Love and Blood - Part 6

Frieza whirled on the hapless guard who was trembling and wishing desperately that he hadn't drawn the short straw.

Escaped, Lord Frieza, he squeaked. But... but we have them on tracking radar...

Shut up, you fool! Get out! Frieza screamed and he turned with clenched teeth to glare out at the city. The guard disappeared in a flash, leaving huge drops of sweat hanging in the air.

Such incompetence, Lord Frieza, said Zarbon from his corner, should be dealt with immediately. Make an example...

Are you telling me what to do, Zarbon?! The high voice reached a shrill peak.

N-no, sire! Not at all! I was merely echoing your thoughts!

Frieza almost laughed.

Yes, Lord Frieza. He stepped forward, arms confidently folded across his broad chest.

Find them and bring them to me. That's the example I will make. That's what the people will see. They want their prince, they can have their prince. Hanging dead from the highest tower! And then he laughed and laughed and laughed like a demon until the sound echoed shrilly in the room, down the halls and into the city.

**********

Two comets streaked across the sky with a roar, flattening treetops, boiling the seas — they were thunder and wind and lightning. Kakarot laughed and dipped and rolled and soared. Sweet freedom! One taste to savor, a morsel to devour. He would fight to the death for this! He put on a burst of speed to catch up with Vejita and drew close, but stayed back at a respectful distance.

The blast of the wind in his face and the warmth of the sun was delicious. He closed his eyes, felt his prince's power and followed the pulse as Vejita veered to the north, putting distance between them and Frieza's stronghold. Kakarot gazed at Vejita, the regal face with drawn eyebrows, the lithe form, the raven hair blown flat against his head. Yes, he would fight to the death for his prince.

Vejita suddenly climbed higher in a burst of speed that left Kakarot blinking at blue sky. When he caught up, he saw the prince glance back and smirk. Vejita slowed to draw next to Kakarot.

We need to fly above their radar. Suppress your ki and try to keep up, he said. We're heading for the northern hills if you should lose me. The prince grinned and climbed higher and higher until Kakarot thought he could touch heaven.

******

You lost them? Dodoria was beside himself with rage. The ship was hurtling across the sky in hot pursuit of the fugitives, holding enough warriors to bring down the entire planet.

S-sir, General Dodoria, they were headed north, toward the hills, when we lost them.

Dodoria slammed a ham-sized fist on the console. Then that's where they're going. The northern hills. That's where Vejita's contingent has been hiding. Today we'll find them. Ginyu!

The huge man stepped forward and snapped to attention.

Take your men and sweep the eastern and southern sides. You'll get there faster in the pods. And, Captain, if you find them, don't kill them. That pleasure is mine. Dodoria licked his lips and grinned.

**********

Shadows were lengthening when Prince Vejita slowly descended to float above the northern hills. His eyes swept back and forth, and finally he risked sending out a pulse. His eyes lit up and he smiled as, at the exact same moment, Kakarot said, Over there, sire, and the Saiyans descended.

A giant bald man clad only in loin armor met the warriors as they landed.



Kakarot thought the man was going to hug the prince and he held his breath, but the giant stopped short.

Nappa. Show me where you're camped and get us some food. The prince strode regally past the giant who was quivering with excitement, fists clenching and unclenching.

Right away, prince! We were just planning how to rescue...

Can it, Nappa. I took care of it myself. And show Kakarot where the river is. He smirked over his shoulder at the young Saiyan. He stinks.

Nappa cocked one eyebrow at the newcomer. Sure thing, Vejita. This way, kid.

Men were hunkered down by a fire where they were roasting a fresh kill. Kakarot counted five by the fire and another ten or so scattered about the camp site. They weren't all Saiyans, but they were all warriors. How long had they been hiding? How many years had it been since Frieza began his reign of terror? What had they been doing all this time?

There was a rumble of sound as the men realized their prince was approaching, and excited whoops went up all over the camp. As he and Nappa disappeared into the trees, Kakarot laughed as he heard Vejita say, Put out that fire! Baka! Nothing like telegraphing your position... mumblemumble... Eat it raw!

Here it is, kid. Don't get lost on your way back. The giant laughed at his own joke and left the young Saiyan. The river was cool and inviting and turning navy blue in the darkening skies. Kakarot stripped and dived in, going deep and, coming back up, he spewed water into the air, floating on his back. The river was narrow at this point and the gentle motion of the water rocked Kakarot as he gazed up at the sky. Stars were winking on, like lights going on in homes all over the city. A gentle wind rustled the trees and bushes.

He turned over and swam with smooth, even strokes, dived up and down like a dolphin, muscles moving efficiently beneath his skin. Treading water, he rubbed his armpits, hoping he could scrub some of the stink off. He didn't want to offend his prince. Then, taking a quick sniff of his armpit and finding it adequate, he swam back to the shore. As he planted his hands on the bank to hoist himself up, he sensed a strong power. Startled, he looked up to see Prince Vejita standing on the bank with arms folded, regarding him with an appraising eye.

Kakarot blushed and pulled himself out of the water, hastily grabbing his gi and turning his back to the prince.

Vejita watched the young Saiyan as he pulled on his pants, the working of his powerful shoulders as he yanked the tunic over his head. I'm curious. When did you train?

At...at night, sire. In my cell. But Fasha trained me until... He stopped, trembling. Next he tied on the belt, then turned to face his prince. Vejita was dressed in battle clothes and white boots. He had a half smile on his handsome face.

You're powerful. Very powerful, Vejita said quietly, exchanging the smile for a scowl.

Not like you, sire! Kakarot cried, fists clenched by his side. I'll never be as powerful as you!

Vejita gasped. He doesn't know! Look at him — all that power and he doesn't know how to use it. Mine to claim...

Fasha trained me, but we never stayed in one place very long, Kakarot continued. We were always running, always hiding. I hardly ever saw anyone but Fasha. She was afraid... always afraid... Kakarot bared his fangs, and growled, eyes filled with an eerie light. When his ki began to pulse, Vejita quickly grabbed the young man's shoulder.

Don't, Kakarot. Don't give us away.

Kakarot looked up, confused. I would never...

Suppress your ki. Be very careful. When we battle Frieza, it will be on our terms, not theirs. And, for now, I don't want them to know our position. Understand? His ebony eyes bored into the young Saiyan's.

Kakarot could only nod.

Now, let's eat, Vejita said. Kakarot's stomach growled in response, and Vejita grinned as the two warriors headed back to the camp.

******

Did you get that? Ginyu said as his scouter beeped and bleeped at the power surge. It instantly disappeared and he frowned.

Not far from here, sir, Jeice said. We could be on them in less than an hour.

Ginyu tapped his foot. They're not going anywhere tonight. We'll camp, but we attack before dawn. Understand? Then we'll get them. He grinned and ran his tongue over his lips, already savoring the victory.

********

I'm not moving from here, Kakarot said, with a deadly glare. He reared back, ready to fight the giant. Vejita stood with his arms folded, smirking.

Vejita! Are you going to let this kid sleep outside your tent? he roared, veins popping out on his head.

What's wrong with that, Nappa? If he wants to sleep here, there's no harm in it.

B-but, Vejita... How do you know we can trust him?

I'll take first watch, sire, Kakarot said. Then I won't be sleeping, if that's what's bothering him.

Trust him? Vejita gazed at the young, eager Saiyan. A slow smile tugged at the left side of his mouth. Yes, I trust him. All right, Kakarot, you get first watch. The prince spun on his heel and went into his tent. Nappa growled at Kakarot, who glared at the giant, and then, tail switching back and forth, he flew up to the craggy outpost to stand guard.

No one is getting by me on my watch, he thought. Just let them try.

Kakarot hunkered down and let his gaze sweep over the rocky terrain. Shadows seemed to move like sentient forms, almost solid. He closed his eyes and let his other senses take over. He smelled the earth, the wind, small animals as they scurried in the dark. His ears were sensitively attuned to every nuance of sound.

He let his senses wander over the camp. There was the low ki level of another guard on the southern side...below him the other men slept. Nappa snored. And Vejita...the prince...he was still awake. He sensed agitation in the other man, a strong feeling of anger, frustration, and...envy?

The thick eyebrows drew down to the bridge of his nose. Why was the prince jealous? Kakarot mulled this over as he continued his vigil.

*****

Vejita dropped onto the mat sliding his arms behind his head. He frowned.

How could the boy not know? he mused. Was he never told about the legend? He must have been an infant when Bardock died. That means the woman never told him.

Vejita rolled to his side. I MUST find out how he does that! He was angry over the woman. Rage...it takes rage...

A fly buzzed over Vejitas's nose and he waved it away.

But if all it takes is rage, then why haven't I transformed? Vegita slapped once again at the pesky fly who finally took the hint and buzzed out of the tent. I'm missing something.

Eyelids feeling like lead, the prince's eyes drifted shut. I'll find out, Kakarot, he said out loud and then fell asleep.

*********

Kakarot was leaning back against the rock with his arms behind his head, legs crossed, and eyes skyward. A smile crossed his handsome features — he felt drunk with freedom. Everything was quiet. The prince was asleep at last.

Just me, the stars and... Kakarot swatted at his nose. ...and this pesky fly!

*********

The fly buzzed off the Saiyan's nose, narrowly missing being squashed. It buzzed its way over the hills and through the trees until it came to another encampment. This time it settled on the nose of a huge purple man who was trying to wipe his head with his rear legs.

Jeice grabbed the captain's head and held it still until the fly was able to stare into his eyes. The transformation only took a couple seconds. Captain Ginyu left the fly's body and reentered his own.

I found them, he said, slapping his palm on the fly and squashing it flat. He grinned wickedly. We leave before dawn. And remember, Dodoria wants Vejita alive. Do what you want with the rest.

*********

Consciousness seemed to come back slowly. There was a deathly stillness in the air. No birds or crickets singing. No rustling of leaves or a breeze or nighttime animal sounds. Kakarot opened one eye. Where was he? He had to concentrate to remember.

He had had first watch. At second watch, he had taken his position outside the prince's tent. Where was he now? Slowly, holding his head, he sat up. He took his hand from his head and stared at it. There was blood on his hand, dripping into his eyes. Panicking, Kakarot stood up and yanked his torn tunic off, wiping his face and head.

Just a scalp wound, thank kami!

The young Saiyan stood up and gazed around him, brows drawn down and almost meeting over the bridge of his nose. The rocky terrain was torn up, craters and holes everywhere. There was no sign of any kind of life. Flinging his tunic on the ground, Kakarot rose slowly, carefully into the air.

Where was he? Closing his eyes, he concentrated, trying to detect a power level anywhere. He slowly circled facing each direction. There it was — a weak signal. In an explosion of energy, Kakarot raced toward the pulse.

He alighted in the midst of the carnage. The camp was a disaster. Warriors — Vejita's men — were dead everywhere. Kakarot's eyes widened in terror.

he shouted. Prince Vejita! He flew around the camp, shouting, panic in his voice. Someone groaned.

Where are you? he cried. He heard a weak answer. A hand sticking out of rock was the only indication that someone was buried under tons of the stuff. Like a wildman, Kakarot pulled the boulders off tossing them like pebbles over his shoulder until finally a figure was uncovered.



That...that you, kid? The giant's face was battered and his huge body a mass of raw flesh.

What the hell happened, Nappa? Kakarot cried.

Ambushed, kid. While we were sleeping, the cowards! Kuso! The giant groaned and struggled to a sitting position. He grinned, his moustache quivering. But you, kid. Heh! You fought like a hellcat! I don't know how they got you.

I did? Kakarot's voice was hushed.

What? You don't remember?

Kakarot shook his head, sweat beading up on his face.

Damn, kid! You turned all gold — you turned super Saiyan! Nappa shook his head. I always thought it would be Vejita. But I never saw anything like it! And then you screamed and screamed and your power level must have gone through the roof! My scouter cracked.

Super Saiyan?

Nappa stared crookedly at the young Saiyan. The two just looked at each other for a moment, then Nappa shook his head as if to clear it.

Never mind. Listen. They took Vejita.



You've gotta find him. Frieza will kill him if Dodoria doesn't first. Find him, kid. Ya gotta.

Kakarot's fists clenched. How long ago?

It's just dawn. About two hours ago. And I guarantee, they're heading back to Frieza. Nappa tried to move, but fell back with a groan. I think my leg is broken, kid. Just go.

Kakarot nodded and, with his ki flaring red, he exploded into the air and disappeared from Nappa's sight.

to be continued