Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The King and Queen Diaries ❯ Osaki Chosen ( Chapter 12 )

Author's Note: Well everyone! I have actually had this chapter (and several others) written for quite some time, but for some reason I was just too lazy to post. Please forgive me! I looked to see when the last time I updated was, and when I saw it was my birthday, almost two months ago, I was like EEEE! I gotta update! So...enjoy!!!

 

 

Chapter Twelve: Osaki Chosen (The Beginning)

 

 

The city was locked down before nightfall. The peasants that lived outside the city were brought in and set up safely so that they would be protected just in case they were assaulted. Livestock and any available food or water was also brought in, just in case they were holed up for an extended amount of time.

 

The ships that traveled Vegeta-sei's oceans were prepped and ready to sail if they needed to leave. Supplies were loaded and the sailors that took care of the ships slept there just in case they were needed in the middle of the night.

 

Huge fires burned at the walls so the men could see for miles around the city. The towers in the middle Tibernoa all had men stationed them, so they could see if the enemy was flying through the sky. That way, if their foes decided to touch down right into the city, they would at least have a warning.

 

The few fighter cruisers that the city had were ready to go if they were needed. Bulma was loath to use them because of their destructive tendencies, but if their adversary decided to attack the city with their own flying machines, like they had in Jighu, then they would at least have some defense.

 

Hundreds of men from the city and the outlying farms came to the palace to enlist in the Queen's army. Bulma watched as the suns began to set and the lines continued to grow. Word had spread about the possible attack, and the men wanted to defend their homes and their families. Bulma imagined that it also had something to do with fighting for their very lives...for if their planet was taken, then they would not have lives.

 

Lord Haschell had made brief communications with some of the stations out in space about the happenings on-planet. Many of the space commanders were thousands of light years away; it would take almost a year for them to arrive home...and by then, it might be too late.

 

There was good news though; the station that was housed on a piece of floating rock only a day or so away from Vegeta-sei had said that they would bring whatever reinforcements they had. Bulma had felt such relief that she had thanked the gods for their help. They still had no idea how many invaders there were on the planet, or how many more would be coming. Were their numbers so vast that they would be overwhelmed? Or did they still have some luck on their side?

 

Bulma left the palace to take a stroll through the city not only to relax herself, but to learn a little about the city. Bardock and Turles accompanied her, along with five other soldiers. She was glad to see that all of the men she had brought with her were now clothed in proper uniforms and now carried appropriate weapons. They all smiled at her and thanked her, for what she did not know. All she knew was that they were happy, and she was happy in return.

 

Bardock requested to see the armory or the blacksmith to find suitable armor for himself and Turles if he needed it, for they had not been dressed in their full military uniforms when Jighu had been attacked. Bulma agreed, for if they were going to fight, then they would need the protection. She wondered momentarily if there was possibly some type of armor she could find for herself, but then brushed the stray thought aside. She was Queen; she was obligated not to fight in the battle, for she was the only one who could lead her people.

 

The armory closest to the palace was bustling with men. Bulma even caught several women hovering near the corner where the bows and arrows were kept, and just when she was going to turn and continue with her guards, she stopped and turned back.

She left her guards without so much as a word, and made her way to the three women inspecting the bows. They were all tall, black haired Saiya-jin women. What they were doing did not surprise her, for she knew several women who were fighters, like Chichi. The armor that they were wearing was what caught her eye. She cursed herself for being tempted, but decided that one could never be too careful. That would be her excuse.

 

The body fitting breastplates that the women wore shocked her, for she had never seen anything like it ever made. They looked just like any other male warrior; various weapons strapped to their bodies, protective shields attached to their backs for whenever they were needed, swords at their sides, forearm and shin guards at their arms and legs. They looked extremely deadly, and their deadly aura drew Bulma closer.

 

They noticed her staring and they all turned to glare at her intrusion. Unused to such looks, Bulma blinked, shocked at the venom in their black eyes.

 

“What do you want?” one of them asked sharply, tossing her thick locks over her shoulder. The bow in her hand was lowered at her side, and Bulma wondered wildly if she knew how to use it.

 

“I...I was just wondering,” she began, motioning to their chests with her hand, “where you got your armor from.” She gulped at their continued glares. “You see, we might be attacked, and I wish to help. My men have armor, but I do not.”

 

Their glares turned questioning as every one of their elegant eyebrows shot up. One of them chuckled and stepped forward. She was beautiful for a Saiya-jin woman, more delicate and feminine than the other two, but she still looked to be just as deadly.

 

“Your men, hmm? I am not a stupid woman; you are not Saiya-jin, and I doubt that any alien creature right now would be allowed into the city other than a certain someone. Only one woman on this planet has blue hair, and not too many dare to dress in male clothing. You are Queen Bulma.”

 

Bulma nodded, not surprised when none of the women dropped down to their knees or begged forgiveness for their insolence. It made her smile.

 

“We had this armor custom-made, lady. The blacksmith right across the street knows us well. Tell him that we sent you over, and he will be more than happy to help you.”

 

They left in the next moment, the massive bows in their hands and the metal arrows in the sleeve that held them at their backs. That was when Bardock and Turles rushed over to her, scolding her for leaving their sides. She could have been taken away or killed or the babies could have been hurt, they told her, and she turned and glared at them. Their protectiveness was endearing when she needed to know that someone cared for her, but right now it was irritating, especially in public in front of so many of her soldiers.

 

“Shut up, both of you. I was perfectly fine; I know how to protect myself, and both of you know that. What creature in their right mind would approach someone with this many weapons attached to their person?”

 

Turles' look was not pleased. Bardock just frowned at her in his typical fatherly way and shrugged as he turned around and went back to bartering with the man who ran the armory. Turles, however, stayed.

 

“I saw you talking to those mercenary Saiya-jin women. What did you say to them? You should stay away from those types of people.”

 

Bulma frowned harshly. Men! “Does it matter what I said to them?”

 

He raised an eyebrow, surprised by her attitude. Normally she was very susceptible towards caring and the like. “I suppose not. You are still safe.”

 

She grinned at his admittance, and he could tell that she was feeling excited about something by the sparkle in her eyes. She touched his arm in a way that was completely un-Saiya-jin, but she was his Queen, and he felt the need to take care of her, even if it meant being touched all the time. “Good. Now I am going to visit the blacksmith across the street. You can either stay here or wait for me. Either way, I am going.”

 

Turles watched her leave the building and cross the bustling street. Even though it was getting late, there were soldiers, women, and children walking and running through the avenues, doing chores, buying food, guarding, and marching. She made it safely across from what he could see through the window, and he persisted in his watch to make sure she was out of harm's way while she walked under the roof. There were no walls, for it was warm enough with the fire that constantly burned. The blacksmith was hammering away at a sword, and only stopped when his Queen stepped beside him.

 

Turles chuckled when the man dropped the sword and bowed to her several times. He was filthy and huge, but Bulma seemed not to be intimated by him as she discussed whatever she had to say with him. He nodded several times to what she was saying, and then enthusiastically shook her hand, which made her laugh. Turles could not hear the beautiful, refreshing sound from inside the building, but he could imagine it. She had not laughed for a while, and it was wonderful to see a genuine smile on her radiant face.

 

Bulma left the building with no walls several minutes later. The man had taken rough estimates of her measurements, and had told her that what she wanted would be ready by the morning. Many men had been requesting armor from him, but he would put them aside to create hers. He told her that he had never been so honored, and promised to construct a piece that was magnificent beyond words for her, the Queen of Vegeta-sei.

 

Bulma met Turles and Bardock outside. Kakarott's father was smiling broadly as he sported his new armor and new sword. Both were lovely pieces, but they were not the typical armor that the royal guards wore. Bulma understood however, for it was expensive and you could only request the armor while you were in Versai from the royal blacksmith. Bardock was just getting what he could while he could.

 

She turned to Turles and saw that the expression on his face was dark and disturbing. He was staring off towards the outer walls, where the enormous fires were roaring. Men were patrolling and guarding around them, waiting and watching for the possible attack.

 

Turles glanced down at the small woman next to him when her hand touched his arm like it had just a few minutes earlier. She was such a tiny thing, but the feeling she gave off made her seem so much bigger. He did not smile down at her as Bardock or anyone else typically did, he just stared at her instead.

 

Bulma had always understood Turles and the way he acted, because he was very similar to her husband. He was more the quiet type, listening and watching instead of talking. He hardly ever smiled; he opted just to glare and intimidate people. Vegeta had once been like that...until the coldness of his heart had melted. She wondered silently why he was so cold, but decided against saying something.

 

She said instead, “Are you worried about the attack?”

 

The muscles around his lips pulled down, which made him frown. He looked so very serious.

 

“Yes, I am worried, your highness. Tibernoa is known throughout the galaxy as being a well-fortified city because of all the technology it holds. We are not as high-tech as these creatures though, and they have the advantage because they know everything about us. We hardly know anything about them, and that makes our situation even worse. We have not learned anything from that broken weapon our men discovered back in one of the burned towns, and we do not know what they are capable of. Are their numbers as pathetic as it is being reported? Or will they overrun us? Is this just pointless?”

 

Bulma looked off into the distance just as Turles had been doing. “I do not know, Turles. I am just as worried as you, if not more.”

 

The dark man nodded in understanding as he crossed his arms over his chest. “That is why you are making every preparation you can. You are doing the best that you can with what you have, and for that, your highness...you are a great Queen.”

 

Bulma was startled by his words. He shook his head at her visible shock. Bardock chuckled in the background as he laid his large hand on her shoulder, totally engulfing it. “He is right, your highness. The only reasons why those bastard generals hate you so much are because they are jealous of your power and the sway you hold over our people. They know everyone loves you and they despise you for it.”

 

Bulma smiled at both of them. Everyone was saying all these things about her...first Brolli, and now Turles and Bardock. Did they really mean it? Was she really a great Queen?

 

They would see.

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

Bulma heard the thunder in the distance as she stood at the outer walls the next day. The wind was howling, and it was getting colder. The sky had not yet grown dark from the storm, which was better because they could still see.

 

She had slept better last night. Brolli had promised to check in on her from time to time to see if she was sleeping well, and knowing that someone was watching out for her made her feel a lot safer.

 

Vegeta had always made her feel safe....

 

His loss was growing inside her heart. He was gone...had been gone for over two weeks now. His absence made her more aware of everything that the man had done for her. Just tiny things, like holding her at night. She had not known how addicted she had become to her husband until he was no longer there. She missed his arms around her at night, making her feel protected and warm.

 

Brolli stood beside her at the wall as they both watched the area and surrounding forest. She had been there for almost an hour now, smelling the rain in the air. There had been more reports of spies in the night; they were not hiding the fact that they were doing and preparing for something.

 

The Saiya-jins from the space colony were on their way. There were probably about five hundred men. That together with the estimated two thousand men that her army had swollen to...she just hoped that it was enough.

 

Brolli glanced back into the city, silently inspecting the second inner wall for preparedness. It was not as heavily fortified as the outer wall, but it would serve well enough if the enemy broke through the first wall and they had to retreat. Hopefully by then they would have brought down their numbers and would be able to hold them off from there.

 

Bulma had been wordlessly watching Brolli for a few thoughtful moments. He seemed quieter than normal, and she wondered why.

 

“Did you get any sleep last night?” she asked softly, her arms gathering the shawl around her arms that he had forced her to bring. She was happy for his insight to the chill outside. Unfortunately, at least for her, she had worn a dress just for that reason. Her other clothing did not afford much warmth.

 

He shrugged. “I slept well enough knowing that you were safe. Did you know that there was a report of someone trying to sneak into the palace? He was not Saiya-jin, but he also was not one of the white beasts. We are wondering if these creatures have other races on their side.”

 

Bulma felt the worry inside her increase tenfold. Brolli had checked in on her a little after the bells had tolled midnight, and had sat by her bedside for a while to make sure she was safe. Knowing why now, that a person had tried to enter the palace, made her wonder at how deep into his position he was. She had never intended him to get so intense about his job; she had just wanted to make him feel like he was needed after he had lost his wife and children. He even took it a step further. He was just her assistant, not her personal guard. She had her own Royal Guard, but it was like he felt the need to check in on her every now and then. She supposed he was taking it very seriously.

 

It was getting darker. The storm would be there in a matter of hours, and if she knew anything about the storms on Vegeta-sei, it would be bad.

 

“Order the torches to be lit. I want the men to be able to see at all times. Increase the guard around the perimeter; I have a bad feeling about this storm.”

 

Brolli felt his eyes widen slightly as his Queen left his side to head back to the palace. Several guards followed in her wake, and the crowds parted to let her through.

 

What did she mean by the bad feeling she had about the storm?

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

Bulma was waiting in the warmth of the palace when the storm officially hit. The howling wind and the sharp noise of the rain hitting the glass windows forced a shiver down her spine, for she couldn't imagine being outside in it.

 

She was sitting by the fire in her room, dressed in a warm gown with a thick blanket thrown over her lap. Her hands were unknowingly caressing the roundness of her belly, thinking of her unborn children and their father. She missed how he would hold her and just lightly touch the tiny curve she had once possessed, wonder and amazement in his black eyes.

 

She was doubting if she would ever see that look in his eyes again when there was a knock on her door. It was nearing the afternoon, but it was not time for her little afternoon snack or the nap she had been planning on taking in an hour or so. She stood, unsure of who was at the door. She had told the guards not to let anyone bother her unless it was of the utmost importance.

 

On that note, she hurried over to the door, praying that the attack had not begun. Throwing open the door, she was surprised to see Bardock escort the blacksmith in from the previous night, for she had completely forgotten about the man and her armor.

 

“Your majesty,” the husky, massive man said regally, going down on his knees and taking her hand into both of his dirty ones. Bulma smiled kindly as the man thanked her repeatedly for letting him see her. She nodded and told him to rise.

 

“Queen Bulma, I have created a masterpiece,” he said impressively, sweeping his hand towards the door. Two younger boys ushered in, both filthy and appearing to be assistants to the older blacksmith. In their soiled hands, they both shared the exaggerated burden of a single box, covered with a blackened cloth that had once been white.

 

Bulma felt her eyebrow rise in question as Bardock took the box and excused the two boys. They both bowed and ran out of the room, more than likely nervous to be in such a prestigious place.

 

Bardock set the box down on the small dresser that was used more for decoration than anything else. Bulma stepped up closer to the package as Bardock threw the cloth away from the opening.

 

“The material is stronger than any steel. It is lightweight and tremendously flexible, so it will adjust to any curve or muscle, however big or small. You may be familiar with it, my Queen. His highness, the King, wears something similar when he is attired in his formal armor. The material has just become available to us in the last few months as we have begun to recover from the plague. It was previously only available in Versai.”

 

Bardock looked at the grubby man incredulously. “You mean, you have acquired the material for the armor of the elites? Why have you not said anything, man? We can save hundreds of thousands of lives with the armor, for almost nothing can penetrate it! Why was nothing said?” He was also angry that he had purchased steel armor when something much better was available.

 

Bulma was stunned as she heard this discussion. She knew of what armor they were talking about; Vegeta had worn it almost on a daily basis, with the crest of Vegeta-sei emblazoned over his heart. This man had somehow gained access to the material, and had created armor for her out of it. She had not expected anything like that in her wildest dreams. She had been anticipating something like the burdensome steel armor that many of the men, including Bardock and Turles, were wearing because nothing else was available.

 

Bulma dove her hands into the box, picking up the first delicately wrapped item. Bardock and the blacksmith continued their argument as she uncovered the piece.

 

“There was only enough for a few to be made, Lord Bardock. Having never created anything out of the material, I had to experiment. What material was left was used on her highness's armor.”

 

Bardock scowled darkly at the man, and then turned at the shocked gasp behind him. When he saw the tiny piece of the breastplate held in the Queen's hands, he smiled faintly as her small fingers brushed over the crimson symbol that would be over her heart when worn.

 

“Vegeta,” she whispered painfully, so faintly that only Bardock heard her. The smile on his face fell as he saw the sparkling evidence of tears grow in her eyes. He crossed the few steps between them and hesitantly touched her arm. It was improper and almost on the bounds of betrayal to the crown to even touch her unless she initiated it, especially in front of a peasant, but Bardock, along with Turles and Brolli, were used to coming in contact with her throughout the day for various reasons. Whether it was to aid or comfort her, they were constantly touching her in one way or another, and she seemed to realize the lack of decorum as she pushed him aside and turned away from him and the blacksmith. Ever so proper.

 

“Your highness? Is it not to your liking? I could perhaps make a few alterations—“

 

“It is very much to her liking,” Bardock said brusquely, leaving his Queen's side to escort the man out of her room. “On her behalf I thank you. You shall be compensated properly as soon as the Queen is able.”

 

The burly man gave a confused look over his shoulder as he was forced to leave the room. Bardock gave a few instructions to escort the man nicely from the palace as he closed the door and hurried back to her side.

 

Once he made it back to her, he saw that she had placed the breastplate on the bed and was currently investigating the rest of the contents. She pulled forth a blue, tight-fitting suit that went under the armor, and he felt his face fall as he watched her tears plummet to the floor. He was only a few feet away from her, but it was like she was completely unaware of his presence. He watched as she brought the material to her nose and inhaled, and he looked on, confused. What was she—? Did it have something to do with Vegeta?

 

“Every night, when he came to our room, he would always be so tired,” she explained softly, pulling the material away from her face. She was still turned away from him, but he could thankfully hear her.

 

“In the first few months after the plague, it was the hardest on him. He had so much to do, so much to fix. He worked...so very hard,” she choked, burying her face into the cloth. Bardock watched her shoulders shake for a few moments, and then she once again withdrew her face from the suit. She looked down at it dejectedly.

 

“I would always have his food ready, his clothes, his bath. I would even have the bed turned down so all he would have to do is crawl under the blankets and go right to sleep.”

 

Bardock stood there, not knowing what else to do. Should he say something? Maybe she just needed to talk. He was far better at understanding her feelings than Turles, who often pushed him or Brolli forward to deal with her tears or her emotional upheavals.

 

“I would help him undress as soon as he came into our room. He would always be so grateful...but I never had a problem with it. I had hardly any chances to spend time with him, and when I would hug him...I would always smell the spot right under his jaw that connected to his neck. He smelled so good there,” she said, and then laughed softly, snuggling her face into the fabric as if it was precious. “He thought I was bizarre because I would smell his clothes too.”

 

Bardock smiled sadly as she walked back over to the bed and gently placed the suit next to her armor. She stared down at it for the longest time, and then sighed as she stepped back over to the box.

 

She pulled out white boots and gloves. She set these down quickly, however, for what she pulled out next had caught her attention.

 

A blood red cloak. She stared at it hard as she unraveled the length of the material.

 

“He looked so handsome when he was all dressed up,” she said out of nowhere, and then laughed miserably as she started folding it again. “But then again, he always looked handsome.”

 

Bardock chuckled as she brought the last piece to the others. She sat heavily upon the bed, looking exhausted. He walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, hoping to make her feel better.

 

“He might look handsome all dressed up, your highness, but I think you would make him drop dead if he ever saw you dressed in that armor. I imagine that you would look like a magnificent warrior queen.”

 

She could not help but smile at him as he sat next to her on the massive bed. “He would often stop what he was doing just to stare at me. When I would catch him, he would always look like a child who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It always made me laugh, because I never saw the reason as to why he would want to stare at me so much. He saw me every day, even if it was mostly only at night.”

 

Bardock shook his head. “Your highness, if I may be so bold as to say, if any man were your husband, I think he would stare at you too.”

 

Bulma turned to look at the man beside her. Her lips tipped up in the corners ever so slightly, and then she placed her hand on top of his, which was lying beside him. She patted it, and then stood with a withdrawn sigh. “He is out there somewhere, Bardock. I can just feel it.”

 

Bardock stood with his Queen. She was just standing there, her hands held closely to her chest, staring down at the pile of armor and clothing on the bed.

 

“I know he is too, your highness. We just have to find him.”

 

Bulma nodded forlornly, and then stilled suddenly when something caught the corner of her eye. She jerked towards the windows that allowed a view of the entire city and she forced her eyes to see beyond the buildings and through the wind and the rain. Bardock followed in suit, wondering what was wrong when he saw the horrified look gather on her face. His own eyes widened when he saw what it was.

 

A strange, eerie orange glow outside the walls, right at the tree line.

 

********

 

 

Author's Note: Oh my God! Poor Bulma, pregnant with twins, not knowing what is going on with her husband and not even knowing if he's ALIVE, trying to stay sane and not sink into depression, trying to fight a war, and now...what is this strange glow? Have the aliens arrived for the fight?

 

Find out next time on The King and Queen Diaries!

 

PS: I promise LOTS of death in the next few chapters!!!!