Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Prince's Captive ❯ Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

 

Amara and Bulma had been conversing amongst themselves in the lab when the knock at the door came. Both women looked up at the door, but neither moved.

 

Amara's keen sense of smell told her that Yamcha was on the other side of the door. She glanced at Bulma. She knew nothing of Yamcha's plan to break Malem out of jail or that Amara had informed some soldiers about his plan.

 

She watched Bulma get out of her chair and go to the door. Something told her it was probably better if she didn't know right now. She might not have been able to play along very well knowing that Yamcha and Malem's plans were going to be foiled.

 

She noticed Bulma's rounded midsection. The baby should have been due in a few months. She didn't want to put any stress on a pregnant woman, but Yamcha and Malem didn't need to find out about what Amara had overheard and done. The consequences would be dire if that happened.

 

Bulma opened the door and was surprised to see Yamcha standing on the other side. Amara placed her hand over her mouth to hide a smile.

 

“Hi Yamcha. What's up?”

 

“I have something I need to show you,” he replied. “It's urgent.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“I have to show you. It would take too long to explain.”

 

She glanced back at Amara who shrugged. Yamcha noticed Amara for the first time and his eyes widened. He was probably surprised to find both of his targets in the same room.

 

“You should come too,” he told Amara.

 

She stood and crossed her arms under her breasts. “This better be good. I was having a nice conversation before your interruption.”

 

He laughed. “Oh I assure you. This will be worth your while.”

 

Bulma walked out of the room and Amara followed, flicking off the light switch before she exited. Yamcha led the way, moving down the hallway at a hurried pace. Bulma was in the middle and Amara pulled up the rear.

 

After going down a few floors Bulma spoke up. “Yamcha, where are you taking us?”

 

“It's not much further,” he responded without turning.

 

Bulma glanced over her shoulder at Amara. Amara raised both of her eyebrows and Bulma turned around again. Amara had noticed only a few people walking down the halls of the palace and they didn't pay any mind to the trio as they continued on their way.

 

When they made it to the basement of the palace, it was just the same as it was when they'd gone to see Malem for the first time.

 

Amara didn't see any guards on their way in, but she was sure they were hiding out somewhere waiting for Malem and Yamcha to try and escape.

 

Her smile was hidden in the darkness. She couldn't wait to see the look on their faces when dozens of guards came out of nowhere.

 

“I've had enough of this secrecy,” Bulma said her voice breaking the silence. “What in the hell is important that you needed to drag Amara and I all the way down here?”

 

Yamcha didn't respond. He kept walking until he came to Malem's prison cell. He turned and finally faced the blue-haired woman.

 

Amara couldn't see Bulma expression, but she heard her draw in a sharp breath. “What are you up to?”

 

“Bulma, guard the door and tell me if any soldiers are approaching,” he said.

 

“But why?”

 

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun. Bulma gasped and Amara's eyes widened. She stepped out in front of Bulma.

 

“If you aim that thing at either one of us I'll kill you before you can pull the trigger.” Her voice was painfully low.

 

“He's not going to hurt either of you with that.”

 

Malem's voice came from the cell and everyone turned in his direction. Malem had his hands on the bars and was staring out at them.

 

“The gun is simply for protection against any others who try and stop us,” he continued.

 

“Stop you from what?” Bulma asked the obvious.

 

“Escaping.” Malem smiled and looked to Yamcha. “He'll get what he desires and I'll be free and have what I desire.”

 

Amara's fists tightened and Bulma shrunk back before anger took over. She stepped out from behind Amara and stared Yamcha dead in the eye.

 

“You're insane if you think I'll go with you willingly,” she said.

 

“You have no choice.” He set the gun down on a table and began searching for keys to the cell door.

 

“When Vegeta finds out he's going to…”

 

“Shut up!” The cry echoed against the walls. “You don't belong with that monster.”

 

“Well, if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black,” Bulma said quietly.

 

Yamcha scowled and turned back to looking for the key. Amara didn't understand the phrase, but she assumed by the look on Yamcha's face that she'd won the verbal fight.

 

Amara took a few steps back until she was standing beside Bulma. She lowered her voice to a soft whisper. “Maybe we should go along with them until we get out of the palace. I know this city very well. I'm sure we can escape them.”

 

Bulma looked at Yamcha, who was too busy unlocking the cell to hear the women.

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“What else can we do?” Amara watched as Malem's cell door was slid open.

 

Bulma nodded. “All right. We'll do this your way.”

 

Malem was suddenly standing before Amara and she didn't have time to react before he grabbed her face. He placed his hand on the back of her neck and claimed her mouth in a bruising kiss.

 

She fought against him at first and finally gave in, realizing the more she struggled against him, the longer he held her in place.

 

When he finally pulled away, he smiled wide. “See how nice it is when you kiss back instead of trying to get away?”

 

Amara turned her head to the side and wished a soldier would show up at that moment and save her from him.

 

He laughed and put his hand under her chin. He turned her head to face him. “You're slowly coming over. I'll teach you to love me.”

 

Yamcha didn't touch Bulma. He looked as if he didn't know what to do with her now that he had her.

 

“Come,” Malem said, suddenly. “Let's not waste time and risk getting caught.”

 

“You won't get away with this,” Bulma said.

 

Yamcha grabbed her arm and pushed her toward the door. “We already have. Do you see any soldiers?”

 

She looked around. “No.”

 

“I did a little scouting out and found a time when the soldiers get together and leave their posts every night.”

 

Malem was urging Amara forward with his hand on her back. She spoke from behind Yamcha. “Where do they go?”

 

He spared her a glance. “I think they gather together and talk.”

 

“That's right,” Malem said. “So if either one of you screams, you'll regret it.”

 

Amara noticed that Yamcha had forgotten the gun on the table, but of course she didn't say anything about it.

 

They made it out of the prison area, down a hallway and through one of the doors that directly outside without being noticed.

 

Amara watched the shadowed areas around them as they walked. She looked for Kort or some of the other soldiers on guard tonight.

 

As they kept getting farther and farther away from the palace she kept telling herself that a band of soldiers would pop up any minutes now and make Malem and Yamcha sorry that they were ever born.

 

>>>

 

She kept telling herself this until they came into the city. Her hope was replaced with anger. If Kort and the other soldiers had gone off somewhere to play card or chat she wouldn't be able to live peacefully with herself unless she hunted them down and gave them a piece of her mind. It would have been senseless of him to do such a thing, even if he thought that Yamcha would come at a later time.

 

She thought maybe he hadn't taken her seriously. She shook her head. That couldn't be it. He'd look so anxious last night.

 

Yamcha's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, “Why are you taking us into town instead of finding a space ship to leave in?”

 

Malem snorted. “Don't be a fool. Unlike the prison cell guards, the landing ground guards are vigilant. There would be no way to sneak past them and steal a spacecraft.”

 

“So what are we going to do?”

 

“I have people here in this city that would help us escape,” he answered. “We'll find a place here to stay the night.”

 

Malem gave Amara a little push forward. “You didn't think I had any allies left did you?” He chuckled.

 

She frowned sharply, but didn't respond. She looked up at the sky as it began to rain, but no one else seemed bothered by it or hadn't noticed it at all.

 

Amara caught sight of Bulma as she and Yamcha fell into step with Malem and her. Bulma's eyes were flashing too much white and she was looking around like a lost child.

 

She noticed Amara's gaze and met her eyes. She must have seen something in Amara's eyes that was depressing and lowered her head.

 

Amara sighed and scanned the area. If the soldiers weren't coming, she would have to find a way to get Bulma and herself free of the rogues.

 

None of the people walking the streets seemed to recognize Malem, that or they didn't care that he was free. They kept moving down the slick city streets and Amara couldn't think of any way to escape. But she wasn't going to give up because Bulma was counting on her.

 

The rain was now coming down heavier. Amara looked down at the ground and rainwater dampened her hair and trickled down her face.

 

“Can we get out of this rain?” Yamcha asked.

 

“As soon as we get to this next street,” Malem said.

 

Amara glanced up and noticed a group of men standing at the corner of the street. It was hard to see through the rain and water strands of hair slicked to her face.

 

The men turned their attention to the quartet coming down the street. The men had been huddled together but now spread out and filled the sidewalk.

 

Malem stopped and put his hand on Amara's arm, his eyes were all for the men. “Move aside.”

 

The men shared a look and then began to laugh. One Saiya-jin stepped forward out of the group. He crossed his arms.

 

“Hand over the women nicely and we might cut you a break.”

 

Amara recognized the voice and looked harder at the man before her. She raised the arm Malem wasn't holding and smoothed her hair back. A smile broke across her face. “Kort, you ass!”

 

He laughed. “I just couldn't do it your way, Amara. It wasn't interesting enough.”

 

Two men approached Malem and pried Amara from his grasp. Two more freed Bulma from Yamcha, but didn't really have to struggle. Yamcha looked like he was about to soil himself.

 

Kort looked back to his group of soldiers when Amara and Bulma were safely among them. “Let's show them what we do to people like them.”

 

The soldiers started to fan out and surrounded Yamcha and Malem. Bulma turned away as if she didn't want to see the fight. On the other hand, Amara crossed her arms and had a smirk on her face.

 

“Do whatever you want to the earthling,” she said. “But don't do anything that will kill Malem. You should take him back to Prince Vegeta in the morning. Tell him that he tried to escape and take Bulma and me with him.”

 

Kort laughed. “Like I said before, I like the way you think.”

 

Kort watched some of the others as they descended on Yamcha and Malem. Amara couldn't see much of the fight because there were too many soldiers crowded around the two. All she could gather were Yamcha's cries of pain and pleading. Malem wasn't saying anything, but she could hear him groaning in pain every so often.

 

They weren't all fighting them at once. The soldiers were taking turns with Yamcha and Malem. Maybe they were trying to make it fair and give each soldier ample time with the traitors.

 

Bulma touched Amara's arm. “Let's go back now.”

 

She turned and met Bulma's blue eyes. The look in them made her sigh. “All right.” She ran her fingers through her hair and squeezed out the water from the ends.

 

Kort noticed them and raised an eyebrow. “Are you leaving all ready?”

 

“She wants to go back,” Amara said, motioning to Bulma.

 

Kort looked at Bulma. “I can image why. If you want, one of the soldiers can fly you back to the palace.”

 

Amara nodded. “How about it Bulma?”

 

She thought for a moment. “Okay, but you're not coming?”

 

Amara shook her head and waved her off. “I'll catch up.”

 

Kort told one of the soldiers to take Bulma to the palace and he agreed. Amara watched the soldier and Bulma disappear into the night.

 

Kort nudged her. “Did you think I had forgotten about you?”

 

She whirled around. “You're such a jerk!”

 

He laughed and grabbed her, pressing her to his body. “Don't be mad. There was no way I could forget about something like this.” He glanced up at the fight.

 

People from the city were beginning to crowd around and some even came over.

 

Amara looked up at Kort. “Do you think the people will feel a sense of justice now?”

 

He spoke without looking at her, “Yeah. And when Prince Vegeta kills Malem, we can tell him the name of his followers. They should be executed, too.”

 

She nodded. “Maybe then things can return somewhat to normal. Finally…”

 

>>>

 

A/N: Cerulean Flower: Hiya everyone! How did you like that chapter? It's so sad, this story is getting nearer and nearer to the end!

 

Vegeta: That's what stories do, baka onna!

 

Cerulean Flower: Shush you! Everyone come back next time!

 

Vegeta: I can't wait to get my hands on Malem. (Smirks evilly)