CHAPTER TWO
“Okay, what about this one?”
 Bra shook her head.
 “B-chan!  Look, you’re driving me crazy!  What’s wrong with this one?”
 Bra carefully and patiently went into an explanation about something about Goten’s tie.
 “Argh!  Just pick one out!” Goten cried, and went into the dressing room.
 “Okay,” Bra said, went to a rack, looked for about two seconds, and was up at the register paying for it before he had finished changing. “We’ll pick it up in two weeks, all right?” she asked with a charming smile.
 “Uh, uh, sure, miss,” the cashier said.
 “How’d you do that so fast?” Goten demanded as they left. “And how can I know this will fit?”
 “Goten, we’ve been shopping for two hours.  I know your size.  I was just waiting for you to ask me to help you find one.  This one matches Niichan’s.  That’s what you needed to look for.”
 Goten was giving her the evil eye.
 “Hey, don’t get mad at me.  I’m not your servant or slave.  You have to ask for my help.”
 Goten smiled, bought a cup of water, then, slowly and deliberately, dumped it on her head.
 Bra was completely speechless for about ten seconds, then began screeching. “You—you—you—I’m gonna kill you!” she howled, and began chasing him.
 He easily dodged her outstretched arm and turned around to mock her. “Ha ha ha-ha ha.”
 She glared at him and began carefully making her way towards him. “You are going to die,” she threatened.
 “You couldn’t catch me if I stood still,” he taunted, watching her movements and planning how to dodge her.
 A little kid jumped in front of her and she tripped.
 He flashed over and caught her without thinking.  They both fell hard to the ground.
 Bra was suddenly aware that Goten’s arms were around her and that she was sprawled over him.  She began blushing furiously.
 “Are you okay, B-chan?”
 “What?”
 “I asked if you’re okay.”
 “Oh.  Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” Bra started to stand up, then fell. “Oh my gosh!” she gasped.
 “What’s wrong?” Goten asked, grabbing her arm.
 “I—I twisted my ankle,” she said sheepishly.
 He gave her a look that spoke volumes.
 “I know, I know.  What can I say?  I’m not a very good Saiyajin.” She attempted to put pressure on her leg, but he stopped her.
 “You can’t walk like that.”
 “Well, I don’t really have much choice, do I?  I’m not going to fly away.”
 He scooped her up into her arms and began walking.
 “Oh—Goten, put me down!” She punched ineffectually on his back.
 “Okay, or not.  How are you going to get home, then?”
 “I’d walk until I got out of town, then fly the rest of the way.”
 “Yeah, I could let you do that, or, you know, not.”
 She sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. Hey, this isn’t too bad, she thought.
 “Hey, what’s that?” Goten asked.
 “What’s what?”
 “That…over there.  Is it a fight?”
 Bra squinted.  It was getting dark, but it looked like Goten was right. “We should go see,” she said.
 “But what about your ankle?”
 Bra waved that away. “I’m Saiyajin, remember?  I bet it’s fine.  Besides, we can’t just let someone get beat up on.”
 “You’re too nice for your own good.”
 “I try.  Come on.”
 Goten sighed and changed direction.
 “Hey, those guys are fighting that girl!” Bra exclaimed.
 Goten carefully set her down. “You okay?”
 “I’m fine.  Come on, we’ve gotta help her.”
 “Okay, okay.” They walked over and Goten tapped a guy on the shoulder. “You gonna let up?”
 “You gonna stop me?”
 “Yes.”
 “Right.”
 Goten punched the guy. “Exactly,” he agreed as the man fell to the ground, unconscious.
 The other guys stared at him, obviously debating whether they should fight or flee.  They decided to fight and the two easily beat them.  Bra helped the woman on the ground to her feet. “Are you okay, ma’am?”
 “You idiots!” she exclaimed. “You stopped them!”
 Goten and Bra looked at each other. “Excuse us, ma’am,” Goten said, “but we were under the impression they were hurting you.”
 “Well, of course they were!” she snapped. “They were beating up on me.  But you stopped them from finishing.”
 “Finishing?” Bra repeated.
 The woman glared at them then threw her hands in the air. “I want to show you my appreciation.  Please accept a little gift.”
 “Oh, no, ma’am, that’s all right,” Goten declined.
 “Oh, no, I insist,” the woman said, and touched each on the cheek. “There.  Now you’ll know my exact measurement of your help.” With that, she left.
 Goten and Bra stared at each other. “That was…strange,” Bra said.
 “Very,” Goten agreed.
 They just stood there for a while.
 “So…” Bra said.
 “Oh, right.  I guess we should get you home.”
 “Yeah, I guess,” Bra agreed, feeling strangely deflated.
 “Is something wrong?”
 “Oh, uh, no…no.  Nothing that you could help me with, anyway.”
 “Oh, come on.  It’s your old buddy, Goten, remember?  I helped you with your other big problem.”
 Bra chuckled. “Yeah, well, trust me when I say this is one I’ll just have to work out myself.”
 “I can’t believe that.  Sit.” Goten pulled her down next to him. “Now, tell me what’s up.”
 “I…”
 “Come on.”
 “Well…”
 Bra looked up at him, at his big puppy-dog eyes. Why does he have to be so cute? “I just…I just…”
 “Yes?”
 “I…can’t dance!” she blurted. Good excuse, she congratulated herself.
 “Is that all?  I can teach you.”
 “You know how to dance?”
 “Sure.  Kaasan taught me.  Want to learn?”
 “Uh…” Way to go, idiot. “Sure, I guess.”
 “Stand up.” He put his arm around her waist and took her other hand in his. “Now, 1-2-3, 1-2-3.  Turn.  See, not so hard?”
 “Yeah, I guess it isn’t,” she mumbled.
 “Don’t look down.  Look up at me.  When you’re dancing, you’ll want to make conversation, won’t you?”
 Bra looked up at him. “I guess,” she said softly.
 He was suddenly pulling closer and his mouth suddenly covered hers.  Bra was startled for a minute, but then she lost herself in the moment and began kissing him back.
 Goten suddenly pulled away. “I—I’m sorry, Bra.  I’m so sorry.”
 “Wha—?”
 He pushed her away. “I—I didn’t mean to…I’m sorry.”
 “Sorry?” she repeated. “Don’t be sorry.”
 “Don’t be sorry?  You’re sixteen!”
 “I can’t help that.”
 “Bra—”
 She kissed him again.
 “Look, Bra,” he said. “I’m ten years older than you.”
 “Okay,” she said. “Okay.  Okay.  I can accept that.  Thank you.”
 “Thank you.”
 She took a shaky breath. “Well, I’ve had a crush on your for awhile.  At least I got a kiss from you.” She turned away and flew towards home.
 Goten watched her leave, and, feeling like total scum, headed towards his home.
 


 

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