Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Memories & Revenge ❯ Last Days... ( Chapter 7 )

Memories & Revenge

Chapter Seven

"So, Mom," said Mirai Trunks as he passed the plate of fluffy eggs to a waiting Goku and Gohan, who both were making quick work of their enormous breakfast. "Do you know anymore about the Saiyans that you didn't cover in your write up?"

Bulma pushed the hair from her eyes as she turned away from Baby Trunks whom she'd been trying to unsuccessfully feed, to focus on her future son. Her mind raced as she tried to think of something she hadn't put in her own personal report about the Saiyans. She blushed there was a few things she left out, but she doubted very much her son would like to hear about Saiyajin sexual matters from his mother. Bulma let a lascivious smile cross her face, especially how to get one hotheaded Saiyan Prince to purr.

Trunks cleared his throat; his face bright red as the room got quiet as everybody at the table noticed the erotic grin that had taken residence on her face and the faraway gleam in her blue eyes. "AHEM, Mom!"

Startled Bulma blinked her eyes at her son as she focused on the room. "Oh, um, no, I don't know anything else aside from the small bits of recorded data." She quickly turned her flushed face from the group to resume feeding the baby.

"Yeah, right," said Yamcha as he nudged a smiling Kurilin. "Trunks, your mother knows more about Saiyans then she's letting on," he leaned closer for a whisper but he kept his voice at his normal pitch. "She's knowledgeable about Saiyans in another way, otherwise you wouldn't be here working on this report." He nodded his head toward Bulma whose blush was now visible on her neck.

Kurilin chortled loudly in the room, which made both Briefs blush even more. "Isn't that the truth! Vegeta doesn't seem like the one--"

"So, Son-kun," interjected Bulma turning the conversation away from her private life with Vegeta. "Have you and ChiChi decided on what you're going to name your new son."

Goku stopped eating and pondered. He remembered ChiChi telling him something about names for the baby, but for the life of him he couldn't remember a single name she uttered. He'd been too busy trying to figure out how she increased her strength so much while giving birth as she nearly crushed his hand. "ChiChi said something, but she shouted a whole lot of things."

Bulma let out an exasperated breath she turned back to her future son. "Trunks, how far have you've gotten on your report with the information I gave you."

Trunks shook his pale lavender head. "Not very far, your report was full of technical stuff about the anatomy, but I need customs and cultural, too." He let out a sigh. "I just wish Father wasn't so stubborn about telling me about his family. From what I know about him, from my previous visit he's proud of his Saiyajin heritage. He was reportedly the Prince of Vegetasei and I thought he was an only child, but since the last few days, I've come to discover that he has sister too."

"Well," said Bulma as she wiped the last bit of food off of Baby Trunks' face. "Don't fret too much, I know as much about Vegeta as you do." She picked the baby up and turned toward her future son. "And I sleep with him."

Trunks blushed again. He hated blushing, but he couldn't help it, he didn't need reminder that his parents had a personal relationship. He was here wasn't he? "I wonder what Cauliflower is like? Is she like Father?" He pushed his plate aside as he leaned back in his chair his thoughts focused on this new addition to his family. "I wonder what I'm supposed to call her? Aunt Cauliflower? I wonder how old she is?" He regarded his mother out of quizzical blues eyes. "How old is Father?"

"Hmm," asked Bulma as she patted her son on his small back. "How old is Vegeta? I can't really say, as the Saiyajin concept of time and Earth time is different. All I know is Vegeta is roughly five years older than Goku."

Trunks nodded.

Gohan looked up from his plate where he had been listening to the conversations while he at his food. His face scrunched up into frown. "So, Vegeta-san could be anywhere from twelve to two-hundred and thirty?"

Bulma nodded although she thought the figures were outrageous and a little disconcerting, as she didn't want to think of Vegeta being under the legal limit. "Personally," she said. "I think Vegeta is a year or so older than me and five years older than Son-kun from some of the things that I picked up from him."

"And you would be correct in your assumption," said a cold voice from the doorway." Vegeta fully walked into the room he'd only heard the last part of what the group had been discussing. He ignored the eyes of the group and spoke to his half-breed son; "I'm one Earth year older than your Mother and five Earth years older than Kakkarot."

Trunks took this as a positive sign to ask more questions. "So, what is the difference between Earth time and Saiyajin time?"

Vegeta regarded his son out of dark eyes that betrayed no emotion, while he had mentally debated with himself. He ended up shrugging and decided to answer. "Earth time is solar and Saiyajin time is Lunar," he said simply thinking that explained everything he moved toward the refrigerator to get him some guava juice to drink. He acknowledged Bulma's presence, but adamantly refused to acknowledge the rest of her friends.

"Well, hello, to you too, Vegeta," called Yamcha who was feeling dangerous this morning, especially since he had Goku and Gohan sitting close to him. "I'm feeling just fine, thanks for asking. It is a beautiful morning, good of you to notice it. And yes, I do hope the weather will hold up for the rest of the day."

Vegeta growled and glared at the human. He would have liked to blast every single last one of his mate's friends, especially her ex-boyfriend, but she had some strange attachment to them and him. "You don't exist in my world," he said putting down his drink and walking out of the kitchen. "I expect us to leave for the hospital in one hour," he tossed over his shoulder.

"You lived." Kurilin gazed at his friend with surprised eyes.

Yamcha smiled as he leaned back in his chair. "Yeah."

*****************************************

Cauli awoke with a thickness in her throat; she was parched. She wanted badly to open her eyes, but she knew what awaited her--darkness. For the last three years she'd been forced to live in darkness. She would never see the world again, only to know that which was the dark. She began to silently cry, cursing the weakness that made tears fall from her useless eyes. But her dream had been so real. Dreams, that were all she was left with, and lately her dreams had been more intense lately. Last night she dreamed she had been reunited with her older brother Vegeta, but the Goddess wouldn't heed her words after forgetting her prayers after all these years apart.

Goddess Vegetasei.

She snorted. What a crock! She's prayed and left offerings of blood and food for the Goddess that dwelled above her world and looked after all Saiyajins. The Goddess was supposed to answer the prayers of the Saiyans she watched over, especially those of the royal family, who were her direct descendants. Cauli let the tears slip from underneath her shuteyes, "Wasn't my wish pure enough, Goddess?" Rolling over on her side she began to fall asleep hoping to find solace in her dreams.

***************************************

Mirai Trunks stood outside with the rest of his mother's friends holding the baby version of himself, while he a waited for his parents to come outside so they could go to the hospital. "My father said one hour," asked Trunks as he shifted the baby to one shoulder.

"Yeah," said Goku as he looked up from talking with Kurilin. "Vegeta is never late, usually when he gives a time he's always there ahead of schedule."

"I wonder if he chickened out," said Yamcha strolling over to the group. "He hasn't been to keen on going to the hospital and seeing his sister. Although, I am, it's kind of interesting to see what a female Saiyajin looks like." He glanced up at the smirks on Mirai Trunks and Kurilin's face. "What? No! Don't think like that, besides she's Vegeta sister. He'll kill me if I even touch her."

Kurilin leaned forward leering at his friend. "But you thought about it haven't you, Yamcha."

Yamcha moved back shifting his eyes towards the door hoping Vegeta wouldn't appear and decide to thrash him for unseemly thoughts that weren't his own. "Now you look you two, I'm interested in Cauliflower for general interest. I've never seen a female Saiyajin before, and I'm curious about her."

"Just curious," teased Kurilin liking the way his friend was blushing. "I think it's more than curiosity making you anxious to see Vegeta's sister again."

Yamcha raised a fist at him, "Kurilin if you don't stop. Look when I dated Bulma all those years she helped develop my sense of scientific curiosity about certain things."

Kurilin laughed. "Whatever. I know what developed your sense of "curiosity" and I doubt there is anything scientific about it."

Mirai Trunks laughed as he watched Yamcha stomp off muttering to himself. He shook his head turning to Goku. "Hey, Goku-san will you watch the baby for me while I go find my parents."

"Sure," said Goku as took the baby into his large hands. "I'll need the practice once we bring the little one home from the hospital today." He looked over to his son. "I'm going to be a father again, and Gohan you're going to be a big brother."

Gohan nodded. "I can't wait to bring him home, Okasan said that I will get to teach him all the stuff I know. And I also want to introduce him to Piccolo-san." Gohan stopped and gazed in the direction Kami's Palace drifted above the world. "I wonder when he's coming back."

Goku glanced over in the same direction. Piccolo was supposed to check on what Dende knew about Nekojins or could find out. From what he, he could discern Alle wasn't going to leave until he killed Vegeta, and Vegeta, well, he couldn't decide what Vegeta was going to do. Vegeta seemed to owe a big debt to this Alle character, big enough he was willing to sacrifice his life one moment, but fight for it the next. All Goku really understood was he wasn't going to allow Vegeta to die, not while there was a breath still in his body. "Don't worry, son. Piccolo will be back. He doesn't break his promises."

***************************************

Mirai Trunks walked into the house searching out for his mother's ki, and found his mother and father in the same place. He moved toward the living room and peeking around the corner to see is parents locked into a deep kiss. Recovering for his leg-locking shock Trunks stood for a minute regarding his parents and smiled wistfully. In the past all he had of his parent's relationship was what his mother was willing to share or her precious few memories. He knew his mother missed his father more than she would say to him. "Ahem," he coughed politely.

Vegeta's tail unwrapped itself from around Bulma's waist as he lifted his head up. His brain was still befuddled with the heady passion of Bulma's kiss. He turned slightly spying his future son standing tentatively in the doorway. He growled showing his canine teeth. He glared and quickly wrapped his tail back around his waist before he glanced at his mate nodding to her; he walked passed his son with another growl in his direction.

Mirai Trunks lifted confused eyes to his mother. "What did I do?" He gestured to his father's retreating back. "Is it because I saw him kissing you?"

"Yes," smiled Bulma a healthy flush making her alabaster skin glow. "Your father doesn't like it when people spy him being intimate with me." She walked toward her son and put her arms around his waist. "The growl was Saiyan warning of, well, ownership." She laughed at the disgust that came over his face. "That was exactly my expression too, when he did the same thing when my father caught us kissing in the kitchen. Vegeta says it is an old saiyan custom originated by males toward the scarce female population." Bulma hugged him once more before picking up the capsule that held the huge cargo plane she was going to fly to the hospital. "Come on let's go."

"Wait a minute," asked Trunks as he caught his mother's hand. "What do you mean scarce female population?"

Bulma shook her head and smiled. "Ask your father when we get inside the plane."

"Like he would tell me," he responded crestfallen. "He doesn't want to tell me anything about the Saiyajins." He snorted his facial expression resembling his father. "He probably doesn't think I'm worthy enough to hear about my ancestry."

Bulma offered up an encouraging smile to her future son. "Trust me. Once we get inside the plane ask your father some questions. He will answer you."

Mirai Trunks nodded his head as he followed his mother out the door. He wanted to believe what this mother said but he knew his father. His father was as stubborn as he was proud and if he didn't feel like talking to him about Vegetasei he would not speak to him about Vegetasei.

***************************************

Inside the Capsule Corp. cargo plane the inhabitants sat silently, none of them wanting to break the silence but each of them curious about the Saiyan they would be retrieving from the hospital today.

Mirai Trunks opened his mouth and shut it again; he'd been doing that since they got on the plane. He wanted to take his mother's advice and start the questionnaire, but yet, he didn't want to disturb the fragile peace that had settled over his father and the rest of the people. He glanced up and caught his mother's angry glare in the rear-view mirror as she jerked her cerulean head in his father's direction.

He shrugged.

She glared.

Mirai Trunks glanced at his father's face in the mirror. His eyes were closed but he could tell from his father's ki hi was more than alert. "Otousan," he croaked out his voice cracking. "Otousan," he called again seeing that one black eye had opened. "I heard from Okasan that there was a shortage of females on Vegetasei at one time. What happened?"

Vegeta snorted. He crossed his arms across his chest as he laid his head back against the seat. The boy and his questions again. He was sure he told the boy that he wasn't going to answer any questions about his past. But then again things had changed since the boy showed up. Alle was hovering over the Earth waiting to kill him, and Cauli was in the hospital waiting to see him. Besides he already broke his oath not to speak about anything Saiyan to the boy when he answered his question about his age and Saiyan time in kitchen earlier.

"Very well," said Vegeta startling Trunks as he thought his father had decided not to answer his question. "I will tell you about the female Saiyajins."

"Thanks," whispered Mirai Trunks as he caught his mother triumphant smile from the mirror. "So, what happened to the females to make them scarce?" He leaned forward with Goku, Yamcha, Kurilin and Gohan who decided to listen in on the tale. Scarcity of women was not fathomable to them.

"When Saiyajins began to evolve as better fighters," began Vegeta as he recalled the Saiyan history lessons given to him he was younger. "The females of our race evolved with us, but it had a negative effect on the females. They evolved as strong and quickly as the men, but when a female became pregnant they had to quit fighting and training after two and a half months, or risk damaging the fetus."

"But that doesn't sound so bad," said Goku. "Isn't that what you are supposed to do when you are pregnant. Keep off your feet and take it easy. That's what the doctor told ChiChi when she was pregnant with both my sons."

Vegeta rolled his closed eyes. "I wouldn't know Kakkarot as I've yet had the opportunity to carry a fetus within my nonexistent womb."

"Vegeta," warned Bulma. She glanced back at the Goku. "You're right Son-kun. Most women are told to keep off their feet and rest. However, when I was pregnant with Trunks I had a sudden added energy. It all depends on the female."

"Yes, well," said Vegeta breaking into their conversation. "What I read in the human genetics book, you human females develop energy, which the charlatans you call 'doctors' refer to as 'nesting.'" He chuckled. "The only bird I know is Bulma's mother."

"Vegeta!" exclaimed Bulma as she reached over and pinched his hard muscular thigh.

"Fine," he said a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "The Saiyajin females experienced a different effect. The child made them ornery and resentful. We had a saying on Vegetasei: Død kommer til de som å å sove. Which basically meant, 'Death comes to those who sleep.' Many of the females chose to terminate the life of the fetus they were carrying to resume activity. This caused the level of female to male ratio to widen then the females dropped into almost nonexistence."

"How was the female population by the time you were born," asked Yamcha finding the story intriguing. In his earlier days he would have found the prospect of no females appealing, but now it was almost unreal to think of a life without the female species.

"The female population was making a great comeback when I was born," Vegeta shifted pulling at the seat belt that was currently trying to strangle him. "When my own birth came about, my ancestors had conquered a planet that used gestation chambers to grow fetuses, therefore leaving the growing of the fetus to the machine and the women free to partake in daily events. My mother was the last Saiyajin female to give birth naturally, when she birthed me."

"I have a question," said Kurilin. "I've been wondering it since I've met you Vegeta."

"Humph," snorted Vegeta as he opened his eyes to look into Kurilin's serious face. "Having a friend like Kakkarot constantly around you, I'm surprised that you can hold a thought in your bald-head."

"Don't make me pull your tail," said Bulma as she growled at her mate. "You forget Son-kun is one of my best friends, and I spent a great part of my teen years with him. I consider him to a younger brother to me."

Goku smiled happily. "Thanks Bulma. I think of you as my older sister, too."

"How touching," replied Vegeta sarcastically as he closed his eyes back not wanting his senses assaulted by their sickening emotions. "Now, what was your question, Kurilin?"

"Well, you speak your native tongue," he began rubbing at his ceremonial burns trying to formulate his question. "How is it that you speak our language? Matter of fact, when Radditz landed here on Earth, he too could speak our language. How is that? Did it have something to do with the scouters?"

"Who's Radditz," asked Mirai Trunks glancing at the others in the plane.

Vegeta laughed. "No. I'm surprised it took any of you this long to ask this question, especially my always-curious mate. As for the answer, I don't actually speak the earthen tongue that you just asked the question in. Surprisingly, you people of Earth speak a variation of Intergalactic Standard. So, I communicate via standard to you, however, I did have to learn--after I decided to extend my stay--how to read this language. Radditz he was Kakkarot's older brother, who was killed when he first reached this planet. That is all you need to know."

Mirai Trunks filed that piece of information away to ask Gohan about later. "What is Intergalactic Standard?"

"It is standard language of the galaxy; all species speak a form of it," replied Vegeta opening his eyes and sitting up he could feel his sister's relaxed ki, the hospital was only forty more minutes away. "If you didn't speak the alien tongue that you were negotiating in you relied on Standard. It was better than relying on their translators to speak for you. Otousama decided that I should learn not only Standard but also many other languages. Standard isn't always the same on each planet there are many variations but the root of it is still the same."

Gohan leaned forward his attention rapt. "So, how many languages can you speak Vegeta-san?"

"I can speak roughly thirty current languages and fifteen dead languages," he answered nonchalantly. "The dead languages, of course are species that have been erased from the galaxy. This includes my mother tongue." He finished softly.

Bulma glanced at him from the side of her eye, although his face betrayed no emotions she noticed his jet eyes had a slight shine to them. "We are almost at the hospital, Son-kun. Is there anything you need to pick up before we greet ChiChi and your new son?"

"No," he said happily as he sat forward again his mind focused on the things he was learning from Vegeta. Vegeta he hesitated to say could well be smarter than Bulma. "Say, Vegeta are you excited to see your sister?"

Vegeta mulled Goku's question over for a minute. The fact that Cauli had survived the destruction of their planet was wonderful news. The fact that she had unwittingly played a part in a plan for revenge against him was unsettling. "You could say that I'm eager Kakkarot to see my sister, but I don't know what I'll say to her."

Goku grinned. "Well, how do Saiyajins not born on Earth greet each other?"

"Ta slaget," murmured Vegeta. "We use to say 'Ta slaget.'"

"So, can I greet her using 'Ta slaget,'" inquired Mirai Trunks. This was the opening he'd been angling for, since he'd opened his mouth and started this conversation with his father. "Is there a special way I should refer to her when we are introduced?"

"Ta slaget is enough, brat," replied Vegeta as he rubbed a hand over his face. "Cauli will inform you of any other instruction as to what you should refer to her as."

"Vegeta," called Bulma as a sudden thought popped in her mind. "I thought Frieza practically raised you. How old were you when you last saw your sister?"

Mirai Trunks smiled his mother was on the same wavelength as him. He waited patiently for the answer.

"I hadn't reached maturity yet," said Vegeta as he settled back into the cushion seat to begin his tale. "Frieza had reared me off and on in my life, since I was a child. I last saw Cauli the day after the Krig Festspill on my planet. Matter of fact it started at the Krig Festspill..."

***************************************

King Vegeta looked down at the missive in his hand. "Are you sure about this, Roman," he asked glancing at the portly man standing before him. "There is a plot to assassinate Prince Vegeta."

"Hai, Vegeta-sama," bowed the portly Saiyan to his overlord. "We intercepted this message being passed along the lower ranking class. They want to do away with the young prince before he can ascend to the thrown."

King Vegeta began to pace back in front of his servant. "Elders," he called to the murky darkness surrounding the thrown. "Why do you suppose they want to kill Vegeta?"

The voices mumbled and muttered to one another in muted tones before a voice spoke to the king startling the servant. "It is because the young prince is our greatest son. He will yield the power of the Super Saiyajin. Many fear that power."

The King nodded. "Fine, I thought as much." He turned to the wide-eyed Saiyan. "Roman fetch the young prince to me at once. I have much to speak with him about."

Roman bowed as he backed away from his sovereign to do his task.

***************************************

"Otousama," yelled Vegeta as he faced his father's unyielding cool eyes. "You can't forbid me to go! Every Saiyan in the galaxy will be in attendance at the Krig Festspill."

The King blasted a small ki blast at his son watching as it was batted away. "I know every Saiyajin will be in attendance, this is our biggest celebration of the planet. Which means, brat, that your assassin will be also among the throng of participants." He swirled his great mantle around him as he plopped down on his throne. "We can't allow harm to come to you."

Vegeta snorted as he paced and glared at his father and the Elders. He didn't have any doubt; they were also participating in his being forbidden from attending the Krig Festspill. "I refuse to hide from an assassin! I will go to the Festspill and show that cowardly assassin, I'm not afraid of him. The son of Vegeta hides from no one!"

King Vegeta let out a growl at his impudent son. Although he admired his son's courage and strength he couldn't allow him to confront this danger. If Vegeta were to fall then all would be lost for the future of Vegetasei and ending their enslavement to Frieza. "Listen here, brat," said the irate King. "You will stay confined to this castle until the Festspill is over. As long as I sit on this throne you will obey me!"

Vegeta grumbled and muttered as he stared into his father's eyes. He turned away. "Fine, I'm going to train," his scarlet mantle swirled after him as he strode from the throne room Nappa following him on his way out. "Damn, assassins!"

*****************************************

Cauli looked up as her brother practiced his kata in rapid movements. Today she was glad she was born with such a low power level that wouldn't allow her to practice with him. He would have beaten her into the ground much like he did the last seven Saiyan trainers, who were currently on their way to regeneration tanks. "Oniisama," she called from her reclined position. Her ever present camera seated next to her. "Maybe we can still go to the Krig Festspill."

"Huh," said Vegeta slowing down his workout as he sank to the ground next to her. "What do you mean maybe we can still go to the Krig Festspill? Otousama has forbidden me from leaving the castle."

Cauli smiled causing shivers to run down Vegeta's spine. "Daddy said you couldn't leave the palace, but he didn't say anything about me. I can still go, but I can't leave without proper protection."

Vegeta backed away he did not like the gleam in his sister's blue eyes right now. "That is why we delegated Radditz to be your personal bodyguard when I'm not with you."

Cauli's smiled deepened. "But I released Radditz this morning to partake in his family's tournament events, therefore leaving me without a guard." She held up a camera to snap a picture of her brother's terrified look. "Guess who can be my bodyguard?"

"Roman," implored Vegeta not wanting to get mixed up into one of her schemes.

"Nope try again, Oniisama," said Cauli as she looked up at him with a beguiling smile. "The person who will be escorting me to the Festspill is an Elite Saiyan..."

"Nappa."

"...who is also crown prince of Vegetasei," she finished refusing to acknowledge his previous answer. "Can you guess now, Oniisama?"

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "You left out son of Vegetasei," he said dryly. He sat down next to her hating the words that were about to come out of his mouth. "What's your plan?"

"I love you Oniisama," Cauli squealed throwing her arms around his neck kissing him on his cheek. "I mean I'm glad that you accepted my proposal and weighed the benefit of the cost against the con."

Vegeta leaned back laughing uproariously. "So you finally stopped skipping classes."

Cauli stuck out her tongue at him knowing it was very childish, but she couldn't help it. "Stop laughing and listen to my plan..."

**************************************

Vegeta pulled at the nape of the costume Cauli told him to wear in order to slip out of the palace unnoticed. "How come we have to continue to wear these cloak," he growled in her ear. "We've made it outside the palace and we ditched Nappa."

Cauli stopped gapping at the sights around her. It was her first time she was able to go to a Krig Festspill; usually her lady mother didn't like her to attend the Saiyajin event, because many Saiyans wouldn't understand her blue eyes. She knew about the whispers outside the palace about her eyes. Many Saiyajins believed her mother was a half-breed that passed as a regular Saiyajin. And in order to protect herself she cast a spell over their grieving King getting herself impregnated with his child. However, the truth came out when Cauliflower was born with blue eyes and almost no power level. She not only had blue eyes, but she had no fighting power, she might as well be a hideous half-breed.

"We have to keep the covering on Oniisama," whispered Cauli as she gasped at the one of the open fighting arenas. "You look too much like father and then your assassin would immediately recognize you. And I have to keep my blue eyes hidden. We came out here to have fun, not to get killed. Now, hush and explain to me what is happening in this ring."

They moved closer to the arena watching as two oiled down Saiyajins entered the ring. "This is an old form of fighting," whispered Vegeta in his sister's wide eyes. "It involves no ki blasts just pure strength and cunning."

Cauli's eyes were wide as she stood at the edge watching the two warriors circle each other looking for an opening. "Why are they oiled up and aren't allowed ki blasts?" She watched as the bigger of the two launched himself at his opponent.

"Most of the games and tourney here are to represent fighting from our ancestors," said Vegeta as he watched with a critical eye as the big Saiyan threw his adversary across the ring. "Hence many of the games don't allow ki blast. The oil is used to make sure the person you are fighting can't get a good grip on you or vice versa. It is both help and hindrance."

Cauli flinched as she watched the smaller Saiyan jump from the top of the ropes only to hit the mat as the bigger Saiyan rolled away just in time. "That must have hurt."

"Nahh," disagreed the Saiyan standing next to Cauli. "It's all fake. But it's interesting to watch." He turned his eyes back to the arena in time to see the little one pin his opponent for the required three count. The bell rang out as a referee signaling his championship to the crowd held up the little saiyan arm.

"That was it," asked Cauli a little disappointed not see not a once of blood spurt forth from either of the two opponents.

"Yeah," said the Saiyan standing next to her. "This was a short match, but it's bare-hands only match. In other arenas they have cage matches and matches where the opponents bring in metal-like objects to really hurt their opponents."

Cauli turned, "Oniisama lets go see some of those matches." Her eyes were gleaming with joy and the prospect of seeing men and women beat on each other. She took a picture to the Saiyan standing next to her and left with Vegeta.

Four hours later Vegeta held a huge bag on his back as he followed his never tiring sister to the next place she wanted to see. It started out as fun for him watching the excitement in her eyes and of course when he entered a couple of competitions anonymously and won, but now he was hungry and the sweet food they served at the Krig Festspill held no more appeal to him. Plus, he was stuffy under the cloak, too. He wanted real food and a nice bath. "Cauli-chan," he called to her. "I think it is time to return home before Otousama catches us out here."

Cauli whirled around her camera swinging from her neck as she steadily licked her fingers from the cotady she begged him to buy her. It was a sweet sugary substance shaped like a fluffy cloud but dissolved instantly in one's mouth. Cauli had had four of them. "But there is more to see, Oniisama." She began eating the stuff again as she walked backwards while talking to him. "I want to see the Archive Village."

Vegeta let out a snort. "Then you should pay attention in your history class, Cauli-chan. All they do there is recreating famous battles or moments in Saiyajin history."

"Maybe this will make me like Saiyan history more," she pleaded but decided to give up as she recognized the signs of his eternal stubbornness beginning to rear its head. "Fine, we will go back to the palace," Cauli rotated to the front only to slam into a group of Saiyan men and women obviously inebriated. "Watch where you are walking," she said forgetting she was not inside the palace.

"Oi, Shroom," said one of the drunks Saiyans as he helped his friend up. "Look at miss haughty. Telling you to watch where you're going and she's the one who ran into you."

"You're right, Carot," replied the now upright saiyan. "She didn't even have the decency to apologize. Now, I would have let her go without making a fuss, since it is a holiday, but then I remember what this celebration is about: WAR!!" He turned to Cauli. "Now, bitch, your apology will be by your death."

Vegeta's head snapped up when the heard the threat in the drunk's voice. He'd been slightly amused at how royal his sister could turn when only a moment before she was whining like a low-borne Saiyajin. He waited not wanting to interfere in the battle hoping his sister could settle this dispute before any attention was brought their way. And of course, he didn't want to have to kill a fellow Saiyajin on the holiest of days.

Cauli visibly bristled at his vulgarity and his threat, but she couldn't do anything. She silently cursed the day she was born without any fighting ki. She would have to bite her tongue and apologize to the overgrown ogre, before she drew any attention to the group. She stepped forward watching as the man became guarded. "I am sorry," she choked out not liking the way those words fell from her lips to the ears of a Saiyan she could have had sentenced to death. "I was not watching where I was going. Now, if you would excuse us." She tried to move passed the group.

"You're not going anywhere bitch," said the one of the females of the group as she roughly grabbed Cauli by her forearm as she tried to step around the group. "You knocked down my mate and then try to act like your some lady of the manner." The female lifted her lip in a curl baring her gleaming white canine teeth. "This is the Krig Festspill, you dishonor it by refusing to fight my mate after you insulted him. What kind of Saiyan are you?" The female glanced back at the group as they grunted in agreement at her words. "Saiyan is too good for her, she's a half-breed." The group let out raucous laugh.

Cauli stood there listening to their laughter her forearm still held in a tight grip. How dare she call her a half-breed! It wasn't her damned fault that she was borne with blue eyes! It wasn't her fault she had little ki, less than a slave had, not even worth training. Cauli jerked her arm free and did the only thing left to do.

She punched the laughing female in the face. Hard. Enough to send the female Saiyajin tumbling to the hard firm ground.

Shroom looked down at his fallen mate watching as she wiped a drop of blood from the corner of her mouth. He turned to Cauli his eyes blazing with the fury of Vegetasei. "How dare you attack my mate? Now you have gone too far. As leader of my troupe, I can't allow your infraction to be looked over, now I really will challenge you to a fight, bitch. And you will die!"

Cauli stepped back. She knew wouldn't be able to fight against Shroom.

Vegeta stepped forward and dropped his bag beside his sister. "Listen my sister apologized to you before your mate insulted her by calling her a half-breed." He bared his teeth at the giant Saiyajin. His cloak gave him an added degree of mystery in the darkened pathway. "Now, let us pass."

Shroom snorted. "My fight is not with you. It's with your sister for daring to hit the alpha female of my troupe. My mate."

"No," contradicted Vegeta as he balled his fist generating a small ki in his left hand. "Your fight is with me, if there is to be one. Your mate insulted my sister and she reacted. I say they are even."

Shroom opened his mouth to retaliate when a ki blast flew past him.

Vegeta turned quickly pushing Cauli out of harm. He turned his eyes flashing at the Saiyan female. "That was--"

The female let out a shriek as she pointed toward Cauli, whose own cloak had fell back revealing her bright blue eyes and royal earring.

"It's the blue-eyed princess," she whispered to Carot as she pulled him in front of her as a shield. "Oh, Great Goddess Vegetasei," she raised a shaky hand to her mouth. "He must be Prince Vegeta."

"That's correct," said Vegeta as he pushed back the cloak covering his face and hair. "Now let us pass. Before I kill you for that ignominious attack you directed at my sister."

Shroom and his entourage bowed to the young prince and princess. "I'm most embarrassed Prince Vegeta. Please forgive my foolish mate and myself, we really meant no harm."

"Stop bowing you piss-ant," hissed Vegeta as he noticed the curious murmurs directed their way. "I forgive your insolence this time, now get up and move the fuck out the way."

Shroom glanced up looking behind the prince. "You have no guards in attendance, Your Highness." He signaled for his people to rise. "To truly thank you for your benevolence we would be proud to act as your guards until you reached the palace."

"That is unnecessary," said Cauli noticing that people were no longer staring in their direction they were walking over to them. "We wish to get back to the palace quickly without drawing anymore added attention to ourselves."

"I can't allow it," replied Shroom shaking his head. "To find the young royals unattended it is the duty of every Saiyajin to guard the royal son to his ultimate destination." He lifted his voice up over the crowd now gathered around the group. "My troupe would be honored to act as your own royal guardsmen until you return to the palace."

"Fine," spat Vegeta the festival was turning quickly into headache for him, plus he was still hungry. "Let's move. Quickly. Quietly." He turned toward Cauli who was scanning the crowd. "Let's hurry." He grabbed her hand; while Shroom's mate picked up the bag he had been carrying.

"He who carries the blood of the great golden one must not be allowed to live," a voice shouted from the large crowd. "Die Prince Vegeta! May you never sit on the throne of Vegetasei!" A lance of ki shot over the crowd aimed at Vegeta's back.

Cauli glanced up seeing the hot flame of ki moving toward her brother's back. "Oniisama!" she screamed pushing him out of the way preparing to use her body to block the attack. She didn't have the power to fight his enemies, but she could give her life to him. Cauli felt the lance of ki enter her shoulder causing a flaming sensation. "Great Goddess," she whispered, "...this hurts." She quickly fainted onto the cold pavement dropping like a stone in water.

Vegeta quickly scrambled to his feet shoving people out of his way. He pulled his sister into his arms. "Cauliflower," reverting to her full name in his distress. "Are you okay," he ripped away her cloak to view the wound. He sucked in a hard breath as he saw the hole in her shoulder bleeding profusely. "Damn it!"

"Don't worry Prince Vegeta," shouted Carot as he hauled a medium Saiyajin before him. "This is the vermin who tried to murder you. The crowd caught him as he tried to escape." The crowd began to boo and hiss at the captured Saiyajin.

Vegeta lifted hard black eyes toward the Saiyajin who tried to murder him. His persona shifted as he let the teachings of Frieza flow into his mind and heart. He lifted his hand his palm glowing with a blue ki. "Big--" He stopped as he heard another shout from the crowd he covered his sister's frail form.

"Make way for King Vegeta," shouted Zorn captain of the king's royal guardsmen. "Move your Saiyajin tails, King Vegeta and Lord Frieza are coming through." The gathering parted ways as the King and Frieza came into to view surrounded by elite guards.

King Vegeta swiftly swept his dark eyes over the scene before him. His son clutching his daughter in his arm the other pointed at the saiyan held by a larger Saiyan. He sniffed the air. Blood. He glanced back down spying a small red-river flowing from his daughter. Her ki was very low she must have gone into shock. "I'm disappointed in you boy," said the King after his long silence. "Is that your would be assassin?"

Vegeta nodded.

The King walked closer as both the jailer and prisoner bowed before him. He paced for a minute in front of them before he spoke to the would-be assassin. "Were you all that was sent tonight?"

"Yes, Vegeta-sama," said the assassin. "But there are more of my kind. We will not allow Prince Vegeta, who carries the potential to be a Super Saiyajin to ascend to the throne. We can't allow him to sit on the throne. We will not let him have the throne."

"You do know what you have just said is treasonous," queried the King as he looked into the assassin's eyes. He waited for the nod before he continued. "The punishment for treason is death."

Carot let go of the prisoner moving to the side. He knew what was coming.

"I understand King Vegeta," said the portly assassin as he bowed to the king. "I'm ready to accept my death. But let it be known there are many like me, and only one of the prince. He never be allowed the throne."

The King nodded as he lifted his hand placing his hand in the middle of the assassin's chest. "May you walk with the Goddess." His hand began to swirl with a purple ki. "JUDGEMENT!" A huge purple ki ball surrounded the Saiyajin as cutting off his air supply as the ball filled with a purplish haze. Within seconds the acid haze disintegrated the assassin leaving only dust.

"My lord Vegeta," called Frieza as he regarded the scene with much interest. "Maybe, we should begin immediately what we were talking about earlier."

King Vegeta glanced down at his son and daughter before he looked back to the purple lizard. "I think you're right Lord Frieza." He glanced back toward his son. "Come Vegeta," he snapped. "We must get your sister into one of the tanks, and then you can tell me how you ended up at the Festspill."

******************************************

"The next day I was shipped off for more 'special' training with Frieza. It was the last time I would see my father, my planet and my sister." Vegeta finished his tale as the plane landed on the rooftop of the hospital. "My assassin's words proved most prophetic, although he didn't know at what cost. I will never grace the throne of Vegetasei." He opened his door and got out walking toward the opening that would lead him to the hospital.

Bulma, Kurilin, Gohan, Goku, Yamcha, and Mirai Trunks sat in the vehicle silent. Tears had formed in each of their eyes as they heard the heartache that came through at Vegeta's last words. Bulma sniffled and wiped at her eyes. She knew Vegeta was bitter, but she didn't know his bitterness was just a cover up for his sadness. "Dear Dende," whispered Bulma as moved back the seat belt holding her in place. "Vegeta..."

"Come on, Okasan," said Mirai Trunks unbuckling his younger version from his car seat. "I don't think Father would like it overmuch if we sit in the plane crying." His own gut wrenched at the story his father had just finished telling. Once again he was shocked every time he was allowed a peek into his father's softer side and each time it never failed to amaze him the depths his father was capable of feeling.

Bulma reached out taking the sleeping baby in her arms as the group moved toward the small door Vegeta had disappeared through only moments before them. She patted the baby's back as she thought about the story Vegeta had told about his last days on Planet Vegeta with his father and sister two people who still held a piece of Vegeta's heart, along with Persia the dead Nekojin. She wondered how much of his heart did she and Trunks hold.

"Goku-san," cried ChiChi glancing up from the new addition to the Son family. She spotted her husband walking in with her eldest boy by his side. His gait was slow and his eyes forlorn as he glanced toward the diminutive Saiyan to her left. She bristled she wondered what Vegeta had did to her husband to make him so sad. ChiChi opened her mouth to deliver a sharp barb to the angry man, when she saw her son and husband shaking their heads at her.

"Okasan," cried Gohan happy that he now had a reason to shed the tears that had been building up as he listened to Vegeta describe his world to them. "I'm happy you are okay." He wrapped his arms around her neck careful not to harm her or the baby.

"Of course Gohan," whispered ChiChi as she felt the wetness on her cheek. "Bulma got me an excellent doctor, besides I've gone through birth before when I had you. It wasn't as hard this time. I knew what to expect." She glanced up at Goku who was regarding her silently out of his dark eyes.

Goku stared at his wife for long time as he thought over the story Vegeta told them in the plane. It was obvious to everyone in the plane that Vegeta had loved his sister, father, and planet very much. Even after he lost his Grandfather Gohan, Goku had found friends and later formed a family. That much wasn't afforded to Vegeta when he lived under the rule of Frieza. Goku bent down surprising his wife as he kissed her softly, sweetly on the mouth. "I love you, ChiChi," he whispered. He bent down kissing his newest son on the forehead. "I love you, too."

A smile spread across ChiChi's face at her husband's words and unaccustomed actions. "I love you, too Goku-san."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Where the hell is that damn specialist! I don't want to stand here all day watching Kakkarot fawn all over his mate." He turned to the nurse at the desk. "Page the damn doctor again."

The nurse operating the front desk phones fumbled the phone in her shaky hand. She knew Mr. Vegeta from his last visit when his son was born and she nearly retired that day from all his demands and threats. She had hoped to never encounter his person again, but today the Fates were against her. "Right away, Mr. Vegeta," she pushed the button for outgoing page. "Paging Dr. Tao...Dr. Tao your presence is needed at the front right away." She put the phone down and smiling at Vegeta.

Vegeta frowned. He hated the nurse. It always amazed him the level of incompetence shown by her and the hospital continued to allow her to work there. He grunted. On Vegetasei she would have been moved long time ago. He turned hearing hurried footsteps racing down the hall.

Dr. Tao slid right in front of Vegeta as he caught his breath. "Sorry, Mrs. Briefs, Mr. Vegeta, I was in another wing when the first page came over the loud speaker and--"

"Enough of your excuses," interrupted Vegeta. "Tell me about my sister."

Dr. Tao straightened his glasses as he looked down at the contents of the manila folder in his hand. "The virus that is inside her body is foreign to us, we took several samples of her blood to work on an antidote, but so far we've come up with nothing. The virus from what we can discern is eating through her body at a rapid rate. We were able to slow it down by injecting liquid aspirin into her blood stream. Is there any chance that we can obtain a sample of the virus that was injected into this patient?" He looked up at Vegeta and Bulma both shook their heads. "That's unfortunate as it would be easier to work with an undiluted form of the virus in order to come up with a cure. Also about her eyes, well there was extensive damage to her corneas but we were able to repair most of it. Because her eyes had been damage so long, we weren't able to get her vision back totally she will be able to see but you will be fuzzy to her. Aside from that and a few cuts and dehydration she would be in perfect health."

"So we can take her with us today, Dr. Tao," asked Bulma. "She can be moved."

"I don't see why not," replied the doctor. "We've done what we could do, our only job left is to work on that anti-virus antidote."

Vegeta nodded. "I'll be in her room." He walked away with the small group following behind him. Coming upon her door Vegeta knocked softly before he opened it to see his sister sitting up in bed. The surgical eye covering still over her blue eyes letting them recuperate. "Ta slaget," whispered Vegeta as he walked fully into the room.

Cauli snapped her head up. No this cannot be whispered a voice in her mind. Being reunited with her brother after all these years was a dream. Another cruel dream. But the voice was unmistakable. "Ta slaget," she answered shakily. "Oniisama?"

Mirai Trunks stood behind his mother as they both watched Vegeta approach the bed cautiously. He squeezed his mother shoulders as he heard her sniffle, or was that him. He heard the longing in his aunt's voice a longing he was all too familiar with in his own time.

"It's me," answered Vegeta as he stood in front of his sister. "Do you have any other brother's that sound like me?"

Cauli shook her head. "How do I know this is really my Oniisama? With my eyesight gone you could be a ploy of that wretched Prince Alle."

"Then we'll remove the bandages," he said simply. "And you can see for yourself that the son of the late Vegetasei stands before you."

"It is useless," she replied as tears began to soak her bandages. She badly wanted to believe that the arrogant voice was indeed her brother and not another false hope. "I have lost the ability to see some years passed."

"Then you have to trust me," he answered. "Have I ever lied to you?"

She nodded her head. "Yes."

Vegeta's hands froze from lifting her eye-coverings. "When!" he demanded.

"If you are my Oniisama," she whispered. "You promised that would come back to me."

"I did come back Cauli-chan," he said softly using her nickname. "I came back for my sunshine and it had been extinguished."

"Oniisama," she cried as she began to rip at the cloth covering her eyes. She didn't care if it was logical or not. At this point in her life if an ugly Tulles greeted her sight then she would be happy. When the last bandage was ripped from her eyes she was greeted with a piercing light before she glanced up to look into the smirking face that she could only see in her dreams. "Oniisama!!"

Vegeta let a small smile grace his face as he looked into her bright blue eyes. "Ta slaget, Cauli-chan. Ta slaget."

Cauli reached out and clasped his hands into hers. It had been a long time since she'd seen him. She began to gush out more tears. She cared not if they were disgraceful, her wish had been granted. Her Oniisama was with her once more. Cauli glanced to her left when she heard a sniffle that didn't come from here. She spied two females with babes surrounded by men. "Who are they Oniisama? One of them looks like a Saiyajin."

Vegeta glanced to his left surprised that he actually forgot his mate and sons. "The idiot in the orange gi is an Earth raised Saiyan named Kakkarot, who goes by Son Goku. The female seated before him is his chosen mate ChiChi and their offspring. Behind him is his equally annoying friends Yamcha and Kurilin. He held out a hand for Bulma. He watched as she glided forward. "This is my mate Bulma, and my sons Trunks and Mirai Trunks."

The group smiled at her as the said, "Ta Slaget" in unison.

"Ta Slaget," she answered absently as she studied the female her brother introduced as his mate. It was too much information at once, her brother, a mate, and sons. "You have an odd coloring," she finally said. "Is it because you are an Earth Saiyan, too?"

Bulma laughed. "No. I'm not Saiyan. I'm human."

Cauli furrowed her brows as she looked at the female who was not a Saiyajin, but her brother claimed her as a mate. She glanced up into her brother's face. "Halv-rases?"

Vegeta slowly nodded.

Cauli curled her lip up in disgust. She threw Vegeta's arm from her as if it was the foulest thing imaginable. She stared into his dark eyes saying one word that caused Vegeta's heart to quiver in pain. "Forræder!!"

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End Chpt. 7. Created [10/27/01] and Finished [02/04/02]. Now, don't you start yelling at Cauli-chan. You knew everything wasn't going to be lovey-dovey when she returned to Vegeta. I had to add more angst to this story. Coming next time: Vegeta & Alle. Send all flames, critiques, comments, and questions to me at: pmchivas@hotmail.com. Or you can leave me a message. All standard disclaimers apply. Dark Shadow Princess.

Straightjacket Musings:

Krig Festspill--War Festival.

Forræder--Traitor

Ta Slaget--Take the Battle

Cotady--It's like Cotton Candy. (I made this up.)

Død kommer til de som å å sove.--Death comes to those who sleep.

Halv-rases--Half-breeds.

You know you're right for the few people who wrote me about the underlying theme in this story. And for those of you who don't know what we're talking about, notice the blue eyes in my story: Cauli, Alle, Persia, Frieza, and Bulma. So, a few of the readers suggested I change the title to something like: Haunting Eyes or Blue Eyes, something along those lines.

Also to those who understand Norwegian, I'm using the free translator so if something isn't right don't be afraid to correct me. The translator isn't 100% correct.