Yes, it's been a long time. Many many problems I have been through, not to mention getting ready for school, which starts tomorrow. Damn my city. Anyways, Otakon ruled. IT DID!

AN1: Go to animemusicvideos.org and download music videos. I especially like the Rhythm Animation video!

AN4: I am the Alpha and the Omega, I am the beginning and the end, I am the Kublai Khan and the... Kublai Khan.

AN5: I'm not sure if I mentioned it in the beginning, but this is an A/U fic. Bra is 23, Goten is 26, Trunks is 27, Pan is 22, and Marron is 25.

DISCLAIMER: "There aren't any beautiful maids, but there's a cute pilot!" -- Lafiel, Crest of the Stars

Rhythm: Chapter 3 - Arigato's and The Morning After

Bra sipped her Mike's Hard Lemonade while sitting at the table with her two best friends, Pan and Marron. They said nothing, but just took in the surrounding beats and rhythms while wallowing in shock. And another feeling, which Bra felt. She felt free. Free of restraint and free of pain. She had been lying to herself the whole time. She never loved Jon.

I realize it now... Bra thought, what Goten said last night was so true. The feeling was nullified if I loved him, but I felt pain, not nothing. More pain than love. There was nothing there. I can't believe I didn't see it.

Pan and Marron glanced at each other.

"Bra are you going to be all right?" Marron asked. Pan put a hand on Bra's shoulder.

"If you need to talk, we're here," Pan said, assuring Bra. Bra smiled.

"I'm perfectly fine, guys, but thank you," Bra said, taking another sip. Pan and Bra exchanged glances of confusion, to which Bra chuckled a bit.

"I just realized some things," Bra said. The two other girls smiled.

"Something we've been saying all along?" Marron asked.

"Something like 'Jon is an asshole and he doesn't deserve you' or of that nature?" Pan added. Bra laughed.

"No, Pan. More like 'Jon was never right for me and I should have listened to my best friends and I should have realized that it was Gote--'" Bra froze. Pan and Marron grew wide eyed and grinned.

"Bra... you don't like my uncle, do you?" Pan asked, smiling.

"Bra loves Goten! Bra loves Goten!" Marron chanted. She got up and started dancing around the table. Pan got up and joined her.

"BRA AND GO-TEN SITTIN' IN A TREE!" Both sang, quite audibly. Bra tackled the two before they could finish.

"Not a word, you hear me?!" Bra commanded the two girls, who reluctantly agreed.

The three laughed and returned to the dance floor.

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Goten walked through the dancing crowds, searching for Bra. He couldn't find her anywhere. His eyes darted around the dance floor and to the bar. No where. Goten walked over to find Trunks.

He found him with a pretty blonde, dancing his heart out. He didn't see the girl from the front, so he just assumed Trunks picked her up. He went over and whispered something in Trunks' ear, causing the blonde to tap Goten on the shoulder. Goten turned to the blonde and grinned when he realized who it was.

"Goten, will you let Trunks and I dance, please?" Marron asked, grinning. Goten nodded quickly and walked towards the back door.

Some fresh air should do me good... Goten thought. He stepped outside and breathed deeply, inhaling the cool air. He took a seat, his back pressed against the brick wall. The only light that shone was a dim floodlight above his head. He closed his eyes.

B-chan... I'm sorry for ruining your night. It's just that... well... he hurt you and I don't want you to get hurt. Why? I... well... I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe it's because you're my best friend. Maybe it's because I'm just so tense that this night will go wrong. Maybe it's because I love you....

Goten's eyes snapped open.

What did I just say? Did I really mean that? Oh god... I don't know. Yes I know. Maybe I know. I'm so confused. B-chan.

A mental picture of Bra floated through Goten's mind. He smiled.

Where are you B-chan? I want to see you.

Goten closed his eyes again and ran a hand through his spiky hair. He sighed.

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Bra walked over to Pan, who was dancing with a brown haired guy. Bra smiled, cause she knew that Pan was having a great time with this guy.

"Hey Pan!" Bra yelled. Pan smiled and waved her over.

"Bra, I'd like you to meet Jory. Jory, this is Bra," Pan introduced. Bra smiled and shook his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you, Jory!" Bra said. Jory nodded.

"Same!" Bra turned to Pan.

"I'm gonna go get some air. If you need me, I'll be hanging outside the back door." Pan nodded and grabbed Jory's arm. She dragged him to the dance floor and continued on with her night of fun.

Bra walked towards the back door. She wiped the sweat off her brow as she walked through the open door. She let the cool air caress her skin. She breathed deeply, letting her lungs fill with sweet air. It was a relief from the smokey atmosphere that was the dance club. She smiled as she walked around.

Bra noted how quiet the back seemed as opposed to the actual club. In fact, it was almost as if the back was soundproofed.

"It's your mother's invention."

Bra turned as she recognized the voice. Goten smiled up at her from his seat against the wall.

"What is?" Bra asked, but she already knew what the answer was.

"Your mother invented a soundproof shield for me. I had told her about my club a long time ago, and I had told her about how I wanted my own little hideaway from the club whenever I wanted one. So she decided this would be the best thing." Goten explained.

Bra smiled and took a seat next to him.

"Goten, I never got to thank you directly for what you did for me tonight," Bra said.

"B-chan, it was nothing," Goten said, waving a hand in the air.

"But it was, Goten!" Bra exclaimed, "But it was..." Goten turned his head to show Bra that she had his full attention.

"Goten, what you did for me tonight opened my eyes and made me realize what you actually said to me last night made so much more sense than what I had thought it did originally." Bra crossed her arms.

"That whole nullifying love thing you said. I realized how true it was. But I realized that my love was not nullified. I realized that there was more pain than love." Bra continued. Goten looked her in the eyes, which were presently welling up.

"Jon never loved me, and I realized that I never loved him." Bra continued, "And I wanted to say thank you. Thank you so much for beating some sense into him, literally." Bra chuckled and Goten grinned. She looked into his eyes once again and continued.

"Thank you so much Goten." Bra said. Goten pulled her into a tight hug, inhaling her scent. Bra silently cried into his shirt and returned his hug. They stayed that way for a long time. More time than they realized.

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Goten awoke to the sound of a bird chirping. He felt the warmth of the sun on his face, and he grabbed and hugged whatever he was holding tighter. Then he realized where he was.

Goten's eyes snapped open, revealing the forest behind the club. The soundproof box had been shut off and the club had been shut down. Goten looked at his watch.

5:46 AM. Goten read in his mind, I can't believe I fell asleep.

He looked down to find a sleeping Bra, huddled against his chest. That's when Goten realized the blanket that was covering the two.

Who did this? Goten thought, and as if on cue, he found a note on the ground next to him. He read it from where he was laying.

Goten-

We closed up the club for you. We wanted you two to rest. Thanks for the fun night, buddy. I'll cover for Bra, as so she won't get in trouble. See you at home.

--Trunks

Goten smiled. He made a note to thank Trunks later. He returned his gaze to the sleeping Bra.

"B-chan..." he whispered, hardly even audible. She hadn't heard it, for she hadn't woken up. Goten just hugged her tighter, to which he received the same response. He looked at her sleeping face.

She looks absolutely kawaii when she's sleeping! Gahhh! I wish we could stay like this forever. But she has to wake up sometime, ne? Might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

Goten hugged her again, and Bra snuggled her head deeper into Goten's chest. Her head was now pointed upwards, towards Goten's head. He smiled.

If I could, I'd marry her right now.

There was no denying it anymore. Goten knew it. He loved Bra more than anything in the world.

I love you, B-chan...

Bra smiled in her sleep, as if she had heard Goten. Goten smiled back and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before resting his head on top of hers and drifting back to sleep.

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Marron awoke, completely naked under the covers. She smiled as she recalled the nights events.

I've never seen Bra in such a peaceful state. Her and Goten are so cute together. And Trunks is just adorable! I'm so glad him and I are together.

Marron felt a pair of strong arms encircle her. She felt a head being placed on her shoulder. A purple haired head.

"Morning, Cutie," Trunks greeted. Marron kissed him quickly on the cheek before returning the greeting.

"Morning, Babe," Marron smiled, "How was your night?" Trunks chuckled.

"Best night of my life," Trunks smiled and hugged his girlfriend tighter.

"I'm glad," Marron said, "but hey, how do you think Goten is doing?" Trunks laughed.

"I sure hope he's doing good," Trunks said. Marron laughed and agreed before turning over and kissing Trunks deeply. And so began another sexual rendezvous.

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Pan stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel. She walked out into her room and quickly got dressed. she looked at the phone number on her dresser.

"Jory..." Pan said aloud. She chuckled and picked up the phone number. She slipped it into her pocket before firing up the hair dryer.

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Bra blinked the sleep away from her eyes and looked into the face of a sleeping Goten. She smiled.

He stayed with me all night, She thought, He's so incredibly sweet.

Bra snuggled closer to him and smiled.

I wish it were like this all the time. Just me and Goten. Cuddling. Sleeping together, but not SLEEPING together. It's such a wonderful feeling to be loved this way. But does Goten love me?

Goten's eyes popped open. He blinked for a second before looking down at Bra.

"Did you say something, B-chan?" Goten whispered. Bra went wide eyed.

Did I say that out loud?! Bra thought, Oh my god, I hope I didn't! I would be embarrassed if I had!

Goten looked down.

"Did you say what out loud? What are you embarrassed about?" Goten asked, getting confused.

Why can I ask her these things? Goten thought, She didn't say anything just now. It's almost as if I'm reading her mind.

"You're reading my mind?!" Bra asked.

"You're reading mine, too!" Goten exclaimed.

"But how?" Bra asked.

I don't know... Goten thought.

Me neither... Bra replied through thought.

They looked at each other in amazement.

"Goten, we can read each other's minds," Bra stated. Goten nodded.

"I know..." Goten replied, "But why can we?"

"I don't know, Goten..." Bra said, getting a little afraid. Goten felt fear, also. But he wasn't afraid. He realized it was Bra who was feeling fear.

"Bra, why are you scared?" Goten asked. Bra looked up at him, astonished.

"How...?" Bra asked. Goten shrugged.

"I just knew." Goten replied. Bra hugged him tight. It was then that she realized. She realized why they can hear each other's thoughts and feel their emotions.

"My Otousan told me what this is...MY OTOUSAN!" Bra stated, then sat up in fear again.

"What's wrong?" Goten asked, concerned.

"Shit! I never went home last night, Goten!" Bra exclaimed. Goten smiled.

"Don't worry, B-chan," Goten said. He stood up and showed her the note Trunks left. Goten felt a sigh of relief come over Bra. He smiled.

"All better, I can feel," He said. She smiled. Goten continued, "Now, what did your otousan say?"

"He told me about Saiyajin bonding." Bra started, "When a female and a male Saiyajin become extremely close, they tend to intersect souls. They bond their souls together. This is how they can feel each other's emotions. Tell what the other is thinking. I think this might have happened to us... but..." Bra trailed off. Goten raised an eyebrow.

"But?" Goten asked. Bra turned to him and hugged him.

"But this only happens to Saiyajin who care for each other more than anyone else. Only to those Saiyajin who would give anything up to save the other. Only to those Saiyajin who are in love..."

Goten smiled.

Goten do you love me? Bra thought.

Goten just nodded and gave Bra a kiss.

Then what my otousan told me was true Bra thought.

I'm glad it was, Goten replied in his thoughts. They embraced again before walking toward Capsule Corp., hand in hand.

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Bra and Goten waltzed through the kitchen door happier than ever. They greeted a smiling Bulma.

"Hey you too!" Bulma said, grinning, "Just where have you two been all night?" Bra smiled and Goten blushed.

"Yes, just where have you two been all night?" Vegeta asked, standing in the doorway, his arms folded.

"Otousan... I... we... just came home late.... Gomen..." Bra stuttered. Vegeta walked slowly up to Bra and Goten.

"I feel it. You two... are bonded..." Vegeta snarled, "Bonded to a brat offspring of Kakkarotto. Dammit."

Vegeta took two steps back.

"Well, better than a pathetic human, but still not good. You're lucky, Kakkarotto's Brat. You're lucky, because if I kill you, I kill my daughter as well. That is the power of the bond." With that, Vegeta walked out, grumbling about how his bloodline is now trashed.

"I'm happy for you two," Bulma said, giving both a hug.

"Thanks kaasan!" Bra said, grinning. Goten nodded.

"Yeah, thanks Bulma-san!" Goten said. Bulma shook her head.

"Goten, it's kaasan now!" Bulma corrected. Goten put his hand behind his head and just laughed. Bulma smiled.

"Goten, do me a favor, please?" Bulma said, "Could you go wake Trunks up?" Goten nodded and ran up the stairs. Bra stayed behind and started talking with her mother.

"Wedding planning! Let's call over Chi Chi, and Videl, and Juuhachigou!" Bulma yelped, jumping up and down from joy.

"Kaasan! We just got together. I'm sure both him and I want to be with each other for a little bit before we get married. It's not like we're not going to. I mean, we're bonded. That's essentially marriage anyways. Nothing will break that. So please, don't start with the wedding stuff just yet." Bra asked. Bulma reluctantly agreed before returning to get breakfast. Then there was a shout of surprise.

Goten was screaming from upstairs. Bulma and Bra rushed upstairs to find out what it was.

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Marron and Trunks were rudely awakened by Goten, who first pounded on the door before opening it to find the two completely naked and sweaty, obviously just finishing something.

Goten screamed.

"YOU TWO...! GAHH!" Goten exclaimed. The two in bed blushed incredibly. Marron hid under the covers while Trunks tried his best to get his boxers on.

"I CANT BELIEVE YOU TWO ARE DOING THE IT! MAKING THE LOVE, PER SE! GAHH!" Goten exclaimed, pointing a finger.

Just like a Son... just like a Son... Trunks thought.

Bulma and Bra entered the room, followed by a pissed off Vegeta. Bra and Bulma started chuckling and turned around while Vegeta ran in, screaming profanities.

"Why the hell is this brat screaming?! It's ruining my television program! How can I watch Martha Stewert Living with this brat screaming?!" Vegeta yelled. Then he realized what he said.

"Nani?!" Everyone said. Vegeta covered.

"I meant Martha Stewert FIGHTING! Not LIVING!" Vegeta made a quick exit. Goten screamed again.

End Chapter 3

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Yeah this was a nice and long one. Review, please!