Chapter 110 – Ominous Presence

Age 784, May 6th

Ten years had passed since the defeat of Kid Buu at the hands of Son Goku, aided by his comrades and the World Champion Mr Satan. Since then Earth had enjoyed a mostly peaceful time, save eight years prior to our current time where the Saiyan Tarble unwillingly brought along two unwelcome guests, along with a few other, minor battles. Still, the danger had been averted before anything too serious could have happened and peace was returned to Earth once more.

Business was as usual at the Zuzu-Zuru restaurant which was packed full of customers slurping down noodles at their leisure, despite it being a weekday night. It was slowly getting to the later hours of the night where many hard-working business men and women would be returning to their families and going to sleep. From inside the kitchen, Mr Shirataki peered through the delivery shoot, a small smile appearing on his wrinkled face as bowl after bowl of noodles were taken to its recipient. It pleased him to see his restaurant so full and popular as ever. Just above his head the clock sat perched up above the shoot, the large hand just passing the twelve signalling it had just past eight o'clock.

"That's the last order of the night," Soba sighed as he caught a glimpse of the time and wiped his brow, removing his chef hat and placing it on the side of the kitchen work-surface. "Good job guys!" He added to his staff who were still hard at work preparing for more orders. It had been a long afternoon and evening but finally his shift was over. Now all that was left to do was to hand the chef hat back to his father so he could take over for the later night orders.

"It's packed full again," Mr Shirataki patted his son on the back, "You did well to keep up, kid."

"Dad I told you, I'm twenty-eight years old; I'm a little too old for you to be calling me a kid!" Soba wailed with an exasperated sigh. He didn't mind it so much, that was just his father's way of showing affection and reminding him where he stood in this restaurant! A compliment was rare from the man so he'd take it as it was, even if Soba chose to joke about it at times.

"You still whine like one," Mr Shirataki replied with a chuckle, turning his back to congratulate his chefs on a night well done and reminding them it wasn't over yet.

The back door to the kitchen opened with a wide swing catching Soba's attention, a little alarmed at first. The smile on his face widened when he saw the two females approaching him.

"Daddy!"

Ramen had returned along with his little girl; the young child running into her father's arms as Soba hugged and greeted her. "Did you have a good time today?" He asked beaming down at the little girl who in return beamed back up at him, her blue eyes lighting up the room. She had her mother's eyes and skin tone but her hair colour was from his side of the family.

"Yeah, Auntie Ramen took me to see the sea! It was big and wet and tasted bad!" The girl nodded with a grin. "Did you cook lotsa food? Did they eat it all up?"

"Yes Chuka, all the customers are eating up all the yummy food," Soba replied, "See if you can go find grandpa whilst I talk to your auntie Ramen. Remember, no running in the kitchen; it's already way past your bedtime anyway so keep it calm. You've been a very lucky girl to be up so late and I don't wanna hear any complaining tomorrow morning that you're tired!"

"I know, I know," The little girl replied, dashing off anyway to find her grandfather. Her voice could be heard shouting "grandpa" even when she'd rounded off the corner!

"Did she behave?" Soba asked his sister quietly so his daughter could not hear. No doubt she'd protest her innocence and how well she'd behaved if she'd heard.

"She was as good as gold," Ramen nodded with a smile. "She went on the horses and all the funfair rides and behaved herself very well. I bought her an ice cream as a reward for her good behaviour."

"Yeah, just make sure you don't do that too often; Corset doesn't want her picking up any bad associations. She's pretty strict with that kind of stuff..." Soba took a step closer to his sister, "... Any incidents?" He asked in a hushed voice.

"None," Ramen shook her head with a whisper. "She didn't break anything or injure anyone or lose her temper at any of the games. She was very well behaved."

Soba breathed a large sigh of relief. "Good... Hey listen, thanks for looking after Chuka today, I know she can be a handful."

"Not at all," Ramen smiled with a small shake of her head, "I love getting to spend time with my niece. Besides, both her mummy and daddy have a busy work-life to deal with!"

"Not so fast, Chuka!" Their father's voice was heard calling down the other end of the kitchen; an excited Chuka running back to her dad and aunt and grabbing onto his hand.

"Daddy, we need to go home now! Come on!" She tugged lightly at her father's arm, jumping up and down on the spot. "Please! Please, Daddy!"

"What did I say about running in the kitchen?" Soba asked sternly, Chuka flinching a little at her father's tone. The deflated child quickly let go of her father's hand and stood still, eyes averting his gaze. She knew she was in trouble.

"Chuka, what did Daddy say?" Ramen asked, a strict tone in her own voice.

"... No running in the kitchen..." Chuka mumbled timidly, gazing down at the floor. She couldn't bear to look up at either of the adults right now knowing she'd not listened to what had been asked of her. She'd usually have known better but it had been ages since she'd been in the back of the restaurant and her excitement had gotten the better of her. All the wonderful smells made her stomach growl at her impatiently despite her having her dinner at the usual time.

"Why is there no running in the kitchen?" Soba asked lowering himself to his daughter's height. She was a short child for her age which made it all the more difficult.

"... 'Cuz it's dangerous and I might get hurt or someone else might get hurt..." Chuka answered quietly.

"Exactly," Soba nodded. "This is a working kitchen with lots of people and sharp objects and hot things. I don't want you or any of my chefs getting injured because you didn't listen to me. Now I think you should apologise to grandpa and me for not listening to us. Then we'll go home."

Chiri reluctantly looked up at the three adults for the briefest of moments, the embarrassment getting the better of her as her eyes darted back to the floor with shame."... Sorry grandpa... sorry Daddy..." She apologised.

Home wasn't far away; a couple of streets to be precise. Their house lay in the more exclusive and expensive part of Shore City; large homes meandering up the hill leading to the cliffs overlooking the sea. Theirs was near the end of the street and had a back garden backing out onto the countryside, big enough to be considered land rather than a back garden. The house itself owned several rooms, although not as lush as the woman-of-the-house's mother would have wanted. It was just right; large enough but also small enough for a family of three.

The late spring sun was beginning to set by the time the father and daughter reached home and Chuka was trying desperately to stay awake. The constant bouts of yawns and sleepy eyes were getting the better of her but she had to stay awake. She even refused the piggyback her father'd offered when he'd noticed just how tired she looked.

"Do you think Mama will be home?" Chuka asked, in the end she'd settled for holding onto her father's hand. Her footsteps were getting sloppy but she refused to let herself sleep. She would walk home and stay up until she had seen her mama.

"Maybe," Soba replied looking at his watch. "She may have to work later again with the demands of her job." It was almost half past eight; an hour and a half past his four-year-old daughter's bedtime. She would be a little grouchy in the morning if he wasn't mistaken.

"I wanna see Mama," Chuka started to run off ahead ignoring the tiredness.

"Wait for me to open the door!" Soba called after his daughter as the memory of one incident a couple of months ago leaped into his consciousness. It had involved having to replace the entire front door because an over-excited girl had pushed it down the last time she'd wanted to see her mother. Thankfully this time, Chuka stopped by the door and impatiently waited on the spot calling for her dad to hurry up. He could tell the tiredness was affecting her now. Key in hand, Soba was surprised to find the door unlocked. Apparently she'd gotten away early. The smell of cooking filled his nostrils, although smelling food all evening had lessened the urge to sneak into the oven and sample a bite.

"Mama! We're home!" Chuka announced loudly, running straight for the living room, then darting past her father into the kitchen. "Mama!" She called loudly.

"Not so loud, Chuka," Soba sighed, closing the door and switching the hall-light on.

"There's my little girl!" His wife's voice was muffled.

"Mama!"

Soba followed through into the kitchen to find his wife sorting out the mail and cooking herself some food; apparently she hadn't had time to eat any food at work apart from on her lunch break. He wandered over and kissed her on the cheek, much to his daughter's disdain (who then started making retching noises). "How was work?" He asked.

"Busy as ever but I got home early," Corset replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "... Looks like it's all my mail again... No doubt it's all bills and official work stuff; why Mama insists on all my work stuff being sent home is beyond me!" With a disgruntled sigh she turned her attention fully to her husband, "How about yours? How was your day?"

"Mama, Mama, guess what?" Chuka interrupted before Soba could answer. "Pan's entering the tournament tomorrow!"

"Pan is?" Soba gasped in shock glancing over to Corset as if he were looking for some sign of how crazy the idea sounded. He didn't exactly get the response he was looking for; Corset looked indifferent to the news! He wasn't satisfied with this! "G-Gohan and Videl are letting their five-year-old child-"

"She's not just any five-year-old child," Corset butted in. "Pan's a dangerous opponent for all the normal human fighters entering! The only thing she's gotta worry about are our friends... and making sure she understands the rules!"

"Even so..." Soba folded his arms, unconvinced. "... She's five."

"When I was her age I was blasting off into space and had already seen most of my mother's friends be killed," Corset snorted. "Pan's lucky she lives in peaceful times. I was practically scarred for life at her age!" She then changed the subject. "As it was, I had the company to myself this afternoon, much to my joy! Mama and Dad went out today to visit Gohan and Goku's families. It's been years since any of us have seen Goku, it was really grating on her nerves; I had to finish all her work. I'm vice-president of Capsule Corp; I should be doing vice-president work – not the president's work!"

"I know, I know," Soba chuckled with amusement. It was amazing to see how much work she was now having to do compared to the time he'd worked under her as her assistant. What was even more pleasant to see was her dedication had improved somewhat, even if at times it had left their relationship a little strained. "Well at least you're able to handle vice-president work. Eight years ago you were struggling with the little work you had."

"I wasn't as career-bent eight years ago," Corset replied. "... Nor did I have bills to pay! Sure I bought my own stuff but I'm a working woman now."

"Mama, when's dinner gonna be done?" Chuka asked. "I'm really, really hungry."

"Aww, did Daddy not let you have any food at the restaurant?" Corset cooed at her daughter glancing up at Soba.

"How can she still be hungry when Ramen bought her dinner? Anyway, we sold out tonight, it was incredible!" Soba grinned. "Dad actually patted me on the back and told me it was a job well done... then called me a kid..."

"Grandpa's silly!" Chuka started to giggle, then quietened abruptly as her eyes widened a tad. "... Other Grandpa is scary..." She added with a spooked expression on her face, skin paling a little at the thought of her other grandfather. How Bra managed to be with him without feeling terrified was beyond Chuka.

"Well Little-Missy, are you gonna be entering the tournament as well?" Corset asked, much to the horrified look on Soba's and Chuka's faces.

"Me?" Chuka gagged, eyes now even wider with fear. "...Enter the... the... ten... koi..."

"Tenkaichi Budokai," Corset corrected.

"Tenkichy Budokay," Chuka repeated smiling pleased with herself, though this quickly vanished as her eyes fell to her feet. "Nuh uh, I don wanna enter it... it's for strong grown-ups." She mumbled shaking her head. Just the thought of it sent shivers across her entire body. Battle with the likes of her grandfather and Pan's grandfather and uncle? No way, she could never do that, not in a million years! They were all so, so, so strong.

"Aww but Pan's gonna be there," Corset frowned a little, leaning down and placing a supportive hand on her daughter's head. She definitely seemed to take after her when it came to lack of confidence; Chuka reminded Corset of herself as a small child, except without the need and urgency to be brave. "You'll be fine, I really think your training's enough to get you through to the final ring fights. Your Uncle Trunks and Grandpa Vegeta will be there and so will Pan's Uncle Goten and her Grandpa Goku."

Chuka contemplated this. "... That's why I don't wanna enter... Everyone's really strong..."

"A-Are you crazy?" Soba hissed. "She's four years old!"

"She'll kick their butts, unless she ends up against Goku, my dad, Goten or Trunks." Corset retaliated in a hushed voice, "They'll go easy on her! Cut Chuka a little slack; you've seen how easily she can break through the walls in this house!"

"... Uncle Trunks and Grandpa Vegeta have scary faces..." Chuka mumbled. "... but uncle Goten and grandpa Goku are nice and Pan's gonna fight... Pan'll make me fight if I don't enter too..." She looked up to her mother in desperation, "Will Mama fight too?"

"Eh?" Corset's face dropped as alarm-bells went off in her head.

"I'll fight if Mama fights!" Chuka beamed realising she'd hit the jackpot. If her mother wouldn't fight then neither would she. Chuka knew how much her mother encouraged her to stay active and was trying to get her to train so it seemed a little blackmail was in order. "Please Mama, please?" She begged. "I don't wanna fight if you don't fight!"

"... Um... I don't much like my chances... but alright," Corset gave in. 'I can't say no to that adorable face! I've really gotta watch this kid, she's getting too coy for her own good!'

"Yay, then Chuka will enter!" Chuka cheered pleased she'd managed to get her way. At least with her mother around she wouldn't have to stay close to her scary-looking uncle and grandfather. Pan would be happy knowing someone else was entering too, she couldn't wait to tell her.

Soba began to laugh, "You're seriously going to enter? Corset, you haven't trained seriously in six years. You sure you wanna do this?"

"She does train," Chuka replied, "Every day she and Grandpa Vegeta have a fight before she leaves work. That's why she comes home with cuts and bruises!"

"It's part of my contract," Corset muttered rolling her eyes exasperated, "I have to spend my lunch break training with Dad! How on earth Dad managed to weave that stupid condition into it is beyond me!"

"... When do you eat?" Soba asked baffled.

"When I work!"

"Hungry! Mama I'm hungry!" Chuka tugged on her mother's sleeve, wiping some sleep from her eye and trying to mask her yawn without much success.

"Sorry Chuka but it's way past your bedtime. You can have a glass of milk before you go to bed but you have to promise me you'll not mess around." Corset responded sternly. "I don't want you to be tired in the morning, alright?"

Once Chuka'd been given her snack and had brushed her teeth and been sent to bed, Corset finally began to eat, stuffing her face due to the large amount of time she'd had to spend working thanks to her mother going out and leaving her daughter to do her work.

"So are you seriously going to enter?" Soba asked intrigued as he brought a cup of tea in with him, sitting next to Corset.

"Yeah," Corset nodded through mouthfuls. Dinner was the only meal she could currently satisfy her Saiyan appetite and being a working woman and full-time mother took up so much of her time, she barely had any time to train. For the past few years during their sparring sessions, Corset found herself becoming less and less of a challenge for her father who was clearly extending the gap between their powers. It had initially aggravated her to see herself becoming weaker and less useful in battle. though she was relieved to know she still had time to train even if it was supposed to be her lunch break. Times were tough and she had little free time to do anything. It was a little disappointing but she couldn't abandon her motherhood or her job: she was bringing in the majority of the money.

Soba leaned his chin against his arm and observed her for a moment before speaking, "... Well it surprised me when you agreed; since when were you one to give into Chuka's demands?"

"If it'll let her feel more secure and confident then I'll do it," Corset swallowed another mouthful and put down her cutlery. "She's got decent skills as a fighter, I don't think she's got the heart or stomach of one though. I know if Pan's there she'll be ok but she doesn't realise that. At least by entering the Budokai she can see just how capable she is."

"I guess," Soba mused. "... I dunno, I think she's too young to be entering a tournament but you have far more knowledge on our daughter's skills than I ever will. Just make sure she doesn't get herself hurt, that's all I'll ask."

"She'll make sure of that," Corset sighed with a sad smile. "If she ends up against Dad or Trunks, she'll forfeit before the match starts! She's so timid... and poor Trunks was unfortunately blessed with dad's face!"

"... What about you?" Soba asked. "Do you think you can win the Tenkaichi Budokai?"

"Doubt it very much," Corset scoffed. "I dunno if I could beat Trunks or Goten let alone Dad or Goku or Buu. Then again, Mama did say something about Goku mentioning another warrior going to be there, a human at that. It's strange; I can't sense any new powers at all on this planet... I wonder what he meant..."

"A human? Really?" Soba snorted. "That's hard to believe! How can a human compare to you guys? That Krillin guy maybe, but no other human would stand a chance! Gohan's dad is pretty strange at times."

"True but I'd take him seriously," Corset agreed with a smirk. "Goku's normally right about things like this, he seems to be able to sense powers being hidden away a lot better than the rest of us."

"Can you sense this person?" Soba asked still not buying it.

"No," Corset shook her head. "I don't know what to make of all this but I'll heed his words. I'd be stupid not to listen to him!"