"Don't forget the balloons, we need lots of balloons." Goku looked up at the bossy voice, nodding her head dully, her chin resting on her forearms as she sat with her head laid on the table in front of her.
"Oh! How about a roller coaster? We can rent one of those!" The other woman exclaimed excitedly as she grabbed her pad of paper and scribbled aggressively, scooching her chair forward.
"Really? Bulma, that must be so expensive!" The first woman exclaimed breathily, starry-eyed with anticipation of the upcoming event.
"Not for us." Bulma responded arrogantly. Goku groaned as she flopped her head to the side. Maybe she could fall asleep and they wouldn't notice.
"Goku!" Goku sat up suddenly to see the other two women scowling at her. "Are you helping us or not?" The question's phrasing did not match its tone. Goku was pretty sure she was expected to answer yes to Bulma's question.
"Yes?" Goku answered reluctantly. She smiled as she caught sight through the doorway of two little boys running past.
"Good!" Chi-Chi exclaimed, standing from the table and heading for the door. "I am going to check out your kitchen, Bulma. You can't have a party without good food, especially with this group." Chi-Chi laughed before exiting the room.
"Alright. Goku." Bulma stated seriously as she read over her list. "I need to call the amusement parks, the fireworks store, the entertainers….hmm…." Bulma rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"Uh-huh." Goku said as she glanced at Bulma warily, noticing her inattention as she was deep in thought with her eyes focused on the paper in front of her.
"And I'm going to order that huge fountain of bar-b-cue sauce with meat for dipping, I'm sure you'll love that."
"Uh-huh." Goku replied absently again as she slowly stood from her seat.
"I'll get a magician, but it can't be just any magician. I'll get the best!" Bulma exclaimed proudly as she scribbled again. "And I'm going to dress you for the party, Goku. No arguing!"
"Uh-huh." Goku said, watching Bulma over her shoulder as she tiptoed towards the door.
"So we have the roller coaster, the magician, the bar-b-cue fountain, the dance team, the trapeze, and of course the toys! Can't forget the toys!" Bulma smiled as she wrote her last notes. "So what do you think? I'm not spoiling Trunks too much, am I?" Bulma placed one finger to her chin thoughtfully as she waited. She glanced up from her paper when there was no reply. She looked at the table where Goku sat, then towards the door with a groan.
"Goku!" Bulma yelled angrily as she shook her head at the disappearance. She returned her attention to her list with a smile. "No. Of course it's not too much." Bulma decided with a smile as she left the room to join Chi-Chi in the kitchen.
"Hey, kids!" Goku yelled once she escaped Bulma and Chi-Chi and reached the boys she had been chasing after. She found Trunks and Goten upstairs in Trunks' room, playing in a mountain of toys. Upon hearing Goku's voice, Trunks immediately threw the toy he held aside and straightened up.
"Goku!" Trunks exclaimed in surprise as Goten glanced up from his playing with a smile.
"Dad!" Goten exclaimed, dropping his toy and running into Goku's arms for a hug. Goku smiled and held Goten for a moment before setting him back down. "I thought I wasn't allowed to see you." Goten said sadly, glancing past Goku to make sure she was alone.
"Yeah." Goku admitted, rubbing the back of her head with one hand on her hip. "But if you can keep a secret, so can I." Goku said with a wink and a smile. Goten laughed happily, until Trunks cleared his throat.
"I'm not so good with secrets. What's in it for me if I keep quiet about this?" Trunks threatened with a smirk. Goku laughed in disbelief, then shook her head. He certainly was Vegeta's son.
"Well, I was going to see if you kids wanted to do something really fun, unless you're too busy with your toys, Trunks." Goku added teasingly. Trunks frowned and crossed his arms, while Goten beamed at Goku's offer.
"Something fun like what? Like what?" Goten asked as he jumped excitedly.
"Uh…I don't know." Goku admitted as she scratched her chin. Goten and Trunks fell over comically in disbelief.
"Maybe we can get in a spaceship and blast off into space!" Trunks suggested.
"Or we could go to an amusement park!" Goten added with a huge smile.
"An amusement park?" Trunks asked dubiously, raising an eyebrow at Goten.
"Yeah! An amusement park!" Goku agreed, giving Goten a thumbs up. "Come on!" She added as she turned to leave the room, waving the kids along with her. "Now, we just have to be careful to leave here quietly. If someone finds out, we may not be able to go." Goku said quietly and cautiously as the boys followed suit.
"Kakarot!" Goku immediately stiffened, grimacing at the address. "Just what do you think you're doing?" Goku turned slowly to face Vegeta, who stood with his arms crossed at the other end of the hall, scowling at the small group. Trunks and Goten lowered their heads disappointedly, frowning back at Vegeta.
"Nothing." Goku lied with a small smile. Vegeta frowned dubiously at Goku, then looked down at the boys.
"Trunks. Where were you going?" Vegeta asked harshly, making Trunks jump nervously.
"Uhhh…" Trunks hesitated, fearful of lying to his father, but not wanting to ruin his chances of going to an amusement park.
"We were just going to an amusement park." Goku explained, smiling warily as Vegeta's frown deepened.
"I thought you were supposed to stay away from the children today." Vegeta stated suspiciously, narrowing his eyes at Goku.
"Yeah, but Vegeta, you don't care about that." Goku waved it off and laughed as Vegeta continued frowning, unamused. "You can come, too." Goku offered with a smile as Vegeta balked at the suggestion. "If you don't tell Chi-Chi and Bulma, I'll owe you a favor." Goku offered. Vegeta frowned thoughtfully for a moment as Trunks and Goten exchanged a hopeful look.
"Fine." Vegeta suddenly agreed as Goku and the kids smiled and began turning to leave. "But Kakarot! Don't forget, I will be calling in that favor." Vegeta warned ominously. Goku gulped nervously before nodding her head in understanding. She had no idea what Vegeta had in mind, but his tone scared her.
"Ah, Vegeta!" Bulma exclaimed from her seat at the table, smiling at the passing form of her husband in the doorway. Vegeta paused and took a few steps back, reluctant to be disturbed. "Where is Trunks? I want to show him some of these plans for his birthday party." Bulma said as Chi-Chi sat next to her, sorting through brochures and advertisements as they were in the process of making those phone calls Bulma mentioned earlier.
"How am I supposed to know?" Vegeta grumbled as he attempted to leave.
"Vegeta!" Bulma scolded angrily, making the man reluctantly retreat again. "You're telling me you haven't seen Trunks?" Bulma asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously at Vegeta.
"Is Kakarot's stupidity rubbing off on you, Bulma? I just told you I don't know where he is." Vegeta replied gruffly before quickly leaving without giving Bulma another chance to question him. Bulma turned to Chi-Chi, biting her lip thoughtfully.
"Chi-Chi." Chi-Chi glanced up from the brochures, looking wide-eyed at Bulma. "I'm going to check on the boys. I have a strange feeling about this." Bulma said distrustfully as she stood from the table. Chi-Chi gaped at Bulma's suggestion as she silently watched her friend leave. Chi-Chi crossed her arms and sat at the table, pondering over what Bulma suggested. Goku disappeared two or three hours earlier, and Chi-Chi knew how he-no, she could be. Chi-Chi's face became determined as she stood from the table and marched outside after Vegeta. She decided Bulma wasn't going to find the boys where they should be, and she knew exactly who was to blame. And Vegeta probably knew something he wasn't telling them.
Three people flew through a dusky sky towards Capsule Corporation, holding balloons and cotton candy and laughing together as they recounted the great day they had. As they closed their distance, the woman looked seriously at the children. "Okay, you two. We have to ditch the balloons and cotton candy before someone sees us." She said conspiratorially as the boys nodded sadly in understanding.
"Bye, balloons." Goten said, waving to the floating spheres as they drifted away. Trunks shoved the cotton candy in his mouth, finishing off the last of it in one big bite before tossing the paper cone in the air and blasting it with a shot of ki until it disintegrated.
Goku stretched contently in the air as they gracefully descended, landing in the yard of Capsule Corporation. She startled when she realized someone might see her there with the boys. "I had fun today, kids. Next time we'll remember to bring some money, though." Goku snickered through her teeth. "I kinda forgot about that. It's a good thing we know how to find money in a pinch." Goku looked around a bit anxiously, then gestured for the boys to head inside.
"Bye, Dad." Goten said quietly with a wave as he marched into the house, followed by Trunks.
"Bye." Goku said with a bright smile before flying up to a balcony of Capsule Corporation, looking for another way inside. After trying a few doors, she finally found one open and carefully slipped inside the barely lit room as the sun was setting and daylight hardly illuminated the inside.
"And where have you been all day?" Goku shrunk back at the terrifying address of her wife's voice from the shadows. The lights flicked on, revealing the woman's beautiful, furious face as Goku smiled weakly back at her.
"I'm sorry I didn't stay to help you plan the party." Goku admitted with a guilty shrug. Chi-Chi growled furiously as she marched up to Goku, who recoiled until she was against the wall.
"Oh yeah?! How about sorry for sneaking away with our son all day?" Chi-Chi yelled as she grabbed Goku by the collar of her t-shirt. Goku frowned deeply and gasped at Chi-Chi's accusation. "You took him to an amusement park?! I told you to stay away from him until you're changed, Goku!" Chi-Chi yelled exasperatedly as she released Goku harshly. Goku noticed movement in the doorway and glanced past Chi-Chi's shoulder to see Goten standing there with a nervous expression. He was definitely in trouble. Now Goku felt bad. She never meant to get the kids in trouble.
"Aww, Chi-Chi, don't be mad at Goten. It was my idea." Goku pleaded. Chi-Chi sighed heavily and rubbed her head before glancing back at Goten, who smiled hopefully up at his mother. When Goku saw Goten smiling hopefully at his mother, she sighed in relief. Her relief was short-lived as Chi-Chi spun on her, an angry glare turned on Goku again.
"I won't punish the children for your bad example, Goku. But you better keep your distance at Trunks' birthday party, or I'll have to take Goten home early, and he'll miss all the fun. They're going to have a roller coaster at the party!" Chi-Chi exclaimed, obviously impressed and excited herself about the fabulous party Bulma had planned.
"I won't bother Goten at the party! Promise!" Goku agreed readily as she clapped her hands together, smiling a wide, toothy smile at her wife in appreciation. Chi-Chi frowned at Goku before placing a hand on her hip and nodding her agreement.
"Fine. We're leaving now. Goodnight, Goku. I'll see you at the party." Chi-Chi said with a warning tone as she met Goten at the door, clasping her hand around his. The pair walked off, Goten waving weakly at Goku as they left, and Goku sighed in relief. She went downstairs to join the Briefs family for dinner, wondering just how angry Bulma might be.
The family was already gathered in the kitchen, just waiting for Goku to join them before setting out the meal. Goku smiled hopefully at Bulma, who only pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow at Goku before taking her seat with her back to Goku. Goku shrugged as she assumed her own seat next to Trunks, and Vegeta sat across from her, Bulma's parents at the ends of the table. They all dug into their food quietly, Dr. and Mrs. Briefs passing inane chatter across the table as Goku kept a watchful eye on Bulma, expecting an outburst at any moment. Goku glanced at Trunks, smiling at the happy expression on the boy's face as he ate. Maybe Bulma wasn't angry if Trunks wasn't being punished. Goku turned her attention to Bulma again, who was still eating silently, avoiding eye contact with Goku. Goku smiled hesitantly, just before Bulma slammed her palm on the table.
"I cannot believe you kidnapped my son today, Goku!" Bulma yelled loudly out of nowhere. Goku cringed at the rebuking before turning her attention to Vegeta. This was his entire fault. He must have told them. She forced an appeasing expression on her face as she turned to Bulma again.
"I took him to an amusement park. We had fun, Bulma." Goku explained with a relaxed smile. Bulma growled and turned her attention to Trunks.
"And I spent my day planning a great birthday party for you. Now how can I expect you to be excited about all the things I planned when you just spoiled it by doing something so fun today?" Bulma complained, bitterly disappointed. Trunks smiled warmly at his mother.
"Mom, I'm sure the party will be great. You won't see me complaining." Trunks added with a sly smile. Bulma smiled at her son before turning her attention to Goku again.
"You!" She said as she pointed a finger at Goku, interrupting her parents' conversation as her finger came between them and they stared at her in surprise. "You need to start following some rules around here, Goku! Chi-Chi may put up with your crap, but I won't!" Bulma warned with a stern look before returning to her meal. Goku gulped nervously. She returned to her meal, looking up from her plate again after only a few minutes. She stopped eating for a moment when she noticed Vegeta in front of her, staring at her. She sent him a questioning glance as he continued staring, but returned to her meal and ignored him. She didn't know what his problem was, but she wouldn't let him ruin her meal or get her into more trouble with Bulma.
Goku dressed for bed after dinner, getting ready to go to sleep when there was a knock at her door. She answered it quickly, swinging it wide open to find Vegeta waiting by it, leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed. She felt that fluttery feeling in her stomach again but tried to ignore it as she welcomed him in.
"Are you ready to hear the favor I'm going to ask of you, Kakarot?" Vegeta asked as he entered the room, brushing past her. Goku frowned at Vegeta's back.
"Vegeta, there's not going to be any favor." She replied crossly as Vegeta spun around to face her with an incredulous expression.
"What? I never thought you were the type to back out on your word, Kakarot." Vegeta said accusingly. Goku shook her head in refusal.
"I said I'd owe you one if you didn't tell Chi-Chi and Bulma, remember?" Goku said, raising a finger at Vegeta in reminder. Vegeta's face faltered, and he huffed with frustration. "You told." Goku said with certainty as she crossed her arms again. Vegeta sneered at Goku, then shrugged irritably.
"Your wife is frightening." Vegeta admitted quietly, to which Goku laughed heartily.
"I know. So Chi-Chi got it out of you, huh?" Goku asked as she sat on the bed casually, sitting cross-legged and unaware of her panties being revealed from beneath her sleepshirt by her sitting position. Vegeta looked down at Goku, raising his eyebrows at what he saw. He quickly sat next to her, pushing her over to make room for himself and to make her change her position to cover herself as he spoke.
"I still want a favor." Vegeta said sternly. Goku glanced over her shoulder, smiling at Vegeta slyly.
"If you want a favor, you've got to do something to earn it first. You do know how favors work, don't you, Vegeta?" Goku added playfully. Vegeta smirked before meeting Goku's eyes. She was smiling happily at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and her face was only inches from his. He inhaled sharply at the sensation he felt in that moment, and Goku bumped him playfully with her shoulder, her smile widening.
His eyes were drawn to those beautiful lips, followed by her sudden change in visage. She seemed to be breathing shallowly, her eyes widening as she absorbed the way he was looking at her. "I can earn that favor." Vegeta said huskily as Goku blinked, gaping at him. Vegeta smiled smugly at her reaction as he stood from the bed. Goku's eyes were trained on Vegeta as he headed for the door. She sat there speechlessly as he left the room, smiling to himself.