Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or anything to do with DBZ.

 Chapter 5

***

"You know, you could have stopped Trunks before he went all dramatic on you. You are his father, after all," Bulma hissed at Vegeta on the breakfast table. Trunks had gone to his room to get changed for his first training with his father. Bulma didn't want to her son to see her argue with his awaited father. So she had waited until she left the kitchen.

"I can't believe my own son didn't know what I looked like."

"Well, it's not like you were particularly keen on taking photos!" Bulma gritted her teeth, trying not to yell.

"It doesn't matter," Vegeta said while he flashed his trade-mark grin. "I wanted to see him go Super Saiya-jin. To see if what you said was really true."

Bulma rolled her eyes at her husband's predictable reason.

"Then why couldn't you just say 'Hi, Trunks. I'm your father. Can you go Super Saiya-jin?'" Bulma asked sarcastically.

"Don't go so soft on him, woman. He's a Saiya-jin, not a weak earthling. And not just any Saiya-jin, he's my son!"

"I'm surprised how openly you claim him to be your son after leaving him 6 years ago," Bulma said rather quietly for Vegeta's liking. He would have fought back but the seriousness of her voice made him reluctant. And to make the matters worse, she stood up immediately and left the table. He knew she was serious.

'Do I have to follow her? Nah, I'll make it worse.'

~~~

"Are you serious, Bulma? Vegeta's back?" asked Gohan. He was visiting her after his last day of school before taking time off for training. He had already told her that his mom let him take time off school for training, which surprised Bulma. But not as much as Gohan was when she told him about Vegeta.

"Yeah, can you believe it?" she said as she pulled out a cigarette from her pocket.

'Chi Chi will hate me if she finds out I'm smoking in front of Gohan… who is she trying to protect? Half of his class probably smoke,' Bulma thought as she lighted her cigarette.

"Wow, that's great, though! For Trunks…"

"Yeah, he's thrilled. You should have seen Trunks when Vegeta told him he'd train him. He didn't even finish his breakfast before racing to his room to get changed."

"That's great! I can't wait for Dad to get back. You know, for Goten and all. He's never seen him before. I think he'll feel a little jealous when he hears Trunks' father's back," Gohan said smiling.

"Well, Trunks' always jealous of Goten for having a brother like you!" said Bulma. Gohan just chuckled while blushing. Bulma noticed this and carried on. "I'm glad Vegeta's back, for Trunks' sake, you know? He really needs a father at this age."

Gohan nodded in agreement. He sipped an orange juice Bulma had given him earlier. Then he looked at Bulma, who was turned side away from him, puffing out smoke. She didn't want Gohan to be bothered about it. Then she turned back to him, with her cigarette-hand away from Gohan. She grinned her usual smile and sparkled her cobalt eyes. 

"And what about you, Bulma?" Gohan asked, sounding a little nervous to start off with. Her eyes widened a little, waiting for him to elaborate.

"I mean… it was a bit of surprise and everything… and you haven't seen him for a long time…" Gohan was clearly struggling with his words. Bulma appreciated his concern. She kept her smile, although her emotion was rising from thinking about Vegeta.

"GOHAN!" Trunks exclaimed from the distance. He was walking towards Gohan and Bulma, with a towel around his neck. They both looked up with bright faces as though the awkwardness before did not occur. They both seemed to be thankful to be rescued out of the subject.

"Hey, Trunks! I heard about your training with your father!"

"How was it Trunks?" Bulma asked with a motherly smile. She could see he worked pretty hard from his sweat-soaked face. His purple strands were wet and he was still breathing heavily. But he kept his boyish smile on his face, so it must have been great.

"It was SO cool, Mom! You should have seen me!" Trunks flashed his bright eyes at Bulma in excitement. She smiled back at her son as she put her hand on his shoulder. Then she felt how soaked and sticky he was with sweat. She frowned, while keeping her smile and chuckled at her boy.

"Trunks, you better have a shower!"

"But Mom, Gohan's here! I want to play with Gohan!"

"I'll wait for you, Trunks," said Gohan smiling.

"Wait, okay? I'll be really quick!" said Trunks. Then he disappeared like a flash of lightening.

Then Gohan felt someone coming towards him. He turned to the direction and as he expected, Vegeta walked in.

"Hi," greeted Gohan, a little nervously.

"Hmph."

Bulma rolled her eyes at his pathetic reply. She was about to say something but she didn't. She didn't want to fight in front of Gohan.

"You haven't been training, have you, Gohan? Just because it's peaceful doesn't mean you should put off training."

"Okay," Gohan replied awkwardly. Then he opened he asked Vegeta, "Are you going to enter the World Martial Championship?"

"Hmph, like I'm going to enter some dumb human competition," said Vegeta, glaring at Gohan. Bulma couldn't help but to roll her eyes. She had predicted this answer all along. He was so predictable to her that she knew exactly what to say to change his mind.

"Goku's coming for the tournament," Bulma commented without looking at Vegeta.

Vegeta then turned his glare to her. Then he turned back to Gohan and asked. "Is that true?"

"I just said he is." Bulma said this time turning to face Vegeta. She was frustrated that he didn't believe her.

"Yeah, my father is coming back for a day."

Vegeta smirked. Bulma then knew exactly what was coming next. Then she wondered if there was anything in this world that doesn't boost his ego.

"Hmm, Kakarot has no chance of winning because I'll defeat him!"

"Dad's entering? I want to enter too!!" Trunks exclaimed while running towards them.

"That's great, Trunks. Goten said he wanted to enter as well," said Gohan, getting excited. Trunks then pulled Gohan's arm.

"Little brats are entering too? Hmmph… doesn't matter to me. I'll win anyway."

"Gohan! Let's go and play…"

Gohan smiled at the little Saiya-jin in agreement.

"I'll see you guys later then," said Gohan as he waved to them (well, to Bulma) and walked off with Trunks. 

After Gohan left, Bulma stayed seated on her couch, almost finished with her cigarette. She took it towards her mouth to have a last puff. But when her hand got to her lips, she could only feel the warmth of her fingertips. No cigarette. She turned back to her husband and glared at him.

Vegeta held her cigarette and rubbed his palm against his fingers, turning it to dust.

"It's a disgusting habit, woman."

Bulma felt touched by his concern, but that wasn't enough to stop the irritation arising. It was her choice, and he had no right to interfere like he was always around.

"It's my choice. I don't interfere with your training or any other one of your weird habits. So don't interfere with mine."

"Fine then."

Vegeta walked off towards wherever his destination was. Bulma lowered her head and stayed seated. She was starting to get worried now.

'What if we never work this out?'

~~~

I'M SO SORRY I DIDN'T UPDATE SOONER (especially to those who kept emailing me to get my act together)!!! And I'm sorry that this chapter isn't really packed with drama or anything. But I'm trying to figure this story out so it flows bit better. By the way, thank you to everyone who read it and reviewed! I really appreciate it!! :)