Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z. This is a nonprofit story.

*Sorry everyone, it seems I'll be on a two week schedule for this story for a bit. I'm trying to get them done faster but too many chicken chores, garden hot beds to start, and spring cleaning to do right now. As for last chapter, I had several different ways to get rid of Chi-Chi written up and each one had a different person doing it. I'd been trying to find a spot to put it in since chapter 12. Then I made a decision about Goten because I think the boys do better with someone their own age as a companion. (oh is that a hint for something in Gohan's future?) Both GT and Super will not exist in this AU I'm writing. GT makes me cringe to much and I only really like the ssj4 transformation out of it. Super goes against the thoughts and plans I had for this story before starting it. Next chapter should be some training and there will be time skips coming up soon.*

'word' = thoughts

Chapter 21: Discussions

Krillin looked over at the Namekian flying beside him. "Man I wonder what happened? Gohan's chi dropped and Goku's chi has been all over the place. Now everyone's all together in the direction of Capsule Corp and there's a new power that's to high to be a normal human."

Piccolo frowned in concern. "Goku seemed to be moving in a panic, and with Gohan's power vanishing to almost nothing, I'm worried. Something happening to that boy might be enough to set Vegeta back to his blood thirsty ways."

The ex-monk shuddered at the thought. "Vegeta still scares me. He obviously thought there was something wrong with Gohan the way he powered up to Super Saiyan and took off. We have no hope of catching up with him."

Relief washed over both fighters as they felt Gohan's chi strong once again. They flew in silence the rest of the way to Capsule Corp.

Landing outside the residential building, Krillin cocked his head in thought. "That unknown power seems really familiar. Everyone seems to be in the same place inside."

The Namekian gave him a nod of acknowledgement as they entered the building and searched out their companions.

Voices drifted through the open door of the room ahead of them and they stepped inside.

Surprise froze them in place at the sight of the tall figure with long black hair being hugged to death by Panchy.

A small growl of dislike escaped Piccolo as he recognized the Saiyan. He narrowed his eyes. "Raditz."

Hearing his name, the warrior shifted around Mrs Briefs to see who called him. Piccolo's glaring visage caused him to take a step back, pulling the woman with him.

Krillin dropped into an attack stance. "Let her go you fiend!"

Mrs Briefs released her hold on the Saiyan and spun around. Brandishing her finger, she placed her other hand on her hip. "Oh no you don't! You leave this poor boy alone. I won't have any of you hurting my boys."

Yamcha shook his head where he was leaning against the wall. "Just leave it be, Krillin. You know how she is with her strays. And a Kai just dropped this one in her lap."

Stunned with confusion, Krillin dropped his arms to his side. "What is going on here?"

Piccolo pushed past the short fighter. "Is Gohan alright? It felt like something happened to him."

The Prince gave a snort and picked the boy up. "I'm given to understand his mother tried something again."

Goku watched the interaction with sad eyes, but didn't move to take his son. "I'm so sorry, Gohan. I failed to protect you again, even after I promised."

Raditz looked over his shoulder at his estranged brother. "It wasn't your fault. She put some potion in the drink. Probably would have killed him, too, if Master Shin hadn't set some sort of mystical scrying on the boy after he almost died last time. When the danger alarm went off, it replayed back what happened. Master Shin knew what to get to fix it."

He gestured towards Bulma. "We arrived there just in time to prevent that crazy woman from giving the same stuff to the baby."

Piccolo arched an eyebrow. "Who is this Master Shin?"

Raditz shrugged. "He's a Kai of some sort. Beyond that I can't say. He just had me running errands mostly for the last nine months. And training. Lots and lots of training. He said I was to weak to obtain my potential."

The Namekian crossed his arms and closed his eyes. "It is very odd for a Kai to involve themselves in simple mortal affairs."

The wicked smile that crossed Raditz's face had Vegeta narrowing his eyes in suspicion. He grabbed a lock of the other Saiyan's hair and pulled his head to him. "What do you know? I have questions that need answered."

A loud squall broke through the air, disrupting the questioning.

Bulma cooed to the crying bundle in her arms, then turned her glare on the males in the room. "You can take your testosterone fights outside later. Right now we have a new baby that needs cared for as well as Gohan. If we're going to have adult discussions, I'd rather do it in the comfort of the living room."

She looked over at Goku. "Carry your son. He needs some rest after his ordeal. Mom and I will get some food for the kids. They all need it."

She turned and headed out the door to the kitchen.

Goku obediently moved to Vegeta to take the boy. The Prince held the child out and Goku lifted Gohan up to sit on his arm and followed after Bulma.

Mrs Briefs put both of her hands on her hips and stared down the remaining fighters. "You boys better behave. Now you heard Bulma, move it!"

With a few well placed glares, she had the males out of the room and heading down the hall.

As the group took their choice of seats in the myriad of chairs and couches in the living room, silence reigned.

Raditz sat nervously in the chair he'd selected. Steepling his fingers together, he studied them as if they were the most fascinating thing in the world. He glanced to the couch where Vegeta and Goku sat next to each other, Gohan snuggled in the space between their bodies. Sweating lightly, he knew the other Saiyans could smell his distress. His eyes roamed over to the empty seat next to his Prince and contemplated moving to the safety of his own kind.

Vegeta gave the long haired Saiyan an irritated growl. "Quit fidgeting like a coward, you're pissing me off."

Raditz's face flushed in embarrassment at being called out. "Ah, um, I wasn't exactly on good terms with some of the people here last time I saw them. I was more powerful than them back then, but... But Mister Kabito taught me how to sense power and I can tell that even with the training they gave me, just about everyone here could crush me like a bug. I don't really want to die again hours after being given life. It kind of hurts."

Goku looked around the room accessing the moods of his friends. He felt no actual hostile intentions. Scratching the back of his head he smiled at his brother. "Don't worry so much. No one here is going to hurt you. Hell, I think other than Gohan, all us fighters have died at some point."

Relaxing slightly at his brothers words, Raditz awkwardly returned his smile and flushed. "Ah, yeah. I'm sorry about that."

He waved towards Gohan. "What with the incident with the boy, and spending so much time with Master Shin, I've had a lot of things to think about."

The Saiyan dropped back into his nervous silence.

Bulma strode into the room and claimed the seat next to Vegeta. She carefully held the baby in one arm and a large bottle in the other. She smiled softly as the child sucked down the nourishment. "It's a good thing we have plenty of formula for Trunks. I wasn't expecting another baby around here so soon."

"Everything will be fine. I'll just order some more cases of formula. We know how to take care of the little ones here." Mrs Briefs spoke as she came in, balancing a large tray with a plate of food, glass of juice, and another large baby bottle. She placed the plate and drink on the coffee table in front of Gohan. "Eat up, sweetie. You've had a horrible ordeal today and need your strength."

Leaving the tray, she took the bottle and sat next to her husband. Panchy grinned into the wide blue eyes of the boy he still held and offered the bottle. "Is my little Trunks hungry?"

Baby Trunks reached for the bottle and happily sucked down his meal.

Gohan sat staring warily at the food in front of him, not moving to touch anything. Bulma looked at him questioningly. "What's wrong? I thought you Saiyans were always hungry."

The boy flicked his eyes to her and back to the food. His stomach growled but he still made no move to eat.

Vegeta huffed and reached for the meal. He took a few bites then a small drink of the beverage. He stared Gohan in the eyes. "See, it's fine. Eat."

Goku stared in confusion. "What was that about."

Raditz snorted from his chair and crossed his arms. "I told you, that witch poisoned his food. I'd be nervous about it for a while, too. Some of the assholes on Frieza's ship would put things in our food sometimes. I know how he feels."

A whistling suck announced that Trunks had finished his bottle. After a loud burp, the boy squirmed on his Grandfather's shoulder.

Mr Briefs gave the boy a few more pats on the back, and chuckled. "So much energy, huh, my boy. Alright, I'll put you down."

Once his feet touched the ground, Trunks swayed a bit, tail counterbalancing his movements. Turning his head, he stared in awe at the people in the room. Then his eyes found one of his favorite persons and he squealed in delight before taking unsteady steps in that direction.

Raditz eyed the boy as he tottered near him. As Trunks misstepped and began to fall, the Saiyan reached out with a hand and caught him.

Bulma's eyes narrowed in apprehension as Raditz lifted the boy up to examine him. "You're an odd little whelp with that coloring."

Trunks grunted and twisted in the Saiyan's grasp. Raditz carefully set him back on his feet and watched as the boy resumed his tumbling steps towards his target. Reaching the couch, the boy almost fell again but grabbed tightly to his mother's leg before walking sideways past her. Stopping at his father, he reached up opening and closing both of his tiny hands as he squawked for attention.

With a grunt of acknowledgement, Vegeta lifted his son to his lap and wrapped his tail around the boy to keep him from falling.

The Prince looked up to see Raditz staring at him with almost comically wide eyes. "What's your problem?"

The other Saiyan stammered. "I..um...yeah...um. It's just I never thought you'd ever be one to take care of children."

Vegeta's lips lifted in a smirk. "I don't see why not. He's my son. I must make sure he grows up as a proper Saiyan."

Raditz's jaw dropped in shock as he stared at his Prince. "This is your child?! How the hell did that happen?"

Bulma rolled her eyes and looked over at the third adult Saiyan in the room. "He's your brother, Goku. You get to explain the birds and the bees to him."

Raditz sputtered indignantly. "I know what sex is! I just want to know how Vegeta of all people managed to get someone to have his kid."

An evil grin flitted across Gohan's face. He swallowed down the food he was chewing and gave the most innocent look he could. "Aunt Bulma took Uncle Vegeta into her bedroom one night and he made her scream a lot."

Bulma looked at the boy in horror as her face flushed deep red. "I am not that loud!"

Mrs Briefs sighed as she walked over and took the baby from her daughter. She patted Bulma on the arm. "It's alright dear. Remember that's why we had some sound proofing put in your room. Poor Gohan had to sleep in the living room that night."

Bulma gave a frustrated scream. "Do you all enjoy embarrassing me over that still?"

Vegeta grinned as he grabbed her, preventing her from leaving. "Yes. You're much to fun to play with."

Yamcha clapped his hands over his ears, a pained expression on his face. "I do not need to hear this." He stormed out of the room.

Krillin watched his friend leave with pity and sighed. "He really needs to get over his jealousy. Every time we go out for a night on the town he goes home with a different girl. There is no reason for him to keep pining after Bulma. I'll go find him later and have another talk with him."

Piccolo snorted from the wall. "You mammals and your pairing rituals. Eggs are so much easier."

The bald man turned his attention back to the couch where Mrs Briefs was handing the tiny baby to his father. "So Goku, what are you naming the kid?"

Goku looked up from where he'd been staring at his new son's face. "Oh, I'm not sure. I hadn't thought about it yet. Everything has just been happening so fast. What do you think we should name him, Gohan?"

As the boy studied his brother, he shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not good with making up names."

Mrs Briefs laid a hand on her adopted son's shoulder. "How about Goten. He was brought to us as a little gift from heaven."

Goku smiled and held his son closer. "Yeah. I like that. Little Goten."

o-o-o-o-o

After much chattering about children, Dr Briefs excused himself to his lab, pausing only to pat Gohan on the head on his way out.

Bulma and her mother had retreated with both babies, leaving the males with the admonishment to "behave or else."

A heavy silence fell over the remaining group. Piccolo shifted in his place against the wall. He looked pointedly at Raditz. "So what are we going to do with him?"

Vegeta crossed his arms and thought for a moment. The stood up and circled Raditz. "Well he needs training. He can go in the gravity room with the humans for now until he catches up."

The Prince looked over at Krillin. "You're in charge of Raditz's training for now. Do not go easy on him. He'll never get close to reaching Super Saiyan if you do."

The bald warrior frowned. "Shouldn't he be training with the rest of you Saiyans?"

Vegeta shook his head. "He'd never keep up with us or the Namek at the moment."

He paused to glare at Goku. "Besides we are going to be a little busy. I'd forgotten about Kakarot's little teleporting trick. That's something that is too useful. He will be teaching it to everyone who can learn it."

Raditz frowned from his chair. "Don't I get a say in this? I'm not a little child you know. I think Super Saiyan is a little out of my reach anyway."

The Prince gave his a look that froze him in place. "You will train, and you will learn. Part of your day you will spend time with human family and get to know them. You always did have a soft spot for children so you can help there. Bulma doesn't like those who don't do their share around the place."

Raditz cocked his head to the side. "Which one is Bulma?"

Goku grinned at him. "She's the one with blue hair. She's my sister. Just watch out. She can be really scary sometimes. Even Vegeta is afraid of her."

Vegeta growled and punched the other Saiyan in the arm. "I am not afraid of my wife, Kakarot. She just tends to be creative and evil if things don't go her way."

Raditz laughed. "So what did you do, find the most Saiyan like female you could on this planet?"

Lifting his lips in a snarl, the Prince glared at the older brother as well. "No! It was simply a mutual understanding."

He looked away from them in annoyance. "Besides, we don't need Saiyan women to restore our race. There is some sort genetic fail-safe with the Super Saiyan transformation. Only a pure Saiyan can sustain the ascension, so the body of a half breed changes in order to do so."

Raditz held up his hands placatingly. "I didn't mean anything by it. I'm still amazed that humans are compatible."

The Prince sneered. "We are compatible because Saiyans were created from the same ancestor ages ago."

Dead silence fell in the room.

Gohan shifted to look up at the older Saiyan. "I thought we weren't going to tell anyone about what we learned on that ship."

Vegeta put a hand on the boy's head and ruffled his hair. "The Namekian has shown himself as a well trusted teacher and advisor. Baldy there has shown loyalty and honor in my dealings with him on Namek and since. It's the scar faced one that sets me on edge still."

Goku frowned at the Saiyan next to him. "Can't you use peoples names?"

The Prince smirked back and pointed at the two in the room in turn. "I do use their names occasionally. Well I do for Piccolo and Krillin since they have earned my respect. The simpering weakling that left was Yamcha. With some of the things that the woman has told me, he may never get that respect."

Vegeta waved off that line of conversation and stared down Raditz. "You have some questions you need to answer. I know that the short male you were working for is a Kai of some sort and that he had to do with creating our people. He left before I could ask him what I needed. Surely in that time he enlightened you with some of the origins of our race."

Raditz rubbed his arms nervously. "I only know a little bit. Just what he was willing to share. Our race was a long term plan to fight some huge upcoming evil. Our legends were wrong. It was never supposed to be just one Super Saiyan, it was supposed to be the majority of the race. The Kai felt it was best to leave us to grow on our own like any other race. We were supposed to be protectors of people, not the death of worlds. Somehow we got it all twisted. You see where that lead us. Allying with Frieza and the destruction of Vegetasai. Master Shin didn't think there had been any survivors of that destruction. News of Kakarot ascending and defeating that tyrant on Namek spread pretty fast through Otherworld. That's when Master Shin started to watch the remnants of our race."

He pointed a finger at the boy wedged between the other two Saiyans. "He said that the boy existing gave him hope for the future of our people. He'd looked through the life ledgers of the four Vegetasai survivors. I'm sure you can guess how three of us looked with all that planet purging. What surprised him was when he found Vegeta taking care of Gohan and training him."

Raditz stared his Prince in the eyes. "You showed willingness to do penance for your deeds. You put the boy's happiness before your own. I know you and your pride and I would never have expected that. What happened to your plans for making your own kingdom after Frieza was defeated?"

Vegeta narrowed his eyes for a moment before closing them and taking a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again he was absolutely calm. He leaned forward and placed a hand on the coffee table. "I have my kingdom here. There may be no need for royalty and it may include humans and a Namekian, but it is mine. I will protect it with everything I have."

He paused when Goku shifted then laid his own hand on top of his on the table.

The earth raised Saiyan gave Vegeta a serious, yet determined look. "I'll stand beside you in that."

Gohan squirmed off the couch and placed his own small hand on top of his father's. "Me, too."

Piccolo let is lip twitch up at one corner. "How far we have come."

He strode over to kneel and place his own hand on the pile. "I'm in."

Krillin hopped up and over to the group to put in his own hand. "Count me in as well."

All eyes turned to look at Raditz. He stared back in surprise. "Are you sure you want me?"

Vegeta quirked a lip. "You have been my brother in all but blood for most of my life. It was us against the universe under Frieza. I never meant it when I said we were better off without you after you died. You may be pathetically weak right now, but we will fix that."

Raditz eagerly jumped forward to place his hand with the others. "I'll do my best to protect my new home and my family."

As they all withdrew their hands, Vegeta stood up. "Alright. We've had enough chit chat and lost most of today's training. Kakarot you can go introduce your brother to the wonders of the gravity chamber this afternoon. But first we will go dig through the stores of junk from Frieza's ship and find him a battle suit to wear for training."

He sized up the long haired Saiyan with an evil grin. "He also needs to see Panchy about getting measured for clothing. We can't have him running around all the time in that ridiculous outfit."

Gohan snickered beside the Prince. "We should convince Grandma to take him shopping."

Shudders ran down the spines of everyone but a confused Raditz.

Piccolo crossed his arms and shook his head while striding to the door. "I'm out of here before your talk summons her and she drags me to that awful food store again."

Goku hung his head and shivered. "Oh this is much worse than a food store, Piccolo. Clothes shopping is the worst. Especially if it's at the mall. The smells. The horrid, horrid smells. And I swear that half the people don't bathe."

Krillin started laughing as the three Saiyans by the couch held identical looks of terror on their faces. "It's not that bad."

The dark looks promising pain made him gulp in fear. "Uh, ok. Maybe with your noses it is. Sorry."

Goku put a hand on Gohan's shoulder. "I want you taking it easy for the next few days, son. No training until we decide you're ready again. You've had a rough day."

The boy's brow furrowed in dejection. "But I like training. It makes me feel good."

He turned to Vegeta. "Uncle, you'll let me train right?"

Vegeta rolled his eyes at the child's attempt to play them against each other. "You're father is right. You should relax for a bit. With the danger threat from your Mother finally gone, we can leave you with your Grandmother."

Gohan looked around the room wildly. "She really is gone, right?"

Raditz nodded his head. "Yes. I was given her life. If I'm here, she can't be. Master Shin hurried her soul along as well. She will not be able to be wished back."

The boy let out a long sigh of relief.

Vegeta cleared his throat. "Alright. We still have walking tin cans coming in a few years we will need to take care of. Let's get back to training."

o-o-o-o-o

Gohan sat on the half wall outside the main entrance to Capsule Corp watching the large amount of vehicles entering the grounds. Group after group of fancily dressed people made their way to the large new dome that had been erected sometime while they were last out training.

He glanced over to where his Grandmother cheerfully weeded and watered the flower beds around the doorway. "Why are all those people here?"

The woman sat back on her heels and turned to see what the boy was looking at. Spying the crowd she smiled. "Oh, it's just some private event. After your handsome uncle Vegeta scared off the reporters those months ago, the media people have been afraid to come back. It was rather nice. Then a few colleagues of your Grandfather started asking to rent out rooms for meetings so they wouldn't be hounded. Word got around, then more and more people wanted to rent space. One night at our society bridge party, Mrs Pudding suggested we should just put up a separate building with rooms and ballroom to rent out. I spoke with your Grandfather and Bulma about it and both thought it was a wonderful idea."

Looking over the plantings she gave a nod of satisfaction, then stood up and dusted off her knees. She gathered up her gardening tools then smiled at the boy. "Let's go make you a snack. The girls will be over here for bridge this afternoon."

o-o-o-o-o

Goku peaked around the corner of the doorway into the living room, careful not to draw any attention to himself. He really needed Bulma to come do a quick fix on the gravity chamber, but she was sitting in the middle of the room holding Goten with all the society ladies gathered around her cooing at the baby. He shuddered at the thought of all the cheek pinching and groping he would receive if he set foot in there.

Suddenly he had a flash of evil insight and quietly backed away down the hall and to the kitchen where the others were waiting.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he put on a fake smile and rubbed the back of his head as he walked in. "Well guys, Bulma is in there holding the baby and Mom's got Trunks. All the ladies are all acting weird about the kids again."

He gave his brother a surreptitious glance. "So someone needs to go hold Goten for a bit so Bulma can come help. Those of us who know how the gravity should be working really need go with her and explain what needs done. I think trading places with Bulma for us would be a good job for Raditz."

Missing the matching smirks on Vegeta and Gohan, the tall Saiyan shrugged, then stood up and moved to the door. "Alright. I have no problem holding the whelp. He is my nephew after all."

Goku gave him a hearty pat on the back. "Great! You're a good brother, Raditz. Taking one for the team."

Raditz turned and looked at him in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Seeing Goku fumble with words, Vegeta stepped in to help. "Just get the woman so we can get to training."

Raditz brushed it off and went to retrieve Bulma.

o-o-o-o-o

The long haired Saiyan strode confidently into the living room and looked around for Bulma's blue hair. Spying her in a chair surrounded by several older females he made his way carefully over to her.

Bulma gave Raditz a surprised smile and raised an eyebrow. "Is there something I can help you with, Raditz?"

Noticing everyone was looking at him, he rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Err...Kakarot said he needs your help fixing something on the gravity chamber. He told me to come in here and hold his son so you could go."

Bulma narrowed her eyes. "And he didn't warn you about anything, did he?"

He shook his head as she stood up. "No. I don't mind holding the boy."

Bulma gave him a Cheshire grin and set the baby into his arms and maneuvered him to sit in the chair. "Good! Here you go. I'll be back in a bit. Mom can take care of you."

Mrs Briefs watched her daughter leave then turned back to her cronies. "Well dears, this is Goku's older brother Raditz. He just got here today so be gentle with him. We're going to officially adopt him. Can't be keeping to brothers apart by legal mumbo jumbo. Then he can get to work on getting me more grand-babies with cute little tails."

Mrs Cake squealed as she reached out a hand and pinched the Saiyan's cheek. "My he's a handsome one just like his brother. Little Gohan looks so much like him, too."

Mrs Pudding gave his bicep a firm squeeze. "Oh, he's a strong one as well! You Briefs sure do collect the good looking fighters around here."

She gave Raditz a cheeky grin. "I have a daughter you might be interested in when you're in the mood to date."

Raditz swallowed hard and looked around at the women closing in on him. 'I'll get even with Kakarot for this!'

o-o-o-o-o

Bulma had just left the gravity room after running a quick diagnostic and reset on the training pod's computer. Nothing major was wrong, just a loose connection that was fixed in seconds.

Vegeta, Goku, and Krillin were discussing where to start the Raditz on the gravity training when Bulma returned to the pod. They looked at her curiously.

Cocking his head to the side, Vegeta walked over to his wife. "What's wrong?"

She gave him a smirk then burst out laughing. "I just saw something I never thought I'd see from a Saiyan. The ladies were all fawning over Raditz and I think he likes it!"