Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Even the Ruthless Fall in Love ❯ The Strength to Hide ( Chapter 8 )

Disclaimer: No! Darnit, this is ANNOYING! Can't you BLOODY well see that even if I WANTED to, I could own or claim to own DBZ or any of it's characters?! Even if you DO decide to sue me, you'll just get a shaved dog and a cat that looks like a rat! The rhyme is NOT intended -_-

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EVEN THE RUTHLESS FALL IN LOVE: Chapter 8 - The Strength to Hide

I renamed the chapter. So bite me. After I started writing it today in Western Civilization (wow if Mr. Sander found out I was writing THIS in his class, he'd murder me and roticiery my head!) I realized my old title was corny, and after some more thinking (OUCH! My head..) I calculated where I was going to go with this chapter. ^_^ I think the title should be a little more happy, so I'm going to SUB title it over the happy spot. READ AND REVIEW! Thx!

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Khune paced, knocking vases and various decorations off their perches. Her tail whipped the air in irritation, and the crashing sounds brought the dwelling's other occupants from their sleep rooms. At the sight of the restless Saiyan, all of them except what appeared to be the leader backed to their beds.

Radditz had finally convinced Khune to stay somewhere else while he left on a strenuous, transformation-required mission. She was annoyed, depressed, fat, and had a horrible case of cabin-fever. Khune had agreed to live with Gligar's family on his home planet, and no matter how guilty she felt, she couldn't avoid making mincemeat out of her dedicated doctor's poor house.

Gligar's "wife," as he called her, approached the furious Saiyan.

"Come sit down and I'll make you something to eat," the green-faced, oddly clothed creature offered, motioning to the dinner pillows. Khune sighed and sat down, finding this simple task to be progressively more difficult. Gligar's wife, Matel, brought out some small, pasty cakes and gave the trayful to her guest. Khune ate in silence, glancing up continually at her kind host as if expecting to be guilt-tripped.

"I expected a minion of Frieza to be somewhat... different than you," Matel said at last, breaking the silence. Khune sighed and sat back, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"You do know why I'm here?" She inquired, yawning. Apparently the small amount of food had somewhat subdued her.

"Gligar said it had something to do with your medical condition. All he told us was not to let you kill yourself trying to escape, or at all for that matter... He said if you did, we would probably never see him again. Something about "that big, hairy Saiyan,"" Matel replied, obviously puzzled. Khune chuckled lightly.

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"DOC?!" An incredibly loud, gruff voice called throughout the medical wing. Being the only one around, the green, pasty-faced alien came running. "My mate is waiting in the launching docks. She needs a place to stay! NOW!" The huge, long-haired Saiyan snarled. The little doctor leaped back in fear, pressed against a far wall.

"Um... My home planet, Outsebald-sei. She can stay with my family the-" He was lifted from the ground, staring into the dark, onyx eyes of the inquirer.

"She better not have a single SCAR! She'll hate being there and will probably try to escape. If she hurts herself at ALL, I will cut off your head and eat it for lunch!!" The monstrous Saiyan shook the poor doctor, glaring into one of his small white eyes. The green alien nodded furiously, sweat pooling around him.

"Y-y-yes sir!" Frantically, the pasty-faced creature got up and rushed off to dial home.

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The alien sipped a hot liquid out of a small bowl, sighing gently.

"I still don't know what you mean by "different" than what you expected a follower of Frieza to be... It's not like we Saiyans voluntarily work for the bastard," Khune growled under her breath. Matel raised an eyebrow.

"I know... When he took over our planet, he found out we were very good medical scientists. So he refrained from destroying us and employs many of our males on his ship," she confided, peering into the glossy depths of the drink in her hand. "But you're one of his warriors! How is he dealing with your... situation?" Matel pried, putting the steaming bowl on the ground.

"Hmph. He isn't, he doesn't know. Ain't going to. My... my comrade is taking lower level missions so he can still do the job and say I was there," Khune stretched out, her tail laying across her belly.

"You're hiding?" She nodded and yawned. Matel stood up, taking the dirty platters and disappearing with them. Seconds later she returned, waving to the relaxed Saiyan. "Well, good night then."

Khune fell asleep quickly, the sound of two beating hearts lulling her into sweet dreams.

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Radditz collapsed among the ash ruins of the town. He had effectively annihilated all life on the planet, and he was exhausted. The trip had taken a week after "deserting" (as she had called it) Khune on that little alien's planet, and the job absorbed another stressful week. The Saiyan warrior was tired and just plain sick. He had swallowed one too many ounces of smoke and ash, his lungs reacting harshly. He would cough it up, over time.

Radditz slept restlessly, curled under the shadow of a crumbling rock dwelling. He missed the soft feel of his mate when they rested, wrapped around each other for warmth in places like these. He didn't know it, but his mind reached out, groping for that familiar feel, the normal link his mind had with hers.

Khune was flying in space, soaring past the stars at incredible speeds. She reached out and touched one, feeling the warmth spread through her body. She stopped and was busy trying to pull one of the star's planets out of orbit when a soft glove touched her side. Spinning around, fists up, she saw Radditz' familiar face and grinned.

"You've decided to join me? I'm ready to go home now," Khune said. She was thin and beautifully figured once more, the presence of her pregnant belly forgotten.

"Home? You know there is no place to go home to," Radditz said, brushing his fingers through her wild hair. She sighed and drooped her head, her furry tail curling around her waist. He took her chin in his palm and lifted up her face, smiling. "Cheer up. Things will be alright," he assured her. Khune wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his bare chest.

"I'll believe you," she said, reaching up and kissing him.

"I finished my job. I'll be back soon," Radditz poked her in the side and flew off.

"I'm gonna get you!"

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Khune woke up, the remnants of her dream fading away. Within minutes, she wouldn't remember a thing about it.

She strode out of the small dwelling, standing in the middle of a garden. Invisible, electric fences were everywhere, boxing in the small house. Khune sighed and watched the stars. She winced, a kick digging into the inside of her belly.

"Whoa there, lil one! You'll get out in no time, I'm sure," she sighed, yawning.

The next few days dragged on. Khune was eating breakfast when a loud crash filled her ears. Racing outside, she saw a large crater that hadn't been there before.

"RADDITZ!" She ran towards the pod, from which a tall, black-haired Saiyan emerged. He watched her odd form with interest as she came to a swift halt in front of him.

"Well, hello there, woman. Let's go. I am taking a leave of absence, whether Frieza likes it or not!" Radditz promptly picked her up, carried her across the crater to locate her space pod.

They were in space before she knew it.

"I didn't get a chance to... umm..." Khune stopped short. She heard an amused snort across her scouter. "Nevermind. Where are we going?"

"Mmm, you'll see. Where we're going, we'll have to keep a low profile. Turn off your scouter," Radditz commanded. Khune was already beginning to fall asleep, and she turned off the small device. In his pod, the male Saiyan grinned at himself for his cleverness.

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"Oh! It's BEAUTIFUL!" Khune exclaimed, staring in awe. Radditz jumped in surprise at her comment; amazing things pregnancy did to females.

"Shh," he said quietly, placing a hand over her mouth and another hand over her eyes. "That's not the half of it." The two had landed on the beach of a rippling ocean. The waves extended for miles off into the distance, and they looked awfully awkward against the beautiful scenery.

"Where are you taking me?" Khune asked as Radditz flew into the air, carrying her with him. They soared for a short time before swooping low, the male Saiyan setting his mate lightly onto the grass. He removed his hand from her eyes, and she gasped.

They were in a large valley, lush with pines and green floral. Small foothills surrounded the dell, sloping up into rocky peaks. The mountains rose high into the clouds, covered with evergreen trees and caps of snow. The sun shone out from the layers of white fluff, and creating luminous shadows across the serene basin it burst from beneath its veil. Rays of light doused them, the thick mountain air rising to Khune's sensitive nose. She practically fainted against Radditz, who caught her easily.

"It's... Gorgeous..." She stuttered, curling up closely to him. He took off his armor, holding her close.

"This is a planet called Earth. The inhabitants are very weak, and this job is at the bottom of Frieza's list. It won't be attended to for another few years, so we're safe. I thought we would stay here until..." Radditz paused, and she nuzzled him knowingly. "I don't know what will happen then, but we can decide when the time comes." He lay on the ground, Khune curling up in his arms. Radditz, with an uncharacteristic smile on his face, dozed off.

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A New Hope

"RAAAADDDDIIIITTTZZZZZ!!!!" The scream echoed across the valley, causing a flock of birds to depart in a rush, a few falling dead from the sheer volume. Radditz jolted awake, realizing he had fallen asleep in a tree while waiting to spring on a pair of deer. They were long gone now, and something was happening.

They had been camping in the high mountain valley for at least two months. It had been so blissful, Radditz had started becoming impatient. He had resorted to having one-sided battles with the enormous boulders that adorned the mountainsides, which seemed to dull his need to fight. But whenever he laid eyes upon his mate, he was soothed and felt perfectly at ease sitting around and watching her battle with the small baby in her belly.

Radditz hastily flew towards the camp, where Khune had been desperately trying to escape the bonds he had been forced to put her in. She had started by tearing at her clothes and stomach, and he knew something was near. The rabid Saiyan had been spitting mad for a week, almost as if trying to rip something out of herself. Now she was screaming, biting her lips to the point of blood. Radditz looked around, confused, until it hit him.

"Damnit!" He cursed loudly.

"DAMN YOU!" Khune screamed at him. Radditz jumped back, the sheer sound making his eardrums vibrate. She closed her eyes and squinted in pain, slamming her fist into the ground. He quickly undid her bounds, which had left long purple marks across her arms and legs. Khune relaxed slightly, heaving in his grasp. A shudder ran through his mate's body and she screamed again, digging her nails into his arm. Radditz had to clench his teeth to prevent himself from screaming back at her. He slowly but surely lay her on the ground, and she shrieked again.

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It was so... small. Radditz' eyes glazed over as he held the tiny sleeping infant, whose tail was wrapped instinctively around his wrist. It didn't take long for him to figure out the baby was female... His child. The thought stuck in his mind as he stared in awe, the small Saiyan sucking quietly on her thumb. Radditz was jerked from his thoughts when two hands touched his, and he reluctantly gave custody of the infant to Khune.

She had wrapped her small baby in part of her robe, which she easily cut off. The infant had wild, forest-green hair... not even that, it was more black than green. Her eyes were closed as she slept, her thumb sitting peacefully in her tiny mouth.

"What's her name?" Radditz asked, genuinely curious. He hadn't been able to manage one of his classic evil smirks since his mate had first gone into labor.

"Ona," Khune replied confidently. He peered over her shoulder at the tiny infant, the name fitting perfectly. Radditz pulled them to him, nuzzling his mate and looking at the tiny baby. Neither of them cared about dropped prides, about being impartial, or about holding up a mask. A strange feeling began creeping into his mind, straight through his heart and to his toes. Radditz smiled, the emotion tingling his spine. They were a family.

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After finally turning the scouter on, instantly a voice came on.

It was Frieza's.

"Get back to the Ship immediately. Bring your Saiyan whore with you," said the snarling, raspy voice, making Radditz cringe. He turned off the scouter, shivering ever so slightly.

"What was that?" Khune asked as she carried Ona, who they had managed to wrap in a badger skin.

"We're going back to the Ship. I don't know what awaits us there, but it doesn't sound good. Fr...Frieza demanded you come." They climbed into the pods and set coordinates. Khune insisted on carrying Ona, and Radditz reluctantly agreed for the overall benefit. She would be better protected with her mother, and the image of Radditz holding the small child may cause too many heart attacks.

The Ship loomed like a giant clamshell, ready to open and squash them in its powerful jaws. The two ships docked, and Radditz climbed out first.

Greeting him stood the large, pink alien and the tall, green alien. They stood side by side, glaring nastily as Radditz walked towards them.

"What do you want?!" He demanded.

"How dare a low class mongrel like you speak like that," Dodoria scolded evilly, kneeing Radditz in the stomach. The Saiyan took a step back, watching them. "Where's your bitch?"

"Yes Radditz, where is she?" Zarbon asked cooly. He had always seemed a little too pretty boy-ish for Radditz' liking...

Khune stepped out of her pod, the baby absent from view, most likely still in the ship. She glanced around, and was suddenly jumped on by four huge warriors. Radditz hollered some indiscernible words, when Dodoria and Zarbon grabbed his arms, throwing him to the ground.

"What's going on?!" Khune yelled at the four minions who stood up, holding her captive.

"You're under arrest. The charges against you are deception, mutiny, insubordination, and purging confidential computer files," Zarbon said with an eerily calm voice, his braided hair completely still as he spoke.

"The penalty is death for the offenders," Dodoria turned, looking at Radditz. "And their associates. We are here to inquire about Radditz' association." Khune turned, watching her mate's stricken face.

"Will you promise me something?" The green-haired Saiyan asked as the two lay in the grass. Amiga's sky was especially beautiful that night.

"I suppose. What is it?" He asked, turning to look at his beautiful mate.

"Promise you will never leave me. Promise you won't abandon me... or us." She contemplated his face until he nodded.

"I promise."

Radditz stared at her pleading face, then turned his eyes cold and shifted his gaze back to Dodoria.

"I had nothing to do with it." The fat, gloated alien grinned devilishly and signaled the guards. Khune suddenly thrashed with one hand, landing a sock right in her captor's face. The three others tightened their grasps, but she forced her way out by kicking the two behind her in the groin and ripping off the hair of the fourth. Khune leaped into her pod, which closed immediately. Radditz watched, almost in relief as it took off into space.

Her expression was of pure hatred. Radditz had never seen such a look on her face, except when she stared into the horrific eyes of Frieza. He closed his eyes and heard the sound of Ona, his small baby, screaming and crying. The Saiyan screamed suddenly and pushed between Dodoria and Zarbon, taking off into the mess hall beyond.

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Well now.. um.. I know it was short, but this is what I had to do in the time alotted... and this was the place to end. Gosh, I'm not even sure what's going to happen.

Please tell me what you think, criticisms and suggestions are all welcome. ^_^

~Majin Niña~ (p.n. ErieDragon)

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Chapter 9: Gone... Forever?