Tales of Parenthood
Author's Note
Sequel to Coming of Age. Everyone except Goku and Doctor Briefs are alive, but Goku visits. Grand Tour happened and the dragon balls are gone. Ignores Dragon Ball Super.
Pan is 28
Bra is 31
Goten is 41
Trunks is 42
Henry is 11
Cora is 8
Maddox is 9
Litta is 5
Cami is 5
Bardock is 2
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any characters or variations of DBZ. I only own my OCs.
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Tournament Research
"Are you still fine with our arrangement?" asked Ivar pulling his shirt back on.
"Yeah, I'm still good with it," answered Bra with a slight smirk. As she headed for the door of his ship, she said, "I have a date tonight with a politician."
xxXXxx
"You've been in heat for nearly a year. Are you sure you're okay?" asked Pan looking over her best friend and sister in law.
"Hey I've been dating," shrugged Bra looking extremely happy today.
"You seem really happy. I thought you were hating dating," Pan raised an eyebrow at Bra.
"Oh I hate dating," she frowned slightly before her wide smiled returned.
"Then what's with the smile? Wait it's because you saw Ivar the other day isn't it?" snickered Pan.
"Maybe," Bra giggled like a teenager.
"Have you told him you like him, or are you just crushing that hard?" asked Pan.
"We have an arrangement," answered Bra.
"What sort of arrangement?"
"He and I have sex every time he's in town, but that's it. Casual sex," Bra smacked her lips on the word sex.
"Did you tell him you liked him?" Pan asked again.
"I told him I thought he was hot"
"Bra that's not the same thing… How long have you two had this arrangement?" Pan asked shaking her head.
"Ever since he came to study my heat so, six months or so," she admitted shyly.
"Six months, Bra you have to talk to him," groaned Pan.
"We talked when we made the arrangement. I told him I was having trouble dating because I was to sex crazed then I mentioned he was hot, and it all fell into place from there," Bra once again wore a broad smile.
"Fine, but I still think you should tell him you like him," Pan concluded with a sigh.
xxXXxx
"Henry you should enter," Maddox grinned chasing after his friend.
"No way, there's going to be a junior division again," snorted Henry.
"Yeah, but I'm entering this year," Maddox boosted with a wide smile.
"No offense Maddox, but I could beat you easily. Don't get me wrong you would be way more a challenge then any of the kids I fought last time, but still," Henry smiled at his friend.
"But you promise to compete next time if the tournament doesn't have a junior division?" he asked as he and Henry got into sparring stances.
"I promise," grinned Henry.
xxXXxx
"Daddy are you going to win the World Tournament again?" she asked with a giggle.
"I'm going to try," Goten told her scooping his daughter up.
"Bar stop flying in the house!" ordered a very angry looking Rini.
"Bar, listen to your mother," Goten commented upon seeing his son dart through the air.
"Why?" the two year old asked landing at his father's feet.
"Because you're supposed to respect your parents, and that means listening to their orders," explained Goten setting Litta down.
"Did you always listen Daddy?" Litta asked holding onto her father's leg tightly.
"No, and I ended up in a lot of trouble for it. If you think your mom is scary you should see Grandma Chi-Chi mad," Goten made a face.
"Mommy not scary, she silly," laughed Bar running to hug Rini's leg
xxXXxx
"Maddox is going to be in the tournament this year," Henry told his family.
"When did you hear that?" asked Cora demanded glaring at her brother.
"When Grammie took me out to Kame House, he was out there," explained Henry. "He wanted me to compete too, but I told him I wasn't going to fight in another junior division," he went on.
"What about me? Did he ask if I was gonna enter?" Cora asked almost standing in her chair.
"No he didn't mention it," Henry rolled his eyes. Cora gave a hmp at hearing that.
"Princess do you want to compete?" asked Trunks as he gestured for her to sit down in her seat properly.
"Yeah, I wanna beat Maddox… I'll show him for not inviting me," she muttered the last part more to herself, but both her parents still heard her. Pan and Trunks exchanged looks.
xxXXxx
"Ivar, I was wondering if you wanted to maybe do something during your visit?" asked Bra gathering up her clothes.
"Was there something you had in mind?" he asked already fully dressed and returning to some of his work.
"Well tomorrow is the World Tournament. My niece is going to be in it as well as Goten, so you could observe how they compare to normal humans," she hoped her phrasing helped her case.
"Interesting, any other none human's in the tournament?" he looked up from his work.
"Uub and his son Maddox, but I think that's all," she crossed her fingers it would be enough.
"Interesting, I will attend," he nodded.
"Great, it's a date then," Bra smiled awkwardly heading for the door of his ship.
xxXXxx
"Princess, you ready to sign in?" asked Trunks walking into the stadium with his family.
"Yeah!" exclaimed Cora rushing in to find the check in the table.
"Where's Bra at? I could have sworn she said she was going to be here," Pan asked her in laws while looking around to be sure she didn't miss her somewhere.
"She said she was coming in on her own later," answered Bulma with a snicker watching Trunks try to catch up with Cora.
"Cami, you sure you don't want to enter?" asked Gohan who was attempting to contain Cami.
"Nope, I wanta eat ice cream," she announced with a big Son grin.
"Okay then lets go get some ice cream. Henry you want to come with?" Gohan turned to his grandson.
"Sure," he smiled following after them.
xxXXxx
"The children will battle first then the adults, do I have that correct?" Ivar asked as Bra handed him a container of popcorn. She had helped him dress as a human today. He wore jeans and a long sleeve shirt to hid his muscular arms.
"Yep, it's called the junior division. All the fighters are under the age of sixteen… I'll bet you anything Cora wins it," she told him with a giggle.
"Anything?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Sure, what did you have in mind?" she asked suddenly curious.
Before Ivar could answer, a certain lavender haired five year old pushed between them.
"Hi!" squeaked Cami.
"Hey Cami," greeted Bra looking around for who she must of slipped away from. She spotted Gohan and Henry and waved to them. "Did you lose something?" she yelled to Gohan.
He smiled with an embarrassed nodded. Henry handed Cami her ice cream. "Yeah, she pulled her little escape artist trick… Hey Ivar, what are you doing here?" asked Gohan looking surprised to see the alien researcher.
"This event seemed to be relevant to my research," explained Ivar.
"You can watch Cora win," grinned Cami eating her ice cream.
xxXXxx
"Gohan where have you been?" asked Videl from her seat beside Bulma.
"Oh we ran into Bra and Ivar when we were getting ice cream," answered Gohan while making sure Cami and Henry were staying put.
Bulma immediately shot up from her seat looking around. "Where did you see them? Did they look like they were on a date?" demanded the older woman looking frantically to find the couple.
"He said that this was research," answered Gohan with a slight gulp.
Bulma sat back in her seat with a huff. "They would be a perfect couple if either of them would make a move, but they're both so focused on their work," she sighed.
"Grammie Del can we go find Litta?" asked Cami now that she had finished her treat.
"Sure, Henry you want to come with?" offered Videl moving to hold Cami's hand.
Henry gave an uninterested nod and followed.
xxXXxx
"Remember Princess, you can't be rough on these kids okay," reminded Trunks while Pan fixed their daughter's hair.
"Yes Daddy, I know they are weaklings and I have to be nice," replied Cora. Trunks made a face.
"You know she got that from your dad, so don't look so surprised," commented Pan shaking her head.
"Princess, they're humans not weaklings… I don't know whether I should be mad that dad taught her that or happy he is trying to teach restraint now a days," grumbled Trunks.
"Meh, I'd call it a wash," smiled Pan.
xxXXxx
"Lots are drawn. It looks like Maddox and Cora will be facing down in the finals," grinned Goten looking over the board.
"Daddy can I go in the stands?" asked Litta already eyeing her escape route.
"Not without someone… I don't even let your mom go out there alone," Goten answered ruffling her hair.
"Why?" she asked.
"Someone tried to hurt Momma at the tournament right before you were born," he explained.
"And you think someone might try ta hurt me and Momma again?" she looked a little confused.
"Yep, you, Momma, and Bar are really important to me, so I try extra hard to keep you safe," Goten elaborated picking Litta up into a hug.
"Litta!" yelled Cami running to the back area of the tournament.
"Daddy look Cami and Henry!" she pointed to her friends. Videl followed quickly trying to catch up to her grandchildren.
"Cami you can't run off like that," she weased.
"Don't worry I didn't lose her," commented Henry coolly. Videl gave him a thankful yet disapproving nod.
"Cami wanted to see if Litta could come sit with us," explained Videl once she caught her breath.
"I guess, but don't lose her. I don't want her getting hurt," Goten sat Litta down to join her friend. Cami grabbed her into a tight hug.
"I won't let anything happen to them," assured Henry. Goten couldn't help but give the preteen a look.
"I'll keep an eye on them… Where are Rini and Bardock?" Videl asked looking around.
"She's with Krillin, Marron, and 18. Is Mom looking for them?" he raised an eyebrow. He knew his mother came with Videl and Gohan.
"Not yet, but I'll let her know where to look," laughed Videl as she worked to get the kids back to their seats.
xxXXxx
"Human children are quite weak," observed Ivar watching as Cora knocked out yet another child in a single hit.
"Actually most humans are," commented Bra.
"Interesting, then why do saiyans choose them for breeding purposes?" he asked writing down another note in small notepad Bra had given him.
"Well, saiyans pick strong humans. Dende knows that has been one of my biggest issues since I started looking for a mate," sighed Bra.
"If you wish for a strong human mate, would a tournament such as this be fitting to find such a specimen?" Ivar was know giving Bra a much more serious look.
"Well, I want the total package. Smart, strong, good looking, and not a jerk. I can handle rough personalities, but not total jerks," she huffed.
"So would having this package be more important than heritage?" he again was taking down a note.
"Uh, yes," she stared at him. It almost seemed as if he were trying to figure out if he had a chance with her. Though it wasn't showing on the outside, she was beaming on the inside.
"Then you may wish to expand your search to other planets. Other species could meet your criteria," he explained still not looking up from his notepad. Or maybe he was just stating an observation like usual. Bra frowned.
xxXXxx
"Maddox is doing great," observed Rini. Bar was alert and watching the fights with intense interest.
"Mommy can I fight?" asked Bar not taking his eyes off the ring.
"Maybe at the next tournament" she answered simply. "So who do you think will win Cora or Maddox?" Rini asked turning toward Krillin and 18. Marron was off getting a snack.
"I think Cora is possibly a little stronger, but I taught him a little trick," smirked 18.
"What kind of trick?" Rini wondered what type of trick the android could have come up with.
"You might see in the finals," 18 looked smug.
xxXXxx
Henry carried both Cami and Litta. Cami rode piggyback while Litta hung in front around his neck like a dangling monkey stuffed animal.
"You girls are lucky someone is willing to carry you. Most people have to walk," commented Chi-Chi in a near scolding fashion.
"Henry likes to take care of us," piped Cami from her position on his back.
"Do you want me to let go?" asked Litta looking up at Henry with her big grey blue eyes.
"No, I'm fine. I have to focus to carry you both. It's like training," he assured her with a smile.
"Cora made it to the finals," announced Pan walking back to the group hand and hand with Trunks.
"Are you really surprised?" scoffed Vegeta.
"Maddox and Cora will be facing each other next," commented Gohan. Everyone was ignoring Vegeta's snide comment.
"Cora's gonna win!" proclaimed Cami from Henry's back.
"She might, but you shouldn't say that. You don't want to jinx it," explained Trunks pulling her from Henry's back.
"What's jinx mean?" she looked up at her father confused.
"Jinx means something doesn't or does happen because you said something out loud," explained Pan.
"It's like a luck thing," Henry told her. Litta still hanging from around his neck.
xxXXxx
"Finals are starting, a bet was mentioned earlier. So what are you wanting if Maddox wins?" Bra asked Ivar.
He shrugged, "You said anything."
"Fine, one item, favor, or task," smiled Bra getting shoved closer to Ivar as the stands fill to watch the junior division final match.
xxXXxx
Maddox and Cora were both in sparring position when the match began. Cora attacked first causing Maddox to have to block while trying to get an opportunity to strike. After taking numerous hits he managed to land a few. After nearly ten minutes of fighting, Cora had Maddox pinned close to the edge of the ring.
"You've lost," she smirked. Suddenly Maddox leaned in and kissed her cheek. Shocked by his actions Cora released her hold on him. Maddox then pushed her out of the ring quickly.
xxXXxx
"Did Maddox just?" Rini stared at the match confused.
"I would use that on Krillin to make him freeze," smirked 18.
"It looks like we have a winner! Maddox is our Junior Division Champion!" shouted the announcer.
xxXXxx
"Is kissing even allowed!" grumbled Trunks watching as Cora sat outside the ring her face red with embarrassment. Finally, she stood and walked back into the ring where the announcer was congratulating Maddox. Once there, she slapped him hard and proceeded to stomp away. The crowd erupted into laughter.
"I have a feeling Cora is not going to happy," sighed Pan moving to head back down to the stadium floor.
"Maddox should be glad she only slapped him," commented Henry.
"Wait up Panny," Trunks chuckled hopping up and taking her hand as they headed down to find Cora.
xxXXxx
"I guess I lost the bet," mumbled Bra watch as Maddox was named the winner.
"So it seems," Ivar commented with what seemed little concern on the matter.
xxXXxx
Once everyone settled down, Maddox was free to run around again. He headed straight for Cora who was sitting in the warm up area. "Hey," he waved shyly.
"What do you want? You won the fight," snapped Cora she looked like she wanted to cry. The guy she liked had used her crush against her in a fight. She hated him.
"I wanted to tell you… I'm happy it worked," he shuffled his feet.
"I don't get it," she glared at him.
"Mimi said kissing you would cause you to freeze up, but only if you liked me," he explained. Cora stared at him. "You do like me… I mean like like," he felt terrified she might say no.
"That was a dirty trick and practically cheating!" she stood glaring at him intensely. "And why would you care if I like liked you?" she demanded moving to intimidate him. Cora was small for her age still, but could still hold her own.
Maddox face turned red as he answered, "Because I like like you."
Cora punched him in the gut. He gasped doubling over. She leaned down and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad," she whispered before skipping away.
xxXXxx
"Our main event will be starting soon!" yelled the announcer.
"Tells Daddy lucks?" asked Bar from his spot on his mother's hip.
"Sure," Rini nodded giving him a hug before starting to head down to the stadium floor.
"I'll come with. I need to grab Maddox and wish Uub luck," Marron followed after them.
xxXXxx
"Can I go back to tell Daddy good lucks and love yous?" Litta asked her aunt Videl.
"I'll take her," offered Gohan taking her hand. Henry immediately started following after them. "Henry you can stay up here with everyone else," Gohan instructed.
Henry rolled his eyes. "I told Goten I'd watch her," he explained continuing to follow.
"If Henry's going, I'm going!" exclaimed Cami latching onto Henry's back. Gohan groaned slightly under his breath.
xxXXxx
Goten had drawn his number and waited patiently for his fight to begin. Then he heard yelling from some of the tournament staff. Then something nearly took his legs out from under him.
"Daddy!" squealed the little boy.
"Bar? Where's Mommy?" he asked scooping him up and heading out to the hall that lead to the warm up area. See the staff that had been yelling he decided to apologize, "Sorry about that. He gets excited."
"Bardock don't scare Mommy like that!" yelled Rini running down the last hallway.
"I Founded Daddy!" he pointed to Goten very pleased.
"Yes, you did," sighed Rini ruffling Bar's hair.
"Daddy!" waved Litta holding Gohan's hand in her other. Henry followed with Cami on his back.
"Hi Litty," Goten scooped her up into his arms still holding Bar in his arms.
"Good luck Daddy! I love you," she hugged his neck.
"Me toos!" Bar hugged onto his sister and Goten.
"I love you both so much," he grinned hugging them tight. Then he sat them both down and moved toward Rini. She blushed awkwardly as he moved closer.
"Good luck," she said softly before Goten pulled her in for a deep kiss.
Litta and Bar both giggled watching their parents.
Once they broke apart, they looked down at their audience. "How about we go see Grandma Chi-Chi?" suggested Rini.
"Yeaah!" yelled Bar bouncing with excitement. Litta shrugged. She had been sitting with Chi-Chi since she left Goten earlier.
"Good luck Uncle Goten!" called Cami as they all started to head back to Chi-Chi and the others.
Litta grinned running to stand in front of Henry.
He smirked leaning down. "Grab on," he told her already knowing what she wanted.
"I want holded?" demanded Bar with a stomp.
Gohan chuckled picking up his nephew and placing him on his shoulder. "That better little buddy?" he asked.
"Yeah let's go!" he pointed ahead.
xxXXxx
"There's my grandbaby!" exclaimed Chi-Chi running up to Gohan to take Bardock.
"Litta's here too," Rini muttered under her breath.
"He wins because he looks just like Grandpa Goku," sighed Pan. Chi-Chi definitely played favorites.
Cora looked disappointed between her parents "Mom… are you disappointed I lost?" asked Cora in a quiet voice.
"Sweetie, you did great. I'm very proud of you. Maddox is older and you still nearly beat him," Pan pulled her daughter into a hug.
"And Maddox didn't exactly play fair," commented Trunks giving Cora a kiss on the top of the head.
Cora approached Vegeta next not saying a word. Both were silent for a few moments before Vegeta chose to speak. "You fought well… Would you like to get an ice cream," he offered softly. He knew she was more than likely worried she had disappointed him. She nodded taking his hand.
After Vegeta and Cora left, Pan smiled hugging Trunks arm. "What?" he asked confused.
"Your dad was just so sweet to Cora," she stated giving him a big smile.
"She is his favorite. Honestly, I think she might be higher on the list then Bra," chuckled Trunks.
"That's because Cora's a little princess that loves fighting," giggled Pan.
Trunks chuckled again. "I hope she gets over her loss soon. I don't like seeing my little girl upset," he sighed glancing after Cora and Vegeta.
"You should do something fun to take her mind off it. Maybe a vacation or a day out," suggested Bulma.
xxXXxx
"The adult tournament is not much more exciting. The only real fighters are the saiyan and the reincarnation," observed Ivar writing something in his notepad. Bra wondered how there was any paper left in that thing.
"Yeah, Uub and Goten will be in the finals yet again," she had to agree it was pretty dull.
"Bra, may I ask a possibly personal question?" he stared at Goten as he took down another fight with practically no effort.
"Sure, I don't see why not," she shrugged.
"Why did you not marry the saiyan male, Goten?" he asked.
She laughed. "Goten is like a big brother. Plus we're not each other's types. He likes women with a personality more like my mom's. Plushy yet kind hearted kind of thing. I'm more plain stubborn like my dad. While I like my guys more serious. Goten is like a walking clown," she explained.
"I see…" he continued to watch Goten.
xxXXxx
"Go Daddy!" yelled Litta from her place between Henry and her mother.
"Daddy why don't you fight like Uncle Goten?" asked Cami turning her attention from Goten's match to Trunks.
"I fight. Your mommy and I spar all the time," he reminded her.
"No at the tournament," Cami made a face as though Trunks had completely missed her point.
"I'm too busy to fight in tournaments Angel. But I used to. I fought in one when I was eight and one when I was eighteen," he explained. Cami nodded.
"Mommy why don't you fight in the tournament?" she asked turning to Pan.
"Yeah Panny," Trunks echoed his youngest in hopes to get a rise out of his wife.
"Because I don't want to embarrass your Uncle by beating him," she smirked.
"Could you beat Daddy?" asked Bar looking very serious in Chi-Chi's arms.
"I have a few times, but he's beaten me a few too," Pan told her cousin not wanting to upset the little boy who everyone knew thought Goten was the strongest man in the whole world.
Bar nodded understanding.
"When your cousin Pan was four years old she beat Goten at the world tournament… Your dad wasn't taking his training very seriously at all back then," laughed Chi-Chi. Bar made a face.
"Daddy trains lots," he mutters looking upset.
"Yeah, he does now Bar, but he slacked off back when he was in high school," explained Gohan giving his nephew a smile.
"Honey you're daddy is super strong now, but it took a while to get that strong. You know you have to practice," Rini took her son from Chi-Chi. He snuggled close to her chest. "See Daddy's going to the finals," Rini comforted him.
xxXXxx
"Neither is using their true power, why?" questioned Ivar looking to Bra for an explanation.
"Well a stadium full of people isn't exactly the safest environment to go all out. Plus, going super freaks people out," shrugged Bra.
"They are intimidated by the power," he commented.
Bra laughed, "No they are way more freaked out by the color changing hair," she giggled.
"Humans are bothered by the strangest things," sighed Ivar continuing to watch the final match.
xxXXxx
"Our World Champion is Goten Son!" yelled the announcer.
"See Daddy is the World Champ again!" grinned Litta.
"They both fought hard… I wonder who would win in an all out fight," commented Bulma.
"Goten would, I think. He could ascend to super saiyan two and have the immediate advantage. Though Uub's special attacks he received when he absorbed Buu would make him a very dangerous opponent," Gohan went over the possible fight in his mind.
"True, but it isn't likely they would ever fight for real," shrugged Videl.
"Mommy, we go ta Daddy?" asked Bar from his place in Rini's arms.
"Yeah Momma, can we?" she asked with a broad smile.
"Sure," she grabbed Litta's hand while holder Bar on her hip with her other arm. Henry tapped Cami's shoulder and pointed to her leaving friend. She immediately jumped up grabbing Trunks' arm. "Daddy can we go too?" she demanded as she pulled him after them.
He chuckled knowing if he said no she would just move on to someone else. "Sure Angel. Henry, Cora, want to come with?" he asked slightly delaying them. Henry and Cora both hopped up to follow. Pan smiled getting up to assist her husband with their children.
xxXXxx
"Have you decided what'd you like since you won?" asked Bra wondering if Ivar even wanted anything.
He looked a little nervous, but quickly regained his passive expression. "I would like to be considered," he stated simply.
"Considered for what?" she asked not understanding.
"As a possible mate… a date as you call them," he expression remained passive.
"You want to date me," she wore a Vegeta level smirk.
"I suppose," he closed the notepad slipping it into his pocket.
xxXXxx
Henry hovered slightly next to Litta and Rini. He let up once they were to Goten. Goten grinned running to greet his family. The media loved the chance to get a picture of the world champ and his family. A few pictures were also snapped of the Briefs family. Henry and Cora were unphased by the attention, but Cami giggled waving at the reporters not truly understanding what was so special about her family.
Author's Note- If I skip something you would have liked to see, please PM or mention it in a review, and I will do my best to add a chapter to include it.
Please Review, it means a lot to me.