Chapter 4: Settling In
At the banquet, Vejita welcomed his children home, congratulating Bura on her diplomatic success, and Trunks on his military one. Then he introduced them, the objects of the mission.
"As you all know, the prince and princess, along with three elite warriors, went to Chikyuusei to bring the three demi-saiyajin offspring of Kakarotto back to Vejitasei. They succeeded, and here are the three saiyajins. Gohan, Goten, and Pan." Each one gave a nod as Vejita said his or her name. "They have all tested out as elite class warriors, and will assume their new rank tomorrow. Also, on a slight tangent, the planet Verschu has revolted and declared war on Vejitasei."
Laughter greeted this announcement, but ceased when Vejita raised a hand. "We will give them a week to reconsider their foolishness, then a team of five will be sent to Verschu to eliminate the leaders. I will also appoint a governor of Verschu, who will follow the team three days later. Now, bring out the food!"
As the food came out, the warriors around Pan, Goten, and Gohan began asking them questions.
"Why are you elites?" One young man asked. His uniform showed him to be a first-class warrior, and he was obviously jealous. "You're only half-breeds."
"King Vejita himself tested our strength," Goten replied. "He decided we were elite level. Prince Trunks agreed with his assessment."
"Where are your tails?" Another asked. The others, who hadn't noticed, all looked to see the missing appendages, then looked at the trio expectantly.
"They came off," Pan said. Bura and Trunks had told them to say they came off in battle. "We were fighting an alien who attacked Chikyuusei, Majin Buu." She shot her uncle a nervous glance, and he took over.
"The creature quickly noted that it was our weak point, and took advantage of it," He said. "We removed them. The princess has reassured us that they will come back. My father's always did, at least."
"Of course they come back," the young warrior returned. "But showing up to a royal banquet like that? It's scandalous!" They reassured him that they had only landed three hours before the banquet and hadn't had any time for a visit to the RT (Regeneration Tank) room. He promptly excused them and began stuffing his face, and the trio was not far behind in joining him.
"What's your name?" Gohan asked between servings.
"Barli," he said. "A fellow elite. I'm only twenty-four, but I've been in the elites since I was old enough to join at fourteen. I was the youngest elite ever inducted." He swelled with pride at his honorable status.
"Fourteen?" Pan said with surprise. Bura had told her the minimum power level required for the elite class, and she had reached it at about seven. "When did you start training? When you were ten? Twelve?"
"Of course not," he said. "But I forget that you're new to Vejitasei. Everyone takes basic training at six. Then, at nine, they go into individualized training, either in tactics or power. If you're more brains than brawn, you begin learning science and math. At fourteen you begin specialized career studies, such as a scout, scientist, or trainer, etc."
"So you knew you were going to be an elite at age nine?" Goten asked politely. In an aside, he added to his brother, "seems really friendly for a saiyajin. In fact, most of the saiyajins here seem civilized." His brother nodded in agreement, looking around.
"I hoped," he admitted. "I almost didn't make it. Not that first class would have been bad, and I could have asked for reassessment at twenty."
"Almost didn't' make it? The bar doesn't seem that high." Pan said. Then seeing his expression, she added, "of course, I've been training since I could walk, not just since I was six."
"That's right," Gohan said, nodding. "My wife -err, mate- wasn't too keen on the idea, being human, but it's a family tradition. I began training at four, and my father at four also. Goten didn't get official training till he was eight or so, but he learned a lot by sparring with Kuririn and Yamcha, two of the strongest human fighters."
"You're wife is human?" Barli said, surprised. He looked at Pan. "So you're only one-fourth saiyajin, and you still made elite. That's a real achievement."
"So do you know who the other guards are?" Goten asked, switching topics.
"Well, I'm Prince Trunks's other guard," he said with a smile. "And Princess Bura's other guard is Ninji. I expect you'll meet her after the banquet, but that's her over there." he pointed to a saiyajin female sitting a few places down. She had short, spiky black hair and black eyes. Pan noticed that her tail wasn't all one color. It was a mixture of dark brown, a reddish brown, and black.
"What's up with her tail?" Pan asked, pointing to the offending appendage. "Its multi-colored."
"She's only half-saiyajin, like you." He replied. "She's half saiyajin, half Kurohyujin. The kurohyujin are a race of warriors much like us, except that their ears are pointed and higher up on their heads, their tails are multi-colored, their hearing and vision is much sharper than ours, and where we go for brute strength, they go for speed and dexterity. Kurohyujin are renown for their ability to fit into any space available."
"What's Ninji like? Personality wise," Pan asked. "If I have to work with her, I might as well know all about her."
"Well, she loves fighting," Barli said. Pan rolled her eyes. All saiyajins loved fighting. "She likes cats. She keeps to herself mostly. She's not cold, just really mysterious. I think she misses her father and family on Kurohyusei."
"So you're the only full-blooded saiyajin on guard duty?" Goten asked him.
"Well, no," he admitted. "I'm only three-fourths saiyajin. My grandmother was a Orufujin. They're a more primitive society. They also look a lot like us, but they've got no tails. They also usually have silver hair and amber eyes.
"Pan!" The saiyajin looked up to see Trunks motioning her over. "Ninji, Goten, Barli." They all got up and went to meet the royal siblings.
"Ready to go, princess?" Ninji asked Bura. Trunks just walked off, Barli and Goten a few steps behind him.
"Yes, Ninji," Bura said with a nod. She turned and began walking. "You two can get to know each other on the way there." Pan fell in step with Ninji two steps behind Bura.
"I'm Son Pan," Pan said. Ninji didn't look at her.
"Ninji," Came the curt response. "You had better be good, Son. The last guard I worked with almost got her killed. If you mess up, I'll kill you." Pan narrowed her eyes.
"If you can," Pan retorted. "But you have to worry about me messing up, worry about yourself." Pan decided she didn't like the Kurohyujin. Pan noticed Bura's tail twitching in agitation.
"Why don't you two try and get along," Bura snapped, sounding every inch the princess she was. "The last thing I need is you two unable to work as a team when an assassination attempt occurs. From now on I want you two to train together. You won't spar with anyone but each other or the prince's guards. Or us, of course."
"Yes Bura-hime," Pan said. Ninji said nothing, just nodded. They had reached Bura's quarters, and they went in. There was a short entrance way with two doors coming off each side before the princess's living area.
"Pan, you're room is on the left," Bura said. Ninji had already entered her quarters. She noticed Pan's expression. "You okay, Pan?"
"Hai," Pan replied. "Bura, w -I mean, Bura-hime- will I get to see Trunks-kou any more?" Bura, who knew all about Trunks and Pan's attachment, gave her a sympathetic look.
"Yes," Bura said tentatively. "But not much, and never alone. I'd leave it alone until you're settled in and accepted. His guards are your uncle and Barli, and Barli is pretty nice, so eventually you'll be able to see him almost privately." Pan looked as if she was about to cry and stared in the direction of Trunks's ki. Bura led her into her quarters and sat down on pan's bed.
"Don't worry, Pan," she said. "My brother does love you. Once he feels it's safe, he'll let you know, but for now he has to play it safe." Pan nodded.
I understand that Pan thought. But what if he forgets before its safe? Bura waited until Pan had calmed down.
"Sleep well, Pan-chan," she said. "Just be on the alert for intruders. Use that ki-sensing ability. Oh, and will you teach me that tomorrow? As well as the other techniques you showed my brother?"
"Of course, Bura-hime," Pan said, giving a little bow. Bura rolled her eyes.
"That's not necessary in private," she said. Pan was about to remark that Ninji did, but Bura anticipated her. "Ninji is a stickler for protocol, but neither me, my brother, or my mother insist on it from our personal guards once we get to know them."
"Right," Pan said, relieved. "So what's the daily agenda?"
"Well, I get up at around six, have a light workout, then breakfast," Bura began. "Then I have studies with a private tutor till lunch, then I train with Trunks and my father until supper. After supper is my free time, to shop or just relax or go to sleep. Sometimes I have to attend diplomatic functions in place of my studies in the morning. You and Ninji get time off, too. Ninji has free time between breakfast and lunch, and yours will be between lunch and supper. You alternate who is with me before breakfast and after supper; one staying with me personally, and the other doing various things I need done."
"Thanks, Bura," Pan said. "I'll keep a close watch. Good night."
"Good night, Pan," Bura left the room. Pan closed her eyes, focusing on Trunks and her uncle's ki. Her uncle was only a few feet from her! We must have rooms next door. Pan reasoned. I wonder if they connect. She got up and looked around, feeling along the walls for a door. Sure enough, right behind the full-length mirror in her bathroom the wall sounded hollow. She finally found the opening and released the cache. And stepped back as the door swung inward
"Uncle Goten?" She whispered, sticking her head through the opening. His ki signature was in the next room, and it was alone. "Uncle Goten!" She said a little louder.
"Pan!?" Came his confused reply. He opened the bathroom door, eyes widening as he saw the passageway. "You don't waste any time getting in trouble, do you?" He sounded amused. "How's life with that woman?" He meant Bura. Pan still didn't' understand why they didn't get along.
"Ninji thinks I'm gonna get Bura killed," Pan said, rolling her eyes. "She threatened to kill me if Bura gets hurt on my watch. Bura is great, however. Said I'll get to see Trunks again soon."
"Hmm," her uncle said, his protective uncle mode kicking in. "I don't know about that Pan. He's a lot older than you, and-"
"Uncle Goten," Pan interrupted. "Please don't try and separate us unless we want separation." She stared him down until he reluctantly nodded. "And Don't tell my dad, I'll handle that." She threw him another glare to make sure he understood.
"You look like your grandmother," he said meekly. "That's not fair." Pan laughed. They continued to chat until Goten felt a Barli's ki coming towards Goten's room. "Pan, Barli is coming, you better leave." She nodded and quickly left he room, closing the mirror behind her.
"Goten?" Barli said, sticking his head in the room. In the dark it was easier for Goten to see the amber in his eyes. "Strange. I thought I heard voices. Never mind, sorry for disturbing you, Goten." Goten quickly fell asleep, as did Pan in the next room.
