Chapter 78
Customs have been cleared without difficulty or questions asked. Her title gains her much respect and privilege. Only 3 lifeforms were detected upon her vessel, one of them being the ship-tree itself, and none of the guards hold any mistrust to their beloved Queen. Misaki stands on the bridge of her ship with her daughter asleep in her rocking arms as their home planet crests into view. A wide berth is offered to her grand and powerful ship by the flows of trade ships passing through one of the many checkpoints in this system. She glances at the clock on the viewport display, they have made good time. The orbits of the stars around the galaxy made for an easy travel at this moment with few obstacles in the way to manoeuvre around which she shall take as an omen. The console of the ship buzzes, an alert of an incoming message. Misaki looks down and the recipient is listed as one of Washu's secure channels and then in parenthesis the sender notes herself as Ryoko. A blue eyebrow raises.
'You missed a helluva night': the subject line raises Misaki's suspicions on why Ryoko is the one contacting her. She opens the message. One sentence and an image file. Using the translation glasses to capture an image Ryoko holds them facing her as she mischievously grins. In her other hand she clutches the old stuffed toy of Ayeka's. Behind Ryoko however are two sleeping royals. Sound asleep on the lap of Vegeta is her daughter. 'Why sleep with a stuffed one when instead you can sleep with a real beast?', Misaki can hear Ryoko's mocking tone as she reads the single line accompanying the image. Her daughter cannot handle her drink. Misaki's face glows with an uncomfortable blush at this picture. She takes from Ryoko's involvement that nothing untoward would have happened or the jealous rival would have intervened. Misaki types back a response complimenting Ryoko's appearance and wishing Ayeka a swift recovery from the hangover. The Queen bites her lower lip.
On route down to one of the many landing pads around the royal palace that her family calls home she is instructed by flight control to change her trajectory and land instead at an alternate platform on the opposite side. Her ship follows the command and within a few minutes is safely hovering over a substantially sized landing pad to accommodate her royal Juraian ship. Teleporting down with her sleeping daughter still in her arms she comes face to face with the reason for the change in destination.
"Hello, mother, I expected my husband and sister Funaho to also greet me. Would you happen to know where they are?" Misaki is not at all surprised to find only one person on the landing pad following the diversion. Her mother has come to greet her.
Dark mauve eyes squint through the dusk of Jurai, with one sharp downward glance she scans her child and grandchild for any mark of injury. Her face is stern and framed with pale green hair. Her mint coloured hair parts on the right as a wavy fringe curls back in on her face at her cheekbones and keeps her eyes concealed in perpetual shade. Long and tapered eyebrows are trimmed and preened, appearing exactly as she has groomed herself to be, a pale and unobtrusive lipstick in contrast to her lengthened eyelashes and darkened eye liner. In a higher ponytail than her daughter she wears her green hair, tied strictly in a blue and gold lined ribbon. No adornment or mark is on her forehead, no royal crest or symbol in spite of the magnanimous power she holds. Second only in age to Washu she shows no signs of the millennia of weathering and stress she has fought her way through, save her eyes.
"I have read a summary that Miss Washu sent ahead of yourself." Seto's voice is cool and calm, ignoring Misaki's question and getting straight to the topic at hand.
She wears a white robe with a magenta bodice, black sash and large blue and gold ribbons supporting an enlarged shoulder section. One purple sphere hangs from her left ear and on the right a strip of gold and silver. No breeze disturbs her appearance. Orderlies and crew rush in the background to moor and unload the Juraian flagship hovering above. Misaki smiles.
"If you are worried about our health and came rushing here to check on your beloveds then have no fear, we return home with no injury – even though I traded blows with your Saiyan grandson." She sends out a feeler and gets the expected response from her mother. Seto's body does not move or tense as fear wafts through her at word of her daughter explicitly going against her word and purposefully disobeying her by putting herself in direct danger from a Saiyan killer. The Devil Princess' pattern of breathing alters by half a second only, enough for the daughter used to her mother's ways to notice. She knows exactly what her mother is here to accomplish and she has no want to stand here and receive a scolding or an earful or warnings of dangers she already knows of. Misaki is taller than her mother, she steps forward and rests her forehead against the top of her mother's head in as much of a physical greeting as she can manage with Sasami in her arms. "Wouldn't it be more pleasant if we sat down indoors? Standing out here in the gloom it almost feels like an interrogation."
"You engaged our Ayeka to him without listening to me or even knowing about the Saiyan mating seasons-"
"When I see my mother practising the hobby of matchmaking so much it seemed fun to give it a try myself. If you have the reports then-"
"Misaki, my own mother and father are now just ash due to a band of Saiyans that monkey led. He already is a kin-slayer, Washu notes how with enjoyment he dispatched of the Saiyan Nappa – his guardian and parent figure for 20 years – and how he holds a regret for not killing off his previous wife. This Ryoko woman he keeps in his company has an equally vile past towards Jurai." Emotion does not spill into her words, animosity fills her glare however. This hate will not fade away, Seto is no ally to the Saiyans who took her parents from her in spite of all the power she holds. She will not allow any threat to her remaining family members or to Jurai itself, and she knows of her daughter's plan to bring Saiyans onto this very planet itself. Two infamous and sadistic murderers reside where Misaki left Ayeka, and she will remind her daughter of this mistake.
A solemn bow of a head, Misaki pays her respects for her deceased grandparents as is proper. She hears so loud the concern within her mother's voice that Seto does not allow in her intonation, the same concern she spoke with to her own daughter. Misaki knows more of Seto's long past than this one event, beyond Saiyans she despises the dishonest profession of pirate. Buccaneers, scoundrels, rouges, highwaymen, mercenaries, criminals of that nature will be forever despised. Misaki is tired from a long two days dancing with this same argument on either side. She will have to hold this same discussion with Azusa, and Funaho, and her father, at least Yosho is staying out of the way in this.
"A Saiyan and a pirate. You hate them for those words, for a species and an occupation. I have met with them and you have not. You are no longer a child of the spring, mayhap your non-progressive thinking is reflective of the bygone era you grew up in." Misaki means little offence and holds no ill will towards her mother, she speaks in the same blunt manner that only she would dare to speak to her mother like. Butting heads and arguing is not that uncommon for them. They are secure in the knowledge that both love each other and are not afraid to voice their differing opinions.
"Autumn may come but the leaves of Jurai shall never fall, and never winter. My bias exists from my long past and the experiences I hold that you are too young to know of. It is my fault for sheltering you so heavily from the atrocities of the war he fought in that you would so willingly let this calamity befall us. If only now the biggest worry I had was you climbing trees, this is my mistake for not planning for the eventuality of Ayeka fleeing betrothal to Yosho – truth is I hoped for far more marriage candidates to be discovered." Brushing aside the insult of her grand age, Lady Seto shakes her head at an irritating feature of her daughter that she will always be proud of: her unshakeable good nature. Her schemes had a hole in them, a fly has escaped her web and now she must improvise whilst maintaining the delicate balance with her family.
"Huh, it has been … the last time I heard you admit yourself being wrong was when my pretty Sammy was first held in your arms. Mother, your arguments will not sway this. Conflict this as you want, use all the power of the 'Devil Princess', but remember whereas you hold this pseudo title of Princess I hold the very real title of Queen and will pave the easiest path I can for my darling Ayeka."
"Conflict is not how I work, I only wish that my daughter would heed my council for once and listen."
"Both myself and Sasami are tired from the long trip, and I wish to see my husband and deliver our daughter to him so he can stop his fretting. This discussion can hold, mother. … How about next time we visit our Ayeka I take you to Earth to meet with this Saiyan Prince, I believe I will need my lovely and smart mummy's help to broker a peace deal with Ayeka's stubborn fiancé."
The headstrong Queen takes a step away from this conversation. She has not slept herself and her young daughter's sleep could easily be disturbed in this cold and bustling hangar.
"I am all for an end to that war and peace. Saiyans however do not recognise that concept as something desirable. I shall concern myself with Kagato, this fracas with Vegeta I will watch you handle until you feel the desire to listen to what I have to say. Enjoy telling Azusa about Kain, Kagato and that image Ryoko sent you."
"I shall, and you will be there with me, mother." Misaki smiles, she wants her mother with her and to be present for all discussions on this subject matter. Seto nods and smiles herself, an audience with the queen is not an opportunity she will waste. "And how do you know of that … unsavoury image when it was solely sent to myself through the most secure of channels?"
"Misaki, my tricks are my own, and if people believe simple encryption protocols are enough to stop me then I am happy for that belief to proliferate. I have done this all before. Though you were not yet Queen of Jurai I protected you from similar voyeuristic snaps being publicised. You are not as discreet as you might think, and, my little Misaki, a striped pattern would better suit you then that spotted animal print underwear you bought." The ball will forever be in her court and the upper hand is something she will never forfeit. Seto lightly chuckles as her lone child goes silent and blushes. She will bring peace to Jurai and nothing has the power to prevent her.
She missed her opportunity. Waiting for the hangover to be relieved and her mental faculties to return he fled. Vegeta trains. He had finished his breakfast and with that training commences. Ayeka needs to talk to him. Disturbing him and facing him after what she has done is a step too far. His scent is on her. A fuzz clouds most of the raucous night. A Cheshire smile taunts her. Ayeka will not instigate conversation with her morning kiss. The feline eyes mocking her spell her doom.
Ryoko floats about the table and the princess, watching as her cooking is bit by bit eaten. A hangover is not something she has had to suffer. Unless her healing fails her as it did yesterday, alcohol will not ail her. She asks Kiyone about her porridge, and she gets her stark opinion on the gruel. Ryoko tells Kiyone to eat it all up and not to waste her kind efforts. She fiddles with the translation glasses and with a chuckle reads a message displayed on the lens.
"Ha, mummy's staying so composed, little Ayeka. No cracks yet even as I pester her." Ryoko taunts the Juraian Princess as she continues to harass the Queen with messages. A sullen silence from Ayeka is not the response she wants. She hovers closer and grins. "Even after I message her about last night. Even after I sent her a lovely picture of your sleeping face."
Cutlery clangs down onto the table. Ryoko phases her body so that she does not get knocked out of the sky as Ayeka flees the room and thunders upstairs. This promotes a smile from Ryoko. She picks up the discarded cutlery and helps herself to the porridge left behind.
"Why? Are you her friend or are you still like dad and Goku? You're being real weird picking on her when for some reason you let her fall asleep on dad." Trunks questions Ryoko on her binary treatment of Ayeka. If she is in a particularly troublemaking mood then he will step in before she is near his mother's grave.
"She's trying and failing to move herself up a rung in the ladder. Isn't that right? Can't be the victim if you've got someone below you. Real cheap and bitchy behaviour for someone looking out for you." Kiyone did not like water being poured on her. She gets a pair of predatory eyes fixed on her. Sipping more tea, she continues on with her professional opinion on Ryoko's actions. Sitting around a house in her company has helped her build a good profile on this pirate. "And you get to use her own Juraian beliefs and standing in the Juraian Empire you love to attack her with. She either cracks or she renounces the Juraian way of life, victory for the rape victim, or she stands resolute which she will and eventually Psycho or someone else will hit you again."
"My benevolent self generously gives Ayeka a lovely memory of her prince and all people do is assume the worst. Police should be nicer and not throw around baseless accusations-"
"Ryoko, my job is to know when criminals are lying. If you want this to be good cop, bad cop then sure Mihoshi will be your friend when Vegeta doesn't scare her off. What was it, double my lifetime you spent in prison? It shows. That and a life of no real relationships, of pure self indulgence, a nomadic lifestyle peppered with murder and pillaging. You can try yet your basic social skills and your mindset towards others tell all. It's immature."
"That sounds like a failure of the justice system to me... And you know that I am trying to change myself through Vegeta to gain that kind of future. So what's your point? Lay off Ayeka as much? Well it'll probably annoy Vegeta less anyway and today is going to be a minefield enough for me to traverse..."
With that she concedes to not going overboard in her teasing of Ayeka, best behaviour will be necessary when visiting Capsule Corporation HQ. She has had her fun for now. Kiyone nods. Rehabilitation of Ryoko in a similar vein to Vegeta is a desired outcome however her stance is that Ayeka would be a better decision for the Saiyan with the galactic politics considered and the longer term effects of furthering his domestication. Ryoko lazily floats out of the kitchen and peeks in on Vegeta's training. Her elfin ears hear a few choice curse words. The Saiyan Prince is forcing himself to relearn many of his martial arts manoeuvres to incorporate his newly regrown tail and shifting his defences to cover this major weakness of his body wrapped around his waist.
Late morning is upon them and within a brief few minutes of exiting his training room both Vegeta and Trunks fly out of the house to head to their old home. The Saiyan Prince leaves Ryoko with the command of teleporting herself and Ayeka over once they have arrived. An exhausted Mihoshi wheezes on the sofa having run the designated laps around the lake that Vegeta jokingly ordered of her. The pirate floats overhead and questions her why she is not hungover. Mihoshi is too tired, she shrugs. She turns on the television and relaxes as an impatient Ryoko hovers over. Ayeka has not ventured down in the last hour or so, she briefly descended the stairs, heard Vegeta's roars from training, saw Ryoko's smirk and excused herself back to her room to finish getting ready for visiting Vegeta's in-laws.
"Hey, Ayeka, keep me on a tight leash when I'm there. I'm quite an impulsive woman so stop me and let me know if I'm about to do something offensive, I wanna work my way out of Vegey's bad books." Popping up through the floorboards she makes Ayeka jump as she surprises her with both her presence and her request. She floats up and explains that Vegeta and Trunks have departed and she is to teleport them over as she lounges down on Sasami's spare bed.
With a hand on her breast to calm herself from the shock, Ayeka timidly turns to face the bane of her morning so far. Seeing as Ryoko is making an effort to impress in terms of her clothing this Juraian Princess has chosen not to be outdone. The clothes of Earth she purchased yesterday are not touched, the highest grade gowns from Jurai she wears to introduce herself as a princess to Vegeta's in-laws. With a base material of alabaster fabric and hems plated with actual woven vines of gold, platinum, earthy bronze and a piercing purple precious metal not found on Earth her robe shines in the light. A larger under-sash of a deep brown and a two thinner ribbon-like sashes of amber affix her luxurious gown around her slender waist. Around the sleeves and the legs intricate webs of emerald green thread weave natural floral patterns whilst her bodice remains pristine and untouched white. She has polished and varnished her tiara. Ayeka's face is contoured with the slightest touch of make-up with two inverted chevrons of green painted between her eyebrows. Her long hair cascades loose save for two tapering braids on either side of her face. The princess in all her regalia warily eyes Ryoko. Not having to fly saves her outfit a fair bit of trouble, being left alone with Ryoko she does not see as a wise move by Vegeta. Her mouth opens and asks the same question that everyone else has already asked of Ryoko: 'why'.
"For such a hard slab of bone and muscle he's pretty damn comfortable, I think it's the warmth – ain't his sweat stink that's for sure. Why? I didn't do nothing. Why did you curl up and cuddle in for a lovely night with our prince?" Ryoko sits up as she turns the question about. She has grown tired of answering and avoiding this question, at the very least Vegeta asked with concern about herself.
"It was the alcohol! I-I-I would never- It was all that evil drink." She shouts and blurts out this excuse, colour entering her cheeks as the teasing she feared is continued. Ayeka shakes her head. Ryoko does not get drunk and could have moved her while sleeping, Ryoko is having fun now, Ryoko has no reason to let her and Vegeta sleep as they did. The princess denies her actions and Ryoko simply grins and laughs.
"Oh, so you're not responsible for your own actions like Vegeta when he tried to make me sing a different kind of song." No grand plan was necessary for this to succeed. Ryoko smirks as Ayeka is quick to deny this comparison and tries to find more excuses. "No, can't fault you at all. It was only a drink that was offered to you that no-one was forcing you to drink. Others like Yamcha responsibly stopped but that doesn't influence a high born Juraian like yourself. It was all that evil alcohol's fault that you threw back glass after glass. Maybe little Ayeka did it as an excuse so she could cuddle and hug Vegeta, lean all over him like I used to, and then … well you woke up on his lap but who's to say what else you tried to do that night."
A face pale as the robe she is wearing stares back at the grinning pirate. Last night's memories are hazy. Ayeka has not considered such a possibility that more transpired whilst intoxicated that she now cannot recall. Under her breath she keeps repeating the word 'no'. To fall asleep on Vegeta she had to be close to him. For him to allow it he had to be asleep first whilst her drunken self was beside him. She could have tried to do anything and the only one who knows is having the time of her life making fun of her.
"But you didn't do anything too daring. I might have let you have your night in his arms but you ain't going to be sneaking any more kisses on my Vegeta. Sure you were cuddling against him like you were having your own mating season yet I think Ayeka was a little lonely princess without her Sasami. I understand the want for company and the fears of being alone at night. You did lose at singing, remember that, a very sound defeat by yours truly. Now, behaving around Vegeta at Bulma's home, if you are really qualified to be instructing me on manners? I want some pointers."
"... Do not enter any room you have not been invited into." After a sizeable pause Ayeka calms herself and starts to answer Ryoko's questions on how she should behave. She will gladly have the topic change and accept the reasoning that the separation of herself from all her family contributed to her drunken self's actions. From out of her robe she pulls the seashell necklace, her fingers find comfort in its smooth grooves.
"His marital room will be there, I'm gonna count it as a big win if he does let us near that."
"No touching or picking up of any items, or thievery. No dirty, foul or cruel jokes. First thing you do is pay your respects. No trying to pry, no trying to anger L-Lord Vegeta, or Trunks. … I would say to respect your elders, however both his mother and father-in-law are younger than yourself."
"I hear ya but … you got to look through Vegey's past so if I get a similar opportunity there then I'll be sure to ask first. Anyway I ain't the one who steals from him, you're the one with those pics of him under your pillow."
A wall sized monitor displays fluctuating readings from several sectors of the galaxy, financial transactions, traffic control readouts of all known fuelling stations and scans of unidentified engine signatures. Sandwiched between all this are two chat boxes open to two high ranking Juraians: Lady Seto and Queen Funaho. Gohan can only read this monitor and has no admin privileges to type or change the open windows. Washu continues her research whilst keeping the heads of Juraian intelligence informed of her findings and of any potential plots. She hits the wrong key, misspelling a word, and has to waste precious seconds correcting herself as every thing she produces has to be flawless. Her fingers are not as long as they were a second ago.
"Dr Hakubi, is it another personal threat?" On a seat across from her, Gohan sits and queries if another provocation has caused her body age to alter.
Washu yawns and shakes her head. Blinking and rubbing at her eyes she concentrates and corrects her physique to how it should be. No threat against her unborn child has been received, Kagato has been quiet for some time now. She stands up from her hovering cushion and stretches. Half an eye is kept on the displays and the incoming new data which she internally processes. With a few steps she approaches Gohan, bending down she removes his fake glasses.
"I introduce myself as Washu, don't call me Dr Hakubi – makes me sound almost as old as I am. And no, no threat from our favourite Kagato just a report about what would happen if I do keep being stupid like this and changing my age and it turns out I would kill my child whilst being perfectly fine myself." She twirls the glasses in her hand with a despondent air about her, fighting against Kagato is draining enough as is that she does not want herself to become an enemy to tackle too. Washu drops Gohan's glasses and before they hit the ground they are absorbed and vanish into her laboratory's inventory system. She is tried, still not having slept, and all this thinking of her becoming an unsuccessful parent for a second time is depressing her.
"Has Yamcha told you any of the Turtle style teachings on ki control? Those could help to regulate yourself." He offers what advice he can on this personal matter. Gohan knows only what he has observed of Washu's control over her age yet he believes simple meditative lessons might prove effective.
Many rooms away the scientist's lover snores. Washu wags her finger and directs Gohan to stand. He complies. She looks down on him, studying him, Saiyans like this and not like Vegeta she greatly prefers. He is earnest and kind and she spies a certain amount of ambition in his pushes for aiding her and wanting more responsibilities. Half human is what he is and half human her child shall be, both with the second half originating from her planet. At his age she had accomplished far more in academics but then again she was single, had not saved the world nor had her friends and family die multiple times. Emerald eyes gleam with avarice, he has something that he can offer her and she will seize it.
"I haven't asked. This is a lot closer to a level of control over a power you Saiyans have. You can go Super Saiyan any moment at the right emotional provocation and can switch it on and off at will, you can also indeterminately stay as a Super Saiyan. How do you control your emotions to that degree?"
"I still get angry, I can still flare up and lose control of my powers. What dad taught me in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber might be of some use but what it sounds like you require is some perpetual stability that I cannot provide, no Saiyan can."
A sigh comes from Washu, her easy way out of this mess has gone. She will still learn what she can from him, that can come later. Seto is sounding impatient, it amuses Washu, Vegeta tends to have that effect on people. Funaho has excused herself with Yosho and Haruna taking precedent. She reaches an arm out and rests a hand on Gohan's shoulder. Washu shall have some fun.
"... Looks like it is the risky plan of reversing this ability then. …. So, Gohan, you know about my family plans and you and Videl have been going steady for a while, don't you want to ascend even further beyond and transform that relationship to the next level?"
"You sound like my mom when she was worried at becoming a grandmother the moment me and Videl got together." He tries to brush over her probing, this is quite a sensitive subject for him to discuss with his employer he has known for a very short amount of time. Washu's eyes narrow, that is not enough information to satisfy her. Gohan continues with the bare minimum explanation. "It was … It was on the table. We had discussed it, it is something we both want. And then Bulma died, that threw a spanner in the works."
"My near death experience sped up my plans for procreation, that's normally how those things go. Explain."
"They're personal reasons between myself and Videl, I'm sorry but I'm not comfortable telling you them." He removes her hand from him and goes to sit back down. Those reasons exist between him and Videl. Gohan is in enough trouble with her as is and does not need to worsen his position by blabbing the secrets of their relationship to a stranger.
The screen of his computer powers down. Crossing her arms, Washu leans against Gohan's back. People do not evade her want for data. He ran away once before and shall not be successful this time. Gohan is uncomfortable with a woman other than Videl acting in such a physical manner, especially with her being his employer and holding that power over him. He nervously laughs and turns his head, asking if there is anything else he can help with.
"I healed your mom back to youth and gave you secure employment, I know that I am a hard person to trust but the simple matter is if you do not tell me it will not stop me from gaining the answer. Who's to say, maybe when I uploaded information into your brain I also implanted many sub-conscious suggestions so you will unconditionally obey my commands." Every time she succeeds in quelling a Saiyan's rebellion against her wants fills her heart with glee. Resistance against telling her is futile, she presses down as she leans. Washu confidently smiles.
"I can see why you and Vegeta get along so well. … Fine. There were... a lot of variables. There was a lot of arguing, she even went to stay with her dad for a few days but Hercule's a kind soul and got her to see me again. We're both very young, both without proper jobs and even though money isn't an issue she was like you and wanted to rush. Bulma's death gave me perspective. A chance to step back and see the bigger picture. For so long we'd been abusing the dragonballs that every time someone died we always thought we could wish them back, but then when Bulma died and couldn't come back I started to understand my dad and those times he disobeyed Shenron and did not want to be brought back."
He pauses. Her stare still burrows into the back of his skull. Chichi and Videl have prepared him well in dealing with strong willed women. Gohan switches back on the monitor and continues typing.
"Me and Videl have time. Before we become parents we need to become adults – she didn't like hearing that but it's true. Mom will support me no matter my decision and she is happy with my sensible decision … She doesn't know she's also part of my reasoning. It sounds really bad but I don't want Videl to end up like my mom. I don't mean that in any cruel way but my mom gave birth to me before she turned 20, as soon as she was married, and her whole adult life has been this. She is happy, I know she is, she loves us more than anything and wouldn't change anything but I know Videl and she won't be content like that. I'm studying and now working so the job of looking after the kids would be hers, so after that what then? My mom goes on at dad for not having a job but she's never had one herself, never had the opportunity with me and Goten and come a few years when Goten grows up she's going to find it real hard. I want Videl to know who she is, to be happy with her life and to have a future beyond being just a mother, once we have our own lives then we'll think about bringing in a new one." Gohan completes Washu's request for information and keeps working as she silently absorbs all that he has said.
Washu believes she has a better understanding now of her apprentice. Those are mature and wise thoughts he holds despite his age. Even when he talked about his mother she did not sense him holding any guilt about his own birth, he is able to view matters from outside his own viewpoint as the child of Chichi. Her turning back of the clock on his mother should aid somewhat in that regard yet his point is valid that without children around the house it will come as a shock to her system as to what to do with herself. Washu remains resting on his shoulders.
"You skirted the issue of power." She purrs, it was not purposeful omission she can tell he forgot to mention it and for completeness sake she shall hear it. Gohan was conceived from a Goku who held a power level in the hundreds and Goten by a Goku who could only reach the first Super Saiyan transformation and at this moment Gohan holds power in great excess of that with Videl being weaker than Chichi as well.
"There is that too … My latent power. My child will inherit my current strength, maybe even the strength the Kais unlocked. The Earth could be destroyed over literal spilt milk." Gohan sighs. There is that to consider that he forgot. The Great Saiyaman's job will have to include preventing his new born blowing up planets with every tantrum.
Washu stands and relinquishes her hold on Gohan, content for now, she tells him to continue at it whilst she grabs a short sleep. He does not need to be told twice to work, though Gohan does point out to her the increasing amount of messages coming from Lady Seto. She taps a few buttons on her keyboard and gives him complete access to her systems so that he can respond. Washu smiles and tells him to have fun and disappears off to find and join Yamcha. The Son family is the largest current population of Saiyans and right now they are under her thumb, with Vegeta's family also having to depend on her she feels her position quite secure. For added security she shall find Yamcha's arms for a few hours before returning to see how Gohan progresses.
Piccolo's greater size offers him enough length that he reaches his mark and lands a solid blow. A glowing leg embeds itself in his stomach. The two disengage. Goku as a Super Saiyan smiles confidently at his former rival. Another Super Saiyan stands at his side. Goten tags in and has his turn sparring against the Namekian.
"Those boys are so childish. Can't leave them in a room together for one second or they disappear off outside to train." Chichi shakes her head in exasperation as the Saiyan blood of her family members takes over. Goku claims this as a warm up for Goten, facing off against one large green opponent before the next. Chichi recalls that before Cell Piccolo was the previous person to widow her, the fact she can see the majority of their moves gives her some peace of mind that Goten is in no danger.
"Please, you win, let me go."
Chichi stands and relinquishes the lock she was keeping Videl's legs in. Both raven haired and appearing the same age Videl instigated her own sparring match when she saw the others having fun. Videl can not contend with the power difference, Chichi's power has not decreased with her body changing, it has however increased her spryness and agility. Videl rubs at her sore legs. One day she hopes being with Gohan will offer her this level of stupendous strength as well, then the Great Saiyawoman will need little assistance in keeping the streets clear of crime.
"For someone who's a superhero you'll need to do a lot better than that if a common housewife can take you down so easily." Chichi remarks failing to see the absurdity of her claim at her power and martial prowess being anything close to normal.
Videl laughs at Chichi's comment and nods agreeing that as the daughter of the World Champion she will get stronger, and with multi-forms of Gohan she will be able to train easily. She looks across to the warriors way out of her league and shouts across to Piccolo. He has been staying on and off with them since Gohan moved in and she has a few favours she can call in on him. She asks him if he wants to be a stand in Great Saiyaman whilst Gohan works. Piccolo swats Goten aside and with a frown declines. He is neither a Saiyan nor male and will not take up that title. Instead Goten raises his hand and asks if he can join their team. Chichi sees little risk in this for her son, and he no longer has to go to school. Compared to the training Goku wants of their child this will be a safer route, for both Goten and Videl – as the Great Saiyawoman is weak to bullets as opposed to Goten. The second son of Goku quickly adds that he will need a much cooler outfit than what they wear currently.
A strict rule of one hour a day is the allowance Goten gets from Chichi to play at being a superhero and learn responsibilities whilst aiding her soon to be daughter-in-law. Both Goten and Videl accept these terms. The question of a costume is a problem since Bulma was the manufacturer of the Great Saiyaman outfits so there exist none in Goten's size. With Gohan having come into a job, money has found its way into the Son family's bank account, Chichi says if Goten designs something simple she can buy fabric and stitch one together herself. Goku smiles and tells his youngest that once he gets bored defeating normal humans than he can come and train with him in the training room, Piccolo expresses a want to use this room in addition.
It was not an easy conversation for either of them but given privacy and time to spend it was pertinent for them to do so. Ryoko and Ayeka finish discussing the backup plan that Ryoko holds, the final hand she can play. Ayeka does not like this idea of a Saiyan Ryoko, nor this thought that she will try and steal what will be her husband at that point even after her defeat. Neither know how Vegeta will react to a living female Saiyan. They do know that Ryoko would have her own mating periods then. Ayeka cannot argue against Ryoko's possible choice to go down that route, their positions are far too different from one another. The pirate has her promise that she will never be alone and can stay with Vegeta, another thing that Ayeka is not keen on.
They agree to disagree. Ryoko would rather not have to alter her species if it can be avoided yet several futures she sees ending in that route, having some-place to properly belong is worth becoming Saiyan in her eyes though. Her fake tail twirls through the air. Ayeka is not letting this topic drop easily. She can win the heart of Vegeta and these new challenges will exist: a continued battle and rivalry against Ryoko as she attempts to make her husband commit adultery, a female Saiyan existing to tempt Vegeta, and her staying with them to eternally pester and berate her. Ryoko is non-committal, she is keeping her options open. She pets Ryo-Ohki in her hands. Tilting her head to the side, her feline eyes narrow. Ryoko asks Ayeka if she will cope without Sasami.
"You're not looking too hot. I know, stress and everything can even make my beauty diminish occasionally. I meant what I said earlier. You're my friend. And if you don't think of me as a friend then if I didn't shoot your spaceship you'd be hitched to your brother, I've helped you, and I can again – so long as you ask nice and polite like." Ryoko winks and gently kicks Ayeka's shin.
"There are many acts you are responsible for, Ryoko. Many I hate. The constant pestilence of your bullying I can do without. However, Kain was defeated because of you not running after the horror Vegeta inflicted on you." After a moment of contemplative silence Ayeka quietly replies. She speaks of some acceptance of Ryoko's friendship. They both owe the other for some deeds.
Ayeka leans back and lays down on her bed. She looks up at the ceiling, the sight she should have awakened to, and hopes her outfit does not get too creased due to this. A world without Ryoko would mean her not finding Earth, nor finding Vegeta. This good will towards her she hears as hollow with Ryoko's behaviour contradicting it. The rogue is using her as an outlet, as a toy to play with to find an escape from her fears and stress, and Ayeka does not want that role. There is no use now in her room holding two beds. She decides she will move the furnishings about so that she can join the two beds together. Ayeka misses her sister.
"And I'm pushing Vegeta, hard. Really annoying him, getting under his skin and poking and poking and poking away at that little thing called Bulma. Maybe a bit too much but it definitely is giving you a few openings, ain't it?" A finger prods repeatedly at Ayeka's cheek. There is more that Ryoko has done that has benefited Ayeka, pushing her aggression in pursuit of Vegeta. Ryoko knows her provocation of Vegeta to have gone way too far on several occasions, yet even when she wore the bunny outfit it made him open up about his past and progress a little further at the expense of his wrath.
"... Ryoko, he … Yes, far too much. You endanger yourself and do naught to improve Lord Vegeta's opinion of yourself. And not all of his anger and grief are directed where they belong, you dredge up more than he can bear." Turning her head to look at Ryoko gets her nose poked instead of her cheeks. Making Vegeta angry and mourn his wife affects more than just Ryoko's relationship with Vegeta, that and Ayeka has no want for Vegeta to be driven to violence as much as Ryoko tempts his.
The prodding finger stops. Predatory eyes are curious. Ayeka stopped herself mid-sentence when poked, she was about to speak of something Vegeta did. Ryoko stoops over the princess, the mind of the Juraian is elsewhere, thinking on this thing not spoken. The look on her fair face is not one of shame or embarrassment that Ryoko has been causing this morning, Ayeka is showcasing rejection.
"What did he do on your precious shopping trip? I did majorly piss him off yesterday, so did he mope about Bulma all day?" Ryoko asks, she is not teasing or playing games any-more, she wants to know the mood of Vegeta. He was on a trip with a new family, it is possible he was plainly rejecting that notion or Misaki could have instigated an argument with her actions.
She called her her friend. Ryoko moves her hand down to hold Ayeka's. The princess moves her hand away, physical contact like that she does not want. Ayeka closes her eyes and thinks back to that beach. He tried, and he failed in what he set out to do. His reasons she heard, she knows the difficult and painful position that Vegeta is in however it does not dull the sting of unrequited love.
"He got-g-got me one … And he would not give it." The princess whispers as Ryoko is close enough to hear and she does not want these words uttered aloud.
"... A ring?" Ryoko pieces the cryptic puzzle together faster than her guessing at what happened at the zoo. An engagement ring is what Vegeta would buy his fiancées and what would upset Ayeka at not receiving. Ayeka nods with her eyes still shut. It stings, Ryoko's chest tightens. In her floundering and desperate struggle to keep her head above water her rival has striven ahead. She has a ring, though not in her possession, and Ryoko does not – she wanted for the engagement to become an equal and this is not equal treatment. "Well … Well I'm sure he'll get me one when I get my time with him, a better one than yours and he'll put it on my finger. Not really the wisest, a pirate who loves jewellery and you tell her such a lovely ring is in this house somewhere. But, I'm your bestest friend. You want to have a peek at it and I can nab it for you."
They both know the answer to her offer as women in love with Vegeta they share the same stance: they will not take an engagement ring unless Vegeta presents it to them. Ryoko cannot hide her envy. She wants a ring, a piece of jewellery that means something, an item she can find comfort in like Ayeka does her seashell necklace. An ignored Ryo-Ohki goes to nestle down on Ayeka's fine robes before she shoos the cabbit off the clothes she does not want loose fur to get onto. Ryoko picks her cabbit back up. Despite her intentions, the pirate's mind is whirring as to where Vegeta would hide such a ring as his previous hiding spot she discovered easily. Thinking about this engagement ring existing is irritating her.
"You're messing up the order now Ayeka, you slept with our prince before you got a ring on your finger." Bullying Ayeka alleviates her jealousy.
A hand reaches out and tugs on her cheek. Ayeka is not going to be annoyed by Ryoko all day. She pinches harder. Ryoko sticks her tongue out in defiance of this punishment. She says that Trunks' and Vegeta's ki has remained stationary for several minutes now. Ayeka pauses for a second and nods, letting go of Ryoko's face. They both stand. They then both stand in scene they have been before alongside Vegeta and Trunks.