Crimson Tide
Chapter Three: Fated Encounter

Sabrea, 790 AD

A pair of beautiful, yet somehow sad blue eyes gazed upon the dark sky thoughtfully, seemingly searching for something that was once there but something that she now couldn't see. Then, she sighed, as she was nostalgic. She wanted to go back to the place she learned to know as home. But she had a responsibility that she cannot --- and can never --- put away, and because of that responsibility she had so many lives under her care.

She sighed heavily once again, for she missed so many things, so many people. She missed Goten, Keeney and Trunks' mischief. She missed Bulma's complaints on Vegeta's arrogance. She missed Chichi's angry yells. She missed Goku's stupidity. She missed Boxer and Bras' fun nature. She even missed her father and his obnoxiousness.

Home. She missed her home. And not even her wealth and power could make up for that.

She forced a smile as she heard two loud noises at a distance. One was the high-pitched screams of an 11-year-old princess, while the other was the taunting yells of an eight-year-old prince. "MOMMMYYYYYYYYYYYY!" Pan shrieked when she ran around a corner and came straight towards the empress. "Gokazu ripped my shirt and now I have to wear this skimpy dress!"

"I didn't rip it!" the younger child said as he walked towards his mother. "I just showed Nee-chan this really cute lizard---"

"The lizard RIPPED my shirt!"

"Then why are you saying that I ripped your shirt?! The lizard did it, so blame the lizard!" Gokazu snapped in response.

Pan looked at her mom. "He brought the lizard in my room, and so it's his fault!"

"It is NOT!"

"It is TOO!"

"Is NOT!"

"Is TOO!"

"NOT!"

"TOO!"

"Now, now, will you two stop arguing?!" Videl exclaimed, exasperated. She wasn't the patient kind, and they all knew that. "Gokazu, get the lizard out of the palace, then go to your room. And stay there until I call you for supper!"

Pan had a triumphant grin.

"And Pan, don't think you'll be able to get away with this," Videl quickly added. "You'll have to wear a dress once in a while. And it is not right to fight with your brother! You're older, so you should understand! Now, for your punishment... you'll have to wear that dress until bedtime."

"But mooooooooooom!" Pan whined.

"No buts! And to your room, now!"

With their shoulders slumped, both kids headed back to their rooms, but not without a slight argument.

"It was your fault," Pan whispered.

"Why me? It was your fault too!" Gokazu whispered back.

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

"Was---"

"Argue again and I'll---"

Pan and Gokazu paled, then they turned quickly toward their mother, who was following them. "H-hai, Okaasan..."

Videl could not help but smile as she looked at her children, who were both scurrying to their rooms that very instant. Pan --- headstrong, stubborn and strong-willed --- was like her in many ways. Sweet yet bossy, hot-headed yet caring --- although indirectly. Except for the fact that Pan was naturally hard-headed because she was a kid and a princess --- and knowing that spoiled her to a great extent --- Pan was like Videl's own reflection.

On the other hand, her younger offspring, Gokazu, was much like Gohan. He was naive, thoughtful, smart and an excellent fighter. Also, he looked like Gohan in many ways, but he had Videl's eyes.

Gohan used to complain about that feature Gokazu had, but Videl thought it was just fair, after all, Pan had Gohan's eyes. They'd end the little argument with a pillow fight, and then sink into bed, talking and laughing on their adventures and misfortunes.

"What's the matter?" Gohan asked as she entered their room. "You seem... upset."

"No, I'm not upset," she replied as she slumped against the mall. "I... I'm just nostalgic, that's all."

He put an arm around her. "I know how you feel. I wanna go back home too. But I can't leave you here. So I'm gonna stay here and keep you happy."

"I'm going to send a diplomatic team to Earth soon... you could lead the mission, if you like," Videl blurted out, making Gohan's eyes open wide in shock.

"You're kidding."

"No, I'm not. I am sending a diplomatic team, for there has been a few requests. Want to lead the mission?"

Gohan averted his eyes. "I do, but I don't want to leave you."

"Oh come on!" Videl exclaimed. "I'm not your 18-year-old irresponsible girlfriend anymore! I can take care of myself, don't worry. Trust me. And besides---" she was forced to stop as her messenger entered their room in a hurry.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Your Majesty... but we found Celeste."

Videl immediately brightened. "You found her? Where is she?"

"She's in the hall, with her father. She was taken prisoner by the Hakaijins, but luckily, she managed to escape. But she's very upset."

Gohan nodded. "Go. I'll take care of the kids."

"Thanks," Videl said, then kissed her husband. "I'll be right back."

Governor Arhes Thouvier could not contain his joy, and he was so grateful to the gods that his daughter had been found. Celeste had been missing for months, and was even presumed dead, but she finally managed to return to Sabrea.

Videl came running towards the Great Hall, and Celeste saw her good friend, she rushed up to give the empress a tight hug. "Thank the gods for answering my prayer," Videl whispered. "I kept praying for your safe return. What happened?"

"My ship crashed on Hakai-sei, and I was found by the current ruler of that planet, Seth," Celeste began to explain, pulling away from Videl's embrace. "At first they kept me in the dungeon, and they did all the interrogation stuff, but then I found myself being pampered and respected some days later. I discovered that Seth had arranged our marriage, for he's planning to take over our world! And he wanted to marry me so he'll have a direct link to the nine governors, and therefore it will be possible for him to disrupt the circle!"

"Does he know you're here?" Videl asked worriedly.

"No... not yet, that is. But he's bound to find out anytime soon. That's why I have to leave this place. He must not get me, in any way. Do you know a place where I could hide for even just a few months? I really need to, then perhaps when everything is more or less settled around here, I'll come back."

Arhes took Videl's hand, and with pleading eyes, he said, "Please help my daughter."

Videl could only think of one place, one place where Celeste could be safe. One place guarded by super warriors who love their world so much, one place where evil could never survive. Looking at both Arhes and Celeste, Videl said, "Chikyuu-sei."

"Chikyuu-sei?" Celeste asked.

The empress turned to her messenger. "Please tell Sonia that I'm cancelling the diplomatic mission for Chikyuu-sei, then kindly ask her to prepare a spy ship instead, set with the same course. And... tell her to avoid the Hakai cluster."

"Yes, Your Majesty," her messenger promptly obeyed.

She then turned to Celeste, nodded, and led her friend to her personal quarters. "You will be safe there, do not worry. Come with me, I'll prepare a message for my husband's family, so they can expect your arrival."

"Videl... how could I ever repay you?"

"There is no need, Celeste. You have done much, and I appreciate that. I'll keep in touch, so if you need anything, let me know," Videl muttered as she opened the door of their room, where Gohan was waiting. She did not give him time to ask, she immediately said, "We need to send an urgent message to your family. Celeste's being pursued by Hakaijin soldiers and she needs to get out of here. I aleady asked Sonia to prepare a ship so she can go to Earth. Who can we send a message to, so they'll know that she's coming?"

"Goten," Gohan replied. "Mom's gonna faint; dad might not understand in time."

She threw a communicator at him. It was a contraption shaped like a cube, and was black in color. Gohan took a deep breath and pushed a button, ready to relay the message.

"Hey, squirt! It's me, Gohan. Got an urgent message for you, so listen carefully. Our friend here is being hunted down by warriors from Hakai-sei and she needs to hide in our place for a while. I know you're nice, and I know you're still single, so please take care of her. She'll be there shortly after you receive this message. Her name's Celeste Thouvier, a good friend of Videl. So take care of her. Regards to mom and dad. Videl and the kids send their regards. Take care, squirt. I love you."

Keeney grinned. "Squirt! How cute! He still calls you that until now! Gohan's so smart, he knows you're still single! But he doesn't know that you're a star, a hero and a scholar like him! You should tell him! He'll be so proud!" she joked, receiving a glare from Goten.

"I don't like your jokes," he said. "You know I hate being called a scholar."

"But it's true!" Keeney protested. "Although Gohan's still smarter, but hey, you're a star, and he's not! Show him who the squirt is!"

Goten sighed. "Please, Keeney. Don't call me squirt, alright? Please?"

"Oh alright," she gave in. "Gee Goten, you seem... touchy... today. Did you skip breakfast?"

He did not reply.

"Goten? Are you alright? I... I'm sorry for teasing you like that... I was just... I'm really sorry."

Damnit, Goten! You're making her upset! How will she say yes to you now?!

"No, Keeney, I'm sorry... I was just..." his voice trailed off, then he sighed. "I was planning tell you something today, but ever since this morning I still couldn't get the right timing, so I'm all upset and that. First, your brother ruins the moment by barging inside when we didn't invite him, then your mother, then your father, then Rufius and Rexus, then Aira, and then this message from Oniichan. This day had gone so hectic when I only planned one event, when I only planned out the one thing that I want to happen today. The one thing I had longed for so long, and planned for so long!"

Keeney's heart started to race. She wasn't that naive to not know what Goten was talking about. She felt herself floating up in the sky, her heart leaping mile after mile. After all --- Goten was finally going to ask her to be his girlfriend!

"Don't worry about it, Goten," she said, trying hard not to let him realize that she knew what he was planning to tell her. She moved closer to him and smiled. "Just tell me!"

"Keeney, I..." he stopped to swallow. "I..."

"Yes?"

Goten took a deep breath. "I just want to let you know that..."

"That?"

"Excuse me, do you know who Goten Son is?"

"Yes," Goten replied as he turned around to face the stranger. "It is---"

And he stopped.

He was shocked. More than shocked. She... she's so... beautiful... She must be...
"I'm Celeste. Celeste Thouvier," she said, extending her hand.

An angel...

Goten blinked, then shook her hand. "Goten. I'm... Gohan's brother."

"Your world is so beautiful," Celeste commented as she took a good look around. "Everything is... so nice, with lush flora and fauna. I must say you're lucky to be here, sir."

Goten nodded, not knowing what to say. However, his eyes held all the emotions he had at the moment.

Celeste's face was then in a deep shade of red.

"Ahem," Keeney cleared her throat loudly. "So, you're Celeste."

"Yes, madam, and you are...?"

Madam?! What the--- I'm his girlfriend! she thought to herself. I'm supposed to be his girlfriend!

Keeney forced a smile. "I'm her best friend's sister. My name is Keeney Briefs-Vegeta," she replied, stressing her family name, hoping that it would provide a good impact on the alien.

"I see," Celeste blurted out.

"This way," Goten told Celeste as he extended his hand, which she gracefully took. "I'll take you to my home."

She flushed. "You are most kind, sir."

"Please, call me Goten."

"If that is what you wish," she said, smiling.

Goten continued to gaze at her, and when she caught him doing so, he immediately pretended that he was not looking at her. "Uhh... I was just... looking around... would you like me to show you around?"

"Goten, you are very kind."

"Stop saying that, you're embarassing me!" Goten exclaimed as he flushed noticeably.

"I speak only the truth," the other replied. "If you won't mind... I would like to look around."

Goten looked at her, and nodded. "Then prepare yourself. I'm going to take you to places you've never been!" the showbiz superstar exclaimed as he started running, dragging her along, leaving Keeney behind.

And the female demi-saiyajin was furious, although she could not understand why she was feeling that way. When that girl showed up, she suddenly felt afraid. She suddenly wanted to tie Goten up and attach him to herself. She suddenly wanted to hold Goten and not let him go even if the world would already fall apart. She suddenly wanted to blast Celeste from existence. She suddenly wanted to take Goten as far away from Celeste as possible.

Am I... jealous...?