Vegeta smirked lightly as he saw Raditz trail behind him from the corner of his eye. Why he defended Goku against someone…the king, no less…was beyond him. But he knew that his father had something for his sweet slave, and he didn't want someone as innocent and angelic as her to fall prey to the perversions of his father. 'Treat women with respect!' is what his aunt taught him, and he lived by it. That was the only happy thing he had left from his childhood. His eyes then switched back to Goku, who was looking around the new corridors with absolute fascination. Vegeta knew that she had been here before. Hn. That's Bubbles for you. He thought, a frown forming on his face. But inwardly, he smiled at her innocence. Vegeta had to admit he held a certain type of respect for the baka slave. No matter how many times she saw something; she'd always look at it as though she were seeing it for the first time. He grinned inwardly as he looked to his slave, gazing around the corridor.
"Bubbles." He said, quickly gaining Goku's attention as she turned her ink black eyes on him. Vegeta almost gasped out in surprise at how…Saiyan they were. He had never seen a ningen with such black eyes before. Eyes that are so black, they look like a black hole filled to the brim with spirit and soul. Eyes that symbolize strength. Vegeta silently beat away the sudden nervousness and blush that were trying to take over him before continuing.
"Hai, ouji-sama?" she asked, careful as not to use her pet name for him in front of the new guard.
"Bubbles," he began again. "I want you to sit by your new bodyguard. These spars can get pretty fierce and I don't want you to get hit by anything; fists, ki or even pieces of concrete. Ryoukai?" Goku opened her mouth to tell him that she could fight as well, but then shut it again, deciding she'd tell him after she saw what happens. It could like the spars she's used to ones on Earth. Or it could be something completely different.
"Hai, ouji-sama." She answered. Vegeta frowned.
"Since when do you call me 'ouji-sama' in private?" he asked. Goku gave a little cough as she nodded at Raditz. Vegeta looked to Raditz before looking back to Goku. "So? He's your new bodyguard. Just as Nappa is mine." Goku nodded her head, smiling. Vegeta walked ahead as Goku and Raditz followed closely behind.
Two figures flew across the huge concrete training hall, throwing all they had at each other. The taller one dropped down and leapt out the way as the other rammed a fist into the ground, missing its target. They resumed as they threw a flurry of punches and kicks at each other.
Vegeta and Goku watched as the fight went on. Vegeta, glancing through the corner of his eyes, didn't think that she'd be able to see what was going on, as they were moving far too fast for the normal ningen eye. But the way her eyes were moving, it seemed she could.
Goku stood, watching in wrapped fascination at the fight between Piccolo and Krillin. From what she could feel, they had improved a hell of a lot since they were last together. As she followed them across to the right hand wall, she caught the expression of Vegeta. He was staring at her with a highly confused look on his face. Goku knew why he was looking at her like that.
"Can you see them?" he asked.
"Saa…hai, 'Geta!" she chirped. His confused frown deepened.
"But…how?" Goku opened her mouth to explain that she was also a warrior when someone butted in.
"Vegeta no Ouji!" they looked to see Nappa come walking up to them. Vegeta smirked at his bulky bodyguard, turning his attention away from Goku. Goku shut her open mouth as she looked disappointedly at Vegeta. Oh saa. She sighed. I'll tell him later. "I thought for a second that you weren't going to show for training." Vegeta gave a chuckle as he closed his eyes.
"Nappa," he smirked. "Since whenever would I back down on my word? Especially when there's a fight involved." Nappa smirked back at him. "So, who's new around here?"
"Follow me, ouji-sama."
"Just a second." Vegeta turned back to Goku. "Remember, stay by Raditz. And Raditz…keep your eyes on her. Not your hands!" Raditz grinned at Vegeta.
"Hai, ouji-sama. I will do." Vegeta nodded as he walked off to the centre of the room where one of the Elite soldiers had rounded up all the soldiers. Goku watched Vegeta as he walked off. "Kaka…uhh…Bubbles?" Goku turned to her bodyguard known as 'Raditz'. "Shall we stand this side?" Goku nodded as she followed the burly saiyan to a corner of the room. There they stood and watched as Vegeta proceeded to beat the shit out of one of the soldiers.
Raditz watched not only the battles, but Goku's reaction as well. Whenever one of the soldiers was beaten, she'd cheer for Vegeta. Whenever he got hit, as he wasn't fighting to his true potential, she'd yell and curse at the warrior who hit him…something she picked up from spending so much time with the 'verbally eloquent' ouji. But he noticed that when four certain warriors fought against the ouji, she'd sit in dead silence, watching to see who the victor would be. Particularly the Namek, the ningen with three eyes, a bald ningen and a very arrogant ningen with long hair. It's almost like she knows them and doesn't want to betray anybody by cheering for the one side. He thought. But he shook the thought from his head as he watched Vegeta throw a final blast at the warrior called 'Kuwi'.
Goku watched as Vegeta powered down, obviously done with his sparring. His last opponent was Nappa, but Nappa seemed a little out of breath. He was the only one who could stand up to Vegeta...and get away without breaking more than a sweat. She had to admit she was very impressed with his strength. She never knew anyone could be that strong, even though she tried to reach that level.
"Hn." Goku smiled, as she knew what that meant. Vegeta was displeased with the 'new' warriors. She knew that they didn't stand up his superiority, so that meant he was just stuck with Nappa. But to her surprise, she was half-right. "Nappa, these kisama are as weak as ever! Put them in the third rank army! Except for the Namek, the three-eyes, the chrome-dome and the bisheinen. With a little training, they should be quite acceptable." Goku couldn't believe her ears! Piccolo, Tien, Krillin and Yamcha were all accepted in the ouji's Elite Army! With the way they looked, it seemed they didn't think it much of a privilege. Just you wait, guys! She assured them. You'll see how lucky you are to be serving someone who doesn't demand much…like Vegeta!
Just then, some other soldier came in. He looked around the room before resting his eyes on Vegeta, and strode over to him.
"Sire," said the soldier as he bowed before the kakkoii ouji. Vegeta turned around and looked down at the man.
"Hn. What is it?"
"The king wishes to see you, sire." Explained the soldier. "He says it is only for a minute, and that you may continue with your training after he's finished with you." Vegeta's brows furrowed. Tossing the idea over in his head, he made up his mind to go see his father. Then I might be able to confront him on why he's been after Bubbles!
"Very well." He said as he walked passed the soldier with Nappa in tow. As he walked to the door, he made a stop by Goku. "Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back." He assured her.
"Oh, I know you will!" she grinned. It was well known fact to both Nappa and herself that Vegeta was quite protective of her, and that he'd never leave her alone if he knew that there were going to be other males around. But now that she had a bodyguard, he seemed a little more flexible to the idea of leaving her for a while.
"Ja ne." he said as he walked out the door. Goku smiled at him. She liked the ouji. She really did. He was very much like a friend to her. A Saiyan tomodachi.
Speaking of tomodachi's…Goku turned to Raditz who was watching the rejects troop out.
"Raditz?" she asked. "May I please be excused for a bit?"
"I'm sorry, Bubbles. But ouji-sama's orders were that you stay here."
"I know. I'm not going out of the room. I'm just going over to the other side." She explained with a happy little smile on her face. "I won't be gone long, I promise!" Raditz privately wondered if she had somehow bashed her head against something hard, as she was acting too nice for any normal saiyan. But he nodded in approval.
"Fine. But I'm watching you." He said. Goku smiled.
"Hai. 'Geta does too, ya know!" Goku ran off to the small group of her friends, leaving a half-shocked and half-confused Raditz behind.
"Konnichiwa!!" she called to her friends. The four warriors turned to her as she came running up to them.
"Uh…konnichiwa." Replied Tien. There was a silence as they stared at this woman.
"Ano…but do we know you?" asked Piccolo in his usual biting voice. Before, Goku would have felt a shiver go up her spine. But she had been under the control of Vegeta for the past six months, for Kami's shakes!! But she did give them a funny look at this.
"Don't you guys remember me?" she asked in a surprised tone.
"I don't think so."
"But…you do look familiar…are you the woman who serves us lunch?" asked Yamcha.
"Iie!!" yelped Goku. Had they forgotten her?
"All I know is," said Piccolo. "That you are an Elite's slave." Well, at least they knew something.
"Hai, that is my job." She cocked her head to one side and gave them a half-sad half surprised look. "But…you honestly don't remember me?" They all looked at her closely, but still shook their heads.
"Iie. I'm afraid not."
"But…you do sorta remind me of a friend I once had." Said Krillin. Goku bucked up at this.
"Honto ni? What was her name?"
"Oh, just a childhood friend named Goku." Goku grinned. So they did remember her; they just didn't recognise her. "But…we got separated some time ago."
"Tee hee…where did she go?"
"I don't know. All I know is that she was someone's slave."
"Honto ni?" asked Goku in a teasing voice. She didn't want to tell them that she was Son Goku, as teasing them was just too much fun! "Whose?"
"Umm…I don't really know…" he muttered.
"I heard something. I heard that she was going to be an Elite's slave." Said Yamcha.
"I heard she was going to be the king's slave." Muttered Tien.
"Yetch!!" spat Goku as she made a face. Just the idea of her and Vegeta's hentai of a father, not to mention of a king, was just gross!!
"Hmph." They all turned to face Piccolo who had his head down; eyes closed and arms crossed. "You're all far off. She's not the king's slave, and she's not just any Elite Soldiers slave." Darn right I ain't!! She thought proudly. "She was sent to a special soldier as a gift. But…I can't remember what he was called."
"Saa…try an' say it." Goku tease further. This was just so much fun! She couldn't wait to see the expressions on their faces!
"I think it was the saiya…sayin…saiya…"
"The Saiyan no Ouji?" she asked innocently, twiddling with her fingers she looked up at the ceiling.
"Hai! That's the one!" he narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her. "But how do you know?" Goku giggled. She knew they weren't going to guess who she was if she kept this up, so she decided to give them a clue.
"Tee hee hee…how do I know what, Piccolo?"
They all turned and faced her, wide-eyed in surprise.
"Hey! How do you know his name?!"
"Hee hee…who's name, Krillin?" she added, giggling some more. Yamcha stepped closer, narrowing his eyes as he examined her.
"Chottomate kudasai…I know that laugh." He said. "That laugh sounds just like…Goku's!" They all stared at her, as if waiting for an answer. The only one they got was another one of her giggles. But that seemed to be the answer they needed! Their wide-eyed surprise turned into a bug-eyed shock! Goku's grin broadened as she burst out into a fit of laughter. Yup, their facial expressions are just as I thought it would be…priceless!!
"G…g…Goku??!!" sputtered Krillin after he managed to pick his jaw up from the floor. "Is…is that really you?!!"
"Hai so desu!" she chirped. "It's me!!" They all continued to stare.
"Bu…but…"
"But what Tien?" she asked, still grinning from ear to ear. "Teh hee hee…didn't you guys recognise me?"
"No way!" said Yamcha. "Goku!
It…it can't be you!!"
"Why not?"
"Be…because…you're dressed far to good to be a slave!!"
"Well duh I'm dressed good!" she said, still grinning. "I'm the Saiyan no Ouji's slave! I'm supposed to look good!"
"What he means is you're dressed far to well for the likes of a slave." Explained Piccolo after he managed to drag his jaw off the concrete floor. "All the slaves we've seen aren't dressed nearly as well as you!"
"Oh hai! That's 'cos 'Geta takes very good care of me!" She got another round of bug-eyed looks.
"Who??"
"'Geta. Ya know…the Saiyan no Ouji." She explained. There was a shocked silence.
"'Geta? Is that his name?" asked Tien.
"Iie. His full name is Vegeta. But I just call him 'Geta for short." She said, shrugging her shoulders carelessly. They gave each other shocked looks.
"Man, Goku." muttered Krillin. "How do you get away with it?!" Goku cocked her head to one side as she gave him a confused look.
"Huh? How do I get away with what?" she asked.
"Surely you must be punished for such things?" asked Piccolo.
"For what? Wakarimasen."
"For calling him 'Geta." Explained Yamcha. "I've seen slaves been punished for stepping too loudly." Goku's eyes widened in shock. She was most certainly glad to have Vegeta as her master!
"Iie!! Vegeta's never lifted a finger to me!" she snapped.
"But…he's the Saiyan no Ouji."
"So? Vegeta's never beat me! Not once!" she declared. "And he'd sooner beat some other dickhead that dares touch me!" They exchanged stares again. Partly because they'd expect Vegeta to be like the royals they had seen, and partly because Goku had sworn.
"Man Goku. You sure seem to be living the high life." Said Krillin with hint of jealousy and admiration in his voice.
"Hai, but at what cost?" asked Piccolo. He knew very well what 'slave' meant on Vegeta-sei, and was curious as to see how Goku was handling it. Goku just shrugged.
"Oh, nothing much." She said. "Just to be by his side and be taught proper royal etiquette." Piccolo's eyes widened in surprise.
"Is…that all?"
"Hai. What more is there?" she asked. Piccolo just stared before shaking his head.
"You know, I honestly didn't recognise you at first." Said Yamcha; a little more excited this time.
"Oh…how come?"
"You glided over here like a royal princess or something!" he said, letting his amazement get to him. Goku gave a giggle.
"Oh, that. 'Geta taught me how to walk like that." She said. "He said it would be indecent to trip over my robe, in private or in public!" As they chatted on about their new lives, Piccolo tried to piece things together. He understood what slave meant on Vegeta-sei, and Goku was Vegeta's slave. Yet, she was more of an ornament he carried around with him. He couldn't figure it, not when his head was spinning like this. Partly because of meeting Goku in her brand-new form, and partly because Vegeta just kicked the shit out of him.
"Sire." Said Vegeta as he entered the king's throne room. "You sent for me?" King Vegeta was standing with his back to the ouji, looking out of the window and onto the huge gardens that decorated the courtyards of the palace. He had heard the door open. He had heard Vegeta enter. He had also heard Vegeta dismiss Nappa and tell him to wait outside for him. But still, he did not turn around until Vegeta had called out to him. Slowly, he pivoted around until he was face to face with Vegeta. Silence filled the hall as both waited for the other to say something. "Ou-sama, what have you called me here for?" he asked, getting impatient. The king smirked at this. He looked down to the floor, as if he saw something interesting, before looking up again.
"Tell me," he said. "What is going on between you and the slave?" Vegeta at first gave him a confused frown before answering.
"She is my slave. What's to know?"
"Oh, there is something to know." He said as he took a few steps past him. "Like why you are so protective and attached to her?" Vegeta's face held a look of shock and disgust so perfectly; it almost fooled the king. But if he wasn't looking into his eyes, he may have truly thought that Vegeta thought it was an absurd accusation.
"I…"
"You what? And don't say that you aren't because I can see it clearly." Snapped the king.
Vegeta paused. After what his father had said, he found his thoughts were swirling. Was he really protective of her? Was he attached to her? Did he…like her? He thought he was only protecting her to put across the message that she was his slave. But now…maybe he wasn't protecting her anymore because of that. Maybe…maybe he did like her. After all, how many nights did she sleep in his room where they would just talk about nothing in particular? How often did she sneak through to his room to see him, and he wouldn't push her away? Why? Because…she's my friend. He realised in thought. Of all the things that annoy me and I could easily send her back to my father like I did so many of the other slaves he gave me, I didn't. The ouji then realised that he actually enjoyed her company.
"Well?" he was brought back down to Vegeta-sei by his father's gruff voice. Vegeta decided that he couldn't answer truthfully, as that would surely upset his father. But he knew he couldn't lie as well, as his father knew enough about it. So he'd give a half-truth.
"I am protective of her because I find she is a far better slave than any others I've had." He said. Well, technically, it was true. She wasn't so forward, but she wasn't so shy either. "And I want to make sure no other male takes her as his own."
"So, is she that good?" he asked with a hentai smirk. Vegeta's cheeks immediately went crimson with the thought of what he was implying.
"Father!!" he snapped. The king chuckled as he walked to Vegeta and put his hand on his shoulder.
"I'm just kidding son. What happens between you and the slave is confidential, ne?" Vegeta's cheeks went redder, if that was possible.
"Iie!!" he yelped as he shrugged off his fathers hand. He glared at him for a bit. "Honestly! And you're supposed to be the king!"
"Hai, but I'm a man all the same." He said. Vegeta's brows furrowed. A fucking horny man!! He thought as he huffed and turned away.
"Hn. Well, is that all you wanted, father?" he asked.
"Iie, there's just one other thing." He said in a serious voice. Vegeta recognised this tone and turned around to look at his father. The grin had faded from his face and he looked very grave. Vegeta's heart plunged a bit. He'd rather his father be perverted and happy than serious and solemn. "It's about the mate…"
"Oh, not this again!!" he yelled, glaring daggers at the king. "Don't you fucking prats get it?! I'm not interested in choosing a mate!!" The king didn't say anything to retort this. They had this conversation so often, he knew that yelling back would come to no good.
"Hai, I understand that your heart is in getting stronger." He said, nodding his head. "And it's none of my business if you haven't chosen a mate yet. But the council is really bothering me in wanting to know if you've chosen your saiyan mate."
"Iie, I haven't chosen one yet. And you know why!" the king nodded. The only reason why Vegeta never went into the women's quarters was because of the way they acted towards him. Yes, they'd be nice…but maybe a little too nice. The last time Vegeta was in there was when he was fifteen. In fact, that was the only time he was ever in there! When he came back out, he yelled at his father and the council members, vowing that he'd kill himself if they ever suggested him going back in there.
"Fine. I just wanted to know." He said. There was another round of silence as Vegeta looked to his father.
"Is that all?" he asked. The king shook his head.
"Iie, there's just one last thing." He said. "It links to with the previous questions. The Royal Ball celebrating the Full Moon is in a month's time. I just wanted to tell you in advance so that you can take your time in choosing a dance partner." He said.
"Hn, I thank you for your concern." He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm with knowing that he had to have a dance partner. "Now, is THAT all?" he asked, patience waning.
"Hai, that is all." Vegeta turned on his heel and walked out the room. King Vegeta sighed as he walked back to his throne. He knew the reason why his son acted the way he did, and he also knew there was nothing he could do to change it. But even if he could, he knew he never would. Vegeta was who Vegeta is. Even though his respect of women was a little uncharacteristic of a saiyan, the Saiyan no Ouji no less, Vegeta seemed to be perfect that way. But arrogance, obstinacy and pride were all part of the royal bloodline. King Vegeta didn't think there was one Vegeta that wasn't either stubborn, arrogant or proud. But Vegeta seemed to have it down to a fine art.
He gave a half smile as he watched his son exit the room, wishing he had a little more guts to say what he really wanted to. But he didn't tell him because he was afraid of the ouji's reaction, so he steered clear of his real intention by asking about Vegeta's slave, the idea of mating and the Full Moon Ball that was coming up. Vegeta may get frightened, ignore it or worse…he may not even react to the news. King Vegeta leaned back into his throne, silently cursing at his fear for what his son would say. After a few moments in silence, he pressed a couple of buttons.
"Royal Physician."
"Hai, have the tests come in?"