Alright...sorry its been so long, my computer kind of died on me and I'm havin to use my dad's. Now I tried to use some symbolism here, try and see if you can find it. If not I'll say what it is at the end of the chapter. Happy huntin (

Chapter 5 -The Auction-

It was spring on Vegeta, the season of life and rebirth. A myriad of trees surrounded the castle and the outlying area, drenched in blooms that waved in the warm air. One of these blossoms was loosed by the slight breeze so common for the time of the year, and floated away from the castle, dipping and rising on the fickle wind's kiss. It soared up and away, passing the fields around the castle, flying higher and higher until the wind that was carrying it stopped. It began a slow descent towards the earth, fluttering soft, softly, softer...until it fell gently into an outstretched palm. Prince Trunks had looked up from his seat in the royal transport to see the lone lavender bloom silhouetted against the faded pink of the sky. He slowly reached out his hand, allowing the flower to fall into it; he curled his fingers slightly, gently touching the soft petals. It was so fragile, so helpless against whatever the world might throw at it. Through its thin skin he could trace the veins, see its life. He gazed down on it a few more seconds before opening his hand and releasing his prisoner. It floated daintily beside the carriage before falling back out of his range of vision. Trunks gazed off into the distance for a few moments before reaching his hand back inside. He sighed and tried to focus his thoughts on the upcoming auction. The transport moved steadily ahead to the ever nearing auction plaza. Behind it, the purple blossom fell silently to the ground, settling finally in the low red dust.

The slave auctions took place in a large plaza in a field outlying the castle. It was circular in shape, made from white stone, stretching twenty feet across. The auction block stood in the middle, a short pillar about four feet high made of bronze. A small wooden podium rested next to it, on which was already placed information about the current batch of slaves to be sold. A crowd of burly men had already gathered in the center, grunting at each other and casting expectant looks towards the slave hut. At the edge of the plaza stood a viewing box, raised off the ground with wooden legs. An awning stretched over the front, giving shade to whoever sat there. This was the royal viewing box, where the royal family and their guests could watch the bidding without having to deal with the common crowd. Two soldiers stood armed at the sides, waiting on the arrival of their King and Prince. They glanced over at each other, shooting threatening looks. Serving the royals directly was an honor, but one that could be taken away swiftly; positions of power were fiercely guarded.

In the distance a short hum grew louder as the transport carrying Trunks and Vegeta approached. The crowd grew quiet, watching the arrival of their rulers. The soldier guards straightened immediately and looked straight ahead. The transport glided to a stop at the edge of the circle. The door opened and two more guards stepped out. They took their places at the side of the ship and waited as their masters departed. Vegeta climbed out, barely having to duck because of his height. Trunks followed, looking bored. They walked the short distance to the viewing area, aware that every eye was on them. Vegeta did not avert his gaze but instead climbed directly into the box. Trunks stopped and faced the crowd, giving them a mocking wave and grin before following his father.

The arrival of the King and Prince signaled the start of the auction. A short man rushed from where he had been standing near the auction block and took his place at the podium. He cleared his throat a few times and banged down a gavel to make himself heard over the dull whispers of the crowd. Silence once again fell and all eyes were towards the front. The man cleared his throat again.

"Yes...well...this week's auction features many fine young girls. There are twenty in all. We have more than expected this week due to the invasion of a distant planet, known as Earth. If you like what you see, rest assured there is more to come.

"Now, as you all know, there are certain rules we must follow in order to assure the safety of our merchandise. Above all, no touching. You are free to do whatever you want after you purchase one, but before then, you must leave them or we will be forced to escort you away from the auction," the auctioneer raised his voice to be heard over the hissing of the crowd. "Next, no fighting. There are plenty of girls, so there is no need to fight amongst yourselves over who gets which one. Again, you will be made to leave if this rule is violated. And lastly...as I'm sure you all have noticed the King and Prince are with us today," the auctioneer paused and bowed to the distant box. "So if they bid all other bids are immediately discarded. I think that's it...now let's get this auction underway!"

He motioned to a figure standing by the hut, who nodded and opened the door she was standing next to. The first in a long line of girls appeared, and began to walk towards the auction block. Whoops and cheers rose from the crowd as the girls drew nearer. The guard Ix accompanied them, casting nasty looks at the vulgar crowd, as if daring one of them to approach. When at last the long line had reached the circle's edge, the crowd grew quiet again, buzzing with anticipation. Pan looked around nervously. All of these men were huge...and she still didn't know what exactly they were planning on doing with their girls once they were bought. At least she was towards the back. She felt sorry for the tall blonde girl who stood at the front, looking almost on the verge of tears.

The auctioneer motioned to Ix, who came forward and grabbed the first girl by the arm and dragged her to the auction block. She climbed up, wobbling slightly as though she might faint. There were grunts of approval from the men, as they admired the way her tight blue dress clung to her lean body. Ix returned to his original spot and moved the next girl into place and the front of the line.

"Annnnd here we have the lovely Aya, straight from the jungles of Thesslor...fluent in three languages, experienced in the art of serving...former handmaiden to a queen, daughter of a villager...and hear this men...only seventeen! Tender young flesh ripe for the taking...do I hear 350? There, yes! And we have 400, 400 folks, shes going quick...oh! And there's 600, seems like a determined guy, doesn't he? Do I hear 650? No? Alright...600 going once...twice...sold! For 600 to the man in the orange."

Pan stared in frightened astonishment at the display; Aya, who was now weeping openly, was pulled from the block by the highest bidder and dragged off back towards the village outside of the castle. She couldn't believe these girls and the thousands before them had been so reduced, so dehumanized...how can they stand it? How can I stand it....she thought, looking desperately around at the leering crowd. Her gaze fell on the box at the back edge of the circle. Two men sat watching, one not moving with a harsh look on his face, the other looking bored and playing with one of the golden tassels on his chair. He looked up and saw her. He grinned maliciously before resuming his quest for amusement. Pan was more frightened then ever. Certainly one would expect commoners to act so rude, but royals? What was wrong with this planet??

The line slowly shortened, until there were only a few girls ahead of Pan. The auctioned girls had been carted off by their buyers, eyes downcast, and feet shuffling. The process seemed to be going way too quickly, and suddenly there was no one in front of her. Ix grabbed her roughly by the arm and started pulling her towards the auctioneer. Pan tried to dig her heels into the ground, but they only slid on the smooth stone. She stumbled as Ix gave her a push, and she was in front of the auction block. Frenzied thoughts raced through her mind...she could make a break for it, run into the forest, they could never find her...then she felt hands on the small of her back and she was hoisted onto the block. She felt like she was going to be sick. She was swaying dizzily, looking down at the harsh faces. She shut her eyes and willed herself to be anywhere else, away from all the searching eyes and loud whispers. She couldn't understand it, any of it, she just wanted to be home, to be safe...

"Here's another captive from Earth...the lovely raven haired Pan, warrior child and failed defender of her planet. A child of miraculous strength, this is one tough cookie gents! Short and lean, Pan comes to us at the delicate age of 19. If you like it rough boys, here's the one for you..."

His voice was drowned out by a flurry of bids. The price and the voices rose higher and higher, struggling to be heard. Pan shut her eyes. Suddenly all the noise stopped. Was it over? Why had the noise stopped?

She opened her eyes and saw that someone had emerged from the royal box. A man with light purple hair had emerged, a mocking grin plastered on his face.
"Did I hear correctly, sir? Does the Prince wish to bid?"

"That's right, buddy. 1500 for the girl."

The prince approached the block. The crowd parted and cleared a direct path towards Pan. He walked lazily up to her, and casually hovered up the few feet until he was face to face with Pan. He looked at her with penetrating eyes, and she returned his gaze, bewildered. Was this normal? Everyone seemed so on edge...

Gods, thought Trunks. Her eyes are so big I can see myself in them. He returned to the ground, and looked at the short auctioneer.

"So...1500 it is. I want her delivered to my chambers within the hour."
With that he turned and walked back towards the box, where the King had already departed. They both went to the transport, and began the trek back towards the castle.

A silence followed. The unexpected bidding and departure of the royals had come as a shock to everyone, most of all Pan. She tried to decide if this was good or bad, when her thoughts were interrupted by disappointed groans from the crowd. This seemed to snap the auctioneer back to his senses, as he quickly began speaking again.

"Right...well...so 1500 for Pan...Get her, will you Ix? It will be your duty to carry her up to the castle when the auction is done." Ix nodded, walking over and grabbing Pan, forcing her off the pedestal. He planted her firmly beside him, and settled down to watch the conclusion of the auction.

Pan was more confused then ever.

Ahhhh that was a long one. Well anyway about the whole symbolism thing...the purple flower in the beginning was supposed to symbolize Trunks. He thinks he's got it all together, but he just kind of floating, with nothing real to hang onto or clutch for safety. He doesn't know what he wants, he doesn't know anything. He just...floats. Yeah I'm a dork, just figured I'd try... SO yeah come visit my site sometime, check out my pics from San Francisco...my dad, brother and I went there over the fourth. I'll try to update soon, later! Oh and PS I tried to make the paragraphs easier to read, is it better?