Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Even the Ruthless Fall in Love ❯ Two Tails ( Chapter 1 )

D'oh! I made an uncharacteristically stupid error... I forgot disclaimers o.O;

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball Z, I do not claim to own Dragon Ball Z, and even though I'd like to, I don't own any of it's characters and I am NOT making a PENNY off this fanfic! So there.

EVEN THE RUTHLESS FALL IN LOVE - Chapter 1: Two Tails

Hey peoples! This is my first EVER fanfic, so PLEASE give me some slack ^_^ All comments and criticisms are welcome, and suggestions too. I'm considering making the follow-up chapters longer, but I need your advice. My email is maxchick@mad.scientist.com. This story was originally going to be about a character that appeared later in the story, but I realized that the beginning (or what I originally intended to be the prologue) was just too long and had to be a story within itself! The sequel to this will be "The Cousin", but since that isn't here yet, check this out!

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"Don't even THINK about it," he threatened, tail twitching and whipping the air so forcefully that small sparks rode upon its tip. Rounding upon her adversary, the small creature lunged.

"Haha, missed me, now you gotta kiss me!" The pigheaded boy laughed, stepping aside as his friend dove past him. Dusting herself off, she turned back for another round.

"Why you.." Lunging again, she tackled him to the ground.

"Oof!" He tumbled into the dirt with a thump, looking up at the girl's defiant smirk as she sat on his stomach. One hand on his chest and the other forming a small energy ball, she grinned devilishly and he rocketed off the ground, knocking her to her knees. Laughing, she jumped into the air after him and they resumed sparring while airborne.
Even at the young age of ten, he had a high widow's peak and prominently long, black hair. He was taller than most Saiyans at his age, an advantage and not, the latter most commonly. His younger female friend always managed to use everything and anything against him if she could. She was much shorter, and sported a very non-Saiyan feature: Green hair. Green hair that was cropped short due to the fact it loved to sprout out in every direction, and daring to tame it was futile. Her eyes were a valiant emerald color, something her male friend had noticed when he first met her.

Finally, she gave in, exhausted. Toppling to the ground, she wiped her forehead and spread out on the soft grass. Raising an eyebrow, her friend hovered a few feet overhead.

"Are you just going to stare at me or are you going to get your ass out of the sky, like the wishful creature you are?" She inquired snidely, grinning. He snorted, consenting to sit on the ground beside her. She turned onto one side and supported her head with her hand, resting her elbow upon the grass. "Radditz, what are you going to be when you grow up?" She asked, not fully realizing the stupidity of her question. He smirked and humored her.

"I'm going to be the greatest fighter in the universe," he stated. Then seeing her restrained, almost-doubled-over-in-laughter face, added, "just so I can really kick your ass." They laughed, and he flopped over onto the ground as well, staring into the deep red sky. It glowed like a million blood rubies at once, and she examined his permanently furrowed black eyebrows.

"Khune, if you must know, I want to grow up to be just like me." He turned to look at her and grinned. They were stupid little kids and they knew it, but didn't care. They were being trained to be cold and heartless killers, and around their tutors they were, but out here alone they could be kids. Radditz's tail waved in the air beside him in front of her, and Khune responded by tapping it with hers. He had known her since they had been sent off as children initially; both had carried out their missions and returned to Earth at six years old, where they met and had been best friends since. Rounding on his thirteenth birthday and she on her twelfth, they were not closely monitored by their elders.

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It's not fair! His thoughts screamed, his head spinning as he watched his best friend pound her fists ineffectively at the transparent window of her pod. They were sending her off, and they wouldn't let him go with her! Radditz didn't care if his father was disapproving at his son's foolish behavior. He growled as he held the boy by a rope binding his hands, Radditz couldn't let her go. She would probably die, but Frieza just thought of her as another disposable minion.

"Shutup, you. I have to leave, and your brother will arrive shortly. Attend to his mother if you need something to do," the harsh man's voice came as no consolation. The boy didn't respond as he struggled against his father's tight grasp.

Khune! Please don't make her go, his mind churned frantically as his heart beat faster. His green-haired companion ran out of energy from trying to escape, and fell against the back of her seat in defeat. Radditz bared his teeth and turned, threatening his father who stood behind him, unaffected. Wriggling to get free, a boot connected with the boy's calves and knocked him onto the ground. The pod began to power up and the hatch before it closed, the ship zooming into the black sky with a flash of light. Getting to his feet, the Saiyan boy recomposed himself but remained with his head hanging.

All she remembered was falling asleep, her face red and her fists sore. But when she awoke, the surrounding countryside was much different; it was vast and green, covered with sparse trees and thick grass. There was no sky; the great expanses of space were revealed to the world even as two suns bore down on its surface. Khune climbed out of her pod slowly, her red scouter silent. This planet was listed as extremely hostile; her briefing had informed her that a full moon could supply her with all the force required. Looking around, she took to the air.

Surveying the planet, she had discovered small villages. The inhabitants seemed peaceful, so she decided to attempt at some food before completely eradicating them. Her stomach churned, and she wrapped her tail around her waist before descending. The villagers quickly scattered, their robes and shawls fluttering around their hairy bodies. Her scouter hardly flickered at their weak energy readings, and she proceeded to approach one of the aliens. It flinched and jumped backwards as she approached, but she slowly began to speak.

"Food." The alien stared at her, then its eyes lit up as if someone had just given it the gift it had always wanted. Bewildered, Khune followed it with her eyes as it motioned towards what must've been its tent. Un-assured, she kept pace at a distance behind it. Realizing her reluctance, the creature removed its hood and stepped into the tent, leaving her outside without invitation. Tapping her foot, the twelve-year-old Saiyan waited with traditional impatience for the creature to return.

But man was she happy when it did.

The alien returned, carrying an enormous plateful of food in his hairy arms. It must have been extremely heavy, for it was at least three feet wide and filled with all kinds of delectable things, from the small, roasted beast in the middle to the endless fruits that decorated the plate's rim. The alien put two fingers to his lips and made a loud, sonic trill. A large beast with a flat back appeared, its long neck almost dragging on the ground. As the plate was set upon the back of the strange, almost reptilian creature, Khune dove headfirst into the meal.

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Radditz kept a silent vigil, his arms crossed behind his back, his tail swishing freely in the morning air. Saiyans were extremely lazy when it came to sleeping, and not many of his fellows would be up at this hour in the morning. Today was his initiation; he was turning 13 (by our years), and he was ready to become a man.

This was one of those times when Radditz wished he could hear his best friend's mocking laugh, or ruffle her hair when she stomped in frustration after being beaten again. He fought back tears and continued to stare absently at the horizon. He had wanted to share this day with her, prove that he was and would be a great fighter… but no, he realized that she would know that, whether or not he "proved" it to her. Khune had always seemed wise beyond her years when she wasn't lunging at him in a mad rage, or clawing her poor opponent's eyes out. Radditz grinned absent mindedly at the thought and his tail flicked the air.

Now if y'all don't know, these lil stories in italics are FLASHBACKS. Let's continue, shall we? = )

The small, green-haired girl stepped out of her pod, surveying what she was told to be her "home." She had completed her mission by transforming under the three full moons of the planet she had been assigned to as a baby, and now she was home after making quick work of it. A tall, black-haired boy made his way nonchalantly past her bouncy landing site, his nose in the air, an action that was usually reserved to nobles. Unsure of what to do or where to go, she waved down this passing stranger. At such a young age, she couldn't comprehend him as "handsome", "dashing", or any other attractive physical traits, so she hopped across the vinyl balloon-like pod catcher towards him without fear.

"Hey!" She called, and the boy stopped, turning to face her. "I just now come-d in, what am I s'posed ta do?" The boy raised one angry set, thick black eyebrow and opened his arms, shrugging.

"I don't know any better than you do," he said. The girl's green hair was a giant mane that enveloped her head and neck, while her eyes blazed with life and the irises were a lovely jade color.

"Well then, how bouts we go lookin' togetha?" She suggested, grinning foolishly. The black-haired boy with a high widow's peak cracked a grin, smoothing back his long, unruly mane.

Radditz smiled, remembering the day they had met. These past seven years were calm on Vegeta-sei, but the ruling fist was coming down harder and harder on the people every day. It was the effect of Frieza for sure.

The teenage boy jumped out of his skin when a hand landed on his shoulder.

"You know you shouldn't be attached to anyone or anything. What is your problem, boy?" His father scolded, turning the boy around manually.

"Y'can't prove anything, and I don't have one," was the calm response. Raising an eyebrow, the Saiyan warrior watched his son's downcast eyes.

"You're going to be a man today. Time to let all those childish feelings go," the man said smoothly. Radditz glared up, a vein becoming slightly pronounced on the extra forehead his widow's peak exposed. His father smirked, impressed with his son's anger.

"Bardock! Your team is leaving, and they sent me to find you," a small, green-faced alien gasped as he stumbled up to them, his heavy breathing obviously due to running here clear from the take-off docks.

"Tell them I'll be right there," the man responded, waving away the messenger.

"Yessir!" The alien bowed and ran off. Looking back to his son, Bardock shook his head and wrapped his tail tightly around his waist.

"Forget about her. You need your energy and a clear head for tonight." With that, the warrior turned around and disappeared inside the complex behind them.

I won't forget about you, Radditz thought to himself as he imagined his best friend, a little green-haired demon, giving him the classic middle finger and smirking. He turned around and headed back inside, remembering the way she used to wrap her tail around his and punch him in the arm playfully, which actually hurt but he didn't dare show it.

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Khune wiped her face with the back of her hand after completely demolishing the food that had been set before her. A crowd of the pointy eared, pig-nosed, hairy aliens had gathered, and a third plateful of food was set before the drooling Saiyan. Finally, after finishing it off, she sat back in resignation.

Khune had discovered that these creatures were incredibly strong for having no real energy to speak of, and seemed to greatly enjoy feeding and entertaining guests. They didn't seem to mind that she was a strange alien who had flown into their village from the sky; the creatures were relatively simple-minded, understood some basic words that she spoke, but didn't appear to speak a language of their own. Khune was completely bewildered as to why this planet was classified as hostile, perhaps Frieza wanted one of his ruthless minions to cleanse the surface without second-guessing. She was young and naïve, but at least she knew it.

Perhaps there is something I can do for them after all, she thought to herself, as the creatures began some sort of dance that was obviously meant as entertainment. She clapped her hands to the beat and her tail waved freely, to the fascination of nearby aliens.

Khune began to formulate a plan. The planet's inhabitants were primitive, and she knew that if she failed her mission to destroy them, she would be killed and someone more ruthless would be sent to finish the job. She was not expected to return home; to the folks back on Vegeta-sei, she was dead. Although Frieza and his minions were powerful and lived by the rules of science, they were also extremely superstitious. Perhaps she could use this.

Only one person had ever appreciated her brain over her brawn: her best friend. She had no family, for Khune had been informed of both her parents' demise at the hands of the Caspians, a space-faring race which shot pods out of the sky for fun. She didn't mind, really, living under the instruction of a grumpy, elder Saiyan. He wasn't a blood-lusting monster like many of the others, and he had attempted to pass some of this onto her. He had succeeded at some level, but he had refused to be present when she was sent off after Frieza demanded a younger fighter be sent to deal with the "hostile" planet.

The little girl dug her toe into the ground, staring at her feet. Her old, dark, Saiyan mentor loomed over her, holding a struggling little boy by the collar above her head.

"What is this?!" He demanded angrily, shaking the boy, which he had found lurking under her windowsill outside the room. She shuffled her feet and looked up at her wild, black-haired friend dangling in the air.

"My friend," she responded quietly, closing her green eyes and bracing for the verbal and/or physical onslaught. The old warrior watched her, his face still etched angrily. Suddenly, he softened at her sincere reply.

"Very good," her sensei said calmly, setting the shocked boy down. "Now you two go off and play, don't get into trouble, and maybe you can sleep over tonight if you'd like," he said to the stricken children. In a rush, the two dashed off before he could change his mind.

Khune smiled at the memory. She and Radditz had gone out in the middle of the night and terrorized some of the local villagers by pretending to be ghosts, until her friend had stepped on a small Watcher's tail and its scream had foiled them.

She had made her decision; she stepped up to the alien, which appeared to be the leader.

"I wish to stay here," she stated. The creature tilted his hairy snout and raised an eyebrow.

"I-wish-to-stay-here," Khune repeated slowly. Suddenly, the image of a large question mark appeared in her head. Shocked, she took a few steps back before it clicked. That's why they don't speak, they communicate telepathically. When I asked for food, I must have imagined it in my mind and that's how they understood me! She laughed at the simplicity and closed her eyes, imagining a picture of herself talking to the villagers and looking perfectly at home. She opened her eyes to what must have been the equivalent of a smile for these odd creatures. She was replied to with an image of the aliens, arms outstretched in welcome.

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Email me with comments, criticisms, compliments, or requests to be on my mailing list (alerts sent when the next chapter gets put up) at maxchick@mad.scientist.com.

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< u>Chapter 2: The Stutter-Fest will be posted when I return home from this Kami-forsaken vacation ^_^ *cheering from the sandy beaches of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as she leaves the bowels of hell and returns home to arid Colorado* That should be around Friday or the following weekend (March 29), so hold onto your britches and tell me what you think!

PLEASE R&R!