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Time Nest

 

Everyone came back out of the Data portal, emerging right by the lake of the Time Nest. Rhuda was cradled by Trunks, whom could tell by her low ki that she had to be hurting. He sat her down, oblivious to everyone's stares, and put his hand on her chest. His eyes shut as he drew on the Kai power he'd learned years ago from Shin.

Warmth came from his hand and out it, flowing into Rhuda. Her green eyes widened. "Ah--! W-What was that?"

Her Health and Stamina rose to MAX. 

Trunks explained that he could heal someone, thanks to his Kai training as a teenager. Rhuda trembled a little and demurely said, "T-Thank you, T-Trunks."

His reply was a gentle smile and squeeze to her shoulder.

Shallot crossed his arms and began to go on a tangent about what had happened, with Rhuda filling in the remainder of the blanks. The Elite Patrollers listened tensely until he finished. Trunks was the first to speak and said, "...So, they're after the Super Dragon Balls."

"It appears that way," SKOT replied with a furrow in her brows. "We'll need to keep the PQ simulator offline until further notice."

Shallot didn't like that idea. It meant he would be stuck with nothing to do aside from the new 'DLC' he found himself in, and protested. But SKOT shot down his argument. "I'm sorry. We have to do this for the time being. Until we can disassemble the program and figure out how to work around their Data portals...it's not safe."

Trunks agreed as did the others. He added, "We also have no idea how Giblet was able to get to Conton without any of us noticing."

That brought up another round of debate and ended with everyone agreeing to be on the watch for any future look a likes. Rhuda suggested that perhaps they have a special word to say that only the real patrollers knew, and SKOT concurred with that idea and chose the word: "Pudding."

Vegeta didn't like that particular word but Goku told him he thought it was great, and thus the discussion closed.

While they were talking Rhuda pulled up her [MENU] and saw that she was now at level 16. She had 80 stat points to put in places and needed Shallots' help with that, and noted a new attack called "Magma Shot". She then checked her [Relationships] and saw that her and Trunks were now at a level 7 Friendship and had 8 Hearts.

Her heart began to pound. She was already so far into his Good Ending--just how that happened she was at a loss--and further pondered what would happen when that rose to 10.

Trunks, sensing her stare, looked down at his girlfriend and gave her a reassuring smile. "You did well, Rhuda. By distracting Giblet we were able to keep the location of the Dragon Balls secret and find a way to counter his Data portal. We couldn't have done it without your help." He bowed politely.

To a girl who had thought she'd done nothing but get in the way it was a huge compliment. She ducked her head down, looked away, and back at Trunks in a stammering manner and said, "O-Of course! I-I'm happy to-to help."

It was clear to all present that Rhuda was very nervous and shy around Trunks, and SKOT grinned to herself, knowing full well they were perfect for one another. She clapped her hands to break the air and brightly told them all: "Alright! Good work, Time Patrol! Don't slack off, you hear me? We need everyone on guard at all times!"

"Right!" Came their replies.

Everyone shuffled out except for Trunks and Rhuda.

SKOT, seizing the moment suggested, "Trunks, why don't you take Rhuda to freshen up? I'm sure she's just dying to get out of those muddy clothes."

The supreme kai of time could see how the intentional suggestion made her time patrol leader fluster. He bowed, "Y-yeah. Right. Okay, then...let's get going, Rhuda."

"Ok."

She followed after him to the floating transporter above the Nest steps. "You can use Capsule," he said, "we've got lots of bathrooms. I was meaning to ask you earlier, but...well, are you busy later?"

Rhuda recalled telling Broly she would train with him. "Oh--well, I did tell Broly that we could spare."

Trunks' eyes tightened. He looked away and mumbled, "Maybe another time."

"Wait--I could do something after--" she hurriedly replied. His eyes went to her mouth before he nodded. "Alright then. Come find me when you're free."

"Y-Yes!"

***

 

Rhuda followed him to Capsule Industries, in the elevator, and went to the fourth floor suites. She looked over just as she had last time at the pictures on the walls. "His family is...close," she observed. The look of platonic adoration on Bra's face in the picture made Rhuda quite envious. 

I wonder what that's like...to have someone around who really loves you, she wondered.

She shook off her mindless thoughts and heard Trunks' boots from behind. He shut his bedroom door and saw her. "Hey. Oh, you're probably wondering where the bathroom is. Let me show you."

He took off to the other side of the hallway and made a left turn. "Here we are. To the right are the mens, and the left are for women."

"Ano..." Came her timid voice.

She didn't have clothes, Trunks realized with a flush. He smacked his palm. "Ah! Sorry. I'll have the room service bring you something to wear. Er...do you have a preference?"

"N-No--anything is fine!" Rhuda replied. 

"Right. I'll uh, I'll call them now." Trunks left her with a shaky smile.

Not even two minutes had passed and the elevator dinged open. A maid wearing slacks, a headset, and a badge held in her arms a pile of laundry. She strode over with confidence and bowed to Rhuda. "Mrs. Rhuda. Your clothes as requested."

"T-Thank you." Rhuda squinted at her name tag, "...Uhm, Marsh." She took the clothing without looking and hurriedly entered the Briefs personal bathrooms.

[System: Acquired New Clothing Items!]

Rhuda entered the bathroom. It was massive, telling without words that the Brief family name was one of importance and wealth. Marble flooring, gold trimmed tile, and a tub the size of three hot tubs. It took up most of the room. To the right was a sink top with four sinks, two of which had toothbrush and other oral necessities in steel holders. Above the sink was a long mirror expanding the entire length of the sink, and Rhuda took a moment to examine herself.

"I look so...roughed up." 

Her hair had mud in it. Her time patrol outfit was full of dings and scratches, and there was dried blood on her face. Overall she had saw better days.

"I wonder if I actually use the bathroom, or if it's like the Time Academy.." Rhuda said, walking to the massive tub. She waited for a menu option to pop up but it didn't. She would need to bath all on her own, then.

Off came her boots. Followed by her time patrol outfit, and lastly, the hair ties in her long hair. 

Next, she turned on a button that said 'Jets On/Off' and watched as the tub filled rapidly with steaming water. "Woah--it's so much! Just for one bath?" She gaped.

Using that much water to bath with seemed like such a waste to her. She recalled that in Japan, she wouldn't even need a quarter of that amount. 

Rhuda stepped into the tub. The water was warm, but not hot, and she climbed further in. "Nn...it's so nice...I think I could sleep here," she said with a sigh of bliss. Her head leaned back against the tiled wall as bubbles covered the top of the water. Like this she soaked in the nice warm tub until her body began to prune. 

There were already hygiene supplies on the side of the tub. She took some expensive body wash and put it on the provided pouf and soaped up her body. It was a nice sultry scent. Next, she plopped shampoo and conditioner into her scalp and thoroughly cleaned it of dirt, mud, and pollution.

As she bathed her thoughts went to Trunks.

"We're already so far...what if he t-tries to do something...?" She asked aloud with a blush. 

For a second her mind conjured his nude form above her. Trunks would be panting and all hot and bothered, hands all over her body and whispering her name. 

"Hya...I've become a hentai." 

Rhuda finished her bath in a hurry. She told herself it was just to see her brother Broly. 

She left Capsule after putting on her fresh Equipment. The maids had provided an A-skirt, a white crop top with the Capsule logo in the middle, and a fresh set of socks and black boots. The only things missing where the undergarments, but Rhuda figured she'd buy those on her own later.

Broly was to be found back at the Nest. She walked through the portal and saw him waiting by the water and feeding a light colored bird. 

"Brother," she greeted and walked over. He smiled and continued to feed the bird, replying, "You are wearing strange clothing."

"I had to shower, you see, and...needed to borrow some clothing." Rhuda explained.

Her brother eyed her chest and furrowed his brows. "Needs more. Go..find something else."

"B-But I don't have anything else..."

"..."

Broly untied his pelt and placed it around her shoulders and tied it tightly. "Then use this for now."

"B-But--"

"Rhuda doesn't know how pretty she is." Her brother said seriously. "You can't look that way around others."

"W-Well...alright, then." 

Rhuda grew so flustered by her brothers words she couldn't meet his eye. A brothers doting was something to be treasured.

"Have you recovered from earlier?" He asked her.

"Mhm. Trunks healed me, so I feel brand new again. And the bath got rid of all the mud." She said.

He seemed to relax a little. Maybe he'd been more worried than she knew. Broly finished feeding the bird and it flew off, to perch on a pole some feet above the Nests' waters. 

"Let us go." Broly stated and walked to the Nest portal.

Rhuda jogged to keep up with his long legs. He led her down the steps and up a slanted hill without grass, and she saw the rise of tall mushrooms. 

[System: Mushroom Forest]

They walked until reaching the top of the mountain peak. It leveled off, and Broly stopped to face her. "Attack when you're ready," he said.

Ah, Rhuda thought, I forgot to equip more battle items. 

Broly had 4x Health Bars, the same as Giblet. There wouldn't be a way to defeat him, instead she'd need to run the timer out. It was clocked to 2:00. Two minutes.

She swallowed anxiety and plant her feet apart, shooting a few Ki blasts at him to test the waters. He jumped up high in the air, came down and punched her jaw. Rhuda threw her arms up to block but he kneed her spine instead. 

A fake out.

The ground greeted her fast and hard. "Ah!"

"Rhuda!"

Broly pulled her from the dirt and rolled her over, inspecting. "You should have saw that coming," he said. 

"S-Sorry."

Apparently she would need to step up her game. Rhuda got back up and used her Special Attack, Divine Sword. Broly saw it and smirked. 

She jumped, did a flying kick to his face that he blocked, and swiped with her Divine Sword during the retreat. Broly barely got his forearm up in time but did, and kicked her stomach to put distance between them.

"Too slow, sister." He said with a happy smile.

"I'll do better! Just watch and see!"

Once more she went to him and acted like she was going in for a front attack, but at the last second twisted her body around and struck his spine. Broly saw it from the corner of his deep eyes and vanished, grabbed her arm and slung Rhuda onto her back. She hit the dirt hard enough to go inches within it, and smoke rose from the debris.

"*cough!*"

Broly came through the smoke and elbow jabbed her diaphragm--

--Rhuda coughed up blood and pushed him back weakly, rolling away and jumping to get away from his crazy speed. She didn't get far.

After he was back to her and began a series of kicks; Rhuda blocked most but the final kick hit her chin and she was once more sailing away.

"...ha..ha.." she panted for air, Stamina gone, and Health down to 30%. 

The Timer ran out at that moment.

[System: Mission Clear!]

[Items Acquired: +1 Sensu Essence, +1 Female Ba Pelt]

Broly could see that his sister was tired. He appeared before her and brought Rhuda into his arms, placing his twin on the top of a mushroom flower. "...You're tired so soon." He said.

"Sorry...brother...I'm not...strong like you.."

"The only reason I'm strong is because I was born a monster," he said calmly.

Rhuda watched as a sadness filled his dark eyes. She quickly shook her head. "No--not at all! Broly isn't a monster! You're my brother. A-And strong, because--because you protect everyone. Isn't that so?"

In answer he took his thumb and swiped away the blood from her lips. His head fell to her shoulder. "Rhuda is too nice. We both know the truth."

"Eh? No...don't...don't say that."

She could feel the weight of not only his head but his words, and gently hugged him, like he would push her away. He was warm, and as they embraced one another, one could have mistaken the two for actual brother and sister. Rhuda held on to him and absorbed the affection he gave.

Finally Broly pulled away and glanced up to the blue sky above, watching a few patrollers who'd grouped together pass overhead. "...Do you and I really belong here?" He asked.

"What do you mean?"

He continued, "Maybe it would be better to stay on Planet Vampa. Just...the two of us, like it used to be. Then maybe Rhuda wouldn't be in danger."

"Broly..." the girls heart warmed.

I wish that he were my real brother, she thought longingly. 

Her hand lifted to the scar on his cheek and touched it. ".....We don't need to stay locked away. I know that, if anything were to happen, you would save me."

His face reddened and he held her hand to his face, smiling. 

***

 

Rhuda left her brother at Capsule Industries. He told her to wear the pelt on her date despite the girls reluctance to walk around with a green fur poncho, and they parted ways at the elevator. With every step to Trunks Briefs' room, Rhuda grew increasingly more anxious. She stopped just outside his door and straightened her hair, which was free of ties, it's long length brushing the back of her legs, and gave her cheeks a pinch. 

I'm so nervous, she thought. 

Minutes ticked by as she stood there debating on knocking. Her hand lifted, dropped, lifted again. She turned around. Turned back around. Crouched. Stood up. Paced--

Then the door swung open.

Trunks was there, and he was wearing a black tank top and khaki shorts. "...You were planning on knocking, right?"

"Hya! Ah--Trunks--" she jumped at his voice and bowed over and over, "--so sorry! I was just--it was because--"

"Don't be nervous." He said and shut his door. "C'mon. I thought we could go down and watch a movie, since it's getting late."

"O-Okay!"