Ok here we go, new chapter. Thankfully I got a new computer as a 'mothers day' present from the puppies...aren't they thoughtful lol. Hopefully I will still be able to update next monday as well, we'll see how it goes. :) Thanks again to those who reviewd you guys mean the world to me and help me stay motivated.

Kakarot followed behind Trunks and Geta as they followed behind the newly mated coupe out of the temple. He looked down at Chi-Chi, who was holding his arm as she walked quietly beside him. I wonder if she would consider mating with me? He wondered as the procession crossed the temple grounds, I'll have to talk to her about it later. I really hope she does consider it.

Behind Kakarot followed Gohan and Videl talking quietly together. "What did you think of the ceremony Videl?"

"I'm not too sure Gohan," she laughed. "One thing's for sure you Saiyans really don't waste words do you?" Gohan laughed as well. "No I guess we don't. We're more about actions than words." He thought about that for a minute "You know, now that I think about it I understand more now. It's really easy to deceive others with words...but it's much harder to lie through your actions." Videl nodded in agreement. The pair was silent for a while until Gohan asked, "Videl I was wondering if...would you be willing...I mean would you consider..." Gohan sighed. "Videl if things stay the same between us would you consider going though with a mating ritual as well?" Videl looked at him, "Gohan are you asking me to marry you?"

"Ah...no...yes...I mean maybe?" Videl looked confused, happy and hurt all at the same time. Shaking her head she punched him in the arm, "You really should stick to actions Gohan, when it comes to words you really suck!"

Goten and Kaida, who were walking close behind, laughed. "Goten promise me something. When you're old enough to want to mate with someone you'll follow your instincts...or come and ask me or Geta ok?" Goten agreed laughing. "So where are we going now?" Goten asked when he finally stopped laughing. Kaida pointed to a large ornate building across the courtyard from the Goddess' temple. "That's the horu. It's where we have the larger celebrations that aren't held outside or in a temple."

The inside of the hall was a simple wide open area, rows of white pillars along the outside holding up a high vaulted ceiling. Along the far wall was a long table with seats for six; on the wall behind it was a large red tapestry of the royal symbol. Bulma allowed Vegeta to help her sit, which was surprising easy despite the fact that she had her hand bound to his. Geta and Trunks came and sat beside her while the new in-laws sat beside her mate. At a large table to their right sat the higher ranking officials and their families, including Kakarot, who had the distinction of sitting at the end closest to the king. Once everyone had found their place at the tables servants came out with trays upon trays of food. Bulma was pleasantly surprised to discover it was all finger food. 'Of course it's 'finger food' woman. It would be ridiculous to have a full meal when we cannot properly use utensils.' Bulma nodded, that made sense. 'Is it the same for all matings?' Vegeta thought for a moment before he answered, 'I'm not sure. I attended a couple when I was a child and they did have finger food, but I'm not certain about the other classes. I would assume they would though.' Once all the food was gone and the servants had cleared the tables music began playing. It took Bulma a while to find the band playing in a far back corner. Despite being in the far corner the music was loud enough to be heard through the entire hall, yet not so loud as to make talking difficult. Geta and Trunks soon left the table and Bulma watched as they dragged Gohan and Goten off with them. Kyandi took Chi-Chi and Videl off to talk with the other high-ranking females, leaving Kakarot and Kaida alone at the table.

Spotting the other generals Kakarot made his way over to talk with them. He had only taken a few steps towards the others when he noticed Kaida following behind him. "This is some sort of formality thing you guys forgot to mention isn't it?" Kaida nodded, "Yes, until I'm mated I have to stay close to my father or other close male relivate. Especially at formal gatherings like this. Just pretend that I'm not here." Kakarot shook his head, "That doesn't sound like much fun for you." She laughed, "You are so human sometimes. It's not supposed to be fun, it's supposed to protect unmated females from unwanted male attention. Fun starts after mating." He looked over to where Videl was talking with some of the other women, "What about her, shouldn't she be stuck with someone?" Kaida shook her head, "As much as I may like her, she is not seen as being a desirable mate for any of the males here. No one will say anything about her wondering around without an escort, besides she's with the mated women so she's safe there." Nodding Kakarot continued over to the other generals and did as Kaida suggested, he completely forgot about her being there.

Hours later little had changed. Kakarot was still talking with the generals, Kaida standing silent and forgotten behind him. Chi-Chi and Videl were still gossiping with the other women. Bulma was still sitting at the head table with Vegeta, his parents having left to talk with others some time ago. Every once in a while they would spot one of the four boys up to something in the hall, then they were gone just as quickly as they came. It seemed to Bulma that every Saiyan there had come up to introduce themselves and congratulate the couple. Bulma was having a hard time remembering their names, never mind telling family members apart, Vegeta, however was having no such issues, he even seemed to remember some from before he was sent away. So she was extremely pleased when Vegeta finally grabbed her hand, helped her up and led her off into the crowd. The new king and queen slowly made their way through the crowd towards the entrance. 'Where are we going?' she asked through their bond. 'Outside.' She rolled her eyes at his answer. 'I see that, why are we going outside?' Vegeta chuckled at her tone, knowing she was less than pleased by his answer. 'Wait and see.' She glared at him knowing full well that he was doing this on purpose. When they emerged from the hall Bulma was amazed by the sight in front of her. In the middle of the court yard was a huge bonfire, well it would be a bonfire when someone lit it. Around the pile of wood were ten drums of varying sizes from the smaller ones that were around a foot in diameter to the massive one that stood directly behind the bonfire. That drum has to be ten feet tall, she thought with amazement. As she looked around she noticed that almost all the guests had left the hall and gathered in the court yard. 'What's going on now? Vegeta sighed, he knew she was going to keep bothering him until he answered but it was hard to tell her when he wasn't sure himself. 'I think we will light the fire, though I'm not sure how as you can't use ki. Then the drummers will perform.' Bulma nodded understanding that he was as unsure about some of this as she was.

Geta came up behind them and whispered something in his father's ear which caused the elder Saiyan laugh. "Good to know that father is actually thinking ahead." Bulma raised an eyebrow in question but Vegeta shook his head. Whatever, she thought, I won't get an answer out of him now anyways. She looked around the court yard again, I wonder what they're waiting for. Whatever it is I hope it happens soon, she tried hard to hide the shiver that coursed through her body at the cold air, this may be a desert planet but it sure gets cold at night. Noticing his mate's shiver Vegeta moved closer to her in order to share his body heat. Grateful Bulma leaned closer, but stopped short of resting her head on his shoulder when she heard someone clear their throat behind them. Turning, they were both a little shocked to find Kakarot standing there holding a lit torch looking sheepish. "Your father told me to give this to the two of you," he whispered holding the torch out to them. Vegeta took the torch from him in in his free hand then held it out so that she could hold it in her free hand as well. Heading back towards the waiting pile of wood he noticed with pleasure how Kakarot bowed and backed away. Reaching forward they lit the bonfire which exploded to life with a thunderous boom, startling Bulma. 'Relax', he reassured her, 'it's just the drums.' They retreated back to where they were standing before to better watch the drummers and when his mother came and offered them both drinks they accepted gratefully.

For the drumming I was watching some Taiko drumming and thought that it would work for them. I really like those videos with the huge drum :)