Keiko meets Jal

Several days have passed since Keiko felt terribly sick. He had walked down the stairs to the kitchen. As usual the girls were cooking the food and Trunks was sitting there with his cup of coffee and muffin. Keiko shook his head. " Do you ever eat anything else Trunks?"

" Nah.. this little thing keeps me going all day. But then again, if I were back home I would need a lot more, just to keep up with my busy family. But enough about me, how are you doing? You look a bit better then you did a few days ago."

" I'm going much better. The pain went down slightly last night. I think I'm out of danger for now."

Ukyo smiled. " Well that's good… I cooked up a storm today."

" Do you think that is wise I mean in your condition and all?" He asked.

" Don't you take about me as though I'm so sick that I can't cook a simple meal! I'm just dan-.." She ran over to the sink and threw up again. " Damn it all…"

" I see you still got that morning sickness."

" Well that's not going to stop me from…." She leaned over and did it again.

" I think you should take it easy." Trunks said.

" I'm fine damn it! Don't treat me like a baby."

"I'm not."

" You were so."

" Was not!"

" I said you were!"

Keke sighs. " Those two, such children."

" Agreed."

Ukyo towered over both her siblings. " Who asked you!"

Keiko cringes. " Geez sorry."

Ukyo turns around and gets back to her cooking.

Keke looks back at her brother. " Uh Keiko… maybe you should take a bit of a walk… you do look a bit pale… and the outside may help you feel a bit better too."

" Fine, whatever!" Keiko angrily stalked through the empty streets, glaring at anything that passed his path. 'Why the hell am I out here anyway?' He growled to himself. Ah, that's right, the girls had kicked him out, claiming that he needed some fresh air and sun because of his pale complexion. "Damn sun, I'm perfectly fine." He pouted haughtily. As he was walking he didn't notice that he was traveling into the more busy parts of the lowly city, he didn't notice until he began seeing the flash of yellow gems in the sun and lazily waving tails.

He stiffened as he found himself in a sea of Sankanjin, all busying about the crowded streets. He felt his temper rise as they so ignorantly brushed by him, showing him no respect at all. No one ignored the Kanjin Prince, especially one such as Keiko. He growled and his power spiked dangerously as he began pushing his way through the throng of half breeds. "Out of my way you low lives." He spat. As he pushed past one particular gentlemen he heard a cry and glanced back to see a small child had been thrown to the ground because of his desperate urge to escape the crowd. His eyes flashed momentarily at the small girl but then he shrugged and stalked off. He met no others as he slowly made his way back toward the house. He sighed heavily and silently fingered a lock of hair. Why did he feel such anger towards the Sankanjin? Was it because of Kadin and what he was doing to Ukyo? He shook his head and glanced up to meet a pair of angry eyes.

" That wasn't very nice what you did back there." Ravi growled.

" Yeah, hurting little kids isn't proper." The black haired boy sneered.

Keiko growled and slowly backed away from Kadin's friends.

Ravi saw this and laughed. " What's wrong your highness?" He asked mockingly. "Scared of a little Sankanjin?"

Keiko froze and stiffened his shoulders proudly as he raised his chin. "Why would I show fear to filth such as you?" He smirked.

Ravi's eyes flashed angrily and he snapped his fingers. At the sound more Sankanjin appeared from the shadows to surround their current leader.

Ravi grinned. "While Kadin's away, I'm the leader of our little gang." He smirked.

Keiko paled at the looming figures, even if he was strong enough to take a few of them there were just too many. "Well, I think my friends here can show you the way out and back to your little castle." Ravi informed him evilly. At his words the group of youths moved forward menacingly toward Keiko.

" Damn." He snarled and turned to run. He didn't consider himself a coward, he was outnumbered and that gave him reason to run, for his life. As he sprinted through a dark alleyway, he heard the pounding of feet chasing after him so he knew he was still not safe. His sick body could not take all the movement though and he was soon coughing desperately for breath. " This isn't good." He wheezed as he wiped away the blood from his lips. He was rounding a corner when suddenly he felt hands on his arm and he was pulled into a dark crack, he panicked, thinking he had been caught.

" Relax my prince, you are safe." The feminine voice soothed. Keiko sagged against his rescuer, too tired to move as his body attempted to regain the air he had lost while fleeing. His chest rose painfully and when he breathed out a soft bubbling moan escaped his lips. The loud noise of pattering footsteps filled their ears suddenly as the group of thugs ran past their hiding place. Keiko grew stiff until the last of the boys disappeared. " We need to get you to a healer." The voice said again.

Keiko sat up and glanced over his shoulder, straining to see into the darkness.

" Who are you?" He asked curiously.

A pale hand appeared from the shadows into his line of vision and he immediately took it without thought, for the moment forgetting his title and the fact that he didn't shake hands with commoners. " I am Jal." The voice said softly. Keiko frowned at the name and pulled on the hand to lead the figure out of the darkness. They escaped their little hideaway and Keiko turned to his rescuer. An exotic second class stood before him, her blue diamond now glinting in the light. Her pale skin was a washed by color as her long white locks cascaded down her shoulders and back in a gentle wave. And he couldn't help staring into her bright golden eyes which flashed brightly. Her appearance was striking to say the least and Keiko found himself slightly breathless. Jal saw this and immediately came to his side in worry. "We need to get you help." She said firmly, blaming his flushed condition on his sickness.

Keiko allowed her to drape his arm over her shoulder and they struggled out of the alleyway. He was still curious though as to why this second class would be here with the filth of their planet. " Why are you here?" He asked bluntly.

The girl seemed slightly startled by his bluntness but smiled. " I was banished." She said simply. Keiko's eyes widened, it was no small thing to be banished from your home, you would have to be someone very evil to succumb to such a fate. He became wary of his new friend and pulled back a little. " I'm not going to kill you." Jal smiled.

Keiko flushed and bowed his head in embarrassment. " Why were you banished?" He asked curiously.

Jal sighed. " I was having an affair with a Saiyan, my parents found out and reported me to the guard, it didn't help that I was a healer so they suspected me of witchcraft too." She shook her head.

" You're a healer?" Keiko asked incredulously.

The girl smiled. "Yes, a very talented one I might add, that's why I know you need help." She informed him.

Keiko shook his head. "You can't help me, no one can because this isn't a normal sickness." He sighed. 'Damn Saiyans.'

Jal looked at him oddly. "You were infected by a Saiyan were you not?" She asked.

Keiko turned sharply to her. " Where did you hear such nonsense?" He demanded.

She chuckled and tapped her head. "Your thoughts are leaking out."She smiled.

Keiko flushed and reigned in his memories. "I was attacked by a Saiyan, why is the relevant?" He asked.

Jal became thoughtful. " I might have something to stop the pain, it won't cure you but at least you'll be able to deal with it." She said locking eyes with him.

He froze and nodded slowly, becoming lost in her hypnotizing gaze. 'Her eyes are so strange yet beautiful.' He thought to himself.

" Then let's go get you help." Jal smiled, pulling him after her. Keiko was at a lost for words, here he was in the lowliest city of their planet, allowing a second class to pull him along as though it were normal. "Don't worry, I won't let anyone see us." Jal said cheerfully.

'Can she still hear my thoughts? She must be powerful if she can still read me even when I'm shielding myself.' He thought.

" I suppose it comes with my healing ability." She said, reading his thoughts. "I'll stop though if it bothers you."

Surprisingly he didn't mind so he shook his head. 'This place must be affecting me more then I thought, I would never act this way back at home.' He frowned at the thought.

"This place does have it's way with you, but in the end it's always better." She grinned. She then stopped and Keiko looked up in surprise to see a small house before them. " Welcome to my home." Jal smiled. She led him into the house and the smell of herbs immediately hit his senses. His eyes watered painfully and he moved to rub the irritation away. Which was one of the reasons why he missed the tiny figure come barreling into the room.

" Momma!" The little voice squealed.

His eyes popped open at that and he looked down to the chibi wrapped around her skirts. 'Why did I think that I ever had a chance with her?' He sighed sadly.

The tiny boy looked up at him oddly. " Are you going to be my new daddy?" He asked innocently.

" Zanth!" Jal cried in embarrassment.

Keiko choked in surprise and looked to Jal for answers. She flushed and smiled apologetically. "As I mentioned before I was banished here with my mate, I may have forgotten to mention that he died in one of the wars." She said.

"And left you with a child." Keiko said looking at the small boy.

He had his mother's golden eyes but his hair is what really caught the eye. Because of his Saiyan blood he had black hair which was streaked with white locks. He brushed his small tail around his waist and continued to stare at Keiko. "You're sick." He said matter of factly.

Keiko looked to Jal again. " He has my talents." She shrugged, smile strained.

He followed her into another room which was filled with all sorts of curious objects. He watched mutely as she picked up a particularly strange looking vile.

" This is it, it is only a pain killer remember." She warned.

He eagerly took it from her hands, any promise to stop the pain was good news to him. He downed the bitter liquid in one gulp and waited for it to take effect. It did so almost immediately and his shoulders sagged.

He bit his lip as tears came to his eyes. " This is the first time in a long while that the pain has actually stopped." He smiled through his tears. Jal embraced him and he stiffened for a moment before hugging her back. "Thank you." He whispered.

Jal smiled and nodded. " Anything for you my prince." She replied.

To be continued…

Hey everyone. How was that? Alright I know I did focus on Keiko more on this chapter… but I love it. This chapter was co written by my co author, KitsuneAkai13. She is the one who made up the girl and her son… great idea by the way! Thanks again for all your help. Well I hope you all enjoyed it. Please review. Till next time.

Trunks and goten