Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Sculpted In Gold ❯ Alone again at last?? ( Chapter 14 )

Sculpted In Gold

Chapter 14

Vegeta and Clayton changed into changed into armor and then met back in the ballroom. Clayton wore the flashy, light, purely decorative armor typical of his profession, with a short toga while Vegeta wore actual Saiyan armor over a black jumpsuit. Clayton was acting ridiculously cocky, true, he was stronger according to a scouter, but Zarbon knew that Vegeta had more varied experience than the gladiator did, besides, Dodoria had beaten the crap out of Vegeta on De Arran, and Zarbon knew no one had tested the Saiyan Prince's power level yet since they had returned.

The tyrant hadn't looked so amused in weeks, and Zarbon wasn't sure why. The Saurian knew that Frieza was still angry about Durmast sending a team to Namek, but did Frieza really think Vegeta would be able to beat the gladiator, or was he also angrier at Vegeta, than he was letting on, because of Dodoria's death? Or perhaps since Frieza to keep his hands off of his mistress for a while, he was bored enough that he was simply content to watch the fight… Either way, Zarbon couldn't shake the uneasy feeling tugging at the back of his mind.

For his part, Vegeta looked calm and ready at the other end of the huge stone platform the two warriors were standing on. The Saiyan was in fine physical shape as always, but he was still very lean, not having reached full physical maturity yet, so his musculature was deceptive, and Saiyans were naturally graceful, making him seem even smaller than normal when comparing him to Clayton.

"Zarbon?" Someone asked quietly beside him. "Vegeta won't loose- will he?"

He looked down and saw Shani. She couldn't seem to take her eyes off of Vegeta. Zarbon arched one eyebrow. She wasn't worried about him- was she? "It is possible. Anything can happen in a fight."

The Elven princess looked down, but didn't say anything. The saurian almost grinned, but turned toward Clayton instead. "Well, Vegeta's opponent is a professional gladiator, trained to fight and kill in one on one combat. But, Clayton is well known for toying with his opponents and Vegeta is too clever to take lightly in any situation, he and Napa proved that quite nicely when they killed Dodoria on De Arran. If Vegeta fights to win, then he will, because no gladiator can match ferocity with a soldier that has been purging planets for 13 years, especially since Clayton's power level isn't very much higher than Vegeta's. Even with his sword, I don't really think Clayton will be able to finish him quickly enough to beat Vegeta. Gladiators are trained to waste time and energy taunting and cajoling their opponents, and since Vegeta managed to turn the tables on him in the ballroom, I'm sure Clayton will only try harder to embarrass him this time."

"This is stupid Zarbon, why do they think they need to fight anyway? So he insulted me, so what? I could have slapped him myself, and that would've…"

"I know you would've been perfectly willing to stand up for yourself, you are your mother's daughter, after all. But look around you. The other nobles are hoping Vegeta will win. He was born one of them, one of us, he may serve as one of Frieza's soldiers, but he is also a prince. By standing up to Durmast and his friends, he is also taking a stand for the nobles that Frieza insulted by letting Durmast bring a pleasure slave into their midst- at your engagement party. I'm sure your fiancé hasn't thought of the nobles' perception of this yet and he probably wouldn't care even if he did realize it, but if he wins it will go a long way toward building the image he will want later on."

"And if he doesn't win? What then, will the entire universe belong to Frieza because we let Vegeta start a fight he can't win?" Shinesta growled, drawing her daughter into her arms.

"Clayton is overconfident. It will balance the match out and Vegeta will win."

"You can't possibly know that, Zarbon."

"Yes, I do." He shrugged. "Vegeta is the one; he isn't going to die here. In an even match there isn't..."

"Do you really think Clayton would ever intend to fight fair?" The Empress stared at him.

"If you think Vegeta will be surprised by a little dirty fighting, then let me assure you, he may be honorable, and yes he is young, but he is certainly not stupid; he has underhanded tactics of his own. Experience has trained him well, my lady. Because on a planet where it is kill or be killed, you don't get a choice and there are no time outs."

"Well then, I suppose you don't think we need to tell him that Clayton's sword blade is poisoned with Nivera? Like his boss, Clayton also wears weighted gauntlets that have poisoned spikes in the knuckles and his boots have razors along the bottoms sharpened and poisoned as well as there being more deadly spikes in the knee and elbow pads of his armor. You don't think Vegeta needs to know that he will be in danger of dying if that bastard lands so much as one blow?"

"I had heard that Clayton was thought to use poisons occasionally but…"

"Clayton was chosen to learn many of Durmast's techniques and his fighting style because he is so much like him. Tell Vegeta not to shake his hand either, there is a retractable spike in the palm of each glove as well, I…" Shinesta gasped. "Oh no, they are already starting! I've got to go find Raya. Even if you are right and he wins; I'm sure we will need her healing magic…"

Zarbon sighed, at least Vegeta had ignored the handshake. In the bright light of the three quarter moon, the sword blade shone an eerie electric blue, and he wondered whether it was just the light or the coating of deadly poison on its shimmering surface that he was seeing.

**

Clayton and the Saiyan circled each other for a moment, and then the gladiator vanished. Vegeta smirked as his opponent slashed his shoulder, but even as Clayton realized that the weapon's arc had stopped shy of doing any real damage, he just smirked too. It was then that Vegeta began to smell it. Like the odor of rotting flowers and old water in a vase, the stench of decay hung rank in the air around the sword and its wielder. The thin line of blood that appeared at his shoulder felt hot and was starting to itch, but Vegeta didn't let himself touch it.

"Poison?" Vegeta growled. "Is that why you have never lost a fight?"

"I thought you boys from the Purge teams understood that any win is a good win. Besides you agreed to fight me with my weapons."

"No Saiyan would resort to something as cowardly as poison." Vegeta smirked at him. "Besides, I want you, and your boss to know that I killed you because in spite of all your tricks and your disregard for honor, you are still weak."

"I'm afraid you're a long way from killing me, Vegeta, and you are wasting time. Even with your Saiyan immune system, I'm sure you won't be able to resist Nivera long enough to hurt me, let alone kill me. Say goodbye to your little birthday present, but don't worry, we'll take good care of her for you."

Vegeta just laughed, burying his fist deep in the gladiator's armor, shattering the light plate in one swift punch. Clayton tried to rise, but coughed up blood instead. For a moment the black garbed warrior stayed down on one knee, his face pale, until Durmast shouted at him to get up.

"Obviously, you won't be taking care of anything…" Vegeta purred.

Clayton staggered to his feet, keeping his head and his eyes low, he let Vegeta come closer, and then at the last second, Clayton screamed and threw himself at the young Saiyan, leading with the sword. The Saiyan ducked, and caught Clayton's foot, with a sweeping motion of his leg. The sword missed as he fell, but in anger and desperation the gladiator again lashed out with it, this time nearly catching the Saiyan's neck. The sword missed, but Clayton also kicked at him, and Vegeta winced as fire was already beginning to burn inside of the new cut on his leg.

Vegeta growled, adopting a low crouch, backing up swiftly as his opponent rolled to his feet. Clayton laughed, in spite of the blood that had collected in his mouth; he spat carelessly, and grinned maliciously at his opponent. "You hit pretty hard for such a little kid. With more training, you'd make a great fighter in the arenas; it's just too bad you won't get out of this alive…"

"I'm already done playing with you." Vegeta growled, and light appeared around each of his hands. His tail flickered restlessly behind him for a moment, and then he attacked. Using all of his speed and grace, Vegeta charged at his larger opponent, he had already shattered the man's armor, and given him some internal injuries, all he had to do now was put him down for good. He knew he had to do something fast, or Durmast would stop the fight, and besides- his vision was starting to get a little fuzzy, and he knew that was the poison doing its work. With one hand, Vegeta knocked Clayton's sword out of its arc of attack, then with the other, he blasted the man's stomach with the energy he had summoned. The gladiator's sword clattered to the stone that formed their arena and Vegeta smirked, as the charred remains of his enemy collapsed too.

The other nobles just seemed to stand there dazed as Frieza and Durmast both moved to investigate the fallen warrior. "Interesting that he died so easily but he lived long enough to hit you twice Vegeta. Honestly I thought I had taught you better than that."

Vegeta only growled walking away, not even waiting to see what Durmast had to say about his fallen protégé, he went over to join Napa and Radditz, both of whom were still with Zarbon and the Empress and her daughter.

"Prince Vegeta, stop. Now stand still for a moment. I will heal you that way you won't have to pass out in front of everyone. I thought it was very noble of you to defend our little Shani that way."

He growled, nearly collapsing as he turned to see who was speaking to him. The blurry shape behind him seemed to completely ignore his displeasure though, boldly placing her hands on him. He could tell by her scent that she was a female of some kind, her hands glowed softly, the energy soothing and warm, his vision cleared instantly and he looked at her in shock. Not only was she beautiful, but she was another elf. "How did you do that?"

"That was easy, I am a priestess of love and healing. Shinalla's healing magic is the strongest in the universe; there is no wound she cannot heal, no disease she can't cure and no poison she cannot dispel. Clayton was a coward; he deserved the death you gave him." The black haired elf turned to glance at the Empress. "My lady, while I'm here, may I cast that little spell you mentioned, right now?"

Shani giggled and Zarbon tried not to laugh too. The Empress was looking only at Durmast though, her features set in a troubled expression. Durmast and Frieza were still standing near Clayton's body talking and the tyrant seemed to be enjoying Durmast's anger. "No Raya. If you cast an impotence spell on him right now he would kill off the entire harem in his rage tonight. Frieza can easily afford it, but even though they are created slaves, I would not want them to suffer like that."

"Well," Raya stuck her lip out to pout. "What if I go with him? With my magic to protect me, he can't…"

Zarbon interrupted with a laugh. "You little minx, as amusing as that would be, I'm afraid you're going to be busy with other things tonight."

"Kindly remember that you don't own me, Zarbon." Raya shrugged. "I won't deny that I find you incredibly attractive and all, but I decide for myself whom I will lay with, and I have always shown you the same courtesy, have I not?"

Zarbon arched one perfectly manicured eyebrow at her. He was stunned; he couldn't remember ever being turned down before- let alone by her… Raya was the most insatiable warm blood he had ever met. If she'd rather go without sex than have him tonight she must be very angry about something. But what could it be?

Vegeta couldn't help chuckling a little as he looked at the still silent Saurian. "You know Zarbon, I think that this is the first time I've ever seen you speechless."

Shinesta giggled too. "I'd like to agree with you, Vegeta, but I'm actually more surprised that Raya turned him down. Because, in 15 years I haven't ever seen that happen before."

"Oh, stop it all of you. I'm not turning you down Zarbon… I just happen to think that asshole Durmast needs a lesson in how to treat his lovers. I've been with him! I know what he's like…"

"Oh, Raya," Shinesta sighed. "I said that because I was angry and I knew better than to mention it to you. Nothing will get through to him the way that you want to. Well, shall we be getting along back inside then? I would imagine it is about time for dinner."

"More food??" Napa and Radditz perked up immediately which made everyone else laugh and they followed the others back into the palace, not even noticing that the two guests of honor were not following behind them.

Vegeta watched his fiancé walk silently along the neatly manicured flower beds and wondered what to say to her. She was breathtaking in the moonlight, yet she seemed so lonely even here surrounded by her family and friends... "Leave me alone."

Vegeta arched one eyebrow, wondering how she had known he was there. "You know young ladies are not permitted to walk alone at night."

"I don't care."

"Isn't that what got you into trouble with Frieza too?"

"No, that was boredom. And besides young ladies aren't supposed to be alone with their fiancés either. Right now I don't know which I'd rather get into trouble for- being alone with you… or being alone." She growled still not looking at him. "What do you want, Vegeta? Everyone is gone; this time there isn't anyone here to appreciate it if you grab me again like you did on the dance floor. Can you imagine how everyone would have reacted if you had kissed me at that moment?"

"What was that supposed to mean?"

"Did you manage to forget that you kissed me quite passionately in front of Lord Frieza? And since then you have hardly said a word to me. I don't know what you want from me! Obviously some part of you wants me, but there isn't any part of me that wants you. I can't believe you started a fight in the middle of our engagement party and killed him…"

"He started it, I only finished it." Vegeta purred, moving up behind her. She gasped and jumped away from him when he tried to slip an arm around her.

Vegeta smirked, but he was surprised, he had forgotten she could move so quickly. She turned toward him, her eyes full of surprise too. "What do you think you are doing? Stay away from me or don't you think we've caused enough trouble since it is only the second time we've met after all?"

"I don't care what these weaklings think…"

"Well I do!"

"You didn't a few days ago- in fact you couldn't get enough of me then, something along the lines of... "

She actually managed to disappear- but when she reappeared and slapped him, the only thing that got hurt was her tiny hand. "You bastard- ouch!" She let go of her hand though and glared at him. "How dare you say that out loud?"

"You will be my mate anyway; I don't see why it would concern anyone but us if I want you now."

"I just told you I don't want to marry you!"

He laughed. "Honor dictates that you are mine and you may as well accept our marriage because I happen to know that there is at least one part of you that wants me too. I can tell by your scent that your body wants me."

"What an impertinent thing to say. How dare you-" She quickly found herself silenced though, when he kissed her. Drawing her body into his arms; he easily held her prisoner. He made certain to kiss her lightly though as if to ask her permission, and began to purr softly, at which point she started to kiss him back.

What an interesting little creature she was, Vegeta marveled. She was so beautiful, and passionate. It was difficult to remind himself that they would be found absent from the party soon, so it would be unwise to take her now. He smirked it was also interesting to note that he found her so irresistible, and yet he was content just to enjoy the moment and kiss her. Usually when he chose a bedmate he would move in to seduce her and get back to work quickly. How odd that this innocent girl brought out such a difference in him without even knowing it.

He smirked as the kiss finally broke and she remained where she was, leaning into him as if she couldn't stand on her own, her eyes were closed and she seemed dazed. Her skin was warm in her flimsy silk gown for she was very aroused now. He loved the scent of her desire for him, and the way her nipples strained against the silk that covered them was very inviting. Vegeta was glad that he was wearing his battle gear... or she and everyone else would definitely know that she was having a similar effect on him. He could take her now if he wanted to, she had no will to resist him at all right now, but again he knew this was not the time or the place. Slowly she opened her eyes as he looked into them. They were usually burnished silver, so bright they almost seemed to glow softly from within, but right now her eyes were pewter, dark and burning with passion.

"I- I demand that you let go of me." He chuckled softly, the sound melted into more purring though, for she made no attempt to escape. Finally she wrapped her arms around him too, and sighed, burying her face into his shoulder. "Vegeta, why do I feel so safe in your arms when I know that we shouldn't be together?"

"I have told you before, that you are mine." He purred, but slowly he released her. He could hear someone coming, but he continued to look at her, keeping his expression unreadable.

"What do you mean? Do you mean because I am being forced to marry you anyway or…"

" Shani?? Lady Shannelle Silversong! What do you think you are doing out here alone- oh I'm sorry, Prince Vegeta. I didn't realize you were with her, but either way this is not a situation that ought to happen again." Raya grumbled. "Well, at least that is what I'm supposed to tell you as the Empress's handmaiden. As a Priestess of Shinalla though I find this rather adorable…"

"Raya? Please tell me you found them..." The Empress was saying as she joined them.

"Yes, my lady. Deplorable, as I was saying, isn't it? Come on, you are missing your own party and all of the guests are beginning to talk." Raya let the Empress lead the way back inside, but turned and winked at them, Shani blushed and Vegeta smirked at the bold little elf that Zarbon seemed so fond of.