Tangled Up in Blue

by SonChan

Goten and Bulla have been entangled in each other's lives for years, but after a recent kiss, both are thrown for a loop. This is only intensified when the Z Gang gets an invitation to visit Planet Souljin, distant cousins to the Saiyans, for a grand celebration. As they travel, Goten and Bulla are plunged into situations where they realize just how much they mean to each other.

7. Chapter 6: We Were, We Are

Tangled Up in Blue

Disclaimers: Per usual, I do not own DBZ/GT; credit to Majin_Angel_Chan from DBU for the concept of Planet Souljin. As mentioned beforehand, most of what is being used for Souljin is my own creation and lore, as are the original characters that will be seen here. Mostly only using the name and one future character from DBU but even so, wanted to make sure I give credit where it's due!

Author's Note: I'm elated that the last chapter was well-received! So sorry that May/June were nuts. It's been a bit crazy between work and getting my Broten Week one-shot completed (if you like smut, it's called "Off Limits" so feel free to check it out!)

Hopefully this chapter gives a tiny bit of insight for Souljin as well as gets you excited for their big adventure—a bit of world building that's been fun to dive into so I definitely appreciate everyone bearing with me :)

---

Chapter 6: We Were, We Are

Fire. She still felt like fire.

Bulla finally reached the balcony of her room after nearly passing out from exhaustion. The speed at which she flew was unlike anything she had ever flown before. It was a wonder she didn't fall flat on her face the second she landed. Yet, she knew she couldn't dawdle. Not with feeling the way she did, as if she could burst at any second. Not with her father likely now aware of her rapidly increasing ki. Not with the smell of him all over her.

Stripping her clothes to the floor with little care, she rushed into her room and headed towards her connecting bathroom. The young princess sprinted into the shower not even minding the water's lack of warmth as it hit her body. Bulla hissed from the sensation but soon after, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She leaned against the marble tile, fatigued but relieved at having a moment to collect her thoughts. The whole way home Bulla was too erratic to fully process what happened between Goten and herself. Their whole sparring session was electrically charged. Goten's ferociousness instilled a sense of fascination within the princess. It felt primal; the grunts and groans the two emitted as they clashed, the heat of his breath when he encased her in that headlock, the feel of him on top of her pinning her down—mere inches away from her lips. Bulla blushed recalling how what she could only assume was his hardness grazing her thigh as he shifted, but she tried to convince herself it must have been his phone in his pocket.

His damn phone. Bulla would never for the life of her understand how Goten, Trunks, and Marron all still answered their phones. Didn't they know texting was a thing? While mentally she felt older, there was at least one generational gap that made her realize that she was her age. It was the only time she truly felt younger than the rest of them.

Still, if Trunks hadn't so inconveniently reached out at that moment, Bulla wondered what would have happened. Surely a kiss was inevitable, but it was more than that. Had they not been interrupted, by the way he caressed her sides, that look of pure fire in his onyx eyes, there was no refusing it.

He wanted her.

Bulla felt her breaths grow heavy at the thought. She couldn't deny the two had gotten closer and even with Marron's suggestion of Goten possibly having some feelings, it still didn't feel real until that moment. Restrained underneath his brawny build, Bulla became as helpless as a baby fawn. His sturdy chest pressed upon hers, firms hands gripping her steady, it was enough to render her senseless.

It was maddening the effect he had on the female hybrid, but she welcomed it all the same.

Instinctively, Bulla's hand grazed in between her thighs. She rarely did this; too afraid of getting caught by either of her parents or, Dende help her, by Trunks. In the time that she had turned of age, the heiress hadn't even ventured into an adult store or whatever rite of passage most legal adults partook in. Though she was hardly prudish, Bulla didn't want to make a habit of the practice. Her father always tried to instill his firm discipline in his children. Whereas Trunks was a lost cause, Bulla believed herself more like her father when it came to matters of control. Despite this, the week before when she spied Goten naked as the day he was born in that stream, she felt that familiar tickle of temptation. With great command, she was able to push that compulsion to the side then, but in this moment, the bluette lacked the willpower to do so again.

A faint moan emitted from her pretty lips, stray droplets of water finding their way onto her tongue. When she made contact with her little bundle of nerves, another gasp escaped as she leaned on the wall for support. Bulla's breathing intensified while her fingers became acquainted with her core once more. She rocked against her hand, slowly imagining it wasn't her hand at all. The princess envisioned thick, pliant digits (attached to the most perfect body she had ever seen) slowly sliding up and down her sex with a learned touch. Though she disliked imagining Goten with any other women, Bulla blushed when she thought of his experienced hands producing pleasure to her, using everything he'd studied over the years to bring her to the edge.

Another heavy sigh radiated from her center. "Goten," Bulla exhaled, a quiet murmur that barely reverberated off her tongue. She could feel his hot breath on her neck again, or perhaps it was the condensation from her scalding shower, but either way, the fantasy in her head was starting to take form. Strong arms wrapped around her petite frame, one to hold her and the other to tease her heated core. Her ears tickled as if she heard him whisper "Princess" in that way he did; singlehandedly making his childish nickname for her sound anything but. Regardless of the manner he said it in, Bulla loved hearing Goten say that word.

A shiver went down her spine.

"Goten," she repeated aloud to the apparition in the shower with her. While she had never known the feeling of another man's lips on her neck, Bulla could only think of Goten's pair planting a trail of affection down towards her shoulders. Even during their first kiss, his mouth hadn't wandered from her own, still—the bluette cooed at the imagined spectacle of him suckling her sweet skin. It made her dizzy to think about; though of course, this could have again been the temperature of her shower causing her to feel lightheaded. Didn't matter either way.

She bucked against her hand, still pretending the handsome half-Saiyan was exploring her most intimate place. "Ah," the lovely hybrid uttered, transfixed on her illusion. The burning tip of her sex ached for the real thing, but her mind was more than generous with the images it produced. Her breath quickened as she quivered in position, neck titled so her imaginary Goten had full access to her skin. Bulla's gasps grew louder as she made sure to grab hold of the wall more tightly than before. She mewled at the touch of her sensitive bud humming in Goten's hands—her hands—whosever hands they were felt like heaven.

And right then and there, she would have died to see paradise.

---

Bulla snuck out of her room in a fresh set of clothes and still slightly damp hair. Her nose twitched, taking a small sniff of the air to make sure all traces of Goten, both real and imaginary, were no longer distinguishable on her person. She sighed in relief when she saw the coast was clear.

Or so she thought.

"Bulla!" a booming voice came from behind. She knew it anywhere.

Shit.

The younger Saiyan turned around to see her father scowling, approaching her at a rapid pace. Bulla hid her cleansed, yet guilty, hand behind her back in shame. Now was the moment where she would attempt to give the performance of a lifetime.

"Hi-hi Daddy," she tried to say casually. The bluette was impeccably strategic when she said Dad vs. Daddy, and this was certainly one of those occasions.

Vegeta was not convinced. "Where the hell have you been, girl?"

The heiress fretted at the blatant inquiry. She endeavored the task of steadying her breathing, so as not to give away her jumpiness, but under his stern gaze, Bulla was greatly doubting her abilities to do just that.

"In the shower, Daddy—" Bulla started saying.

"Before that!"

Though Bulla understood her father was a rather moody man, she wasn't usually on the receiving end of his wrath, save for a few rare occasions. Trunks was the one who took the brunt of it, while she usually sat in the corner snickering at his misfortune, like a little sister ought to. This moment, however, she greatly regretted anytime she subjected herself to that schadenfreude. The comeuppance wasn't worth it. Vegeta's dark eyes bore into her, basically demanding an answer without using his words. Was this the same look he used to give his enemies before he killed them, she wondered with a chill. Although he had come a long way over the years, the Saiyan Prince still kept his ruthlessness. Why Bulla thought she could ever keep anything from him was a mystery. Even so, she decided to gamble with her less than stellar deck.

"I was working out, honest—" it wasn't technically a lie, "I just got back not too long ago."

"Then why were you ignoring your brother trying to get a hold of you? You're always on your damn phone."

His observation skills were second to none, but this didn't strike the same fear into her heart as before. Bulla wasn't just a pretty face; she had his tactician mind and her mother's natural aptitude. She could do this. She could bluff.

"My phone battery died," Bulla lied through her teeth, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize he was calling."

"Tch," Vegeta scoffed. "An answer for everything, huh?"

She lifted her head up high. "Dad, what's wrong?

The Saiyan Prince straightened his back; though he lacked the certain height the other fighters had; he still had several inches on his daughter. Enough to intimidate the hell out of her, that much was clear. "You're not telling me something, Bulla," he declared boldly.

It took everything within the princess not to gulp at his statement. Keep your cards close, Bulla.

"What would I be hiding?" she asked warily.

Vegeta in his silence observed her, eyes narrowed in on her countenance, inspecting every little crease for an indication of dishonesty. "That's for me to find out apparently," he said sternly.

The two of them continued to analyze the other, both looking for signs of submission. Her father would never be one to back down, Bulla knew this; but still, she was his pride and joy. If she couldn't convince him that all was good and normal, he'd never believe anything that came out of her mouth again.

"Vegeta! Bulla! The ship's going to land soon," Bulma whizzed past them with an urgency that seemed inhuman. It was clear she was coming from her laboratory, analyzing several devices in her hands of data and video. The woman was just as nervous as Bulla had been, though for different reasons. As Bulma passed, her head cocked towards her husband and daughter, with a glare that could chill stone. "The rest of the group is already starting to gather outside—we don't have all day!" the matriarch snapped as she quickened her pace. The two of them watched her leave before fixing their focus on each other one last time.

"Don't think we're finished here, Bulla," Vegeta warned as he pivoted in the same direction, with the princess following close behind.

She let out a sigh that she had been holding in like a secret. Bulla wasn't out of the woods yet, but at least she had a short reprieve to get her thoughts together.

However, if these visitors from space weren't of the friendly variety, her little rendezvous with Goten would be the least of her worries.

---

True to her word, Bulma was right about the congregating group before them. The Son clan had not yet arrived, which put the girl a bit on edge, but she knew eventually she'd see them soon. While not everyone could drop everything at that moment, a good handful of the Z Fighters were already gathered, with more dropping in by the second. Bulla noticed even some of the non-fighting entities, such as Marron and Puar, had stopped by. The former stood close to her parents and waved happily across the way at the bluette, who returned the gesture with a soft smile. Marron's contented beam seemed to diminish a few seconds later and Bulla wasn't quite sure of the reasoning. Although, the princess suspected it had to do with the presence she felt nearby.

"Her royal highness sure took her damn time," she heard a familiar voice chiding behind her. Trunks looked remarkably like their father with his arms folded and giant scowl. Bulla rolled her eyes.

"I'm here now, aren't I?" Bulla declared.

Trunks scoffed. "Yeah, after how many attempts to reach you?"

"I'm here now," she repeated, "don't be such a butthead."

"Butthead? What are you five?"

"Enough!" Bulma snapped at her offspring. "Two grown adults bickering like children," she shook her head still messing around with her devices. "There are more important things to worry about," the genius added.

"Sorry mom," the two said in unison.

Bulla's eyes drifted to what her mother was working on. "Are we meeting here with everyone then flying out to wherever this thing is landing?"

Her older brother snorted. "If you had answered your phone, you would know that they're coming here," Trunks chastised.

"Here, here? Like Capsule Corp. specifically?"

"That's what I said," the elder halfling replied tersely, much to Bulla's annoyance. "We were able to grab some GPS coordinates from their aircraft when they passed our satellites. Down to the latitude it's our backyard."

Instead of insulting him like she normally would have, the heiress glanced at her mother deep in concentration. "Why would they come here to our doorstep?" she asked logically.

Bulma frowned at the implications, toiling away at programming the devices in front of her. "I'm not entirely sure, Bulla," she stated with some worry in her voice. At this point, Trunks slipped away unannounced, heading in the direction of the pretty blonde whose expression still seemed less than thrilled. Odd.

"Do you think they could know about us somehow?" Bulla continued to inquire. Her mother sighed, resigned.

"Sweetie, I really don't know," Bulma answered truthfully. "My gut tells me to not presume the worst, but with everything we've gone through, being a bit cautious certainly can't hurt."

Bulla was about to ask one more clarifying question before a recognizable voice rang out.

"Heya Bulma! Heya Vegeta!"

The unmistakable tone of Goku caught the attention of everyone in the vicinity. Arriving with the rest of the Son family, his impossibly large smile was blinding in the afternoon sun. Bulla stood partially turned away, afraid to make eye contact with the man she had just fantasized about in the shower, but still curious to see what was going on.

As her mother and Vegeta were engrossed in a conversation with Goku and Gohan, this was Bulla's chance to sneak a peek at Goten's whereabouts. She saw Pan and Uub joining Marron and Trunks but took note of Marron facing away from her brother, barely acknowledging him at all. She drifted her vantage point to the others; however, it didn't appear that either Chi-Chi or Videl joined their kin on this visit. The only one left that she hadn't seen was him.

Until a stark, black spike pierced over the shoulder of his father and then moved in her direction.

Sapphire orbs followed his figure, widening at the fact that his ragged training clothes and disheveled appearance hadn't changed from when she sparred with him earlier. Clearly, Goten hadn't the foresight to shower as she had. "For the love of Kami," she whispered harshly under her breath, turning her head ever so slightly in annoyance. Such a man.

Without warning, his form emerged in front of her, too quick for even her momentary distraction. Before she could get a word in edgewise, the other halfling beat her to the punch.

"B-Chan, we need to talk…" Goten started off, grabbing her wrist with gentle care, leading her away from the others temporarily. Bulla threw his grip to the side, that burning sensation from earlier slowly making a reappearance.

"Are you insane?" Bulla hissed at the older demi-Saiyan. She kept her voice low in hopes the others were too far removed enough to hear their chatter. Thankfully, Goku was distracting her father with some long-winded commentary, but Bulla knew that wouldn't last long. Goten blinked at her words without saying any of his own, not quite sure what she was referring to. His silence frustrated her further. She poked her index finger on his chest. "You didn't shower before coming here?!"

"When would I have had time to shower?!" Goten answered back, incredulously. "Trunks said ASAP, so we came here ASAP."

"Think Goten!"

"Bulla, what has gotten into you?"

His younger companion groaned. "My dad is going to smell me all over you—not to mention my brother! You don't think one of their Saiyan noses won't notice?"

The lightbulb went off in Goten's mind, suddenly aware that his potent olfactory cells were not exclusive to just him. "Damn," he muttered under his breath. The princess had a point. Goten had been so wrapped up from the day's earlier events, there was no time to process logistics of advanced Saiyan sensory abilities. Without a moment's hesitation, he grabbed Bulla into a tight hug that left her dumbfounded but warm. He slowly released her with a wry smile. "There," Goten began again, "now we can just say it was from that."

Her cobalt eyes furrowed, still uneasy, yet her pink cheeks suggested she enjoyed the gesture. "You still look like shit," the bluette answered, arms folded. He wasn't exactly inconspicuous in his current state.

The older hybrid chuckled in amusement at her discomfort. "Yeah, well that's thanks to you Princess—you did a bit of a number on me," Goten confessed. In more ways than one.

Bulla shifted slightly, both nervous and annoyed, but damn was that Son boy ever the charmer. "Sorry," she said, the flat line of her mouth slowly turning upwards. "wasn't exactly easy cleaning up your mess either."

Or mine. Oops.

"Bulla," the male demi-Saiyan whispered with a light sigh, "you took off so quickly, we hardly had a chance to speak."

"You said it yourself," the princess retorted, "we had to get here ASAP. I didn't want to waste any time."

"B-Chan—"

Before Goten could get another word in, Trunks called over from afar. "Yo, Goten!" he said waving down his friend. As he approached, Bulla took a step back to increase the space between her and her secret trainer. Goten returned the wave, less apprehensive than his lovely companion, but even he imbibed a bubble of air.

"Hey Trunks," he greeted casually.

The more senior of the halflings eyed his best friend up and down. "Dude," he rejoined, "you look like shit."

Goten could barely stifle a laugh at the exact same response that Bulla had, Trunks echoed. The two were more like one another than they cared to admit. "Well, you caught me in the middle of sparring when you called," he answered truthfully, omitting the slight detail of who exactly he was sparring with.

"What, with your brother? He doesn't look beat up at all," Trunks said, observing Gohan interacting with the others.

"Er, not my brother," Goten replied. His black orbs caught Bulla behind Trunks signaling not to say anything more. Trunks must have sensed the hand movement as he turned to observe Bulla, who swiftly moved her hands to twist her hair innocently. He cocked an eyebrow, curiously wondering what was going on with her being so jumpy. Trunks pivoted back to Goten, whose grin would seem almost guilty if it wasn't plastered on his face daily.

The heir clicked his tongue. "Can you believe this?"

"No," Goten answered truthfully, "to be honest, kind of knocked the wind out of me. We haven't had anything like this recently, save for maybe an appearance or two from Jaco."

"Yeah, but that's different," Trunks insisted. He shuffled his feet in place. "We know Jaco. We typically know most ships heading this way."

"So, you and mom have no idea where this ship is coming from?" Bulla pondered, finally contributing to the conversation. Trunks shook his head, seemingly less irritated with his sister than he had been before.

"Direction seemed to be coming from near Andromeda, but not positive," he replied. The lavender-haired man took out a small device. "From what we can tell, doesn't seem to be impeccably large or anything, but the machinery does appear to be quite advanced."

"How so?"

Trunks showed his sister an image that one of their satellites caught of the spacecraft. "Pretty sleek," he commended, "quiet too. Sensors barely could tell it was entering orbit."

Bulla's eyes blinked with curiosity as she surveyed the photo and then soon after Goten, who was leaning over Trunks' other shoulder to see.

"Then, are we safe to assume they're coming in peace if it's one tiny rocket ship?" the younger of the male hybrids questioned hopefully.

"One can hope," Trunks said warily, "but we never know for sure, do we?"

The three observed the sky intently, until a few voices brought them out of their focused state. The rest of the next generational cohorts had migrated over to where they were standing, Bulla noticing yet again the weird indifference between her best friend and her brother. They both stood by each other and yet acted almost like strangers. What is going on with them?

Goku too, was fixed on the atmosphere above. Next to him, Vegeta had the same expression on his own face, waiting to see exactly what was in store for them. "Do you feel that?" Goku asked quietly to his fellow Saiyan, careful not to alert anyone else nearby.

A small humph seeped out of the prince as he answered back without turning his head. "Yes," he countered shortly, "seems distinguishable in a way. Familiar almost."

"I don't recognize the energy, but there's something familiar about it like you said."

"Suppose we'll find out one way or another, Kakarot."

Before Goku could respond, murmurs of the crowd around them pointed out the descent of the spaceship looming overhead.

Everyone watched with great interest as the advanced-looking aircraft landed with delicate grace. The ship's thunderous buzzing slowly whizzed down to a soundless hum. For about thirty seconds, no noise permeated the airwaves, save for the faint heartbeats of the group speeding up at a faster rate. The air was tense as various Z Fighters tightened their fists in place, whereas Bulla and her mother observed with a readied interest. Marron seemed to be more worried than anything, and both Trunks and his father had the same glare on their countenances.

After what felt like eons of silence, the clicking latch of the door droned, slowly revealing the contents of the ship. Two men stepped out from the entrance, behind them a small retinue of uniformed soldiers. Though armed with swords, they appeared to all be sheathed to their sides.

The regal looking younger man had an intricate gold band around his forehead, above were his gravity defying brown spiky locks, save for a few stray bangs. The headgear only accentuated his piercing amber eyes. Adorned with a cape against the backlash of his blue and gold armor, he was well-built and tall, yet somehow dwarfed by the man next to him. His older companion, a clear military officer by his dress and manner, had salt and pepper tresses that matched his goatee. His daunting height towered over most of the Z Fighters even, except perhaps Piccolo.

Both had indistinguishable tails coiled around their waists, as did the rest of their crew, a detail not unnoticed by their present company.

"Are they—are they Saiyans?!" Goten asked, disbelieving.

Vegeta grunted through his teeth. "Souljins," he hissed under his breath.

The rest of the Z Fighters turned their heads towards the elder Saiyan, as his voice still carried loud enough to be heard. Goku scratched his head. "Say what-jins?" he asked in confusion. Vegeta shot his rival a cold look.

"Souljins," he repeated, "descendants of Saiyans from their time on Planet Sadala."

The comment shocked the rest of the group, audible gasps of bewilderment. Goku recoiled with his hands up exclaiming, "What do you mean descendants of Saiyans?!"

Before he could get a solid answer, the more regal looking of the men spoke up.

"Here I was prepared with introductions, yet it seems those have been made," he said with an amused tone. They both continued to make their way towards the group with no hesitation. Since Vegeta didn't seem to be on high alert, the others lowered their guard as well.

As the royal and his companion drew closer, the women of the next generation couldn't help but admire the handsome features of the younger man.

"Oh wow," Bulla stated quietly, eyes shining as her cheeks tinted. Goten took note of her admiration towards the younger man, feeling a small sting of jealousy.

"Wow is right," Pan added, uncharacteristically blushing at the handsome foreigner. Uub's face blanched.

"What a face," Marron murmured, entranced.

"Wait," Trunks turned to the three, "you're not attracted to this guy, right?"

The women all ignored the half-Saiyan as they continued to look on the striking noble with high regard, faces flushing on the spot. A collective sigh passed their lips promptly perplexing their present company. The three men eyed each other with confusion. He didn't seem that impressive.

Continuing to make their way closer to the group, the royal and the military officer stopped directly in front of Vegeta, whose grimace and signature pose of folded arms had not changed an iota since being approached.

"Prince Vegeta," the younger of the two Souljin men said happily at attention. By his enthusiasm, it was clear he was undaunted by the scowl on the Saiyan Prince's face.

"And who is asking?" Vegeta responded in his usual curt manner.

The royal and the military officer bowed before the Saiyan Prince. "Prince Vegeta, it is an honor to make your acquaintance. I am Prince Zasso, and my companion here is—"

"—General Taikan, Your Highness. A great honor indeed."

The no-nonsense response from the military man felt fitting, his younger travel partner completely unfazed from the interruption. A small beam appeared on his face.

"As you've already impressively deduced," Zasso continued, praising the other royal as he and General Taikan rose to a standing position once more, "we are from Planet Souljin. My father is King Engei if that name rings familiar. Your distant cousin."

"Cousin?" Bulma turned to her husband, expecting clarification, but he was far too engrossed in his conversation.

Vegeta flinched momentarily, a faint hint of recognition tingling in his ears. "Engei," he said quietly, "it's been decades. He came to Planet Vegeta on several occasions when I was just a young boy."

"That's what he said as well," Zasso replied happily. "He couldn't wait for me to find out if you remembered him at all," the prince added. Vegeta's eyes lit up with shock.

"Don't tell me he's still alive?" the Saiyan Prince inquired dubiously.

General Taikan nodded. "Though advanced in his years, King Engei's reign has been long and prosperous for the people of Souljin. Even as he's aged, his wits are still quite sharp."

Zasso laughed. "Yes, father certainly hasn't lost his touch," he said with a chuckle, "not too long ago we celebrated his diamond jubilee."

"You seem rather young to have a father his age," Vegeta remarked arms folded.

The foreign prince nodded in agreement. "Quite so, I am just shy of my third decennium," Zasso shared, "Father had my brothers Kusa, Toge, and myself a bit later in life. I am the youngest."

Vegeta snorted. "Poor manners to send the youngest family member as an envoy," he uttered briskly. "That famous Souljin etiquette appears to be lost to the void."

"Vegeta! You're one to talk of poor manners," Bulma hissed. He paid her no mind. His wife turned to their interplanetary guests and bowed. "Forgive my husband, Prince Zasso and General Taikan, sometimes that royal head of his gets a bit too full of itself," she glared in his direction. "We are happy to welcome you to Earth, especially as family of Vegeta."

Prince Zasso bowed in return. "Nothing to forgive my lady—"

"Bulma."

"Bulma," he repeated with a grin. "I appreciate the kind words, Lady Bulma, but your husband is correct. It's not the standard custom, though we had our reasons."

"It was actually a request from the Crown Prince," General Taikan attempted to smooth over coming to his sovereign's defense, "the heir to the throne is quite detained with being next in line. Their middle brother Toge is a Commander in my army, and while he's an exceptional warrior, I'll be the first to admit negotiations aren't his specialty. Zasso, here on the other hand has always been quite gifted in social matters as well as a remarkable historian."

"Negotiations?" Vegeta chuckled darkly. "Tell me, General—are we in a war I'm unaware of?" he questioned.

"Heavens no," General Taikan replied immediately. "I simply meant—"

"—what General Taikan is trying to say," it was Zasso's turn to take over, "is that this journey was of great personal interest to me."

"How so?"

"Growing up, I heard many tales of the might of the Saiyans," Zasso acknowledged, "it was important to understand our people's history, but I was genuinely captivated by the stories. The chance to meet one of the last Saiyans in existence, let alone a royal such as yourself, was too tempting to pass up."

Vegeta rolled his eyes at the attempted flattery. Gohan had cleared his throat hoping to get a word in edgewise for those who were still a bit confused as to the whole connection.

"Forgive me for the interruption," Gohan had politely interjected, "but I think most of us are a little lost. Are Souljins actually Saiyans or something else entirely?"

"Nothing to apologize for," Prince Zasso said with a nod. "Save for Prince Vegeta, no one here would likely be aware of our planet and culture. The shortened version is that when Planet Sadala was destroyed due to civil war, several Saiyan factions broke off to find a new homeland. Some ended up on Planet Plant, which was later Planet Vegeta and then others inhabited a planet known as Soula."

General Taikan added to the conversation. "The Soulan people were kind and hospitable and very science forward. In fact, the warrior focused Saiyans weren't quite sure what to make of their character. Eventually after time, it was clear the two races benefitted the other as they both had different skillsets to contribute. A marriage alliance was made between the two monarchies and solidified their union into a new lineage. Zasso's lineage, in fact."

"That's correct," Zasso recognized. "For over two-hundred years, the planet and its people have been known as Souljins, a mix of the Saiyan and Soulan bloodlines. We've retained some innately Saiyan characteristics such as our tails and stamina, but certain traits have diluted—"

Prince Zasso pointed to the tail curved around his abdomen. "Our tails, for example, are merely a genetic accessory at this point. We do not change into the Oozaru with the full moon."

"Fascinating," Gohan muttered quietly, his hand rubbing his chin.

"Hard to be fascinated with a weaker breed," Vegeta added with little care.

The Souljin Ambassador turned his head towards the next gen with a smile, seemingly unoffended by the remark. "Not unlike what has occurred on Earth I imagine," he said. "Though faint, I can sense strong Saiyan blood amongst several here."

He gestured at Trunks and Bulla with little hesitation. "Your progeny, I presume?"

Vegeta's children looked almost as surprised as he did. "How did you know?"

"One Soulan trait to give credit for is a very rich sense of smell and ki—for as much as the Saiyans have a talent with those attributes, the Soulan people were even more advanced," Zasso explained. A slight chuckle emitted from his throat. "Your royal quintessence in particular is quite distinct. I can sense a difference between your children and several of the other Saiyans I'm picking up on here."

"Their physical features seem more Earthling than Saiyan, which I'm sure they've inherited from their beautiful mother," Prince Zasso said with adulation. Bulma blushed as the Prince of Saiyans all but emitted a groan. "With that being said, I'm certain their human characteristics don't make them any less impressive on the battlefield."

Trunks loosened uncomfortably; though the words about him weren't unkind or untrue, he felt weird being described by a complete stranger. Especially one Marron found attractive.

"That's because they are still just as much Saiyan as they are human," Vegeta said with a bit of his distinctive pride.

"And that's precisely my point, Your Highness," Zasso concluded. "That very lifeblood is a precious thing—I know it because I feel it coursing through my veins, faint though it may be. The same blood that runs through yours is still all from the same source. Undoubtedly, whatever legacy we all leave behind will still carry the pride of our ancestors within their bones, just perhaps different amounts."

Vegeta recognized a certain prideful spirit in the other prince, it was enough to get him reminiscent of his own youth and his various attempts to prove himself.

"I'm still a little confused," Bulma confessed. "Even distantly, I am surprised to hear relatives of the Saiyans survived. I thought they had all been wiped out."

Her husband shifted in place, tucking his arms further into his form. "So did I," he said cautiously. "Souljin vanished without a trace years ago. I had assumed Frieza or some other entity destroyed the planet. Clearly, I was mistaken," Vegeta elucidated.

"I assure you, Prince Vegeta, that was intentional."

The prince's words prompted Vegeta to raise an eyebrow. The other members of the group also perked up their ears.

"After the destruction of Planet Vegeta, it was only natural to assume that Souljin would be targeted as well. We had to take action to prevent that."

"How exactly?" Vegeta had no time for prattling.

"It is no secret Saiyan blood is built for fighting, however Soulan blood was built for the mind," Zasso explained. "When the two cultures came together, that side ended up being more prevalent for some time. Our technological advancements have helped sustain life on Souljin, and so, knowing that we would be little match against the Frieza Force, the council and King Engei decided it would be best to use our technology to shield the planet."

"Shield?" Gohan queried.

"For nearly sixty years, Planet Souljin existed inside of a honing shield that not only made it invisible to any and all outsiders, but undetectable as well."

The scholar had more questions, but Vegeta made sure that none were asked.

"Thus, instead of coming to aid the Saiyans in their hour of need, King Engei and the rest of Souljin decided to play an intergalactic game of Hide and Seek?" Vegeta said with contempt.

Prince Zasso was about to answer; however, no words came out. Vegeta's frustration was more than understandable to him. When he noticed his prince's hesitance, General Taikan cleared his throat to respond himself.

"Your Highness," General Taikan said respectfully, "you said it yourself. Souljin's prowess in the matter of military matters left much to be desired at that time. Though the blood of the Saiyans still allows us greater strength than most species, combat was not something we were known for. You've seen firsthand the devastation caused by the Frieza Force. The devastation caused by the Saiyans that worked for him, such as yourself."

Vegeta's brows furrowed at Taikan's boldness, but he could hardly lash out at the man for a truthful comment.

"Still," Vegeta sneered, "better to die fighting than living life in a bed afraid."

"Perhaps that is how you see it," Taikan continued, "but King Engei felt differently. It was far more important to preserve the Souljinian people and culture than to die a losing battle."

A scoff escaped the Saiyan Prince's lips before Taikan added one more remark. "Not that it makes a difference to you, Your Highness, but Engei did arrange for at least one battalion of soldiers to be sent to help with Planet Vegeta's defenses at the behest of your father. It was shortly before the planet's destruction. My own father was leading that regiment sire, and what happened to them, I am not certain. We never heard from him or any of brigade again."

Vegeta was quiet, offering no apologies but also offering no protests at the man's great loss.

"Knowing what you know now about the fate of your people," Taikan resumed, "can you honestly say if you had the chance to do things differently you wouldn't consider an option that preserved the Saiyan legacy?"

Silence enveloped the group as Vegeta stared down the two guests. The fire in his eyes that burned only as the last of his kind could. "I am the Saiyan legacy, General. All that's left of it."

"And don't forget about me!"

Cutting the tension with those words, Vegeta's eyes darted to Goku waving like a fool, childish grin plastered on his face. The vein bulging out of the prince's forehead increased in size ever so slightly. He heaved a heavy sigh of frustration, his palm pressed to his pulsing headache. "Yes well," Vegeta began through clenched teeth, "Kakarot too I suppose—though he can hardly count with his limited understanding our Saiyan heritage."

Goku took this as his cue to extend his hand to both men for a friendly shake. "It's great to meet you both," he said in earnest, "my name is Goku though. Vegeta's the only one who calls me Kakarot."

"It is your true Saiyan name."

"Fair," Goku answered, "but in my defense, I wasn't aware that I even was Saiyan until I was older. Harder to change your name at that point!"

Both Zasso and Taikan didn't quite know what to make of the cheerful warrior. He was so unlike the Saiyan Prince—affable, warm, and almost childlike. Completely different than their own understanding of the Saiyan culture.

General Taikan eyed Goku up and down. "We were unaware that any other full-blooded Saiyan lineages survived. I think we assumed any remaining ones were of royal progeny. Most intriguing."

Vegeta recoiled. "Certainly not. I am Saiyan Elite—descended from generations of pure royal blood from the days of Planet Sadala. Kakarot is a Saiyan yes, but low-class."

"Geeze, low shot…" Goku trailed off. The blow didn't sting for too long, however. His Son grin reappeared almost instantly. "Still! How exciting. Even if you are distantly related to Vegeta here—what an incredible find."

This demeanor greatly affected Prince Zasso, whose worried state melted the second Goku said those words. "Kakarot, I mean Goku," he corrected, "what a treat to see that more than just Vegeta's legacy endured. Low-class or elite, it matters not, we would be delighted to host you as well."

Goku blinked. "Host?"

"Host?" Vegeta said nearly at the same time.

"Ah, forgive me. We've had such engaging conversation; I haven't even been able to share our purpose for this visit," the foreign dignitary said, almost embarrassed at his distraction. "The main reason for this voyage is to formally extend an invitation to visit Planet Souljin," Prince Zasso illuminated.

The Saiyan Prince almost didn't know how to react to the prospect. Neither did the rest of the Z Fighters who seemed to be surprised by the request.

"Prince Vegeta," Zasso began again graciously, "please sir. I have a message from my father that he wanted me to give to you. If you'll indulge me for a few minutes, let me play it."

The Souljin Ambassador snapped a small contraption that revealed a video hologram, catching the attention of the Z Fighters immediately. With a small click of the device, a holographic image of the Souljin King materialized before them. At first glance, King Engei appeared to be kind and approachable. Though the man was in his eighties, evident by his long white hair flowing underneath a simple crown, he certainly seemed spritely. "Prince Vegeta, surviving Saiyans, and Earthlings," the recording began, "I am delighted to have learned of your existence. I've enclosed this message for my son to deliver so that I may speak to you, since I am unable to in person."

The Z Fighters listened intently to what the elder ruler had to say.

"My prince, I am unsure if you remember me, I had the pleasure of meeting you as a young boy, when I was a young king myself."

Various glances in Vegeta's directions observed his reaction, but there was none to be had as the stoic warrior stood emotionless, arms folded as usual.

"I can imagine this may all come as quite a surprise, Prince Vegeta," Engei's holographic recording continued.

"The news of King Vegeta's death and the destruction of Planet Vegeta left me devastated," King Engei's voice carried a mix of sadness and determination as he continued. "Knowing our relation to the Saiyans put us at risk with the Cold Force, despite our lesser physical strength, we knew that Souljin had a target's on its back. In a difficult decision, we utilized Souljin's scientific advancements and implemented a shielding device that made it appear as if our planet had been destroyed. For nearly 60 years, the Souljins remained hidden, focusing on strengthening our military and science divisions, ensuring a period of peace."

Realization dawned on the Z Fighters as they listened attentively. The Souljins had undergone a covert existence, utilizing their resources to prepare for the inevitable threats they faced. It was a strategy borne out of necessity, even if Vegeta perhaps saw it as cowardice.

"However, realizing that our resources and isolation could only take us so far, I made the decision to lift the shield a couple of years ago in hopes of making contact with other worlds, seeking alliances," King Engei's voice continued, filled with hope. "We have slowly been integrating back into the galaxy, but we still have a lot of relationships to build to be close to where we were."

"During his research in genetics, my head scientist, Dr. Niwa, made an astonishing discovery – the existence of living Saiyans. This revelation has been nothing short of a blessing, and I am grateful beyond words."

The Souljin King's voice carried sincerity and a desire for unity. "I wish to properly unite our two races during a grand celebration on Souljin. It is my great hope that both the Saiyans and Earthlings are open to learning more about our planet and its people. I extend an invitation to all of you to join us for an extended period. Let us forge an alliance, ultimately strengthening the bond between our races."

King Engei addressed Vegeta again, his voice filled with remorse. "Prince Vegeta, my biggest regret is that I couldn't have done more for your family," the video gram emanated. The sincerity of the tone caught the Saiyan Prince off guard, prompting him to loosen his folded arms.

"But now," the voice of the Souljin King caught his attention once more. "I have the opportunity to make amends and establish a new alliance. I've sent my son Zasso and our General Taikan as ambassadors to hopefully sway you to contemplate visiting Souljin. Along with a few gifts, for good measure."

On cue, Prince Zasso turned to his retinue. With a snap of his fingers, several guards produced a chest that Zasso opened to reveal a bevy of gifts inside ranging from jewels to technology. Bulma's eyes widened at the offerings, but no words came out.

"Prince Vegeta," King Engei's voice rang out for the last time, "I implore you to consider this offer. Family and legacy are everything to us, and I would stake my life that perhaps it means something to you as well."

It was almost unnoticeable, but the comment did cause Vegeta to flinch momentarily.

"Please allow us the honor of hosting you with any other Saiyans or Earthlings of your choosing on Souljin. It would do this old man's heart some good to see that we are not as alone in this universe as perhaps we thought. I thank you for your time and hope to see you all within the fortnight."

With that, the materialized form of King Engei dispersed into nothingness. As the video gram ended, the tension fell into a thoughtful silence. Vegeta's gaze narrowed in on where the hologram had appeared. The rise and fall of his muscles showcased his steadied breathing, deep in thought at the message that had been relayed to him.

Prince Zasso put the device back into his pocket and turned to the other royal once more. "I know this must be overwhelming news to discover, my prince, but I assure you my father's earnestness to reunite is sincere."

He pulled out a few of the presents from the chest, which he handed to Bulma next to him. "Lady Bulma," he began politely, "though we don't know much about Earth, we have seen firsthand the Capsule Corp. technology during our travels in space. Our research allowed us to conclude that you may have some interest in our own tech, which we have sampled here for you to use. Along with a few gems for good measure."

Prince Zasso winked causing Bulma to giggle like a schoolgirl. A faint rumble brewed in Vegeta's throat at the action.

"Prince Zasso," Bulma stated, "this is all very generous. You seem so quick to trust us, however. Surely, this is uncustomary in your dealings with other planets?"

"I suppose it is," Zasso conceded, "and yet my father has always been one for sentimentality. As you heard him say, family is of the utmost importance to him. I know that the bloodline ties are rather distant at this point, and yet, so much of our culture comes from our Saiyan roots. Who better to understand than a Saiyan?"

His gaze turned to Vegeta, hoping to see some semblance of a response, but the older man was still deep in thought. Zasso cleared his throat.

"We've included a video line that you may use for communication as well as a homing device for your spaceships to reach Souljin with ease," Zasso said before pausing. "Forgive me, if you decide to venture to Souljin, it should allow for easy navigation. I don't wish to presume anything."

This prompted everyone to look upon the Saiyan Prince once more. Goku regarded Vegeta, who was still expressionless, and then looked back at the Souljin Ambassadors. Gazing one more time at his old friend and rival, the Son man put his hands on the back of his head. "Vegeta, what do you think?" he asked in earnest.

The other purebred finally grunted in recognition. The sound being the only thing audible from the prince in some time.

Prince Zasso, aware of the potential skepticism from Vegeta, cleared his throat and addressed the group. "I understand any reservations you may have, especially from your end, Prince Vegeta. However, I firmly believe that a partnership between Souljin and Earth would be mutually beneficial. If you agree to travel to Planet Souljin, no expense will be spared. Everyone who comes will have full access to our palace, its amenities, and a wide array of perks befitting esteemed guests such as yourselves."

A sense of intrigue sparked among the Z Fighters as they listened to Zasso's words. The possibility of exploring the advanced technologies and luxuries of Planet Souljin piqued their interest.

The royal continued, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "In addition to the grand celebration, we would like to extend an invitation for you to witness our anniversary tourney, a prestigious event that draws great talent from across our world. It would be an excellent opportunity to witness and experience the remarkable skills and techniques displayed by our finest warriors."

He paused briefly before adding, "Furthermore, our technological advancements would be made available for study to anyone who is interested. We believe that sharing knowledge and expertise can only strengthen the bonds between our races."

The potential research seemed to appeal especially to Bulma and Gohan.

General Taikan, joining the conversation, made a request of his own. "As the head of our military forces, I too would greatly appreciate the insight and expertise of several Saiyans in training our troops. Your unparalleled combat skills and warrior spirit would be invaluable in enhancing the capabilities of our soldiers."

The benefits seemed to outweigh the risks to many of the Z Fighters—even Goku looked enlivened at the idea of getting to share his battle expertise and have a chance to fight some new opponents.

Vegeta, in particular, found himself torn between his inherent skepticism and the chance to uncover a small piece of his lost heritage. He felt Bulma's hand on his shoulder, gently squeezing her support no matter what. "It's your call dear," she whispered carefully.

Goku nodded at his old friend. "I'll do whatever you decide, Vegeta."

After a moment of contemplation, Vegeta nodded, his decision made. "Very well, Prince Zasso. I accept your invitation. Tell Engei that my family will travel to Planet Souljin and explore the possibilities of this alliance. I assume anyone else who wishes to come may do so as well."

The softer tone the prince spoke with shocked even him, let alone those around him. Bulma unleashed a small smile at the decision and Prince Zasso and General Taikan both heaved sighs of relief and elation. "I couldn't be happier to hear you say that Prince Vegeta," Prince Zasso said shaking his hand. Vegeta rolled his eyes and quickly ended the handshake.

"This doesn't mean an automatic alliance, just to be clear. I still am keeping an open mind."

"I wouldn't ask you to promise anything right now, just your willingness to come is most appreciated," Zasso said earnestly. The military man next to him nodded in agreement.

"Fantastic news, Your Excellency," General Taikan commented to Vegeta, clearing his throat to change the subject. "Prince Vegeta, if I may have a moment of your time, however, I do have a few questions around tactical strategy I have been most curious about and would love your perspective."

As Taikan enveloped Vegeta and Goku into a probing discussion, Bulma made work of getting some help to bring the technology to the lab, leaving Prince Zasso to ponder his surroundings momentarily.

The Souljin Prince took his time examining the crowd, making mental notes as he did so. His gaze glanced at Trunks, briefly sizing him up as the other prince. Not as accustomed to imperial audiences as he was, that much was clear, the lavender-haired Saiyan seemed almost aloof if not disinterested.

Curious.

Trunks' icy eyes met with Zasso's amber ones, studying him carefully. Indifference slowly shifted into annoyance as the heir found himself less than impressed with the charismatic royal. A tiny smile shaped the foreign prince's visage, recognizing the same look from Vegeta's countenance earlier. Like father like son, it seems. The cheerful expression from Zasso only seemed to irritate the demi-Saiyan further.

Prince Zasso slowly trailed his orbs to the right of Trunks, transfixed by a flaxen-haired maiden at his side. The breath in his lungs hitched at the sight. The Souljin Ambassador's tiny smile grew wider, mouth still closed, as he observed the other prince's companion. His head tilted as he engulfed her entire stature head to toe. Marron seemed to take note of his gaze and lifted her eyes to meet his. As she did, Zasso's grin flashed a mouth full of perfect teeth, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.

Trunks didn't like the look on either of their faces. And he really didn't like the fact that the ambassador was making his way over to them. To her.

"I must say," Prince Zasso began with a polite bow, "if all Earthling women are as beautiful as you my dear, I may never leave this planet."

Marron's mouth dropped at the gracious compliment, shifting her head back and forth to make sure she was the woman he was actually talking to. Any doubts were quashed when Zasso reached for Marron's dainty hand to place a tender kiss upon it. Their companions took note of the gesture. Goten was flummoxed, Bulla put her hands to her face blushing, Pan couldn't hide her surprised, Uub was still processing it all, and Trunks…

Well, Trunks looked as if he could scream, but kept quiet as he turned white as a ghost.

"Your Highness," Marron started off with a makeshift curtsy, her cheeks reddening rapidly. She wasn't exactly sure what to do in this scenario; though royalty in name, it wasn't like she ever had to bow to Vegeta. Although, come to think of it, he'd probably enjoy that. "Thank you. That's very kind of you to say, Prince Zasso."

"So proper," he said with a light laugh, "no need for formalities, my lady, you may simply call me Zasso, Miss...?"

"Marron," she answered.

"Marron," Zasso repeated, placing one more kiss on her hand. "Lady Marron with the golden hair, it is an honor."

A vein was about to burst on the forehead of the younger Saiyan prince, who at this point had closed his eyes in a silent rage, while Marron's heartbeat thudded at a deafening decibel. The Souljin Ambassador noticed the seething Saiyan and turned to Trunks with a respectful beam. "You have a lovely mate, Prince Trunks," he commented earnestly.

Trunks' eyes shot open the instant Prince Zasso uttered those words, as he far too quickly shouted back, "She's not my mate!"

He instantly regretted the animation in his voice when he saw a brief flicker of pain across Marron's face, but she quickly regained her positive countenance.

"Trunks is correct," Marron added with a sterner tone than before, "we aren't together."

"My apologies," Prince Zasso repented with a small head tilt towards her. "I had just presumed someone as striking as you would be wedded to a prince," he continued in the same suave manner as before.

Both Bulla and Pan let out faint sighs of admiration, grabbing the attention of Goten and Uub nearby. The latter fighter looked more defeated than annoyed, which was how the half-Saiyan appeared.

"You are kind, Zasso, but no—" Marron resumed, glancing at Trunks for a moment. "Just lifelong friends, but I am single," she made sure to emphasize.

"A pity," the Souljin Ambassador replied, eliciting some confusion from the blonde. He cleared his throat to clarify. "Were you a maiden on Souljin, I guarantee you would plenty of eligible suitors, especially with that extraordinary hair color of yours," the dark-haired prince grinned, "dare I say, I'd throw my own hat into the ring."

"Holy shit," Pan cursed under her breath. This guy was smooth.

Trunks attempted to stop fuming in place. This guy was a joke.

Her pale complexion only grew redder as Marron waved her hand. "You flatter me," she stated, "are blondes not common on Souljin?"

"No, quite rare in fact," Zasso explained, "almost as rare as the beautiful shade of blue the princess possesses."

The royal turned to face Bulla, dazzling grin, and all. Nervous laughter bubbled out of the heiress accompanied by an awkward smile. She held her flushing face in her hands, while Goten gave a side eye to the compliment.

"Well," Marron resumed from before, "your culture sounds very fascinating, Prince Zas—I mean, Zasso."

"I think I'm more interested in your planet's culture," he confessed, "Souljin has been isolated for so long, it seems we've missed out on quite the bevy of beauty out there in the galaxy."

"So Zasso—" Trunks interrupted. "Tell me, does being an ambassador mean flirting your way through the cosmos or do you happen to do any diplomacy outside of that?"

"Trunks don't be rude," Bulla chastised. She groaned in embarrassment at his lack of decorum. The foreign dignitary laughed in response.

"Princess, it's alright," Zasso insisted, "your brother is humbling me, rightly so. I confess I do have an affinity for the fairer sex. I'm sure these gentlemen can agree."

Both Goten and Uub ears perked up, a deep shade of red brimming on their cheeks. Bulla caught a flicker in Goten's eyes, prompting her to turn and blush herself. Trunks seemed unfazed by it all.

"All that traveling and not one person you've flirted with offered to come back to marry you?" Trunks continued with a heavy amount of sarcasm.

"Perhaps I just haven't met the right maiden yet…" the amber-eyed man confessed, looking right at the blonde in front of him.

The comments continued to both flatter and fluster Marron, unsure of what to say. In her self-conscious state, Marron sheepishly averted down towards his side, taking note of a strikingly sheathed weapon. She briefly lifted her eyes to meet the Souljin Prince's gaze once more as Zasso flashed her an impeccably perfect smile. Marron didn't know much about Souljin dentistry, or if they even had dentists, but the blonde swore up and down that his grin was nothing short of a work of art.

"You like what you see?" Prince Zasso asked, slowly removing the blade from the casing, his words carrying a few different meanings. He offered it up, holding each side with both hands to lie it flat for veneration. Marron was about to answer as the beautiful instrument laid out in front of her, practically begging to be touched. Unsure, she gently placed a finger along the sword, admiring its beauty. The steel was immaculate, the handle intricate yet regal, and the shine of the blade suggested great care by its master.

"How beautiful," she remarked, reverently.

"Swordsmanship is cherished skill on Souljin," Prince Zasso shared, "martial arts and other types of combat have their place, but there is an art to honing ones skills with a blade."

Trunks couldn't roll his eyes far back enough in his head.

"I don't know much about swords," Marron responded as she continued to inspect the weapon, "but it does have a lovely design. Quite an impressive size too!"

"It is rather large, I suppose," Zasso commented grinning at her enchanted demeanor. "Size isn't everything when it comes to armaments, but I will say, it has given me a few advantages over the years."

"Mine's bigger," Trunks muttered to himself, arms folded, but was a little louder than intended.

A moment of uninterrupted silence passed over. Trunks' eyes immediately bugged out when he realized the others were staring at him intently. Marron looked horrified, blushing deeply. Goten shot his friend a peculiar glance whereas Bulla seemed disgusted. Both Pan and Uub appeared incredibly confused.

Although just as baffled, Prince Zasso politely veered his focus to the blanching demi-Saiyan. "I'm sorry," he began as if he misheard, "I didn't quite catch that?"

In an abrupt panic, Trunks attempted to recover. "My sword!" he exclaimed in haste.

"Your sword is…bigger?"

The other prince's confusion caused Trunks to redden immensely, putting color on his whitened form. "No! I mean yes, I mean…how can we know for sure; we can't exactly compare without seeing," he rambled on, chuckling nervously only making his case worse.

"Trunks," Marron hissed.

"Oh, dear Dende," Bulla whispered to the others, "he's lost it."

"WHAT I MEANT TO SAY," Trunks shouted. "I-I also have a sword, that's all," the halfling shared looking down on the ground. "Yes, a sword," he repeated a little more quietly, as to convince himself most of all.

His sibling and friends all were wide-eyed with mortification on behalf of the half-Saiyan. The Souljin Prince, however, seemed to finally see what Trunks was supposedly getting at.

"Oh, how wonderful," Zasso commented with sincerity, "I do hope you'll bring it with you to Souljin. I know we would be thrilled to have another skilled swordsman to train with."

"Sure," Trunks responded a tad too soon, still on edge "why not!"

Goten placed both of his hands behind his head. "Wait Trunks," he said, "you mean the one that Tapion gave you?"

The elder halfling glared in his direction so only Goten could see his face. "Yes," Trunks answered almost with a snap, turning around with a softer expression.

Bulla laughed derisively. "Wait, the one that's on your wall that you never use?" she asked, skeptically.

"You have a sword?" Pan finished the questioning, flabbergasted from the entire exchange.

He shot the two women the same glare. "Yes,"he said through a tightened mouth, "it's been some time, but I have been wanting to expand upon my swordsmanship skills again."

His sister guffawed at the notion of her brother, who she had never seen swing that sword a day in his life, suddenly showing interest. Prince Zasso didn't seem to mind.

"Excellent!" he exclaimed. "We will have much to look forward to upon your arrival then," the royal ambassador added.

"Can't…wait…" Trunks countered; his teeth still tethered together.

"And what about you, Lady Marron?" the handsome prince wondered aloud. "Shall we be graced with your presence on Souljin as well?"

"Oh," Marron started off unsure, "I'm not a Saiyan nor a fighter; I am not so sure I would add much value to the trip."

"Rubbish," Prince Zasso answered, "the invitation is for family and friends. We would be remiss to not welcome a close friend to the Saiyan royal family with open arms."

Marron's stomach flipped at the prince's eagerness. "Well perhaps I should consider—"

"—Marron gets pretty bad motion sickness," Trunks interrupted unprompted. "The flight in space may not be suited for someone with her condition."

The now fuming Marron shot him a death glare that could rival her mother's own. "My condition?" she sneered, embarrassed. "Trunks, I can answer for myself!"

"What's your problem, Trunks?!" Bulla demanded, getting rather annoyed with his behavior.

As multiple eyes fell on him, a mixture of baffled and bothered glances, Trunks put a hand up to feign innocence. "I only meant that I know how you can get when traveling," he insisted, "I didn't mean anything by it."

The blonde produced one last grimace before changing her visage to a happier expression. "Zasso," Marron said calmly, "I would be honored to attend. It sounds like a great new opportunity to explore a fascinating culture."

The emphasis on the word she made she Trunks could hear.

"I'm delighted to hear that, Lady Marron," Zasso lifted his lips to her hands once more. "I shall be eager to see you once more."

As he finished those words, the prince offered one last wink before walking away towards his Souljin companion. Marron's eyes followed as they watched the handsome man leave, captivated to the point where she almost forgot about the embarrassment she suffered moments earlier.

Almost.

"I cannot believe you," Marron whispered in a harsh tone to Trunks, her previous look all but gone from her countenance. "You're impossible!"

"Marron I—" he faltered, unable to find the words to say.

"Don't bother Trunks, I'm really not in the mood," she said bitterly, turning away. He had really done it this time and Marron wasn't sure what to make of it.

Noticing her temperament changing, both Pan and Bulla knew they needed to do some damage control. They grabbed either of Marron's sides, whispering and giggling about the starry-eyed encounter with the foreign prince. Though it took a moment to feel the excitement, Marron soon laughed along with her female friends walking away, eager to find a private spot to chat with them about the handsome royal.

Leaving the men to themselves, the three stood in awkward stillness, unsure where to go from the encounter before. Uub looked around, uncomfortable with confrontation as always, and saw an opening. "Gee, I should…probably ask Sensei Goku…about…about that thing…" he muttered heading in the other direction, with only Goten and Trunks remaining.

And he was not about to let the younger Saiyan Prince off the hook so easily.

"Trunks, what was that all about?" Goten questioned his friend as the women and Uub made their way towards different sections of the yard. Trunks was still looking at the ground after his terse exchange with Marron, deep in thought. "Yo, Earth to Trunks!" Goten exclaimed, waving his hands in front of the lavender-haired man's face. Trunks finally looked up.

"Huh?" he turned his attention to Goten, whose puzzled glance was not lost on Trunks.

"What was with you answering for Marron like that?" his friend asked, confused by Trunks' odd reaction.

"Oh, I was—" there was no excuse in the world that he could come up with that would effectively say how he was feeling, how dumb he felt, and how utterly confused he was in that moment. The older halfling sighed.

"I'm actually not even sure," Trunks responded quietly, starting to walk off on his own, still deep in thought.

Goten watched his friend's fading form, even more perplexed than ever as to what was going on with him.

---

The day was winding down into dusk by the time things were wrapping up. As Prince Zasso and General Taikan bowed respectfully to Vegeta, they expressed their anticipation for the arrival of everyone within the fortnight. "Prince Vegeta," Prince Zasso said respectfully, "my father will be so pleased to hear the news. We will be heading back to inform him and prepare for the festivities."

Stoic as ever, Vegeta simply nodded his head. "I'm sure he'll be…" the prince trailed off.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay a while and rest up before venturing back? I can't imagine it's a short trip," Bulma proposed to them.

"A generous offer but we cannot; we must return to Souljin to help make the necessary preparations for your arrival," Zasso announced, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "It should be a wonderful time and we look forward to hosting you all."

"We appreciate your time, Your Highness," General Taikan said firmly with one last quick bow of his own.

With a final exchange of pleasantries, the ambassadors returned to their airship, the smooth humming of the vehicle signaling their take off. As the ship climbed towards the sky, the group below watched with careful curiosity. The Saiyan Prince himself couldn't seem to tear away from the sight. Though no words came out of his mouth, Vegeta had much to say and His face looked annoyed when he received a firm pat on the back from his rival.

"Man Vegeta, this has got to be so exciting for you!" Goku exclaimed with glee. Vegeta tersely tore away, a faint growl in his throat, leaving the other Saiyan pureblood in a state of confusion. "Vegeta?"

As he walked towards the house, Bulma approached Vegeta, her gentle touch bringing him to a standstill. It was clear she was concerned about his handle on everything, considering the lifechanging news. With him not being the most emotive person in the world, it was hard to get a read on things. Still, she was always willing to try.

"How are you feeling about all of this, Vegeta?" she inquired, her voice filled with genuine care.

Vegeta remained seemingly emotionless, his gaze distant and entrenched with indifference. "I suppose we'll have to see what awaits us on Souljin," he answered back quietly.

Without further elaboration, Vegeta turned away, lost in his own thoughts, as he headed towards the gravity room—seeking out the solitude he craved. Bulma watched him for a moment, understanding the complex emotions brewing within him, and yet knowing that she could not empathize in this situation. She just hoped everything would lead to a chance for her husband to find a semblance of family outside of their own.

…

Slowly, the rest of the group dispersed. Bulla saw the pinkish-orange hues of the setting sun and took it as her cue to start her own ascension upwards. A gust of self-made wind lifted the heiress with a grace that few could match. She landed on the terrace and was close to heading inside to finally rest after the long day. The princess would have been successful too, had it not been for the presence of a persistent half-Saiyan.

"B-Chan wait…"

Though her hand made it to the glass, she never turned the handle. Her body rotated to see the ebony-haired man near the spot where they kissed, wondering if he was aware. With the fading sun forming a golden outline around him, Goten looked especially handsome, almost reminiscent of his appearance in his Super Saiyan form. Even in his dirty training clothes he managed to be so mind-numbingly charming. She sighed. Half-annoyed, half-amused.

"About earlier," Goten began again, "there's something I wanted to say."

"Goten, we don't have to—" Bulla started but was interrupted.

"That headlock," he continued, "you were smart to think on your feet like you did."

Bulla blinked, not expecting him to refer to that part of their spar. "Huh?" she questioned, not shielding her stunned expression.

Goten offered a kind smile. "The headlock," he started to say again, "good work using your body to throw me down with you. I'll admit, it definitely caught me off guard."

The heiress didn't know what to say in response, staring blankly at the man in front of her.

"Only advice I have," her fellow hybrid resumed, "next time try aiming for the wrist to break it. Arm would be best if you can reach it, but wrist will likely be closer."

He was giving her battle tactics at a time like this!?

"I'll—" she began, still unsure, "—try to keep that in mind."

A short wave of silence fell over them both. Goten quietly inhaled her all too familiar waft of coconut, slowly determining it was now one of his favorite scents. As he observed her defenses lowering a bit, the older halfling felt compelled to bring up the elephant in the room.

"I'm sorry by the way," he added softly. Bulla's cerulean eyes opened wide.

"Why are you sorry?" the princess wondered.

Goten shifted, rubbing his arm. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he confessed.

"Oh," her voice trailed off in response. Her gaze met the ground as her cheeks flushed pink. "You-didn't make me uncomfortable," Bulla answered, "sorry if I made you that way."

"You didn't," Goten responded almost too quickly.

The two stared each other down, the fading colors of the day bathing them in an orangish hue. "I just," the older demi-Saiyan continued, "I just like being around you, B-Chan. I don't want to jeopardize that in any way."

"I like being around you too, Goten."

"Good."

He smiled at her in that sweet way he always did. Goten stepped forward to pull her into a second hug, more brazen than the one before, likely due to Vegeta no longer being in the same immediate vicinity. Bulla felt herself tighten the embrace without warning, surprising both her and the man in front of her.

As she latched onto him, Goten briefly allowed himself one moment of peace before releasing her. Bulla gazed up into his eyes, eliciting a tender look that made every ounce of her melt on the inside. He tore away to face the railing of the balcony, observing the city briefly as if he was taking it in for the first time. "We'll talk soon, B," he promised.

The demi-Saiyan igniting his aura, close to taking off, until a gentle voice derailed that plan.

"Goten," Bulla began tucking loose locks behind her ear, "if Trunks' call hadn't interrupted us, what do you think would've happened?"

The question clearly surprised Goten, who froze in place trying to process exactly what Bulla was asking. Part of him knew he had opened himself up to having that conversation with her, yet he had hoped they could have just kept it surface level. But Goten owed her that much, at least. A thick sigh escaped, as he rotated back to face the princess who studied him with both curiosity and a little trepidation.

"Maybe it's best not to go down that train of thought," the other half-Saiyan replied gently.

Onyx eyes traced up and down her form, seemingly betraying his own beliefs.

Her heart thumped, apprehensive of what he was saying, but Bulla desired a more substantial answer than that. She fidgeted, nerves showcasing themselves through rapid taps by her fingers on her arms. Bulla took a deep breath. "Because you didn't want to?" she questioned, fearing the worst and yet, still hoping for the best.

Goten's gaze returned to meet the princess' head on, extending a small smile. It was clear by his expression he was experiencing multiple emotions at that moment. She was as well. Those luminous eyes he cherished so much were staring at him in awe and wonder. Staring yet again as if he could do no wrong, even though Goten knew he had done plenty wrong in his life. The elder hybrid could barely think straight with her looking the way she did. He inhaled deeply through his nose, grin intact, bracing himself for his response to her.

"No Bulla," he responded in a calm tone dripping with authenticity, "not because I didn't want to."

A quiet, yet audible gasp emitted from heiress' mouth. The pulsating heartbeat in her chest increased tenfold, trying in vain to burst out of her ribcage.

"Goten," she murmured, "what are you—?"

"We should really start getting ready for the trip to Souljin," he responded changing the subject for the third time. Goten pivoted towards the opposite side, his aura flaring as he prepared for takeoff. Though she couldn't see him from behind, Bulla took note of his ears perking up, indicating his signature smile spreading on his face.

"Goten…" the bluette repeated softly.

"Should be a big adventure," Goten continued, with an optimistic tone that made him seem seven once more. Bulla's breath caught in her throat. He cocked his head towards her, confirming her earlier suspicion about his beaming self. That intense gaze, she thought, the sunset making his ebony-colored orbs seem tinted with orange. It took the wind right out of her.

"See you, Princess."

Bulla barely had time to process as Goten sped into the sky, her chest pulsating from his dizzying words. Her breathing intensified feeling just as wired up as she did earlier that day before heading into her shower.

Of all the things he could have said—he just had to say princess.

---

The exhaustion of the entire day hit Goten all at once as he arrived home to his apartment. In the elevator, he leaned back against cool metal, waiting to eagerly shed his clothes and hop in the very shower that Bulla chastised him for not taking earlier.

It was a thought that made him smile.

Making his way down the hall, he could faintly make out the shape of a person sitting near his apartment door. He wasn't sure if it was a neighbor needing sugar or old man Yusuke looking for one of his nine cats again. Either way, he didn't think much of it initially. As he approached, however, the familiar yellow hue of the figure's outfit made it all too apparent who was waiting for him at the foot of his entrance.

Someone he had been avoiding for weeks.

"Goten!" Valese waved as she slowly rose to meet him. Pulling the stunned man into a quick hug he didn't really return; Goten couldn't even fake his shock at seeing his ex at his apartment.

"Valese," he began surprised, "what are you doing here?"

The model flashed her brilliant smile as she smoothed out her dress. "I hadn't heard from you lately and was in the neighborhood," she answered happily, "thought I'd drop by to see if you wanted to hang out."

An immense rush of guilt plagued the hybrid's mind. His lack of communication was intentional, but he never supplied a reason. Although the two of them were hardly official, his drop in contact was certainly noticed. The stunned expression on his face prompted Valese to continue.

"Is everything okay with you?" the brunette questioned; her concern genuine. Goten sighed. Ghosting wasn't his style, but it seemed to be the only way he could process things the past few weeks. Even though he wasn't as bad as Trunks when it came to avoiding tough emotional conversations, the second Son certainly wasn't much better. The words were lodged in his throat, begging to be released but straining to do so.

"Goten?" she asked in a tone that was neither angry nor demanding. Her sweet voice breaking him out of his head. It was now or never.

"Valese," Goten finally said, "we can't."

He expected her to react disappointed, but the model continued as if nothing had changed. "If you're busy that's fine!" Valese maintained with a wave of the hand. "Maybe we can plan something for next week…" the girl was persistent if not oblivious.

"Valese," the demi-Saiyan repeated in a firmer tone, which grabbed her attention. "We can't. I'm sorry," he resumed, "it's not fair of me to leave you hanging, but I didn't want to hurt your feelings. I don't—"

He exhaled deeply, struggling to say something that could potentially dampen her happiness, yet he knew he needed to rip off the band aid. "I don't think this time we can get back together."

A faint beam reappeared on the brunette as silenced enveloped the two. She took a deep breath. "I see," Valese stated quietly.

"I should have been more direct," Goten continued. He sighed, embarrassed at his behavior. "I'm sorry that I wasn't."

"It's okay, Goten—I understand. It's not in your nature to hurt anyone's feelings."

Goten seemed sincerely touched by the observation, though still felt a pang of guilt. "Even so," he began again, "I haven't been clear. I do that sometimes."

He knew he had the tendency to try and push conflict to the wayside instead of hitting it directly on. Though Goten always kept his word, he also was afraid of being honest with himself at times and by extension, the people around him when he wasn't sure. That indecisiveness was his greatest limitation.

Valese smiled at him, lovely as ever, and nodded in understanding. "May I ask why?" she wondered harmlessly.

The question caused Goten's face to pale. If the situation with Valese wasn't clear, the burgeoning situation with Bulla was especially unclear. Though he knew the hourglass on their connection had run out of sand long ago, he couldn't deny his rapidly increasing feelings for Bulla were the catalyst. And then there was the upcoming intergalactic trip to Souljin; the last thing he wanted was to go into that adventure burdened by the ghost of his past.

He supposed that was really the only part she needed to know.

"Heading to outer space for an extended stay and not exactly sure when I'll be back," Goten answered straightforwardly, yet avoiding disclosing certain details.

"Space?" her pretty brown eyes blinked with curiosity.

The ebony-haired man knew it had to sound ridiculous to a normal human. "I know it sounds convenient, but it's the truth," Goten admitted. He softly touched Valese's shoulder, the act saying a thousand words unspoken. This was really going to be the last time. "More than that though," he added, "I've realized that we just aren't in that same place anymore."

She almost interrupted him, but the half-Saiyan powered through.

"We've given it a few tries, Val—but if we don't put an end to it, neither of us will ever be able to move on," Goten averred, "I think you know that as much as I do."

"Goten," the model whispered, eyes widening.

The hand still planted on her shoulder gave a tight squeeze. "Just," he hesitated to make sure his next words were kind, "don't wait up for me. You deserve someone who can give you their full self."

Valese inspected the man in front of her, the earnest look in his eyes telling her everything she needed to know. "You've always been so nice to me, Goten," his ex-girlfriend conceded. The brunette leaned in for one last hug that Goten returned this time. "I hope you find what you're looking for," she whispered, "on Earth or wherever else."

Perhaps I have.

The hybrid man gave her one last squeeze before releasing her, a small smile forming on his face. "I hope you do too," he replied in earnest.

He felt her lips on his cheek briefly, as the woman turned and waved goodbye. "Make sure you bring lots of oxygen with you in space—I hear they don't have a lot!" she called out as she faded away. Goten couldn't prevent the chuckle that escaped his lips. One thing was for certain, he'd miss that colorful commentary. Despite that, a weight felt lifted.

Goten studied his ex, her model strut evident in every step, as she walked down the hallway in the direction of the elevator. For a fleeting moment, there was a twinge of wistfulness inside his stomach of the good times the two shared together at one point. But the guilt about their connection that ate at him for so long, the fear of letting go…these were no longer sensations Goten was experiencing.

For the first time in a long time, he felt peace.

He slowly entered the quiet apartment, tossing his bag to the side without much care. It had been too long of a day to worry about his typically clean routine. Doing the same action with his shirt, the half-Saiyan made his way towards the bathroom to hop into the shower after fully disrobing.

As the hot water poured over his aching muscles, Goten allowed himself to reflect on the morning's events for the first time with clarity. The thought of Bulla beneath him produced a heated glow on his visage. It felt like a lifetime between that moment and the current one. Though he was careful to choose his words in his response to her, Goten all but said that he wanted to kiss her.

What would she think of him if he said he wanted to do more than that?

Goten shook off the notion, instantly rendering the water cold to snap him out of whatever trance he was in. He stepped out of the shower and dried off quickly before pulling up a pair of boxers before bed. Sliding under the sheets, a tranquil wave of blue filled his mind, lulling him to sleep. As he drifted, Goten nestled firmly into the pillow, daring for just a moment the chance to envision aqua tresses sprawled out on it next to him. The halfling inhaled the imaginary locks and swore he could smell coconut.

Entangled in the idea of her, Goten fell asleep to the rhythm of his heartbeat, slowing down to a near motionless tempo, but nonetheless steady and firm. The vibrations clear as day.

Thump, thump. Thump, thump.

Prin-cess, Prin-cess.

---

Chapter 6 and we have a little jealousy in the MIX. Honestly, in spite of the long wait time, I was so excited for this chapter because it's one of my favorite Trunks moments in the story. Nothing like a handsome alien prince making a move for your girl to get a fire lit up under your ass!

This concludes I suppose the first part in our series—it's been fun setting the stage and I'm pumped to up the ante. Thank you all for the incredible support and encouragement.

Chapter 7: As they travel into space, the gang works to pass the time. Goten and Vegeta have a conversation.

And here…we…go!

-SonChan