'Hello again. I'm back with what may be the final chapter of "Tid Bits." Well, it was brought to my attention that my math skills are just as horrible as I thought. In the last chapter, if you'll notice, I made a few mistakes in the mathematics part of the story. Hee hee! Trust me, when it comes to math, which is my worst subject and any mathematical question you ask me, I guarantee you, will be wrong. Sorry, I'm an art student, what do you expect? Haha!
Anyway, I'm hopeful that this next chapter will prove to be more accurate considering it is about a sport I was in for years. I've never written anything about the character Bura and I've never been a huge fan of Dragonball GT so please forgive me if I make her character my own. Now, away we go for probably the last chapter of "Tid Bits." Thanks for reading and reviewing!'
Chapter 9
"So, do you have it?" Bulma asked her teenage son as he trudged into the house with a small duffle bag.
Trunks gave her a small smile and nodded, his purple hair waving back and forth. Opening up the small, black bag he pulled out a video camera and waved it before his mother's blue eyes.
"Oh good!" She said with a giddy clap and skip.
Being so busy with work and new inventions her father wanted her to make, Bulma had not been able to see even one of Bura's soccer games. Her seven-year-old daughter began her first year in the U-8 soccer league in West City and Bulma was disappointed that she hadn't been able to see her little girl on the soccer field yet. There was only one more game left of the season, but she assured her blue-haired, blue-eyed baby that she wouldn't miss the final tournament.
So naturally what did the powerful businesswoman do? She sent her busy, teenage son to video tape every one of her games. He stood before her with the camera and was going to put all the games onto one tape so she could see her strong-willed daughter kicking butt on the soccer field. She was so proud.
Trunks set up the TV and video camera so it would record onto a tape as Vegeta walked into the room, sweating from a hard day of training. With a towel wrapped around his bare neck, he strode into the room, curious to see what his son and wife were up to. As soon as he entered his stomach dropped as ice-cold blue eyes glared into him.
"And where have you been all these times I asked you to go watch your daughter play?"
Sighing, Vegeta's dark eyes pierced her blue ones. His intense gaze did nothing to intimidate the fuming, stubborn woman.
"Training, sparring, eating and such," he replied.
Trunks cringed and tried to press himself closer to the TV as the tension in the room began to build. Being near his parents when they were both pissed was not pretty or fun.
"Your daughter has just started her first sport and you aren't even there to watch! She's your little girl, Vegeta."
"Yes she is my little girl," he barked back. "And being the daughter of me, the prince of all saiyajins proves that she does not need me or you or anyone to pamper her and baby her. I know that she's doing fine and having fun without us interfering!"
Bulma opened her mouth to respond. She brushed a curved blue, bang out of her eyes and placed her hands on her hips.
"What's with all the yelling in here?" A small, snappy voice demanded.
All eyes turned to the little girl standing in the doorway, one hand on her hip and the other holding a large soccer ball under her other arm. Vegeta hid a smile as his little angel wore her blue hair to the side of her head and looked at him and Bulma with sharp blue eyes. Clad in a little colorful soccer uniform of bright green, the seven-year-old girl clicked her cleats against the floor impatiently.
"Nothing, Bura," Bulma said warmly. Her eyes brightened and she smiled. "We're going to watch all your soccer games now, the ones that Trunks video taped. Do you want to join us?"
Both parents could not miss the quick eye flash to Trunks, as Bura seemed to hold her breath. Something bothered the girl greatly, and seeing the ever confident, stubborn girl look so apprehensive was rather disturbing. The lavender-haired teen on the ground blinked and continued his attention to his task at hand.
"You're going to watch all of them?" She asked quietly.
Bulma nodded and gazed at her daughter quizzically.
"No thanks," Bura replied sadly. "I'm just going up to my room."
The three older people watched as the sullen child turned and walked from the living room and up the stairs. Vegeta listened to her footsteps and crossed his arms. Something was definitely not right here. The fact that his little girl was not happy made his stomach turn. Nothing should be making his princess upset.
"Trunks," he demanded. The boy jumped and peered at his father from under some strands of light hair. "What is wrong with your sister?"
Hesitating, Trunks gazed at the floor and then back to his towering, powerful father. He sighed and stood. The tape was ready to go so there was no need to hide it anymore.
"I think you'll see on the tape. Lets just say, this hasn't been the best soccer season for Bura."
Bulma, Trunks, and Vegeta all made their way to the couch as the tape started. It was your basic soccer game. There were parents screaming and cheering for their kids, coaches yelling to the players, whistles blowing, and basically little children getting hit with soccer balls and falling down. The camera zoomed in and focused on the little blue-haired girl sitting on the bench, her spiked shoes kicking back and forth in boredom. Vegeta felt some anger beginning to rise as he watched his proud daughter sitting on the bench, not being allowed to just get on the field and play.
As this game continued, the seven-year-old only got off the bench once and was put in a defensive position so she wouldn't get in the way or be able to get her foot on the ball. She was only in the game for about five minutes and then benched again. The short, half hour long game ended and the tape went to the second one of the season. As the Briefs family watched, the same occurrences happened. Bura was either benched or put into a position where she couldn't even get into the game.
"This is ridiculous!" Bulma shouted. "Why isn't the coach playing her? Don't tell me it's been like this the whole season."
Trunks felt his mother's sharp eyes on him and he nodded. She growled in disgust.
"Why didn't you tell us, boy?" Vegeta hissed.
Trunks sank lower in his seat. "She asked me not to. She was too embarrassed and ashamed that she wasn't being played. She didn't want you guys to think she was a crappy player or a loser."
Bulma stood and glared at the TV. "It's not her fault. That stupid coach isn't giving her a chance!"
Peering closer Vegeta leaned forward and looked carefully into the screen. But just as he was looking, Bulma's swaying, angry ass moved into his line of vision. The woman was still cursing and ranting about unfair treatment and disrespectful men when Vegeta growled impatiently.
"Woman, move you giant ass! I need to see something."
Whipping around Bulma glared daggers into her husband, but his keen black eyes were watching the tape intensely. The second game ended and the recording changed to the third one. Of course. He saw the problem now.
"Look," he said pointing at the screen. "Bura is not the only one being benched. It's been the same four kids each and every time. And when the coach puts them in, they're always in the same position that Bura is in."
Bulma turned and followed Vegeta's line of vision, as did Trunks. Blue eyes widened and then squinted into angry slits. Both Trunks and Vegeta knew what was coming next.
"That bastard!" She shrieked as she gripped her short blue hair. "That fucking coach. What a sexist asshole! He's only benching the girls! Look at that." Practically foaming at the mouth Bulma grabbed the TV and shook it violently. "You jerk-off! You can't just bench them because they're girls. What the hell is this shit!"
Trunks lifted a protective hand and smiled sheepishly. "Mom, I don't think you should be doing that to the TV."
But Vegeta could understand his wife's anger. Sure. Throughout his life he hadn't been fair or strived for people to have equal rights. He'd always been selfish and close-minded. A few years ago he wouldn't have cared in the least that some sexist man was not letting some little girls play some dumb sport. But this was HIS daughter. No one benched his little girl and upset her. No one denied his princess of what she wanted. Oh, there was going to be hell to pay.
………..
The day was bright and sunny as the family made their way across various soccer fields. Kids of all ages screamed and ran around wearing bright uniforms, shin guards, and cleats. Mothers with various tiny children, jock-like dads with game plans and water jugs, and plain old soccer loving parents roamed around a giant field that held many soccer games. People were smiling, kids were laughing and playing, and everyone was basically having a grand time.
It made Vegeta want to vomit. All these tiny kids who hadn't yet grown into their oversized heads swarmed the land and their gleeful faces sickened the saiyajin. Bulma was surprised when she screamed that she was going to kick someone's ass at the tournament game and her black-haired prince agreed to go along. But still, getting curious whispers as he passed and having snot-nosed little brats pointing as his tall, flame-like hair aggravated him to no end (-Yes, I know that this is GT and Vegeta had his hair short then, but seeing as how I'm not a fan of GT and the fact that Vegeta's hair was even touched much less cut short makes me SICK! So, for this story, he still has a voluptuous head of hair. Yay!-)
It was only Vegeta and Bulma this day as Trunks had made plans earlier to go to a theme park with the Son family. Bura was ok with this, though, seeing as how her older brother was nice enough to make it to all of her games. Still, the fact that both feisty, stubborn, and somewhat angry parents were there to watch her sit the bench was not thrilling the young girl. It was bad enough that she had to be bored the whole game while all the boys played, but having her proud, arrogant father (who she loved dearly, of course) and somewhat stuck-up, easily angered mother there was not sitting well.
"Which field is it?" Vegeta demanded.
Bulma sighed loudly and pointed to a large plain of grass not too far away. "If you remembered, Vegeta, you're daughter wears a lime green uniform. She's with the whole team over there!"
The haughty saiyajin crossed his arms angrily at his wife's shrill voice and the couple made their way over to the side of the field where all the other parents sat. Bura's team milled about and warmed up for the upcoming game. Vegeta and Bulma had both brought folding chairs and placed them next to the group of parents that supported their daughter's team. Vegeta was glad that his mate placed her chair nearest to the couple on their right. The thing he hated most about these weak humans was their constant need to start conversation. The large, burly man in the small lawn chair next to Bulma smiled at her as she sat. Placing a large sun hat on her mop of blue hair the Capsule Corp. heiress smiled back.
"Haven't seen you guys at any of the games," he boomed, his gruff voice loud and rough. "Which one's yours?"
Bulma giggled as she often did when speaking to someone new and pointed to her small daughter skillfully juggling a black and white ball with her feet. "That's my daughter with the blue hair. Bura."
Neither parents missed the slight smirk that appeared on the man's face as his eyes glanced at the woman sitting next to him. She leaned forward and Vegeta had to hold back a cringe as the scowling lady peered at him and Bulma through thin, light colored sunglasses. She, too, wore a sun hat, though it was smaller and much more decorated than Bulma's. Her face was narrow and gaunt and her small, bitter mouth tried to form a decent smile. It failed miserably, though.
"You're daughter is Bura Briefs?"
Bulma forced a smile and nodded, hearing the condescending tone in the snide woman's voice.
"That's quite the interesting name," the large man said. "We haven't been able to see much of her play…and unfortunately this is the last game of the year."
Both Bulma and Vegeta felt their bodies tense at the pure, open sarcasm behind the entire sentence. Bulma knew snooping and gossip when she heard it, and she could tell that her daughter had been a topic among the snobby parents in the stands.
"Yes, Bura is named after my grandmother. And who, may I ask, is your child?"
Both arrogant parents smiled proudly, their chests puffed out as the man pointed one large, fat finger at an ape-like boy pushing past his own teammates and stealing the ball from the ones smaller than he, which was just about everyone on the field. The ogre child had pale, pink skin and a patch of light blonde hair on top of his round head. Mean dark eyes glared from the piggy slits on his face and fat bounced as he ran.
"That's Milton." The man announced. "And I'm sorry. I've been rude. I'm Milton Senior Senior and this is my wife Blanch Senior."
"So, your son's name is Milton Senior Junior?" Vegeta asked, highly amused by the stupid humans. He stifled an arrogant laugh and Bulma smiled through her teeth.
"Not now, Vegeta," she hissed, not turning to look at him at all. Regaining her false grin Bulma squinted her eyes happily. "I'm Bulma Briefs and this is my…husband Vegeta."
Bulma normally hesitated in calling Vegeta her husband because they had never officially married. It was just easier to call each other husband and wife when speaking to others, but she knew that it irked Vegeta. He was used to just calling her a mate and it wasn't saiyajin custom to have a wife as in earth tradition.
"Just Vegeta?" Milton mused.
"You are Bulma Briefs of the Capsule Corporation," Blanch interrupted.
Feeling her ego raise Bulma straightened in her seat and smiled smugly. "Yes, yes I am."
The narrow-faced woman clicked her teeth softly. "Yes, the capsule idea is quite ingenious, though, my family goes nowhere near the automobiles. Quite…well, disappointing at moments." She hesitated with a ghastly grin. "Though I am sure that we just bought a bad model. Yes yes."
Biting her lip, Bulma kept her fading grin plastered on her face and smiled. Her eye twitched angrily but she laughed along with the rude bitch. "That happens…ha…ha."
Bulma quickly turned back into her seat and sat angrily, crossing her arms and grinding her teeth. She could feel Vegeta's amused eyes on her.
"Are you going to take that?" He whispered evilly.
"Shut up, Vegeta."
Looking up, the teams were being set up on the field. Coaches led the small children to their positions making sure the little six, seven, and eight year olds knew where to stand and knew which direction to run toward. Scanning the field, no girls were seen on the grass from either team.
"And they call this co-ed soccer," Bulma hissed.
The couple beside her laughed lightly. So they thought it was funny, huh? Bulma tightened her arms around herself more and growled angrily. Vegeta watched his woman's mounting fury and held in a grin. He loved his mate's fiery attitude and saiyajin-like spirit. Even with all their fighting he loved her more than anything…well, maybe just as much as his daughter.
The ref blew his whistle and the ugly boy Milton stole the ball immediately. Rushing through the crowd of swarming, ant-like children the ogre ran over the small soccer players and immediately launched the ball into the goal. Bulma and Vegeta watched as the disgusting child did an obscene victory dance and then ran over some other players of the opposing team. The whistle blew again and this time the other team had possession. A sleek skillful player in orange burst through Bura's team and approached the goal eagerly. He didn't even see the brute Milton appear behind him. With a large hand the pink boy shoved the active player forward, sending the opponent crashing into the ground. Whistles blew and the refs called a direct kick for the orange players.
"What!" Milton Senior Senior howled. His jelly roles bounced as he stood and screamed at the refs. "That was fair! The little twerp fell before my son was anywhere near him!"
Bulma placed a finger to the side of her face and turned slowly to Vegeta. "What an asshole," she muttered through partly closed lips. Unfortunately, Mrs. Senior heard and her puckered face frowned deeper.
The opposing team scored with their free kick and now the game was tied. Still, Bura had no time on the field. Vegeta grew bored as time passed and he kicked at the grass around his Doc. Martens. Suddenly, Bulma slapped his arm and she sat up in her chair.
"Bura is in!"
Vegeta's black eyes rose and he felt a deep sense of pride as his strong, happy daughter bound across the field and subbed in another player.
"Look she's not in defense!" Bulma cried. Not understanding what the woman was saying he merely nodded. Bulma's eyes narrowed at his lack of caring and she sneered. "Obviously her coach only puts her and the other girls into the defense position so they can't see much action and can't score a goal. She's in midfield! That's a very important position. They can score goals in that position because they can run all over the field."
Vegeta smirked at his mate's enthusiasm and sat up in his own chair to get a better view of his soccer player. A little boy threw the ball in and immediately the blue-haired girl was right there. In a flash she was running up the field, hugging the out-of-bounds line and preparing to launch the ball up the field. Bulma was on her feet and screaming and whooping as Bura sprinted into the opponent's half of the field. Vegeta was quite surprised and impressed by his daughter's skills on the field. She was playing like a pro.
"Bura! What. Are. You. DOING?" The coach hollered across the field. Immediately the young princess faltered and the ball was stolen from her.
As the other team ran down the field, her own teammates ran past her sneering and taunting. Vegeta felt his blood begin to boil as their snide little faces glared at his daughter. Bulma let out a frustrated groan and flopped back down in her chair.
"What the hell was that bastard screaming at?" She demanded. "Bura was just about to score a goal and he totally messed her up."
The Seniors chuckled next to her and shook their heads. Bulma felt like telling them to fuck off, but refrained. This was a youth soccer game, not the end of the world, and she wasn't going to create a scene. Looking up, she saw that the other team scored and her daughter trudged back to her position with her head lowered in shame.
"It's ok honey!" Bulma cheered. "That was a great move! You're doing perfect!"
The coach seemed to disagree, though, and quickly asked for a substitution. Vegeta and Bulma both growled as they're daughter was pulled off the field again. Bulma leaned over and Vegeta leaned toward her.
"Think you can pick up what he's saying to her?"
Vegeta smirked and looked across the field. "With ease."
The coach sat Bura on the bench and knelt beside her. His dark brown eyes glared into hers and she felt like crying. He pulled his baseball hat off his head and wiped his forehead, then placed the cap back on.
"Bura, I told you, you're not allowed to cross the mid line. You can only stay in our half of the field. Look what happened when you crossed that line. You lost the ball and they scored."
Bura's shimmering blue eyes raised up and looked into her coach's. "But, I've seen the other guys cross that line. I thought that the midfielder was supposed to stay near the forwards and pass the ball to them. I thought the midfielder had to play both defense and offense. I was only doing what-"
"No, Bura," the man snapped, his impatience getting the better of him. "You need to stay in our half of the field. You and the others are doing just fine in defense." He stood up and looked at all four of the little girls on the bench. "Remember ladies. We need a good defense line, but if the forwards or midfielders come back there to help, let them do the work, alright?"
The girls all nodded and the man turned his attention back to the game. Vegeta finished explaining and Bulma felt her blood boil. The man outright lied to them. He wasn't going to play any of the girls fairly at all. This wasn't right. How was her daughter going to enjoy a sport if no one let her play? Bura had talent and skill and just because she was a girl meant that she was going to be benched!
A whistle was blown again and Mr. Senior stood up bellowing and screaming again. "Offside! OFFSIDE! Ref…COME ON! He was absolutely in front of the defender! Ah! This is ridiculous. My wife's sunglasses are prescription! I think you need them!"
Vegeta grinned at the mere stupidity of the obese man and shook his head. He had no idea what offside was, but just hearing the man scream over a stupid game was quite entertaining. As much as these humans became insanely frantic and obscene over a mere sport, which was extremely amusing to him, he was getting quite pissed at the coach who refused to allow his daughter to play. If Bulma weren't here he would have already blasted the man…and probably half the audience because their mere presence was annoying.
Both refs blew their whistles suddenly and all players left the field and ran to their benches. It was halftime and the sweating players were glad for the break. Vegeta and Bulma watched as the coach made the four girls prepare water cups for the boys who had just played.
"Ridiculous," Bulma muttered.
The Seniors heard this complaint and sent each other sly glances of triumph.
"Milton is doing lovely today," Blanch sang. "He made the first goal, I'm so proud. The Alligators aren't going to lose because Milton is going to score all the goals today. In fact, he doesn't even need the team around him, he could win on his own."
"I know, dear," Milton Sr. replied. "The score should be one to zero, not two to one, but alas…mistakes happen. Luckily the second goal wasn't our Milton's fault."
"What?" Vegeta growled and sat up suddenly. Bulma placed a calming hand on his strong chest and shoved him back down into his seat. As much as she wanted her lover to blast the two annoyances into the sky, she couldn't have the saiyajin running around destroying people, no matter how stupid or rude they were.
"It's ok, Vegeta. There's only one more half and then the game is over."
"They can't talk about Bura like that," Vegeta snarled under his breath. "If it wasn't for that shithead coach she would have scored a goal."
"I know, I know."
Vegeta flung himself against the back of his chair and pouted. Knowing that those weak, loud-mouthed humans won the verbal battle infuriated him greatly. He was Vegeta, dammit. He never lost anything, physical or verbal. Both teams sent eleven players out onto the field again, and as expected, Bura was on the bench.
"Well, at least there are two girls on the field," Bulma said softly. Vegeta rolled his eyes.
The game began and as usual, the porky Milton child had more calls against him than any other player on the field. Vegeta snickered when, at one point, the hefty boy received a yellow card and had to go sit on the bench. Because of his absence, one of the female players was moved up to midfield and Bura was placed into defense.
"Well, at least she's on the field," Bulma pouted.
But back there, none of the players saw anything. The offensive line was full of fast, powerful boys and none of the orange team was getting past. Vegeta and Bulma watched angrily as three girls stood in the back near the goalkeeper, two of them laughing and blowing dandelion seeds around. Vegeta sighed…girls.
There was a substitution again and Milton came galloping back onto the fields and surprisingly enough, Bura was moved up to midfield. The dainty child stood behind the gargantuan Milton, hiding in his shadow and play was restarted.
Bura was being a "good girl" and not running over the midline. Occasionally the ball would roll to her feet and she'd just boot it up to the forwards. The coach would yell then, saying "nice job, Bura" or "ok, not too close to the line, midfielders!" All in all, it was quite boring and Bura's parents could see their little girl pouting and waiting for the occasional accidental pass to her.
"Look at our boy, Blanch," Milton beamed.
The roly-poly boy was having a grand time discreetly fouling other players and shoving past his own teammates. His fat face grinned and he waved at his parents who proudly waved back. Bura turned and rolled her eyes and then looked back toward the game. The Seniors caught the snide little expression and became even angrier as Vegeta and Bulma chuckled lightly.
"Alright, keep your head in the game, Milton!" The ogre's father boomed. "This is all you, this is all you." He turned to his sour wife impatiently. "I wish that girl would get out of our son's way. She's not even doing anything," he barked loud enough for half the field to hear.
Bulma's eyes widened and she glared at the horrid man. These children were only six to eight years old. How could he talk like that, especially to her daughter?
"Bulma," Vegeta said smoothly, lacing his hands together. "I thought that the age limit in this division was eight. Why would a twelve year old be playing?" He asked, sounding genuinely confused and concerned.
"Why, I don't know, Vegeta," Bulma replied, broadcasting her annoyance toward the idiots next to her. "I'm guessing that this league allows slower children, who need a lot of help in society and can't think too well, to play with children who are at the same intelligence level as they are." She leaned over and patted Vegeta's knee with much concern. "It probably makes them feel better to play with little kids."
The saiyajin glanced over and saw the Milton man watching the game intently, but he couldn't miss the vein bulging from his forehead or his teeth clenching with fury. The soccer ball on the field was passed to Bura and instinctively she kicked it to a forward who was in perfect position in front of the goal. Mr. Senior let out a moan of annoyance and he slapped his knee. The forward received Bura's pass and shot the ball straight into the opponent's goal. The crowd cheered and the green Alligators team joyfully ran back to their positions.
"Way to go, Bura!" Bulma cried. "You assisted that goal! Whoo!"
"She should have passed it to Milton," Blanch sneered. "It would have been a much better shot."
Bulma bit her lip and turned away from the bitter couple. The game was tied now and time was passing quick. Vegeta and Bulma watched as the teams repositioned themselves. Both noted the towering Milton boy turn to Bura. Vegeta tuned in his sensitive hearing and watched closely.
"What the hell, Bra," he taunted. "I was totally open. Why pass it to Testuo when I'M open?"
The small, blue-haired girl glared up at him, her face matching both parents perfectly. "Tetsuo was more open than you were and you weren't in a good position for a good shot. That's why," she snapped with a childish sneer. The ogre clenched his fists and glared at the jewel-eyed child. Standing in front of her, he skulked up to the midline and waited for the refs to start them.
The whistle blew and immediately the small children were back into play. Parents cheered and coaches screamed as the kids ran up and down the field. The Seniors roared to their son as he walloped a nearby opponent when neither ref was looking. A crowd of the youngsters grouped together and it was a mass of kicking each other's shins and feet. The ball bounced around in the middle as the sport-crazed tots hacked away at it. Bura stood near the line the by her parents and waited, her cool eyes watching the group of small athletes trying to gain possession.
"You're doing great, honey," Bulma cheered.
Bura turned and smiled at her mom. Although the game wasn't going as great as she hoped, she was getting a bit more playing time than usual, even if she wasn't allowed to get involved. And besides, both parents were here. Still, she wished that she could get the ball and actually score a goal to prove to her daddy that she, too, was a fighter.
"Yeah, real great," Milton Sr. muttered. "Yep, stay back by the sidelines like a good little girl and stay out of my boy's way."
Bulma turned and glared at the obnoxious man, her scowl quite clear on her face. "If you have a problem with my daughter, then just say it."
Vegeta felt his stomach drop, much like Bulma's did when he was about to get into a fight. He turned to Bura and gave her a subtle smile. His young daughter sighed and rolled her eyes as he made a "scoot away" gesture with his hand. The green clad girl huffed and marched away, knowing full well that that sign meant her mom was about to blow up on someone and her dad didn't want her to see it.
Both of the rude, annoying people turned directly towards the enraged blue-haired goddess now. All three people had forgotten about the game, but Vegeta suddenly seemed to gain some interest in it as he tried to avoid the situation all together. Sure it was hot when Bulma got pissed and told someone off, but watching her sometimes made him want her too badly. And in an area like this, that would be a bad thing.
"Why yes I do, Mrs. Bulma Briefs," Milton Sr. growled.
"Oh yeah?" Bulma hissed back. "And why would that be? Faulty cars, bad products from Capsule Corp, or the fact that I'm much more beautiful than Ms. Wrinkles next to you and my daughter is much more of an innocent child than the gorilla you bring home each day?"
The burly man's face grew deep red and his wife let out an awful gasp. Vegeta bit his lip and watched the ball get kicked up and down the field.
"Why you horrid, rude woman," Blanch gasped. "I'll let you know that-"
The audience started screaming suddenly as the ball sped down the field. Bulma and the Seniors whipped their heads around to see Bura racing down the field with ball. She had clearly crossed the midline and was gliding down the grassy plain, her feet skillfully following behind the ball. The coach was screaming at her to stop but the girl had had enough. Her mother was here and so was dad and she wasn't just going to stand there all day or sit on the bench. Ignoring the coach's pleading to stop she wound up her foot and was about to slam it into the ball.
A defender from the opposing team ran and attempted a poorly executed slide tackle. His foot hit Bura's shoe and she stumbled. The ref nearest to her raised his whistle and began to blow for the penalty when suddenly the small girl was plowed into roughly by Milton Jr. Vegeta sat up quickly letting out an angry sound of disapproval and Bulma was on her feet in a flash.
Bura rolled across the dry grass painfully and landed on her back. Her eyes watered from the strike against her and she slowly rolled onto her stomach to see what collided with her. Milton stood over her and put his beefy hands on his hips as he grinned.
"The coach told you to stop…so I made you."
The refs ran over to check the little girl and asked her if she wanted the coach. Answering no immediately she hopped to her feet, biting back the pain in her side and was greeted with a pity clap from both sides of the audience.
"Sub ref, sub!"
The referees turned to Bura's coach and shook their heads.
"Sorry, sir," one said. "We won't allow subs during a penalty kick."
The coach opened his mouth to protest but angrily sat on the bench instead. Crossing his arms he glared at his team standing out on the field.
"We'll resume play with a penalty kick since player number eight (Bura) was fouled before her injury."
"Hey, what about the kid who pushed her?" Bulma cried out across the field. "He should be banned from the game! Red card…RED CARD!"
The refs simply ignored the outraged woman and returned to the game at hand. With a frustrated yell she kicked at the grass and sat back down in her chair. The man next to her laughed heartily.
"You'd better shut your fat face, buster, or those laughs will soon be tears," the red-faced genius snarled.
"Ok, ma'am," he mocked.
"No, she's quite serious," Vegeta said darkly peering at the man. "And it won't be pretty."
Milton stared at the unusual man with the upswept hair and felt a sudden fear gnaw at his large gut. Something about this person sent chills up his spine. Leaning back in his chair Mr. Senior obeyed for once and shut up.
"Oh my God, Vegeta!" Bulma squealed through her hands. "Bura is taking the penalty kick!"
Their little girl stood alone in the center of the penalty box staring directly at the antsy goalkeeper. Her team, as well as the other stood on the outside of the box and shifted back and forth impatiently. Bulma looked at her watch.
"Time is already out," she whispered in excitement. "If she scores, it's the end of the tournament and her team will win."
Vegeta kept his face blank, but he, too was feeling a flutter of excitement at this news. There his strong little daughter stood, on the battlefield, facing her enemy and victory on her little shoulders. Leaning forward, he rested his clasped hands on his knees, his heart beating faster. The entire audience was silent now as the once injured girl faced off against the tall, quick goalie of the orange team. Not a breath was heard as the ref brought his whistle up to his mouth. It was on now.
Blowing his whistle, the audience remained silent as Bura wound up and sent a powerful, perfectly placed kick sailing into the air. Bulma's blue eyes lit up and her fists clenched as the black and white orb flew through the air. No one was saying anything, but gasps and excited whimpers were heard. The ball neared the goal, heading toward the right corner of the net. The keeper dove, his gloved fingertips grazing the bottom of the ball. It rolled off his fingers and sailed directly into the net, hitting the white material with a loud thwap!
It was silent at first and then the parents of the green Alligators stood and screamed with excitement. Parents and brothers and sisters cheered and danced around and hugged each other. Bulma wiped tears from her eyes as her heart burst with happiness. Bura's team surrounded the little demi-saiyajin and laughed and hugged her and danced about with great childish excitement. Everyone on her team celebrated…except of course the Seniors. The stuck up people stood haughtily and peered at Vegeta and Bulma with much dislike.
The teams lined up finally after much excitement and moved to clap and shake hands after the stressful nerve wracking game. Bura ran across the field to her parents, a huge grin on her face and a juice box and candy bar in hand. Laughing the little girl jumped up into her mother's arms.
"We won! Mom, we won!"
"I know, I know! I'm so proud of you, Bura!"
Standing now, Vegeta felt a smile form on his face. Bura hopped down from her mother's arms and ran to hug his leg. Bending down Vegeta picked up his excited daughter and blushed as she kissed him on the cheek.
"Did you see my goal, Dad? Did you, did you?"
Vegeta chuckled slightly and nodded. "Of course. What else would I be doing? Training?"
The seven-year-old giggled and then hopped down from his arms. Several of her teammates walked past and told her how great she did and how glad they were to have her on the team. Then, Milton walked up. He stood in front of his parents and glared at the girl.
"That should have been my kick," he whined. "You're just a girl, and that goal was a mistake. That was just a lucky shot."
Bura turned her head to the side and smiled sweetly. "Really? Well then, I guess this is a lucky shot, too."
With her spiked shoes the short princess brought back her foot and sent it sailing into the larger boy's groin. With a pained cry the blubbery child fell to the ground and shuttered in agony as he grabbed the aching area. His idiot parents were at his side and trying to help their brat's injury. Vegeta reached down and held out his hand, which his daughter took.
"Good shot, kid."
Smiling like an adorable princess she giggled and the Briefs walked away. Nearing the parking lot, much of Bura's team stood and regaled their parents and friends with the story of Bura's awesome penalty kick. One of the head administrators of the youth soccer league and Bura's coach came running up to the departing family.
"Well, I must say that was quite a great shot," the coach said nervously, wiping his forehead eagerly.
"Which one?" Bulma muttered to Vegeta through clenched teeth.
"Thanks Mr. Buyer," Bura chirped.
"Yes, yes, I saw the whole game," the head coach of the league said happily. "And for having such a skilled and excellent player, I would love to hear any input from you, the parents, that would help make this soccer association any better."
Bulma and Vegeta looked at each other as Milton and Blanch struggled to carry their hefty son into their van.
"I don't want the girls to have to sit the bench anymore," Vegeta snapped, looking at his smiling daughter.
The Seniors heard this and scowled at the small family but said nothing as they shoved Milton Jr. into the car. Bura's coach paled somewhat and dug his toe into the pavement.
"Oh, has this been a problem?" The head coach asked.
Mr. Buyer looked at Vegeta and Bulma guiltily. He then shook his head, "Not that I know of."
Vegeta and Bulma narrowed their eyes and glanced at each other. The dark prince looked over his shoulder to see Milton Jr. sticking his tongue out at them. Grinning Vegeta looked back at the unwilling coach.
"If my daughter-"
"And the other girls," Bulma added.
Vegeta sent her a cold look and the blue-haired woman shrugged. "If the girls on these teams don't get more playing time on the field, I'm afraid things could get nasty."
Both coaches looked at each other and nodded. "We'll see what we can do," Mr. Buyer replied quickly. Obviously they weren't taking Vegeta seriously.
"Because," the prince spoke slowly, "if my little girl is not happy, then I'm not. And if I'm not happy…well…things like this happen."
Turning swiftly, Vegeta moved to the van that held the obnoxious Senior family. Bending down, Vegeta grabbed the back end and easily lifted up the entire automobile. Grinning evilly he simply tossed the vehicle into the air and watched as it sailed up and then came flying down onto the pavement nearby. With a screech of tires, the van fishtailed and sped off with an amazed and terrified boy staring out the back window.
Returning back to the conversation, Vegeta hardly noticed the two humans shaking in terror. Bura merely giggled. Bulma rolled her eyes and pinched the top of her nose as a headache formed.
"Do we understand?" Vegeta slyly asked.
Nodding in terror the two coaches gave him a lopsided grin and then took off running. Bura's team looked at each other in awe. Catching the fascinated and fearful faces Bulma turned around and waved her hands in the air.
"Oh don't worry. It was just a…a trick! Yeah….ha ha, don't worry. Everything is fine here."
The people watching laughed nervously and nodded.
"Oh that's ok," one of the moms said with a wave of the hand. "No one here likes the Senior family anyway. It's about time someone threw them and their van across a parking lot."
And with that, the crowd laughed and Bulma joined them nervously. Turning around she gave Vegeta an exasperated stare and made her way to the car.
"Come on Bura," she said snappishly. "Time to get you home and celebrate."
Vegeta jogged and caught up to the angry woman. "What did I do?"
Bulma growled in annoyance but said nothing.
"Really, what?"
"This is why I can't have friends, Vegeta!" The scientist shouted. "You scare off anyone that's normal!"
Pulling her keys out Vegeta bent down and took Bura's small hands.
"Good job today, Bura."
"Thanks Daddy."
"You're a trooper. You stood up even after that shithead knocked you down." She giggled. Vegeta glanced at his infuriated wife as she cursed and struggled to open the door. "Bura."
"Yes, Daddy?"
"I love your mother dearly, but make sure you're never like that."
The father and daughter turned to see Bulma kicking the side of the door and letting out frustrated curses as the key was now stuck. Bura turned back to her father and smiled apologetically.
"Don't worry, Daddy. We've still got a few years before that happens."
Vegeta laughed and hugged his daughter. Taking her hand, the duo walked slowly to the car. They laughed and joked as Bulma ranted and raved. The sun was setting and the sky was lit up brightly with oranges, reds, and pinks.
"Daddy, do you like our uniforms or the other team's more?"
Vegeta scoffed and smiled down at his daughter.
"Yours is much better." A little boy walked past wearing the orange uniform looking disgustingly like Kakerotto. "I've never particularly cared for…orange."
'Finally! Sorry it took a while. Well, if you're wondering where I got the inspiration for this chapter, it is a true story! Something like this happened when I played co-ed soccer (the benching girls thing) so I thought it might make a cute chapter. It's not meant to be feminists or anything, just something that happens sometimes. Well, I'm pretty sure this is the last chapter. But who knows, if I come up with more ideas I'll post them. Anyway, thank to everyone who read…and reviewed, too. See ya around! -Vegetachik7'