Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Tortured Soul ❯ chapter eight ( Chapter 8 )

18 waited nervously outside of a large house. Majin Buu's house.

She was sure this was where Buu was hanging out. Although…he didn't seem to be home at the moment. 18 looked around jittery as hell.

She had scoped out a wonderful hiding place in which to spy on Buu. But not even the best was perfect from all angles. If he came in from the south for example he might see something…like a locke of blonde hair, or a tiny view of the color of her shirt.

18 groaned and forced her slim body deeper into the uncomfortable ground.

She was at the moment hiding in some bushes under the front windows. They were wonderful cover. Dense enough not to be seen easily and had a strong enough smell of plantiness that it would cover her own android scent.

So now all she needed was that indestructible wad of pink bubblegum.

18 shifted annoyed. She was supposed to be spying of Buu. She was supposed to be back 10 minutes ago. But with Buu's where about unknown she wasn't about to chance the risk that he might come as soon as she decided to leave.

She wasn't stupid.

A tiny brown spider curious of the android invading his shrubbery bush dropped down from its web to dangle into front of her eyes.

She watched slightly amused as the spider swung back and forth. Its little legs all moving independently. 18 wondered how she looked to the spider. It did have eight eyes after all. Did it see eight of her, or did the image bend together to create only one?

Damn it what did she care what a spider saw? If Buu saw her then she was dead. Reaching up slowly 18 plucked the spider from its web. She held it between her two fingers.

All she had to do was squeeze…then this spider would be squashed like a bug. It would be easily. It was after all just a spider.

18 frowned as an uncomfortable thought crossed her mind. Did Buu think like that?

Humans…its easily to kill them…and they are after all just humans.

18's eyebrows drew together in thought.

She used to think like that…back before Killian and her daughter.

Humans a waste of space.

But she was different now. She understood that just because something was weaker than you didn't mean it didn't deserve life.

She looked closer at the spider.

It did look pathetic wiggling between her figures, compared to as before when it looked so graceful in its web…maybe even beautiful.

Reaching up 18 gently placed the spider back in its web.

She thought no more of the rogue insect, instead she waited for Buu.

Buu glanced at the sun as he speed toward home. It was a lot lower in the sky. That was good. But it wasn't completely gone…that was bad. Oh well he wasn't completely ready now to fight the strong one. He had to get control over himself again and force a certain fat piece of bubbler down back into the hole, which he had come from. It would be dangerous to fight while distracted.

Even now 'his' thin high voice whispered in Buu's ear. It was damn annoying. He didn't want to do the things he suggested.

He just wanted to kill people, and destroy cities. He wanted to kill Hercule. He wanted to kill Alysa.

But he wouldn't let him.

It was enough to drive him crazy.

Buu was in control. This was his body and his mind. If the Fat one wanted to do stuff he could try and force himself out just as he did. But no…this Buu just whispered and suggested thing. He forced his feelings upon Majin Buu…and forced him to hold back. Of course if the fat one did try to escape and actually did…well then things would be bad off for everyone. He would become something other than himself. He wouldn't change into the 'thin' Buu but something so terrible and cold than even he was afraid of it.

Buu shuddered as he thought about 'him'. That was something he'd rather not deal with. That had been a long time ago, and nothing short of a catastrophe could unleash that one.

Buu noticing he was finally back at the house he had chosen, landed softly in front of the porch.

He shifted so Alysa was lying in his arms and not across his shoulder. Her head rolled to the side a strand of hair falling gentle across her face.

She was still out cold. He did hit her kind of hard. She would probably be out for the better part of an hour.

Buu's eyes ran over every inch of the front yard. His nostrils flared as he sniffed the air. Something felt out of place. It felt like someone was watching him. However nothing caught his attention. Everything seemed to be in place and undisturbed.

He couldn't even feel any ki's.

So without further hesitation he entered the house.

18 lifted her head slightly so she could glance in the window.

It was about time that Buu got home. She must have been waiting for hours.

She took shallow and quick breaths, her heart felt like it was going to explode out of her chest. She had forgotten how terrifying Buu was. The guy just made her skin crawl.

Her eyes narrowed as for the first time she noticed he was carrying something. Due to her position she hadn't been about to see him completely when he landed.

Her heart stopped.

Was that a little girl?

What the hell was Buu doing with a girl!!??

18 could barely make out the young woman's features. She was young maybe 13 or 14…light brown hair, tiny elven face.

She was pretty.

And she was out cold…or…dead. 18 couldn't be sure. Unlike the other warriors of this planet she never bothered to learn how to read ki's. She couldn't sense whether she was live or dead.

18 shifted uncomfortably. What was Buu doing with that child?

Well whatever it was it couldn't be good. Maybe she lived here…maybe Buu planned to torture her to death or something.

18 watched as Buu climbed the stairs. She didn't dare move.

A few moments later he returned without the girl. Ducking back down into the bush 18's mind ran with computer precision. He must have dropped her off somewhere upstairs. There was nothing but bedrooms upstairs. She must be alive. 18 glanced back in the window…Buu didn't seem to be doing anything in particular. Just rummaging around and looking at things in the house. He looked bored.

18 didn't know what to do. She wanted to save that girl. Save the girl like no one saved her from Dr. Gero. But…she had a family now. Did she really have a right to risk her life like this? She had a little girl.

That's exactly why you must save her. She's a little girl…someone's little girl. She must have a family, unless they are dead. Think 18…what if that was Marilyn up there. Wouldn't you want someone to save her!?

18 shook her head. That voice was right. She couldn't leave that defenseless girl in the hands of a monster.

She was going to have to save her…or die trying.

18 glanced in the window. Buu was lying on the couch…his disgusting black and red eyes were closed.

He didn't look like he would be getting up anytime soon. This might be her only chance.

18 slipped out of the bushes…making extra care not to make a sound. She didn't know how sensitive his ears were. She didn't want him to hear her.

For the hundredth time in the past few moments she thanked Kami that she was an android and thus no one could sense her. She flew up to the second story window and looked in.

She didn't see anyone. So she moved to the next window.

There!!

The girl was on the bed…still sleeping. Surely Buu wouldn't put a dead girl on the bed. She had to be alive.

18 swallowed hard, her heart pounded loudly in her ears. It was so loud she was afraid Buu might hear.

18 pulled on the window half expecting it to be locked. It slipped easily up without a hitch. A tiny sigh escaped her mouth.

She slipped in and quickly went to the girl. The faster she was the more likely she would get away.

18 felt cold all over. Her skin was clammy from fear.

What if Buu was monitoring this girl's ki? She was human…he would be able to feel her.

Well…18 wouldn't worry about that now. She had to save this poor child.

Every time she looked at her she saw Marilyn lying here instead.

She wouldn't let him hurt her.

She picked her up, amazed by how light she felt. She stirred but didn't awaken.

18 studied her face. For the first time she noticed the large ugly bruise on her cheek, just below her left eyes. It looked like someone had hit her. If 18 knew anything it was what a fist bruise looked like. But for some reason the bruise didn't seem to be Buu made. How could it? Buu's hand was larger than this girls face. Besides it would have been hard for him to hit her without killing her. The curse of being hundreds of times stronger than a normal human. You had to do everything feature light or you could hurt someone.

So where did that leave her. That someone else had hit her. That didn't make sense? And why did Buu bring her here in the first place? Why not kill here somewhere else? Was he just waiting for her to wake up?

18 shook her head. She wouldn't get any answers here. The only thing she would get standing her wondering was death. Especially it Buu decided to come up here…or if he heard her or something.

So with silent steps 18 made it to the window and crawled out with the girl still in tow.

She then carefully flew straight up until she was sure the monster wouldn't notice her.

She flew toward the lookout.

Thanking Kami for getting her this far.

Piccolo stood arms crossed across his great chest. His face was what could only be called a pinched expression. He did not look like a happy Namek.

Dende sighed to himself. They shouldn't have asked 18 to go. It was a mistake. But Piccolo felt it was needed. So they had to ask someone…but what would Killian say and what about Marilyn. Did she even have a mother now? Did Killian have a wife?

Dende wished for about the hundredth time he could sense the android.

If was driving him crazy not knowing if she was alive or not. It was eating at Piccolo as well. Dende wasn't sure but he sensed that Piccolo was taking this whole situation personally. Even time they felt Buu kill...(which thankfully had only happened about six times…instead of the millions they had expected) Piccolo closed down his expression a little more. Dende couldn't even read what he was thinking anymore. Dende thought perhaps Piccolo felt responsible for unleashing Buu on the earth for one more day.

But what could they have done. Gotenks wasn't ready. He would have been killed if he fought Buu. They had no choice.

Dende thought, as it was they were extremely lucky that Buu had agreed to the extra day. And that he hadn't destroyed the earth yet.

But he couldn't really explain that to Piccolo.

Best to just keep his mouth shut and pray for 18's safe return.

Piccolo: what is taking her so long? She should have been back 2 hours ago!

Dende: Not sure…I can't see anything. Maybe she's just staying undercover. You know getting out undetected is just as important as getting in unseen.

Piccolo: I know…watch out Killian's coming.

Dende sighed. He had been expecting this.

Killian: hey guys…see anything.

Dende: No…Buu's ki makes it hard to 'see' anything important.

Killian nodded as he looked down at the earth. Rubbing the back of his head he finally asked the question that had been bothering him for the past 3 or 4 hours.

Killian: Piccolo…what did you say to my wife. And where is she?

Piccolo looked sharply away from the shorter man.

Dende stepped in to savee face for his fellow Namek.

Dende: Killian…we sent her back to earth…to look into something for us.

Killian: WHAT!

Dende: Don't worry Killian…Buu won't be able to sense her so she should be ok.

Killian: But…but she didn't tell me!!

Piccolo: she didn't want you to worry.

Killian: So…when is she due back.

Dende lowered his head.

Dende: 2 hours ago.

Killian: WHAT!! WHAT IN THE HELL DIDN'T YOU TELL ME? WE HAVE TO GO LOOKING OF HER NOW!!!

18: Killian stop yelling. You're giving me a headache.

Two Namek's and a short human spun around at the low and slightly throaty voice of 18. She smiled at the relieved look of her husband.

Piccolo: You're ok!

18: of course I am green man!

Dende: But…what took so long?

18 shook her head and tried to blow a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.

18: He wasn't home, and I didn't want to risk the chance that he would come back right when I was leaving. So I waited until he returned.

Killian: Uh honey…who's that?

18 shrugged and landed lightly on the tiled floor of the lookout.

18: Not sure…I saved her from Buu.

Dende: So this is the girl we felt.

18 turned sharply at Dende. Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

18: WHAT girl!

Piccolo: We have been sense this girl hanging around Buu. We weren't sure what was going on.

18 pouted rather angrily as she handed the girl off to Killian. Killian took one look at his wife's face and abruptly turned around and ran into the palace.

18: AND you didn't think that was important for me to know!

Piccolo and Dende both took a step back from the angry android.

Dende: Uh we didn't think about it.

18 turned away from them her hair flying around violently. She crossed her arms and started toward the palace. She spoke over her shoulder

18: Well I hope for all our sakes that Buu doesn't come looking for her. But…

18 stopped her voice dropping down to a sad whisper.

Piccolo sweat dropped at the uncharacteristic sign of emotion in the normally cold android.

18: But I couldn't just leave her there. I don't expect you two to understand. But DON'T

Her voice rose slightly in anger.

18: But don't question my decision! I will not explain myself to you two!

Android 18 stalked off angrily after her husband.

For a moment Piccolo and Dende just stood there in silence watching her go.

Dende: uh…Piccolo What just happened?

Piccolo blinked.

Piccolo: I'm not sure Dende. I'm not really sure.

Piccolo took a deep breath and turned to focus his attention back on earth. Dende followed his example.

Piccolo: I know one thing. Every time I talk to her I'm reminded why I don't like her. But at the same time…I can't help but admire her as well. She's a strong woman.

Dende: I feel almost sorry for Killian.

Piccolo nodded his eyes far away.

Piccolo: Be glad…be very glad that you're a Namek Dende. We don't have to worry about woman.

Dende sweat dropped.

Bulma: So who is she?

Killian: I'm not sure. 18 brought her up here.

Bulma: Lets go put her in a bed. She might wake up soon. And I'm sure she doesn't want to wake to your ugly face!

Killian took a step back smiling way to wide. He laughed uncomfortably.

Killian: Uh sure Bulma whatever you say!

Bulma: So 18 where did you find her? Do you know her name?

18 shrugged.

18: No I don't know her name. I saved her from Majin Buu.

Bulma: Oh…

Suddenly Killian yelled from one of the many Bedrooms of the Palace.

Killian: Hey I think she's starting to wake up.

Bulma nodded and turned to 18 and Videl.

Bulma: 18…Videl shall we. It might be best if us girls try to talk to her.

Both women nodded. It was a good plan.

They entered the bedroom. Bulma cleared her thought meanfully at Killian. He just looked at her uncomprehending. Bulma eyes narrowed as she grabbed Killian's ear roughly.

Bulma: Beat it short stuff.

Killian yelped and turned to his wife for support.

Killian: Honey are you going to let her man handle me like this?

Killian looked pleadingly at his wife. Who smiled meanly at him.

18: You're on your own…honey.

Crestfallen Killian left the room.

18 turned toward the girl.

Killian had told the truth. She was starting to wake up.

18 studied her again. She looked so sad. Even in her sleep. What kind of horror's had this young girl seen. Surely Buu hadn't been gently with her.

He was a monster.

She stirred again and this time her eyes opened…she blinked. Her face shifted to that of confusion…then with painful remembrance. Only a suddenly widening of her eyes warned them before suddenly she sat up.

Alysa: BUU!!

She turned and for the first time saw the other woman. Her eyes grew wide in fear. She backed up to the edge of the bed, as far as she could from the unknown women. She looked around her in confusion.

Alysa: Who are you? Where am I?

Bulma: Don't worry…uh…

Alysa: Alysa

She pulled the silk blanket close to her. It made her look even more vulnerable. Almost like a child in another's body. The gesture reminded them all sharply of how young she was.

Bulma: Alysa…I'm Bulma Briefs. Have you heard of me?

Alysa nodded slowly in awe. Of course she had heard of Bulma Briefs the most famous and rich and beautiful woman in the world.

Bulma: This is my friend 18…and Videl Satan. I'm sure you've heard of her as well.

Alysa blinked. What was she doing in a room with three famous people? She said three because she knew exactly who 18 was. She had won second place in the martial arts tournament

Alysa: I don't understand. How did I get here…where's…where's…

Her voice dropped to a soft whisper.

Alysa: Where's Majin Buu?

Videl came forward and sat on the edge of the bed.

Videl: Don't worry you're safe now.

Videl's voice was very kind and soft. Alysa looked in surprise at her. No one had ever talked to her like that. Especially not such a famous and important woman. Why did they care for her?

Tears sprang into her eyes. And before she knew it she was sobbing into the one and only Videl Satan's shirt.

Alysa: My brother…mother…killed…Buu wouldn't…let me see…Brian.

Videl just let her cry. None of the woman could make out what she said but they thought they understood. Majin Buu must have killed her brother and from the sound of it her mother as well. The three women looked at each other with sadness in their eyes.

Monster.

After a while they left the room. Alysa had cried herself to sleep.

They hadn't questioned her; just let her cry, so they didn't know anymore than they did before.

The boys were playing cards outside. They looked up from their card game.

Yamacha: so what's up?

Bulma sighed and wearily ran her fingers though her short hair. Comforting a nearly hysterical girl was hard work.

Bulma: Her name is Alysa…She's really upset.

Videl: We think that maybe Majin Buu killed her mother and little brother. It was hard to make out what she was saying though.

Videl smiled sadly and pointed to the large wet spot on her shirt.

Videl: She was to busy crying to say much.

Killian nodded.

Killian: it was good of you to save her 18.

He stopped and looked down at his cards.

Killian: So don't think I'm terrible for saying this but…I just wish you didn't take the chance. You could have been killed.

18 sighed and bent over to pick up her daughter. Marilyn smiled and laughed loudly as she showed her mother a small rock she had found.

18: I look at her and see Marilyn. I just couldn't leave her there.

Killian seemed slightly shocked at his wife confession but nodded anyway.

An uncomfortable silence settled in. Each thinking their own thoughts about brown haired children and Pink monsters.

Finally Bulma spoke up.

Bulma: Well are you going to deal us in or what!

Alysa waited until Bulma had closed the door and their voices disappeared before sitting up. She had pretended to fall asleep so she could be by herself. She needed to think, despite the fact that she didn't want to. It hurt to think…every time her mind started to work it reminded her of her brother.

Tears sprang into her eyes. But she had already cried a river…so a few more didn't matter any. She cried soundless until she suddenly remembered that Buu didn't like her to cry. He always rolled his eyes at her.

Alysa wiped her tears away and narrowed her eyes.

Why hadn't Buu allowed her to see her brother? It was something she had felt she had to do. She needed to see him. He wasn't dead! He couldn't be dead. Mother would never do what Buu had said. Would she?

Alysa trusted Buu. He had saved her, twice. She trusted him completely. So although the thought that Buu had been lying and had instead killed Brian himself crossed her mind…she dismissed it instantly. Buu promised that he wouldn't hurt Brian.

Alysa drew her knees up to her chest and laid her head on them. She was so very tired. She was tired of being scared, tied of fighting herself, and she was fucking tired of hurting. Even after all that she had been through, all the pain and terror, after that horrid dream…Brian had still died. But not by her fathers hand…by her mothers. She had never expected that. Never dreamed her mother would do that.

She didn't understand.

Alysa sniffed miserably.

So where was Buu now? Where was she? And how in the world did they get by Buu and steal her. That was the only thing that made sense to her. Somehow one of them took her while Buu was looking the other way, and she was out cold.

She couldn't imagine how they had gotten past Buu. Buu was the strongest being on the planet. She doubted that even Hercule could come close to touching him.

Even bullets didn't hurt Buu.

Alysa's stomach muscles twitched in remembrance of her own bullet encounter. It had hurt, it had been terrifying. Yet Buu saved her. Saved her from pain and fear.

He caused pain and fear in other people…but not to her.

So where does that leave us now?

Alysa whimpered as the voice returned. What did 'she' want now? Alysa had done what she wanted. And now Brian was dead. If they had just let well enough alone then Brian might still be alive.

Ha don't count on it bitch. Remember how angry father was. If you hadn't been there, he probably would have beaten Brian to death.

Please leave me alone. I don't want to do this anymore.

Do what? Live? You are a fucking coward if you're giving up now.

Its hurts.

Of course it hurts. I am you. Don't you think I know how you feel?

There's nothing left here. I just want to lie down and sleep. Brian's gone.

Get over it already. Brian is gone we can't help that. BUT…Majin Buu.

Buu?

Ya…he's our friend. Our only friend and he's still alive.

He's the only one that is what he is. Mother betrayed us. Before she was just a coward living under a beast. But she became the beast. At least we know what Buu is. He's the only one that is true. That doesn't fucking lie.

Alysa let her knees drop as she stared at the wall. Her mind was focused inward. She could almost see the other half standing before her. She could feel what she was feeling, hear what she was thinking. She was after all herself.

Alysa sighed. At least one thing was for certain. A single fact that both of her could agree on.

She missed Majin Buu.

But where was he…where was she? Those people must have taken her without him knowing. There was no way they could fight Majin Buu.

Alysa tried to think of ways to get away…ways to get Buu attention. However ever plan was quickly dismissed. What could she do?

I know how to get his attention.

Alysa managed to gasp before the other half of herself attacked her.

Wait! She had promised not to do this. She had done what she wanted. It wasn't her fault Brian had died. She didn't want to be locked away again. She didn't want to be lost within herself.

Why!?

Tears streamed down her face again as she grabbed at her head. She pressed at her temples willing the terrible pressure to stop. It hurt!

Then as suddenly as it started it stopped.

What the hell.

Trust me.

The voice was a clear as she had ever heard it. Alysa looked down at her hands. They were the same…she saw them with her eyes…was able to look with her eyes, but it didn't feel right.

She didn't feel right. She felt…like someone else.

She blinked and looked inward. The voice wasn't where she had been before. The strange feeling in the back of her head was gone. So where did the other one go?

Surely she didn't disappear? Where would she go?

You are stupid. I don't understand why I put up with you sometimes. I'm here. I am you…but now you are me as well.

Alysa didn't understand completely but she didn't need to. 'She' whispered a plan that could be done…that had been done.

And now

Majin Buu was coming.