Hello readers. Sorry for the late chapter, February is an extremely busy month for me. Anyway on with the chapter!

Meet the Briefs

Since their first date six months ago, Nia and Ryo had grown closer as a couple. Chi Chi and Videl were enjoying themselves gushing over their relationship. Both women loved how despite Ryo being a giant of a man, he was very kind and gentle. He had also proven to be a wonderful teacher no matter which age group he worked with.

Working together meant that Goku and Gohan had many opportunities to get to know the man that Nia had fallen in love with. Ryo had made a good impression on the saiyans after they had watched him spar with the saiyan princess. They liked that instead of going easy on Nia during their matches Ryo challenged Nia's strength to its limits, and Nia was happy to return the favor. When they weren't sparing, both men were pleased to see that Ryo was genuinely happy spending time with Nia.

Gohan was showing his support by agreeing to get to know Ryo the best way he knew how…sparing for hours at a time. Even outside the dojo the two men had found a friend in one another much to the delight of Nia and Videl.

Goku had taken a liking to the young man when he found out that the young warrior could keep up with the saiyans when it came to eating. However, he was especially impressed when Ryo had approached him one day and asked for his assistance in helping to convince Nia to let him meet Vegeta.

"You actually want to meet Vegeta?" Goku asked as he gave the gentle giant an odd look.

"I know what he's like, I've heard the stories. He's a difficult man but he adores those closest to him. If I see any kind of future with Nia then I need his approval," Ryo explained.

Goku looked up at the other warrior with and smiled kindly before he said, "Ryo, you're a good man that any father or brother would be proud to see date their princess. It is clear to anyone with eyes that you love Nia. That being said, I trust that we taught Nia to make good choices. Part of trusting is that the man she chooses to spend her life with never needs to prove himself to us, if he is making Nia happy. Do you understand?"

Ryo looked genuinely surprised by the statement before he nodded his head. It was moments like this that made the gentle giant seem very childlike in Goku's eyes.

"I suppose so. I just really want him to accept me as part of his family," Ryo explained.

Goku nodded his head understanding the young man's obsession with being accepted by them as a member of their family. Ryo was alone in the world until he found Nia all those years ago, during their training. She had told him stories about them all but she had especially talked about Vegeta.

"Well I can tell you right now that Bulma, Trunks, and Bra will adore you," Goku said happy to see that get a smile out of the young man.

The saiyan then reached up and gave Ryo's arm a squeeze before he added, "On the off chance that Vegeta doesn't accept you as part of his family, just remember that you've already become part of ours."

Goku braced himself as he saw he tears forming in Ryo's eyes. Without warning, Ryo swept Goku up into a bear hug.

"Does this mean you'll help me talk to Nia about meeting Vegeta?" Ryo asked hopefully.

Goku patted the boy's arm before he replied, "I'll see what I can do."

…

"You can't be serious?" Nia said as she trained with her father outside their home.

"It's important to him. They'll have to meet eventually," Goku replied as he blocked one of Nia's attacks.

"I was thinking like…never," the saiyan princess said.

Goku pushed Nia back causing her to fall to the ground before he walked over to stand over her sympathetically.

"I think you need to give Vegeta and Ryo a little credit. Ryo wants to make you happy by getting along with Vegeta. Believe it or not Vegeta has also made a comment or two about meeting the…and I quote 'pathetic rodent who dare quote court his baby sister'," Goku said before he helped his daughter to her feet.

Nia gave her father a dead panned expression before she replied, "And that right there is why I don't want this to happen. Ryo is a good man and I do not want Vegeta to break him beyond repair."

Goku winced as similar feelings lingered about Vegeta being mercilessly cruel to the gentle giant that was Ryo. However, there was a part of Goku…a very tiny part, that felt that Vegeta would never do anything that would directly or indirectly hurt Nia.

"You know Vegeta could surprise you. These two might meet and become as close as long lost brothers," Goku said happily with a big smile on his face.

Nia said nothing as she crossed her arms and glared at her father.

Goku sighed and held up his hands in surrender before he mumbled, "I know. I'm his best friend; I know better than anyone he's not capable of making friends."

The saiyan princess couldn't resist chuckling at her father's expense. Despite the terrifying images of Vegeta and Ryo frolicking off into the sunset together curtesy of Goku, she knew that she couldn't avoid this forever.

"Alright…you might have a point," Nia grumbled.

Goku smiled knowingly at the young woman before he asked, "Can I be there when you tell Vegeta? Pleeeaaaassseee"

Nia rolled her eyes before she replied, "Yes dad. You can be there when I tell my blood thirsty and overly protective big brother that I want him to meet my boyfriend."

…

Goku had not been disappointed witnessing Nia tell the Briefs the big news. While Bulma looked excited for the saiyan princess, she also had her husband's hand in a death grip. Vegeta was silent but his expression spoke volumes. His entire body was beet red, there was a large vein pulsing on the side of his head, and to top it off he was squeezing his hands into fists so tight that his knuckles were turning white.

"Of course, we would love to meet him! In fact, why don't you two come over for dinner on Sunday," Bulma suggested.

Nia smiled brightly before she replied, "Really? You both would be okay with that?"

"Absolutely…right Vegeta?" Bulma said before giving her husband a warning glare.

The saiyan prince growled before he relaxed his body. He looked over at his baby sister reluctantly before he mumbled, "I can hardly wait."

"Oh ya, you're really jumping for joy there Vegeta," Goku commented enjoying his friend's misery and completely ignoring the icy stare directed at him.

Vegeta was ready to jump over the table to clobber Goku until he saw Nia's face drop sadly. Instantly the saiyan swallowed his rage before he turned to his sister.

"It's not a secret that I don't like the idea that you have a potential mate…quite frankly you're too young. However, if this is to become serious then it is necessary that I meet him at once. After all the saiyan princess cannot court a man until she has gained the approval of her king. I demand you bring this man before me on Sunday for my inspection," Vegeta declared in his 'I'm the king of the castle' voice.

Nia's face lit up as she listened to her brother go on his tirade. She knew that he wanted nothing to do with this, she knew that he was only agreeing to this to make her happy, most of all she knew that despite everything Vegeta was going to give Ryo a chance.

The saiyan rose from her chair and wrapped her arms around her big brother before she said, "Thank you Vegeta."

Vegeta only grumbled as he lazily wrapped one arm around his sister's waist to hug her back.

…

Sunday night came to quickly for the saiyan princess' liking. Once Vegeta had agreed to meeting Ryo she had been excited. Now however she was terrified of how this night would play out. As Ryo knocked on the door, the saiyan princess wondered if it was too late to cancel.

Bulma opened the door before she cried, "Hey you guys! Come on in."

'Well here goes nothing' Nia thought as they went into the house.

The moment they walked into the house Bulma couldn't stop staring up at Ryo and how large he was. Ryo noticed her anxiousness and gave her a warm before he extended his hand out to her to introduce himself. hi

"You must be Mrs. Briefs. I'm Ryo," the warrior said in a gentle voice that instantly relaxed the young bluenette.

"Please call me Bulma. It's such a pleasure to meet you at last," the scientist replied as she shook his hand.

At that moment, Trunks walked in pulling at the collared dress shirt that his mother made him wear for tonight's dinner. The lavender haired hair stopped and smiled when he saw that his aunt and her date.

The eighteen-year-old chuckled before he said, "Holy crap you actually brought him."

Bulma glared at her son before she replied, "Don't be rude Trunks. Ryo, why don't you join me in the kitchen."

"Ya brat and come give me a hug," Nia demanded in her royal saiyan voice as she watched her boyfriend follow her sister in law into the kitchen.

The teenager smiled as he rolled his eyes before he walked over to give his aunt. Trunks easily wrapped his arms around Nia before lifting her off the ground in a hug.

"Real funny, you purple baby giraffe. Now put me down before I tell Ryo baby stories," Nia said calmly before her nephew gently put her back on her feet.

"So, how's Vegeta's mood? Did he train today?" Nia whispered to Trunks hopefully.

"His mood is foul and yes he did," a voice said and Nia looked over to see Vegeta looking annoyed with his arms crossed.

"Good luck," Trunks said to his aunt as he squeezed her shoulder before disappearing into the kitchen to go talk to Ryo.

Nia watched Trunks leave before she turned her attention to Vegeta. To anyone who had ever had the displeasure of meeting the saiyan ruler, he looked like his normal broody self. Nia however could tell that her brother looked more tense than usual. His tail was swishing back and forth dangerously as if he were waiting patiently for his prey.

"Is he here?" Vegeta growled.

"Yes, he's with Bulma…and you're going to be nice to him, right?" Nia asked her brother hopefully.

Vegeta grumbled before he replied, "I promise I won't harm him."

"You need to be nice to him. He's sensitive," Nia demanded.

Vegeta glared at his little sister for a moment before he said, "I promise I won't harm him."

The saiyan king watched as his sister's face dropped in disappointment before she mumbled, "This was a bad idea."

Nia tried to walk past her brother to go to her boyfriend. Vegeta quickly put an arm out in front of her stopping the girl in her tracks.

The princess glared at him before Vegeta said, "You know I don't do nice…however I am capable of being civil."

Nia looked at her brother with a big smile on her face before she hugged him tight and said, "I'll take it and run like hell."

…

When they walked into the kitchen, everyone instantly turned their eyes to them. Vegeta ignored the anxious stares from his wife and children as he focused on the face of the suitor sitting at his kitchen table who dare fall in love with the princess of all saiyans.

The saiyan couldn't help smirking at the young man who looked far too excited to be meeting the ruler of the mightiest warriors in the universe.

'He doesn't look like much. Looks like a weak pipsqueak from where I'm standing' Vegeta thought as he observed the shy young man with the gentle expression.

"You must be Ryo," Vegeta said casually.

Ryo's face lit up like a Christmas tree as he quickly stood up and made his way over to the saiyan to shake his hand.

"Vegeta, I can't begin to tell you how honored I am to be meeting your acquaintance," Ryo said in a soft voice before taking the prince's hand and shook it enthusiastically.

Bulma, Bra and Trunks tried desperately not to laugh as they watched the scene play out in front of them. Vegeta's jaw had dropped to the floor in shock as he stared up at the giant towering over him in both height and weight. Ryo meanwhile looked nervous as he hoped he was making a good first impression to his girlfriend's family.

…

Dinner was a pleasant experience for the most part. Ryo found himself enjoying the attention he was receiving from the Brief family as they asked him questions about himself. As they did Vegeta remained silent and brooding which did not go unnoticed by Nia as she glanced over sympathetically.

She didn't think the height thing was going to bother her older sibling so badly until she noticed him trying to sit up straighter to appear taller.

"I know this is a corny question but, how did you guys meet?" Bulma asked in a giddy tone of voice giving the pair her undivided attention.

Nia and Ryo smiled at each other before Ryo gently placed his hand on top of Nia's and replied, "During our seven-year training to become masters, Nia was my guardian angel."

"How so?" Bulma asked curiously.

"I was the smallest fighter of all the selected to train. Needless to say it invited a lot of unwanted attention from larger students," Ryo explained.

"Seriously?" Trunks asked in amusement finding that very hard to believe.

"It's true. I was born two months premature, I didn't weight more than two and a half pounds. As a child, I was always very thin and small up until I was about fourteen," the gentle giant explained as he pulled out a photograph out of his pocket and passed it to Trunks.

"Puberty is a hell of a thing," Trunks said is surprise as he stared at the picture of a runt version of Ryo standing in between an older couple.

Bra smiled as she took a turn to look at the picture before she asked, "Who are the people in the picture?"

Ryo smiled at the little girl before he replied, "That's Granny and Gramps. They raised me."

"Where is your mommy and daddy?" the four-year-old asked innocently.

The gentle giant looked at Bra with sad eyes before he gently explained, "My mommy and Daddy had to go to the afterlife."

"How awful. I'm so sorry to hear that," Bulma said sympathetically.

"My parents were great fighters. Our village was attacked and they both stood their ground to protect our people. My father was killed in battle as my mother was sent into early labor. He fought off the enemy so that I could be born. My mother had to give birth on a battle ground and fought off the intruders until someone could come save her baby…she used her last breath to name me after my father," Ryo explained.

The room became very quiet as the Brief family listened to the young man's tragic tale. They were all amazed that this sweet man had such a violent beginning.

"Did they win?" Vegeta asked suddenly disturbing the silence.

Ryo looked at the saiyan confused before he replied, "Excuse me?"

"Your parents, boy. Did they succeed in defeating their enemies?" Vegeta demanded as he ate his meal.

"Yes. My father took out their general and best swordsmen with just his fists before meeting his end. My mother was a master with her double swords and struck down every single soldier that dared to come near her and her blades. It was thanks to them that victory for our village was possible," Ryo regaled.

"Then you should be proud boy. They were true warriors," the prince said casually.

Ryo smiled at Vegeta before he replied, "I am very proud to be their son. I honor their memory by sharpening their fighting styles that I inherited from them. I am a master swordsmen with my mother's blades and I am blessed with my father's unbreakable fists along with his strength."

The saiyan king smirked before he said, "Is that so...I would very much like to put those unbreakable fists of yours to the test against the strength of a saiyan warrior."

"It would be my pleasure," Ryo replied looking as if he could begin a spar at any moment.

The Brief family and Nia couldn't have been more pleased with how this evening had gone. Ryo had made a good impression and Vegeta had actually behaved himself. Nia couldn't have been happier…that was until her brother had to ruin the moment.

"Very well, we spar after dinner…I can't think of a better time to discuss your intentions with my precious little sister," Vegeta said with a sinister grin.

That's all for now. Don't forget to review or leave me a challenge. Till next time readers!