Chapter 2: New Namek.
-
On the day of lift-off, Lazuli was unusually quiet. Bulma busied herself with the final checks, her usual chatter filling the silence as she triple-checked the ship's systems. Gohan stayed nearby, observing Lazuli with a mix of curiosity and caution.
The emitter sat around Lazuli's neck like a weight she couldn't shake. It worked perfectly, concealing her energy signature to keep them off the radar of any curious eyes. Yet, she despised the device. It wasn't just the way it dug into her skin or the faint hum it emitted—it was what it represented.
Once they were in space, she could take it off, and that thought brought a flicker of relief. The emitter felt like a shackle, a reminder of everything she'd endured. Without it, she could at least feel like herself again. Not an android. Not Gero's creation. Just Lazuli—a girl who had been taken, reshaped, and used for someone else's dreams of power and revenge.
She stood at the edge of the hangar bay, watching the world she barely recognized shrink beneath her. The engines roared to life, and the ship ascended steadily into the sky, breaking through the atmosphere and into the quiet vastness of space.
Bulma stretched in her seat, the tension in her shoulders melting as the ship settled into autopilot. "Well, that's the hardest part done. We're officially en route to New Namek," she announced with a grin.
Gohan gave her a nod, then turned to Lazuli. "You doing okay?"
Lazuli leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the void beyond the window. "I'm fine," she said, her voice clipped.
Gohan exchanged a glance with Bulma, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
After a moment of silence, Lazuli reached up and unclasped the emitter. The hum stopped instantly, and she exhaled a slow breath. Her energy flared briefly, unrestrained for the first time in days, before she reined it back in.
"You don't have to keep wearing that thing anymore," Gohan said.
"I know." She held the device in her hand, turning it over thoughtfully. "It's useful, but it makes me feel... wrong. Like I'm hiding who I am."
Bulma swiveled her chair around to face them. "It's just a tool, Lazuli. You're not defined by what you wear or don't wear. And for the record, I don't think it's hiding who you are. If anything, it's giving you the freedom to figure that out without anyone else interfering."
Lazuli scoffed, tucking the emitter into her pocket. "Freedom. Right." She pushed off the wall and strode toward the back of the ship. "Let me know when we get there."
The door hissed shut behind her, leaving Gohan and Bulma in an uneasy silence.
"She's got a lot to process," Gohan said after a moment.
Bulma sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Don't we all? She's not wrong to feel like she's lost herself, but she's also not giving herself enough credit. That girl's tougher than she knows."
Gohan nodded but didn't reply. Instead, he stared out the window at the stars streaking past.
For the next few days, the ship hummed with quiet activity. Bulma tinkered with gadgets in her lab, Gohan split his time between training and monitoring their course, and Lazuli kept mostly to herself. When she wasn't wandering the ship or staring out at the endless expanse of space, she was asleep in her quarters.
But even in the solitude of her room, sleep didn't come easily. The silence of space reminded her too much of the void she'd felt during her time under Gero's control. She didn't miss the rage that had consumed her then, but the emptiness that replaced it wasn't much better.
On the fourth day, she joined Gohan in the training room.
"Figured I'd see what all the fuss is about," she said as she stepped inside.
Gohan paused mid-punch, sweat dripping from his brow. "You want to spar?"
"Why not?" Lazuli smirked, rolling her shoulders. "You think I'm out of practice?"
Gohan chuckled, stepping back into a fighting stance. "Not at all. But don't think I'm going to take it easy on you."
"Good," she said, her smirk widening. "I wouldn't want you to."
As they clashed, the sound of fists meeting flesh and the sharp crack of energy blasts filled the room. For the first time in days, Lazuli felt something other than numbness. The fight didn't erase the questions or the pain, but it reminded her of one simple truth: she was still here.
And for now, that was enough.
-
Hours later, Lazuli raised her hand in the universal sign of surrender. "You win," she said, her breath coming in heavy gasps. Sweat dripped down her chin, sliding past her neck and onto her chest. The sting of exhaustion throbbed in her limbs, but there was something satisfying about it—the burn of a real fight, one she hadn't felt in a long time.
"I'm still learning how to fight without the endless power I had before," she added, feeling the weight of the words more than she had expected.
Gohan extended a hand to help her back to her feet, his grip firm but gentle. As he pulled her up, their faces came within an inch of each other, the proximity making the air between them feel thick, charged. A brief silence stretched out as they locked eyes, and for a moment, it was as if the world outside the training room had vanished.
The heat between them was palpable, a shared, fleeting tension that neither of them knew how to address.
Just then, the door slid open, and Bulma stepped in, a mischievous smile on her face as she surveyed the scene. "Am I interrupting something?" she asked, arching an eyebrow as her gaze shifted between the two of them.
Lazuli jerked back, clearing her throat and quickly stepping away from Gohan. "No, I was... I was leaving." She straightened up, suddenly feeling self-conscious, the moment vanishing as quickly as it had arrived.
"Thanks for the spar," she added, a little too quickly. "It was... fun." She turned on her heel and walked toward the door, eager to escape the sudden discomfort.
Behind her, she could feel Bulma's eyes on her, but she didn't look back. Instead, she kept walking, trying to steady her breathing. The encounter had left her feeling both shaken and oddly elated, but the thought of lingering with that heat in the air was more than she could bear.
Gohan watched her go, his mind still half-focused on the fight they'd just had. "Guess we both have some work to do," he muttered to himself.
Bulma gave him a playful nudge. "You're not fooling anyone, Gohan. She's not the only one who's got something to figure out."
He turned to her, a faint blush creeping up his neck. "What do you mean?"
"You'll figure it out," Bulma said, winking as she left the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
Gohan couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had just occurred, something more than just a friendly spar.
-
The rest of the trip to New Namek was filled with a tension that none of them talked about. Lazuli remained distant, lost in her thoughts, while Bulma and Gohan tried to act as if nothing had changed. But every time they were in close proximity, the air crackled with unspoken tension.
When the ship finally landed on the lush, green surface of the planet, Lazuli was the first to step out, her eyes scanning the horizon with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Gohan and Bulma followed, the latter with a sense of pride for her creation and the latter with a feeling of hope for Lazuli's future.
They made their way through the dense foliage, the sounds of the alien planet a stark contrast to the sterile silence of the ship. Bulma had done her research, and she led them to a secluded spot where the Namekians lived in peace. As they approached, a group of humanoid creatures emerged, their expressions a blend of curiosity and caution.
"We come in peace and with a favor to ask." Bulma said doing all she could to appear as non-threatening as possible.
The Namekians studied them, their large eyes unblinking. Gohan felt a twinge of nervousness, but Bulma's confidence was infectious. "We seek the Dragon Balls," she continued. "We have a friend who needs a fresh start."
Their leader, a mid-sized Namekian with a gentle smile, stepped forward. He knew of the legendary orbs and the power they held. After a brief discussion with his people, he nodded. "We will help you," he said, his voice deep and melodious. "But the dragon will only grant wishes to those with pure hearts. You must be certain of what you ask for."
Lazuli watched the exchange from the shadows, her heart racing. The thought of being reborn as something entirely new, free from her past, was both thrilling and terrifying. The Namekians' kindness was something she hadn't expected, and she felt a strange sense of gratitude for these strangers who knew nothing of her history.
The Namekians led them to the sacred chamber where the Dragon Balls rested, each one emanating a faint glow that filled the space with a serene energy. Gohan took a deep breath, the gravity of the situation weighing on him. He knew that once they made their wish, there would be no turning back.
"We wish for the world to forget the original appearance of Android 18," he said, his voice steady. "And for those who she and her brother killed to be returned to life."
The dragon's eyes snapped open, its colossal form unfurling from the orbs. The creature took in their words, its gaze lingering on Lazuli before it nodded. "Your wish is granted," it boomed, and the room was filled with a brilliant light.
When the glow faded, the Namekians looked at Lazuli, their expressions unchanged. They had no memory of her former life.
Their mission complete, Bulma turned to Gohan with a knowing smile. "Now, about that training," she said, a hint of mischief in her tone.
Gohan rolled his eyes, unable to hide his own smile. "You're insatiable."
"Only when it comes to keeping my friends safe," she replied, her gaze shifting to Lazuli. "And now, she's one of us."
Lazuli felt a warmth spread through her chest. It was strange, this feeling of belonging. She had never known what it was like to have people care for her, to be part of a team that wasn't driven by destruction.
With the emitter now no longer needed she tossed it into the blue-green sea of New Namek, she stepped out of the shadows and into the light, feeling more alive than she had in a long time. The air of New Namek was crisp and clean, the scent of new beginnings heavy in the air. She was ready to find her place in this new world, with Bulma and Gohan by her side.
-
Their days on New Namek were filled with training, exploration, and the occasional prank courtesy of Bulma's ever-inventive mind. Lazuli found that she enjoyed the company of her new friends, their laughter and camaraderie filling the void that had once been a cold, mechanical existence.
And as the days turned to weeks, she couldn't help but feel something more than friendship for Gohan. It was a feeling she didn't understand—this warmth, this desire to be closer to him.
One night, as they sat around a campfire, sharing stories of their pasts, Lazuli found herself drawn to him. His kindness, his strength, his willingness to give her a chance—it all made her heart race in a way that no fight ever had before.
-
As soon as Bulma returned to the ship for the night, Lazuli moved quietly, positioning herself beside Gohan near the warmth of the campfire. The air on New Namek was warm, the heat from the fire a comfort in the soft, still night. Lazuli's gaze was fixed on the flames, her blue eyes flickering in their reflection, the crackling of the fire a soft accompaniment to the silence that stretched between them.
The planet's climate, with its single vast ocean, made the evenings hot, and Lazuli, dressed simply in a tank top, was drenched in a sheen of sweat. Her appearance, casual and unrestrained, left little to the imagination. Her lack of a bra wasn't something she consciously displayed, but in the oppressive heat of the evening, it was just one more thing she didn't care to hide.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of silence, she spoke, her voice low but clear, cutting through the night air. "Bulma's belly is starting to get bigger," she remarked, her tone casual but her eyes never leaving the fire. "You and her aren't together, are you?"
Gohan, caught off guard by the question, didn't immediately respond. He shifted his weight, poking at the fire with a stick as the flames shifted under his touch. "Bulma and I… we've grown closer, I'll admit that much." His voice was quiet, measured, as if he were weighing the words carefully. "But as to what we are, that's for her to decide. If she wanted me to be with her… I'd be more than willing to try." He glanced at her then, his gaze soft but firm. "As I would with you."
Lazuli's eyes flickered, her heart skipping a beat, but she held her composure, not letting her thoughts show on her face. He didn't understand. She wasn't used to this—the openness, the honesty. It was foreign, unsettling, yet... something she couldn't entirely reject.
Gohan paused, taking in a slow breath as the fire crackled between them. "I won't deny it," he continued, his words more vulnerable now. "Our history, everything that's happened before... it's made my feelings for you complicated. But that doesn't mean I don't care. I care about you. I truly do."
There was a long silence, one that stretched with the weight of his words, as though the night itself held its breath. Lazuli looked away briefly, focusing on the shadows cast by the fire, unsure of how to respond. But before she could gather her thoughts, Gohan stood up, his movements deliberate, almost hesitant.
He glanced down at her once more before making his way toward the ship. "I think we should get some rest," he said, his voice still tinged with that same quiet sincerity. "Tomorrow's another day."
Lazuli stayed where she was, her gaze once again drawn to the flames. Her mind churned with the words he had spoken—words she hadn't expected, words she wasn't sure how to deal with. But somewhere in the silence, something shifted inside her, something she couldn't yet name.
She didn't know what tomorrow would bring, or how to handle what she was feeling, but for now, she sat by the fire, alone with her thoughts, and let the night unfold.
-
By the time she entered the ship, the lights were off, and Bulma and Gohan were asleep. She paused, watching them from the shadows—Bulma snoring softly, Gohan's chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath.
Looking down at him, she felt a strange mix of feelings she couldn't quite put into words. Her heart thudded in her chest as she took in his muscular form, the way the moonlight cast shadows across his bare shoulders. Without thinking, she took a step closer.
It was then that Gohan opened one eye, catching her in his gaze. He pushed himself up on one arm, the fabric of his shirt sliding down to reveal his powerful bicep. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and sleep-roughened.
Lazuli stepped back, her cheeks flushing. "I...I just had a question," she stuttered, trying to compose herself. "What am I to you?"
Gohan's gaze searched hers, the soft light playing across his features. "You're someone I'm helping start a new life," he said, his tone gentle. "And you're my friend."
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, she felt a twinge of disappointment. Just a friend? That wasn't enough. Not after all they'd shared, not after the way he made her feel. "Is that all I am to you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just a friend?"
Gohan sat up fully, his eyes never leaving hers. "What do you want to be to me, Lazuli?" he asked, his voice holding a hint of curiosity.
Her pulse quickened, and she found herself unable to answer. She didn't know what she wanted, only that she craved more than friendship from this man who had saved her from a fate worse than death.
The silence stretched out between them, charged with unspoken desires. Finally, Lazuli took a deep breath and answered. "I don't know what I want but I know I want to be more than just a friend. I know that out of all the men I have ever known you're the only one who...who". She tried to go on but the pain of what she suffered overwhelmed her and she fell to the tiled floor. Gohan at once picked her up and placed her on the bed. His arms warping around her.
"It's ok you don't need to answer. Let's get some sleep and we'll talk about all of this whenever you're ready". Gohan said before he pulled her to his chest making her feel safe.
Lying there, her heart thumped against his chest. The warmth of his embrace was something she hadn't felt in what felt like an eternity. She knew what she felt for him was more than friendship. She wanted to be loved by him, to share a connection that transcended the boundaries of what she had ever experienced before.
But she was scared, scared of rejection, scared of the unknown. What would it mean to be with a Saiyan? Would she even know how to love him back, after all, how can one love another when they weren't loved themselves? The questions swirled in her mind, but the comfort of his arms kept the darkness at bay for now.
-
The next morning, Bulma found them both still in bed, a rare sight for the early riser. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of them, Gohan's protective hold on Lazuli, his face peaceful in sleep. It was clear to her that there was something more between them, something that went beyond the lines of friendship.
But she knew it was not her place to meddle. Instead, she left them to their peace and set about making breakfast, her mind already buzzing with new inventions she could create for Lazuli to aid her in her new life.
As the scent of cooking food filled the cabin, Gohan stirred awake, his arms tightening around Lazuli reflexively before he realized where he was. He pulled back, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks as he met her gaze. "Morning," he mumbled.
Lazuli looked up at him, her eyes searching. "I need to know," she said, her voice soft but determined. "What are we to each other now?"
Gohan took a deep breath, his heart racing. He knew he had feelings for her, but he was still grappling with the implications of it all. "We're...more than friends," he finally said, his voice tentative. "But we need to be careful. There's a lot we don't know about each other yet."
They sat in silence for a moment, the tension thick in the air. Then Lazuli leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a gentle kiss that seemed to speak volumes.
For a moment, Gohan was stunned, but then he responded, his arms pulling her closer as the kiss deepened. It was as if a dam had broken, and all the feelings he had been holding back flooded out.
When they finally broke apart, breathless, Lazuli searched his eyes. "I know we need to take it slow," she whispered. "But I don't want to hide anymore how I feel for you."
Gohan nodded, his heart pounding. He knew they had to figure out their feelings, but he also knew that he couldn't ignore them. "Let's take it day by day," he murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
Just then, Bulma entered with a tray of food, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of them. "Okay, you two, enough of the heavy talk," she said, her voice a bit too bright. "Let's eat. Once we're done, we can start our return trip to Earth."
They sat up, trying to act casual as Bulma set the tray on the small table between them. The smell of the food made Lazuli's stomach growl, and she couldn't help but smile at the sudden mundanity of the situation. "Thanks, Bulma," she said, her voice a little shaky.
Bulma studied them both, her expression unreadable. "You're welcome," she said, her tone light. "Now, eat up. We've got a long trip ahead of us."
They dug into the meal, the silence between them now filled with the clink of forks and the occasional laugh as Bulma shared stories of her past adventures. Lazuli listened intently, her gaze flicking between Bulma and Gohan. The warmth in her heart grew with every shared smile and gentle touch, and she felt a newfound sense of belonging.
After they'd finished eating, Bulma began to clean up. "We should get going," she said. "We've got a lot to do before we leave."
Gohan nodded, standing to help. Lazuli felt a twinge of sadness—their time on New Namek was coming to an end, and with it, the chance to explore these new feelings without the distraction of their old lives.
They spent the rest of the day preparing the ship, and as the sun set, Bulma turned to them. "Well, we're all set," she said, her voice a mix of excitement and nerves. "We'll be home by the end of the week."
Lazuli looked at the horizon, the alien landscape casting long shadows. "Home," she murmured. It was a word she hadn't used in a long time, and it felt strange on her tongue. But as she looked at Bulma and Gohan, she knew she was ready to face whatever lay ahead.
The trip back to Earth was mostly uneventful, the quiet hum of the engines a backdrop to their thoughts. Lazuli couldn't shake the feeling that she had left something of herself behind on New Namek, but the anticipation of what was to come kept her spirits high.
When they finally touched down, the familiar sight of Capsule Corp's headquarters brought a smile to Bulma's face. "Welcome home, Lazuli," she said, her voice warm. "We're going to make sure you get everything you need."
Gohan felt a surge of protectiveness towards Lazuli as they stepped out into the night. The cool breeze ruffled their hair, and for a moment, he couldn't help but wonder what the future held for the three of them.
But as they made their way to the house, he knew one thing for sure: they would face it together.
And as they stepped through the door, the warm lights of home beckoning, Lazuli reached for Gohan's hand. He took it without hesitation, the simple touch sending a thrill through him. It was a small step, but it was the start of something new, something filled with hope and the promise of what could be. As they walked together, the weight of the past seemed to lift ever so slightly, replaced by a future that, while uncertain, was no longer something to fear.
Lazuli's grip on Gohan's hand tightened, and he glanced at her with a soft smile. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes about what had changed between them. She had come to realize that, despite her fears and insecurities, there was a place for her here, with these people who saw her not as a weapon or a victim, but as someone worthy of care and affection.
They stepped inside Capsule Corp, and for the first time in what felt like ages, Lazuli felt the first stirrings of something she had long since given up on—hope.
Bulma greeted them with her usual energy, her eyes twinkling as she immediately got to work, ushering them into the main room. "Alright, we've got a lot of plans to make, Lazuli. There's no shortage of things to help you get settled in. I want to make sure you have everything you need to start fresh."
Gohan gave Lazuli's hand a reassuring squeeze before he let go, his attention now on the practicalities of the moment. "What's the plan, Bulma?" he asked, his voice calm, though there was an undeniable warmth there, one that had come to symbolize the closeness between him and Lazuli.
"We'll start with the basics—new identity, new documentation, all the legal stuff. But you need a place where you can feel like yourself, Lazuli. You need a space that's yours, where you can grow into who you want to be." Bulma's words were decisive, her mind already calculating how she could make Lazuli's transition to Earth life as smooth as possible.
Lazuli looked at the two of them, the certainty and care they extended to her making her feel like a part of something more than she had ever imagined. Her heart ached with a quiet, unspoken longing. The weight of everything she had suffered—everything she had lost—was still heavy, but it no longer felt so insurmountable. Gohan, with his patient understanding, and Bulma, with her unrelenting drive, had created a foundation for her to build on. She wasn't sure what the future held, but she finally felt that it might be something worth facing.
Gohan turned back to her, his expression soft. "Whatever you need, we're here. You're not alone, Lazuli."
She met his gaze, her eyes bright with a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't know what I would've done without you both."
Bulma smiled, setting down her tablet. "You don't have to worry about that anymore. We've got you. We're a team now."
Lazuli nodded, feeling the truth of those words seep into her bones. It was strange, this feeling of being part of something, of being seen for more than just her past. It was a feeling she had nearly given up on, and now it was hers to embrace.
As the night wore on, the three of them sat together in the warm, bustling space of Capsule Corp, making plans and joking about the future. But beneath it all, there was an undercurrent—a quiet understanding—that things between Gohan and Lazuli were shifting. They didn't have to define it yet. There was time. But it was clear that the path they were walking was one they would share, together.
Lazuli lay down later that night, her thoughts still swirling with the conversation. She felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in years, her heart full of a hope that, for the first time, didn't feel fleeting. The warmth of Gohan's presence lingered in her mind, a reminder that she wasn't alone, that she was seen and wanted, just as she was.
And as she drifted into sleep, one thought echoed in her mind: Maybe, just maybe, I can finally be happy again.