A Tail To Remember
by Gie: phowah at cs dot com

Merry Chiristmas, minna-san! A present for you!

A Tail To Remember
Chapter Thirty Five: The Light in the Dark

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Bulma, Akane and the set of cousins stood in front of a large
monitor. The scene projected a three dimensional image of an elliptical
ship, its tactical information flashing on the screen next to it. Bulma's
gaze kept flicking back and forth, comparing the stats to the image she
was creating. A few quick flicks of her fingers over a keyboard shifted
the image around, getting a different side and new information. "I think
that's the best approximation I'm going to get, with this equipment."

"I think that's about right, Okaasan," Trunks agreed, an eye
squinting at the completed image. He moved from his position to take in
a different angle. "At least from what I can remember from the old
news feeds, it looks like the same image from our time."

"It's close enough, at any rate."

The four of them stared in quiet silence, each thinking their own
thoughts about the day ahead. At their estimates, the ship was
supposed to arrive in a standard orbit in their atmosphere sometime
within the next forty-eight hours. Long-range satellites sent back
grainy pictures of the dark, egg-shaped ship as it sailed steadily closer
to Chikyuu, and with each minute it drew near, their apprehension grew
in proportion. Vejiita and Ranma at the moment were working their
frustration out in the gravity chamber, and their mates were hoping they
will knock themselves unconscious in the effort, just so they would
remain out from under foot. The pair of cousins were reviewing old news
feeds from Mirai Bulma's notes and records, hoping to gather as much
information about the event in their time to anticipate anything that may
happen in this one.

Bulma was reading her counterpart's personal journal and came
across an entry about the spaceship en route, and decided to reproduce
it for her own viewing. "It's not going to matter much to us what it looks
like, anyway, since she said that it didn't make landfall for several weeks
after the initial attack." She sighed and closed the book with a snap,
making the trio of saiya-jiin jump. She giggled and then immediately let
out a loud gasp, almost tipping out of her chair as she clutched at her
side in pain. "Damn it."

Trunks and Akane turned worried eyes to each other and then to
the bent-over female. "Bulma-chan, are you okay?" Akane crouched next
to her, placing a glowing hand on the prominent silk-covered swell of her
stomach, being very careful about her identical condition. "He's very
restless. Have you eaten lately?"

She shrugged, her face contorted from the effort to keep her
reactions calm. "I ate a large breakfast, well, fairly large for me." She
pushed away Akane's hand and sat up straighter. "It's just all the extra
worrying." She gave her sister in law a reassuring smile and winked at
the adult version of her child above her. "I'm sorry, Trunks-kun, I think
you're going to be born with worry lines. Probably the identical ones on
your face now." Trunks blushed and the deep creases in his forehead
and around his mouth smoothed out. "Oh, they're gone, good. I thought
they've become a permanent fixture on your handsome face."

"Okaasan..."

She waved a hand and stood up slowly, Trunks immediately helping
her into a better position. "It's nothing for you to be worrying about.
Either of you. I'm fine."

"But Okaasan, you should..."

"And I will, so stop worrying about me. Your father will help me.
Now, you go back to work, all right?"

"Listen to her, brat. I will take care of my mate."

"Otousan?" Trunks looked over to the voice, discovering Vejiita
and Ranma framed in the entryway, their shredded bodies sweat
drenched and blood soaked.

"Ranma! What were you two doing?" Akane snorted at the image
they presented. "Trying to kill yourselves?"

He smirked and crossed his arms, ignoring the sharp pain and
blood splattering. "He tried. What's going on?"

Akane ignored her mate, instead focusing on her brother as he
made his way into the room. "She's in pain, but it's not as bad as it looks,
or feels. I think he bruised one or two of her ribs. Nothing is broken,
ne?" She gave Bulma a look and the blue-haired female shook her head,
still clutching at her side.

"I just need to go lie down for awhile." She took a few hesitant
steps and smiled. "See, I'm fine. Nothing to worry about. I think
Trunks-chan is developing his ki abilities with a flair for the dramatic,
that's all." She slapped away the insistent glowing hand with an irritated
sigh. "I just need a nap and a meal, Vejiita. Help me back to the
bedroom?" He grunted and with a swift movement, swept her off her
feet and into his arms, and out the room.

Akane sighed and rubbed her forehead wearily, "I think we all
need a nap and a meal, to tell you the truth." She turned warm chocolate
eyes to her cool smoky gaze of her mate. "In which order?"

"Food first."

She nodded and turned to the boys. "Do you want to join us?"

Tobuma indicated the negative, not looking up from his screen.
"Not right now, Kaasan."

"Trunks?"

He glanced down at his kin, hesitated, but then waved a hand.
"You go on, Obasan. I want to finish up here first."

Akane shrugged and turned to Ranma, who was intently staring at
her. "What?" He smirked. "What's that look for?" His smirk stretched
farther and he held out a hand, and cautiously, she took it. "What's up
with you?" He turned and pulled her from the lab.

"I think I changed my mind. I'm suddenly really tired."

"Oh, you!"

Trunks gave the departing pair a small smile but it quickly went
away when he turned back to Tobuma. He had been studying the old
news feeds, just like he, but there was something wrong. He sat back
down. "What'd you find, Tobu-kun?"

"Hm?" He glanced up, distractedly, and noticed the room was
empty. "Where'd everyone go?"

"They left, Tobuma. Didn't you notice?" The worry lines came
back again. "What's up? You didn't even see that our fathers came in
from the gravity room, all bloody and torn up?"

"Oh, they're done?" He saw the look on Trunks' face and sighed.
"It's just that....well, here, you take a look." He scrolled up a few pages
and pointed out an article, by one of the local newspapers of the time.
"Fourth from the top."

Loss Discovered Close to Home
Osadaku Nami, Rumor Bin Editor
(Nerima) So far the Nerima prefecture has been lucky; the
aliens have ignored our little niche in the wall. But this reporter
has discovered that a prominent family in town recently may have
lost one of its members in the devastating attack last month.
Saotome (nee Tendo) Akane, daughter of council member and dojo
owner Tendo Soun, was honeymooning with her new husband,
Saotome Ranma, on the mainland, when the aliens cut their
vacation short. This reporter has also learned that they were in
the company of Capsule Corp darling Briefs Bulma, her mysterious
husband, and the newborn baby heir! The families and Capsule
Corporation have refused to comment on the connections or
whereabouts of Saotome Akane, but this reporter has discovered
that the newlyweds had just been blessed with a child. What a
tragic end to the start of a promising young family!

Trunks turned to look at his cousin. "Why are you reading this?
This is just a rumor file in a trash magazine. Where did you find this?"

"Well, they've got the facts right, didn't they?" He turned away
from his cousin. "I just did a general search on 'Saotome' and this came
up. It just struck close to home, that's all."

"Tobu-kun," Trunks sighed and turned the screen off, "of course
it struck close to home. It's about your parents. Tobu-kun," he put a
comforting hand on his shoulder, but the younger male shrugged it off.
"Tobuma, listen. You need to remember, that they're a hundred times
more prepared for the attack than our time was. We're going to win."

He was silent for a few minutes. "I know. But that doesn't make
it that much easier to remember that my mother was captured in the
battles resulting from the attack. It doesn't make it any easier for me
to feel confident about it."

"No, it doesn't, but this should: things are different."

'What?" Tobuma turned, his interest peaked. "Different?"

Trunks nodded. "Didn't you notice? Things are different
here--they're not happening in the same time frame. The first Hachi
attack was on the same day, sure, but it's just been over three months
since then, and the main ship arrived back in our time seven months
later. They're early. We aren't even born yet. Although," he gave his
friend a smirk, "it looks like I'm going into a gestation tank soon, so that
means I'm gonna be a whole month older than you, here."

"Shut up, ya half-breed gaki," Tobuma scowled at the jibe, but
his expression brightened as the realization of Trunks words sunk in.
"That means things might play out different here, too. Kaasan might not
get captured and be made the Queen."

"Right. But that also may mean that other things will happen
differently, too. We still have to be on guard. It could mean, instead of
Obasan's kidnapping, it could mean she dies. Or 'Tousan gets captured,
or even dies now, instead of in a few years, or whatever else we can
think of. We really don't know."

The tri-colored saiya-jiin sighed and wiped at his eyes wearily.
"So we're still back at square one, ne?"

"Sorta, but not completely." Trunks stood and held out a hand to
his companion. "C'mon, Bubu, let's go get something to eat."

He slapped away the offered hand and stood on his own. He
growled and pushed at the purple-haired male's back, following him out
the door. "Whatever, Tunks."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Vejiita had not said a word as he made their way to the suite of
rooms they shared. He paused just long enough to open the door, but
was still close-mouthed when he set her on the large bed.

She stared at him with quiet submissiveness as he quickly and
efficiently made short work of the button-up blouse and stretch pants
she wore, discarding them and her underthings to the side. As soon as
she was naked, his attention immediately focused on her side, where she
clutched in pain earlier. His fingers prodded the tender area, taking
careful inventory of the small hiss that escaped her lips as he found the
spot.

Satisfied that there was no permanent damage he straightened,
finally focusing on her face with his black gaze but said nothing. He
moved from her side and went into the bathroom, where she heard the
water begin to run in the bath.

Bulma rolled her eyes, while rubbing the bridge of her nose. She
knew what was he was going to say, once he spoke. And this time, she
admitted to herself, she just might need to take it in consideration. She
could have sworn Trunks-chan broke one of her ribs.

She turned her attention back to Vejiita, who reappeared from
the bathroom, still bloody, but he had removed the tattered remains of
his training outfit so he stood there in front her, in all his naked glory.
She smiled slightly, but the frown on his face robbed her of the
expression. She studied his features, reading his mood, and opened her
arms in invitation. With a grunt, he acquiesced, lifting her into his arms
once again and carried her into the bathroom, where she discovered she
was correct with her assumption: the bath was filled and waiting.

Gently, he lowered both of them into the warm water, rearranging
her so her back was flush to his chest and she rested comfortably
between his heavily muscled thighs. One of his hands reached for the
loofah sponge and the other spread a generous amount of soap into the
pores. After creating a thick lather, he slowly and carefully washed her,
from toe to nose, being extra gentle with her side and protruding womb.
Efficiently he cleansed himself, turning the water a darker pink with the
blood he had managed not to rinse away by just being in the bath. During
the entire process of washing, no words were uttered, only a few quiet
sighs from Bulma were heard as she enjoyed his tempered ministrations.
They let the steam seep into their pores for several moments, their
thoughts to themselves, but known to the other.

His tail snaked around, caressing the tight skin of her abdomen.
"You will prepare a tank."

She nodded into his shoulder, her eyes drooping as the steamy air
lulled her into a heady state. "If I must."

"Yes."

"It'll be a few days before it will be ready. Before I am ready."

His hand was heavy on her stomach as he felt the movement
within. "As soon as possible. He is ripping you apart." He was quiet for a
moment. "I felt your pain, Bulma. I never wish to experience it again."

"All right."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

After dinner that night

Trunks and Tobuma looked up from their notes when everyone
started to gather in the spacious living room. The first to arrive were
the main residents of Capsule Corporation. Ranma and Akane plopped
down on a couch, bickering to themselves about when their family
members were going to arrive from Nerima: that evening or the next
morning. Bulma settled it the moment she walked into the room, tossing
the cell phone in her hands to them. "Kuririn-kun is on his way to get
them in the airbus. Wanna give them fair warning?" Ranma grinned and
immediately started dialing.

Vejiita crossed the room to settle in a dark corner, but Akane
reached out and snagged his tail as he passed her. "Oh no you don't,
Vejiita. You are going to be sociable tonight." A growl answered her and
she growled right back. "I don't care, Mr. Grumpy Pants. Sit yourself
down and act like you actually care what we're going to talk about."

"Yeah right, Seiika-chan. As if he has a decent bone in his body,"
Bulma winked at her and took hold of her mate's hand, leading him to an
opposite couch. "Don't worry, Otoko, I'll protect you from Son-kun."

His growling turned into snarls, yanking his hand from her grasp.
"Protect me from what? You dare claim..."

Her light teasing failed to diminish under the threat. "From
Son-kun. You know, Son Goku? My best friend? Oh wait, I think you
tend to call him Carrot Top or something. What is it again?"

"I think it's Cataract, Bulma-chan," Akane joined in.

"Katmandu?"

"No wait, wasn't it Kakeru?"

"That sounds familiar...but not quite it."

While Vejiita obstinately ignored the teasing, said male and family
arrived, appearing via his teleporting trick. "Hey, everyone!" He turned
around and gave the one he focused on an extra salute. "Hey, Vejiita! I
felt you and Serori training earlier. Have you reached level two yet?"

"Shut up, Kakarotto..." the prince forced out between clenched
fangs.

"Oooh, I knew you knew it, Vejiita-chan!" Both Akane and Bulma
laughed out loud.

"Uh, I don't get it," Goku scrunched his face in confusion, and the
two females laughed louder.

ChiChi rolled her eyes and pulled her husband out of the sight of
the loudly growling Vejiita. "I don't think you were meant to, Goku-saa."

"Sorry, Goku-san, ChiChi-san," Akane waved her hand. She
sighed and stuck her tongue out at her fuming brother. "Stop the
posturing, Vejiita. Do you know if Yuukari and his clan are coming?"

He snorted at the childish gesture but Trunks was the one to
respond to the inquiry. "They should be here shortly." He noticed his
uncle hang up the phone. ""Did you get a hold of your family, Ojisan?"
Akane turned back to her mate in response.

"Yeah, I talked to Kasumi," he nodded to Akane, "and she said
she'll make sure everyone is ready for when Kuririn arrives. Mom was
still there from the other day, so they won't have to make a special trip.
They should get here in an hour or so."

Akane smiled and nodded. "Is Ryouga with them?"

"Actually, Seiika-san, he's with Korin-sama," Gohan spoke, drawing
everyone's attention. "When Kuririn, Ryouga and I went to check on the
senzu bean crop, Korin-sama said that Ryouga-san should stay behind.
He said he had something to show him."

Goku smiled and nodded. "Ah, I bet I know what it is." He
frowned. "Well, maybe I know, but that would take too long, unless..." he
frowned harder.

"You look like your brain is about to explode, Kakarotto," Vejiita
sneered, "don't think too hard."

"Just drop it, Vejiita," Bulma frowned. "What are you talking
about, Son-kun?"

"Well..."

"Korin is training the human, Son. Leave it at that." Everyone
looked up to see the new arrival. Piccolo stepped through entryway, his
frown taking in the assembled group. It lightened slightly seeing the
youngest saiya-jiin and he moved to stand behind Gohan. "The old geezer
gave consent for only a few hours in the room. Hey, brat." He gave the
giddily smiling boy a rough shove.

"If you say so, Piccolo." Goku nodded and shook away the concern.
"If Kami said okay."

Akane frowned at the new arrival. "What are you talking about,
Piccolo-san?"

"Never mind, Seiika." Piccolo turned his intense gaze to the
female saiya-jiin. "Ryouga is training hard, and will be ready when he is
needed." His gaze shifted to Ranma, who was also frowning. "Serori.
That was some power display the other day." He left the comment for
Ranma to decipher.

Piccolo sighed and studied the group. "Before the other saiya-jiin
get here, I have something to announce. The old man and I were talking
the other day, and we discovered we have a problem. The dragonballs
won't be able to do what we think they will."

Bulma stared at the tallest member of their circle. "What do you
mean, 'won't do what we think they will'? How vague can you get? Are
they broken? Can they break?"

"What I mean is that when all of this crap is over with, we won't
be able to use them to bring back everyone that was affected by the
Hachi. They're not powerful enough."

"How many can we bring back?" Goku asked, his face very serious.

"Let's just say not as many as we need it to." He glanced
specifically at Ranma then looked away.

"What if we word it specifically to bring back..."

Piccolo shook his head, cutting off ChiChi's question. "Kami's set
of dragonballs were not meant to bring back a large group of people,
especially the amount that Chikyuu has lost. The old man's got power,
but not that much."

"What if we ask Porunga?" Gohan stared up at his sensei, his eyes
wide.

"He's not that powerful, either."

"But he brought back all of the Nameksei-jiin that Furiiza killed,"
Gohan argued, pointing out an old wish.

"There is a limit to power, Gohan, and the magnitude that we
require even goes beyond old Moori and Porunga." He laid a heavy hand
on Gohan's spikes. "Sorry, kid."

"Is there anything we can do?" Akane asked, her eyes flicking
from the three people who seemed the most knowledgeable about the
dragonballs: Piccolo, Goku, and Bulma.

"What we need is more power, and there is only one road we can
take." Everyone turned their eyes to Piccolo. He cleared his throat and
sighed. "Fusion."

"Like what you and Nail did, Piccolo-san?" Gohan spoke quietly.

"Pretty much the same, brat. Kami and I have been talking and if
we re-fuse, it might give us enough juice to amp up Shenlong and bring
everyone back."

The room was silent as they pondered the new information. Bulma
was the one to ask the most important question. "If you and Kami-sama
fuse, will the dragonballs still work?" Piccolo turned a surprised stare to
the blue-haired female. She shifted into a more comfortable position
and explained her thoughts. "If you fuse, Kami-sama won't exist
anymore, just like Nail doesn't exist anymore. Won't that mean the
dragonballs won't exist? Since they were made after Piccolo-Daimou and
Kami-sama split, if you come back together they'll disappear because
their maker is gone."

Piccolo frowned. He hadn't realized that, but he wondered if the
old man did.

"Would you be able to make new ones, Piccolo? When your father
killed Shenlong, Kami-sama was able to resurrect him when I asked to
bring back Kuririn, off a statue that Mr. Popo had. Will you be able to
make a new set of dragonballs?"

"I don't know, Son. I'd have to ask Kami about it. He is the one
that's the expert on the dragonballs. I do not know how, personally."

"Or the Namek-seijiin leaders," Bulma added. "They might be
able to help, too."

Piccolo nodded. "They would more than likely have the knowledge,
but we have no way of contacting them." He glanced behind himself, and
the saiya-jiin glanced in the same direction, sensing the new arrivals.
Piccolo brushed his claws through Gohan's hair again and melted back
into a dark corner. "You have visitors."

Trunks stood up and left the room, returning with the four
Chinese saiya-jiin. Yuukari nodded to Vejiita & Akane, acknowledging
them. "Greetings, all. I hope we have not arrived too late." Nanka,
Ninjin, and Tamana also nodded their greetings.

"Not at all, Yuukari-san, we were just getting settled in." Bulma
waved to several empty seats. "Make yourselves at home." After they
found a place to sit, Bulma nodded to Trunks, who placed a 3-D projector
in the middle of the room.

"This is what we put together of the first 24 hours after the
Hachi arrived in the their main ship. It's not of the best quality, since
it's been sitting in my mother's archives for the past twenty years, but it
will do for what we need to see." The images played out one after
another; hundreds upon hundreds of attacking drones took countless
human lives in their attacks, swelling their numbers exponentially. "We
weren't prepared at all. We knew about the drones, since their first
scouting party had already attacked several hundred people, but they
had never attacked one of us, like what happened to 'Tousan and
Obasan."

They watched the images of people and reporters scrambling out
of harm's way for several more minutes, staring at the feeble attacks of
human armies against multiple paralysis beams, only to be taken into the
drone ranks. "This is what happened in your time?" Tamana asked, his
eyes glued to the stark reality of the slaughtering.

"Yes," Tobuma replied quietly, "but we aren't sure that it will
happened exactly the same. There are other factors now, factors that
matter that we didn't have in our time. Awareness, being the main one.
The ability to create pre-empted strikes, another."

"More power is another crucial attribute," Trunks added. "We
have five super saiya-jiin senshi," a intake of air from Nanka and
Tamana made Trunks pause. "Have any of you ascended?"

Ninjin shook his head in the negative. "We were aware of the
ability, but the opportunity to ascend has not been available." He saw
the expression on Akane's face. "Don't you mean six, Trunks-sama?"
Akane grunted in agreement.

"Well, yes, but Obasan has been red-shirted until Tobuma's ready
to be born."

"Well, I can see the reason for the exclusion," Ninjin smiled.
Akane huffed in annoyance.

"Anyway, the bonus of five super saiya-jiin senshi in the battle to
come will be one asset we were not fortunate to have. In our time, only
Goku-san had ascended by the time the full Hachi contingent arrived."

Akane shifted restlessly. "Excuse me for a moment, I need to,
well...." she shrugged and smiled. "Pregnancy can be hard on the bladder."

Bulma stood, with slight help from her mate. "I'll go with you,
Seiika-chan. I could use a bathroom break as well." The two females
left the room.

"You know, I have a question," Ranma said slowly, his eyes focused
on the retreating image of his mate. "Is there a reason why we just
don't shoot the damn ship down when it gets close enough? That way, we
won't have to worry about any battle plans, or loss of life other than the
tally we have now."

He looked around at everyone staring at him, taking in his
suggestion at face value. "If there is a way I can avoid Akane being
hurt, I want to know why we can't do it."

"Er," Goku stared into his hands, his face drawn in thought,
"Serori, that's, well, that's an interesting idea. I didn't think of it,
actually."

"That's because your brain can't handle higher-level thing, idiot."

Goku sighed and shook his head. "That's not...I meant that the
thought of outright shooting them down didn't cross my mind because I
wouldn't think of doing such an act."

"Can I ask why, Goku-san?" Tamana asked the younger male. "It's
a sound idea, and it would save many lives. It's not as if the power
required is an issue, correct?" The cousins snorted in unison.

"Well," Goku scratched at the back of his head as he thought of
the right way to word his response, "I guess the idea of just killing them
point blank is not what I'm used to." He sighed and looked around,
lingering on his family, "I try to give everyone a fair chance." He
specifically turned his attention to Vejiita, locking his stare with the
Prince. "You're more than aware of that, Vejiita." He snorted and
turned his head away.

"That's all noble and everything, Goku, but they don't deserve a
chance." Ranma stared at the elder male. "We know what's gonna happen
if they capture Akane." He leaned forward and his eyes flashed green,
"and I will never let that happen."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

In the other room

A loud flush accompanied an even louder sigh. "Gods, I thought I
was going to explode if I didn't empty my bladder within the next
second."

Bulma giggled from the outer room. "I completely understand,
Seiika-chan. I think I've worn a path in the carpeting from the trips I
make at night."

"And the worst is yet to come, ne?" Akane smiled as she exited
the bathroom. "We still have a ways to go." Her smile dimmed as she
saw the frown and the faraway look in Bulma's eyes. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know if you know, Seiika, but Vejiita and I discussed the
tanks again." Akane nodded and sat down next to her sister in law. "He's
making me remove Trunks-chan as soon as a tank is ready."

Akane leaned in and gave the woman a hug, knowing how important
carrying her unborn child was to the human. "I'm sorry, Bulma-chan."

She wiped away a few tears that ran in rivulets down her cheeks.
"Oh, it's okay. I realize that I'm not built strong enough to carry him full
term. It was obvious from this morning." She smiled and chuckled. "I
thought he broke a rib or three."

"I thought so too." She patted the older woman's hand. "It won't
be for a little while, right? You still have to prepare the gestation tank."

Her smile disappeared again. "Actually, I've had R&D working on
one for a while. I checked with them this afternoon, and it's ready now.
I can have him removed at any time."

They were silent for a moment, letting the implications of the
revelation sink in. "Then let me know when you go in for the procedure.
I'll be right next to you."

"Thank you, Seiika-chan," her smile returned again, "I'm glad to
have your support. Although I regret that the boys won't be the same
age like they are now. They get along so good together, you'd think they
were twins themselves."

"Well, they practically are. And they will still be, since I meant
that I will be next to you, having Tobuma-chan removed and placed in a
tank as well."

"Seiika, that's not necessary!" Bulma stood with an incredulous
look, "you're more than able to carry your child to full term! Why take
the risk?"

"It's not a risk, and I want to," she affirmed, standing up. "I
want them to be the same age, just like their future counterparts. And
besides, I'm tired of being 'red-shirted'. Maybe they'll take me
seriously, now."

"But Seiika-chan..."

"I've made up my mind, Bulma-chan. Don't think you can change it."
She waggled her finger. "I'm just like my own twin in that aspect." She
wrapped her arms around her in a hard hug. "Now, stand aside, I have to
pee again."

Bulma laughed, stepping clear of the fidgeting female. "Hai! Now
that's one thing I'm going to look forward to getting rid of. I swear the
handle will be worn out by the end of this!"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Back in with the guys

"Now Ojisan, he didn't mean anything negative toward Obasan,"
Trunks was trying to placate Ranma's rising temper, "he just meant
that..."

"I know damn well what he meant, Trunks. You don't have to
sugar-coat it for me." He glared at the purple-haired male and then at
the wall. "Goku, if there was a chance to get rid of a threat before it
became more dangerous, wouldn't you take it?"

"Otousan," Tobuma started out, but Ranma snapped his tail at the
future version, and he shut his mouth quickly. He recognized the
motion--his biological father made the same move when he was in battle
mode, and he knew when to back off.

"I know what you're talking about, Serori, but I just think that a
drastic move such as that should be reserved as a last-chance
maneuver."

"Do you have any other suggestions then?"

"What suggestions are you talking about?" The girls returned
with arms filled with treats. "Seiika sensed rising tempers and I
thought that a break should be called." They set the platters down on
several low tables. "Dig in everyone." After a few moments of frenzied
activity, they settled back down. "So what were you talking about?"

"Not much since you left, Okaasan," Trunks shrugged through a
mouthful of rice. "We were trying to discover an alternative to blowing
them out of the sky."

"Can I make a suggestion?" Everyone turned to the quiet Ninjin.
He had a hand raised slightly, as if in a room of school children. "It's
obvious we need a more...reasonable...solution. Most battles come about
because of lack of communication. Has anyone tried to talk with them?
Reason with them?"

"And say to them what? 'Please turn around; we don't want to
hurt you today.' That's absurd." Nanka snorted, crossing his arms. "I
agree with Serori-san."

"Well, not in those words, exactly, but what about something to
the effect of that? Bulma-san, do you know if verbal contact has been
attempted?"

She nodded. "The satellites are set up to send out a general
message of peace and goodwill and curiosity. They haven't gotten a
response, but it could be that our technologies aren't compatible with
each other."

"Or out of range," Yuukari added. She nodded in agreement.

"What if we try to make contact when they enter orbit?" Gohan
asked, his brow crunched together in concentration. He saw the point of
both arguments made by his father and Serori. He turned his gaze to
the two older males. "And if they don't answer positively or at all, then
we go with the last-chance scenario. Would that be a better plan?"

"Now you're talking sense, kid." Piccolo spoke from his corner.

Ranma and Goku stared at each other for a moment, but then
both nodded in unison. "It looks like you have a smart kid there,
Goku-san," Ranma finally said, leaning back and catching Akane's hand in
his own.

"Hai, Serori, I do."

"Must take after his dam," Vejiita grumbled out loud.

"Vejiita!" Bulma groaned, whapping her mate on the shoulder with
a fist. He didn't react. She sighed and shook her head and turned to
the Chinese saiya-jiin across the room. "Ninjin-san, can I ask you a
question?" The ponytailed male nodded silently in affirmation. "How
much experience do you have in births?"

He blinked slowly at the abrupt change in topic. "I've delivered
several dozen children in our village and surrounding area, and helped
midwives on numerous occasions. Why do you ask, Bulma-sama?"

"Have you delivered any saiya-jiin cubs?"

He shook his head. "Sadly, no, my lady. None of us have taken
mates." He cocked his head. "Do you have some questions about your
impending birth? I am more than capable to do the momentous occasion,
but if you have some concerns, then..."

Bulma cut him off with a laugh and a wave of a hand. "Don't
worry, Ninjin-san, I'm more than willing to have you do it. Actually, I was
wondering if you'd like to do it now. Trunks-chan almost ripped through
my ribcage earlier, and I am more than ready to be skinny again."

The room filled with exclamations of shock; Ninjin himself
standing in surprise, making a beeline for the blue-haired woman. "Are
you positive about this?" He placed a familiar glowing hand on her sides,
immediately zeroing in on the bruised area, taking note of the internal
damage. "Oh my, he's a strong one, isn't he? You have some major
bruising."

"You don't have to tell me; I felt it. And yes, I am completely
positive. I hope you don't mind having a few observers, though. I called
my regular obstetrician, and she's on her way over. She didn't want to
miss this for anything. And Vejiita and Serori are going to want to be in
there, too."

Ranma blinked at the mention of his name. "Me? Why am I going
to want to be there?" He turned a curious look to Vejiita. "You don't
want me in there, do you?"

"Not on your life. What are you talking about, Onna?" He was
surprised at her announcement. He knew it was coming, but he didn't
expect it to happen this soon. They only confirmed it this morning. "Is
the tank already prepared?"

She nodded. "It is. Actually, it's being readied right now. Will
you do it, Ninjin-san?"

"Of course, my lady. I shouldn't have to ask if there is proper
equipment for the procedure?" Bulma shook her head. "Then I am more
than willing to do so."

Ranma turned to Akane. "But that didn't answer the question to
why I wanna be in there."

She smirked. "Don't you want to witness the birth of your child?"

He jumped up, Tobuma jumping up with him. "What?" They
shouted in unison.

Akane rolled her eyes and turned to Ninjin, who was staring at
her with wide eyes. "Would you be willing to do it twice?"

"Of...of course, my lady. It would be an honor." He bowed his
head slightly.

Tobuma had fallen into his seat next to Trunks with a groan, but
Ranma was still spluttering in shock. "Akane! What are you talking
about? My child?"

"Sit down, baka," she sighed and yanked on his arm, pulling him
back down into his spot next to her, "you sound like a dork. We decided,
well, I more than anything, decided that the boys should remain the same
age. If only Trunks were put into a tank, then he'd be more than a month
older than Tobuma. And it's okay with me. I don't mind having him in a
tank." She frowned and crossed her arms. "Then maybe I'll be able to
decide my own fate, instead of you barricading me from doing anything
other than going to the bathroom on my own."

"That's his job, Seiika," Vejiita snorted. "He's your bodyguard,
remember?"

"Not in that way, not anymore."

"But Akane," he sighed when he saw the stubborn look settle into
her features. He knew arguing was useless when that look appeared.
"Fine."

Akane smirked and leaned over, pecking her mate on the cheek.
She stood and Bulma stood as well. "Well, there's no time like the
present. Shall we get started?" Ninjin stood and nodded in agreement.
The three left the room.

"Present? As in now?" Ranma was still in some shock.

"Hai, Otousan, as in now," Tobuma rolled his eyes and pulled his
father from his seat. "Come on, let's get you scrubbed up."

"It's still going to be a few minutes, Ojisan," Trunks called out to
his uncle's stiffly retreating form. "They have to get the tanks set up
and Okaasan and Obasan ready, too." He turned to look at his father.
"Coming, Papa?"

Vejiita jerked in surprise at the juvenile term. "Papa?"

He blushed and shrugged. "You might as well get used to it." He
smiled and left the room.

Goku stood and laid a warm hand on his rival's shoulder.
"Congratulations, Vejiita! You're gonna be a papa tonight!"

"Shut up, Kakarotto." He jerked out of Goku's loose grip and
stalked out of the room.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

In the labs

When Vejiita arrived in the lower levels where the procedures
were going to take place, a blizzard of white lab coats made seeing the
main activities next to impossible. Trunks came up behind him, and
guided him through the traffic. "They decided that Obasan is going to
go first. She has the best chance for the least amount of, well,
complications, in the surgery."

In the eye of the lab coat tornado, a bright light shone down on
an empty bed. Several trays loaded down with shining implements
surrounded the surgical arena. Waiting in the wings were two softly
glowing tubes. When he suggested the use of the gestation chambers,
Bulma had pumped out all the information she could about the tanks from
his young memories, which wasn't much in the first place. From what she
gleaned, she and her staff of scientists created a portable environment
for the developing fetus to be placed into once they were removed from
the womb. He was surprised that one, let alone two, were already set up
and prepared to receive occupants. Her mind worked faster than the
speed of light, sometimes.

He moved over to his sister, who was just starting to lie down on
the surgical bed. She smiled at him, adjusting the paper gown in which
she was clothed. "It's okay that I go first, ne?" He nodded. "Ranma
finally got over his shock when he saw the knives." She jerked her chin
to the tray with the wickedly sharp blades. "He immediately started to
grill Ninjin on how much experience he really had with these kind of
operations. I thought the man was going to faint with nervousness
already, but he just made him worse. I sent him to go wait for
Fujinkai-sensei." She leaned back, settling into the mattress. "Baka."

"I'm surprised that you aren't waiting for your family."

Her eyes widened. "I forgot about them! Oh my." She sat up,
nibbling on a fingernail. The indecision was clear on her face. "Well, I
guess it can't be helped. I'm all prepped." She moved aside one flap of
her gown and showed him the black lines on her stomach and lower
region. "He's already drawn the incision lines."

He blinked at the intersecting lines. "He is slicing you open? Isn't
the brat supposed to come out..." he waved in a general downward
motion.

"Well, normally, it does." She chuckled and shook her head. "But
were doing this by cesarean, since we don't want the fetus to realize it's
out of the womb."

They turned to see Ninjin arrive with an older human female,
Bulma and Ranma following directly behind. "Vejiita, this is
Fujinkai-sensei. She's been Seiika and mine's obstetrician since we found
out. Fujinkai-sensei, this is Vejiita, my husband." He nodded slightly in
acknowledgment. She turned to Akane, her eyes bright. "Are you all
ready, Seiika-chan?"

"I suppose, as much as I can be in such a short time. Ranma, we
forgot about our family! They're due to arrive any minute."

"I'll go wait for them, Okaasan," Tobuma offered from the edge
of the room. He and Trunks exited the room, glad for an excuse not to
witness his own birth.

Ninjin watched them go, and when the door was closed, he got
down to business. "Let me explain the procedure to everyone. Both
mothers will be awake, since this won't actually take very long. I already
gave Seiika-sama an epidural, so she will not be in any pain. I will be
making an incision right over the womb, but when I go in for the fetus, I
won't be cutting open the placenta. This will be the most difficult part
of the procedure, since it's attached to the uterine wall. At least in
human females, it is. Seiika-sama, I don't know how different it will be
when I open you, so I am going to go fairly slow. Is that okay?"

"Of course, Ninjin-san," she nodded, leaning back again onto the
bed. "I can also tell you that the epidural is taking effect, since I can't
feel my legs."

"Good, then we are ready to begin. Fujinkai-sensei, would you like
to assist me?" She nodded, and turned to get scrubbed up. "Is there a
chamber ready?" An affirmative came from the sidelines from a
technician. "All right, then. Seiika-sama, I'm going to put a sheet over
you with a hole cut into it, so only the surgical area is showing. When
Fujinkai-sensei returns, she's going to hook up some sensors; they're just
for the monitors that watch yours and the baby's heart rate, blood
pressure, and that sort of thing. Then I will make the first incision.
Just relax; everything will turn out fine."

The room went silent; the only sounds heard were Ninjin's
requests for new tools, suction for blood, or other things. "All right,
Seiika-sama, I'm about to cut open the uterus. Bring the tank over
here." A technician rolled the cylinder into the light. "That's fine. I've
slit through the uterine wall." He removed his hands, setting down the
surgical blades. With gently glowing fingers, he dove into the opening,
explaining what he was doing. "With my ki, I'm going to seal the blood
vessels that break as I peel away the placenta from the wall." He turned
his attention away from his surgery and locked eyes with a pale Ranma,
who was standing next to Akane's side, holding her hand tightly in his.
"Serori-sama, would you like to remove him?"

He blinked cluelessly. "What?"

Ninjin smiled and removed his hands once again, gloves coated in
blood. "He's just resting in there, now. You are more than able to pull
him out."

"Really? Akane?"

"Go for it, Ranma," she grunted, "before I lose all the feeling in
my hand from you squeezing it so hard."

"Al...alright." He let go of her hand and made his way to the other
end of his mate. "What do I do?"

As Ninjin was explaining what to do, the door opened in the back
of the lab to reveal Tobuma and Trunks leading the recent arrivals from
Nerima. Dr. Fujinkai made a shushing noise, and the others crowded
closer just in time to watch Ranma slide his gloved hands into Akane's
stomach and pull out a sac the size of a melon.

"Slice the umbilical cord, Serori-sama, and put him into the tank."
A technician opened the top and he slowly released the small bundle in
his hands into the very warm green water. They all watched as Ninjin
reached in and removed the placenta, and everyone got their first look
at the newest saiya-jiin.

He was completely formed; all the body parts were in place, just
very, very small. His tiny fingers were tightly curled around a thin reed
of a tail. No hair was on his head or tail; that would start growing in
last, but as he started to settle into the new environment, his features
relaxed and loosened, giving everyone a view of the recognizable
characteristics of the future version. It was definitely Tobuma.

Ranma placed a ki-lit hand on the hard plastic of the clear casing,
and immediately a small hand uncurled and reached for the glow. A smile
formed over his face. "He knows it's me," he hoarsely whispered.

"Ranma..." Akane's call brought his attention back to his mate. His
smile widened and immediately he pushed the chamber into her range of
vision. Ninjin was busily repairing the incisions.

He knelt next to her, pressing a kiss to her forehead, then her
lips, "Hima-chan, he's beautiful! Absolutely beautiful."

Akane smiled softly, and nodded. "He looks just like you, Ranma."

Ninjin cleared his throat. "I'm finished, Seiika-sama. Would you
like to be moved into the other room now?"

She nodded, and Dr. Fujinkai came back over. "Akane-san, I'm
going to wheel you into the other room, and Ranma-san will bring in
Tobuma in a little bit."

"Why not now?"

"We just need to check that he's adapting to the new environment
and pulling in the nutrients you usually provide through the placenta and
umbilical cord. Plus, we need to rid you of the afterbirth."

Akane nodded, pulling Ranma back down for another kiss. "I'll see
you in a moment. Watch over him, please? I love you."

"I will. Love you, too." He watched as Akane was pushed out of
the room, and turned to see many more faces in the room than were
before. "Hey, when did you guys get here?"

Nodoka immediately came forward and wrapped him in a warm
hug. "That was absolutely beautiful, Ranma-kun! What a special moment
to be able to remember!"

"Uh, thanks?"

Kasumi and Nabiki stepped into the light to give their hugs when
Nodoka finally released Ranma. "Congratulations, Ranma-kun," Kasumi
spoke, wiping the tears away from her face when she released him.
"You're a daddy, now!"

"Well, technically not for another month or so. He's got some
major growing to do, yet." They watched the white-coated technicians
checked over the last of the information and they announced everything
was working perfectly. "Good. I'm gonna go wheel him into by Akane.
You wanna see her?" They all nodded, and followed him into the other
room.

Vejiita was staring at Bulma, who was wiping away the tears from
her face. "Why are you crying, Onna? Nothing happened to make you
weep."

"Well, not technically, but it was a touching moment. But I
suppose my hormones are in overdrive, too." She smiled and leaned
against him as she watched the technicians clean the area and ready it
for her own procedure. Are you going to pull Trunks-chan out, Vejiita?

He grunted, nodding slightly. Of course, Bulma. Did you think I
would not?

I was hoping you would.

"We're ready for you, Bulma-san," Dr. Fujinkai called as she
readied a rather large needle.

"Hai." She laid a light kiss on his cheek before pushing away.
Stay with me, Vejiita? "Is that the epidural?"

"Yes, Bulma-san. It should start taking effect within a few
minutes."

I'll be here. There is no need to worry.

During Bulma's procedure, Ninjin gave the same move-by-move
commentary for the Prince's benefit, and when it came time for Ninjin to
ask if Vejiita wanted to pull Trunks from Bulma's womb, he was there by
her side, hands and arms already gloved and waiting.

After Trunks was placed in the gestation tank, and Bulma was
being resown together, Vejiita stared at his hands with a sense of
wonder. They've been coated in blood many times before, but that was
because it was a messy job, annihilating entire races. He would return
from many a purging mission soaked from head to tail in the lifeblood of
countless lives lost. He didn't give it any real concern or thought, just
washing it down the drain and moving on to the next day. It was the only
thing he could do to remain sane. But this time, this time he was coated
with the life-giving blood that his mate freely offered to his unborn
heir. He couldn't discard it as wantonly as the other times. This was a
willing sacrifice, and he intended to view it as such.

I'll be right back, Bulma.

All right. Hurry back.

Vejiita ignored the startled looks he got as he moved through the
corridors of Capsule Corp, Bulma's blood making crimson trails down his arms.
When he arrived back in the suite of rooms he shared with Bulma, he
kneeled on the floor of the bathroom, and with his eyes closed, he began
to clean himself with his tongue, lapping up every spilled drop of blood
that his mate willingly gave, giving her sacrifice the honor it deserved.
When he was done, and there was not a single drop of red in sight, he
stood and left the rooms to return to her and his newly visible child's
side.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

The next day

"This is Hiiro Taki, coming to you live from Capsule Corp where an
important announcement is about to take place. In a moment, an official
spokesman will announce changes in the Hachi status." A rumble rolled
through the crowd and he turned away from the camera to see what the
noise meant. He quickly discovered the answer. "Briefs Trunks has just
stepped onto the platform. Let's see what he has to say."

"Good morning, everyone. I hate to be the bearer of bad news,
but by satellite estimates, a Hachi invasion ship will reach Earth's orbit
within the next twenty-four hours. This means that everyone needs to
remain calm, but be aware that Hachi drones will be touching down on
soil by tomorrow morning. I ask you all to stay inside and away from
windows. If the Hachi can not see you, they can not harm you. I ask you
again, remain inside until an all-clear is given. I and the other warriors
will be working tirelessly to insure your safety and well being. Thank
you, and may the gods watch over Chikyuu tonight."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

That night

Tobuma burst into the incubation room where Akane and Bulma
were talking and watching over their children. "Okaasan,
Obasan--they're here."

Bulma stood up, with some help from Akane. She was still sore from
the operation the day before. "Where?" Vejiita! They've arrived!
Grab Serori and meet Seiika and me in the stellar lab. They followed
Tobuma out of the room, and into the lab where they were monitoring the
Hachi ship's progress into their atmosphere. The large screen that
covered half a wall showed an image they were familiar with: an elliptical
black ship nearly identical with the one Bulma recreated only days earlier.

"At the moment, they've settled into a higher orbit over the
United States." Tobuma checked the numbers flashing across the
bottom of the screen. "The best estimate for strike is the Great Lakes
region."

She nodded and sat down in the chair, Akane next to her. "All
right. Get ready to book out of here. Call Son-kun and let him know."
Tobuma nodded and ran from the room.

Immediately after Tobuma's hurried exit, Ranma and Vejiita
entered the room, their faces schooled for battle. "Status." Vejiita
gruffed out, his eyes flicking from Bulma to the screen.

"They've established an orbit over the US. The best point for
fire is in the Great Lakes area," she brought up a map and enlarged it on
several blue fingers of water, "here."

He nodded and stepped up behind her, placing one hand on her
shoulder. "Send out the summons."

Ranma placed himself into an identical position, only behind Akane
with his arms crossed over his chest. "I hope they don't answer."

"It would be ideal," Akane sighed, "but somehow I feel it's not
going to work out that way."

A few minutes later, a loud beep made Bulma sit up straight.
"They're responding."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Aboard the Tokemonu

"We've entered Chikyuu's orbit, Captain."

"Assume a standard orbit, Violet, and tell Rose to prepare the
first five waves of soldiers for attack."

"He's already in position, Captain, and awaits the go ahead."

Iris nodded. He knew it was a useless order, since his first
officer was more than ready to get under way with their attack scheme.
"Is there any sign of the saiya-jiin, Violet?"

The Hachi at the main bridge station shook its head. "None that
we can detect. Chikyuu's population is bustling, but there are no high
energy levels worth detecting."

"All right. Tell Rose to launch as soon as he is ready. I will head
down with the second wave. Marigold, you've got control. Keep sensor
locks on both me and Rose, and if you should lose one of us, inform the
other."

Marigold nodded, but a beeping noise turned his attention to his
console. He checked a few readings, then turned his gaze back to his
captain. "Sir, we are being hailed."

"Where is the source?"

"It's coming from Chikyuu, sir. There has been a steady
background noise originating from the planet for the last couple hours,
but it was so confusing I just ignored it. It seemed to be a mix of
different frequencies so I attributed it to their general communication
networks. This one is obviously directed to us."

"Audio or visual?"

"Both, captain. The computer database has recognized their
language and can translate."

Iris moved to stand in the middle of the bridge. "Trace the origin
of the signal, Marigold, and bring it on screen. Make sure Rose is
receiving this in the hangar as well."

Marigold silently nodded, bringing the forward view screen to life.
The picture of the blue and green world was replaced by the image of
four people. Two females were seated at what looked like a
communications console of some kind, and two males stood directly
behind them. Iris immediately recognized the Prince and Princess of the
Saiya-jiin, Vejiita and Seiika. "This is Captain Iris of the Starship
Tokemonu. How may I be of assistance?"

The four looked at each other, the looks on several of their faces
showing that they were expecting something or someone else. "My name
is Dr. Bulma Briefs, Captain. I have contacted you on request of the
people of Earth. Please call off your attack of this planet and leave this
system immediately, or we will be forced to use more powerful and
drastic measures."

Iris immediately read the threat in the statement, but did not
show any outward indication of its effectiveness. "I understand your
words, Dr. Bulma Briefs, but we are unable to fulfill such a request. We
have too much invested in our endeavors, and to retreat now would be
against everything we have strived for in such processes."

"So you do understand if you do not comply, we will be forced to
retaliate, using all means at our disposal."

Iris nodded. "That is more than expected, Dr. Bulma Briefs. I
had no question that there would be resistance to our efforts. We have
seen such efforts from you and the saiya-jiin already, and are prepared
to complete our mission. Your communiqué will be noted in the records as
an attempt for negotiation. Thank you for the effort."

The other male spoke quietly. "I will not let you take Akane, bug."

"I do not understand your statement, but I have a strong
inclination to its meaning. Tokemonu, out." He nodded to Marigold and
the screen went blank.

"Sir, Commander Rose and the first five sets has cleared the
launch bays. They are en route to their designated landing marks."

"Launch the other sets as soon as possible and fall into a
defensive position." Iris quickly made his way to the door. "Feed the
coordinates into my pod from where the communication originated, and
replot my course to directly land there. Alert Rose of my change in
plans." He shook his head. "I did not expect them to hand the Queen to
us in such a manner."

"Aye, sir."

>>>>>>>>>>>

As soon as the screen went blank, Bulma hit a button in front of
her. "They refused to listen. Time for drastic measures."

Trunks' wind-blown, super saiya-jiin image appeared on the screen.
"Hai. We anticipated that. Tobuma, Goku, and I are almost there."

"Good luck."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Next time: the final battle?

Gie-chan