AN: Long time no see! Sorry for the wait, my computer broke and this one is on loan but good news! I have plenty of updates in store for you. So enjoy! Reveiws are always welcome and a special thanks to Coldblade for the dedication on his profile page. I am really touched, thank you Jay. Michelle

Chapter Twenty

Uub woke up the next morning to the smell of food, which was odd since he didn't have any food in his apartment.

Honestly, it was the confusion that woke him.

Sasoli was there, taking food out of bags and placing it on the table. His vision was too bleary tot make out the restaurants name but it smelled delicious.

"I didn't know if you would have enough food for breakfast . . . for a saiyan, anyway, so I ordered in to be safe."

Uub ran a hand through his Mohawk, blinked, and muttered an unintelligent, "Wha?"

Sasoli chuckled softly and went back to what she was doing. He obviously wasn't a morning person.

Uub sat up and moved to the table slowly.

The entire situation was completely surreal to him. He was sitting at the kitchen table where he never sat, eating food that shouldn't be there, with a woman . . . who wasn't his wife?

His mind cleared to a degree while remaining fuzzy around the edges. He stared at his half-eaten breakfast with incomprehension.

"Is something wrong?" Sasoli paused with a fork in the air.

"Nothing," he flashed a smile and forced himself to pick up his silverware and continue to eat.

How could he have been so lax!

It was one thing to accept food from her at work . . . another thing entirely to invite her into his home . . . butt tot accept food from her while in his home . . . !

By all the traditions and rules of his village, they were engaged!

Food was a precious commodity where only the wealthy ate well and often. It was one of the main reasons he came to work in the city, to make money to send back so everyone could eat. Thus, food was only shared with blood and beloved spouses.

When he's moved to the city for the first time, he'd realized that the world in general thought nothing of sharing a meal and would even through away leftovers.

A crime in his village to render food inedible.

Or worse . . . let the food go bad!

So to avoid becoming engaged to every female he ate with, he adhered to the older customs that sad, in order to become engaged to a woman, one invited her to their home. They had to be alone and one provided food. The proposal was either accepted or denied by the accepting or decline of the meal.

He was engaged.

He glanced at the demi-saiyan he shared a table with to see her steadily polishing off her meal. He glanced at his plate and noticed she had served him at least two servings of each item, some three.

In his culture, she would be considered generous, completely sure of his acceptance, wealthy, and deeply in love with him.

She smiled at him.

He mentally shook himself, this was in no way binding since she didn't even realize what he'd done.

Sasoli quirked a brow at her silent companion. He kept sneaking glances at her and making different faces. He went through struck dumb, intensely thoughtful, pleased, and, this one confused her the most, regretful.

She glanced at the empty plates of food and then his nearly finished plate. It couldn't be the food, he was eating.

Her eyes sharpened, he couldn't know the significance of her staying over . . . could he? He didn't seem to recognize the meaning last night . . .

Something must have changed. . .

"I can't eat another bite," Uub finally sat back, ashamed by the food taunting him from his plate.

Not thinking about it, she hooked his plate to her and finished it's contents.

Food was serious business to saiyans and not to be wasted.

She scooped up the dishes and went to wash them.

He couldn't believe she'd just . . . ate from his plate . . .!

The ultimate sign of intimacy and love in his culture. Something only the married or lovers would even think about doing.

He glanced at her.

She was just washing dishes like nothing had happened.

She was a beautiful woman. One he wouldn't have trouble spending the rest of his life with . . .

Something was missing though, Uub studied her with a critical eye. Her jacket was looser and her waist curvy but where was her tail?

Sasoli sensed him get up and move in her direction. She turned to see his hands drop suddenly as if he had been reaching for her.

She lifted a brow, "Something you wanted?"

"No," he beamed innocence.

She wasn't buying it.

"Right," she scoffed, "Get ready. We have a job to do."

"Right," Uub's mind switched tracks instantly. He still needed to question Vegeta, for elimination purposes, and--

"Go," Sasoli laughed as she shoved him into motion.

Properly motivated he scrambled away.

Sasoli shook her head and wondered if he was like this every morning.

It might be fun to find out.

Arriving late for the first time in her life, Sasoli was surprised she couldn't quite bring herself to care. She was too busy trying not to giggle at Uub.

He apparently didn't wake up completely until he was behind the wheel of a car. Which hadn't happened since she had insisted on flying to work.

She didn't know.

After nearly flying through a building, she'd agreed to let him drive them the rest of the way. It was a new experience for her to be among the people as they made their way to work.

To be surrounded and isolated all at once.

It was very different from flying above it all and knowing that she would always be disconnected and different.

Uub's transformation was a bit different, the haze that confined him to one thought at a time had finally dissipated. He was busy sorting through everything that needed to be done and that had been done.

They needed to get to Capsule Corp. and start working on the case. They had a killer to catch and innocent men to free. The replacements in the company would keep it from going under and, a bonus, free up Sasoli's time to actively assist him.

He was also engaged to said woman.

He glanced at her, he honestly didn't mind being connected to her.

It wasn't fair to her. He couldn't just engage the like this without her knowledge.

Hell, he could marry her without her ever knowing . . . and that was no way to begin a marriage. She'd be pissed and, knowing her temper, violent.

The solution was very simple though he didn't know if he could go through with it or when he would have time. All he had to do to break the engagement was to feed her something bitter instead of a desert to marry. He had to make or have a hand in it's creation.

Well, he could always use that throwback power he inherited from merging with Majin Buu, and just zap something into food.

It would work but, it was also highly embarrassing.

They parked and capsulated the car.

"Uncle Vegeta, Kakarot," Sasoli nodded at the saiyan guards, never noticing the raised eyebrows and surprised glances.

Uub noticed though he didn't know what to make of it.

"Mom," Sasoli stopped in her tracks as she recognized the look in the black eyes of her mother.

"Where were you last night?"

Direct and to the point, that was her mom.

"I invited her to stay with me," Uub smiled charmingly, taking the attention way from Sasoli. "I had room so it wasn't a problem."

Sasoli glanced at him with alarm, What is he doing?

Ava smiled at him as she looked at the detective for the first time.

Uub kept his face calm and pleasant though he had a feeling he was being sized up in ways he would never quite understand.

"You're a strong one," approval was clear in her face as she stepped closer to him and touched a spike of his hair in greeting.

Ava took a quick step back and turned to her daughter, "He's cute."

Feeling oddly touched by the gesture Uub studied the woman who was Sasoli's mother.

Ava was a beautiful saiyan, in perfect shape, and her daughter took after her in everyway except the color of her eyes.

Sasoli's ice blue eyes was a surprise every time she blinked, the contrast striking and unforgettable.

Ava's black eyes suited her coloring perfectly but added an air of mystery. . . dark secrets only the brave would dare to solve.

Something was missing though.

Uub tilted his head, her tail. She had a tail the first time he saw her.

While Uub was lost in thought, Sasoli was doing her damnedest not to blush. Her mother was giving her a knowing look that spoke volumes. She could practically hear her mother's thoughts and feelings on the subject of Uub. They weren't very squeaky clean thoughts either.

"Are wearing a sash as well?"

Both women turned at the question.

"Sash?" Ava was puzzled.

Sasoli tilted her head in question.

"The sash?" Uub mimed wrapping something around his waist when he snapped his fingers, "Sasoli, I forgot to tell you. I found your sash wedged in between the mattress and the headboard this morning."

He pulled out the padded piece of cloth out of his jacket.

Both women recognized the said 'sash' and turned a rosy red.

Sasoli was absolutely mortified, her intended had just inquired, casually to boot, if her mother was wearing the equivalent to underwear for a saiyan.

And he was waving hers around like a banner.

Flaming red, she snatched it from him and curled her tail around it to hide in the small of her back.

"I knew it," Uub was triumphant, "Your looser jacket hides your tail."

"You," Ava swallowed, "know about her tail?"

"Well, we had an interesting encounter," Uub grinned.

Shocked to the bone, Ava turned to her daughter, "Encounter?"

"Scared me a bit, how it just popped out like that but once she let me get used to it . . ."

Sasoli shoved him to shut him up but the damage had already been done.

Ava gave her daughter a final shocked glance and walked away.

"Mom!" Sasoli called after her.

Ava shook her head and kept walking, muttering something like, 'too much information."

Uub was puzzled, that was an odd encounter.

"Oh my god," Sasoli was paralyzed with embarrassment, "How could you say that to my mom?"

"Say what?"

Disgusted with the entire situation she just glared, "Just . . . don't ever mention touching my tail again."

Uub frowned, "Ok. Man, you act like I told your mom we were kissing."

"That would have been better," Sasoli grumbled as she strode away.

"What?" He trailed after her.

Both missed the presence of light blue eyes wide with surprise and amusement.

"Won't Bulma be gratified to hear this . . ." 18 strolled back to the main office.

Trunks, Goten, and Zarah sat before a mountain of food and were slowly demolishing it.

Needless to say, prison life had become infinitely more interesting for Trunks.

Alone, he was the untouchable one, wanted by all, for different reasons, and the most dangerous.

Then Goten came and the prison saw a very different side of Trunks Briefs. His eyes became mischievous whereas before they were aloof and bored. He talked and laughed animatedly with his friend when before he strutted, bored and alone.

Most prisoners didn't know what to make of Son Goten.

If approached he was as friendly as can be and, if attacked, still friendly but apologetic that he was kicking your ass.

The others just assumed that Goten was Trunks' bitch. At least they did until Zarah Briefs appeared.

The wild business man had walked in like he'd lived there his whole life. His blue eyes hard, predatory, and excited all at once.

"Trunks!" The dark-haired Briefs strolled over to his relations.

Or he tried to when his path was blocked by a giant of a man.

"I'm getting sick of all these pretty rich boys walking around like they own the place," the ruffian groused while cracking his knuckles threateningly.

Zarah smirked, "Goten's not rich."

The thug grabbed Zarah by his newly issued collar.

"I don't like it when people correct me," he drew back his fist.

The inmates couldn't believe their eyes. Maybe this would be the one Briefs they could get their hands on since it didn't look like Zarah would be getting any help from Trunks anytime soon.

What happened next would go down in prison history and make sure everyone made a wide berth around Zarah Briefs.

The business man caught the man's fist a bare inch away from his chin. The size difference made the scene ridiculous, like the hand of a child restraining an adult.

"I was hoping something like this would happen," came the fanged grin.

"Don't go to far, Zarah," Trunks ordered absently.

"This is prison, Trunks," Zarah watched the man strain every muscle in his body to continue the swing, "There isn't a too far."

"If you ever want to leave there is," Trunks scolded lightly, "Only minimal damage."

"Agreed," Zarah released the man's fist while ducking under his arm. He lifted the man clear off the ground by his waist.

The previously undefeated thug of the prison screamed like a bitch.

Zarah tossed the man half-way across the room like a sack of potatoes where he went through a table before meeting concrete.

The business man glanced around expectantly before deflating with a disappointed huff.

"What, no riot? No massive gang up on the new guy? What kind of prison is this!"

Trunks rolled his eyes, "You watch too many moves, Zarah."

Goten chuckled.

Zarah shrugged and made his way to the fallen man who went still with fear. "You want some more, don't you?"

The beaten man shook his head violently.

Zarah snorted, "I hate people who think they can bully anyone because they're stronger and then a stronger person comes by and reveals them for the cowards they are."

Zarah brought his fist down hard on the concrete next to the man's head, "The next time you pick a fight with me, it'll be to the death."

With that said the business glanced around as if asking, "Any takers?" When nothing happened, he walked a straight line to his cousin.

Chairs and tables were moved out of his way and he was disappointed by it all.

"Jeez, Trunks, what did you do for fun before we got here?" Zarah glanced at his surroundings, "They're not very lively are they."

"No, they're not," Trunks agreed with a twinkle in his eye, "But I have a plan to change all that."

"Wait, Trunks, I don't think it's a good idea . . ."

Goten's voice trailed off as the trio walked away.

Everyone else was left to watch the once baddest criminal in the prison faint dead away once he noticed a crack in the solid concrete that had been created by Zarah's fist.

So the prison was left with a rather scary consensus. Son Goten was the reluctant partner, nice guy and best friend. He was reluctant in the sense that he never wanted to cause any trouble but was loyal beyond measure. Zarah was the fight obsessed, madman genius who somehow, recently, electrocuted someone with a potato.

And Trunks Briefs was the man who gave the orders.

If the prisoners and guards had been afraid of him before, then that fear had increased ten fold when they saw the men he controlled.

The only time the prisoners could truly relax was at meal time where the deadly trio dedicated their complete attention to food.

Zarah glanced wistfully at Trunks and Goten's backed potatoes.

Forget it," Trunks sneered, "You're lucky they let you have mashed potatoes after that stunt you pulled."

Goten frowned at Zarah.

"I can't believe you did that to him," the Son shook his head, "What did he ever do to you?"

"He was planning to ambush me in the shower," Zarah explained, "What was I supposed to do? Let him see my tail?"

Goten's brow smoothed in understanding, though, in all honesty, he wasn't sure how Zarah had kept it a secret this long.

Luckily, Zarah's rather violent entrance to the prison had discouraged everyone from showering with him.

"You're lucky they can't prove it was actually you," Trunks laughed, "They can't figure out how you did it with a potato and a metal rod."

"If they can't figure it out the I couldn't have done it," Zarah announced triumphantly, "So let me have-"

"No," Trunks glared at his cousin, "Just because they can't prove it, doesn't mean they're not suspicious."

"But Trunks-" Goten tried.

"No."

Zarah pouted, "Thanks anyway, Goten."

The potato had been a simple prank. Using the metal rod as a conductor, Zarah conducted his energy into the potato activating the latent potential energy turning it into electricity.

Then all he had to do was wait to hand it to the potential victim.

With that they continued their meal, leaving the rest of the prisoners in a terrified silence as they wondered what new horrors lie in store for them.

End of chapter Twenty