Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ RipTide ❯ 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4

"So, how is your work progressing?" a booming figure sat in the dark, sitting on high in his seat as he looked down on the gangly alien below him. A green-skinned, yellow-spiked man with matching hair and dressed in rags shook in his boots.
"Q-Quite well, sir. Archaiasei's ruler just signed onto the treaty. And that's not all, we're receiving responses from all over the place from planets who want an end to the scourge. Your plan is working like a charm," the man said, getting down on one knee.
"Excellent man. Plot a course for Shikasei, the good Lieutenant has a speech to make to the people on the latest report on our Cleansing Mission," the booming figure said, chuckling in the darkness.

~*~
Hitomi walked through the halls of the Vegetasei palace with a faint smile on her face, dressed in her usual saiiyan attire as her boots lightly tapped the smooth, waxed floor.

Hitomi knelt before Queen Vaya in the throne room.
"Yes, your highness?" Hitomi asked politely. Vaya smiled, "I've been informed that you have done your job well, executed to the best of your abilities." With a faint laugh, she also stated, "And many good compliments from the princess. Because of this, I'm granting you brief leave. You can return to the village and do as you wish for the rest of day. It's time I spent the day with my daughter."
Hitomi's eyes rose, "Thank you, your highness."
Hitomi happily strolled past Adrian and Gohan (who could be doing Lord knows what). She greeted them both and continued walking. She couldn't wait to see her parents and friends again. Of course, she wasn't too keen on reuniting with her dad, she wanted to share with her mother all the exploits of palace living.
There was the thudding sound of quick footsteps behind her, and suddenly Gohan and Adrian appeared on either side of Hitomi, keeping pace with her as she walked. She threw a glance to each of the boys, who stood almost a full head taller than she did with curious expressions.
"Where're you going, Hitomi?" Adrian asked.
"Did you get permission of leave?" Gohan inquired brightly. Hitomi only smiled, "Of course. I take it you were eavesdropping?" she gave the prince and his best friend, suspicious glances.

Gohan blushed, but Adrian gave her a cute little innocent smile. "Maybe just a little."
"Mm-hmm," Hitomi said with a smirk, "I get to see my friends and my parents again. I'm going back to my village to see how much has changed." They eventually reached her room.
"Try to stay out of trouble while I'm gone," she gave the prince a cocky look before heading into her room, the doors sliding close behind her.
"Me, stay out of trouble? That's absurd. The very idea is insulting," Adrian frowned, turning back to Gohan.
"So when are we leaving?" Gohan asked casually.
"Right after she does. I'm curious as to what her home life is like," Adrian said slyly, rubbing his hands together.
Hitomi soon came out with a knapsack slung over her shoulder and wearing short denim navy blue shorts, a matching button-down top and black boots. She gave both of the boys a once-over, knowing they were already plotting something. She just didn't know it involved her.
"Well, I'm off. See ya," and then she strutted down the halls to palace gates.

~*~
"Mother? Father? I'm home!" Hitomi called as she entered her house, finding it vacant. With a shrug, she headed out and ventured farther into the village. She soon reached her destination, the sparring field. Her parents liked to come here once in a while to pick a good fight to watch or participate in. She put her free hand on her hip, smiling with pride as her parents issued fast-paced kicks and punches towards the other while flying in the air.
"HEY! I'M HOME!" Hitomi yelled up, causing the two to stop in mid-punches. Their eyes lit up and the two smirked. They immediately dropped to the ground and her mother enveloped her in a bear hug.
"Oh my baby's home!" Lea exclaimed with a grin.
"Can't...breathe...Mother.." Hitomi muttered and Lea placed her down.
"Look at you, you haven't changed a bit!" Lea said.
"So, did you enjoy working at the palace?" Canta asked, eager to hear of the results. After Canta and Lea took Hitomi out to lunch, she told them all about the palace life: about the queen, about the princess and about the cocky prince. Her parents smirked at her mention of the prince.
"So, did you enjoy working there? Will you continue or will you come back?" Canta asked hopefully, his finger crossed under the table. Lea nudged him none-too-gently in the rib, earning a grunt. Hitomi formed a slight frown, "I liked working at the palace, even though I was feeling homesick. I...think I'll stay." Canta sighed a breath of relief and silently praised the gods for Hitomi's decision.
"Well, whatever makes you happy," Lea said, hugging her child.

~*~
After the touching moment with her parents, Hitomi ventured off to find Verda. What she saw was her friend talking to some guy, a sly smirk on his face and a shy one on hers. His hair was dark blue and spiky, stopping at the nape of his neck. He had her up against the wall, speaking quietly to her. Hitomi merely stood there silently until the guy walked off after winking to Verda.
"Who was that?" Hitomi's brow rose.
"HITOMI?!" Verda jumped on Hitomi instantly, assaulting her with a barrage of questions, including some embarrassing ones about the availability of the prince.

~*~
"So what do you think so far?" Gohan asked Adrian. The two of them were standing around the corner from Hitomi and Verda. They had been keeping a close track on the teenage girl as she reunited with family and friends.
"Well, I've seen her parents before, at training sessions with Elite. They're pretty strong, but the father seems P.O.'ed that Hitomi's brainy and not brawny," Adrian replied softly, so as to remain undiscovered. "And her friend's kinda cute."
Gohan snickered and Adrian smirked, and they peered around the corner again.

~*~
"So you're gonna go back?" Verda asked. Hitomi nodded, "I actually like working there. And who knows? Maybe the king'll give me access to his science labs."
Verda rolled her eyes, not surprised in the least. Verda pulled Hitomi along to tell her what she missed. The Moon season was just around the corner and some saiiyans were starting early on finding mates. Waiting until the first day of the madness proved to be chaotic, resulting in multiple fights over one female. Apparently, the guy approaching Verda was another male trying to court her.
"I told him I'd think about it," Verda said with a sly look. "I let them think I'm shy and all that crap and they fall for it. Once I find the guy I'm interested in, I'll tell the others about my change of heart and mate with the male of my choice."
"You are truly evil, Verda," Hitomi said, shaking her head.
"Well what about you? At least I let them think they have a chance. You turn them down before they even introduce themselves."
"Please, I don't want a mate. And speaking of the Moon season, I'll have to do something about that. This is serious," Hitomi said.
"Oh yeah. You know a lot of guys'll be coming after you..." Verda said in a teasing voice. Hitomi nudged her, "Not while I'm in the palace, they won't! I think maybe I'll barricade my room or stay up in the mountains until the madness passes."
"And what's to stop some guy from following you? What's wrong with just finding some guy to settle down with?" Verda tried to reason.
"Do we have to go into this again, Verda? I don't want a mate. I'm happy being single and solitary. That way I only have to worry about myself," Hitomi stated with her hands on her hips. Verda merely shook her head, "Being as pretty as you are with a hatred against all males could be bad for you. I'm worried that some of the Elite might come after you. Not all of them are below your power. What if one of them is stronger? And you know he won't take no for an answer during the madness."
"I know..." Hitomi pondered about the situation.

"Ugh, I forgot about that..." Adrian muttered.
"Forgot about what?" Gohan asked, who hadn't really been listening.
"The Moon Madness," the prince replied, making a face that indicated extreme distaste. "It's ridiculous...why would anyone want to completely lose their heads over something that will just confine them to one place for the rest of their lives?"
"With girls," Gohan added pointedly.
"We're like wild animals."
"With girls."
"Blind lunacy, that's what it is."
"With girls."
"Will you shut up about that already?" Adrian snapped.
Gohan raised his hands in his defense. "Hey, what? 'Moon's full face, we start the race', man! I didn't write the rules!"
Adrian muttered something obscene under his breath, but didn't pursue the "unfavorable" topic any further. Instead, he returned to listening to the girls.

~*~
"...Blind lunacy is what it is. It's the only sad part about being saiiyan," Hitomi said.
"Nuh uh, it's how my parents conceived me in the first place," Verda argued.

"Okay, okay, so there are a few good points to it. I don't think the king and queen will let me barricade my room. And even if they allowed it, some of the men there might get access to the passwords. This is a three-day thing after all," Hitomi stated matter-of-factly.

~*~
"There's an idea," Adrian whispered.
"What? Stealing the passwords to Hitomi's room?" Gohan wondered blankly.
"NO, you IDIOT, I mean locking myself in my room! There is no WAY I'm going that crazy for such a ridiculous reason," Adrian snorted.
"Fine, you do that. And some day, when you're old, bitter and lonely, write me a postcard from you and your fifty cats," Gohan muttered sarcastically.
Adrian nearly felled him with a punch to the shoulder, but they quickly turned their attention back again.

~*~

"Well, whatever idea you come up with, I hope you get it soon. It's what...a day away?" Verda stated. Hitomi's shoulders sagged, "I'll think of something but right, now let's just go somewhere. I didn't come back to chat about my mating potential."

Verda smiled and hooked her arm into Hitomi's pulling her down the road.

~*~

Hitomi eventually reached her home again where her parents were standing at the door with her. Her free day was over with and it was time to part with her parents.

"Take care and try not to screw up this opportunity," Canta said.

"Father!"

"Canta!"

"What?" he blinked. Lea hugged Hitomi and handed her a small brown sack.

"What's this?" Hitomi blinked. Lea only gave a sly smirk, "It's a surprise. Don't open it till you get back to your room in the palace."

"Whatever you say. Thanks mother," Hitomi hugged her and then her father before zooming off into the air and back to the palace.

~*~

"Your highness, we are all extremely curious as to why our dealings with the Planet Trade have plummeted almost to rock bottom," said one Elite soldier to Vegeta. The king, the queen, and about ten Elite were seated around a conference table in the Royal Palace.

"For some reason, just about every one of our clients has rescinded their connections with us," Vegeta answered seriously. "But our diplomatic unit hasn't figured out why. Given time, though, I am sure they will come up with something, and we will remedy this problem as soon as that happens."

The Elite nodded, knowing that if they pressed the issue, they were only liable to make their king angry, which would result in none-too-favorable consequences.

"Enough of this," Vegeta finally said, waving his hand dismissively. "You may return to your homes. I assure you that you will be notified at the slightest bit of new information."

The Elite nodded again, rather reluctantly. Then they gave proper farewells to their king and queen, bowed, and made their way out of the palace. The only problem with Vegeta's plan, and everyone knew this, was that the planet would be on total lockdown in 24 hours. The Moon Madness was coming and no one would be able to think straight while in a rut. It was even starting to affect some males early. Vegeta actually had to keep his distance from Vaya at times, noticing that when he gave her simple kiss, it usually led to curious hands and bite marks on her skin. He sighed, It'll be even worse on the day of the madness.

Vaya turned to Vegeta, placing her hand on his. He looked to her.

"Try not to let this bother you. Once the three days have passed, the stress should be lifted from your shoulders," Vaya said soothingly, not noticing that her husband's tail was swaying behind them. And she was right. After the three days, stress was usually lifted from the people and it always left them in a refreshed and livelier mood (for obvious reasons). She got up and stood behind him, massaging his tense shoulders as he began to relax in the chair.

"I'm sure we'll deal with this problem, I'm more concerned about Adrian," Vaya said, giving Vegeta a start. He hadn't thought about that at all. What would his son do without a mate? Ugh, this could be bad.

"What about him? He'll probably just spend his energy fighting or lock himself up in his room. Very strange for a saiiyan. Anyone else would be thrilled at the thought of the madness. The boy thinks it's barbaric," Vegeta grunted, causing Vaya to stifle a laugh.

"Vitani will be sent to the retreat in the hills so she'll be all right," Vaya mentioned. "Though it's Hitomi I'm worried about..." she muttered.