Hunger Pangs

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ. Or anything tied to the Multiverse series.

Of all the things she could be doing, somehow, she ended up doing this.

Bulma grumbled as she stirred the bubbling pot once more over stove. Vegetto sat across the table, a fork and knife in hand awaiting the next dish to be served.

Hungry.

He was hungry.

Too hungry to move.

Bulma let out an exasperated sigh.

Cooking duty out of all things.

"Mother focus!" Trunks demanded beside her, book in hand. Trunks had become her newly appointed sous-chef. The spoon she held nearly slipped back into the bowl. She gritted her teeth at her son in response.

This wasn't even that serious it was noodles for Kami's sake! Yet Trunks insisted on opening the book and pointing at recipe guidelines. "It says right here that you can get hurt if you don't keep watch on the spoon mom. That we have to keep stirring every 2 to 3 minutes."

A throbbing vein.

"I know what it says to do Trunks. It's just about done anyways." She turned to Vegetto and growled. "Why couldn't you have instant transmission to Chichis before coming here? She would have made tons of food you know. Instead of making me do something as feeble as this!"

The Saiyan winced slightly. This had been the third time she had made a batch of noodles. Each time proved to not settle well with Vegetto's grumbling stomach.

"Mother – Vegetto already said he couldn't." Trunks protested. His eyes were more so on the noodles then his mother's constant need to fight with Vegetto.

"Couldn't or wouldn't." She snapped back. Turning back toward the stove and earning a sigh of relief from her son. With another strong stir, she shook her head. "I can't believe your scared to face Chichi. You have all that power and you can't just try to make peace with her."

"It's not like that I swear Bulma." Vegetto whined and now she closed her eyes and stopped what she was doing.

This was utterly ridiculous but Bulma remembered what he said. She couldn't forget it either. Chichi had rejected him, so despite her clear – frustrations –

"Mother!" Trunks called again making her snap out of her thoughts, she was gripping the sides of the pan so roughly. She released it quickly and turned to her son, somewhat sweating.

"Would you like a turn at it then?"

"Geez I thought you would never ask." Trunks told her and passed the book to her. He scooted her to the side and grumbled about how she ended up letting the spoon drop and how he had to figure out how to get it out.

Bulma laughed, maybe she should have let him take over from the start. Her eyes shifted towards the eldest Saiyan. He looked like shit, a walking pile of shit, which was a compliment considering what happened moments ago.

It was strange.

Just a few minutes ago Vegetto was laughing and joking around as he usually did. Then out of the blue so suddenly he swayed into her. She stared up at him to his pupils were dilating. She called to him but Vegetto suddenly couldn't speak. Trunks helped him to a chair and Bulma quickly placed hand over forehead. His temperature nearly burned her.

It frightened her and she looked to Trunks for some sort of explanation. Maybe he knew something? Trunks shook his head. The only thing that matched such description would be the Heart Virus Goku encountered before. Bulma paled in response but Vegetto was quick to reassure it was, 'Not the Heart.'

Worried for the worst – Trunks went and got a Senu bean from the Namekians. Thankfully it took away most of the bad afflictions but the hunger continued to persist. So here they were – dealing with that new threat.

"If anything you could go to my parents house. My dad could ask a caterer to come in and whip up a huge meal for you."

Vegetto dropped the silverware and grumbled placing his face on the table. Bulma glared at him. She went over to the dining table and slammed the book upon it causing Vegetto to stand up straight in his chair once again. "This isn't funny anymore Vegetto! If we don't figure out what's wrong with you – you could die!"

Vegetto's eyes softened from the way her eyes flashed from clear distress. He met her anxiety with his own gentle smile.

"I won't die Bulma..."

She reeled back a bit from his actions but her anger prevailed over it.

"You don't know that – especially how you were just minutes before! We don't know how long we have until you encounter this – this – I don't know what to even call it for Kami's sake!"

"It's ready." Trunks cut in. He turned off the stove and turned to his mother asking for Vegetto's plate. Bulma combed her fingers back through her hair and shook her head. Nevertheless she retrieved the Vegetto's plate ignoring his grand ole smile.

Her son filled the plate and then the waiting for the results came to mind as they pushed the plate towards Vegetto anxiously. The Saiyan picked up his fork and went to town but as the plate emptied – the smile faded and Vegetto shook his head no.

Still hungry.

Bulma collapsed into a wail and Trunks did what he could to fan his mother down.

Things were just not looking up.

This whole thing was an utter disaster.

"We could try to make more noodles." Vegetto tried to pitch in. Trunks looked at his father exasperated.

"No more noodles." He told Vegetto and thus causing his father to shrug.

"Hey at least I'm trying." Vegetto grumbled. His own fingers tapped against the table in irritation. The situation was beginning to irk him as well too. He had never felt so powerless in all his life.

"We should try another Senu Bean." Trunks announced earning a brow raise from across the table. "They don't cure diseases but they should cure hunger."

"B-but we,"Bulma paused and let out a small hiccup, shaking, "W-we already tried that." Trunks nodded to his mother in response. He bent down to one knee and rested his left hand upon her right shoulder.

"Yes your right we did." Trunks replied before raising his right index finger before her eyes. "but mother you have to remember were not really feeding one Saiyan anymore are we?"

Bulma's eyes widened a fraction and it was then in that moment that past memories of a Gotenks flashed into her mind. His blubbering cries of hunger because he was not just one person but two small boys combined into one another.

"...No we aren't." She breathed out, still shaking she managed to take hold of Trunks hand and the two were guided back to their feet. "Were feeding two glutenous bastards now." She added now glaring harshly at Vegetto.

Vegetto tilted his head quizzically as a question mark seemingly appeared out of it. "Trunks if you would."

"On it." Trunks saluted and ran out the door yet again. Vegetto watched him go wordlessly before turning back to his blue haired demon woman.

"So?"

Bulma's arms crossed back over her chest as her smile widened.

"My sons such a genius! Well he is my son after all!" She beamed proudly. "You should be thankful." She cut, glaring. Vegetto nodded enthusiastically. Bulma then placed her hands on her hips and laughed. "I guess that last minute sex request is out of the question now. Now that you're not dying anyways Vegetto. Good thing too – I was really prepared to do so."

"WAIT WHAT."

"It's a joke Vegetto. Geez get over yourself. You pervert."

Vegetto now sent her a dirty glare and Bulma couldn't help but laugh.

Finally things were looking up.

"You won't be saying stuff like that when I get my strength back." He snipped and she huffed.

"If you get your strength back that is." She responded, sticking her tongue out at him.

"And if I don't...It's on you then?" He questioned and she blinked back a blush. "Is that a yes then?"

"OF COURSE NOT YOU IDIOT!" Bulma screamed causing Vegetto to laugh some more. Bulma's face bright red as it was – she didn't dare snip back instead she headed right out that door to go follow her son.

Vegetto nearly fell over in his chair.

"Hey wait a minute – wait for me – Woman – no I mean – Bulma er –Wait up!"

Bulma glanced over her shoulder to see that lumbering buffoon behind her. She sighed stopping and allowing him to catch up. "R-relax, I was only joking. Chill out."

"I am perfectly chill." She replied, icily. Vegetto scratched the back of his head nodding in agreement.

Each of them wondering how they were going to handle the other from this day on.

It seemed like some things just never end.

Their banters.

Their fights.

And from the way both cheeks flushed – neither would their love.

Just another Permanent Problem it seemed.

XXX

(Authors Note: Sorry for the long absence but with everything sorted out now - I am able to finish what I started. To those who waited for me thank you! I now know where I want to go with this. Maybe seeing the Brolly movie made me passionate with the series again. Thanks and take care! - I will reply more next chapter - I'm heading off to work now!)