Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Holding On ❯ Unlikely Playmate ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer:

DBZ… Akira Toriyama (that means not me)

Arashino miko©, Abouri© (pronounced Abouri©) is a character of my own design that I have been developing since 1997. (That's way before I even knew DBZ existed). Please don't try and steal her because I have documentation that dates way back to show she's mine and I'm a comic artist and animator, and I'm be using her in commercial works. Thank you so much for listening.

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Flashback - Unlikely Playmate

Bejiita sat regally beside his father at the dining table. His eyes scanned the faces of the `guests' to his planet, before resting his gaze on his still empty plate. His father, the mighty Saiyajin king, was discussing something with the king of Kumosei. Bejiita was listening at first, but their conversation wasn't interesting enough to hold the eight year old's attention. Instead of bothering with politics, he studied the Kumojin king and his queen. There were also several attendants seated beside them and standing behind them. The Kumojin king was an older man; Bejiita wasn't sure how long the Kumojin lived, although he was sure the Saiyajin lived longer. The prince noticed the females sitting on either side of Kumoou. One was way too old to be his wife. The younger one had to be Kumojin queen, Bejiita reasoned, because no man with any power would keep an ugly old hag when he could have a pretty girl to look at. Bejiita was going to make sure his queen was the prettiest woman in the universe. If he found a woman prettier than prettiest woman on his own planet, he'd just conquer that planet and take her. Then his kingdom would be even bigger than his father's. The young prince suddenly realized that the woman was smiling at him. He returned her silent greeting with a scowl. Her smile only brightened.

"I simply adore children. He is adorable your highness. Like a smaller version of you! He will be very handsome when he is a man." Bejiitaou raised an eyebrow at the bold girl. Kumoou simply smiled and nudged his pretty young wife. She blushed slightly and continued to smile. "I meant no harm highness."

"There is no harm in stating the truth." The adults shared a laugh. Bejiita just rolled his eyes.

"What are we waiting for?" the prince asked with obvious irritation, earning a glare from the king. "Who is so important that they think they can keep the House of Bejiita waiting for a meal!?"

"Silence brat! Do not forget, the Kumojin are our HONORED guests." Bejiita shut his mouth. Usually he would push his luck, but something in his father's voice told him otherwise, so he scowled instead.

"Do not worry young Oujisama." Kumoou smiled at Bejiitaou. "You needn't wait for her. She will not eat in the presence of men. I believe she is being delivered to your royal reception hall."

"Is that so?" The king stroked his goatee.

"Insolent woman! She refuses to eat with us?" Bejiitaou glared at his son once again, a low growl vibrating in his throat.

"Your son will make a very commanding king when his time comes Ousama. I feel better about our arrangement every time he speaks. You are training him well."

"Thank you Kumoou. I am glad to hear your anxiety has lessened. If she will be there, let us postpone dinner until after introductions. I would prefer that she join us." The Kumojin glanced at one another nervously, before all eyes turned to their king.

"Yes majesty…" He turned to his attendants. "Make sure she is suitable for all eyes." The females among them rushed over to be lead to the hall by a Saiyajin guard.

Although the prince opted to keep his mouth shut this time, he was practically itching to demand answers to his bounty of questions. Mostly he wanted to know who was so goddamn special, that his meal was to be interrupted. If there was anything Bejiitaouji hated more than insolence, it was missing a meal.

Bejiita stood beside his father's throne, wondering if it was time he demanded his own throne. He stood at attention, nonetheless patiently waiting for his father demand the `guest' come out. Whoever she was, the adults had definitely peaked his curiosity. She was currently hidden in a palanquin, with the curtains drawn. Bejiita's tail twitched behind him in anticipation.

"Bejiitaouji, come before me." The prince obeyed his father.

"Ousama," he said slamming his fist against his chest.

"Arashino miko, come before me." Damn him! Bejiita thought keeping his face straight. He knows I want to see this wench they're making such a big deal about!

There he was, with his back to the approaching mystery. He did his best to watch from the corner of his eye, but he saw nothing and would see nothing until she was next to him. He could hear the curtain pull back and the rustle of cloth as the person exited. The soft footfalls were barely audible as she made her way to his side. "Greet the miko."

Bejiita turned, suppressing a scowl. The blasted girl was covered from head the toe in cloth. Beneath the hooded cloak was a veil, covering her entire face. He went down on one knee just as he'd been taught when greeting a lady of status, to the surprise of the king. Bejiita held his hand before her. After a moment's hesitation, she placed her own hand, engulfed in her flowing sleeve, into his palm. He brought it to his mouth.

"I would say it's a pleasure to finally see you miko, but I have yet to do that." Bejiitaou's smirk was replaced by a vicious scowl.

"I am honored to stand in your presence Oujisama." After a slight bow, she retracted her hand. The hooded head turned towards the king. "Your majesty, I am grateful for the opportunity to bask in your presence."

"I am pleased to finally meet the infamous Arashino miko. It may be hard to tell, but so is my son. Bejiitasei has heard very good things about you Mikosama."

"That makes me very happy to know your majesty thinks highly of me." Bejiita wanted to gag. He could just hear her insipid grin beneath the hood.

"Shall we move to my dining room?"

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Bejiita's temper was finally quelled as he happily ate his meal. Across the table from him sat the miko. He narrowed his eyes at her, hoping she could see him from beneath all that ridiculous cloth. He felt her smile, causing his fork to stop before his mouth. How was it he was feeling her smile at him?

"What's wrong with her? Why do you people keep her wrapped up like a burn victim?" The hall silenced. "Take that foolishness off and eat! It's not often that anyone is privileged to sit at the table with the house of Bejiita. You should be beaten for your insolence!" No response.

"Silence boy!"

"Her actions are a blatant disrespect to us!"

"She is no ordinary girl Oujisama. She is Arashino miko." Bejiita's bored expression was easily read.

"And…" he added for effect.

"She is not allowed to uncover herself in the presence of men. That is why she is like that."

"You're that ugly?"

"Bejiita, I swear if you don't close your miserable mouth right now…"

"Please, majesty, the prince is right. According to Saiyajin customs, I am being very rude, but as is our tradition, I cannot reveal myself. Please forgive us."

"So it CAN talk…" Bejiitaou slammed his fist on the table rattling all the plates, causing even Bejiita to flinch. Crap, I think I did it now…

"Perhaps we should let them get better acquainted, without so many chaperones? I understand why they are nervous." Kumoou said softly.

"Actually, I haven't told him yet."

"What's going on here?" His father gave him an evil smirk he's only seen on his give enemies right before he obliterated them. What is this old bastard plotting, the boy thought.

"Do you know why she's here Bejiita?"

"Why IS she here?" The boy's eyebrows lowered into a glare.

"I've chosen your bride."

"You WHAT!?" The king's laughter echoed reverberated throughout the room.

"Do you like your betrothed boy?" Bejiita was for once, totally speechless. How dare his father choose HIS bride for him! A foreigner at that! "Nothing to say?"

"Perhaps we should explain the arrangement to them so they understand the situation, Ousama."

"Very well. Bejiita, go to my study and wait for your bride. We will join you shortly. Nappa…" As a very large Saiyajin moved to stand beside the door to escort the prince, a Kumojin woman moved to lift the miko from her chair. The child merely turned her head in the woman's direction for a moment. The woman flinched, visibly stressed.

"My legs do not exist for esthetics alone." She pushed herself from the chair and began to walk towards Nappa and Bejiita. "Thank you for your presence Majesty. I will leave now." She bowed lightly before giving Bejiita the same courtesy. He just stared at her wide eyed with indignation. Her attendant rushed to her side as another Saiyajin escorted them to their chamber to prepare for the meeting.

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Bejiita was seated at the large desk in the royal study. He figured since it was going to be his sooner or later it was all right for him to sit there and enjoy himself. Nappa, his attendant and guard, was the only person who knew how much he enjoyed using the royal seals and stamps.

"Oujisama, Ousama will be here soon. Please don't play with that now."

"I do not PLAY." The word was practically pornographic to the prince. "I am practicing."

"Then please practice later. Your guest will be here soon." Bejiita slumped in the chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

"How DARE they choose MY bride for me!"

"I'm sure she will be a good mate for you Oujisama." Bejiita narrowed his eyes, climbing on the desk in a vain attempt to look Nappa in the eye. Instead, he crooked his finger, signaling the massive man to bend to him.

"You seem to agree with this insanity. Were you in on it too but hid it from me!?"

"N…no Oujisama. It was a shock to me too." There was a noise outside the door as Nappa swept Bejiita off the desk, placing him on the floor in front of it.

"Well?" Bejiita crossed his arms, glaring up at his father. With a wicked smirk, his father signaled him to follow. The boy held back a growl. His father was giving him the run around on purpose!

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Once again, the irate youth was standing at his father's side as he took his throne. He could see the laughter in the king's eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, but the king silenced him by holding up a hand. His face serious again, he called in the Kumojin. Naturally he'd enjoyed making his impatient son wait as long as possible to meet the miko. Arranged marriages weren't uncommon between the royals and first class and it was somewhat of a tradition to make the nervous groom wait until he was upset enough to soil his pants. The fun was over; his progeny had suffered enough.

Bejiita watched with quiet awe as a girl was led to him. Led by the hand this time, she was not wearing the offending cover up from dinner. The orange color of the attendant's skin made the stark white of the miko's skin stand out as they stopped before the Saiyajin royals. Bejiitaou smirked lightly at his son's reaction.

"Miko, stand before us." To the attendant, "Wait by the door." Bejiita looked the girl over as the attendant walked to stand beside the entrance to the hall. Her skin wasn't totally stark white, but she was so pale, she barely had more color than her clothing, which was stark white. Her robes were as full as before, touching the ground and with sleeves that hid her hands. Her hair was braided and tied in loops behind her head, but he could tell it was long. Which was good because he thought women should have long hair. It looked soft too. Her coloring on a whole was like nothing he's ever seen. Saiyajin were richer in skin tone and their hair and fur was dark. This child had hair that was a pale blue and her eyes were a color purple he'd never even seen before. Her eyes, wide and innocent, did not turn from him as he scrutinized her.

"Well Bejiita? Aren't you going to greet your bride?" Without argument, Bejiita dropped to one knee and offered her his hand. Her cheeks flushed a pale pink as she placed her hand in his. "It is a shame they keep you hidden like that miko. You will be quite a beauty one day."

"My humble thanks Majesty." She gave him a bow. It was then that Bejiita noticed Kumoou was in the room. He was silent the entire exchange until now, averting his eyes from the girl child.

"Ousama, Arashino miko is a powerful telepath and also very intelligent. She will make an excellent politician some day. She has already begun training for the highest political positions. She knows the workings of government on many planets already. Naturally, her abilities as a miko will also be a great asset."

"I've heard it before." He said waving a hand of indifference in Kumoou's direction. "Do you understand what is happening today children?" Bejiita shook his head, irritated that the miko did not do the same.

"So they told you?" Arashino miko smiled.

"No, but they cannot keep secrets from me easily, Majesty." Bejiita sneered. Kiss ass, he mouthed. She frowned lightly.

"Well boy, it's simple. The two of you will wed. She will learn all about our inner workings until then. When you manage to take my throne, she gets the head seat of your chosen council. She will accompany you to all political functions. With her at your side, we cannot be deceived. We will know our enemies before they know themselves. No one can oppose a king who sees all. With her as your bride, we can assure that she will remain loyal to you and Kumosei will remain loyal to us. They have resources there that will be very helpful to us."

"I understand." The prince felt his chest swelling with pride. No father could have given his son a better and more useful gift. Power and tactical advantage above all that will hope to oppose him.

"Do you find her acceptable son?" The king wore a sly, mocking smirk deciding to tease his son once again. The prince turned to the miko and scowled slightly.

"She is no Saiyajin. She's too weak to be my bride." While she was an asset, she was also a pathetic Kumojin. Bejiita wanted a bride he could spar with when he was ready, not some fragile trophy bride that he couldn't have fun with.

"A man can be gentle with a woman."

"Spar gently? Really Father…" Bejiita crossed his arms and glared at the miko. For a moment the king thought the boy was already thinking about sex at his age. Ah innocence, he thought, holding back a smirk. She was an impressive child. The eyes of a Saiyajin would normally have caused anyone else to find anywhere else to look. She simply smiled. "Other than that, she's acceptable."

"I imagine, by the time she comes back here for the ceremony, you'll be proud to display her at your side." Both children blushed. Bejiita definitely didn't want to mention he had already mentally admitted that she would grow up pretty enough to be worthy of him. "Well children, I leave you to your devices. Discuss whatever it is children discuss, but do not leave this room." Bejiitaou turned to Kumoou and led the man out, who was still avoiding any eye contact with the miko. The children watched them leave. The moment the king was gone, Bejiita climbed up into his throne.

"Come before me!" he said, his nose in the air. She simply smiled. "Are you brainless or something? Bow before your king!"

"You are not yet my king." Bejiita's eyebrow twitched.

"Insolent girl! How dare you! I could blast you straight to Hell!" A ball of energy formed before his outstretched palm. She placed her palms together as if in prayer. He released the energy, which he planned to make miss her. It was too weak to do much damage anyway, he assumed. He was stunned to see not only did it fail to put her in her place; it was stopped short before her and dissipated. Tiny arches of energy let him see she had stopped the attack with her own power. "What was that!?"

"Let us play another game." She giggled softly, raising a sleeve to her mouth.

"The prince of all Saiyajin does NOT play games!" She ignored him, climbing up to share the throne with him. "What do you think you're doing!?" She smiled.

`Is this how you plan to treat your bride?'

Bejiita's mouth hung open for a moment. He'd been looking right at her and she was talking without moving her mouth.

"How'd you do that?"

"I am a telepath. I can see into your heart. I can talk to your heart too."

"Interesting. So you can see into my enemies' heads so I can blast them off before they cause me any trouble. "

"Well, yes." She was quiet for a moment. Then a thought occurred to her. "I can sing too." Bejiita rolled his eyes.

"Just what I need: a woman croaking at me like a dying animal!" He threw his head back and laughed. She frowned slightly. "Besides, what good is that? I want a mate who will be strong enough to spar with me. Not bleed my ears."

"Spar and yet never beat you, yes?" She chose to ignore the last comment.

"You're smarter than you look."

"You don't seem like a strong fighter to me."

"I will be the Legendary." He said, full of pride. "I can fight better than anyone on the planet. When I'm bigger, I'll be the strongest being in the universe. The Saiyajin will rule the universe and I will kill anyone who opposes me!"

"Really?" She decided to ignore the megalomaniacal prediction. "I see now why they want me to stay here with you. There are people who don't like me. They don't want me to grow up to rule. The king thinks they will hurt me. Something about… `antiquated monarchy' and `hiding behind a psudo-deity'. I heard it but I don't know what it means yet." He nodded, not knowing either, but he wasn't about to tell her that.

Bejiita looked at her, tilting his head. She seemed nice enough, but he could understand why people wanted her dead. She was a walking weapon the way he saw it. Why her own people wanted to do away with her was beyond him though.

"Why?" he asked.

"I do not know. I never did anything bad to anyone." She studied the hem of her sleeve as she spoke barely above a whisper. "I am not allowed to leave my shrine and no one really talks to me. They take care of me, but they don't like to look at me. You're the first male to ever see me at all."

"Good. You're mine now, and no one else will lay a hand on what is mine. You may be too weak and ugly for me, but I will protect you from the bad people." He was smirking as he insulted her, hoping he could bait her into retaliation. She laughed lightly. Although his mouth said she was ugly, his heart told her he thought she was the prettiest thing he'd ever seen.

"From what I have heard, Saiyajin are the bad people. You kill innocent races and give their planets to Furiizaa."

"Only valuable ones."

"Kumosei is valuable. Will you do that to us?" Bejiita thought for a moment. She wouldn't be loyal if they killed her people. That was why the Kumojin were willing to give her to me anyway. Father wanted her and they let me have her so we wouldn't purge them for Furiizaa.

"That is probably very true. I don't mind. I must protect my people. Besides, you're a nice boy when you are not killing people."

"Hey! Stay out of my head!"

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"So do you have a name?" Bejiita asked, realizing that after thirty minutes he didn't know her name.

"I have a name, but it's a secret." She leaned close to him, using her sleeved hands to shield her words from escaping in any other direction. "Abouri," came the whisper.

"You can call me Bejiita when no one's around. But don't tell anyone I let you call me that," He whispered back although they were alone in the room. She smiled and gave him a slight bow. Her eyes trailed to the tip of his tail, which was wriggling near her hand. She experimentally placed her fingers on it and stroked the course fur. It jerked away at her touch. It's sensitive, she thought. She could tell.

"Don't touch that!" She nodded and mumbled an apology. "I should kill you for touching the great prince's tail without permission."

"Forgive me, but it is a very nice tail and I just wanted to see what it felt like."

"I suppose I can allow it… but just this once." He suppressed a shudder at the odd, yet pleasant feelings her fingers on his tail caused.

"Let us play a game. They never let me play back home."

"I don't play. I told you that already. I'm a prince. I have better things to do."

"Like?"

"Things…" She giggled.

"You cannot fool me. I know you want to play with me. Come on. No one has ever played with me before."

"No one dares play with Saiyajinno ouji."

"Then this moment will be very special. I will carry it in my heart forever Bejiita, because you are my first playmate as I am yours. I'll probably never have another."

"Damn right. No one else plays with what is mine." Bejiita thought for a moment before hopping down from the throne. "Follow me."

"We were instructed to remain here." Bejiita rolled his eyes.

"That doesn't mean we're going to do it. I'm the prince. I can do whatever I want. Besides, we'll be back before they come here. You can use your telepath power and tell if they are coming here, right?" She blinked. Perhaps her pompous, short-tempered, prince was brighter than he let on.

"I suppose I can." He offered her his hand in what she thought was a very prince-like manner. With a pale blush, she accepted and he pulled her (a little to roughly) from the throne. "You're going to have to mind your strength."

"You're going to have to get stronger."

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The children tiptoed down the hall, effectively keeping out of site. Abouri was impressed by the prince's stealth and composure to say the least. Bejiita had been rather impressed by the way she handled any guard that was too close, including her own attendant. Her attendant, she caused to become blind to them. As far as the elderly woman saw, the two children were asleep in the throne. It seemed Abouri could cause people to perceive things that didn't really exist. She caused guards to move off to investigate sounds that weren't there.

Just as they made their way to the wing of the palace where the royals slept, Abouri gasped.

`They are going to the room. We are going to be punished!'

"Calm down," he whispered. "We'll run. You can mind blast anyone who gets in the way."

`Mind blast?' She blinked. Could she do that? She lifted the front of her robes and joined Bejiita running through the halls. They made it to the room, causing the girl child's attendant to sputter like a simpleton.

"W… Wait. You were just here! I saw you… but you never let the room? Mikosama! I'm surprised at you. Using your powers to cause mischief!"

"Insolent hag! Do not scold my bride! Only I can do that. She was under my orders. You have a problem, take it up with me." He smirked. "Then again, scold me and I'll blast your decrepit hide to meet whatever gods you pray to." The attendant nodded. Perhaps handing Arashino miko to the Saiyajin royals was a smart move afterall. He was trying to protect her already. That moment, the door opened and Bejiitaou entered, followed by Kumoou. Bejiitaou carried her hooded robe.

"Put this on miko." She gave him a bow and did as instructed.

"So children, did you enjoy your chat?" Abouri nodded, while Bejiita remained silent, frowning lightly. "We had a chat as well."

"Yes. It is decided. In five years time, we will hold the wedding ceremony. In the interim, while the Kumojin wait for their ship to be ready for departure, they will remain at the palace."

The children shared their first secret smile.

"We hold the engagement rites tomorrow night." Bejiita's smile faded instantly.