Thanks for all the reviews!! I know you're dying for some G/V action but be patient, it will come ^^
Oh ya, I think I'm going with Freiza instead of Freezer from now on. It's more dramatic and easier to scream FriezAAAAAAAAA!! Then FreezEEERRRRRR!!!! You see what I mean? ^^

REVISED!! Tim and me have figured out a nice plot and for that plot to work I had to change somethings. Hehehe you can read the changes in the scene where Piccolo watches Videl cry. More notes at the end of the story....

Disclaimer: not to claim, not claiming, disclaiming, claim I shall not....

Last Revised : 6/16/03


Predator and Prey
Chapter 6 : Countdown - Day 5






Here she was. Videl Satan. Once the proud Princess of the Satan Royalty. Once the General of Satan the youngest to ever hold thousands in her command. Now a continuously smiling guest greeter. She could swear that her cheek muscles had already fused together in a permanent grin. Guests after guests piled in as Videl, Erasa, and Sharpener greeted them all.

Being the multitasker that she was, Videl showed most of the guests where the rooms are, going so far as to give a brief tour of the huge mansion. She wished someone could help her a bit; where was that best man of Sharpener's? He could at least share some of the hard work....

It turned out most of the guest were acquaintances and relatives of Sharpener. Erasa really didn't have any close relatives left after the death of her parents. Then after the murders Erasa had slowly slid down the social ladder; her 'friends' going down with it. She and Sharpener had met one rainy night when Erasa couldn't take it anymore. She was one step off the bridge when he himself after a bad heartbreak stepped in. Erasa was happy as long as she was with him.

Videl envied Erasa for that.

A happiness she could never obtain.

Videl was stepping down the marble stairs when Erasa introduced her to a tall red-head. The red-head didn't seem to happy and Videl was about to find out why.

"Del, meet Inka, my cousin; Inka, this is Delilah, my Maid of Honor and best friend."

"I didn't know you had a best friend, Erasa."

Videl shook Inka's hand curtly, catching the insulting tone in her voice. So, this was Erasa's cousin--the one that was supposed to be the Maid of Honor. Since Erasa didn't have anyone she could call a friend, she was forced to rely on her family--what was left of it that is. The cousin was from Erasa's father's side of the family and evidently didn't like Erasa very much.

"Nice to meet you," Videl greeted through her teeth. The other woman merely nodded.

"Now, where's my room?" Inka said immediately after releasing Videl's hand. Videl called out to a servant and told her to show Inka to her room. After Inka left, Videl shared a look with Erasa. "Glad I happen to drop by and become your Maid of Honor, eh?"

"You have no idea Videl. NO, idea."

Arriving guests dwindled after 1 o'clock and they expected the rest to arrive tomorrow. Videl took a breather after checking to see all guests had settled in. The next two days would be the most hectic and she was preparing herself mentally. You see, after the incident of her breaking down in front of Erasa a few days ago, Erasa had been worried sick about her. She even offered to postpone the wedding to which Videl had protested furiously at. Now, more determined then ever to have everything work out for Erasa, Videl had appointed herself commander.

All problems, glitches, anything, would be reported to her before going to Erasa. Servants, maids, cooks, they all were to report immediately if anything was amiss. Well, the first day was great except for some minor plumbing problems in few of the rooms but Videl had taken care of that. Now for tomorrow.... Videl made her way into her room for a relaxing soak before double checking tomorrow's plans again.

Warm.

Safe.

Relaxed.

Nothing at all like what she been through... nothing at all....


Chapter 6 Interlude : The First Night




He killed them. Killed them all. He saw her. Dende, he saw her saw her saw her see. Why? How? No time for questions. Pain. Run Videl. Just run.

They were after her, steps behind her. She knew they were playing. The smirks on their faces could be seen as they chase her down. The rest of the Satan troops marching behind them. The Satan Troops. Her troops. They misunderstood! She didn't kill them! Why won't they listen?!

Freiza. He did this. He framed her!!!

He saw her though.

He laughed. He knew.

No. Don't think. Run, just run run runrunrunrunrun.

Dead end.

Videl's boots skidded on the rough dirt as she braked her mad dash abruptly. She stopped on the cliff side a few feet from its deadly drop. The flaming palace was highly visible imposed on the dark sky far in the distance. How far had she ran? Too far and fast it seemed; she could hardly hear anything but her labored breathing. She was about to back track when the two androids burst out from the foliage in front of her. Swallowing the fear, she held her sword in front of her even though she knew it was no use.

"I didn't do it," she said in between breaths, a last ditch effort to plead her innocence. The two androids merely answered with a cold grin.

"We know."

Then they attacked.

Everything after that was an explosion of pain and agony. The first hit had came right through her leather armor like it was tissue paper. Her left shoulder smashed as it nearly exploded off her body. One drew its sword, hacking down, and she had raised her right arm in defense only to have the sword slice through vertically, leaving her arm cleaved in half from finger to elbow. Then a kick to her legs, shattering them as flesh blasted off from bone. A punch in her gut sent her flying back and off the cliff. She watched as her intestines trailed a bloody arc after her. She couldn't think, the pain was too great. She didn't even know she was screaming.

just the pure, searing agony of pain that tore into her very soul

She fell, the androids watching her bloody descent into the dark night. From behind them the rest of the troops arrived. The one most up front looked around before icily acknowledging the androids. "Where's the General?"

"She fell. I'm afraid she's dead. We must report this immediately," one of the androids said, absently wringing the blood off his fingers before taking off into the sky. The troops spared a last glance at the bloody patch on the cliff's edge where a royal sword laid. The General had just slain the royal family--but now she was dead. It was over, yet the nightmare has just begun. Marching back to the palace, they bid their general a final farewell.


She couldn't breathe.

Admist all the pain, her body alerted her that she must take in a breath. Why couldn't she breathe? Something--something was blocking her windpipe. Her throat constricted as she choked down whatever it was along with bile and blood. Then everything stopped.

No pain. No fatigue. No nothing.

She had never felt so good and refreshed.

She heaved loudly, her eyes still clamped shut as she laid there. Was she laying down? Grass. There was grass below her. Sounds, a creek? She had fell from the cliff--then--then what? She did fall, right? Finally opening her eyes, the full moon greeted her.

"Am I dead?" she asked out loud into the moist night air. Then almost screamed when a gruff voice answered her.

"Not at the moment."

She jumped right up into a battle stance taking in the form in front of her. The person was sitting cross-legged on a boulder, wearing a long cape. He had a turban on and pointy ears (those cannot possibly be human...). Even from the pale moonlight she could distinguish the coloring of the--person. Green? After a minute of darting her eyes around alert for trances of androids or troops she finally found her voice again.

"Who--?? How--??"

"First of all, I gave you a Senzu bean, it has the power to immediately heal your wounds as you can see."

Videl only then took noticed of herself. Holes were in her leather armor but the skin underneath were smooth, not a trance of anything. Even the scratches and burn marks were gone. Senzu bean... Wasn't that--?

"I though Senzu beans were only a legend," she murmured, finding the time to be awed by its healing powers. The person didn't say anything else as he just sat there with his eyes closed as if in deep thought. She noticed the blood on his clothes. "You must have helped me, I tha-"

"You merely distracted my meditation when your bloody corpse came flying down. I caught you at the last moment and found you surprisingly alive. I did what I could only do at the moment. There is no need for thanking me."

She crossed her arms in an arrogant manner, a habit she got when pissed at rebelling soldiers. "I want to thank you anyway... may I know your name?"

"Why the need?"

"It would be nice to be able to thank my savior fully."

"...."

"I'll tell you mine. I'm Gen--er, Videl."

"Piccolo."

"I want to thank you, Mr. Piccolo, for saving my life. If there's anything I can do to repay you I'll do it. I owe you my life," she said with the out most respect and gratitude, bowing herself in a formal gesture Piccolo recognized as a military bow. It was then he looked more closely. The black blue sash around her labeled her status as a general and the white symbol on her left arm confirmed his suspicions. General Videl of Satan.

"What happened?"

Videl froze. What would she say?

"The royal family of Satan.... they're all dead."

Piccolo's eyes widened as the girl before him trembled every so slightly. Dead? He patiently waited for her to continue, which she did after a shuddering breath.
"Murdered.... The King first--then the Queen and Princess....They're dead...." her voice held no emotion save for the momentary pauses as she inhaled. She could see them now. Blood staining the carpet. The flames. The screams. The look. The look in their eyes.

The look in the King's eyes.

She broke.

"IT WASN'T ME!! I DIDN'T KILL THEM!! FREIZA DID!! HE FRAMED ME!! I DIDN'T KILL THEM!! I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T!!! WHY WON'T THEY BELIEVE ME?!?" She screamed, falling to her knees as the tears finally spilled out. Piccolo merely watched as the girl sobbed, her body almost curling up inside itself as she shook with every breath. Frieza.....

They were positive they killed him on Namek when some insane person or another some how got him cloned. These clones of Freiza had attacked earth (conviently finishing off Cell in the process), almost wiping out humanity before Gohan who reached a new level of Super Saiyan finished them off. After wishing Goku back to life (he got killed) and wiping the whole earth's memory of the incident everything was back to normal.

It seemed they missed this one, which came thinking it was the original Freiza. What was more surprising was that this Frieza had claim to come in peace. Vegeta had insisted to the world that Frieza must be eliminated, but then somehow he had wiggled himself into the Satan's royal advisor chair. They couldn't act without risking war and the deaths of innocents. Vegeta had snorted, stating that they could just use the dragonballs but as usual the group decided they would wait. Bad move.

Somehow, Frieza smuggled in androids from some planet with strength able to rival a Saiyan's (they were even a bit stronger than Dr. Gero's creations). Becoming super Saiyan though would be no problem for destroying an android or two, but three and above would prove to be quite a challenge if not impossible. The way Frieza surrounded himself with androids prevented any attempt on his life. It would just be plain foolish to try.

And now Frieza got himself a cosy country rich with resources. Not good at all. And they still had no idea what the cloned alien had in store for Earth.

Piccolo waited till the girl's sobs subsided before studying her closely. Her ki was relatively high for a human and the fact that she had survived her massive injuries was notable. Wait a minute--wasn't she? Ah yes, he remembered now. This girl was the real princess. And if his knowledge of Satan's royal history was correct.....

a back door

a fricking back door to Frieza!

"Girl," he called out. Videl wiped her eyes hastily before standing up and meeting his eyes.

"I'm terribly sorry about that, you called?" she asked, her expression determined and serious. Piccolo felt a bit of admiration for the girl's strength.

"I believe you. I'm one of the people that know the true face of Frieza."

'In more ways than one,' he mused.

Videl gaped, but before she could say anything Piccolo held out a hand silencing her. "Before anything, I want you to answer this... Would you be willing to sacrifice everything to have justice be delivered to Frieza? To have your revenge?"

Fear, doubt, anguish flashed through her mind but only one emotion remained dominant. Anger. For mother. For Amie. For--father. Yes, she would have revenge for them.

For them.

Her redemption.

"Yes. I will have his life, even if I have to give up everything," Videl answered without a trace of doubt. Piccolo nodded.

"You would have to get much stronger. Much, much stronger. And here's how...."

-End Interlude-


Whatever happened to Piccolo anyway? After that night she never saw him again. Videl wished she could meet the tall man once more just to let him know she was still grateful. After all, without him she would be dead. He was also the one to train her, even if for a short period, teaching her some basic kata and meditation. After that he had gave her cryptic messages to find the turtle hermit. Because of him she could do things she never had imagined she could do. Sensing ki, ki blasts, flying.... Ah flying... That wass by far her favorite past time. She would never ever get sick of flying.

The steam from the jacuzzi sized bath looked like clouds and Videl suddenly felt the urge to burst through the window and cloud surf nude in the sky. She snickered. she would have to be either very, very, drunk or very, very, stoned or very, very, both to do that. But the urge to fly was still there. It's been a month too since she last flew. Well, flew into the sky that is. All day she and Erasa would be together; laughing, catching up, planning the wedding.... All night Videl would be too tired to do anything else. But sometimes Videl would float around occasionally, reaching for objects in high places or just floating down to the kitchen at midnight for a snack without waking anyone.

Videl sighed. When she get the opportunity she would definitely take a nice zoom into the clouds. Sinking lower into the bath she relaxed and took a quick nap.


Sharpener greeted his best man as soon as the figure came through the grand doors. Erasa had gone up into their room for a quick snooze and he presumed Delilah did the same.

"I knew you would come!! How are you, man?" Sharpener patted his long time childhood friend enthusiastically.

"Fine. Fine. So, how's the wedding going on? You would have to fill me in on everything," the black haired young man replied while setting down his pack. As the two friends chatted their way to the guest rooms, the topic ended up about Erasa's Maid of Honor.

"Delilah Natas? Never heard of her. And you said she came up from nowhere covered in injuries?"

"Yeah, Erasa never talked about her before. I wonder where she's from. All I know is that they know a heck alot about each other's childhoods and that Delilah likes martial arts. I'm just satisfied that Erasa is so happy."

"Martial arts eh....."

'And injuries?'

"Ah! Are you still training?"

"Um... Well... You could say that..."

"That's great! You know, Delilah is quite the looker--don't tell Erasa I said that--so why I don't I introduce you two."

"I'm looking forward to it."

Sharpener missed the feral look in his best friend's obsidian eyes.


Stretching out fully, Videl sighed into the feathered pillows. Few minutes before, after falling asleep and nearly drowning in the bath, she could get her much needed afternoon nap....

KNOCK KNOCK.

Damn it.

Grumpily getting off the bed she made her way to the doors. Didn't she tell the servants to to bother her until four? "What do yo--oh, Sharpener!! What's up?" Sharpener grinned at Videl before side stepping, giving her a view of the person behind him.

Blue met black.

"Delilah, meet Clip, my best man; Clip, Delilah, Erasa's Maid of Honor."

"Nice to meet you," Videl greeted, shaking his hand.

"Pleasure's all mine," Clip replied, holding onto her hand a bit longer than necessary.

(A.N. You all thought it was Gohan didn't you? DIDN'T YOU!?!? :::cackles maniacally:::: )

Clip was an attractive young man, probably a few years older than her, with shoulder length black hair tied into a pony tail and sharp black eyes. He was tall, around Gohan's height and build and obviously a martial artist by the ki he was giving off and the posture he stood in. Her thoughts fleetingly wandered to Gohan and acknowledged somewhat calmly that Gohan was much more attractive and stronger. Surprisingly, the thought didn't bother her much. She's gotten used to thinking about him that way over the pass few days.

"Um...?" Videl asked, praying they would take the hint to leave her the hell alone.

"Oh! Well, I'm just going to show Clip to his room--it's just next to yours Delilah."

Her womanly instincts told her that was not good but her logical side questioned why it felt that way. "Well, see you later in the afternoon then," Clip whispered, giving her hand a quick kiss before pushing a smirking Sharpener down the hall. Videl closed the door and stood there staring at the back of her hand. What just happened??

It was very romantic and gentlemanly of him to do that. She felt flattered of course, no one ever kissed her hand before.....

Especially an attractive young man.

And she was just flattered.....

so why was she blushing so hard?

Throwing herself on the bed she let out a muffled groan into the pillows. She suddenly felt that something will definately go horribly wrong.

Over the next few days she would find out how right she was.


Timeline/universe notes:
- The Satan bloodline has been ruling for centuries.
- The world is a bit similar to the original DBZ universe. A mix of western/eastern/modern/old cultures.
- The people are a bit similiar too, which means there are animal people running around.
- Everything happened pretty much the same with a turning point in the Saiyan Saga. Vegeta ended up forming a kingdom with the Z warriors at his side.
- Cell saga happened but Cell got destroyed by the Frieza clones.
- This of course means at one point there's Mirai Trunks and 18 got married to Krillin.

Ann's Notes: Ooh, Piccolo makes an appearance but no Gohan this time T__T I know, it sucks. Ha! You all thought Gohan was Sharpener's best man didn't you!?! I tell you the truth he WAS but since you all knew it I decided to tweak it a little. HAHAHAHAH!! Anyway be patient about how slow this story is moving, but I'm speeding it already. One thing though, the rating will skyrocket in the next few chapters. But just to let you know I will NOT write a lemon. Lime is as close as it gets :) .

Tim's (the beta reader) Muses:
Coolio: "SAP,WORTHLESS HUMAN EMOTIONS,BAHH YOU CALL YOURSELF A WRITER?!"
Voice in background: "Coolio, Ann said she be more then happy to use you as a pin cushion."
Coolio: "FINE, ITS OKAY FOR A EMOTIONAL HUMAN. Can't ask for better from her"
Gohan: Kiss MY Videl's hand will he!!!!!!#Goes SSJ3&1/2# *Saiya-jin of doom voice* HE WILL DIE *normal voice* except for that part I liked the story keep up the good work.)