Dragon Ball - The Heart of Adventurers
By Demod20, Edited by Firegod00 and LastationLover5000
Chapter 3 - Stepping Forward
For the first time since her stay with Goku, Bulma was the first to rise. Her time spent with him the day prior, held in his arms while their magic cloud sailed across the heavens gave her clarity of what she began to feel. Not just for the experience or for the adventure, but for the man who brought her along. Something strong was there, she could feel it, and it wasn't anything superficial or shallow. A bond she had known was there but hadn't clarified until the last few days she spent some real intimate time with him.
Bulma knew that she was, or rather, has been in love with Goku for some time.
She was a bundle of nerves as she woke up at the crack of dawn, glad to see Goku was still snoring away the first light that bled through the mountain viewed horizon. Creeping out of her covers she tip-toed out of the hut to the outdoors. Changing quickly with a few changes of capsules the heir to Capsule Corp pulled out a phone and dialed her father's number.
"I have to talk to him about this. He's the only one I can count on to think a bit more rationally than spastic me," She concluded in her head with a nod to no one in particular; well, there was a tree but that didn't count.
Resting her head against said tree she counted the rings up to six before she got a response. There was a significant amount of coughs and she could only guess what happened. "Uh, dad?"
"Oh! Bulma! So glad of you to-kaff-kaff-kaff!"
"You alright?" The lavender haired daughter asked her father.
"Yes, I'm fine. A new form of engine that can power an aerial vehicle to move from the atmosphere to the moon for potential colonization practices. Unfortunately, every time I try to push the gauge to move faster than Mach 10, the core overheats and it smokes up my lab! It's a wretched smell to be sure..."
"That's...great," Bulma stressed out with a strained groan, beating her head against the bark in front of her.
"Something the matter? Aren't you enjoying your time out in the wild?"
"Oh! No, I am, really!" She protested with a turn on her heel, waving her free arm with unseen emphasis.
"Oh. I see."
"What do you mean, you see?" The young woman halted, frowning at her mental image of her father smoking a pipe when she heard those words.
"Perhaps...you're remembering something you didn't know you've forgotten. Something about Goku?"
Inhaling sharply she steeled herself, refraining from bursting out loud what her immediate thoughts where. Instead she settled for a forced calm response. "What about Goku?"
"Well, you tell me. I can only assume, given you are my daughter, what it could be about. But since you are a woman, and I am a man, I can't fathom everything that your mind processes. I could be wrong...but that's hardly ever true, haha!"
"Right," Bulma blew up her bangs, turning towards the horizon, leaning on her left elbow against the tree's trunk. "I...guess I've taken our bond for granted. Goku and I's, that is."
"Mhm, go on."
"Well, I guess you could say these last few days have struck an epiphany in me. In a way, I'm excited but also very afraid," She confessed, biting her lower lip as she sneaked a peak to look at the hut over her shoulder. Hearing Goku's distant snores she returned to her explanation. "I don't know how he'll respond. The last time someone said something like this to him, even if it wasn't the most proper, he denied those feelings poured out to him. Even if it was a misunderstanding, how will I know if he can accept my sincere, uh, thoughts?"
"Sweetie, if you want the honest truth, I wasn't always the successful scientist people know me as. When I fell in love with your mother, I was a struggling entrepreneur who only had a basic idea of what would become Hoi Poi Capsules. She didn't see me as a possibility to become rich or famous, she saw me as the awkward yet surprisingly intellectual man I'd further groom myself to be."
"Are you sure you're trying to give me a pep talk or are you selling me your autobiography?" His daughter asked with a dubious raise of a brow, adding to the dry tone in her voice.
"Ahem! The point being, I didn't go out of my way to impress your mother and neither she to me. We were up front about our feelings and before you'd know it we were hitched and ready to start a life of our own. True story, by the way."
"Right, thanks dad. I appreciated the talk," She sighed with a push off the tree. Wrapping her free arm around her waist as her eyes squinted at the rising Sun's purple-orange rays caressing the mountainside. Turning her back on the sign of daytime was upon her, she could hear Goku's snores disappear followed by a loud yawn. "I gotta go. I'll talk to you guys later."
"Of course you will, honey. See you when you get back!"
Inhaling deeply, she huffed as she pocketed her phone and strode back to the hut. She was determined to get this settled without delay. "This is for the best. I can't let this hang over me for the remainder of my time here. Besides, it can't be that hard to confess to Son of all people!"
So lost in thought she didn't pay attention to the whistling man walking out casually of the humble abode straight into her. She bumped straight into his taut chest, feeling herself stumbling back as if she walked into a hard wall. Barely catching herself, she looked up to see Goku's inquisitive stare from above her height.
"I-I seem to forgotten how tall he was compared to me. And...how strong he is," Bulma thought with a vibrant blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Oh, hi Bulma! Sorry I didn't see you there," Goku apologized hastily, laughing nervously as he scratched the back of his head the way only he knew how to.
"He's so honest it makes him adorable. It's hard to imagine him being so serious when he rescued me from that bear...and all those other times he protected me," She thought in a blissful reverie. She was enamored by the spiky haired man's innocence and ignorance rolled into one attractive personality.
An attraction that was completely lost to her childhood friend.
"Uh, Bulma?" Goku craned his head to the side, noticing she had been staring for some time.
Finding this out herself made Bulma lose track of what she set out to say. Her words were lost, hands fidgeting at her sides while her eyes darted away in a vain attempt to keep her gaze from his. It failed, and her nervous only continued to increase. "I...um...you...you see I was..."
"Huh?" The Turtle Schooler blinked with understandable confusion. "Bulma, what are you talking about?"
"Son, I...I...," Bulma trailed off, finding herself at a lost of what to do as her mind drew a blank.
"And why are you all red? Are you getting sick?" Goku asked with a step forward, reaching out to feel her forehead.
Widening her eyes at the sudden closeness, which in days past wouldn't have bothered her, making an unnatural instinct in her to move. Leaning back she narrowly avoided his touch by inches, stepping back just in time to find her composure. Unfortunately her state of mind hadn't returned.
"I...I...I just wanted to tell you," She tried to speak out loud, finding it more and more frustrating by his lack of decency when it came to space. When he tried approaching her again, of course out of concern, she reacted erratically in a fist clenched shout. "I'M PACKING!"
It was like doing a complete U-Turn of what she had set out to do. She had been so flustered and embarrassed by the situation that Goku had unknowingly aggravated her past the breaking point. When she opened her eyes, she felt a pang of guilt shoot through her heart; the look of disappointment was very evident on the man's face.
"Y-You're leaving?" He barely stuttered out, as if the thought never occurred to him that she was going to be gone so soon.
"Yes, I-I'm leaving," Bulma insisted, crossing her arms and turning to give Goku the cold shoulder beyond her reasoning. "I'll be ready to go by the time you get back from...from whatever you do without me."
"You mean...we're not going to go hiking today? Or...show me how to cook? Or clean the hut?" Goku asked with adamant disappointment, only dulled by the level of childish disbelief that she truly meant what she said.
"Son...I...I just want to be alone," Bulma finally confessed, though her feelings told her not to say it. "Please. Just...give me today to be on my own. I promise I'll stay here until you get back, to give you a proper goodbye. Just please...no more questions."
"Oh," Goku blinked thrice, finding himself in a no-win situation. If he kept asking what was going on, he'd risk earning a verbal lashing from one of the few friends he had. That and he didn't want her to leave just now. Sighing, he forced a smile and nervously waved at her as he began to retreat from her space. "Okay. I'll...just go and...train. Yeah, that's what I'll do! I'll be back in time for Supper! N-Not that I'm saying you'll have to cook or anything or...uh...okay, leaving now!"
As awkwardly as one could imagine, Goku broke off into a full-on sprint soon taking off into the air with an audible thrum of air waves being parted. The wind lapped on Bulma's body, her hair flourishing across her face, briefly obscuring a look of shame plastered across her visage.
Groaning out loud, she palmed her face with both hands, "I'm such an idiot!"
Hearing the faint echo of her dearest friend's sonic retreat, she was left to wallow to herself in both self pity and chastisement. She had an opportunity and she squandered it due to her own inept nature of coming out to say what she felt. Rubbing her temples, her palms eventually worked their way back to her cheeks and gave them a firm slap.
Opening her eyes from the spike of pain, she renewed her vigor to try and find a way to catch up to him. Reaching into her pocket of her jacket, she shuffled around for a proper capsule case fit for the job. When she found a suitable model she retrieved it and with a click she tossed it to the ground.
In a poof and a cloud of orange smoke, the unpacked item appeared in the form of a white colored motorbike with a safety glass arcing shield coming from the back over to the front to form a windshield. To its back it was labeled AF4029, a serial tag to transport Capsule Number 9, one of the first vehicles Bulma had used many years up to the present day. She smiled at the memorable vehicle, running her hands over the leather seat, reminded of the days she drove it with Goku wrapping his arms around her waist.
The memory triggered an instant of embarrassment, forced out with more slaps to the face. "I won't chicken out or freeze up again! I'll find the right moment to confront him and tell him how I feel. That's what will happen...it will happen!"
Hopping onto the seat, she leaned forward and revved it up to life with four twists to the right handlebar. With a loud roar her motorbike took off, leaving a cloud of dust in her wake as she sped off into the horizon.
"I'm so hopeless," Bulma thought as she slowly pulled back into the familiar mountain earth where Goku's hut presided. She had spent the better part of the day just trying to track Goku down but found it extremely difficult knowing that he had no Dragon Ball for a radar to home in on. The young woman swore she saw him blur past her unknowingly as he broke the sound barrier twice over in an unseen challenge of speed.
By the time she got within binocular distance, she felt as if she was looking through the glass of her world and into his. He was so focused, determined and fixated in his own training that she might as well been a passing breeze. After all her determination was spent with frustration, she head back to wait for him at home. At least where he called home, not where they lived together-
"S-S-Stop it! Now's not the time to think like that!" Bulma shouted out, banging her head against her transport's windshield. With a groan of pain at punishing her innocent forehead, she rubbed it tenderly as she dismounted her vehicle. Parking it close to the hut, she settled with leaning against the wall to the right of the entrance, idly fiddling with her bangs.
She lost track of time in her reverie of all the days she had spent with him. They brought back a wave of nostalgia and wonderment she had missed through these past two years since the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai. Searching for the Dragon Balls, outwitting the Red Ribbon Army, meeting Muten Roshi and surviving the ordeals that followed were fantastic even by her standards. But it wasn't simply the yearning to explore or discovery that drawn her back to Goku; it was the sense of belonging like she never felt at home.
Just as her thoughts had drifted back to Goku she caught a glimpse of him in the horizon, tromping up the side of the mountain. Wrung over his shoulder was a Paozu Tuna, an enormous fish easily two and a half times the size of the man who carried it. Despite it having been dried out on the trek up the mountainside, Goku still perspired sweat from his rigorous workout across the valley only subsided by the dip in the river to find his dinner.
However, the sheer sight of the lavender haired girl still being at his house caused him to smile ear to ear. As often as he loved to eat, there was nothing better than having a meal with the company of friends; especially one as dear as Bulma. He practically sprinted the rest of the way, dropping the fish halfway as he scooped the woman in his arms and gave her an unexpected bear hug.
"S-Son?!" Bulma spurted out, her face bursting red as she felt her feet leave the ground and her body twirl around. Despite the unorthodox greeting, she couldn't help but laugh at his jubilation, despite her own embarrassment.
"You're still here! I was so worried you were going to be gone by the time I came home!" Goku confessed as he finally set her down within the fourth turn on his heels. Reaching up to scratch his messy scalp, he chuckled nervously as he looked at Bulma look down with apprehension unknown to him. "I-I know that whatever happened was...weird, but I was hoping you'd stay for dinner. I'll cook the proper way, seeing as you taught me an' all it's only fitting I treat you for once. What do ya say? Want to keep me company tonight over a campfire of delicious fish?"
It was unbearably charming how the man before her so innocently invited her to dine with him. She knew it was in his nature to be kindhearted and generous to those he cherished, but this was almost too much for her to take. Inwardly she had to kick herself and reassert this was the perfect opportunity. At the risk of putting a foot in her own mouth, she inhaled with deep preparation, ready to say what was on her mind since this morning.
"Actually," Bulma began, her soles rubbing uncomfortably on the earth as her eyes averted from looking at his for a few seconds. She could still a rising bout of apprehension block her from speaking up. But her determination to see this through shoved her doubts and worries away. Looking up with a flushed expression, she stuttered out her words to him. "I-I have something more i-important to talk about!"
"AH! More important than food?!" Goku stumbled back with alarm, recomposing himself with a serious stare into her big blue eyes. A bead of sweat traveled his scalp, cementing his attentiveness with an audible gulp. "Sounds serious. What's on your mind?"
"This is it. No turning back this time," She mentally steeled herself with those thoughts brought up. Inhaling she exhales with a direct approach, knowing no other good way of saying it. "Will you take me as your wife to marry and live with me for the rest of your life?!"
Goku's hardened expression immediately broke into one of utter shock. It was one of the only memories that didn't involve life or death struggles that he could clearly and coherently remember in detail. That day Chi-Chi brought up the time from the past which was a mistake and what she thought was a proposal. But here, as clear as day, Bulma requested him to take her as his wife too? Why was marriage being thrown at him so many times in his life, he'd never know.
Shaking his head, Goku raised up shaking hands, widened eyes staring oblivious at his closest friend with a barely formed question, "Wh-Why? First it was Chi-Chi and I didn't even know what it meant. Even though I know what that means...why do you want me to marry you?! Aren't we good friends?"
"I know that, idiot!" Bulma cried out, more emotional than angry. Her eyes didn't waver in their gaze of him, even though her face was bright red with bashfulness. She was pouring out her heart and she didn't want to stop when she had the chance. "I...I tried to go back to my old life, I really did. I convinced myself of that the first time we parted ways when you went to train. But, after seeing you and coming back into my life the day of the Tournament I just realized how much I missed you. That feeling didn't go away that time since..."
The Turtle Schooler was just stupefied as Bulma continued to express her true feelings. He didn't know how to comprehend it. He had never being romantic with a single woman in his life nor truly understood of intimacy. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a nagging tug on his chest from within. "This is different than with Chi-Chi. We were friends and then she became almost a violent person I couldn't recognize who wanted me for herself. It felt almost like she wanted to possess me or own me. I get the feeling this is completely different than that time, but why?"
"When I first came here, I just wanted to get out of boredom, remembering how much fun we used to have," She admitted, her gaze falling to his feet, a fond smile crossing her face as her hands folded over shorts. "It was the most exciting moments of my life. And I wish I could do them over again and again with every day I thought about it. Then, it occurred to me just the other day, when I was held up in the sky by you. I didn't just wanted an adventure or another thrilling quest. I could always do that on my own. In truth I just wanted to be with you again and never leave your side."
Looking up, she took a step forward, almost regretting it on the offhand chance he'd flinch. But seeing him, steadfast if only for how much in stupor he was in she continued on good faith she wasn't rejected yet. "I love you, Son. I love how you act so calmly around me with such a carefree spirit. I love your humility and how you don't raise yourself higher than those around you. I love your determination in bettering yourself and even how much you love food. There's so many things I love about you I can't name them."
Another step and she was inches away from the taller man. Her eyes now watered to the point of overflowing, tears sliding freely down her face as she smiled up with quivering lips at him. It took all the will she had to not feel undignified or turn away. She wanted to look at him, see his eyes and know his reaction as she asked the most crucial question. "Son, do you understand now? Do you love me as much as I love you? Will you still marry me knowing my true feelings?"
Goku felt like a haywire of jumbled feelings. His cheeks were flushed and sweat crawled en mass down his scalp with nervousness. He had never been asked such a serious question. He was used to life's simple nature: Train, Eat, Talk to Friends, Fight enemies or spar with rivals, and sleep. That was his routine and he never thought of breaking that cycle his life had been put on, with only the occasional detour of finding mystic items or discovering new places. He didn't want more from life because nothing dramatic impacted him.
But this was different. He knew his life wouldn't have progressed as much as it could have if it wasn't for Bulma ramming a car into him that one fateful day. Meeting Yamcha, finding the Dragon Balls, Training with Muten Roshi, besting Tien, beating Piccolo both times and becoming a winner at the Tournament. None of it would have happened if it wasn't for Bulma and her friendship he established with her all those years ago. The more he thought about it, the more he came to an understanding how important she was to him and not just in the grand scheme of his life, but how he felt about her.
Through the recollection, Goku calmed down and slowly unraveled his own answer to her as she looked up with large, water filled eyes, "Well, when I have to think about it, I never had the opportunity to learn about love from my Grandpa. The most Roshi taught me about it was that he liked their bodies which all-in-all wasn't my main focus in life. Not even Kami could give me an answer when I asked him once or twice about it, saying he had no desire and that it didn't concern my training."
Continuing to wait for Goku to answer, Bulma felt intensity somber out as he looked down at her with a smile. "I guess, maybe its because I didn't know many girls or spent time with them as long as I did with you, I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with any other girl. You've helped me see there was a larger world outside of this mountain and I can't thank you enough for that. Your friendship has meant the world to me and I can't imagine a place better than with you in it. I think you were the one to teach me what a friend was and I have so many thanks to you."
Scratching the back of his head, Goku laughed lightly before inquiring in as serious tone as he could muster. "So...maybe you can teach me about love with you as my wife? I mean, if you want to marry me, I can't imagine anyone else other than you to spend the rest of my life with. Hahaha!"
An overwhelming surge of joy filled up Bulma, like an electrical charge had been turned on by a switch powered by Goku's words. Her eyes sparkled and her mouth stretched into the biggest smile she ever had donned. Even though he never admitted to loving her, this was the closest she knew that he'd get to proclaiming feelings towards her. She couldn't have imagined a brighter green light.
Laughing with him, she reached and pulled Goku into one of the biggest hugs she could give him, swinging around with him again by her own accord. She couldn't have felt happier than she had in the past. Today they are taking a step forward and move past the people they are yesterday into the molds of tomorrow. Upon finishing spinning she nuzzled into the crook of his neck, breathing in the scent that she only knew him by. The musk of the wilderness and the water that had long since dried when plucking the fish for dinner.
"This feels nice; being in Goku's arms," She thought dreamily, ignoring the look of confusion crossing Goku's face. Though dumbfounded he found a strange allure to his higher-than-average senses. The warmth of her embrace and the enticing aroma coming from her hair down to the neck. Even the feeling of her arms rubbing against his shoulders and his own neck felt nice, tender in the touch and intention. He had never felt so much slack in his posture than now, the comfort of the situation not being lost on him. Like a child who discovered something wonderful, he held onto it silently and with a small smile.
"You know, Son," She whispered as she kept the hug that she was thankful hadn't ended. "After we have dinner, I really do need to pack. For the both of us, that is."
"Huh?" Goku blinked with surprise, separating from her to hold her by the shoulders. "Why leave? Don't you like it here?"
"I do," She insisted, then turning to look at the hut over her shoulder while the prior stared at it fondly. "I just don't think that place was meant for more than one person. You've grown a lot and I'd hate having to impose for you to sleep on the floor regularly. Besides, it may end up getting a little cramped not too long from now."
"Are you saying I'm going to get fat?" Goku asked with a pouty expression.
Snorting out with a laugh, Bulma had to contain herself before shaking her head, "Wow, Son. I guess I'll have to explain later. But for the meantime, just trust me, okay? I'm sure you don't want to learn how to build a bigger house when we could just move back in with my parents? We're pretty rich so running out of food won't be a problem, even one with such a healthy appetite."
A thunderous rumble echoed from the martial artist's belly at the mention of the F word so many times in a row. He had put off dinner to settle matters concerning Bulma. Now that it was settled, he released his grip from his now betrothed to sprint swiftly back to his now dried catch. Lifting it up with a broad smile, he asked her innocently, "Can I cook it this time? I'm sure I can make it delicious, thanks to you!"
Flushing at the compliment, she smiled sweetly and nodded with a blissful tone in her voice. "Yes, anything for you, Son."
After they ate, it didn't take long to pack, thanks to the miracle of Hoi Poi Capsules. All of Goku's personal affects, from a few change of clothes to the Dragon Balls he had recently collected and then the Nyoi-bō that belonged to his grandfather everything was gathered that was deemed necessary. He took his time to give a somber farewell, determined to visit it every once in awhile to pay tribute to his childhood home.
Driving back, Bulma was all sorts of excited to break the news to her parents. Using the motorbike she had used to try and follow him earlier that day they drove into the sunset back home. Goku held onto her tightly, much to her joy, as the two of them raced across the countryside at dangerously high speeds. The dirt billowed up in their wake, wind nipping at the edges of her skin away from the overhead windshield, with the scenery unfolding around them as they passed it by. Unlike the arduous journey from before it became a breathtaking trip back.
When she moved through the familiar highways, she saw Goku wave at some of the passing by traffic and was in awe as country became cityscape. Entering West City the two veered towards the more suburban area close to where she lived. She was glad that the city was lit up nicely, otherwise she'd have trouble navigating back. Parking her vehicle along the driveway, she got out a bit too quickly, pulling an unsuspecting Goku onto the asphalt ground.
Having braced her fall, she was only mildly stunned while Goku laughed at their carelessness. She fumbled for an apology as they both stood back up to their feet. Dusting herself off she pressed the button on the bike, collapsing it back into its Capsule state so she could pocket it appropriately.
Inhaling deeply, she turned to look at Goku and smiled, "Alright. It's been awhile since my family met you so be on your best behavior. Understand?"
"Aw, lighten up Bulma. I remember your dad alright. He's the guy with the nice mustache, right?" Goku asked with a near excited tone with a giddy smile.
Giggling with a roll of her eyes, she sighed, "Fine. Let's just go inside and see what happens."
Walking up to the front door, something within her had a nagging feeling. Like something she forgot to tell her fiance -something she was still getting used to calling him- regarding her parents. The irritation only mounted as she knocked on the door with Goku standing attentively to her left. It had probably something to do with them, but what was it?
Opening the door, Panchy was there, with Dr. Brief peering in not too far behind her. Greeting them both with a smile, she clapped her hands together with a blissful smile adorned to her face, "Oh hello there, you two. When my sweet Bulma left, I didn't expect to see you both back. What brings you here this time, Goku?"
"Hello, Bulma's parents!" Goku greeted with a hand wave and a wide smile. "I'm marrying Bulma! Hope you two don't mind!"
Sputtering with incredulity, Bulma almost fell down with shock at how blunt he was. Standing up quickly, she had half a mind to turn on Goku and scold him for taking away the thing she had planned on doing. But, in her forgetfulness and shock, she had the opportunity to see her parents just casually smile and nod at him.
"Oh, isn't that lovely?" Panchy clapped with a bright smile. "I always thought you two would make a good couple."
"Mhm, about time they fessed up to each other. Well, at least one of them did, I reckon," Dr. Brief coughed at the end, smiling wryly with a wink over his wife's shoulder aimed at their daughter.
"Huh?" She blinked with disbelief at her mother, not fully understanding what she was saying. They knew about the two of them all along? She remembered how her father had thought Goku was her boyfriend when he was introduced to him years ago. She never believed they were pairing her and him up all these years.
"Why don't you two come inside? I'll cook up some snacks if you'd like," Panchy offered as she sauntered back towards the kitchen.
"Oh! I could go for a bite after that ride here!" Goku responded with gusto. Striding in, Bulma came in with him, blushing slightly at the news broken so carelessly. Though she couldn't help but seeing that it wouldn't have happened any other way. His straightforwardness was a trait she both gawked and admired on equal worth depending the occasion.
Watching him enter in and watch her mother like a dog waiting for the master to reward him with tasty treats, she sidled upon the wall's entrance to the kitchen. The familiar scent of pipe smoke filled the air caused her to look to her left. When he puffed a few times she almost laughed at the sight.
"You know, as much smoking you've done, I just might inherit that bad habit of yours," She commented offhandedly with a sly grin.
"I don't condone that kind of inheritance," Dr. Brief intoned with a cloudy exhale. Turning to look at her with a hidden smile, he chuckled with afterthought. "But the rest you're free to have and then some."
"I'll have to get back to you on that," Bulma winked at him with a chuckle.
"Here you go honey," Panchy announced, setting up a number of frozen desserts along with a pie at the center of delicious treats. "Eat up."
"Whoo-hoo!" Goku cheered with joy, taking the nearest spoon before his arms and mouth became a blur to the devouring of the offered food. As Panchy watched in awe with how much he devoured or could fit in his mouth, Dr. Brief and Bulma saw this as an inevitability.
"You sure know how to pick 'em," He gestured with his pipe at the voracious new guest of theirs.
"Remember what mom used to say?" Bulma asked, earning a tilting glance towards her. "We don't choose who we fall for. The heart does that for us."
"Touche," The older man nodded sagely as he put the pipe back into his mouth.
"AH!" Goku set down the last of the plates, far quicker than anyone could have imagined. With every last dish licked clean, it caused Panchy's nearly unseen eyes to open and blink widely at the marvel. All desserts were eaten and Goku seemed to look slightly sated. Patting his belly, the martial artist wiped his mouth with a nearby paper towel to be a bit more polite. "All done! Thanks for the treat, Bulma's mom."
"My poor cupboard doesn't stand a chance against you, Goku," Panchy laughed after regaining her collection, grabbing the dishes and quickly cleaning the table.
As she set about doing that, Goku skipped back to Dr. BriefDr. BriefBrief and his daughter, smiling broadly at having his belly full, "You're right about one thing, Bulma. I could eat as much as I want here. Your family's food is great!"
"Thank you," Dr. Brief replied with a nod and a grin, puffing on his pipe while Bulma shook her head.
After a few moments of silence followed by dishes being cleaned in the background, Goku couldn't help but think. It had comprehended him that other than breaking the news they still had yet to do the marrying. Since he was someone not experienced in such ventures, he turned towards Bulma and asked with a scratch to his chin, "So, Bulma. When do we get married?"
She herself hadn't thought of it so the question came as a surprise. Looking to her father she asked simply, "What do you think, dad? Should this weekend work?"
"Hmm," The Capsule Corp President hummed thoughtfully, sucking on the pipe's stem as he pondered carefully. Looking over to the kitchen sinks which his wife busied herself on, he called out with query. "Honey, do you think this Sunday will work?"
"If your schedule with the company is clear I don't think it'd be that difficult," She chimed back, picking up a platter and scrubbing it with a soapy towel. "Do you want this wedding to invite a lot of people or keep it quiet?"
"Good point," Dr. Brief nodded at that thought, turning to look at Bulma. "If you make this wedding public it could get quite crowded. Plus, I'd wager a number of Goku's friends if you know what I mean might want to attend."
"Let's keep this informal," She stated with a wave of her hand. "I don't want anyone potentially ruining our big day."
"Do you mind if I invite our staff? Your wedding may be publicized the day after so might as well let everyone who works for Capsule Corp in on the know," The Business man asked her daughter with a few puffs on his pipe.
"I don't care much. I know they'll be on good behavior at least," Bulma agreed with a nonchalant shrug. She knew most of the company's employees by name and the recent she recognized by their faces. They were almost like an extended family as far as she was concerned.
"Excellent! I'll have some of them help with managing the wedding and reception afterwards. Shouldn't be that much to ask with a paid day off," He added with a chuckle. Turning to look at Goku, he gave a nonplussed grunt and asked with hesitation. "I'm guessing you've got nothing ceremonial to wear?"
"Sara-what?" Goku inquired lamely.
"Ceremonial," Bulma corrected her fiance, smiling patiently with him as she waved to her lab-coat covered father. "It means something fancy to wear. Like if dad was dressed in a suit instead of his normal coat."
"I resent that! All the scientists wish they were dressed as well as me!" Dr. Brief turned his nose up, proudly puffing up his chest while straightening his collar that had a line of soot around the edges.
"Haha, nope!" Goku laughed with admittance, scratching the back of his head as he gestured to himself. "I only got a few sets of gi to wear. I rarely change from one to another."
"Ah...well, hopefully we can do something about that," The scientist sighed with a shake of his head. Giving a thorough look at him, he nodded with understanding at Goku's size and build. "I don't think we have any suits on hand in your particular size. Maybe I can have one custom tailored for you by this weekend. I'm sure we can make it work."
"Sounds good!" Bulma clapped with excitement.
"Now, as for sleeping arrangements," The father of one declared, pointing at the two of them sternly. "Separate. Bedrooms. No discussion."
"But-!"
"Okay!" Goku interrupted Bulma with a smile, not fully comprehending the ramifications of his agreement to his engaged's father. Though he might have spoke too quickly, given the morose look he spotted out of the corner of his eye worn by Bulma. Leaning over, he waved to her readily with a smile. "Don't worry. We'll still be in the same house and the wedding won't be too far away."
"You're right," Bulma acknowledged with a half-decent smile.
"And if you're wondering about keeping yourself occupied, Goku," Dr. Brief suggested with a opportunistic smile. "I'm sure you can help my prototype division with some of their inventions. Ordinarily I think it'd be a bit dangerous but this is an application I need tested on someone. Might giving me a hand for the next few days?"
"Sure," The martial artist answered with a shrug. "I think I can take it."
"Alright," Dr. Brief sighed with finality, placing his hands in his coat. "The wedding will be four days from now. I hope you two young ones can handle being within an arm's length until then but before you know it, the day will be here."
And so, for the next three days were one of personal frustration for Bulma while Goku was experiencing new things with each day. On occasion he snuck away for a few hours to train but always returned to assist Dr. Brief with more tests he had in mind. Some were unexpectedly painful while others exhilarated him. He had no idea how many devices were under development and awaiting to be utilized for the first or dozenth time.
Bulma could only busy herself by helping her mother handle wedding plans. They'd rent out a chapel in West City and were pleased the minister there was more than pleased to help with the ceremony. Since all of the invitations were Capsule Corp employees fishing up their addresses wasn't hard and took less than an hour to mail to them appropriately. The monetary incentive, she thought, was always a nice way to get them to come even if they didn't like weddings.
The day before the wedding she tried on her dress just as out of sight Goku was fitted for the suit. While she reveled the gown's flowery design, Goku couldn't help but complain how hot he felt inside his own apparel. He couldn't help but feel aghast at the idea of standing for hours during the ceremony but was enthusiastic at the idea of a feast awaiting them after the fact. If the motivation for food wasn't so great, he'd insist on changing the theme from formal to casual.
During the day of the wedding, Goku was escorted there ahead of the bride, making sure he wouldn't see her much to his confusion. Dr. Brief made sure that they'd cut it close to decrease amount of time his daughter's betrothed being in his uncomfortable attire. Walked down the aisle with various flower girls and attending employees to fill up the necessary placements, he was thrilled when his daughter came.
"You look beautiful, honey," Dr. Brief greeted his daughter with a proud smile.
"Thanks, dad," Bulma shyly smiled, her face hidden by the white veil of her gown.
"You better hurry, though," The Capsule Corp President suggested, leaning in to whisper to her. "You-Know-Who is getting antsy as he is. The prospect of food is the only thing keeping him from tearing off his suit."
"I'll keep that in mind," She laughed, realizing how out of his element it must be for him to sit still and dress properly. Breathing deeply she set out to walk with her father, arm-in-arm into the auditorium. "I'm ready."
As the doors opened, the music kicked into full gear and everyone in attendance stood up. From the young to the old, all Capsule Corp employees marveled at Bulma's beauty and the refined appearance she had in her chosen dress. Her walk had only taken a half a minute, something she knew her white suited betrothed was all the more thankful. Seeing him gawk at her dress, having never seeing one before, was enough to make her blush behind her veil.
"Wow, Bulma," He exclaimed after swallowing, looking at her from trim to veil of her wedding apparel. "You look great! I mean, I can't see you very well but your dress looks nice!"
"Thanks, Son," She replied sweetly, batting her eyes at him through the veil.
"Greetings, everyone!" The minister, draped in a similar white themed uniform, looking at the standing crowd. With a nod they seated, leaving the remaining head members of the company to stand next to Goku with Dr. Brief himself. Seeing everyone there he began his lengthy message about the true essence of love, the bonds shared and the camaraderie of two people as husband and wife.
It was unfortunate that Goku only half listened, doing all he could to not squirm in place. The suit was so irritable yet the idea of standing the whole time in it without moving an inch, smiling at Bulma, put a difficult strain on him. Just seeing people sitting out of the corner of his eye caused him due unrest. He just hoped for something to break the monotony of which he only cared a little about.
One half hour passed and he only met the halfway point of the wedding's initial ceremony. Thankfully, much to his relief, something did happen. Unfortunately for Bulma it'd be to her own chagrin.
"HEY!" Came a shout from a particularly spiky haired man in an unbuttoned green jacket with yellow highlights, yellow muscle shirt lying underneath with dark hued jeans. With a baseball cap with the highlighted T on it, the scar-faced athlete looked familiar to a few sports goers in the auditorium. But he looked familiar to a particular pair; the ones who were about to be wed!
"Oh no..." Bulma groaned at the sight of her Ex showing up.
"Y-Yamcha?!" Goku stuttered out with disbelief, both at his appearance and his arrival. "What are you doing here?!"
"So you two are really here. That means you really are getting hitched," Yamcha muttered out, followed up with a few steps forward cemented with a fist upraised in their direction. "That's something I cannot allow!"
"Young man, I think you don't understand," The minister cleared his throat, trying to exercise some semblance of authority over the disrupted wedding. He could already see people mumbling and looking around with confusion plastered over their faces. Trying to make this less of a mockery, he gestured to the rest of the chapel. "This is a closed ceremony. If this was public, I'd allow people to speak out against this holy matrimony. However, this is no place for-"
"Stow it, preach!" The scar-faced baseball player yelled and pointed at the older man, looking especially passionate by the fire in his eyes. "This is a battle of love! Stay out of it!"
While the minister felt helpless to defuse the situation, Bulma didn't help things by screaming across the hall at him, "How did you even find out about this?! We didn't even invite you!"
"Why are you mad, sweetie? Isn't he a friend of yours?" Panchy asked, remembering at one point the two had dated in the past.
"I broke up with him, mom. There was a reason you didn't see us arm in arm after that," She growled with an unseen twitch around the brow.
"Huh, isn't this quite the dilemma?" Dr. Brief stroked his chin nonchalantly, looking to Goku with curiosity in his eyes. "I wonder what he plans on doing?"
"Beats me," Goku shrugged, waving with a smile over at his old friend. "Hey, Yamcha! Been awhile, hasn't it?"
"Yes, Goku, it has," Yamcha sternly replied, staring him and Bulma down with equal intensity. "Sorry we couldn't meet under better circumstances, but this is personal for me. Did she tell you that she broke up with me not too long ago?"
"Uh, no. What does that mean?" Goku asked with a chin scratch, almost making Yamcha stumble over while Bulma sighed.
"It means we didn't get along as a couple and one person had enough being with the other person," The latter explained with a tired tone in her voice. She really just wanted her wedding to finish and Yamcha's arrival helped nothing but delay things. Turning to look at him from the distance, she pointed directly with a snarl in her voice. "However, that still doesn't change my question. Why are you here?"
Holding up a scrap of paper that was officially printed and looked to have fit in an envelope, Bulma recognized it even from a distance as an invitation. "I knew a buddy on our team that was interning at Capsule Corp. He told me he had come under the weather and wouldn't be able to attend or handle the reception proceedings. He asked me to take over for him. I asked who was getting married and I couldn't believe it was really you two, of all people!"
Crumpling up the invitation in his hand, he raised both hands up, throwing them back beside himself as he finished with a cry, "That's why, I'm going to fight for your hand!"
Bulma was practically beside herself. She had never seen Yamcha so serious before, even when things were concerned for her. Why was he now trying to turn a new leaf? It had to be a trick, she knew better.
While she fiddled for a decision, Goku turned towards the minister with a raised hand, almost like a student to a teacher to ask a question. "Uh, hey. I know this seems like a crazy idea but what if I take him up on his offer? I beat him and then we can be married."
"F-Fine!" The minister nodded his head, hurriedly waving his hands towards the offending arrival. "Just do it quickly. The sooner he can leave the better!"
"Alright!" Goku fist pumped, leaping from the platform to perform an acrobatic knee tucked flip in the air. Landing with a crouch just a few meters away from Yamcha, he rose to full height, much to the clamor of the crowd around them.
"I-I didn't expect a fight to break out," Stuttered a nervous intern.
"I'm sure getting my money's worth," Declared a more vocal engineer of the Corp, shaking his hand with a sparkle in his eyes. "My favorite player from the Taitans battling it out with the President's daughter's fiance! This will be awesome!"
"Gotta take some pictures!" Another cried out as he pulled out a camera and began taking snap shots of the square off.
"You all should give the two their space!" Dr. Brief announced through a megaphone that he seemed to have materialized out of thin air; thin, wispy and smoke filled air. "I wouldn't want to have to pay for your hospital bills on your paid day off!"
At this notion, all of the nearby attending members of Capsule Corp backed up along their seats within the chapel. Wall-to-wall, they watched on with rapt attention, having never expected such an event to occur in a wedding. While Bulma watched on worriedly from the pedestal with her amused father, Panchy watched blissfully from the sidelines, not entirely worried about the outcome of this fight.
"To be honest," Yamcha began to say, turning his ball cap around till it was backwards. "I didn't train too much ever since I began my career as a baseball player. Between that and the requests for other ventures, I couldn't deny the opportunities. I think that's why Bulma thought I wasn't being that faithful of a boyfriend. Probably even thought I cheated on her too, even if it wasn't true."
"I know you, Yamcha. You may have been underhanded in our first fight, but you're honorable deep inside," Goku complimented as he did some stretches that his suit allowed, moving from one ankle down to the other, rising up to roll his shoulders each which way. "I'm sorry we had to fight under these circumstances. I really like Bulma and this means a lot to her. For that reason, I won't hold back against you."
"Wouldn't want you to begin with," The fellow martial artist replied with a toothy grin. As their muscles were properly readied for a conflict, their ki began to rise. The effects were almost immediate, as a shift in the air's quality became unsettled with heat rising around their vicinity. Electricity began to be seen dancing faintly around the pair's body, almost transparent in their discharge to the point of almost seeming like an illusion. With both fighters settled around their appropriate levels of strength, all that was left for the first move to be made.
With nothing left to be said, both dashed towards each other. Colliding with enough force to blow back the pews on top of each other, the aisle was indented underneath their feet. Forearms were locked and a pair of eyes were seen staring heatedly between the two. Pulling back, both exchange a series of punches and kicks, visibly distorting the space around the two to make them almost indistinguishable.
One upper cut followed by a left hook sent Yamcha sprawling across the aisle, but didn't put him down entirely. Steadily he rose back up and heaved with effort while Goku smoothly strode towards him with a serious glint in his eyes. Smiling, the ex-bandit charged forward, making a sign as if he was making ready to use a Wolf Fang Strike. Thrusting an open palm to hit Yamcha in the face before he'd make contact, he was surprised to hit thin air, the assault a feint as he swerved under Goku's guard and landed a vicious knee kick to his gut.
"Gaugh!" Goku stumbled with surprise, holding a partially tattered suit jacket with the undershirt torn from the impact alone.
"Wolf Fang," The Turtle Schooler heard Yamcha growl behind him, making him stiffen and turn to block the incoming strike. Instead his outstretched arms were grasping a searing wide beam of plasma, overlapping his upper body with unforgiving fury as it exhaled out of the chapel's door and crashing with a mighty explosion outside. Enough power was placed that a mighty gust of wind echoed within the chapel's interior. Finishing with the haze of steam that obscured Goku's person, he smirked at saying it, believing he won. "Kamehameha."
"Son!" Bulma cried out, believing he had somehow lost to Yamcha of all people.
"That was a good hit, Yamcha," A voice answered seriously, the steam finally blowing off a now shirtless Goku. With Bulma blushing as much as she was happy to see he was untouched by the attack. With the scar-faced man looking absolutely stunned his friend managed to defend against the sneak attack, he was beside himself by the thanks he got. "I felt a bit constrained by that suit. I think I can properly exercise my no restraint promise now."
Yamcha was about to question what he meant until Goku's arm moved like an invisible blur before his eyes. A thunderous impact that rumbled the structure took place, causing the scarred man's face to pinch up around the mouth and sockets bulge eyes. Clenching his abdomen with indescribable pain, he fell to his knees as Goku walked calmly beside him back to the altar. As he keeled over to writhe with agony, the pleased bare chested martial artist stood apart from his blushing bride before piping up a simple.
"Okay, ready now!"
"Uh...I," The minister began, looking pale faced at the display of inhuman power shown. Clearing his throat, he finally waved hastily in as ceremonious fashion as he could between the two. "I-I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride now."
As Goku meticulously removed the veil from Bulma's flushed face, it came time for a moment of truth. He had never kissed a girl nor was kissed at all. All he could do was awkwardly lean in and hope things worked out. Despite the awkward presentation, Bulma giggled at the sight and closed her eyes, doing the rest of the work. When the two lips meshed, a round of applause was heard but fell on deaf ears. To Bulma she was finally with her man and giving her first kiss to him as well.
Through the other's perspective, he felt a host of stimuli he had never experienced before. The moment their kiss happened, it felt like he was struck by lightning on the inside. A rush of warmth swam from his head down to his toes, circling around his belly and tapping his fingertips. Pupils dilated at the sensation as their kiss seemed to prolong, his own face now blushing at the first kiss he ever gave to a girl, even one he liked.
When Bulma parted from him, she was surprised by the bashful expression on Goku's face, causing her to laugh and ask him, "What is it, Son? Don't tell me this is your first kiss?"
Not knowing if Bulma was teasing or not, he simply nodded his head and asked with a stupefied look on his face. "That was a kiss?"
"Yes, Son. That was a kiss," She answered patiently with him, smiling brightly all the while as she confirmed she shared her first with his own.
"Wow," He awed out loud with slow blinks, still getting used to the bubbling feeling in his stomach. Shaking his head, he pointed to his lips again and asked with a broad smile. "Can we do it again?"
A host of laughter was heard, by her father to the rest of the congregation attending with the exception of an unconscious Yamcha lying fetal position in front of the alter. While Bulma simmered bashfully at that kind of request, Goku couldn't help find what was funny about it. Rolling her eyes she threw dignity to the wind and wrapped her arms around Goku's neck, pulling him into a kiss that was doubly more passionate. With both of their eyes closed, his arms wrapped tentatively around her waist as the entire chapel exploded into another round of cheers and applause.
This was truly the happiest day of their lives.
A/N:
Demod: Hey, all. This is a first, being the one to write an entire Chapter of Heart of the Adventurers on my own. Reason being, my co-author is currently busy with not only another story, RL job, but also the recent purchase of a beloved video game. I'll let you guess as to what that is for any of you Anime fans out there -w-
I had a lot of fun writing this Chapter if only to exercise my rarely practiced skill of delving into romantic text. Given that my editor watched my every move with approval, it is apparent that I need to delve into this kind of subject matter more often. Goku and Bulma truly are a couple that deserved to be with each other in Canon. But no, a psycho housewife is MORE FUNNY to Toriyama. Cultural differences aside, I've always liked seeing Bulma in the series and this was the best way for me to get a proper proposal out of Goku without it seeming forced as well as a wedding that'd be believable within the context of the series.
I'll let my fellow author have his say before I close.
Alright, with everything that needs to be said, you should be happy to report that I'll begin work anew later this month on this chapter. With my friend's help, we should be on time with our Bi-Monthly schedule and have it posted sometime in October. Other than that, I wish you all well until the next update of Dragon Ball: Heart of the Adventurers!
Lastation: So, I'm sorry for this chapter taking so long to come out. I haven't had best motivation for writing. To anyone here who also reads my Erased Chronicles, I apologize as well; my lack of drive is the reason the chapter — and this one — took so long. This chapter is the first one in our entire series that was actually a solo effort. Because I'm turning all of my energy to trying to get out my chapter of Erased, Demod agreed to write both halves. My half of the story was supposed to be the wedding section, but I was taking so long, and to keep to our schedule, Demod had to bite the bullet and write it.
In terms of quality, that may have been a good move; I personally love the section he wrote, it was adorable, heartwarming, funny, and ingenious. But maybe I'm biased; he is my friend. Beyond this, some of you may have felt the wedding was a bit too rushed...but it's Goku and Bulma in a wedding. It literally couldn't have been done any other way; Bulma is impatient, and you can't ease Goku into this anymore than we have.
So, looking at everything we've covered now, we'll be segueing into Bulma and Goku's family life from here on for awhile. The slice of life aspect of our story isn't done yet, guys! Stay tuned for our next chapter, where I'll be involved in writing again! (Also, rest assured, I did do the proofreading for this chapter; I wasn't entirely away from it.)