Chapter 1

He let out a sigh, his breath forming an icy cloud before it disappeared. His eyes closed, his head lulled against the tree trunk, his arms folded over his chest; if someone was to see him now, they would think he was sleeping, when in fact his brain was doing the opposite. Whirled with the day's thoughts and problems he couldn't escape, he sat under a tree in an attempt to soothe his mind…at least until he could get some sleep. No such luck.

"Dammit" He muttered, lowly, under his breath. He reached a hand up to rub his temple and he slowly cracked open his eyes. "Why can't I sleep?" He yelled out, in frustration. He sighed again, calming himself down and rose from his place against the tree.

He wondered the gardens aimlessly, going wherever his feet took him; too engulfed in his thoughts to care where he was walking.

'The treaties must be sighed, we must somehow stop the servants from striking and the armies are in desperate need of training' He thought, listing off each problem in his head '-visit from Namek, palace needs a make-over, pollution levels need to be taken care of…not to mention mating season is coming up and I have yet to find a mate; so I'm still not king-'

"Can't sleep?" Someone asked, calmly, walking beside him

"No" He murmured, still going through the list in his head

"You're father used to do the same thing around this time" She smiled, staring at the sky

He stopped, following the gaze of his mother "You miss him, don't you?"

She nodded in reply, still looking up to the sky "There isn't a moment where I don't think of him or want to be with him in the otherworld…"

"Mother-" He started, concerned, as he looked at the face of his mother

"But then I look at you" She kissed the forehead of her son "and Bra. And I see that I am still needed to finish off the work you're father left me"

"And what work would that be?" He asked, visibly relieved by her comment

"To show you that being a ruler isn't all about finding solutions for the kingdom" She smiled, lovingly, as she continued "Sometimes the problems fix themselves and there is no need to get so worked up about them. And sometimes all they need is a little push in the right direction and everything else sorts itself out"

"And sometimes I need to go out and solve them for myself" He finished, with a frown

"You're thinking about a mate, aren't you?" She asked, sympathetically

"It's hard not too when all my advisors are droning on and on about it everyday"

"Don't worry so much about it" She replied, stroking back the hair from his face "When the right woman comes along, you'll know. But until then, don't beat yourself up about it"

"But I'm not a king yet, mother, and the laws clearly state that the heir to the throne must have a mate before being crowded king of-"

"Oh those stupid laws" Bulma sighed with a frown "Forget about them. You're father ruled the kingdom for 10 years as a prince before he met me"

"Thanks mom" He smiled, hugging her "You always know how to make my problems go away. At least for a night"

"Well then you better get some shut eye" She replied, pushing him towards the door of the palace "for tomorrow, we have a country to fix"

"Goodnight mom" he kissed the cheek of his mother before flying off to his balcony window.

"Sire, sire, the servants-"

"-Should be given a 5 increase in their income at least"

"Sire, the Namek leader-"

"Should see the palace in its best form, so call in the builders and painters and…all the other people needed"

He rubbed his head, as problem after problem was shouted at him. His mother was currently engaged with a science project of some sort, leaving him on his own. "Please, one at a time"

"Sire, global warming is at an all-time high"

"Try and sigh a deal with the comPanies releasing the most pollution and try to get them reduce by at least, 50"

"Sire, mating season-"

"Is my personal business, not yours" He cried, standing from his chair "Right, the treaties have been sighed, the army is currently undergoing a new training scheme, the servants are happy, and the leader and the palace have been sorted. If they're anything else, I'm sure it can wait ONE day. Now, if there isn't anything DIRE to fix, I will be in the training room-"

"Ah, I'm sorry to inform you sire, but you have a medical examination in…3 hours. Standard procedure, I'm sure you know-"

"Right" He sighed, trying to prevent himself from exploding in rage "Thank you…whatever you're name is"

"Ubuu, you're majesty"

"Whatever. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to fit in some form of training before the day is out" He stood from his chair and walked out the room, the people at the table rising in respect.

"Good day gentlemen" He called as he left, the huge doors slowly opening for him. With a brief nod at the guards, he strolled down the corridors, servants and all sorts stopping to bow. He looked at his watch and cursed at the time

'I swear, if being a prince wasn't a birth right, no one would want to do it' He swore, as he entered the training area. Quickly changing into a Gi, he scanned the area for an opponent worth bothering with.

"You there" He pointed, drawing the young man from his spar "What's you're name"

"Son Goten, you highness" Goten kneeled, bowing his head

"I haven't heard of an elite with you're name"

"I am by no means elite, you're majesty" He replied, smoothly

"What in heavens name are you doing here then?" Trunks roared

"I have permission from the queen to use this area for the remainder of my visit" Goten replied as calm as he started

"And what is the purpose of this visit?"

"I am the doctor's assistant that will be examining you later"

"Very well" Trunks nodded, motioning him to rise "Let's see what you've got"