Chapter 3
~~~~~~~At Bardock's house~~~~~~~
Radditz and Kakkarot were waiting by the door, talking with the guard. They found out that his name was K'Naki, and he was training at the Vegeta-sei Elite training camp.
"So, if you're a trainee, why did you do this errand?" Kakkarot asked.
"Well, someone from the training camp has to recite the formal lines to those entering the camp. It's a common errand around camp. It's almost like an honor."
"Then, when the camp was started, how did the first people join?" Kakkarot wondered aloud, his eyes wandering to the ceiling. Radditz hit him behind the head. "OW!"
"Sorry 'bout that, he's kind of a fool. Where is Radu? Dammit but girls take so long in getting read-ow!" Radditz grabbed the back of his head in pain.
"Payback, baka. You hit Kakkarot, I hit you. no one hits me! Hehehe! Works out nicely, don't you think? Plus, I heard that sexist comment." Radu said, smiling maliciously.
"Is it sexist if it's true?" Kakkarot wondered aloud again. K'Naki and Radditz sweat dropped while Radu growled and slapped him behind the head. "OW! Will you guys stop doing that?" Kakkarot exclaimed.
"As much fun as it is to watch you fool around, I need to talk to Radu and Radditz. Please come with me into the kitchen." Bardock said.
Radu and Radditz looked at each other and followed their father into the kitchen. When they entered, Bardock turned around and looked at the two siblings.
"Happy birthday." Were the first words out of his mouth. "I know that Radu thought I forgot. How could I?" Bardock questioned.
Radu made a small protesting noise but Bardock held up his hand to silence her. "Did you know that I went to the same training camp as the one you're about to enter? I went from being a third class good-for-nothing to a second class top purger. I will expect no less out of you three. But I didn't call you into here to lecture you. I actually bought you a present." He turned around and picked up two scouters.
Radu's eyes got big and Radditz said "Wow.." Bardock handed the green one to Radu and the blue one to Radditz. "I know that you normally would have received one at camp but these are much better. They're are better then what the prince used as a young adult. I think you'll find them satisfactory. And don't use them while you're training unless you need to. I'd rather they weren't stolen."
"Yes sir!" Radu and Radditz said in unison. Bardock smiled.
"Stick together, my offspring." And with that, he turned and walked out of the kitchen. Radu turned to her brother. She had tears threatening to spill over her cheeks.
"He does think we're adults!" Radu sniffed. "Today has been salvaged!"
Radditz smiled and twirled Radu around. He set her down and said, "Lets go." Radu nodded. They walked back into the walk way, each picking up their bags, and Radu repeated, "Let's go boys."
~~~~~~~At the training camp~~~~~~~
The training camp was huge. It covered over 2000 acres. On 30 of the acres on the south end of the lot, there were 50 tents. The tents had wooden floors, thick canvas covering, and 4 bed pallets each. There was a training arena just to the north of the camp and even farther north, there was a HUGE forest. It took up roughly 1500 of the acres. The training arena was also huge, roughly 17 acres. To the east and west of the training arena, there was an anti-gravity room for extreme training and a building that contained rooms for different types of special techniques.
K'Naki walked the three through the inhabited area of the camp.
"The tents are all numbered from 1-25. You see, there are exactly 50 tents. The smaller the number on the tent you inhabit, the less number of years you've been here. But don't worry! That doesn't mean anyone in higher numbered tents is stronger then you or older then you. It just means they've been here longer. Oh yeah; the girl's tents begin with 'G' and the boy's tents begin with 'B.' Simple!" He smiled.
"Uhh, I don't get it." Kakkarot said, clearly confused.
"Don't worry, it will dawn on you some time in the next decade," K'Naki joked. Radu and Radditz laughed. "Alright, Radu. This is tent G-3. Some new girls will be joining you." She smiled at the three boys.
"See you later. Don't be strangers." She waved as they walked away.
"Nice girl," K'Naki said.
"Hey don't get any ideas," Radditz growled.
"Hey man, you misunderstand me. I'm already seeing someone! You'd better watch out for some of the sharks in this camp though. Everyone here is strong and earns their stay, but some like to have a little fun along the way." K'Naki said.
"Thanks for the warning," Radditz grumbled. Kakkarot nudged him. "What?"
"Uhh, if he thinks Radu is a great girl, what's going to happen to Lyra?" Kakkarot whispered.
"Why bro, that's the first smart question I've heard out of you ever!" Radditz quipped. "But seriously, I don't know. She has all of us to look out for her though."
~~~~~~~
Lyra was flying through the air. Her guard (his name was Palmer and he went to the training camp too) was an extremely buff Saiyain and he was absolutely speeding through the air. Lyra was really having a hard time keeping up with him. After her day, she only had so much energy left! She slowed down and stopped. Her chest was heaving and she was having a hard time getting her breath back.
"Palmer," she wheezed as loud as she could. "Palmer. PALMER!"
With that, Palmer stopped, looked back confused, and flew back over.
"I really don't have much energy left. Could you maybe slow the pace down a bit?"
He smirked. "I have a better idea." He went over to her and picked her up like a baby.
"Uhhh, ok.I suppose this works too."
"Thought you'd like it" was Palmer's reply. Lyra rolled her eyes. Dear Goddess. The big macho type. Just my luck. Though he is cute. and strong. and warm. and I am really tired. Just as she was about to doze off, an image of Yokito filled her head. Her eyes flew open. Oh Goddess! If Yokito saw me! Yokito. Vegeta. RADU ADRIAN RADDITZ KAKKAROT. will I ever see them again? YES. I will. We vowed to stay friends.
She crossed her arms and willed herself not to become comfortable. She decided to start a conversation.
"So, what do you do at the training camp?"
"I'm training to become one of the King's royal guards."
"Oh! That's nice! How long have you been in the camp?"
"Four years."
"Really? How much longer do you plan to stay?"
"Until the next royal guard draft comes through in a couple of months. I'm hopin' that I'll get chosen."
"That's ambitious. Well, Palmer, I hope you get drafted." Lyra declared.
"He looked down at her and said, "Well aren't you just a nice girl." Then he smirked.
"Uhh, yeah, I've been told that." Lyra felt a lot braver (almost giddy) since her friends made an emotional pillow for her. She decided it was time for a mental rest. While physically she remained alert, mentally she curled around her pillow.
~~~~~~~Half an hour later~~~~~~~
"We're here." Palmer said simply, landing on the ground. I'll show you to your tent. I'm sure you'll make friends with your bunk mates 'cause your such a nice girl." He smirked again.
What is up with that smirking? Lyra questioned to herself, while following him through the camp. Weird.
"Here we are. G-3. The G is for 'girl', just as the boy's tents begin with B for 'boy.'"
"Alrighty. Thanks Palmer. Maybe I'll see you around camp sometime. I dunno." She smiled and waved.
"I'll make sure of it," Palmer promised. Lyra slightly blushed, turned around, and went inside.
"Lyra?" A familiar voice said. Lyra turned towards the source.
"RADU!" Lyra yelled. She went over and hugged Radu.
"Hey Lyra! Did you get taken here too? Isn't this soo cool?" Radu said.
"Yes! I am so excited. We're actually in training camp and in it together!" Lyra squealed. Radu smiled.
"Actually, Kakkarot and Radditz are here too!" Lyra's eyes got bigger and she yelled,
"EHHHHH! YES! FREEEEEEEEEE!!! WE'RE FREEEEEE!!!!!"
~~~~~~~~Flying to the training camp~~~~~~~
Adrian and Yokito were flying to the camp, following their guard, Gio. He didn't look anything like a Saiyain in his face, though his body was very buff. He had light blondish-brown hair and hazel eyes. He was very easy- going, though quite unaware of his good looks and young boyish charm. Is there such thing as a bad looking Saiyain? Adrian wondered in her head. Yeah. Probably, anyway. I sure haven't met any. Adrian wondered again about Lyra and Yokito. Man, if Vegeta gets it into his head to marry her, no one can stop him. He has the law to back him. Goddess, he is the law. I suppose it's better that he'll be away from both of them for a while. Damn but we'll miss them.
Unconsciously, she sighed. Gio and Yokito looked over at her.
"Any reason you're sighing? I thought you'd be happy to go to camp." Yokito asked.
"Uhh. I just have a lot on my mind that's all." She saw his questioning look but she shook her head. She wasn't about to tell him that she was worried about his love life!
"I think you'll like training camp, Adrian." Gio said, misinterpreting her sigh. She smiled at him.
"I'm know I will." She replied. So many Saiyains, so many pranks, so little time! She thought wickedly. Gio looked over.
"Uh oh. I can just hear the wheels turning. What pranks do you have in mind now? Are you going to start a chicken coop?" Gio said. He and Yokito laughed. Adrian blushed.
"Yeah, that's right so you'd better watch out!" Adrian joked.
~~~~~~~15 minutes later~~~~~~~
"Okay, land here with me. I'll take you each to your tents. Tomorrow, I'll show you around camp. Then you're on your own." Gio informed them. "Adrian, you're in tent G-3. Each tent has a letter and number. The girl's tents begin with 'G' and the boy's tents begin with 'B.' The higher the number on your tent, the longer you've been here. Be warned though; Some of the people in the higher tents think they're something special because they've been here longer."
"More like couldn't find a job," Yokito joked. "But thanks for doing this man." Gio smiled and nodded.
They walked to G-3. Adrian heard giggling inside. She rolled her eyes. She walked up the three steps the canvas door and turned towards her brother and Gio.
"If I'm stuck in a tent with a bunch of giggling girls, can I mov-" Adrian was interrupted by a loud squeal followed by yelling.
"ADRIAN!!!!!" Lyra said. "YOKITO!!!!!!" Lyra flung herself into Adrian's arms and then into Yokito's. She pulled away and beamed at him.
"Holy crap," Gio said, taking a step back. He obviously wasn't used to such an outgoing girl. "You know these people?"
"Yeah man! These are my best friends!" Yokito said.
"What are you guys doing here?" Adrian demanded.
"What, you think you're the only one who made it in here? Typical." Radu said. "Hey Yokito! This is cool, isn't it? Radditz and Kakkarot are here too! I bet you're in a tent with them."
"Cool! Uhh, Gio looks a little overwhelmed. Gio, will you show me the tent I'm in?"
"Yeah. sure." Gio said, backing away slowly.
Lyra went up and hugged him. His eye's got huge and his face positively begged Yokito for help. Everyone else just laughed.
"Thank you for being you!" Lyra gushed.
"Alright Lyra. You've scarred him enough." Adrian said. She giggled.
"Later girls!" Yokito said as he escorted a terrified Gio away. "Not used to girls, are you?" Yokito asked.
"Well, Adrian doesn't bother me, but that Lyra girl is too outgoing." Gio said. He relaxed once out of earshot of the girls. "Okay, here we are. B-5. Should I expect guys like Lyra?" He joked. Yokito laughed.
"Well, Radditz is pretty regular but Kakkarot's a little strange." Yokito answered. He walked up the steps and opened up the tent door. He saw Kakkarot sleeping on a cot and Radditz sitting on his bed, fiddling with something. Radditz looked up. His eye's got wide and before he could say anything, Yokito motioned for him to be quiet. Yokito slowly walked over to Kakkarot, and, crouching next to his right ear, yelled,
"TIME TO GET UP, SCHUNUKUMS! PAULINE'S GOT THE VEGETABLES!"
"AHHHHHH! NOOOO!!" Kakkarot shot up and looked around wildly. His eyes landed on Gio, got huge, and he yelled again.
"NOOOO! VEGETABLES ARE BAD!" With that, he fell of the bed and rolled under it.
Everyone laughed. "Schnukums, its just me, Yokito. And that's the guard that brought Adrian and me here. His name is Gio."
"So you were taken here too? That's awesome!" Radditz exclaimed. "Okay, Kakkarot, this is embarrassing. Please get up."
Kakkarot rolled out from under the bed and stood up slowly. He smiled big at Yokito and Gio. "Hello! I'm glad you came too!" He said, not at all embarrassed about what he had done. Radditz rolled his eyes.
"Well, now that you know where you supposed to be, I'll see you tomorrow." Gio said, walking towards the door. "Bye!"
"Bye! Thanks for everythin'!" Yokito called.
Yokito walked over to the bunk next to Kakkarot and sat down. He placed his bag of possessions on the ground, kicked it under the bed, and lay down. He sighed.
"Today has been a crazy day." Yokito said.
"Yeah, I know. But isn't it cool that most of us got into this camp? I mean, only Lyra and Vegeta aren't here." Radditz said.
"Actually, Lyra is here." Yokito said, smiling.
"What? Whoa, how weird is that?" Radditz exclaimed. Kakkarot nodded in agreement.
"Even weirder; Vegeta's here as well." A voice said from outside the tent. Kakkarot yelped, Yokito sat up, and Radditz sat down. Vegeta walked inside the tent. He looked around.
"Vegeta, did you know that you always seem to appear like that? It's like you're trying to scare people." Kakkarot said.
"Yeah, imagine that!" Radditz said sarcastically.
"Shut up, fools! Ugh. I can't believe I'm going to be in such close quarters with you three."
"Hey I have a great idea! Why don't you leave? I'm sure if you killed a couple of people, you could have a tent all to yourself." Yokito said sarcastically.
"Fool! Don't you understand the circumstances of my coming here? No one can know that I am a prince. I need to adjust to this poverty, gain a little humility." Vegeta sounded disgusted, as if he believed he had enough humility. Everyone rolled their eyes.
"No way!" Yokito said. He lay back down.
"Anyway, this isn't so bad. Consider this, Vegeta. We are in the greatest training camp on this planet. And how much time are you going to spend in here? During the day, you'll be training. You'll only be here at night to sleep." Radditz said.
Vegeta went over to the last bed and sat down on it cautiously. "Whatever," He said. "Just remember, no one can know that I am a prince. Only you three and the girls know. If someone else finds out, I'll just have to kill all of you." He smirked.
"Okay." Kakkarot said. He brightened. "I know! I'll tell the girls not to tell anyone. Just in case," he added. He lay face down on his bed to concentrate. He imagined Lyra, Adrian, and Radu standing before him. He imagined himself whispering into each of their ears, "Vegeta is at training camp. Vegeta is at training camp. He is bound by tradition and no one may know that he is a prince. No one may know. Or he'll kill us. Whoooooooo!!! He giggled into his pillow. Then he sat up, as if realizing something.
"Vegeta, don't people have a pretty good idea of what you look like? I mean, I'm pretty sure a lot of the people are going to know you are a prince. The teachers, for sure."
"Well, maybe, Kakkarot. But remember, not everyone is as stupid as you are. Most people know the tradition. This way, I won't get any special treatment." He scowled, as if he didn't like that idea.
Kakkarot nodded. "I get it." He looked sheepishly up at Vegeta. "Ummm. can you explain that one more time?" Vegeta growled.
"No! Just go to sleep, you fool!"
~~~~~~~At G-3~~~~~~~
Radu, Adrian and Lyra each sat on their own bed. They had been talking when all of the sudden, everyone ceased talking. Their eyes close and, after about thirty seconds, opened. Lyra laughed.
"Wow! That is so typical of Kakkarot! The first time he talks to us, he has to do something stupid. And he assumes we don't know tradition." She said. Radu rolled her eyes.
"Yeah. Definitely typical." She changed the subject. "So Vegeta's here. That's weird!"
Adrian agreed. "I know. C'mon, all of us getting into the same camp and same time is just a little too coincidental."
"Well, it's not like we can do anything about it. I, for one, don't mind. Beyond the fact that this is strange, I'm prepared to have a great time." Lyra said optimistically.
"Of course you are." Adrian muttered. She imagined all the trouble Yokito and Vegeta would get into because of Lyra. Then she imagined all the trouble Lyra would get into.
"Whatever Adrian. Look you guys, lets just go to bed now. It's late and we don't even know what tomorrow will bring. Okay?" Radu said.
They went to sleep.
~~~~~~~At the palace~~~~~~~
King Vegeta sat in the throne room. He was leaning his hand on his fist. His eyes stared at the crystal ball. He saw Lyra have a break down again, Vegeta's actions, Yokito's solution, and Lyra accepting the "pillow." Then he saw Lyra hug the guard, Radu "turn down" the guard's 'proposal', Adrian's prank, and Vegeta's attack on the King's personal guard. At this he smirked.
"Such a brash young man." He muttered distractedly.
The crystal ball continued a recap of the day. Bardock gave Radu and Radditz scouters, the guard carried Lyra, Adrain brooded, Lyra acted like Lyra, Vegeta arrived. and the girls caught on. Then the crystal ball went clear. The King smiled.
"Smart girls. They caught on." The King said.
~~~~~~~At Bardock's house~~~~~~~
Radditz and Kakkarot were waiting by the door, talking with the guard. They found out that his name was K'Naki, and he was training at the Vegeta-sei Elite training camp.
"So, if you're a trainee, why did you do this errand?" Kakkarot asked.
"Well, someone from the training camp has to recite the formal lines to those entering the camp. It's a common errand around camp. It's almost like an honor."
"Then, when the camp was started, how did the first people join?" Kakkarot wondered aloud, his eyes wandering to the ceiling. Radditz hit him behind the head. "OW!"
"Sorry 'bout that, he's kind of a fool. Where is Radu? Dammit but girls take so long in getting read-ow!" Radditz grabbed the back of his head in pain.
"Payback, baka. You hit Kakkarot, I hit you. no one hits me! Hehehe! Works out nicely, don't you think? Plus, I heard that sexist comment." Radu said, smiling maliciously.
"Is it sexist if it's true?" Kakkarot wondered aloud again. K'Naki and Radditz sweat dropped while Radu growled and slapped him behind the head. "OW! Will you guys stop doing that?" Kakkarot exclaimed.
"As much fun as it is to watch you fool around, I need to talk to Radu and Radditz. Please come with me into the kitchen." Bardock said.
Radu and Radditz looked at each other and followed their father into the kitchen. When they entered, Bardock turned around and looked at the two siblings.
"Happy birthday." Were the first words out of his mouth. "I know that Radu thought I forgot. How could I?" Bardock questioned.
Radu made a small protesting noise but Bardock held up his hand to silence her. "Did you know that I went to the same training camp as the one you're about to enter? I went from being a third class good-for-nothing to a second class top purger. I will expect no less out of you three. But I didn't call you into here to lecture you. I actually bought you a present." He turned around and picked up two scouters.
Radu's eyes got big and Radditz said "Wow.." Bardock handed the green one to Radu and the blue one to Radditz. "I know that you normally would have received one at camp but these are much better. They're are better then what the prince used as a young adult. I think you'll find them satisfactory. And don't use them while you're training unless you need to. I'd rather they weren't stolen."
"Yes sir!" Radu and Radditz said in unison. Bardock smiled.
"Stick together, my offspring." And with that, he turned and walked out of the kitchen. Radu turned to her brother. She had tears threatening to spill over her cheeks.
"He does think we're adults!" Radu sniffed. "Today has been salvaged!"
Radditz smiled and twirled Radu around. He set her down and said, "Lets go." Radu nodded. They walked back into the walk way, each picking up their bags, and Radu repeated, "Let's go boys."
~~~~~~~At the training camp~~~~~~~
The training camp was huge. It covered over 2000 acres. On 30 of the acres on the south end of the lot, there were 50 tents. The tents had wooden floors, thick canvas covering, and 4 bed pallets each. There was a training arena just to the north of the camp and even farther north, there was a HUGE forest. It took up roughly 1500 of the acres. The training arena was also huge, roughly 17 acres. To the east and west of the training arena, there was an anti-gravity room for extreme training and a building that contained rooms for different types of special techniques.
K'Naki walked the three through the inhabited area of the camp.
"The tents are all numbered from 1-25. You see, there are exactly 50 tents. The smaller the number on the tent you inhabit, the less number of years you've been here. But don't worry! That doesn't mean anyone in higher numbered tents is stronger then you or older then you. It just means they've been here longer. Oh yeah; the girl's tents begin with 'G' and the boy's tents begin with 'B.' Simple!" He smiled.
"Uhh, I don't get it." Kakkarot said, clearly confused.
"Don't worry, it will dawn on you some time in the next decade," K'Naki joked. Radu and Radditz laughed. "Alright, Radu. This is tent G-3. Some new girls will be joining you." She smiled at the three boys.
"See you later. Don't be strangers." She waved as they walked away.
"Nice girl," K'Naki said.
"Hey don't get any ideas," Radditz growled.
"Hey man, you misunderstand me. I'm already seeing someone! You'd better watch out for some of the sharks in this camp though. Everyone here is strong and earns their stay, but some like to have a little fun along the way." K'Naki said.
"Thanks for the warning," Radditz grumbled. Kakkarot nudged him. "What?"
"Uhh, if he thinks Radu is a great girl, what's going to happen to Lyra?" Kakkarot whispered.
"Why bro, that's the first smart question I've heard out of you ever!" Radditz quipped. "But seriously, I don't know. She has all of us to look out for her though."
~~~~~~~
Lyra was flying through the air. Her guard (his name was Palmer and he went to the training camp too) was an extremely buff Saiyain and he was absolutely speeding through the air. Lyra was really having a hard time keeping up with him. After her day, she only had so much energy left! She slowed down and stopped. Her chest was heaving and she was having a hard time getting her breath back.
"Palmer," she wheezed as loud as she could. "Palmer. PALMER!"
With that, Palmer stopped, looked back confused, and flew back over.
"I really don't have much energy left. Could you maybe slow the pace down a bit?"
He smirked. "I have a better idea." He went over to her and picked her up like a baby.
"Uhhh, ok.I suppose this works too."
"Thought you'd like it" was Palmer's reply. Lyra rolled her eyes. Dear Goddess. The big macho type. Just my luck. Though he is cute. and strong. and warm. and I am really tired. Just as she was about to doze off, an image of Yokito filled her head. Her eyes flew open. Oh Goddess! If Yokito saw me! Yokito. Vegeta. RADU ADRIAN RADDITZ KAKKAROT. will I ever see them again? YES. I will. We vowed to stay friends.
She crossed her arms and willed herself not to become comfortable. She decided to start a conversation.
"So, what do you do at the training camp?"
"I'm training to become one of the King's royal guards."
"Oh! That's nice! How long have you been in the camp?"
"Four years."
"Really? How much longer do you plan to stay?"
"Until the next royal guard draft comes through in a couple of months. I'm hopin' that I'll get chosen."
"That's ambitious. Well, Palmer, I hope you get drafted." Lyra declared.
"He looked down at her and said, "Well aren't you just a nice girl." Then he smirked.
"Uhh, yeah, I've been told that." Lyra felt a lot braver (almost giddy) since her friends made an emotional pillow for her. She decided it was time for a mental rest. While physically she remained alert, mentally she curled around her pillow.
~~~~~~~Half an hour later~~~~~~~
"We're here." Palmer said simply, landing on the ground. I'll show you to your tent. I'm sure you'll make friends with your bunk mates 'cause your such a nice girl." He smirked again.
What is up with that smirking? Lyra questioned to herself, while following him through the camp. Weird.
"Here we are. G-3. The G is for 'girl', just as the boy's tents begin with B for 'boy.'"
"Alrighty. Thanks Palmer. Maybe I'll see you around camp sometime. I dunno." She smiled and waved.
"I'll make sure of it," Palmer promised. Lyra slightly blushed, turned around, and went inside.
"Lyra?" A familiar voice said. Lyra turned towards the source.
"RADU!" Lyra yelled. She went over and hugged Radu.
"Hey Lyra! Did you get taken here too? Isn't this soo cool?" Radu said.
"Yes! I am so excited. We're actually in training camp and in it together!" Lyra squealed. Radu smiled.
"Actually, Kakkarot and Radditz are here too!" Lyra's eyes got bigger and she yelled,
"EHHHHH! YES! FREEEEEEEEEE!!! WE'RE FREEEEEE!!!!!"
~~~~~~~~Flying to the training camp~~~~~~~
Adrian and Yokito were flying to the camp, following their guard, Gio. He didn't look anything like a Saiyain in his face, though his body was very buff. He had light blondish-brown hair and hazel eyes. He was very easy- going, though quite unaware of his good looks and young boyish charm. Is there such thing as a bad looking Saiyain? Adrian wondered in her head. Yeah. Probably, anyway. I sure haven't met any. Adrian wondered again about Lyra and Yokito. Man, if Vegeta gets it into his head to marry her, no one can stop him. He has the law to back him. Goddess, he is the law. I suppose it's better that he'll be away from both of them for a while. Damn but we'll miss them.
Unconsciously, she sighed. Gio and Yokito looked over at her.
"Any reason you're sighing? I thought you'd be happy to go to camp." Yokito asked.
"Uhh. I just have a lot on my mind that's all." She saw his questioning look but she shook her head. She wasn't about to tell him that she was worried about his love life!
"I think you'll like training camp, Adrian." Gio said, misinterpreting her sigh. She smiled at him.
"I'm know I will." She replied. So many Saiyains, so many pranks, so little time! She thought wickedly. Gio looked over.
"Uh oh. I can just hear the wheels turning. What pranks do you have in mind now? Are you going to start a chicken coop?" Gio said. He and Yokito laughed. Adrian blushed.
"Yeah, that's right so you'd better watch out!" Adrian joked.
~~~~~~~15 minutes later~~~~~~~
"Okay, land here with me. I'll take you each to your tents. Tomorrow, I'll show you around camp. Then you're on your own." Gio informed them. "Adrian, you're in tent G-3. Each tent has a letter and number. The girl's tents begin with 'G' and the boy's tents begin with 'B.' The higher the number on your tent, the longer you've been here. Be warned though; Some of the people in the higher tents think they're something special because they've been here longer."
"More like couldn't find a job," Yokito joked. "But thanks for doing this man." Gio smiled and nodded.
They walked to G-3. Adrian heard giggling inside. She rolled her eyes. She walked up the three steps the canvas door and turned towards her brother and Gio.
"If I'm stuck in a tent with a bunch of giggling girls, can I mov-" Adrian was interrupted by a loud squeal followed by yelling.
"ADRIAN!!!!!" Lyra said. "YOKITO!!!!!!" Lyra flung herself into Adrian's arms and then into Yokito's. She pulled away and beamed at him.
"Holy crap," Gio said, taking a step back. He obviously wasn't used to such an outgoing girl. "You know these people?"
"Yeah man! These are my best friends!" Yokito said.
"What are you guys doing here?" Adrian demanded.
"What, you think you're the only one who made it in here? Typical." Radu said. "Hey Yokito! This is cool, isn't it? Radditz and Kakkarot are here too! I bet you're in a tent with them."
"Cool! Uhh, Gio looks a little overwhelmed. Gio, will you show me the tent I'm in?"
"Yeah. sure." Gio said, backing away slowly.
Lyra went up and hugged him. His eye's got huge and his face positively begged Yokito for help. Everyone else just laughed.
"Thank you for being you!" Lyra gushed.
"Alright Lyra. You've scarred him enough." Adrian said. She giggled.
"Later girls!" Yokito said as he escorted a terrified Gio away. "Not used to girls, are you?" Yokito asked.
"Well, Adrian doesn't bother me, but that Lyra girl is too outgoing." Gio said. He relaxed once out of earshot of the girls. "Okay, here we are. B-5. Should I expect guys like Lyra?" He joked. Yokito laughed.
"Well, Radditz is pretty regular but Kakkarot's a little strange." Yokito answered. He walked up the steps and opened up the tent door. He saw Kakkarot sleeping on a cot and Radditz sitting on his bed, fiddling with something. Radditz looked up. His eye's got wide and before he could say anything, Yokito motioned for him to be quiet. Yokito slowly walked over to Kakkarot, and, crouching next to his right ear, yelled,
"TIME TO GET UP, SCHUNUKUMS! PAULINE'S GOT THE VEGETABLES!"
"AHHHHHH! NOOOO!!" Kakkarot shot up and looked around wildly. His eyes landed on Gio, got huge, and he yelled again.
"NOOOO! VEGETABLES ARE BAD!" With that, he fell of the bed and rolled under it.
Everyone laughed. "Schnukums, its just me, Yokito. And that's the guard that brought Adrian and me here. His name is Gio."
"So you were taken here too? That's awesome!" Radditz exclaimed. "Okay, Kakkarot, this is embarrassing. Please get up."
Kakkarot rolled out from under the bed and stood up slowly. He smiled big at Yokito and Gio. "Hello! I'm glad you came too!" He said, not at all embarrassed about what he had done. Radditz rolled his eyes.
"Well, now that you know where you supposed to be, I'll see you tomorrow." Gio said, walking towards the door. "Bye!"
"Bye! Thanks for everythin'!" Yokito called.
Yokito walked over to the bunk next to Kakkarot and sat down. He placed his bag of possessions on the ground, kicked it under the bed, and lay down. He sighed.
"Today has been a crazy day." Yokito said.
"Yeah, I know. But isn't it cool that most of us got into this camp? I mean, only Lyra and Vegeta aren't here." Radditz said.
"Actually, Lyra is here." Yokito said, smiling.
"What? Whoa, how weird is that?" Radditz exclaimed. Kakkarot nodded in agreement.
"Even weirder; Vegeta's here as well." A voice said from outside the tent. Kakkarot yelped, Yokito sat up, and Radditz sat down. Vegeta walked inside the tent. He looked around.
"Vegeta, did you know that you always seem to appear like that? It's like you're trying to scare people." Kakkarot said.
"Yeah, imagine that!" Radditz said sarcastically.
"Shut up, fools! Ugh. I can't believe I'm going to be in such close quarters with you three."
"Hey I have a great idea! Why don't you leave? I'm sure if you killed a couple of people, you could have a tent all to yourself." Yokito said sarcastically.
"Fool! Don't you understand the circumstances of my coming here? No one can know that I am a prince. I need to adjust to this poverty, gain a little humility." Vegeta sounded disgusted, as if he believed he had enough humility. Everyone rolled their eyes.
"No way!" Yokito said. He lay back down.
"Anyway, this isn't so bad. Consider this, Vegeta. We are in the greatest training camp on this planet. And how much time are you going to spend in here? During the day, you'll be training. You'll only be here at night to sleep." Radditz said.
Vegeta went over to the last bed and sat down on it cautiously. "Whatever," He said. "Just remember, no one can know that I am a prince. Only you three and the girls know. If someone else finds out, I'll just have to kill all of you." He smirked.
"Okay." Kakkarot said. He brightened. "I know! I'll tell the girls not to tell anyone. Just in case," he added. He lay face down on his bed to concentrate. He imagined Lyra, Adrian, and Radu standing before him. He imagined himself whispering into each of their ears, "Vegeta is at training camp. Vegeta is at training camp. He is bound by tradition and no one may know that he is a prince. No one may know. Or he'll kill us. Whoooooooo!!! He giggled into his pillow. Then he sat up, as if realizing something.
"Vegeta, don't people have a pretty good idea of what you look like? I mean, I'm pretty sure a lot of the people are going to know you are a prince. The teachers, for sure."
"Well, maybe, Kakkarot. But remember, not everyone is as stupid as you are. Most people know the tradition. This way, I won't get any special treatment." He scowled, as if he didn't like that idea.
Kakkarot nodded. "I get it." He looked sheepishly up at Vegeta. "Ummm. can you explain that one more time?" Vegeta growled.
"No! Just go to sleep, you fool!"
~~~~~~~At G-3~~~~~~~
Radu, Adrian and Lyra each sat on their own bed. They had been talking when all of the sudden, everyone ceased talking. Their eyes close and, after about thirty seconds, opened. Lyra laughed.
"Wow! That is so typical of Kakkarot! The first time he talks to us, he has to do something stupid. And he assumes we don't know tradition." She said. Radu rolled her eyes.
"Yeah. Definitely typical." She changed the subject. "So Vegeta's here. That's weird!"
Adrian agreed. "I know. C'mon, all of us getting into the same camp and same time is just a little too coincidental."
"Well, it's not like we can do anything about it. I, for one, don't mind. Beyond the fact that this is strange, I'm prepared to have a great time." Lyra said optimistically.
"Of course you are." Adrian muttered. She imagined all the trouble Yokito and Vegeta would get into because of Lyra. Then she imagined all the trouble Lyra would get into.
"Whatever Adrian. Look you guys, lets just go to bed now. It's late and we don't even know what tomorrow will bring. Okay?" Radu said.
They went to sleep.
~~~~~~~At the palace~~~~~~~
King Vegeta sat in the throne room. He was leaning his hand on his fist. His eyes stared at the crystal ball. He saw Lyra have a break down again, Vegeta's actions, Yokito's solution, and Lyra accepting the "pillow." Then he saw Lyra hug the guard, Radu "turn down" the guard's 'proposal', Adrian's prank, and Vegeta's attack on the King's personal guard. At this he smirked.
"Such a brash young man." He muttered distractedly.
The crystal ball continued a recap of the day. Bardock gave Radu and Radditz scouters, the guard carried Lyra, Adrain brooded, Lyra acted like Lyra, Vegeta arrived. and the girls caught on. Then the crystal ball went clear. The King smiled.
"Smart girls. They caught on." The King said.