Hey everyone.

Has anyone here watched the amazing anime series Shingeki No Kyojin.. The BEST series I have seen in a long while… Obsessed.

Thanks for the reviews!

Chapter 14. The Price of a Life

Gohan stared at the white door in front of him. He mentally cursed Vegeta several times before he entered the code into the lock. The young warrior entered the room, searching for its occupant.

WOOSSHH.

A pillow made its way to Gohan's face. The half-saiyan moved up his hand to catch it. He tilted his head as he wondered where it came from but the answer soon made itself visible by throwing a vase in his direction.

"HEY!" Gohan snarled as he caught the vase. Another pillow made its way to his body. "Would you stop that?" Gohan yelled.

"Don't get any closer!" The girl glared at him with all her might. "I will throw everything I can get my hands on."

"And I will catch everything." Gohan answered shortly. "I am at least thirty times as fast as you are." He continued. "Don't bother trying to hurt me."

"Don't come any closer!" She extended her arms towards him in a universal stop sign.

Gohan stopped walking and turned away from her. She watched as he sat down on the large bed. The half-saiyan placed the plate he had with him on the dark red satin sheets.

The girl was standing near the couch, trapped between the small table and the comfy looking chair. Gohan attempted a smile at her. "I have breakfast for you." He mentioned.

"You disgust me." She snarled back at him.

"Why?" Gohan raised an eyebrow at her. "I haven't done anything."

"You haven't?" She scoffed. "No, why would you tell the truth? I would not know anyway."

"You don't have to believe me but I did not do anything. Once we bought you we brought you here and you slept here on your own. Nobody has touched or even looked at you." Gohan got up and sat down near the door. "But if you don't trust me there I will sit here."

The girl frowned at him. "My name is Gohan. What is yours?"

"I don't know my real name." She answered. "I was drugged a long time after I was kidnapped. I forgot. They called me Kishi."

"Kishi." Gohan repeated. "Do you want to keep that name or do you want to have a different one? You can start over here."

"Why can't I leave the room?" Kishi asked.

"You are currently living the private ship of lord Vegeta." Gohan answered. "There are many soldiers here every day. You might not be safe on your own."

"Then let me go." Kishi answered.

"That's not my decision to make." Gohan got up, noticed she tensed, and smiled once more. "Don't worry. I'll stay here. I don't want to hurt you."

Kishi neared the bed and studied the food. "Did you put anything in there?"

"If I wanted to keep you drugged I would have given you drugs while you were still sleeping, wouldn't I?" Gohan crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall. "Don't worry. I for one can't stand what those men have done to you."

"Then why am I here?"

"Because I did not want you to be here." Gohan's tail wagged behind him. "My boss has a funny sense of humor. He knew I would not like it so he bought you to spite me."

"Your boss." Kishi grabbed the plate and eyed it.

"Lord Vegeta." Gohan answered with a nod. The half-saiyan watched as Kishi tasted the food on the plate. "Your boss too."

"Nobody is my boss." Kishi frowned at him. "I will be gone here soon." She looked at the windows.

Gohan scoffed as he looked down, a small smirk appearing on his face. "What's so funny?" Kishi asked annoyed.

Gohan looked up at her. "You remind me of someone else." He answered. "Someone who used to look out that window and claim the same thing." Gohan's eyes moved to the window.

"Who?" Kishi asked curiously. "What happened to that person?"

Gohan looked back at her. "He was faced with reality." The young warrior turned to the doorway. "If you need anything, just use this button to ring up Stirania. She'll give you anything you need, except for freedom. You cannot under any circumstances leave this room or let anyone in. Got it?"

Kishi raised an eyebrow. "I understand that you want me to do that but that does not mean I want to do it." She answered.

Gohan grinned at her. "I'll bet, but you won't succeed in escaping from this ship. Trust me." He closed the door behind him.

Typing in the code to lock the door, Gohan shook his head thoughtfully. The young girl seemed like the fiery type, which meant he'd have his hands full on her. The thought to smuggle her out when they reached the next planet crossed his mind, but he discarded it quickly. Vegeta would kill her if that happened.

"Gohan?"

The half-saiyan turned around and smiled. "Lizis! What are you doing here?"

The young girl returned his smile. "And here I was thinking you would be happy to see me." She teased, her golden eyes sparkling with amusement.

Lizis had been kidnapped at a young age and held hostage on dark planet for years. Her kidnappers held her there to blackmail her father, a powerful man on the intergalactic market, into everything they wanted him to do. That was until Lord Ro, Lizis' father, signed a contract with Vegeta.

As a peace offering, Vegeta sent Gohan and Tobney on a mission to retrieve Lizis, and after spending several months in the same small sized ship, Lizis, Gohan and Tobney had grown to like each other. Though Gohan always made sure not to be too friendly to girls his age, since now that he had turned thirteen, the others seemed to assume that every girl he was friends with was a potential lover.

"I'm very happy to see you, but how did you enter the ship? Did we land?" Gohan asked.

"Yes, you did." Lizis answered.

"I did not even notice." Gohan muttered, thinking he had been too preoccupied with his own problems, Kishi being one of them.

"What's in there?" Lizis asked curiously.

"A girl." Gohan muttered without thinking. He then noticed Lizis' raised eyebrows and hurried to explain: "Vegeta bought her for me to annoy me. Now I'm stuck with bringing her breakfast and dinner every day."

Lizis' expression changed but Gohan noticed it was not a positive change. "I'm making it worse, aren't I?" He asked, feeling dreadful.

"Tobney was right. You are terrible with girls." Lizis said thoughtfully.

The two friends decided to meet in Gohan's office. Lizis had to tell her father where she was, he did not like her walking around alone in a ship full of soldiers, and Gohan had to make some last minute changes to tidy up his office.

The two spent several pleasant hours catching up. Lizis leaned forward at some point, placing her empty cup on the table. "What would you say if you were given the opportunity to leave Vegeta's army?"

Gohan looked at her. "That's impossible." He answered.

"Is it?" Lizis asked. "My father offered to buy you free." She brushed her black hair over her shoulder.

"That is one of my most recurrent dreams, but Vegeta will not let me go. No matter how much money you offer." Gohan answered sadly. "Besides, if you do that it will only make him angry at me." He continued.

"Don't worry. I will take care of everything. He won't refuse the amount of money my father is willing to pay." Lizis got up. "After tonight's dinner, you will be a free man once again." She smiled at him.

Gohan watched her say goodbye and turn around to leave his office. "Wait! Lizis." He said, but she had already left the room. Gohan sat back down, wondering how this would work out. He hoped Vegeta would not be too angry when Lord Ro offered to buy him free. He hoped Vegeta would not blame him.

But why would he? In the past few years, men and women had often offered to buy Gohan either for his skills or because they liked him. Lord Ro would not be the first one. On the other hand, Gohan and Lizis were good friends and Vegeta could assume Gohan talked Lizis into it.

Gohan growled in annoyance. If Vegeta would pass up a lot of money to keep Gohan, everyone would know that Vegeta only did that to spite him. And everyone would see how hypocritical Vegeta really was.

As the time of the dinner came closer, Gohan got more and more worked up, getting angry at the idea Vegeta would say no to the offer just because he did not want to give Gohan up.

That evening, the company was seated around the table. Lord Ro, his daughter and the members of the Suta Team had joined Vegeta for a feast. The only member of the Suta Team that was not enjoying this dinner was the youngest member, who was running around, serving the others while his own stomach was rumbling loudly.

Gohan smiled at Lizis, earning a smile in return. "Hey rookie. Stop flirting and pour me a drink." Kaon's voice was barely above a whisper but he knew Gohan would hear him through all the noise. The half-saiyan glanced in his direction, sending him a glare. He could not retaliate now since he was working but he would get back to it later.

Tobney noticed Gohan was passing him and he reached out to tousle Gohan's hair briefly. The half-saiyan's tail tapped against Tobney's nose as a counter attack and the two warriors smiled at their friend's antics.

Lizis was whispering something to her father and the man nodded a few times. "Lord Vegeta." He started to gain the warrior's attention.

"I wanted to discuss an important matter with you." The man continued. "My daughter is quite good friends with your servant." Lord Ro nodded to Gohan, who raised both his eyebrows. "You know I disapprove of slavery." Vegeta nodded. Lord Ro was a powerful man who had the tendency to buy slaves free. He already had a hunch of what was coming. "If I it makes my daughter happy, I would like to buy the boy from you." At the other end of the table, Gohan closed his eyes tiredly.

"He is not for sale." Vegeta answered shortly. The members of the Suta Team were quiet by now, following the conversation with interest.

"Oh come on. Everyone has a price. We'll start at 5 million. What do you say?" Lord Ro pushed cheerfully.

Comora and Itoro exchanged amazed glances. That was a high price for just one slave. Gohan looked at Vegeta expectantly.

"Lord Ro," Vegeta started, "I will never sell him. There is no price..."

"10 million." Lord Ro. "My daughter would be very pleased."

"Ten million." Tobney whispered to Kaon, who gave him a very surprised expression as well.

Vegeta pursed his lips. "My apologies." He started, trying to keep his temper in check.

"Why not?" Everyone looked up at the half-saiyan as he spoke. "What's your problem? Why are you passing up 10 million credits? That's a fortune."

Vegeta glared at the half-saiyan. "Leave." He ordered. "Go to my office and stay there."

"Why? This is about me, isn't it?" Gohan snarled back. "Is torturing me really that important to you?" Gohan's grip on his glass was getting tighter and tighter. "Why won't you accept this amazing bid?" The glass shattered in his hold but the half-saiyan did not seem to notice it.

Vegeta's fists were clenched on the table. "Members of the Suta Team, would you be willing to escort the little warrior out the room?" He asked.

Kaon got up. "I'd be happy to." He said with a smirk.

But Gohan was not ready to leave at all. "Why won't you even consider it?" He snarled.

"I ordered you to leave, so go!" Vegeta snarled back.

"NO!" Gohan yelled as answer.

"LEAVE!" Vegeta bellowed as he jumped up. Gohan stepped back, partly because he was shocked by Vegeta's outburst and partly because he felt that desperation was pushing him to his limits. He did not want to lose control.

The half-saiyan whirled around and stalked out the room. Vegeta sat down, taking a few calming breaths before he addressed his guest. "My apologies." He repeated as Kaon sat down as well.

"He's got quite a temper. That's probably why my daughter likes him. She's got a temper as well." Lord Ro joked lightly. The situation was so tensed that none of the Suta team members even smiled at that.

"Gohan is not for sale." Vegeta answered. "It's a private matter. My answer won't change, no matter how much you offer." He continued. "Now to turn to important matters…"

A few hours later Gohan was sitting in Vegeta's office. He knew he was in trouble after that outburst. He hadn't had a fight like that with Vegeta in months, and in front of guests… Vegeta was going to be so angry.

He could feel their power levels before they entered the room. Great, an audience, he thought. The door opened to reveal a seething Vegeta. Gohan got up, clenching his fists as Vegeta's eyes locked onto him. The man appeared in front of Gohan, pulled back a hand, and backhanded him harshly.

Gohan placed a hand on his cheek, frowning up at his master. Vegeta pulled back a second fist. "How dare you!" He snarled as he tried to punch the half-saiyan. Gohan blocked this punch by lifting his arm. He blocked the next few punches as well, until Vegeta was almost foaming from the mouth.

"Do not block my punches, do you hear me!" Vegeta screamed at him.

"I'm not going to let you hurt me for this!" Gohan screamed back. "I'm done with being pushed around by you!"

"You will never disobey my orders in front of others again!" Vegeta yelled back. "I will not stand for this kind of behavior. The next time you do this I will…"

"Will what?" Gohan asked in a high raised voice. "Will you kill me? I dare you to do just that, Vegeta! Put me out of my misery!"

"Do not tempt me." Vegeta warned. "If you weren't such a valuable warrior I would have killed you right now. You sold yourself to me, remember?"

"A scared eleven year old boy made a reckless decision based on the horrors he had seen during that first mission." Gohan answered. "You took advantage of that moment of weakness and I have been holding my end of the bargain since then!" He clenched his fists tightly. "But you know as well as I do that once I get strong enough I will break free of this world!"

Tobney chewed on his lip. This argument was not going well.

"Will you now?" Vegeta's voice was suddenly calm and serious. Gohan was slightly taken aback by this change in behavior. Vegeta regarded Gohan for a few minutes, a silence falling in the large room. Gohan forced himself to stare right back at his master. Vegeta crossed his arms. "There is a bomb planted in your planet." He started. Gohan widened his eyes.

"What?" He asked. "You're lying."

"Am I? Comora, if you will." Vegeta said without looking over his shoulder.

They all looked at the strong warrior as he typed something in in the small machine he had already removed from his armor. It was his personal computer. Comora tossed the machine to Gohan, who caught it. The half-saiyan watched as a small video started. He could see how a warrior held up a small black device, and planted it on a strange silver construction. A pointy end was positioned in the ground, ready to go. He watched as the construction started to drill its way into the ground until it had gone from sight.

"They planted a bomb in the center of your planet." Comora said. "It's protected by a super shield, able to withstand massive amounts of heat."

"But once I press the button, the shield will disappear and the heat of the center of the planet will make it explode." Vegeta smirked at the half-saiyan. "Goodbye planet."

Gohan's knees buckled and he fell to the ground without realizing it. All this time he'd been counting on the fact that someday he would be strong enough to defeat Vegeta. He would be able to break free of the organization and go back to planet earth. All his ideas, dreams and plans... All gone.

Tobney sighed as he looked down. "You may think you've got real plans of getting out, but I am always one step ahead of you." Vegeta continued, crossing his arms. The man stepped closer, grabbed the machine from Gohan's hands, and tossed it back to Comora, who caught it without trouble. "Kaon, Itoro." He started. "Grab him."

The two warriors were standing next to Gohan in a flash, grabbing both his arms and pulling him up again. Gohan looked up at his boss, a hint of fear crawling onto his face. Vegeta cracked his knuckles. "It does not matter how strong you get. I will always be able to press the button faster than you will be able to take it from me. From now on, you will obey my orders or I my hand might slip to the start button of that bomb. Do you understand me?"

Gohan was not listening at first, his mind still going over all the lost opportunities. Vegeta pushed Gohan's face up by placing his fingers under Gohan's chin. "Do you understand me?" he repeated.

"Yes sir." Gohan spat out at him.

"Good." Vegeta pulled back a fist and pushed it into Gohan's stomach. Ignoring Gohan's gasp of pain, Vegeta continued by handing out several more punches to Gohan's face and stomach, hitting places he had not hit before.

Tobney turned away from the warriors and walked back into the hallway. Suna noticed his retreat and followed him. "Where are you going?" He asked.

"I don't need to see this." Tobney answered shortly.

Suna crossed his arms. "You've warmed up to that boy, haven't you?" He asked curiously.

Tobney sighed. "Just because I don't enjoy watching him get a beating, doesn't mean I warmed up to him." He snarled back.

Suna shrugged as a smile crept on his face. "I'm sorry. No need to get so defensive." He answered.

"I'm not being..." Tobney closed his mouth, thinking he was being defensive again. They walked in silence for a while. "Will it ever get better?"

"What?"

"Worrying for your friends?" Tobney asked.

Suna chuckled. "It's something you will never get rid of. It will never get better. I have my own set of children but, let me tell you, I still worry an awful lot when Vegeta sends you out on a tough mission."

A small smile appeared on Tobney's face when he realized what the man was saying. Suna reached out and tousled Tobney's hair. "Let's go back. You might not like seeing him like that but he will need you to clean him up once Vegeta is done with him."

"You're right. You always are." Tobney answered. "You should do something about that."

"It's a fault I cannot change." Suna answered with a shrug.

**** DBZ **** DBZ ****

A few hours later, Vegeta was pacing around in his office. Comora entered the room, kneeling down when Vegeta looked in his direction.

"Good evening, lord Vegeta." Comora started as he got up.

"Why are you here?" Vegeta asked. "I did not send for you."

"You looked like you needed to talk." Comora answered with a shrug.

Vegeta fell down on his chair. Comora walked closer, taking a seat in the chair on the other side of Vegeta's desk. He eyed the Saiyan warrior carefully. "He's fine." He said. "Tobney is a great caretaker."

"Do I look like I care?" Vegeta answered. Comora shrugged once. "That boy bounces back from anything." Vegeta continued. The man sighed heavily, earning a questioning glance from his comrade.

"Sometimes I just do not know what to do with him." Vegeta muttered. "He gets under my skin so easily."

"Yes. He's a vindictive little brat. Reminds me of someone I knew at that age." Comora gave Vegeta an innocent smile.

"I knew recruiting him would be difficult. He is probably a lot like how I was when I was young. My relationship with Freeza was difficult as well. I hated working for him and I started plotting my revenge on him when I was very young, which is why I caught the signs in Gohan's behavior so easily." Vegeta leaned back in his seat. "When I travelled to Earth to recruit him, I decided I would not treat Gohan like Freeza treated me. I wanted him to work for me because he respects me, not because I hold his planet over his head."

Vegeta frowned. "I knew I would have to force him at first but I was hoping he would change his mind over the years. Turns out he is still as rebellious as he was in the beginning."

"I do think you are overreacting. This is not the biggest fight you have ever had." Comora answered. "Secondly, I don't think Gohan will ever commit treason. He seems like a very loyal person, and even though he may disagree with your practices, he made you a promise, and that boy keeps his promise." Comora smirked as he studied the warrior. "You and Freeza were never as close as you and Gohan are. I did not notice everything that was going on while I was working for Freeza, but I, like everyone, knew how much hatred there was between you and Freeza."

"You and Gohan respect each other. It's pretty easy for me to see." Comora continued. "You both earned each other's respect long before he started working for you. I don't know what happened on Namek but fighting alongside each other creates a bond. Go easy on the boy, will you. The only reason he lashed out is because he is overworked and nobody is giving him credit for what he does."

Vegeta considered Comora's words. "And how do you suggest I give him credit?" He asked.

"Well, firstly; let him sleep in his own room." Comora answered. "He's been sleeping in that closet for too long. He is turning fourteen soon. He needs privacy. That small gesture will make him happy, trust me." Comora said, thinking back to the day Gohan had enthusiastically told him about his new office.

Vegeta frowned thoughtfully. "Maybe I will." Vegeta muttered. "He's becoming too old to keep in the room anyway. Might start looking at Stirania in a different way…"

Comora chuckled. "You gave him something for that didn't you?"

Vegeta snickered. "He will thank me some day. I have to admit I mainly did it to spite him though."

While Vegeta and Comora were snickering about Gohan's antics, said half-saiyan was sitting in his small room again. Stirania had ushered Gohan to his closet-sized room, saying she needed private time with Vegeta. The young warrior was leaning on the windowsill with his hands, staring out at the darkness around the ship.

Even though his body had healed, he still felt exhausted mentally. His tail lashed behind him lazily as his mind went over the events of the long day. The young warrior glanced sideways when he heard the door to his room open. Vegeta entered the room, stepping closer to the half-saiyan.

Gohan gave a short bow in recognition. Vegeta tilted his head. "Follow me." He said before he turned around and left the room without another word. Gohan grabbed his boots and followed the warrior.

"Where are we going?" Gohan asked curiously. Vegeta glanced in his direction but did not answer the question. "You're not answering me?"

Vegeta smirked as he thought that he would never have asked Freeza these questions in this way. The man stopped in front of Gohan's often temporary bedroom. The man opened the door and stepped inside, Gohan following him. The half-saiyan gave him a confused glance. "This room is yours from now on. You can sleep here every day of the week for the rest of your servitude."

"Really?" Gohan asked. "I don't have to go back to that closet again?"

Vegeta noticed the shine in Gohan's eyes and immediately knew Comora had been right; Gohan was very happy with this development. Vegeta took a deep breath. "Get some sleep. Report at my office at nine tomorrow." Vegeta turned away from the half-saiyan.

Gohan turned around as well. "Vegeta!" He said as the warrior reached the door. "Thank you."

Vegeta did not look back at him. "You deserve it." He answered before he walked out the room.

**** DBZ **** DBZ ****

"Good morning, kid million." Suno greeted as Gohan entered the room.

Gohan rolled his eyes while he walked to the other desk. "Get over it." He snarled back.

"Hey it's not every day that we get a visitor who is worth ten million credits." Comora teased as he gathered the papers on his desk.

Itoro leaned on the desk at which Gohan was seated, eying the half-saiyan. "Hey guys. If we would cut off a finger. How much do you think we would get for it?" He asked the others.

"You're thinking way too small." Tobney's hand curled into Gohan's long hair, pulling him down and forcing him to lean back. "We would get at least one million for a large chunk of hair."

"Damn it." Gohan cursed as he moved his hand up, trying to punch Tobney. The older warrior, however, expected this movement and pulled on Gohan's hair again, pushing against the footing of the chair, forcing it off its footing, making Gohan fall back.

The half-saiyan hit his head on the ground, groaning in pain. Tobney, standing on the other side of the room by now, watched him carefully. "Are you okay?" He asked.

"You are going to get it." Gohan muttered as he got up, rubbing over his head. Tobney, noticing that Gohan was indeed fine, grinned at his friend.

"You'll have to catch me first." He sneered. "Don't let the million credit bills hold you back."

The other members of the Suta Team chuckled as Gohan growled manically, charging at his comrade.

Well, Gohan wanted to, but Comora grabbed the back of his uniform. "Calm down, monkey boy." He said calmly as he pulled Gohan back a few steps. "I want to start the meeting."

Gohan turned to him once he released the young warrior. "If Vegeta hears that you called me that he will torture and kill you." He said with a frown. "He hates that name."

"Good thing I'm saying it to you." Comora answered with a smirk. "You're not that scary." Tapping against Gohan's cheek with his finger before he turned back to his own desk. There Comora started to explain their new mission.

The half-saiyan sat down at his own desk, sticking out his tongue to Tobney when the other warrior winked at him. Gohan leaned back in his seat and turned his attention to Comora.

"Well. This won't be one of our most memorable missions. It will probably be pretty boring." Comora started. "Planet Zoo on the right corner of the Western Quatrain. The problem is that we don't know what kind of warriors we will find there. That is why this mission is ours."

"So it might just be nothing?" Itoro asked annoyed.

"Can't they send a less valuable team to find out if there are strong warriors on the planet?" Suno added. "Send us on an interesting mission."

"Are we getting a little spoiled?" Gohan sneered.

Itoro looked back at him. "Hey, we can't all be worth a million credits. Some of us get paid for the difficulty of the mission."

"Vegeta will pay us the standard fee." Comora answered. "I told him some of us are experiencing financial difficulties. No worries."

"Oh I'm not worried. Staying near Kid Million will probably make me some money." Itoro answered innocently.

Gohan placed a hand on his forehead, sighing tiredly.

Comora smiled as he leaned back against his desk. "We leave in three days at 600 hour. Be ready." He said. "You're dismissed."

Not in a hurry to get back to his work, Gohan turned to Tobney. "Still walking I see. I should do something about that." He threatened.

"Don't make promises you can't keep." Tobney sneered as he crossed his arms.

"Be careful, Tobney. He's worth a lot more than you are." Itoro teased as he leaned back in his seat.

Gohan growled. "Okay. Guys, let it go. I did not ask for that to happen." He answered annoyed.

"No, but it did happened." Itoro answered. "And we'll keep reminding you of that for at least three or four more months."

"But I did not do anything to deserve that kind of treatment." Gohan complained tiredly.

"You poor thing." Tobney sneered as he placed his hands on his hips.

"Well well… If my enemies would see my elite team sitting around like little kittens like this they would laugh at my face." Vegeta entered the room.

"Until we show them what we're made of." Tobney cracked his knuckles.

"We will definitely have the last laugh." Itoro added as he nodded.

"Gohan. I need to talk to you in my office." Vegeta turned away from them and left the room.

Gohan got up. "That's my cue. I'll see you tomorrow for your next beating." He added to Tobney.

Tobney laughed. "You wish!" He yelled.

**** DBZ **** DBZ ****

THE END.. No, just joking…

Next chapter will probably be up in three weeks.

Next time on Slave Soldier

"Those two have really angered Comora this time, huh?"

"Welcome to level 9, little soldier. Not even Tobney would have been able to catch that one."

"Tobney. You're hurting me."

"Have you ever thought of asking Vegeta if you can visit your planet?"

"The girl is on her way to your ship. I don't have any use for her on my ship and therefore I will give her to you. You may do as you please with her. I don't care. She's not my concern anymore."

"Sianna, I want you to learn how to fly. And Gohan is going to teach you."

"How strong are you?"

Chapter 15: The Truth is Catching Up

See you next week!