*3rd POV
Focus: Trunks

This week's been a particularly busy one for us; mainly devoted to finding a cruise-liner that would be fit to sail in two weeks' time and engaging the service of people concerned with the safekeeping of 'special' presents as well as the cooks who will also manage the food stalls aboard (for Mom really planned to have a banquet then); all in the most reasonable range of prices.

The fun part: she assigned me the task of putting up the guest list while she dictated it for me. Among them are Goten (yay!) and his mom, Chi-chi; Goten's brother Gohan--along with Videl, Gohan's wife; then, Krillin's family and Piccolo (I don't really know who these guys are, but the latter's a Namekian who'd trained me and Goten for quite some time); then Yamcha and his companions (ooh, this guy's said to be Mom's former partner. Poor him, not to be the one I would have to call 'Father'~).

In addition there would also be Hercule, Videl's father; Tien and his good friend Chiaotzu (er... maybe Mom's friends too?); Master Roshi (some perv geezer, but nevertheless one of Mom's acquaintance); Dende (a Namekian child)... and that's about it, from Mom's side. From that of Dad, why, of course I hope he himself would come along with Goten's dad. Then there'll be Aunt Saui's family...

All in all, more than thirty people might be present; quite merry for a private party, and this on a chartered cruise-liner that would be sailing to an unspecified location.

Well, some things are better kept secret... won't be fun otherwise.

Now, to the presents! Besides expecting gifts from all those people, Mom planned to have ones of her own for them--and these would be earned through some sort of tournament.

Imagine it! A possible tournament on a cruise-liner with your close friends and acquaintances, unspecified time limit, and lots of free food! You sure won't wanna miss this, folks!

...That is, unless some geek troublemaker pops up. But then, from the guests, a good half of them would be fighters who could be expected to at least scare them away--me and Goten included. Bana as well; still curious how well that Saiyan brat could fight, if at all.

"Okay then--I think I'm done with the guest-list!"

"Good, just leave it there." Mom appeared with a pile of invitation cards. "Mind helping me with these? Hand them over to those guys that you think live the nearest here."

"Sure. Can I fly this time?"

"Anything to make it quicker."

"Got it!"

Storing about twenty of these cards in my bag, I dashed off and away from the front yard after properly changing clothes. Dad's advice on that store sure had kicked in.

***

Right... first destination is Goten's. He might be playing right now.

--Hm? There appears to be someone ahead of...

"--Bana?! You again?!"

"Oh hi, Cousin... again." He grinned without shame. "Whatcha doing, wandering around?"

"*Grunts* You wish. Helping Mom handing over these cards in my bag."

"Cards..?"

"Birthday cards, you dummy! Been invited, have you not?!"

"Oh yeah, your mom did call sometime ago. Lemme take three of those, then."

"Help yourself. Then again, why do you always manage to pop up whenever I'm on some errand..." I mumbled.

"Alright, done. Zipped it closed," he patted my bag. "Couldn't blame me about the appearances, though."

"So what're you doing here?"

"Shopping. My mom's way up front, so gotta catch up. Bye!"

"Wait! Come to think of it, my mom didn't tell how long 'til I gotta get home. Mind if I join you and your mom? She must be buying some presents, right?"

"Seems so."

"Hope it won't take too long; then I might get you to know Goten. He's also a Saiyan, and one of my best buddies."

"Oh, why not. For now, though, we better hurry." He dashed off.

"Hey, that's cheating~!"

***

Focus: Bana

As far as telling Trunks that we're going to buy some things, I was not lying; but I'm kinda worried about Mom's sudden happy outburst, if you remembered. Definitely unlike a Saiyan to act like so... I mean, she usually maintained a disciplined aura.

If indeed she is gonna select presents now, then let's hope it would not be too much. We're not the millionaire guys.

"Uh... Mom?"

"Yes, honey." She remained focused to her course.

"Trunks is tailing. Vegeta's son."

"Oh, him. Let it be; he'll know when he's in trouble."

"Wha..?"

"He comes for you--to spar, no?"

"Well, not really. Said he's going to get me know of another Saiyan."

"Oh? Now that's good--why don't you just go with him then?"

"But the shopping--"

"I can go myself."

"...Take care, okay."

She rolled her eyes. "Just go."

...

Oh well.

***

Focus: Trunks

I have been tailing Bana for some time now--Hm?! Is that..?

"W-watch out, you punk!!"

[THUNK...]

Darn, yeah. We collided head-first mid-air.

"Ow-ow... Stupid blockhead, shoulda told me if you're just gonna turn around like that!!"

"...That's my line, you Saiyan halfling!! Didn't know you'd tail us this close..."

"Closer makes it easier to spot, you dumb half-pint!"

Bana and I locked heads for a while, glaring and gnashing our teeth at each other--before each mutually backed down.

"...Sorry. Didn't mean to hit you that way," he looked down

"Eh, my bad for tailing; shoulda just come alongside. So then, what's up with your mom?"

"Decided she would go shopping herself, and that I ought to go with you to try meet this Goten. He's powerful?"

"Well, I fought him once in the World Tournament, and won. He's a year younger than me, in fact."

"Eh? Now why would you take me to see someone whom even you can handle?"

"Hey, it's not all about fighting, you see--though yea, I admit my dad's got a little too high about that; but for me Goten's still a friend. I've come to regard you that way too, so--"

Bana looked at me like I had three heads.

"We're family. That's higher than even the closest friends."

"Point is, I just want you to meet-n'-greet him; might come off as friends too, and everyone's happy. Happens Goten is one of those whom my mom desired to be in her party."

"Ah, now that's something."

"...What?"

"If that half-pint's one of those in Bulma's guest list, then it means he's got something to do with our race at least."

"Well, not all of them--but I told you, Goten is a Saiyan. Were you even paying attention?"

"Met his dad before?"

"Yea... once. That was when Goten's dad was about to slug with Majin Buu, I think."

"What was his name?"

"Never asked; but my dad knows. It's Kaka-something."

"You mean, 'Kakarot'?"

"Ah! Yep, that's it! How do you..?"

"Definitely one of those guys my mom wanted to see again so badly. Little chance I too would forget his name."

"Well, here's your chance--we're here!"

We swooped down.

***

"Hi there, Aunt Chi-chi. Is Goten home?"

"Why, it's you, Trunks. Yes, he's in--who is this?"

"My paternal cousin, Bana. I believe this is your first time greeting him."

"Hello there, lady."

"Oh, the pleasure's mine, young one. It's just... you never told me Vegeta had a sibling."

"Well, she visited us kinda suddenly, so--"

"Oh, so it's a 'she'! How nice. Mind if I know her name?"

I glanced at Bana, who smiled.

"My mom's name is Saui."

"Ah, Saui... sure has a calm note to it. Why are you guys here again?"

"Well..." I grinned, "my mom's hosting her own birthday party in two weeks, and she would like as many of your family to come. I'm delivering the cards. That, and... well, to get Bana to know of Goten."

"I see! I believe you two could be good friends, as Trunks had--oh, here he is!"

My grin became even wider. "Yo, Goten! Got a present for ya."

"Hey, Trunks! A present?! That would be nice--what is it?"

"Got invited to my mom's party. Here, the card."

"Well, might be nice. Thanks! Uh, who is this, your new friend?"

"Yep, you're not the only one around. Meet Bana."

"Hi there! So, is he strong? Might turn out a nice spar? Huh?"

"To start, he's much like you: a Saiyan. However," I quickly added, "I've not seen him fight, so perhaps you ought to be careful too. For real."

"Aww, that's cool! Bana, huh? Say, can you show us some of your skills? A Ki-blast? Fusion? Anything?"

"...My skills are not for display, and besides, I'm not doing it right here. If you want a spar, we ought to get somewhere far; and I'm not quite sure Trunks has that kind of time."

"Ehh~ You will spar with him, but not me? How is that so..?"

"Trunks said you were beaten by him. I won't do that again for you."

Goten instantly pouted. Crap, but that's a fair line...

"But that was during a competition..!"

"Thing is," I whispered to Goten, "he's way older than us both. He's ten."

"Oh my... So when do we get to see the skills?"

"Relax; he'll show them in good time. I wanted you both to just meet for now, after all."

***

Focus: Bana

Hmm, so this is Kakarot's son... Wonder what Mom would say if she knew this.

Then again, it might not be too polite to ask more of this family right now. Besides, they'll be at the party too; plenty of time to chat then.

However, what this half-pint said about skills kinda troubled me. I've not tried them again for quite some time, and that was because Mom urged caution among these Earthlings. Would they stay at the same level, I wonder..?

"Yo, Trunks?"

"...What?"

"Are we quite done here? Still got many addresses to cover, I imagine."

"Ahh, right; got me there. Goten, appears we gotta go. See ya in two weeks--or at least, 'til we're done with these!"

"Right! Will that Bana stay with you then?"

"Hope so. Then, we're off! Regards to your mom!"

***

Anything you could gauge from this first encounter with Goten? :D