Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Holding On ❯ Understanding ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer:

DBZ… Akira Toriyama (that means not me)

Arashino miko©, Abouri© (pronounced Avori©) 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 using her in commercial works. Thank you so much for listening.

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Author's notes: This is my first fic and I hope it is well received. This is not an A/U. It takes place during the years before we meet our favorite prince.

Here's a little help for those who aren't familiar with Japanese. First let me say, I hate seeing a fic littered with random Japanese words… it's very distracting for those who can speak Japanese. Therefore, I was reluctant to do this, but there are titles throughout that are in Japanese. I wanted to show the importance of respectful titles and formality to the characters, and I find it easier than reinventing the wheel and making up my own.

Ouji… prince

Ou… king

Miko… priestess

-sei… added to planet name

-jin… added to place name, those are the people native to that place.

-sama… added to someone's name or title to show respect

Kumo means `cloud' and Arashi means `storm'.

Therefore, Saiyajinno Oujisama means `honored Prince of Saiyajin' and Arashino miko means `Priestess of Storms'.

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Chapter Three- Understanding

"I swear you are stupidity itself Miko," Bejiita hissed in her ear as her pushed her through his room door. "Do you even realize what you've started?" Abouri kept her gaze downward and rubbed her sore wrists. She inspected them carefully as Bejiita continued to rant.

"I apologize Bejiitasama, but I'll have to listen to your tirade later." Bejiita was, of course, livid. She cut him off before he could begin yelling. "I am quite sore and very tired. I think all I should like for the rest of the evening is a bath and a bed," she murmured. He grabbed her arm and spun her around. Her look for surprise quickly melted into an accusing frown. Bejiita chose to ignore it, simply pulling her into an awkward embrace. "Just what do you think you are doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing half-wit? I'm comforting you." She almost laughed. He said it with such confidence, yet his embrace was hesitant and clumsy. He warily put one hand on her back and patted softly. "Are you injured?"

"I am fine." He scowled a little above her head. She already complicated his life rather nicely and now she was lying to him. "Please Bejiitasama, I am tired. Release me." He did as she requested, although reluctantly, looking her over before he actually let go of her arm. It fell to her side. She kept her head low, evading his gaze. He walked to his bed and sat, running his fingers through his spiky black hair. He inhaled and exhaled deeply before looking up at her as though he had something to say. "I should go." He scowled a little deeper than before.

"So is this your strategy? Ignore me and maybe I'll go away?" He came up to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. They stayed like that for an indeterminate amount of time. His glare did not falter as he waited for eye contact. Time forced her eyes to meet his, only for him to find her glaring accusation at him.

"I can do the same to you that I did to him," she hissed.

"You haven't yet Abouri." She looked away and he released her. "I'm not letting you go to your room. I think you'd be safer here with me. I don't-"

"With you!?" she spat the words at him. Bejiita raised an eyebrow at her. "Why should I think you wouldn't turn on me again? I could have kept my decency if you hadn't sided with Furiizaa. You could have said something, anything in my defense!" Bejiita's shoulders relaxed slightly as he suddenly felt exhausted. He then straightened his spine and met her glare with a dreadful one of his own.

"Abouri, do you realize that if I hadn't done what I did you could have been naked and on your knees before he was through with you!?" Her resentment turned to shocked comprehension. "One thing I learned about Furiizaa is that resisting just encourages him. He gets off on watching people struggle in vain. He does what he does and leaves you be sooner, if you just comply." She looked away and hugged herself thoughtfully. Is that what you did Bejiita… submit? "I tried to tell you, but you were shutting me out." She met his gaze again with a sad smile. "I did the only thing that got us out in one piece. I did everything he told me to and forced you to do the same."

"I understand Bejiitasama. Will you forgive me for doubting you?" With a smirk he thought, I already have. She smiled warmly and closed some of the distance between them. "I shut you out because I saw a glimpse of what he has planned for me. I assumed as much when I was brought to the artificial meadow this morning." She looked at him with wet eyes. "I will not leave here." AHH, fucking tears again, Bejiita thought. He was simply too tired and frustrated to deal with an emotional female at the moment.

"Show me your wrists." She nodded solemnly and extended her arms. Bejiita pulled back her sleeves and turned gently inspected each wrist. "This will bruise, but not badly." He scowled at the patches of discolored flesh. Furiizaa you sick bastard… What if I hadn't been there? Were you going to break her like you tried to break me?

"Let me show you something," she said breaking his uncomfortable silence. She led him to the connected bathroom where she stood before the sink. With a wave of her hand a small, transparent cloud condensed above it. Bejiita's eyes widened slightly as it began to rain heavily. He had seen a lot of things in the last eight years, but never anything like this. After a few minutes, the sink was full with slightly cloudy water. The cloud in the water was a blue almost as invisible as the water itself. She removed her white robe and rolled up the sleeves of her gown. With a small smile she submerged her wrists. A moment later, she pulled them out perfectly white. The bruises had vanished along with the pain.

"Is that why he wants you? Because you can heal?" He looked at the water for a moment. He exhaled and brought his attention back to the miko. "That has got to be the biggest load of shit I've ever heard! We have the Regen tanks. What the hell does he need you for?"

"I am not known as the powerful Arashino miko without justification. Besides being a powerful telepath, I have regenerative powers that rival, if not surpass, your regeneration tank technology. I can heal large masses and at no cost. I also have power over weather, so to speak. In theory, just as you can destroy a planet or leave it devoid of life, I can restore it. Basically-"

"You'd clean up after us. He could sell the land at a higher price because you can make if immediately inhabitable." Bejiita frowned as a realization hit him. "I never told you anything about my missions."

"I'm a telepath Bejiita," she said dryly. "Besides, who doesn't know what Furiizaa's men do." She knows about Furiizaa, yet she still stands up to him, he thought, suppressing a smile. He had to admit he was impressed by her nerve, but there was a fine line between courage and foolhardiness. "My planet has been spared his wrath because the materials that power this ship are mined there. He taxes the life out of the Kumojin and strip-mines our home. The soil would be dead if I wasn't constantly restoring it." She sighed. "I was their only protection from him. That is why your father and my king were going to give me to you. It was thought that if I was protected on a planet of stronger warriors, and Kumosei was razed, I could restore it. As long as I was alive, they had hope."

"Furiizaa came to `collect' me two months after you left Bejiitasei. My father told me Furiizaa wanted to `train' me. A year later, I was told that my home was destroyed by giant meteors." The expectant look he gave her foretold his next question. "Are you ready to tell me what really happened to Bejiitasei?"

"Are you ready to promise me that you won't get yourself killed in the name of revenge?"

"I can promise you I won't go on a blind crusade in the name of revenge. However, I will avenge my people Miko."

"Promise me you won't die in the name of vengeance. Promise me that you'll live. If not for yourself, then for me." Bejiita rolled his eyes. This was getting beyond nauseating.

"I promise." Whatever shuts your mouth. She smiled slyly and shook her head as though she knew what he'd meant. Then he realized she did. He'd really have to train himself to stop projecting his conscious thoughts. He hadn't even realized he'd done it. "Tell me what happened to Bejiitasei." Her smile faded and she sank to the floor, pulling him with her. They both sat up on their knees, facing each other. Then she gently took his head in her arms and brought his cheek to her chest. He didn't stop her and said nothing, immediately realizing that Abouri was putting him in a position to comfort him and hold him still. The news had to be much worse than he what he was originally told. He remained rigid and still, unused to being touched at all, let alone held like a child.

"Do you understand why your father allowed Furizaa to take you?"

"At first I thought it was because he was a coward. Later I realized he had no choice in the matter. He did what he felt was best for Bejiitasei." He turned his face so his it was nestled between her breasts and inhaled as his body began to relax. He was beginning to understand the feminine appeal that most of the men made such a big deal about. As annoying as they were, he had to admit, they were warm, soft, and strangely comforting. This one was anyway. This one also happened to be especially irritating. His hands found their way to rest on her waist as he focused on her words.

"Your father changed his mind after about a year, demanding Furiizaa return you to Bejiitasei. Furiizaa … assassinated him. Soon after, Bejiitasei was destroyed. I cannot say who, but someone very powerful committed the deed." Bejiita's grip tightened. "As you already know, it was totally unexpected and there were no survivors. I'm sorry Bejiita." She felt his grip tighten almost painfully this time and his face constrict. She felt an instant of sorrow and pain engulf him, but it quickly changed. Fury… white-hot wrath. "Bejiita?" He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. His breathing was ragged with rage, but he would do as he'd promised her. He just held her and tried to breathe evenly, allowing the urge to rush into Furiizaa's chambers and dismember the bastard diminish. Correction, attempt to dismember the bastard. The slow, steady beat of her heart and the rise and fall of her chest gave him a rhythm to focus on as he calmed himself. He breathed in her scent, finding himself committing the hint of flora and clean sweetness to memory. Truth be told, he was still extremely angry, yes, but his attention was moving elsewhere. He had already grieved his father and his people years ago. He had just now vowed revenge for Bejiitasei's destruction. This anger would follow him until those tasks were done, so he could put it aside for a moment.

Abouri felt him relax against her. She was pleased the surge or anger and hatred dulled without him throwing her aside and running off to challenge the tyrant. He inhaled deeply, against her chest before lifting his head. She hadn't expected tears, but she hadn't expected the expression on his face as he looked up at her. Nothing. No anger, no sadness. Nothing. She pulled away from him a little and opened her mouth to speak, but closed it. What could she say to him? She could tell him everything would be all right. That life will be better from now on, but that would be lying.

"I will get you some food Bejiita. You must be famished." He said nothing. She struggled a little against his embrace, but to no avail. "Bejiita, release me. Don't you want to eat?" He was starving actually. His stomach groaned softly in agreement and he removed his arms from her waist. He stood above her and extended his hand. With a warm smile, she accepted. "I will return shortly with your meal." She turned her head scanning the floor. "I seem to have lost my veil…" She frowned. Bejiita and Furiizaa were the first two adult males to see her face and she didn't want to make a habit out of exposing herself.

"Don't worry about your face being seen. There are no Kumojin here." Bejiita said softly. "Why not grace everyone with that horrid face of yours. It'll clear the dining hall and you won't need to sneak around," he added with a weak smirk. She smiled. He was taking the news far better than she had hoped. He has a strong heart indeed.

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"Good evening miko."

"Good evening Zaabon."

"Your appetite is surprising for one with a lovely, slight figure such as your own." Abouri smiled politely and took a step back. He was doing the same thing he did that morning. Getting as close as possible to her as he spoke.

"I am bringing Bejiita Oujisama his meal. He has not eaten enough today, so I am trying to be sure to take enough to satisfy his enormous appetite." He moved behind her so he could speak into her ear. She stiffened, visibly uncomfortable with his proximity.

"You aren't his servant miko. You don't have to satisfy his appetites." She shied away from him and fixed a polite smile on her face.

"You are correct. I am not his servant, but he is still my prince and my friend. If you will excuse me..." She gave him a small bow and turned her back to him. He watched her back as she left the room. He glanced around. Apparently every other person in the dining hall had noticed her. The hush that had fallen with her entrance finally died a few seconds after her departure.

From across the room, Nappa had watched the exchange with little interest. Radditsu smacked Nappa's massive arm. "Did you see that? That's her. Arashino miko."

"So?"

"Pay attention sometimes, brain-dead. That's Bejiitasama's woman. Did you see her face? She's beautiful! No wonder he's hidden her in his room since she came to him."

"Can she be trusted? How can we be sure she's not some spy or part of a trick."

"Watch her, I guess." Nappa's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "If that woman is really Arashino miko, then she's no danger to us."

"She seemed to be plotting with Zaabon. We should warn Oujisama." Radditsu rolled his eyes. Sometimes he thought Nappa was as blind as he was stupid.

"She obviously didn't want his attention." He thought for a moment. "I'll bet that food's for Bejiitasama. I wonder why he didn't come himself. Let's go see, huh?" Nappa rose and nodded.

"Maybe she's going to poison him?" Radditsu narrowed his eyes and shook his head at Nappa's lack of brains.

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Abouri carried the overloaded tray with some difficulty down the hall, until it was suddenly lifted from her hands. She gasped but then smiled when she recognized the tray grabber.

"I figured I'd stop and give a pretty lady a hand. It looked heavy. Besides, a divine creature such as yourself shouldn't be performing menial tasks like carrying food," Radditsu said with a smile. She gave him a slight bow.

"Thank you Radditsu. You are very kind. I have not met your friend," she said turning to Nappa. Nappa crossed his arms and stared at her suspiciously.

"I am Nappa." Abouri smiled and gave him a small bow.

"I am Arashino miko of Kumosei. It is a pleasure to meet you." Nappa said nothing as he turned and began ahead of them down the hall. Abouri turned to Radditsu. "His manners do not do your people justice."

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"Oujisama?" Bejiita looked over his shoulder and scowled at the door. He had been waiting for his miko to return with food. He had completely calmed in the time he spent alone, but Abouri didn't know that. All that she would know was that he was `hurt' and that he'd need `comfort'. He smirked. He hadn't been very good at it himself, but he found her brand of comfort rather nice. He had, after all, never promised not to paw her shamelessly; he'd promised not to have sex with her. Funny he hadn't thought of that when he'd attempted to comfort her. The only thing on his mind at the time was making sure she was not injured or emotionally damaged. That strong desire left him feeling a little uneasy. Warriors aren't supposed to comfort people. They're purpose is to kill people, he thought.

Normally he wouldn't have felt the need to do anything under the pretense of something else, but after her ordeal with Furiizaa, he couldn't very well expect her to stay still and allow him to touch her. She most certainly wouldn't touch him back. Fortunately, her silly `comfort' allowed the mutual contact he desired.

"Go away! I'm busy," He shouted at the door. It was Nappa's voice he'd heard.

"Bejiitasama, I have your meal." Damn, that fool must have followed her. So much for comfort. With a sigh of annoyance, he slid off the bed and went to the door. Abouri stood there smiling apologetically. "Your companions were kind enough to escort me back." Radditsu stood behind her holding a tray with a high pile of food. Nappa just stood there being useless as usual. Bejiita glared at Radditsu as he allowed them entrance.

"Oujisama, allow me to taste for poisons." Abouri looked up at Nappa, obviously offended.

"I don't think that will be necessary." Bejiita waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal. "Thank you for escorting Arashino miko. I will take over from here."

"Of course, Bejiitasama," Radditsu said, giving Bejiita a knowing smile. They glanced at Abouri, who was spreading out the food on his table. Then he whispered to Bejiita, "She'll give you great pleasure Oujisama. Use her well but be careful. She's obviously a virgin. She deserves for you to be extra gentle with her." He was watching the miko as he spoke. How romantic, virgins… he thought, smiling absently. After a moment he turned and flinched to see Bejiita glaring at him.

"What makes you think it's like that you idiot? Get out," he hissed. Bejiita's face had a faint flush across his cheeks. "Take that oversized shit for brains with you." Radditsu bowed and signaled to Nappa that it was time to go. Once the door slammed behind him he smiled. He could hear the miko admonish the prince through the wall about slamming doors. He was sure his prince's mood would improve vastly overnight.