Without further ado:
Chapter 9: So Close...
~With Kagome~
Picking herself off of the ground, Kagome went about washing and healing any trace of Frieza from her body. She couldn't stand to have these wounds become scars and be the constant reminder that she would never be free, for only his death would free her.
Leaning forward, she pressed her forehead against the cold metal wall as water cascaded down her body leaving her skin bright red from its warmth. Closing her eyes, she tried hard not to think and instead focus on her breathing. But she couldn't; her mind kept going back to what had just happened and the fear it brought forth almost suffocated her.
Frieza would be back; he would always come back. And continue to beat her and rape her into submission. Was his goal to break her?
Tears coolly trailed down her cheeks til mixing with the scalding water of her shower. Looking to the side, she eyed the small razor that sat idly on the metal. Subconsciously her fingers went to the thin, pale line on her wrist; a matching scar could be found on the other, where she traced the seemingly raised and jagged marks with a fingertip.
Created years ago, by her hand, it served as a reminder of how true her statement was; not even her own death could free her, it had to be Frieza's.
Scrubbing her body with soup until her skin was raw, Kagome stayed in the shower for several more minutes before she couldn't stand it, the growing steam making it hard to breathe. Once out she dressed in black spandex that went down to below her ankles while covering her top was a bell-sleeved shirt that was slightly too big for her as it fell just above her mid-thigh. A lavender sash tied around her waist and simple black flats finished the outfit.
Leaving her room in a haze, Kagome made her way to the cafeteria. It had, after all, been some time since she'd last eaten, hopefully, there wouldn't be any soldiers around she wasn't in the mood to be subjected to their tents and harsh insults.
She was halfway to the mess hall when she heard footsteps up ahead. Ducking into a small corridor, she held her breath while two guards walked by; sneaking a peek she recognized the two as being two of her regular tormentors. The massive blue and orange men walked with an air of authority even though they were nothing more than hired thugs, not all that powerful but undoubtedly intimidating because of their size.
"Better keep your eyes out for the little princess," The first one sneered.
"Why's that? Finally gonna make her cry?"
"Although that'd be fun, Lord Frieza's ordered a quarantine on her seeing as Vegeta was brought on board,"
"I thought he'd been labeled a kill on sight, did the bastard lose his nerve?"
"Nah, apparently he has some of the dragon ball things that Frieza brought us to get in the first place,"
"What's so important about these things anyway?"
"I don't know but from what I heard Vegeta was barely alive when Zarbon brought him in, supposedly went all beast mode on the poor fool. He's supposed to be in a healing tank right now,"
"Well, that's stupid, once he's healed Frieza's just going to kill him,"
At that, they were out of hearing range, but Kagome couldn't care less what else those meatheads had to say. All she could think about was that Vegeta was here, just within her grasp.
Stepping back out into the hallway, Kagome raced to the healing area, hiding whenever she heard a soldier approaching and then she was there. Standing just inside the healing room with several healing tanks but only one of them was in uses. Her whole body trembled as she took those few steps till she was looking into the green healing waters and to the man that floated almost lifelessly within the water.
Her hands came up to the glass as she looked over his battered body. But even with all the bruises and cuts adoring his flesh she could still make out his handsome features.
Kagome's blue eyes glossed over in tears, it was the first time in several long years she'd seen the saiyan prince and her heart tightened painfully within her chest. It'd been so long since she'd seen him but to see him in such a condition was painful.
She longed to touch him, to run her fingers through his silken black hair as she had all those years ago after he'd trained, to take away his pain with her healing touch. She merely wanted to feel him, to settle the doubt within her heart that this wasn't her imagination playing tricks on her.
"Vegeta," she whispered in the form of a soft cry while pushing her powers through the glass to help him heal, it might not be as effective versus if she could touch him but she couldn't stand to see him in such a state.
Grey nearly black eyes fluttered, just barely opening to meet the sapphire gaze staring at him. And his heart almost stopped at the familiar sight that he'd longed for. His eyes refused to obey his desire to stay open. He was so weak that a single movement of an eye took any and all the strength he had.
'Kagome,' he called out for her wantonly. 'Kagome,' his brow furrowed as he fought to open his eyes. This couldn't possibly be a dream; he could practically feel her all around him.
When he found the strength, he could see nothing through the green water but the medical looking room.
His eyes fell closed in defeat. She was dead why does he torture himself by ever thinking otherwise?
He'd be with her soon enough though.
Kagome growled at the hand covering her mouth as she was forcefully pulled backward. Looking up she caught her attackers amber gaze and gasped; it was Zarbon who had taken her by surprise. He didn't return her gaze as he rushed her back to her room where he let her go.
He looked out into the hall before shutting the door to look back at her with narrowed eyes.
Kagome took a hesitant step back; he'd never looked at her like that. Fear bubbled up as she fought against the urge to scream for help. But who would save her? No one.
"What do you think you're doing!? If Frieza saw or knew you were there, he'd kill him on the spot!" Zarbon growled out. "I've done my best to protect you, but I can't protect you from Frieza, I'm not strong enough!" He finished with a heavy sigh while running his fingers through his bangs.
"Why do you care? You're nothing more than his henchmen!" Kagome yelled as she went to push past him, tears brimmed her eyes. She needed to get back to Vegeta; needed to be there when he woke up, she needed him.
Zarbon grabbed her forcefully, his large hands surrounding both of her arms as he forced her against the wall. His tall stature loomed over her, his shadow seemingly covering her body while he looked down at her with his piercing amber gaze. His brows furrowed as he looked into her own surprised sapphire eyes. He looked at her with the only sound being their breathing. His heart raced, bounding mercilessly against his ribs as he looked over the beautiful saiyan before him. She embodied perfection, power, purity and feminine beauty that any who looked upon her would immediately fall in love with her. He evidently had, but because of Frieza's interest in the girl she was off limits, but since he was probably going to die soon anyways he might as well make his move.
In an instant his lips were on hers, his tongue slipping past her lush lips in her surprise. Her body went stiff, and eyes grew painfully wide with fear as she thought back to Frieza and the assault on her body. She froze unable to think or move, to even fight him as he continued to mold their lips forcefully together. His hands moved one coming to cradle the back of her skull as the other wrapped around her waist.
Pressing himself into her Kagome could do nothing. Again she was up against a stronger opponent, one she couldn't possibly fight against.
His tongue parted her lips and swept her mouth. She whimpered as his hand lowered to her backside, tenderly caressing it. He pressed himself against her allowing her to feel his hardened member.
Tears fell from her fearful eyes.
Was he going to rape her like Frieza?
And as soon as it happened, he pulled away not bothering to look at her as he left the room.
Kagome crumbled to the floor unable to stand as her knees gave way. Her body trembled as she once more began to cry, her mind reeling with thoughts of her being weak then and now.
Would Vegeta even still want her for a mate? A weak little saiyan, who couldn't defend herself?
No.
Hours later the ship shook with an explosion making Kagome jump up and run to her door, yet it did not open from her presence and when she looked to the panel to press open it had been smashed in leaving the door broken. Zarbon must have done it so she wouldn't go to Vegeta.
Screaming in hopes of being heard Kagome banged on the door. Her fists were creating small, almost unnoticeable, dents on the face of the metal door.
Falling to her knees against the door Kagome once more cried in defeat.
~Several Hours Later~
Kagome sat in her room, holding her breath as she did her best to listen to what was being yelled outside the ship.
"Vegeta?!" it was Zarbon. "Vegeta where are you, you stupid saiyan! Come out! As soon as I get my hands on you, I'm going to rip you apart!"
'Don't fight him Vegeta, run, run away! Get as far as you can from here,' Kagome pleaded, praying that he would choose to escape and fight again later.
"Haven't found him yet, have you?" This was Frieza; she shivered at hearing his voice. "Just remember you have one hour before I hold you completely responsible for his escape,"
She waited with bated breath, her hand clasped together in prayer. If he died, she'd honestly have no reason to go on. For all these years he had been her reason to live, to go through the torment and torture in hopes of being reunited with him. She still held onto the hope of them being together once more.
Another explosion jolted the ship this one causing the sprinklers to come on. Kagome quickly grabbed the extinguisher just in case the fire came towards her room. The door had been reinforced with thick metal making it impossible to break down, the windows as well, making it impossible for her to escape. The most she could do was push the panic button. Even so, she refused to die; she would figure out a way to escape.
"VEGETA!"
"Be safe," she whispered out towards the sky. She once more prayed for Vegeta's safety as the water continued to soak through her clothes.
