The Bonded
Epilogue Part One



What followed the commotion and distress was a long, comfortable passing of time that reached to months. Life came down from one peak, becoming calmer and more predictable. But, as the warriors should have expected, the peace would not last forever and life would peak again, as it always did.

A vidscreen call was the first interruption. Goku answered. The caller was Bulma's psychiatrist, a witty woman with brown hair. She called to inform Goku of her patient's swift and, in her words, commendable healing. She also had a request: she was arranging a gathering of Bulma's friends, and she desired everyone involved be there. Goku had agreed cheerfully, for Bulma's sake. The problem arose on the day of the event when Goku mentioned it with naïve optimism to his partner.

"No."

"Oh come on…"

"I said no. Are you deaf, idiot?"

"But Bulma's doctor said that everyone had to be there…"

"I don't care what that damn woman said, Kakarotto." Vegeta's canines flashed and he turned his head from his mate resolutely. "I am not going and nothing will make me. Got it?"

"Look … what can I do to convince you?"

"Nothing!"

"Name it. Anything. Just say and I swear on … on my tail, I'll do it."

"Not a chance in hell."

"Anything, 'Geta, /anything/."

After a guarded pause Vegeta looked to Goku, his eyes narrowed to slits. "Anything?" The second man nodded. "And you swear?" Again a nod. "Then let's go."

"But what about -"

"I'll tell you what I want later, after this damn party of yours. Come on, let's go."



Over eight months had passed since the first reunion that had begun it all. During that time, it was expected that life would fall into a comfortably reliable and easy rut. It had. The relationships, although never perfect, were secure, the bonds were strong - any human would have been pleased with how things were: regular, simple, sure.

But Goku, Vegeta, Goten, and Trunks were not humans. They were saiya-jin, and they were bored. As descendants of a powerful, combat-focused alien race the unbroken time of peace was a vexation. For them, it seemed to extend indefinitely and was exceedingly, exceptionally boring. They continued to train, gradually becoming even stronger. They also continued to teach, raising the most promising of Earth's forces to replace those who were swiftly growing old. However, they had grown so powerful that few could stand against them and there had been no new challenges in many, many years. The thrill of real battle was missing, and each of them - Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Goten, Trunks, and even the quarter saiya-jin Pan and Makuno, as well as Piccolo and the Earthlings who continued to fight - yearned for it.

This reunion would be no more than another dull event in a monotonous day, or so they had thought. But they were mistaken. A welcome, wanted, and unexpected surprise came.



/If I said things were tense, it would be a total understatement./ Kririn shook his head slightly, only just perceptible to those around him, before glancing again to the wall clock. /Fifteen minutes late already … when is she coming?/ "Tea, anyone?" he asked aloud, but the only reply was a mass of headshakes. With a sigh he glanced at the clock yet again. /Sixteen minutes…/

There was a sudden, cheerful knocking on the front door and Kririn's head snapped up. He scrambled to his feet and hurried out of the room. The group waited, nervous, counting the seconds. Soon, the short and aging martial-artist returned with Bulma just behind him. There was a bated, anxious pause and then, with a sudden movement that made the group start, Bulma threw open her arms. A joyful smile lit her face and when she spoke it was immediately obvious that her old character had returned.

"What, no refreshments?"

Goku chuckled nervously, beginning the overly loud, relieved laughter that soon filled the room. Even Vegeta's mouth quirked upwards reluctantly. As the noise died away Kririn rubbed his head thoughtfully. "I'll check the kitchen." He walked out in a daze, amazed at the good luck.

Immediately Goku filled the silence with his charismatic voice, "Now that we're all here… What has everyone been up to since we got together last?"

The eight-year-old Makuno spoke up quickly with childhood innocence. "Daddy found me a training partner, one of Uncle Goten's younger students. We train almost every day."

Giving his grandson his full attention Goku asked, "What's your sparring partner's name?"

"His name's Shotaro and he's really cute. Nice, too."

"Makuno!" Gohan blushed, reprimanding his son with a guilty glance towards Bulma and then his father.

The young boy squeezed his eyes shut and stuck out his tongue belligerently before replying. "Well he is, Daddy. Shotaro's strong too, but not as strong as me."

Vegeta smirked from his corner. "The runt takes after his grandfather, I see," he said pointedly. Goku only grinned without looking up.

Bulma cleared her throat overtly and all eyes turned to her. Cringing mentally, Goku scolded himself for not changing the topic. Thankfully, Bulma seemed, for the most part, unbothered by the budding homosexuality in the young boy. "I have news," she intoned suspensefully slow and assured them all that her mightier-than-thou nature had returned in full force. "My daughter Bra -"

Just then, Kririn returned with a tray of snacks. He caught Goku eyeing the food greedily and shook his head. "Hey Goku, if you want anything then get it from the kitchen. This isn't enough to feed you."

"Awww…" Goku's eyes went big, begging, for a moment, then he shrugged. "Whatever you say, I guess. It's your house."

"Ahem." Again, the group turned to Bulma. "Bra called yesterday…" she paused dramatically, then continued, "she just got engaged!"

"Really?" Marron jumped up from her seat and ran to Bulma's side, reaching for her hand excitedly and appearing much younger than her 19 years. "He finally asked her!"

"That's wonderful news, Bulma. When's the wedding?" asked Juuhachi-gou.

"Within the month. She just found out that she's pregnant as well."

Marron sighed loudly. "I can't /believe/ she didn't call."

Meanwhile, Goku glanced at his mate. Vegeta smiled back slightly. His royal blood was soon to be passed on by his second child, exactly as he had predicted months ago.

With Bulma's news aired and the ice broken the group broke into easy conversation. Bulma spoke to Marron, providing an excuse for her daughter. Goten called his nephew to him with a question about his training. Temporarily alone, Goku rose from his seat and walked to Vegeta. The Prince glanced down as Goku reached for his hand but said nothing as their fingers intertwined. "Congratulations," Goku whispered, and Vegeta grunted a wordless reply.



The party continued evenly without interruption or disturbance. Each guest participated in his or her obligatory socialization and all kept a careful concerned eye on Bulma. However, what the doctor had said appeared to be true - Bulma had made a speedy and complete recovery of her mental health. An hour or so into the event when most of Goku's unease had faded Bulma pulled him to the side with a fugitive glance at Vegeta.

"Goku," she whispered, "can I talk to you? Alone?"

"Sure…" Goku looked to Vegeta, sending a silent reassuring message through his gaze. He then followed Bulma out of the room and into the kitchen. The small Spartan room was empty. Pulling a chair from under the table the blue-haired woman sat down tensely. After Goku had taken a seat as well she cleared her throat with evident nervousness.

"Well, Goku," she began in an unnaturally high voice, "I want to talk to you because I need to apologize."

"Bulma…" interrupted Goku, but she cut him off.

"Just let me speak, ok? I do need to apologize." She stared at her twisting hands silently for a moment, then looked at him sharply. "I don't get it and I don't want to. I still don't agree. But, regardless, I acted inappropriately. If I hurt you or disturbed your relationship with Vegeta, I'm sorry. What I did was wrong." Again she paused, looking back to her hands.

Goku finally broke the tense still, nodding. "Apology accepted, Bulma."

Heavily and thankfully she sighed out the breath she had been holding. "Good. That's a load off my chest, Goku. But I was wondering … would you pass it along to Vegeta? I don't think he would much appreciate it if I told him." She laughed dryly.

"No problem." He smiled. "I'll talk to him."

"Good. Thank you." Bulma rose from her seat, pushing the chair back into place, and then stopped and fixed her eyes cryptically on Goku. Impulsively she reached out and grabbed his hand. "Good luck with him, Goku. I don't know how you cracked his shell, but congratulations. I hope you're both happy." Abruptly she turned and quickly exited the room. Goku stared at the place she had been standing and then his face broke into a wide grin. Jumping up he moved to the kitchen door and stuck his head out.

"Kririn?" he called, and the bald homeowner turned to him. "Can I scrounge for some food?" he asked warmly.

"Eh, check the fridge, but I can't promise it'll be enough to feed you." Kririn shrugged. "You saiya-jin and your food…"

"Thanks. Vegeta!"

The male turned and shot a look at Goku, but obeyed the call and stalked into the kitchen. All eyes were on his retreating back until Kririn coughed and looked away nervously, soon followed by others. Most where still unnerved by relationship between Goku and Vegeta, but knew better than to question it aloud. The saiya-no-ouji had a temper.



"Well?"

"Hmm…?" Goku had his back to Vegeta, head stuck in the refrigerator as he scavenged for food.

"Why did you drag me in here?" The Prince pulled a chair out from under the dining table, swung it around, and sat down on it, resting his folded arms on the back.

"Bulma has a message for you." Goku was forming a small mountain of food on the counter, all items he had found deep within the bowels of Kririn and Juuhachi-gou's kitchen. "She wanted me to deliver it 'cause she's scared to talk to you." Discovering there was nothing left for him to confiscate Goku shifted the pile to the tabletop and took his seat from before, reaching for the first container.

"Is that all?" questioned Vegeta as he grabbed some leftover meat and ripped off a chunk of muscle. He chewed wordlessly, dispassionately watching his mate.

"We could talk, you know. Is it that bad to just want to spend time with you, 'Geta?" Goku wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and reached for a cut of meat similar to the one Vegeta was eating.

"Your friends seem to think so," Vegeta spat, eyes narrowing.

"It's gotten better. But if it really bothers you -"

"Humans bother me." There was a silence and then Vegeta abruptly changed the subject. "What was the woman's message?"

Goku spoke around mouthfuls of food, eating with his hands. "She apologized. Knowing her she didn't do it by choice… I bet that doctor of hers made her do it. Essentially, she said she was sorry for trying to wreck havoc on our lives."

"Hn." Vegeta ripped off another mouthful.

"It was a nice gesture, really. She may not actually be sorry, but I think she wants us to be happy. You know, she really does care for you, 'Geta. But anyway, she just wanted me to pass the message on, that's all."

As Goku reached for another container the two saiya-jin elapsed into silence and ate their full. Soon, there was little more than a few scraps and empty containers remaining. Goku rose, quickly and efficiently emptying the waste into the garbage. With a muted grunt Vegeta crossed his arms over the chair back and rested his head on them. For a moment he watched Goku work and then his eyes closed. He rested as Goku cleaned and the sounds of the rest of the group filtering in through the slightly ajar door.

Vegeta's peace was eventually interrupted by Goku's touch as the younger male moved around the table, task completed, and wrapped his arms around Vegeta's form from behind. "Vegeta…" the taller saiya-jin murmured into the Prince's ear, "do my friends really bother you that much?"

Without opening his eyes, Vegeta nodded.

Goku sighed, breath tickling Vegeta's ear, and moved to his side. "A long time ago you told me that what the bonded share is virtually impossible to destroy and that no outsider can force a bond to break. I believe it. What they say and think doesn't mean a thing to me. You know I love you." Barely parting his eyelids, Vegeta turned his head to face his mate. Goku fondly kissed his Prince's nose, his hands moving slowly across the compact muscles of Vegeta's shoulder and back. Moving his head he nibbled Vegeta's ear before whispering, "Now and forever, no matter what they say." As he kissed lightly along the angular jaw a deep rumbling purr from Vegeta filled the silence. Goku's arms holding them close, their noses met in a silent display of affection. Then Goku moved, bringing his mouth steadily closer to Vegeta's. Both sets of lips parted slightly and then they brushed against each other, feather-light. Goku's tongue slipped out, tracing Vegeta's bottom lip softly.

And then, suddenly, both froze. Eyes opened in surprise and tainted with worry their heads tilted to the ceiling. They could sense something… There was a power somewhere nearby in space. It was large, possibly surpassing even that of a pureblooded saiya-jin. Possibly a huge threat. But slowly, the concern faded from their eyes. One smirking and the second grinning they looked to each other, faces radiating anticipation and eyes sparking with electricity. They crushed their mouths together with nearly brutal joy, each clutching the other roughly, each holding his mate near.

"Guys! Did you sense it?" Kririn's voice called in through the entranceway and then he pushed open the door and rushed in. On seeing the couple he froze and a burning blush rose on his cheeks. "Um … guys…" he mumbled, eyes averted uncomfortably. The passionate kiss continued as Kririn shuffled, embarrassed and nervous. When the two eventually broke Vegeta rose from his seat and both turned to him, hand falling beside one another and fingers naturally entwining.

"A large force…" Vegeta's voice was alive with emotion.

"Coming towards Earth," completed Goku with a smile.

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