Part 30  Birthday Party

Part A

The day of Goten’s fourth birthday dawned bright, hot and sunny.  A sizeable relief to Bulma who had dreaded throwing a party with such guests inside.  The whole gang was invited naturally.  There was a surprising lack of children involved for a four year old’s party; well not really so surprising when you considered that Goten and Trunks had only ever played with each other.  But everyone invited was fond of the young Goku clone, and it was a good excuse to get the entire gang together.

Arrangements had been made with two catering companies who would stagger their efforts in keeping the buffet full.  When you planned a party in which two full blooded Saiyjins and four demi-Saiyjins were to attend, you had to think of every scenario.  There would be no running out of food this time; no excuse for Vegeta, Goku and Gohan to offer to go hunting.  Bulma grinned at the memory.

She stirred, stretching, and noting the lack of Vegeta warming her bed.  He hadn’t been here much lately, she mused.  Of course, they both tended to run hot and cold, one reason they had separate rooms, but…oh…Sage.  She abruptly remembered her youngest.  Tying a robe haphazardly around her slight form, she hurried down the hall to Vegeta’s room.

She opened the door to quiet breathing.  Vegeta was curled protectively around Sage, who was sleeping peacefully, not coughing nor struggling to breathe.  Bulma sighed in relief as she gently felt the relatively cool forehead of her youngest son.  Last night had been frightening.  Bulma hadn’t even known that Goku and Goten had arrived, she had been so distracted by Sage’s illness.  At one point in the afternoon, a damp Vegeta had arrived in her lab asking for the medicine she had tried to give Sage earlier.  She had given it to him, and asked fearfully for an update.  He was doing better, she had been told.  He thought he could get some of the medicine down him now that he had calmed down and Kakkarott was there to help.  That had surprised Bulma, but then she remembered that Goku was coming over to spar.  He must have gone looking for Vegeta and found him and Sage and in true Goku fashion, stayed to help.

When she had checked on them later, Goku had gone, and Vegeta was coaxing Sage to drink a strangely colored liquid from one of his bottles.  When she asked him about it, he replied that it was breast milk and blood.  After she fought her initial revulsion down, Bulma admitted to herself that it made sense.  Both fluids had protective antibodies, and high nutrition levels.  But she wasn’t sure she ever wanted to see it again.

Bulma turned and left the room quietly.  They had probably been up most of the night, judging from the dampness still in the room.  She frowned, and walked back in, into the bathroom.  On the counter was one of her mother’s jars of mixed herbs…half empty.  She examined the label and her eyes widened.  Why hadn’t she thought of that?  The number of times she had used it herself….shit.  She felt like such a moron…and such a failure.  The sad part was that she knew that Vegeta didn’t know anything about herbs, much less her mother’s herbs, and he had still managed to figure it out.  She set the jar back down.  She should be happy that one of them managed to have a functioning brain yesterday.  Kudos’ to Vegeta for being the one.  It just seemed that every time Sage needed something, Vegeta was the only one able to give it to him; starting from his birth.  Bulma sighed and walked back out of the room.  Get over it Bulma, she thought to herself.  You wanted Vegeta to be a more involved parent…now he is and you’re griping about it.

She passed by Trunks’ room, and heard faint yelps issuing from within.  She opened the door, and grinned at the two boys; Goten flat on his back on the floor with Trunks perched on his stomach singing “Happy Birthday to Goten” and tickling his best friend.  Goten shrieked and yelped as Trunks tickled him again.

“Hey you two,” she greeted the two young demi-Saiyjins.

“Morning Mama,” said Trunks cheerfully.

“Trunks, is that any way to treat the birthday boy?” asked Bulma in mock sternness.

“Sure Mama, I was just singing Happy Birthday to him,” said Trunks innocently as Goten grunted and tried to push him off his stomach.

“Well why don’t you get off of him so he can tell me what he wants for breakfast.  It’s his birthday after all, he gets to pick.”

Goten’s face fell.  “But Bulma-san…”he hesitated.

“What is it sweetheart?”

“I wanted…I wanted Trunks’ Grandma to make breakfast.”  The boy blushed and refused to meet her eyes.  Bulma smiled. “What, you don’t like my cooking?”  She put on her best insulted air.  Goten looked scared.  She gently caught his chin and turned his face to hers.

“Goten, if that is what you want on your birthday, that is what you’ll get.”

His dark eyes lit up.  “Really?”

She nodded.  “Really and truly.  You think I don’t know that my mother is a better cook than I am?”

Goten blushed again.

“You still need to tell me though, so I can tell my Mom.”

Happy now, that delighted Son smile firmly in place, Goten placed his order with Bulma.  As she followed the exuberant boys down the stairs to the kitchen she couldn’t help but laugh.  Today was going to be a good day after all.  She would make sure of it.

Vegeta awoke to the delectable smell of frying meat and sweet bread.  He stretched lazily, glancing down at his sleeping son.  Sage’s fever had broken sometime during the quiet hours before dawn; his cough quieting soon after.

He should sleep for awhile yet, thought Vegeta, as he carefully rose and padded to the bathroom.  A quick and cool shower later (he’d had quite enough of hot water for awhile) he returned to the bedroom and dressed.  He briefly considered waking Sage and taking him downstairs with him, but decided against it.  That sleeping face was so peaceful; Vegeta hadn’t the heart to disturb it.  He gently brushed spiky bangs away from Sage’s forehead, and then headed for the kitchen and breakfast.

His stomach rumbled noisily; had he even eaten last night?  He couldn’t remember, but he suspected that he hadn’t.  Kami he was hungry!

No sooner had he entered the kitchen and assumed his place at the table then a platter with two extremely large, extremely rare steaks was set in front of him.  He looked up, slightly surprised.

“Trunks told us you were on your way down,” said Bulma, a hint of amusement in her voice.  “That was plenty of time for Mom to fix your steaks the way you like them.”

He murmured his thanks before attacking his food with a neatness that belied his hunger.

“You must be starving,” commented Bulma.  “Mom said you never came down for dinner last night.”

“I guess I didn’t then,” replied Vegeta absently around a mouthful of bloody beef.  He nodded his thanks again to the onna’s mother who set down a heaping plate of scrambled eggs with cheese and ham by his plate.  Onion too, thought Vegeta, by the smell of it.  And then again, when she set a stack of French toast and bacon beside it.

He glanced at the onna, and she grinned back at him.  “Goten’s request for his birthday breakfast.”

Vegeta swallowed, and looked at the youngest Son who was still eating steadily at his stack of French toast.  “Good choice, boy,” he said approvingly, and went back to his food.

“Where’s Sage, tousan?” asked Trunks.  “Is he still sick?”

“Sage is still sleeping, and no, I don’t think he’s still sick Trunks.  He is very tired though.  He worked very hard last night to get well.”

“So he can still come to the party, right?”  This from Goten who looked concerned.

“He probably will, yes.”

Goten smiled that classic Son smile that made Vegeta’s heart leap into his throat for just a moment…a heartbeat.  Kami….he looks just like his father.  Vegeta blinked.  Goten was prattling on, blissfully unaware of the ouji’s thoughts.

“Oh good, I’m glad.  It wouldn’t seem like it was complete if Sage couldn’t come.  ‘Sides, he hates to miss stuff…he’d be pretty mad if he didn’t get to go.”

Vegeta raised a heavy brow in surprise.  He hadn’t known that his youngest son’s temperament was that well known.  The boy was undoubtedly correct however, trying to keep Sage away from a crowd of people was just begging for a tantrum.  Especially, he thought suddenly, since Sage was certain to know that his Baka was there.  After last night’s events, Sage was always going to know when Kakkarott was around.  Kami, the brat might even be able to call him, through the blood-bond that they now shared.  This could get complicated.  Fuck, swore Vegeta internally…that bitch better mess up soon.  One way or another, this needs to be resolved.

His ears perked suddenly as he felt, rather than heard Sage beginning to stir upstairs.  He started to get up, but Bulma laid a hand on his arm.

“Sage?” she queried.

He nodded.

“Let me,” she smiled.  “You finish your breakfast.”

He thought to protest, but why?  She was his mother after all.  He nodded and she left the room.

Sage wiggled around, his head moving, nuzzling in search of his Tou’tan.  He could smell him, but he wasn’t there anymore.  The chibi opened bleary eyes and looked around; reaching out through his bond with his father, but Tou’tan wasn’t nearby.  He sighed.  It was such an effort just to roll over, he couldn’t contemplate actually gathering his strength and yelling for someone.  Maybe he’d just go back to sleep.  He shivered.  But he was chilly with no one to snuggle up with, and besides he was hungry too.  He rose to his hands and knees, rocking slightly.  His ears twitched…there were footsteps coming down the hall.  Light and small, they didn’t sound like Tou’tan….they weren’t.  He smiled anyway, Mama.

“Good morning little prince,” she cooed at him.  She picked him up gently, cuddling him.  “How are you feeling?”

Sage laid his head on her shoulder and sighed, closing his eyes briefly.  Bulma held him close to her, treasuring the warmth and contentment he seemed to radiate.  She took him to the nursery and proceeded to change and dress him lightly in CC bibs and a blood red short sleeved onsie.  She carefully groomed his small flame of hair, smiling as he purred in response to her touch.  She repressed the urge to reach for a brush, a comb, remembering all too clearly the howls of pain she had wrought from her small son unintentionally.  Vegeta had been right of course, Sage’s hair didn’t really tangle, the little bit that it did was easily straightened by gentle finger combing.  She found herself relaxing somewhat as she rubbed his scalp, mimicking motions she had seen Vegeta use.  Her son’s purr deepened.

“Are you hungry, my chibi prince?” she asked him.

His eyes popped open from their contented, half-lidded state, and he looked at her as though asking if she were completely stupid, of course he was hungry.  He emphasized the look by demanding, “More!” in an imperious tone of voice.  She chuckled and gathered him up, nuzzling the crease in his neck and inhaling the sweet scent of her son.

Vegeta already had a bottle waiting when she arrived in the kitchen.  She took it from him, silently hoping that Sage wasn’t going to be difficult about who was feeding him.  To her relief, he accepted the bottle, draining it quickly.  She turned back to Vegeta, expecting him to hand her another, but he was apparently absorbed in his breakfast.  She felt a small tug on her pants, and looked down into sapphire eyes.  Trunks held up a bottle for her, clearly proud of himself.  She discovered why a second later.

“I warmed it myself Mama!” he told her gleefully.

“Thank you Trunks, you did a very good job!” she replied, ruffling his hair.  He had too; the bottle was at the perfect temperature for Sage’s preferences.  She looked back at her eldest son, wondering when he had gotten so big…so much older than she had realized.  He was nearly five…she was going to have to give in soon to Vegeta’s insistence regarding his training.  She was loathe to do it though; somehow it would make Trunks less…hers.  It was bad enough that Sage didn’t seem to be hers at all, but to lose Trunks…she mentally smacked herself.   Trunks starting training wouldn’t cause her to lose him….it just seemed that way; giving Vegeta one more advantage over her as a parent.

Damnit that was NO way to think!  She blinked as Sage tossed his empty bottle overboard, and wriggled, demanding “MORE!”  Another tug on her pants, and Goten handed her a bottle; again warmed to perfection.  The shy smile on his face told her that he had prepared it himself.  She rubbed his hair, and thanked him, watching with a smile as he bounded off with Trunks.  Ok, she thought as she gave Sage his final bottle…it’s time to get things going with the party.  People should start arriving in a few hours; she had a TON of stuff to do.

Sage finished his final bottle with a loud belch, and immediately started screeching “More Tou’tan!!!”  Bulma sighed a little sadly, even though she was frankly relieved since she had so much to do.  She handed their son to Vegeta, and looked away as the younger Vegeta promptly sank his teeth into his father’s wrist.  His father’s eyes closed briefly, Bulma supposed in pain, but the expression on his face didn’t seem indicative of pain…it looked almost…blissful.  She grimaced…yet another thing for her to be jealous of…though to be honest she didn’t think she could actually handle it.  The sight of Sage actually drinking his father’s blood gave her the willies; she couldn’t imagine actually LETTING him do it to her.  She leaned over and kissed her son, murmuring a quiet, “See you later little prince,” and she left to begin setting up the party.

A few hours later, most of the guests had arrived, including the rest of the Sons.  Chichi seemed perfectly happy, blending in with the guests, talking and laughing.  Trunks and Goten were running around, ducking in and around people, under tables, and basically having a blast.  She moved over towards the buffet table, with the intention of checking on the beverage situation when…

“Oi, Bulma!!!”  She turned around at the familiar voice.

“Krillen!!”  He hugged her fiercely.  “It’s good to see you, and you too 18,” she nodded politely at the enhanced human who was sporting an extremely pregnant belly.  Bulma eyed it nervously.”

“Wow…when are you due?”

“Two weeks,” was the even reply.

Bulma looked at her long-time friend.  He was grinning from ear to ear.  “She wanted to see your little one, kind of get an idea of what to expect,” he explained.

Bulma laughed.  “I don’t think you can judge what your baby will be like by Sage,” she said, still chuckling.  “I’m not sure where he is right now, but if you find Vegeta, you’re pretty sure to find Sage.”

Krillen raised an eyebrow.  “Vegeta’s taking care of the baby?  Bulma, are you feeling ok?”

Bulma grimaced.  “I can see you’ve been out of the loop Krillen,” she said “living way out there on Master Roshi’s island.  Trust me, when you see them together, you’ll understand.”

“Well ok, if you say so,” Krillen’s voice was doubtful.  He turned to his wife, who was already scanning the crowd looking for Vegeta.

She spotted him easily, standing a little way apart from the crowd, leaning back against the wall of the CC building, arms folded, his perpetual scowl firmly in place on his face, russet tail tip curled lightly against his thigh.  18 watched for a moment as it twitched back and forth slightly, then turned to her husband and said, “Come on Krillen,” before heading off towards Vegeta herself.

Krillen managed a hasty good bye to Bulma before he hurried after his wife.  The last thing this party needed was a fight between a pregnant 18 and the Saiyjin prince.

Vegeta stood back and watched the party, his inner satisfaction not showing on his face.  Although he would never admit it, he kind of enjoyed having the Z fighters around.  At least he wasn’t alone with Kakkarott.  Kakkarott.  He sighed inaudibly.  He could see the taller Saiyjin deep in conversation with that old pervert, Roshi.  He suddenly straightened, and turned his head, catching the ouji’s eye.  Vegeta met his gaze steadily, ignoring the thumping in his chest.  A current like lightning ran through Vegeta’s body, causing his tail to thrash in agitation.  He was pleased to notice that Kakkarott’s tail was just as out of control as his own.  The two men held the other’s gaze for a moment more, then Kakkarott turned away.  Vegeta was relieved.  His determination to wait for the younger man to make his decision was sorely tested by that little display.  He didn’t notice as 18 approached him until she asked him point blank, “Where is the baby?”

He blinked at her.  A pregnant 18 was something he had never thought he’d see.  Though he knew that she had married Baldy, hell he’d been at the wedding, a gravid android wasn’t something he was prepared to face.  Former android, he reminded himself automatically. 

“Why do you want to know,” he frowned.

A panting Krillen slid to a stop beside Vegeta and his wife.  “She just wants to see him Vegeta…she’s never really been around children let alone babies before.”  Vegeta stared at him, almost not recognizing him underneath the mop of black hair atop his formerly bald head.  Then he shrugged.

“Last I knew, Kakkarott’s oldest brat had him.”

“You don’t even know where your baby is?” said Krillen disbelievingly.

Vegeta looked down at him.  “I ALWAYS know where he is,” he said in a dangerous voice.  “And I know he is with Gohan, and that he is perfectly fine and happy.  Satisfied Baldy?”

“Ok ok, “said Krillen, his hands up in a pacifying manner.  “I believe you…where is Gohan?” 

Vegeta pushed himself up off the wall, tail twitching slightly before winding slowly around his waist.  “Find him yourself.”  And he walked away.

Krillen stared after him.  Then he snorted.  “Vegeta never changes.”

“Of course he does,” replied his wife.  “He has.  He has a tail.  He didn’t have one before, did he?”

Krillen stared at 18 in disbelief.  Then he turned to look at the retreating back of the Saiyjin prince.  Yes, there it was…a reddish-brown tail curled around his waist.  How had he MISSED that?  “Oh Kami-sama,” he groaned.

His wife glanced at him irritably.  “Come on, let’s find Gohan.”

Gohan meanwhile was talking animatedly to Piccolo, while bouncing a delighted Sage behind him within the coils of his tail.  Piccolo was finding himself distracted by the squealing chibi and finally asked Gohan to stop.  He had never seen the baby up close; well actually, he’d never paid attention to the child up close, so Gohan introduced them.

“Piccolo, this is Briefs Vegeta,” said Gohan formally…grinning slightly as he held up the chibi.  Sage looked coolly at the Namek, thumb in his mouth, tail tip curled around his hand.  “Everyone calls him Sage though.  His chibi name…Trunks gave it to him.”

Piccolo looked into the dark eyes of Vegeta’s youngest son, and barely heard Gohan introducing him to the chibi.

“Sage, this is Piccolo-sama.  He’s my teacher and my best friend.”

“You talk as though he can understand what you say,” said Piccolo, not taking his even gaze from Sage’s level one.

“Oh he does Piccolo.  Don’t you chukra?”  He grinned as he gently stroked the blue-black tail.  Sage smiled slightly, his thumb still in his mouth, his eyes never leaving Piccolo’s.

I’ll be damned, thought Piccolo.  He does understand.  And that power of his…he has a good deal of control for such a young infant.

“He looks like his father,” commented Piccolo.  At that, the thumb popped out of Sage’s mouth as he smiled, and he reached up, his little hand a blur as it closed gently around one of Piccolo’s antennas.

Gohan’s eyes widened.  He had no idea if Piccolo was sensitive in that area; if the grasp of the chibi was painful…his frantic thoughts were interrupted as Piccolo calmly asked him to hand Sage to him.  Gohan complied, and watched in amusement as Sage sat easily in Piccolo’s hand, tail wrapped around the large wrist, fingers still gently grasping the Namek’s antenna.

“I want you to let go Sage,” Piccolo’s deep voice was firm.  “You could hurt me very badly if you squeezed too hard.”  Sage’s eyes widened, and he released his grasp.  “Thank you,” said Piccolo, smiling slightly.

“More,” said Sage, grinning.

“No,” replied the Namek, grinning slightly in spite of himself.  “No more Sage.”

Gohan was smiling in obvious relief when Krillen and 18 found their way to the happy trio.

“Hey Gohan,” greeted Krillen slapping the young demi-Saiyjin on the back.

“How’s it going Krillen?” replied Gohan with a smile.  Krillen may have been his father’s best friend, but the two had been close ever since Namek.

“It’s been busy,” said Krillen, pointedly looking at 18.  Gohan followed his gaze and blinked in surprise.  A pregnant 18.  Wow.  She was staring at Sage intently.  He was ignoring her in favor of Piccolo.

“She wanted to see the baby up close,” whispered Krillen to Gohan.  “I don’t think she’s ever actually seen one.  I think she’s a little nervous about the birth.”

Gohan nodded.  He could see how that could be a problem.

“Does she want to hold him?” he asked Krillen.  Before he could answer, he put his hands up, “I’m not promising anything, but if she wants to try, I can see if Sage is willing.”

Krillen smiled in relief.  “Thanks bro, I’ll ask her.”  He approached his wife, murmuring something quietly.  Something that almost looked like a smile passed over her face and was gone.  She nodded.  Krillen turned back to Gohan and gave him the thumbs up.

Gohan nodded and crossed to stand in front of Piccolo.  “Hey Sage, c’mere,” he said, holding his arms out for the chibi.  “I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”  Sage looked at him and frowned.  “C’mon Sage, please?” asked Gohan.  He twitched his tail at the chibi invitingly.  Krillen nearly fainted; Gohan too?  He thought to himself.

Sage looked back at Piccolo, and then unwrapped his tail from the Namek’s wrist and held his hands out to Gohan, who took the little prince into his arms.  Sage twitched his tail nervously, then returned it to his hand and resumed his thumb sucking.

Krillen stared openly at the baby Gohan was holding.  He looked EXACTLY like Vegeta, right down to the scowl.  The tail was slightly different…hold on...ANOTHER tail?  “Uh Gohan,” he asked carefully.  “What’s with all the tails?”

Gohan looked at Krillen, and then glanced back over his shoulder at his own thick dark brown appendage.  “Oh,” he shrugged.  “They all grew back.  Except Sage’s of course.  He was born with his, and Vegeta didn’t allow it to be removed like Trunks’ was.”

Krillen blinked.  His brain did some rapid calculations and came to a terrifying conclusion.  “Uh Gohan…didn’t somebody wish the moon back?”

“Yes.”  Gohan’s reply was unconcerned.

“Um, you DO remember what happens during a full moon, don’t you?”

To his surprise, Gohan laughed.  “Don’t sweat it Krillen, Vegeta taught Dad to control it, and he’s been teaching me and Goten too.  You won’t see any giant were-apes running amok this time.  So,” he turned to 18.  “Do you want to hold him?”

To be continued….

Email Talon @ talonsage@attbi.com