Author's Note: Welcome to "A Brief New World", a Goku/Bulma AU of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z! I recently discovered a wonderful channel for any Dragon Ball fan, MasakoX's channel on YouTube. For those of you who don't know, MasakoX is the voice actor for Goku and Gohan in Dragon Ball Z Abridged and, like all of Team Four Star, he is also a damn fine analyst of Dragon Ball. I found his "What if Goku Married Bulma" series on the channel and I was hooked instantly. I have long been a Goku/Bulma shipper, and this What-If got the gears churning, and reawoke the dormant wanna-be fanfic author in me that had been quiet for more than 10 years.
This won't be a direct adaptation of Masako's What-If: I will be doing my own thing for certain portions of the story. However, the core and outline is his, so I want to make sure to give him the credit he is due. Keeping doing you Masako, you are a true inspiration!
Anyway, onto what you are all here for: A Brief New World!
Chapter 1: Friends Long Lost, Now Found
In spite of what one would expect, Bulma had always loved the rain.
Even as a kid, she had looked forward to rainy days over sunny ones. Now, make no mistake, she loved being out in the warm sun too, but there was something about the sound of falling rain that brought a sense of calm to the young woman.
Maybe it's just the romantic in me, she thought as she walked through the rain outside the grounds of the Tenkaichi Budokai. I've always enjoyed snuggling up with a good book, drinking something warm, and thinking about my next invention while listening to the rain.
"Man," said a voice from beside Bulma, breaking her out of her reverie. "I have never seen so few people around here! It's usually way busier by now!"
Bulma looked down towards the speaker, her good friend Oolong the pig. Like Bulma, he held an umbrella over his head, and sharing the umbrella with him was Puar, the blue-furred companion of Yamcha, her second oldest friend.
"That's just because of the rain," said Puar. "Everyone is inside. Once the skies close up, they'll come back out."
"Oh," said a quiet feminine voice behind Bulma, "that's too bad. I kind of liked the smaller crowd." Launch brought up the rear of their little party, also keeping herself dry under the shadow of an umbrella.
"I can't imagine the fighters would like it to be raining during the Budokai, though," Bulma noted. "At least, not once they are fighting in the main arena."
Launch dropped her eyes to the ground, losing herself in thought. "Oh, I suppose that's true. I'd guess it can't be fun to fight in the rain. You'd always be slipping around."
The group continued to discuss the downpour, but Bulma's mind drifted away as she took in the sights and sounds of the Tenkaichi Budokai grounds. The stone pillars and dragons remained where they always had been, just as overwrought and tacky as ever. But that was part of the charm of the place. It tried so hard to look like an old Shaolin Temple. From what Krillin had told her in the past, it didn't really succeed.
Outside of maybe her home, there was no place in the world Bulma loved more than the Tenkaichi Budokai grounds. While she was certainly no fighter herself, some of her best memories were here, watching her closest friends fight. She couldn't wait to see them again, as she knew they all planned to attend. She had just had lunch with Yamcha the other week, so she knew for sure he was attending. He had been in contact with Krillin and Tien as well, so he could confirm that those two should be competing as well along with Chiaotzu.
And then, Bulma thought, there's Goku. Her oldest (and deepest) friend, Bulma hadn't seen the young fighter in close to three years, ever since he went off to train with Kami. I would expect to see him here today, she thought. He'd never miss the tournament. With that thought, a surge of unabashed joy flowed through Bulma. Bulma could hardly believe that it had been nearly 7 years since the first time she had met the boy… and promptly shot him in the face. Bulma smiled at the memory. Not a great start to our friendship, she thought.
It had taken a while, but eventually Goku's earnestness and naivete had won over Bulma, and she had come to enjoy traveling the world with him, looking for the Dragon Balls. Things sure were different then, Bulma thought. They had been looking for things so youthfully and innocently selfish that Bulmafelt a flush come to her face thinking about them even now, all those years later. I wanted a lifetime supply of strawberries, and then I wanted a perfect boyfriend… Kami, I was every bit as naive as Goku. And I thought I was so mature... Through that adventure, Bulma met many of the people who would become her closest friends. I wonder what my life would be like now if I hadn't met Goku that day, Bulma mused. A lot emptier, I expect. More predictable, maybe. But who the hell wants predictable?
Bulma caught a quick glance of the main arena, where the final three rounds of the Budokai would take place. Her memory flashed to Goku's first battle in that arena, against the monstrous Giran, and remembered her amazement at his skill. I had known he was a good fighter, she thought, but something changed then. He had always been so carefree and scatterbrained. In that first tournament, he was like a totally different person. He was focused, motivated.
Her mind then went through all of Goku's the battles in that arena. His battles with Jackie Chun, with Krillin, but most of all, his battle with Tien Shinhan in the finals in the last tournament. That fight was like nothing I had ever seen before. Goku was pushed to his absolute limit, and pushed Tien to his, and Goku should have won that fight. The way it ended still brought frustration to Bulma. It had been particularly galling at the time, because Tien had been so cruel and… well… evil up until the end of his fight with Goku. It just felt wrong for Goku, who fought purely for the joy of fighting, to be beaten by someone who had been trained to use his abilities in such monstrous ways. But Goku had once again done the impossible, and won the three-eyed warrior over. As he seemed to do with everyone he met. Yamcha and Puar started as our enemies, too, Bulma noted. Hell, I even half-expected him to turn King Piccolo back from evil.
The thought of the fierce Demon King sent a cold shiver down Bulma's spine. It had been nearly three years to the day since he made his presence known, sending his minions in search of the Dragon Balls, and killing Krillin in the process. On that day, Bulma saw something she never thought could be in the young warrior's eyes: rage. I had never seen him so angry before. It was… frightening. Bulma hadn't been around for much of the subsequent adventure, hiding with many others as King Piccolo had nearly conquered the Earth. But she knew Goku had been the one to stop him. Tien had told her how he killed Demon King with a blow that went literally through the despot. And then, he had used the Dragon Balls to bring back everyone who had been killed by King Piccolo and his men. How far he's come since that day I found him, too, she thought. Noble, self-sacrificing. Always considering others, rather than himself. Not at all the naive wild child I met. She smiled. But then again, we've all grown.
Bulma began thinking of her other friends. Krillin had once been an arrogant, self-centered jerkass as a kid, but the events of intervening years (particularly dying and being brought back to life) had mellowed him out greatly. She know new him to be a kind-hearted man who wore his emotions on his sleeve. It was a pleasant change.
Her mind then turned to her closest friend other than Goku: Yamcha. She had known him almost as long as she had known Goku, ever since they had made the fortuitous error of traveling through his territory in the desert. He had proven to be a thorn in their side throughout that first journey. But in the end, his good-hearted nature won out, and he became one Goku and Bulma's most loyal friends. It had taken a while, but eventually Bulma even helped him get over his fear of individuals of the opposite sex.
That had been quite the undertaking, Bulma ruminated. Just getting him to talk to me and spend time with just me was a fight those first few years.
Many of the rest of the group had long thought Bulma and Yamcha would make a good couple. No doubt, there had been some level of attraction there, but… it just never felt right. The two often met and spoke, usually over lunch at one of Bulma's favorite cafes in the city. During one of those meetings, the two had a long conversation about the nature of their relationship, and how it never developed into something more. During this conversation, Bulma learned why Yamcha had never asked her out. A slightly sad smile came over Bulma at the memory.
"You've helped me to grow so much. I couldn't be in the same room with girls when I met you. Now look at me! Sitting and eating lunch with you! Why would I risk the friendship we have when I know you are more interested in someone else?"
"Huh? In someone else?"
"Yeah. I mean, it's pretty obvious."
"But… who do you think I'm interested in?"
"if you don't realize it yet, I'm not gonna tell you. I'll let you figure that out yourself."
"Look over there!"
Puar's voice quickly drew Bulma out of her reverential mood. Bulma looked ahead, and saw an old man in a black suit standing by the entrance to the old temple. Bulma could just barely make out the white goatee on his face. There was only one person it could possibly be.
"Master Roshi!" Bulma called.
Of course, she already knew he was here. After all, Oolong and Launch lived with the lecherous old man.
I still can't believe Launch actually co-exists with the creep. Bulma thought. She loved the old man dearly, but certainly wouldn't live with him…
Bulma ran up to the Master of the Turtle School of martial arts, and gave him a big hug. Surprisingly, he gave her a totally chaste hug back. No handsiness whatsoever. A pleasant surprise, Bulma thought.
"It's so good to see you again!"
"You too Bulma. I think you've grown even lovelier since we last saw each other!"
Ah, that's more like it, Bulma thought. Bulma felt the honest smile on her face turn wry. It was a sweet compliment, but she knew better than to call attention to it, lest he push it beyond the innocent level.
"So, Master Roshi," Bulma said, changing the subject. "Planning on entering the tournament again this year?"
A rueful laugh came over the old martial arts sensei. "Naw, not this year. At this point, I can't hold a candle to my students. They've well surpassed me."
Bulma knew how much that admission had to cost Roshi. He had entered the last two tournaments in an attempt to keep his students humble. He had won the 21st Tenkaichi Budokai, defeating Goku on a technicality. However, the next year, he had been surprisingly defeated by Tien. And then, he had died trying to stop King Piccolo. The same King Piccolo who had been later killed by Goku. It can't be easy. He must have spent decades as the strongest person in the world. And now, he might 4th or 5th. But Bulma also saw the pride and joy in Roshi's face. But to know that your lessons have been learned as well as they have by 3 brilliant students, isn't that what being a sensei is all about?
"Besides," Roshi continued happily, "I didn't want Goku to win that first year because I wanted him to keep training. At this point, I think I know him well enough to know that he'll keep training no matter what happens in some silly tournament. It's what he lives for!"
Bulma couldn't help but smile at that. Yeah, that sounds about right. I don't think Goku has any room in his brain for anything but fighting and training. Oh, and eating, I suppose.
"My balloon!"
Bulma's thoughts were broken by the cry of a young girl nearby. Looking over, she saw the girl chasing after a helium balloon that had escaped her. Luckily, it had gotten stuck in a tree. Bulma walked over to the girl, the rest of the group following behind her. She didn't see any sign of parents around. Typical. Probably too busy drinking or talking to notice their daughter running off after her balloon.
Bulma looked more closely at the girl. She was clearly upset, tears just visible on her face in the pouring rain. Bulma felt her heart melt a little. Poor thing, she has to be freezing, too.
"Hi, there, sweetie. Do you need some help getting that down?"
The girl looked up at Bulma. She couldn't have been more than 6. Kami, who lets a child this young run off on their own? The girl nodded shyly at Bulma, clearly nervous, but also hopeful that this grown up would help her. Damn right I will! Bulma reached out for the stray balloon, but it remained agonizingly just out of her grasp.
"Hmm… can't…quite…reach…" Bulma thought furiously how to get the balloon. Hmm, Launch isn't any taller than I am, Roshi is shorter, and Oolong is even short… hold on a second! Bulma turned to her companions. "Hey, Oolong, think you could help me out here?"
The pig furrowed his brow in annoyance. "Now just wait a minute! If you can't reach it, how in the world do you expect me to be able to do it?"
Bulma cocked her head, mildly annoyed. "I mean, you can transform can't you? Couldn't you, like, turn into a ladder or something?"
Oolong looked up at his umbrella, an irritated look on his face. "Oh, come on. Really? You want me to turn into a ladder so you can walk all over me?" he said combatively. "Besides, my magic is a little rusty, I haven't used it much the past couple of years. Not sure I would make a very good ladder!"
Bulma felt her temper beginning to rise. "Ugh, useless pig. You'd be more valuable to us as bacon!" As Oolong began to complain about Bulma's lack of tact, Bulma contemplated, beginning to consider other possible options. There was no way she was going to leave without getting this girl her balloon! Her eyes fixed onto the bright blue fur of Puar. She suddenly smiled brightly. "Well, you're not the only one here who can transform! How about you, Puar?"
The small creature looked slightly ashamed. "Sorry, no can do. Transformation just makes me bigger, not heavier or stronger. Just because I turn into a ladder doesn't mean I would be able to support all your weight…" Realization suddenly struck Puar, his eyes going wide and his face losing all color. "Wait… no… I didn't mean…uh...!"
Bulma's face turned red and she suddenly found herself shouting in absolute fury, her temper boiling over in a flash. "WHAT THE HELL'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN, YOU LITTLE FURBALL?! ARE YOU CALLING ME FAT?!"
Puar quickly took cover behind Oolong, looking to escape Bulma's wrath in panic. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything!..."
"...Because I'll have you know I happen to have a very delicate figure!" Bulma continued, her vanity getting the better of her, as usual. Bulma knew she was massively overreacting. But Puar had hit one of her trigger buttons. Bulma was very self-conscious about her weight. Hell, Bulma knew she had even lost a little weight recently, what with forgetting meals while working on her scientific projects. Not that they needed to know that…
Master Roshi's head suddenly popped up from where it had been previously held in deep thought. "Oh, I know!"
Bulma turned to her friends' old sensei, cocking her head to the side. "Oh, what's your idea, Master Roshi?"
"I could give you a boost, and then you could reach out and grab the balloon!" he said, stepping forward and stretching his arms out to assist. Bulma was just about ready to agree, when a thought passed through her mind. Yeah, he'll give me boost all right...so that he can grab my ass and look up my skirt, the dirty old man! Bulma thought darkly. She gave the old pervert a baleful glare. He began to back away slowly.
"Ah… he… Yes? No?... Eh, maybe?..." Bulma could hear the fear in his voice as he spoke, the words growing softer with each passing syllable.
"Not chance, you perv," she said coldly.
"Just… tryin' to help, heh-heh..." Master Roshi backed all the way up behind Oolong as well, leaving the pig to be the closest one to the still agitated young scientist. "Hey wait a minute, why are you guys hiding behind me?! I'm the one she threatened to make into breakfast earlier!"
The trio began to argue amongst themselves, with Launch still behind them, concerned at how quickly things seemed to have gotten out of hand. "Oh, my… please don't act this way in front of the little girl, she's already pretty upset...:"
Bulma continued to stew, her mind racing, frustrated by the fact that she couldn't quite reach the balloon. Ugh, why is everyone so useless!? Damn it, where are Tien or Yamcha when you really need them? Hell, I would even take Goku. I bet he could use his Power Pole, at least, even if he would be too short to reach it. Her mind was so focused on finding a solution that she never even noticed when a tall figure stopped behind her, reached up, and grabbed the balloon from where it was stuck on the branch. When the figure spoke, she was caught completely off-guard.
"Hey everybody!" a bright, youthful, but clearly masculine voice rang out. Bulma quickly turned around, and saw before her a tall young man dressed in a blue tunic shirt and a pale yellow gi. His face was covered by an umbrella, but Bulma had a sneaking suspicion that it would prove quite pleasant to look at, judging by the jawline she could see under the umbrella. There was a sash around his chest, which appeared to be holding a staff on the young man's back. Huh, that staff almost looks like… Nah, it must just be imagination.
Meanwhile, Oolong, Puar and Master Roshi had finally stopped their squabbling and also turned to face the newcomer.
"Bulma, is this a friend of yours?" Master Roshi asked, stroking his beard.
Bulma at first started to answer in the negative, but something about the way the young man was standing sparked a level of familiarity in Bulma. Why do I feel like I've meet him before?
"I… don't think so, no…?"
The figure handed the balloon to Bulma. "Here you go, Bulma."
Bulma almost let go of the balloon in pure shock. "Wha?! How do you know my name?"
The man laughed. It was bright and clear, and intensely pleasant, filled with warmth and obvious affection, completely void of meanness and mockery. I've only heard one person laugh like that, Bulma thought, but… it couldn't be…
"Of course I know your name, Bulma! How could I possibly forget my oldest friend?" the man spoke, the laughter still in his voice, his mouth in an enormous grin. "Master Roshi, Oolong, Puar, Launch, it's good to see you all too! Where are Krillin and the others? I was hoping to see them before the tournament starts!"
Bulma's mouth opened in total shock. It can't be anyone else! It has to be…
…"Goku…?" she asked quietly, hardly believing her eyes.
"Whaa?!"
"No!"
"It can't be!"
The rest of group gave shocked exclamations at Bulma's pronouncement, but Bulma felt quite certain she was correct.
For the first time, she heard a slight hesitation in the young man's voice. "Well, I mean, yeah! Who else would I be?"
But how? He hadn't grown a single inch in all our adventures together before! Bulma thought, remembering the boy she had come to know so well.
She felt a slight tug at her pants. "Excuse me," a tiny voice said. Bulma looked down, and saw the little girl looking up at here with an expectant expression on his face. "May I please have my balloon?" she asked adorably.
"Oh, of course." Bulma said, handing the balloon to the young girl. "Here you go. Now, go find your parents, okay?"
"Okay!" the child exclaimed, running back towards the tents. The drops into the puddles around her seemed to be slowing down.
The young man looked up at the sky. "Ah, looks like the rain is finally starting to let up."
As the finally stopped, he withdrew his umbrella. For the first time, Bulma could see him clearly. The first thing that stood out was, well, the hair.
It was black, spikey, and unkempt. And exactly in the way Goku's always was!
He laughed, pointing at his wild hair. "See, who else in the world has hair like this?"
Bulma took a moment to fully appraise her old friend's new appearance. He… he really grew up! Bulma thought.
He had grown significantly in the past three years. If she had to guess, he was probably taller than Yamcha now, though she suspected Tien might still have an inch or two on him. The muscles on his arms were wiry, but taut and toned attractively. Bulma looked into her friend's face, and when she did, her breath caught in her chest.
Her first instinct about the looks of the young man had been correct. Goku had developed into a remarkably handsome man. His face no longer carried the softness of youth. His cheeks and jaw were well-defined and striking. But it's his eyes… Bulma thought, his eyes are still filled with the innocence and life that he had as a child.
There was no doubt in her mind anymore. This is Goku!
Tears began running down her face, but her face broke into a massive smile as Bulma charged toward the young man. "Goku!" she cried out, as she leapt towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight embrace.
Goku gave a grunt of surprise as the woman collided with him with surprising force. "Oof, careful Bulma!" he said, wrapping his arms around her waist as the momentum carried him around, spinning once, holding Bulma tight to him as he did.
This feels…strange, Bulma thought as she spun through the air in Goku's arms. Being held in Goku's embrace… it was a feeling she never expected to feel. From the day they had met, Bulma had always been taller. But, it also seems right, she thought. Goku's arms were strong, his embrace warm. Bulma wanted him to never let go. Her eyes locked with his for a moment, and Bulma felt a surge travel through her body, an electricity like she had never felt before.
Goku stopped spinning, but continued to hold her for a moment, almost as if he didn't want the moment to end either. Bulma was the first to speak. "Goku, I've… I've really missed you," she said, trying to bring her emotions under control and speak to the feelings she had within.
Softly, she heard Goku's reply whispered into her ear. "I've missed you too, Bulma," he said.
Slowly the pair broke away from the embrace. Bulma could feel the heat in her cheeks from a furious blush. Oh, Kami, what in the world was that? I mean, sure I missed him, but that was… a little excessive.
She suddenly saw Goku's gaze focused on her face, a concerned look on his face. What is he looking at?
"Goku, what is it?"
"Bulma! What happened?!" Goku said, pointing to her lips. "Your lips are bleeding! Let me wipe it off!"
Goku moved forward with his thumb to wipe the lipstick off Bulma's face. And instantly, Bulma's temper was re-triggered. "No you idiot!" she exclaimed, pushing Goku's hands away from her face. "It's not blood, it's lipstick!"
Goku slowly stepped away, taken aback by the outburst. "Lipstick? What's lipstick?"
Bulma sighed, still irritated at the denseness of the man who just absolutely proved he was Goku, but also at herself. Really, Bulma? You just had a lovely (if odd) moment with him, and now you are already biting his head off because he didn't know what lipstick is? "Sorry for snapping at you, Goku. Lipstick is something girls wear to make themselves look pretty."
Goku got a confused look on his face. "But… you always look pretty Bulma. Why would you need to wear something like that?"
Bulma felt herself begin blushing again. He thinks I'm pretty? Why does that thought make me so happy?
Master Roshi walked up beside her, and gave Goku an appraising look. "Well, Goku. Looks like you finally grew up a bit, eh?"
Goku began scratching his head in the way he always did. "Heh, yeah! I sure did! It happened a few months into training with Kami!"
As the others began crowding around Goku, Bulma began to consider her reaction to Goku's return. What is going on? Why am I acting like I am with Goku? I'm acting like a school girl with a crush… And I certainly don't feel like that about Goku.
She paused at that thought. I mean, I don't think I do. She took another look at the fighter, now showing off for Puar and Oolong. My god, he did become quite handsome, though. She couldn't help but look at his tightly wound muscles, and his wonderfully masculine face. I mean, he kind of looks like the kind of man I've always dreamed about, and I know he's a good person. We've always had fun travelling together…
"Looks like we're the last ones to get here," a familiar voice said behind her.
Turning around, Bulma saw four familiar figures walking up towards them, the sun beginning to cast a reddish glow as it set in the west.
Krillin, Chiatzou, Tien Shinhan, and Yamcha had arrived. Well, the gang's all here, now.
As the quartet walked up, Krillin saw Goku, and his eyes opened with shock. "G...GOKU?! Is that you?!"
Goku's face broke into a massive smile at the sound of his friend's voice. "Krillin! I'm so glad to see you! A part of me always worried that you didn't actually come back after the wish, but Kami assured me that you were alive!"
Right, Bulma thought. Goku hasn't actually seen Krillin since he was resurrected. Goku had pretty much gone straight to training with Kami after fighting King Piccolo. It had been there, upon Kami's Lookout atop Korrin Tower, that the Dragon Balls had been restored, and everyone killed by King Piccolo and his men returned to life.
"Goku, it's so good to see you, too!" Krillin shouted, running to his training partner and best friend. Goku is a lot of people's best friend, Bulma mused. "Wow! You sure have gotten bigger!"
"Yeah!" Goku said, the biggest grin on his face. "But it looks like you're still the same, Krillin!"
Krillin's face dropped at that statement. "Jeez, thanks Goku. I had no idea that I'm still really short. No one's ever pointed that out to me…" Krillin looked pointedly at Yamcha, who simply began to laugh. Bulma also grinned. He never misses a chance to take a crack at Krillin's height. "Anyway," Krillin continued, "everyone told me what you did after I… well…"
"Died," Tien said, completely deadpan.
"Keep it down over there! I'm trying to have a moment, here," Krillin yelled back. So, I just want to say, thanks Goku. I wouldn't be here without you, buddy!"
Goku's look turned serious. "I was glad to do it Krillin. I knew I had to bring you back. It was just… wrong. You and everybody else who was killed by King Piccolo. You all deserved better."
Krillin laughed. "Man, that's just like you, Goku. I wish I was half the man you are."
Bulma saw Yamcha grin, and knew he couldn't resist the perfect setup he had just been gifted. "Well, I mean, you kinda are half the man he is now, Krillin!" he quipped.
"That's it, kicking your ass now!" Krillin shouted, his face turning red as he began running after Yamcha, the former bandit laughing as he avoided every attack from the former Shaolin monk.
Tien strode up to Goku, and Bulma saw she had been correct, the tall warrior still had a couple of inches on Goku. "Just so you know, Goku, I've been training hard the past three years," Tien said, a fierce smile on his face. "I hope we get a chance at a rematch this year. I can't wait to see how far you've come since the last time we fought!"
At that, Goku matched Tien's grin with one of his own. "Yeah, me too. I look forward to seeing how strong you've gotten Tien!"
Seeing that look of serious determination and excitement on Goku's face brought back memories for Bulma. I first saw it here, she thought. He lives for fighting, for proving himself. When he's here, he gets to do what he loves most. She found herself getting lost looking into Goku's dark eyes, as he began to speak with Chiaotzu about his training. Meanwhile, Krillin had given up on chasing Yamcha, and rejoined the conversation. Goku is in his element. He looks so happy. But… why does that make me so happy?
Suddenly, she became aware of someone looking at her. She turned, and saw Yamcha giving her a pointed look, and a knowing smile. He then turned and walked toward Goku, and began to speak with him, as well.
Yamcha's words began to echo in Bulma's mind:
"Why should I risk our friendship when I know you're interested in someone else?"
Bulma's heart began to pound in her chest. He couldn't have meant… Goku?
"LAST CALL FOR REGISTRATION!" came the cry from the tournament registrar outside the entrance to the arena.
"Well," Goku stated. "Guess we better head on over there."
The group of five fighters began to walk over to the desk, the colors of the dying light of the setting sun casting them in a heroic light. The way the witching light bounced off Goku made him look even more handsome. Bulma again found herself staring at her friend, and feeling an electricity move through her body.
At that, the realization struck her. I think I might actually have a crush on Goku…
"I suppose we should start thinking about getting some tickets, eh?" Master Roshi recommended. The group of companions began walking to the box office, but Bulma stood where she was, continuing to look at Goku, unwilling to let him out of her sight until he was behind the wall of the arena.
Oolong called out to her. "C'mon, Bulma! We need to get tickets and make sure we get good seats!"
Bulma finally moved to catch up with the rest of her friends, but her mind continued to focus on figure of Goku, walking with strength and purpose, illuminated by evensun. It was a difficult image to erase from her mind.
Oh, Kami, she thought, her heart beating rapidly as she considered everything that had happened in the last few minutes. Life just got a lot more complicated...