To Eat or Not to Eat?
Chapter Thirteen
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STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY
Gohan strolled casually towards the main entrance the Capsule Corporation with the harsh rays of the sun beating down on his muscled shoulders. Yes! We're finally here! Stopping at the door, he turned around to face his companions. "Hey guys, glad you all called us first to hitch a ride over here!"
Krillin walked over towards the half Saiya-jin, "No problem Gohan, we WERE going to stop over tomorrow but someone...," he stopped himself in mid-sentence to glare Master Roshi angrily in the eye before proceeding, "...didn't want to miss their TV show."
Huh? Noticing the hard stares he was receiving, Master Roshi quickly blurted out, "What are you talking about Krillin! That show only comes on once a week, I would tape it but Piccolo blew the damn VCR up the last time he was at my hut!"
The Namekian heard the old man's words with disgust, "Hmph. Just keep blaming others for your mistakes will take you nowhere in life. Remember that." He rapidly turned his back towards him and shut his eyes.
Why did I even bother coming along! 18 picked gently grabbed her pigtailed daughter and stepped closer, "All right you two, act more mature especially you Roshi. If you act like that around my daughter again, you can kiss you ass goodbye and that's a promise."
The old turtle hermit began to sweat profusely. Ah...I better watch my mouth...I don't want to get on her bad side now. "No hard feelings! Um...let' s hurry this up, it'll be dark soon."
Marron began to clap her hands ecstatically causing the bows on her hair to unravel a bit, "I wanna see Unky Veggie!"
Tien stepped up nearer to pat the child on her head, "You'll see your Uncle Vegeta and a whole lot more. I'll guarantee you that!" Let's just hope this won't be the last thing we see, knowing Vegeta's anger he'll explode if he sees us.
"Too bad Yaumcha couldn't come along. I tried calling him but Puar said that he left a while ago," Choutzu stated as he hovered around the door. I would think he would be the first one here...
Videl rang the doorbell, "I'm just hoping Gohan's mom won't be there. She scares me sometimes..." She moved her hand through her smooth, jet-black hair while waiting patiently for the door to open. What's taking so long...
~-~-~--~-~
Chichi took off her white, cotton apron and set it to the side of the counter. She quickly sulked into the dinning room chair, "That took forever to make!"
Her friend sat down beside her, "Well, you could have asked for help. It wouldn't have taken as long."
The black hair female laughed, "I doubt it....everything that took a long time to make will be devoured in a matter of seconds when Goku arrives. That's ironic in a way.."
Wow! Something smells good! Goku raced into the kitchen, "So when's lunch?"
"Geez Goku, Vegeta was right. You do have a one tracked mind, not a 'Hi, how are you?' first, instead you automatically asked about lunch. I'm not that surprised though."
Oops! He quickly placed his hand around his large head. "Ah Sorry Bulma! That was the first thing that popped into my mind. I called Gohan a short time ago and he said that he and the rest of the gang will arrive in a little while."
"He had better brought along Videl if he knows what's best for him," Chichi replied.
Bulma rolled her eyes, "Oh give it a break Chi, you're always bothering that poor girl about marrying Gohan. I think it's pretty obvious that they like each other." When will she learn?
"Hey, like they say 'better safe then sorry.' I have to make sure this works. She's from a rich family and that's exactly what my little Gohan needs," the woman began to daydream, "One day he'll become a famous scholar, be married, have a child, I girl I hope, and..."
*DING DONG* The bell was ringing loudly throughout the complex.
"Finally! They're here! Come on lets go!" Goku gently grabbed his wife's arm, in effect snapping her back into reality. The trio of adults began to walk in the direction of the door, passing through the living room.
"Hey guys! Wait! What's that thing laying on the couch?" Bulma cautiously walked over to get a better look.
Chichi and Goku halted and peered along with the female.
"Hm...the ki feels familiar...It reminds me of...Yaumcha!" the Saiya-jin exclaimed. Kami...what in the world did he do to himself this time?
"Yaumcha!? He didn't look this...uh...different last time Chichi and I saw him..I mean he has feathers and odd objects glued on him!" She began to pull off the obscure items on her friend when she read what was sloppily scrawled on his forehead. 'Idiot at large' eh? Well...I know a few people who would agree. She silently chuckled to herself.
"I'm going to go and answer the door, Piccolo is with them and I'm sure he's probably thinking off blowing down the door." With a few brief paces he disappeared.
"Bulma can you read what this says?"
The azure haired woman glanced over her shoulder, "I think it spells out...'Trunks...and...Go..wait Goten were here!?' Nani!? So they're responsible for this mess."
Chichi's eyes turned wide as saucers, "WHAT? GOTEN!? TRUNKS!? WHEREVER YOU ARE YOU BETTER EXPLAIN THIS QUICK?" she bellowed.
~-~-~--~-~
"Hey Trunks, what do we do know?" Goten inquired, "I'm bored."
His friend stood up and grabbed the camera, "I don't know...It's gotten a little quiet all of a sudden," Wait! I'm forgetting to do something? "Goten, did you remember to clean up that mess that we made on Yaumcha!?"
The chibi Saiya-jin scratched his head, "Uh...mess? What mess?"
Trunks all most fainted, I'll take that as a 'no' "The mess we made just five minutes ago! How could you forget that?"
"TRUNKS!" The loud voice of his mother was booming through the house.
Kuso! "It's too late to do anything now. Come on!" Where's dad when you need him? The lavender haired boy scampered off towards the direction of the voice.
What's going on? The confused Saiya-jin pursued his companion.
~-~-~--~-~
Goku opened the door to be greeted by the grumpy faces of 18 and Piccolo.
"What took so long? We've been standing out here for ages!" The blonde woman screamed.
"Well...uh...you see it was like this..." Goku stammered. Talk about being in a bad mood..
"Forget it dad, we're here and that's all that matters." he stepped inside the estate followed by his friends.
~-~-~--~-~
"Now who's idea was this?" Chichi screamed while holding a metal utensil in her hand.
Goten and Trunks both glanced at each other nervously. At the same time they both stuttered out from their mouths and pointed to one another, "..it...was him..!"
"It was your idea Goten, I was just the innocent victim here!" Trunks glowered. I can't afford to be in anymore trouble now!
"Is this true?" Chichi asked her son. Trunks snickered in behind her while making faces. Now how is he going to explain himself out of this one? Sucker!
This isn't fair! Goten bounced back, "Nahuh! Trunks was the one telling me to do this! C'mon Trunks! Stop lying!"
Here we go again with the blame game...Bulma silently pondered.
Tien walked in, followed by the rest of the Z senshi. Oh no...Chichi has her frying pan, this isn't good..
"Okay, we'll talk about this tomorrow!" She then rapidly turned around and put on a hard smile. Have to make a good impression for Videl.
Gohan walked in a glanced around at his surroundings, "Hey Mom, Bulma, Trunks, Goten, and..." He squinted his eyes hard on the figure, "and Yaumcha I'm presuming? Where's Vegeta?" Never a dull moment around here....
Bulma nodded, "As for Vegeta, he locked himself in one of the rooms and refuses to come out."
"What? We came all the way here and we don't even get to see him in a dress?" the turtle hermit asked shocked. I missed my show for nothing!
18 released her grip on her daughter's hand. "This isn't a petting zoo old man! At least I won't eat your sorry food, that's a plus."
Trunks nudged Goten on the shoulder, "Look, it's your brother!"
Goten tilted his head immediately and ran toward his elder sibling and hugged him, "GOHAN! You're back! Did you get me anything?"
The elder Saiya-jin bent down to his brother's eye level and ruffled his hair, "How are you doing squirt? I bought you some candy that you can share with Trunks and Marron over there." He reached into his pocket and took out a bag and gave it to the child, "Now go play for now!"
Sugoi! "Come on! I'm going outside!" Goten yelled at his friends as he sprinted out the door.
Trunks dashed after him. He better not eat the whole thing!
Marron stopped hiding behind her mom and trailed after the boy, "I want candy too!"
Goku walked over towards the dining table, "Now we can finally discuss this issue but first," his stomach growled wildly, "Let's eat!"
Well, I actually have to agree with him on this one! Tien thought, "But wait, what do we do about Yaumcha?"
Goku shrugged his broad shoulders, Beats me...
"I say we just leave him there until he wakes up, we've got more important stuff to think about today," Chichi replied.
Everyone in the room agree unanimously and sat down to eat the savory meal.
~-~-~--~-~
Goten pulled out the bag and was about to eat one piece when Trunks ran up towards him and snatched it away. Unwrapping the foil, he popped it in his mouth. Too slow!
"Hey Trunks! Gohan got that for me not you!" the little boy angrily stated.
The other Saiya-jin swallowed the piece in one gulp, "Oops! I already ate it! Gohan said to divide it up. You know the saying 'Sharing is Caring.'"
"Oh fine, but you owe me."
Marron finally arrived, tripping over her untied shoelaces throughout the way. She walked over towards Trunks and pulled his hair, "Hiya Trunkies! Why is your hair so purply?"
Caught off guard by the little girl's attack, the half Saiya-jin fell back, AAH! What was that for!? "Marron, my name's Trunks not Trunkies or whatever you said. You should go back inside to your mom and dad." He was beginning to get annoyed. What now?
Goten on the other hand was giggling at him, "You'd make a great babysitter!"
The pig-tailed blonde now ran in the direction of Goten, "CANDY! Gimme! I want some!"
Huh? The ebony hair colored seven year old stuck his hand into the sack and pulled out a mint and handed it to her.
"YAY! I'm going to show it to mommy!" Marron took the sweet and ran off inside.
"Goten! What were you thinking! For all you know she could have cooties!?" Trunks tried to reduce the damage that was inflicted by Marron. Arrg! My hair's messed up!
Goten raised one of his eyebrows in suspicion, "'Cooties'? What's that? Some sort of new brand of candy?"
The other boy let out a sigh, Idiot "Cooties is the disease girls have, every boy knows that!"
Disease! Goten's eyes doubled their normal proportion, "Am I going to turn into a monster or something now!? Am I!? Is there a cure!? I don't feel so good all of a sudden..."
Yikes! He's taking this a little too seriously..., "Yeah, something bad will happen to you, BUT since I'm your best friend and all I'll teach you the cure...for a price of course," he grinned cruelly.
Goten tossed him the sack of candy, "Okay! Take the whole thing just tell me!"
Trunks grabbed it, Wow...that actually worked! "Well, okay. Just repeat after me okay?"
Goten nodded in apprehension. This is scary!
"Circle, Circle...dot, dot. Now I got the cootie shot."
"Circle Circle dot dot! Now I got the cootie shot!!" the boy repeated hastily.
"Circle, Circle...square, square. Now I got it everywhere." This is too funny!
"Circle Circle! Square Square! Now I got it everywhere! How much more Trunks!"
"Circle, Circle...knife, knife. Now I got it for life."
"Circle Circle Knife Knife! Now I got it for life!" That was easy!
"Wait there's one last part, now close your eyes and..." *POW* He swiftly punched his companion in the shoulder. "There! No you're safe against cooties thanks too me!" Gullible to the core...
Goten rubbed his shoulder, "Ow...that hurt. Thanks Trunks! I'm going to go back inside, it's getting cold." He picked up the camera and dashed away.
Well today wasn't a total waste. At least I got candy! He grabbed his goodie bag and scampered inside.
~-~-~--~-~
The three women were in the vast kitchen washing the dishes pilled up after lunch.
"Kami! Who can they eat THAT much! I just got sick watching them gobble all of that down!" Videl stated in disgust.
"Oh well, look at the good part, food is never wasted. By the way...Videl do you know a way to a man's heart is through food? I could give you the recipes of some of Gohan's favorite foods." Chichi said nonchalantly.
What is she up to? "Uh...I'm going to er...go...go wash my hands!" She said nervously before departing.
Bulma chuckled to herself while placing away another dish. Scared the girl away again..
~-~-~--~-~
"So, I was thinking, that in order to get Vegeta back to his arrogant self again, we can just make it look like I ate without knowing it and let him win," Goku said leaning against the counter in the lab.
"Are you sure about that dad? I mean, I sure wouldn't want to be bossed around by Vegeta for a whole month. That's crazy!" Gohan asked with apprehension.
"Yeah, well this is my way of repaying for all of that things he blames me for," He quickly turned to face Dr. Briefs, "You have security tapes all across Capsule Corp right?"
The Old man stroked his gray moustache, "Of course, anything you want me to look for in particular?"
"Yeah, get the tape from yesterday and find the spot where I'm lying in the grass asleep. Gohan and I will try to reenact the scene so to speak but this time, I'll eat and you can edit it in so when Vegeta will see it, he'll think he won," He paused for a moment before proceeding, "Come on, Gohan let's go before the sun sets."
"Well take..." before Dr. Briefs could finish his sentence, the two had both disappeared, "...care." They're in a rush!
~-~-~--~-~
"Where's the dang remote!" Master Roshi asked, shuffling through papers on the desk.
"Don't tell me you're going to watch TV here too? That's just sad..." Krillin replied. And to think I trained under this guy!
Piccolo walked in scowling, "If you're looking for the remote, let's just say it's been properly disposed of and don't even think about turning it on the other way."
Shimatta! I knew I should have spent that 100 piece zeni on a portable television instead of a new mag! The turtle hermit sulked back on the couch.
~-~-~--~-~
"Okay! I got the shot dad! You can get up now," yelled Gohan. He closed the video camera back in the case.
His father stood up, brushing off the grass of his orange gi. Well that was easier then I thought. "Man I'm starved! Let's drop this off and go eat!"
Gohan nodded and followed his father into the room where Dr. Briefs was stationed at. He handed the old man the camera and tape.
Hmm...the man took it and examined, "this won't take but a few minutes to do, I leave the tape on the shelf in the kitchen once it done." Stroking his ebony kitty, he began his work.
"Thanks!" Goku grinned. I can smell dinner already! Can't wait! He walked off toward the pleasant aroma.
Gohan was about to follow him when Videl ran into him, "Gohan! It's you! I've been looking for you!"
What? His face flushed, "You...You..were? Why?"
"Your mom's acting weird again. What should I do?" She said, wide eyed.
The half Saiya-jin laughed nervously, "Well that's her! Good old mom! Always playing around you know." Oh great! I hope she believes this..
"I suppose you're right. She has the weirdest sense of humor I've ever seen though," she shrugged her shoulders, "Let's go eat!"
~-~-~--~-~
"Now here's the capsule with your father's armor and this," Bulma place her hand in her picket and took out a card, "here's the key to your room. Oh! Tell him to come out and eat after he changes there's something waiting in the kitchen for him." I can't believe the day is over already...well things are looking somewhat normal.
"Your not saying he's actually going to come out of the room? It was nice and quiet without the freak," Chichi frowned. Just when there was peace in the house.
Her son took the card and held the capsule in his small palms. I hope dad is all right...
~-~-~--~-~
"I have to go. It's gotten late," Tien said as he stood up from the sofa.
"So am I. Are you guys leaving too?" Choutzu asked quietly.
"No way! I'm not leaving till I see Vegeta!" Master Roshi screamed, knocking his sunglasses off his face. Let's just hope Bulma won't kick me out now.
"I'm curious too on how this plays out. This is kind of like some drama you'd see of TV. Freaky as it is," Krillin said.
Tien glanced a Piccolo. He's probably meditating, "Okay, see you all next week. Tell me what happens!" Followed closely by his friend, he exited.
~-~-~--~-~
Trunks knocked gently against the door, "Dad, I'm coming in..." It's really quiet in there.
Goten stepped back cautiously, "Come on open it!"
The boy slowly slid the card through the slot and the door slid open but to their surprise no one seemed to be in the room. What happened?
~-~-~--~-~
Sensing someone's presence, the Prince shot up from his slumber. Damnit, I can't even sleep peacefully!
He quickly align his body against the wall, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the scene.
Trunks and Goten slowly walked inside the room, "What happened? I didn't know your dad could do disappearing tricks like that!"
So it was them...The Saiya-jin stepped out from the shadows, "So why were you both sent here? Did Kakarot want to bother me?" Kuso! This is so embarrassing, being in a dress in front of my own flesh and blood..
His son spun around and handed him the capsule, "Uh...no dad, mom says you can change back into your armor. The day's over!" This is weird...
"FINALLY!" Anxiously grabbing the capsule, he ran into the bathroom, closed the door, and changed. Thank Kami!
He came out smirking, with his cerulean armor on his body. I'll burn that other garment soon enough... "Well do you have a question or what?"
Trunks spoke up, "Me and Goten want to know what was all of that stuff that you were yelling at Goku about? What exactly IS pride?"
Shocked by the question, he thought for a moment. This is what I need to teach them both about. Kakarot doesn't even understand this so I'll have to teach his brat too. "Well, pride is something instilled in every Saiya-jin's heart and soul. It's the one thing that keeps the blood pumping in our veins. We fight because of our honor for ourselves and our race."
He looked at the blank expressions on their faces, "Hm...I'll give you an example, pretend the entire galaxy is one large video game so to speak and each planet is one individual game. Now on the planet you both live on is called...."
"Ooo! Call it Planet Goten!"
"NO! Name it after me dad!" Trunks yelled.
"As I was saying, it is called Planet Gotenks. Happy? Anyways, so you, Trunks, are the prince, and..." Vegeta stated.
"Wait! What am I? What am I? Can a be something too?" Goten piped up.
"Shh...be quiet! Wait till he's done!" Trunks scolded his friend.
You could be the clown...Vegeta still agitated continued, "Now you were told that you were the greatest warrior..er..'gamer' in the universe. That thought has been saved into your memory. The more you fight, the more points or battle experience you would get and ascend to another level. One day, when you were young, an evil tyrant or in this analogy could be the 'boss' snatches you away and forces you to watch the death of..." he closed his eyes and frowned, "the death of your father, your entire race that you were destined to rule, your entire damn planet wiped off the galaxy in a matter of minutes..."
Goten and Trunks looked at each other nervously. "Is he...okay?" the black haired boy asked.
"I don't know...this is scary..." Trunks said concerned, I haven't seen dad like this before.
"....Then a few years later, some bakayrou who didn't even know he was a Saiya-jin until told so, goes and ascends to a Super Saiya-jin before me, his prince! And too make it worse he stole my birth right and killed that bastard Frieza...."
"DAD! SNAP OUT OF IT! Come on Goten, help me!" Goten crawled over and helped him shake Vegeta out of his trance.
~-~-~--~-~
The Saiya-jin Prince shacked his head and rubbed his eyes. What the hell happened?
"Who was that freezer person you were talking about?" Goten asked innocently.
"You zoned out all of a sudden when you were trying to explain to us what pride was. It was like you couldn't hear us!" his son said still tense.
"Oh...I was?" They shouldn't have seen that! Shimatta.. "I'll tell you all about this one day, when you're older and able to comprehend much more mature topics. Until then, don't ask. Now," His hard stomach growled, I've ignored my hunger for long enough, "I'm going to go and eat, coming along if you all want."
He stood up and stretched his body, glanced himself once in the mirror and left. That baka Yaumcha better have left or else...
The two boys where left alone in the room, puzzled all the while.
Goten yawned, "I don't understand grownups. How much older do we have to be! I think I'm pretty old as it is. Oh well, I'm just glad I'm allowed to stay up this late!"
Trunks nodded, "Grownups are weird. I'm hungry too, let's get some junk food!"
His friend nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah! I've just got to remember to hide it from my mom. She says it's bad for me. Something about being 'hyper.'"
The door shut silently as the duo left.
~-~-~--~-~
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Gomen nasai! I'm extremely sorry for a really late update! n_n;;; My brain has been fried from exams x_x *cries* I haven't been writing as well because of that. It's been pretty crazy this month, my brother got in a car crash again [he's okay now O.o;;] and my Aunt just recently passed away from cancer. ;_; But, everything is all right here.
Thank you all for your gracious reviews! ^_^! They helped me going when typing this up! Arigatou! Arigatou! Please Review on this one! It was kind of hard to type because I had to share my PC. @_@
-Angel of Anime-
PS: There's a few chapters left of this story. e_e I have to think up of a good closure.
PPS: Happy Holidays! [I know most of them are over but it's the thought that counts ^.~] and happy [EARLY] new year!
