Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Reason vs feelings ❯ Wholly unknown ( Chapter 5 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or its characters.


After my encounter with Prince Vegeta, I flew the party and closed myself inside my room, ignoring the raving rant of my father. The next day, the Saya-jin delegation was gone and I found myself dragged in spite of me into the fussy preparations of my departure.

Thus, the months flew by like minutes and, before I realize it, I was aboard Tekrieh's royal battle-cruise leading towards Vegeta-sei.


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Today arrived far too soon for my liking. A week earlier, I had never moved more than 10 miles away from my family's castle. And here I'm now, almost at the other end of the galaxy, just about to land on a utterly unknown planet. I feel like everything I had known escapes from me at a vertiginous speed.

Decided not to let my emotions submerge me, I try to focus on the day's event : my arrival on Vegeta-sei. A multitude of questions and doubts has invaded my mind during the travel, making me feel less and less sure about it all. Still, one thing is certain at this moment : I'm not willing to let anything impress me again. Whatever beauty this planet conceals, or magnificence the palace carries or greatness the inhabitants exudes, I must look nonchalant, uninterested. I will not let anything, or anyone, make me feel worthless and belittle like Prince Vegeta did when we met.

On this thought, I stand upright in front of the oval mirror decorating my cabin's west wall and glare at the reflection in the glimmering surface before composing a slightly annoyed expression, taking care to not show anything else. But the only result obtained is an outward composure way too cold, making me look as snobbish as the Saya-jin prince. I don't feel at all satisfied so I try to smile. It's worse. The smile lacks of casualness. It doesn't have any spontaneity, any warmth, and seems rather derisory. I strive in vain to improve it but fail miserably, bringing me every time closer and closer to an odious grin.

It's the commander's voice, announcing our landing, and the ship's deceleration, followed by a slight tingling sensation in my stomach, that saves me from this succession of barren tests. Without too much eagerness, I move to the exit. As soon as the air-lock opens, a dry and cold whirling wind starts to play with my hair, pricking my ears and rushing into the folds of my slate blue dress, causing its silk satin underskirt to be tossed at fretting rhythm in fabric rustle. Automatically, I pull down the hood of my circle cloak.

Finally, I glance in front of me to see... nobody. Or rather, almost nobody as a tall burly male walks sternly toward me, under the open sky where heavy clouds roll, heralding rain. Haughtily, I advance to meet the Saya-jin while considering him with coldness but also suppressed anger. I did not expect the presence of Prince Vegeta or his father here, no more than I hoped for a fabulous welcome committee on behalf of their kind. But such lack of greeting makes me feel frozen by the implications.

The Saya-jin stops two steps away. His mane of black spikes, almost reaching his ankles, is not a bit unruffled by the furious wind even so it constantly threats to carry away my velvet cloak. His green dark eyes, which doesn't allow to distinguish with exactitude if the dominant comes close to green, darts on me.

- "You must be Princess Bulma?" he asks, standing firm and alert but not rigid, a determined set to his mouth and jaw.

- "Who are you?" I demand, blatantly ignoring his question. If Saya-jin's aren't going to show me the slightest of politness, I won't either.

- "Raditz. Guard of the Royal House of Vegeta-sei. I'm here to escort you to the palace and ensure your protection, if you are Princess Bulma of course" he says in a toneless voice but I can perceive a certain frustration. Looks like we are two hoping we could be anywhere else at this precise moment.

Taking my silence for an agreement, he spins around and heads towards the spaceport's east side. At this very moment, I notice something so freakish that leaves me riveted on the spot. What I had taken, back at my engagement banquet, for an ornamental belt completing the Saya-jin uniform turns out to be a brown fury tail. And Raditz's one is actually lashing behind him in somehow lazy patterns. I finally come out of my stupor and follow him but I cannot stop staring at the odd appendage as it gracefully furls around his waist.

A sound of far-away rumbling tears me out of my contemplation and I see a jagged bolt of lighting rakes across the heavens. Hardly I'm installed in the hovering car, under the protection of a transparent dome, that the first drops beat down. Several minutes after our departure, water cascades literally of the sky. On my right, along a hill's slope, bushes shiver, shacked by a virulent wind, their scratching branches bending under its force but seldom yielding.

In spite of the outbreak of natural elements, we advance at full speed through a wretched arid landscape that even the rain's abundance doesn't seem able to humidify. After some miles, a thicker vegetation surrounds us and we cross some disparate villages composed of dome shaped houses. Rain continues to fall furiously, changing the road above us into a muddy torrent. Shortly, expansive and enigmatic forests beset both sides of the road, the foremost of the trees holding a large structure upon it that spreads through it's thick branches and even on the ground around it. Finally, we emerge into an immense valley crammed with impossibly tall buildings and huge domed compounds : Vegeta-sei's capital city.

Still, in the distance, the imperial palace dominates the horizon, towering above it all with its overwhelming size. Backed by the looming cliffs of a mountain, it seems to hunch over the very bring of abyss. Far below on the right, a wrinkled sea nuzzles up to curving strands, strewn with boulders while mighty arches and coves are carved on the rock. Down the left dizzy height, a wild forest spreads between jagged and overhanging rocks, clinging tenaciously to the sharp mountain's side.

As I observe the building, it soon become apparent that it's not in the least a model of fantasy architecture. It looks rather unapproachable. Its thick walls, made of black stone, rip into the green ground like in defiance, giving the building the shuttering appearance of a primal beast watching over it's territory. Fittingly, it has large, domed roofs and several spires running far up into the sky like vigilant sentinels. Carved in the stone, there are huge flights of steps leading to unknown places, as well as pillared colonnades while a couple of dark arched balconies juts out walls.

After crossing the extensive city, our car its engaged on a very straight road that looks quite forbidden. Climbing towards the sinister palace in sharp bends and dangerous twists, it has sheer precipices on both sides, accentuating the unwelcome sensation the whole structure already casts.

By the time we pass under the stony archway of the gates, I'm utterly convinced that this planet it's not right for me. How will I ever feel at home here? Waves of chill bring the hairs on the nape of my neck erect in reaction to this question. Sticking my chin out, I fight the urge to cry. Damned if I let any Saya-jin know how this creepy place, distant from everything I know and understand, perturbs me.

Thus, its in an awkward silence that I follow Raditz through the heavy and massive entrance door, then down a series of starcaises and corridors having for only decoration antique tapestries, whose weaving is enhanced by jewels, representing illustrious battles.

We finally reach an imposing set of double-doors, highly trimmed with solid silver. Raditz types a code on the keypad imbedded on the wall beside and they automatically open up into an imposing living area, with two undeniably opulent sofas. In front of them, there's a low and round cocktail table, boasting a lovely pearl finish, with a glass top. Under it, a tufted and carved ivory rug lays gracefully.

- "These are your quarters, Princess" he announces before handing me a piece of paper.

- "Your security code, you'd better learn it. And prevent yourself from wandering too much around when you are alone. It's not really safe for someone with such a nonexistent ki as yourself" he says, then walks away without a further explanation, leaving me considerably perplexed.

Shrugging, I step inside and shot a quick glance around. All my existence is scattered in multiple parcels, cases, trunks and boxes, piled up in a corner of the vast the room.

Suddenly, I become aware of soft voices coming from what I guess is the bedroom. It must be the maids settling down my belongings. I withdraw my cloak and drop it on the nearest ornately carved silk sofa then amble towards a window. Outside, rain still falls fiercely, drumming loudly against the panes while the overcast sky is as dark as night.

A bitter sadness pours inside of me like a slow poison. I had accepted my people's hopes and dreams as an integral part of myself. And my life tastes like ashes since then. I feel buried alive under the weight of my future. But it's nothing compared to what's probably the most aching wound in my heart : Yamcha. Our separation drains me with a virulence increasing as lengthen days. With difficulty, I push aside from my memory the too insistent image of his eyes drowned by tears.

Faraway, a new flash of lighting remains suspended in the sky during several seconds as I stumble out of my quarters, down the unknown hallways, an incredible need to get away from my own thoughts seizing me. I wander around for a moment before deciding to do a little exploration. After some unsuccessful attempt, I find an open door. Daringly, I walk inside and I'm surprised to find myself into a very lavish library.

I walk to a book covered wall and examine it thoroughly. All books seem old but perfectly preserved and far more ancients that what we owned back home. Maybe their civilization is older than mine. Well, is not as I could know. I refused categorically to listen to any sentence containing Saya-jin or Vegeta-sei inside.

After some searching, I come across something that arouses my curiosity. It's a book about Vegeta-sei's weather. How suiting. It certainly interests me to find out if such vehement storms are common occurrence here.

I seat down on a comfy but delicate settee, in front of a crackling fire, and dive into the book with eagerness. Obvisouly, the planet alternates periods of tropical storms with periods of intense heat or drastic cold, and rare are the lulls meanwhile. I'm utterly disturbed by this. On Tekriehl, weather is fairly soft and pleasant, only winter can be considered as slightly harsh, although its of short duration. Another thing I'm going to have to get used to.

Suddenly, I'm startled out of my reading by a voice behind. I reluctantly stare back to the door and find myself looking upon a tall girl in her mid teens. She wants to know who I am but it takes me a moment to process the sounds.

- "Aren't you going to answer me?" she inquires quite firmly, light intonations of contralto expressing a certain irritation.

- "Um... sorry, I was far away" I say, rising up from my comfortable spot "I'm princess Bulma from Tekriehl"

Her jaw twitches slightly and light dawns in her eyes. Sure she heard about me.

- "Forgive me princess. It was not my intention to be rude" she says.

I'm startled by her statement but pleased to find a Saya-jin showing me finally the proper respect suiting my station. Although, looking closely, I wonder if she's even Saya-jin, the absence of uniform and tail causing me to ponder it. And her long hair, thick and dark brown in color, which is currently maintained by a pearly studded ribbon, isn't at all spiking up like those of the few Saya-jin's I saw before.

Yet, I had never seen a female Saya-jin before. Maybe women don't have tails and aren't fond of uniforms as males seem to be. Still, even though she's only a young girl, her height and build suggests she will have a warrior's stature one day, and Saya-jin's are a warrior race. God, I'm starting to regret my intransigence when my father tried to give me some informations about my future home-planet. I wouldn't be torturing myself about her origins. Anyway, I don't care if she's Saya-jin after all, as long as she doesn't behave like their rotten excuse of a prince.

- "You weren't rude, just... a little busy" I tell her with a frail smile which must look patently false. But she doesn't seem to find anything amiss as her brown eyes, shadowed by dark lashes, remain unwavering, giving a solemn expression to her young features. "May I ask with whom I'm speaking?"

- "Lady Mau, but everyone calls me Chi Chi" she says then steps further in the room.

- "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Chi Chi" I declare before putting back the book I had been reading.

This girl seems nice, but something about her isn't quite right and I can't put my finger on it for the moment. As to confirm my thoughts, her gaze shifts to me when I turn around, showing nothing but distant coolness.

- "You trust easily strangers, princess" she states and something in her tone catches my attention : her words sound like a warning.

- "What are you getting at?" I retort, slightly confused, discomfort showing over my features.

- "You should never turn your back on someone here. You can rub shoulders with the people living in the palace but never turn your back on them" she insists, wanting me to listen closely.

Slowly, a swell of bad feeling carves inside of me, triggered by the fact I have been warned twice since I came here.

- "Aren't they supposed to be faithful towards royalty?" I ask somehow resentful, the words bursting out intensely.

Straightaway, Chi Chi lets out what has all characteristics of a laughter, but it's in reality hollow and joyless.

- "Princess, you need to come back to the land of the living" she says, her voice flat "Saya-jins are a warrior culture. They admire the strongest and believe in their power alone, using their fighting skills as a tool to build respect. Only strength matters."

I don't know what to say, I hadn't really thought about the possibility of a danger. I'm not stranger to plots and schemes, it was a common occurrence on Tekriehl. But at least I was protected by people I knew since long, by people who cared. Here, everything is unknown.

- "You might also bear in mind that socials manners are very often lost on them, as well as the fact that they consider open displays of emotions unbefitting. In fact, they deem humans to be merely bags of meat slaves of their hormones, pheromones and emotions" she declares in a fashion of perfect simplicity and directness.

I fold my arms over my chest and squeeze the trumpet-like sleeves of my dress, feeling suddenly very cold as I incorporate her sayings.

- "So... someone as powerless as myself has no place in their society?" I ask. She nods silently and my eyes meet hers. Again, I'm put off by their coldness.

- "It may sound cruel but that's how it works. Everyone is in danger here. Deluding yourself is the best way to be disappointed, or worst" she advices me.

- "Don't worry, I lost all illusions the moment I meet Prince Vegeta. He's such a jerk" I say with resignation. Images of the Saya-jin, walking in that annoyingly stuck-up way through the Banquet Hall, rise unbidden in my mind.

Her body shifts and her eyes express a vivid interest quickly blurred by a careful blinking of eyelids. Then, she allows herself a smile as vague as fugacious.

- "What did he do?" she demands shortly.

- "Despite being an unmannered asshole? Well, he threatened me" I say.

- "Why would he do that?" she demands, not too much surprised, although the expression carved on her face is pity.

Again, I feel as if I'm missing something about this girl, some vital piece of information. I don't know why, but its frustrating me. I had never really liked inhibited people and it looks like there's too much of them on Vegeta-sei.

- "Don't ask me to explain that prick" I tell her boldly before I realize I had insulted Prince Vegeta three times in front of a girl I know nothing about, wholly disregarding her previous warning about trusting strangers. But surveying the placid, inscrutable expression wear upon her face, I realize she doesn't seem to acknowledge it.

- "Well, it's said the first six months of marriage are the most difficult. After, the rough edges should smooth out" she states, trying to give a light-hearted undertone to her words but her voice sounds like an out of tune instrument. A smile, intended to be sympathizing, folds the corner of her fine lips but actually reflects nothing but embarrassment regarding a situation in which she obviously wouldn't like to find herself trapped.

Silence falls in the room and becomes heavier with an unidentifiable emotion. Chi Chi seems somehow weighted down for some reason. I know exactly that feeling as it mirrors my own state of mind.

Of a sudden, her subtle brown eyes, mixtures of various pigmentations, lock with mines and it hist me. I realize it's her eyes that aren't right. Those eyes, which look older than they should have and filled with more mature underground than expected, belie her youthful appearance. I wonder what had happened to her that render her so distant.

But her features seem to soften when she breaks the silence.

- "Princess, would you like to see more of the palace?" she asks "I thought you might use a guide for now"

I'm a slightly astonished by her request. Casting a side-way glance at the fire, I muse over it. The flames crepitate on logs and are draw up while drawing strange silhouettes, like spirits knowing the answers to the questions I'm asking myself. All the warnings I received today ring in my mind. I quickly shook them aside. It may sound naive, but my instincts tell me I can trust her. Besides, it's true I could use someone's help to know this whole place.

- "Thank you, Chi Chi. That would be nice of you to show me around" I say and we exit the room to explore the spacious palace, the threads of a potential friendship slowly budding inside of me.

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~ I know it took me a great load of time before updating this story. But I had been so busy I couldn't find time to write anything for months. I hope you find this chapter a bit interesting. Let me know how you feel about it. Any reviews, good or bad, are welcome. I'm also trying to improve the previous chapters, they are and will surely remain under construction until the end. So, if you have any suggestions, you are welcome. ~

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