The next day, the cheerful little family gathered for breakfast.
The first to wake up, as was the case most mornings, was Chi-Chi. Since it was Sunday, she had the intention of preparing something special for the three voracious men in her life. Inspired by a recent recipe she had come across, Chi-Chi decided to surprise them with delicious pancakes, a treat they had never experienced before. Mindful not to disturb their peaceful morning, she moved around the kitchen with a sense of quiet determination, eager to bring smiles to their faces with her culinary surprise.
About half an hour later, it was Goku's turn to rise. The tempting aroma of pancakes wafted through the air, and his stomach responded with an eager growl. Guided by his heightened sense of smell and the anticipation of a delicious breakfast, Goku made his way to the bathroom to freshen up. After washing his face and brushing his teeth, he headed directly to the kitchen, eager to uncover the source of the delightful scent that had stirred his appetite.
"Good morning, Chi-Chi!" Goku exclaimed with a bright smile as he approached the kitchen counter.
"Good morning, honey," Chi-Chi replied, her attention focused on the cooking as she continued to prepare the delightful surprise for Goku and the rest of the family.
"What are you cooking? It smells so good," Goku inquired, bending his head to get a better look at what Chi-Chi was preparing. Impressed by the enticing aroma, he couldn't resist giving her a kiss as a token of his appreciation.
"They're called pancakes. It's an American recipe. You will definitely like them," Chi-Chi explained, her eyes reflecting the anticipation of pleasing Goku's palate with the new and delicious breakfast choice.
"Ah, I have no doubts about it. My mouth is already watering," Goku exclaimed, his excitement evident as he eagerly looked forward to savouring the American delicacy.
"Ah, after breakfast, don't run off to train as usual. We'll wait for Gohan to explain to us how to use the cell phone that Bulma gave us," Chi-Chi requested.
"Uhm? Yeah, sure," Goku responded with a nod, agreeing to the plan and mentally preparing himself for the upcoming lesson.
A few minutes later, Goten and Gohan also descended to the kitchen, drawn by the enticing aroma of pancakes that had reached their bedrooms. The delightful scent had successfully lured them from their sleep, promising a delicious start to the day.
"It smells so good, Mum," Gohan exclaimed, his voice filled with a mixture of appreciation and a hint of morning drowsiness as he yawned. The enticing fragrance had clearly sparked his appetite.
"Did you sleep well, honey?" Chi-Chi inquired with a tender smile.
"Yeah!" Gohan answered as he took seat at the table.
"Were you out late yesterday? I didn't hear you coming," Chi-Chi asked, her curiosity piqued about Gohan's activities from the previous evening.
"Yes, sorry about that. The dinner at Mr. Satan's house went on for a long time. He started talking about all his victories at the wrestling tournament and wouldn't let me go. Luckily, Videl was there to help me escape, haha," Gohan explained, sharing a humorous recount of the evening's events.
"How are things going between you two?" Chi-Chi asked with a subtle grin.
"Very well, I would say. We were actually thinking that it would be a good idea if we started living together…Would you all be okay with that?" Gohan asked in a soft tone curious about their parents' reaction.
"Yes, absolutely!" exclaimed Chi-Chi, her excitement evident as she eagerly anticipated seeing her son embark on this new chapter with Videl and her wealthy family.
"And you dad?" Gohan asked.
"Gohan," Goku said, looking into his son's eyes, "If you are happy, I am happy for you. And Videl is a good girl. I have nothing against it," he added, smiling warmly and expressing his approval and happiness for Gohan's decision.
"So, I'll have the room all to myself?" Goten exclaimed, his joy evident at the prospect of having a room to himself. The idea of more space and independence clearly delighted the younger Son.
"Could be! But I am not moving out tomorrow. You will still have to share the room with me," Gohan teased, chuckling at Goten's enthusiasm and managing expectations about the timeline of the move.
"Hmpf, fine!" Goten responded with a sullen face.
Goku pondered that Gohan was no longer a little boy and was beginning to build a life of his own. The realisation of his son taking such significant steps brought a mix of nostalgia and pride, acknowledging the passage of time and the growth of his family.
"Pancakes are ready!" exclaimed Chi Chi, bringing the plate to the table.
The family had breakfast, chatting about this and that. Gohan shared tales of the previous evening, recounting the gourmet and refined dishes he was served. Occasionally, he felt a bit uneasy navigating the world of such a wealthy family, but Videl's kindness and understanding always made him feel at ease. That, he realised, was what he appreciated most about her.
"Ah, I was about to forget!" Chi-Chi interrupted. She raised her hand, gesturing to emphasise her point. "Yesterday, Bulma came, and she gave us a cell phone each. Neither your father nor I know how to use it. Would you mind explaining it to us?" Chi-Chi asked.
"Yes, sure," Gohan replied, ready to patiently guide his parents through the use of cell phones. The family gathered around, turning the technological lesson into a bonding moment filled with laughter and shared learning.
Luckily, he was a very patient boy. His father couldn't remember almost anything about the things Gohan told him; he was a genius for fighting, but for everything else... not exactly a mastermind. After several attempts, Gohan managed to explain to him the basics of texting and making calls, turning the seemingly complex task into an amusing family experience.
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A few weeks passed since Bulma had graciously given cell phones to her friends.
One morning, Goku woke up to the usual routine. It was another beautiful summer morning; the sun was shining, and the birds were singing up in the trees. He got up, washed his face, and went to breakfast as usual, waiting for the others to join. Suddenly, his cell phone rang, disrupting the serene morning atmosphere.
Beep!
Goku jumped. The sound was faint, but unmistakable. "I'll be right back, guys." He went back to his room, and searched through the pile of clothes on the floor. "Oh, there it is!" He looked at the screen on his phone. "A text? Wha? From—"
What in the… He felt jittery all of a sudden. He read the text sender's name over and over again, thinking it was some kind of mistake. He pressed a few keys on the phone to open the message.
From: Vegeta
Hey!
Goku looked at the screen in disbelief.
Surely, it has to be a mistake.
However, he couldn't leave that message unanswered, so he replied.
From: Kakarot 🤡🥕
Hey :)
After answering him, he returned to the kitchen to continue his breakfast.
"Who was it?" exclaimed Chi-Chi, her curiosity growing as Goku rejoined them at the table.
"Eh? Well, it was Vegeta, but I think it was a mistake. He would never text me," Goku explained, still puzzled by the unusual messages from the Saiyan Prince.
"Eheh, I think that too, dad," replied Gohan, sharing the scepticism about the unexpected messages from Vegeta. The notion of Vegeta voluntarily sending texts to him was indeed quite out of the ordinary.
10 minutes later another message arrived.
Beep!
Goku looked at the screen. It was Vegeta again.
So, the message from earlier wasn't an error, he thought.
Intrigued, he opened the message to read its content.
From: Vegeta
Wanna spar?
Certainly, he would have loved to spar. Sparring was Goku's favourite pastime, an activity he never tired of. And he knew that the best way to enhance his skills was to face an opponent of equal calibre. Much as he cherished his friends, none could truly match up to him, not even Piccolo. The sole exception, someone who could genuinely test his abilities, was Vegeta. Hence, Goku found himself pleased with the unexpected invitation.
Of course, he didn't expect it; Goku was well aware that Vegeta harboured no particular fondness for him, making the invitation all the more surprising. Undeterred, Goku navigated to the reply button and began composing his response.
From: Kakarot 🤡🥕
Sure! Where?
Vegeta's reply came swiftly.
From: Vegeta
The place where we first fought. See you there in 1h.
Goku's eyes widened, a determined expression etching across his face.
From: Kakarot 🤡🥕
Deal!
After sending the message, all Goku could feel was a full-toothed smile. The idea of training with Vegeta again after so long excited him enormously. The prospect of a challenging and intense battle with his Saiyan rival brought a spark of joy and anticipation to Goku's eyes.
"What's going on, Dad? You became happy all of a sudden," exclaimed Goten, looking at his father with curiosity and a hint of confusion.
"Eh? Really?" Goku responded, rubbing the back of his neck in a casual and somewhat sheepish manner. His happiness and excitement were so evident that he hadn't even realised the sudden change in his demeanour.
"What did he want from you?" Chi-Chi exclaimed, her curiosity growing as she sought an explanation for Vegeta's unexpected messages to Goku.
"Ehm…He asked me if I would go to spar with him today and I accepted," Goku replied, fearful of his wife's possible reaction.
"And this makes you so happy?" Chi-Chi questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, you know me Chi-Chi," he threw in a boyish chuckle.
"Oh, I wanted to go shopping," Chi-Chi said with a sad face, expressing her disappointment.
"Let's go next Sunday, promise!" Goku said, leaning towards her and giving her a kiss. His typical innocence and carefree nature tried to reassure Chi-Chi that the shopping plans were not forgotten.
"But next Sunday, I don't want any excuses, okay?" Chi-Chi responded, giving Goku a playful but stern look, making it clear that the shopping plan was non-negotiable.
"No excuses, I promise," exclaimed Goku, his smile widening as he gave his word to Chi-Chi.
"And don't come home full of bruises and bloody, are we understood?" Chi-Chi added with a serious tone.
"Ok, dear!" Goku replied with a cheerful nod.
With breakfast finished, Goku made his way to the bedroom to put on his classic orange gi. As he brushed his teeth, he said goodbye to everyone in the household. Ready and determined, he took off, eager for the much-anticipated sparring session with Vegeta.
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Vegeta got there first, standing tall with a determined look that showed his Saiyan pride. The upcoming spar added a serious touch to his expression, and he waited for Goku with a focused intensity.
One. Two... He stretched himself from left to right, then bent over; still, he kept his eyes up in anticipation for the arrival of his sparring partner.
That sucker is always late, he thought, the familiar impatience evident in Vegeta's demeanour as he awaited Goku's tardy entrance.
It was a hot and fair morning, and luckily there was little humidity. The sky was blue, and only a few clouds permeated the expanse, appearing lost and odd. The Saiyan took his eyes off the heavens and viewed the landscape before him. He was standing in an immense layer of rock several miles from Capsule Corp.
When I think about how much we've been through since that day we first fought exactly in this spot...
His thoughts were interrupted by Goku's voice in the distance.
"Hi Vegeta!" Goku called out from above, his voice carrying through the air. As soon as he hit the ground, he added, "Have you been waiting long?" The anticipation of the upcoming battle sparkled in his eyes as he faced Vegeta.
"I waited just long enough to get angry," Vegeta replied, in an irritated tone.
"Eh, eh, sorry. When you texted me, I was still having breakfast, and it took me longer than expected to arrive," Goku said apologetically, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Enough of your excuses! Anyway, I hope you are in great shape today, Kakarot. I've been training a lot lately, and I can't wait to give you a good lesson," Vegeta said, looking him in the eyes and hinting a half smile. The competitive spirit between the Saiyan rivals fueled the anticipation of their impending clash.
"Oh, sure, I'm in great shape. In fact, I'll tell you, I can't wait to face you. I'm curious to see the progress you've made," Goku responded, his eagerness matching Vegeta's competitive energy.
"As soon as we start fighting, you will regret your curiosity," Vegeta declared, confident in his abilities.
"I'll try to hold back; I don't want to hurt you too much, Vegeta," Goku teased, his face transitioning into his usual battle smirk. Vegeta followed suit, flashing a similar smirk back at him.
"What? I'll make you regret being funny. Now, be on your guard!" Vegeta said in an authoritative tone as he assumed his traditional fighting stance.
The two started fighting. Both lunged towards each other with a ferocious fist, shaking the surrounding nature with the strong impact. The clash of fists and the surge of energy filled the air as Goku and Vegeta engaged in a fierce sparring session. Each movement, each strike, and each evasive manoeuvre were executed with precision and speed, showcasing the mastery of their Saiyan abilities. But this time, Vegeta seemed to be taking it up a notch with far more powerful strikes with his limbs.
And this was exactly what Goku needed.
A raw, no-limit sparring match with another Saiyan. He wanted a fight where he didn't have to fear holding back for fear of hurting the other.
His body wept in relief each time Vegeta's foot, knee or fist collided with his body. He knew Vegeta wasn't holding much back; he was using the majority of his strength to coax Goku into doing the same. The ferocity of their blows intensified, and the landscape continued to bear witness to their relentless exchange of power. The Saiyan rivals were locked in a dance of combat, pushing each other to the brink in their pursuit of greater strength.
The two spent hours punching, dodging, and blasting. Goku sometimes had the upper hand before having it snatched away by a clever move by Vegeta, and just as easily the boards were turned to Goku's favour once more. Soon both transformed in Super Saiyan 2, and the lust to hurt and inflict grew.
At one instance Goku punches Vegeta hard enough to send blood spraying out of his mouth and nose, and he was tossed miles away, past all the mountains and rocks on the way. He swore he saw Vegeta cackle, as if basking in the pleasure of pain. It was sadism in its purest form, he thought, a desire that coursed naturally through Saiyan blood.
Vegeta had been pinned against a rock; that blow had been really strong. His vision was blurry, and he began to pant. Shortly after, he saw Goku approaching.
"Everything okay?" Goku asked, holding out a hand.
"Mind your own business," Vegeta grumbled. He then took Goku's outstretched hand, swiftly pulling him towards him, and delivered a powerful kick to Goku's stomach and followed it up with another to his back.
"Never let your guard down, Kakarot!" Vegeta declared, emphasising the importance of constant vigilance.
Goku fell face down to the ground, shattering the rocky surface below. Vegeta flew low until he touched the ground next to where Goku lay.
Vegeta, confident that he had secured victory, exclaimed, "This time I beat you, my dear," the certainty ringing in his voice.
A few seconds passed, creating an illusion of Goku's helplessness.
Suddenly…
"Are you sure, Vegeta?" Goku replied. In a surprising twist, Goku swiftly grabbed Vegeta's ankle with one hand. Reacting with speed, Vegeta seized Goku's shirt to prevent himself from being thrown. The outcome was an unexpected reversal, with Vegeta now lying on the ground, and Goku sitting on top of him.
Their gazes met, and silence fell around them. At that moment, the world seemed to pause.
Endless seconds passed, lost in each other's gaze. Both were still out of breath from the intense fight earlier. They found themselves captivated by the depth of each other's black eyes. They looked at each other intensely, as if it were the first time they had seen each other.
Here we go again, that feeling. It's the same thing I felt when Vegeta was under the control of the magician Babidi, and I was stuck on that rock, and I met Vegeta's eyes. I feel that shiver down my spine again. I can't control myself.
Goku's mind raced back to that fateful moment, the memories vivid as if it happened just moments ago.
But what is happening to me? Why can't I move and kick Kakarot? It's as if a force inside me is preventing me from reacting. This is the first time this has happened to me. Why?
And why doesn't that idiot move instead of just standing there?
Vegeta reflected, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and introspection.
They remained there, still staring at each other for a few seconds more, when Vegeta finally found the strength to react. With a swift kick, he sent Goku sprawling not far from him. The intensity of their gaze broke, replaced by the physical impact of Vegeta's decisive move.
"Ouch, Vegeta, what are you doing? You hurt me," exclaimed Goku, rubbing his head to ease the pain caused by Vegeta's unexpected kick. The sudden attack caught Goku off guard, and he expressed his discomfort while trying to alleviate the soreness in his head.
Goku saw Vegeta stand up and look at an undefined spot in front of him.
"I have to go," Vegeta said, suddenly rising into the sky and leaving Goku behind in amazement.
With a swift departure, Vegeta left Goku bewildered.
"Hey, where are you going? Wait..." Goku shouted, his confusion evident in his voice.
As Vegeta swiftly departed, Goku was left puzzled, wondering about the sudden change in his rival's behaviour.
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