Sorry about taking the whole story down every one, but I had to do some reconstruction on it. I'm also sorry it took so long, I have a bad habit of procrastination and losing interest in things (any suggestions for a cure?). But I'm back now, and my brain is no longer lagging in creative juices, as least for now it isn't. I've added some chapters together to make them longer, and changed a few things within them concerning event layouts and grammatical errors. Hopefully this improves the quality of my story. Well, enough of my babbling. Enjoy the improved I'm just a Machine!

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Disclaimer: I no own, you no sue, me no cry.

Setting: Sometime between the Majin Buu Saga and the Hildegarn Story.

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I'm Just a Machine

*

Iwasaki Takayuki stared idly at her reflection as her arm rose and fell to drag the brush through unruly, raven strands. A small pout graced her lips as her mud brown gaze shifted from the unpleasant sight before her. Grabbing a read hair-bow, she tied shoulder length strands back and then twisted it into a neat bun at the nap of her neck. Her black-framed glasses were adjusted and another little frown graced her lips.

She was dressed simple enough, as it was. A white wife-beater was worn under a red spaghetti strapped tank top. Matching baggy red jeans hung loosely on slightly uneven, but slender enough, hips. White sneakers adorned slightly hidden feet with equally red shoelaces. The only jewelry worn was a simple gold-chained necklace with a charm. The charm was a small golden crucifix with a silver dove placed neatly in the center. The only make-up she wore was a light touch of lip-gloss, which was sure to rub off by lunchtime.

"You plan on going to school sometime today Taka?" echoed a voice from the doorway of the small bedroom. "Or do you plan to stare at your reflection all day?"

Grabbing her small pack, Takayuki's feet carried her to the door and pass the heavy set, white mail lingering there. Her tanned hand rose to waft away the smoke that seeped from his lips, which clung limply to the cancer stick he smoked.

"Funny Thomas, truly," she replied. The sarcasm dripped heavily from her chilling voice.

Peng Thomas was his name, a construction worker in his mid forties. Takayuki never really liked the man; he made her a little nervous. However, her mother was somewhat happy with him, so that counted for something. It was, perhaps, the only thing that kept her from telling the woman to get rid of the man. Grubby, smelly, and one that could find a way to complain about anything and everything he was truly someone she chose to avoid. Or maybe it was just because she had yet to accept him into the family. Hell if she knew, and hell if she cared.

"Your mom said clean up the house when you get home," he informed her as he watched the seventeen-year old brush pass him.

Takayuki's nose scrunched slightly with displeasure as feet continued down the hall. Passing at the door leading out of the house, she feigned a look of surprise. Her fingers snapped to add emphasis to her words, "Hey I've got an idea! How about you not get drunk and clean it yourself!" Her look returned to that of complete contempt before she turned to slip out of the door. "Besides, I have dance class after school, then clean up at the site. She can do it herself. See ya."

With that, the door shut leaving the man to frown heavily with annoyance for the girl. She was more trouble than she was worth, and since the move, she had only gotten worse. The three moved to West City only a month before school had started, and spent the time settling in and looking for new jobs. Well, Takayuki and her mother, Akao, had. He already had a set job at the construction site since his former boss held close relations with the company owner there in Satan City. Pulling some strings, Thomas had managed to get the girl a job at the site with the clean up crew. She may have been a bit lazy around the house and with her grades, but she was strong and could haul her own weight, plus some.

"If only she was legal," Thomas muttered. He pushed aside these less noble thoughts as his cigarette was tossed onto the floor and stomped out carelessly. That very foot led the man down the hall, and soon disappearing out of the door.

*

Gohan stifled a yawn as he slouched in his chair. His hands were folded behind the mess of raven hair as he tried to keep focused on the list of quizzes, tests, and school social events, but was failing utterly to catch the entire schedule teacher rambled on about. Brown hues shifted about the other yawning students before resting upon the raven-haired girl at his side. She was idly tapping the end of her pen atop the wooden surface of the desk, a look of boredom dancing across her flawless face. Occasionally her hand rose to run through her short strands.

Satan Videl was her name, daughter of the 'Great' Mr. Satan who 'defeated' the monster Cell a few years ago. Gohan could not help but silent muse at the thought, but that had been quite sometime ago, and they were both seniors in high school now. To say that Gohan did not like the girl would be a lie; she was amazing! Not only pretty, but also stronger then most girls should be. One might ever go as far as saying he was in love with her.

The two had tried dating for a little while, and things had actually been going well up until the end of last year when one of her old boyfriends had come into town for a little business. Let us just say Gohan had very bad timing. The two decided it was best they spend some time apart after a sudden discovery and a very long conversation. Videl's ex-boyfriend never left afterwards, as Gohan had known, and the two were currently dating as of now.

Was Gohan Jealous? Of course! In fact, whenever her saw the two together he was infuriated, but his somewhat shy personality and good up bringing kept his anger in check, leaving him only to watch the two as they grew closer and closer. It was simple though, as least when voiced.

As long as Videl was happy, he did not care about anything else.

"The back to school dance will be held next month on the fourth," the teacher stated before filing through the list in her pale hand. "Alright, now for Senior Research Projects!"

Gohan had been lost in thought until the word 'Project' slammed through his them. The sound of groaning students echoed throughout the classroom as bodies shifted with mental discomfort. Usually a Senior Research project was held at the discretion of the teacher, but this year the school board had decided to make this mandatory for graduation. Many of the seniors saw this as a foreshadowing of the dooms to come later in the year.

"Since this will probably be the first time any of you have ever done a research project, you will be working in groups of two!" Mrs. Hajima, the teacher, announced. She leaned back against her desk as she let of the sounds of relief and whisper of contemplated partner float through the room. It was then that the last bit of her words was added, only to bring back the unhappy groans. "Since this is a new year, with quite a few new students, I will be choosing the partners."

A list of names was read off as students were partnered up, some with their friends and other less fortunate. Gohan hoped, of course, to be paired up with Videl, but that was dashed as her found her to be paired with Sharpner. He was left to slouch forward resting his chin into his hand.

"Son Gohan, Iwasaki Takayuki," the blond read off, placing a read check mark next to their names on her clipboard.

"Heh, don't you got the greatest luck!" From behind a hand slapped Gohan's right shoulder. Sharpner grinned mockingly at the boy as he chuckled at his predicament.

"Shut up Sharpner," Videl frowned heavily at the blond before she shifted her gaze to the girl of topic. "I'm sure she's not really as bad as she seems."

"Not bad?" he would wail one more in a fit of laughter and mock surprise. "The girl is hopeless. She never does her homework, and is barely passing this class as it is!"

"Yeah," the girl just next to Sharpner agreed. "Like, she's never in class on time, always asking for someone's homework, and she's always drawing. She's, like, a total slacker Videl!"

"Well," Videl glance to the girl, Takayuki, before pressing a tooth again the corner of her lip. "She does, doesn't she."

This earned the girl an exasperated sigh from Gohan. Iwasaki Takayuki, Gohan mental sounded out as his brown hues shifted to the girl.

Takayuki sat in the upper section, near the back, of the classroom. He never really spoke to the girl, but he did have her in two other classes: Art and Pre- Calculus. How she managed to get in there, he was not too sure. He often found her daydreaming, writing in her notebook, or drawing something or another. As far as he knew, the only classes the girl was passing was Art and Gym. At this thought, he mentally groaned again. Now he would have twice the work to do on this thing.

"The project Guidelines," Mrs. Hajima began as the stapled sheets were placed on the desktop of every student she passed, "are to be followed as written. Project outlines are due the Friday after next, and the report and presentations are due on the first of October; anything afterwards will not be accepted." The woman returned to her desk before continuing to talk.

"I suggest you get together with your partner sometime this weekend to-" it was about this time the bell rang, signaling the end of yet another school week. "You all have a great weekend, and be safe!"

Students rose from their seats as they bustled about to gather their things. Videl and Sharpner began to discuss project idea, and Gohan only sighed mentally. His gaze shifted once more to the girl that was assigned his partner. Grabbing his books, he rose and started down the row and up the aisle to approach the girl.

"Takayuki?"

The girl blinked, her almost black hues rising from her backpack to peer at him. She slowly stood, pulling the backpack onto slender shoulders, and smiled at him, "Hey Gohan."

"Hey," Gohan replied as he returned her polite smile with his own. "About the project-"

"I won't be able to work on it after school if that's what you're wondering," the girl cut in as she began pass him. Finger already began to remove the small capsule that contained her mode of transportation.

"Wha?" Gohan trailed after her. "Well, when do you think you'll have time?"

"Well," she glanced to the ceiling as she cleared the desks and started for the door leading out into the hall. "I'm free on Saturday mornings, and anytime after midnight and before school."

After midnight?  Gohan though with utter despair. Well that confirms it. Slacker she is!

"That's it?"

Takayuki paused for a moment to peer at him, "That's not a problem is it?"

"No! Not at all!" Gohan lied with a nervous laugh and a scratch of the back of his head.

"So, tomorrow morning, 9 o'clock, your house?"

"Um, well," Gohan shifted his weight, "my house is kind of out there."

"You commute?"

"Y-yeah."

She stared at him for a moment, as if studying his agitated movements before she smiled and shrugged. "Well, it's okay." And, steps were resumed.

A hand slipped into the pocket of her red jeans for a moment, shuffling about, until she pulled out a pen. "Give me your number so I can call and get directions."

"O-Okay," Gohan blinked before reciting the memorized digits to her.

She scribbled the number onto the back of her hand, underlining it three times and labeling it as 'Gohan's #'. It was then that she caught a glance at her wristwatch. A sudden look of panic graced her features as her middle finger of her other hand rose to push up the black framed glass adorning her petite nose.

"I'm late!" she exclaimed. Immediately, she began to jog down the hall. She turned just enough to call over her shoulder, "I'll call you tonight for directions!"

Gohan stood there in shocked confusion as a bead of sweat form on the back of his head. "S-Sure, heh'. Tonight."

*

Day soon shifted into night, bringing with it cool breezes and silent melodies of crickets and night owls. Takayuki pulled into the driveway of the small domed house she dubbed home for the time being. She slid off her hover cycle and returned it to its capsule with a press of a button. Her attire had changed from a punish entourage to dirty blue jeans and an equally dirty, white t-shirt.

A hand rose rubbing her dirt smudged cheek before sore arms grabbed her backpack and a small plastic bag that contained her dance clothes and school clothes. Tired feet carried her within the confines of the house where her mother sat to greet her in the dining room. A not too happy look adorned her chubby, and slow aging, face.

"Where have you been?" Akao asked as she shifted her annoyed gaze to the teen that entered through the side door. " I told you to clean up the house today."

"I had to work tonight. I got shifted to night cleanup at the site." Takayuki replied with a tired though nonchalant, shrug. She already knew what was coming.

"You could have done it after dance practice," the woman countered. "You have a whole hour there."

"I had homework," Takayuki stated with slight annoyance.

"You need to do house chores first Yuki," Akao said with rising displeasure.

"Fine," a roll of dark brown eyes and the girl was heading down the hall. "I'll just fail school for you."

"What's wrong with you!"

"What now?" the girl shouted back as she spun on her heel to face Akao that had now risen to her feet. The woman was a complete puzzle box to her!

Iwasaki Akao was not a bright woman. She only had six grades of school underneath her belt and could actually be considered a bit slow in the head. The woman was also extremely superstitious. She though her jewelry had feelings, and on more then one occasion interrupted Takayuki's sleep to ask advice on which charm to put with which chain. Why she never bothered her 'beloved boyfriend' about this was beyond Takayuki. On top of all that, the woman thought her daughter should be perfect: in work, in grades, and at home! It was aggravating!

"Are you stupid!" Akao shouted.

Takayuki only rolled her eyes, knowing better then to take the insult to heart, and turned back around. "Alright! Sorry! Whatever. I'm going to bed." With that, the bedroom door was shut behind her with a slam.

Takayuki had long since given up arguing with the woman, there was no winning with her. The fact that these little arguments happened every night made it all the more pointless.

She tossed her backpack aside before she plopped down onto her bed sighing with relief. God, she was tired. Her gaze lingered on the ceiling of her bedroom for a moment before letting her eyes roam over the darkness. Even now, she could make out the small knick-knacks that made up her room.

It was much really. There was her bed, the computer and its desk to the right of it, and a dresser to the left. At the foot of the bed was another dresser, though this one held a small bookshelf atop it that seemed a little over stuffed. A small TV sat on the opening provided by the legs of the shelf. And farther to the left of said dresser was a drawing desk. Here was where most of the things lied in her room. Papers littered the desk's worn surface, and several drawings and sketches, as well as stories and poetry, lined the wall of the corner it was nestled in. And just on the corner of the desk rested a small picture frame of a family that was no more.

Her gaze shifted from the shadowed picture there, and, instead, let her gaze rest upon the digital clock on the dresser just side of her bed. '12:15 a.m.' she read with a tired roll to her side to peer at the phone that rested just next to the clock.

She should probably call Gohan. Then again, he was probably already sleeping. She would call him in the morning after she took a shower. A yawn seeped pass dry lips as hues drifted shut, and before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

*

                From the silence that blanketed Black Forest came the sound of a Morning Glory, a bird well known for its beautiful songs. Sunlight tore through the darkness that filled the sky casting lights of pink and purple against the belly of passing storm clouds. From the depths of the forest came the soft hum of an engine. Elsewhere, in a small clearing another, less melodious, voice ripped through the air.

                "Son Goku!" Chichi screeched, her voice exploding from the domed house, much like how the renowned Goku exploded from the door and into the yard. "You get back here right now!"

                Son Goku, leader of Earth's Special Forces, took to the air just in time to avoid a flying spatula aimed at his head. "Calm down Chichi." He pleaded with a nervous smile. Below, his wife stood just out of reach. Her right hand remained tightly gripped onto the handle of her frying pan as she pointed it threateningly at him. "Calm down? I'll calm down when you come down here and face me like a man!"

"Chichi!" Goku whined as he reluctantly lowered back to the ground.

"Don't you Chichi me!"

Gohan sighed from where he stood in the doorway unable to hide his smirk of amusement as he watched the comical antics of his parents. However, his attention shifted to the road, the roar of an approaching engine reaching his ears. It was undoubtedly Iwasaki Takayuki, on her way over so they could begin their project.

Takayuki called Gohan some five that morning to apologize for neglecting to call him and seek out directions to his home the night before as she said she would. Though slightly agitated, after all she made him wait up all night for that call, Gohan gave her the needed directions. At least she was on time, which slightly surprised him.

                From the road came the hover cycle, its rider dressed in slightly dirty blue jeans and a large t-shirt with the words 'You're just jealous because the voices don't talk to you.' scribbled across the front. Though a helmet shielded her face, Gohan knew it was she. Luckily, his mother managed to chase his poor father out of sight.

                Gohan moved out from between the door and doorway towards the road as the vehicle slowed to a stop. Takayuki pulled offer helmet to reveal her slightly messy, bound up hair.

                "Morning," Gohan greeted as hands shoved into the pockets of his Khakis.

                "Mornin'," She replied with a slight yawn.

                Gohan observed her as she dismounted and parked her cycle on the side of the road. She looked Exhausted! Maybe she was not a morning person? Then again, what Gohan considered morning was still night for most of his peers.

                "I stopped by the library and got a few books I though would be useful," she stated causing Gohan to return from his thoughts. "I was thinking we could do something with the human body's energy."

                "Energy?" Gohan asked, unable to quell the feeling of nervousness that brewed at the concept. After all, barely anybody knew of his 'gifts' save for a few close friends.

                "Yeah," Takayuki state with a smile. "I have this theory, see. Since our bodies emit energy, we should be able to control it. You know, just like any other body part."

                "O-Oh…"

                "You don't like it," she stated after watching his reaction to the subject. "Then we can do something else, it was just an idea anyway."

                "No!" He yelped, not wanting to shy her away from any sort of work she may have done or will possibly do. "That's fine!"

                "Great!" Takayuki bounced a little adjusting the straps to her backpack before she glanced about. "Do you have any food?"

                "Um, yeah," Gohan tilted his head with confusion. "Why?"

                "Because I'm starving!" She exclaimed as she started for the house, the door still ajar from where Gohan had left it open. "I left in a hurry this morning so I didn't have time to grab breakfast and I really didn't get a chance to eat dinner last night."

                "Oh," Gohan replied. The girl seemed to be wide-awake now, simply as the thought of food as it would seem. " Come inside."

                "Thanks," she chirped.

                Takayuki followed him into the house, a hand then drifted up to push the frame of her glasses back up her nose. Shutting the door behind her, she let hues bounce across pictures and furniture, " Wow, nice house. Better then mine anyway."

                "Thanks," Gohan replied as he paused just before the doorway leading to the kitchen. "You can put your stuff in my room." He gave a motion down the hall, "It's the third door on the right." Afterwards, he stepped into the kitchen.

                Pushing open the refrigerator, he peered inside to survey its contents: Sandwich meat, ham, turkey, and sodas. He grabbed the sandwich meat, with some added condiments, before her closed the door.

                "Don't tell me you're still hungry Gohan," the voice of his Mother inquired. Chichi slipped into the kitchen from the back door. She probably scared his father off, so Gohan didn't expect him to be around anytime soon. "I would think that with Goten at Bulma's, your father and you would have had enough to eat."

                "It isn't for me, it's for Takayuki."

                "You mean that girl you told me about? The 'slacker'."

                "Mmhmm," Gohan nodded in confirmation. He quickly put the sandwich together before he looked to his mother.

                Chichi moved to the stovetop and set down her faithful frying pan before she looked to her eldest son. "Don't be too quick to judge her, okay? She might not be so bad." She moved to the refrigerator, pulled it open, and claimed a soda. She then tossed it to him with a smile.

                Gohan smiled back as he caught the can with his empty hand. Turning he left the kitchen and stepped into the hall where, just outside of the kitchen, stood Takayuki silently admiring a picture that hunt on the wall there, or was she? She looked somewhat sad for a moment until she spotted Gohan from the corner of her eye. A bright smile soon lit up her face, as she seemed to press whatever emotion she had been wearing aside.

                "Ooh! Food!" She squealed and quickly took the sandwich and soda from him. "Thank so much Gohan! I thought I was going to die of starvation!"

                "I wasn't sure what you wanted but," he trailed off as he watched the girl tare away at the sandwich as if she been starved for the past two days. And here he thought his father looked scary when eating. Gohan shook his head with a little chuckle as he moved pass her and motioned her to follow.

                Takayuki complied as she happily chewed away at the sandwich. Swallowing what was within her mouth, she decided to pipe out another question, "So who's the big green guy in the picture?"

*

                The ship moved though space at an incredible speed that should not have been possible for such a large craft. Its marble black surface blending extremely well with the black blanket of space it glided through. Within its large confines bustled beings from computer to computer, screen to screen. It was a war craft of some sort, and one boiling with loyal soldiers.

                Amidst the sounds of shuffling bodies, sideline conversations, and tapping keys, came a loud beeping. One of the large green screens shifted red, a bright green dot soon reacting with the beeps to blink on and off. Bodies suddenly rushed about as voices rose, and several pairs of digits quickly tapped out instructions to the computer's mainframe. They found something, and it exited them greatly.

                From the group broke one large clumsy creature that scrambled up the large steps and out of the sliding doors. The purple alien continued down the hall, running over anyone who was so unfortunate to walk within his path. He rounded a corner and soon slid to a stop before a pair of large metal doors that were soon burst through.

                "Sire! We found it!" he squeaked out in an uncharacteristically high voice. " Prototype 2086," he began again after catching his breath. His beady eyes peered down to the slightly crumpled piece of paper ensnared with his clawed hands before smoothing it out and reading it, the best his little mind could at least. "It's on a planet name…E-Arth."

                "Earth you idiot," a voice grumbled from the depths of the darkness that filled the small room.

                "F-Forgive me Sire," the creature muttered with a nervous shift of his weight. A wave of his master's hand caused him to continue his report. He let his gaze roll over the paper before a gasp escaped him, "Sire! It seems 2086 is still intact and active! Running on its reserved Energy according to the report."

                "Is that so, and after so many years?" the being whispered in amusement. "Tell Captain Meiou to set a course for this, Earth."

                "Right away Sire!" The creature quickly bowed as he brought his right fist to his left should, heels snapping together only to be followed by a quick bow, and even quicker exit.

                From the darkness, two red orbs came alive illuminating the shadowed figure within. A thin, child like smile, spread across the unnaturally young, red lit face as hands rose to fold over the vest chest.

                You though you could hide my child away, didn't you Uriu? He mused silently. You were a fool from the start, and a fool in the end. You of all know you cannot hide a child from its parent, for there is always a bond between them.