A/N: Warning: Graphic depictions of violence ... But you should know to expect that by now ;)
"Dang it, scooch over!" A loud voice startled Yamcha, as the bright morning light washing over him caused him to squint his eyes.
"Get outta here, you old coot!' Another voice piped up, as he at last rubbed his face and stirred, groaning. His entire body ached, felt wrung out and hung to dry as Yamcha attempted to rouse himself.
The bed shook as Puar wrestled with Master Roshi, a flurry of limbs and hisses made Yamcha shove them both off onto the floor.
"Come on, guys! I'm trying to sleep here!" He croaked, then coughed, feeling like his throat had been scoured with steel wool.
The old man pouted, "B-But I wanna sponge bath, damnnit!" He crossed his arms and huffed, grumbling angrily.
"I'll give you a reason to be on bed rest if you two don't get out of my room!" Yamcha attempted to yell, but his voice came out hoarsely and he gave up, shaking his head as Puar attempted to drag the old man out of the room, with a good amount of protesting.
"Oh! Excuse me... Ah, are you a patient, sir...?" A soft voice interrupted the commotion, and the racket was stilled as Nurse Miyuki walked in the room, clutching her clipboard to her chest nervously, her shoulders narrowed as she squeezed her legs together to avoid the old pervert's gaze.
"Uh, they're with me...He's my grandfather, Miss." Yamcha lied, with an uneasy chuckle. The nurse walked into the room and looked around with concern.
"Well, I'm sorry but you'll have to wait outside, sir." She said delicately, bending at the knees to lend him a hand up; the motion crinkling her white dress.
Master Roshi seemed more than able to oblige, as she led him out the door with a smile, patting his back kindly and pointing him to the café. Yamcha exhaled, as some of the tension left him. He grinned sheepishly as she walked over, straightening the IV drip and replacing the bag. He watched as she took his vitals, nibbling on the end of her pen in between writing down numbers.
"Hm, you're recovering well. How are you feeling today, Yamucha?"
He blushed, for whatever reason just the utterance of his name from her lips made him feel like a bashful teenager once again.
"Uh, better. T-Thirsty." He said, clearing his throat. Miyuki crossed her legs from where she sat in the chair beside his bed, resting the board on her lap.
White stockings. White sneakers...He found himself thinking, distracted as she read off the meal options for him, he nodded as she checked off the ones he would like.
"Oh, Yamucha... That's right, we recieved a call on your behalf. From a.. hmm, 'Fancy'?" She said, putting the pen to her chin and knitting her brows together at the sort of cheap sounding name, unlike her own.
Miyuki. Beautiful Snow. He then thought of his own name, Yamucha. Dim Sum. Then snorted, What kind of parents name people after food...?
"Oh, uhh..." He frowned, looking at his hands wringing in his lap.
"Can you have them tell her I don't want to see anyone...at least, not her..." He said quietly, clearing his throat.
"That can be arranged..." Miyuki said, tilting her head at him curiously. She shook it quickly and stood, brushing off the back of her skirt.
"I'll right be back with your breakfast!" She said chipperly, with upturned eyes as she turned around and walked away. Yamcha had do a double take when she turned around, blinking with wide eyes as a white, puffy tail swung side to side from beneath her skirt, like a long haired cat's tail...
A-A-A Tail?! That's...new! He gulped, then shook his head again. Anthropomorphism was common, even though it was seen much less these days with plastic surgery, magical rings that concealed one's true form; there really was no clear explanation for the oddity that occurred at times. He rubbed his chin with one hand, thinking deeply as Puar hopped up on the bed.
"Yamcha? You there...?"
"Uhhh...a t-tail..she-she.." He muttered. Puar balked at Yamcha's words, raising one furry brow in disbelief.
"Huh? A tail? That's what's got you all googly-eyed? I haven't seen you stutter like that in a long time..." The blue cat mused, crawling up on his shoulder and feeling his forehead with one paw. It was after all, quite hot. Yamcha laughed dazedly, then leaned back on the pillow and stared up at the ceiling, laughing nonsensically.
"Yamcha!? You really are out of it! Nurse!" He squeaked, flying up to peek out the door. Miyuki saw him and seemed surprised as she rolled a cart of food down the hall.
"What's wrong, Puar?" She said, coming in and pushing the cart beside the bed.
"I-- I think he has a fever!" He exclaimed, and Miyuki ran over to Yamcha, then placed a hand on his forehead and gasped.
"Oh! His temperature is up so much higher than just a few minutes ago! How is that possible!?" She cried out, looking around the room frantically, until deciding to simply tear the blanket off him and violently pull open the buttons on his hospital smock. Yamcha's face turned red like a thermometer about to explode as she placed one hand on her mouth and awed at the chiseled shape of his body.
"You seem... very h-healthy..." She said, her cheeks pinkening as she diverted her eyes quickly, fetching him a cup of water and elevating the bed. She put a straw to his mouth and he drank gratefully; his redness receding gradually as he gulped it down eagerly.
Yamcha downed the glass of water until the straw made an obnoxious slurping sound and she pulled it away, giggling.
"My, you sure were thirsty..."
He nodded, sweat dripping down his temples.
"Eugh, and sweaty..." She grimaced, then gasped, covering her mouth reproachfully as Yamcha's grin faded and he sunk down dejectedly.
"Um! S-Sorry! Here, let's get some food in you. Then you can have a nice, cool sponge bath, how does that sound?" She said, patting his hand apologetically. Yamcha nodded eagerly, and Miyuki giggled, pulling out a small, brown paper bag.
"Oh! And don't think I forgot you~!" She said, shaking the bag temptingly. Puar perked up his ears, suddenly very interested in the contents of the bag.
"Food? Food! Fooood!~" He cried, which probably sounded like a meow to anyone else, as she put a small dish on the bed beside Yamcha and filled it.
"Thank you for feeding Puar..."
Yamcha smiled, feeling genuinely thankful as she set the platter on his tray and sat down beside them, her bright smile calming the thunderstorms that rolled in his mind at the thought of Fancy coming to find him... That was the last thing he wanted, he could honestly say he never wanted to see her face again as he spooned oatmeal into his cheek, frowning.
"It's a lovely day, why don't we open the blinds, hm?" Miyuki said, light washing over her as she stood. Her concealment charm faded a small amount and small white whiskers curled from her cheeks, but when she turned around, they were gone. Yamcha lifted one brow, curiously.
"Oh, hehe... You're probably wondering about this?" She purred, turning and curling her soft tail around in the air.
He gulped, shaking his head.
"I-I wasn't staring! P-promise! It's just..." He gaped, feeling his mouth becoming parched again. Miyuki giggled, her blue eyes lighting in the sun and turning to needle points.
"No need to worry, Neko-Mimi don't bite, well, not unless we want to." She winked, grinning with her tiny fangs. Yamcha's eyes widened, in awe.
"No... It's very.. uhh.. int-ere-sting?" He said, speechless as Miyuki sat back down, moving her tail aside carefully.
"Hmph...I suppose, to a regular human.." She snipped, closing her eyes and tilting her face away, aloof.
"Oh-- Uh, well! You know, I had a friend with a monkey tail! Now that was weird!" He said, gesturing exaggeratedly.
Miyuki blinked, looking at him oddly.
"Monkey..? Eugh..." She crinkled her nose, shaking her head briskly. Yamcha chuckled as he ate breakfast and conversed politely with her, feeling somewhat content; forgetting the many worries piled upon his shoulders for just a moment.
"Yeeooowww!" There was a blood-curdling yowl, then a triumphant bellow as Yajiobe sat straight up in bed and groaned, tired of the aggressive woman and her loud voice.
"Can't a guy get any shut eye around here?" He grumbled, then swung his legs over the bed and slipped on his sandals, shuffling out wearily to see what all the commotion was.
"I got it! I got it! I got it!~" Chi-Chi yelled and sang excitedly, swinging Korin around by his arms and attempting to make him dance with her. Yajirobe surged forward as his master's tail puffed up, pulling out his katana, and widening his stance.
"Hey! Watch it, lady! He's not just some common house cat, y'know! Show some respect to Master Korin!" Yajirobe growled, narrowing his beady eyes as Korin escaped her grasp and quickly righted himself, puffing with offense.
"Alright, alright! You got the ball! But you never answered my question! Would you still love Goku if he were smart instead of strong?" Korin panted, leaning on his staff.
Chi-Chi straightened, polishing off the dragon ball on her purple cheongsam, then tucked it into a small sack at her side. Chi-Chi smirked, and placed her hands on her hips.
"Ok. I have your answer, and it's obviously No. I wouldn't. Goku, as dense as he may be at times... Is just, Goku. Changing him wouldn't make me happy. How dare you presume that I would be so shallow!" She snarled, furrowing her brow at the small cat as he chuckled, unsheathing his claws and looking at them as if unfazed before polishing them on his chest.
"It wasn't my intent to offend you, no... I have my reasons. Some that may make more sense to you later." He said, and turned away from her.
"Why can't you just tell me now!?" She growled back, and Korin snorted.
"You're a smart lady, why don't you figure it out? Now, dont'cha have some dragon balls to go collect?" He said with a curt purr, and snickered.
Chi-Chi relaxed her stiffness, sighing. Her legs shook from exertion, of having chased Korin night and day with very few breaks.
"Yajirobe, fetch the nice lady a senzu bean, would ya?" He said, and Yajirobe nodded, sheathing his sword, then fished around in his kimono for a small green bean. He held it out to her and she grimaced, picking up the bean warily.
"What..? You want me to eat this? Raw?"
"Just try it and see, why don't ya?" Korin said with a smirk, and Chi-Chi popped it into her mouth, crunching it a few times, then swallowing.
"Ok...?" She said doubtfully, then gasped as she felt a springy feeling in her muscles, as they bounced back, now rejuvenated, even her back pain was gone!
"Wow! I feel great!" She said, chipperly, stretching one leg out and flexing her calf with a pointed toe, grinning happily as she felt the healthy reaction of her firm muscles.
"Give her a few more, just in case. Oh, and Yajirobe...?" Korin said, turning and eyeing him seriously. The fat ronin stiffened, the last thing he wanted was multiple obligations!
"You're going along with her. At least until she finds all the dragon balls. Then you can come back if you wish."
Yajirobe's jaw dropped and he shook his head. "I'm not climbing down that tower again! You're kidding me!" He protested, before Korin hooked the loop of his kimono with his staff and tugged him forward threateningly. He spoke lowly into his ear, as Chi-Chi looked on, in bafflement.
"Yajirobe... I've had just enough of your lazing around my tower... You will escort this...er.. nice lady, and keep her out of harm's way. She has a very important mission and I don't want it fudged up, see? Also, I need to air out the place!" He said, then turned around briskly, bopping Yajirobe firmly below the waist. The fat man grunted, then growled with dissatisfaction.
"Fine. But when I get back, I'm not doing squat!" He grunted, turning around quickly to pack a bag of essentials. Korin smiled at Chi-Chi and waved her on to follow him to the other room. Chi-Chi looked around curiously as she followed the cat, eyeing two large water jugs, a koi pond, and a small vegetable garden where beanstalks, and various other vegetables grew.
"Before you go... " Korin mused, turning to look at Chi-Chi, then gave her a sharp sniff.
"Explain something to me, and I may have a proposal that's to your benefit." He said slyly. Chi-Chi shivered in response.
"A cat has advanced olfaction. Not only that, I have... senses beyond any mortal comprehension. The mark on your thigh. It carries a very... familiar scent. Overall, your blood has a composition that's slightly... more than human."
Chi-Chi's eyes widened, and her entire neck and face became red, her hands flying to her face.
"How? How do you know that?! You pervert!" She gasped, then clenched her fists to her sides and growled as the hair tightly wound in a bun atop her head almost seemed to prickle with her anger.
"Whew! Feel that energy?" Korin said, a drop of sweat beading on his furry brow.
"You ain't human, lady! At least not since ya got it put there!" His tail puffed up, then he shook his head.
"Come on, I'm a freaking 800 year old magical fucking cat! Just... entertain me." He pleaded, clasping his paws together innocently. Chi-Chi sighed, her face paling.
"Oh, fine... The mark, it's, well. A love bite. Goku bit me there one night, during... y-you know! Then, I bit right back down on his shoulder until I drew blood! He deserved it!" She growled, then Korin nodded.
"Mhm. Mhm... You swallowed his blood?"
Chi-Chi darted her eyes, narrowing her shoulders. She had... It had a strangely good taste. She nodded, not wanting to divulge anymore of the private information.
"That's why. Well then, I don't see why you should have any problem." He grinned, then strolled over to the two water jugs and lifted the lid off of one.
"What... You mean? The Ultra-Divine water...?" She whispered. Chi-Chi quivered as she peeked down into the watery depths; feeling a icy breeze creeping from within. Korin nodded, becoming stern.
"Yes. You are more than capable of drinking it, I'm sure. No ordinary human can drink it without feeling immense agony. But you, I believe will withstand it. Your strength is extraordinary, it can only become more amazing if you wish to make the journey to fetch it."
Chi-Chi stared at Korin, then the dark abyss below. She gulped, thinking of Gohan, all alone in the woods. No one to protect him. No Goku to save them.
"I'll do it." She said softly, then placed her fingers on the edge. Korin nodded, and Chi-Chi shimmied her body inside before disappearing into the darkness. Yajirobe gasped as the woman disappeared, then slowly backed out of the room.
"Yajirobe..." Korin warned.
"You can't make me go down there again!"
"Fine. You'd probably only slow her down." He snipped, then tossed the small satchel of beans in as well, before placing the lid back on. He brushed off his paws and sighed.
"Finally, it's time for a long nap!" He said, then yawned and curled up on a pillow beside the jar.
She could only see the inside of her sun bathed eyelids as the woman lied listless, too weak to even open her eyes.
"Tianshe... I should have known... No matter. I won't let you go hungry." A silken voice curdled the contents of her stomach as she cringed from his touch, the effects of the hypnosis wearing as Tianshae attempted to feign obedience.
She whimpered softly, feeling his warm hand stroking her cheek and grazing through her hair, affixing her luxurious auburn locks into a bun with Kanzashi hair sticks, pulling two strands out gently to frame her face.
"Mmh.." She murmured, feeling herself being wrapped in silky robes, then opened her eyes weakly. He looked down on her, smiling warmly. Vulcane looked so youthful, he was glowing. His citrine eyes alight with an energetic fire, as his own strands of long black hair fell over his pale face, his dark eyebrows. Tianshae shuddered, as he smiled down on her and kissed her forehead.
"Just relax, I'll make you feel strong again." He said, the vibrations of his deepened voice vibrating through her and sending shivers down her spine. She felt the motion now of moving, as he was taking her from the warm sunlight and back down into the cool, crystalline caverns.
"No ! No !" She managed to gasp hoarsely, squirming in his arms. Vulcane chucked softly, the rasping hiss like the shaking tail of a rattlesnake. He looked down and glared into her, the third eye widened and changed from black to red. She fell limp in his arms. Then, as he receded into the darkness, he chuckled again, his magmatic irises a beacon in the black of the subterranean underworld to which his alien genetics had adapted so many years ago.
Pain was the first sensation he felt, then, hunger. Phosphorus green eyes opened, as Grenada took in his surroundings. The pack of monkey filth sat, quietly conversing as they made jarringly loud crunching sounds, in the act of breaking the backs of subterranean crayfish. The exposed flesh squelched in the hands of the savages, as they sucked the sustenance out from the shells and slurped eagerly. Grenada gulped, feeling an acidic wave of disgust burning in the back of his throat.
The wide back of the executioner was before him, as Onioan chuckled and made a mess of the arthropods on his chin and chest. The Gemini held back his gorge, at the sheer gluttony of the beasts. He slowly, gradually warmed his blackened palms that rubbed at his binds, not wanting to alert their sensitive olfaction with the scent of burning fabric. Grenada bit down on his lip and turned his face on the slimy cave floor, his agent orange locks dampened by nervous perspiration.
"Alright, let's get moving." The General said, pulling Kannon up to her feet. She had transformed once again mysteriously, the female perhaps tired of walking with the burn tissue on her glutes tearing with every step. He grinned sadistically, rotating his fingers until flames lit. He burned away his binds easily and clutched the thick calf of the soft-headed Saiyan, biting down into the hairy flesh at the same time as he gripped him and allowed his deadly hands to heat until the beast bellowed out in pain, kicking violently to remove the parasite attached to him.
"Onioan!" Nappa growled, pushing the female behind his back as he surged forward. Onioan stomped and cried out, bending down and clutching Grenada by the skull. The parasite was viciously removed, and pulled up to stare into the tear-filled black depths of his animalistic eyes.
"Hurt! You hurt Onioan bad!" He growled, baring his glistening ivory teeth, the canines of which pricked the slobber-glazed lower lip of the beast, as he whimpered and growled from the pain of his bleeding calf.
"Kill! Crush skull! Onioan grunted, and Grenada gasped as the two large hands encasing his head began to put pressure onto his temples until a sharp pain blossomed deep in his cranium and he screamed.
"Onioan! You disobey your General's orders?" Nappa growled from behind. Grenada whimpered as the crushing feeling at last let up, as Onioan simpered to Nappa, then growled and crushed him again.
"Dothdrak du, gatya du kyll ath Gemini, General!" The beast spoke, Grenada's eyes widened at his sudden fluency. He recognized the foreign language he had become familiar with, during his work to use the monitors of their space craft and the scouters to create an advanced Saiyan energy locating device.
Don't stop me! Let me kill the Gemini, General! The beast was only slightly more skilled at speaking his own language, instead of the more commonplace earthling one the Geminis had become accustomed to using.
"Seastre, arhes ekava, Onioan." The man cooed, Cease, that's enough, Onioan.
Nappa was making a low rumbling purr, to which the other seemed to respond. His hands loosened to allow the Gemini to slump as he bowed and Nappa buried his hands in the other's wild, spiky black hair, then pawed it roughly, making him lean into the scratching and growl.
"Enas do gan an kyll unm." He said lowly, Grenada shivered in reaction.
It's my job to kill him.
"Hm! Brekse doth!" Grenada yelped, Please don't! as Nappa removed him from the other's grip, wrenching him up by his hair and turning him around to look at him closer. Nappa's dark umber eyes narrowed, then Grenada screamed hoarsely as he was backhanded across the jaw with Nappa's hard arm bracer; a lightning bolt of pain struck him, knocking multiple teeth from his bleeding gums.
"You dare disgrace the Saiyan language with your fithy tongue?!" Nappa growled, then wrenched his jaw open, from which blood poured down his chin.
"Ggghh!" He gurgled, feeling his bowels unclenching in his utter terror as the large man glared down at him, breathing heavily. Nappa grinned, and took Grenada's front two teeth between his fingers and twisted, wrenching them out by the roots. He howled out in agony, his mouth gushing hot rivers of blood. Nappa allowed him to fall to his knees, then uppercut him hard in the jaw and pulverized any remaining teeth he may have had left. He spat white slivers like broken porcelain out onto the ground, feeling the jagged remnants stabbing into his gums.
"Ackh!" He hacked, his abdomen heaving as he lied helplessly on the ground, his green eyes dulled by his agony as tears spilled from the shock widened bulbs.
"Next will be your tongue, Gemini. We had a special type of punishment for the more impudent types..." He gravelled, causing Onioan to stomp and chortle giddily by his side, the ground shaking. Nappa gave him a knowing glance and sneered wryly.
"Heh, heh. Onioan knows how?" He said simply, and the large man began patting his armour eagerly, finding the tool belt strapped across his broad chest. He made docile uluations as he found the small set or metal tongs and clicked them, in the other paw was a small, sharp knife.
"Good boy." Nappa said, patting him as they both approached.
Grenada yelped out in panic as they restrained him, the other tormentor, Candor came to assist, staring down silently with his hardened slate eyes, as did the harlot female that was his very bane; watching with sheer unabashed satisfaction as his tongue was severed from his screaming mouth. Once removed, they allowed him to crumble to his knees and sob, the Saiyans stepping back a pace as they observed him.
Grenada couldn't take the pain, his mouth throbbed, he was nearly choking on his own blood as he gasped for breath. He made up his mind; even though he knew it may be his undoing. He called to her, making a humming intonation through his bloodied lips, the sound the only one he was still capable of making. Kannon's ruby red eyes grew wide and she blinked, her expression growing blank as he urged her powers to ooze out, her rosy irises swirled and she sung back, to the saiyan's displeasure.
They curled forward and clutched their sensitive ears as she let out a shrill cry in response; the mating call of the Gemini that was even further influenced by the ever nearing eclipse. Grenada hummed louder, his lips buzzing with the vibrations as he focused in on her, his third eye burning through the bandana and becoming orange as he glared at her intensely with all three. Kannon gasped as her body moved of it's own accord, she stumbled forward and screeched again in a tone that rung out all through the caverns, but it only made his connection to her that more intense. He only had to call her now that he had mated her; she was completely under his power, now nothing more than a breeder, an untapped power vessel.
"You call to me...Gemini... call to me..." She murmured, her empty gaze unwavering. The General grunted out as his ears bled, twin streams ran down his thick tendoned throat as he was nearly deafened by his own mate's call.
"Pinchie! Don't...let him!" He groaned, lifting one leg to attempt to regain his composure, clutching his skull.
There was a growl, then the incessant humming at last finally stopped when Bdakka stepped forward and bashed Grenada's skull down to the rock, having had crammed bits of fabric in his ears, he was immune to the sound. As he knocked down Grenada the others slowly recovered, rubbing their bloody ears, groaning. Kannon shook her head and shuddered, clinging to Nappa frantically in her fright.
"Oh, Nappa! I couldn't stop him! He had control over my mind!" She whimpered, "Just like Vulcane did Propel!" The blue haired woman sobbed, burying her face into the shining teal blue breastplate of his armour. Nappa frowned and stroked her hair, looking down at Grenada on the ground, then up to the long-haired, stocky Saiyan standing with one boot on his skull.
"Good job, Bdakka. Smart thinking." Nappa said, with a nod. Bdakka crossed his arms and spat on the ground, strings of spittle laced in his beard.
"The Gemini used that trick before, on my Rachanā." He growled, his black, almond shaped eyes bulging with angry, reddened veins. Rachanā grasped his bicep and looked down, spitting on Grenada as well. Her long braids swung across her dark skin, then she cradled her head against Bdakka.
"Why not just kill him now?! He must be castrated for what he did to our females!" Bdakka growled, kicking the unconscious one over and stomping on his exposed genitals where the fundoshi had failed to conceal him. They squelched under his boot until near to bursting, until Nappa growled at him.
"I would want him conscious for that, Bdakka. Let up on him before there's nothing to remove. Plus, I'm saving him for later. Don't worry, you'll get your shot."
The dwarfish saiyan pulled back, scoffing harshly.
"When?! I am once again at the back of the line, am I not? A third-class Saiyan?" He snarled, his skin prickling with an emerald blue ki. Nappa snarled back, raising his own cerulean ki.
"I do not judge a man by his class, these are new ages. A new beginning for the Saiyan race! All saiyans should have the chance to prove their worth, regardless of class order! My own charge was a third class, and I never doubted his strength." Nappa said sternly, thinking of Raditz with his pride showing on his breast where his fist pounded. Bdakka pounded his breast in reply and lowered his brow to him, a sign of submission. Nappa nodded curtly to Bdakka, and the other man pulled Grenada up over his shoulder.
"Now that the Gemini has been detained, who will be taking leave of us? Answer now or you will be required to fight." Nappa said, with a sweep of his arm.
They had found the underground stash of attack balls, like their armour, they hadn't been destroyed. Only stored away carelessly until they gathered dust. The elderly couple stepped forward and bowed before Nappa.
"Faranna. Guyéthar." He nodded, respectively. The ancient saiyans had suffered long enough, past their prime and into their final stage of life, where soon their last vestiges of power would fade and they would be no more powerful than mortals.
"General. We wish to find a peaceful place to rest while our last vestiges of power fade. We have yearned to see space once again, if you will allow us." Guyéthar said, his mate Faranna nodding in agreement. Nappa nodded, closing his eyes. Faranna moved to give the other females her last goodbyes, then the two walked to the cache of ships, opening the nearest pods and checking to be sure the motherboards were still functional.
"--Wait. Avoid the Imperial Fleet. Head towards South Galaxy, or perhaps East." He said sternly, with Frieza in mind. The others nodded, getting into the space pods.
"Sir." A female stepped forward, bowing her head of short cropped raven hair.
"Tyurni." He answered.
"I too, would like to take leave. I leave in the hope of finding my own mate, if there are any Saiyan males remaining." She said, and Nappa frowned, looking to Onioan, then to Candor. Zenaya clung to Candor's arm, and the other Saiyan bared his teeth at Tyurni. Onioan's genetics were compromised; no matter how strong he was, the female sensed that this made him unsuitable as a mate and refused him.
"Fine. Go on, and good luck, sister." He said, moving forward to press his mouth dryly on her forehead, a traditional show of sympathy and remorse for her predicament. She turned away, and found her own space pod. Candor released Zenaya and a maroon aura surrounded him.
"Allow me, General. I believe that I am able to make a perfectly circular opening for the ships to blast through." He said, bending to one knee, swiping his cape to the side so that it didn't conceal his supplication.
"Quickly. We're losing valuable time." He snapped, he was becoming impatient to fight. Candor nodded and got to his feet, putting his fingertips together to create a circular opening. He pointed at the ceiling, directly above the rumbling pods. Then, a brilliant maroon sphere of light formed, slowly increasing in size. He exhaled sharply, and the blast propelled forward quickly; making a clean opening in the cave ceiling. The light blinded them a moment, causing them to sheild their eyes.
The ships lifted off and exploded from the opening, causing Candor's ox blood cape to flutter as he lowered his hands and sighed.
"It's done." He said, watching until the pods were tiny white dots in the lavender sky. They observed the state of the Eclipse, how the sky was an unearthly ultraviolet lavender, with blinding rays of sunlight radiating from the darkened celestial bodies. A distance of perhaps, one earth moon was between them, with the glow of the red giant; a fiery corona.
"We have only mere hours remaining, at this time." Candor remarked to Nappa, who agreed.
"If not, I'm not afraid of a little darkness, are you?" He said with a snort, and the others agreed. An eclipse was not something they were unfamiliar with, during all of their shared space travel. Although, if the planets did in fact not move from their new alignment; that would mean a cold, slow death for Earth's inhabitants. This was not their home, though. The Saiyans had no home.
He had watched as a large ball of light erupted from the soil, then 3 spherical ships blasted from the opening, with a startling crackle of rippling atmosphere, then shot off out into space. Piccolo stared on with widened eyes, recalling the ship that Raditz have arrived in.
They're leaving...? Why? He gulped, he had sensed the multiple Saiyan energies inside, now only five remained.
They didn't belong here. They were imprisoned. Tortured for many years. Kami supplied the answer, feeling the residual energies left behind in the very soil.
What do I care? They're savages. He answered, growling softly.
Savages? What of Son Goku? He was like them, and yet he was no savage. He was kind hearted; a saviour of Earth. Kami snipped back to remind him. Piccolo shook his head, growing tired of the tinny voice of his elder.
Well, do you think it's wise to follow? He asked, begrudgingly.
We must ensure that the dark energy source is eliminated. But, be cautious. We cannot risk being seen...by either.
Piccolo smirked, then hopped down carefully into the opening.
So much for trusting in the Saiyans...
Eh, old man? He teased, then became concealed by the darkness as he entered the underground.
Mmm... don't wanna move...so comfy.. Bulma thought, curling up closer to Vegeta, a small blissful smile on her face.
Fuck! I need to move her... I have to piss!
Vegeta laid stiffly, feeling like a giant teddy bear. The blue-haired woman had wasted away most of the morning snoozing on his chest, a bead of drool tempting to drip on him. He normally would have tossed her off unceremoniously, but he preferred to avoid hearing her screeching so early in the morning. He sighed, and slowly began easing her off of him.
Gently, gently...
He grit his teeth, and at last slid out from beneath the woman. Vegeta stood, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He turned and began to walk away, then was stopped in his tracks, with a small pained grunt. He stiffened, and turned with dread to see that the end of his tail was trapped in between her luscious thighs.
Bulma wriggled her thighs together, attempting to get more comfortable, not knowing that the sensual movement activated the sensitive nerve endings in Vegeta's tail, sending him to his knees on the floor; crouched over in an effort to resist the arousing sensations she was evoking in him.
"Shit...damn...woman...!" He uttered, between tightly clenched teeth, he attempted to wriggle his tail out, his eyes tempted to glaze over.
Bulma felt the wriggling tail and moaned in her sleep, "mmm... Prince..Vegeta .." She whimpered, knitting her eyebrows together with pleasure as the dream version of him did some questionable things.
"Don't put your tail there...! That's bad...Ooh!"
Vegeta's eyes bulged at her, shocked as she slept, his brows furrowed in stunned offense at her vulgar mutterings.
As if I would EVER use my tail in such a vulgar way! Despicable! What a filthy minded woman!
"Yes... mmm... sexy man.." She mumbled, he began to quiver violently as her legs shifted again, making a low whine in his chest as Bulma threatened to break the last delicate string of his control.
That's it, I can't take one more goddamned second of this torture!
Vegeta resolved, and gripped her fleshy thigh, amazed at the sheer squishiness of the woman's legs. He gave it a test squeeze, grimacing.
No wonder she's so weak, all fat and no muscle! He thought, pushing the less disgusted thoughts of how softly they would cushion his waist out of his mind, preferring the previous. He lifted her leg just enough to part her thighs, and pulled his poor, nearly flattened tail out, wrapping it around his waist and panting with relief.
"Where'd ya go..?" She muttered, reaching out one hand and grabbing the first thing in radius. She gave it a good squeeze, finding the thing wasn't squishy, she moved her fingers experimentally, making Vegeta stiffen in response.
"What is this thing...?"
Before she could find out, he was gone in a flash, the slam of the bathroom door woke her up abruptly. Bulma sat up quickly, shaking her head.
"Huh, that was odd... It felt so real..." She said, placing her hands on her blushing cheeks.
I gotta stop having these nasty dreams about Vegeta! It's extremely unhealthy!
She thought, standing and straightening out her messy hair and wrinkled bikini. She looked down of the state of herself, and felt icky like she needed a shower. She'd see if Master Roshi had any coffee, then they were out of there.
He strapped on his bracers, flexing his fingers, Raditz lowered his arms and sighed, looking at the mussed blonde curls across the pillow. He smiled and walked over, placing his hand on her exposed shoulder to wake her gently.
He'd spent the night attending to every little need the grouchy girl had; from bouts of nausea, to sudden hunger, to back pain he found easily relieved by stroking it with a ki warmed hand. She'd fallen asleep at last, grumbling all the while about how she didn't want his help, but he hadn't sensed any aggression from her.
He only wanted her to be comfortable, both in essence, and with him being around. Raditz knew that the female needed to feel secure, something he'd sensed from her constant need to go to her weapons for protection. And so, he'd held her throughout the night until her heat sickness calmed, feeling glad that she trusted him enough to care for her in such a way.
"Launch, it's morning." He said softly, and watched as she opened her eyes, noticing him and immediately flushing in response. He smiled, he felt her attraction and welcomed it. She sat up, her hand to her mouth as she was anticipating more nausea. Raditz frowned, he didn't quite understand how heat worked for females, he'd assumed that she would be all over him, but that wasn't the case.
"Leave me alone.." She croaked, pulling the blanket back up over her head. Raditz shook his head, in refusal.
"You need fresh air and sustanence. You're a Saiyan. You cannot allow the heat to incapacitate you." He said, tearing the blanket off and picking her up in his arms. Launch squirmed around, protesting, grabbing onto a spike of hair and wrenching his head to the side as she pulled. He bared his teeth in warning to her and turned around, taking her to the bathroom.
"Stop it, now." He threatened, taking her into the bathroom and setting her on the tub. "It's time you cleaned yourself, girl." He growled, her lovely scent was corrupted by the odor of night sweats and stomach acid. Launch crossed her arms and huffed.
"Not with you in here!" She snapped, turning her face away.
"Fine. Traditionally, I would bathe with you. But have it your way, if you fall, I won't be there to catch you." He snarled, hardening his eyes.
"Good! I hope I fall and crack my fucking head open!" She growled back, baring her small canines and bristling her little tail. Raditz was taken aback, then shook his head.
"Suit yourself, girl." He snapped, and turned around, storming out and down the stairs.
That ungrateful girl... How dare she! She will learn to respect her mate's wishes...
Raditz grumbled to himself, seething with irritation as he came out into the kitchen to see the weak female Vegeta had claimed, messing with one of the strange kitchen machines. She jumped when she noticed his silent presence, visibly shaken. Raditz lowered his tensed shoulders and scoffed. He crossed his arms and glared at her as she made some type of black, bitter scented concoction.
Vegeta strolled into the kitchen, quickly noticing Raditz's agitated state and honing in on it. The other eyed him tensely, measuring the distance between Raditz and Bulma with his eyes. Raditz turned his cheek and huffed, loosening his tail and slumping it to show that he wasn't challenging him.
Vegeta exhaled, sitting in a chair. He smelled the coffee and waited patiently for the woman to make him a cup, while wholly ignoring her presence. Raditz's ear pricked as he heard the shower water turn on, gulping. He clutched the table with one hand, in resisting the persistent primal urges that were telling him he must watch over her like a hawk. He needed to show the female that he wasn't subservient to those ancient traditions, that he didn't need to ensure her safety if she was so opposed to the idea.
"How is Launch feeling today?" Bulma asked, as she set 3 mugs on the table, then filled them with the dark swill, the steam curling up temptingly as Raditz observed her pouring it.
"Not well, I'm not exactly accustomed to seeing this type of behavior in my female." He grunted, looking away from Vegeta, who smirked. Bulma giggled, setting the jug of milk and a dish of sugar on the table before sitting besides Vegeta.
"No man is good at dealing with PMS, Raditz! Don't feel like you're the first." She chuckled, and was surprised to hear Vegeta's low snicker as well as he sipped his coffee.
Raditz pulled his cup forward and sniffed it, snorting. He disliked the bitter scent.
"I need my Vitamin C." He said, and stood, going to rummage through the refrigerator for his favorite orange juice. He found it and tilted the jug back, chugging down the contents. He burped loudly, then turned and offered it to Vegeta, who sputtered and shook his head in abhorrence.
"Don't you like orange juice...?" Raditz said, hoping the offering of his favorite juice would make the other more amicable.
"Not after you've had your disgusting lips all over it!" Vegeta scowled, in blatant refusal, instead sipping his coffee. Bulma smiled, giggling at the odd interaction.
"Sorry, Raditz. Vegeta has to have his coffee in the morning. Just like me." She said with another giggle, and Raditz shrugged, downing the rest of it until the plastic bottle indented and he crushed it in his hand, tossing it in the trash.
"Its composition is similar to that of Nutritient Serum, Woman. That's why I find it necessary to drink. Don't get off comparing yourself to me, we are nothing alike." He said curtly, before standing and refilling his cup. Bulma's mouth dropped open from the statement, feeling offended. Raditz crossed his arms and leaned against the fridge, watching the interesting couple interact.
"We do too have things in common!" She protested, with a whining voice. She then began ticking things off on one hand, stubbornly.
"L-Let's see, first of all, we're both royalty! Duh! Second, we both take pride in our appearance! Third, we're both very intelligent! Let's see, fourth.. hmm.."
"Very stubborn." Raditz murmured, recieving a shocked expression from Bulma.
"Shut up, third-class." Vegeta growled, then turned around and raised one brow, taking a sip of coffee. He closed his eyes and sneered.
"One of those things you think we have in common, is in fact, a lie." He said, smirking as he looked to see her reaction. Bulma froze, the color washing from her face.
"Um! Ok, maybe, the thing about appearance, hehe!" She bumbled, stirring her coffee a bit too enthusiastically and nearly spilling it. Vegeta walked over to her, slowly and silently, causing her to quiver in anticipation. He placed both hands on her shoulders, using one to move the strands of hair away from her ear so that he could lean down and whisper into it.
" 'Princess'..." He chuckled softly, taking a small huff of her scent, and grinning.
"You seriously thought you could lie to me, Woman...? With the way your nervous sweat drips down your back...?" He whispered, tracing one finger down her quivering spine. Bulma panted, her breath coming out in small, frantic wheezes as she stiffened from his touch.
"I can smell your fear... your deception... you think you are above me... but you are just as deceitful. How long did you plan to keep me in the dark, hm?" His silken purr in her ear made her quiver with the old, familiar fear she had felt at his first coming. Now the cards were on the table, there was no escaping her lies now.
"Please, forgive me... Vegeta, I only did what I had to... will you kill me now, after all?" She said in a tiny voice, narrowing her shoulders as he traced hot circles on her back. Vegeta grinned, glancing to Raditz. The other man walked out of the room, not wanting to involve himself.
Vegeta stroked his hand up her back, clutching her neck in his hand as he craned her neck back to rest on his shoulder. Bulma was pliant in his grip, squeezing her eyes shut, her perspiration dampened cheeks flushed pink, her azure hair stuck to her porcelain white throat.
"Hmmm..." He purred, the strange, animalistic sound sent spikes of fear through her veins, that curled into lust and heated up her blood.
Vegeta breathed on her throat, a crimson flush breaking out beneath his glazed-over coal irises, as her musky scent; mixed with his own met his nostrils. He leaned forward and swiped his tongue across her throat, causing her to gasp in response. Bulma whimpered, both in her anxiety, and her helpless submission to his touch. He slowly reached one hand around to stroke the gauzy fabric of her bikini top, finding her erect nipple and teasing it with his fingers as he dragged his teeth across her throat and snarled, then pulled back and spoke lowly into her pinkened ear.
"We are alike, you and I...after all.." He purred, and gripped her breast, Bulma arched her back and leaned onto him, opening her eyes and gazing up at him. He met his eyes with hers, and moved his hand around her throat to pull her up closer to him. He licked her parted lips, panted. Pressed his mouth to hers once, then pulled back.
"Vegeta.." Bulma sighed, and took his face in her hands and pulled him down to her to deepen the kiss. He squeezed her tightly as she moved her plush lips against his, parting her mouth and sliding her sweetness against his own heat, he growled into the kiss and made it more passionate, lifting her body from the chair to place her on the edge of the table, not caring as the coffee slopped out and splashed on the table that was shaking under the force of his impulsive shove, to move his body over hers and dominate her.
"Ah!" She cried out, startled as her head hit the wooden surface. Vegeta pulled back from the kiss, pausing to place his hand protectively beneath her head, pressing his body into hers as he attacked her lips, her neck, lapping her salty perspiration from her skin, his hungry mouth nipping her throat where her luscious, ripe scent was throbbing, evoking him to sink his teeth in.
"No!" She gasped, gulping down her impassioned pants as his teeth teased over the pulsing vein in her throat, his tongue tickling across her prickling skin.
Mark. Mark her now. Then mate.
His primal voice growled in the back of his mind, and he gripped her hips firmly, snarling and grinding his arousal against hers persistently, before he then reached to remove her bikini bottoms.
"S-Stop!" She gasped, and crawled backwards. Vegeta opened his eyes, seeing her frightened expression.
"Not like this, Vegeta!" She cried out, pushing on his chest. He blinked, attempting to pull himself out of his lust-clouded fervor.
"Don't you even care how I feel?" She whimpered, looking up at him with those large, watery cerulean eyes. Her arousal hit his senses, clashing sharply with the offal scent of tears.
"Feel? How you feel...?" He said gruffly, shaking his head. Bulma sat up on the table and wrapped her arms around his neck. Placing kisses on his strong jaw, burying her hands in his sweat drenched hair, gripping it by the roots as she kissed him, pressing her chest against his. She wanted him, badly. But she wasn't ready for him just yet. Bulma pulled back, watching him open his half-lidded eyes.
"I feel... like I'm starving, Vegeta. You don't give me enough... I need you. I need your affection, I need to know that you care for me, that you don't just protect me because you have to..." She whispered, seeing the hurt flash through his eyes. He pulled back, feeling conflicted.
She wanted him to expose himself, to bring his darkness to the light. Vegeta loosened his grip around her, exhaling as he regained his control.
"I told you once before, I am not capable of such human emotions... I don't feel like you, I won't lower myself to shed tears for your satisfaction." He said, looking down, then back up grimly. Bulma frowned, he saw the disappointment in her eyes, the brief flash of pity.
"...If you need me so badly, then I will sate that need. But I will not coddle you, not like that weakling Yamcha, nor like how Raditz cares for his female. If you want me, you are abandoning your dreams of being a spoilt rotten princess... You and I would be mates, connected on a deep level. Both physical, and mental. Are you sure you desire that?" He said, brushing one hand through her hair, with a pained look in his eyes. Bulma smiled, placing her hand over his and caressing it.
"I suppose I'll have to think about it, huh?" She said, trailing a finger down his throat. Bulma leaned forward, and kissed the hot skin there. Then licked it, sucking his skin into her mouth until it would be reddened and marked as hers. She pulled back, smirking devilishly as he placed his hand over the hickey, his eyes widening.
"Bulma, you..." He gulped.
The woman! She...dares tempt to mark me first?! It's...! Unheard of!
Bulma hid her smirking mouth behind one curled hand coyly, amused by his flustered reaction. She decided that he was going to be all hers at that moment. She didn't know when she had fallen so hard for him, or why, but he had her heart in a vice grip. The only issue, though, was that she was afraid of how badly it would hurt if he tore himself away. That was why, she wanted to savor what they had now, just a little longer.
"Let's go home, Vegeta. I need a shower." She said, hopping off the table. He stood still a moment, his hands gripping the table. Yes. I need a cold, very cold shower... Vegeta blinked the sweat out of his eyes, hard, his skin was so hot, so feverish it itched. He almost wished to scratch it off it was so confining in this house; surrounded by her scent, Raditz's scent, his female, all fuzzying his perception.
"Fine." He said, turning to storm out the door. Bulma sighed, then turned around to say her goodbyes to Raditz and Launch.
Launch pulled the towel around herself, sitting down on the edge of the tub as she held her head in her hands, sobbing. She felt his presence by the door, but all she wanted was for him to go away. Just leave her alone, she didn't deserve his sympathy.
"Launch, Bulma is going home." Raditz said softly, and she sniffled in response, "Kay..." Launch rubbed her reddened nose, squeezing one arm around her waist.
You mustn't ignore his help, he's only here to help us...It'll be ok... The soft voice in her mind whispered. She chuckled to herself harshly, curling her tail around as she blinked the tears from her eyes.
"Fine then, you love him so much, you deal with it." She muttered, and moved the tail in front of her nose until it induced a sneeze. The other Launch awoke, standing and dropping the towel. She looked down at her body and felt her stomach, where the same residual pain lingered. She sighed, feeling sorry that her other half had hidden herself away inside on purpose. She could understand though, she supposed, as she blinked at her reflection in the mirror, brushing her damp bangs away from her brow.
She wants to hide from Raditz, but he won't leave her alone. He can't. He cares for both of us, equally. I hope that this will bring them closer together, instead of further apart.
Raditz opened the door, popping his head in and seeming puzzled when he saw her. She gave him a small, sad smile and walked towards him as he shut the door behind him. He opened his arms for her and she rested against him, holding him before pulling back to look up into his saddened eyes.
"She's gone back to sleep, now." Launch said, simply. He nodded, wrapping his hands around her naked back, her soft blue tail wrapping around his arms. Raditz shuddered as he noticed an odd aroma, and he gulped, blinking in his sudden reaction.
"What is that scent..?" He said, his teeth grit together. Launch tilted her head,
"What do you mean..?" She furrowed her brows, she had a hunch about what he meant, but her and her other half always shared the same things... including bodily functions.
"Your smell...it's changed..." He rasped with a possessive growl, something about Launch's scent was signaling to his primal instincts, telling him something, but he didn't quite know what. He had the intense urge to protect and nurture the blonde, but now that blue Launch was back, her scent was more like a Gemini, and he had every intention of changing it back to a Saiyan's.
"I'll change it back. I'll make you mine again, if that's what it takes." He spat sharply, his ki rising up in him, as if were readying for battle. It felt almost as if that wretched Shinhan was back to steal away his Launch again, and he wouldn't allow it.
"--That night, she took off to be with him! That's why... That's why his foul odor is still lingering. I'll rectify that." Raditz seethed, licking his lips.
Raditz lowered his head and a red flush blossomed beneath his eyes. Launch gasped in response, as he turned them around so that she was pressed against the door. His jaw chattered uncontrollably, he salivated hungrily as he licked her mating mark, then pulled away. Raditz clenched his jaw, then hissed as he scented her heady, ripe nectar now lush with a warm spiciness that was irresistible.
"She should have never let him touch her body, now yours has been tainted by his scent. She'll regret that, I'll show her as well as you how a Saiyan keeps his mate." He growled quickly, before biting her neck.
Launch sighed, squeezing her eyes shut and gripped his back. He pulled back, licking the mark, and purred.
"Tonight we'll mate, and I'll make sure it works this time, don't worry." He chuckled softly, pressing his groin to hers, nipping her mark playfully.
"Raditz, wait! What?!" She moaned, turning her head to the other side to avoid his eager bites.
"You heard me, Launch. I must cover you in my scent...I have to!" He panted, Launch pushed him away carefully and opened the door behind her, putting some distance between her and him so she could at least speak before he attacked.
Launch backed away, and he followed, dragging his feet and glaring at her as if she were a large chunk of meat.
"Stop resisting me, girl. I must have you." He growled, pushing her down onto the bed.
I have to have you. A voice from a disjointed memory echoed in her mind, as Raditz laid over her, kissing and stroked her body, Launch closed her eyes and in her mind; all she could see were the haunting images of the past, hear the impassioned cries and feel the ghost of the pain she felt tearing through her body as her other self gave herself to Tien.
Tien, it was Tien... He was the one that hurt me! She gasped, her eyes opening up wide and screamed, her voice rising to a fever pitch so shrill that Raditz tore himself away, howling as he covered his bleeding ears.
"Stop! Stop!" He screamed, clutching his skull in pain.
Her eyes swirled, the purple whirlpools called to the netherworld as she cried out her agony; feeling the ghosts of her past grasping for her, invading her womb. The shadows outside the window shifted, the violet light washing over her naked body. An unconscious urge to cry out; beckoning her from the Celestials in the sky, their dark shadows looming before the blinding white sun as they slowly crept across the sky. The immense draw of the planets was enough to make the sea churn; the waves crashed on the shore as the curtain rippled into the window violently.
Launch's body convulsed under the light, her eyes becoming crimson red, she growled out aloud, a splash of vibrant red blood hit the stark white sheets between her thighs, her white fangs glistening as she screamed and made the shrill intonation again. Raditz fell to the floor, panting in his pain, and dragged her by her ankles to get her onto his lap. He held her tightly as he squeezed his eyes shut, avoiding watching the white glow of the artificial moon forming in his hand. Her call quieted, her head slumped down as she stared at the glowing ball of light, her velvety indigo tail lifting and curling curiously. Launch's crimson eyes blinked, the artificial moon's power calming the call to her dead Gemini mate that her body had been overwhelmed by, allowing the Saiyan side to take back dominance.
The light faded once he saw she was calmed, and Raditz clutched her tightly to his chest, not understanding why or how she had reacted in such a way. He was frightened for her, frightened for himself as she collapsed into the safety of his arms and began to cry, wailing her sorrows to him that had been trapped inside while the other was on the outside, pushing down her pain, sublimating her memories into the other's mind, until Launch was haunted by the deranged look in his corrupted eyes; the memory lingering of the man she both feared and loved.
"Tien. I'm so sorry..." She whispered, her eyes returning their normal violet shade, as she closed them, and allowed Raditz to soothe her.
We're getting closer to the Eclipse! Does anyone have guesses about what's happening, or is going to happen? I left some clues that should be fairly obvious, but there will be answers in the next chapter, I finally got my writing mojo back, and now I've got the plot for the next chapter all written out. I also have been working on A Runt named Raditz, if you haven't seen it yet check it out! It's the prequel to this story, and a new chapter will be going up today or tomorrow.