Chapter 75

It is becoming uncomfortable sitting down in the same position. Ryoko shifts about in her seat as she plans her next move around Kiyone's organised defences. Without her ability to use her techniques bypassing all this perfectly laid out security is proving a challenge, her focus is not coming to her as easily as it should. She tells her move to Mihoshi and shakes her head to herself as one of her characters is spotted by a camera. Ryoko stands up to stretch her legs and paces about as it passes to Kiyone's turn. Her lower back is starting to ache now. She has not taken any recent damage except for Misaki's punch in the morning however that should be healed and not causing this. Washu's diagnosis of her stress is proving correct.

The phone begins to ring and since she is already up she hovers over to it and recalls what Sasami did to activate the device. She lifts it off the receiver and is mindful how close she places it to her ears.

"Y'ello, Vegey's better half Ryoko speaking."

She does not immediately recognise the voice and it takes a while until a name is mentioned for her to remember who the person she is talking to is. A woman is asking for Gohan. Ryoko smirks, it was quite abrupt her stealing of the Great Saiyaman. Succeeding in stealing a Saiyan from another woman does tickle her.

Hovering over Satan City with a finger pressed to the inbuilt comms device in her helmet, Videl listens as Ryoko explains in a simple way the current circumstances of Gohan. This is all news to Videl and she feels she should have been consulted at least once before Gohan leaves her patrolling the skies by herself. She asks for Gohan to be put on the phone and is met by silence. Her anger grows as she sees her call was disconnected.

Ryoko looks down at the phone as she waves it about and questions into it as she stands in the entrance to Washu's lab. The phone is not making any noise at all. Mihoshi then calls out to her that communication devices cut off when going into Washu's personalised dimension. That makes sense to her that this phone has no way of sending a signal from this realm and so she exits again and answers it as it immediately begins to ring. She tosses it over to Mihoshi and flies off into Washu's lab with a red orb of light summoned near her. Mihoshi is pleasantly surprised to find herself speaking to a superhero she is a fan of and starts giving a few more details to the Kagato situation. A few minutes later Ryoko returns, rubs at her stomach, and shrugs telling them that Gohan is not going to be awake for a while. Kiyone confidently looks over with a well laid out plan to defeat the hostage situation Ryoko has caused in this bank heist.

The son of Vegeta has returned to the store and listens to the telepathic words that his father is telling him. Vegeta has exited and is questing for a very particular and rare item and so Trunks is now in charge of the shopping Juraians. He stands outside the changing room that Misaki is currently occupying as Sasami pesters a shop assistant for some information and styles that will make her look pretty.

"Dad says that the Kais've been talking to him. Can we spar so I can see what this 'Counteractor' business is all about?" Trunks is having the Kais conversation with Vegeta relayed back to him whilst Vegeta journeys off and it intrigues him as to why this woman is so special to the Kais when anything except Buu they seemed to ignore. It sounds like fun to discover that power and see what Misaki's inner depths truly hold.

"I am no such thing. I am a Queen and a woman of peace, that title is not one I hold." She calmly responds in a standoffish manner. This is not a topic she wants discussed. She is a devout woman and not a devil. It is a hurtful name for her to have been given and she will not accept it.

"Dad's telling me that you're supposed to be some kind of god-killer, a power to rival them or something like that. As Saiyans we're getting quite interested in your awesome power, though they say it might take a real long time for it to properly develop, like Washu long."

"Well it stands to reason that if in a few years you can train to your level that given several millennia I might reach substantial strength. I am no killer, do not call me that name."

"Sure, thought you'd want to know. And warn you, the Kais might get scared enough to take action like they did with Buu."

"An act of aggression against a perceived threat would only serve to create what they fear. I hold my faith in the Goddess Tsunami, and I am no heretic to the gods or destroyer or whatever they mistakenly think I am."

The hybrid son shrugs. There is little else he can say as his father is not shedding any more light on this and Misaki is trying her damnedest to shut down this conversation. She steps out from behind the changing curtain whilst from behind the opposing curtain on the other side there is little noise or motion. The nonintrusive shield of ki is still there as Ayeka keeps her privacy as she browses the clothing selected for her by her prince. Misaki has branched into the men's section for larger sizes that fit her a bit better. With limited styling to replicate she has mirrored the clothing of Gohan and Vegeta with a shirt and trousers. The shirt is black and a bit tight around the chest and the bottom half of her outfit is red with a belt to hold it in place for to get the required leg length she has had to go for too large a size around her stomach. Trunks tosses across a red blazer which she dons and then when he hands her a white tie she appears lost as to where this should be worn or how they should be knotted.

His shirt hangs off a wave breaker as he stands dripping and sodden. In his hand he holds the treasure he was searching for. Vegeta looks up to the relentless Sun as its heat quickly begins to dry him off. It is too heavy for him to hold. This is something he told Ayeka he would do but after all that has occurred today this surpasses his limit. Waves break gently around his toes and his tail listlessly curls through the scorching air. He could crush this and be done with it. He could toss it back to the depths from which he found it. He cannot pass it on to whom he promised it to. The question of the robotic vicar he can hear as can he still see the face of the woman he loves. Vegeta rocks one of his fists back and demolishes the massive concrete wave breaker. Inside his clenched fingers the item remains. He sends out another message to his son.

The two buddy cops question Ryoko if she is feeling alright as her discomfort is easily observable. She shrugs it off as some relapse of Misaki's punches with her healing factor taking a hit. Ryoko lounges back and sighs heavily as she watches Kiyone take the victory. It was a close match but as the game progressed her own moves become sloppier, Ryoko groans at how heavy the security was in all places she entered and tried to escape. At this Kiyone reveals her hand. The detective played her opponent's weakness against her: she saved a large amount of resources by deciding not to trap or secure any of the ventilation ducts or roof access that she then could use elsewhere. Ryoko hears her psychology being used to her detriment – her own capture at a heist being from a betrayal within that means of access she naturally avoided it during this board game. That was a very underhanded tactic but she has to give it to Kiyone for taking that gamble though she teases at some possible collusion between the game master and her opponent since they are partners and could have set this all up.

The pain flares into a cramp as she stands up, wincing she gets the attention of the police. It is almost dinner time but she is not feeling like she could stomach any food. This does not feel right or like a punch, it feels deeper. Mihoshi fetches her a glass of water which she glugs down. This is really worrying her now, Ryoko cannot ignore this. Something strange is happening to her body. They tell her to seek out Washu. She decides to instead entrust in her fiancé.

Ryoko's hand hovers by the bulkhead. She is not feeling well at all with her stomach and back aching. She knows how much Vegeta detests weakness and how he has come to hate illness of any kind but she wants to go to him first before disturbing Washu in her work in that dark lair. The Saiyan opens the door before she knocks. His heat causes her skin to begin to sweat. Her eyes avert and worries gnaws deep within her core.

Vegeta suddenly stands alert. His piercing eyes glance to Mihoshi and Kiyone. Nostrils flare and he shakes his head for it is not them. Another sharp inhalation and he pauses.

"Blood." The Saiyan states the unique scent pervading the air as he looks at Ryoko.

"B-blood?" Her golden feline eyes widen in alarm. She checks over her arms and her body to look for this supposed injury he senses that she did not know of. Fear is clouding her mind. Nothing has cut her, nothing has pierced her.

"Ryoko, it's menstrual blood."

The widowed man with a strong sense of smell can recognise that difference and he questions why Ryoko was not aware of this being what is happening to her. She stands stock still. Her cyan brows frown. This is not making any sense. Why's and how's plague her head. The fear stays prevalent within her. Ryoko shakes her head – this cannot be the case.

"No, no. V-Vegey, that's- You're wrong. I don't – I don't have those."

" I am neither mistaken nor lying. Kiyone, does the bathroom stock those supplies?"

Her confusion grows and the pain remains. Ryoko does not have a natural menstrual cycle, she does not have regular periods and so this possibility is not something that can just happen. Due to her powers of regeneration her body is capable of keeping and sustaining a full lining of her uterus indefinitely and as such her species does not produce any hormones to cause or regulate a period. In her century long lifetime she has only experienced two such occasions before. The first she was a teen going through puberty, her body developing and changing with many rampant hormones throughout her system and with remembrance of the second it makes a bit more sense to her. She could not tell for herself and it was not a major concern at the time but the guards did speak of it when she was newly imprisoned. The common link has been found. Stressed and abused to a point her back scarred instead of healed her body began to degrade and now the same is happening.

Ryoko looks down at her yellow dress and is glad she sees no red spots glaring back at her. Washu was right. Her healing abilities are diminishing as her body struggles to cope with the daily battle of her current life and the mental difficulties she is going through. She has passed the breaking point, regeneration is no longer occurring and as such this flushing of a resource heavy lining is taking place to ease this massive toll on her. This is a terribly frightening prospect. Her damage is becoming visible to all. The body he broke is now deteriorating of its own accord.

An arm goes around her and she flinches and starts reacting to attack when she sees it is only Mihoshi smiling at her. She nods at Vegeta and confirms that such items for this time do exist in the bathroom and she starts to lead Ryoko upstairs as she tells her that a nice warm bath always make her feel better when it is her time of the month. The pirate wants this ache gone and this weakness healed so she will go and soak. Mihoshi then jokes and claims her to be in 'Mihoshi's Special Witness Protection Service' and that she will look after her now.

"Woman, keep an eye on her. She has passed out once today, don't let her drown if it happens again." He gives out this instruction to the aiding blonde as they begin to ascend the stairs and pass out of sight. His acute ears hear Ryoko having to awkwardly ask Mihoshi how to use the feminine health products she last used when she was an early teen.

Kiyone looks at him with accusation. Her view of him will not alter his guilt or blame in this. She says she has some work to do and excuses herself off into Washu's lab to offer what services she can and so that when the Queen returns it does not appear as if she has just been playing games this whole time. The single other resident meows hungrily at him. A carrot is tossed to the cabbit and it scampers off upstairs to follow its mistress. He stands by himself for a moment reflecting on it all and then his training recommences.

Underneath a parasol that Trunks bought for her she approaches her prince. The coastal breeze helps to take the edge off the temperature yet it is still prevalent as she still wears her Juraian costume. Corpses litter the beach. By his feet lie the many cracked shells and spilled out insides of the oysters her dove for. One after another he cracked them with his bare hands and discarded their remains when the promised bounty proved dissatisfying. A few he ate out of habit and the waves slowly reclaim the rest. His broad back is to her. His shirt flutters trapped under some debris. Ayeka greets her prince that she did not realise had vanished when she was trying on Earth's clothes.

"I do not know if it is wrong of me to do this, but... I have harvested what I need for your engagement ring. However-"

"I know, Lord Vegeta."

There is tension across his back muscles. Her eyes drift to the one closed hand holding the precious item meant for her and nods her head. He thought of her and tried to walk this path for her and she cannot fault that it is here he falters. It saddens her, though it saddens Ayeka more to see the grief of Vegeta so evident here. If he is to gift it to her then she would prefer it if he did it of his own volition and want and not his sense of duty to uphold his pride and tackle this ghost. The smell of salt is on the air however in her mouth the phantom taste of blood reoccurs.

"Your wife was truly radiant on that day. You might only have a little over a month till you fight Goku but for me … I will not see you in needless pain for my selfishness. When- when you are ready then I will accept this boon from you. Grieve as you must. I-... I will be here to support you even if you do not ask." Ayeka will not force his hand. She predicted this would occur after watching tears steam off his face, his love for Bulma will put up as much of a fight as the Saiyan Prince himself does.

A wave laps around his shins as she stands above the wave breakers. Vegeta rolls the item about within his palm. His eyes stay on the horizon. Years together and now a few apart, Vegeta knows the vows he spoke to the woman he took as his wife, he remembers the affection she showed him and he hears the voice of Ayeka. The Saiyan is not the only one going through emotional turmoil, nor shall he let himself be the first to break. This will not be a defeat but instead a tactical withdrawal for him to face at a later date. Vegeta turns about and looks up to his fiancée.

" … Oysters. These shellfish live on the sea bed and over many years they generate a jewel within themselves. The sea, nature, something unique to Earth as far as I am aware. I thought it all out. I had it all planned. … I cannot rid myself of her face."

"Both me and Ryoko, our recent antics leave you little relief from your pain. My mother being present distracts you from your training. Please, do not push yourself over the brink like Ryoko has done for- as-as- l-l-lifting you would be … difficult." She pushes to crack a smile to lighten the mood in whatever way she can even as it damages her. The princess accepts her role in pushing Vegeta into this pain and grief and that today of all days after having to watch his marriage to her that there is no way he could gift her the ring she desires.

"A joke? You are coming into your own today, next I'll have you demanding me to tickle you again." A smirk appears on Saiyan lips, he comments less on her joke and more on her ability to speak it aloud. He repays her with his own jest to test her limits and her reaction is as expected: embarrassment and her face reddening from more than just the heat. He pockets the bounty from the oysters and crosses his arms. She said she still wants to talk about that issue but before that there is more she should be aware of. "Before that, Ryoko's condition is worsening. Somehow now instead of fainting her body has begun to menstruate. I do not know what physiological changes she is going through but she is not able to recover. Word of this engagement ring will not serve her well. Your diary would not be a secure place to make note of it. I would not rule out any action as being beyond her, do not lay any temptation before her or stoke her desires. If this is still continuing by the time of your dates there could be issues and possible interference – if she lasts that long as well."

"Is- is your other self caring for her at the minute?"

"My wife was no invalid and took care of those issues by herself. There is little I can do and my presence has a strong chance of antagonising-"

"Vegeta, that's an excuse. When I was ill you had little knowledge on what to do and your treatment was basic, yet you being there helped me heal. I am not conceited enough to believe enough of a difference exists between myself and Ryoko for that to not be true here. If you require more then my daily amount of time can be used here for her. Heal the wounds you have caused before this issue in her worsens. Ryoko needs so much help from you." She knows excuses for she herself utilises and hides behind them far too often. Whether or not he can do anything to physically alleviate Ryoko of whatever her body is doing the mental benefits of having the one she loves caring for her will work since most of this appears psychosomatic. Ayeka will be better than her jealousy and will not allow Vegeta to run from this; the guilt of how he destroyed Ryoko and is watching her crumble due to him.

The Saiyan nods. She is currently bathing so it might not be for the best if he immediately ventures to aid her but he does hold a duty for this. If during that time however she tries to push again for the fake ceremony his efforts will not be of benefit. He bends down and kicks the rocks from his shirt and flings it over his back before hopping up to the jetty Ayeka stands on. She takes a step back to allow him room and to distance herself from a bare chested man. He responds with a step forward and she reads what his eyes are saying.

"Back on track then, the physicality of relationships. My body. Your body. It still weighs heavily on your mind despite this responsibility you claim to take." What is done is done yet Ayeka still seeks this to be discussed so he will indulge before they return for the day. Vegeta will listen to her words on how she would prefer him to behave or how they should act.

"My life is dictated by the many principles and rules I choose to uphold, just like yourself. … Too many. There have been far-far too many incidents. … The … The last time I was on a beach. What say you on this?" Out of all incidents between them as a couple this is the strongest one she must contest. She knows the reason he acted thus yet standing here that bitter metallic taste is haunting the back of her palate. This is not an easy thing for her to talk about and hearing her mother's viewpoint on it all in Washu's lab this is not something she can run and hide from.

Brown fur points at the demure princess. Her averted red eyes notice this movement. His tail moves close to her hand holding the parasol. She does not understand what he is doing and looks to Vegeta for some verbal answer. His tail curls around and grips the parasol in the small space below her hand.

"My tail is as much a part of my body now as the rest of me – to add to that I class it as quite a private appendage I myself would rather others not touch. You have not been raised to fear such limbs nor do you seem at the minute to recognise it as truly a part of me. Shouldn't you have an issue with my tail also?" He states a loophole to the strict rules she wishes to adhere to.

At his words her hand moves but only after he brings it to her attention. She sees this point he is making. The rule does suit her when she sees fit. She kisses him, holds his hand and hugs him when her emotions demands and does not raise any fuss over her actions. He tickled her and her complaints for that were minimal. His nudity following a forced transformation was beyond his control so there is not much he can say on that. The previous incident on the beach he has already explained his reasoning to her even though she does not like her body having been used for his plan to stop Ryoko. Ayeka is silent for a minute as she thinks. To put this into words is exceedingly difficult.

"... I don't want to be like Ryoko." She nods at this standpoint. That is her say in all of this. In both senses, to flaunt her physicality and body to the extreme is something she could never be comfortable with and on the flip side she would not want for her relationship with Vegeta to devolve into one where a simple touch is forbidden.

A rapping sounds out from the bathroom door and a gruff voice asks if the inhabitants are decent. Mihoshi is startled and quickly calls out for some time to be had and slips on the wet floor trying to hurry for a towel. Elfin ears twitch at this sound and bubbles blow from beneath the water. Rubbing at her sore backside, the bronze skinned cop manages to get a towel on and jogs back with one for Ryoko who is still just soaking in the waters. The pirate takes the towel but does not move herself from the waters, she puts it on beneath the surface and wonders why Vegeta is now coming to her. Mihoshi trots back over to the bathroom door and cracks it open ajar to answer the Saiyan.

Vegeta enters and Mihoshi steps back away from this man intruding on her when bathing and doing what he told her to. His black eyes ignore her and face instead to the predatory slits staring back at him. She lifts a hand from the waters and waves at this unexpected guest. From his side Mihoshi asks him what he is doing here and he gives the no nonsense reply that he has a duty as Ryoko's fiancé to also be looking after her. Ryoko hears this reason but wonders what else there is. His fear of illness should not be triggering here as she is not ill in that sense and getting him to succeed in spending a multiform to be with her is not the simplest of matters. Furthermore, she is not currently wanting him to be here when she is trying to take a calming bath. Ryo-Ohki paddles about in the pools over to this man.

"What looking after can you do for a delicate woman at a delicate time? Sleeping together not enough so now we have to bathe together? I want some privacy as I think you're the main reason I'm currently having to have this." Peace and quiet do not usually come from the company of Vegeta and those are the two things she requires above all else, Ryoko does not want to end up arguing with him and deteriorating further. Her body is mostly exposed here, she is vulnerable, not in the best of states and so this man who almost took her by force is not her first choice for joining her in a bath. Mihoshi seconds her opinion on maybe not having a man invade the women bathing.

Knowing how she derives comfort from his transformation he joins Mihoshi in having blue eyes and blonde hair. He takes a further step into the room. Vegeta then sits himself down close to the pool that Ryoko is in. Mihoshi stands not knowing what to do, though she is sure that her time bathing has come to an end with him here now.

"Warm bath, not being boiled alive with your energy. Being aggressive towards me landed us here, please let me be for just a while." This tactic of emitting light and warmth will not win her over. He is too close to her.

"Is a drinking party advisable with your healing diminishing?" Vegeta questions how this might affect her plans, whether her body is up to the task of keeping pace with her regular drinking habits – and if she might do something unwise at that time as well.

"Hell yeah it is. If I have any hangover you're the one I wake up to who's gonna have to deal with it." Ryoko needs a nice atmosphere like that where she can enjoy herself and let her hair down not having to worry about all the storm clouds hanging over her. She does not turn down a drink, consequences will come later.

"Are- are you drinking too?" Mihoshi timidly asks, wary of a possible drunk and violent Saiyan being unchained. The prince is quick to respond with a negative. Mihoshi then excuses herself and picks up her clothes as she leaves.

"You scared away my friend. My inside agent on the police I was grooming has run off 'cos you're too scary. … I don't want you here." Her predatory eyes continue to glower at him as he fails to leave her in the solitude he so often craves. She does not want him seeing her. His presence is making her tense and that is not what she requires.

"I have seen your private moments, your spells of fear, your body in all its glory. Is this shame I hear? I had a wife, this is not new to me having to deal with a woman at this time." Vegeta hears the whispers of fear playing throughout her words, Ryoko is ashamed of being seen in her current state by him. He reminds her that a woman on a period is not something novel to him and she does not have to hide this from him. This sounds like a lack of trust in him, even though she sought him out first when she did not know what was happening to her own body.

She sinks down deeper into the water and closes her eyes. Her arms are crossed covering the towel around her chest and her elfin ears lower and flatten against her skull. The aching is still present, consistent pains are not things she endures or has. Him being here and reminding her of her evening plans make her crave a drink right now. Ryoko growls at this obstinate man invading her bath. His words were not the correct ones to say.

"Y'think I could ever forget that? I ain't Bulma though, what makes you think this is anything like whatever she had – you forgetting how different my body is? I- … I really do not like this. I've said no, learn what that means." Treating her like his wife in some sense sounds good but those heavy reminders crush down upon her, that smile behind the veil and that life that grew within her. Ryoko is not Bulma and she pays the cost of it each day trying to court Vegeta. She is not calming down, the point of having a bath is being negated.

"Do you want to watch the end of my wedding?" She was heavily disturbed by seeing his first walk down the aisle so he tests the waters and her resolve by seeing if she is still up for the rest of it. This double edged offer hangs there, it will hurt him more than her.

" … I have to." Following a minute of silence and wishing him to leave she gives the only answer she can, Ryoko is in too deep to back out now and as much as it pains her she still yearns for this knowledge and to learn more about Vegeta. She closes her eyes and imagines that Vegeta were not in the same room as her, his pervading ki does not allow for this fantasy.

"Ryoko, with a few questions I could find New Namek. If I Instant Transmissioned you there what wish would you make of their dragonballs?" His testing of her and to find the major cause of this depression and withdrawal of her continues, a large bait is presented to her. He speaks with care and a quiet voice as her ears tremble with each word he voices. "Would you wish for yourself to become Saiyan, would you wish yourself to become mine?"

"I'd wish to become Ryoko." A whimper of a reply comes from her. Ryoko will forego those tantalising options for a restoration of herself, body and soul. This broken shell is not who she wants to be. Ryoko is no victim, she is no weak woman to be caught trembling and crying, her bright flame has dimmed so much it might snuff out at any given moment. Her eyes avoid him, her body draws in on herself. Raising her voice she tries to hide her self pity. "Huh, becoming Saiyan would cause more o'these, wouldn't it? Wishing you … I'd like to think I ain't that desperate."

"I believe soon there's going to be an issue with food. Do you want to taste my cooking?"

A true gift with no strings attached is offered her way, he guided her into the world of taste and a simple meal from him could help restore some peace of mind to her. The guilt of watching this and hearing her weak words is not lost on him. Vegeta shall endure the pain and penance for the destruction of her. He smiles at her with these words, he shall not push her further. The father can also predict what Misaki is most likely thinking, she will not want for separation from her children and with an assassination attempt already having happened he cannot blame her if she wants Sasami to return home.

"Mummy's taking her back? Well seeing me as an example can't blame her. Why won't you go? Enjoy seeing me bleed that much?"

"I am here for you." Vegeta states these words clearly as his golden splendour wafts over her, looking her in the eyes and showing no lie.

Ryoko shakes her head, a pained expression on her face. She knows he is trying but she cannot find it in herself to accept it. Her fingers and hands move restlessly beneath the water's surface.

"I'd like that if it were true." Her words are directed at her reflection, warped by distortions and ripples.

"Hush, I am not here to antagonise or hurt you. Talk. You are normally so loud with questions and wild ideas. I meant what I said, when I marry I will marry for the proper reasons and not due to a timer expiring."

"I … I don't know if I can believe that. And-and even if it were true... it ain't me. It won't be me. The only question I got now is: When does it stop hurting?"

Her whole cyan mane sinks and disappears under the water. Curled up, hiding, she retreats as the water sloshes about at this displacement. Vegeta stands. A minute passes. 2 minutes, 5 and then 10 and she remains under. No bubbles filter up and no waves comes from any motion. He ends his transformation. His is the flame that lights up the night, and his is the flame that burns those it touches. This could very well severely hurt him and it would not be a pain he does not deserve. Sitting at the edge of the bath he lowers his tail down so it is next to Ryoko, well within her grasp to do with as she wishes.

"Early mornings really aren't your thing. It was petty of me to push your discipline onto Misaki when your thoughts are so troubled. If I reach out to you to ease my pain, would you likewise reach out so I could ease yours and save you?"

Tiles echo his sentiment back on his own ears. The water behind him does not move. She cannot grab onto that, she cannot touch it. He takes his tail out of the water and dries it with ki. A face hovers upside down before him. Phasing makes her unable to interact with both objects and air, so when underwater oxygen was no issue nor was holding his tail something she could do. Her wet hair drips onto his lap before she rights herself to the correct orientation and stands. She adjusts her towel and awkwardly stands there. She wipes the moisture from her eyes and face and clears her throat.

"Can you save me from you? I-I … I don't think- it's too much- I don't think I can. Vegey, I'm too … I'm too scared. I'm not gonna be able to sleep next to you tonight, or at all. It's too dark and when your light goes off ..."

"Then we shall not sleep and my light shall remain till morning."

If those are the conditions he shall uphold them and see her through the night so she can avoid the terrors that lurk there and disturb her mind. She is pushing herself beyond her broken body and as a Saiyan it would be shameful if he did not likewise respond with a greater level of effort. The thought is there to walk up and embrace her to ease her fears yet he knows how that would only reignite other dangerous flames within her. Ryoko still seeks his aid even if it scares her, that he shall take as a good sign, he curls his tails around his legs and awaits the next issue he can console her on.

"Ha, promise me a sleepless night and princess won't be too happy. I would ask if you're gonna be alright watching Bulma, but I know what you'll say, and I know what'll really happen. Damn. … I guess-... I guess I really don't heal as quick as I thought." She tries to joke at his offer and that joy leaves as her own compassion towards his grief and situation burns her. There is great pain seeing him with Bulma, witnessing the life he lived and the woman he still loves to this day – all she can see is the great difference between where she stands and this seemingly unattainable goal. She hopes she makes it through to the end without blacking out again and that he can be there to speak words she needs to hear.

"A slow process yields greater results with fewer weaknesses. Tell me, why is this scaring you so much?" Vegeta questions why this tipping point of menstruation pushed her so far, showing concern for her and her past. This trigger cannot be coincidence neither can it be as simple as her body issues around infertility rebelling against this reproductive process being the one that raises its head to torment her. He hazards a step closer and she does not withdraw.

"... The last time I swore I would never end up like that. Alone, cold, dark, beaten, a fucking wreck on display with shitting chains I couldn't escape from. Y'see how my little bleed here ain't putting me in the best mood? That was decades of hell. I won't go through that again. I'm not that broken!" A prison cell is her greatest fear and that feeling of entrapment in both her body and her life with Vegeta is ever present. For all her time living free the full circle is there and it terrifies her that for all her running she is going to be trapped in that inescapable despair again. No more of her life will be wasted in pain and hopelessness, Ryoko does not want to concede that she is as weak then as when she was a half starved and abused inmate.

"You are no-one's prisoner-"

"You did not have to shit where you were chained! I won't become that weak again! I – I don't want everyone to see what a mess I am. … Fuck, you already know but … Why does it have to be this of all things?" She will not accept those words from Vegeta, her captor and torturer, and angrily rejects them in a roar. A sharp hiss rattles through her throat. The anger does not erupt out, it peters away and she does not like what it leaves. Her ingrained desires keep her rooted and bound, unable to break free and fly high. She no longer wants to fly alone though. "I wasted so, so, so many years. You're the prick who came along and messed up my thinking. Showing me a life you had that I never even thought was even possible. No-one's loved me before, no-one even came close to trying. I want it. What … what Ryoko wants she takes. And I hate you even now. I cry out and-..."

"And I am there. I think it's time to visit Washu."

Whether it be a healing tank, a therapeutic talk with a professional or even some basic painkillers to relieve her of the ache there is a reprieve and rejuvenation to be had from the scientist that Vegeta cannot give himself. He transforms into a beacon of light and exits the bathroom and she begins putting her clothes back on, an end to her physical pain through Washu will be had and if she can help her get her mind straight then maybe she could find some rest. Once inside the demesne of Washu however they find her focused more on the man threatening her unborn child than spending countless hours nurturing Ryoko's psyche: her priorities are set on this. Yamcha can work the medical tanks for Ryoko to rest in and heal her body to the state it should be but warns that the degradation has only been undone and not stopped. The Saiyan finds the other he can marginally sense and orders her to make use of her occupation. No longer in physical pain Ryoko phases out of the healing tank and is faced with Kiyone. Training at the academy for dealing with victims of violent crime provides what she needs as she sits down with these two criminal powerhouses to open and guide the dialogue. She does not mince words or her opinions, her fear of the Saiyan will not interfere with this job of helping Ryoko.

The evening meal commences with the shopping trip having ended and the Juraians returned. Ryoko is silent at the meal table, not asking anything of Ayeka or how her venture outside went. A young girl yawns terribly half way through the meal she hastily cooked to make up for lost time and with the plates cleared away Misaki carries her youngest upstairs to her bed. For a good while Misaki does not return back down as she busies quietly packing bags for her imminent return to Jurai. When she does come back downstairs with more bags than she arrived with she gives the command for Kiyone and Mihoshi to ready her ship. Ryoko notices Vegeta's prediction to be true. Ayeka however is too distracted contemplating on what Vegeta has done to heal Ryoko to notice the luggage of the Queen. The mother will not be left with no child by her side, Vegeta will only take 1 from her and not 2. Ayeka's place is here but Sasami's is with her parents. The Queen goes to visit her friend in her laboratory and to get an update on both Jurai and Kagato.

Vegeta watches as his son avoids the front room and goes into the vacated training room. The lone Saiyan stands as Ryoko hovers in holding Ayeka's arm and pulling her towards the sofa. She has decided that her friend will be beside her for this viewing as Vegeta's proximity to them is rather distracting and discomfiting. Before anyone touches the remote Vegeta flares up to Super Saiyan 3 and showcases the last gift of his wife to him as he stands alone behind the two women. They look to him and cannot read his face, yet they can read his inner mind too well. Vegeta steels himself for what will be unleashed upon him. Ryoko smiles up at him and tells him that he can do it. He resumes the video and takes a deep breath.

Gentle breaths exhale onto his stomach as her chest rises and falls. It is fairly late at night in this time-zone for this couple normally early to bed. Credits scroll up their adequately sized television as the film ends. Chichi's warning to Goku has not been upheld by herself as she snoozes on her husband and has been for close to an hour. He switches off the screen and brushes the hair of his wife, a shiver running down him as her fingers are around his tail. Carefully he picks her up as he stands and uses his tail to switch off the light as he walks to their bedroom. She got excited when news came from Videl of Gohan coming into full time employment with Washu and would not stop talking about it all through dinner. Goku lowers her down onto their bed. He takes his top off and feels a painful prod from his wife's foot.

"I knew you were hiding something when you didn't go in the bath with me. I told you to be careful in your training." Chichi's eyes are lazily open as she spies the bruises and marks on her husband's chest, her foot poking him with reminders that she does not like him getting hurt.

He gives the excuses he was fighting against Cell and testing that training like she told him to, to which she raises an unimpressed eyebrow for Cell should not harm her husband unless he is doing something reckless. She takes her foot back and lays down looking expectantly at Goku. He puts his top on the washing pile and feels the eyes of his wife on him as he removes his trousers and underwear. Her eyes drift to his tail, this new feature of the man she loves' body, and smiles as he approaches. Chichi's clothes are taken off by Goku and with her last article removed she uses some judo to reverse their positions. On top she lowers herself and cuddles her husband. They kiss.

"That fusion said some nice things to me, since this is your treat can you do the same and take the initiative?" Having her husband put his love and appreciation for her into words is a very rare thing. She kisses his nose as she feels Goku's co-operation and desire for her.

"Um … Would me bargaining with King Yemma so you keep your body be a nice thing?" He believes this to be a good thing to say to Chichi – heartfelt words are not something he tends to do. To him it sounds like something she would want to hear, visiting Vegeta and seeing what separation from your wife does to you his mind has pondered over this eventuality. The Kais owe him an awful lot of favours so in this he believes he could always be with his wife.

"Eternity together? Yes. Yes, my Goku. Bit morbid so continue..." It was not what she expected but all the same it is a lovely gesture that not even death will be allowed to separate them.

She holds him close and tight. The warm feel of his ki infused body is a cosiness she can always lose herself in. His cheek presses against hers as he whispers his emotions into her ear. This lip service is heavily appreciated and a sharp exhale breaks from her when one of Goku's hands goes to her other cheek and another begins their nocturnal activities.