The World Tournament Begins

Onyx-black eyes looked down at the city lights as the small plane he was seated in flew over the expanse of West City.

He, Krillin, and Roshi hadn't been in the air for long and yet already they were only minutes away from their destination. And yet, during the plane ride Goku couldn't help the niggling twinge of excitement that had settled in his stomach; whether it was from the thought of participating in the tournament, or seeing Bulma again after so many months, he wasn't sure.

And this caused the young martial artist to enter into a curious haze while he watched the world pass below him, because never before had the boy with a monkey tail experienced such intrigue before.

Granted, the only other human Goku had spent any extensive time with had been Gohan, but even back then the spiky-haired youth could not recall any feelings of...eager, at the mere thought of seeing the elderly man again. Nor had this feeling shown itself when he set out to return to Roshi for training.

But then Goku recalled that morning, before they ventured out into the Diablo desert, and his words with the blue-haired human girl. Was this what it meant to have a friend?

Did the feeling of friendship manifest itself in the form of premature excitement at just the thought of seeing someone again after so long apart?

'Maybe I'll ask Bulma when I see her,' Goku thought to himself, mind still in a numb sort of fog. That feeling gave way however under the sensation of the boy's stomach dropping, which caused Goku to shake out of his trance and snap his coal-like eyes into an intense focus. "What's going on, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong Kakarot, we're just landing," Krillin answered from the seat beside the wired youth. "I forgot you've never even been on a plane before, or I'd have warned you about the funny feeling you get as it come out of the sky."

Hearing his fellow student speak Goku unwound his coiled muscles, and instead sat back in the cushioned seat while letting out the breath he'd sucked in moments ago. Once he was settled into a more neutral state the young alien turned his sharp eyes to the bald boy beside him and asked, "So we've arrived then, at Bulma's?"

"That's right Kakarot," Roshi called from the cockpit. "And if you look out the window you'll see her house; maybe then you'll understand why Krillin was so shocked to know you two were friends."

Goku did as he was asked and let his eyes roll down to better see out the shield of, what Roshi had informed him, was Plexiglas. Once he did however, the young fighter from space couldn't help but raise his dark eyebrows raise in interest; Bulma's home was nearly as impressive as that of the Ox King.

The dome-like building, while maybe not as big, was still enormous and covered a great expanse of land from what Goku could see.

Its pastel-yellow paint was accented perfectly with rich, blue tinted windows that dotted all across the round building. The lawn that surrounded it was also a sight, with a carefully mowed lawn that shone a brilliant and healthy green while being edged by a fence of hedges and palm trees.

Goku could only wonder, as he took in the splendor of 'Capsule Corp.', whose name was printed on the front of the building; perhaps his friend was even more important than he'd originally thought?

It was as he thought this that Goku's enhanced vision caught sight of a pair of bodies exiting the rear of the building, and moving close to where the boy could tell the plane would be landing.

And while his young eyes couldn't make out every single detail, they were still good enough to let Goku know that neither of the human shapes were Bulma. Her parents perhaps; the girl had mentioned her family once or twice before during their adventure.

Whatever the case, Goku decided it would be best to be at least polite to them seeing as he was a guest at the blue-haired girl's home.

It didn't take too much longer for the flying machine to finally, fully touch down on the ground, and when it did Goku was quick to free himself of the safety belt around his lap and exit the craft. Because while he didn't mind flying on Nimbus, there was something far too...impersonal and cold about riding in an airplane.

However only moments after his feet hit the grass, the poor boy's ears were hit with a high-pitched voice the likes of which he'd never experienced before.

"Oh my, look dear, that must be little Goku."

The shrill voice came from the blonde woman Goku had spotted from the air; she was dressed in a royal-blue, off-shoulder dress and had eyes of a darker shade than Bulma's, which were crinkled due to her current state of excitement. Beside her Goku saw a short, stout man with a thick mustache and lavender hair, he was dressed in a lab coat and slacks with a comfortable shirt underneath.

Hearing that these two strangers knew his name, Goku stepped forward and addressed them with a swift, but deep bow. "I am, yes, and would it be right to assume the two of you are Bulma's parents? If so, then it's nice to meet you both."

The man Goku presumed to be his friend's father stepped closer and introduced himself.

"You assume correct young man; I am Dr. Briefs, and this is my wife Panchy. Our daughter told us about how you prefer the name Kakarot, so I hope you'll excuse her mother's slip of the tongue, with how highly Bulma speaks of you Panchy has just been very excited to meet you."

Goku only flickered his eyes from one human to the other before opening his mouth to speak again, however he was cut off by the sound Roshi returning the small plane to its capsule form.

The colorful smoke created a momentarily thick fog that wafted under Goku's nose, filling the boys olfactory sense with the acrid scent of mass production. The monkey-tailed warrior from space turned his attention from Bulma's parents, and watched as his companions waded their way through the quickly thinning haze and into the line of sight.

"Oh, did you bring friends Kakarot; I'd forgotten Bulma mentioned there'd be two more with you." Panchy exclaimed with a bubbly tone. The blonde woman lifted her own gaze, and turned it from the small boy over to the two new faces in her yard.

"The short one calls himself Krillin," Goku introduced. "He has been training alongside me under this man, Roshi, for the World Tournament that is to begin tomorrow." It was here the boy made a face, trying to think up a way to say his next words politely, only to be cut across a second time...only this time by a voice he recognized.

"And I'm not sure about the little cue-ball, but last I remember Goku and Roshi were not friends."

There was a laugh that mingled with those words, a soft melody Goku hadn't heard in a long time that he hadn't realized he'd missed until hearing it that moment. When he turned to find the source his movements weren't swift, nor jerky, the mountain boy managed to keep his control as he swiveled his head to look over at Bulma; who had seemingly just exited the building and made her way over.

Right away Goku could see that his friend was different.

Bulma's turquoise hair, which had been in a ponytail the last time he'd seen it was now swept up into a bun, with several glistening strands left to whisk gently in the coming breeze. Aside from this were her clothes.

Goku had already assumed she wouldn't be dressed in the same clothes he'd last seen her in, but also hadn't expected her to be wearing the belly exposing t-shirt and tight, powder-blue sweatpants that adorned her body presently. However, ever the observant, Goku quickly noticed that it wasn't just Bulma's hair that shone with a glistening sparkle.

The older girls whole body, or at least the bits of it Goku could see, radiated this glow.

This sparked a memory for the young boy, one from the earliest days of his and Bulma's journey together. "Did you just get out of the bath Bulma? Our arrival didn't interrupt you, did it?"

The teenage girl in question's response came with a hand resting on her jutting hip and a roll of her crystal-blue eyes. "Leave it to you to ignore all the normal greeting rules, and make up your own."

Then Bulma's lips lifted into a soft smile as she leveled her eyes with Goku's.

"But yes, I was in the shower Goku, and no you did not interrupt; I told my parents to let me know when you got here. Now come on, we can talk more inside, and I can finally give you a tour of the place since somebody never came by to visit."

Goku was easily able to tell, from the way the girl looked at him, that Bulma was talking about her invitation from the day after escaping Pilaf's castle.

In response the boy simply rolled his own eyes and crossed his arms behind his wild head of hair. "I seem to remember a certain other someone mentioning that they'd be busy going to something called 'school', so I thought it would be best if I left you to focus on that, while I finished my training."

At first Bulma's response was to stick out her tongue, but then her brain caught something the boy had said and she asked, "Wait you finished your training? So, what, are you stronger than the old perv now Goku?"

"Of course he's not," Roshi cut in. The elderly martial artist saddled up beside his student and cuffed the boy in the head with his staff, then, as he ignored the raven-haired youngster's squawk of outrage he turned his covered eyes to Bulma. "This little baboon still has a long way to go before he's ready to even think he can handle me at my full power."

By this time the group had passed through the atrium, where Krillin had been silent because he was gawking at the variety of wild animals that seemed to inhabit the first floor as if it were a private zoo, and had made their way into the more familiar territory of the living quarters on the second floor.

Bulma lead her guests into the living room and, after sending a robot to retrieve some refreshments, motioned for the trio to sit.

Her parents had split off on the first floor, saying they'd come back around to meet Goku when she was finished catching up.

Settling herself into one of the plush lounge chairs her family owned, Bulma let her eyes settled back on her friend and the noticeable difference in his own appearance.

At what she assumed was only thirteen Goku still managed to look dangerous with the way his body seemed to always keep itself in a ready position, the muscles moving under his skin never fully unwinding and his specific way of sitting, as if believing that a fight could break out at any moment.

The firm set to his jaw, and the way his brow was always a little knitted together also seemed to add to the illusion that Goku was older than he really was.

"Despite what Roshi says you've definitely gotten stronger Goku, I can see it just by looking at you, and you've grown in other ways too; last I remember you would have sucker-punched anyone who called you anything even close to a 'baboon'."

The teasing tone in her voice did not go unnoticed by the boy in question, as shown by the way his shoulder twitched at the barb, but Goku still managed to keep his temper in check as he responded.

"Normally yes, I would, but I am a guest in your home Bulma and I was taught that behaving rudely in someone else home when you are invited is incorrect behavior...so I'll simply wait until we get to Papaya Island before I hit the old fool."

Hearing this caused Bulma to giggle mirthfully behind her hand before accepting the drink her robotic servant extended to her.

Calming down enough to take a sip, the blue-haired beauty then turned her attention to the bald youth seated beside her friend. "And what about you, I didn't really get the chance to catch your name."

"I-I...M-My name is Krillin, and I came a-all the way from Orin Temple to train under Master Roshi in preparation for the Tenkaichi Budokai. It's very n-nice to meet you Ms. Bulma, and I'm honored that you'd allow us to stay in your home tonight."

"It's my pleasure Krillin; anything to help Goku feel ready for the tournament. I know you'll both be competing, but I've grown close to Goku since we've met, so I hope you don't take offense to my hope that he wins. I just know how much it would mean to him." Bulma ends by giving a hopeful glance at the tail-less boy, as if silently asking him to understand.

Unfortunately the teenage genius didn't know that her puppy-dog face came off so innocently sweet, or about the kid's minimal experience with girls, so she was a little surprised by the way Krillin seemed to transform into a human tomato.

The only thing to stop her from asking if he was okay, was a huff from Goku as he turned his head towards the window.

"Don't make it sound so fluffy Bulma; we're friends, and you're helping a friend, that's all you had to say." The gruff tone the little alien took was overshadowed though by the light dusting of pink in his cheeks. This let the girl know that, while he may be uncomfortable with the verbal expression of their friendship, it did not truly bother him.

This knowledge made Bulma glad.

"Fine tough guy, then I guess you don't want any of the food I ordered earlier. I guess you plan on going into that tournament on an empty stomach, huh?"

Just the mention of food got Goku's stomach to grumble, and although he knew she was kidding the threat of fighting after a day of no meals still set off a tick in the boy's eyebrow. However before Goku could address the absurdity of Bulma's idea, Roshi chimed in again, this time with a perverse gleam in his shades.

"Well ya know Bulma, if Kakarot doesn't appreciate your hospitality, I'd be more than happy to show you mine." The elderly martial arts master leaned forward in his seat, lips running over his lips as he leered at the young genius sitting a few feet from him.

The distraction allowed Goku to reach over and return the cuff that Roshi had handed out earlier, leaving the old man to huddle back against the couch and poke tenderly at the lump on his bald head.

Grumbling a little in irritation, Roshi growled at his student, "What in the world was that for you little freak, I was only trying to-"

"Get on my nerves?" Goku mocked. "I couldn't agree with you more Roshi; I warned you the first day we met to keep your filthy hands to yourself. What you do with those disgusting magazines, on your time, is up to you but you will not treat Bulma that way. Especially not while I'm around, I don't care if you did teach me martial arts."

Goku's quick defense made Bulma give the boy a grateful smile while the elderly man beside him could only stick his tongue out in retaliation. Then remembering what the teenage genius had just mentioned moments ago, Goku turned his attention back on Bulma. "So a second ago you said there was food for me to eat...where is it?"

Bulma's pleasant facade slipped away at her friend's demanding tone and was replaced by a look of almost lazy disbelief. "From sweet to budding caveman in five seconds; is that a new record for you Goku?"

"I have no idea what that's supposed to mean, since I was raised in the mountains, not a cave, but I'd be happy to learn over some lunch." The pint-sized alien answered cheekily. Goku actually had a good idea what Bulma's remark meant, but he couldn't help taking advantage of the opening it left for him to retort.

On her end Bulma could only roller her eyes before muttering for the trio to follow her as she rose from her seat.

Normally the girl would have had a more active reply to her young friend's teasing, but Bulma was honestly just to happy having Goku around again to bother entering into a verbal match with him. The following day would bring about the beginning of the World Tournament, which meant Goku would be busy, and in turn leave little time for them to spend together.

It wasn't until after the food had been eaten and both Krillin and Roshi meandered off to explore the expansive wonders of Capsule Corp that Bulma finally got that time she, and unknowingly Goku, had been looking for.

The two were currently held up in the room that would be Goku's for the night. The boy in question was currently in the joint bathroom trying on the suit Bulma had purchased for him while the girl herself waited patiently on the bed. Or at least, what she thought was patiently.

"Come on Goku, you've been in there for like twenty minutes, what's taking you so long?"

From behind the bathroom door, the aforementioned alien's voice filtered through, his aggravation clear even though muffled. "It's only been five minutes Bulma, and I'm not coming out because after seeing what I look like I've concluded that I look ridiculous!"

Hearing this Bulma facepalmed; leave it up to Goku, to think an imported Italian suit made him look dumb. Letting out her budding frustration with a sigh, the beautiful girl called to the boy.

"Don't be silly Goku, that suit cost more than Roshi's entire island plus his capsule plane, and I had it ordered special just for you; the least you can do is let me see what it looks like on you. Please~?"

Behind the door Goku let out his own sigh, this one being of resignation, before he stepped over to the lock pad and pressed the release button. In the time it took him to blink, the sheet of metal whooshed open and allowed the young boy to step out and into his temporary bedroom.

Because Goku kept his head turned he didn't see Bulma's reaction, though even if he had the young alien probably wouldn't have understood it.

When she'd heard Goku press the lock release Bulma wasn't sure just what to expect upon the opening of the bathroom door; though she hoped her money had been well spent at the very least.

So when her crystal-blue eyes finally got their first good look at Goku in his Italian suit, Bulma was unprepared for how close she nearly came to having her those same optical organs fall from her head.

The suit she had gone with was colored a soft, ash-gray with a charcoal-black dress shirt underneath and a lush crimson tie. The light, elegant fabric of the piece seemed to mold itself around Goku's muscles without straining to contain it, lending the young teen an air of calm ferocity.

This, coupled with the alien's wild hair and the imagination of his playful smirk made Bulma realize for the the first time that her friend would one day grow into an attractive young man.

However Goku himself took Bulma's silence to mean she was trying to hold back her laughter, and he quickly grew upset.

Growling low in his throat, the monkey-tailed youth began to reach up so as to tear the humiliating garb from his body. This in turn snapped Bulma out of her stupor, and she cried out to keep her friend from shredding his suit.

"Goku wait, what are you doing!?"

Snarling as he looked at her the boy replied, "I'm taking this thing off, what does it look like I'm doing!? You thought I wouldn't look stupid, but the second I stepped out of the bathroom you had to keep yourself from laughing, so there's no way I'm gonna wear these ridiculous clothes tomorrow!"

Hearing this the beautiful genius bristled, her mood quickly shifting into indignation as she thought about how much money would go to waste if the boy kept his word. Bulma cared greatly for Goku, yes, but even he wouldn't be allowed to take an expensive gift she'd given and throw it in her face!

Moving faster than either occupant of the room thought her capable the blue-haired University graduate shot off the bed and stood over Goku with a firm set to her pampered brow.

"Oh no you don't! After how much that suit cost me there's absolutely zero chance of you wearing anything else to the check-in station for the World Tournament monkey boy; I don't care how dumb you think you look!"

It was here that Bulma allowed herself to back off a little, no longer towering over her younger friend but still standing close enough so that she could keep his from ruining his new clothes. "And besides Goku, you've got it all wrong. When I didn't say anything it wasn't because I was trying not to laugh, it was because I couldn't believe how good the suit looked on you."

Goku could only stare up at Bulma with a shocked expression; largely due to just how fast the human girl had moved, though a bit of it was credited to the sincerity in her voice once she'd stopped yelling at him.

Her anger had nudged at something inside, like the day they'd met, but just like then the boy pushed it aside so that he could address the current issue. "So then you don't think I look like an idiot?"

Bulma shook her head. "No Goku, I don't, so please promise you'll wear the suit tomorrow?"

"...Fine," the young alien sighed. Then he arched one of his eyebrows and said, "So now that that's settled would you mind giving me my hands back? I'd like to change back into my gi now, if that's alright with you."

A soft warmth filled Bulma's cheeks as she realized that, in her haste to keep Goku from tearing his suit apart, she'd grabbed both his hands with her own. Letting out an embarrassed squawk of an apology the blue-haired beauty dropped the younger boy's hands as if they were on fire before trying to step out of Goku's personal space.

Unfortunately, Bulma's nervous energy overrode her normal sense of grace and she tripped over her own feet. Another cry left the teenage girl's lips, this time one of surprise, and she attempted to ready herself for when she impacted with the carpet...only to find herself stopping short.

The sound of fabric ripping had seemed so much like white noise while she'd been screaming, but now that she found herself wrapped in Goku's tail Bulma came to the realization that when she'd first seen the boy in his new clothes his very articulate little add-on had not been present.

Looking down at her slim waist, and the furry tail coiled around it, and then over at the owner of that tail, Bulma could clearly see that Goku's 'third arm' was indeed coming from the back of his pants. This however confused the girl, and it must have shown on her face, because the next sound to fill the silent room was Goku's voice.

"I'd wrapped my tail around my thigh before putting on the pants, so no one would see it and I'd hopefully have some time to keep it a secret from other competitors, but when I saw you about to fall...well the thing just wound up acting on its own and tearing a hole in the back. Sorry Bulma."

Knowing her earlier attitude was responsible for the slight trace of grief in Goku's voice Bulma tried her best to fill her voice with as much reassurance as she could before telling him that it was okay.

"You were making sure I didn't get hurt, I'd be crazy to get upset at you for that. Besides, from what I can see it's not too bad, just enough so that your tail can move freely. If anything I should have remembered that you needed a doorway for it, and had it patched in, so don't beat yourself up alright?"

The wild haired martial artist just looked at the girl who he considered his only friend and searched her eyes for any form insincerity within their depths. When he could find none however the young alien let his face relax, and a softer crease to knit his brow together as he nodded in assent.

With that out of the way Bulma stood upright and Goku released his hold on her. From there the girl voiced her desire to show the younger boy a special invention she'd started working on that would hopefully allow a person the ability to read minds.

The pair exited the room, one listening as the other talked, but neither of their minds were really focused on the words passing in the air.

For Bulma it was the fact Goku had went and saved her without a second thought, despite his normal disregard to others safety.

For Goku, it was how soft Bulma's hands had felt clasped around his own much rougher pair, and the effect such an action had on his normally ironclad stomach.

xXx

The following morning was a whirlwind of activity for young Goku, being woken up at an absurdly early hour, rushing through breakfast and getting changed, before finally piling into one of Bulma's larger luxury cruisers and flying off to Papaya Island to make registration on time.

It was while he was seated on the airbus that the young alien noticed something off about Krillin's suit compared to his own. In the short: Goku's looked much nicer.

While the bald youth wasn't wearing rags by any stretch, it was still easy to see that a greater amount of money had gone into procuring Goku's own formal wear as opposed to Krillin's own ensemble.

Where the alien boy's clothes were fit and trim, Krillin's came off as a bit block-like; as if it were designed to fit a general shape rather than the boy himself personally.

Also the colors, navy blue with a white shirt underneath and neutral tie further added to Goku's speculation that Krillin's suit had been bought as an afterthought rather than as a gift like his had been. Coming to this conclusion Goku let his eyes gaze surreptitiously over at Bulma, who was piloting the aircraft, and be reminded of the question he had wished to ask her yesterday but forgotten.

What did it mean to be friends, and were his strange new feelings normally associated with the title?

Unfortunately for the young alien he could not ask Bulma about such matters at the moment, as both Krillin and Roshi were aboard the airbus as well, and he did not wish to appear vulnerable or inept to either of the two. His pride simply wouldn't allow it.

So instead Goku sat back in silence and waited for the trip to end, letting himself be coaxed into a hazy alertness by the soft music playing over the device Bulma had introduced to him as a 'radio'. It would, after all, be a few hours before they reached Papaya Island.

Yet once they arrived and Goku had his fancy shoes on the ground again it quickly became apparent to the young boy just how big of a deal the Tenkaichi Budokai really was to the masses.

Popping of small fireworks filled the air and mixed with the various scents of delicious food being cooked at stands that littered the grounds. People moved like a wave, packed together like sardines in a can, as they all tried to get to where they were going.

The sun shone down from its place in the sky and illuminated a great many booths, each with their own vendor and game of skill or chance to play in an effort to win one of the prizes littering that back walls. Kids ran circles around their parents as they giggled, pointed, and some even begging if they passed a stall that truly caught their wide eye.

All-in-all, it was a sensory overload for young Goku, who quickly found himself becoming uncomfortable with the whole thing.

He was just about to turn around and call for Numbus to get him off the island, tournament be damned with the headache he had coming on, when a familiar voice reached his ears. However this voice did not belong to Bulma, or either of his other two travel companions, no this voice was filled with mockery and distaste.

This was the voice of Yamcha.

"Well well, look at what the cat dragged in Puar." The cocky former bandit chided as he and his ever-present companion strolled up on the newly arrived group.

"Kakarot, so you really did decide to enter. That's good, because with the tournament being broadcast all over the world it means that when I defeat you there'll be no question of who the better man is."

The young alien in question raised his brow in a silent show of disbelief as he took in the sight of the older boy talking down to him. Where the wild-haired martial artist came dressed in his new look, appearing every bit the calm and confident contestant, Yamcha had clearly not taken the same extra measures in regards to his own appearance.

The former bandit had come dressed in an old, navy-blue chinese-style shirt that had long sleeves and dark pants that were tied with string at his ankles. It was clear these clothes had not seen the light of day, as they appeared stiff and uncomfortable, and this did not pair well with the older boy's now waist-length unruly mop-top and scant traces of facial hair.

Finishing his once over Goku only offered a scoff before giving the older fighter a cocky smirk.

"You, the better man? How can that be when you can't even claim to be a better fighter? Really Yamcha, I think it'd be in your best interest to just go home; I doubt your ego could take having the entire world see me humiliate you."

His taunting had the unkempt boy seeing red as the grungy boy grit his teeth in embarrassed indignation, but before he could think up a retort another voice joined the conversation. This one belonging to Bulma, and as such had Yamcha instantly forgetting about his rival for the moment and focusing on the blue-haired beauty.

"Hey listen, guys, this really isn't the time. Goku you know that if we don't get you signed up you can't even compete, so how about saving all that tough guy talk for when you two actually meet in the ring?"

The pair looked at each other for a moment after that, one in a rushed sort of concern while the other's eyes held the strong desire to ignore their companions words. However such thoughts were pushed aside as Goku's inner animal balked at the thought of missing the chance to show his strength.

So, with his mind made up, the monkey-tailed martial artist simply shrugged before beginning to walk away... though not without offering one last barb over his shoulder. "That's assuming he'll even make it that far."

With that the small group began to make their way towards the check-in station, Krillin asking about the other boy they were leaving behind, but Yamcha managed to shake himself out of his stupor long enough to stride over and begin walking alongside Bulma.

Essentially inviting himself along, the former bandit attempted to strike up a conversation with his crush.

"S-So Bulma, I know you and I kinda left off at a weird place before I went to start my training, but I was hoping that after the tournament you and I could go out again? With the money I'll earn from the tournament I can take you somewhere nice, like you wanted before, a-and we can start over. What do you say?"

Bulma didn't answer right away. Instead she looked the boy beside her up and down, her normally expressive baby-blue's were lidded as she remembered the few dates she had already gone on with Yamcha. It was true, she had voiced her wishes to be taken out to fancier atmosphere than what he'd provided, and he could if he at least came in second at the tournament, but Bulma wasn't so sure it would be worth it in the end.

She hadn't told Goku at the time, but her original wish for the dragon balls had been for the perfect boyfriend, yet as the hunt went on and Bulma became friends with the young alien she realized that was what she'd wanted all along; someone who cared about her for her, and not just her looks or her family's wealth.

Goku had given that to her, and so by the journey's end she found no need to waste her wish in such a way, and freely gave it up so as to return her friend to normal.

Because yes, Bulma knew she was spoiled and tended to behave like a princess, but the girl's genius didn't just pertain to all things scientific. Bulma knew a good thing when she saw it, and having Goku in her life was better than anything she'd experienced in a long time. So, it was with a sigh that she went ahead and gave her answer.

"We'll see Yamcha; but only if you win, because I don't appreciate the way you were just talking to Goku."

For Yamcha that was as good as a 'yes' in his mind, although he did feel a sour taste in his mouth at the girl's mention of his rival's importance to her. What made that monkey so special anyway? None the less, the former bandit simply chose to shove away such thoughts and offer his crush a beaming smile.

From there it was a simple waiting in line that lead up to Goku being able to put his name down on the register; though he made sure to use Kakarot rather than his adoptive name. Once that was done and out of the way the group was separated, with the fighters being ushered into the preliminary hall while Bulma, Puar and Roshi were told they would have to wait outside.

The beautiful girl waited until after the old man had wandered off to find the bathroom before turning to Puar and asking for a lift.

"You can transform right? Well would you mind turning into a ladder so that I can see what's going on inside; please?"

Puar eyed the human female for a moment before her own feline face broke out into a sly grin. Leering with a look that would make the Cheshire cat proud, Yamcha's faithful companion began to tease her fellow girl.

"Oh~ what's this now Bulma? You were acting all hard-to-get with Yamcha, but here you are hoping I'll give you a lift so you can watch him in the tournament? You playful little minx, you."

And even though she recoiled in distaste Bulma did in fact think to agree with the female shape-shifter if only so gain her aid, but then the young girl's mind thought about what the consequences of such move could be.

Puar would certainly wind up telling such a thing to the former bandit, and he would most assuredly never stop pursuing her then. It wasn't that she hated Yamcha by any stretch, she hardly even knew him, but that didn't mean that she liked him either as he had not given her much to admire during their time together.

So with this in mind Bulma finally shook her head and told Puar 'no'. "I really just wanna see how Goku does. Since I can't be in there with him, I'd like to at least be able to cheer him on from out here; I hope you can understand Puar, and will still lend me a hand?"

The high-pitched feline could only look at the human girl with a look of disbelief etched onto her features, as if hearing anyone deny wanting her friend was inconceivable, but after another moment she nodded silently and floated over towards the brick wall that held an open window at its top.

With a puff of pink smoke the flying cat was gone, and in her place leaned a sturdy ladder that held eyes settled along its top rung.

Bulma thanked Puar profusely as she scuttled up the feminine feline's transformed body and looked in at the mass of competitors, all vying for a chance to make it into the final eight.

It was as she searched for her monkey-tailed friend that Bulma felt a twinge in her stomach. She wasn't sure what it was, but the blue-haired genius did her best to push it aside before continuing her search.

Down in the mosh pit of bodies Goku was hidden behind a pair of large bodies as he watched one fight in particular. The pair was an odd one, but they were both potential opponents, so the wild-haired alien felt it best to observe them in case he wound up coming up against one of them later on.

One was a large bear, there really was no other way to describe it, who wore fitted spandex over his burly legs as the only sort of covering for his body. His large, deadly paws were currently swiping through the air in an effort to land a blow on the anthropomorphic creature's opponent.

Said individual was much smaller in comparison, yet they used this to their advantage as they ducked and weaved in-between the snarling bear's attacks. This contestant was a young boy, one Goku doubted was much older than himself if not the same age, with long dark hair.

His raven locks were actually tied back into a pony-tail though, which gave a clear view of his youthful face and playfully arrogant facade. Wrapped around the young teen's neck was a ruby-red scarf, and Goku's keen eyes could make out the glint given off by the two gold earrings that pierced the other boy's lobes.

The boy also wore a long-sleeve white shirt over a pair of dark-blue jeans, with a pair of snow boots on his feet.

Lapis, if Goku recalled the boy's name correctly, looked to be a adept if not unrefined fighter. His style was quick and relied a great deal on countering or capitalizing on his opponent's moves, but there was a definite sense of power behind each and every punch or kick that the boy threw in retaliation. Goku could see that Lapis was indeed the definition of raw potential, and would require a careful approach if he were to be faced in the future.

It was as Goku thought this that Lapis finally seemed to decide his match was over. The pony-tailed teen twisted around his opponent's left paw as it came in for another failed swipe, moving into the bear's guard, before he quickly took the large predator down with a number of quick strikes to its kidney's followed by a leaping chop to the back of the neck.

With his foe unconscious, Lapis was declared the winner, and with a flip of his hair the boy exited the arena...though not before locking eyes with Goku.

Onyx met sapphire as the two boys gazes met, and while it was only seconds to those around them, for the young alien and his staring partner it felt like years. Each boy could feel the static that filled the air as they looked upon one another, could sense the tension building like a heavy fog; only to have it interrupted by the cries of shock and awe from another preliminary stadium near by.

This broke the pair out of their contest and had them turning their attention towards the commotion. And while Lapis found himself smirking with pride at what he found, Goku's face shifted into one of curious wonder.

Standing alone in the ring was a young girl, and it was clear from the way her blonde locks were tied back in their own pony-tail to reveal her face that she was related to Lapis; this girl also held a pair of brilliant blue eyes and a svelte build.

Her complexion came out a more creamy ivory rather than the dark-haired boy's rough vanilla tone. She was dressed in a similar style as well, though her long-sleeve shirt was a soft powder-blue while her jeans were almost black in color and fitted to her slim legs. The blonde girl also wore earrings and snow boots.

"And with accordance to the rules, winner by ring out is Lazuli!" The announcer for block C called to the crowed.

Down below Goku continued to look up at the girl now known as Lazuli as she turned her sharp gaze in the direction of Lapis.

The young alien could easily make out the nods they sent each others way and quickly deduced that they were at least partners in an effort to take both the first and second spots in the tournament. However before the monkey-tailed martial artist could give it much more thought he was bumped rather rudely on the shoulder as Lapis walked by him.

Shooting the other boy a fierce glare, Goku was surprised to see it countered; though the pony-tailed boy's look held a bit of mockery in it as well.

"I'd tell you to take a picture cause it'd last longer, but there's no way I'd let a loser like you even think about my sister that way. A word of advice, monkey-boy, she's way out of your league and doesn't deal with wimps."

With that the dark-haired delinquent sauntered off to join, who Goku now knew to be, his sister who was holding up her hand in greeting.

It was right before he turned at the sound of his name being called, but the spiky-haired teen met Lazuli's eye, and just like with her brother there was a spark that past between them...only this time it was one of intrigue rather than hostility.

And it was only through his advanced sense of hearing that the boy managed to catch the pretty blonde asking her brother, "So was that a new friend of yours, Lapis?"

Something about the girl's voice had the hair on the back of Goku's neck stand on end, and even got his tail to flick as that something traveled its length to the tip. But as he climbed the steps into his own arena of Block B, and faced down a fierce-looking man of commanding height.

He easily towered over Goku, who barely came up to the other fighter's waist.

The man was heavy with muscle, and his skin was a dark chestnut color. He wore yellow robes that revealed much of his stone-like stature and that were tied at the waist by a royal-blue sash. His hair was a wild and curly mess, while his goatee was neatly trimmed.

"The next match of Block B: Kakarot V.S. King Chappa!"

Cheers and jibes filled the air as the two combatants took center stage in the arena. A number of spectators made fun of the pint-sized warrior stacked up against the mountain of hard muscle that was Goku's opponent, but the boy in question did not heed such foolish words.

Goku had trained, long and hard, in both the physical as well as the mental aspects of martial arts to augment his already impressive ability so to him all those laughing were due for a demonstration.

He would show them the might of the one they'd come to know as Kakarot.

Across the tiled floor King Chappa scoffed as he took in his miniature foe. "What is this, a child? Please, someone take this boy from the ring and bring me a proper opponent. This tournament is meant for fighters, not foolish boys."

"The only fool I see here is you," Goku countered as he settled into his opening stance.

He had long since changed out of his suit and into a gi, the familiar freedom of his uniform giving him peace as he stared down the older man before him. "You claim I have no place here before even giving me a chance to prove myself, so imagine how embarrassing it'll be when I've defeated you in front of all these people."

By this point the referee for their section had begun the match, so Chappa swiftly moved into his own opening stance before growling at Goku. "Stupid boy, you talk big but I'll show you the strength of a true warrior!"

From his place in the ring Goku watched as Chappa burst into a swift charge, fully intent on finishing the fight quickly. Unfortunately for the large man his opponent had been trained by someone who moved much faster, and who had shown Goku how to increase his own speed.

So before Chappa was even within striking distance Goku had shifted to better receive the man's opening attack.

A powerful knife-hand strike meant to disable the nerves in an enemies shoulder was easily swatted aside, which left Chappa in enough of a shocked stupor so that Goku could get inside the man's guard and land a heavy knee to the stomach. This counter-attack sent the wild-haired boy's adversary reeling back as he fought to get air back into his lungs.

Unfortunately for Chappa, the inner animal inside of Goku roared with the desire to teach the man a lesson; to show him, and all who watched, that Kakarot was the strongest and that all who stood before him would fall!

And so, as the other fighter staggered back in pain, Goku tensed his body before launching forward and slamming his fist into Chappa's sternum. Making sure not to apply his full strength in case he caused some sort of deadly injury, Goku went on to bring his left leg up into a swift kick to the side of Chappa's face.

The power behind that third strike proved to be more than enough to end the match though, because it sent the large man rocketing backwards and out of the ring.

After the resounding 'thud' that came with a heavy body smacking into the ground the area around Block B's arena was silent; none watching could believe their eyes as the young teen known as Kakarot stood tall and imposing at the center of the stage.

A strange mix of tension and awe settled over the crowed; a heavy blanket that seemed almost palpable.

It quickly became so unbearable, so suffocating, that a number of contestants actually began to back away and silently decide to give up before they were forced to compete against the monkey-tailed boy still standing in the arena.

This thick air was broken though by a very feminine voice calling out from somewhere along the edges of the building. Many heads turned, including Goku's, to look at who was shouting. The young martial artist himself almost facepalmed upon learning what the noise was.

Bulma. The young beauty had obviously managed to find her friend just in time to witness his victory over King Chappa, because currently she was waving her hands in the air and hollering congratulations at him. "Way to go G—Kakarot! You definitely showed that guy who's boss, now just keep it up and that title's as good as yours!"

From his place back in the ring Goku arched his eyebrow at the girl's enthusiasm. He'd almost forgotten just how...zealous his friend could be.

'But she did remember to call me Kakarot rather than Goku, so at least there's that.'

With a smirk he gave the cheering girl a quick nod before descending from the arena. However, as he touched down off the last step there was a niggling in the back of Goku's mind that thought about how odd it was to hear that name come from Bulma's lips.

About how, somewhere deep down, it sounded wrong; like he should always be 'Goku' to the blue-haired girl.

Yes if there was one thing Goku was sure of, it was that Bulma Briefs had opened up a whole new world to him both outside and within. One the young alien found both pleasant, but also horribly confusing.

What neither Goku nor Bulma knew though was that back over by the arena of Block C Lazuli's sapphire eyes were trained solely on the spiky-haired teen as he both claimed his victory, as well as leave his own arena. The pretty young blonde found herself intrigued by the boy's obvious strength, and it showed if the gleam in her eyes was any indication.

Her brother however, did not like this.

"Don't even think about it sis, we already decided this was the best way to free our village from those scum; we don't need that kid's help." Lapis admonished the girl beside him.

His next match wouldn't be for a while, so he had chosen to stay next to the girl and keep her safe from any unsavory characters in the temple.

"And if we lose, little brother, what then? We won't have the money to buy any sort of protection then, and we'll be right back to square one; so what's the harm in asking that Kakarot guy for help? We'll need all the help we can get and something tells me that, with him on our side, we may actually be able to take down Muscle Tower."

Lapis gripped his sister's shoulder roughly and turned her to look at him. His own azure orbs locked with the sapphire gems of his twins as she hissed at her.

"The harm is that he is an outsider, an unknown, and there's no telling if he'll fall to the sway of greed like so many others we've tried to go to for help. What will you have to say then, Lazuli, if your supposed champion turns that strength you believe him to have back on us?"

Lazuli glared at her younger brother for a moment before shrugging his hand from her shoulder and getting in his face. "Don't talk about that scum to me brother, and certainly don't attempt to liken someone you don't even know to that man simply because you wish to be overprotective. If this plan of yours fails I will ask Kakarot for his help, and you will keep your mouth shut if he accepts. Because you may like living as a thug, but I refuse to spit on mother's grave anymore."

With that Lazuli turned her back on her brother and folded her arms across her chest, signaling that she was done with the conversation. It wasn't until she heard her twin huff and walk away that the pretty blonde turned her eyes back on the boy with the bandanna. Hard pieces of sapphire softened with sorrow as Lazuli thought about how her brother used to be.

Before the take over of their village by the Red-Ribbon Army. Before the betrayal of their father. And before the death of their mother.

The image of a smiling, happy Lapis found its way to the front of Lazuli's memory. One of the dark-haired boy nursing a homeless wolf pup he'd found in the forest, and hid away in their room so that their parents didn't find out.

Only to have it shattered by the image of a scowling teen surrounded by his fellow thugs as they held up a grocery store, their signature scarfs keeping their identities hidden.

'Oh brother, what happened to you?'

xXx