Chapter Two

~ A few days later ~

Bra walked through the halls of the palace in a sheer silk robe. Its soft fabric clung to her skin as she kept a steady pace. Soon she arrived in front of her brother's door. She raised her hand to knock, but halted. "I shouldn't be coming down here," she thought to herself, "but I have to talk to him." Before she could rest her hand on the door, Trunks appeared in the doorway, startling her. "I could feel your Ki flare," he said as he motioned for her to come inside. She took in a deep breath and walked in confidently. He always kept his room quite dim, the only light coming from his window. She gracefully waltzed over to a lounge and sat down. He shut the door and walked over to her. Trunks was not a believer in clothes, but tonight he wore some boxers that fit him quite nicely. Bra's eyes wondered around the room as her brother sat down next to her. He could tell she was nervous about something, but was unsure as to why. He put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. "What is it, dear sister," he whispered in her ear in a soothing tone. "Is it about the peace agreement? Don't worry about that, Father will fix everything." Bra listened to his heartbeat and clung to his chest while her own heaved up and down rapidly. "No, it's not that." Puzzled, her looked down at her and urged her to look into his eyes. "What is it then?" Before she could reply a knock was heard at the door. Bra shot up as Trunks went to answer it.

"What do you want, Nappa," Trunks snapped. Like his father, he saw no use for the man. He was nothing but trouble. He noticed that his sister locked up every time he was around, too. Nappa looked into the room and saw Bra, her face crimson. He eyed her up and down, then looked at Trunks. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything," he said with a smirk on his face, "But your father requests that both meet him immediately. Apparently, it has something to do with the peace agreement." Trunks was about to slam the door when Nappa stopped it with his foot. "And might I suggest the princess get dressed in her own quarters." Trunks pushed Nappa out of the way and slammed the door with such force the room shook. "The nerve of that man! What does he take me for? I wonder what goes on in that pervert's head." Bra walked over to the door and let herself out without speaking. Trunks almost went after her, but decided to leave it alone. Whatever her problem was, she'd have to deal with it herself for the time being.

King Vegeta and Queen Bulma sat at the center of the large, semi-circular table. Vegeta growled at looked at the time on the clock. "I told those brats to come immediately!" Bulma put her soft hand on her husband's arm. He looked at her, then calmed down. How could he not, looking into those beautiful eyes of hers. "They will be in shortly," she said quietly as a guard entered the room. He bowed before his highnesses and lowered his head. "The prince and princess have arrived, your majesties." Vegeta motioned for them to enter and in the same movement, the pair walked in the room and stood before their father.

Trunks looked around in awe. He was not often allowed into the Military Tactics room, and it was always an honor. It was a vast room with computers, maps, records, weapons old and new and a variety of other war regalia. Bra was not as amused. She would sneak in often after her father would leave. The soldiers would not dare deny her access, thought she was not sure if it were because of her heritage or her looks. Vegeta stood up and looked his children up and down and raised his hand. "At ease," he said, almost jokingly. Bra and Trunks looked at each other oddly. Their father almost expressed what could have been mistaken as humor. "Now, it is no secret that you two love to play War. Thanks to the both of you, I was forced to sign an agreement with Earth," he paused to walk away from the desk and stand directly in front of his children. "Now, you are probably wondering where you fit into this equation. Well, here it goes. Trunks, you have to court the Prince's daughter, and Bra, you have to become her advisor. She will not be a slave, she will have the same rights as the two of you. You are to be joined in marriage in one years time to ensure peace from both sides."

Bra stepped back and placed her hand over Trunks'. He could feel her trembling. She tried to hold back tears as her father continued. "You did it to yourselves. You fought a battle you had no business to, and now you have to pay the price," he placed his hands on his son's shoulder and looked into his eyes. "Now, she may have the same rights as you, but she is not one of us. She may be Saiya-jin, but she is descended from the weak and exiled. Do what you will with her, but do not dishonor Vegeta-sei by providing me with a bastard heir." Trunks looked forward, almost past his father and nodded yes. Vegeta then turned his attention to Bra, who was obviously distraught. "I know how you feel. I can't believe I have to abide by this, but we will survive. I have a plan." Bra's expression lightened. "What is it, father? Tell me," she exclaimed. Vegeta sneered at her exuberance, but what was he to expect. She was female, females foolishly display emotions. "I cannot at this time. You may go now." The soldier opened the door and Bra and Trunks immediately exited.

Vegeta sat back down next to his wife, who was looking in her lap. He placed his arm around her and kissed her forehead. She pulled away slightly. "How quickly you forget I'm from Earth." Vegeta turned her to him and forced her to look into his eyes. "I love you, woman. It is those Exiles I hate, not you."

Everyone of status was present in the throne room the next morning. The mood was heavy despite the festival-like atmosphere. Vegeta and Bulma sat in their respective seats, while Bra and Trunks stood on the platform right in front of them. Trunks was outfitted in his white Navel Academy uniform, complete with badges of valor, honor, and his new sword. Bulma had managed to talk her daughter into wearing something "lady-like", but not what she preferred. She too wore her Navel Academy uniform. Instead of neat, pleated pants, she wore her knee length skirt and her sword was replaced with two rapiers. Both stood at attention as the crowd hushed and the announcer stepped forward.

"Ladies and gentleman, please bow. Your majesties, I present to you the daughter of the prince of the Earth and its ambassador, Son Pan." A young Saiya-jin woman with limp, human-like hair walked into the room. She was dressed in a sleeveless, fitted white dress with gloves that nearly reached her shoulders. The neckline was conservative and her hair fell in spirals around her face, though most of it was carefully pinned up in a beautiful bun adorned with decorative jewels. Trunks could not take his eyes off of her as she approached the thrown. Her beauty was astonishing. The most beautiful women on Vegeta-sei are supposed to be his mother and his sister, but this woman definitely gave them a run for their money. He scanned her from the bottom all the way to the top. He examined her long legs, her curvaceous body, her graceful neck, her think oval face and her mahogany eyes. Her eyes burned with a passion… a passion he had seen somewhere before. Bra stepped forward and offered her hand to her soon to be sister-in-law. "Hello, I am Bra, Trunks' sister. Welcome to Vegeta-sei. I hope your visit so far has been a pleasant one." The stranger reluctantly took her hand as she attempted to make her smile look as real as possible but it was hard with such hateful eyes bearing down on her. Bra bowed politely and moved to the side so her brother could greet her. She stiffly put her hands to her side and stood next to her father.

Trunks stepped toward the woman, fully intrigued. She watched carefully as he eyed her up and down, almost circling her. "So, you must be Trunks," she said quietly. Trunks nodded and extended his hand. "Hai, and what is your name." She took and hand and gave him a weak shake. She looked at his hip, where his holster was, then looked into his eyes. "If you had been paying attention, you would have known." Trunks stepped back, noticing her peering eyes. "You aren't the only one that isn't paying attention," he snapped. Seemingly surprised by her own words, she quickly walked around Trunks and bowed before the King and Queen. Both stood and gave a respective bow, while Bra just watched. "Honorable King Vegeta, I am the vessel of peace," Son Pan recited in a docile tone. "Tell me how I may serve you." Vegeta stood up and walked down to Pan. She stood tall, emotionless, the morning light beating on her pale skin. Vegeta examined the girl closely. She was a beautiful creature, but a creature none the less in his eyes. "I sense some animosity, woman. Did your daddy make you come?" Pan shot an evil glare a Vegeta and balled her fist. She swallowed hard trying to maintain her composure as best she could. Vegeta looked at her fist and sneered. "I dare you, woman. Hit me! You may have the same rights as my children, but you will see it's no walk in the park. They will tell you themselves…you cross my path, you die." Pan looked down at Vegeta, then looked onto Bulma. "I did not come here to cause trouble, my Queen. I am here to bring peace, not animosity. Please forgive me if I seem rash. Surely you understand my feelings, with me being only a pawn in something I want no part in."

Bulma nodded in agreement, then motioned for the girl to come to her. She walked past Vegeta and Trunks and knelt before her. She then stood and Bulma took her hand. "I understand. Wars are so messy, and the only role women play is as a peace offering, or at least that's the only role the men want us to play. Don't worry, even though you are on a new planet, you are still among Sayia-jins, you'll be fine." Pan nodded and proceded back down to where Trunks stood. Vegeta made his way back to the throne and glanced at his wife, then at Pan, then finally at Trunks who was still entranced by new woman. She did not pay him any mind, but she still appeared uncomfortable. "I am sorry if I came off the wrong way. I assure you I am nothing like my father…and he won't kill you as long as I'm around." Pan looked into his eyes and cracked a small smile, then bowed before the King and Queen, then proceded out the door. Trunks did not follow her, only watched her depart. This young woman intrigued him. She was an enigma he had to solve. Bra stood next to her brother and put her hand on his shoulder. "I don't like her one bit," she whispered into his ear. Trunks' only response was a half-smile she could only see a part of, and Bra growled.