Author's Note: Sorry I haven't updated in so long. I've been grounded for
about 4 months or so and I've been sooooooo busy with my school work
(Junior year SUX!). Anywayz, enjoy Chapter 4 and hopefully Chapter 5 will
be out in about a week! Byez!
Chapter 4: Rutabe; Saiyan-no-Ouji?
But when he removed his hand from over his eyes, Juick was surprised to see that the insolent intruder was not whom he had expected. Instead, it was merely Rutabe, slapping his hands together in a most ecstatic, and sarcastic, manner. Narrowing his eyes, the overlord searched the alien's face for an explanation.
"My Lord." Rutabe began with a mocking bow. "You look disappointed to see me."
"Relieved is more like it, Rutabe. What do you want?" demanded Juick. "Your intrusion couldn't have been at a worse time. I was just having a very important conversation with Miss Briefs over there."
With his statement, Juick waved a hand nonchalantly in Bulma's general direction. Rutabe looked over and found a surprisingly pretty young woman scrutinizing him from head to toe. Her cold blue eyes shone with distrust and fury, and he couldn't help but feel guilty for his rudeness upon entering. Sardonic applause was obviously not what the girl needed right now. Sighing, Rutabe gave a mental shrug and looked her over, dragging his black eyes appraisingly over every inch of her trim form.
Bulma had begun examining the man the minute he stepped into the room, cautiously aware of his menacing eyes and bulging muscles. He was about 5 feet, 6 inches, more than an inch taller than her. He was broad of shoulder, narrow of hip and wore loose black pants tucked into brown cloth boots and a tight black shirt cut open to reveal all of his impressive six- pack. Below the slit in his shirt, Bulma briefly noted a striking fur belt wrapped tightly around his waist. After taking in his guise, she shifted her attention up to his face, blatantly admiring his handsome features. He had a small mouth drawn into a relaxed smile and dark eyebrows that hovered dangerously low over his impossibly black eyes. An aristocratic nose composed of curt edges lay in the very center of his face. Finally, large ears and wily hair added the perfect finishing touch, attractively framing his head. Oddly, his tresses looked a lot like a flame, curving messily upwards with occasional red highlights illuminating them. Choppy bangs strayed from his massive mane to partially hide his large forehead (A/N: Think of the way Chibi-Vegeta's hair was, with the streaks added), giving him a young and playful appearance to his otherwise vicious look.
At last realizing that she was gaping, Bulma blinked twice and took a small step backwards, blushing crimson in embarrassment. The man called Rutabe smiled even bigger then, relaxing his high cheeks and bringing a lighthearted sparkle to his otherwise stern ebony eyes.
"Don't be ashamed, I like it when women stare at me." he assured her with a wink.
Feeling her cheeks deepen in color, Bulma bit her lip to keep from replying with a snappy remark. She wasn't sure of this stranger's temper, and, by the size of his biceps, she doubted he would have any trouble decapitating her.
"I wasn't staring." she grit out at last.
"If you say so, Miss Briefs. I meant no offense." Rutabe apologized.
This caught the human off-guard. It had been a long time since she'd met someone who was so casually decent. Unsure of how to respond, she simply gave him a tight, but gracious, smile and turned a fierce scowl on Juick.
"Are we done here?" she demanded of him briskly.
"Of course." replied Juick. "If you'll wait outside, I'll send Rutabe out when he's done with me. I'm sure he'd be happy to escort you back to your room."
Raising an eyebrow at the man in question, Bulma received a reaffirming nod and finally stalked out of the office. When she closed the door behind her, she immediately pressed herself as flat as she could against the wall, struggling to stay out of the way of the aliens still rushing to and fro before her.
Inside the room, Rutabe and Juick started their conversation.
"You wanted something?" Juick asked again, shuffling through the contents of one of the drawers in his desk.
"Yes, Lord. I spoke with Nrocinu earlier today, and she mentioned that Ambassador Frieza had paid you a visit. If you don't mind my asking, why was he here?" began Rutabe, keeping his tone neutral.
"Why don't you first tell me what you think he was doing here? I mean, you seem to know SO much lately, Rutabe." Juick sneered, closing his desk and setting his chin daintily upon folded hands.
"Master Juick, you know as well as I why I am curious about his arrival." growled Rutabe, his patience waning.
"It was merely a business settlement, Rutabe. Nothing that you should be concerned about."
"My Lord, I only want information regarding a personal interest of mine."
"And how do you know it is about him?" Juick prodded, his eyes darkening with quiet indignation.
"I did not say anything about a 'him,' Master Juick." countered Rutabe evenly.
"Ah, but Rutabe, you are so transparent that you needn't mention names." responded the powerful leader. "I know why you are so wrapped up in my affairs with Frieza. It's about your little brother of course.am I right?"
"Yes, Lord. But can you blame me? I mean, it's been so long." muttered Rutabe.
"Rutabe, I promised that if I found out anything about him possibly still being alive, I'd let you know. You don't think I'd go back on my word, now do you?" grunted Juick with annoyance.
"I never doubted your word, My Lord, only your priority of keeping it."
"You are causing me distress, Rutabe. If you do not wish to spend the next week in complete isolation, I'd suggest that you go show Miss Briefs to her quarters now. I want her well-rested for tomorrow. I have some very important duties for our talented little lady to attend to in the morning."
"Yes, My Lord." said Rutabe with a solemn bow, turning on his heel and striding out the door, knowing it was futile to argue. If Juick didn't want to tell him something, there was no damned way he could make him. Better to just disregard the whole matter; and that was one area that Rutabe excelled in.
The woman named Bulma was standing against the wall when Rutabe exited Juick's office. A curt nod was the only welcoming gesture she bothered to offer up to him, and the taller being felt a slight twinge of remorse when he realized she was obviously still somewhat upset with his earlier actions. In a bold move, Rutabe extended his hand out to her, and was somewhat surprised when she immediately placed her smaller paw into his. Rutabe pulled her arm upwards and laid a gentle kiss on the back of her palm, looking deeply into her eyes as he did so.
"It really was not my wish to upset you, Miss Briefs. I was merely commending your standing up to Lord Juick. You must know that it is few and far between that a new arrival such as yourself has the courage to go head-to-head against him. I apologize again if my methods of doing so were.out of line."
Bulma's creamy cheeks flushed cherry-red at the stranger's contrite words. He was most certainly a gentleman, and his eloquent speech mixed with a slight accent made him very pleasant to listen to. She finally gave him a warm smile and withdrew her hand politely, her azure eyes assuring him that all was forgotten.
"It's fine, Mister Rutabe."
"My name is Rutabe, not Mister Rutabe, just Rutabe." he replied, his face alighting with a beautiful grin.
"And you may call me Bulma, Miss Briefs makes me feel so old." Bulma said with a small scowl.
"Very well, Bulma." there was that smile again. "Would you allow me the esteemed pleasure of walking you back to your quarters?"
Feeling a bit presumptuous, and scolding herself for allowing him the ability to so easily woo her with his syrupy words, Bulma reluctantly took the arm offered to her and followed his sure and steady stride down one of the crowded corridors. Apparently, Rutabe commanded a lot of respect from the other creatures, as they quickly moved out of his way when he was seen approaching. Bulma was quite relieved by the development, grateful that she didn't need to worry about getting run over anymore.
They had been walking in comfortable silence for about five minutes when she was startled by the discovery that Rutabe's belt seemed to have a mind of its own. The furry brown thing first caught her attention when it began twitching slightly at the tip (which was located right above a fine set of muscled buttocks ^_^) and soon after, as she watched in fascination, the end of the belt slowly began to unwind and rewind itself. Noticing her distracted concentration, Rutabe followed her widened eyes to the rear of his waist, and smirked as he realized that she had probably never seen a person with a tail before. Turning his head back onto their path, he released his extra limb from its resting place above his hips and swung it casually around in midair, glancing over to see her intrigued gaze resting on his face; silently requesting an explanation.
"My tail." he offered, stretching the limb out and gently grabbing a hold of her wrist with it.
"Really?" Bulma murmured, reaching her free hand out to tentatively touch the furry appendage.
Rutabe grinned at her caution. "It won't bite." he reassured the woman.
Bulma looked up, confusion shining in her eyes a moment, before understanding finally dawned and her cheeks flushed yet again as she realized her slow response.
"Does it hurt when I touch it?" she asked, lightly stroking the downy fur.
"Not in the way you think." Rutabe groaned through clenched teeth, silently counting backwards from one-hundred as Bulma's soft fingers trailed his tail's length.
Finally looking up, the woman noticed the steely set of Rutabe's face and flustered look in his eyes and took a hint.abruptly relinquishing the limb. Rutabe could only smile through his teeth, willing the pleasant, painful heat to retreat from his groin. When he felt well enough to stop counting, Rutabe draped an arm friendly-like around Bulma's shoulders and continued his quick pace, grinning as she unconsciously leaned into his side.
"Rutabe?" Bulma began quietly.
"Yes?" replied Rutabe.
"If you don't mind my asking, what are you doing here?"
"It's a long story, but if you want to hear it."
"I do."
"Well, my home planet, Vegetasei, was destroyed about 12 years ago, and I am apparently the only survivor. You see, I was off-planet at the time; doing.private work."
"Really? That's so horrible.your planet's destruction, I mean. Do you know who did it?"
"I'm afraid not. Though if I did, I'd be sure to rip him to pieces and incinerate his innards as he did to my home."
"I know how you feel. My planet was also destroyed, now I'm the only human left. Say Rutabe, what species are you anyway? I've never seen an alien quite like you in all my limited travels; one with a tail, I mean."
"Me? I'm a Saiyan; a member of the proud and once powerful race of conquerors and warriors. In fact, I was one of the crowned princes."
"One?"
"Yes. I had a twin brother. He was to succeed our father as the next king because, although I was born first, he was far more powerful than I at birth. He was also purportedly off-planet at the time of Vegetasei's destruction; which is why I don't fully believe Juick when he says that I am the only Saiyan he knows to have survived. I'm determined to find out for myself whether or not my brother is still alive. I refuse to give up hope. That's what I was doing when I so rudely barged in on your and Juick's conversation earlier."
"Really? And here I thought you just wanted to bug someone." Bulma said, giggling lightly.
"Not at all. You see, I'd heard that an ambassador from another planet had arrived for a visit with Juick earlier this day. One of my friends, Shubaik, gave me the heads-up that he might know something about what happened to my brother, since he was supposedly the last one my brother had been seen with. But before I could question the ambassador, Juick had finished up his matters with him and sent the man on his way.without even giving me a chance to possibly discover a few new leads on the only family I might have left."
"That's so awful.I'm sorry, Rutabe."
"Don't be. Your tears are more than I deserve." he reassured her, stopping and pulling her into his chest.
"Rutabe?"
"Bulma, may I please kiss you? I feel as though I've known you for so long, like you're a dear friend. I just want you to know how fond I've become of you in so short a time."
"Uhh.sure." Bulma answered, her cheeks *again* blushing.
Bending down slightly, Rutabe pressed his lips to hers in a quick kiss, too fast for her liking. Pulling back, he broke out into another one of his brilliant smiles and stroked her cheek softly.
"We'd best get going." he stated, wrapping his arm around Bulma's shoulders once more.
"Yeah, probably." she agreed dazedly, automatically snuggling back into the warmth of his body.
They walked in silence, both apparently absorbed in their own thoughts. It was only when Rutabe stopped and called her name that she turned to the Saiyan.
"Yes?" she murmured, blinking in at him in confusion.
"We're here.at your room, I mean." the alien said, unwrapping his arm from around her and standing a short distance in front of the woman. Looking up at the door bearing Bulma's name, he noted the lettering of the second occupant with amusement. "It looks like you'll be quartered with Nrocinu.you couldn't have asked for a better roommate."
"Really? Nrocinu? She seems a few apples short of a barrel, if you know what I mean." Bulma replied with a small frown.
"Apples? What are apples?" Rutabe asked, his prominent forehead crinkling in thought.
"A juicy, red fruit from my home planet." Bulma explained. "What I mean is, she seems.off."
"I assure you, Nrocinu is one of the most trustworthy, entertaining, friendly, and kindest persons I know. You'll like her; I know you will.if you'll only give her a chance."
"If you say so." sighed the human. "She was just very touchy when I mentioned the name 'Qorgin' earlier."
"Oh, that's easy to explain. You see, Qorgin is her latest love interest. I do believe she's got a new one each week. Don't worry about it. It's a Starnicorn thing.I think." Rutabe said with a laugh.
"Will I see you again?" asked Bulma, surprised that she was so eager to talk with the handsome alien again.
"Of course you will, Nrocinu is one of my closest friends.we always have our afternoon and evening meals together. You'll get to meet Rubiu and Shubaik as well." assured the alien.
"Great. I could use a few friendly faces amidst all the confusion of this place."
"Well, Shubi is sure to be friendly enough, but don't count on any help from Rubiu. He's the cynical, cruel type." stated the man with a smile and a friendly wink.
"Great.and I've had just about enough of that sort of man." said Bulma, looking up to see an unfamiliar door in front of her. Where was the elegant crystal handle and large wooden chamber-entrance? Instead, the door before her was a metal sliding one with a small, electronic hand-print panel next to it. "Um.Rutabe, this isn't my room."
"Yes, it is." insisted the man. "See? Your name.right there on the door. If you're looking for the room you were in when you first arrived, then you've got a wrong idea of where you're supposed to live. Those rooms are only for new arrivals, they are specially programmed to reflect a familiar surrounding to the occupant. They aren't actual living quarters."
"Oh.okay, I understand now. See you at the evening meal, then?"
"You know it." Rutabe said, grinning broadly as the door woman tentatively opened the door using the hand pad and stepped inside.
Bulma blinked a few times, allowing her eyes adjust to her considerably darker surroundings after the entry-way closed. The main area of her quarters contained two four-poster beds set next to each other. One was hung with rich violet tapestries, and the other with lovely pearl-colored ones. Despite Rutabe's words, Bulma found this chamber to be almost as elegant as the one she'd awoken in. As she walked the short distance to the beds, Bulma's eyes drifted to the many foreign paintings that covered the walls. The most interesting of them all was located between the two beds; a stunning oil painting of a green glade teeming with multi-colored faeries flitting about a vibrant garden. The woman stood before the massive piece of artwork (it was easily one-and-a-half times taller than her and about six times as wide), admiring it silently.
"Jacevians." stated a voice.
Bulma spun around to see her roommate standing behind her, gazing at the same painting.
"Ja.cevians?" asked the human curiously.
"Yep. That's what those flittery-things are called. If ya look closely enough, you should see their itty-bitty little tails and ears. They look like flying cats, if you ask me." said Nrocinu, cocking her head at the painting.
Squinting, Bulma did indeed see tiny feline-tails drifting behind the faeries and small, pointy ears peeking out from beneath their flowing hair.
"Are they really that small?" asked Bulma, lightly brushing her fingers over one of the tiny creatures in disbelief.
"Nah.most are smaller." Nrocinu replied, grinning.
Bulma laughed quietly and turned back to face the Starnicorn. "So I suppose you and I are to be roommates? Didn't you have one before me?"
"Yeah.but the poor thing went senile after her beau broke up with her and had to be relocated in the compound." Nrocinu said with a shrug. "I didn't really like her anyway; she was always crampin' my style when it came to guys. She was constantly tryin' to convert me to the long-winded relationships, instead of the one-night-stands I'm so fond of."
Crossing her arms, Bulma grinned broadly. "Oh really? Are you sure it wasn't being your roommate that sent her into the deep-end?"
Chuckling loudly, Nrocinu wrapped an arm around Bulma's shoulders and said, "I suppose it could've been that; Kami knows I'm a little zany at times! But I guess you'll just have to cope!"
"I'm sure you're right. But I also have several quirks of my own that might take a little getting-used to on your part." Bulma replied, smiling.
"Then we'll be perfect roommates! Ready to snap the other's neck after the smallest discrepancy!" giggled Nrocinu.
Sighing, Bulma nodded in agreement and removed herself from beneath the Starnicorn's arm. "So, which bed is yours?" asked the human.
"The violet one." Nrocinu answered. "I think it matches my hair, don't you?"
"Of course. Purple clashes with aqua, anyway." agreed Bulma, touching her own locks.
Walking away from the woman, Nrocinu beckoned to Bulma with her hand. "C'mon, I'll show you the rest of the apartment."
Trotting after the Starnicorn, Bulma listened intently as Nrocinu told her how to use the toilet, telephone, and the human equivalent of a television that was located in the sitting room. The tour was short and, at the end of it, Bulma had learned that there were only three rooms in the place: a bathroom, sitting room, and the main chamber that contained their beds. Along with the beds, there were two bureaus, two armoires, two loveseats, and a speaker phone located on the wall near the door in the room. Dimmed floodlights covered the ceiling and Nrocinu showed Bulma how to turn them brighter or darker with a sliding switch located on the side of the door opposite from the phone.
"Wow, this is a rather small apartment." Bulma admitted, feeling somewhat ashamed for having expected more.
"Well, all you basically do in here is shower and sleep. Most of us hang out in the cafeteria, one of the clubs, the gardens, or working our asses off at our jobs."
"Jobs? Am I going to get one too?"
"Of course. It's kinda like working to pay the rent. Juick supplies us with our basic needs and provides different ways for us to repay him." replied Nrocinu.
"What do you do?" asked Bulma.
"Me? I dance. There's a nightclub on the East side of the compound, it's called 'Silver Ambience.' I'm one of the entertainers there."
"Juick has you strip to pay the rent?" said Bulma, disbelievingly.
"Girl, I don't strip, I just dance for the other 'tenants' and for Juick's visiting guests. The pay is pretty good; I always seem to have some leftover money for impulse shopping or other such."
"What do you think I'll do?" inquired Bulma curiously.
"Hn, with legs and a shape like that, I could easily whip you into a great dancer. But since you seem like the educated type, Juick will probably assign you to engineering or somethin'." answered the mare.
"But what you do sounds like it might be kinda fun. I mean, so long as it isn't stripping." Bulma said, her cheeks flushing red.
"Well, you don't have to have just one job, ya know. You could always do Juick's job during the day and dance with me at night. The hours aren't horribly long, and plus, you'd have even more money than me to blow!" laughed Nrocinu.
"Sounds like a plan to me!" cheered Bulma.
"Yeah, well, whatever job you get stuck with, it's gonna start tomorrow, so you should really get some sleep. I've already taken too much time off of work; I need to get back before I get fired!" yelped the Starnicorn.
"Okay, I'm gonna shower first, though. Will you be gone when I'm done?" asked the woman.
"Prolly, so good-night in advance. See ya tomorrow morning. Oh, and, don't be afraid if I wake up lookin' like shit and acting as pissy as a toilet.I sometimes party with a few of the other dancers after our shifts and, well, you know what happens..."
Nodding, Bulma pulled a towel from one of the armoires and began striding into the bathroom. Waving, Nrocinu opened the front door and slid out of the apartment.
A hot shower was just what the human had needed, it relaxed her muscles and allowed her to mellow-out after learning that almost her entire past had been a lie. Sighing, she wrapped the towel around her body and walked back into the sleeping chamber, looking forward to the first full-night's sleep she'd had in a long time.
But when the human began making her way over to her pearl-covered bed, she noticed the little light on the telephone, that Nrocinu had said alerted them of a new voice-message, blinking. Curiosity winning out over her fatigue, Bulma changed her route and strode over to stand in front of the phone. Pushing the button to play the message, the woman listened patiently as the machine whirred softly and then began the playback.
"Hey Bulma, it's Rutabe." started the message, the alien's deep, rich voice flooding her being with warmth. "I couldn't stop thinking about you, and how much I'd like to spend some more time with you. So I was wondering if you'd like to have breakfast with me tomorrow morning? I can pick you up around 7 a.m. and take you to this quiet little place I know about on the North side of the compound. After that, I can show you to the science wing; that's where you'll be working from now on. Well, if you don't contact me with a no, you can be assured I'll be there at 7 sharp. Bye."
When the phone clicked off and the light's blinking finally ceased, Bulma stood for a moment more before the device, clutching the towel closely around herself.
"Yes, Rutabe. I'd love to have breakfast with you." she whispered, butterflies beginning to fill up her stomach. She was going on a date! She'd never been on a date with a hot guy before!
Suddenly feeling anxious, Bulma threw off her towel and hurriedly pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms and a white shirt she had removed from her bureau. Rushing towards the armoire that apparently contained her clothes (seeing as how it was the same color as her bed), she quickly began sifting through the clothing; trying to decide on a suitable outfit for a "casual" breakfast date. A date! Her! With the gorgeous Prince Rutabe!
* * * * *
"What?! Are you sure?" exclaimed Juick into the phone's receiver. "You mean he was right under my nose and I never knew it?! That bastard emperor.trust him to keep such a thing from me. Stay on their tail, make sure you're not seen or there'll be hell to pay for both of us! Report to me daily. Now go!" * * * * *
Chapter 4: Rutabe; Saiyan-no-Ouji?
But when he removed his hand from over his eyes, Juick was surprised to see that the insolent intruder was not whom he had expected. Instead, it was merely Rutabe, slapping his hands together in a most ecstatic, and sarcastic, manner. Narrowing his eyes, the overlord searched the alien's face for an explanation.
"My Lord." Rutabe began with a mocking bow. "You look disappointed to see me."
"Relieved is more like it, Rutabe. What do you want?" demanded Juick. "Your intrusion couldn't have been at a worse time. I was just having a very important conversation with Miss Briefs over there."
With his statement, Juick waved a hand nonchalantly in Bulma's general direction. Rutabe looked over and found a surprisingly pretty young woman scrutinizing him from head to toe. Her cold blue eyes shone with distrust and fury, and he couldn't help but feel guilty for his rudeness upon entering. Sardonic applause was obviously not what the girl needed right now. Sighing, Rutabe gave a mental shrug and looked her over, dragging his black eyes appraisingly over every inch of her trim form.
Bulma had begun examining the man the minute he stepped into the room, cautiously aware of his menacing eyes and bulging muscles. He was about 5 feet, 6 inches, more than an inch taller than her. He was broad of shoulder, narrow of hip and wore loose black pants tucked into brown cloth boots and a tight black shirt cut open to reveal all of his impressive six- pack. Below the slit in his shirt, Bulma briefly noted a striking fur belt wrapped tightly around his waist. After taking in his guise, she shifted her attention up to his face, blatantly admiring his handsome features. He had a small mouth drawn into a relaxed smile and dark eyebrows that hovered dangerously low over his impossibly black eyes. An aristocratic nose composed of curt edges lay in the very center of his face. Finally, large ears and wily hair added the perfect finishing touch, attractively framing his head. Oddly, his tresses looked a lot like a flame, curving messily upwards with occasional red highlights illuminating them. Choppy bangs strayed from his massive mane to partially hide his large forehead (A/N: Think of the way Chibi-Vegeta's hair was, with the streaks added), giving him a young and playful appearance to his otherwise vicious look.
At last realizing that she was gaping, Bulma blinked twice and took a small step backwards, blushing crimson in embarrassment. The man called Rutabe smiled even bigger then, relaxing his high cheeks and bringing a lighthearted sparkle to his otherwise stern ebony eyes.
"Don't be ashamed, I like it when women stare at me." he assured her with a wink.
Feeling her cheeks deepen in color, Bulma bit her lip to keep from replying with a snappy remark. She wasn't sure of this stranger's temper, and, by the size of his biceps, she doubted he would have any trouble decapitating her.
"I wasn't staring." she grit out at last.
"If you say so, Miss Briefs. I meant no offense." Rutabe apologized.
This caught the human off-guard. It had been a long time since she'd met someone who was so casually decent. Unsure of how to respond, she simply gave him a tight, but gracious, smile and turned a fierce scowl on Juick.
"Are we done here?" she demanded of him briskly.
"Of course." replied Juick. "If you'll wait outside, I'll send Rutabe out when he's done with me. I'm sure he'd be happy to escort you back to your room."
Raising an eyebrow at the man in question, Bulma received a reaffirming nod and finally stalked out of the office. When she closed the door behind her, she immediately pressed herself as flat as she could against the wall, struggling to stay out of the way of the aliens still rushing to and fro before her.
Inside the room, Rutabe and Juick started their conversation.
"You wanted something?" Juick asked again, shuffling through the contents of one of the drawers in his desk.
"Yes, Lord. I spoke with Nrocinu earlier today, and she mentioned that Ambassador Frieza had paid you a visit. If you don't mind my asking, why was he here?" began Rutabe, keeping his tone neutral.
"Why don't you first tell me what you think he was doing here? I mean, you seem to know SO much lately, Rutabe." Juick sneered, closing his desk and setting his chin daintily upon folded hands.
"Master Juick, you know as well as I why I am curious about his arrival." growled Rutabe, his patience waning.
"It was merely a business settlement, Rutabe. Nothing that you should be concerned about."
"My Lord, I only want information regarding a personal interest of mine."
"And how do you know it is about him?" Juick prodded, his eyes darkening with quiet indignation.
"I did not say anything about a 'him,' Master Juick." countered Rutabe evenly.
"Ah, but Rutabe, you are so transparent that you needn't mention names." responded the powerful leader. "I know why you are so wrapped up in my affairs with Frieza. It's about your little brother of course.am I right?"
"Yes, Lord. But can you blame me? I mean, it's been so long." muttered Rutabe.
"Rutabe, I promised that if I found out anything about him possibly still being alive, I'd let you know. You don't think I'd go back on my word, now do you?" grunted Juick with annoyance.
"I never doubted your word, My Lord, only your priority of keeping it."
"You are causing me distress, Rutabe. If you do not wish to spend the next week in complete isolation, I'd suggest that you go show Miss Briefs to her quarters now. I want her well-rested for tomorrow. I have some very important duties for our talented little lady to attend to in the morning."
"Yes, My Lord." said Rutabe with a solemn bow, turning on his heel and striding out the door, knowing it was futile to argue. If Juick didn't want to tell him something, there was no damned way he could make him. Better to just disregard the whole matter; and that was one area that Rutabe excelled in.
The woman named Bulma was standing against the wall when Rutabe exited Juick's office. A curt nod was the only welcoming gesture she bothered to offer up to him, and the taller being felt a slight twinge of remorse when he realized she was obviously still somewhat upset with his earlier actions. In a bold move, Rutabe extended his hand out to her, and was somewhat surprised when she immediately placed her smaller paw into his. Rutabe pulled her arm upwards and laid a gentle kiss on the back of her palm, looking deeply into her eyes as he did so.
"It really was not my wish to upset you, Miss Briefs. I was merely commending your standing up to Lord Juick. You must know that it is few and far between that a new arrival such as yourself has the courage to go head-to-head against him. I apologize again if my methods of doing so were.out of line."
Bulma's creamy cheeks flushed cherry-red at the stranger's contrite words. He was most certainly a gentleman, and his eloquent speech mixed with a slight accent made him very pleasant to listen to. She finally gave him a warm smile and withdrew her hand politely, her azure eyes assuring him that all was forgotten.
"It's fine, Mister Rutabe."
"My name is Rutabe, not Mister Rutabe, just Rutabe." he replied, his face alighting with a beautiful grin.
"And you may call me Bulma, Miss Briefs makes me feel so old." Bulma said with a small scowl.
"Very well, Bulma." there was that smile again. "Would you allow me the esteemed pleasure of walking you back to your quarters?"
Feeling a bit presumptuous, and scolding herself for allowing him the ability to so easily woo her with his syrupy words, Bulma reluctantly took the arm offered to her and followed his sure and steady stride down one of the crowded corridors. Apparently, Rutabe commanded a lot of respect from the other creatures, as they quickly moved out of his way when he was seen approaching. Bulma was quite relieved by the development, grateful that she didn't need to worry about getting run over anymore.
They had been walking in comfortable silence for about five minutes when she was startled by the discovery that Rutabe's belt seemed to have a mind of its own. The furry brown thing first caught her attention when it began twitching slightly at the tip (which was located right above a fine set of muscled buttocks ^_^) and soon after, as she watched in fascination, the end of the belt slowly began to unwind and rewind itself. Noticing her distracted concentration, Rutabe followed her widened eyes to the rear of his waist, and smirked as he realized that she had probably never seen a person with a tail before. Turning his head back onto their path, he released his extra limb from its resting place above his hips and swung it casually around in midair, glancing over to see her intrigued gaze resting on his face; silently requesting an explanation.
"My tail." he offered, stretching the limb out and gently grabbing a hold of her wrist with it.
"Really?" Bulma murmured, reaching her free hand out to tentatively touch the furry appendage.
Rutabe grinned at her caution. "It won't bite." he reassured the woman.
Bulma looked up, confusion shining in her eyes a moment, before understanding finally dawned and her cheeks flushed yet again as she realized her slow response.
"Does it hurt when I touch it?" she asked, lightly stroking the downy fur.
"Not in the way you think." Rutabe groaned through clenched teeth, silently counting backwards from one-hundred as Bulma's soft fingers trailed his tail's length.
Finally looking up, the woman noticed the steely set of Rutabe's face and flustered look in his eyes and took a hint.abruptly relinquishing the limb. Rutabe could only smile through his teeth, willing the pleasant, painful heat to retreat from his groin. When he felt well enough to stop counting, Rutabe draped an arm friendly-like around Bulma's shoulders and continued his quick pace, grinning as she unconsciously leaned into his side.
"Rutabe?" Bulma began quietly.
"Yes?" replied Rutabe.
"If you don't mind my asking, what are you doing here?"
"It's a long story, but if you want to hear it."
"I do."
"Well, my home planet, Vegetasei, was destroyed about 12 years ago, and I am apparently the only survivor. You see, I was off-planet at the time; doing.private work."
"Really? That's so horrible.your planet's destruction, I mean. Do you know who did it?"
"I'm afraid not. Though if I did, I'd be sure to rip him to pieces and incinerate his innards as he did to my home."
"I know how you feel. My planet was also destroyed, now I'm the only human left. Say Rutabe, what species are you anyway? I've never seen an alien quite like you in all my limited travels; one with a tail, I mean."
"Me? I'm a Saiyan; a member of the proud and once powerful race of conquerors and warriors. In fact, I was one of the crowned princes."
"One?"
"Yes. I had a twin brother. He was to succeed our father as the next king because, although I was born first, he was far more powerful than I at birth. He was also purportedly off-planet at the time of Vegetasei's destruction; which is why I don't fully believe Juick when he says that I am the only Saiyan he knows to have survived. I'm determined to find out for myself whether or not my brother is still alive. I refuse to give up hope. That's what I was doing when I so rudely barged in on your and Juick's conversation earlier."
"Really? And here I thought you just wanted to bug someone." Bulma said, giggling lightly.
"Not at all. You see, I'd heard that an ambassador from another planet had arrived for a visit with Juick earlier this day. One of my friends, Shubaik, gave me the heads-up that he might know something about what happened to my brother, since he was supposedly the last one my brother had been seen with. But before I could question the ambassador, Juick had finished up his matters with him and sent the man on his way.without even giving me a chance to possibly discover a few new leads on the only family I might have left."
"That's so awful.I'm sorry, Rutabe."
"Don't be. Your tears are more than I deserve." he reassured her, stopping and pulling her into his chest.
"Rutabe?"
"Bulma, may I please kiss you? I feel as though I've known you for so long, like you're a dear friend. I just want you to know how fond I've become of you in so short a time."
"Uhh.sure." Bulma answered, her cheeks *again* blushing.
Bending down slightly, Rutabe pressed his lips to hers in a quick kiss, too fast for her liking. Pulling back, he broke out into another one of his brilliant smiles and stroked her cheek softly.
"We'd best get going." he stated, wrapping his arm around Bulma's shoulders once more.
"Yeah, probably." she agreed dazedly, automatically snuggling back into the warmth of his body.
They walked in silence, both apparently absorbed in their own thoughts. It was only when Rutabe stopped and called her name that she turned to the Saiyan.
"Yes?" she murmured, blinking in at him in confusion.
"We're here.at your room, I mean." the alien said, unwrapping his arm from around her and standing a short distance in front of the woman. Looking up at the door bearing Bulma's name, he noted the lettering of the second occupant with amusement. "It looks like you'll be quartered with Nrocinu.you couldn't have asked for a better roommate."
"Really? Nrocinu? She seems a few apples short of a barrel, if you know what I mean." Bulma replied with a small frown.
"Apples? What are apples?" Rutabe asked, his prominent forehead crinkling in thought.
"A juicy, red fruit from my home planet." Bulma explained. "What I mean is, she seems.off."
"I assure you, Nrocinu is one of the most trustworthy, entertaining, friendly, and kindest persons I know. You'll like her; I know you will.if you'll only give her a chance."
"If you say so." sighed the human. "She was just very touchy when I mentioned the name 'Qorgin' earlier."
"Oh, that's easy to explain. You see, Qorgin is her latest love interest. I do believe she's got a new one each week. Don't worry about it. It's a Starnicorn thing.I think." Rutabe said with a laugh.
"Will I see you again?" asked Bulma, surprised that she was so eager to talk with the handsome alien again.
"Of course you will, Nrocinu is one of my closest friends.we always have our afternoon and evening meals together. You'll get to meet Rubiu and Shubaik as well." assured the alien.
"Great. I could use a few friendly faces amidst all the confusion of this place."
"Well, Shubi is sure to be friendly enough, but don't count on any help from Rubiu. He's the cynical, cruel type." stated the man with a smile and a friendly wink.
"Great.and I've had just about enough of that sort of man." said Bulma, looking up to see an unfamiliar door in front of her. Where was the elegant crystal handle and large wooden chamber-entrance? Instead, the door before her was a metal sliding one with a small, electronic hand-print panel next to it. "Um.Rutabe, this isn't my room."
"Yes, it is." insisted the man. "See? Your name.right there on the door. If you're looking for the room you were in when you first arrived, then you've got a wrong idea of where you're supposed to live. Those rooms are only for new arrivals, they are specially programmed to reflect a familiar surrounding to the occupant. They aren't actual living quarters."
"Oh.okay, I understand now. See you at the evening meal, then?"
"You know it." Rutabe said, grinning broadly as the door woman tentatively opened the door using the hand pad and stepped inside.
Bulma blinked a few times, allowing her eyes adjust to her considerably darker surroundings after the entry-way closed. The main area of her quarters contained two four-poster beds set next to each other. One was hung with rich violet tapestries, and the other with lovely pearl-colored ones. Despite Rutabe's words, Bulma found this chamber to be almost as elegant as the one she'd awoken in. As she walked the short distance to the beds, Bulma's eyes drifted to the many foreign paintings that covered the walls. The most interesting of them all was located between the two beds; a stunning oil painting of a green glade teeming with multi-colored faeries flitting about a vibrant garden. The woman stood before the massive piece of artwork (it was easily one-and-a-half times taller than her and about six times as wide), admiring it silently.
"Jacevians." stated a voice.
Bulma spun around to see her roommate standing behind her, gazing at the same painting.
"Ja.cevians?" asked the human curiously.
"Yep. That's what those flittery-things are called. If ya look closely enough, you should see their itty-bitty little tails and ears. They look like flying cats, if you ask me." said Nrocinu, cocking her head at the painting.
Squinting, Bulma did indeed see tiny feline-tails drifting behind the faeries and small, pointy ears peeking out from beneath their flowing hair.
"Are they really that small?" asked Bulma, lightly brushing her fingers over one of the tiny creatures in disbelief.
"Nah.most are smaller." Nrocinu replied, grinning.
Bulma laughed quietly and turned back to face the Starnicorn. "So I suppose you and I are to be roommates? Didn't you have one before me?"
"Yeah.but the poor thing went senile after her beau broke up with her and had to be relocated in the compound." Nrocinu said with a shrug. "I didn't really like her anyway; she was always crampin' my style when it came to guys. She was constantly tryin' to convert me to the long-winded relationships, instead of the one-night-stands I'm so fond of."
Crossing her arms, Bulma grinned broadly. "Oh really? Are you sure it wasn't being your roommate that sent her into the deep-end?"
Chuckling loudly, Nrocinu wrapped an arm around Bulma's shoulders and said, "I suppose it could've been that; Kami knows I'm a little zany at times! But I guess you'll just have to cope!"
"I'm sure you're right. But I also have several quirks of my own that might take a little getting-used to on your part." Bulma replied, smiling.
"Then we'll be perfect roommates! Ready to snap the other's neck after the smallest discrepancy!" giggled Nrocinu.
Sighing, Bulma nodded in agreement and removed herself from beneath the Starnicorn's arm. "So, which bed is yours?" asked the human.
"The violet one." Nrocinu answered. "I think it matches my hair, don't you?"
"Of course. Purple clashes with aqua, anyway." agreed Bulma, touching her own locks.
Walking away from the woman, Nrocinu beckoned to Bulma with her hand. "C'mon, I'll show you the rest of the apartment."
Trotting after the Starnicorn, Bulma listened intently as Nrocinu told her how to use the toilet, telephone, and the human equivalent of a television that was located in the sitting room. The tour was short and, at the end of it, Bulma had learned that there were only three rooms in the place: a bathroom, sitting room, and the main chamber that contained their beds. Along with the beds, there were two bureaus, two armoires, two loveseats, and a speaker phone located on the wall near the door in the room. Dimmed floodlights covered the ceiling and Nrocinu showed Bulma how to turn them brighter or darker with a sliding switch located on the side of the door opposite from the phone.
"Wow, this is a rather small apartment." Bulma admitted, feeling somewhat ashamed for having expected more.
"Well, all you basically do in here is shower and sleep. Most of us hang out in the cafeteria, one of the clubs, the gardens, or working our asses off at our jobs."
"Jobs? Am I going to get one too?"
"Of course. It's kinda like working to pay the rent. Juick supplies us with our basic needs and provides different ways for us to repay him." replied Nrocinu.
"What do you do?" asked Bulma.
"Me? I dance. There's a nightclub on the East side of the compound, it's called 'Silver Ambience.' I'm one of the entertainers there."
"Juick has you strip to pay the rent?" said Bulma, disbelievingly.
"Girl, I don't strip, I just dance for the other 'tenants' and for Juick's visiting guests. The pay is pretty good; I always seem to have some leftover money for impulse shopping or other such."
"What do you think I'll do?" inquired Bulma curiously.
"Hn, with legs and a shape like that, I could easily whip you into a great dancer. But since you seem like the educated type, Juick will probably assign you to engineering or somethin'." answered the mare.
"But what you do sounds like it might be kinda fun. I mean, so long as it isn't stripping." Bulma said, her cheeks flushing red.
"Well, you don't have to have just one job, ya know. You could always do Juick's job during the day and dance with me at night. The hours aren't horribly long, and plus, you'd have even more money than me to blow!" laughed Nrocinu.
"Sounds like a plan to me!" cheered Bulma.
"Yeah, well, whatever job you get stuck with, it's gonna start tomorrow, so you should really get some sleep. I've already taken too much time off of work; I need to get back before I get fired!" yelped the Starnicorn.
"Okay, I'm gonna shower first, though. Will you be gone when I'm done?" asked the woman.
"Prolly, so good-night in advance. See ya tomorrow morning. Oh, and, don't be afraid if I wake up lookin' like shit and acting as pissy as a toilet.I sometimes party with a few of the other dancers after our shifts and, well, you know what happens..."
Nodding, Bulma pulled a towel from one of the armoires and began striding into the bathroom. Waving, Nrocinu opened the front door and slid out of the apartment.
A hot shower was just what the human had needed, it relaxed her muscles and allowed her to mellow-out after learning that almost her entire past had been a lie. Sighing, she wrapped the towel around her body and walked back into the sleeping chamber, looking forward to the first full-night's sleep she'd had in a long time.
But when the human began making her way over to her pearl-covered bed, she noticed the little light on the telephone, that Nrocinu had said alerted them of a new voice-message, blinking. Curiosity winning out over her fatigue, Bulma changed her route and strode over to stand in front of the phone. Pushing the button to play the message, the woman listened patiently as the machine whirred softly and then began the playback.
"Hey Bulma, it's Rutabe." started the message, the alien's deep, rich voice flooding her being with warmth. "I couldn't stop thinking about you, and how much I'd like to spend some more time with you. So I was wondering if you'd like to have breakfast with me tomorrow morning? I can pick you up around 7 a.m. and take you to this quiet little place I know about on the North side of the compound. After that, I can show you to the science wing; that's where you'll be working from now on. Well, if you don't contact me with a no, you can be assured I'll be there at 7 sharp. Bye."
When the phone clicked off and the light's blinking finally ceased, Bulma stood for a moment more before the device, clutching the towel closely around herself.
"Yes, Rutabe. I'd love to have breakfast with you." she whispered, butterflies beginning to fill up her stomach. She was going on a date! She'd never been on a date with a hot guy before!
Suddenly feeling anxious, Bulma threw off her towel and hurriedly pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms and a white shirt she had removed from her bureau. Rushing towards the armoire that apparently contained her clothes (seeing as how it was the same color as her bed), she quickly began sifting through the clothing; trying to decide on a suitable outfit for a "casual" breakfast date. A date! Her! With the gorgeous Prince Rutabe!
* * * * *
"What?! Are you sure?" exclaimed Juick into the phone's receiver. "You mean he was right under my nose and I never knew it?! That bastard emperor.trust him to keep such a thing from me. Stay on their tail, make sure you're not seen or there'll be hell to pay for both of us! Report to me daily. Now go!" * * * * *