AN: Hey guys. As promised here is the Dragon Ball fic that I've planned. As stated in the summary, things are going to be very different. Goku/Kakarot is going to be smarter, stronger. Bulma's actually going to be a fighter while keeping her genius intellect. And while not originally planned I've decided to save Goku's mom, Gine, to help with Goku's Saiyan knowledge and other things down the line. But enough about the plot. You'll see as the story slowly progresses.

"Talking"

"Telepathy"

'Thoughts'

Techniques/Attacks

"Electronic Talking"

Chapter 1: Arrival and Destined Encounter

[Planet Vegeta]

It was the fated day for the home planet of the Saiyan race. Freeza had ordered all of the warrior race back home from all missions. One such warrior had doubts that this was for the intended reason, as such he made his way to his mate and mother of his children, Gine. His eldest son, Raditz was off-world with Prince Vegeta, and knowing the arrogant prince, he'd ignore the order to return home, so he didn't need to worry about that son. However, his youngest was since in his incubation pod.

This warrior was Bardock, he is a tall man of muscular built with black hair. His hair is unkempt with three bangs hanging to the right of his forehead and two hanging to the left. His hair also stands up in the front with five spikes and four in the back. Unlike his younger son, he has a tanner skin tone and his eyes are more defined and sterner. Arguably his most distinctive trait is the long thick rough scar running down his left cheek. Like most Saiyans, he has a long prehensile tail with brown fur which generally keeps secured around his waist akin to a belt. He wears dark blue and green Battle Armor, dark blue combat pants, long red armbands with matching leg warmers, and black and green boots as well blood-soaked armband as a headband.

"Gine, how is Kakarot doing?" He said to his mate.

She is a woman of average height and slender build. She has a lighter-pale skin complexion, onyx eyes, and shaggy black hair reaching her shoulders. Her hair bears a resemblance to her eldest son Raditz', except much shorter and with bangs. She wore a sleeveless black bodysuit and dark green combat armor highlighted with bronze and outlined by white, in addition to purple armbands and white boots. Her armor also had a thigh-length hoop. Like all Saiyans, she naturally possesses a tail, which, unlike most adult Saiyans, she lets sway freely rather than securing it around her waist.

"He's doing just fine, still in his pod, why what's going on? You look like something's bothering you." She said as she was cutting meat for their meal.

"That's because I don't trust Freeza. I have a bad feeling that he didn't call us to show us a new weapon. I've heard talk he's been asking about our legend of the Mythical Super Saiyan." He said, seeing her look back to him like she was wondering what he was getting at. "I have a feeling he intends to eradicate our race by destroying our planet since he may fear one of us fulfilling the legend. I want to send Kakarot away to a low-profit planet called Earth to keep him safe in a non-programmed Space Pod."

"All by himself!? How can you be sure this will happen, what if you're wrong? Even if you are right, he'll be alone on a strange planet without anyone to teach him of our ways and culture. He'd grow up wholly ignorant of his people and heritage. Let me go with him so I can do this and take care of him! My power level won't be picked up by their Scouters." Gine pleaded, her motherly instincts kicking in. "I can even help keep Earth safe to a haven for those of our race that survive!"

"...Alright fine, we have to move quickly... I fear we don't have much time." Bardock said with a sigh before giving a cocky grin. "I swear you're so stubborn when you want to be."

"Damn rights." She said with a grinning wink before her face changed into one of determination. "I am a mother that wishes what's best for her children, even if it means going with him to some backwater planet."

And so they made their way to their youngest to remove him his Incubation Pod and outfit him in his own battle armor, a black long-sleeved jumpsuit, white boots and gloves, and white armor without the pauldron, all of which would grow with him, his hairstyle was the same as his father. Then they stealthily making their way to the Space Pods.

"Quickly, get inside, I'll carry you outside of the village where we can launch safely, with less chance of detection." The scarred Saiyan said in a hushed tone.

Nodding, Gine climbing into the pod while carrying her son. Once inside the Bardock closed the hatch, picked up the pod with one arm, and made his way out to the area he secured. When he got there, he looked around and saw it was safe, he put it down, giving his mate and son a sad smile, the poor boy knowing something was wrong and trying to reach for his father.

"Take care of him and yourself Gine, and raise our boy well. I'll come for you if I am wrong. Kakarot, take care of your mother. Help her protect Earth." He said before he activates the pod, sending them to safety.

As the Mother and Son shot passed, Freeza had launched his attack towards Planet Vegeta with every Saiyan trying valiantly to stop the giant energy blast from destroying their home, but ended up failing. Gine watched as her home, her mate, were completely obliterated. Nothing but dust remaining. She cried and held her youngest tightly as the Life Support and stasis systems came online, putting them into a deep sleep until they arrived at their destination.

[A few months later – Planet Earth]

In the wilderness of Mount Paozu, an old martial artist by the name of Gohan was out on his morning walk to the nearby lake to go fishing when he saw what he thought was a shooting star crash into the woods nearby. He is a short, stubby old man with small dark eyes and a bushy white mustache and eyebrows and is also bald. He wears a Chinese martial arts uniform, consisting of a sleeveless orange jacket over a long-sleeved black shirt, and wears a green hat.

"Oh dear... what is this...?" He said curiously, slowly approach the round object that had, by the looks of it, a window. And if his old eyes weren't playing tricks on him, there were two humanoid figures within.

However, he jumped back a bit and slipped into a defensive position when the object hissed and the area around the window opened up, revealing a young woman and a child, who couldn't any older than 20 and 7 years old respectively. What shocked him, besides their strange attire, was the face they both had bushy brow tails attached to just above their rear ends as if an extension of their tail bones.

"Uhh... I don't think these things were meant to support two lifeforms..." The woman said before looking over the child. "Good, at least you're safe my darling boy."

"Um... Excuse me young lady, but who are you, and where did you come from?" Gohan asked warily.

"You must be a native of this planet. I'm Gine, this is my son, Kakarot. As for where we come from..." Gine started before trailing off... "We don't have a home anymore. It was destroyed before our very eyes by an extremely evil being... I guess I should say that we're warrior race called Saiyans." She said, still trying to get her barrings.

"Well, you're not the strangest beings I've seen..." The old man mused. "Aside from the tail and attire, you could pass for us humans."

"...Mommy?" Kakarot said walking up in her arms... "Where are we...? Last I remember was Dad sending us away and then a bright light."

"Oh, honey... We're safe and going to make a new home here on this planet." She said hugging her son close.

"OK. Will Dad be coming to get us?" He asked discouragingly, somehow knowing the answer.

Deciding to be honest, especially hearing her son's tone, she knew he already knew, she just shook her head negatively getting a sad nod from him. Gohan, not knowing exactly what was going on, could tell they had both lost part of their family.

After a few moments, Gine looked at the elderly gentleman. "Would it be possible for the two of us to stay with you, Mister...?"

"Oh, where are my manners, the name's Gohan. And sure, you can stay with me, I can help teach the two of you about the planet." The old martial artist said with a smile. "It wouldn't do for you to be ignorant of our ways if you intend on making your home here."

"Thank you." She said with a smile.

Kakarot's stomach grumbled causing Gine to look embarrassed, especially when hers also grumbled getting a hearty laugh from the old man. "Come on you two, I was just about to go fishing for my breakfast so we can you something to eat as well."

"Thank you again." She said with a kind smile. "By the way... When is the next full moon of this planet?"

"It was full a week ago, so... not for another 3 weeks. Why?" Gohan asked curiously. "The way you asked makes it seem like it's important."

"It is. I will explain later, but I suggest that if you don't have some sort of heavy bunker, that you find a way to acquire one." Gine said seriously getting him to nod in return

Later that night after Kakarot was asleep, Gohan asked the significance of the full moon, and what he learned terrified him and asked if there was a way to prevent it. When she said that both she and her son needed to avoid looking at the moon, they'd be fine, and if they were to transform, that he avoid removing their tails, as it is a source of strength for them. She also said that she'd be needing to train both herself and her son to control the Great Ape transformation in just case trouble followed them.

[7 years later]

Over the years the three of them trained together, Gine teaching the old martial artist how to fly. The Saiyan's no longer had to worry about the weakness of their tails while learning what they could about the world, the significance of money, Capsule Corps, automobiles, what little politics Gohan knew, as well as law enforcement.

Gine and Kakarot had also received martial arts training for the old man, however before he could impact all of his knowledge, he passed away in his sleep, leaving a Will stating the house and all its contents were left the mother and son, which included a golden orb with 4 red stars, something Kakarot treasured and became protective of whenever some poor bandits showed up looking for an easy score, only to be badly beaten. The teenager was devastated when he found his grandfather figure dead. She thought back to what happened that day 4 years ago while looking at his gravesite.

[Flashback]

"Grandpa? Mom says it's time for breakfast!" A 10-year-old Kakarot said as he entered his grandfather's room. However, when he saw the old man not moving, he walked up and started shaking him. "Grandpa...?"

After a minute of shaking, the poor boy started crying. "MOM! SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH GRANDPA!"

Gine ran in a frenzy before noticing the old man who she came to see as a second father with a peaceful look on his pale face. She frowned before walking up to her son to check on Gohan's body, only to find it cold, with no pulse. "Oh no..." She muttered.

"Mom...? What's wrong with him?" Asked the crying 12-year-old.

She pulled her son in a hug, trying to hold back her own tears. "Kakarot... do you remember what we told you about the cycle of life?" She asked softly and when she felt him hesitantly nod, she continued. "Well, it-it is your grandfather's time to go see his family in heaven son."

"But what about us? Didn't he love us anymore...?" He asked, sounding hurt.

"Of course he did honey, it was just his time... tell me, does he look like he didn't love us?" She asked turning her son to look at Gohan's body.

"...No. He looks happy, and always said he was looking forward to training with us more." He said calming down a little.

"He passed on peacefully, we should be thankful for that." Gine said softly getting a nod in return. 'I should find a way to let his Master, Roshi I think it was, know about Gohan's passing. He can inform anyone else he knew.'

"Come on, let's have breakfast before we bury him. He wouldn't want to work on an empty stomach." She said as she ushering him away, getting a small "OK" in return.

Afterward, she found his will and read it. "Gine, I leave the house and everything within to you and your son. One item, in particular, may attract bandits and other disreputable people of interest. It's the golden ball with 4 stars. It's one of 7 balls of its kind. Together they have the power to grant any wish within their power. Take care of yourself and Kakarot, I love both of you. These last 5 years have been the best in my many long years. Don't join me too quickly in the afterlife and please do not wish me back either. I've had a long life with no regrets."

'I better not let Kakarot see this... He'd want to revive his grandfather, and while I would want to bring back Bardock and our planet, we've made a life here.' She thought to herself a sad smile.

[End Flashback]

She sighed coming out her thoughts to of a vehicle. 'Not another greedy human... and Kakarot is out fishing for our breakfast right now.'

"Mom! I'm home!" He called out carrying a giant fish before he too heard the same sound. "...Again...? Don't they ever learn?"

Off in the distance a busty teen girl with shoulder-length blue hair with blue eyes, holding what looked like a stopwatch, wearing a perfectly fitting full-body black jumpsuit, orange boots, with an orange kevlar vest. "Finally, found the 3rd Dragon Ball. I need to hurry and find the others. I only hope that this one won't be as much of a problem as the other two were."

As she pulled up, she saw two strangely dressed people standing in front of a shrine. 'The boy is cute, but they appear to be guarding that shrine which...' she thought to herself pausing, looking at the watch-like device, 'is storing the Dragon Ball.'

As the girl out of the vehicle, Kakarot was immediately lost in a daze. 'She's...beautiful.' Now, he had seen many girls when learning about Earth and the culture, but even as a kid, none of them caught his interest, even to be friends. One look at him and his tail and they started making fun of him, not that he cared, they were just weak humans to him. However, something was drawing him to this girl.

Seeing this, his mother had to stop herself from giggling, trying to keep a stern look on her face to intimidate the young lady. 'Well, I didn't except my son for finding his destined mate this early. Guess I'll see if she is worthy of my son, starting by seeing why she wants the orb.'

"Umm.. excuse me? There wouldn't happen to be a large glass orb with red stars within here would there? I've searched for them for some time... I have two already, and I need the other 5 to save someone very important to me." The blue-haired girl said cautiously.

"How did you find us?" Gine sternly. "It's obvious who know what are they and what they do... but how can we be sure you intend to use them as nobly you say, rather than for some nefarious or selfish reason?"

The young woman looked offended. "I would never! My sister has an incurable disease with modern medicine. My mother and father are at their wit's end trying to find a way to save her, and this is the only way I have been able to come with! She's my best friend, I would be lost without her."

"...What's your name girl?" Gine said trying to remember her. 'I've seen this girl somewhere before... One of Gohan's lessons about this planet...'

"Normally it's polite to introduce yourself before asking for someone else their name... but given the situation..." The girl paused getting slightly upset before calming herself. "I'm Bulma Briefs, youngest daughter Dr. Briefs of Capsule Corps."

"I see... That's where I know you from." The Saiyan mother said thoughtfully. "Forgive me, I'm Gine, and this..." She motioned to her son who was still in a daze, so she nudged him, "Is my son, Kakarot."

"Huh...? What?" He said snapping out of his daze getting the girls to laugh a little.

'Must be his first time seeing a pretty girl.' Bulma thought with a blush before she noticed something. 'They... both have tails, I thought they were just furry belts... but the boy's unfurled when he comes out of his daze. Well, not the weirdest thing I've seen on my travels.'

"Kakarot... this is Bulma. You remember reading about her right?" His mother said with a smirk.

"uh... Yeah! I remember her!" He said blushing at being caught in a daze. "She's the genius and beautiful tomboy of a daughter of Capsule Corps."

Normally Bulma would have pummelled anyone who called her a tomboy, but this boy called her beautiful and acknowledged her genius, that and for some reason, she was being drawn to him, but she just didn't know why.

"That's right, and as I said, my sister is suffering from an incurable disease and I need the Dragon Balls to save her. Please, can I borrow yours?" She said shaking her thoughts away from Kakarot.

Both Saiyan's look pensively at each other. The now named 4-star Dragon Ball was important to them, it was left to them by Gohan, however, Kakarot was torn between keeping it safe and giving it to Bulma to help her, and Gine could see it.

"Can we have a moment to ourselves dear? We have something important to discuss." Gine said with a smile that said it was more of an order than a request.

"Uh... sure. I'll wait here." The blue-haired teen said awkwardly.

Gine dragged her son into the shrine, leaving behind a very confused 16-year-old girl. "Mom! What are you doing!?"

"Tell me, son... how do you feel about that girl?" She asked, getting straight to the point, even if she confused her son.

"What do you mean? We just met her." He asked confused. However seeing the look on his mother's stern face, he gave it some serious thought before voicing those thoughts, blushing all the same. "She's the most beautiful girl I've ever met, something inside me wants me to be at her side, to protect, to make her mine. I felt like nothing else existed when I laid eyes on her."

"Mhm, so it's as I thought. That's your Saiyan blood responding. That girl is your destined mate, but instead of acting as I told you when you met her, you must keep in mind that humans have their own customs." His mother said before taking the Dragon Ball off the alter and handing it to him. "Go with her, protect her, help her train if she so desires."

"What about you mom? We've been together all this time..." He said, clearly conflicted. While he was overjoyed that he would go and be with his destined mate, he didn't want to leave his mother behind.

"I will stay here and protect our home. Don't worry about me." She said with a small smile. "Just remember to keep an eye on the phases of the moon, while you have mostly gained control over your Great Ape form, we wouldn't want to scare off your beloved now would we?"

"MOM!" Kakarot shouted with a heavy blush. "But yes, I will keep watch on the moon, and warn her about it. We will be traveling together and she at least deserves to know...eventually. The next Full Moon isn't for another month thankfully."

Gine nods and smiles. "Go get packed, I'll inform Bulma you'll help her find the Dragon Balls while providing protection."

He smiles and goes to grab the essentials, his shampoo, his power pole, his body wash, his city clothes, and his portion of the emergency Zeni they used when they had to go into town. 'I know she probably has more than enough for the journey but I can't let her pay for everything. I'll need to find some odd jobs on the road to keep up my supply of cash.'

Meanwhile outside, Gine was talking with the busty blue-haired girl. "So, how do you plan on finding all of these Dragon Balls?"

"Oh! That's the easy part. It's the same way I found you guys." Bulma said before showing her the pocket watch-like device. "I called the Dragon Radar, I made it to find the energy signatures that they give off. Here let me show you."

As she showed Gine how it worked, the 3 lights flashed on the screen where they were, with a 4th in the direction of the ocean. "Oh, well this is interesting, you said you made this yourself?" The mother said in awe.

"Yeah, it wasn't that hard. Though Dad says I should skip high school and get into one of the technical colleges." The teenage genius said like it was no big deal.

"Well, I have to say that's impressive. Especially since you seem to be rather fit for your age." The Saiyan mother said observantly.

"Huh? Yeah, I was trained in self-defense since my mom and dad were worried about some scumbag trying to force himself on me. While I'm not a martial artist, I can take care of myself for the most part." The genius shrugged. "Though, I wouldn't turn down a bodyguard if I was ever offered one."

"Funny you say that my son will be joining you on your journey. He's quite strong and was worried about you. This area is full of dinosaurs and other large beasts like sabretooth tigers and large bears." Gine said with a smirk on her face. 'Not to mention the Saiyan bond already forming.'

"Thanks, I take you'll be lending me your Dragon Ball then?" Bulma asked, trying to hide her blush at the thought of the buff-looking teenager traveling with her alone. After getting a nod in return she frowns and decides to straightforward. "Well... I should tell you something then. Once a wish is made, the Dragon Balls scatter across the world and turn to stone for one full year."

"Hmm... that complicates things." The older woman said with a frown and when she sees the girl's curious look. "You see, our Dragon Ball is a memento of the kind old man that took us in, he became a grandfather figure to Kakarot, it's important to the both of us."

As if being called, Kakarot walked out of the house, having overheard what was said about the Balls turning to stone. "That shouldn't actually be a problem... I just need to keep an eye on them and catch ours before it shoots off to wherever, and if I can't do that... then we'll just have to look for them again in a year. Besides, we should do that to anyone according to what we know... it wouldn't be good if they fell into the wrong hands."

Both women nodded in agreement while Bulma still feels bad about needing something important to them. 'They seem like really like people... If Tights wasn't so sick I wouldn't have to borrow something so important to them.'

"By the way, Bulma, do you have one of those flying contraptions? We might need one eventually. Going by car will only get us so far, especially if our search is bound to take us around the world as you say." He asked.

"No, sadly my aircraft was destroyed by a group of bandits while I was searching for one of the 2 Dragon Balls I have." She said sadly, getting a nod in acknowledgment.

"Alright, we'll just have to try to find something on our journey." He said thoughtfully while thinking. 'a shame she lost it, I could have flown behind her. However, as it stands I highly doubt she'd let me carry her.'

"Hopefully we can... oh well, I've got enough vehicles to last awhile. You ready to go?" The blue-haired girl asked with a smile.

"One second you two..." Gine said before walking to the house and after a few moments she came out with a large bag. "You should probably take this with you. It's food for your journey."

"Oh, thank you, ma'am. I think I have an empty Dino Cap to store that in." Bulma said digging into her capsule case before storing the food.

"You're welcome, just be careful and make you two come back safely." Kakarot's mom said with a smile before communicating telepathically with her son. "And don't forget to keep in contact. I'll worry if I don't hear from you at least once a week."

The teenage Saiyan nodded in return and smiled. "We'll ok mom. See you soon!"

And with that Kakarot and Bulma got in the car and drove off, with Gine waving them off with a smile. "They'll be just fine. Roshi's Island is in that direction, so I have a feeling they'll receive aid from that old pervert."

AN: That's it for the opening chapter of this new story! How will a less selfish and moody Bulma and a more intelligent Goku change things up? How long before the two destined mates act on the spark between them? Find out the answer to these and more in the next chapter of Tales of Kakarot!