A/N: Yeaih, the next update is out! But first to my reviewers: you motivated me greatly to finish chappie seven so soon! You ppl rock!


ShAdOwPhOeNiXgOdDeSs: Glad you liked it! dumou arigatou!

Frying Pan of DOOM: otsukaresama! Thanks for the compliment and thanks for reviewing. Regarding the engagement ring: read this chapter to find out...  

Wiggle-Chicken: wow wow wow!! You're the first reader to submit four (!) reviews solo! Super cool! Kyo arigatuo!

You're right though, the proposal happened quite in a rush, but those two have gone through hell together and love each other more than anything else. So why be cruel and delay the inevitable? ^_-

Chappie 4 WAS long winded, but I HAD to make that demonstration to show Hercule, how powerful our favourite demi-Saiyan REALLY is...

Btw: if you notice things that you don't agree with, just say which. Positive criticism is always more than welcome! And you're right; your AC story is great!

For those I've not mentioned: just look in the Authors Notes and Reviewers responses. From now on I will post the Reviewers responses at the beginning of each new chapter. But if you like the other way better, and I should post the responses in a separate chappie, just say so. I am open to suggestions!


Gohan and Videl: Our Beginning



Chapter Seven: Shopping for the wedding 


Last Time

Gohan looked at his father.

"Really? Vegeta?" his father nodded.

Well, THAT definitely improved his mood. The mental picture of a Vegeta dragged into a mall by Bulma was hilarious... maybe this was why he didn't like to enter malls? A trauma maybe? Ahh, whatever...

He looked at the others.

"I say lets get over with it. The sooner we are finished the better!"

Approval everywhere and so they prepared themselves to enter the lion's den. Or rather the lionesses' den...


Now the continuation

They approached the building and the entrance doors swished open. Everywhere one looked, stores, stores and... more stores. The women were in heaven. Even #18, otherwise close-lipped and unimpressed, looked around admiringly.

"Oh Bulma! That's wonderful!" Chi-Chi exclaimed.

Videl approved.

"And you actually helped building it! Wow!" she exclaimed.

Bulma was slightly embarrassed, but only slightly.

"Gee, thank you!" she exclaimed.

"Honour to whom honour is due." Videl said, smiling.

"I agree." #18 said. "This is quite impressive."

This comment coming from #18 could be regarded as a huge praise, and Bulma could not help it, she had to smile.

All the while the males were just standing there rather bored. Well, leave it to females to praise shopping malls...

"Well, thank you." Bulma said, "But I only provided the technological know-how."

"You are too modest, Bulma. It's totally cool!" Videl exclaimed.

Vegeta had had enough of this.

"Hey! Enough of this already! Let's get over with this whole nonsense!" he bellowed.

Videl apologised.

"Gomen, Vegeta. You are right."

Chi-Chi looked at Bulma in a way that said 'She has much to learn', and Bulma nodded.

"Well, then lets attack the stores!" she exclaimed then.



The women set themselves in motion and approached the first store. The males were simply dragged along, and soon they had to try on tons different tuxedos. Vegeta got so angry that he nearly blasted the poor sales assistants into the next dimension, and from then on all sales assistants simply refused to serve Vegeta. This just suited him well...

Thus the women had no choice but to try the next store. Grudgingly they exited the shop. Grudgingly because this shop had sold really good dresses. The sales assistants however were happy that this dangerous short man was finally out of their shop...

And so it went on. They went from shop to shop, and Vegeta's mood did not improve. Rather the opposite...

Thus the ladies decided to look for decent outfits for themselves before attending to the males. Just in case Vegeta would blow his top...

They started looking around, and Bulma soon found a promising shop. She pointed at it, and the other women practically gleamed with joy. Vegeta's mood lightened up, although he did not show it.

~ Good! Now the woman does not bother me with those darn clothes any more! ~ he thought.



The store sold ladieswear, including wedding dresses. Soon the women were happily attacking the sales assistants and trying on tons of dresses. The men could do nothing but stand there and wait in pure boredom. But that was a nice change in comparison to what they had gone through some minutes ago.

Especially Vegeta used this occasion to calm down. This had been nearly as bad as last time, and already his thoughts had circled around thoughts like
~ I swear that I'll blast the next clown that comes running at me! ~

Yeah, a pissed off Vegeta was quite a danger for his ambience...

Finally Bulma, Chi-Chi and #18 had found appropriate dresses. Well, after dozens of questions like "Am I not looking to fat in this?" or "Do you REALLY think it suits me?" and similar questions. That was surely a progress!

But one thing remained: Videl had still to get her dream wedding dress! Now the other women could concentrate on this task, but one problem remained...



Chi-Chi looked at her son.

"Oops, I nearly forgot! I am sorry, son, but you'll have to leave the shop! You are not allowed to see the wedding dress before the actual wedding." she said, and both Bulma and Videl clapped their hands before their mouths. Of course, she was right! How could they have forgotten THAT?

Gohan nodded.

"Okay, I'll look around and see what other INTERESTING shops this mall has to provide." he said, stressing the word interesting.

Krillin, Vegeta and Goku looked at each other and nodded, then at their respective wives and said

"We are with him!" in unison, and before the women could respond they were off.



Once outside...

"I am glad to have escaped THAT! Baka human shopping malls!" Vegeta stated, while the others nodded. "I still refuse to recall the LAST shopping trip with her..." he said.

Goku looked at his long-time comrade.

"You never told us what exactly happened when you and Bulma were shopping for YOUR marriage." he said.

Vegeta looked at him.

"I have my reasons Kakkarot, believe me. And never will I tell you what happened. I just hope that it won't prove to be as bad THIS time. Although it's on a good way..." he said, stressing the word 'good' in his most sarcastic tone.

~ Hmm, ~ Krillin thought, ~ maybe we can get Vegeta drunk and THEN he'll tell us what happened, heh heh... ~

"However," Gohan said, "let's go to some stores that are interesting for US." he suggested. The others nodded, and so they started to search the mall for some decent shops. Goku, of course, was looking for a takeaway or restaurant. Unlike else, he had brought money with him THIS time. Yeah, he HAD learned from past experiences...

He stopped in his tracks when he recognised something...

"Hey guys! Look over there! A McDonalds! How about it?" he asked, giving his best impression of a puppy-dog.

The others laughed at this display (even Vegeta smirked), but especially Vegeta and Gohan had to admit that they were quite hungry, too. Well, Saiyans are ALWAYS hungry, regardless which time of the day it is...



So it was settled and the four entered the local McDonalds.

Krillin turned towards his friends.

"Let me order first. I know how long it will take for you..." he said, and the others just nodded, grinning.

When it was their turn, Krillin ordered two Big Mac and two Mc Rib maxi menus.

Vegeta, Goku and Gohan, however, ordered everything the McDonald's menu had to offer ten times.

The quite astounded attendance stammered

"Anything... else, sirs?" and got a "No, that was everything." in reply.

"O... kay." The attendance stammered. "It will be brought to your tables... once it is prepared. Do you wish to pay now or later?" she asked.

Vegeta answered for them.

"We wish to pay now." he said and pulled a golden credit card out of his pocket.

Goku looked astonished.

"Wow, Vegeta! Where'd you get this one from?" he asked.

Vegeta looked at him, smirking.

"Well, Kakkarot, it has its advantages being the husband of Bulma Briefs..." he said.

The eyes of the attendance widened at hearing this, but she was a pro and took the card. She returned it to him with a "Thank you, sir. Enjoy your meal!" and handed it back.

Vegeta grumbled a "Thanks."

They sat down at the tables. Krillin looked at the others.

"Well, guys, as it will take a while until you'll get yours, I'll start already." he said and just did so.


It turned out that the Saiyans order pre-occupied the whole restaurant, but it showed that it was able to cope with it. The meals were served one after the other, and Goku, Gohan and Vegeta started eating Saiyan style. The eyes of the eye-witnesses nearly jumped out of their orbits, but the Saiyans curtly ignored those stares. They were by now used to those. 20 minutes later the last meal was served, and after the Saiyans had stuffed that last one in their faces they leant back, satisfied and fed up, for now.

They were as recently as finished with cleaning themselves, as the women came in.

"Here you are! We should have known. Trust our men to go for the meat!" Chi-Chi said, whereupon the aforementioned men grumbled.



Videl, however, looked at Gohan and approached him with gleaming eyes.

"I have got my wedding dress! And it's absolutely wonderful! #18 was the one who found it. She said it'd be perfect, and she was right!" she said so fast that the others had trouble to understand. "Wait until you see it!" she exclaimed happily.

Gohan smiled.

"That's wonderful, hun. But if you don't slow down your tongue will catch fire." he joked, whereupon Videl blushed.

"Will not!" she said.

"Will too!" he teased.

But before this friendly debate could be sent into circles, Chi-Chi intervened.

"Enough already, you two. We must get a suit for you, Gohan. Now." she as good as ordered.

Naturally Gohan made a sour face.

"And for Vegeta!" Bulma exclaimed, whereupon the aforementioned Saiyan groaned.

"AND for Krillin!" #18 said.

The men looked at each other and nodded.

Gohan voiced what they were thinking:

"We are doomed..." he said.



But they had no other choice than to comply with fate as they were lead (or rather dragged) into the next store that sold men's wear. Videl, Chi-Chi, Bulma and #18 had decided beforehand that they would each select the appropriate suits for their respective man.

So Videl got Gohan and showed him what she thought would fit him best. Actually, they (the women) had entered this store after they were finished buying their stuff. This way Videl knew where to look...

It turned out that they had the same taste of fashion, as the cream-coloured tuxedo she had selected beforehand was favoured by Gohan, too. They then selected the appropriate tie and shoes. Videl and Gohan selected a dark-red tie and black leather shoes and just went for the check-out to pay, as...

"Woman! I am not wearing this pitiful excuse for clothing! I want my armour!" could be heard from... guess who... Vegeta!

Videl and Gohan looked over. Bulma had picked a complete white tuxedo for Vegeta.

~ Oh oh, ~ Gohan thought, ~ this means trouble... ~

Bulma glared at her husband.

"You will wear it! And you'll like it! And now shut the hell up!" she exclaimed. "Or else..." she warned. It was quite clear what she meant, and Vegeta looked furious.

"No." he said. "I am not going to wear this white cutaway!" he said, and before Bulma was able to start a rant he said "Woman, I want this one." and picked up a black tuxedo in his size.

Bulma obviously sensed that she would not get Vegeta to wear the white one, but actually, Vegeta had never had a white vest...

Oh well, that was better than his armour after all... much better, actually! So she gave in and decided against giving him a hard time. After all, regarding the swollen vein at his forehead he might have blown his top (and probably the whole shop) if she'd refused...

"Okay, Vegeta. The black one, then. Now we'll get you a tie and shoes." Bulma said, and just that they did. She decided to take a red tie and black shoes for him, and Vegeta agreed. Hah, if he HAD to wear a suit then he would wear one HE had chosen. Baka shoes and ties, bah! She would chose acceptable ones.

It had not been THAT bad after all...


Meanwhile Chi-Chi and #18 had outfitted their respective husbands. Goku had decided to take a similar Tuxedo as Gohan, also with black shoes but with a dark-blue tie. Krillin (or rather #18) had chosen a dark-blue tuxedo which suited him quite well. #18 had chosen a yellow tie and black shoes for him. Now they were ready and outfitted. Finally!

Once everyone had paid, they exited the shop. Outside Goku asked

"How about another round of McDonalds?" while rubbing his stomach, "This shopping for clothes made me really hungry!"

The others fell over anime style. When Chi-Chi had recovered, she suggested another course of action.

"I admit that I am hungry, too. But how about we teleport back and prepare a nice barbecue?"

Nodding heads everywhere. Goku's, Gohan's and even Vegeta's eyes gleamed. That was even BETTER than McDonald's...

"Fine," Chi-Chi said, "it's settled then. Lets get outside." she said and walked towards the malls exist.



Gohan, however, had other plans.

"Videl and I will follow you later. We have got some business to attend to before we leave." he said.

Videl looked at him, while the others smiled. Gohan shot them a look that said "Not what you think, you pervs".

"And what have we got to do?" Videl asked.

Gohan smiled at her.

"Follow me and you'll find out." he said and took her hand. Then he looked at the others.

"We'll catch up with you later. How about you just look around a bit?" he suggested, knowing perfectly well that it would be hell for Vegeta.

The others nodded.

"Yeah," Chi-Chi said, "Okay. We'll meet at the entrance in 30 minutes. Should be enough time, right?" she asked, looking at her son.

Gohan nodded. He and Videl departed while the rest of the Z-Gang started wandering around, including a very pissed Vegeta.



Gohan steered Videl towards a shop he had noticed on their way to McDonalds. It was a jeweller's shop. Now Videl knew what he was up to.

"Oh! You wanna buy engagement rings for us!" she exclaimed. Gohan nodded. "That's so sweet!" Videl exclaimed and gave Gohan a fond kiss.

About two minutes later Gohan and Videl entered the shop. It did not take long for the couple to decide which rings they would buy. It turned out that both liked classic and simple white gold rings. Gohan's without any stones or other adornments like that. Videl however had chosen a white gold ring with a beautiful diamond. Gohan paid the rings and they left the shop hand in hand.

Videl was totally happy, as was Gohan, although Videl wondered where Gohan had gotten the money to buy these rather expensive rings. They had decided that Gohan would place the ring on Videls' finger in front of the others, at the Briefs residence. Yes, he was romantic and traditional... and Videl loved him even more so.



Three minutes later Videl and Gohan arrived at the entrance, where the others were already waiting for them.

"Finally!" Vegeta exclaimed. "Now I can get out of this blasted shopping mall at last!" he said and strode towards the exit.

The others smiled and followed suit. Vegeta would never change...

They walked back the same way they had come, and once they were far enough away from the mall they teleported back to the Briefs. Goten and Trunks, who had been babysitted by the 16 year old sister of Videl's' best friend Elisa (who (the sister) was quite whacked and swore to exorcise those quote 'evil pranksters from hell' the next time), greeted them happily. That is until their babysitter had told her story...

Well, Goten and Trunks were all excited when they heard that another barbecue would take place. They begged and begged until they were finally allowed to participate. One should never send a part Saiyan to bed with an empty stomach, Bulma and Chi-Chi could tell. They had made their experiences...

Finally the moment came. Gohan took the engagement rings out of his pocket, and in front of their family and friends he placed the engagement ring on Videl's finger. Now they were officially engaged. Chi-Chi wiped away a tear, and Bulma naturally did the same. Hercule was very proud, and even he had difficulties in fighting back tears of pride. Yeah, his little girl was going to marry. And one of the strongest mans in the world, too. He could hardly believe it...

Once the newly bought tuxedos and dresses were properly stowed, the women started preparing the barbecue. This time Gohan really sneaked in to snatch his Videl for a round of snogging, and the two weren't seen for the next half hour. The barbecue lasted far into the night and made loads of fun...



to be continued



A/N: The Saiyans raid McDonalds... I always wanted to write THIS scene! Hope you liked it!



A/N 2: Shopping for the wedding... a REAL nightmare for some! But luckily for our Saiyans (and especially Vegeta) it was not all too bad *A/N mumbles: I am getting too soft! Darn it!* *g*



A/N 3: Vegeta paid the meals at McDonalds due to the fact that Bulma has more than enough money... so, why not spend some of it? And for FOOD nonetheless... ^_-



I'll try to write and get the next chapter up soon, it all depends on how motivated I feel... reviews = motivation ^_-


Btw: you can read what happened to Elisas' sister in my fic 'Babysitting the evil pranksters from hell'. Thanks for reading! dumouarigatou!