Chapter 4: When the Trouble Started

Eight months later and no reports from Goku, Pan, or Trunks. We all assumed the hunt was going fine, but we were all worried too. We only had a few months left, and then earth would blow if they weren't back. Of course, I was worried for them as well. Who knows what monsters and warriors they'd encounter in the galaxy.

Bulma, Chi-chi, and I were sitting in the sunroom, drinking coffee and gossiping about our lives. It was nice having girl talk. I was in a long, orange-floral dress that went to my ankles. Thinking back, it made me look distinguished. Not old, distinguished.

"So Katie, where did you say Mirai went off to?" Chi-chi asked.

"He went to Kanji's Dojo to give a lecture and demonstration on Sword Techniques."

"Yeah, it's been a semester already, hasn't it?" Bulma stated, looking at her coffee.

"I'm sure Goku, Pan, and Trunks will be back soon. They've never failed us before." I said.

I looked over to Goten, who was sitting on the couch and talking to Felice on the phone. This girl was something else, or so I heard.

"I don't like girls who've had so many boyfriends already. I married my first boyfriend." Chi-chi said.

"Yeah, so did I, but I think Felice is nice." I said in Goten's defense.

"She acts so innocent. But she's really not." Chi-chi said, sipping her coffee.

"Alright, I'm off, mom. I'll be back tonight." Goten said, heading out the door and humming a little tune.

"Goten, you watch that girl! Those city girls are nothing but trouble!"

"Mom, Felice isn't like that. I'll be back soon." Then he was out the door and gone.

"My little Goten is growing up." Chi-chi said, sniffling.

"So's my Codie. He went to his Sophomore Prom last week. Boy, that's a scandal, paying so much just to dance and talk with your friends. And get this, his date left him for the captain of the basketball team! He was so steamed when he got home that night."

"I bet he was. I wish Trunks would meet nice girl, but since he's the Capsule Corp. president he hasn't got the time." Bulma grinned.

"Yeah, especially when he jumps out the window and flies off every chance he gets!" I said, causing the three of us to laugh.

Vegeta walked in, and I noticed he looked different today.

"My, don't you look especially handsome today." Bulma said. Chi-chi was staring at Vegeta, trying to figure it out.

"To tell you the truth, I never really liked your mustache anyway, Vegeta." I chimed in, "It made you look too old."

Vegeta just smirked and left the room.

"He thinks its such a big deal, shaving that mustache. You'd think he had just defeated Goku or something."

"Shh, don't bring that up!" I hissed, "He could still be in ear shot. You know how that fight went. Vegeta didn't like ending in a draw, I'll tell you."

That fight ended in a draw. I was glad, though, because this way they wouldn't argue about who was better, because they ended equal. Even after Goku transformed SSJ3, Vegeta still matched him. Vegeta didn't act mad about it, but I could tell as a fighter that he was. That's why he keeps on training. Of course, I do too, but no where near as hard as Vegeta's training. He's nearly killed himself a few times these past few months.

"You know why he shaved that thing off, don't you?" Bulma asked, leaning closer. Chi-chi and I leaned in to hear.

"Why?"

"Bora told him it looked dorky and uncool."

Well, I lost it. I nearly fell out of my chair from laughing. I imagined how Vegeta looked when his own daughter told him this. Over forty years ago he would have killed for less, but now he was submissive to a teenage girl.

Technically, he was submissive to a teenage girl back then as well… oh, the good old days!

We talked for a while like this. Telling stories and having a few laughs. It wasn't until Goten got home later, after Gohan and Videl stopped in, that I even would have remotely thought that my idea of staying here 'just in case' would really be needed. Gohan and Videl mentioned that Goten had gotten into a fight.

Goten came in with a cut on his arm. Chi-chi got up in a hurry.

"Oh Goten, you did get hurt!" Chi-chi said, but Goten pushed her away.

"Where's Vegeta?" he asked, angry.

"Goten, don't you push me like that!" Chi-chi shouted orders, but he didn't look scared at all, as normal. I studied his face. He didn't seem like himself.

"Would some please tell me where Vegeta went?" he asked, slightly more civilized but just as mad.

"You know Vegeta, he's always running off and not telling anyone where he's gone to." Bulma said casually.

Doesn't anyone notice Goten's attitude but me?

Goten looked around the room, then he looked straight at me, studying me as I had studied him.

Those eyes aren't Goten's eyes, I should know, I helped raise him. But what if it's my mind going again? Chi-chi didn't notice, and if I say anything, and I'm wrong, they'll know something's wrong with me. I'm not ready to tell yet. But if I'm right we may all be in trouble…

It didn't take long for me to get my answer. Goten walked over and attempted to kick my chair out from under me. I was quick and jumped to my feet, though.

"Goten! What's gotten into you?" Chi-chi asked. Goten ignored her and slapped me, his eyes hard. It didn't really hurt; it was a challenge.

"Fine. I'll change my clothes and meet you outside." I replied, staying calm.

Goten nodded and walked out the door.

"What was that all about?" Bulma asked as I started out of the room.

"They get like that sometimes. It's sibling rivalry, Gohan and Goten go through it all the time." Chi-chi tried to explain.

That wasn't Goten, I know it. If he wanted to fight me he would have asked instead of hitting me. He'd hit Gohan as a challenge, but not me.

As I headed out of my room, in my old orange Gi, I passed Gohan coming out of the room he and Videl were going to share while they were visiting.

"Hey, we're you going?" he asked, looking happy, oblivious to what just happened.

"Gohan, I need you to come with me." my tone made him take notice.

"What? Is something wrong?" he asked, looking serious.

"Yeah, its Goten. Something isn't right with him. I want you to come as backup. But don't let him know you're following us, not yet."

"Right." He placed his glasses in the room and said bye to Videl as I went ahead.

I met with Goten outside. He looked impatient. He also looked darker than usual, colder.

"Alright, follow me. We don't need any innocent people getting hurt."

"Of course." He replied, and his tone made me suppress a shiver. I had no doubt that this wasn't Goten standing behind me as we took to the air.