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 ❯ Birth and Death ( Chapter 9 )

9: Birth and Death

~*~*~*~*~Seven Months After the Arrival Dinner with Prince Naile, Princess Pai, and Prince Meier ~*~*~*~*~

~*~*Belle*~*~

I groaned as I got up, my large stomach sitting on my bladder as I struggled to get in an upright position.

"Allow me, my Lady," Sess said as he helped me up and I gave him a look as I managed to get onto my feet.

"Don't try to sweet talk me, I'm a blimp because of you, you hormonal beast," I teased as I struggled to get dressed. I quickly went about getting ready for my morning chores, my large stomach hanging out in front of me as I managed to get up the stairs to wake up Raditz and Kakarot.

~*~*Raine*~*~

It had been seven months since Yaten gave me the news. I still get thrown for a loop when I think about it.

"How is Faye's pregnancy coming along?" Zarbon asked as I rested my head against his chest. He wore a thin white flannel-looking shirt with long sleeves and was halfway unbuttoned. He was a damned good-looking alien.

"She already went into labor earlier," I said, earning a wide-eyed stare from him.

I shrugged, "I was leaving for breakfast when one of the slaves told me about it, but I couldn't get in to be with her and Yaten for it. Besides, I don't think I wanna share in the chewing out that Yaten's gonna receive."

"You already know that we have a place for the baby," Zarbon said.

I nodded with a smile, "Yeah. That's the first thing that came to mind when Yaten gave me the news. Faye and I are the only humans in his slave barracks so he'd know something was up. It's gonna break her heart though when the baby is taken away."

I felt Zarbon rub my shoulder and I sighed. We had gotten closer within the months. Nothing too serious. A little cuddling here, wrapping around of the arms, resting our heads against each other's. We weren't trying to make too big a thing of it, especially in front of any xenophobic Saiiyans. They were against the interbreeding of other races, but they had no problem raping us.

"Raine?"

"It isn't fair," I frowned, "Who are they to tell us who we can and can't be with?"

Zarbon sighed and I felt his embrace tighten, "The alien race who enslaved you."

My frown deepened. This was leading into one of those depressing conversations again and Zarbon had been making an attempt to steer our conversations away from that. That's when I noticed an exotic-looking bird perch on the windowless sill. Its plumage was so pretty because it seemed to bleed from yellow into tangerine orange. I remembered Belle pointing out a beautiful blue one that she was able to coax her way with bread crumbs…wait…Belle…

"Oh crap," I sighed and suddenly got up.

"What? What's the matter?" Zarbon sat up, looking a little startled.

"I was supposed to meet the others at the gazebo," I said, suddenly self-conscious of my appearance and trying to smooth out some of the wrinkles in my outfit.

"God. They're gonna think I was getting waxed…" I muttered and rushed over to a full-length mirror to see myself.

I heard Zarbon chuckle and he suddenly appeared behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, "So what if they do?"

I turned around with a raised brow, "Because I didn't."

Zarbon had already learned of my strange slang over a year ago and still found it amusing. His smile deepened. My brows lowered, "But it's not like you'd mind them thinking that."

He chuckled again and I rolled my eyes, lightly slapping his right bicep, "Men. No matter what the race, you're all the same."

"Hey, I resent that," he fake-pouted.

I smiled and gave him a light kiss on the cheek without thinking. I blushed, "Um…I'd better get going."

I averted my eyes from his because I knew if I saw him smirking, which I could out of the corner of my eye, I wouldn't be able to tear myself away and we might've just ended up 'waxing'.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

Following Vegeta as he led me to the training room, we passed by the area where the sparks were working. I waved to the white-eyed and teal-eyed sparks, of course the elder one kinda just looked up at me with this angry grunting look.

The Saiyan overlords watching them glared at me and Vegeta sighed. "Majo don't get too attached to them, they don't last long."

"But I named them." I pouted and he looked at me and nearly laughed.

"You never fail to amuse me."

"The younger one is called Adam and the older one is called Nougat, because he's the coloring of nougat." I nodded.

I waved and Adam smiled and waved back. I liked Adam. I got along well with him, and Vash seemed to think it was nice I could make friend with other slaves apart form him and the other humans I hung around with.

We walked in to the training control room and I looked round, since coming back Vegeta had upped training me because he wanted a real battle from me, well real enough, the room was the only place that had the ki dampeners ineffective.

Vegeta led me in to the training room and instructed the closing of the door. He stayed in the room with me and I looked at him.

"Is this how you treat all the women you bed?" I asked and looked at the trio of saibamen as they appeared.

"Only the ones I see suitable for a possible body guard position."

"Whoa… bodyguard, I can't protect you, I don't like you, you rule this evil race that took me from my home and blew it up, I can't and I won't." I stomped my foot down angrily.

"But you will Majo, you have too many weak links formed that I could use against you any time I choose."

I looked at him uncertain who he was referring to and not even wanting to know, if he even got near my friends in that threatening manner I'd snap.

He caught the look of obvious flashed anger and he smirked. "That's right Majo use that, let your anger out on them." He motioned to the saibamen and I watched as they charged at me.

"Eghki!" One screeched and I blocked the punch.

"Remember what I've taught you so far majo."

I looked at Vegeta and then at the other two saibamen. He was referring to the ki attacks. Of course my ki was different than Saiyans but gathered the same way. I held my hand out and fired off one electrical charge. It zapped the saibaman who had charged and I saw it stand up again.

"Majo kill them."

"What?" I looked at him.

"I want to see how you killed that Gung Ho Gun."

"No I can't that wasn't me!" I snapped.

Vegeta smirked. "I believe it was."

I was charged up again and stubbornly put up my little force field and stood in protest. I knew that if I killed that would upset Vash and I felt that I truly liked him enough not to hurt him like that ever.

Vegeta let out a growl and just blasted them till they were singed. And fired off a round at my force field the blast was enough to shake it and make it disperse.

"Deal with them now Majo or I'll deal with you!"

I looked at him and walked up to the saibamen and pulled out the cord I had been using as a belt to hold the skirt I was wearing up and tied then up together with it and hung them on the wall.

"Merry Christmas." I stated and walked past him.

Vegeta glared at me. "Majo…" I knew the tone it was warning me, I had gotten off so light over the year and a bit I'd been here but because I knew what punishment was, I got the concept fairly quickly because from one situation to the next I saw what happened to disobedience. I'd seen the scars on Vash and I saw them gathering up again since he'd lost them.

"Eghki kiiiiieee…"

"Huh?" I looked over at the saibamen and Vegeta watched. I saw the expression on his face and suddenly he grabbed me. "Vegeta! Hey!" I was slammed up against the wall and then I felt it the brief flicker through my mind of a change in the atmospheric energy of Vegetasei.

Then there was a loud explosion and I let out a cry and looked up. Vegeta was shielding me for some reason, shielding me from the explosion.

When the light of the explosion had dispersed he stepped back and I looked at him. "Whoa…" I breathed. There was hardly a mark on him and I knew enough about explosions (sad but true) to know that it was enough to be equivalent to one of those car bombs you used to see on the news back home. And we were in direct blast and he stood there like it was nothing, but obviously knew of my mortality enough to shield me.

"What happened?" He snapped at the door and it swished open I stood there staring at the large charred hole in the wall and walked up to it. It was still smoking and I stared at it and looked out and for a moment I thought I saw a man standing there. His outfit was quite strange indeed and he had dark hair, almost reflecting a shade of dark blue, golden eyes and wore a white coat one shoulder with a ring of spikes on it and he smiled at me, before he turned round and walked off.

"MAJO!" Vegeta shouted and I turned round and saw him looking at me. "Don't get too close their acid could burn you. I don't need you harmed at this moment."

I nodded and looked back out through the hole and he was gone, like he hadn't even been there, but it was enough to remember his face and know in my gut that he had been the one Vash had been looking for… Legato.

Stepping away from the hole and charredness I raced over to where Vegeta was and he looked at me.

"That was the saibamen's kamikaze attack." He explained.

I blinked. "They committed suicide?"

"Apparently." Zorn remarked from the control room, "It's unknown to happen in training situations like this though. Very uncommon." He spoke.

"Majo you will meet me in my room tonight, until then you are dismissed." Vegeta remarked. "I'm going to look in to this incident personally. No harm is to come to you unless by my hand and my hand alone."

I looked at him and nodded walking out and looking back over my shoulder and I felt it. Vegeta was getting attached to me, he found me amusing and he obviously liked that.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I sighed as I placed Kakarot's meal in front of him. He looked at my stomach and then placed a hand on my shoulder.

"May I feel your stomach?" he asked and I nodded as he placed his hand over the large lump and suddenly the skin rippled. He pulled his hand back quickly and I winced as I rubbed the spot gently.

"He hasn't moved in a while, so that hurt a bit," I muttered more to myself than Kakarot.

"Doesn't that hurt?" Kakarot asked and I bowed, suddenly remembering myself.

"Only the sore back, swollen feet, and cramped internal organs, Lord Kakarot," I said with a smile before returning to the kitchen. Sess watched me and I knew he was dying to ask me about the baby. He was getting nervous especially since I told him with humans the baby stops moving soon before birth. He had noticed the lack of movement in the past few days, not that I didn't mind. Sess's child was active and kicking my bladder had been a source of hours of pleasure for our child. But the best was when he or she would stretch and extend his or her foot out making my stomach look like an alien was moving around under my skin….which was somewhat true.

"How are you feeling?" Sess asked and I looked at him with a smirk before I took his hand and placed it over my bulging stomach.

"Like a cow, but a content one," I said as I rested by him. I knew our child was going to be strong…and with the arrangements made with Zarbon our child would be free.

~*~*Raine*~*~

My cheeks were still red from my encounter with Zarbon as I hurried through the palace grounds for the gazebo. What was I thinking when I kissed him?

'Stop being such a prude! It was only on the cheek!' something in the back of my mind chided.

Still. I'd never been so forward with anyone before. I pushed back my dreads from my face and lowered my eyes from a passing Saiiyan soldier who licked his lips my way. As soon as he had turned a corner, I sped up my pace for the gazebo. The longer I was left to ponder the situation, the more my imagination would run wild. I blushed again and sighed, shaking my head. A year and seven months with this guy and we still hadn't even kissed.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

As we walked to the gazebo I was silent. I had seen that figure that person, with out realizing how I knew him. I knew who he was, yet I felt he wasn't actually here like a echo image or something. But the saibamen committing suicide like that, it was odd, at least Vegeta got their death like he wanted. Such an unhealthy appetite for death that King.

"Jay…" Vash slipped his hand in to mine and I looked up at him. "You've been quiet since coming back from training. Everything okay?"

"He wants me to be his body guard…" I shook my head. "How can I protect something which I have grown to hate so badly?"

"Gazebo people." Wolfwood announced as we arrived and I found a seat on the lawn and plonked myself down and fiddled with the grass.

"Something is bugging her." Wolfwood noticed and out loud so I could hear and confess.

"Yeah and I don't think it's the bodyguard thing." Vash added.

My head hurt and I was barely injured yet that explosion had me shaken so badly, it could have killed me. I could've died and dying in captivity was not what I wanted.

"Jay…" Wolfwood sat down next to me.

"I saw someone… yet I know he wasn't there… like I could see him in my head." I began and Vash blinked then looked at me.

"You saw someone… who?"

I looked at him. "Vash you know who I saw."

Wolfwood looked at Vash. "What's she talking about Needle Noggin?"

"Legato… you saw Legato didn't you?" Vash was about to grab me and shake me when we heard the arrival from the others and I moved away from Vash putting Wolfwood in between us.

"Between us for now, we don't need to scare them." Vash stated.

Wolfwood nodded. "Fine with me." He flopped back on the grass.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I huffed slightly as I came around the bend to where the gazebo lay. It was early summer now and I had to say it was nice to be able to gather around the gazebo again.

"Why won't you let me carry you?" Sess asked as he stood by my said and I smiled at him as I tucked a strand of hair behind his ear.

"Because, when I go into labor you're going to need all that strength to keep me from attacking you," I teased as I smiled at Raine, Jay, Vash, and Nicholas. "Ah, I see my caring friends have all made me feel welcome. Jay drop the marker, you are not writing Goodyear across my belly. Nicholas, don't smoke anywhere near me. Vash, one more fat joke and I'll show you how funny they all have been. Raine, how's Faye?"

"Faye went into labor this morning, I didn't really get to talk to her," she said sadly.

"Yea, only a few people are allowed in. I've managed to make sure that Sess can be there. He's my 'protection' against Raditz," I said as I stroked my mate's hand as he sat at the base of a tree and pulled me down to rest with my back against his chest and his legs straddling mine. His hand slowly came down to rest on my large belly.

"So do you have names for the baby?" Jay asked and I nodded.

"Sess said it was my right as the mother to name it, however, this child is going to be his heir so, I told him it was his choice," I said and then I looked at Sess and he nodded.

"In the case of a female I chose the name Rin and in case of a male, Taisho," Sess said and I gave him a look.

"What Mr. Insensitivity is trying to do is act like it doesn't matter, but what he hasn't mentioned is Rin was the name of his mother and Taisho was the name of his father. He's just trying to be a bad ass," I stated before sighing and resting against him. "Of course I can't wait to get this kid out of me, I swear, it's gonna be twenty pounds."

"Well that would be a record birth," Nicholas chuckled and I looked at him.

"You forget, this kid's gonna be part alien, we don't know how big the baby will be," Raine stated as she looked at the lake.

~*~*Raine*~*~

I sighed, thinking about Faye's baby. From what Yaten told me of his alien physiology, the baby would look no different from any other human, granted his or her hair would probably be an abnormal color like his or Faye's. I didn't care. I liked both of their hair colors, so the baby would have a good one as well. It's funny when I think about it. Faye and I had gotten even closer ever since I had learned of the pregnancy. I spent most of my time chatting and pampering her when Yaten wasn't. There were times she got irritated from all the babying, but she still appreciated it. She apparently had a good relationship with all of the other slaves because they easily covered for her. If Turles knew of her pregnancy, he'd kill the child. And Faye had been through enough without having the death of her baby to add to it.

My eyes darted to Belle and I noticed how Sess was tripping over himself to make sure she was comfortable. It was so cute. I smiled, "You look a little tense."

Belle looked at me, "Hmm?"

"Maybe a bath should be in order."

~*~*J'dee*~*~

It was nice that Belle was happy, I flicked some blades of grass with my finger and let out a breath. I felt cold, another night with Vegeta, when would the monotony end? I was slowly loosing myself my sense of purpose, and the whole being with him for a night unnerved me something chronic.

"Earth to Jay you there?" Wolfwood waved a hand in front of my face.

I smiled "Yeah I'm just… oh you know Ed like…" I remarked in referral to one of the cartoons I enjoyed watching back home with boy. Ed Edd and Eddy.

"So what can we do? To fill in time?" Vash asked.

"I have some markers let's do some graffiti, since I can't draw on Belle's stomach." I offered.

"And get beaten. I think I'd like to avoid that." Wolfwood added.

"Awww your no fun." I drooled the sarcasm obvious. "I'm sure they'll appreciate the words. "Freedom Enterprise" written across their spacecraft."

Vash looked clueless but those from Earth got the lame attempt at a joke. "Any other ideas?" He asked.

~*~*Belle*~*~

"Now that's a plan," I chuckled as I looked at Raine. "A nice hot bath would do me good. I swear I'm one big sore muscle."

"Now let's watch Belle try and get onto her feet," Jay chuckled and I gave a death glare as I began to do said task to no avail, but then I felt a slight twinge.

"Um…change in plans. Time to go to the infirmary," I said and all eyes were on me. "Water just broke…I couldn't have timed it better for comedy's sake."

"I've got her," Sess said as he lifted me into his arms and headed out. "Come along, Wolfwood, you need to be there for the birth of 'your' child."

"Right behind you," Nicholas chuckled as he got up and followed us.

~*~*Raine*~*~

In labor already! My thoughts quickly drifted to Faye. I frowned. I wished I could be with her and Yaten to see the child. I folded my arms and quickly followed Sess and others. I wasn't allowed to be with them though, so I could only hope to see the child when I would bring it to Zarbon.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I crossed my arms as I walked along following everyone, this was a big thing, but my excitement was gone suddenly. I looked up at the sky before we headed indoors, I didn't want to be here any more and I was going to protest… I just didn't know how.

"This way Jay." Vash interrupted my thought and lead me down the right corridor.

I followed him letting him hold my hand and he smiled at me and I smiled back. "It's a big thing for you isn't it?" I asked.

"Of course I see so many dying here and I'm unable to do anything so see a life being brought in to the world…" he smiled and looked at me those green eyes almost happy with tears that I wanted to conk him over the head.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I winced as another contraction passed over my abdomen, my breath coming in short pants as I tried to force a living bowling ball out of my body.

"Sess!" I cried and my hand clamped over his and began to crush it with all the force I had. He smirked and squeezed my hand gently before stroking my forehead. Nicholas was wiping the perspiration off of my forehead, managing to stay away from my crushing grip.

"Calm down and push," Sess whispered to me and I whimpered as I used muscles I didn't even know I had.

"I want this over with!" I screamed as the tears began to fall down my cheeks. Zarbon's physician was between my legs, gently prodding and poking me down there.

"The baby's crowning, now if you don't mind I've got a more serious case in another room. Sess, you are qualified to help her through the rest of her labor, I see no complications from this one," the physician said before potting off.

"I want this over with! Now!" I cried out and contracted all of my muscles, pushing as hard as I could and I was rewarded with the sound of a baby crying. "Sesshoumaru…" I looked to see him at a table, his back to me as the sound of running water reached me.

"It's a boy, our son, Taisho," he whispered and I sighed as he came over to me and placed the now clean and calm bundle into my arms. Sess removed the afterbirth and began to clean me up as I looked at our child. The tiny baby was pale, not like the other newborns I had seen in my life, who were flushed and ruddy. My son opened his eyes and I was greeted by the most beautiful molten gold eyes, like his father's but…somehow different, perhaps not clouded by the ever dominant cloud of slavery. On his head there was a soft layer of slivery-white hair, but his face…oh his face was mine, he looked like some one had taken my baby photo and changed the color of the eyes and hair. I stroked his little ears, they had a minor point to them, like his father's.

"I'll leave you two alone," Nicholas said and slipped out of the room.

"He…he's beautiful," I whispered as I felt the first of my tears fall. "Sess, take him. Take him now, before I can't let go!" I looked at my son as Sess took him from my arms. "Take him to Zarbon….now Sess….go!" I watched as Sess cradled Taisho in his arms and vanished in a flash of white hair.

"Belle?" Jay's voice called and I turned away from the door, the tears falling down my cheeks as I looked away from my friends.

"Belle, are you okay?" Vash asked and I curled up into a ball and continued weeping.

"She's had to give up her child…" J'dee said with a frown. She stepped in from another room. I began to sob harder. I had given up my son, my child, the being I had been waiting for, for most of my life. I felt my heart shatter, I wanted Sess, I needed him.

~*~*Raine*~*~

I sneaked over to where Yaten and Faye were when I heard the doctor stated that there were no complications with Belle's pregnancy. I couldn't wait to see the child! But when I walked into the room and saw Yaten with his head bowed, holding Faye's still hand, I paused.

"Yaten…?" I whispered and he up at me. He looked as if he had aged twenty years.

"Yaten! What's wrong? Tell me!"

~*~*J'dee*~*~

My arms were crossed as Wolfwood entered and I could smell the death, he was carrying a bundle. A dead baby, my nose curled up I so did not want to see I turned my head away, this life was driving me to insanity and I would be there shortly if I didn't find a way out.

"They both died." He informed us referring to Faye and her infant.

"At least they're free." I mumbled and scuffed my foot on the ground.

Vash looked at me sympathetic. "We will be too one day Jay."

"I'm losing my hope, I'm sorry. Now is not the time Belle she doesn't need that." I looked at her sympathetic. "Sorry. I just had a fricken weird morning."

~*~*Belle*~*~

Sesshoumaru walked down the secret passageway, his first born child in his arms, his heir, and the fruit of his mating with the human female who captured his heart.

"You are Prince Taisho, son of this Prince Sesshoumaru, grandson to the great King Inutaisho," he spoke as he reached into his robes and pull out a gold necklace, the long chain supported the weight of a ring. The ring was Sesshoumaru's birthright, the object that all his kind would recognize as a possession of the heir of Tenrousei's throne. Sesshoumaru placed the chain around his son's neck and then slipped his claw into the skin of his son's forehead, injecting his son with the poison he once used for combat. Instead of harming his son, the poison caused a reaction, soon enough his son bore the blue crescent moon of the Yamainu King's line. Sesshoumaru brought his son up and pressed his lips to the small cut on the infant's forehead. The wound closed quickly and Sesshoumaru looked at Taisho, there was a light blue triangle by the bottom of each of his ears, and the new father was certain a long blue stripe would extend across the child's cheek, making him look a lot like his grandfather. Sesshoumaru examined his son more and noticed the infant's eyelids had a light redness near the rims, those too would darken and thicken as the pup grew.

"I am sorry you will not get to know your mother nor I in the beginning years of your life. I swear to you on the honor of your grandfather, I will restore our family or do what I can to begin the restoration. I know your mother will fight hard to get back to you. Know that she and I love you deeply, Taisho, we will always love you. Because we love you, you are going to my cousin, Lord Koga, and when old enough you are going to go train on Namek under King Guru's tutelage and perhaps, before you reach manhood we will meet and you will see me as a free King and not the enslaved Prince I am now," Sesshoumaru whispered to his son and the child gurgled at him. Something struggled in the blankets and Sesshoumaru ripped the fabric, pulling free his son's small tail, watching it wag for a moment before entering Zarbon's chambers.

Zarbon was not alone, Princess Pai and Prince Naile were also there with their bodyguards and Sesshoumaru found the small Prince Dende looking at him. He knelt down and allowed the young Namekian to look at the infant and Princess Pai came over. Her third eye glowed for a moment before she smiled at him.

"Pai is happy to help," she said and Sesshoumaru looked at Zarbon.

"Dende is going to get 'homesick' and we're going to happen upon Koga training on Namek," Zarbon explained with a smirk and Piccolo approached.

"I sent Koga an invitation to train with Muri last week, he just arrived two days ago and was filled in on the situation," Piccolo explained and Sesshoumaru looked at them all. Zarbon approached his boyhood companion and lifelong friend.

"You have to give us the child," Zarbon whispered and Sesshoumaru realized he was clutching the child much as Belle had been when she yelled at him to take the infant away. Sesshoumaru found his throat closing, making it hard to breathe…let alone talk. His vision blurred as he looked down at the small angel with his coloring and his mate's face. His vision cleared for a moment in his right eye and he reached up, gently brushing away something on his cheek, he looked at his hand realizing he was crying.

"Taisho, I will be with you always in spirit, remember your parents risked everything to give you freedom," he whispered to his son, knowing Piccolo, Naile, and Dende all heard him. "I love you, my son."

"Pai will watch him. Pai will not let anything happen to young Prince Taisho of the Yamainu," Pai said as she stood in front of Sesshoumaru. He slowly reached out, his arms wanting to refuse and clutch his newborn son closer. He closed his eyes for a moment against the tears and offered his son to the young Sanjiyan Princess. Slowly the weight was removed from his grasp and there were whimpers from the infant. Sesshoumaru grit his teeth as his claws pierced holes in his palms, blood slipping from his clenched fists to the floor.

"Sesshoumaru, we will protect him and keep Naraku from finding him," Piccolo said as he passed Sesshoumaru. The Yamainu Prince watched as the four nobles carried his only son out of Zarbon's parlor and to a ship that would put galaxies between him and his offspring.

Sesshoumaru could not hold back the howl of grief that escaped from his throat. Soon the noble, captive prince was on the floor, his blood and tears falling like rain.

~*~*Raine*~*~

I didn't stay long with Belle and found myself returning to Faye and Yaten. I hugged Yaten close, averting his eyes from Faye's lifeless form. She looked so pale and unhealthy. Tears quickly formed in my eyes and ran down my cheek just looking at her. She had become a good friend of mine. We looked past our not-so-formal first impressions and became companions. And now she was snatched away from me much like my life back on Earth. I hugged Yaten tighter when I heard him stifle a sob.

"I-It's okay Yaten, go ahead. Don't hold it in," I struggled to say as the tears flooded down my cheeks. I grit my teeth and balled up my fists as I held him. I hated these apes! I truly, deeply hated them with every fiber of my being. And to add insult to injury, the doctor merely wiped his hands and walked off as if he'd just pulled out someone's tooth. I did everything short of biting my tongue to curse him out.

I sniffled and rubbed Yaten's back. He no longer held back, sobbing into my shoulder.

"I'm so sorry Yaten. Oh God I'm so sorry…" I sobbed.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I sat there unsure of what to do with each passing month I was slowly loosing myself in monotony of routines. Belle having to give up her baby, Faye and the infant dying, my own problems weren't as heart wrenching. I let my head drop as it reached my knees that were tucked up to my chest on the chair I was sitting on.

Vash was standing with that Yaten fellow. They seemed to know each other a bit, but Vash had been here my guess good on fifteen years give or take so that would explain how he knew so many of the salves and their 'masters' and his knowledge of the passageways like the back of his scarred hand. Anyway Vash was talking to Yaten consoling him for the loss of this Faye that he had obviously cared deeply about.

I ignored the on goings on in the room, my mind drifting back to Legato, he unnerved me. I looked up seeing Wolfwood look in my direction. He didn't say anything though and I was glad. I wasn't up for talking at that moment.

Belle had been crying for a while now and I was unsure on what to do. I never really had anyone comfort me when I cried before. Boy had done it once or twice and Vash had the night I arrived. Apart from that, I had always cried when I was alone. I had similar beliefs as the Saiyans that tears were for the weak, and weakness was an emotion I wanted no one to see from me.

I watched as Raine gave her a hug, she seemed just as sad too, then again she'd lost a friend this day. She had a right to be sad. Raine rubbed Belle's back as she cried and I looked down just hugging my knees.

"Someone's coming…" I heard Yaten's comment and the group split in the room.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I sobbed into the pillow, my tears saturating the material thoroughly as I curled up in both emotional and physical pain. My baby…my baby was gone…being taken worlds away from me, far from my reach. I could barely take the pain in my heart.

"Well, where is it?" a voice called and I looked to see Bardock standing in the doorway and I glared at him, before burying my face in the pillow, I would not let him see my tears.

"My Lord Bardock, the infant did not make it into this life," Nicholas said as he approached Bardock with something in his arms. "We…we are in mourning over the loss of our first child." I began to weep harder as I listened to Nicholas lie and apparently showing them the body of an infant.

"I see, she may have the next two days to recuperate, then she must be back to her chores," Bardock ordered and I sighed as I waited for him to leave.

"He's gone," Vash said and I slowly got up, ignoring the pain from the recent birth, my nose could still smell Sess and I would follow that trail.

"Where do you think you're going?" Raine asked and I looked at her, she'd been crying.

"I'm finding my mate," I said as I stood up and winced, placing a hand over my now empty womb.

"You need to sit down and get better," Jay said and I looked at her, my eyes overflowing with tears as I looked at them.

"My…my baby…he's…he's gone….Oh God…I gave him away…." I sobbed as I began to cry again. "I've wanted a son for so long, now I have one…and I let him go!" I began to bawl before I managed to get to the door of the room. "I can still smell him, my baby…my Taisho! I…I need my mate!" I stumbled to the secret passage entrance and entered. I felt someone pick me up and I looked at Nicholas as Vash , Jay, and Raine followed.

"Which way, She with the Bloodhound nose," Nicholas began and I wrapped my arms around Nicholas neck.

"To the left, I'll tell you when to turn," I whispered.

~*~*Raine*~*~

"My condolences for Faye and her baby. I had known her too, though not as well as Yaten," Vash whispered to me.

I just nodded, tears still forming. I managed to speak to him, though in a whisper, "We're gonna have a ceremony for her and the baby. God, Yaten must be so broken up."

Vash gripped my shoulder gently and I placed my hand on top of his, "Thanks."

And Turles would probably only see it as one less slave, property as opposed to a human being. I held my head. How would we explain it to him? Faye's pregnancy? Her death. Oh God, just when I thought things couldn't get any worse…

~*~*J'dee*~*~

We were walking along listening to Belle's directions on where Sess was, and this idle chatter about Faye and a memorial service. I'd never met the girl, then I spose before this moment, I didn't even get to see her after she was dead, so I had to go on Raine and Wolfwood's words. I'd never met Yaten either, of course he didn't know all of us either so he stayed behind for his final words to Faye.

I was feeling really unsettled in the pit of my stomach. The whole knowing that night I was going to be with Vegeta. I hated nights like this. Dreaded on them. I tried to occupy my mind with idle other things but nothing was working. I just kept remembering the first time. Sure I hadn't been a virgin, but still it was the principal, the no-permission-don't-touch attitude.

Why did I have t be so submissive towards him?

~*~*Belle*~*~

We entered Zarbon's parlor and I could smell that Zarbon, Piccolo, Dende, Naile, Pai, and Tien were all gone. I looked to see a form on the floor, his shoulders hunched as if he was broken. His tail was limp against the floor, his long hair was free from its constricting braid and curtaining his face from me. I could smell the blood and the salt. I placed a hand on Nicholas' chest and shook my head.

"I go alone from here, go back, you have duties to attend to, tell Bardock that I had a fit and Sess is restraining me from hurting myself," I said as Nicholas put me down.

"Are you sure?" Vash asked and I nodded.

"We need each other…but only each other," I whispered as I looked at them. My eyes already full of tears. "I thank you all for all that you've done, but…I have to ask you to leave us." I pulled away from Nicholas and stumbled over to Sess. I looked back to see the secret passageway door close and I curled up around Sess's back. I rested my head on his shoulder blade, my tears coming quickly and dampening his robes.

"I…I let them take him…our son…" he stammered and I nodded against his back.

"He'll be safe," I whispered, a choked sob escaping before I could contain my self. "He'll be free." I broke down, my tears coming faster and my breath in sobs. He moved then, sitting Indian style on the floor, pulling me into his lap to cradle me against his chest. "I wanted him so badly…but I…I let him go!" I clung to Sess's robes as I sobbed, the scent of our son still on his chest and arms. His hand moved up and down my back in a comforting manner. His hair curtained around me and I held onto Sess with all my strength.

"We will see him again, I swear on my honor, you will be with your child again," he whispered and kissed me. Our lips saying as much as we could with our voices.

~*~*Relle*~*~

Zarbon had left to ensure that Belle and Sesshomaru's baby arrived safely within his kingdom. I quickly muttered my good-byes to the others and hurried back to the infirmary to escort Yaten back to the slave barracks. I doubted he was in any condition to go anywhere by himself. I held onto his arm and guided him through the halls back to Turles' place. We'd have the ceremony when Turles was gone, of course. But we had to figure out a way to keep Turles from finding out how and why Faye died. He had never really paid too much attention to her before, after all she was a supervisor in the kitchen, but I still worried. Hopefully he'd just do some kind of manhunt and then just give up. I wiped another tear from my face. They were blurring my vision and I nearly fell when we stumbled up the steps of Turles' place. Yaten needed a shoulder to cry on and a soothing voice to help him through this. Screw anything else, I was gonna be there for him.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I had parted from everyone on my own mission and walked in to the slave common room. I didn't even know the place existed until I had met up with the laundry girls Wolfwood had introduced me to. From there I'd gained a few contacts to help me with my goal.

Heads turned as I walked in and I walked up to an elderly man and sat down next to him, I offered him a friendly smile. "Hi."

He looked at me and smiled. "You're a lot friendlier than the last concubine of the King, she thought she was a gift from the gods, but you." He smiled more, "you're different."

I smiled at him. "Thank-you, can I ask where I would find a slave brander that isn't a Saiyan?" I asked.

"Are you branding slaves?"

"No I'm branding myself."

He blinked and looked at me. "The King wouldn't like that."

"The King can't read katakana can he now?" I replied with a smirk.

The elderly man smiled at me. "Well then you have spirit, the brander is over there." He motioned.

"Thank-you." I stood up and walked up to the brander and looked at him. He turned round in his seat and I was taken aback for a bit as I looked at him. He wore a patch over one eye and looked like something like out of a space pirate movie. But I regained my composure instantly.

He smiled. "How can I help you?" he asked.

I placed the Japanese script I'd written down on a cloth and he looked up at me. "Brand me with this. Right here." I pointed my upper right arm.

He looked at me. "You're telling me you want me to brand you with this mark of unfamiliarity to the Saiyans for a reason?"

I pulled up my sleeve to reveal my yin yang tattoo. "Earth custom of self mutilation."

He laughed. "Well then I see, alright, what am I going to get for it?"

I dropped some coins on the table in front of him he looked at them. "Saiyan dollars how did you get these?"

"I sold some of the garments the King gave me early this morning in the laundry room, they told me that you would be here. Can you do this?"

"Of course I can, follow me, it will take a while though."

"I'm used to it."

~*~*Belle*~*~

I woke up in my bunk, but not alone. Sess lay behind me holding me tight as if he were afraid that I would be ripped away from him while he slept. I turned around in his arms so I was facing him.

"Sleep, you need the rest," he stated and I rested my head on his chest.

"What I need is traveling further and further away from us, thankfully," I whispered and he looked at me, piercing me with his golden gaze.

"Do you regret bearing Taisho?" he asked and I looked at him before catching his cheeks in my hands.

"Prince Sesshoumaru, bearing your heir made me the happiest woman in the universe. Yes, I regret giving him up as soon as he was born, but no, I would bear a hundred of your children as long as I remain with you the whole time," I whispered as I kissed him passionately. "You are my mate, husband, and best friend, as long as we are together, I regret nothing between us." Sess looked at me and stroked my cheek lovingly before kissing me.

"I love you," he said and I hugged his chest. It would be hard but I would over come this…but not for some time.

~*~*Raine*~*~

It didn't take too long for Yaten to cry himself to sleep. I tucked him into his bunk and pulled up his blankets up to his chest. I frowned and folded my arms. Then I looked up at the top bunk. It was Faye's. I frowned and turned away from it. I sat on my bed, watching Yaten sleep peacefully. His eyes were a little swollen from crying, but I think he needed it. He needed to release it all. He'd have to go on the rest of his life remembering this day and holding it all in was not healthy.

I got up and headed out of the barracks, once again having all eyes on me from the other slaves. They knew what had happened and all pitied Yaten. They'd known him and Faye longer than I had. I almost wanted to smile. They'd help us cover up her death and the pregnancy.

Once I was out of the barracks, I walked right into the last person I wanted to see.

Turles blinked, "Onna, what is the matter?"

I turned way from him, looking at the carpet, "N-Nothing…master."

He took my chin in his hand and made me look at him. My eyes were still a little pink from crying all day myself.

"I-It's just been a long day. I just want to forget this day," I whispered.

I could tell by the way he was touching me that he wanted to take me to his bed again, but I guess my wracked appearance was a turn-off for him.

"Go and wash up and go to bed. You do not look healthy," he said and suddenly walked off. I sighed and followed him seeing as how he had me bathe in his bathroom.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I had my arm bandaged up safely so Vegeta didn't see, I walked in to his room and he was standing by the window and turned round and looked at me his eyes falling on the bandage.

"What happened to you?"

"I found out I got a bit burned from this morning's training." I lied and successfully.

"Majo we're going to have to work on that." He stated.

I nodded and he motioned me over. I walked up to him hating myself all the way for listening to him, my palms sweaty and nervous as always when I had to deal with the King sexually.

I watched as he began to disrobe me and I closed my eyes feeling my skin grow cold and my hairs stand up on end, even so long after the trip, his touch scared me in to obedience.

"So obedient Majo, I like that about you." He purred and I closed my eyes shivering all over the cold of the room did nothing to ease the cold I felt from his touch.

'Please let him, be over with it quick.' I thought and he picked me up and I was placed down on the bed and clutched his shoulders suddenly as he began straight away with the penetration. I gritted my teeth holding in the cry of pain. I hated myself, I really did.

His hand brushed hair away from my face and I opened my eyes. "That one thing never changes with you majo, and every time I take you, you act like it's the first time." He smirked down at me.

I was suddenly shocked and then I slapped him hard. "You jerk! Get off me!"

He just laughed and his hands rammed my shoulders down. I heard a crack. "Now that's more like it Majo. I like them with fight. I was wondering when you would fight back?" He taunted.

I tried to shove him off hit was like trying to push a house with one finger. He pushed me down further so much that I felt the blankets rise around either side of me.

"STOP! GET OFF ME!" I screamed at him.

"So you're going to scream tonight huh Majo?"

I pounded my fists on his chest, if he wasn't so arrogant I coulda fallen for him, if he wasn't the king of a race of pirates and killers I coulda liked him more.

I struggled from under him and with one easy movement my hands were pinned above my head and I thrashed beneath him.

He grunted as I felt the sting within me, he hadn't been so rough with me before then again I'd never fought him before.

"This is what I've been training you for majo." He nuzzled my neck and I held back tears, I wasn't going to cry, even if it felt like he was killing me.

"I hate you…" I whispered, as he made the experience the most unpleasant I'd ever encountered before and I found myself wanting Vash more and more.

~*~*~*~*~Four Days after the Birth of Taisho~*~*~*~*~

~*~*Belle*~*~

I sighed as I sat on the railing of the gazebo staring at the water as it rippled under the wind's touch.

"Belle? Vegitasei to Belle, we'd like you to acknowledge us," Vash's voice called and I looked at him over my shoulder.

"Vash, I was in deep meditation and didn't feel like reacting to the self done body work Jay went through," I stated as I yawned.

"Right, and you were about to fall asleep and fall right into the lake," Nicholas chuckled and I smiled.

"Well, I would have woken up then," I stated with a look at them. "I'm fine, Zarbon told us that Koga took to Taisho quickly and Koga plans on sending updates on Taisho as often as possible."

"Really?" Jay asked and I nodded as I pulled something out of my robes. It was a small gold disk on a gold chain.

"Koga even sent me this, he heard I was upset by the separation," I said as I pressed a small button and a hologram appeared of a tall, black haired man, his unnatural blue eyes were shining as he held Taisho, gently playing with my son. Both tails were wagging happily and I smiled.

"He looks different from Sess," Nicholas commented and I nodded.

"Sess explained it to me, Koga and he are first cousins, but the marking on Sess are only passed from father to son of the royal line. Daughters do not get the markings and Koga's mother married a common soldier of great strategic genus. However, because his father was a common soldier and his mother had no markings, Koga doesn't have any of the royal markings," I explained as I looked at my son in the arms of this stranger.

"That thing's cool," Jay whispered as she stared at the hologram before I turned it off.

"Yes, Zarbon told me that it can be uploaded with over a million images and I can scan through them all or think of the one I want and it'll appear. It's a nice wedding present," I said as I got up and stretched.

"How are you really?" Raine asked and I shrugged.

"I don't know, numb. Very numb, I miss having Taisho in me. But I'm happy too, because my son will grow up strong and free," I said as I hugged myself and then smiled sadly at them. "I'm going to go see Sess, he was supposed to be here by now, I swear if he's gotten hurt again for doing something stupid I'm going to have to beat him upside the head with a chair." I started off, not looking back at the others.

~*~*Raine*~*~

I returned to Turles' slave barracks to find Yaten standing before one of the windows, looking out at the palace grounds. He was only in a pair of black slacks and a white A-shirt. I frowned and walked up to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and rested my head against his back.

"Everything looks gray now," he almost whispered.

My grip tightened and I fought back the urge to cry again. He'd been a mess since Faye's and their child's death. He had spent the past three days since her death crying till he was dehydrated. Now he was this gloomy, dark figure that you felt pity for even if you didn't know him or his situation. You could tell he had been through hell. I didn't know how he could've possibly gotten through his chores in his state.

"You need to sleep," I whispered.

He didn't reply so I stood up and moved away from him before taking his hand and pulling him over to the beds.

"You come and lay down and I'll bring you something warm to eat. You're not looking well," I said after checking his forehead and headed out of the barracks for the kitchen.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I walked back in to the barracks, I'd cleaned up Vegeta's throne and bedroom while he had been gone, to find Adam sitting there his head down and I sat down next to him. He held up a his hand and it was then I saw it was covered in blood, he beeped, blipped and whirled at me in all the fashion of Tribal Bob and for some reason I took his hand knew instantly what it meant. Nougat had been killed.

"You'll be okay, you're alive, and he would want you to live." I spoke to him and offered him a comforting smile and pulled him in to a hug and his shoulders sagged and I rubbed his back as I felt him cry.

I felt so many emotions running through the poor guy and he suddenly pulled back and looked at me and I blinked confused. I saw a look flash his face a look all too familiar and I gasped as stood up and looked at me.

"NO!" I grabbed him sudden and he smiled at me and I felt a flash of electrical energy flow through me and I was jilted backwards and skidded across the ground and watched as he flung himself through and window and downwards to his death.

"NOOO!!" I raced to the window and looked down and found myself shaking. I then saw Vash standing there and he looked up at me I saw something cross his face and he looked round like he was looking for someone and I knew then who, I let myself slump sliding down the wall. "I hope your spirit is free now." I wrapped my arms around myself and stayed sitting under the broken window and didn't move.

I was like that when Vash raced in the room and up to me I was shaking, I had such a 'live life' attitude to see someone take his own life like that, someone I had come to know, the saibamen weren't much of a shock, but Adam... Vash scooped me up in to his arms and I clung to him.

"It wasn't his own free will." Vash stated.

"Someone made him kill himself? Vash that sounds stupid." I looked at him and I saw a look in his eyes, a serious expression. "Legato." I stated.

"Legato." He repeated.

I looked at Vash's eyes as they grew so serious.

"So he came looking for me instead." Vash looked at me. "You're not hurt?"

"No…" I shook my head. "A bit shaken but I'm fine."

"That's good to hear Majo."

We looked to the side to see Vegeta standing there; I had had a few days of freedom after the incident in his chambers he'd gone the next morning on a mission with Zorn and Nappa. And now, here he was back again standing there with Nappa and Zorn, seriously it made me wonder if those guys didn't have a life of their own, or their own slaves to punish or beat up on.

Vegeta smirked. "So Legato's near… that would explain for the Saibamen, but it seems I'm noticing a pattern suddenly."

"Pattern?" Vash looked at him.

"The suicides are following the Majo around. After all I heard an ink brander killed himself not to long after she left the slave common room. Quite messy it appears he tattooed his own eye and pierced his nerve system affecting the brain."

I gasped, that pirate looking fellow had killed himself.

"You've gotten attached to my courtesan haven't you plant?" Vegeta questioned. "Because of this attachment your little arch enemy is having a ball killing off slaves that she's getting attached to." Vegeta grabbed me by the arm and looked at and tattoo. "As for you Majo, I thought we really getting somewhere. Then you go off and brand yourself in some human freedom movement. I won't allow this."

I was pulled from the room and I looked back at Vash standing there his fists clenching. I understood what would happen to me sudden either beaten or raped in to obedience. I'd crossed the threshold with the King finally. And just a few days ago I was sort of seeing a human-like emotion as he had protected me. All that was gone now and it made me wonder if it had been him or if it had been Legato, making a point that even the King was powerless against him.

"Jay…" I heard Vash's voice sympathetic.

"I'll be okay Vash. I'm not going down without a fight! You should know me better than that." I called back to him.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I entered the parlor to hear Bardock and Kakarot yelling at each other as I heard an infant screaming. I quickly entered the study and was torn between staring and the urge to laugh my head off.

"Your antics have brought shame to our house!" Bardock snarled at Kakarot over his desk and I looked at the corner with a slight smirk. Sess was attempting to hold a squirming infant with spiky black hair and a swinging tail. The infant was bawling loudly as Bardock and Kakarot fought.

"Don't be such a hypocrite, Father, Raditz and I have met the three others you've fathered. Not that we wouldn't have been able to tell from the appearances!" Kakarot snapped and I quickly crossed the room to approach Sess. The infant was thrashing in his arms and I doubted that Sess would be able to hold him for long.

"That was different! Their power levels were no higher than the low-class bitch you bred with! The females were just entertainment and their bastard children were not my concern. They were sent on purging missions as soon as they were allowed out of the nursery!" Bardock roared. Everything snapped into place, Kakarot had gotten a female pregnant and she had just dropped off the baby. Sess was struggling with the child, his hair had fallen out of its braid and he looked panicky. I quickly took the infant from him, wrapping my arms around the baby and cooing softly. "Will someone shut that brat up!" The baby stopped crying as he looked up at me, his head nestled by my breast as he studied my face. I held the child close and realized he was barely dressed and the room wasn't that warm. I used my arms to insulate him. He began to whimper and on the edge of screaming again, I sniffed him, he wasn't in a dirty diaper, meaning he was hungry.

"Finally," Bardock grumbled before returning to his argument with his son.

"Lord Bardock, if I may interrupt, the child is hungry," I said as I bowed and I could practically feel Bardock's eyes on me. "Do you have anything for the child to eat? I will feed him."

"You're a female from a primate-based species, you just gave birth, you're body should be able to take care of his needs. Now do it!" Bardock snapped and I blinked. "Get that mistake out of my sight. Gohan! Bah! That woman named him something so simple out of spite!" I looked at Sess as he practically dragged me out of the study into the parlor. I knelt down on the floor, sitting with my feet curled up beneath me. I pulled my robe open and freed a breast. I felt awkward as I brought…Gohan…to my breast and felt the infant latch on and begin to suck on the milk my body produced for Taisho. I felt some of the soreness from my breast lessen and I realized that I hadn't done anything about that.

"Are you okay?" Sess asked and I sighed.

"I forgot that my body was producing milk, my breasts have been sore for a while, now I know why," I sighed as I cradled Gohan better as he fed. Sess sat across from me and watched. His golden eyes analyzing the situation and he tilted his head to one side and I had to fight the urge to laugh at him for looking like an overgrown puppy.

~*~*Raine*~*~

"The hot brew was enough to get him to sleep," I muttered with my arms folded.

Zarbon rested his chin on his hand as he sat on the couch, "How have you been sleeping lately?"

I shook my head, "I'm usually up offering Yaten a friend's presence. I'm honestly afraid to leave him alone when he's awake," I sighed, "I usually get to sleep shortly after and end up waking up early in the afternoon. Why?"

"You look-" he began, but I cut him off.

"A little worse for wear? Yeah, it's not like I've had much to look forward to. Faye and her baby's death, Yaten's depression, Belle having to give up her baby…" I sighed again, "Hell, the only thing I've been able to look forward to is the fact that this depressing time has kept Turles off my back."

Zarbon's brow lowered, "What do you mean?"

I shrugged and plopped down beside him, "Apparently seeing me frowning and in tears is a big turn-off to him. I almost look forward to my next bout of tears."

"Zarbon, we need to get off this planet. Things have only gone downhill since the labors. I-I've only been crying and wallowing in the sadness of everything lately," I said.

Zarbon wrapped his arm around my shoulders and held me close. I rested my head on his shoulder. I frowned, "You know I missed you, right?"

He looked at me, "When I left to insure that the baby traveled safely?"

"Yeah," I looked down.

"Well I missed you as well. I don't know of any departures in the near future so you know you can always come here when you want to talk," he said.

"You're a blessing Zarbon," I murmured into his chest.

I could sense his eyes on me, intense and deep in thought. I just needed warm arms around me tonight. Something to help take my mind off things.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

I was sitting in Vegeta's room huddled up in the corner my entire body was sore and I was bleeding terribly, yet he stood out on the balcony ignoring me. It had been a private beating at least I had that dignity for it not to be displayed among the rest of them to see. I held back the tears, this was why I never fought back, I never won, I was never strong, fast or smart enough. Words of my father, the man I had grown to hate my entire life the one who took everything from me, my right, my childhood, my sense of freedom.

There was a knock at the door and Vegeta walked in. "Come in." He ordered.

I saw Wolfwood as he walked in with the tray and he looked at me, battered bruised and bloody huddled up in the corner and his eyes were so sympathetic I just wanted to run to him and be swallowed in them, blue eyes like his were so comforting.

I wanted to leave with him return to the barracks I'd shared with Vash and help him, help him make up a plan of escape of regaining our freedom.

Vegeta obviously eating in this room which was not a good sign for me. He sat down and looked at Wolfwood.

"Your mate lost her child didn't she?" Vegeta asked casually like he hadn't even laid a hand on me.

Wolfwood nodded. "Yes, she did." His eyes flickered to mine and I wanted to cry I wanted so badly to cry.

"Well then you can go, better success next time." So cold, he was so cold.

Wolfwood looked at me and he left and I wanted to scream at him to stay, but he left and I curled up even more, as Vegeta sat there and ate.

~*~*~*~

Wolfwood looked at the door as it closed and then he looked at Zorn who stood there smirking. "You look shaken human." He seemed pleased by it.

He couldn't speak to him. How could he, what could he say to this race that did nothing but purge and cause pain to those who couldn't defend themselves.

"You should be proud human, she is strong, her screaming lasted longer than the others."

Wolfwood looked down and walked off, what could he do; even if he still had his guns they wouldn't have so put a dent in these guys.

He just walked down the hall back to the barracks, he owed it to report to Vash, he just hoped she'd survive the night.

~*~*~*~

When Vegeta finished his meal he walked up to me and I was yanked up roughly and thrown across the room and in to the wall and I cringed as I heard a crack and slid down the wall.

"Your little branding stunt will be punished."

"I'm feeling punished already!" I snapped and his eyes narrowed and he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me up I let out a cry of pain, megami I was in pain, it hurt, I'd never felt so much pain before.

Vegeta took me out of the room, I struggled against him trying to punch and kick my way free. His grip on me was so strong but was it strong enough for a last minute desperate attempt at running.

I bit him on the hand and hard so hard I could taste the blood and he let go shocked

"MAJO!" He growled as he held his hand.

But I didn't stay put I ran the other direction. I managed to get a few hallways down to… where I had no idea where I was going and I dove in to a secret passageway. I was already in trouble and I needed to know what I could do, I raced through them unsure of where I was going or where I would end up I just hoped it was far away from Vegeta.

When I fell out I found myself in the garden and I raced through it towards the only place by memory I knew to get to. The Gazebo, would the others be there? I didn't think so, not this time.

I raced to the edge and stopped and looked behind me and there I saw the faint image of Legato standing there looking at me and I curled up in to a ball by the railing as I felt him get so close.

'You humans…' I heard his words.

I felt the tears come and I knew it I knew it, I wasn't going to be let off easy and I pulled at the dampeners biting back the sobs.

"Please come off, come off, how am I suppose to protect myself if you won't come off."

And then he was in front of me… Legato.

I scrambled back and his golden eyes were so empty as they bore in to me. He smiled and it was that moment, I understood everything Vash was and why he remained in captivity, not only to help the slaves, but because he knew Legato or Knives couldn't touch them.

I stood up slowly and his image didn't fade, but I knew he wasn't really there.

'You humans flock like animals when frightened, he finds it amusing…'

I stood my ground and glared at him. "It was you, you made Adam kill himself didn't you?"

He just smiled and I knew it was true. I pushed past him and ran further down the path leading me in to the Saiyan city, I looked behind me and he was gone, but I could still hear him.

'You won't get far, and you won't last long, Vash will experience eternal pain…'

I covered my ears as I ran and I was surprised at how far I'd gotten without a single person around. Could I make it? Would I make it? Megami I hoped I could, I could get help from someone who cared… but out of a planet of barbarians I knew it wouldn't be easy. Still I ran.

Vegata phased in front of me and I was trapped.

"Majo you're quite the quick one aren't you?" He smirked, he found it entertaining. And my heart raced in fear of the unknown.

The back of my hair was grabbed suddenly and I screamed and fought back the best I could all the while seeing Vegeta's amused expression.

I was dragged back to the castle like that screaming fighting him, seeing and grabbing attention of everyone along the way.

Wolfwood I saw him with Vash briefly as I was pulled along, I fought to the best of my ability, I fought so damn hard, I wasn't going down without fighting.

"You finally get a back bone Majo I'm glad, but you don't need three of them." He tossed me in to a room and I felt my body skid across the ground.

Vegeta stepped in to the door and then the door shut and locked. I backed up cringing as he approached.

'Megami… please let me live.' I prayed.

~*~*Belle*~*~

I watched as Gohan's eyes closed and he fell asleep, my nipple still caught in his mouth as his body continued to feed.

"Amazing, even after he's asleep, he's still eating," I stated and then I smelt Raditz and I looked up in time to see him enter the parlor.

"What the fuck?" he growled as he looked at the baby in my arms, then he looked at my naked breast that was barely covered by Gohan's head. "Who does that belong to?"

"Shut up, Raditz!" Kakarot snarled as he exited the study, Bardock following behind and I had a feeling round two was starting. "That is my son, Gohan, ChiChi dropped him off this morning before she left for a purging in the Resei galaxy, she'll be gone for three years."

"Why the hell is the brat here?" Raditz snarled and I froze, I really didn't need anymore attention on myself.

"That brat has a power level of 8,000, not as strong as Broli, but far above the level required for Elite training. Thus we get to keep the brat for the first four years of his life before he enters the training barracks," Bardock snapped. "All because your brother desired to rut with that low level bitch and allow her to carry the brat to term, now he's our problem."

"What?!" Raditz cried as he glared at Kakarot. "You half-wit! I should just snap its neck right now!" Raditz was suddenly in front of me and I cried out wrapping my arms around Gohan without meaning to. Thankfully Kakarot slammed into his brother, knocking Raditz into the fireplace.

"Like hell you're touching my son!" Kakarot snarled and stood over me. I was shaking with fear and Gohan woke up, releasing my breast before gurgling more. He was still hungry. I decided to keep him from crying and quickly tuck my breast away before freeing my other breast and allowing him to reattach. "Belle can take care of him, raise her status to wet-nurse as well as serving caretaker. She can take care of Gohan before he needs to head to the training barracks!"

"And I suppose he's going to be your bastard heir too?" Bardock roared and I locked eyes with Sess, this was not a good position to be in.

"If I don't find a mate amongst the Elite females then he'll have to be!" Kakarot snapped and Bardock smirked.

"Fine, if you cannot find a mate amongst the Elite females, I'll let you keep your bastard as your heir, but if you do find a mate then you will claim the first son born of that union as your heir, you hear me brat?" Bardock snarled and Kakarot nodded. I watched as they growled before Bardock grabbed Raditz's arm and dragged his elder son out of the parlor.

"L-L-L-Lord Kakarot?" I asked, Sess hadn't moved since they had entered the room. His eyes were on Kakarot now and I wondered if he would attack. "What should I do about…Lord Gohan?" I looked up at him and Kakarot smiled as he stroked his son's head. I looked at Sess who had a sorrowful expression on his face, he missed our son as much as I did.

~*~*Raine*~*~

I returned to Turles' slave barracks shortly after leaving Zarbon's, taking the precaution of bathing in Zarbon's bathing pool area so that his scent wasn't on me. When I got inside, Turles was sitting on his couch talking with Brolli about who-knew-what.

"Onna. You're home late," he said.

Brolli had one of those evil smiles him and his ape people had that usually meant that a punishment was about to take place. I frowned and walked up to him, bowing humbly when I really wanted to kick his teeth in for what his people had done to mine and everyone else's.

"Yes master. I was comforting a friend in mourning," I said.

"This wouldn't have to do anything with the silver-haired boy I own, would it?" he asked.

Something about the way he looked at me made my heart race and I slowly shook my head, "N-No master. T-The female slave of Bardock's who lost her child in labor."

He suddenly sat back and motioned me closer. I reluctantly complied. He grabbed my skirt and pulled me closer to him.

"Why do I get the feeling that you're hiding something from me?" he looked me dead in the eyes and I suddenly felt like my life was on the line. More specifically, I felt like Yaten's was on the line if Turles knew.

"I-I don't know master. I have nothing to hide," I murmured fearfully.

He raised a brow at me.

"She's changed from the last time you had her drink the aphrodisiac," Brolli rested his chin against his hand.

I suddenly turned and looked at him and I glared. 'Aphrodisiac'. He was there when Turles forced me to drink that horrible liquid. I'd never felt so low in my life after experiencing the side effects of that drink.

"Ah, she remembers," Brolli chuckled.

Turles smirked, turning my face back to his, "Of course she remembers. She was like a dog in heat. We couldn't get undressed fast enough for her."

I blushed, glaring at the floor. If I had glared at him in the face, he would've slapped me in front of his comrade for a good laugh. I clenched my eyes shut, "M-May I be excused, master?"

He pondered it for a moment before shrugging, "Sure. Get out of here."

I couldn't leave fast enough.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

Vash and Wolfwood stood round the corner form the room listening, they could hear her and Vash looked down clutching his fists.

"I admit we can't do anything, but you, you're stronger than this. Do something help her."

"I… I can't…" He looked down.

Wolfwood looked at him. "And why not?"

"Where would that get any of us? We wouldn't be any closer to being free."

Wolfwood leant up against the wall and her screaming continued.

"GET OFF ME!! GET OFF!!"

There was more screaming it was painful and agonizing. Yet surprising that in all her humor and her smiles and her jokes that she could finally find herself in a situation that had her sounding so broken and defeated.

"LEGATO!"

Vash felt his spine shiver as she screamed out the name… that name, she'd seen him again and he'd confronted her confused her, and now he was in there mentally messing with her mind while who knew what Vegeta was doing to her.

~*~*Belle*~*~

"Belle, come with me," Kakarot said and I nodded as he got up from the dinner table. I followed behind him, noticing that for a Saiyan, Kakarot had always been kind to me, he had never struck me or done anything to harm me. He was the best of the bunch as far as I was concerned.

"How long have you known my name, Lord Kakarot?" I asked and he looked back and me and smirked.

"About a month after you arrived, I heard Sess call you it, we just don't use the names of slaves unless they have a double rank," Kakarot chuckled. "You're getting yours now." I nearly stopped, Gohan whimpering before falling back to sleep in my arms.

"I…I'm getting another brand?" I asked, forgetting his title, I could feel my fear growing, I did not want to get another brand, not now, not ever.

"You have to, wet-nurses are rare, you'll get better treatment if you get this brand," he said as he looked back and I looked at him sadly before nodding.

"Alright, Lord Kakarot," I whispered as I clung to Gohan as I entered the study. I looked at Kakarot and he went to his father's desk and pulled out the small branding iron. I gulped as I held Gohan and turned my back to Kakarot, dropping my robes off my left shoulder.

"Hold on," Kakarot said and something passed over my skin. I closed my eyes and waited for the pain. I heard a hissing noise and smelt flesh burning away. "Done!" I opened my eyes and turned to see Kakarot placing the branding iron away.

"I…I didn't feel a thing!" I cried out in shock and Kakarot smiled.

"Well, I figured that since you lost your child I might spare you some more pain. I put on a numbing agent," he said and I smiled and bowed.

"Thank you, Lord Kakarot," I said happily and he chuckled.

"Well, take care of Gohan, and remember the room across from mine is his," he said. "Oh, and you no longer have to dress or bathe Raditz or me. You're only jobs besides caring for Gohan are going to be waking us and serving us." I watched as he went and I smiled at Gohan.

"Thank you, Gohan, my life just got better," I whispered and kissed the baby on his forehead.

~*~*J'dee*~*~

When the door opened the two stood there and watched Vegeta walk out he wiped the side of his face where there was a blood splatter and huffed.

He turned to Zorn standing in the doorway. "If she lives over an hour put her in the regen tanks, if not bury her with the rest. It was fun while it lasted."

"If she lives sire, how long should we leave her in there?"

"Tonight and half of tomorrow, she's going to need it." He walked off.

"We got to get in there." Wolfwood looked at Vash.

Vash nodded. "I've got it covered." His arm clicked out in to a gun and Wolfwood looked at him.

"What are you going to do? Shoot him? He's a Saiyan for crying out loud."

"He's also has the almost same nerve system as you humans do."

They waited until Vegeta was long gone and Zorn stood at the door he looked over as Vash and Wolfwood came round the corner.

"Hiya… we seem to have gotten lost, don't spose you know which way the kitchen is from here?" Vash asked.

Zorn looked at him, "That way." He pointed.

"Oh great. Thanks… but I don't spose you could be a bit more specific?" Vash asked.

Wolfwood walked past him, "Is it in the right corridor?"

Zorn looked at Wolfwood . "It's the lef-" then Vash clipped him hard across the back of the neck. Wolfwood jumped out of the way as he hit the ground.

Vash's gun attachment slipped away forming his hand again and he pushed the door open and Wolfwood followed him inside.

"Jay!!" Vash raced up to her body and he rolled her over pulled her up to rest in his lap, it was almost oblivious that is was her, swollen, beaten and broken bones everywhere, she had suffered bad, not to mention the fact that he could feel it. He'd raped her before, after and during the beating. His voice got soft as he held her. "Hey we're here now, just hang on, if you can hang on for an hour we'll get you to a regen tank and you'll be fine tomorrow."

Wolfwood crouched down and he looked at Vash. He checked her vitals. "She alive… just. Vash we need to get her to one of those things now."

Vash picked her up. "Hang on Jay… just hang on."

There was only a muscle twitch and shallow puncher like breathing to show she was still alive; unconscious but alive, apart from that she could of passed off for dead.

The two slipped from the room Vash carrying her and they slipped in to the nearest secret passageway.

They arrived at the regen area and Vash carried her in, the scientists looked at them. "The King's courtesan… he mentioned she might be in."

"Is there any tanks free?" Vash asked.

"Not right now just wait about ten minutes."

"You think she'll last ten minutes?" Wolfwood looked at him.

"She will, she's strong." Vash found a seat and sat down holding her in his arms.

Wolfwood leant up against the wall and pulled out a cigarette. Vash looked at him. "What? I don't see any 'no smoking' signs around." He defended himself.

~*~*Raine*~*~

I finished washing in Turles' bathroom and was getting dressed in his room when I heard him still talking with Brolli. Damn, how long did he plan on staying over? But their chatter piqued my curiosity and I suddenly found myself sneaking towards the door to listen in.

"….mind's been elsewhere lately," Turles said.

"Like she said, she's been mourning," Brolli said.

"Mm-mm. I feel it's something else. I can feel it. She's hiding something important from me," Turles said.

"What about that silver-haired boy you were talking about?" his comrade asked.

"Who? Yaten? Yaten has been in my possession long enough to know not to mix with someone of a different race," Turles muttered almost resentfully.

"But he looks so much like us and like these humans. I couldn't blame him if he decided to lay with another alien with the same appearance as his," Brolli said.

"Even if that were the case, what could they be hiding? I'd be able to sense if the onna were with child and besides she can't. I saw to it long ago that she became sterile. My nights with her were bound to result in the conception of some hybrid abomination," Turles said.

I glared. It was moments like this I was glad I didn't want children.

"But you've said it yourself. You've smelled his scent all over her. I've even smelled it myself every now and then. She's been bathing a lot to wash away the scent," Brolli said and I felt my heart skip a beat. They could tell by the smell of the bath soaps I used that I was trying to hide something. But they were so off in their guess on whom I was trying to hide from them.

"Yes, and I figured something was up when I threatened to kill him if she wasn't obedient or if anything happened to her. They are obviously close. I could easily kill him off to wipe away my suspicions, but then I'd no longer have a hold on her," Turles said.

"Perhaps punishment should be in order," Brolli said.

"No. It only means she's off-limits until she's healed. And on top of that, what would I be punishing her for? Yaten would not make her his mate," Turles said.

"No, I meant for Yaten. As a warning to back off," Brolli said.

My eyes widened. No….they wouldn't…

"You know, that's not a bad idea…" Turles said, "It's a shame. He's managed to stay in line for so long too."

"Well it gets dull when all of your slaves are broken in. There are days you just wish one would step out of line just so you can break them," Brolli said.

Turles laughed, "You are twisted, do you know that?"

"How else am I gonna get my kicks. There's sparring and then there's the occasional lay with a female slave. Then what?" Brolli asked.

I wrapped my arms around myself and leaned my back against the door. No…they'd hurt Yaten. And for no reason at all…

I suddenly stood up and opened the door, turning both their heads my way when I walked past the lounge. I didn't look at either, though I knew their eyes were boring holes into me. What if they knew I had overheard them? I sped up my pace when I was out of their line of sight and hurried back to the slave sleeping barracks. Creeping through the darkness of the bunks, I soon found Yaten's and climbed into his bed, curling up next to him to provide him my warmth. He'd need it.