Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Chibi Kappa ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: Dragon Ball Z © Akira Toriyama; Chibi Kappa © Vegge's Mate

Warning: Violence and bad language mainly in later chapters.

Chapter 2

"Vejiita?" his mother called through the closed door after tapping once. She stood patiently in a pale lavender fitted gown, with slits on either side of her legs going up to her thighs, and a matching darker pair of boots up half shank. Being the warrior that she was, she had a strap of lavender leather going around her right thigh, which held a sheath, a silver handle of knife sticking out.

After a moment the four year old voice was heard. "Yes, mother?"

"May I come in?"

"No! I'm dressing," he curtly replied, to her amusement. And indeed she could hear rustling going on, the mattress springs depressing.

"You have nothing I haven't seen already."

"Mother, I am a man and men do not let there mothers watch them get dressed."

"Of course, your highness. What was I thinking!" She joshed lightly.

"Do not mock me!"

"Don't sass your mother, little man," she retorted through laughter. She could hear his stifled giggles as well. "So, my little darling, how was your training?"

"Great! I'm learning to center my energy for greater control and powerful attacks."

"That's wonderful. You will show me later, alright?"

"Why not now? At least after lunch?"

"Nice try. But you know you have your studies to attend then. Your tutor will not tolerate you skipping off anymore."

"Come on! It will be so much fun. Just like last time."

"Do you remember what your father said last time?"

He growled lowly. "Yes, I remember," he said none too pleased. Although, her little boy respected and loved his father dearly, she knew his little adventurous and mischievous nature overtook him many times.

"And I hope you were not expecting me to take up the slack this time."

The door swung open, in what seemed like more time than was necessary for the prince to dress. But she paid no attention to it as she approved of her son's choice of attire. When not in training or during special occasions, Saiya-jin males tended to wear casual clothes of loose pullover shirts and loose pants. Although being royalty, the boy's clothes were anything but simple; his were in dark colors like that of his father in fine and rich materials and embellishments. He wore his traditional white boots, though, but no gloves.

"But he does anything you say!" the prince slammed his door quickly lest anyone know his secret.

She laughed as her gazed moved from his clothes to the purple decoration around his eye. "Oh he doesn't always," she bent down to touch the bruise. "But I see you were caught off guard. And I'm sure this is a lesson learned, a definite incentive to be more alert."

He flinched away. Not in pain, for such a bruise was not painful to a Saiya-jin. It was more so the annoyance of his mother making fun of his slip up.

"Humph!" he uttered crossing his arms. "Merely a lapse in concentration, nothing more."

"Of course, my brave warrior," the queen said standing up straight. "Now will his highness be so courteous and escort me to the dinning room?"

"With pleasure."

The prince grabbed his mother's hand and they walked down the hallway, which opened up to a balcony overlooking the huge foyer downstairs, and proceeded to go down one of the twin winding, blue marble staircases. A dome splayed overhead, holding a crystal chandelier which almost reached eye level to those who stood on the balcony.

Downstairs the prince led his mother into the dining room, which was dimly lit despite the fact that the sun shinned in through the windows, since the walls were painted burgundy. They sat down at a fine dark crimson wood table that was large enough to host eight people. There was a cream colored tablecloth in the middle that ran down the length of it, where dishes and platters were being set on top of it by servants.

"I wonder what's taking father."

"He probably has important business to attend to."

"I'm sure. Halfway through our training session, he was called away," little Vejiita said. "I was upset because then Nappa had to take over and he is never fun."

"I did not think your father would be fun to begin with. But yes, I do not approve of Nappa training you. He has very crude ways."

He crossed his arms. "And he talks down to me as though I am some bastard whelp."

"Vejiita!" she snapped not liking him to use harsh language when they were in their personal chambers.

"Sorry, but he truly vexes me. I cannot wait until I am strong enough, then I will teach him respect!"

"I hope your aspirations for strength is in no means reserved for chastising Nappa," the king's baritone voice came in before he entered through the sliding doors.

"By no means father. He just irritates me to such a degree."

"Many people will irritate you throughout your life like that or worse but it should not distract you from your ultimate goal."

The prince looked at his father with wide eyes and nodded his head.

"We were wondering what was keeping you," Tamatasu said as the king sat down, and thus lunch began.

"Foreign relations and annoyances."

The prince watched his father closely as he received an unsettling vibe from him. Little Vejiita could not really grasp the extent of his father's emotions since the older monarch's mental walls were strong. But he could feel something and as he looked at his mother, to feel her out since her mental walls were never so stoutly erected, he indeed knew something was extremely wrong.

"Anyone I know of?" the queen asked.

"Just Zarbon with glad tiding from his boss."

"Oh?" she questioned with a raised eyebrow. "Anything to worry about?"

"Not as yet. Just that the newborn whelps are to be ejected into space along with the legacy of our people. Nothing of true importance or care," he scoffed sardonically.

Little Vejiita's eyes widened. So that's what was wrong.

"Why are they being sent off world? Aren't they too young?" the prince posed his question hesitantly.

"Higher authority does not think so."

"Higher authority? What belligerent fool is of higher authority? No one is above you!"

The queen frowned but did not object to what her son called Frieza.

"One who you are not to concern yourself with just yet."

The queen almost laughed as her son puffed his cheeks and stuck out his bottom lip in a pout, but the thought of what was happening to the new generations of Saiya-jin quickly suppressed that impulse. Even so, her little prince hated to be kept in the dark. But they only wanted him to focus on training and his studies for the meantime.

Lunch was over quickly for the boy and he was hurried along to his father's study down the hall. He wanted to go back to his room with some of the food he stored in his pockets. But his father would not allow him to delay anymore.

His tutor waited impatiently for him to enter the grandiose room filled with bookcases on three walls, large windows on one, with doors opening out towards a garden and further out to a sea of trees surrounding snow capped mountains.

"Ah, so young master decided to come on time after all," said a slender alien of aqua skin, three fingers on each hand and a bellowing robe of gray. His navy hair came down to his shoulders. He had the features of a Saiya-jin but softer.

"Well, Lotsun," said the prince, "I decided to be merciful and save you from headaches your weakling race is prone to. Now stop your nonsense and teach me what I already know so you won't be out of a job!"

The prince could not suppress his amusement as he watched his tutor tremble with anger. The brat just smirked smugly trying to egg out a retort. But this tutor had been well seasoned, being that he had been employed by various monarchs. To be sure this one was the worst of the lot.

After taking a calming breath, Lotsun motioned his hand to a seat at one of the few table there. "So let us begin."

The prince sat down, and the alien placed a black portable computer in front of his student. Vejiita opened it up with half lidded eyes and boredom already showing on his face.

"Alright, now we left off yesterday on the study of planetary bodies…"

As the hours passed by, the prince tried to annoy and provoke his tutor with snide remarks and barbs, demands to the servants who had the misfortune of passing by the open hallway door to serve him sweets and whatnot. In all of that time, his tutor acted cordially. And it chafed him severely.

'Damn bastard!' the prince thought.

'Is my sweetheart enjoying himself?' his mother spoke into his mind.

'Immensely!' He could hear her mental laughter, knowing full well he was being sarcastic.

'Don't be such a burden,' she thought, and drifted from his mind.

The prince swirled his finger in his juice as he eyed Lotsun reading from a book. There must be something he could do to get out of this annoyance. He left his little friend, Tykuno, upstairs in his huge closet. It was his pet, one he found in the forest a few weeks ago. It was like a dog with a sleek body and black fur, a species known as kaino. Many times he saw third class brats running around with them as pets. He wanted one of his own but his father forbade it. It was just simply not allowed for princes to have pets and play with them. But little Vejiita just could not resist hunting one on a sunny afternoon escapade from his studies.

So far he had been successful in hiding his secret but he knew his kaino must be hungry by now. He would usually dart up to his room with some of his lunch for Tykuno but today it just couldn't be done. So he hoped his friend would hold out till afterwards.

Suddenly his keen ears picked up on yipping and scratching against glass. His eyes darted to the doors that led outside and there he saw his little black kaino.

Tykuno jumped up and down now that he got his master's attention. He placed his pawns on the glass, with his belly jutting out, and waged his tail.

The prince was ecstatic to see his pet but he was also irritated that he was confined in the study. Unwittingly he let out a growl.

"So what is it?"

His neck twisted back towards his tutor. "Huh?"

"What is the answer, A or B?"

"Uh…" Vejiita wondered how to answer a question he didn't even hear. But more desirably he wondered how he could escape. Then it dawned on him as he continued to swirl his finger in his juice. His tutor could never pass up an opportunity to see the prince's deficiency-if he had any. "Uh…repeat the question." Surly he would think he could not answer-even if he heard.

"For one who knows everything that I teach," came the wonderfully anticipated jab, "it is surprising that you cannot answer such a simple question."

"The insolence!" the prince yelled as he jolted out of his seat, knocking over his juice onto his portable computer. "Don't think that just because my father makes me attend this shitty study session that you can talk to me like that! I could cripple you if it were my fancy."

"Your highness! Look what you've done!"

Indeed look at the sparks fly out from the keypad.

"What I've done?! What you've made me do!" Vejiita yelled, spiking up his ki. Lotsun cowered. "Now look at all of my months work! You asshole! You'd better get another one! Maybe my notes can be saved!"

"Yes, your highness. I will get another right away." He dropped his book, grabbed the computer, and left the room, calling a servant.

Once hearing those frantic footsteps in the distance, the prince turned towards his pet.

"Ha ha!" he exclaimed dashing to the door. He threw it open and grabbed his kaino. "Hey boy! Wasn't that awesome?!"

Tykuno licked Vejiita's face as he was held tightly against his master. The prince thrust his pet out at arms length as he laughed some more. "Lotsun is so stupid, isn't he, Tykuno?"

The kaino barked in response as he wagged his tail excitedly.

"Yep! He is!" Vejitta said as he tossed his pet up in the air only to catch him deftly. He held him close to him then. Looking ecstatically at his pet and then at the vacant study, he decided he'd better make his escape before anyone was alert to his absence. So he darted off towards his mother's private garden, blissfully unaware of the dark gaze watching his every move from an obscure location close by.

The prince went to an enclosure of tall hedges that surrounded a fountain. A few benches circled it as well. And it was the perfect place to play around with Tykuno without being bothered or seen-so long as no one flew overhead, which was often times the case since this was the queen's private place. And his mother, she had her own schedule and would not be out in the garden at this time.

The prince sat against one of the benches as he feed his pet the food from his pocket. He watched the kaino tear apart the pieces of meat as he rubbed his hands down his sleek furry back.

"It's good, isn't it boy?"

A bark was the response.

"Yeah, I know. I could hardly save you any since it was almost too good to give away. But since you and I are pals I could never deny you. Too bad I was unable to feed you right after lunch. But this is just as wonderful. Isn't it?"

Another bark.

"Even if I had feed you before I'd want to ditch studies since all Lotsun talks about is the solar system. I want to learn about battles and stuff like that. But he says that we have to follow his lesson plan then we could learn about wars. Humph. I bet he just doesn't want to teach it because he doesn't know anything about that."

Tykuno barked several times having finished his food and jumped upon his master. The two proceeded to do a little roughhousing as they rolled around on the concrete, though the prince tried not to fall upon the flower beds nearby.

From above the royal guard could hear his prince's laughter with disgust.

"What do you think you are doing?!"

The prince froze, knowing full well who that was. He cradled his pet protectively as he looked up. "What are you doing here?"

The burly Saiya-jin dropped to the ground donning a harsh scowl. "Ever since your last escape the king put me on duty near the study to make sure you do not break out again."

The prince growled. His father's lack of trust in him was unsettling but he ignored the fact that it was well warranted. "Be gone, Nappa! I can do whatever the hell I want!"

"Not when your father does not approve, you insolent brat!"

"Watch yourself! Though you might have some authority I am still your prince and as such you had better show some respect!"

"Well it is difficult to do that when I see my supposedly strong prince acting like a third-class weakling wallowing in the dirt with his kaino! Yeah, I'll respect that!"

"How dare you!" the prince dropped his friend and charged up his ki, dashing towards Nappa in a frontal assault.

The guard merely swatted at him away. With a pained grunt Vejiita hit against the fountain and fell into the water.

"Hahahaa, obviously you haven't remembered what I taught you about hand to hand combat, your highness."

Growling, the prince got up with his bangs clinging to his face.

"But it's no matter."

And Vejiita saw why as Nappa held his kaino in his hand. It yelped with the strain of the guard's grasp.

"Nappa! Put him down!" he cried authoritatively.

"I don't think I will, Ouji-sama. I will not have you become the weakling you are about to. And I do not care what the queen says. You are becoming weak with her silly influences."

"How dare you talk about my mother that way, your queen!"

"I dare because it is my job to protect the royal house. I'll be damned if I shall see you soft another day!" And with that his fist tightened.

"NO!" the prince jumped out of the fountain and darted to Nappa. But the guard just threw the kaino to the grown like trash as it let out a pained yelp. Vejiita's knees hit the ground near his pet as he stared at the trembling body. "Tykuno?" He hesitantly reached out a hand but flinched away as he heard Nappa's disgusted insult.

"Weakling!"

Vejiita whirled around with tears rolling down his cheeks. "You will pay for this!"

"By all means…" the bald giant said crossing his arms, "…punish me."

The prince let out a pained scream as he attacked the guard once again. But a blow to his stomach silenced his fury as he slumped onto one large fist.

Nappa tossed him up slightly with a spin, catching hold of the boy now facing his fallen pet. "I'm doing this for you, my prince." He extended his hand and it began to glow with concentrated ki. Vejiita struggled in the hold, his little hands pushing against the man's larger one.

"No Nappa!" he whimpered feebly as his tears flowed more, "No…don't…"

~~***~~

He laid on his belly with his head resting on his pillow. In his dim room he could hear whispering just outside his door, those of his parents. They were talking about what happened in the garden, trying to be discrete. One kept saying it was best for him, he had to learn to be strong, it's for his own good. While the other kept saying but he's just a little boy, he was too harsh with him, he should not have killed the kaino in front of him. And it went on…

He had cried so much that he felt a dull ache inside that seemed like it would never leave. Just staring into space, having the pain course through him, he now began to feel exhausted of it. It wasn't fair. He sniffed again as a tear rolled off his cheek onto his soaked pillow.

It just wasn't fair.

The door crept open silently and she looked at her precious baby with his back to her. There was no more study time for the day when he was returned. It was a tragedy. That damn Nappa and his crude ways. She kept telling herself he didn't need to kill the creature in front of him-if it was needed to kill it at all.

She sat down on the bed that was too large for such a little boy.

"Aisoku? …are you awake?" Surly she knew that he was as she placed her hand on his back, rubbing gently. She just needed to know if he wanted her to be here with him.

"Mama," came his baby whimper as he turned to her and nestled into her comforting embrace. It was often amazing how grown up he seemed to be when he mimicked his father's mannerisms and speech. No one would see the child in him if he didn't want them to. But she always got to see it, even when he'd put up fronts with her.

She cradled him to her breast as he gripped her arms harder. "I'm sorry for what happened to your pet. But you must realize that it was not allowed to have one."

"But it was mine. I hunted it and took care of it. What was so wrong? All of the third-class brats get to have their own. Even some elite brats have them."

"But you are the Saiya-jin no Ouji. You must represent strength, honor, and pride. When the people see you dabbling in what they think is weaknesses they will not have faith in your leadership."

"But I just wanted to have fun."

"I know, honey. Do not feel bad. Most Saiya-jin are superficial and do not realize that such things aren't really weak. Never think that it is."

He nuzzled more into her. "I really loved Tykuno. He was my best friend."

~~***~~

"Must you treat him like that?" was the question that greeted her as she entered their bedroom.

"Must you not?"

~~***~~

Please send me a review at vegges_mate@yahoo.com Constructive criticism as always is welcomed. ^_^

Japanese Translated:

Aisai: beloved wife

Aisoku: beloved son; cute boy

Chibi: little, small

Kappa: water demon

Onna: woman

Ou: king

Ouhi: queen

Ouji: prince

Tamatasu: made up name for the queen, 'Tasu for short ^_^