A Daughter's Difference Chapter 7: Keeping a Cool Head, a dragon ball z fanfic

Chapter 7: Keeping a Cool Head

AN: This chapter was suppose to be uploaded a couple of days after my last update, since it directly ties with the ending of that one. Unfortunately, school and problems with one of the scenes, forced this chapter to be pushed back. For those that forgot, the last chapter was Trunks explaining why Pan came along, and Gohan took it upon himself to decide to allow her to stay. Bulma stated that she was going to bed, but it seems she has one more thing to do before that. Thanks Ace as always for looking it over.

Ring - - - Ring - - - Ring - - - Ring

'Come on pick up'

Ring - - - Ring - - - Ring - - - Ring

*Sigh* 'Maybe I should call tomorrow morning,' Bulma thought as she was about to put the phone down when she heard a small click from the other side.

*Clears throat* "…Hello Son residence, Ox speaking" The familiar voice of the old Ox King could be heard through the receiver side, but it definitely sounded much more drowsy.

"Ox…It's so good to hear from you. It's Bulma by the way. Sorry for waking you." Bulma responded somewhat sheeply.

"Ah Bulma it's no problem, how are you doing child? It's been a couple of weeks since we last talked"

Bulma cheeks slightly redden, "I haven't been a child in a long time."

Ox's throatily chuckles could be heard, "When you get to be my age, time seems to elude you. Not to mention I can still remember when I met that spunky adventure-seeking 16 year old."

If Bulma wasn't thoroughly embarrassed before her whole face turned a deep red from remembering those times.

"Anyways I can tell you didn't call to reminisce at … wow it's already past midnight. What can I help you with?" Ox King questioned.

"Right, um Chichi wouldn't be awake by any chance?" She asked

"I'm sorry but she turned in a few hours ago. Her pregnancy is taking a toll on her body more than she likes to admit. Stubborn girl isn't she?" Ox King chuckled.

"Yeah I can imagine. She only has a few more weeks right? How is she doing by the way?"

"Over all I can't complain much. She is still trying to take care of household chores even though she is in no shape to be moving around. I guess it is her way of taking her mind off her worries. I believe there is a month and a half to two months before she is due." Ox King answered as he stroked his beard

"What is your plan for delivery? I mean you guys are a little far from civilization." Bulma inquired after all this was her best female friend they are talking about.

The Ox King yawned before he responded, "Well I brought a midwife with me. She has been of great help, and was actually the one to delivery Gohan if I'm not mistaken." He chuckled as he continued, "Yes, we are a little far from any hospital, but you never know when these Saiyan tykes say time is up and they are ready come out, so I brought her just in case."

"That's good but if you guys want, in her last month she can move over here. We have more than enough space and equipment here for any kind of emergency. I mean no offence to your handpicked midwife." She quickly placated, hoping her comment didn't come off as arrogant.

The Ox King just laughed, "Don't worry neither I nor Kasa take offence to your kind offer. I'll be sure to pass your offer to Chichi so she may make the final decision, but thank you in advance. With half-Saiyans you never know what to expect am I right? Crazy don't you agree? I never thought my grandchildren would be hybrids of two different races, or that such a thing was even possible. I never got to study the way Chichi or even Gohan have, but from my limited knowledge hybridization for humans should be next to impossible, yet we now have a few walking around."

"A miracle is what I call it. The chance must have been next to impossible, but against all odds they made it, and not only that but have survived enough to grow up. Every single time I look at Trunks I can't help but tear up at the fact that he is my son, and that he was born with no complications. That he is here and that I can hold him. It's a feeling I can't even begin to describe, but I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, being a parent and all. I must sound like a babbling new-parent, though sometimes I wish Vegeta would share my joy." Bulma spoke as she wrapped her arm around her midsection.

"I guess you really aren't a child anymore. It's hard to stop seeing you as that child though; I also have the same problem at times with Chichi. Boy how time flies, now my daughter is getting ready to give me a second grandchild,

"I know what you are talking about. It's a wonderful feeling, but cherish this time because when they grow up… Ha Ha Ha, they become quite a handful. As for Vegeta, don't worry I'm sure he is also just adjusting to being a parent. He has only been living here on Earth for a few years, and I'm sure he still hasn't adjusted to that change. Now he also has a child, it must be quite an overload on his system. Give him some time and he will come around. It can be difficult for us guys to go from non-parent to parent, believe me I know. I don't know what would have done without my dear wife in those first few years." A sniffle could be heard through the phone.

"That's why I have to hand it to all those single parents out there. It is a huge responsibility and I only had to be one towards the end, and I found it to be extremely difficult. I tried to be the best parent for Chichi and give her everything I could, but sometimes I wonder if I went wrong somewhere. I understand her anger at the world, and I understand why she lashes out, but that is how life is. It's unfair but at least she got to see her husband one more time after she thought she had lost him, but I think getting him back just to lose him again is what is making her somewhat more irrational. Or maybe I just spoiled her too much?" Ox King concluded

"You were a wonderful parent Ox, and you did your best," Bulma assured.

"Anyways I said you probably didn't call to reminisce and that is exactly what we are doing. Chichi went to sleep, but was it important?" Ox King asked after all it was getting close to 1:00 in the morning, so it must be extremely important for Bulma to be calling this late.

"Kind of, well I guess I can wait for morning. Just tell her Gohan—" Bulma never got to finish because Ox King interrupted her.

"Gohan?! You should have said it sooner if this involved Gohan. I'll go get her right now." The Ox King put the phone down next to dial pad. He walked as quickly as his oversized body could move through the small corridors.

'I swear I need to stop eating so much or start training again, though I don't think this old body is ready to do either' he ended his thought with a chuckle.

"Hey Ox, hello…" Bulma still tried to call him back, but he was long gone.

'Alright then I guess I will talk to Chichi after all. Now I have to make sure I measure what I say so I don't get a screaming Chichi.' On the other side of the receiver she could hear some small distant screeching that was getting louder by the minute.

"Well so much for keeping Chichi calm." Bulma stated when she heard the phone being picked up from the other side.

"Bulma, what happened to Gohan!? Is he alright!? He is not hurt is he!? Oh I knew he needed to be under my watch and not out there where he can get hurt! It's that cursed delinquent side of him that is always getting him in trouble. I'm sure Piccolo is to blame for this. Answer me Bulma, don't stay quiet! Tell me how bad it is!"

'You know sometimes I wonder why I even bother, or think Chichi will be calm enough to speak like a normal person. I really should have expected this.' Bulma had immediately put the phone on the small table in front of her when she heard the first yell. She could still hear Chichi from her seat.

When the phone seemed to stop bouncing on the table, she decided to pick it up to check of Chichi was done. She didn't hear anything, so she called out to see if Chichi was still there. "…are you still there?"

"Answer me!" came the sudden loud bark from Chichi.

Bulma immediately pulled the phone away from her ear and held it arms distance. She shook her head a couple times as she tried to rid the ringing in her left ear. She pulled the phone to her right ear and spoke, "Stop yelling! Kami I think you blew out my left ear."

In the background Bulma could hear the voice of an unknown woman, "Is everything alright my King? I heard shouting."

The Ox King was heard next, "Yes Kasa, everything is okay. My daughter is just speaking with a friend who has information on my grandson."

"The wayward lost prince that Princess Chichi has been looking for?"

The Ox King could be heard laughing as he responded, "Do I have another grandson?"

"I'm sorry my liege, that was out of line on my part to describe the young prince."

"Don't worry Kasa. Why don't you go to sleep. This seems like it will take some time."

"As you wish, my King, I bid you farewell and a pleasant early morning."

"Who was that?" Bulma asked.

"Does it matter; you said you had information on Gohan, well out with Bulma." Chichi resorted with a half growl.

"And I'm your friend... I can't imagine how you would act if I wasn't your friend." Bulma sneered.

"I wouldn't give you the time of day," Chichi responded venomously.

"Because this is about your son and because you are pregnant, I'll overlook what you just said. I just called to say that Gohan is here. He is fine, before you ask." Bulma cut off before Chichi had a chance to ask the first question.

"When did he arrive?" Chichi asked.

"A few hours ago, Trunks came back from the future today, and he went out to see Gohan, and brought him back." Bulma decided to not mention Pan just yet.

"And you didn't think to send him here? I have been on the phone with you, telling you how Gohan should be at home, and you decide to keep him there instead of telling him his mother has been looking for him!" Chichi ranted.

"The fact that he is here surprised me too. I'm sorry that this lap dog didn't immediately bark the moment Gohan stepped through the doors." Bulma snapped at Chichi. Sometime he wonders how the Ox King and Gohan could deal with her like that 24/7.

"What is he doing right now?" Chichi spoke, completely ignoring Bulma's 'lap dog' remark.

"Last I saw him; he was headed to go to sleep." Bulma surmised.

"Well go wake up my inconsiderate son, and tell him I want him here IMMEDIATELY!" Chichi foamed.

'What did I say about the yelling,' Bulma rubbed her right ear.

"I'm not going to go wake him up right now. If you want I'll tell him to go see you tomorrow morning when he wakes up. It's pretty late to be flying anyways" Bulma reasoned.

"He has been gone for far too long, and who is to say he will be there in the morning. He might just blow up his room in the early morning hours and then storm out through the window. No you send him home right now! He has been gallivanting for far too long and wasting his valuable time training for enemies that don't exist anymore, Goku said so himself. Someone needs to rein in on his chaotic lifestyle."

Bulma was muted by Chichi's words. 'Rein…rein?'

"NO, no. I was going to tell you that I would have Trunks accompany Gohan so he made sure Gohan got home to you, but on second thought no."

"What do you mean no!? He is my son, Bulma and I want him here now! If you keep him at your house Bulma, that is considered kidnapping by the law!" Chichi shouted once again.

"You're insane Chichi. I'm not going to kick out Gohan at this hour to fly over there. I don't know what has been going on ove—" Bulma was interrupted once again.

"It's that Green Menace's fault my sweet boy has become a hoodlum" Chichi began to sob.

'Pregnancy hormones, pregnancy hormones, pregnancy hormones' Bulma kept repeating to herself. She had to remember that Chichi would be suffering from severe mood swings.

"Like I said! I…Don't… Know… what is going on over there, but I got a pretty simple solution. Piccolo keeps blaming you and you keep blaming him, so this is what we are going to do; none of you will be getting Gohan! I don't care who is to blame, but I saw a pale eleven year old today with haunted and lost look in his eyes. Whatever is going on, he is safer here than there with you and your endless shouting. He will stay here for as long as he wishes to stay here, and I dare you to call the police on me! In fact I welcome them, so they can see what I see! And I swear to you, Chichi, I will make sure that by the end of the week, I get full guardianship rights over Gohan because if you forgot I'm BULMA BRIEFS, and I got a room full of lawyers with nothing better to do with their time!" Bulma had to rub her forehead as she felt a little light-headed from all the shouting.

"I did my part Chichi, I told you Gohan is safe, and with that—" Bulma was interrupted before he could finish. She had enough of Chichi for one night. She may be her friend, but for Chichi to accuse her of kidnapping was a low blow.

"Don't you dare hang up this phone Bulma!" Chichi commanded.

"— AND WITH THAT, I bid you good night Chichi," She slammed the phone down partially destroying the holder.

Bulma could feel a headache growing, and she hadn't even spoken to Vegeta yet. Something tells her this was going to be a long night. She made a quick stop by the kitchen for a glass of water and popped two ibuprofens. Once she felt them slide down her throat, she put the glass in the sink and made her way out of the kitchen. Once she was at the entrance frame, she reached over and hit the light switch.

"Bulma…BULMA!" Chichi shouted into the phone. All she could hear is the dial tone. "Argh!"

"That arrogant…" Chichi slammed her fists on the table.

Chichi was still in her nightgown turned and began to walk towards her room.

The Ox King who had been sitting in the large sofa watched as his daughter fought with her best friend. He laid his chin on his interlocked fingers, as his elbows rested on his legs. He knew better than getting in between both of them. His face had been undeterminable throughout much of the back and forth since Kasa's departure.

He saw his daughter turn around and begin to walk and decided to question Chichi's motives. After all if there was one thing he has learned over the years is that, she can be extremely reckless when she is furious, and right now she was steps from foaming like a rabies-infected dog. Plus he wanted to get the message from Bulma about Gohan, though he had an idea of what it was.

"And where are you going missy?" The Ox King's gruff voice stopped Chichi in her tracks and looked over to her father. His light blue stripped pajamas with a matching little hat and ball at the end should make him look harmless, but the Ox King's large stature and voice was enough to make anyone think twice before crossing him. He was an imposing figure in the past and still one today.

"I'm going to go get changed, and then I'm going to West City. Gohan is there, and I'm going to bring him back home." She responded there was no need to lie to her father; he would see right through them.

"So that was her message, Gohan is there with her. Good, he'll be safe there for the night. Anything else, after all you two seemed pretty heated?" Ox King pushed for what sparked Bulma to hang up. It seemed out of character for her to leave Chichi mid sentence.

Chichi made her way and sat in the next couch, "Yeah, she said that she is keeping Gohan indefinitely and that if I try to get him back that she would use her power to take guardianship form me. That is why I'm going to go get him back. That old witch won't get her way."

'That seems even more out of character with the Bulma I spoke to before, no there is something missing.' The Ox King began to run down what he heard from Chichi's side of the conversation. He continued until he remembered what Chichi said towards the end.

"Was this before or after you accused her of kidnapping?" He stared right into Chichi's eyes

Chichi flinched at her father's words. "…after… but I had good reason," Chichi hesitantly responded.

"Chichi, there is never a good reason to accuse someone of kidnapping unless they are actually doing it, and I'm sure Bulma is not kidnapping Gohan. It would be damn near impossible for someone to kidnap Gohan now, after all he is the strongest being in the world. I thought I taught you better than point fingers and raising false accusations." Ox King scolded with a disapproving shake of his head.

"I expect you to fully apologize to her." Ox slammed his fist on his knee.

"But dad—" Chichi began, but was quickly silenced by her father.

"No buts Chichi. Do I make myself clear? Poor girl called to tell us Gohan is alright, and you are accusing her of such a heinous act; no, that is not proper of a lady I raised. You will apologize at the earliest time you can. I would make you do it right now, but I'm sure she is probably going to sleep by now."

"Fine father." Chichi gritted her teeth at the thought of having to apologize. "But that doesn't change that she plans to keep Gohan locked up in her house."

The Ox King narrowed his eyes at his daughter.

"Well she didn't say she would lock him up, but she plans to keep him there indefinitely, she told me so. I need to go get him." Chichi stood up and began to wobble away when she heard her father.

"Sit down Chichi, you will not be going to West City at this hour." The Ox King firmly stated

"Wha- why? My Gohan is in that dangerous house with Vegeta. I need to go rescue him from their clutches."

"Unless you forgot Chichi, you are pregnant. I do not allow you to leave the premise, do I make myself clear?" Once he got a nod from her he continued, "I will phone Bulma tomorrow to see what else you forgot to mention or over exaggerated and we will go from there, got it?"

Chichi began to sob into her palms. "Why won't you take my side? Why does everyone think that what I'm doing is so wrong? All I want is for Gohan to live, but if he continues this path then he will just suffer the same fate as my Goku."

"And what makes you so certain that he is destined to die young? I mean he has faced against the biggest threats that have challenged us and survived, even won against that diabolical android Cell." Ox King stated as he sat back.

"Don't be naïve father. Death battle as the term states imply that someone has to die. Every one of the recent battles have been won, but at a cost. Someone always has to die, and what if next time Gohan can't win? Huh, am I supposed to live with the fact that I was able to outlive my husband, TWICE, and MY SON!" She slammed her fist on the couch's arm.

"Lower you volume, now." The Ox King growled. "I may give you some leeway and seem easy going, but I am still your father, not one of your friends you can scream at."

"I'm sorry dad, but if makes me so mad that I'm the only one thinking about Gohan's future and everyone seems to be against me. It is why I wanted Gohan to become an intellectual rather than some brute with only muscles to solve conflict. He should be in his room, sleeping or studying, for when it is time for him to go to the world and revolutionize it. Instead he is wasting his precious time attending to skills that won't help him in the real world. He has become rebellious and won't listen to my good of advice." She buried her face into her hands.

She wiped any remaining tears and continued, "I hate Piccolo. He is has been the reason for all of my suffering, from almost killing my Goku in the World Martial Arts Tournament to actually killing him five years later. He took my innocent boy and turned him into a killing machine, and to top everything he has robbed me of Gohan's affection. Gohan goes on and on about him," She clenched her fists. "I can see it in Gohan's eyes, the happy glimmer when HE shows up, that Gohan used to point at me. Don't you see father, he used to look at me like that, like I was everything to him. Piccolo was menace, a monster, an enemy who wanted to rule over the world, and now I'm suppose to forgive all of his misgivings because he supposedly changed side and changed his ways? Well I don't buy it. What if he is just trying to lower our defenses?"

The Ox King just covered him mouth as he began to chuckle. Eventually he just held the upper right half of his head as he began to laugh loudly.

"What's so funny!?" Chichi was outraged by her father's actions after she poured her soul to him.

Eventually he got his giggle fit under control enough to answer her question. "I'll go in reverse order from what you said. Piccolo HAS changed his ways, and we can thank Gohan for that. As much as Gohan appreciates Piccolo as you said, you would have to be blind to not see that Piccolo holds the same appreciation for Gohan, and only Gohan. I laugh because I can't imagine Piccolo as the person her used to be. He has changed too much.

"It is true that Gohan seems to hold Piccolo closer, but that is only because YOU have driven him away. I can't only blame you though. Between my son-in laws' constant trips to faraway lands and away time from Gohan, and your constant scholar-dream obsession plan for Gohan, and don't fight me it is an obsession, he must see you guys as unreliable and un-relatable. Piccolo on the other hand has been a constant throughout his life since he entered it, and has been there to support any of Gohan's ideas.

"He even gave his life to protect him once. No amount of faking would be enough to push him to do such a deed. That was when I knew Piccolo was different, he changed, and since then I have seen him, rain or shine, meditating near Gohan in case Gohan might need him. I have nothing but respect for Piccolo because I know that even if Gohan ran off for the last few days, Piccolo is probably nearby looking out for him. Piccolo is the best bodyguard, not that Gohan needs one, but more than that he has been a better father-figure to Gohan.

"You blame Piccolo for Gohan growing up, but that is something that was going to happen whether Piccolo was here or not, or did you plan to lock up Gohan forever in your little castle tower like a princess, where he wouldn't interact with the real world, and would stay the same boy you knew. It was inevitable that he was going to grow up and challenge you; just like you did when you were a little girl. I find it hilarious that your big wish is for Gohan to be home studying his life away under your supervision, yet when you were a little girl that was my wish and you never stayed put.

"You ran off at every opportunity you had to met people and travel, yet you detest that Gohan is doing the exact same thing. How many times did I ask you to stay by my side or where I could see you, and how many times did you ignore me and ran off?" Ox King asked

"…many times" Chichi responded with a blush.

"Exactly! In fact, if I'm not mistaken that is how you met Goku am I right?" Once he got a nod he continued, "You see you hate that Gohan is out there, but somehow you think it was okay when you did it, and you were younger than him." Ox King decided to put all how thoughts out for Chichi to see their life from his perspective. He hoped this would wake up Chichi from her delusion.

"Times were different back then. There weren't intergalactic homicidal maniac and build-yourself robots knocking on our door. He should be here at home studying. If he ever wants to be a scholar, he needs to start now." Chichi refuted.

"That was something I wanted to ask you, is being a scholar, Gohan's dream as well or only yours? Don't answer that question, just think about it. It's funny that you think that Gohan can only revolutionize the world until he becomes this perfect scholar, but he has already revolutionized it. We are all still alive Chichi and it all thanks to your boy. Isn't that an achievement all in itself? Up until now all you have done is demonize his fighting abilities and his mentor, but have you actually stopped to thank your boy for all he did for us on that day? Have you stopped to ask him how he was doing?" He waited for Chichi response, but nothing came.

"That was a difficult day for you, but it was even harder for him. He was on the battlefield. I understand that this pregnancy came out of nowhere and took everyone by surprise. Still, remember Gohan—" He never got finish because Chichi decided to speak up.

"You think I don't know how to be a parent? Well I got news for you father; I know exactly what I'm doing. I have been doing a good job up until now. Yes it is my dream that Gohan becomes a scholar, but it is for his benefit. He needs to make someone out of himself in life, and he can't do that if people like you and Bulma keep supporting his truancy behavior. There is no need for him to train anymore. Goku said so himself that he was staying away so that those monsters don't come and Gohan can move on with his life as an intellectual. He promised this would be the last enemy, and that he wouldn't get in the way of Gohan afterwards. It is why I allowed him to train those three years. Now, it is time to pay up and Gohan needs to get back on track." Chichi's volume increased with each sentence until she was sobbing and screaming.

"You can't be serious Chichi. You believe Goku's sacrifice will keep evil away? It's foolish." Ox King proclaimed.

Chichi could only stare at her father. Those were almost the same words Gohan said the last time they 'really' spoke. She began to see red afterwards, "Of course I believe it! I have to believe it. It is the reason Goku can't be with us. With Goku gone, we have seen all this time of peace, so it has to be true."

The Ox King could only shake his head. "I see there is not reasoning with you." He got up and began to walk back towards his room. Once he was at the door frame he places his hand on the door frame. He spoke his last words without turning around, "Take it from an old man who has been on this planet for a few decades now, evil will always be there. It was here before Goku, and it will certainly be here after him. Right now we are going through a peaceful time, but if we relax that is how people die because they are caught off-guard. The actions of one man don't represent the balance of good and evil in the universe, and remember this universe is an expansive one.

"If my grandson wishes to continue training then I'll fully support him, like you should as his mother. Not what your selfish desires may be. Go to sleep Chichi, and remember I'll be watching if you try to leave." He released the door frame and left his daughter behind.

Chichi could only gape at what happened. First she gets screamed at by her supposed best friend and then scolded by her father. She was fuming at them. 'Well things won't stay like this, just you guys watch.'

Bulma made her way down the corridor. Before going to sleep she needed to speak to one more person. As she turned on the final corridor she walked right up to door at the end of the hallway. Since the Cell game Vegeta had returned to sleeping in his old room rather than their shared room.

She knocked two times before opening the door. She could see the lights were on from under the door as she approached it, so she knew he was still awake.

It was a simple room, at least by Bulma's standards, with a size-appropriate desk and a wall mounted TV on one side, and a twin-size bed and small wardrobe on the other. It was not luxurious by any stretch of the word, and Bulma for all her curiosity couldn't understand why Vegeta has chosen this room rather than any of the other more spacious rooms.

When Vegeta arrived on Earth, he walked the corridors of Capsule Corp until he found this corner room. He then used this as his secret sanctuary-of sorts whenever he needed a place to himself. Though when the Gravity Room was built he moved there on a more of a permanent sanctuary basis, but since he has stopped training he returned to this room. He had even left their shared room in favor of sleeping in his old room. Sometimes at night she missed his presence by her side. Crazy to think that just a little over five years ago, he was the enemy and now they are parents to little Trunks.

She often asked him 'why this room?' and he finally gruffly responded that 'it was efficient' and he was used to efficient rather than some glamorous room. To her it made no sense, but figured it had to do with his upbringing. As much as she wanted to know more about his past, she knew he was very hard man to grasp and even harder to open up about something that personal.

As she looked all around the room she could see glass shards on the ground and the broken TV laying against the wall. Also several dinner trays stacked near by the door. 'Most likely from dinner and the robots haven't come to pick them up yet.*sigh* I'll make sure they pick them up.' Finally, the man of the hour resting in his bed with his hands clasped behind his head.

She walked inside and closed the door behind her. She leaned against the wall right by the door and spoke, "Hey you."

He didn't respond, he never responded. He just lay there looking up at the ceiling as she talked.

"It's late, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Hmph, still quiet as ever I see," Bulma muttered. She could see as his eyes begin to open.

"What do you want Woman?" Vegeta grunted

"I came to see how you were doing. I also wanted to tell you that Trunks is back. He got back here today in the morning."

"Hmph I figured as much." Vegeta stated referring to his broken TV.

"Yeah…Anyways I need to wake up early tomorrow so I guess I'll see you later. I'm assuming you will be staying here tonight?" The only response Bulma got was Vegeta closing his eyes.

Bulma took this as her hint that leave. She pushed back on the wall and turned towards the door. As her hand touched the door knob, she heard Vegeta's voice behind her.

"Why did you let the brat stay?" Vegeta murmured.

Bulma just smiled when she heard his question. She knew exactly who Vegeta was talking about, but decided to have some fun, after all talking to him seemed rare these days. "Oh who could you mean with 'brat,' Trunks? Well he is my son… your too if I'm not mistaken," Bulma jeered.

Vegeta growled, "You know exactly who I'm talking about. He's unstable and you know that."

Bulma rested her head on the door, "I know, but he has been like a son to me, and he needs a helping hand. He is also like your family through me," she said with a smile.

"He is nothing of mine," Vegeta growled. "That brat is nothing but a half-breed that would have been eliminated if we were on Vegeta-sei."

Bulma's playful demeanor evaporated with Vegeta's last comment. For one it attacked Gohan, but also, unknowingly to Vegeta, had struck a chord with Bulma's immediate family.

With all the rage she could summon, she turned and venomously stated, "Well then, I'm glad Vegeta-sei is no more. I'm happy it was destroyed."

"What did you say?!" Vegeta could not believe what he was hearing. He sat up and looked with into the fiery eyes of Bulma.

Bulma snorted like an enraged bull before answering his question. "I said that makes me happy to know such savages like the Saiyans were destroyed because if you forgot Trunks is also 'a half-breed' like you called Gohan. If Gohan would die, then that would mean your SON also dies by the same rule."

Vegeta didn't respond and instead just settled back down.

"That's it, no 'I'm sorry' or even a simple 'my bad,' you are just going to lay there as if nothing happened."

"What do you want Woman, an apology isn't going to happen. As the Prince of all Saiyans, I never apologize." Vegeta sneered.

"Well you should know that pulling 'the Prince of all Saiyans' crap isn't simply a get-out-jail-free card when you are being an ass. Being a prince isn't all about receiving or taking, sometimes you have to give back to your people." Bulma snapped at Vegeta's lax attitude.

"Yeah, and who are my people?"

"Like Gohan—"

"Bah, half-breed. He barely counts as one," Vegeta interjected.

"Well whether you like it or not that is the direction of your whole species, if you want to continue. You keep stating that you are a Prince, well act like one and start looking out for your four members. It can't be too hard can it?" Bulma jested.

Vegeta wrongly assumed that Bulma was talking about both Trunks, Gohan, and the kid that was still growing within Chichi. Bulma however was talking about Pan. Vegeta looked thoughtful for a minute before it seemed he came to a conclusion. Once he was done he just laid back and slightly turned towards the wall.

Bulma seeing that this was his sign of 'this conversation is over' decided to also leave. There was no point in trying to argue with him at this point, but at least he seemed to be mulling over her words. Or at least that is what it appeared to her.

She opened the door and walked out. Once outside she looked at her watch and noticed it was almost 2:00 in the morning, and decided that she needed all the rest she could get before tackling tomorrow. She was right however, it was a long night.

AN: I'm not sure if I'm out of exposition or not. It's another dialogue heavy chapter, but everything does have a good reason in the long run. There was no Gohan, Pan, or Trunks in this chapter, since I wanted to explore some of the things that are happening with the other surrounding characters. I'm sure some are wondering about the lack of action, but please be patient. To be honest, I feel a little lacking in that department, and I'm actively been trying to avoid it, but soon I know action scenes will be predominate. This chapter was also an experimentation of the characters of Vegeta and Ox King. I don't think I have read many stories where the Ox King has a primary role, so I tried to characterize him based on my knowledge. Anyways thanks to all those that reviewed, you have my eternal thanks.

Dear WineIXI,

Thanks, though I'm wondering how I'm different.

Dear MysticGohanSSJ3,

Yeah, I've seen many stories where Pan arrives in the first chapter, but I really wanted to develop a good conscious decision-making and process of why someone from the future should be allowed to stay. Time traveling can be really tricky at times, and has extreme consequence, so I didn't want to play down that risk, as I have seen some do. I don't mean everyone, but I just wanted to write a couple chapter dedicated to her travel to the past, and give a good backstory. I'm glad to have you on board.

Dear The Fantastic Altruist,

You know that has been on my mind for some time. I feel that I'm taking too much time in this initial part, and I don't want to go day by day for the 7 years. I know time will be progressing naturally at least until the Bojack incident happens. After that there may be time-skips, but they won't be huge hops (like 7 years). Instead it will be mini hops until we reach the next problem. As for Goten, that does make me laugh. In fact that is exactly what is happening in my cousin's family now. Goten and Pan's relationship will be seen later on, but I don't think Pan will be growing up saying Uncle Goten.

Dear Ace Son,

Dude what happened, going from first last week to fourth now hahaha. Don't worry, stuff happens and you should always take care of your things first.

Dear dapmitidp,

Well she was struggling with her words when she was talking to Mirai Chichi, so it is possible that she is still struggling.

Oh trust me, Chichi will freak, and I can't wait for that scene to happen.

Dear pir84lyf,

She wasn't even in the last chapter, but duly noted. I will take it under advisement for now.

Dear InfiniteXXI,

Hahaha well it is what I believe. My personal philosophy on that subject.

Dear SaintMichael95,

I'll take it under advisement. Like I have said before, there last two argument have ended in a no contest, but let's hope third time is the lucky time. There will be at least one more verbal battle between those. Gohan in general has always been more mature, in my eyes at least, then the other character. When he was a child he was often times the one suggesting the obvious, but everyone followed the Goku plan, and more times than not ended with a trip to search for the Dragon Balls to bring back who ever died because they followed the illogical plan. It's one of the reasons I can't explain how 11 year old badass Gohan turned into such a character like Majin Buu Saga Gohan. To me at least the evolution made no sense.

Dear Guest,

Thanks

Dear Zyphrost,

Hahaha it was suppose to be a bigger argument, but I think a couple sentences in I just said 'screw it Gohan was going to win anyways.' No the Time Machine has not been destroyed, and we will see in the next chapter what happened to it. Though you are the first to notice that I didn't mention whether or not Trunks put the Time Machine away. It's not that big of a scene, just some comedy.

To answer your last question of where will this story end, I have a scene in mind when Pan transforms to SSJ, and it is a long time from happening. This story was suppose to only be written and posted for a couple of months, but at my current pace it will be here for a while. This will be going to distance.

Dear Aaron Leach,

Thanks :)

Dear Brii-Chan14,

I'm glad you enjoyed their meet and greet. Though my intention was for Chichi to be irrational, she doesn't hate Gohan. She is just too focused on things going her way that she has developed tunnel vision and only see Gohan rebelling against her. She believe nothing good will come from fighting, but it has already done so much good, she just doesn't see it.

Over the next few years we will see that Pan is very proud (similar to Videl) to be Gohan's daughter, and believes that lying about such a thing would be a disrespect to the person she admires the most. So I don't think she will lie about her relationship to Gohan, and this will lead to some interesting rumors, but you will see it when we get there.

Dear The King of Ranting,

Similar to what I was saying to Brii-Chan14, it will be hilarious when we get to that saga, but the rumors and stories will begin long before that. You will see what I mean soon.

Dear Squasher,

Hahaha I'm not a parent, though hopefully one day.

Oh trust me, I have had this conversation about Goku many times. I feel he was very irresponsible, and yet the show tried to make us think he was this amazing father/grandfather. Please if someone was an excellent father it had to be Gohan. He took care of his brother since he was 11. Even Vegeta has been a better father than Goku. You actually brought an amazing point I had never thought about with the Trunks bit. That is very true, I'll be sure to use it next time someone is arguing with me.

Trust me, keeping Goku in the other world is more of a punishment for King Kai then it would be for Goku. That whole thing was ridiculous to begin with, and the fact that 7 years later he just says 'screw it I'm staying' seemed like more a slap in the face. I mean his whole point was that he was a danger (the ego of this man) to the world, and lets say we buy it, what has changed in 7 years that now he thinks he is no longer a danger? He is stronger, but supposedly still a danger. I do believe that Shenron should have been able to bring back King Kai, but I guess for plot reasons and giggles they kept him dead.

Dear random,

I'm trying to go as fast as I can. Thanks for the compliment. :)

Dear Cjjansen95,

I'll try to include your suggestions. Thank you for taking the time to help me with this problem. It's funny you mentioned the last one because there is a scene very close to what you described. I'll try to add it soon.

Dear reader,

Hope the wait was worth it.

Dear feral creature,

Thank you very much for the compliment. It makes me happy to know my writing has been able to have this kind of effect on people.