A/N: Thank you everyone for your nice reviews! I really appreciate them. Here is chapter five -
I hope you enjoy it!
By the way, I'm thinking of changing my author name soon. If you leave your e-mail address in
your review, I'll e-mail you with my new author pen-name (that is, *if* I decide to change it. I
might just leave it alone.).
"Yes, yes," the general replied quickly, "I'll be right there." Then an idea hit him. "Well," he
continued, "we could..."
"We could... what?," Bulma asked, waiting for him to continue. She wasn't sure she liked the
sound of his voice.
'I am *not* sleeping with him!' she thought to herself.
Chapter Five
"We could... schedule a press conference," he suggested, "to introduce the world to the people
who will be replacing the army for this... particular circumstance."
"No... we couldn't," Bulma said doubtfully, and bit her bottom lip. She knew it was a good idea.
A good idea, that is, for any other group of people.
"Bulma," Gohan prodded, "What is it?"
Bulma covered the mouthpiece. "He wants us to hold a press conference," she replied.
The reactions were varied.
Gohan looked perplexed, and sunk back into the couch, wondering how this solution could be
beneficial. Videl bit her lip and sat back on the couch with Gohan. Chichi frowned and slightly
shook her head. Goku just scratched his head. Mr. Satan's eyes lit up with glee - press
conferences were his form of rainy day fun. Pan and Bra each raised an eyebrow. Goten and
Trunks exchanged glances. Vegeta grunted his usual grunt of disapproval. A few heads turned
toward Vegeta, knowing that he would be the one to oppose this the most.
"Bulma," Gohan reasoned, "Is that really necessary?"
She shrugged and listened as the general began to speak again. "Its really the only way this will
work," he said quickly, trying to convince her. "We don't have much time. So many people are
frightened. Stores are being looted. People are killing themselves. The world is going crazy,
there are so many scared people out there." His voice had softened. He was pleading with her.
"It would really help if you did this."
For once in her life, Bulma looked completely uncertain. "Can I put you on hold for a minute?"
she asked.
"You have one minute," he said quickly, "I have my own press conference to do in about three
minutes. I'd like to know your answer before then, if possible."
"Okay," Bulma said as she pressed the hold button and put the phone in the receiver. She
turned to the group.
"Woman," began the enraged Vegeta. He hadn't heard her actually tell the guy a straight flat out
'no'. He gritted his teeth. "What did he say when you told him no?"
"I didn't tell him no," she replied, although she knew Vegeta already figured that out. "I didn't tell
him anything yet. He's on hold, waiting for an answer."
"So tell him already," Vegeta stated simply.
"Veggie I don't think I can say no to this."
"Its easy woman," he sneered, "Just say it. 'No.' Its not hard, I say it all the time."
"I know," Bulma said through clenched teeth.
At that moment, Krillin, 18, Marron, Yamcha, Tien, Chouzu, and Master Roshi walked through
the front door. "So no one meets on my island during crises anymore?" Master Roshi asked as
he led them inside. Apparently the seven of them had been expecting everyone to come to his
island, but they didn't. So they came to Capsule Corp. to see what was going on.
"Hush old man," Vegeta snarled. The visitors quietly sat down, waiting to see what was going on.
Goku waved to them, and they mouthed their hello's silently.
"Bulma, why exactly can't you say no?" Gohan asked, returning to the subject at hand.
"Because, Gohan," she began as she sat down on the couch defeatedly. "People are scared.
You have to remember that most people don't know what it's like to be strong and protected.
They don't know what's going on like we do. They just have no idea. People are going nuts out
there, ever since the news hit. They're looting stores, burying their valuable possessions,
huddling in their houses crying, killing themselves and others... Gohan it's a total mess out
there." She looked at her watch. "Oh, and I have nine seconds to give him my answer."
Gohan took a sharp breath. "Tell him yes," he said quickly, as if he needed to say it before he
could change his mind.
"Tell him NO!," Vegeta roared from his corner.
"One vote for yea," Bulma said. Then she glared at Vegeta. "And one for nay. And as for
everyone else..." She turned to the group of people sitting before her.
"Yes," Goku said. Trunks, Goten and Pan nodded. Vegeta grunted. Yamcha enthusiastically
said he was in also. But Vegeta would not have this.
"This is a Saiyan's battle," he said flatly. "You are not to be in it."
"I can if I want," Yamcha shot back.
"Listen you pompous ass," Vegeta threatened, "you're nothing but a-"
"Vegeta would you shut up?!," Bulma interrupted. "He's a guest!" With that, she quickly picked
up the phone and told the general the good news. They talked for a minute about the date and
time as Vegeta sneered at Yamcha and thought of a million ways to slowly kill him. Bulma hung
up the phone and turned to Vegeta.
"Vegeta," she said, "STOP that."
He cursed under his breath. "Stay out of my head, woman!"
Bulma sighed. "Okay everybody," she began, getting the attention of the room. "The press
conference is tomorrow morning, bright and early. How about you all stay here tonight? Then
we could all go together in the morning."
Everyone agreed.
"I'll stay in Bra's room," Master Roshi said happily and began to walk towards the stairs.
Bulma slapped him in the face and Vegeta glared at him.
"Heh, heh," he laughed nervously as he rubbed his reddening cheek, "I guess not."
"Well I guess if Bra's room is still open...," Yamcha began hopefully, in a most perverted fashion.
Vegeta suddenly appeared in front of him, grabbed his neck, and pushed him up against a wall.
"You're not needed, you can leave," he growled furiously as he let his fingers wrap tightly around
Yamcha's neck. He choked for air.
"Vegeta!" Bulma ran over and grabbed Vegeta's arm and demanded that he let go of Yamcha.
After waiting a few more seconds, Vegeta let go and glared at him before walking away.
"Thanks, Bulma," Yamcha said. Bulma nodded curtly and slapped him across the face as she
too walked away. Yamcha laughed nervously before going over and joining in the various
conversations that were taking place.
A few hours later, after all of the talking and catching up was done, the sleeping arrangements
were made. Bulma had given Goku and Chichi, Gohan and Videl, and Krillin and 18
guest-house capsules. She then booted Yamcha and Master Roshi out into tents in the back
yard. Tien and Chouzu left after dinner, realizing they weren't needed. Goten, Pan, Trunks, Bra,
and Marron grabbed some blankets and pillows so they could sleep on the couches in the TV
room, like they normally did when they had their sleep-overs.
Bra threw the blankets and pillows at everyone and they set up their respective sleeping spots.
After a few minutes, they were all settled. The three couches were arranged in a U shape in
front of the TV. Since Trunks and Goten were such gentlemen (or at least they pretended to be),
they always let Bra, Marron, and Pan sleep on the couches while the two of them slept on the
floor. To compensate for the uneven exchange, Trunks and Goten always got control of the TV.
That's just how it always was. The five of them had been friends for their whole lives, and no
matter how old they were, they would always act like children when they were together.
Sleep-overs weren't an uncommon thing.
The adults had gone to bed around ten o'clock, and reminded their children to get to bed at a
decent hour also, because the press conference was early the next morning. They lay in their
respective places and tried to sleep.
"What are we supposed to say at that stupid conference tomorrow?" Goten asked, breaking the
silence. He couldn't sleep and knew that no one else could either. None of them were used to
going to bed early. Plus, that conference was something to be at least a little nervous about.
"I don't know," Pan said.
"Me either," Trunks added.
"Am I going to be asked any questions?" Bra asked. She didn't know if she was fighting or not.
Vegeta said she didn't have to, but she kind of wanted to. She could fight rather well, and her
power was impressive for someone who didn't train too much. But she couldn't go super saiyan.
Pan had the power to be a super saiyan, but for some reason she just has the power and never
transforms. Vegeta said that she just might have to break a higher barrier, but that he really
wasn't sure because never before had a woman reached that level.
"You might have to answer a question or two," Marron answered, "But I don't think I'll have to. I
may be able to fly, but that doesn't mean I can fight." She laughed a bit to herself. She couldn't
imagine herself fighting. Both of her parents were accomplished fighters, but they never
expected, or wanted, her to be one. She was raised 'normal', unlike her friends.
"Hey guys?" Trunks asked, and waited a few seconds for everyone's attention. "Does anyone
know why my dad scheduled the fight to be in a week?"
They all thought for a moment. Vegeta had never given a reason for this, nor had anyone asked
him about it.
"Good question," Goten said. "Now I'm getting that feeling in the pit of my stomach... you know,
the one that tells me that something not-so-great is going on, and we're all going to find out real
soon."
"I bet its just your stomach before it growls," Pan commented. Goten threw his pillow at her, and
it hit her in the head. She pouted before she threw his pillow back at him.
"Eh," Trunks said, returning to the subject, "My dad didn't seem too worried. It was probably just
a pride thing. He wants them to anticipate their victory for a good long week, and then we'd all
go and blow them out of the water. That's what I make out of this, anyway."
"Yeah," Bra agreed, "That sounds like something daddy would do."
"I guess," Pan said and sighed.
"Anyway, goodnight guys," Bra said as she turned on her side and pulled the blanket up to her
chin.
"Goodnight," everyone answered as they too began to get comfortable so they could sleep.
After half an hour, Pan still wasn't sleeping yet. The room was dark and silent. She felt kind of
lonely. She looked down at the floor, right in front of the couch she was sitting on. Trunks was
laying there. She pinched his nose playfully, thinking he was sleeping. But he grabbed her hand
as his eyes opened, and he smiled at her. She giggled as she took her hand away, and then
looked around the room to make sure she wasn't disturbing her friends. They were all sleeping
by now.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, "did I wake you?"
"No, I'm not even tired," he assured her. He looked in her eyes for a minute. She seemed to be
thinking.
"Trunks?"
"Hmm?"
A pause. "Nevermind," she said as she laid back down. "We should try to sleep."
"Okay Panny," he said, a little disappointed that she hadn't told him what was on her mind.
"Goodnight.... beautiful." He heard Pan snicker from the couch. He had called her beautiful
earlier that day. All day he had been wondering why he did that.
"Goodnight.... handsome," Pan replied. Pan had been wondering the same thing.
A/N: Sorry its so short, but this is all I had planned to accomplish in this chapter. I hope you
liked it anyway. Should it be G/B too? I never really thought of it...
Review? Please? The next chapter will be out shortly if you do!!
I hope you enjoy it!
By the way, I'm thinking of changing my author name soon. If you leave your e-mail address in
your review, I'll e-mail you with my new author pen-name (that is, *if* I decide to change it. I
might just leave it alone.).
"Yes, yes," the general replied quickly, "I'll be right there." Then an idea hit him. "Well," he
continued, "we could..."
"We could... what?," Bulma asked, waiting for him to continue. She wasn't sure she liked the
sound of his voice.
'I am *not* sleeping with him!' she thought to herself.
Chapter Five
"We could... schedule a press conference," he suggested, "to introduce the world to the people
who will be replacing the army for this... particular circumstance."
"No... we couldn't," Bulma said doubtfully, and bit her bottom lip. She knew it was a good idea.
A good idea, that is, for any other group of people.
"Bulma," Gohan prodded, "What is it?"
Bulma covered the mouthpiece. "He wants us to hold a press conference," she replied.
The reactions were varied.
Gohan looked perplexed, and sunk back into the couch, wondering how this solution could be
beneficial. Videl bit her lip and sat back on the couch with Gohan. Chichi frowned and slightly
shook her head. Goku just scratched his head. Mr. Satan's eyes lit up with glee - press
conferences were his form of rainy day fun. Pan and Bra each raised an eyebrow. Goten and
Trunks exchanged glances. Vegeta grunted his usual grunt of disapproval. A few heads turned
toward Vegeta, knowing that he would be the one to oppose this the most.
"Bulma," Gohan reasoned, "Is that really necessary?"
She shrugged and listened as the general began to speak again. "Its really the only way this will
work," he said quickly, trying to convince her. "We don't have much time. So many people are
frightened. Stores are being looted. People are killing themselves. The world is going crazy,
there are so many scared people out there." His voice had softened. He was pleading with her.
"It would really help if you did this."
For once in her life, Bulma looked completely uncertain. "Can I put you on hold for a minute?"
she asked.
"You have one minute," he said quickly, "I have my own press conference to do in about three
minutes. I'd like to know your answer before then, if possible."
"Okay," Bulma said as she pressed the hold button and put the phone in the receiver. She
turned to the group.
"Woman," began the enraged Vegeta. He hadn't heard her actually tell the guy a straight flat out
'no'. He gritted his teeth. "What did he say when you told him no?"
"I didn't tell him no," she replied, although she knew Vegeta already figured that out. "I didn't tell
him anything yet. He's on hold, waiting for an answer."
"So tell him already," Vegeta stated simply.
"Veggie I don't think I can say no to this."
"Its easy woman," he sneered, "Just say it. 'No.' Its not hard, I say it all the time."
"I know," Bulma said through clenched teeth.
At that moment, Krillin, 18, Marron, Yamcha, Tien, Chouzu, and Master Roshi walked through
the front door. "So no one meets on my island during crises anymore?" Master Roshi asked as
he led them inside. Apparently the seven of them had been expecting everyone to come to his
island, but they didn't. So they came to Capsule Corp. to see what was going on.
"Hush old man," Vegeta snarled. The visitors quietly sat down, waiting to see what was going on.
Goku waved to them, and they mouthed their hello's silently.
"Bulma, why exactly can't you say no?" Gohan asked, returning to the subject at hand.
"Because, Gohan," she began as she sat down on the couch defeatedly. "People are scared.
You have to remember that most people don't know what it's like to be strong and protected.
They don't know what's going on like we do. They just have no idea. People are going nuts out
there, ever since the news hit. They're looting stores, burying their valuable possessions,
huddling in their houses crying, killing themselves and others... Gohan it's a total mess out
there." She looked at her watch. "Oh, and I have nine seconds to give him my answer."
Gohan took a sharp breath. "Tell him yes," he said quickly, as if he needed to say it before he
could change his mind.
"Tell him NO!," Vegeta roared from his corner.
"One vote for yea," Bulma said. Then she glared at Vegeta. "And one for nay. And as for
everyone else..." She turned to the group of people sitting before her.
"Yes," Goku said. Trunks, Goten and Pan nodded. Vegeta grunted. Yamcha enthusiastically
said he was in also. But Vegeta would not have this.
"This is a Saiyan's battle," he said flatly. "You are not to be in it."
"I can if I want," Yamcha shot back.
"Listen you pompous ass," Vegeta threatened, "you're nothing but a-"
"Vegeta would you shut up?!," Bulma interrupted. "He's a guest!" With that, she quickly picked
up the phone and told the general the good news. They talked for a minute about the date and
time as Vegeta sneered at Yamcha and thought of a million ways to slowly kill him. Bulma hung
up the phone and turned to Vegeta.
"Vegeta," she said, "STOP that."
He cursed under his breath. "Stay out of my head, woman!"
Bulma sighed. "Okay everybody," she began, getting the attention of the room. "The press
conference is tomorrow morning, bright and early. How about you all stay here tonight? Then
we could all go together in the morning."
Everyone agreed.
"I'll stay in Bra's room," Master Roshi said happily and began to walk towards the stairs.
Bulma slapped him in the face and Vegeta glared at him.
"Heh, heh," he laughed nervously as he rubbed his reddening cheek, "I guess not."
"Well I guess if Bra's room is still open...," Yamcha began hopefully, in a most perverted fashion.
Vegeta suddenly appeared in front of him, grabbed his neck, and pushed him up against a wall.
"You're not needed, you can leave," he growled furiously as he let his fingers wrap tightly around
Yamcha's neck. He choked for air.
"Vegeta!" Bulma ran over and grabbed Vegeta's arm and demanded that he let go of Yamcha.
After waiting a few more seconds, Vegeta let go and glared at him before walking away.
"Thanks, Bulma," Yamcha said. Bulma nodded curtly and slapped him across the face as she
too walked away. Yamcha laughed nervously before going over and joining in the various
conversations that were taking place.
A few hours later, after all of the talking and catching up was done, the sleeping arrangements
were made. Bulma had given Goku and Chichi, Gohan and Videl, and Krillin and 18
guest-house capsules. She then booted Yamcha and Master Roshi out into tents in the back
yard. Tien and Chouzu left after dinner, realizing they weren't needed. Goten, Pan, Trunks, Bra,
and Marron grabbed some blankets and pillows so they could sleep on the couches in the TV
room, like they normally did when they had their sleep-overs.
Bra threw the blankets and pillows at everyone and they set up their respective sleeping spots.
After a few minutes, they were all settled. The three couches were arranged in a U shape in
front of the TV. Since Trunks and Goten were such gentlemen (or at least they pretended to be),
they always let Bra, Marron, and Pan sleep on the couches while the two of them slept on the
floor. To compensate for the uneven exchange, Trunks and Goten always got control of the TV.
That's just how it always was. The five of them had been friends for their whole lives, and no
matter how old they were, they would always act like children when they were together.
Sleep-overs weren't an uncommon thing.
The adults had gone to bed around ten o'clock, and reminded their children to get to bed at a
decent hour also, because the press conference was early the next morning. They lay in their
respective places and tried to sleep.
"What are we supposed to say at that stupid conference tomorrow?" Goten asked, breaking the
silence. He couldn't sleep and knew that no one else could either. None of them were used to
going to bed early. Plus, that conference was something to be at least a little nervous about.
"I don't know," Pan said.
"Me either," Trunks added.
"Am I going to be asked any questions?" Bra asked. She didn't know if she was fighting or not.
Vegeta said she didn't have to, but she kind of wanted to. She could fight rather well, and her
power was impressive for someone who didn't train too much. But she couldn't go super saiyan.
Pan had the power to be a super saiyan, but for some reason she just has the power and never
transforms. Vegeta said that she just might have to break a higher barrier, but that he really
wasn't sure because never before had a woman reached that level.
"You might have to answer a question or two," Marron answered, "But I don't think I'll have to. I
may be able to fly, but that doesn't mean I can fight." She laughed a bit to herself. She couldn't
imagine herself fighting. Both of her parents were accomplished fighters, but they never
expected, or wanted, her to be one. She was raised 'normal', unlike her friends.
"Hey guys?" Trunks asked, and waited a few seconds for everyone's attention. "Does anyone
know why my dad scheduled the fight to be in a week?"
They all thought for a moment. Vegeta had never given a reason for this, nor had anyone asked
him about it.
"Good question," Goten said. "Now I'm getting that feeling in the pit of my stomach... you know,
the one that tells me that something not-so-great is going on, and we're all going to find out real
soon."
"I bet its just your stomach before it growls," Pan commented. Goten threw his pillow at her, and
it hit her in the head. She pouted before she threw his pillow back at him.
"Eh," Trunks said, returning to the subject, "My dad didn't seem too worried. It was probably just
a pride thing. He wants them to anticipate their victory for a good long week, and then we'd all
go and blow them out of the water. That's what I make out of this, anyway."
"Yeah," Bra agreed, "That sounds like something daddy would do."
"I guess," Pan said and sighed.
"Anyway, goodnight guys," Bra said as she turned on her side and pulled the blanket up to her
chin.
"Goodnight," everyone answered as they too began to get comfortable so they could sleep.
After half an hour, Pan still wasn't sleeping yet. The room was dark and silent. She felt kind of
lonely. She looked down at the floor, right in front of the couch she was sitting on. Trunks was
laying there. She pinched his nose playfully, thinking he was sleeping. But he grabbed her hand
as his eyes opened, and he smiled at her. She giggled as she took her hand away, and then
looked around the room to make sure she wasn't disturbing her friends. They were all sleeping
by now.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, "did I wake you?"
"No, I'm not even tired," he assured her. He looked in her eyes for a minute. She seemed to be
thinking.
"Trunks?"
"Hmm?"
A pause. "Nevermind," she said as she laid back down. "We should try to sleep."
"Okay Panny," he said, a little disappointed that she hadn't told him what was on her mind.
"Goodnight.... beautiful." He heard Pan snicker from the couch. He had called her beautiful
earlier that day. All day he had been wondering why he did that.
"Goodnight.... handsome," Pan replied. Pan had been wondering the same thing.
A/N: Sorry its so short, but this is all I had planned to accomplish in this chapter. I hope you
liked it anyway. Should it be G/B too? I never really thought of it...
Review? Please? The next chapter will be out shortly if you do!!