The Soul and The Flesh Part XIII "Chauzu! Raimi! Oh no!" Raimi heard Kurilin yell after her. She could barely see Chauzu's white skin as he fell ahead of her, his speed higher due to the Saiyan's powerful throw. She lost sight of him, and when she landed, she couldn't feel him either. His Chi was either very low or gone entirely.

"Chauzu! Chauzu, are you all right?" She called. Her body stiffened as she felt a huge power behind her. Raimi leapt to the side, rolling and regaining her feet. She looked up and found the feral eyes of a huge Saiyan. She stared at him; he stared back and smiled.

"Well well, who have we here? What manner of creature are you? And what could possibly bring you to my...fair planet?" His voice was husky and deep. The darkness was so deep that even her Saiyan eyes were having trouble adjusting, but his face was becoming clearer. She gasped when she could see him. He was much taller than she was, but that face; and the voice...it was making her get Goosebumps. His hair stood up on his head like flames, and she could barely see dark red highlights in it. His smile was as cold as ice.

"How do you know that I wasn't born here?" She asked insolently. He frowned at this, and stepped closer, his armor creaking in the stillness.

"Not all Saiyans are just fighters. Some have brains too. I saw your little friend; definitely not a Saiyan, that one. And, you showed concern for him, which no native of Vegeta-sei would do, even if they did feel it." He said simply. Raimi smiled at this. This guy was smart. Despite her fear, part of her liked him.

"Then I must apologize. I didn't realize there were thinking Saiyans out there." She said, and chuckled at his surprised expression. They stood, reanalyzing each other. He came closer still.

"Ah, but you see, members of the court are educated, sometimes painfully. What is your name?" He asked, and punched his scouter. She had been holding her level down, as practice for the Saiyans arrival. Now she was glad she did it all the time, without even thinking anymore.

"My name is Raimi..." She said, and stepped back, trying to keep at least ten feet between them.
"...What kind of name is that?! A Saiyan without a proper name, I'm intrigued. My name is Vegeta."

"VEGETA!?" Raimi gasped. This was the King of the Saiyans! She was sostunned that she was unable to counter when he suddenly leapt at her; she barely kept away from him, dodging and ducking as he tried to grab her. She jumped up and kicked him in the shoulder when he followed, surprising herself as well as him. They landed, and stood facing each other again. She was surprised, but shouldn't have been, his hair gave him away; only the royal family had hair like that!

"Your friend is dead, by the way. He doesn't register on my scouter...." Raimi held her face in a calm expression, but felt her heart sink. Poor Chauzu...

"What do you want, Vegeta? I need to get back to my friends." She said, as if she were going out for a stroll. He smiled again, and laughed.
"I'll go with you, I'd like to see the fools who would visit Vegeta-sei as if it were a vacation spot."
"We are no tourists, Your Majesty..." He lowered his head, while she crouched, ready for the attack that was coming.

"Oh, so you already know what's coming eh...come let's not fight, besides, it's not becoming for women to fight..." He laughed, seeming to know that she would get angry at his statement. She knew it was untrue, after all Goku's mother had been a warrior, or at least Raimi thought she had been. He was trying to keep her off balance by making her mad.

"Fine, why don't you put me in my place? I don't mind if you do beat me black and blue, after all, no pain, no gain!" Raimi hissed, letting her power level rise. He dropped into a ready stance, and waited, reading his scouter as the numbers rose.

"Well, you are a fighter, most women never get so strong. I'm interested to know how you hid your power. Okay, here's your lesson!" He blurred out and she widened her eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of him. He appeared right in her face and sent her flying. Raimi landed on her feet, and this time remembered to feel him out, dodging his next attack. He blocked almost all her return blows, but also didn't land as many on her as she would have expected, give his power level. She jumped back, and held up one hand, panting.

"Wait, you are holding back, I can feel it! Why?" She was furious at this insult.
"I didn't want to spoil your beautiful face, Raimi. Besides, you aren't all that weak. Saiyans are born knowing how to fight. A Saiyan infant can beat almost anyone if it needs to, that's why we send them out to clear weak planets..." He panted lightly.

"You force them to transform to beat those planets; the ships, they project an image of the full moon for the babies to use, until the job is done." Raimi said, her eyes narrowed in disgust. He shrugged, not concerned by her distain.

"So what of it? I'm saying that your instincts are doing you good service against me, and I am only holding back a little. But if you really want to get beaten..." He leapt at her, and began to really beat on her. She was unable to defend herself from such speed and strength, she just wasn't ready for this level of combat yet. He grabbed her arm, and pulled her back against him, getting her in a chokehold. She couldn't budge his arm, but she did remember seeing something like this happen in a movie back home. She stretched her arm out, and slammed it behind her, burying her elbow in his ribs. He grunted. She did it again and again, until he yelled in pain and released her. She could barely move, the lack of air making her weak. She felt him powering up, growling in fury. She looked back at him as he held his side, glaring at her.

"Okay Little Girl, have it your way. Say goodbye!" He hissed. Raimi stood and turned; shegasped as he blasted her with his huge Chi. She was barely able to block it, and could feel her power fading away as her own Chi tried to protect her flesh from frying. When his beam faded, she was left almost totally spent, panting for breath.

"There now, feel less insulted? Come back for more, when you've recovered!" He laughed. "That is, if you survive that long!" She felt herself fading, and then opened her eyes to see Yajirobei, Mr. Popo and Kami-sama watching her. The others were there also, all of them, even Chauzu.

"Oh!" She gasped, and looked down at her hands. They were alive! She felt stronger as well.
"How did we get back here?" Tien asked, looking spooked.

"You never left here. You all have just stood there like a bunch of zombies. We've been watchin' for five minutes." Yajirobei told them, seeming worried and confused. He rarely showed this much concern for anything (other than food).

"But how?" Yamcha said. "We were exploring for hours..."
"This room allowed you to make spirit bodies so you could travel through time and space." Mr. Popo told them.

They all looked at each other, and then Tien bent to Chauzu smiling in relief. Kurilin looked up at Raimi, whose eyes were unfocused, lost in thought. What had happened to her, he wondered to himself. He had been surprised when she just took off after Chauzu like that, and then he, Tien and Yamcha were fighting the two Saiyans who attacked the tiny Emperor, and couldn't worry about either of them anymore.

"So, how did it go?" Yajirobei asked. They stood uncomfortably, not meeting his gaze, embarrassed about their lack of results during his or her fight. Yajirobei stared at them impatiently. "Well? Speak up! What happened?"

"They fought valiantly against very strong enemies. I should warn you; the two Saiyans who are coming are twice as strong as the ones you fought today. Even the one you fought Raimi, is not as strong as the ones coming here now." She sighed, not surprised.

"Somehow I figured that..."
"Wait, she fought too? A Saiyan, by herself?" Yamcha said.
"Yes, and he was big too," Mr. Popo said.

"If any of you wishes to back out, I would understand, but you must do it now, because after today, there is no turning back." Kami-sama warned them. Their faces showed shock and fear, but they recovered quickly.

"Hey, I'm in!" Yamcha said.
"Me too." Kurilin agreed. Tien bent down to Chauzu again, grateful that his friend was still alive. He looked up at Raimi and sighed.

"Raimi, I have to apologize to you. You were faster and braver that I was, going after him like that. I am very grateful to you, even though I thought you couldn't help him. I'm right aren't I? What happened to you guys down there anyway?"

"Chauzu "died" from the fall, Tien. And Raimi met with the most powerful Saiyan of that period. You did quite well against him, Raimi. I think you should go back and work with him, he will teach you more than we can here." Kami said. The guys stared at him.

"You want Raimi to train under a SAIYAN! You must be kidding!" Yamcha gasped.

"No, I'm not. She needs to learn how they fight; she has as much to lose as we do, maybe more. They are quite likely going to try to take her with them when they leave, since they are the last of their kind. Only the two of them, Goku, and Raimi remain now..." Kami said.

"Do you really think that is a good idea? I have to admit, The King scares me witless, and he already promised to flatten me again if I go back." Raimi said quietly. The others looked at her stunned.

"The King? The Saiyans have a King? And he's the Saiyan you fought!? No way!" Yamcha exclaimed. She glared at him before she noticed the admiration on his face. Tien and Kurilin looked just as awed. Kami nodded.

"Yes, and I think she should work with him some more at the least. He will give her valuable insight to how the Saiyans think and fight. All of you could learn from her when she returns." Kami said firmly. "I don't want to order you to do this, Raimi, but I will if I must. He is going to be your Martial Arts Master." Raimi stared into space, then nodded.

"I guess you're right, Kami. But I need new equipment first. I will need to be in armor, and..." Kami and Mr. Popo led her off to get her ready for the "trip" to the planet Vegeta-sei while the others watched with some misgivings. Kurilin was especially worried.

"Hey Yamcha, don't you think this is a little bit heavy for a new trainee? I mean, she doesn't even really know how to fight yet, and Kami wants her to face up against the strongest Saiyan of that era?" Kurilin asked quietly.

"Yeah, I don't think I could do it, she must really be brave," Yamcha said.

"No, just determined. Raimi is very courageous, but she is also determined to help save the Earth when these guys get here. I have to admit, she is tough, and strong too. She will be okay, or Kami wouldn't suggest this training, we have to trust in that." Tien said, surprising everyone. He had gained a lot of respect for Raimi when she dove after Chauzu like that, even if it had seemed hopeless to save him. She was okay in his book.