Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Something In Common ❯ A Cafe ( Chapter 1 )

This story takes place between the final chapter of my story "Touketsu" and its epilogue.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Some of my reviewers for "Touketsu" expressed a desire to have seen some interaction between Yamcha and Vegeta. In truth, I had begun writing such a scene, but scrapped it when I felt it digressed from the main focus of the final chapter. That's not to say I couldn't make the scene into a separate short story :)

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A Cafe

Nearly a month had passed since Vegeta's ki unexpectedly returned, and life went on quietly in a half-dead world while the Namek Dragon Balls recharged. It was evening, and the Z fighters and their families had been invited over to Goku's for a cookout; Goku had brought home several enormous fish, and Chi-Chi had expressed her desire to invite their friends and families over for dinner. It was incredibly dark and lonely, and they all felt they could use each other's company.

Yamcha in particular was grateful for the invite to a home-cooked meal. A bachelor with no cooking skills to speak of, his options were severely limited until the Earth was restored and the take-out joints rematerialized. He and the others were gathered around a fire pit outside Goku's home while their children played, Chi-Chi passionately and joyfully preparing the food with some help from her sons Gohan and Goten, as well as Videl and 18.

Bulma and her family had been invited of course, but no one was surprised when the usually sociable heiress opted out. Bulma was not one to be held back from get-togethers when her anti-social husband refused to join, but recent events had temporarily changed things. Bulma wanted to be close to her immediate family, which meant that, at least for now, if Vegeta wasn't going then she wouldn't be either. It was a relief to the others; after everything that had happened they were not comfortable seeing the Saiyan prince any time soon. The group had dished up and gathered around the fire pit, continuing their small talk as they all caught up. In between mouthfuls, Goku off-handedly mentioned that he met with the prince just the other night, and then he dropped the bombshell.

Yamcha paused, his chopsticks hovering midway to his mouth. "What do you mean?" He asked.

Goku looked up from his food, swallowing a mouthful before speaking. "I mean he's not the same guy. Everything that Vegeta did, this one didn't. Yamcha was shaking his head in confusion when Goku continued. "You know those portals he could create?"

"Uh, yeah?"

"Well, they were wormholes. When he created one to leave Earth, he ended up traveling back in time."

Krillin piped up. "Hang on Goku, are you saying this is like it was with Future Trunks?"

"Yeah. He traveled back in time to the place Vegeta was taken before he was transformed."

"Taken?" Yamcha echoed. "What, are you - do you mean by those shadow demons?"

Goku returned his attention to Yamcha. "Yeah. It's kind of a long story, but Zhernobog and those demons needed Vegeta to break out of that place. From what Vegeta told me, he, uh, Touketsu killed Zhernobog and sent Vegeta back here."

Yamcha blinked in disbelief before slumping back in his lawn chair. "So he didn't transform back to normal," he murmured to himself.

Goku gave a shrug as he tucked back into his dinner. "Nope. But then this Vegeta never changed into a demon to begin with." Goku swallowed. "He was on his way, though," he said quietly. "When I saw him yesterday he looked a little like…Well, anyway it's good that he got out of there."

Goku frowned inwardly. Transformed or not, he still had a very hard time calling Vegeta "Touketsu". If Porunga's interpretation of the first wish gave any indication, that is indeed who the prince became. At least, Touketsu was who he was when he killed his friends. Who was he now, after he had regained his memories as the Vegeta that died on Namek? Goku shook off the strange thought. The Vegeta that had been brought back to life and created a family on Earth was now back on their plane, the Kagemazoku's plans for him thwarted. That's what mattered here and now.

Goku cleared his throat. "He'll keep getting better, I'm sure of it." He resumed enthusiastically eating his grilled fish and rice. "Man, this is great, Chi!" He said through a mouthful of food. "You really outdid yourself this time!"

Everyone stared slack-jawed at Goku for a moment before likewise returning their attention to their food; Goku wasn't one to ruminate on even the strangest, darkest things. It was best they didn't either. Yamcha however was having difficulty. His eyes casting downward, his mind drifted to the night he faced down that rabid beast. No reason I can't drop by Capsule Corp and say hi…eventually. Now that I know it's not the same guy that-

"She is MY mate, do you hear you me?! MINE!"

Yamcha swallowed, his hand drifting up to absent-mindedly rub his throat. If this Vegeta ever became a half-Oozaru demon he could imagine the same words coming out of his mouth. The prince could be cold and detached to the point of being unnerving, but there was an almost opposite side of him that often came out in battle: the terrifying, rage-fueled berserker. That oni reminded him a lot of Vegeta in that regard.

Yamcha frowned thoughtfully. He and Vegeta never liked each other, but Vegeta nonetheless tolerated his presence around Bulma. Was he really ok with it though? Vegeta was most definitely not one to reveal his emotions. The closest he got to showing them was when he lost his temper in a fight. That beast though…he wore his emotions on his sleeve. Touketsu seemed to always be trying to hide them, but he couldn't quite pull it off the way Vegeta could. Well even if Vegeta's not as cool with it as I thought, does it matter? Bulma's her own woman. He trusts her, and for good reason. I'll never figure it out, but she loves the guy. Did Vegeta trust HIM, though? Yamcha scoffed to himself immediately following that thought and shoveled some food into his mouth. Why should I care? he groused.

"You simpering shit. You can bullshit yourself, but you can't bullshit me, you fucking mongrel! I've smelled your lust for her from the very beginning!"

Yamcha swallowed, his derisive expression melting away into a troubled one as he reflected on Touketsu's disgusting accusation. Sick. He "smelled my lust"? Whatever. Bulma's my friend. I love my friend, I don't fucking lust after her. He sighed. I did once though, he conceded to one time, the feeling had definitely been mutual. They were a pair for a good while, and love and lust were part of the package. That lust almost made him pass out that time when he tore those blankets off the bed thinking the Dragon Balls were there and instead found a beautiful, naked woman. It took some effort to recover rational thought after that little incident.

I'll never stop caring about her. I love her, but shit - I don't love her like THAT anymore…right? Touketsu certainly seemed to think he was at least still physically attracted to her. Yamcha thought back on the beastly nature of the half-Oozaru; the way his eyes flashed in the darkness like that of a predator, the way his ears pricked up at the slightest noise…Could he really smell such a thing from me? Did he know something about me that I didn't? Yamcha scratched the back of his head, unsettled. I don't lust after her. I wouldn't come between her and her family-"

"Hey man, beer?"

Jarred out of his thoughts, Yamcha looked over to see Krillin offering him a bottle. "Thanks," he smiled as he took the proffered drink. He took a swig. "Where'd the hell you get these anyway?"

Krillin shrugged. "We still had some kicking around. Wanted to make stuff like this last until we can wish civilization back," he chuckled. "But hey, a cook out's a good reason to dip in."

"Heh, yeah. I don't usually keep booze at home. Can't wait for the bars to open up again," he said with a wry smile.

"18 can't wait for the shopping malls to open," Krillin groaned. "She's already told me everything she's planning on getting. You know she thinks we should invest in a home gym?"

"Yeah? Seems a little redundant, don't you think?"

"Yeah! That's what I told her! But, I'm starting to see things from her angle. She's thinking more of this as a way to inspire Marron. I mean, what's more inspiring than seeing her daddy working out and getting all big and strong?" Krillin said proudly, flexing his muscles.

"Oh I don't know…seeing her mamma lift twenty giant dump trucks with her pinky?" Yamcha smirked.

"Aw shut up, man," Krillin laughed.

"Hey Krillin, how come I didn't see you in Other World? Or 18? I eventually met up with Gohan and the others, but damned if I knew where you guys were."

"Krillin's grin faded, his eyes dropping down. "Yeah, I guess I never really talked to you about that."

"Huh? About what?"

Krillin hesitated a moment. "I ended up some place in Otherworld that I wasn't familiar with…if it was Otherworld. It felt so different. Everything was dark, I couldn't sense anything - couldn't feel anything. Except, well…" He struggled to articulate the experience. "Maybe except for 18. I met with Goku a little while ago and we talked about it. He had a similar experience."

"Whoa, what? Where did you guys go? Why just you guys?"

Krillin just stared into the fire for a moment before answering. "It was that sword. There was something about it. Something different from other ki attacks. "Goku told me what King Kai said to him. He said that the ki blade scattered our souls." Yamcha swallowed. Never had he heard of a ki attack being capable of actually destroying a soul. But then, that demon operated on a whole other level." Krillin huffed a cleansing breath and looked over in his oldest friend's direction. "Man, I don't know how he can just shake off things like that. But that's Goku I guess. Heh, that could be one reason why he's the strongest." Smiling, Krillin looked back to Yamcha and extended his beer bottle towards him. "Here's to the future."

"Yeah. To the future." Yamcha and Krillin tinked the bottoms of their beer bottles before they each took a swig. Krillin gave Yamcha a slap on the back before heading back to join his wife who was with Chi Chi and their kids. Yamcha remained seated where he was. He looked down at the beer bottle in his hands, the firelight refracting through the amber glass. He reflected back on that night he was with Bulma, talking over a couple beers.

Yamcha was convinced he had finally walked out on them. The prince had engaged in that type of behavior before after all. On top of that, he and Bulma had a serious fight. He remembered being a little surprised that it had taken as long as it did before Vegeta finally left; he had fully expected the Saiyan to leave the planet as soon as Cell was defeated years ago. When months went by and he didn't return…was there a part of him that wanted to believe Vegeta was truly out of the picture?

Yamcha raked his fingers through his hair and took another swig of his beer. He'd continue to give the Briefs family some space for a while.

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A little less than three months went by, and the Namek Dragon Balls had at last recharged. One IT trip later and Goku wished Earth and its population restored, the final wish erasing the memories of the Kagemazoku attack from the minds of the people of Earth. There was an awareness that something very strange had gone on; no one could really recall much of anything in the last 4 months, but, stranger things had happened. It was decided to postpone the World Martial Arts Tournament; The event was now technically only two months away but the organizers now felt woefully unprepared.

After spending roughly 4 months on a planet partially covered in shadows and ice and roughly half the human population gone, it was a little jarring for the Z fighters and their families to suddenly be surrounded by bustling life and thriving businesses again. They adjusted extremely quickly however, happy to leave the last vestiges of the onslaught behind in their own memories. Bulma was a little puzzled when it was Vegeta that suggested taking Trunks to a certain recreational park. It certainly wasn't like him to go out to places like this, much less suggest it in the first place. But then, they had all gone through some things before his disappearance. She smiled to herself before giving the blushing prince a peck on the cheek. She wasn't about to discount this positive change. The family spent the day at the park, and Vegeta bravely sucked it up.

Two weeks later, Bulma and Yamcha were sitting across from each other at a cozy coffee bistro, the bright, late morning sunlight filtering through the windows. Bulma cupped her mocha latte, appreciatively taking in its aroma before having a sip. "Oh, that is the best! I sure missed stuff like this," she said with a smile.

Yamcha was adding some cream to his coffee and smiled back, though it was a little strained. Ever since getting the facts from Goku, he found himself reflecting on and off about Bulma and the whole ordeal they went through. She seemed so happy now. Her husband was back, and she was acting as though none of that stuff ever happened. Was she really ok though? Her light expression was in stark contrast to the sorrow he saw in her face the last time they saw each other, or the horror she expressed when he tried his best to blast Touketsu to pieces before he himself met his end at the hands of the demon. I wish she didn't have to see that, but geez, he killed Goku. He would have gone after us next.

At the time Yamcha thought it was entirely possible that the power-hungry prince had joined forces with an unstoppable demon army. If he had in fact been deceived, changed, and enslaved by the creatures Yamcha concluded that he would have gotten what he deserved. It was confirmed now however that Vegeta had in fact been abducted and transformed against his will. Bulma believed that her husband was still in there somewhere. Was he? Feeling shaken and conflicted, Yamcha took a sip of his coffee.

Bulma immediately noticed how withdrawn Yamcha was behaving; he looked more upbeat right after coming back from the dead. This was the first time they had seen each other since they departed from the Lookout months ago. She got the feeling that he hadn't been comfortable making any visits, and she could fully understand why. Vegeta had long since told her that he met with Goku and set the record straight, but she couldn't be sure that anyone else knew. Was Yamcha aware that Vegeta himself hadn't actually killed him?

"Hey Yamcha, I know this is going to sound kind of strange, but Vegeta…he didn't…Geez, how do I put this?-"

"Yeah, I know Bulma," Yamcha interjected. " Goku told us."

Bulma blinked in some surprise. "Oh."

"Yeah, a few months ago. I know that Vegeta himself - I mean, as he is now - he didn't become that…he didn't do any of that…" Yamcha trailed off. "Anyway, I know."

"Oh well, ok." Bulma picked up her cup, musing to herself. Something was still bothering him. She tried to lighten the mood. "Funny huh? First Trunks, then Vegeta. I have a family of time travelers," she snickered ironically before taking a sip of her latte.

Yamcha chuckled a little before his smile quickly faded. She didn't just refer to Touketsu as family did she? Or was she referring to Vegeta? The lines were beginning to blur.

Bulma looked up at him from over the rim of her large latte cup and sighed. She placed the cup back on its saucer. "Ok Yamcha, what's up?"

Yamcha looked up. "I just…Bulma, I'm sorry you had to see that." Bulma's brows drew together in confusion. "On the mountain when he got Goku. I just reacted. It was life or death and I reacted." Bulma's curious expression faded into a somber one, her eyes dropping down. "He killed Goku, and I was afraid he'd try to kill us. I know you believed he was in there somewhere, but if he did that to Goku, who knew what else he'd do, you know?" Yamcha decided not to go into what that ki blade had apparently done to Goku's soul. This topic was disconcerting enough.

"I know, Yamcha," she said quietly. She fidgeted with the handle of her coffee cup for a moment before her hands went to her lap, her head dropping down. She nodded in agreement. "He was dangerous. He chased me. I thought that if he caught me he'd kill me."

Yamcha's grip on his cup tightened, and he held his breath.

"He stole the Dragon Balls just like you predicted he would. But even I couldn't have predicted that he'd use them to wish back Frieza of all people." She grappled with her conflicting feelings as she crossed her arms to lean forward against the table. She shook her head, not looking in Yamcha's direction. "I just couldn't let him go yet. There were times when we were alone… Like when we were out by the hangar before we left for the Dragon Ball…" she trailed off, her voice beginning to tremble. "He was in there. I wonder if he could have kept getting better, before everything started…moving in the wrong direction," she said, gesturing one hand helplessly in the air. She covered her eyes and released a shuddering sigh. "When he was around Trunks and me he was getting better," she repeated. "I wonder if we could have just stayed home." She nodded to herself. "We should have just stayed home. He…he was getting better," she sobbed.

Yamcha quickly grabbed her other hand in comfort. "Bulma, hey, please don't do this to yourself again. Come on." Yamcha remembered that brief, encouraging interaction between Trunks and Touketsu. Bulma had still been holding out hope for him at the time, and it made more sense to him now than it did then. "Enough with the 'should-haves' and 'could-haves', you can't predict the future. There's no way you could have known how things were going to play out. And look, Trunks and the others still needed to patrol the whole planet for those shadow demons. You guys couldn't have just stayed home with him anyway. Getting the last Dragon Ball in our hands made perfect sense."

With a sniff Bulma lowered her hand from her face and pulled herself together. "Yeah, yeah I know. Hindsight is 20/20, after all. He's here now," she said with a sniff. She offered a small smile. "Only direction to move is forward."

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Early evening found Vegeta perched on the balcony railing just outside the bedroom. After the first month since his return the healing process had slowed down significantly; while the color had long since returned to his complexion, two faint, reddened lines could still be discernible trailing from beneath his eyes. The fangs had almost completely disappeared, but the slightly pointed canines were nonetheless still noticeable. It would be another two months before all visible traces of his trials had disappeared.

Today marked the first time Vegeta had trained with Trunks since the night of his disappearance over a year ago. He had been working himself up to this day for months since his return. It was far less about training than it was about acclimatizing. It all reminded of him of that night that set everything into motion, especially when Trunks went Super. To Vegeta, there was a painful sort of irony that Trunks managed the transformation when he was out of their lives - just as it had been for a certain teenage son from an alternate future. Trunks likewise grappled with their training session; he kept seeing that demon standing across from him, mocking him and doing his best to kill him. They nonetheless went through the motions, their training very formal and without the fervor of their competitive sessions of the past. Well, they had to start somewhere.

Vegeta's and Bulma's sex life had resumed almost immediately after he had returned, but it hadn't exactly returned to normal. Their couplings had been uncharacteristically gentle and border-line shy, as though they were just getting to know each other again. It was after the Namek Dragon Balls were used and the Kagemazoku's damage undone that Bulma begin lightening back up to her ostentatious, confident self.

Since the complete restoration of the planet, the people in his life quickly embraced their beloved and long absent routines. Eager to leave the darkness behind, their mundane lives offered a lightness and security that had been previously taken for granted. Vegeta too had fallen back into his habit of stargazing, a pensive expression on his face. Bulma was still out on her day-long shopping excursion, having met with Yamcha for coffee earlier. Everything seemed to at last be going back to normal.

…He felt annoyingly itchy. Anxious. Why? Because he was separated from her? He ran a hand through his hair. Shit, that place really did a number on him. It occurred to him that for the last several months he had barely left his family's side. It was during the traumatizing experience, when he dared to dwell on their absences, that he repeatedly blamed them for being his one weakness. He grappled with the truth at the time, but he could accept the facts now: they were important to him, and that's all there was to it. He had never been so attached to something in his life. Something with such powerful light couldn't exist without casting an equally powerful shadow. He conceded that he'd be haunted by the experience for a little bit, but he'd get over it. He always did.

His jaw clenched. When the hell was she coming back? He huffed. He had never given a crap before about their little coffee rituals before, so he was irked why his mind seemed to be lingering on it. He supposed he never liked the guy hanging around his woman, but he tolerated it. He by no means felt threatened by that loser, and he trusted Bulma. His eyebrows drew together. Did he in fact care more about this than he had ever admitted to himself? Zhernobog showed him that his most weakening thoughts and memories did indeed lay dormant within his brain. The demon king simply used Tosho to bring them to the surface where he could no longer ignore them.

Vegeta had battled against himself while imprisoned in that shadow realm, Tosho's poisonous influence dragging his unwilling mind down paths he didn't want to go down. There were many times that the notion that Bulma wouldn't wait for him had risen to his consciousness. Each time, with great difficulty, he managed to wrestle those thoughts down. That exhausting battle had been endless until his unexpected savior arrived. He conceded that if Touketsu hadn't showed up, he would have simply had to resist forever…or succumb.

Was there a part of him that also believed she may go back to her ex? This wasn't jealousy he was feeling right now, was it? That guy gave Bulma gifts and showered her with praise and attention. Earlier in his relationship with Bulma, Yamcha had even stood in as her date when he himself refused to go to one of her ridiculous gala events. That guy treated her like a queen. Vegeta however didn't grovel and fawn over her. He treated her as an equal. Not an equal in physical strength, certainly not, but she was his equal in her own inherent attributes. She was an unparalleled genius and among the most powerful and influential people on her planet. Kings didn't bow to their queens, after all, he reasoned. That was for the peasants. Sometimes though, Vegeta still couldn't believe she wouldn't want to be exalted like the royalty she was.

He scowled. If he had been trapped in that place longer, would Yamcha have tried to rekindle his relationship with Bulma? Vegeta's grip tightened on his crossed arms, the heat of his rising ki growing at the thought of anyone trying to move in on his family.

"You felt that, after I destroyed those bonds? Remember it."

Vegeta blinked, his body relaxing. He huffed before rubbing his closed eyes with his fingers. I have dominion. He pinched the bridge of his nose. He was also going to have a drink. He was about to get up and head downstairs for a beer when he heard the sound of a hover car approach. He looked up to see Bulma's favorite red convertible pull up to the side of the house before entering the driveway. He let out the breath he was holding, the tension at last leaving his body. She'd doubtless be up to see him shortly, so he remained where he was. He watched her get out of the vehicle and pop the trunk open, retrieving the bags from her outing. She reached up to pull the trunk closed and finally noticed Vegeta. Dressed casually in a dark blue tank and jeans, he was sitting on the railing as he habitually did, arms crossed and one leg dangling over the side. She gave him a smile and waved. He met her eyes in acknowledgment but otherwise didn't return the gesture.

Bulma shifted the bags in her arms and made her way inside the house. What's he thinking about? Bulma sighed internally to herself. His star-gazing was indicative that something was on his mind. She briefly visited with Trunks and her parents before making her way up to the bedroom, one of the bags in hand.

"Sheesh, dark in here," She commented lightly as she entered the bedroom and flipped on the lights. "Hey you," she called out to him as she set the bag down and made her way out onto the balcony. "How'd things go with the kiddo?"

"Fine."

"That's good," she said with a smile. She walked up beside him, regarding him for only a moment. She reached out, her hand trailing up and down his arm for a moment before she clasped his hand in hers. "Come on," she said, tugging at his hand. "Let's go back inside. You know, I got a little something new that I think might intrigue you," she said in a sing-song voice.

His lip quirked up a bit, her suggestive tone triggering a Pavlovian response. He hopped down obediently from the railing and let her lead him back into the bedroom, his brooding thoughts falling by the wayside. It had only been a couple weeks since their environment was delivered from it dark existence, and it was already doing wonders for his wife. This was the playful, fearless little woman he knew. He was so grateful she was in his life. He was grateful to be back. All at once, his heart surged with passion. He whirled her around and crushed his lips to hers in a heated, dominant kiss, his other hand going up into her hair.

Bulma instantly reacted: she put both hands on his chest and pushed him away.

Vegeta backed off at the unexpected reaction, bewildered hurt flashing through his eyes for a moment. Bulma blinked, her fleeting expression of defensive shock crumbling into one of regret. She immediately began apologizing. "Oh - oh honey, I'm so sorry! She reached for his face as he stiffened and looked away. She stepped up to him, and he felt her soft hands on either side of his face as she tried to gently encourage him to look at her. His gaze dropping downward, he swallowed and he allowed her to guide his face in her direction. "That…I didn't mean that sweetheart," she whispered. Still not looking up at her, his hands slowly went up to cover hers as he gently pulled them down from off his face. He stood there silently, holding her hands for a moment. Finally, he pulled her into a gentle embrace.

She sighed against him, her arms wrapping around him and rubbing his back comfortingly. "I love you," she said quietly. She nuzzled the side of his neck before kissing his jaw, one hand going up to stroke the short hair at the nape of his neck. "I just reacted. I wasn't thinking - I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"Stop it," he ordered gruffly. "You apologize far too much, and for nothing at all." They stood in silence for a full minute. He leaned in close to her ear, his voice barely above a whisper. "What did he do?" He wasn't referring to Yamcha. At her silence, Vegeta felt his heart begin to seize. He closed his eyes and forced himself to form the question. "Did…did he rape you?" He rasped.

"No, Vegeta," she softly assured, her arms tightening around him. "Nothing like that. I told you what happened."

He relaxed only marginally before pulling away to look her in the eye. "You've covered the major points, yes. But I know you haven't told me everything."

She sighed. "Vegeta, honey, You don't have to hear all the details."

His eyes flashed. "The hell I don't," he hissed. "You're not going to keep things from me. It's been months. You're my wife, and I demand to know."

"Ok, maybe I'm not ready to delve into this now," she said, steel in her voice. Vegeta faltered. He certainly wasn't going to try and force her to do anything. He conceded with a reluctant nod. Bulma relaxed and expertly changed the subject. "Let's go down and see Trunks, I'd like to know how the day went for my two favorite men. We'll throw a movie on," She suggested as she turned to the door, giving a small tug on his hand. Vegeta didn't move. Bulma looked expectantly at him over her shoulder.

He met her eyes, and he suddenly felt very out of place. He released her hand and walked over to the closet. "I'm going to step out woman," he said bluntly, grabbing his wallet and leather jacket.

"Oh."

He was shrugging into his jacket when he stopped at the sound of disappointment in her voice. He looked over his shoulder, catching the hint of apprehension in her eyes. He sighed. "Just going out for a drink, that's all," he reassured as he grabbed his black work boots. He walked over to the bed and sat down to put them on. "I won't be gone long."

Bulma blinked, "Oh," she said again, but this time her tone was one of surprise. Relieved, she smiled a little as she watched him lace up his boots. "You know, you're showing all kinds of new sides to yourself lately. Didn't think you were the bar-going type. His Royal Saiyan Highness is deigning to mingle with lowly humans now?"

He snorted and glanced up, inwardly grateful that his wife was cracking a little joke at his expense. That was more like it. "I feel like going slumming," he parried with a smirk as he stood.

Bulma smiled back, relaxing further. "Well, don't over do it. I'lll see you in a bit." She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. He returned the kiss, feeling just a little of the weight lift. He walked out onto the balcony and took to the night sky.