Another shortish one. Well I just had to end it there. You'll see when you get there. In advance, sorry. XD
I didn't really want to upload this chapter just yet, not until I'd written a little more of the next chapter. Don't take it the wrong way my dear readers, I don't usually hold chapters before posting them but the ending of this one is well . . . . . Anyways, you'll understand when you get there. The internet has just been completely out of wack so I decided to upload the chapter while I could. Hopefully the next one will be soon to follow.
Chapter 21
It had been two weeks since they had crashed on this unknown planet. Two weeks of nothing but surviving, exploring their surrounds and learning everything they could, seeking out anything that would give them an advantage.
At Kakarot's insistence the two had managed to build a cover for the entrance of the cave, protecting their now home. It hadn't been a quiet two weeks either. More men and even women but less so than the men, had searched through the area, trying to find something that refused to be found. The Sayians found it amusing to hide from the weak creatures of this world, enjoying the bickering.
They weren't always from the same origins though. Some of them had fought with each other and the Prince concluded it was over different leaderships. So on this world there were different clans. So far they had deduced three: Red Ribbon Army, King Piccolo and Emperor Pilaf. They had also deduced that Emperor Pilaf was the weakest of the three and that he was largely an amusement to the others, much like all three were an entertainment to the Sayians.
At the current moment the two were sitting inside the cave as the Prince checked Kakarot's arm. It was healing smoothly so far but it wasn't done yet.
"You know Prince, I've been thinking. If we want to study the natives and all shouldn't we get clothes that are more appropriate? We'll stand out in the armour." Kakarot mused
"Where the hell are we supposed to get that clown attire from anyways?" The Prince asked with a scoff.
"Well they do come here very often. If we knock two of them out then we could use their clothes." Kakarot offered.
"No thanks. Besides, wearing the uniform of one of clans attracts the attention of the others. Were you not paying attention?" Prince Vegeta replied.
"Alright then why don't we make cloaks or something out of the animal pelts? We have quite a few of them."
"We'd look like barbarian cavemen!" Prince Vegeta protested.
"Do you have a better idea?"
When the Prince looked away grumbling under his breath Kakarot smirked in victory but the Prince was right. They would look out of place with the pelts. They had no other option for now.
"Ohkay, so where's the nearest gathering of Ki?" Prince Vegeta asked, closing his eyes just as Kakarot was about to.
"That way!" The both yelled together pointing in opposite directions.
"Fine, we'll go your way." The Prince conceded, hovering into the air.
"Do you think they can sense Ki?" Kakarot asked hovering up to the Prince's level.
"I don't think so but there are those stand outs. Maybe they can." Prince Vegeta replied rising further up to get clear of the trees.
Just to be cautious the two flew low and at a slower pace than what was comfortable. Now that the trees were not obstructing the view of the sky, Kakarot felt even smaller, yet even freer than before. Blue really was a nice colour.
Tucked under Kakarot's good arm were the modified animal pelts. They had shaped them into something that resembled a cloak the previous evening. Kakarot and the Prince had been very amused they each other's attempts yet both had been pleasantly surprised by the results.
Prince Vegeta began to lower to the floor, choosing an area that provided plenty of cover. Kakarot had been able to see their destination in the distance and was actually getting very excited.
"Now would be a good time to put on those barbaric outfits." Prince Vegeta suggested shaking his head.
Kakarot smirked before handing him his cloak and putting his own in. He still instinctively kept his healing arm close to his chest but he did put it through the impromptu sleeves he had made.
"They don't look that bad." Kakarot commented moving this way and that in his spotted fur coat. The Prince watched him with a gleam of something feral in his gaze. He shook his head to rid it of the sudden thoughts that sprang to live. Not now.
The both hovered back into the air, intent on getting closer before heading towards the settlement on foot. Would they even learn something? It was doubtful but they had the time so long as Kakarot's arm was healing. They really did need to get something else other than meat to eat. It was starting to take its toll.
"Do you think they have nice food or really weird food?" Kakarot asked with a grin.
"What's the difference, food is food." Prince Vegeta replied rolling his eyes.
"Hahaha yeah I suppose."
When their boots touched the ground they automatically lowered their power level and tightened their tails. They didn't know what they were getting into so it was best to take precautions.
The settlement itself looked nice enough but it didn't look like it would withstand even a mediocre attack. More of the weak beings from before, only without the uniforms were walking, running or just standing in various places. They were younger and older alike, even different colours. How strange. Their clothing offered no protection and their power levels were something to be laughed at. No, these people did not fight off Frieza. Perhaps this was a planet still to be dealt with.
"So now what?" Kakarot asked looking to the Prince automatically.
"We find food." Prince Vegeta stated, walking further into the settlement. The Prince did not miss the curious glances nor the distrustful ones. Kakarot was too engrossed in the new surroundings and discoveries to even notice. It amazed Prince Vegeta to no end how that Sayian could be completely observant and oblivious at the same time. How he did it was a mystery to even the Gods, of that the Prince was sure.
"Hay look! Over there." Kakarot exclaimed in excitement. The two Sayians had reached a part of the settlement where more of the other beings had gathered. The place reminded the Prince of a place where one could come to obtain food and objects. It seemed that was the purpose of this place.
They walked down the street, attracting attention but not caring really. Kakarot watched the bright colours and variety of food presented, a look of hunger and longing in his eyes. The Prince however watched as the beings carefully weighed the food they picked, each one meant to be of greater value than the last they picked. Then when grudgingly satisfied they handed over metal discs to the keepers of the stalls.
Currency. He'd heard the term vaguely from one of the Sayians that had gone off world often. Some planets used a system of rank to organise the flow of goods, such as Planet Vegeta. Others used a materialistic system where those that were at the bottom today might not stay at the bottom tomorrow due to the imbalance of loss and gain. Some might call it a balance but the way the Prince saw it . . . . . well it was just plain stupidity. Placing so much value on something so useless. He could melt those coins with barely any Ki at all.
But, this did present a problem for them. Where were they going to get such a trivial yet vital thing? On the other hand, they could by pass such absurdity. They were fast enough to take the food without even being noticed.
Kakarot, would never agree.
Prince Vegeta sighed deeply, a sigh that Kakarot did not notice. "Kakarot, let's play a game."
"A game? Cool. What kind of game?" Kakarot asked, eager to play and eager to please the Prince.
"This race is quite slow, so they won't notice if you take the food as fast as we can. That in itself won't be much fun, but you can't use your Ki, and you can only take one at a time." Prince Vegeta explained carefully.
"So where so we put them after we get them?" Kakarot asked. Prince Vegeta frowned. He hadn't thought of that.
"Ohkay, change of plans. We'll work as a team, grabbing and tossing food to each other and then we'll hurry back to the place we entered from and leave the food there. When we have enough we'll use these blasted cloaks to carry the food back to the cave." Prince Vegeta improvised with a nod.
Kakarot was silent as he thought it over. Slowly his eyes grew clearer, alerting the Prince that he was getting to a decision.
"Ohkay, let's do it but we're taking turns going back and forth. You first." Kakarot replied with a grin before phasing out of sight. The Prince barely caught the first object of food that was thrown at him. Man Kakarot was eager. He could hear Kakarot more than what he could see the younger Sayian who was giggling with every near miss on the Prince's part. Kakarot was really fast, it was the one thing he excelled at above the Prince other than battle strategy, but his arm limited his movements.
The Prince whistled when he had enough and the semi invisible food stopped coming. The beings of this planet were so weak they hadn't even noticed the two Sayians dodging and weaving around them as they played their 'game'. Unknown to the Sayians was that someone had noticed them and that someone wasn't about to let it go either.
Kakarot stood waiting for the Prince to return with his hands behind his head staring at the clouds and the blue sky. It was still so new to him. The position strained his arm somewhat but not unbearably so, in fact it was helping him to get a feel of the injury. He was careful to keep the animal skin covering his armour. It would be rather annoying if they were discovered now.
"Hay Kid." Kakarot did not turn, not thinking that he was being called. He jumped a mile however when a hand was clamped onto his shoulder and he was forcibly spun around. He instinctively curled his broken arm into the protection of his body, keeping it close but not obviously so. He did not want to display a weakness.
Kakarot found himself staring at a man with scars on his face and bright orange clothes. Really bright. His hair could almost be called Sayian worthy too.
"You think you're smart huh." It was a rhetorical question. Kakarot stared at him in confusion. He wasn't sure what to do. The being in front of him had a power level higher than any of the others the Sayians had encountered but it was still painfully low. That exalted power level meant one of two things, he was an exception among his kind, a freak if you wanted to be mean about it. Or it meant that he was a warrior and would not take kindly to being carelessly brushed aside.
"Yay, I'm talking to you. Can you at least look like you understand what I'm saying." The being continued loudly, shaking Kakarot.
"Let him go." A dangerous growl and a deep command that could only come from one person.
"Oh so one of you talks after all." But the hand was dropped no matter how acidly the statement had been stated. Kakarot may not know what was going on but he did know that these two had something going. It could have been a male something or it could be that the Prince knew something that Kakarot did not. Either way, he was a lot safer standing with the Prince. He inched his way away from the being and towards the Prince.
"Don't mind Kakarot, he never shuts up once you get him started. He was just trying to decide what to do with you." Prince Vegeta smirked arrogantly which only seemed to enrage the being even more.
"Yamcha?" The questioned call came from behind them and they turned to see a little bald being in the same bright orange making his way over to them, "Are these those two guys you were talking about?"
"Jip. That one's got a real attitude." 'Yamcha' stated nodding at the Prince.
"Kakarot, if it comes down to a fight you take baldy and I'll take scarface." Prince Vegeta whispered to him in the language of the Sayians.
"Is it really necessary for both of us to waste our time?" Kakarot asked blandly.
"You know what my father said, even the weakest opponent can kill you if you lose focus." Prince Vegeta reminded sternly.
Kakarot just nodded. 'Yamcha' was looking at them with anger and perhaps hatred. Did he dislike outsiders that much?
"You guys are fast I'll give you that but you aren't very powerful." 'Yamcha' said getting into a crouch. Without warning he sprang at Kakarot but the Prince stepped in front of his attack. The bald one took the cue and sprang at Kakarot, half expecting the Prince to block his attack too but pleased when he didn't.
Kakarot actually laughed as he dodged the slow attacks. Their technique was different and interesting but it was frustrating to watch it when it was being used on an opponent that was too strong to show what it could truly do. He was careful to keep his injured arm out of the fight.
The Prince was having an even better time, toying with 'Yamcha' as he dodged the enraged attacks. He laughed cruelly at the being as he failed to hit the Prince again and again.
"Stand still so I can hit you already!" 'Yamcha' yelled in complete anger and frustration, which only made the Prince laugh more, "I'll teach you to steal from good people."
Kakarot stopped for only a moment. What was stealing? It was a moment too long as the bald guy saw the opening and attacked. He'd also seen Kakarot's weakness.
Kakarot cried out in pain as his nearly healed arm was shattered. He flew backwards, his power level having been low so as not to attract attention. He hadn't even had a guard up. How careless.
Kakarot could stop the shout of pain as he landed on the ground. Prince Vegeta's anger flared, his heart racing as he felt the uncontrollable urge to protect Kakarot. With a snarl of anger he struck out at 'Yamcha', no longer content to just dodge poor and pathetic attacks. The idiot couldn't even see the punch coming but he sure felt it as he too sailed through the air.
The bald guy was staring in shock at Kakarot who was clutching his arm, his eyes clenched shut tightly as he tried to bite back the screams but small whimpers still escaped. Kakarot's entire body was tense. The Prince cringed at the thought that something might actually be drastically wrong this time. He was far too used to the tanks. Any problem was immediately fixed but he'd heard stories of the days before they had tanks. Fighters were destroyed simply because a careless move led to a crushed bone that could never mend properly again. They could never fight again.
Would that be Kakarot?
"Look at me." Prince Vegeta ordered grasping either side of the younger Sayian's head and forcing him to face the Prince. His movements were forced due to the tension in his body.
"Raise your power level. It'll help the pain." Prince Vegeta whispered when Kakarot's unfocused eyes locked with his.
Kakarot's power level wobbled before suddenly soaring higher. The ground shook as the energy rocketed higher. Kakarot's dazed eyes closed again before he started to yell, to yell out his anger and pain, his hopelessness that he could never voice, pain of losing his home and family, his frustration at his weakness, his confusion . . . . . everything was all too much. His power continued to missile higher and higher. At this rate they were going to attract unwanted attention as well as bring the whole place down.
"Kakarot! You have to bring it under control again." Prince Vegeta said sharply, a hint of desperation in his voice. This wasn't something he knew how to deal with. He was completely out of his element.
The rocketing power came to a dead stop at the level it was at, the sudden silence making the Prince's ears ring, before it was dropping just as drastically to a level even lower than what it had been before. Something definitely wasn't right with Kakarot. Prince Vegeta could only watch as those dazed eyes slowly slid shut once again and Kakarot passed out.
What was he going to do now?