Chapter 9

East Kaioshin had spent the remainder of the day sitting in his room and looking through the eastern universe with his crystal ball. When he had finished the third sweep over every galaxy and every planet within it, he felt a sigh of relief come over him. Majin Buu hadn't touched his quadrant…at least not yet.

Leaving his crystal ball in his room behind him, East Kaioshin wondered outside to the lake, where he knew he could find at least some peace and hopefully catch up on the book he had started the day before.

Only when he arrived at the lake, he had found that his spot under the tree was already being occupied. "I see you enjoy sitting here as much as I do," he said when he saw the bush of purple hair.

Sabrina jumped, not having realized that East Kaioshin was there. She started to get to her feet to bow and give up her seat, but Kaioshin held up his hand to stop her. "I don't mind sharing the spot. The planet is big enough for the both of us," he joked.

Sabrina gave a shy smile and let her self lean back against the tree. Kaioshin knew she didn't know what to say to him—not that he really knew what to say to her either. But he attempted to start somewhere. "Is there something bothering you?" He asked finally, seeing her look of anxiety.

Sabrina's green eyes darted over to him and she quickly shook her head and gave a stuttered, "N-no, sir."

East smiled. "I too like to come here, though, to get away from the hassles of life. I don't know what the others have told you, but sometimes being a god isn't as easy as it may seem." He looked over at her, seeing that she listened contently and hung on his every word. "Arden can be a pain and very demanding sometimes, Sabrina, but you have to learn to ignore him. Don't let him get to you."

Sabrina's eyes widened and she began to blush uncontrollably. "They said you could read someone's mind, but…well, I never thought you'd read mine."

"You're mind is like an open book begging to be read," he said lightly. "But don't let that discourage you. You have a pure heart Sabrina."

"Thank you," she said quietly and stood up. "I should go."

East got to his feet as well and bowed respectively. His face smirked when he saw the confusion on her face. "I was taught to always be polite to a lady," he added with a wink.

Once Sabrina was gone, East sat down and opened his book to where he left off the day before. He must have read two paragraphs before his eyes closed and he fell into a light sleep. If it wasn't for West Kaioshin's hysterical laughing, he probably would've slept longer.

East opened his eyes to see North Kaioshin cursing up a storm with his fishing pole. The fish he had almost caught not only chewed the cord, but by some miracle it managed to snap it back up at North Kaioshin, causing it to crack in half.

East shook his head with a smile, knowing only someone like North could have such a thing happen to him. "Yet another day on Kaioshin-kai," he said to himself as he stood up and stretched. As he turned his head towards the mansion, he saw someone casually walking around.

He had hoped for another opportunity to talk to Sabrina, and he felt this was his chance. Although he had tried to take his time, East Kaioshin found that his feet carried him quite quickly to Sabrina as she stopped in the back gardens and sat down on a stone bench.

"So we meet again," he said softly, hoping not to startle her again. Unfortunately his efforts had been futile and she jumped to her feet, bowing immediately. "Sabrina, please. I'm not much of a fan for those bows."

"Well, Cilla told me that we must bow every time we see any one of the gods," she told him.

"Yes, that's what you're supposed to do," East admitted. "So let's make a deal. If it's just you and me, don't worry about the bow; only do it if someone else is present."

"Alright," she said, unsure of his sweet attitude towards her.

"Mind if I join you?" East asked, receiving a nod for an answer. He sat down, although she scooted over to the edge so they wouldn't be sitting directly next to each other. It was then that he felt he was making her uncomfortable.

Standing up to leave, he noticed that Sabrina was watching his every move. "I completely forget to do something. I'll see you later, Sabrina." As he walked away, he couldn't help but glance over his shoulder as he rounded the corner of the house, and as he expected, her eyes had been following him.

East smiled to himself and went inside, going to the library and finding a comfortable position on the large sofa seat.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Eventually, Sabrina had become more comfortable with East Kaioshin's kindness. He finally was able to act normally around her, knowing now that she no longer thought that he wanted her for one reason.

"I assure you, I'm not that type of person," he had said.

"I understand, Master East," she returned with a smile. "Its just…some people here aren't as respectful as you are, even in your position."

"My position?" East laughed.

"Well, your godliness, I mean, you're one of the greatest people in the universe and you don't act like it. I mean, well not in a bad way, but you're so nice and kind and stuff…I mean…"

"Sabrina, you're confusing yourself," East said with a gentle laugh. "I know what you're trying to say, though. And thank you."

Sabrina's cheeks turned a rosy red, and she looked away from his gaze. Instead, she watched a few birds on the water and hugged her knees.

"You know, I never had a chance to ask you why you chose to come here," East told her.

Sabrina shrugged. "Well, it was the only thing I could think of to do at the time. My father passed away, and my mother is very sick. I was a drink server at a buffet, but that wasn't enough to pay the doctor visits. So I came here."

"Do you like it here?" He asked, hoping that answer would be a yes.

"Honestly, I was a little scared at first," she told him. "I didn't know anyone, and I was afraid that if I made any mistake they'd toss me out."

East shook his head. "We wouldn't do that to you," he said.

Sabrina smiled. "It's been better since I've been talking to you." Sabrina made a sudden gasp, shocked that she had told him that.

"It's alright," he said. "I'm honored. As long as you're happy, that's all I care about."

"You're so sweet, Master East," she commented.

"Kaioshin."

"What?"

"I don't mind if you call me Kaioshin. Technically that's my name. East is just a title to separate me from the others."

"I couldn't do that…I mean it's not proper. I'm only a servant, after all."

Kaioshin looked at her, knowing his expression would tell her that he meant what he said. "I want you to. It'll be a nice change. Besides, if we're to have these talks, then why not do it on a name-to-name basis?"

"Alright then," said Sabrina, her smile reappearing. "I'll try not to forget."

"I don't think you will," he told her.

Sabrina wasn't sure what to say to his remark, but the sound of Cilla calling for her through one of the second floor windows caused her to jump to her feet. "Oh no, I forgot I promised to do Sashay's chores!"

"Why her chores?"

"She's not feeling well, and I promised her as a favor," Sabrina told him. "Oh, she's going to have my head that they're not done!"

"Sabrina, don't worry about it. Cilla won't say anything if I take the blame."

"Kaioshin, sir, I can't let you take the blame for my carelessness."

Kaioshin put a hand on her shoulder. "Yes you can. It's clearly my fault. Tell Cilla that you were talking to me, and I promise she'll leave you alone."

"Well, if you're sure." Sabrina started walked down the bricked path to the back door. "I'll see you later then?"

"Of course," Kaioshin replied and watched her leave.

He didn't know what it was about her that he was attracted to. He hated the fact that people liked certain people on looks alone, but he knew he adored her appearance. It wasn't just that, however. Never in his life did he find it comfortable or even easy to talk to someone other than his fellow gods who didn't treat him like they had to worship every moment they were in his presence as if it were a joke.

East Kaioshin remembered how he felt when he kissed West Kaioshin like it was yesterday. His stomach had turned every moment he touched her and his heart raced with the moment of the kiss.

What East was trying to figure out was why he felt the same feeling around Sabrina when he had never even laid a hand on her shoulder. Have I fallen in love with her? He asked himself as he opened his eyes and snapped his fingers for his book to appear.

After sitting out in the garden long after Sabrina left, Kaioshin felt it was time for him to go inside and ready himself for dinner. It was then something caught his attention—and it wasn't for the good. He heard cries for help, and a muffled scream coming from down the hall across from the east wing.

No matter who it was, they had to be helped, but he feared it was Sabrina. And his guess was right. He immediately barged through the door and was astounded at the sight he saw. Arden had pushed Sabrina to the bed in the room and was frantically trying to ripe her clothes off and at the same time trying to kiss her.

Kaioshin grabbed the back of Arden's neck and threw him across the room. Arden's body had cracked the wall from the force the god had used to toss him and he slid down to the floor.

Sabrina hadn't realized East Kaioshin had appeared, but she was more than grateful for what he did. She cuddled herself up on the pillows against the headboard of the bed and tried to hold her ripped clothes over her.

"You're Excellency, this isn't what it looked," Arden started, obviously trying to make a quick recovery after having the wind knocked out of it.

"Don't start with me," East Kaioshin spat back at him. "I will not tolerate such disobedience and disrespect on this planet."

"Sir, if you'd let me explain—"

"Silence!" Kaioshin yelled, causing even Sabrina to wince at his harshness. "You have until dawn to be off Kaioshin-kai. If I ever see you not only near this girl, but anywhere near this house ever again, you will wish you never stepped foot here in the first place. Do you understand me?"

Arden cracked his neck as he stood up, staring at Sabrina the entire time.

"Look at me when I'm speaking to you!" Kaioshin yelled once again. "Do you understand what I have just said?"

"Yeah, I get you," he said as he started to leave the room. "You want her for yourself, don't you? And you know damn well she'll bow down to your feet. The great god of the east always gets what he wants, doesn't he? Isn't that right Sabrina?"

"You have just decreased your packing time until sunset tonight. And I mean business," Kaioshin added more calmly, although he could still feel his blood boiling and rushing through every vein in his body.

"You'll regret it one day," he muttered as he stared East Kaioshin down with his tiny eyes.

Finally, Arden left, glancing once more at Sabrina, who turned her head and looked at the comforter on the bed. It was over. And the moment the despicable Kai had left, Sabrina broke down in tears.

Kaioshin's nerves settled down and he quickly sat down next to her, putting his arm around her shoulder, attempting to cover up her cold skin with her torn blouse. "Its alright, he's not coming back," he said softly, his mellow voice returning.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to cry," Sabrina sniffed as she used her thumb to catch one of her falling tears.

"You have every right to cry," Kaioshin cooed as he hugged her, bringing her head to rest on his chest and let his vest catch her tears. Seeing her cry practically broke his heart, and it was then that he realized he was in love with her. Although he didn't want to think of the consequences of loving a servant, he couldn't let that cloud his mind with the matter at hand.

Sabrina had clung to him, crying softly into his chest, apologizing over and over for no reason. "I was so scared…"

"I know. I know," he repeated.

After several minutes, Sabrina sat up and dried her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'm alright, really I am. Thank you, Kaioshin. If it weren't for you…I don't even want to think what would have happened."

"I couldn't let anything happen to my girl, now could I?" After letting such words out, he quickly thought of something to cover it up before he gave her the wrong idea. "I've grown quite fond of our little afternoon chats."

After that, Kaioshin knew he had better leave before he inserted another foot into his mouth. But as he stood up, he surprised even himself when he kissed her forehead. Sabrina looked up at him with wet eyes, but he could feel that she was better.

"Go clean yourself up," he told her. "I'll have someone bring you dinner. Do not worry about anything else tonight. Everything you have to do will be taken care of."

"Oh, Kaioshin, I couldn't possibly—"

"You deserve it after this terrible ordeal. I'm sorry that it had to happen in the first place." With that, he walked out of the room and headed down towards the kitchen. All of the cooks stopped what they were doing and bowed at the sudden visit from East Kaioshin. "Sabrina is to have the rest of the night off after a crisis. See to it that Arden leaves the planet by sunset. And I'd greatly appreciate it if one of you brought her a warm meal."

Kaioshin returned to his room soon after. The emotions he had felt for West were nothing like what he felt for Sabrina. He had thought perhaps it was just the beauty he saw in her, but it wasn't just physical attraction. Sabrina was the kindest person he had ever met—more so than any of the other Kaioshins.

You're digging yourself a nice twenty-foot grave, East Kaioshin, he told himself as he went into the bathroom to wash for dinner.