AN:  Hard story, hard story, hard story…

"Did anyone get the markings on that transport?"  Rubbing her forehead, Kameko slowly hoisted herself off the pillows carefully laid under her throbbing head. "Oooh, man.  And the next time I get a brilliant idea, please just save me the time and beat me around the head before I get up.  Thank you." 

Roshi, upon hearing his daughter stir, rushed into the small room, eyes alight with relief.  "Oh, thank goodness you're awake.  How are you?"

With more than a hint of mirth, Kameko remarked, "my head hurts." 

Smiling, her dad fluffed her pillows, and eased her back onto the bed.  "Well, dear, you did take a nasty bump on the head."  Reaching down, he pulled a cool, damp cloth from a bucket and placed it on Kameko's forehead.  "Now, just rest.  Are you hungry?"

"Starving!"  Kameko stretched her arms out, sighing at the multiple pops and cracks emitted from her weary joints.  "At least I don't have to see that jerk Prince for a week!" 

Her dad popped his head back in the room, cringing.  "Um, dear, could you take a look at the calendar, please?"

"Sure."  Roshi's head disappeared, as Kameko craned hers over to the end table.  "What?  I've been out for 5 days?"  Her forehead wrinkled, puzzled.  "And you didn't take me to a medic?" 

Carrying the soup tray, Roshi winced.  "Well, dear, I knew you would be fine.  I just wasn't sure when."  He set the tray down in front of his daughter.  "But, on the bright side, you didn't have to wake up to a nurse trying to give you an enema."

"Dad!  Yuck!"  Pulling a disgusted face, Kameko shuddered, shaking the tray a bit, and sprinkling a few drops onto the white sheets.

"Stopped thinking about the pain, now didn't you?" 

"Thanks, Dad."  Rolling her eyes, Kameko started in on the soup.  "So, when do I have to go back?  Two days?  Lovely."

"Tell me how he knocked you out, dear." 

Kameko let out a long breath and put her spoon down before continuing.  "OK, well, his 'training' of me was that I had to walk and touch him."  Seeing her father nod, she continued.  "So, I thought 'no problem.'  I started towards him, and bam!  Up shoots his power level, I can't stand.  I figure 'all right, it sucks, but I'm fine.'  So, then, the prick decides to be a sadist, and throws blasts behind me, making me move faster.  I get pissed; realize he's insane, and run full on towards him.  He jacks his level up more, and I went flying into the back wall.  Next thing I know, I'm here." 

Roshi, containing his anger at how his daughter was being abused, held Kameko's hand in his gnarled one.  "What have you been called to teach the Prince?"

"How to fight."

"But, how?"

"By dodging, instead of relying on strength."

"So, when it's your turn, why are you doing what you're training him not to?"

"But, I don't…oh." 

Master Roshi, or as those close to him nicknamed him, Kamesennin, smiled and gathered his daughter in his arms.  "Exactly."

"Boy!"

Trunks ignored the annoyed cry of his father, and continued picking at his nails. 

"Boy, get your feet off that table, and answer me!"

Trunks turned, leaving his feet on the table, and glanced at his father, who was attired in training clothes.  For his part, Vegeta snorted at the insolence of his brat, clad in loose pants and boots only, feet crossed up on the table.  "Yes, Father?"

Angrily striding over, Vegeta shoved Trunks' feet off the table, forcing him to quickly stand up.  "Did you knock that girl I sent to instruct you out?"

Impassive, Trunks blinked slowly.  "Yes, what of it?"

"Did I not specifically tell you what would happen if that girl was harmed?"

Trunks smirked, causing his dad to growl.  "You only specifically stated what would happen if she died.  She remains alive, and will be able to train in two days.  What is it of my concern what condition she is in during the off time?"

"That is hardly the point!"  If Trunks were wearing a shirt, Vegeta would have gripped a large portion of it by now.  Instead, Vegeta resorted to crossing his arms over his chest in classical fashion.  "The point is for you to learn some better fighting techniques than the miserable skills you call sparring now!" 

Mimicking his father, Trunks also crossed his arms over his chest.  "And the point was also for the girl to increase her power level, correct?  I have learned, and so has she.  She just came out worse for the wear."

"You believe you have learned something, brat?  Fine, let's spar.  Prove to me that you are doing more than showing off to some girl."

"Here, in the Royal Hall?"

Vegeta fired a small ki blast, vaporizing the table Trunks was previously seated at.  "Yes, here." 

The two combatants backed up, establishing proper distance.  Simultaneously, they nodded, and launched at each other, powering up on the way.  Youth was on Trunks' side, as he could access his power faster.  Fist connecting with his father's face, he quickly followed up with a crack to the temple, sending Vegeta flying to the side.  On the way out, a golden aura swelled up, and consumed Vegeta as he transformed into a Super Saiyan. 

"Still a head hunter, boy?  Have I taught you nothing?  Head shots are flashy, but body shots end a fight!"  Disappearing into a blur, Vegeta moved too fast around the room for Trunks to get a proper ki fix on him.  Just as Trunks turned to where Vegeta was last, he felt a sharp chop shove his kidney over.  As he bent into the injured side, he stuck a snapping sidekick into his dad's left floating rib.  Vegeta backed up, and coughed.      

"Thanks, Dad.  Had forgotten that."  Yelling, Trunks powered up to his maximum, the blue glow pulsing. 

Vegeta chuckled.  "I am done trading blows.  It is time to fight.  Come and get me."

Trunks flew in, and attempted a volley of blows, all blocked by Vegeta.  At the first pause in Trunks' attack, Vegeta moved forward, and picked all of Trunks' counters apart with brutal efficiency.  With a final spike of energy, Vegeta blasted forward, grabbed his son's hair, and threw him down to the ground, smashing through the Prince's throne in the process.  As Trunks lay there, Vegeta dropped out of Super Saiyan, and floated down. 

"I suggest next time you actually learn something, boy.  For we will fight again."   Just then, Bulma walked in, eyes wide in horror, and gathered her son to take him to bed. 

Once they both had left, Vegeta muttered, "Do not screw this up, brat.  If this goes right, it can turn out well for both of us."