Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty
By Feraligreater328
A/N: This was originally going to be one, massive chapter. But I decided to break it up into two because I feel like it would make the story I'm trying to tell flow better. So, Chapter 56 shouldn't take long for me to post. I hope you all enjoy my first take on "Filler" here~
Chapter 55: Saiyan Love, Part 1
Mt. Paozu, Bardock and Gine's house (16 months until the Android Attack) …
Raditz stood in front of the mirror atop his dresser and looked himself up and down. Tonight was, arguably, in the top five of the most important nights of his life. Tonight, he had something special planned. Tonight, he was taking the next step towards the rest of his hopefully peaceful life.
Raditz traced his finger over a scar on his side, a stab wound from a former invasion. "Hmm..."
His body was covered in old scars, proof of his long life as a soldier and a Saiyan. He smiled as he thought back over his past few months with Launch. Spending time with her, getting to know her, growing to love her. She had seen all of his scars, and she had even shown him a few of hers too. She was everything he wanted in a woman. She saw those scars and wasn't repelled by the violence that had filled Raditz's past, she simply said that they gave him character.
Launch had given Raditz something that he had never been allowed to experience in his life prior: self-confidence.
Raditz blushed as he reached over, picking up a small box and gripping it tight. Chi-Chi had gone through the trouble of helping him pick this out. She had even taken the time to coach him on what to say. Raditz nervously cleared his throat. "Launch, would you..."
"L-Launch, will you..."
"Launch, I would be honored if you would..."
Raditz pursed his lips, unsure of how to word it. He gripped the box tighter and closed his eyes. As he began to play the scene out in his head, Raditz was caught off-guard by his cell phone ringing in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered. "H-Hello?"
He smiled happily. "Oh, hey Launch! What's up?"
As Launch spoke, Raditz's smile faded. He wasn't unhappy, just confused by what she had to say to him. "Say again...?"
Meanwhile, at Chi-Chi and Goku's house...
Chi-Chi held the opening to her backpack open, stuffing as many of her pre-prepared meals into the bag as she could manage. The look on her face was one of intense focus, as she had a plan for today. Chi-Chi wordlessly packed the bag, working out a strategy in her head as she did so.
Standing in her kitchen, dressed in her fighting clothes, she knew that she only had one shot to get this right or the entire thing would be a bust. Chi-Chi picked up the satellite television that she had bought the last time she went into town and stuffed it into a protective pocket. "Okay, the bag is all packed. Now...I just have to set the trap..."
Chi-Chi flinched as she heard thunderous footsteps cascading down the stairs. "Okay. Show time."
Chi-Chi immediately made a showing of doing warm-up stretches. She worked her legs and her arms, grunting and groaning to put on a big display. Goku and Gohan rushed into the kitchen. "Okay Gohan! So, I was thinking that today we would-"
Goku paused, seeing his wife warming up. "Hey Chi-Chi. Whatcha doin'?"
Chi-Chi spoke bluntly, knowing that short sentences were key to keep her target's attention. "Gonna go kill a monster!"
Gohan cocked his head. "Monster? What monster?"
Goku was curious as well, his excitement bubbling forth. "There's a monster?!"
Chi-Chi smiled and nodded. "Yep. Been causing earthquakes near the top of the mountain. Landslides have been ruining my attempts to start growing crops in the nearby fields."
She smirked and grabbed her backpack, slinging it onto her back. "Gonna go find it and beat the crap out of it."
Goku was giddy. "Hey! Wait! I wanna come!"
Chi-Chi smirked; the trap had snapped. "Well Goku...I guess you could come along~"
Goku smiled wide, stars shining in his eyes. Gohan spoke up. "Ooh! Can I come too?"
Chi-Chi had to stifle a gasp. Putting on a serious face, she shook her head. "No. Too dangerous. But don't worry, son. I've found someone to watch you while your Dad and I are gone."
Back in Bardock and Gine's house...
Bardock and Gine had both found contentment on Earth. The two of them had fully settled into retired life and were both all the better for it. Resting in his lazy chair, snoring like a bear, Bardock was enjoying a peaceful, afternoon nap. Meanwhile, Gine stood in the kitchen and found herself indulging in the simple pleasures of housework.
Gine whistled a merry tune as she stared out the window, watching birds flap about between the tree branches. She carefully dried each individual dish and, once that was done, gathered them all up to put them away. She glanced into the den at her slumbering husband, opening the china cabinet to put the plates away.
In the back of her mind, Gine knew that something had to give. In spite of their peaceful life, in spite of reconnecting after that long year, she and Bardock had still not discussed what had happened between them after the fight with Frieza. Gine wanted to wait and allow Bardock to approach her when he was ready. But it was becoming clearer and clearer to her that Bardock was never going to bring it up on his own. It was down to her to address the problem.
But, that could all wait. She and Bardock had a more important duty at the moment. Gine glanced out the window and saw Goku, Chi-Chi, and Gohan all walking over. Moving quickly, she dashed into the den and shook her husband's chair. "Bardock! They're coming!"
Bardock snorted as he was jolted awake. "Wh-What?!"
Gine was positively giddy. "Chi-Chi and Kakarot are bringing Gohan over! We get to babysit Bardock! Get excited~!"
Bardock shook his head and chuckled. "I'm excited. Calm down, Gine..."
Gine ran across the room, opening the door on the first knock. She smiled wide at her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. "Hey Gohan!"
Gohan smiled and jumped into a hug. "Hey Grandma!"
Bardock stood up, scratching the back of his head and belching. "Sup kid."
Gohan waved. "Hey Grandpa Bardock!"
Gine set Gohan down and he went running into the kitchen. She turned to Goku and Chi-Chi and gently smiled. "So, we're watching him for the day while you guys go on a da-"
Chi-Chi rose her voice, overtaking Gine. "DAYTIME MONSTER HUNT! Yes Gine! Daytime Monster Hunt!"
Goku pumped his fists into the air. "Heck yeah! Daytime Monster Hunt!"
Bardock rolled his eyes and chuckled. And then, Raditz surprised everyone by barreling down the stairs. The elder brother looked as if he was trying to stay calm, but his eyes were frantic. He nearly tripped as he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, but managed to catch himself. Bardock turned to his son. "What's up with you?"
Raditz shook his head. "N-Nothing. Nothing. It's nothing."
Gine narrowed her eyes. "Uh-huh. It sure looks like nothing. What's going on, son?"
Raditz shook his head again. "Nothing. I swear. It's just-"
Chi-Chi stepped up, placing her hand onto Raditz's chest. "Raditz."
Raditz glanced into Chi-Chi's eyes. Chi-Chi gently smiled. "You and Launch have a healthy relationship. I know what you're worried about, but don't panic. Everything is going to be fine."
Gine stood on her tiptoes, giving Raditz a peck on the cheek. "Just stay calm, Raditz."
Even Bardock stepped up, giving Raditz a fatherly pat on the back. Raditz looked towards his father, seeing a confident smirk on the man's face. He turned to Goku and received a cheerful thumbs up from his brother. Raditz took a deep breath and let it out. "Thank you all. I appreciate it."
And then, without another word, Raditz ran out the door and took off into the sky.
Chi-Chi chuckled and grabbed Goku by the arm. "Okay then Goku, let's hurry up! We have a monster to take down!"
Goku smiled wide. "Heck yeah! Let's do it!"
The two of them both turned and started marching towards the forest. Gine followed them out of the house and waved goodbye. "Have fun you two!"
Chi-Chi turned to wave goodbye as well and the two women shared a sly wink. Goku was excited to go and hunt down a monster, seemingly none the wiser to what was going on. Chi-Chi was thrilled to have a day with her husband. And Gine and Bardock got to spend a day with their beloved grandson. Gine happily strolled back into her house, walking into the kitchen and finding Bardock and Gohan already bonding just as they had before. Bardock smashed his fist against his bare chest. "Alright boy! Let's get down to it! Daily chores and training time!"
Gohan was pumped. "Yes sir! Let's get to it!"
Gine leaned against the doorway with a warm grin. This was going to be a good day for everyone, it seemed.
In the sky, on the way to West City...
Raditz sped through the air on his way to West City. The elder brother had a lot on his mind as he streaked across the sky. With a concerned scowl on his face, he thought back to his phone call with Launch just a few minutes earlier.
Earlier, on the phone...
Launch sighed. "So that's the way it is. I'm sorry, Raditz."
Raditz was speechless. Not out of any sort of anger, but more out of confusion. "One more time. Slowly. I'm still not fully grasping what you're saying..."
Launch buried her face in her free hand. "I went to check on Bulma before I went home last night. I found her three cases of beer and 48 hours into a work binge. She hasn't been sleeping or eating properly."
Raditz nodded. "R-Right..."
Launch cocked her head. "So... I asked her to join us on our date tonight. Because she needs it, Raditz. She needs to get out. Her and Yamcha's break-up staggered her and she's only been getting worse as time has gone on. And... she's my best friend, so I have to do something. You know?"
Raditz nodded again. "I get all of that. I'm confused as to what my part in this is meant to be..."
Launch sighed. "I need you to find someone to bring along to join us on this double date, Raditz."
Raditz groaned. "And just how am I supposed to do that. All of the people I spend my time with are either taken or asexual."
Launch sighed even louder. "Look. I'm sorry. I didn't think about that when I did it. I just...I... ah...Ah...AH..."
Raditz cringed. "Oh no..."
A sneeze echoed through the phone, and then the gruffer voice of Blonde Launch began to shout. "HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO?! JUST DO SOMETHING RADITZ! YOU'RE AN ADULT, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND SOMEONE!"
Raditz groaned. "Okay, okay. Quit yelling. I'll...find someone..."
Back in the present...
Raditz continued to speed along in the air, deep in thought. "Tien isn't romantic, Krillin is in the friend-zone, Chiaotzu might be a child..."
He turned over mid-air, stroking his chin. "Kakarot is married, Dad is married, Piccolo's kind doesn't participate in romantic relationships..."
He thought harder. "That leaves...that...leaves..."
Raditz shuddered. "No...Noooooo..."
He groaned at the top of his lungs, ruffling his hair in frustration. "You must be joking. What kind of merciless God do I have watching over me to leave me in this kind of position! Surely I must know someone else..."
After thinking for a minute, Raditz realized he had no other choice. "Dammit. Dammit all! Dammit all to Hell!"
Raditz adjusted his tie and sighed. "I guess...I have no other choice..."
And then, after taking a moment to feel out his energy, Raditz sped off in a slightly altered direction.
Back on Mt. Paozu...
Goku and Chi-Chi hiked along, higher and higher into the wilds of Mt. Paozu. The two of them leapt up to the top of a sheer cliff and Goku cocked his head. "It's weird though..."
Chi-Chi turned to him. "What do you mean?"
Goku chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "I thought I tamed everything on this mountain after Gohan was born. I guess it doesn't take monster's long to show up and start trouble again, huh?"
A bead of sweat ran down the side of Chi-Chi's face. "Goku...you do realize that you were gone for over two years, right? That's kind of a long time..."
Goku nodded. "Y-Yeah...I guess so..."
His mind seemed to wander. "Wow...two years?! Where does the time go...?"
Chi-Chi sighed. "It just flows Goku. It flows on and on and on. Gohan is seven."
Goku chuckled. "He sure is getting big, huh?"
Chi-Chi nodded. "Yep. Our little boy is growing up into a little man before our very eyes. It's almost enough to make a mother want to cry..."
She wiped a tear from her eyes and chuckled. "But, Gine has been helping me deal with all of that. So, I fine with it. I look forward to watching our baby grow into a fine young man."
Goku smiled. "Me too~"
The two of them soon came upon the trunk of a massive tree, standing in the middle of their path. Chi-Chi smirked and leapt onto the root, slowly making her way around the side of the tree hanging over a sheer cliff. Goku called out to her. "Hey, Chi-Chi! You can just fly, ya know?"
Chi-Chi called back. "Where's the fun in that?"
Goku chuckled. "That's a good point."
He leapt onto the roots and followed along behind his wife. Once they made it to the other side, they leapt back onto the path and stared out at the vast forests and valleys of Mt. Paozu. Chi-Chi smiled wide, shielding her eyes from the Sun. "You know why I want to come up here and stop this monster from making earthquakes?"
Goku shrugged. "I dunno. Cuz it's fun?"
Chi-Chi sighed, sitting down and letting her legs hang over the edge of the cliff. "No Goku. Fun aside, I have a much more important reason."
Goku sat down next to Chi-Chi. She reached into her backpack and pulled out two bottles of water. She drank down half of hers in one gulp and pointed out to the vast, rolling valleys. "I want to start a farm. A nice, little farm for our family to tend and enjoy for generations to come. You know what I mean? I want something for us to be happy with, for when we grow old. Something you and I can retire with once Gohan is grown up and out of the house."
Goku smiled. "I get what ya mean."
He chuckled and nodded. "I'd love to do that, Chi-Chi! That sounds like it would be fun, as long as I still get to train and fight and stuff~"
Chi-Chi rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't fade. "You and your fighting obsession..."
She reached into her backpack, pulling out her cellphone. "We'll talk more about this in a second, I'm going to call and check on Gohan."
Back at Bardock and Gine's house...
Gine was trying her best to wrap her hair up in a towel with only a single free hand. Her other hand held a cellphone up to her face. "He's fine, Chi-Chi. He and Bardock have been spending time together since you left."
Gine nodded her head as Chi-Chi spoke on the other end. She finished wrapping her hair towel and sighed. "Yes, I'm making sure that his lessons for today are getting done. You don't have to worry about that. He's a smart boy, he knows how to study without me looming over him..."
Chi-Chi started talking again. Gine nodded along as she walked out of the bathroom. She made her way into the den and then upstairs. The Saiyan mother walked into her and Bardock's room and dropped her towel. As she fished around in her drawer for underwear and a bra, Gine briefly glanced out the window and chuckled. "Yes Chi-Chi, Gohan is enjoying himself~"
Outside, Gohan and Bardock were both shirtless, a massive pile of freshly harvest logs sitting in a heap next to them. Bardock picked up a log and shouted at the top of his lungs. "OOZARU STRONG! OOZARU CHOP WOOD WITH PECS!"
And, he slammed the log onto his chest and split it in two. Gohan, copying his grandfather, shouted at the top of his lungs. "OOZARU CHOP WOOD WITH PECS!"
The boy slammed the log against his chest, breaking it in half. Bardock chuckled and picked up another. "OOZARU STRONG! OOZARU CHOP WOULD WITH HEAD!"
He headbutted the log and broke it into two pieces. Gohan followed suit. "OOZARU CHOP WOOD WITH HEAD!"
The boy headbutted a log into pieces. He and Bardock briefly glanced at one another and then they both laughed out loud. Gine smiled gently. She grabbed her clothes from the drawer and then sat down to dress herself. "Like I said Chi-Chi, you don't have to worry. I'll make sure that Gohan has his schoolwork done by the time you and Kakarot get back. So, just relax and enjoy yourself~"
Back with Goku and Chi-Chi...
Chi-Chi continued to nod along. "Okay. Okay. I love you too, Gine. Okay. Okay, bye."
Chi-Chi hung up her phone and put it away. Upon reaching into the bag, however, she noticed that three of her prepared meals had magically gone missing. "Wha-"
She thought for a minute, and then she turned with a glare. "Goku."
Goku flinched, his mouth full of sausage curry and rice. "Whut?!"
A tense moment was shared between the two, but then Chi-Chi sighed and opened her mouth. "Ahh!"
Goku cocked his head for a moment, confused, but then he realized what she was asking. "Oh! S-Sorry..."
Goku caught a big hunk of the food in his chopsticks and fed it to Chi-Chi, she smiled as she chewed. "Thank you, honey~"
As Chi-Chi chewed, Goku chuckled. "I gotta say, I really missed your cooking while I was in space."
Chi-Chi opened her mouth again and Goku fed her more. She nodded. "I missed cooking for you. I hope that's the last time that we have to be apart for that long..."
A few bites later and the meal was gone. Chi-Chi packed up the containers and sighed. "Now, we don't touch the last three until we defeat the monster, okay?"
Goku nodded. "Okay."
Chi-Chi reached into a side pocket of the bag and pulled out the bottle of pills that Trunks had delivered. "Have you taken this yet? It's the first day of the week."
Goku shook his head. "Not yet."
Chi-Chi handed him a pill and the rest of her water. Goku took both and sighed. "I wonder if this stuff is actually working."
Chi-Chi shrugged and put the pill bottle away. "Hopefully we never have to find out."
And, with that, the two of them continued their walk. They were starting to come up on their destination, the base of the Paozu River. As they leapt across the stones dotting the surface of the water, Chi-Chi and Goku discussed Gohan. Chi-Chi spoke candidly. "All I want is for him to be educated and happy. I've been trying to be less hard on him, but I just worry sometimes. Ya know?"
Goku nodded. "I get it. I want Gohan to be happy and strong, personally. But I know that he wants to be smart too, so I try not to push him to train more than he wants to."
Chi-Chi smiled. "Happy and smart and strong...he's kind of already become all three, huh?"
Goku nodded. "Yeah. Our boy certain is something."
The Saiyan from Earth chuckled. "You're becoming pretty strong too. It's...it's really cool..."
Chi-Chi blushed, feeling her heart fluttered. She and Goku came to another stop and she turned to look at him. The two of them stared into each other's eyes for a few moments and then, with no warning, Chi-Chi leapt up and gave Goku and long, passionate kiss. Once they separated, they had another moment of silence. And then Goku smiled. "Wanna hear a secret?"
Chi-Chi cocked her head. "Wh-What kind of secret?"
Goku smiled. "I've noticed a few things since coming back to Earth, but one of them has been on my mind a lot more than the others. It's about Gohan..."
Chi-Chi nodded. "Then yes, I'd like to hear it please..."
Goku leaned in close. "Gohan is..."
He whispered into her ear and Chi-Chi's eyes widened. "No...wh-what?! How do you know tha-"
The entire mountain began to quake like crazy and Goku and Chi-Chi both fell over. Once the quake stopped, Goku stood and rubbed his aching butt. "Ow! Dammit!"
Chi-Chi groaned. "See? That's why I wanted to come up here and deal with this. That thing is eventually going to make the entire mountain crumble if we don't teach it some manners!"
Goku's pained expression faded. He smashed his fists together and smiled. "Well, let's do it then! I'm ready to rumble!"
Chi-Chi flew up, hanging her backpack from a sturdy tree branch. She motioned for Goku to follow her and they eventually came upon the base of the Paozu River, a massive water basin and a cascading waterfall. Chi-Chi pointed. "I think it's living in a cave somewhere behind the rockface. We'll have to swim down and find the opening to get in."
Goku had already removed his shirts, as well as his boots. He let his tag wag free and smiled. "Well, let's go then! No time to wait around!"
Goku leapt into the water with a happy yip, splashing Chi-Chi as he breached the surface. Chi-Chi chuckled and pulled off her boots. "Wait for me!"
Chi-Chi leapt in and found Goku waiting for her. The two of them swam against the current, deeper into the dark depths of the Paozu River. Eventually, the darkness began to lift and they came across what they were looking for, an opening that led to a hidden cave. The two of them surfaced and leapt onto the shore, observing their surroundings.
It was a massive cave, lit by flaming torches all around. Goku was confused. "I wonder what the heck could be living down here..."
"THAT WOULD BE ME, MORTAL!"
Goku and Chi-Chi flinched in shock. They both turned to the source of the voice and found, to their shock, a massive blue catfish monster looming over them. He was massive, his tendril-like whiskers waving around freely. He roared down at them. "WHO DARES DISTURB THE MIGHTY ZOONAMA?! GOD OF THE PAOZU RIVER!"
Goku smiled and waved. "Hey! I'm Goku!"
Chi-Chi frowned. "We're the owners of this mountain. And we're getting tired of all of the earthquakes that have been messing up our crops! You're the one causing them, right?!"
Zoonama smiled. "INDEED, I AM!"
Chi-Chi shouted back. "WELL CUT IT OUT OR WE'RE GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS!"
Zoonama cringed at Chi-Chi raising her voice so loud. His confident smile became and angry sneer. "YOU DARE DEFY THE GOD OF THE PAOZU RIVER?! YOU MORTALS SHALL PAY WITH YOUR LIVES!"
Chi-Chi squared up, taking a fighting stance. Goku did as well, a goofy smile on his face. "This is gonna be so much fun~"
Zoonama charged at them and they charged back. And then, and earth-shaking brawl commenced.
West City, the High Dine Restaurant and Karaoke Bar...
There was a pregnant pause at the Table 26 of the West City High Dine and Karaoke Bar. All four guests at the table seemed, at best, uncomfortable to be sitting there. Launch had a look of confused panic on her face, Bulma had a sullen scowl, Raditz had a look of uncomfortable acceptance of the awkward situation.
And Vegeta didn't notice anything as he stuffed his face with appetizers from the tray that the waiter had brought.
Launch spoke candidly, her voice wavering as she brushed her blue hair from her face. "Wow Raditz. I have to say...in a billion years, I never would have thought would bring Vegeta with you. What a... Surprise..."
Raditz tapped his finger against his bicep, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah, I was too. You know. It's just...when a double date occurs and I have to find someone who is willing to come along at the last second, my options are sort of limited Launch. Luckily, my-"
Raditz swallowed a lump in his throat, his teeth clenched. "...best friend, Vegeta, is always ready to come along. Right Vegeta?"
Vegeta narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about? I only came along because you told me you'd buy me a massive meal."
Bulma finally spoke up. "What a coincidence. I only came along because Launch promised to foot the bill for some high-class drinks..."
Bulma slammed her palm against the table. "YO! WAITER! THAT JUG OF SAKE ISN'T GONNA BRING ITSELF!"
The waiter quickly rushed over, setting a massive jug of alcohol in the center of the table and providing four cups to pour it into. Once he had left, Bulma tipped the jug slightly and filled her cup, downing it in one gulp. Vegeta poured himself a cup as well. "Damn! High-class food and high-class drink! Finally, this planet provides a meal worthy of a Prince!"
Launch sighed and poured herself a glass and then Raditz did the same. As they drank, Launch tried to make small talk. "So, Vegeta. I like your shirt. It's nice to see a man not afraid to wear pink~"
Vegeta grimaced. "I hate this shirt."
Raditz sighed. "I couldn't have him come here in grimy, broken armor. That shirt was the only thing they had in his size at the store. Not counting stuff in the child's section. That side of the store-"
Vegeta threw a punch and Raditz caught it with his forearm, shoving the Prince away. Launch held up her hands. "N-Now now...let's not get into a fight. At least, not until we've eaten and drank for a bit..."
Vegeta and Raditz glared at one another, and then they went back to eating and drinking. Bulma and Launch did the same.
And then the night actually started to become fun.
The first empty jug of sake left the table and was replaced by a second. Vegeta, Launch, Bulma, and Raditz all filled their cups and actually started to talk, actually sharing in some genuine laughs together.
Raditz was hunched over the table, his cheeks glowing red. He was laughing so hard that he couldn't get the words out. Vegeta, just a tipsy, snorted as he laughed. "B-But then...he shows up wearing this ridiculous mop on his head, and he turns to Raditz and says...'whaddaya think Raditz? I got a haircut!'~"
Raditz downed another glass, tears in his eyes. "And I know that if I tell him how dumb it looks, he'll hit me. So, I'm sitting there, unsure of what to say. And then that one guy...what was that one guy's name, Vegeta?
Vegeta chuckled. "Boisonberry."
Raditz nodded. "And then Boisonberry yells, 'Hey Nappa! Nice toupee!'! And so Nappa rushes across the room and starts beating the guy senseless and Vegeta laughs so hard that his chair tips over!"
The four of them laughed out loud. Vegeta wiped a tear from his eye. "So, yeah. That's the story of how Nappa lost the last of his hair..."
Bulma shook her head, taking another swig from her cup. "So, you're telling me that they had adaptive blood in the Frieza Force, but they couldn't find a cure to male-pattern baldness?"
Raditz shrugged, cutting another piece of his steak and taking a bite. "Frieza's kind doesn't have hair. I doubt he or King Cold gave a shit."
Bulma was totally plastered at this point. She shakily stood, nearly falling over as she did. "Well, I've had to pee for the past five minutes. So, I should probably do that before any of you make me laugh again..."
Vegeta took another massive gulp, letting loose a rather loud, rather rude belch. "Try not to get lost on the way."
Bulma staggered off, flipping Vegeta off as she did. Vegeta flipped her off right back and started to eat another dinner roll. As he did that, Raditz and Launch looked to one another and smiled. In spite of how it started, this double date was not going nearly as bad as either of them thought it would. It was actually rather nice to have Bulma and Vegeta here, once they both got drunk.
Across the restaurant...
Bulma did her business and exited the bathroom. She hazily scanned from table to table, trying to locate her companions. "Where the hell..."
Bulma adjusted her permed out hair. "I've only been gone a few minutes; I know they didn't just leave..."
She looked to her left and gasped. "Oh! Oh shit!"
Bulma walked over to the two staff that were finishing setting up the karaoke stage for the evening. She tapped one on the shoulder. "Hey! Are you...uh...about to let people start singing?"
He nodded with a smile. "Yes ma'am! Why? Would you like to be the first person up on stage tonight?"
Bulma thoughtfully tapped her chin. She reflected on everything she was feeling inside, the pain of having to end a relationship that she had been in for over a decade and all of the emotions that she had bottled up and kept to herself all this time, and then she nodded. "Y-Yeah, actually. I would like to sing. I, uh...I think I have a good song in mind too..."
Back across the restaurant...
Just as Launch was starting to wonder where Bulma was, the lights in the restaurant dimmed and the multi-colored party lights above started to shine. Vegeta and Raditz were both confused. Vegeta glanced around. "What the hell is going on?"
That question was answered when the DJ, standing behind his podium, spoke into his mic. "Hey there ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to West City High Dine, the Night Life Experience! Once again, folks, the karaoke stage is open to all comers and if the other guest like your singing that's ten percent off any alcoholic beverages you might have added to your bill!"
He motioned to the stage, a spotlight shining on the curtain. "And tonight, ladies and gentlemen, we already have someone ready to sing their hearts out for y'all this evening! The foxy Bulma! Singing her rendition of Love Dramatic!"
The curtain opened and a jazzy beat started playing in the background, Bulma stood on stage, her eyes closed and her fingers snapping in tune with the rhythm. Vegeta, Raditz, and Launch all stared up at the stage, surprised to see Bulma standing up there. And then, their companion started to sing her heart out.
"Oh, love me Mister, oh, Mister~
Let me hear those words, if it's not a dream~!
Hey Mister, oh, Mister~
It's so sad how I want it so desperately~
Just the feelings alone drive me insane~
All it takes is your stare, and I'm carried away~
You and I, we are playing a dangerous game~
Love is war~
Love is war~
Love is war~!"
Launch was ecstatic, seeing Bulma stand up there and finally express her feelings for the first time since the break-up. She clapped and shouted at the top of her lungs. "GO BULMA!"
Raditz nodded along to the beat of the music. Even Vegeta, in spite of himself, couldn't help but tap his foot along as Bulma stood up on stage, giving the song she was singing her all.
Song Credit: Studio Yuraki – Love Is War OP "Love Dramatic" - English Dub
Proofreading: StevenBodner
