EPIC Side Story: Dragon Ball

"I think you may have misunderstood my intentions when I said to take your time..."Snorting in response to Vahn's words, Bulma crossed her arms in a manner that made her bikini top noticeably slacken as she retorted, "You also mentioned thirty years, twice, made allusions to beings with the power to erase entire galaxies, and directly stated that Goku and I were instrumental to the world's survival. Thirty years may be a fair amount of time, but, based on your words and actions, it might as well be a time limit."Realizing he might have revealed a little too much information, a wry smile developed across Vahn's face as he sincerely stated, "You truly are a brilliant woman..."With a haughty smile on her face, Bulma raised her head in a proud manner as she said, "Well, duh. I am the greatest inventor in the world. Give me the chance to study alien technologies and it's only a matter of time before I become the greatest in the Universe."As the Bulma he was familiar with had gone on to create things like interdimensional time machines and radars capable of detecting energy throughout the Universe, Vahn didn't doubt her claim. If she had been a bit more 'ambitious', she could have easily risen to the level of Da Vinci. Whether or not she could surpass her was an entirely separate matter."While your words are remarkably on point, they don't really explain your sudden interest in getting married. Unless I'm mistaken, shouldn't you be against the idea of settling down?"Though Vahn's words revealed that he knew more about her than he had initially let on, that wasn't the thing Bulma focused on. She had decades to figure out where he came from and how he knew the things he did. For now, there were far more pressing matters at hand. With that in mind, she did her best to calm the beating of her heart as she explained, "The comment you made regarding your wives and their inability to intervene in this world implies you only recently arrived here. You don't strike me as the type to ignore your lovers so that must mean they exist in a place where time flows separately from our own. That, combined with your complete lack of inhibitions, leads me to believe it's only a matter of time before you set your sights on other women. I'm already at a disadvantage due to your preexisting relationship with Sarina. I'll be damned if I'm going to play second fiddle to any other girls you encounter during your stay..."Leaving out her intentions to monopolize, or, at the very least, take advantage of Vahn's knowledge and power, Bulma laid everything else on the table. She might not be able to do anything about Sarina, but, just as the latter was able to threaten her with the notion of convincing Vahn to leave, Bulma was confident she could anchor him to the planet and prevent people she didn't approve of from trying to claim him. If there was going to be a pecking order, she was going to do everything in her power to remain at the top...Understanding that Bulma was serious, the expression on Vahn's face changed to match. Instead of agreeing to marry her, however, he noted, "You're currently sixteen years old and still in Senior High School. While it might be legal for girls as young as sixteen to get married, proposing to a man you just met is extremely rash. I understand your reasons but they don't really justify charging headfirst into marriage..."Seeing the look on Bulma's face turn remarkably sour, the edges of Vahn's lips curled into a smile as he added, "Don't be so quick to anger. I'm not actually refusing to marry you. I'm just asking you to be patient and properly consider your options. Marriage is a pretty big deal. Even more so when the other party is a God. Wouldn't you rather get to know me first?"Deciding to make things transparently clear, Bulma maintained an angry expression as she said, "I don't want to become just another flower in your bouquet. If my assertions are correct, you've only just arrived in this world. In spite of that, you've been flirting with me since the moment we met. If I don't put a leash on you, it's only a matter of time before I have to wait in line just to see you. If we get married, I can at least have a say in the order..."Furrowing his brows, a feeling of guilt swelled within Vahn's chest as he tried to view the situation from Bulma's perspective. He still believed she was being rash, but, at the same time, she was also thinking years, perhaps even decades ahead. She had also hit the nail on the head in regards to his character. There may only be a handful of female characters that came to mind when he referenced the information stored in his memories, but, as this was no longer a fictional universe, there was a very real chance he would encounter someone outside the original cast that garnered his attention.Not wanting to ruin the burgeoning relationship he was building with the beautiful blunette, Vahn decided that the best course of action was to compromise. With that in mind, he proposed, "How about this. With the obvious exception of Sarina, I promise not to become romantically entangled with any other women for the next five, make that ten years. Twenty-six is still pretty young to get married..."Though she was more than a little surprised by Vahn's offer, Bulma was a haggler to the very core of her being. If he was willing to cut a deal, she was going to make sure it favored her as much as possible. With that in mind, she immediately proposed a counteroffer, stating, "Fine. I don't mind taking things slow. However, so long as I don't officially break things off, you have to tell everyone we're engaged. I also want you to promise me that you won't go off philandering if I somehow end up pregnant and carrying the child to term. I'm willing to make an exception for Sarina but I expect you to behave like a proper father around our children..."("Yeah, she really is thinking ahead. I imagine she'll have a thirty-year plan drafted by the end of the week at this rate...")(*Well, she is one of the smartest people in her reality. You're lucky you met her when she was still in her rebellious and somewhat delusional phase. If your first encounter had been near the start of the Saiyan Saga, she might have tried to impregnate herself in vitro...*)Smiling wryly in response to Sis's remark, Vahn briefly contemplated Bulma's counteroffer before nodding his head and saying, "I will agree on the condition you accept there might be extenuating circumstances that force us to reconsider these terms. As a God, my promises serve as a powerful, binding contract. Though the odds of anything amiss occurring are slim, it's best to leave ourselves a bit of wiggle room. To that end, I propose we renegotiate terms at the end of every year starting from the fifth."As Vahn clearly understood the inner workings of being a God better than she did, Bulma decided against accusing him of scheming to leave her using the pretense of 'renegotiating' the terms of their relationship. Five years was more than enough time to get a better grasp of his character, so, even if things weren't going particularly well between them, she should be able to leverage things in her favor. She didn't know if the Gods had something like child support but Vahn's reference to her world's laws implied there were certain statutes he respected.Confident that she could convince Vahn to care about the world within the span of five years, a playfully seductive smile developed across Bulma's face as she leaned forward, further accenting her breasts as she answered, "I accept..." in a sultry tone.Returning a smile of his own, Vahn thoroughly shattered Bulma's illusion of bravado by leaning in to give her a kiss. She hadn't expected him to just go for it, so, even after he pulled away to get a look at her face, Bulma's mind was still processing the sudden yet casual intimacy.Amused by Bulma's reaction, Vahn's smile promptly developed the telltale signs of a teasing grin as he asked, "Why the confused look? We're engaged to be wed. Kissing is just the tip of a very large iceberg..."Without waiting for Bulma's response, Vahn planted another chaste kiss on her lips before pulling away to add, "This conversation went on a lot longer than I expected. If you'd like to continue, feel free to stop by my room this evening. I'll give you a glimpse of what lies beneath the surface..."Punctuating his words by gently squeezing Bulma's thigh, Vahn promptly high-tailed it before the befuddled blunette could explode. His departure served as a pretty good catalyst for this, as, the moment he tried to scamper away, she shouted, "You scoundrel...!" before throwing the remnants of her iced tea at his back.........Having paid close attention to Vahn's conversation with Bulma, a certain pink-skinned Goddess of Time couldn't help peering a few years into the future. She might not be able to locate Vahn at any point beyond the present but she should still be able to observe the ripples his presence caused on the timeline.Though she didn't find anything interesting or meaningful during the ten years covered by Vahn's promise, things changed rather drastically in the years that followed.Starting with the arrival of Raditz, Earth was jeopardized or destroyed on no less than six separate occasions. It even became the center of conflict for numerous galactic, intergalactic, and universal threats despite being located in one of the most backwater regions of the entire Universe."I see why he would choose to show up in such a place. If Earth's defenders fail, the entire Universe will be destroyed. Unfortunately, that doesn't really explain where he came from..."As an anomalous existence whose every action irreversibly influenced the timeline he was a part of, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that Vahn was one of the most fascinating and threatening entities in the multiverse. He had literally only existed for a few hours, yet, in spite of this, the flow of time in every Universe had been affected in such a subtle yet comprehensive manner that even she, a being that existed outside the Standard Axis of Time, couldn't identify the changes...Furrowing her brows, a pout appeared on the pink-skinned Kai's face as she struggled to think of a solution. If Vahn was evil or proactively attempting to change things, she could always petition Lord Beerus, the God of Destruction, to deal with him. Instead, Vahn presented himself as a kind-hearted yet mischievous ladies man. As for his attestations about being a God, she wasn't quite sure what to make of them. He clearly wasn't a Kai, yet, even if she attempted a detailed scan of his physical and spiritual bodies, the results came back inconclusive.With her long, elf-like ears twitching in frustration, the pink-skinned Kai crossed her arms beneath her more than ample bosom before issuing an annoyed groan. She really wished the Grand Priest would allow her to have an assistant to help resolve situations like this. It would certainly make her job a lot easier, but, understanding the danger of allowing outsiders in the Time Next, she couldn't really complain. Well, she could, it just wouldn't solve anything..."Maybe I should just retire? I'm nearly a hundred million years old. Even the youngest Kai from my generation has already returned to the Garden. Why am I the only one expected to wait around till the literal destruction of the Universe...?"Though she was well aware of the reason, speaking aloud and complaining were two of the only things keeping the Supreme Kai of Time sane. It might not solve anything, but it did make her feel better.........(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Is this a proposal or a business transaction...?','That iceberg extends to the bottom of the ocean...','Don't let Vahn catch those ears wigglin...')

Though Vahn brought out a beach house for them to rest in, Bulma ended up sleeping within her Capsule Home. She had never actually had a boyfriend before, much less a fiancee, so she wasn't entirely sure how to act. The only thing she knew with absolute certainty was that Vahn was 'a lot' more experienced than her. So much so that it not so subtly terrified her.Fortunately, Vahn was far from the wolf-like man Bulma assumed all guys to be. He did stop by to check on her, but, instead of insisting she let him in, he brought her a cup of hot cocoa and asked if she was okay. After she assured him she was, he gave her a gentle and chaste kiss on the forehead before wishing her peaceful dreams.When Vahn first left her alone, Bulma was a little annoyed with him. She knew he would be going to spend time with Sarina, so, despite being the reason they weren't sharing the same bed, she placed most of the blame on him.For this reason, Bulma was more than a little surprised when she woke up the next morning feeling completely refreshed. She didn't even remember falling asleep the night before. All she recalled was taking a bath and getting in bed.Though she suspected Vahn had done something, a quick perusal of the security tapes showed that she had simply fallen asleep moments after hitting her bed. Thus, after a quick scan of the cup Vahn had brought to her the previous night, Bulma accepted that, even if he had done something to help her sleep, there hadn't been any malicious intentions behind his actions.Comforted by the lack of evidence, Bulma took a quick shower before commencing her hour-long ritual to find a suitable outfit and hairstyle. She hated wearing the same outfit twice, and, thanks to one of her inventions, she could adjust the length of her hair whenever she wanted. Thus, unless the situation didn't allow it, she made sure to change her hair and clothing every single day.It was during this process that Bulma discovered a tiny, subtly luminescent golden ring balanced atop the faucet of her bathroom sink. This confused her at first, but, seeing her name engraved in a peculiar form of cursive along the interior, Bulma's heart skipped several beats as the notion that it was an engagement ring crossed her mind. Instead, it was something even better, as, shortly after putting it on, Bulma's eyes went out of focus as a three-dimensional projection of her current form appeared in her mind...Realizing what the ring was, Bulma spent what felt like two hours cycling through the options in the [REquip] System only to discover that seconds had passed in the outside world. Upon realizing this, the smile on her face became so wide that it threatened to tear at the muscles of her face. After all, as much as she enjoyed choosing outfits and styling her hair, it was an extremely tedious and time-consuming affair. Now, even if she spent ten times as long picking out the perfect outfit, she would never be pressed for time.Feeling adventurous, or, at the very least, emboldened, Bulma selected a pair of lacy white lingerie on the off chance that something happened later on. Over that, she wore a pair of form-fitting tan hotpants, as, even after a mere two days, she had already noticed Vahn's obsessions with butts. She hadn't caught him sneaking a glance at her breasts even once, yet, the moment she wore a pair of form-fitting shorts, he ended up copping a feel the first chance he got.Completing her outfit, Bulma wore a simple white t-shirt with her name embossed over the breasts. Then, after checking herself in both the mirror and her mind, she donned the flight jacket Vahn had given her the previous day. It was, technically speaking, the first gift she had ever received. Her dad usually just gave her a credit card to buy whatever she wanted on her birthdays, so, while she would never complain about receiving money, Bulma would be lying if she said it didn't bother her.Donning the remarkably comfortable jacket, a smile developed across Bulma's face as she checked herself in the mirror one last time. Then, believing Vahn was already up and working on breakfast, Bulma departed her Capsule Home before following the fragrant aroma of breakfast sausage and baked goods to the kitchen.........Sensing Bulma's arrival, Vahn briefly inspected her aura to determine which side of the bed she had awoken on. Pink, yellow, and azure blue was a good sign, so, after adjusting the flow of time within the oven, instantaneously completing the baking process, he emerged from the kitchen with a tray of souffles and a relaxed smile, saying, "Good morning, Bulma. You're looking especially radiant this morning. Sleep well?"Though she briefly glanced towards Sarina and Goku, a smile developed across Bulma's face as she retorted, "Yeah, I wonder if a certain someone had something to do with that...?"Shifting her attention to Vahn, Bulma's expression became visibly amused as she noticed his smile cramping. Instead of pressing further, however, she took a seat on the opposite side of Goku before asking, "So, what's the plan? I may no longer have an interest in the Dragon Balls but I'm willing to see this journey through to the end. Just keep in mind that I need to be home before October. My school starts up on the 2nd."Though he was unsurprised by Bulma's words, Vahn's mind briefly stalled at the notion that Bulma was the first student he had ever 'dated'. She would literally be attending Senior High for six days a week, and, due to her electives and club activities, she would be leaving around 6 AM and returning at around 5-6 PM every single day. If she decided to attend college after graduation, they would be spending more than half the day apart..."What's the matter...?"Noticing Vahn's not-so-subtle pause, Bulma couldn't help wondering what was on his mind. In the end, she almost wished she hadn't asked as she had no idea how to react when he answered, "I just realized we won't be able to spend that much time together while you're away at school..." in a soft, melancholic tone of voice.Unfortunately for Bulma, she and Vahn weren't the only two at the table. Thus, long before she was able to get her own thoughts in order, Sarina chimed in to say, "If it bothers you that much, you can always enroll as a student or a professor. I'm also interested in school so I wouldn't mind attending for a year or two before focusing on my training."As most of her favorite animes and mangas revolved around protagonists in Middle or High School, Sarina would be lying if she said she wasn't interested in attending. Two of her top three choices for Actualized Worlds would have involved enrolling as a student, so, now that the subject of schooling had presented itself, she figured she might as well give it a shot.Having acted as both a Headmaster and a Teacher in the past, the notion of becoming a student actually intrigued Vahn quite a bit. It was one of the things he had most been looking forward to during the year-long intermission when he was waiting to reincarnate. That changed pretty quickly once he found himself in the Netherworld, but, deep down, the desire to attend school still existed in the depths of his subconscious. The only reason he hadn't tried it out in an Actualized World was his fear that every female student in his class, teachers included, would invariably imprint on him...Now that he had his promise with Bulma as insurance, Vahn was confident he could attend school without too much trouble. The real question was whether or not he should become a teacher or a student...Interrupting Vahn's train of thought, Bulma slammed the table with both hands as she stood up and shouted, "No way! I can't have my fiancee attending the same school as me! Teacher or student, it makes no difference. The moment people find out we're engaged, every hussy within West City will be trying to get their grimy little hands on you just to spite me!"Though she made an earnest effort to fit in, Bulma had made quite a number of enemies over the years. People were supremely jealous of her beauty, wealth, and intellect. It was one of the reasons she had never been able to get a boyfriend. Everyone around her saw her as a means to an end, an easy way to make all their dreams come true without any real effort. Men viewed her as a trophy or an object of conquest while women, despite putting on polite airs and praising her in public, spread all kinds of negative rumors behind her back. When she tried exposing them using information she collected online and using private investigators, she, the person they were actively victimizing, was somehow seen as the bad guy...Surprised by Bulma's outburst, any desire Vahn had to attend school was temporarily quashed as he softly replied, "It's okay, Bulma. In case you've forgotten, I'm not exactly a normal person. You don't have to worry about me breaking my promise. Besides, Sarina was just making a suggestion. Even if I were to attend school, it wouldn't without first discussing it with you."Relieved by Vahn's words, Bulma returned to her seat with a plop. A wave of guilt promptly washed over her, but, as the notion of attending school with her Godly fiance was a little too much, she was glad Vahn was willing to compromise. She might be able to tolerate Sarina but there was no way in hell she would be okay with her classmates vying for Vahn's attention. This had very little to do with him. She just didn't trust other women."I can probably pull some strings to get Sarina enrolled once we return to West City. As for you, I'll talk to my father about getting you set up in our mansion. He generally lets me do whatever I want so I can't imagine him refusing to let you stay once you demonstrate your abilities. Sarina and Goku can obviously stay as well..."Though the idea of putting up one of her fiance's mistresses made her uncomfortable, Bulma knew she couldn't simply pretend Sarina didn't exist. If she tried, Vahn would find someplace else to stay. After all, he could literally create entire buildings out of thin air. Heck, he could probably plop down a mansion on the Moon or some distant planet she had never even heard of. Thus, even she wasn't enthused by the notion, she had no choice but to accept Sarina into her home.Understanding that Bulma was basically treating her as an afterthought, the expression on Sarina's face morphed from a happy, moderately enthusiastic smile to an understandably hostile look. She was more than willing to accept Bulma as her 'sister' so she couldn't understand why the latter was so mean. It's not like she was the interloper in this scenario.Fortunately, Vahn wasn't going to just let Bulma's behavior slide. Sarina was the entire reason he had come to the Actualized World of Dragon Ball, so, in response to Bulma's words, he said, "I'll most likely set up a residence in the countryside. I've never been particularly fond of large cities, and, as much as I appreciate your offer, my original purpose for visiting this world hasn't changed. I'm here to train Sarina. Doing so within the city limits is impossible."As it wasn't particularly difficult to see through Bulma's intentions, Vahn intended to do everything in his power to make sure she never had the excuse that Sarina was some kind of add-on leeching off her assets. If they were going to make things work, Bulma was going to need to change the way she thought about others. This would invariably occur the moment they had sex, but, until then, the tensions between her and Sarina were bound to increase...("Looks like I'll need to seize the initiative on this one...")(*You do have a reputation for breaking prideful women...*)......(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it~','Sarina's other choices were Naruto and Bleach. She likes the classics that Vahn enjoyed as a kid','Soon enough, Bulma will be grateful for Sarina's presence xD...')

With Goku returning from his joy ride atop the Flying Nimbus, Vahn and the others said their farewells to Master Roshi before seeing the newly rejuvenated Turtle Hermit off. Since they were already at the beach, however, Vahn proposed they spend the rest of the day lounging around as their next destination, Aru Village, was more than eight hundred kilometers away.Since Goku still wanted to play around with his newly acquired companion, the only person who was against sticking around was Bulma. She was already beginning to miss her workshop and the comforts of West City, so, ever since learning that her journey could basically be completed in an instant by Vahn, she kind of wanted to just get it over with.Of course, the main reason for Bulma's sudden change in mentality was the notion that her journey no longer served a purpose. Being called out by both Vahn and Sarina had caused her to reconsider her wish.In hindsight, Bulma realized there were a number of problems with wishing for a perfect boyfriend. If such a person did exist, she would basically be brainwashing them to love her. If they didn't exist, she would be willing them into existence for the sole purpose of pandering to her.Imagining what it would be like to be on the receiving end of such a wish, Bulma realized just how short-sighted she had been prior to setting out on her journey. She had also set Vahn as her current goal, so, even if they did obtain all seven Dragon Balls, she no longer had any use for them. She was already ludicrously wealthy, supremely intelligent, and remarkably beautiful. Other than a boyfriend that could match her status, she had never wanted for anything her entire life...With this, and several other thoughts plaguing her mind, Bulma was caught off guard when Sarina suddenly sat next to her and asked, "What are you thinking about with such a serious look on your face?"Adopting a slightly hostile expression, Bulma retorted, "There's no way you would understand. You have a literal God as your mentor and boyfriend. I bet you don't even have to ask and Vahn grants all your wishes, doesn't he?"Furrowing her brows, Sarina wanted to refute Bulma's words but she couldn't. Vahn had literally created an entire metaverse for her, and, despite having far more pressing matters to attend, he hadn't even hesitated to agree to her request. If she asked, he would transform her into a Saiyan, teleport her anywhere she wanted to go, and dedicate entire planets to her training. There were very few things he wouldn't outright give her, chief among them being power she hadn't earned."..."Seeing the conflicted expression on Sarina's face, Bulma's own formed into a pout. There was a lot she could infer from Sarina's reaction. This created innumerable questions in her mind, but, instead of focusing on general curiosities, Bulma decided to strike at the heart of the matter, asking, "Were you the one who asked Vahn to come here...?"Not expecting such a question out of the blue, Sarina opened her mouth to refute, but, before she could utter so much as a single syllable, Bulma snorted through her nose, adding, "I knew it. Vahn is far too powerful to be wasting time here on Earth. You must have taken advantage of your status as his lover to request that he bring you here. The question is, why?"Realizing she had severely underestimated Bulma's intelligence, Sarina decided to borrow a page from Loki's book. The irredeemably perverted Goddess had taken an interest in her during most of her stays in the Game Board. This had forced Sarina into a number of compromising positions, but, in exchange, she was able to learn from one of the most intelligent and clever Goddesses in Vahn's memory.Squinting her eyes, a weak yet palpable bloodlust radiated from Sarina's body as she said, "Though I can understand your reasons, aren't you being a little too presumptuous? People aren't obligated to reveal their secrets just because you asked. And to think, I was actually about to give you advice on how to further your relationship with Vahn..."Shaking her head, Sarina rose from her seated position before looking down at Bulma and adding, "You're right about one thing. Vahn came here because of me. If I asked him to leave, do you think he would refuse...?"Without waiting for Bulma's response, Sarina walked over to where Vahn was manipulating the sand to build a 1:10 scale model of a castle for Goku. The young Saiyan was having a blast destroying the record-setting sandcastle, as, despite possessing a pure heart, Goku was ultimately a pure-blooded Saiyan. Vahn was intending to help him control his destructive instincts, but, before that, he wanted to draw them out so that Goku was better aware of them.Following Sarina's departure with a withering gaze, Bulma's desire to steal Vahn for herself matured from a simple sapling to a veritable world tree. At the same time, however, her rational mind kicked into overdrive. It didn't take a genius to understand that Sarina's words weren't so much a threat as they were a statement of fact. If she did ask Vahn to whisk her away, Bulma had no doubt he would do exactly that."How annoying...I finally find someone suitable enough to be my boyfriend and he's taken by some hussy with more tits than brains..."Willfully ignoring the fact her breasts were much larger than the majority of girls her age, Bulma's mind raced to come up with a plan to sway Vahn's favor. He had already expressed an interest in her, so, ideally, she just needed to give him a few small pushes to shift his attention from Sarina to herself...Shaking such thoughts from her mind, Bulma bit the nail of her right thump as she muttered, "No, that won't work. Even if he looks like a normal, albeit attractive human male, Vahn is ultimately a God. If he really has lived for billions of years, there's no way he will just abandon one of his lovers to be with someone else..."Though she was supremely confident in her intelligence and beauty, Bulma wasn't vain enough to think Vahn would simply abandon the person he descended to Earth to train. There was also a very real possibility he would see through her intentions the moment she attempted to turn him against Sarina. If that happened, Bulma wagered he would either distance himself from her or simply regard her as another, inconsequential human being..."Damnit..."Realizing her only hope was to convince Sarina to leave Vahn, Bulma couldn't help cursing under her breath. She had barely even known Vahn for twenty-four hours and it was already impossible for her to regard him as anything less than perfect. If he were her boyfriend, there was no way in hell she would leave him for someone else. She might if he completely ignored her, but, seeing as how he was willing to descend to Earth on Sarina's whim, it was pretty obvious Vahn didn't ignore his women..."Women..."Recalling the fact that Sarina had introduced herself as 'one of Vahn's lovers', the realization that he had other women suddenly crossed Bulma's mind. It would certainly explain why he was so open to her visiting his room despite the fact Sarina was already there. As a God that had lived for billions of years, he probably had dozens, if not hundreds of wives awaiting his return in some higher plane of existence..."Oh, great. I finally find someone worthy enough to be my boyfriend and there's a possibility he has enough wives to populate a small city...""It's not quite to that point...""Uwaaaah~!?"Hearing Vahn's voice coming from beside her, Bulma issued a high-pitched scream before nearly falling out of her beach chair. This was prevented by Vahn, who, afterward, held out a glass of ice tea, asking, "You okay? I didn't mean to startle you."Though Bulma ultimately accepted the offering, it wasn't before she remarked, "As if...don't think I haven't caught on to your little game, Buster. You really enjoy teasing people, don't you?"Shrugging his shoulders, Vahn neither confirmed nor denied Bulma's accusations as he went on to explain, "You're right about the existence of my harem. However, so long as I'm here in this world, you can rest assured that they will never make an appearance. If you ever do meet them, it will be because you've ascended to Godhood or agreed to come with me when I return. As for when that will be...I'm not entirely sure. At the very least, I will probably stay here for thirty-odd years. I could also stick around until you die of natural causes, but, even if we never become a thing, that isn't too likely to occur. I take care of my friends and family. We might never become the latter but I'd like it if we were to remain friends for the duration of my stay..."Furrowing her brows, Bulma's various trains of thought briefly ground to a halt as she asked, "Are you trying to friend zone me?"Shaking his head, Vahn's expression softened as he said, "I'm just being honest with you. I don't want you to feel pressured to make a decision just because you think time is limited. While that may be the case, thirty years is a long time from the perspective of humans. Take your time and decide for yourself the path you wish to walk. So long as you don't ask me to mind control people or give you the power to destroy galaxies with a sneeze, I'll always be here to lend an ear...""..."Though she was tempted to point out he had mentioned only being around for thirty years, Bulma decided against correcting Vahn's statement. She was far more focused on the fact he was basically telling her he would grant her wishes even if she didn't choose to become one of his many lovers. If that were true, there must be a reason he was indirectly pushing her to continue the search for the Dragon Balls...Looking past Vahn, Bulma could see Goku laughing boisterously in the middle of a now-destroyed sandcastle. She also recalled that Vahn had previously shown off his tail, yet, despite wearing a pair of loose-fitting swim trunks, it was currently nowhere to be seen. This, combined with the things he had said during his conversation with Roshi, had begun to paint a clear picture within her mind. This wasn't her journey, it was Goku's...Taking advantage of the fact that Vahn apparently couldn't lie, Bulma's expression formed into a pout as she asked, "If I asked you to take me back to West City...would you continue searching for the Dragon Balls?"Even without Vahn answering directly, Bulma knew the answer the moment a wry smile developed across his face. A surprisingly painful feeling spread through her chest, and, for a brief moment, she almost felt as though she was about to begin hyperventilating. Before she could, Vahn's placed his hand on her back, a notably bewildered expression on his face as he stated, "I think you may have misunderstood something..."Turning to face him, Bulma noticed a hint of concern in Vahn's eyes as he clarified, "I came here to train Sarina. While you and Goku are instrumental to this world's survival, it was never my intention to control, manipulate, or dictate your lives. I am here as more of an observer than an actual actor. I will invariably take action when I see fit but this is ultimately your world...your life...what you choose to do with it is ultimately up to you."Though it wasn't the answer she wanted, Bulma wasn't too surprised by Vahn's words. If he tried to convince her he had come to Earth specifically for her, she wouldn't have believed him. He had also gone on the record to reveal the purpose behind his visit on no less than three separate occasions so it would be strange for him to change his tone just to make her feel better.Realizing that Vahn didn't truly care about this world or the people in it, countless thoughts began to form in Bulma's mind. His words and actions implied that things were going to get pretty hectic if she and Goku were somehow instrumental to the world's survival. His interactions with Roshi also supported this notion, so, after a moment of deliberation, a serious glimmer flashed across Bulma's eyes as she asked, "Will you marry me...?"......(A/N: Alternate Titles; 'Drama Squad, Assemble...!','Bulma is, unsurprisingly, very smart...','Well, that escalated quickly...')

Chapter 15: Compromise