Chapter 58
At first he believes that Ryoko must have woken up again during the night and that this ki he senses is her natural defensive reaction to the darkness of the pre-dawn morning. Opening his eyes and sitting up he already knows this not to be true before even looking at his still occupied bed. No birds have begun their morning chorus. Vegeta stands up, getting out of his make-shift bed on the floor and grabs a pair of trousers to put on. This ki is familiar. He looks down on the sleeping Ryoko, she appears content, and hopes she does not wake up to find his absence. A clock says that it is barely past 4am and he is feeling this excruciatingly early arousal. Vegeta leaves the house and flies the short distance required to ascertain his answer. A good portion of the night sky is missing, stars hidden behind a looming shadow hanging over the lake. This particular silhouette he does not recognise yet as a soft green light shines down onto the lakeside he prepares himself for the coming day. Above him is a Juraian ship, much smaller than Kirito, and a passenger beams down. She smiles at the one man welcome party greeting her.
"You still have a few hours of waiting until sun rise on this planet. Your daughters will be asleep for a while yet."
Vegeta informs his guest of how long she will have to wait due to the ungodly hour she has arrived at. He wipes some sleep from his eyes and yawns deeply, Ryoko's antics have caused him to lose sleep and now this event will sap even more from him. Eyes casually inspect his semi-dressed state with a minor curiosity, the warm and welcoming smile still covering her face.
"My daughters may be but my son is awake to welcome me. I apologise for the time of my arrival, I do not often pilot a ship myself. It is good to see you again, my son." Misaki has wanted to say that for a while now. Carrying a few large bags over her shoulders she steps closer towards Vegeta. Her royal garb is similar to what she wore on her first visit to Earth, a dark hakama, a reddish top with few decorations and a long velvety green robe draped over her shoulders - the colours are hard to make out in the gloom. Vegeta tuts at being called such a name by this overly familiar woman. Her mouth then forms a small 'O', a sound of glee erupts from her and she beams at Vegeta. "Grandchild! Oh by Her Grace to think – grandchild – at such a young age. My first grandchild. Tsunami, I am a grandmother."
Overjoyed at this connection she has to Trunks through her daughter's engagement, Misaki is almost bouncing up and down with delight at this realisation. Her extremely long ponytail of blue hair bobs and waves with her excited motions and her luggage rustles about. She giggles to herself. Her love for children and family shines through with her joy at speaking that statement. Vegeta groans to himself. This is not something he wanted to wake up to or have to deal with so early in the morning. Her words are dangerous. Last time with a single sentence she betrothed Ayeka to him and now she has practically wed them with this one. No amount of forewarning could prepare him for the Queen of Jurai.
"Before you get too ahead of yourself I will caution you to stop. Have your emotional moments if you must but cease with those names. I will never call you my mother, do not call me your son." He calls for Misaki to calm herself. His parents were the strongest Saiyans of their generation, the monarchs of the Saiyans not of Jurai, and if even with Dr. and Mrs. Briefs he never called them by such a respectful term he certainly shall not with this emotional mother. Parents are not people he has any emotional connection to. Added to that it would be expedient of him to nip this in the bud now before any damage can be done. Ryoko would not be too happy with Misaki speaking as if he is already part of the Juraian royal family, and his son would not appreciate this. Trunks still only has one person he could ever see as his mother, letting his father move on does not equate to him being able to call them what he called Bulma. Misaki's exuberant energy diminishes yet her joy will not be quelled by his sourpuss attitude. She asks him why for she would like to use this noun. "Never did I humour my in-laws by calling them my parents, it is not something I will do. I find it demeaning to be called such a name, and my own son does not need this kind of thing."
Misaki appears partially defeated by this let down that she is not allowed to call her future son-in-law what she wants to. She would like to share that bond if possible with the man that her daughter loves and with his son as well. A second apology comes from her as Vegeta loudly yawns, he waves off the apology. Misaki stands for several seconds looking expectantly at the Saiyan and shooting a few glances behind him at the house. Vegeta is thankful that Ayeka does not resemble her mother behaviour-wise. He invites her into his house and walks back with Misaki following. Her long strides impatiently catch up with him, her undeniable energy and urgency puts that of her youngest child to shame. Passing through the front door she quietly says a communal greeting to no-one in particular. Vegeta offhandedly tells her to make herself at home as she sets her bags down. He debates in his head what to do as entertaining this guest for several hours is a task he would rather pass on. Misaki has sat down on the sofa. She is scarily close to Vegeta's full height even when seated. Her dark pink eyes have noticed the single decoration on the table before her.
"Bulma, my wife. Heart virus over a year ago. … Trunks will not abide you trying to supplant the position of a grandmother he already has, nor at the minute would he be alright with calling Ayeka his step-mother." Vegeta is unsure how much he told Misaki on her first visit and so outlines his widowing to her just in case and uses this sympathetic angle to hammer home how he shall not be called her son. She gently picks up the photograph as he explains and makes out as much as she can in the poor lighting. A mother and a father and a baby, she has many pictures like this herself at the palace but none contain the level of sentiment that this lone memorial harbours. She places the framed photo back where it belongs, claps her hands together in prayer, bows her head to the photo and turns her head to the stoic man.
"You make it sound like I intend to usurp my grandson's affection, it is natural for there to be two sets of grandparents. On the grounds of my daughter I see your point. She would get all flustered and start stammering in that cute way of hers when she's embarrassed. Little Ayeka frets about a lot, she would worry about every little thing concerning me saying that one word and its implications, and I agree she is far, far too young to really start thinking about all that. … Your wife is beautiful, Lord Vegeta."
"Was. She was, very."
" Of course, forgive my mistake. … Do you remember the first mistake I made concerning your 'wife'?" Misaki smiles in a knowing manner at Vegeta.
He is not fooled. She was not quick enough to hide the awkward reaction she had to his correction and neither is he dim witted enough to not see what she is trying to accomplish. The daughter of Lady Seto is not without her mother's influence, though lacking the skill and subtlety she has revealed some silver lining to her tongue. Fishing for information behind a simple and innocent question, unfortunately for her Vegeta is too jaded to let her kind demeanour overwhelm his perception of her.
"Yes I do. Strangely enough I find it hard to forget. Following what you did before abruptly leaving Ryoko has now managed to make your blunder a prophecy of sorts."
"Two, just like me and Sis then, so nice." She smiles at this news whilst Vegeta looks perturbed at having to admit this to her. From what she saw in her previous visit she guessed that the other woman would not back down from Ayeka's engagement without a fight and with Juraian customs all seems well to her. Ayeka did not appear on the friendliest of standings with Ryoko but Misaki believes that given time they can become the best of friends through their love like herself and Funaho.
"Saiyans are not -... I have no intentions of becoming a bigamist. Two currently. Eventually only one. Your daughter fights her own competition for the grandest of prizes."
The Saiyan turns from his guest and walks off. Normally dismissing ideologies using the rigid principles of his species he had to catch himself before saying something wrong. He cannot say that the Saiyan race which had no custom for marriage were not bigamists, he knows that loyalty was not their strongest suit having killed Nappa himself. Two wives is not an option that entertains his mind anywhere but in horrid nightmares. Misaki looks at him contemplating his words and how he posed that her daughter is having to fight for Vegeta against Ryoko. Whilst she is mulling this information over and thinking on its implications and what would be best for her eldest child, Vegeta has already had enough conversing. The Juraian princesses sleep however others exist that Vegeta can and will call upon. He opens the door under his stairs, wafts a hand to knock over furniture several yards away and listens to a few far off alarms trigger. Knocking would potentially wake the sleeping women, this will only wake one woman and her man. Misaki curiously observes his actions but from her angle cannot see into a laboratory she could otherwise easily recognise.
First on the scene is a man in a state of dress equal to Vegeta. He stands in the doorway groggily looking at the Saiyan and questioning why. Vegeta points into the room at the Juraian queen and tells Yamcha that he has a guest to entertain, Yamcha peers out and sees Misaki. She amicably waves at him and compliments Yamcha's shorter haircut. The wolf warrior returns the wave and half a greeting before a yawn disrupts him. He lazily leans against the door-frame and looks back into the lab. Misaki stands and begins to make her way around the sofa and towards where the conversation has moved to when she gets intercepted half way. Pink whips out from the laboratory and stops before her friend. Expending far too much energy considering that she has just woken up, Washu smiles and catches her breath and holds one hand out at the Queen of Jurai. Her attire is complement to that of the two men, wearing an oversized and baggy green t-shirt that almost overs her knees, and her bright hair is messy and loose, with random tufts sticking out here and there. She waves her hand about with vigour getting Misaki to look at it. Misaki warmly greets her long time friend and compliments her on the beautiful inset emerald ring that is being shoved in her face.
"This ring, my ring, was given to me by my Yamcha, for our engagement." Washu has a wide and girlish smile on her face as she informs Misaki that soon she will become a Mrs. She goes to say something else and continue showing off her ring but speech becomes difficult for her when two arms encircle her and begin to squeeze the very life from her. Thankfully Washu is close to Misaki's height and so is spared the overjoyed woman's suffocating bosom but not so lucky as Misaki effortlessly picks her up in the hug. Many emotional words of congratulations flow from Misaki and Washu relishes them. After knowing each other for centuries Washu has finally found someone she loves and is ready to commit to. Misaki could not be happier for Washu.
A cautionary warning is given by Vegeta to keep the noise down and Misaki heeds it as best she can whilst trying to reign in her enormous excitement and glee. Bare feet reach down and find the floor again, Washu wriggles her ring hand free and describes to her friend how Yamcha out of the blue proposed to her in front of everyone. Still inhabiting the doorway, Yamcha smiles at seeing his lover so happy and taking pride in their relationship, he looks across to Vegeta and says he shall let Washu occupy Misaki for him after he has gotten her dressed and ready. The Saiyan nods and takes a step towards the training room door. Washu's sharp emerald eyes glisten as she states that they have already decided upon a date, a gay giggle escapes from her lips that she cannot contain, the queen eagerly questions as to when and whether she is invited. The scientist nods in affirmation and returns a hug of her own. Yamcha lets them have their moment for a bit before he calls Washu over and postpones the conversation about his engagement until proper clothing has been adorned.
"Does my little Ayeka have a ring?"
An innocent question halts Vegeta's silent and gradual creep into his training room. Still buzzing with the excitement of it all and at being in relative close proximity to her children, Misaki clasps her hands together and bounces from one foot to the other. Vegeta replies with the truth that he has not given Ayeka a ring, nor has he given one to Ryoko. His would-be mother-in-law smiles and says that she believes her daughter would want one even if she does not think it her place to ask for one. The Saiyan Prince has already thought along these lines. Engagement rings are a trump card he does not want to prematurely use and at the moment Ayeka is placing a large enough emotional attachment on the seashell necklace so she already has some jewellery from him.
Meowing from the top of the stairs gives Vegeta another distraction to utilise. He successfully manages to skulk off as Misaki's attention goes upwards to a stretching and hard to make out furry creature. Ryo-Ohki meows expectantly down at this affectionate woman she remembers after having been woken up by the noise. Open arms beckon her. The cabbit lazily and haphazardly half leaps and half flops from the staircase to be enveloped by Misaki. A content squeal comes from the blue haired Juraian as she pets the purring Ryo-Ohki. Going from the warmth of one woman to another, Ryo-Ohki cuddles down and rests as she is stroked. The woman coos at the animal she is cradling until a great flash of light dazzles her. Misaki blinks away the shapes burnt into her retinas and approaches the location of the light. She easily swings open the heavy metal bulkhead and inquisitively peers about this tiled room she has not seen before, it is lit as if the Sun has risen and besides the central console stands the reason. Super Saiyan 3 is new to her. She is surprised by the remarkable change in Vegeta's appearance and the godly amount of energy that even she with no sense of ki can faintly detect. In her hands Ryo-Ohki fidgets so the brightness does not bother her. All Misaki can say is that his long and blonde hair suits him. Steely eyes fix on the intruder. He stretches his limbs, his aura dies down and he turns to face the console again.
"Is this a room you use for training purposes? … I myself have been getting back into a training regime." A leading comment is left as Misaki smiles at the broad back of the Saiyan. Even though he is not looking her way she pumps one of her arms in a lackadaisical show of strength. Ryo-Ohki fidgets since her perch has been disturbed.
"The Juraian tournament, it is my intention to participate. However, this is upon the singular condition that Kakarot is there to be defeated. My training is still important, how long does the tournament last and when would I have to be on your planet?" Vegeta goes with the direction that Misaki has pushed the conversation, deducing Misaki's large curiosity to Ayeka and Sasami who will accompany him back to Jurai for the tournament. He flexes his arms and gets the blood flowing through his limbs. Since she is asking questions then he shall as well to gain the knowledge necessary for this plot to have his long sought after revenge.
"Thank you, Lord Vegeta, you have made me very happy with this answer. I thank you for bringing my children back home to me. Thank you. I think it would be 40 days for this planet's calendar, when it starts, although that is the opening ceremony. There is … registration, preliminaries and the sort take a while, people from all over the empire try to secure a spot in the final rounds and so it can take a while to whittle them down to a manageable roster."
"So these weaklings, are they going to cost me hours or days?"
"The average is a week, is this not to your satisfaction? We have training facilities on Jurai, state of the art I can assure you."
Both parents are pushing for opposing wants. Misaki senses Vegeta's reluctance to spend any large amount of time away from his home however she yearns for her children to spend as much time as possible with her. She attests to the quality of training equipment and rooms she uses back in the palaces, any persuasion she can use she will to gain even an extra hour with her dear children. Her wide eyes implore him. Vegeta is immune to such attacks, his mind is elsewhere.
" … Kakarot's training will suffer with that long of distractions and his clown act. My training room is easily portable thanks to my wife, as is my home." There is no point to him challenging Goku if he does not face his nemesis at his best, his own training will ascertain the outcome of the match but his rival's will determine the worth of their battle. A week will not make Goku go soft or out of shape, however it cannot be a factor if Vegeta is to win, it would nullify everything. Misaki lights up at this news. She springs forwards towards him with a giddy glee on her face.
"You could stay on Jurai?!" Still failing to control her volume, she is putting great emphasis on what Vegeta only said as an offhand remark concerning Capsule technology.
An annoyed hiss comes from a falling cabbit. Misaki places both her hands on Vegeta's shoulders, invading his personal space and looming over him with her height. She is very excited at all of this. Her imagination has run rampant with the thought of her family being reunited again. Ryo-Ohki plods out of the training room. Vegeta removes one of Misaki's hands from his person and shakes his head at the desperate mother.
"My place is here, for now. This is my son's planet, this is where Kakarot is. When I secure my victory and if Ayeka gets her wish granted then and only then might I consider that option."
"When are you going to ask him, Kakarot I mean, to enter the tournament?"
Instead of answering verbally and having to waste more valuable time talking, Vegeta chooses to let his actions speak for him since the queen already has a hand upon him. Misaki does not know of, or is prepared for, instant-transmission. The two royals appear hovering above a sedately flowing river with the first touches of Sun creeping over the horizon. For Misaki it is not hard for her to support her own weight with the single arm holding onto the Saiyan and prevent herself from falling into the waters beneath. Thickets of trees surround the riverbank and if it were lighter then she would be able to see a small house not too far away. A man lounging next to a set up fishing pole sits up and waves to his unexpected visitors. In one nimble leap Misaki lands dry and safe next to Goku, they exchange greetings but before Goku can say anything else Vegeta makes his presence felt. A radiant gold flares across the landscape. He levitates lower and closer to the river's surface, the water begins to froth and part beneath him, several stray bolts of energy arc downwards. Charred fish float belly up to the surface. Vegeta smirks at his hated foe's ruined hobby. Goku stands up and reels in his now useless line.
"What do you want Vegeta? Most people don't go full power just to chat." Wary from Vegeta's transformed state, he questions why he suddenly has guests. He tightens the blue belt across his orange training gi and steps closer towards the edge of the river. His sixth sense of ki scans the Super Saiyan 3 before him and keeps scanning for any underlying danger.
"My intention is to grind you into the dirt where you belong, but not here and not now. Is that empty head of yours any good at storing basic memories?" Vegeta floats forwards and lands. Staring eye to eye with Goku he lets out a mocking laugh. Goku can easily infer what Vegeta is talking about and why the blue haired woman he met once before is here, he shakes his head and gives the same answer he previously gave.
"You're not exactly one for tournaments. I told you-"
"For the second time in my life I control the most intelligent and powerful scientist I have knowledge of. No energy or force escapes from my training room, she can and will build a worthy arena for us, something safe, even if it has to be a different dimension. You cannot deny your Saiyan blood. I am the challenge you seek. Fight me. And, if you are to be a coward and decline then it will be your cruel decision that separates this mother from her children." The reason behind bringing Misaki is used, a basic bit of emotional blackmail to help tip the scales in his favour. He knows that his rival burns for the chance to test his power, they both live for this singular purpose of being challenged and pushed beyond their limits. What happened before with Babidi will not happen again.
Two immense beings of flaming hair stand in the pre-dawn. Both smirking with extreme confidence at the other, their auras raging around them and causing Misaki to take several steps backwards. Goku's only reason for not accepting the fight has gone. The fishing line combusts. Sizing each other up, their blue eyes burn with the will to fight. Goku is trying to work out how the gap between them is less than it was, this is not the same Vegeta he met with a week ago. Their blood boils at the power they can sense.
"... When did you learn all these new tricks, Vegeta? This might be fun." A larger underlying change in Vegeta has been picked up on by Goku, he can tell why the prince arrived already transformed. He wants to fight, the hesitation has gone. No innocents will be endangered and so he can go ahead with this ultimate test.
"Let's hope your pathetic Zenkai is enough to preserve your life."
"Don't think you're the only one trying to perfect Super Saiyan 3."
"Seconds. That's all I need to tell the difference. Your power is draining, your ki – no matter how strong- will not last the match. Better get back to training, clown." Vegeta asserts the dominance he has for he can sense that Goku's ki is draining far quicker than his own in this state. It does not matter if his strategy is known, there is no way that Goku can bridge this difference in the time available to him, he has the advantage and will flaunt it.
Goku's aura rapidly diminishes and his hair blackens, he shoots a look to Vegeta but the prince will not take orders from his rival. Misaki looks about confused. A loud female voice calls out. Chi-Chi shouts to inform her husband that she is setting off with Goten to get the day's groceries and then adds with a bit of annoyance that if he is to transform then to do it further away from the house. A bicycle bell rings out twice and Goku looks unimpressed at Vegeta, getting scolded for something that he was not doing and that his job of getting fresh fish for breakfast has also failed. Now that the insurmountable waves of power have lowered, Misaki rejoins the conversation, asking Goku if the woman she heard was his wife and starting some small talk along those lines whilst also thanking him for accepting Vegeta's challenge. The Earth raised Saiyan is jovial and smiles back at the kind hearted woman. The queen of Jurai also states how she will be competing within the same tournament, Goku quickly scans her ki and despite her relatively low level compared to himself he says that he hopes they will meet in the ring and have a good match.
"Lady Misaki, would all of Kakarot's family be welcome on Jurai, are there any rules concerning how many members of a family can participate?" Stern eyes are planning and pondering on one possibility. Vegeta cares not at interrupting the talking, for him his victory is of the highest priority and there is a risk that might ruin his chances.
"No, no rules, the more the merrier and of course his family can come, is there another fighter you are expecting?" Misaki is quick to reply and smile at the Super Saiyan 3 and then poses the question to Goku. The black haired Saiyan asks for the date of the tournament and then starts wracking his brain to remember if anything is planned.
"Gohan is busy getting his doctorate, I don't think he'll be able to have a week off and he won't fight unless he has to. Chichi and Goten haven't been to an alien planet before, they're both coming … so that's how the tournament's going to be. I look forward to facing the second strongest Super Saiyan 3 in the final."
He would prefer it if his whole family could join him but Goku cannot force Gohan to drop everything for a tournament, his son has responsibilities of his own and would not have the strong Saiyan desire to fight. Both adult Saiyans know the fighter they are referring to and Vegeta pens the blame entirely on Goku for having been the one to teach the cursed technique of fusion. Gotenks is superior in power to them and has the fighting skills of both Trunks and Goten combined, they cannot definitively say that they can beat him since at the moment all they can do is guess at how much his power has risen. Trunks' large spike in power has been felt by Goku, there is a new Super Saiyan 2 flying around this planet. However, Goku still feels like he is forgetting something of major importance.
"You aren't suggesting that you let your children fight in this tournament? It is forbidden, only those of legal age can participate, the fighting ring is no place for sweet, innocent children." Misaki recalls the miniature version of Goku and since they are talking about Saiyans then logically the only people they could be contemplating fighting are their own children. This is not something she will tolerate. Jurai is not a barbaric place that allows children to be pitted in dangerous fights for the amusement of the spectators. Trunks and Goten cannot compete, the defensive mother enforces this rule and makes sure that the fathers hear her and listen. Both Saiyans make a disappointed sound at the loss of a challenge.
"Wow, you sound just like Chichi saying that. Guess I'll spar with Gotenks some other time then." Making light of it, he jests even though the Juraian Queen does not seem best pleased with him not taking such a thing as attacking children seriously.
With the answer gained and time being needlessly wasted Vegeta places a hand on Misaki's back and teleports back to his home without a word of goodbye to his comrade. Vegeta nonchalantly tells her that she has her answer now as Misaki looks about for a few seconds gathering her bearings in the gloom. He tells her that if she patiently waits a few minutes then Washu will most probably emerge from her lair and then strides into his training room. His fists are taut after being in Goku's presence, there is still a substantial gap in their power. Without caring he turns the artificial gravity onto the lowest possible setting and looks at the woman daring to intrude for the second time. Misaki is caught off guard by her increased weight yet she can still stand up without too much trouble. Vegeta raises a hand, pointing at her, and informs her that this room is for real warriors only and not unprepared hobby fighters like herself. She nods and with a smile quickly exits the room. Vegeta distrusts this, she left too easily. He hears her bags being lifted and the door to the laboratory being opened and closed. Vegeta channels his ki and waits for the inevitable.
Less than a minute passes before the slab of metal guarding his precious room is carelessly opened and Misaki rejoins him. She hums to herself as she braids her ponytail so her extremely long hair is even more out of the way. Her skin has taken on a grey hue, three black slashes are on her left cheek. The Juraian Queen is wearing her battle outfit, similar in style to Ayeka's but with a few slight variants to colour. Her under-armour sleeves and trousers are a deep amber hue, the main bodice black with brown hems with a sash of dark burgundy wrapped around her waist. Similar dark boots and wrist-guards adorn her limbs, she is prepared now. Strain shows on her face at the continued effort of standing in a room with 10G. Gravity training is not something she has ever done and it is new to her body. Vegeta casually powers down to his base form and jogs on the spot showing that for him this is less than nothing.
"This is the gravity my planet naturally had before Frieza destroyed it. When I am properly training and not humouring your antics I go into the thousands, this is 10G so step out before your bones pulverise themselves." Vegeta sees the proactivity in this woman and it is an attribute he can respect, it is a shame though that she is stopping him from starting his training and so his good will towards her is limited. He warns her of the gravity he intends to train in, gravity she cannot survive. Misaki listens to his warning yet she cannot just timidly walk out of this room after having gone through the hassle of getting changed.
"Don't write me off just yet, I have strength in me still."
50Gs crushes down on Misaki's frame. Vegeta keeps his hand on the console's controls in case this woman surrenders or requires aid. Gravity training is not some joke to be taken lightly or underestimated. Misaki's height and size conspires against her. She begins to rapidly blink as her vision blurs and darkens, her ears ring horribly and any slight movement she makes throws her entire sense of balance off. Her heart cannot get blood to her brain and she does not have the ki control to force this within her, her breaths become laboured, she clutches at her chest which is failing at expelling the gases trapped at the bottom of her lungs. Misaki collapses down on one knee and the sudden rush of blood to her head disorients her and makes her woozy. Vegeta observes her struggles, her muscles have not failed her but her physiology has, he keeps the strong gravity on. Respect is given where it is due.
"Your pure physical strength is abnormally high to withstand this much without powering up. That is to say your ki relative to this is abysmal, quite the opposite of your own daughter's power distribution. Useless."
"I … want to … train, to train … with my son." Misaki struggles to get these words out of her throat and raise her head to speak to her son-in-law. She forces a smile before her focus goes back onto surviving this enhanced gravity.
A multi-form splits off and relieves Misaki of her difficulty, dragging her outside of the training room and the house. Misaki finds herself set down on the grass and takes deep breaths of the fresh morning air. A Saiyan paces about and distances himself from the queen as she recovers, he judges his ki and regulates it to a precise level. Her stubbornness in the training room was verging on dangerous and the last thing he needs is Ayeka and Sasami shouting at him for almost killing their mother through negligence. Eventually the queen sits up and then stands.
"You said you wish to train then show me if you are worthy; we shall spar. My power level will be equal to what I had when I was destroying your planets, let's see what Jurai's best can do against the might of the Saiyans." Vegeta goads her with the comment about his sinful past, he shall battle with her to dissuade her from trying to interject herself into his training. Even with him being in such a weak form he holds a significant power advantage over Misaki. Nappa she could take – in an arm wrestle at least - not him and she is nowhere near her own prime.
"I might be a bit out of practise but I hope for a good, clean match, my son."
She raises a loose guard and lowers her stance, smiling warmly at Vegeta as she prepares for a friendly sparring match. It has been a long time since she last wore this outfit with the intent to battle someone, it is nostalgic and reminds her of her wayward youth. Hesitation appears on Vegeta's face for she has used a word that he has a dislike for when used in the context of fighting.
"Clean? What rules of engagement would you be intending to use? Real fighting has no such handicap."
"For one, I cannot fly or shoot blasts like yourself so it would not be much of a match if you used those abilities. Also, basic courtesy in sparring such as no low blows or biting."
" … What about your chest? You are a woman and your breasts are large, does the same rule of the groin apply to your chest?" Disguising his rule breaking behind some double -edged courtesy, Vegeta already begins the fight. Psychological warfare is a hobby of his when toying with inferior foes and it is working. Even in the dim lighting he can see a blush on Misaki's face, her guard shifts closer to her torso and she awkwardly glances about. His opponent is a woman and so he keeps in mind how hitting her chest might not be in his best interest. Vegeta makes no move to take up a defensive position, he has already put his opponent on the back foot.
"That is … forward but thoughtful of you nonetheless. It is not a rule enforced normally but between family it would be appreciated if you did not attack my … womanly parts."
Misaki bows her head to her sparring partner and takes a few calming breaths. Around Vegeta a humming enters the air and a swarm of small Juraian guardian logs spawn into existence encircling him, he smirks at her ability to so readily take the offensive against him. Energy begins to build up between the guardians. Tumbling forward into a forward roll to escape the ensuing barrier, Vegeta snatches one of the guardian logs and partially crushes it in his hands. He flings it forwards as soon as he gets to his feet and instantly dashes off perpendicular to his target, keeping low to the ground. Misaki's guard deflects the incoming projectile being returned to her. It shatters on impact and at that moment she blinks to rid her eyes of the small fragments. An open palm slams under her diaphragm as Vegeta rolls his weight through his back and shoulder into the blow. A half choked squawk follows Misaki as she rockets off her feet for several metres before catching herself in a partial cerulean barrier.
Giving her no time to recover the distance is already closed. A feint to the side does not fool her. The Queen's fist appears inches from Vegeta's face before he nimbly deflects it. Ducking down he uses his shorter stature to his advantage. She raises a leg to kick at his approach and he catches her limb before stepping firmly on the only grounded foot she has and rams his shoulder into her. Misaki loses her balance and falls backwards. She coils her caught leg around the back of Vegeta and uses her longer arms to grab the front of his outfit to bring her opponent down with her. Vegeta stays solidly upright and standing. Misaki is not in a defensible position, she has one arm to block with. The Saiyan confidently bears down on her with a purposefully slow punch. She catches it and her arm muscles tense to stop the blow. Her arm locks in place and his fist slows down to a crawl. The closer it gets to her the more uncomfortable the angle becomes for her, she winces and retracts her arm and leg from him. As she falls a knee hits her in the back and she screams.
Immediately after hitting the ground she sits up and prepares to leap to her feet into the fray again, however she stops and pauses and a look of embarrassment crosses her face. Misaki holds up a hand to Vegeta to get him to stop, which he already has done, and her grey hued face takes on a blush again. The Saiyan can see what has transpired and turns to face the opposite way. His blow to her back caught the clasp of her bra, unhooking and damaging it. Misaki stays sat down and turned away from Vegeta as she attempts to correct her wardrobe malfunction, she did not change completely into a proper training outfit and now pays the price for it as she is forced to tightly knot together both ends of her brassiere. She exhales and clears her throat and then stands.
Sparks of jagged purple erupt from Vegeta's body as he puts on a show of intimidation. Misaki faces him without comment or hesitation. She tries to plan and think of a way to make use of her advantageously longer reach or larger body yet against his speed and technique she is failing to see any opening she can take. He confidently goads her to attack him. The Queen fails to see any other option than to attack and hope for the best since she has not defended any of his strikes so far. She propels herself forward, slams her left foot into the ground and uses it as a pivot to spin on and direct all her momentum into a well telegraphed spinning kick. Just before her blow strikes into the raised forearm of Vegeta she lets loose some trickery. A 3 foot diameter barrier raises at the Saiyan's back and knocks him. Her foot glides past his displaced arm. Bare feet crack into the resonating ground and both sparring partners smirk at the other. Misaki leaps back a step. Her successful blow has done little more than to dirty Vegeta's collarbone.
She lunges in again, crashing against his impervious defences with her hands and shins, striking the air more than the man. Grass gets churned up and flung about by their rapid movements. Amassing her strength after moving Vegeta back so that he only has one foot currently on the ground she gets low and throws all her weight against his lower half in a reckless tackle. The Prince topples with the Queen atop him. In a flurry she attempts to manoeuvre herself in the air to wrestle Vegeta into a submission but her greater size and his agility makes it awkward to do so. With one arm Vegeta catches himself from hitting the floor and raises his body into a vertical handstand, Misaki still clinging to him. Blue braided hair starts to fall down as a female fist raises, her knee connects with one of Vegeta's legs to little effect. Her first draws back ready to be flung forward when her world goes temporarily black and her muscles become slack. Misaki tumbles off of Vegeta and limply thuds on the ground following a swift elbow to the back of her exposed head.
Vegeta lowers himself to the ground and stands up over his downed opponent. A lightning fast sweep of the leg forces him to jump, the daughter of the Devil Princess cannot fool him with the simple ruse of playing dead. A second kick darts up from the laying down woman aimed straight for his head which he pushes aside and then chops at her knee. Misaki rolls away. As she stands she realises that for a split second she took her eyes off of the Saiyan and now he is no longer before her. A double handed axe strike thunders into her side. She turns to guard and protect her flank. Vegeta chops at her thigh before she thinks of raising a kick against him and then sends one of his own kicks high with enough force to knock her arms out of the way. He bounces onto his other foot and kicks down at her shin and knee, does a half step to the side to dodge a punch thrown at him, hitting an open palm into her extended elbow. His knee drives into her stomach. Misaki lets out a winded cough and begins to double over. The swift Saiyan is already behind her and punches her in the small of the back, her back arches backwards, he kicks her in the back of the knee, her leg gives out. Misaki has no balance. She yelps as he tugs on her braided ponytail and with that final pull she begins to topple. Blows to her forearms debilitate those limbs so she cannot catch herself from falling. A couple of inches from the ground she jars to a sudden stop, Vegeta grips her collar. He slams a fist through the dirt beside her head as he drops her.
"Lord Vegeta, unhand my mother at once!"
Vegeta retracts his fist from the turf and both queen and prince turn their heads towards the angry voice. Two princesses are outside the front door of the house. Ayeka stands with her narrow eyebrows in a deep set frown and with one hand resting on the shoulder of her scared looking younger sibling. Her bed sheet is firmly wrapped around her to cover up her unsuitable manner of dress since she has immediately come from her bed following hearing her mother's scream. There is anger within her at witnessing this scene of her betrothed attacking her mother. Sasami is scared and confused, holding onto her big sister. A quiet wince travels on the cooling morning breeze and Juraian eyes fix on the source of this noise with worry and concern. Misaki rubs at her back as she sits up, she has a few aches but there is no major pain. The small girl in her salmon coloured pyjamas leaves her sibling and begins dashing across the grass towards her downed mother and before Misaki can say any greeting her youngest child has more-or-less collapsed onto her. Ayeka glares at Vegeta still. A warm hug envelops Sasami, the mother comforts and soothes her child and lets her pent up motherly affection flow out at being reunited with her wayward children.
"It is all fine, my dears, I am not hurt in the slightest. My son was very gentle and thoughtful in our little sparring match, he made the effort to ensure he did not cause injury or undue pain. I wanted to spar, I instigated the match and am solely responsible for this scene."
Misaki is quick to clear up what has transpired and what her children are seeing, part to calm her youngest down and part to placate Ayeka since Vegeta has done no wrong. She sends a smile to her eldest and continues to embrace Sasami. Light shines out from behind the blanket wearing princess as the Super Saiyan 3 multi-form of Vegeta tirelessly trains and the other form of the Saiyan can see that the mother's words are having a profound effect on the young woman. The noun that Vegeta does not want to be called, the familial term that Misaki is all too ready to throw about as she likes, Ayeka's heart is fluttering at hearing her mother so readily call Vegeta her son. She tightens her grip on the fabric covering her, a maidenly warmth rouging her cheeks.
" Lord Vegeta was in no way being cruel to me. Do not worry about this, Ayeka. He is a good man and has done no wrong. We were practising, in anticipation for the grand tournament. I'm sorry if we woke you." She reinforces what she just said in a calming tone and keeps eye contact with her eldest daughter. Misaki knows that look of Ayeka's when she is agitated and can understand her position, since she took up the mantle of motherhood she has never fought and so this is Ayeka's first time seeing her being attacked in a manner she is actually quite used to. The mother strokes Sasami's head. Ayeka slowly nods her head, her eyes still upon the semi-naked Saiyan.
"If you're here mummy then I want to be awake, I missed you, and if Mr. Vegeta's mean then tell me and I'll punish him by not cooking his food."
"I missed you too, my pretty Sammy. Stop scowling now, lit- Ayeka."
Misaki almost makes the mistake of calling her eldest by her childhood name that she made a strong point to not be called when she fought for her independence. The blue haired mother and daughter stand up and Sasami moves herself to be in-between the Saiyan and her mother in a defensive action. Vegeta folds his arms and tells Misaki that the decades of rust on her movements and attacks could easily have been eradicated within a week if she trained herself properly. To respond the queen compliments him on his effortless take-down of her when handicapping himself and having to mentally slow himself down so as not to allow his fighting instincts to break the rules. The Saiyan raises an eyebrow, this woman was paying very close attention to his movements. Misaki then smiles at him and playfully says that she at least retained some of her pride by landing one hit on him. Confusion spreads on Ayeka's face, unable to comprehend that her mother is powerful enough to get through Vegeta's speed and defences.
"Not as if it did anything, you lured me in with my own confidence and utilised your barrier well. I could have teleported away or flared my ki to destroy that barrier. Why is your technique for using a shield so radically different to that of Ayeka's? I presume you were the one who taught her self defence." For a Juraian she was a worthy foe and he gives what respect and credit is due, she did manage to trick him though he was not giving his all to the match. Her movements were similar to the ones he saw Ayeka use against Ryoko with a few discrepancies here and there. He questions her on the technique that caught him off guard since he can also summon barriers and could use this within his own fights to trap the movements of his unlucky foes.
"Funaho was the mother who trained me in that specific art of the shield, you said you were incapable of that technique." Ayeka uncertainly steps forward, this does not make sense to her. Her biological mother was, as Vegeta assumed, the one who taught her what martial arts she knows but it was always Funaho who tutored her in the ways of 'The Power of the Juraian Royal Family' – or ki as it is commonly known. She clearly remembers her mother telling her that she cannot use shields. Her mother has lied.
Misaki's eyes avert down to her youngest. Feeling uncomfortable about this minor revelation she manifests one of her own cerulean shields above her head. Again it is 3 feet in diameter, not large enough to cover a whole body and within a brief few seconds it deteriorates and flickers out of existence. Vegeta nods. In the heat of the battle they were used sparingly and for small instances, they indeed have no longevity or real strength to them. His verdict that Misaki has very poor ki reserves and control of it are proven, he blames her high emotions for clouding her head and diminishing her ability within this most important field.
" … And I am incapable. My shields are small, weak and very fragile, I found a use for them in augmenting my fight style, however for you it was better that you were taught the proper way. Truthfully I did not even know I could still cast one after so long."
The Saiyan cares naught for this fact. He voices to Ayeka how it would be tactically in her favour to learn this offshoot of the barrier technique to easily counteract Ryoko's phasing abilities. Sasami has not been properly following the conversation and tugs at her mother's training outfit, wanting to go back inside with her. Misaki smiles down at her and begins walking, Vegeta follows a few steps behind. As they approach the house Misaki's pace slows. She looks behind her at Vegeta and forwards at her blanket wearing daughter. Something is off about this image to her, she can sense it.
"Ayeka dear, I apologise but as your mother I must ask: why are you not reacting as a maiden normally does when seeing a man like Vegeta half naked?"
From what the Queen knows of her child she should be acting very uncomfortable and awkward by Vegeta's presence, yet that is not the case and so she is curious as to why. Not doubting her daughter in any malicious way, Misaki just wants to know if anything has transpired since she engaged her daughter to Vegeta that might have led to her daughter being more comfortable around men. A startled sound comes from Ayeka, her face flushes and she takes half a step back. Thoughts of the beach flash past her eyes. Ayeka cannot speak the truth here. There is no way she can tell her mother of the physical intimacies she has shared with her prince. Misaki sees her daughter's reaction, telling as it is, and raises a hand to calm her child down and show she does not mean to insinuate any wrong doing on Ayeka's part. The prince comes to the princess' rescue before her nervous stammering digs herself into a deep hole.
"My training. I dress as is suitable when strengthening myself and so Ayeka has become mostly accustomed to seeing me without the top half of my outfit on, this is my house after all." Ayeka firmly nods at this way out gifted to her, a way to save face and protect her innocence. It is not all lie. Vegeta will not let Ayeka spill the beans so early on, and especially not when Ryoko is obliviously sleeping. Misaki smiles and accepts this, though not fully. She is no fool and can see that there is more to this than what has been said, she knows they are hiding something and so she will wait until a more appropriate time to ask or until they tell her of their own will.
Entering the house together, greetings are said between the family as are a few basic questions. For all the excitement of Sasami and Misaki at being together it cannot override how both princesses have hurriedly woken up with less sleep than they are used to, they are tired. Vegeta's form flickers and he reappears with a red vest on to appease the sensibilities of the noble women. Sasami yawns heavily. Misaki picks up her sleepy child and tells her that they are going to get her ready for this new exciting day, she looks back at her other daughter and Ayeka does not move. The queen carries her youngest up the stairs and asks where the bathroom is, leaving prince and princess in the pre-dawn gloom together. Vegeta shakes his head at the disappearing image of the woman who will not stop calling him her son. He senses a disquiet in Ayeka. For all her want to see her family and spend time with her mother there is a negative that has already made its presence felt. Her mother will treat her like a child. There is no ill intent but she does not want to be talked down to or mollycoddled, and she knows how Vegeta will view this if she is treated like some helpless dependent. Vegeta quips to her that her hair is a mess. His raven spikes are untouched by sleep, unlike Ayeka's tide of purple which is nearly as untidy as Ryoko's hair normally is. She pouts and looks to the side for she cannot rectify her appearance whilst holding onto the necessary blanket covering her.
"Ayeka, is it Juraian custom to gift physical items to mark a promise made by or for a couple? Would you want one?" His eyes meet hers in the dim light. He leads with a question to temper her early wake up call and win her favour. Her favour he has most certainly earnt. It is not customary on Jurai to mark an engagement with any specific part of jewellery, Ayeka is most open to adopting this part of Earth's culture.
"... L-Lord Vegeta, are-are you-... If it is not a hassle I would- I would love for you to gift me an engagement ring." The same gay smile that her mother has births on Ayeka's face, colour deepens on her cheeks. She cannot suppress her happiness at this. For this she does not mind the manner in which she was woken up. Underneath the blankets she shuffles a half-step closer to her prince, the radiant and beaming smile shining ever so brightly upon her face. She is going to be getting an engagement ring, a gift to signify her relationship with the one she loves.
"No hassle, two dates and a shopping trip gives me plenty of time to procure one, and I already know the perfect ring to content you with. I could even make it myself if you would excuse some rough craftsmanship." Vegeta smirks at her and throws her this additional bonus to sweeten the deal.
This trump card of his still has plenty of use, all he has said is that he will get her one, he will choose the correct time to strike for maximum efficiency – and this will also serve to occupy Misaki. During his training he planned what ring would suit each woman just in case they demanded of him to get one and use his debt as a leash to force him to comply. Doing this will have the easily predictable result where as soon as Ryoko finds out she requests one, two or possibly more since she has the natural instincts of a magpie.
A small flock of birds outside starts to chirp, their natural instinct to begin the dawn chorus being artificially awoken by the training Vegeta's light. This same golden light illuminates the mirth of Ayeka. Her hands grasping her bed covers fidget, a heightened awareness of her unadorned fingers making the princess wrap a small corner of the sheet around one finger. She hears her mother and sister messing about upstairs in a jovial way with much hushed laughter. Ayeka breathes in through her nose and exhales it from her lips. There is another woman upstairs. She is not the only woman Vegeta owes a ring to. Her prince was not alone during the night. That thought stings. She tightens the sheet around her finger, trying to will it into metal.
"Myself, my sister, Washu and Yamcha, Ryoko, and of course yourself on rare occasion. ..." The princess mutely lists names, a list that Vegeta understands. On one of her first nights Ayeka was given the master bedroom in a ploy to stop Ryoko's antics, Washu and Yamcha moved into his room whilst he was dead and Sasami wandered in for comforting after a bad dream. Vegeta's bed is not exclusive property. She words it in this manner to try and reign in her hurt and envy at Ryoko's position that she can not have.
Vegeta closes his eyes and solemnly shakes his head. From here his acute hearing can still pick up the faint snoring of a nyctophobic pirate. The first night of many. None of Ayeka's fears have come to pass and he shall assure her of this to ease her worried heart. Ryoko cannot put up any sort of facade when asleep, when the Sun sets so does all her bravado.
"She is scared. Very scared. She dressed conservatively, covered herself as much as she could, carnal desires frighten her now. This grand Super Saiyan domestic appliance now available with such features as radiating heat and generating light. If I tried touching a hair on her head her screams would have shattered windows, she would try to bite my finger off and then I'd have to clean soiled bed linen. She is fighting her fears head on, even so she woke up close to 3 times from nightmares, which in turn woke me and then I had to transform for her. I do not know how long she can go before she snaps into violence again, you should be careful especially with your mother prying about."
"I know why she fears the dark, we talked, she told me of her past … and there is what you did. I don't want her in there, even so." Ayeka nods in understanding of Ryoko's nerves and behaviour, however her stance on this will never change. A ring can act as a symbol yet if all it symbolises is her in one room and Vegeta and Ryoko in another then he can keep his gifts. There is no twinge of guilt when she speaks her mind, she expected it but it did not appear. More gold flashes out from behind her in the training room and her shadow dances according to the prince, she turns her red eyes onto him.
"Bulma once told me that love can be selfish, probably during some argument to get me to stop training. If I do not do this she will leave. I know how lucky I am that both of you are strong and loyal enough that you stayed, this balancing act between you will never be perfect but until my choice then I will not be prepared to lose one of you."
"This or what I asked?"
His answer somewhat appeased her. She likes how he can now open up and talk about his wife since his training, this opening to his fiery core she enjoys basking in. Her straightforward question will ascertain where they stand.
"A Saiyan should bow down to none. My father is blacklisted throughout history as the coward who surrendered to Frieza and bent the knee, and I inherited his role for years. "
Ayeka nods. Him bowing to her did mean more to him than accepting Ryoko into his room. It is not pleasant for her to be reminded of the connotations bowing holds for him since she asked him to do it yet it emphasises how hard it was for him to fulfil her request. However, that is not all that Ryoko has asked. She does not know if Vegeta has been told about Ryoko's intention to be taken wedding dress shopping. It would be petty of her to ask and risk ruining that for Ryoko. The princess knows not what to do to counter it. An engagement ring is nice but he does not love her and so the gesture is as hollow as the inside of the ring. Ayeka sighs and pardons herself to go upstairs and get ready for the day. Slowly she climbs the stairs, glancing back at Vegeta. She weakly smiles at him and says that she will do her part and get him a ring as well. With that said she goes to her family to bathe and get dressed. The prince did not think that after offering her such a gift she could fall into a slump that quickly. He hopes being with her mother will cheer her up, otherwise some of these dozens of plates he is spinning might come toppling down.
Underneath the staircase a wooden door creaks open and Washu re-emerges. Things happened quickly when she was getting herself dressed and before she knew it a little private conversation was happening outside of her laboratory and so she did the courteous thing and waited. She waves at Vegeta and he tells her that Misaki is occupied with her own blood now. This she already knew, her surveillance devices are working perfectly. Washu wears a long and simple red dress with a white unbuttoned blouse and an equally white belt to break up her dress, her hair is still down but now it is tamed to a reasonable level. She pads across the room, her bare feet approaching the bare feet of Vegeta. The Saiyan takes one look at her and asks her what is on her mind for he can see her scheming. She smiles at him.
" Me and Yamcha are going to be getting married soon and you know what comes after that. I'm sorry to say this but soon our time together will come to a close. We're going to move and get our own house, our own home – where I don't know currently but you'll still be able to contact me for your training room. Don't mean to be rude to the guy who saved my life but I don't want you anywhere near my baby. I won't allow it." Washu openly speaks her mind and tells Vegeta her plans. She will not be his slave for much longer, she will protect her soon-to-be family by distancing herself from him as much as he allows. Her child's safety she will defend with everything she has. Vegeta looks up to the tall woman next to him and simply nods. As long as she keeps her word that he can still reach her for any necessary repairs or maintenance then he sees no reason to stop her.
"I would be more offended if you did not fear me. Will you be staying on Earth?"
" Most probably. This is Yamcha's home, he wouldn't like going to a far off place. I'm glad you're being reasonable. I'm going to do it right this time."
" … He is a good man. Weak, but he made up for my failings as a father for a while. Trunks was a baby and the situation wasn't the best, even so he still helped Bulma when he visited. Just remember not to experiment on your own child." This shall be her gift to take with her when she decides to leave. Washu warmly smiles at Vegeta's kind words, it is as much a blessing from him as she will ever get and those words about her lover mean a lot to her. If it were any one but him she would show her gratitude in a physical manner – be it a hug or a peck on the cheek - but with Vegeta she will leave it as it is and just thank him with words and repay his jest.
"Thanks, Vegeta. I'll try not to do that, but no promises."
With her thanks said the scientist is done. She stretches backwards to shake off the last vestiges of sleep hiding within her body and to fully welcome in this good day. Upstairs a princess is sharing in Washu's smile. From the top banister a giddy queen waves down to her newly engaged friend. Washu waves back. Misaki asks for her bags to be passed up, she moved them into the entrance to Washu's lab when changing into her combat gear and has since forgotten about them. It would be no hassle for Jurai's blue haired monarch to do it herself yet as royalty she is accustomed to handing out these trivial jobs to her employees, and Washu is one of those under her employ. The scientist agrees and then immediately turns to Vegeta, she could try herself to lift and throw the bags up or she could delegate this job further to the most capable nearest to her. Vegeta opens her door and moves the bags with telekinesis as he walks into his training room and exits the scene. Misaki thanks him before he completely disappears and grabs Ayeka's hand so they can join Sasami in the bath. The princess is happy though she suspects Vegeta was acting kinder than usual because he knew she was in proximity to him.