Bulma's Bad Cookie

By: KrazyKat001

I totally own DBZ! BOOOOMM! (Got struck by lightening.) Ow . . . I wish did own it. I do not own the characters from DBZ.

(This is after the Buu series and GT never happen. Goten and Trunks are still kids, Gohan's dating Videl and Krillen still have his hair.)

Chapter One

It's been a few weeks since Goku was back from the dead and is currently living in his home with Chichi. Things were rough for awhile but he didn't expect the seven-year-absence to be repaired overnight. Though that would've been a whole lot easier. When Chichi got the news that he's back for good, she fainted. Not the overly-enthuiastic I'm-so-happy-I-have-you-back faint, just a big ol' blank state faint. Unsure, whether if that's a good thing or not, the tall sayian then gentily pick her up and IT home. Then there were moments when she smelled funny. Usually he can detect things immediately with his sense of smell but everytime he smell something, perfume gets in the way. That's when he started noticing that Chichi always sprays herself with perfume morning, noon, and night. Even when she's in the shower. 'A strange habit to get into,' he muse. He did, at one point, wanted to talk to Chichi about it but thought better of it. An angry fit Chichi armed with a frying pan is NOT what he want to faced right now.

Goku woke up alone in his bed this morning. He can hear Chichi cussing how troublesome it is to make a meal for three sayians now. He chuckles at the colorful phases his wife was using. 'She sure hasn't changed much in my absence, that's good to know.' He moves his bare arm over his head, staring at the ceiling with a newfound interest. 'There's something bugging me for awhile now. All of my senses are wide alert for some reason. Like there's something new… life-changing somehow. I don't know how I know but I know it. I wish I knew what it is . . .'

"IT"S BREAKFAST TIME! COME AND GET IT WHILE THEY'RE FRESH!"

Goku jump into the air, dress up in a flash, then ran downstairs. He pounces to the chair in the same moment as his sons did to theirs. Although Gohan was the only one who done it gracefully. The food was there, sweatdropping at the sayians' savage drooling sight seconds before being preyed upon. A platter of eggs was devoured in a matter of seconds. The pancakes, seeing, as Goten loves it, were mostly eaten by him. Gohan had to wrestle forks with his little bro' to get some while Goku figure it'll be smarter by eating a huge pile sausages.

Chichi has a pleased expression placed until her stern voice turn to her eldest, "Gohan! You better get to school now. I don't want you to be late. You're much too behind from the other students!"

Gohan wince before looking up, groaning, "Aw, mom. I'm still ahead everyone. The Buu episode left the school closed until we had to summon Shenron to forget about their fear toward Buu. Not to mention the school had just open today since the tournament."

Chichi ignore him. "That doesn't explain your studying! You haven't been studying a SINGLE THING from the past few weeks! All you've done is lay around, spar or hang out like muscle-head bum!" Gohan sweatdropping as he wave his hands defenselessly, shying into his seat. Chichi then turn to his husband, her face flashes into a fit.

"GOKU!" Goku jump, terrified of his wife. He learns in the past to never cover his ears. That leads to more screaming later on. He suffers due to his super hearing from Chichi. Goku tries to look up innocently; knowing from experience he's still going to get yelled at. Chichi firm face dead set, "Goten is going over to CC. I want you to see that he gets there safely. AND…" Goku wince. "I want both of you back for dinner, you hear me?" Goku nodded vigorously.

He continues eating his meal hungrily. He glace at his wife meekly as he ate. 'That's another strange habit of hers. Usually, n the past, she would demand me and Gohan to be back at lunchtime. Oh well. I like it, gives me more time to spar with Vegeta anyway.' He smiles at the thought. Goku turn to his son, rubbing his carbon copy's head, "You hear that, Goten? We're going to see Trunks and Vegeta." Goten fist into the air above him, "Yeah! Trunks been wanting to show me this neat trick of his. Hehehe."

Chichi look over from the corner of her eyes, "Gohan! When are you bringing Videl over? I haven't seen much of her these days. And Goten! No more of those naughty tricks like the last time. I had to pay for the damage!"

Gohan, who had been trying to sneak out unnoticed, looks like a deer caught in the headlight. He stammers, "MOM! We've only b-begun dating." The door had never look more inviting. He looks at it eagerly, "I-I'm going to be late for school!" He ran like a madman.

"GOHAN!" Chichi growls, "Goku! I want you to see what Gohan's up to!" Goku shy away from her glare, "Chichi, Gohan is free to do what he wants. He's a grown man now." His wife drew a deep breath, "I DON'T CARE, I like to know what he's hiding!" Goku fell back, hitting the ground. Goten's covering his ears. 'Why is she screaming at me for? For once in seven years, I wish she ease down on her screaming tone.' He cautiously got up; his ears throbbing and he pray to Kami that it doesn't bleed. He looks at Chichi nervously, not really trusting her.

She looks at Goku apathetically but quietly angry, then sighing as she turns to wash the dishes. "Bulma called this morning. Saying that there's a barbeque this afternoon. I won't be joining you. I have… things I need to get done."

Goku barely notice the pause. Goten jump from his chair to his father's chest. "I'm ready, dad! I'm ready, I'm ready!" Goku pull his son off his chest, raising him in the air, laughing. "You're ready, huh? Let's see how ready you really are! First one there gets the dessert!" Goten eyes grew wide, drooling at the thought of a sundae. Goten escape from his father's grasp and ran out the door with his father following closely behind. They jump into the inviting air, flying toward CC many miles ahead. The race has begun… with Chichi yelling now far behind.

Elsewhere, in the darkness of an unknown realm- even to the kais- a light spot shone from an unknown source. In the light, there's a mystic circle carved on the floor, shining bright red whenever a resistance occurs. There were many chains attached to the circle to the figure in the center.

Chains were everywhere, especially on the figure. Up close, the figure reveals a female with long hair reaching down her back. Her body was bare except for the casting on her chest and lower part of the body covered in iron made for a prisoner.

She was fierce, angered even, at the light of recent activity. Her wrists trapped together, ankles covered in several chains up to her legs, neck stiff of having a neck-brace chained to the circle from all direction.

Growls and snarls can be heard from her mask, a mask forced on her ever since she was captured.

She snap one side to another, receiving even more pain as the red glows around her. She whips her arms above, forcing it back to herself and only to have it force back toward the ground. Chains from all sides forcing the female down against her will. White spots clouded her vision but she didn't stop resisting like an untamed wild would. Yelling out her rage, she struggles to get up forcefully once more, straining her body to its limit while the circle below her shines loudly around her. A howl of pain cried out. Eyes wide open in reaction.

A moment later, she was back down on the floor, stranded in place. The raspy, distorted panting escape from the mask. The head lower, making her eyes darken from the light. 'Damn.' She shakes her head. 'Damn, damn, damn!' Her spirit roars the life in her once more. 'Damn it.' She snaps her eyes open, steeling her glare in the darkness ahead. She quickly got up, howling at the darkness. "DAMN IT ALL!" She raises her arms, yelling still, and forcing it down to the crimson ground below. The impact had shattered a few lines of the circle. The red faded slowly. The circle was now ineffective.

She stared down, shocked as her lungs ache for air. The raspy pants soon became chuckles. The female threw back her head laughing loudly throughout the realm.

Goten, being in his ascended state,was the first reach CC. Goku laugh as he catches up, knowing that his son had cheated but letting that fact slide all the same.

"Wow! Looks like you won, Goten. I'm really proud of you." He rubs his son's hair.

Goten laughs as he reverts back, looking up to his dad. He pounces on Goku's knee, hugging tightly. It startled Goku. He smiles. Goten then release him. Goku walk toward CC, putting his hands behind his head. Goten walk after him, silent for once.

"Hey, dad?" he ask seriously.

"Yea?" Goku look over his shoulder, notice the strange tone. Seeing the sad face, he stops walking. "What's wrong, son?" He never saw his son like this.

Goten open his mouth then closing it. He glances from his father to the ground again. He shake his head, grinning happily, "Nothing, dad. I'm happy that you're here!"

Goku blinks. Confused at the sudden change, "So, there's nothing wrong then?"

He shakes his head."Nope! Everything's fine, dad!" chirp his carbon copy. "I can't wait to see what Auntie Bunny made, that's all."

Goku grins. He bends down, leveling himself to Goten's height. He laid his hand on his son's shoulder. "Same here. I'm glad I'm alive so I can hang out with my little boy. Well then, since you won both the race and your dessert but nothing's going stop me from having the other desserts as well! Hehehe." He laughs, using his natural inhuman speed to flash into thin air before Goten, . Goten gape at both his father's words and his disappearance for a second before sprinting into the building, "DAD! THAT'S NOT FAIR!"

Bunny giggles at the sight of the Sons. They wrestle one dessert after another through each bite of her homemade sweets. Trunks, who've been at the table since they arrive, laugh cocky then punch Goten.

"OWww…" Goten rub his arm, wincing in pain.

"That's what you get for trying to steal one of my treats, neh?" the purple haired boy smirks. "Trunks! That's not very nice manner," Bunny scolded. "Yes, G'ndma," he rolled his eyes. He swallows a cupcake without chewing and reaching for another.

Shortly, Vegeta came in the kitchen, to get a drink after his morning warm up. He whips around, barely noticing the food war between the three sayians. He pause at the doorway, looking over his shoulder, smirking, then left the room.

Goku patted his stomach, sighing happily in haven. He looks at the doorway. 'Wonder what got Vegeta in a good mood?' He watch his son along with his best friend thank Bunny for the desserts then racing out the door, laughing. He grins. He pat his stomach one last time. He leaps from the chair, intending to get a spar from Vegeta.

He nearly dodges Bulma on the way out. She's gone frantic. "OH KAMI! WHY DID I NOT SET THE TIMER ON?" Bunny giggles at her daughter. "Don't worry about it, dear. I set out just in time. Ohohoh." The genius blinks. She wipes her forehead, letting out a sigh. "Whew! Thanks, ma. For a second there, I thought I have to throw them outside again. Haahhhhh…" She flops into the chair, relaxing.

Goku sweatdrop as he eye her nervously. 'I'd better get outta here before she notice me!' As much as he likes his friend, he really doesn't want to try her cooking. Too much past experiences gave him an unsettling stomach. Eagerly to escape, he tiptoes throughout the doorway. As soon he seer clear of her presence, he walks down the hallway at ease. "There he is," he said. Standing in front of gravity chamber, he knocks on the door. He hears Vegeta's growling in annoyance.

"KAKAROT! I'M NOT TURNING IT OFF SO YOU CAN PRANCE YOUR WAY IN. USE THAT DAMN TECHNIQUE OF YOURS!"

Goku laugh to himself, shaking his head. ''Geta'll never change.' He taps his forehead with his fingers, and transported inside, barely dodging his energy ball aimed in his direction.

"AAH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, VEGETA?"

"Training, what'dya think, baka?"

Goku wave his hands defensibly, "Take it easy, 'Geta. I came to see if you want a spar."

Vegeta stop what he was doing. He glares deadly at Goku. "Not today, Kakarot."

Goku blink once… twice. He couldn't believe his ears! 'Vegeta never turn down a spar before so why start now?' He lowers his head, sighing disappointly. He rub his head as he look up to the grouchy prince, "Alright Vegeta. I guess I'll find something else to do."

"Hm! You do that, baka." Vegeta's steeling gaze on Goku. He resumes his katra.

"Um… hey 'Geta?"

"WHAT IS IT NOW?"

He waves his hands defensibly again, "Take it easy there. I wanted to ask you for some time now. Since you know that I'm back from the dead and all, I feel lonely. It's strange, 'Geta, there wasn't a moment when I'm alone back home. I stay near home, train with Piccolo and my sons- and you," he wave his hand toward the prince, "during the day and sleep with Chichi at night but… for some reason, I feel… empty and… hallow. Why?" Goku look up, his eyes helpless.

Vegeta, unknowingly had held his breath, breaths. Combing his flaming hair with his gloved hand as he walk to Goku.

Goku looks at him, watching him as he get closer. He stays silent, waiting for a response.

They stood a few inches away from each other. Vegeta fold his arms defiantly, he harshly told his subject, "Just because you came back to life doesn't mean your living it."

"Huh?" Goku was really confused now.

The prince growls "Think about it! All your life you live to fight. Throwing everything you've got toward your opponents. Me, Freiza, Cooler, Broly, Cell, and Buu! Then while you were fighting them, you've been fighting to live. Every one of them had the power to end your life. It was your guts and instinct that made you wants to survive. You felt a vital need to survive. You had to survive, no matter what! Soon, it becomes a cycle. You live. You fight. You survive." Vegeta step back; turn around so Goku couldn't see his face. "You're sayian. It's in your blood. No denying that. As for the 'emptiness' you speak of…" he let out a sigh, "I simply don't have the answer. Perhaps…" He look over his shoulder, smirking, "the answer will come to you." Vegeta faces front and resume his training.

Goku teleport himself outside the door, slowly absorbing Vegeta's words. He leans against the wall, sliding down to the tiled floor. He sat there for a long time.

Stillness in the void, darkness gathers around the light. The female sat still for a long while. One would think she's sleeping, the other would think she's waiting. Her breathing is nearly silent, rhythmic.

Two huge glowing red eyes appear from the darkness, silently staring at the chained girl. Her eyes rise to meet those of her curious visitor. A thunderous, powerful voice rang throughout the darkness, "WELL, WELL, MANY YEARS HAS PASS BY SINCE YOU WERE AWAY, MOSTLY ROTTING HERE FOR ALL ETERNITY." Loud chuckles echo in the dark.

She glares at him. A raspy, distorted voice spat out through the mask, "You here to rub it in my face or is there actually a reason for your purpose here?"

Eyes grew crimson bright. "PATIENT, BRAT!" His growls soften, "I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU FOR A LONG TIME . . .YOU HAVE CAUGHT MY ATTENTION FOR QUITE AWHILE AND PROVEN YOURSELF WORTHY IN MY PRESENCE. BY AIDING MY PEOPLE, I GIVE YOU MY GRATITUDE. BY FIGHTING ALONG BY MY PEOPLE, I GIVE YOU MY BLESSING. BY SACRFICING YOUR PAST, I GIVE YOU A CHANCE."

The female stand up, shaken by his words. She asks hoarsely, "So you're Kigeta?"

A growl of annoyance. "IT IS I." A booming thud echoes.

The female stare into the grazing red eyes. "Chance, you say? What chance? W-what kind of chance are you talking about?"

"A CHANCE AT LIFE. TO FEEL THE FIRE THROUGH YOUR BONES, ONCE MORE. TO BE ALIVE."

She closes her eyes, deep in thought, and spoke with more confidence, "To live again… I like that." She lazily open her eyes, "I assume there's a catch?"

A rumbling chuckle, "IT'S PERMANENT. THIS IS THE LIFE YOUR HEART YEARNS FOR. HOWEVER, KEEP IN MINDTHAT ONLY I CAN TRULY GRANT IS NO OTHER WHO CAN."

"My heart? I don't understand."

Another chuckle. "ONE DAY, YOU WILL." The atmosphere thickens. The voice thunders, powerful growls speaking before her, "WHAT SAY YOU?"

"Goku?"

Goku was in a daze, still thinking of Vegeta's words. ["As for the 'emptiness' you speak of… I simply don't have the answer."] 'It's strange to hear Vegeta say that. I bet he knew what's wrong. Why did he hid it from me if he knew what's wrong?'

"GOKU!"

He snaps his head up, banging it against the wall as a result. The wall suffers a huge impact from it, cracking out like webs. Goku didn't feel any pain. He cocks his head to where the voice was, "Bulma? What's wrong?"

There were signs of worries in her crystal, blue eyes. "What's wrong? What's WRONG?" Goku wince. "That's the question I should ask you! I called your name a few times and you didn't respond. You had me worried, Goku."

Goku giggles weakly, "You don't have to worry about me, Bulma. I'm okay! See?" He put his famous Son grin and scratches behind his head.

The genius's eyebrow twitches. She replies slyly, "Well, you're making fun of me again." She crouches down, cupping her cheek as she look at her friend, "Then again, you used to make fun of me back then when first met. Seriously, Goku, what's wrong?"

Goku look down, his expression pained. Hands clenches at his gi pants. He didn't breathe a word. He tilts his head to glance at Bulma. ["Perhaps… the answer will come to you." Vegeta closes his eyes, smirks, and walk away.] He looks away, muttering softly, "I'm not really sure."

Bulma mock pouted. Her face softens, speaking while she stands up, "Well, get up, come on." Bulma walk away, not bothering to see if Goku's following or not. "I like to do a check up on you - after the barbeque, if that's alright."

Goku freak out, "WHAT? No needles! Please! Why do you want to do that?"

Bulma hold up her hands, "Calm down, Goku. Clearly there's something wrong with you, and don't think I hadn't notice," Goku calm down, a little shameful, "Vegeta noticed it, too." Goku stiffen. "We're worried about you. I ask Vegeta not to fight you today and, frankly, I'm surprise he'd actually listen to me."

"Oh… that makes sense. Heh… only you and Vegeta notice it, huh? Perhaps Goten did as well," Goku look away, rubbing his head in dejection.

"Goten? That's probably why he…" she trailed off. She looks at the wall, her mind in another place. Goku looks at her questioning. He was about to ask until she cut him off, "What about Gohan or Chichi?"

The question caught him offguard, "I'm not sure, really. Gohan- I can understand. He often goes out to talk or spar with Piccolo. Sometime, I spar with them. Chichi…" he fidgets around, "is difficult to understand."

Bulma smiles, "All women are like that. Let's talk in the kitchen, 'k?" Goku nods. Shortly, they entered the room. Robots cleaning up the mess the sayians made earlier. "Sit down. I'll prepare a snack for you. So, tell me more about Chichi. Maybe I can give you some pointers here and there."

"Nnnn . . . I don't really know what's with her," Goku stated as he stare at the ceiling, "She's like a whole new person now. She'll say one thing then she says another completely different. That confuses me a lot. Then she would wear perfume ALL the time. Literally, ALL the time."

Bulma raise her eyebrow. "I doubt she go to bed with it on."

He disagree, "She would. She even use it when she showers too."

"Gimme a break, Goku. The perfume washes off in the shower," Bulma said skeptically.

"Well… if you say so," Goku said, not totally convinced. He continues, "Sometimes, I would cuddle up with her then she would scream at me. When it was another way around, she acts weird and say the strangest things to me."

"What kind of 'strange things'," Bulma ask curiously. She furrows, frowning as she listens Goku's odd details of his wife.

"Stuff like, 'Don't you go ga-ga over me' or 'I'm the high and mighty, and you are powerless to stop me' or-"

Bulma blush scarlet red. "Goku!" He stopped speaking, looking at Bulma and wondering what he'd done now. Bulma weakly laughs, "Goodness, Goku. I didn't realize Chichi can be so…relentlessly active."

She set down a glass of milk and a plate of chocolate chip cookies. That is, if you can call it cookies. They look blotchy and kinda look like Buu. Goku sweatdrops. Bulma look extremely pleased with herself, "I told Vegeta that I was make something for you. My idea to get you out of your gloomy phase. I was aiming for a cake but then he said to make cookies as soon as you drop by. Sounds like a great idea. He said to make lots of 'em. I didn't realize how much you love my cookies."

Goku snap out of it, confuse "Huh? What?"

Bulma huffs, "Vegeta told me you said those words in your last spar. Remember?"

Goku ponders, in his mind 'I did NOT said that. Heck! I don't ever recall saying that at all! Wait a minute… is this his way of getting back at me? Thought I told him it was an accident.'

[flashback] Goku and Vegeta were sparing on the battlefield where they first fought. Vegeta panted after several hours in his ascended state. Goku panted- also in his ascended state- grinned before letting out a battle cry. He sprinted into the sky, toward Vegeta aiming a punch in his face and a spinning kick. The price caught the fist with one hand and halted the kick with another. Vegeta smirks then grab Goku's leg and howls as he threw Goku into the sharp mountains below.

A rumbling crash sounded. Dust rose like an after effect of a nuclear bomb. Vegeta fly in the dust. Knowing it to be a useful advantage against his opponent. He waited an oncoming attack, judging from the ki he felt from his left. He block the energy attack, counter-attacked a few moves, barely seeing anything more than a few centimeters. Vegeta whip his left arm to prevent a punch then tried to kick him in the hip.

Goku let out a pained groan, hovering down a little. He spins kick the prince and missed. Due to the dust now fading, He sees a faint blue spandex in front him. He reacted by punching that spot. Goku heard a load groaning. His vision was clearer, now the dust were carried away. He sees the spot he had hit was covered in… white gloves?

"Uh… Vegeta?" A loud moan answered. Okay… he was really confused now. Soon, Goku tilted his head up a little following the sound. He can see the Vegeta's pained face hunched down, a little above Goku's head, groaning. Goku's brain pieces it together as he faces front. He face-faulted and animated panic.

The prince lost his ki concentration that kept him airbourne. He hadn't still move his hands from his crutch as he sky dive, plummeting toward the ground. Goku transmitted, catching Vegeta's fall in time. "Vegeta! I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hit you there! Well, not down there-"

The prince raspy spat, "T-that w-was a-a dirty move you made, Kakarot. It'll be the l-last you make. I'll pay you back tenfold, make no mistake about it! Kuso!" The prince widens his eyes in pain.

"It was an accident, Vegeta! I couldn't see what's in front of me, for crying out loud," Goku cried out.

"Excuses are cowardly. You think you can fool me? Think again!" Vegeta elbowed him, thus forcing to let go of him. He then frees his hands and walk painfully in each step he takes.

Goku lets go of his ascended state, shouting, "Vegeta, wait!" "LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU BLAZING BAKA!"

"Vegeta! I can save you the trouble for going home. I won't tell anybody!"

"DAMN RIGHT YOU WON'T! I CAN GET HOME JUST FINE, BAKAROT!"

Goku flash in front of him, "Stop being so stubborn!" Before Vegeta can react, Goku lift his hand to Vegeta's arm briefly. A second later, they were back at CC, in Vegeta's room. Vegeta slapped his huge hand away. He snarls in Goku's face, "You vex me more than anyone I've ever met! That includes the woman and that hellcat of yours!" Goku felt hurt a second then he mildly joke, "So, that makes me the number one on your list?" Vegeta blinks at him. He let out a frustrated howl, stomping to the bathroom and slamming it shut. The door broke from the impact. CC cowers from the angriest voice, "KAKAROT! GET THE FUCK OUT BEFORE I BLAST YOU 'TIL KINGDOM COME!" [End flashback]

He sweatdrops at the memory. 'Heheheh… he was really mad that day.'

Bulma stare at him with glistening eyes. Goku gulps. The cookies seem to be taunting at him. 'Ugh… just great. This day couldn't get any better,' he thought wryly. He picks up a horribly deformed Buu cookie and brings it up to his mouth. He parts his lips uneasily, knowing the genius urging him with her eyes.

Just as Goku leans forward for a bite, an unfamiliar presence enters his mind. He, however, notice it much too late.

[crunch!]