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.

10. Chapter 9: Blue is the Warmest Color

Tangled Up in Blue

Disclaimers: Per usual,I do not own DBZ/GT; credit to Majin_Angel_Chan from DBU for the title of Planet Souljin and the character Kail. Other characters and Souljin lore/details are all my creation.

Author's Note: Thank youall for your patience! I have had some busy weeks so forgive me for the wait. Hopefully, this unintentional mega-chapter makes up for it. As always, I'm incredibly thankful for all the support. Your kindness and attention to this story is not unnoticed, nor is it unappreciated. I'm excited for much to come in the next few chapters, and we have so many more to go! Hope you are all just as eager as I am to dive in.

Playlist Chapter Recommendations: Hell of a Life, Sunsetz

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Chapter 9: Blue is the Warmest Color

The gentle humming of the freshwater streams trickled in from the outside water gardens to Bulla's bedroom. Her ears twitched with faint recognition, the peaceful sound waking her from sleep to a state of awakening. It took her a moment to recognize where she was; the canopy above her head foreign yet recognizable. Soon enough, the understanding that she was not in her room on Earth became clearer and clearer. Lapis eyes widened further when the memory of the previous night came rushing back to her.

I'm on Souljin, Bulla recollected.

Rising slowly, the Saiyan Princess realized she was still in her summery, white dress from the prior evening. She felt a slight stiffness in her back, having spent most of her slumber propped up against a multitude of pillows. Rotating her shoulders, Bulla attempted to stretch out the tightness, yawning while doing so. A soft sigh evaporated into the balmy air before her, the bluette's cheeks pinkened with embarrassment remembering how Goten had carried her once again to her room.

This time however, she had been far too tipsy for her liking.

Recalling the seemingly endless refills of the potent Souljin wine, Bulla groaned into her palm. Toge had certainly made sure she hadn't gone thirsty. In fact, the prince was almost insistent that she drink to her heart's content. Whether due to nerves or feeling a bit agitated from her conflict with Goten, Bulla indulged herself for the first time. She vaguely remembered the other handsome man vying for her affection but, try as he might, her mind always kept coming back to the one person she truly wanted.

Truthfully, the only person she ever wanted.

She emitted a sigh, chastising herself for getting too far gone. Pan's suggestion of exploring the water gardens after dinner sounded exhilarating at first, and with Uub there what could go wrong? As soon as they arrived however, it was as if the nearly half-dozen cups seemed to hit her all at once.

And of course, of all the people she didn't need seeing her in that state (save her parents) he was the one to do so.

Bulla slinked her legs over the side of the bed, her shorter stature not quite reaching the ground. Taking a moment to steady herself, Bulla lowered her feet to the floor and slowly glided over to her bathroom to freshen up. While her bath the evening before was delightful, the heiress was eager to try the giant walk-in shower.

Letting her dress fall off her shoulders, it slipped to the ground with a delicate grace. As the steam enveloped the shower stall, Bulla stepped inside, letting rainshower head cleanse the last remnants of the evening from her body.

Including his touch.

That thought pained the princess; the warmth of Goten's sturdy frame holding her close. The bluette flushed, recollecting the moment her hand had started to dip over his abs and wondered, had the older hybrid not stopped her, if she would have dared to venture further down.

Much like she was doing on her own body right at that moment.

This is starting to become a habit, she chided herself. In the last few weeks, Bulla had certainly familiarized herself with her southernmost place. Though it was far from daily, it was more than the heiress partook in the past. Still, she supposed there were worse things a woman could do…

Already late for the start of breakfast, Bulla took her time.

…

Exiting the bedchamber, Bulla was able to detect movement out of the corner or her eye. A woman that she recognized as one of Princess Hinoki's handmaidens, though her hair was disheveled, and she still had remnants of the previous day's makeup smeared under her green eyes. When the handmaiden saw Bulla, she gave a polite bow and scurried down the hall just as fast. Though she was still getting her bearings, Bulla realized the room the woman exited was Prince Toge's.

The half-Saiyan couldn't hide the amusement on her face. Toge seemed earnest on the surface, but Bulla had been quick to notice the attention he had given that same handmaiden the night before. He'd squeeze her side, whisper sweet nothings in her ear, making her laugh with little effort. Bulla hadn't been offended, since her whole goal had been to get a rise out of Goten instead. If anything, this was confirmation that in spite of the prince's good looks and charm, he was far from the type of man she'd ever be seriously interested in.

The type of man Goten was.

Her cheeks reddened, reminiscing once more about the same demi-Saiyan who had tucked her in so sweetly. She tried to shake the image from her head, but struggled to do so until something else interrupted her thoughts.

"Princess Bulla," a newly familiar voice rang out. "I see I am not the only one who has a late start this morning."

Turning to face the direction of the comment, Bulla widened her eyes in surprise to see the king himself leaving his room, already being escorted by two, burly soldiers on either side. With a nod, the men took a step back so that Bulla could approach undisturbed. She curtseyed awkwardly, still feeling a little woozy from the earlier night. "King Engei," the Saiyan Princess remarked, "I didn't expect to run into you at this hour."

The older man took her hands to kiss them. "My dear, when you get to be my age, sleeping in is as delightful as well…oh my, you're a young lady I shouldn't say that…er, as delightful as a good book," King Engei said, correcting himself before saying something too revealing.

Bulla chuckled at the monarch's slight breach in diplomacy. "I'm not that young," she said teasingly, attempting to ease the king's mind.

King Engei continued to clasp her fingers in a tighter grip. "Anyone with eyes can see that, Princess," he began again, "but I'm an old man. Everyone is young to me."

He released her hands and offered his arm. "Since we are both late risers this morning, allow me to escort you to the dining hall for breakfast," Engei stated.

With little coercion needed, Bulla happily accepted. "I'd be honored," she said, her arm enclosed around his. As they left the royal quarters, they headed towards the main hall. King Engei was politely chatting away and Bulla enjoyed the company and conversation.

"You must have been tired after your travels," the Souljin monarch remarked as they glided together. Bulla flushed, not wanting to reveal her eventful evening but also felt odd lying to a king.

"Truth be told, it was a mix of traveling and underestimating the strength of Souljin wine."

"Ah," the king showcased a wry grin. "I remember my first sampling of it many eons ago. It catches up with you rather quickly!"

Bulla politely chuckled in response. "It certainly did," she admitted.

The prior evening, Bulla had failed to notice a massive painting of the royal family on the wall. King Engei's stark white hair was jet black, a sign of a much earlier time. Judging by the ages depicted, Zasso and Toge couldn't have been much older than toddlers. It was easy to spot the young Kusa; he still wore the same serious face even as a teenager. In the middle was a woman that Bulla didn't recognize, but given her chocolate brown curls and golden eyes, she easily deduced this was the late Souljin Queen. Before she could ask about her, King Engei spoke up.

"My Juhi," he murmured fondly, revealing her name. "Next Harvest will be the twenty-fifth year of her passing," the elder king said. Inhaling deeply, Engei released an affectionate sigh. "I miss her smile more than anything."

The love in his voice was evident and the heiress found herself deeply moved. Bulla tightened her grip in a gesture of sympathy. "I'm sorry for your loss, King Engei," she stated with a saddened tone. "She is absolutely beautiful," the Saiyan Princess complimented.

King Engei returned the squeeze. "Princess, you are far too kind," he thanked. Gazing up once again at the portrait before them, he continued, "I went half my life before I met her and she changed it all in an instant."

Bulla's heart went out to him; the queen seemed so young when she passed. Engei's fond expression when speaking of his wife tore at the heiress. The thought of losing someone she loved a foreign concept, but one that the younger woman could still sympathize with nonetheless.

"Though the time together was short, I wouldn't trade it for anything."

He cleared his throat to change the subject as they continued along. "Ah, but don't mind this reminiscent old man. Tell me, how are you enjoying Souljin so far?"

"It's lovely," Bulla answered in earnest. "I haven't seen that much of it yet, but everything I've encountered has been unbelievable."

"Well, I do hope you make yourself at home here in the palace," Engei continued, "it's been over a half-century since we've hosted and my staff and myself are eager to be exemplary hosts."

Bulla smiled and squeezed his hand once more. "You have been that and then some, Your Grace," she said softly. The princess paused as a question crossed her mind. "Zasso mentioned Souljin remained hidden to avoid conflict with the Frieza Force," Bulla added, "sixty years seems so long. What changed?"

"Your father asked me that last night," King Engei smiled softly. "Though you look like your mother, you remind me much of him," the elder man added.

Bulla chuckled to herself. "I get that a lot."

"I mean that as a compliment, I hope you know. When your father and I chatted privately, I got a glimpse of his intelligence. A bit brisk, like his own father was, but that's a Saiyan's pride for you!" Engei laughed deep from his belly.

"King Engei," Bulla responded, "if my dad is ever too brisk, please don't hold it against him."

"Oh, I could never," the Souljin royal added. "Even if I was unfamiliar with Saiyan temperaments, Prince Vegeta has every right to be skeptical."

Bulla chucked. "He's stubborn, but his willpower is as strong as his pride," she answered admiringly.

Her chest warmed as she spoke. "My dad would never admit it, but I think he's sometimes lonely and misses his family," Bulla said. The bluette softened as she thought about her father. "We're also his family of course," she started again, "but it's a little harder for us to relate to what we don't know."

"I'm glad you and your brother did not have to endure the cruelty of Frieza or King Cold," Engei spoke freely, "we were lucky enough our technology kept them at arm's length for the most part, since we were far from the fighters your father and his people were. But, after Planet Vegeta rebelled, I knew they'd set their sights on Souljin."

Bulla hung onto his every word. "It's understandable," she acknowledged. "You did what you had to."

"I did," King Engei nodded, "but it was difficult cutting off the entire galaxy. The experiences I had in my youth, my sons would never know in isolation. Of course, it was peaceful for a time, but eventually it became apparent that off-planet resources would soon be a necessity."

King Engei wrapped around her arm more tightly. "To finally answer your question, I'll tell you what I told him," the royal continued. "I could say it was a deep love for my people and my own family that drove us to stay isolated. But truthfully, a lot of fear."

"Do you regret it?" the bluette wondered aloud.

The king stalled, taking her question in. "Juhi wanted us to rejoin the rest of civilization much sooner when we did, and we almost removed the shield when the boys were young," he began to explain. "When she passed however, it seemed all that haunted my thoughts were worst case scenarios of losing my sons as well."

"In your defense, that sounds more like love than fear, King Engei."

"Love requires a bit of fear, child," he added with poise, "at least in my experience."

His words resonated deeply with the demi-Saiyan, an unfamiliar sensation bubbling in her gut as a certain person's smile crossed her mind.

"Ah, here we are…"

The king's rich timbre brought Bulla out of her thoughts. He once more squeezed her hands in appreciation. "Thank you for accompanying an old man this morning," King Engei said with affection.

"An honor. Truly."

Bulla smiled as she said those words, observing the pronounced wrinkles on Engei's face. He had been so needlessly kind to her and the rest of the Earthlings, she hoped that their presence brought some semblance of joy to the older man.

As the doors opened for the two of them, Bulla's eyes enlarged at the impressive buffet along the walls. Her Saiyan stomach growled, and she hoped the king didn't notice. Looking at all the food, Bulla wanted nothing more than to dig in but was interrupted by her mother on her way out.

"Bulla," Bulma began in an authoritative tone, "you had me worried there for a second. It's after ten in the morning!"

"That's my fault, Lady Bulma," King Engei interjected. "Your lovely daughter accompanied me, and these slow, old bones aren't what they used to be."

"You're sweet, King Engei, but I know my daughter…"

Chuckling, the king shrugged at Bulla who returned a smile. "Gave it my best shot," he winked before heading off with his two guards in tow. Bulla laughed as well, until her gaze returned back to her mother tapping her foot.

"Bulla…"

"Sorry, Mom. Just tired from all the traveling I guess," she said, omitting the part of her wild evening and somewhat wild morning.

The older Briefs woman was undeterred. "The guys have been getting fitted for their armor all morning and we'll be up soon," Bulma said, "don't take too long eating breakfast!"

Bulla nodded in understanding, spying Marron and Pan out the corner of her eye. "I'll be quick, I promise," the princess assured.

As her mother left, Marron waved Bulla over to join them, a fancy spread of food sprawled out. Pan looked like she was about to fall asleep directly into her bowl of oatmeal.

"Hey guys," she said sitting down. Pan could only emit a small noise of acknowledgement, still clearly perturbed from the previous night's events.

"Where's your uncle?" Bulla asked Pan nonchalantly, looking around the room for his familiar face. She grabbed what looked to be a mango and, while a little different than what she was used to, savored its sweetness.

The younger quarterling had deep circles under her eyes as she pressed her palm to her forehead. "How the hell should I know?" Pan muttered, unenthused. Bulla couldn't help but laugh as she helped herself to even more breakfast.

"The guys are all at their fittings," Marron mentioned in between bites. Her cheery humming and enjoyment of the spread before her caught Bulla's eye.

"You're in a good mood," she said, cocking a brow. Marron gulped the piece of pastry in her throat, eyes broadening.

"How so?"

"Just extra…cheerful."

"Someone is excited about her date this morning," Pan said, with more animation than before.

"Date!? When was this?" Bulla asked with a small smirk.

Marron blushed. "It wasn't a date," she insisted.

"What happened then?"

"Well," she started off shyly, "I woke up early and decided to take a walk. Zasso had the same idea, evidently enough, so we spent some time talking in the gardens. He just asked if I was excited for the ball and to save him a dance."

Bulla swooned. "How romantic!" she exclaimed.

"Oh stop!" Marron insisted. "He's just being nice…"

"Who the hell wakes up at the ass crack of dawn to go for a walk with someone just to be nice?" Pan teased, her palm still propping her heavy head up.

"Probably not either of you two, sleepyheads," Marron chuckled.

"Hey!"

"She's got a point, Pan," Bulla giggled, sampling more food. Her focus returned to Marron. "So, Marron," she teased, "when's the wedding?"

"Hey!"

Before Bulla could continue, Uub swung on over, grabbing another available fruit before sitting down to join them. "Hi guys," he said happily.

"Done already?" Marron asked.

"Yeah, it wasn't too bad–honestly, the longest parts were Sensei Goku being terrified of the pins they used and then Mr. Piccolo not fitting anything," Uub chuckled. Bulla couldn't help but smile at the thought of Goten's father, the strongest man in the world, brought down by his greatest enemy: a pointy needle. Likewise, the thought that anyone could get Piccolo of all people to adjust his outfit tickled her to no end.

She shifted her head to see if anyone else was coming. "Where are the rest of the guys?" Bulla questioned, still trying to seem disinterested.

"General Taikan promised us a tour of the barracks in a little bit," Uub continued, "they're just freshening up. I just wanted to check in on Pa–I mean, both of you ladies to see how you were."

He briefly locked eyes with Pan and the two immediately blushed and looked away. Bulla noted the tension and knew she'd have to grill Pan later. But first, she owed the man an apology.

"Uub, about last night," she said, lowering her voice. "Sorry about, well you know…" the princess could hardly contain her embarrassment at her behavior, but Uub assured her with a wave of the hand.

"It was fine," he replied, though it was unclear if he was simply trying to placate her. The man had been at his breaking point dealing with two, unruly Saiyan hybrids. "No one got hurt."

"What are you guys talking about?" Marron asked as all three resumed eating, without so much as a word: their one of many little secrets intact. She rolled her eyes when she realized she wasn't getting an answer. "Fine, I should head over anyhow," the blonde rationalized as she stood to her feet.

"I'll come with," Bulla said as she scarfed down the last remnants of food. Standing up to join Marron, the bluette turned to their other female companion. "Pan, you coming?" she wondered.

"I'll…be there in a bit," the raven-haired quarterling murmured. She caught one more glance at Uub, who again turned his head to eat his fruit inconspicuously. Both Marron and Bulla looked at each other knowingly.

"Sure," Bulla started to say, "we can leave you two alone."

"Yeah," Marron added, "wouldn't want to intrude…"

"I swear to Kami the second I feel better, your asses are mine," Pan hissed behind the hand she used to prevent Uub from hearing, but Goku's pupil missed nothing.

"Whatever you say, Pan," Bulla sang, and she and Marron giggled on their way out.

Pan's tired eyes looked over to Uub, who was still looking at her with reddened cheeks. "Don't tell them I stuck my tongue down your throat last night," she whispered.

"Wasn't going to…"

---

Marron and Bulla continued chuckling as they headed to where Princess Hinoki was conducting the fittings. Along the way, Bulla couldn't help but spy a familiar head of ebony through the open-air columns as they passed. The butterflies in her stomach multiplied by the second. She halted in place as Marron continued, until the latter realized her companion stopped.

"Bulla?" she wondered. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Bulla said quietly, gaze stuck on the man outside. Marron turned her head to see what Bulla was looking at and smiled.

"And here you were teasing me this morning," Marron nudged her friend. Bulla gently pushed her back.

"I just need a couple minutes. Tell my mom and Hinoki I'm on my way."

"Of course," Marron winked, before finishing her journey alone.

The bluette sighed, grateful to have a friend that was understanding of her situation. Her attention then returned to the sole man overlooking the beauty that was Souljin. Slightly bent over the rail, Bulla felt a familiar heat start to build inside of her, mortified that her earlier indulgence didn't take care of that urge entirely.

Kami, was he handsome.

"There you are," Bulla remarked as she joined Goten on the veranda. He smiled as he recognized the voice from behind. The demi-Saiyan turned to meet her, those coal-basted eyes warm and inviting.

"There she is," Goten said in a tone that had some mild teasing to it. Bulla rolled her eyes as she descended down the stairs.

"Very funny," she replied unenthused, "you have your fitting already?"

Goten chuckled. "Yeah, it's gonna be strange wearing that regalia in public," he answered, "feels a little out of place."

"Well, we are a little out of place here," Bulla returned, leaning over the edge of the rail, the water gardens immaculately sprawled before them. "Certainly not on Earth anymore," she said pensively, looking out at the view. The unusual birds that flew overhead were varied in colors and shapes. She could hear the roar of the mountain waterfall in the distance, sounding even more thunderous than it did when she awoke.

Her companion leaned back against the edge, quietly taking note of her. The slight flicker of adventure in her irises was both endearing and innocent. It was plain to see that Bulla was immersed in this new setting, and Goten felt his chest warm at the sight. As she turned her focus to him instead, Goten averted her eye line so as to not have her thinking he was staring. Even if he had been.

"The ball should be fun," Bulla changed the subject.

Goten put his hands behind his head. "Can't say I have ever been to one before," he divulged, "hopefully I don't stick out like a sore thumb."

Bulla beamed. "Sure you have," she responded softly. His confused expression prompted her to laugh and explain further. "When you'd play make-believe with me as a kid," the Saiyan Princess added, "we'd go to balls all the time."

A few memories hit him instantly of Bulla in a pretty princess costume as a child, dancing on his feet as they would laugh. Sometimes Trunks would be there sulking in the corner, waiting for his friend to be available to spar with, but Princess Bulla always came first. It simultaneously warmed his heart, but also caused a pang of sadness. How hard it was to reconcile that she was the same little girl, and yet, she really wasn't. Not anymore. He thought he was starting to separate her, but moments like that brought him back to reality.

"Goten?"

The silence grew too long, and Goten blinked away his reverie. "Let's hope those princess lessons were enough then," he stated, indicating none of the inner turmoil he was feeling.

"I'm sure you'll be fine," Bulla kidded. Another wave of quiet passed over them and she breathed in the fresh Souljin air for courage. "Goten?" she asked, grabbing his attention.

His ears wiggled at the sound of her voice. "Yeah, B?"

"Thanks for not being weird about it," she added plainly.

"About what?"

"Last night…"

His smile was as playful as his voice. "I've no idea what you mean, B-Chan," Goten teased.

"Goten," Bulla said more seriously, but her own smile betrayed her tone. He was such a goof.

"Don't think twice about it," Goten insisted, "you've been there for me when I've been drunk."

"It's not just that," Bulla continued. Her focus shifted down over the railing. "I meant…well, the other things I said…"

"Consider it forgotten."

She met his eyes with a fierceness evocative of her father, but a softness all her mother. Tucking a loose hair behind her ear, her cheeks aflame. Bulla sheepishly uttered, "I don't want you to forget, Goten."

Goten returned her gaze with just as intense a look. Those baby blues always working overtime to pierce through the veneer of politeness they built up. He sighed. "What do you want me to say, Bulla?" the older hybrid asked with care.

She looked down momentarily, and then up just as fast. Unsure at first, but she found her voice. "That you see me," Bulla repeated from the night prior. Goten appeared confused.

"I told you I do–"

"No," she said softly. "Really see me."

Goten sighed. He had a feeling the conversation would come up again, but didn't anticipate it so soon. "Bulla–"

So much he wanted to say. So much they needed to discuss. And yet…

Silence.

The lack of words after he said her name was telling enough for the younger hybrid. "We don't have to talk about this now," the bluette conceded. Casting her head downwards, she began to braid the ends of her hair distractedly. "I just…" the normally bold princess grew timid and trailed off. She sighed. "Enjoy the tour of the barracks," Bulla ended, changing the subject yet again as she turned around.

"Bulla–"

Beginning to head up the stairs, Goten thought he wouldn't have a chance to elaborate, but the princess paused halfway up. She knew she wanted to say her own piece before she lost her nerve. Wisps of her turquoise hair danced around Bulla's delicate face as a calm breeze blew past them. Goten couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"If you do see me," she began again quietly, "what exactly do you see?"

She felt his intense onyx orbs engulf the entirety of her from afar. The somewhat hazy gleam was both familiar and otherworldly. There wasn't an easy way to express the depths of which she had penetrated his being, but Goten tried his hardest to do so.

"Blue," he uttered, almost absentminded.

The befuddled expression on Bulla's face begged for clarity. "Blue?" she pondered aloud.

Goten swallowed hard. The lump in his throat far too heavy to leave lodged there. He knew it didn't make sense to her, it hardly made sense to him. Yet, it was the only thing that felt right to say.

"All I see is blue," he murmured.

A whistling wind gusted past the two once more. Though his words did little to explain his initial answer, Bulla was entranced by the reverent manner in which he spoke. Their eyes not vacillating from one another for anything.

Perhaps a little fear was required, Bulla mused to herself.

She sighed, not wanting to part from the man who managed to both confound and enthrall her. But she knew she couldn't linger, and she didn't know how much false courage she had left in her.

Without a word, the heiress hightailed up the stairs with her heartbeat matching the pace of her feet, leaving Goten feeling both simultaneously a little foolish, and a little lighter than he did before.

---

"Oh Princess…red truly is your color!"

Bulla snapped out of the daydream she was having from her earlier encounter with Goten, as Princess Hinoki and her attendants surrounded her, fawning over the magnificent gown she was currently being fitted in. A deep cherry dress that perfectly matched the Saiyan Royal Family's traditional colors. While Bulla couldn't deny the exquisite detailing of the ballgown, what used to be her favorite color was starting to lose its luster.

"You and Lady Bulma will look exceptionally alike," Hinoki remarked, glancing over at Bulma in a similarly colored piece. Bulla's mother was getting outfitted at the same time and Marron had just left.

At the mention of her name, Bulma turned her attention to Hinoki and Bulla, her eyes instantly lighting up at seeing her daughter's attire. "Oh honey!" Bulma cooed, "don't you look gorgeous?"

Bulla smiled politely, knowing the compliments were sincere, but she did have to tease. "I look like you," she said with a light chuckle.

Bulma winked. "I did say gorgeous, didn't I?" the scientist teased, prompting the other women to join her in laughter.

The younger Briefs woman repositioned once again to the mirror to graze her hands over the pretty fabric. Red was royalty. Red was the color that most associated her with. And yet, the shade was feeling more and more foreign to her–and she knew the reason why.

Bulla did her best to keep the smile on her face, but the edges of it seemed to droop without her meaning to. Hinoki seemed to be the only one to notice.

"Everything alright, Princess?"

Tipping her head towards her gracious host, Bulla attempted to fake another beam. "Everything is fine, I guess I'm just still a little tired from traveling."

"You okay?" Bulma wondered with concern as the attendants helped her out of her own gown. Bulla nodded, her heart still swarming with a bevy of emotions she tried to keep at bay.

"Yeah, I'm fine Mom," Bulla insisted. "Nothing major," the heiress added. Once more, she faced the Princess-Consort. "This should be just fine, Princess Hinoki. Thank you," Bulla said as she started getting out of her dress and back into her day clothes. With another polite bow, the Saiyan Princess left the room.

Hinoki glanced at an equally perplexed Bulma before handing a sleeping Kail to one of her attendants. Following Bulla out the door, Princess Hinoki spoke up. "Princess, a word?"

Bulla focused on the Princess-Consort walking up to her, a calm smile on her face. "Are you sure you're okay? It seemed like you weren't too thrilled with your gown," Hinoki commented.

Bowing, Bulla feared she offended her kind host. "Oh, Hinoki I am so sorry, I didn't mean to imply that I—I mean I'm extremely grateful for your help and I—" she started to ramble before interrupted.

"Bulla!" the older woman grabbed both her hands and let out a melodic chuckle. "My dear," she started to say, "I just wanted to make sure if something wasn't to your liking, we address it early on."

A sigh of relief, Bulla looked relieved. "It's a dress fit for a princess," she answered politely.

Hinoki was about to press further until she saw a familiar figure approaching in the distance. "Son Pan! Just in time for your fitting."

Still feeling the pounding headache from her night of misfortune, Pan rubbed her temples. "Is it possible to wear the armor the guys have? It's too early to shimmy myself in some dress that's too tight."

"Pan, don't be lame," Bulla poked her friend's ribs. Clearly, she pressed a little further than intended because a familiar shade of green graced the other hybrid's face.

"Please don't," she said, bringing her hand to her mouth.

Princess Hinoki chuckled at the younger women's friendship. "Female Saiyan Regalia is more for a coronation or jubilee celebration, but fret not, I'll make sure you won't have to, how you say…shimmy into anything."

Her warm smile and affable nature were both too nice for Pan to protest. "If I must," she said, but with a little more cheer than before. Hinoki gestured for Pan to enter the room, leaving her and Bulla alone once more.

"Before you go, Princess," Hinoki said as she turned to head back, "just know that you can come to me for anything."

Bulla's eyes widened. "Hinoki I–"

"I mean it truly."

There was a sincerity in the older woman's orbs that brought a sense of peace to the Saiyan Princess. It was the sort of calm she needed in that moment.

With a quiet grace, the auburn-haired beauty bowed her head before returning to the fitting, leaving Bulla to reflect on the other woman's offer.

---

"Impressive, General Taikan!"

Now that it was the women's turn for their fittings, Goku and the rest of the male Z Fighters were getting a tour of the barracks. Nestled within the castle walls, there were plenty of stations ranging from sword combat to martial arts to long range weaponry. Throughout the vicinity, various soldiers were going through their routines, most stopping to salute the general as he passed. The respect he carried amongst his troops was evident.

"Thank you, Son Goku, but I can hardly take all the credit," General Taikan responded. "I've been lucky enough to have some incredible men in my regiments."

"Always so modest," the Souljin monarch chuckled. "Taikan has outdone himself with his exemplary leadership," King Engei praised as he gazed across the yard. The general bowed in thanks.

"You honor me, Your Grace," he said, humbled.

Patting the much taller man's back, the king let out a jolly laugh. "Nearly sixty years of being confidants and friends, and just as formal as ever, Taikan."

General Taikan was about to reply when a well-dressed officer approached him with a device. With his dark hair and eyes, he easily looked more traditionally Saiyan than a good portion of Souljins. Though young in the face, he had an impressive number of badges on his uniform, indicating a somewhat high rank. Saluting his superior officer, he finally spoke.

"Sir," the man began, "a missive from Banna confirming the escort they requested."

General Taikan took the tablet to sign and promptly handed it back. "Thank you, Lieutenant Nashi," he said, revealing the man's name. He gestured to the Z Fighters. "Friends, this is my second-in-command, Lieutenant Nashi. Should you need anything, and I am unavailable, he'll be happy to assist."

Lieutenant Nashi courteously bowed, flashing a genuine grin. "Thank you, a pleasure," he continued, polite yet brisk. "I wish I could join your tour of the barracks but duty calls."

He saluted the general once again as well as an additional bow towards the king. Once the lieutenant left, Vegeta tilted his head in interest. "Escort?" he questioned brusquely.

"In our attempt to re-establish alliances, we're offering various military or technological services to potential allies," Taikan explained.

"So, lap dogs?" the Saiyan Prince wondered in a derisive tone.

"No, we exchange goods and services depending on the need," Engei clarified, "Banna has this delightful black cherry sauce that's well worth any escort services!"

Engei turned towards Vegeta, who offered no laughter in the slightest. Clearing his throat, the king remained undaunted and changed the subject. "Prince Vegeta, I thought it would be nice if our sons and the younger men got to know each other better," the Souljin sovereign continued, "Kusa and his brothers have offered to take them out tomorrow evening for a night on the town."

Trunks made a wordless grimace, only to be given a stern look from his father. "I'm sure my son and the others will be looking forward to it," Vegeta spoke for him.

A loud clanging of metal distracted the men with its noise. They observed Zasso practicing his swordsmanship skills with a few soldiers at one end of the yard. The tall prince was in his element; graceful like an acrobat, but with sharp precision with each strike.

"Ah, Zasso's certainly made some strides," King Engei remarked as they continued to peruse the barracks. General Taikan tipped his head in acknowledgement.

"If Kusa's not careful, his little brother may show him up one of these days," he retorted.

"I, for one, would certainly like to see that matchup," Engei chuckled. His deep green eyes scanned the barracks, in search of something specific. "Tell me Taikan, did our Commander decide to show up today?" the king asked a bit more quietly.

Taikan nodded, gesturing to the other end of the yard where Toge was making quick work of several soldiers attempting to overpower him. Though the guardsmen seemed well-equipped for combat, the sheer force Toge showcased outmaneuvered anyone who dared to approach. With his dark hair and tail, from afar, he looked like a full-blooded Saiyan.

Goten's eyes narrowed and tore his gaze away in annoyance.

"Does your son not show up to perform his job?" Vegeta questioned pointedly. He seemed disinterested in the display of brute strength the middle Souljin Prince was demonstrating, no doubt nothing of interest to someone of his power level. Glancing at Taikan, King Engei gave a knowing look before the royal responded.

"Oh, he does," Engei remarked, "sometimes a little too well. He's put a few men in the infirmary."

"Wouldn't that be your role then to train them to withstand that sort of power?" Vegeta directed the next question to Taikan. Engei cleared his throat.

"Prince Vegeta," he continued, "I'm told your lovely wife has created some version of a gravity chamber for you back on Earth, hasn't she?"

"She has," Vegeta responded, still less than superfluous with his words.

King Engei's eyes lit up. "What a marvel, that one!" the Souljin sovereign said with a bright smile. "I'm not sure if our version matches up, but we do have several rooms with various training environments you and your companions are able to use at your leisure."

Gesturing to a number of doors along the wall, the king barely had time to blink before he was interrupted.

"Alright! Gohan, Piccolo…let's check it out!" Goku said cheerily to his eldest son and friend, already taking off to Souljin's training chambers. Offering a respectful bow to make up for his father's lack of awareness, Gohan smiled sheepishly before following him. Piccolo rolled his eyes as he joined the other two.

Stunned by the quickness of what transpired, King Engei couldn't help but chuckle. "Quite the spirited one, your father!" he teased Goten who rubbed the back of his head.

"That's…one way to describe him, Your Highness…" Goten stated in between nervous laughter.

"I prefer the word 'clown' myself," Vegeta commented, already taking off in the other direction. King Engei and General Taikan glanced at once another, until they started to catch up with the Saiyan Prince, leaving Trunks, Goten, and Uub to their own devices.

Uub looked at the other two men and shrugged. "I guess we can head back?" he posed, unsure.

Goten was about to answer, but Trunks already started to take off towards the part of the barracks where Zasso was training. "Hold on, this I gotta see," he said, intent on his mission.

"Trunks, wait!" his friend yelled, but it was no use.

As they raced to catch up with their friend, Prince Zasso just finished an impressive round of training, amidst the cheers of various companions and attendants. His golden eyes grew wider when he noticed the Earthlings approaching.

"Hello, my friends!" he waved in excitement. "How is your tour going?"

"Fine, fine," Trunks said a little quickly, his eyes darting to the rack of weapons, wondering if Zasso knew them all or just swordplay.

"It's been great, thanks for asking," Goten responded to be respectful in Trunks' absence.

"I'm delighted," Zasso returned, "you're more than welcome to make use of anything you see here. Let me know if I can be of any assistance."

"Actually," Trunks started to say in a somewhat devious tone, "there is something."

Both Goten and Uub gawked at their friend with a strange glance. "What are you doing?" Uub wondered with a whisper.

The Souljin Prince was all ears. "How might I be of service?" the brunette offered.

"Your footwork was impressive," Trunks commented, "but I'm wanting to see your skills in an actual match."

"I'm afraid I don't quite follow."

"You and me, Zasso, let's have a friendly duel," Trunks posed in front of everyone. Goten and Uub immediately looked at their friend with surprise and concern. Even Zasso seemed to be startled by the request.

One of Zasso's companions shouted, "Prince Trunks is challenging Prince Zasso!"

Excited murmurs filled the yard. Clearly, the offer of a duel was titillating enough to cause some interest. "Shall we?" Trunks continued, unfettered by the commotion.

"Surely, Prince Trunks, you don't mean right now?" the royal replied. "I'm certain we will have time throughout your stay to have an official match," Zasso commented.

"No time like the present!"

"Dude," Goten muttered under his breath, "what is with you?"

"Not now Goten," Trunks hissed back. He approached Zasso with all the confidence of his father. "What do you say?"

Tickled by the notion, Prince Zasso nodded. "Very well, Prince Trunks, we will spar at your behest," the Souljin Ambassador conceded.

"Great!" Trunks exclaimed. "Let me just go and grab my sword from my room and I—"

"We use training swords in the barracks," Zasso stated. With a snap of his fingers, one of the attendants provided Trunks with a weapon. The prince's lips curled into a smile. "All the same size, I'm afraid," he remarked quietly, but loud enough to get a snort and chuckle out of Goten and Uub.

"Just as well," Trunks said, attempting to appear unfazed. Before he knew it though, he felt himself getting pulled. Dragging Trunks to the corner, Goten positioned his arms to either side of the junior Saiyan Prince.

"Okay Trunks," Goten said in a firmer tone. "You've had your fun, you've made your point…how about you stop while you're ahead and just leave it alone?"

Trunks glared at his friend. "What? You don't think I can do it?"

"Bud, I mean this in the nicest way possible, but absolutely not."

There was no hesitation in Goten's response. Another scoff left the prince's lips. "I can take him," he insisted with bravado.

"Trunks," Uub interjected, "don't you want to practice a little bit more? Zasso seems to know what he's doing with a sword…"

Trunks recoiled in disbelief. "Geeze, can't the two of you chill? I gotta do this," the demi-Saiyan asserted.

"But why Trunks? Why now? Why him?"

"Because!"

Opening his mouth to elaborate further, it hit Trunks at that moment he couldn't say anything about the situation with Marron. He may have been able to get away with some half-hearted monologue about Saiyans and their pride, but Goten would have seen through that immediately. The lavender-haired man exhaled.

"Look, I'm not asking you guys to pick up a sword and join me," he added tersely, "but the least you could do is be supportive."

Both Uub and Goten looked at each other, knowing at this point there was nothing they could do to dissuade their companion. They backed off quietly, letting Trunks emulate his father all too well.

Returning to the dueling area, a small crowd started to form. Zasso had been twirling his own training sword while awaiting Trunks' return. There was an ease to his movements and for a second, Trunks found himself second guessing his proposal.

"Shall we duel until three strikes?" Prince Zasso questioned.

"Sure, if that's how you normally handle these things," Trunks said nonchalantly.

Zasso held a small laugh in his throat. "You are certainly an interesting man, Prince Trunks. I look forward to this."

The two got into position on either side of the designated area, as another attendant started to relay the dueling agreement, which Trunks promptly tuned out, only focusing on his target.

"And begin!"

Without warning, Zasso lunged at Trunks, the move propelling him back. The meeting of blades resonated through the air, a symphony of steel that echoed with a metal hum. Trunks, from the very beginning, found himself ensnared in a dance of precision and finesse as Zasso's sword struck with effortless grace. He was already on the defensive, trying to block the other royal's blows.

While beads of perspiration dripped down his forehead already, Trunks observed Zasso hardly breaking a sweat. The Souljin Prince seemed to be right in his element.

Strike!

It was a stark realization for the inexperienced hybrid, who hadn't engaged in the art of serious swordplay for years. The weight of his underestimation bore down on him. Despite his desperate attempt to overcompensate, the halfling fell short. Zasso's every move appeared a choreographed ballet, leaving the less graceful halfling a step behind.

Trunks tried in vain to dodge Zasso's slick movements, but the prince was too quick.

Strike!

The growing disparity between their skill levels became painfully apparent, prompting Zasso, ever the diplomat, to raise a questioning eyebrow.

"Trunks, perhaps we should call it a draw," he urged, despite maintaining an impressive lead. "There's no shame in acknowledging one's limits."

Trunks, however, fueled by his stubborn pride, vehemently dismissed the suggestion. "No way," he said through gritted teeth, struggling to hold his sword against Zasso's. "We're not stopping until one of us wins."

Immediately following his protests, Trunks pushed back on Zasso's sword and once again began his assault on the Souljin Prince. Frustration etched its lines across Trunks' determined face as he escalated his attacks, the clanging of blades singing in the spacious barracks.

Goten's fist pressed against his mouth, nervous to see the display before him. As was Uub whose worry manifested itself as a furrowed brow and widened gape. Though not as animated as his companion, Goten was just as concerned.

Carelessly thinking his offensive strategy was taking root, Trunks grew a bit sloppy in execution; his swipes unsteady and balance uneven.

Zasso, having deliberately held back, decided it was time to unveil the full extent of his prowess. He transformed the sparring into a mesmerizing spectacle of swordplay, his blade spinning with the elegance of a seasoned dancer. The intensity overwhelmed Trunks, who thought he had the upper hand moments before.

In a swift and almost poetic movement, Zasso effortlessly disarmed Trunks, the metallic clatter of the fallen sword resonating like a defeated note. The silence amongst the crowd only intensified the noise of the clanging metal.

Trunks observed the sword and then Zasso, who began to lower his, assuming the match was over. Stubbornly, the half-Saiyan made an attempt for his grounded weapon.

Within seconds of Zasso's hilt striking directly in the stomach, Trunks felt the wind knocked out of him. He didn't have time to even attempt to catch his breath before the same weapon swept under his leg and propelled him flat on his back. Gasping from the loss of air and the sheer shock, Trunks lay panting while his companions stood still.

A hushed silence settled over the spectators, the air thick with a mix of astonishment and anticipation. Goten and Uub, among the onlookers, exchanged wide-eyed glances as they absorbed the turn of events, realizing that the friendly sparring match had evolved into a humiliating defeat for Trunks. The only sound coming from the grounded Saiyan Prince as he heaved heavily.

The quiet atmosphere didn't last long, as Zasso's comrades and attendants started cheering for a job well done. Zasso gave a polite wave before returning his attention to the man on the ground. He offered his hand as a sign of goodwill.

"My apologies, Prince Trunks," Zasso commented, bending over. "I should never have dueled so intensely. Are you hurt?"

Though his pride wanted to refuse the Souljin Prince's hand, that same pride was already shot to hell. What was one more humiliation?

Trunks finally grasped the other man's hand, still panting heavily as he rose to a sitting position. "I'm fine," he said a little more sternly than intended. After catching up with his breathing, Trunks let out a soft sigh. "You did nothing wrong."

"Still," Zasso continued, "I'm sorry. This was to be a friendly exhibition and I've embarrassed myself by treating it otherwise. Forgive me?"

With a nod, Trunks squeezed and let go of the royal's hand. Satisfied his apology was accepted, Zasso bowed his head in appreciation and turned to join the other Souljins, still cheering on their prince as he remained silent. The small smile on his countenance suggested he didn't mind the congratulations as much as he previously said. As the Souljins' laughter and celebration died down with their fading forms, Goten and Uub slowly approached the defeated half-Saiyan.

"Well that was…something."

His best friend was at a loss for words. What do you say to someone who so failed so spectacularly even after you warned them not to?

"Could've been worse," Trunks grunted, sitting upwards finally but still breathing laboriously. "At least my dad didn't see me fuck that up."

Goten hesitated, looking down to the side. Trunks raised an eyebrow before gazing up at the direction Goten had momentarily glanced at previously. Atop the castle walls, while touring the barracks with General Taikan and King Engei, it appeared that Vegeta and his two Souljin escorts had stopped to watch the exhibition match between Trunks and Zasso.

Vegeta, Prince of all Saiyans, his father, his teacher–staring down at the sorry display. The consistently stoic demeanor remained intact, scowl unchanged on his face.

Trunks looked down in shame. He would almost prefer his father's ire to his disappointment. When the hybrid turned back up towards the wall, Trunks observed his father already leaving, with the general and King Engei following not too far behind.

Uub attempted to lift Trunks up from off the ground, but the exhibition loser waved off his friend's hand. The hybrid remained where he sat, ashamed and annoyed, but more importantly, aware that someone else was better than him at something. Multiple things. Lots of things.

Including, captivating the one person he wanted more than anything.

Resigned, the prince fell flat on his back again, closing his eyes to attempt to block out the utter indignity.

…

Hours after everyone had vacated the barracks, including Goten and Uub who left Trunks to wallow in his misery, the lavender-haired man was still there; sweaty and exhausted as he practiced his swordplay with no one but himself. Between the air and a practice dummy, the younger Saiyan Prince wasn't getting much resistance. Still, he didn't want to exactly deal with anyone else right then after his humiliating defeat.

Perhaps that's why he was exceptionally annoyed when he heard someone calling out to him.

"That performance earlier was rather laughable."

Mid-swipe, Trunks caught up with his heaving breaths to turn and face the direction of the voice. He was almost surprised to see the Crown Prince there observing him. Leaning against the barrack wall, his arms were folded and his expression unreadable as ever. Trunks couldn't contain the scoff lodged in his throat.

"Interesting remark coming from you, Prince Kusa," Trunks commented, once more cutting his training sword in the air. "Do you even laugh?"

The faintest chuckle passed Kusa's lips. "Only when something is amusing enough," he said. "Like your swordsmanship skills. How is it that a prince such as yourself does not have the proper training for that weapon?"

Disregarding the insult, Trunks turned again. "We don't exactly need weapons," he insisted, taking another swipe. Lavender strands stuck to his forehead in the heat as the demi-Saiyan made an attempt to brush them away. "If I wanted to, I could take you and your brothers all at once with just my fists," the halfling added darkly.

Another small chortle escaped Prince Kusa's mouth. "Though I find your Saiyan savagery a bit primeval, don't forget that we too still have some natural abilities there. Toge especially," Kusa noted. Trunks snorted at the notion Toge would have any chance against him or one of the other Saiyan hybrids. The Crown Prince cleared his throat. "Still, I find it interesting that since you are seemingly adept in more brutish fighting styles, why you would ever want to challenge Zasso of all people to a sword fight."

"I—"

Trunks almost replied, but scowled and went back to hacking his sword at the dummy.

"None of your business."

Undeterred by Trunks' terse response, Prince Kusa pushed himself off the barrack wall and approached with an almost leisurely gait. His piercing green orbs remained fixed on Trunks as he circled the younger Saiyan Prince, his presence an unwelcome intrusion into the solitary haven Trunks had sought.

"None of my business, you say?" Kusa mused, the corners of his lips lifting in a subtle smirk. "Yet, you make it everyone's business by publically challenging Zasso to a sword fight, a challenge you, as we all witnessed, weren't exactly prepared for."

Trunks' grip on his sword tightened, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Kusa continued, his tone measured but pointed, "It's intriguing, really. You Saiyans, renowned for your raw power and ferocity, opting for a weapon-based challenge. Why not a good old-fashioned brawl? Something more suited to your...talents?"

Trunks shot Kusa a glare over his shoulder, the Saiyan pride still stinging from the earlier defeat. "I'm not one to settle for an easy win," he muttered, more to himself than to Kusa. "Besides, I wanted to show that we Saiyans aren't just mindless brutes."

And maybe, just maybe, win the favor of an old friend.

The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious now. "Ah, trying to dispel the stereotypes, are we?"

"Something like that," Trunks replied, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability beneath the layers of bravado.

Kusa nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging the unspoken struggle. "It's an admirable goal, Trunks. But perhaps next time, choose your battles more wisely. Not every challenge needs to be a public declaration."

The words hung in the air, a subtle wisdom that Trunks begrudgingly absorbed. The Saiyan Prince, still caught between his wounded pride and the acknowledgment of a valuable lesson, resumed his hacking. Yet, Kusa remained.

"Prince Kusa," Trunks said in between his swiping, "don't you have better things to do than waste your time giving me a lesson?"

"Oh, believe me, there is plenty I should be doing instead," he answered, flicking away a speck of dust. "Even so, Father is insistent I should try to bond with the lot of you. It wasn't something I was looking forward to, truth be told, but after today's display, you've seemed to pique my interest."

Without turning his head, Trunks asked, "How so?"

"I think regular lessons would do you some good. Clearly, you are without a proper sword instructor. Perhaps I can provide some of my expertise?"

"You?"

"Why not me?" Prince Kusa remarked, scrunching his nose at Trunks' surprised tone. "I'm the most qualified on Souljin to instruct you."

"Sorry," Trunks added, realizing he may have been interpreted as being rude. "You just don't…strike me as the fighting type. With or without a sword."

"I've won at least five tournaments and could outmaneuver General Taikan by the age of eight. Even Zasso, for all of his prowess, is still behind my skill level," the Crown Prince commented. "I served some years in the army as well and while I don't enjoy resorting to violence, I'm more than capable of handling a few good punches, Prince Trunks."

The resolve in his tone left Trunks more convinced of the Crown Prince's ability, but he didn't want to be someone's charity case.

"I'm not looking for anyone to pity me."

"Good, because I don't."

Trunks frowned at the statement, even if he did appreciate the honesty.

"Though I think you to be a bit entitled, there is a sort of pride you possess I find compelling. Not quite in the aggressive manner your father exudes, but the similarities there are striking. No, you have a chip on your shoulder. I would very much like to see what you can do with the right tutelage."

Off the bat, Trunks knew he did not like Prince Zasso. After their first night on Souljin, he especially did not like Prince Toge. Prince Kusa however, for all of his moody temperament and shortness, was different. Trunks usually had little patience for those with sour demeanors; he had enough of that from his father and didn't need more. Yet, in spite of that, there was a sincerity in Kusa he felt Zasso lacked and Toge never possessed. As Trunks looked intently at his sword, knowing his limitations now after his woeful performance. He unearthed a quiet sigh of resignation; with little to lose, why not take advantage of the Crown Prince's offer?

"You think you can get me to Zasso's level by the time we leave?" Trunks asked earnestly. Kusa scoffed.

"I'm not a miracle worker," he chided. Another beat of silence passed and Kusa took note of the seriousness of Trunks' question. "However," the Souljin Heir continued, "give me an hour or two of your training time each day, and I'll have you ready to at least entertain a proper duel. What do you say?"

With one last look at the weapon in his hands, Trunks darted his gaze between it and the older man. He sheathed the sword as a sigh passed his lips. His hand extended towards Prince Kusa's form. "When do we start?" the younger Saiyan Prince questioned.

Taking his hand, Kusa formed another rare smile. "Noon. Day after the ball, and all the other days to follow," he confirmed. Trunks nodded in understanding as they unclasped from one another.

"Deal."

---

-=-=-=-
The following evening…

The next day everyone seemed to be pulled in all different directions. King Engei took it upon himself to bring Vegeta along to some introductory council meetings to get acquainted with several Souljin officials. Piccolo and Goku went off in the desert to train and meditate. Both Gohan and Bulma were exposed to the lab and Dr. Niwa for the first time in person and spent most of the day there. The next gen males were awaiting their night with the princes, while the next gen women were getting the same tour the men had the day before.

This time however, Zasso and Toge were the ones to conduct it.

Goten couldn't help but spy over the castle walls into the barracks, observing the women getting the grand tour from Toge and Zasso. Naturally, the Souljin Ambassador walked in tandem with Marron, and Pan followed suit. Goten's eyes rolled when he observed Toge bringing up the rear with Bulla. From far away, it was hard to tell if Bulla was enjoying the conversation, but his gut sank just at the sight.

Toge towered over the tiny Bulla, and Goten groaned anytime he saw the Souljin Prince lean in towards her frame. While Goten figured any other man doing that would grate his nerves, something about Toge's cockiness just irritated him.

It was just as well, though.

Goten, after his unexpected utterance the day before, had avoided her most of the morning, and hoped if they were to connect again, it would be in private. But Toge made certain to occupy most of her time. He didn't have time to sulk for long as the group was starting to make their way up the stairs to the veranda. Goten attempted to act inconspicuous.

"Hope you ladies enjoyed the tour of the barracks," Prince Zasso said with a bow to Marron and Pan. Both women seemed extra attentive to the handsome prince.

"It was exciting!" Marron praised, turning to Pan who just let out a shy and forced laugh in agreement.

The blonde perked up when the other man's hand grabbed hers to kiss. "I hope I didn't bore you enough to not want to dance with me tomorrow night," Zasso said with charm.

Marron felt butterflies in her stomach. It had been a long time since someone was so unabashedly flirting with her, she was out of practice. Still, the blonde tried to fake some confidence in front of the Souljin Ambassador.

"Suppose you'll have to find out at the ball," she returned, shyly making her way past him with Pan looped around her arm giggling.

The two gave a half-hearted greeting to Goten as they scurried up the stairs, distracted. Prince Zasso unearthed a sheepish grin as he acknowledged the hybrid with a tip of his head. "See you soon," the royal noted.

Bringing up the rear, Bulla and Toge slowly made their way up the first flight of stairs to the veranda level.

"Son Goten, I hope you are ready for an evening of exhilaration," the middle Prince spoke with an assumptive aura.

Doing his best to hide his annoyance, but failing miserably, Goten nodded. "Thrilled," he replied in a less than enthusiastic tone. This prompted a chortle out of Toge.

"I can tell," he answered with a gleam. His attention returned to the bluette. "Princess," Toge gave a quick tip of his head, to which Bulla politely returned. A small smirk appeared as he passed Goten on his way inside. "We'll make sure to make this night memorable," he promised, tapping briefly on the other man's shoulder, which prompted him to wince. Laughing as he left, Toge didn't seem to be bothered in the slightest by Goten's demeanor, yet Bulla took note.

"Don't look so excited," Bulla teased, crossing her arms.

Goten rolled his eyes. "Not you too," he muttered.

"You're as bad as my brother with Zasso," Bulla joked. She leaned into the man when his face kept the same intensity as before. "Goten?" the heiress asked in a quieter tone.

The other halfling moved to face her, his features softening as his attention was brought to her. "I'd…watch yourself around him," Goten noted, recalling the other man's actions the night before last. Bulla's eyes broadened at the statement.

"Wow," she started chuckling, "you really were jealous, weren't you?"

"It's not that, B–"

"Oh yeah?"

The elder half-Saiyan's face grew stern. "C'mon, Bulla," he continued, "I'm not trying to police your life or anything but…"

Not wanting to hurt her, he paused to think of his phrasing. "I just got the sense he isn't exactly…looking for anything serious," Goten added.

"Goten, I know."

He seemed surprised at the statement from the bluette, so much so, he shot her an inquisitive look. Bulla smiled gently. "Believe me, I know," the heiress answered. "I saw the handmaiden he was flirting with the other evening practically run out of his room before breakfast."

Though Goten was glad Bulla saw through the facade Toge perpetuated, his heart still went out to her. "I'm sorry you had to see that," he stated.

Her melodic laugh gave him wings. "I'm not," Bulla insisted, "truth be told Goten, he's not someone I ever really gave serious consideration to."

This caught the man's attention. "Really?" he wondered; a bit incredulous.

Bulla returned a genuine grin. "Really," she began again, "I'm just being polite for my dad's sake."

Goten tried to avoid looking as relieved as he did. Suddenly, the awkwardness he felt all morning edge its way back in his chest. "I'm a little surprised," he confessed. Bulla was taken with shyness she rarely saw from the other hybrid. Between these bits of jealousy and self-doubt Goten exhibited, Bulla felt a little braver than she had been.

"Goten," she sang sweetly, "he may be a prince but he's not y–"

"You ready to head out soon, Goten?"

The two turned their heads to Gohan approaching them. Goten darted his eyes back at Bulla, whose resigned smile indicated their conversation would need to continue another time. He returned his attention to the elder Son. "Yeah, just catching up with Bulla," Goten tried to say casually.

Gohan quietly observed the other hybrids, briefly glancing back at his brother with an interested perk of his eyebrow. Subtle enough that Bulla didn't catch the intent, but Goten knew the hundreds of words behind his older sibling's glint.

Bulla tipped over with a genteel grin. "Hi Gohan," she said cheerily, "how are you and my mom liking the lab?"

The scholar's eyes lit up at the question, briefly distracted from his task. "It's impeccable, Bulla," Gohan noted. "Unlike anything I've ever seen. Dr. Niwa really is a brilliant scientist. We're eager to dive headfirst into their research.

"I'm glad," she returned, happy to see the man entertained.

"You'll have to poke around there sometime," Gohan remarked.

"It's on my list to check out," the princess responded. She met the eyes of the silent hybrid before taking her leave. "Well, I won't keep you," Bulla said, heading the other direction. "You guys have fun!"

As she waved goodbye, the bluette flashed her pretty smile. "See you around, Goten," Bulla added kindly.

Her figure fading, Goten couldn't tear his eyes away. "See you, B-Chan," he answered quietly to himself. But it wasn't quite to himself.

Gohan cleared his throat which prompted his brother to turn and cock an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Just say it," Goten began.

"I'm not saying anything," Gohan maintained.

"No, but you are," Goten continued. "Without words, mind you, but you are pretty clear."

Gohan folded his arms, ever the older brother with his taller form. "I already gave my thoughts on the matter," he said stoically, "you keep insisting it's nothing, so I believe you."

His younger brother didn't believe that for a second. Goten turned his gaze to the side. "Whatever you say, Gohan," he relented, heading away from the veranda and leaving Gohan to sigh.

Though a tad annoyed walking away, Goten's expression softened when he felt his brother put his arm around his shoulder, the two now synchronized in their steps.

"What do you think is more likely," Gohan began in a different tone, "Trunks giving Zasso the side-eye all night, or Prince Kusa not smiling?"

The younger Son shook his head as he held in a chuckle, already forgetting the earlier exchange. "Both," he answered straight away, Gohan's grip tightening in amused agreement.

---

Though reservations had been warranted, the evening was far more pleasant than anticipated.

Feeling a bit like VIPs with the royal entourage, the next gen men were whisked away to an exclusive Souljin restaurant where even Toge seemed to be on his best behavior. Though, whether that was due to the public space or the ever watchful eye of his eldest brother, remained to be seen.

For now, the group trekked through the more modern sector of Souljin City, which was a stark difference from the classic architecture that dominated most of the town.

"Glad you gentlemen could get a taste of Souljin outside the palace walls," Zasso said to the group. "This area is a particular point of pride with its rapid development."

"Wow, looks pretty innovative," Goten commented, not much of an expert on buildings, but appreciative of their beauty nonetheless.

"We're slowly getting there," Zasso commented, admiring the advances around him. "For too long, we've neglected to take advantage of our brilliant tech in our structures, favoring more of the classical pieces."

"So eager to remove our history, brother," Kusa observed, the notoriously quiet man offering a rare opinion. "And here I thought you were our resident historian..."

Zasso smiled widely. "Brother," he returned fondly, "part of understanding history is to know when to leave it in the past."

"As well as to know when it is deserving of preservation."

Contrasting Kusa's serious manner, Zasso emitted a fresh laugh. "Kusa has always been rather nostalgic regarding these matters," the youngest Souljin Prince explained to the group.

"It's a balance," Gohan offered.

Growing tired of the conversation, the Crown Prince addressed his middle brother.

"Where are you dragging us to now, Toge?" Kusa commented unenthused. He was at his quota of social interaction for the night and didn't trust his sibling for a minute.

"I wanted to make sure our guests could get a taste of the Souljin nightlife, dear brother," Toge remarked back, his tone not doing him any favors with the eldest prince.

"No need to go out of your way for any of us," Gohan insisted.

"Nonsense," Zasso replied, "it's our duty to show everything Souljin has to offer. You've sampled some of our cuisine, perused a couple of neighborhoods, and I trust Toge to provide some additional entertainment for you all."

Trunks rolled his eyes and quietly leaned near Goten's ear. "I swear if I have to make one more round of small talk I'm going to lose it," he muttered.

"Just suck it up, dude. Least you could do after yesterday."

"Hey," Trunks snapped, "not cool."

"The sooner we go along with it, the sooner we can call it a night."

"And here we are…"

The attention turned once more to Toge, as the men approached an innocuous looking building, though the faint thumping of music could be heard from inside. Toge himself looked pleased, a hint of mischief in his golden orbs.

Eyeing the place up and down, the Crown Prince frowned.

Prince Kusa shot a warning glare at Toge, saying much without saying anything at all. He returned his focus to the group. "Son Gohan," he said, turning to the science savvy man, "perhaps we will let the younger men continue their evening. I would very much be interested in learning more about your studies. Will you accompany me back to the palace so we may chat further?"

Gohan looked bewildered at the Crown Prince's request, but Kusa's stoic gaze didn't waver. Giving a peek towards the establishment and then back at the Souljin royal, a hint of understanding crossed Gohan's mind. "I see," the eldest Son brother said with a nod. Adjusting his wedding ring, the jovial man grew serious.

He cleared his throat to face the others. "I'm going to head back with Kusa," Gohan began, nodding at the Crown Prince. "You guys…enjoy yourself," the scholar noted. Goten thought the tone was odd.

"Not coming in?" the younger Son asked his brother. Gohan gave another look at the building, briefly bringing his attention to Toge while doing so, before turning to face Goten.

"I think you'll have more fun without me," Gohan remarked pointedly. He gestured at Kusa and the two started to head in the direction of the palace with two guards in tow. The eldest prince, however, issued one last remark as he walked away.

"Don't make a scene," he warned his younger brothers, "and don't make our guests uncomfortable this evening."

Zasso seemed perplexed by the comment, but Toge chuckled to himself. "Fret not, Kusa," the middle brother insisted, "they're in good hands."

Goten still was unaware of the unspoken tension. He wondered if the younger princes had a penchant for alcohol that sometimes got out of hand. His mind continued to speculate as Kusa and Gohan left with two guards in tow, leaving the rest of the men on their own.

As soon as they entered the mysterious building, it became apparent what Kusa was alluding to earlier.

Scantily clad women paraded around as the establishment's patrons partook in various acts of debauchery. The Souljin wine flowed freely, and the thunderous music made it difficult to hear. All three of the Earthling men felt incredibly out of place. Even Prince Zasso seemed to be annoyed with his brother's choice of venue.

"Toge," Zasso emitted a defeated sigh, "surely there were other places we could have gone this evening?"

Toge immediately dipped the nearest woman walking past him, a gorgeous brunette in hot pink lingerie, kissing her deeply with a possessive squeeze of her rear. As he pulled back, she smiled, a little dazed from the action, but joyful at the thought of pleasing her prince. Satisfied with his point, Toge turned to his sibling and said, "Other places perhaps, brother, but I figured a little fun was in order."

Shaking his head, Zasso remained silent as he resigned himself to letting his middle sibling lead the way. He offered a glance towards the other men, wordlessly apologizing. Following the establishment's staff, the group was led to what appeared to be a VIP section.

The plush private area was fit for a king, or at the very least his sons and guests. Several comfortable lounge chairs of multiple colors were gathered around a couple coffee tables, with Trunks, Uub and Zasso filling out the one side. Much to Goten's chagrin, the other available chairs were a bit further away. Even more distressing, it meant having to sit by Toge.

With a snap, a manager sent over more women to visit their private section. With catlike speed, several of them surrounded Uub, voicing their admiration for the Earthling's darker complexion and unique hairstyle. Though another man in his stead may have been delighted with the prospect of attention from multiple women, Uub looked like he was about to combust.

Trunks found the scene to be amusing, and wondered what Pan would have thought of the whole situation. He surmised that was what made Uub more uncomfortable than anything.

"Hey handsome," a different dancer crooned in his ear.

Trunks blushed as he felt her well-manicured hand on top of his shoulder. "H-hi…" he trailed off, not sure what to say.

"This seat taken?" the dancer asked, gesturing to his lap. Suddenly, he felt his face flush as red as Uub's was.

"Yes sorry, I have somebody already," Trunks said it as a means to get her to leave, but Zasso discerned the comment.

The dancer giggled and ruffled Trunks' pastel locks. "Lucky girl," she sang as she meandered towards the growing group of women near Uub.

"You're involved with someone?" Zasso asked curiously.

Immediately realizing his mistake, Trunks shook his head. "Just didn't want to deal with that," he added. The Souljin Ambassador released a wry grin.

"I get it. Toge certainly likes to frequent these sorts of places," he resumed, "can't say they've ever really appealed to me in the same way."

Another dancer had attempted to approach the prince, but he put his hand up and dismissed her before she reached him. His sharp, gilded eyes focused on Trunks, a question itching its way out.

"Are you…certain you and Lady Marron do not have any formal arrangement? Courtship or otherwise?" Zasso questioned earnestly.

His eyes widened at the remark. "Why do you care if we do or not?" Trunks said unenthused. He tried so hard to appear unbothered, but even his best attempts were in vain.

Zasso offered a consolatory smile. "I mean no offense, Prince Trunks," he responded, "merely trying to figure out why someone as lovely as her is unclaimed."

Icy blue eyes darted to the corner of the room. "You've made no secret that you like her," Trunks said.

"And that bothers you?"

"Why would it bother me?"

"That's what I'm trying to determine."

"Look," Trunks sighed, the image of Marron and her perfect porcelain skin flushed beneath him becoming more and more faint as time went on. He sighed, knowing he had no claim to her. "If you like her, that's your business, Zasso," he relinquished softly.

Surprised, but appreciative, Zasso nodded. "As long as that's the case," the royal retorted, "I can feel better about it. Thank you."

A staff member came up behind Zasso and pointed out a man at another table. The Souljin Ambassador nodded and stood up. "Excuse me, Prince Trunks," he commented, "a constituent is here, and I should say hello. I'll be back."

As Zasso left, a new beverage appeared in front of Trunks, who drank it all in one fell swoop. "Can I get two more?" he requested the server.

Across the way, Goten observed his two fellow Earthlings so very out of their element. Unsurprisingly, Goten surmised Uub had never been to any place quite like this. Even Trunks doesn't know what to make of the venue, Goten thought. Though years ago, Trunks and himself used to have some wild nights, those days were long behind them. Something else seemed to be distressing the eldest halfling, however, taking note of the distracted gaze Trunks emitted.

"Enjoying yourself, Son Goten?"

A deep baritone penetrated the air and brought Goten out of his thoughts. Prince Toge's words captured Goten's attention, turning to face the Souljin man all but bouncing the same brunette dancer from before on his right leg. Her hands caressed the royal's broad chest and Goten had a suspicion that Toge was a regular at this spot.

"Not quite my scene," the halfling admitted, noting the woman now suckling on Prince Toge's earlobe. This didn't seem to deter him.

"Surely, there must be something here you like," Toge chuckled darkly. Gesturing to a bevy of dancers walking past them, it was clear to see Souljin women were beautiful and a bit exotic. Were he a bit younger, he may have been enticed; but none of them had the hold on him that a certain Saiyan Princess seemed to have.

Goten shook his head in denial, not wanting to think of Bulla while in his current surroundings, and looked downwards for a moment before meeting the gaze of the smirking royal.

The glint in his amber eyes appeared almost threatening. Almost as if he uncovered a deep secret unbeknownst to all but the two of them.

"Perhaps blue is more your color?" the middle prince posed, pointing over at a woman in a blue wig. While his eyes widened at the telling suggestion, Goten said nothing. Without waiting for an answer, Toge snapped his fingers in the dancer's direction and motioned for her to come to their party.

Eagerly, the blue-wigged woman obliged her prince, meandering over with her hips fully swaying back and forth. Her barely there bikini was full of sequins shining whenever a stray strobe of light made contact. With a nod towards the hybrid, Prince Toge signaled the performer should spend her attention on him, which seemed to delight her. As her chocolate eyes drank in the Saiyan's muscular form, she situated herself in front of him before he could protest.

She certainly was pretty to look at. Even Goten could appreciate the dancer's figure and her ample assets, yet he did not want that same figure sitting on top of his leg. He did not want her arms wrapped around his shoulders. He did not want her hot breath and full lips on his neck.

He did not want her.

As politely as he could, Goten gently tugged away from the woman's attempt and removed her off of his body. Confused, the blue-wigged dancer turned to Toge, who shrugged with a light laugh. He gestured for her to straddle his free leg while the brunette still occupied his other one, and she happily obeyed. Prince Toge rewarded her with a deep kiss before turning his head towards Goten once again.

"Blue hair is uncommon on Souljin," he added in between both women exploring the prince with their hands. His unshaven jawline tickled them whenever he kissed the sides of their mouths, laughter bubbling up from the dancers in his arms. "Captivating, yes?" the royal wondered.

Prince Toge eyed his Earthling companion, expecting some sort of response. When Goten didn't provide the reaction he wanted, Toge continued.

"Maybe it's less of the color but rather who it belongs to," the Souljin Prince analyzed.

This seemed to catch the other man's attention. Toge smirked when he realized he had Goten's full focus. "Princess Bulla is quite the beauty," he began slowly, the women in his lap not minding him talking of another whatsoever. In a display of dominance, Toge grabbed the back of the blue-wigged dancer's fake hair, which made her purr with rapture. Goten did his best to not pay attention to Toge's antics, attempting to remain unbothered.

"She is," the halfling agreed. He was short in his manner, hoping the subject would change.

Toge chuckled to himself. "Can't say I blame you for being captivated, Son Goten," he started again, "with a creature like that, how could you not be?"

The other man's breathing steadied itself, internally reciting age-old mantras his father used to teach him for meditation purposes. He refused to let his emotions get the best of him in front of Prince Toge. "Bulla's an old family friend," Goten attempted to justify. With Toge's doubting look, the Saiyan elaborated. "She's like a little sister to me."

"Ha!" Toge laughed with a sip of wine. "You stare at her pretty intently for something familial," he declared, prompting Goten to frown. Another chuckle escaped the royal's lips. "Though I'm one to talk," Prince Toge admitted, "I, too, have a sister that's easy on the eyes."

A family of only sons, Goten knew Toge meant his sister-in-law, Hinoki.

"Prince Kusa is a lucky man," the hybrid acknowledged.

"Older brothers always seem to have luck on their side, if nothing else."

It was an oddly sincere statement coming from the Souljin Commander, made without contempt and yet, was rather telling. Despite his best efforts not to, Goten did feel a small sense of kinship as a second son. He attempted to placate the man. "I can understand that," the ebony-haired man confessed.

"She was once to be my betrothed, you know," Toge added, surprising Goten with the revelation. He finished the rest of his wine in a giant gulp before the brunette woman handed him a new chalice. "Hinoki is much closer in age to me, and Kusa was already engaged to a mousy woman I can barely remember…Ume was it?" Toge muttered to himself. Momentarily, he leaned forward and shouted at his younger brother down the way.

"Oy! Zasso!" Toge shouted impatiently across the room as his brother chatted away. Though he snapped his fingers as well, the loud thumping of the music and various voices filling the club made it all but impossible for Prince Zasso to hear him. Toge scoffed in annoyance and rolled his eyes. "Screw it. Doesn't matter what her name was," he continued. "Since Kusa was supposedly taken, I assumed I would do my duty and eventually enter into a formal engagement with the woman."

It was hard to imagine the middle prince settling down with anyone, given his roguish ways. Especially someone as graceful as Princess Hinoki, Goten thought.

Continuing, Toge took a big gulp of Souljin wine, wiping his lips. "Should've known she had her sights on a better prize."

His Earthling companion was surprised at the comment. He didn't know much about the Princess-Consort, but she didn't seem the social climber type like Toge was implying. Though, his curiosity was piqued at what happened to Kusa's other betrothed. Still, he assumed there was a perfectly innocent reason, despite the hints the Souljin man dropped. "I take it she chose Kusa over you?" Goten commented.

"Why settle for a middle prince when she could instead be a future queen?"

A wave of silence passed over them, save for the thunderous music in the background. Goten leaned back in his chair. "Well, I'm sure after all this time you see her simply as a sister now..."

With another sip of wine, Toge snickered at the other man's words. "A sister I'd still like to fuck," he said, tellingly. His glinted orbs shone with a touch of desire. "So forgive me if I find it hard to believe you do not wish to do the same with your own sister,Son Goten."

The Saiyan man quietly seethed. "It's not like that," Goten said, not daring to look Toge in the eye this time in fear doing so would contradict his words.

"I'm sure that's what you tell yourself at night when you think of her," Toge snickered, amused at the thought. "Hopefully, she looks as good in your thoughts as she does in a dress because my, my; she certainly wears the hell out of them."

This time, Goten didn't dare waver in eye contact.

"Careful," Goten warned, and for a moment Toge seemed to look as if he had gotten what he wanted. Clearing his throat, the half-Saiyan expanded upon his warning. "I'm sure Trunks wouldn't appreciate you speaking about his sister that way."

Toge leaned over and smirked as he observed the junior Saiyan Prince down the way. "Prince Trunks? Or you?" the Souljin Commander chortled, interrupting Goten before he could answer. "Your friend can hardly hear our conversation as is, but I'm not one to shy away from my comments. I stand by them."

"I bet that gets you into trouble," Goten finally muttered under his breath.

Seemingly enjoying the repartee, Toge smirked and let out a low, seductive growl in the brunette's ear. "Hopefully, I do get into trouble this evening," the prince murmured, stealing yet another kiss.

He turned to Goten again, enjoying the man's not-so-subtle scowl at the statement. Prince Toge seemed more amused than deterred. The intensity of the look prompted the Saiyan to respond.

"What?"

"You're a bit of a killjoy, you know?" the other man laughed. "You strike me as the type that doesn't like to share his toys."

"She's not a–"

"–toy, yes, don't be so noble. It's exhausting on you."

Toge threw back one more gulp before he was on to his third or fourth goblet of wine. He snapped for a refill for Goten's glass as well, but the hybrid lifted his hand in protest, growing more and more annoyed with his surroundings and company. Shrugging, Toge took yet another sip of his alcohol, and returned his attention to the demi-Saiyan. "So, tell me then, man to man, Son Goten—should I be worried about stepping on someone's toes?"

Somehow, Goten suspected the prince would enjoy that but kept his thoughts to himself. "As I've said," the half-Saiyan felt his voice deepen unexpectedly, "it's not like that."

"I have a sense for these things, you know," Toge said. "And I have the sense that you have an unspoken desire that, for whatever reason, you keep close to your chest. Maybe due to your station or whatever moral code you seem to be adhering to I know not, but…"

As he spoke the word, the middle prince planted a kiss on the buxom dancer's décolletage, making his way to her shoulder. With careful finesse, Toge slowly loosened the strap of the woman in blue.

"But," he repeated as his tone grew low, "perhaps if you don't want the princess, I can have a turn with her..."

Without warning, and all while maintaining eye contact with Goten, the Souljin Prince pulled out the blue-wigged dancer's breast. Not breaking his gaze, Toge lowered his lips to the woman's hardened nipple and suckled. Met with a glare from the hybrid, a shimmer of amusement flickered in the prince's gold eyes. Goten never wavered in keeping his eyes solely in line, avoiding the exposed body part that Toge was desperate for him to view. With a wet pop and a mewl from the dancer, Toge released her teat and chuckled darkly. "I know my way around a woman," he added with a touch of menace, his hand now firmly cupping the breast.

Though he sat perfectly still, Goten could sense his own ki flaring. His dark eyes issued a wordless warning, which only seemed to drive the prince to laughter. Desperate to maintain the air of composure, he said nothing and held his ground. As Toge's laughs grew louder, Goten stood up to join his friends at the other end, but held eye contact before he finally broke it, signifying the end to the tumultuous exchange.

The music in the air continued to pound, and the hybrid's thoughts raced with the implication of Toge's previous words. It was impossible to shake the glower on his face, something not unnoticed by his best friend.

"You good?" Trunks asked.

Between the noise level and his deep thoughts, Goten didn't hear Trunks' question until he was prompted once more. "Goten?" Trunks continued, waving a hand in front of the other halfling's vantage point.

Blinking himself out of the concentrated state he was in, Goten turned to face the younger Saiyan Prince. Offering a weak smile, he nodded politely, but Trunks knew him well enough to sense something was off.

"What's wrong?" he probed with slight concern.

Goten briefly glanced back at Toge, who was buried in the exposed chest of the other dancer now, before sharply turning back towards Trunks. He conjured a breathless noise, the weight of it all hitting him at once. "Once upon a time, this would have been fun to us," the darker-haired man acknowledged, a hint of remorse in his tone for his wilder days.

Softened by the recognition, Trunks nodded in agreement. "Been a long time since that was the case," he added. Leaning back in his seat, Trunks looked upwards. A flash of Marron's blonde tresses made him wistful. "Suppose the fact that it's no longer that way isn't a bad thing. Means we want…more I guess."

More.

The comment halted Goten as he thought of the other man's sister. How he had uttered that very word to her the other evening about what she meant to him. Such an appropriate phrase to encompass the wide range of emotions attached to it. Yet, still so much he had to say.

If Trunks knew the more that he desired was Bulla, Goten doubted his friend would be so considerate.

"Uh guys…"

The two demi-Saiyans glanced over at their other friend, who was cornered in the booth by multiple women on both sides of him. Uub had a panicked expression on his face as one of the women whispered something that must have been salacious considering the red shade he turned. The sight would have been funny to Goten and Trunks if Uub didn't appear so perturbed.

"Guys," he muttered with a gulp, "I…I did not sign up for this."

Both hybrids tried to stifle their laughter, knowing it was time to rescue their friend. "Alright Uub," Trunks said, rising out of his seat and extending his arm. "Sorry ladies, it's past his bedtime," he added as he pulled Uub up from out of the bevy of beautiful women surrounding him. The man would have protested the jab, but he was more concerned with finally breaking free. Confused and disappointed, several of the dancers pouted as Uub finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you," Uub quipped as the three men gathered to leave. Trunks took note of Zasso still across the room engrossed in conversation with the man from earlier. Not wanting to interrupt, he turned back to the other Souljin Prince, who was face deep in a rather lovely pair of tits, but Trunks sheepishly averted his gaze.

"Prince Toge," he attempted to shout over the loud music, "I think we're going to call it a night."

Toge's attention was still fixated on both women to his sides. When he didn't answer, Trunks was about to repeat himself, but Goten cut in.

"Toge."

The tone he used cut like a knife. Still, it was successful in getting the middle prince to acknowledge the three visitors. His mocking smirk formed on display for all to see.

"Leaving so soon?" Toge clucked his tongue in disingenuous disapproval. The prince's hands had replaced where his mouth had been on the dancers' chests, eliciting a scowl from Goten, while Trunks spoke.

"We're going to head back to the palace," Trunks said, "it's getting a bit late."

The smirk on the Souljin Royal's face grew a touch more sinister. "Ah forgive me," he answered mockingly, "here I thought you were men about town."

Kneading the soft mound of flesh in his hands, Toge chuckled with a sliver of amusement in his tone. "Of course, whatever you don't touch I can make use of," Toge continued as he turned his gaze directly at Goten. "I suppose, though, the same can be said even if you have touched as well," he added with a malicious wink.

Inside, Goten was simmering and were it not for the glare and the minute vibration of his fist in place, no one would be none the wiser.

Trunks also didn't appreciate the tone, even if he hadn't been privy to the earlier conversation. "You do that," he said in a less than kind manner. With a nod, he gestured for Goten and Uub to follow him out. As their forms walked towards the exit, Toge made one last remark.

"Son Goten!"

Stopping in place, Goten refused to turn completely, merely offering his head to the man.

"Say hi to the princess for me…" Toge finished, resuming his previous exploration of the dancers' bodies.

Goten could have sworn the music got louder at that moment, because everything became muffled in his ears. The lights flashed red, an almost metaphor of the quiet rage he tried to quell inside. Trunks attempted to say something to his friend, but he was drowned out by both the sounds of the club and the relentless thoughts racing inside of Goten's head.

…

"What was that about?" Trunks asked Goten again as they exited the club. His friend was focused on the ground, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"Goten?"

"What?"

"Are you okay?" Uub asked with concern. Without waiting for an answer, Trunks interjected with his previous train of thought.

"Dude," Trunks continued, "I heard him say 'princess'; was that asshole talking about Bulla?"

Goten didn't want to get into the minutiae of it all, not there on a crowded street. Before Goten could formulate a response, something else interrupted the three.

"Friends! A moment?"

The trio turned to see Zasso speeding up to catch them, slightly out of breath. He clearly had wanted to make sure they hadn't gotten too far.

"What do you want, Zasso?" Trunks said a bit tersely. He was already annoyed enough as it was and had little patience. Especially for him.

"I wanted to…" the Souljin Prince trailed off, both catching his breath and mulling over his answer. He seemed to find his answer and steadied himself. "I wanted to apologize," Zasso continued, "had I known this is where Toge planned to come, I would have immediately suggested an alternative."

While Trunks' eyes narrowed in disbelief, Goten spoke for them. "It's fine, Zasso. You didn't know," the Son man remarked.

Zasso tipped his head over apologetically. "My brother is…" his countenance shifted to the side. There was much he seemed to want to say but couldn't. "Well, he has always had his own way about him," the royal continued. He cleared his throat. "Even so, I apologize and hope that you'll forgive me for any awkwardness this evening."

The trio looked at one another, searching for a united approval before replying. "No need to apologize," Uub finally answered for them.

The Souljin Ambassador put his hands together in thanks. "You honor me with your grace," he said. Stepping back, Prince Zasso gave one final bow. "I'm going to make sure Toge doesn't get himself into much more trouble, but the palace shouldn't be too far from here. I'll see you all tomorrow evening at the ball."

As the prince returned inside the club, the muffled music and intense bass pounding through the walls, Goten stood frozen in place. While Trunks and Uub had already started to head back in the direction of their destination, the hybrid could only think of Toge and his not so thinly veiled remarks about Bulla. Noticing their companion was standing in the same spot, Trunks and Uub paused. "Goten? Are you coming?" the eldest hybrid wondered.

Turning his attention from the ground to the sky, Goten's fists clenched. "I need to clear my head for a bit," he answered back, "I'll catch up with you guys later."

"Huh? What are you–"

Goten didn't wait to explain himself further as he took off into the air, leaving both Trunks and Uub perplexed and a little concerned for the sudden change in mood.

---

After flying around by himself, Goten took the long way back to the palace alone, lost to his thoughts. The crisp Souljin air did little to calm his nerves, but the solitude was welcomed. He landed in the front piazza and resumed his journey on foot. As he ascended the staircase into the main foyer, Toge's words echoed like a schoolyard taunt.

Perhaps if you don't want the princess, I can have a turn with her…

The seething anger that coiled deep in his belly threatened to unleash itself, but Goten was a remarkable man of constraint. Though his brow indicated himself deep in thought, he kept whatever negative emotions the earlier confrontation brought bottled up.

Much like he had been doing in other ways.

He assumed his trek back to his room would be without any disturbances, yet, like so many times before, he found himself at the mercy of a goddess in human form.

Moonlight billowed in and its bluish hue bathed the princess splendidly. It appeared he had caught her on her way back to her room for the evening. She seemed entranced by Souljin's twin moons, so much so that she hadn't noticed Goten entering the hall.

"Oh Goten," she rang out happily. The smile on her face was bright and inviting. "Didn't know you guys were back yet. How was your night with–"

Soundlessly, he glissaded towards the bluette, those bright bulbs of cobalt twinkling like an endless sea of stars in the night sky. Before she could process what was happening, Goten pulled her into a firm embrace.

Bulla sniffed the faint remnants of smoke and booze on his apparel, but it was clear Goten wasn't drunk in the slightest. She had wondered where on Souljin they had gone to have his clothing smell like it did. But, as her face pressed against his neck, the discernable whiff of musk brought her back to what was easily recognizable. The heiress felt the arms around her tighten and the ever so slight thumping of the other hybrid's heartbeat.

"Bulla…"

Languidly, she lifted her eyes at the mention of her name; the voice summoning her was low and serious, but full of reverence. Waiting to meet her gaze, was a pair of sable-colored eyes that pierced the veneer of familial feelings. The dryness of her mouth caught Bulla unawares.

Tracing his calloused thumb over her bottom lip, Goten zeroed in on the face he had come to dream about. How unexpectedly it had all started for him, and yet, how natural it felt. While he tried his best to deny it, to avoid temptation and maintain the semblance of normalcy, Goten knew he was already too far gone.

So many saw her at face value, and while Goten thought hers was one of the loveliest faces in the universe, there was so much more to Bulla than just her beauty. If only those who admired her from afar could hear her scientific theories, her impeccable recollection of pop culture. If only they could listen to her rave about how some people look better in jewel tones while others don't, and on the same day show compassion when she'd see a charity collecting donations in the mall.

How many times now had he resisted her? He was starting to lose count.

Pressing his forehead against hers, Goten closed his eyes and breathed her in. His exhales sounded almost desperate, and Bulla was surprised at this sudden outburst of affection. It was what she had wanted a few evenings prior, in her inebriated state, but even more now with her inhibitions unaltered.

"Goten," she murmured when he remained silent.

Pulling back, Goten observed Bulla's face gazing at him quizzically. He was overwhelmed with the desire to reunite their mouths for the first time in months, and yet, the hybrid was locked in place. Were Toge here, the prince would have no hesitation and press his lips and maybe more against the woman in his arms. The thought was enough to make Goten sick. Despite that, as his thumb continued to lightly strum her bottom lip like a finely strung instrument; he was determined to show he was different.

Even if, deep inside, Toge's remark that they were the same haunted his own thoughts.

"Goten?"

Bulla attempted to reach the man once more with his blank stare making her wonder what the matter was. She drew in a quickened breath at the sensation of his calloused thumb massaging her lip.

He paused his movements, instead deciding to lift his whole hand to cup her cheek. Bulla's face grew hot, and her heartbeat quickened.

"I see you," Goten murmured gently, solidifying his words from the other night. Stroking her cheek, his worshipful focus never wavered. The halfling's chest tightened watching his counterpart's turquoise eyes extend.

"Goten…" Bulla stammered out for the third time.

He brought his other hand to her unoccupied cheek, cupping her face with marked veneration. The bluette gulped as the intensity of his gaze heightened. "I see you, Bulla," Goten whispered, meaning every word.

Bulla's eyes fluttered, the direct staring beginning to be a bit overwhelming. She felt her hands get clammy, shivering in place. The princess could hear only the labored breathing that she assumed was her own, but Goten was close enough to her that it could have very well been his too.

She didn't have time to tell before she felt herself being pulled into another tight embrace. Though wrapped firmly, Bulla managed to snake her arms around his strong frame, enjoying the unexpected contact.

For what seemed like an eternity, they remained attached to one another.

He stroked her hair, bewitched by the smooth texture and gorgeous shade of aquamarine it was. Though he could have remained there for much longer, the hybrid knew his time was short. Regretfully, Goten pulled apart from her, his fingers caressing down her frame before detaching altogether. Without a word, he headed towards his room, leaving Bulla just as confused.

"What?" she asked as he turned.

The other halfling paused as he reached the entrance to his wing, a force keeping him from going past the threshold. His palm lay flat against the doorway, pensive about what to say.

"Just…"

So much he could say, but he lacked the courage, the voice. Just don't fall for some asshole like Toge, he begged silently. Just don't think you're not constantly on my mind. Just know that you're the most breathtaking creature in this universe. Just know that you're too good for someone like him, someone like me. Just know that I want–

Stop that, he chided himself internally.

"Just…know that you deserve only good things," Goten murmured gently, looking back at her. I am not a good thing, Princess, was the part he kept to himself as he exited the hall.

She stood there breathless.

Silently absorbing the weight of what had happened and how, even though she couldn't explain it, Bulla believed the winds of change were blowing for her and Goten. And the daughter of Vegeta wasn't about to let anything get in the way of that…

Emboldened, the bluette swiftly headed towards the royal wing, but her destination was not her room.

It was time she took matters into her own hands to coax a decision out of the man. Still, she was proud of the progress Goten made that evening. Bulla had only asked for an inch, and here, he had given her a mile.

He had given her hope.

…

Unbeknownst to the princess, her private encounter with Goten wasn't as private as she believed.

After returning to the palace with Prince Kusa, Gohan found himself caught up in good conversation with the Souljin Royal. Though Kusa had a bit of a reserved nature, Gohan found the man to be intelligent and engaging in a one-on-one setting. He was happy to see that the two could find common ground.

Both men had continued their discussion from their walk and to Gohan's delight, Kusa ended up giving an exclusive tour of the impressive palace library. During their perusal of the facility, Gohan discovered some interesting literature on Souljin history. Ever the scholar, he enjoyed the bevy of fresh material to devour.

Once he and Kusa parted ways, he headed back towards his room, nose deep into one of the books he borrowed.

Gohan had begun to turn the corner moments earlier but when he realized he walked in on the intimate moment between Goten and Bulla, he quickly pressed up against the wall, flushed with embarrassment. He was well aware of Goten's blossoming connection with the princess, noticing the lingering glances and subtle touches, but had yet to see any outward display of this magnitude.

What was most striking, however, was the otherworldly discipline his brother showcased. As much as he loved Goten, it was no secret the younger man had a bit more of an epicurean approach to life. Gohan knew this. The concerns he had shared with Goten that night at their parents' house came from a place of caution.

At first, Gohan had assumed that perhaps Goten was trying to fill the void of singleness with whoever was available. His parental instincts immediately became protective of Bulla, who was quite close in age to Pan, and so naturally Gohan wanted to make sure there weren't any sort of power imbalances between the two. The last thing he ever wanted to see was Bulla be helpless to his brother's whims, even if they were well-intentioned.

Yet, as he witnessed Goten exuding the utmost of constraint, it was as if any and every preconceived notion of their dynamic was rendered invalid. The genius had gotten it wrong.

For the first time, it was all too clear: Goten was the helpless one.

---

Bulla felt foolish knocking on Princess Hinoki's door so late, but the light behind it gave her hope that she may yet be up. The heiress shifted nervously as a shadowed form appeared to undo the intricate lock. Opening the door was not the Souljin Princess however, but her husband. His tall stature dwarfed Bulla's form, as she immediately bowed over in respect. She wasn't quite sure what to make of Prince Kusa just yet, but she didn't want to get on his bad side, that much was certain.

"Princess Bulla," she heard him speak as her focus was still downwards. Her bright, azure orbs lifted to meet his pair of emerald eyes.

"Prince Kusa," Bulla nodded, "I'm so sorry for the intrusion…Princess Hinoki had said…"

"She's expecting you," the Crown Prince interrupted, stoically. He widened the door to the bewildered Saiyan Princess, who blinked in rapid succession. Prince Kusa motioned for her to follow him inside the astonishingly large royal quarters and, not wanting to keep him waiting, Bulla did as instructed.

More impressive even than her luxurious room, the heir and Hinoki could want for nothing. They had a balcony of their own that was twice the size of the one Bulla had, and a spacious walk-in closet that seemed to be a bedroom all on its own. Kusa cleared his throat to get his wife's attention, her concentration solely on braiding her impossibly long ringlets. She turned from her task, smiling widely when she realized her husband brought in company. Bowing at Kusa, the Princess-Consort gestured for him to give them some privacy, to which the prince drew a pipe from inside his cloak and headed towards the balcony to smoke it. Once left alone, the auburn-haired woman turned her attention to Bulla.

"Princess!" Hinoki rang out happily. She darted over to the younger woman and took her hand in hers. "I had a feeling I'd be seeing you."

"You did?" Bulla wondered, perplexed.

"I told you to come and find me should you need anything," Hinoki responded, lightly squeezing. She escorted the other princess to her walk-in. "You didn't seem thrilled with your dress during the fitting."

"Oh," the Saiyan Princess began to blush, worried that she had been rude. "It really was a lovely piece, Princess Hinoki," she continued, "it just wasn't—"

"—wasn't the dress, was it?"

Bulla smiled sheepishly. "I know that red is the official color for Saiyan royalty," she acknowledged, "I'm just not sure if that's what I'd like to wear."

The Princess-Consort waved her hand. "Please," she started to say, "tradition is overrated. I would like to see you happy more than anything, dear."

Her encouragement prompted Bulla to bow her head in thanks.

"Toge had requested an oxblood cape," Hinoki remarked, taking note of the corners of Bulla's mouth turning downhill. A slight smirk managed to form on the older woman's face at the reaction.

"Perhaps though, there is someone else you are looking to match with?" the golden flecks of her irises seemed to twinkle when asking the question, seemingly already aware of the answer.

The younger woman felt her cheeks reddening. "Perhaps," she returned quietly.

Princess Hinoki beamed. "Well, we should definitely make sure you look your absolute best," the pureblood Soulan sweetly murmured in Bulla's ear.

Revealing an elaborate collection of dresses in her walk-in, Bulla was unable to contain her astonishment at the selection. From silk to satin, to everything in between, the Souljin Princess had amassessed an impressive array of options.

"My pre-pregnancy gowns I've kept should fit your figure nicely," Hinoki continued, "please take whatever you wish."

"Hinoki, these are…"

Bulla trailed off, feeling immensely grateful for the older woman's kindness. She turned to face her, the words finding their way out of her throat. "These are beautiful," she added, "thank you."

She felt Hinoki's well-manicured nails trace her back in a loving gesture; ever the mother. The Souljin Royal lifted her hand to give Bulla room to browse. Her eyes twinkled as she gleefully watched the Earthling peruse.

"Did you have a particular color in mind, Princess?"

As Bulla's fingers delicately touched the various fabrics in front of her, a warm glow ignited from within. The hybrid's fingers continued their journey across the bevy of dresses in Princess Hinoki's closet until they paused; the perfect shade suddenly held in her hands. Silky and sheer, the lovely fabric a dream to grasp, and the heiress knew she found what she was looking for. A soft and contended grin formed upon her lips when Bulla turned to reply.

"Blue."

---

Chapter 9 and we are feeling fine BECAUSEEEEEEEE…

Next chapter is the long awaited Souljin BALLLLLLLLLLLL

Chapter 9: The grand ball begins. Will Goku eat all the food? Will Trunks be brave enough to ask Marron to dance? Will Vegeta accept an intriguing proposal? WILL GOTEN AND BULLA HAVE THEIR MOMENT?

I'm ultra excited for the next chapter; it's honestly what kick-started this whole idea. The thought of a modern-day ball with Saiyan Regalia that wasn't an AU Vegeta-Sei scenario. Get ready folks! We are ALMOST THERE!

-SonChan