A/N: The problem with writing a fic set like 80 million years ago is that most of the current DB cast are yet to be born. So sometimes you just gotta make some people up.

Breakfast was lavish this morning. Eggs, bacon, sausages, bread, rice, potatoes – everything he'd ever dreamed of.

"We begin training today," Whis announced.

Training was rough. Whis stood there, hands behind his back, asking Beerus to hit him. He didn't want to hit Whis really, not after all this man had given him this past week.

"My lord, you're not trying hard enough."

"I feel…bad. Can't I hit someone else?"

"Oh? So you think you can hit me?" Whis laughed. "If you can, I deserve to be hit."

Beerus didn't understand the angel's sentiment.

"If you won't hit me, I'll just have to give you an incentive."

Whis hit hard. Really hard. Beerus was surprised, having been judging by appearances. He massaged his cheek, wondering if it would bruise.

"Now you hit me back."

He tried harder this time, but Whis was fast, and Beerus noticed the way he'd hover just above the ground.

"Hey." Beerus stopped. "You said you'd teach me to fly first."

"I will. This is merely to gauge what kind of combat skills you have."

Whis had forgotten how hard it was to train someone from scratch. Teaching basics like ki control and how to sense it… It was harder to explain to a complete novice. But Beerus was a good student who tried hard. He had the will to learn and achieve, reminding Whis why he'd picked him. Once he'd given Beerus the day's lesson he'd often find the god practising on his own to make sure he was mastering what he'd been taught. He'd caught Beerus jumping out of trees in order to master flying, standing in the shallows of the lake to heighten his senses by catching fish with his eyes closed, and his personal favourite, when Beerus attempted to sneak up on him, practising lowering his ki.

They visited other planets so Beerus could experience a wider range of climates, lifeforms and powers. Whis was not exactly a prime example of someone to sense ki with. And while they were away visiting, they indulged in lots of food now that Beerus had realised he could have pretty much anything he wanted.

"Eh?! Lord Whis!" a small hunched person almost shrieked when they spotted the angel.

Beerus peered around. "Do you know this person?"

"I don't recognise them particularly, but this was a favourite spot of the previous destroyer, so I'm well-known around here. It's not difficult to stand out, as I'm sure you'll appreciate."

The hunched person began to usher them both away, bowing several times to Beerus, saying something he couldn't understand.

"Do they know me as well?" Beerus asked.

"They know you're the destroyer, so they have great respect for you. They're welcoming you to this planet and asking for your protection, as is custom around here."

"I like that." He could get used to being treated like that. "Say, how many languages do you speak?"

"All of them," Whis said. "I have the ability to understand all, and for all to understand me. Don't worry, once you've learned the divine language you'll pick up this skill quite quickly. And soon this universe should start developing a universal language too."

"You're talking in riddles again, Whis."

The person leading them invited them to ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

"Technology here is still primitive as you can see. It was on your planet too. But on some of the older worlds they have begun to develop flight – that is to say via vehicles. One day they'll learn to travel between planets, and then there will be need for a unifying language for all to understand."

Beerus nodded. "I have no idea how they're making things fly in the air, but it sounds fun. Where are we going?" It seemed they were now in an empty courtyard.

"The palace is up ahead. You're to be welcomed by the Emperor." Whis smiled. "The food is always good here. No doubt you'll be banqueted and offered every luxury the Emperor himself enjoys."

"Sounds fantastic. And expensive."

"Lord Beerus, you have to stop thinking about cost now you're a god. Sure, I tip the locals who don't know us, but at the high end like this it's completely free."

"What? Why?"

"Because you're a god, and gods receive offerings in nearly every culture that worships them."

"I never did believe in gods. I remember people putting out food in the local shrine, and it fed me from time to time."

Whis laughed at the irony. "The Emperor will offer you everything he can in the hope that you won't destroy him. Of course, you shouldn't mention that you haven't developed that power just yet."

The carriage came to a halt and a nicely dressed young person bowed to them before inviting them up the steps and through the large green doors ahead. Inside there was a throne, high up on a platform, but unoccupied. The one he assumed was the occupant was waiting at the base instead – with a hat like that, surely only he could be the emperor.

Noticing their arrival, the man in the grand hat shuffled forward, his extravagant robe difficult to move in. He bowed like everyone else, and began to speak in a timid voice, unexpected from his appearance.

"I shall inform my lord," Whis said. It was unfair that he could understand Whis even though he knew Whis was speaking their language. "The Empress will welcome you shortly. They are just preparing for your arrival."

"So that wasn't the Emperor? Sure looked like one."

"No, that is her son, the heir."

Made sense. "How come you didn't know who was on the throne?"

"It has been a few centuries since I was last here."

There was a pause for processing before Beerus spoke again. "Do these people live that long?"

"Average lifespan is 120 years here."

"Yeah, that's still… How did they recognise you?"

"I'm sure that young man has been told stories of the destroyer and the blue man since he was a child. I'm sure there's an artist's impression of the two of us somewhere. I'm sure they'll draw you too."

Beerus wanted to ask more about the previous destroyer now they were back on the subject, but they were ushered along once more.

The Empress sat the centre of a long table filled with dishes creating an aroma that made Beerus salivate. As they approached, Beerus noticed how much more extravagantly she was dressed, wondering how he'd ever mistaken the son for the ruler. Her headdress was twice as tall, her pointed ears bore several types of earrings, and her robes were heavy enough to make her shoulders slump under their weight. She stood, but he only received an incline of the head rather than a full bow this time. Was that because she considered herself high enough not to bow? Or perhaps the headdress would have fallen off had she moved any further forward?

She looked up at Beerus as she spoke. He listened to her voice, much stronger than her son's, and noticed the scales on her face and how she'd enhanced their appearance with well-placed make-up.

"Empress Hebi welcomes you to planet Hachu, and begs you to enjoy this feast for as long as you'd like. Please take a seat."

Beerus followed Whis's lead, sitting as Whis replied to the Empress. More people came out of the wings, bringing the dishes to him so he didn't have to walk around the table like it was a buffet. He filled his plate in no time, having to refuse some of the later offerings.

"The Empress wants to know your opinion of the food."

Beerus nodded and made it quite clear, despite the language barrier, that it was fantastic. She seemed pleased with his enthusiasm.

"What else are you two talking about?" Beerus asked.

"I've told her a bit about you – this is the first time she's met a destroyer after growing up with the stories, and it was her grandfather who last saw one, but he was just a child. I've learned a bit more about her in the process, as I'm sure we'll return here at some point, perhaps before her son succeeds her."

"Why isn't her son dining with us?"

There was a short dialogue and Whis asked, "Would you like him to?"

"I don't see why not. There's enough here for a few more mouths."

More was said and the young man joined them, and as Beerus gathered, was thanking him for the kind invitation to his own table.

"You've really got these guys wrapped around your finger, eh?" Not being understood sure came in handy sometimes.

"The food's good, right?" Whis asked. "That's why."

Beerus was stuffed sooner than he wanted to be, but had Whis warned him they might get picked up by the royal family he wouldn't have indulged in the street food earlier.

"The Empress asks if you prefer boys or girls."

"I, uh…"

Noticing the confusion, Whis clarified, "She means for pleasure, my lord."

"That's a bit personal, don't you think?"

"She wants to offer you someone. Of course, you can refuse."

Beerus wondered if it would be rude to refuse. "Can I have both?"

Whis smirked, glad to see that he was getting the hang of making demands. "Of course."

Ten very attractive young people arrived once the food had been cleared and glasses of wine set out instead. The Empress motioned to them and said Beerus could have whoever he wanted.

"Whis, tell me, what happens now?"

"You can decide if any of these people take your fancy, and then they'll take you to a private room and you can enjoy their company however you wish."

"But you won't be there to translate?"

"Well, I can be if that's what you wish, but, my lord, the nature of these private audiences tend to be wordless, if you understand…"

Beerus nodded. "I just wanted to make sure." He stood up, making his way closer to the new arrivals for a better look. If they weren't going to talk, then only aesthetics mattered today.

Ooo

"Did you enjoy yourself today, Lord Beerus?" Whis asked as they sped across the universe.

"Very much. I can see why the previous destroyer was so well-known there."

"And the girl you chose was to your liking?"

Beerus was glad to be looking at Whis's back. "Yeah, can't complain."

"Say, I never asked, did you have a lover back on your planet?"

God that was an even worse question! "No, I'm not really that kind of guy. Maybe if I hadn't been living as I had, but – let's not talk about this."

"Is it a sensitive topic? Should I refrain from mentioning it again?"

"No, it's just…" Beerus grumbled. "I'm not experienced with this kind of thing so there isn't much to talk about. Why don't you contribute your own experiences for once?"

"I'm quite the asexual being, as I'm sure you'll discover for yourself the longer we live together. There's nothing for me to contribute."

"Then why are you asking me about this stuff if you're not into it?"

Whis smiled, not that Beerus could see. "Because I'm here for you and your welfare. If you need fulfilment in certain areas then it's something I should know about so I can provide for you."

Beerus pondered whether he was going to enjoy having Whis around for the rest of his life. The man was proving to be highly useful, but also increasingly nosey.

Walking back into his new house, which was quickly becoming a home, he realised something. "The previous destroyer took these wall hangings from that planet didn't she?"

"Yes. Perhaps when we visit more places you'll notice other things that have come from across the universe."

Beerus looked around, wondering which items he'd recognise next. Maybe he would start bringing things back soon. "Tell me about her."

"No. I don't want you to be like her – or try to be. Honestly, I'm waiting for you to raze this planet and begin afresh."

"But I like this. She had good taste."

"I won't disagree, but I look forward to the day you put your own mark on it."

"Soon," Beerus said.

Ooo

"Lord Beerus."

A hand on his shoulder.

"Lord Beerus, wake up."

He cracked an eye open. "What time is it?"

"You missed all of yesterday."

"Huh?"

"Slept right through it."

Beerus looked up at Whis's amused expression. "And you let me?"

"I didn't expect you to be capable of it, but I guess all that ki training really took it out of you. I hope you're feeling refreshed and ready for another hard day of training."

As if on cue, Beerus's stomach rumbled. "Food first?"

"Of course."

And it was as grand as Beerus had come to expect. His past life of scraps was quickly becoming a distant memory.

"Say, could we visit Shamz some time?"

Whis shook his head. "You need to be further along in your training before I allow such a nice reward."

"But – but we –"

"No buts. The Supreme Kai certainly would not approve of you visiting other universes with your basic skills."

"What's wrong with a quick visit to see my brother?"

"For one, my sister certainly wouldn't appreciate you coming to disrupt the solid routine she will have instilled over there, although…"

"Although?"

"Perhaps if I did take you and you found that your brother had surpassed you…that might spur you on."

Beerus couldn't believe Shamz would do better than him. Not when he was trying so hard right now. "Is that what your sister told you?"

"Not at all. I haven't asked about Lord Champa's progress because it isn't of interest to me at the moment. It'll be several years before I'd want to start comparing the two of you."

That made Beerus panic a little. "Years?! You mean I won't see Shamz for years?!"

"Of course I wouldn't be so cruel. When you can show me a ki blast worth using energy for I'll ask my sister if she'll allow you to visit."

"She really is your boss, huh?"

"She's older and stronger than me, and I respect her. Your brother shows you the same kind of respect, right?"

"Yeah, I guess." Beerus felt new motivation to achieve today. "But… What's stopping me from ordering you to take me?"

"You can order and whine all you like, my lord, but at this moment in time I am primarily your teacher, and you will listen to what I think is best for you."

"You'd refuse a god?" Beerus asked, wondering how far he could get with this.

"You'd be a lot more threatening if you could hit me."

Beerus took the chance to launch across the table, but Whis was faster, and Beerus crashed into the now vacant chair.

"Fuck!" He rubbed his head where he'd made contact, grateful the chairs had a soft back.

"Please don't injure yourself before we've begun." Whis rubbed a hand over Beerus's head which irked the destroyer, but he found that the touch somehow alleviated the pain. "Come on, you've much to learn today."