I Didn't Ask For This

by J.L.Lunar

Chi Chi is trying to get her life back in order; she opens the restaurant she's always dreamed of, and she and Gohan seem happy enough. Unfortunately, she ends up making a deal with her surly green neighbor, and the result is Junior becomes a rather large part of their lives. AU-verse. Chiccolo.

18. I Have One-All the Same

This chapter is brought to you by Pickleandthequeen with the word "booger brains"

Chapter

"I Have One"

Chi Chi sat on the ledge of the roof, feet dangling as she let the cool breeze wash over her face. In front of her, Gohan was darting around, catching lighting bugs as they fluttered around. They'd just started appearing, and they seemed to thoroughly enjoy Dende's little garden, happily massing around the bulbs of light that were scattered amongst the flowers.

Behind Gohan, an awkward Junior lumbered just behind, obviously unsure of what to do. Chi Chi giggled, which earned her a rather consternated glance from the alien. His face looked so pinched and pathetic, that she actually took pity on him—but not before laughing even more as she approached him.

Gohan was currently face first in a bush, carefully brushing them aside in favor of looking for more critters.

"Did you never catch lightning bugs?" Chi Chi asked, blowing bangs out of her eyes. Junior heaved his shoulders, and went cross-eyed as he glared mutinously at one of the insects that flew by his nose.

"No," he replied, voice surly. "Dende used to, but it seemed stupid."

"It's fun," Chi Chi said, jabbing him in the arm. "I know when I was a kid—,"

"However many decades ago that was," Junior grumbled.

Chi Chi punched him in the rib and kept going. "When I was a kid, me n Goku used to catch 'em all the time. He used to rip off the glowing bits and stuff 'em on his fingers," she wrinkled up her nose, reflecting, "it was so gross. He'd chase me on purpose!"

Junior fell silent beside her, and she noticed that he wasn't looking directly at her. She nudged him. He seemed to come out of whatever reverie he'd fallen into, and shifted his feet.

"Sorry, I was thinking," he grunted, hands going immediately into his pockets.

Chi Chi frowned. "Well… either way, it's kind of a travesty that you've never caught lightning bugs before. I demand you do it now."

"You demand?"

"I do," she grinned, planting her fists on her hips as she tossed her head up. He looked at her, attempting to look angry, all the while a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"I'm afraid I don't know how." His voice was deep and low, mouth barely moving as he spoke. Her eyes stayed locked with his, as she mechanically lifted her hands up. When she tried to swallow her throat was rather dry, and she thanked the heavens that it was fairly easy to grab at one of the bugs. Her hands lightly cupped it, before she motioned for Junior to come nearer to her.

His hand extended out as she opened up her palms to him. Junior unfurled one finger, the cool tip touching her as the lightning bug ambled forward onto his waiting digit. He stared at the thing, his own antennae matching the critter's movements.

Chi Chi felt her heart speed up, and she bit the inside of her cheek.

"See?" she said, hoping she didn't sound as breathless as she felt, because really it wasn't fair how good his skin looked in these lights. "Now you just have to catch your own."

"It's super fun, Mr. Junior!" Gohan crowed, popping up in between them. Shocked, Junior jerked, spooking the little bug he'd had. It took flight, just as the twenty or so that Gohan had crawling over his little hand did so, too.

Glancing at each other, Chi Chi and Junior dissolved into laughter as they watched the blinking bugs clamber over a grinning Gohan's face.

"And Mr. Junior bought me this cool leather jacket and then he took me to watch movies and we've gone to this super cool Namekian place a couple of times and Mr. Junior has his cousins home now and they're super nice and Mr. Junior—,"

"Mr. Junior this, Mr. Junior that!" Videl through her hands up in the air, face set firmly in a pout. "Whatever. If you like him so much why don't you marry him?" She crossed her arms huffily across her chest, and Gohan paused, pulling his face into a confused pinch.

"Why would I do that?"

"Cuz he's all you talk about!" Videl griped. She picked at one of the scabs on her knee. "I wanted to talk to you but all you talk about is Mr. Junior! He's just some lame slug-man!"

Gohan furrowed his brow, and stomped his foot. "Don't call him that!"

"I'll call him whatever I want!" Videl snapped. "You're not my dad!"

"That's because he's a booger brain!"

Videl gasped and reeled back, face turning red with emotion. "You're just made because you don't have a daddy!"

Junior pinched the bridge of his nose as he walked up the steps to Satan's house. Last time he'd been here it… hadn't exactly gone well. His hands were stuffed in the pockets of his leather jacket, as he thought—why the hell did the kid keep ending up in tears every time he came here? Junior just had to hope that this time wasn't quite the same…

Hercule hadn't mentioned much over the phone. He'd just said that there'd been a problem and that he need someone to come get Gohan. Apparently the little boy was distressed and wanted to go home. Chi Chi had been busy at the restaurant, so he'd offered to go. Honestly he'd been a bit surprised that he'd been allowed to go in her stead, especially with how protective the woman was of her kid.

He rang the doorbell, and stood outside, tapping his toe as he waited. Finally, the door swung wide open, and Hercule's bushy hair was visible. Junior felt slightly smug as the man visibly quaked in front of him—honestly, it was little bit of an ego trip sometimes to know that he still had it.

"I'm here for Gohan."

"O-of course. Mrs. Son got a hold of me yessir." Hercule ducked back in, motioning forward Gohan. Junior's eyes widened at the state he was in—his right eye was black and swollen, and his nose had crusted blood underneath it. He had a few bruises staining his cheeks and arms, and his expression was thunderous.

"By the dragon kid, what the hell?" Junior crouched down, pressing his fingers to the wounded areas. He could feel creases forming in his face as he glanced between Satan and the boy. His fangs bared as he glared. "You have three seconds to explain why this wasn't your fault," he snarled.

Hercule's knees slammed together as he began shaking and babbling incoherently.

"It's not his fault," Gohan muttered. "C'mon, Mr. Junior… I just want to go home."

Junior slowly rose up, straightening himself as he leveled a murderous look at Hercule. The older man stumbled backwards towards his house, and Junior scooped Gohan up into his arms, pressing the small boy into his chest as he descended the stairs.

"How about we stop somewhere first," Junior muttered. He knew his skin was cold comparatively to a human's, so he pressed his palm against the wound splattered across the boy's face. Gohan seemed to appreciate this as he lay there, tears welling up in his eyes. "You can eat and we'll get you cleaned up. Your mom'll have a fit if she sees you now."

"Okay…" Gohan whispered. He clenched his hand around Junior's shirt until he lay him down in the backseat of the car.

Gohan held his burger in his hand, staring at the sandwich as Junior took sips of his mocktail. They were sitting at the Namekian joint, while Junior fended off the mass texts that he was receiving from Milk. He was just repeatedly assuring her that he had Gohan and that he was fine—it was becoming a circular conversation.

"So." Junior swirled his straw around in the cup. "Care to explain to me how all of that happened?" He'd taken Gohan to the bathroom first thing, propping the little boy up on the sink so that he could wipe off all of the blood. It'd been tender, but Junior had tried to be a little softer than normal.

Gohan pressed his lips into a thin line. "I called Videl a booger face…" he whispered, and Junior felt his brain physically fry out for a moment.

"Excuse me?"

"I called Videl a booger face," Gohan said, slightly louder this time as his voice trembled. Junior motioned for him to be a bit quieter. The boy nodded, and tremulously stuffed fries into his mouth, barely chewing them as tears started to form again.

"I… that's not an insult, you know that, right?" Junior felt his exasperation growing. What did this have to do with what looked like a fight?

Gohan puckered his brow up, and he glowered down at his plate. "She—she was being mean to me. I was telling her all about… all about… you… and she got mad at me so I called her a booger face and then… she said I didn't have a daddy!" He yelled that last part, and finally the tears came.

Junior felt he last puzzle piece click into place. "And I'm assuming that you two got into a fist fight," Junior concluded, to which Gohan nodded, swiping angrily at his face, big fat tears sticking to the back of his hand.

Junior sighed. He really felt like he was getting too old for this… how the hell did Milk deal with all of this? He dropped his chin into his hands.

"Who cares what she said?"

"H-huh…?"

"I said who cares? You know you have a dad, don't you?"

"W-well… yeah…"

"Then what difference does it make? She was probably just pissed at you," Junior sipped from his drink, "and decided to say the one thing she knew would hurt you."

"Well it did," Gohan mumbled. "It really hurt."

Junior sighed. "And I'm sure she's probably sorry about it now. Kids are assholes, Gohan."

"Wh-what?" the little boy stammered, rearing back as he stared.

"Look. I'm sure your mom can give you the whole spiel about forgiving friends and how Videl didn't mean it, or whatever horseshit." He waved a hand through the air. "But I'm going to let you know the truth. Kids are assholes—point blank. Do you know how many times Nail yanked my antennae, or made fun of me for my dad?"

Gohan slowly shook his head.

"Hell, we used to tease Dende about his egg coming out wrong, or that nobody really knew who hatched him—it's entirely false, by the way, we know Guru is his dad. He and Nail are brother's for the Dragon's sake." He shook his head then, and leveled his gaze with Gohan. "It wasn't okay, but it's something that happens. If or when Videl apologizes, I'm sure you can make the decision to forgive her or not."

Gohan sat in stunned silence, as Junior mulled some more.

"And you say you were talking about me…?"

Gohan nodded. "She called you a stupid slug-man," he muttered, voice hoarse.

Junior sighed. "Kid… that's just how the world is."

"It shouldn't be!" Gohan wailed, slamming his fist on the table. "It's not fair! You're super cool!" Junior could feel his cheeks staining purple as they attracted strange looks. "You're strong! And smart! And you're nice to me! And you're working hard at your show for mom's restaurant, even though you said Nameks can't do stuff!" His face was red and puffy by the time he stopped, more tears dumping down his face.

Junior grimaced. "Listen… I know you think all these things, but the fact is, outside of the compound I'm just a Namekian. This is the way things are." He sighed, and rubbed at the base of his antennae. "You're just one little boy," he said, "you can't change the world. What you can do is not lose friends on my account. Videl probably only said what she did because she was pissed, anyways. It sounds like she was excited to see you after a while, and all you did was talk about you and me. Did you even ask her how her time went?"

Gohan stopped. "Oh…" his hands fell limp in his lap, as he looked at his abandoned meal. "I… I guess I didn't."

Junior nodded, and leaned back. "Sounds like you were both wrong. But give it some time, kid. Let your heads cool down."

"Ok, Mr. Junior…" Gohan slid out of his booth, before walking over to Junior's. He had a moment to blink before arms were thrown around him, and he was enveloped by a hug. Smiling, Junior pressed his hand onto Gohan's back, patting the boy.

"It's all right kid… now let's get home to your mom before she kills me."

When they arrived home, it was to a flurry of Chi Chi. Junior managed to calm her, grabbing her by the shoulders as he motioned for Gohan to head upstairs. Chi Chi looked like she was ready to fight him on it, but instead he drew her off to the side, explaining what all had happened.

Chi Chi listened to it all, before staring open-mouthed up at Junior.

"You… had a mature conversation with Gohan about his feelings and the duality of morals?"

"The disbelief in your face and voice make me want to trip you."

She glanced backwards, to the direction of Gohan's window.

"Just… don't harass him over this, Milk."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"It means you can be a bit much," his voice was flat as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You might be trying to do good, but sometimes you're very over-bearing."

Chi Chi made a disgruntled noise, and glared at the concrete. "You're starting to sound like my husband…"

"I sound nothing like that moron," Junior snapped. "And that idiot she be here dealing with this."

Chi Chi's face softened, and Junior felt guilt punch him in the stomach. "I'll give you that one." Her voice sounded broken—defeated. Gritting his teeth, he awkwardly pressed his hand onto her shoulder, and patted. She stared at it, before he quickly retracted his hand for fear of losing it.

"Uh—I just… you're doing just fine. On your own, I mean." He cleared his throat. "The uh. That kid. He's great. And you've been doing this by yourself." He flushed. "It's impressive."

She sat in silence for another moment, before curling her lips up into a smile. "Thanks," she muttered, hands falling into her apron pocket. He watched her rock back and forth between her heel and toes, looking up at him. "It's been… well. It's been a lot easier with you around."

Junior jerked, and his fingers met nervously behind his back. He felt nervous and off-balance as he looked down at Chi Chi, the small woman's eyes never leaving his own. She had an uncanny ability to do this to him.

"Sure thing," he grunted, attempting to clear his throat in the process. "I'd better head home now, though… let the kid know I still expect him to help me practice for this stupid thing with Vegeta."

"Still no chance in you telling me what it is?" Chi Chi prompted, as Junior started walking backwards towards Porunga's.

"Definitely not," he grinned, before he stumbled and almost fell. Milk fell into peals of laughter, and Junior joined in once his embarrassment died down.

Chapter

"All the Same"

"Aw, Gohan got in his first fight!" Goku grinned at his phone and nudged Krillin. "Isn't that exciting? I don't think Chi Chi's too happy, though…" he frowned and pocketed the cell. He attempted to get Krillin's attention a few more times, but the short man seemed very out of it. He just kept tapping away at his computer, staring for long periods of time at the same webpage.

"I can't believe it…" Krillin finally mumbled. "I'm dead—Goku, do you hear me? Dead." He hung his head, stubby fingers rising up to brush against his bald head. Goku looked at his friend, completely mystified as he tilted his head.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm going to be killed! 18…" Krillin stared at the screen, eyes boring into the many pictures of the woman standing above her comatose opponents. "She's crazy strong!"

"Isn't that what makes it fun?" Goku enthused, goofy grin sprawled across his face as he regarded his friend. "She seems pretty tough! I kinda wanna fight her…" he trailed off, mind immediately racing to the possibilities.

Krillin frowned at his friend. "Goku… I think you forget not everyone's like you. But—why isn't she fighting someone like you?"

"Roshi keeps forgetting to go through the fights that we get sent," Goku mused, pinching his chin, "maybe that's why? Apparently he has lots of emails and letters that he keeps ignoring." The Saiyan sighed. "I really wanna fight soon."

Krillin quirked his mouth up into a nervous smile. "Ha. That's one of us."

"It's just not fair!" Goku complained. "Yamcha and Tien both have fights right now!"

"Well, Tien and Yamcha are both fighting girls," Krillin replied dryly. "I'm sure that's the only reason 18's fight went through. You know how Roshi is…" the small man stared at Goku's blank expression. "Or maybe you don't. Whatever."

"It'll be okay, buddy," Goku smiled, clapping Krillin on the back. "I know this fight with 18 has you down in the dumps, but it'll turn out all right! Tournament rules stop people from killing you!"

Krillin glared. "Gee. Thanks." He sighed, itching at the edges of his gauze. It served as a constant reminder of what could happen again. Why hadn't he chosen a different profession…? Because he felt like this was all he could do, now? Sure, he'd gone in for interviews but… The looks, the stares… wasn't it better to just keep himself in this line of work, where people and species of all kinds were around.

Less judgement.

Less fear.

He gulped, before glancing to the door of their trailer. Roshi had parked it outside of the arena while Yamcha and Tien had gone in for their matches. He heard voices outside, and glanced to Goku.

"Did Roshi say anything about company?" he asked, but Goku merely shook his head. The conversation outside continued, before it escalated. There was finally a knock on the door, and both Goku and Krillin slowly approached it.

It could be a Goku fan… but considering that they were more than enough for any fan to take on, they pushed open the door.

Krillin froze.

Right outside the door was Android 18—along with 17 and 16. 17 looked very similar—but with straight black hair and a scarf tied around his neck. 16 was so incredibly large that Krillin couldn't actually see his face from inside of the trailer. Instead he was forced to look at a broad expanse of chest.

And 18… well. Krillin felt the back of his neck heat up. She was gorgeous. Even more so than in her fights. She was tall—so much taller than him—with her blonde hair reaching just her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes were piercing, with her eyelids perpetually lowered, constantly looking on life with disdain.

He felt so incredibly intimidated, and he honestly didn't know why she was here.

"Hey," she greeted, and Krillin noticed that she had chewing gum as she blew a big bubble, and subsequently popped it. "Mind inviting us in?"

Krillin fumbled backwards, and glanced nervously at Goku, who had a very excited look on his face. "Uh—yeah, sure. Just… one moment." Krillin hurriedly grabbed his friend before he could issue a challenge, and shoved him further back on the trailer. "Go hang out in the room or something," he hissed. Goku gave him a very dismayed look, but took his leave.

When Krillin turned back around, he saw that 18 was now looking at his laptop, still popping her gum as she regarded the screen. Mortification swept over him as he watched her move the mouse over to the search history, where it was obvious he'd just been scouring the web for everything 18 related.

Krillin wanted to die.

"Woooow," 17 was grinning as he sprawled across the couch, legs kicking up. "Shitty digs, man." The dark haired man glanced at the door. "Hey 16, you comin' in, or what?"

"I cannot fit." The voice was deep and mechanical. 17 sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"Whatever suits ya. Sis, can we hurry this up?" 17 demanded, throwing his hands behind his head.

18 looked up from the computer, and glared at her brother. "You didn't have to come."

"Sure I did," 17 replied. "My poor, impressionable sister coming alone into a man's place." He mock-gasped, flashing his eyes wide. "Now, now, can't have that!"

18 sneered at her brother, before rising up to her full height, and approaching Krillin.

"So… you accepted my fight…" 18 drawled. She began to circle him, and Krillin couldn't help but feel like a lioness was stalking him, especially with how concentrated 18's gaze seemed to be on him as she took in every inch of him.

He gulped.

"W-well… technically my manager did, you see…" Krillin flushed as 18 stopped in front of him, and bent nearly double so she could look him in the eyes. "B-but… I am a little confused…"

"I'm sure it happens often," 17 called. 18 made an impatient motion at her brother, but her eyes never left Krillin.

"I just couldn't understand why you chose… me…" Krillin shifted, feeling uncomfortable. The siblings brought this aura into the room that he felt like he couldn't escape.

18's lips pulled up into what was almost a smile as she tilted her head.

"Perhaps why I chose you, and not Son Goku?" she prompted, and Krillin gave a slow, trembling nod. A low chuckle quickly followed, and Krillin felt his stomach drop. "How should I say this…? I saw you," she murmured, "and thought you were cute."

Krillin's brain short circuited.

"Wha…?"

"I remember watching you fight Ma Junior when I was in middle school," she looked pointedly at his nose. "You took that wound and kept going. It was totally impressive." Krillin was rather confused by—a. a girl just said he was cute, b. she sounded incredibly dead-panned as she was saying nice things, and c. what the fuck.

"What does… but what does that have to do with fighting me...?" Because really, wow, was it flattering to have 18 say that he was cute, but there were priorities on the line. Mostly his life.

"Because, shortstack," 17's mocking voice rose again, "she wants to see just what you're made of."

Krillin gulped. "Uh… not much. You might be disappointed." He gave a nervous laugh, and rubbed at the back of his head.

"I'm sure it's not the first time a woman will feel that way," 17 chuckled. "It happens. But mostly to people like you."

"17, shut your mouth," 18 snapped, turning to glare at her brother. When she returned her gaze to Krillin, it was back to its normal icy mask. She regarded him slowly, eyes trailing over his gauze patch, and again, he could practically feel it itching.

"I'll be the judge of your fighting abilities," 18 said, before taking another step forward—and oh, gosh, was it hot in the trailer? he could have sworn that they had air conditioning. "In the meantime, I just wanted to meet you." Her gaze slid down. "Size you up."

"Gross," 17 groaned, throwing his arm over his eyes.

Krillin took a step backwards. "O-oh… I'm really sorry Miss 18 but… wow. Uh. We just met, and y-you're quite young so…"

18 drew back, and covered her mouth, stifling a chuckle. "Cute," she grinned, eyes narrowing. "You're one of those guys."

"Th… those…?" Krillin stammered.

"Oh, nothing." 18 turned, and pointed at her brother. "Let's go. I'm satisfied." She headed towards the door, leaving a stupefied Krillin staring after the two as they ambled outside. On unsteady feet, Krillin headed towards the trailer door, completely at a loss as he went to lock up behind them.

He was halted, however, as 16's massive form was still present.

Large hands shifted, before shoving something in Krillin's face. He went cross-eyed as he looked at it, and took it from the gargantuan man's grasp.

"18 wishes for you to sign this. She is a big fan." 16's voice boomed from up above, and Krillin stared at it. It was a picture of him when he was younger, grinning at the camera just after a match. He looked a little worn out, but he was still standing.

He stared.

He'd never had someone want an autograph from him. He was usually next to Goku or completely outclassed in every way. Numbly, he picked up a pen, and scribbled out his name and the numbers 18. He then slowly handed it back to 16, who pocketed it, and withdrew something else.

"I was also told to give you this." Krillin accepted the slip of paper, where a number was scrawled out across it. "Have a good night, small bird."

That was weird, but Krillin held the paper, watching as 16 slowly walked away. He could finally see that the large man had strange, cropped ginger hair as he presumably went in the same direction the other two had gone. In a strange haze, Krillin shut and locked the door, just as Goku finally came out of the room.

"Didja set me up a fight, buddy?!" Goku was bouncing eagerly on his toes, as Krillin gave him an odd look.

"Uh… no."

Chi Chi sat at a table on her lunch break, glaring mutinously at her phone.

Junior approached her, and had just barely sat down when Chi Chi spoke up.

"Do you know what my idiot husband said?!" she snarled, and Junior blinked, before sinking more thoroughly into his seat.

"No…" he said slowly, "but I'm sure you're going to tell me."

"He said he's proud of Gohan's fight!" Chi Chi huffed, her fist pounding against the table. "Can you believe that?"

"Yes," Junior shrugged. "He is a Saiyan."

Chi Chi glared at him. "I just—our baby boy getting into a fist fight with his friend, and Goku's happy about that?" She groaned, and dropped her head into her hands. "God… sometimes I wonder why I married him."

"Me too."

"What?"

"Nothing." Junior shifted in his seat. "I'm going to go get a water." He rose then, and headed towards the kitchen. Chi Chi watched him go, confusion evident, before she heard the door ding as a customer entered. She twisted around, and saw Dende and Nail.

Dende excitedly waved at her, and quickly headed towards her table, with Nail trailing along at a slower pace, his face obviously showing disdain. Dende slid into the booth where Junior had just been sitting, with Nail right beside him.

"Hi, Dende," Chi Chi greeted, forcing a smile.

"What's wrong?" the small Namekian asked, tilting his head inquisitively.

"Nothing just… my husband. He's proud that Gohan got into a fight. Junior said it's because of he's a Saiyan but—ugh." She pressed her forehead into her palm. Dende made a sympathetic noise.

"Ah yes, Junior told us all about that… I was quite sad to hear it. I know Gohan talks about this Videl quite a bit." He sighed. "I suppose it's only natural, though. Junior is convinced that it will all blow over. Just let the wounds mend themselves." He gave a tiny smile.

Junior walked up then, glaring at his family as he held his water.

"I was sitting there, assholes," he griped. Chi Chi rolled her eyes, but scooted over, allowing him space beside her. Junior still looked aggravated, but he obliged.

"So not only do you bare your neck, but you curse and hang out at human places. How lovely." Nail's voice was dry and sardonic, his gaze cutting. Chi Chi was shocked to actually hear him speak, with how much of her interaction with him had been nothing but surly glances.

Junior rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Nail. I'm not the one that waited until the middle of a ceremony to take of my neck cover."

Nail flushed. "I was a child," he snapped. "I've since learned to conduct myself. Maybe you would have done better to remain at the compound and learn some sense yourself."

"Stuff it," Junior snarled. "This high and mighty act only fools people who didn't grow up with you."

Dende made a nervous sound, and gave Chi Chi an apologetic glance.

"As I've said, now, in my adult life, I don't hang around with some human woman and her child, wasting time."

Chi Chi felt her temper mount at that, but she was caught off by Junior tightening his hand into a fist on the table as he stared his cousin down.

"Gohan's a great kid that you'd probably like if you pulled your head out of your throat for more than two seconds. And Milk's never done anything… well…" Junior glanced at her. "She's okay sometimes."

"Asshole!" she hissed, stepping on his toe underneath the table.

"I quite like the influence that they've had on him," Dende piped up, giving Nail a nervous glance. "Doesn't he seem much nicer?"

"Watch it," Junior growled, but Dende ignored him.

Nail merely grunted, and crossed his arms. "Whatever." He glanced at Chi Chi. "Fine, what's on your menu?" Chi Chi arched a brow and stood, walking over to grab a menu which she handed to the Namekian. He glanced over it quickly, before tossing it away from him with a snort. "Nothing. Of course."

Chi Chi could feel an angry flush take over her. "I didn't realize being a Namekian robbed you of the ability to speak," she snapped, hands going firmly to her hips. Nail gave her an aggravated look. "Which obviously it doesn't since that's all you've done is run your mouth. I don't know what your problem is, but I'm not going to put up with a shitty attitude. If you want something, then speak up."

Her chest heaved as she glowered at Nail, who returned it just as well. Off to the side, she could see Junior staring at her with a strange look on his face.

"Fine, woman. I want Coco banana smoothie. It's a common enough Namekian drink."

"A… a what?"

"A Coco banana smoothie. It's a staple drink." Nail crossed his arms and leaned back, looking particularly smug. "Or—better yet. Do you have Mint to Be? You're supposed to be best friends with Junior, right? Did you know that's his favorite? Or do you just cater to humans?"

Chi Chi opened her mouth, but fell silent as Nail stood up, towering above her.

"It's exactly as a thought. You yelled and you blustered, but it's still exactly as I thought." Nail narrowed his eyes. "You're all talk, woman." He brushed past her, and Dende quickly followed afterwards, bubbling out apologies as he went.

"Milk…?"

"I'm fine," Chi Chi snapped, and Junior gave a slow nod. He sipped at his water, and Chi Chi felt her anger mounting. She hated being wrong.

"Ok, woman, hit me." Vegeta stood in front of her, and Bulma stared incredulously at him. They were in the gym, and she'd just gotten changed into her workout gear, while Vegeta stood in front of her, cool as could be.

"I can't just hit you," Bulma said, waving the weighted gloves in front of him. "Remember—I got these bad boys one me?"

"I'm aware," Vegeta snapped, "I'm the one that put them on you."

"Ok, but like… what if I hurt you?"

"You won't."

"But if I do?"

"You can't."

"But say hypothetically I do."

"Woman… you cannot possibly hurt me."

"Ok but hear me out… what if. I do."

Vegeta groaned, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I would like to eat dinner sometime tonight. Bunny promised me steak."

Bulma squinted up her eyes. "What? She told me to that tonight was a fend for yourself kind of deal?"

Vegeta grinned, looking quite smug. "Yes, yes. She told you and your father that. But she promised me the biggest steak she could find."

Bulma stared at him. "You're a bastard! I was just going to eat some fast food!"

"You're rich," Vegeta snorted, "it's not my fault that's what you chose."

"You're jacking my mom from me!" she huffed. "Totally uncool."

Vegeta shrugged. "Then take it out on me."

Bulma gritted her teeth, and swung forward, knuckles barely making contact with Vegeta's stomach before she stumbled off to the side.

Vegeta began slow clapping, and Bulma glared at him.

"Very impressive woman. Are we recalling those hypothetical situations now? Now how are you going to possibly keep up with my training if you can't even land a hit?"

"This is your idea," Bulma reminded him, blowing hair out of her face, "and anyways, I can take anything you got."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, really—," Bulma was cut off as Vegeta lunged forward, grabbing her arm. He twisted it around her back, careful not to apply too much pressure as he forced her down to the mat, straddling her backside as he held her there.

Bulma squeaked, face lodged firmly against the mats as she lay there, caught between embarrassed and turned on. Above her, she could feel Vegeta releasing her, and when she stood he had the biggest shit-eating grin stretched across his features.

Huffing, she pushed up from her spot on the floor, rubbing at her elbows.

"All right, point proven… but hey, are you sure you should be wasting time on this? Don't you have to practice for this little thing you started with Junior?" Bulma rose to her feet, as Vegeta rolled his eyes.

"Hardly. Freeza had me learn the techniques at a young age. It was entertainment for him and his guests. Once he found out that Saiyan culture used to use it for ceremonies, he decided that his favorite pet had to learn it." Vegeta spit out the last part, and Bulma pressed her lips into a thin line. She knew by now that sappy words weren't what the Saiyan wanted, so she did the only thing she knew he liked.

She reared back, and slugged him in the arm.

Vegeta stumbled just a bit, and gave her an appreciative glance.

"By the Gods woman, I do believe this is the first time I've seen you be mildly useful."

"Oh, stuff it."