Love Is A Strength, Not A Weakness
~ Part 7 ~
“I’ll be fine you guys, I’ll only be gone for two weeks. Although it will be more like six months there,” Usagi said attempting to reassure the worried Senshi.
“Just the same I think you should take Luna with you.” Mina stated in a don’t you dare argue with me tone, Usagi sighed.
“All right, I’ll let Luna come with me. Now take care,” she answered then gave them all hugs, made sure Luna was holding on tightly to her shoulder, then touched the crystal key that she wore around her neck, disappearing in a bright flash.
Usagi surveyed her surroundings; she was in front of beautiful house on a street in South city. She walked up to the front door and knocked. A slender young woman with straight black hair answered the door.
“Hello, may I help you?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m looking for Videl-san. Is she here?” Usagi asked.
“I am she,” the woman replied. Immediately Usagi reached up and touched her hand, in a bright flash they disappeared only to reappear in a meadow. Usagi then circled Videl looking her over.
“Okay, excuse Me?! But just who do you think you are and how dare you try to kidnap ME!! My fiancé will kill you for this!!!” Videl said losing her temper. Usagi giggled, Videl just stared at her like she was nuts.
“Oh, I’m sorry, It’s just the thought of Gohan-chan killing me is absolutely ridiculous. My Dad, Mom, Vegeta, Bulma, and the rest of the Z gang wouldn’t appreciate it much,” she replied smiling at the now totally confused Videl.
“Although I can now totally see why my brother loves you. You’re very strong and actually resemble Mom a bit. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that Gohan fell for a strong woman, after all he did grow up around them. Allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Son Usagi,” Videl stared in stupefied shock.
“You..You..You’re Gohan’s sister?!” Videl asked stammering.
“Hai, I am. Now if you’re going to be my sister-in-law, I think we should get to know each other. Besides there are quite a few things you might like to know about living with a saiyan, even if he is only half,” Usagi said taking Videl’s arm. “I would like you to spend a year in training with me. Now you can’t tell this to anyone else, but my mother and Bulma-chan are actually a lot stronger then they appear, they could each easily kick Krillon’s butt, but they chose to keep their strength hidden. A lot of their strength comes from the time they spent training with me, when the guys didn’t know. So I would like to do the same for you,” Usagi said then waited for her response.
“You…..You would be willing to train me? But a whole year, Gohan and I are getting married in 4 months, there isn’t time….” she began before she was cut off.
“You’re right, there isn’t time to do it normally before the wedding, besides doing it normally would take longer than even two years if we were to keep our secret from the guys, so I want to take you to the Time Chamber on Kami’s lookout. In this room a whole year will pass in what is only a day normally,” Usagi said hoping she would agree.
“A whole year without seeing anyone else, ……… Let’s DO IT!!! Gohan can live one day without me, and I’ll manage one year,” Videl said finally, eager to learn what her soon to be sister-in-law could teach her. Usagi nodded took her hand and then the two vanished.
Early Morning Two days later……
Gohan slowly opened his eyes, he hadn’t slept well the last two nights, ever since he hadn’t heard from Videl, he hadn’t been able to get a hold of her. His mother told him not to worry, but……. ‘Wait a minute whose Mom talking to downstairs?’ Then he heard it, a silvery laugh that could only belong to one person, and then wait, that was Videl’s voice. He barely stopped himself from running down in his boxers. Then he was gone in a flash.
Goten and Trunks stared at the door as they saw Gohan flash past, seconds later there was a chorus of squeals and giggles coming from downstairs. The two boys immediately threw on some clothes and headed downstairs to see what was going on, barely being able to avoid being barreled over as Goku flashed by following Gohan’s behavior, seconds later….
“DADDY!!!” cried a girls voice joyously. The two troublesome teenage boys quickly headed down to the kitchen, the source of all the excitement, after looking at each other with curiosity written all over their faces.
Usagi and Videl sat talking with Chichi as she made breakfast, and waited for the four sleepy sayians to wake up.
“You should have seen the look on your father’s face, Usa, when I told him I was pregnant with Goten, only one year after you left we had another child, even worse when you put him with Trunks. Those two are quite the pair. Both of them have already gone super, and they have the ability to fuse together into one, then going by the name Gotenks. Your father and Vegeta can do the same, although they refuse to unless it’s absolutely necessary,” Chichi said trying to fill her daughter in on the ten and a half years she’d been gone. At the story about her father and Vegeta Usa broke into laughter.
“Ughh, you aren’t kidding those two argue over some of the silliest things,” Videl added thinking about all the silly little squabbles she heard Vegeta and Goku have. A minute later she found herself being pulled into a giant bear hug with Usagi, courtesy of her fiancé.
“Usagi!! You’re here!? Are you responsible for Videl’s disappearance the other day?” Gohan asked immediately. Usagi laughed, yep her brother definitely had it bad for Videl.
“Oh put me down you Big Oaf!! And yes I am, I couldn’t very well let my brother get married to a complete stranger could I? So needless to say Videl is actually a very good friend now,” Usagi said joyously. Then turned as another of the household saiyans entered the room, this one the head. “DADDY!!” she yelled and jumped into her father’s arms, almost knocking him over.
“Usa-chan you’re home!” he said hugging his daughter tightly. “I’ve missed you so much.” he said softly into her ear.
“ I’ve missed you too Daddy,” she replied and they both slowly released each other from the hug. It was then that she noticed the two heads poking out from around the corner. “Well who do we have here. Well let’s see,” she said and walked over to the boys who sheepishly stepped out from around the corner. The rest of the group just watched. “Well this handsome young man reminds of a certain blue-haired genius and a very stubborn sayian Prince, so you have to be Trunks. You’ve gotten so big, the last time I saw you, you weren’t even four months old, and such a cute baby,” Trunks blushed bright red at this, but sighed as she then turned her attention to Goten. “And who is this cute young man, who if I didn’t know better was my father only younger. Which would have to make you my little brother Goten,” she said smiling brightly. Then throwing an arm over both their shoulders turned back to everyone else. “It’s not fair!! Both of them are already taller than me, and why didn’t you guys tell me they were so cute?!” Everyone laughed at this, while both Trunks and Goten blushed red.
Finally releasing them, she headed back to the table and sat down as Chichi put breakfast on the table. Goku, Gohan, Goten, and Trunks all began to drool as they saw the huge amounts of food that were being placed on the table, although they knew better than to dig in until Chichi gave the okay. Suddenly Usagi pounced, the four sayians watched in shock as she ate just as much if not more at the same speed that any one of them ate at. Chichi laughed she had given Usagi the okay telepathically, just to see the others reactions, besides the early bird gets the worm and she had been up bright and early unlike the rest of these sleepy heads. Videl, having grown used to her eating habits while in the Time chamber calmly began to eat herself, while laughing at the shocked expression on Gohan’s face. In a matter of minutes Usagi sat back and sighed.
“Boy Mom, have I missed your cooking. The Senshi just don’t quite understand my appetite,” Usagi said now finished, then turned to the four starring saiyans. “Well aren’t you guys going to eat, if not you’ll regret wasting all Mom’s good food…. If you know what I mean,” at this Goku and Gohan dug in, neither wanting to face her wrath, if she wanted to she could be worse then Vegeta, much worse. Once they had started eating Goten and Trunks snapped out of it and dug in as well.
Later that evening Usagi and Goku walked out in the woods, telling stores, and remembering good times. Taking the opportunity for some quality father daughter time. Suddenly Goku stopped and turned to face her, Usagi did likewise.
“Usagi, I want to thank you. You saved my life.” Goku stated the normally cheery and happy go lucky saiyan very serious.
“Daddy, I would do it again in a flash, I couldn’t bare to loose you.” Usagi stated then hugged her father tightly. Goku returned the hug, and wondered how he could have been so lucky to have Usagi for a daughter, even if it wasn’t by blood.
Usagi wandered around Capsule Corp. a little in shock at how much it had grown. She wanted Bulma to upgrade her gravity machine for her; it had started to malfunction a little in the last month. That, and she was looking forward to seeing a certain saiyan Prince again.
“Well, Well, looks like the royal Brat is back. You owe me one hell of a fight girl,” came the gruff and arrogant voice from behind her. She quickly turned and spotted Vegeta and Trunks.
“VEGETA!!” She exclaimed and began to charge towards him. As soon as she was in striking distance Vegeta let loose a kick, Usagi simply dodged it and pounced, using her momentum to knock the sayian Prince flat on his back. She then kissed him on the cheek. “So did you miss me?” she asked innocently from her position sitting on his chest. Her long braid hanging down over her shoulder and forming a little pile on the ground. Vegeta just grunted and grabbed her by the arms, stood up and then set her down. He then grabbed her braid and proceeded to pull her off to the fighting arena. A large structure Bulma had reinforced and deemed strong enough for their fights, so that they didn’t destroy the planet’s geography every time they wanted to train or spar. Trunks just watched in stupefied shock as the silver haired young woman was dragged off.
“VEGETA IF YOU DON”T LET GO OF MY HAIR RIGHT NOW YOU”RE GOING TO REGRET IT!!!!!! DO YOU HEAR ME!!! I GUARANTEE YOU WON’T BE SEEING DINNER!!! VEGETA!!!!!!!!!” she screamed both Vegeta and Trunks winced at the level her voice reached.
‘Note to self. Do not make Lunarian Princess Mad, Voice is EXTREMLY LOUD!!!!’ Trunks thought to himself as he went to inform his mother, so she would be ready to patch her up. Then again maybe Vegeta would be the one who needed patching. He thought as he heard another one of her yells.
**************
Later that evening Usagi sauntered right into the kitchen where Bulma was starting dinner.
“Hello Bulma-chan. Can I lend a hand?” she asked offering her help with dinner. Trunks looked up from his position at the table where he had been reluctantly doing his homework and gaped. There wasn’t a mark on her anywhere!!!!
“Usagi-chan!!!!! Welcome back. Of course you can help. Did Vegeta tell you about the photo album?” Bulma exclaimed hugging the girl.
“Hai, he did. So I was kind enough to heal his injuries after our fight, but he’ll still be stuck sitting out there for awhile. You remember that bubble shield I used on Namek? Well Vegeta-sama has found him self the current residence of one,” she replied while beginning to help Bulma with dinner preparations.
“You DIDn’t!!!” Bulma exclaimed in thrilled shock.
“I did. And I’m not letting him out tell after I get home, then you might want to be there to sooth his ruffled feathers. But I warned him. He should know better then to grab MY hair,” Usagi replied. And with that the two women continued chatting and catching up on old times. Soon their conversation settled on the upcoming wedding.
“I couldn’t believe it when Videl-chan asked me to be her Maid of Honor. We’ve only known each other for about a year, but it seems so much longer,” Usagi said happily.
“What do you mean a year?” Bulma asked suddenly very curious.
“Well I wanted to be at least good friends with her before they were married, so the first thing I did when I got here was invite her to spend a year in the Time chamber with me. We managed to get pretty close, and ohh the stories we told,” Usagi answered a big smile on her face as she thought of the memories. “I can’t wait for the wedding. Oh are you holding the wedding dance here?” she then asked.
“Hai we are, and poor Vegeta thought he’d never have to dance at another wedding. I’m sure you and I can convince him otherwise.” Bulma said laughing, remembering what it had taken to teach Vegeta how to dance. At these memories Usagi turned to Trunks.
“Trunks do you know how to dance? Formally I mean,” Usagi asked.
“Ummm, no,” he replied a little dazed at the image of his father dancing.
“Hmmmm, we’ll have to fix that. Tell you what, meet Goten and me at our place tomorrow morning and I’ll teach you both,” Usagi told him, not even batting an eye about taking on the dangerous duo. Trunks only nodded, very curious to see what the next day would bring.
***********
Vegeta sat in meditation while the force field like bubble held him suspended, his mind free to roam. The things foremost in his mind being the spar with Usagi; she was good; she was very good. She had aged maybe a year, while it had been ten for them plus that he had spent in the time chamber, and yet, she was stronger. His mind wandered back to when he had first met the small silver haired girl, the adopted daughter of Kakarot, raised with the hybrid brat Gohan.
She was a Princess and a warrior in every right even then. Her skills and power had done nothing but improve with great leaps and bounds over the years, and undoubtedly she would fulfill the legend that had surrounded her people. She would become the Silver Senshi it was only a matter of time. Although she was stronger then him, he would protect her, just as he had charged himself to do on Namek.
He may act tough and mean but there were those that held him here to this planet, even this life. His life mate, and wife Bulma, his sons for he considered both the now 14 year old Trunks, and Mirai his sons, Usagi herself, Goku his last fellow full blooded saiyan and a true friend. Even some of the other Z Senshi had their affect on him, although he would be the very last to admit it. Yes, she had affected his heart from day one, breaking off barriers that Freeza and his father had gone to such pains to force him to create. All it had taken was one silver haired girl full of light, love, and hope. His mind thus so settled on his thoughts, he failed to notice the figure that slipped into the building, set up an area, and then stand waiting for him.
******************
Later that evening Bulma entered the arena carrying a large picnic basket and a large quilt. Very quietly she set up the little picnic for two then headed towards the center of the arena where she could see the silvery glowing sphere containing the stubborn sayian prince. ‘Serves him right for dragging her by her hair, you think he would have learned when she lived with us.’ Just then the bubble disappeared catching Vegeta by surprise he fell, just catching himself before hitting the ground. Bulma walked fearlessly up to him and wrapped her arms around him hugging him tightly.
“So did the fight go well?” she asked. Vegeta’s only response was a grunt and then a rumbling from his stomach. Bulma laughed, while Vegeta growled at her. “Come on mighty Prince, I brought you dinner,” she said, and lead him over to the ‘picnic’, not even flinching as he quickly devoured all the food. Once he had completed this he settled back pulling Bulma tightly against his side, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, tail around her waist. The two sat comfortably in silence as their minds drifted back over memories.
“She is much stronger then she let’s everyone believe,” Vegeta stated bluntly. Bulma only nodded, of course she already knew this, after all where had she learned to hide her true strength, one of these days her mighty saiyan Prince was going to be quite surprised. “She truly is a Princess,” he said still thinking about their Lunarian Princess.
“And you truly are my Saiyan Prince,” Bulma replied and leaned up kissing him soundly on the lips. Vegeta sat a little stunned for a moment before returning the gesture. With that they got into a kissing war, so to speak which soon led too much more…..
The next day Trunks arrived at the Son household to find Goten and Usagi waiting for him outside, and on Usagi’s shoulder was a dark purple/black cat with a crescent moon on it’s forehead.
“It’s about time you got here Buddy. Usagi said she’s going to take us somewhere special for these lessons,” Goten said. Trunks was amazed this was the first time he’d ever seen Goten excited about something other than food, sleep, and fighting, in that order.
“Good morning Trunks. Are you guys ready?” Usagi said speaking up, the two boys nodded. “All right then let’s head out. We’re going to Dende’s first and then from there it’s a surprise,” she said, then touched both of their shoulders; the three of them were gone in a brief flash. They reappeared on Dende’s lookout much to the surprise and shock of Dende.
“Usagi-chan, on your way home? Very well then, you know were the circle is.” Dende said then went on about his business. Usagi lead the two confused boys across the grounds until they came a clearing in the gardens with a pure white circle, ten colored points around the perimeter. Usagi stopped in the center, motioned for the two demi-saiyans to enter the circle then closed her eyes. There was another brief flash and the disappeared once again. This time reappearing in a similar circle, but with colored crystal pillars where the colored points had been on the first one. Usagi lead the way out and through a huge set of double doors into huge room. Trunks and Goten stood rooted to the spot as they stared in awe at the room. The walls were made of pure white marble, crystal decorations and ornaments were everywhere. The floor was polished to a glowing shine, in fact the whole place seemed to give off a faint silver glow. Then the boys realized that they could sense ki, not from a person but from the building and ground itself.
“Welcome Prince Trunks, and Lord Goten to the palace of the Moon Kingdom. My old home,” Usagi said after stopping in the center of the room and turning back to face them. “This place now recognizes the two of you as part of the Silver Millennium’s nobility. Even more so as each of you share a tiny amount of blood with me, for your mothers and I are blood sisters. Although you are not to speak of this until they choose to reveal it themselves. Unless of course you want to face your mothers wrath….” She said leaving the end of her sentence for them to fill in with their imagination. The boy’s quickly shook their heads. “Good, then shall we begin? Luna could you please check the palace over quickly?” she said then turning to the cat who had jumped from her shoulder.
“Of course Usagi, I’ll be back shortly,” she replied in her British accent before leaving the room, leaving the two boys to stare in shock once more.
“Now for your lessons. Dancing is much like fighting in that there is always a rhythm, just not quite the variety of steps. We’ll begin with…..” she said and soon had the two demi-saiyans learning the steps to a gentle waltz.
Usagi walked up the aisle gracefully, and looked her now older brother in the eye. She could tell that he was excited, nervous, scared, and totally ready all at the same time. She gave him a reassuring smile, then took her place just to the left of were Videl would soon stand. Piccolo stood to Gohan’s immediate right, with Goten and Trunks were next. The other bridesmaids were Marron, Krillon and Eighteen’s daughter, and the third an old friend of Gohan and Videl’s from high school. Usagi then turned and watched as Videl appeared at the end of the aisle, she was absolutely stunning in her wedding gown. It was the traditional white, the design simple but very elegant; it suited her perfectly.
Her long black hair was curled and piled up on top of her head, gentle curls framing her face, the thin lace veil hung down to her waist and trailed down behind her about four feet. Usagi then took a glance at her brother and was amazed at the amount of love shining in his eyes. Yes these two were truly meant for each other. With that the ceremony began with Videl taking Gohan’s hand, they exchanged vows the love evident. ‘Someday, Someday it will be my turn to take these vows. Someday.’ Usagi thought a little dreamily to herself.
Then came the kiss and everyone broke into cheers. Usagi smiled brightly as she took Piccolo’s offered arm and followed the newly weds down the aisle and then over to the Capsule Corp Ball room for the reception.
Soon the party was underway, Usagi laughed happily as first Piccolo, then Goten, Trunks, her father, Vegeta, Krillon, and Tien took turns whirling around on the dance floor with her. She was currently taking a turn with Yamcha win a familiar voice interrupted.
“May I cut in?” Usagi quickly turned to the speaker and gasped, Yamcha seeing that she knew him, allowed him to cut in, as the new comer then took his turn as they began to sway, spin and whirl around the dance floor to the music. Soon everyone had stopped what they were doing to watch the couple as they effortlessly moved in time with the music. When the song ended she gave a low curtsy and, he a bow. The crowd applauded and then he led her over to a group of young women, while all Z gang watched in curiosity.
“MINNA!!!!!” Usagi suddenly cried out and ran the rest of the way to the group of women who quickly had her surrounded in a huge hug. “What are you all doing here??” she asked, thrilled but shocked that they were all there.
“Well Luna had been keeping in touch with us, so when she mentioned that you wished everyone could meet us, well let’s just say we didn’t leave Setsuna much choice but to bring us here,” Mina said a bright smile on her face while Setsuna did nothing, but stand there. Their attention was then drawn behind them as some people cleared their throats. Behind them stood Goku, Gohan, Goten, Vegeta, Trunks, Chichi, Bulma, Videl, Piccolo, Krillon, Eighteen, Marron, Tien, and Yamcha; all of them having adopted Vegeta’s normal pose of arms crossed over chest, with a curious scowl.
“Hi Everyone,” Usagi said a little sheepishly, automatically with out even having to think about it, the Senshi had moved into their position, flanking their Princess on either side, ready to jump out and protect her if necessary. “Minna, I’d like you to meet the Z Senshi, or my family and friends,” she said to the Senshi, then to her family and the rest of the Z gang. “Guys, these are the Sailor Senshi and Prince Endymion,” once she had given these brief introductions everyone relaxed and started greeting each other. All to soon the party came to an end and Videl and Gohan took off for their honeymoon, after saying their goodbyes. Usagi then began saying hers, as she had to return back to her time to continue protecting the planet. Soon she and the Senshi left, with the promise that she would come back, and that they would keep her informed of how things were going in their time.