Immortal Together
By: Amalthea AKA Hatti Lee
Started: 2.22.4
Author's notes: Yay! I've finally updated! Sorry it took so long. At least this time it's a long chapter, ne? Oh, and you must forgive me on minor spelling and grammar errors… I didn't have time to proof read. So sorry! Well, I hope you guys enjoy! Don't forget to review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z or its characters. So, no suing, okay?
Warnings: This fic contains homosexuality as well as incest. Does that not interest you? Then go no further. Also, this fic is rated R for sexual content , language, and violence. Please do not proceed if you're not of age.
Chapter XIX
Dinner was held in the king's dining room. Vejita brought Nappa and Tekita as well as his son. The room was completely overdone in gold and crystal, and the table was large enough to seat fifty at least. Did the king dine here every night, alone? It was a depressing thought Vejita didn't wish to ponder.
All the dishes were set out at once, the servants sent away for the rest of the evening, for privacies' sake no doubt. Kakarotto was practically drooling, eyeing all the steaming plates and bowls, heaping with meats and vegetables. They took their seats, the king at the head of the table of course, the others sitting near.
"You don't mind their presence?" The king asked, gesturing towards Nappa and Tekita.
Vejita shook his head, "No, they've known for some time."
The king sighed, resting his elbows on the table, his hands fisting together before him, "Listen. I've been thinking about this all evening. You're right, there's no denying. Once word gets out, everyone's going to realize it's true. I, for the life of me, cannot come up with a solution to this. It's disaster." None had seen the king this way, exhausted and annoyed, a bit lost, angry and even a little sad.
Kakarotto swallowed what he'd been chewing on, "Um… Well, why don't we tell everyone before the rebels tell."
Vejita shrugged, "It's not a bad idea. That way the people wouldn't see it as something we've been hiding from them. I mean, if they're going to find out anyway."
"I dunno why you guys think they're gonna get so upset anyway. " Kakarotto said through a mouthful of bread.
The king growled, "So disgusting. If it wasn't for you fools, my plans would still be capable. Now I have to worry about revolt."
Now Vejita was growling, rolling his eyes, "Enough. When do you want to announce this? How?"
Rubbing his temples, willing the headache away, the king sighed, "I don't know. Soon. Get the people together for an announcement and just spill the beans. I'm not going to tell them, you'll have to. I don't want anyone thinking I support this. Maybe tell them sort of in an apology."
"Why? It should be like a celebration!" Kakarotto said, filling his plate again.
"Nonsense. No wonder this happened." The king muttered, turning to speak more directly to his son, "Plan it soon. Within the week."
Kakarotto frowned, feeling dumb and not really knowing why. True, he did speak out often in his grandfather's presence, but then, the older man had never snubbed him so rudely either. Was he really a fool in all this?
………………………………...
Three days later came disaster. Vejita stepped into the throne room and knew instantly that the entire room knew. They were all whispering amongst themselves, their eyes wide, glued to his every movement. Unsure, he'd tried at first to continue as usual with things, but that was flat out impossible.
Losing his patience, he roared, "What the hell's going on?"
His only answer was a high-ranking soldier spitting at his feet. Vejita didn't even react he was so shocked. How could such an insignificant thing offend these people so? It wasn't even their damn business. The royal who hissed an obscenity his way didn't get off so easy. Vejita shoved the man with excessive force, causing him to crash into the back wall, instantly unconscious.
"It's none of you people's business! Why the fuck do you care?" He all but roared, his power level skyrocketing, the air rippling with the sheer rage behind it.
Several royals fled, other's defiantly taking a step closer. One man cried out, "It's nauseating! Who wants a future king like that?"
Vejita growled, honestly unsure what was happening. These people were turning on him. He couldn't very well kill the entire royal council, could he? He paced, turning, feeling much liked a caged beast, only there was no cage, only the many faces of his supposed peers. They were looking at him like he was a freak, like the very sight of him was sickening. Was his relationship with Kakarotto that horrible?
Thinking back, he had been highly stressed with the prospect of such a relationship, but he'd been in for so long now. It felt like the most natural thing in the world.
The small crowd was getting rowdy. He didn't want to run off, appear weak, but he saw little choice. Trying to go with dignity, he yelled, "You fools aren't worth my time!" Then tromped out, hurrying once he was out the door.
Reaching his chambers, Vejita stopped short. Nappa and Tekita were trying desperately to shoo a horde of soldiers from the hall. They were gathered around Kakarotto's false chamber door. Eyes wide, the sense of danger causing his stomach to churn, Vejita suppressed his chi, moving with stealth, hurrying silently with uncharted speed to the door, slipping in soundlessly.
Kakarotto was running around, busy as can be, dressed as if prepared for a journey. He hardly looked up when Vejita entered. "Gotta pack everything important. They're gonna get in soon." His voice was trembling, he looked up then, "We have to move somewhere secret."
Vejita moved forward, wrapping his arms about the boy, "Don't worry. We're powerful enough to fend off any enemy."
The boy shook his head, pulling away, "No, I don't want anyone dead, not over this. It just… It doesn't make any sense."
Sighing, Vejita looked around. The place was a mess. The bed had been cleared, the mattress bare, the bedding thrown on the floor. It seemed the items on the mattress were the ones to be taken. Vejita spotted their royal attire, a few training uniforms, a few gis, there was a rock Nappa had given the boy long ago from some planet or another, that damned stained glove, and several other knickknacks. Drawers were empty, clothing thrown about, the closet empty, everything on the floor.
"We don't really have anything." Kakarotto said, looking about as if desperate to find something important.
Vejita smirked, unable to resist, "We have each other." It was a sappy statement, sure, but his lover was stressed, and it wouldn't kill him to be nice now and then.
Kakarotto smiled, that beautiful smile of his, "You're right. This is all we'll need." The boy then proceeded to pull a blanket from the mess on the floor, using it as a bag, shoving their things into it and tossing the bulk over his shoulder.
Frowning, Vejita realized the boy was ready to go, "Where do you think we can hide?"
"I was thinking the slave corridors. Surely there's an empty room we can all hide in." Kakarotto said, approaching the door. He opened it a crack and stuck his arm out, obviously a signal. A few moments later there was an explosion, no doubt Nappa and Tekita's doing.
Then they were all running, Vejita and Kakarotto slowing up as not to lose the others. The slave corridor was at the opposite end of the palace in a bit of a nook behind the mess hall. It was deserted save for a single slave, a barefoot woman with rich indigo skin. She started upon noticing them there, her eyes wide. She was about to turn in run when Kakarotto spoke up, "Wait, can I ask you something?" He approached her in his way, simple and honest, as if they were equals.
The prince watched in fascination as she smiled when the boy spoke, answering his questions as if he were a child. It was obvious she'd warmed up to him instantly.
"So, which one's empty?" Kakarotto asked after briefly explaining their situation and what they were in desperate need of.
She turned in little circle, looking about. The doors here had numbers. Her eyes lit up finally and she pointed out, "That one there."
"No one will notice?" Vejita asked, speaking more to himself than to the slave.
She grew fearful again, but softened once she noticed Kakarotto anxiously awaiting an answer. She shook her head, "No, no one comes here really. The slaves will all notice though."
Kakarotto took her hand, looking her dead in the eyes, "Please, you can't tell. Can you tell them too? Please!"
She smiled, leaning forward and kissing the boy chastely on the forehead, having to tiptoe to do so, "It is no problem, little prince. Give me a day to speak to them all. Don't come out. I will bring food. Okay?"
Kakarotto nodded enthusiastically, jumping up and down, hugging her fiercely, "Thank you!"
The woman laughed, pulling away. She waved goodbye as they opened the door labeled 0139 and filed in. The room was small, very small. There were no doorways, no other rooms within the little dwelling. It was simply a single room about five by four meters.
Nappa shut the door, flipping the lights on. They all stood silent for a few minutes, looking at their temporary home. "Well, it's not so bad." Nappa said, finding their predicament a bit amusing.
Kakarotto tilted his head, "Guess I should of brought more blankets. Maybe we can ask for more from… Oh! I didn't ask her name!"
Nappa laughed out then, unable to hold back. Even Tekita found himself smirking.
Vejita sighed, not amused at all. This was going to be hell. Four men in the little room, unable to leave for a day. How long would this last anyway? Someone was going to talk, someone was going to discover their location. Sooner or later they were going to have to face the music. Would it be negotiations? Battle? Surely his father was dealing with the situation. Hopefully the king was being cautious, the last thing they needed was an assassination.
Once things quieted down and they were all seated on the floor, fairly silent, the weight of the situation became clear. Tekita rested and elbow on his bent knee, "What happened with the council?"
Vejita shook his head, "They all knew. I don't know how, but they knew. I managed to get out of there before they rioted on me."
Nappa shook his head as well, "It just doesn't make sense. Suddenly all the soldiers were talking about it. Word spread like fire, and the next thing we knew they were banging on Kakarotto's door. They knew you were off to your morning duties, Sire. I don't know what they were planning to do with the young prince."
"Probably use him as bait." Tekita muttered.
"So, how did they find out in the first place? I mean, the rebels must have decided to let the secret out for whatever reason… I don't think they knew about our plans, but how'd they know in the first place?" Nappa said, not expecting an answer, merely thinking aloud.
Silence filled the air for a moment, everyone considering the many possibilities. Plain and simple, someone had figured it out. After all, the princes were always together, and if one were to simply pay attention, it was cinch to figure out. The constant touching, the looks, staring, the banter and flirting, their scents! It was all but obvious.
"What bothers me is being stuck in this cramped room." Vejita said with disgust, baring his teeth in a slight growl, annoyed.
"How long do you think we'll be in here?" Nappa asked, "What happens next?"
Sighing, the prince leaned his head back, resting it against the wall, closing his eyes, "Let's hope the king can smooth things over. Either he will and everything will be great, or he won't."
"Then what?" Kakarotto asked, worried.
Vejita sat up, looking to his son, "The people will revolt. If the king's not assassinated, we could join him and the few remaining loyal soldiers and fight. If he's dead, then it'd probably be for the best to simply fight our way out of here and come up with a battle strategy later. Maybe round up a small group of loyals, take the palace back."
Kakarotto scooted along the wall until he was side-by-side with his father. The older man spoke so plainly of the king's possible death and the battle to come, as if it were nothing, but Kakarotto knew better. "Isn't there another way?" He asked, making sure their thighs touched, the contact comforting.
"Maybe, but battle's the Saiya-jin way. Anything else is unlikely."
Nappa watched in silence. The air seemed heavy, the day's happenings were finally catching up with their minds. No doubt the entire planet knew now, and they saw nothing but a weak, incestuous prince. No would remember Prince Vejita's strength, his sheer ruthlessness in the days before the young prince's birth, and his compassion, however slight, in the days after.
This was really serious. Nappa leaned his head against the cool, steel wall. Through half-lidded eyes he watched the young prince sidle even closer to Vejita, their shoulders touching. In just a few more moments of silence, Kakarotto was leaning over, scooting down and resting his head on the prince's thigh. Nappa cracked a smile, but forced it away once he realized. Vejita would not be pleased to look up and see him smiling.
Glancing to his left, Nappa saw that Tekita was lying down, back against the wall, body curled in on itself in a protective manner. His son appeared distant at most times, unemotional even. But Nappa remembered a time long, long ago when his son had laughed and played with his older brother, screaming when afraid, crying when injured, just like children should. The brothers had remained close all their lives, all the way into adulthood. The death of Kiba had affected Tekita more so than it had Nappa. The bulky warrior knew his son would never been the same, though he'd hoped all along that time would heal the young man's wounds.
Now Tekita was locked in this mess with the rest of them. Nappa wondered if his son even cared what happened with the princes. He knew Tekita had become a little attached to the boy, but then, who wouldn't. The kid was pure charm.
Just hours ago they were waiting for Kakarotto to finish getting ready so that they might get a morning train in. They'd heard a commotion out in the hall and put two and two together. Next thing they knew, Vejita was there and they were all hurrying off. And now they were waiting for word from some strange slave woman.
Nappa decided to lie down as well. It was probably around noon, but his mind was exhausted, a nap would be good. Keeping his eyes ever so slightly open, he watched as Vejita slouched down, Kakarotto moving closer, his head resting further in the prince's lap, Vejita's hands moving slowly, comfortingly over the boy's shoulders and back. Nappa looked on for only a short while, feeling guilty for invading their privacy. Once he closed his eyes, it took mere minutes for him to fall asleep.
………………………………...
King Vejita was in a rage. How stupid all this was! He had the entire royal court in the throne room along with numerous soldiers. The place was packed, and from what he could tell, so was the outside hall. These men before him were angry and red-faced. They felt he'd known all along, which he denied immediately. The only way to survive this was to deny it for the horror it was. Surely these fools wouldn't forgive the prince, his son. He'd be lucky if they forgave him! And what of Kakarotto? Those who'd truly respected Prince Vejita spoke ill of Kakarotto, claiming the boy was in many ways, a seductress, an soft, sickly child born from a sickly woman. They claimed his simple-mindedness and his feminine looks had charmed many of them. What about Nappa? The highly respected soldier was missing? Had he known?
It was all bickering! These people were fighting amongst themselves, hardly hearing a word he said. The king wondered where his son was. The moment things had gone crazy, reports came in declaring both princes missing along with Nappa and Tekita. The lovely Ritsu had made the reports herself, seemingly more worried than himself. He learned she'd been a friend, comrade. She stood to his right now, no one knowing of her connection to all this.
Where were they hiding? No one could find them. No doubt they were safe, waiting it out somewhere. He just hoped he could handle this.
"Sire! What about all your talk of a secure future with three immortal heirs?" Cried an anonymous voice.
He rose to his feet, "The future is still secure! There are still three heirs! I'm quite capable, and though the prince has made a grave mistake, I still have great confidence in him!" He roared over the crowd, causing them to hush somewhat.
"And what about this mistake? What will you do when the prince finally comes forward?" This time he found a face to put to voice. It was a tall lanky soldier with an angry face.
"He shall be punished, and he will learn his damn lesson! No such weakness shall exist in my house! And Prince Vejita will be returned to us as he was before, the perfect future king!"
"And Young Prince Kakarotto?" Called a royal from the side wall, a gray-haired man.
"Kill him! He's a temptress, no true Saiya-jin!" The king couldn't find a face to match this voice, it was called out so quickly, before he'd been able to speak. Quite surprisingly, the crowd cheered. It seemed they loved Vejita more than Kakarotto, willing to put the fault on the boy.
The woman at his side chocked back a sob, trying her best to remain silent. The king ignored her, raising a hand in order to silence the mass, "Young Prince Kakarotto will be punished as well. I don't think death is necessary, but the two shall be separated."
A few cheers. Perhaps he was winning these people over? Who knew? Looking out, he still saw many angry faces. At least no one was calling him on his plans and their appearing weak. Last thing they needed now was for all three of them to appear useless. Should the people rally and see it that way, it'd be revolt in seconds.
The king answered a few more questions, dealt with the crowd for a couple more hours, then excused himself, telling the crowd that he was planning a more extensive search for the princes. That pleased them well enough and he escaped in one piece.
The woman, Ritsu, accompanied him into his private quarters on his request. She was wide-eyed, looking about nervously.
"You were close to my son?" He asked, hoping to gain some knowledge.
She shook her head, "Prince Vejita never liked me much. I close with the young prince, Sire."
The king's eyebrows rose, "A lover?"
"No. I mean, I wanted to be, but I hadn't known about…" She left it at that, afraid to even mention the situation in case it should anger the king.
"The search has been going for twenty-four hours. You looked everywhere? Surely you know of some secret place."
Ritsu calmed slightly, seeing that the king was desperate, "Sire, I really don't know where they've disappeared to, but… Don't you think it's for the best?"
He remained silent for a few moments, trying to decide what the hell would be best. He just didn't know! Realizing he was losing it in front of the woman, he ordered her out, demanding she return come morning. He watched her scamper out, a lovely creature really, beautiful figure, and obviously strong. Now why couldn't Kakarotto pair with that woman? Or even Vejita? What had compelled them to get involved with one another?
Exhausted and perhaps losing his mind, the king stripped off his clothes and got into bed. He worried a bit more as he lie in the dark, but his over-worked mind slipped away faster than normal, sleep bringing peace finally.
………………………………...
It had to be something like noon when a slight tapping sounded on the door. Kakarotto lifted his head from his father's lap, slight dizziness making his vision blur as he sat up. He saw that Nappa and Tekita were up and awake, talking quietly. He looked to his lover to find him asleep, head leaned back against the wall. Kakarotto shook his head, knowing the position to be uncomfortable. Vejita should have asked him to move if he was going to sleep.
The tapping came again and Nappa and Tekita grew silent, looking to the door. Kakarotto climbed to his feet, stretching like a cat as he made his way to the door.
The woman stood on the opposite side a large bundle at her feet. Kakarotto sniffed the air, knowing that several hot meals were waiting there in that bundle. He looked up then to see the woman's face was contorted with… sorrow, maybe? Her eyes were watery. Kakarotto reached out to touch her arm, causing the woman to flinch. This made the young prince smile. He reached out again, this time ignoring her hesitancy. He rubbed her arm up to her shoulder in a comforting manner.
She smiled, a tear spilling over and running down her left cheek, "I'm sorry Young Prince, but the others don't want you here. I tried to tell them, but they're scared."
Kakarotto had trouble concentrating on her words. The indigo of her skin was simply amazing to look at through the glistening wetness of her tears. It sunk in eventually though, and he couldn't help but smile, "It's okay. You tried, ne? Thank you. Now… Um…" His smile grew sheepish as he pointed at the food, "That's ours, right?"
She laughed, "Hai, hai!" The burden was somewhat difficult for her to lift. Kakarotto quickly took it from her. He wondered how she'd managed to carry it all the way here.
"You wanna come in? Eat?" He asked, turning to set the bundle in the middle of the room, leaving the door open.
She quickly shook her head, "Oh, no. I can't be here. The others are already mad at me. They say you have to leave right away or they'll tell."
This caused Kakarotto to frown. Where were they going to go then? This was the best place in the palace. Unless… "What's your name?" He asked, quite serious.
A bit startled, she answered immediately, "Lila, Sire."
Kakarotto wanted to tell her she didn't have to call him sire, but that wasn't important now, "Do you know a place we can hide?"
Her tears had dried. She looked down at her feet, speaking quietly, "I heard what's going on. I don't really understand it. Such things aren't so odd on my home planet, but no one here is happy. I understand why you're thinking to hide, but how long can you hide?"
"I dunno. Maybe just 'til we can figure out what to do. Please, Lila. I don't want to lose him." The last was said in a whisper, Kakarotto gesturing back towards the still sleeping prince.
Her smile returned as she nodded, "Okay. I know there are many storage rooms. I will look to find one not used. I'll be back tonight, okay?"
Kakarotto almost jumped out his shoes, wanting to throw himself forward, hug her dearly, but that would make her uncomfortable. She left quietly, and he closed the door, beaming as he turned to Nappa and Tekita, "Did ya hear?"
Nappa nodded, a bit wide-eyed, "I don't know how you manage to make friends with everyone, but I'm glad for it." He said, simply delighted. He hadn't really thought they'd be able to stay among the slaves, and he hadn't known what they were going to do, but thanks to Kakarotto, there was still hope.
"Now let's eat, ne?" Tekita said, completely serious, eyes pinned on the steaming bundle.
Kakarotto laughed, "Hai!" He turned then to his father, a bit worried to find the older man still sleeping, "Papa?" He gently shook Vejita's shoulders, becoming rather alarmed when nothing happened. "Papa!" He said louder, placing his hands on his father's face now, ever-so-gently running his thumbs over his closed eyelids.
Vejita stirred, feeling instantly a sharp pain in his head, the first sign of a severe headache, "Hm?"
The young prince smiled, "Morning. Time for breakfast."
He almost forgot where he was, thinking he didn't have time for breakfast. Surely he was late, he had to get to his morning duties. And what was Kakarotto doing up? He never rose early, always sleeping late. Then it all came back, their secret was out. They were in hiding. But he smelled food, and oh, he was hungry. "What the hell's going on?" He asked, sitting up away from the wall, his head swimming a bit.
Kakarotto sighed, "You slept bad. We're waiting while Lila, that slave woman, goes looks for another hiding place. We can't stay here, but we got food now. So, let's eat, okay?"
Vejita nodded, seeing the food now, a large shape wrapped in light blue material, "How long was I sleeping?"
The boy began removing the material, practically drooling as he did so. Within, there were four large containers covered in sweat. He set them out, one for each.
Nappa chuckled, Kakarotto wasn't thinking beyond the food. He looked to Vejita, "You've been asleep for quite a while."
The prince groaned, accepting his meal as Kakarotto passed it to him, "I feel like my heads going to explode."
This made Kakarotto look up, "It hurts?" He waited until he'd received a nod, "You should eat then, that's probably why."
The boxes were filled with heaping portions of meat and vegetables. Kakarotto's was gone in a heartbeat followed by Tekita. Vejita was surprised to find that eating helped, his headache fading slightly. He suspected it's true cause was stress though. They weren't in any current danger, but the road ahead was filled with peril, a shadow cast on their future.
The slave woman showed up late, the night already halfway over. When they opened the door, Vejita simply pulled her inside so that no one would see or become suspicious. She seemed truly frightened of him.
Kakarotto ignored her fear, happily asking her questions, "Well, Lila, did ya find someplace?"
It was strange how a smile blossomed on her face the instant he spoke to her or touched her hand. It made Vejita smirk. How good his lover was at winning hearts.
"Yes, I did, Young Prince. It took me a while, there are soldiers searching everywhere, but I found a perfect place, only…" She hesitated, her smile faltering.
"What?" Tekita asked, drawing near.
She sighed, "It is a long way, opposite side, in the medical wing. It's an old storage room, very dusty. No one goes there or even knows it is there."
"Do you think the search will calm down a bit? Wouldn't shouldn't be moving about in the middle of it." Nappa said, sitting back on his heels.
"I doubt it'll slow down much. Besides, we can't wait. I'm sure these slaves are ready to turn us in as it is." Vejita said, obviously aggravated.
Without much choice, they decided to go for, Kakarotto managing to keep spirits high with his optimism. Lila explained where it was and the best way to go. She told them the search was strongest in the areas where the soldiers' quarters were located and particularly where their rooms had been. Oddly enough, the training halls were all being watched closely as well, not to mention the mess hall. It didn't leave them a very clear path. They'd have to be quick and quiet.
Only Kakarotto bid Lila farewell, hugging her close and wishing her well. She waved them off and disappeared into the dark, perhaps slipping into her own room. They walked with little fear to the end of the corridor, peering out cautiously.
"You have to walk silently." Vejita whispered to each of them, "Especially you." He said, tapping his son in the chest. "I know you know how. Do it" He turned then to Nappa and Tekita as well, speaking again to all of them, "No sounds at all, not even breathing."
Nappa and Tekita nodded, understanding perfectly. Only Kakarotto whispered, "Wait."
"What?" Vejita hissed, a bit annoyed as he'd been ready to dash out.
"My shoes. It's harder to run and be quiet with shoes on." He whispered, tugging each boot of and setting it down carefully.
Vejita rolled his eyes and gestured that they gather close. "Now." He whispered, darting out into the wider corridor, staying against the edge and running swiftly along it. He sensed Tekita behind him, followed by Nappa, followed by Kakarotto. Why was the boy bringing up the rear?
They stayed low, seeing no one as they sped along. They stopped once they reached the main training hall, staying hidden in a narrow hall that lead to maintenance closet. Their were guards ahead, many. It was absurd really. What did they think? That the princes couldn't stand it and would come out to train? Ridiculous.
They gathered together again, Tekita's breathing a bit noticeable, but no worries.
"How do you want to go around them?" Nappa asked, gesturing with a nod towards the training hall entrance.
Vejita sighed, "I don't know. Maybe I can watch while all of you run across and blast anyone that looks at us." It was a shot in the dark really, the first thing that popped into his head.
Kakarotto shook his head, "No, cause then they'd know we were there. We can just run really fast by. If they notice us, just keep going."
"No way. They'll see us." Tekita hissed.
"There's about twenty of them in there." Vejita said, his voice doubtful.
"No, run really fast, faster than they can see. Just zip." Kakarotto explained, using his hands to demonstrate.
The prince looked to Nappa, "Can you move that fast?"
Nappa snorted, "Don't worry about me. I'll manage." The bulky warrior said, not quite sure but willing to try.
"Well there's no was I can, not while remaining silent. I mean, just the motion would make enough wind to cause them to notice. No way." Tekita said, completely serious. He knew the limits of his capabilities.
Kakarotto sighed, "Okay, I'll help you then. And you can help Nappa, Papa."
Before any of them knew what was happening, the decision was made and Kakarotto was moving forward, holding Tekita's arm. He crept to the edge, Tekita all the while motioning that it was a no go, that he couldn't do it. The young prince ignored all this, peeking around the corner. The moment everyone seemed preoccupied with something one of the guards had said, he raced across, dragging Tekita with him, nearly lifting the warrior meter off the floor to ensure silence. Tekita wondered if he didn't look like a rag doll being dragged along by a child. They made it safely, Kakarotto's skills well refined. Even Vejita was impressed. Normally Kakarotto was the one making all the noise, stomping around, flopping down here and there. It was something to see the boy using what he had.
Nappa, still impressed with the display, was taken by surprise when the prince pushed him out into the open. Without a second though, Nappa blasted forward, trying his best to remain silent. Obviously he wasn't moving fast enough since about halfway across Vejita put his hands to his back and pushed him along at what seemed record speed.
Safe on the other side, they kept moving. There wasn't a nook for them to hide in now, just the bare wall. As before, Vejita lead the way, Kakarotto bring up the rear. The prince hadn't thought to question his son on this a moment ago, and he surely couldn't now. No doubt the boy was worried about Nappa and Tekita since they weren't quite up to par with them. Still, it made Vejita uncomfortable.
The next stretch of hall wasn't too bad. They did pass one warrior, but he was obviously thinking hard on something, for he didn't even look up. The next bit was the corridor that ran along the edge of a section of soldiers' quarters. The rooms were all down smaller halls, but several of these halls connected to the main one they were traveling. It was a mere thirty yards or so, nothing too horrible. Hopefully the guards wouldn't be near.
Vejita didn't even slow up. He reached back, grabbed Nappa's arm and kept moving, speeding up like before. He hoped Kakarotto caught on, knew he would. They turned a corner and were bombarded with guards. Many were standing about, discussing something heatedly. The prince kept moving, hoping whatever concerned them was enough to keep them from noticing. The medical wing wasn't too far now.
Kakarotto caught on easily, saw what his father was thinking, believed it to be the best course of action. He even hurried Tekita along as his father had done Nappa earlier. Only, when they passed the many guards, he hear a word, a name. Lila.
He hesitated, looking harder as they passed and spotted the slave woman being held within the opening of one of the many smaller corridors that lead to the rooms further down. She was upset, her cheeks soaked with tears. One of the guards was yelling at her.
Anger tight in his chest, Kakarotto sped up, forcing Tekita's hand onto Nappa's and turning back. He had to do something. He'd just grab her and keep going. She could stay with them. He did a U-turn, not slowing down.
Nappa looked back when he felt his son's hand on his arm, but couldn't see much but blur. He did manage to make out his son's face and features. He appeared troubled and was perhaps mouthing something, but Nappa couldn't make it out. Why was Tekita holding onto him anyway? Was Kakarotto back there beyond that blur. Whatever. It didn't matter. Right now Vejita had hold of them and they were moving with record speed. Nothing could be said or done until they stopped. Nappa wasn't worried though, Kakarotto had made quite a show earlier. Who knew he could be so graceful?
………………………………...
Kakarotto headed straight for Lila, planning to snatch her right out of the soldier's arms. However, she saw him. Perhaps her species had excellent vision for she saw him coming and cried out, "Young Prince!"
The guards were instantly on alert, sorting out air waves and sounds, looking about and sniffing, "He's here." One of them said, powering up.
Not sure what to do, Kakarotto moved quickly around a deserted corner and waited, catching his breath. How was he going to save her now? They knew he was there, smelled him no doubt.
He was thinking hard on it when one of them called out, "Come out or we'll kill the woman!"
He cringed, his eyes watering. His father was going to be so angry! But what else could he do? He couldn't let them hurt her just because of him. Kakarotto stopped, calming his mind, trying not to become desperate. Maybe he could injure one or two and still get her away. He peeked around the corner. Four guards had their hands on her, holding her tight, one with and open palm to her head, prepared to blast her to nothing. No, there was no way with them holding her like that. He could perhaps save her if he were to take several of them out, kill them on the spot.
Kakarotto stopped and thought about it. Seriously thought about it. Tears sprung to his eyes. There was no way. He couldn't kill someone over such silly nonsense. However, just injuring them wouldn't do it. Lila would be hurt or killed that way. He fretted over it for what felt like hours, but only minutes were passing.
"He's not coming out." One of them growled, perhaps a bit fearful.
"Is he even here?" Murmured another.
"Oh, he's still here. I can almost hear him thinking."
"Okay, that's it!" The first one yelled, "Come out now or she's dead!"
Still, Kakarotto hesitated, unsure and afraid. If he went to them, what would happen? They couldn't kill him or restrain him. Or could they? Did they have means for such restraint? He didn't know. The last thing he wanted was to be captured though. If they caught him, they would get Vejita. Kami, he was so confused! But he just couldn't leave Lila. She'd helped them!
"What do we even need her for?" Asked a new voice, "Just kill her."
"Wait." He said, stepping around the corner, feeling miserable but trying his best to appear confident.
To be continued…
Is it just me or has my writing style changed a bit here towards the end of this chapter? I'm not sure if it's better or worse. shrugs
Anyway, sorry for ending in the middle of things, but I'm pooped. Need to sleep! ZzzZZZ
Thank you for reading! Until next time…