Chapter 2



He lay at the bottom of the shower, trembling as hot needles of water pelted against his naked body.

He had seen and suffered everything that he had done. The memories of his separate selves boiled to the surface, forcing him to remember each detail. Some he had liked, many he did not.

Seeing himself no longer human was more than he could bear. This thing, this heartless monster would forever remind him of who he truly was and always would be.

The Gods had blessed him with a second chance at life and he had to go and ruin it by fusing with the larger version ‘fat Buu’. Of course, he knew that good Buu was not at fault. He had only wanted to help save the world from Bebi. Becoming super human was what resulted; he fought with everything he had.

It was only as time passed that he realized that in doing so, his darker self, the original form, began to surface.

Damn him…

He transformed many months later and once again wrecked havoc upon the surrounding Earth. He had destroyed an entire city, killing its inhabitants without the slightest thought.

It was only when he arrived that he remembered who he was.

Goku Sensei…

Three voices cried out at once, all wanting to dominate their current body. They all had hopes and dreams, wants and needs. So much had gone undone and it seemed that they knew that time was drawing to a close. If the original source continued to exist, then everything that was strived for would be in vain.

Death was the only option.

Yet, he was spared.

Goku had smiled at him, calmed by a hidden knowledge. It was as if he knew. Few words could describe how it felt when his warm hand was placed against his chest. The sensation felt so new to him, so inviting. He had looked into those eyes, a great strength burning within the ebony depths; everything felt all right.

The raging force within him was extinguished and he knew no more.

His enemy… his mentor… He had allowed him to live. What for?

He pressed his fore against the tiled floor, crying in frustration. That bastard… I’ll fucking kill him… make him pay for letting me live! I will take him and this stupid planet with me!!! I should have died that day!

Although he thought about many things, he made no effort to do any of it. He simply lay there, both angered and frightened by his contemplations. He felt too weak to move; his body refusing to acknowledge the need to rise.

Sighing heavily, he closed his eyes and allowed the comforting heat to consume him.

~~~

He stood at the guestroom door, staring at an empty bed. Pausing before entering, he glanced at the ruffled pile of sheets on the floor and allowed his gaze to trail toward the bathroom. He didn’t need to be a genius to figure out where he’d gone and by the sounds of it, taking a shower.

Quietly, he stepped forward, sensing in his heart that something wasn’t right. Nothing seemed visibly disturbed, but he wasn’t one to completely depend on sight alone. He felt it, an ache deep in his chest.

He is in pain.

He did not rush, aware that it wasn’t a physical sort of pain, but a different sort, something that felt all to familiar to one such as he. Yes, call him naïve and a bumbling idiot; the thoughts of others toward him had little effect. Besides, he knew that he wasn’t stupid and that was all that mattered. He understood the agony with which his friend was undergoing. Perhaps not in quite the same sense as one who was once devoted to the doings of evil. Alas, the technicalities did not matter. They equally shared their differences just as they did their similarities.

His fingers rested lightly over the brass knob, pushing it open with a light squeal of the hinges. A heavy cloud of steam permeated the air, warming his face and making the thin fabric of his shirt cling to his torso.

Tilting his head, he continued forward, hearing over the roar of the shower the undertone of muffled sobs.

Yes, it hurts doesn’t it? He thought sadly. Hurts so bad that you wish I hadn’t saved your life.

Sighing, he knelt beside the shower stall, peeking around the ruffled curtains. “You know I would’ve never done that. I can’t because I care about you too much.”

The hunched form tensed.

Goku reached to lay a comforting hand upon the other’s shoulder, only to be startled by a shout of protest.

“DON’T!”

His hand hovered there, but did not recoil.

“Just… don’t,” Buu hissed.

“Why?”

“You know perfectly well.” A head, adorned by the signature stub of what seemed more like a tentacle than anything else, rose, dark eyes flashing beneath hooded brows.

“And what would that be?” Goku questioned.

Red irises glowed, “You only did it because of Ubuu… because he… because I was human…”

“That isn’t true.”

“IS IT?!” He bellowed, flashing nimble canines.

Goku shook his head and moved his hand toward the faucet, extinguishing the scalding rain. “I knew you had some good in you.”

“Good…,” Buu whispered, feeling the sting of fresh tears. “And I suppose that is your answer for everything?”

“No. It’s just a plain fact.” He moved to make himself more comfortable, folding his legs under himself and moving the curtains further aside.

The pink figure flinched, leaning away and pressing against the wall. He did not look at him, deciding to turn away so as not to let the other see his face.

For a while neither spoke, the slow drip of the showerhead making the only discernable sound. Concerned, Goku again made an attempt to lend a hand, hoping to reassure him like a father would to his child. This time Buu did not resist.

Rasping between barely restrained sobs, he buried his face into his open palms. “Why… why can’t I?”

“Can’t what?”

“You know very well,” he spat.

“Nope.” Goku grinned. “’fraid not.”

Loosing patience, he bolted upright, temporarily bereft of his fears. “WHY DON’T I HAVE THE DESIRE TO KILL YOU?!” Is…is it only because I was once HUMAN? …that…that I experienced something akin to your WEAK emotions?!

Again with that stupid grin.

Dark nailed fingers curled into fists. He stared at the dark haired man whom was seemingly oblivious of the fact that before him sat a being that had once obliterated the Earth.

I have a good mind to tear out his spine…

Yet, despite what he thought, there was little malice held in his words. God, his shoulders slumped. This exhausted him… Wasn’t he tired of doing that sort of thing? He found such a task so monotonous and not to mention, time consuming.

“Emotions. Humility, love, trust… they are innumerable, but in part, yes. Didn’t I already tell you that I sensed it from the beginning?”

Thin lips quirked, “Did you know then? Even when I burned every last soul and left them smoldering in their own filth?”

“You could say that, but I will tell you if you did that again, I’d really consider it.”

He sneered, jabbing a finger in his direction. “Killing me?”

“Yes,” Goku stated.

Buu turned, no longer paying attention to his disheveled appearance or the tears that continued to flow from his eyes. “What makes you think I won’t do it now?”

“Well,” he chuckled. “First off, you’re butt naked and second I really don’t think you have it in you. At least, not anymore… You wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. You’re more intelligent than that.”

Buu had nothing in return to say. Blushing furiously, he rose to his feet and stormed past the laughing saiyajin.

Goku quickly gathered himself and followed his annoyed companion. “Hey, I was teasing you know.” A pillow smacked him in the face.

“FUCK YOU!”

He stifled a giggle and held the cushion away a bit and took a peek from around the edge of the pillowcase.

Buu, still nude, fumed as he tossed another pillow over his shoulder and practically upturned the bed in search of something. “GOD DAMNIT! Where are my clothes?!”

After unsuccessfully finding what he was looking for, he bolted for the closet to find it too empty.

“They were dirty and smelled bad. I think Bulma either washed them or decided they weren’t worth saving. ..sorry.”

Snarling in defeat, Buu sat on the edge of the mattress, clutching one of the sheets to his middle. He glared at the saiyajin for all he was worth, hoping that a hole may some how burn its way through his thick skull.

Ignoring the death-like stare, Goku sidled toward the pink demon and plopped down beside him. “But, if you like, you can borrow something of mine till we can get you some of your own. You are tall like me, maybe even more although nowhere near as much as you used to be.” He rubbed his chin, “You’re a little different; I think that’s due to the more humanish qualities. You’re…”

Buu narrowed his eyes, scowling.

“Now when you do that, it doesn’t show…”

A brow ridge rose skeptically. “It what?”

“Ah, there. Though, you still don’t have a nose.”

“STOP INSULTING ME!!!” He towered over Goku threateningly.

“I’m not.” A brown tail coiled defensively, and then gave the bed a light thwap. “By the way, you lost the sheet.”

“Fuck the sheet!” He sat again, crossing his arms and pouting like a child.

“...”

Buu sighed heavily, “Besides, I already tried.”

Goku blinked, leaning forward and grabbing the discarded sheet. “Tried what?” He held the white linens out to him.

Snatching the offered cloth, he once again bundled it at his waist and remained silent for several minutes. A part of him wished Goku would leave so he didn’t have to admit to anything, but the other man refused to budge, waiting expectantly.

He bowed his head. “I tried to revert to being Ubuu… tried so hard that I nearly rendered myself unconscious. But, nothing happened…"

Goku studied Buu, really studied and shook his head. “Why are you trying to change into something that wasn’t even the real you to begin with?”

“I had a new life. I didn’t want this one…”

“You had to learn. Before, with all due respects, you were a child. You knew only of death and destruction. You had to learn what the other side of living was like and you did. You succeeded, more than anyone had ever hoped. The Gods, I suppose, decided that it was time to return to who you are now and reconcile for your past.”

“People fear me.”

“Yeah, the same was for Piccolo and Vegeta for a while, but they are both changed now. If it was possible for them, then it certainly is for you too.”

“...” When he could not find anything to say in retort, Buu was quiet. At that moment, his stomach promptly gave an angry growl, reminding the pink one that it’d been days since he’d eaten.

“Sounds like you’re hungry. I’ll see about getting you some clothes. In the mean time, you should stay here. I don’t think it’d be very nice running around in the buff…”

Buu smirked, “Just for that, maybe I will. …make ‘em cringe.”

“Har har. Bulma will be pissed and you’d regret that happening.”

“And why, pray tell, should I be afraid of one insignificant human female?”

Goku approached the door and glanced over his shoulder, “She may be human, but she has other ways to exact her revenge. Believe me, I know.”

He was, without delay, given the finger.

~*~*~

It wasn’t long before Goku returned, holding under one arm a bundle of clothing; they were careless snatched from him and then he was unceremoniously shoved out into the hallway, the door slamming behind him. “Not so much as a thank you… reminds me of someone.”

A ‘harumph’ came from the direction of the living room and he was unable to restrain his usual grin. “Ah, Vegeta. So you’ve been spying.”

The prince emerged from the shadows, arms habitually crossed. “When it concerns that thing, I make it my business.”

“He has a name you know.”

“Whatever…”

The taller man leant against the wall and stared at his feet. “So you’re still going to be acting this way huh?”

“I am who I always have been.”

“That’s a lie if I ever heard one…”

He was about to receive a snide comment in return to his statement, but the Prince had hardly even opened his mouth when the door was thrust open. Two pairs of dark eyes shifted to where Buu now stood, wearing gray sweat pants and a loose black T-Shirt.

“Food,” the demon replied tersely.

“It speaks,” Vegeta stated with one eyebrow raised.

Buu smirked, “Don’t tempt me, you’d make a great salami.”

Goku stepped between the two, both hands raised. “No fighting! Breakfast is more important!”

Vegeta rolled his eyes and spun on one heel, making a beeline to the kitchen.

Knuckles cracked, “Sounds like I’ve got me a new playmate.”

“You’d best stay out of his way Buu. It’s been a long time and he’s a lot stronger than you remember him being.”

Buu stuck out a bottom lip, “Awww, and ruin my fun?”

“I think you’ve had enough of that for a millennia. Besides, I really don’t want to have to explain the damage to Bulma.”

“For fuck’s sake, who the hell is this woman you keep preaching about? What is she? Some psycho bitch from hell?”

“No, that’s Chichi, but you’re close,” came a female’s voice.

Buu turned toward the said woman, finding her standing behind him. He had to look down, considering the fact that the top of her head came to his chin. “You’re rather stealthy. I hadn’t sensed you approaching.”

She bravely met his gaze. “Lots of practice. You don’t know the strongest being in the universe and not learn a few tricks.” She gave Goku’s back a friendly pat.

Goku chuckled, “Hey Bulma.”

The Blue haired woman held out a hand to the ex-tyrant of Earth and smiled. “Greetings and welcome to Capsule Corporation. I’m pretty much the leader of this place and whatever I say usually goes. I’ll not have any bloodshed in this house because I’ve already spent millions--"

Buu nudged past her, not bothering to return the gesture of handshaking. “Bla bla bla… Food now, talk later.”

Giving Goku a knowing look, Bulma strolled confidently toward the pink demon and met his casual stride. “Pancakes and sausage sound good to you?”

“Nh…”

“Do you have something else in mind?”

“I eat anything, but if you must ask. It’s been forever since…” He instantly realized that he was becoming comfortable in conversing with the chatty female and decided to shut up.

“Since what?” she prodded, stepping in front of him so that he couldn’t avoid her.

Buu sought Goku’s aid, not really wanting to subject himself to any further embarrassment, but found himself helplessly alone. Right, depend on the bottomless pit of a warrior when you need help the most.

“Well?”

He groaned, rolling his eyes.

She smirked deviously and tugged at the front of his shirt, “You can whisper, you know.”

“Hey, I can speak for myself!”

“Then please, enlighten me. Oh, and you ‘ought to hurry, those two can sure pack it away and I’m afraid you might be left with nothing but table scraps…” she trailed off, giving her manicured nails a thoughtful glance.

Buu’s expression took on something close to distraught, stomach giving another insistent growl. “Ilikechocolateanditwouldbereallyreallynicetohavetheminthepancakes,” he mumbled. “…and I like sweet buns.”

“Okay then.” She grabbed his wrist before he could avoid her touch and began pulling him forward. “Now was that so hard?”

“…yes.”

The Capsule Corp. heiress gave Buu a sharp tug and yelled, “Hey mom, I have a special order from our guest.”

Bunny, an insanely cheerful woman with fluffed blond hair wielding a spatula practically phased out of nowhere. “Yes Dear? Oh my! You’re certainly a tall one! Oh, and I must say your skin is a lovely shade of pink!”

Bulma ignored the horrified look on Buu’s face, which was growing redder by the second and whispered into her mother’s ear.

The little woman wearing a frilled apron gave a shrill giggle. “Oh that’s no problem at all dear!” Her smile broadened as she hooked one arm around Buu’s left elbow and proceeded to escort him to the table. “Chocolate-chip pancakes and sweet buns it is!”



TBC…