Meanwhile, Goku returned to the foyer to confront ChiChi, but to her surprise she felt ChiChi's ki fade away before she arrived. Why did she leave all of a sudden? Is she hiding from me? Is she mad at me? Who am I kidding? Of course she's mad at me! She hates me now!
Bulma was still in the same spot. She crossed her arms as Goku walked through the doorway and into the room. "What was that all about Goku? ChiChi really wanted to talk to you. She had something important to say and you just stiffed her for nothing! I'm really ashamed of you, Goku!"
"I'm sorry; I had to talk to Vegeta. He's in a worse mood than usual. Besides, whatever ChiChi has to say is probably just going to be another insult. I don't think I can take anymore of those!"
Bulma smiled and gave Goku a hug. "It's okay, but just so you know, I'm positive ChiChi came over to apologize."
Goku was quiet for a moment. She appeared shocked. She found herself at a loss for words. What do I do if ChiChi forgives me? I guess I can move back home, and wait a year for the Dragonballs to restore, but what if she decides that she hates me again? If she really has forgiven me, why didn't she stay and wait to talk to me? Why did she leave when she sensed me coming?
"Goku, don't stress yourself out about it right now." Bulma rubbed Goku's back tenderly before parting the friendly hug.
"I'll try," Goku murmured.
"But you still should have at least given ChiChi the time of day," Bulma pointed out.
"I know," replied Goku.
"Well, I can't blame you completely; I suppose this is partly my fault. I'm sorry for telling Koshin that… well… you know," admitted Bulma, blushing slightly out of embarrassment.
"It's okay, Bulma. Believe it or not, I know why you did that," replied Goku, taking Bulma by surprise.
"What do you mean?" inquired Bulma curiously, but not in the least bit worried.
"You like Vegeta, and you just wanted me to stay away from him, and vice-versa. Well, you don't have to worry about that, Bulma. There's no way I'd ever feel that way about Vegeta, or the other way around," said Goku sternly, walking out of the room without awaiting a response from a thoroughly baffled Bulma.
How did she… know? thought Bulma. I'd expect her to be the last person to figure that out, not the first. Is it that obvious? I really have to be more careful!
"When are we going to leave this place? I'm sick of it! Also, I absolutely abhor the clothing Gero gave us! It's as if he's expecting us to be in the traveling circus or something!" complained an irritated young woman. She was slim, of average height and had cascading locks of shoulder-length blonde hair. Her eyes were a penetrating shade of icy blue.
She was dressed in some odd sort of attire, consisting of: a black shirt with a blue vest over the top with black and white sleeves hanging down her arms underneath the vest. She had a blue skirt to match the vest, with black spandex leggings, and bright orange boots to finish off the look.
"Quit complaining, 18. It isn't the end of the world," replied a handsome young man. He looked very similar to her, only he had black hair and more masculine features. His eyes were the same piercing shade of blue. He looked like he was wearing some sort of unfashionable cowboy outfit.
He frowned, "Wait a minute, I sense someone outside. Scratch that, it's a group of people," he muttered.
18 glanced about the place, surveying her home of sorts. They were occupying a laboratory of some kind. There were control panels everywhere. Eerie tanks of green fluid were placed in lines against a wall. There were gadgets of scientific importance strewn everywhere.
"So?" she finally replied, "Why does that mean we have to stay in here?"
"Be patient, 18. Before we go anywhere, I want to take out Android 16 to help us locate the one known as Goku," the young man answered.
18 smirked at the young man and then glanced at an object on the floor. There was a head lying on the ground. It was Dr. Gero's head. His body was nowhere to be found. 18 smiled more broadly and kicked the head against the wall. Though, it didn't take long for her expression to return to that of boredom.
"Brother," she began, "I don't see the need for looking for Goku any longer. We've killed Gero. Don't you see that nothing is holding us back anymore? We're free at last!"
"Yes, I'm aware that I've decapitated the old coot, but…" 17 paused for a moment, he looked lost in thought, "… this Goku he's always spoken of, she must be extremely strong to get that much attention from Gero. I want to kill her. It will be fun!"
18 sighed, "Whatever, 17, just make sure we stop by a clothing store on the way there. I can't stand to wear this hideous outfit anymore!"
17 rolled his eyes, but nodded nonetheless.
Piccolo, Tien, Yamcha, and Krillin touched down on the ground at last. Before them stood an enormous metal barricade of double-doors. The ominous Red Ribbon Army logo was painted in the center.
"So, do you guys think that this is it, the real thing? I mean, it could be a trap," commented Krillin nervously.
"I'm positive," Piccolo confirmed.
Yamcha gulped loudly. "You guys, is this really such a good idea? Goku was nearly killed by an android, and Vegeta was left completely drained. We don't know what's in there. There could be an army of those androids waiting for us! Really, you guys, what can we do?"
Tien frowned, "Well, when you put it that way, it does seem as if we're no match."
"I say we hightail it outta here, go get Goku and Vegeta first, and then return with the extra man-power. Besides, I'm sure they'd both be disappointed anyway if we just up and left them out in the cold about this," Krillin commented, attempting to persuade the Z-fighters to chicken out.
As much as it pains me to admit it, the humans have a point, thought Piccolo. Both Goku and Vegeta fought as Super Saiyans. If Vegeta hadn't tricked Gero, he would have been done for. As of right now, none of us stand a chance. We need to get stronger!
"Fine," Piccolo replied, giving in to the other's persuasion.
Vegeta decided that he should take a quick break from his training. He wiped off the sweat he had accumulated on his brow-line with his forearm, and debated whether to take a shower then eat, or eat then commence his training yet again. Before Vegeta had a chance to make his decision, he ran head-long into Piccolo, Yamcha, Tien, and Krillin.
"What do you want?" he demanded, crossing his arms in irritation.
"We've located Gero's hideout," stated Piccolo, mimicking Vegeta's actions.
Vegeta smirked, "Good, my meal can wait." With that said, Vegeta immediately headed toward the front entrance to leave.
"Vegeta, wait!" exclaimed Krillin, "What about Goku, I'm sure she'd want to come too!"
Vegeta paused his stride and swiftly turned to face Krillin. Krillin had his fists clenched in anxious determination. Yamcha and Tien were simultaneously nodding their heads in concurrence. Piccolo's appearance was unreadable.
"She's not coming," replied Vegeta rather bluntly.
"Why not?" asked Yamcha, quirking an eyebrow in confusion.
"Because she would only get in my way!" Vegeta replied with an annoyed tone of voice.
"Not anymore than us," countered Tien, he looked suspicious now.
"I didn't ask you to come either," came Vegeta's stressed reply.
"So? We're still coming anyway. So why can't Goku come as well?" argued Krillin.
"I don't care if you all want to tag along. Don't expect me to protect you. But if Kakarrot is told one word of this exploit I will make each and every one of you experience so much unbearable pain, you will wish you were never born!" warned Vegeta, his expression dead-serious.
"Wha— " began Krillin, being swiftly cut-off by a cautionary glare being sent by Piccolo.
"Then she won't come," Piccolo replied.