Chapter Four:
Frypan Mountain and the Ox King
Caulifla's eyes fluttered open, wincing under the sunlight that smacked her face through the window. She hissed under her breath, rubbing the sleep off of her eyes. Squinting, she scanned the ceiling facing her and instantly remembered this place. The pig kept this crib pocketed for special occasions, taking from his words. She remembered Bulma scolding him for keeping it hidden for so long.
Her ears caught some voices across the room as her mind adjusted to the present.
"...I had to stay up all night keeping watch because of him."
The pig's gruff and hardy voice was easy enough to identify it was him.
"How come I didn't wake up?"
That was Goku.
He and Oolong seemed to be talking about someone; a break-in? Was it that goofball bandit yesterday? Hearing Goku's question made her mind plow into last night's events like a hard crash.
Flashback…
Caulifla looked at Goku when he had already chugged all the juice, soon placing the empty glass on the table with a surprised look. "This is so sweet!"
Caulifla shrugged and raised the glass to her lips. As the juice poured down her throat, her eyes snapped open when her nose caught a faint scent beneath that sweetness in the liquid. She snatched her head away and burst into a round of choking coughs.
Recovering from her fit, Caulifla threw one worried glance at Goku and then at Bulma, the purple-haired teen retreating to the upstairs bedroom. Caulifla shot her gaze at Oolong with the meanest scowl she could muster. She jumped to her feet. "Alright, pig, what the hell is this?" She growled out the demand, gesturing to her half-finished glass.
Oolong widened his eyes with a sweatdrop. By the look of his face, he was not expecting her to figure out his plan. Good! The pig should get comfortable to spend the night in a painful sleep.
"Uh…it's just juice," He answered as he passively raised his hands, doing his best not to stutter. "Really! It's going to make you stronger!"
"Yeah, right!" Caulifla vehemently denied as she moved dangerously slow toward the now cowering pig. The sound of snoring ceased her threatening steps, bringing her attention to the knocked-out Goku on the table. Caulifla threw a concerned look at the boy.
"Goku?"
It wasn't long before she blinked at the sudden heaviness weighing her eyelids. Her vision blurred, and drowsiness quickly clouded her consciousness. She turned around to see Oolong's mischievously grinning, a grin that needed a good punch.
"You…little…" Caulifla managed to mutter.
So tired…
Her tired eyes glared, looking much less intimidating to the cunning shape-shifter. With heavy steps, Caulifla trudged towards the pig, her eyes automatically swaying towards the nearby couch that looked too enticing, and she dove. Darkness overthrew her mind before landing flat on the cushions.
…End of Flashback.
Caulifla shot up to a sitting position on the couch in realization and snapped her heated glare toward the bathroom, where the voices echoed. Forget the bandit; the pig had another thing coming.
Oolong spat the last ounce of toothpaste into the sink and dried his mouth with a rag after rinsing. He looked towards Goku by the doorway, who looked down in guilt for not noticing Yamcha's sudden arrival the night before. The shape-shifter sighed, coming to terms with how he should not have sedated the poor kid only to sate his lust for Bulma.
Oolong exited the bathroom only to be met with Caulifla's scathing eyes, amplifying his remorse. "Uh…good morning?" He called, attempting to toss a lighthearted chatter on the matter.
His face was soon on the floor with a violent crash, a bump swelling on his head. Goku looked in shock at Caulifla's sudden aggression. "Woah! What was that for!? What did Oolong do?"
Caulifla sneered down at the trickster. "Oh, you're about to know why we weren't waking up from that bandit's break-in last night." She said in a dangerous tone, perking Goku's attention.
"Oh?"
"He put something in the juice we drank that put us into deep sleep." She explained, causing Goku's eyes to twinge in surprise. "Was it to steal the Dragon Balls? Huh!?" Caulifla's eyes slit down at the captive pig, and her following words came laced in a low and deathly tone. "Or were you trying to take a peek at Bulma?"
After gasping at his actions, Goku rained a child-like glare upon the pervert. "Bad Oolong!"
Oolong groaned under the pressure; it was the third freakin' time he bit off more than he could chew with these kids! It only got worse for him when he heard clacking heels rapidly crossing down the stairs.
"OOLONG!" Bulma glared at the pig, causing Goku and Caulifla to gaze in surprise at her appearance. "THIS BETTER BE A JOKE!"
Oolong wanted to flatten himself against the tiled floor like a paper. This morning, without a doubt, was the worst he had ever experienced. He was certainly not looking forward to the coming trip to Mt. Frypan. Oh well, at least he could see Bulma in that sexy bunny costume for this trip now.
"He's here!" Bulma exclaimed as she gushed at the smirking young man out the window with heart-shaped pupils. He looked so cool and hot as he stood tall on his seat in the roofless car with something long in his grasp; she didn't care what it was. The teen palmed her cheeks, unable to control her bleeding heart for romance.
Goku and Caulifla peeked over Oolong as he drove the mobile home across the desert. Caulifla's eyes widened as the bandit steadily aimed the weapon between the two racing vehicles.
Yamcha fired his rocket launcher, the torpedoing projectile hitting the van in one of the tires with a shattering explosion. The van tilted in its course, nearly tipping on its side before regaining balance. However, the vehicle came to a stop with leaking smoke. Goku, Caulifla, and Oolong jumped out of the driver's door. Goku and Caulifla mirror a scowl on their faces at their foe.
"Sheesh!" Oolong exclaimed in disbelief. "This guy is so persistent."
Puar stopped the car before the group, Yamcha soon stepping down with an evil grin as he held the bazooka. The floating cat wore a pair of goggles and scanned the interior of the totaled vehicle. "Lord Yamcha! It looks like the girl with the purple hair is unconscious from the crash!"
"Good," Yamcha replied with a sneer. "That means no distractions this time. All right, you three, hand over the Dragon Balls like good little kids!"
Oolong widened his eyes. "H-how did you know about the Dragon Balls!?"
Caulifla snarled as she instantly connected the dots. "He must've overheard your talk with Goku about the Dragon Balls! This punk was spying on us!"
"You know it's not nice being nosey," Goku commented with a glare. "Well, we're giving you…Nothing!" The boy then comically stretched his lips apart and tauntingly wagged his tongue at him.
"Goku," Caulifla began heatedly, "You sit this one back; this bastard is mine."
He gazed at Caulifla with a surprised face before grinning happily, excited to see Caulifla fight since her quick showdown with Oolong at Aru Village. "Haha! Yamcha's getting it, now!" Goku spoke confidently.
Yamcha frowned at the boy's confidence in the girl. The way his words slipped out was like he already lost the fight. He tensed his eyes as Caulifla stepped before him, looking too nonchalant for his comfort. Did she realize she stood against this desert's ruling hyena? What was her deal? Did Son Gohan raise her, too? If so, she should be on par with Goku's skills, perhaps slightly weaker. He still couldn't underestimate her.
"Carry this for me, Puar," Yamcha said, handing him his rifle. His floating friend could only respond with a worried look from the seriousness behind his voice.
Caulifla drew both arms to her sides and balled each fist, spreading her stance. She glared coldly at the bandit, who settled into his clawing stance.
"You want your shot against my Wolf-Fang Fist, eh!? Then come on!" Yamcha shouted with determination before charging with a battle cry.
Caulifla maintained her stone-faced glare as she swiftly deflected and dodged the rapid-fire palm strikes in quick precision. It was extremely easy to predict the flying strikes after witnessing his technique against Goku.
Frustration streamed into Yamcha's veins, realizing none of his attacks had landed. He tried surprising her with a sweeping kick, only to hit nothing but air where she stood. He blinked with a hum at the vacant spot and spun his head from side to side in lost confusion.
"It's pretty funny watching you think you can beat me." A low voice spoke from behind him; it sent a cold shiver down his spine. Yamcha spun around with a back fist, which Caulifla had easily caught. "Too slow."
Yamcha only widened his eyes. 'H-how is she moving so fast? These kids are freaks!'
A predatory smirk found its way across her lips. "Did you get that tough guy attitude fighting Goku when he was hungry yesterday? Well, newsflash: he also went easy on you. Me? I'm not so nice, myself!"
Yamcha saw nothing but stars exploding when her foot hammered his jaw. His eyes rolled back upon the blow as he helplessly flew upwards. Puar and Oolong were both slack-jawed at the display. Goku's eyes sparked with admiration. Yamcha hit the sandy surface hard on his back, down for the count after one kick. A raspy groan escaped from his motionless form, signaling his defeat if his condition wasn't an indicator enough.
Caulifla turned away and trailed back to the group. She met with Goku's awe-inspiring smile. "You did it, Caulifla! You beat him!"
Caulifla blinked in surprise. It was still new to be getting praise for her strength. She quickly saved face with a smug grin. "Heh, it's me, remember? I was only letting off steam; he had it coming."
Oolong and Puar stood frozen. The pig caressed his jaw and realized how much she went easy on him at Aru Village watching her kick Yamcha like that. Puar's beady eyes glistened with worry, quickly shaking out of his daze before rushing to Yamcha's side.
"Lord Yamcha!" Puar darted down to the downed bandit, only for his face to lose color. "Your tooth…"
Puar supported Yamcha to a sitting position. The bandit still looked out of it. Everyone had a good look at his swollen cheek as a trail of blood ran down the corner of his lips. Yamcha rapidly blinked, grasping ahold of his consciousness. He murmured a few words to Puar, who transformed into a mirror. Yamcha gazed into the small window, his reflection returning his look of horror.
"MY TOOTH! You ruined my beautiful face! I-I'll get you back for this! Y-you'll see!" Yamcha turned and fled to his car with Puar trailing behind him. The group watched the pair disappear into the horizon in their hovercraft, wondering if they'd ever meet again.
Of course, it was a short while before the group met the bandit duo again. This time, to their shock and confusion, he acted friendly. Too friendly. He even gave them a capsuled red car as an 'apology.' Caulifla knew he had to be playing, and Oolong had to share her sentiment about his sudden generosity. Even Goku knew they were in some act. After long contemplation, the group had no choice but to traverse the road in the car with Oolong at the wheel and Goku sitting alongside him.
Caulifla sat beside the unconscious Bulma in the backseats, her glaring eyes skimming through the interior walls. No hidden weapons or explosives seemed visible in this part of the car, but she knew better.
"What is their game?" Caulifla muttered, glaring out the back window.
Whatever. Yam-chump should know better than to cross her again; Caulifla would be watching for him.
The next stop was Fry-Pan Mountain, where their next Dragon Ball happened to be. Gyu-Mao guarded that place, also known as the Ox King to others. This guy happened to terrify Oolong enough to try ditching the group from their boat ride down that river, even throwing aside a bribe from Bulma to let him see her in undergarments.
Caulifla silently grinned with excitement. This Ox King must be crazy-powerful to scare a pervert into resisting an opportunity to satisfy his naughty fantasies. Her goosebumps twitched, internally declaring she would surely be the one to fight him.
Mount Frypan
Over the next couple of days, the group finally arrived at Fry-Pan Mountain after a trepidation-induced travel. They eyed the bright blue sky slowly staining into the fiery-blackened sky surrounding the silhouette of the towering rock before they wandered through a scorched village near the foot of Fry-Pan Mountain. The air matched the sky's thick and ashy smoke, the earthlings having some struggle to breathe. Its heat made the desert feel like a cooler.
Caulifla narrowed her eyes at the inferno wall, its black, billowing smoke obscuring the castle. Oolong explained it barricaded the mountain's base from ever being entered, having been lit on fire one day when the Ox King was on a picnic with his daughter.
"The Dragon Radar says the Dragon Ball is there, up in the castle," Bulma explained, pointing at the glimpse of the structure behind the raging flames. She frowned at the handheld device. "There has to be some way to get in. Hey, Goku, why don't you fly over with Kinto'un?"
The young Saiyan shrugged. "Well, I suppose I can give it a try."
As Goku flew over the peak for a closer inspection of the castle on top of Kinto'un, the group heard a faint swishing rapidly flying to them before an axe whizzed past and split the concrete wall before them. Bulma and Oolong jolted, daring not to move a muscle as they eyed the axe in horror. A shadow suddenly cast over the group from behind. Caulifla, still within the group, craned a wicked smirk over her shoulder at the arrival.
"So you finally showed up."
"What do you think you're doing here!?" The behemoth boomed. He reached forward and violently pried his axe out of the wall. "Don't tell me you came to take my treasure!?"
Bulma and Oolong slowly turned with awestruck gazes. He glared down at them through his scope-like lenses attached to his horned helmet. He wore a red cape that draped down his massive back. His hulking size could have made people mistake him for being as tall as Fry-Pan Mountain. Bulma was sure that she could fit inside his arms.
"O-O-OX KING!" Bulma shrieked. "H-hey…we were just p-p-passing by." She stuttered, putting on a wide, toothy smile as she outwardly shook.
Caulifla, however, looked at the giant with a glint behind her dark irises. "I've heard a lot about you. You're protective of your treasure, huh? Well, you got something we want, and I came to fight you over it."
Bulma and Oolong's eyes threatened to explode, their faces turning white at her blatant forwardness. Did this girl want everyone to get beheaded this soon!?
Ox King stood silent as his attention shifted to the little spiky-haired girl clothed in gi as she settled into a stance. A bellowing growl throttled from him. "Oh, not only did you admit to being a thief, but you also dared challenge the mighty Gyu-Mao!? I shall kill you where you stand!"
"Hey, guys! What's going on!?" Goku called from above, cutting the tense confrontation to a short. Kinto'un swept through the air, spiraling downwards towards them.
Caulifla smiled at her friend coming into view before tensing her stance and refocusing on the giant. Now Goku could watch her defeat the Ox King! Right on time for the fight, too! Bulma could only gape in horror at his poor-timed arrival. She could already feel her soul ready to leave her body.
Ox King squinted his gaze behind his scope-like goggles before approaching the boy on the hovering cloud, puzzled. "Is…is that…Kinto'un!? Where did you get it, boy!?" His sudden outburst and intrigue about the Kinto'un made everybody pause.
Goku blinked at the giant. "Oh, an old man, the Turtle Hermit, gave it to me."
"THE TURTLE HERMIT?!" The Ox King exclaimed in an explosive but baffled voice. "That's my old Master Roshi! Do you know where he is, boy!?"
Caulifla loosened her stance with a perk as she watched the mountainous man's sudden flip in attitude. The terrible Gyu-Mao had a connection with the perverted hermit? So, her hunch was correct about the old man, after all. 'He's a master, too,' she thought, humming in contemplation.
"He's at the beach, right?" Goku asked, turning to Bulma.
Bulma sweatdropped, "He doesn't exactly live there, you know. He probably lives somewhere off the coast."
"YES! I'M FINALLY GOING TO RETURN HOME!" Ox King roared in joy, jumping back into a session of celebrating hops. The giant stopped when he noticed something clung to the boy's back, and his eyes threatened to break through the lenses of his helmet when he recognized that familiar red pole. "A-and is that… the Legendary Nyoi-Bo!? Who gave this to you!?"
Goku smiled, "My grandpa gave me this!"
"A-and is your grandfather…Son Gohan?" The giant asked with an edge of excitement, as if he knew the answer deep down but wanted the boy to confirm his name.
His answer was a happy nod from the boy. "Yep! Did you know him? You sure know quite a bit." Goku pointed out.
"Boy! He was an old friend of mine! We trained together under Master Roshi! He was our master's top student, and I was only second place!" Ox King enthusiastically stated. "This brings back memories…"
Caulifla silently watched the interaction when everyone beamed as Ox King offhandedly granted Goku's request for the Dragon Ball in his castle. It was a bummer she wouldn't get to fight the Ox King, but it was relieving that obtaining Fry-Pan Mountain's Dragon Ball went on much smoother than expected.
Caulifla remained wordless as a slight grin couldn't help but curve across her lips. 'Wow, Goku, you must be proud to know your gramps was a respected man.' She thought. 'To think that your old man trained with the Ox King of all people is something I was not expecting to hear. Now I really want to know the deal with the Pervert Hermit is all about.'
Fortunately for her, the giant requested Goku to meet with the old pervert to borrow some magical Basho Fan to blow out the fire igniting the mountain. Goku readily nodded in acceptance before Kinto'un rotated in the opposite direction. Caulifla wasn't going to let this opportunity pass.
"Hold on, Goku," Caulifla called, running up to him.
Goku turned to her over his shoulder, confused, and without warning, she jumped up to him and found his body suddenly locked within her limbs. He nearly stumbled off the floating puffball. "Woah!"
"I'm coming with you, "Caulifla began, trying her hardest to hide her embarrassment. "I need to see the Pervert Hermit." She reasoned.
Goku blinked at her sudden interest in who he recently knew as his Grandpa's master. He firmly nodded with a grin. "Okay then!"
"Hm. I take it Son Gohan raised her too?" Ox King asked with interest.
Goku shook his head. "Not really. I found her out lost after Grandpa…" he trailed off with a downcast expression, lighting confusion within the giant.
"After he…what?" He asked before cupping his burly palm under his chin. "Now that I think about it, how's my old friend been these days?"
Goku's smile dropped, instilling dread within the giant. "He died several full moons ago." He answered, his voice dulled.
Ox King's mouth parted. "No…!" he blurted in disbelief. He dropped his head in sorrow, simultaneously bowing his head. "I'm sorry. To think it's been decades since I've seen him, and he left before we met again. Son Gohan was a great man and a good friend. Take it from me, boy."
Goku responded in kind with a grateful smile. "I know. Heh-heh!" He rubbed the back of his head. "Caulifla has been helping me out after Grandpa's passing. She's a great friend!"
Caulifla turned her head away with a glare, chin up. How embarrassing while she still clung on to him.
"Is that so?" Ox King said with a grin, looking straight at Caulifla, and nodded at her. "Thank you for looking out for my old friend's grandson."
Caulifla awkwardly looked at the burly man before hiding her embarrassment with a smirk. "Heh! Goku needed someone to look out for him without his gramps!"
Five minutes ago, she had been preparing to square up against this guy. And now, he offered her his gratitude because of Goku's connections with his old friends. This guy was unlike what Oolong described him.
"And you're a hotheaded fighter, too, challenging the great Ox King like that." He remarked before rumbling out a boisterous chortle. "You remind me of my daughter, Chi-Chi. Between you and her, I can't tell which will make an excellent bride for my old friend's grandson over the other."
Caulifla felt her face steaming at the statement. Bride!? Did he say she would make a great bride for Goku so blatantly!? She could feel Bulma's giddy face taunting her from the side. "I…uh…huh?" She stuttered, caught off guard by his retort to form a proper response.
Goku tilted his head. "What's a bride?" He asked and was answered with a blunt finger flicked at his head. "Hey! What gives?"
"Idiot," Caulifla muttered, scowling at the distance red-faced.
Not acknowledging Caulifla's turmoil, Ox King perked in realization. "Oh, that's right!" He turned to Goku with a serious look. "Before you leave, I need a favor. I sent my daughter, Chi-Chi, to retrieve the Basho Fan yesterday. If you run into her, take her along and bring her back to me. I'm beginning to worry about her; I didn't think things would turn out this easy."
"How does she look like?"
"This is her."
After Ox King showed him the photo of his daughter, Goku nodded in acceptance. Sharing Caulifla's ideas, he also wanted to meet with the old hermit after hearing he taught his Grandpa Gohan! He had so many questions about his Grandpa to the old-timer. That fire blocking the path to the castle was annoying, and he needed to get Bulma her sixth Dragon ball as soon as possible. Maybe the old-timer could train him and Caulifla after their adventure.
"Let's go, Kinto'un!" Goku called eagerly, and they were up and away into the air.
As their hair violently swayed under the intense winds, Goku glanced at her over his shoulder; her face was red. Was she angry? Not to mention, she just flicked him because he didn't know what something was!
"Caulifla?"
Caulifla hummed in response, shielding her face behind Goku's shoulder from the rush.
"Are you mad at me?" Goku asked worriedly.
The silence was like a nail in the air before she spoke again. "No, not really. I just reacted on a whim. S-sorry."
"But what is it about a bride that makes you embarrassed? What is it?" Goku asked in concern. Caulifla couldn't fight the blush off her cheeks at his innocence.
The question wasn't a tease; he had read her, too! 'Damn! Goku knows me that well, huh? I have to do better, then.' Caulifla thought determinedly.
"It's not a type of food, isn't it?" He questioned.
"No, it's not!" Caulifla replied hastily, too loud than intended. She swallowed a gulp. "It's… complicated." She mumbled hesitantly.
Goku replied with a smile. "We have time."
Caulifla hardened her scowl. "It's.." She gritted her teeth. Why was it so hard to explain to him what a bride was!? Goku had been her friend for most of this planet's year, and she was tongue-tied over explaining marriage; this was not her forte! She was sure Goku could feel her heartbeat.
"A-a bride is a girl you…marry." Caulifla stuttered, wanting to hide behind the far side of his back so he wouldn't see the heat on her face. "And when you marry someone…you spend the rest of your life with her." Her voice was morbidly demure and hesitant.
Goku's eyes shined with realization. "Oh! I think I remember Grampa telling me something about it. I never got what he said, though."
Caulifla glared fiercely through her blush. "J-just don't get any ideas!"
Goku squinted his eyes with a hum. Before his thoughts could trail further, he spotted a small figure standing alone on the ground below. A glimpse of a car driving away escaped the corner of his eye. "Oh, I see someone! Kinto'un, dive down!" The cloud dove as the young Saiyans stood firm.
"Hey there!" Goku called below, catching the figure's attention. "Is your name Chi-Chi?" he asked, cupping his hands over his mouth.
The girl blinked in shock. "Why, yes, I am," she responded. "Sheesh, people have been recognizing me lately." It was then that her eyes widened. "Don't tell me you love me too!?" she exclaimed, jabbing her finger in the boy's direction.
Goku went silent with a blank stare.
Caulifla raised a brow, mild annoyance spiking within her at her dramatic question, but quickly pushed it aside. "You're the Ox King's daughter, right," Her blunt words were a statement rather than a question.
Chi-Chi eyed her with wonder. "You know my dad?"
Goku chimed in with a lighthearted chuckle. "Yeah, she almost got in a fight with him!"
Chi-Chi gasped before glaring at the spiky-haired girl. "Hey, what did my dad ever do to you, meanie!?" She roared out, her fists clenching.
Caulifla tightened her hold around Goku, forcing a choking grunt out of him. "Did you have to say that to his kid?" She angrily glowered.
"Sorry," Goku wheezed out. He aimed a nervous smile at the girl. "But we all ended up getting along!"
Chi-Chi crossed her arms with a scowling pout. "Hmph!"
"Anyway," Goku began, attempting to lighten the mood. "Your dad asked us to help you borrow the Basho Fan!"
As her grumpy attitude vanished, Chi-Chi's eyes gratefully sparkled as she intertwined her fingers. "Really!? Oh, thank you so much!"
Kinto'un hovered to ground level, rotating so Goku and Caulifla's backs faced the young girl. "Okay, get on," Goku said.
Caulifla turned over her shoulder with interest, wondering if the girl had a pure heart worthy to ride the Kinto'un. Chi-Chi looked at the puffball with confusion. "Oh, okay?"
Hesitantly, Chi-Chi slowly approached Kinto'un and grasped upon its puffy material. She gritted her teeth as she tried hoisting herself up, the cloud lowering further to assist in her climbing. Caulifla blinked in surprise as Chi-Chi climbed onto it like the cloud was physical.
"Wow, so your heart is pure," Goku commented joyfully.
"Well, why not?" Chi-Chi responded cheerfully. "My heart is as clean as an indoor toilet!"
As the Kinto'un rocketed into the air, Chi-Chi clung tightly onto Caulifla's gi, causing said girl to wince at the sudden weight. "Hey, let go!" She demanded with a bite, firmly securing her hold on Goku.
Said boy struggled to hold his footing with the extra weight on his back. He firmly embedded his boots into Kinto'un's cotton-like clutches. "Hold on! Kinto'un, slow down!"
Kinto'un gradually slowed on command, calming the hysterical rushes against its riders. Everyone took their time to breathe. Chi-Chi released her hold from Caulifla's gi and sent her one apologetic look.
"I'm sorry about that," The young princess uttered, regretfully casting her gaze on the cloud's puffy surface.
Her brief irritation fading, Caulifla nodded. "It's nothing. Just warn me next time, okay?"
"Thank you, miss…" She bit her tongue. "What are your names?"
"It's Caulifla," The spiky-haired girl replied with a confident smirk.
"And I'm Son Goku!" The boy said, turning a cheeky grin over his shoulder.
Chi-Chi blinked, finding the boy with spiky hair to be handsome. First, some weird guy with a chipped tooth knocked her out and then woke her up before apologizing. He even said he did it out of love! Then, this boy arrived from the sky on this cloud and declared he would help her with her father's quest. What's with boys randomly finding her lately? Was she destined to marry one of them when she grew up? The thought brought an embarrassing blush to her youthful face.
Her eyes shifted to Caulifla and noted her closeness to the boy. Was Goku already taken? That would be a bummer.
"Caulifla, are you Goku's girlfriend?" Her question made Caulifla choke on her spit.
Goku hummed as he glanced at her with the corner of his eye. "Well, she is a girl. And she is my friend." The boy smiled as the fresh rush of air plowed against his face, the ocean coming into view. "So yeah, I would say so."
"Oh," Chi-Chi reacted, a tad disappointed, frowning at the boy. Perhaps she just had to find another potential suitor.
"W-wait!" Caulifla shouted, a beaming blush spreading across her face. Recalling the 'girl talk' with Bulma that night, she knew Goku didn't grasp Chi-Chi's implications; it was all the more flustering. The most embarrassing part was the realization she had no impulse to react in disinterest or distaste deep down. Why can't today be simple for her?
"H-hold on a sec! H-he's got the wrong idea!" She exclaimed, frantically shaking her head in embarrassment. "I'm not his girlfriend!"
Chi-Chi blinked at her. "But he said you were, didn't he?"
"He doesn't know what it means!" Caulifla excused.
Goku craned his neck with a look of confusion. His eyes fell on Caulifla, noticing her face was red again. He found it more difficult trying to understand girls than training. "Then what's a girlfriend, then?"
Chi-Chi grinned. "Oh, that's easy, a girlfriend is someone you-waaaaahhh!"
Kinto'un, taking a sudden dive, cut her off with a sudden jump, making Goku look forward with an eager smile. The cloud fastly descended toward a pink house on a small island. So that's where the Turtle Hermit lived?
"Oh, we're here!" Goku shouted eagerly, seemingly forgetting the conversation.
Caulifla sighed in relief, thankful that Kinto'un had saved her from further embarrassment and fear of confronting herself over the sudden understanding of the matter over Goku. Right now, she wanted to get this quest for this magic fan over with, and the rest of the Dragon Balls, for that matter. Damn, Ox King and his daughter for throwing the terms bride and girlfriend in her face without warning, especially about Goku.
The cloud hovered above the sandy lawn where the Hermit currently attended to. "Hiya, old-timer!" Goku called down greetingly.
The old hermit's eyes trailed toward his visitors, raising his bushy white eyebrows pleasantly surprisedly. "Well, if it isn't the youngins I lend Kinto'un to!"
Mt. Frypan
Master Roshi stood before the blazing mountain, his shirt and shell discarded. Everyone tensed as they gathered together at the side. The Turtle Hermit stood on the top ridge of a broken stone wall, fearlessly overlooking the mount of flames. Roshi tensed his muscles with an exerting growl, veins throbbing within his pulsing arms and torso.
Caulifla crossed her arms as she calmly observed along with the others. She couldn't believe the old man had mistaken his Basho Fan for some potholder and had thrown it away after staining it. The master of Goku's old man sure was clumsy and had some perverted tendencies. Her lips tightened cynically when she caught the old coot motioning Goku to him in a hushed whisper, leading him to the other side of his house. Caulifla could only imagine the favor he asked of him. And she somehow knew it had to do with Bulma, leading to the deal Bulma agreed with no other choice.
Weirdo.
Caulifla was going to have to give Goku an earful after this.
She did wonder how he could blow out the fire. Perhaps this would save Bulma from having her breasts groped by the Pervert Hermit. The old man looked skinnier than his shirt would suggest; she could see his ribcage under his skin. He looked ready to deteriorate with age, and Bulma was betting on that to win the deal.
And to indirectly counter her thoughts, the old martial artist's muscles bulked with a puffing pop. Goku, Caulifla, Bulma, Oolong, Ox King, and Chi-Chi's jaws dropped at the sudden transformation. Unbeknownst to everyone present, Yamcha and Puar were huddled behind a fractured building, sharing everyone's disbelief and wonder. Nobody missed the glowing blue aura beginning to encompass his form as he flexed his pulsing arms forward.
"Master Roshi is preparing it," Ox King declared, the others turning to him with anticipating intrigue. "His Kamehameha! Watch closely; this might be your only opportunity to witness such a spectacle."
Caulifla's breath left her lungs, unable to retract her eyes from the sight. That old man in his bulky posture, that aura; it reminded her of the Saiyans' energy auras back home! She watched the Turtle Hermit bend his knees and outstretched his arms before flexing his veiny, crusty hands over one another.
"Ka….me…!" The Turtle Hermit's glow intensified, slamming the ends of his hands in a union.
"Ha…me…."
The old hermit pulled his arms back beside his right hip, rotating and cupping his hands. An illuminating sphere formed above his palms where the aura condensed intently, drawing everyone's gazes toward it like a diamond in the darkness. And then he thrust his arms forward.
"HA!"
A bright blue flash blinded the spectator's eyes. Goku and Caulifla couldn't look away as the wave forced the others to shield their eyes. A beam shot out of Roshi's palms and sped into the mountain. As it struck the mountain with its explosive touch, the impact's intensity overtook the land, preventing everyone from getting a clear view of the area. Once the light died down, the land where the mountain dominated was vacant as if it didn't exist.
The black smoke overhanging the air all but dispersed from the shockwaves, sweeping the path for the sun to shine its gracious rays upon the decaying land. Roshi collapsed onto his buttocks on the edge of the wall, his shoulders heaving.
"All done!" Roshi cheered with a light laugh.
Caulifla remained morbidly frozen. The Pervert Hermit, of all humans, had done it. She realized one thing: he was leagues stronger than her. The old hermit could fool anyone into thinking he was merely an old, decrepit pervert. This guy was Son Gohan's master, and Goku had always said he was strong; she was not expecting it to be to this extent potentially. One thing to note was that she was familiar with this power; it was an energy blast! Witnessing the display showed her it was not beyond a human's abilities to output energy attacks.
Goku was shaking, not tearing his awestruck gaze away from the vacant space. "Amazing…"
"Uh…Master!" Ox King called, pointing to where the mountain used to be. "Y-you blew up the mountain along with the castle!"
"Hm?" Roshi hummed before craning his neck to see the mass pile of rubble in the mountain's place. He faced forward with a lighthearted smile. "Whoops! I guess I overdid it. My bad; I don't know my own strength!" He joked, rubbing his bald head.
Everyone fell over at his mistake.
As Bulma and Oolong searched through the pile of debris for the sixth Dragon Ball, Goku and Caulifla walked over to Master Roshi after he apologized to Ox King and Chi-Chi. The small family dismissed the apology, with Chi-Chi reassuring the hermit that they had plans to rebuild their home.
"What you did was cool, old-timer!" The boy complimented, vividly remembering Caulifla telling him of her people back home firing laser beams! It was a bummer Caulifla never knew how to do it, but now, they both could learn it from the Turtle Hermit!
"Old man, how did you do that!? Teach us how!" Caulifla eagerly demanded, wanting to get to the point. It was about time she learned how to fire energy blasts!
Roshi chuckled. "Easier said than done, I tell ya'!" He held out his hand, his fingers spread out. "It takes fifty years of hard training to master the Kamehameha!"
Caulifla silently crossed her arms as she pursed her lips in thought. Goku poked a finger to his bottom lip. "Fifty years, huh?" He muttered.
Goku brought his gaze to his palms with a hum. He exchanged knowing glances with Caulifla, mutually nodding to each other with determined grins. Goku crouched into form, mimicking Muten Roshi's stance and rotating his cupped palms over his hip. A blue hue surrounded Goku's body.
"HA!"
Goku thrust them forward, and a bright blue beam erupted from his hands and tore into the red car Yamcha had gifted them in a blitz. As the wave passed, a gaping hole was screaming in the side of the vehicle as it crumpled down from its damaged state.
Roshi, Ox King, and Chi-Chi widened their eyes at the action.
Caulifla smirked, confident she had the stance written down. If Goku had already done it, she should not be far behind! She lowered into a similar stance. Her face hardened in focus as sweat glistened on her skin. Without noticing, an aura sphere formed within her cupped hands. Instead of the blue aura that shrouded Roshi and Goku, a red one ignited her small frame.
A grunt flew out of her before returning her arms to the initial stance. "HA!"
A brilliant red ray discharged from her hands and punched into the totaled car. A glow illuminated within the vehicle before exploding into a scatter of mechanical parts. Ox King pulled Chi-Chi back as a charred part hit the ground before them with a thump.
"Wow, Caulifla! You blew up the car!" Goku exclaimed with excitement.
She scoffed haughtily. "Heh! I was never comfortable riding in that." Caulifla casually commented as she studied her shaking palms. "But we actually did it!" she exclaimed excitedly.
The boy held his fist in contemplation. "But we're nowhere near as good as Roshi's," Goku replied. He turned to Caulifla with determination. "We need a lot of practice to reach his level!"
Roshi stared dazed at the pair of kids, astounded that they got his technique down to form compared to his five decades of perfecting it! He eyed Goku, genuinely impressed. The boy getting his technique down to form minutes after seeing it proved him wrong to his face. This boy was a prodigy unlike any other he had seen before!
Roshi eyed the young girl, noting her Ki was higher than the boy's. That girl, too, was a prodigy. What were the chances he would come across two of them? Behind his shades, Roshi squinted his eyes in thought. 'I wonder…'
"Eesh… well, he is Son Gohan's grandson." Ox King commented.
"Gohan!?" Roshi snapped his attention to the giant. "Son Gohan!?"
"You didn't know, master?" Ox King questioned with a look of concern.
Roshi slowly steered his gaze at the boy in question. "I see now…I remember once when Gohan mentioned he found a boy with a tail and adopted him. He was a wild little fellow when he described him; this is him? Did he cut off his tail?"
Roshi eyed the spiky-haired girl, "And I don't remember Gohan ever telling me about this girl."
On second thought, Roshi hadn't written to his old pupil in years. He had been wondering what he was up to. Ox King brought up Gohan's death to the old hermit's grief. He relayed the details of the girl's involvement with the boy, Roshi nodding as he listened. The old hermit looked up at the kids in a newfound light. Despite Gohan's passing, it seemed he passed on his training to the boy like a torch.
He approached the kids, halting their small parade of performing the Kamehameha. They directed their attention at him with keen interest.
"Say kids, why don't you come stay at my place? With enough training, you two might even surpass me." Roshi suggested invitingly.
Goku and Caulifla exchanged glances before the boy accepted his offer with a nod. "We'll go with you. Not until we get the last two Dragon Balls."
Roshi smiled. "Ah, I see. No hurry, then."
Caulifla sighed with satisfaction. If there were a key to proving the Saiyans wrong by getting stronger than them without ever needing them, it would be the Turtle Hermit. Caulifla might even try to get Goku to fly when she learned it herself. She couldn't wait until they would get started.
It was a short while before Bulma finally found the Seven-Star Ball underneath a mount of rubble after following her Dragon Radar's directions. Goku and Caulifla heard her cheers before they turned to each other with a smile.
Not long after, Bulma returned to the group only to come across the wrecked car. Only the base of the wheels remained after being Goku and Caulifla's training dummy. The teen's eye twitched at the hovercraft's condition. "What's this…did you guys just destroy our only ride!?"
Goku's cheery eyes snapped open in realization. "Sorry, Bulma!"
"Now, what are we supposed to do now!?" Bulma argued, pressing her hands on her hips as she glared at the two kids. "We can't get the last Dragon Ball like this! It's miles off to the west!"
Ox King dug into his pocket and took out a capsule barely visible between his trunk-like fingers. "If you need a car, you can have one of mine." He flicked it, and a cloud of smoke popped with a new green hovercraft in place.
Caulifla flicked her tongue, her face blank. Personally, it just made her more relieved they totaled the car. That Yam-chump douche, or whatever that bandit's name was, did hand it to them for whatever reason. While she found nothing suspicious in the two days they traversed with the car, she thought it'd be better to destroy it, just in case. Now that the Ox King gave them a new car, it all turned out well.
As the travelers got into their seats, Roshi halted their departure, bonking Bulma's head with his staff. He reminded her of the deal they'd agreed to the teen's vexation. That was when she rushed out of the car, pulled Oolong along, and turned a corner. Shortly after, Bulma peeked out from the corner and waved the old hermit over. He eagerly followed the gesture.
Chi-Chi's eyes landed on Goku, enthusiastically trading words with Caulifla about their Kamehameha. She knew a smitten girl when she saw one. Caulifla could try to act rough and tough to hide her feelings, but those pining eyes could never get past someone who read a romantic magazine once. Goku also looked well-adjusted to her company; he must've known her for quite some time after hearing her dad talk about her to his master.
Chi-Chi let out a sullen sigh. It didn't go unnoticed by her towering father. Ox King gently patted her comparably small back with his boulder-sized hand. "Are you all right, Chi-Chi?"
The girl looked up at her father. "Oh, don't worry, Papa, I'm fine," Chi-Chi answered assuredly. She looked back at Goku and Caulifla, pursing her lips in thought. If Caulifla won't come to terms with her love for Goku, another girl will come along and win him over from her!
Big mistake, Caulifla!
Chi-Chi mustered some courage with a determined glare and marched forward. Ox King stared after her with mild confusion.
Goku looked at the corner, wondering how long Bulma was taking with the old-timer. Caulifla noticed Chi-Chi approaching and eyed her with a suspicious gaze. She watched Chi-Chi stop beside the door at Goku's side.
"Hey, Goku." She cheerfully greeted before her eyes glanced at Caulifla with a glint, making the Saiyan girl's eyes narrow further.
"Huh?" Goku turned to her with blank bewilderment.
Chi-Chi shyly covered her mouth with her gloved hands. "When we're older…will you ask for my hand in marriage and make me your bride?"
Caulifla froze with a dazed face, her dark irises gaping aimlessly forward. A girl proposing to Goku in front of her? Her stomach sank after processing her words. Something about it sent a biting shiver down her spine, panic driving her heart rate. Her lips vibratingly tightened as she eyed Goku, trying her hardest to remain composed. Now that she had explained what marriage was to him, Goku should understand the significance of his answer.
Right?
Goku frowned in confusion. "You want me to marry you?" He asked.
That meant she wanted to spend her life with him. Why? While his knowledge of this was limited, he had a hunch that refusing her proposal could hurt her feelings. Goku didn't like making someone feel that way, but he couldn't do it with someone he didn't want. He didn't know what to think about marriage; he just learned it.
Goku looked at Chi-Chi with an apologetically sad face. "I'm sorry, Chi-Chi, but I can't."
Relief washed over Caulifla like a crashing wave. She released the breath she didn't notice she had restrained.
Chi-Chi jolted in shock before an angry pout found its way through her features. "Well, phooey! Being blunt with me like that, why don't you?" She crossed her arms as she spun around, scowling over her shoulder at the boy. Her glaring eyes darted at her unofficial rival for Goku, giving Caulifla a knowing look before walking away. "Hmph!"
Goku looked at the retreating Chi-Chi with puzzlement. "What's her deal?"
Caulifla's face morphed into one of annoyance. "Tch." She cooly scoffed. Her eyes fell on Goku, and her face softened now that everything had calmed down. Her mind had been tumultuous regarding Goku since their ride to the Pervert Hermit's house. Chi-Chi only threw fuel to the fire.
What had her so worried and tensed with anticipation over Goku's answer?
Soon, an angry Bulma and a green-faced Oolong returned, the Turtle Hermit with his bloodied nostrils plugged with paper following close behind. Bulma sat in the driver's seat while Oolong entered the backseats with Goku and Caulifla. They signaled to everyone a departing wave, the Ox King, Roshi, and Chi-Chi returning the gesture.
The group all continued their journey down the road.
And I'm back with another chapter with a fast one. I hope you all enjoyed it. This was quite a fun chapter to write. The Pilaf Saga should be done by the next chapter.
Moving on to responses to reviews:
PrinceFroze: They will grow their tails back in due time. I appreciate your thoughts.
Neoverna636: Yep. Happy to read your review. I am just as eager when that time comes as well.
Thunrady: The story is set in Universe 7, with Goku being a tailed Saiyan being there for no reason other than being sent there to conquer it. I know U6 has an Earth, but it's destroyed if I recall correctly.
Be sure to point out any errors if you find any. Peace out.