Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction / 3 X 3 Eyes Fan Fiction / Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction / Outlaw Star Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ The Last Glimpse of Hope ❯ The Adjustment Period and the True Meaning of Pain ( Chapter 2 )

2: The Adjustment Period and the True Meaning of Pain

~*~*~Belle~*~*~

I was cold and shivering in the darkness of my mind. Images of people I loved passed through my mind and then the sight of Earth blowing up into particles of space dust. My mind focused on my family and I saw them screaming in agony as they were blown to dust. Then a hand grabbed my shoulder and I began to scream before jerking back. I hit the wall and opened my eyes to see the man from last night looking at me with a concerned expression on his face.

"You were having a nightmare and I decided to wake you so you could bathe and get ready," he said and I noticed the other two were standing by basins of water washing themselves and they were putting on robes that were by the basins.

"Thank you," I whispered before getting off my bunk, I saw the unprepared basin and I lifted the pitcher in it to see it was filled with water and I poured it into the basin and splashed my face before I noticed the others disrobing to their waists, I blushed as I removed my robe top. The entire back was ruined and I dropped it to the floor before I found a small object that felt and smelt like soap. I washed and dried myself using a towel that was nearby. The others began to dress and I did the same.

My new robes were dark green and the bottoms were the same loose material that was tied at my waist and were tighter around my ankles. The top was tight over my chest, there were no sleeves, but the bottom was loose and hung around my upper thighs. I looked at the others as they prepared and I was shocked when the man came up to me and handed me a brush.

"You should put up your hair, Master Bardock prefers that I wear mine tied back and I assume he will demand the same from you," he said as he handed me a hair tie and I looked at him as I took it.

"Thank you," I whispered before quickly putting my hair up into a neat and orderly braid.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

"Hey, Needle Noggin!" A voice called as the door opened. "Are you awake? Get up we gotta prepare the King's breakfast."

"Wolfwood?" The guy in the top bunk rolled over and looked at the man standing in the doorway.

"Oh so you got a bunk mate now too huh?" He asked.

He sat up and looked down at the sleeping girl. "Yeah, she arrived yesterday like you."

"She a kitchen hand too?"

"No, a caretaker." He replied.

"So what do these caretakers do then?" Wolfwood asked and pulled some tobacco crumbs out of his pocket and rolled them in to a piece of paper. "A couple of girls in my room are caretakers, they didn't want to say anything about it, and the other is a kitchen hand."

"Well, they wake their masters up and bathe and clean them."

"You should wake her then." Wolfwood pointed out and pulled out a lighter and clicked it a few times and sighed in frustration as the lighter didn't go. He shook it a bit shaking up the last remains of the gas in it. Over the year long trip he'd managed to stretch his last cigarette packet out but only to smoke a bit at a time.

"Hey you awake?" He leant over the bunk and shook the sleeping girl; she let out a sigh in her sleep. "You don't want to get the king mad at you, you better wake up."

She sat up and rubbed her eyes and blinked seeing Wolfwood.

"Well, Needle Noggin, who's your friend?" Wolfwood asked.

"Stop calling me that." The 'Needle Noggin' remarked.

"I'm Jay." She pulled her hair off her face and into a created headband leaving some wispy fringe pieces across her face.

"Hi I'm Vash!" 'Needle Noggin' remarked and smiled.

"You can call him Needle Noggin, I do."

"Ever since we meet yesterday you've been calling me that."

"Well, you're an idiot that's why." Wolfwood remarked. "You have a thing…some weapon or something that comes out of your arm and you've made no move to escape. So that makes you an idiot."

"Vash?" Jay looked at him. "Is that true?"

"Yeah, I could use it to escape, but I want to help everyone else escape too."

Jay looked at him and she suddenly jumped from her bed and hugged him. "Really? As in get us out of here?"

"Yeah." He smiled and flashed a grin while blushing madly.

"That dress leaves nothing to the imagination does it?" Wolfwood commented.

Jay squealed and grabbed a sheet pulling it round herself. "Ummm scuse me…" She scurried off to the basin area of the room and pulled a bunk in front of it flipping a sheet over it like a curtain leaving the two men standing there.

"So you going to show her the ropes today?" Wolfwood asked.

"Yeah." Vash nodded. "She's hanging on by a thread I think she needs someone else to talk to."

~*~*Raine*~*~

I felt like I was floating, floating in the middle of a lake, bare. I couldn't tell what time of the year it was because the water around me was at a comfortable temperature. My guess was spring. But the air smelled different. It was cleaned, purified, without that nice scent that nature had to offer. Almost medicinal. Wait. How could I breathe if I was underwater?

I opened my eyes, realizing that I was dreaming. Except…I really was surrounded by water. My first instinct was to hold my breath and struggle. I had never learned how to swim, and screaming would get me nowhere….but then that's when I realized that I was still able to breath. There was something wrapped around my head, covering my nose and mouth. I looked at it, noticing a tube extending from it and connecting to the top of the…tank that I was in?

What the hell? I realized that I was indeed in some kind of tank…and that there were strange aliens in lab coats staring at me.

"The slave is awake. Drain the liquid," one of them said. Before I knew it, the water was indeed draining out of the tank and I was slowly descending to the bottom where I sat. Using common sense, I pulled off the breathing mask. The same alien then ordered someone I couldn't see to open the tank. The glass that was around me suddenly slid up leaving me free and…naked. I shielded myself suddenly overcome with anger as I realized how I had ended up here in the first place.

"Her vitals are at 100%. She can be sent back to her master now," another alien sent.

My master? Oh no. Oh HELL no. Without a second thought, I climbed out of the open tank, rushing past the doctors…

And right into Turles' arms.

Oh God. Oh God, oh God, oh God. I screamed and tried to pull away, but he held me in his tight embrace and wouldn't let go. Hell, he laughed outright as I struggled. I eventually gave up. These cavemen were strong and I wasn't. I stopped screaming, stopped struggling, didn't bother cursing or yelling. I was starting to finally realize the hopelessness of my situation.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I washed up and wondered where the other two were that were suppose to fill the room that me and Vash shared, the bunks did look unslept in, I smiled as I filled the basin up, Vash… he was kinda cute for a complete perverted goofball. I removed the black dress completely, and began to wash myself the best I could with the cold water trying not to sneeze, finally I changed in to the red and gold provided I looked at the detailed embroidery of gold lace through it, the skirt reminded me of a sari skirt and it actually matched the stupid dampener that Vegeta put on me.

I wasn't expecting to see Vash and Woolfwood wrestling in the doorway when I pushed the bunk beds back in to position.

"What on Earth? What are you two doing?" I asked.

"He keeps calling me Needle Noggin!" Vash exclaimed.

"Well you are a needle noggin." Wolfwood countered.

I rolled my eyes. I hoped this wasn't typical behavior when I spotted the crosses on Wolfwood's sleeves.

"You're a priest!" I exclaimed.

"Oiy watch it you two!! Hey witch… you have duties." That same evil slave girl from the other day called from the doorway.

"Duties… like?" I asked.

"You're the King's caretaker, you have to help him wash and bathe."

"Eh?! Can't he do that himself he's a grown boy you know?"

She huffed. "Fine see if you can find your own way there." I watched her walk off and I cringed.

"Oh boy… with my sense of direction it'll probably look like I was trying to escape."

I stepped over the two fighting in the doorway. "Bye Wolfwood. Bye Vash." I was half way own the hallway and stopped and looked on direction then the other and frowned confused, was I lost already. I began to panic, where did I king sleep?

I raced up to a guard and tugged at his armor. "Help help!!!" I cried out and ran around in circles causing him to look at me confused. I jogged on the spot then moved about in circles all the time going "Help…. Help."

~*~*Raine*~*~

I fought back my tears with all my strength as I was forced to walk through the palace grounds with my 'master'. Dressed in what I could best describe as a thin, almost see-through black wrap and bikini top, Turles held me by the arm as he pulled me with him with a grin.

"You put up quite a fight last night," he chuckled and it came back to me.

He ripped my shirt open. I scratched his face. He slapped me down. I kicked his chest. He ripped away at my pants. I struggled. He penetrated. I screamed. He laughed.

I shuddered, remembering. When I came, I shuddered and cried. He purred and fondled me, called me pet names. He took me again and I spat in his face when he thought I was giving in.

I hesitantly reached for my face, touching the spot next to my face where he left a bruise. He called me all kinds of hurtful names. Ones I blocked out because they hurt me almost as much as the violation did. He kept using my body. I remember. I blacked out again, this time for the rest of the night. But I knew he had probably kept going, even when I was out.

For the first time since I had arrived on this planet, I lowered my head.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I started to follow the man out of the room before I cautiously put a hand on his shoulder. He turned at looked at me, his face expressionless.

"I'm sorry, but…I…I don't know your name…" I started to say and he looked at me before he turned. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend…"

"I am called Sess now, that is all you need to know," he said quietly and I touched his shoulder again. He looked at me, this time a bit irritated.

"Thank you Sess, I am Belle," I said before I let go of his shoulder and he started up the staircases to the second floor.

"You will take care of Raditz first, he always wakes up first and he will be off first. Kakarot will need to be taken care of as soon as Raditz leaves to train, then once Kakarot is taken care of you must clean their chambers, then come downstairs and help serve. You will be in charge of serving Kakarot," Sess said and I nodded as I looked at the room and then back at him.

"Which room is which?" I asked and he pointed.

"That is Raditz's and that is Kakarot's," he said before he headed to another room. I watched him go and nodded as I entered the first room to see Raditz was still sleeping in a huge bed. I didn't know if I should wake him or not so I opened his drapes and gasped, I could see the huge garden, it was bigger than Central Park and it was surrounded by this palace.

"Impressive isn't it?" a voice whispered into my ear and I bit back a scream.

"Y-yes, Lord Raditz, very impressive," I said as I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. "I'm here to help you dress." He chuckled as he ran his fingers down the side of my face.

"I wish to bathe first," he said and I turned to see him headed to a room adjoined to his, then I realize he was already nude. I blushed as I entered the bathroom and saw him standing by a wall. I looked at the tub and quickly began to fill it with warm water. This was not going to be fun.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I sat on the floor of the King's room as he changed, I was flushing several shades of red at having seen him naked, sure I'd slept with plenty of guys but that was when I made sure there was darkness, to hide my imperfect form and shades of red my face usually turned at the experience. I wondered what he would think of that… the King, if he knew; then again sex hadn't been stated in any form of contract. Still I found myself thinking about Vash and his priest friend, I had overhead something about him arriving the same time I did so he had to be a human, which made me glad in a way to know that we still existed out there.

Vegeta's shadow loomed over me and he looked down at me, and I wondered as I looked up at him, if he picked me because I was a short slave, enough to make him look somewhat tall and important. I twiddled my thumbs nervous no one gave me any instructions or manuals nothing. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me up.

"Today we brand you as part of the royal servants." He stated.

"No need to drag." I point out, "I can't run away anywhere I don't have anywhere to go." I reminded him and he let me go.

Still he held up the remote as a reminder that if I tried anything funny I'd be zapped. I was scared of that remote thing I hadn't felt its zapping pain yet, but I hadn't seen a single other servant around with anything as lavish as mine on, did he see me as a threat? How could he I was a weak, unimportant human.

"Am I suppose to like serve your breakfast or something first though?" I asked.

"Not today, beside you haven't gained your strength back and I doubt in your state you could carry all of what I could eat."

"If I invoked the power of Heracules maybe I could." I offered.

He looked over his shoulder and smirked at me. "With that dampener sitting round your neck I doubt it."

"You're afraid of what I could possibly do aren't you?" I asked.

He stopped walking and I froze suddenly I'd obviously hit a sore spot… fear… these Saiyans didn't like being referred to as afraid.

He spun round and I instantly backed up as he stalked up to me and I tripped over the back of the dress before landing ungraceful on the ground. He stood over me and smirked.

"And you would be the expert on being afraid wouldn't you… majo."

I blinked and he pulled me up and opened a door and tossed me in and I hit the floor and skidded across it for a moment and he shut the door.

Looking around it was dark and the curtains hadn't been drawn, I quickly pushed myself up off the floor and held my head up staring at him, challenging him.

He liked that obviously and then he held the remote up. "Try to call upon your power I dare you." He made a physical challenge.

"No. You'll zap me."

"Do it or I'll zap you if you don't." He smirked.

I looked behind me and closed my eyes using my clairvoyant gift to feel the other world presences in the room. "Fine, what type of power do you want to see?" I asked.

"Show me this goddess who can wipe out an entire race…"

My eyes shot open in shock. "Oh nonononono I'm not doing that invocation of the dark kind is completely forbidden, besides karma." I stated.

I watched his expression and he looked at the remote I felt myself shudder and nodded. "Fine." I closed my eyes again and began a small incantation calling each corner to be present rising my energy level up in doing so, each corner then the megami and kami I asked before actually holding my hands up in the invocation stage hands formed in to the accepting the goddess of my choice in to me. Before I felt a jolt and I suddenly fell, I landed on my knees and looked up I saw him place the remote down, he was smiling all the while.

"I believe I have a secret weapon." He stated.

"You stopped me?" I looked at him.

"Oh no, I let you call on your power in fact it's still here, it was that power that zapped you. Is this the first time you've done this?"

"Well ya I don't normally have a reason to do an invocation." I stated.

Vegeta picked up a brand and showed me. "This is the symbol of the royal family, once this is marked on your flesh you belong to those in the royal family and them only. And this marks you as a part-time caretaker." He held up another I looked at him. "Two? You expect me to get two of them?"

"Why not you already have three." He motioned at my tattoos.

I could feel my heart racing, This so wasn't the same thing, I'd at least got to pick those ones and I gasped as he grabbed my arm and spun me round and on the back of my left shoulder blade I felt the burn begin. I felt dizzy at first and then light headed the sensation of pain and almost passing out. I wouldn't scream, I told myself, I wouldn't scream.

Then he removed it and let me go I fell to the ground in a heap and gasped for air, my shoulder aching in so much pain. I felt his boot stomp me in my mid-back as he held me down.

My right arm was held and he rammed it up against my upper right arm and I flinched in pain, at least there was flesh there unlike the first, which he had branded over bone. Don't get me wrong this was still painful.

When Vegeta removed his boot I tried to push myself up but failed. "You will rest up until tonight… majo, I'm sure they're be impressed I had to actually use a ki dampener on a human."

I listened as his footsteps left and I choked back a sob of pain. Where was my spirit now, I looked up and I could still feel all the various presences around me, some creepy others giving me that push I need to be helped up and I managed to stand and walked to the window pulling the curtain open and I nearly fell over with a scream.

"These curtains are never opened."

I looked over at Zorn as he walked up to the room and closed them again.

"That… that was a…"

"Defiant member of the Tsfuru-jinn race, they're extinct now."

"It was a HEAD on a STAKE a head, with the blood and the oozing and the eye sockets and all the creepy bugs crawling…" I stated.

Zorn grabbed me by the arm and yanked me up. I held in the pain I was feeling at being pulled about like a damn rag doll just being branded and all.

"Remember this kid, you disobey, and you could end up worst off than that fellow." Zorn reminded me.

I merely nodded. "I understand."

He led me back to my quarters opened the door and I was chucked in. The door closed again and I stayed in a heap on the floor, I looked over at the basin and I felt faint I didn't think I could make it to try and soothe my wounds. Eventually I just passed out on the floor, the pain too great.

~*~*Raine*~*~

I rubbed my arm after finally being released by the big ape that kept me captive.

"I'm going off to train so you have the rest of the day to yourself. Another slave should come by to train you in your duties. I trust you'll be behaving from now on?" he asked with a smile.

I glared at the carpet. I wouldn't look him in the eye, give him the benefit of seeing how his desecration had affected me. He took hold of my chin, making me look him in the eye. I growled and pulled away, turning my back to him and rubbing my arms around myself. Anything to keep my attention away from my eyes, which were holding back a dam of tears. I heard him chuckle, then retreating footsteps. When I was sure he was gone, I sighed, falling to my knees and finally letting go. I let my neck go slack, my head up against the dark blue marble wall of Turles' home. So lost in my own thoughts, I hadn't heard the approaching footsteps headed my way.

"You must be the new slave," I heard a woman's voice say. Slowly sitting up, I turned around to see indeed, a woman standing over me. Her skin was pale and she was beautiful. Judging by her nationality, I had to say she was Japanese, but I couldn't recall ever seeing a Japanese woman with purple hair. She was dressed in a black tunic, her hair down to her shoulders. She didn't look too happy to see me. In fact, you'd have thought I was some nuisance.

"Get up. You need to get this before he gets back. Yesterday was your first day. You only have right now and tomorrow to learn your duties or face punishment," she said.

This made me angry, "So what do you call what that son of a bitch did to me last night?"

"A master rightfully using his slave," she said emotionlessly.

My jaw dropped and my eyes widened in shock at her heartlessness.

"At least in his eyes. Now get up," she said before walking off. I looked around, noticing other slaves going about their duties, all of them stealing a glance my way. With a sigh, I rose to my feet and followed the woman to wherever she was taking me.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I bit back a growl as I scrubbed Radtiz's back, he chuckled as he scrubbed his arms and legs. I was glad he only ordered me to clean his back and hair. I was done with his back and began to clean his hair.

"You should be glad that you're in here with me and not in the kitchens," he chuckled and I grit my teeth. "I'll rinse off now, get my standard armor from my closet and prepare to dress me." I nodded and got up.

"Yes, Lord Raditz," I whispered as I stepped out of the bathroom allowing the door to close behind me. "You pompous jackass." I sighed as I opened the closet to see it filled with armor just like what he wore yesterday. I pulled the closest one off its hanger and I headed to the bed, I quickly made the bed. I set the armor down and began to unclasp and hook the armor so I could help Raditz put it on.

"Alright, begin to dress me," Raditz said and I jumped as I let out a small shriek. "Did I scare you, Pretty One?" I turned to glare at him and when he saw my expression he gave me a look that made me want to fall to the floor and shiver. His hand wrapped around my neck slowly and lifted me up. I gasped for breath as Raditz held me up in the air and squeezed my throat. "Remember, I am the master, you are the slave." He dropped me. "Now get me dressed." I gasped for breath as I quickly began to help him dress. There would be a bruise around my neck, I could feel it forming already.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

"Man those guys eat more than you do." Wolfwood remarked as he walked with Vash back to the room and opened the door.

Vash blinked and looked at Jay just lying there, his features saddened.

"They branded her…"

Wolfwood shuddered. "I hate that process."

"You were branded?"

"Last night after we met for the first time Needle Noggin."

Vash walked over and he picked up a bowl and filled it up with water and he grabbed a cloth and headed back over to where Jay was lying. He sat by her and placed the cold water on her burns.

She jilted and then shivered. "Cold…"

"That's what you do to burns, ten minutes cold water, everyone knows that." He spoke to her.

She looked over her shoulder at him, and he looked down at her sympathetic. "Every slave goes through this process, it's okay."

"Did you get two of them?" She asked.

"No." He shook his head.

She looked down. "I did."

"I'll clean you right up, I promise."

"I have until tonight to recover… how is that humanly possible. I can't even invoke healing powers." she tugged at the necklace. "This prevents me."

Vash picked her up and lay her down on her bunk bed. Pulling a chair over and sitting the basin on his lap he continued to clean her up.

"You're strong, don't let it break you." He spoke to her. "I've seen too many people's spirits broken here. You have such life, don't let it break you too."

Wolfwood closed the door and sat down on the bunk bed near the base.

Jay looked at him, "Can you say a prayer for Amy for me please, make sure she gets to heaven, I felt her spirit it's still trapped here."

Wolfwood nodded. "I can do that. Are you Catholic?"

"No Wiccan… Amy was Catholic though." She closed her eyes.

"I will, just rest up now." Wolfwood stood up. "See you in the kitchen tonight, Needle Noggin."

"Bye." Vash watched Wolfwood leave. He looked down at Jay. "You'll be okay I promise you."

~*~*Raine*~*~

"Do you know where we are?" the purple-haired woman asked.

"Turles' bathing chambers?" I asked.

"Yeah. You need to be up at a specific time every morning to draw his bath for him, wake him, bathe him and stay with him while he dresses in case he has any extra errands for you to run," the woman said.

The corneas of my eyes had returned from their sad pink to their natural white again. The puffiness from under my eyes had faded.

"Do you understand?" she asked.

"I got it. What else?" I didn't like this woman's attitude. Involuntary imprisonment or not, I wasn't taking anyone's crap.

She looked back at me as if I had just stepped out of line. Then she walked up to me as if ready to do something as she got in my face, "Look sweetheart, you'd better adjust to your position real soon or you won't last a day. I've seen elite generals snap girls like you in two just for looking at them the wrong way. So I suggest that if you want to live long, you'll shut your mouth and do as you're told."

"Sure. Look at how well living under someone's heel has worked for you," I replied, catching her off-guard. I cut her off before she could retaliate, "You don't think I didn't notice those marks on your legs?"

She indeed did have a few bruises around her thighs. Probably from Turles' mistreatment.

"You may have given into him, but I'm gonna fight till I die or my spirit is broken," I said.

"Then you won't live long," she said.

"Better to live a few seconds on my feet than living a lifetime on my knees," I snapped. We were both silent for a while. I frowned, "You might prefer survival at all costs, but I have my pride."

She didn't glare, she seemed pitying this time, "Then he will kill you. And he will kill you slowly. The only time you will be excused from your duties is when he is using you for his pleasure. You won't last. You'll give up sooner or later."

She walked off and it was I who couldn't retaliate.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I entered Kakarot's room to see his bed was made and I heard splashing in the bathroom. I knocked on the door and stood there, rubbing my sore neck.

"Enter," he called and I sighed as I entered to see him in the tub, a female Saiyan was in there with him and he smiled at me. "Ah, yes, I won't be needing you this morning for caretaking. You may leave." I nodded and headed out. "That's a lovely mark my brother gave you, I hope you learned your lesson."

"I have….Lord Kakarot," I whispered, biting back any tone from my voice. I exited the room and headed down the stairs to the main parlor where I saw Sess standing waiting for me, I assumed.

"I see you've done something to anger Lord Raditz," he said and I could see a concerned look in his eyes. I looked down at the ground and rubbed my neck with my hand.

"I could not…I couldn't stand for him to treat me…I…I don't know if I can live this life," I whispered as I looked up at him. "My mouth often speaks without my consent and my face gives away what I feel in my heart." His hand fell on my shoulder.

"You will learn to hold your tongue and to hide your emotions," he said as he looked down at me. "If you wish to live, you will learn faster. If you can't decide, you will learn slower." He let go of my shoulder and turned, walking to the next room, I followed into the next room. It was a dining room and I could see another set of doors in the corner of the room and I followed Sess into the doors. It was the kitchen and I could see several more slaves working hard over cooking food.

"You will serve Lord Kakarot his breakfast and refill his plates whenever he empties them," Sess said and I watched as the reptilian serving-caretaker loaded up a plate as the Close Encounters serving-caretaker filled two large serving jugs. Sess indicated a tray and I quickly watched them load theirs before loading mine with four plates filled with different foods. "It is best to watch them eat and when you notice one plate start to empty go get another plateful and then replace it. It is not good to take the plate and refill it." I nodded as I looked at Sess before we heard people enter the room and they quickly lifted their trays. I did the same and followed them out.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I woke up and sat up slowly my shoulders both in pain I definitely wouldn't be carrying any plates of food that night, that was for sure.

"Vash?" I looked round and found the place empty, he must have been back working and I saw a plate of food sitting there with a glass of water and picked up the glass and sculled the water down before picking up the plate and eating the food, despite my dislike at it's appearance, at least it tasted better than it looked.

I looked down at my shoulder and found it bandaged up and saw the blood that was soaking through, had Vegeta really branded me so hard that I was bleeding, then again maybe he forgot what I had said at the bidding, the bruising easily, my skin was uber sensitive, so bad that I couldn't tan like normal people unless I spent two to fifteen minutes bursts in the sun a day even after fifteen though I turned a nice shade of orangey crayfish or lobster, whatever the Americans called that hard, shellfish thing with the beady eyes that just stare at you even after being dead… I shuddered those things gave me the creeps. I still remember waking up one morning walking in to the kitchen to see one that had escaped from the pot and crawling right towards me Boy had I screamed that day, and screamed and screamed.

I let out a sigh after I'd eaten, I felt better still aching and tired I guess I would only be helping with making sure the right beverages were served with the right meals. I just hoped that was it, and hopefully I could hide in the kitchen and chat to Vash and Wolfwood… hopefully.

The door opened and I looked up to see Zorn there, he nodded. "Your bunk mate said you'd passed out, how's the gel working on your brand marks?"

I just blinked and looked down at the bandages, then up at Zorn. He smiled. "Obviously you've just woken up, well you better be recovered before tonight. Lucky you the King only wants you to help him pick out the wine and ales."

"I should be okay for that." I spoke finally.

"Good I'll come and get you when it's time." With that he left and I slumped down on the bed lying on my stomach cursing the pain I was in.

"Man if only I had as much guts as the bandit queen then they wouldn't mess with me." I grumbled in complaint and just lay there and finally pulled the sheet over me to stop me from shivering the hot and cold shivers were typical for me especially after being burned like I had.

~*~*Raine*~*~

I had retreated to the bathing chambers after my little spat with that woman. I felt dirty after the night before and hadn't bathed since we were removed from the ship. I needed something to keep my mind occupied and I sure didn't feel like going another round with that woman. She only reminded me of the days to come that I'd have to face. And inevitably end up with Turles again. My eyes grew moist and I clenched them shut to stop the starting flow of tears again. I had wrapped my dreads in a bun to keep them away from the soap and water. The massaging nature of the loofah was a heaven-sent after such a day. After the long and thorough bath, I proceeded to rinse away the soapy foam from my now clean skin. The bathing chamber was a comfortably warm temperature as I was thankful for not ending up with goose bumps.

"Making yourself presentable for me, Little One?" an all-too-familiar voice pierced the silence and nearly made me jump. That heavy, yet empty feeling formed in my stomach as I slowly turned around to see Turles leaning against the doorframe with a shit-eating grin. I glared, 'You wish.'

I didn't give him the pleasure of seeing me scramble to cover myself or blush or anything like that. Instead I walked right up to him, snatching a towel from the rack behind him. Before I had the chance to walk out, he grabbed me by the arm, "Perhaps in the future you will learn to respond when your master addresses you. You'll live longer."

I tried to pull from his grip, my arm still sore, but the damned ape was just too strong!

"Yes master," I growled and was so thankful when he let me go. I hurried out of the bathing chambers and was about to make my way out of his room when I was suddenly shoved onto the bed. I scrambled to turn around and pull up my towel to cover myself, but he was on top of me before I could think. The towel fell around me as he moved between my legs. I grew hot because I was naked against him. He moved up against me, so much that I nearly fell back were it not for the support of my hands. He got in my face, breathing hard and speaking in a low voice.

"If you value your life you will learn to respect your betters," he said with all seriousness. All my anger was gone; only fear remained and I prayed that he would move away from me, leave me alone with a warning.

"Perhaps you haven't learned your lesson from the night before," I could hear a hint of amusement in his voice as I felt one of his hands on my thigh.

"N-No, please don't…" I whimpered, trying to look away, but he used his other hand to hold my chin in place.

"You will respect me or you will experience true pain by my hands. Do I make myself clear?" he almost yelled and I shook against him.

"Y-yes, yes," I said quickly.

"Yes what?"

"Yes master," I said with tears, holding back the venom and disgust in my voice. He suddenly smirked, chuckled even and nuzzled his nose against my neck. When he released my chin, I lowered my head in defeat.

"Good. You're learning. Remain obedient and you will live a long life," his voice lowered and he nipped at my ear.

"The King has invited me to dinner. You will draw my bath for me then wear the clothing prepared for you before we attend," he said and he was gone in a breeze. I held myself, still shaking, tears still running.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I placed the various plates down in front of Kakarot and was disgusted as he and his father and brother began to devour their meal. I watched in revulsion as they swallowed their meals at inhuman speeds. I quickly rushed to the kitchen when I saw Kakarot's first plate emptying.

By the end of the meal I had to have run back and forth fourteen times before Kakarot pulled back from his seat. I was grossed out as I carried the near empty plates back into the kitchen where the cleaning-cooking crew was washing dishes. I shook my head as I placed the tray down, jumping as a hand gently squeezed my shoulder. I looked over my shoulder to see Sess and the other two serving-caretakers looking at me.

"Come along, we're going to eat now," he said and I nodded as the other two led the way, I stole a few glances at him before we returned to our room where four plates with food were waiting for us. I let the older two grab their plates and sit on their beds. Sess grabbed his plate and mine. I looked at him and he indicated that I should leave the room. I did and he followed me out.

"What?" I asked and he began to lead the way, stopping when I didn't follow him.

"Those two are not good to be around when eating," he said and I blinked before hiding a smile. "This way." He led me out a door I hadn't noticed into the garden I had seen through the windows. There was a small terrace where there were a few tables set up and he placed our plates down. I looked at the plants and smiled as I stroked a flower, the softness of the petals soothing me.

"Thank you," I said as I sat down, looking at the strange food.

"I understand where you are coming from," he said as he began to eat gracefully. I looked at the food and my stomach growled. "You should eat." I lifted what smelt like meat to my mouth and chewed, it tasted like the mystery meat from my old high school. I closed my eyes and sighed.

"How do you do it?" I asked and he looked at me.

"Do what?" he asked and I hugged myself as I stared at my plate.

"Live this way, enslaved," I said as I turned to look at the plants behind me. "I was born free, living the way I wanted and doing as I pleased. Now…now I'm a slave, the world I knew destroyed forever." Sess sighed and I looked at him as he seemed to hide beneath his bangs.

"My world…was not destroyed, there was a political overthrow and several of us were sold into slavery due to the new regime," he said and he stood up. "Somewhere out there my people still live free while only a small few of us are enslaved. I cannot relate to you in your peril. I can only relate to the adjustment from free to slave. I have hope of rescue and the return of freedom." I looked at him and tried to speak but my voice failed me.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I was woken from my somewhat restless sleeping when the door closed and looked up as Vash entered he let out a breath and I sat up slowly, my bandages itching.

He looked over at me. "How you feeling?"

"Still a bit out of it." I replied. "It's going to scar isn't it?" I asked.

Vash nodded. "Probably." He sighed. "I found out what happened to the two who used to share this room with me."

I frowned unsure of what I could do. It was obvious especially after seeing the head on a stake like that it was so Vlad the Impaler cliché.

"They were killed for trying to let two humans escape." Vash explained and sat down on the foot of my bed.

"Oh I'm sorry." I looked down. He looked at me and I offered him an attempt at a smile. "You tended to me when I was injured, listened to me last night as I told you about Amy and the others, thanks."

"Everybody deserves that."

I couldn't help but look at him in wonder, and ponder what went on inside that head of his. I looked round and climbed out of the bed and pulled my denim jacket and cargos out form under the bed and he looked at me.

"You kept them."

I motioned to the red jacket slung over the back of a chair. "And you didn't?"

He smiled. "I guess so…"

I pulled out from the pocket a small note pad and a pencil. "I did this to pass time on the ship. I know it sounds cliché of Jack Dawson Titanic styles but I draw a lot." I flipped through the pages and turned to one and handed it to him. "I don't have a photo of Amy but I did draw this. It doesn't do her justice except for the eyes."

He looked at the picture and smiled. "Well so long as you remember her I'm sure in the future you'll be able to paint a great picture to show the world how beautiful she was."

I smiled and shoved my clothes back under the bed, so are you branded with the royal mark too?" I was curious.

"Just kitchen hand for now."

I sat back. "I can't cook to save an ant."

"Well, you obviously feel better, want me to show you round this place before the dinner tonight and when we get back I'll remove those bandages and clean that up for you."

"Sure I'm up for it."

~*~*Belle*~*~

Sess and I returned our plates to the kitchen after we finished our meal in silence.

"We are fed twice a day, after the Saiyans eat," he said as we exited the kitchen. "Is there anything I can do to help you, Belle?" I looked at him, my eyes moving down from his handsome face, over his gold collar with the green coat of arms of Bardock's family, down his bare arm to his razor sharp claws. I took his hand and gently ran my fingertip over his claw, my blood slipping free. I looked at it as it ran down my fingers.

"You wouldn't kill me if I asked, would you?" I asked and he jerked. His eyes blank for a moment.

"If I couldn't if I wanted to," he said and I looked at him.

"Why not?" I asked and he looked at me.

"My collar prevents me from harming others, it gives me a slight shock if I try to harm any sentient creature," he said and I looked at him.

"I'm sorry, Sess," I said quickly. He looked at me.

"You did not enslave me," he said and I nodded.

"Then there is something you could do for me," I said and he nodded. "Bar…Lord Bardock said that I should learn the Saiyan language, written and spoken." Sess nodded as he indicated to head to the study.

"I happen to be fluent in the language, I will help you learn," he said and I nodded.

"Thank you," I said and he bowed his head in return.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I gaped as I saw the garden and Vash took me walking through it he seemed to enjoy the plants then again he called himself a plant, but looking at him, he had so many human qualities it was hard to think of him as a plant.

"Oh!" I raced up spotting flowers and grinned I knelt down by the lavender and smiled. "We have these back home amazing how they can grow here… I was sure the strange atmosphere could have killed them."

I spotted Vash as he stood by the geraniums I'd never really seen that flower in person before coming from where I did my mother was prone to kowhais, blossoms, strawberry plants, Lavender and Jasmine. I stood up and noticed the yellow kowhai flower and walked up to it I looked at it and touched a petal.

"Kowhai."

He looked over at me. "Kowhai?"

"I come from New-Zealand this is one of our native flowers. Amazing." I sat down in front of it. I was almost home, almost, not quite home in what I wanted, but a flower of home, I looked round all the other plants and flowers were obviously collected from the planets the saiyans traveled to.

"You like flowers?"

I smiled and looked at him. "Of course I'm an earth type silly." I saw the blank look. "Star sign, I'm a Capricorn and Capricorn is an earth type… I used to love climbing trees when I was little, and before this whole abduction thing I was prone to apologizing to plant life if I had to take a short cut through their domain." Standing up I looked at Vash.

"Strange you don't say much."

He shook his head again and I looked over at the geraniums he was standing by I didn't press to ask but those flowers had to of meant something to him.

I looked back at the Kowhai. It was awkward as a slave what do you talk to other slaves about? The weather? The slave gossip line of escape routes? What about the cute slave down the hall the one with the sky blue hair?

This lifestyle was so odd, yet it was karma it always would be that's how I saw it, the World Wars, the Gulf War, all the wars, and damage the human races had inflicted upon other races, retribution in the biggest way. The Earth was no more and we the following generations of the evils of the past deeds were forced to live out the bad karma of our ancestors.

"Man, times like this I need a cigarette." I complained. "Note to self ask the King if that can be my paycheck."

Vash shook his head at me. "I doubt you'd get it, besides it's a bad habit."

"Don't I know it, but it just numbs me to the harshness of reality around me and for some strange reason the dulling sensation makes me see and look further in to myself and around me than I ever thought possible. Strange but true I draw better, I write with more feeling and I just relax and let the world drift by."

"Well I think it's time to drift back inside and clean up those brand marks before tonight."

~*~*Raine*~*~

I drew the water in the royal bedchambers, quickly reminded of my run-in with him moments ago. After pouring in some sweet-smelling oils and soaps, I got up and headed into his bedroom where he had already gotten undressed. Still true to my modest nature, I turned away from him, trying to hide the redness that had formed in my cheeks. He chuckled, "Afraid of me, are you?"

I jumped when I felt his lips on my neck and hurried for the bathroom, "Your bath is ready!"

He shortly followed me inside; I turned away as he stepped inside and didn't look at him until he was waist-up in bath water. I picked up a loofah, and leaning over from where I sat, I scrubbed his back.

"You haven't washed my chest yet. And what are you doing? You'll never finish if you wash me from out there. Come in," he said in a tone that made me want to hit him, but I knew better. Once again swallowing my pride, I rolled up my wrap so that the water didn't get to it and stood in front of my 'master' to wash his body, once again giving him access to stare down my top.

"You're still too far away," he said before suddenly grabbing my waist and pulling me down onto his lap. My breath shortened when I felt him under me. My heart started to race and that dreadful feeling came over me. He was gonna do it again.

"Please…" I begged under my breath.

"Please what?" he asked with a grin as his hands rode up my legs.

"Please master. Don't. I-I need to finish bathing you," I pleaded.

I gasped when his hands found themselves below my waist, pulling me closer up against him.

"Please don't, please don't," I felt like I was gonna cry again. I pushed him away with what little strength I had.

"Shh shh, don't speak," he said as I felt him undo the back of my top. I grit my teeth and shut my eyes as the tie began to slowly undo, and at the same time, reached for the bar of soap.

"Master Turles," a voice suddenly spoke, calling both of our attentions to the doorway. The purple-haired woman stood at the doorway.

"What is it?" he asked none-too-happily.

"One of the King's messengers has arrived. He awaits you in the living room," she bowed.

Turles growled. I wasted no time getting off of his lap and scooting away to the other side of the bath. He was not happy at all, but I was thankful that he wouldn't be able to vent his frustrations through me. He gave me one last longing look before getting up and storming towards the doorway where the woman had a towel waiting for him. He snatched it from her hands and walked out. I held a hand to my chest, wanting to cry and laugh at the same time.

"Get adjusted or suffer the consequences. You might not be so lucky the next time around," she said before heading out.

"W-wait!" I called.

She stopped and looked back at me, "What?"

"You never told me your name."

She blinked, but then replied, "Faye," before walking off, leaving me alone again.

~*~*Belle*~*~

Sess nodded as I finished counting to one hundred in Saiyan and said a few common sayings.

"Very good," he said as he put the book he had been using to teach me back on its shelf and I sighed. "You may want to go out and get some fresh air." I looked out the window as we exited the study, the red-orange sky made me feel trapped.

"Is the sky always that color?" I asked and he nodded as he stood behind me.

"The planet Vegitasei is a land mass with the water existing in rivers and underground springs. The sky is the color of the soil of the planet," Sess said with a slight sigh and I shook my head.

"It's hideous," I sobbed as I turned away from the window, falling to my knees as I began to weep. Sess stood behind me but didn't give me comfort this time.

"What was your planet like?" he asked and I closed my eyes.

"Beautiful," I whispered as I lost myself in picturing Earth. "Our planet was mostly ocean, beautiful deep blues, the continents mainly a deep green, and the clouds…oh, the clouds were as white as your hair. It was the jewel of our solar system, the others were all barren, frozen or roasted planets, none as beautiful. The skies would change from pinks and purples to a lovely shade of blue at dawn, throughout a day the sky could be completely blue and without a cloud, or…or it could be filled with puffy, white clouds that seemed to be so full and yet hang in the air." I felt the tears escaping from under my lids.

"It sounds lovely," he said and I realized he had to be kneeling beside me.

"It was home," I said as I managed to gain control over myself again. "It's nothing now. I'm sorry I broke down like that." Sess looked at me before shaking his head.

"You're accepting this, it is better than the way I dealt with losing my freedom. I fought Lord Bardock everyday, I was nearly killed seven times before I finally was able to deal with the situation," he said as he helped me up. "However, I will never accept this as my life." I looked at him and his golden eyes were smoldering and I felt hope.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

"OW!" I twitched and Vash looked at me.

"You really are a baby." He stated.

I bopped him over the head with the nearby pillow.

"Hey, is that the thanks I get for trying to help."

"Help not hurt, help." I stated and let out a sigh.

Finally he removed the last part of the first bandage it had partly stuck to my burnt flesh and my skin felt like it was being ripped off at the same time.

He held up a mirror and I looked at it and blinked it was just red that was it, just red, the mark of the royal was there and I stared at it.

"It's an interesting symbol I haven't seen any other slaves marked with this." Vash mused.

I tapped the necklace. "What about this?"

"Nope, not that either."

He went on to removing the next bandage and I felt like wanting to curl up in to a little ball with the pain.

"Can I pass out?" I asked.

"No don't pass out we don't have much time before we have to-" he stopped and the door opened. I looked up and spotted Zorn standing there.

"You have three minutes girl to get dressed and meet King Vegeta in the throne room to help him sort out the wine we need for tonight's dinner."

I nodded. "Give me five, this really hurts."

Zorn looked at me. "Fine but only cause you're new will he let you away with that." The door closed and he left.

"Man, he's so grrrrr." I remarked.

"Nice definition." Vash joked and removed the last bandage and held the mirror up for me to see the caretaker slave symbol was also red.

"That gel stuff works wonders." I remarked.

Vash grinned. "Yeah it's made from plants."

"Like aloe vera or something like that?"

"Yeah, whatever that is. Now you better hurry and get dressed."

I nodded and walked up to the basin and looked round spotting another dress and I sighed. "Dresses and more dresses they never provide the wax strips so my legs don't look like Anise's though do they?"

"Anise?" Vash looked over as I pulled the old dress off and changed in to the new.

"Never seen Gargoyles have you, Well Anise is a myth. He's a giant spider, me and my friend liked to think Anise is watching us all and eating all the evil in the world up. But he's soooo big he doesn't need to eat the evil he could just step on it instead." I walked up to Vash wearing the new dress. The neckline was as plunge worth as the last two which I was grateful for the back though it was plunged low and it was still halter top but in a Chinese fashion, still it exposed all my tattoo's and brand marks. This time the dress was a light sky blue color and I pulled my hair up hurriedly and fussed it in to a messy yet classy pony tail with the wavy curls, a year had done wonders for the length of my once short hair.

"I look okay right?" I asked somewhat nervous. "I don't have any make-up or anything so it's really bad having to use hair and wisps of it to hide sunken eyes and bad bags."

"Its fine, you should hurry though." Vash pointed out.

I nodded and raced out of the door then stopped.

"It's to your left." Vash called and I nodded and raced off down the hallway.

~*~*Belle*~*~

Sess had left me alone in the room to rest after I had finished crying, I lay on my bunk looking through the darkness at his bunk. The door opened and the three other serving-caretakers rushed in.

"Belle quickly get dressed in these," Sess called as he threw some robes at me and I blinked as I stared at the dark-green material before I jumped off of the bunk and began to dress, my back to the others. The new robe was a beautiful dress, it had only one strap and it made me think of the togas worn by the ancient Greeks. I looked at myself in the mirror and was shocked. With my pale skin the dark green looked even more stunning or maybe because of the dark green my skin looked even more milky. I shook my head as the Close Encounters alien came up behind me and began to do my hair. I blinked and looked in the mirror to see the reptilian alien was putting up Sess's hair.

"Thank you," I said as she pulled away and nodded.

"We do what we can for each other," she said before she exited the room and I looked at my reflection again, my slave mark was exposed in this dress and I looked at it as I stared at my lovely reflection.

"I would not linger long if I were you, the King is coming for dinner," Sess said and my blood went cold. I quickly walked up next to Sess, his long hair was in a braid and the end was tied at the base, making his hair look shorter. I gulped as I looked at Sess, he seemed stressed and I could see a muscle twitch in his jaw. I began to feel even more frightened.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

"Wine Lady bringing the drink coming through, do not make me spill this or I will hex you forever and a day, I like living thank-you!!" I called as I entered the kitchen and put the large crate filled up with the chosen wine down.

"The mark of the royal and she thinks she's royalty." I knew that voice, it was that damn evil salve girl, she hated me with a vengeance and I couldn't figure out why.

"Really?" I heard another whisper.

"Hey no talking you guys." Vash snapped and I smiled seeing him there and waved. He grinned and waved back.

"Majo!!" I heard Vegeta holler.

I dashed out and slipped up to Vegeta's side. "Yes, Sire?" I asked in a polite yet sweet innocent voice.

"Is the wine here yet?"

"Hai. I placed it in the kitchen for the other caretaker to handle like you ordered… Majesty." I had added the majesty last due to pure forgetfulness.

He nodded. "Dismissed, wait in the kitchen and make sure the right wine is delivered."

"Rotation the stock understood." I gave a bow and left.

I entered the kitchen and then frowned. 'So all I'm doing is rotating this wine?' I thought and looked at it. 'Man, this is going to be a boring night.' I looked over. 'At least I can annoy Vash.' I added in thought.

~*~*Raine*~*~

The royal dining room was just as lavish and as…well, royal as I expected it to be. I looked to the table to see it already becoming occupied and frowned. Great, like Turles wasn't enough.

"Go into the kitchen. You'll be instructed what to do. When you're done serving, you will stand by my side," he said.

He didn't have to tell me twice. I headed straight for the kitchen without a second thought. The place was already filled with other slaves. I didn't know any of them, so I didn't say a word, just quietly waited until something was handed to me.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I was shocked when I entered the kitchen and saw several other serving-caretakers, dressing in robes the similar style but different colors. Sess grabbed my arm when he noticed I was heading towards the other humans present. I looked at him and his eyes told me that talking to them wasn't an option and I bowed my head. He pulled me to a vacant corner and caught my chin, bringing my eyes up to meet his.

"You may not speak to them while our masters are present, it is against the rules, especially with Nappa, he loves to beat slaves for any mistake," Sess said and I blinked, Nappa had nearly bought me. "You will not be serving Lord Kakarot today, you will be in charge of the wine, it is Lord Bardock's orders. I believe he wishes to show you off." I looked at him and shivered.

"So, do I keep tabs on who has finished their drink?" I asked and he looked at me a moment before shaking his head.

"They will summon you, while you wait you must stand between Lord Bardock's chair and his Royal Majesty, King Vegeta's chair. I warn you, as the night goes on the Saiyans…our Master's guests, I mean, will grab, touch, and fondle you," Sess said and I whimpered as I looked at him. "I am sorry, but it happens with all females that are attractive to Saiyans. Do not worry, I will be beside you, Lord Bardock also enjoys showing me off, I will be in charge of his meal, so I will be moving in and out of the kitchen, when one of your wine jugs begins to empty, I will retrieve a full one."

"Thank you," I said as I stood tall and looked at him. "I'm still frightened Sess." He looked at me and nodded.

"You have good instincts, this night will end up with several slaves beaten," he said and I shivered as I grabbed the two wine jugs that were waiting for me.

~*~*J"dee*~*~

It was like a fricken restaurant the kitchen servers coming and going with plates full empty and other forms of beverages.

"How's your arm holding up?" Wolfwood asked as he stirred a pot of something that smelling chronic in the good non-drug abusive sense.

"I think it's okay. Still I'm not working at Denny's anymore, so I don't know how it would hold up piled up with plates on a tray." I pointed out.

"Well this young… uh woman here has fallen unconscious, I think it's the heat." He stated. "Take this meal out. It's going to Zorn."

I sighed. "Zorn…." I groaned.

"Would you rather it was Nappa?" one of the other's asked.

"Who?" I asked.

"She's Vegeta's new slave and she hasn't met Nappa yet? Boy, is she in for a surprise."

I grabbed the four plates balancing three on one arm and one on the other before walking out having them balanced perfectly, bad memories of evil waitress days filled my head as I walked up to Zorn announced each dish as I placed the plates down and he looked at me raising a brow.

"Your arm's feeling better?" Zorn teased.

I kept my tongue quiet but Vegeta spoke up proudly. "This is my new slave, she picked the wine out to match the meals that were being served up tonight. I had her branded earlier today, with the royal and caretaker brands, seems she's recovered well enough."

I stepped back. I hoped he wasn't going to brag, about anything else.

"She opened the curtain in the branding room." Zorn laughed. "I think she got the shock of her life time."

There was a chuckle from a bald fellow with a lip fuzz mo and I blinked.

"Majo, over here." Vegeta stated and I walked over standing next to him to one side and spotting on the other a caretaker like myself standing between him and strange Saiyan with the red bandana.

"Yes sire?" I looked at him.

"Meet Nappa, one of my other royal guards. He and Zorn will be in charge of your chores tomorrow, I'm heading out for a few hours and will be leaving later tonight." Vegeta looked at Nappa. "Recognized the necklace Nappa?"

Nappa looked at me and I felt repulsed and the need to dive out the window made me hold back my facial dislike of the guy instantly.

"My Lord… she's only a human. There is no need for a ki dampener is there?"

Vegeta looked at me. "Show him tomorrow what he's going to be dealing with and that's an order. I'm upset he left my side without permission and I was only left with one royal guard at the auction I attended."

"Yes my lord."

Vegeta grinned, I was scared, I didn't want to take on that big bald idiot with my witchy powers I liked living I wanted to live. Living was a good thing. "Go check on the kitchen hands majo." He ordered.

I bowed. "Yes sire." I left wandering in to the kitchen and let my shoulder slumped I nearly fell to the ground, I was just so not in the mood for this.

~*~*Raine*~*~

I was quickly instructed that I was to help serve the food and not to say a word, or risk punishment. I was given a tray that was loaded with all kinds of strange-colored breads before being sent out. I instinctively walked over to where Turles was and placed the tray down, putting all the bowls of bread in the center of the table. I was about ready to walk off with the tray when I felt a tug at my skirt. Before we had left, Turles had chosen for me to wear another one of those degrading wrap-like dresses with a black thong underneath, much like the other one, only higher. My top was a sleeveless matching midriff that was tied in front. It seemed that none of my outfits covered me completely. All my assets had to be on display.

When I looked to see what had caught my dress, it turned out that one of the Saiiyans had grabbed my skirt and was eyeing me with interest.

"Who is this lovely creature?" he asked, looking me over.

"This "lovely creature" is the newest addition to my house," Turles said, grabbing my wrist and pulling me away from his friend. Somehow I felt safer around a bastard I knew as opposed to one I had never met.

"I had no trouble buying this at the market," he bragged.

"Well I don't see how you could. You're an elite, someone would have to be suicidal to bid above you," another said.

"What does this one do?" I looked over at the one who had directed the question. He was the tallest out of all the other monkeys and rested his elbows on the table, also eyeing me.

Turles chuckled, "Not much. I enjoyed her the first night, besides bathing, she hasn't done much else."

A round of laughter went around the table as my self-esteem went down another notch.

"Go and continue bringing in food," Turles said, sending me on the way and slapping me on the ass as I went.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I stood besides Bardock, he hadn't spoken of me yet and I was scared as I moved down the table to serve wine to Raditz. King Vegeta smiled as I started to pass him and he looked at me and I stopped.

"Would his great Majesty like me to fill his cup?" I asked, keeping my eyes down. I heard him chuckle as he caught my chin and looked at me.

"Is this your new one Bardock?" Vegeta asked and Bardock smiled as he nodded. "Fill my cup, wench." I did so, biting my lip from screaming what I was really thinking.

"Yes, my sons bid against Nappa for this one, I'm beginning to think she's worth the extra," Bardock chuckled and Nappa snorted. "Even though she managed to piss Raditz off this morning." I had to fight the urge to cover my hand-shaped bruise.

"Hell, Raditz gets pissed off if you start talking too fast," a Saiyan stated and there was laughter.

"So this is the one, I thought she'd be taller," a different Saiyan laughed and the table chuckled.

"My fool brother was won by her face," Raditz laughed and I could tell the wine was getting to him already. I moved to fill different glasses, my eyes moving to Sess, he looked pissed.

"And why not, this race is almost Saiyan," Kakarot stated. "Just terribly weak and tailless." There was a roar of laughter as I returned to my place between Bardock and Vegeta.

"Speaking of tailless, how is our dear Prince holding up, Bardock?" Vegeta asked and there were low chuckles and I saw Sess's eyes narrow a bit. I didn't have time to look at him as I rushed down the table to fill another glass, narrowly avoiding a collision with another serving-caretaker.

"Well, he has adjusted more, he's not so feisty as he was when we first got him," Bardock said and I watched as he patted Sess's shoulder. Sess's face was a mask that was barely keeping back his rage. "I think clipping his tail did wonders for his personality."

"So, Prince Sesshoumaru, have you taken to your new life?" Vegeta asked as he looked at Sess and I dropped my wine jugs, they shattered as they hit the floor. Sess was a Prince? Oh….shit….I dropped the jugs that were still half full of wine.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I was heading back out to fill in the reports of the kitchen to Vegeta that everything was still going smoothly, least from my point of view. I paused by Vegeta's side and he looked at me and I nodded to show him everything was going well.

"Stay by my side majo, we might need a few of your magic tricks for entertainment later."

I stayed standing there and looked over the Saiyan sitting next to Vegeta, His hair was far more controlled than the rest of the lot.

"See something you like in her eh Broli?" one asked sitting next to him. I looked at Broli, he was a scrawny looking fellow, still any Saiyan was scary that's what I'd learned the smaller the worst, Vegeta was a good example. I hadn't had to deal with his full wrath just yet.

"Just terribly weak and tailess…" I caught the trail end of a conversation coming from one of Bardock's kids. I was tempted to show him who was weak I felt my anger flare for a brief moment and then the necklace did something odd it felt like it was chocking me. Vegeta paid me no attention of course.

"Speaking of tailless, how is our dear Prince holding up, Bardock?"

I let out a breath as the necklace's grip loosened and I felt something inside me bad was going to happen. Maybe it was my wiccan senses telling me and that's why the necklace reacted like it did without Vegeta even touching that damn zapping remote thing.

"Well, he has adjusted more, he's not so feisty as he was when we first got him," Bardock said.

I stared at the one they were talking about, He was another one who looked almost human, that would have to be a question I'd have to pose to Vash, if he had a tail.

"So, Prince Sesshoumaru, have you taken to your new life?" Vegeta asked.

I frowned, what type of creatures where these Saiyans to imprison royalty in to a serving person, that had to be the ultimate downtrodden, rub in your face ever and I thought wearing the damn necklace was bad.

*CRAAAAASH*

I blinked and looked over that poor girl had dropped all the jugs, I was glad I had some still stored in the kitchen, but that wouldn't excuse the bad things that would follow and I felt the beginning of a boring yet smooth night suddenly go downhill.

~*~*Raine*~*~

After placing another tray of food down, Turles had decided to keep me by his side, his hand rubbing up and down my inner thigh as I stood. I had never felt like I had so little dignity. I avoided eye-contact with the other Saiiyans, and hid the sad look on my face with a serious one, on the verge of anger. I wouldn't let these SOB's see me cry. I intertwined my fingers and stared at the carpet, trying my best not to do something to get in trouble. Something like grabbing the nearest tray and smacking Turles with it. I held my breath as his hand went higher. I felt my self-control slip as his fingers slipped in between my thong and my skin. I bit my lower lip, reaching for the tray…

CRAAAAAASH

I blinked and all attention turned to a slave girl who had just spilled a jug of wine next to Turles and me. I hadn't even noticed her approaching. I winced, feeling sympathy for the girl when she was suddenly struck down. It was so quick that I hadn't noticed. I wanted to retreat to the kitchen. I couldn't watch as that girl was punished. And I knew if I did anything to help, I'd suffer too. I tried to slip back into the kitchen, but Turles grabbed my leg.

"I did not give you permission to leave," he muttered before turning back to the incident which was quickly escalating to more violence.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I wasn't sure who hit me first, but I knew who was holding me up by my throat, his hand fit over the bruise he left from that morning.

"Stupid wench, that wine is from Aturlia, you just wasted twenty cups worth!" Raditz growled as he applied pressure. I began to panic as my vision darkened and I began to kick as I clawed at his wrist-guard. Somehow I got a lucky kick in and hit him in the groin. It wasn't really a lucky kick in the long run though. Still I hit the floor, somewhat aware that my robes were up around my thighs, exposing my long, pale legs as I curled up on the floor, coughing. I gasped for breath before I was lifted up to my feet by my arm and then struck across the side of my face. I hit the floor again and covered my struck cheek, curling up into a fetal position as I heard feet approaching me.

"Let me at the bitch!" Raditz's voice cried out as I was yanked to my feet by my arm again.

"Open your eyes now," Bardock's voice ordered and I looked at him, shaking in fear as I locked eyes with those black pools. He looked over at Raditz, who was being held back by a laughing Kakarot and another Saiyan, who looked a lot like Bardock and Kakarot, but with a darker complexion. "Raditz get over it now. I will not have you killing a slave your brother paid two million-five hundred thousand for. She was thrashing and you don't have your body armor on so of course a stray kick is going to hit you."

"She kicked me in the balls!" Raditz cried, somewhat bent over. "I should be able to beat her to a pulp for that!"

"Quit your bitching Raditz," Vegeta chuckled. "It was a lucky shot, I doubt she could even see straight with you strangling her. Besides, I brought the wine, so you shouldn't even care. I don't, those cases were about to go bad."

"I have more of a right to want to beat her, she spilled that wine on my shoes," the one who looked like Kakarot and Bardock said before cuffing Raditz on the shoulder. "Get over it." Raditz growled before someone handed him another cup and Sess walked up to me and handed me two new jugs and I moved between Bardock and Vegeta, staring at the floor shivering in fear.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I had jumped back when the poor girl was yanked up and strangled.

"Majo kitchen now." Vegeta ordered.

"Yes. Am I getting anything?" I asked.

He looked at me. "Something to clean up the mess, think you can handle that?"

"Right dustpan." I raced off and in to the kitchen I stopped as the evil slave girl passed by me and beat me to the clean up duty. I shrugged and leant up against the bench and let out a sigh. "She is sooooooo in my evil books."

Vash looked at me. "We aren't suppose to talk, Jay."

"But why?" I asked.

"I'm not to sure I haven't really asked." Vash replied.

"So what's that dish?" I asked changing topic pointing to what he was cooking.

"Um… I don't know I'm just following instructions."

"What about that one?" I pointed to another pot that was boiling over and watched in disgust as a tentacle flapped out from under the lid.

"I'm not cooking that." Vash pointed out. "Luckily."

"Oh."

"Easy for you to say!" Wolfwood exclaimed and hit the tentacle with a fry pan so it slithered back under the lid.

"You can't talk Jay understand it's really bad if you're caught talking." He informed me.

"But how can I not talk?" I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Easy you close your mouth and don't let anything else come out." Vash replied.

"Meow…"

Vash looked at me.

"It wasn't me it was the cat!" I pointed to the side at the little black cat and blinked.

"Meow…"

"Whoa… I was right… it was the cat!!"

"Jay, Shhhhh not so loud." Vash shushed me.

"Uh?" I looked and watched as the cat dashed off and saw Wolfwood stop his attack on the creature in the pot.

"Just listen to him and be quiet, kid."

"Kid?! I'm twenty-three years old I'm not a kid!"

The door opened and I turned round and raised a brow at Nappa as he stood there glaring at me. "Were you the one talking slave?"

"Ya… so?"

He let out a cry as I was yanked out of the kitchen and I saw the apologetic look Vash gave me.

"Hey no! Stop she wasn't the only one talking okay!"

Nappa stopped and I looked at Vash and saw his look. "Its okay Vash, I'll live… promise ya, can't kill a good witch without being cursed first."

Nappa flung me through the doors and for the first time after getting use to being flung about I didn't land on my but rolled across the ground before rolling up to my feet and dropping in to a stance.

"It was your new one My lord that was talking." Nappa informed Vegeta.

Vegeta looked at me. "Nappa you can deal with her tomorrow. But tonight she deals with me."

I looked at Vegeta. "Why can't we talk in the kitchen? How else are we suppose to communicate with the order of the meals coming out?" I asked.

Vegeta looked at me. "Majo I'm going to go easy on you, fight back if you want, you obviously have a minimal fighting ability and I did promise some entertainment."

"Fine." I held my defense stance and Vegeta looked at me. 'Oya… give me guidance just help me.' I thought.

Vegeta looked and nodded. "That's right majo show them why I put the collar on you." She grinned and I could feel the collar sparking and I let out a cry and pulled the energy of it inward I asked Oya for guidance for the pure reason I would get zapped if I could turn that zapping energy in to my own electrical attack I'd show them… For ever action there is a reaction after all I loved that little science quote.

"She's powering up…" I heard a creak of a seat and spotted Zorn watching in fascination. "Amazing a human has power… she could almost be as threatening as a bee sting."

Vegeta pulled out the remote and I smirked at him.

"I challenge you Vegeta go on zap me. I'll zap you right back."

He pushed the button and I held my hands out in front of me remembering the energy gather technique I'd learned from my sensei sure it wasn't perfected but still… the buzz went through me and straight to my hands and I fired.

Vegeta phased out and I blinked looking stunned and let out a cry as he was behind me twisting my arm behind my back.

"Looks like we need more than the necklace for you majo. You're defiantly worth more than I paid for you, nice to see I got a good deal."

I hated the arm twisting part, Iris always used to pull that on me when we sparring it was the only way she won. Vegeta let go and shoved me back and he held up his hand. And I glared at him standing my ground.

"Your little energy trick could of caused an itch, but assure you this won't make you itch, it'll make you hurt."

I was angry with myself suddenly that energy trick proved nothing just that I let my energy get drained with one attack, I hated myself for not continuing my martial arts.

I was slammed hard as his attack hit and felt the wall and I was sure my bones cracked one blast and I felt like I was ready to die.

"Jay!" I looked over and Vash raced out of the kitchen and was by my side catching me before I hit the ground. "Hey it's okay… It'll be okay…"

I nodded slowly. "I'm still alive… it'll take more than that…to-" I didn't even get to finish my sentence before the unconscious state of blackness consumed me.

~*~*Raine*~*~

Damn, this was a misogynist's dream. Women were being abused, beaten and mistreated from left to right. First the girl who dropped the jug and now the girl with "ki". And at the risk of my pride, I wasn't about to become added to the numbers. I tried to remain as quiet and invisible as possible. I was suddenly jarred from my thoughts when I felt Turles' hands on me again.

"May I be excused?" I whispered to him, lowering my head.

"What?" he asked, amused by my meekness.

"Maybe I PLEASE be excused, master," I said the last part with venom.

Turles chuckled, "No, I think not."

"I believe we should retire to the fire and finish off this wine," one of the saiiyans said. He looked exactly if not identical to Turles. Granted his skin tone was a little lighter and he wore a red bandanna.

I screamed outright as he suddenly scooped me into his arms and stood up, "I agree."

I was about ready to curse Turles when he moved towards my ear, "If you speak out loud in front of these elite, I will have to beat you."

I shut up instantly as I was carried into the parlor area.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I didn't stop shaking through the rest of the meal, four other slaves were beaten during the courses and I had been stroked and groped. I could feel the bruise forming on my cheek from the punch and I was scared of the way Raditz was looking at me. Sess managed to stand between me and Raditz whenever possible and I longed to run and hide in the kitchen where the other serving-caretakers were waiting to bring out food.

"I believe we should retire to the fire and finish off this wine," Bardock said and the table got up and headed to the parlor. I followed, looking back at Sess in panic before I realized he was following us. He gave me a look and I let out a breath of relief. As I followed the Saiyans to the parlor where they sat down with their wine and began to talk about past wars and battles.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

Vash sighed as he carried Jay, now she had a head getup to match the necklace and braces round her wrists.

"That was almost impressive with what she did." Bardock smirked. "But I'm sure that will hold her. We have done studies on a witch species before, these proved quite useful in containing their powers." He informed Vegeta.

"Well I won't be dealing with her tomorrow, That will be Nappa and Zorn." Vegeta replied. "How long will it hold her?"

"Humans have limited powering up capabilities even then these should limit hers even more any energy as a witch she could get her hands on could prove fatal if we don't watch ourselves.

"She's just a human, even if she could power up as you say, she would be not threat to you! So why'd you do that?!" Vash shouted at them.

"So the plant can actually talk?" Vegeta looked at him. "Well then take her back, she's going to be no use for the rest of night, neither of you will be."

Vash walked out not even looking back. "Hang on I'll get you cleaned up. That was some attack, are you sure you're just a human?" He asked.

He walked all the way back to their room and opened the door and blinked seeing two new slaves in the room.

They stared in shock as he placed Jay on the bunk. "More stunts like that and you won't live." He stated and sat on the edge of the bed.

The two new slaves began talking in their native language and Vash looked at them. "You're funny looking guys… what are you?"

They just replied in blips and beeps and he blinked. "Wow guess this is going to make conversations a bit hard."

~*~*Raine*~*~

I continued to stare at the carpet as the Saiiyans all sat in a circle in front of the fireplace. Turles decided to drag out my embarrassment by sitting me on his lap like a good little trophy. The men went on about wars and battles that most likely happened long before their attack of Earth. My back stiffened when I felt something furry wrap around my leg. I looked down to see Turles' tail rubbing up and down my leg like some pet.

"Turles, why did you insist on bringing your slave with you?" Bardock asked.

"She's very appealing to the eyes," he grinned, "that and I wanted to let you bakas know what you were going to be missing tonight."

He earned a round of laughter as I was now boring a hole into the carpet to keep from turning around and slapping him.

At some point, Turles eventually let me go, a couple of his peers helping themselves to a free grope or slap as I hurried out of the room and into the kitchen where I sat in the corner alone while the other slaves cleaned up.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I looked at Sess as the Saiyans began to fall asleep and he began to collect cup and he nodded that we should return to the kitchen. I entered to see most of the slaves were still there but the humans were gone and I sighed as I put the jugs down and followed Sess out of the kitchen towards our room. Suddenly two hands reached out of the darkness and I found myself hanging by my neck and I had trouble breathing, but I could still breathe. I looked to see Sess in the same situation, only he had a bit of a snarl on his lips.

"I see you have made a new friend, Prince Sesshoumaru," Vegeta said as he looked at me and then back at Sess. "You would be wise to remember your place now. You are no longer a prince, but a slave, a belonging, and totally helpless. This girl was obviously shocked at learning who you once were, but be warned, don't let it go to your head. You will remember your place now, no more of your glares and disrespect. King Naraku gave you and your vassals to us as slaves, we put you in collars, and we removed your tails, you will remember that there is no escaping us." With that we were dropped and Vegeta disappeared. I shivered as I rubbed my sore throat.

"What is it with Saiyans and choking me?" I asked as I looked at Sess and he stared at me. "It was a joke, a bad one, but a joke." He looked at me and I could see something was on his mind.

"I'm sorry he attacked you as well," he said and I placed a hand on his arm.

"It wasn't your fault, I was walking with you and I was shocked to learn that you are a prince," I said as I stood up and dusted myself off.

"I'm not a prince anymore," he said as he looked at the parlor and I grabbed his hand, leading him out into the garden where I was sure we wouldn't be heard.

"No, you are Prince Sesshoumaru," I said, looking at him to see if I had gotten his name right, the look in his eyes told me I had. "That's who you are and will always be. You can be a slave, you can be beaten, and you can be powerless, but deep in here and here…" I pointed to his head and heart. "…you will always be Prince Sesshoumaru." With that I left him alone and headed to the barracks to wash up and change into my normal robes.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I jolted up feeling the familiar cold clothe and banged my head with Vash and fell back down and held my forehead.

"OW!! That's no needle noggin, that's a damn rock."

At first my memory failed me and then I realized I'd just been… blasted… was it. The King had blasted me! That Sod he'd pay!

"How you feeling?" Vash asked.

"Crispy and well done." I replied.

Vash smiled. "Nice to see you can joke about get blasted by Vegeta, not many do."

"Obviously that's a hint that not many survive huh?" I asked.

"Yeah, well at least you get to sleep in tomorrow." Vash sighed.

"At the cost of expecting to breathe out black smoke for the next three days." I added.

Vash pulled a blanket over. "Just sleep. Rest up you'll need to be at full health when the King returns."

"Got it… Night Vash."

"Night." He climbed up in to his bunk.

~*~*Raine*~*~

I cried alone in my bunk that night. I avoided a second round with that gorilla, but it didn't mean there wouldn't be other chances. And it scared me and saddened me all at once. He'd put his hands on me again, force himself inside me again, hit me again. I tightened my grip on my pillow as I cried with no regard for whoever might've been nearby.

And then there was the dinner with those other bastards. The way they made me feel like some object instead of the human being I really was. Tonight was a really low point for me, which only added to the hopelessness and futility of my 'life' on this planet.

"Hey, do you mind? Some people are trying to sleep!" someone snapped from a bunk down.

I suddenly sat up, "Who's there?"

"Another slave like yourself. One who's trying to get a little rest for the busy day tomorrow," the voice said.

I wiped my tears, suddenly angry, "Well I'm sorry if my depression is interfering with your sleeping habits."

I clenched my eyes shut and fell on my side, crying again. I didn't pay any attention to the footsteps headed my way.

"You're Turles' caretaker," he said, standing over me.

I glared and looked up at him, caught off-guard by his golden-colored eyes. They seemed to pierce the darkness of the room.

"Yeah," I sat up, "what does it matter?"

"Actually, it doesn't. I was just curious," he said before sitting down on my bunk.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Raine," I said, trying to adjust my eyes to the lack of light.

"So what's your story?" he asked.

I sighed, "I really don't want to talk about it. I don't need to remind myself of how I ended up here."

"Well it beats crying all night in which you'll oversleep. Turles'll come in here, angry as all hell and decided to punish you a day early," he said, upsetting me.

"Oh what, you haven't figured it out? He likes you," he said.

I looked skeptical, "So he shows his affection for me by punishing me?"

The guy on my bed leaned back, "If you didn't know, Saiiyans are a sadomasochistic race. They like pain and they like to inflict it. Hell, it turns them on. You being a female from a weak alien race just makes you fun. You're appealing to the eyes and you can't fight back. Well, you'll try but it won't get you anywhere. When you cry and scream when they hurt you, it turns them on, they enjoy it. Your pain could only make him want you more."

I folded my arms around myself, leaning against the headboard, surprisingly feeling even more depressed. I glared at him through the darkness, "I guess you must be one of the lucky ones. Y'know, being from a superior race and being male."

"Oh it's quite the opposite," he said, "My race of people was a challenge for his people, but not enough. Most of my people were killed, the survivors enslaved. The women of my race are all gone."

I gasped, "Why?"

"Unlike other races of people, the women of my race are dominant, superior you might say. While the men got the children onto safe methods of transport, the female monarchs and soldiers fought the Saiiyans. It was a massacre. The women were raped and killed on the battlefield while the other Saiiyans blasted our ships out of the sky. It hadn't taken them long to capture us all. But when the Saiiyans realized that our women could fight with or without their ki-dampeners, they were executed. With them gone, we were all left defenseless. Our children were taken from us and placed into barracks to make sure they grew up into slavery, the girls all killed before they could reach maturity. It's not any easier being a male slave. We're more likely to be beat on just for being male."

I glared, "And as a woman, I'm more likely to be raped or fondled by a Saiiyan because I'm "appealing to the eyes"."

"You're not the only one suffering here," he said, standing up, "Look, all I'm saying is that you should sleep. The sooner you adjust, the longer you'll live. Just some friendly advise. Good night."

He headed for his bunk and I lied back down.

"Why haven't you fought?" I asked.

"Pardon?"

"Why haven't you fought?"

"Well, to be blunt: I'm harmless. At least when it comes to fighting Saiiyans. I have virtually no power of the ki variety and nothing even close to what the women of my race had," he said.

"So you'd rather live like this?" I asked.

"Then what? Die? What good would that do me?" he asked before I heard him climb into bed.

I sighed and muttered under my breath, "You'd be free."

~*~*Belle*~*~

I sat on my bunk brushing my hair as Sess came in and I looked at him, he didn't look at me. The other two were gone, something about meeting with their grandchildren while the Masters were sleeping. I watched as he untied his long hair and I looked down at his butt. Did he?

"What are you looking at?" he asked and I looked away blushing. "Inspecting something?" He was teasing me and I looked at him.

"I was just curious," I stated as I got off my bunk and put my brush by my wash basin. He looked at me with laughing eyes.

"Curious about what?" he asked and I knew he knew what I was curious about.

"Your tail, they cut it off to disgrace you," I said and he nodded. "What was it like?" He blinked.

"What?" he asked and I smiled, he thought I didn't notice the claws, the eyes, the pointed ears, the sharp teeth. I crossed my arms as I walked over to him and pulled him so we were both in front of the mirror.

"We're similar in basic appearance, save for your natural coloring and the markings," I said as I pointed to the crescent moon on his forehead and the stripes on his cheeks. "However, there are several differences that even I noticed." I looked at his hand and pointed at the claws. "There are these, your teeth, your ears, and now a tail."

"What of this?" he asked and I sighed.

"What did it look like?" I asked and he blinked. "I'm curious, please." I looked at him and he crawled onto his bunk.

"It was long, almost twice my body-length and covered in long, soft, white fur," he said and I pictured him with a squirrel tail. I began to snicker. "What is so funny about my tail?" He sounded hurt and I walked up to his bunk.

"It was wrong that they cut it off, you must have looked dashing with it," I said before I patted his shoulder. "Is there anything left of it?" He looked at me over his shoulder.

"A nub," he sighed and I shook my head.

"I never approved of bobbing," I sighed as I headed over and turned off the light.

"Bobbing?" he asked and I blushed as I crawled into bed.

"It means cutting off the tail of…er….something with a tail," I said, not wanting to say 'animal'. "Good night, Sess." I rolled on my side.