"Wooo!" Bulla threw out her fist, shaking her head side to side while she jumped in rhythm to the strange techno music blasting around her. One after the other, she downed three more fluorescent pink shots and slammed each glass back on the glittery bar bench.

She felt a pair of hands gliding down her silky dress, along with a face nuzzling into the back of her neck. Spinning around to face him, she pulled away with a giggle when he attempted to meet her lips with his own. Nope, not kissing anyone tonight. Shimmying away, she stuck out her tongue. "Thanks for the drinks. You wouldn't happen to have anything stronger, would you?"

"I might," he smirked, revealing a pair of pointy fangs. "Give me a moment. Stay where you are." Her new found friend wandered into the crowd.

Bulla glanced around, curious about the rest of her party. It didn't take her long to find Goten, dancing a few metres away, a sea of exotic women around him, although he seemed to be neutralising their advances. At just that moment, the heiress caught him lifting a dainty hand from his shoulder before continuing his bopping. See, now that's the kind of guy you want, she thought to herself. How long has it been since he's gotten off, and he still won't even look at another girl. Clara doesn't know how good she has it.

He caught her gaze and offered her a boyish smile. She felt herself warm at the iconic expression and gave him a wink in return. Casting her attention further along, she found her brother. He had eventually agreed to join them, and definitely seemed to be enjoying himself. Bulla couldn't help but watch in interest as he danced with a local beauty - soft purple skin, long white wavy hair and lithe limbs. The lady was all over him, and, to be fair, he was all over her too. Bulla turned away, Let's not watch Trunks make out with random women all night.

She felt a hand press to the small of her back and pivoted with a smile. "You're back," she smiled, taking in her handsome dance partner. He wasn't from here, from what she could tell. His skin was a pastel yellow, features sharper than the others. His hair was dark and shaggy and when he grinned, it suggested mischief. She set her sights on him the moment she walked in.

He'd told her his name was Flint, but she didn't particularly care. The heiress had no intention of seeing him again, despite his repeated attempts at getting her details. He was merely tonight's entertainment.

"Close your eyes and open your mouth," he instructed playfully.

Only too happy to oblige, she did as he said. At the last second, she reopened them when she realised he was using the opportunity to sneak a kiss. Bulla pressed her fingers to his chest and ducked, laughing as she did so. "You play dirty."

"Here." He grabbed her hand and dropped a small white pill into her palm. "Something stronger."

Pinching it between her fingers, she stuck out her tongue and held it over her open mouth. Down the hatch.

"Are you nuts?"

She felt someone grab her wrist, quickly yanking it away. "Goten?" She tilted her head in surprise. "What are you doing?"

"What are you doing?" he scolded, glaring at her with stern dark orbs.

"I'm enjoying myself." She snapped her arm out of his grasp with a frown. "Leave me alone if you're going to be fun police."

"Who are you?" Flint interjected, narrowing his eyes.

Goten glanced at him briefly before wrapping his arm around the heiress' waist and leading her towards the room's perimeter.

"We're not on earth anymore, Bulla. You have no idea what this is." He plucked the pill from her fingers and tossed it into the crowd, eliciting a whimper as she watched it sail away. "Or what sort of effect it could have on you. Not to mention." He looked to the baffled alien who was observing them from a few metres away. "You only met that guy a couple of hours ago. He could easily be trying to take advantage of you."

"So you've been watching me, have you?" She folded her arms. "I'm a big girl, Goten. I can look after myself."

"Apparently not!" he argued. "I know you're smarter than this. How could you do something so reckless?"

"Leave me alone," she grumbled, twisting around to storm off. "I need this, okay?"

"Need what?" He grabbed her arm. "To have a night you're probably going to end up regretting?"

Her blood was bubbling as she stared daggers at him.

"Don't you dare judge me," she warned through gritted teeth. "I got more than enough of that back home."

"Leave the lady alone." Flint approached, eyes on the older halfling. "She's clearly not interested."

Goten cast him another impassive glance before looking back to the heiress. "Bulla, don't do this to yourself," he cautioned, keeping his voice low. "It's dangerous."

The yellow-skinned alien placed his palm on Goten's shoulder. "Are you deaf? Step away from the girl, or you'll answer to me."

"Listen, buddy," Goten responded, removing his hand. "I'm not looking for a fight. Just leave her alone, alright? Talk to her again when she's in a better state of mind."

Bulla gasped when she saw a mustard-toned fist collide with Goten's nose. Before she knew it, she threw her own punch right at Flint's jaw, sending him to the floor. "You ass! Come on, Goten."

Now she was the one to take the older hybrid's arm and dragged him towards the exit. Once they were outside, she brought her fingers to his face, inspecting him more closely. Without the blaring music, it was a lot easier to focus.

"I don't think it's broken," she uttered, wiping the small trickle of blood and cleaning her fingers on her dress. "Lucky." Lifting her gaze, she met stormy dark orbs. Her heart took one mighty leap before she quickly stepped back. "Let's get out of here."

"Do you want to go somewhere else?" he offered, jogging to catch up with her.

"No, I think I've had enough of tonight," she murmured, crossing her arms as she marched the direction of their hotel.

"What about grabbing some food?"

She paused. It didn't sound like a bad idea actually. I could do with something indulgent right about now.

"What about this place?" He pointed at a restaurant directly opposite from where they were standing.

"Fine. But you're paying." Bulla stomped towards the entrance, throwing the door open before being met by the host. "Two please," she mumbled.

They were led to their table - a rather fancy one at that. It was a private two person booth with ornate upholstery. Everything inside was velvet in various deep tones of plum, wine and burgundy, with gold tassels.

"Can I get you two anything to drink?" their host offered.

Goten looked to the heiress. "Bulla?"

"I don't know, am I allowed?" She crossed her arms childishly.

He let out a sigh. "We'll get one of these, please." Goten pointed to the menu before the maître d' nodded and wandered off.

"I'm sorry for ruining your night, alright?" he frowned, brows creasing together while his shoulders slumped. "I wasn't trying to. But I couldn't sit back and watch the train wreck that was about to happen right in front of me."

She glanced back. "I get that it looked risky, but I was fine. I had that guy wrapped around my finger." Bulla slowly loosened her arms. "There was no way he was going to do anything that I didn't want him doing."

"I don't doubt that," he exhaled, interlocking his fingers on the table. "But you still don't know what was in that pill he gave you. It could have killed you for all we know." The pained look he was wearing gave her goosebumps. "We don't know how these drugs work with our bodies."

She ran her fingers through her hair and let out a long breath. "Do you think we could maybe just go home," she whispered. "I don't feel like being here anymore."

"Are you sure? You don't want to sober up a bit?"

"I am sober," she grumbled. "Why do you think I asked him for something stronger."

Goten slid out of their booth and she did the same. He held up his palm to the waiter, who was on his way back to their table with what looked to be a bottle of wine, and apologised. After exiting the establishment, they made the quiet walk back to their hotel room.

After a few minutes, Bulla looked to the sky, almost stopping in her tracks, large aquamarine orbs marvelling at the sight. I'm probably going to miss this most once it's all over, she realised. Every new planet they visited offered an entirely different experience when she'd gazed up. The stars on Advent seemed especially close and bright.

Goten hesitated when he realised she was no longer walking with him, and joined her. "Mind-blowing, isn't it?"

"Yeah," she breathed, almost overwhelmed by the beauty of the view. Her body shivered involuntarily and she soon felt an arm being wrapped around her bare shoulders. Out of the corner of her eye she discreetly glanced at her fellow hybrid, watching as he kept his own gaze high. She snaked her arm behind his back, offering a silent apology as she pulled him closer, meeting his smile with her own when he turned to look at her. Once again, she heard a single deafening beat in her ears. Maybe I should have let that guy kiss me... "Let's get back," she voiced, breaking the moment before it got too uncomfortable.

Once they reached their lodgings and stepped into the lift, both remained silent, though Bulla couldn't help but notice his he had been watching her occasionally in the large mirrors and kept her gaze intentionally averted. She felt inexplicably jittery, and was becoming increasingly self aware. After landing on the forty-second floor, she quietly walked to their suite, heels in hand, lost in thought.

As she nudged the door open, she felt Goten gently wrap his fingers around her wrist and tug her back. "What?" she asked lazily, feeling the day's events catching up with her.

He said nothing as he hooked his fingers behind her neck, thumb running over her soft cheek. What is he doing? She didn't know when, but at some point she'd stopped breathing. They stared at each other silently for a few painstaking moments before he finally closed the gap and pressed his lips to hers.

Bulla's eyes widened as she dropped her shoes and swung out her arm, smacking him right across the cheek.

Ducking into their shared room, she slammed the door behind her and pressed her back to it, heart racing a mile a minute. What. The. Fuck.

"Bulla," he muttered through the door.

Her eyes scanned the room, seeking what? She had no idea.

"Bulla," he repeated. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"What's wrong with you?!" she yelled, finally finding her voice. "You are aware of how my relationship just ended, right? How can you do that to Clara?"

"I do know, I'm sorry," he pleaded through the door. "Can you let me in?"

"No!" she declared. "You can sleep outside tonight! I have no tolerance for cheaters."

"Bulla, please." The door creaked when she heard him lean against the the other side. "Let me explain."

"I'm not interested in your excuses, Goten," she fumed, becoming increasingly irate the more time she had to realise just how much he'd overstepped. "I thought you were better than that!" So they're all like this? Is no guy in existence capable of monogamy?

"I want to tell you something." She could hear the resignation in his voice. "But not from the hallway."

"I guess it's not that important then," she returned bitingly, aquamarine tresses slapping at the door when she twisted to yell at it. "Save your words for your girlfriend!"

"It's over between me and Clara."

The heiress gasped.

"Did you hear me?" he asked through the door.

"Since when?" she asked sceptically, slight frown beginning to form.

"Does it matter?" he countered.

"Maybe."

"Fine," he sighed. "Since we landed on Ellis."

She let out another gasp - even bigger this time - painted, glossy mouth flying open. "Why?"

"Bulla, not right now," he exhaled. "Please."

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" she pushed, jittery orbs darting as she raced through her memories of his admittedly bizarre behaviour on that planet - even been before things went sideways.

"Why would I lie about this?"

"I can think of one reason, and it's in your pants!" she answered crudely, folding her arms.

"Is that what you think of me?"

Bulla could almost picture the contortions his face was probably making right now at the cutting comment. "I don't know what to think of you!" she exclaimed. "I sure as hell never expected you to kiss me!"

He went quiet, but she could still feel his ki in the passage outside. Slowly, she pivoted on the ball of her foot and rested her fingers on the handle. After a few ticks of the suite's clock, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and opened the hotel room door.

The two demi-Saiyans observed each other apprehensively. Goten, presumably wary of saying the wrong thing and getting himself locked out again, and Bulla, desperately trying to figure out what the heck she was doing.

The lines in his forehead were creasing as bold brows drew together. She could see him pleading with her silently, probably urging her to put the whole thing behind them. Well too bad, she responded internally. Because that's never going to happen.

Grabbing him by the collar, Bulla yanked the older hybrid inside, shut the door and threw her arms around his neck, crashing into him as she reunited their mouths. Immediately, she felt large, warm hands on her back, gliding over the silky fabric of her dress. Without warning, he spun the heiress around and rammed her back against the door, deepening their already wanting kiss. She let out a moan of discontent when he dragged his mouth away, only to find soft lips brushing against her jaw, slowly making their way towards her neck.

Bulla whimpered at the sensation, squirming as she realised just how much she missed such contact. Slipping her fingers up his t-shirt, she raked over his abdomen, Sweet kami, those abs, and pried the fabric upward while she rubbed her palms over his chest. He followed her cue and slung the garment overhead in one swift, well-practised motion before returning his mouth to her collarbone and working his way down, keeping her firmly pressed to the cool door while he laid a trail of desperate kisses.

She writhed beneath him while her fingers explored his bare torso, relishing the dips and ripples she had seen so many times before, both in her youth and in recent months. He'd traipsed shirtless around the ship so frequently she had almost become immune to the sight. Almost.

Bulla suddenly found herself elevated when he grabbed her by the middle and lifted her off the ground, keeping a tight hold on her waist. She wrapped her legs around him and tightened her hold on his neck, moaning into his mouth when she felt fingertips digging into her hips. Carrying her towards the generously-sized mattress, Goten laid her down on her back and crawled on top of her, hands and mouth roaming eagerly. Her breathing was already ragged as she tried to make sense of what was going on between them. Well, right now he's trying to get me naked.

Sliding his hands over her smooth thighs and up the underside of her dress, he traced his fingers along her waist and past her rib cage, planting a string of red hot kisses along the way. She couldn't keep herself from writhing as shivers coursed through her. The fabric caught on his forearms while he made his way towards her shoulders and Bulla instinctively raised her arms as he rolled the rest up past her head, eventually freeing her of the flimsy garment and throwing it to the floor.

He took a moment to drink in her nakedness, nothing but bright stars and white moonlight reflecting off her soft curves, before leisurely lifting his gaze back up to meet her own. "God, you're beautiful," he breathed, prompting her brain to officially exit her skull. Goten began lowering his head once more, squeezing into her sides as he returned his lips to tingling flesh. All too soon, his head snapped towards the door. "Oh shit!"

He jumped off the mattress and frantically scanned the room before finding his t-shirt and throwing it on. After picking up her dress, he tossed it to the heiress. "Quick, he's almost here."

What? But I don't-

Bulla shot up and fumbled with her lone piece of civilian wear. Shit. Shit. Shit! Oh screw it. She reached for her bag and dashed for the bathroom. As soon as hers closed, she heard the main room door open, along with Goten greeting her, potentially sloshed, older brother. Please kami, let him be drunk enough to not catch on to what just happened.

After a brisk shower, Bulla changed into her standard white tee and space pants, So sexy, princess, and returned to the central room to find Trunks and Goten talking easily in the living room.

Judging by the mildly slurred language, her brother was definitely less than sober - Thank Kami for small mercies. It seemed he hadn't returned empty-handed either, and had an assortment of bottles sitting on the coffee table.

"You're back," she exhaled in greeting.

"A huh," he answered, twisting around to face her. "You two left pretty early? I was expecting you to make a night of it."

Bulla shot a glance to the dark-haired halfling. "I was pretty tired so I decided to come back home."

"Well, if you want to continue to the party in here," Trunks began. "I made some friends and they sent me on my way with these." He directed his hands towards the collection of exotic bottles.

"I could definitely do with a drink," Goten coughed, opening the bottle nearest to him and bringing it straight to his mouth.

"No glasses, cowboy?" Bulla ribbed.

"Not tonight," he muttered, keeping his eyes on the heiress while he took another swig.

Trunks twisted the cap on a second bottle and did the same. Bulla regarded the two Saiyan men, silently wondering how good of an idea it was to get plastered with her brother tonight of all nights. Let's find out, I guess?


"Wait, you knew about Goten and Clara?" Bulla hiccuped.

"Of course," Trunks chastised, taking another drink. "Why wouldn't I?"

"He never told me..." She threw the aforementioned Saiyan an accusing look. He simply turned his head to stare at the wall, as if it suddenly sprouted a face.

"Why should he? It's his own business," her brother reasoned, taking another drink.

"I can think of a few situations where it would have been relevant..." She narrowed her eyes.

"Hey, hey," Goten finally interjected. "Enough about me and my love life. What about you, playboy? I see you're back to your old ways."

"Fuck off," Trunks waved his hand. "Four women is hardly a comeback."

"Four?!" Bulla blurted. "Trunks, eww!"

"Not at the same time," he moaned. "Besides, half of them weren't even from tonight."

The heiress spat out her drink, quickly bringing her palm to her mouth. "I swear to God if you tell me you've secretly been getting laid while we've been working our asses off for this stupid mission I will die on the spot."

"Rest in peace, I guess," Trunks shrugged.

Bulla screamed into her hand and slammed her bottle to the carpet next to her.

"Are you surprised?" Goten directed to the aquamarine-haired hybrid. "Have you seen your brother? Plus he's got that whole 'quiet and closed-off' thing going on."

"Oh, of course," Bulla groaned, rolling her eyes. "They eat that shit up, don't they."

"Maybe initially," Trunks grumbled as he leaned the back of his head against the wall.

Bulla paused at the throwaway comment. "Trunks," she began, causing him look at her through lowered lids. "Why did agree to come on this trip?"

"What do you mean? To get the parts for the company."

"No, I mean why did you really agree to come on this trip," she reiterated, screwing the cap on her bottle. I should probably stop there.

He was quiet for a few moments. "Pass," he finally voiced.

"Why do you think she left you?" she asked quietly.

"Bulla," Goten cautioned, throwing her a look. She simply returned his expression.

"I know why she left me," her brother finally exhaled. "Because I unavailable. In every sense. I didn't give her enough, so she found it somewhere else." Trunks slowly dragged his fingers through his loose, silky locks. "I fucked up."

The heiress frowned, resting a hand on his leg. "You live and breathe Capsule Corporation," she sighed. "Why? Why is it always put above everything else in your life?"

He rolled his head to look at her. "It's my very own empire," he stated simply, with a hint of resignation. "Every ounce of passion and drive I have goes into that company. I can't help myself."

"You can take the Saiyan out of Planet Vegeta, but you can never take Vegeta out of the Saiyan," she smiled sympathetically. My brother was born to rule.

"I get it," Goten spoke up, causing both halflings to transfer their attention to him.

"What about you Goten?" Bulla tilted her head. "Why are you here? I always assumed you were just tagging along for the hell of it. But I'm starting to think otherwise."

"I'm guessing you've figured it out by now." He brought his bottle to his lips once more.

Bulla's eyes jumped open as she glared at him in disbelief.

"No, not that!" He put up his hands. "What I mean is." He took a deep breath. "I see where Trunks is coming from. No one back home gets what it's like to be us. Half-Saiyan. Our fathers just do whatever the hell their hearts desire, but we've had to fit in and try to make regular lives for ourselves despite other…" he hesitated. "Leanings."

"Exactly," Trunks uttered, rubbing his palm over his cheek while he stared at the carpet.

Bulla went quiet as she considered the two men's admission. "I think I know what you mean," she whispered, eyebrows drawing together while she recalled innumerable nights of inexplicable risk-taking, thrill-seeking and debauchery with Goten's niece. Man, we've gotten wild, she cringed at the thought.

"Goten," she began tentatively, feeling her cheeks warm when their eyes met. "What were you looking for out here?"

"I not even sure…" he muttered after a few quiet moments, resting an arm on his raised knee while he sat on the floor next to his almost comatose best friend. "Perspective, I guess."

"Perspective on what?" She knew they were starting to cross that line again, of 'is that too personal?' but boundaries be damned. They'd already gone too far in an entirely different context hours earlier - may as well have a heart to heart while they're all in the mood to open up.

After some contemplation, he answered reluctantly. "Myself." Goten looked away, but she couldn't tear her gaze off his subtly sinking expression. "I don't know if I like the person I've become."

Bulla frowned as she quietly digested his confession. She'd never expected to hear such words from a Son. Each one of them seemed so light and carefree, unburdened by toxic tethers like self-doubt and regret. "How can you not?" Tentatively, he glanced back to her. While she'd never expected to grow so close over the course of their space voyage, Bulla couldn't deny how much she'd come to adore her brother's best friend and his endlessly endearing character. It hurt her to know that he didn't necessarily see himself in the same positive light.

"I've grown complacent," he uttered, fingers loosely gripping the neck of his bottle while he dangled it above the carpet. "Like I've forgotten how to go for what I really want."

Bulla looked to her brother, almost certain he was lights out at this point, and smiled sympathetically at the fact that the two men's plights we almost entirely opposing. On the surface. And yet we all have the same problem. She closed her eyes and leaned her neck into the mattress edge. We're struggling to meet our full potential. Forced to restrain ourselves as 'normal' earthlings when we were probably always destined for so much more.

"Can you take his legs?" she requested, pressing into her hands as she pushed herself up and made her way to the slumped form of her brother. He was lying with his shoulder against the dresser, and she suspected he wouldn't feel too great in the morning if she just left him there. As much as she liked the idea of having one less competitor for the bed, she couldn't bring herself to make him spend the night on the floor.

Sliding herself behind him, she gripped under his armpits while Goten grabbed his ankles and the two halflings carried their de-facto leader to the mattress. Bulla cleared his lengthening lavender strands from him his eyes and kissed his forehead before hopping over to the other side and sitting up straight, legs crossed. Goten joined her on the opposite end of the bed, leaning his back into the headboard while he let out a breath.

"Cozy," Goten smirked, assessing their set up.

"Don't get too comfortable," Bulla yawned, beginning to french braid her hair. "I'm sleeping on the couch. You two lovers can have the bed."

"I can take the couch," he offered, rolling his head to gaze at her lazily. "Let the prince and princess take the bed fit for royalty."

"I can't remember the last time I slept next to my brother," she smiled, looking down at the stoic man while he snored softly. "You two on the other hand." Bulla raised an eyebrow.

The dark-haired demi-Saiyan nudged her shoulder. "Yeah, yeah. You and your jokes."

The heiress shuffled down on to her stomach and rested her head onto folded arms while she scrutinized the man next to her. Are we just going to pretend that whole thing from earlier never happened?

His lids were shut while he faced their shared room.

Maybe I'll rest my eyes for just a second…


When Bulla woke the next morning, heavy lids lifting reluctantly, she gasped at the sight of Goten's face opposite her own. Her jerk caused him to stir and soon he threw his own eyes open when he spotted startled aquamarine orbs glaring back at him. They stared at each other silently while each remained fixed to the mattress.

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. The movement, however, caused his gaze to fall to her lips and her pulse started to climb when she realised he wasn't looking away.

Bulla heard the mattress creak as he inched towards her, stomach doing somersaults when their noses grazed. Each halfling was watching the other with palpable trepidation. She barely felt their lips brush when she heard a groan from behind her back. In a panic, Bulla brought her hands to Goten's chest and gave a harsh shove, sending him crashing to the floor with a yell.

Bulla sat upright, eyes wide as saucers and heart drumming violently while she leaned into her hands.

"What's with all the commotion?" Trunks mumbled, wiping his palm down his face as he pushed himself up and spotted a dumbfounded looking Goten on the floor next to the bed. "Your roots are showing through I see. You could have at least taken the couch if you didn't want to sleep next to my sister, man."

"Uh, yeah…" Goten muttered, climbing back to his feet with a groan, "I need a shower," and dragged himself over to the bathroom.


"Oh my God, so many people," Bulla moaned, eyes glossing over the sea of strange faces in their midst. She kept her hands in her pocket, clutching her wallet, lest she lose it to another opportunist.

The three hybrids were making their way through the saturated crowd during peak hour and the civilians were packed like sardines as they made their way home. Street food vendors were calling out and car horns were beeping every few seconds.

Trunks, Goten and Bulla had spent the entire day searching for parts and it was now heading towards evening. While not entirely fruitless, they hadn't acquired as much as they'd hoped; As it stood, they had just hit halfway - fourteen out of twenty-eight pieces in their possession.

No one would admit it, but all three were painfully hungover. I guess this is why Trunks was such a hardass about staying on the straight and narrow while we worked, Bulla begrudgingly admitted.

Movement in the corner of her eye caused her to snap her head left, followed by a sharp inhale, heart all but stopping. Flailing her hands around, she attempted to get Goten's attention, words failing her.

"What's wrong?" he asked, coming to a stop when he realised she was no longer following next to him.

She grabbed his wrist and continued to stare, prompting him to squint and seek out what had caught the heiress' attention so abruptly.

"Trunks!" he called out, trying to keep his voice low.

Bulla couldn't believe her eyes. She was positively cemented to the ground - much to the other pedestrians' annoyance - as she took in the impossible sight in front of her: three men walking side-by-side, all dark-haired wearing slim fitting bodysuits and armour with remarkable resemblance to her father's. They had their backs to the three halflings giving Bulla full view of the appendage which gave her the most pause.

Behind them, each soldier was swinging a long, furry, brown tail.

"Are those..?" Trunks stared in disbelief.

"Watch where you're stopping!" a frustrated local scolded. "People are trying to walk here."

It missed her notice initially, but there was a fourth soldier in front of the original three in a different get up. He sported a white Cape, making it easy to presume that he wasn't one of them. But he definitely was.

Bulla shivered. Their power levels were too high to be anything but what she instinctively knew to be true.

These men were Saiyans. Real, true, pure-blooded Saiyans. And they were alive.

The cape-adorner was facing the opposite direction to the rest of his group, giving him full view of the gobsmacked halflings.

"He's seen us," Goten uttered.

"It's okay," Trunks responded cautiously, keeping his eyes on the squad. "It's not like they know who we are. Just turn slowly and keep walking like it's no big deal."

Bulla saw the leader's mouth move, followed by the remaining three all pivoting to face the hybrids.

Oh my God.

Without further warning, the four soldiers began making their way towards the halflings, crowds parting naturally as the imposing figures came through.

"Trunks…" Bulla stepped back apprehensively.

Goten grabbed her hand and briskly began leading her back the way they came. When she turned her head, she found the Saiyans had picked up the pace, steadily narrowing the distance.

"Okay, fuck it," Trunks called when he swung his own head back. "Run."

All three broke into a sprint before taking to the air, racing out of the central business district.

Bulla squinted as hair swirled around her face, and she suddenly smacked into, what felt like, a brick wall. The heiress was disoriented for a brief moment until she realised what she had actually collided with and reflexively jolted backwards.

The Saiyan leader was standing in front of them with his arms folded, cape blowing in the wind. "Who are you?" He narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

The hybrids said nothing.

He was staring at Goten as he continued. "You look Saiyan."

More silence.

He floated over to the heiress, causing her to shoot a nervous look to her brother. He was the furthest away and watching the Saiyan warily. He's always going on about keeping a low profile, she reminded herself. He probably doesn't want these guys knowing too much. We shouldn't do anything hasty.

After edging towards her, the man took a deep inhale as he lowered his nose to her neck. Bulla shivered at the bizarre action and glanced at Goten apprehensively.

The Saiyan lifted his head. "And you," he added, looking at Bulla curiously. "Smell like one." He reached out his hand. "But I've never seen one with such-" Goten grabbed his wrist, wearing an expression that suggested the newcomer tread lightly. Instinctively, Bulla floated closer to the older hybrid, quietly wondering if he could hear how hard her heart was beating.

The two men exchanged harsh glares before the soldier broke into a smile. "You three are coming with us," he spoke gruffly.

"We're good, thanks," Trunks voiced from her far left.

"You misunderstand," the Saiyan laughed. "It's not up for discussion. I'm simply letting you know what's coming next."

The remaining soldiers appeared, encircling the three hybrids, each one wearing a devilish grin.

"Don't bother trying to resist," he continued, clearly amused by the defensive stances each hybrid was slowly taking.

"Don't ascend unless you absolutely have to," Trunks instructed, keeping his voice low.

Bulla ducked as a heavy fist flew at her face and turned to see Goten had caught it in his hand. The remaining two lackeys were taking on her brother and she rammed her knee into one's back when she spotted an opening.

Sensing the approach of yet more powerful energies, the heiress gulped when she spotted five additional Saiyan soldiers heading their way. Distracted by the incoming reinforcements, she inadvertently dropped her guard and felt an arm wrap around her neck, followed by a guttural taunt in her ear. Bulla formed a ki ball in her right hand and held it to her captor's side, eliciting a growl when it broke through the plating and burned his skin underneath.

Spinning back around to take in the scene more rigorously, Bulla saw that Goten now had four warriors after him while Trunks fought off two with another pair coming her way. Their leader simply watched from the sidelines, arms still folded while he observed the battle with great care.

Each halfling maintained their advantage however, which did not seem to miss the big boss' notice. After a few minutes, he called out, "Masks!" and all eight paused, covering their faces with a small piece of equipment they'd kept hidden inside their chest plates.

Before Bulla even had a chance to react, a hissing sound filled her ears and a cloud of smoke spread through the space between her and her fellow halflings. Within seconds she was light-headed and struggling to maintain focus. What's... happening?

Mere moments later, she felt herself losing control of her motor function, unable to block the proceeding blow to her stomach or stop herself falling as she became dead weight in the sky.

The rest of the events came to her in snippets:

Trunks surrounded, head hanging heavily with his hands behind his back.

Goten thrashing around groggily, managing to free one arm which he reached out to the heiress. His eyes and hair were flickering. She faintly recalled hearing him call her name and seeing the anguish in his face before her view was suddenly blocked.

Bulla rolled her head back, seeing the dark grin of the Saiyan squad captain in front of her while she wondered how it was even possible that she was still in the air right now. Someone's holding me, she realised, feeling one arm around her shoulders while the other encircled her waist. She saw his mouth move, along with hearing something resembling words but her brain was too scrambled to understand what he was saying. The heiress groaned when he gripped her face within his left hand, frowning as he examined her hair between his fingers.

The last thing she remembered was a sharp pain at the back of her head, until all she saw was black.


Post-chapter notes:

And that's where our story ends- kidding!

So after all those teases and hints we finally get to see some Saiyans. Oh and that other thing we've secretly all been waiting for happened too.

~Guest: Thank you so much! I swear I will never grow tired of seeing those words.