Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Dragonball Gaiden: The Search for Goku ❯ Shock! The Plan is Revealed! ( Chapter 3 )

“You did what?!” Vegeta stands up at the table, mouth still full of food. He swallows what's in his mouth; apparently a mixture of half a turkey leg, noodles, corn, peas, carrot dices and various other odds and ends; almost whole. “Well,” Bulma tries to look away from his piercing gaze, the whole time giggling nervously. “I just wanted to help you, that's all. I mean… how else were you planning on getting to King Kai's planet without a spaceship?” she attempts to explain. The Saiyan prince just shakes his head a bit and sits back down, taking another large bite of his turkey leg. “Bulma, to answer your question…” most of this is unintelligible due to the fact that his mouth is full of food, “I wasn't planning on going to visit the Kai at all.” “Dad,” Trunks was a bit uncomfortable, but he always was whenever his father was upset. “It's not that big a deal, I mean… Capsule Corp has enough of a budget to cover this.” Vegeta glares at his offspring, actually stopping chewing for a moment and in response, Trunks sinks back in his seat and resumes eating quietly. Then a muscular hand reaches across the table to caress Bulma's face. “I know you only mean the best for me,” the words were heartfelt for once, “and I don't mean to sound upset with you…” he gives his son a quick glance… “Or you, Trunks.” With that, he sits back down and continues, “I just don't want to be the sole reason Capsule Corp goes bankrupt and 2 incomes coming into this house would be lost.” Contemplating for a moment, Vegeta begins to chuckle as he peeks over at his daughter; “Then Bra would have to get a job!” Her reaction is priceless as she nearly spits out the food in her mouth, causing everyone to have a good laugh at her expense.

 

“Oh yeah!” Gohan perks up from the almost silent meal so far and looks around. “We're invited to a party at Bulmas!” “Really?!” Videl's face lit up at the news, “When is it?” Videl always liked going to visit Bulma and Chi-chi. Now that she's married, she feels like she belongs in their little `group'. “Umm… “Gohan scratches his head, “I dunno!” He smiles wide before explaining; “It's not that I forgot, she said she didn't know. She said she'd call us or something when she had a date.” The whole time they're talking, Pan looked rather displeased, and Uub noticed right away. “What's wrong, Pan?” He leans in closer so he could hear her better over the two adults talking. “I don't like visiting Bulma's house. Her daughter, Bra, is always trying to give me a makeover or put makeup on me or whatever… and all she does is listen to boy bands. It's really pathetic.” Pan gave a defiant huff with the last statement. Uub was a bit confused, and looked over her for a moment before blurting out: “Why would SHE try to give YOU a makeover? You don't need one… if anything, she does!” Pan recoils in surprise at this statement and all she can manage to do is try real hard not to turn completely red from blushing. “Hey you two,” Videl nearly stands up at the table “I will NOT have any whispering or secretive talk at MY table. Especially not with boys, hear me, missy?” The young man almost fell out of his seat. Awww man! It's not even like that! I bet both her parents HATE me. After regaining his composure, he continued eating quietly. Once in a while he would stop to watch Gohan eat, however. It is still a marvel to watch… a Saiyan's appetite, that is. Even though Gohan doesn't expend nearly as much energy as an active warrior Saiyan, he can still eat as much as 5 grown men can. Jeez… I wonder how Videl can stand to cook that much food. It baffles the lad for a moment before he shakes his head free and continues eating. “So,” Videl breaks the silence again, “What's it for? Just a get-together or is there an occasion behind it?” Gohan is engrossed in his meal and says casually, “I dunno… something about Vegeta going into space to visit King Kai.” After actually saying it, Gohan stops eating and looks up at everybody with a quizzical look on his face. Not so surprisingly, he's met with the same look from everyone else. Weird.

 

“So…” Bulma is doing the dishes when she looks into the living room at her husband, “You're going to go, right?” She is hesitant, for fear of his response. “It's not like I have a choice, now do I?” He peers over his shoulder at his wife and as he does, he smiles at her. “Oh good, I was nervous you weren't gonna go.” With that she heads over to the cordless phone, lifts it off the receiver and begins dialing as she walks into the laundry room.

 

`RIIIING' Videl is the first to jump up. “I'll get it!” The others make no move to interrupt, as they are all too engrossed in Videl's famous double fudge brownie cake. A few moments later and Videl walks back into the dining room. “Well, speak of the she-devil! It was Bulma… the party is in 3 days at Capsule Corp's main office. I bothered to ask her some of the details, and apparently Vegeta is trying to find Goku, sweetie.” She rests her hand on her love's shoulder as he almost drops his fork. Uub too is shaken by this news. Goku… Since you've disappeared I've wanted to come find you. I mean, out of all the people to go after you, why Vegeta? Didn't he say he hated you? Didn't he try to kill you? Tears begin to form in Uub's eyes as rage swells in his heart. That's it! I'm getting on that spaceship and going after Goku, NOT Vegeta! Then a nice little segment plays out in Uubs' mind of him attempting to stop Vegeta and the Saiyan slaughtering him mercilessly. OK… I'm going to sneak aboard and go with Vegeta. What's he going to do, turn around and take me home when he finds out I tagged along? “Uub,” Pan touches his hand, “is everything OK? You look upset…” He quickly wipes the tears from his eyes, leaving glistening droplets across his dark skin. “Yeah,” his voice was shaky and he knew he couldn't pretend it was nothing, “I think I had better leave.” He stands up and wipes his mouth, then places his napkin down neatly next to his plate. “Ms. Videl,” he bows to her and continues, “the food was absolutely delicious. I don't think there's a better cook anywhere around.” Of course, this was only a cheap attempt at winning over Pan's mother… “Why thank you, Uub!” …and it worked. He looks back up to see Videl glaring at Gohan, while still blushing. “At least SOMEBODY appreciates my cooking!” Uub turns and begins to walk towards the foyer. As he passes Pan, she grabs his hand; “Don't go.” She pleads with him, mostly with her gaze more so then her words. “I'm sorry, Pan.” He looked away from her eyes; for fear that they would uncover his true feelings. “I have a lot on my mind right now, and I think I need to be alone.” Her grip looses on his hand enough for him to slide it free. The young girl watches him as he walks to the foyer, puts his shoes on and then walks out the door. “I think I'm done eating too.” The young girl's voice was shaky too, and for some reason she could feel tears welling up in her eyes. Without even waiting for consent, she hurried up the stairs to her room and shut the door, jumping onto her bed and crying into her pillow.