Disclaimer: Trunks, Bulma, Vegeta, Goku, Goten and Gohan all belong to me. Its true! As for Chi Chi… well… Akira can keep Chi Chi!
As the sun shone down on Capsule Corps, little Trunks Brief practiced his sword form on the grass. His small body was perfectly balanced and his katana* was like an extension of his arm, flowing with his every movement.
Bulma watched her son from the window, admiring his amazing ability.
Yeah, that's my kid alright!
The noise of the phone ringing interrupted her viewing and she left to answer it.
'Bulma? This is Chi Chi.'
'Hey, Chi. How are you?'
'Oh, I'm good. Great actually, I got some fantastic news today!'
Bulma held her breath in anticipation. There was something in the tone of Chi Chi's voice, something she had heard before. 'You did? What's that?'
Chi Chi's voice took on that excited and boastful tone that Bulma had heard so many times before. 'Well, my Gohan came first in all his classes and was awarded the Golden Phoenix award for excellence in every possible way…' Chi Chi continued for a good five minutes non-stop. Bulma rolled her eyes and put the phone down gently. In the meantime she went off to make a cup of coffee, adding lots of cream and sugar. When she returned to the phone, Chi Chi was just finishing.
'… and that mean's he's the best student that Orange Star has ever had! I don't like to brag or anything, but he just makes me so happy. Oooooooh! I could scream!!'
Bulma gulped in horror and held the phone far from her ear, but thankfully Chi Chi didn't carry out her threat, and instead continued talking.
'…The results speak for themselves, and we had a journalist come round last week to take pictures for the paper. He looks fantastic in them, my handsome boy! We just got our copy of them in the post today, and I thought it might be nice for me to come over and show you them this afternoon. We could have coffee and chat. Its been so long. See you at three then? Great! Bye!'
Bulma opened her mouth to make an excuse but all that was there on the other end of the line was a dial tone.
'Great,' she sighed. ...Maybe it won't be so bad… I've not seen her for ages… it could be… fun…? A shudder shook her body and she put the phone down dejectedly. Just then, two strong arms wrapped round her waist making her jump with surprise.
'Vegeta! You scared me!' she said, frowning.
Vegeta smirked - a look that Bulma sometimes found annoying, sometimes irresistible.
He spoke to her in a low and wicked voice, his breath hot on her neck.
'Scared? …Of me?' he bit her neck gently, making her shudder with pleasure this time…
...Three hours later the doorbell rang.
'Grrrrrrrrrrr' the Saiyan Prince let out a low growl. He did not like being interrupted in his lovemaking.
With a shriek, Bulma got up hurriedly to answer it.
'Ignore it!' Vegeta said, grabbing her leg. 'I haven't finished with you yet!'
'Vegeta!' Bulma's voice was frantic. 'I lost track of time! Its three o'clock already! Chi Chi's here, and if I don't get that door… Trunks is gonna let her in! Look at the state of this place!'
Vegeta cast his eye around the living room. Cushions were flung all over the room, the coffee table was upturned and there were discarded clothes all over the place. He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
'So?'
Bulma was already pulling her clothes on and frenziedly putting everything back in order.
'So Chi Chi's home is always perfect, and she's so proper that if she saw the state of this place and us like this she would never let me forget about it! Vegeta, she looks down on us enough with that superior moral attitude of hers, I can't give her something to be smug about!'
She flung Vegeta's black trousers at him and his blue shirt. 'Now scat!'
With a humph Vegeta pulled his pants on and his shirt. 'Fine. The minute you mentioned that ugly wench's name my desire vanished anyway!' he huffed leaving the room.
As he left, Trunks came into the room followed by Goten and Chi Chi. Smoothing down her hair, Bulma beamed her pearliest smile at her best friend's wife.
'Bulma! Hi! Trunks let me in,' Chi Chi said.
'Great!' Bulma grit her teeth. 'So good to see you! …Goten! How are ya?' She knelt down to his level, smiling warmly at the kid.
Goten blushed. 'I'm good, Mrs Brief. Thank you!'
Bulma's heart warmed. She had always had a soft spot for little Goten, and little did she know that he had a major crush on her - his first crush in fact, was one Bulma Brief.
Trunks caught the look and dragged his pal out of the living room. 'We're gonna go play mom,' he said. He shut the door, and Bulma and Chi Chi took a seat.
*Punch!*
'Ow!'
Bulma looked at the door with a frown. 'Trunks? Goten? Are you ok out there?'
'Yeah, we're great mom!' came Trunk's bright reply from the other side of the door.
'…Goten?'
*punch!*
'Ow! … um… yeah, I'm great Mrs Briefs!'
Bulma shook her head. 'I'll make us some coffee,' she offered Chi Chi and went to the kitchen. After switching the kettle on, Bulma turned on the cold taps and splashed cold water on her face. Cool down girl! She told herself. Damn, Vegeta! A grin crossed her face as she though of her extremely talented husband!
Bulma returned to the room with two hot mugs of coffee and some cakes. Chi Chi was already sitting with the photos in her hands.
Great! Lets not beat about the bush or anything, Chi Chi!
'Thanks,' Chi Chi took the coffee and sat it on the table. 'I took a few photos myself. This is one of Gohan receiving the Golden Phoenix award…'
she passed Bulma a large print of the teenage saiyan, grinning that cheesy Goku grin, as he was awarded the coveted prize.
'… and this is one of Gohan leaving the stage after he got the award…'
'… and this is one of Gohan at the bottom of the steps of the stage after he got his award…'
'… and this is one of Gohan walking back to his seat after he got the award… isn't he handsome? Just like his father!'
Bulma stifled a yawn and glanced at the thick pile of photos. This could take a long time.
'Now this, is my favourite of the lot, Bulma. … Bulma?'
Bulma snapped out of her daydream and looked at Chi Chi. 'Huh?'
'Are you paying attention? As I was saying, this is my favourite photo.'
Chi Chi pushed the photo towards Bulma, who was annoyed at the way she had been spoken to. Taking in the umpteenth photo, Bulma had to admit, it made her smile. There was Chi Chi, her arm round Gohan's waist, gripping like a vice as she looked up at him with a maniacal adoration, her eyes brimming with tears of joy and pride. Gohan was looking a bit overwhelmed by Chi Chi's in your face proud mother attitude, but was bearing it good naturedly as always. Bulma could tell from the photo what she knew to be true in life - Gohan loved his mother with all his heart, despite her being overbearing, overprotective and demanding of him. She had always felt sorry for the kid, having the responsibility of his fighting abilities as well as having Chi Chi on his case all the time. He was a special kid, no doubt about it.
'Yes, Gohan makes me very proud. Who knows, maybe someday Trunks will win something of his own…' Chi Chi gave Bulma a sympathetic smile and patted her arm.
Bulma's temper went from calm to searing hot.
What!! The cheek of it! She's not happy enough going on and on about that stupid award, now, she's gonna have a dig at my Trunks??!!!! I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!
'Well,' Bulma grinned slyly, knowing just how to get back at Chi Chi, 'Trunks already has won something actually. If you'll look over there,' she pointed to the fireplace, 'you'll see the trophy he won for coming first place in the kids World Martial Arts Tournament. Remember? He beat Goten in the final?'
Chi Chi's eyes widened in indignation. 'Hmph! Everyone knows that the only reason Trunks won that little competition was because he cheated!'
'What!!!?'
Chi Chi folded her arms. 'He promised Goten that he wouldn't use ki attacks and that's exactly what he did to win. It was no more than cheating. Of course, my Goten is too kind to complain about it…'
Bulma's mouth dropped in horror at what she was hearing. 'That's a load of BS and you know it!'
Chi Chi gasped, 'There's no need for such language! This is no way to speak to a guest in your house!'
Bulma tried to hold her tongue, but it slipped out anyway. 'I didn't invite you here - you invited yourself!'
Chi Chi stood up outraged. 'Really!! How rude. Just because you know that Goten is stronger than Trunks, just like Goku and Gohan are stronger than Vegeta! Jealousy is unbecoming of you, Bulma!'
Bulma had to stop herself from slapping the woman. 'Is that right?' she snarled, getting to her feet too.
'Yes!' Chi Chi held her ground.
The two women squared up, getting eye to eye with each other, and delivering smouldering looks that would have turned weaker individuals to a pile of quivering jelly.
'Prove it,' Bulma said quietly, lividly.
'Fine,' Chi Chi responded in the same tone. 'If that's what you want?'
'It is.'
'Fine.'
'Fine.'
'Fine.'
'GOOOOOOOOO-TEEEEEENNN!!!!!!!' Chi Chi roared, without moving an inch back from Bulma's face.
Bulma almost hit the ground with the force of the shout, and her hands flew up to her throbbing ears as she took a step backwards. Chi Chi grinned, delighted at her small victory.
'TRUNKS!' Bulma yelled, not managing to achieve anywhere near the decibels Chi Chi was capable of. 'GET YOUR BUTT DOWN HERE!'
Goten and Trunks appeared a couple of minutes later, peeking their heads cautiously round the door. They figured they must be in big trouble.
'Get in here,' Bulma said, beckoning the two chibis into the room.
They stood in front of their raging mothers wondering what on earth they had been caught for this time.
{Trunks brain} :: Maybe she knows about that time we put sand in all of Dad's underwear… oh crap! Not that! … or maybe that time we phoned that Save the Kids charity shop and threatened to burn it to the ground… hehehehe! That was a good one - my idea of course! Hehehehe! That ole lady shopkeeper! She was so freaked out!! She was all like 'Eeeeeee! Who are you! Don't call here! I'm phoning the police! I've got a panic button you know!' And then she started crying! Wahahahahaha!!! I rule!
{Goten's brain} :: Uh-oh! They found out about those library books we forgot to take back and Trunks kept for himself!!
'Boys, we want your help,' Bulma looked down at the chibis.
'Our help?!' they chorused, not sure whether to be confused or relieved.
'We need you to settle something,' Chi Chi continued.
'Which one of you is the strongest?' Bulma asked.
Trunks grinned. 'That's easy! I am!'
'See!' Chi Chi huffed. 'No modesty at all! You would never catch Goten bragging like that!'
Bulma nearly gagged. She can talk about bragging!
'Well,' she asked Goten. 'Is it true?'
'Mom! Of course its true!' Trunks interrupted. 'I wouldn't lie to you!'
'No manners at all!' Chi Chi snapped at Trunks. 'My Goten speaks when he's spoken to, and doesn't butt in like some spoilt brat!'
'I was asking Goten, hon,' Bulma ignored Chi Chi's comment.
'Um…' Goten blushed as Bulma looked down at him. '… Trunks is prolly stronger.'
'NEVER!' Chi Chi wailed. 'Its not true! You are a Son! The Son's have always been stronger than the Briefs!'
'You are so full of it lady!' Trunks shook his head in annoyance at Chi Chi's words.
'TRUNKS!' Bulma growled at him, trying not to notice Chi Chi's darkening face. She grabbed his ear and dragged him out of the room, closing the door behind her.
'Mom,' Trunks squirmed about, not wanting to be yelled at, 'I didn't mean it. Its just-'
He was interrupted as Bulma planted a kiss on his cheek and hugged him tightly. 'I've been wanting to say that all day!' Slipping a cash reward into Trunks pocket she took his hand to lead him back into the living room. 'Act like you got in trouble!' she whispered to him.
Trunks kept his head down as he walked into the room. 'Sorry, Mrs Son,' he said sadly, looking at her with big eyes that would melt the heart of your average ice-jin.
'That's OK, Trunks,' Chi Chi forgave him.
'I think we need to settle this once and for all,' Bulma said, looking levelly at Chi Chi. 'Lets have a competition to see who is stronger - Trunks or Goten.'
'If that's what it takes to prove Goten is the strongest, then so be it,' Chi Chi agreed.
Bulma smirked, 'Oh, I think we'll prove something allright. … That Trunks is the strongest!'
'Goten!'
'Trunks!'
'Goten!'
'Trunks!'
'Goten!'
'Trunks!'
Trunks and Goten slipped outside and sat on the back doorstep, waiting for their mothers, and waiting for the 'contest' to begin. By the time Chi Chi and Bulma came out to find them, they had fallen asleep!
'Right you two, wake up, come on now,' the mothers gently shook their son's awake. 'Its time for the contest to begin.'
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*katana = samurai sword... *dreams* I'd love one of those babies!