This is part of my "My Life" series, but it will be slightly different. Not much, but at the same time, different.
Ichigo is Kai's mother, but not Mai's. Ryou is still both of their father. So clearly, Kai & Mai are obviously no longer twins. Yuko from Tsubasa Chronicles will be in this along with the white Mokona, but Kurogane & Fai will not. Instead, characters from Dragon Ball Z will be tangled in.
This is being written because I have writer's block & 2021 sucked. My stepdad passed from Cancer back in August. So, I apologize for another one of these stories, but it's what I'm comfortable with & it helps me, so at the same time, I'm not sorry.
Please & thank you for understanding.
I DO NOT OWN TOKYO MEW MEW, DRAGON BALL, OR ANY OF THEIR CHARACTERS!
We start in West City—or what was left of it. The only ones standing were Vegeta, Bulma, Trunks, Bulla, Goku, Chi-Chi, Gohan, Goten; everyone and everything else was dead.
"Mom! Dad! Bulla!" Trunks yelled, flying over to Bulma, Bulla, and Chi-Chi. At the same time, Vegeta, Goku, Gohan, and Goten flew in from all other directions.
"What's happening?" Bulma and Chi-Chi asked, watching their men.
"The world is ending." Vegeta answered, looking at the red sky.
"So, this is really the end? There's nothing you can do?" Bulla asked, scared.
"Not this time." Vegeta answered, pulling his wife and kids to him.
"I don't understand. Why is Beerus doing this? He won't even listen to me—not even for a second." Goku spoke, standing next to Chi-Chi and his sons.
"It's like he's possessed or something." Goten noted, looking around.
"It's like everyone's possessed or something. Not just Beerus, but Piccolo as well. I mean, come on; he's helping Cell, Frieza, and Kid Buu." Gohan angrily stated.
It's unclear as to why, but someone brought Cell, Frieza, and Kid Buu back from the dead: they've been on a killing spree ever since. Except for them: everyone they know and love is dead—and it's only been three days.
Videl, Krillin, 18, Marron, Tien, Chiaotzu, Yamcha, Puar, Bulma's parents, Tights: all dead.
"And what's worse: they're all overly super powered." Vegeta angrily stated.
"Here they come!" Bulla cried, pointing to the sky.
"This is it then. I love you." Bulma told everyone, holding onto her family as tightly as she could.
"Revenge will be ours." Cell calmly spoke, floating several feet above everyone.
"Finally. Time to die!" Frieza yelled, charging the gang.
"At least we'll be together as a family." Vegeta whispered to Bulma, making her cry.
Suddenly, the Briefs' and Sons' worlds went black. And just like that, they were gone.
"What the hell?!" Frieza, Cell, and Kid Buu furiously yelled, looking around.
"That's enough. They're gone—which means it's time for you three to go back." A female with long black hair and purple eyes spoke as Beerus appeared out of nowhere.
"Oh, yeah? What are you going to do about it?" Frieza cockily asked, watching the woman.
"If you haven't noticed; we've destroyed everything and killed everyone." Kid Buu plainly stated, looking around.
"What's so funny?" Cell demanded, noticing the woman and Beerus chuckling.
"You haven't killed everyone; you three are all still alive and well. And the question remains: who's the better villain? Who "killed" the most unsuspecting victims?" The woman asked, watching the three in front of Beerus; they were looking at each other.
"The answer is none of you—because none of you killed anyone because this isn't real. Piccolo and all the others are still alive. Goku and Vegeta and their families: they're still alive as well. This is all a perfectly played plan. And besides: Beerus here could easily wipe you out like you were nothing but bugs." The woman explained.
"Who the hell are you?" The three demanded, watching the woman in front of them.
"Me? My name is Yuko; I am known to most as the "Dimensional Witch." For a price, I grant wishes. Don't bother asking for anything: I don't deal with the likes of you or your kind. Beerus, if you will." Yuko answered before looking at Beerus.
"Yes, of course." Beerus replied before snapping his fingers.
And with that: Frieza, Cell, and Kid Buu were gone.
"Thank you, Beerus." Yuko calmly thanked.
"No problem. We're even now, yes?" Beerus asked, watching Yuko.
"Very much so." Yuko replied.
"If you don't mind my asking: where did you send the warriors? What's to happen to them?" Beerus asked, watching Yuko.
"You're still just as nosey as before." Yuko stated, chuckling a little.
"You have no idea." Whis mumbled.
"I heard that." Beerus snapped.
"Does he still sleep like no tomorrow and have an appetite to match that of a bottomless pit?" Yuko asked, watching Whis.
"Yep." Whis answered with a smile, causing Beerus to fall over.
Whis was a bit angry with Beerus right now because he ate the last piece of Pumpkin Pie Bulma made; he was saving it for a special occasion.
"I thought so." Yuko responded with a smile.
"You two are so mean to me." Beerus pouted.
'Some god of destruction.' "Whis: this is for you. I owe from the last time. No matter how much he eats, it will never run out. It's Bulma's recipe for her famous three-course dinner plus dessert. As for where I've sent them: I sent them to my shop. From there, I will send them to a world to live with a single father and his three-year-old daughter—and Mokona." Yuko calmly explained.
"Funny. I thought that Mokona thing traveled with a different group you watch out for." Whis spoke up.
"Yes, this is true. However, there a several different "Mokona" now. I have the black Mokona with the blue gem. The group you're thinking about, has the white Mokona with the red gem. And this little girl has a special bubblegum pink, sky blue, and white tie dye, Mokona with a black gem." Yuko explained with a smile.
"This child—she's a special little girl, isn't she?" Beerus asked, watching Yuko.
"She is the reincarnation of a power priestess—and a powerful witch. However, she has no physical strength. Due to a spell gone wrong (on an enemy's side), the girl's older brother got just about all the strength from the priestess and witch. The enemy wanted the power for themselves. In the end: the child kept her magical and spiritual attributes while her brother got strength while the enemy turned to dust. Unfortunately, because the girl can't defend herself, she needs protection—extra protection. There's a lot to that that I cannot explain. Also, that's all I'm going to explain. I have to go; I have customers waiting." Yuko vaguely answered Beerus and Whis before leaving.
"She's still as mysterious as ever." Whis stated, watching the spot Yuko previously was.
"I hate that woman…" Beerus mumbled.
"No, you don't. Come Beerus; let's go eat." Whis insisted.
"Fine. Fine." Beerus grumbled before going with Whis.
"What the? What's going on?" Bulma and Chi-Chi asked, a little dazed, slowly sitting up.
"Mom, Dad: where are you?" Gohan, Goten, Trunks, and Bulla asked, looking around.
It was dark and cloudy, and nobody could see anybody.
"Welcome. It's good to see you're all awake and well." Yuko spoke just before black turned to dull skies, allowing everyone to see each other.
"Who the hell are you? Where are we? This ain't the afterlife? Kakarot and I have both been there, and this ain't it!" Vegeta snapped at Yuko.
"Well, well, well… You do have a temper, don't you? My name is Yuko, and I'm the reason you were brought here." Yuko calmly spoke.
"What do you mean by that? Are you saying we're not dead?" Trunks asked, speaking up before Vegeta could.
"You're Trunks, yes?" Yuko asked, watching Trunks.
"How do you know my son's name?" Bulma demanded.
"I know who all of you are, Bulma. You are married to Vegeta, and the two of you have two children: Trunks, age nineteen, and Bulla, age twelve. Goku and Chi-Chi are married with their sons: Gohan, age twenty-eight and Goten, age eighteen. As I said before: my name is Yuko, but most call me the "Dimensional Witch." For prices, I grant wishes. So, no; I'm not like your dragon balls—which, along with your world have not been destroyed." Yuko calmly explained.
"What the fuck does that mean? Of course, our world was destroyed; we were there when it happened!" Vegeta went off.
"It was all a ruse. None of it was real. Beerus and Whis helped me set it up so I could get you all here." Yuko explained, watching the two families in front of her.
"What's going on?" Gohan asked, watching Yuko, standing next to Chi-Chi.
"Why do you want us here so bad?" Trunks asked, making sure Vegeta and Bulma stayed back with Bulla.
"I suppose; you're all going to forget that piece of information anyway. Bring him out, Watanabe." Yuko sighed before giving Watanabe an order.
"Now, to all of you. It's not here that I want you. It's not even that I want you somewhere. It's "I'm going to send you to a different world for the protection of a young girl because she needs you—whether she knows or understands that or not." It's a long, long story that I don't have time to explain right now. I chose all of you because I knew you would be the best to help protect her." Yuko explained.
"So, you just thought one day, "Hey, I'm going to abduct a group of people and send them elsewhere to…" What? Watch some princess or something?" Chi-Chi blew up.
"No, of course not. I've been planning this for a few years now—since before the girl was even born. And she's not a princess; she is the reincarnation of a very powerful witch and an even more powerful priestess. Beerus and Whis were right: you are all high-strung and temperamental." Yuko noted, watching the group in front of her.
"Beerus and Whis? What do they have to do with all of this?" Goku asked, scratching his head.
'And he really is dumb.' "They helped me set everything up—for you to be transferred to the world the girl and her father are in." Yuko thought to herself before answering Goku.
"And if we refuse? What happens if we refuse to go to a different world and help the girl? Just send us home." Vegeta demanded, ready to attack if needed.
"You're of no threat here. Your powers have all been shut off. I'm a witch, Vegeta; I can do as I please when I please—especially if I've already been asked years in advance. Of course, you're welcome to deny the task, but I won't be sending you home. If you deny what I'm telling you, you and your families will stay in this world and work for me at my store—never able to leave. Just ask Watanabe, here. Well, he's allowed to leave for school and whatnot. But he's set to work and live here for eternity. I mean, I could send you back to your world, but you wouldn't like the outcome. If I were to send you back to your world, you would all become Beerus's personal slaves, doing whatever he wants you to, whenever he wants you to. So, the choice is ultimately yours." Yuko explained with somewhat of a wicked smile.
Ten Minutes Later:
"Fine… We'll go to this other world of yours." Vegeta told Yuko after having a meeting with the others.
"But we want to know about the girl." Trunks spoke up right away.
"Like who is she and all that good stuff." Goten added, watching Yuko.
"Let's see. When I send you to where you need to be, you'll be sent to the general area the girl will be. She's three, and you'll know who she is right away because she'll be the smallest child you see. She has long hair, usually tied up in pigtails. She'll be the only child there without an adult because—well, you'll figure that out after some time. And she'll have a Mokona Modoki with her. This is a Mokona Modoki; there are only a few in existence. I have the black one, and there's a white one out there. But you don't have to worry about that one. Let's see: there's a red, blue, green, and gold out there. But like the white one, you needn't worry about them. The one with little girl is a special Mokona Modoki. I mean, sure: all the Mokona Modoki are special, but this one is different. The one with the little girl is pink, blue, and white with a black gem on its head." Yuko explained.
"And…? What's the child's name?" Bulma asked, watching Yuko.
"You'll find out when you get there." Yuko calmly explained.
"This is just stupid…" Bulla mumbled.
"We have people to protect; send us on our way." Goku enthusiastically instructed.
"What's the catch?" Gohan asked, sensing something was up.
"Hmm?" Goku and Vegeta hummed, looking at Gohan.
"Miss Yuko said a price must be made in exchange for something." Gohan stated, watching Yuko.
"That's for a wish." Goten argued.
"Good. Someone who listens. No, none of you wished for this, but you do have to pay a price. Trunks, you've traveled through time; you know there's consequences for that. Traveling through dimensions is the same: in order to keep the natural balance of everything, a payment of equal value must be paid in order to travel through them. And before you say anything: I don't require money. Also, when you get to your new home, you'll all be immortal—and a younger age. Guys: your payments for everything are you your ability to transform into any of your Super Saiyan forms. You'll still be able to fly and fight, but that's it. Bulma and Chi-Chi: your payments will be your memories of your world and the friends you made over the years."
"Finally, your ages. Vegeta and Goku: you two will both be thirty-five. Bulma and Chi-Chi: you two will be thirty-two. Gohan: you're going to be ten. Bulla: you're going to be seven. Trunks and Goten: you two will be four. But that's it for me: have a safe trip." Yuko explained to a shocked group before sending them away.
Three Days Ago:
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.
Someone impatiently knocked on Ryou's door.
"Hold on! I'm coming!" Ryou yelled, walking through the house.
"Why do you live in such a huge house? It's only you and the child." A woman with shoulder-length maroon-colored hair and brown eyes asked, walking in after Ryou opened the door.
"Hi, Anya. Just walk in, why don't you?" Ryou greeted, annoyed, shutting his door.
"Don't mind if I do." The woman, Anya, replied, looking around.
"It's not your house—and you're not getting it." Ryou firmly told Anya.
"What about Mai?" Anya asked, narrowing her eyes at Ryou.
"What about Mai?" Ryou asked, narrowing his eyes right back at Anya.
"We have her together, so at least half of the house is mine." Anya proudly stated.
"Just because we have a child together doesn't mean anything belongs to you: we were never married. If you want to try to claim rights to anything besides Mai; we would've had to have been married at one point. And I saw your last apartment: I'd have to be crazy or on drugs to rent or even sell you this house." Ryou firmly told Anya.
"Fine. Where's the child? Is she even ready? It's my weekend, remember?" Anya furiously asked.
"Oh, yes; I remember: your one weekend a month." 'I honestly can't believe the courts allowed her unsupervised visits once a month. That woman is so unfit to raise—a plant.' Ryou mumbled before thinking to himself, walking to his daughter's room.
"Mai, are you ready? Your mother's here? Oh, I know. I know you don't want to go, but you have to, or I'll get in trouble—and she'll get you more. Besides, think of it this way: Miss Yuko said this was going to be last time you ever see your mother. Ok? I'll see you again in two days." Ryou told Mai, lifting her and her bag into his arms after she started crying.
Mai just turned three, was small, had long strawberry-blonde or light orange hair, and big blue eyes.
"Ichigo, what brings you by? I didn't think I was getting Kai this weekend." Ryou asked, shocked to see Ichigo and their son, Kai, waiting in the living room.
"You're not. Kai wanted to see you and Mai before we headed out for our vacation because we're not sure if we're going to back in a few days or a week." Ichigo explained as Kai walked over to Ryou and Mai.
Kai is three, was taller, had short brown hair with blonde hues and blue eyes.
"Ok, come on; we have to get back to my apartment. I want time with my daughter. Oh, and here are the papers; I'm requesting more time with Mai. Stop screaming!" Anya told Ryou, handing him some papers before picking up and yelling at Mai.
"I can't believe you slept with her. What's she asking for now?" Ichigo sighed before asking Ryou.
"If you want to call getting drunk like I did and her taking advantage of me as sleeping together. Then yeah: I can't believe I did that either. At least I have one good baby mama. And once again, she's asking for more time: every weekend." Ryou responded, looking through the papers.
"You're not going to let her, are you?" Ichigo asked, concerned.
"If he's smart, he won't." Kish chimed in, walking through the door; he got sick of waiting in the car.
"Over my dead body. It's a struggle to get Mai to even go once a month; she does not like going with her." Ryou spoke up.
"I can't blame her. That woman is mean. How she ended up as a Mew is beyond me." Ichigo and Kish mumbled.
"Did you think about what we talked about?" Ichigo asked, watching Ryou.
"Yeah. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that. I'll bring Mai to the area you move to once a month and spend the day with Kai, but I was thinking of signing Kai over to you one hundred percent." Ryou started to tell Ichigo, sighing a little.
"What? Really?" Ichigo asked, shocked.
"I'm not trying to be a absent father to Kai, but more than half the time, Mai doesn't even know who Kai is. And when she finally figures out who he is to her, it's a disaster for you to take him. It's just easier if I sign him over to you and then come visit once or twice a month for a few hours and spend time with him. Kai and I have already talked about this; he wants what's best for Mai. He also wants to be with you all the time. That's what he told me anyway." Ryou told Ichigo.
"Are you sure?" Ichigo asked, still shocked.
"If he's happier being with you twenty-four-seven, I'll let him be happy. I guess all I ask for is I get to see him if I call and come to visit—and I get a yearly picture. Oh, and if Mom wants to see him, you have to figure something out with her. No, you don't have to let her take him over night. But let her see him for like an hour or two. I'll send him something for his birthday and Christmas every year, along with a picture of Mai. I'll sign the papers over the weekend and send them in on Monday." Ryou replied.
"Awesome! Thank you so much! Then we can move wherever?" Ichigo excitedly asked, watching Ryou after everything sank in.
"That's fine." Ryou replied with a small smile.
"What do you really feel about all this?" Kish asked Kai.
"This is what I want. As Dad said: we talked about this. And I know he said I'm not, but I feel like I'm in the way here. Mai needs more help than I do. She needs more help than most children—even children with autism. Dad should focus all of his attention of Mai." Kai insisted.
"Ok. As long as this is what everybody wants." Ichigo spoke, looking between Kai and Ryou, realizing this was Kai's idea.
"It is." Kai calmly replied.
"I just want what's best for my children. And for them to be happy." Ryou repeated what he said earlier.
"You are the best! Well—next to Kish. But we have to head out if we want to get out before traffic. See you later. Come on, Kai." Ichigo happily exclaimed, hugging Ryou before leaving with Kish and Kai.
Now:
Four Days Later:
Ryou, his parents, his brother, Keiichiro, and others were frantically searching all of Tokyo and surrounding areas: Mai was missing.
The same night she took Mai, Anya was arrested for:
Drunken Disorderly Conduct
Vandalism
Using Drugs
Selling Drugs
Vehicular Manslaughter
Child Endangerment
Child Abandonment
Child Neglect
Until they found Mai, they couldn't add child abuse—or murder as a charge.
"Ow… My head." Bulma and Chi-Chi complained, sitting on their knees, holding their heads.
"That was fun!" Goku excitedly exclaimed, standing up straight.
"Great. Now, we're somewhere entirely new. We have to learn an entirely new culture and all that shit. We're probably not going to be able to fight anymore." Vegeta complained, looking around a dark city.
"I don't know what you're complaining about. Look at me: I'm pint-sized!" Bulla screeched, looking at herself.
"You think you're pint-sized; look at us." Trunks and Goten countered, looking up to see everything.
"These are the prices we pay. Remember?" Gohan spoke up.
"My babies!" Bulma and Chi-Chi happily cried, hugging Trunks, Bulla, Gohan, and Goten.
"Mom!" The boys and Bulla whined, struggling against Bulma and Chi-Chi.
At the same time, Goku was laughing while Vegeta just shook his head.
"Hmm?" Bulma hummed, looking around.
"What's wrong?" Vegeta asked, watching his wife.
"Don't you hear that?" Bulma asked, still looking around.
"Hear what?" Everyone else asked, confused.
"Shhh… Listen." Bulma told everyone, listening.
"This way." Bulma took off, going east.
Each passing second, whatever she was hearing, the others starting hearing as well: it sounded like a child crying.
After a few minutes of nonstop running, they turned a corner into a dirty alleyway and found a little girl crying.
It was Mai:
She was dirty, and her feet were cut up.
"Hello. Where are your parents? Are you lost?" Bulma gently asked, startling Mai.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. It's ok; we're not going to hurt you." Bulma apologized when Mai started backing up.
"Boys, you're children about her age. Talk to her." Vegeta demanded Trunks and Goten.
"Hi. My name is Trunks, and this is my best friend, Goten. These are my parents, Bulma and Vegeta, and Goten's parents, Chi-Chi and Goku. And finally, this is my sister, Bulla, and Goten's brother, Gohan. If you'll let us; we'll help you find your family, so you can go home. What do you say?" Trunks gently asked after introducing everyone, holding out his hand.
Trunks did all the talking because he felt this weird connection to this little girl. He could also tell she was shy and scared and knew Goten could be a little loud. The last thing any of them wanted was to scare this little girl away. Not that it looked like she could get very far with how badly her feet looked cut up.
Mai just stared at them for a few minutes before, slowly moving toward them.
"Oh, you poor thing. Just look at you." Bulma sadly cooed once they got Mai under some light:
She was indeed dirty, but her feet were more than cut up; they had pieces and slivers of glass stuck in them.
Her arms and legs were also scratched up and covered in mud.
Her dress was torn and pretty well destroyed, but it still covered her well enough.
"Oh, I know. I'm sorry, but the glass has to come out, or your feet could become infected or worse." Bulma apologized and explained when Mai started crying as she pulled the glass out. Vegeta held Mai up while Bulma took care of cleaning Mai's feet.
"Where are her parents?" Chi-Chi asked, looking around.
"I don't know. Do you think she was kidnapped or something?" Gohan asked, watching Bulma rock Mai, trying and failing to soothe her.
"She has something around her neck." Trunks and Goten noted.
"So, she does." Bulma agreed, shifting Mai to pull the necklace out of her dress to see it.
Mai Shirogane:
Call ***-**** if found
"Anybody have some kind of communication device?" Bulma asked, looking at the others.
"Even if we did, do you think ours would work with whatever communication device they have here?" Vegeta asked, annoyed.
"Hey!" The group heard what sounded like a little boy yell.
"Kai, what are you doing? Get back here!" They heard a woman yell.
"What are you doing with my little sister?!" The little boy yelled, running up to Bulma.
"Kai…" "They have Mai!" Ichigo started only to be interrupted by Kai yelling.
"Hmm? So, they do. Why?" Ichigo asked when she noticed Mai.
"Did you catch up to him?" Kish asked, running after Ichigo.
"Kish, go get Ryou—now." Ichigo sternly told Kish, looking at Mai.
"Why? Oh. Oh! Ok. I'll be back." Kish promised before teleporting away.
"Why do you have Mai? What did you do to her?!" Ichigo demanded, watching Bulma.
"Whoa! We just found her in an alleyway like this, little girl." Vegeta snapped back.
"Little girl? Kai, stay back." Ichigo questioned, appalled before pulling Kai back.
"Give me back my sister!" Kai furiously yelled.
"Who are you?" Bulma asked, holding Mai close.
"Can we just have Mai, please?" Ichigo asked, watching Bulma, realizing she wasn't going to hurt Mai.
"Why should we? She doesn't seem like she's reacting to either of you. As far as we know, this could be a trap." Chi-Chi spoke up.
"She's not going to react to us; she only reacts to one person." "Mai?!" Ichigo started only to be interrupted by Ryou.
As soon as she heard his voice, Mai pulled away from Bulma to look around.
"What took you so long?" Ichigo asked, annoyed.
"I couldn't find him right away; they were on a Tokyo-wide manhunt. Apparently, Mai's been missing for days. Something about Anya being arrested." Kish answered, floating next to Ichigo.
"Of course. Why didn't you call us?" Ichigo mumbled before demanding Ryou.
"Because you were on vacation—and not in Tokyo. I didn't think Mai would get four hours away—especially since Anya was arrested an hour away." Ryou answered, walking over to Bulma.
"There's another one of those things?" Vegeta asked, noticing Mokona.
"That's what that Yuko said." Gohan stated.
"Oh! She must be that little girl Yuko was talking about." Bulma came to a realization.
"But she didn't have that Mokona thing with her. And she doesn't look three; she looks more like she's two or even younger." Chi-Chi stated, confused.
"Mai, Baby?" Ryou asked, reaching for Mai; she immediately reached for him as soon as Bulma turned her around.
"Baby, what happened to you? What did your mother do to you?" Ryou asked, looking Mai over.
"Mmm." Mai made a noise and dropped her head onto Ryou's shoulder.
"Thank you for coming to get me. Thank you for having him come get me." Ryou thanked Kish and Ichigo.
"Thank your son; he's the one who saw those people had your daughter." Ichigo replied, annoyed.
"I'm sorry I didn't think to call you and ask for your help. I didn't want to ruin your vacation when I thought her mother would've kept her in Tokyo—or in surrounding towns—not several hours away." Ryou apologized to Ichigo.
"I suppose I forgive you." Ichigo mumbled.
"Thank you for noticing your sister and not giving up on her." Ryou thanked Kai, kneeling in front of him.
"Of course. She's still my little sister. I never thanked you before: thank you for letting me stay with Mom and Kish fulltime." Kai replied, looking Ryou in the eyes.
"As long as you're happy." Ryou sighed, quickly hugging Kai before standing up.
"Thanks again, Ryou." Ichigo thanked Ryou.
"It's no problem, Ichigo." Ryou calmly replied.
"I also wanted to apologize." Ichigo replied.
"For what?" Ryou asked, confused.
"For breaking up with you the way I did—while pregnant with Kai. For moving on with Kish so quickly." "Hey!" Ichigo started explaining before Kish interrupted her.
"Hush up! We still would've ended up together. I just shouldn't have gotten together with you not even five minutes after Ryou and I broke up. I should've waited." Ichigo hissed at Kish.
"Ichigo, it's fine. You didn't cheat on me; that's all that matters to me." Ryou stopped Ichigo.
"But that's not all. Maybe if I hadn't broken up with you the way I did, you never would've ended up drinking like you did and then having sex with Anya." "Ichigo, stop." Ichigo continued to apologize until Ryou stopped her.
"It's fine. It's not your fault that I ended up stupid drunk and with Anya; that's on me. Sure, maybe I was a little angry, but the main reason I drank like I did that night was because it was the supposed anniversary of my parents' deaths. Now, I find out Dad faked them for whatever reason. Do I wish Mai had a different mother? You bet I do. I would rather Makoto be Mai's mother. At least I know she'd be taken care of when it was her turn to take her for a few days. But that's not the case. Mai's mother is who she is unfortunately, and Mai is the way she is because of her." Ryou calmly yet firmly told Ichigo, catching Bulma, Vegeta, Trunks, and Chi-Chi's attention right away.
"And that's saying a lot because Makoto is horrible with children." Ichigo stated.
"But she's better than Anya. But the point is: it's not your fault. You have nothing to be sorry about. I mean, thank you for finally apologizing for how you broke up with me and going straight to Kish. But it's in the past. You're taking care of Kai and that's all that matters to me." Ryou replied, sighing a little.
"Well, are you ready to go home?" Kish asked, looking at Ryou.
"Not yet. I want to speak with these people. You go ahead: I'll call Bridget and get a hold of Pie if I have to." Ryou replied, watching Kish and Ichigo.
"Ok. See you around." Ichigo, Kish, and Kai replied before heading out.
"Ok… So, I know you know Yuko now. I guess this makes more sense as to how a group of random people found my daughter. My main question before we get to all of that is what happened to Mai. Where did you find her?" Ryou asked, turning his attention to Bulma and them.
"Over in that alleyway over there. We don't know what happened to her; we found her like that. There were glass shards and slivers in her feet; I got all those out. Who are you?" Bulma answered and then asked.
"I'm Ryou Shirogane, and this is my three-year-old daughter, Mai Shirogane. Her mother was just arrested for drunken disorderly conduct, vandalism, using and selling drugs, vehicular manslaughter, and child endangerment, neglect, and abandonment. That was all four days ago when she came to get her for her monthly unsupervised visit. Your turn: who are all of you?" Ryou answered before asking.
"I'm Bulma Briefs. This is my husband, Vegeta, and our children Trunks and Bulla." Bulma introduced herself and her family.
"I'm Chi-Chi Son, and this is my husband, Goku. These are our children, Gohan and Goten. Why, if you don't trust this woman, would you give her unsupervised visits?" Chi-Chi introduced herself and her family before asking.
"Let alone at all?" Bulma asked, watching Trunks.
"I didn't; the courts did. But Ms. Yuko was right; Anya's not getting Mai anymore after this. I finally got courts to agree that she's an unfit parent. Actually, when she came to pick Mai up four days ago, she gave me papers, requesting every weekend unsupervised visits. Over my dead body." Ryou replied, annoyed.
"Sorry." Bulma apologized.
"Thanks, but it's not your fault. You don't even know us. Thanks for picking her up and taking care of Mai." Ryou replied before thanking them.
"It was no problem." Bulma happily replied, happy they could reunite a little girl with her father.
"Where are we anyway?" Trunks spoke up.
"Tokyo, Japan. Where are you from?" Ryou answered before asking.
"West City." The group answered.
"Never heard of it." Ryou replied, thinking a little.
"We've never heard of Tokyo either." Vegeta and Goku responded.
"Oh, good; you've all met." Yuko spoke, appearing out of Mokona.
"These are the right people?" Bulla asked, watching Yuko.
"Yes. Ryou, meet your new roommates." Yuko told Ryou with a calm smile.
"Did I agree to that?" Ryou asked, confused.
"Yes, you did. The last time Anya landed Mai in the hospital, and I gave her the multicolored Mokona. In exchange for Mai's safety from her mother, you would be housing two families. These are them. They are from a different universe from you, so you'll have to show them the ropes. I promise Mai doesn't need any medical attention; I made sure she wouldn't. I couldn't lead you to her—and I couldn't keep her from being hurt. But I could keep her from being severely injured. Now, as a free gift, I shall send you home." Yuko answered and explained before disappearing and teleporting the group to Ryou's home.
"Is this your home?" Goku asked, looking around the inside of a house.
"Yes, this is my house." Ryou answered, walking away from them.
"It's nice." Bulma and Chi-Chi stated.
"Thank you." Ryou replied, walking into a room.
"Are you unhappy with us here?" Trunks asked, standing in the middle of the room.
"It's different. But if this is what it takes to keep Mai safe from that woman, I'm fine with this arrangement. Sorry if it seems like I'm being distant; I'm just trying to get Mai in the tub to get her cleaned before finding her something to eat. I'm sure she hasn't eaten much—if at all in the past, at least three days." Ryou responded.
"That makes sense." Bulma guiltily replied.
Three Minutes Later:
"Mokona, please keep an eye on Mai. I'll be right back." Ryou told Mai after getting the tub filled less than halfway.
"Is she done already?" Chi-Chi asked, confused.
"No. She likes to sit in bubbles for a little bit. Mokona's watching her. If you don't mind my saying, but your children don't seem like your typical toddlers." Ryou responded before noting.
"Well, that's because they're not." "That witch changed our ages and made us all immortal." Vegeta interrupted Bulma.
"Ahh. Like us. I'm sure you'll meet everyone else after a bit; I texted my friends to let them know kind of what was going on. How older were your children originally?" Ryou asked, watching Bulma and Chi-Chi.
"Gohan is my oldest: he's now ten instead of twenty-seven. Goten is my youngest: he's now four instead of eighteen. Goku is now thirty-five and I'm thirty-two." Chi-Chi answered for her family.
"Well. Vegeta is thirty-five and I'm thirty-two. Trunks was my oldest at nineteen but is now four. And Bulla was my youngest at ten but is now seven. So, I guess Bulla is now my oldest and Trunks is my youngest." Bulma answered for her family.
"Yes! Now, I have all the power!" Bulla enthusiastically declared.
"Like hell you are!" Trunks argued right away.
"Hey. That's enough now. Neither of you have the power over the other. And now that you're no longer above ten; you're not allowed to swear." Bulma scolded her children.
"Your daughter is three. How old are you? You don't look that old." Goku stated, watching Ryou.
"He's immortal, you dumbass." Vegeta grumbled.
"And you have a son as well. How old is he? He lives with his mother?" Bulma asked, watching Ryou.
"Yes, Mai is three; she's my youngest. Her brother Kai is also three; he's seven months older than her. They have different mothers, and yes; Kai lives with his mother. We just came to the agreement that she'd get him fulltime. It's what he wanted. And I've told him: I just want him to be happy and safe. And unlike Mai's mother, Ichigo is a good mother. As for me; I'm twenty-one—and have been for a few months. I am a teen father; I was seventeen when Kai was born and eighteen with Mai." Ryou answered.
"Wouldn't you want your son with you—at least half the time?" Bulma asked, watching Trunks.
"Oh, sure. But he's happier with his mother. And although I've told him otherwise; he thinks he's in the way here. Mai needs a lot of care and is a lot of work. Which, is fine by me: I love her no matter what. In the end, I want what's best for my kids. And as long as Kai's being cared for: all I want is for him is to be happy. And if that's with his mother and Kish: so be it." Ryou thoughtfully replied.
"I guess that's a good way to look at it." Bulma replied, kind of understanding. Yet, at the same time, she couldn't imagine her life with either of her children.
"It's nothing I'm not used to: everyone I know has asked me that same question in the last four days. My father—who, right now, I'm not on the best terms with, is completely against this custody arrangement. I should have both my kids. I'd rather have it this way than have Kai miserable here with me instead of where he wants to be. The only reason I'd do that to him is if Ichigo weren't a good mother." Ryou explained after seeing a specific look on Bulma's face.
"Why don't you have a relationship with your father?" Goku asked, confused. Either he didn't hear what Ryou said earlier about his parents—or he just wasn't paying attention.
"When I was ten, my Dad's assistant/slash my best friend—more like a brother, took me out for some ice cream while Mom and Dad stayed home. My dad's a scientist and was working on something—that I later completed. But anyway: some creature spawned from a fossil and blew up the house, setting it aflame. I thought my parents were killed and Mom thought Keiichiro and I were killed. Turns out Dad faked all of our deaths. Mom only found out the truth when my younger brother, who they had later on, saw something on the news. I found out when a ghost spoke to me. Dad loves being a grandfather and wants to be part of the kids' lives. Well, I know he's not part of Kai's life. And despite how I feel, he tries to be part of Mai's life. Anyway: Mom and Dad are divorced now, and Mom has my brother." Ryou calmly explained.
"Does she see the children?" Bulma and Chi-Chi asked, watching Ryou.
"Mom is part of Kai and Mai's lives, yes. Ichigo and I have an agreement: once or twice a month, Mai and I will go to where they moved and see Kai for a few hours. I'm sure Mom and maybe Tomohiro will follow along. The deal was: Ichigo isn't allowed to keep Kai from my Mom at least. Dad is up to her entirely. My brother and Kai don't really see eye-to-eye." Ryou explained.
"Mr. Ryou: Mai wants out! She's trying to climb out! The bubbles are gone!" Mokona called from the bathroom.
"I'll be right back." Ryou told everyone before heading to the bathroom.
"Hold on. We still have to wash your hair and everything." They heard Ryou telling Mai before the door shut.
Ten Minutes Later:
Ryou walked out with Mai wrapped in a plush towel. He then took her to a different room—presumably Mai's room.
After a few minutes, Mai came slowly waddling out in a pink sleepshirt and white undies with blue butterflies on them. Her feet were wrapped in bandages.
"No pants?" Gohan asked, watching Mai make a B-line to a chair.
"Not yet." Ryou sighed, walking over to Mai.
Meanwhile, Mokona floated over.
"I got your fuzzy pants. It's too cold to not be wearing pants." Ryou calmly told Mai.
Mai stared at Ryou for a few minutes before falling flat on her back.
"Good girl. Are you hungry?" Ryou asked, watching Mai.
Again, she just stared at him before nodding.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Coming!" Ryou called, walking away from Mai to the door. However, he only made it a few feet before the door burst open.
"Where is she?! Where is my little girl?!" A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes demanded, panicking.
"Mom, she's right here. She's sitting in her chair. She's ok." Ryou assured his mother.
"What happened to her feet?" A boy with brown hair, pale blue eyes, and glasses asked, slowly walking in.
"I guess she somehow got glass stuck in them. Bulma and her family and friends got them out after finding her. Speaking of which: this is Bulma, Vegeta, and their children, Bulla and Trunks. This is Chi-Chi, Goku, and their children, Gohan and Goten. This is my mother, Ami and my younger brother, Tomohiro. Mai just finished her bath and got dressed. Now, I'm going to make her something to eat." Ryou answered, introduced everyone, and explained.
"Oh, thank you for saving my little grandbaby!" Ami tearfully thanked everyone, hugging each of them.
"We've all been worried; you can't fault her for this." Tomohiro calmly told Ryou.
"No, I know. I'm so thankful for them—and Yuko." Ryou replied, watching his mother.
"Hey. How is she?" Keiichiro asked, walking in.
"She's alive. Thanks to these guys over here—and I guess Yuko: Mai's alive. I'm about to make dinner." Ryou calmly replied.
"That's great." Keiichiro sighed, relieved.
"Are the others all coming in as well?" Ryou asked, watching Keiichiro.
"No. I told them all to go home for the night. You and Mai probably need a night to yourselves—and your new roommates." Keiichiro told Ryou.
"Ok. Thanks for that. The last thing Mai needs is so many people here at once." Ryou sighed, thanking Keiichiro. At the same time, he watched his mother try to interact with Mai.
"It's no problem." Keiichiro replied.
"Mai, would you like a pudding while you wait for dinner? You have to come here and tell me." Ryou asked before calling Mai to him.
It took her a few seconds, but Mai climbed off the chair and made it over to Ryou.
"Do you want a pudding?" Ryou asked again; Mai nodded her head with her finger in her mouth.
"Do you want to see Uncle Keiichiro or Uncle Tomohiro or Grandma?" Ryou asked, lifting Mai; she reached for Keiichiro.
"Give her time, Mom; you've only been in her life for six months. Keiichiro's been there since day one." Ryou calmly told Ami before walking to the kitchen. He came back after a minute or two with several puddings.
When he got back, Ami was holding Mai.
"Mai reached for her." Keiichiro calmly told Ryou before he could say anything.
"Ok. Ok, Mai: do you want chocolate or vanilla?" Ryou asked, holding two puddings in front of Mai.
After a few minutes of looking between the two, Mai chose vanilla.
"Do any of you want pudding?" Ryou asked Trunks, Goten, Bulla, and Gohan.
"Thank you." Trunks and Gohan replied, taking a chocolate pudding.
"Sure. Thanks." Bulla and Goten thanked Ryou, taking a chocolate pudding.
"Now, I just need to figure out what to do with dinner." Ryou sighed.
"I know it may be late, but we could go out to eat. The All You Can Eat: Universal Buffet is open 'til ten. I have my van and you have a van. Between the two, we should all be able to pile into them. And I do have two car seats." Ami suggested, watching Ryou.
"Ummm… I suppose." Ryou eventually gave in.
"How many people can your van fit?" Ami asked Ryou.
"I have to go; Nami's texting." Keiichiro told Ryou.
"Isn't she visiting family in England?" Ryou asked, confused.
"She heard about Mai; she wanted to help. She didn't get the text that she was found until her plane landed. She's waiting at the airport for me to pick her up." Keiichiro answered.
"She just can't stand her family, can she?" Ryou questioned, watching Keiichiro.
"From what I understand: no. We'll see you sometime tomorrow. Let me know when it's decently quiet." Keiichiro calmly told Ryou.
"Will do." Ryou replied, quickly hugging Keiichiro.
"Mmmm!" Mai made a noise, running over.
"Hi, Sweetheart. I have to go, but I'll see you tomorrow—with Aunty Nami." Keiichiro told Mai with a smile, hugging her, not caring about the pudding on her face.
And with that, Keiichiro left.
"He'll be back; I promise." Ryou told Mai, lifting her into his arms when she became upset.
"How many people can you fit in your van?" Ami asked again while Ryou wiped Mai's face.
"Eight. Two in front. Two in the center. And four in the back." Ryou answered, getting Mai's shoes.
"Same with mine. So, we each take one family?" Ami asked, watching Ryou, Bulma, Chi-Chi, and the rest of them.
"Sounds like a plan." Ryou replied.
"We're going with Ryou—at least on the way there. We'll switch on the way back." Bulma spoke up first.
"Ok." Everyone agreed, not wanting to argue.
"Umm… Before we go…" Bulma nervously started.
"Yes?" Ryou asked, watching her.
"So you only have to explain it once—if you wouldn't mind, that is… Earlier, when you were talking to, I think you said her name was Ichigo, you said something about Mai being the way she was because of her mother. Can you elaborate on that?" Bulma nervously asked; she didn't want to offend Ryou.
"Right. That. I suppose you'd find out eventually anyway. Mai's mother, Anya, liked to party and have fun. Nothing else mattered. She drank and smoked pot all the time—including during her pregnancy with Mai. I'm not sure if she smoked cigarettes, but I wouldn't put that passed her. But she was doing something stupid and ended up going into labor a month and a half early. She decided to try to walk to the hospital—and hour away from where she was. In the end, witnesses called police and an ambulance, and she was taken to a hospital."
"For obvious reasons, there were already problems; she just had to make it worse by not listening to the doctors or me. Mai's umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck and Anya just kept pushing until I begged them to do an emergency C-section. As Mai's father and Anya's history, the doctors listened to me. I got full custody of Mai that day and Anya was taken to jail."
"It took about six months before I noticed anything wrong with Mai and took her in. It took a few months of testing, but she was diagnosed with Junior Rheumatoid Arthritis. When she was a year and a half, she was diagnosed with both low-function autism and ADD. And they say she's non-verbal, but she talks to me—when it's just the two of us. She's very shy around other people. It's usually horrible around large groups; she has panic attacks. Last year, she was diagnosed with anxiety. I was surprised she was calm around all of you. I was more surprised when I walked over, and she was clinging to you." Ryou explained, pausing here and there to let everything sink in.
"I'm so sor—" "Don't. Please, don't apologize. It's not your fault. You didn't know any of us—and you don't know Anya. Thank you, but please, don't. I already have enough people apologizing for it. For me, it makes me think the people who apologize feel pity. They look at me and think how sad it must be for someone like me to "have" to raise someone like Mai. I'm a genius with an IQ of 220. Mai's—Mai. Honestly, we don't know what her IQ will be, but we know it's not going to be high. But what I've told everyone else, I don't care; I love Mai just the way she is for who she is." Ryou firmly told Bulma, stopping her.
"Very well said." Ami, Bulma, and Chi-Chi told Ryou with tears in their eyes.
"Well, we should head out before it gets too late for Mai." Ryou insisted, watching Mai.
"Yes, I agree." Everyone else agreed with a smile.
"Also, when we get back, I'll show you around and where you'll be staying." Ryou told the Briefs and Sons.
"Sounds like a plan." Goku happily replied before they all left to go out to eat…