a/n:Guess I needed something new to worked on and this fanfic came to my mind. I had rewritten the chapters weeks ago and ideas started rushing in and yes, tada. A new chapter.

Anyway, I thank everyone who has come this far to read my story, especially for the precious time you invested for my story. Thank you, lovely reader! But now it's time for the fourth chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 4 – Her new path

Agitation was an understatement after everything had happened, Chi Chi felt murderous as she stomped her way out of the palace, her guard right behind her. The tension was thickly in the air and even the warrior wouldn't wish to cross the lady. He watched her walk ahead, since she knew the way from out the palace, scratching his sweating temple in the process.

"Princess-" Yamcha began but was cut immediately by the raging lady.

"Princess? Since when am I a princess? Don't ever say that again. I have not agreed to anything yet," she spat. This was exactly what angered her most, knowing which decision she was forced upon. She kept on asking herself why it was her the prince choose but Chi Chi couldn't come up with an answer. He only saw her once and that was it? She grunted.

Silently the two of them walked back the way to the Diamond estate. There was nothing said by the guard and Chi Chi had not wanted to talk with him either or at all. Her mind was focused on the incident and the sadness that was dwelling within her. Was it really the only day she was allowed to spend with the Diamonds – her family?

"Chi!" her father called from the entrance along with her mother by his side, waving at their beloved daughter. "We have been waiting for you."

Delightful to see her parents Chi Chi forgot the warrior beside her and ran right into their arms. "Geez, don't tell me you both waited her for me the whole time? I told you I would come back, right?" Tears were at the edge of her eyes but she blinked them away, smiling brightly at the couple.

"Now, now. Let's get in and have a cup of tea," Chi Chi said, ushering them back into the house. A memorable, wonderful day – this was everything she asked for and she would make sure to make it their best. As the female pushed the Diamonds back into the house, Chi Chi turned to the guard one last time. "Tell him I will be back after dinner. I will come alone this time."

"Yes, my lady," he bowed and returned to the palace.

Black orbs were wide open and fixated on the ceiling even though she could only make up images from the shadows that danced gingerly in her room. Chi Chi couldn't sleep at all. Her mind was too loud, and the conversation of her parents repeated constantly like a broken recorder playing the same scene over and over again.

"How did it go? Did you tell him your answer?" Mr. Diamond asked.

"No, I will tell him tomorrow. I..." Chi Chi stopped, taking in a long breath. "I decided to accept."

As Chi Chi looked at the Diamonds, she saw how shocked they were, unable of showing any kind of reaction. She immediately continued. "I talked to him and he seemed nice and I think I'll live happily there. You don't need to worry about me anymore. As the prince of the saiyans, his protection is the securest, don't you think?"

Yet the couple remained silent for a few more moments and Chi Chi already felt her stomach twist, spill over and start to twist all over again. From the tension.

Recovering from the shock, Mr. Diamond held his wife's shoulder and smiled supportingly, "We'll always be by your side, no matter what your decision is."

"Yes, never forget this, my love," Mrs. Diamond added.

They accepted Chi Chi's decision and had not asked about anything. Do they trust her to this extent? Abruptly the raven-head sat up from her bed and ran out of her room.

The moonlight illuminated the corridor through the large window, like a ghost Chi Chi hushed through the silent halls until she was at the couples' door. Gingerly opening the door, the raven-head sneaked her head in to inspect if both of them slept soundly. She bit her bottom lip. Step by step she moved cautiously to their bed and sneaked under the blanket, crawling her way up to the Diamonds' sides.

"Chi, can't you sleep well?" her mother asked, turning toward Chi Chi and holding her close to herself, not opening her eyes. "It's alright, I'm here."

"Mhmm," said the snuggling daughter, a smile spreading on her lips and inhaling the pleasant fragrance of her motherly perfume. It was not the same as her real mothers but it was just as smoothing as her real mother's. It always had something comforting and made her feel safe, as if everything would be alright. No matter what. The moon cascaded a shade of light protectively over them and smoothed the night with a relieving aura. Chi Chi felt much more at ease by their side and often crawled into their bed at nights. Many nights used to be spent like this whenever she felt sad or ill. Sometimes the Diamonds used to sleep on her bed in separated rows. As she closed her eyes the exhaustion washed over her finally, Chi Chi fell asleep and slept soundly at their sides.

In the next morning the couple had been out of bed already and Chi Chi found herself alone in the room. As she sat up, the raven-head stretched the stiffness out of her body, scratching her back right after. Slowly dark orbs observed the room absent-mindedly, noticing the mirror reflection of herself. Hair tangled, a puffy face, a dry trace of drool on the side of her lips and with the confirmation of her pillow, she must have drooled majestically. Much suited for a soon-to-be princess, don't you agree? She shook her head ironically, hiding her face behind her hands. How could a woman, looking like this in the early morning, get married? With a pained moan Chi Chi shook her head clear again. Time to get up.

Once she got in fresh clothes, cleaned and ready for the day, the corridor had already been filled with delicious fragrances. Following the irresistible fragrances, her nose and stomach guarding, Chi Chi got to the dinner hall with a smile on her lips. The Diamonds already awaited her. At the sight of their daughter's smile the couple lighted up and returned her smile.

"Have you slept well, my dear?" Mr. Diamond asked. "We couldn't bring it over our heart to wake you."

Chi Chi pouted, "You could have woken me, though." Walking in turn, Chi Chi placed a kiss on both the couples cheeks. "But I slept wonderfully. Thank you."

Breakfast past in harmony and it felt like an instant had past. Time wouldn't wait for anyone and suddenly it already turned out to be afternoon. Even as they sat at the wintergarden and drunk their tea, their conversation didn't know how to end. Chi Chi had so much to tell and it felt like time was running out on her, which practically was. Patiently the Diamonds listened.

"Chi," Mrs. Diamond started after a while. "You know that we love you, right?" Taking her hand into her owns, Mrs. Diamond gave it a light squeeze.

"I know, and I love you, too. Both of you," Chi Chi said. "I wish I could have said it more often. I wish I understood you both much earlier. All this time I thought you saw me as Chiana only, but I couldn't see the change and acceptance. I-," she stopped, a bright smile on her lips as she looked at both of them. "I'm grateful for everything you have done for me in all these years and raised me to this adult I am now."

It was her way of bidding goodbye. It felt like a goodbye and deep down it was one. Much harder than she ever had expected. Despite her smile, the sadness gnawed at her and threatened to show to the surface the moment Chi Chi let her guard down. Mentally she made herself ready for the depart but it was different when reality played a role. So many plans the raven-head made up in her mind regarding the last day their would spend and planned it thoroughly, but in the end, all they did was talking and spending the time by sharing the moments of their life. Memories they will carry with them as long as they lived.

Suddenly a door bell echoed. Since the visits of their guests had been cancelled by Mr. Smithers - a tall and elegant saiyan, unmatched for his last name - the Diamonds had not expected any guests. A few moments later Mr. Smithers came, the headmaster of the bulters – which was something she hated at first, having servants, butlers and maids, assuming it was bound to slavery, but as Chi Chi got to know the employees of the household she also found out that they loved working for the Diamonds and had been cared for from the Diamonds unconditionally – and announced the guest identity. "It's a soldier from the royal palace, sir. He said it was time for the lady to depart."

"What? I already told him that I would come on my own account. Besides... It's not time to go yet at all," she said, keeping her rising anger at bay. Letting it out on anyone but that impossible prince would seem unfair, so she braced herself. Chi Chi stood up, "I will be back in a minute."

With gritted teeth the woman wounded down the corridor and toward the door. Breath in and out. Be calm. It was hard controlling her emotion, especially when it was so hard for her to hold them back from the moment on everything had changed for her. The guard bowed – it was Yamcha, the one who had been taking care of her since yesterday. He was dressed in his formal soldier attire, wide brown plates that covered his shoulders, sides and crotch as the base colour of the armour was black, white gloves and boots at his side and a scouter decorated his right eye. Patiently the disciplined soldier waited for the female who was fuming once again. Several emotion crossed over her features, sadness, anger and grief. Yet it was not only because of the prince. It was about that one fateful night – the bandits wore an armour similar to the royal armours but now she could guess who shabby the bandits must have looked like. Compared to the formal attire, the ones the bandits wore were dirty rags. Possibly stolen from an unused camp, when war between lords and lands had been frequent, so the elder in her village used to tell. It must have been still intact during all the years, now that she thought about it.

"Why are you here?" Chi Chi asked, crossing her arms. Even though she knew why he came, it still bugged her that her wish had not been listened to. It was her only wish and yet... "I'd have come on my own."

"Yes, my lady, but the prince ordered me to accompany you back to the palace at once," he said. "At first your highness approved of your wish but something occurred and forced him to change plans."

This worried the female. If it ushered the prince to fasten her presence to the palace, does it mean she was involved in this mysterious matter? She raised an eyebrow at the man. "What happened?"

"Classified information. But, please, it is urgent," Yamcha pressed. With this said, the soldier stepped to the side and showed her openly that he was waiting for her departure and the farewells she still had to share. Contrary to his words and the urgency, this was something the soldier understood and sympathised. Even risked being late for. Risked his own rank for.,,

Chi Chi bit her bottom lip in frustration. If the prince urged her at this point, it must be something crucial.

And here she was having the last minutes of a nice, memorable time with the Diamonds.

As she walked the way back to the couple, they already had been waiting in the corridor for their daughter. "It's time for me to go I guess," Chi Chi forced a tense smile and shrugged, her statement rather needlessly but saying nothing would have been awkward, too. Mr. Diamond rested his hand on the little girl's cheek, a little girl she had always been for the father. When was it she grew up to this fine woman she was now? No matter how many years pass, for parents their child would always remain a child – their precious child. "We are always with you, never forget this. This is your home, no matter what. If you find yourself lost, come to us. We will be here for you."

"Forever," Mrs. Diamond added, holding Chi Chi's hands into her own, squeezing them gently.

How strong can one be at this point – well, Chi Chi wasn't. As emotions overwhelmed her like a wave, the female's tears spilled without knowing any halt. Pulling both of the precious adults into a tight hug, she let her tears run freely without hiding herself behind a wall the little girl had build up during all these years. "I will visit you as often I can, I promise. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me," she managed to say between sobs. Meanwhile the entire employee-team lined next to the family members of the household and even her suitcase was prepared, with her important belongings in it – clothes she would get more than she had even here, so she assumed. "Guys..." Chi Chi blubbered out, eyes probably already red from the nonstop flow of tears. Walking toward the lovely people who she had been in care of were hugged one each after a time.

The hardest part was Sue. She was her best friend and the only person she opened herself up, even when she was positioned as her personal maid. "Please, take care of them for me," Chi Chi sniffed.

"I will," her best friend said, joining the sniff-noises Chi Chi was already giving.

The whole household walked the departing woman to the door, using every second they could have with her. On the right time, Yamcha appeared beside her, the suitcase taken before Chi Chi could take it. It would be Chi Chi to complain and demand the right of taking care of her own business but she had no energy left. "See you soon," Chi Chi managed, a strained smile coming to the surface. This was all she could give them despite her hard try. Her friends frantically waved their hands and kept saying encouraging words and bidding their goodbyes. The Diamonds... They smiled lovingly. Supportingly Mr. Diamond wrapped his arm around his wife, nodding at the beloved daughter ahead.

Guarded by the royal soldier Chi Chi looked back one last time before facing her new path. – facing the fate she was about to meet.

Chi Chi was assigned to her chamber the moment she entered the grand hall with Yamcha. A luxurious chamber twice as big as the one at the Diamond's estate, an extra room full of clothes from every style she had seen in these magazines Mrs. Diamond and Sue used to read. (Her assumption being right,) Even formal soldier attire was to be found, yet its design, not like the one Yamcha or the other soldiers outside had, meant for someone of higher rank. Probably for conferences or important interviews she had to participate alongside the prince of all saiyans. How could she had not thought of this any sooner? Of course, Chi Chi had to be part of politics much to her dislike.

After all this commotion and the rush, the woman thought she could at least see him tonight and ask about the reasons. However the prince had no time to spare and it seemed that an appointment for a proper audience would be advised before even suggesting the possibility of seeing his royalty. How rude of her, she thought to herself. A few minutes later a guard came with the delivery in which chamber she was assigned to. Assigned like a soldier, more likely. Was this what the stupid prince had pictured about them? Was it a fiancée he called in or was it a soldier? The latter would be more preferable. Recruited because he had heard of her strength and of her being a good fighter. Could she even held her hopes up that this all was a misunderstanding and he just... recruited her? Chi Chi grunted. Since then, two hours had passed and all she knew was that someone would be soon positioned as her bodyguard. Yamcha, she thought as he had been taking care of her business so far.

Another grunt as loud to fill the while chamber. She thought... but it was a knock on the door instead.

This was not the right time, obviously, yet Chi Chi called the person, whoever it was, in. Not even bothering to look up, her face flat against the soft pillow, sulking over her fate or misery. Just for today. Too many things had happened and she was exhausted from locking everything in. As another knock resounded the room, her hand just waved toward the door as if the person behind it could see her come-in gesture. A few moments later she could hear the door softly cracking open. Steps followed and hollowed the dull room, then it stopped short in a good distance between her, the bed and the whoever-person.

So far this was everything Chi Chi noticed.

A cough followed. Okay, a male. Her cracked wall found its magical ways of building them up in rapid speed, shielding herself protectively and sparking the female's attention. "I have been sent by his majesty," the voice said.

Steadily regaining her composure Chi Chi sat up straight and still faced the wall so far. Good thing she had time to wipe her face clean. The voice, she calculated in her mind silently, must be a soldier, (yet not Yamcha, who she had slowly grew accustomed to) had a cold, distant tone which she could not clearly measure. With a sigh, Chi Chi finally felt ready for whatever was awaiting her and faced the soldier.

But it then as fast as her iron wall towered around her protectively it crumbled just as fast to ashes. Her heart stopped beating, her blood froze and gradually her world started spinning.

"Goku?"

a/n: Done so far. This was my only break time after weeks where I decided to finish my chapter. Wednesday an exam awaits me and the few days I have left will be about studying, studying, studying. orz

I hope you liked the chapter. Please, feel free to share your opinion with me!