Days Until Universal Tournament - 4

 

Next Day

Paozu Mountains -- Present Timeline

 

"Nice one." Goku said, watching his daughter Rhuda practice with the power pole. Her swift movements had caused a number of trees to fall, and as the last of them fell, she sighed a little, wiping hard earned sweat away.

"Thanks Dad. Ano...do you think it's possible to fuse Ki with the power pole?" She asked.

He put his hand under his chin in thought. Quite frankly, the idea had never struck him. But it might be possible. He slowly nodded. "Yeah, I think so? It's worth a shot."

The girl smiled. "It would be a powerful combo. Do a Kamehameha, then follow up with the power pole."

Goku grinned. "I see what you're planning. Gonna bring that to the Tournament?"

"Mhm! I really want to win. Plus....protect everything."

How far she had come. With a year and two months of training, Rhuda had came out of her timid shell, even looking forward to battles. It was as though she'd truly accepted her new saiyan lifestyle. Goku, seeing her changing everyday, couldn't help but be proud. It hadn't been too long ago and she had cowered any time a fist was raised. Now, it was her who was swinging her fists.

Three familiar energies coming made Goku look to the sky. Rhuda, too, sensed them and quickly hid behind her more intimidating and taller Dad. She clung to his Gi, saying, "D-dad? Are you expecting strong company?"

"It's okay, Chisato. That's Gohan. He said he'd met you before."

"Oh. Yes, he did. But...I suppose that was before I could sense energy. He's pretty strong."

Goku chuckled. "Yep. He's a lot like you in that way."

Gohan landed down, holding his wife, Videl. She was beautiful, with short cropped dark hair and bright blue eyes, wearing a pink T-shirt with an angry looking bear on it, and shorts. Likewise, her daughter Pan wore a black and white T-shirt with GTH written above a scary looking red demon head, and had shorts as well as dark gloves.

Pan tapped down first and dashed over to Goku, who picked her up and swung her around. "Grandpa! Grandpa! You're here!"

"Haha, yeah, I'll be here until the Tournament coming up." He said, ruffling her head.

Gohan was eyeing Rhuda, who wanted to turn and flee back into the home. She was standing timidly once again, all confidence earlier gone in the face of her new brother. He was handsome, and youthful like his father, wearing glasses and a casual outfit. Despite the outward nerd appearance, there was a clear power emanating from him.

He walked over, Videl following. "We meet again," he said, smiling.

"Y-Yes!" She bowed.

He looked her up and down, not in a bad way, and stuck his hand out. "So you're my new little sister."

"I...I hope that's okay..." she looked off, to Goku whom was still playing with Pan, and slowly shook his hand. When they touched, however, she felt a jolt, as though he'd struck her with Ki. Both pulled away stunned.

"What was that?" Gohan asked, as though it were Rhuda who had done something strange. She shook her head, "I-It wasn't me!"

Videl giggled. "Maybe you two are long lost siblings, after all."

"That's a nice story, Videl, but she's from a whole other reality. Right, Dad?" Gohan asked.

Goku nodded. "That she is. But you never know. Maybe fate brought you two together."

"Or maybe it was Dad, adopting her," said Goten as he walked out. He chuckled. "She's just like you, bro. It's a little weird."

"Really? You don't say." Gohan smiled kindly. "I hear you've been training with Dad. And from the power you're giving off, it's helped a lot."

Rhuda nodded shyly. Her dark blue boots kicked the dirt a little, and her green eyes couldn't meet his. To say she was star struck was an underestimation. Goku had told her all about Gohans hidden potential while in the time chamber, and she could now sense that herself. It was as though he were constantly holding back.

The new family went inside. Pan looked up at Rhuda, studying her, before tugging at the orange Gi she wore. "Hey, I heard that you're really strong. Can I see? Can I?"

Videl chuckled and pulled out a seat, sitting in it. They were all around the kitchen table and looked quite too many for the tiny room, but never the less Chichi had the table and counters filled with food of all types. The smells alone would make any mouth water.

"Now Pan. No fighting before dinner," Chichi said.

"Aww...okay Grandma..." Pan sulked and hopped into her moms lap.

Chichi began handing out plates, and Rhuda helped her, until all had a setting at the table with knife, fork and spoon. Goku clapped his hands together and everyone followed.

"Thanks for the meal!"

It was time to eat.

Normally Rhuda didn't mind eating in front of others, but she picked at her plate, not wanting to appear like a pig in front of her new family. She ate slowly despite the urge to inhale it all, and Gohan kept glancing at her repeatedly until saying, "You don't eat much for a saiyan."

Goten snorted. "She's only doing that 'cause she's shy. You should see how she eats when nobody is here. I think she might out eat Dad."

Goku choked on his chicken leg and sat it down, smacking his hand on the table. "No way! I totally eat more than her."

The challenge had been set. Gohan, Goten, Goku and Rhuda all looked at their filled plates. A trickle of sweat ran down their cheek. Chichi, seeing that she was about to need more food, said, "Very well. I'll go make more rice. Videl, do you and Pan want to help?"

"Sure!" The two rose and left the table, Pan trying to peek over and watch the eating contest.

With his dark brows lowered Goku said, "Alright. The winner is the first who can eat twenty plates. If you tap out before you lose dessert. Deal?"

Everyone nodded.

Goten held up his fork. "On the count of three. Three...two...one...EAT!"

*sounds of food being devoured*

*slurp*

*chew*

*choke*

*chomp*

Rhuda scarfed as much food as her tiny tan cheeks would allow, swallowed it, and nearly choked. She took a drink of water, eyed her competition and kept going, all the way until her belly felt as though it would burst. One, three, seven, ten, fifteen, and finally eighteen plates she ate before giving in. Her belly was so full it was pooching a little, and her eyes swam a moment. She sat down her fork and rose her hand. "I...I'm out."

Goten and Gohan clattered their forks down too in defeat. Only Goku could keep eating. He looked up, "Huh? You guys quit already? Aw come on! I could do this all day!"

Gohan put his hand on his belly and sank into his chair as though melting. "I'm stuffed. I don't think I'll need to eat for another year."

Goten covered his mouth as if he were going to puke and dashed from the room.

Chichi came back with rice, blinking due to the fact that only Goku was still eating. She sighed. "Looks like I made leftovers for tomorrow."

The eating competition had been completed. Everyone had eaten their fill, and made their way to the living room. It, too was small in size but well made. The walls were light yellow, with an orange curtain covering the window. There was a red couch below that below, and one could spy a flat screen television catty-cornered off to the left, just beside the pole for easy access to the upstairs.

Since there wasn't enough room on the couch, Rhuda and Goten sat in the floor beside it.

"Man, after a good meal like that I wanna go train!" Goku said.

He was met with the sharp glare of his wife. "Goku...you said you'd be here until the Tournament."

"Eh he heh! I could always train outside, right guys?" He gave his family a 'help me' expression, making them chuckle.

Gohan stood. "You know...I think you're right Dad. I feel like training too. How about you, Goten? You game?"

"Sure. Just don't go easy on me." Goten replied.

Rhuda watched them all walk out. Her gaze fell to the floor, before Gohan leaned to her level. "Hey. You coming, sister?" He held his hand out for her to take. She grabbed it, both of them feeling the odd Ki charge one more, and chuckled.

"Y-Yes!"

***

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**

Gohan was amazed. His father was just about impossible to pin down, even in base. It was as if he'd turned into his silver hair form, but without the hair color change. Everything Gohan attacked with had been dodged, and not even Rhuda could keep up with him. She did well, though, and it was easy to see that like Goku and Gohan, Rhuda had the same kind of fighting style as them, most likely due to the fact that his father had overseen her training for a year.

Gohan was slowly accepting his new sister. It was odd still to him, seeing as he'd never had a girl like that in the family --much less a saiyan-- but at the same time, Rhuda was so like them all that it clicked. Goku had done the right thing, taking her in.

After their training was over everyone tapped down to the grass. Goku left first, saying he needed to get those radishes plucked before the sun went down. Goten and Pan went to help him, and that left Gohan and Rhuda.

"Nice job today sis." Gohan said, smiling.

Rhuda wore a radiant grin, tilting her head at him. Her brown tail was wagging in happiness. "Ano...you really think so?"

He nodded. "Tell me something, though. Were you holding back at all?"

Her tan cheeks grew red. With a scratch to her cheek she said, "Y-yes. I...didn't want to mess up the garden."

Gohan couldn't help but laugh at that. "To tell you the truth, I was holding back myself. Don't tell Dad alright?"

"I--I won't!"

The conversation turned to Pan, whom Gohan said was needing someone to get her from school in the evenings. He asked Rhuda if she would be up for the job, and she quickly agreed.

***

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***

Present Timeline -- Dende's Lookout

Days Until Universe Tournament - 3

Trunks left the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

His father was already outside waiting, standing with his arms crossed staring off into the blue sky. It had been a whole year since the two had entered, and Trunks was glad to be back out. It was hard enduring his Father that long. That probably sounded disrespectful, but one had to understand how intense Vegeta trained to sympathize.

Tap

Tap

"Your girlfriend...she'll be here in a moment." Vegeta said.

"Yeah. I need to head home first, and get cleaned up." Trunks took a whiff of himself, detecting the heavy smell of sweat and perspiration. There were several things on his to do list. The top most was hygiene, and a hair trim. His hair had grown to the middle of his back and was getting quite annoying, tickling him repeatedly. Gone was the hair tie a few months in, destroyed.

"Trunks...you'd do well to remember your training." His father said in parting. "I can't go back in there now. It's up to you to perfect that level of power."

"Right. I will, Father."

They parted ways; Vegeta no doubt going to Goku at his home, and Trunks to Capsule.

'I can sense Chisato. Better hurry, or she'll think I'm avoiding her.'

With the sense of urgency behind him, Trunks flew quickly to his abode, landed with a thud, and entered Capsule Industries. He kept that pace until getting to his bedroom on the fourth floor, shutting the door behind him.

'Better toss these clothes. They're shredded now anyway.'

He threw them in the bin and tossed his sword on the bed. After giving his room he hadn't saw in a year a glancing pass, Trunks went to the connected bathroom beside his large room.

The bathroom wasn't as large as his room by any measure, but he had everything he needed inside. A walk-in shower, marble sink top, and too many mirrors. He paused a moment to spy his reflection.

'I wonder if she'll notice the difference.'

He chuckled and turned the hot water on.

As the hot water sank into his bones his thoughts drifted off.

'She's so strong now, too. It really feels like we're finally finding a rhythm, a new way of living together. Once we defeat Fu I'll marry her...'

Trunks smiled at the thought of her in a bridal gown. She'd be beautiful, and what came afterward would be even more so. He'd take things really slow, enjoying the sensation of being both her 'mate' and husband, taking his time unzipping the gown...

'Ah...I shouldn't...but...it has been a whole year since I've done it...'

He flushed, but enjoyed his hot shower a little too much.

Just as he stepped out and put a towel around his lower half, however, a squeak came from the mirror.

"I-I'm so sorry!"

'Chi-sato?!'

Trunks skittered away, slipping on the wet floor and fell on his behind. With horror he glanced up to see his girlfriend there, in a skirt and crop top. Her tan cheeks were blooming red, and she turned away, covering her entire face behind her hands.

Of course, each could hear one the others thoughts immediately, being in the same vicinity.

'Did she---see?!'

('I saw it! Hyaa! Oh no, he knows I saw it!')

Chisato flung the door open and left the bathroom, slamming it shut. Trunks shakily got up and looked at the mirror, not seeing a towel any longer.

'Oh God. Now she knows...'

He gulped and tried not to freak out but did anyway. After doing 'that' in the shower, he was still somewhat at large and in charge, so to speak. And his cute tiny girlfriend had never saw so much of him before. She'd probably never face him again.

Trunks got his clothes on and summoned the courage to find her.

***

***

***

Rhuda flew from Capsule like a bat out of hell. She couldn't 'unsee' that---that thing, between his legs. Why was it so big? It shouldn't be that large, right? And just what was it doing poking out like that?!

She didn't even pay attention to where she was going, but somehow had made it a cold region. The air whizzing her braids around had grown chilly, and Rhuda knew she'd made a bad turn somewhere. She flew down to a tiny village.

Of course, she could use Instant Transmission again, but at what cost? Her first time doing it outside the HTC had not ended well. She might see something even scarier. That alone was what drove her to tap down onto the snowy area and try to calm herself down.

It was useless.

She'd known before that 'it' was big. But that size would---it could--

'I can't stop thinking about it! He was gone for a whole year, so I thought I'd just go see him, and this happens!'

She zoned out.

"Excuse me Miss, I couldn't help but notice how beautiful you are..." came a voice in front of her.

Rhuda snapped out of it. She was standing just before a restaurant advertising the best pizza around, and a man wearing a scarf and long jacket was smiling at her. He was handsome, with blonde hair and green eyes and a well built body.

"Eh?" She asked.

He grinned. "My name's Richard. I own the restaurant behind you. What brings you to town? I know I've never saw you here before."

"I-I was--I didn't mean to come here. Sorry!" She shivered a little.

"Really? You mean you came all the way here on accident? My, how strange." Richard said. He pulled a card from his pocket. "If you ever get the urge to come again, I'd like to treat you. On the house."

It was a first for Rhuda to receive such an odd card, but she took it kindly and bowed. "Thank you, Mr. Richard."

"Please, just call me Richard." He leaned, took her hand in his and kissed it. "Allow me to escort you around. Since you're new."

"T-That's okay--"

"No, no, I insist. I can show you the best places in town. Of course, my restaurant beats them all, but I digress." He placed his arm around her waist and led the way. "First, let's get you a warm coat. You look frozen."