By Kiarene (22/3/2003)
2 : a very stubborn person
A/N: Set in the AU from my first drabble.
"Yield."
Vegeta stilled at the softly spoken command, rocked by the sudden wave of dizziness brought about by increasing pressure on his left windpipe. The touch was light but precisely placed, and nauseating blackness threatened at the edges of his vision. He braced himself against the sharp pain and thrashed fiercely.
No! He refused to give up; his pride demanded that he fight to the end.
The young prince was on the verge of passing out, clutching at shreds of slippery consciousness, his rabid struggles weakening rapidly. His arms were bent at a painful angle behind his back, his kicking legs useless against his taller opponent as he was bent in a position that gave him little leverage. He knew he had no chance of breaking free and one simple word would end his suffering, yet he would not give in.
To yield was weak.
He clung tenaciously to that mantra as he twisted and bucked frantically. One sweat-slicked hand slipped free and clawed desperately at the arm across his throat, drawing long crimson gouges but it was too late and he lost consciousness, yielding not to his opponent but his body's own weakness.
When Vegeta awoke, he was lying on his back.
"How do you feel?"
Vegeta sat up slowly, one hand holding his sore throat bitterly. "I lost."
The older youth looked down at the frowning boy, a wry smile on his fine, pale features. The seven-year old Saiyan prince was half his age and half his size, yet he fought like a wildcat to the end. "You can be such a mule, Vegeta."
The black-haired royal turned to look at his blond counterpart suspiciously. "What's a mule?"
Ciaran blinked, and then chuckled. "You do not have mules on your planet?"
"Obviously not."
Pale blue eyes twinkled in amusement as the smaller boy struggled to stand on his own, weak but determined, knowing that any offer of help would be refused as usual. The Sidhe prince considered baiting his volatile guest. "Well, a mule is the sterile offspring of a female horse and a male donkey; four-legged beasts of burden."
Dark eyes narrowed in fury as small hands fisted. "How dare you mock me?"
Ciaran held up a placating hand. "But it also has another meaning: a stubborn person."
Vegeta snarled, his tail lashing angrily. "You insult…"
"I meant no insult, just a statement of fact," Ciaran cut in dryly. "You are the most stubborn individual I've ever met. It is a most infuriating, yet admirable trait."
Vegeta scowled but held his temper. The past three years had changed him greatly; increased interaction with other races had opened his mind. There was more to fighting than just raw strength. He was stronger than Ciaran, but the older was more skilled and possessed a natural swiftness he could barely match.
"You're right."
While the Sidhe prince gaped in surprise, Vegeta smirked cheekily. "But I'll still whip your ass tomorrow."
The tension melted as both boys erupted into rich laughter.
(500 words)
~