A sweet surprise

by Trugeta

[Complete] Videl is pregnant, and the usual problems arise. The biggest problem being a moodswing driven Videl. Add to it a Kami up to pranks and you get a glimpse on what awaits Gohan...

37. Surprising honour

Title: A sweet surprise

Author name: Trugeta

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Akira Toriyama and Funimation. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Note further that I don't own any of the trademarks mentioned in this chapter.

This story focuses on Gohan and Videl, and is set after the Majin Buu Saga. It's and AU, and Reviews are welcome and appreciated.

Author's Note:

Chapter 37: Surprising honour

Last time...

And with a VIZ, he had teleported away.
"Some things never change." Videl snorted, while massaging her more prominent belly. Gohan was standing behind his wife, massaging her shoulders.
"I hope they never do, luv."

What followed then after Goku had returned was another patented Z-Fighter BBQ to which the Saiyans naturally also invited their fellow Z-Fighters. They spent the evening joking, talking, eating, drinking, and making plans for training. All in all, a perfectly normal day in a Z-Fighters life.

Now the continuation...

After the impromptu barbecue everyone had returned to their respective houses. The Z-Gang was quite glad that they had now another Super Saiyan Three in their midst, and Vegeta could not wait to test out the new powers of his.

Goku had warned him that it was likely that he could not maintain his SSJ3 powers for a long time at first, but they would push him to the upper limits the Super Saiyan Three offered in no time. Gauging from the smirk on Vegeta's face one could say that the Saiyan Prince was very much looking forward to it.

Thus the next training session had been appointed early next day, again at Gohan's house. Vegeta had suggested that they use the holographic models of Cell and Frieza for some 'trainings purpose', and all had understood that the Prince of all Saiyans was looking forward to beat the crap out of Cell. Again.

He had not admitted it, but it had been a lot of fun to pummel the bio-mechanical Android, even if it had been 'only' a holographic version of the hated being. It had done good to deal out all that he had wanted to this abomination. And although he had not said it out loud, Vegeta knew that his comrades knew. In the past it would have frustrated him greatly to know that the others knew what made him tick, but nowadays it was a different story.

Due to the plan they had cooked up and due to the fact that they had managed to pull it off without him suspecting even the slightest Vegeta's respect for the Sons' had even grown. And already a very concrete plan began to form in the Saiyan Princes' mind how to reward the Son Saiyans. It was after all not every day that friends of yours (yes, Vegeta regarded the Son Saiyans as friends, not only allys) managed to fulfil one of your greatest wishes.

Sure, Vegeta could have used the dragonballs to wish for more power, but that was not the way of a Saiyan. Immortality, okay (although he had given up on that one ever since he had fallen for Bulma), but wishing for more power was just so... un-Saiyanish. A Saiyan grew more powerful through training, and, as had been proven, through the need for more power. Not through petty wishes. Period.

Thus the Prince of all Saiyans was very grateful for what the Son Saiyans had done for him and that they had done it anyway despite the reaction they thought they would provoke through their actions.

Lying in his bed with Bulma fast asleep in his arms after his 'revenge' this reverie passed through Vegeta's mind, and a smirk crept on Vegeta's face as he recalled how it had felt, consciously felt, to be a Super Saiyan Three. Before he had been too caught up in his single goal to reach his mate to notice the changes, but when Gohan had pointed out to him 'Examine yourself, and you have your answer' he had been downright shocked at the amount of power he had now at his command.

A power worthy of the Prince of all Saiyans. And he would increase this power. For the sake of Bulma, Trunks and his little Princess. And even for the sake of the Z-Gang and Earth.

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Meanwhile another Saiyan was also lying awake in bed, his mate also sound asleep. Yes, Gohan was very satisfied with how the plan had worked out. Privately, he had to admit that he would never have dared to think that everything would go so well, but it had. No broken jaw, no man-shaped holes or anything, which had been downright surprising.

But it seemed that he (and the others too) had obviously underestimated just how much Vegeta had changed. He had been downright shocked when Vegeta had thanked him. Thanked him of all things! Honestly, he had Vegeta expected to punch him through the next wall and then blast him for good measure.

'Hmm, that's something he would have done before Buu. Something must have changed him massively, and I suspect it was something in the Afterlife. But I guess we'll never know...' Gohan mused.

Beside him Videl rolled to the other side, now facing him in her sleep. A sight which made Gohan smile. She was so beautiful when she was asleep, so innocent and young. He was more than glad that her morning sickness had finally stopped, for it had been very difficult for him to see her suffer. And partly because of him.

But that was something he soon had stopped to think, as this pregnancy was something they both were very glad off. Their financial future was assured, more than that in fact, everything was okay with the baby, as regularly done check-ups proved, and soon Videl would give birth to their daughter Pan. Their first and hopefully not only child.

And Gohan was both awaiting the birth eagerly as well as dreading it. He was still unsure how he should handle something so frail and sensitive as a baby, once Pan was born. Even if his mother and Bulma had assured him that babies were quite robust, he would believe it when he saw it.

With that thought Gohan closed his eyes in order to get some sleep, and within seconds he was asleep again.

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Some miles away, yet another Saiyan was lying awake beside his wife. He, like his son, was hanging on to his own thoughts about this memorable day.

'I would never have guessed that you would let us off the hook so easily, Vegeta. But I guess we have once again underestimated your character, eh? Heh, that's gonna be some interesting spars in the future...'

This day had made it very clear again to Goku just how much Vegeta had changed from the cold-blooded Saiyan Prince he had once been to the man he had become now. Sure, he had been a valuable ally ever since the happenings regarding Frieza, but he regarded the Vegeta of nowadays as a friend. And if he was not very much mistaken that was vice versa. Yeah, the future of the Z-Gang looked good, now they had only to assure that they all kept on training.

But what with that fabulous GR his son had thought up Goku had no doubt that they would. He sighed as he thought that most people seemed to think that everything would right itself by itself. The common thinking seemed to be 'Someone else will take care of that, so why bother?', something that irritated the Son Saiyan deeply. After all, he would not always be there to protect Earth and its people, and neither would Vegeta. Or their kids, for that matter.

Sure, Saiyans had a long life-span, but they were not immortal. No, the best he and Vegeta could do was to assure that their kids and the kids of their kids were as good prepared as was possible. Thank Kami the members of the Z-Gang seemed to have caught on to the fact that evil could not be eradicated. It would spawn again in one form or the other, and as the past had shown, each incarnation would be more powerful and deadly.

The commonly accepted thinking that the periods of peace would last forever could not have been more wrong. It was nothing more than a brief period of quiet before the storm, a breather, so to speak. It made Goku very glad that both Gohan and Vegeta were now Super Saiyan Threes, and his son an exceptionally strong one at that. Even stronger than he was, he had to admit privately. But it was something that made him proud.

And knowing his son, of whose decision to walk his chosen path of a warrior he had been prouder than he could have expressed in words, Gohan would make sure that his daughter would be strong too. And he himself would help them in any way possible.

Speaking of strength, as well Goku as Vegeta had noticed that their sons were fairing very well in training, and if they kept up their pace they soon would need a little set-up too. Now that they knew how it had to be done it should be easy to do something about it once the time was right.

It made Goku as well Vegeta proud that their sons were not satisfied with their strength as Gotenks, but that they pushed themselves to their limits every time in training. They had fast understood how much of a disadvantage it would be in a fight if they suddenly defused and had nothing more at bay than their Super Saiyan Level One strength.

Goku nodded to himself, contended.

'I could not be more proud of my kids. Both are strong fighters, strong in body and mind. That is how I would have wished the Saiyan race to be. Strong and proud on the one hand, but also caring and loving on the other. Not the corrupted caricatures Frieza's reign created. But alas, it seems fate has decided in that matter.'

Shaking those thoughts off Goku looked at his sleeping mate. A sight that made him smile. Even in her sleep she was radiating a strength that was uncommon for human females. That and her fierce determination to make the best of her life had been what had made him fall for her.

He had been so glad when his son had found his life mate in Videl, and he had been surprised at first at how much Videl was similar to his own wife when he had seen her for the first time. Proud, determined and strong.

It seemed that Saiyan males always fell for females that could maintain a leash on them if necessary, but that was not surprising in the least. Saiyans always seeked the strongest individuals, in battle as well as in the search for mates.

Goku smiled as he watched his wife in her sleep, and in a gesture of affection he put a lose strand of her hair behind her ear before adjusting her blanket. Then he went back to sleep himself, looking forward to the training in the morning.

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The next day arrived with sunshine, and after a Saiyan-fit breakfast Goku headed with Goten as well as Vegeta with Trunks towards Gohan's house. Goku had chosen to fly instead of teleporting, just to enjoy the breeze on his face and let his thoughts wander a bit.

Something his youngest son obviously approved off, as he spent his time joking around, at one time imitating a bird, then spiralling downwards at a fast pace. Smiling to himself he continued the flight, and some minutes later they arrived at his oldest sons' house, incidentally at the same time as Vegeta and Trunks.

"Morning, Kakkarott." Vegeta, still in Super Saiyan Three mode, stated.

Goku grinned.

"Morning to you too, Vegeta. Already training, I see."

Vegeta nodded with a smirk, while Trunks and Goten exchanged a high-five as greeting. Seconds later Gohan, already clad in his trainings outfit, opened the door.

"Morning all. Come right in and we can start." he said and led them in.

They all gave their regards to Videl, who was sitting in her favourite chair (the rocking chair), before going down to the GR. As everyone was already clad in their trainings outfits, training could start at once.

However, much to everyone's surprise, the Prince of all Saiyans had other plans.

"Kakkarot, before we begin, I have something to announce."

Quite surprised at the fact that Vegeta did not want to go into training immediately Goku nodded.

"Sure, go ahead, Vegeta."

What Vegeta had to say now was one of the most difficult things he had ever had to say. It had taken some time and a lot of internal struggle and battle, but finally he had to admit to himself that this was the right thing to do. It had been done in former times in the Saiyan Empire, to those who had earned themselves this honour, and finally Vegeta had had to admit to himself that those Saiyans, who were now standing in front of him, had.

It had become clear to him for the first time when Gohan had shown his true colours, that they were anything but Third Class warriors. He and his father (and younger brother to some extent) had proven time and time again that they were exceptionally strong warriors who could rival (or even better) him, the Prince of all Saiyans.

The honour Vegeta was about to heave on the Son Saiyans had been earned by them through their power and their deeds. They had proven time and time again that they were honourable warriors, passionate in battle and with the hearts of warriors who had sworn to protect their homeworld and their mates (minus Goten in these regards, who would have protested to be brought into the same sentence with girls).

When he had come to the conclusion that he would reward Gohan this way, he had had to admit to himself that Kakkarott had earned this honour too. The image the Saiyan Prince had had of Kakkarott had gradually changed over the years from bitter enmity to rivalry and then to something resembling friendship. Vegeta would never say it out loud, but he would trust Kakkarott with his life.

The Saiyan Prince looked at the three Son Saiyans, who were watching him expectantly.

"Kakkarott, Gohan, Goten, I take you have all heard of the Saiyan Elites." the Saiyan Prince began, and the three nodded. "As you know, Kakkarott, your brother Radditz was a Saiyan Elite. It was, at least in the past of the Saiyan race, an honourable position, achieved only by the best. Saiyan Elites had a lot of respect in the Saiyan culture, as well as certain privileges. But what you don't know is, that there was another, more secret group of highly powerful individuals, each appointed by the King or the Prince. They were known as the Super Elites or the Bantusai. Brolli would have been one of them, had my father not gotten cold feet and thrown him and his father out of an airlock. Quite stupid decision considering how he turned out under the influence of his father. And if I am not totally mistaken you, Kakkarott, would have been one of the Bantusai too. I have always wondered why you had been classified as a Third class warrior, as you were just too powerful to fit into this low-level class. At first I did not want to acknowledge this, but you were and are a serious rival to me in power. No Third class could pull something like that off. Thus I came to the logical conclusion that your power readings, which had been done at your birth, had been falsified. Supposedly to keep you safe from my father, who was careful to eliminate any threat to his power. Because of this and because you have proven to be a capable and powerful warrior I appoint you, Kakkarott, as a Super Elite." the Prince of all Saiyans declared solemnly, and stunned silence ensued.

Then he pulled two capsules from his spandex suit and un-encapsulated them. Out of the first a heavy looking armour appeared, whereas the second produced a massive looking two-handed battleaxe. The armour was a full plate mail held in red and black, covered in ornaments. It looked very impressive.

"This, Kakkarott, is a Jah'Um, the armour of a Saiyan Super Elite. Wear it with honour."

Goku nodded solemnly. It was not every day that you were honoured by standards of the Saiyan race, and Goku felt nearly overwhelmed. Ceremonially he put on the armour over his trainings suit, and once he was finished he looked even more impressive than before.

"It is made of a special material that accommodates itself to the requirements of our bodies. Meaning, when we transform into our more muscular states it will still fit us perfectly. Courtesy of my mate." Vegeta stated proudly. "And this, Kakkarott, is a Saiyans' battleaxe, a Rak'Shuk. Nowadays, what with the ability to reduce even large cities to dust via KI-blast it has a mere traditional and nostalgic function, but it is still an important piece of what we are. Wear it proudly."

Again Goku nodded solemnly and picked up the axe. It was very large and looked quite deadly, and Goku attached it too the belt that came with the armour.

"Thank you, Vegeta. I am honoured. This must have been very hard for you, to honour someone you once considered your enemy and rival, and this makes it even more honourable on your part."

Vegeta nodded.

"You're welcome, Kakkarott." he said, and then pulled another two capsules out of his spandex suit. "Gohan Son, son of Kakkarott, Saiyan Super Elite, step ahead." the Prince of all Saiyans said. This was a lot easier for Vegeta, as there had never been any animosity or rivalry between him and this young Saiyan. And if anyone deserved this honour, then this young man, who had chosen the path of the warrior despite any obstacles in his way. A man, who had enabled them to train much more effective to protect their homeworld.

Surprised, Gohan did just that and stepped ahead. And experienced the surprise of his life.

"Gohan Son, due to your outstanding intelligence and power, and due to the fact that you gave us the tools to increase our strength and power in order to protect that was is dear to us, not to speak of your cunning in pulling off that plan of yours to make me ascend, I reward you with your ascension into the rank of a Saiyan Super Elite."

Quite speechless, Gohan took the capsules Vegeta offered him and muttered a

"Thanks, Vegeta." before realising what had just happened. He had just been honoured massively, fact that made him quite proud, but surprised him at the same time. That was really unexpected, but very welcome.

Smirking, Gohan un-encapsulated the first capsule, retrieving the Saiyan battle-armour first under the eyes of a smirking Saiyan Prince. Goten stood in the background with Trunks, rooting for his Dad and big bro, while the younger Saiyan Prince smirked too. If anyone deserved this honour, then the Son Saiyans.

Gohan slipped the armour over his trainings suit and retrieved the battleaxe from the other capsule, attaching it to the belt like Goku had done. With the complete uniform he looked very impressive, just like his father. Not to mention quite smug.

But Vegeta was not finished yet.

"Goten Son, son of Saiyan Super Elite Kakkarott and brother of Saiyan Super Elite Gohan, step ahead."

Goten looked at Vegeta dumbly.

"What? Me??" he asked incredulously, while Trunks smirked mischievously.

Vegeta smirked.

"Do you see another boy onto which those features apply?"

Goten shook his head numbly, while Trunks smirk broadened. He had known beforehand what his Dad had planned, but that was even better than expected. Good thing that he had brought the vid-cam with him. That stupid look on Goten's face was invaluable!

Finally Goten had pulled himself together enough and stepped forward.

"Goten Son, due to your outstanding courage, spirit and strength you have demonstrated on various occasions and due to the fact that you are a promising young warrior, I ennoble you into the rank of a Saiyan Super Elite. Receive your insignia." the Saiyan Prince said, and handed Goten two capsules.

Internally bouncing like the eight years old he was, but outwardly keeping a perfectly straight face, Goten took the offered capsules and said

"Thanks, Vegeta, Prince of all Saiyans."

Vegeta smirked at the formal tone the youngster had chosen. Yes, there was definitely potential. Now he knew that he had done the right thing.

"Wear them with pride, Goten, and make the Saiyan race proud!"

Goten nodded solemnly.

"I will!" he stated, and then un-encapsulated the first capsule, retrieving the Saiyan battle armour which, unsurprisingly, fit his features perfectly. If Bulma did something, she did it thoroughly. Like his dad and big bro before, he slipped the armour over his training suit, looked himself up and down and smirked, obviously pleased by what he saw.

Next he retrieved the Saiyan battle-axe and followed the example of his father and big brother, attaching it to the belt.

"That is so cool!" he exclaimed, causing laughter and snorts.

"Good!" Vegeta exclaimed, clapping his hands together, "Now that that is done, how about some serious training?" he asked smirking.

And train they did.

TBC...

Well, that's another part done. I'm up to over 700 reviews, a fact I take great pleasure in and would never have thought possible when starting this story. Please continue the great reviews. Thanks all!

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Next time: Life goes on and Videl's pregnancy continues. Find out what Gohan and Videl are thinking so close before the birth. Stay tuned!

As always very special thanks to my beta Rose Vaughn, who is doing a great job! Thx, Ash!

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Trunkslover22: Good to see that! And I'm looking forward to read your DBZ fanfics. Glad that you loved the last chapter, and I'm honoured, that you added me to your favs! No prob what with not reviewing, there are more important things in RL than that. And from what you wrote I'd say you were pretty busy! Here's more!

Tootsy: Thank you! Yeah, I deemed it the best way to make Vegeta ascend. It would have been totally unbelievable to make him ascend through training alone, as it is proven that a driving need is needed for a Saiyan to ascend. Thus the set-up. Yeah, from now on only two more chapters, and then the story is finished, too my sadness. But all good things come to an end...

goldfighter: Thanks! Glad that you liked Vegeta's ascension and think that it was believable. And here's more...

LADYBUGG: Eep! You're without internet access? What did you do to deserve this? I hope you're on again in no time! Anyways, I'm glad that you're still reading the story (and enjoying it). I'll do my best to keep the amazing job up'. Thanks!

Son Oliver: Thank you! Originally I wanted to stay true to canon, but after I made Gohan a SSJ3 Vegeta could not just be left behind. We went over it many times, but I'll say it again: what they did to Vegeta and Gohan in the series was an outrage! Thus my take on how I would like it to have been. As for Goten and Trunks, I guess you saw in this chapter that they won't act as they did in the series. So much for the pointers. Hope you liked what Vegeta did to praise Gohan (and even Goku), and yeah, it won't be long now until the birth of Pan.

Candy the Duck: Thanks! As for Vegeta and not retaliating for the set up, in my opinion he has changed enough to recognize that what the Son Saiyans did was for the greater good. Hope my reasoning is somewhat understandable...
I guess I can live with it being a bit sappy. Your comment about Robin had me rolling on the floor. Too funny! But regarding Vegeta and his thoughts, well, he is a Saiyan Prince and has to keep his composure even if a crisis. So there. :)

Tsume-Hiei luver: Thank you! Glad that you loved it, and yeah, it did have a lot of Vegeta in it, him being the focal point. And here's more...

Cappucine: Yeah, not being able to review really sucked. I had a whole lot of stories I wanted to review, but noooo... hope f f . n e t puts its act together from now on. We can only pray...
Thanks for the compliments, they're greatly appreciated. I'm glad too that Vegeta is now a SSJ3, thing that I missed a lot in the series. After all, if you fall out of SSJ4 and all the way back into SSJ2, this is such a vast difference in power that you can forfeit the battle right there and then. I think it would not be so bad if one fell out of SSJ4 and into SSJ3, though. But that being future talk. Though I'm not quite sure if I'll keep the SSJ4 of GT or create my own version. Heh, as you saw in this chapter, Vegeta still has a lot of respect for Gohan. Hope you liked the idea of the Saiyan Super Elites.

cosmictwilight: Heh, guilty as charged in that aspect. It really was long, but it just wanted out. Glad that you liked it!

Rejhan: Thanks! Gave me quite some planning what with the technical aspects and all, but I'd say in the end it was worth it. Cool that you think it was a good read! :)

Princess of the Saiyans 16: Thank you! Oh yea, everyone surely was very lucky that Vegeta did not lash out at them. That was the big risk they took, but Vegeta showed once more that hes more than he appears to be. Glad that you like the way I write. Thanks for the compliment!

Marshmellow13Dragon: Yup, did this cause no one could access the chapter besides those who have on the alert. Besides, you should check your mails more often. :)
Okay, so the fact that you did not critize anything made her faint, got it. And I take that as a compliment. :)
Heh, yeah, one could call Cell and Frieza (the holos) holo-roasted. Nice way to put it. Hmm, pragmatism means that what Gohan used was a practical approach to problems and affairs, in this case planning Vegeta's ascension without wasting time to think about the consequences.
Yeah, that chapter was admittedly quite long (my longest one yet!), and I'm quite satisfied with how it turned out. Yup, I got some nice food for Thanksgiving. Ja ne!

Saiyan-of-the-Seas: Thanks, I'm glad that you liked it! To be honest, its my fav chapter too. What #16 had said fit so well here (in my opinion), as Vegeta has really changed a lot. And here's more...

KaylaTheHedgehog: Thank you! I'm glad that I still manage to astound my readers after so many chapters. And thanks for the compliments, they're greatly appreciated! :)

zfighter1989: Thanks! Glad that you approve of the chapter. I always try to write chapters with a length of at least 2000 words, but most times I manage to write more. And yeah, I like to describe (and invent) technical stuff. That's the sci-fi guy in me...

Rose Vaughn: That he did. And I'm quite glad for the fact that he did not come for me and kick my ass to Pluto. Guess he was more grateful than angry. Lucky me! :)

animeprincess1452: Hey, I'm glad that I managed to take you along. And thanks for the compliments, they're, as always, greatly appreciated! Here's more...

Electra Black: Thank you! Yeah, the Saiyan Prince did take it well, gladly. Glad that you like the particular line, I thought it appropriate. Heh, I too hope that they don't decide to upgrade anything soon... as for the glasses, yeah, same with me. One gets used to them really fast. Gladly!

Mei fa-chan: Thanks! Here's the update!

Saiya-jin Queen: Glad that you liked it! Yup, that chapter was quite long, and as told above, I always try to write chapters with at least 2000 words, but in most cases I do manage to write more. Good to hear that you had an interesting week. It sounded like fun, and I can related, one does not want to it to end. And I know, homework sucks! But I'm sure you'll pull through. Will do my best to keep it up!

InuSaiyan007: Thank you! I'm glad that you like this story and even consider it as your fav. That means a lot! Thanks! Yeah, they should have made Vegeta a SSJ3 I the series too, if anyone would have deserved it (besides Gohan) it is him. At least he is a SSJ3 in my story and has the power he deserves. Glad that you like the GR idea! As for your fic, I checked it out. Quite good for your first one ever!

nick-lover1991: Thanks for the compliments! I originally had not planned to make the chapter this long, but I guess it just wanted out. But I like the result. As for Gohan acting Saiyan like again, well, he always does act more Saiyan, but does not let it out as much as he did when he told his mother off. And as for pranks on him to piss him off, as this story will probably contain just two more chapters this is unlikely.
Hmm, the time it takes me to type a chapter differs. If I'm on a roll for example I might finish a chapter like the last in a day or two. It's all a question of inspiration, and muses tend to be bitchy sometimes. :) Thus it's really hard to answer. As for completing a chapter, I admit to have this nasty habit to make last minute changes if something new pops into my mind...

zara m: What, I got you actually excited with the last chappie? # marks day in calendar # Hmm, I'd say I did a good job then! :)
Actually what with the bond, I admit I forget that one. # grins sheepishly # Heh, lets just say Gohan and Bulma found a way to block it from the real Bulma and redirect it to the holographic one. Or something like that. :)
And here's more!

Till next Wednesday. Ja ne!