Dragon Ball: Mori's tales

The sun was just peeking over the horizon, its golden light filtering through the curtains of Capsule Corporation. Bulma, standing in front of the kitchen window with a cup of coffee, admired the calm morning. It wasn't often that they had such peaceful mornings. Life had slowed down after Cell, and she was grateful for the time they had now.

In the backyard, Trunks and Vegeta were already up. Vegeta was teaching Trunks basic stances, and despite the light-hearted nature of their morning training, Vegeta took it seriously. He stood behind his son, adjusting his posture and guiding his punches. Trunks, now five years old, watched his father intently, determined to prove himself.

"Good. Now, focus, boy," Vegeta said, his voice gruff but filled with a subtle pride. "Your form is better than last week, but you still need to tighten your defense."

Trunks nodded and threw another punch, his small tail flicking behind him in concentration. Bulma watched them from the window, smiling. Despite Vegeta's tough exterior, he had a soft spot for his family, especially Trunks. She grabbed her phone and snapped a picture of the two, knowing this would be a memory to treasure.

Later that day, the family decided to head out into the city. Bulma insisted on a family day out—no training, no fighting, just time together. Vegeta wasn't too keen on it at first, but after some convincing (and Bulma's strong will), he agreed.

They started with a visit to a local amusement park, something Trunks had been asking about for weeks. Vegeta looked completely out of place amidst the bright colors and excited kids, but Bulma held his hand, squeezing it reassuringly.

"You can survive this, tough guy," she teased with a smile.

Trunks, on the other hand, was having the time of his life. He dragged his parents to ride after ride, his laughter contagious. Bulma couldn't remember the last time she'd seen her son this happy, and even Vegeta, despite his grumbling, seemed to be enjoying himself—especially when Trunks convinced him to go on the bumper cars, where the prince's competitive side came out full force.

After the amusement park, they took a quiet walk through the city, stopping at a park where Vegeta and Trunks kicked a soccer ball around. Bulma sat on a nearby bench, watching them interact. Seeing Vegeta actually taking time to bond with their son like this was rare and precious. He wasn't just the Saiyan prince or a warrior—he was Trunks' father, and he was learning how to embrace that role more every day.

The weeks passed, and the routine of family life took over. Vegeta and Trunks would continue their light morning training together, focusing on the fundamentals, while Bulma focused on her work at Capsule Corp. They balanced family life and their individual pursuits, creating a harmony that felt long overdue.

One weekend, Bulma convinced Vegeta to go on a small family vacation. They chose a quiet, secluded beach, far from the distractions of the city or the battlefield. Vegeta didn't quite understand the appeal of doing nothing for days, but he agreed, for Trunks' and Bulma's sake. 

Trunks spent hours playing in the sand, building castles with his mother and trying to dig up seashells. Vegeta mostly watched, sitting under the shade of an umbrella, arms crossed, occasionally giving pointers when Trunks tried to practice energy blasts by the water. Bulma and Trunks laughed, splashing in the ocean, while Vegeta kept a close eye on them, his version of protection, even in such a peaceful setting.

As the year went on, Trunks grew stronger in his training, but Vegeta didn't let up. In between their lighter sessions, Vegeta continued to push his own limits, training in Capsule Corp's gravity chamber. Trunks often watched his father in awe, sitting beside Bulma as Vegeta pushed his body to its limit, breaking through whatever ceiling he had set for himself before.

"Will I ever be as strong as Dad?" Trunks asked one day, eyes wide as Vegeta powered through another set of training drills, sweat dripping from his brow.

"You'll be stronger," Bulma said confidently, ruffling her son's lavender hair. "Your dad didn't have anyone to teach him when he was your age. You've got both of us, and you've got time."

Trunks smiled at that, his chest puffing with pride.

One day, during one of Vegeta's solo training sessions, something happened. He was training particularly hard, pushing himself well past his usual limits. Bulma and Trunks were watching from the observation room, as they often did, but this time, something was different. There was an intense look in Vegeta's eyes, something fierce and unyielding, like he was on the brink of something new.

"Is Dad okay?" Trunks asked, sensing the intensity.

"I think… I think he's close to breaking through," Bulma said, her voice tinged with excitement. She had seen this look before—just before Vegeta first transformed into a Super Saiyan. It was the look of a warrior on the edge of evolution.

Vegeta continued to train, his muscles straining, his power growing. Trunks watched in awe as his father's energy flared to new heights. After hours of intense focus, Vegeta finally stopped, panting heavily, his body covered in sweat. He didn't say a word, but the look on his face told them everything. He had reached a new level of strength, one that even he hadn't expected to find so soon.

In the months that followed, the family routine continued, but with an added sense of purpose. Vegeta was closer than ever to unlocking something greater, and Trunks, inspired by his father, worked harder in his own training. Bulma, ever the supportive partner, made sure they had everything they needed to succeed.

The family also made time for more relaxed moments. There were movie nights, where they'd all pile on the couch, Vegeta pretending not to care about whatever film Trunks had picked, but secretly enjoying the time with them. They went to festivals, celebrated milestones, and spent quiet evenings at home.

One memorable afternoon, Bulma caught Vegeta teaching Trunks how to fly properly. Trunks was a quick learner, and soon enough, the boy was zooming around the backyard, laughing as Vegeta gave chase. Bulma watched from the sidelines, her heart full. 

This was the life she had always dreamed of—full of love, growth, and laughter. Vegeta, Trunks, and Bulma had become more than just a family bound by blood. They were a unit, stronger together than they had ever been apart.

As the year drew to a close, the bond between the three of them had only grown. Trunks was well on his way to becoming a strong, confident fighter, Vegeta was on the verge of unlocking new levels of power, and Bulma was the glue that held it all together, the heart of their little family.

The future held many unknowns, but one thing was certain: together, they were unstoppable.