I know it's been a while since I worked on this fic, but here's the next chappy.
Insert Standard Disclaimer here:
Last Chapter: Queen Citra tells Vegeta the story of the last Super Saiyajin.
Serenestorm
History of Vegeta
Chapter Two: The Serpent's Lair
~You hesitate to take a step, but you do, and then you take another and another. Soon you're walking, just like everyone around you. No one can tell you have come from a place vastly different.~
V.C. Andrews
***
Vegeta stood beside his father in the throne room of Frieza's ship. Raditzu and Bardock stood behind them in protective stance, flanking their king and prince, though both knew if Frieza so ordained, none could protect them from the death Frieza would unmercifully bestow. The Ice-jin set before him on a crystal throne with two of his warriors at his sides. One was sea green with long jade hair and an almost effeminate appearance; the other was a large pink blob of a creature, whose scent was as repugnant as his form.
"King Vegeta, I am so glad you could make it".
Frieza said smirking. He glanced down amusedly at the small Prince, who was obviously trying to appear stoic. He had to admire the kid's spirit. It was almost too bad that he would have to crush it.
King Vegeta bowed his head as he would in the presence of another king, or being of as high of ranking as he.
"Lord Frieza, I present you with the terms of your treaty. My son, Prince Vegeta…" He said motioning toward his son, who bowed slightly.
"…And the Son of Bardock, Raditzu".
The third class warrior bowed as the Prince had and quickly flew back into his former stance.
"Very good, Vegeta. I must say I had my doubts that you would actually go through with our little arrangement. However, I am pleased to see that those doubts were not founded. I hate to imagine what it would have meant if they were."
His two henchmen snickered at the subtle threat as the King tried to hold on to his calm countenance. He wished with all his might that he was anywhere near as strong as Frieza, for the lizard would definitely be lying dead and mangled at his very feet, his ice cold blood staining this impeccably clean floor, if King Vegeta had the power.
Instead he stood beside his son, wisely keeping his temper in check, thankful that his warriors and son were doing the same.
"I will give you a moment to say your good byes. It is getting late and it is a long journey to Planet Cold, so do try to be brief". Frieza said in his mockingly caring voice.
He and Bardock led their sons towards the far end of Frieza's throne room out of ear shot of the tyrant and his goons. King Vegeta knelt down to face his son, who looked at his father with wide hopeful eyes. Hoping perhaps that the King would reconsider leaving him on this cold ship, with a sadistic killer as a sensei.
"F-father"? Prince Vegeta stammered, emotion edging into his voice.
The elder frowned slightly resisting the urge to tell the boy to be strong, to show no emotions, as he had been known to do sometimes in the past. Seeing the boy's eyes well up with unshed, barely suppressed tears, he realized just how young his son truly was. The boy had just turned five years old a week ago.
"My son, there is so much I want to say to you, but I feel I don't have the time". Vegeta no Ou said almost wanting to hug the boy, something he hadn't done in almost a year. It was too late for any of that now. He had taken his son for granted, thinking he would always have plenty of time to spend with him, to teach the boy all about his Saiyajin heritage and more importantly his royal lineage. There was so much the boy had yet to learn, so much that only he, as his father, could teach him.
"Son". He began again, trying to summon of the words he needed to convey.
"Never forget who you are. You are Vegeta no Ouji, the prince of a mighty and noble race of warriors. No matter what Frieza does or says, for he will undoubtedly cause you many hardships in trying to bring you to your full potential, you are not to show emotion. Do not let that lizard get to you. The one thing a Saiyajin always has is his pride, so never give in to him." He said staring intensely into the boy's eyes.
"Never forget who you are, my son, my prince. You will become the legendary. The freedom of your people now rests in your hands".
"Hai, Father". Vegeta whispered trying to be brave, trying not to think that once his father left, left him alone with Frieza in the cold, darkened throne room that he might not see him again, at least for a very long time.
King Vegeta stood noticing that Bardock had also finished giving his son words of encouragement.
"Lord Frieza". King Vegeta called from where he stood.
"I have a request of you?"
Frieza looked at him quizzically, wondering what the Monkey king would possibly ask of him.
"I would like it if you would allow my commander and chief to act as a … um… bodyguard for my son."
"Are you saying that I am not capable of keeping the prince safe, Vegeta?" Frieza said a hard edge encompassing his voice.
"No, Lord Frieza". King Vegeta replied quickly.
"It's just that my people would feel a lot more comfortable if a Saiyajin, other than a third class boy, was on this ship with Prince Vegeta. There are a lot of hostile creatures on this ship, most of which do not like Saiyajins. My people would feel more accepting of Prince Vegeta being in your care with Nappa here, my Lord." King Vegeta said bowing his head submissively.
Frieza had half the mind to incinerate the monkey king right then and there and tell that planet of apes to kiss his tail. But he knew the Saiyajins, being so powerful and so blood thirsty, would be a good race to have control of, the reason for him not obliterating the planet on sight.
"Very well, I can always use another solider at my disposal." Frieza said.
Yes he would play this way for now. The Saiyajins were at this time valuable to him, and the king was amusing.
"I will allow this. Send him here immediately, Vegeta".
King Vegeta nodded and turned back to his son. He squeezed the boy's shoulder affectionately, the closest he would come to a full out hug.
"Take care, Son". He said softly. Vegeta watched as his father and Bardock exited the throne room.
"Take care, Father". He whispered to his father's retreating form.
He could feel Raditzu standing beside him and wondered what the older Saiyajin was thinking. Was Raditzu as sad and afraid as he was? By looking at him, Vegeta would never know. The boy's face was expressionless. Vegeta looked where his father had stood just moments ago and was surprised to see a silver chain lying there. Vegeta picked up said chain, and when he looked at it, he knew that his father had purposely left it behind.
"What is that?" Raditzu said peering over the younger boy's shoulder.
"It's my mother's neck chain". Vegeta whispered. He fingered the charm on it lightly, which held the royal crest of Vegetasei set in a blood red ruby. He quickly fastened the chain to his neck and tucked it into his armor.
"Boys". Frieza said capturing their attention.
"Zarbon…" He said gesturing toward the green colored creature "will show you to your sleeping quarters".
Vegeta and Raditzu silently followed the creature called Zarbon to their accommodations.
Vegeta glanced back at Frieza, feeling the Ici-jin's eyes on him, as they made their way out of his throne room and again noticed the strange, unnerving look in Frieza's eyes as he stared intensely at him. It was the same look that Frieza had given him when they had first met and it still made Vegeta uneasy. For try as he might, he could not decipher that gaze but in his heart he knew that whatever was on Frieza's mind was not good, not for him nor for Vegetasei.
Well what do you think? I have only one thing to say: REVIEW!!! REVIEW!!! REVIEW!!!
P.S. For all those who emailed me saying Vegeta is OOC. I know he is. He's only 5 years old in this fic so he can't possibly behave exactly like his future self. I'm trying to capture his personality before Frieza had a chance to really taint it. Anyway I hope this explains things to you few who think Vegeta is being a total wuss. I'm not trying to portray him that way.
Sorry about the rant.
Next Chapter: New Life: Nappa informs the young prince of Frieza's intentions for the Saiyajins. The three Saiyajins began life on Frieza's ship.