Chapter 77

Saiyan blood craves. With a deep yawn Goku wakes within his mountainside home. His muscular arms stretch out and he feels a soft pressure on his torso and a slight tickle to his chin the same as he does every morning. Two sets of black eyes sleepily look at the other as the day begins. She has always found it unusually comfortable – except in the heat of summer – to sleep in this position. Chichi lays on her side on top of her husband's Saiyan physique. Cuddling her husband so closely like this has always been her favoured spot, the comfort of his warmth and presence always there and she likes the added bonus that this way Goku cannot escape and sneak out to train whilst she is oblivious in sleep. She can feel fur. Around her waist the tail of her Saiyan husband keeps her close.

It is barely 5am, housework and training awaits these early risers. She gives her husband a good morning kiss, with a tender look in her eyes as she remembers what they enjoyed in the night. Chichi knows a different urge is calling to Goku right now and so she sits up and relinquishes the mattress of her husband. The first job of the day is always breakfast as Goku warms up for his day of training. Brushing her raven hair from her face she warns her husband to not be reckless training in the dangerous room Washu gave him and that Goten is still not allowed in there until Gohan shows it is safe as well.

"So what are these pills then that Washu gave you? You were going on so much about Gohan you didn't answer me at dinner."

"They're medicine to stop us from getting that Heart Virus you had, I'm not having you getting sick again so I think it's one a day."

"Says something else on here as well. Steroids? Chichi I'm trying to stay as slim as I can so that I can fight fast so why-"

"Not that kind, it's – oh Gohan would know but it's a different kind to help the pills take effect quickly. 1 week and we should be immune, and no being silly taking them or Goten won't."

The lower half of her body is now clothed as she explains to Goku her pro-activeness in protecting her family. Being a virus she is not too sure if Goku can get infected again as her home schooling of Gohan only gave her so much of the knowledge she was missing from no formal education. What happened to Vegeta and Trunks is not allowed to strike here. Goku agrees and does not argue with his wife and dry swallows one. He stretches and limbers up his body whilst his wife puts her bra on.

Ringing comes from the bedside cabinet as their house phone gets called. With his tail Goku lifts the handset off the receiver and continues stretching unimpeded. This is the second call they have had from a not too happy Videl following their son's new job. Not in the same league as his wife there is still definite fire and anger in this daughter of Satan. According to her Gohan never came home last night. Guilty of training sessions causing similar domestic arguments Goku tries to make a few excuses for his son however Chichi hears and takes the phone from him. Her Gohan should know better than to replicate such behaviour from his father. Following a few minutes of talking Chichi learns that Videl also checked to see if his Saiyaman suit was in their walk in wardrobe and that they no longer have a wardrobe but a different dimension inhabiting its place. Videl went in yet her investigation was cut short when she saw the door behind her beginning to vanish. Chichi tells her husband that they will need to go there and see if he can sense Gohan. Goku nods and reaches out a hand and Instant Transmissions them.

Piccolo and Goten being in the same residence makes teleporting to the position easy for Goku as they appear in the same room as Videl. He waves at her in a friendly manner. Then his hand holding his wife's gets twisted behind his back. She growls at him to take them back. She is still without a top on and Goku has not made any effort yet to get dressed. Videl looks away with a start at her future in-laws appearing not fully dressed – this is not the first time she has seen Goku like this due to faux pas. He complies. Chichi asks why he thought going there with no clothes on would help anyone.

"Just doing what you say without arguing, like you always tell me."

Chichi cuffs him around the ear for what would be a smarmy and smart response by anyone else except Goku who honestly means what he said. She reminds him that she also tells him to think more before he acts. With the couple now dressed they return back to Videl's large and stately home. Crouching as he stoops to get through the doorways, Piccolo greets them having sensed their energy and being aware of Gohan's disappearance. Videl points to the door in question. The Namek sees no need for urgency, this is hardly an emergency as they know the position of Gohan the only issue is his lack of time keeping and communication with Videl – these thoughts he keeps to himself to avoid angering Videl. Without any word being able to be said Goku leads Chichi into this alternate entrance to Washu's laboratory and vanishes from sight as he Instant Transmits to his son's ki.

A disappointed sigh is let out by the mother as they find Gohan. Fists clash as the first Human-Saiyan hybrid spars against Yamcha in an empty tiled room. The two break off and stop when they see that they are not alone. Gohan freezes, his mother is looking at him with a glare normally reserved for his father. He gets an earful on being irresponsible in leaving Videl to patrol the cities alone without warning, on not telling her anything and leaving her to worry whilst he has the free time to mess around playing with Yamcha. She is happy he has a job yet she reinforces the fact that his employment should not be putting a strain on his relationships and that he should have a healthy work-life balance. Goku interjects that Gohan is resting and that this is only a multi-form of him.

"That's what I forgot. Goku! How is it that Gohan's learnt this when I told you and you haven't done it yet?" Goku threw himself under the bus with that comment as Chichi turns her attention to him.

His eyes close for 15 seconds and when he opens them he replicates the technique he has beaten when both Tien and Cell utilised it against him in battle and that he has witnessed Piccolo using in many training sessions. Two Goku's smile at Chichi, he thinks this should cover him somewhat as long as she does not ask too many questions about how many years he could have been performing multi-form. She seems satisfied with this, surprisingly so, and Chichi only remarks that she will not be cooking two breakfasts for him due to this. Turning back to Gohan with Goku reforming she is ready to continue drilling in a lesson Gohan should already know. Instead Gohan is quick to explain his situation and gives the excuse that following Washu uploading the knowledge he needs to do the job, in the same manner she taught Goten, he has only just arisen and his alternate self is still resting as he tries to strengthen the new neural pathways whilst they are fresh. He apologises that he lost track of time and Chichi bluntly tells him that she is not the one he should be apologising to.

"Son, could you ask Washu if you can have a little time off today? Your mother isn't going to let me train Goten in the new training room I've got till you show her it's safe also. You'll be fine fighting Cell." Since he caught his son sparring it seems right to pose this question on him. Goku finds no hesitation asking of Gohan what last time cost him his life and his son confidently smiles back and nods. Gohan will take this chance at redemption for his failure.

" … Mum? You're agreeing to letting Goten train with Cell as a sparring partner?"

Gohan pauses and wonders this aloud as his mother has never been an advocate of her children endangering themselves in fights. The death of Goku changed her and so Goten was trained yet this is a different league altogether. Real dangers are present in the training room, dangers she always wanted her children to avoid at any cost. Goten is currently the only one with Saiyan blood that cannot transform to the necessary Super Saiyan 2 form to combat Cell, even Gohan is having doubts about how wise this is and so for his mother to have agreed is quite something.

"Apparently, according to Goku my teachings aren't up to par since I can't fly. He's promised me that he will keep him safe. I can hardly back down from Goten's training since I started it, one wrong move though and I'm sure your father can guess the repercussions." Chichi's agreement to this training is on a one chance basis. Any mistake and Goku will lose the training room in its entirety. Constant supervision of Goten against Cell and proper tutelage to keep him safe against this hated opponent are a must in her eyes. She is not happy with this. She will put up with it for the time being, the option to rescind this decision always exists.

Visitors into her realm do not go unnoticed. Sidling up to her lover out of the dark shadows of her realm she looks across to the Son family and directly queries Chichi if there have been any side effects so far since she has only one human test subject and Yamcha is not willing for medical experiments. The scientist yawns and Yamcha succumbs to one as well. Neither of the pair have had a wink of sleep, work keeping Washu occupied and Yamcha barely having escaped from the drunken revelry. Washu tells Gohan he has permission to leave for a fight against Cell or to see Videl whenever he wants – fixed hours are not something she enforces – so long as he manages 24 working hours in here a day spread over however many multi forms he can manage to help accrue that cumulative time. Her keen emerald eyes look at Goku and the swishing tail of his and then she smiles at Chichi.

"Besides what I gave you have you consumed any other medicine or chemical substance within the last 72 hours?" Washu quizzes the mother.

A puzzled shake of the head is Chichi's answer. She is on no other medication. Washu's eyes stay fixed on her. There is no hint of any lie and so she continues.

"And you will be 39 very shortly this year?"

Chichi nods, everyone in here already knows her age so she will not hide her proximity to middle age. More questions on her blood type, previous medical conditions and even an approximate power level of herself are thrown her way in rapid succession. This sudden inquisition has them all wondering what Washu is up to. A needle is held up, its hypodermic point glinting in the dim light. Goku is suddenly further away from Washu. A pertinent question from Chichi is asked as to the contents of that syringe. Washu flippantly describes it as an immunisation against many age related illnesses, or the ones she knows of that humans can suffer. All seems well and good so Chichi nods, trusting Washu in this, and rolls up a sleeve. The needle pierces and the fluid is injected. Washu steps back and counts within her head.

"Count this as a future investment before you ask why. I like having strong allies when I can who owe me favours. Enjoy." Washu smiles to herself with this mysterious reason and disappears back into the murk to continue her work and check up on the main body of Gohan.

They are all particularly bemused by this random act. Chichi looks down to the small bead of blood on her arm and wonders all too late if she should be so trusting of someone just because they gave a picture of her mother and a job to her son. She then feels a heat within her blood. The jab was no mere immunisation.

After but a brief few seconds of discomfort the growing heat diminishes to nothing. All eyes are upon her as she winces at that unpleasant experience. No longer is there a puncture on her arm. Chichi sees them looking at her and with fear she touches at her face to find with relief that no grand disfigurement has occurred and that all is as it should be. Her fingers then detect a difference.

She holds her hands before her face and checks them. Her fingers then touch at her face and neck. Raven hair spills down as she undoes her bun and she runs her fingers through her hair looking for something no longer there. Turning towards Goku she lifts up the front of her outfit and looks down at her stomach. Chichi gasps as it is irrefutably proven.

No marks from pregnancy mar her stomach. The skin of her abdomen is tighter. Blemishes from her hands and small burns from the oven do not exist on her hands. The few white hairs betwixt her midnight strands have darkened to their original colour. Her hands felt no lines on her face nor crows feet at the edge of her eyes. Chichi lowers her partially raised top. Her eyes are fixed on her husband. Time has been reversed on her body and her age regressed. She could now claim to be younger than her son and she could pass it off appearing as an early 20 year old.

"Does this mean we're making love again tonight?" Goku can foresee another restless night with his wife now having a younger body. He asks it as innocently as that question can be, more enquiring than suggesting though he is not against a repeat of last night.

In front of his son those were not the wisest of words to speak. Chichi is too shocked by this all to strike out at him saying such an embarrassing thing before Gohan and Yamcha. The son grimaces. Gohan did not want that information about his parents. Instead of a physical attack Goku is floored by his overjoyed wife embracing him. Chichi laughs. She is now not ageing noticeably faster than her husband and she has been granted more time alive with him. There shall be fun in surprising Goten with this. Goku laughs back. The physical change he does not really care for. In his eyes his wife has always looked the same as when they wed and her beauty never diminished but if she is happy then that makes him happy. Yamcha watches on and deduces Washu's reasoning for gifting this to Chichi before himself, it is a medical experiment hidden as an offering which she did not want to test on Yamcha. He excuses himself and wanders off as he badly needs to go to sleep and at this moment in time any flat surface will suffice. Goku lifts up his missus from on-top of him as he stands and in a giddy move she goes over to her son whose job with Washu she can thank for this. This is confusing, it is not natural for a child to see a parent the same age as them, Gohan hugs back for his mother's joy is clear.

"Dad, when is this tournament you're training for?"

"Like 40 days. Don't worry we've got it all planned out so I can use Instant Transmission to bring you for your mom's birthday."

"What do you mean? Did Queen Misaki say I couldn't come?"

" But Gohan you have studies so you would be- … Too busy but not busy enough that you can't have a job? Goku, I thought you'd asked Gohan?" Chichi slowly turns her head around to face her husband. This does not sound correct to her.

Goku shakes his head for he never said anything of the sort and explains that he assumed that to be the case for Gohan was always occupied whenever he visited prior and Videl had told him not to interrupt him if it cannot be helped. The mother sighs, half of the reason she got concerned yesterday is invalid – her father remains as a reason to Instant Transmit back as leaving a house unoccupied on a mountain with no security is asking for trouble. Without Washu going to Jurai would have been inconvenient for Gohan as he would have had to have brought along all his course materials and thesis research papers. With Washu who is going to Jurai he has access to them and more data so he will still be able to do his job, keep up with his doctorate and look around the alien world. Participating in the tournament is still not something he will do however despite his father asking.

A fingernail prods at his sturdy chest.

"Don't go wasting all your cash on a present for me. That money's for you and Videl." Chichi warns Gohan off against burning a lot of money on some fancy and extravagant gift for her birthday as that is not something she wants. She has lived a humble life for many years so material possessions like that are not what she seeks.

An additional multi-form splits from Gohan so that one can begin his work whilst another leaves with his family. Like father like son he takes up the apologetic role when confronting an angry woman as he explains himself to Videl. Giving news that he can perform the multi-form technique so that he can split himself to spend time with her whilst working earns him some favour, and Goku gets a sharp elbow in the side as his wife reminds him that she plans to hold him to this too. Eyes are on the youthful Chichi, now similar in age and appearance to Videl. Piccolo quips that his father the Demon King wasted a dragonball wish for the same thing which she acquired so easily. With a cheeky smile on her face Chichi stands over her sleeping Goten in the guest bedroom and enjoys his completely confused and befuddled expression as the mother waking him is not the one he remembers. She plays with him as his childish mind tries to get to grips with this face that is younger than he has ever seen his mother with. Goten looks to his father for help, sees the swish of a tail and wonders to himself what part of his family will change next.

The hard corner of something is prodded against his closed eyelid. With a grumble he swats at the object and it gets placed into his hand. His tired eyes open. Vegeta blinks several times and then wipes the sleep from his eyes with the back of his hand. A shallow cardboard box has been given to him after being used to wake him up.

"All freshly laundered and washed by your scullery maid Ryoko, Prince Vegeta."

She has kept her promise to him. Ryoko did not have to say anything for him to recognise the box or know of its contents. Like he ordered her after her massive error she cleaned Bulma's bunny outfit and presents it back to him. Vegeta nods as he looks down at the box. Light is shining through the large open windows of his living room. He deduces he fell asleep where he was sat as the party ended or continued on around him. The Saiyan remembers a promise he made as well and opens his mouth to be cut off at the fist syllable of an apology.

"If I wanted you awake with me all night this woulda been jabbed in your eye earlier. Sometimes a girl wants some time on her own and let's be honest you've got a Bulma to think about not me. Now let me enjoy this since I let her have her own fun." Ryoko waves off him falling asleep rather than spending the whole night with her as she found plenty to occupy herself with and other sources of light away from this grieving grump. She smiles with mischievous intent.

From his seated viewpoint he can see the litter and remains of last night's festivities: bottles piled high on the table and even take-away food packages that Ryoko must have teleported to get. Both police officers are not in sight and must have retreated to their own room. The Sun is barely cresting over the treeline. For all Ryoko's words on being fine with him asleep she did not wait too long to wake him. She giggles in a way he knows will shortly summon trouble for him. He takes note of her appearance as she is trying for a different aesthetic than is normal for her. Cyan hair hangs in a loose braid before her right shoulder. At her knees a white skirt ends, tucked into that is a black shirt with two buttons at the top left undone and over that a white blouse. Rings and other adornments he bought her she wears and to complete her strangely formal get-up she wears the translation glasses. Her clothes have changed however her impish nature remains the same.

Reaching behind her she picks up a bottle. Ryoko drinks and sets the bottle back down with her mouth full. She kneels down using flight to get around the awkward manoeuvrability of the restrictive skirt. Her predatory eyes gleam directly in front of Vegeta. Ryoko leans forwards and gives a good morning kiss.

Ryoko then passes the liquid from her mouth to the unsuspecting sleeper. Quickly she vanishes and teleports onto the other side of the table with a deep belly laugh that turns into a cackle. Straight vodka is not how most people plan on starting the day. Neither do most people enjoy their day starting with said vodka being coughed up onto their legs. Spluttering at this abrupt wakeup call, an arm almost traps Vegeta's tail as movement enters the other who fell asleep on the sofa. Ryoko was in a very kind mood to allow this to happen and so feels she is due this prank in ending their time together. A hand nearly grazes where it should not and Vegeta realises he was not alone for the night. Feet and legs curl in. Hands grasp at her aching skull and she moans loudly, complaining of the pain. Ayeka is experiencing her first hangover.

Her eyes have not opened and her words are as of yet still incomprehensible. Ayeka bemoans the pounding within her head, the splitting pain dulling her thoughts and the fresh burning of alcohol on her tongue. Every cough worsens the lance of the hangover drilling into her brain. She can hear the laughter, she recognises that voice, the light of day is burning through her eyelids and she is finding it difficult to roll about and avoid the Sun. Ayeka mewls. Her stomach is not feeling the best and despite the vodka her mouth is parched. Ryoko hovers back over and pushes a pill into the princess' mouth, not having to use her strength to overpower the weak resistance. The pirate clamps a hand over Ayeka's mouth, the Juraian not trusting Ryoko after the last time she was slipped drugs by her, and she forces her to swallow.

"There ya go. I pestered Washu for that so it should do its work in a bit. It's time to wake up now, Ayeka. I kinda need you to move your fat arse off of my Vegey as he's the only one awake who can cook." Ryoko abided this for a good while and was kind enough to seek out some medicine to help with the hangover but jealousy is seeping into her voice at the princess not relinquishing her throne of Vegeta's lap.

Ayeka does not move. Lack of trust leads her to disbelieve Ryoko's fanciful claim that this is not her bed and instead her fiancé. She is a princess and not the kind of person to fall asleep on top of a man in such a disgraceful fashion. Her hand pats on the sofa and she claims it as her bed and then she pats on Vegeta's thigh and also claims it as hers. The Saiyan raises an eyebrow at this. Ryoko chortles at this, alcohol is seemingly still within the maiden's system. Ayeka grumbles for Ryoko to leave her room when she is trying to sleep. She fidgets to get more comfortable, Ryoko looks at Vegeta and says that she is serious about being hungry and wanting food. Vegeta knows how to wake Ayeka.

The precious box is set down on the table. Weaknesses are observed and this time he has an additional weapon to use. Utilising his tail he wafts it across her face before its hairs annoyingly tease against her ears and the back of her neck. A hand comes down to her side and uncaring for her delicate state the attack commences. Ayeka is forcefully tickled awake.

Her stomach aches from laughter almost as much as her head does from the hangover. She kicks out and rolls over to protect her side. That touch and those hands are familiar. Red eyes stare open up at the face above her own. With that the assaulting tickling ceases. Ayeka freezes, appearing massively confused and disorientated by her surroundings. That is not the ceiling of her room, the window is in the wrong place, she is not on her bed and a Saiyan Prince is looking down at her. Her lips part and her mouth forms a small 'O'. Ayeka slams her eyes shut and peeks out. The scene remains unchanged. Ryoko floats above saying that she was not lying to her and she does need to remove herself from Vegeta.

The princess crashes unceremoniously to the floor as she flings herself off of the sofa, hitting herself against the table and exclaiming in pain as she lands heavily in a heap. An additional pain to the hangover has joined her head after banging against the wooden table. She gips. This high of emotion, the sudden lurching motion coupled with last night's festivities make her stomach roll. In a muffled scream of shame her pale fingers clasp over her mouth. Ryoko rests a hand on the back of Ayeka and teleports them both to the bathroom. Teleportation stirs the unrest in her stomach further as Ayeka appears on the cold tiles. She is not the only woman seeking refuge here following an excess amount of drinking. Kiyone holds the ceramic bowl of a toilet in a death grip, most of the alcohol now expelled from her system. Ryoko sniggers at the two unfortunate women and remarks at what lightweights they are, despite herself cheating by using her ki to eradicate most effects of alcohol and her regenerative powers to combat these after effects.

With a smile she reappears by Vegeta who no longer has another woman sleeping on him. He stretches and stands. Two steps towards the kitchen and a sword burns against his back. The mouth of a pirate whispers into his ear.

"This is for betraying me in that game. Now since there ain't no Sasami you're gonna be the one showing me how to cook better." She cackles to herself as she digs the blade of energy against his impenetrable hide. This will suffice for revenge and as a reminder of what happens when someone messes with her.

"You are not really dressed for culinary activities … What are you dressed like that for?" Vegeta shrugs off her mock attack and questions her unusual style of attire as she swirls through the air in front of him.

"Vegey's taking me to show to his 'parents' so I'm putting in an effort here. You like?"

"You're beautiful. Go wake Trunks up." Dispensing those words in a heavy exhale he pays the lip service she wants. She is being quite confident when his last words on this matter were on whether he would trust her enough to allow her to accompany on this visit.

"Kid can wake himself up, I'm not- … is this you testing me on that promise about trying to be a mother-dearest to Trunks? That's sneaky of you. I catch you sleeping with another woman and you order me about to look after the child you ignore, how cruel."

Kicking open the kitchen door behind her she barely manages to catch the hidden intentions of Vegeta. Her knee jerk reaction proves her current stance and opinion. For such a sneaky attack she repays it with some taunting of her own as she feigns tears at his sleeping with Ayeka. A tongue sticks out at him, her tail swishes through the air as his remains securely fastened around his waist.

"Why did you allow Ayeka to fall asleep like that? And I don't want to ask this every time I fall asleep somewhere I shouldn't but you didn't try anything with me did you?"

"Can't touch you so not much I can try. I mean I stared at you for a while, lifted my skirt up at you, whispered things to hypnotically imprint into your brain, spent half your money, set the forest on fire and then just before I woke you I blew up the planet." Ryoko grins, he can keep his suspicions of her.

"Triple your strength and you might be able to pull off a decent planet destroying attack, with far better techniques than you have. That doesn't answer about Ayeka." Ignoring her jests he pushes again on this out of place action for herself. Allowing her rival this level of intimacy would not have sat easily with her envy, her compassion for a friend is not a strong enough emotion to win out against her jealous and possessive nature.

"Now you can truthfully say that I am by far the better woman to sleep with. I cleaned you all up and cared for you whereas she spat all over your leg."

"Go ahead and ring out the next excuse or answer me properly."

"I'm being kind to her and let her do that since she's been nice to me so that the slate's clean and I can-"

"I am the one with the power over the amount of food you get to eat now, stop messing about."

"Maybe there's a reason I'm not telling."

"You will tell me. What secrets or privacy do you allow me? Out with it."

"Why d'ya wanna know so bad? What's it to you, you don't care that she fell asleep on you-"

"Aberrant behaviour from yourself is something I am looking out for. How many terrors did you have during the night? What occupied you so that you could not prevent Ayeka falling asleep?" Vegeta puts it into plain words his concern for her mental state. She is being defensive and her poorly constructed lies veil nothing, he will push through to the truth to find out her thinking and her actions whilst he slept.

The rogue bristles. Hovering over the dining table as Vegeta leans against the work counter she snarls at this stab at her traumatised mind. Sleeping with Ayeka or not a sharp kick would have awaken him if any flashback of the event occurred, doubting her sanity and making her sound like a weak victim she loathes.

"That's not what it is! Don't treat me like some crazy person, I did not have any bad dreams because unlike you I didn't sleep. Understand?" Ryoko shouts, adamantly denying what Vegeta is claiming.

"That's a lie. I called you out on all your others, that one also will not slip past. I am no idiot, do not push back against me acting in a manner you crave. There was a good reason I betrayed you in that stupid game. … You have not sung before. You're not one who cares whether there are others to sing with, if you wanted to you would've done it, and the main reason is you wanting to show off to myself. Decades, that is a long time to practise... and also the perfect amount of time to build instinctual relationships within your mind." With his arms crossed he calmly asserts back to Ryoko his observations last night. A growl comes from her throat in response to how dangerously close he is coming. He holds her gaze. "You sung whilst hanging in chains in the darkness for escapism. What are you trying to escape from?"

"It was a pretty shitty day for me, do I need some Super Saiyan special reason? Singing is fucking fun, showing Ayeka up is fun. You think you're so smart but maybe I want to sing when I'm having fun with friends so that I don't think of rotting in jail whenever I hum a tune! … I'm sorry. I'm not used to people caring for me like this and you're not delicate at all about this. A ton of shit has happened. I'll go get Trunks."

Her defensive roars die down. She heard the concern in his words and as much as she loathes him doubting her mental state it is nice for him to show this compassion and worry towards her. If Ryoko wants to sing to have fun after a hard and stressful day she can do. Vegeta shakes his head before she turns to leave the room.

"No. Not on that note." Her eyes narrow on Vegeta for that was a very bad pun on his part, whether intentional or not. Vegeta yawns deeply. That reason he shall accept . The question of the why for allowing Ayeka to sleep he shall probe into after allowing her some time. He turns the hob on. "Apron on, you're going to pay attention so that maybe you can cook this prince's food instead."

"How far in the future ya talkin'? And for all this talk of you cooking you still have not made me breakfast in bed once." Ryoko smiles. He is asking for her company so she will oblige and tease him. She dismounts the table and lands next to him.

"You gave me an easy out to that question. Years from now you will still be cooking for me: whether that is as my wife or some freeloader remains to be seen."

The absence of Sasami is felt in the kitchen as Vegeta's simple fare is prepared and Ryoko is not one to shy away from telling him how basic his cooking is in comparison. Food he prepares is for calorific content and nutritional value so that he can train, no more and no less. She senses that a multi-form has split off to train whilst this other shows her some more basics of cooking. Ryoko comments that the breakfast he is preparing is pretty heavy considering the amount of women suffering from a hefty hangover. He orders her to prepare some porridge for them. Following instructions to the letter is not a strong point of hers and having only recently acquired taste she does not have a habit of taste testing her food. With most things cooking or ready to be served he sends her up to wake his son – telling her sternly to not do so in the same manner as she did Ayeka. She giggles and calls him jealous of her kissing someone else.

Hovering past a sleeping Mihoshi at the top of the stairs she kicks open the door to Trunks' room and shouts for him to get up. He does not move. She calls again for him that breakfast is going to be ready. Trunks is still thinking it is too early for him to bother getting out of bed. Ryoko grins and unleashes an evil plan to get him to move. By the side of the sleeping son she begins to softly speak of her desires, her dreams of Vegeta and what her imagination wants him to do to her. Trunks quickly gets out of bed to leave that situation, and Ryoko classes that as her victory.

A phased face peers through into the bathroom. The sight is pretty dire and has not improved since she dumped Ayeka in. Musing to herself why the medication has not kicked in yet she fully phases into the room and asks them if they are going to be able to make it to breakfast. Neither manage more than a groan. Teleporting, she appears over the hunched Kiyone. She holds a full glass of water in her hand and tips. Fast drips pour onto her messy teal hair and wonky headband. Kiyone mewls and raises a hand to stop the water. Ryoko repeats the question of breakfast and adds that she was thoughtful enough to help make it for them. Leaking water falls down her back and now drips onto the base of Kiyone's trousers. Kiyone concedes to a meal she will be hard pressed to keep down as the last of the water falls. Ryoko gives her a hard pat and rub on the back for being so agreeable and with a chirp she comments that the policewoman may want to change her clothes so it does not look like she urinated whilst clothed.

With a slight nudge of her foot Ryoko rounds up the last person. One yawn and a stretch and Mihoshi drowsily wakes up and asks what time it is. Ryoko stoops down curious and sniffs at Mihoshi. The smell of alcohol is there. There is no hint of a wobble or any discomfort as the blonde stands and makes her way down the stairs, rubbing at a crick in her neck from how she slept. Ryoko is sure she remembers Mihoshi being only second to her in terms of alcohol consumed, this will be a mystery to solve later.

Green at the gills and bracing herself against the table to stay sat upright, Kiyone eyes breakfast with no hunger. This is their first proper meal since the culinary genius of Sasami has been lost and they feel her absence. The food prepared is that for a Saiyan stomach, piping hot bowls of a mysterious porridge Ryoko claims to have toiled over the stove for is what they have set before them. Mihoshi compliments Ryoko on her alternate fashion, how smart and professional she looks, the pirate enjoys the compliments and waits for the merit of her cooking to also be praised. As impressing Vegeta is always her goal Trunks and Vegeta are also granted some of her gruel. So far no-one has braved it. Kiyone has not mustered up the courage to do more than sip at a mug of tea and Mihoshi is happily munching on some toast.

Ayeka has not ventured downstairs. On her shaky departure from the bathroom Kiyone did not spy any attempted movement from the sole remaining Juraian. Golden eyes are too busy watching Vegeta, Ryoko ate some leftover takeaway when everyone else was sleeping and had a fair amount of Vegeta's cooking before it had been served. A spoon is picked up. The Prince of Saiyans shovels down the entire bowl in a few seconds. Ryoko is liking this feeling of accomplishment in feeding her fiancé. At the sound of the bowl being placed down she teleports behind his chair and asks what he thought of her cooking. He bluntly says it was bland and continues eating. So enamoured by any perception of taste to food Ryoko added no additives and served plain porridge, for people who have owned taste-buds their entire life it is a boring dish.

Upstairs she appears. In a huff with Vegeta insulting her efforts she goes to find enjoyment tormenting another. A quick stop off in the room she shares with Vegeta she flies into Ayeka's room that now houses a spare bed. Collapsed on top of her sheets she finds the princess. Undefended yet again this easy prey will be attacked. Ryoko sneaks up, crouches next to her sleeping rival and puts on the weighted glove she took from Vegeta's cupboard. Strain enters her arm and her tail accessory raises poised to strike.

A glove gently caresses against the cheek of the maiden. Heat of ki warms her face. Ryoko lowers her voice to a gruff whisper in as close an imitation as she can and speaks the princess' name. She whispers it again and strokes with the glove, teasing her hair and letting her breath be felt. Again Ryoko calls Ayeka's name. Eyelids flutter in response. Ryoko says a swift apology. Her tail darts at the gap in Ayeka's unkept robes and worms about her waist and tries to pry into her tights to get to bare skin.

"Lord Vegeta no!"

Ayeka exclaims in shock and shoves at the body before her. For a second time she is awoken to find Ryoko. Her rival smirks and smiles that her little ruse worked.

"You're biting my hand, Ayeka, not exactly ladylike but I like your style. Biter's back." Teeth affix to the wrist of her gloved hand. Ryoko gently shakes and Ayeka detaches herself, the hefty glove is removed and canines show in Ryoko's toothy grin. "Oh, and earlier wasn't a dream before you try and act like it was. I know the tricks and lies of Juraians. During breakfast I'll have you tell me all about your wonderful night sleeping with our prince."

Putting a hand on the laying down Juraian's shoulder Ryoko gives a quick squeeze and then teleports both of them into the kitchen. A squawk of alarm comes from the hungover maiden as she is repositioned from her bed to the wooden floor. She groans in pain at the teleportation. Ayeka can make out blurry shapes and hear echoey voices; table legs, chairs and feet. Fluff itches across her face as Ryo-Ohki inspects this new person joining her on the floor. Sniggers come from overhead as Ryoko has her fun displaying this hungover lady of class. Words of sympathy come from Kiyone who is feeling the same delicate state before she goes back to glowering at her chirpy partner seemingly none the worse for wear. Ryoko says she shall see if she can fetch a few more of those pills for hangovers from Washu if Ayeka promises not to chuck them back up again, Kiyone asks in a weak voice if she can have one too. The rogue nods and vanishes.

Strong arms lift up the princess. These arms, the bulk of them, the feel of the energy and strength behind them, this is no ruse but the real Saiyan Prince. She squirms. Ayeka puts up feeble resistance from being touched by Vegeta and lifted onto her feet by him. Her robes are loosely tied and she is still wearing yesterday's clothes, her hair is a mess, she feels awful and she is awfully embarrassed by having slept on him. He plops her down in his chair. Ayeka's face pale from the hangover tries to blush. A mug of coffee is set before her as is a bowl of Ryoko's porridge. Vegeta states that he will only wait a few hours maximum before setting off to visit his old home and for her to be ready and able at that time. Kiyone and Mihoshi are not invited.

She goes to drink the coffee to slake her thirst and rid her mouth of the taste of bile and on the first gulp scalds her tongue. It hurts and then the hot beverage enters her stomach and begins interacting with the little remaining within. Ayeka makes a pained noise and covers her mouth.

"And this, son, is why you should not drink." Sympathy will not be elicited from the Saiyan prince for people who voluntarily opened the gates of oblivion upon themselves. He takes this opportunity to parent his son.

"What about Mihoshi though?" Trunks smirks and points with his thumb at the unaffected Mihoshi.

"Woman, you're setting a bad precedent for my son! 30 laps around the lake now." To continue this joke Vegeta yells at the blonde in mock anger and scares her enough that she leaves before finishing her breakfast. Father and son chuckle.