Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ If I never see tommorow ❯ A girl? ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter four; A girl?

Diary entry; A female? He is a female or should it rightly be 'she' is a female (now that's confusing). I feel quite happy and amused and yet I feel highly stupid that I didn't figure it out sooner. Just when I had been feeling guilty over the fact that I felt things I shouldn't. It couldn't ever be. Could it have? It would have been wrong. Or is it more rather that it is the person she is -that he was, was that what had fascinated me. If it is then fascination…shouldn't it be over by now? I've never seen a person like her before. Starkly different from me, or much of anyone else I've met.

______________________
Don't surrender
Cause you can win
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Juuhachi rose as the man entered. She didn't know him and she wasn't sure she'd seen him before but that wasn't the first thing that struck her.

It was his smile.

Not only did it look like a very practiced one, being too perfect to be real, it was the underlying duplicity to it that she seemed to pick up on almost immediately. He wanted something even as it masked some sort of satisfaction. It just wasn't right somehow. It wasn't a 'oh hello' kind of smile. The second thing that stuck her was that she had seen him or rather sensed him before. When she'd thought it was some kind of trick...only it hadn't been because he had been the one there watching.

She found dark eyes holding her deliberately empty ones. "So you're awake." Came the smooth voice. "Why was I brought here and who are you?" She said finally voicing the questions running rampant in her mind since she'd been brought here the most important being why she was here in the first place. He didn't say anything as he settled down onto the bed ridding himself of his shoes with such a languid air that he was actually managing now to push both her anger and her wariness. Didn't he know how much of a threat she was? Why she could blast him to oblivion right now.

"Why have I been brought here?" She asked again and more firmly and with a slow deliberateness almost stressing every word. He grinned suddenly rising and approaching her an almost calculating glint to his gaze. "Now is that anyway to talk to the man who just saved you from a very humiliating beating."

"Beating?" she said as much in soft surprise as indignant ridicule.

"You didn't think your little showdown would have gone unpunished did you? Right about this time you would have had smarting welts right down your back…" he stopped her before Juuhachi could utter a word "and don't think it wouldn't have hurt because you're a strong one because it would have…believe me, all it would take is a minor alteration and a world of pain awaits."

She looked slightly confused at how that could be but she didn't say anything watching him guardedly now more than ever. Was that...? His tone...for a moment it had held faint pleasure...it was almost as if he enjoyed causing this 'world of pain'. He didn't seem to be lying...and why should he? "Don't worry, hopefully if you're a quick learner you won't have to ever experience that." He said his hand suddenly stroking her cheek.

"What are you doing?!" she snapped yanking away from his touch. A sudden frown formed on his face instantaneously and he growled angrily his hand suddenly grapping hold of her jaw in a vice like grip jerking her head back to look at him, it's former position before she'd moved from his touch. She almost winced at the tight hold.

"Don't you ever, EVER, question me!! I own you, I ask the questions, the quicker you learn that the less trips you will make down to the chambers…I hear the people down there don't care about not giving their victims a quick death…neither do they care about anything honorable…they just live to hear screams of pain and they know how to exact it. Do you understand all that?" It wasn't his strength that caused the faint flutter of fear, it was that almost mad look in his eyes, the almost crazy fire…he was telling the truth, that much she knew…she'd heard about the 'chambers' as he put it and the 'stockades' as known to the slaves but she'd never actually been there. She'd heard it first from Bisman when he'd been prattling on about the things that he had seen.

'…they's aint never the same again…Bisman knows.'

She stared at him wondering where that sudden irrational anger had come from. She suddenly realised what it was that had set her on edge about his smile earlier. This man was unstable. For all his good looks he had an underlying temperament that could be lost very easily and she more than suspected he was sadistic just as well as he reveled in bending people to his will in whatever form it took to do so.

She didn't say anything.

"Good, now we've got over the intricacies of this new relationship lets see just how much you've taken in." He said smiling a little. He reached forward yanking a pair of glasses out of her pocket and breaking them. "You won't need these anymore." He said simply. Apparently satisfied with her lack of objection he nodded slightly before speaking again as his vice like grip left her face. "Strip."

Juuhachi blinked questioningly and then fixed him with an incredulous gaze and then the full import of what he wanted from her hit her, suddenly the look the red haired slave had given earlier made some sense…that tone of voice…it had been jealousy.

Oh no…no, no, absolutely not.

it defeated the whole purpose of the whole disguise in the first place…it also meant game over.

Everyone was entitled to a moment of irrationality at least once in their life time…her moment of irrationality was now as she flew for the door with a disgusted sound and promptly fled through it the thought of where exactly she was going when there was nowhere to go to, only occurring to her a few seconds later. She was promptly caught and carted back into the room by two of his guards no doubt used to this with the swiftness in which they caught her. It wasn't that they were stronger than her. It was the pressing insistence of 'that' accursed weapon in her back. Then she came to the conclusion that either way they did this her game was going to be blown for sure. Unconscious or awake. She'd rather be awake. To at least be able to see the look on his face especially after what he said next.

"You're making me angry." He said simply as if in amusement at the antics of a small child "You still don't seem to understand at all…If I want I can have it beaten into you instead…it's a harder way to learn but effective all the same." He towered over her menacingly eyes glinting with something almost inhuman..."I get everything I want. No one says no to me!" He said.

She then realised she must have spoken out loud earlier without realising it. She saw the brief gesture he gave and then the warning jolt that ran through her. Not enough to stun but enough to remind her of it's existence. She was angry when she retorted "Well this is the one time you won't.", loving the outraged look that crossed his face...then he smiled almost baselessly the look disappearing suddenly as he regained control, "How sure are you of that." He queried calmly...much too calmly.

"Very sure." She threw back as his eyes seemed to pop out of his head at her very audacity but before he could say anything else she spoke again taking almost too great a joy in revealing what she said next. "Because I am not a man." She spat it at him rather like it were an insult. She almost laughed at the look of incredulity that crossed his face at this and the fact that she had even managed to surprise the two currently holding her. She knew suddenly that there would be hell to pay for this little revelation even as she saw his gaze darken ominously. Then about to say something, 'it can't be' she presumed, he stopped instead his hands closing over her shirt, ripping both her shirt and the t-shirt underneath at the same time and almost without no effort at all. The bandages wrapped tightly across her chest were more proof than her words were and if it was possible he got even angrier. She smiled as she continued to stare at him defiantly.

He slapped her.

Hard.

So hard her face was flung to the side. If she'd been human the force of it would have snapped her neck killing her instantly. Her satisfaction, she more than suspected, wouldn't last very long as she felt him grab a fistful of hair and yank her after him the other men still holding her arms the weapon ever ready. She emitted a sound of intermingled pain and anger. Anger at being pulled along like this and pain at the punishing hold on delicate strands of blonde.

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"Juuhachi?" came the tentative voice. "Are you okay?"

The girl named Juuhachi didn't answer but did hold out her hand in a staying motion when the blue haired girl attempted to come closer. Bulma retreated a few paces still watching the blonde haired bo-girl, girl. She still hadn't gotten used to it. Till now she'd always thought she had been looking at a boy, right up till the time she had been given this backbreaking task…What were the chances of that. She thought briefly about what had got her doing this job in the first place.

She supposed she had been angry…blinded to have just reacted like some mad woman, jumping the very next guard that had opened the door venting all her anger and all her despair on him. She hadn't done him much harm except for a few cuts but she'd been dumped here anyway. Now she wished she had been able to get in a few more good kicks preferably ones that would have hurt then it would have been worth it.

She looked round at the huge expanse of floors they been given to wash till the guard could unreasonably see his face shining back at him like some sort of mirror. Not only were the floors, huge and seemingly stretched forever, in constant use and included some passages too, there was no way they could be cleaned to the degree the guard wanted. Especially not when every place she cleaned got trampled just a few minutes later.

But even this backbreaking work that involved constantly getting up and down, bending and crawling on the knees it couldn't beat the surprise of all surprises the blonde haired girl scrubbing not far from where she was stopping every now and again either to brush a hand over her hair or slowly find a more comfortable position wincing almost every time, immensely light blue eyes holding a smoldering low festering anger. She looked different somewhat but Bulma had instantly known who it was.

Thing was that Juuhachi hadn't spoken since she'd arrived, Bulma had prattled on attempting to get her to open up and at least talk. "Amazing." Bulma said giving a brief laugh trying to get her attention again an succeeding as Juuhachi fixed her with an only mildly disinterested gaze. She continued, "after Chi-Chi was taken…I thought I wouldn't have anyone else to talk to." Her voice fell suddenly as she regretted saying that. "I miss her, I'm scared something really bad has happened to her."

"She's fine." Came the low voice with such assuredness that Bulma looked at her "How do you know that?" she breathed as if asking god himself this question. Juuhachi just shrugged but said nothing. It was better than dwelling on the alternative. She took a deep breath as she shifted position again inwardly cursing, inwardly humiliated beyond belief. She stared at the ground not actually seeing it her movements more mechanical than conscious.

He'd been so right. It had hurt…the most humiliating bit being that she had been unable to break free because he had been right in that too. They'd had almost everything at their disposal. Things that drained the very strength out of her making her weak and unable to break free and not so strangely she hadn't been the only one there, there had been others. What had unnerved her most was the fact of how lab like the place had been everything specifically made for pain. Her hand tightened on the brush she was using almost snapping the thing.

Oh, he would pay for this.

For being trussed up and tortured like some piece of meat. She wouldn't forget it. It was hard to. She felt like she'd been dropped from the highest mountain, been flung over a thousand and one bumps, dragged through a nettle bush and then soaked in salt water and then put through the whole experience again. He had even been there to personally oversee things taking immense pleasure in it. To make matters worse not only had she been left in a dark cell, chained in the most uncomfortable position which only served to aggravate her already aching body, still unable to break free, over night but at the crack of dawn she'd been dragged out and put to work with every part of her body crying out in protest with every move. Now she was stuck with this floor. It would take forever not to talk of the amount of stretching and turning and moving it asked of her aching raw self. She would kill that man most especially if it were the last thing she did.

That was a promise.

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"…hear me Juuhachi?"

She looked up. Bulma repeated the last bit she'd said feeling it unnecessary to go through the whole thing again "I said I really hope you're right because I don't want to loose her like I lost my parents...and everything else." She gave a brief bitter laugh "I would have been married by now. I just had three months to go…" she paused awhile before continuing "I don't even know where he is now. Ever notice how just when you're at your happiest something has to come along and ruin it."

She suddenly looked at Juuhachi questioningly. Her only acknowledgement was a small lopsided smile. "Did you have a boyfriend, parents?" Bulma suddenly asked in almost the same light as one would at a girls night in over hot cocoa and fuzzy teddies with the most ludicrous of frilly nightgowns. Juuhachi shook her head slightly.

Bulma looked sad awhile. "I'm so sorry...it must have been awful." She said. Juuhachi didn't say a thing at Bulma's assumption that her parents had somehow been killed by the inhabitants of this planet. They may have, they may have not…she didn't know since she couldn't even remember them or even if she had any. "My dad disappeared just a week before I was caught. Maybe he got taken too, maybe he's…" she didn't complete that but continued as if that inkling of doubt had never been "Mom was distraught. Some thought he'd been kidnapped being Dr Briefs and all."

"Briefs?" Juuhachi suddenly whispered.

"Yeah." She said smiling brightly, pride sparkling in her eyes. " Did you know him? everyone seems to, he was a really popular scientist."

"No. Just sounded familiar." Juuhachi replied seeing in her minds eye Gero hunched over his work muttering his usual string of revenge filled statements and promising it most to a purple haired man called 'Dr Briefs'. It had even been part of her programming to 'deal with him accordingly'. She knew the man like she had lived with him and yet she hadn't. She probably knew more than the daughter did thanks to Dr Gero's attention to every little detail.

They both suddenly looked up as someone approached softly calling out one name with almost questioning disbelief.

"Krillin?" Juuhachi said letting slip a tone of surprise. She had been wondering what his reaction would be, she just hadn't expected to have to deal with it so soon...or was that just wistful thinking. Really what do you say to someone who till recently thought you were something else entirely. "Yeah." That sweetly embarrassed voice even as he blushed.

"I was worried…and I tried to look for you...then Bisman said he'd seen you, but I didn't believe him when he said...I um...guess it true." He said feeling it better not to tell of the fact that a lot of the other slaves knew too thanks to Bisman who couldn't wait to inform anyone who asked much to Oswald's disparagement, sure he'd been surprised too but unlike Bisman he hadn't deemed it fit to laugh. Bisman had had no such qualms.

His present awkwardness and still faint disbelief was painfully plain and had arose with hi-her now because she was different. No doubt about it. She didn't look or act any different than before but she just was, because she hadn't or rather wasn't what she had been before...if that made sense. Wisps of blonde hair still fell across her face and ticked the base of her jaw and even the big difference of her now being in a dress and having legs he'd never seen before didn't change her that much. Still normally with women…he was just different round them…he just was. Now he'd found out she wasn't the guy he'd grown friendly with and said lord knew what to, he'd been trying to remember just how many stupid things he might have said round her in their previous conversations even if the conversation had been more or less one and a half sided.

"Hi" he said his attention turning to the blue haired girl studying them quietly during the awkward silence in which he coloured and Juuhachi just watched him squirm.

She smiled. "Bulma." She provided before he could use her to fill the awkward silence, granted he was only being polite but now she'd took care of that for him "and you are Krillin." He nodded now looking at a loss since 'Bulma' had just done everything and had turned back to her work pointedly preferring to stay on the sidelines to witness this.

"You shouldn't be here." Juuhachi said tonelessly.

"I-well I was coming by here anyway…" he said trailing off then after awhile he continued, "I was…worried about you. After...you know"

"I'm fine."

"I always thought you were hiding things." He blurted thinking out loud and giving a laugh that was a cross between discomfort and sheepishness. That wasn't meant to have been said. She froze but he didn't see it. He was too busy berating himself. Bulma however, did and found herself wondering how much more this girl was keeping hidden. "What do you mean?" She asked quickly.

"Well," he looked taken aback not expecting to have been so stupid as to speak his thoughts aloud least of all be made to answer them. He hadn't ever told anyone that he wasn't exactly normal as far as 'normal' went or about his abilities so how did he explain to her that he sensed nothing from her without explaining how he could do this. "I guess…erm…you- you were just different and quiet" he shrugged helplessly "alone...?" He finished lamely. Her gaze seemed to burn right into him as if mentally raging through him to find the truth and tear it out of him.

"Krillin I think you should go now…" Bulma whispered suddenly breaking in with an urgency to her tone "Some guards are heading this way."

Krillin nodded quickly breathing a sigh of relief at the interruption and chance to leave before he said anything else amazingly un-thought. "I'll see you guys later." He promised leaving quickly. Bulma looked over at Juuhachi who stole a glance in the direction he had left in a slight furrow worrying her forehead revealing an inner battle of thoughts. She wondered what she was thinking and what more there was to know about her.

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"But-"Nappa began as he hurried after a briskly walking Vegeta. The shorter man had a frown that could change the weather on his face "Nappa, You are ultimately useless."

"Yes." The muscular looking bald said agreeing totally. If he wasn't then he would have known not to get involved in the beginning. He should have just stuck to his job and remained silent and stupid looking. It was less trouble that way. He silently cursed himself for being so foolish to have said anything at all. Now he was suffering the Prince's anger because he needed someone to lash out at after having failed another one of the numerous arguments that went on between father and son.

What was he supposed to have done?…Well one thing…to have silently made good an escape and he'd been ready to have done that too but being his huge self he could hardly skulk out of a room without being seen, he'd be like a neon-flashing boulder if such existed, one would have more luck sneaking a unicorn past. Then had come 'the question'…who was right…an unfortunate position to be in since he'd felt both of them had valid arguments, as they always did but still neither would be satisfied unless one was ultimately right, and he had tried to say as much amidst the glares from a younger and older version of the one to whom he held allegiance.

He hadn't quite been able to communicate such though. It had sounded much better in his head. Then he'd opened his mouth and with a whole bunch of bungled words he'd lassoed himself a raging bull with a headache. He agreed with more strings of what he was and wasn't, from what he lacked to what he didn't have an iota of as he hurried on after the striding man.

Bulma looked up at the approaching duo so caught up in their argumentative conversation that they didn't see her but her gaze rested awhile on the man with the dark upswept hair mumbling a little 'damn' under her voice as she watched that perfect spandex clad body walk up. Still perfect even if his features were as dark as a thundercloud. She forgot for a moment to make way and did so at the last moment mumbling a quick, soft "sorry" as he passed still laying into his companion. She briefly wondered a minute as she watched him and then recognition came as suddenly as if she'd been drenched in a bucket of ice cold water.

The prince of this blasted place. That was were she had seen him.

An angry look crossed her face suddenly, gone was the admiration for his appearance. "Arrogant so and so." She muttered as she looked at the footprints he'd made on the floor she'd just cleaned having hoped that another clean passage meant she could go rejoin Juuhachi and finish the last one. If she hadn't moved he would have probably walked over her and still not noticed. She wiped it away finding a whole lot of what he was and finding a tune to go with it as she hummed sitting back to admire the now clean floor.

Something just occurred to Vegeta then and he stopped "who was that?"

His bodyguard looked confused almost worried that not providing the right answer for this would prove almost fatal too. "Who-?"

Vegeta momentarily pondered over the voice he'd heard, the soft gentle sound, and suddenly retraced his steps, a very confused Nappa trudging after him but when he got to the place he'd heard it, there was no one there anymore. The woman who'd been cleaning the floor had gone.

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Phebes reached for his drink letting go a sigh as he reclined in his seat. He looked down at the slave sat massaging his feet. He looked down at him. He had been the easiest to handle, giving him no problems whatsoever, he would actually say he actually liked him above all others. His fall of reddish hair was presently covering his face as he worked. What made him more of a favourite was that he was unquestionably loyal. If he didn't know better he would say the boy actually loved him so eager was he to please. His hand languidly brushed the fall of hair almost thoughtful as he remembered what he thought he'd had. He'd thought he'd found the very essence of his fantasies, strength without the bulky muscles to go with it, boyish good looks and stubborn. Breaking him would have been a challenge, in his strength he wouldn't have had to fear damaging him and presentable enough to have caused much envy and yet have him unquestioningly loyal to him alone....and then it had turned out to be a woman.

But for all that he felt better after taking out his frustration and anger on her, now he had a clear mind to think and she could still be useful yet. Plans had been taking form since. He was snapped back into reality when he felt warm lips turn into his palm. The hazel gaze that held his held worry...and need. Worry that he seemed so far away and need, a burning question that hadn't been fulfilled since he'd partially had his fantasy realised only for it to be dashed. All of two days ago. Phebes shook his head lightly and the slave's gaze fell as he returned to his ministrations.

"Why?" came his low voice, so low it was almost indistinguishable, almost afraid to even voice the question.

"Because I am not in the mood and you would do well not to question me." he said not as sharply as he would've more surprised at the fact that he had dared to question him when he never had before. There was silence awhile but then he spoke yet again even lower than before sounding almost heartbroken. "but I need you." His massaging hands had suddenly become a miserably yearning caress.

"Are you presuming to tell me what I should and should not do?" Phebes asked dangerous fire burning in his eyes. The slave looked mortified knowing what happened in times of anger. People could loose things. "no, no…I'm sorry, I won't speak of it again." He stated hurriedly proceeding to calm him down by continuing the venerating massage. He looked up at the touch on his head looking into dark eyes that could be both cruel and merciless and calm and deceptively friendly. "Come to me tonight." Was the simple phrase said but it brought a huge smile to the boy's lips as he nodded, not in agreement because with his master there was no 'agreeing' it was a demand that must be fulfilled. They both looked up however as there was a commotion and someone entered.

"Zahi." Phebes said so warmly it seemed feigned.

"Phebes." Zahi said in much the same tone only his was wary. He eyed him suspiciously as Phebes waved him to take a seat which he did. "Want something to drink?"

Zahi shook his head but before he could say anything Phebes spoke his dark eyes very unnerving. Zahi may have grown up with this man but they'd grown apart somewhat during their teens. He'd been able to tell what he was thinking from one minute to the next. But not anymore. Phebes had just changed too much, but it hadn't stopped him relying on their friendship to his own benefit.

"What brings you here then?" he asked a brief gesture dismissing the slave at his feet.

"The slave…the boy. The one you bought and before you say which one you know exactly who I am talking about."

"Ah, my recent acquisition...the girl?" Phebes asked deliberately

"Ye-g-girl?!" Zahi spluttered in confusion and then after his minute confusion his gaze widened imperceptibly as he asked "Where is she?" he asked wondering just what had happened while he had been stuck with so much butt end jobs to do when all he'd wanted was to come over as soon as he could. Now he was hearing 'he' was a 'she'. He was sure Phebes was lying…girl? but why would he lie?

"Where she ought to be." Phebes replied. Zahi noted the slight sharpness of that tone and it didn't instil him with the utmost confidence. His present surprise, that was still taking time to wear off it it even could, was more due to the fact that that sack toting, fiery eyed, stubbornly obstinate boy had been a girl. It was a revelation in itself but it still didn't change his decision and he briefly wondered why it didn't. "I want you to give hi-her up."

"and I will do this because you'll do what for me?" Phebes said fixing his friend with an amused gaze. Zahi looked thoughtful a moment. "Because you owe me and I am cashing in now." A dangerous frown touched Phebes' brow. "What?"

After years of saving his ungrateful hide, after all the years of hiding in the background and allowing his so called best friend to take all the glory that he'd worked hard to gain, he thought this the least he could ask of him and have it done no questions asked. "You owe me." he repeated.

"I owe you nothing Zahi." He fumed, then suddenly curious he asked "Why your interest in her anyway, you've seen she isn't a boy, why are you still here?"

"I know what you tend to do with people Phebes." Zahi said.

"How is that a bad thing? My slaves are 110% loyal and they know what happens if they aren't."

"More out of fear than anything…Ever actually tried having them respect you too? Maybe then they wouldn't be so willing to knife you in the back once you're down because they will you know."

"What exactly do you want Zahi." Phebes said in a laboriously bored voice. "because this is becoming tiring. Besides I have plans for her."

Which was exactly what Zahi was worried about. One of his dangerously stupid plans again. Now he had two good reasons to get this girl away from him. One to save the girl herself, two to stop his friend from making another stupid plan that could backfire again. He'd promised never to mention this but knowing Phebes he knew this would be the only way to get him to agree.

"Remember a certain event of some time ago that I let you take credit for to save yourself and you got promoted too…imagine what would happen now if I told someone exactly what happened that day. You'd be stripped of rank wouldn't you." Phebes gaze narrowed as Zahi continued "not to mention the amount of trouble that would arise. You'll be swamped with people just waiting to rip their pound of flesh from you...and I just might feel tempted to blurt out everything if you don't fulfil your numerous promises…from your own lips Phebes 'I owe you my life' that's what you said, remember?"

Phebes was practically breathing up a storm eyes flashing dangerously then just as suddenly he laughed. So much so Zahi found himself feeling uneasy. People didn't just go from emotion to emotion as fast and as duplicitously as Phebes seemed to be able to.

"You've learnt something from me." He finally said his laughter having died away. "Blackmail…crude, low down and yet effective. I never thought you had it in you. I tell you what…" he leaned forward in his chair clasping his hands together "I know exactly what you want, you're intrigued by her…what normal hot blooded male wouldn't right?…I'll let you have her for one whole day…how about that, should be enough time for you right?" he brushed aside Zahi's protest before he could voice them "Oh come on, there is no need to hide these things."

"Phebes that is not what I mean-"

"Sure." He said as Zahi looked indignant "Two days but that's all"

"Give her up entirely."

"I can't do that." Phebes said with the utmost certainty, such that Zahi almost gave up immediately. "Why not?"

"I told the prince about her…I intend to give her to him-"

Zahi almost lost his temper, he was sure this had something to do with this 'plan' of his. He just knew it. "You know, I thought you would have learnt your lesson after the other time you tried to gain favour."

"Oh shut up! I don't need you preaching to me." Phebes snapped angrily.

"Considering I was the one that took the blame last time I think I have every right to preach. You got yourself into this mess, you get yourself out. I want her and I will not take no for an answer."

"You know very well I cannot go back on my word unless the prince actually rejects her and don't pretend you don't." Phebes said scowling.

"I'm not. All the same I will not change my mind."

"But-"

"Has he even said anything about her yet?" Zahi pressed. Phebes glared at him. "No."

"Then…" Zahi prompted. Phebes rose and so did Zahi. They stared at each other one more stubborn and obstinate on this issue than the other. One not as strong in strength of will but knowing he held the trump cards. Phebes sighed "fine…you can have her. Stupid bitch is a pain in the rear anyway have fun. There is however one condition. If the prince does ask after her you know you must return her to me…you know what will happen if I go back on a promise to him. You won't let that happen, no, You forget you're so predictable it hurts."

"Today." Zahi said ignoring the insult for that was what it was. The same insult that he'd given over the years, every time he had been there to take the blame it was 'you are so predictable' predictable in the fact that he could not and would not stand back and not help his friend. It was an inbuilt thing. As Phebes put it, he couldn't help being disgustingly weak hearted. Funny he should say so when it was precisely that that had saved him time and time again. "Fine…just remember, I will take her-"

"If and when he asks Phebes and not before and don't try and remind him either or influence his decision or I will go through with my threat and don't think I won't do it."

Phebes agreed grudgingly and Zahi knew he felt like beating him up right now even as he looked at him with strange amusement. "Well, you begin to surprise me." Phebes said thinking as Zahi left looking behind him a bit as if somehow Phebes would stab him in his retreating back. What he wanted to know was what had suddenly caused that change. He'd always been able to manipulate the man before, why not now. Well, it seemed there would be a slight reshuffling of plans and despite what Zahi thought it would work.

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Juuhachi opened her eyes suddenly as she heard people moving up and down unusual for the night time. that had woken her up but now there was something else she realised. There was something missing. Something she couldn't voice yet but it was missing. She was still awhile, listening, waiting...sensing...

Then she realised what it was that was missing all of a sudden.

Krillin.

She would willingly admit that she had got used to tuning into him. He intrigued her somewhat and she would rather say that than the fact that she'd got used to having him around and had become somewhat close to him albeit when she was posing as a guy.

Now it was gone. Not gone entirely...it just wasn't as strong as it was before. Almost as if he weren't here any more as if somehow he'd changed positions to somewhere 'not' on palace grounds. She was more than just that side of worried.

chapter five;

Brushes with Royalty leave you cold and excited?
Things sometimes needn't an explanation
They just need to be…to turn out right.

P.S don't forget to review and more surprises to come..."