Disclaimer and Warnings: Mentions Mpreg, Heats, violence, swearing, and Alpha Dominated Society!

Timelines and ages are slightly different from the original DBZ world.

Since I'm making up a lot of terms here I thought I'd drop some definitions.

Suitors:An Alpha who is courting a Omega. During the courting phase they are Suitors, after the pair has mated they are referred to as Mates.

Pillage: When a crew goes off to claim planets in the name of Vegeta-sei. A first Pillage and how well a crew does on pillages is a status mark.

Ranks of the Saiyan Warriors: (from lowest to highest)

Third Class
Second Class
First Class- Also known as Elites
Captains

High Council:The High Council is a level between Captains and the King. They advise the King on troublesome planets and which troops should go to what planets. There are Six Council members total. Generally, the position is passed down from generation to generation, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.

In This Chapter: Watch as Goten tries to talk himself out of trouble with his family AND his mate!


Alpha Royal

Chapter Twenty-One: Chaotic Trouble


Goten was going to be in so much trouble, but only if he was caught.

It was all Trunks' fault, really. The first hour waiting hadn't been bad at all, but by the second hour Goten was itching for something to do. He was back in the palace after being cooped up on a spaceship for an entire month. A light blush touched his nose as he conceded that not all the things on the ship had been bad, but now they were home. They were free to do what they wanted and he wanted to get out.

His wounds from Borgessa had long since healed and the need to stretch his muscles was an itch of nerves against his skin. He still had a light scar from Aun's claws in the form of a jagged line across his rips. Goten felt an immense swell of pride at the sight of it, even more so when Trunks kissed it.

Dressed in a pair of light sweatpants and a dark tank top from Trunks' closet he snuck to the nearest gravity chamber. This wouldn't take long, he wasn't looking for a real training session, just a quickie to get his blood flowing and get his mind off other things. Like Trunks' mouth around his cock, or how his dad was going to react when he found out Goten wasn't in the condo. Yikes.

Quick, he reminded himself, gotta to be quick. By the time he finished, Trunks would surely be done with his meeting. Then the rest of the day was theirs to do as they wished.

He couldn't help but smile to himself as he entered the large chamber. It had been a long time since he had stepped foot in one. The smell of sweat from the last session still hung in the air. It made Goten's blood bubble, ready to finally get some exercising in. He quickly set a gravity level for training. In the last couple of months his strength had improved tenfold and he was interested to see how far he could push himself. As the gravity chamber kicked on the air thickened and a weight settled on his shoulders, Goten felt himself grin as he threw himself into a quick backflip and began to conduct his stretches.

Kami, it felt good.

He threw one punch, then another, and tried out a series of combos. His body adjusted to the new gravity much quicker than when he had first entered the palace. It was nothing compared to the dry heat of Borgessa's tunnels. Goten paused only to increase the level before throwing himself back into training.

Time slipped away as he lost himself to the movements of his body. When he finally paused for a break his clothes were drenched in sweat and his breath was coming out in heaving pants. So much for a light training session.

He had no idea how long he'd been in the chamber, but there was no doubt Trunks was back by now, and probably pissed. Still, the threat of his lover's ire couldn't kill his mood. Goten shut down the machine and used the edge of his shirt to dry away the sweat. A whiff of Trunks' scent filled his nose from the cloth causing Goten to shudder. Geez, it was almost embarrassing the effect the Prince had on him. But Goten smiled as he pressed a bottle of water to his lips and sniffed at the shirt again.

It was then that he felt eyes on him.

Goten turned to the door, the bottle still pressed to his lips. He couldn't see anyone through the small window and there was no one else in the chamber with him. Just paranoia, but that was to be expected. His track record with gravity chambers wasn't the best.

The door opened at his approach. Lost in thought Goten didn't realize that it had opened just a second too soon for him to step through, and he didn't see the large body there until he ran into it. The wall of muscle didn't budge at the contact but Goten staggered back, an apology already falling from his lips. "Crap, sorry."

"Kakorot's son…" A deep voice mused.

Vaguely he remembered that voice. Goten looked up and met the dark emotionless eyes of Brolly.

"Actually," the younger saiyan said hesitantly, "It's Goten."

"I'm sorry. The light was off. I thought the chamber was vacant," Brolly said. He wasn't wearing the typical saiyan armor, just silk pants and a heavy layer of jewelry across his tan skin. No self-respecting saiyan Goten had ever met wore so much gold when he trained. The last time he had seen the other man felt like years ago, in those lonely first days he spent at the Academy. So much had changed since their last meeting, except for the place. When they had run into each other near the gravity chambers. When Squral…

Goten swallowed hard at the memory of the old Captain. He shook his head to clear it. "It's no problem. I…I never got to thank you, for the last time we met."

Brolly's face didn't change. "It was nothing. You looked like you needed help."

"I did…" Goten pushed the memory someplace where Squral could never come up again and moved on. "I was just finishing up. This place is all yours." He offered up his best grin, hoping to win some kind of reaction from the other man, but Brolly merely stared.

Goten blinked owlish black eyes at him, wondering if there was something on his face. His hand swiped at the sweat that was still dripping down the side of his neck and froze. A memory played of that morning, Trunks' lingering kisses across his body, the marks of lovemaking that Goten had been so fond of. Shit, Brolly probably saw them now.

His hand stayed against his neck where he knew one large mark was clearly visible, a nervous laugh shook his entire body. "Well, I'll leave you to it." Slowly he tried to inch around Brolly, more eager than ever to get back to the royal quarters. He actually almost made it to, his body one foot out the door when Brolly's voice stopped him.

"Weren't you suppose to be on a mission?"

Goten's stilled at the question. The hair on his tail stood on end, sensing the unease that sizzled his nerves. He turned, expecting to find a devious look on the other saiyan's face but all he saw was that same aimless stare. As if Brolly didn't know what to make out of him.

"Yeah," he answered because it was the only word that would come to mind, "We just got back."

Brolly didn't seem to react, only nodded. "Then you must be strong. Returning so early from a pillage is no easy feat."

"Thanks." His hand was growing damp from the sweat on his neck. For a second he considered asking Brolly what he knew about the pillage, or about Squral. He was the son of a council member, maybe there was valuable information Brolly knew. But the way the other saiyan was staring at him was unnerving. Goten took another step back.

"Goten!" His name broke the spell of tension, drawing both Goten and Brolly's eyes down the hall of gravity chambers. To his utter relief, Leta was waving at him from down the hall, Beet close behind her.

Goten waved back, thankful for the excuse to leave. "My crewmates are here. I gotta go."

"Your crewmates," hummed Brolly. Goten tensed, but it was too late. Leta was already by his side, grabbing his arm and tugging him away from Brolly, like a cub unwilling to share a toy.

"Imagine our surprise seeing you here," Leta said, her tone taking on that of a displeased mother. Under her tone, he could hear what wasn't being said. 'without the Prince.' She gave Brolly a cool glare before tugging Goten closer. "Come on, we're having a team meeting."

Goten was more than happy to go, but he was raised with more manners than his crewmate. He turned to give Brolly an apologetic smile but the other Saiyan had already turned back to the gravity chamber. The door closed before any more words could be exchanged. T

They weren't even halfway down the hall before Leta began her assault.

"What the hell Goten? You visit a gravity chamber before you come to visit us?"

Goten grimaced. He knew this was just one of Leta's dramatic tirades, but he heard the hurt in the question as well. He turned to Beet, who shrugged and gave him an easy smile. One that told him not to be too concerned. "It was just a little exercise," Goten explained, "I waiting for Trunks to finish a meeting. We were going to come and visit you guys as soon as possible, really!"

Leta stopped and whirled on him, her keen eyes assessing. Whatever she saw on his face seemed to only exasperate her more. She sighed, her voice taking on a softer quality. "You are such an idiot. You shouldn't go running off by yourself around the palace, not the way you are…"

She was staring pointedly at his neck. Goten frowned, straightening at the comment. "The way that I am?"

"We know you're secret Goten." Beet said with a sheepish smile, "We were all on the same planet when it happened, but don't worry. We didn't tell a soul. We were just surprised to see you back at the palace."

"Alive," Leta stressed.

"And training in the gravity chamber."

"With that Alpha," Leta added for emphasis.

Goten heaved a sigh and rolled his eyes to the ceiling. He saw what was happening, there was a lot he needed to catch the two up on. But not in the palace halls. "I'll explain everything, just… come with me." He took the lead now, strolling down the marble hallways that grew more and more elaborate the closer they got to the royal chambers.

He noticed the questioning looks Leta and Beet gave one another, but it was Beet who finally said, "Um Goten…are you lost?"

"No," Goten chuckled, "We're going to see Trunks. I'll explain everything there."

Leta snorted, "Poor thing, you must have really hurt your head on Borgessa. Just because we're part of the Prince's crew doesn't mean we can go to the Royal Chambers."

"Well I can," Goten answered. At their blank stares he felt a blush creep across his face. They had reached the door and horror overtook both his crewmate's face as the guards posted outside said nothing when Goten let himself in. Only when he coaxed the two inside and closed the door did he finally begin his explanation, "I kind of live here now."

That was as far as he got before Leta and Beet's voices interrupted with a screech, "WHAT?!"

He was in trouble. Goten might not be the best when it came to reading a person's intentions or even their mood but he would have to be blind not to tell that Trunks was mad at him. The morning promise of kisses seemed highly unlikely now as the Prince glowered. But at least Trunks was still sitting beside him on the couch, unsettling close for that matter. He barely left Goten's side since he walked back into the royal chambers, face flushed with worry and then later anger.

Their closeness had another problem. Neither Leta nor Beet seemed to know how to take in the sight. Leta stared with open mouth awe while Beet tried to look at anything else in the room, making observations about the decor every now and then. As if that wasn't bad enough, Bulma walked casually in and out of the room, eavesdropping no doubt. It was as if Goten's worst nightmare had come to life.

Trunks finally growled at them, "Stop staring. It isn't that big of a deal."

"Not that big of a deal?" Leta snapped back, "First we have to get over the fact that our crewmate is an Omega. Which we have," she added with a pointed look at Goten, "And now we have to accept the fact that you two are mated? How long has this been going on?"

"It isn't like that," Goten said quickly, "It just kind of happened when we were traveling back."

The answer didn't seem to please Leta. She threw a nasty look at Trunks, "That is why you asked us to leave. So you could take advantage of him?"

A low growl began to rise in Trunks' chest. Goten gave him a hard and meaningful poke to stop, then met Leta's gaze. "No one took advantage of me. I wanted it. Trunks even made sure to wait until I was in control enough to ask. The feelings were mutual. Now can we please move on?"

Leta looked like a cub who had just gotten an earful. His enjoyment at the sight ended when a hard finger nudged him back. "I'll move on," Trunks' voice said, hot against his ear. "Why the hell did you leave without me? You're lucky it was Leta and Beet who found you and not some other Alpha."

Goten froze at the statement, the two saiyans across from him stiffened as well. Trunks' sharp blue eyes didn't miss the sudden tension in their bodies. "What?"

"First of all," Goten started, trying his best to keep his voice firm and forceful. "My scent is gone. No one noticed. I mean, I ran into Brolly and he didn't seem to realize what I was."

"What?" Trunks repeated, but there was definitely a dark undertone to the question.

"Don't worry," Beet interjected, "That's when we stumbled on him. Nothing happened."

"Right…" Goten said drawing the word out slowly. He moved his body closer to Trunks, instinctively truly to put his mate at ease and to calm his own ball of concern. It seemed to work, Trunks relaxed, just the tiniest bit, under to his touch. "I did think it was weird that he wasn't at the council meeting with you."

"Yeah," Trunks' eyes had narrowed into two blue slits as took in this information, "I was thinking the same thing."

There's more, Goten wanted to say, to bring up the strange questions Brolly had asked. But now that he thought back on it, nothing had been an outright threat and it seemed Trunks had enough to think about. "Did your dad mention anything at the council meeting?"

"Yeah," Leta said snapping to attention, "Did the King say anything about the attack on Borgessa? Do we have a plan?"

Trunks looked grim as he shook his head. "We have more questions than answers. My father thinks we need to act as if nothing had happened. Get the enemy to try to act out again in frustration."

Two sets of eyes fell on Goten next, and he knew the question they were dying to ask. The black haired teen offered them a smile, "In the meantime, I'll be back training with you guys. Act as if everything is normal, remember?"

He watched this news sink into his crewmates. The way their gaze darted between him and Trunks as if waiting for someone to announce the punchline of a joke.

"You're serious?" Beet asked. At Goten's hurt expression he added, "Not that we don't want you to join us Goten. You're… like a brother to us and all, but it's just… oh hell."

Leta gave him a hard kick to stop the rambling. "If you are both okay with it so are we." Her arms crossed over her chest and the set in her jaw told Goten she wasn't exactly thrilled either, but it did make him feel better that she wasn't just following orders. She'd taken into account both his and Trunks' wishes. Beet nodded vigorously beside her in agreement.

They both nodded, Trunks' fingers interlacing with Goten's. "We are."

"Then we'll make sure no harm comes to the Royal Omega." Leta said, "and we'll help catch the men who attacked us and show them no mercy."

Goten bit back his exasperation at needing protection. If Leta and Beet were putting away their reservations about an Omega on the crew then he could put up with their annoying instincts to protect. After everything they had been through he knew they trusted him, the feeling was mutual, but there was a slight shift now in their relationship. Not only was he an Omega, but he was the Prince's Omega. For Leta and Beet that meant their duties on the Prince's crew had grown exponentially.

Thinking about duties he realized someone was missing from the conversation. "Where's Axal?" He wondered, looking around as if the older Saiyan might appear out of the corner of the room and box his ear. When they had landed the bodyguard had disappeared with neither a word nor fuss.

Beet laughed, "As soon as you guys landed he went back to be with his mate. My guess is they are taking a little honeymoon before things take him away from her side again."

"Oh," Goten had nearly forgotten about Axal's mate. The petite saiyan woman whose eyes shined just being near her mate and brought a smile to the solemn guard. He wondered how she felt, having Axal serve the Prince most of the day. At least Axal seemed to care about her enough to take a break from his duties, even in these dangerous times. "Well, then we'll have to work without him. I'll sleep in my old quarters tonight and tomorrow we'll search for any suspicious activity among the elites." Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a familiar frown tug at Trunks lips. Goten offered his most demure smile in reply, "That is… with your permission Captain."

"Oh no, you don't…" Trunks warned.

Goten blinked innocently back. He'd learned a few tricks in their month together, one being the effect a pleading look had against his alpha. Trunks rolled his eyes at the attempt. "Did you already forget? I'm not the only one you scared half to death with your disappearance."

Slowly his meaning dawned on Goten. The black haired saiyan paled, "Oh no."

"Oh yes," Trunks sighed, dread seeping on his face. "Your father and brother want to have a word, with both of us."

Namekian ships were nothing like Saiyan spacecraft. While the people of Namek were mostly peaceful farmers, their ships looked ready for war. They were tall cylindrical structures, with dangerous looking spikes jutting out.

Gohan looked on in fondness as the ship took its place in the dock, not at all intimidated.

The dockhands, on the other hand, were trembling. Piccolo's reputation had been whispered about throughout the palace walls for years. The best fighter on Namek, cruel like the devil and a harsh leader. Some of the stories were true of course, but most were not. Piccolo didn't have a palace made from the bones of his enemies, and he certainly didn't enjoy eating the flesh of saiyan children. Gohan could attest to that. He did rip the tails of any Saiyan who couldn't control themselves on Namek, Gohan could attest to that as well.

He had been seventeen when he conducted his first pillage to Namek. A new Captain with a loyal crew, but Gohan had been grateful that he hadn't been alone. His father accompanied them, there to ensure the mission was a success and to use his knowledge of the dragonballs to barter with Namekians. It hadn't been without it's problems. Piccolo had wanted nothing more than to kill Goku on sight. But something had kept him back. Later on, Gohan would realize it was a strange kind of code the Namekian held. Piccolo wasn't the kind of man to kill a father in front of his son. And somehow, Goku had known that.

Over the years, Gohan had made numerous visits to Namek, with and without his father. And each time, he grew closer and closer to Piccolo. As weird as it sounded the Namekian had been like a second father figure to him. Filling a hole that the Saiyan parenting culture couldn't.

The excuse to go to Namek made leaving home a little easier for Gohan. Their father had thrown himself into missions and Gohan had allowed himself to enjoy a second family on Namek.

Though, he couldn't remember the last time Piccolo had visited Vegeta-sei. Excitement thrummed through Gohan, making it difficult for him to keep his baring. Slowly the hatch of the ship opened and a familiar silhouette stood in the doorway.

Aware of the people around him, Gohan made sure to pay the visitor his due respect. With a low bow he said, "Welcome to Vegeta-sei Lord Piccolo."

Piccolo was much taller than most Saiyans. Even a full grown male like Gohan had to look up to meet his eyes. They exchanged friendly smiles and all formality disappeared.

"Are you the only one here to greet me?" Piccolo smirked, "Figures your father and the King would come up with excuses."

"Things have been a little chaotic recently. I'll explain on the way." He hadn't told Piccolo everything in his request for the leader to visit, but it had been enough to get him to Vegeta-sei. They fell into step beside each other, possibly the strangest sight any of the dockhands would see in their lifetime. A Saiyan and a Namekian, once mortal enemies now as close as blood. He noticed an immediate hush had come over the site as they walked out.

If being a halfbreed didn't already poison people against Gohan, being friends with Piccolo really didn't help matters. But he'd long since taught everyone in the palace not to voice their thoughts.

Gohan wasn't a child anymore, he was a Captain, a member of the Elite fighters and a future Council Member. He wasn't above using the position he'd fought for in order to help his friend.

"The King couldn't make time to see you today, but Dad wanted you to stop by first thing. I hope that is ok."

Piccolo didn't look surprised. "That's fine, how is your father?"

"Well..." Gohan's voice trailed off for a second before he settled on, "He's having a bit of trouble."

That actually got him a laugh. "Goku? I didn't think anything could bother him."

"You haven't met my brother Goten," Gohan answered simply. Of course, he'd told his mentor about Goten. He'd once dreamed about introducing the two of them. Goten used to beg him for stories of Namek when he'd been a cub, but Gohan had never fully explained the situation regarding his little brother. "While Dad and I were away, he got himself into a situation."

"Situation?" Piccolo frowned at the choice of words. "Good or bad?"

"We don't really know yet."

The frown deepened on the Namkian's features. Piccolo had never been a fan of half-answers, but they were already in front of the doors leading into the Son household. Gohan could already hear his brother's voice, steadily growing louder and louder.

So, Trunks had found him. Thank was good, but Gohan had realized too late his mistake. Leaving Goten and Trunks alone with his father. With Piccolo's ears, there was no way his companion could miss what was being said on the other side of the door.

Gohan gave him an apologetic smile, "Like I said, things have been chaotic."

Piccolo sighed but managed to keep his smile. "I would expect nothing less from Goku's family."

Nothing in Omega School could have prepared Goten for this kind of situation. But then again, maybe no other Omega had been in the situation of having their mate and family in a standoff.

Apparently, no one had prepared Trunks either. It was a difficult thing to make the son of Vegeta uneasy, but Goku had managed to unlock the secret. Keeping his tone clipped and his words sparse, Goten's father had done nothing but stare at them since the moment they walked into the condo.

Trunks stared back, a silent challenge as he sat next to Goten on the plush couch. The atmosphere in the living space was tense, Goten couldn't decide if he wanted to run or fight, but the moment his father's gaze turned on him, dark with disapproval his blood knew what it wanted. Fight.

"Goten," Goku finally said, "I'm glad your safe, but I thought we had an agreement last night."

"Safe?" The word came out as a sharp laugh, "Of course I'm safe dad. I can take care of myself."

Goku's black eyes narrowed before turning to Trunks expectantly. "I think even your mate would agree that it was dangerous of you to leave in the middle of the night. Especially the way things are now."

The body next to Goten tensed. Both teens swallowed hard. The worst part was, he knew Trunks agreed with his dad, at least to a certain degree. It was cruel of his father to throw that in his face, but at least Trunks was smart enough not to push that point.

Goku's expression didn't change when neither boy responded. "If we're going to go along with Vegeta's plan, I don't want you running off by yourself."

Goten sat up straighter at the one in his father's voice. "Dad!"

An argument poised itself on the tip of his tongue, but Trunks beat him to it. "Goku," The prince interrupted with a firm command, his spine was straight and his glare was fixated on the Alpha father. The sight of it made Goten's mouth go dry, he never thought he'd see the day another Alpha spoke to his father in that tone. "I've already talked to Goten and my crew about this. I don't like it either, but if there are other Captains like Squral, it's best that we find out about it soon. And Goten's the best person for the job."

From the corner of the room, listening quietly, Bardock smiled.

Goku did not. "You can't be serious."

"It'll be fine dad," Goten tried to keep his voice light, nonagressive. He needed to convince his dad that this was the right thing to do. "I was already training with Elites before, I can do it again."

"The Prince can't be in the training quarters all the time," Goku pointed out. "You'll be separated from your mate."

"Only part-time."

"What will happen if someone attacks you?"

"Then my crewmates will be there to help me," Goten counted.

"And what if you get hurt?"

"Did you worry this much about Gohan when he trained with the Elites?"

His father looked like he had been struck. Goten realized he'd shouted the last question. His stomach ached when no response came, it was answer enough.

He was grateful for the feeling of warm fingers lacing with his own. Contact with his mate did wonders in calming him down. "Goten is stronger than most of the Elites down there." Trunks said, "There isn't anyone else who can do this job. I trust him."

I trust him. Such a simple phrase, but one that nearly brought Goten to tears. He had worked hard for the trust of his Prince, his mate, and their crew. No one told him that acknowledgment would feel so good. He refused to get sappy in front of his family, but he managed to give Trunks' fingers a firm squeeze.

Bardock let out a sharp bark of laughter. "Well, I approve. Give the kids a chance Kakorot. It's not like they'll listen to you otherwise."

Goku blinked at the words, eyes darting from Trunks to Goten then down to their hands. Slowly the anger disappeared and Goku took a deep breath, "Fine. It looks like you've all made up your mind." He crossed his arms looking defensive, it was clear his father wasn't used to being out of control or taking orders from others. His voice lowered in one final, dark threat, "But if anything happens to my son because of you or your father's plans, I'll turn this entire palace to ash."

Goten wanted to shrug away the promise but there was something in it that made his stomach chill to ice. This wans't just his father saying those words, this was Kakorot, the legendary saiyan warrior everyone talked about but Goten had never seen. There wasn't a part of him that doubted his father would follow through with the threat and that terrified him.

It was no small thing to threaten a member of the royal family. Trunks could have had him killed for saying such a thing, but to the Prince's credit he didn't flinch, his eyes blazed blue with determination and his jaw was set. "Understood."

Suddenly the room felt lighter and Goten felt himself breathe easily again. From the other couch, Goku gave the couple a brief smile, one that begged forgiveness for the threat but didn't fully apologize. "Now, Vegeta is going to kill me if we don't come up with some kind of plan. Trunks if you can help with that I'll consider letting Goten stay with you here at the palace when this is all done."

The two half saiyans looked at each other, wide grins breaking out on their faces.

They sat together, two heads of spiky black hair and one of flaxen lavender huddled close as they discussed different plans of attack. At one point Bardock came over and offered his own suggestions.

Goten always knew Trunks had an analytical mind when it came to war, but it was true display as the Prince discussed different plans to reveal the traitor. "If they used Squral they probably have other scouts among the Elites, maybe in the palace staff." His grandfather followed the same line of thought, suggesting they look at third class warriors who could easily be manipulated to reveal information with the promise of money.

As the conversation continued Goten also discovered he took after his dad when it came to planning. Neither of them was very good at it as they threw out different ideas that were deemed too risky and too impossible. Still, it was fun seeing Trunks scowl at his suggestions and for once he was beginning to agree with his dad.

"I don't see why Gohan and I can't just go to the Ice-jin ship and get the answers ourself."

"You are not doing that Kakorot."

"Why not?" Goten insisted, "Trunks and I could come with you."

"We are not going to a Ice-jin ship Goten."

It just felt good to be included, to catch his father smiling at him from across the table and to feel Trunks' tail curl against his own as they talked. This was what other Omegas gave up along with their freedom, the chance to be included, the chance to participate in something more.

Their conversation came to a halt when the door opened and Gohan stepped in, smiling at the sight in front of him. "I thought you guys were fighting again, imagine my surprise."

"Gohan!" Seeing his brother would never stop making Goten smile. He leaped off the couch and moved to greet the new arrivals. Quickly he took in the man beside Gohan; Green, tall, pointy ears- Goten's breath caught in his throat, "Are you-?"

A hand came down hard on his head, making him bite his tongue on the question. Goten yelped, pointing an accusatory look at his brother. "What was that for?"

"That was for worrying everyone with your disappearing act not once but twice." Gohan said with a scowl, "You're not doing anyone a favor when even your mate doesn't know where you are."

Goten pouted. Behind him, Trunks gave a nervous laugh and said, "I eventually found him." Followed by Goku's low hum of disapproval.

"Gohan, don't embarrass me in front of Mr. Piccolo."

Next to his brother the tall stranger seemed to smile despite himself. "So, you are the troublesome little brother." His dark eyes took in Goten, lingering on his face. "You look just like your brother."

Goten blinked as the words sunk in. When they finally did he fell into a fit of giggles. "That's a first. Everyone compares me to dad."

Piccolo didn't make any mention of his father and Goten knew instantly that he liked the alien. The words warmed him more then he thought they would. He couldn't stop smiling even after the laughter subsided.

He heard his father give a low cry of dismay, "Hey, what am I? Chop liver?"

"Goku," Piccolo greeted his eyes falling to the rest of the group. His lips pursed at the sight of Trunks. "Your Highness, this is a surprise."

Trunks had stood up and made his way to Goten's side. If Piccolo noticed the Prince standing a little too close or the strange sight of the royal tail curling around Goten's wrist, he didn't mention it. Trunks let nothing show on his face as he said, "It is nice to finally meet you, Lord Piccolo. Welcome to Vegeta-sei."

Gohan ushered them all away from the entrance and towards the couch. Suddenly the once empty condo of Son Goku was bustling with activity as everyone got situated in their place. Bardock hung back by the wall while Gohan leaned casually over the top of the couch. Piccolo shed his long white cape and took a seat on the open love chair, which left Goten to sit awkwardly between his father and Trunks. The scene was almost comical, never in all his life had Goten thought he'd be here in the palace seated with his family and mate.

"Did you bring it?" Goku asked once the greetings and casual questions died down.

Piccolo's smirk faded as he grabbed the brown sack strapped across his waist and pulled. He opened it and a beautiful orange globe fell into his palm.

It was the first dragonball Goten had ever seen. In the light, it looked a translucent color of orange with six bright stars lined on one side. To his surprise, it gave a faint pulsing glow. Piccolo's eyes drew up to the group of saiyans and he suddenly looked very serious, "Now are you going to tell me what exactly is going on?"

They explained it all in the secret of their home. The missing planets, the Ice-jins, the attack on the Prince's crew, and the missing dragonballs. Piccolo's scowl deepened with every twist in the story, his grip on the dragonball tightened protectively. When he was caught up all he said was, "I'll keep it hidden until this whole thing is over. Whatever you need to help I'll offer it."

Goku smiled, "Thanks Piccolo."

"The Ice-jins are as much a threat to my people as yours." The green alien sighed, "Now, please tell me you have a plan."

"Unfortunately not," Trunks said with a frown. "If the traitor really is a council member they are probably too smart to be obvious in their treachery, otherwise we would have already caught them by now."

"Which is why they are using people like Squral for their dirty work." Goten chimed in, "If you all keep your eyes on the council then Trunks and I will conduct recon on the saiyans in the training academy."

"It isn't much but with all of us on alert we'll get a lead in no time. Give us a week. Someone will talk," A slow smile spread across Trunks' face, one that made him look too much like his father. "I'll make sure of it."

"Alright," Goku sighed, "In the meantime, I need to make a trip."

"What?" Goten wasn't at all surprised by the sudden announcement, but his brother seemed alarmed. "Dad, we need to stick together right now. You have a lot of enemies as it is and…"

His father held up a hand, a strange solemn look took place on his face. "I know son, I won't be long. But the King has given me my own orders." At the confused stares, he offered a weak smile and tried to look easygoing. It failed miserably. "I need to make sure my dragonball is safe."


Author's Note: She updated... AGAIN! I know! Consider me surprised as well, like I said last time I'm trying really hard to carry this story home. We're probably about 6-7 chapters away from the end, maybe more depending on how drawn out some of the climactic moments will be. I hope you enjoyed this one and I hope the story continues to build well. From my rereads, there are some points for improvement on my part but thank you all for not being harsh about my grammar mistakes and any plot holes. ^ ^;

Please leave a review and follow. As a thank you here is another teaser.

Teaser for Next Chapter: "Let the crew know. In fact, let the whole Elite training corp know that the Prince will be celebrating tomorrow night. Make it something no one will want to miss out on."