Yosei--Chapter Eight
Disclaimer: They're not mine. Unless they are. Then they're mine. Greetings, everyone! Sorry about the lateness of the chapter. Things were hectic for awhile, and, well, I'm just a lazy bum. This chapter had been written for awhile, but I had to actually sit down and type it. You know how that goes. So, anyway, here's chapter 8. It's a long chapter, about 75k, but my loyal readers know I'm rather infamous about that kind of thing. (My longest chapter is in ATTR--at about 120k!) Lots of stuff happens, so I won't babble on for longer than necessary *grin* Make sure you leave a review! I like to hear what you think...I got a pitiful response last time, and I'm not the type to really care for reviews, but still...it made me a little upset. So make me happy! Gie-chan (slight note: in the beginning, the fae are speaking in an Older English, that's why it is in italics. They'll switch to commonspeak soon enough. Amazing how it sounds normal! *grin* Gie)

YOSEI--Chapter 8

A small hand reached out, and Gallifrey grasped it, pulling the
figure into a sitting position. Everyone was silent as the newest fae
enter the world and looked around. "Hello."

Gallifrey smiled at his newly awakened sister. "Hello, sister. It's
nice to have you back. I'm Gallifrey."

She nodded, a small smile tracing her lips. She ran a small hand
through her thick mane of white hair, trying to orient herself after
sleeping for so long. "Tan'ne. Is it time for the Gathering already? "
She glanced around confusedly. "But this isn't the same room. Where
are the others?"

"No, this isn't." He shook his head sadly, a streak of sadness
flashing across his tanned features. "We were moved from the
saferoom. The others--the other are dead, Tan'ne. Only you, me, and
two other pods survived out long sleep."

Tan'ne finally noticed the other occupants of the room, sucking in
a sharp breath. "Why are there mortals among us? Who are they?" Her
eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"They are the ones that discovered our saferoom, and moved the
surviving pods into their dwellings."

"They were the ones that killed our kin?" Tan'ne's eyes went wide,
and she sat up a little straighter.

"No, they were not the ones." Gallifrey quickly clarified her.

"They just found us in that state. The others were dead when they
discovered the rooms. They don't mean any harm," he paused and gave
Vejiita a quick glance, "unless you give them a reason for harm."

Bulma had been following their dialogue, which was spoken in an
older English, and realized that it was time for someone to speak up.
She stepped forward and extended her hand in friendship. "Hello. My
name's Bulma." She pointed out the rest. "This is my husband, Vejiita;
my son, Trunks and his friend, Goten, and my daughter, Bura." She
turned back to the new fae. "You're at Capsule Corporation, and my
home."

Tan'ne wasn't listening to Bulma, she was staring at Bura. She
hopped off the table, and floating a little off the ground, she moved
closer to the female Saiya-jiin. "Is she fae, Gallifrey?" Tan'ne walked
around Bura, examining her. "She looks like one of Oberon's Children,
but something is not right."

The male fae shook his head. "No, she is mortal, but my magicks
gave her that appearance. I healed an injury of hers and had to delve
into my soul magicks. to finish."

"Soul magicks? Aren't those for..."

He cut her off. "Yes, they are. But I had no choice. My magick
was depleted, and her injury was my fault."

Tan'ne nodded understanding. "I see." She gave the others a
glance and frowned, her lips curling downward. "Something is not right."
She turned toward the three males, and moved closer to them with her
black and white tiger-striped wings. She paused in front of Vejiita.
"You are not human, mortal." She turned her gaze to Trunks and Goten,
scrutinizing them with her magenta eyes. "Neither are you two." Her
nose wrinkled in confusion and distaste. She turned toward Gallifrey.
"How can humans smell like an animal?" She rested her gaze once again
on Trunks.

Trunks looked slightly miffed under her scrutiny. "We are not
completely human, that's why. Goten and I are half Saiya-jiin."

"Lord Oberon has placed us in the land of the Kitsune?"

Gallifrey nodded. "Yes. At the time, the people of this area were
a peace-loving race, and honored our kin in a righteous manner. Lord
Oberon more than likely thought we would come to the least amount of
harm in this area."

Tan'ne smiled and switched to Japanese. "Then by all means, I
must honor our brethren in his homeland by speaking his language."

Bura was getting antsy. She wasn't understanding what the
conversation was about. "Mama, what's going on?" She tugged on the
older woman's arm to get her attention. Her tail twitched agitatedly.

Tan'ne saw the twitch and moved closer to Bura, her eyes wide in
realization of the tail. She grabbed the furry object, bringing it closer
to her for inspection. "Tail? Why does she have a tail? It looks feline
in nature." She gave it a few tugs in experimentation.

"Owww!!" Bura yelped, and tried to pull her tail from the fae's
tight grasp. "That's mine!"

Vejiita started to growl. "Never touch a Saiya-jiin's tail, yosei,
Unless you want your life to become forfeit." He thrashed his tail once
for emphasis, and re-wrapped it around his waist securely. His growl
became louder as Bura's cries grew louder.

Tan'ne raised a thin eyebrow and let go of Bura's tail. "All right."
She moved closer to Vejiita. "Shall I pull your tail, then?" Vejiita just
snorted in response, and turned away.

Gallifrey sighed, shaking his head. "Tan'ne, please."

She gave her fellow fae a glance and shrugged her shoulders. "If
you insist." She moved around the room, the pale blue dress on her small
frame swirling around her legs, as if moving on its own accord. "There is
an abundance of iron in this room, is there not?" She glanced at the
door, scowling in distaste.

Gallifrey nodded. "Yes. The humans still use it for many things."

"What's wrong with iron? It's a inexpensive, heavy-duty metal
that can be used to build many things. It's in abundance everywhere."
Bulma rapped her knuckles on the wall, and watched with wide eyes as
both Gallifrey and Tan'ne clutched at their ears, letting out sounds of
pain.

"Okaasan, don't." Trunks held her hand, stopping her from making
the noise. "Iron is lethal to yosei."

Tan'ne rubbed her ears, trying to relieve the nauseous ringing.
"How did you know this, youngling?" She frowned.

"My Mythology class had a section on Medieval England, and we
covered all the stories and aspects of the Fae," Trunks replied, Goten
nodding in agreement. He gave her an appraising eye. "You're not an elf,
like Gallifrey. Are you a sprite? Or a nymph of some kind?"

She smiled, a small laugh escaping her lips. "No, youngling, I'm not
a nymph. Although, the small female could have used their healing
magicks earlier, I suppose." She glanced at Bura for a second. "No, I'm
a Sylph, youngling. My name is Tan'ne."

He nodded. "Trunks. I was close with the sprite, then."

"Close, yes, but not correct." She crossed her arms and glanced
around the room with a restless eye. "This is all fine and good, but I
must be off. Things to do, fae to see, mortals to pester, you know how
it goes." She uncrossed her arms and walked over to the door.

Bulma looked startled. "Go? Go where?"

"Does it matter?" She shrugged her shoulders, and turned to
Gallifrey. "Are you coming, brother?"

He blinked a few times, and gave Bura a glance. But he just shook
his head. "No, sister, not yet. Not until the other two pods hatch, and I
still need to rectify my mistakes."

"You are an admirable one, brother. I can see why Lord Oberon
made you our leader." She smiled at Gallifrey. "But I do not need such
leading, for I can take care of myself." She gave Vejiita a glance, looking
him up and down once. "But I will welcome anyone coming with me."

"He certainly will not!" Bulma fumed, crossing her arms in a huff.

"Sister, perhaps it be best to stay, at least until the other two
pods open," Gallifrey suggested. "Then the four of us can set out for
Avalon, to see the rest of Oberon's Children." He smiled sadly. "I have a
feeling they forgot about us when the Gathering began."

Tan'ne frowned. "But I do not wish to remain within these walls
of death, brother." She glanced at her hands and frowned even deeper.
"My magick is at an all-time low. These walls are not helping you in your
recharge as well, Gallifrey. There isn't even any sunshine down here!"

Bura let out a large yawn. "Well, it's night time right now,
Tan'ne-san." She turned to her father and yawned again. "Papa, will you
tuck me in?"

Vejiita looked startled. He hadn't expected Bura to talk to him
due to his earlier actions, for awhile. "If you want."

She nodded and wrapped her thin arms around his heavily muscled
one, and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Of course, Papa." She sighed,
a happy smile gracing her pretty features.

The Saiya-jiin Prince just stared at his offspring for a few
moments, keeping his surprise completely hidden from outside viewing.
He blinked, gave Bulma a glance, and led Bura from the room. As they
were leaving, Bura's tail wound itself around Vejiita's, in a tight embrace.
You could see the Prince jump slightly at the intimate contact, but he
soon relaxed, and returned the embrace willingly.

Bulma smiled at the father and daughter pair, knowing that things
will turn out for the best with their bond. She turned back around and
studied the pair of fae in front of her. Gallifrey looked fairly relaxed,
and she noticed that he was staring off into space, a small smile on his
features as well. She turned her gaze to the newest addition, Tan'ne and
studied the female. She seemed to be fairly confident in her stance, but
Bulma knew how to read a person; living with Vejiita for so long gave her
ample opportunity to study body language. The yosei was calm and
confident on the outside, but was fairly nervous and unsettled inside.
The set of antennae on her head were constantly twitching, and her
brightly colored wings seemed to be restless--they never not as still as
her male counterpart. Her fingers were tapping against the light blue
material of her dress--a sure sign of nervous energy at work.

She smiled a little brighter. "Well, since you're going to be
staying for a little while, at least the night, why don't we show you to a
guest room?"

"That would be most generous of you, Bulma-san," Gallifrey
nodded, smiling at his hostess.

"Trunks," Bulma turned to her lavender-haired son, "Can you show
Gallifrey and Tan'ne to a room on the guest wing? I need to find
Tashi-san and tell him of the night's events."

"Sure, Kaasan." Trunks nodded He turned to the two fae. "If you
would follow me." They nodded and Trunks led the way, with Goten
trailing behind the pair.

Bulma let out a sigh, the smile slowly falling from her mouth.
"How do I explain to Tashi about tonight? The pods have mythological
creatures in them--and one turned my daughter into one!" She sighed
once more, and rubbed her forehead, turning off the light as she left.

****

Trunks led the processional through the many halls; the group was
rather quiet. Tan'ne was staring at the form of Trunks, who was directly
ahead of her. She smirked, and tossed her long white hair over her
shoulder. "Tell me, youngling, what are Saiyan?"

Trunks glanced behind him, quirking a questioning lavender
eyebrow at her. "Trunks. And it's pronounced Sigh-yah-zgen. Three
syllables. Don't say it the other way in front of my father. He'll get
upset."

"Or, more upset than he already is." Goten added with a smirk.

Trunks rolled his eyes. "Why did you want to know?"

"Just curious, youngling." Trunks grunted at her name for him.
"Your scent is unique; it's something I've never encountered before--I
can smell the human, but the other part is almost animalistic."

"That's more than likely because Saiya-jiin are not of this world."
Trunks smirked as he walked. He spared a glance at the two fae for
their reaction to his words. Gallifrey seemed slightly surprised, but
Tan'ne gave him an encouraging smile. Her eyes seemed almost...excited?
"My father, Vejiita, and Goten's father, Son Goku, are the last remaining
full-blooded Saiya-jiin, an alien warrior race from Vejiita-sei. The planet
is destroyed now. Me, Bura, Goten and his brother, Gohan, are all half
Saiya-jiin. Gohan-san has a daughter, Pan, who is quarter Saiya-jiin."

"I can smell the difference from you two and the older male. But
tell me, youngling, why does the male and the female fae have feline tails,
and you two do not?"

"Well," Goten rubbed his head. "We were all born with tails, but
had them removed for the planet's safety. Because when a Saiya-jiin has
their tail, they have the ability to transform in an Oozaru, a giant ape, in
the light of a full moon."

"And this is a bad thing?" Tan'ne asked, amused.

"Yes, it is. We don't have the ability to control that form; it
increases your strength by ten times, and the animalistic urges and
instincts rule over any logic that may exist." He nodded to Goten.
"Goten, Bura and I have never transformed into Oozaru, but Gohan
Tousan, and Goku-san have. And Tousan is the only one that can control
the form, or at least he could when he was younger. He hasn't had his
tail in over twenty years." Trunks frowned a little bit. He had forgotten
about the ability to turn into the Oozaru form, and worried that his
father, now that he hand Bura had their tails back, would remember his
earlier lessons in control.

"You are were-creatures?" Gallifrey blinked, startled by this
news. He turned to Goten. "And you want this ability for destruction,
Goten-san?"

"Well, that comes with it, but I don't mind." Goten shrugged and
smiled. "besides, if we get out of control we have the universe's most
powerful warriors residing here on Chikyuu."

Tan'ne turned to Trunks, hiking a thin eyebrow. "Are you included
in that number, youngling?"

Trunks blushed a little but nodded. "Well, I haven't been training
seriously in a while, but I guess so. Both me and Goten are."

"I'd like to see an example of such warrior prowess some time,
youngling." Tan'ne eyes the purple-haired senshi, her magenta eyes
taking in every muscle. "But not now. Now I just want..." She paused in
front of a set of double doors. She put her hand on the doors, but drew
it away with a hiss. Iron. "Youngling, what is behind this door?"

Trunks turned around at her question. "My name is Trunks."

"What is behind these doors, youngling?" Tan'ne repeated
herself, ignoring Trunks request.

He sighed and shook his head, moving over to a black panel next to
the door. He punched a few buttons. "It's a botanical garden. Tropical
forest."

"Open it." Tan'ne's eyes lit up at the mention of the forest.
"Please."

Gallifrey smiled. "Sounds pleasant, sister?"

"Hopefully, it is." The three waited as Trunks pushed a few more
buttons, and the sliver doors slid open silently, letting a puff of wet air
hit them. The four walked in, and were welcomed by large clusters of
green trees, and dense underbrush. A light mist seemed to surround
the area. It was rather quiet within, lending to the peaceful nature they
received when entering the room. Tan'ne stepped forward quickly and
moved up to one cluster of trees, her small hands running up and down
the rough bark. "It's like a miniature forest within this room!" She
stooped low and brushed her fingers over a few leaves of the
undergrowth, and a small flower opened up for her, its bright yellow
petals standing out in the blackness of the night. She stared at the
flower, her bright eyes fixated on the silky petals. "I'll take this one,
youngling. You can go now."

"This one?" Trunks stared at the kneeling fae, confusion flitting
across his features. "What do you mean?"

"You were to show me to my room, and here it is. Thank you."
She stood and glanced at Trunks, giving him a small smile and a nod
before disappearing into the lush foliage, the dark embracing her
swiftly.

Gallifrey smiled knowingly. His sister would be happy here for
awhile. He looked around, taking in the view. He saw that the ceiling was
completely made of glass to let the sun warm and nourishing rays in--one
panel was open, and he could barely feel the breeze ruffle through his
hair and across the sensitive membranes of his wings. "Are there more
rooms like this one, Trunks-san?"

"Well," The half Saiya-jiin scratched his head. "There's this one,
the Rainforest garden. We have a plains, deciduous forest, and
coastline."

"I'd like to see the forest, if possible."

"Sure." The three left the rainforest and moved into a new hall,
where they stopped in front of an identical set of doors. Trunks opened
the door using the keypad on the wall, and stepped in. "This is the
forest, Gallifrey."

Gallifrey turned around slowly, his bright green eyes soaking in
the sights and his nose taking in the smells of the tall trees. He sighed
blissfully and nodded. "If possible, I'd like to stay here. It won't be too
much trouble, will it?"

Trunks shook his head. "I don't think so. These rooms are here
for the scientists' use, and for relaxation. Not many people come in,
except for the ones that take care of them. I'll let Kaasan know where
you and the other yosei are residing." He paused. "Did you need
anything before we take off for the night?"

"No, I don't think so," Gallifrey shook his head, taking another
long look around his new quarters before letting his gaze rest on the
demi Saiya-jiin. "Thank you for generosity. I know we've been a surprise
to you and your own. I apologize for any trouble or problems that may
have arose from my awakening, and my future kin's arrival." The fae
bowed humbly.

"Well, I guess it wouldn't be the same if there wasn't something
going on around here." Trunks smirked. "Just watch yourself around any
humans. since you can't put up a glamour to protect your wings." A
thought came to him. "Actually, I'm going to put a lockout on both
garden rooms, so no unauthorized personnel can access them, okay?"

"Thank you again. Your kindness and generosity is most
appreciated." Gallifrey smiled warmly at him.

"No problem." He turned to his best friend and nodded his head.
"C'mon, Goten-kun, let's leave him alone. I've got to find Kaasan."

"Hai, Trunks-kun. Good night, Gallifrey-san." Goten waved to the
fae, and followed his fellow senshi out the room.

****

Bulma wandered through the labs, looking for her head geneticist.
She found him in a small office, going over paperwork. "I had hoped you
left already, Tashi-san."

The older man blinked, startled by the silent approach of his
boss. "No, not yet, Bulma-san. I wanted to finish up some loose ends
before tomorrow morning." He stared into the tired face of his
employer and frowned slightly. "I think you're the one that needs to go
to bed, Bulma-san."

She shrugged and fell into a chair across from him. "That's not a
bad idea, actually. I will pretty soon."

He watched her face a little bit longer before smiling . He
continued. "Did you discover anything of interest in that open pod?"

She blinked, remembering the last time she saw him was before
Gallifrey found her working on his pod. "I played in goo for quite awhile,
but that's not what I came to talk to you about, Tashi."

"What is it?"

She frowned, trying to maneuver the right words to say into the
right positions so her explanation would sound...right. "Well, just to let
you know, the second pod opened. This time it was a female."

His eyes widened in surprise. "You saw it open?"

"Yes."

"Where is it...she now? Did it run away like the last one?" He,
too, saw the surveillance tapes of Gallifrey's pod opening. He did not
know, however, of his subsequent return.

"No, she did not. She is still in the building--with Trunks and
Goten at the moment, being shown to a guest room. Along with the male
from the first pod."

"He returned?" Tashi's eyes were wide in excitement. He
thought he was lost to the wind for sure. "Tell me, Bulma-san, what are
they like?"

'Well, they're actually a lot like a human, Tashi. They've got
higher levels of reasoning--they can think on their own and hold normal,
intelligent conversations. They have a different family structure, as far
as I could tell, but all in all, they're practically human." She paused. "But
they're not. They're...different."

Tashi was confused. "Different?"

She nodded. "Different." She closed her eyes, her purple
eyebrows drawn together in concentration. "Tell me, Tashi, do you
believe in magic?"

"Magic? As in hocus-pocus, or as in illusion?"

"The hocus-pocus kind."

He scratched his head in confusion. "Not for a long time,
Bulma-san. Being a scientist, both you and I know that magic doesn't
exist. It's impossible. The whole trick of it all is specifically combined
chemical reactions and oddities in nature reacting to other substances."

She opened her eyes. "What would you say if I told you magic
does exist?"

He paused, his chocolate-brown eyes looking deep into her blue
eyes. "If you approached me in the beginning with that question, before
I met your husband, I'd say you ate some of that goo, Bulma-san. But..."
he let out a sigh. "But now, now I will give you the benefit of the doubt.
Can you explain?"

"Not really." She smiled weakly at her scientist and friend. "But
I'm going to give you what I know. Please use that benefit and hear me
out, okay?"

"Okay." He nodded slowly.

She started out with the morning's events, and Bura's story about
her dream. "That's when you came upstairs and told us about the first
pod's opening." Tashi was quiet and just nodded. Bulma continued on.
"Nothing really happened until after I went to go work on the open pod."
She then explained Gallifrey's startling her, and Trunks, Goten and
Vejiita's entrance into everything. Tashi's eyes got wide as she told him
about their transformation into trees, Bura's rescue of her father, then
of Gallifrey, and her subsequent healing.

Tashi interrupted her with a hand. "Wait a minute. You're
throwing a lot at me, Bulma-san. I'm following you to a point, but I want
to know one thing: What is he? You said he's humanoid in shape, but not.
And by your story, he has abnormal...abilities. Do you know what he is?"

She nodded. "Yes. He's a Yosei. Fae, Faerie, Oberon's Children,
the Fair Folk, whatever you want to call them. And she is one, as well.
As are the two unopened pods."

"Yosei?" He looked at her with wide, unblinking eyes. "As in the
characters of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer's Night Dream?' Puck,
Titania? They're real?"

"More than likely, yes. Gallifrey had mentioned Avalon, and
Oberon, a few times so I imagine that they're real, as well."

"Gallifrey?"

"That's the male yosei's name. Actually, to be completely true,
Gallifrey is an elf, and Tan'ne, the female, is a sylph, or a large sprite. I
don't know what the other two pods contain. We'll find out when they
open."

"Do you know why they were underground in the first place?"

She thought a moment. "Actually, I don't. I know that they knew
what they were in, but didn't know the exact location. And they called it
the 'saferoom.' So it maybe was to protect them from something? And I
believe they were supposed to be awakened or released from their pods
when something called the 'Gathering' took place." She shook her head.
"Other than that, I don't know. Or why they were the only ones to
survive and the other did not."

"That is one hell of a story, Bulma-san." Tashi leaned back in his
chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Are you sure you didn't eat any of
that goo?" He peeked out from under his hand.

She caught his teasing tone and rolled her eyes. "Maybe if I feed
some to you, you'll understand."

"I guess I'll just have to see it to believe it. Yosei, hmm?" He
shook his head in disbelief. "Do they mean any harm?"

Bulma shook her head. "None that I can see. So far, they've been
rather quiet, except for that episode with Gallifrey and the trees, but
Vejiita brought that on to himself for not reining in his temper." She
stood up. "Well, I'm going to go check on Bura, then head to bed. Go
home, Tashi-san. Everything will still be here in the morning. Including
the yosei and the pods."

He nodded. "All right, Bulma-san." He followed her out the door,
and turned the light off behind him. "Do I get to meet them tomorrow?"

She nodded. "I'll try to get them in here for a general exam.

Gallifrey will probably cooperate, but I'm not sure about Tan'ne. And I'd
like to have B-chan examined, as well. I want to find out truly how much
she has changed."

They waved to each other and went their separate ways for the
night.

*********

Trunks sighed as the door closed behind the pair of Saiya-jiin,
leaving them alone in the hallway. "So what's next, Trunks?"

"Well, I go find Kaasan and let her know that the yosei have taken
over and made themselves at home in the Garden rooms." He yawned
wide. "Then I collapse on my bed. Come on, Goten, I'm tired."

Goten nodded and ambled alongside his best friend. "I suppose I
better call Kaasan and let her know what's going on. I don't think
Bulma-san called her earlier." Trunks just grunted. He gave his
purple-haired friend a sidelong look, and crossed his arms behind his
head. "So, what do you think of them?"

Trunks shrugged his shoulders non-committally. "Dunno. I was
pretty mad at Gallifrey for turning me into a tree, but I guess I can't be
too mad at him for long, since he did heal B-chan. I wish the female
would stop calling be that name, though."

"Oh, yeah," Goten had a silly smile on his face, his eyes staring
off into space. "B-chan was healed, all right."

"Knock it off, Goten!" Trunks scowled, a growl rumbling in the
back of his throat. He whacked the blushing male next to him in the
arm. "That's my seven year old sister you're lusting after!"

"But you gotta admit, Trunks, your sister is a hot babe!" He
ducked at the swing intended for his nose, instead feeling it flow by his
ear. He started to run down the hall. "Well, I'm right, ne?"

Trunks let out a snarl and chased after him. "How would I know?
I don't think of my sister as a hot babe!"

"Well I should hope not, Trunks." Bulma stood in a doorway with
her arms crossed. "If your father heard that, you would not survive the
beating he would inflict."

"Whatever, Kaasan," Trunks rolled his eyes, coming to a stop next
to her, but not before leveling a death glare worthy of his father at his
friend. "I was trying to protect B-chan from the wandering baka hentai,
Goten." He sighed when Goten just blew a raspberry. "Anyway, I wanted
to tell you that the two yosei have taken over the Gardens. The female
is in the Rainforest, and the male is in the Deciduous Forest."

"Why are they in there?"

"Well, I think they liked the scenery better in those rooms.
Something about natural habitat, maybe?" Trunks just shrugged his
indifference. "Anyway, I placed lockouts on them so no one else can
access the rooms without the right password."

"And what is that?"

He smirked. "Yosei."

Bulma rolled her eyes. "Clever." She nodded and beamed at her
son. "Good decision, Trunks-chan! Soon you'll be taking over the company
for me, and I can retire to the Bahamas!" She ruffled her son's short
hair. "I knew you inherited my smarts! I keep telling your father that
you're more than just a pretty face!"

He smirked, showing just from who he got his 'pretty face.' "Of
course, I'm perfect. Brains, Brawn, and a face to go with them.
Perfection in its finest form."

"And an ego to match!" Bulma laughed. "So if you're such a
man-stud, why don't you have a girlfriend?"

"Um...I just haven't...found the right one." A blush crept across
his high cheekbones.

"It's not like they haven't tried to get in his pants, Bulma-san,"
Goten shook his head. "The girls at school drop like flies when he
glances at them."

"Yeah, well, that's just all flirting stuff, nothing serious. It's
really annoying."

"Then why do you encourage it?"

"I don't, Goten!" He sighed, running a hand through his hair,
fisting it in his lavender locks. "It's just that they take everything I do
and say wrong." He shook his head, knowing he'd never win that
argument against his best friend. He threw a glare at Bulma, who was
trying hard to smother her giggles, but not succeeding. "I'm going to
bed. Good night, Kaasan."

"Sleep well, Trunks-chan." Bulma smiled, pulling him in for a hug.

He allowed her the affection, with a sigh and a roll of the eyes.
"I'm getting a little old for this, don't you think?"

"A son is never too old or too mature for affection from his
mother." Goten quoted, a smile on his face. He threw his arms around
Bulma, lifting her up in the air, and eliciting a squeal from the smaller
female. He put her down and gave her a mushy peck on the cheek. "At
least that's what my Kaasan pounds into my head with her frying pan."

"That's your mother, for you. 'Nite, Kaasan." He waved and
walked down the hall. Goten waved as well, and followed him.

He stopped after a moment and turned to the black-haired male
next to him. "Go on ahead, I forgot to tell Kaasan something."

He nodded. "I'm going to go call mine, okay?" trunks nodded and
turned back around, heading in the direction he left.

He found Bulma in the same doorway, her arms crossed and a
secret smile lighting her face. "You know, you don't have to put up a
front for Goten-kun. He's practically your brother." She opened up her
arms.

Trunks blushed and moved into her embrace, enclosing her in one
of his own, holding her tight to him. "I know, but I just want to..."

"You'll always be my little boy, ne?" She smiled tenderly at him,
as he pecked her on the cheek.

"Always." He returned her smile and walked down the hallway to
his room. "Good night, Mama."

"Good night, Trunks-chan."

*****
Vejiita was silent as he walked alongside Bura, her arm looped
around his in a rather tight grip. He didn't know what she was
thinking--did she hate him for hitting her with his ki, almost ending
her...her life prematurely? Or did she fear him now, and his power, and
the power he passed down to her?

Their training session this morning and afternoon was a pleasant
experience for the Prince. Sure, he had trained Trunks, and
consequently Goten, but he wasn't completely confident in his ability to
train a female--especially his flesh and blood. Trunks was easy to train.
He just used the same training methods that were used on him by his
father and trainers--beat him mercilessly until you're unconscious, or
learn how to defend yourself. Trunks caught on rather quickly,
surprising him, only needing a few hard beating to learn the tough lesson.

But a girl is a different matter, especially the one that seemed to
be a mirror image of his mate. His weak, human mate. Hi methods
should, in theory, have been the same; for they were on Vejiita-sei. A
senshi is a senshi, be they male or female. All Saiya-jiin were trained in
the same manner, and if they were unable to undertake the vicious
methods, they were killed. The thrill of battle ran thick in all Saiya-jiin
veins, the bloodlust driving each warrior to become better and stronger.
He found it thriving in Trunks, and in the mild-mannered Goten, but
would his blood run in his daughter? Or would his mate's weak, human
blood? Bura definitely had her looks, but once in awhile, he would see a
snatch of himself--usually when she was upset.

So, he started off slow, trying to gauge what her small body could
and could not withstand. But Bura surprised him, showing a high
tolerance to the training. She immediately learned how to block a punch,
and began to retaliate. Although she never got anything through his
defenses, her valiant attempt impressed him to no end. She showed to
be have more Saiya-jiin running through her heart than Trunks. It
elevated the love for his small Princess to the utmost peak of his heart.

And the look of shock on Trunks and Goten's face when Bura
opened the door would give him a fond memory for a long time.

"Papa? What are you thinking?"

He glanced, startled at the female on his arm. He let out a grunt.
"Never mind, brat."

She smiled and blinked her blue eyes. "Are we going to train again
tomorrow, Papa?"

Vejiita stared at her, very surprised at her question. After a
moment, he recovered and turned his head, facing away from her. "You
may join me if you so wish." They arrived at Bura's bedroom.

She opened the door, releasing his arm at the same time. "I had
fun today, Papa! I want to do it again." She moved to a dresser, and
opening it, stared into the drawer with a frown. She pulled out a set of
pajamas and frowned even deeper. "These aren't going to fit me
anymore."

Vejiita frowned as well. "Then don't wear anything."

"Papa!"

"Fine!" He grunted, scowling slightly. "I'll go see if the Onna has
something for you."

Bura squealed, and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a
wet kiss on his cheek. Her wings came around, adding to the embrace.
"Thank you, Papa!"

"Che." He stalked out of the room, more to hide the smile
covering his normally fierce features, than the displeasure of the
affection. That smile was what greeted Bulma as the two met each
other in the hall near their bedroom.

"What's that smile for, Vejiita?" Bulma's own smile grew as she
questioned him. "Is it for me?"

The smile immediately disappeared, the old scowl returning. "No."
He opened their bedroom door, and stormed in. "The brat needs
night-time clothing."

Bulma sighed. Sometimes... "Let's see what I can find." She
looked through a couple dresser drawers, sorting out different items.
"Well, the biggest obstacle are those wings. I got lucky with that
backless t-shirt." She found a pair of flannel bottoms and an old t-shirt.
She grabbed a scissors from a different drawer and cut out the back of
the shirt, making sure to leave enough material to hold its shape. She
folded them up, along with the rest she pulled from her drawers. "Tell
B-chan to tear up the other ones, as well."

Vejiita grunted and picked up the pile and the scissors. Before
leaving completely, he paused in the doorway, turning around to stare at
Bulma with an unreadable expression on his face.

"What?" Bulma found it to be rather disconcerting, and she
shifted under his hot gaze.

He slowly approached her and stopped, his face inches from hers.
Bulma could feel his warm breath on her nose. She watched as his
features softened slightly, and he bent down slightly to capture her lips
in a breath-taking kiss. She melted under that touch and didn't even
jump when she felt his tail curl around her calf, squeezing her gently.
She moaned into his lips, her arms coming around his neck to bury her
hands in his thick hair.

He released her lips, and studied her blissful expression once
more. "That was for you." He turned around and walked out the door,
closing it behind him softly.

The purple-haired genius let out a sigh. "I swear, one of these
days I'm going to understand that Saiya-jiin!"

Bura was struggling with her shirt when Vejiita returned. He set
the new clothes on the foot of her bed, and pulled the neck of the
offending shirt over her head. "Thank you, Papa. I was having
problems."

Vejiita just grunted. "There are your clothes. Use the scissors
to make the others fit." He turned around and started to walk away.

"Papa! I thought you were going to tuck me in?"

He turned around and took in the image of his youngest child.
She stood in the middle of the room, her face framed by her
newly-tipped ears, eyes bordering on pleading for his presence. She held
the shirt she wore against her chest, the swell of her newly-developed
breasts visible. Her green and purple wings fluttered every once in
awhile, stirring her long lair. He saw her tail, his legacy to her, twitch
and corkscrew in an anxious manner. Something was bothering her...is it
my leaving? "Fine, brat. Get dressed."

She smiled brightly, the anxiousness disappearing. She picked up
the top shirt off her bed, which was the one that Bulma had already
altered. She pulled the top over her head, letting it sit around her neck.
"Can you help me, Papa? I'm not used to these wings yet."

"Can you curl them together, like how they were before?" he said
with a sigh.

"Maybe." She concentrated, and slowly the four sections rolled in
on themselves. "It's hard."

Vejiita quickly pulled the shirt over her shoulders and down to her
waist, making sure that the new wings were on the outside of the
material. "Let them go." They immediately sprang out, waving back and
forth.

Bura panted slightly, the exertion of such an act tiring her out.
"That hurt a lot. I don't think they're supposed to move that way." She
pushed her arms through the appropriate holes.

"As the yosei tomorrow." Vejiita suggested. He picked up the
flannel pants and with a ki-lit finger, poked a tail-sized hole in the back.
He handed her the item of clothing and she quickly pulled it on.

"Thank you, Papa." She crawled into her bed and under the
covers, but remained sitting up. She stared at her father, who had set
down next to her. "You know, Papa, I'm not mad at you. For earlier, with
Gallifrey-san." He opened his mouth to say something, but she just
shook her head, putting a small hand over it. "I know why you were mad
at him, Papa. But I just couldn't let him get hurt. He's my friend, and
you said to always protect my friends and family." She crawled out of
the covers and threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in the
muscular grooves. "But I can be mad at you. I love you, Papa!"

Vejiita was shocked beyond words. She's not mad? But... His
arms encircled her small waist on their own volition, his head leaning
gently against the soft hair of his daughter. "I...I'm sorry, Bura. I did
not intend for you to get hurt today. Or ever."

She drew back, nodding. "I know, Papa." Bura crawled onto his
lap, wrapping her long legs around his waist, her arms clutching at his
neck. Her tail found his and curled around the matching appendage. "But
you have to promise me, Papa. Promise not to hurt Gallifrey-san and his
friends." Her voice hitched as she swallowed a sob. "Please, Papa."

"I can't promise you that, Bura." Vejiita frowned, shaking his
head slightly. She asked a lot from him...

"Try, for me." She looked into his face, her teary-blue eyes
pleading for his approval. "I don't want to see anyone get hurt if they
don't have to."

Vejiita sighed, knowing he could not argue his case in the best
court of law. "Fine. I'll try. But my patience is limited, brat. We'll see."
He smirked at her, wiping away a hot tear from her cheek. His heart
broke inside, seeing his actions could bring his little girl to tears.

She smiled back, her eyes drying. "Thank you, Papa!" She gave
him a bone-crushing hug and kissed the tip of his widow's peak. She
crawled off him and back under the covers.

The Prince grunted and stood up. "Go to sleep, brat. Tomorrow
will be a busy day."

"Are we going to train tomorrow, Papa?"

"Hn. You need to adjust to you new body. I will not be easy on
you." He warned her, narrowing his eyes.

She grinned right back. "You never are, Papa." She pulled up the
covers, nestling in the warmth. "Stay with me, Papa. Until I fall asleep?"

He sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her as her breaths
evened out, and he felt her ki sink to an even, resting level. He reached
out and hesitantly stroked the soft purple strands that spilled across
her pillows, brushing a few stray strands away from her fragile
cheekbones. His fingers ran lightly over the pointed earlobes and
adult-looking features. She may look like an adult, but she still has a
child's heart, and soul. A strong, Saiya-jiin soul with a human's
compassion. Bura let out a soft sigh and murmured under her breath.

Vejiita leaned over and brushed his lips across her forehead, resting with
eyes closed on the knobby ridge in between her eyebrows, something else she
inherited from him. He stood and walked toward the door, but not before pausing
in the entrance. "I will try, for you, my little senshi. I will always try, for you." He
turned back around and turning off the lights, left the room to retire to his own.

***********
So, how's that? Lots of tender and mushy moments, and a little information. How do you like Tan'ne (pronounced Tan-nay)? And the day finally *ended*!! *grin* I'm bad about that kind of thing. I think I have, in ATTR, one day spanning 10 chapters Oh well. Whatcha gonna do, ne? Speaking of A Tail To Remember, or affectionately known as ATTR, I'm going through the chapters and reloading them. I've gone through and reworded parts, added or deleted, etc. It makes it look cleaner and more, well, like a regular book. I added the disclaimer at the beginning, along with a glossary/explanation. So, check it out and let me know how ya like the changes. Gie-chan

Oh, BTW--If you want me to let you know about updates, leave your email, or send a request to phowah@cs.com. I understand everyone doesn't have the Support Services option. Just let me know, and I can do something! Angie