Last time:
I glare down at her. She'd better get going, cause I can hardly tolerate this anymore.
"There's something I think I should tell you."
************************************************************
The woman squirms uncontrollably under me, averting her eyes. She needs to tell me something, but, of course, she feels she should hesitate just to make me madder.
"I don't have all day woman," I say after Kami knows how long.
"I-er-I just thought you should know….I talked to Yamcha about all this the other day-" I wince slightly at the mention of her former lover. What's he got to do with anything? "-and we agreed that if….if you really do leave, then I will marry him, for Trunks' sake."
The words take a moment to register, to sink in. Marry? What was that again? I rake my brain. Oh yes, that stupid excuse for mating that earthlings do, how pathetic. Wait-"Woman, you are not allowed to mate with that weakling."
"Not allowed?" Her brow suddenly narrows. "Who are you to tell me what I am and am not allowed to do? If anyone, it should be ME. I should be telling you that you're not allowed to leave me and your son." Angrily she pushes me away, and only gets off the bed because I allow her to do so, otherwise she'd be trapped under my weight. "I have every right under the sun to marry who ever I wish. I have a duty to provide for my son, something that you would be familiar with. And I'll be Kami damned if I spend the rest of my years alone."
I take a deep breath, watching her as she fumes back and forth across the wooden floor. "Why would you 'marry' the weakling if he and you separated before? What's the point in coming back together when it obviously didn't work?"
"Because as a matter of fact, and this is none of your damn business, he loves me." I flinch at the word. Disgusting. "It was me who left him, he didn't want to split up and was happy to except my offer."
"And why settle for less?"
"Does it bother you that I'm trying to move on?"
"You are mine, no other man can touch you," I said a-matter-of-factly.
"Your's!?" The walls nearly shake with the volume of her voice. "Your's!? I am not YOUR'S Vegeta! I belong to no one, least of all you! You have no right telling me I can and cannot be with who I choose! You're leaving, you leave me no choice!"
"Loyalty knows no bounds."
"I am not loyal to someone who thinks it's right to leave when they feel like it."
"I have to go!" I yell, angry that she will not just give up her stupid argument and realize that there is no better man out there.
"Why? So you can train?" I nodded. "Well, we have plenty of training equipment here, and I could make more and better for you too."
"You could never keep up with me."
"I sure as hell can," she huffs, stopping her pacing and coming to the stance I prefer most; arms crossed over the chest, legs at shoulder width. "Just tell me what to make and I'll do it. I can go to any number of gravity in that stupid room, and I can make training bots that can blow your head off!"
"Ha! A likely story woman. Your training bots are nothing short of abysmal."
"Yes, but it's so nice that things can change isn't it? It's so nice that I can actually make upgrades." She's mocking me now. Dirty weakling.
"I can get better training where I'm going."
"And exactly where are you going? The supreme training center of the universe?"
"Where I'm going definitely does not pertain to you."
"Yeah, well, I know I can make bots and other equipment that would leave you speechless." I only stare back at her. "I know I'm the reason you're leaving Vegeta, I'm not stupid."
"Then why mention the tra-"
"Because, you moron, I was seeing if you'd say it yourself, obviously it holds more for you than just distaste. Otherwise you would have said it."
"What do you mean, more than distaste? What are you getting at?"
"That's my business. Anyways, why am I driving you off the planet?"
"With you around I hold responsibility for you and the child, a responsibility that will surely veer me from my training."
"I already told you we can handle ourselves."
"Yes, but you're not a Saiyan, are you?" I hold the same mocking tone she used with me.
"What's that have to do with anything?"
"Saiyans are fully responsible for their mates and young."
"Then why-"
"It's an instinct induced feeling that comes after the mates are properly mated. And if we were on Planet Vegeta, I assure you that we would be mated. But, seeing as there is no longer a planet, I am free to do as I wish."
"Well then why can't you stay and just not mate-er-fully with me? Whatever that means."
"Because woman, being around you would put my hormones in a frenzy and I would HAVE to mate with you."
"Have to?" She arched an unbelieving eyebrow at me.
"Yes, HAVE to. My instincts would eventually take over my body and force you into submission. Now, as I do not want this, and I'm sure you do not as well, I am leaving to prevent it."
"What did you mean when you said fully mate? The definition of mate that's commonly used on this planet only refers to animals and it's for breeding purposes, not spousal attachments."
"The Saiyan method of mating is far superior to that of earth's. Saiyans mate for life, and there is little that can break them apart; death and betrayal."
"Betrayal? Saiyans are executed for unfaithfulness?" Kami is she ever slow.
"Of course not, how could such a thing be known?"
"Then why do they die?"
"I never said they died. I said death AND betrayal."
"So it's just like earth marriages. Those things break marriages here."
"No, it's nothing like that, because death can, and often is, a result of ones betrayal."
The woman gasps, covering her hand over her mouth. "H-How?"
"The bond is broken, the unfaithful mate becomes weak, can never mate again to regain the strength, and eventually dies. Some have been known to live on, but they are too weak to defend themselves and often end up dying as a result of an attack or disease."
"So….?"
"So, Saiyans' method of mating is superior to earth's."
"How do they bond? I mean, simply coming together in intercourse can't do that, can it?"
"Partially." Her eyes grow wide.
"W-What d'you mean?"
"Stop worrying woman, Kami. My leaving with sever what little was holding us together, and that means you will not be able to intrude upon my thoughts any longer."
She sighs at this.
"How is the complete bond made then?"
"A simple exchange of blood." I point to my sharp teeth.
"You b-bite each other?"
"Why are you so damn worried? I'm not going to try and mate with you. Kami," I sigh heavily, rolling onto my back. "And yes, we do bite each other. But it's not as gruesome are you seem to think. We don't bite to kill, obviously, because what would that accomplish? We would have no mates and the race would die out." The woman opens her mouth to speak, but closes it quickly, obviously not wishing to say what she was thinking after all. Probably going to point out the fact that the race is already gone.
"Yes," her tiny voice squeaks, and I immediately glare at her.
"I told you to stay out of my thoughts." I'm more angry with myself though, for I am not blocking her out as successfully as I can.
"Sorry," she whimpers, taking a few steps back. "You were saying…."
I roll my eyes at her, shoot an angry glare her way, then turn back to look at the ceiling.
"We take a small amount of blood from each other, not much more than a common cut would produce. The bite happens, always, at the croak of the neck-" I point to the space I'm referring to. "-and will remain their always, or until there is betrayal." I pause, breathing deeply. "The mark remains for faithful ones who are together, the unfaithful, and the widows."
"The unfaithful?"
"The ones who are unfaithful keep the make of their mates for a forever reminder of what they did and it also tells any other they attempt to mate with that they are taken. If another tried to bite them, the unfaithful one would die instantly."
"And the one who was cheated on?"
"Their scar fades within months and they are free to choose another mate."
"So Saiyans emphasize more on faithfulness rather than breeding?"
"No, of course not."
"Then why do they mate for life?"
"Because, it's much easier for them to procreate when they don't have to go around looking for someone. This system ensures those who are mated that they will always have their blood carried on."
"Why don't you want a mate?"
"It's useless now, all I will produce is dirty half-breeds." She flinches at my statement for some reason.
"That's why you don't need one," she forces herself to say. "Why don't you WANT one?"
"Because, I don't wish to have any ties with anything so weak."
"And love?"
"It does no exist," I say a little too quickly for my own liking.
"You're denying your love for your own son?"
"I cannot deny what does not exist, now can I? It's like with those vampires you mentioned. Why deny their existence when it's proven?"
"Love is not proven nonexistent."
"Is it proven existent?"
She was silent, finally.
"Exactly. Now, that you have quite wasted my time, I'm going to train before I leave. I trust my ship will be ready when I'm finished."
She nodded, not looking at me. I climbed off the bed, brushed passed her and out the door without looking back. No, it was a horrible idea for her to come with me, what had I been thinking? But her reading my thoughts, why had that happened? The only cases I know of that happening is-No, it didn't happen. That was all a myth, some stupid story a crazes Saiyan came up with.
**********************************************************
Flashback:
I'm awoken with a start, swatting at who dared wake me from such a dream; I was king finally and sending an army of Saiyans to wreck havoc on an entire solar system, giving me power over it. I open my eyes and glare at the shivering housemaid who had the misfortune of waking me; they were running thin, I don't like they all fancied their black eyes and concussions.
"Prince Vegeta sir," said the squeak voice of a blue haired maid. She was new. "Your training starts in an hour, but your father wishes to have a word before then."
"A word?" I grumble, pulling myself out of bed. "On what?" I stand, looking up at the housemaid.
"He has mentioned many times about your mating to a worthy Saiyan that would be the Queen."
"Ahh, this again." I slip behind my dressing curtain, where the maid has laid out my armor, and quickly pull it on. "Why must we discuss mating? I will not be of age for nearly eight years."
"Yes, I know, the Saiyan Prince finds his mate at sixteen, but he still wishes you know some things before then, so as to keep your eyes open for the qualities your mate must possess."
"Who are you?" I ask, suddenly wishing to know her name. She seems different from the rest of the maid, her manner much stronger. True, she was shaking before, but now that she was talking, she was comfortable. The question didn't even set her off; she simply smiled and said, "Resadiv."
"And why were you sent this morning? What happened to Ferish?"
"Must I say what you know very well?" I arch an eyebrow at her. Defiant, how unlikely. Maybe that had something to do with her choosing.
I come out from behind the screen, screwing up my head, arms crossed. She falters some, her composure slipping for a moment. "You address me as though I were a mere servant friend."
"Ferish pleaded to be let of your waking duty after she received her thirty-fourth bruise in the stomach. I think she held out much longer than much of the rest."
"That is correct. She was stronger than most, though cracked easily."
"Why can't you wake like your father? He sits up when woken. No arms or legs flailing, no punches or concussions."
"I am not my father. Don't compare him to me," I growl, hitching myself up and setting off to the thrown room where I know I am to meet him. I take the shorter route there, though not wishing to see his at this time of the morning, but rather liking to get to my training more quickly. And as I knew my father would surely drag this out as long as he could until my scheduled training, I only hoped that he said all he wished to say on the matter and that I was done with it after this.
Upon entering the lavishly decorated thrown room, I was immediately noticed by the attendants who bowed to me, clearing a path to my father, with my mother beside him. She looked rather annoyed with the situation, probably feeling as I was, that my father was carrying on too much about mating when I was no near becoming king than I was to having a mate and an heir. But though her face projected an air of annoyance, her appearance was, as always, beautiful and flawless; I wondered how she kept herself so soft looking when she was by far the strongest female Saiyan, who was always training herself hard and going off on missions as much as she could. But still she sat there, after having just arrived home from a mission the night before, her hair done up in swirls and plaits, attached with silver jewelry, rare gems, and pearls. Her dress was long and flowing, blue in color, for my father had advised her that black was not a suitable color for the Queen to wear all the time.
I approached the thrown, bowing, as was custom, to my parents. My mother smiled down at me, then returned to her sour look, starring off into the room at an unknown object. My father, on the other hand, glared down at me as though I'd skipped a training session or something, which I would never do, for they were about the only thing I looked forward to.
"You know why you were called in?" he asked sternly. I wondered absently why he seemed so angry, though could voice this no more than a simple servant; I was not allowed access to certain information regarding missions, wars, etc.
I nod, though when his glare hardens some, I quickly say, "Yes, I was informed, sir."
"Now, it is my duty as your father, and as the king of Planet Vegeta, to inform you of your duties long before you are to carry them out in hopes that you will be fully prepared. As you know your premier purging mission is in a month's time, but in knowing that you are fully prepared, I wish to address a much more distant goal." He cleared his throat, giving me a moment to glance about the room, counting attendants; there were at least fifty, all seemingly doing nothing, just standing about, silent, watching us. I wondered why there were so many there, why they were all awoken so early and to witness my talk with my father. "You are to, as you know, choose a proper mate for the new Queen by your sixteenth year."
"Yes sir," I say so he knows I'm listening.
"But there are certain factors in mating that you must also know, some of which I have told you." He paused, motioning to me.
"She shall be an elite fighter, a pure-blooded Saiyan, whose wits and strength are only matched by my own."
"Yes, very good Vegeta." It was the first time he'd addressed me by name, and I was eased slightly.
"Now, how does one mate?"
"During intercourse the male initiates by biting the female in the appropriate area-" I point to my neck, just above my collarbone. "-where he holds tight until the skin is broken and her blood begins to flow. He takes a sufficient amount of blood, then the female will do the same, thus bounding the pair forever to one another."
"Right. But there is something I wish to warn you about."
"What's that father?"
"Emotions. It will be difficult once mated to ignore certain emotions bonding the two of you, but you must. Many Saiyans have been known to go mad."
"What do you mean?"
"When two Saiyans bond not for the purpose of creating heirs, but because they want to be together, because they cannot fight the urged to be apart, their lives become more difficult." He glanced at my mother, who sneered back at him. "Your mother and myself are fortunate enough to not have these ties, if so we would have the power to invade each other's thoughts freely."
"How is this difficult sir?" I was slightly confused, never had he mentioned this before.
"If two Saiyans share the minds they become obsessed, they worry about their mate, focusing less and less on their duties and more on what their mate is doing, how they are, and if they are alive or not. They communicate with each other during battles, causing injuries and even deaths."
"What is this emotion that overpowers them so that they cannot simply ignore it?"
"Love, Vegeta."
I had not heard this word before, yet it sounded awful to me. A warrior being distracted by the thoughts of their mate; it was too absurd to be real.
"Love is what bonds them closer than any other Saiyans are bonded. But, let me assure you, it is by no means a good thing. More planets that you will go to will praise such weak emotions. This, you must know, does not happen to all Saiyans. It is all the time being prevented where it can be, one reason why you are to mate at sixteen, otherwise you may find a mate that will cause these emotions to overpower you."
"And the knowing of each other's thoughts, how does that work?" I admit, I was slightly intrigued.
"The one who loves knows the other's thoughts. They usually share their emotions, but sometimes only one can hear the thought after being bonded. It matters not though, I know you will make me proud."
"I wish you mate as soon as I can," I say before he gets the idea that I want such a weak thing. Love? Oh, I must remember this foul thing and never come in contact with it.
End Flashback:
**********************************************************
I awake with a start, sweating all over. Was I sleeping? How did I fall asleep? I look around, noticing that it was not the case; I had accidentally knocked myself out while training. But what's this? I can see the woman, in my mind's eye, crying in her room, shivering feverishly. And there are words, but she is not speaking them.
"Poor Vegeta. How could his father say such things about love? No wonder he feels that way about it. He doesn't think it's right. But he's wrong, his father was wrong, all the Saiyans who never knew are wrong. Beings need love, no matter what, above all else. It's not weak and dangerous, how stupid! The only reason Saiyans died in battle was because they were not used to the feeling, having never been taught what it was, or they were probably fascinated by it. If they only knew, then things would be so much easier…."
She trailed off in her head, her thoughts blanking and then rounding back again.
How could she? No, she didn't see my dream, no, impossible.
But I have to know, so, without so much as dabbing my sweating face with a drying clothe, I make way to her room. I have to get this over with, I have to sever what little we have, or face the unthinkable.
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---Chapter 9!! Yes! Hey, how'd you like it? How was eight-year-old Vegeta? A little less arrogant yes, but you see, he hasn't battled anywhere but in training rooms yet in that flashback, thus the cockiness isn't at it's fullest.
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: Vegeta confronts Bulma, trying desperately before he leaves to find a way to cut off her flow into his mind.
I glare down at her. She'd better get going, cause I can hardly tolerate this anymore.
"There's something I think I should tell you."
************************************************************
The woman squirms uncontrollably under me, averting her eyes. She needs to tell me something, but, of course, she feels she should hesitate just to make me madder.
"I don't have all day woman," I say after Kami knows how long.
"I-er-I just thought you should know….I talked to Yamcha about all this the other day-" I wince slightly at the mention of her former lover. What's he got to do with anything? "-and we agreed that if….if you really do leave, then I will marry him, for Trunks' sake."
The words take a moment to register, to sink in. Marry? What was that again? I rake my brain. Oh yes, that stupid excuse for mating that earthlings do, how pathetic. Wait-"Woman, you are not allowed to mate with that weakling."
"Not allowed?" Her brow suddenly narrows. "Who are you to tell me what I am and am not allowed to do? If anyone, it should be ME. I should be telling you that you're not allowed to leave me and your son." Angrily she pushes me away, and only gets off the bed because I allow her to do so, otherwise she'd be trapped under my weight. "I have every right under the sun to marry who ever I wish. I have a duty to provide for my son, something that you would be familiar with. And I'll be Kami damned if I spend the rest of my years alone."
I take a deep breath, watching her as she fumes back and forth across the wooden floor. "Why would you 'marry' the weakling if he and you separated before? What's the point in coming back together when it obviously didn't work?"
"Because as a matter of fact, and this is none of your damn business, he loves me." I flinch at the word. Disgusting. "It was me who left him, he didn't want to split up and was happy to except my offer."
"And why settle for less?"
"Does it bother you that I'm trying to move on?"
"You are mine, no other man can touch you," I said a-matter-of-factly.
"Your's!?" The walls nearly shake with the volume of her voice. "Your's!? I am not YOUR'S Vegeta! I belong to no one, least of all you! You have no right telling me I can and cannot be with who I choose! You're leaving, you leave me no choice!"
"Loyalty knows no bounds."
"I am not loyal to someone who thinks it's right to leave when they feel like it."
"I have to go!" I yell, angry that she will not just give up her stupid argument and realize that there is no better man out there.
"Why? So you can train?" I nodded. "Well, we have plenty of training equipment here, and I could make more and better for you too."
"You could never keep up with me."
"I sure as hell can," she huffs, stopping her pacing and coming to the stance I prefer most; arms crossed over the chest, legs at shoulder width. "Just tell me what to make and I'll do it. I can go to any number of gravity in that stupid room, and I can make training bots that can blow your head off!"
"Ha! A likely story woman. Your training bots are nothing short of abysmal."
"Yes, but it's so nice that things can change isn't it? It's so nice that I can actually make upgrades." She's mocking me now. Dirty weakling.
"I can get better training where I'm going."
"And exactly where are you going? The supreme training center of the universe?"
"Where I'm going definitely does not pertain to you."
"Yeah, well, I know I can make bots and other equipment that would leave you speechless." I only stare back at her. "I know I'm the reason you're leaving Vegeta, I'm not stupid."
"Then why mention the tra-"
"Because, you moron, I was seeing if you'd say it yourself, obviously it holds more for you than just distaste. Otherwise you would have said it."
"What do you mean, more than distaste? What are you getting at?"
"That's my business. Anyways, why am I driving you off the planet?"
"With you around I hold responsibility for you and the child, a responsibility that will surely veer me from my training."
"I already told you we can handle ourselves."
"Yes, but you're not a Saiyan, are you?" I hold the same mocking tone she used with me.
"What's that have to do with anything?"
"Saiyans are fully responsible for their mates and young."
"Then why-"
"It's an instinct induced feeling that comes after the mates are properly mated. And if we were on Planet Vegeta, I assure you that we would be mated. But, seeing as there is no longer a planet, I am free to do as I wish."
"Well then why can't you stay and just not mate-er-fully with me? Whatever that means."
"Because woman, being around you would put my hormones in a frenzy and I would HAVE to mate with you."
"Have to?" She arched an unbelieving eyebrow at me.
"Yes, HAVE to. My instincts would eventually take over my body and force you into submission. Now, as I do not want this, and I'm sure you do not as well, I am leaving to prevent it."
"What did you mean when you said fully mate? The definition of mate that's commonly used on this planet only refers to animals and it's for breeding purposes, not spousal attachments."
"The Saiyan method of mating is far superior to that of earth's. Saiyans mate for life, and there is little that can break them apart; death and betrayal."
"Betrayal? Saiyans are executed for unfaithfulness?" Kami is she ever slow.
"Of course not, how could such a thing be known?"
"Then why do they die?"
"I never said they died. I said death AND betrayal."
"So it's just like earth marriages. Those things break marriages here."
"No, it's nothing like that, because death can, and often is, a result of ones betrayal."
The woman gasps, covering her hand over her mouth. "H-How?"
"The bond is broken, the unfaithful mate becomes weak, can never mate again to regain the strength, and eventually dies. Some have been known to live on, but they are too weak to defend themselves and often end up dying as a result of an attack or disease."
"So….?"
"So, Saiyans' method of mating is superior to earth's."
"How do they bond? I mean, simply coming together in intercourse can't do that, can it?"
"Partially." Her eyes grow wide.
"W-What d'you mean?"
"Stop worrying woman, Kami. My leaving with sever what little was holding us together, and that means you will not be able to intrude upon my thoughts any longer."
She sighs at this.
"How is the complete bond made then?"
"A simple exchange of blood." I point to my sharp teeth.
"You b-bite each other?"
"Why are you so damn worried? I'm not going to try and mate with you. Kami," I sigh heavily, rolling onto my back. "And yes, we do bite each other. But it's not as gruesome are you seem to think. We don't bite to kill, obviously, because what would that accomplish? We would have no mates and the race would die out." The woman opens her mouth to speak, but closes it quickly, obviously not wishing to say what she was thinking after all. Probably going to point out the fact that the race is already gone.
"Yes," her tiny voice squeaks, and I immediately glare at her.
"I told you to stay out of my thoughts." I'm more angry with myself though, for I am not blocking her out as successfully as I can.
"Sorry," she whimpers, taking a few steps back. "You were saying…."
I roll my eyes at her, shoot an angry glare her way, then turn back to look at the ceiling.
"We take a small amount of blood from each other, not much more than a common cut would produce. The bite happens, always, at the croak of the neck-" I point to the space I'm referring to. "-and will remain their always, or until there is betrayal." I pause, breathing deeply. "The mark remains for faithful ones who are together, the unfaithful, and the widows."
"The unfaithful?"
"The ones who are unfaithful keep the make of their mates for a forever reminder of what they did and it also tells any other they attempt to mate with that they are taken. If another tried to bite them, the unfaithful one would die instantly."
"And the one who was cheated on?"
"Their scar fades within months and they are free to choose another mate."
"So Saiyans emphasize more on faithfulness rather than breeding?"
"No, of course not."
"Then why do they mate for life?"
"Because, it's much easier for them to procreate when they don't have to go around looking for someone. This system ensures those who are mated that they will always have their blood carried on."
"Why don't you want a mate?"
"It's useless now, all I will produce is dirty half-breeds." She flinches at my statement for some reason.
"That's why you don't need one," she forces herself to say. "Why don't you WANT one?"
"Because, I don't wish to have any ties with anything so weak."
"And love?"
"It does no exist," I say a little too quickly for my own liking.
"You're denying your love for your own son?"
"I cannot deny what does not exist, now can I? It's like with those vampires you mentioned. Why deny their existence when it's proven?"
"Love is not proven nonexistent."
"Is it proven existent?"
She was silent, finally.
"Exactly. Now, that you have quite wasted my time, I'm going to train before I leave. I trust my ship will be ready when I'm finished."
She nodded, not looking at me. I climbed off the bed, brushed passed her and out the door without looking back. No, it was a horrible idea for her to come with me, what had I been thinking? But her reading my thoughts, why had that happened? The only cases I know of that happening is-No, it didn't happen. That was all a myth, some stupid story a crazes Saiyan came up with.
**********************************************************
Flashback:
I'm awoken with a start, swatting at who dared wake me from such a dream; I was king finally and sending an army of Saiyans to wreck havoc on an entire solar system, giving me power over it. I open my eyes and glare at the shivering housemaid who had the misfortune of waking me; they were running thin, I don't like they all fancied their black eyes and concussions.
"Prince Vegeta sir," said the squeak voice of a blue haired maid. She was new. "Your training starts in an hour, but your father wishes to have a word before then."
"A word?" I grumble, pulling myself out of bed. "On what?" I stand, looking up at the housemaid.
"He has mentioned many times about your mating to a worthy Saiyan that would be the Queen."
"Ahh, this again." I slip behind my dressing curtain, where the maid has laid out my armor, and quickly pull it on. "Why must we discuss mating? I will not be of age for nearly eight years."
"Yes, I know, the Saiyan Prince finds his mate at sixteen, but he still wishes you know some things before then, so as to keep your eyes open for the qualities your mate must possess."
"Who are you?" I ask, suddenly wishing to know her name. She seems different from the rest of the maid, her manner much stronger. True, she was shaking before, but now that she was talking, she was comfortable. The question didn't even set her off; she simply smiled and said, "Resadiv."
"And why were you sent this morning? What happened to Ferish?"
"Must I say what you know very well?" I arch an eyebrow at her. Defiant, how unlikely. Maybe that had something to do with her choosing.
I come out from behind the screen, screwing up my head, arms crossed. She falters some, her composure slipping for a moment. "You address me as though I were a mere servant friend."
"Ferish pleaded to be let of your waking duty after she received her thirty-fourth bruise in the stomach. I think she held out much longer than much of the rest."
"That is correct. She was stronger than most, though cracked easily."
"Why can't you wake like your father? He sits up when woken. No arms or legs flailing, no punches or concussions."
"I am not my father. Don't compare him to me," I growl, hitching myself up and setting off to the thrown room where I know I am to meet him. I take the shorter route there, though not wishing to see his at this time of the morning, but rather liking to get to my training more quickly. And as I knew my father would surely drag this out as long as he could until my scheduled training, I only hoped that he said all he wished to say on the matter and that I was done with it after this.
Upon entering the lavishly decorated thrown room, I was immediately noticed by the attendants who bowed to me, clearing a path to my father, with my mother beside him. She looked rather annoyed with the situation, probably feeling as I was, that my father was carrying on too much about mating when I was no near becoming king than I was to having a mate and an heir. But though her face projected an air of annoyance, her appearance was, as always, beautiful and flawless; I wondered how she kept herself so soft looking when she was by far the strongest female Saiyan, who was always training herself hard and going off on missions as much as she could. But still she sat there, after having just arrived home from a mission the night before, her hair done up in swirls and plaits, attached with silver jewelry, rare gems, and pearls. Her dress was long and flowing, blue in color, for my father had advised her that black was not a suitable color for the Queen to wear all the time.
I approached the thrown, bowing, as was custom, to my parents. My mother smiled down at me, then returned to her sour look, starring off into the room at an unknown object. My father, on the other hand, glared down at me as though I'd skipped a training session or something, which I would never do, for they were about the only thing I looked forward to.
"You know why you were called in?" he asked sternly. I wondered absently why he seemed so angry, though could voice this no more than a simple servant; I was not allowed access to certain information regarding missions, wars, etc.
I nod, though when his glare hardens some, I quickly say, "Yes, I was informed, sir."
"Now, it is my duty as your father, and as the king of Planet Vegeta, to inform you of your duties long before you are to carry them out in hopes that you will be fully prepared. As you know your premier purging mission is in a month's time, but in knowing that you are fully prepared, I wish to address a much more distant goal." He cleared his throat, giving me a moment to glance about the room, counting attendants; there were at least fifty, all seemingly doing nothing, just standing about, silent, watching us. I wondered why there were so many there, why they were all awoken so early and to witness my talk with my father. "You are to, as you know, choose a proper mate for the new Queen by your sixteenth year."
"Yes sir," I say so he knows I'm listening.
"But there are certain factors in mating that you must also know, some of which I have told you." He paused, motioning to me.
"She shall be an elite fighter, a pure-blooded Saiyan, whose wits and strength are only matched by my own."
"Yes, very good Vegeta." It was the first time he'd addressed me by name, and I was eased slightly.
"Now, how does one mate?"
"During intercourse the male initiates by biting the female in the appropriate area-" I point to my neck, just above my collarbone. "-where he holds tight until the skin is broken and her blood begins to flow. He takes a sufficient amount of blood, then the female will do the same, thus bounding the pair forever to one another."
"Right. But there is something I wish to warn you about."
"What's that father?"
"Emotions. It will be difficult once mated to ignore certain emotions bonding the two of you, but you must. Many Saiyans have been known to go mad."
"What do you mean?"
"When two Saiyans bond not for the purpose of creating heirs, but because they want to be together, because they cannot fight the urged to be apart, their lives become more difficult." He glanced at my mother, who sneered back at him. "Your mother and myself are fortunate enough to not have these ties, if so we would have the power to invade each other's thoughts freely."
"How is this difficult sir?" I was slightly confused, never had he mentioned this before.
"If two Saiyans share the minds they become obsessed, they worry about their mate, focusing less and less on their duties and more on what their mate is doing, how they are, and if they are alive or not. They communicate with each other during battles, causing injuries and even deaths."
"What is this emotion that overpowers them so that they cannot simply ignore it?"
"Love, Vegeta."
I had not heard this word before, yet it sounded awful to me. A warrior being distracted by the thoughts of their mate; it was too absurd to be real.
"Love is what bonds them closer than any other Saiyans are bonded. But, let me assure you, it is by no means a good thing. More planets that you will go to will praise such weak emotions. This, you must know, does not happen to all Saiyans. It is all the time being prevented where it can be, one reason why you are to mate at sixteen, otherwise you may find a mate that will cause these emotions to overpower you."
"And the knowing of each other's thoughts, how does that work?" I admit, I was slightly intrigued.
"The one who loves knows the other's thoughts. They usually share their emotions, but sometimes only one can hear the thought after being bonded. It matters not though, I know you will make me proud."
"I wish you mate as soon as I can," I say before he gets the idea that I want such a weak thing. Love? Oh, I must remember this foul thing and never come in contact with it.
End Flashback:
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I awake with a start, sweating all over. Was I sleeping? How did I fall asleep? I look around, noticing that it was not the case; I had accidentally knocked myself out while training. But what's this? I can see the woman, in my mind's eye, crying in her room, shivering feverishly. And there are words, but she is not speaking them.
"Poor Vegeta. How could his father say such things about love? No wonder he feels that way about it. He doesn't think it's right. But he's wrong, his father was wrong, all the Saiyans who never knew are wrong. Beings need love, no matter what, above all else. It's not weak and dangerous, how stupid! The only reason Saiyans died in battle was because they were not used to the feeling, having never been taught what it was, or they were probably fascinated by it. If they only knew, then things would be so much easier…."
She trailed off in her head, her thoughts blanking and then rounding back again.
How could she? No, she didn't see my dream, no, impossible.
But I have to know, so, without so much as dabbing my sweating face with a drying clothe, I make way to her room. I have to get this over with, I have to sever what little we have, or face the unthinkable.
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---Chapter 9!! Yes! Hey, how'd you like it? How was eight-year-old Vegeta? A little less arrogant yes, but you see, he hasn't battled anywhere but in training rooms yet in that flashback, thus the cockiness isn't at it's fullest.
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Next time: Vegeta confronts Bulma, trying desperately before he leaves to find a way to cut off her flow into his mind.