After a gigantic meal back at the Palace, Raimi was introduced to the current Queen (Whose name was never given), a tall frail looking woman. She was very pretty, but Raimi could tell that she wasn't going to be Queen for much longer. She wasn't the Brats mother; that Queen had died before he was two, right after he was weaned. It was just accepted that the King had had her killed, so he could try for another heir with even more power than the Brat had. However, no other children were born. This Queen seemed very timid in the presence of her mate, deferring to him totally, and she scurried away as soon as she was able. Raimi was sad for her. She excused her self and followed her. She found the woman staring out over the city, eyes full of sorrow.BR
P
"My Lady, are you all right?" Raimi asked her. The Queen smiled and turned to her.BR
"I am as fine as I can be, Raimi-san. You feel that I am unhappy?" Her soft voice was kind, as if Raimi was the one who needed comforting.BR
P
"Well, yes. You look so sad, and the rumors..." Raimi said bluntly. The Queens eyes widened, and then she took Raimi's hand. She squeezed it, showing Raimi that she was not as weak as she appeared.BR
P
"Come, I must tell you something." She led Raimi to her chamber, singing softly under her breath. With a start, Raimi recognized it as "Song of the Siren", a song she had known on her old Earth. She felt goose bumps rise on her body at this realization. (The song is by This Mortal Coil)BR
The Queens chamber was sumptuous, beautifully decorated. She had Raimi sit and paced the room as she spoke.BR
P
"I know what the rumors say. But, they are wrong. The Queen before myself was much younger than Vegeta. He had been unable to sire an heir with two other women, and he had finally decided to marry the woman he felt he could rule with. He won't say it, but he fell in love with one of the Elite Princesses, and she loved him as well. They were married, and to both of their surprise, they conceived the Oji that you train with. He was very powerful, even at birth. I know, I was her best friend, and I was there." She said, stopping at a table with a silver vase holding a single black rose on it.BR
P
"They were so pleased to have finally provided Vegeta-sei with the all important heir, and they were happy with each other. But the counselors started to say that it wasn't proper for the King to be so openly affectionate with his family. They said he looked weak to his people, who in fact knew nothing of what went on here in the Palace. He ignored their warnings, and he didn't dispose of the counselors, which he should have done. They are the ones who killed her, but only after the little Prince was weaned off his mothers milk. Being weaned early, you see, might have weakened him and she was very strong. The King once told me she was even stronger than himself, but only because she had been a warrior, and had fought, and been wounded as much as any male Elite Saiyan.
P
"So you see, while Vegeta seems to be so cold, so deadly, he is dead inside. He died the same day she did. He can't stand to look at the Oji, because he has his mothers' eyes. He is my mate, and I care for him very much. I know that he seems to not care for me, but he spends every night with me, and he talks freely to me. I know he cares too; he just can't show it anymore. So don't worry about me, little warrior, worry for yourself."BR
P
Raimi blinked in surprise at these words. "Why me, My Queen?"BR
"Because I know your secret. I'm far more intelligent than the others are." She said, smiling without a trace of arrogance. "You are too strong. Your DNA hasn't matched any one living Saiyan, but could come from TWO different families. This can only mean one thing; you are a traveler from the future."BR
P
Raimi felt her jaw drop in shock. She wanted to deny it, but saw the kindness in the Queens eyes, and felt that she could trust her. "You are right, my Lady. Please, I don't want anyone to know, or the future could be compromised. The things I know are very dangerous, and could be used by anyone for anything." She sighed and looked at her hands. "Do you know which families these two are? The ones I probably come from?"BR
P
"Yes, but I won't tell you. If you don't know already, there is surely a reason why. Now, you should go, and Good Luck, little Senshi." The Queen said, speaking with the authority only years of command could give to someone. Raimi, obeying that voice, bowed and left, her mind spinning at this news.BR
P
After she returned to the Temple, Raimi sat and looked over her purchases in the room she had claimed for herself, and felt homesick for Chikyu-sei. She missed the calm blue sky and her friends. And she was so confused by the Queens story, both about the King and about herself. As she looked at the little holo of Bulma's double, she decided that she was going to push for the lessons in fighting. Kakarrot had to start soon, or she would have no time left before the invading Saiyans came to Chikyu-sei...BR
P
"What is this I hear, that you almost got into it with Nappa? I told you not to fight! What were you going to do, tongue lash him into submission?" Kakarrot roared from the entrance to the Temple. She came out of her room to meet him.BR
P
"No, I was going to disobey you for what I considered a good cause. I would have been creamed, because my Sensei won't actually TEACH me anything, but I would still have tried. By the way are you EVER going to teach me how to fight?" Raimi asked sarcastically. He was suddenly right in front of her, and swung to hit her, but she saw it and caught his fist. Her feet slid along the floor from his arms momentum, but she stopped him. He stared at her, realizing that she was not only ready, she was possibly stronger than he was.BR
P
"Listen to me, Kakarrot. I am tired of playing games. I am tired of just doing aerobics while the Brat picks on me and tries to kill me. I think it's time to move on, don't you agree?" Raimi said, her voice as quiet and deadly as the Kings could be. Kakarrot didn't answer, so she let go of him and turned to leave. She stopped and suddenly powered up, sending a ball of Chi into the shadows. Kakarrot watched as Prince Vegeta leapt out of the area of the blast, and she ran over to him. She swept his feet from under him, and stomped on his chest.BR
P
"And you, I'm going to return every punch, kick and poisonous word you have ever sent my way, you understand? I am more than ready to kick you all over this planet, but I NEED this training, so I will wait. Don't touch me again, got that?" She snarled in his stunned face. She leapt up, and flew out one of the huge windows. The Prince jumped up and started to follow, but Kakarrot stopped him.BR
P
"No, Vegeta. We both have been hard on her, and she deserves her chance. And she is right about you; you really worked her over, these last months. Leave her alone." The Prince scowled, but appeared to respect his Sensei's wishes. He walked out of the Temple as Kakarrot stared out the windows at the blazing sunsets.BR
P
Raimi didn't go far, she only went up to the top tower, her usual spot. She ground her teeth, trying not to cry. She hated it here! She wanted to go home. She put one hand over her eyes as she sank to her knees. Why did Kakarrot make her wait for so long? And why did the Brat hate her so? She sighed and moved to sit with her feet over the edge, and then looked up over the city. She didn't even know its name; maybe it didn't even have one. Her education was only geared to combat, like all Saiyans. She wondered about that blonde girl in the market, and about whether Nappa was going to try to kill her for her interference with his...BR
P
"Hey, Raimi!" She straightened her back and took a deep breath.BR
"I don't care to talk to you, Oji. Just go away; for once just leave me alone." She hissed. Of course he ignored her. He stood behind her, making her wonder if he was going to try to push her off or something.BR
"Listen, I...I just have to say..." He paused.BR
P
"You aren't sorry, I know you aren't. And you don't like me at all, so don't try to tell me you do." Raimi sighed. He glared at the back of her head, wondering why he was there. She was right, but she didn't know why he disliked her so much. He thought it was because he had to share the only person who seemed to want him around with her. He thought of Kakarrot as his father, more than the man who was his flesh and blood. Kakarrot seemed to like her more than him, and he resented it, resented her for it.BR
P
Raimi sighed and forced herself to remember that he had been denied all the love and care that made people kind. He didn't know how to be nice, or have friends; it wasn't his fault, if the Queen was to be believed. Her anger at him lessened, but didn't go away. He still was a Royal Pain in the behind. But she could sympathize too. She turned her back to him, not really caring if her was there or not. "I have to finish my training, I have to get back." She murmured.BR
P
"Get back to where?" He asked curiously, but she didn't answer. They stood there, watching the suns set, side-by-side, yet totally alone.BR
P
"My Lady, are you all right?" Raimi asked her. The Queen smiled and turned to her.BR
"I am as fine as I can be, Raimi-san. You feel that I am unhappy?" Her soft voice was kind, as if Raimi was the one who needed comforting.BR
P
"Well, yes. You look so sad, and the rumors..." Raimi said bluntly. The Queens eyes widened, and then she took Raimi's hand. She squeezed it, showing Raimi that she was not as weak as she appeared.BR
P
"Come, I must tell you something." She led Raimi to her chamber, singing softly under her breath. With a start, Raimi recognized it as "Song of the Siren", a song she had known on her old Earth. She felt goose bumps rise on her body at this realization. (The song is by This Mortal Coil)BR
The Queens chamber was sumptuous, beautifully decorated. She had Raimi sit and paced the room as she spoke.BR
P
"I know what the rumors say. But, they are wrong. The Queen before myself was much younger than Vegeta. He had been unable to sire an heir with two other women, and he had finally decided to marry the woman he felt he could rule with. He won't say it, but he fell in love with one of the Elite Princesses, and she loved him as well. They were married, and to both of their surprise, they conceived the Oji that you train with. He was very powerful, even at birth. I know, I was her best friend, and I was there." She said, stopping at a table with a silver vase holding a single black rose on it.BR
P
"They were so pleased to have finally provided Vegeta-sei with the all important heir, and they were happy with each other. But the counselors started to say that it wasn't proper for the King to be so openly affectionate with his family. They said he looked weak to his people, who in fact knew nothing of what went on here in the Palace. He ignored their warnings, and he didn't dispose of the counselors, which he should have done. They are the ones who killed her, but only after the little Prince was weaned off his mothers milk. Being weaned early, you see, might have weakened him and she was very strong. The King once told me she was even stronger than himself, but only because she had been a warrior, and had fought, and been wounded as much as any male Elite Saiyan.
P
"So you see, while Vegeta seems to be so cold, so deadly, he is dead inside. He died the same day she did. He can't stand to look at the Oji, because he has his mothers' eyes. He is my mate, and I care for him very much. I know that he seems to not care for me, but he spends every night with me, and he talks freely to me. I know he cares too; he just can't show it anymore. So don't worry about me, little warrior, worry for yourself."BR
P
Raimi blinked in surprise at these words. "Why me, My Queen?"BR
"Because I know your secret. I'm far more intelligent than the others are." She said, smiling without a trace of arrogance. "You are too strong. Your DNA hasn't matched any one living Saiyan, but could come from TWO different families. This can only mean one thing; you are a traveler from the future."BR
P
Raimi felt her jaw drop in shock. She wanted to deny it, but saw the kindness in the Queens eyes, and felt that she could trust her. "You are right, my Lady. Please, I don't want anyone to know, or the future could be compromised. The things I know are very dangerous, and could be used by anyone for anything." She sighed and looked at her hands. "Do you know which families these two are? The ones I probably come from?"BR
P
"Yes, but I won't tell you. If you don't know already, there is surely a reason why. Now, you should go, and Good Luck, little Senshi." The Queen said, speaking with the authority only years of command could give to someone. Raimi, obeying that voice, bowed and left, her mind spinning at this news.BR
P
After she returned to the Temple, Raimi sat and looked over her purchases in the room she had claimed for herself, and felt homesick for Chikyu-sei. She missed the calm blue sky and her friends. And she was so confused by the Queens story, both about the King and about herself. As she looked at the little holo of Bulma's double, she decided that she was going to push for the lessons in fighting. Kakarrot had to start soon, or she would have no time left before the invading Saiyans came to Chikyu-sei...BR
P
"What is this I hear, that you almost got into it with Nappa? I told you not to fight! What were you going to do, tongue lash him into submission?" Kakarrot roared from the entrance to the Temple. She came out of her room to meet him.BR
P
"No, I was going to disobey you for what I considered a good cause. I would have been creamed, because my Sensei won't actually TEACH me anything, but I would still have tried. By the way are you EVER going to teach me how to fight?" Raimi asked sarcastically. He was suddenly right in front of her, and swung to hit her, but she saw it and caught his fist. Her feet slid along the floor from his arms momentum, but she stopped him. He stared at her, realizing that she was not only ready, she was possibly stronger than he was.BR
P
"Listen to me, Kakarrot. I am tired of playing games. I am tired of just doing aerobics while the Brat picks on me and tries to kill me. I think it's time to move on, don't you agree?" Raimi said, her voice as quiet and deadly as the Kings could be. Kakarrot didn't answer, so she let go of him and turned to leave. She stopped and suddenly powered up, sending a ball of Chi into the shadows. Kakarrot watched as Prince Vegeta leapt out of the area of the blast, and she ran over to him. She swept his feet from under him, and stomped on his chest.BR
P
"And you, I'm going to return every punch, kick and poisonous word you have ever sent my way, you understand? I am more than ready to kick you all over this planet, but I NEED this training, so I will wait. Don't touch me again, got that?" She snarled in his stunned face. She leapt up, and flew out one of the huge windows. The Prince jumped up and started to follow, but Kakarrot stopped him.BR
P
"No, Vegeta. We both have been hard on her, and she deserves her chance. And she is right about you; you really worked her over, these last months. Leave her alone." The Prince scowled, but appeared to respect his Sensei's wishes. He walked out of the Temple as Kakarrot stared out the windows at the blazing sunsets.BR
P
Raimi didn't go far, she only went up to the top tower, her usual spot. She ground her teeth, trying not to cry. She hated it here! She wanted to go home. She put one hand over her eyes as she sank to her knees. Why did Kakarrot make her wait for so long? And why did the Brat hate her so? She sighed and moved to sit with her feet over the edge, and then looked up over the city. She didn't even know its name; maybe it didn't even have one. Her education was only geared to combat, like all Saiyans. She wondered about that blonde girl in the market, and about whether Nappa was going to try to kill her for her interference with his...BR
P
"Hey, Raimi!" She straightened her back and took a deep breath.BR
"I don't care to talk to you, Oji. Just go away; for once just leave me alone." She hissed. Of course he ignored her. He stood behind her, making her wonder if he was going to try to push her off or something.BR
"Listen, I...I just have to say..." He paused.BR
P
"You aren't sorry, I know you aren't. And you don't like me at all, so don't try to tell me you do." Raimi sighed. He glared at the back of her head, wondering why he was there. She was right, but she didn't know why he disliked her so much. He thought it was because he had to share the only person who seemed to want him around with her. He thought of Kakarrot as his father, more than the man who was his flesh and blood. Kakarrot seemed to like her more than him, and he resented it, resented her for it.BR
P
Raimi sighed and forced herself to remember that he had been denied all the love and care that made people kind. He didn't know how to be nice, or have friends; it wasn't his fault, if the Queen was to be believed. Her anger at him lessened, but didn't go away. He still was a Royal Pain in the behind. But she could sympathize too. She turned her back to him, not really caring if her was there or not. "I have to finish my training, I have to get back." She murmured.BR
P
"Get back to where?" He asked curiously, but she didn't answer. They stood there, watching the suns set, side-by-side, yet totally alone.BR
