Shadows of the Heart: A Love Reborn

The Hidden Truth

Karia's hands rested on her swollen belly as she stood on the edge of Beerus' planet, gazing at the swirling nebulae beyond. At five months pregnant, she felt heavy, awkward, and irritable-though by Saiyan standards, her growth was abnormally fast. It didn't help that Beerus and Whis had decided to monitor her like she was some rare cosmic event.

"You're growing rather quickly, Karia," Whis commented, sipping tea nearby. "It's quite fascinating. Saiyan pregnancies aren't typically this accelerated. Perhaps it's Broly's influence?"

Karia shot him a sharp glare. "Stop saying his name."

This raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her reaction. "Ah, still keeping this from him, I see. A bold choice, considering his temper. Are you planning on informing him before or after the child is born?"

She huffed, brushing her hair back from her face. "I'm not telling him. Not now, maybe not ever. This is my decision."

From across the courtyard, Beerus lounged on a floating cushion, chewing on a leg of roast meat. He seemed unusually content as he watched their interaction, his tail lazily flicking behind him.

"Smart move," Beerus said between bites. "That brute doesn't need to know yet. Let him stew in ignorance. It keeps things peaceful around here."

"Peaceful for you," Karia muttered, placing a hand on her back as she adjusted her posture. The weight of her growing belly was putting strain on her body, and while she was strong, this pregnancy felt like a battle of its own.

Whis chuckled. "I must say, you're handling this quite well, Karia. Though I'd aHowever,you to take it easy. A Saiyan pregnancy, especially with Broly's power in the mix, could be... unpredictable."

"Unpredictable?" Karia repeated, narrowing her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Whis smiled innocently, tapping his staff. "Oh, nothing too concerning. Just that your energy fluctuations are unusual. The child already seems to have a strong ki signature."

Karia felt a pang of nervousness. She'd been so focused on hiding her condition from Broly that she hadn't given much thought to the baby's power. Could it already be as volatile as its father?

"I don't want to think about that right now," she said firmly, turning away.

"Suit yourself," Beerus said with a shrug. "But you'd better hope the kid doesn't start blasting things in there. I don't want my planet torn apart before it's even born."

"Not helping, Lord Beerus," Karia grumbled, though a small smile tugged at her lips despite herself.

The truth was, she was grateful for their support-however strange their methods might be. Beerus' oddly cheerful reaction to her pregnancy had been a surprise, but his presence offered a sense of stability. And Whis, as always, provided guidance when she needed it most.

Still, the thought of Broly lingered in the back of her mind. She hadn't seen him since she'd left Earth, and the guilt of keeping this from him gnawed at her. But how could she face him now? How could she explain that she was carrying his child without reopening the complicated feelings between them?

Her thoughts were interrupted when a sudden kick jolted her from within.

"Ow!" she yelped, placing a hand on her belly.

Whis tilted his head, his eyes glimmering with curiosity. "Ah, the little one seems energetic today."

Beerus chuckled, setting down his food. "Better get used to that. If it's anything like Broly, you'll have your hands full."

Karia sighed, rubbing her stomach gently. "Yeah, no kidding."

Despite her frustration, a part of her couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth. The baby's ki was strong, vibrant, and undeniable proof of her bond with Broly-even if that bond was far from simple.

As the day went on, Karia found herself growing restless. She paced around the courtyard, her mind racing with a mix of emotions. What would Broly say if he found out? Would he be angry? Confused? Protective?

"Stop overthinking," Beerus said lazily from his cushion, clearly noticing her distress.

"I'm not overthinking," she snapped, though she knew it wasn't true.

Whis approached her, his tone gentle. "Karia, it's understandable to feel conflicted. But you can't avoid this forever. Sooner or later, Broly will sense the child's ki. And when that happens, you'll need to be prepared."

She clenched her fists, her resolve wavering. "I know. I just... I don't know how to tell him. Or if I even should."

Whis smiled kindly. "You'll find the right moment, Karia. Until then, focus on what's most important-your health and the baby's well-being."

Karia nodded, taking a deep breath. "You're right. I need to stay strong. For both of us."

As the sun set over Beerus' planet, Karia stood on the edge once more, staring out into the cosmos. Her heart felt heavy, but there was also a spark of determination within her.

Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would face them head-on. For her child, for herself, and perhaps, one day, for Broly.