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A young girl sits poised perfectly on the leather seat on the themed car. The scenery flies by the widow, leaving her golden brown eyes to flitter lazily in an attempt to keep up but really her mind is elsewhere. Her small hands tighten against the worn wooden staff across her lap; the smooth, soft wood a comfort to her growing nerves. Slowly she chances a glance from under her shaggy bangs to the man across from her. Although his rabbit like face is calm, she can see his leg bouncing.
She thinks back to how one of his men had charged into her room, interrupting his visit. She could hear their angry voices though the slot on the metal door, two men had been beaten up in one of the towns he laid claim to. They left her in the sealed room before a guard returned to drag her from the thin, mat not long after. She had been tossed into the rabbit themed car from there, and couldn’t help but to admire the sunlight she hadn’t seen in a week.
The rabbit man’s nose wrinkles in annoyance as a huff escapes him, the sudden sound puts the young girl on instant guard. Though a curtain of mousey brown hair she can see the grey stalks of the strange mushroom like trees beginning to thin; a telltale sign that the town was drawing near. Curling into herself, she fights the urge to draw her knees to her chest; that was a lesson learned long ago.
‘How long has it been?’ She wonders silently, her sad eyes looking back to the white furred man across from her. She can feel her small body begin to shake as she fights to repress the overwhelming urge to sob as tears fill her vision. It had been almost a half a year since she had been found by the tyrant of a man; ripped from her family’s home and forced into his servitude. Due solely to her ability. An ability she had foolishly shown to one of his injured soldiers that had passed her home. He showed up hours later….and now, now the car is slowing.
She remains still as Monster Carrot moves to exit the car, knowing what is expected of her. She waits until he moves from the doorway to slide from the seat and slowly slip from the vehicle. The bright light of the sun forces her eyes into slits as the hot dirt under her mostly worn sandals begins to instantly heat her feet. Clutching the warm wood, she shuffles to the side but is not quick enough. Master Carrot carelessly throws the door shut, it swings down with a force and hits the girl’s shoulder hard enough to knock her to the ground. She can not hide the sudden gasp as it does, her grip unconsciously gripping the wooden staff tighter.
“Get up girl and earn your keep. Go tend the soldiers.” Monster Carrot orders as he give her crumpled form a scrutinizing look. Without a second thought, she scrambles in a hurry of uncoordinated limbs and wood towards the two men groaning nearby.
“Hey! You should treat your friends nicer!” A male voice yells out, drawing the girls attention and causing her to stumble. The sudden action causes the worn leather strap of her left sandal to snap. She can see a boy a little shorter than her with wild hair and a strange indigo outfit standing on a car. Behind him a woman lingers half seated in the driver seat, her blue hair a blast of color in the desert area. While a pig looking creature sits in the back seat, his face half hidden behind the cars door. ‘Friends….Is he talking about me?’ the girl wonders before a large hand grabs her wrist and hauls her forward.
“Come on you stupid kid. Do what the Boss told you.” The girls head bobble’s her agreement as she is released roughly.
“Hey!”
“Now now, don’t fret about her.” Monster Carrot begins while looking between the trio. “Now which one of you threatened the reputation of my rabbit gang?” He questions in a curious tone.
“Ha—that’s the leader of the rabbit gang?” The blue haired woman questions while giving him a incredulous look.
The pig blows a raspberry as he attempts to hold back his laughter. “He looks pretty weak to me. I can’t believe I was scared!”
Monster Carrot’s ear twitches as he hones in on the group. “What did you say?”
The girl is stunned to hear someone back talking the tyrant. Her motions still, much to the dismay of man before her. “Useless-“ The man before her backhands her, sending her frame to the ground the staff pressed uncomfortably to her chest. “Forget it, Boss will fix your attitude later.” He kicks some of the loose dirt into her face before stepping over her.
She weakly lifts herself from the dirt road, her cheeks red with embarrassment. From beneath the curtain of hair that hides her face, she registers that Monster Carrot had moved closer to the group with a friendly façade. Her eyes widen while her head begins to shake ‘no’. She watches the woman smack his hand away with a look of anger before she sticks her tongue out at him.
The girl shutters as the Monster chuckles. The woman gasps before morphing with a small puff of smoke. Before the now carrot can fall, the Monster catches it with another laugh.
The boy and pig watch stunned, “Bulma turned into a carrot.” The girl can hear one of them say, before the boy’s face transforms in anger.
“Hey turn her back!” He demands, jumping down from the car. The girl can only stare, her eyes stuck to the strange boy willing to fight for his friends. ‘What would that be like?’ She wonders as Monster Carrot giggles.
“Hey Goku use your power pole, just don’t touch him!” The pig shouts to the boy who nods.
“Right.” He confirms with a determined look.
“Ah, ah, ah.” Monster Carrot begins while dangling the carrot from his pointer and thumb. “You wouldn’t want me to, take a bite from your friend….would you?”
The threat lands as the boy, Goku falters. His body stiffens as his brow furrows. “Oolong do you have any ideas?” He asks but the engine behind him starts up.
“Bye!” The pig, Oolong had moved into the front seat and takes off with a cloud of dust, leaving the boy stunned. “This has nothing to do with me!” He shouts over his shoulder.
“You’re no pig, you’re a chicken!” The boy shouts after the retreating shape. He turns back to glare at the rabbit man, his teeth clenched.
“What a reliable friend you have there.” Monster Carrot motions for the guards. “You two, teach the kid a lesson.”
The girl watches with wide eyes as the guards move past her and close in on the smaller male. Her hands shake as she forced herself up. With a few stumbling steps she gains speed before crashing carelessly into Monster Carrot. One of her hands cling to his tunic as she uses all her strength to try and rattle the man. “Stop!” She manages to yell in a harsh whisper.
Startled by the usually docile girl’s sudden outburst, Monster Carrot stumbles a step back. The hand with the carrot raises to the sky in an attempt to keep it safe while the other draws back. “Stupid girl, what’s gotten into you!?” Before his bare hand can strike down, a bird swoops from the sky and rips the carrot from his grasp. Taking the sudden distraction, the girl steps back and swings the staff low with all her might. The bulbous top, a knot of twisted roots hits home on the rabbit man’s shin. His yell turns to a howl as he folds.
The girl clumsily backs away knowing well what his anger and touch would do. Cradling his shin, Monster Carrot glares at the shaking form of the girl. “I’m gonna crack that stick of yours after I clean up this mess.”
The girls staff waves weakly as she trembles; her staff the last remaining thing left from her mother. “No-“ A warm hand lands firmly on her shoulder.
“No you won’t and you’re gonna turn Bulma back too!” The Goku’s voice was close. The hand on her shoulder squeezes lightly before drawing her back a few steps. The girl stares in surprise as he looks to her with a smile. “I won’t let him, I promise.”
“Awe what a sweet sentiment. It won’t mean much once I get my carrot!” Monster Carrot lunges backwards before bouncing into high into the air, his shielded eyes having been following the bird.
Before Goku can give chase a hand grabs his belt. “Wait….Please.” Seeing his hesitation, she withdraws quickly and gently swings her staff. A green energy rains down over his frame sparkling faintly before fading, along with his previous wounds. “Be careful.” She begs.
Goku looks himself over in surprise, “Wow I feel great!” He turns in a circle surveying himself. It’s the first time the girl notices the moving brown appendage coming from his lower back.
A voice yells from behind the pair before the girl can dwell on her discovery. Looking back she shes an older boy with long hair. “Don’t let him get it back!” He shouts while pointing up. The girls head rolls to follow and catches the bird crash into one of the taller mushrooms.
“I got it!” The boy beside her crouches down and with a surprising force leaps up towards the falling carrot. The girl watches as he gains altitude, ‘just who is this boy?’
“Remember don’t touch him.” The older boy shouts, causing Goku to nod. “Hey kid come here quick!” The girl’s surprised to find the teen’s eyes on her, one of his hands motioning for her to move closer. With a deep breath she stumbles towards him, her weak legs making it hard. She can’t help but turn her eyes to the sky as Goku yells something. The staff in his hands extends and knocks the carrot out of Monster Carrot’s grasp. A large hand collides with her shoulder, while a second steadies her on her upper arm. “Good?”
Looking up to the tall teen, the girl nods and turns as Goku lands beside them. Brandishing the carrot, he grins. “It looks like we have the carrot now, what do you think of that?”
Monster Carrot glares with a frown, his nose twitching in irritation. “Huuh- And what about this one?” He looks down to the bird at his feet. “I’ll just turn them into a carrot!” He grins, half turning to reach for the bird but smoke rises from it’s form before a dull pop is heard. Monster Carrot’s grin fades and is replaced by a look of horror as the smoke dissipates.
The girl gasps as a second Monster Carrot is revealed. The teen behind her chuckles as the imposter Rabbit raises his hands before suggestively moving towards Monster Carrot. “Just one little touch~” The imposter sings as Monster Carrot begins to move backwards.
“N-no!” He pleads as he moves away. “Stay back!” Enthralled with the scene playing out before her, she misses the long red pole winding back. It’s not until it cracks against Monster Carrot’s head does she follow it back to the messy haired boy beside her; a look of amazement on her face. She feels the hand on her shoulder lift but she can’t find it in her to care as she stares dumbfounded at the boy beside her as he moves forward towards the crumpled form of Monster Carrot with a determined look.
Goku puts the carrot between them and glares at the rabbit man. “Turn her back to normal now.” He demands as he stands ready to strike again. “Or else I’m going to hit you until you do.” The girl takes a few tentative steps closer to Goku, her own staff held firmly in front of her.
Grumbling, Monster Carrot reluctantly nods. “Ooh, alright.” Doing the unsealing, the carrot smokes faintly before bouncing on the ground. With a crackle the carrot morphs back into the blue haired teen who is left sitting confused on the ground.
The towns people slowly approach, having watched the whole ordeal. A few bring rope and goodies in thanks. They move in around the boy and teen as the girl takes a small step back. She can feel the looks she’s gaining, ‘I can’t blame them.’ She thinks back to all the times she was forced to show up and heal the rabbit gang’s men. Her nerves begin to kick in as she realizes for the first time that she may very well be free from the rabbit man.
Before she can get far a now unforgettable voice calls though the crowd, “Hey wait where’d that other person go?” The crowd parts and the girl is left standing in opening. She watches Goku tug a rope tightly around the three goons before he turns to her while dusting off his hands.
“She’s with them too!” The girl hears someone shout. “I’ve got more rope if you need it boy!” The comments from the crowd continue and with every one the girl physically folds into herself. Before long she is crouched down in a ball her face hidden by her messy hair. With her staff poised protectively before her, she wishes she was small enough to hide behind the worn wood.
“Shut it the lot of you! She’s a kid!” The boisterous voice of a woman bellows. “What’s wrong with you all?” The voice questions, sounding closer.
A hand grabs the staff right above her causing the girls head to jolt upwards in fear. Her eyes meet the smiling face of the boy, her savior; Goku. Gently he leans the staff to the side causing it to tilt, “Are you alright?” He questions leaning forwards past the makeshift wooden barrier.
Slowly the girls head shakes, “I-I’m not a good person. They’re right….” She whispers sadly. Unable to meet his welcoming gaze, her eyes begin to burn as they fall to the ground.
The boy laughs. “That can’t be right, a bad person wouldn’t have told me to be careful.” He holds his hand out expectantly. “Plus you healed me.” He adds as the teen comes closer, her eyes set to a glare at the slowly dispersing crowd.
“Jeeze what’s wrong with these people. Hey kid how are you holding up?”
The girl slowly takes the offered hand and stands. “Alright I suppose.” She mutters to the woman. She watches warily as she gets closer, her hand reaching forward. Closing her eyes tight her hand tightens on the boys while she prepares for anything. Only to be surprised as the woman only brushes her hair from her face with a deep set frown. “Bleh kid you’re filthy.” She sticks out her tongue as emphasis.
Nervously the girl looks to the ground, her hand tugging away from the boy’s. “Sorry.”
The teen laughs lightly. “Nothing a bath won’t change, what’s your name?” She questions as she looks around with a thoughtful expression.
“Yume Kurieitibu.” She pauses but nervously adds. “Kuri.”
The blue haired teen smiles, “I’m Bulma and that’s Goku. Are you from around here?” She questions in an overly sweet tone.
“Why do you sound all weird Bulma?” Goku asks as he looks at her strangely.
The teen whips her head to glare at the boy. “What do you mean weird?! This is a comforting tone I’ll have you know!” She grits her teeth before slowly turning back to Kuri who shakes her head.
“Where I lived had green trees…” She answers quietly, her staff slowly lowering to hang from her hands. She could vividly remember the small shack pressed to a hillside. A large garden brimming with herbs, flower boxes on the windows and a big brass knocker that she can remember praying would sound; it always meant someone new had arrived seeking her mother’s aid. “And a hill.” She describes the best she can.
Bulma frowns, “That’s not much to go on…” She trails off and turns slightly as on of the townsfolk approach. “Can we help you?” She questions sharply.
The man quickly holds up a bundle of cloth and what look like shoes. “I thought these may be useful…” He holds out the offerings, his eyes moving to the smaller figure hidden behind Bulma. “The first time he brought her to town was four months ago.” He adds weakly as Goku takes the clothes. He inspects the clothes, holding them against himself. “They’d say Monster Carrot came from the east, maybe that’s where they picked her up.”
“Ah mister I don’t think these are my size.” Goku says before cocking his head in confusion while holding up the underwear. “Definitely not my style.”
“Go-ku!” Bulma snatches the clothing from the boy, her cheeks pink. “They’re not for you!” She motions to Kuri with a large swing of her arm. “They’re for her.” With a groan, she rubs her forehead. “Alright, Goku why don’t you take the flying Nimbus and find Oolong.” She idly removes the black bunny eared headband from the girls head. “Hey, thanks for the clothes. One other thing, is there a motel in town?” She questions as she frisbees the ears away carelessly. Kuri smiles slightly when they disappear across the street. Her hand moves to begin picking at the stupid rabbit patch sewn to her chest.
The man nods and points. “There’s not one far down this road. If you’re looking for better accommodations our hotel is across town.”
Bulma shakes her head. “That’ll do fine. You got that Goku? We’ll get some food and you bring Oolong okay? Just ask for my name at the desk.”
Goku nods. “That orange and brown building right?” Getting a nod from Bulma he smiles brightly. “Flying Nimbus!” He bellows causing the small girl to jump in surprise. She can only watch in awe as a golden cloud zips from the sky above and swoops down towards the ready and waiting boy. He begins to jog down the road and leaps onto the moving object with little difficulty.
“Oh, Goku! Don’t Forget The Magic Words For Our Friend!” Bulma shouts after the rapidly shrinking form. “Come on Kuri, let’s grab a few things and get you a bath.”
“Miss Bulma, did he just take off on a cloud?” The small girl questions as she rushes to follow the long striding teen.
After a trip to a small general goods store, the duo found their way to the motel recommended earlier. Kuri empties the bags from the store onto one of the twin beds, numerous cups of ramen tumble out along with three small plastic bottles. Grabbing those as instructed by the teen, she returns to the bathroom. “Alright kid,” She pauses to take the bottles and empties a bit of one into the tub creating bubbles. “hop in and we’ll get this over before the boys barge in. I’ll help you scrub up just get in while I start some food.” Kuri nods and watches as the teen moves out of the small room, leaving the door shut but unlatched.
Unwilling to relinquish her hold on her staff, she maneuvers out of the worn dress and undershorts. Discarding her broken sandals in the pile of clothes, she quickly steps into the warm water. Resting the staff over the rim of the tub, she sinks into the warm water and for the first time in a long time feels comfortable. Keeping a hand on the wood, she sinks below the water and scrubs at her head with her free hand. The tub itself is small for an adult but accommodates her smaller frame alright. Her mind quickly begins to turn to her new reality. She had never left the small area around her home before this. There had been a man who brought supplies every couple of weeks but she never had to.
Surfacing she jumps slightly when she discovers Bulma kneeling beside the tub. “Oh thank goodness, I thought you’d drowned.” She admits with a nervous chuckle. “Anyway let’s get you cleaned up.” She eyes the staff but just moves around and begins with the shampoo.
Kuri is quiet as Bulma works, her mind going though her options. Biting her lip, she eyes Bulma as she begins with the conditioner. “What are you going to do with me?” She questions quietly.
Bulma’s fingers pause, “Huh? Well I want to get you home, surely someone’s missing you.”
Kuri shakes her head gently, “No one’s waiting…It was just me.” She admits.
Bulma groans lightly and mumbles, “What is with my luck, I find orphaned kids galore but no cute guy to cuddle.” Her eyes move back to the quite girl. “Then what happens next is up to you.” She admits with a shrug. “How old are you anyway?”
The shower head kick on as Bulma moves to rinse out the conditioner. “I turned nine last fall.”
“Ah geeze, you’re even younger than Goku.” She grumbles something to herself. “Come on, let’s drain this nastiness and get you rinsed. You can get some food and we’ll figure it out from there okay?” Kuri nods her agreement, her stomach gurgling at the thought.
“No carrots.”
Bulma laughs while nodding her head in agreement. “I already left the veggie packets out of the ramen.” She admits.
By the time the two exit the bathroom, Goku has already returned with Oolong. Said pig groans as Bulma ushers the girls towards the bed where Goku sat enthralled with his own bowl of food. “Just sit, I’ll grab the food.” She leans down as she passes Oolong and hisses, “Not a word Pig.”
He laughs, “Of course not….Momma Bulma.” The teen groans and hurls a bottle of water at him.
“Shut it Pig. What do you have to say for yourself anyway huh? Running off and leaving your friends behind!”
“Oh drop it, I came back didn’t I?” He questions with a huff.
“Because Goku told you the danger was over.” Bulma hands a bowl to Kuri. “Oh and you’re broke.” She adds, turning to stick her tongue out at him.
He crosses his arms with a frown, “They should’ve left you as a carrot.”
The reaction is instant as Bulma shouts, “What’d you say?!”
Looking down into the bowl in her lap she can’t help but smile. The rambunctious bickering was a nice change from the silence that had filled most days. With her feet dangling from the tall bed and her staff in the crook of her arm she begins to slowly stir the noodles; happy to see no orange flecks as promised.
“Can I haf thath if you don’wan it?” The question comes as the bed shifts lightly, causing the girl to lean. Looking to the boy poised in a half crawl, his eyes trained to the steaming bowl, her smiles widens.
“Goku, at least let her try it jeeze.” Bulma cuts in as she falls into the armchair. “There’s a second one over there ready, I donno where you put it all.” She shakes her head and begins on her own serving.
As Goku hops up excitedly, Kuri is forced to steady her bowl from the sudden jerky movement. She watches as he practically jumps the distance to the small side table housing the ready bowl. ‘He so strong.’ She thinks her eyes lowering to her bowl again. Using her chopsticks she gathers a portion and begins to eat.
“So what now Bulma?” Oolong begins in a snide tone. “Are we starting the dream, 2 kids and a picket fence?” He leans forward with a suggestive look. “I’ll take good care of yo-“ Before he can finish Bulma’s foot connects with his face, effectively sending him toppling over the other bed and onto the floor with a grunt.
“In your dreams Pork rind.” Her eyes move back to the girl slurping down her food. “What do you think Kuri?”
Protecting her bowl from Goku’s return, she shrugs lightly. “I don’t wanna stay here.” She stirs the bowl looking for any remaining noodles.
“Why don’t you come with us?” Goku’s chipper voice chimes in. “There’s still a seat in the car, right Bulma?” He questions quickly before shoveling more noodles into his mouth.
Bulma hums lightly. “There is…” She trails off with a thoughtful expression.
Kuri looks between the two curiously. “Go where?” She questions before sipping the broth. The warm feeling in her stomach begins to made her limbs feel heavy.
“We’re on an adventure!” Goku replies, thankfully between bites.
Sleepily she looks to the boy, her head tilting to rest against her staff. “I’ve never been on an adventure…Is it fun?”
He laughs and nods enthusiastically. “I’ve had a lot of fun! We met a turtle hermit that helped us put out a huge fire; all with his ki!” He retails in an excited tone. “That’s who gave me my flying Nimbus too.”
Her shoulders slump slightly as she nods along. Before she can answer, the chopsticks slip from her hands on lands in her empty bowl while the other clatters to the floor.
“Ah Bulma, she just passed out!” Goku yells though a half full mouth.
With a groan, Bulma throws her bowl into the trash and pinches the bridge of her nose. “Chew Goku, she fell asleep.” She takes a moment to inspect the small room. “I knew I should’ve just went with the hotel.” She mutters as she moves towards the limp girl and the still slightly panicking boy. Taking the bowl from the girls lap, her hand reaches for the staff before second guessing and leaving her leaned against it. “Guess we’re staying here tonight.” She concludes before leaning over to find Oolong knocked out. “I’ll take this bed, you two share that one.”
Goku shrugs. “Okay Bulma. What about Oolong?” He asks before gulping down the remainder of the ramen.
She shrugs. “Drag him between the beds so he doesn’t try to crawl into bed with me.” Moving towards the door she pauses. “I’m grabbing my things then getting ready for bed. We’ll figure everything out in the morning.”
“Whatever you say but it’d be pretty neat to have someone who can heal cuts and bruises around.” Goku adds as he scoots to slide from the bed. “Oh yeah-!“
“Goku volume.”
“Oh right, Yamcha helped with Monster Carrot too.” Goku pauses at Oolongs feet. “But he was gone before I could say anything.”
Bulma turns back to stare at the wild haired boy. “Y-Yamcha did?” Her cheeks turn pink before she turns to leave the room with a dreamy look.
Goku watches with a raised brow before shrugging off the teens strange behavior. Dragging Oolong to where Bulma had specified, he stifles a yawn. Without a second thought he sheds his over clothes and crawls into the bed. Curling along the top of the bed, he kicks the pillows down to Oolong before curling up with his back to the slouched over girl.
By the time Bulma returns with her things and a blanket for Oolong everyone is asleep. Leaving her things at the door to the bathroom she stops at Oolongs feet. Looking to the two kids she second guesses the blanket and instead drapes it over the girls shoulders. Turning back to the bathroom she moves to complete her nightly routine.
By the time she leaves the bathroom in a plume of steam, the sky has grown dark. Moving into the dim room she pauses as the small form of Kuri is not longer seen sitting up. At some point she had lost the grip on her staff and rolled to curl up in a loose ball. Goku ever the bed hog, had starfished with one of his legs slung over the newcomer. Noting the blanket hanging from the bed, Bulma sighs and moves closer. With a soft snore Goku scratches his stomach before muttering something unintelligible. Smiling softly, she grabs the blanket but the girls staff rolls out. Surprised, Bulma picks it up and lays it against the girls back before covering the duo.
Looking to Oolong she can’t help the grin that grows on her face as she note the large bump forming on his head. Putting the staff and lump together, she crawls into bed and turns off the light hoping Oolong would remain unconscious the whole night.
For the first time in a long time Yume Kurieitibu dreams. She dreams of far away places, different planets with grasses a teal blue. She dreams of the stars so different then those in the sky and the sun so bright. But most reoccurring, she dreams of the boy with unruly hair and innocent, dark eyes; her new hero.