*Just trying to stave off writers block.

There is no excuse for this.

The group of boys carried on under the never ending red sky, boasting and bragging, each insistent that they were strongest. Vegeta had no interest in socializing with them, not only because they were low-class, but also because all they seemed to be able to do was argue. He listened without much interest, sorely wishing his father were not busy. Beside him stood Nappa, large and thick like a statue, beefy arms folded across his chest.

"I'm the strongest," one boy insisted, chest puffed out proudly. The others opposed, waving their hands in dismissal and scoffing.

"No," another said, plowing into the first and knocking him to the ground. "I am!" Dust rushed into the air, spreading out into a large, thick cloud. Some of the boys pointed and laughed.

"You're both wrong," a third announced. He was visibly older than the rest, with a thick mane of spiky hair. He smirked and planted a foot firmly on the other two boys, still wrestling around on the ground, and held his hands out, gathering an energy blast. "I'm the strongest."

"How long will my father be?" Vegeta asked, watching the display.

Nappa shrugged a shoulder, arms still crossed. "Could be a while. Frieza's in there." Useful, as always.

Vegeta nodded, though agitated. "Very well." he pushed off the wall and unfolded his arms. As the children continued to squabble, he left the shade and approached them; some froze and looked back at him anxiously, others didn't dare look at him at all. Even the eldest's energy black shrank and faded to nothing, the two captives under his foot rolling out of the way and quickly standing at attention. Sweat glistened on their brows.

Hands on his hips, Vegeta jerked his head toward the band of boys. "Which one of you is strongest?" he asked.

This time, no one spoke up. Instead, heads turned and fingers pointed.

"All right then." he nodded, approaching the chosen one. He looked up as he addressed him, since the boy was considerably taller. "You. What is your name?"

"Kinomi," he answered.

"Very well, Kinomi. We will do battle." His tail swayed behind him. "Do you accept?"

To anyone that didn't know him, he might not have looked intimidating at all, but even for being so young, he was already a gifted fighter. What he lacked in brute strength he made up for in agility and sheer willpower. Vegeta was remarkably strong for someone his age, and he reveled in his abilities.

The older boy paused, and then flushed. He nodded, regaining his composure, though his tail twitched nervously. "I would be honored."

"Good."

He instructed the others to stay well out of the way and slipped into his beginning strange, pondering the capabilities of his opponent. He flew at Kinomi with speed that obviously surprised him, first aimed for the side of his head. Kinomi scarcely got out of the way in time, grabbing hold of the young prince's wrist and throwing him into the air.

Vegeta landed a few feet away, tail wrapping itself around his waist. "Not bad," he said.

Kinomi nodded his thanks, making his first real mistake. In a matter of seconds, he was slamming backwards into the cracked desert-like ground, dust flying into the air. He gasped in pain and rolled over. He managed to get to his knees when Vegeta's leg collided with his stomach. This time, a large, disorganized circle formed around them, children cheering loudly. Even a couple of the older men came in for a closer look, standing tall and quiet, unlike their younger counterparts, their skillful eyes following each move.

Kinomi sprung to his feet.

"You're fast," he commented, flinging two energy balls at the prince. One hit him in the shoulder, sending him spiraling into the dirt, the other missed completely. Kinomi ascended into the air, in attempts to get the drop on his opponent.

"I know," Vegeta said from behind him, an energy blast dancing at the tip of his finger, growing and growing. "Looks like you lose. Nice try, though."

Kinomi froze, staring wide-eyed as the blast came right for him. It collided with him and sent his lifeless body bouncing and scraping against the earth, shooting loose pieces of rock at bystanders.

Vegeta waited at the ready for an attack fire, but none came. The crowd stared on in silence as the dust settled. Kinomi, clearly hurt, slowly sat up several seconds later, grasping at his shoulder. He waved his hand in defeat, struggling to his feet. Everyone cheered loudly.

Smirking, Vegeta returned to the ground, his boots clicking softly against the dry earth. Pathetic. He had expected much more fight out of a boy his size, and was seconds from saying so when all of the sudden Nappa stood before him.

"Prince Vegeta, your father wishes to speak with you."

Narrowing his eyes, Vegeta felt his hands clenching into fists. "It's about time," he said, allowing Nappa to lead the way.

As they entered, Vegeta noticed several of his father's men standing around, seemingly with no purpose, and none would look at him. They stared on into oblivion, as though they were the only ones in the entire room.

"Vegeta," his father said, turning to face him. He had an odd expression on his face. Not exactly angry-almost pensive. Vegeta's gaze shifted to Frieza, adorned in his people's armor. He thought he looked rather ridiculous, though he knew better than to say so out loud. Frieza had a very powerful reputation, almost as powerful as his fathers. He often heard people whispering about him when they thought no one was listening. "Come here."

And so he did, tail wrapping itself around his waist once more.

"Say Hello to Lord Frieza," his father introduced the lizard-creature they had been working with for several years now.

He did not, only stared up blankly at the lizard-freak. Behind him, Nappa got down on one knee.

Frieza blinked in surprise, and then said with a leer, "My, not very well mannered, is he?"

His father's cloak came between him and Frieza as he said, "I apologize, Frieza, he is but a boy."

"I am Vegeta," the boy proclaimed, pushing his father's cape out of the way. "Prince of all Saiyajins."

"Presumptuous, as well," Frieza said. "Hasn't changed a bit, has he?"

Vegeta folded his arms, looking up at his father expectantly.

Frieza smirked.

"Vegeta," King Vegeta began, walking about as he often did when speaking at length, "Because of certain circumstances..." he trailed off, a pained expression on his face. He sighed deeply. "Because of certain circumstances, it has been suggested that you go with Lord Frieza for a period of time."

Vegeta blinked, watching his father turn to him slowly. "Father?" he whispered.

"You will go with Lord Frieza," he said quietly, and when the boy began to object, he simply raised his hand, silencing him at once.

"A barter," Frieza said, his tail slapping at the ground impatiently. "To make sure Daddy dearest upholds his end of the bargain." he nodded to King Vegeta.

"How long will you keep him?"

"That's really up to you, Vegeta," Frieza replied coldly, eyes narrowing. "Once I'm sure you won't double cross me again, we'll make arrangements to have the boy brought back. Until then, this is the only way I can be sure I can trust you." he smirked, long, slow and lazy. "You understand, don't you?"

Again? Vegeta, positive he hadn't been told everything, frowned as Frieza offered him a hand. He looked back at his father, not understanding, and then to Nappa, who would not meet his gaze.

"Father-"

"Do not argue with me," his father commanded. "I have made up my mind."

Vegeta frowned softly, and then took Frieza's hand.

"Good-bye," Frieza said in a pleasant singsong. His grip was icy and strong, and Vegeta felt his stomach knot up in worry as he was lead away, watching over his shoulder as his father disappeared from sight.