Chapter 3
Bura's muscles were just beginning to feel sore as she fired a small blast of ki dispatching two of the four training droids zooming about the gravity room.
She would depart for Solaria today, she hadn't slept one bit the night before.
She tried to shake the thick cloud of sorrow that seemed to haunt her every step, but it appeared to be futile. Everywhere she went in the palace, all she could seem to think about was how she'd never see any of it again. Her Father, Mother, and Brother had hardly spoken a word to one another at the feast the night before. So thick with unease was the air in the palace.
She wondered, what was Solaria like? Were the skies the same warm sanguine as the skies of Vegeta-sei? Or were they some other color? Would the terrain be sand and rock, or soft and green and teeming with life, or cold and covered in frozen water? She'd heard tales from soldiers about all the various planets the explored, the strange flora they'd come across, the fearsome beasts they battled.
Part of her had always wanted to see such places, in the past.
In the present, nothing would have pleased her more than to remain here, Home.
She tried to console herself with the notion that she was doing this for her people, to give them the best chance possible. But what if they failed anyway? And it was all for nothing?
Her marriage to the Solarian Prince did not guarantee victory. There was still the chance of defeat. The Solarians had a large fighting force, but even combining the strength of their people they would still need other planets on their side.
She quickly skirted away as one of the battle droids fired a barrage of lasers her way, but so lost was she in her thoughts, she didn't see the other droid zooming toward her preparing to fire-
BOOM.
Two blasts of ki were fired, Bura suddenly sensed the presence of a much more imposing power level, a small cloud of smoke wafted through the air, she looked up, waving away the smoke to discover the mighty King of the Saiyans standing in her path. Surveying her with mild disapproval. "You were distracted."
"I- …yes." Any other day she may have argued with him. But today was not any other day.
"Distractions get you killed." The King clipped,
"I know." Of course she knew, it was one of the first lessons he'd taught her. Focus. Perfect focus, that was the key to victory, to survival.
"Distractions get those around you killed."
She met her father's hard gaze, only for him to look away, toward the scattered charred bits of nuts and bolts that littered the floor.
"Will you continue your training, at your new home?"
"Perhaps," Bura dispassionately kicked one of the little droids away. "Perhaps the Solarians don't allow their women to be trained in combat."
"I'd like to see that boy stop you from doing as you like."
She laughed at that, and the King smirked.
They stood there, quietly studying one another for a moment. And she couldn't help but wonder if this was the very last time she would ever see her father, or hear his voice. Her heart plummeted to her feet at the thought.
The smirk disappeared from his face, "Your ship will depart soon."
"I know." She replied quietly.
"Hn." He gave her one last measuring look, before crossing his arms over his chest, swiftly turning to leave. And Bura couldn't help herself.
Without warning the Princess ran after her father, flinging her arms around his chest, pressing her face into his back, fighting to keep tears from falling from her aquamarine eyes. "Father… I…"
There was more she wanted to say but the words wouldn't come. The King was silent, she was just about to release him from her embrace when he placed a hand over hers and squeezed it as gently as he could.
"Your Highness," Captain Maize bowed his head the Queen, and her children entered the air-lock, beside him were two other soldiers one with wild spikes that we're so long they nearly brushed the back of his knees, the other was taller, younger, with short inky spikes.
"All the preparations for departure have been completed?" The Queen asked.
"Yes, your Highness." The captain turned to address the younger soldiers at his side, "Goten, escort the princess to her quarters."
"Yes sir," The young man nodded, before leading the princess and the rest of her escort past them carrying various cases, her belongings, as well as a few gifts for the Solarian Royal Family.
"Very well," The queen sighed, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. "You will contact me the instant you land?"
"Yes Your Highness," He smiled kindly before turning his attention to the Prince. "Keep an eye on her."
"Tch, you just worry about getting my sister to Solaria in one piece and leave the rest to me, Old Man." The Prince smirked, before brusquely exiting the spacecraft.
"Hn, he's just like his Mother and Father," The Captain chortled softly.
The queen managed a small smile at that, "Yes, he is, my brave boy."
She flicked an anxious glance down the corridor her daughter had disappeared through.
"A trait you've passed down to both of your children." The older man placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
It gave her some comfort knowing that Maize would be overseeing that transport of her only daughter. He had served the royal family nearly all his life, carrying out his duties with honor and integrity. He was a seasoned battle commander, he'd served under the previous King Vegeta. He'd trained thousands of soldiers in the art of combat, including her husband and their children.
"I wish you good fortune on your mission."
"You as well, Your Highness."
With that the queen turned on her heel, and exited the ship, her heart heavy with sorrow, replaying the memory of the last time she embraced her youngest child over and over in her mind. She'd held her so tightly as if it were the last time she would ever be able to do so.
What it if it was truly the last time?
A low whirring noise signaled them that ship had begun its ascent.
The Princess said nothing as Goten guided her down the corridor to her large, palatial suite.
He hadn't seen her since that night when he'd glimpsed her on the palace balcony.
She appeared to have traded in her lavish silks for something more practical. Her garb consisting of a red leotard, a white and gold chest protector that was slightly modified to suit her more feminine physique, a belt with various pouches, matching white boots and gloves, complete with a long red cloak.
She made her way to the bed, where she sat quietly.
The ship's speed accelerated as it continued it's climb through the air, Princess Bura simply sat gazing intently out the large window of her quarters, focusing on the large vermillion sphere that was planet Vegeta-Sei, as if she was trying to memorize every inch of its terrain, until it faded into the darkness of space.
Goten waited until the rest of the. Guards were finished putting away the princess's luggage, before clearing his throat, unsure of how to address her or what to say.
She turned to face him, her eyes, so blue, almost disarming in their intensity, a look of surprise passed over her delicate features. "You. You were at the banquet… when the emperor killed that soldier."
She'd remembered him. "Yes."
"You knew him? Didn't you?"
Goten felt as though a tight knot was forming in his chest at the question."Yes," he began uncertainly, "He was… my Grandfather."
"You have his look." She stood. "I'm very sorry, about your Grandfather."
He didn't know what say to that, she studied him quietly for a moment, before moving her gaze back to the window once more."Frieza killed my grandfather as well."
"Is there anything else that I can do for you, Your Highness?"
"No, you may leave."
"Your Highness." He bowed his head, before exiting the chamber.
A/N: Sorry it's short, chapters will get longer as I get more into the plot, this is more of a transition chapter.