Fore Run:
1 THE LEAVING
Okay, Disclaimer: All peoples in this written piece – excepting those I mention as my own – are the sole property of Akira and all credit for the design of these characters should go to him. I merely write using his characters as inspiration, hence, this is NOT to be copied and used by others to say that they made it up. Also… this is my own piece of work, I do not wish for it to be claimed by anyone else. The credit for the writing of the story and SOME characters goes to me, OK? I don't mind if you take it from a web page to READ or show a friend, but PLEASE DO NOT CLAIM AS YOUR OWN WORK OR ELSE. Please, enjoy the story.
CHAPTER 1
THE LEAVING
King Vegeta looked out through the window at the vast army collected and made ready in the short time that they had had available. All were his loyal and trusting subjects, ready to throw down their lives in his name and the name of their great race. His attendant stood by his side, ready to do anything the king wished, to act upon his word. "Has the Princess been made ready?" Vegeta asked the smaller man. "Yes my Liege," he heard, "She is saying her farewells as we speak." The king smiled grimly. Of his two children, he favored his youngest, Kina. She looked so like his mate before her untimely death, unlike his older son, Vegeta, who threw more to his side. "And Vegeta?" he asked, resisting the urge to sigh. "The Prince is ready also, my Liege." Peering out to watch his garrison fall into orderly lines he let out the suppressed sigh. "But...?" he asked the age-old advisor. "My Liege," the old man spoke "Far be it for me to challenge your judgment..." Vegeta looked down at the old man, his sire's - and his own - most trusted advisor. "Am I doing the right thing, sending my son to Freiza? That is what you wish to ask." The old man looked into the face of his beloved leader. The King of all Saiyajin, ruler of the planet Vegeta, leader of a rebellion against the mightiest force in the universe. Freiza. Just the thought of the creature was enough to give any man second thoughts about thinking of attacking him. Yet here, before him stood a man with courage enough to stand and fight against the monster that was Freiza. "The answer to that will soon be revealed, old friend." Vegeta sighed wearily. He looked then to the sky, knowing that soon Freiza would be upon them all. Lost in thought, it took a while for him to notice the low-ranking soldier who bowed on the floor behind him. "Yes?" he asked, not bothering to turn around and look at the young man. "My Liege, scanners have detected Freiza's ship coming into the Hydra Quadrant. It is closing in fast..." If the young man was nervous, he showed no visible sign and Vegeta was proud that this man was one of his soldiers. Not that he'd have said so, but still... "Very well, bring the Prince and Princess to the launch pad." The soldier bowed his compliance and left the room. Vegeta allowed a brief expression of sorrow wash over his usually stern features. How could he allow Freiza to take his son from him? How could he allow his daughter, barely four years old, leave the only home she knew to go to another planet? "It is safer for them to go, my King." Came the answer in a hushed whisper. He nodded to the advisor's words. It was safer for his daughter to go to the planet that Kakarot had been sent to. By now the child's objective should have been fulfilled and the planet ready for take over.' A new home planet.' "We should go, my Liege. They will be waiting..." Vegeta smiled. "Yes, I cannot miss goodbyes." With that he turned and strode out of the room.
"Kina! Kina! I've been looking all over for you. Come down from there, Little Monkey." Prince Vegeta folded his arms in his father's stance to indicate mock anger. "Naughty Monkey! Come down now!" He frowned up at the tree where his little sister hid. He wasn't really angry with her, he never could be. Even when she pulled his tail, he wasn't angry with her. Well, not much. "I don't wanna!" she cried in her tiny voice. It always amazed him just how that tiny voice could get so very loud when it wanted to. "I'll tell Papa that you won't come. He won't be happy. And you shouldn't speak like a street urchin. You're a princess of the house Vegeta and should act like one!" He ended up yelling at her. Again. Not very angry. Sobs started up in the tree and he felt his heart soften. If it were anybody else he wouldn't care, but his mother had made him give his word that he would protect Kina and never let her get hurt. His tail twitched irritably. He knew how to stop his sister from crying, but it was very embarrassing. Sighing deeply, he flew to the branch that she sat on. "Come on, don't cry," he said softly, putting his arms around her small shoulders. "I'm here now, Kina." He was just getting to the age that girls started to notice him - and vice-versa - and he was reluctant about hugging anyone - especially his sister - in front of people. "Geeta" she whimpered, huddling into his shoulder, her tail wrapping itself around his left wrist. He only ever let her get away with calling him the pet name their mother had given him. "Why are you going away? You said you'd always protept me." He smiled gently at her mistake and hugged her closer. He was going away and it would be a long time before they saw each other again. "Don't worry Kin," he whispered gently, using her nickname "I won't be gone long, and I'll bring you back a trophy if I can." He hated lying to her, never doing it often because of how bad it made him feel. "How long?" she snuffled, her tail squeezing harder on his wrist. He knew he wasn't coming back. That his father was giving him to Freiza as a show of loyalty. "Only a little while" he answered, knowing that when she found out the lie, it would be too late for her to scream her hatred at him. He would have preferred her screaming, than his having to leave her. He never said it, but he loved her dearly. He knew she felt the same way. "I'm not a naughty monkey," she said as she pulled back from him, wiping her eyes and wrapping her tail around her waist. "You are so" he replied, sticking out his tongue at her, knowing that she would retaliate and they would probably fall out of the tree like a pair of wildcats fighting.
They might have, had not the young soldier stepped into the room. "Nappa!" Kina cried out in delight "Catch me!" Nappa, his enormous muscles bulging, caught her effortlessly as she jumped from the tree to his arms. He looked down at the small child in his arms, smiling at her bravery. She would be a strong and brave warrior when she grew up. "That was fun!" she laughed, "Can Geeta have a go too?" He looked up at the tree in time to see another form flying towards him. Placing Kina on his shoulder quickly, he caught the young Prince who looked more than a trifle embarrassed in his arms. "Put me down, Nappa" Vegeta growled. It was obvious that he had jumped only to please his sister. "Yay! You caught us both!" the young Princess called out, deafening his right ear. Placing the prince on the ground, the children's bodyguard tried to put Kina down also. Vegeta masked his interest of the curses that Nappa muttered as the young Princess held tightly to his shoulder. "Can't make me get off!" she called out, laughing merrily as Nappa finally remembered how he had removed her that last time. "Noooo" she shrieked as he tickled her until she lost her grip. "No fair!" She stomped one foot on the ground in mock anger. "You cheated again, Nappa!"
Vegeta watched all this silently, smiling at his sister when she looked his way. "Nappa cheated, Geeta!" she wailed. Feigning annoyance with her he replied saucily. "So, what do you want me to do about it?" She looked at him, shocked, amazed and proud at the same time.
'Proud?' He thought 'What's she got to be proud about?'
"Oh, Vegeta! You're growing up!" Her eyes were wide with mirth, and she looked at Nappa. "Now, what do you think should be your punishment, Nappa? Tickling the Princess so!" He simply looked at her and shook his head. She looked more like her mother every day.
'Let's hope she doesn't act like her mother' he thought.
"Ahem..." The three inhabitants of the room turned in surprise, their faces portraying different emotions. Vegeta glared at the intruder, annoyed that someone had been watching their private interactions. Nappa looked at the soldier in a stony face. He was there to ensure the children's safety, no more, no less. Kina looked down at her feet, embarrassed that someone should catch the Princess acting most un-Princessly. That the intruder was a common soldier made it worse. Surely he would tell his whole barracks what he had seen the Princess doing, screaming at Nappa. Vegeta looked at the soldier, trying to recall his name. His father had said that if you knew a soldiers name, it made them feel more inclined to be loyal to you. "Raditz" he said simply, as though he had known it all along "Is it time already?" The soldier, startled to have the young prince remember his name, barely remembered to answer as he bowed. "Yes, my Prince. The shuttle is made ready. If you and the Princess follow me, I will lead you to the shuttle." He stood then, waiting patiently for them to come. Kina looked at Vegeta, trying hard not to burst into tears again. Nappa moved to grab a few bags on the end of the bed. Vegeta looked around, knowing that this might be the last time he would be on planet Vegeta. Taking Kina's hand in his own, he moved forward, repressing the urge to shed unwanted tears as he did so. Nappa followed behind as they left the room.
"Vegeta." The pride in his Father's voice was unmistakable as the group entered the little shuttle bay. For the most fearsome race in the universe, their technology was sparse, often traded for in muscle and use of warriors. "My King." The young Prince replied, bowing respectfully as he had been taught. His father looked upon him and wished that he had had more time with his son, so like himself, yet so different. He wished that he had gotten to know him better. "My son, today you shall go to Freiza as a man. As a warrior of the famous Saiyajin army. As the Prince of Vegeta! Do us proud." The last was spoken softly, as though for only them to hear. The young prince looked up at his father, pride shining in his dark eyes. "For the honor of Vegeta." The customary reply, yet it sounded like a promise, one that he was prepared to keep though it may cost him his life. Kina watched her father and brother as they recited the usual boring speeches, but this time with interest. She had never thought that words could mean so much, but the look on both her father and brother's faces told her that it was so. "Papa?" she whispered, wondering where this King had come from and where her loving father had gone. Not that her father showed anyone much love, but he had always been gentle with her, never yelling at her for doing things wrong like he did with Vegeta. King Vegeta looked down on his daughter, the image of her mother, gentle brown eyes and silky brown hair. He knew he was doing the right thing, sending her away until Freiza was beaten and both she and Kakarot were retrieved from the then conquered planet. He would remember to award the young Saiyajin when it was over, for to take care of his daughter was a high honor in itself, but it would be a tough job for any man. He smiled at her, and her face broke into a delighted grin. "Worry not, Kin," he told her gently as he used her familiar pet name, "You are going on a trip too." She looked at her father in stunned silence, her grin disappearing from her face for a moment, and then re-appearing again. "With Geeta?" Her face lit up, and he frowned.
'So Vegeta has not told her where he was going, or why! Well, maybe it is better that way.'
"No, but to another place, somewhere for a small holiday." Her face twisted with disappointment. "Are you coming, Papa?" She watched him silently as he locked eyes with her. "I'm sorry, Kin. I can't come, but you will meet a friend of yours there." He finished quickly, as tears started to form in her eyes. "Who?" She asked him softly, barely able to keep from crying. She wished that Vegeta would hold her hand, she felt strong when he did. "Do you remember a little boy named Kakarot?" He father knelt before her, asking her in a gentle voice. She remembered the little boy, who had been a 'friend' of hers when she was littler. They had played together and she had been sad when he had left. She nodded in answer to his question, feeling unable to answer him in a firm voice. "Well, he's going to look after you for a little while, until Daddy comes back"
He was ready to blast anyone that laughed at him for calling himself that, but no-one did, and he continued talking softly. "We'll come and pick you up on the way back, but you have to go NOW." He emphasized the last word and she threw herself into his arms. Surprised, he could do nothing but hold her to him. "For the honor of Vegeta" she whispered and then drew herself away from him. He looked at her, startled at first, then proud. "Good girl" he said softly. "Now, get in the space pod, and soon you'll be home." She jumped into an open pod and turned toward her brother. "Denyais Silvayin Tarinya" he called as the lid closed. "'Til next we meet, may it be soon." Then sleep called her, and she closed her eyes.
***
"Father," Vegeta looked up to his father's face, the older man's years were starting to show. "Why? Why send Kina away? Unless…" He broke off, unable to answer his own question. "Unless I felt that we were not going to win? Is that what you were going to ask, Vegeta?" The boy looked at his feet, ashamed of his lack of faith in his great and all-powerful father. A Saiyajin NEVER admitted defeat before a battle, but why did something feel so wrong? "I don't believe that Freiza will defeat us. I have sent her away so that she will be safe." The King looked at his son, whose eyes were downcast, staring at the floor in shame. "She would be a prime target for Freiza to get his hands on. I could not risk her life at his hands." Vegeta looked up at his father, surprised to see tears in his eyes. His vision blurred for a moment, as tears came to his own eyes. "Good luck, Father." He said as he stepped forward, into the open pod before him. "Come Nappa." Addressing the children's bodyguard, King Vegeta indicated to the next shuttle. "Raditz." His hand led to the third, last shuttle. "Good bye, my son."
He whispered softly "Make me proud!"
Then the pods were gone to meet Freiza's ship.
1 THE LEAVING
Okay, Disclaimer: All peoples in this written piece – excepting those I mention as my own – are the sole property of Akira and all credit for the design of these characters should go to him. I merely write using his characters as inspiration, hence, this is NOT to be copied and used by others to say that they made it up. Also… this is my own piece of work, I do not wish for it to be claimed by anyone else. The credit for the writing of the story and SOME characters goes to me, OK? I don't mind if you take it from a web page to READ or show a friend, but PLEASE DO NOT CLAIM AS YOUR OWN WORK OR ELSE. Please, enjoy the story.
CHAPTER 1
THE LEAVING
King Vegeta looked out through the window at the vast army collected and made ready in the short time that they had had available. All were his loyal and trusting subjects, ready to throw down their lives in his name and the name of their great race. His attendant stood by his side, ready to do anything the king wished, to act upon his word. "Has the Princess been made ready?" Vegeta asked the smaller man. "Yes my Liege," he heard, "She is saying her farewells as we speak." The king smiled grimly. Of his two children, he favored his youngest, Kina. She looked so like his mate before her untimely death, unlike his older son, Vegeta, who threw more to his side. "And Vegeta?" he asked, resisting the urge to sigh. "The Prince is ready also, my Liege." Peering out to watch his garrison fall into orderly lines he let out the suppressed sigh. "But...?" he asked the age-old advisor. "My Liege," the old man spoke "Far be it for me to challenge your judgment..." Vegeta looked down at the old man, his sire's - and his own - most trusted advisor. "Am I doing the right thing, sending my son to Freiza? That is what you wish to ask." The old man looked into the face of his beloved leader. The King of all Saiyajin, ruler of the planet Vegeta, leader of a rebellion against the mightiest force in the universe. Freiza. Just the thought of the creature was enough to give any man second thoughts about thinking of attacking him. Yet here, before him stood a man with courage enough to stand and fight against the monster that was Freiza. "The answer to that will soon be revealed, old friend." Vegeta sighed wearily. He looked then to the sky, knowing that soon Freiza would be upon them all. Lost in thought, it took a while for him to notice the low-ranking soldier who bowed on the floor behind him. "Yes?" he asked, not bothering to turn around and look at the young man. "My Liege, scanners have detected Freiza's ship coming into the Hydra Quadrant. It is closing in fast..." If the young man was nervous, he showed no visible sign and Vegeta was proud that this man was one of his soldiers. Not that he'd have said so, but still... "Very well, bring the Prince and Princess to the launch pad." The soldier bowed his compliance and left the room. Vegeta allowed a brief expression of sorrow wash over his usually stern features. How could he allow Freiza to take his son from him? How could he allow his daughter, barely four years old, leave the only home she knew to go to another planet? "It is safer for them to go, my King." Came the answer in a hushed whisper. He nodded to the advisor's words. It was safer for his daughter to go to the planet that Kakarot had been sent to. By now the child's objective should have been fulfilled and the planet ready for take over.' A new home planet.' "We should go, my Liege. They will be waiting..." Vegeta smiled. "Yes, I cannot miss goodbyes." With that he turned and strode out of the room.
"Kina! Kina! I've been looking all over for you. Come down from there, Little Monkey." Prince Vegeta folded his arms in his father's stance to indicate mock anger. "Naughty Monkey! Come down now!" He frowned up at the tree where his little sister hid. He wasn't really angry with her, he never could be. Even when she pulled his tail, he wasn't angry with her. Well, not much. "I don't wanna!" she cried in her tiny voice. It always amazed him just how that tiny voice could get so very loud when it wanted to. "I'll tell Papa that you won't come. He won't be happy. And you shouldn't speak like a street urchin. You're a princess of the house Vegeta and should act like one!" He ended up yelling at her. Again. Not very angry. Sobs started up in the tree and he felt his heart soften. If it were anybody else he wouldn't care, but his mother had made him give his word that he would protect Kina and never let her get hurt. His tail twitched irritably. He knew how to stop his sister from crying, but it was very embarrassing. Sighing deeply, he flew to the branch that she sat on. "Come on, don't cry," he said softly, putting his arms around her small shoulders. "I'm here now, Kina." He was just getting to the age that girls started to notice him - and vice-versa - and he was reluctant about hugging anyone - especially his sister - in front of people. "Geeta" she whimpered, huddling into his shoulder, her tail wrapping itself around his left wrist. He only ever let her get away with calling him the pet name their mother had given him. "Why are you going away? You said you'd always protept me." He smiled gently at her mistake and hugged her closer. He was going away and it would be a long time before they saw each other again. "Don't worry Kin," he whispered gently, using her nickname "I won't be gone long, and I'll bring you back a trophy if I can." He hated lying to her, never doing it often because of how bad it made him feel. "How long?" she snuffled, her tail squeezing harder on his wrist. He knew he wasn't coming back. That his father was giving him to Freiza as a show of loyalty. "Only a little while" he answered, knowing that when she found out the lie, it would be too late for her to scream her hatred at him. He would have preferred her screaming, than his having to leave her. He never said it, but he loved her dearly. He knew she felt the same way. "I'm not a naughty monkey," she said as she pulled back from him, wiping her eyes and wrapping her tail around her waist. "You are so" he replied, sticking out his tongue at her, knowing that she would retaliate and they would probably fall out of the tree like a pair of wildcats fighting.
They might have, had not the young soldier stepped into the room. "Nappa!" Kina cried out in delight "Catch me!" Nappa, his enormous muscles bulging, caught her effortlessly as she jumped from the tree to his arms. He looked down at the small child in his arms, smiling at her bravery. She would be a strong and brave warrior when she grew up. "That was fun!" she laughed, "Can Geeta have a go too?" He looked up at the tree in time to see another form flying towards him. Placing Kina on his shoulder quickly, he caught the young Prince who looked more than a trifle embarrassed in his arms. "Put me down, Nappa" Vegeta growled. It was obvious that he had jumped only to please his sister. "Yay! You caught us both!" the young Princess called out, deafening his right ear. Placing the prince on the ground, the children's bodyguard tried to put Kina down also. Vegeta masked his interest of the curses that Nappa muttered as the young Princess held tightly to his shoulder. "Can't make me get off!" she called out, laughing merrily as Nappa finally remembered how he had removed her that last time. "Noooo" she shrieked as he tickled her until she lost her grip. "No fair!" She stomped one foot on the ground in mock anger. "You cheated again, Nappa!"
Vegeta watched all this silently, smiling at his sister when she looked his way. "Nappa cheated, Geeta!" she wailed. Feigning annoyance with her he replied saucily. "So, what do you want me to do about it?" She looked at him, shocked, amazed and proud at the same time.
'Proud?' He thought 'What's she got to be proud about?'
"Oh, Vegeta! You're growing up!" Her eyes were wide with mirth, and she looked at Nappa. "Now, what do you think should be your punishment, Nappa? Tickling the Princess so!" He simply looked at her and shook his head. She looked more like her mother every day.
'Let's hope she doesn't act like her mother' he thought.
"Ahem..." The three inhabitants of the room turned in surprise, their faces portraying different emotions. Vegeta glared at the intruder, annoyed that someone had been watching their private interactions. Nappa looked at the soldier in a stony face. He was there to ensure the children's safety, no more, no less. Kina looked down at her feet, embarrassed that someone should catch the Princess acting most un-Princessly. That the intruder was a common soldier made it worse. Surely he would tell his whole barracks what he had seen the Princess doing, screaming at Nappa. Vegeta looked at the soldier, trying to recall his name. His father had said that if you knew a soldiers name, it made them feel more inclined to be loyal to you. "Raditz" he said simply, as though he had known it all along "Is it time already?" The soldier, startled to have the young prince remember his name, barely remembered to answer as he bowed. "Yes, my Prince. The shuttle is made ready. If you and the Princess follow me, I will lead you to the shuttle." He stood then, waiting patiently for them to come. Kina looked at Vegeta, trying hard not to burst into tears again. Nappa moved to grab a few bags on the end of the bed. Vegeta looked around, knowing that this might be the last time he would be on planet Vegeta. Taking Kina's hand in his own, he moved forward, repressing the urge to shed unwanted tears as he did so. Nappa followed behind as they left the room.
"Vegeta." The pride in his Father's voice was unmistakable as the group entered the little shuttle bay. For the most fearsome race in the universe, their technology was sparse, often traded for in muscle and use of warriors. "My King." The young Prince replied, bowing respectfully as he had been taught. His father looked upon him and wished that he had had more time with his son, so like himself, yet so different. He wished that he had gotten to know him better. "My son, today you shall go to Freiza as a man. As a warrior of the famous Saiyajin army. As the Prince of Vegeta! Do us proud." The last was spoken softly, as though for only them to hear. The young prince looked up at his father, pride shining in his dark eyes. "For the honor of Vegeta." The customary reply, yet it sounded like a promise, one that he was prepared to keep though it may cost him his life. Kina watched her father and brother as they recited the usual boring speeches, but this time with interest. She had never thought that words could mean so much, but the look on both her father and brother's faces told her that it was so. "Papa?" she whispered, wondering where this King had come from and where her loving father had gone. Not that her father showed anyone much love, but he had always been gentle with her, never yelling at her for doing things wrong like he did with Vegeta. King Vegeta looked down on his daughter, the image of her mother, gentle brown eyes and silky brown hair. He knew he was doing the right thing, sending her away until Freiza was beaten and both she and Kakarot were retrieved from the then conquered planet. He would remember to award the young Saiyajin when it was over, for to take care of his daughter was a high honor in itself, but it would be a tough job for any man. He smiled at her, and her face broke into a delighted grin. "Worry not, Kin," he told her gently as he used her familiar pet name, "You are going on a trip too." She looked at her father in stunned silence, her grin disappearing from her face for a moment, and then re-appearing again. "With Geeta?" Her face lit up, and he frowned.
'So Vegeta has not told her where he was going, or why! Well, maybe it is better that way.'
"No, but to another place, somewhere for a small holiday." Her face twisted with disappointment. "Are you coming, Papa?" She watched him silently as he locked eyes with her. "I'm sorry, Kin. I can't come, but you will meet a friend of yours there." He finished quickly, as tears started to form in her eyes. "Who?" She asked him softly, barely able to keep from crying. She wished that Vegeta would hold her hand, she felt strong when he did. "Do you remember a little boy named Kakarot?" He father knelt before her, asking her in a gentle voice. She remembered the little boy, who had been a 'friend' of hers when she was littler. They had played together and she had been sad when he had left. She nodded in answer to his question, feeling unable to answer him in a firm voice. "Well, he's going to look after you for a little while, until Daddy comes back"
He was ready to blast anyone that laughed at him for calling himself that, but no-one did, and he continued talking softly. "We'll come and pick you up on the way back, but you have to go NOW." He emphasized the last word and she threw herself into his arms. Surprised, he could do nothing but hold her to him. "For the honor of Vegeta" she whispered and then drew herself away from him. He looked at her, startled at first, then proud. "Good girl" he said softly. "Now, get in the space pod, and soon you'll be home." She jumped into an open pod and turned toward her brother. "Denyais Silvayin Tarinya" he called as the lid closed. "'Til next we meet, may it be soon." Then sleep called her, and she closed her eyes.
***
"Father," Vegeta looked up to his father's face, the older man's years were starting to show. "Why? Why send Kina away? Unless…" He broke off, unable to answer his own question. "Unless I felt that we were not going to win? Is that what you were going to ask, Vegeta?" The boy looked at his feet, ashamed of his lack of faith in his great and all-powerful father. A Saiyajin NEVER admitted defeat before a battle, but why did something feel so wrong? "I don't believe that Freiza will defeat us. I have sent her away so that she will be safe." The King looked at his son, whose eyes were downcast, staring at the floor in shame. "She would be a prime target for Freiza to get his hands on. I could not risk her life at his hands." Vegeta looked up at his father, surprised to see tears in his eyes. His vision blurred for a moment, as tears came to his own eyes. "Good luck, Father." He said as he stepped forward, into the open pod before him. "Come Nappa." Addressing the children's bodyguard, King Vegeta indicated to the next shuttle. "Raditz." His hand led to the third, last shuttle. "Good bye, my son."
He whispered softly "Make me proud!"
Then the pods were gone to meet Freiza's ship.