Merry Christmas

Disclaimer -I do not own DBZ or any of it characters. or places...ect.


"I...Just want to say..." Videl said quietly, looking down. "I'm...sorry for my dad..." she said quickly, still looking at the floor. "I don't know why he's being like this. But I don't have anything against any of you. Your all so nice to everyone, even when they think Goku's such a bad person...I'm sorry." Videl finished her rant quietly, quickly turning to head back to the dome.

"Hey, Videl!" Lime called out when Videl was half way across to the dome. Videl turned round with a hopeful look. "Don't worry about it. We're not mad at you...Neither is Gohan." She said with a wink, laughing at Videl's blush, but she was smiling none the less.


Chapter 9 - The Interrupted Field Trip

"Come on Marron." Lime smiled at the young girl after watching Videl blush. "I'm sure they're wondering where we are."

"Okay!" Marron replied happily, skipping along side Lime.

"Lime?" Gohan's voice called out across the garden.

"Yeah?" She shouted back just as her and Marron turned the corner, coming into sight of Gohan in the doorway.

"Hurry up." He replied, leaning against the door at the other side of the garden, grinning at them.

"UNCLE GOHAN!" Marron shouted, beaming as she ran ahead of Lime and towards the Saiyan.

"Hey Marron!" Gohan said happily, bringing a giggle out of the young girl as he lifted her on to his shoulders.

"Whats the rush?" Lime asked once she had caught up to the pair.

"Mom's here." Gohan said with a smile.

"Is everyone coming over?" Lime asked as they began their journey to the main living room.

"I think so." Gohan said with a thoughtful look on his face. "Yamcha, Krillin, Our family, Bulma's and Piccolo is on his way. So is Tien and Chiaotzu ."

"I wonder if we'll have to share a room again?"

"Probably. I doubt Eighteen will want the kids all in her room again."

"That was months ago!" Lime exclaimed. "I don't think the boy will want to cross her again."

"Heh. Goten was scared of her for weeks."

"Trunks wasn't much better."

"Its about time you showed up." Yamcha said with a grin as he opened the door when they were a few feet away.

"Gohan!" Two small loud voices shouted as Gohan crouched to let Marron on the floor.

Quickly climbing to his feet, Gohan caught the two rushing boys under his arms, grinning as their protests began.

"One of these days, you'll get him." Lime added with a chuckle.

"Lime!" They both shouted happily, forgetting about their entrapment.

"Hey you two." Lime giggle as she ruffled their hair before moving to sit next to Chi-Chi.

"Right." Bulma announced as she stood, the few people in the room quietened to listen. "The interview starts in two hours...ish. Vegeta should be here in half an hour and Piccolo and Tien will be here in..." Bulma looked towards Gohan.

"Ten minutes for Piccolo. fifteen for Tien."

"Right. I need to go and fix the TV in the leisure area for that lot." Bulma explained with a point of her thumb. "No fighting!" She said to the boys and Gohan, getting chuckles from Krillin and Yamcha. "But do what you want for two hours."

"I'll come with ya Bulma." Lime said with a smile as Bulma began to walk to the door. "See you in a bit." She called over her shoulder, getting waves in return.

"I see you gave Videl some advice." Lime said after a few moments of leaving the others.

"I did." Bulma replied. "I see she chose you to approach first?"

"I probably seem less intimidating that the other two."

"Or I told her to approach you and Trunks first. You'll both make it easier to approach Gohan."

"Makes sense." Lime added. "Although tonight may complicate matters."

"Hopefully not." Bulma said hopefully, though not really believing it herself.

"What do you think he has to say?"

"Could be anything, known him." Bulma chuckled, but I've got a feeling we'll be seeing him in person sooner than expected."

"At least it'll be over with sooner."

"Always the optimistic one."

"But can you imagine the backlash we're going to get?" Lime added softly. "You'll be alright here. People are scared of you to begin with."

"And you know as well as I do that Gohan will never let harm come to you again." Bulma paused before smirking. "Neither will Trunks."

"Bulma!" Lime shrieked, he face showing the start of a blush. "No fair." Lime pouted, crossing her arms.

"Come on." Bulma said, chuckling to herself. "Lets get this over with and back to the others."

"Right you lot!" Bulma called out to the students, gaining the attention of most of them. "Good enough."

"They might even think you care." Lime giggled, earning a mock glare from Bulma.

"We'll be putting a TV in here for you to watch the interview." Bulma paused as the group erupted in cheers.

"This interview better be bloody worth it." She grumbled to Lime as they made their way through the excited kids towards the back of the room, where three of Bulma's robots were, carrying the equipment.

They worked mostly in silence, trying to ignore the constant stream of support for Mr Satan and the insults towards Goku.

"Is this what it's like when your at school?" Bulma asked Lime in an undertone, after a particularly harsh comment.

"Yup." Lime replied in a falsely happy voice. "Just on a much bigger scale."

"Oh, I'm so glad I'm not you." Bulma teased with a grin. "I would have killed someone by now."

"Like you could do that with Gohan right next to you." Lime smirked back.

"Damn Super Saiyans." Bulma mumbled.


(With Gohan)

"I'll come with ya Bulma." Lime said with a smile as Bulma began to walk to the door. "See you in a bit." She called over her shoulder, getting waves in return.

"Go play, you two." Gohan told the two Chibis under his arms as he dropped them to the floor. "No fighting or you'll face a whole day with me and Vegeta in the GR."

The smirks the two kids were wearing dropped immediately.

"Fine." Trunks mumbled as Goten ran and jumped out of a window. Glancing at Gohan once more before running and diving after his friend.

"I'll go check on Vegeta." Gohan said towards Yamcha and Krillin. " Piccolo will be here soon. As will Tien."

Krillin and Yamcha gave to fingered salutes from their foreheads, as Gohan turned and jogged out of the room.

Pausing outside the room, Gohan gave a quick scan with his senses. Smiling at the al clear, he added a bit of Saiyan speed, reaching the Regen room in a couple of moments.

"I was beginning to wonder when you would arrive." Vegeta's voice called out as Gohan stepped into the room.

"I thought I'd give you time to eat first." Gohan replied as he walked over to stand a few feet behind Vegeta who was standing looking out of a window. "Our senses work better on a full stomach."

"You seem to have sensed what I have." Vegeta replied, knowing full well they were sensing the same thing.

"The energy is getting stronger." Gohan answered, looking out the same window.

Vegeta turned to look at Gohan.

"You don't think they are getting physically stronger." Gohan shook his head, stilling looking past Vegeta and out the window.

"Hmm." Vegeta turned and looked back out the window, pausing as his senses reached out. "I agree."

"The energy is growing to rapidly to be their individual strength." A third voice added as the door opened and Piccolo walked into the room. Vegeta and Gohan were unaffected by the intrusion as they thought about the situation.

"What do you assume, Piccolo?" Vegeta asked after a few moments of silence.

"I do not with to assume anything, that could seriously affect us." Piccolo replied. "However,from experience, I would have to say ..."

"Numbers." Gohan interrupted, gaining looks from the other two. "That's what you think too, right Piccolo?" Gohan asked his mentor, who just turned to look back out the window.

"They know us three are far stronger than any of them. As is Eighteen. They are also wary of the human fighters."

Vegeta nodded, turning to look back out the window.

"But the one thing they can always beat us at is numbers." Gohan finished, glancing at his two partners.

"We were appointed with the protection of this planet, by our families." Vegeta started. "To deal with any threat and not to involve them unless there is a need for it." He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "I do not want to assume anything. Although I believe you both to be correct."

"Their power has been growing at a noticeable rate." Piccolo reasoned. "Actions need to be taken. Deterrents seem to be loosing their effectiveness."

"They still can not defeat us." Vegeta added, making sure they all knew the facts.

"But they do not need to defeat us to gain victory. We know they are after our families." Gohan replied, getting nods from the other two.

"Actions need to be taken." Piccolo repeated.

"We have three secret weapons." Gohan said with a small smile.

"We have begun to train the boys more seriously." Vegeta continued. "You have saw their progress and potential. Although they are most effective when together."

"As powerful as they are." Piccolo began. "I would personally care for the non fighting part of our group to be better defended."

"We also have my eldest." Vegeta added.

"I would prefer him to be in the battle with us." Gohan added, gaining more looks from the other two.

"Your reasons?" Vegeta asked, keeping the peaceful tone they always had in these discussions.

"If they are going after our families directly, they need to keep us occupied long enough to get past the defences we have set up." Piccolo nodded, as Vegeta turned and looked at Gohan.

"You want us to have more force encase one of us needs to react quickly?" Piccolo questioned.

"If they invade." Gohan said, pausing to decide how to describe this. "We have no choice but to fight them. The three of us will be able to handle them. But, if out homes are attacked as well..."

"With my eldest with us, it will allow one of us to come to the aid of the rest."

"Without endangering the ourselves. But if they are not attacked, we can stop the invasion quicker with four of us." Piccolo finished.

"I believe they will attack on the other side of the planet, as the main distraction for us.." Vegeta continued. "Just encase we defeat their force quickly. It will take time to get back here."

"Your reasons?" Piccolo added. Despite their differences, they were both wanted the full picture before a plan of action is needed.

"It's what I would do."

"It can't harm, preparing for the worst situation." Gohan added.

"Plan of action?" Vegeta asked, as they all turned to face each other.

"Piccolo." Gohan started. "You need too get Dende up to speed. Ask him on his opinions."

"I'll get it done." Piccolo stated. "Who are you going to tell."

"The fighters." Vegeta replied. "Except the boys."

"We need their opinions and who is willing to fight, or stay as a very last line." Gohan finished.

"What about the others?" Piccolo asked.

"Bulma and Lime will need to know." Gohan started. "I believe they've been working on defences for this place. Bunkers and everything."

"Tell them after the fighters." Piccolo advised. "It will be easier once you know who you have to work with."

"We'll wait until after the interview." Gohan said. "I don't feel comfortable telling everyone with their current anger. Me included."

"Wise observation." Vegeta replied with a nod.

"Our own training will need to be increased." Piccolo observed. "As will the training of the others."

"They have been training all year." Gohan added with his small smile returning. "They boy gave them a pounding. They need to be better prepared."

"Convenient." Vegeta added. "They boys will be informed after Bulma and Lime."

"An updates on Eighteen?" Piccolo asked, knowing the meeting was coming to a close.

"We have told her there is a possible threat. Our presence is a large enough of a deterrent." Vegeta answered.

"She trusts that we will only involve the rest if it is necessary. But hasn't questioned us since she picked up the energy." Gohan added.

"Good." Piccolo nodded. "I'll inform Dende after this interview."

"If this escalates." Vegeta started as they began walking towards the door. "We may have to inform the rest of the group."

"Agreed." Piccolo answered. "Let's hope it wont come to that."


(Back with Bulma, a little while later)

"It's due to start in a minute." Bulma announced to the group, looking around to make sure everyone was there. "Where's Gohan, Vegeta and Piccolo?"

"Gohan went to talk to Vegeta." Krillin answered, sitting down next to his wife.

"Piccolo said something about looking for Gohan." Yamcha added from his seat next to Tien.

"Speak of the devils." Tien interrupted, nodding towards the door.

"Just in time you three." Krillin said as the door opened, Gohan, Vegeta and Piccolo walking through.

"Lets see what the buffoon has to say." Vegeta replied, walking straight to stand behind Bulma. Gohan moved to sit with Lime, while Piccolo leant against the wall near the door.

"Now everyone's here, lets-"

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Mr Satan's voice voice called out of the television, interrupting Bulma.

"Stupid man." Bulma grumbled, as she sat back down. "Interrupting me."

"IT'S ME! YOUR HERO!" Mr Satan's voice echoed out of the TV. "I'M HERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY NEW IDEA FOR THE WORLD MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENT! HAHAHAHAHA!"

"This should be good." Krill added sarcastically.

"I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN WORRYING ABOUT THIOSE CHEATING FREAKS TEAMING UP WITH ANOTHER MONSTER TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD. SO I'VE DECIDED TO MOVE THE WORLD MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENT TO THIS WEEKEND INSTEAD. THAT WAY THOSE LYING WEAKLINGS WILL HAVE NO WAY TO FIND A MONSTER TO ATTACK US ALL!"

"So in 4 days time the WORLD MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENT will begin?" The announcer asked Mr Satan excitedly.

"OF COURSE! I WILL AMAZE YOU ALL WITH MY POWER, WHILE MAKING SURE OUR PLANET IS SAFE!"

"Well ladies and gentlemen, we once again owe our lives to the world champ!" The announcer announced. "But do you have any words to say to the family of Goku, in case they plan to attend the tournament?"

"I DO! HAHAHAHA" Mr Satan's voice echoed out of the television. "I'VE HEARD MY DAUGHTER KNOWS THE SON OF GOKU! SHE'S SMART ENOUGH TO AVOID HIM OF COURSE, BUT I HEAR HE HAS TRICKED A GIRL IN TO BEING WITH HIM. BUT I KNOW THESE HUSSY TYPES, SHE JUST USING HIM LIKE THE TRAMP SHE IS! I HOPE THEY COME, SO I CAN SHOW THE WORLD HOW WEAK AND PATHETIC THEY ARE. JUST LIKE SON GOKU! HAHAHAHAHA!"

The room was silent as Bulma muted the volume on the television, just as the news was finishing. She was intending to say something optimistic, to lighten the mood, but Gohan's voice stopped her.

"No matter what happens." His voice was low, but it reached right around the room. "Satan is mine."

"Agreed." Piccolo nodded from his position at the back of the room.

"Alright." Krillin said uncertainly. "But I'm not going to let him beat me..."

"Don't worry." Piccolo replied. "I'm sure Dende will help tilt the draw to allow Gohan to humiliate him."

The room fell into silence, each member of the group being calmed and comforted.

Lime was facing Gohan, talking softly to him with little Trunks sitting on Gohan's lap, confused with why the large haired man was insulting his sister and Goten's dad. Goten was questioning his mother, asking why this man hates his dad and brother. While Chi-Chi was keeping in her anger for Goten's sake. Vegeta was talking to Bulma, a few feet away form the group, the Saiyan prince did not take well to insults on one of his kin. Krillin was being calmed by his wife, young Marron trying to help keep her daddy happy. Tien and Yamcha were discussing plans on how to humiliate Mr Satan.

Mirai, while not as angry as Gohan, was rather incensed himself. For saving the world, losing himself and Goku in the fight, almost losing the rest of them, the planet hated them. Unlike Gohan, Trunks knew how to hold a grudge. The androids taught him how.

"Hey mom." Mirai's voice called out into the quiet, bringing all attention to him. "What's happening with that lot since the tournament is this weekend?"

"Hmmm..." Bulma replied, turning from Vegeta to look at her son, her husband hand on her shoulder. "A choice I'd say." She finished with a thoughtful look, the rest of the room patiently waiting.

"They can either all stay and leave the tournament, then come back Monday. Or they can all leave now and we'll restart the two weeks on Monday. Either way, going to cost a fortune with their insurance and what not."

"We better go and tell them." Lime piped up. "Before they start making plans and what not. And before we can begin our planning."

"Right, come on, Lime." Bulma agreed, squeezing Vegeta's hand on her shoulder before heading towards the door.

"You two feel like coming?" Lime asked to Gohan and Trunks, who just looked at each other, shrugged and followed the two girls out the room.


"You two need to keep calm." Bulma instructed Gohan and Trunks, once they were outside the leisure room. "They will defiantly say something stupid." They both nodded and grinned, before Bulma turned and opened the door, shaking her head.

"Oi!" Bulma called out to the loud room. "LISTEN UP!"

The room slowly quietened, until all eyes were on Bulma, all except Videl's who had caught Lime's eye. Lime wore an emotionless look, while Videl's was masked fear. This was twice that Lime had scared her, Videl did not like that. Oh god! Videl's mind screamed. They could make my life horrible! Most of the work in the word has something to do with Bulma Breifs! I can't do anything until I find out why dad hates these l so much.

"We have a choice." Bulma's annoyed voice echoed around the room. "Now that stupid man has moved the tournament, you all have a choice. You can either stay here this week, go to the tournament at the weekend and be back here on Monday, or leave now and we'll restart the whole thing on Monday."

"How can you call his stupid?" Sharpner's voice called out, agreements being echoed around the room. "Mr Satan's a grea-"

"Mr Satan is a FOOL!" Bulma snapped back, Gohan raised his eyebrows. His godmother was angrier than he thought. "His is a foolish man that has just cost this company millions."

"Now what do you decide?" Bulma finished in a more calm tone. "Either you all stay, or you all go. I'm not spending millions on you ungrateful lot, just because that man wants to move the stupid tournament a fortnight ahead."

The room was quiet form a few moments, Lime, Gohan and Trunks held their laughter in, all sporting annoyed looks as a young small shy girl raised her hand near the front of the group. She was standing a little way form everyone else, just one other girl standing next to her.

"Miss Bulma?" The girl squeaked out, instantly bringing a small level of guilt to Bulma. "What would be cheapest for you?"

Bulma smiled at the young girl before replying. "What's your name?"

"Rose, Miss." The girl replied.

"Well, Rose." Bulma smiled. "I thank you for your consideration. I will make sure you enjoy your time here. But to answer your question sweety, the break in the trip, costs me with insurance and everything, so it's not really that much difference to me."

Rose nodded, smiling at Lime who had turned from Videl at her question. Lime winked and smiled back, before Bulma began talking.

"I would like to stay here." Videl's faltering voice called out. "But I need to train for the tournament."

"Do you really think that the most advanced and, quite frankly, the most amazing place in the world, has no form of training facility?" Bulma asked with a forced smile, trying not to take her anger out on the child of that man.

"I didn't think it was an important part of your business." Videl replied, half asking.

"Nice reply." Bulma responded. "But surely you noticed how well build my husband, son and Gohan are? Where do you think they train?"

Videl looked down, trying to take Bulma's attention of her.

"I will let you stay here as normal then." Bulma announced to the group. "I will open the training facility to you all. But within our agreed hours." Bulma's voice turned serious, her eyes resting mostly on Videl. "I don't have time to wait on you, so if you fall behind with the work we'll be doing, I will not slow down for you. The rest of my family and friends have to prepare for this tournament, they will not be able to help you. That goes for these two as well." Bulma finished with point at Gohan and Trunks.

"Will we get to use the capsule training stuff?" Videl asked, her confidence starting to return. "I know my dad has asked for equipment from you, but you always refused." She finished, subtly asking about the rift between the Satan's and Capsule Corp.

"He has asked several times." Bulma replied with a satisfied smirk on her face. "But I do not like Mr Satan."

The group were stunned in shock.

"May I ask why?" Rose's voice softly called out, cowering slightly under the looks form Bulma, Lime, Gohan and Trunks.

"Son Goku was the greatest friend I ever had." Bulma replied, talking directly to the young girl, who's eye's widened.

"Oh." Rose replied, as the rest of the group remain silent.

"I'm sorry for what he said about your friend." The girl next to Rose added, looking down at her feet when the eyes turned to her. Bulma smiled softly at the two girls, before turning back to the group.

"You were friends with that lying cheating freak?" A jock asked form the group, getting chuckles from his friends.

"Come here." Bulma replied, waiting patiently as the boy approached her. The boy arrived in front of Bulma, crossing his arms smugly. Gohan and Trunks tensed enough to react before either Bulma or Lime got hurt, Gohan giving Lime a glance to calm the young girl down.

Bulma just typed a few buttons on her watch before looking up at the boy. There was a couple of moment pause until the doors of the room opened.

"Get out of my company." Bulma responded, as the two security guards came and stood behind Bulma.

"We'll get him out of here Miss" The guard said with a frown and a nod to his boss.

"Thanks." Bulma replied before turning back to the rest of the group.

"See me in the morning for the details of the training area." She announced. "The door at the back will return you to your rooms. Any funny business and I'll come down on your hard. Goodnight." And with that she turned and led Gohan Lime and Trunks out the room.

"Well that was fun." Lime said with a giggle as they headed towards the others. Bulma gave a mock glare as Gohan and Trunks chuckled.


"Gohan." Yamcha called once they had returned to the group. "Piccolo wants to see you. He's outside I think."

"Thanks Yamcha." Gohan nodded, turning to head back outside.

"I think it's time." Piccolo said once Gohan had arrived, fining the Namek and Vegeta waiting for him.

"I agree." Vegeta nodded.

"I'll gather the fighters." Gohan sighed, turning around to head back to the group.


Well, It's been a while. But here it is. And on Christmas too. Please elt me know what you guys think!

A Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good night.