Chapter 9: Gohan's Birthright

When Vegeta came in at six, he did not notice Goku on the sofa as he strolled to his room still sweating from his workout. He came back fifteen minutes later while Mrs. Briefs was hard at work in the kitchen. The smell of roast chicken and sauteed vegetables wafted through the air as he plopped down in Bulma's former seat wearing a white tank, dark green sweats, and a towel draped around his neck. His hair was moist from a recent shower. "Change the channel. This one sucks," he said, grabbing Goku's attention.

The gi-clad warrior was staring mindlessly at the screen, not really paying attention, when a commercial came on for a new live show playing in the arts district of West City. Still lying lazily in his chosen spot, Goku offered the remote to the prince. "Sure, 'Geets. You pick whatever," he muttered, yawning.

Vegeta grabbed it and was about to switch the channel when an orange-clad child appeared wearing a wig that strongly resembled Goku's trademark do. "I am Son Goku, student of the legendary Master Roshi. I have come to defeat the wicked monster who threatens this world. Bow before me, foul fiend!" the kid blared, holding a fighting rod in a threatening pose before a giant in heavy makeup designed to resemble the natural appearance of a Namekian. Vegeta froze with his thumb over the channel up button, watching as the green man and kid launched themselves into a choreographed stage combat duet in E minor.

"Uh… Kakarott? Do you like to sing?" Vegeta inquired, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Goku's tired eyes widened when he noticed the miniature version of himself. "Don't know. I've never tried. This looks like a musical, Vegeta. They make everyone sing. Bulma never took you to Baudway while I was off in space?" he inquired, stretching out. "She loves all those silly frilly shows."

Vegeta snickered as he watched the commercial. The title came up, Hero of Earth. "Well, even if you've never sung, these out-of-tune fuckwads better be sending you some damn royalty checks if they're going to be using your likeness like that. Piccolo, too," he laughed, changing the channel finally.

"Meh," came Goku's tepid reply.

Vegeta laughed out loud. "What will humans come up with next? If these talentless turds try turning Nappa or I into shameless belters, I'm going to find their theatre myself and blow the thing sky high."

Goku reached over lazily and poked Vegeta on the calf. "No blowing people up, 'Geta. Not nice."

Vegeta muted the TV as a noisy martial arts match came on and focused his gaze on Goku. "What's your problem, Kakarott? You look like you found out that all the food in the world just turned into stone."

"Nothin'," Goku mumbled, not moving an inch from his reclined position. "Jus' stuff."

Vegeta raised a brow. "How can you look this bummed when dinner is barely fifteen minutes away?"

"Ten minutes," Mrs. Briefs corrected, momentarily poking her head in.

Vegeta glanced at Mrs. Briefs as she got back to work on the evening meal. Bulma entered next and flopped down on the section of couch opposite Vegeta's location. "Woman!" the prince blared, pointing accusingly at his lethargic rival. "What's this idiot's problem? I've never seen him like this."

Bulma frowned. "Vegeta, lay off Goku. He's having family issues and he doesn't need you picking on him." She turned her attention to the TV, crinkling her nose. "Hey, what gives? Who killed the sound?"

A lightbulb illuminated inside Vegeta's head. "Oh, yeah… Kakarott's brat was freaking out. I almost completely forgot. What the hell was that about?" he asked, grinning as he narrowed his eyes at Goku.

Bulma sighed. "Hey, Goku. It's not going to be possible to keep this a secret much longer. Should I go ahead and tell him or do you want to?" she asked, looking sympathetically at Goku.

"You tell," Goku mumbled.

Vegeta laughed. "Just kidding! I totally don't care," he blurted, turning the volume all the way up to drown them out. "Damn, these guys are total weaklings. The hell kind of match is this?"

"Vegeta!" Bulma blared.

Goku just sagged a little more. "Looks like championship kickboxing."

"I don't see any boxes," Vegeta observed.

Bulma released a frustrated sigh as she hid her face in her hands. Then she snorted and flopped her head back. "Well, at least you're in a good mood tonight, Vegeta," she uttered under her breath.

"Kickboxing doesn't involve boxes, it involves boxing," Goku explained, sitting up as he became interested in the match. "I remember defeating a guy who was a kickboxer at the World Martial Arts Tournament once. I think his name was Pamput if I remember correctly. It was pretty easy."

"What's the World Martial Arts Tournament?" Vegeta asked.

Goku looked excited, bouncing up and down slightly in his seat. "It's a super awesome tournament where all the best martial artists in the whole world come together to compete against each other to determine who's the best. It's held every three years on Papaya Island. The next one is two years away. I missed the last thanks to Radditz. You wanna go to the next one with me, Vegeta? It's so much fun!"

Vegeta side-glanced at Goku. "Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself? I don't know where I'll be two Earth years from now. Pfft, such events were held far more often on Planet Vegeta. Only once every three years here? Bah! Just goes to show you what slackers Earthling fighters are on the whole."

Goku sighed. "Come on, Vegeta. I already told you. Even if you still have the virus, we're going to find a cure whatever it takes. So you will be here, I guarantee it," the Earth saiyan countered.

"That's not what I meant, Kakarott," Vegeta replied, leaning against the backrest. "If I am going to live, why should I stick around this backwater rock? After we see our deal through, I'm gone."

Goku's face promptly fell. "But why? Where are you planning to go?"

Vegeta shrugged. "Dunno. Somewhere more exciting than here." Then he growled at the television as one of the fighters fell from a blow to the chin. "What's this guy's fuckin' problem? His opponent is literally wearing pillows over his fists! I swear, it never ceases to amaze me how weak Earthlings can be."

"I wish you'd stay, Vegeta…" Goku uttered.

The royal brandished a fist at the screen. "Come on! It sucks that you don't get any interstellar channels out here. I want to see a real fight with real fighters! The reception in this part of the galaxy sucks."

Goku brought a finger to his lower lip in thought. "Yeah, that'd be neat."

Suddenly, they heard a door shut. "I'm home, my dears!" announced the old man.

"Honeybuns!" Mrs. Briefs called back to him. She came shuffling out of the kitchen with a chef's apron and spatula still in hand to greet him. After giving him a kiss, she took his lab coat and briefcase. "Dinner's almost ready. Take a seat at the table if you like, dear. Hope you're in the mood for chicken!"

He rubbed his lower back. "It smells wonderful, sweetie. Ah, Vegeta! I see you're better. Bulma was quite worried earlier when you were in the clinic. Oh, and Goku's here! How are you, my friend?"

"I'm okay, Dr. B," Goku replied in a steady voice.

Dr. Briefs smiled and sat down in his usual spot at the dining table, opening a book to unwind a bit after the long workday. Goku stretched out on the couch, peering up at Vegeta again. Then he glanced over to his blue-haired friend from childhood. "Hey, Bulma," Goku spoke to get her attention again. He pointed to the prince. "Vegeta says he doesn't remember anything about being at the Bansho Spa with me. Is that something we should be worried about? He wasn't even unconscious the whole time."

Bulma's face flushed pink and she opted to avoid eye contact with either of them, pretending to fuss with her fingernails. "Uh, not per se, Goku. Minor memory loss can be a symptom of hypoxia…"

Vegeta glanced at Goku with annoyance in his eyes, but the latter did not notice. Goku thought for a few moments, rubbing his chin with a fingertip. "Oh, he's also concerned that he might still have the virus. Is there a way to find out for sure before Vegeta has another possible flare-up?" he asked.

Bulma paused and looked over at the two of them. "Uh, well, maybe… if he'll let me run some tests. I'll need you to tell me everything you know about the disease, Vegeta. How about when you guys get back from Kami's Lookout tomorrow? It's Saturday, so I should have some free time for that."

Vegeta momentarily met her eye and then turned back to the television screen. "Yeah, sure… whatever."

They went back to watching television until Mrs. Briefs recruited Goku and Bulma to carry dishes to the dinner table. There were four roast chickens for each saiyan and one to share among the human diners, as well as a mountain of vegetable stir fry and another of saffron rice. Goku and Vegeta stuffed themselves as usual with the former devouring four and a half chickens and the latter, three and a half.

Goku dropped his fork near the end of the meal. To retrieve it, he scooted his chair back and bent forward. Just as he reached for the fallen utensil, a white rectangle between his feet caught his attention. He picked both items up and sat straight, turning the card over. His face brightened. "Vegeta, do you remember that wolf guy you beat up in the forest south of North City?" he inquired, gaining everyone's attention.

Vegeta froze halfway through a sip of his water glass. Without moving a muscle, he panned his gaze to his orange-clad rival. After a moment's pause, he glanced around at the rest of the table. The Briefs had all halted their conversation and were staring at the two saiyans with inquisitive expressions. The prince slowly lowered the glass to the table and turned his attention back to Goku, squaring his shoulders. "You mean the prick I strung upside-down as a parting gift for you?" he retorted with a sideways grin.

Goku raised a brow, not catching onto Vegeta's snarky sense of humor. He scratched his head and then smiled. "Yeah, that guy. He invited us to a party for lunar shapeshifters next year. You wanna go?"

The smirk fell from Vegeta's face. "What?"

"I thought it would be fun. Man-Wolf said there's always lots of delicious food and games and stuff," Goku explained, handing the card over to Vegeta. "See, that's the guy in person form. His name is Man-Wolf. I met him once when I was a kid at the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament. He said we can go since we're lunar shapeshifters, too. Maybe, if I learn to control my transformation by then, we can go and transform at midnight with the others. It's supposed to be really fun and inclusive!"

Vegeta stared at Goku with a blank expression. After an awkward silence, he spoke. "Kakarott…"

"Yes?"

The prince intertwined his fingers. "Do you know what a trap is?"

Goku blinked, clueless. "Uh… yeah. Like, um, a thing that you get caught in."

"I'm not going!" Vegeta snapped. "That guy obviously wants revenge since he lost our little scuffle. For all I freaking know, he might try to poison me with this 'delicious food' you speak of. No thanks!"

Goku's face fell. "Vegeta… the whole universe isn't out to get you. I told the guy you were troubled at the time and he seemed understanding. Plus, you didn't even hurt him that bad," he pointed out.

"Pretty sure I broke at least one of his bones. I heard a snap."

Goku rolled his eyes. "Well, yeah. You broke his arm, but he said all his bones were going to reset at midnight anyway when he turned into a man under the moonlight. Seriously, he wasn't all that mad. Plus, he said we could bring our whole 'pack' just as long as we all have our 'blood rage' under control, which I think means we can control our transformations and not turn violent when we change. Oooh, um… I know this is kind of asking a lot, but is there a chance that you can also teach Gohan the control technique? His tail is probably going to grow back soon. It always does… and I'd rather we not have a repeat of the time he started rampaging after Radditz's death while he was training under Piccolo. I only just learned about it when I was sparring with Piccolo earlier today. I mean, it could happen at any…"

"Kakarott!" Vegeta blared.

Goku peered at him. "What?"

"Do you know what rambling is? Because you're doing a lot of it right now. In answer to your question about training Gohan… it won't be a great deal more work for me if I can teach you both at the same time. Just make sure the brat is available for our training sessions. We can discuss the schedule for that after we speak with your weird friend Kami later. And you'd better make sure Gohan behaves himself in his normal form! I refuse to deal with childish behavior or act as a babysitter in any capacity."

Goku started bouncing up and down in his seat again. "Thanks, Vegeta! Sure, yeah, we'll talk about it more after we speak to Kami. I think I'm done. Are you done yet?" he blurted, rising to his feet.

Vegeta looked a bit exasperated, but he finished his water and stood up as well. "Yes, finished. So tell me, Kakarott. Does this Kami guy have guest rooms at his Lookout? I don't feel like roughing it since I've been doing that for the past month. I'd rather have an actual bed to sleep in if possible," he said, moving past the couch and opening the sliding glass door to the patio to head outside.

Goku stopped to think. "Uh, no. I lived there for three years and I pretty much just roughed it the whole time. Is that really a problem? I mean, it's just one night," he pointed out, following Vegeta.

Vegeta stopped in his tracks and turned his attention to Bulma, who was still trying in vain to absorb all the information she had overheard. "You!" he decreed, pointing squarely at her. "I need a capsule house. And give this idiot his own because I am not sharing with a saiyan of his low class."

Bulma kept opening and closing her mouth, struggling to process the hurried and erratic conversation. Instead, Mrs. Briefs chimed in as she hopped to her feet, "Oh, I'll go get you a few capsules, Vegeta dear. I know where they're stored. Try to bring them back in one piece now, boys," she gently chided.

Dr. Briefs and Bulma exchanged curious glances as Mrs. Briefs strode out of the room. After a few moments of silence, Bulma rubbed her face. "Dad, I don't know about you, but I need a vacation…"

Dr. Briefs reached over and patted her shoulder, smiling. "How about early June?"

"Oh!" Goku exclaimed, running over to his befuddled blue-haired friend's side. He gave her Man-Wolf's business card. "I don't have an email address. I was wondering if you could email Man-Wolf on my behalf so we can get in touch. That party thing he was talking about really did sound fun. Can you let him know my phone number and stuff? When you get a chance, I mean. No rush, of course. The next party is a whole year from now. I just don't want to miss it because it really sounds super fun."

Bulma stared at him blankly, but Dr. Briefs took the card and stuffed it into a pocket in his trousers. "I'll take care of that, Goku. You go enjoy your little slumber party with Kami and Mr. Popo."

Goku smiled. "Thanks!"

A moment later, Mrs. Briefs came back with a small capsule case and opened it in front of Goku and Vegeta. "We've got a couple of options here," she declared. "There's a two-bedroom, a three-bedroom, and three singles. Ooh, and the three-bedroom one has a jacuzzi! What do you think?"

Vegeta picked out a single and put it in his pocket before turning to exit the door to the patio. "Not in the mood for a jacuzzi. Kakarott can have it," he decided, stepping out onto the lanai and leaning against the railing to wait for Goku. "Hurry up and decide, Kakarott. I want to get there well before bedtime."

Goku shrugged and took a single. "This will do for tonight. Thanks, Mrs. Briefs. You all have a good night! See you tomorrow!" he said, waving goodbye to the Briefs family with a big smile.

Dr. and Mrs. Briefs waved back a friendly farewell. Looking tired, Bulma just murmured, "Goodnight, Goku. Vegeta, you behave. I'll see you guys in the morning, I guess." She yawned.

Vegeta just snorted at her and flew up into the air. Goku zipped past him, heading west. "This way, Vegeta!" the Z fighter called back. The prince caught up with him, following him in silence as they glided up and out of the vast city. They flew in silence for a little while, both observing the city lights.

After about fifteen minutes, Goku glanced back at Vegeta when he heard the sound of sniffing coming from behind him. He saw Vegeta peering around the darkened landscape. The prince turned his attention to Goku abruptly. "Kakarott, I think we're nearing the ocean. I smell salt in the air," he observed.

Goku nodded back at him with a smile. "Yup! We're going to fly over a shallower portion of the sea. We could stick to the beach, but it would take a little longer to get to our destination that way."

"I'd rather take the shortcut," Vegeta expressed.

"Alright," Goku replied, giving Vegeta an affirmative two-fingered salute.

After another few minutes of silent flight, Vegeta turned his attention back to Goku and cleared his throat. "Kakarott, I've noticed your natural scent has returned. How were you able to disguise it the other day? I didn't smell you coming at all… Perhaps the virus temporarily knocked out my olfactory sense?"

"Ah, not at all," Goku said, shooting a momentary grin back at Vegeta. "Bulma gave me a special paste that she made to mask my scent." He chuckled. "It really did the trick! But I've since showered it off."

Vegeta seethed a little inwardly. "Becoming a master stalker, are we? I hope you're proud of yourself."

Goku giggled. "Well, you're a master escapist like Houdini. I had to up my game somehow."

Vegeta snorted, crossing his arms petulantly over his chest. "Hmph…" He went quiet for a few minutes until the sparkling waters of the ocean spread out below them. "Kakarott, how long does the full moon last on your planet? I hope it isn't more than one night…" he uttered, peering around the starlit sky.

Goku scratched his head. "Huh… I don't know," he said, peering around the sky as well. "The moon hasn't risen yet. I have no idea if it's still full or not." He glanced back at Vegeta, who appeared to have a very thoughtful look on his face. "Why do you ask? You can control your transformation."

Vegeta crinkled his brow in worry. "Yes, I can exert conscious control in ape form. The transformation is very stressful to the body. It's not a problem for a healthy saiyan, but it would be a bad idea for me to let myself transform tonight. It could incite a premature flare-up and that might be fatal. If the moon starts to rise full again, I might have to fly the rest of the way blindfolded. I'm just trying to think ahead."

Goku nodded his understanding, a serious expression overtaking his features. "I'll keep an eye out for the moon, Vegeta. If it starts to rise, I can guide you the rest of the way with your eyes closed. How full does it have to be to cause the transformation anyway?" the Z fighter curiously inquired.

"That depends on the size of the moon in question, as well as the individual saiyan's sensitivity to Blutz waves. My sensitivity is slightly higher than average and the Earth's moon is pretty big. I'd say if it's ninety or more percent full and I look at it for a second or longer, that's more than enough to prompt my tail glands to produce the hormones that cause the transformation. And if that were to happen, cutting my tail wouldn't help much. Stimulating those glands alone is a huge physical stressor, even if I don't actually complete the transformation," Vegeta explained, his eyes panning the horizon warily.

Goku smiled. "Don't worry, Vegeta. The moon doesn't just pop over the horizon in an instant. It rises slowly, like the sun. The sky is clear tonight, so we'll definitely see it peeking before it rises enough to cause a problem. But if you prefer to play it safe, you can cover your eyes now and I can guide you with a hand on your shoulder. What do you think?" he advised, glancing back to see Vegeta's reaction.

The prince grimaced. "I'd rather you not touch me unless it's necessary. Just keep an eye out."

Goku frowned slightly but nodded. "Okay, I promise."

Chi Chi was sleeping like a log in her cabin aboard Mr. Cardinal's luxury jet when her cell phone started ringing. The sudden loud noise roused her abruptly and she nearly fell out of her compact but plush bed. The young mother struggled with disentangling herself from her blankets before reaching for the device in her purse below the head of her bed. With tired squinting eyes, she read the caller ID in the dark and sighed before pressing the phone to her ear. "Dad, is that you?" she uttered, suppressing a yawn.

"Good morning, sweetheart! How are you, Goku, and Gohan doing today? Does it feel good to be reunited as a family?" the Ox King boisterously inquired, sounding more cheerful than ever.

Chi Chi groaned inwardly. She had not told her father yet and she was not looking forward to doing so despite her beau expressing enthusiasm to meet the old man and ask for his blessing. Chi Chi felt hesitant about her father's reaction. Divorce was traditionally frowned upon in Ox Kingdom culture, yet at the same time, she knew her father wanted nothing for her other than happiness. She rubbed her eyes and cleared her throat. "Uh, well, sure, Dad. Oh, now that I think about it, I'm glad you called. There is something very important that I need to talk to you about. Now isn't a good time to chat, but I might be able to come for a short visit next month. How is the second week of June looking for you?"

The Ox King chuckled lightheartedly. "Oh, Chi Chi, don't tell me you forgot. We're going to see each other at Gohan's birthday party in West City and then it's off to Fire Mountain for two weeks. Don't you remember what happened on your sixth birthday? You requested to abdicate as future queen on the condition that you produced an heir. Since I was so young when you were born, I gave you that choice and you chose to make your firstborn my heir in your place. When Gohan turns six, it's his turn to learn of his birthright. It's important that I present him to the kingdom at the Ox Crown Festival. We have been preparing months in advance for this occasion, sweetie. I'll need you, Gohan, and Goku to all attend! Oh, and feel free to also invite your other friends like the Briefs, Krillin, Master Roshi, Oolong, Launch… They're all welcome! It will be a splendid occasion. Just think of all the fun and games!"

Chi Chi clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp. She had forgotten. In fact, she had gotten so caught up in her motherly and wifely duties that she had forgotten entirely. There were times when she had considered other possible careers for Gohan: a doctor, a lawyer, an astronaut. At the age of six, she had not really considered the future repercussions of her personal decision. It was before she even met Goku. All she knew at that age was her all-encompassing fear of the throne and the responsibilities it held. A tear slid down her cheek. She had always wanted her beloved son to have the same gift of choice that she had. From an early age, she had felt the pressures of her station acutely. Some years later, while searching for Master Roshi at her father's request, she happened through a small countryside town and noticed the village folk going about their simple lives. She fell in love with what she saw. From that day forward, she began to dream of a future with an uncomplicated family life and a doting husband.

She lived her dream for five blessed years before the unexpected arrival of her husband's biological brother shattered her blissful existence into a million pieces. The young woman remembered how broken she had felt. She had not been able to cope. Most of her family friends soon ran off to train and talking to her father about her woes was of little use, as he had a mountain of kingly responsibilities that stole his attention away for months at a time. She would have gone mad with grief had it not been for one person.

Chi Chi sat up in bed and leaned against the cushioned headboard. The private jet shuddered a bit around her from mild turbulence outside. "Oh, Papa… I don't know what to say. My head has been in the clouds lately. There's been a lot going on, you see, and I…" she began, not sure how to explain.

"Don't worry about it, my dear," the Ox King replied in a light tone. "That's why I figured I'd call to remind you a few weeks ahead so you'd have enough time to prepare Gohan and Goku for the Ox Crown Festival. Are they with you right now? May I speak to them? I promise not to spill the beans. I'll leave it to you to tell them the big news. All I want is to say hi. You don't mind, do you, Chi Chi?"

Chi Chi sighed and rubbed her shoulder. "Actually, Dad, I'm not with them right now. Let me call you back when I am. I'm just on a… a little excursion at the moment," she clumsily explained.

"Sure, no problem. Let me know when you've told them. If I'm not available, leave a message with the royal secretary. He'll get it to me right away. Oh! Before I forget… Perhaps I'm getting a little ahead of myself, but I've lined up a few potential betrothals for our young prince. You knew about all our financial troubles, but did you know that just the right alliance can put us right back on track?"

At last, Chi Chi could not hold back. She released a ragged squeal as her feelings of overwhelm came bubbling to the surface. "Dad, please, that's enough! No more news! Just give me some time to think all this over. I'll get back to you as soon as I can, I swear it," she blared, ending the call and slamming the phone down. It cracked in two, causing more tears to well up in Chi Chi's eyes. "Darn it!"

It was not until the two saiyans had almost arrived at the Lookout that the moon began to peek above the eastern horizon. For safety's sake, Vegeta had allowed Goku to blindfold him and guide him the rest of the way with a hand on his right shoulder. As they rose higher and higher into the Earth's atmosphere, the prince shivered slightly and Goku felt it. He peered back at Vegeta. "You okay, 'Geets?"

"It's chilly," Vegeta replied, rubbing his bare biceps with his palms to create friction. "Where are we?"

"Don't worry," Goku replied. "We're almost there. We're just passing Korin's Tower now."

"I don't know what that is," Vegeta impatiently huffed.

Goku spotted the white cat waving at him from his balcony. "Hey, Goku!"

"Who's that?!" Vegeta blared, his ears perking up.

Goku stopped and waved to Korin, pulling Vegeta over in his direction. "It's Korin. He's a martial arts master," he briefly explained, turning his attention to the aforementioned feline. "Hey, Korin! Thanks for all those senzu beans earlier. I'm back to see Kami this time. Sorry if I can't stick around and chat."

Korin scratched his chin with a claw as he observed the two saiyans floating before him. "Some quick questions, Goku. Why'd you bring Vegeta and why is he blindfolded?" he asked, eyeing the prince.

Vegeta sneered. "Who is this bozo and how does he know my name?" he snapped. Korin chuckled.

Goku pivoted Vegeta in the exact opposite direction of the moon while facing Korin. "You can take off the blindfold, Vegeta. Just don't turn around. The moon is behind you and it's only a tiny bit slimmer than last night." He turned his attention to Korin. "Vegeta's tail grew back. That's why he's blindfolded."

Vegeta tore off the blindfold and looked down at the fluffy white cat. First, he raised a brow, looking the feline up and down to size him up. Then he smirked. "Aww, isn't that adorable. Is he Kami's, Kakarott?"

Korin's look of amusement turned indignant. "Hey! Watch it, monkey prince. You don't know who you're talking to. I'm no ordinary house cat, you know. I've lived over twenty-two of your lifetimes," he blared, pointing his staff at the smaller saiyan with an accusing glare. "Show some respect, kid!"

Vegeta threw his head back in a hearty yet arrogant laugh. "Ah, haha! Look, Kakarott, he's trying to say people words. My, what a talkative one. I hope he has some furry little buddies to play with."

"Uh, Vegeta…" Goku uttered.

"Furry little buddies?!" Korin shouted in outrage, dropping his staff to the ground. He snapped out his razor-sharp claws. "I got your furry little buddies right here. Why don't you come and say hi? Yeah, that's right. You better watch yourself, space punk. I'll skin the furry brown tail off your rear, pump it full of air, and twist it into a furry brown balloon animal. How's that for a furry little buddy, wise guy?!"

Vegeta completely lost it. He laughed so hard that he broke down into a mild coughing fit, buckling over at the waist. All Korin did in reply was hiss at him. Then the age-old feline turned his attention back to the Z fighter. "Your accomplice is a brat, Goku," he remarked, briefly licking his paw and then slicking back the fur between his ears. "What did you bring him here for? You taking him to see Kami?"

Goku peered at Vegeta coughing with some concern, then turned back to Korin. "Uh… Oh, yeah! That's right. Vegeta and I want to make a deal, but we need Kami's help to do it. That's all."

Korin met Goku's eye with a questioning expression, but then he shrugged it off. "Alright, I trust your judgment, Goku," he declared before shooting Vegeta a caliber of stink-eye that only a true feline could muster. "Just make sure Prince Vegeta minds his manners. The last time I had to listen to Kami rant about some jerk who ticked him off, it took a whole year. That's a lot of lost napping time for me!"

Goku had to grab Vegeta's bicep to stop him plummeting to the earth. The saiyan royal was so breathless that he lost almost all muscle control for a moment. Not breaking eye contact with Korin, Goku nodded and blushed. He used his free hand to rub the back of his neck. "Eh, heh… Yeah, s-sorry, Korin. He can definitely be kind of a meanie," he confirmed, giving Vegeta's arm a light warning squeeze. He grabbed the blindfold and moved behind Vegeta to tie it back over his eyes. "Come on, 'Geets. It's getting pretty cold out here and I'd rather get this negotiation done so we can warm up in our capsule houses."

Vegeta was holding his sides, trying to stay afloat while calming his breathing. He nodded weakly in agreement, snorting out a last chuckle. Goku took hold of his bicep again and they were off, zipping straight up through the atmosphere toward the primary residence of the Earth's current guardian. A few minutes later, Goku spotted the underside of the Lookout. "I see it, Vegeta. Almost there."

As soon as they rose above the platform, Goku spotted Mr. Popo standing there on the Lookout awaiting their arrival. The Z fighter waved to Mr. Popo as they approached and then gently landed a few meters in front of him. "Hey, Mr. Popo! It's been a while. How are you and Kami doing these days?" he asked, angling Vegeta away from the moonlight. Then he took off the prince's blindfold. "Vegeta and I need to talk to him about something kind of important. I hope he isn't too busy. Is he in his palace right now?"

"He is, Goku," Mr. Popo replied, casually meeting eyes with Vegeta. He neither smiled nor frowned.

The prince stared back at him initially and then looked him up and down, sizing him up. He snorted his disapproval but said nothing as he crossed his arms over his chest. Goku wiped some sweat off his brow, relieved that Vegeta appeared to have gotten the snark out of his system. "Um, may we go see him?"

Mr. Popo paused a moment before replying. He panned his gaze from Vegeta to Goku. "You may." He turned around and walked to the palace, not glancing back to ensure the saiyans were following.

Goku leaned over and whispered into Vegeta's ear. "Let me explain everything first," the Z fighter uttered. "If he wants to ask you any questions afterward, then you answer. Got it?"

Vegeta shot Goku a disinterested sideways glance. "Sure, whatever." When they came to the entrance to Kami's palace, Goku stopped at the bottom of the stairs and waited while Mr. Popo went inside. Vegeta stopped a few paces behind Goku and yawned, stretching his wrists. "Hope this doesn't take too long."

Mr. Popo returned a few moments later. "Kami will see you now. Please, enter."

Goku smiled and beckoned Vegeta along as he climbed the short staircase and walked right into the dark open entrance. As their eyes adjusted to the dim light of magical torches, they spotted Kami in the back sitting on his throne. In his hand, he held a staff similar to Korin's but double the size. "Ah," Vegeta uttered under his breath, his face entirely emotionless. "A Namek. Why am I not surprised?"

"Hush," Goku said, bringing a finger to his lips. He turned to the elder. "Hey, Kami! It's been a while."

"Goku," Kami replied, nodding in acknowledgment. "Months have passed since our last encounter. I was pleased to hear the news about your fight on Namek. You rid the universe of a dangerous menace."

Goku blushed lightly at the praise. "Oh, thanks! There were times when things looked pretty bleak, but we all pulled through somehow. Anyway, I've come here to ask you an important question." He glanced back and noticed Vegeta's tail swishing with impatience. "And I brought Vegeta in case you have any questions about what I plan to ask of you. You'll see why in a minute," the Z fighter explained.

Kami nodded. "Ask away, Goku. You know I'd never refuse an audience with you."

Goku glanced down momentarily and poked his fingers together. "Well, you remember back when I came to train with you for three years? You told me that you wanted to rest to restore the moon after Jackie Chun broke it at the tournament. I know now why you wanted to remove my tail first. My friends never told me that I had a tendency to transform into a monster under the full moon and I never remembered doing it. Well, I learned from Vegeta when he first came that it's possible for a saiyan to learn to control the ape form. Vegeta can control his Giant Monkey, you see. He and I want to make a deal where he teaches Gohan and me the control technique in exchange for me helping him ascend to Super Saiyan. But that deal will only be viable if my tail can be restored. Are you able and willing to do that, Kami? I could use my ape form to help protect our planet in the future. Well, what do you think?" he inquired.

Kami turned to the shorter saiyan standing not far behind Goku. "Vegeta, I'll need to see this with my own eyes. You say you can control yourself in your ape form. How do I know this to be true?"

Vegeta opened his mouth to respond, but Goku interjected. "I saw it with my own eyes when Vegeta and I fought before Namek, Kami. Vegeta was able to speak and everything. He really can control it."

Kami nodded his understanding to Goku. "Ah, I must have missed that part of the fight. Yes, I see. I believe you, Goku. I am able to restore your tail if you wish. But first I'd like to know a few things to ensure the safety of the Earthlings that I'm sworn to protect. For instance, when and how will this control training take place? Will you be in control the first time you transform again? Your power level is exceptional right now. As a Giant Monkey, it would multiply by a factor of ten. How will you ensure that you don't get out of control and accidentally destroy our planet during the training process?"

Goku simpered and then glanced back to Vegeta, his expression quizzical. The prince stepped forward and stood next to his rival to speak. "The part of the training that would see Kakarott undergo the Great Ape transformation would not take place on this planet. We would have to go to a bigger, denser planet with stronger gravity and no people. The process is dangerous, but I think Kakarott can handle it. He's demonstrated that he can pick up profoundly difficult new techniques with relative ease in the past. As for the timing, there are certain steps we need to complete first. Give us a few months before you perform the restoration. We'll let you know when I've determined that Kakarott is ready to move on to the off-planet phase. You can restore his tail just before we're ready to blast off in the spaceship."

Goku's face fell slightly. "You mean I don't get my tail back tonight, Vegeta?"

Vegeta shook his head. "That would be a very bad idea. The moon is still pretty full."

Goku snapped his fingers. "Darn! I was all excited. Well, okay… if you say so."

Kami addressed Vegeta. "This proposal is agreeable." He turned back to the Z fighter. "Don't worry, Goku. I have confidence that you can do it. Just be patient. Is that all you came to consult me about?"

"Yes!" Goku declared happily.

"No," Vegeta countered.

Goku and Kami both looked at him. "What is it, Vegeta?" inquired the orange-clad saiyan.

Vegeta pointed to Kami. "This is the guardian of your whole planet, correct?" he asked. Goku nodded. "I thought I might give him a heads-up about something that concerns the future of this planet."

Kami's brow ticked upward with concern. "What is it? Is it bad?"

"Yes," Vegeta confirmed. "As you know, Kakarott laid waste to Frieza on your native planet. There's a good chance the Cold family will come here for revenge. I've never seen them since I was old enough to remember, but I know Frieza's father King Cold and his elder brother Coola exist because Frieza spoke of them often. I don't know how far away they are or when they'll get here. You see, when Frieza attacked my home planet, it was unexpected. FYI, it's likely to be a sneak attack. Perhaps you have some celestial contacts you can reach out to if you wish to find out more. That is all. Let's go, Kakarott."

Vegeta hardly took notice as both Goku and Kami's faces turned an aghast blue. The Z fighter's hair stood on end. "The… The C-Cold family?" the orange warrior stuttered out. "F-Frieza's father?"

Vegeta glanced over his shoulder. "Don't tell me you're afraid. A powerful Super Saiyan like you?"

Goku sighed, his face falling. He rubbed his shoulder. "I'm not afraid for myself. I'm afraid for Earth."

"Yes, same here," Kami added. "And what do you mean by a sneak attack?"

Vegeta turned back around. "I mean they might not land their spaceship on the Earth's surface and make themselves known to you. When Frieza attacked, he blasted my planet to space dust from orbit. The rumor for years was that an asteroid was responsible, but I always suspected this wasn't the case. On the other hand, they might not use a sneak attack. I have no idea what their power levels are or if they can hold a candle to the might of a Super Saiyan. If they think they can defeat Kakarott, it's possible they'll land and fight him face-to-face. I know Frieza preferred a more personalized form of revenge whenever possible. If his family members are anything like him, they might feel the same way."

Goku turned to Kami with a frown. "I think we need to look into this."

Kami rubbed his chin in thought. "Why are you warning us, Vegeta? Do you mean to become an ally?"

Vegeta shook his head. "Not at all. I'm warning you because I hate the Colds way more than I hate any of you. If you go head-to-head with them, I would prefer you come out on top simply because of my race's history with those revolting ice lizards. They conquered my planet before I was conceived and subjugated all of us. That is why I'm warning you about this potential invasion," the prince replied.

Goku and Kami exchanged glances. "I can try reaching out to King Kai about this. What about you?"

"I have a few inquiries I could make," Kami replied. "Let me know as soon as you find out more information and I'll do the same for you, Goku. I suppose this means you'll have to take this new training with Vegeta quite seriously… Perhaps your Giant Monkey might tip the odds in our favor?"

Goku's face took on a sober expression and he nodded once. "Yes, you can count on me."

"Is there anything else or should we conclude this meeting?" Kami asked.

Goku met eyes with Vegeta and then turned back to Kami. "I think we're done here. Do you mind if we camp on the Lookout, Kami? We brought capsule houses so we can return to West City in the morning."

"Certainly, you may," Kami said. "I should inform you, though. When the other Z fighters came to train here after you, I had some guest rooms added downstairs. So you may also stay there if you wish."

Vegeta snorted. "I'm good with the capsule house. Bye," the arrogant prince decreed, marching out of the palace with a hand over his eyes to shield his sight from the moon's hypnotic rays.

Goku grinned. "I wouldn't mind checking out your new guest rooms!"

"Mr. Popo is right outside. Go ask him to show you to a room. He'll be delighted. I'm sure he'll even be willing to cook something up for you if you haven't had dinner yet," Kami offered, pointing to the exit.

"We've eaten, but thanks! Goodnight, Kami!" Goku replied, waving farewell to the guardian. Then he left to find Mr. Popo outside. The pointy-eared genie was staring up at the moon and stars. The capsule house had already appeared out on the platform and Vegeta was nowhere else to be seen.

Mr. Popo turned when he heard Goku's footsteps, marching past him and into the palace. "This way."

Chi Chi was in a terribly bad humor when she woke up the next morning after a fitful night of sleep. The landing of the jet caused turbulence that jostled her into consciousness. She tried to keep a level head as she rose and went about a hurried morning routine in the miniature bathroom attached to her cabin. Sometime after the plane had coasted to a stop, there came a knock at her door. Chi Chi finished pulling on her shoes and went to answer. "Chi Chi, we've arrived. Are you decent, my dear?"

Chi Chi plastered a big smile on her face and opened the door. Mr. Cardinal was dressed to the nines as usual. She kissed him on the cheek and took his hand as he guided her to the stairs leading down to the tarmac. "Good morning, Rust. I'm feeling a lot better now that we'll see Gohan soon. Oh, but I do have something important to tell you. It might be a bit of a shock. My father called late last night."

Mr. Cardinal smiled, turning his ginger mustache into an upside-down arc. "That's alright. It'll take about thirty minutes to drive to the Capsule Corporation from here. You can tell me all about it when we're on the road. It's best that we hurry to beat the morning rush hour traffic," he expressed.

"Good plan!"

It took less than two minutes to encapsulate the plane and decapsulate Mr. Cardinal's car. Before long, they were driving away from the airport in the direction of Capsule Corp. The redheaded gentleman took the beltway to avoid the busier roads, cutting the trip a little shorter than it would have otherwise been. By the time they were five minutes from their destination, Chi Chi had successfully summarized the whole inheritance situation and then revealed how she had accidentally broken her cell phone right at the end of the call. Mr. Cardinal reassured her that a replacement would be no problem and that she could use his phone in the meantime for any important calls. Then he grinned. "You've mentioned a bit about the Ox Kingdom, my dear. Tell me, does your father have much in the way of a military?" he asked.

The question caught Chi Chi by surprise and she glanced up at him, cradling her purse in her lap. "A military? Well, there are palace guards trained in martial arts and a decent police force in town, but as far as a true military is concerned… Shoot, we haven't been at war since King Piccolo's second reign of terror. Remember those fires I told you about that destroyed my father's palace? The Ox Kingdom has been struggling ever since to recover financially and one of the first things my dad did to ease the tax burden on the people was to disband our military. It had become rather redundant. You see, we have always been peaceful with our neighbors for well over a hundred years. Why do you ask?"

Mr. Cardinal pursed his lips and shrugged. "No particular reason. I just thought I should take it upon myself to learn more about your country and dynasty. We are going to be married, after all. As your future husband, I consider it my responsibility to help you navigate through this political minefield."

Chi Chi smiled and leaned into him. "You're so sweet. I don't know why I was so nervous last night. I should have known that you would be supportive. You always are," she crooned.

He returned the gesture with a nod of acknowledgment and a momentary smile. "Do you mind if I ask a few other questions about your kingdom? You know I take an interest in anything relating to you."

"Of course not. Ask away!"

Mr. Cardinal straightened up. "This one is just theoretical. If the worst came to pass and something happened to your father, presumably Gohan is too young to assume the throne. What does Ox law have to say about who would lead your people in the event of the monarch's death before his heir comes of age?"

Chi Chi sighed and leaned forward, rubbing her arm. "Well, if that happened, I would have no choice but to rule as regent. I can only hope and pray that never comes to pass. It sounds like a total nightmare. If my mom was still alive, the responsibility would fall to her to rule as queen in her own right. Like I told you, I abdicated at an early age and I don't regret it. I would never want to be queen, but at the same time, I couldn't just abandon my people. In neighboring kingdoms throughout history, chaos has always erupted whenever rightful succession has been called into question. The aristocracy grasp for power and fight brutally amongst themselves. Meanwhile, the middle class and poor are caught in the middle and they invariably suffer. We can keep our subjects safe and sound by ensuring a smooth transition of power from one leader to the next and the best way to do that is to have plenty of children. I would have had more by now, but… when Gohan was born, I saw so much potential in him and wanted to give him the best education imaginable. Top-tier schooling is very costly and, as you know, my ex-husband wasn't much of a provider when it came to cold hard cash. For the most part, we've been living off of my father's dime, but he's been financially strapped since the fires destroyed the palace and surrounding areas. What if I gave birth to another gifted child and wanted him or her to have the same opportunities as Gohan? The cost would add up fast and the poor people of the Ox Kingdom are not currently enjoying the prosperity they once had. It would not be fair to them. It can be so hard to balance my responsibilities as mother and princess. So I guess that's why I've always wished that I had just been born a normal person…"

Mr. Cardinal listened intently and then reached over and squeezed Chi Chi's shoulder. "Well, I don't think you ought to worry over this anymore. Do you know why?" he asked, giving her a clever grin.

Chi Chi's face lightened up. "Why?"

"Because you met me. I'll have no problem providing for as many children as you wish to bring into this beautiful world. Each and every one will have access to the best education the planet has to offer. So don't worry about the pressure that Gohan's birthright will place on him. We will make it possible for him to abdicate as well if that is what he ultimately chooses to do. Perhaps he'll wish to ascend the throne, perhaps not. You want him to have a choice as you had and so he will. We will make it so. If he decides on a different path, there will be a line of other potential heirs for your father to choose from. Surely one will be suited to the unique pressures of leadership. I know you're nervous about confronting your father with the divorce, but here you see we have a strong argument in favor of our future marriage. Everyone will ultimately benefit. You will have your dream of a big family and a simple life, your children will all have choices, your father will have an heir, and your people will have a safety net. So I think we ought to bite the bullet and set up a meeting with your father as soon as possible. What do you say, my love?"

Chi Chi had tears in her eyes upon hearing his words. She felt her heart melt as she leaned against his shoulder. "Rust, I don't know how to say this so I'm going to just say it. You're the best thing that ever happened to me next to Gohan. I think… I think I'm falling even more in love with you than I already was. Yes. My answer is yes. I'll arrange a meeting with my father as soon as possible!"