NOTE: Hey! Sorry, this isn't the main story, but I got a sudden burst of inspiration and had to write this out. I think you guys will really enjoy this one.

Super and GT are separate timelines, since that was a question, someone asked about. By the end of this story, I'll leave sneak peaks of both. I'll probably write GT first since that one has a definitive ending.

I'm glad that Goku and Makima's relationship has been entertaining to read. I really try to make you feel the love between them when they're talking to each other. Goku can be a pain in the ass, but he's HER pain in the ass. Makima can be a weirdo, but she's HIS weirdo.

Enjoy and Review!

Intermission (11): Lovely Visits

In preparation for the 23rd Tournament and his inevitable battle with King Piccolo's reincarnation, Son Goku has been spending the previous couple of months on the hidden Kami's Lookout to train. It had been a jarring shock for the young fighter to learn of the Lookout's existence and that the God of Earth dwells within it. An even bigger surprise was finding out that Kami was the creator of the Dragon Balls and the positive half of the evil Piccolo. But shock wore off afterwards as Goku continued to spend his days training on the Lookout. If the monkey boy was to be completely honest…?

The place was pretty boring.

None of his friends were here, there wasn't anyone fun to fight (Mr. Popo was still too much of a challenge to get any enjoyment from), no buffet of food to devour, and no games to play. Kami and Mr. Popo were good people, but they weren't the most…entertaining individuals to hang out with. They preferred a quiet and calm atmosphere compared to the commotion he would always encounter back down with everyone else. He appreciates all of their efforts and willingness to train him, but he just wished there was some excitement.

"I wonder how everyone else is doing?" Goku broke out of his meditation to look down at the Earth below. He knew the Dragon Balls had been used months ago to bring back everyone King Piccolo had killed, meaning that Krillin, Roshi, and Chiaotzu were alive again. He wished he could go see them, but his agreement with Kami was that he wouldn't leave the Lookout at all unless circumstances were dire or his training was complete. Goku's thoughts drifted off to a certain redhead Devil that he had gotten close to the last couple of years. "I wonder if Makima is working right now."

"Thank you for thinking about me, darling."

"Eh?" Goku blinked and looked to his left to see Makima sitting next to him on the palace's edge. She had grown some since the last time he saw her. Makima's hair was tied into a long ponytail that reached down the middle of her back. She's dressed in a fitting black top that showed her middle, and a peach-colored skirt that stopped at her mid thighs. She has a pair of knee-high boots with gold and black coloring on her feet and legs. Sitting on Makima's lap is a basket filled with delicious food if Goku's nose was anything to go by. "Makima?! How did you get here?!"

"Shh! Don't need that God or his assistant finding out that I've gotten past their little barrier." Makima softly placed a finger to his lips. It had taken her months to get past whatever little protection barrier Kami and Mr. Popo had put up to prevent her and others from reaching this place. She was surprised to find out that the God of this world resided in such a location, but she wouldn't allow him to get between herself and Goku.

"Okay. What are you doing here though?" Goku asked.

"I came to see you, darling." Makima giggled.

"Really? Awesome!" He laughed. His eyes trailed down to the basket in her lap, a slight drool running down his mouth. The Control Devil rolled her eyes at his focus leaving her so quickly for the food.

"It's for you, darling. I made sure to pack a lot, since I doubt this place has anything good for you to eat." Makima passed the basket to Goku, who wasted no time in digging into the freshly cooked food.

"Dish you makthe thissh?!" Goku asked as he continued stuffing his face.

Flicking away any bits of food that could've landed on her, Makima nodded her head. "Yes, I've been practicing my cooking skills. Do you like it?"

"Yeah!" Goku swallowed his food, wiping his mouth with his arm. "Your food tastes amazing!"

The Control Devil blushed slightly with a smile. "That makes me happy, darling."

"Have you talked with the others since the fight with King Piccolo?" Goku asked.

Makima tapped her chin with her finger. "Last I checked Tien, Krillin, and Yamcha headed off on a training journey with each other to prepare for the tournament. After hearing how you're being trained by a God, those three were fired up to catch up."

Goku smiled excitedly at the news. "Oh yeah! That gets me excited! I can't wait to see how strong they get in three years!"

"They won't be strong enough to beat you." Makima told him.

Her darling shook his head. "Don't say that, Makima. You never know how strong someone can get with the time they're given. They might even develop techniques that'll take me by surprise."

"Certainly, but I'm still betting my money on you." She slid closer to him, their arms touching. Goku felt the warmth of her skin and felt his cheeks warm up a bit for some reason. "You saved the world, after all."

"I didn't do it alone."

"No, but you still did better than the rest of us. Had King Piccolo not played dirty throughout the fight, you would've beaten him single handedly." Makima said. She turned her gaze to him with an alluring look in her eyes. "You're the strongest, darling."

Goku found something within her eyes, a strange sight that he never saw before. His body started tingling a bit, but he shook it off pretty quickly. "I wouldn't say I'm the strongest. I'm certain someone stronger will show up soon enough." His words confused her momentarily.

"Whatever you say, darling. Just know that you don't have to be so humble." Makima leaned away with a sneaky smile.

Goku laughed a bit at her, then turned his body to fully face her. "How about you, Makima? Have you been alright?"

"Work is the same as always, and the world has started returning to its regular rhythm after the scare King Piccolo caused. I've just been missing you, is all."

"I miss you guys too."

"Yes…us all." There was slight disappointment in her voice, which confused the little monkey. She stood up on her feet and stretched a bit. "I can feel that God's presence moving to our location. He's probably figured out that I broke into here. I'll have to leave for now, darling." Makima didn't seem happy at the thought, but she smiled, nonetheless.

"Really?" Goku frowned.

"I'll be back."

"With more food?"

"Why do I feel like he missed the food more than me?" Makima rolled her eyes again. "Yes." She responded and vanished just as Kami reached the outside of the palace.

"Goku! Is everything alright?! I felt someone had broken through the barrier!" Kami exclaimed. He had an idea on who it was, but nothing seemed to be out of place.

"Oh? Uh…yeah, but it's all good!" Goku gave a thumbs up. He looked away from his teacher and back out at the outside world. He wondered when he would see Makima again.

A year later, Goku was greeted once more by Makima, who had made sure to get through the barrier much more carefully this time. She and Goku laid underneath the stars during one of the warmer knights on the Lookout. Kami had recently removed Goku's tail permanently, which is the only reason he was even allowed to sit outside tonight. He didn't really understand why his tail mattered, but it felt weird to not have it. His sense of balance was always thrown off when his tail kept getting cut off, but he'd adjust eventually.

"Hmm…darling?"

He looked over to the Devil that had attached herself to him, her arms wrapped around his torso. Makima's eyes glowed in the night's darkness which always made it easy to find her whenever they were in the dark. "Yeah, Makima?"

"Do you ever get lonely?"

"Lonely?" Weird question to be asked. "Not really. I have all of you guys with me. There's also Kami and Mr. Popo up here on the Lookout too."

"But we won't always be around, darling. You like to move a lot, so don't you think it would be nice to have someone with you?"

"I guess." Goku thought back to most of his travels, and how weird it felt to not always have his friends around to talk to. Back when he lived on Mt. Paozu after his grandfather died, it was pretty lonely until he met Bulma. "Huh…? I guess I have felt lonely before."

"I'm lonely too." Makima said.

Goku looked confused at that. "You have everyone at the Division place, the rest of the gang, and your sisters!"

"Those are my employees; our relationship will always be strictly professional. I'm not close to the rest of your friends as you may think, darling. They're afraid of me, especially after finding out my true nature as a Devil, which simply made me a bit stronger." Goku frowned at that, surprised to hear that his friends couldn't see how cool Makima was. "And my sisters? We're not much of a family."

"But you're siblings."

"In a sense, we are, but we've never seen each other as family."

"That's weird. I don't know what I'd do if Grandpa never saw me as family, he was all the family I had." Goku thinks back to his late grandfather.

"You never knew your parents, right?"

"Nope. Grandpa said he found me in the middle of the woods when I was really young. I guess they never wanted me." Goku shrugged.

"Their loss, then." Makima moved to lay on top of Goku, staring into his strong powerful eyes. "People such as them will never get to see just how wonderful you are, darling. They'll never see your light." Goku stared back at her with a look she couldn't figure out. It seems the gears in his head were turning and that meant he was getting an idea.

"You don't have a family like I had, right Makima?"

"No, darling."

"Then we can be a family!" His suggestion caused her eyes to widen to a comical degree. An expression the Control Devil had never once possessed in her entire life will only ever be Goku's to see. Her face was pretty red, almost lightly up the darkness of the night. "If you're lonely, then I can stay with you! That way neither of us will be lonely again!"

"D-darling…are you suggesting…something?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Goku's smile vanished as he tilted his head. She looked nervous. Did she not like the idea?

Makima, as confident as she was, had never been in this position before, especially with someone as special as Goku. She needed to handle this with care. "You're suggesting something pretty…intament."

"What do you mean? It's just living together." He shrugged. "I lived with Roshi, Launch, and Krillin during my training. I also lived with Bulma as we were traveling for the Dragon Balls."

Makima's embarrassment vanished as she realized what Goku was thinking about. Her irritation grew slightly with a tired groan. "Darling, you're thinking of something temporary. In those situations, you were never planning on permanently staying with them, were you?"

"No."

"Exactly. What you just suggested to me is far different."

"How so?"

"You suggested marriage, darling."

"What's marriage? Is it food?"

…

…

…

Makima, after leaving the Lookout before Kami could find her, would spend the rest of the night bashing her head against a concrete wall. Several high-ranked criminals around the world would die from sudden head trauma that night as well.

Goku was confused by her behavior, wondering what it was that he said that troubled her.

Another year later, Goku had finally hit his growth spurt. His sudden growth in size was a surprise to his teachers, thus he had needed new clothing to accommodate his new body type. Not that he minded the sudden body growth, because it felt nice to finally be taller than Makima even if it was by a few inches. Speaking of Makima, his friend had also gone through some changes since the last time he had seen her.

Makima's black dress clung nicely to her curves and proportions, which had gained Goku's attention much more than they had before. Her features were more mature, having lost her child-like appearance. Goku's stomach would tingle every time he found himself looking at Makima. It was similar to how his stomach would feel whenever he was hungry, but that confused him a lot. Makima wasn't food, but she was nice to look at.

Her hands softly touched the top of his GI, examining the material with those beautiful eyes of hers. "Weighted clothing, huh?"

The question pulled him out of his thoughts. "Huh? Uh, yeah, I asked Kami if he could increase the weight of my clothing during training. It's similar to the training that Master Roshi had Krillin and I doing when we trained with him. He had us wear these really heavy turtle shells on our backs."

Makima nodded her head. "I see…the weight puts a heavy strain on your body. However, the more you work with it the better your body adjusts to the weight, amplifying your strength and speed when you take it off."

"Pretty much! Each piece of clothing weighs the same, so my whole body is getting a workout." Goku explains. "We'll keep increasing the weight once I'm adjusted to the current one."

She trailed her finger along the fabric then up along his collarbone. She closed the distance between them with a sultry smile that sent an oddly excited shiver down the Saiyan's spine. "So? You've had these weighted clothing on for a while now, yes? If you removed them, I wonder just how fast you are now…" Their faces were intimately close, their breaths gently brushing against their faces. Goku's hands subconsciously reached for her waist, bringing Makima's hips into his own. Her hands pressed against his chest with an audible moan as she felt his pelvis against hers. As she thought, their bodies fit perfectly with one another perfectly, like a puzzle coming together. "Darling~."

"Ah hem."

The two broke apart from each other, too caught up in each other to realize that someone else had been approaching. The two looked to see Kami standing a few feet away, a glare etched across his wrinkly green face. "I hope I'm not disrupting something."

"You are." Makima scoffed, crossing her arms.

Kami glared back at her. "And seeing how I don't remember inviting the Control Devil into my sanctuary, you have no place being the one displeased." He walked towards them with powerful steps. "I may have missed you the last two times, but I finally caught you."

Makima hummed, clearly not intimidated. "And what do you plan to do? Kick me off the Lookout? I think we both know how that will end." Her eyes glowed dangerously, daring the God to try.

Quickly Goku got in between them. "Woah! Woah! There's no need to get all angry at each other!" He looks at his teacher. "She wasn't doing anything wrong, Kami!"

"Au contraire, Goku, she has trespassed on sacred grounds and has disturbed your training more than once. I was willing to overlook the previous two times as they were harmless at the time, but clearly, she has been planning something far worse than I thought." Kami responded.

"What are you implying?" Makima's negative energy started to seep out, contrasting her calm sounding voice.

"Taking advantage of my student, manipulating him, and-guck!" Kami fell to his knees as Makima's force gripped around his neck.

"Makima!" Goku yelled, but she ignored him.

Makima flashed in front of the struggling Kami, her eyes glowing with malice. "Never imply those filthy words about the bond between my darling and I ever again. I wouldn't expect someone like you who would try to mold and groom an innocent soul like him to do your dirty work to understand the meaning of true love."

"What…guh…are you-"

"I know about Piccolo's reincarnation. It was a good attempt trying to hide him from me, but I finally figured out why a God would even bother training a mortal to participate in a silly little tournament." Makima hissed out.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see Goku giving her a stern glare. "Makima. That's enough."

She flinched under his glare and released her hold on Kami, causing him to wheeze as he tried to regain his breath. The Control Devil turned away, digging her face into the crook of Goku's neck for her own sense of comfort. "You know I'm right, darling."

"That doesn't make it right." Goku said.

"He wants you to take his spot, because he understands that he's nothing but a failure of a guardian."

"Makima-"

"She's right." Kami said as he finally got back to his feet. He gave Goku a regretful look of his own. "I have been training you in the hopes that my lessons would take to you. That you would vanquish the evil of Piccolo from this world and take over as the guardian. Goku, you've done far more for this world than I ever have."

"At least you understand that much." Makima spat.

Goku processed everything they've said to him, trying to form his own conclusion. It was difficult since he wasn't used to thinking about such complicated matters but the two were clearly waiting for his answer. He scratched the back of his head and smiled. "Well, it's all fine. I don't blame you or anything, Kami."

"What?!" Both stared at him with wide eyes.

"I don't really understand everything you guys were talking about, but I don't like seeing the people I care about fight like this. Whatever the problem is, can be solved easily, right?"

"W-well…I don't know about that…" Kami muttered, taken aback by Goku's easy going nature.

"Besides, I don't mind having to fight Piccolo! I know his reincarnation is still getting stronger until the tournament comes! As long as I beat him, then it's fine, right?" Goku laughed happily, scratching the back of his head.

Makima blinked at him before sighing with her own smile. "You're the only person who can take a complicated situation and make it seem so easy, darling."

"Really? Hehe!"

"You're a special person, darling."

Kami stared at the two with a look of disbelief. He didn't know what he was expecting, but he should've known that Goku would've seen the easy solution in the end. This young man really was a better person than he had ever expected, far more than he ever was. Goku would indeed make a perfect replacement if his heart truly wished for it. Though, he was still uncertain about Goku's close relationship with the Control Devil of all people. He's seen the damage she could do, but he would be a complete fool to not have noticed the difference in her that has come since meeting Son Goku.

Though, still, he wanted to be certain that his evil half could be finished off once and for all. Goku may hesitate or even fail to beat him, thus the old guardian may have to take things into his own hands.

Goku finished his stretches as he stood on the Lookout, an excited smile graced his youthful face as the morning sun greeted him. It was finally time for the 23rd World Tournament, the day he'd reunite with his friends, and the world deciding battle against Piccolo. He would need to head out now if he wanted to make it to Papaya Island in time for registration.

"Oh, Goku!"

"Hm? Hey, Mr. Popo!" Goku waved at his other teacher and caretaker these last three years. "Did you come to see me off?"

The guardian's assistant nodded at his former student. "Yes, I also came to give you these." He held a box in his hands, handing it off to Goku. "It's a spare weighted GI for you to wear at the tournament. We wouldn't want you to head there unprepared."

"Thanks, Mr. Popo! I can always count on you to come through!" He tucked the box under his arm. He looked around, noticing the lack of the usual guardian. "Do you know where Kami is?"

"He's resting at the moment, though he told me to tell you he wishes you good luck."

"Nice!"

"Are you excited to see your friends after all this time?" Mr. Popo asked.

"Of course! I bet the rest of the guys have gotten super strong! I can't wait to fight them in the tournament!" Goku answered with his usual smile.

"There's also the more important matter to keep in mind, Goku. The fate of the world rests in your hands." Mr. Popo warned him.

He nodded his head, fully understanding the responsibility. "I understand, Mr. Popo. But still, I'm gonna have as much fun as I can."

"Heh. I don't think I can expect anything less." Mr. Popo smiled. He stood there, a bit confused as to why Goku wasn't immediately heading out. "How come you're not racing off, Goku?"

"Huh? Oh, Makima told me to wait for her when she was here last time. Something about wanting to head out with me." Goku responded.

Mr. Popo tapped his chin, thinking about the Control Devil who had been sneaking up here the past three years. He hadn't been ignorant to her trespassing and even watched diligently from a far distance as she interacted with Goku. It was obvious to see her attraction towards the young man, but he was curious about Goku's feelings on the matter. The boy clearly didn't know much about social norms, which would make courting him difficult. However, there was a simple way to get an answer out of him.

"Goku, how do you feel about Makima?"

"Huh? Well, she's a friend."

"Just a friend?"

"Yeah."

"Are you certain?"

"...I think so."

He needed to poke more. "Does her appearance gain your attention more often than not?"

"Well, I have been looking at her butt more, I guess. But I don't understand what that has to do with anything." Goku said.

"I see. Do you enjoy her company?"

"Yeah! It feels awesome whenever she's next to me! Makima has definitely helped make my time up here a lot more fun!" Goku answered with a wide grin.

Another push goes in. "Does your body feel strange whenever you're close to her?"

"Well…yeah." He scratched his cheek. "My body gets tingly, especially my crotch! It feels all weird and stuff whenever I look at her. I never felt like this around anyone else. Bulma's pretty, but she's just…Bulma, ya know?"

Mr. Popo nodded his head. "Goku, do you know what everything you described is called?"

"Uh…not really."

"It's love. When someone feels a strong attraction to another person and wants to spend their lives with that person."

"Love…huh?" Goku tasted the word, something that was pretty foreign to him. He thought back to Bulma and Yamcha, who were a…couple(?), then to all of those weird romance shows Blue Launch would always watch. Finally, he remembered that conversation he and Makima had on that night.

"If you're lonely, then I can stay with you! That way neither of us will be lonely again!"

"Oh… I guess, you're right, Mr. Popo! I really love Makima!" Goku declared loudly.

"Eh?"

Both Mr. Popo and Goku turned to see Makima standing behind them, near the edge, with a dumbfounded look on her face. She blinked like an owl as she stared at the idiot clad in white and blue, having heard his loud declaration the moment she arrived on the Lookout.

"Hey, Makima!" Goku waved, oblivious to the storm going on in her head. "Guess what?! I really love you, Makima!"

Her brain had been fried completely as her one goal the past three years finally managed to accomplish itself without her even noticing. Like a bullet piercing her heart, Makima ended up falling backwards off the Lookout.

"AH! MAKIMA!" Goku yelled as he watched her take a plunge towards the ground. He turned back to Mr. Popo with a raised hand. "Catch you later, Mr. Popo! Thanks for everything!" He jumped off the sacred palace to follow after his newly discovered love.

"Good luck, Goku!" Mr. Popo laughed his goodbye.

Goku flipped through the air, pushing himself forward to catch Makima with his free arm. "NIMBUS!" His trusty companion that he hadn't seen in three years appeared in a flash. Catching him perfectly, and allowing Goku to rest his butt on the soft cloud as he rested Makima on his lap. When her eyes started to flutter open, the Saiyan opened his mouth. "Makima, are you okay-MFFH!" He was interrupted by her lips pressing into his.

She broke the kiss with a pleased smile on her face. "I love you too, darling~!"

"I guess kissing is something couples do, huh?" Makima nodded her head in response. "Cool! I like kissing you, then!" Goku laughed.

"Good, because you're only allowed to kiss me."

As the Nimbus flew them towards their destination, to the battle that would decide the fate of the world once more, the newly found lovers were trapped in their own little world for the moment.

Chapter End

NOTE: When it comes to Goku you really have to be straight forward with him or else he'll never get it. Makima kept trying to be subtle or give hints, while Popo just spelled it out for him.

By the time Makima figured out about Piccolo Jr. the guy was already too strong for her to even try fighting. She realized she could only leave it up to Goku to beat him. It's part of the reason she snapped at Kami when the guy tried acting like she was the bad guy in the situation.

I know you guys are wondering about Chi-Chi. I honestly don't know how I would even cover that at this point. Goku just turned her down, since he loves Makima. A pretty lackluster way to find out, but like...I don't know how to even bother with that. If she tried anything, then Makima just erased Goku from her mind completely to make her forget about that promise.

The next chapter will be the continuation of the story.

Have a great day!