Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Unexplainables Explained ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4

Bulma let out an agitated breath, making the blue bang that had fallen in her eyes flop up. A few seconds later, it flopped back down. Letting out another frustrated sigh, she again blew the hair out of her way and leaned over the pot, trying to un-stick the burning contents of the pan before they became any more burnt.

"You're burning it."

She almost gasped as the voice at her shoulder spoke up. She whirled, face set in a grimace, as she glared at Naku, who was annoyingly smirking at her. "I hadn't noticed."

He chuckled lightly. "I think I paid too much for you, woman. You certainly aren't worth what I paid if you can't cook."

She turned back around, deciding to leave the burnt stuff on the bottom and worry about not burning the rest of the soup. "Then take me back." Her voice was drier and more bitter than she wanted the man behind her to notice.

He ignored her, as she figured he would. It was either that or meaningless platitudes. "I need to search for some more things…. Stay here. Don't talk to anyone who may come up to the ship for any reason." He paused, quirking a brow at her hunched form. "And don't burn the ship down. We'll need it to get to Merick."

He heard a huff of disgust and nodded to himself, satisfied that at least the last would ensure her cooperation. When he got to Merick, all would be made right….

Bulma waited until she was sure he was gone before taking the pot off the stove and leaving the kitchen herself. It was well over the time that she should be exploring. No telling what she could find that would help her escape and she wasn't letting this opportunity go as she had the last.

She didn't know how long she had walked down corridor after corridor of metal walls and empty rooms before looking down one particular hallway. Her brows rose as she felt-compelled down it. Shrugging, she decided to tune into her instincts for once and go for it. No harm in it….

After a few minutes of walking, she stopped before an unmarked door, frowning. She frowned because she had no idea why this particular door had stopped her. She sniffed the air, shook her head when there was no scent; even though she thought there should be; and touched the door, wondering how she would enter when there was no doorknob.

She jumped back with a startled squeal as the door opened under her hand, sliding to the side to reveal a plain, metallic room. However, unlike every other room, this one wasn't empty.

Stepping into the room, Bulma's eyes scrunched up in confusion. She looked at the crushed mass of mechanical-something on the ground between her feet. She bent down over it, wary about touching anything on this foreign ship. It looked like-a gun.

With a nasty grin that would've reminded her of someone she didn't remember, Bulma picked up the ruined pieces and carried them out of the room, only half-hearing the door close behind her as she walked to her room.

Something to help her escape indeed…

Hours later, Bulma turned at the sound of a knock on her door. She quickly hid the gun under her bed, walked to the door, and opened it.

Naku barged the rest of the way in, making her back up with wide eyes. "What were you thinking?"

Her brows rose at his exclamation, which was followed by a throwing up of his arms, and she felt her mouth go dry. She had to strain herself not to look at the gun's hiding place. "A-about what?"

He paused, noting her reaction with a curious expression. "The food, woman! You left the food setting out. It doesn't grow in trees and was quite expensive. Why didn't you eat it? Are you sick?"

She shook her head, stifling her sigh of relief. She'd thought he'd figured out about the gun, but how could he have? "Sorry. I got distracted. I see something mechanical and I just lose all concept of time. Besides, I'm a horrible cook. If you were eating it, I'd have finished it, but I won't eat my own cooking."

He didn't question what she had seen that was mechanical and had interested her for four hours. Instead, his eyes widened, ruby orbs looking slightly amused. "So, you'd poison me, but not yourself? What logic."

She looked away, reminding herself of her slavery to keep herself from grinning. "If my master wishes me to cook, I shall."

Naku stifled a sigh and frowned. All emotion quickly drained from his voice. "I'd rather you kept yourself occupied with something that interests you. I hope you have everything you'll need from this planet. We're leaving."

He watched her swing her head back around with wide, panicked eyes. "What? Why? Where?"

He almost chuckled at her questions, but he really didn't feel like laughing, not with her last comment. "We're leaving. Because I'm done here. Merick."

She colored again at his flat tone of voice. "Oh. Okay. Yeah."

"I thought you would be more pleased. You're going to see your friends…. You can go home."

She blinked. "Go home…. But-you own me." The last words were bitter.

Naku chuckled. "I said you wouldn't be staying long. I'm going to buy your friends and then you can all go back to Earth."

She frowned lightly. "But-that makes no sense. Why would you buy me to help you, then buy my friends and just let us go?"

Naku shrugged. "Dying men aren't reasonable people. We do eccentric things in the last moments of our lives. Don't question it. Accept it."

Bulma nodded, her mind shying from the 'dying' part. She was supposed to escape, not empathize! "Can you hunt, or do you want me to fix something?"

He smirked at her, shrugging aside one portion of his yellow cloak and rubbing a firm, black shoulder absently. She kept her eyes away from the leaking sores with difficulty. "Sandwiches would be nice. Something you don't have to use a stove for. You and cooking apparatuses do not mix."

She felt like giving him a dry laugh in return, but merely nodded, brow furrowed in confusion. Naku gave her a long look that, under any other man's eyes, she would've called lecherous. It wasn't with him. Finally; after a tense minute of staring; he left without another word, leaving her to ponder him.

' ' '

Vegeta paced the main deck of the Hitori ship. To the console, then back to the chair, then to the console again. Finally he stopped at the chair and sat down. He'd have to take the shot again. He wished he remembered how the woman had first introduced the medicine. He was unconscious at the time, but he clearly remembered something before that had cleared the way, delayed the virus so it could be held back with the medicine. It wasn't working as well it had, it was taking longer and he had to re-dose more often.

He dropped his head into his hands. He didn't know how much time he had left; but no matter what he did, where he went, he kept thinking back on those last moments. Gods, how could he have been so stupid? What did questions matter when the answer was gone? He had searched for the unexplainables in that 'thread room' and seen her. Shouldn't that have told him she was the unexplainables, or something close enough to not matter? She was all he couldn't explain, and he realized now that he didn't want to explain her.

Goku's words on the ship to him as he sat near her dead body came back to him. 'You talk about questions and answers so much but it seems to me you're just evading the real ones! Who are you, Vegeta? Who do you want to be? What will it take to be that? And are you willing to make the wrong choice again?'

He had been evading the real questions, even after she had died and come back. He'd learned much in these months of searching, seen much. And it had all come back to her in the end. Even when he pushed her away, she came back….

So now what?

Vegeta sighed, shaking his head, anger at himself and the Hell he was putting everyone through playing across his features. Now he went to Merick. He would enter in the Gladiator competitions as he really was, as Hitori. There was no way to unmake himself after all, to go back to being Saiyan, to being something suitable for her. So he would die fighting, the way a Saiyan was supposed to.

Shrugging, Vegeta leaned forward and punched in his destination, letting out a small sigh and resting back in the seat with eyes closed. Now, there was only time. Soon it would all be better.

' ' '

ChiChi grunted as she threw the horned, blue, rhinoceros-like alien over her head, actually feeling a rush at the crowd's scream of pleasure and awe. She reminded herself, however, that those same cheers would be for the other if he had been beating her. The thought sobered her and she quickly used her hand as a knife, chopping the creature's neck so that his eyes rolled to the back of his head.

Despite her owner's insistence she kill, she absolutely refused to do so. Her opponent was in the same situation she was in, willingly or not, still forced to fight to get food, clothing, and a roof over their heads.

Several smaller aliens came and collected the downed alien, and she herself was led back to the cells. After much cajoling and promising that they would put on a better performance, their owner had agreed to let the Son family stay near each other. They had even been allowed in the same cell, with a cloth-like partition so ChiChi and Goku could have some privacy.

Goku greeted her with a kiss and a soft squeeze as soon as she entered, and ChiChi thankfully returned the embrace, making the kiss a bit longer than was comfortable for the watching Gohan.

"Um, mom?" Gohan shuffled his feet nervously as he waited for his parents to breathe.

ChiChi blushed as she broke the kiss off to look down at her son. "Yes?"

Gohan looked up with unabashed curiosity. "How'd the fight go?"

Goku grinned down at Gohan, answering the question for ChiChi. "Obviously your mom kicked butt. Are you moving up yet?"

ChiChi nodded, smiling at both of her men. "I should be moving up to the reds now. Next are the purples."

"Then you'll be even with Gohan." Goku smiled.

ChiChi nodded again. "Then we should get a better room." Said room was small, a little cramped, but provided them with a window that let in natural light, which was nice since they didn't have even a lamp, and a cool breeze. "We'll have more space then!"

Goku grinned, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. "I'm leaning more toward escaping. The security goes down."

ChiChi nodded, blushing softly. "Yeah, that's what I meant. Sorry. Guess I forgot our original goal."

Goku chuckled. "I'm supposed to do that, remember?"

ChiChi joined in the chuckle as Gohan looked from one adult to another, wondering at the topic of their discussion. "So, once we get up another level as a family, we'll be given freer access to the rest of our group."

ChiChi's mouth thinned and her face pinched tight as if she had tasted something sour. She'd always preached about how her husband's friends were going to corrupt her son, but it seemed this time they had actually saved them. If not for her son being a fighter, he probably would've ended up wherever Bulma had gone. ChiChi bit her lip and felt her husband squeeze her shoulder.

His next words came as if he had read her mind. "I'm sure Bulma's fine. She's strong, as strong as any of us fighters. She'll be fine."

She nodded. "I just wish you'd take my advice and go look for her. You can just-what did you call it?"

"Instant Transmission."

"Instant Transmission wherever she is and bring her back." ChiChi knew the answer to her plea, but she still had to try.

Goku shook his head. "You know I can't do that, ChiChi. This arena is for fighters. We aren't ready to act on our plan yet. If I bring her here, she'll be found and made to fight…. You know what will happen."

ChiChi nodded reluctantly. No matter how much help the Z fighters could give Bulma, she would still have to fight one-on-one with someone. She would either be killed by her opponent, or killed when she refused to fight.

Goku grinned, putting a finger under his wife's chin and tilting it up to look in his confident and sure eyes. "Besides, I have this feeling that she's just fine. Safe. If not now; then very soon."

ChiChi returned his grin; leaning in for another kiss and blushing when she realized her son was watching them avidly. "I can't wait for that bigger room."

Goku nodded. "Yeah, more arm space!"

ChiChi groaned while Gohan agreed. All three headed to what construed as a meal here, talking of their planned escape in low and hushed tones.

' ' '

Bulma sighed as she watched Naku. He was just sitting in the chair that faced the open window, staring at the black space and the stars that glided past them. He noted her sigh and glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes. "What?"

She shook her head. "How long till we get there?"

Naku shrugged, turning back to the screen. "A few hours now. Not that long to wait."

She frowned. Naku seemed-pensive, his usually ready smirk and teasing nature had turned into something she thought should once again remind her of someone. Putting a hand to her head, she cursed softly.

Naku raised a brow, this time fully turning his head to study her. "Something wrong?" He tried to affect an air of disinterest, but that was becoming increasingly difficult.

Bulma tried to grin through the pain. "A headache. It comes at the weirdest times too." She watched him tilt his head to the side; then look behind them toward the door, though nothing was-or could-come through it.

"Are you hungry?"

Her brows went up in confusion. Why was he mentioning food when they'd just had sandwiches not two hours ago? "No, not really. Too nervous to eat." She could have sworn he murmured something like 'me too' as he turned for the third time to the never-changing scenery before them.

A red light suddenly began to flash on the console in front of Naku, and both pairs of eyes were drawn to it. Naku let out a soft curse that had Bulma rising as he suddenly shot out of his seat and was to the panel.

"Shit!"

"What? What is it?"

His wide eyes turned on her in an instant. "Nothing. Stay seated!" He couldn't help the angry growl that spilled out when she, as he expected her to, disobeyed and craned her head around his shoulder.

"Someone's following us?"

He turned to blink at her, shocked at her immediately figuring that out; though he shouldn't have been; and stilled. She was inches from his face, her natural heat beating upon him like a soothing balm. She looked as surprised as he to find them that close.

He cleared his throat, swallowing several times before he was able to push words around the dryness of his throat. "Yes. Now sit. I need to open up a channel with them and find out what they want."

Bulma nodded suddenly, spinning around so fact her blue hair lightly brushed his face. He quickly stifled the shudder that wanted to pass through him and faced the monitor as Bulma sat down, watching curiously.

With a few punches of the buttons, he had opened the channel to the other ship. The other ship responded with sound and picture.

Bulma tilted her head at the girl that stared at Naku with slightly hardened brown eyes. She squinted her own blue eyes as the headache returned to send stabbing pain reeling through her. She gritted her teeth to keep from uttering a sound, trying to focus on what was happening between the girl and Naku.

Ayamari carefully looked over the black man with red eyes that eyed her with a nervous air. His ship looked weaponless, while hers was filled with offensive and defensive weapons, so the anxiety seemed warranted. "Forgive me, sir. My name is Ayamari. I merely wanted to ask you a couple questions. I didn't mean to startle you."

Naku paused as he took in the girl's shaven hair and-weary look. "You haven't startled me. What is it you wish to ask?"

Ayamari blinked at the man's polite, yet clipped tone. Sure, Joso had been polite, but that was probably a result of his female half…and it was best not to think of that right now…. She seriously suspected the male half had been flirting with her. It was just-most spacefarers weren't polite. The staccato-tone of his speech was expected though, so she tried to be as succinct as possible. "I'm on a quest. I am hunting for a race known as the Hitori. I managed to track them to a planet called Earth, but there was no sign of them. However, there was a man named Joso there who invited me to Merick.

"Upon getting there, he told me that many of the humans on Earth had already been sold. He directed me to some of them, but you…well, you left in a hurry, and I thought-"

"-that I was this Hitori?" Naku glanced at Bulma, to see how she reacted to the 'Earth' portion of Ayamari's story. His eyes widened somewhat. "Woman? What's wrong?"

Bulma squinted at the concerned face of Naku that was somehow inches from her own, looking like he wanted to grab her but was restraining himself. She shook her head, wincing as even that caused the pain to explode in her head. "Headache."

Naku's eyes went wider and he spun back to the screen, gears quickly reshuffling and turning in his head. "I'm afraid I have to cut this conversation short. I am not Hitori and I have not seen them."

Ayamari nodded, watching as the man turned back to the woman who was in obvious pain now, wondering why he didn't touch her. Sure, the fact that he was diseased was obvious, but it wasn't contagious. She knew of this illness.

"I can help her." She could help him too, but she wanted to tackle one problem at a time.

The man turned so fast it almost made Ayamari dizzy in empathy. His red eyes were as wide as they could go. He looked back at the woman; cradling her head and letting out light moans that were growing in strength; then back at the waiting girl in obvious deliberation. "Fine. Dock and come to the bridge. The doors will be open to you."

While Ayamari closed the link and moved to do as instructed, she silently marveled that such a plain-looking ship could have such technology as he suggested it had. She watched as a flash, like the air around the ship was on fire, lit up her viewpoint and eased her ship to the side of his ship, which somehow managed to accommodate hers. She was much too busy getting together what would be needed, which was just one thing, to wonder about this.

She practically rushed to the control room, every door open to show the way. Skidding to a halt, she stared at the scene before her.

The blue-haired woman looked fine. She was practically shooing the other away from her, voice getting louder as the man continued to hover over her. He turned then, red orbs locking onto her form with intensity she found disconcerting.

Bulma too looked up at the shaven woman, taking one look into brown eyes and doubling over in agony. She faintly heard her name called by a male voice as she gripped her head with chill fingers and felt cold, hard hands grab her by the shoulders, holding her up. One let go of her arm and forced her head up with a finger to the chin.

Bulma met wide, concerned red eyes with wide eyes of her own as the pain briefly left her. She stared into those eyes for what seemed an hour, but could have only been a few seconds.

She knew him. Not knew him. Not Naku…. "Vegeta?" With that one word uttered softly, and ruby eyes that were wide suddenly leaking fear, Bulma felt the pain overtake her into a world of darkness.

A/N: MWAHAHAHAHAHA! *evil laughter dies down to snorts and chuckles* Wow! Look at the influx on reviewers! Thank you guys! I think now would be the time to mention my mailing list for all my stories. Simply leave me your email in your review and you'll be updated on updates (need a thesaurus much, Kahlan?) and new stories…. Review? *snicker*

Lupa: O.o Wow! You went nuts on my fics! I'm so-flattered! I love creating different cultures. It's so…fun. Comes from liking RPG's I guess. Yeah, Naku does kinda act like Vegeta, doesn't he? And he leaks like Vegeta, and he's dying like Vegeta, and he likes Bulma like Vegeta. Wow, they could be twins…. Sorry, sardonic, eh? It was fun!!!!! I always finish everything. I've read stories like that too. Pisses me off, quite frankly. Weak people. Takes a certain level of commitment, you know? Lol

The Flying Pen: *gasps* THE Flying Pen is reviewing MY stories? *faints* Wow! You're like, an awesome writer! Have I reviewed you? Now, I must find out if I have or not…. I hope I-threw you for a loop. *grimaces at cliché*

Vegeta Goddess: Thanks! I know all about addictions, so here's more caffeine…um, Vegeta…. Yeah.

Trinity6399: It doesn't feel like 3 months to me. *innocent grin* Okay, can't pull off the innocent act like Kakarott, but it was worth a try. Sorry for the wait. I tried to make it worthwhile.

ZeroCool: lol Thanks for the kick to the hinny. They aren't, are they?

Blue Dragon: I knew this story was lacking something. It does feel off from the first. Which is partly why I took so long getting it out. I went back and read key points in Unexplainables. Came up with all kinds of plot twists. I thank you for your helpful criticism. I think it was mostly the 'lack of Vegeta'. Is it better or still lacking? What is it lacking?

Diamond Girl: LI agree. I went back and reread Unexplainables per your and Blue Dragons comments. I see what you mean. However, like I told Blue Dragon, I believe there was a reason for it and I hope you see it…and stick around to tell me what to do to better improve it. I really shouldn't have broken it up…. What is this 'good stuff'? High angst? B/V? Fight scenes? Quick plot? Tell me what you want, and I shall nicely cater…. ^_^

Susan: Heehee Nice twist, eh? Got you, didn't I? Heehee *shakes head* Dear, I live off caffeine and my imagination is wild. The impossible is always possible with me. I make it so…. And not the Star Trek way either….

JadedBest: Heehee Do you read Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, cause you're right! Lol I don't mind length. *blushes* Um, not that kind of length. I wouldn't know about that. Still pure, yes indeedy. Though I wouldn't stake anything on me being about to sit on that golden cloud of Kakarott's…. You wouldn't? I'm sorry, I confused with a Vegeta-lover there for a second. Lol You can never have too many obsessions. Spike from BTVS is not an obsession, but he is an addiction. Yes, there is a difference for me….

KangaKilla: So, if I can't stop there, can I stop here? *blinks innocently* Little Pleasure Prince. Pure comedy, NC-17 story by ME! Lol Hope you liked the mean twist, chocoholic….