Finding Hope

Disclaimer: Don't own. Will never own. Don't hope to own. Don't sue.

By: Selenity Jade (Jadesama@aol.com)

Chapter Two: Arlia

Buruma took one more glance at herself in the mirror, making sure every hair was in place and her dress looked perfect. She wore a navy blue spandex suit that covered her from her neck down to her ankles. On top of that she wore a loose, dark blue skirt, slit up the sides, allowing for maximum movement. Her delicate feet were covered in black boots that reached mid-calf. She had her hair pulled back into a long ponytail that reached the middle of her back and held by a navy blue leather strap. Her make-up had been done by the local servant girls that Vejiita kept spirited away within the large ship, and she was now graced with two large blue paint marks on each cheek. Her wrists were both adorned with silver arm braces. She looked like a warrior. And she knew that was the general idea, although, why would probably always be a mystery to her. She sighed, satisfied with her appearance.

A soft knock at her door sounded as she walked out of the large bathing room. She grimaced slightly before moving over to the large door. She was definitely not looking forward to this. She opened the door, the sight before her causing her to gape.

There stood the arrogant Prince she had the pleasure of knowing. He was dressed in a navy spandex-like body suit as well, covering just as much. His Saiyajin armor was over that, a large dark blue cape attached to it. His hands were covered in white gloves and the ever-present scowl was set upon his face. "Ready?" he growled softly as he offered her his arm.

She nodded and took his arm, her hand lightly resting on his arm as he led her through the ship. "Where are we going?" she asked him softly.

"There is a celebration on Arlia for our arrival," he answered back as he ushered her out of the ship. He scowled at the man who appeared to be there to welcoming them. He looked nothing more than an overgrown cockroach to Buruma. She shivered slightly as the large bug swept its gaze over her. She unconsciously moved closer to the Saiyajin, much to his amusement. He smirked at the insect and walked down the ramp. He moved over to whisper in her ear. "The Arlians don't like the Saiyajin, but they fear us more. They will be polite to me; however, I suggest you watch your back. They will most likely send veiled threats your way as you 'willingly' subject yourself to my company."

She repressed the urge to glare at the Saiyajin no Ouji beside her and put on a big smile. "Wonderful," she said through her teeth.

He chuckled low in his throat. "Don't worry, Onna. They won't actually try to harm you."

She smiled as the large bug introduced himself to the Saiyajin. "How can you be sure, Saiyajin?" she hissed barely audible.

He smirked again and replied to the alien in some unknown language. He moved his mouth near her ear, his breath brushing against her hair, sending chills down her spine. "I know because you will not be let out of my sight and because these insects are not so stupid as to infuriate me," he whispered.

She gulped and nodded, following the large bug into the large castle. She could feel Vejiita's muscles tense as he entered enemy territory. His eyes glanced around, his very stride radiating alertness. Her faint touch on his gloved arm seemed to irritate him for some reason, as he almost seemed to want to move away from her. Her brow furrowed as confusion set it. He was almost relaxed while he was on the ship and now she saw him for what he was. A warrior. She shivered a little as apprehension set in and moved away from him slightly.

Vejiita glanced at her for a moment before returning to his watchful vigilance. She now realized what he was. He smirked faintly as he followed the insect into the throne room. 'Now it is time to test you, Onna.' He nodded politely to the King of this revolting race, as did his 'mistress'. He was grudgingly proud that she didn't decide to bow as the other warriors of his entourage were doing.

"Vejiita no Ouji," the bug King began in a hissing voice that caused Vejiita's guest to shiver in disgust. "How nice of you to visit our humble planet, Your Highness."

Vejiita smirked, glancing at Buruma out of the corner of his eye before replying. "Pleasure is all mine," Vejiita said, his gruff voice laced with sarcasm. "I was in the sector and needed supplies. I do hope you will be able to supply them."

The Arlian King gulped and looked at the blue-haired human beside the Saiyajin. "Of course, Prince Vejiita. Anything for you. May I ask whom you have brought with you? Such a beautiful little female that one is. She appears human," he commented smoothly.

Vejiita growled almost inaudibly. He hated the polite games royalty always played. He preferred his own planet's way of ruling without all the thinly veiled threats and deception. Yet, he was well trained in negotiation and politics, whether he enjoyed them or not. He didn't like how the insect was eyeing his 'mistress' so openly. He had to push aside his pride for this little charade as it was and now this bug decided to rile him already about it. He nearly blasted the man for his impertinence. "Ari, you are beginning to annoy me. Stop gawking at my female. Who she is doesn't matter. What sort of celebration have you come up with this time?"

Buruma seethed silently beside the slightly larger man, secretly happy the bug King decided to heed Vejiita's warning and had stopped staring at her. The King gave her the creeps, and even though Vejiita scared her, she at least knew he wouldn't hurt her as long as she was useful. She tuned out the barely polite conversation the two men were engaged in and took a moment to gaze around the large throne room. It was filled with many of the bug-like people and she could even pick out a few warrior-looking types among them. It seems the Saiyajin no Ouji's arrival had caused quite a disturbance, but that didn't bother her. What did were the hostile stares directed her way. She shivered again, moving closer to Vejiita, using his intimidating presence as a shield from their hatred. 'Well, he did warn me.'

Vejiita glanced at the little female at his arm and smirked. She didn't like being the target of such distrust and hostility. He was used to it and actually craved the fear that came with it. If they wouldn't respect him, then they would fear him. He supposed the little female shouldn't have to put up with it, as she had no assurances of protection except from the little he offered her. She really was a weak little thing, pale and exotic. 'Hell, she'd break if I breathed on her.' She did look almost like a warrior dressed as she was; it was incredibly sexy, actually. He felt her faint tremor as she moved a little closer to him, and he stopped himself from laughing. It really was quite comical. No one has ever sought out his presence for protection or comfort and yet this fragile creature was fairly huddled to him against the outright hostile stares of the insects. If he took the time to think about it, he might have been a little disturbed by his lack of hostility towards her himself.

Buruma glance up at the Arlian King sharply as the conversation grew heated. "Ouji-sama," the king stuttered nervously. "I would never-"

Vejiita's hand waved and cut off the bug King. "I'm sure you'd never even think of it," he sneered. "However, I will warn you against it anyway. Do not think to touch what is mine, Ari. I am here, I'll partake of your petty celebration, I'll refrain from killing all of you, and you will make sure to supply us with what we need. Very simple, insect. Now, let us eat and continue with this charade of a welcoming party and the sooner it is all done, the sooner my warriors and I can leave."

The King nodded quickly and motioned them to the large formal dining room. Vejiita led her to a seat, waiting as a servant pulled out two large chairs. He motioned her to sit and he did the same, scowling as the King walked in and sat at the head of the table and other people entered to also take their seats. Vejiita turned towards her and pulled her chair closer to him. She opened her mouth but shut it as soon as Vejiita glared at her.

"The Arlian King seems to think you are beautiful, Onna. I have no idea why, seeing as his people are insects, but he seemed to think he could barter for you out there. I don't like it, but you had best stay close to me. And I mean close. We'll be here for the night; you'll share my quarters. I won't be training tonight as I planned. If you are as much trouble as this on every planet I have the misfortune of visiting, I'll kill you myself!"

She gaped at him. "It's not my fault!" she hissed angrily. "Besides, how can we pull off me being your whore if I'm not gorgeous?"

He growled at her softly, looking up as their food was placed in front of them before answering. "You have a point, but if you were ugly I could have come up with something else and it would have been easier. It seems that you have brought more trouble than you're worth. If I have to warn off every ruler and noble on every planet we visit, I'll go absolutely insane! Why couldn't you have been just 'pretty' or something?"

She giggled. "Excuse me for being born with looks," she sneered at him and dug into her food, not even tasting the strange meal.

He snorted and followed her example, keeping a watchful eye on the nobles dining with them, noticing every one of the male insect people were eyeing his 'mistress'. 'Her genius had better with worth this.' He growled at the thought of what his fellow Saiyajin would think of her. He realized how right he had been to think up this plan. Otherwise she would have been taken by the first male to cross her path, and by any who could defeat the warrior that had the fortune of taking her first. At least she was relatively safe from his own men. His father would be a different story, being the lecher that he was, but it would be a year or two before he made it back to Vejiita-sei. He glanced at his companion and nearly choked at the look on her face. She was glaring at some noble across from her. He appeared to be smirking at her. "Onna?" he asked softly, not taking his eye off his food.

"What?" she hissed as she continued glaring at the insect.

"Why, may I ask, are you glaring at that bug like that?"

"He is leering at me," she whispered back, still glaring at the bug.

Vejiita snickered.

"It's not funny!" she reprimanded sharply, causing the Saiyajin no Ouji to laugh harder. She switched her glare to him, oblivious to the growing silence of the room.

"I suggest," he began raising his voice to the leering alien, "you keep your eyes to yourself. The female doesn't like to be stared at."

The alien gulped and looked down at his food after a quick glare at Buruma. Buruma sighed in relief and smiled quickly at Vejiita in gratitude. The rest of the meal was uneventful and she finished in relative peace as did the Saiyajin beside her, who she noticed ate as fast and as much as Goku, only with more manners. She swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked back the tears that threatened. She pushed her grief into the back of her mind. Time for grieving later, she told herself.

She glanced up to find Vejiita looking at her strangely. "What?" she asked quietly.

He scowled at her and turned to the King who was rising from his chair. The large bug cleared his throat and looked over the group. "As it is well known that the Saiyajin hate anything that isn't fighting related, the entertainment will be short and the dancing afterwards will be as well." The insect looked pointedly at Vejiita before speaking again. "If Vejiita no Ouji would permit, I would like to gift him with something he might be interested in." When Vejiita nodded his permission, the King motioned to the guards.

Buruma looked up and watched at the two insects dragged a form between them. Looking closely, Buruma gasped as she realized it was a Saiyajin. A very female Saiyajin at that. She glanced at Vejiita and saw his eyes narrowed and his fists clenched. He was pissed. She looked back as the female was thrown in front of the King.

"Vejiita no Ouji, this female landed here not three weeks ago. She was unconscious and severely injured when she landed. When she came to, she caused a fair amount of damage to the palace and we've kept her drugged since then. All we know is her name is Cauli and she served under Furiza."

Vejiita nodded swiftly and turned away from the display. He brought out his scouter, fixed it upon his face, said a few words in his guttural language, and removed the device. He glanced at Buruma, his face unreadable. He turned back to the King. "A few of my men are coming to retrieve the female."

The Arlian King nodded. "Good. This one is quite a handful. She keeps claiming to be your mate, Highness," the King remarked, hoping for a reply to this development.

Buruma glanced sharply at the Saiyajin, remembering his earlier words about scorning the need for mates. Was he really mated?

Vejiita snorted. "No. She is no mate of mine," he stated ending the discussion. Buruma shrugged and turned just as two very large Saiyajin warriors entered the banquet hall. Each bowed on one knee before their prince. "Get the female and hold her in one of the cells," Vejiita ordered gruffly.

"Sire," the large one with long spiky hair protested before being cut off by his Prince.

"Do you question me? Do it. She is a traitor to the Vejiita-sei Royal Family, soldier. Have a double guard posted."

The Saiyajin saluted with a hand against their chest before rising and picking up the unconscious female, carrying her out of the room. Vejiita scowled as he watched them.

"Vejiita no Ouji, may I ask why you had her carted off as a criminal?" the Arlian King asked timidly.

The Saiyajin glared at the insectoid. "No," he growled.

King Ari nodded quickly. "I apologize, Highness. Shall we begin the entertainment?"

Vejiita hissed angrily. "No entertainment. I will start off the dancing with my female, as is your custom, and then retire."

The King nodded and led the way into the throne room. Vejiita held an arm out to Buruma and followed after the insect. Buruma's stomach tightened nervously and she moved towards Vejiita. "Vejiita, is dancing here anything like dancing on Earth?" she asked softly.

He glanced at her and shrugged. "Doesn't matter, I am their guest and it will be Saiyajin dancing."

She glared at the male beside her angrily. "Is Saiyajin dancing like dancing on Earth?" she hissed.

He growled. "Don't worry about it, Onna."

She pulled on his arm as they reached the open doorway. "I do worry about it because I refuse to make a fool of myself, damn it!"

He pulled her roughly to his hard chest. "Listen to me, Onna. If I didn't have to put up with this charade, I'd blast you right now. Do you honestly think I'd be made a fool of by letting *you* look bad?" he hissed into her face. "I am *not* in a good mood, so I suggest you tread carefully. I've been known to kill wantonly when I'm grumpy. And I'm pissed. Let's dance."

He pulled her into the throne room, without looking as if he was forcing her. He moved her onto the center of the floor, yanking her roughly towards his chest, putting one gloved hand on her lower spine, the other gripping her hand, pulling it to his heart.

Buruma sucked in a breath at the proximity to the warrior and she could feel his irritated gaze. "It's not my fault we have to do this, so stop glaring at me," she hissed angrily. She glared up at him and an eerie flute-like sound filled the large room, starting off a slow, haunting melody.

Vejiita growled. "Damn Arlians," he grumbled angrily and swayed with the blue-haired goddess within his arms. His movements were liquid grace, even as his eyes spit fire and held unfathomed rage. She blinked in surprise at the contrast. He seemed completely at ease and yet she knew he was very angry. Most likely about the Saiyajin female from earlier.

Buruma nearly squeaked as she was pulled flush against the Prince's hard chest, his hand keeping her at the impossibly close distance. He lowered his head slightly to place his head beside her own, his soft breath tickling her ear.

She tensed immediately, causing the Saiyajin to scowl. "Loosen up, idiot. We're supposed to be quite intimate, if you remember, and it hardly looks convincing if you're tense," he whispered gruffly.

"Excuse me, but don't you Saiyajin believe in personal space?" she asked waspishly.

He snorted. "Of course. Three feet of it. Only those that are intimate dance on Vejiita-sei, idiot. You are the only one to invade my space and survive. Feel honored."

"You said it was custom here-"

"Yes, it is. Before I could back out of it because of *my* customs of never dancing with one I am not mated or intimate with. With you here, I could not."

She felt the hand at her back clench slightly, earning a slight whimper from her. Her own hand at his back, placed moderately high, of course, tightened in response. "Vejiita," she whispered sharply before his hand tightened again, cutting her off.

"Shut up. Furiza has a little guest on this planet it seems," he said softly. "Time to put our acting to the test, ne?" He felt her nod and smirked. "After this dance, we're going to 'our' room, Onna. I've had enough." He moved his hand down to her rear, pressing her hips against his own, faintly amused by her sharp intake of breath. "Relax, Onna," he murmured surprisingly soothingly in his gruff voice. "I have *no* interest in you whatsoever."

She tried to pull away from him, much to the Saiyajin's amusement. "Bastard! I'll have you know, I'm very beautiful," she growled.

He chuckled into her ear. "I'm sure. For a human," he sneered. "Don't fight me, Onna. Furiza's man is watching very closely." He laughed again and nuzzled her neck. "Zarbon is probably having a seizure watching me," he breathed as he continued his 'affections'.

"Why?" she asked softly, shivering as his breath tickled her ear, sending a jolt through her spine.

He nuzzled her neck again before biting softly. "I'm openly fondling a female. I'm dancing. I'm openly fondling a non-Saiyajin female. Take your pick," he mumbled.

She held her breath, trying to calm her tremors as Vejiita continued doing such delightful things to her neck. She gripped his gloved hand that lay near his heart tightly, afraid she'd fall over. Her eyelids drifted shut and a soft moan escaped her lips.

Vejiita smirked. 'She liked that, did she?' He nipped her neck almost playfully before moving to nibble on her ear. "So, the little human is excited," he murmured.

"Fuck. Off. Vejiita." She gasped the words out through clenched teeth as she tried to control her traitorous body.

He chuckled huskily and pulled away from her as the haunting music came to an end. He raised an eyebrow at her slight whimper. He offered her his arm, which she took as she glared at him, and he walked towards the Arlian ruler. "Onna, don't look at the green man next to the King," he murmured to her before they reached the King. "We are retiring, Ari," Vejiita said, semi-politely. He nodded once to a pretty green alien who stood beside the insectoid King and led Buruma out of the large throne room and down a large hall, stopping after a few doors. He ordered the door to open gruffly and ushered Buruma inside before entering himself. He looked around the room before unclasping his cape. "You may as well get comfortable, Onna. We aren't going anywhere tonight. There should be some women's sleeping gowns in the drawer on your right. Change," he ordered.

She glowered at him before moving to do as she was told, opening the door to find a flimsy almost transparent gown. She held it up, noticing how short it actually was. It wouldn't even cover her butt! She growled but moved to enter the large bathroom, she knew complaining would get her nowhere. "Do you mind if I bathe first?" she asked Vejiita softly. His sour mood seemed to have returned and she really didn't want to make him angry right then.

He grunted and waved her away, stripping off his armor, watching her enter the bathing room out of the corner of his eye. He glared at the closed door a moment before shaking his head and sitting on the bed. His boots and gloves soon found themselves on the floor beside his armor and cape. His spandex suit following, leaving him clad in a tight pair of shorts made out of the same material. He called for the lights to dim and crawled into the huge bed, situating himself before closing his eyes.

He dozed lightly until the faint click of the bathing room door opening jarred him awake. He glanced over and nearly gasped in shock. The little human Onna entered the dark room almost shyly, the light from the room behind her highlighting her slender form, making her seem almost angelic. Her blue hair cascaded down her body, easily reaching her waist. Her sleeping garment was almost non-existent and left very little to the imagination. The only thought that ran through the cold Saiyajin's mind was, 'Beautiful.' And yet that word didn't do her justice. He felt the peculiar urge to run right about then and immediately felt disgusted with himself. Running from a little slip of a woman. How very un-Saiyajin-like.

"Vejiita?" she whispered softly as she padded her way to the other side of the bed.

He grunted softly, not trusting himself to speak at the moment.

She slipped delicately between the cool sheets, snuggling into the soft bed. "Can I ask you something?"

"What is it, Onna?" he grumped irritably.

"I do have a name and it just happens to be Buruma."

He smirked in the darkness. "Yes. I'm aware of that."

He could hear her gulp slightly, nervously. "I'm not exactly comfortable with you," she murmured softly. "Your people destroyed my home and killed my friends, my planet is in shambles. Then I find myself ripped away from my home, held captive, abused, and then treated like a princess, just so I can help you defeat Furiza. Now I'm sleeping in the same bed as you and I'm sorry, but it makes me nervous."

He snorted. "My bed is usually my own and I've never allowed a lowly female to grace it before, Onna. You should feel honored not nervous. I have no intention of hurting you. You're too valuable right now."

She sat up angrily. "Well, I don't! I feel sick!" she snapped. She sighed quickly and put a hand to her head. "I apologize, it won't do either of us any good if I keep snapping at you. What I wanted to ask was about that Cauli girl."

He scowled. "What about her?"

"What did she do?" Buruma asked softly.

"It's hardly any of your-"

"Listen, Vejiita," she cut in peevishly. "You level with me and I'll level with you. I'll ask my questions and I promise not to go too personal and you can ask yours. Deal?"

He growled. "Feh. Fine, Onna. She was stationed with me in Furiza's army at my father's order. She was my father's favorite for a possible mate for me. She, however, found herself in some deep shit under Furiza. The monster treated all Saiyajin terribly. That female became vengeful after I showed no sympathy or favoritism towards her." He laughed without humor. "She came into my room once and attempted to seduce me. She soon found herself thrown through the closed door, without clothing, and right into Furiza, who had come to pay me a visit. Furiza was less than pleased with her and sent her to the Kyu, a species of very efficient torturers. She survived it and came back to the army. She tried to kill me and failed. She was sent on a purging mission and was fully expected to fail. Apparently, she didn't."

Buruma noticed his lack of personal comments. 'He closes himself off from expression emotion. Maybe he doesn't even feel them...' "I see. Why-"

"My turn, Onna." He felt her nod and smirked. "How old are you?"

She blinked. "That's it?"

He smirked. "Yes."

She shrugged mentally. 'It's his question, I suppose.' "I'm 24 years old. My turn. How old are *you*?"

Silence. "About 29. Blue hair is not a normal color for humans, how did you come about it?"

She smiled and curled into a comfortable ball, facing Vejiita who was lying on his back. "My hair is actually lavender and blue. The blue just shows up more. It's a genetic anomaly from my father's side of the family." She thought for a moment. "You said no woman has ever been in your bed. You mean you've never... what did you call it, mated?"

He scowled. "I thought we weren't going personal?"

She smiled impishly. "I lied."

He grunted again. "I've mated very few times. During my first rut. After that, I controlled my urges. Any male who needs a female for more than just creating brats is weak."

She frowned. "That's pretty harsh, Vejiita."

He growled. "It's the truth. Now, why do you refuse to call me by my proper title, Onna?"

She sighed. "You haven't earned the respect in my eyes. Why do you refuse to call me by my name?"

He smirked and crossed his arms. "Because it irritates you."

She rolled her eyes. "Wonderful," she mumbled and curled herself tighter. She let her mind drift and almost drifted off when she heard a soft purr-like snore coming from her bedmate. She giggled softly and gasped as his eyes snapped open to glare at her.

"What the fuck are you laughing at?"

"Your snores, they're cute!" she exclaimed softly.

His eyes grew wide and looked absolutely horrified. "I don't do *anything* that is cute!"

She closed her eyes and smiled. "Sure, Vejiita."

He growled and turned his back to her. "Shut up and go to sleep, stupid human female!"

~~~

AN: Cauli is mine... and yes, I'm aware here name isn't that wonderful, but Shadow (thanks, girl!) came up with it spur of the moment and Cauli isn't going to be that big of a character anyway!

Lovies!