Chapter 5

"We’re back!" Bulma shouted, slamming the door of the car behind her.
Struggling with the grocery bags, she stumbled her way into the Kame
house, with Puar following close behind.

"So how are they?" Muten Roshi asked her, taking the bags.

"They’re both doing fine, and keeping in shape, as far as I can tell,"
she replied. "And every one of that bunch seems pretty stoked about
training under Kami."

"Yes, it’s quite an honor," Roshi said, nodding. "Well, I’m all ready
to go. I even brought a few things to read in case we get rained out
or something."

"You’d better not be bringing any of those trashy magazines with the
pictures of naked women in them," Bulma said angrily. "Because I
refuse to even let you come with us if you are!"

Roshi rolled his eyes. He hated being ordered around by Bulma as if
she were his mother! But he figured he ought to do what she asked this
time. She seemed pretty serious. He began taking the magazines out of
his bag.

"Aw, go easy on him Bulma," Oolong said, walking into the Kame house.
"He’s not hurting anyone."

"What are you doing here?" she said angrily. "I hope this doesn’t mean
that you’re coming too."

"I am coming," he said, with a hurt expression on his face. "Muten
Roshi invited me. He said you two would appreciate my help."

"You’re more of a pain in the neck than a help." Bulma said. "I know
you. The first sign of danger and you’ll go running for cover. The
most you’re good for is luring big scary monsters out of their dens
while we reach in for a stray dragonball."

"You wouldn’t really do that, would you?" he asked, trembling.

"Oh yeah!" Bulma said enthusiastically. "What hungry jungle beast
wouldn’t leave its lair for a plump porker like yourself? You’d make
the perfect bait!"

Oolong looked like he was about to faint. He gulped and glared at
Bulma.

"Oh, stop scaring him Bulma," Muten Roshi said. "We’d better get
started. Have you even located our first dragonball yet?"

"No," she admitted. "I haven’t even packed yet. Just give me a minute,
will you?" Sheepishly she packed her things. When she had put all the
items she thought she would need in the bag, she picked it up, got up,
and walked over to Oolong, who was sitting on the couch and pouting for
all he was worth. Bulma sighed.

"Look Oolong," she said. "I’m sorry I upset you. I guess I’m a little
testy today. If it counts for anything, I wouldn’t really feed you to
any wild animal."

"Really?" Oolong said distrustfully.

"Really," Bulma said sincerely. "Besides, you might give him
indigestion!"

She laughed as she dodged a pillow projectile and ran out the door.
Oolong was right behind her, brandishing another pillow.

"Come on you two, let’s go!" she yelled back at Roshi and Puar. "There
are four more dragonballs out there with our names on them!" Grabbing
their bags, they raced out after them to Bulma’s air car. The search
was about to begin!"


On to Chapter Six...