5 Mystical Adventure Begins!

Goku sat in the car by Bulma as they were driving through the plains, their journey to gather the Dragon Balls has officially begun, though from Bulma's perspective it probably happened before that. But since neither viewers nor readers saw that part, it didn't count.

He was watching the passing fields, imagining a little stick figure running on top of the hills far on the horizon, when Bulma decided to break the silence.

"Say Goku, how did you stop my car back there?" She asked.

"What do you mean? I'm strong."

Bulma glanced at him for a moment, wondering if he was serious about that. "Yes, I get that you're strong, but if it was just that, you would've wrecked the car!"

"Right, I'm not just strong." Goku nodded. "I have great control too!"

"Control? What do you mean?" Was he enjoying teasing her, providing information bit by bit? Why can't he just explain it all?!

"My Ki, of course. What else could I mean? I used Ki to cushion the soak excess energy so that neither car nor you had suffered backlash." Goku gave her a look as though she was being silly for needing something so simple explained.

"Ki? What's that?" Bulma continued her questioning. She was starting to feel like nothing about Goku could really be simple for her.

"You never heard about Ki? Maybe a different name? Ki is the energy that supports all life, everybody has it! People, animals, even plants."

"Something like that exists? I never heard anything like it." Bulma admitted, curious about this new mysterious energy.

"Really? But you heard about Muten Roshi! Grandpa told me that he has some techniques that definitely use Ki."

"What can he do?"

"I don't know all of his techniques, but Grandpa told me his signature move is called the Kamehameha Wave, where he gathers energy into an orb before firing it as a destructive beam."

"That sounds dangerous! Did your grandpa teach you something like that as well?" How had she never heard of people firing lasers?!

"Grandpa didn't learn such attacks, but I know several techniques. Energy attacks are a pretty common external Ki manipulation techniques among my people..." Goku explained.

"Your people? But your grandpa couldn't do it?" Bulma was confused.

"Grandpa Gohan found me and raised me, but we aren't really related. My people were strong, but a stronger monster destroyed them…" Goku said sadly. He'll get Frieza! "I don't even know if anyone else managed to escape, I could be the last. I'm training to be stronger so that one day I can defeat the monster."

"Wow, that sounds scary." Bulma said with a gulp, earning a nod from Goku at the understatement. "So… Ummm, you said external ki technique?"

"Yeah, they are usually the flashiest when it comes to Ki. Everybody uses Ki internally, though it's mostly subconscious. Without Ki you couldn't even move your body! But when a person trains, depending on how good their talent is, their Ki strengthens as well. Thanks to Ki people can be stronger, tougher and faster, beyond the limits of their bodies!" Goku said with excitement.

Bulma smiled at how Goku reacted, it was a behavior she often saw in her father, and even herself, when they got interested in some project they were working on. And Goku seemed really knowledgeable when it came to Ki, she couldn't help but wonder how much of that he learned from his people and how much he figured out on his own.

"It sounds fascinating, I'd love to study it. Can you show me a technique?" Bulma asked.

"Sure, next time we stop." Goku said easily. "To study it, huh? So you're a scientist?"

"Oh, right! I didn't tell you, did I?" Bulma wondered aloud. "Yeah, I'm a scientist! A pretty good one, if I say so myself! Actually found you thanks to my own invention, I call it the Dragon Radar." Bulma considered for a moment before continuing. "My dad is actually the owner of Capsule Corp."

"Ah, you did mention that your dad was the one that got Roshi his house capsuled." Goku nodded. "So you figured out how to make a device that finds the other Dragon Balls all over the world just by studying the two that you had? You're amazing!"

Bulma was surprised at the complement. It wasn't that she didn't hear it a lot before, but it was obvious that Goku meant just what he said, and the news regarding her father didn't change anything about how he saw her, and that part is what surprised her. People that usually tried to get close to her cared mostly about her being rich and connected, and hot. She didn't mind any of it, she acknowledged that it was part of her, but it wasn't what she wanted people to focus on. Goku so far looked very promising, and Bulma's feelings regarding this adventure turned more positive than before.

"Thank you." Bulma said and preened, before returning to the original topic. "But there are plenty of martial artists that have great strength, yet considering I haven't heard about people firing beams at each other, Ki techniques must be rather rare or secret, no? How can that be, if anyone who trains enough will have increased their Ki as well?"

"Just because their Ki is increased, doesn't mean that they can sense it, it's not like they can tell that their strength comes from more than just their body and techniques. Actually sensing your own Ki requires effort on its own, and most people don't naturally come across it, so they wouldn't think about it. Even if you'd think about it, usually you might try when your Ki is too weak to sense, and by the time it's stronger you have already established a training method that you are unlikely to try to sense your Ki again, considering you're not aware it exists in the first place."

"So even if I know that I have Ki, because I haven't physically trained, it's too weak for me to successfully feel it?" Bulma asked with a frown.

"Yeah, most likely. If you're interested in Ki, you are more likely to succeed with a scientific approach – detecting it and maybe even artificially generating it. Though even if you do that, you probably wouldn't become a fighter." At her curious look, Goku elaborated. "Let's say you create some compact energy generator and create weapons and armor with that, you would still not have the senses and reaction speed you need to fight at the levels I'm thinking of. The armor, or perhaps an energy-based barrier would be better, would be best for personal protection, but a weapon would be useless if it can't hit, so you'll need to create situations where your enemy can't dodge in the first place. Unless you are interested in becoming a fighter, then having the barrier should be enough for your personal needs, and I'm not sure if introducing powerful energy weaponry is wise."

Both contemplated his words, but Goku soon continued. "You could, in theory, modify your body and implant it with an energy generator, assuming you figure it out, but you'd still need to train in order to control the new power and develop fighting instincts. It's pretty extreme if you just want to feel safe, right?"

"I like my body as it is!" Bulma said with a resolute nod. "And with you around as my bodyguard, nothing will happen to me anyway, right?" She added with a wink.

"Of course, we wouldn't want anything to happen to your body, so I'll be guarding closely." Goku promised with a smile. Bulma reddened and remained silent at that.

They didn't talk much for a while, neither minding the silence, until Bulma slowed down. "I want to make a quick stop…" She explained quietly as they both exited the car, and Bulma eyed Goku questioningly. "You can stay in the car, you know? I don't want you to watch over my body that closely!"

Goku laughed. "I didn't intend to, but it's an opportunity to show you what I can do with Ki, considering I need to in this case regardless. One of my Ki related skills is sensing it, not just within me either. I can tell that there's something over there, so if you went alone you could've been in danger. Let's go together."

Bulma nodded and followed the younger boy. Realizing that she might've found herself in danger if she went to pee startled her, but she wasn't scared. Goku made her feel safe and so far he gave a very dependable impression.

Behind the hill, Bulma found Goku facing a large flying winged dinosaur monster, that could talk. It was actually laughing at Goku! "Hey little boy, the girl behind you looks quite delicious. If you step back and let me have her, I'll even allow you to live, how about that?"

"I agree about how she looks, but that's about it. You are interrupting her, so I'll just handle you quickly, okay?" Goku suggested.

"You must be tired of living if you thi- What's thi- AAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" The monster started, but when it got distracted by the small orb that Goku created within his palm before the ball of light flew at it, hitting the monster in its large stomach and dragging the fat pteranodon along with it far into the sky. Then it exploded like a meat firework.

"Oh wow…" Bulma said faintly.

Bulma quickly finished her business in private and they were off on the road again. As she was driving, she realized that she was rather naive when she left home without some form of protection, but she didn't regret it since otherwise she might've not had Goku joined her.

It was getting late by the time they found a nice place to stop at, where Bulma set up a capsule home. Again she was disappointed that she didn't get more than an approving nod from Goku. He lived alone in the mountains and only heard about his grandpa's master having a capsule home, why was he so calm?! It would've been funny if he accused her of witchcraft or something… Bulma realized that even if she was annoyed by his teasing, it was better that way, since it made Goku feel realer.

"How about you take a bath and I'll start on the food, then we switch?" Bulma offered. She liked taking long baths, and didn't want Goku to stay stinky and sweaty in her home!

"Nah, remember, I told you that I eat way more than a normal person. Don't worry, I'll do both at the same time so you don't have to wait." He said something strange again, Bulma noted.

Bulma watched as Goku unleashed her cooler from its capsuly prison, and then the doors opened on their own, with meat, vegetables and herbs flying out. They followed Goku into the house, where he only observed it for a moment before directing everything towards the kitchen.

"What's this?!" Bulma exclaimed as she followed him, watching the food being prepared on its own, as though her capsule home was unknowingly haunted by chefs. "Are you doing this? How?!"

"Yeah, I developed a telekinesis technique using my Ki!" Goku said proudly as he explored the house. Bulma was especially confused since Goku didn't seem to need to watch the food in order to manipulate it, but she didn't notice that Goku opened the window and had a bird there watching the kitchen, through which he could continue using his telekinesis.

Bulma was watching TV, feeling a bit lost as the food was cooking behind her. Even her favorite romantic show didn't manage to pull her focus. How much had her world changed in a day, and she was sure Goku will continue changing it further. Still, her curiosity won her over, and she wanted to see all of it.

Goku was bathing alone, while keeping another set of eyes watching the kitchen. He envied his innocent counterpart, since he knew that Goku got to have Bulma bathe him, as well as watch her bathe without real repercussions. And remove her underwear! Compared to his counterpart, Goku was losing. Though in this case, Goku wouldn't mind losing this battle if he can win the war.

"WHY ARE YOU NAKED?!" Bulma screamed as Goku left the bathroom, covering her eyes though definitely the size of the gap between her fingers fooled neither.

"But I'm not naked?" Goku faked his innocence, pointing at the boxers he was wearing.

"That's not enough! Don't you have pajamas or something?" Bulma demanded, blushing fiercely as her eyes fixated on his only article of clothing for a moment, her look blank.

"Not really. I could put on my normal clothes if you want. Does it bother you that much?" Goku continued what they both knew was an act.

"No. YES! Ah, just do whatever you want, I don't care!" Bulma lied before rushing out of the room to have a turn.

Goku couldn't help but snicker, and he swore that the bird glanced at him and gave him a winged thumbs up. The growing intelligence from the animals Goku connected with worried him sometimes, but it wasn't bad, at least so far. Besides, the animals already confirmed that what Goku sensed was true, Turtle wasn't far from them.

Also, he knew that Pilaf's minions weren't far, but Goku didn't really care. Sure, Mai was hot, but that's about it, so Goku wasn't going to interfere with them until he had to, and he wouldn't be building a relationship with them. Some readers may be annoyed that he isn't trying to conquer Mai right away, but you should be aware that Goku isn't thinking about having a harem right now, not seriously at least.

The table was set by the time Bulma was done with her shower, and it was stacked with food. It wasn't food anime level, but it was still looking good! Just imagine it! Because you won't be getting actual food descriptions from me. I may have enjoyed Shokugeki no Soma, but it wasn't because of the food.

Bulma was wearing a nightgown that reminded Goku of the one she wore in the anime, except this one was slightly translucent, giving Goku quiet a view. She obviously wore underwear underneath it, but she knew what she was doing, considering how she blushed. Though since Goku himself was only in underwear, that could be a contributing factor.

"Ah, so much food. You're going to eat all that?" Bulma said, mostly trying to distract herself.

"I've made enough for you too." Goku said as he sat by the stacked table and welcomed her to join him. His stomach growled loudly, unable to hold itself in front of the feast. As soon as Bulma sat down, looking at the food and Goku with some apprehension, Goku stopped holding himself back and dug in. He ate quickly, but he didn't want to disgust her so he wasn't eating sloppily.

Nobody will compare Goku to Ron Weasley!

Bulma couldn't help but watch Goku in amazement at how he was devouring so much food quickly and efficiently, and she forgot to eat herself. When Goku finished and looked at her, she became embarrassed and focused on eating, though thankfully Goku had eaten quickly enough that her own food hadn't grown cold.

She wanted to snap at Goku for watching her eat, which made her self-conscious about it, but she did watch him eat and didn't want him to think her rude or hypocritical. Instead, she focused on the task ahead, while appreciating the quality. It wasn't as good as her mother's, or the cooks that occasionally prepare meals for her family, but it was still delicious, and better than what she could make. Even though Goku lived in the wild, he wasn't a barbarian or a country bumpkin, was he?

As they were done, Goku had sent all the plates into the sink, where they started washing themselves, to Bulma's amazement.

"Do you have a spare mattress for me?" Goku asked, intending to sleep on the floor. He wasn't going to suggest to sleep on the same bed as her, there was definitely not enough room for that. They'd be snuggling! OGoku could've simply slept on her crotch, but even if Goku was just as small, he wasn't going to suggest something like that.

Bulma had other thoughts. "What are you saying? You'll obviously be sleeping on the bed with me."

"What are you saying?" Goku questioned her incredulously. He wasn't against it, but wasn't Bulma being too forward.

"What, afraid of little ol' me?" Bulma asked with a smirk, though she couldn't hide her blush. She herself didn't know how she could ask such a thing, but refused to back down.

"Shouldn't it be the other way around?"

"Don't get the wrong idea, okay? You're my bodyguard, so you have to get a good night sleep to do your duty!" Bulma stated, though she wasn't very convincing.

"My duty, huh, that's what I'm doing?" Goku inquired, but Bulma refused to talk about it further, simply dragging Goku to bed.

Goku didn't object. Bulma came off strong, even stronger than she was truly comfortable with, but he could sense that she was determined. He didn't mind it himself, and will be careful to not push for more than she was ready for, not like things weren't developing astonishingly quickly anyway. Was this the power of anime? Bulma did start a relationship with Yamcha and Vegeta quickly, so maybe it was Goku who was underestimating her.

Poor Chi-Chi, lost before she was even introduced.

Or did she?