"Kameko? Where are you going?" An old man, much too aged to easily guess his years, strode out into the modest living room, questions written on his wrinkled face. "You know better than to just up and leave like that."
Exasperated, Kameko turned and smiled at her father. "Unfortunately, Dad, I had a run-in with 'the Prince of All Saiyans.' What a cold person he is, no feeling in him whatsoever." Gathering her training bag, Kameko continued to elaborate on her meeting with the Prince. "I mean, you look in his eyes, and there's nothing. Just, nothing. No hate, no love, no anger, no joy. Nothing." Tying her hair into a ponytail, she slung her large duffel bag over her pointed shoulder, and attempted to side step her father.
"Kameko? You haven't answered my question. Where are you going? And what does the Jerk of All Saiyans have to do with your training bag?"
A grimace, followed by a pained wince quickly came and went over Kameko's face before she rapidly spat out her reply. "WellthePrincechallengedmetofighthim.."
"Kameko? In a speed below that of supersonic, please."
Gathering up a deep, cleansing breath, Kameko slowly inhaled, filling up her lungs and expanding her chest before exhaling sharply and repeating herself to her worried father. "Well, the Prince challenged me to fight him. If I refuse, I die. If I lose, I die. I'm not sure what happens when I win, but I really hope it's not die." Shrugging, Kameko turned the doorknob to leave before being interrupted by a gnarled hand tightly gripping her own.
"Dear, how are you ever going to defeat the Prince? Super Saiyan or not, he is still a thousand times more powerful than you." He whirled her sharply around to face him, his slight frame belying his strength. "Think about this. You can run. Do you honestly expect such a man to have mercy? The one time I saw him, I could sense his potential. It's frightening what untapped reserves he possesses. Be glad he is not like his father was, ruthless, or you would be dead now." Gripping both her shoulders, Kameko's father looked his daughter directly in the eyes. "Run. Run now. If he comes for you, I will say nothing. They can kill me before they will know where you lie. Go far, keep your power level low, and hide. You can still live on." He released his daughter, and awaited her confirmation.
"No. I will not run. If I run, they will just kill you en route to me." Pacing around the low table, Kameko alternated between looking at her dismayed father and the worn throw rugs littering the bare floor. "I have a plan. I can win. After all, I am the daughter of the great Turtle Hermit Roshi, am I not? I know how to fight."
Stepping around the beaten table, Master Roshi sat down on the well-worn loveseat. "Yes, you do. You are my daughter, and have surpassed me in ways I never knew. But you are a false Saiyan. And the so-called 'pure Saiyans' have no love for us. They will not hesitate to kill you, triumphant or not." Eyes disheartened, he beckoned his daughter to sit beside him. "Don't you see? If you lose, they will kill you per the terms of the fight. If you win, they will kill you because they see you as a threat. You may win the fight, but you will die for the efforts."
Kameko fought down a wave of tears as she looked at her father. She had never seen him so distraught, so hopeless. Steeling herself, she embraced her father in a warm hug, slung her bag over her shoulder once more, and stood. "I must fight. I will win. And if I die for it, so be it. My pride forbids me from running. When I win, even if they kill me, they will know that a mere 'false Saiyan" has defeated their Prince. And they will overthrow him for it. Perhaps I can exit this world as a martyr." Flashing a smile, Kameko looked back at her father. "I can't lose. I have a great plan!"
"Your last great plan got you banned from the Palace!"
"No, Dad. That was your plan. And what was so great about your plan to have the Queen flash you her bare crotch? Bye."
After a running start, Kameko took off, flying to the Palace, where the Prince awaited.
AN: "Kameko" means "Child of the Tortoise" How could I resist?