Last time:
"What…Who…Who is she really?" he managed after a few moments. He couldn't believe his parents actions. How could they just replace their own daughter!? And with someone who's hair was not even the same color? How long did they think they could fool everyone!?
King Hiroshi bowed his head in shame. He didn't want Tadao to find out this way. "Her real name," he whispered, keeping his eyes on the floor, "is Bulma…Bulma Briefs…"
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The Princess ran down the seemingly endless halls of the palace, ignoring anyone who tried to stop her. Her eyes burned from crying and her heart ached from emptiness. She felt so lonely in this place. She wanted nothing more than to know her past. Even if she couldn't return to where she was from, she still wanted to know. Why had her parents given her up? Was she a Princess of another kingdom? Or was she a poor peasant's daughter? Was that why her identity was kept a secret? Suddenly she felt naked without her wig, and ducked into the next room she came to. "Am I unwanted by everyone?" she cried into her knees, back pressed against the door. She stayed in that position for awhile, until there was a knock at the door. She looked up, suddenly realizing where she was. Tadao's training room. "Yes?" she coughed.
"Nyoko? Is that you?" asked a masculine voice from the other side of the door. It was her best friend, Eizo. The brother of the princess Tadao was courting. She sighed deeply.
"Yes. What is it?" She tried to sound like she didn't want to be bothered, which was true. Hopefully he'd leave her be, and she would just explain everything to him later.
"May I come in?"
"I'll have to face him sooner or later," she thought sadly, whipping her eyes and standing up. "Umm…Eizo. I have something to tell you…but you can't freak out, ok? Its hard enough for me as it is…" He nodded in agreement, then realizing she couldn't see him answered out loud.
"Of course," he said sympathetically, though didn't realize how much he really would freak out over the situation. She slowly opened the door, stepping behind it and letting him enter. "Nyoko, lovely, what's the matter?" His voice and face were as calm as ever. Did he not see her hair? Had he suddenly gone blind?
"Eizo, can you see me?" she asked in all seriousness.
"Of course I can," he laughed, giving her a quick hug. "Now, what's the problem?"
"Eizo, my hair. Don't you see a difference?"
"It's a very nice party wig," he commented, reaching out to feel the smooth hair. "It feels real."
"It isn't a wig, Eizo."
He arched an eyebrow at her in confusion, then laughed again.
"Oh, my Nyoko. I love you darling. What's the occasion? Is someone getting married?"
"Eizo!" she snapped, annoyed. He wasn't listening to a word she was saying. "Listen to me! This is my real hair! Ever since I've been here I've worn a black wig."
"Ever since you've been here? Nyoko, I don't think I understand what you're saying." He was beginning to see the seriousness of the situation, though how serious he couldn't know.
"Eizo, I'm not who you think I am…My name isn't Nyoko. I'm not my parents' daughter or Tadao's sister. I'm no one, the ghost of a girl I never knew."
"Nyoko, please, you're beginning to trouble me," Eizo said, wrinkling his brow. Something in the way she was talking told him to be afraid.
"If you only believe my words you'd be far more troubled," she sighed, hanging her head. What did she have to say to get him to believe her? "Here." She grabbed his wrist and placed his hand on her head. "Pull my hair."
"Nyo—"
"Eizo, please."
He smiled sadly down at her and did as he was told, balling his hand into a fist, a clump of her aqua locks in hand. He tugged lightly at first, then harder as he realized it wouldn't budge. When he released her hair his eyes were quivering. It was real!
"Oh Kami," he gasped, taking a step back. Her words had been true. "N-N-Nyoko?" he whispered.
"Shh. Calm yourself. Yes its me," she said sternly, pulling him all the way in the room and closing the door. Thankfully no one had passed through the hall.
"But, but, but…" he trailed off, not really knowing what to say. Where was his Nyoko!?
"Just quiet down and I'll explain everything." His face never lost any of its shock. She pulled his arm to follow her to sit on a bench at the other end of the room. He went along with her without hesitation, mouth still wide open. Here was a girl he'd known for nearly four years that was now revealed as someone completely different. He just couldn't get used to the blue hair. It was too bizarre. He told himself over and over in his head that it was only a party wig, but just couldn't shake the look in her eyes. She took a deep breath, grabbed his hands in hers, and began. "Alright…My name is not really Nyoko." Eizo nodded. She'd said that before, though it only had meaning now. "I'm not sure of my real name…I'm not really the Princess of the Yon Han Empire…King Hiroshi and Queen Akuma are not my real parents…I…I…" She choked back a few tears and sighed. All this she'd said before, but she just needed to know that he was truly listening now, letting the information sink in. "…I don't know who my real parents are or where I came from…I don't know how long I've been here exactly…I…I…I'm so confused…I need to know my past…" she cried into Eizo's chest for comfort, which he absently obliged to, placing a slightly shaky hand on the back of her head. Not a wig! All this new information was just too much for him. But then he thought of his dear friend he held, crying in his loose embrace. She must feel one hundred times worse than him. It was her fate after all that he'd just learned. "I…I…I'm sorry I didn't tell you before now…" she sobbed, but was suddenly pushed back.
"Wait, you knew this all along?" he asked bitterly. She was supposed to be his best friend.
"Well yes. They made me wear a wig!!" she shouted angrily. She knew what he was getting at. The nerve of him! "How dare you be anything but sympathetic with me you jerk! Do you have any idea how many times I wanted to tell you but couldn't! I HAD to keep it all a secret!" She was furious.
"I thought we could share anything! No matter what!" he retorted, balling his fists.
"No matter what! My "family's" kingdom and reputation were at stake! If I were to tell anyone I would have been out in the cold! I don't even know if I'm a real Princess! I could be executed for impersonating royalty!" Her voice never lost any of its anger.
"Who knew besides the King and Queen and Tadao?" he demanded. His anger wouldn't let him see the beaten girl before him.
"Tadao didn't find out 'til just today!" Eizo gasped. Things were certainly getting weirder and more complicated by the moment. And all he wanted to do was to go over and ask her to join him at dinner at his palace. "Aneko was the only other soul who knew!…Now you all and a few guards are the only ones who know…Though I suppose word will spread soon enough…"
"Why…Why did everyone just find out today?" he asked, more concerned now than angry. She was still his friend, wasn't she? No matter her name. Or the color of her hair.
"I…King Hiroshi told me I must wed before my seventeen year…I got angry and took off my wig…That's when some of the guards found out…Tadao saw me in the hall a few moments ago…I'm sure he's speaking with his parents right now…" she sighed. She was exhausted from all the crying and yelling.
"Well…" Eizo began, taking her hands in his, a weak smile on his face. "I suggest you keep on living just as you are. Pretend to be this Nyoko person, and secretly I will help you find out who you really are." She smiled gingerly at him. She knew she could always count on him for support, even if she did have to beat some sense into him first. "We'll make sure no one else finds out your secret. I'll go speak with the King and Queen right now. I'm sure they've already spoken with the guards." He kissed her cheek lightly then stood. "Oh, before I forget. Would you like to dine with me tonight at my palace?"
"Of course," she replied with some degree of happiness.
"So, you're just going to sit here all day?"
"Well I can't leave like this," she sighed.
"Hmm…" Eizo thought a moment, then smiled. "I'll send Aneko in to bring you a wig." The Princess only smiled and nodded her head. "I'll see you tonight." And with that he was gone. Still a little confused, but happy that he now knew the truth, sort of.
He'd always wondered why she had blue eyes.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo A different palace, far away from the Yon Han Empire:
"Vegeta!" bellowed a deep masculine voice outside his training chamber.
"What father?" the young Prince sneered, kicking at an imaginary opponent.
"Get out here so I can have a word with you!" He growled to himself, but stopped his training none the less, grabbing a towel and opening the door.
"What?"
"There is a Princess I would like you to court," he said simply, though Vegeta knew it was more of a demand than a request. He gave his father a death glare, then sighed solemnly. He'd been avoiding taking a bride for years now. He'd only actually courted two or three, all of which obviously turned him down, though he could never figure out why. He'd been more than kind to them, not being himself at all, and still they denied him. It was as if someone was telling them not to choose him.
"Who is it this time?" The King smiled wide, a deep chuckle in the back of his throat.
"Nyoko Sasaki, of the Yon Han Empire." Vegeta's face immediately paled, then a volt of overwhelming anger surged through his body.
"Nyoko Sasaki!?" The King simply nodded. "Of the Yon Han Empire!?…Are you mad!? You expect me to court her for marriage!? You do remember who she is, right?"
"Yes of course I remember. Bulma Briefs of the old Maruyama Empire." He paused a moment, his smile morphing into a devilish smirk. "This was the plan all along my son. King Briefs wouldn't let his daughter wed to a stranger in an arranged marriage. I offered him the largest dowry any Princess had ever been offered…but no," he sneered angrily towards his son, as if he had something to do with it. "He said he wanted her to marry for love." His expression became disgusted, his fists clenched. "So I found a way around it. Queen Akuma and the Black Dragon gladly offered their assistance…And well, you know the plan from there. You were a big part of it. Making her strong and at ease around you. She actually trusted you!" he laughed, tilting his head back slightly. "Then you had to snoop around in my personal business!…You found out we were going to relocate her in another kingdom, and tried to help her. Too bad we caught on, and sent the Black Dragon sooner than expected. It's a good thing you worked her so hard the night before…She was practically defenseless." Vegeta stood, mouth agape, staring at his father. He could not believe anything that was coming out of his mouth. This was all done so he could wed Bulma Briefs? He was about to lunge at him, when he grabbed his wrists and slammed him into the nearest wall. "Don't even think about it," he warned.
"How do you expect me to court her when she knows who I am!" he hissed through clenched teeth. "Don't you think the name will give it away!"
"Simple. She has a fake name. You get one too."
"Fine," he growled, shrugging his father off him and crossing his arms over his chest. He couldn't believe his father had lied to him and gone behind his back like that. And to Bulma no less! But he knew that if he didn't cooperate a horrible fate would befall her and it would be all his fault…again. This was his one chance to make things right. He would avenge Bulma and get revenge on his father all at once. Just thinking about it almost made him smirk, though he held it back. "What's my name?"
King Frieza cupped his chin in his hand, thinking for the perfect name. "Well…" he hummed, narrowing his brow and pursing his lips. "How does-"
"Father," Vegeta interrupted angrily. "It matters not whether I approve of the pseudo name given to me…Just pick any one…" He paused a moment. "The first thing that comes to mind."
"Alright then…" He lifted his head, looking directly into his only son's eyes. "Yukio."
"Yukio?…"
"Yes, Yukio. That's what I will call you from now until you have woed and wed the young Bulma Briefs…er… Nyoko Sasaki. Is that clear?"
"Crystal, father…" He turned to leave, but then swirled on his heel and asked. "What's the meaning behind such a name? I know I've known it before. It can't just be the first thing you thought, I know you old man."
"Ahh, glorious observation my son," King Frieza cooed, and would have most likely patted him on the head had it not been for his manner and age. "The meaning behind Yukio is this…He who gets what he wants." He snickered lightly to himself, exiting the room before his son had a chance to respond.
"He who gets what he wants?" he said aloud, arching an eyebrow. "I like it."
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King Hiroshi and Queen Akuma sat patiently, awaiting their "daughter's" arrival. Well the king was at least. Akuma was slumped low in her thrown, tapping her finger, and huffing every few moments, all of which was very unladylike. They had sent for her nearly an hour ago, and still there was not word of her.
"Where is that girl?" Akuma hissed, glaring over at her calm husband. "I cannot believe we ever agreed to such an arrangement. King Frieza must be laughing at us…" she murmured, ignoring her husband as he sighed in disbelief. He had always been against the whole thing, though was forced into it, otherwise war was a possible outcome, and being that their empire had almost crumpled with the last quarrel, he opted to go along with things. After all, how bad could it turn out?
"I'm not sure dear, perhaps I should seek her out," the King suggested listlessly.
"No! That is just what she wants!" she boomed, turning from him and crossing her arms.
"Alright dear…" He was through trying to reason with her. If his father were still alive he'd seriously consider assassinating him for accepting Akuma's dowry.
A few minutes later, when the Queen was just about to snap at the King again, Bulma came strolling into the thrown room, smiling no less, her wig back in place.
"Wench, where have you been?" Akuma growled, leaping from her seat.
"That's no business of yours, mother," she sneered, balling her fists.
"No business of mine? No business of mine! When you are gone and out of my hair, then you will be no business of mine! But until then, dear, you are under my command!"
"Like hell I am! I am not your blood, therefore should not even be living in this hell hole!"
"You want to be sent out on the street? With no money or name? Be a nobody? Filthy with rags and flees!"
"That life would be a world better than this one. I despise the Yon Han Empire and all the wealthy in it! Give me to a farmer! Let me take his daughter's name, but do not keep me here any longer, I cannot endure it!"
"You will endure it," the queen said, her voice low and measured. Slowly, she stepped down the stairs of the thrown, coming within inches of Bulma's face. "If you leave this palace I will not hesitate to put a price on your head. I will have you hunted down like a dog for the rest of your life…Now, will you stay and be the obedient daughter you're supposed to be, my darling?"
Bulma stiffened as Akuma's cold, bony fingers touched her cheek, grazing it lightly. But she did not move. She would not show weakness.
"I never have to see your sour face again once I'm married?" Bulma asked after a long pause, a graceful smile on her lips. They were such great actors, the two of them. No one outside the palace would suspect they hated each other, or weren't mother and daughter no less.
"Never," the queen said, her voice coated with honey.
"And my real family? My real name? Can I know these things?"
The king and queen both stiffened noticeably at her request. Of course they knew it was coming, but the truth of Bulma's past was even more horrible than that of the real Nyoko. Even they didn't know exactly how the royals of the house of Briefs had fallen eight years before. Two days later, after the death of their daughter, they were presented with the shivering Bulma Briefs by King Hiroshi's cold sister, the Dark Princess. With her came a scroll from King Frieza, threatening the lives of the entire royal family of the Yon Han Empire, and their allies, if this child was not reared by them and offered as a bride to the young Prince Vegeta at age sixteen.
"Your real name is Bulma," the king finally said, easing the tension. "That's all we know." It was a small lie, but a brutal one. They really didn't know much about her, though her family had been their greatest enemies since as long as Hiroshi could remember, his father's father's father's father's war, carried on through the generations. No one could remember what the original quarrel had been about.
"Bulma," the Princess sighed, letting the syllables roll off her tongue. It was a single piece of a thousand-piece puzzle. Her name. "And suitors?" she asked, reverting back to her cold demeanor. "I'm sure you have some lined up."
"One," the queen said, stepping back to return to her throne. "He'll be here by the week's end, so you're expected to be on your best behavior."
"I take it that means he can't know I train," Bulma sneered bitterly. It was her only solace in life, aside from Eizo who couldn't always be there when she needed comfort.
"To say the least," Akuma laughed softly, giving a flick of her wrist that meant the meeting was over. But it meant so much more to Bulma. By the end of the week she would be free of her pseudo mother's painful hold. And no matter who the suitor was, she would be the most prim, proper, and ladylike princess the world had known. She would be free, even if it killed her.
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---Chapter 3!!! Yay! I'm getting really into this story now :) Hopefully I'll get more reviews for this one. Its pathetic how many reviews I have :(
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ReviewsMore Chapters)
Next time: The mystery suitor comes…
"What…Who…Who is she really?" he managed after a few moments. He couldn't believe his parents actions. How could they just replace their own daughter!? And with someone who's hair was not even the same color? How long did they think they could fool everyone!?
King Hiroshi bowed his head in shame. He didn't want Tadao to find out this way. "Her real name," he whispered, keeping his eyes on the floor, "is Bulma…Bulma Briefs…"
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The Princess ran down the seemingly endless halls of the palace, ignoring anyone who tried to stop her. Her eyes burned from crying and her heart ached from emptiness. She felt so lonely in this place. She wanted nothing more than to know her past. Even if she couldn't return to where she was from, she still wanted to know. Why had her parents given her up? Was she a Princess of another kingdom? Or was she a poor peasant's daughter? Was that why her identity was kept a secret? Suddenly she felt naked without her wig, and ducked into the next room she came to. "Am I unwanted by everyone?" she cried into her knees, back pressed against the door. She stayed in that position for awhile, until there was a knock at the door. She looked up, suddenly realizing where she was. Tadao's training room. "Yes?" she coughed.
"Nyoko? Is that you?" asked a masculine voice from the other side of the door. It was her best friend, Eizo. The brother of the princess Tadao was courting. She sighed deeply.
"Yes. What is it?" She tried to sound like she didn't want to be bothered, which was true. Hopefully he'd leave her be, and she would just explain everything to him later.
"May I come in?"
"I'll have to face him sooner or later," she thought sadly, whipping her eyes and standing up. "Umm…Eizo. I have something to tell you…but you can't freak out, ok? Its hard enough for me as it is…" He nodded in agreement, then realizing she couldn't see him answered out loud.
"Of course," he said sympathetically, though didn't realize how much he really would freak out over the situation. She slowly opened the door, stepping behind it and letting him enter. "Nyoko, lovely, what's the matter?" His voice and face were as calm as ever. Did he not see her hair? Had he suddenly gone blind?
"Eizo, can you see me?" she asked in all seriousness.
"Of course I can," he laughed, giving her a quick hug. "Now, what's the problem?"
"Eizo, my hair. Don't you see a difference?"
"It's a very nice party wig," he commented, reaching out to feel the smooth hair. "It feels real."
"It isn't a wig, Eizo."
He arched an eyebrow at her in confusion, then laughed again.
"Oh, my Nyoko. I love you darling. What's the occasion? Is someone getting married?"
"Eizo!" she snapped, annoyed. He wasn't listening to a word she was saying. "Listen to me! This is my real hair! Ever since I've been here I've worn a black wig."
"Ever since you've been here? Nyoko, I don't think I understand what you're saying." He was beginning to see the seriousness of the situation, though how serious he couldn't know.
"Eizo, I'm not who you think I am…My name isn't Nyoko. I'm not my parents' daughter or Tadao's sister. I'm no one, the ghost of a girl I never knew."
"Nyoko, please, you're beginning to trouble me," Eizo said, wrinkling his brow. Something in the way she was talking told him to be afraid.
"If you only believe my words you'd be far more troubled," she sighed, hanging her head. What did she have to say to get him to believe her? "Here." She grabbed his wrist and placed his hand on her head. "Pull my hair."
"Nyo—"
"Eizo, please."
He smiled sadly down at her and did as he was told, balling his hand into a fist, a clump of her aqua locks in hand. He tugged lightly at first, then harder as he realized it wouldn't budge. When he released her hair his eyes were quivering. It was real!
"Oh Kami," he gasped, taking a step back. Her words had been true. "N-N-Nyoko?" he whispered.
"Shh. Calm yourself. Yes its me," she said sternly, pulling him all the way in the room and closing the door. Thankfully no one had passed through the hall.
"But, but, but…" he trailed off, not really knowing what to say. Where was his Nyoko!?
"Just quiet down and I'll explain everything." His face never lost any of its shock. She pulled his arm to follow her to sit on a bench at the other end of the room. He went along with her without hesitation, mouth still wide open. Here was a girl he'd known for nearly four years that was now revealed as someone completely different. He just couldn't get used to the blue hair. It was too bizarre. He told himself over and over in his head that it was only a party wig, but just couldn't shake the look in her eyes. She took a deep breath, grabbed his hands in hers, and began. "Alright…My name is not really Nyoko." Eizo nodded. She'd said that before, though it only had meaning now. "I'm not sure of my real name…I'm not really the Princess of the Yon Han Empire…King Hiroshi and Queen Akuma are not my real parents…I…I…" She choked back a few tears and sighed. All this she'd said before, but she just needed to know that he was truly listening now, letting the information sink in. "…I don't know who my real parents are or where I came from…I don't know how long I've been here exactly…I…I…I'm so confused…I need to know my past…" she cried into Eizo's chest for comfort, which he absently obliged to, placing a slightly shaky hand on the back of her head. Not a wig! All this new information was just too much for him. But then he thought of his dear friend he held, crying in his loose embrace. She must feel one hundred times worse than him. It was her fate after all that he'd just learned. "I…I…I'm sorry I didn't tell you before now…" she sobbed, but was suddenly pushed back.
"Wait, you knew this all along?" he asked bitterly. She was supposed to be his best friend.
"Well yes. They made me wear a wig!!" she shouted angrily. She knew what he was getting at. The nerve of him! "How dare you be anything but sympathetic with me you jerk! Do you have any idea how many times I wanted to tell you but couldn't! I HAD to keep it all a secret!" She was furious.
"I thought we could share anything! No matter what!" he retorted, balling his fists.
"No matter what! My "family's" kingdom and reputation were at stake! If I were to tell anyone I would have been out in the cold! I don't even know if I'm a real Princess! I could be executed for impersonating royalty!" Her voice never lost any of its anger.
"Who knew besides the King and Queen and Tadao?" he demanded. His anger wouldn't let him see the beaten girl before him.
"Tadao didn't find out 'til just today!" Eizo gasped. Things were certainly getting weirder and more complicated by the moment. And all he wanted to do was to go over and ask her to join him at dinner at his palace. "Aneko was the only other soul who knew!…Now you all and a few guards are the only ones who know…Though I suppose word will spread soon enough…"
"Why…Why did everyone just find out today?" he asked, more concerned now than angry. She was still his friend, wasn't she? No matter her name. Or the color of her hair.
"I…King Hiroshi told me I must wed before my seventeen year…I got angry and took off my wig…That's when some of the guards found out…Tadao saw me in the hall a few moments ago…I'm sure he's speaking with his parents right now…" she sighed. She was exhausted from all the crying and yelling.
"Well…" Eizo began, taking her hands in his, a weak smile on his face. "I suggest you keep on living just as you are. Pretend to be this Nyoko person, and secretly I will help you find out who you really are." She smiled gingerly at him. She knew she could always count on him for support, even if she did have to beat some sense into him first. "We'll make sure no one else finds out your secret. I'll go speak with the King and Queen right now. I'm sure they've already spoken with the guards." He kissed her cheek lightly then stood. "Oh, before I forget. Would you like to dine with me tonight at my palace?"
"Of course," she replied with some degree of happiness.
"So, you're just going to sit here all day?"
"Well I can't leave like this," she sighed.
"Hmm…" Eizo thought a moment, then smiled. "I'll send Aneko in to bring you a wig." The Princess only smiled and nodded her head. "I'll see you tonight." And with that he was gone. Still a little confused, but happy that he now knew the truth, sort of.
He'd always wondered why she had blue eyes.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo A different palace, far away from the Yon Han Empire:
"Vegeta!" bellowed a deep masculine voice outside his training chamber.
"What father?" the young Prince sneered, kicking at an imaginary opponent.
"Get out here so I can have a word with you!" He growled to himself, but stopped his training none the less, grabbing a towel and opening the door.
"What?"
"There is a Princess I would like you to court," he said simply, though Vegeta knew it was more of a demand than a request. He gave his father a death glare, then sighed solemnly. He'd been avoiding taking a bride for years now. He'd only actually courted two or three, all of which obviously turned him down, though he could never figure out why. He'd been more than kind to them, not being himself at all, and still they denied him. It was as if someone was telling them not to choose him.
"Who is it this time?" The King smiled wide, a deep chuckle in the back of his throat.
"Nyoko Sasaki, of the Yon Han Empire." Vegeta's face immediately paled, then a volt of overwhelming anger surged through his body.
"Nyoko Sasaki!?" The King simply nodded. "Of the Yon Han Empire!?…Are you mad!? You expect me to court her for marriage!? You do remember who she is, right?"
"Yes of course I remember. Bulma Briefs of the old Maruyama Empire." He paused a moment, his smile morphing into a devilish smirk. "This was the plan all along my son. King Briefs wouldn't let his daughter wed to a stranger in an arranged marriage. I offered him the largest dowry any Princess had ever been offered…but no," he sneered angrily towards his son, as if he had something to do with it. "He said he wanted her to marry for love." His expression became disgusted, his fists clenched. "So I found a way around it. Queen Akuma and the Black Dragon gladly offered their assistance…And well, you know the plan from there. You were a big part of it. Making her strong and at ease around you. She actually trusted you!" he laughed, tilting his head back slightly. "Then you had to snoop around in my personal business!…You found out we were going to relocate her in another kingdom, and tried to help her. Too bad we caught on, and sent the Black Dragon sooner than expected. It's a good thing you worked her so hard the night before…She was practically defenseless." Vegeta stood, mouth agape, staring at his father. He could not believe anything that was coming out of his mouth. This was all done so he could wed Bulma Briefs? He was about to lunge at him, when he grabbed his wrists and slammed him into the nearest wall. "Don't even think about it," he warned.
"How do you expect me to court her when she knows who I am!" he hissed through clenched teeth. "Don't you think the name will give it away!"
"Simple. She has a fake name. You get one too."
"Fine," he growled, shrugging his father off him and crossing his arms over his chest. He couldn't believe his father had lied to him and gone behind his back like that. And to Bulma no less! But he knew that if he didn't cooperate a horrible fate would befall her and it would be all his fault…again. This was his one chance to make things right. He would avenge Bulma and get revenge on his father all at once. Just thinking about it almost made him smirk, though he held it back. "What's my name?"
King Frieza cupped his chin in his hand, thinking for the perfect name. "Well…" he hummed, narrowing his brow and pursing his lips. "How does-"
"Father," Vegeta interrupted angrily. "It matters not whether I approve of the pseudo name given to me…Just pick any one…" He paused a moment. "The first thing that comes to mind."
"Alright then…" He lifted his head, looking directly into his only son's eyes. "Yukio."
"Yukio?…"
"Yes, Yukio. That's what I will call you from now until you have woed and wed the young Bulma Briefs…er… Nyoko Sasaki. Is that clear?"
"Crystal, father…" He turned to leave, but then swirled on his heel and asked. "What's the meaning behind such a name? I know I've known it before. It can't just be the first thing you thought, I know you old man."
"Ahh, glorious observation my son," King Frieza cooed, and would have most likely patted him on the head had it not been for his manner and age. "The meaning behind Yukio is this…He who gets what he wants." He snickered lightly to himself, exiting the room before his son had a chance to respond.
"He who gets what he wants?" he said aloud, arching an eyebrow. "I like it."
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King Hiroshi and Queen Akuma sat patiently, awaiting their "daughter's" arrival. Well the king was at least. Akuma was slumped low in her thrown, tapping her finger, and huffing every few moments, all of which was very unladylike. They had sent for her nearly an hour ago, and still there was not word of her.
"Where is that girl?" Akuma hissed, glaring over at her calm husband. "I cannot believe we ever agreed to such an arrangement. King Frieza must be laughing at us…" she murmured, ignoring her husband as he sighed in disbelief. He had always been against the whole thing, though was forced into it, otherwise war was a possible outcome, and being that their empire had almost crumpled with the last quarrel, he opted to go along with things. After all, how bad could it turn out?
"I'm not sure dear, perhaps I should seek her out," the King suggested listlessly.
"No! That is just what she wants!" she boomed, turning from him and crossing her arms.
"Alright dear…" He was through trying to reason with her. If his father were still alive he'd seriously consider assassinating him for accepting Akuma's dowry.
A few minutes later, when the Queen was just about to snap at the King again, Bulma came strolling into the thrown room, smiling no less, her wig back in place.
"Wench, where have you been?" Akuma growled, leaping from her seat.
"That's no business of yours, mother," she sneered, balling her fists.
"No business of mine? No business of mine! When you are gone and out of my hair, then you will be no business of mine! But until then, dear, you are under my command!"
"Like hell I am! I am not your blood, therefore should not even be living in this hell hole!"
"You want to be sent out on the street? With no money or name? Be a nobody? Filthy with rags and flees!"
"That life would be a world better than this one. I despise the Yon Han Empire and all the wealthy in it! Give me to a farmer! Let me take his daughter's name, but do not keep me here any longer, I cannot endure it!"
"You will endure it," the queen said, her voice low and measured. Slowly, she stepped down the stairs of the thrown, coming within inches of Bulma's face. "If you leave this palace I will not hesitate to put a price on your head. I will have you hunted down like a dog for the rest of your life…Now, will you stay and be the obedient daughter you're supposed to be, my darling?"
Bulma stiffened as Akuma's cold, bony fingers touched her cheek, grazing it lightly. But she did not move. She would not show weakness.
"I never have to see your sour face again once I'm married?" Bulma asked after a long pause, a graceful smile on her lips. They were such great actors, the two of them. No one outside the palace would suspect they hated each other, or weren't mother and daughter no less.
"Never," the queen said, her voice coated with honey.
"And my real family? My real name? Can I know these things?"
The king and queen both stiffened noticeably at her request. Of course they knew it was coming, but the truth of Bulma's past was even more horrible than that of the real Nyoko. Even they didn't know exactly how the royals of the house of Briefs had fallen eight years before. Two days later, after the death of their daughter, they were presented with the shivering Bulma Briefs by King Hiroshi's cold sister, the Dark Princess. With her came a scroll from King Frieza, threatening the lives of the entire royal family of the Yon Han Empire, and their allies, if this child was not reared by them and offered as a bride to the young Prince Vegeta at age sixteen.
"Your real name is Bulma," the king finally said, easing the tension. "That's all we know." It was a small lie, but a brutal one. They really didn't know much about her, though her family had been their greatest enemies since as long as Hiroshi could remember, his father's father's father's father's war, carried on through the generations. No one could remember what the original quarrel had been about.
"Bulma," the Princess sighed, letting the syllables roll off her tongue. It was a single piece of a thousand-piece puzzle. Her name. "And suitors?" she asked, reverting back to her cold demeanor. "I'm sure you have some lined up."
"One," the queen said, stepping back to return to her throne. "He'll be here by the week's end, so you're expected to be on your best behavior."
"I take it that means he can't know I train," Bulma sneered bitterly. It was her only solace in life, aside from Eizo who couldn't always be there when she needed comfort.
"To say the least," Akuma laughed softly, giving a flick of her wrist that meant the meeting was over. But it meant so much more to Bulma. By the end of the week she would be free of her pseudo mother's painful hold. And no matter who the suitor was, she would be the most prim, proper, and ladylike princess the world had known. She would be free, even if it killed her.
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---Chapter 3!!! Yay! I'm getting really into this story now :) Hopefully I'll get more reviews for this one. Its pathetic how many reviews I have :(
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Next time: The mystery suitor comes…