Canon Fodder

CHAPTER 287 ZUINA

I woke up next to a fire. A large fish cooking over the flames I noticed Zuina crouching in front of me. Staring at the flames as she waited for the food to cook. 

“Hey,” I rasped as my hand went to my head. A headache racking my brain, I pushed the pain away. 

“Hello,” Zuina said, a smile back on her lips. She didn’t appear too hurt from the blows I gave her. A very slight bruise on her chin was the only damage I noticed. Wearing the gi she was in as much of a state of undress as she was before. “What was your name?” 

“Did I not say it? I’m Weston,” I said sitting up. 

“I’m Zuina,” she said, reaching her hand out. I shook it as we both gripped one another hard. I had to give up soon enough though. 

“I am beat up, you win,” I said. 

She laughed sweetly. “There, now we are 1 to 1,” she said. 

“Oh, did I win last night?” I asked. 

“Yeah, you did,” she said. Biting her lip as she looked me over. “What did you do, Weston? That was…interesting.”

“Well you beat me physically. But I have a lot of tricks. You pushed me far enough that I had to release the limits on my body,” I said. 

“What?” 

“You ever hear how your body limits how much strength you can use all at once?” I asked. She shook her head. “Well it does. So you don’t hurt yourself. I broke through those mental blocks, using far more than my full strength.”

“Cool,” she said. “Can I learn that?” 

I hesitated. Not quite ready for that step. “I mean, I don’t see why not.” I got up with a groan. Looking around we were in the same spot we had been earlier, but she had apparently carried me closer to her firepit. “I need a bath.” Every muscle in my body roared at me. I forced it to walk to the water’s edge. 

Throwing my shirt and pants away I stepped in. Forcing my quirk to stop working the cold seeped into me causing me to sigh happily. “How long was I out?” I asked when I was neck deep. 

“It’s about midday now,” she said, turning back to the fish. I guessed Zuina was as innocent as Goku was. Unbothered by being nude or seeing someone nude. “Want to fight again?” 

I laughed. “Not for a few days. I can’t push that far until that time. We could spar till then,” I said. “Can I borrow your 4-star ball?”

“Sure,” she said. “But I want to go with you. I’d prefer to not have to chase after it later.” I nodded. It made sense and I was more than happy to have a pretty Saiyan by my side. 

I brought up the quest I had received. 

The Ability Augmentor hadn’t been there before. I guessed I really impressed her with the fight. Happy with the results I relaxed in the cold water for a while. When the cold had seeped into my aching muscles enough I got out and sat by the fire.

“I’m still hurting. Mind telling me about yourself?” I asked. 

“Not if you’ll tell me about you,” she said. Smirking, she wasn’t shy with the eye contact. 

“I’m an open book to you,” I said, doing my best to flirt with her. Though I doubted she knew what flirting was, it was still working as she blushed. “What was that hut I found up that way?” 

“My grandpa’s place,” she admitted. “He found me in these mountains when I was a baby.” She pointed to the high peaks behind the waterfall. “He took me in and treated me like I was his own.” 

“That’s nice. He train you to fight?” 

“A little. He died when I was young. When I was 11 or so? Not quite sure,” she admitted. “After that I met Bulma. How’d you meet her by the way? She doesn’t trust anyone to touch her radar.” Zuina pointed at the radar on my clothes by the shore. 

“Might as well start at the beginning,” I said. “I grew up in a martial arts dojo. I left a while ago. Ran into Yamcha. Helped him. He took me to Roshi. Roshi told me my issue, and I figured why not try for the Dragon Balls.” 

“Who told you about them?” She asked, resting her chin on her knees. 

“I’ve heard stories,” I said. Not so much a lie, I didn’t plan to lie to her. Zuina probably had some psychic powers, and I didn’t want to piss her off. “I figure if my body isn’t built for Ki. Try to make it so it is.”

“Might work,” she said. “You seem pretty strong without it.”

“That’s because I have some special powers, other than Ki,” I admitted. 

“Like what? Can I learn them?” Zuina asked. 

“Some yes. One is called Nen, the other is Chakra. But they take time to learn.” 

“I’ve got all the time in the world,” she said, extending her arms out. 

“Really? You seem so busy though,” I said. She looked confused at me for a moment, then realized I was being sarcastic. 

“Ah, yes. My schedule is so very full,” Zuina sighed as she poked the fish over the fire. “Training and more training fills my time.” 

“You sound disappointed,” I said, surprised.

“Don’t get me wrong. I love training. Growing stronger. It drives me. Not like I can slack off with Piccolo around either,” she said. “I don’t know. Lately I’ve felt like I’m missing something.”

“What? Don’t have a boyfriend?” I asked. 

“Ha no. Never had one of those,” Zuina said. “Bulma was always so obsessed with one.” I guessed Zuina may not have been as innocently oblivious of boys. Bulma was probably more comfortable to talk about the real world with her than she would have been with Goku. 

“So you’re saying you’re looking for a boyfriend,” I said, putting on my best smile. “I know I hit you pretty hard. But I am more than interested in the position.” 

Zuina looked at me confused again. Then slowly she put them together. Her cheeks blushed deeply as she stared at me. “You-you aren’t interested in that,” she said. 

“Oh I am,” I admitted. “You’re strong, beautiful. Why wouldn’t I be interested?” I asked. She continued to blush. Her eyes staring at me I could almost hear her heart quicken. 

I guessed she was about 20 years old. Though I was only 16, I doubted she had experience with men whatsoever. Goku already had a son by this age. A half-Saiyan son, one that would save the world. I felt it was my duty to try to help bring the prophecy to life. I couldn’t help but study her as new emotions moved through her. Dark hair all over the place she was a bundle of muscles. Stronger than anyone I had met before, except maybe All Might, I had no doubt that she was worth all of my attention in this world. It wouldn’t be now, but someday I hoped to work toward a relationship with her. 

“Foods done,” she mumbled. “Uh you, take it off.” She stood up and moved to her clothes. Turning her back to me she put her orange pants on quickly. Opting for her blue undershirt she became fully dressed. I lifted the giant fish off the fire as she became fully dressed. 

“Guess I should dress too,” I noted as she turned back to me. Her eyes bulged as she looked down to my dick then right back up. I guessed she remembered what the genitalia was for. Blushing again she took over with the fish as I put my clothes on. 

“So, you want to go with me to look for Dragon Balls?” I asked as she cut open the fish. 

“Uh yeah, if you don’t mind,” she said nervously. Focusing on the fish I stepped up to her. Putting my hand on hers I caught her attention. Her big eyes looked up at me with fear. 

“I’m sure you’re hungry. I only need a little food,” I said. She nodded, licking her lips as she cut me off a chunk of meat. I bit into it as she tore small pieces from the large fish and ate them very reservedly. “What are you doing?” I asked. 

“Huh?” Zuina asked as she was brought out of her thoughts. 

“I’ve heard you have an appetite. Why not eat more quickly?” I asked. 

“Uh, I’ve been told it’s not…ladylike when I eat,” she admitted. Shy once more I couldn’t help but think she was cute. 

“Don’t worry about that. Eat what you want. Don’t mind me,” I said.

“I-I couldn’t-”

“You can,” I said. “What? Fighting not ladylike either? Gonna quit that?” 

“Never,” she said without hesitation. 

“Good, then eat, Zuina,” I said. She hesitated but eventually started taking big bites. As I smiled at her she gained speed. Finishing my small chunk of food, her momentum of eating peaked. Scarfing everything down the only thing left was the spine and head. 

“We should get you in an eating contest,” I said. 

“A what?”

“An eating contest. People give you all the food you can eat. And whoever eats the most wins money,” I said. 

“I could do that,” she said. 

“Perfect. It’s a date,” I said. 

“A-a what?” She asked, flustered again. 

“A date. You and me. We can find an eating contest. Maybe some other date stuff.” 

“I’ve heard of those,” Zuina admitted weakly. 

“Then let’s do one,” I said. “Come on. Let’s go find some Dragon Balls first.” Grabbing her hand she blushed but let me drag her along. Feeling better as we moved up the hill she walked up next to me, but was gripping my hand hard, refusing to let go. I smiled at her and let her do what she wanted. Enjoying the Saiyan way too much I wondered how innocent she actually was. With Roshi as a teacher I worried what could have happened, but then again he was still alive. So I probably didn’t need to worry about that. 

“Any idea where to start?” I asked Zuina as she got the 4-star ball. 

“Not really. The radar points to close ones. But if there is nothing we have to fly around,” she said. 

“You fly?” I asked. 

“Oh yeah.” Walking away she cupped her hands over her mouth yelling, “Flying Nimbus!” 

“Fuck,” I whispered. I had forgotten about that thing. I expected her to fly with her Ki. It wasn’t long until the golden cloud was parked in front of her.

“W-want to ride?” She asked a little nervously. 

“Does it require a pure heart to ride?” I asked, skeptical. 

“A what?” 

“A pure heart. You know, no bad thoughts?” 

“I don’t think so?” She asked, confused. I hoped this was something else changed from canon. She moved over to it and sat on the cloud. I hesitantly moved to it and stepped on it. My feet going through the top my heart dropped, but then I found something solid inside. Letting out a sigh I stood on the cloud. 

Sitting behind Zuina I asked, “You mind?” Putting my hands at her sides she squeaked but shook her head. My hands moving to her stomach I felt her stiffen but accepted the touch as I pulled a little closer. 

“Thanks. Which direction should we check first?” I asked.

“That way?” She asked, pointing straight ahead. 

“Works for me. Let’s get this adventure going,” I said.

“Okay,” she said, a smile on her lips. “Nimbus, let’s find some Dragon Balls.” The cloud lifted up and was soon picking up speed. I was shocked by how fast it actually was. Wind roaring in my ears I found myself laughing as the miles were eaten away under us. Grabbing onto Zuina tighter, I was living a dream of mine. It was far better than I had imagined.