Chapter Four: Goku's Priorities

As soon as Vegeta was out of sight, Trunks went back into the house and dialed Goku again. As soon as it started ringing, he put it on speakerphone, and everyone arranged themselves around the phone, which Roshi kept on the lounge table.

This time, it didn't go onto the answering machine.

"Hello?"

"Hi Goku, its Trunks." Trunks folded his arms, frowning just like Vegeta.

"Oh, hey Trunks! What's happening?"

"Nothing, any more. Tell me, Goku, what day is it today?"

"Um, hang on a second. Oh, right, its August 15. Why?"

"Where's that calendar my dad gave you, with all the birthdays, special occasions and sparring sessions marked on it in red? You know, the one with the pictures of all of us?"

"Oh, that thing? Well, I kinda took it down, I didn't think Claudia would like it."

"Hmm. Well, Goku, we just wanted to let you know that your priorities are messed up, and the rest of aren't very happy with you."

Trunks' voice had gone the same sort of dangerous, silky tone that Vegeta had perfected years ago, purely to scare people. Goten didn't want to be in his father's gi right now.

"Hey, what did I do wrong? It's not like I killed anyone, or anything like that!" Goku sounded so painfully bright and chirpy. The gang just glared at the phone. Trunks broke the silence.

"Maybe you didn't kill anybody, Goku, but you sure as hell hurt my father."

"Hang on a second, Trunks. When I spoke to him to cancel our sparring session this morning, he seemed just fine. Besides, he didn't mention anything, he just told me that we can spar some other time."

Trunks just lost his cool. Now he'd had enough.

"You see! How the fuck would you know how my father feels! You've cancelled all your sparring sessions to be with Claudia for the last two months! He's been so understanding, he's given up the most important thing in his life so that you can be happy! Just so you and Claudia can be together!"

Trunks spat out Claudia's name much the same way Vegeta did.

"But…" Goku sounded confused. Trunks snapped.

"Don't you fucking 'but' us, Goku! It was his birthday today, dammit! His eightieth! And you know that's it's such an important year for a saiyan! We left a message with your girlfriend, and we sent you a written invite! And you don't have many birthdays to remember besides his! He has NEVER forgotten yours, in fact he always makes a huge fuss about it, and throws a party just for you! You couldn't have been bothered to wish him a simple happy birthday when you called! Dammit, Goku, you're his best friend, you mean everything to him! All he wanted was you to be here, on his big day! You don't even know how upset he is! But all you care about is that bitch!" Goten quickly got up, and dragged trunks out of the room, before he could really let loose on Goku. While Goten tried to soothe Trunks, the sounds of things breaking wafted into the lounge. Meanwhile, Piccolo and Gohan took over.

"Goku, why didn't you get the message about the party? Two reminders is enough, isn't it?"

Piccolo's eyes narrowed very slightly.

"Well, Claudia checks the mail and answers the phone most of the time. I guess she forgot to tell me." Goku sounded flippant. Too flippant.

"Dad, does she know about the saiyan thing? Does she know about the rest of us, about your tail, your history?" asked Gohan. There was a silence on the other end.

"Dad…you mean she doesn't know?!"

"Gohan, you have to understand…"

"Understand what?! That you're ashamed of your power?! Of your family and friends!? My whole life I've tried to be a saiyan, to be what I should, and now you deny who you are?!"

Gohan's hair was waving gently, which it tended to do before he went mystic. Piccolo tried dragging Gohan out before he lost his temper, but Gohan stayed in place, despite Piccolo tugging hard on his arm.

"Dammit, dad! First you hurt Vegeta, one of our best friends, the most loyal person ever, and then you have the audacity to change who you really are in order to fit in with your new girlfriend! You've denied us! Your heritage! Your own family! What's wrong with you, dad?! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!?"

Piccolo grabbed onto Gohan's tail, and dragged him out protesting, before he had one of his legendary temper tantrums. There was an awkward silence in the lounge and on the phone, as Trunks and Gohan yelled outside, while their respective mates tried to soothe them.

Roshi decided to have a word with Goku.

"Goku, you'd better get your life together. It's not like you to be like this. Fix things with Vegeta, before you lose a great friend like him to a girlfriend that you can't even be honest with. For crying out loud, Goku, you've known her for just two months, and she's already ruining everything."

"Who's ruining everything?" a woman's voice was barely audible in the background. They heard Goku shifting.

"Um, no one dear!"

"Well, you've been on the phone for a while darling. We still have to finish throwing out all those revolting orange fighting clothes you used to wear! And don't forget to clean the kitchen too, you left it in a mess!"

"Yes honey, I'm coming soon!" they heard her footsteps fading, and Goku sighing.

Roshi whistled.

"Damn, Goku, you're lucky Vegeta wasn't around to hear that. Let me guess, you've probably cut off your tail, haven't you?"

"Yes." Goku's voice was very small. He wasn't feeling very good at the moment.

"After Vegeta and Gohan wished it back for you and for the other Saiyans?! I can't believe you were ever one of my students, Goku. I always prided myself on having honest students that were proud of themselves. But you're just living a lie, Goku. It'll all come crashing down soon, because you turned your back on us, the people that would die and kill for you, for some average woman."

Roshi disconnected the call, and put the phone back on it's cradle. The sound of the receiver hitting the cradle was completely covered by the yells of Trunks and Gohan, as they ranted about Goku.

An- I am so joyous!I have now reached the 100 review mark, after getting 16 reviews in one day!!!!!!!

I love all my reviewers! Now just to answer some questions-

Ozumas girl- your wish shall be granted, do not fear.

Purple-moonlight- be nice to Goku, it's not his fault that he's a little retarded (it's mine)

Veggies boo- all in due time, and when Vegeta does blow up, it's gonna be atomic!

Kawaii- no this will not be a Piccolo/ Vegeta fic, but I'm currently working on one, instead of doing homework, or listening in class…and then I wonder why I'm failing…

By the way, you can never leave too long a review! I love the long ones, and I have been getting such wonderful reviews. And as a sign of my undying appreciation, I'm gonna update nearly every day…unless you want the story to be spread out over a few weeks, and you only get some action once a week! The choice is yours, dear readers…

Ps: the next installment will be the real shocker…it wasn't meant to be this one, I labeled it wrong. I was just so giddy because of all my lovely reviews!