author: FireCracker KLee624820@a...
(Italic copy bordered by_underscore_)
Archive? You'd better.

A/U

HOUSE OF VEGETA pt.13a: The wisdom of Celipe

Kakarot nuzzled his affectionate niece in the castle parlor. Xenna
greedily ate pesto from his fingertips.

"Hn, you certainly eat like your cusi (cousins). I think we have
another bottomless pit here!"

"Don't feed her too much, Kakarot." Raditz fretted nearby, looking
for her stuffed lizard toy. "I don't want my daughter fat."

Kakarot was incredulous. "Fat?! As much energy as she burns off?
You're crazy, Raditz. Cubs need food, and lots of it. Besides, she's
only eaten one bowl of pesto."

"And one bottle of formula." Raditz added.

"That's not too bad. Have you forgotten how much Nuru and Tezar eat?"

Raditz pulled the toy out from underneath a small table. "Maybe
so...where are they?"

"Vegeta has them. It's a rare slow day for our crown prince."

"Sometimes I'm glad I wasn't officially named the heir...royal duties
seem to impede a lot on your private life."

Kakarot purred at Xenna, who clucked and coiled her fat tail. "Maybe,
but it's incredibly exciting...there's always something going on
politically, and you catch all the gossip."

Radtiz sat across from him. "Good stuff, huh?"

"Almost as good as your daughter being left at the palace."

Raditz sighed. "I can only imagine what they're saying about that."

"You don't want to know. Saba has a plan, but he won't reveal it to
me."

"It better be good, or we'll all be out in the streets."

Kakarot laughed. "Hardly. Idle talk and gossip never ran out any
ruler!"

Raditz poked a finger at his chibi. "I called mother and gave her
news. I think she passed out on me."

"She wants to see the baby right away, I'll bet."

"Of course. I plan to take Xenna there later today."

Kakarot thought a moment. "Do you have any idea who the mother is?"

A sigh. "No, at least no one that fits in the right time frame."

"Hn, not good. Let's eat before we go."

"Always thinking of that belly, eh, little brother?"

"Hell, we can stuff like blorggs if we want. Royalty should always be
well fed!"

Raditz roared with mirth. "Fool...you may be royal, but you're third
class to the core!"

"So are you. We weren't raised like Vegeta, Raditz."

"True. When I was younger, I used to imagine what I'd look like as
king."

Kakarot cradled a sleepy Xenna. "No kidding?"

Raditz chuckled at the memory. "Yeah...I'd wrap myself in bedsheets
and pretend to give orders to imaginary subjects."

"That's silly."

"Tell me about it." Raditz grew serious. "I really hope I don't mess
up with her, Kakarot. This is all new to me."

"I'm hardly an expert, but I can only say you have to follow your
heart."

Raditz ruffled the jagged mop. "Sometimes little brother, you make a
whole lot of sense."

Kakarot grinned. "I have my moments."

****

They continued their discussion in the helipod. Xenna sat quietly in
her high seat, looking out the back window.

"I'm thinking mother could be helpful in evaluating Xenna, Kakarot.
After all she does do genetic testing for the medical institutes."

The younger saiyan nodded. "I know where you're going...it could be
some time before you locate the mother."

"Her ki level is somewhat low, which makes me wonder."

"She's perfectly happy and healthy, Raditz. What's meant to be will
be."

"I won't lie to you, Kakarot. My pride will be wounded if her mother
turns out to be ragtail."

"Is that Xenna's fault? She's a pretty chibi."

A slow smile. "She is that. No doubt she'll keep her cusi (cousins)
in line."

"They'll spoil her rotten with attention. I thought we'd never get
them unhooked the other day."

"Hn, not to mention doting ubes (uncles)."

Kakarot peeked back at Xenna. "Well, it is fun having a girl around!"

****

They arrived at their old home an hour later, as luxurious dwellings
gave way to tight squalor. Curious eyes were on them, as neighbors
peered in curiosity at the baby.

Kakarot glanced at the nosy crowd. "Some things never change around
here."

Raditz nodded, picking Xenna up. "Ai, nobody ever minds their own
buisness."

"Huloooo, boys!!" a stumpy saiyan bellowed, waddling their way. He
was trailed by another group of neighbors.

Kakarot whispered in his brother's ear. "It's your show...I've got
nothing to do with this mess."

Raditz snorted as the crowd approached. "Kisama..."

"Got a new chibi, eh?"

Hai, Entokk. Her name is Xenna."

The thickset saiyan grinned. "A pretty thing...how old is she?"

"Seven months..."

That elicited snide comments and murmurs. Raditz glared.

"If you don't mind, we'd like to go inside."

Berta laughed, a longtime neighbor. "I remember when you used to tear
up my yard, boy. So where's the mother?"

Raditz turned away from them all as he headed inside. "None of your
buisness...don't you people have anything else to do?"

Another neighbor piped up. "Ai, he won't answer. The cub looks elite,
though. Celipe's boys always were fast-"

"Give it a rest, will you?" Kakarot growled, pushing his brother
forward. The group hooted and howled.

"How many does this make?"

"Hey Kakarot...where are your chibis?"

"Hell, which litter? He's probably got-"

The front door swung open. The crowd quieted as Celipe glared, her
dishevelled mop of hair everywhere. She was wearing a bathrobe.

"You slarggs get the hell off my front...or I'll drill some fifty
millimeter shells in your asses."

Saiyans were always surly when threatened, and the mob was no
different. Mumbling and cursing, they shuffled off. Kakarot and
Raditz watched in stunned silence.

Celipe pointed past the door. "Well, what are you gawking at. Get
your tails inside!"

"Adieru" they mumbled meekly, slipping past her. Xenna clicked her
tongue in approval.

****

They exchanged hugs.

"Now give me that baby!!" Celipe all but snatched Xenna from Raditz.

Kakarot's tail puffed. "Who's been here, mother? You aren't alone."

Celipe snorted. "No, I'm not. I don't recall asking your permission."

Radtiz glanced up the stairs. "Why mosi, do you have a new friend?"

Celipe walked through the living room with a clucking Xenna. "Put
your noses on ice, both of you. Didn't you bring a diaper bag?"

Raditz slapped his forehead as they entered the dining room. "Kuso, I
knew there was something I forgot!!"

"Idiot." Celipe glanced at the bundle she held. "What a pretty chibi.
Granddouja says hello, chikki."

Xenna burped, her small tongue poking out. Kakarot grinned. "Isn't
she cute?"

"Ai. And now my wayward son can explain what happened." she glanced
sideways at Raditz.

The burly saiyan flushed. "It all happened so fast, mother-"

"It usually does with you two."

Xenna burped again. Celipe put her over a shoulder, patting. "This
chibi is empty...when did you last feed her?!"

"Feed her?!" Raditz stammered. "She just ate earlier this morning!"

Even Kakarot laughed at that. "I tried to tell him."

Celipe shook her head, nuzzling the baby. "It's a good thing I have
leftover bottles and formula...a grandmother is always prepared!"

Raditz patted his stomach. "I could do with something to eat myself."

****

Celipe made a makeshift pallet from a small mattress and blankets.
Xenna curled her toes, happily sucking away at her bottle. The adults
laughed at her gusto as they ate at the dining room table.

"That certainly brings back memories." Celipe grinned.

Raditz nodded. "Hai, I remember how Nuru and Tezar ate everything in
front of them...they seem to eat even more here."

"True. But I was referring to another pair of chibis!"

Raditz laughed. "Oh, I get it. Kakarot was worse!"

"Not by much. You were the fattest cub I'd ever seen, Raditz."

Kakarot cracked up. His older sibling glared. "Oh, shut up."

Celipe chuckled. "Not pudgy, just heavy...I nearly threw my back out
once picking you up the wrong way."

"He's not heavy...he's my brother!" Kakarot exploded again at his bad
joke.

Raditz smirked. "Fool."

"Quiet, Kakarot." Celipe pointed a finger as she sipped haffa. "You
ate enough for three chibis...that appetite was frightening to see.
One time you polished off four bowls of pesto at one sitting. Your
father was sick of going to the store."

"I wasn't...ah...that greedy?"

"Greedy and silly. You were always catching your tail in everything.
When you were about three, I took you downstairs while I was doing
the wash. I set you in a spare laundry basket while I was busy
separating clothes. Before I could turn around you'd already climbed
the cleaning unit and jammed your tail inside!"

Raditz laughed then, holding his sides.

"Then there was the time you wrapped your tail around the chandelier.
I thought your father would have a stroke when he saw you hanging
from the ceiling."

Kakarot folded his arms, annoyed. "It isn't that funny. Pass me the
maous brains!"

****

Raditz yawned, his belly full. "Mosi, that roast snake was delicious!
Not to mention the glazed liver stew with potatoes. I can barely
move."

Celipe pointed at more plates. "Don't forget dessert...your brother's
started on it already."

Kakarot chomped on sweetcakes between hot cups of haffa. "Hn, it's
nice to come home sometimes."

Raditz glanced over at his sleepy daughter, smiling. "Someone's
knocked out."

Celipe peeped at the drowsy infant. "Ai, she'll sleep well. Are you
staying overnight?"

Kakarot eyed her sideways. "Only if you tell us who's upstairs-"

"Kakarot!"

"Well...what about it?" Raditz wanted to know. "Whoever it is doesn't
seem too anxious to come down. We've been here for hours."

"Why do you need to know? He's a friend-"

"Friend, huh?" Raditz winked at his brother. "Sure, mother. What's
going on?"

"His name is Ruccu-"

"What does he do?" Kakarot demanded.

"Surveillance." she said shortly, annoyed. "Now why all the
questions?"

"We're curious. Besides, you haven't asked about father."

Dark eyes sparked in suppressed anger. "Why should I, Raditz? He has
his life, I have mine!"

"But I thought you two were getting along!" Kakarot said in
disbelief. "Don't you even care?"

"Care? About what? The fact that he wrapped around our Ou for
years?!" her voice was strained. "He only comes through to help
maintain the house. Don't read anything into it!!"

Raditz sipped his steaming haffa. "I see...and this 'Ruccu' character-
"

"He's there for me and treats me well."

The conversation halted at a sound. Quiet feet padded downstairs to
startled eyes. A handsome saiyan with a trim goatee smiled at
everyone.

"I heard my name mentioned, and thought I'd say hello."

Celipe stood suddenly, adjusting her robe. "Ruccu! I thought you were
sleeping-"

"Who can sleep with all this noise?" a smirk at the two young
men. "Let me guess...your sons?"

"Hai...Raditz and Kakarot."

Ruccu nodded at the two, who glared back. "It's nice to have one's
children visit."

"Come join us...we were eating dessert, but there's leftover snake
and liver stew in the kitchen."

Ruccu glided into a chair. "I'll just have some hot haffa for now.
These sweetcakes look good."

"They are." Kakarot said shortly. Ruccu inclined his head.

"Forgive my manners, ouijan...your status as a royal is often
confusing."

"Only for the simple minded." Kakarot retorted. Celipe glared at him.

Raditz coughed. "We understand you do surveillance?"

Ruccu nodded, biting into a cake. "Hai, I've done several
reconiassance missions for the King. Have you ever heard of the
twilight mission?"

The two young men looked surprised. "Who hasn't?" Kakarot
replied. "How were you involved?"

"I was captain. We cleared out over six hundred of Frieza's race."

"Amazing." Raditz agreed. "Your methods are taught in the military
academies everywhere."

Ruccu smiled slightly. "I set a high standard for myself. Hopefully
others will follow." he peered over at the pallet.

"Hn, that's a beauty. Who's chibi, eh?"

Celipe grinned. "That's my other chikki, Xenna."

"My daughter." Raditz added, puffing his chest.

Ruccu nodded. "She's lovely, well formed. So how many does that make?"

"Three, including my cubs." Kakarot stated. "Nuru and Tezar are with
the prince."

"Indeed." Ruccu still observed the sleeping Xenna.

****

They talked well into the night. Eventually Celipe and Ruccu
retreated upstairs.

Kakarot eyed them sideways as they went up. "So what do you think?"

Raditz observed also. "If he treats her well I have no objection.
Father has his mate, and mother deserves to be happy."

Kakarot sighed. "I suppose. It just seems weird."

"No weirder than a chibi showing up on the palace doorsteps."

Kakarot glanced at his sleeping niece, who curled in a ball on her
pallet. "True. You still have no idea who the mother is?"

"I've racked my brain."

"Maybe you were drunk-"

Raditz growled as he ate another sweetcake. "Don't even go there!"

"Why not, if you don't know? It could be anybody!"

"I don't get in bed with just anybody!"

A sigh. "Well, you'd better figure it out. Saba's right...the mother
could show up and cause trouble."

Raditz gulped his tenth cup of haffa. "I'll worry about that later.
Let's turn back the clock, little brother!"

Kakarot blinked. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Raditz stood, grabbing another tray of sweetcakes. "Get a bucket of
ice and chips. We'll chill out downstairs!"

Kakarot beamed. "You're on. I'll bring down a can of fried skins too."

"Sounds good." Raditz scooped up his sleeping daughter with his free
arm.

****

In typical saiyan fashion, they made a sloppy mess in the rec room.
The two brothers watched movies on the large viewscreen, crunching
away on snacks and gulping beer and liquor.

Xenna curled contentedly between the two, making them her own
personal pallet. Bright eyes opened at the noisy pair.

Kakarot bit another sweetcake. "See, you woke her up with your
eating!"

"Me? You're the one who sounds like a garbage disposal!"

Raditz leaned back on fur throw pillows. "Ai, the original saiyan
pit. Krukka, sometimes I think you have a tapeworm."

"Your feet stink."

"Better my feet than your backside!"

Xenna screeched, enjoying the loud argument. Her stubby tail coiled
like a spring.

Raditz pulled it straight. "Shut up, Kakarot. The movie's just
getting to the good part."

"Hn, your daughter likes wild night life. It's three o'clock in the
morning!"

"Well, it is the weekend."

Kakarot tickled the little nose. "You'll have lots of boyfriends,
Xenna."

The chibi chirped, squashing into him. Tiny sharp nails hooked his
skin.

"Ouch! Crazy cub."

They stretched in lazy silence. Deep shadows and stark contrast
danced across their features from the viewscreen. Xenna slipped into
her father's lap quietly. Soon an all too familiar perfume filled the
air.

Raditz looked down in dismay at his lap. "No...not again!!"

Kakarot laughed his head off. "Now you're officially a father!"

****

Celipe padded downstairs at dawn. Weak sunrays filtered through the
hallway as she adjusted her robe.

_Hn, those yabas drank most of my liquor._

Hands on hips, she stared at her mess of a rec room. Food, beer cans
and empty liquor bottles were everywhere. The viewscreen blared early
morning programming.

Kakarot and Raditz were out cold, sprawled in a tangle over large
throw pillows. Xenna sat across them both, bright eyes shining as she
purred. Smashed food covered her sleepsuit.

Celipe couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous sight. Reaching
across her sons, she picked up Xenna.

"Come on, chikki. Grandouja will give you a nice bubble bath. Would
you like that?"

Xenna squealed, stubby legs kicking. Celipe held her close.

"I'll take that as a yes."

She glared at the two prone figures on the floor. "Assholes. I hope
they have a good hangover."

Xenna clucked in agreement. Laughing, Celipe took her upstairs.

****

Raditz woke up, seeing three Kakarots. The maned saiyan clutched his
reeling head.

"Kisama...someone just shoot me now."

"Shut the damn noise up." Kakarot complained, rubbing his temples. He
pushed himself to a seated position on the floor.

"This place is a mess."

A thought suddenly struck Raditz. "Xenna! She's gone, Kakarot!!"

"No, she's not. Mosi probably has her."

The burly saiyan staggered to his feet. "You'd better hope so!!"

****

Xenna was doing very well, thank you. Squeaky clean and powdered
down, she sat quietly in a high chair chewing a rubber ball. Celipe
had combed the spiky mop into a little ponytail.

A somewhat hung over pair of saiyans staggered upstairs into the
kitchen. They were greeted by a round of shrieks and squeals from
Xenna.

"Kami!!" Kakarot held his spinning head. "I just blew out an eardrum."

"Hai, give her a bottle or something!" Raditz complained, rubbing his
ears.

Celipe laughed at their pained expressions. "No less than you
deserve. Sit down before you fall down."

They plopped heavily at the kitchen table. Raditz pulled his daughter
from the highchair.

"Hn" he sniffed his powdered chibi. "Little flower!"

Xenna clucked, cuddling. Kakarot laughed. "Looks like Xenna's ready
to start her day!"

Ruccu grinned from his spot at the table. "Hai, she had a bath and
two bottles already."

Celipe stirred a pot over the stove. "Not that her drunken father and
uncle would know."

Raditz winced. "Where did you find her?"

"Sitting on the two of you. She had food all over her sleepsuit."

Kakarot nearly laughed. "Speaking of which...isn't that Nuru's uni
suit she's wearing?"

Celipe spooned thick paste into bowls. "Like I told you, I'm always
prepared for chikki."

Xenna stretched for her uncle next, clicking. Pointed nails hooked
his shirt.

"Hn, you need a trim, girl." he pulled her from Raditz, inhaling the
soft skin.

"You've smelled her enough." Raditz was annoyed. "Rub a nose on your
own cubs!"

"Ai, but she's different-"

Celipe slammed bowls in front of everybody. "Quiet, all of you. Eat!!"

Ruccu snickered. "You heard her, boys. Better get started."

Raditz made a face. "Housebroken, eh, Ruccu?"

"Better than being broken, boy. You'll learn someday."

****

They ate a relaxed breakfast. Xenna crawled about the kitchen floor,
squeezing between legs under the table. Her rubber ball bounced
everywhere.

Celipe chomped on suda grain. "There will be much to discuss later."
she said pointedly to Raditz.

The burly saiyan was sullen. "Hai, I know."

Ruccu glanced over at Kakarot. "So, how are things at the palace? I
understand a prime delegation will be in this region next week."

Kakarot thought a moment. "Ai, excitement over the upcoming war
reaches fever pitch among elite commanders. The very best will argue
and debate, as usual."

"No doubt-"

Kakarot and Raditz turned abruptly, sensing someone.

"Were you expecting more company, mother?"

Celipe looked up also. "Shimatta-"

Quiet footsteps entered through the side parlor.

"You!"

"Hn??" a perplexed Bardock stood stock still at the entranceway.
Seconds later his eyes fell on Ruccu. The two saiyans started
growling, their tails puffing up.

"That's enough!" Celipe snapped, her own tail lashing now. Raditz and
Kakarot watched warily.

"Here again...early?" Bardock snarled, moving at the table.

Ruccu stood. "Not that it's any of your buisness, Bardock. You blew
your chance!"

"There's a chibi in here." Raditz reminded them all.

That halted Bardock a moment. Glancing down, he smiled at Xenna.

"Abre'dedu, chikki...gedare thinks you're prettier every day."

Xenna squealed, crawling his way. Bardock scooped her up, cuddling.

Celipe took advantage of the moment. "No fighting in here. The first
one who messes up my kitchen gets a broken tail!!"

The males were silent and sullen. Celipe caught sight of her
youngest, who looked ready to spring.

"I see you, Kakarot. Keep your place there!!"

"But-"

"Quiet! Or you'll be the first cracktail on the block."

Bardock sighed. "I didn't come to fight, Celipe. I'd heard the boys
stopped by, and figured they'd have one of the chikki."

"Hmpf! Then remember why you're here. I wish you and Ruccu would get
along."

Ruccu glared, his tail still up and stiff. "That seems unlikely given
the circumstances."

"Agreed." Bardock growled again. He smiled coldly at the other
saiyan. "Of course we just might...outside!"

"Your call." Ruccu rejoined.

Raditz stood between them. "Father, enough. Fight him later, if you
want to. We've got other things to worry about." he glanced at Xenna.

Bardock blinked in surprise, his anger temporarily forgotten. "What?
Is something wrong with the cub?"

"No, but some loose ends need to be tied up."

Ruccu observed them oddly. "How very curious."

"It's family buisness, Ruccu." Kakarot snapped. "Keep your nose out
of it."

Ruccu snorted in amusement. "Don't get your cock in a knot, boy. Your
mother is my only concern here anyway." he pecked Celipe on the cheek.

"I'll go upstairs and change. Big day and all."

Celipe blinked at him. "You don't have to leave."

"Yes I do. Not unless you plan on redoing your house, or breaking all
our tails."

****

Bardock kissed the burbling chibi. "Hn, she smells good. Ibiske
(flower petal)."

"You never said that about us." Kakarot sniffed.

"Because you stank most of the time, boy. By the time the two of you
started growing I wanted to hose you down."

Raditz laughed bitterly. "That bad, eh?"

"Ai, worse than swamp moads. Speaking of which..." he glanced down
the hallway.

Celipe was offended. "That's enough, Bardock."

"Hn, does he do anything else all weekend?"

"At least he's around all weekend!"

Kakarot called cease. "I think you both need to cool off. Leave the
past behind!"

His parents stared before exploding into laughter.

"Now that's a good one...Kakarot calling for cool heads!" Celipe
cracked up.

Raditz glanced at his brother. "You're full of surprises, Kakarot."

The wild one folded his arms, grinning. "Always."

****

Celipe and Ruccu said their warm goodbyes at the doorway. Back in the
kitchen, a sullen Bardock cursed. Raditz admonished him.

"Father, knock it off...Xenna's looking at you."

It was true. Xenna stopped chirping and stared at her angry
grandfather. Pudgy little hands pulled at his lips.

"I think she's trying to make you smile." Kakarot observed.

"Hn" Bardock managed to mumble. He couldn't help but smile at the
bright little face.

"All right, chikki. You win...now sit still, eh?"

Xenna chirped again, curling happily in his lap.

"I shouldn't have to come to this stink every weekend!"

Raditz rolled his eyes. "Enough, already. Mother has her rights!"

"Besides, you haven't been together for years." Kakarot added.

"We were bonded. Just because we aren't together-"

"Not your territory, father. Deal with it!"

"Wrong, boy. My name's on this house, too."

"Then let the current arrangement hold." Raditz shot. "You went and
had your life...now let mother have hers!"

Stunned to silence, Bardock gawked. "You dare be so insolent?"

"You deserve it. This isn't a one way deal."

Kakarot was incredulous. "Are you saying you still have feelings for
mother?"

Bardock spluttered. "I...this isn't about my relationship with her."

"Bull. You loved each other once!"

"That was a long time ago, Kakarot. Too much has happened, and
neither of us want to go back."

"Fine. But at least understand she should be happy too. As happy as
you are with saba!!"

Bardock turned beet red. "Enough. You've made your point."

Kakarot folded his arms smugly. "Good. Thought so."

"You're asking to get popped, boy." Bardock gave a slow grin. "Even
if you happen to be right."

Raditz chuckled. "You missed your calling, little brother. Maybe you
should have been a marriage counselor!"

****

Celipe reappeared in the kitchen a short while later. Bardock was
still somewhat sullen.

"That took long enough." he complained.

"You used to know." she snapped back.

Raditz rolled his eyes. "You two are hopeless. Besides, we've got
other things to discuss."

"Wrong, Raditz. You have something to explain." Celipe dropped at the
table. "Now how is it that Xenna just appeared at the castle steps?"

"I don't know, I swear! Servants at the castle found her."

Celipe's eyes were hard now. "You got away with that recklessness
before, with that fat rim pig. This time the results are different."

Raditz rubbed his head in frustration. "I haven't been able to figure
out who the mother could be...at least anyone within the last few
months."

"I still say you were drunk." Kakarot insisted.

"I refuse to believe that, Kakarot."

"But it's entirely possible." Bardock interjected. "We can't dismiss
any possibility."

"There's been no circumstance..." Raditz frowned at a memory.

"Are you certain? Anyplace you've been, or-"

"I was temporarily stationed away from the barracks during that time
frame, but there was nothing special going on."

"What about jungle run?" Kakarot smirked.

"What about it!!"

"Well, you were out with everyone, eh?"

"No I wasn't. Stop bringing that up!"

"Leave off of that for now." Bardock held up a hand. "The mother will
be a problem later, but the most immeditate concern is Xenna's
rating."

"That's where you come in, mother." Raditz nodded.

Celipe blinked. "I do lab work, not the actual testing..."

"But could you evaluate her?"

"Hn" Celipe looked down. Xenna clucked, sitting quietly beneath the
kitchen table.

"I suppose, but it wouldn't be official or necessarily accurate-"

"Your own opinion, then." Raditz suggested.

Celipe tapped her chin in thought. "Based on general observations,
I've noticed a few things. She's exceptionally calm, and has a higher
rate of motor skills for her age than any elite cub I've seen.
Conversely, her ki wavelength is unusually low for an elite. Her
bones are solid, but her tail has some...irregularities."

"She doesn't have any kinks!" Radtiz shouted, offended.

Celipe placed a hand on his shoulder. "Calm yourself, Raditz. You
asked my opinion, and I'm giving it."

"Go on." the burly saiyan sulked.

"It's highly unlikely her mother is elite-"

"I don't lay with any ragtails!!"

"Raditz!!" Bardock barked. "Enough. She says nothing you haven't
suspected yourself!"

Dark eyes followed the chibi. "Ai, father."

"Xenna almost sounds like a contradiction, based on what you said."
Kakarot observed.

Celipe sipped some haffa. "She has enough elite in her to 'pass' as
it were...but her bones say otherwise."

Bardock sighed. "Hai, her tail feels rough. But at least it's thick."

"I noticed that also." Celipe continued. "Her temperament isn't that
of an elite, either. Highly bred saiyans are moody or high strung.
Their chibis don't develop as quickly as the lower class, but by the
fifth year they soon overtake the lower class in skill and ability."

"My daughter isn't a low bred!!" Raditz nearly shouted again.

Celipe smiled sadly. "All low breds aren't so bad."

Radtiz was striken. "I...I'm sorry, mother, I didn't mean any
offense..."

"That was in poor taste, brother." Kakarot chided him.

"I know. That just kind of came out without thinking."

"Your reaction also proves my point, son." Celipe noted. "I can even
use a comparison with Kakarot's chibis."

"How so?" Kakarot wondered.

"First, let me clear up something. I never said Xenna's mother was
ragtail. She could even be second class, which is more likely.
There's no way she would be as well formed with a third class mother."

Raditz calmed a little. "Even so, I can't remember who it might be."

"That can keep for now. As far as comparisons go, Nuru and Tezar are
typical elite. At five months, their motor skills are average at best-
"

"I don't like this evaluation." Kakarot growled.

Celipe ruffled his hair. "Loon. I know my profession!"

The wild one couldn't help but smile. "At least you don't have to be
so brutally honest!"

Bardock whuffed. "Hn, Xenna's coloring is a bit different also."

Celipe agreed. "Hai, her hair and tail are most nearly blackish
brown. When I bathed her earlier I watched for undertones."

Raditz squinted at his daughter. "I noticed it, and yet didn't see."

"A father loves first." Bardock was serene.

Radtiz smiled at the double meaning. "Adieru."

"She has the protection of Vegeta, Raditz. Never forget that."
Bardock's tone was fierce.