Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Apprentice ❯ Punishment and Truth ( Chapter 3 )

And the story continues, whether anyone is reading it or not. I would like to note that I envision Capsule Corp. to be outside of town. Not quite as far out as the Son house, but not actually in the city. This will make more sense in the following chapters.

Apprentice by Alexa

Chapter Three - Punishment and Truth

Months passed, the season was changing into cool days and chilly nights. Ash could feel her body getting harder, more muscled everyday. She had grown rather fond of wearing these little leather-looking bra tops that laced like a bodice. Whenever the day was warm, she was usually clad in one. Ash's exercises and katas were more difficult than initially, but she had to do them. Her daily routine had basically remained the same. Sometimes Vegeta would spend a day working on her stamina, others her speed. She never allowed Vegeta to get the better of her; not if she saw it coming. The meditations helped tremendously. Two months prior, the sparring had begun. Vegeta had delayed that specific part of her training due to lack of experience.

This day happened to be a holiday, of sorts. School was closed; therefore, Trunks was home. He tried to take the opportunity to sleep-in, but Vegeta had become familiar enough with certain holidays that he knew Trunks would be home. Ash was outside in the still chilled air of early morning starting a day of training. Well, at least its supposed to be warm later, then I can take this stupid sweatshirt off. Man, I hate the cold. For once, I'd be happy to see the sun. She faintly heard Master Vegeta, as she had come to call him, very rudely awaken his son.

Trunks came running outside still tying the belt of his gi. Vegeta's voice quickly followed, "Did you think I would let you sleep-in? You need to train if you wish to compete in the adult division." Trunks immediately began to do his own katas while glaring at Ash for giggling at him.

Ash couldn't resist the chance. In a sing-song voice, she said, "Someone's in trouble."

"Shut up!" Trunks quipped. Vegeta had retreated back into the house for a morning snack.

"Trunks, you really do look rumpled."

"Thank you for reminding me."

Vegeta shortly returned outside with a new plan in mind. "Brat! Today, you will spar with Ash. I'll be in the gravity chamber." He could see both their mouths start to speak in protest. "NOT a word from either of you."

Early afternoon was upon them, the day had indeed become warmer. Ash disregarded her sweatshirt to reveal the little dark purple top. Trunks was not accustomed to sparring with a girl, so he started out easier than necessary. After Ash had knocked him to the ground a few times, Trunks began to fight back with more determination. He could handle his father's insults, he could ignore Goten's innocent ignorance, but Ash's condescending remarks were infuriating. Why in HFIL do I have to spend my one day home from school fighting with this WOMAN?!? Oh great! Now I'm starting to sound like dad.

Ash noticed his split attention and took advantage of it. She was swiftly perched on Trunks' chest knocking him flat on his back. "Six to one." He glowered at her. "Today is just not your day, man."

"Get off me!" Trunks sat up abruptly causing Ash to fall backwards onto his legs. She managed to compose herself into a standing pose.

"Lavender, you need to chill out."

Trunks glared at her and dropped into a defensive position. Why does she insist on calling me that? I hate it! Before the two could begin another round, Vegeta came out of the gravity chamber. Ignoring them, he walked into the house. Ash gave Trunks a puzzled expression and was greeted with a punch to her gut. His fury had escalated enough to attack when her guard was down. He smiled to himself as she doubled over and fell to her knees. "Six to two." She coughed a few times. He walked circles around her. "GET UP!!"

Ash didn't say anything to him. She stood and spit out a little blood. Damn, that was a hard punch. Ok, you want to fight serious. Bring it on. Wiping her mouth, she shifted to a defensive position.

Bulma was in the kitchen finishing preparations for lunch. Vegeta entered the kitchen. He leaned against the doorframe admiring his wife. "Woman…"

"Vegeta, how many times do I have to tell you stop calling me 'woman'?" Bulma asked. She didn't bother looking at him while chopping a purple onion for the salad. She was surprised when he wrapped his strong arms around her waist.

Whispering into her ear, Vegeta said, "Maybe if you asked instead of telling me, then I might stop."

"Will you please stop calling me 'woman'?"

"No." As the sound left his lips, Bulma slapped his arm with the salad tongs. She knew he wouldn't feel it but the only other thing within reach was the knife. She wasn't that mad. Yet. "I wouldn't lie to you."

Bulma lightly kissed her prince. "Will you tell your protégés that lunch is ready?"

Ash and Trunks were well into their ninth, and most intense, round when Vegeta stepped outside. He stood back for a few moments watching the two youths spar. Each blocked or dodged the other's punches and kicks. But something about the way Trunks was fighting seemed…erratic. "Boy!" Trunks failed to acknowledge him. "Brat! Stop." Again, Trunks continued to fight Ash. Vegeta studied the young woman more closely. He could see that she was bleeding in a few places, and her moves were becoming frantic. Trunks spun around to kick Ash's back but was met with the angry face of his father who grabbed his leg causing the younger Saiyan to fall ungracefully onto his ass.

"Father?!" Vegeta ignore his son and released his leg. He walked to Ash looking over her wounds. Trunks stood. He knew he would be punished for being so hard on her. No matter how much training she did, she will always be human. "Father, I…"

"No excuses! Go inside." Trunks did as he was told and headed for the house, head bowed.

Ash kneeled panting for air. She was grateful Master Vegeta had essentially saved her from further beating. Ash silently made a mental note. Don't piss off lavender head like that again. Damn how the hell does someone so skinny hit that hard. Shit! That hurt. Oh, I'm gonna be sore tomorrow. Ash's thoughts were interrupted by her teacher's voice.

"Have you two been sparring like that all morning?"

"No. If we had I'd be dead by now. Thank you, by the way."

"Tomorrow you will train in the gravity chamber. Come inside now, lunch is ready." Vegeta stood and returned to the house. And food.

Ash had only been there these few months, but she was fully aware how precious the gravity chamber was to Master Vegeta. She sat in utter shock for a few moments before realizing he mentioned food.

Once lunch was over, Vegeta decided to 'punish' Trunks by rigorously training him in the gravity chamber. Under a g-force that was ten times more then what he could handle. Ash remained outside alone doing katas and meditation.

Afternoon became evening. Bulma was inside starting dinner. She turned on the small television on the kitchen counter. "Let's see what's on the news." She mumbled to herself while seasoning steaks. None of the reports really held her attention until the anchorwoman began to speak about an international search for a missing girl. Bulma listened as she was digging through the fridge for a few more items.

"Local authorities used every resource available with no leads. Police do not suspect foul play; however, the father of the missing woman declares his daughter would never leave their family. Ashentara Emerald.." Bulma's head shot out from behind the refrigerator door to stare at the small screen. "…was last seen almost six months ago. A description is as follows: medium complexion, long straight black hair, very dark brown eyes, approx. 5' 3" in height, and around 110 lbs. Ashentara is eighteen years of age. If anyone has any information as to the whereabouts of Miss Emerald, please contact the local authorities, or call this number. 1-800-…"

Bulma turned away from the television and immediately ran for the gravity room. Approaching the metal doors she called for her husband. "Vegeta!!! I need to talk to you. Vege…" Bulma was cut off by the sight of a very annoyed Saiyan prince.

"What?!?!"

"Come into the house, there's something that I need to tell you. Now."

Vegeta chose not to argue. He turned to Trunks. "You will stay here and continue." He expertly tapped a few keys on the control panel. Once the doors slid shut, the gravity increased by five times and training bots popped up. Much to the dismay of the lavender-haired young man.

"What is it, woman?"

"Come inside." Bulma hurried into the house. As soon as Vegeta stepped over the threshold, Bulma pulled him away from the closed door. She didn't want Ash to overhear anything they said. "I was watching the news. A report came on that caught my attention. It was a missing persons report."

"Get to the point."

"Ashentara was the missing person. There is an international search out for that girl. What are we going to do?"

"Are you sure it was Ash?"

"Positive. Well, they didn't show a picture or anything, but the description they gave matches her exactly. I'm telling you, Vegeta, people are looking for her. Think about it. She's never said anything about where's she's from. She won't talk about her family. We met her at the Tournament."

"I do see your point. What do you want to do about her? Turn her in?"

"Well,…. I don't know… I'm not sure. What do you think we should do?"

"Did this report say who to contact for questions?"

"Yes." Bulma looked for the phone book and the number of the police. She quickly scribbled it on a scrap piece of paper and handed it to Vegeta. He looked at the number only stating he would handle it.

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Well, tell me what you think so far. I do hope that at least someone is enjoying this story. I feel sad when the one story that I have fully planned out is receiving absolutely NO attention. *sniffles* Please review. It helps to stroke my ego.

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