Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Early Morning of a Life Together ❯ Unlikely Source of Advice ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: Dragon Ball Z was created by Akira Toriyama and is owned/licensed by Shonen Jump, Toei Animation Co. Ltd/Shuisha Bird Studios. None of the characters here are mine; I am only borrowing them for the story. This fan fiction is written by me for entertainment only, and is not meant to harm the anime/manga.

 

Early Morning of Our Lives together

 

Working It Out

 

 

***

 

Gohan excused himself after they arrived at home, but Goku caught his son's shoulder. "Gohan, you want to go sparring?"

 

"Sure Dad, let me put my books away," Gohan said.

 

"All right you two. But come back for dinner, and make sure you leave enough time to keep studying Gohan!" Chichi reminded them. Both of them nodded, and went inside to grab their things.

 

Father and son soon blasted off, headed off in the direction of Grandpa Gohan's home. It was close to the newly constructed house, which replaced the one Brolli decimated years ago. Touching down, Gohan and Goku let their bag drop to the ground. Inside Chichi had packed a sizable amount of snacks and fresh towels and clothes for them. She hated them arriving back all sweaty.

 

"I know you'd normally spar with Piccolo, but it's been a while," Goku said.

 

"Not a problem," Gohan said. He had changed into a set of clothes much like his father's, since they were the same he had gotten from Supreme Kai. Fashioned in the image of Goku's, they were the same shade of orange and blue. Yet Gohan had a sigil on the back while his father's was absent of one. They stood opposite from one another, taking stances to commence.

 

A quick bow, and then they flew at each other. Sparks crashed as Gohan blocked his father's punches. He shot out in a roundhouse kick that Goku crouched under, narrowly missing his father's sweeping trip kick. For a time they traded blows, simply relying on mere moves to communicate rather then powered up skills. At one point Goku phased out, and managed to sneak up behind his son to put him into a neck lock. "Gohan, you have to keep your ki sense trained!"

 

"I know!" Gohan grunted. Suddenly he dropped, letting his body go limp despite Goku's attempts to squeeze. Then Gohan managed to tuck his leg under his father's and jerk forwards. Both of them tumbled repeatedly, but when Gohan crashed down on top of his father, it knocked the breath from Goku long enough to break his hold. Then Gohan rolled over, his fist cracking against Goku's jaw.

 

"Nice punch Gohan. You're still pretty strong," Goku laughed, wiping a bit of blood trailing from his lip. He could punch and hit Goku all he wanted, for his father would simply heal with accelerated Saiyan pace.

 

"So Dad, you talked to me before, but why do I get the sense you still have something to say?" Gohan panted, standing fifty paces from him.

 

"Because," Goku heaved, wiping away sweat as he slid into another stance. "I know you…"

 

"Do you?" Gohan asked, phasing out. The next moment he appeared above Goku, his father narrowly avoided hitting him with an elbow to his son's back. Gohan feigned and then Goku caught hold of his leg, spinning around like a top. Then he let go, hurling his son away towards the trees. At the last moment Gohan recovered, hands pressed to the front of his forehead.

 

"Masenkoo… HAH!" Gohan shouted. Goku crossed arms in front of his face, blocking his son's basic attack.

 

"Good, Gohan. You almost got me there," Goku laughed with pride. Then a blaze of energy caught Gohan off guard when he flooded blinding white radiation.

 

"Solar FLARE!"

 

"Nice try, but no luck," Gohan gritted, hands shielding his face. Relying on his ki sensing, he reached out, feeling nothing from his father's blank presence. Yet, his gut told him his father must be ready to attack… from above.

 

Gohan blasted off, wildly flying back and forth as if he were disoriented and blinded. Sure enough, he felt the sizzle of a ki edged punch in midair. He knew his father did not rely on energy attacks as much as Vegeta or someone else would. Goku preferred physical punches, and then escalated the game after toying with an opponent. Just why Gohan felt the need to get serious so soon he could not answer.

 

Yet he blocked the thundering punch headed his way easily, seeing the glow of his father's spiky tower of hair one second, and the gleam of teal eyes the next. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Gohan had already powered up, his son's own fist slamming into his gut before he hurled his father headlong. Goku caught Gohan's forearm, cracking the whip and turning the move against him.

 

"You're in good form today, son," Goku gasped, picking himself up out of the sizable dent he made in the earth.

 

"You're just playing with me Dad. What's this all about?" Gohan asked, shaking his head, knowing his father was not even halfway serious like he.

 

"You're serious about Videl like you are about fighting. That's good. I was just making sure you were on your guard," Goku explained.

 

"Another 'life lesson' through fighting, eh?" Gohan cocked a brow. "Always using sparring to make a point. I always wondered if you and mom ever did the same?"

 

"Before you were born we did," Goku confessed, giving him a grin. Both of them powered down, each guessing the other wanted to talk now.

 

"I appreciate what you two did, but I don't know if it made things better or worse, Dad," Gohan confessed, sitting down in the shade of a tree. He pulled a water bottle out from their bag, twisting the cap off to take a long draught. His father did the same, pushing sweat from his brow. Unlike Gohan's hair that was plastered to his head, Goku's still stood up.

 

"You were pretty worked up, and I also figured you needed the release," Goku said.

 

"Mom thinks Videl and me are just like you and mom were, huh? But that's not the same," Gohan answered, still looking deadly serious. Goku knew the gleam all too well in his son's dark eyes.

 

"Gohan, she only wants what's best. It's what she can relate to. You don't need me to tell you something you know for yourself," Goku said with a chuckle.

 

"It's not a joke, Dad," Gohan growled.

 

"I know it isn't. But you've got to think clearly. Don't just go on your emotions. I know it's tempting to do that, but I trust you're going to make the right decision. Can't YOU trust yourself to do the same?" Goku asked.

 

"Hercule doesn't want us to rush into anything. But Dad, we… were… you know… so doesn't' that mean we HAVE to get married?" Gohan asked.

 

Goku sighed deeply, walking over and squatting next to his son. Gently he rubbed his son's shoulder, before giving it a friendly thump. "I guess I'm not the right person to ask about this, but I can listen. It seems like the right thing to do to me. Since you DID do it, I'd say yes."

 

"That's what my gut tells me. But my head… I mean there are so many things that could go wrong…"

 

"Which is why you shouldn't wait sometimes. Make that commitment. I know you will do the right thing. And just because you're married does not mean either of you can't pursue your dreams. Stop thinking about what might go wrong, and think about what could go right," Goku urged him.

 

"But it's MY decision, Dad. Not yours, or Mom's or her dads!" Gohan snapped, shrugging his father's grasp off.

 

"That's right," Goku nodded, satisfied. "So what are you doing to DO about it? Ask her to get married?"

 

"You didn't even know what marriage was, Dad," Gohan reminded him.

 

"But that didn't mean I couldn't learn," Goku reminded him. "Look, I know I didn't know ANYTHING about it. I had no clue. But something told me it was right. That I needed someone else in my life. And your mother… well the way it all came together just made it seem like the natural thing to do."

 

"I guess," sighed Gohan. "Thanks Dad. But I think I just need to think about this myself."

 

"I know," Goku said. "But whatever you decide, I'm with you."

 

"Thank you Dad," Gohan said, accepting his father's embrace. In Goku's own limited way he had somehow helped finalize Gohan's determination.

***

Even after his spar with his father, Gohan still felt the need to fly far away from his home. Something drew him in the direction of Capsule, to consult the another female in his life that he knew would give a different perspective. That is if she was not in a meeting or engaged in mommy mode.

 

He touched down outside of Capsule, suddenly noticing that he had not changed out of his fighting gear. However, the security guard waved him through, "Hi there, Son Gohan. You want to see Ms. Briefs?"

 

"Yes, is she available?" he asked.

 

"You can go right in," he nodded, and Gohan strode through the lobby. The recent President had made many changes, to convert the mansion into her own residence. Still it changed little after the Majin Buu incident, despite the attack of Hirudigarn where she needed to totally rebuild the main dome.

 

However as he wandered through he sensed only three ki's. Those of his brother Goten and Trunks, somewhere inside the arboretum. Blinking he stood there wondering if the guard had been playing games. After all, he had not said she WAS in, only that Gohan could go in.

 

"How nice to see you, handsome," cooed the voice of Bulma's mother to Gohan's amusement? "Good grief you always look much bigger and stronger each time I see you! I can't believe you were just a little boy such a short time ago!"

 

"Hi Mrs. Briefs. Is Bulma here?"

 

"Oh my, she's at the doctor's right now. But you can wait for her if you like. She should be back shortly. Did you want to talk to her? I've got some lovely pastries in the kitchen if you'd like to help me taste them… and your little brother's wondering when you'd be showing up…"

 

"It's okay, I'm not here to pick him up just yet, I'll just wait for Bulma… if she's busy," said Gohan. However, he felt her grab his hand and tug him into the main living areas with her regardless. Realizing he was hungry, he let himself be led to the vast kitchen. It was rare to see Bulma's mother puttering around so much, so something must be up.

 

"Damn," Gohan thought after a half-hour of eating sandwiches and a whole dozen chocolate chip cookies. Morosely he watched Goten and Trunks wolfing down their version of a snack and teasing him.

 

"Did you have FUUN with Miss Videl?" Trunks said.

 

"Is Videl gonna be living with us yet, Big Brother! Aren't you two ever gonna get married jeez?" Goten teased.

 

"You guys, I'm NOT in the mood, "Gohan shot them both a deadly glare.

 

"S'cuse me, you grouch, what bit your ass?" mumbled Trunks.

 

"Boys, such language!" Mrs. Briefs gasped in shock. "You know your mommy doesn't want you using those words around guests."

 

"C'mon Nanna, she's not here to see," Trunks scowled back.

 

"Still, in front of a lady, it's not nice," Gohan scolded, glaring at Trunks as if he were his own brother Goten.

 

"My mom would stick a bar of soap in MY mouth if she was here," Goten pouted.

 

"Jealous?" Trunks baited him.

 

Gohan was thankful when someone interrupted with a cough and a stern grunt of, "Don't you have anything BETTER to do then chatter idly by, boy?"

 

"Vegeta," Gohan nodded, looking up the Saiyan Prince. As Trunks ran by, he saw Vegeta's hand ruffle lightly through the boy's hair, something he would never see so readily.

 

"Dad, are we going to train today, or were you going to take us to the amusement park like you promised? We both kicked butt," Trunks said.

 

"After you finish your workout, we agreed, Trunks," Vegeta reminded him.

 

"Oh yeah, right," Trunks nodded. "C'mon Goten, let's go."

 

Vegeta saw the two off with his taciturn expression. Mrs. Briefs had placed a plate of cookies from seemingly nowhere, shoeing the boys out. Crossing over to the large fridge Vegeta tugged out a jug of milk and proceeded to gulp the whole container down in a swig. Gohan continued to stare off into space, suddenly feeling under intense scrutiny.

 

"So, are you going to tell me why you're here, kid, or just take up space? Or are you here to bother the woman with your own mating problems?" Vegeta asked.

 

"Huh, uh… no I mean yes,"

 

"Stop babbling like that idiotic father of yours, boy," Vegeta reprimanded him as he sat opposite Gohan at the table. Already he had grabbed a plate of sandwiches left from a catering party the night before, setting them down on the table. Seizing a few the Prince began to eat them.

 

"I was going to see Bulma, but I guess she's out. I'll just take Goten and go if I'm imposing," Gohan started.

 

"Cut the crap and come out with it, Gohan. You had sex with that Satan girl, and now you're feeling all worried about this planet's fool conventions?" Vegeta guessed.

 

"All right, there's no hiding it from you, Vegeta. I guess I just needed to talk to someone about…"

 

"And that idiot father of yours fell short so you sought out the woman's advice, eh? I suppose since she's not here I'll have to share my wisdom on this matter," Vegeta humped.

 

"Not unless you…" Gohan started.

 

"Shut up and listen, or else leave now, while I'm still in a good mood," Vegeta interrupted. "Stop that polite garbage."

 

"Sorry. Vegeta, I have no idea what to do. I slept with Videl… and my mother doesn't' know… but my dad does…"

 

"So what if that mother of yours knows or not? Are you not 18, Gohan? You are a man in the eyes of this world and Saiyan society. Are you going to let her pussywhip you the rest of your days or stand up and be a man?"

 

"Vegeta, it's not like that," Gohan glared at him, feeling the protective urge resurface. Seeing Gohan's ki spike Vegeta smirked.

 

"So you've got a backbone. Too bad, it only emerges when you are pushed to the wall. Show some balls, Gohan, and take that earth woman for your own. Who's to stop you, but your own squeamishness?"

 

"Her father."

 

"That idiot? What can he do?"

 

"I don't want to humiliate her, Vegeta," said Gohan.

 

"Since you insist on playing these mundane games, at least play them with the conviction you should have, instead of hiding behind your mother's skirt," Vegeta taunted. "Or are you…"

 

"That's enough," Gohan said quietly. "You're right. I'm letting my fear get the better of me."

 

"And you're supposedly a genius? Well better late then never for you to get that through your head, Gohan. Ever since Cell, you have let your power decline for favor of fitting in, and have suffered the consequences of letting yourself get soft. Aren't you tired of pushing aside your own desires for those of your overbearing mother?"

 

"She's not overbearing Vegeta! Stop trashing my mother! I've put it with it for years and I'm getting quite tired of your crap," Gohan glared at him.

 

"Then prove me wrong Gohan. Show some balls. You have already made that woman your mate. What does it matter if you marry her in the eyes of Earth law now or later?"

 

"It does," answered Bulma, standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Vegeta gave a small grunt, then fixed her in his gaze.

 

"Woman, this is man's talk. Don't you have some business elsewhere?"

 

"Gohan, I didn't realize you'd come here. Don't listen to this grouch. If you wanted to come to me for advice you could have called," Bulma reassured him, moving over to where Gohan sat.

 

"So, what did that doctor say? That I can't tell you myself, Bulma?" Vegeta egged her on.

 

"Vegeta, Trunks is expecting you to work out with him or take him out today. Maybe you two should let me handle this," Bulma urged.

 

"Do whatever you want. I don't care," Vegeta shrugged. He rose from the table, giving Gohan a parting glance. As he passed, Bulma Gohan heard a loud slap on Bulma's backside and her yelp.

 

"VEGETA!" she half squealed. "What was that for?"

 

"Ask me later, Bulma," Vegeta snickered, seeing Bulma's face flushed red, and her mouth open with no words coming out of it.

 

"Umm, that's different," Gohan commented, while Bulma breathed deeply.

 

"Ever since Majin Buu he's been that way. I swear he must be hanging around that pervert Master Roshi!" she mumbled.

 

"Well, I guess it's his way of flirting?" Gohan lamely ventured.

 

"Gohan, is this about Videl?" asked Bulma, reaching over to take his hand after she composed herself. Sitting down near him, she cast him a reassuring look that he knew so well since Namek. All those months she was like a big sister or surrogate mother.

 

"Yeah. Bulma, we… made love, and my mom doesn't' know but my dad does, and I'm not sure what to do…"

 

"Ohh, I see," Bulma nodded. "Wow, t hat IS a pickle to be in. I'm guessing Goku was fine with it…"

 

"I'm afraid of… well… doing the wrong thing."

 

"Well both of you wanted it, right? Are you using control?"

 

"Um, yes," Gohan blushed. "And she said she was 'on the pill'."

 

"Then I wouldn't worry too much. But judging from that bite… I'd say I know why Vegeta was being such an ass," Bulma said, touching the spot where Videl's teeth had sunk into his jugular.

 

"Mom figures it was just a bite, nothing more," Gohan confessed, flinching.

 

"Vegeta would know more about it. I mean the first time he... marked me. We did not necessarily have sex. IT was more like he… laid claim," Bulma giggled.

 

"Marked? Then that would explain why Mom didn't freak. Videl said that she seemed calm, and that was freaky…"

 

"So maybe your mom assumed that you 'marked' Videl without having sex. Has she ever talked about…"

 

"My dad said something about biting mom after they 'fought' at the tournament. But he never said much more because Mom would always interrupt him…"

 

"Biting and having sex don't always mean a Saiyan's taken their mate," Vegeta interrupted.

 

"Vegeta, why are you still here?"

 

"At least let him know form someone who REALLY knows of these matters, Bulma," Vegeta interrupted, poking his head into the kitchen.

 

"Vegeta, is she right?"

 

"Not all use the bite to claim. Sometimes a mark is made on the ear. Bulma can tell you about that one. A bite on the neck is a more exclusive arrangement, showing intention to mate. But when your energies have synched," Vegeta said, then narrowed his eyes at Gohan. "And the scent has changed, then it is as good as any ceremony this world offers to show mating."

 

"Vegeta, the last thing the girl needs is a scandal. Don't you remember when we…"

 

"I decided to participate in your world's customs didn't I? When all that Cell business was over," Vegeta interrupted, grabbing her hand and showing the gold band present on Bulma's finger.

 

"True, but you were the one who wanted to hide things at first," Bulma started.

 

"I need no reason, nor do you to explain our choices to him," Vegeta interrupted. "What we choose to do is our own business. But I see that Gohan is more swayed by the public image then I."

 

"For good reason. Hercule's the Hero of this world," Gohan reminded him.

 

"Humph of course. But it's your foolish choice to let that have such power over you. In Saiyan Culture, she's yours already. That is enough."

 

"My parents DID go with me to ask Hercule's blessing," Gohan said.

 

"So what are you whining about, boy?"

 

"The actual date of the ceremony?" Bulma supplied. Gohan nodded his thanks.

***