Once in a Blue Moon

Prelude

Planet Vegeta

Age 736, Past

A long tunnel.

There was an archway ahead, leading into the huge hall, filled with the hushed whispers of a hundred people who have died within its very walls. Steady strides carried her past the finely-crafted marble pillars, drapes of the purest silks hung between each one, made for royalty only. Her footsteps were accompanied by the heavy tramps of two Saiyan Guardsmen, walking by each elbow, propelling her onwards to her impending fate, inescapably, towards the archway.

And then the little female Saiyan walked out into the Great Hall of her Prince's keep.

A Great Hall that had been created many years before she was born, it was a long and daunting room, a thick red carpet ran through it, trimmed with gold, towards a set of marble stairs where the throne of King Vegeta stood, high and imposing. Above the throne was the symbol she had been forced to reject her devotion to, the honourable symbol of her race, the Saiyans. A smooth golden crest all Saiyans wore proudly, a crest that was robbed from her.

The tiny female looked around, her eyes full of fear, waiting to catch the gazes of her fellow Saiyans. It was unusual to enter such an important Hall with no audience. It was not like Prince Vegeta to perform his duties without spectators. Perhaps it was because it was her, and it would disgust his comrades if they saw him in the presence of that useless Saiyan girl. Somehow, the Great Hall was far more daunting without the company of several Saiyans.

The Guardsmen had stopped at the archway and blocked her exit, so she was left to walk through the Hall alone, her bare feet tapping hollow as she approached the single figure in the Hall. She had no weapons, nor was she chained, for there was no need. She was trapped. She made her way a short distance across the echoing room, her head hung low to avoid eye-contact with the lonely figure in the Hall.

Beyond her, sitting on the huge granite throne, was a young Prince Vegeta. He was no more than sixteen years old, in Earth years, clad in his elegant white Saiyan armour, a cruel smile twisting his face. He was awfully small for his age, but his size did not matter. He was known for his superior and brutal ways, mirroring his father's attitude, a King she would have gladly followed if he had accepted her. He was framed against hanging tapestry, two long curtains of royal-red, draped at each side of the throne. She has never entered such a building with fine decor and royalty thick in the air. She felt as though she was in the wrong place. But it only reassured her that she was not only in the imperial hall of her Prince and King, but also her tomb.

At last, she lifted her head, only slightly, a pair of wide eyes found Prince Vegeta. He was focused only on the Saiyan-Runt, and in the silence that filled the hall, he glared at her with naked hate in his eyes.

"It's been a long time, Mitsu," Prince Vegeta said lowly. "I thought you would have died in a matter of three days," He got to his feet, folding his arms behind his back. Mitsu's gaze fell again, unable to watch the flaming blackness of Prince Vegeta's glare for too long. Even then, she could feel them burning. "For a Saiyan-Runt, you've survived pretty darn well. I must congratulate you for that," He cocked a thick brow at her. "Tell me, Mitsu, how did you do it?"

Just as he predicted, the petite Saiyaness said nothing, refusing to look at him.

Prince Vegeta tuttered, shaking his head in mock-sympathy. "Ah, typical. You're not going to tell me, are you?"

Mitsu chewed on her bottom lip hard, sensing that this wasn't just a catch-up. Somehow, he knew the answer already...

She heard the soft taps of Prince Vegeta's boot hitting the step, approaching her painfully slow. He had expected Mitsu to show at least a flicker of fear, but she was trying very hard not to show any, not for his pleasure.

Remember what he told you! Show him no fear!

"Such a pity," Prince Vegeta said, tilting his head. "I was intrigued with how a Saiyan reject like yourself survived in the wild,"

"Our ancestors survived," came the meek reply. It was clear in her voice how frightened she was, but the Prince was impressed by her sudden ounce of courage.

"They survived as packs," The Prince corrected her. "That's how we Saiyans strived to become who we are today. Fearful warriors that will destroy whatever may come." His gaze hardened. "We do not need nor want such weaklings like you to bring us down," Then his voice dropped into an icy menace through gritted teeth. "I'll ask you again, how did you survive?" He asked again, only this time his voice was more tense, threatening.

He could see in her heart-shaped face the emotions battling in her eyes, as if unsure what to do. Then:

"I just did, Your Highness,"

She watched as Prince Vegeta's eyes squinted furiously, and waited for him to end her life then. Surprisingly, he didn't. He suppressed his frustration, a glint in his dark eyes revealed he had something far worse than death planned for her. He wanted to play with his prey.

"I'm surprised," He lowered his head down, so he was eye-level with the Saiyaness. "Considering how much you feared me, you seemed to have forgotten how ruthless I can be," His voice was dauntingly low, iron intimidation thick in his words. "I may have considered giving you a second-chance if you obeyed me. But you and I know that's not going to happen," A frosty smirk tugged at the end of his lips, his eyes close to her."For your information, I knew the answer already," he motioned at another archway, and a pair of storm-doors opened with a loud bolt. Then the Great Hall was in uproar, shouting and stamping echoed through and archway and startled Mitsu.

Prince Vegeta kept his eyes fixed onto Mitsu, as she raised her head and looked...

"Get your hands off me! I can walk by myself!" A male Saiyan was screaming, and Mitsu's pupils dinted as she saw the scene before her.

A tall, muscular Saiyan was restrained by three Guardsmen, towering slightly as his arms were twisted in an unbreakable position. He wore the Saiyan armour she recognised, black and brown, the outsized shoulder pads hung over his burly shoulders like eaves of a roof. A large mane of thick, black hair was caught under the arms of the Guardsmen, trapping them. He was unarmed too. The Guardsmen forcefully threw the Saiyan onto the floor, beside Prince Vegeta, and they ushered back into their positions, blocking the door as the newcomer picked himself up, brushing his strong legs.

Then his gaze met with Mitsu, and his hard eyes widened.

"I'm sure this will help you remember, Mitsu," Prince Vegeta said darkly, finding the reactions of the two Saiyans amusing. "You've met Raditz before, haven't you?"

Silence.

All Mitsu can do was stare at Raditz, her only friend, her mouth open slightly in an agonizing, voiceless gasp. Raditz froze too, his face painted in mute-horror.

"M-Mitsu..." Was all Raditz could say, his voice strangled by his disbelief.

"I'm sorry..." Came the tearful reply, her wide eyes begging Raditz for forgiveness. Forgiveness for what, she wasn't sure, but she felt as though she was to blame for putting him in this position. Prince Vegeta laughed tersely.

"How adorable!" He said sarcastically. "Though I must admit, it was rather surprising to see Raditz in the company of a Runt such as yourself, Mitsu!" He turned to Raditz, who could only glare at him defiantly. "Raditz, tell me, what intrigued you to help this poor excuse of a Saiyan,"

"What does it matter?" Raditz hissed, his voice as gruff and rugged as Mitsu remembered. "It's not harming anyone,"

"It's harming yourself, Raditz!" The Prince said sharply, his voice slightly tense. "Don't you realise, it has made you soft!" His eyes possessed a faint flame of antagonism and authority. They fixed back onto Mitsu. "This wretched Saiyan has softened you! Look at this!" Quicker than an eye-blink, Prince Vegeta snatched Mitsu's willowy arm, holding it up towards Raditz. Raditz knew his reason. Around her right arm was a thin, crimson band tied around her upper arm, mirroring Raditz's bands around his left arm and leg. Prince Vegeta did not need to reveal her leg. They all knew the second band was there, from the night Raditz has given them to her. "What do you call this? Companionship? A Romance?"

Frightened to have been touched by the Prince, Mitsu instinctively snatched her arm away from the Prince, hugging it against her chest. Prince Vegeta was taken back, and he slowly turned his hot glare at the little Saiyan, his eyes filled with unspeakable wrath. He would have lashed out on her too, if Raditz had not immediately jumped between them, his towering form and lengthy mane hiding Mitsu from their Prince. For a wild moment, Raditz pictured seizing the young prince by the throat and striking him with a single Ki-Powered blast. But it was insanity. Prince Vegeta undeniably had several Guardsmen with their keen eyes trained on them. The Prince was young, but he certainly wasn't foolish.

"She is my apprentice!" Raditz shouted; and a moment later he added: "She's my friend,"

Mitsu blinked, feeling the hot tears burning the back of her eyes. Her petit hands found Raditz's armoured hand, and they held onto it tightly, terrified of the edgy situation.

The touch reminded her of the time he was teaching her how to fly. Frightened and inexperienced, she grasped onto his hands, arms and eventually his neck in sheer panic, despite only being a few inches off the floor. But holding onto her hands, he gave her a small squeeze.

Trust me, his words echoed.

Now, she felt Raditz's lean, battle-worn hand giving her the same reassuring squeeze. She looked up at Raditz, who focused his cold, fiery eyes at the Prince.

Prince Vegeta made a small, tight smile in response, before he was unable to contain his laughter, his voice howling, bouncing off the walls and rising up to the high ceiling.

"Oh please! Don't make me laugh! You, a Master, teaching such a worthless Runt like Mitsu?" The Prince laughed harder, rubbing the salt into the fresh wound he had carved with his first chortle. "Raditz, you can't be serious? You're not even qualified to be a Master! You're a middle-class Saiyan Warrior!"

There was a silence, during which Raditz felt the heat of Mitsu's sense of betrayal. He knew that he had lied about his rank to her, but that did not mean he was going to let Prince Vegeta win. Not this time.

Mitsu would have said something to Raditz if the presence of Prince Vegeta was not with them. She was on the verge of tears, but Raditz wasn't intimidated. He met Prince Vegeta's gaze steadily.

The Prince faced Mitsu.

"From the look on your face, something tells me that your 'friend' here has lied," Prince Vegeta said, disgust in his voice. "He is not an Elite Saiyan Warrior, just an ordinary Warrior. Though he has more to give than what you could ever do,"

That stung her. Mitsu silently faced Raditz, looking for support but was given none. Raditz said nothing, his head dipped in thought and his face hidden by his wild locks.

At that moment, Mitsu glared at the Prince bravely, and to his surprise he saw the small flame of hatred churning in the black voids of her eyes.

"Elite Warrior or not, Raditz is still my friend!" Mitsu said, her voice strong and threatening. The Prince and Raditz blinked at her, taken back by the change of character. Mitsu was always known for her peaceful yet weak personality, too frightened and frail to fight against those in power. But now, she seemed to have mustered the courage to speak back at Prince Vegeta, shocking the Saiyans. Raditz stared at her, seeing the once meek Saiyaness now possessing the same bloodthirsty glint in her features just like all of the Saiyans. It was very bizarre for Mitsu to own such an expression. Perhaps now she has finally found her Saiyan pride? Raditz could feel the warmth of her Saiyan blood boiling.

Disregarding Mitsu's words, he glared at Raditz accusingly.

"See what you have done? Now the Runt has learned to not only survive, but to speak back to her Prince!" Raditz raised his head.

Losing his patience, he forcefully pushed Raditz to one side, breaking him and Mitsu apart. "I am just sick of seeing her face!" He held a hand towards her, his palm open and in the centre of it was the hot ball of Ki, growing bigger frighteningly fast. "Be gone, Runt!"

All in an instant, Mitsu had only the breath to scream as the Ki-Blast was fired at her, blinding her. She only caught a momentary glance of the blinding orb as it began to hone in onto her; and then she closed her eyes, and there was only the terrible noise as it struck.

For a long second, there was nothing.

Hot splatters of liquid sprayed across Mitsu's face, and to her dismay she realised it was blood. She felt no pain, and was not injured, only caked in blood. But why...?

Mitsu stared back at Raditz, his face merely inches away from her, his rough features held utter alarm. There was something indescribably horrible about the expression, his eyes wide, jaw hanging in a soundless cry. But it was not as horrible as the full comprehension of the situation. A paralysis gripped onto Mitsu, pinning her heart to her ribs and making her body go limp.

Looming over her, Raditz choked as blood bubbled over his lower lip, coughing in silent pain. A Ki-Blast that would have easily killed her was not as deadly to Raditz's powerful armour. She was grateful that Prince Vegeta was merciful enough to go easy on her execution. But that did not mean no one suffered. Raditz had leapt before her, hugging onto her protectively from the attack. White, scorching pain shook through him then, staggering him into unvoiced shock, as if he was unable to register the absolute agony his body just experienced.

Mitsu went cold with horror as she finally took in what has happened.

Then, Mitsu's howl of pain and heartache rose up to fill the Great Hall. Raditz's armoured body was pressed hard against her, hunched over her like a ghoul. The violent heat from the Ki-Blast emitted from the back of Raditz's armour, a large trailing vapour of smoke releasing from it.

Mitsu had begun to sob. Between Prince Vegeta's harsh words and Raditz suffering, she was crushed.

"Noooooo!" She cried in anguish, her tiny hands barely able to wrap around Raditz's body, pitifully pressing onto his back as if it could contain the flow of blood there, running out between her fingers, staining his black armour red. His armoured body began to feel like dead-weight, becoming heavy against her. His staggering form dwarfed the tiny Saiyan, almost crushing her with his own body. She struggled to hold his body upright, fearing that he was dead.

Prince Vegeta watched the scene in silence, amused.

"My, my. I'm impressed. I didn't expect Raditz to take such a blow for you. He must really like you,"

A trembling hand rose eventually, grasping onto Mitsu's petit frame for support. Raditz hauled himself up gradually, glaring at Prince Vegeta with iron determination in his eyes as he grasped a hand over his stomach, shuddering.

"Vegeta! You'll soon regret underestimating me!" Raditz spat blood, staining his lips a deep red. It pained Mitsu to hear his voice; once so strong and dominant now wavering in a cripple fragile choke.

The Saiyan Prince rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Raditz. This is getting irritating," He folded his arms across his chest, glaring at the Saiyan who stood skewed in pain. "I'll give you both an option then. I can either send you both to Otherworld. There, you will die as the pitiful excuses of Saiyan Warriors I have witnessed," He cocked a brow quizzically, his voice flat and without emotion. "Or, Mitsu shall be exiled from her Home Planet, never to return, and you will stay with me. You will join me in my future missions so I can erase whatever disease Mitsu has cursed you with. It's your choice,"

Mitsu turned to Raditz, and in her eyes was a question. He felt something twist excruciatingly deep within him. She was pleading. She was begging him to help himself, but she couldn't do it alone.

Raditz wanted to join Mitsu, to leave this world and dominate the universe with her by his side, to forget about Vegeta. He wanted Mitsu to be safe, and he wanted her to stay with him. But his Saiyan Pride fought against him powerfully, tearing him between the options of becoming one of the greatest Saiyan Warriors beside his Prince, but that would mean leaving Mitsu, abandoning her. He had promised her to never forsaken her.

But that wasn't what she wanted. She would risk anything to allow Raditz to become a better Warrior, just as he has always desired, to win the opportunity to work with Prince Vegeta. Even if that meant for her to leave and possibly never seeing him again. She would have no form of communication with him. They may never meet again.

There was a long silence. If Raditz stayed with her, they would both die, and what else would lie for them in Otherworld? Even if she wasn't killed by Prince Vegeta, the twisted Prince would possibly force Raditz to do the dirty work for him.

If only there was some way, Raditz thought, forcing the pain to one side as best as he could. Some way to make the Prince change his mind, to negotiate a different method for them both. But the Prince was stubborn, and it would be risky questioning Prince Vegeta's word. There was no turning back for them.

In the end, there was no choice for them. He couldn't bear her tears, and he couldn't say no to her. He knew exactly what she was begging for. This is what she wanted. She wanted it enough to stand up to him about it, when everything else she let him decide. She wanted it that much. It pained them both, but there was no other way.

"Okay," Raditz said at last. "You win, Vegeta,"

"So, what is your choice?"

Raditz looked at Mitsu once more, making sure that she was certain with her discussion.

"Let Raditz live, please. I do not wish for him to die for my sins," Mitsu said, her voice small and tearful. Streaks of heavy tears ran down her cheeks without hesitation. "Exile me..." She hung her head down, pressing her forehead against Raditz's chest. "I do not deserve Raditz's kindness,"

Raditz bowed down to her.

"Mitsu," He stopped, suddenly losing his words. He was bewildered to hear such wounded words.

She looked at him valiantly; her black eyes glittering, tears thick on her lashes.

"Thank you...for everything," She pressed her lips softly onto his forehead, fleetingly tasting the sweat and musky scent of male Saiyan flesh before breaking the final kiss. "I'll come back for you one day, I promise," She whispered, hoping the Prince would not hear it.

They stared at one another, wordlessly bidding goodbye with their eyes. Then Raditz's muscular arms clutched around the tiny Saiyaness suddenly, drawing her into a tight parting embrace. This was it for them.

Prince Vegeta heard the whisper, making his jaw tightened.

Not if her Space-Pod were to have a crash-course against another planet...

A sick smirk twisted his face once more. She will no longer be a burden to him and his Race.