Over the course of the next week, Hotaru's training with Goku continued, enabling her to learn new fighting techniques as well as gain a bit more strength. She was becoming quite skilled with staffing as well. She was almost to the point that she could hold an actual fight with Goku and not have to have him go easy on her, but that was still a ways off. He wanted to make sure that she knew fully what she was doing before he backed off.
He was extremely happy with the way her training was coming along. Not only was there a need to raise her gravity up to thirty-five gee's, but her skills with teleporting were amazing. She seemed to be learning it faster than Usagi and the other girls had, which only made his suspicions rise, though he said nothing. Sentimental
The puppy was beginning to grow in size as well as meat on its bones, which meant that she would have to leave soon, unless Usagi was able to work her magic on her mother and convince her to let the puppy stay with them. Usagi could see that her mother was tilting towards letting her keep Lucky.
Now, everyone who was associated with the Son and Briefs family gathered in a park for a Barbecue, which Chi-Chi and Bulma insisted on having due to the fact that they both felt that the diverse group of friends was slipping apart.
As the adults conversed and spoke of the times that they had been through together while the kids were off in their own group doing their own thing. Actually, there were two groups made up of kids at the park. One made purely of Usagi and her friend, including the puppy. The other, the Rat Pack. Both groups stayed as far away from each other as they could, but that didn't stop them from giving each other nasty glares to try and intimidate the others.
Even though Michiru was with Mamoru's group, she didn't feel that she should have been there with them. Ever since the tournament just one week before, she began having strange thoughts. Thoughts that maybe she was wrong in most of the choices she made in regards to Usagi and her friends. She had begun thinking back to all the things that she had done to Usagi. From the first day they had met, she had done nothing but make fun of her and do anything in her power to make the poor girl's life a living nightmare, and now that she thought about it, most of the things she did were just unacceptable. She didn't blame her family for acting the way that they did towards her and Haruka. They deserved it all, but she would never let her friends know that she felt that way. They would kick her out of the group forever and treat her in the same manner that they treated Usagi's group.
"Mamoru, remember how I said that we need to get Hotaru to hang out with us so we can get her to kick Monkey's butt?" Michiru knew that she was going to be taking a major risk with her proposal, but she didn't care. She would try to cover it up as much as possible, though.
Mamoru nodded with a smirk. "What's with the sudden censorship of the language, Michiru? Don't tell me you're getting soft."
Michiru frowned to let him know that she didn't appreciate being criticized. "I'm serious here." 'Damn pig-headed bastard. How's that for not being censored?'
"Fine, fine. Yes, I do remember that. I'm working on a brilliant plan as we speak. We'll train her to be our own lackey. I can't wait to see Odango's face when her own student kicks the crap outta her." He laughed at the thought.
"Don't you think you put her through enough at the tournament? You got back at her pretty well, what with stomping on her tail and all. I'd say your revenge is fulfilled."
Mamoru suspiciously frowned. He had noticed a change in her at the tournament when she was the only one not putting her whole heart into praising him for hurting Usagi so horribly. "No, my revenge will never be fulfilled. Until I triumph over her once and for all, it will never be fulfilled. I'm going to prove to my father that I can beat her. I'm going to prove to myself that I can beat her. I'm going to show her whose boss."
~*~*~
Meanwhile, on the other side of the park, Usagi and her friends were having a blast playing tag. Even the puppy seemed to be having fun running around with the girls as she barked at them with a happily wagging tail. None of them truly worried about the Rat Pack on the other side of the park, who was planning their next mischievous act against them.
The third group sat at four picnic tables as the people there were deep in several conversations. While a majority of the group spoke, two people were busy grilling the food. One against their will, and the other just because she didn't trust the other. She had reason to not trust him since it just happened to be Vejita, who had been forced into it by his wife. The other person doing the cooking with him was Chi-Chi, who was fed up with Vejita after only ten minutes.
Somehow, Bulma and Bra had gotten Vejita into a 'Kiss the Cook' apron. It wasn't easy though. He had put up the fight of his life, yelling and screaming about the respect he deserved that he wasn't getting.
Bulma turned her gaze from her friends to the laughing group of children not too far from their position. She barely noticed her best friend, Chi-Chi, sit by her for a break. "They're getting so much older."
Chi-Chi got comfortable next to Bulma as she rested her chin in her hands. "I know. It's almost hard to believe. It feels like only yesterday that Usagi was starting her first day of school. Where did all the time go?"
"It's sad. Theses kids get older, but they stay young while we're rotting away in our old tired bodies."
Chi-Chi let out a quick laugh. "You got that right. But luckily we age slower than most humans otherwise we'd be tired old grandma's."
"What do you mean? I AM a tired old grandma who still has a child."
Chi-Chi turned from watching her daughter to look at her friend. "Bulma, I'm the one with the child. You just have Veji...ahhhh....I understand." Both women laughed as the turned to a fuming Vejita.
The fourth and final group was composed only of three. Father and Sons, sparring for the first time after the big family argument, which took place only one week before. Over the past week, the trio had thought that it would be best to take a break from each other, considering the fact they weren't nearly as forgiving at the youngest of the family. They didn't want to spar to turn into a real fight, one where they let their rage fly out the window and they actually tried to hurt one another.
When they had arrived at the park, Usagi noticed that neither of the three spoke to each other, which she didn't like. She hated to see them still squabbling over such a silly subject. She wanted them to forget about it and put it behind them, so she convinced them to spar to have fun and to help ease the tensions between them all. The three men thought that it was time to put their thoughts on the subject aside and decided to engage in a friendly spar.
Chi-Chi was the only one against it and no one really truly listened to what she had to say in protest to the idea. She hadn't wanted any fighting there at all. She wanted a peaceful get together with all friends, but her husband had once again ruined her plans, as always.
Unknown to Chi-Chi or any of the guys, Usagi had other plans for the fight. She had other reasons that she wanted them to fight, which she was about to put to action as she noticed them walking back to the largest group. Without even saying a word to her friends, who were still playing their game, Usagi began walking back the group of adults. She noticed that her father had the most wounds of the three fighters. 'Great. He must have taken them on as a team.'
Usagi walked up to her father with a sly grin. "Hey daddy, guess what?"
Goku couldn't help but slightly cower from his daughter as he looked down at her face. He knew that she was planning something and there wasn't anything he could do about it. "Uh, yes?"
Usagi walked closer to him and looked up to his nervous. "I learned a new kind of power with my Ki. Isn't that cool?"
Intrigued, and once again proud of his daughter's accomplishments, both Goku and his wife leaned in closer in hopes that she would show them what it was. "That's great, sweetheart." 'This kid is just too much for me to keep up with.'
Chi-Chi smiled as she sat down at one of the tables, next to Professor Tomoe. "What is it dear?"
Usagi giggled ash she pushed her father backward into a chair. The Professor just kept quiet as he watched her. Even though he seemed completely calm, his anxiety over her actions was slowly eating him alive, or so he felt. He knew that what she was about to was going to affect his daughter in more than just one way.
Usagi just smiled down at her father, who wasn't sure if he wanted to know what her knew power was if it involved him, but he knew that it couldn't have been too bad since he knew that she would never do anything to hurt him. "I want to show you what I can do. But you had to beat up for me to do it. That's another reason why I wanted you guys to spar."
Chi-Chi frowned at her daughter as she became upset by her statement. "You mean you WANTED your father hurt, young lady?" She glared at her youngest.
Usagi squirmed at the force of her mother's stare. That was one of the only things that could honestly scare her at that point. Not wanting to make either of her parents mad, she made haste with her reply. "No. Of course not. I really did think that it would help them get along better, but we always have bruises and cuts in spars. I counted on that to help me show you guys what I can do." She nervously smiled in hopes that her mother would lighten up with he glare.
To Usagi's liking, Chi-Chi DID lighten up her glare to a slight frown. "Ok. Just make sure you tell us your full intentions next time. It's not right to mislead people."
Usagi nodded with a sigh of relief. "Sure mom." She turned to her father with a smile. "Now sit still daddy. This won't hurt at all. In fact, it feels really good."
The Professor, sure of what she was up to, turned to his daughter, who was walking to the table with the other girls. He worriedly grabbed her and pulled her up into his lap. They both hoped that nothing too horrible would happen with this.
Usagi concentrated her energy for healing into her hands as she brought them to her father's face. She could sense slight uneasiness arising within him. "Relax, daddy. Don't be nervous." She began to gently run her hands down his face, where the major wounds were.
Goku smiled when he felt the warm glow on him. It created the feeling of sunbathing on a summer day with the wind gently blowing. In other words, it was comforting. He even let out a near silent chuckle when his whole body began to tingle. Soon, the discomfort from his wounds vanished as if they were never there to begin with.
Goku looked up to the smiling face of his daughter when she stopped. "Aww...why'd you have to stop? That felt good." Goku immediately lifted his arm, where he had previously had a giant gash going from wrist to elbow. Oddly enough, it was gone. "Wow." The others began to crowd around the full blooded Saiyan to check out his now completely wound free body, each was in awe.
Usagi giggled as she backed away. "I told you. I've learned the art of Ki healing. I guess you could say I'm a healer now."
The entire crowd was stunned at Usagi's new talent. None of them had seen anything like it. Well, they had never seen it come from anyone but a Namek. It wasn't normal for a Saiyan to have such powers. Bulma walked to Usagi and bent down to look her in the eye. "That was very good Usagi. Where did you learn such a great skill?"
"YOU'RE WHAT?!" Vejita grabbed his wife and threw her aside. He purposely let his rage show. He wanted to build fear inside his next victim.
Bulma jumped back to her feet and slapped her husband in the face. "Vejita! Don't be rude to Usagi! She did nothing!"
Vejita turned to his wife and grabbed her wrist and squeezed it nearly to the point of crushing it. "Don't screw with me woman! This is none of your concern!" He released his grip on her wrist and pushed her down to the ground.
Goku watched Vejita with an evil eye. It was HIS concern if Vejita wanted to try something with his daughter. He would gladly intervene if needed. "Vejita..."
Vejita ignored Goku and reached out to Usagi, grabbing her by the collar with one hand. His other hand was thrown back and ready to release a deadly punch. He knew it would be deadly too, which was why he did it. He was getting ready to kill her for having such a frivolous power. "You've become one of those cursed weaklings that use their power to heal!? Those bastards wanted nothing but peace! I knew you were too cutesy to be a true Saiyan! You must go!" He began to power up his fist to prepare his attack.
Goku walked closer to Vejita and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Vejita don't even think about it!" The only response he got was being kicked in the stomach. "Don't do this!"
Usagi couldn't help but feel fear at that moment as she stared into Vejita's heartless eyes. She had no doubt in her body that Vejita would actually try to kill her, but she knew that her father was close by to stop him, which was the only reason why she didn't let her fear show, much. "Yes! What's the problem with that?!" She squirmed to try to free herself from his grip, but it was no use. He was too strong for her. She couldn't help but look at his power filled fist with fear. 'Oh great. Now it starts. A new fight.'
Professor Tomoe pulled his daughter closer in for a tighter hug. He knew that something like that would have happened if their secret were to get out. He could just imagine Hotaru, his own child, the one up there in Vejita's grasp instead of Usagi, which only sickened him more. "Close your eyes, Hotaru." He put his hand over her eyes and turned her head into his chest so she wouldn't have to watch what was about to happen.
Even Mamoru and his gang had their attention grasped by what was going on. "Hey look, it looks like Odango is finally going to get shown whose boss around here." Mamoru laughed as he stood up with his friends.
Vejita pulled Usagi in closer to his face, which only intimidated her more. He could smell her fear, which only made him want to kill her more. "I'll tell you the problem, we kill them on Vejita. They are worthless beings that should be killed on sight. Just like you will be now. Say good-bye to your kid, Kakorrotto." He gave his fist one last power burst.
Goku couldn't believe it. Vejita was actually going to do it. He was actually going to try and kill an innocent child who did nothing. It was outrageous. In a split second, Goku powered up to Super Saiyan level two. He had to protect Usagi. No more games. He reached out and grabbed Vejita's powered fist just as it was being thrown. He stopped it right in front of his daughter's face, which made both of their hearts race with fear. "Let...Go...Of...MY...Daughter!" He clenched his teeth as he spoke. He glanced over to his sons, who were about to step in as well, but he motioned for them to stay back, so they did.
Frightened out of all her wits, Chi-Chi ran to her daughter, who was still in Vejita's grasp. "Honey? Are you all right?" She turned to Vejita with a frown frightening enough to petrify even Frieza. "You sick bastard!"
Vejita let out a loud growl as he kicked Chi-Chi in the stomach. "Shut up you stupid wh..."
Goku cut off Vejita with a kick to the chest. "Don't EVER touch EITHER of them again!" His eyes told of his severe fury. "Now LET GO!" Vejita snickered as he tightened his grip on Usagi, causing her to close her eyes in pain. Goku responded in kind as he griped Vejita's wrist tighter.
Even Lucky seemed to sense that something was wrong. She had grown to like Usagi over the past week, and now that she saw her in danger, she wanted to help. Strange huh She began barking at Vejita as she ran to him, but Ami knew better than to let the small creature get to him. She knew that Vejita would not hesitate to kill her with a kick. "No, Lucky." As Lucky ran by, Ami reached out and pulled her in so she couldn't get any further.
Bulma ran to Chi-Chi, who was on the ground. "Chi-Chi? Are you all right?"
Chi-Chi coughed as she sat up and looked into Bulma's caring eyes. "I'm fine. That's not the first time I've been hit like that by him." She clenched her fist as she jumped to her feet. "He's not getting away with it. He had better let her go or else..."
Bulma grabbed the ranting Chi-Chi from behind to keep her from going off on Vejita. "Don't do anything rash. You know his temper. Let Goku deal with it. He seems to have everything under control."
At that moment, Trunks, also level two, grabbed his father's other arm and squeezed it as hard as he could. The pain was too much for Vejita, causing him to release the child. "Father, let go of your anger. There is no reason to do this."
Usagi quickly got to her feet and ran to her mother, who gladly welcomed her with a giant hug. Usagi let her mother embrace her as she looked up to her friends and Hotaru, who was still with her father. She slightly raised her power to open a link. 'This could be bad.'
Rei looked down at Hotaru, who had started watching again. 'You got that right. I didn't think that Vejita would react that way. He could have killed you.'
Hearing the two girls secretly speaking to each other, Hotaru decided to get her own thoughts in. 'Usagi, what are we going to do? I'm scared?'
Usagi looked over at Vejita and her father. Both of them were filled with hate for each other. It was apparent. That had to be the first time that she had ever seen her father filled with such hate for a supposed comrade. 'Maybe I can trick him somehow.'
After collecting his thoughts for a while, Vejita let his own anger blind him of common sense. He turned to his son, ready to attack. "Let go or there will be hell to pay."
Without even letting Trunks get in his words of reply, Goku let go of Vejita's wrist and grabbed him by the shirt. He didn't even waste any time lifting him up into the air. "Never, EVER threaten my daughter again, or you'll find yourself dealing with me! Got it?! And as for my wife! Don't mess with her either!"
Vejita pushed away from his rival and responded in kind by grabbing Goku by the shirt. "Now you listen hear...!"
Bra jumped to her father and pushed him away from Goku. "It's a great power, a gift, actually. I wish I had it. Would you kill me then, too daddy? Just because I had the power to heal people?"
Vejita cringed at the sound of his daughter asking if he would kill her. He knew that he wouldn't for the fact that he actually loved her, but he didn't see any relevancy of that to this current situation. "Stand down."
Trunks grabbed his father by the arm and turned him around to look at him. "I remember all the stories that mom told about the Trunks from the future. Mom said that he came from a world of pure destruction and Chaos. Someone with the power to heal would have been more use there than a fighter."
Bra did the same as her brother and turned her father to face her again. "Healers, doctors, creators, they try to make the world a better place. You are a fool for thinking of them as weak just because they choose to create and not destroy."
Chi-Chi looked down to her daughter, who stood in front of her. "Stay here, sweetie." She pulled away from Bulma's grasp and walked to her husband for protection. She didn't want to get too close to him after what he had just pulled with her. "If you ever pull another stunt like this, you're going to have to put up with me for a while." She let her aura swell to a high level.
Usagi disobeyed her mother as she walked closer to Vejita. She still had to make it safe for Hotaru to be revealed. "Healing is a great skill Vejita. Like dad says, don't knock others because of what you can't do."
"If that isn't clear enough for you, VEJITA," Bulma re-approached her husband. "It means, don't hate healers just because they're not you. Don't hate them because you can't do it."
Vejita sneered at his wife. "I didn't need any sass from you."
Usagi inched towards her parents in fear that Vejita may lash out again. His anger was still very obvious. "It takes a lot of energy to heal, Vejita."
Vejita turned to Usagi. "ENOUGH!" He glared at the lot. He hated to admit, but they were somewhat right. "Fine. Keep the little weakling. I won't have anything more to do with her." He angrily turned around and began walking away from the group.
Goku looked down to his daughter with relief. She was once again saved. "Are you all right?"
Usagi nodded. "I'm fine, daddy. Just a little shaken up, but I'll be ok." She looked to her friends and nodded. Her last phase of her plan was about to take place. They all nodded at her to go on. "Does that mean that you won't hurt any healer at all? You won't hurt me or any kids I might have? Do I have your word as the Prince of all Saiyans?"
Goku looked down at his daughter in confusion and lowered his head to be by her ear so he could speak softly to her. "Why are you acting scared all of a sudden?"
Usagi smirked. "I want to make sure."
Vejita smirked when he heard her question him in the manner that she did. He could hear obvious fear in her voice. 'She's afraid for herself. What a weakling. Kakkorotto should be ashamed of such a brat.' "No brat, I won't hurt any of them. Just ignore them as if they didn't exist. Hmmph, you have my word as the Prince of Saiyans." He jumped into the air and flew off without a single word more
Bulma put her hands to her hips as frowned up into the sky. "That Vejita! Always has to screw up a perfectly good day! He never fails! Honestly!"
Usagi grinned as she turned around to face her father. She had done it. She had fooled the 'almighty' prince of Saiyans into thinking that she was sill deathly afraid of him. "Thanks daddy. I was really scared when he started to throw the punch."
Goku chuckled as he wrapped his arm around his daughter's shoulders. "I know. So was I. But it's all over now and we don't have to worry about it anymore."
"The hell we don't! Vejita NEVER keeps his word." Chi-Chi pushed her husband aside and kneeled down in front of her daughter. "Oh my poor baby! Are you all right!?"
Usagi giggled at he mother's reaction. She never failed to freak out over something like that. "I'm ok mom, honest. He didn't touch me. Dad kept him from doing anything bad." She looked up to him again in thanks as he smiled down at her.
Goku looked up to everyone, who seemed to be approaching them. All but the timid Professor and Hotaru. 'There's something up with those two. I just know it.' "Well, Usagi, even though Vejita doesn't like your new skill, I think it's wonderful. Maybe you could even teach it to all of us."
Usagi smiled. 'I knew he'd like it.' "Thanks dad." 'Now Hotaru and her dad will hear all the wonderful things people have to say about it and they'll know they don't have to be afraid to show.' She turned to Bra and Trunks. "Thanks for helping me guys."
Trunks winked down to Usagi. "No problem. I think it's a great gift anyways. I'd love it if you would teach me."
"Me too." Bra added.
Goten pushed his way towards his sister and grabbed her from behind as he rubbed her head. "Great job, kid. That was pretty cool how you healed dad and all. But even greater when you made Vejita mad. I don't remember a time that I've ever seen I'm angrier, well, except for the time Trunks and I set his gravity room on fire, but let's not talk about that."
Usagi once again shot a glance back at Hotaru, who was becoming reassured with the whole situation. 'See? See? I told you they'd like it.'
Hotaru looked up at her father, who was in shock over Usagi. She had purposely put herself in danger to help Hotaru. He looked down at his daughter, who had tears in her eyes that everyone had accepted Usagi's healing power, why not hers too?
Ami walked to Usagi and put her arm around her shoulder. She let Lucky jump into Usagi's arms. "You know, if I was in that situation, I would have gone nuts."
Usagi giggled. "That's because you don't have a really strong dad who can get you out of jams like that. But I'm sure he would have done the same for you, right daddy?" Usagi, as well as Ami, turned to look up at Goku for his answer.
"I wouldn't pass up a chance to help a friend. You both know that."
Usagi smiled. "And neither would I." Usagi raised the puppy to her face, who proceeded to lick it. "Hey Lucky!" To her surprise, she noticed that her father's hand was on the puppy's back, petting it. "WOW! Daddy!"
Goku quickly pulled his hand away from the startled creature. "Oh...uh...that..."
"Well it looks like the little Monkey has once again survived a chance for death." Mamoru walked up from behind Usagi and spoke into her ear. He glared at the growling puppy in her hands. 'Damn dog.' "And I was so hoping that I could watch you take that blow to the face. It would have just made my day."
Piccolo grabbed his son by the back the neck and squeezed, hard. "Shut up!" 'Something has got to be done about this. He's even corrupted the American boys.'
Goku grinned as he got in Mamoru's face. "Mamoru, do be a good boy and do as your father says. Then I won't have to take more drastic measures because I've had it with you always trying to harass Usagi and her friends."
While a new argument seemed to be ending as fast as it started, Professor Tomoe was trying to come to a hard decision. He could tell that everyone that was there at park wasn't upset or threatened or even angry at the fact that there was someone with the power to heal in their presence. He wanted to let them know about Hotaru, but there was still the matter of the Saiyan bit. He didn't want to get into a big explanation about her mother. It would have been too hard remembering her. He sighed as he caught his daughter's eye and nodded his head. "If you want, you can tell the others. But we keep it a secret from Vejita until we know that he can be dealt with." 'It's even worse now that I know he's the prince of Saiyans.'
Hotaru slowly stood up as she nodded with a smile. "Thanks Papa." She quietly made her way to the group of people who had practically known each other their whole lives. She sort of felt like an outsider, even though she knew that these people were her friends, but they had such histories together. She hoped that her revealing herself wouldn't cause any trouble. She stopped short of running into Piccolo and Yamcha. "I have something to say." She said in a small voice that could barely be heard over the loud conversing of the friends.
Piccolo was the only one who had heard the small child. He turned around and looked down at her. Her eyes were filled with anxiety. He wondered what could have made the child so nervous. "Yes, Hotaru?"
Hotaru looked up to what looked like a Giant. "Is it all right if I say something, Sir?"
Piccolo smiled. 'Such respect for a kid her age.' "Sure." He bent down and picked up her, placing her back down in the center of the group. "Do your thing, Hotaru." He could hear the footsteps of her father behind him, letting him know that this had to be something big.
Hotaru gulped as she looked around to each and everyone one of her friends' faces when the group became quiet. She was happy at the facial encouragement she was getting from all five of them. She let her gaze turn up to the suspecting face of Goku and knew at that moment that he knew something was up. 'Better now or never.' "Uh..." 'Where do I start?'
'How about the beginning?'
Startled, Hotaru looked up to Makoto, who was smiling at her. 'How did the link open up without me trying?' Nothing came from Makoto again. Not even a single power level was raised to have the link opened in the first place. 'Weird.' "If I tell you this, will you promise not to ever tell anyone else?"
At that moment, both Piccolo and Goku locked eyes. Both knew that this was major. Goku had known this was coming, he just didn't know when or what it was. "I think we all pretty much promise." He looked around to the agreeing group.
Everyone but the Rat Pack agreed. Haruka glared down at the youngest of the group. "That little brat? Why should we promise to do anything for her?" A well placed smack was put across Haruka's face by no one other than her trainer, Piccolo. "Hey!"
"Father don't you think..."
Piccolo laid a nice smack across his son's face as well. "Don't even think about trying to ruin this for her. Now promise."
Yamcha crossed his arms in disgust. "All of you." He evilly eyed all of his students until they agreed.
Hotaru gulped as she looked around the group for the last time as a 'human'. "I uh..." She lifted her skirt part way and began to unwrap her hidden tail from her waist.
Goku smirked. 'I knew it had to be something like that. That's the only explanation for it all. Her amount of power, her fast progress. Everything. But I want to know how it could be.'
Bulma screeched almost at the top of her lungs. "YOU'RE A SAIYAN!?" She bent down to get a better look at the tail and sure enough, it was real. Just like the one Usagi had and just like the one she had found on Goku when they had first met. "Oh...my...god..."
Piccolo took one look at the child and then looked up to Goku. They looked at each other as if they knew what each other were thinking. They nodded in agreement to not pursue any type of serious questioning.
Hotaru timidly responded to the gasps that were taking place throughout the group. "I'm Half Saiyan like Usagi. My mom was full Saiyan, and like her I'm also a healer. I taught Usagi how to use the power. I knew from my Mother that healers were hated, and thought when Usagi found out I'd have to leave everything behind again. But she accepted me, and even let me train her. Then she even put herself in danger to try and help. But we can't show anyone else till Vejita..."
From behind, a harsh voice filled the air. A voice, which was filled with pleasure at the thought of what would happen next. "Vejita knows."
Horror and terror entered her Violet eyes as her worse nightmare appeared. "Daddy!" She nearly toppled over her own feet when her father grabbed her from behind and pulled her close to him.
Vejita smirked as he made his way towards the new Saiyan. He couldn't wait to dig into her. She was a true healer, he knew that he had felt something familiar about her but he couldn't put his finger on it. It had been so many years since he had felt the energy of a healer and now that he had, he was much more disgusted. Just looking at he sickened him. "Imagine that, trying to hide your flaw from me."
Bulma ran to her husband and latched onto his arm to try and stop him. He just dragged her along with him as he approached Hotaru and her father. His aura was fierce and full of the want to kill. "It's not a flaw, Vejita! Now leave her alone!"
Vejita lifted his arm and hurled his wife into the air to be caught by their son. "Shut up, woman!" He continued to near the girl and her father when all of sudden found his path was blocked by a Super Saiyan by the name of Usagi. Vejita narrowed his glare down at the youngster. "You set yourself up. You made a test so you could protect her. You put yourself in extreme danger. Weakling. That's what a weakling would do. You would rather save the life of one than the life of many."
Usagi held her ground as Vejita walked closer. "I had to make sure that I had your word as the Saiyan prince that you wouldn't hurt her. You said that you wouldn't hurt any healers."
Vejita smirked. "I thought I told you I'd just ignore healers. I meant what I said, but Vejita law demands that I kill any true Healers, and not just healers who learned to use the power. The only way for it to be changed is if two with royal blood," He turned to look at his children, "Were to demand the change. Until that happens, your friend is a goner."
Bulma watched and listened to her husband in awe. She couldn't believe what he had just done. He had actually stood by his word. He was actually going to keep up with not hurting Hotaru and any other healer around.
Trunks oddly looked at his father. At first, he hadn't realized what he was trying to do, but after a few seconds he finally figured it out. He was trying to keep his word. "I officially request that the law be changed. Healers will not be exiled or killed and that they be given the same rights as and Saiyan."
Bra stepped forward to join her brother. She couldn't have been more proud that he was sticking with his word. "I second my brother's request."
Usagi blinked a few times in confusion. She hadn't totally grasped the reason why Vejita just gave away how to change the law like that. He had wanted to kill Hotaru just a moment ago and now it seemed like he WANTED the law to change. "Uh...Vejita?"
Vejita grinned down at the flabbergasted girl. "I, Prince Vejita here by make into law the request of Prince Trunks and Princess Bra. So it will be."
He looked down to the girl in front of him, who still didn't totally understand what had just happened. "Hmmph. You've earned my respect brat." He turned to Hotaru and her father, who were a little more than just grateful for what he had just done. "You and your mother are now acknowledged Saiyans."
Professor Tomoe let go of his daughter and walked to Vejita with a grand smile. "Thank you sir, you don't know what this means to us." He extended his hand out to Vejita for thanks.
Vejita snickered as he looked down at Professor Tomoe's hand. "Don't make me laugh. I never said I liked any of you people." He turned to look around the group. "You all make me sick." He let his eyes freeze on Goku. "And you're the worst of them all, Kakkorotto! You and your stupid brats."
Usagi began to realize what had just happened when Vejita returned to his normal ranting about her father. She didn't know exactly WHY he had done it, but she knew that he had let Hotaru off the hook. "Thanks you Prince Vejita."
Vejita widened his eyes at what she just called him. Never in his life had a Saiyan from earth call him PRINCE. It brought back Memories that was for sure. He only gave a small nod in reply and began to turn.
Usagi giggled as she threw herself onto Vejita from behind. "Now if you marry me you can be my Prince Charming for all time."
"Rotten Brat." He growled under his breath, but with a chuckle in his tone. He pulled away from Usagi and flew into the air again, hopefully for the last time if they were lucky.
"I'll be waiting when you finally come to your senses, Vejita." Usagi laughed as she turned around to her group of extended family and friends as they crowded around Hotaru, the newest installment of the Saiyans from earth. She turned to her friends, who stood by her side. "I think Vejita is turning into an old softy."
Rei giggled as she looked up into the air. "Yeah. It's about time. How old is he now?"
Ami nervously looked at the laughing group of her friends. "You think he's soft? After how he just tired to kill Usagi? Are you guys nuts?!" Well that pretty much stopped her friends from their laughter.
~*~*~
Goku stared down at Hotaru, who was being bombarded by questions. There was one that stuck out in his mind though and he couldn't resist the chance to ask it. "Wow, I didn't know that there were anymore Saiyans alive. Whose your mom?" That little comment heard him a nice slap in the back of the head. "Hey! What was that for?"
Hearing about her mother again only made Hotaru's lips quiver with the pain of the past. She had dealt with it when she was telling Usagi, but she wasn't sure if she could handle it again. She backed into her father without saying a single word to Goku.
Professor Tomoe decided to sum it up for the group so the questions wouldn't keep rising over and over, creating more heartache for the both of them. "We're sorry that we were going to try to hide this from you. It's just that, we've had horrible experiences in the past with others when we told of Hotaru and her mother's uniqueness. We've been trying to hide it ever since she was born, but it always comes up sooner or later."
Chi-Chi took the initiative within the group and kneeled down to so she could be at Hotaru's level. "Don't worry Hotaru, you're safe with this group. They may be a bunch of bozo's, but they also care and look after each other."
Of course, Bulma was the next to say a few words of reassurance. "Hotaru, don't worry about Vejita. He did that so he could keep his promise. I think he's actually going to live with it too. He can't change the rules."
Hotaru smiled. "Thanks Bulma, everyone. Thanks for understanding."
The Professor watched as his daughter was accepted throughout the group. After all the years that had gone by they had finally founded a group where they were accepted and ironically, it was with Saiyans. The exact people that they feared for so long. He grabbed his daughter by the shoulders and pulled her closer to him so he could speak to her. "Honey, now that this is out in the open and Vejita is no longer a worry, you don't have to hide your tail anymore."
Hotaru's eyes went wide at the though. For so long she had hated hiding her tail for fear of discovery. But now was her chance to stop hiding and just get on with life, they way it should have been without all the secrets and hiding. She knew that there would still be some hate towards her, but she knew her family and friends would be able to help her through the hard times just as they had helped Usagi. Hotaru reacted in the only way that she knew how to. She threw her arms around her father and squealed with joy. "Thank you, thank you, thank you daddy!"
Mamoru walked up from behind Usagi and smirked down at her. "Humph, Odango. Looks like another tail to watch out for."
Minako jabbed Usagi in the side. "Come on. Show him what you're made of."
Usagi smirked as she lifted up her tail and shoved it in his nose. "Hey Mamoru, you mean a tail like this?" She rubbed it under his nose, causing in him to sneeze.
Just before he was about to reach out and grabbed the annoyance, Usagi pulled it away and let it sit on the ground, right next to his feet. 'What a dumbass.' He laughed as he lifted his foot and 'accidentally' slammed it right back down on Usagi's tail.
Makoto turned to the action and nearly laughed up a lung when she saw Usagi's tail latch on to Mamoru, who wasn't sure what was happening. "Oh Usagi! Come on, do it! Lift him up! This is great!"
Mamoru tried to free his leg from Usagi's...tail's grip. "Hey you little brat! What the hell are you doing?"
Haruka walked to the duo in disgust. "What's wrong, Mamoru? Can't get away from a stupid tail?" She lifted up her foot and kicked Usagi's tail. To her surprise, Usagi didn't respond at all. "Hey, what's going on here?"
Rei snickered. "Wouldn't you like to know."
Usagi giggled as she lifted Mamoru up off the ground, letting him hang upside down. "Why Mamoru, if I didn't know better, I'd think you purposely stepped on my tail."
Ami laughed as she walked to Mamoru and looked him in the eye. "You know, you've been trying so hard to beat Usagi all these years. Ever since I met any of you guys you have been fighting. And every time you fight, Usagi wins. You almost won last week because of her tail flaw, but now that she doesn't have that weakness..." She couldn't even get through her sentence without breaking out in laughter.
Mamoru sneered at Ami as she walked away. He didn't even dignify her laughter with a reply. Instead, he moved on to more important things. "Put me down you good for nothing MONKEY!"
Goku perked his head in interest in what was going on not too far from the main group. He knew that his daughter was going to react harshly to that. He was prepared to let Usagi do whatever she was planning, too, unless it meant hurting him too much. But he had faith that she wouldn't do something too awful. Monkey was one of the worst things possible to call Usagi and they all knew it, especially Mamoru. 'How did her tail get so strong?'
Usagi impishly smiled down at Mamoru. "Hey Mamoru have you ever seen the American show 'The Flintstones'?"
"What the hell are you talking about, Odango?"
Usagi giggled as she began smashing Mamoru up and down on the pavement. "BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!" With every 'BAM', Mamoru found himself being smashed into the ground.
Hearing the commotion and the laughter of children, Chi-Chi cocked her head in the direction that she heard the sound coming from. "USAGI!" She looked up to Goku, who seemed to be getting a kick out of Usagi's antics. "You're no better than her." She gave him a slap across the face and ran to her daughter. "Usagi! Stop it!" She reached out and grabbed Usagi by the arm. "Stop it!"
Usagi cringed when she heard and felt her mother. 'Whoops.' She gently lowered Mamoru to the ground and released her grip on him. "Sorry, mom."
Chi-Chi glared at her daughter with the evil eye. "Don't ever let me catch you doing anything like that again. You're acting just like him when you do that."
Usagi dropped her head a ways. "Sorry." She could hear the Rat Pack laughing at her from behind. 'I hate this. Why does she have to embarrass me in front of them?'
Usagi let out a quick sigh of relief when her mother turned to walk away. "Don't laugh at me, guys."
Makoto punched Mamoru in the chest when he didn't stop. "Have some respect!"
Usagi turned around to Mamoru once again. "That's what you get for stepping on my tail. Don't try it again."
~*~*~
Piccolo pulled Yamcha aside from the group. There were still some things that the two needed to converse. Things that had been riding on his mind ever since he witnessed Mamoru's behavior at the tournament. He had never seen him act with such hate. He had been trying over the past three years to change Mamoru, but nothing seemed to be working. He only seemed to be getting worse and he was dragging the young Americans down with him. "Yamcha..."
Yamcha didn't need to hear a single word more before he knew what this was about. He could hear it in the concerned tone that Piccolo was using. "I know. We have a problem. The kids just aren't getting along and they only get worse with age."
Piccolo nodded as he looked over to his son, who seemed to be pouting over what Usagi had just done to him. "No matter what I tell him, he just doesn't listen. He needs to learn to fight with honor, like Goku and his kids. He needs to learn to respect people. Most of all, Usagi. He's given her the worst treatment of all and I can't help but feel responsible for that."
Yamcha glared at his students as they picked up Michiru and threw her into a nearby pool. "Michiru is changing. She's maturing and the kids sense it."
"You're right."
"What do you think we should do about them? How can we get them to learn to respect others."
"Well it's already obvious that they aren't going to learn it from us or any other adult for that matter. The just don't care. They're going to have to learn it the hard way."
Yamcha raised a brow in interest. "The 'hard way'?"
Piccolo nodded. "From the most forgiving person I know. They're going to have to learn it from the most forgiving person or else they aren't ever going to learn it because no one in their right minds will take them in without disciplining them to death like we have."
(Ok, there you have it, yet another boring part from me, ne. Well what did you think? Good or bad? See ya later. Ja! )
He was extremely happy with the way her training was coming along. Not only was there a need to raise her gravity up to thirty-five gee's, but her skills with teleporting were amazing. She seemed to be learning it faster than Usagi and the other girls had, which only made his suspicions rise, though he said nothing. Sentimental
The puppy was beginning to grow in size as well as meat on its bones, which meant that she would have to leave soon, unless Usagi was able to work her magic on her mother and convince her to let the puppy stay with them. Usagi could see that her mother was tilting towards letting her keep Lucky.
Now, everyone who was associated with the Son and Briefs family gathered in a park for a Barbecue, which Chi-Chi and Bulma insisted on having due to the fact that they both felt that the diverse group of friends was slipping apart.
As the adults conversed and spoke of the times that they had been through together while the kids were off in their own group doing their own thing. Actually, there were two groups made up of kids at the park. One made purely of Usagi and her friend, including the puppy. The other, the Rat Pack. Both groups stayed as far away from each other as they could, but that didn't stop them from giving each other nasty glares to try and intimidate the others.
Even though Michiru was with Mamoru's group, she didn't feel that she should have been there with them. Ever since the tournament just one week before, she began having strange thoughts. Thoughts that maybe she was wrong in most of the choices she made in regards to Usagi and her friends. She had begun thinking back to all the things that she had done to Usagi. From the first day they had met, she had done nothing but make fun of her and do anything in her power to make the poor girl's life a living nightmare, and now that she thought about it, most of the things she did were just unacceptable. She didn't blame her family for acting the way that they did towards her and Haruka. They deserved it all, but she would never let her friends know that she felt that way. They would kick her out of the group forever and treat her in the same manner that they treated Usagi's group.
"Mamoru, remember how I said that we need to get Hotaru to hang out with us so we can get her to kick Monkey's butt?" Michiru knew that she was going to be taking a major risk with her proposal, but she didn't care. She would try to cover it up as much as possible, though.
Mamoru nodded with a smirk. "What's with the sudden censorship of the language, Michiru? Don't tell me you're getting soft."
Michiru frowned to let him know that she didn't appreciate being criticized. "I'm serious here." 'Damn pig-headed bastard. How's that for not being censored?'
"Fine, fine. Yes, I do remember that. I'm working on a brilliant plan as we speak. We'll train her to be our own lackey. I can't wait to see Odango's face when her own student kicks the crap outta her." He laughed at the thought.
"Don't you think you put her through enough at the tournament? You got back at her pretty well, what with stomping on her tail and all. I'd say your revenge is fulfilled."
Mamoru suspiciously frowned. He had noticed a change in her at the tournament when she was the only one not putting her whole heart into praising him for hurting Usagi so horribly. "No, my revenge will never be fulfilled. Until I triumph over her once and for all, it will never be fulfilled. I'm going to prove to my father that I can beat her. I'm going to prove to myself that I can beat her. I'm going to show her whose boss."
~*~*~
Meanwhile, on the other side of the park, Usagi and her friends were having a blast playing tag. Even the puppy seemed to be having fun running around with the girls as she barked at them with a happily wagging tail. None of them truly worried about the Rat Pack on the other side of the park, who was planning their next mischievous act against them.
The third group sat at four picnic tables as the people there were deep in several conversations. While a majority of the group spoke, two people were busy grilling the food. One against their will, and the other just because she didn't trust the other. She had reason to not trust him since it just happened to be Vejita, who had been forced into it by his wife. The other person doing the cooking with him was Chi-Chi, who was fed up with Vejita after only ten minutes.
Somehow, Bulma and Bra had gotten Vejita into a 'Kiss the Cook' apron. It wasn't easy though. He had put up the fight of his life, yelling and screaming about the respect he deserved that he wasn't getting.
Bulma turned her gaze from her friends to the laughing group of children not too far from their position. She barely noticed her best friend, Chi-Chi, sit by her for a break. "They're getting so much older."
Chi-Chi got comfortable next to Bulma as she rested her chin in her hands. "I know. It's almost hard to believe. It feels like only yesterday that Usagi was starting her first day of school. Where did all the time go?"
"It's sad. Theses kids get older, but they stay young while we're rotting away in our old tired bodies."
Chi-Chi let out a quick laugh. "You got that right. But luckily we age slower than most humans otherwise we'd be tired old grandma's."
"What do you mean? I AM a tired old grandma who still has a child."
Chi-Chi turned from watching her daughter to look at her friend. "Bulma, I'm the one with the child. You just have Veji...ahhhh....I understand." Both women laughed as the turned to a fuming Vejita.
The fourth and final group was composed only of three. Father and Sons, sparring for the first time after the big family argument, which took place only one week before. Over the past week, the trio had thought that it would be best to take a break from each other, considering the fact they weren't nearly as forgiving at the youngest of the family. They didn't want to spar to turn into a real fight, one where they let their rage fly out the window and they actually tried to hurt one another.
When they had arrived at the park, Usagi noticed that neither of the three spoke to each other, which she didn't like. She hated to see them still squabbling over such a silly subject. She wanted them to forget about it and put it behind them, so she convinced them to spar to have fun and to help ease the tensions between them all. The three men thought that it was time to put their thoughts on the subject aside and decided to engage in a friendly spar.
Chi-Chi was the only one against it and no one really truly listened to what she had to say in protest to the idea. She hadn't wanted any fighting there at all. She wanted a peaceful get together with all friends, but her husband had once again ruined her plans, as always.
Unknown to Chi-Chi or any of the guys, Usagi had other plans for the fight. She had other reasons that she wanted them to fight, which she was about to put to action as she noticed them walking back to the largest group. Without even saying a word to her friends, who were still playing their game, Usagi began walking back the group of adults. She noticed that her father had the most wounds of the three fighters. 'Great. He must have taken them on as a team.'
Usagi walked up to her father with a sly grin. "Hey daddy, guess what?"
Goku couldn't help but slightly cower from his daughter as he looked down at her face. He knew that she was planning something and there wasn't anything he could do about it. "Uh, yes?"
Usagi walked closer to him and looked up to his nervous. "I learned a new kind of power with my Ki. Isn't that cool?"
Intrigued, and once again proud of his daughter's accomplishments, both Goku and his wife leaned in closer in hopes that she would show them what it was. "That's great, sweetheart." 'This kid is just too much for me to keep up with.'
Chi-Chi smiled as she sat down at one of the tables, next to Professor Tomoe. "What is it dear?"
Usagi giggled ash she pushed her father backward into a chair. The Professor just kept quiet as he watched her. Even though he seemed completely calm, his anxiety over her actions was slowly eating him alive, or so he felt. He knew that what she was about to was going to affect his daughter in more than just one way.
Usagi just smiled down at her father, who wasn't sure if he wanted to know what her knew power was if it involved him, but he knew that it couldn't have been too bad since he knew that she would never do anything to hurt him. "I want to show you what I can do. But you had to beat up for me to do it. That's another reason why I wanted you guys to spar."
Chi-Chi frowned at her daughter as she became upset by her statement. "You mean you WANTED your father hurt, young lady?" She glared at her youngest.
Usagi squirmed at the force of her mother's stare. That was one of the only things that could honestly scare her at that point. Not wanting to make either of her parents mad, she made haste with her reply. "No. Of course not. I really did think that it would help them get along better, but we always have bruises and cuts in spars. I counted on that to help me show you guys what I can do." She nervously smiled in hopes that her mother would lighten up with he glare.
To Usagi's liking, Chi-Chi DID lighten up her glare to a slight frown. "Ok. Just make sure you tell us your full intentions next time. It's not right to mislead people."
Usagi nodded with a sigh of relief. "Sure mom." She turned to her father with a smile. "Now sit still daddy. This won't hurt at all. In fact, it feels really good."
The Professor, sure of what she was up to, turned to his daughter, who was walking to the table with the other girls. He worriedly grabbed her and pulled her up into his lap. They both hoped that nothing too horrible would happen with this.
Usagi concentrated her energy for healing into her hands as she brought them to her father's face. She could sense slight uneasiness arising within him. "Relax, daddy. Don't be nervous." She began to gently run her hands down his face, where the major wounds were.
Goku smiled when he felt the warm glow on him. It created the feeling of sunbathing on a summer day with the wind gently blowing. In other words, it was comforting. He even let out a near silent chuckle when his whole body began to tingle. Soon, the discomfort from his wounds vanished as if they were never there to begin with.
Goku looked up to the smiling face of his daughter when she stopped. "Aww...why'd you have to stop? That felt good." Goku immediately lifted his arm, where he had previously had a giant gash going from wrist to elbow. Oddly enough, it was gone. "Wow." The others began to crowd around the full blooded Saiyan to check out his now completely wound free body, each was in awe.
Usagi giggled as she backed away. "I told you. I've learned the art of Ki healing. I guess you could say I'm a healer now."
The entire crowd was stunned at Usagi's new talent. None of them had seen anything like it. Well, they had never seen it come from anyone but a Namek. It wasn't normal for a Saiyan to have such powers. Bulma walked to Usagi and bent down to look her in the eye. "That was very good Usagi. Where did you learn such a great skill?"
"YOU'RE WHAT?!" Vejita grabbed his wife and threw her aside. He purposely let his rage show. He wanted to build fear inside his next victim.
Bulma jumped back to her feet and slapped her husband in the face. "Vejita! Don't be rude to Usagi! She did nothing!"
Vejita turned to his wife and grabbed her wrist and squeezed it nearly to the point of crushing it. "Don't screw with me woman! This is none of your concern!" He released his grip on her wrist and pushed her down to the ground.
Goku watched Vejita with an evil eye. It was HIS concern if Vejita wanted to try something with his daughter. He would gladly intervene if needed. "Vejita..."
Vejita ignored Goku and reached out to Usagi, grabbing her by the collar with one hand. His other hand was thrown back and ready to release a deadly punch. He knew it would be deadly too, which was why he did it. He was getting ready to kill her for having such a frivolous power. "You've become one of those cursed weaklings that use their power to heal!? Those bastards wanted nothing but peace! I knew you were too cutesy to be a true Saiyan! You must go!" He began to power up his fist to prepare his attack.
Goku walked closer to Vejita and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Vejita don't even think about it!" The only response he got was being kicked in the stomach. "Don't do this!"
Usagi couldn't help but feel fear at that moment as she stared into Vejita's heartless eyes. She had no doubt in her body that Vejita would actually try to kill her, but she knew that her father was close by to stop him, which was the only reason why she didn't let her fear show, much. "Yes! What's the problem with that?!" She squirmed to try to free herself from his grip, but it was no use. He was too strong for her. She couldn't help but look at his power filled fist with fear. 'Oh great. Now it starts. A new fight.'
Professor Tomoe pulled his daughter closer in for a tighter hug. He knew that something like that would have happened if their secret were to get out. He could just imagine Hotaru, his own child, the one up there in Vejita's grasp instead of Usagi, which only sickened him more. "Close your eyes, Hotaru." He put his hand over her eyes and turned her head into his chest so she wouldn't have to watch what was about to happen.
Even Mamoru and his gang had their attention grasped by what was going on. "Hey look, it looks like Odango is finally going to get shown whose boss around here." Mamoru laughed as he stood up with his friends.
Vejita pulled Usagi in closer to his face, which only intimidated her more. He could smell her fear, which only made him want to kill her more. "I'll tell you the problem, we kill them on Vejita. They are worthless beings that should be killed on sight. Just like you will be now. Say good-bye to your kid, Kakorrotto." He gave his fist one last power burst.
Goku couldn't believe it. Vejita was actually going to do it. He was actually going to try and kill an innocent child who did nothing. It was outrageous. In a split second, Goku powered up to Super Saiyan level two. He had to protect Usagi. No more games. He reached out and grabbed Vejita's powered fist just as it was being thrown. He stopped it right in front of his daughter's face, which made both of their hearts race with fear. "Let...Go...Of...MY...Daughter!" He clenched his teeth as he spoke. He glanced over to his sons, who were about to step in as well, but he motioned for them to stay back, so they did.
Frightened out of all her wits, Chi-Chi ran to her daughter, who was still in Vejita's grasp. "Honey? Are you all right?" She turned to Vejita with a frown frightening enough to petrify even Frieza. "You sick bastard!"
Vejita let out a loud growl as he kicked Chi-Chi in the stomach. "Shut up you stupid wh..."
Goku cut off Vejita with a kick to the chest. "Don't EVER touch EITHER of them again!" His eyes told of his severe fury. "Now LET GO!" Vejita snickered as he tightened his grip on Usagi, causing her to close her eyes in pain. Goku responded in kind as he griped Vejita's wrist tighter.
Even Lucky seemed to sense that something was wrong. She had grown to like Usagi over the past week, and now that she saw her in danger, she wanted to help. Strange huh She began barking at Vejita as she ran to him, but Ami knew better than to let the small creature get to him. She knew that Vejita would not hesitate to kill her with a kick. "No, Lucky." As Lucky ran by, Ami reached out and pulled her in so she couldn't get any further.
Bulma ran to Chi-Chi, who was on the ground. "Chi-Chi? Are you all right?"
Chi-Chi coughed as she sat up and looked into Bulma's caring eyes. "I'm fine. That's not the first time I've been hit like that by him." She clenched her fist as she jumped to her feet. "He's not getting away with it. He had better let her go or else..."
Bulma grabbed the ranting Chi-Chi from behind to keep her from going off on Vejita. "Don't do anything rash. You know his temper. Let Goku deal with it. He seems to have everything under control."
At that moment, Trunks, also level two, grabbed his father's other arm and squeezed it as hard as he could. The pain was too much for Vejita, causing him to release the child. "Father, let go of your anger. There is no reason to do this."
Usagi quickly got to her feet and ran to her mother, who gladly welcomed her with a giant hug. Usagi let her mother embrace her as she looked up to her friends and Hotaru, who was still with her father. She slightly raised her power to open a link. 'This could be bad.'
Rei looked down at Hotaru, who had started watching again. 'You got that right. I didn't think that Vejita would react that way. He could have killed you.'
Hearing the two girls secretly speaking to each other, Hotaru decided to get her own thoughts in. 'Usagi, what are we going to do? I'm scared?'
Usagi looked over at Vejita and her father. Both of them were filled with hate for each other. It was apparent. That had to be the first time that she had ever seen her father filled with such hate for a supposed comrade. 'Maybe I can trick him somehow.'
After collecting his thoughts for a while, Vejita let his own anger blind him of common sense. He turned to his son, ready to attack. "Let go or there will be hell to pay."
Without even letting Trunks get in his words of reply, Goku let go of Vejita's wrist and grabbed him by the shirt. He didn't even waste any time lifting him up into the air. "Never, EVER threaten my daughter again, or you'll find yourself dealing with me! Got it?! And as for my wife! Don't mess with her either!"
Vejita pushed away from his rival and responded in kind by grabbing Goku by the shirt. "Now you listen hear...!"
Bra jumped to her father and pushed him away from Goku. "It's a great power, a gift, actually. I wish I had it. Would you kill me then, too daddy? Just because I had the power to heal people?"
Vejita cringed at the sound of his daughter asking if he would kill her. He knew that he wouldn't for the fact that he actually loved her, but he didn't see any relevancy of that to this current situation. "Stand down."
Trunks grabbed his father by the arm and turned him around to look at him. "I remember all the stories that mom told about the Trunks from the future. Mom said that he came from a world of pure destruction and Chaos. Someone with the power to heal would have been more use there than a fighter."
Bra did the same as her brother and turned her father to face her again. "Healers, doctors, creators, they try to make the world a better place. You are a fool for thinking of them as weak just because they choose to create and not destroy."
Chi-Chi looked down to her daughter, who stood in front of her. "Stay here, sweetie." She pulled away from Bulma's grasp and walked to her husband for protection. She didn't want to get too close to him after what he had just pulled with her. "If you ever pull another stunt like this, you're going to have to put up with me for a while." She let her aura swell to a high level.
Usagi disobeyed her mother as she walked closer to Vejita. She still had to make it safe for Hotaru to be revealed. "Healing is a great skill Vejita. Like dad says, don't knock others because of what you can't do."
"If that isn't clear enough for you, VEJITA," Bulma re-approached her husband. "It means, don't hate healers just because they're not you. Don't hate them because you can't do it."
Vejita sneered at his wife. "I didn't need any sass from you."
Usagi inched towards her parents in fear that Vejita may lash out again. His anger was still very obvious. "It takes a lot of energy to heal, Vejita."
Vejita turned to Usagi. "ENOUGH!" He glared at the lot. He hated to admit, but they were somewhat right. "Fine. Keep the little weakling. I won't have anything more to do with her." He angrily turned around and began walking away from the group.
Goku looked down to his daughter with relief. She was once again saved. "Are you all right?"
Usagi nodded. "I'm fine, daddy. Just a little shaken up, but I'll be ok." She looked to her friends and nodded. Her last phase of her plan was about to take place. They all nodded at her to go on. "Does that mean that you won't hurt any healer at all? You won't hurt me or any kids I might have? Do I have your word as the Prince of all Saiyans?"
Goku looked down at his daughter in confusion and lowered his head to be by her ear so he could speak softly to her. "Why are you acting scared all of a sudden?"
Usagi smirked. "I want to make sure."
Vejita smirked when he heard her question him in the manner that she did. He could hear obvious fear in her voice. 'She's afraid for herself. What a weakling. Kakkorotto should be ashamed of such a brat.' "No brat, I won't hurt any of them. Just ignore them as if they didn't exist. Hmmph, you have my word as the Prince of Saiyans." He jumped into the air and flew off without a single word more
Bulma put her hands to her hips as frowned up into the sky. "That Vejita! Always has to screw up a perfectly good day! He never fails! Honestly!"
Usagi grinned as she turned around to face her father. She had done it. She had fooled the 'almighty' prince of Saiyans into thinking that she was sill deathly afraid of him. "Thanks daddy. I was really scared when he started to throw the punch."
Goku chuckled as he wrapped his arm around his daughter's shoulders. "I know. So was I. But it's all over now and we don't have to worry about it anymore."
"The hell we don't! Vejita NEVER keeps his word." Chi-Chi pushed her husband aside and kneeled down in front of her daughter. "Oh my poor baby! Are you all right!?"
Usagi giggled at he mother's reaction. She never failed to freak out over something like that. "I'm ok mom, honest. He didn't touch me. Dad kept him from doing anything bad." She looked up to him again in thanks as he smiled down at her.
Goku looked up to everyone, who seemed to be approaching them. All but the timid Professor and Hotaru. 'There's something up with those two. I just know it.' "Well, Usagi, even though Vejita doesn't like your new skill, I think it's wonderful. Maybe you could even teach it to all of us."
Usagi smiled. 'I knew he'd like it.' "Thanks dad." 'Now Hotaru and her dad will hear all the wonderful things people have to say about it and they'll know they don't have to be afraid to show.' She turned to Bra and Trunks. "Thanks for helping me guys."
Trunks winked down to Usagi. "No problem. I think it's a great gift anyways. I'd love it if you would teach me."
"Me too." Bra added.
Goten pushed his way towards his sister and grabbed her from behind as he rubbed her head. "Great job, kid. That was pretty cool how you healed dad and all. But even greater when you made Vejita mad. I don't remember a time that I've ever seen I'm angrier, well, except for the time Trunks and I set his gravity room on fire, but let's not talk about that."
Usagi once again shot a glance back at Hotaru, who was becoming reassured with the whole situation. 'See? See? I told you they'd like it.'
Hotaru looked up at her father, who was in shock over Usagi. She had purposely put herself in danger to help Hotaru. He looked down at his daughter, who had tears in her eyes that everyone had accepted Usagi's healing power, why not hers too?
Ami walked to Usagi and put her arm around her shoulder. She let Lucky jump into Usagi's arms. "You know, if I was in that situation, I would have gone nuts."
Usagi giggled. "That's because you don't have a really strong dad who can get you out of jams like that. But I'm sure he would have done the same for you, right daddy?" Usagi, as well as Ami, turned to look up at Goku for his answer.
"I wouldn't pass up a chance to help a friend. You both know that."
Usagi smiled. "And neither would I." Usagi raised the puppy to her face, who proceeded to lick it. "Hey Lucky!" To her surprise, she noticed that her father's hand was on the puppy's back, petting it. "WOW! Daddy!"
Goku quickly pulled his hand away from the startled creature. "Oh...uh...that..."
"Well it looks like the little Monkey has once again survived a chance for death." Mamoru walked up from behind Usagi and spoke into her ear. He glared at the growling puppy in her hands. 'Damn dog.' "And I was so hoping that I could watch you take that blow to the face. It would have just made my day."
Piccolo grabbed his son by the back the neck and squeezed, hard. "Shut up!" 'Something has got to be done about this. He's even corrupted the American boys.'
Goku grinned as he got in Mamoru's face. "Mamoru, do be a good boy and do as your father says. Then I won't have to take more drastic measures because I've had it with you always trying to harass Usagi and her friends."
While a new argument seemed to be ending as fast as it started, Professor Tomoe was trying to come to a hard decision. He could tell that everyone that was there at park wasn't upset or threatened or even angry at the fact that there was someone with the power to heal in their presence. He wanted to let them know about Hotaru, but there was still the matter of the Saiyan bit. He didn't want to get into a big explanation about her mother. It would have been too hard remembering her. He sighed as he caught his daughter's eye and nodded his head. "If you want, you can tell the others. But we keep it a secret from Vejita until we know that he can be dealt with." 'It's even worse now that I know he's the prince of Saiyans.'
Hotaru slowly stood up as she nodded with a smile. "Thanks Papa." She quietly made her way to the group of people who had practically known each other their whole lives. She sort of felt like an outsider, even though she knew that these people were her friends, but they had such histories together. She hoped that her revealing herself wouldn't cause any trouble. She stopped short of running into Piccolo and Yamcha. "I have something to say." She said in a small voice that could barely be heard over the loud conversing of the friends.
Piccolo was the only one who had heard the small child. He turned around and looked down at her. Her eyes were filled with anxiety. He wondered what could have made the child so nervous. "Yes, Hotaru?"
Hotaru looked up to what looked like a Giant. "Is it all right if I say something, Sir?"
Piccolo smiled. 'Such respect for a kid her age.' "Sure." He bent down and picked up her, placing her back down in the center of the group. "Do your thing, Hotaru." He could hear the footsteps of her father behind him, letting him know that this had to be something big.
Hotaru gulped as she looked around to each and everyone one of her friends' faces when the group became quiet. She was happy at the facial encouragement she was getting from all five of them. She let her gaze turn up to the suspecting face of Goku and knew at that moment that he knew something was up. 'Better now or never.' "Uh..." 'Where do I start?'
'How about the beginning?'
Startled, Hotaru looked up to Makoto, who was smiling at her. 'How did the link open up without me trying?' Nothing came from Makoto again. Not even a single power level was raised to have the link opened in the first place. 'Weird.' "If I tell you this, will you promise not to ever tell anyone else?"
At that moment, both Piccolo and Goku locked eyes. Both knew that this was major. Goku had known this was coming, he just didn't know when or what it was. "I think we all pretty much promise." He looked around to the agreeing group.
Everyone but the Rat Pack agreed. Haruka glared down at the youngest of the group. "That little brat? Why should we promise to do anything for her?" A well placed smack was put across Haruka's face by no one other than her trainer, Piccolo. "Hey!"
"Father don't you think..."
Piccolo laid a nice smack across his son's face as well. "Don't even think about trying to ruin this for her. Now promise."
Yamcha crossed his arms in disgust. "All of you." He evilly eyed all of his students until they agreed.
Hotaru gulped as she looked around the group for the last time as a 'human'. "I uh..." She lifted her skirt part way and began to unwrap her hidden tail from her waist.
Goku smirked. 'I knew it had to be something like that. That's the only explanation for it all. Her amount of power, her fast progress. Everything. But I want to know how it could be.'
Bulma screeched almost at the top of her lungs. "YOU'RE A SAIYAN!?" She bent down to get a better look at the tail and sure enough, it was real. Just like the one Usagi had and just like the one she had found on Goku when they had first met. "Oh...my...god..."
Piccolo took one look at the child and then looked up to Goku. They looked at each other as if they knew what each other were thinking. They nodded in agreement to not pursue any type of serious questioning.
Hotaru timidly responded to the gasps that were taking place throughout the group. "I'm Half Saiyan like Usagi. My mom was full Saiyan, and like her I'm also a healer. I taught Usagi how to use the power. I knew from my Mother that healers were hated, and thought when Usagi found out I'd have to leave everything behind again. But she accepted me, and even let me train her. Then she even put herself in danger to try and help. But we can't show anyone else till Vejita..."
From behind, a harsh voice filled the air. A voice, which was filled with pleasure at the thought of what would happen next. "Vejita knows."
Horror and terror entered her Violet eyes as her worse nightmare appeared. "Daddy!" She nearly toppled over her own feet when her father grabbed her from behind and pulled her close to him.
Vejita smirked as he made his way towards the new Saiyan. He couldn't wait to dig into her. She was a true healer, he knew that he had felt something familiar about her but he couldn't put his finger on it. It had been so many years since he had felt the energy of a healer and now that he had, he was much more disgusted. Just looking at he sickened him. "Imagine that, trying to hide your flaw from me."
Bulma ran to her husband and latched onto his arm to try and stop him. He just dragged her along with him as he approached Hotaru and her father. His aura was fierce and full of the want to kill. "It's not a flaw, Vejita! Now leave her alone!"
Vejita lifted his arm and hurled his wife into the air to be caught by their son. "Shut up, woman!" He continued to near the girl and her father when all of sudden found his path was blocked by a Super Saiyan by the name of Usagi. Vejita narrowed his glare down at the youngster. "You set yourself up. You made a test so you could protect her. You put yourself in extreme danger. Weakling. That's what a weakling would do. You would rather save the life of one than the life of many."
Usagi held her ground as Vejita walked closer. "I had to make sure that I had your word as the Saiyan prince that you wouldn't hurt her. You said that you wouldn't hurt any healers."
Vejita smirked. "I thought I told you I'd just ignore healers. I meant what I said, but Vejita law demands that I kill any true Healers, and not just healers who learned to use the power. The only way for it to be changed is if two with royal blood," He turned to look at his children, "Were to demand the change. Until that happens, your friend is a goner."
Bulma watched and listened to her husband in awe. She couldn't believe what he had just done. He had actually stood by his word. He was actually going to keep up with not hurting Hotaru and any other healer around.
Trunks oddly looked at his father. At first, he hadn't realized what he was trying to do, but after a few seconds he finally figured it out. He was trying to keep his word. "I officially request that the law be changed. Healers will not be exiled or killed and that they be given the same rights as and Saiyan."
Bra stepped forward to join her brother. She couldn't have been more proud that he was sticking with his word. "I second my brother's request."
Usagi blinked a few times in confusion. She hadn't totally grasped the reason why Vejita just gave away how to change the law like that. He had wanted to kill Hotaru just a moment ago and now it seemed like he WANTED the law to change. "Uh...Vejita?"
Vejita grinned down at the flabbergasted girl. "I, Prince Vejita here by make into law the request of Prince Trunks and Princess Bra. So it will be."
He looked down to the girl in front of him, who still didn't totally understand what had just happened. "Hmmph. You've earned my respect brat." He turned to Hotaru and her father, who were a little more than just grateful for what he had just done. "You and your mother are now acknowledged Saiyans."
Professor Tomoe let go of his daughter and walked to Vejita with a grand smile. "Thank you sir, you don't know what this means to us." He extended his hand out to Vejita for thanks.
Vejita snickered as he looked down at Professor Tomoe's hand. "Don't make me laugh. I never said I liked any of you people." He turned to look around the group. "You all make me sick." He let his eyes freeze on Goku. "And you're the worst of them all, Kakkorotto! You and your stupid brats."
Usagi began to realize what had just happened when Vejita returned to his normal ranting about her father. She didn't know exactly WHY he had done it, but she knew that he had let Hotaru off the hook. "Thanks you Prince Vejita."
Vejita widened his eyes at what she just called him. Never in his life had a Saiyan from earth call him PRINCE. It brought back Memories that was for sure. He only gave a small nod in reply and began to turn.
Usagi giggled as she threw herself onto Vejita from behind. "Now if you marry me you can be my Prince Charming for all time."
"Rotten Brat." He growled under his breath, but with a chuckle in his tone. He pulled away from Usagi and flew into the air again, hopefully for the last time if they were lucky.
"I'll be waiting when you finally come to your senses, Vejita." Usagi laughed as she turned around to her group of extended family and friends as they crowded around Hotaru, the newest installment of the Saiyans from earth. She turned to her friends, who stood by her side. "I think Vejita is turning into an old softy."
Rei giggled as she looked up into the air. "Yeah. It's about time. How old is he now?"
Ami nervously looked at the laughing group of her friends. "You think he's soft? After how he just tired to kill Usagi? Are you guys nuts?!" Well that pretty much stopped her friends from their laughter.
~*~*~
Goku stared down at Hotaru, who was being bombarded by questions. There was one that stuck out in his mind though and he couldn't resist the chance to ask it. "Wow, I didn't know that there were anymore Saiyans alive. Whose your mom?" That little comment heard him a nice slap in the back of the head. "Hey! What was that for?"
Hearing about her mother again only made Hotaru's lips quiver with the pain of the past. She had dealt with it when she was telling Usagi, but she wasn't sure if she could handle it again. She backed into her father without saying a single word to Goku.
Professor Tomoe decided to sum it up for the group so the questions wouldn't keep rising over and over, creating more heartache for the both of them. "We're sorry that we were going to try to hide this from you. It's just that, we've had horrible experiences in the past with others when we told of Hotaru and her mother's uniqueness. We've been trying to hide it ever since she was born, but it always comes up sooner or later."
Chi-Chi took the initiative within the group and kneeled down to so she could be at Hotaru's level. "Don't worry Hotaru, you're safe with this group. They may be a bunch of bozo's, but they also care and look after each other."
Of course, Bulma was the next to say a few words of reassurance. "Hotaru, don't worry about Vejita. He did that so he could keep his promise. I think he's actually going to live with it too. He can't change the rules."
Hotaru smiled. "Thanks Bulma, everyone. Thanks for understanding."
The Professor watched as his daughter was accepted throughout the group. After all the years that had gone by they had finally founded a group where they were accepted and ironically, it was with Saiyans. The exact people that they feared for so long. He grabbed his daughter by the shoulders and pulled her closer to him so he could speak to her. "Honey, now that this is out in the open and Vejita is no longer a worry, you don't have to hide your tail anymore."
Hotaru's eyes went wide at the though. For so long she had hated hiding her tail for fear of discovery. But now was her chance to stop hiding and just get on with life, they way it should have been without all the secrets and hiding. She knew that there would still be some hate towards her, but she knew her family and friends would be able to help her through the hard times just as they had helped Usagi. Hotaru reacted in the only way that she knew how to. She threw her arms around her father and squealed with joy. "Thank you, thank you, thank you daddy!"
Mamoru walked up from behind Usagi and smirked down at her. "Humph, Odango. Looks like another tail to watch out for."
Minako jabbed Usagi in the side. "Come on. Show him what you're made of."
Usagi smirked as she lifted up her tail and shoved it in his nose. "Hey Mamoru, you mean a tail like this?" She rubbed it under his nose, causing in him to sneeze.
Just before he was about to reach out and grabbed the annoyance, Usagi pulled it away and let it sit on the ground, right next to his feet. 'What a dumbass.' He laughed as he lifted his foot and 'accidentally' slammed it right back down on Usagi's tail.
Makoto turned to the action and nearly laughed up a lung when she saw Usagi's tail latch on to Mamoru, who wasn't sure what was happening. "Oh Usagi! Come on, do it! Lift him up! This is great!"
Mamoru tried to free his leg from Usagi's...tail's grip. "Hey you little brat! What the hell are you doing?"
Haruka walked to the duo in disgust. "What's wrong, Mamoru? Can't get away from a stupid tail?" She lifted up her foot and kicked Usagi's tail. To her surprise, Usagi didn't respond at all. "Hey, what's going on here?"
Rei snickered. "Wouldn't you like to know."
Usagi giggled as she lifted Mamoru up off the ground, letting him hang upside down. "Why Mamoru, if I didn't know better, I'd think you purposely stepped on my tail."
Ami laughed as she walked to Mamoru and looked him in the eye. "You know, you've been trying so hard to beat Usagi all these years. Ever since I met any of you guys you have been fighting. And every time you fight, Usagi wins. You almost won last week because of her tail flaw, but now that she doesn't have that weakness..." She couldn't even get through her sentence without breaking out in laughter.
Mamoru sneered at Ami as she walked away. He didn't even dignify her laughter with a reply. Instead, he moved on to more important things. "Put me down you good for nothing MONKEY!"
Goku perked his head in interest in what was going on not too far from the main group. He knew that his daughter was going to react harshly to that. He was prepared to let Usagi do whatever she was planning, too, unless it meant hurting him too much. But he had faith that she wouldn't do something too awful. Monkey was one of the worst things possible to call Usagi and they all knew it, especially Mamoru. 'How did her tail get so strong?'
Usagi impishly smiled down at Mamoru. "Hey Mamoru have you ever seen the American show 'The Flintstones'?"
"What the hell are you talking about, Odango?"
Usagi giggled as she began smashing Mamoru up and down on the pavement. "BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!" With every 'BAM', Mamoru found himself being smashed into the ground.
Hearing the commotion and the laughter of children, Chi-Chi cocked her head in the direction that she heard the sound coming from. "USAGI!" She looked up to Goku, who seemed to be getting a kick out of Usagi's antics. "You're no better than her." She gave him a slap across the face and ran to her daughter. "Usagi! Stop it!" She reached out and grabbed Usagi by the arm. "Stop it!"
Usagi cringed when she heard and felt her mother. 'Whoops.' She gently lowered Mamoru to the ground and released her grip on him. "Sorry, mom."
Chi-Chi glared at her daughter with the evil eye. "Don't ever let me catch you doing anything like that again. You're acting just like him when you do that."
Usagi dropped her head a ways. "Sorry." She could hear the Rat Pack laughing at her from behind. 'I hate this. Why does she have to embarrass me in front of them?'
Usagi let out a quick sigh of relief when her mother turned to walk away. "Don't laugh at me, guys."
Makoto punched Mamoru in the chest when he didn't stop. "Have some respect!"
Usagi turned around to Mamoru once again. "That's what you get for stepping on my tail. Don't try it again."
~*~*~
Piccolo pulled Yamcha aside from the group. There were still some things that the two needed to converse. Things that had been riding on his mind ever since he witnessed Mamoru's behavior at the tournament. He had never seen him act with such hate. He had been trying over the past three years to change Mamoru, but nothing seemed to be working. He only seemed to be getting worse and he was dragging the young Americans down with him. "Yamcha..."
Yamcha didn't need to hear a single word more before he knew what this was about. He could hear it in the concerned tone that Piccolo was using. "I know. We have a problem. The kids just aren't getting along and they only get worse with age."
Piccolo nodded as he looked over to his son, who seemed to be pouting over what Usagi had just done to him. "No matter what I tell him, he just doesn't listen. He needs to learn to fight with honor, like Goku and his kids. He needs to learn to respect people. Most of all, Usagi. He's given her the worst treatment of all and I can't help but feel responsible for that."
Yamcha glared at his students as they picked up Michiru and threw her into a nearby pool. "Michiru is changing. She's maturing and the kids sense it."
"You're right."
"What do you think we should do about them? How can we get them to learn to respect others."
"Well it's already obvious that they aren't going to learn it from us or any other adult for that matter. The just don't care. They're going to have to learn it the hard way."
Yamcha raised a brow in interest. "The 'hard way'?"
Piccolo nodded. "From the most forgiving person I know. They're going to have to learn it from the most forgiving person or else they aren't ever going to learn it because no one in their right minds will take them in without disciplining them to death like we have."
(Ok, there you have it, yet another boring part from me, ne. Well what did you think? Good or bad? See ya later. Ja! )