"Getting them to move was a win, honestly," I admitted as I finally gave up and grabbed the socks, sticking them in my pocket to put on later. "Baba claims its good that its either all or nothing with me… means that I have the magic I just need to learn to master the finer points." We stepped out of my bedroom and instantly I felt the heat of the research center even though I knew Bulma ran the air conditioning all the time.
"Don't use that during breakfast, will you?" Tien warned. "I want to eat my food not wear it."
"Considering I know what you'd do to me if I attempted that? Yeah, you have nothing to worry about." I flashed him a smile but Tien just rolled his eyes. "Still planning to use the scroll in two weeks?"
"Yeah," Tien said as we made our way to the dining room. "I think Chiaotzu and I are just about where we need to be to begin considering new techniques and styles." He paused. "I hope Krillin is okay."
I wanted to assure him that Krillin would be… but I also knew that it would come off as patronizing if I did. So instead I settled with, "Me too," as we made our way down the stairs. Already we could smell the food the cooking droids had prepared for us… and hear Chichi scolding the machines.
"No, you aren't adding nearly enough pepper to the eggs!" she complained. "And why are you undercooking the bacon!?"
"That would be my fault!" I called out to her. "I like my bacon soft, not crunchy. Besides, that's my turkey bacon… they haven't done the pork bacon yet."
Chichi frowned at that but relented. "Fine… have your ham pretending to be bacon."
"Technically its turkey pretending to be ham pretending to be bacon," I teased as I moved to begin serving myself. We'd ended up all deciding that the best way to handle the meals was to do it buffet style, as that allowed everyone to eat when they wanted to. There was no risk of food going to waste because Goku always went on his run while the rest of us ate and would take over clearing away the tables while the rest of us set about starting our own days. "What do you have planned?" I asked Chichi as I grabbed some Danishes as well as a some fruit.
"Making sure Goku and Piccolo don't kill each other," Chichi stated with a shake of her head. "I swear those two getting along has lead to more near death incidents than when they were enemies."
"Don't let Piccolo hear you say that," Tien commented. "You know how his pride is."
We all grimaced at that little reminder. While he wasn't actively trying to kill us all Piccolo was being dragged kicking and screaming into being part of the group. Any attempts to get him to join in on activities at night were shunned; and it wasn't even anything that extreme. The gang wasn't one to play board games or watch movies… usually it was just sitting around talking or listening to music while everyone did their own thing. But Piccolo refused to be a part of it, going off on his own. Honestly the only one, much to my hidden amusement, that could get him to break out of his shell was Gohan. The little boy was smart about it… careful too… but he still would go up to "Mr. Piccolo" and ask him for help with something or if he could join him. He was getting really good at meditating and Chichi had commented how much more focused Gohan had become ever since he'd started.
"What are all of you doing up so late?" Bulma asked with a yawn, padding into the dining room. She was wearing an oil-stained tank top and cargo paints, her hair down up in a messy bun and grease smeared on her cheek. She snagged a blueberry muffin, ripping off a hunk of it and popping it into her mouth.
"Its morning," Chichi said, her tone a bit frosty.
"It is?" Bulma said, brow furrowing before she looked towards one of the windows and spotted the rising sun. "Oh! I've been up all night! I should get to bed…" she frowned though and rather than heading towards the stairs that led to the bedrooms and instead made her way back down the hallway she had come from. "Though I should check on the laser printer…"
"I swear," Chichi said, shaking her head, "I don't know what she is doing down there but it would be nice if she were actually working like the rest of us were to get ready for Raditz's return."
"Who said she isn't?" I asked, a bit of bite to my words that had Chichi lean back in surprise as I moved to follow after Bulma. 'More to life than punching things… but guess it was too much to expect any of them to remember that.'
"Where are you going?" Tien called out.
"To help out the slacker!" I snapped in annoyance.
"Kayos?" Chichi said, concerned. She hurried over to me, pressing a hand on my shoulder. "What's wrong? What did I say?"
"You guys honestly don't see it?" I asked, turning back to Tien and Chichi, staring them both down. "You really think she's been slacking off for the last few weeks?"
Chichi just stared at me, brow furrowed. "Its Bulma… that's what she does."
Tien nodded. "She isn't much of a fighter so there isn't much she could do when it comes to actually training… but she could be finding something to do."
"Like clean up after the big strong men?" I snapped in annoyance. "I can't fight… should I be running around passing you towels?"
"You're trying to help though," Chichi pointed out with a soft smile. "You are learning magic-"
"And Bulma is helping as well," I argued. "She is killing herself down there trying to find ways to help us. Because more than anyone on this island Yamcha's death hurt her the most. You two have NO idea what she is doing down there."
"Neither do you," Tien pointed out.
"Right," I admitted. "But I have faith in her. You two should as well."
"…you're right," Chichi finally said. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not the one you need to apologize too." I held up my hand. "And you aren't doing it now. She won't even remember it. Go handle your training, both of you. I'm going to get science girl and force her to sleep."
"I mean it, Kayos… I'm sorry."
I let out a sigh. "I know."
Chichi didn't mention that I never said 'I forgive you'.