Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters

I was going to wait on another update, but I got a request from Fati Sid. Happy Birthday! I hope you and everyone enjoys the chapter!

"No way!"

When Kakarot had returned home, he had not been expecting to see a woman there sitting casually with his older brother outside. Raditz had grinned and waved him and Chi Chi over, prompting the couple to walk towards the low key home. Kakarot didn't sense his father anywhere, and he couldn't help but wonder why. The man usually was there when he knew he was returning home, if only to nag him and make him feel like crap.

"Little brother," Raditz had greeted with a shit-eating grin. "Good to see you again."

"Yeah," Kakarot replied, still in shock by the woman there. "Um, Raditz, who's that?"

Raditz looked over to his mate when Kakarot pointed to her. "Oh, her," he teased prompting the female Saiyan to stick out her tongue. "This, Kakarot, is Peppan, my mate."

And now, all the events were caught up. Kakarot had shouted out in disbelief, causing his older brother and apparently sister-in-law to laugh. "Well, don't be too shocked," Peppan said warmly. "I would at least hope someone would take our mating with grace."

Kakarot frowned, understanding the woman's hidden meeting. That must be why their father wasn't home presently. He was trying to avoid the couple. "Hey, cut the kid some slack," Raditz replied lightheartedly. "He's not used to seeing me with anyone, and I kind of dropped this on him." Raditz glanced back over to Kakarot. "I would have told you, but I decided surprising you was more fun."

"Heh," Kakarot chuckled while rubbing the back of his neck. "This was definitely unexpected. Um, I kind of need to introduce you to someone, too." It was then Raditz and Peppan both looked over to Chi Chi who was once again feeling self-conscious. "This is Chi Chi, my intended."

Vegeta and Bulma had finished their morning training and headed to breakfast and saw that Maron and Yamcha were already present. Maron took one glance at Bulma and had to do a double take. "Bulma, what are you wearing?" the girl nearly shrieked.

Bulma looked down at her sweats and t-shirt and shrugged. "Training clothes. What's it look like?"

"Shouldn't you change?" Maron asked sweetly, though she was already sure she knew the answer.

"Why should she?" Vegeta retorted. "We're only going to go right back to training. It makes no sense for her to change now."

Maron was about to voice her opinion on presentation, but Yamcha's hand landed on her shoulder. "Maron, just stop," he teased. "Things are different here, remember?"

Just then, the king entered the room, and the queen arrived moments later surprisingly with Tarble. The two humans just looked at the baby boy with wide eyes. "Mother, what are you doing?" Vegeta questioned.

The queen smiled at her son saying, "I thought today would be a good day to try him on regular food."

"But, he looks so young for that," Maron stated before blushing and looking down.

The king simply laughed at the human's embarrassment. "Saiyan children require real food at much earlier age than most races, so I understand your confusion. Meat is very important in their diet."

"He seems to really like it," Bulma stated, observing the little boy while inconspicuously grabbing Vegeta's hand under the table. If there was one thing her future mate didn't like, it was being caught off-guard. His mother hadn't said anything about Tarble joining them at meals. Even though Vegeta was comfortable enough to start seeing his brother at the nursery, seeing him was on his own terms. This was a blindside. Not a purposeful one, but a blindside nonetheless.

"So, will you be taking our guests out into the city today?" the queen questioned, trying to make small talk.

Vegeta nodded curtly, quickly but cleanly devouring his food. "What are your plans?" the king asked. "We need to make sure we have a guard with you and-"

"We'll be fine," Vegeta declined. "Trust me."

His parents were stunned when Vegeta seemed fine taking all the humans out into the city alone. It was one thing to spend private time with Bulma, but he would need to focus more on three people as well as himself while he was out. If it were one person or just himself, Vegeta was comfortable knowing he could handle it if his own people were to attack him. Was he finally realizing that his people wouldn't betray him?

"If that's what you wish," the king replied stoically while on the inside he was beaming with pride and relief. His son was finally starting to revert back to the way he was before Frieza, before he had felt betrayed. It was in small steps, but it was happening. He could only hope that his son would one day feel comfortable enough around him and fully comfortable in his own home.

"Wow, you were right about the weather," Maron marveled after they had been out for a while. She was fanning herself, unused to the heat. "It feels like a sauna."

"It's not so bad," Yamcha stated, "although I kinda grew up in a desert climate, so I'm used to it."

"I don't know how I got used to it," Bulma replied. "It didn't bother me much at all, but I've never had the desert climate around me."

Vegeta couldn't give her an answer. It had surprised him also when she kept up with him in such an intense climate. He didn't question it, either. He already knew Bulma was stronger than any other human he had met, and she had become even stronger since she had access to her ki. Most of the time, though, she had her ki suppressed. Once she had gained access to it, Vegeta taught her how to keep it at bay as well as exercising it. After all, if there was risk of war, Bulma would need every advantage, including the element of surprise. Other than Nappa and Kakarot, no one else knew that Bulma was being trained to utilize ki, and the prince intended to keep it that way.

"So, where should we go shopping first?" Maron asked excitedly, linking her arm with Bulma's, not noticing the grip the prince had on Bulma's other hand. "I wanna see what new outfits we can find."

Bulma smiled slightly. It had been a while since she had gone clothes shopping. She remembered liking it a long time ago, when she was a child. Flashes of her imaginary friend returned to her and Bulma frowned. She thought she had buried her after all the hypnotherapy. "Um, I'm not sure if we should go clothes shopping," the former heiress stated.

Vegeta sensed her hesitance and was a bit surprised. He had never felt Bulma react so strongly to anything as simple as shopping. His tail wrapped around her waist, as if he was giving her a consoling hug without physically embracing her. She flashed him a smile, silently letting him know she was okay. "Aw!" they heard Maron whine. "Why not?"

"I can take her shopping," Yamcha offered. "We can meet up back here in a couple hours, sound good?"

"Yeah, sounds good," Bulma accepted.

Vegeta grunted an affirmative and then led Bulma away from the other two humans, though they stayed nearby in case anything were to happen, not that Vegeta expected anything to happen to the two humans. By now, everyone should have known that they helped save the alliance. No one would harm them.

What had Vegeta concerned was Bulma's reaction to Maron's innocent request. At first, Bulma had seemed excited, but then dread overtook her. The prince didn't like that and he wanted answers. "What was that about?"

Bulma sighed and shook her head. "Remember when I told you about the hypnotherapy and how I had thought up very gruesome things?" Vegeta nodded in response, leaning in closer so Bulma wouldn't need to talk so loudly. "Well, when I thought about shopping, I remembered picturing my imaginary friend shopping with me. It was so clear, like she was really there. I mean, who does that?"

"Children with overactive imaginations," Vegeta said in attempts to comfort his woman. Where it was nearly unheard of in Saiyan culture, Vegeta knew most children in other races would think up someone to talk to. He didn't know what it accomplished, but obviously Bulma had been going through a lot in her younger years.

"Did I ever tell you what she looked like?" Bulma questioned. Vegeta shook his head. "She looked a lot like mom," Bulma said, thinking back to it. She figured if she was already remembering, she better just let it out. Vegeta wouldn't judge her. "She was tall and blonde, though her hair was long and straight. She had really dark eyes. Tights, I think her name was. Tights Briefs. I guess I invented a sister."

Vegeta felt some familiarity when she mentioned the name, though he assumed it must be because Bulma felt something familiar about it, too. It was her imagination, after all. "You probably felt alone," Vegeta remarked. He knew her father was always away when she was younger. The girl only had her mother to fall back on, and the woman had her own responsibilities in society and around their large home. "You felt safe with your mother, so it makes sense that the girl you thought up looked like her."

"It makes sense," Bulma agreed, "but it doesn't explain everything else I thought up."

"Sometimes it means nothing," Vegeta assured her. "You shouldn't let it bother you. The thing about the past is it's in the past."

"So look to the future?" Bulma teased, smiling slightly. "That's surprisingly deep of you, you know."

Vegeta shrugged and then said, "If you want to go we can."

"Where, shopping?" He nodded. Bulma grinned a little bit more. "You're gonna regret you said that. I have years of shopping and trying on clothes to make up for."

Vegeta rolled his eyes, not seeing the big deal, but he really had no idea what he was in for.

Bunny was avoiding her husband, mostly staying in the kitchen or her garden. He had been angry ever since the interview, mostly giving her the cold shoulder. The doctor knew that his wife supported their daughter's relationship with the Saiyan prince. He refused to accept it. The fact that his daughter was with one of the most dangerous beings in the universe…he couldn't go through it again.

It had been a while since he heard from King Cold. The Arcosian had yet to contact him since Bulma's and Vegeta's interview with Rita White. With the Earthlings more accepting of Saiyans, showing them the truth was going to be much harder. If only Bunny knew what he did about the Saiyans… If she did, she wouldn't let their daughter be with one.

The things said during the interview, about the Colds, misled the humans so much. The Saiyans were responsible for the death of the son of King Cold, the prince that Vegeta was trying to slander every chance he got. No, Doctor Briefs didn't believe anything the Saiyan had said, even about his supposed time with Frieza. The Saiyans were natural liars, or so the doctor believed. He only wished that Bulma could understand he was just trying to protect her. Maybe, though, he had come on a little too strong.

"Bulma, it's your father," he said calmly into his phone. "I really need to talk to you. It's not about the interview or even what I believe. Just…I really need to talk to you. Please, call me back."

"So, everything is how it should be, then," the mystery teen said to the Guardian of Earth.

"Yes," the old Namek replied. "They have gone to Planet Vegeta for their break. The only difference will be that Prince Vegeta will alert his father to the threat of King Cold."

"The Arcosian is an idiot," Majunior griped. "To think the Saiyans or any of us would side with them. The only reason we're tied is most likely because of the weaker races. Even Earth has sided against King Cold, ever since the rumors were put to rest."

Despite the fact that the rumors had been laid to rest, the teenager felt panicked. He needed everything to work out. He promised his mother he would get everything to work out. He couldn't let her down. Not now.

"Kid." The boy's attention snapped to Majunior. "I can already feel your anxiety and hear your beating heart. Relax. Everything is going to be fine."

Easy for him to say, the boy thought. He hasn't seen the things I have.

He could only wait, though, and needed to keep hope. That's what his mother would always tell him to have…hope.

"Bulma, you would look great in this!"

Bulma's attention was dragged to Maron while the men were waiting outside the store. She didn't know how she let her roommate convince her to go into a bridal store. It was definitely different than Earthling bridal stores, but it was nice.

Other races didn't stick to the traditional white and black colors for the brides and grooms. Different races chose different colors, and the dress that had caught Maron's eyes was a deep blue that was the color of the royal house of Vegeta. "It is beautiful," she agreed eyeing the floor-length gown. She walked over to her friend and took the material in her hand. The material was thin and light, something she could understand for the crazy climate of her future mate's home planet.

Still, she was getting married on Earth at some point. Wouldn't it make sense for her to get a white dress? Actually, now that she thought about it, it wouldn't. After all, picturing Vegeta in a tux…that was a horrible idea. He'd probably be in his royal attire with the gold-trimmed armor. Speaking of armor, she still had to work on her idea for the more malleably suit she had been working on.

"So," Maron said noticing Bulma had zoned out, "what do you think?"

"Would it offend anyone if I wore Planet Vegeta's royal color instead of white?"

Maron only laughed. "Bulma, some people wear black dresses in their wedding. You cannot get more offensive than that. Besides, you're marrying the prince of this planet. They're gonna have to make concessions for the two of you. It's your wedding, not theirs. So I ask again…what do you think?"

Bulma smiled as she looked to the dress again. "Go get someone," she ordered gently. "I think I want to try it on."

"Think she found something?" Yamcha asked Vegeta.

Vegeta shrugged his answer, again not wanting to discuss his relationship. It was bad enough his father had "a talk" with him. Basically, he had told his son that he knew some of Earth's customs and then handed the prince a box with a beautiful ring inside. It was needed for something called "a proposal" because apparently mates had to ask first and then decide on a date instead of just deciding on a date. Vegeta remembered Bulma telling him that there was a lot of planning, but the two of them really only wanted to have a ceremony and then be left alone. Bulma didn't want a big party, not when they were the center of attention. They were going to have enough of that at the ceremony.

"You know," Yamcha said again, frustrating the Saiyan. He had nothing against the human, but he wanted to be alone with his own thoughts for the moment and he couldn't take the hint, "you won't have to worry about the planning stuff. I'm sure Bulma wants to just get the ceremony over with, too. She's adopted a lot of your culture as her own already, which probably includes short ceremonies."

"It wouldn't matter if she decided to follow our tradition or her own," Vegeta remarked. "Whatever she chooses, I'll be fine with. Now, for the last time, relationship discussions are off the table. Understand?"

Yamcha just smiled. "Yeah, of course. Sorry, I'm still caught up in my own culture."

"Whatever," the Saiyan grumbled before his expression brightened at the appearance of his mate. She wore a dazzling smile, and clearly her emotions betrayed her inner joy. He figured that meant that she found something. It was strange that they were already preparing for a wedding when he had yet to follow her custom of asking first. Neither of them seemed to mind, but it only meant that he would have to ask her sooner rather than later. There was only one way to do that, though.

They needed to lose the other humans.

Kakarot gave Chi Chi a tour of his childhood home while Peppan started cooking. It surprised the young Saiyan that Peppan already felt at home in this place, more at home than he could have ever felt there. The only thing that had him calm was the fact that Chi Chi was present with him. He couldn't help but pull his girlfriend to him gently pressing her against the wall outside of his room, kissing her roughly.

Chi Chi had been surprised by Kakarot's abruptness, but kissed him back with equal force. "Hey, none of that."

The couple pulled away only to see Raditz standing in front of them with his arms crossed and a teasing smirk plastered on his face. "I'm all for this, but I don't want to see it. You have a door for a reason, bro."

Kakarot blushed and chuckled. "Sorry," he murmured before grinning at his blushing intended, "I just couldn't help it."

Raditz chuckled and shook his head, going into his room to get something. He had actually been surprised to see his brother with his intended in the middle of the hall. Kakarot was just as private in his courtship as other Saiyans were, but it seemed like he was straying more towards the Earthling openness. The older Saiyan didn't mind it, hence the teasing, but their father would be another story.

The Saiyan frowned as he thought of his father. He had made himself scarce ever since he mated with Peppan. Once they had mated, Peppan's mother had thrown her out, but the female Saiyan didn't really care. They had been planning for her to move in until they could find a place of their own, regardless of what his father thought. Finding a place was a challenge, because Raditz wasn't sure he wanted to live on the outskirts of the city anymore, but he also didn't want to be right in the middle of the city considering it might trigger bad memories of crowds and his past work.

Peppan was being patient with him, even though they had looked at five places already and he turned them down. He was honest with his reasons, so it wasn't like he was trying to get out of moving. She knew that Raditz needed things a particular way and, if it made it easier for her mate, she wouldn't complain. Besides, it was kind of nice living in the home where he had grown up. She didn't necessarily like how rural it was, but it was fine with her.

The communication link went off, so Peppan decided to answer it. She didn't feel awkward in the home or with answering calls that were most likely not for her. She smiled brightly when the prince's face appeared on the screen. "Your highness," she greeted with a bow of her head. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Vegeta was confused by the woman's presence in Kakarot's home. "Who are you?" he couldn't help but ask. The female laughed causing Vegeta's brow to furrow in frustration and confusion. "What?" he snapped.

"My name is Peppan, your highness," she replied, not bothered at all by his gruffness. "I'm Raditz's mate."

"Raditz took a mate?" the prince nearly shouted in surprise.

"Vegeta, what is it?" the female Saiyan overheard. It was a familiar voice and then she realized that it was the future princess.

"Would you like me to get either Raditz or Kakarot?" Peppan offered.

If she had asked him moments ago, the answer would have been Kakarot because Vegeta wanted to unload the humans on him. Now, though, Vegeta needed to talk to Raditz. He turned to Bulma and said, "Would you mind giving me a moment?"

"No problem," Bulma replied before leaving the room.

Vegeta looked back to Peppan who was still smiling as if nothing could bother her. "I'd like to talk to Raditz, alone."

"Sure thing!" Peppan chimed before putting him on hold.

When Raditz appeared on the communicator, Vegeta almost reamed him. "Since when were you mated?" he asked in aggravated shock.

Raditz chuckled, not surprised by Vegeta's outburst. He and Vegeta hadn't really talked much since the prince and Kakarot had become close. Sure, Raditz would see Vegeta in passing, but they hadn't discussed anything. Most likely, the prince probably believed Raditz was still hitting the bars, which the prince had always seen as disgraceful. "We've been seeing each other for quite a while," Raditz told him. "We haven't been officially mated for that long." At Vegeta's disbelieving appearance, Raditz added, "Hey, don't look so surprised. I hear you've been in courtship as well. We couldn't have stayed in the past forever. Peppan helped me see that."

Vegeta nodded in agreement. Bulma had basically done the same for him. Her presence in his life had changed his countenance completely. It's why he wanted to move their courtship to mateship as soon as possible. Now, he was reminded why he was even calling Kakarot's home to begin with. "I need you and your brother to do something for me," Vegeta replied. "I need you to take a couple of humans for a couple hours. I have something else that requires my immediate attention."

Raditz smirked and nodded. "Of course, my prince."

Vegeta glared at the monitor. "Oh, cut that shit out, Raditz. You and I both know we're on a first name basis."

"Just testing you, Vegeta," Raditz joked before he added, "Just have Nappa bring them over. Good luck with whatever it is you need to do."

As the communicator disconnected, Vegeta wondered if Raditz knew just exactly what he was doing, but then he shrugged it off as he went to get Bulma for their outing. She was still waiting for him when he got outside the door. She pushed herself off of the wall extending her hand to him. Gently, he took it, prepared to take the next step with her, whatever it was.

"I was wondering when we were coming back to this place," Bulma said fondly remembering when Vegeta took her to the cave restaurant. She knew he'd want to return to the place while they were there. She certainly had. She wanted to have those kulu jammed ribs again, though, for some reason Vegeta hadn't ordered anything yet except for something that looked like an Earthling drink, champagne.

"Before we eat," Vegeta started whilst taking her hand in his. He massaged the appendage gently as if mesmerized by her soft skin, "I'm sure everyone keeps talking to you too about a ceremony."

Bulma chuckled and squeezed his hand. "Yeah, you're right. Seems like everyone wants us to rush into it. I mean, I don't mind if we do, just…well, what are your thoughts? We're alone now, so we can actually do some discussing instead of side-stepping the conversation."

"I want us to be mated as soon as possible," Vegeta admitted. Truthfully, they had gone through all of the major milestones in their relationship aside from mating. With the looming threat of a war, as well as the fact that he didn't want to be away from his woman, he just wanted to get the ceremony over with. He was ready to have a mate, and no one was going to stop him.

The human woman smiled at him and nodded. "Then, that's what we'll do. The girls and I will start making arrangements when we get back and-"

She was silenced when Vegeta quickly moved to her side stealing a kiss from her to interrupt her words while sliding something metallic on her left ring finger. What broke them apart was the waiter returning and clearing his throat reminding them that they were not alone. Vegeta simply told the man what they wanted to order in the Saiyan language as if they hadn't just been caught in a compromising position.

The break gave Bulma the chance to look at her hand. Her eyes widened at the fact that Vegeta had slid an engagement ring on her hand, his way of asking her. She smiled at the gesture and loved him even more for the fact that he was taking her desires into consideration. "Yes," she told him, though he should have already known the answer.

She noticed Vegeta blush and sensed his relief as if he truly was questioning her decision. He covered it up with a look of annoyance and by saying, "Of course it is. We already established that."

"We did," Bulma agreed, the amused grin not leaving her face as she placed her hand on his arm. "Just as long as you know that."

He moved to take her hand, nuzzling it from across the table. He couldn't wait to return to the palace with her, for he wanted privacy so that he could show her just how happy she made him. For now, they had a meal to devour. Everything else would happen with time.

They returned to the palace shortly after their meal. Vegeta hoped to get through the fortress without running into anyone else. Bulma had never seen this side of Vegeta before, definitely not him sneaking around. She grinned slightly realizing that he was behaving like someone who was sneaking his girlfriend into his home without waking his parents. That was exactly what he was doing, but for different reasons than what others might think.

He kissed her slowly once they reached the safety of his room, closing the door behind him. He laced his fingers into her hair which didn't seem to bother her. She responded to his kiss just as slowly feeling an overwhelming sensation of peace and exhaustion. Bulma wondered if Vegeta was feeling that way, too. It was as if their bonds were forming an even deeper connection than the bond they already had.

Vegeta pulled away, though he still had his forehead rested against hers. "Come with me," he requested. Bulma nodded and he led her to his bed, still keeping their heads connected. "You know obviously that we will not be going…in your human terms 'all the way' tonight," he started, "but there is something I want you to experience before the ceremony and our mating."

"Okay," Bulma agreed as Vegeta cradled her body in his arms.

Truth be told, Vegeta wouldn't have known about this had Nappa not sat him down to discuss mating to him. Apparently it had been a good thing to teach Bulma to use her ki. It meant they would be able to connect at a much deeper level when they actually did mate. Considering Vegeta had never had "the talk" with his father, Nappa had taken it upon himself to explain what the prince hadn't learned just from witnessing how the idiots in Frieza's employ conducted themselves whenever they encountered a woman.

It wasn't just about the simple act of mating. Yes, there was a mental connection, but there was something else. There was also the connection between the two souls.

Vegeta began kissing Bulma's neck. Where it tickled slightly, Bulma didn't squirm. She was curious as to what Vegeta was doing, but she felt an overwhelming burst in her mind when his tongue made contact with her pulse point. She closed her eyes and savored the sensation not just from his actions but from his mind. Whatever he was doing just made her feel absolutely amazing.

Eventually, Vegeta pulled away and laid back on his bed. Bulma took the hint and moved into him. "When we mate I want to make a full connection with you," he told her. "Not just our minds and bodies, but our souls."

"H-How do we make that happen?" Bulma stuttered curiously.

Vegeta grinned at her. "What I just did…I located your pulse point, both the strongest and weakest part of any race's body, and then stretched out my ki sense to feel yours. Your power comes from your soul, embodying your willpower and resolve and everything you live for. By uniting our souls, we will be uniting our ki as well."

"Won't that interfere with your power?" Bulma questioned. "How do you even know it'll work with me?"

"There's only one way to find out," he told her with a soft smirk.

Bulma felt so nervous, like she was on display as she began placing butterfly kisses on Vegeta's neck. When she found his pulse point, she could feel his strength. She understood his words. Yes, the pulse was the strongest point, but could be easily used against someone if the other meant ill will. This was the ultimate sign of trust, Vegeta allowing himself to be vulnerable and off-guard and giving someone else access to him.

The human tried very hard to focus on the ki sensing ability. She hadn't really perfected that technique yet. It was much harder to sense someone else's ki than it was to bury your own into the recesses of your soul. Eventually, despite Vegeta keeping his ki at bay as hers had been when he reached out for it, Bulma could discern Vegeta's ki from her own. She felt as if her consciousness was caressing the warm aura before she sensed the same sensation she had felt when Vegeta had done this to her, but coming from his own mind.

Vegeta's grip on Bulma tightened slightly. He had been skeptical on whether or not she would be able to share that type of connection with him. Had it not been possible, he wouldn't have cared. Sharing a mental bond would have been enough for him. This, though, ensured that he would always be able to feel her and find her even if her ki was blocked. It would be like she had a beacon surrounding her for the rest of their lives, and she would be able to do the same.

"That was amazing," she breathed out in awe, not fully grasping what had just occurred. Maybe he'd explain it to her, or maybe he'd let her figure it out on her own. For now, he was relishing in the fact that he was with his mate and nothing would get in the way of that. Not the Colds. Not the war. Not even her father would be able to stop them now.