Over the next several months, life for the Z-fighters carried on as normal. The Sons and the Briefs started visiting each other more often, Gohan started training with Piccolo, Vegeta and Zangya more intensely, with the latter finally venturing out of the Mount Paozu area to get a job, and Videl's growth as a student and fighter was really starting to show itself. Needless to say, that year saw the realization of some of the most memorable times the defenders of earth had ever experienced, giving them the balance of rest and work they all deserved.
Whenever he wasn't outside training by himself or with his friends, Gohan spent his free time looking after his baby brother.
Thanks to his Saiyan genetics, Goten was an incredibly strong boy and a fast learner, something that his older brother and Videl found out over the following year when the little tyke began soaking in everything around him like a sponge. He learned how to add using multi-digit numbers, his literacy and speaking skills developed faster than any normal child would, and his basic motor functions jumped to that of a five year old, and he was still only two.
On top of that, the demi-Saiyan loved to run around. Constantly filled with boundless energy and a thirst for adventure that exhausted even the super mum Chi-Chi at how rambunctious he could be, the youngster was always going out to explore the fields and forests surrounding their property. His mother would often times watch him closely to see how far he would go, with Gohan, Zangya and Videl also keeping an eye on the child whenever they weren't busy. But Goten was always alert and active, even sneaking out whenever he noticed that everybody else was preoccupied.
He sure was a mischievous little ankle-biter, there was no arguing that.
Sometimes the hybrid would leave immediately after breakfast and go for a walkabout of the property, and would always come back at lunchtime dragging with him all sorts of miscellaneous items from his backyard adventure. This included dirty clothes, bugs, frogs, tree branches, lizards, possums, mud, and at one stage a young tyrannosaurus that Zangya had to chase off to stop from entering the house.
Needless to say, while the child could be a real handful at times, even for the super powered people living in the house, he was still a radiant star that the Son family adored and loved.
After the day Goten brought his second dinosaur home, Gohan assigned his trusted friend Icarus to keep an eye on his brother whenever he went out without them. Following his assignment of the task, the little pink dragon always, without fail, brought his sibling home safe and sound, knocking on the front door to let the family know they were back. Since he could sense his brother's ki signature within the general area, the older brother always had an eye on him and would always know whenever he was in trouble.
Thankfully, no problems ever came the young child's way.
Unbeknownst to the family of course, there were a couple other people keeping an eye on Goten as well. Not only was Piccolo always around and watching over the house, the little upstart always went out to find Paprika whenever she was in the area.
For some strange reason the Makyan just could not fathom, the spiky haired toddler always knew whenever she was near the house or meditating in the area. Whenever she dropped in to spy on Gohan, his baby brother always ran out of the house to greet her.
Maybe he had developed a subconscious form of ki reading that pinged whenever she was within range or maybe he always found her due to a series of improbable circumstances. Either way, Paprika just could not shake the little runt.
Whenever Goten did come out to say 'hello' or to play with her, the Makyan didn't do anything unpleasant to him or tried to hurt him. She simply tolerated his presence and, over the next few months, she eventually accepted the boy's company and allowed him and Icarus to hang out with her.
It was generally smooth sailing for all of the Z-fighters across the globe. There were plenty of days for them to stretch their legs and perfect the skills that they practiced. Without any enemies to fight, it was surprisingly easy to slack off for all those whose passions didn't reside in fighting and had other things to do with their lives. However, time was what they had plenty of and everyone was determined to fill it with as many things to do as they could.
On one particular day, Gohan, Zangya, Videl and Chi-Chi went for a trip to Kame House. With Goten in tow, the family met with their friends on the beach surrounding the home of the turtle hermit and went about enjoying their get-together in the usual manner.
While Goten played around with Trunks, Turtle and Puar outside under the watchful eye of Chi-Chi and Bulma, and Yamcha tended to a barbeque alongside Oolong, Master Roshi and Chiaotzu, Zangya and Android 18 sat indoors at the living room window and stared out over the ocean.
Since everybody was using the time there to catch up, the two women were also making the most of the day and using their moment together to bond. With the orange haired woman wearing boots, jean shorts and a black singlet top, a comfortable ensemble that coincided with Android 18's light blue leather vest, white pants and sandals, the two girls were all dressed for the beach.
Positioned there on the sill side by side, one standing with her arms folded and the other sitting comfortably with the sea breeze flowing by them, they both looked absolutely stunning.
Glancing across at her alien compatriot, the android gave her the usual cool stare, "So how's working life treating you?"
"It's going great, actually," Zangya replied, turning to the blonde with a small smile. "Daeko is currently going through a new line of tops and bottoms that they're hoping to introduce to their summer catalogue for next week, so you can bet I'll be hitting the runway in a smoking hot new kit soon. After the last event I attended, I know this next shoot is going to be amazing."
The cyborg fighter smiled at the young woman's enthusiasm. "Sounds to me like you're having a lot of fun in that place."
"Oh yeah. No kidding," Zangya chuckled while looking out the window again. "I really have to thank Videl's dad for hooking me up with the agency and Gohan for helping me to write my resume. Those three really went out of their way for me on this one."
The Hera's response had Android 18 tilt her head and raise an eyebrow, "Exactly what kind of qualifications did you mention in your curriculum vitae to get you through the door, if I may ask?"
"Not many. Just all the stuff that I did know and everything in between; hobbies, interests, contact details… the usual," the blue-skinned woman replied while leaning against the window frame with a chuckle, "I guess prerequisites don't matter as much when you have the 'World Champ' recommending you to the place in person." She made sure to give the title a tasteful highlight in her recounting of the situation that led her into landing her current job. "The boss hired me right on the spot and set me to work the very next day. Can you believe that?"
Grunting lightly, the blonde haired android turned back towards the sea with a clearly amused expression. "With your looks and appeal, I'm not surprised everything's going well for you over there. There's just something about your face that screams 'exotic'."
"Oh, ha-ha," Zangya replied, taking into stride the jab at her extraterrestrial appearance while glancing over at the cyborg, "And what about you, Ms Number? How are things going over at your job?"
The android shrugged. "I can't complain. We've got some new stock coming in for the store, so I've got a lot of upcoming articles to look forward to for the summer. Want me to pick you up a set?"
"No, I'm good. Since I'm allowed to choose whatever I want from the company's wardrobe every week, I'm more than set in the clothing department. Too bad the only place I have to put them is in my work locker," the Hera quickly replied, earning an understanding nod from her companion. After that the pair sat in silence, watching the calm waters shimmer underneath the sun and the smell of the barbeque Yamcha was cooking drifting in from around the corner. Upon seeing Turtle crawl past with Goten and Trunks riding on his shell, and Puar hovering around them, Zangya then set her focus on another topic. "So… where're the other boys at? I haven't seen them since Tien showed up with Launch and Chiaotzu."
The blonde android shrugged, "Gohan told me he was taking Krillin out to the other islands for a quick sparring session with Videl. My guess is that they all left together and are now having it out with each other."
"Ah," the Hera replied, only to then turn when she sensed a presence approaching them.
When she and 18 looked behind them, they saw a woman with long curly blue hair, wearing a green sundress and an apron standing behind them and smiling pleasantly. She was also carrying with her a tray of ice-cold refreshments. "Hello there, you two. Would you like something to drink? It's really hot out here today and you two haven't had anything yet."
At first surprised by her appearance, Zangya smiled shortly afterwards and slowly helped herself to one of the beverages, "Sure. Thanks a lot." After grabbing an orange juice, along with 18 who gave a grateful nod to Launch's good side, the two women quickly returned to their conversation and began stirring their drinks. "Speaking of the boys, how are things going with Krillin?"
"Pretty well," 18 replied with a shrug.
The response drew a mischievous smirk from the alien fighter, "That's it? Pretty well?" She then shook her head, "Anything else you want to add on to that?"
"What do you expect me to say? Krillin is a very sweet, funny and handsome man with a good heart. Whenever I'm feeling down he's always there to cheer me up. Whenever we talk to each other he always wants to listen to what I have to say. And whenever we're out, he's always so thoughtful and considerate… and makes me feel like I belong. He accepts me completely for who I am," the blonde replied, eyes still fixed on the ocean as she thought about what else to say about the Z-fighter she was currently dating. "I really like how serious and straightforward he is, as well as how passionate he can be whenever he's really into something. After wandering around aimlessly for so long, not really knowing what to do, I guess you can say I've grown attached to that."
"Really?" Zangya asked, seeing the half-human nod before turning away to gaze thoughtfully down at the sand. "Wow. So… would you say that you've… fallen for the guy?"
Android 18's gaze snapped towards her momentarily. At first it looked like she wanted to protest. But after thinking on it for a moment, the blonde quickly regained her usual composure and turned away with a small smile.
"Mm." She nodded, giving the Hera all the answer she needed before the pair returned to staring at the horizon.
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