Unexplainable
Disclaimer: Duh.
By: Selenity Jade (Jadesama@aol.com)
Thanks: Mia Skywalker and Lynz for beta-ing
Chapter Eleven: Waking
Staring at the sleeping form of his mate, Vejiita sighed softly as he leaned back in the large chair. She was deathly pale, with a pained frown on her otherwise stunning face. Kansho had informed him she had stabilized, but if the child continued to kick and move as it had been, they might have to try to remove the boy from her and place him in an embryonic development unit until he can survive without it. Apparently, the mix of human and Saiyajin blood gave the brat a longer gestation period, and while a Saiyajin child could have survived at five months, there were a few more weeks to go before his brat could do the same.
And even with the removal of the fetus, his mate could die. Kansho had told him it was really up to her whether she made it or not. They couldn't put her in a rejuvenation tank, not while she was pregnant, and even if they could, they'd have to devise one that she could use. All of the ones on Vejiita-sei could only be used for Saiyajin patients.
He had been watching her for the past few hours, memorizing every line in her face, staring fearfully at the rise and fall of her breast, completely terrified of the thought of her slipping away without him there. Hell, he was terrified she'd die at all, but if she did, he would *not* allow himself to be anywhere else.
And if she died… he didn't know how he would take it. It was unseemly – not to mention just wrong – for him to express the pain he knew her passing would cause him, but he didn't think he would be able to stop himself. Just the very thought of her leaving him like this, because of *his* stupidity in getting her with a brat without thinking of the consequences, tore him apart. How had he come to need her so damn much?
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair fretfully; cursing himself for the emotions he had let the little female invoke in him. He didn't know what was worse; the damn knot in his gut at the thought of her death, the absolute terror her leaving him brought him, or the whole idea that he – the Saiyajin no Ouji, the prophesized Legendary – actually cared, wanted, and needed a weak onna to survive. It was a damn weakness, and yet… he had never felt stronger.
What the hell was she doing to him?
~~~
Azami slipped silently into the dark medical room, shutting the door behind her with a barely audible click. She padded softly over to the shadowy form of the sitting prince, brushing back a stray lock of thick, wild black hair as she approached. She took a quick glance at the scarcely visible woman lying on the bed, her small mouth moving into a frown.
"What do you want?" the low voice of the warrior prince demanded abruptly.
Sighing delicately, the female warrior turned and grabbed a chair, noiselessly pulling it nearer to the bed and taking a seat. A long silence hung in the hair between the two Saiyajin, somewhat comfortable, and yet strained at the same time. She took stock of the small Saiyajin beside her, noticing his tired eyes that gleamed at her in the dark. Hostility radiated off him in nearly palpable waves, and his hands shook slightly as he ran them through his coarse hair. "You should sleep," she told him gently, finally breaking the stillness.
He snorted quietly, turning his gaze back to the female in the bed, his dark brows coming together in a fierce scowl, as he seemed to glare at the woman slumbering there. The wild-haired woman didn't bother to glance at the oddly-colored female, but instead continued to study the disturbed Saiyajin no Ouji before her, irritating him even further with her scrutiny. "Mind your own business," he snapped tiredly.
Rolling her eyes, she gave a little growl of irritation at his stubbornness, and leaned back in her chair, crossing her ankles. "Vejiita, it *is* my business," she scolded gently, grabbing a long thick spike of hair that hung just past her shoulders. "Your father wishes to speak with you, in any case."
"Fuck him," the churlish warrior snarled quietly, his eyes still fixed upon the blue-haired alien.
"Vejiita," she chided again, sighing. "Mind your manners, brat. He *is* your father, and he *is* the Saiyajin no Ou."
She could feel him roll his eyes, despite the fact she couldn't see it. "Shut up," he told her, his voice barely a whisper.
The woman was beginning to worry about the young prince beside her. It wasn't often that he was silent when he was angry, but here he sat, getting angry with her for her meddling, and not raising his voice in the least. All because he did not wish to wake the slumbering female. Even then, he could have taken the argument into the hall, but it was obvious to her that he had no wish to. No one was going to tear him away from the side of that bed until the human woman woke up. She rubbed her temple lightly and closes her eyes before speaking again.
"Why do you care so much about this alien female, Vejiita?"
She knew immediately after the question had left her mouth that it was definitely the wrong subject to mention. His entire body stiffened in response, and she could feel his ki rise, despite the fact she was not sensitive to ki, nor was she wearing a scouter. He slowly turned his face to hers, glaring almost hatefully, causing her to gasp at the look of pure rage in his eyes. He had *never* looked at her so before, not in his entire life. Not in nearly thirty years had he looked upon her with such anger, hatred, and resentment. And she suddenly felt a fierce regret well up within her, and a sharp pain stab her heart. He had changed so much. He would never be the boy she had known. He would never be what she had always pictured in her mind while he had been away.
'That monster has changed him so much…'
"What I *feel* for this *female*," he hissed softly, his fists and teeth clenching with barely suppressed rage, "is *none* of Father's business, none of his people's business, and certainly none of yours, Mother!"
The tiny queen sighed sadly, and nodded her head in defeat. "Alright, Vejiita, if that's the way you want it."
"That is *exactly* the way I want it!"
She exhaled softly, and fell silent, sitting beside the tormented prince, determined not to aggravate his already vicious temper. She let her gaze rest on the frail female asleep before them, finally examining her. Everything about her was exotic. It was no wonder her son had found himself attracted to her. Her aqua hair looked like silk, her flesh like pale cream, and her delicate features were very pleasing to gaze upon. She was fragile, exotic, and almost divine in sheer looks alone. She was like no Saiyajin female, not with her pale coloring and thin hair. Her slightly rounded belly was quite evident, and the queen felt the familiar shame boil up within her. Her son had mated an alien, a *weak* alien female whom was dying from a simple Saiyajin birth.
The queen knew very well why her son had felt drawn to the foreign girl, although she didn't know if anyone else could fathom the reason behind it. Her little warrior son had grown up. He was still small, especially for a Saiyajin, but he was an adult now. A warrior from a long line of warriors.
And one that had been forced into slavery under a cruel, heartless beast.
Oh, she knew very well why her son had chosen the human. She was gentle ice against his raging fire. Frail comfort for his damaged soul. Someone to look out for, someone to protect, and someone that would give him the attention, concern, and affection he had never had. The blue-haired female was someone her son needed, and she would never begrudge her precious little boy – the one she still saw in her mind – anything he needed. He would not have a Saiyajin female; they were too violent, too bloodthirsty, and too raw. He had seen enough blood for a hundred Saiyajin elites, and he needed to contradict the violence he couldn't control. The small queen didn't think her mate would ever accept it completely, or even understand how his son, his heir, could desert everything he had been raised to be.
But she knew the truth. Her son *needed* the gentle concern. After all, his entire life must have been one blur of pain, betrayal, and hatred. No wonder her little prince had found someone so frail.
She was still worried, however. What about the fierceness in a Saiyajin's soul, the urge for battle inside their hearts? What about the need for violence and anger to soothe their raging instincts? Could this frail being provide that? Battle in the home, in the heart? Could she alleviate the anger and bloodlust within him? Could she do what a Saiyajin female must? Could she take some rough handling when a male lost a battle? Could she take the anger he would surely dish out to her when he was frustrated?
Could she survive a Moon Year?
She sighed again, tearing her eyes off the fragile female and back to her still aggravated son. "Vejiita, your father wishes to speak with you. Now, actually."
"Do not care," the weary prince muttered irritably.
"Vejiita, it is important. I will stay by the female's side until you return."
Her son snapped his eyes to hers, clearly shocked. She could almost see the confusion and questions flowing through his mind as he tried to figure out what she was up to. She felt the deep pain in her heart again as her son looked at her searchingly, trying to determine her ulterior motive. Trying to decide if she would betray him or not. She felt a foreign stinging in her eyes, realizing almost too late that she was about to cry.
'My beautiful son, how can you look at your own mother with such bitterness? How can you actually expect my betrayal? Vejiita, my beautiful boy, I am your mother. I will not hurt you… Never would I betray you.' When his suspicious gaze did not assuage, she looked down sadly. "Vejiita, I will not harm her or you."
He was silent a long moment before he rose to his feet, glaring down at her. "See to it that you do not, Mother," he snarled and stalked towards the door, throwing it open. He paused just before he exited, and glanced over his shoulder, his eyes still narrowed at her. "I'll be a half-hour."
The door shut quietly behind him, leaving the Queen and the human female alone in the dark room. The tiny, dark-haired Saiyajin kept her eyes on the closed door, her eyes suspiciously bright. 'I am sorry, my chibi ouji…'
~~~
Vejiita stormed down the bare hallway, his white boots clicking softly in gentle echoes. His mind wasn't fully with him as he strode towards his father's rooms, as it had stayed behind with the frail being he had taken as his mate. He had seen his mother's injured look when he hadn't immediately trusted her, and a part of him – the little boy he had once been – cringed at the proud queen's wince. The other part – the one that had been raised aboard Furiza's ship – just didn't give a damn. No one had ever saved him pain before, especially not his *beloved* parents who had given him up into that pale freak's army. He didn't trust *anyone* and he would be damned before he'd pretend otherwise.
He paused outside the grandiose doors, sneering at the flash paintings upon them, the bright red depiction of the battle for the planet of Vejiita-sei, once called Plant. He snorted as he vaguely remembered the early history lessons he had been forced to study, and the battle that was one of the most important in all of Saiyajin history. His ancestor had led the nomadic Saiyajin tribes against the weak Tsufuru-jin, and had taken over the planet, renaming it after himself. And his descendents were then named after him and the planet they ruled. It was something to be proud of for his line, and yet Vejiita had never much cared. Even as a child. What did it matter that he was descended from the great leader that had liberated their people from the arid deserts of the planet? What Vejiita cared about was that his line was descended from the Legendary – in actuality, the grandson of the first Vejiita – and he was prophesized to be the Legendary reborn, and would some day rid his planet of the menace known as Furiza.
He was destined to be powerful, and *that* is what mattered to him, although a very small voice in his mind reminded him if it weren't for the first Vejiita, he would not be a prince now, and would have quite possibly been living in nomadic clans in the Crimson Desert where his clan had come from. But in all honesty, he didn't much care about his royal status. That *privilege* had been the reason he had suffered for so many years.
He would become the Legendary. He *would* defeat the lizard monstrosity that had ruled over him – and his race – for so long, although he had no delusions for his reasons for hating the cruel tyrant. He wanted revenge, and despite his royalty, he didn't much care that he would also be liberating his people. They *owed* him for what he had had to endure for them, and as far as he was concerned, they could rot under the monster's rule for all time. What had any of them done for him while he had been forced to starve for days on end as punishment for looking at Zarbon the wrong way? Had any of them thought for one second about their precious little prince – only a seven year old child – who had been forced to endure beatings for not being strong enough to take down a planet in the allotted four days which had instead taken five? Had any of them even contemplated the sheer torture Furiza had bestowed upon him daily just because he was a *monkey*? And a monkey prince at that? Could any of them truly understand the humiliation, the shame, the pain and torture he had endured? No, probably not, and not one of them would care. His time with Furiza would always be kept secret; he was *ashamed* that he couldn't save himself, ashamed of what the evil being had done to him, and he would *never* tell another soul what he had been forced to endure.
He would destroy Furiza, but never for his people. For *himself* he would rip that monster's spine from his body and bathe in his blood. It would be for himself that he became the Legendary and tear that fiend limb from limb. Never for the worthless mongrels he was supposed to rule. *They* could fend for themselves. He didn't much care.
He shook off his anger as he opened the large door, determined not to show his emotions, not even the ever-present rage he delighted in. He would let his father believe he was emotionless, but the same. He would never let the bastard see what Furiza had truly made of him.
He ambled into the room, glancing around for the king, his eyebrows rising slightly at the disarray. The room looked like it had been torn apart in a mad rage. Smirking, Vejiita assumed his father had been angrier that he had appeared about his choice of mates.
He surveyed the room until his eyes landed on the still form of the king, who was standing beside the large balcony doors, which looked out over the private gardens. It was one of the only places in the city that held greenery, unlike the planet he had crashed on.
"What do you want, Father?" he demanded uncouthly, still irritated he had been forced away from his mate's bedside. He wanted to be there when she woke up, because there was a very real possibility she might not. He knew he should have ordered Kansho to rid her of the brat, but he also knew that she would never forgive him for it. Besides, the damage had already been done to her, and removing the boy from her now might just cause more damage, and he did *not* want to risk that until he had no other choice.
"I received a transmission from Furiza a few hours ago, Vejiita," the king's low voice came to him, sounding exhausted. Vejiita surmised it was from his temper tantrum earlier. It was no wonder he did not wish to take his father's place just yet, and just listening to his usually stolid father express fatigue was enough to remind him of that fact. He needed to train to be stronger, not sit around on a throne listening to petty rivalries from the first-class warriors, nor dispatch infant third-classers to weak planets at Furiza's orders.
"And?" Vejiita prompted, getting irritated at his large father.
"He inquired about your whereabouts, and ordered me to contact him if I hear from you. He is on his way to Earth in any case; that was where you defeated Zarbon, and your last known location."
Vejiita felt an odd pang inside. That was his mate's planet, her hope, and her people. Furiza would be *pissed* once he realizes that Vejiita had departed long before he arrived, and would more than likely destroy the planet in his rage. And he couldn't let that happen, it would upset her. He sighed softly, and gave the king a stern look. "Contact him and tell him that I sent a message telling you I am hiding out for a while aboard a Earth ship, and that I delayed my arrival here by a few weeks."
"It will not work, Vejiita," the king told him dully.
"What do you mean?" Vejiita demanded cantankerously.
"I mean that he is headed to Earth for a reason outside of just your presence."
Vejiita narrowed his eyes at the older Saiyajin. "Why *else* would he travel there?"
The King turned around to fully face his son, a stern frown on his face. "Apparently, because of a legend."
Vejiita blinked. "What fucking legend?!"
The older man shrugged. "No idea. Furiza did not deem it was necessary for me to know." Vejiita growled softly, turning away from his otousama, glaring at the ground thoughtfully.
After a long silence as the Saiyajin no Ouji mulled over his options, he finally turned back towards the taller warrior. "I must travel back to Earth then," Vejiita stated suddenly, much to his father's surprise.
"What? Why would you do that, brat?! Let Furiza destroy the pathetic planet if he wishes, you are not there! It buys you time, and you are nowhere near powerful enough to take him on now!"
Nodding, Vejiita wordlessly agreed with the King's words.
"Then why, Vejiita?" the older Vejiita demanded.
"Because it is my mate's home planet, Father!" he snapped. 'And she would hate me if I let him destroy it.'
The King muttered something under his breath that Vejiita didn't catch and gave the younger warrior a surprised look, before speaking again. "Fine. But what about the female? She cannot travel with you!"
"I know that!" he hissed back infuriated. "I will have to leave her here with Kakarotto's mate." Pausing, Vejiita turned his face in the direction of his mate's room in medical. "I will leave Radditzu as a guard over her while I am gone as well." He swung back towards his father. "I will depart tomorrow night. She needs me now," he told his father curtly, and headed towards the door.
"Vejiita!"
He glanced back at the bearded warrior, his eyes narrowed in vexation. "What?"
"You will die if you go, Vejiita."
The Prince shrugged, and looked to the door. "Possibly, but I have no choice."
"Yes, you do!"
He glared at his father. "No, I don't," he told him, turning and opening the door. "I must go."
~~~
"Do you think Buruma is doing okay?"
Goku turned around to give his wife a sympathetic look and smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure she'll be fine, Chichi. I do not think Vejiita will let her die if he can help it."
"I don't know…"
Goku walked over to his wife and knelt down in front of the bed on which she sat. "Chichi, Buruma is too stubborn to just die like this. And Vejiita is even more so than she is, believe it or not. If *anything* can be done, it is being done. Don't worry so much, okay?"
The dark-haired woman looked down into her husband's eyes, smiling weakly. "I suppose… Thank you, Goku-sa."
He gave her his trademark grin and leaned up to kiss her tenderly. "Welcome, Chi."
Her lip twitched upward in response to his grin, and did her best to push the worry aside. After all, she had seen the look on Vejiita's face when she'd told him that Buruma was in trouble. "Goku-sa, I heard you tell Radditzu that you would spar with him later."
Putting a hand behind his head, Goku gave her the sheepish look that so often appeared on his face. "Um, yeah, I did. Do you want me to postpone it or something?"
Shaking her head, she rolled her eyes. "No, I think I'll go check up on Buruma when you leave. I was just making sure I heard correctly. I'm not made of glass, you know."
He brushed his lips over hers again, silently apologizing. "Thanks, Chi."
She blinked. "For what?"
"Everything. Thank you for being my wife, the mother of my child, and coming with me. For being who you are."
Giving him a sweet smile, she shook her head at his rare affectionate words. "Goku-sa, you don't need to thank me for anything."
He shrugged. "Yes, I do. I know I am not that open with sharing things with you. I know I tend to just assume you know, but Buruma reminded me that I should tell you sometimes."
"She did?"
He nodded, still kneeling before her and staring up into her eyes. "I love you, Chichi. I really do."
Her smile widened as tears formed in her dark eyes, and she threw her arms around her husband's neck. She didn't say anything, only held him tightly, allowing herself to cry silently for the seldom spoken words.
His arms came around her and squeezed her gently, as he let her cry into his neck, a small smile playing on his face at her reaction. If he had known it would make her this happy, he would have done it more often. And he would, he decided.
"I love you, too," she whispered, her voice muffled against his throat.
"I know, Chi. I know…"
~~~
Azami sighed softly as she gazed at the still form of her son's alien mate. Her dark eyes were fixed on the slight rise and fall of the blue-haired female's chest as she waited for Vejiita to return. She was still mulling over the Prince's obvious attachment to the woman when the door opened behind her, and the tiny Queen turned towards the disturbance.
She blinked a bit in surprise as Kansho walk into the shadowy room, apparently unaware of the other Saiyajin's presence. The doctor stood near the door a moment, probably letting her eyes adjust to the dark, the Queen speculated. Then she moved towards the bed, eyes riveted on the Queen. "Your Majesty," the younger female greeted in a soft whisper.
"Kansho," the Queen addressed just as quietly. "Here to check on the girl?"
Chuckling kindly, the doctor gave Azami a slight smile. "Partly. I also wanted to check up on the Prince."
Nodding in understanding, Azami glanced towards the Chikyuu-jin female. "May I ask you a question, Kansho?"
"You wish to know if she is bonded with your son, no?"
The Queen's eyes snapped back to the figure beside her, somewhat surprised at the astuteness of the doctor.
Kansho laughed gently. "It is the question everyone wishes an answer to. Nappa visited my quarters not an hour ago to ask the very same thing. I am unsure, but I do believe it is likely. But only the Prince can answer that for sure."
"I see," the pretty Queen replied.
"I was told that he has only known her less than six months, so even if they are bonded, the bond will not be fully developed yet. If she does die, Vejiita may only have partial symptoms of a broken bond, and could very likely survive it."
"I see," Azami repeated, her eyes moving to the slumbering form, just as the blue-haired female moaned softly in her sleep. Kansho moved over to the bed, clicking a button on the side of her scouter. The Queen watched the experienced physician look the frail female over, keeping herself from voicing the questions in her mind aloud until the other woman had finished.
"How is she?"
Kansho's mouth twitched upwards slightly, and she turned from the bed. "She's doing better, actually. The child has ceased his movements, allowing her the chance to heal. She is only dreaming now, possibly a nightmare, which is common during pregnancy."
Azami nodded, leaning back into the chair. "That is good-"
The cerulean-haired female suddenly moaned again, and the door burst open to reveal an obviously worried Vejiita, who was beside his mate instantly.
Suppressing a smile, the Queen stood up, giving Kansho an amused glance before speaking. "Hello, Vejiita."
"How is she?" he demanded, not even bothering with her greetings.
"Kansho says the child has calmed considerably, and she's doing better."
His relief was discernible on his face as he shot the female doctor a grateful look. "Good," he said simply, turning back to regard the pale woman.
Her azure eyes snapped open with a startled gasp.
~~~
AN: Firstly, I know Vejiita is a big selfish bastard so far, and yes, I am doing this on purpose. ^_^ He'll be changing a lot throughout this fic, but not that much different from the way everyone likes him in here… you all *adore* Vejiita in this fic, and it's scary sometimes. ^_^ You *do* realize that his extreme possessiveness and jealousy is very, very unhealthy in most relationship, don't you? ^_^ It would get old *real* quick in real life. Not to mention could lead, and often does, lead to abuse… Of course, I will not be going that way in this fic; I would stab myself with a rusty spoon before I did that…
Secondly, cantankerously is my big word for the chapter. ^_^ Look it up people!
Also, Azami is mine, blah blah. Her name means artichoke or thistle, btw. ^_^
Another thing I want to say is a great big thank you to Mia Skywalker, who is helping me a lot in many ways with writing. From talking with her about aspects of the DBZ world that aren't shown in the series, to her beta-ing my work, and my beta-ing of hers. It has helped *me* tremendously in my writing, from grammar to descriptions and what not. *Bows* Thank you very much dear! *HUGS*
Lovies!
Disclaimer: Duh.
By: Selenity Jade (Jadesama@aol.com)
Thanks: Mia Skywalker and Lynz for beta-ing
Chapter Eleven: Waking
Staring at the sleeping form of his mate, Vejiita sighed softly as he leaned back in the large chair. She was deathly pale, with a pained frown on her otherwise stunning face. Kansho had informed him she had stabilized, but if the child continued to kick and move as it had been, they might have to try to remove the boy from her and place him in an embryonic development unit until he can survive without it. Apparently, the mix of human and Saiyajin blood gave the brat a longer gestation period, and while a Saiyajin child could have survived at five months, there were a few more weeks to go before his brat could do the same.
And even with the removal of the fetus, his mate could die. Kansho had told him it was really up to her whether she made it or not. They couldn't put her in a rejuvenation tank, not while she was pregnant, and even if they could, they'd have to devise one that she could use. All of the ones on Vejiita-sei could only be used for Saiyajin patients.
He had been watching her for the past few hours, memorizing every line in her face, staring fearfully at the rise and fall of her breast, completely terrified of the thought of her slipping away without him there. Hell, he was terrified she'd die at all, but if she did, he would *not* allow himself to be anywhere else.
And if she died… he didn't know how he would take it. It was unseemly – not to mention just wrong – for him to express the pain he knew her passing would cause him, but he didn't think he would be able to stop himself. Just the very thought of her leaving him like this, because of *his* stupidity in getting her with a brat without thinking of the consequences, tore him apart. How had he come to need her so damn much?
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair fretfully; cursing himself for the emotions he had let the little female invoke in him. He didn't know what was worse; the damn knot in his gut at the thought of her death, the absolute terror her leaving him brought him, or the whole idea that he – the Saiyajin no Ouji, the prophesized Legendary – actually cared, wanted, and needed a weak onna to survive. It was a damn weakness, and yet… he had never felt stronger.
What the hell was she doing to him?
~~~
Azami slipped silently into the dark medical room, shutting the door behind her with a barely audible click. She padded softly over to the shadowy form of the sitting prince, brushing back a stray lock of thick, wild black hair as she approached. She took a quick glance at the scarcely visible woman lying on the bed, her small mouth moving into a frown.
"What do you want?" the low voice of the warrior prince demanded abruptly.
Sighing delicately, the female warrior turned and grabbed a chair, noiselessly pulling it nearer to the bed and taking a seat. A long silence hung in the hair between the two Saiyajin, somewhat comfortable, and yet strained at the same time. She took stock of the small Saiyajin beside her, noticing his tired eyes that gleamed at her in the dark. Hostility radiated off him in nearly palpable waves, and his hands shook slightly as he ran them through his coarse hair. "You should sleep," she told him gently, finally breaking the stillness.
He snorted quietly, turning his gaze back to the female in the bed, his dark brows coming together in a fierce scowl, as he seemed to glare at the woman slumbering there. The wild-haired woman didn't bother to glance at the oddly-colored female, but instead continued to study the disturbed Saiyajin no Ouji before her, irritating him even further with her scrutiny. "Mind your own business," he snapped tiredly.
Rolling her eyes, she gave a little growl of irritation at his stubbornness, and leaned back in her chair, crossing her ankles. "Vejiita, it *is* my business," she scolded gently, grabbing a long thick spike of hair that hung just past her shoulders. "Your father wishes to speak with you, in any case."
"Fuck him," the churlish warrior snarled quietly, his eyes still fixed upon the blue-haired alien.
"Vejiita," she chided again, sighing. "Mind your manners, brat. He *is* your father, and he *is* the Saiyajin no Ou."
She could feel him roll his eyes, despite the fact she couldn't see it. "Shut up," he told her, his voice barely a whisper.
The woman was beginning to worry about the young prince beside her. It wasn't often that he was silent when he was angry, but here he sat, getting angry with her for her meddling, and not raising his voice in the least. All because he did not wish to wake the slumbering female. Even then, he could have taken the argument into the hall, but it was obvious to her that he had no wish to. No one was going to tear him away from the side of that bed until the human woman woke up. She rubbed her temple lightly and closes her eyes before speaking again.
"Why do you care so much about this alien female, Vejiita?"
She knew immediately after the question had left her mouth that it was definitely the wrong subject to mention. His entire body stiffened in response, and she could feel his ki rise, despite the fact she was not sensitive to ki, nor was she wearing a scouter. He slowly turned his face to hers, glaring almost hatefully, causing her to gasp at the look of pure rage in his eyes. He had *never* looked at her so before, not in his entire life. Not in nearly thirty years had he looked upon her with such anger, hatred, and resentment. And she suddenly felt a fierce regret well up within her, and a sharp pain stab her heart. He had changed so much. He would never be the boy she had known. He would never be what she had always pictured in her mind while he had been away.
'That monster has changed him so much…'
"What I *feel* for this *female*," he hissed softly, his fists and teeth clenching with barely suppressed rage, "is *none* of Father's business, none of his people's business, and certainly none of yours, Mother!"
The tiny queen sighed sadly, and nodded her head in defeat. "Alright, Vejiita, if that's the way you want it."
"That is *exactly* the way I want it!"
She exhaled softly, and fell silent, sitting beside the tormented prince, determined not to aggravate his already vicious temper. She let her gaze rest on the frail female asleep before them, finally examining her. Everything about her was exotic. It was no wonder her son had found himself attracted to her. Her aqua hair looked like silk, her flesh like pale cream, and her delicate features were very pleasing to gaze upon. She was fragile, exotic, and almost divine in sheer looks alone. She was like no Saiyajin female, not with her pale coloring and thin hair. Her slightly rounded belly was quite evident, and the queen felt the familiar shame boil up within her. Her son had mated an alien, a *weak* alien female whom was dying from a simple Saiyajin birth.
The queen knew very well why her son had felt drawn to the foreign girl, although she didn't know if anyone else could fathom the reason behind it. Her little warrior son had grown up. He was still small, especially for a Saiyajin, but he was an adult now. A warrior from a long line of warriors.
And one that had been forced into slavery under a cruel, heartless beast.
Oh, she knew very well why her son had chosen the human. She was gentle ice against his raging fire. Frail comfort for his damaged soul. Someone to look out for, someone to protect, and someone that would give him the attention, concern, and affection he had never had. The blue-haired female was someone her son needed, and she would never begrudge her precious little boy – the one she still saw in her mind – anything he needed. He would not have a Saiyajin female; they were too violent, too bloodthirsty, and too raw. He had seen enough blood for a hundred Saiyajin elites, and he needed to contradict the violence he couldn't control. The small queen didn't think her mate would ever accept it completely, or even understand how his son, his heir, could desert everything he had been raised to be.
But she knew the truth. Her son *needed* the gentle concern. After all, his entire life must have been one blur of pain, betrayal, and hatred. No wonder her little prince had found someone so frail.
She was still worried, however. What about the fierceness in a Saiyajin's soul, the urge for battle inside their hearts? What about the need for violence and anger to soothe their raging instincts? Could this frail being provide that? Battle in the home, in the heart? Could she alleviate the anger and bloodlust within him? Could she do what a Saiyajin female must? Could she take some rough handling when a male lost a battle? Could she take the anger he would surely dish out to her when he was frustrated?
Could she survive a Moon Year?
She sighed again, tearing her eyes off the fragile female and back to her still aggravated son. "Vejiita, your father wishes to speak with you. Now, actually."
"Do not care," the weary prince muttered irritably.
"Vejiita, it is important. I will stay by the female's side until you return."
Her son snapped his eyes to hers, clearly shocked. She could almost see the confusion and questions flowing through his mind as he tried to figure out what she was up to. She felt the deep pain in her heart again as her son looked at her searchingly, trying to determine her ulterior motive. Trying to decide if she would betray him or not. She felt a foreign stinging in her eyes, realizing almost too late that she was about to cry.
'My beautiful son, how can you look at your own mother with such bitterness? How can you actually expect my betrayal? Vejiita, my beautiful boy, I am your mother. I will not hurt you… Never would I betray you.' When his suspicious gaze did not assuage, she looked down sadly. "Vejiita, I will not harm her or you."
He was silent a long moment before he rose to his feet, glaring down at her. "See to it that you do not, Mother," he snarled and stalked towards the door, throwing it open. He paused just before he exited, and glanced over his shoulder, his eyes still narrowed at her. "I'll be a half-hour."
The door shut quietly behind him, leaving the Queen and the human female alone in the dark room. The tiny, dark-haired Saiyajin kept her eyes on the closed door, her eyes suspiciously bright. 'I am sorry, my chibi ouji…'
~~~
Vejiita stormed down the bare hallway, his white boots clicking softly in gentle echoes. His mind wasn't fully with him as he strode towards his father's rooms, as it had stayed behind with the frail being he had taken as his mate. He had seen his mother's injured look when he hadn't immediately trusted her, and a part of him – the little boy he had once been – cringed at the proud queen's wince. The other part – the one that had been raised aboard Furiza's ship – just didn't give a damn. No one had ever saved him pain before, especially not his *beloved* parents who had given him up into that pale freak's army. He didn't trust *anyone* and he would be damned before he'd pretend otherwise.
He paused outside the grandiose doors, sneering at the flash paintings upon them, the bright red depiction of the battle for the planet of Vejiita-sei, once called Plant. He snorted as he vaguely remembered the early history lessons he had been forced to study, and the battle that was one of the most important in all of Saiyajin history. His ancestor had led the nomadic Saiyajin tribes against the weak Tsufuru-jin, and had taken over the planet, renaming it after himself. And his descendents were then named after him and the planet they ruled. It was something to be proud of for his line, and yet Vejiita had never much cared. Even as a child. What did it matter that he was descended from the great leader that had liberated their people from the arid deserts of the planet? What Vejiita cared about was that his line was descended from the Legendary – in actuality, the grandson of the first Vejiita – and he was prophesized to be the Legendary reborn, and would some day rid his planet of the menace known as Furiza.
He was destined to be powerful, and *that* is what mattered to him, although a very small voice in his mind reminded him if it weren't for the first Vejiita, he would not be a prince now, and would have quite possibly been living in nomadic clans in the Crimson Desert where his clan had come from. But in all honesty, he didn't much care about his royal status. That *privilege* had been the reason he had suffered for so many years.
He would become the Legendary. He *would* defeat the lizard monstrosity that had ruled over him – and his race – for so long, although he had no delusions for his reasons for hating the cruel tyrant. He wanted revenge, and despite his royalty, he didn't much care that he would also be liberating his people. They *owed* him for what he had had to endure for them, and as far as he was concerned, they could rot under the monster's rule for all time. What had any of them done for him while he had been forced to starve for days on end as punishment for looking at Zarbon the wrong way? Had any of them thought for one second about their precious little prince – only a seven year old child – who had been forced to endure beatings for not being strong enough to take down a planet in the allotted four days which had instead taken five? Had any of them even contemplated the sheer torture Furiza had bestowed upon him daily just because he was a *monkey*? And a monkey prince at that? Could any of them truly understand the humiliation, the shame, the pain and torture he had endured? No, probably not, and not one of them would care. His time with Furiza would always be kept secret; he was *ashamed* that he couldn't save himself, ashamed of what the evil being had done to him, and he would *never* tell another soul what he had been forced to endure.
He would destroy Furiza, but never for his people. For *himself* he would rip that monster's spine from his body and bathe in his blood. It would be for himself that he became the Legendary and tear that fiend limb from limb. Never for the worthless mongrels he was supposed to rule. *They* could fend for themselves. He didn't much care.
He shook off his anger as he opened the large door, determined not to show his emotions, not even the ever-present rage he delighted in. He would let his father believe he was emotionless, but the same. He would never let the bastard see what Furiza had truly made of him.
He ambled into the room, glancing around for the king, his eyebrows rising slightly at the disarray. The room looked like it had been torn apart in a mad rage. Smirking, Vejiita assumed his father had been angrier that he had appeared about his choice of mates.
He surveyed the room until his eyes landed on the still form of the king, who was standing beside the large balcony doors, which looked out over the private gardens. It was one of the only places in the city that held greenery, unlike the planet he had crashed on.
"What do you want, Father?" he demanded uncouthly, still irritated he had been forced away from his mate's bedside. He wanted to be there when she woke up, because there was a very real possibility she might not. He knew he should have ordered Kansho to rid her of the brat, but he also knew that she would never forgive him for it. Besides, the damage had already been done to her, and removing the boy from her now might just cause more damage, and he did *not* want to risk that until he had no other choice.
"I received a transmission from Furiza a few hours ago, Vejiita," the king's low voice came to him, sounding exhausted. Vejiita surmised it was from his temper tantrum earlier. It was no wonder he did not wish to take his father's place just yet, and just listening to his usually stolid father express fatigue was enough to remind him of that fact. He needed to train to be stronger, not sit around on a throne listening to petty rivalries from the first-class warriors, nor dispatch infant third-classers to weak planets at Furiza's orders.
"And?" Vejiita prompted, getting irritated at his large father.
"He inquired about your whereabouts, and ordered me to contact him if I hear from you. He is on his way to Earth in any case; that was where you defeated Zarbon, and your last known location."
Vejiita felt an odd pang inside. That was his mate's planet, her hope, and her people. Furiza would be *pissed* once he realizes that Vejiita had departed long before he arrived, and would more than likely destroy the planet in his rage. And he couldn't let that happen, it would upset her. He sighed softly, and gave the king a stern look. "Contact him and tell him that I sent a message telling you I am hiding out for a while aboard a Earth ship, and that I delayed my arrival here by a few weeks."
"It will not work, Vejiita," the king told him dully.
"What do you mean?" Vejiita demanded cantankerously.
"I mean that he is headed to Earth for a reason outside of just your presence."
Vejiita narrowed his eyes at the older Saiyajin. "Why *else* would he travel there?"
The King turned around to fully face his son, a stern frown on his face. "Apparently, because of a legend."
Vejiita blinked. "What fucking legend?!"
The older man shrugged. "No idea. Furiza did not deem it was necessary for me to know." Vejiita growled softly, turning away from his otousama, glaring at the ground thoughtfully.
After a long silence as the Saiyajin no Ouji mulled over his options, he finally turned back towards the taller warrior. "I must travel back to Earth then," Vejiita stated suddenly, much to his father's surprise.
"What? Why would you do that, brat?! Let Furiza destroy the pathetic planet if he wishes, you are not there! It buys you time, and you are nowhere near powerful enough to take him on now!"
Nodding, Vejiita wordlessly agreed with the King's words.
"Then why, Vejiita?" the older Vejiita demanded.
"Because it is my mate's home planet, Father!" he snapped. 'And she would hate me if I let him destroy it.'
The King muttered something under his breath that Vejiita didn't catch and gave the younger warrior a surprised look, before speaking again. "Fine. But what about the female? She cannot travel with you!"
"I know that!" he hissed back infuriated. "I will have to leave her here with Kakarotto's mate." Pausing, Vejiita turned his face in the direction of his mate's room in medical. "I will leave Radditzu as a guard over her while I am gone as well." He swung back towards his father. "I will depart tomorrow night. She needs me now," he told his father curtly, and headed towards the door.
"Vejiita!"
He glanced back at the bearded warrior, his eyes narrowed in vexation. "What?"
"You will die if you go, Vejiita."
The Prince shrugged, and looked to the door. "Possibly, but I have no choice."
"Yes, you do!"
He glared at his father. "No, I don't," he told him, turning and opening the door. "I must go."
~~~
"Do you think Buruma is doing okay?"
Goku turned around to give his wife a sympathetic look and smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure she'll be fine, Chichi. I do not think Vejiita will let her die if he can help it."
"I don't know…"
Goku walked over to his wife and knelt down in front of the bed on which she sat. "Chichi, Buruma is too stubborn to just die like this. And Vejiita is even more so than she is, believe it or not. If *anything* can be done, it is being done. Don't worry so much, okay?"
The dark-haired woman looked down into her husband's eyes, smiling weakly. "I suppose… Thank you, Goku-sa."
He gave her his trademark grin and leaned up to kiss her tenderly. "Welcome, Chi."
Her lip twitched upward in response to his grin, and did her best to push the worry aside. After all, she had seen the look on Vejiita's face when she'd told him that Buruma was in trouble. "Goku-sa, I heard you tell Radditzu that you would spar with him later."
Putting a hand behind his head, Goku gave her the sheepish look that so often appeared on his face. "Um, yeah, I did. Do you want me to postpone it or something?"
Shaking her head, she rolled her eyes. "No, I think I'll go check up on Buruma when you leave. I was just making sure I heard correctly. I'm not made of glass, you know."
He brushed his lips over hers again, silently apologizing. "Thanks, Chi."
She blinked. "For what?"
"Everything. Thank you for being my wife, the mother of my child, and coming with me. For being who you are."
Giving him a sweet smile, she shook her head at his rare affectionate words. "Goku-sa, you don't need to thank me for anything."
He shrugged. "Yes, I do. I know I am not that open with sharing things with you. I know I tend to just assume you know, but Buruma reminded me that I should tell you sometimes."
"She did?"
He nodded, still kneeling before her and staring up into her eyes. "I love you, Chichi. I really do."
Her smile widened as tears formed in her dark eyes, and she threw her arms around her husband's neck. She didn't say anything, only held him tightly, allowing herself to cry silently for the seldom spoken words.
His arms came around her and squeezed her gently, as he let her cry into his neck, a small smile playing on his face at her reaction. If he had known it would make her this happy, he would have done it more often. And he would, he decided.
"I love you, too," she whispered, her voice muffled against his throat.
"I know, Chi. I know…"
~~~
Azami sighed softly as she gazed at the still form of her son's alien mate. Her dark eyes were fixed on the slight rise and fall of the blue-haired female's chest as she waited for Vejiita to return. She was still mulling over the Prince's obvious attachment to the woman when the door opened behind her, and the tiny Queen turned towards the disturbance.
She blinked a bit in surprise as Kansho walk into the shadowy room, apparently unaware of the other Saiyajin's presence. The doctor stood near the door a moment, probably letting her eyes adjust to the dark, the Queen speculated. Then she moved towards the bed, eyes riveted on the Queen. "Your Majesty," the younger female greeted in a soft whisper.
"Kansho," the Queen addressed just as quietly. "Here to check on the girl?"
Chuckling kindly, the doctor gave Azami a slight smile. "Partly. I also wanted to check up on the Prince."
Nodding in understanding, Azami glanced towards the Chikyuu-jin female. "May I ask you a question, Kansho?"
"You wish to know if she is bonded with your son, no?"
The Queen's eyes snapped back to the figure beside her, somewhat surprised at the astuteness of the doctor.
Kansho laughed gently. "It is the question everyone wishes an answer to. Nappa visited my quarters not an hour ago to ask the very same thing. I am unsure, but I do believe it is likely. But only the Prince can answer that for sure."
"I see," the pretty Queen replied.
"I was told that he has only known her less than six months, so even if they are bonded, the bond will not be fully developed yet. If she does die, Vejiita may only have partial symptoms of a broken bond, and could very likely survive it."
"I see," Azami repeated, her eyes moving to the slumbering form, just as the blue-haired female moaned softly in her sleep. Kansho moved over to the bed, clicking a button on the side of her scouter. The Queen watched the experienced physician look the frail female over, keeping herself from voicing the questions in her mind aloud until the other woman had finished.
"How is she?"
Kansho's mouth twitched upwards slightly, and she turned from the bed. "She's doing better, actually. The child has ceased his movements, allowing her the chance to heal. She is only dreaming now, possibly a nightmare, which is common during pregnancy."
Azami nodded, leaning back into the chair. "That is good-"
The cerulean-haired female suddenly moaned again, and the door burst open to reveal an obviously worried Vejiita, who was beside his mate instantly.
Suppressing a smile, the Queen stood up, giving Kansho an amused glance before speaking. "Hello, Vejiita."
"How is she?" he demanded, not even bothering with her greetings.
"Kansho says the child has calmed considerably, and she's doing better."
His relief was discernible on his face as he shot the female doctor a grateful look. "Good," he said simply, turning back to regard the pale woman.
Her azure eyes snapped open with a startled gasp.
~~~
AN: Firstly, I know Vejiita is a big selfish bastard so far, and yes, I am doing this on purpose. ^_^ He'll be changing a lot throughout this fic, but not that much different from the way everyone likes him in here… you all *adore* Vejiita in this fic, and it's scary sometimes. ^_^ You *do* realize that his extreme possessiveness and jealousy is very, very unhealthy in most relationship, don't you? ^_^ It would get old *real* quick in real life. Not to mention could lead, and often does, lead to abuse… Of course, I will not be going that way in this fic; I would stab myself with a rusty spoon before I did that…
Secondly, cantankerously is my big word for the chapter. ^_^ Look it up people!
Also, Azami is mine, blah blah. Her name means artichoke or thistle, btw. ^_^
Another thing I want to say is a great big thank you to Mia Skywalker, who is helping me a lot in many ways with writing. From talking with her about aspects of the DBZ world that aren't shown in the series, to her beta-ing my work, and my beta-ing of hers. It has helped *me* tremendously in my writing, from grammar to descriptions and what not. *Bows* Thank you very much dear! *HUGS*
Lovies!
