Disclaimer: No, I don't own DBZ, though it's only 4 months till I turn 16. Maybe some kind person will give it to me

A/N: Ok, here we go – CHAPTER 14! I know I'm slow with my updates, but I've got a list of homework as long as my arm. Anyway, tell me what you think of this chapter in a review ok. ~Deadly Beauty.

And Then You'll Know

Chapter 14

6 months. Had it really been that long? Had she really been living in this hell hole for 6 long months? It just didn't seem possible. 18 looked down at her hands and blinked. Sighing, she slipped down the bed and rested her head on the soft pillow.

She felt like crap.

Winter was approaching fast, and Vegeta-sei always had extremely long, cold winters. 18 rolled over and pulled the blankets up closer to her neck, she was cold, and sick. Her nose was runny, her eyes were watery, her head was throbbing, and her stomach felt like it was about to jump up her throat.

"17," she whispered, "Are you asleep?"

A few minutes later a response came, "not any more". 18 felt bad for waking him, he needed his rest too.

"What's wrong?" asked 17 as he sat up. Next to him, Tarie stirred and rolled over, but 17 put his hand on her shoulder and she settled.

"I don't feel so good 17" 18 moaned.

17's eyes darted around the dark room, the darkness didn't bother him though, he knew exactly where everything was.

"Are you going to be sick?" he asked, not really knowing what to do.

18 nodded her head, "I think so"

"Ok". 17 threw the blanket off him and shivered. It was freezing. He stood up and helped his sister out of her bed. Then he took her outside to get some fresh air.

"How are you feeling now?" asked 17 once they were out in the garden. 18 breathed in the cool, crisp night air and looked up at the starry night sky.

"A bit better" she replied, then she broke into a rousing cough.

17 shook his head, "You're sicker than you're letting on. I'm getting you some help" he said and he stood up.

"No!" called 18, "I'll be fine"

"Bullcrap you'll be fine. I've already lost Astrid, and I'm not taking the risk of loosing you as well".

18 bowed her head, how could she argue with that?

The next time she looked up, 17 was gone.

***

Krillen groaned and rolled over, he opened one eye and looked at the clock, it read 3.14 am.

"What the hell..?" he muttered to himself as he pulled himself out of the deliciously warm bed.

"17, what's the matter?" asked a very sleepy Krillen

"It's my sister"

Suddenly Krillen was wide-awake "18? What's wrong with her?"

"She's sick. I'm sorry to wake you, but I didn't know where else to go"

"No no, it's fine," said Krillen as he reached for his robe, "Take me to her". 17 nodded his head and lead Krillen back outside.

"18, why are you out here?" asked Krillen as he approached her, he could tell she had just been sick.

"17 brought me out here". Krillen reached out and touched her arm, but he quickly pulled away.

"My god 18, you're freezing!" he exclaimed, "we've got to get you inside".

18 stood up on shaky legs, her whole world was spinning around her and she was having trouble standing up or seeing straight. All she could think about was how cold she was. The next thing she knew something warm was surrounding her. She opened her eyes, only to see that Krillen was holding her and taking her somewhere, she could see 17 walking beside her.

"Where are we going?" she asked faintly

"Shhhh, don't worry. I'm taking you to warm up"

17 looked around, Krillen had brought them to the kitchen.

"What are we doing here?" he asked as he watched Krillen set his sister down at the big wooden table.

"I'm going to make her a hot drink" said Krillen.

"17" he quickly spun around and hurried over to his sister

"It's ok" he soothed, "It's gonna be alright"

***

As a new day dawned on Vegeta-sei, its prince was up to greet it. He sighed and shook his head. His mind was blank, he was at a total loss. Where to turn, what to do? He just didn't know anymore. Somewhere along the line, everything he knew had been lost.

Vegeta was snapped out of his thoughts by someone pushing open the door. He looked up and saw Bulma, he had to stifle a laugh when he saw her, She was dressed in a bight pink pyjama pants with little white love hearts on them and a white singlet top. She had fluffy pink slippers on and a white robe. Her hair was a mess, it looked like it hadn't see a brush for months. All in all Vegeta found it quite an amusing sight.

"Morning Vegeta" she said through a yawn.

Vegeta nodded his head in acknowledgment as he stuffed another spoonful of cereal into his mouth.

"Sleep well?"

Vegeta nodded again.

Bulma quickly set about making herself some food, she was starving.

"Good morning all" came an unusually happy voice from the next person to enter the kitchen.

"Morning Chi" replied Bulma as she sat at the table. Chi-chi made coffee and sat at the table next to her best friend.

"So B-Chan, what you up to today?" she asked.

Bulma rolled her eyes, Chi-chi was never this peppy this early in the morning

"Me, nothing really" she replied as she yawned again.

"Wanna go shopping?" asked Chi-chi.

"Sure why not"

Chi-chi jumped up "Great" she said and she bounded out the room.

"What the hell was that about?" asked Vegeta after she had left.

Bulma shrugged her shoulders, "Don't ask me, she's your sister"

***

"How is she?" asked Tarie. She was standing next to 17 and they were both standing over 18's bed watching her sleep.

"I'm not sure, I guess she must be feeling ok at the moment if she's sleeping peacefully"

"We need to do something down here 17. We're not going to survive the winter like this" said Tarie as she sat on the bed she shared with 17.

"Why not? We've always managed before" Tarie rolled her eyes, 17 really was clueless sometimes.

"Think about it," began Tarie, "winter doesn't even start for another 5 and a half weeks and it's already freezing. Can you imagine how cold the actual winter is going to be?"

"I guess you're right," agreed 17 as he threw his arm across her shoulders, "But what can we do?"

"I dunno, I really don't know"

18 stirred and rolled over, but she continued to sleep. 17 felt a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach, if he lost his sister now he didn't think he would be able to go on. She was his entire world and to loose her would just be too much for him. Krillen had given her some flu medicine last night and he said he would stop by to give her some more today, and he hoped to god it was working.

***

"What do you think of this B?" asked Chi-chi as she held up a long white leather jacket

"That's so cute, it would look great on you" complimented Bulma

"Thanks," said Chi-chi, "So what have you got?"

Bulma held up a pair of black leather pants that had red flames at the bottom. Chi-chi didn't even have to speak to let Bulma know she liked them, she look on her face said it all. Bulma laughed at Chi-chi's expression and draped the pants over her arm, beginning the mission to find the perfect top to complete the ensemble, and of course she refused to go home with out a cute pair of boots.

A little while later, the 2 girls decided to temporarily stop their shopping spree for some afternoon tea. As they headed towards the cafe, Chi-chi was only too aware of all the people staring. Last time she had been out in public she had had that incident with Kakkarot. She still hadn't forgiven him for that.

Bulma watched her friend in bewilderment, one minute she was fine, and the next she had just spaced out she still had that blank expression on her face. Bulma was confused.

"Hey, chi," She called, "Chi-chi!"

The dark haired girl blinked a few times and turned to look at her friend, "Yeah?" she asked in her usual peppy voice.

"Where do you want to sit?" asked Bulma slowly.

"Oh I don't care, it's all good". Bulma rolled her eyes. All that fuss for nothing.

"So?," Bulma began as she poked her fork at her cake, "Have you spoken with Kakkarot yet?"

"No" sighed Chi-chi "I thought he would have called me by now"

"Well maybe you should take the first step and apologise to him, huh?" suggested Bulma.

"I don't think so. That is not something the princess of all sayians in supposed to do. People grovel at my feet, not the other way around"

Bulma was taken aback, that was really bitchy of Chi-chi. Though she shouldn't have been surprised, Chi-chi was always like that, the way she treated the lower classes, it just wasn't proper. But Bulma couldn't really blame her, the lower classes were rather filthy.

Chi-chi yawned and stood up, looking at her watch, it read 4.45. "C'mon B-Chan, we gotta get going, father wants me to join him for dinner tonight. I'm not looking forward to it. Whenever me and Vegeta get together with our father as a family, it just ends up in trouble" she said as she left a large wad of cash on the table.

"What about Krillen? Last I checked he was also part of your family"

Chi-chi scoffed, "Krillen? Since when has he been important enough to mention?"

Bulma shrugged her shoulders and followed Chi-chi out into the street.

***

"Sir, sir you have an urgent telephone call" shouted one of the Kings assistants as he burst into the throne room. The King looked up from the paper he was holding, an unimpressed look on his face.

"Didn't I say I don't want to be disturbed?" he asked, though he was secretly glad for the interruption.

"I know, but the Queen of planet Bindoon is on the line" said the young man.

Suddenly the King seemed to care about what he was saying.

"Very well, put her through" he said.

The man nodded and quickly turned and left the room

Soon the little red light on the telephone began to blink and the King picked it up

"Ah hello Queen Kahlia. How can I help you?" he asked.

"I don't mean to interrupt you, but I have a proposition for you" replied Kahlia.

"Very well, proceed" spoke the King.

As he listed to what Queen Kahlia was saying, a wide smile slowly grew across his face, he liked what he was hearing. It was indeed a worthwhile mission, one that he would be only too happy to partake in.

"Kahlia, I like what you are saying, count me in" he said, then he gently put the phone back on the receiver. His otherwise dull just got a whole lot brighter

***

"Chi-chi!" Shrieked Bulma as they walked up the grand steps that lead to the second floor of the palace, they then headed down the hall towards the residential area of the palace "That's disgusting!"

Chi-chi giggled, "I know" she said.

The two girls got to the wing where Bulma's family lived and they stopped outside Bulma's door.

"Well this is my stop," said Bulma as she pushed the door open, a nice smell wafted out of the apartment.

"Smells good" said Chi-chi

"Sure does," agreed Bulma "I'll see you later on ok"

"Ok," said chi-chi "Bye" she continued and she walked off.

"What's this?" the black haired princess asked herself when she got to her bedroom door. There was a square parcel sitting on the floor, all wrapped up in pink paper and tied with blue ribbon. There was a card sticking out the side of it too. Chi-chi put her bags on the ground and picked up the parcel. Pulling the card out the side, she read what it said.

Chi-chi

I know this doesn't make up for what I said, but I'm sorry.

Friends?

Chi-chi smiled and shut the small card. Of course they were friends. She pulled her keys out her pocket and stuck them in the lock then she picked up her bags, kicked the door open and headed inside.

Only too nearly have a heart attack at what she saw!

Her bedroom had been transformed into a florist. Every single inch of space had been adorned with bunches and bunches of brightly coloured flowers, it smelt heavenly. A smile made it's way to her face as she turned her attention to the bed. And all the hundreds of brightly wrapped gifts that lay there

And right in the middle of it all was Kakkarot. Standing right in the middle of the room, with a big grin plastered on his face. Chi-chi had to laugh. "How much did you spend?" she asked, a look of amazement on her face.

Kakkarot laughed and rubbed the back of his head, "That doesn't matter," he said "Am I forgiven?"

Chi-chi dropped all her bags on the ground and carefully placed the parcel beside them. "Yes, yes of course I forgive you Kakkarot" she said as he took a few steps closer to him.

"Good" he said.

"How long have you been waiting in here for?" asked Chi-chi curiously

Kakkarot laughed again "Nearly 4 hours I think". Chi-chi joined in the laughter and shook her head in amazement. He was just so sweet, doing such a nice thing for her.

"You know Kakkarot, I think I need to apologise too. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that" confess Chi-chi, it felt good to finally get that off her chest.

"No Chi, you had every right to get angry at me," said Kakkarot "But that's all in the past now, let's move on ok"

"Sure" agreed Chi-chi all to willingly.

Next chi-chi took a step towards the bed, resting her hands on her hips she took a good long look around the room. "Where is that darn woman? She's never around when I need her, useless waste of space" she ranted.

"Gee Chi, you're talking about this person like some kind of outdated machine. That's not very nice"

Chi-chi looked at him with one dark, perfectly shaped eyebrow raised. "It's only what's-her-name. She's not important to me at all. I don't care if I'm nice to her or not, she lives under the palace in the slave quarters. You must know that those pathetic excuses for Sayians are good for nothing more than serving us respectable ones" explained Chi-chi as if it was common knowledge.

"But Chi, how would you like it if someone thought that about you?" Kakkarot asked after a few minutes.

"Well that's never going to happen is it? I'm the princess and everyone loves me" she stated

***

17 stood at the door, near bursting point. He had just happened to be in the wrong place at he wrong time and had overheard what the princess had been saying to Kakkarot.

And he was not impressed.

His hands were balled into fists by his side, he was red in the face and shaking with anger. How dare anyone talk about his sister and his friends like that! He didn't give a fuck if she was the princess or not, she had no right to talk about them like that.

They were Sayians too, just because life hadn't been as kind to them as it had to her, that didn't make it ok to say such horrible things about them. Why he had every right to barge right in there and give that stupid Chi-chi a piece of his mind.

But that wouldn't have been very smart of him, the second her layed a finger on that door she would have incinerated him, and that wasn't what he wanted to happen.

Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, 17 tried to relax, he thought of his sister and Tarie and Nison and Astrid. All of his friends. It was too late to save Astrid, but not the rest of them. He was going to escape the palace, then he would come back for them all, and together they would run away and live a free life, outside the confines of the palace walls, maybe they could even flee the planet. 17 opened his eyes, feeling slightly more relaxed, he headed back downstairs.

***

18 opened her heavy eyelids and tried to look around, but her vision was blurred. She opened her mouth, which was extremely dry, and broke into a rousing cough. She had absolutely no idea what was wrong with her, but she didn't like it, not one little bit

"18, 18 it's ok, I'm here. I've got some medicine for you" 18 could faintly hear someone talking to her, it was a man, and it sounded like Krillen.

"K-K-Krill" she chocked out, but the rest of the word died away in her throat.

"Shhhh, don't talk. I'm here now". The next thing she knew, 18 could feel two strong warm arms around her, she was lifted into a sitting position and Krillen sat behind her, resting her body against him.

"Here you go," he said as he held the medicine cup to her lips "I know it tastes horrible, but if you drink it all, I've got some juice for you" he said as he tilted the cup.

18 gulped down the foul tasting liquid in one go, despite her near death state, she hadn't lost her sense of taste. Next there was a cold glass being held to her lips and she graciously drank all the sweet juice inside.

"Is that better?" asked Krillen as he re-positioned himself to a lying position so both he and 18 would be more comfortable.

"Yeah," 18 replied meekly "a little"

Krillen smiled, it was good to know he was helping her. "Just try to get some rest, I'll stay here with you until you wake up"

18 smiled and rested her head on his chest, the steady rhythm of his heart lulling her into a gently slumber.

But just as she was on the brink of sleep, the door was pushed open and slammed shut again extremely loudly. 18 eyes snapped open just in time to see her brother come storming into the room, a very angry look on his face, Tarie rushed into the room seconds after.

"17, what the hell is wrong?" she asked.

There was no reply.

"17?" 18 asked quietly, "what's up?".

17 cast his gaze down to his sister and the prince sharing her bed and his expression softened, she was ok.

"Nothing that's worth you guys worrying about ok"

"Are you sure?" asked Tarie as she rested her hand on her lover's shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm sure" he replied after a few minutes and he sunk down onto his bed next to 18's.

He didn't know how much more of this he could stand.

***

A/N: Poor 17. Did you like it? Yes....No. Tell me in a review please! Next chapter will be out ASAP! ~Deadly Beauty