Chapter 10 – I Believe In You

It had been three hours and Vegeta had still not returned to Bra's room.

Where the hell is he? Goten thought irritably. He had been sitting there doing nothing more than watching her sleep. Even though he promised her that he would never leave her on her own, his stomach growled louder and louder with the passing hours and he would feel rude if he went through her kitchen looking for anything edible he could eat. If Goten didn't get food soon, he was afraid that the growling of his stomach would wake her up. It already looked as though Bra hadn't been sleeping enough!

He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard whimpering coming from Bra. He raised his eyebrow at her unconscious form as she gripped a tighter hold on the sofa she was laying on, watching as she thrashed her head from side to side and tears fell down her bruised cheeks. Goten took another look at her body. It was obvious she hadn't been eating since she never took any of the food Pan had made for her, but he never really noticed its effects. It had only been two weeks but her body was already turning thinner and with every passing day she was growing paler and paler. Also, it seemed as though none of her wounds had healed. If she ate properly, her body would heal faster. All Saiyans knew that!

She whimpered, "Stop… please just… stop."

Goten's head snapped back to her face as she scrunched it up as if she was in pain. Bra started to shake violently as she tried to edge further and further back on the sofa, taking in a deep breath that sounded more like gasp and starting to sob as she thrashed against an invisible opponent.

Then realisation hit him as to what she must be having a nightmare about.

"Bra, wake up," Goten said as he shook her shoulders gently but started to shake them more roughly as she pinched her eyes tightly together. "Wake up!"

Her blue eyes snapped open as she felt someone holding her shoulders and shouting her name. She looked up at the person holding her with frightened and pained eyes and let out a sigh of relief as she realised it was Goten.

"Goten," she sobbed as she fell against his chest and cried.

Since she was kidnapped she didn't want anyone to be close to her, let alone touch or hold her but with Goten she felt a sudden safety that she had never felt before. Sure her father was the strongest in the Saiyan and Human Empire and her brother wasn't too far from surpassing him, but with Goten she felt like nothing could ever bring any harm to her, like he would always be there to protect her no matter what.

It took Bra over an hour to try and calm down and although Goten felt awkward having a princess cry into his chest, he couldn't push her away, so instead let her get it all out of her system. He hated seeing her in such pain and he most definitely hated that he couldn't stop the pain. He wanted nothing more than to just take her away from it all. When she ceased her crying to a few sniffles and hiccups he gently lifted her head with his hand to meet her gaze. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy from all her crying and her face was no better.

"You need to talk to someone about what happened to you, Bra. Maybe it would help."

Bra shook her head furiously before practically yelling, "I already told you, Goten. Isn't that enough?"

"But I can't stop the pain, Bra and it's killing me. I want to help you, but I know I can't and I hate what it's doing to you. You never let anything get to you before!" He hadn't meant to say all of that but he couldn't help it, he was angry as to what that freak did to her and was still doing to her even though it was dead.

"You are helping me, Goten," she whispered as she refused to meet his confused eyes. "I told you. I would never have had the courage to tell even my dad these things but I told you. I wouldn't even let Trunks close enough to touch me after I begged your father to kill them because I thought they were him and I thought he was coming back to kill me." She heard his gasp of shock when she finished her last sentence but she ignored it.

Goten lifted her head again to meet her pained blue eyes. "But why me? Why did you let me in instead of your family?"

"I don't know," she whispered and then cleared her throat before continuing, "I feel safest when I'm around you. I feel like no harm could ever come to me when you're around. Its… It's almost like I need you. It's the feeling you give off… the feeling of protection a–and unconditional love."

He smiled sadly at her confession. Goten knew how much it must be hurting her pride to admit that she needed him. "I'm always here for you, you know that. But it's hurting your family more when you refuse to even be in the same room as them. Trunks was devastated when you locked him out of your room, he wouldn't eat for days, he would just sit outside of your door like a lost puppy."

"I only did that because I needed some space to think. I felt as though I could barely breathe with him watching me, judging me."

Goten frowned at the Saiyan Princess in front of him. "No one is judging you, Bra, especially not Trunks. He felt like it was his fault that you were taken and he didn't want you to go anywhere without him watching you. We were all so scared. We thought we had lost you." His voice cracked at his last sentence.

Bra stared into Goten's soft brown eyes to find if he was telling the truth and sure enough, he was. He looked petrified at the thought of losing her and she couldn't explain the warmth in her heart she suddenly felt.

"I don't want him to worry about me."

"Then you need to start being like the Bra we all know and love."

"How?" she whispered brokenly, the tone of her voice making his heart shatter.

Goten thought about it for a moment. "Well you could have something to eat, for starters. You're getting too thin, Bra and you aren't allowing your body to get the nutrition it needs to heal your wounds. How about you have dinner with your family tonight?"

"Only if you come with me… I can't do it alone." When she saw he was about to argue she explained herself, "I don't want to be on my own, I'm not ready for that yet."

"You won't be on your own. Not now, not ever. I will come with you if you promise me one thing."

She nodded slightly, looking confused as to what he could want from her.

"Tomorrow you will go back to doing whatever it is you normally do. I will come with you but I just want you to go back to how it used to be, you know?"

Again, she nodded her agreement and Goten pushed a button on the side of his scouter to contact the king. He didn't have to wait long.

"Vegeta, Bra would like to accompany you to dinner tonight, but she wants me to be there with her."

"Why does she want you there with her?"

Hearing the more than obvious suspicion in Vegeta's voice, Goten looked towards the blue haired princess who nodded. "She says she feels safer when I am around, sir."

Vegeta sighed. Well at least she was coming out of her room. "Whatever. Dinner will be at usual time, she will know when."

With that, he cut the transmission.

Goten smiled and nodded at the princess before noting what she was wearing. "I think you should change before we go to dinner with your family."

"Why?" She looked down and smiled slightly. "Oh. Well, I guess you're right. It's hardly princess wear."

She was wearing nothing more than a long, baggy red t–shirt and boxers. She refused to wear girly underwear like her mother does. Just the thought of thongs made her shudder.

"So what time is dinner?" Goten asked as his stomach growled loudly.

Bra smiled slightly at the sound of his stomach. "In an hour or so. I guess I better go take a bath… I stink."

"Well I wasn't going to say anything but yeah, you kinda do," he teased her playfully. Bra lightly punched his shoulder in response and then left to her bathroom and started to run her bath.

As Bra sat in the hot water, she thought about all the things that had happened since that day she was taken. She tried to think of how it must have looked from another's point of view to see her tied down onto a table, naked, with her ki restrained and then to lock herself in her room on the ship and not speak or eat at all. It must have been torture for everyone, especially her brother. All he wanted to do was help but she wouldn't let him, she had literally kicked him out of her room and locked her door, refusing him or anyone else entry.

Bra lathered her favourite apple and lime scented shampoo on her wet hair and wondered if she could ever go back to the way she used to be. Back to the Bra who played pranks on everyone with Goten, Pan and Trunks. The girl who talked about boys, shopping, make up and shoes and constantly trained and sparred with stronger opponents just for the challenge of kicking their asses. Back to the Bra who had a life and didn't spend all her time locked away in a dark room refusing to eat, sleep or talk.

Her bath had taken no more than twenty minutes and she was careful to try and keep the ki restraints dry. Since she didn't know what sort of technology they were or what powered them, she thought it was better to be safe rather than sorry.

Bra wrapped a fluffy white towel around her body and walked out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. She stood in front of her walk in wardrobe which could easily be the size of her mother and father's bedroom and chose the first thing she laid her eyes on. The Saiyan Princess dropped her towel, put on some clean underwear and then dressed in a flowing chiffon cream maxi dress with silver heels. If she was going to try and get her life back on track, it would be crucial to start with her dress sense. Never again will she be seen in her pyjama top and underwear!

She walked over to her Venetian table and decided to leave her hair down to try and keep the bruises and cuts on her neck and shoulders hidden. She didn't want to bother with make–up but she really did look a mess. It was nothing a little bit of food, exercise and sun light wouldn't fix but for now she would have to settle with foundation, blusher and mascara.

The young Saiyan Princess stared at her reflection for what seemed like hours. She really didn't look like herself anymore but she hardly had any strength to do anything about it.

"Damn ki restraints," Bra muttered angrily whilst tugging on them.

As much as she wanted them off, she didn't want anyone who wasn't Goten to touch her. She knew how ridiculous she sounded but she couldn't stop the violent twisting in her stomach at the thought of someone touching her or coming close enough to just reach out and touch her. Like she had told him, Goten radiated a certain feeling that she couldn't explain, but it soothed her. It made her feel calm and safe.

Sighing as she got up and out of the chair, Bra strutted out of her bedroom and into the living room where she found Goten sat on her sofa. He looked up almost immediately and Bra nearly laughed at his expression. It wasn't not like he'd never seen her so dressed up before! Vegeta–sei always had a ball right after the full moon, which was every year. Mostly because the queen and children were allowed back on the planet (apparently that was something to celebrate) and also because boys became men and girls became women.

"Well say something!" Bra smirked as she walked over to her front door.

Goten quickly collected his thoughts and blushed as he smiled sheepishly at the girl he grew up with.

Bra rolled her eyes at him. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"I was just thinking." He paused. "About how under-dressed I am."

She knew he was lying. Ever since she was a child she could sense when she was being lied to. It was a gift from her human side. Bra had to admit, though, that it did come in handy sometimes. Like the time when she once had twenty suitors and the very first time she met them all, she asked them all if they were only trying so hard to get on her father's good side and be classed as a higher rank or because they genuinely cared for her.

Now Bra was down to two suitors.

"It's only my mother and I who dress up and it's only because we are female royalty. Believe me when I say that I would rather go dressed in casual clothing or my armour."

Goten visibly relaxed when she answered. There was nothing worse than going to dinner with the royal family and wearing nothing but battle armour but if Vegeta and Trunks were going to wear their armour, surely it wouldn't be too bad.

"Well, come on then, we're already five minutes late," Bra pressed. "I just want to get tonight over with!"

Goten laughed whilst holding his hands up in defence. "All right, all right! I'm right behind you."

Bra rolled her eyes but walked down the dimly lit corridors. Her bruised and cut body wasn't fully healed and because she had lost so much blood that awful week and barely ate, slept or trained since then, it slowed down her Saiyan healing.

She could always count on Goten to help and protect her whenever she needed him. After the mission Pan had messed up, the two had gotten closer due to the fact he saved her from being literally torn to shreds. As much as her pride hated to admit it, he saved her life and for that she was grateful.

"Pan! What the fuck did you do?" Bra screamed through her scouter as the world around her shook. "You were told to do nothing but guard the ship!"

"Now is not really the time, B," Pan replied as she shot another attacker through the chest with a ki blast. "Me and Retasu are surrounded I'll explain la–" The transmission ended before she could finish her sentence.

"Damn it! Goten, how are we for time?" she asked as she whipped around to see him.

Goten was in his fighting stance with his back to the princess as he watched thousands of warriors come out of nowhere towards them. They all stopped a hundred yards away from them but they weren't out of hearing distance, something they all knew.

The group of Saiyans had been sent to the planet Shibaru on a mission and it appeared that Pan had blown their cover. The Shibarus now hated the Saiyans and had recently overthrown their own planet's king, kidnapping the heir to the throne but not before their queen had sent out an SOS. After they had overthrown the king, killed the queen and kidnapped the prince, they removed themselves from the Saiyan Empire claiming to be 'done with the Saiyans'.

Vegeta did not take that well.

Nobody was done with the Saiyan Empire unless he said they were. He wasn't a tyrant like the Colds had been before he and his father had killed King Cold and his sons, but he was their king and he wasn't afraid to use a planet or two as an example to show everyone what happened when you betrayed the Saiyan and Human Empire.

The Shibarus were not the most powerful of races, with their highest power level being only seventy three thousand, but one of the many important lessons the Saiyans had learned from intense training was strength often came in numbers. Even though they were all high above their power levels, it did not matter. If it was six against thousands, if not millions, of warriors, then they needed more than strength to survive.

Bra was pulled out of her thoughts when a warrior stepped forward as though to speak. In response, she put on an empty expression and raised one perfectly arched eyebrow at the man.

"What do you want with us, Saiyans? We are done with your empire," he spoke in a heavy accent. He was a well–built man and she would have considered him attractive, but the yellow skin, small height and long green hair was definitely a turn off.

Bra walked forward with her arms crossed over her chest despite Goten's warning glances. "What have you done with Prince Heiwa?" she spoke in a demanding voice.

"Why should we tell you, ya whore?" a voice yelled from the crowd.

She smirked as she walked closer towards the crowd. "Because I am the Princess of all Saiyans and I demand that you tell me."

The once loud and obnoxious crowd silenced and anxiousness and fear filled the air.

The first man who spoke stared at Bra for what seemed like an eternity before finally seeing the resemblance between her and the queen. "Well I'll be damned."

Bra smirked once more before going back to an empty expression that rivalled her father's. "I will ask once more, what have you done to Prince Heiwa?"

"The prince got what he and his family had coming to them."

"Which was?" she pushed.

The crowd speaker turned towards his followers. "Bring him out."

The large crowd separated as the body of a boy no older than eleven was dragged out and thrown towards the Saiyan Princess. Goten was immediately at her side when he saw all her muscles tense at the sight.

The young boy was barely conscious and seemed unaware of his surroundings. He was completely naked and clearly close to death. There was an engraved mark on his stomach that read 'traitor' in the planet's old language and he was covered in bruises, blood and burns. But the thing that stuck out the most was the worst by far and was clearly why the boy seemed so out of it. They had cut off his penis and balls.

"What the hell is this?" she spat. "How could you do this to your prince… your future king!"

She had never seen a sight like this before. Sure she had seen dead bodies and torture victims but never before had she seen an innocent young boy have his manhood taken from him. The people of Shibaru had taken the prince's punishment back to the medieval times and there was a reason why those punishments had been stopped. They were completely and utterly disgusting and it made the people who gave out the punishments no better than the criminals.

"His father was a traitor to his people. He sold our planet to your father and since then we have been slaves. We work and work and for what? I–"

"You were not my father's slave. None of you were slaves to the Saiyan and Human Empire. I don't know what the hell has been going on but my father has barely even been receiving payments from this shit hole."

"What are trying to say, Saiyan? That our king did this to us?" A voice yelled out from the crowd.

Bra raised her eyebrow to the crowd whilst Goten was trying to keep the contents of his stomach down from the sight of the prince. "Not at all but if the shoe fits, feel free to wear it." She smirked at the human phrase.

"He got everything he deserved," the warrior stood closest to Bra spoke again.

"What is your name?" Her voice was deadly calm. She was the Princess of the Saiyan and Human Empire damn it and she demanded some respect from these low class scum who would inflict such an act on their own prince.

"Miekoi," he spoke in his heavy accent again.

"Miekoi, huh?"

He nodded his reply.

"Well, Miekoi you and your followers make me sick. You should all be ashamed and disgusted with yourselves. The prince did nothing to deserve this."

"How dare you speak of my people in such disrespect, you filthy monkey!" he shouted as he took another step forward.

"Well look who's being disrespectful now!" she laughed humourlessly. The term 'monkey' always annoyed her to no end and never failed to make her want to rip out the person's throat who said it so that they could never speak that word again.

"It isn't disrespectful when it is the truth!" He smirked. "Saiyans are nothing more than a race of filthy and disgusting apes. I–"

He didn't have time to finish his sentence as Bra lunged forward and did exactly what she wanted to do the minute he said 'monkeys'. She ripped out his throat, set off a ki blast through his heart then let his lifeless body fall to the floor.

"We may be 'filthy and disgusting apes' in your eyes, but we are still your superiors and you will show us respect you low classed bastards," she spat towards the stunned crowd.

She watched in amusement as they all watched her in fear. Their new leader was now dead. He was the most powerful one of them all and now he was dead. But the fear didn't stop the anger that followed shortly after and they all charged towards the princess one by one as their anger coursed through their veins and they started seeing red.

Goten flew forward to defend his princess as she started battling them all one by one. She seemed to have no problem and it took no longer than a second for her to kill her opponents but after a couple of minutes they started to attack her in higher numbers at up to seventeen at a time. Bra lost her balance for not even a second before they took advantage of it and pounced on her, knocking her to the dusty ground.

Her slender body shook with rage as she realised her mistake and in response to her emotions, she powered up and the force from her power up knocked the enemies around her off their feet. They didn't even have time to get up before she started attacking on just instinct and rage alone. From ripping out hearts to snapping necks to blasting heads off, to blasting them completely, Bra was unstoppable as she tore through her victims one by one. Goten copied her as he decapitated and blasted his opponents.

Just as the two Saiyans thought they were winning, one of the warriors grabbed Bra's silky tail and even though he wasn't holding it tightly enough to be considered painful, it was still annoying and stopped her from fighting. She just prayed to the Gods that they wouldn't pull it out or touch the base of it. Even if they pulled it out, she could still grow another one, but it would be one of the most excruciating and painful things ever to happen in her life. Then she would have to train it all over again and the first time had been hard work enough. But if they touched the base, she would be lying on the ground begging them to fuck her senseless and that would just be downright humiliating. It had been humiliating just having her father warn her about that certain weakness!

Before either of those things could happen, she twisted around and smirked at the man who looked shocked that it didn't hurt her in the slightest.

She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his ear. "Sorry, but the only thing you managed to do was turn me on," she whispered and watched as his eyes widened before ripping his head from his shoulders and wrapping her tail even tighter around her waist. There was no way in hell she was letting that shit happen again.

Bra was too distracted to notice that she was surrounded until she was flattened against the ground and they started to claw at her flawless skin. She screamed out for help but it appeared to be stuck in her throat as she thrashed furiously. She couldn't believe she had been so stupid to get distracted! What kind of warrior did that make her? Would her father be disappointed? She couldn't believe that a group of weaklings had managed to catch her off guard, never mind managed to pin her down. But as the thoughts passed through her mind she started to feel drowsy from blood loss.

A bright yellow light surrounded her and bodies started to fall on top of her but she was too out of it to do anything. Her vision started to fade to black and all she could remember was seeing a blond angel standing over her. He looked angry. That thought stuck in her mind. Angels weren't supposed to be angry or look scared or even be covered in blood like this one seemed to be.

Her angel picked her up and held her close in his arms and she inhaled his heavenly scent. Despite the blood and dead bodies around them, he smelled like heaven. She could remember how she loved being held in his strong arms and how he made her feel completely safe despite the pain her body was in.

She woke up seven hours later in the regeneration tank and realised it was no angel who saved her.

It was Goten.

And he had ascended to the legendary Super Saiyan.

"Bra, are you listening to me?" Goten asked, looking worried. They were a few seconds away from the dining room and she had had that empty look in her eyes since they left her rooms.

She shook her head slightly to remove the thoughts from her head. "Yeah, sorry I was just thinking." She gave him a small smile. Goten seemed to believe her and smiled in return.

They entered the dining room and Bra completely froze in her place and started panting heavily.

"Goten… I can't do this," she whispered to him. They were fifteen minutes late and the eyes of her family were all on them. On her.

"Yes, you can, Bra, they are your family and they love you. Don't push them away," he whispered low enough so only she could hear.

Bra turned around to look at him and he nodded with a small smile. Then, taking a deep, calming breath, she began walking forward to meet her family.

A/N – For those who were wondering, no! Majin Buu is not Bra's mate. I wouldn't put her through that much. ;-)

I think you can tell that these couple of chapters are old, but I tried my best to edit and update them!

HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED AND DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! :-)

Edited on: 03/11/16