She doesn't seem to have any serious visible injuries. There's a cut on her forehead and a few bruises on her arm. I guess we'll have to do a few tests and see if we can find anything. "

" You boys should really be more careful! " Chi Chi chided them, " You never know what you may run into out there. Who knows what happened to this girl, and whoever was responsible could have still been there! "

Trunks and Goten both rolled their eyes. They'd been saving the planet since they were children, yet they still received constant lectures about the dangers of the world. It was sadly ironic that two of the strongest warriors on the planet had two of the most overprotective mothers.

Once they descended the stairs, Bulma readied a gurney, and Goten laid her down. " This shouldn't take too long. Chi Chi, hand me the first aid kit on the shelf behind you. I want to get this cut cleaned up. "

Several minutes passed as they waited for Bulma's diagnosis. She checked the girl's pulse, her temperature, and took a few x-rays. Finally she turned back to the expectant little group, " There's nothing wrong with her. The only thing that I can figure is that something frightened her so badly that she fainted, and she just hasn't woken up yet. "

" Are you sure, Mom? It seems like she's been out for an awfully long time. "

" There's no other explanation. I say we just let her rest here for a while, and if she doesn't come around, we'll have to take her to the hospital for more testing. "

" Now, you boys go wash up, so you can eat before everything gets cold, " Chi Chi said nudging the boys back towards the stairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They were halfway through dinner when Goku and Gohan walked through the door, " I knew I smelled something good! " Goku exclaimed hungrily eyeing up the meal.

Bulma laughed, " Oh Goku, help yourself. I made plenty. You too, Gohan. "

Goku grabbed a plate and began eagerly filling it with everything in sight, but Gohan shook his head, " I promised Videl that I'd take her out to dinner tonight. "

" That's wonderful, Gohan, " Chi Chi smiled, " do you need me to watch Pan? "

" That's all right. We're going to drop her off with Videl's dad. He hasn't seen Pan for a while, so we thought it would be a good chance for them to spend a little time together."

Chi Chi nodded thoughtfully then turned to Bulma, " That reminds me, where is Bra? "

" She's staying with Marron tonight. I feel so bad for Eighteen, " she chuckled, " those two are absolutely devious together. "

" You're telling me, " laughed Chi Chi, " Remember a few weeks ago when I had all three of them over to play? I thought that... "

The conversation fell silent as the mysterious young woman stepped timidly into the room, " Excuse me, " she said softly, " but where am I? "

" You're awake! " Goten and Trunks shouted at once while Goku and Gohan looked up curiously.

Chi Chi and Bulma both began questioning the girl, and she took a few nervous steps backwards, " I- Well, you see...My name...if you'd just give me a... " She took a deep breath and held up a hand, " HOLD ON! " she yelled.

Both women immediately stopped their interrogation. Chi Chi's expression turned indignant, and she really considered giving the girl a piece of her mind. But when the young woman gave an apologetic smile, she decided to wait and see what the girl had to say.

" Forgive me. I was just feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of your questions. I will be happy to tell you anything that you wish to know, but please, one at a time. "

Chi Chi was the first to speak, " Who are you? "

The girl smiled. " My name is Jiara, " she replied simply

" What happened to you? " Goten asked next.

The smile faded quickly. " That is a bit more complicated to explain. You see, I cannot recall anything previous to this morning. I awoke to find myself asleep in the middle of the forest. Obviously, I had to try and figure out where I was, but as I was walking through the trees someone attacked me. "

" Who? " exclaimed several voices at once.

" Unfortunately, I did not catch even the slightest glimpse of the one responsible. "

" Why would anyone do something like that? " Bulma gasped, " Goodness, you're just a child! You can't be a day over sixteen! "

" Wait, " Gohan interjected, " if you have amnesia, then how do you know your name? "

Her cheeks flushed a bit, but she reached into her jacket pocket and produced a small silver locket. She held it out towards him, " I was wearing this. "

Gohan carefully took it and studied it for a moment. The front of the locket was inscribed 'To Jiara' and on the back, 'Love Daddy'. When he looked back to the girl, there were tears in her dark eyes. " It's...beautiful. Um, " he handed it back to her not certain what to say.

She took the item back and held it protectively, " How did I get here? "

" Goten and I found you and brought you back here so that my mom could make sure you were okay. "

" You did not see the one who attacked me, did you? "

Goten shook his head, " Afraid not, but we'd be happy to try and find out who it is. "

" No. I do not wish to be a burden to you. My deepest thanks for your help. I should be going. "

" Where are you going to stay? " Bulma questioned.

" I do not know. "

" You could stay here. At least for tonight. It's already beginning to get dark, and you probably haven't eaten. "

Jiara glanced at the food then back to Bulma, " Are you certain that it will not be any trouble for you? "

" Of course it won't! " she smiled and grabbed another plate from the cupboard, " My daughter is gone for the night, so you can sleep in her room. "

Suddenly Goku spoke up, " You look an awful lot like a Saiya-jin, " he blurted.

" A Saiya-jin? " she repeated thoughtfully.

" That's what I thought, too, " Trunks admitted and a few of the others offered their agreement.

" What is a...Saiya-jin? "

" Well, " Goku explained, " I'm a Saiya-jin, and so are my boys. " He gestured towards Gohan and Goten, " There's just something about that black hair and eyes of yours. I don't suppose you have a tail. "

" Tail? " she blinked and glanced over her shoulder, " Not of which I am aware. "

" It's not really likely anyhow. Our home planet blew up a long time ago. The only survivors that we know of are me and Vegeta. "

" Vegeta, " she said softly and glanced at the locket.

" Um, I don't think so, dear. Vegeta is my husband, and we only have two children. "

Jiara's hopeful look fell, " Oh, well, then perhaps I am not a Saiya-jin after all. " She tucked the necklace back into her pocket with a sigh.

Bulma handed her a plate of food and warmly patted her shoulder, " I just know we'll be able to help you find your family. "

Jiara offered a polite smile in return and took a seat next to Goten at the table.

*~*~*~*~*~*

The house was dark and silent as Jiara lay in bed staring sleeplessly at the ceiling. It had been an interesting evening to say the least. Soon after her arrival, Gohan had left to drop off his daughter, Pan, and take his wife out to dinner. Goku, on the other hand, had remained and systematically wiped out the rest of the food while Goten and Trunks told her all sorts of interesting stories.

It was nearly midnight before the rest of the Son family headed home, and Bulma showed Jiara to her room.The one called Vegeta never did make an appearance. Even now, at almost two in the morning, there was no sign of Bulma's husband.

The ticking of the clock caught her attention, it's repetition lulling her gradually towards sleep. As she drifted in that semiconscious state, another sound caused her bolt up suddenly in her bed.

She slid her legs over the side of the bed and slipped out from under the covers. Without a sound she crossed the room and cracked open the door. The man in the hallway immediately turned towards the sound. A dark scowl creased his brow when he saw the pajama clad teen peeking out the door. " Who are you, and what are you doing in my daughter's room? " he demanded taking a threatening step towards the girl.

" You must be Vegeta, " she commented thoughtfully and stepped fully into view.

He seemed surprised by her casual attitude but quickly regained his composure, " I asked you a question, brat. What are you doing in my daughter's room? "

Jiara stood with her hands folded behind her back, her head tilted slightly to one side as she studied Vegeta. " Bra is at Marron's house for the night, so Bulma said that I could sleep here. You see, I seem to have lost my memory and had nowhere else to stay. "

" Lost your memory, huh? " he smirked, " And just how did you manage to end up at my house? "

" It is quite simple really. Your son, Trunks, and his friend Goten came to help me when I encountered a bit of trouble. It seems that I fainted, and they brought me here for help. Your friend, Goku, thought briefly that I may be a Saiya-jin, but that theory was dismissed since neither you nor he are my father. "

" Kakarrot...my friend? Girl, you are sadly mistaken. He is no friend of mine. As for the possibility of you being a Saiya-jin, " he gave a small, rather harsh sounding, laugh, " I would say it's impossible. "

" Impossible? " she arched a brow curiously, " And what brings you to that conclusion?"

" Not only are Kakarrot and I the only Saiya-jin old enough to have a child your age, but your power level is no more than any other human brat. "

Jiara frowned at his words, " There is no need to be so harsh, Vegeta. It was merely a theory. What makes you so high and mighty anyhow? "

The man crossed his arms over his chest, a hint of a smile on his lips, " Because I am the Prince of all Saiya-jin. "

She giggled softly at his words, " Since there are only seven of you in existence, I do not see much meaning in that, " with a sassy toss of her hair she headed back to the room. " Good night, Your Majesty, " she smiled glancing over one shoulder before shutting the door.

Vegeta glared at the now empty spot as one hand curled into a fist. He was so enraged that he could hardly form a coherent thought. How dare she speak to him in such a manner...disrespect him completely under his own roof? It was unforgivable!

" Vegeta? Is that you? " muttered a groggy voice from behind the prince.

" Woman, we need to talk about this guest of yours, " he growled.

Bulma pulled her robe tighter and padded out of the bedroom, " Is something wrong? Since we had the open bed, I didn't think it would be a problem. The poor thing lost her memory and got attacked. I figured it was the least I could do for her. "

" Well, she has to go! First thing in the morning! "

" Now look here, mister, this is my house too, and I don't see why we can't help her. "

" Because she's a disrespectful, smart mouthed little brat! " his volume escalated with each word.

" How could you say such a thing? " gasped Bulma, " She's practically a baby! "

Trunks appeared then, stumbling half-blind down the hall, " Can this possibly wait until morning, you guys? "

Vegeta and Bulma both looked to their son then glared at one another, " We'll discuss this in the morning, woman. " The prince stalked off and went downstairs.

Bulma sighed as she watched him go. " Sorry, hon. Your father is just being difficult again. "