Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ although I wish I did because then I would
make big buku bucks…sadly, I don't even have my own comics out yet so don't
expect me to become a well known individual either.
Author's note: In case anyone who reads my fics hasn't noticed, I do have a tendency to make Veggie-boy fall in love with only one female character…but wait until the circus comes to town…it's a dark fic that I hope you guys will like. Anyway, please review my stories, these are the first I've ever submitted in my life. ^.^
A lone figure sat beside the trunk of a massive oak tree, her legs stretched out before her and her arms wrapped around a small bundle. She had been dead for two hours now and the bundle was just starting to wake up when several dark men rode by on spirited horses.
One of the men studied the small bundle then frowned when a piercing wail filled the air and tiny hands clutched desperately at the dead woman's shirt. Shaking his head, he turned his horse away, bent on leaving the infant to die.
The last man, however, jumped down from his horse and carefully pried the child from its mother's fierce grip. Smiling at the wide-eyed child, he ran the tip of his finger down one of her soft cheeks then vaulted onto his horse's back. Hearing his leader coming towards him, he looked away from the child, his red bandana coming loose at the same time and causing the horse to prance slightly. Calming the horse, he met his leader's gaze then uncovered the child's face. "She would fit in with the rest of us. I doubt she would even notice that she happened to be from somewhere other than our clan."
Lifting a brow, the leader thought a moment then lowered his gaze, meeting fearless brown eyes and a cheerful smile. "Fine Bardock, but she must be named by sunset."
"Of course…I happen to have the perfect name for her."
Fifteen years later…
"Kathi…Kathi, hello, are you even awake?"
Dark brown eyes blinked several times in acknowledgement, even as full lips curved into a ready grin. Looking up at her brother, she got to her feet then nodded. "I was just thinking about the festival we're having."
"What about it?"
"I'm wondering whether or not I should sing or dance for my turn."
Shaking his head and smiling, Kakarot lifted a brow while watching her from the corner of his eye. "Does it really matter what you do?"
"I guess not…but I do want to make daddy proud."
"If you want to make him proud of you then maybe he wouldn't mind hearing father instead of daddy." Bardock walked out of the woods and into the clearing, surprising the both of them. "You two will be the death of me one of these days."
"I really doubt that…daddy."
Narrowing his eyes for a moment at his adopted daughter, he sighed then laughed softly before turning back towards camp. "Come on you two, we have a lot of things to do and one of the scouts spotted several strange gypsies traveling towards us. They should arrive by dusk, a good time for them I think."
"But…isn't that when…" She bit her lip then looked down at her feet.
"When what?"
"Nothing." Shaking her head, she took a deep breath then looked back at her brother, a wicked grin on her face. "I bet I can tell Lana something you don't want her to know." Laughing wildly, she ran off, even as he started reaching for her. "You're too slow big brother, I think you should try chasing mice from now on."
Growling under his breath, Kakarot raced after her and caught up to her at the same time she bowled into another person.
Vegeta hit the ground with a grunt then swore softly when he finally got untangled from his assailant. Waiting for the attacker to lift its head, he blinked in surprise then growled several swear words beneath his breath. "Kathi…I should have known you would knock someone out on purpose."
"I…I'm sorry…" Backing away from the short-tempered man, she looked up at her brother then scurried towards camp, trying hard not to start crying in embarrassment.
"That was cruel Vegeta."
"And I care why?"
Shaking his head, Kakarot sighed as he walked away then glanced back at the shorter man when he started following him. "Why were you out in the woods anyway?"
"I want to impress Bulma and she wants a certain type of flower…unfortunately several other men are looking for the flower also."
"I'd give up on it then."
"No…I can't give up on a woman as beautiful and exotic as her. Besides, I know one thing the other men don't."
"What is that?"
"I know the person who keeps these flowers in their wagon."
"Who?"
"Your sister. I saw them when we stopped there before hunting…about three days ago."
"Then why are you in the woods?"
"Because I have to find a fresh flower."
"That's surprising."
"What?"
"That you have to find a newly picked flower instead of a flower a few days old."
"I don't see anything surprising about that."
"My sister has had those flowers for the past three years. She planted them on a whim and hasn't had the heart to get rid of them."
"Would she give one of them to me?"
"I doubt it since she doesn't appear to like you very much."
"I could care less whether or not she likes me. All I want is the chance to impress Bulma. I want to have her in my bed tonight…and I will work out the rest after tonight."
"Of course…and what will you do if you don't get the flower to impress Bulma?"
"I do not know."
"That is sad."
"Why?"
"You're the only man I know…who doesn't sleep with all the other women on a whim then leave them because you were tired of their presence."
"I don't want a used woman."
"And she isn't used?"
Looking down at his feet, he sighed then lifted his head so he could see the leaves rustling in the breeze. "It isn't the fact that she has been used."
"Then what is it?"
"She never looks used or tired."
"She is older than both of us though."
"By six years."
"We're not even thirty yet."
"So."
"She's still thirty-one."
"What's your point?"
"I just don't understand you."
"Neither do I."
Vegeta looked up in surprise when his father dropped from one of the trees and walked towards him.
"You're after a dream boy."
"Hardly."
"Yes…definitely a dream. You search for a woman who isn't used and can remain looking unused for years to come…but you demean yourself by going after a used woman who is beautiful and doesn't look used."
"No, I go after the woman I want."
Smiling wryly, he shook his head then grabbed his son's face between his thumb and forefinger. "You are foolish and hot-blooded."
"And you are getting older every year."
"Do not think that I will name you my successor for leadership…not if you continue to pine after the camp slut the way you do."
"She is not a slut."
"Fine, you don't have to believe me. But mark my words boy; she will not have you just for a flower. She will try to keep you enraptured with her so that you might share the wealth you have gained through your exploits. She will suck you dry until you have nothing left save your hide, which she will dump out of her wagon during one of the moves we make."
"You are lying!" Tearing from his father's grip, he ran off then towards camp. He had several things he needed to do and his father…his father was an old fool.
Kathi stared at herself in the mirror, wishing she could change from the plain looking girl she saw in front of her. Hearing the door open, she turned her head then smiled when her dance instructor came in. "Hey Bulma…"
Smiling, the older woman studied the girl before her then motioned for her to come closer. "I have given the men who chase after me an impossible task."
"What is that?"
Making her sit down, she started brushing her hair gently. "They are to find me a single flower."
"Why is that impossible?"
Smiling again, she looked over at the bright blue petals of the flowers on the girl's table. "Because you are the only one who grows them and they are the last of their kind."
"True…but what if someone finds them?"
"I haven't thought of what to do for that. I know your life is held by a single thread of fate and that those flowers are the only things that will save you when the time comes."
"Father knows it too."
"Yes…he was there when I read your future."
"What will you do if someone brings you the flower?"
Sighing, she set down the brush then picked up the lip rouge. "I promised myself to the first man to bring the flower to me…but I will turn him down if he came by them without your permission."
"Good…because I only have one that will seed for me this year…I need them to be healthy seeds…so that I can have more next year."
"Did you move it away from the others yet?"
"No…it hasn't started seeding."
"Which one is it?"
"It's on the other side of the pot, all alone…like me."
"You are hardly alone dear child."
"I feel like I am."
"Why?"
"Because I am not as dark as the other women and my body is pale, much like yours. My eyes are brown and my hair is dull."
"So you don't feel pretty?"
"No…I don't even feel like anyone wants me."
"You would be surprised."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Look at yourself in the mirror girl."
Lifting her gaze from her hands, she stared in shock at her reflection then turned and looked at the older woman. "I…"
"You look like the beautiful young woman you are. All I did was help."
"But…"
"Shh…you don't want to ruin the appearance by asking a stupid question."
"Thank you."
"Now…what were you going to do for the festival?"
"Sing…I'm going to sing." Taking a deep breath, she got to her feet then headed out of her wagon.
Vegeta smiled ruefully as he made his way through the crowed of dancing men and women. He wasn't interested in the joy that dancing brought the others; he was interested in impressing a certain blue haired beauty. He did pay attention, however, when the dancers stopped and looked towards the edge of their encampment. Eyes narrowing slightly, he watched as the small band of travelers strode inwards then pulled his short sword free when they unmasked themselves with snarling hisses.
Author's note: In case anyone who reads my fics hasn't noticed, I do have a tendency to make Veggie-boy fall in love with only one female character…but wait until the circus comes to town…it's a dark fic that I hope you guys will like. Anyway, please review my stories, these are the first I've ever submitted in my life. ^.^
A lone figure sat beside the trunk of a massive oak tree, her legs stretched out before her and her arms wrapped around a small bundle. She had been dead for two hours now and the bundle was just starting to wake up when several dark men rode by on spirited horses.
One of the men studied the small bundle then frowned when a piercing wail filled the air and tiny hands clutched desperately at the dead woman's shirt. Shaking his head, he turned his horse away, bent on leaving the infant to die.
The last man, however, jumped down from his horse and carefully pried the child from its mother's fierce grip. Smiling at the wide-eyed child, he ran the tip of his finger down one of her soft cheeks then vaulted onto his horse's back. Hearing his leader coming towards him, he looked away from the child, his red bandana coming loose at the same time and causing the horse to prance slightly. Calming the horse, he met his leader's gaze then uncovered the child's face. "She would fit in with the rest of us. I doubt she would even notice that she happened to be from somewhere other than our clan."
Lifting a brow, the leader thought a moment then lowered his gaze, meeting fearless brown eyes and a cheerful smile. "Fine Bardock, but she must be named by sunset."
"Of course…I happen to have the perfect name for her."
Fifteen years later…
"Kathi…Kathi, hello, are you even awake?"
Dark brown eyes blinked several times in acknowledgement, even as full lips curved into a ready grin. Looking up at her brother, she got to her feet then nodded. "I was just thinking about the festival we're having."
"What about it?"
"I'm wondering whether or not I should sing or dance for my turn."
Shaking his head and smiling, Kakarot lifted a brow while watching her from the corner of his eye. "Does it really matter what you do?"
"I guess not…but I do want to make daddy proud."
"If you want to make him proud of you then maybe he wouldn't mind hearing father instead of daddy." Bardock walked out of the woods and into the clearing, surprising the both of them. "You two will be the death of me one of these days."
"I really doubt that…daddy."
Narrowing his eyes for a moment at his adopted daughter, he sighed then laughed softly before turning back towards camp. "Come on you two, we have a lot of things to do and one of the scouts spotted several strange gypsies traveling towards us. They should arrive by dusk, a good time for them I think."
"But…isn't that when…" She bit her lip then looked down at her feet.
"When what?"
"Nothing." Shaking her head, she took a deep breath then looked back at her brother, a wicked grin on her face. "I bet I can tell Lana something you don't want her to know." Laughing wildly, she ran off, even as he started reaching for her. "You're too slow big brother, I think you should try chasing mice from now on."
Growling under his breath, Kakarot raced after her and caught up to her at the same time she bowled into another person.
Vegeta hit the ground with a grunt then swore softly when he finally got untangled from his assailant. Waiting for the attacker to lift its head, he blinked in surprise then growled several swear words beneath his breath. "Kathi…I should have known you would knock someone out on purpose."
"I…I'm sorry…" Backing away from the short-tempered man, she looked up at her brother then scurried towards camp, trying hard not to start crying in embarrassment.
"That was cruel Vegeta."
"And I care why?"
Shaking his head, Kakarot sighed as he walked away then glanced back at the shorter man when he started following him. "Why were you out in the woods anyway?"
"I want to impress Bulma and she wants a certain type of flower…unfortunately several other men are looking for the flower also."
"I'd give up on it then."
"No…I can't give up on a woman as beautiful and exotic as her. Besides, I know one thing the other men don't."
"What is that?"
"I know the person who keeps these flowers in their wagon."
"Who?"
"Your sister. I saw them when we stopped there before hunting…about three days ago."
"Then why are you in the woods?"
"Because I have to find a fresh flower."
"That's surprising."
"What?"
"That you have to find a newly picked flower instead of a flower a few days old."
"I don't see anything surprising about that."
"My sister has had those flowers for the past three years. She planted them on a whim and hasn't had the heart to get rid of them."
"Would she give one of them to me?"
"I doubt it since she doesn't appear to like you very much."
"I could care less whether or not she likes me. All I want is the chance to impress Bulma. I want to have her in my bed tonight…and I will work out the rest after tonight."
"Of course…and what will you do if you don't get the flower to impress Bulma?"
"I do not know."
"That is sad."
"Why?"
"You're the only man I know…who doesn't sleep with all the other women on a whim then leave them because you were tired of their presence."
"I don't want a used woman."
"And she isn't used?"
Looking down at his feet, he sighed then lifted his head so he could see the leaves rustling in the breeze. "It isn't the fact that she has been used."
"Then what is it?"
"She never looks used or tired."
"She is older than both of us though."
"By six years."
"We're not even thirty yet."
"So."
"She's still thirty-one."
"What's your point?"
"I just don't understand you."
"Neither do I."
Vegeta looked up in surprise when his father dropped from one of the trees and walked towards him.
"You're after a dream boy."
"Hardly."
"Yes…definitely a dream. You search for a woman who isn't used and can remain looking unused for years to come…but you demean yourself by going after a used woman who is beautiful and doesn't look used."
"No, I go after the woman I want."
Smiling wryly, he shook his head then grabbed his son's face between his thumb and forefinger. "You are foolish and hot-blooded."
"And you are getting older every year."
"Do not think that I will name you my successor for leadership…not if you continue to pine after the camp slut the way you do."
"She is not a slut."
"Fine, you don't have to believe me. But mark my words boy; she will not have you just for a flower. She will try to keep you enraptured with her so that you might share the wealth you have gained through your exploits. She will suck you dry until you have nothing left save your hide, which she will dump out of her wagon during one of the moves we make."
"You are lying!" Tearing from his father's grip, he ran off then towards camp. He had several things he needed to do and his father…his father was an old fool.
Kathi stared at herself in the mirror, wishing she could change from the plain looking girl she saw in front of her. Hearing the door open, she turned her head then smiled when her dance instructor came in. "Hey Bulma…"
Smiling, the older woman studied the girl before her then motioned for her to come closer. "I have given the men who chase after me an impossible task."
"What is that?"
Making her sit down, she started brushing her hair gently. "They are to find me a single flower."
"Why is that impossible?"
Smiling again, she looked over at the bright blue petals of the flowers on the girl's table. "Because you are the only one who grows them and they are the last of their kind."
"True…but what if someone finds them?"
"I haven't thought of what to do for that. I know your life is held by a single thread of fate and that those flowers are the only things that will save you when the time comes."
"Father knows it too."
"Yes…he was there when I read your future."
"What will you do if someone brings you the flower?"
Sighing, she set down the brush then picked up the lip rouge. "I promised myself to the first man to bring the flower to me…but I will turn him down if he came by them without your permission."
"Good…because I only have one that will seed for me this year…I need them to be healthy seeds…so that I can have more next year."
"Did you move it away from the others yet?"
"No…it hasn't started seeding."
"Which one is it?"
"It's on the other side of the pot, all alone…like me."
"You are hardly alone dear child."
"I feel like I am."
"Why?"
"Because I am not as dark as the other women and my body is pale, much like yours. My eyes are brown and my hair is dull."
"So you don't feel pretty?"
"No…I don't even feel like anyone wants me."
"You would be surprised."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Look at yourself in the mirror girl."
Lifting her gaze from her hands, she stared in shock at her reflection then turned and looked at the older woman. "I…"
"You look like the beautiful young woman you are. All I did was help."
"But…"
"Shh…you don't want to ruin the appearance by asking a stupid question."
"Thank you."
"Now…what were you going to do for the festival?"
"Sing…I'm going to sing." Taking a deep breath, she got to her feet then headed out of her wagon.
Vegeta smiled ruefully as he made his way through the crowed of dancing men and women. He wasn't interested in the joy that dancing brought the others; he was interested in impressing a certain blue haired beauty. He did pay attention, however, when the dancers stopped and looked towards the edge of their encampment. Eyes narrowing slightly, he watched as the small band of travelers strode inwards then pulled his short sword free when they unmasked themselves with snarling hisses.