Chapter 2: Genie In A Glass Box
"Oi, where have you been?" Goten questioned as soon as Trunks walked in the front door.
"Out," he replied succinctly. "Why are you here?"
"I came over about eleven. I wanted to tell you about this new club that's opening tomorrow night, and your mom said you had left at about ten thirty," he explained. "I...um...told 'em I'd...wait up for you," he added, obviously floundering for an excuse to hide something.
"Translation:," Trunks began, "my dad said you had better stay up and see what time I come home because he's too tired to wait up and pound me. And if you didn't, he was looking for a new punching bag and thought you fit the description perfectly." Trunks knew his dad too well to believe that he'd ever "ask" for anything. Vegita would just take whatever it was he wanted or force other people to get it for him, the latter being his favorite.
"Anou..hai, something like that," Goten grinned sheepishly. "Anyway, where were you, man? I know you stay out late, but till two in the morning on a weekday?" he quipped as they moved silently into the kitchen.
"I was walking in the park, you know how I do that when my parents are at it, anyway, and I was almost decapitated by a runaway sword. Turned out it belonged to this girl named Kari. We got to talking and went for some coffee afterwards. I guess I just didn't realize the time," Trunks explained quickly as he grabbed an apple from the refrigerator.
"A girl? That's why?" Goten exclaimed. "Man, even when it's midnight the girls are chasing you! You know how jealous I am right now? Was she, you know, easy on the eyes?" Goten queried, eyes shining with masculine curiosity. Of course, the last question was the one he thought was the most important.
"Hai, very. She had this long brown hair and the most beautiful eyes. They were lavender! Bet you've never seen eyes like that before," he asserted, biting his apple. His face became preoccupied at the recollection, and his mind wandered back to that feeling, that certain something, that wouldn't let her leave his mind.
"Eyes? Right. Of course. You sure that was the only thing you were looking at, Trunks?" Goten asked mischievously, the light from the refrigerator glinting off of his impish smile.
That comment almost cost him a broken nose. "She's not like that!" Trunks almost yelled. Quickly regaining his composure, though, he added, "Anyway, I got her phone number and we might try to do something this weekend."
"Why not go to the club tomorrow?" Goten ventured, not entirely sure of his friend's next move after that last outburst. "It's Saturday, and it'd be a great thing to do on a Saturday night! No punks allowed, though. I guess that means I'm gonna need a makeover," he laughed.
"Yeah right! You're Mr. Polite Society, ne? Well, let's not go too far," Trunks said, grinning. "But sure, that's sounds fun. I'll call her in the morning."
He started to walk away and then wheeled around, a sudden uneasy look settling over his normally placid features. "You will tell my dad I got home at 11:30 right? So he won't pound me for staying out when I could have been training?"
"Oi, sure! That's what friends are for, ne? I'll see ya tomorrow! Ja ne!"
Trunks smiled, "Ja ne, Goten."
He made his way up to his room without too much noise and climbed into bed. He lie there for a while, thinking back through the night's adventitious events. Kari seemed really kind and carefree, but he still had that nagging feeling in his gut. Eventually, though, it gave way to drowsiness, and he was soon fast asleep.
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" Trunks! Breakfast!" a feminine voice yelled from downstairs.
" Woman! Don't scream so loud! Maybe he doesn't want to come down here and eat your poison food! What the hell is this anyway?" he heard Vegita retaliate.
Trunks smiled. Every morning it was the same thing and it never changed, but he liked it that way. He knew he lived in the most dysfunctional family in the universe, but even dysfunctional families have routines to live by and his family was no exception.
Dragging himself out of bed, he pulled his shirt on and made his way downstairs. As he trudged into the kitchen he yawned, "Ohaiyo gomzaimasu, minna."
"Don't you good morning me! Where the hell were you last night? You certainly weren't home by a decent hour!" his father blasted from the table.
"I was taking a walk. I met a girl and we talked for a while, then I came home. Ask Goten, he'll tell you," Trunks recollected, sounding tired. "Speaking of that, I've got to call her. Goten and I are taking her to this new club tonight." He seemed to perk up at this realization.
"A girl? Club? The hell you are! You are training with me today until I say you can take a break!" his father commanded.
"I'll make up for it tomorrow, Otouson, I promise. Right now I have a phone call to make."
"Trunks, make sure you eat your breakfast, ne? I don't want you going without food for hours!" Bulma said. Smiling, Trunks promised he would.
"Oi, you're making a lot of promises today. How about promising to take me to the club tonight? I haven't been out in a whole day!" Bra whined from the table, where she was pouring over one of her many fashion magazines.
"Gomen, Bra. Not this time," he apologized.
Trunks downed some breakfast, which, for a half-Saiyan, meant he ate enough food to feed a family of four, and went to call Kari. He finally reached her on the third ring and proposed the plan for that night and gave her the details. Enthusiastically, she agreed, but she informed him she would meet them at the club. Trunks insisted on picking her up, but she denied, telling him he would be pleasantly surprised.
"Well, gomen to leave so soon, but I've got a few things to take care. I'll see you tonight! Ja!" she said, hanging up.
He hung up, smiling but confused. Tonight is going to be great. But what did she mean when she'd said he would be pleasantly surprised?!
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By the time Goten and Trunks arrived at the club there was a wild mob pushing to get in through the doors. Huge bouncers outside the club's main entrance were turning people away if their name didn't appear on the guest list, or if they were dressed inappropriately. "How are we ever going to get inside there, oh genius one?" Trunks asked sarcastically. Goten hadn't said anything about reservations!
"Chill out! I got it under control," he returned confidently.
Trunks was hesitant but followed him up to the front of the crowd so they could talk to the manager and, hopefully, get inside.
"Sumimasen, sir, but I believe my friend and I have our names on your little list there," Goten interposed.
"Names," he demanded.
"Briefs and Son," Goten provided.
"Gomen, sir, but neither name appears on this list. Try again next time," the tall, skinny man replied smugly.
"Oh great, now how are we supposed to get in, Goten? I promised Kari we'd meet her here!" Trunks said, exasperated. This was just great!
"Chotto matte, sir," the manager said as he overheard the name. "Did you just say you were meeting a Kari here? Ms. Kari?" the blonde man asked hurriedly.
"Hai... She's a friend of ours and she told us to meet her here," Trunks answered, more than a little confused.
"Oh, gomen nasai, sirs, there must have been a misunderstanding!" he suddenly rushed to apologize. "Please, come in. And could you put in a good word for me with Ms. Kari?" he added slyly.
"Right. Sure, my good man," replied Goten, slapping him on the back. After they were inside, Goten yelled triumphantly over the noise, "I told you to leave everything to me! You didn't think I could get us in here!"
"Actually, Kari is the one who got us in," Trunks corrected. "Anyway, I wonder what that guy meant when he said to put in a good word. Does she work here or something?" he wondered aloud.
While scanning the room for Kari, he had a chance to take in their rather luxurious surroundings. A space was set up in front of a large stage area with tables, chairs, and booths to lounge in and watch the show, and a few people had decided to take a break from dancing and talk in that vicinity. Near the lounging area there was a crowded dance floor with a DJ stand and strobe lights, and adjacent to the DJ stand there was a bar where many people sat sipping idly at their drinks. The multi-colored lights were bouncing off the walls and people as the music pulsed throughout the club.
All the people there were dressed in their finest tuxedos and dresses, dancing wildly to the music. The bartender was taking orders from the many groups of dancers, but there was no Kari to be seen anywhere. Suddenly, when Trunks was thinking about flying up a little bit to get a better view, the DJ made an announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, would you please take your seats and give it up for the star of tonight, the beautiful diva of Chez Mode, Ms. Kari!"
Everyone was clapping excitedly as the house lights dimmed and a faint music started playing in the background. Trunks and Goten were shocked and amazed at hearing their friend's name mentioned in that context, but they got over it in time to rush and grab some seats at a front row table, though not without knocking a few people over, that is...
The house lights went out and the stage lights came to life, casting shadows over the stage area and a young woman standing in the middle of it. The music started playing louder, and Kari opened her mouth and began to sing beautifully, her voice flowing like smooth, sweet wine being poured and intoxicating the audience. Trunks recognized the song as a popular American one, but his whole attention was focused on Kari as she slowly emerged from the shadows.
She was wearing a long, deep blue strapless dress that fit the curves of her body tightly and shimmered as she moved. Her long, chestnut hair was pulled up, but little wisps of it were hanging down from the updo and around her face, and her violet eyes were intensified amazingly by the lights. She looked positively radiant and Trunks couldn't take his eyes off of her, and neither could anyone else including Goten. Her fluid voice was extremely pleasing to the ears as she sang and moved seductively around the stage area with the music, microphone in hand.
I feel like I've been locked up tight for a century of loneliness
The music's banging and the light's down low
My body's sayin' let's go
If you want to be with me baby there's a price to pay
If you want to be with me baby there's a price to pay
© Christina Aguilera, 1999
Waiting for someone to release me
You're lickin' you're lips and blowing kisses my way
But that don't mean I'm gonna give it away.
My body's sayin' let's go
But my heart is sayin' no.
Just one more dance and we're good to go
Waitin' for someone who needs me
Hormones racing at the speed of light
but that don't me it's gotta be tonight
But my heart is sayin' no.
I'm a genie in a bottle, you gotta rub me in the right way
If you want to be with me I can make your wish come true
You gotta make a big impression gotta like what you do
I'm a genie in a bottle you gotta rub me the right way
If you want to be with me I can make your wish come true
Just come and set me free, Baby and I'll be with you
I'm a genie in a bottle baby, come, come, come on in, meow.
After she had finished entrancing the audience, the music faded out, cheers echoed throughout the building, and Kari stooped to accept the many roses flying onstage for her during the resounding applause that followed her performance. After collecting the many flowers in her arms, she blew kisses to the audience, waved, and glided offstage.
Trunks was giving a standing ovation with the rest of the guys, who were whistling and shouting at her. He looked down as the clapping ebbed and saw Goten staring up at him, his jaw dropped down to his knees.
"Tha...that's the girl you met yesterday?" Goten choked, shocked. "I hate you! She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my life, and you know I've seen a lot of girls," he added smugly.
"Hai. That's Kari. She's really amazing," Trunks confirmed, momentarily glancing at the stage where she had been. "Oi, you want to get out of here and go meet her?" Trunks asked, waving his hand in front of Goten's unblinking face.
"KAMI, HAI! I mean," Goten caught himself, blushing. "Sure."
"You better not try anything on her, Goten," Trunks warned. "If you do, I'll have to give you another beating, just like I did last time we sparred, " he added half-threateningly.
"Beat me? Yeah right! That was a fluke! Bring it on!" Goten returned jokingly.
"How about later? Right now we have a star to go congratulate!"
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Kari was attempting to arrange the dozens of roses she had received after her first performance. She would have never expected her new job to be such a hit! She had only taken on the job as another way of bringing in extra money, but she was really starting to like it. Overwhelmed with shock and happiness, she almost didn't hear the knock on her dressing room door. She opened it slightly, saw Trunks smiling face, and opened it wide.
"Congratulations, Kari! You were...so...there are no words to describe it! And you look great!" Trunks complimented, as he gave her a hug and the bouquet of tulips that he had bought in the club. He had discovered they sold flowers for the purpose of giving them to the performers. "I thought I might try something other than roses," Trunks chuckled.
"These are beautiful! Arigatou, Trunks!"
Just as Kari was turning to go and find a separate vase for the flowers, Goten tapped her shoulder and, along with an elaborate bow, handed her a bouquet of white roses. "A gorgeous bunch of flowers for a gorgeous young woman," he said as eloquently as he could.
"You must be Goten," Kari surmised, amused. "I've heard all about you from Trunks. Thank you for the flowers, and dozo yoroshiku."
At the mentioning of Trunks' name, Goten shot him a glance and Trunks put his hands up defensively in the air. "I was just telling her to smack you if you got carried away."
"Domo, man. Now she's not gonna wanna talk to me!" Goten alleged through clenched teeth.
"Iie, calm down; I'd love to talk to you! Any friend of Trunks is a friend of mine. Besides, I liked the whole debonair élan thing. It was great!" she laughed.
Goten blushed a little more, but laughed wholeheartedly. They began talking about a broad range of topics; from what kind of noodles were the best to what clubs were the best party places. Of course, Goten said the club they were at was the greatest because Kari worked there. She laughed, thanking him, then suggested they get going.
"I don't want you guys to spend the whole night down here in my dressing room and miss the party! Come on, I'll introduce you to Ryo, the bartender. He's a really nice guy and he's so hilarious!" Kari praised.
She laughed as Trunks and Goten agreed and she took their proffered arms, leading them up to the main floor.
I can't believe I was ever worried about being hurt by people like Trunks and Goten. Maybe Fate isn't as cruel as I first thought she was, but only time will tell. But still...
Maybe I'm just getting soft.
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