Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Forgotten ❯ The First Step ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The Forgotten
Part two
By Maria Cline

There was music in the air as Chi Chi stood in the hallway. There was people all around her and yet she could not see their faces. They were laughing and joking. She smiled as she walked outside into the cool night air. Suddenly, a strong hand came onto her shoulder.

*****

Chi Chi sat up in her bed breathing heavily. "Damn it." She moaned as she reached under her pillow and got out a stuffed purple dragon. "Another dream." She sighed as she fingered the dragon's wings. Three years ago, she found herself riding down the road with this toy in her hands. Why would a powerful warrior woman like herself would even be caught with a toy was beyond her. Still, she carried it with her, hoping to remember the reason. Three years passed and she still couldn't solve the mystery of the stuffed dragon.

"Hey, Chi Chi... you okay?" Goku asked as he sat on top of the side table.

"Yeah." Chi Chi blushed as she looked at the stuffed dragon in her hands and asked, "Say... Goku this will sound strange but can you talk to other toys? I mean, toys who can't talk?"

Goku's eyes widened as he recognized the stuffed dragon in her arms. "Oh! Er... sorry... I can only understand toys who speak English." He grinned as he leaned closer. **She has Icarus with her? How's that possible? Did she remembered to get him for Gohan?** "Say... why do you have a stuffed dragon with you?"

"I don't know." Chi Chi whispered as she put the dragon in her bag. "I just do."

"Oh." Goku couldn't help but smile slightly at the sight of the toy. Was it possible that somewhere, somehow, Chi Chi remembered their past together?

"I don't want to talk about it." Chi Chi said as she blushed. "Please. Can you turn around while I get dressed?"

"Sure." Goku turned around and then saw a clock standing there. "Wait a moment." He said as he took a towel from the dresser and flung it over the clock.

"Hey!!!" The clock screamed as he moved and fidgeted.

"Sorry, Sensei Roshi." Goku said as he tied the towel around the clock. Goku looked up at a surprised Chi Chi and explained, "He's a bit of a pervert... he likes seeing naked women."

"I haven't seen a real live hottie in three years!" Sensei Roshi screamed as he fought.

"Sorry, you can't peek at Chi Chi..." Goku said as he dragged Sensei Roshi outside. "You better dress fast." Goku advised as he closed the door.

Chi Chi shook her head and chuckled. She looked around and asked, "Anyone else here?"

"Just me." A female voice said as a dresser came forward. "I moved out of Vegita's room... I don't like him."

"Well... he's not bad... just... egotistical." Chi Chi sighed, "Vegita told me about you. You're Eighteen right? Got any nice clothes for me?"

"Right here." Eighteen said as she opened her drawers and showed a bunch of dresses.

Chi Chi looked through the dresses and pulled out a lovely purple one. It was in Fire Mountain's style, and vaguely familiar. It was a long purple dress that reacheed her knees. She slipped off her sleeping outfit and put on the dress. It fit perfectly and she saw a yellow sash in the drawer.

"Put it on." Eighteen urged hoping that maybe Chi Chi had remembered wearing her favorite dress before.

Chi Chi complied and tied on the yellow sash. "How do I look?"

Eighteen seemed to nod and said, "It's you."

Chi Chi looked around to see that her room had no mirror. Undaunted, she reached to her polished sword by the side of her bed and saw her reflection. "It's me..." Chi Chi agreed as she went out of the room to see Goku and the pouting clock in the hallway. "Okay... I'm ready."

Goku and Sensei Roshi looked up at the woman and gasped. Chi Chi was wearing her favorite dress. The dress she left at the castle so she didn't have to lug it back and forth to the Fire Mountain. Chi Chi had never looked so beautiful in his life. "So... ready for the tour of the place?" Goku asked as he held out his hand.

Chi Chi smiled as she picked up the toy and put him on her shoulder. "Go ahead. But, first, can you take me to the kitchen? I want to cook some breakfast."

"Huh?" Goku nearly fell off of her shoulder. "What do you mean?"

"I want to cook for me and Vegita." Chi Chi insisted as she looked at Goku. "I know that you and the other objects would cook for me but I like to cook."

"Oh." **At least she still loves to cook.** Goku thought as he pointed ahead. "This way."

*****

Vegita got out of bed, slipped on his usual black vest and pants, and started doing pushups in his bedroom. He and Chi Chi had gone separate rooms after they met the Castle's Mistress. He couldn't help but wonder who she was. What was her name? And how could she get such a castle and odd objects? He smirked as he thought about the strange new woman in his life. After making sure that nothing in his room could talk, he came out into the hall way where he saw Yamcha standing there.

"Do you always stand there? Or do you wish to escort me?" Vegita asked as he frowned at the candle holder.

"I was just checking on how you're doing." Yamcha replied as he shrugged. "So, ready for breakfast? Chi Chi's going to make it."

"I see... by her will or did that toy soldier make her?" Vegita grunted.

"She likes to cook. She insisted." Yamcha confessed.

The warrior smirked. "Ah... my fiance... royal blood and she loves to cook. Just have to pass the sex problem, and the deal is set."

Yamcha sighed. Vegita was overconfident in himself and he was due to get married to his best friend's wife. **And this guy is our only hope of getting back to normal. Oh well... it's a long shot.** "Well... you know where the dining room is. Wanna tour with Goku afterwards? Check out the rest of the place."

"Of course. I would like to examine the rest of the grounds. I must ask, are there any adequate places for a powerful warrior for me to train?" Vegita asked as he picked up the candle holder.

"Yeah. Goku, Piccolo, and me train at various places." Yamcha replied.

"I mean for a _human_ warrior like myself." Vegita said as he gestured at himself.

Yamcha's main flame flared up before calming down. "I think it's appropriate for humans too. I'll show you after you and Chi Chi eat."

"Very well. Let's go."

*****

Chi Chi gasped in wonder at the kitchen before her. It was white and clean with appliances that would rival a restaurant's. "This... is amazing."

Goku smiled at the look of awe on his wife's face. "Yeah... we keep it tidy like that."

"I'll need to get the supplies." Chi Chi opened the refridgerator to see it was a walk in. "A walk in fridge! Look at all this food!" She poked her head out and asked, "Why does one woman need this much food? Does she eat this much?"

"Not really..." Goku said as he looked down, "The animals eat too."

"What about you?"

"Huh?" Goku asked as he managed to climb on top of a counter. "What did you say?"

"Do you eat?"

Goku rubbed his stomach in remembrance. How long has it been since he ate? Before the curse, he used to eat huge amounts of food every day. He loved the taste of food and the feeling of an empty stomach turned full. He sighed as he remembered the last meal he had eaten before the curse took place. "I can't eat. I'm a tin soldier."

"Oh." Chi Chi gasped as she blushed. "I'm sorry. I just thought..."

"No. That's okay." Goku insisted as he smiled. "I understand."

"Why do you have such a big kitchen for only one woman and a bunch of animals?" Chi Chi asked as she started getting out the pans. She had an easy time finding the things she needed despite the fact it was her first time in this kitchen.

"I can't say." Goku confessed, "There used to be a bunch of people who lived here... but they moved out."

"Odd... I know about every castle in this area and I don't remember hearing about a castle like this." Chi Chi said as she put her hand on a kitchen wall. She turned to Goku and asked, "Does this place have a name?"

Goku looked down. The castle was once called 'The Capsule Castle' before the curse. Now, no one besides the cursed occupants even remembered the place. "Not really. We just called it 'The Castle'."

"Well... maybe this place should have a name." Chi Chi said as she pondered. "I'll talk to Vegita about it. What about your Mistress? Does she have a name?"

Goku looked down again. Bulma made it clear that no human should know her name now she is no longer human. They still called her 'Bulma' only to remind her of what she was and what she should be. "I can't say. You will have to ask her."

"I see. Maybe, I will." Chi Chi frowned as she started preparing her meal.

"And get yourself killed?" Another voice cried out. "You must be nuts, lady!"

Chi Chi looked to her left to see a giant knife standing up. "Oh! I didn't see you there."

"Hey, Yajarobie." Goku waved, "Is it okay if Chi Chi uses you to cut?"

"I don't want to be a bother." Chi Chi said hesitantly, "I don't want to use objects that can walk and talk like normal people."

"I'll cut them up for you. Better than that psycho." Yajarobie grumbled, "I hate her! It was all her f-"

"Yajarobie!" Goku yelled as he grabbed the knife and held his mouth. "Go ahead... I'll be right back." The woman watched as the toy soldier, holding the knife in a death drip, walked to the far corner of the kitchen.

Goku dragged Yajarobie to the corner and let him go. "Have you lost your mind?" Goku whispered harshly to the knife. "You know we can't let Chi Chi or Vegita know about this curse."

"Yeah... yeah... it slipped." Yajarobie grumbled. "I just missed being human... I don't have any arms and I haven't eaten in three years!"

"This curse hurts me too." Goku confessed, "My son's a cat and my wife is engaged to another man... I miss eating and being human too but we mustn't let Chi Chi or any other human know! Vegita may be the key to us being normal."

"I know. Sorry." Yajarobie sighed, "I'll just go this way for a while. Maybe sharpen myself."

"Good idea." Yajarobie hopped away and Goku just shook his head. **That was close.** Goku looked up to see that Chi Chi had started cooking her meal. He remembered the times when she would work in this kitchen, cooking for hordes of people at a time. Every meal was a labor of love for her. He sighed as he watched his wife cook like he used to do before the curse. Of course, before, he would take samples from her and he was the one who towered over her, instead of the other way around.

Chi Chi paused in her preparation and looked at the toy soldier who was staring at her. "Are you okay?" She asked.

"Huh? Yeah! I'm fine!" Goku replied as he grinned, "I'll go... and do some patrols for a while... oh, one more thing. You gotta be careful with the pepper shaker."

"Pepper shaker?" Chi Chi repeated almost dumbfounded.

Goku jumped up to the spice rack and opened it. A pair of salt-and-pepper shakers shaped like girls came up. They were short and had round figures like any other salt and pepper shakers, one had blue hair and the other had blond hair. "This is Lunch and Launch. Lunch is the salt shaker and Launch is the pepper shaker."

"Hello!" Lunch gushed as she hopped up. "I'm so happy to see you! Wow! You look great!"

"Eh..." Chi Chi looked at Goku who was waving his hands.

"Don't listen to her... she rambles.." Goku grinned.

"Shut up you idiot!" Launch screamed as she took out a pair of pistols and fired pepper all over the place.

"Eek!" Lunch squeaked as she ducked.

Goku quickly closed the door and panted heavilly. "*whew* Launch is a bit... hot tempered. Don't use her when cooking. If you need pepper, we have a pepper barrel."

"I'll remember that." Chi Chi said as she sweatdroppped.

"Oh well... better do some patroling with Piccolo..." Goku said as he hopped down to the floor and walked to the door.

"Goku, wait!" Chi Chi said as she walked up to the smaller figure and knelt down. "I need to ask you something."

Goku looked up and nodded. "Sure, what is it?"

Chi Chi sighed and asked, "How do you protect this castle? I mean, you're so small."

Goku looked down and replied, "I have my ways. I'll show you on the tour. I promise!" He looked back up and did a thumbs up.

"Okay. I'll remind you." Chi Chi smiled back as she started cooking again.

Goku's smile faded as he watched her cook again. **I wish I can sample some of that food right now.** He thought as he walked away.

*****

Goku wandered down the huge hallway and saw Vegita carrying Yamcha to the dining room. Vegita looked down and glared at the toy. Goku just ignored it and went on. Why was Vegita so mad at him? Does he suspect the truth? How could he know? As long as Vegita was concerned, Goku is just an odd walking, talking, toy. He just shook his head and moved forward.

Finally, he made it to the rarely used libary. The only ones who uses the vast works it contained were Bulma--if she ever got out of her room-- and Gohan and Piccolo.

"Hey, Goku." Piccolo said from the shadows.

Goku nodded as he sat on one of the miniature chairs that were littered on the floor. "Hey, Piccolo."

"I understand Chi Chi's back." The former demon grunted as he crossed his arms.

Goku nodded. "Yeah. Gohan told you right?"

"Yes. I can't believe she actually came back with Vegita as a fiance." Piccolo sighed as he leaned back. "Vegita's not her type."

"I know. But Chi Chi's marrying him! They're doing it for politics. She's getting married out of duty and not because she likes him." Goku insisted as he held his head.

"That's the way most royal marriages work, Goku. Two fathers get together, get their kids hitched, have grandkids, and create treaties." Piccolo explained.

"I know that! I learned that from Ox-King!" Goku snapped as his body shook. "But... Chi Chi's making herself suffer because she forgot about Gohan and me! She shouldn't be doing this!"

"I know, Goku. But the curse erased our existence to the outside world. Only Vegita can save us if he and Bulma fall in love." Piccolo muttered, "And that's a fairly far off chance."

"A far better chance than we had before." Goku said as he clenched his fist. "Damn it... we gotta help Bulma go to Vegita. I have to make Chi Chi remember!"

"Yeah. I'll try to help out. I hate this form." Piccolo grunted.

"Oh come on, Piccolo, you don't look that bad!" Goku insisted, "You look more like you than we do. Even me!" Even in the shadows, Goku could see Piccolo's glare. "Okay... okay... wanna see Chi Chi and Vegita?"

"Maybe later." Piccolo said as he moved deeper in the shadows. "I'll go and prepare Gohan's tutoring lessons."

Goku smiled as he nodded. After the curse, Goku decided to keep on tutoring Gohan. While he wasn't very intelligent in the way of books, Piccolo and a few others were. They joined together and tutored Gohan to help him and themselves remember what it meant to be human, and to keep themselves occupied. He helped out when he could with his own experiences, which were the best lessons. After he watched Piccolo vanished, he walked back outside. He had to help prepare the castle for the tour.

*****

Chi Chi hummed to herself as she started mixing. For some reason, she always felt content while cooking. It calmed her like training would calm Vegita. She paused and looked behind her. "Who's there?" She asked softly.

Gohan walked up and sat on the floor. "Hi."

"Hello." Chi Chi cooed as she knelt down, "What are you doing here?"

"Watching you." Gohan admitted. He didn't know too much about his mother, except mostly what his dad and the others told him. They often talked about the time 'before the curse' when his dad was six feet tall and he was human. He did remember watching his mother cook and hum that song. He even helped out in the kitchen; He was 'Mommy's little helper'.

"That's sweet." Chi Chi said as she wiped her hands and gently stroked the kitten.

Gohan purred as he rubbed his head along her hand. "I wish I can help you."

Chi Chi smiled at the kitten. He was so small and adorable and he wanted to help her with the kitchen. "Well... you can be my lookout."

Gohan looked up. "Lookout?"

"Of course." Chi Chi nodded and picked up the kitten and held him till he can almost touch her nose, "You can go to the dining room and lookout for Vegita. When he comes, come back here and tell me. I'll even give you a treat after that. Okay?"

Gohan reached out and licked her nose. "Sure!"

Chi Chi smiled as she touched her nose. She didn't know why but that felt nice to her. "Good." She knelt back down and placed the kitten on the ground.

"Bye!" Gohan scampered out of the kitchen.

*****

Vegita and Yamcha entered the dining room to see the other objects bringing food from the kitchen. "Wow, Chi Chi's fast." Yamcha commented as he stared at the food being brought out. He had forgotten how fast Chi Chi could cook. Before the curse, Chi Chi could cook scores of food by herself with just one other helper. She would often be the only one cooking for the party and be proud of her work.

"Oh, yes." Vegita smirked as he seated himself and placed Yamcha on the table. He picked up a plate and immediately started filling it with pancakes.

Yamcha watched as the prince began gorging himself full. "Say... shouldn't you wait for Chi Chi? She's the one who cooked all this in the first place?"

"She takes too long." Vegita mumbled after swollowing his food. "Besides, she doesn't mind that I eat first."

Yamcha sighed as he hopped to the middle of the table and watched the food being stocked up. Vegita ate again at a super speed pace. He was neat but still ate like there's no tomorrow. He looked down at the floor to see Gohan looking up at Vegita and then ran to the kitchen. "What's he doing?" Yamcha wondered.

Vegita paused in his feast and asked, "Hey, Candle holder, when will our captor eat with us?"

Yamcha looked at the prince surprised at the question and said, "I'm not sure. The mistress tends to keep to herself. We rarely see her and we're her only friends."

"Why don't you go and get her for us?" Vegita demanded, "I'd like to see what kind of food she eats. Maybe, even get some sort of name to call her."

Yamcha sighed as he thought of what Bulma might do if he even suggests having breakfast with this egotistical prince. Yet, he didn't want to spend the rest of his life as a candle holder. "I'll talk to her."

"Good. You do that." Vegita grunted as he eat again.

Yamcha hopped down the table and made his way out of the living room. He saw Goku and asked, "Hey, Goku!" Yamcha said as he quickly came up to Goku. "Vegita wants to Bulma to have breakfast with him and Chi Chi. Can you run up and ask her? You are way faster than me."

Goku's eyes brightened as he grinned. The only way for Vegita and Bulma to love each other was for them to know each other. They have to actually talk to do that. "Okay! The sooner they love each other, the sooner we can have our lives back!" He gushed as he ran off to Bulma's room in a great hurry.

"And I can have Puar back." Yamcha sighed happilly as he went back to the dining room.

*****

Bulma pressed her fingers on the monitor like she would normally do, every day for the past three years. On the screen, two old people were wandering in another nameless town. They always wandered with no home, and almost no clue about who they were. They were the ones who suffered a great deal, even if they weren't transformed like she was.

There was a knock at the door. Bulma snarled as she turned from the monitor. "Who's there?!"

"It's me, Goku. Can I talk to you?" Goku asked as he poked his head in.

Bulma sighed as she nodded and turned off her monitor. "What is it?"

"Well..." Goku looked around and asked, "Vegita wants to know if you would like to have Breakfast with him and Chi Chi."

Bulma glared at him and her snakes waved around. "You're kidding right? I'm not going."

"Oh come on... they know what you look like." Goku pleaded as he climbed ontop of a table to look at Bulma as close as possible. "Vegita isn't afraid of you. He might even like you or love you. It's been three years since either of us has been outside of this castle... Bulma... Chi Chi is suffering because she believes it's her duty to marry and have kids with Vegita. She can't sleep with him and it makes her feel like a failure. Everyone touched by this curse is suffering, missing their lives. Even those who only forget must've been changed. Please, you have to take the first step for us. Talk to Vegita. Please."

Bulma stared at the much smaller man. Had it been three years already? She could barely understand how so much time could pass. Goku rarely make such a speech but when he did, he did it right. She was the only one who could really break the curse. "Okay... give me five minutes to change. I'll be down." Bulma said, "But, after breakfast, I'm going back. Okay?"

"Sure." Goku nodded, pleased that Bulma will actually be getting out of the room for the first time since the curse began. "Pick out something good!" He suggested as he hopped off of the table and ran off.

Bulma sighed as she closed the door and then went to the closet. "What to wear..." She muttered as she looked through her dusty outfits.

*****

Vegita paused in his eating as he and Yamcha waited for Goku to come back.

"You were waiting for me, Vegita?" Chi Chi asked as she came in with Gohan in her arms.

"Somewhat." Vegita grunted as he glanced at her and then the cat in her arms. "Why is that cat with you?"

"This is Gohan, isn't he adorable?" Chi Chi cooed as she held out the kitten. "He's my little lookout. Want some milk, Gohan?"

Gohan rubbed his head on Chi Chi's hand and purred. "Sure."

Vegita cocked an eyebrow in confusion. Chi Chi had been somewhat happy since they came to this bizzare castle. In fact, she had been happier than she had been since she had met him. Before, she seemed dazed at times and got sick when having sex. She would have nightmares and bizzare dreams about some party. She would carry around that stupid stuffed dragon and ask about it in every new town they came to making them look ridulous. Now, she seemed content to be trapped in a castle with a strange recluse of a woman and a bunch of walking, talking objects and animals.

Chi Chi poured milk into a small cup and laid it on the floor. She watched almost contently as the kitten lapped up the milk.

"Are you going to adopt that cat?" Vegita commented as he looked at the corner of his eye.

Chi Chi smiled as she gently stroked his fur. "Well... while I'm here."

"That would be great." Goku said as he ran in. He looked up to Vegita and said, "The mistress will be coming. Just had to get something to wear."

"Oh, great. If she's like any woman, it will take her forever to get ready!" Vegita moaned as he held his head.

"She's not like any woman." Yamcha pointed out. "Trust me on this."

"She's definately not like any other woman I know." Chi Chi agreed. "What is she? Is she a demon or a creation? No, she seemed so... concerned about her looks."

"She's a friend." Goku said as he nodded, "That's all that counts."

And so they waited five minutes before a figure walked in. Goku and the other objects gasped at the sight of seeing their friend outside of her room. She was dressed in a long dark blue dress with long gloves, and a see-through veil with a long dark blue scarf over her head.

"Hey, glad to see you made it." Goku grinned as he nodded. "Nice outfit."

"You look nice." Yamcha comforted, knowing how hard it was for Bulma to actually make it this far.

"Yes, blue seems to compliment your skin." Chi Chi complimented as she smiled.

"Afraid to show your face?" Vegita taunted.

At once, everyone glared at the loud-mouth warrior. Vegita was being far too blunt for his own good.

"What?" Bulma hissed.

"Hey, lay off her! She's doing this for you!" Goku insisted as he watched his first chance of being normal start to slip away.

"I was just saying that one shouldn't be afraid to show their face." Vegita said as he tapped his spoon. "I've seen warriors who had half their faces blown off still walk around proud. What about you? Don't you have pride in what you are?"

"I am not afraid." Bulma lied as she shook with rage.

"Then, take off the veil. Make it easier for you to eat. We have all seen your face. You have nothing to hide." Vegita taunted as he eat again.

Bulma stood still as she stared at the prince. The others watched as she took off the veil and sat down. "Happy?"

Vegita nodded and said, "Now, a name. Please?"

At once, Chi Chi and everyone else gasped at the prince. Chi Chi had never known Vegita to be polite to anyone. Now, he had actually said please to some strange woman who wanted to kill them for seeing her face. **He said 'please'?**

"I have no name. Call me, 'Mistress' or 'Creature'." Bulma said as she started to get food from the table.

"Come on, we live together now." Chi Chi insisted, curious about her 'captor'. "I won't call you 'Mistress' and 'Creature' sounds demeaning!"

"In case you haven't noticed but I have s-scales and I have snakes for hair. I'm not pretty like you." Bulma said as she looked down.

"I'm sure that you're pretty in your own way... maybe among your people?" Chi Chi asked, "Fine, I'll give you a name... how about Bulma?"

At once, Bulma and the other objects nearly facefaulted. "Huh? Why Bulma?" Goku asked stunned. How could Chi Chi know Bulma's name? They were positive that no one called Bulma anything except 'Mistress' when talking about her and to her. Was it possible that she remembered her own friend?

"It just sounds nice." Chi Chi replied, unsure why she would think of a name like 'Bulma'.

"Bulma..." Vegita repeated letting the name roll off his tongue. "Hmmm... nah! You don't look like a 'Bulma' to me. Until you confess your real name to me... I'll call you 'Woman'."

"Just call me what you like." Bulma waved as she eat again. "Hmmm... this is good."

"Thanks! I hope you like pancakes." Chi Chi said as she started eating the fruit.

The three ate at the table as the others served them. They were amazed at how easilly Chi Chi and Vegita seemed to handle their situation. Even Chi Chi seemed to treat Bulma more like an equal, despite the fact that Bulma was a monster.

"So, Bulma, how did you and the enchanted objects get here?" Chi Chi asked casually.

Bulma just looked at her tea in her gloved hands. "I can't say. One day, the previous owners left and we showed up."

"Oh." Chi Chi muttered as she looked around to see the other objects, even Gohan seemed a little nervous by the question. What were they afraid of revealing? Why did she have a feeling it has something to do with her?

"So... are you two close?" Bulma asked as she gestured to the two warriors.

"We're betrothed to be married." Vegita replied. "Our fathers made an arrangement."

"So, you two are doing it because your parents told you to?" Bulma asked almost surprised. "You don't like each other?"

"Chi Chi's okay." Vegita said, "She loves to cook, loves to clean and can actually bruise me. The only problem with her is-"

"Don't say it!" Chi Chi threatened.

"Very well." Vegita grunted as he crossed his arms.

"Okay... well... that was some storm we had last night." Chi Chi said as she sipped her tea. "Nothing like what we normally get at the Fire Kingdom."

"And what's the weather like at the Fire Kingdom?" Goku asked as he sat on the table, letting his legs dangle off of the side.

"Hot." Chi Chi sighed, "It does rain there, but it's rare." She smiled as she leaned on the table. "It's very rocky there too. My castle is close to the Great Fire Mountain, where flames rose eternally. I would train there constantly... got burned occassionally, but I get better fast. People of my bloodline are fast healers."

"Must be hard living there." Bulma said as she and the others listened intently to the woman's description of the outside world.

"Not really. There aren't as many trees or streams but it's beautiful. When the sun rises the shadows make the most interesting shapes. Sometimes, I found crystal rocks that bend light to make the most beautiful rainbows. And at night, the Great Fire Mountain lights up the sky like a giant torch. In fact, most people use it to find their way home... You can see it from miles away on a clear night. It is harsh, but it holds it's own beauty." Chi Chi sighed as she stared outward in a daze. She blinked and blushed. "Sorry, I was rambling again, wasn't I?"

"No... no... we don't mind." Goku urged as he came up. "This Fire Mountain place sounds great."

"Yes, it was." Chi Chi sighed again. "My father takes great care in running it. He is the Ox-King, Gyu Moa. He is a giant, and can be fierce but he is very sweet and gentle. Always urging me to get a family and settle down. That's why I'm getting married to Vegita."

"What about you?" Bulma asked Vegita. "What's your kingdom like?"

Vegita smirked as he leaned back. "The Saiyan Kingdom is on the other side of the mountain range from the Fire Kingdom. It is far different though... for one thing, all Saiyans born in the kingdom are far stronger than the other humans, even in the Fire Kingdom."

"Only because that place is cursed!" Chi Chi exclaimed.

"Cursed?!" Everyone else asked, intrigued about a different place being cursed than their own home.

"It's not cursed! Well... enchanted... but not cursed!" Vegita argued, "In the Saiyan Kingdom, the sky is constantly red, instead of blue. It's filled with giant monsters that we had to fight off... they are a bit of a nuisance... oh, and everything there is twice as heavy than outside. Twice the normal gravity than in the Fire Kingdom... it was enchanted a long time ago... we adapted greatly... my ancestor tried to lift the curse but then he decided to live with it. It is hard, especially for tourists who couldn't move... we don't get many tourists there... but it makes us Saiyans the most powerful warriors in the world!"

"I didn't know that." Yamcha whispered to Goku. "Didn't you know?"

"Not really... I never visited the Saiyan Kingdom or... I don't think I did..." Goku whispered back. He gulped as he realized how little about this kingdom he knew about. He was born in the Saiyan Kingdom but was adopted and left early. He did have some memories about the place, but he didn't remember the enchantment on the land. Was it because of the time that passed? Or because of the curse on him? How much did he and the others forgotten?

"The Saiyan Royal bloodline, like the Fire Mountain Royal bloodline, is fast healing, and we have ablities beyond that of normal humans." Vegita bragged.

"You mean, other than a super huge ego?" Bulma muttered as she rolled her eyes.

Vegita looked at the woman and smirked. "If you won't tell me your name, I won't tell you my legendary power."

"Like he would brag about his 'legendary' power." Chi Chi sighed. "It's one of the few things he keeps secret. Worried about enemies finding out."

"That's right." Vegita said evilly. "I only use my legendary power in life or death situations. Maybe, if we are in one someday, I'll show you the power of an elite Saiyan warrior."

"I doubt it." Bulma said as she stared outward. "This is a very safe place. No one even knows it exists. And Goku, Piccolo, and Yamcha will defend this castle."

"I don't know how can a six-inch tin soldier, a candle holder, and a flute can defend this place against an army." Vegita said as he laughed.

"Piccolo's not a flute!" Gohan spoke up.

"He's... different." Goku said, "Maybe, you'll see him on the tour later on."

"Trust me, those three may be small, but they're great fighters." Bulma nodded as she looked at Goku and Yamcha and smiled.

"You just haven't seen us fight yet." Goku said as he crossed his arms.

"Well..." Vegita wiped his lips. "I'm done with this meal. I want to see where I can train." He looked at Bulma and asked, "Are you coming with us? Or are you going to retreat to your room?"

Bulma looked around and saw the objects staring at her expectantly. They all knew that the sooner she and Vegita would get together, the sooner they would be normal again. And Vegita half expected her to run away. She wouldn't let that happen. "I'm coming."

Goku, Yamcha, and the others sighed in relief and smiled at each other. Bulma was finally making progress. "Excellent." Vegita smirked as he stood up. "So, where shall we start first?"

"Let's go from the bottom up. The basement." Bulma said as she got up.

*****

Bulma founded herself amazed at how little the place changed as they walked down the long stairs to the basement. The objects had kept the place going very well despite their size.

"This is the basement." Bulma said as she opened the door, "We have our gym, tennis court, a bowling alley, other games in here."

"Bowling alley?" Chi Chi repeated as they went to the place. It was huge, with a bowling alley, a tennis court, and a bunch of arcade machines.

"The gym is at the far end of the place." Goku said as he walked down the hallway.

"This place looks wonderful. Who maintains it?" Chi Chi asked.

"I did." A deep voice said. Chi Chi, Bulma, and Vegita looked around and saw nothing. "I am Mr. Popo, and I take care of everything in the basement."

"Where are you?" Chi Chi asked as she looked up and down the place.

"I am here. I'm just invisible and can't be touched by any living being." Mr. Popo explained as a three chairs moved and Chi Chi, Vegita, and Bulma sat down.

"Oh... why are you here?" Vegita asked as he wondered how many more surprises this place hold.

"I am bound here. I can't go beyond the basement's door, so I keep everything running here." Mr. Popo said.

"We like this place." Goku said as he sat in his own chair. "We play in it when we can."

"How can you bowl?" Chi Chi asked stunned, "The bowling ball is taller than you."

Goku grinned as he rubbed the back of his head. "Eh... can't explain that now. Come on, this way to the gym."

After they made it to the gym, Chi Chi and Vegita stared at the complex. They were expecting a few old gym machines and maybe a punching bag, but they weren't expecting this. There were threadmills, boxing bags, jump ropes, weight machines, a boxing ring, a steam room, and even a juice bar with Karaoke machine. "Well... this place is sufficient to train a warrior like myself." Vegita said as he walked up to the juice bar. "Juice bar?"

"You might get thirsty." Mr. Popo explained.

"Who works out here?" Chi Chi asked Bulma and Goku.

"I come here once in a while by the s-secret passage to take out my frus-strations." Bulma replied as she looked at a punching bag.

"And Yamcha, Piccolo, and me work on our fighting techniques in the ring." Goku said as he pointed to the ring where there were distinct burn marks, obviously from the candle holder. "Oh boy, Yamcha has to be careful around Piccolo..." Goku looked down and said, "Well... wanna see the other places?"

"Sure. Do you have a libary?" Chi Chi asked.

"A huge one... Gohan and I hang out there all the time." Goku replied as he started going up the stairs.

Chi Chi and Vegita paused as the others started going up the stairs. "Why does a kitten like being in a libary?" Chi Chi wondered.

*****

"And this is the libary." Goku said as he and the others walked in.

Chi Chi, Vegita, and even Bulma gasped at the vast room. Bulma had forgotten how vast and beautiful the place was. There were shelves of books lined with red velvet that were as high as the eye could see with several ladders next to them. There were several tables with many books on them, as well as a few books scattered on the floor. And on the floor next to one of the opened books Gohan sat reading.

"Hey, kid, found your next book." A high-pitched soft voice said as the group looked up to see a floating green stuffed man on a big book. He was only a foot tall with soft green skin a long cape and a turban. He was a plushie version of a Namekian demon.

"What are you?!" Vegita demanded shocked at another toy who can walk and talk and apparently this one can fly.

The stuffed man floated to Vegita's eye level and groaned. "Looks like the jig is up." He grunted as he floated down and put the book on the floor. "My name is Piccolo, and I am a plushie demon."

"Awww... he's adorable!" Chi Chi gushed as she picked him up and hugged him fiercely.

"Hey!" Piccolo moaned as he felt the life being squeazed out of him. "Let me go!" He screamed.

"Chi Chi, can you *snicker* let him go?" Goku asked as he used every ounce of his will to resists laughing at Piccolo's predicament.

"Sorry." Chi Chi let the plushie go. "I was expecting you to be some kind of instrument."

"I know... don't feel bad, everyone thinks like that at first." Piccolo grunted as he landed on the ground, next to the book.

Gohan looked up and his dark eyes lit up with joy as he saw Chi Chi. "Hiya!" Gohan purred as he ran up and rubbed along Chi Chi's leg. "I've been studying."

"I see that." Chi Chi said as she picked up the kitten and scratched his ear. "You must be one smart kitty to know how to read and study like that. Who tutors you?"

"Piccolo teaches me." Gohan replied as he purred, "He's very smart."

"I bet he is." Chi Chi cooed, "And so adorable too."

"Don't call me that!" Piccolo growled as he tensed up, "Just because I'm a foot tall and have a soft green body doesn't make me 'adorable'!"

"Piccolo gets insulted if you call him 'cute' or 'adorable'. Plushie demons don't like that." Goku explained as he fought the urge to giggle again.

"Ah, so you're not a demon." Vegita concluded as he looked at Bulma. "You consider yourself not pretty since you don't look human. Demons hate human appearences."

"That's right. I'm not a demon." Bulma snarled as her snakes started coming loose from her scarf.

"Don't mind Vegita." Chi Chi said calmly as she went between the two. "Vegita's just curious about you."

"I know. And that's so irritating about him." Bulma scowled as she crossed her arms.

Chi Chi sighed as she asked, "Are there any more places to show?"

Goku shook his head. "Not now. You can wander around if you like. If you get lost, just say so and one of the objects will help you."

"Is this tour over then?" Vegita asked as he crossed his arms.

"Yes. It's over." Goku replied.

"Good. I'm going to the gym to train. Call me when lunch is ready." Vegita ordered as he walked away.

"I'm going to see more of this place." Chi Chi said as she walked out, "Goku, can you come with me?"

"I... ah... sure!" Goku said and Chi Chi picked him up and put him on her shoulder. "Wanna come, Bulma?"

"I got more work to do." Bulma replied as she walked out of the room.

"Will you come by later?" Gohan asked as he came up. "I'd come with you but I've got a bunch of studying to do."

"Of course, dear." Chi Chi scratched Gohan behind the ear. "I just need to find out more about this place." She sighed as she gazed around, "I... I feel so at home here for some reason."

At once, Goku, Bulma, and even Gohan stared sadly at her. "Yeah... it does." Goku agreed as he looked down. "Let's go."

To Be Continued...