Chapter 12
The familiar, comforting lull of the ship brought Chi to her senses as she slowly opened her eyes. Blinking awake, she stared at the ceiling above for a moment before she heard a frustrated groan in front of her. Confused, Chi sat up and looked to see Kakarot grimacing as he struggled to wrap his sore shoulder and arm. He was dressed in nothing and Chi couldn't help but stare at his rippling muscles and body before she spoke.
"What are you doing?" She yawned as Kakarot glanced towards her.
"I guess having sex wasn't the smartest idea. My shoulder is killing me." He admitted and Chi shook her head before rising. She walked to Kakarot, her bare feet padding across the cold tile.
"You're impossible. Didn't I say we should treat your injuries first?" She muttered and motioned to Kakarot to hand her the bandages.
"I couldn't wait." He answered and leaned down to kiss Chi, which she rejected and turned his bad shoulder towards her so she could properly wrap it. Carefully, she took off the pitiful attempt that Kakarot tried to finish and gently put his sore shoulder and arm into a makeshift sling. When she was finished, Chi glanced up at Kakarot. "There. Now, you're going to have to take it easy for a few days for this to heal. Understood?"
"Fine." Kakarot rolled his eyes before weaving a hand through Chi's wild hair, her bedhead apparent as strands of her black hair were tangled all over the place. "It was still worth it." He grinned and ran a suggestive hand down Chi's bare body, grabbing a cheek.
"Well, that's not happening anytime soon. We are two days away from the gala. We need to focus." Chi responded with authority and gently leaned up to kiss his cheek before walking away to change.
"Wait, we can't fuck until after Frieza?" Kakarot realized and spun to Chi. She threw on her training gear, a sports bra and biker shorts, as she smirked at Kakarot.
"You'll survive."
Kakarot grumbled, eyeing the various hickies and bite marks he left on her neck and body, fondly remembering their night of passion. He sighed and turned back to fixing his battle wounds, assessing his other injuries and concluded that everything else was decent for now. After he finished, he finally changed into his own clothes and asked Chi.
"So the gala is coming up but you've never told me how you are going to get in front of Frieza."
"I've got the perfect plan." Chi replied as she brushed her hair in the mirror and continued, "Obviously I can't break into his palace or I'd be immediately killed. So, I'm going to go to the gala, get all dressed up and purposely be caught."
"Wait, what?" Kakarot questioned incredulously and stepped over to Chi.
"Someone is bound to recognize me so I'll be pulled away and sent to Frieza. And that's when I'll present him with the Dragon Balls and the map and make it seem like I am begging for his pardon."
"I don't know if I like that, Chi." Kakarot felt a tightness in his chest at the thought of Chi in a room with Frieza, alone.
"It's going to be fine. I'll be in complete control. And you'll stand guard and step in if I need help."
"Isn't there a better way to go about this? Can't we just slip in at night and slit his throat or something."
Chi faced Kakarot now and wore a serious expression across her face. "No. I want to fight Frieza. I need him to know that he trained and groomed a weapon that's now being used against him."
Kakarot gazed at Chi and conceded. He knew how long and how much Chi needed her revenge. His opinions and concerns would have to be brushed aside, even though that frustrated the hell out of Kakarot.
"Alright. I'll do this your way, but if I sense that you need help or that you're in trouble, I'm stepping in."
"And that's why I initially recruited you." Chi faced the Saiyan, who looked at her with confusion, "I knew having a Saiyan backing me up would come in handy. Although, I didn't expect this."
Reaching up on her tippy toes, Chi gave Kakarot a short passionate kiss and broke away, leaving Kakarot aching for more. Putting a hand on his firm chest, Chi grinned and sauntered away from Kakarot towards their training area. Kakarot watched Chi leave and breathed. He also didn't know that joining Chi's mission would lead to all of this but somehow it felt right, like he was alway supposed to meet Chi. Destiny pulled them together and he hoped fate wouldn't push them apart, especially with this new danger looming.
As the days waned and Chi and Kakarot got closer to Frieza's planet, Chi's training intensified as Kakarot continued to coach her. Once he felt better, Kakarot worked with Chi and did not pull any punches. He knew that he couldn't spare any kindness towards her because Frieza would not. Kakarot trained Chi exactly like how his father taught him. Direct, cold, and unrelenting.
After a particularly hard session, Chi showered and let the water wash over her sore muscles as she took a moment to herself. Tomorrow, she'd have her vengeance. All those years of Frieza haunting her and ruling her life, and now she'd finally make that bastard pay.
When she finished and changed into her shorts and tank, she stepped out to a quiet ship as she made her way over to the bunks. Kakarot was already asleep on the bottom bunk, passed out from exhaustion. His lite snores brought a smile to Chi's face as she watched him sleep. Kakarot was a man who believed in her, challenged her, and at the same time made her feel safe. It was a comfortability she'd never thought she'd want, much less find. Now that she had it, Chi couldn't bear to lose what she had with Kakarot. She couldn't lose anyone ever again.
Shaking away her fears, Chi quietly slid into the bed next to Kakarot, placing her head on his bare chest while she rested her leg over his lower body. Kakarot instinctively wrapped his arm around her back and pulled Chi closer to his body. He grumbled in his sleep and rubbed her back.
Chi scooted closer to his side and traced a finger across Kakarot's pectoral as she tried to push away any feelings of self doubt or fear. Those emotions had no place in her psyche and she needed to conceal those feelings for her own survival. However, there was one emotion and person she couldn't hide from. Snuggling closer to Kakarot's chest, Chi muttered a phrase silently in her head, a statement she was too scared to say aloud.
"Kakarot, hurry up! You take longer showers than I do." Chi pounded on the door to the bathroom, her impatience growing.
Their ship was inbound to Frieza's planet, lost in a sea of other vessels entering the planet's atmosphere. The gala would start in an hour and Chi was already ready. Chi was too focused to waste any time unlike Kakarot who spent way too long showering.
"Alright!" Kakarot called from behind the door in annoyance and soon opened the door, clad in a towel wrapped loosely around his hips. He was still tying it and focused on his task as he murmured, "I can't have just two fucking moments of-." Kakarot lifted his eyes and stopped.
In front of him, Chi was dressed in a floor length black gown with slit that ran all the way up to her mid thigh, leaving little to the imagination. The dress hugged all her curves and the neckline had a row of pearls above to accompany it. Chi's black hair was loosely up in a bun and her bangs framed her face perfectly. Gaping at her, Kakarot's heart beat rapidly and he lost his grip on his towel, the fabric slipping to the ground.
Chi gazed at Kakarot's fumbling and questioned, "I guess you like it?"
Kakarot gulped and nodded, "Y-you look..wow." He could barely form sentences as his mind was in overdrive and quickly picked up the towel to cover himself before things got even more awkward.
Chi stepped forward to trace a circle on his damp chest, "It's not often that you're speechless, Kakarot. I like making you nervous."
Kakarot took a deep breath and tried to get a hold of himself but all he could think about was that dress. Shaking his head, he muttered, "How do you expect to fight in that?"
Chi spun to show off her flexibility, demonstrating that the slit did not hinder her range of motions. She put her hand on her hip and stated, "The dress will be fine."
"Where did you even get something like this?" Kakarot questioned, stepping forward to run his hand up her side to feel the soft fabric.
"I stole it on Earth."
"Why do I even ask?" Kakarot muttered, unsurprised by her admission.
Chi smiled and continued, "I've got something for you too." She stepped over to the closet and pulled out a black suit and white shirt.
"I'm not wearing that." Kakarot deadpanned, his brow furrowed.
"Kakarot! You said you would do things my way. And this is part of my plan. We have to blend in at least to get through the door." Chi insisted, pushing the suit into Kakarot's chest.
"I can't fight in this!" Kakarot whined, his frustration growing as he held up the clothing.
"You're wearing it, even if I have to twist your balls to get you in it." Chi glared and after a moment, Kakarot conceded and went to change, grumbling angrily to himself while leaving Chi alone to laugh to herself.
Their ship landed outside the enormous, decorated palace and Chi and Kakarot exited the vessel with purpose. Kakarot put the ship in the capsule and turned to face Chi, who was silently staring ahead. Placing a soft hand on her shoulder, Kakarot whispered, "You good?"
Chi nodded and replied in a flat tone, "Let's go."
The pair made their way to the front entrance, stepping into a line of guests who were waiting to get inside. Various aliens and allies of Frieza alike stood in front of them, dressed in gaudy clothes and jewels. It was a grand affair but of course, Chi only expected the most obnoxious event for Frieza. Glancing ahead, Chi noticed there was no security checking the guests in, a stroke of luck for their plan. Frieza must just be that confident to think that no one would try to attack.
Chi's body tensed with anticipation and a mix of emotions as she stood in line. After all these years, the day was finally here. She knew she was ready but the thought of being in this place and seeing Frieza again brought back painful flashbacks. Visions she thought she buried deep within were now brought to the forefront of her mind, forcing her to relive each moment. Her breathing quickened while the world began to spin, her thoughts swirling. Gasping, as she felt suffocated by everything, Chi stepped out of line and walked quickly to the side garden. It was a familiar place that she knew well and she hunched over, holding her knees as panic gripped her body.
"Chi?" Kakarot asked with concern as he placed a firm hand on her back, unsure of how to help her.
"I-I can't breathe."
Kakarot had seen this many times with men on his teams and those who he commanded, especially younger warriors. Sometimes things became too much in raids and some Saiyans would react like Chi, overwhelmed and overstimulated. As much as Chi put up a strong front, Kakarot knew that this day would be complicated. Gripping her shoulders, Kakarot slowly brought a hyperventilating Chi to face him. Her body shook under his grasp as he made Chi stare at him.
"Breathe. Just focus on me." He ordered forcefully and Chi's watery eyes blinked before she nodded. Slowly, her breathing evened and Kakarot rubbed her arms as shame took over Chi.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" Chi cursed.
"It happens, Chi. It's alright."
"No." She shook away any lingering worries and continued, "I can't show any weakness. Not today."
"And you won't but just take a moment. It's better that you do this now versus when you're fighting Frieza, right?"
Kakarot had a point as Chi agreed, stepping away to pace as she internally told herself that she was in control. After a moment, she stopped walking and stood before Kakarot. He searched her eyes and asked, "Ready?"
Chi nodded confidently and replied with seriousness, "Ready."
Stepping back into the line, Kakarot and Chi stood for another ten minutes before they went inside the grand palace. When they entered the large, gold and granite ballroom, both were speechless. Around them, people mingled and danced surrounded by lavish decorations and chandeliers. Large paintings of Frieza were scattered through the room while an orchestra played classical music in the background. If it wasn't the home of one of the worst tyrants in the galaxy, Chi would marvel at its beauty but the decor was all for show. Chi knew intimately how dark and cold this place could be.
The pair stepped off to the side once they realized they were in the way and Kakarot played with this suit collar irritably, trying to loosen the pressing fabric on his neck. Chi continued to stare ahead and angrily pinched the skin under Kakarot's arm hard, causing the Saiyan to yelp, "What the hell?!" He hissed.
"Could you stop acting like a child?"
Kakarot growled in reply, "How long do I have to wear this damn suit?"
Chi scoffed and grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter shoving it into Kakarot's palm, "Stop complaining and try to blend in. If you keep acting uncomfortable, they are going to know we don't belong here."
"Isn't that the point? We want to get caught." Kakarot questioned and Chi rubbed her temple in annoyance.
"Yes but not right away. Just - give me that." She hissed before grabbing the glass out of Kakarot's hand.
"Hey-." He protested while Chi chugged the drink and tossed the empty glass off to the side to the surprise of a waiter, who caught it with a shout.
"Dance with me." Chi ordered and latched onto Kakarot's wrist, pulling him towards the crowded dance floor.
"I'm not fucking dancing, Chi." Kakarot whispered angrily as he resisted but it was no use. Once they were surrounded but others, Chi brought his hands onto her hips.
"Yes, you are. It's part of the plan."
"Your plan is stupid." Kakarot grumbled while Chi placed her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to his body. She led the pair as they slowly swayed against the music. Smirking, she glanced up at Kakarot, who was scanning the room uncomfortably. Making a Saiyan warrior dance would be another accomplishment to put under her belt.
"Don't act like this isn't driving you crazy."
Kakarot lifted a brow and tried to keep his expression emotionless but Chi was right. This was driving him insane. Ever since he first saw Chi in the black dress Kakarot couldn't think of anything else. All he wanted to do was rip the dress off her body. Instead, Kakarot lightly squeezed the flesh on her hips and brought Chi closer to his chest.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Chi." He rumbled low against her ear. Kakarot moved away and stared down at her. Her dark brown eyes sparkled up at him with that smile he's grown to enjoy.
"Those are my favorite games to play."
Kakarot smirked at her flirtatious comment, knowing that Chi thought she was in control. With the swell of the music, Kakarot quickly spun Chi around and then dipped her forward, their faces and lips inches apart. Chi blinked in surprise and stuttered.
"How did you know that?"
"I'm not an idiot. I watched everyone around us for a bit and learned a few moves." Kakarot grinned and Chi was blown away. Old feelings and dreams from when she was a little girl bubbled to the surface. She always wanted to dance with a dreamy fellow who'd wisk her off her feet and dip her on the dancefloor. It was a silly childish fantasy but as Chi watched Kakarot for a silent moment, she thought maybe this was fate. Maybe they were supposed to find each other?
Kakarot brought Chi up slowly until she was pressed against him again. They stood in comforting silence and Kakarot contemplated telling Chi something that's been weighing on him but before he could decide, his eyes met a stranger's behind Chi.
"You must have a death wish, Chi." A squeaky voice called behind Chi. Kakarot glared at the alien with fury and instinctively wanted to push Chi behind his body but Chi turned around to see a familiar face. The purple alien stood confident in his Frieza force armor besides another soldier who glanced at the pair with interest.
"Hello, Cui. Wonderful party." Chi answered with fake politeness.
Cui snickered, "Did you really think we wouldn't notice you and this filthy Saiyan? You're coming with us."
"I can't leave now. I haven't even tried an appetizer yet." Chi teased and Cui gripped her elbow forcefully, pushing her forward while the other guard grabbed Kakarot, who shoved off the alien's hand with a growl.
Chi quickly shot Kakarot a look to follow her lead and not make a scene. Annoyed, the Saiyan followed behind but refused to be manhandled by the other guard and snarled when the soldier tried to move him along.
As Chi and Kakarot were led through the crowded ballroom and to an empty golden hallway, Chi tried to play her part as Cui questioned her.
"Even if you came back to rejoin, it won't happen. He'll enjoy killing you."
"I'm sure he would. I've thought long and hard about my actions and I should have never broken Frieza's trust after everything he's given to me. I want to show him my newfound loyalty."
Surprised, Cui stopped in the middle of the hall and turned to Chi curiously, "How will you do that?"
"I found the two things that he desires. I'm ready to give them to Frieza and join him again."
"You're lying."
Pulling out a capsule, Chi clicked the top and threw it in front of her, revealing a glass case with the seven orbs. In the middle laid the directions to nothing but for all Frieza knew, it was the map to the Super Saiyan.
Cui's eyes went wide and his scanner lit up, presumably the conversation caught someone's interest. Chi returned the case into the capsule as Cui nodded and regained his composure.
"Frieza would like to see you. Upo, stay here with the monkey. Frieza will see him later."
Chi glanced behind at Kakarot, gazing at him with a determined expression. This was it, the moment Chi had waited for. A fire erupted within Chi as determination and revenge flowed through her senses. Frieza's reign of terror would end today at her hands.
Now that the moment was here, Kakarot's heart beat faster as he knew he'd have to let Chi go. He knew she could handle herself and the improvements she'd made were outstanding, but he still did not feel right about letting Chi fight Frieza alone. However, he knew there was nothing he could do, this was what Chi wanted and he wouldn't take this moment away from her. Kakarot knew how important this was and based on Saiyan tradition, revenge was sacred. He could not interfere even though every instinct told him to stop Chi.
Kakarot gave Chi a brief smile, hoping it conveyed what he wanted to say. Deciding not to linger further, Chi nodded and acknowledged Kakarot before she turned back to Cui. He led her further down the hall, away from Kakarot.
After a few minutes of silence and awkwardly standing alone with Upo, Kakarot enacted his part of the plan and quickly threw his arm behind the guard's head and twisted, snapping Upo's neck before he even had time to react. Part of Chi's plan was to let her and Frieza be alone before she attacked, which gave Kakarot time to hide the body and loosen his tie before he had to find Chi in case she needed backup.
Dragging the heavy body across the marble floor, Kakarot shoved the guard's corpse into a closet. Turning away from the decorated door, Kakarot stopped in his tracks in surprise.
"Lord Frieza, Chi-Chi is here." Cui announced to the figure in front of them, who was sitting in a floating chair with his back to his visitors.
Frieza finally turned towards Cui and Chi wearing a malicious grin as he greeted Chi.
"My favorite pet decided to finally come home to ask for mercy. I've heard you have a gift for me, Chi-Chi?"
Fury burned in her bones as Chi struggled to contain her anger. Automatically, she reverted back to her benevolent servant facade and replied.
"Yes. I realized the error of my ways and decided I should find the two things you truly desire to beg you to bring me back onto your force."
"I'll have to see what you have before I decide your punishment. Although, I was looking forward to torturing you until you begged for death. But depending on what you have, I can still do so. Get on with it." He demanded and Chi pulled out the capsule that she showed Cui earlier, revealing the Dragonballs and the map.
"After realizing the errors in my ways, I searched the galaxy and found all seven balls, Lord Frieza. I also formed an alliance with a Saiyan who I used to get the map to the Super Saiyan. You can now be the strongest being in the universe like you've always wanted."
Frieza stepped off his chair and approached the items, staring with glee at Chi's gifts.
"Yes, with this I can become immortal! My, my Chi-Chi, well done. I always knew that you lived to serve me."
"I'm happy you are pleased, Lord Frieza. If it's your desire, I'd like to ask for forgiveness and rejoin the forces again."
Frieza glanced at Chi and smirked, "The prodigal servant returns. I can't kill you now that you've found what no one else can. Even your friend, Bulma, was a disappointment in that area and she's dead now. Fine, but you'll have to prove your loyalty by starting from the bottom and working back up to your old rank. Cui, collect the balls and get them to Zarbon when he returns from his mission."
Frieza turned and made his way back towards his chair before he heard a loud thump behind him. Smirking, he called over his shoulder, "You forget that I taught you deception, Chi-Chi."
"I'm glad you were bluffing too, Frieza. I was getting worried that you were that stupid to allow me back." Chi responded as Frieza faced her, subtly eyeing the ground besides Chi. Next to her feet, Cui laid dead with his neck snapped.
Frieza snickered, "So what's your plan here, Chi-Chi? You can't truly think you'd beat me, do you?"
"I do. Since the day I left, all I've thought about is revenge. I've gotten stronger and I'm going to make you pay for all the lives you've ruined. My father, Bulma, everyone's!"
Frieza laughed in response, "This is hilarious! How about all the lives you've ruined, Chi-Chi? You're not blameless either."
"This isn't about me. And everything I did was in order to survive under your rule."
"Please, don't insult my intelligence. You and I both know that you enjoyed having the power to decide who lives or who dies. You craved it. That's why you were my star commander while you were in the force. Killing me won't change that dark part of you."
Chi knew Frieza was playing his usual mind games and in the past, she would have fallen for it. However, she prepared for his tricks. Chi slipped into her battle stance, ready to take action.
"Enough. Your time is up, Frieza!" Chi shouted and in front of her, Frieza cracked his knuckles with a sinister smirk.
Kakarot paused as he stared at the figures at the end of the hallway. Ahead of him, King Vegeta was standing dressed in his full royal attire. His dark red cape skimmed the floor as his gold and black armor shimmered from the light of the chandeliers above. Besides the king, his wife Aspara, was dressed in a dark green gown, which hugged all her curves. Her outfit was complemented with a large crown of diamonds sitting on her head.
"Kakarot." Vegeta muttered as he glared at Kakarot with hatred. Vegeta and Aspara stepped towards him, who clenched his fist at his side, gearing up for a potential conflict. Knowing that he'd need every advantage he could get, Kakarot quickly loosened his tie and threw off his suit jacket, rolling up the white shirt sleeves while he egged on the king.
"Here for round two? Didn't you have enough last time, Vegeta?"
Vegeta snarled and went to lunge towards him but Aspara put herself between the two warriors.
"Would you two idiots stop!"
"Stand down." Vegeta hissed at the queen as Kakarot glanced between the two in confusion.
"No! You owe me, Vegeta. So you're both going to shut up and listen to me. Understood?" She demanded and spun towards Kakarot for an answer. Kakarot cocked an eyebrow and responded with annoyance.
"I'm not taking orders from you, Aspara. Why are you even here?"
Sighing, Aspara went to her face and pulled at the skin, ripping off a transparent mask. Soon, underneath the mask revealed Bulma. She shook her long blue hair out of her bun. Bulma went to the top of her head and removed the crown, tossing it to the side. Finally, she glared at Kakarot with fiery eyes and stared.
"I'm here to stop Chi."
"Well, you just missed her. She's with Frieza now." Kakarot stated, still confused at Bulma being here. He'd only seen and interacted with her a handful of times before he was banned from his position but Kakarot knew enough to know that Bulma was a determined woman, similar to Chi in a lot of ways. Based on what Chi has told him about Bulma too, Kakarot figured having Bulma in the mix would cause some difficulty as Chi told him once Bulma does not take no for an answer.
"Guess there's nothing we can do. Either let me leave or let me fight Kakarot, Bulma." Vegeta's attitude seeped out in his tone and Bulma whirled towards him in rage.
"Don't even start! If it wasn't for me, you would still be on that planet. So you're going to help me save my friend."
"Bulma, Chi has this under control." Kakarot spoke up and Bulma faced the Saiyan. Shaking her head, Bulma answered, "She's in over her head. I know you care for her, I can see it in your eyes especially now with the conflict of protecting Chi. Kakarot, please. We can't let her do this!"
Before Kakarot could answer, the ground trembled below them and Bulma cursed.
"We're too late. We got to find Chi." Bulma pulled out a watch that was identical to Chi's and her eyes roamed across the screen until she muttered, "There. This way!" Bulma picked up her green dress and ran down the hall, followed closely behind by Kakarot and Vegeta. Kakarot ran hard and quickly caught Bulma and demanded while they sprinted.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Bulma looked at him with worried eyes, "While I was traveling to get to Vegeta, I stopped at a diner. Some patrons were talking about a rumor about Frieza. I don't know if it's true or not but if so, Chi doesn't stand a chance."
"Dammit." Kakarot cursed and clenched his jaw. Kakarot's chest became tighter from anger and worry as he and Bulma continued down the hallway. He knew his instincts were screaming at him earlier about Chi's plan and he should have stopped Chi altogether. But if he did, Kakarot was sure she'd never forgive him and he'd lose her possibly forever, which he hated thinking about.
Suddenly, a figure flew through a wall ahead of them and crashed into the other side. The three stopped for a moment as they took in the scene. Rubble was scattered across the hallway as the floor shook again. The large hole that the figure came from collapsed and revealed the decorated room behind it. Across from the room, the person laid against the rubble and did not move, their body worn from an evident struggle. Realizing who was thrown through the wall, Kakarot called in desperation.
"Chi!"
Before Kakarot moved towards Chi, a low chuckle erupted from the room, making Vegeta, Kakarot and Bulma freeze.
To their side, Chi wheezed, "He.. has a new form. We…we can't win."