Chapter 5 - Briefs

Vegeta was in heaven. The paleo meatloaf, chicken hot pie in front of him and the cheesy lasagna in his mouth all made up for the petrifying introduction at the doorstep. He was hardly paying attention to the conversation on the dinner table happening around him, though it was no surprise there would be all kinds of chatter in Bulma's house.

"... and that's when I thought; I could catch up on Morzo and Lusu's sham wedding after cooking the lasagna! Although I was hoping they'd fall in love for real! Who are they even trying to fool? Guess I'll have to wait for season three", he heard Bulma's mother say, who was sat on the opposite side of the table.

"Nm-hm, Mrs. Briefs the lasagna is amazing!", the fool sitting beside him said with his mouth full. He was the only one eating as much as Vegeta himself, though he seemed an utter fool. Goku? He tried to remember the name he'd been introduced to. It was safe to say the Briefs family was nuts. Just as Bulma was.

Speak of the devil. She came down the stairs, finally in a different outfit as she took the empty seat directly opposite him. "Goku, now you have someone else who shares your appetite without getting obese", she said, her huge eyes mischievously looking at Vegeta.

"Oh yeah Vegeta, just you and me here. Even Krillin won't eat as much", the fool said.

Krillin, the bald midget had hardly said a word. Vegeta didn't even see him after being introduced as he was sat beside Goku, out of his view. He'd looked a tad bit frightened to meet him, a thought which made Vegeta chuckle inwardly as he drank his hot chocolate.

"My my, Vegeta. Bulma's right! I can see those muscles under that shirt, are you a fighter too like Goku?", she asked in her upbeat mood as Vegeta almost choked on his drink.

My muscles? Is this woman looking at my body?

"I used to be, yes. Though I don't get the chance these days", he eventually said.

"Oh man! You should totally train with us! We could do with more people, since it's just Krillin and I. It'll still take a few days for Yamcha to be here", Goku said excitedly.

Now that sure appealed to Vegeta. "I would like to train", he simply said.

"Alright! Krillin, that's gonna be so fun", he said looking to his other side at the midget.

Fighting. Yes. He needed fighting back. First this food and now fighting. He was already glad he came here instead of heading back. This fool and the midget would probably give him a mere warm up at most, but he was glad to return to fighting.

Just then, he was pulled back from his thoughts as an old man came to the table, taking a seat beside Bulma's mother on the opposite side, a black cat on his shoulder. "Oh, I see we have a new guest", the man said.

"Oh yes honey! Would you look at who Bulma's brought back with her? This is Vegeta, the hero who helped her after she lost her train!", she announced excitedly as Vegeta felt he was close to choking again.

Hero? What in the world! Bulma basically followed me, I wasn't playing hero!

Even Bulma herself was blushing all shades of pink as she mouthed "Mom!"

"Pleasure to meet you, Vegeta", the man said, who he now assumed must be Bulma's father.

"Likewise, sir", he said as Bulma looked at him surprised. Yes, he had manners. Had she thought otherwise?

"You are the spitting image of your father, young man. It was a tragedy what happened"

"Yes", he replied. The old man must've seen his fathers face on the news, he guessed.

"It'd be our pleasure to have you here for Christmas"

"Sure sir", he replied. He wasn't even sure what the man entirely meant but he wasn't so ill-mannered as to reject the man on his face. He'll leave if need be.

"Anybody want more lemon milky berzado?", Bulma's grinning mother asked the table, holding the massive jug. "Vegeta? Have you tried it?"

Just what in the world was that? The jug was brightly orange coloured with some yellow sprinkles here and there, looking much like a disease to him. "I have not", he replied.

"Oh my! It's the boy's first time to Capsule Corp and he hasn't tried lemon milky berzado?"

Oh boy. He watched as she poured it in the empty glass to his right. As he reluctantly took a sip, he found it wasn't so disease-like after all. It tasted like strawberry with a slight hint of lemon. Hm. Strawberry. He concluded maybe that's why Bulma in front of him had had a refill already. She simply smiled wide as she noticed his gaze her way.

Vegeta was impressed with this Capsule Corp. The thing was massive. Following the dinner wrap up, Bulma was giving him a short tour of the place. The living room where they'd just had dinner was quite huge alone. He was used to modern, high-tech but not so much to upsizing since he'd only lived in a double storey with his father.

Well, Bulma too only lived here with her parents. The fool and midget were only visiting for holidays she'd said. Apparently Capsule Corporation was huge in West City, only he hadn't cared to know about it. Just like he hadn't cared to know about the Brandy Krack hero like everyone else.

"So this floors basically got my parents' rooms and mine. The third one's a study now, it used to be my sister's before she moved out, and dad's lab is round the corner", she said as they walked the hallway on the second floor.

Lab? Well her dad sure seemed like he'd own a lab, what with his white coat and all.

Moving up, they reached the third floor which had a series of doors lined up on either side of the hallway. "And these are the guest rooms, where you'll be staying", she said to him. "Well they're all the same size and all so you can just pick which door you like. Goku and Krillin have got the ones on the left end"

She randomly opened the door next to Goku's, switching the lights on and Vegeta was surprised to find their guest rooms generously spacious as well. There was a bed on the far end next to the massive window, a proper sitting area at the front featuring couches, chairs and a table. The wall beside the entrance featured a TV. The colouring of the room was quite pastel. Light shades of pink, blue, purple, green filled the room. Of course it had to be colours.

"So? You like?", she grinned at him.

"It'll do", he replied.

"Righto, then I'll see you tomorrow, give you a tour of the outside", she said. "Oh and if you need anything, feel free to hit the kitchen downstairs or whatnot, we don't mind anything"

Just as she was leaving, he remembered something. "Wait, Bulma. You said there were spare phones around? I'm in need of one"

"Oh yeah, that should be no problem", she said, stepping out the door before stopping. "So I've finally gone from 'woman' to Bulma?", she asked, a smirk appearing on her face.

He grunted. "Woman!", he said naturally without much thought.

"Hmmm. Ok. I don't know what woman you're talking to", she crossed her arms.

He narrowed his eyes. "Will I be getting a phone?", he asked. "Bulma?", he added reluctantly after a few beats.

"Sure thing", she simply winked and went on her way.

"Raditz, where have you been you idiot? Tell me if you've heard anything from Icejin. I don't think what happened to father was any accident. Someone's also been leaving photos in my wallet. Something's not right. Call me as soon as you get this", he said as he ended the voicemail.

Stupid idiot. Why hadn't he been at work? And now even his phone's busy. Not that he'd expect any better from Raditz, though it was still frustrating.

He looked at the time on top of the phone. '10:17 PM' it read. The phone in his hand looked like a regular smartphone, though it only had call and text feature as Bulma had told him. He could've texted Raditz, but that wouldnt have had the same effect as his own pissed off voice. Sighing, he turned off the lights before making his way to the bed.

He admitted he was half expecting this trip here to be a regretful one, knowing he wouldnt fit with Bulma and her most-likely-upbeat family. He didn't come to fit in with them, he'd only come here to get away from Crystal Town, but he'd still had his doubts about coming. It turned out to be a good idea after all. The food was amazing, better than any of his father's cooks. And he'd finally get to have a go at fighting again. It'd been some time since a fight with one of Frieza's men, and thanks to father he hadn't gotten fighting much after that. Not only that but he actually found himself not hating her family. They sure were as upbeat as he would've guessed, but he found he could bear it. They were harmless after all. As long as he dodged Bulma's mother, he was sure he'd be fine.

Bulma. When did she even become Bulma in his thoughts? Now that she mentioned it, he found himself noticing too. He was sure he'd naturally called her 'blue woman' in his head before. Hmf, it was probably only because there's more people around here so his mind felt the need to be more distinct in name choices, he told himself as sleep eventually found him.

Bulma woke up as the morning light trickled in through the blinds. She went on with her standard routine of sitting up and rubbing her eyes with her knuckles, before yawning. Then she remembered she didn't even set an alarm. Grabbing her phone from the side table, she saw it read '10:03 AM'.

Wow. Did she really sleep I really sleep that long?

She immediately got herself dressed, throwing on a random pair of pants and a long sleeve. After days of being dressed in her pajamas, she was glad for the outfit change. With her usual grin finding its way on her face, she made her way down to the living room.

She found it was all quite empty. "Morning dad!", she said as he was sat on a couch with his nose in a newspaper as usual. Seeing her mom in the kitchen, she walked over. "Morning mom! Where's everyone else?", she asked.

"Oh good morning dear! The boys are all fighting in the training room", she said, her eyes shut as usual.

"Really, straight away in the morning huh?", she thought out loud.

"It'd be fun to watch, but I've got cooking to do and season three of Married My Crazy Neighbour airs today dear!", her mother mused.

Of course. Bulma grabbed a cereal bar on the counter before making her way outside. "Join you later, mom!"

"Aren't you gonna eat breakfast dear?", her mother called.

"I've got it", she smiled and waved back. Making her way to the training room, she was surprised at what she found in front of her.

There on the large tiled white floor were Goku and Vegeta, simultaneously throwing and blocking fists, both shirtless and covered in sweat. The enormous room echoed with the sound of skin-on-skin contact, mixed with occasional grunts from both men. Then she noticed something in her peripheral vision, making her look to her side. There on one of the side benches sat Krillin, witnessing the fight in front of him as his eyes bulged, threatening to leave his face.

"Hey guys!", she said out loud, hoping to be heard over the sounds of the fight.

Throwing and deflecting the final blows, the men parted, Goku's usual grin visible while Vegeta's expression remained...simply Vegeta. "Hey Bulma", Goku waved at her, grinning wide as they both got hold of water bottles, drinking away in massive gulps.

"You guys sure don't waste time finding the time to fight", she observed. Vegeta was a proper fighter? She'd yet to learn that! She tried to look anywhere but his naked torso and.. shining abs.

"Did you know Vegeta's a fighter? He gave me a tough match no doubt, great work Vegeta!", Goku cheerfully said.

Vegeta simply grunted in what appeared to be his usual irritation.

"I didn't, you'd yet to share that", Bulma said to him, a smirk finding its place on her face.

"I have been out of touch. Otherwise I would've knocked you out, fool", he said haughtily, his tone going completely unnoticed by the oblivious Goku.

"You should totally join the Martial Arts Tournament next year! That's what we all train for", Goku said.

"Hmf, perhaps. I have more important things at han-"

Just then, the speakers on the corners of the ceiling blared with Mrs. Briefs squeaky voice, "Hey sweeties, I've made some delicious snacks I saw Papu Genie make on her show! Do come in for a bite"

"Aw man, coming right in!" Goku replied back as if Mrs. Briefs could hear, running out the door impatiently.

Krillin grabbed Goku's forgotten shirt as he ran after him, "Goku! Don't go in there shirtless and sweaty!"

Vegeta grabbed his own shirt he'd dropped on the side bench, a standard blue Capsule Corp shirt as he hadn't been carrying his own luggage.

"Woww, and he fights! What other secrets is Mr. Brooding hiding?", Bulma smirked, teasing him as she made her way closer.

"You thought I had this body from lazing around?", he found himself smirking.

"Ooo, but you say yourself you haven't been practicing much lately"

"Maybe it is a gift then", he said as he pulled over his shirt. "I used to do this a lot back in Icejin"

"Yep, who would've thought business guys were all fighty", she said, curious as they walked out past the door.

"I was thrown into fighting when I was a kid. Thanks to my father. But I grew liking it, I was good at it. Then after high school my father forced me to join his pathetic company. I'd preferred something like military, something that required the use of muscle. First he forces me to Frieza, then when he feels like it he forces me to his company. Teaching me to use muscle and then reducing me to a desk job", he scoffed. He didn't even remember what she said, or if his response was even relevant, but that's what popped in his head as he found himself spilling.

So that's why he hadn't cared about reporting back to the company. Bulma herself just remembered that aspect, not that he'd brought her attention back to it before. "Well hey, then you should definitely hit up the tournament Goku was talking about, you know, do what you enjoy", she said.

"Hmf", he responded. Perhaps he would. Number one on the priority list was vengeance. Vegeta wasn't his father's biggest fan, but he was his father nonetheless.

As they entered the main building and went into the livingroom, murmured chatter filled their ears. "TIGHTS! You're here!", Bulma yelled, making her way to hug her sister.

"Calsenko's actually gave early holidays this time, would you believe?", Tights replied as the sisters hugged and giggled.

Mrs. Briefs cooking was simply next level, Vegeta declared. He was enjoying her chocolate biscuits on one couch while Tights was sat on the other with Bulma.

He could tell she was Bulma's sister, there certainly was some resemblance, though he admitted he found Bulma prettier. The sister didn't seem to share Bulma's mischive either, she simply listened while Bulma blabbered on.

"Tights sweety! We haven't had a good game of charades since you last visited! Everybody let's play!", Mrs. Briefs called out.

"Oh that's so fun!", the idiot Goku called out from the rug on the floor, a biscuit still in his mouth. How such a fool was such a great fighter was a mystery to him. He was certainly strong enough to be in Icejin. Vegeta wondered what his secret was.

Bulma went upstairs and returned with a box titled 'CHARADES'. Now what the hell was this going to be?

"Alright! Vegeta you're playing too, it's simple, one person picks a card from the box and acts the thing out while everybody else guesses! I'll start", Bulma said animatedly.

He was still sat on the couch, now joined by Goku as the others all gathered around the floor, all facing Bulma as she picked a card, putting it down after taking a peek.

"It's a thing", she said as her hands came before her, as if holding an imaginary item in between.

"It's a ball!", Goku said.

"No, it's like like magic thing... a mystic ball!", Krillin said.

"Guys! I was just beginning to do it", she said as she started moving her hands in circular motion.

What the hell? "A retarded person", Vegeta guessed matter-of-factly.

"Vegeta! No", she said as her hands moved faster, as if a shaping a tornando.

"A tree in the wind?", Goku said, now sounding confused.

"I've got nothing, what're you doing Bulma?", Tights chuckled.

"You guys lose! It's a milkshake! I was showing a blender switched on and doing its workkk", Bulma whined petulantly.

"Sis, you didn't think to just do the drinking motion to make it easier?", Tight said.

"Hmm, but there's so many beverages one could drink", Bulma replied, clearly thinking this was a very valid point as she took a seat on the floor beside Tights.

"Oh can I have the next go? I love the acting part! I can never guess", Bulma's mother called out.

As no one objected, she took the 'stage', taking a peek at a card before putting it back. "Alrighty, here I go! It's a movie!", she said cheerfully before her expression changed entirely, her face almost unrecognizable as her eyes popped out, threatening to fall off. She made a fist, slamming it into her free palm repeatedly with an attempted mean expression.

"Mom?" Bulma said nervously.

"Crazy person movie! Gahh I haven't seen many movies in my life!", Goku said.

A nervous "Uhhh..." was all that came from Krillin.

Her food was great but this woman petrified Vegeta. What in the world was she doing now?

"Uhm.. is it the crazy neighbour show?", Bulma guessed.

"Noooo, guys, I thought my acting was getting so much better! It's Wreck-It Ralph!", she said as her face returned to normal, though not so normal as it was momentarily downcast for once. "I was wrecking!"

Jesus. , was all Vegeta thought as laughter filled the room, Mrs. Briefs not taking long to join in herself.

"My turn!", Tights declared after the laughs toned down. "Ok, it's a movie!", she said, having taken a look at her card.

She picked up a paper from the table, holding it in one hand while her other was in a fist, touching the bottom corner of the paper, before she let it drop. As she begun to swirl her hand over the fallen paper, a light bulb went off in Vegeta's head.

"That Brandy Krackhead-mans movie!", he said, surprised to find himself sound so eager, as if he'd solved an actual mystery.

"Oh my god yes! Break Point!", Bulma yelled out in excitement.

"Aw man, how did I not get that?", Krillin said as Goku looked utterly confused.

"Branson Krackman's Break Point, yes", Tights corrected.

Bulma glanced back at Vegeta, smirking. "Someone's learning", she winked before giggling at the grunting response she received.

This was some day, Vegeta thought as he put his shirt back on, exiting the empty training room. Training with Goku had fired him up, he wanted to get back into it, practice more eventhough it was everybody's bed time and he was without a partner at this hour. Still, some good old push ups were better than nothing.

The Briefs were indeed crazy, he thought as he made his way back to the main building. As if the 'charade' game wasn't enough, Bulma had brought out another silly one by the name of 'twister'. Thank the lord he'd insisted on passing on that. It was utterly foolish though it had indeed made him laugh his head off, being a bystander. Then they'd put on bizarre TV shows and idiotic action movies. He loved real life action, but not those choreographed dances! Still he was surprised to find himself liking the atmosphere he was in for once.

As he entered, he found the living room was pitch quiet, the lights also switched off. He casually made his way back upstairs to the third floor where his room was, the moonlight through the windows providing enough light to guide him.

The lights in the hallway were lit, albeit dimly, as a hand grabbed his bicep just before he could enter his room. "What?", he naturally said.

"Shhhhh, it's me", Bulma said, almost a whisper though said hurriedly.

"Why're you hunting me down at this hour?", he asked, taken aback.

"There's a crisis at hand!", she whisper-yelled.

"What're y-", he was cut off as a door on the other side of the hallway opened.

"What're you guys doing at this hour?", Tights said, her voice sleepy as if she'd just woken up.

"Uhhh.. yeah, just discussing something important you know", Bulma said before she remembered something entirely different. "Hey, you know, I actually thought you two would make a good couple a few days back, but y'all havent even talked", she chuckled.

Vegeta audibly grunted, utterly confused as to what was happening.

"Bulmaaa, stop talking shit, I just want water", Tights whined, lazily rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah do get some, I've got an important business chat with this one", Bulma said matter-of-factly.

"Huh? Nevermind", Tights said, making her way down.

Seeing her leave, Vegeta's gaze shifted back to Bulma, "What's going on?"

"Listen, we've got a crisis at hand, meet me tomorrow at the Capsule Corp balcony, seven in the morning, I'll tell you then", she hurriedly said before rushing off, waving behind her as she made her way downstairs.

"What the—", he was left saying. Fucking Briefs.

Authors note: Not the best chapter I've written I'd say, as there were quite a few 'scene breaks' if you know what I mean, but hope ya didn't notice heheh. The coming chapters should be eventful though ;)

And lastly, HAPPY NEW YEAR PEOPLEEEE! Hope 2019 proves to be a great one :D