EDIT 9/28/10: Fixed the dialog spacing so it's easier to read.
o-o-o-o-o
"Vegeta, can you at least act like you're having fun? Please?" Bulma hissed quietly, exasperated. The Saiyan Prince ignored her and continued to remain in his slouched state. He was quite content with just leaning against the wall and glaring at everyone in the room.
A slight prickle in the back of his head caused him to groan. On cue, Goku waltzed through the door, saying hello to everyone in that sickly-sweet way he always did. It made Vegeta sick how nice Goku was to everyone.
'Disgusting…' He thought sourly.
He closed his eyes and tried to tune everyone out. Another strong ki entered the room, and Vegeta knew who it was instantly. Opening one eye, he saw Piccolo duck into the room. He chuckled at the fact that the Namek's head almost grazed the ceiling. In fact, technically it did, since his antennae touched the ceiling.
For once, Vegeta had to choke back an actual laugh. Everyone said hello to Piccolo and he carefully acknowledged them with a slight nod. 'Always the silent type…' Vegeta observed to himself.
Piccolo noticed him standing on the wall and gave him a nod. Vegeta nodded back, as he always did. Piccolo was one of the few people to which he actually returned a greeting.
The rest of the evening went by uneventfully. The dinner went well, save for the small intermediate part when Trunks and Goten decided to throw food. Both of them got a scolding and no dessert. Needless to say they were discontent and grumpy the rest of the night. After the dinner, everyone moved outside. The sun was setting and the fireflies were beginning to come out. Gohan and Mirai helped Goten and Trunks capture the flying creatures and put them in jars.
Vegeta found a nice quite spot under a tree and sat down, observing the party from a distance. He raised his gaze when he heard soft footsteps approach him. Piccolo sat down next to him.
"Vegeta." He said. Vegeta nodded without looking at him.
"Piccolo."
"I'm sure you're enjoying this as much as I am." Piccolo said casually. Vegeta didn't understand why the Namek was trying to converse with him, but he nodded.
"The woman requested that I come." He sniffed.
Piccolo chuckled softly.
"What's funny?" Vegeta asked. Piccolo shook his head, a soft smile still grazing his lips.
"I've never heard you call Bulma anything but 'woman'. It's humorous."
Vegeta sniffed again but said nothing.
Gohan and Mirai walked past the tree and waved hello to the two warriors.
"Hey Piccolo-sensei." Gohan chirped. Piccolo smiled.
"You don't need to call me that anymore."
Gohan shrugged. "I've always called you that. We're going swimming in the lake. Wanna come?" Piccolo looked skeptic, until Mirai spoke.
"Mother wants you to come and watch Trunks, Father." Vegeta scowled but rose and brushed his pants off anyways.
Piccolo shrugged and rose as well. "If Vegeta is going, I suppose I'll tag along." Vegeta cocked an eyebrow slightly but, again, said nothing. Gohan flashed a classic Son grin.
"Cool! Follow us." With that, Gohan and Mirai took off into the clearing which surrounded the lake. Piccolo and Vegeta followed them slowly, almost reluctantly.
Vegeta glanced out of the corner of his eye at the tall Namek. He never realized how tall he really was. He towered over him! One side of his mouth turned down. 'Maybe I really am as short as everyone says…'
"VEGETA STOP—"
A strong hand gripped his shoulder and stopped him in his tracks. His foot hung slightly over the bank of the lake, the cool water threatening to ruin his shoes, his expensive shoes he had bought himself, since the damn woman wouldn't give him any money. He looked to see who was his rescuer, and saw the smug grin on Piccolo's face.
"Watch where you're going."
For some reason, the tone in Piccolo's deep voice caused Vegeta to blush. By the Gods, he actually BLUSHED.
He jerked away from the Namek's grip. "I knew where I was going." He snapped, slightly embarrassed and hoping that the Namek didn't see the blush. Piccolo smirked.
"Of course you did."
Vegeta made a face, but Piccolo wasn't paying attention to him anymore. Gohan and Trunks had already changed into their swim suits and were getting ready to jump in.
"Hey Mirai…" Gohan said. The boy raised an eyebrow in response. "… NICE TRUNKS!" Gohan busted out laughing, making fun of his birthname. Piccolo shook his head. Why did he even bother to train that boy?
Mirai laughed and pushed Gohan into the lake. "Looks like you're a little wet behind the ears, Gohan!" Mirai laughed back. With that, he dove in and joined Gohan in shivering in the icy evening water.
"C-c-c'mon, Piccolo-sensei. The w-w-water's p-p-perf-f-fect." Gohan chattered out. Mirai nodded quickly.
Piccolo raised an eyebrow and sat down next to Vegeta on the bank. "No thanks, I think I'll stay right here."
Trunks and Goten came careening around the corner headed for the lake. It was unfortunate, however, that Piccolo just happened to be sitting right in their path.
"YAY SWIMMING!" Goten screamed out as he and Trunks crashed right into Piccolo, sending all three of them flying into the water.
Piccolo burst to the surface, sputtering and turning dark purple. Everyone stopped and stared at Vegeta. Gohan looked at Mirai. "Is your dad… laughing?" Mirai and Gohan shared a confused look. Yes, Vegeta was indeed laughing. More like he was in hysterics, actually.
Piccolo continued to watch the Prince with interest as Vegeta's laughs slowed and turned to little giggles. "I haven't laughed like that in ages. That was hilarious." He chuckled, wiping his eyes.
Piccolo smirked. "Me falling into the lake is hilarious to you?"
Vegeta smirked back. "When you're wearing a suit like that? Yes, it is."
Piccolo's smirk turned sinister, and Vegeta suddenly got a bad feeling.
"My suit? Oh, no big deal, seeing as I can create my own clothes at will."
Damn. Vegeta had forgotten all about that. Piccolo's smile widened.
"Can you do that oh mighty Prince of the Saiyans?"
Vegeta saw Piccolo raising his hand and he stood up, eyes wide.
Piccolo's ki rose a little more and Vegeta narrowed his eyes. "… You wouldn't dare."
Piccolo put his fist on his chin before laughing. "Yes I would." He swung his arm all the way back and crashed his fist into the water, creating a giant wave that headed right for Vegeta!
Goten and Trunks shrieked with excitement as the wave washed over them. Vegeta shrieked as well, but for an entirely different reason.
The wave collided with the shore and engulfed Vegeta completely. Mirai's jaw dropped open and he looked at Gohan with wide eyes. "Mother's gonna kill him… Both of them…"
The wave died and Vegeta stood up, dripping wet and looking very much like those pictures of kittens in the bathtub you see on the internet. YOU think it's the cutest thing in the world, but those poor kittens are thinking one thing… THIS IS WAR! Why else would they look so pissed off?
Piccolo crossed his arms over his chest triumphantly. Vegeta's eye twitched slightly as he wiped the water off of his face.
"I see how it is…" His voice was dangerously low as he locked eyes with the smirking Namek.
With a classic Vegeta chuckle, he pushed off from the ground and headed back towards the Son's house.
Piccolo turned and smiled at Gohan and Mirai.
"Well… That's one way to get Father in the water." Mirai laughed.
Piccolo laughed as well. "And now we wait."