Chapter Seven
Standing on the porch, Vegeta watched as Bulma and Rettan both stepped out of the air
car and opened the hatch. Bags of clothing spilled out of the car, onto the ground. With a slight
shake of her head, Rettan couldn't believe that Bulma had gotten so many useless things. Raised
in such a survivalistic environment, Rettan really couldn't understand why one would have so
much clothing that wasn't very practical, or for that matter, concealing. Wearing such clothing
made Rettan uncomfortable, and she knew that if she had her way, much of this clothing would
not leave the colorful bags that they were packed in. Nodding to Vegeta as she entered the
house, Rettan still felt uncomfortable around him. Since the night on the roof they had not
spoken a word. With a sigh, Rettan walked up the stairs to her room, laden with as many bags as
she could carry. Using her hip to open the door, Rettan collapsed onto her bed with a small
grunt. Her muscles still ached slightly, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Sorting through
the bags of clothing, Rettan finally found what she was looking for. Pulling a bag that said
"Jerry's Martial Arts Emporium" on the side out of the pile, Rettan dumped its contents onto the
soft comforter.
There was a beautiful emerald green sleeveless mandarin top, and black pants that reached
down to the middle of her beautifully sculpted calves. Pulling off her bulky sweatshirt, Rettan
self-consciously examined the scars on her shoulders, wondering what Prince Vegeta would think
of them. With a sigh, Rettan slipped the top on over her head, He would just have to live with it,
just as she did. Looking at herself in the full length mirror Rettan liked the look of the uniform,
but she still thought that something was missing. Searching through the chest at the end of the
bed, Rettan began to pull out her old armor, looking for her leather belt that she used to wear.
Finding it, she strapped it on around her waist. Frowning critically at herself in the mirror, Rettan
began to rummage through the chest once again, hoping for something else that would suit the
outfit better. Seeing a piece of white material at the bottom of the chest, Rettan's hand closed
around it and she pulled it out. Battered and torn, Rettan didn't understand why it was in the
chest. Running her hands over the torn cloth Rettan's eyes widened. She could remember the
Namek wearing a tattered white cape when she had joined the battle against the Hunters. With a
small smile, she also remembered how he gently wrapped her in it right before she passed out
after she defeated the Captain. Unlatching the leather belt, Rettan tossed it on the bed. Folding
the white cloth so the tears in it were not showing, Rettan wrapped it around her waist, and tied it
on the right hand side. Leaving the ends to hang loose, Rettan again stood in front of the mirror.
Going into her typically fighting stance, Rettan liked how the Namek's cape looked, wrapped
around her waist. Her mind drifted back to the Namek, and she wondered why he wouldn't even
attempt to talk to her earlier that day. Opening her window, Rettan leaned on the sill and
watched the sunset, wondering what her future on this planet may be.
* * * *
"You did WHAT?" Rettan could hear Vegeta yell as Bulma began to unpack the brown
bags full of groceries.
"I said, I invited everyone over for a bar-b-que. What with Gohan now in school and
dating that girl, what was her name... Beidel... Videl? Well, whatever. I thought that it would be
good if we all got together. I also thought that maybe we would let Rettan meet some of the
others, you know, like Yamcha, or... Yajarobi?" Bulma said, desperately. She loved having
Rettan around, but she was still nervous leaving the house with just Vegeta and his old 'friend'
there. She was hoping that maybe Rettan would become interested in someone like Yamcha, and
then she wouldn't have to worry anymore.
"You better not be doing what I think you are doing woman!" Vegeta said with a scowl.
"That weakling Yamcha could never meet the standards of a Saiyan elite, and as for that fat loser
Yajarobi..." Vegeta's voice trailed off as his wife kissed the end of his nose. Shaking his head,
Vegeta knew that this little party that Bulma was planning was going to happen, whether he liked
it or not. With a smirk, Vegeta began to imagine all the things he would do to that punk Yamcha
if he even touch Rettan. Bulma turned from him and rummaged through one of the bags, pulling
out a white apron with the words "Kiss the Cook" on it.
"Oh, and look at what I got for you to wear!" Bulma exclaimed.
"NOT ON YOUR LIFE, WOMAN!" Vegeta yelled as he stalked out of the kitchen.
Rettan could hear Bulma's muffled giggles and smiled. This thing called a 'bar-b-que' was going
to be interesting.
* * * *
The day of the party was clear and sunny, and Rettan was busy helping Bulma set up the
propane cooker and three picnic tables. The sun glistened off of the water in the pool, and Rettan
squinted as the light touched her eyes. Wearing a tight black t-shirt and jean shorts that Bulma
insisted upon, Rettan felt slightly uncomfortable. Her hair was pulled back and it fell in soft curls
around her shoulders. Bulma even painted her face, telling her that she looked so 'pretty.' Rettan
didn't like the feeling of the liquid and powder that was covering her face, but she went along
with it for Bulma's sake. Trunks was following her wherever she went, begging her to teach him
how to speak in the traditional Saiyan language. It seemed that his new favorite pastime was
trying to learn as much about his father's past as he could, and Rettan was happy to comply.
Taking her hand, Trunks led her poolside. Taking off his shoes, he dipped his feet into the water.
He motioned to Rettan that she should do the same. Sitting down beside him, Rettan recited the
phrase that she was teaching him the night before.
"Sho ne fash qontin, teshinita." Rettan said slowly, so Trunks could hear the each syllable
clearly. He repeated it several times, making sure he had it right. With a smile, Rettan nodded
approvingly. The boy was a quick learner.
"So, now, what does it mean?" Rettan asked with a smile. Trunks flinched, trying to
remember the translation. He opened one eye and looked at Rettan.
"I am...happy?... to call you dad?" Trunks answered, knowing that he was close. Rettan
shook her head with a smile.
"No, it's "I am honored that you are my sire." " Rettan corrected him. Trunks wanted to
impress his father by learning part of the language, so Rettan thought that this phrase would be
perfect. This was the greatest show of respect a child could show a parent on Planet Vegeta, and
it was rarely ever used. Rettan herself, never got the chance to use it.
"Um, Auntie Rettan?" The boy asked sheepishly. He was beginning to call Rettan auntie,
and she didn't mind that at all.
"Yes?" Rettan said as she watched the reflections on the water.
"How do you say aunt in Saiyan?" Trunks asked.
"Um, tremcela, why?" Rettan asked as she looked at Trunks. The boy coughed and
stood up.
"Sho ne fash qontin, tremcela." Trunks siad perfectly. Finishing the sentence, he gave her
a quick kiss on her cheek and ran to greet Goten, who had just arrived. Placing her hand on her
cheek, Rettan smiled warmly, she was really beginning to care for Vegeta's son. In the corner of
her mind, however, Rettan's disappointment grew, she could only wish for a son like that.
* * * *
"It's great to finally meet you, Rettan. Bulma's told me a lot about you." The 3rd class,
Kakkarot's wife, ChiChi said politely. Rettan bowed her head to the couple as she was taught to
do by Bulma. Rettan smiled as Gohan introduced himself and his girlfriend, Videl. Rettan
nervously said hello to both of them, and was relieved when Bulma asked her to come help with
preparing a salad. As she turned to walk away, her tail was in full view, and both Gohan and
Goku watched it intently as she walked away. With a quick elbow to the stomach, Videl got
Gohan's attention.
"Did you want my camera so you could take a picture?" Videl sneered. Gohan blushed
and put his hand behind his head, laughing nervously. ChiChi glared at Goku until he just ran
away, saying that Goten was calling him.
"Are you sure that I have to wear such clothing? It's not very comfortable." Rettan
asked Bulma as she looked down at her clothing. She once again readjusted her shirt so not so
much of her stomach was showing. Like it or not, her body was covered with scars, and she
didn't like showing them off. Battle scars were a different matter, there was a point of pride
behind them, but these scars were made from a whip, a whip wielded by Frieza, and his cruel
mother, Queen Frost. Shuddering, Rettan's eyes narrowed, she was sickened by the very thought.
"Are you cold, dear?" ChiChi asked Rettan as she noticed the shiver.
"Oh, no. No, I'm not." Rettan answered as she picked up the salad bowl and walked
over to one of the tables. She could hear the 3rd class chatting with his little bald friend that just
arrived, talking about how lonely Yamcha seemed to be getting lately. She listened until the
conversation turned to Piccolo, the Namek that saved her life.
"So what's up with him lately? I haven't seen him around since that fight with the
Hunters." Krillin pondered. He watched as his wife chatted idly with Bulma and ChiChi, who
were preparing the large feast. His daughter had joined Goten and Trunks in the pool, and the
three were splashing around happily.
"Gohan had invited him here today. I don't know if he's coming or not, he's not really
into social gatherings.." Kakkarot said.
"That makes two of us." Rettan thought to herself with a smile, for some reason she was
happy that the Namek may be coming. Looking over to Vegeta, who sat under a tree away from
the others, Rettan decided to join him. They had to clear the air.
"Mind if I join you?" Rettan said as she walked up to her Prince. Looking up at her,
Vegeta motioned to the ground beside him with a nod of the head. Wrapping her tail around her
waist and sitting down on the cool grass, Rettan didn't know how to start.
"This is stupid." Vegeta said at last. Confused, Rettan looked to Vegeta. "This damned
party. It's stupid." He explained.
"Bulma threw this party so she could introduce you to that idiot, Yamcha. Dumb."
Vegeta growled.
"It's okay Prince. Really. I heard you two talking about it a week ago. You know, it's
got to be hard for Bulma that your once betrothed now lives with you. I can't blame her at all for
wanting to, how do you say that, 'fix me up' with someone. Doesn't mean that it's going to
happen, though." Rettan replied. Vegeta smirked at the response. The sat together in a
comfortable silence, watching Trunks and his friends play in the pool.
"You do know, that if we were on Planet Vegeta, one of us, either me or Bulma, would
be dead by now." Rettan said nonchalantly. Vegeta only nodded. It was true, especially with
royalty. The weaker mate would either be disposed of by the 'challenger', or, by other members
of the royal family who only wanted the strongest children for the heirs to the throne. Needless to
say, Bulma would have been out of the picture by now. Vegeta shuddered inwardly with the
thought. He looked over to Rettan, who was once again readjusting her shirt, pulling it down
over her stomach. Vegeta frowned as he saw a deep line marked upon Rettan's skin. Reaching
over to touch the line, Rettan shrank away from him. Surprised, he withdrew his hand.
"Sorry Prince," Rettan apologized as she drew her knees up to her chin. "I...I'm just not
used to be touched by anyone yet. I..." Rettan trailed off as she wrapped her arms around her
knees, hugging them.
"Who did that?" Vegeta said with steel in his voice. He already knew the answer, but
that didn't stop him from asking. Rettan looked away from him and shook her head sadly.
Vegeta could feel bile rise into his throat. He himself had scars on his back from Frieza's cruel
whip. He remembered Frieza's laughter, as the whip was used to 'motivate' the Prince correctly.
Rettan stood up, turning to leave.
Vegeta was about to say something as he felt a familar ki fly toward them. Rettan turned
to her left as the Namek landed beside Gohan. Acknowledging her with a nod, Rettan smiled and
nodded back at the Namek, she was going to have to talk to him later. Walking over to the pool,
Rettan sat on the edge, watching the children play. Trunks swam over to her and sent a wave of
water over her with a correctly aimed ki blast. Bulma saw this and was about to berate her son
for ruining Rettan's make-up when the female Saiyan dove into the pool, grabbing Trunks and
pulling him under. Seconds later they reemerged, laughing loudly. Giving up, Bulma threw her
arms into the air and went back to preparing the food.
* * * *
After getting out of the pool, Rettan finally had an excuse to change her clothing.
Dripping wet, she went into the house. Walking into her room, she looked at herself in the
mirror. She was a mess. The make-up that Bulma had put on her face was running, and her
intricately designed hair now looked like a bird's nest. Wiping the paint off of her face, Rettan
rummaged through the desk in her room, looking for a brush. Not finding it, she glanced around
the room. It laid on a table on the far side of the room. As she walked over to the brush, Rettan
glanced out the window at the gathering outside, and her eyes came to a rest on Piccolo. Not
knowing what to make of the Namek, Rettan studied his features. His body was strong and
muscular, and his eyes were intense. There was something about him that seemed attractive to
Rettan, but she couldn't place.
"My god. What are you thinking? He's a Namek!" Rettan berated herself for having
such girlish fantasies. Feeling three kis approaching from the south, two that were noticeably
strong, and one extremely weak one, Rettan thought that she should perhaps once again join the
party. Stripping out of her dripping shorts and t-shirt, Rettan slipped into a pair of Cargo pants.
She loved the feel of the pants because they allowed for so much movement. Grabbing a tank top
she pulled it on over her head and once again looked in the mirror. Running her hands through
her newly brushed hair, Rettan smiled, her thoughts once again drifted back to the Namek. With
a growl, Rettan once again pushed the thought from her head. He was a NAMEK. End of story.
Friendship may be possible, but Rettan remembered her culture studies. Nameks were asexual, he
would never be interested in her. Suddenly, she felt at ease again. She didn't want a mate, she
just didn't know if she could handle being touched in that way again.
Rettan shivered as her mind drifted back to her days under Frieza's rule. She remembered
clearly how she, and other female prisoners were used as 'rewards', for a job well done. Shaking
the depressing and disturbing memories from her head, Rettan powered up slightly to dry her hair.
She forced herself back to the present. She was in the company of some very powerful fighters,
and she knew that if she couldn't protect herself, her Prince, or perhaps even the Namek, would.
Feeling the human Yamcha and the two other kis arrive, Rettan grabbed a black Hoodie from the
closet and pulled it on over her head. Sighing, she walked down the stairs, preparing herself to
deal with the human that Bulma was so intent on her meeting.
Walking down the steps of the front porch, Rettan saw Yamcha and two strange looking
humans that she didn't know chatting with the 3rd class, Kakkorott. Yamcha was not too hard to
look at, Rettan conceded, but she wasn't really worried about how pretty he was. The other two,
one being a white skinned little boy, floated in the air over the shoulder of a bald, three eyed
human. Keeping an eye on them, Rettan saw that Yamcha had noticed her. She watched as he
looked her up and down, and then whisper something to his three-eyed friend. Rettan shuddered,
she was already trying to figure out ways to avoid the man. Finding Vegeta, she stayed by his
side, knowing that the human Yamcha and her Saiyan Prince hated each other.
Piccolo remained either at Gohan's or Goku's side all afternoon, watching Rettan from
afar. Waiting until she left Vegeta's side, he decided it was now or never to talk to the woman.
Rettan was showing Trunks her spear, trying to teach him some basic maneuvers with it. When
she noticed that Piccolo was making his way over to her, she shoved the spear into Trunks hands
and told him to go and practice. Straightening, Rettan brushed the dirt from her knees. She
smiled nervously, waiting for Piccolo to reach her. About to say something, Piccolo was cut off
as Bulma appeared in front of him, pulling a delighted Yamcha along behind her. Piccolo's face
suddenly turned to stone.
"Rettan, I want you to meet Yamcha." Bulma said as she introduced the human to her.
Bulma continued on about how sweet Yamcha was, and how he was so sensitive to a woman's
needs. Nervously, Rettan smiled and ran her palms down the sides of her hips. She was searching
for a way to escape Bulma's attempt at matchmaking, but looking to Piccolo, he made no move,
he just watched the events unfold. Finally, her salvation came in the form of Vegeta. As he
walked up to the group, he uncustomarily wrapped his arm around his wife's waist, pulling her
away from Yamcha and towards himself. It still hurt Yamcha to see Bulma with the arrogant
Saiyan. With a smile, he moved closer to Rettan.
"So, since your new here, I'd like to welcome you to Earth on behalf of every single man
on the planet." Yamcha said as he nonchalantly wrapped an arm around Rettan's waist. He
grinned at Vegeta as he did this. If that alien could steal Bulma from him, he could steal Rettan
from the damned Saiyan. Both Piccolo and Vegeta scowled at the arrogant human. Stiffening at
his touch, Rettan turned in Yamcha's arm and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. Rolling
backwards, Rettan pulled a surprised Yamcha along with her, launching him up and over her with
her strong legs. Yamcha slammed into a tree twenty yards behind Rettan, and the great oak split
in two. Yamcha laid dazed amongst the remains of the great tree, and he watched as Rettan
walked toward him. Taking her spear from Trunks, she leaned over him, resting the pointed blade
on his groin. With a growl, Rettan leaned in closer, her face mere inches from Yamcha's.
"Don't you EVER touch me again." Rettan snarled. Yamcha nodded his head
vigorously. Standing up, Rettan turned to see every single person at the bar-b-que watching her.
To upset to care, Rettan stalked past her Prince. Smirking, Vegeta thought that Yamcha got
what he deserved for touching a Saiyan elite, but the smirk fell from his face as he watched Rettan
pass. Her eyes were conflicted, and there was such anguish on her face. Not knowing what to
do, he only watched as Rettan jumped into the air, and took off into a supersonic flight. Piccolo
looked at Yamcha and scowled, and then he too jumped into the air, and began to follow Rettan's
energy trail.
"Was it something I said?" Yamcha said weakly as Gohan and Krillin helped him to his
feet.
* * * *
Piccolo was pushing himself to his limit, but the gap between himself and Rettan was
growing. Impressed by her speed, Piccolo decided to slow, knowing that he could easily track
her ki. Realizing that her energy signal had finally stopped moving, Piccolo could feel it rising at
an incredible rate. One explosion after another erupted on the horizon, and then nothing.
Rettan's ki dropped back to normal, and Piccolo was able to locate her easily. Landing on a
riverbank, Piccolo could see Rettan standing alone, facing the water with her spear in her hand.
Her shoulders were slumped, and her head was bowed. He could hear her sobs, and his heart
sank. Walking slowly up to her, Piccolo hated to see her like this. From what he knew of her,
which actually wasn't much except for that battle, he thought her to be a strong and stoic warrior.
Now standing beside her she seemed so fragile. However, this didn't bother Piccolo as much as
he thought it would. It took all his willpower to not wrap his arms around the shaking woman,
but he knew that it may easily cause the same reaction that Yamcha got. So he kept his arms at
his sides. Feeling his presence, Rettan turned to Piccolo and wiped the tears from her face. She
smiled weakly at the Namek and looked back to the river. The sun was beginning to set, and
beautiful colors danced across the water. Feeling like a fool, Rettan sighed and sat down. At her
side, Piccolo remained standing. Feeling absolutely drained, at least emotionally, Rettan began to
shiver. Piccolo noticed this and took off his cape, wrapping it around the girl, glad that he could
help in any way possible. He sat on the dirt beside her, and they sat watching the sky as the stars
began to blink on, one by one.
"When I was a slave to Frieza," Rettan began suddenly, "I was stationed with the Ginyu
Force for a while. I don't know if you would know about them on this planet?" Rettan asked.
She continued as Piccolo smiled slightly and nodded.
"After missions, as a reward for all their great efforts, Frieza would give those bastards
whatever they wanted. A great feast, money, and... and me." Rettan said as she pulled the cloak
tighter around her. Piccolo's eyes narrowed as he began to understand what Rettan was saying.
"At the start, it hurt so much, but... after a while, you just learnt to block it out." Rettan's
voice began to crack. Tears once again began to gather in her eyes. Piccolo clenched his teeth as
his mind began to race. The pain and torture that Rettan had went through must have been
unbearable.
"But, you know, there was one of the Force, Jeice. He would never even attempt to
touch me. He would actually even talk the others into leaving me alone. He was my only ally in
the whole damned universe for a while. But...when he was gone..." Rettan stopped, she couldn't
bear to relive such memories. Piccolo felt such pain for this woman, he had never felt anything
like it in his life. Daring not to touch her for fear that it would drive her away, he tried to reassure
Rettan that those days were over.
"As long as I am here, no one will ever touch you again." Piccolo promised the shivering
warrior. She only nodded as she looked out at the water, she believed him. For some reason, she
felt safe sitting beside this Namek. They spent the rest of the night looking at the stars in silence.
Hey all, review. Please?