The Calm Before the Storm

I sat at the edge of Kami's Lookout with my feet dangling off the edge, watching the morning sun Rise up from the horizon. The past two months had been boring, I didn't get the chance to go on any other new adventures and at most the only slight fun thing I did was go hunting for Dino's for dinner. And then there was Kami, he really was keeping his word about not teaching us, Fasha and I had been mostly fighting each other as the Z fighters were far too weak and I wasn't going to use Knocking on myself to try and gain anything from them, So mine and Fasha gains were limited. Gine had been supporting everyone with her Cooking, I had overheard Kami asking her if she would be interested in his position which she thankfully turned down. I wouldn't have done any Saiyan back in the Gourment universe if our Queen hadn't gone back soon.

Speaking of which I think it was about time to bring my friends back from the Gourmet Universe. Hopping off and flying back to the center of Kami's lookout, I knew for a fact those three would be waiting at the spot where they had arrived. I felt a surge of excitement as I prepared to punch open the portal Hopefully with them back things would be more interesting. From the corner of my eye, I could see Kami watching me.

"Fasha, Gine, it's time," I called out, my voice carrying across the Lookout. She joined me, a smirk on her face while Gine slowly made her way over.

"Finally, things were getting boring around here," Fasha said, her tone matching my feelings.

I focused my energy, gathering it into my fist. As the form of a large dragon ball appeared in front of me, As I punched it I tore open the fabric of reality, creating a swirling portal. The air crackled with energy as the portal stabilized, connecting this world to the Gourmet Universe.

Kami approached his expression a mix of awe and suspicion. "You can open portals to other universes whenever you please?" he asked, incredulous. It seemed he was trying to peer into the other universe.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, it's something I could always do since I was younger."

His eyes narrowed. "and how did you come to have this power... it's unsettling."

I met his gaze steadily. "I had it since birth so I don't know how to explain it, and even if I did why would I tell someone who clearly thinks so lowly of me."

Just then, the portal shimmered, and three familiar figures stepped through. Tato, Hanisha, and Raditz emerged, looking significantly stronger than when they left. Raditz's power level had skyrocketed to around 7,000, while Tato and Hanisha had caught up to me and my aunt.

Raditz, now bearing a more dignified posture, still couldn't completely hide his true nature. He walked up, attempting to bow with a flourish, but it came off awkwardly.

"Raditz," I greeted, trying to suppress a laugh. "Nice to see you trying to be... dignified."

He rolled his eyes. "Don't remind me. Those royal edict lessons were a nightmare. I would have preferred to focus on the training instead of them, but I'm stronger now, and that's what matters."

Tato and Hanisha grinned, their eyes sparkling with excitement. "We missed you guys," Tato said, giving me a hug.

"Same here," Hanisha added, high-fiving Fasha.

Kami watched this reunion with a cautious expression. "What exactly did you do in the other Universe?"

"They Trained, fought, and ate some delouses food," Fasha replied. "You know, the usual."

Kami sighed, clearly annoyed, it seemed he wanted to learn more about the other universe. If I had to guess maybe he knew about the other Universe in Dragon Ball and thought, I could open portals to them and nothing else. Let's keep him thinking that way.

I nodded, to my aunt who seemed to pick up on the fact he was trying to gather information. "We have ten months before Vegeta and Nappa arrive. Let's make the most of it."

Gine and Raditz had moved to the side to speak privately, and I moved the others away. "Make sure to keep any information about our home away from the old man." I pointed to Kami who squinted his eyes at me as we moved.

Several weeks passed in a blur of training on Kami's Lookout. Krillin was the first to spot her, as she landed and stepped off of the flying nimbus, He called out to greet her.

"Hey, Chi-Chi! Over here!" he shouted, waving her over to where we were gathered.

I watched curiously, pretending not to recognize her. It was easier that way, given I had never met her in real life. Raditz, noticing her approach, looked at her confused.

Chi-Chi marched straight up to Raditz, her face set in a scowl. Without a word, she slapped him, an action that I couldn't help but snicker at. Raditz barely flinched, but the message was clear.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Raditz complained, rubbing the spot where she'd hit him, more out of reflex than actual pain.

"You know exactly what it was for, you big oaf! Kidnapping my Gohan!" Chi-Chi exclaimed, her hands on her hips, glaring up at him.

Before the situation could escalate further, Gine stepped in, her voice calm and soothing. "Chi-Chi, while I understand your anger and you're right to feel it, we should avoid causing a refit between us."

Then, turning to Raditz with a stern look, she said, "And you, Raditz, you owe Chi-Chi and Gohan an apology. What you did was wrong, and you know it."

Raditz sighed, the fight going out of him under Gine's disapproving gaze. "But Mother.." And as she stared at him along with Chichi I couldn't help but feel bad for him. " I'm sorry, Chi-Chi. It won't happen again."

Chi-Chi huffed, her anger subsiding somewhat at the apology. "It better not, or you'll answer to me again."

The tension eased, and I could see Chi-Chi relax a little, her gaze softening as she looked around at the others gathered on the Lookout. "I just want to make sure you're all taking care of Gohan. He talks about his training up here all the time." Gine had taken it up to bring him back home on the weekends, which had the effect of Gohan being weaker than expected. Also, thanks to Fasha when Gohan had transformed, with her knocking him out Piccolo didn't have to destroy the moon. Speaking of which He and Gine seemed to be getting along.

Krillin chuckled, stepping forward to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, Chi-Chi. Between all of us here, he's probably the safest kid on the planet."

Chi-Chi managed a small smile, her maternal instincts reassured. "Well, make sure it stays that way. And make sure he does his homework!"

As Chi-Chi settled down to join us, Fasha nudged me, whispering, "See that's how it's done. No portal needed to escape."

I chuckled softly, remembering the time I had used a portal to flee from an angry Gine when I was little. "If I remember correctly, you were no better, the only difference being you could create portals," I replied, giving her a knowing grin that caused her to look annoyed and Embarrassed.

The rest of the day passed with lighter spirits until Chi-Chi had left. A few weeks had passed since then, and the atmosphere on Kami's Lookout had subtly shifted.

 I had wandered toward the kitchen area drawn by the aroma of something spicy and tantalizing, as I stumbled upon a small, domestic scene. Launch and Gine were bustling around the kitchen, Lauch had arrived a few days ago, seemingly leaving Kami's house since the old man was being a pervert, and she ended up here on Kami's lookout. But it wasn't that, that caught my eye. it was Raditz, awkwardly positioned in there with them, trying to make himself useful without getting in the way.

"Need this?" Raditz asked tentatively, holding up a jar of spices towards Launch with a cautious expression.

Launch smiled, nodding. "Yes, thank you, Raditz." Her tone was warm, a stark contrast to the blond fighter persona she often displayed. Just as she took the jar from his hands, her demeanor shifted abruptly as her body tensed, and she let out a loud sneeze, transforming from her blue-haired, gentler self into the more aggressive, blonde-haired Launch.

"Damn it!" she exclaimed, as She looked around, momentarily confused, before her eyes landed on Raditz. "What're you looking at?" she snapped, though there was a hint of playfulness in her voice that hadn't been there before when any of us tried talking with her, Hell she had shot at me when I had tried.

Raditz managed a small chuckle. "Nothing, just... you sneezed."

The kitchen erupted in laughter. Gine handed Launch a handkerchief while chuckling. "It's always an adventure with you, dear."

Launch grumbled but accepted the handkerchief, her scowl softening as she looked at Raditz. It was odd since her slightly being nice in that form.

"I was just saying how helpful Raditz has been," Gine interjected, giving Raditz a knowing look. "He's quite the chef's apprentice."

Embarrassed but pleased, Raditz shrugged modestly. "Just trying to do my part. Since old lady Setsu would kill me if I didn't"

As we all joined in the dinner preparations, the kitchen felt unusually homely. Raditz was particularly attentive to Launch, careful to hand her tools or ingredients before she even asked for them. The subtle glances and quick smiles between them didn't go unnoticed by Gine or me.

Dinner was a lively affair with everyone gathered around the large table on the Lookout. The dishes were sadly Earthly food but I wasn't going to bring food over from the gourmet universe, at least not yet. Raditz, who was usually so stern and focused on his training, seemed more relaxed, often caught smiling genuinely as he listened to Launch recount a particularly funny story about her adventures.

After dinner, as the sky darkened and the stars began to twinkle into view, I found myself alongside Fasha, observing Raditz and Launch as they cleared the table together. 

"She's good for him," Fasha murmured, watching them with a smile. "Who would've thought, Raditz and Launch..."

I nodded in agreement, my gaze lingering on the pair. "It's strange but nice to see. He's different with her, less guarded, more open."

As they laughed over a shared joke, Launch's hair flickered briefly between blonde and blue as she had a small sneezing fit. But Raditz didn't seem to mind, if anything, he seemed to appreciate both sides of her equally.

Later, as the evening wound down, I caught up with Gine, who was watching the pair with a soft smile. "It's unexpected, isn't it?" I said to her, joining her gaze.

Gine nodded, her eyes thoughtful. "It is. But life is often surprising, Celera. Love finds a way, even among warriors."

As I headed back to my quarters that night, the sound of laughter and light conversation echoed behind me. I hadn't ignored the look my aunt was giving me, as I rolled my eyes and went to bed.

The following day brought a clear sky and a gentle breeze on Kami's Lookout. As I strolled through the area, I came across Gine, who stood at the house door of the lookout, her gaze distant and thoughtful. Approaching her, I noticed a subtle softness in her expression of nostalgia that seemed to deepen as she watched Raditz and Launch laugh together.

"Gine," I began, joining her side, "you seem a bit far away today. What's on your mind?"

She smiled faintly, her eyes still fixed on them. "It's Raditz… He reminds me so much of Bardock when we were younger. The way Raditz is around Launch, it's like seeing him all over again."

The comparison piqued my interest. Bardock' was never like that at least to what I saw growing up, but then again the manga did show him having a side like that. "He's found someone who brings out his better side," I commented, thinking aloud.

"Yes," Gine agreed softly. "Bardock had his rough edges, but around me… he was different, softer. Raditz seems to soften around Launch too. It's comforting…"

Her voice trailed off, laden with unspoken emotions. It was clear she missed Bardock a lot. I turned to face her fully. "Gine," I said, her name catching her attention. "If you could have Bardock back… would you want that?"

The question hung between us, Gine looked at me, her eyes widening with hope. Then, slowly, she nodded, tears glossing her eyes. "Yes," she whispered. "More than anything."

I reached out, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "After this is all over, I promise I'll bring him back."

Gine looked at me, her expression of gratitude. "Celera, first you bring me back to my son's and now you offer to do this..... if you could do that… I don't know how I could ever repay you."

I nodded firmly, well If I couldn't find him here maybe another timeline. "I will, Gine. It's a promise."

The final weeks before Vegeta and Nappa's arrival were tense with anticipation. On the day Vegeta and Nappa were set to arrive, a clear tension hung in the air. Kami, always watchful, stood at the edge of the Lookout, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He had contacted King Kai, and we knew that Goku would be returning to the land of the living soon, just in time to join the battle. 

Elsewhere

As the Saiyans' pods blazed through the sky, they landed with a thunderous impact in a bustling city, reducing it to rubble in seconds. Nappa emerged, his massive frame towering over the ruins, a sinister grin spreading across his face. Vegeta stepped out with an air of superiority, his scouter beeping incessantly as it detected the power levels around him.

"Let's make this fun, Nappa," Vegeta said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Plant the Saibamen."

Nappa chuckled and began planting the seeds. As they sprouted, the light pink Saibamen appeared first, each with a power level of 2000. The deep red one, with a power level of 5000, followed, looking even more menacing. As they rushed out and destroyed the city. Killing everyone in it.

Back to the mc

"Fasha, Tato, Hanisha, Raditz let's go," I said, my voice firm.

Raditz's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Finally, some real action."

We took off, our auras flaring as we descended towards the city. The Z Fighters Krillin, Tien, Chiaotzu, Yamcha, and Piccolo followed behind us as we flew to the city.

As we landed amidst the destruction, Vegeta's scouter beeped erratically. His eyes narrowed as he scanned our power levels. "Well, well, if it isn't the band of low-class warriors," he sneered, his eyes lingering on me. "Except for you, Celera. You were in the elite ranks. Too bad you rejected my offer."

I smirked, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Your offer never interested me, Vegeta. And as for the others," I gestured to Tato, Hanisha, Fasha, and Raditz, "they're stronger than you think."

Vegeta's scouter beeped louder, and his eyes widened slightly as he registered our power levels. "Tato, Fasha, Hanisha, and Raditz—still low-class warriors," he scoffed. "But you, Celera, you're different."

Raditz stepped forward, his stance proud. "We're not here for your approval, Vegeta. And for the record, I'm the new prince of the Saiyans, recognized by the remaining Saiyan community."

Vegeta's expression twisted in anger. "You, the new prince? Trash like you will never amount to anything. what's left of the Saiyan race on this backwater planet means nothing!"

"Your family was removed as the royal line," I interjected. "Gine and her sons are our new royal family Vegeta, and there are far more Saiyans alive than you think"

Nappa laughed, a deep, menacing sound. "Let's see how royal blood stands up in battle." He turned to the Saibamen. "Attack!"

The pink Saibamen lunged towards the Z Fighters, their power levels of 2000 making them a serious threat. Krillin, Tien, Chiaotzu, Yamcha, and Piccolo braced themselves, their expressions grim. 

[Yesterday was my birthday]