Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ False Pretenses ❯ Chapter 4

DISCLAIMER: I am not rich, therefore I own nothing. Except Starr, her siblings, and the freaky creepy stalker Saiyan that makes an appearance.

Chapter 4

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Slowly Starr lifted her head. She didn't know how long she cried, but she knew that she was all cried out. She slowly got up out of the bed and walked into the bathroom. Looking at her reflection she saw that her eyes were red and puffy. She splashed water on her face and exited to go towards her balcony. It was dark now, the sky illuminated twin moons. She suddenly felt the urge to fly away. She leapt into the sky and flew as fast as she could, having no idea of where she was actually going. After a time of speeding past different landscapes, and blue sparkle caught her attention and she landed. She found herself standing on a beach, vast blue extending out in front of her. She flet a sharp pain in her heart as it reminded her of her secret location on Earth. She walked to the water's edge and sat down. She pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on her knees.

"Goku...." she said closing her eyes. "I'm so sorry. That guy was coming for me and you suffered for it. And what about all the others? What happened to them? Are they all right? Please be all right...." Starr wanted to cry again, but this time no tears would come. She felt so alone. Her mentor was dead, and she had no idea what happened after that. She now remembered the fight, and she remembered Vegeta knocking her out. If she knew where the others were then it would help her. Starr looked out into the ocean. By now the sun was starting to rise, and she decided that she needed to find Vegeta. She stood up and closed her eyes. She focused her mind on finding the prince's ki signature. It didn't take very long before she found it. She flew back into the sky, following the trail, with Daylight chasing her from behind.

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Vegeta stood in the center of his gravity room. He closed his eyes and focused his energy. How long was it going to take the girl to remember. He wanted answers to his questions. He was supposed to be the only Super Saiyan, the Legendary, but somehow the young Saiyan had managed to achieve it. Did it have to do with her high power level at birth? But that didn't make sense to the prince. He had been training for years before he was able to do it, and even then it wasn't easy. He remembered the anger he felt at himself over his continuous failures. She did it after seeing that fool, Kakkarot, take one to the chest. Vegeta's eyes snapped open.

'Maybe that's it,' he thought to himself. He made a mental note that eventually he should tell the girl her mentor was still alive but for now wanted the knowledge kept to himself. He wanted to use it. He needed to see how far he could push her and he had a feeling that if she knew the truth she wouldn't be as motivated to explore this new power of hers. A knock at the door brought him back to reality. He walked over and pressed the button to open it.

"Well," he chuckled, crossing his arms across his chest. "I was beginning to grow impatient waiting for you to show up." Standing before him was none other than the young Saiyan, Saluna. He raised an eyebrow as she spoke,

"I remember everything, and now I have questions of my own."

Starr followed her senses all the way back to the palace. She veered to the left, still following Vegeta's trail, when she saw a large dome shaped building standing on its own. She could clearly see the words 'Capsule Corp' written on the side. She landed in front of the door, confusion etched on her face.

'Capsule Corp?' she thought. 'What?' She shook her head as more questions began to swim in her mind. She looked at the door and approached it. She brought her hand up to knock, but hesitated. She wanted to know what was going on, what happened to her and her friends, but did she really want an answer? What if what she heard wasn't what she wanted. She closed her eyes and sighed.

"Man up, Starr," she said out loud to herself. "You have to know either way. You may not like the guy, but right now he's all you got." She pulled her resolve together and knocked on the door. After a few moments, the door opened, and the Saiyan Prince was standing before her. He looked her up and down, standing only in a pair shorts and chuckled.

"Well, I was beginning to grow impatient waiting for you to show up.

"I remember everything," she responded, "and now I have questions of my own." Vegeta waved his had to come in as he turned away and Starr obeyed. The door swiftly shut behind her and the prince turned around to face her. The stood that way, a few minutes passed, and neither one spoke. Starr was studying Vegeta as he watched her. Finally, Starr caved in and broke the silence.

"What happened, after you knocked me out I mean. I know it was you, I remember hearing your voice." Vegeta bore into her with his onyx eyes.

"I ordered you to be brought to my ship. I couldn't leave you on the mud ball planet. Frieza's men already found you once, and over my dead body would I allow him to get his hands on you. I won't have another Saiyan used against me."

"First off, who's Frieza? Second, what happened to Goku? And the rest of my friends?" Vegeta considered his answer for a moment, trying to decide how best to answer.

"Frieza is a tyrant. He has vast power, and for the time being thinks that our race is under his control. I am simply buying my time before I kill him and knock his purple ass off his assumed throne. As far as Kakkarot goes, I know not. He wasn't my concern. I left Bardock to deal with his son. As far as I know, he's dead," Vegeta lied, keeping to his plan of hiding the truth. "Same goes for the other Earthlings. I don't know and I don't care to know." Starr lowered her head.

"I thought as much," she said sadly. "But this room says 'Capsule Corp.' Bulma built it, didn't she?" Vegeta raised his eyebrow.

"The blue haired Earth woman? Yes, she's here. I had her brought here for my own uses. She so far has been useful to me." Starr's eyes lit up at the info.

"Bulma-chan is here? Where? I need to see her!" Vegeta put up his hand and cut the girl off.

"You'll do no such thing at the moment," he said. "You are going to answer my questions now and then we have work to do. I didn't bring you here just because. You somehow managed to transform into the Legendary, something that's supposed to be impossible. But since you have, you have a usefulness to me now. I want to know how you did it, and then you're going to learn how to control it. I am going to be training you, and then you're going to fight with me."

"Ok, I'll ask this again," she said. "What in the ever-living hell is a Super Saiyan?" Vegeta put his arms at his sides and stared pointedly at her.

"This," he responded. The prince gave a mighty yell, and Starr felt his ki explode around her. A blinding golden light filled the room, and she had to shield her eyes at the brightness. When the light subsided and she lowered her arm, she gasped. Vegeta's appearance had changed. His black hair was gold, and his onyx eyes were blue. He was surrounded by a powerful golden aura. All Starr could do was stare. It was terrifyingly beautiful, but she couldn't look away.

"That's what happened to me?" she said in a whisper. Vegeta gave a curt nod, and powered down, reverting to his original state." How, how did I do that? The amount of power I just felt from you..."

"That's what I want to know," he said in an annoyed voice. "The Legendary is, was, just that, a legend. There hadn't been one in over a millennia, until me. And then you somehow managed to do it. I want to know how." He narrowed his eyes at her. Starr opened and closed her mouth a few times, no words coming out.

"I... I don't know, " she sputtered. "I remember fighting that ugly green guy, I remember Goku standing next me, and then feeling his blood splash my face. I remember watching him fall, like it was slow motion. And then, I don't know, it's like something snapped inside of me. I just remember feeling blinded by rage. I'd never been so angry before in all my life. It's like it kinda took over me. I remember thinking that I had to kill him. He hurt Goku, and I couldn't let him hurt anyone else. It felt like it wasn't even me at that point. I felt... I don't know if possessed is the right word?" While Starr was speaking, Vegeta said nothing. His suspicions were confirmed. Kakkarot's "death" trigged it.

"What you felt was bloodlust. It was rumored in the legends that Super Saiyans were filled with it, that it couldn't be controlled. I found however that it could be, and I need to make sure you can too. I can't have an uncontrolled Super Saiyan running around my palace. And we begin now. Transform."

"And how the hell am I supposed to do that?" the girl angrily spat out. "I don't even know how it happened the first time. How the fuck as I supposed to repeat something I didn't know I could do in the first place? And for the record, Mr High and Mighty, I don't like being told what to do. You don't know me, I don't know you, so why the hell would I do anything for you? This is all your fault in the first place! Goku would probably still be alive if you hadn't shown up! You probably lead that green freak right to us!" Starr was angry. She stared dangerously at the Saiyan Prince who said nothing. Instead, and without warning, Starr was suddenly thrown into a wall, Vegeta's had wrapped around her throat. He stepped closer to her, make the space between them almost non-existent, and in his own dangerous tone he spoke.

"This is the last time I am going to warn you, Saluna. You had better watch your fucking tone with me. I am not the person to play games with. If I tell you to do something, you'd better fucking do it. I might be interested in training you, but make no mistake that I have no problem killing, but it won't be you. You seem to have quite the attachment to Earthlings, and don't forget that I happen to have one here, one you seem to know very well. So, for her sake, you'd better learn to bite your tongue and watch the fucking attitude around me. Am I clear?" Starr lowered her eyes in defeat, and gave a small nod.

"Good Girl, now do what the fuck I said," he said throwing her to the center on the room. Starr hid with a thud, but rose to her feet, never taking her eyes off the prince. She tried to remember how she felt watching Goku get attacked, the pain written on his face. As she remembered the rage, she felt her energy swirl around her. Her hair felt like it was standing on end, and she felt a powerful yell escape her lungs. She saw the same blinding light, and then it was gone. She could sense the aura surround her, and she suddenly felt the rage take over. Her eyes zeroed in on Vegeta, and you lunged. Vegeta transformed and met her in a grapple. Starr gritted he teeth and lifted he knee into Vegeta's stomach. The prince grunted and threw Starr back. She easily land on her feet and looked at Vegeta with murderous eyes.

"You feel that, Saluna, that's the bloodlust taking over. Control it! If you don't, then it will destroy you." Starr stared hard at Vegeta, and heard his words, but it felt like something said in the distance. The longer she stared the more the word 'control' echoed in her mind, but at the same time 'kill' was also there. She felt like she was losing it. She tightly shut her eyes and tried to focus.

'No! I am not a killer!' she told herself. 'Control, control, control.' She felt the struggle internally. She didn't want to lose herself to this new power. She sensed something snap, and she cried out.

"No!" she screamed out loud, and she dropped to her knees, the gold aura still surrounding her. Starr breathed heavily from the internal battle she waged against herself. She felt herself regaining control. She lifted her eyes to look at Vegeta, who had a smirk on his face.

"Good, now get back to your feet," he commanded. Slowly Starr did as he said and climbed to an upright position. She continued to breath heavily and she kept her eyes on the prince.

"Take control, and power down," he said, as he did it himself. Starr closed her eyes again and sighed, willing her ki to lower, and to her surprise it it. Her aura disappeared, and she was back to normal. "Good, now call it back." Vegeta was watching her like a hawk. Starr called on her ki and found herself transformed. Vegeta made her repeat the process over and over again, until she was exhausted. She realized that each time she called the power forth and then sent it away, it got easier. After the hundredth time of doing this, the young Saiyan dropped to her knees.

"No more," she said, gasping for breath. "I can't do it anymore. My body feels like it's about to break." She heard Vegeta approach her, and she sensed him squat down, but she did not look at him. She felt his hand cup her chin and lift her head up so force her to look at him.

"That's enough for now," he said, his onyx eyes staring into hers. "I think you have the hang of it, but we will continue this. It seems like the bloodlust is gone, but you're focusing too much on the change. It should be like second nature. Now go. My father is interested in meeting you, and you need to look presentable." Vegeta dropped his hand and walked away. Starr struggled to her feet and looked at Vegeta's back. She slowly walked to the door, and was about to open it when Vegeta's voice stopped her.

"Keep your Super Saiyan transformation to yourself. I don't want anyone knowing about it yet." Starr turned her head towards Vegeta and gave a small nod before opening the door.

"Thank you," she said in a barely audible whisper. She jumped out of the gravity room, knowing full well that Vegeta's Saiyan ears heard what she said.

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The first thing Starr once she found her way back to her room was shower. She allowed the steaming hot water to flow down her body. At the same time, she was trying to keep her mind clear. She didn't want to think about anything. It was too painful and she couldn't allow herself to feel the pain. She was in a different world and she had to keep her guard up. She didn't fully know what these Saiyans were capable of. She had already seen a couple different sides of Vegeta. There was the threatening, murderous version, but she had also seen that the prince could be understanding as well. She wasn't sure yet which Vegeta was the real one yet. She stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel to begin drying herself off.

'I have to find out if everyone else is ok,' she said to herself as she moved on to drying her hair. 'I guess that means I have to play Vegeta's game for now. But I have to find a way to see Bulma.' Starr headed over to her closet, and once again ignoring the Saiyan clothing, started digging through the clothing that someone brought from home. She decided to look more like a girl, so she carefully selected a green summer dress. She held it up to examine it and smiled. The dress was thin strapped and fell at her knees. She remembered when she bought it on a shopping trip with Charm over the summer. Her smile fell as she thought about her best friend.

'Stop it Starr Reku,' she thought while pulling the dress on. 'Charm's a fighter, and I'm sure I'll find a way to return home again.' The young girl ran her hands through her hair, and her fingers expertly shaped her long hair into a loose braid that she draped over her shoulder. She looked at her reflection and smiled. She almost looked normal, other than being on an alien world without her loved ones of course. She sighed and turned away from the mirror and grabbed a pair of shoes, also brought from Earth, and slipped them on. The knee-high boots complimented the dress perfectly. She moved towards the door and sighed as the door opened.

'Time for the dog and pony show,' she thought as she walked into the hallway. She closed her eyes and searched for Vegeta's energy signature. She couldn't help but giggle when she realized that it was becoming way too easy for her to find him. His chi just jumped out at her, way more that anyone else's. Suddenly deciding she had to know, Starr focus her mind on finding Bulma. It took a little bit longer since her level was much lower, but eventually she found her blue hair friend, and to her surprise she could sense that Bulma was with Vegeta. Figuring she'd find out soon what was going on anyway, Starr began following the energies she was sensing. She walked along the long hallways, admiring the beauty in them. The walls were with, but they were accented in gold, and very faintly there were designs etched in the walls in a lighter gold. Starr stopped suddenly when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned and found that she was no longer alone. Behind her about fifteen feet was another Saiyan. He looked to be maybe a few years older than herself. He had short black hair that was held back by a green headband, and he wore the typical Saiyan fighting gear. What creeped Starr out was the look he had on his face. He wasn't even bothering to hide that he was looking her up and down. Starr could feel his eyes going over every inch of her and it was making her skin crawl.

"Can I help you?" she snapped at him. He smirked as his eyes ran up her body to look her in the face, a sickening smirk crossed his face. Starr narrowed her eyes and watched him like a hawk. He took a step towards her, but she held her ground. She clenched her fists, and waited to see what he would do. He took another step towards Starr, and she felt her skin crawl as she saw him like his lips. A voice from behind her snapped her attention.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Milik?" Starr turned and found herself face to face with another male Saiyan who looked none to pleased. Starr studied his face and got the same familiar feeling that she had when she met Saruka. Milik tore his eyes away from Starr and looked at the new Saiyan. He said nothing except lower his head slightly.

"Go," the new Saiyan commanded. Milik took one last look at Starr before turning and quickly leaving in the opposite direction. Starr continued to study the newcomer's face. He shifted his attention to the younger Saiyan, and raised an eyebrow when he saw she was looking at him.

"Why do you look like Saruka?" She asked him. He broke into a smirk as he replied.

"Probably because she's my sister. My twin actually, which makes you Saluna if I'm not mistaken. I'm Kessoro, your only brother." He studied her curiously.

"So, ummm, how many of you are there exactly?" Starr asked. "Siblings I mean, and when can I meet them. If we're family, I might as well, right?" Kessoro's smirked widened.

"Indeed," he responded. "There's five of us, plus you. But there will be time for that later. I came to find you at the Prince's request. Apparently, you're taking too long for his liking and it's not a good idea to keep him waiting. Come." Kessoro turned and began walking off with Starr running to catch up.

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Before long the pair arrived at an intricate set of large doors. They were adorned with gold, just like the walls, the the intricate designs were more pronounced. Kessoro motioned to his younger sister to go through the doors, and turned to walk off. Starr's voice stopped him momentarily.

"I may be in a place that I don't want to be, but I really would like to meet the family," she said. Kessoro nodded and continued to walk away. Starr sighed and pushed the heavy doors open. Before her stood a grand table lined with mounds of food. The young Saiyan didn't realize how hungry she had become until the delectable scent reached her nose. Her stomach began rumbling as she approached. Vegeta was standing in front of a grand window and did not acknowledge her as she entered. She was about to say something when a blue haired woman caught her attention.

"Bulma-san!" Starr cried out, running over to meet her friend. The two women met in a warm embrace, before Bulma spoke.

"Uh, Starr-chan, you're squeezing a little too tight," she said with a smile. Starr immediately let go and gave Bulma and big, apologetic smile.

"Sorry, Bulma. I'm surprised to see you here. I didn't think I'd get to see you for a while." Before Bulma could respond, Vegeta's voice called over to her.

"Saluna, come here." Starr and Bulma looked at each other, and after a quick look at the prince, Bulma motioned with her head to go over there. She put a hand on the young Saiyan's arm, and moved aside. Starr walked over to Vegeta and stood next to him, staring out the window. Vegeta did not speak or a moment, so Starr took in the beauty of the scene before her. It was a beautifully large garden filled with flowers she'd never seen before. She was getting lost in the moment when Vegeta brought her back to reality.

"The only reason that woman is in the room right now is so that you can see that she's fine," he said in a hushed, harsh whisper. "Just remember how quickly that can change. Do not push me. You will do exactly what I say for her sake." Vegeta shifted his eyes to look at the her. Starr gave him a hard look, and nodded to show her understanding. She didn't like her loved ones being threatened, but she didn't want Bulma to get hurt because of her. Goku had already suffered for it.

"Say it out loud," Vegeta snapped at her.

"I understand," Starr responded meekly. The appearance of another individual prevented Vegeta from saying anything else to her. Vegeta turned away from the window and crossed his arms on his chest.

"Father," he simply said. Starr turned to see an obviously older version of the prince enter the room. King Vegeta looked at the girl and then back at Vegeta, choosing to ignore the Earthling. He motioned to come sit at the table as he took his place at the head. Starr sat across from Bulma as Vegeta sat at the opposite end of his father. The King glanced at the blue haired woman, taking note of her beauty, before his eyes settled on Starr. He studied her for a moment before speaking.

"So, the prodigal daughter has returned to us," he mused. Confused crossed Starr's face and when she didn't reply the King spoke again. "Ah, I see. You don't know. Well, you'll learn all in good time. I must admit I am quite curious as to what type of fighter you have become. I assume that since you're here Vegeta was not disappointed with what he found on Earth. And I heard it was quite the show with Zarbon." Starr looked at the Prince, who shrugged. The King chuckled.

"Yes, I know about your little transformation," he continued. "The same way I know about Vegeta's. No one outside of this room or who was there knows, and it will stay that way for now. Under penalty of death," he added, glancing at Bulma. Bulma swallowed hard and looked down, not understanding what was meant by 'transformation'.

“Forgive me,” Starr spoke out, remembering her manners. “but I don't understand what all the secrecy is about. If it's about me then why can't someone just spit it out.” The prince smirked at the taken aback look that crossed the king's face. He regarded her carefully for a moment before speaking.

“As I said,” King Vegeta said in a warning tone. “you will find out in due time. Perhaps your father would be best suited to answer that question. Assuming, that is, that my son doesn't occupy all your time.” The king looked at his son, who raised an eyebrow in response. Silence fell upon the table, and the king, deciding nothing more needed to be said at the moment, began eating. Prince Vegeta followed suit. Starr glanced at Bulma, who gave a small shrug that when unnoticed by father and son, before picking up her own fork to eat. The rest of the meal was completed in silence. King Vegeta stood up, and nodded to his son before turning to leave the room. He stopped short of the door and addressed Starr.

“Saluna, if I were you, I would take training here very seriously. We have no room for weaklings in our midst.” Without waiting for a response, he left, leaving the women alone with Vegeta. Vegeta stood up and walked back over to the window.

“Woman, you can leave. Go back to the science wing,” he addressed Bulma without turning around. Bulma and Starr looked at each other, no words passing between them.

“Starr and I need to talk,” she replied, making Vegeta scowl. Before anything else could be said, Vegeta phased out, and reappeared at Bulma's side. She quickly stood up, but as she did Vegeta's hand came down and delivered a slap clean across Bulma's cheek. He held his power back, but it still sent the blue haired beauty flying to the other side of the room. As soon as Starr saw Vegeta land the hit she was already on her feet and moving to go after the prince. She growled dangerously as Vegeta approached, and in a flash Vegeta disappeared and reappeared behind the younger Saiyan. He twisted her left arm behind her back, while snaking his other arm around her neck in a choke hold. Vegeta spun Starr around so that she was facing Bulma, and Vegeta hissed angerly through gritted teeth.

“You dare to move to attack me? And who the hell do you think you are woman?” He said, now addressing Bulma. Bulma was gently cradling her stinging cheek while trying to fight back tears. Starr struggled against Vegeta's hold, but that only made it tighter.

“Do not think for a moment that I will hesitate to hurt you, either one of you,” he growled in an evil and dangerous tone. “I will not tolerate insubordination of any kind from anyone. Do I make myself clear?” He barked at them. Bulma nodded weakly.

“Yes,” Starr whispered, defeated. Vegeta smirked.

“Good, now get out!” he demanded at Bulma. Bulma stood up and glanced sadly at Starr before running out of the room. Once she was gone, Vegeta released his grip on Starr and spun her around to face him. He kept the distance closed between them and gave her a hard look. Starr stared back, her eyes defiant. Vegeta, quick as a flash of light, threw Starr against a wall and closed the space between them again.

“If you so much as even think about moving against me again, I will kill her, no hesitation,” he said in a dangerously hushed tone. “Anything you do, it will be taken out on her, do you understand?” He narrowed his eyes as he waited for a response. Starr felt the anger rising in her.

“I hate you!” she spat out. “I absolutely hate you! Good job pretending to be a decent guy when I first met you on Earth. You should get an academy award for acting.” Vegeta sighed be giving her a slap of her own. Being stronger than Bulma, she didn't go flying but her head did painfully snap to the side. She slowly turned her head back to glare at Vegeta. The prince smirked as he saw the thin line of blood begin to flow from the corner of Starr's mouth.

“You try my patience, girl. I think a lesson in respect is in order. Sooner or later you will give me the respect I'm owed. Now, get out of that pretty little dress and into some training attire, and get your ass to the gravity room.” Vegeta moved away from Starr and proceeded to exit the room, leaving her to seethe in her anger. She wiped the blood from her face, and sighed in defeated. She knew there was no winning, not with Bulma being used as a pawn against her. She left the dinning room herself and headed back to her room, deciding that it wasn't safe to make the Saiyan prince wait. Not with Bulma's life on the line.

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Ta-Da! Another chapter down! Vegeta's acting like his usual self again. What is in store for our young female Saiyan? Stay tuned to find out!