Chapter Twenty-Five

Goten and Bra landed at his mother's house as quietly as they could. They had thus far escaped the very watchful eyes of Chichi and hoped to keep it that way.

He used his newly acquired skills to open his bedroom window and slink into his room soundlessly. A perfect gentlemen, as always, he turned and helped Bra through it since her red miniskirt didn't allow her too much freedom of movement. Not that Goten was complaining as he lifted her over the ledge.

"SON GOTEN!"

The couple froze in mid-motion.

Chichi flicked on the light, furious that her youngest son was sneaking in through the window. What kind of juvenile delinquent did she raise? And-

"Mom," Goten quickly set down Bra to plead with his mother

"You brought a GIRL into your ROOM?!" Chichi placed a hand over her heart when she recognized Goten's lady friend. "Bra! You snuck Bra into your room-."

"Mom," Goten tried catch his mother's attention, "It's not what it looks like. She's just here to help me move out."

"-of all the outrageous . . . " Chichi trailed off as the meaning of her son's words hit her. "What do you mean your moving out? Where would you live?"

Goten looked to Bra for help. She crossed her arms and lifted an eyebrow in challenge. Make a decision Goten, he could almost hear the dangerous edge to her voice.

"I am going to move into the city-"

Chichi gasped.

"-with Bra."

Chichi swayed dangerously on her feet as black appeared on the edges of her vision.

"Mom!"

Goten caught her before she hit the ground.

Trunks landed at his home with Maron right behind him. He had been disappointed when she reminded him that she could fly under her own power. That's all right, he shrugged, there will be plenty of time to hold her in my arms later.

"Trunks!"

He turned and caught his mother as she leaped into his arms. Now, if only he could figure out a way to make Maron do that . . .

Bulma hugged her only son enthusiastically before turning to do the same to Maron.

The blond stiffened a bit at the bizarre, at least to her standards, display of affections. They were only going to have dinner. Why was she so happy?

"Dad knows Maron's eating with us, right?" Trunks inquired hopefully.

"Of course, he does, honey." Bulma beamed at him, "I must say, Trunks, you have excellent taste."

Maron was just confused when Bulma hugged her son for a second time. What was going on? Bulma was acting like someone was getting married or something.

"Well, come on kids," Bulma motioned for them to follow her into the house. "We don't want to keep Mr. High and Mighty waiting."

"Who?" Maron inquired softly.

"Dad," Trunks answer her just as soft. "Whatever happens, Maron, remember he would never actually harm you."

"What?" Maron didn't have time to be shocked as she was yanked to the side by his mother.

"Trunks," Bulma smiled sweetly, "Go on and tell your father we'll be there in a minute. Maron and I need to have a little talk."

Trunks nodded his assent and continued without them.

Suddenly nervous though unsure why, Maron watched him disappear and with him, all sense of security.

"So . . .Maron," Bulma gave her a grin, "Do you like to shop?"

"Yes, when I have the money," Maron flicked her hair back in a nervous gesture, "Why?"

"No reason," Bulma linked arms with her, "Just curious."

"Um, ok."

"Do you know you're the only girl Trunks has ever brought home for dinner?"

"No, I didn't."

Maron almost flinched as the doors closed behind them like ominous bells of doom. Relax, she ordered herself as she walked in the dinning area, you've eaten here before.

"The daughter of an android," Vegeta was leaning against the far wall with his arms and ankles crossed. "I see you favor your mother."

"So I've been told," Maron agreed pleasantly.

She barely managed not to flinch when he materialized right in front of her and took a hold of her left arm.

"Do you know she broke my left arm in battle?" His eyes bore into hers with frightening intensity all the while his hands were bending her arm in it's natural direction.

Her mouth dry, she shook her head though her eyes never wavered.

"Your eyes show no fear," his grip tightened ever so slightly, "That's interesting, since you know exactly what I am capable of doing."

Maron said nothing.

"Why aren't you afraid?" He released her to cross his arms.

"Trunks told me not to be."

Vegeta smiled at her and nodded before moving to his chair at the table. "You trust him, that is good."

Maron sent a questioning glance at Trunks who just smiled at her and pulled out a chair.

"Wait."

Everyone froze at the sudden order from Vegeta.

"Where's Bra?"

No one could answer him.

"Trunks?"

"I haven't seen her since work." He managed to hide his wince extremely well since it was his unofficial duty to make sure his sister made it home safely.

Bulma planted a hand on her hip, "You know Bra, Vegeta, she's probably in her room writing again."

"Hn," he swept from the room.

"Vegeta? Vegeta, where are you going?" Bulma followed him, with Trunks and Maron.

"Bra should be present during this important event."

Maron grabbed Trunks' arm to stop him. She had had enough of all this cryptic messages, she wanted answers and she wanted them now!

"Trunks, what does he mean 'important event'? Why was he trying to scare me? And-"

A startled gasp interrupted her words and they dashed the rest of the way to Bra's room.

"Where is her stuff?" Bulma's slightly panicked voice was heard asking. "Who could have done this?"

"She didn't," Vegeta glared at the stripped bed and threw open the closet doors. There was only a couple of empty hangers, swinging idly.

"She's gone."

"But where is she, Vegeta?" Bulma demanded.

Vegeta and Trunks sent out a probing ki.

"She's at-"

"Kakarot's." Vegeta moved to the window, "Continue dinner without me."

"Where are you going?"

"To get Bra," a grim expression settled on the saiyan's face, "or find out what's going on."

Then he was gone.

"Why would she be at Goku's?" Bulma tilted her head to the side, all worry gone.

"She would have to ruin my moment." Trunks sighed and guided both women out of the room.

Maron gave him an odd look but said nothing for the moment. Things would become clear soon enough.

Bra had her arms crossed as she watched Goten try to explain what happened to both his father and Grandpa Bardock. So far, it was a jumbled mess, with Goku trying to revive his wife and Bardock interrupting every five seconds. It didn't help that Goten had suddenly developed a stutter.

Not one to stand idle for long, Bra stepped forward and took charge.

"Look, this is what happened. We were sneaking into his room to get the rest of his stuff. He is moving in with me."

Chichi came to and burst into tears.

"Chichi, what's wrong?" Goku pleaded with his wife.

"Where did I go wrong? My youngest son is going to be living in sin!"

Goku patted her shoulder awkwardly, "Chichi, I am sure . . . um . . ."

He glanced at his son for help.

Goten snuck a look at Bra and she just shrugged, though a mischievous sparkle had entered her eyes.

"What does Prince Vegeta say about this?" Bardock asked hesitantly, his mind was reeling. His grandson was going to live with . . . wow . . . Just when he thought this world couldn't be any more . . . wow. . .

"I have claimed adult rights," Bra answered curtly.

"I see," Bardock's brows shot up into his hairline, "He doesn't know."

"He doesn't know what?"

Everyone in the stiffened and dread was tangible in the air as they turned to the still open window to find Vegeta sitting on the ledge.

"Daddy," all of the cocky energy drained from her under his scrutiny.

"Prince Vegeta," Bardock bowed before he could help himself.

"Bardock, I thought we've been through this," Vegeta moved to the older saiyan, "I will not have you bowing to me. You are not my subordinate."

"It is difficult to break traditions," Bardock replied by way of apology.

"Hn, so what is going on here?" Vegeta turned his gaze to his only daughter.

"I claimed adult rights, Daddy," Bra straightened her spine resolutely.

"So I gathered when I discovered all the things in your room were gone. You could have mentioned this to me or your mother before you left."

Bra's eyes went to the floor before zooming right back to her father's, "I thought it best to leave as I did."

"Tell him the rest, Bra," Chichi stood up, tears still pricking her eyes. "Tell him about Goten."

"Goten?" Vegeta eyed the fidgeting youth suspiciously.

"She is corrupting my poor innocent Goten-"

"Chichi-" Goku tried in vain to stop her.

"-She wants him to move in with her!"

"-don't!" In a desperate act he placed a hand over her mouth but the damage was already done.

"She wants to what?" Vegeta all but seethed as he turned to his daughter. "You lied to me, you said you hated him."

"I did," Bra managed to stand her ground, "At the time. Things change."

"Before or after the date?" He demanded.

"You told him?" Goten gasped, and then wished he hadn't when the glare turned his way.

"You've been dating her?!" Chichi was scandalized into another faint. Goku caught her and placed her on Goten's bed.

Bardock stepped between his daughter-in-law and his prince. "I am sure she didn't mean it quite that way. Bra is an adult-"

"I know what she is," Vegeta narrowed his eyes as he changed targets, "I want to know for how long this has been going on."

Goten swallowed nervously, "It started when Pan accepted Zarah's claim."

Vegeta quickly did the calculations in his head and wasn't pleased. This had been going on behind his back for weeks! "You should have had the honor to come to me for permission."

"I wanted to-" Goten tried to explain.

"I thought it was best to-" Bra interrupted only to be cut off.

"So I concluded," Vegeta snarled in her face, "I might have expected this from your brother but you, never you Bra."

Bra didn't tremble in the face of her father's anger though she wanted to, and she was not going to submit to his will. To show regret or shame would be to undo everything she had done, it would mean she was still under his rule and she refused to be.

Goten reached out and hooked the back of Bra's shirt and pulled her to him. With a surprisingly serious demeanor he met Vegeta's furious gaze. "That's enough, she shouldn't have left like she did but, um . . ."

He trailed off a bit when Vegeta's glare intensified.

Vegeta stomped his way to Goten with his fists clenched, only to have Goku flank his son.

"Now Vegeta-"

Vegeta's fist stopped Goku's protest in it's tracks. Chichi gasped as her husband was sent flying across the room and almost through the wall.

"Goku!" She rushed to his side.

Goku sat up with a hand pressed to his cheek, "Why did you hit me? He's the one moving in with your daughter."

"Yes, but he's your son!" Vegeta crossed his arms. "He's infected by all your defective genes."

"My genes are defective?" Bardock raised a brow.

"Hn." Vegeta's brow lowered but he said nothing as he made his way to the window. He paused in the action of climbing out of the window to glance back at Bra, remarkably calm now. "Trunks has brought Maron for dinner. She's been approved by everyone but you."

Bra was touched that he still included her in this family matter, "I'll be there in a minute."

"You might as well bring Goten," Vegeta nodded at the youth but then narrowed his eyes at Goku, "Leave Kakarot."

Then he was gone.

Bra laughed delighted and hugged Goten.

Bardock shook his head at the display as he helped his son to his feet. "What was that about?"

"That's just Vegeta," Goku shrugged.

"What happened?" Chichi put a hand to her head.

"My daddy approves of Goten!" Bra squealed with happiness.

"Well, I don't approve of you!" Chichi recovered in a flash.

Bardock was shocked speechless. Why wouldn't she approve of the Princess of all Saiyans? The insult . . .

"Chichi-" Goku tried to reason.

"I will not tolerate my son living in sin!" Chichi stomped up to Bra, "I don't care who you are! I don't care if you're the only daughter of Bulma Briefs and probably heir to half of Capsule Corporation . . . I mean, you're going to marry Goten, right?"

Bardock fell to the bed in shock.

Bra glanced at Goten and then shrugged, "I don't care, if he wants to, I guess."

Chichi zoomed in on Goten, making him gulp.

"Sure, Mom, as soon as we can get it arranged."

"Good, now that's settled, don't you have a dinner to get to?" Chichi shooed them away. "Don't worry, I'll finish packing for you. You can pick up your bags on your way home."

"Um, ok," the couple nodded and left before anything else could happen.

Goku just laughed and scratched the back of his head, "You're one of a kind, Chichi."

"I'll say," Bardock cleared his throat, "You know, she reminds me of your mother sometimes."

"Really?" Goku grinned.

Chichi ignored the men as she packed, and sighed with delight. Her youngest son was finally going to marry and he was going to marry one of the most richest women in the world. Life was good.

End Of Chapter Twenty-Five

AN: This is the last chapter but stay tuned for the epilogue, I should have it posted in the next couple of days. Along with a preview for the final sequel. You didn't think I was going to leave Sasoli all by her lonesome, did you? But for now, I am going to sleep. Yawn Goodnight. Michelle