Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Learn to Love ❯ A Hatred Towards Them ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: Considering I've had like, no time these past couple weeks, I'm actually amazed that this is already finished. Although I didn't meet the deadline I set for myself, I'm quite proud that this is out already. I'm aiming to update a fic by November 15, but who knows if I'll be able to? Just keep an eye open.

Dedication: This fic is dedicated to Kierushi. Thanks for all your help!

chapter one

a hatred towards them

The sound of boots walking across the metal floor caught his attention immediately. The wakai otoko no ko spun around, his eyebrow raised in question. His father stood in the door way of the training facility, where the ouji had just demolished a team of training robots. They sat in a pile of metal nearby.

"Working hard, I see," the kokuo said.

The brown-haired otoko no ko glanced at the heap of twisted steel and circuits. "I need a chwallene," the five year old admitted.

His otosan chuckled. "A challenge, eh?" A thoughtful expression came over his face. Then he looked at his musuko. "Why don't you come to the conference room in ten minutes? Change and meet me there, all right?"

Vejiita nodded and grinned, then hurried away to take off his training gi and put on his regular clothes: Saiya-jin armor and a red cape attached to the shoulder pads. Though most Saiya-jin didn't wear their armor during the day, the ouji was born to the House of Vejiita, and wore his armor as a sign of his rank, proudly showing of the House of Vejiita emblem on the front.

When Vejiita reached the conference room, the door was already wide open, letting the ouji know someone was inside. He didn't expect it to be his otosan; Vejiita was early and it was a great accomplishment for the kokuo to be on time. It was actually his otosan's second in command, Tamgi, who inhabited the room.

"Konnichi wa, Tamgi."

The Saiya-jin warrior jumped at the sound of Vejiita's voice. He turned around quickly, gaining his composure. "Konnichi wa, Saiya-jin no Ouji," he greeted, bowing deeply to the wakai otoko no ko. "What brings you here?"

"Otosan told me to come here. He wants to talk with me."

Tamgi nodded, tugging at the Saiya-jin armor he wore. It was apparent that he disliked the outfit, but he was the kokuo's second in command, and his armor told it so. "Did he say what about?"

Vejiita shook his head. "No... but when I said a wanted a chwa... no, ch-all-enge, Otosan told me to come here." He broke the word into pieces, trying to remember the way his otosan had pronounced it.

Tamgi smiled at the chibi otoko no ko. "Perhaps the kokuo is going to give you a mission."

Vejiita beamed. "I hope so, even though I'm only five."

At the age of six, first-class warrior children sent on simple missions. Second-class warriors when they reached five, and first-class warriors when they were four or younger. Though Vejiita Kokuo disapproved of sending children on missions at the age of four simply because they were of a third-class family, it had been that way for so long, he hadn't the heart to change it. When the law had been made, third-class families were worthless, and it mattered none if their children perished on a mission they were sent on before they had enough knowledge of fighting. First class fighters left at an older age, when they had more fighting experience and more strength. Their chances of survival were much higher.

"Well, Vejiita Ouji, you are a wonderful fighter. I think you could handle a mission at your age. Other children do."

"But they're second-class fighters."

Tamgi shrugged. "If you are ready, Vejiita Ouji, you shouldn't spend your time in training facilities doing things you've mastered long ago. You should be out on missions."

Again Vejiita beamed.

"Well, your otosan should be here soon, Vejiita. I'll be going now." Tamgi bowed again headed towards the door. Before he could turn the corner and disappear from view, however, Vejiita called to him. The Saiya-jin's face appeared in the doorway as he patiently waited for the ouji to speak.

"Tamgi, do you think... do you think we could spar later?" He asked, his voice hopeful.

Tamgi smiled at the otoko no ko. "If you want Vejiita. How about after supper tonight?"

The Saiya-jin no Ouji grinned. "Okay! I'll win, y'know!" He said playfully.

Tamgi laughed. "Miracles happen!" He replied, joining in on the jesting. Then he looked down the hall. "Your otosan's coming. I'll see you later." As the kokuo entered the room, Tamgi bowed to him, earning himself a respective nod from the flame-haired otoko. As Vejiita Kokuo entered the room, Tamgi closed the door quietly behind him.

"Konnichi wa, Otosan!" Vejiita said happily as he jumped into his otosan's arms.

"Konnichi wa, Jiita," the kokuo replied, using the nickname he had given his musuko.

"Tamgi said he would spar with me later!" The otoko no ko said excitedly. "I'm going to win!"

Vejiita smiled and put his musuko down. "You said you wanted a challenge, right Jiita?"

The ouji bobbed his head up and down fiercely. "I do."

"Well, your okasan and I think you're ready to go on a mission. You are an amazing fighter for your age, and you yourself said you were becoming bored with the usual training routine. If you want, you can go on a mission."

All the while his otosan had been speaking, Vejiita's grin had been growing, but now it stretched up past his eyes. "Really, Otosan!? I can go on a mission!?"

Vejiita Kokuo nodded. "We will find you a partner who will accompany you. No one goes solo on their first mission. I will ask around; someone must have a child who is ready to go on a mission."

"Kekko desu, Otosan! Kekko desu!" The child then sprinted from the room, eager to spread the news.

***

"So you did give Vejiita a mission."

The kokuo nodded.

Tamgi chuckled. "I figured as much. If anyone deserves to go on a mission early, it would be him. However, I did see another otoko no ko training a few days ago. I think he's the same age as Vejiita; he did an great job destroying the training robots."

"Really? The same age, you say?" Vejiita Kokuo asked.

Tamgi nodded. "Yeah... I think he's a first-class warrior too."

The kokuo nodded thoughtfully. "I'll look into it," he said, "but I was thinking of someone else. You know Tetopo and Nasubili's onna no ko, Mendoa. She and Jiita will be mated when they reach eighteen. They've never really come in contact before; a simple passing in the hall, but no more than that. She's becoming quite the warrior herself; Tetopo has trained her well. If she wishes, and if her parents agree, sending her on this mission with Vejiita will give them a chance to get to know each other. What do you think?"

Tamgi nodded slowly. "It sounds good, but they should probably be introduced before that... maybe visit for a little while so they know each other a bit better before they leave. I never did like going on a mission with a stranger."

"Nor did I. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. I still need to set a date for Jiita to leave."

"When are you aiming for?"

"A couple months. He doesn't even know what his mission is yet. He ran out of the room before I got a chance to tell him."

Tamgi chuckled. "That's Vejiita all right. Do you want me to scope out any other fighters around his age to go on the mission with him?"

Vejiita shook his head. "No. I will check out the otoko no ko you mentioned and think about it. If neither he nor Mendoa are suitable, then you may look around."

Tamgi nodded. "Will do. But right now, I must leave, Vejiita Kokuo. I promised your musuko I would spar with him."

"I know," Vejiita smiled, "he told me already."

With a chuckle, Tamgi bowed his head and hurried towards the kokuo's dwelling, where he would undoubtedly find the chibi ouji waiting impatiently for him.

***

"Nasubili! May I have a word with you?"

The Saiya-jin stopped and looked over her shoulder to see her jo'o hurrying towards her. "Koshor Jo'o! Yes, what would you like to discuss?" She asked, bowing.

"It's about your daughter, Mendoa. My musuko will be going on a mission soon, and Vejiita was wondering whether Mendoa might be ready, and willing, to attend as well. You remember they will be mated when they reach eighteen, and it might be best to introduce them at a young age."

Nasubili frowned. "I'm not sure. I'd have to discuss it with Tetopo."

"Of course," Koshor said. "Vejiita has already brought it up with him, so you can speak to him whenever you want. Jiita will be leaving in a couple months, so we'd like your answer before then, so we can find someone else if you or Mendoa aren't willing."

"Mendoa will be willing, but I don't know if I am..." Nasubili said on a sigh.

"Willing for what, Okasan?"

Both onnas turned at the sound of a chibi onna no ko's voice, and they saw Mendoa standing nearby in her dark green training gi, her uncontrollable spiky black hair tied back in a messy ponytail. Sweat stained the front of her gi and dripped down her forehead. She had undoubtedly just come from training, and from the looks of it, had had an extreme workout.

"We'll discuss it later, Mendoa," Nasubili said.

Mendoa frowned darkly. "Why? Why can't I know now?"

"Mendoa!" Nasubili gasped. "Is that any way to speak in front of the jo'o and to your mother?"

"What's so special that I can't know now?" She demanded. Koshor couldn't help but think that for a five year old, she had a serious attitude.

"Mendoa, we will discuss it later," Nasubili said with a tone of finality.

With an irritated huff, Mendoa stomped down the hall towards her dwelling.

"I don't see why you couldn't tell her, Nasu," Koshor said softly as she watched Mendoa's retreating back.

"I still want to discuss this is Tetopo. She's going to want to go, no doubt, but if she finds out that there's a possibility of going on a mission, and Tetopo and I decide not to let her, she'll be furious."

Koshor nodded slowly. Mendoa seemed like the type of onna no ko who would throw a fit if she didn't get what she wanted. "I suppose you would know what was best for your daughter. Please think about it, okay?"

Nasubili nodded and bowed as Koshor, too, walked down the hall.

***

"He said that they feel she's ready," Tamgi reported.

"Tetopo told you this?" The kokuo asked.

Tamgi nodded. "Yes, he did. I saw him on my way here. He asked if I would tell you."

Vejiita nodded. "Then I suppose I should arrange a time for Jiita and Mendoa to meet and tell them what the mission will be."

"Have you chosen a date for the mission yet, sir?" Tamgi inquired.

"A month and a half from now, to the day," Vejiita replied. "Tamgi, would you pick a day for Vejiita and Mendoa to meet?"

"I have a better idea," Tamgi said. "Both of them train regularly. Why not have them meet in the training facilities and spar or something."

"Very well," the kokuo said absently.

Tamgi nodded and exited the room, sighing softly.

The Saiya-jin had been having trouble with a neighbouring planet, Saboaku, a hot, desert planet, who wasn't upholding their end of a deal. The Saboakuan's water supply was running low, so in exchange for water, they promised to send the Saiya-jin fuel for the space pods, which was plentiful on their planet.

A small group of Saiya-jin had gone to Saboaku with gallons of water, but had returned with no fuel, telling Vejiita Kokuo that the ruler of the Saboakuans had told them that they needed to find a new source of fuel and that they would receive double the following month, but it never arrived. Now, after three months, the Saiya-jin were extremely low on fuel, and Vejiita had to decide what to do, though the beginnings of a plan were forming in his mind.

***

As Tamgi had expected, both Mendoa and Vejiita were in the training facility. Peering in at the wakai onna no ko, he rapped sharply on the window. Mendoa stopped and spun around, scowling. Stomping to the door, she opened to and looked at Tamgi sharply. She knew who he was; he was Vejiita Kokuo's second in command, but it made no difference to her. He was just another Saiya-jin who had disrupted her training.

She opened her mouth to snap at him, but Tamgi rushed in ahead of her, the words tumbling out of his mouth. "Konnichi wa, Mendoa," he greeted hastily. "I am Tamgi. I apologize for disrupting your training, but I have been asked to introduce you to Vejiita Ouji, the otoko no ko whom you will be going with for the mission."

Mendoa's face brightened at the mention of the mission, and she stepped into the hall. "Very well," she said authoritatively, and Tamgi held back a snort. The onna no ko was very pretty, even at her wakai age. Her jet black hair was spiky and uncontrollable. Her eyes were also black, and looked proud. The look of a jo'o, Tamgi thought. Though her face and posture looked cocky, Tamgi thought it was a good sign. It shows she is confident in her abilities as a fighter, he thought.

He reached the facility in which Vejiita was training, and knocked on the window again. Vejiita stopped and looked behind him, a smile spreading across his face at the sight of Tamgi. After loosing his last spar with the Saiya-jin warrior, he was eager to try again, and hoped that's what the kokuo's second in command was there for.

Vejiita exploded through the door, but his words died on his lips when he spotted Mendoa. He looked surprised at first, then glad that someone new had come to see him. Then he remembered that his father had told him to be cautious around all strangers, and he eyed her warily. She returned the look with a snort. She had seen his mixed emotions flutter across his face, and it told her that the otoko no ko in front of her was an inexperienced fighter. He can't be my mission par'ner, Mendoa thought.

"Who's see?" Vejiita asked as he cocked his head to the side. He had let the wariness slide from his face and confusion replaced it.

"She's Mendoa, your partner for your upcoming mission." Tamgi had purposely left out the fact that they were future mates. He would tell them in a little while.

Mendoa's face showed her shock. "Him? That lousy fighter?"

Tamgi looked at the onna no ko sharply, his eyes slightly wider than normal from the shock of her statement.

"I am not a lousy fighter!" Vejiita shouted.

Mendoa smirked at him. "Are too," she taunted. "You can't even reme'ber to watch your feelings around strangers."

Rage filled Vejiita's eyes, and Tamgi quickly side-stepped between the two wakai Saiya-jin. "Stop it, you two," he said sternly. "You are mission partners and future mates. You cannot argue like this."

Mendoa hardly heard Tamgi's words, but Vejiita did, and it took little more than a second for his words to sink it.

"Mate!?"

Tamgi sighed as he turned to face the ouji. "Yes, Vejiita. Your future mate." He stepped back so he could look at both children. "When you reach eighteen, Vejiita Kokuo will step down from the throne, and you two will take his place, as mated kokuo and jo'o."

"I already have my mate chosen for me?" Vejiita asked. "That's so cool!" He turned to look at Mendoa, a grin on his face.

Mendoa crinkled her nose at him, the disgust she felt apparent. Vejiita's face fell and he looked at the floor. Then his brows knitted into a scowl, and he lifted his head again, staring Mendoa in the eye.

Mendoa's own eyes narrowed as she returned the stare, determined not to be the one to break it.

"But don't worry, guys," Tamgi said, looking back and forth between the two Saiya-jin uncomfortably, "eighteen is a long way away."

Vejiita's face darkened even more. "But the mission isn't."

***

I hate her, Vejiita thought as he stomped back to his home. Stupid onna no ko. She thinks she's so good. Well she's not! Baka!

"Konnichi wa, Jiita," Koshor greeted as the ouji walked through the door. "I hear you met Mendoa today. Do you like her?"

"No! She's mean and thinks she's better than me! I hate her!" He crossed her arms and scowled.

Koshor's brows flew up. "You do? You know that you two will be mates someday. You will have to learn to get along with one another."

"I don't wanna," Vejiita argued. "Why did you decide who I will mate? No one else's parents chose their mates for them."

"We are not everyone else's parents, and you are not everyone else. You are the Saiya-jin no Ouji, and although it may not be fair, you will need a good mate to be your jo'o when you otosan steps down. And you have to, Vejiita. It's already been decided," his okasan told him softly.

"Well I don't like it!" He shouted. "What if I don't wanna be ouji? It's not fair!" He stomped angrily down the hall to his room, muttering to himself all the while.

Koshor sighed. I knew this wasn't a good idea, she thought sadly. I knew it.

***

"How was your day, honey?" Nasubili asked when Mendoa walked through the door later that evening.

"Why didn't you tell me that baka ouji was going to be my mate?" The wakai onna no ko demanded.

Nasu looked at her musume in shock. "He is your ouji, Mendoa!" She said, her face and tone severe. "He was born into the House of Vejiita! That 'baka ouji' is royalty, so have some respect!"

"I don't care," she snapped. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You're young. You didn't need to know yet," Nasu replied. "We felt no need to put this on your shoulders just yet."

Mendoa growled in her throat. "Well I hate him, and I'm not going on that stupid mission with him and I'm not mating him!" She ran down the hall to her room and slammed the door.

Nasubili groaned and put her head in her hands. This was a bad idea. A terrible idea, indeed.

***

A scream echoed through the port and everyone stopped their work to see what the trouble was. With a frown on his face, Vejiita Kokuo marched through the port, dragging his screaming musuko behind him. The ouji sat on his bottom, his arm outstretched and held firmly in his father's hand.

"I don't wanna go on a mission with her!" Vejiita shouted, kicking and pounding on the floor with his free hand.

Those in the port watched wide-eyed. That was disgraceful behavior for a ouji, and for his otosan to simply carry on his way without doing a thing was even more shocking. At the sound of another scream, all heads turned to the opposite end of the port.

Tetopo was carrying his musume over his shoulder, dodging powerful kicks all the while. "Why do I hafta go with him!?" She screamed, pounding on her father's back.

"Mendoa!" Her otosan shouted, silencing her instantly, but it didn't prevent her from shooting evil glares at the back of her otosan's head. She adjusted the Saiya-jin armor she wore angrily, not bothering to apologize when the shoulder pad hit her otosan's head.

As both otokos reached the assigned space pods, Tetopo looked at Vejiita. "Not to question your authority, sir," he began, "but are you sure this is a good idea?"

Vejiita didn't answer as he threw his musuko into the pod. As he sat up, he glared at his father through the tinted window and pounded on the glass. His scouter was half off his face, but the otoko no ko didn't both to fix it. Mendoa, on the other hand, simply sat in the chair, her arms crossed and a deep scowl set on her face.

"Prepare for take off," a robotic said, his voice reverberating throughout the entire port. "Five... four... three..." As the typical countdown began, Vejiita Ouji's screams became for desperate, his fists pounding the glass harder and more frequently than before.

"Two... one..."

Mendoa sat up, the scowl gone from her face, and she looked at her otosan pleadingly. Tetopo only stared back, before shaking his head and looking away.

"Blast off."

It wasn't that the Saiya-jin didn't want to go on the mission; they really did. They just didn't want to go with one another, and for a whole month and a half, they begged their parents to pick someone else. But their parent's had refused and so they were off, heading towards Saboaku-sei, where they would have to put up with one another for five whole days.

As the pods disappeared from view, Vejiita sighed, and looked down. "No," he said. "No. I don't think this was a good idea. But then, if this is how they feel about each other, neither was choosing his mate."

The end of the first chapter. I know things happened kind of fast, and this chapter wasn't as long as my other ones usually are, but it'll all get sorted out.

Japanese Translations:

aka-chan - baby

baka- stupid person, idiot

chibi - little

jo'o - queen

kekko desu - thank-you

kokuo - king

konnichi wa - hello

musuko - son

musume - daughter

okasan - mother

onna - woman

onna no ko - girl

otoko - man

otoko no ko - boy

otosan - father

ouji - prince

wakai - young

wakusei - planet

You can leave a review or e-mail me at keruri@earthling.net. Tell me how I could improve this fic, what I need to work on, or suggestions for future chapters. I know that I can make this better. All suggestions will be taken into consideration.