Chapter 7

It had been an hour and Vegeta had fallen to sleep. This gave Sophia change into a spandex suit, blue like Vegeta's, and time to think about her little memory.

I couldn't remember that before. But I can now. But how? Why do I remember that now? Why not last year? Why not years ago? Why now? And it can't be true. Frieza was nice to me. Indeed he must have used me to get his father off his back, but he didn't have to be that…intimate. He scares me so much. Yes that's right. I admit that he scares me. The fact that he is out there, with Kold coming to his rescue, with a battalion for him no doubt, that scares me. He could arrive on planet Vegeta in days! The black hole wasn't that far away. I could always fall for Kold's ploy and believe that he will punish him and keep him under his thumb. How I wish I was that stupid. He is out there and I have memories about him that are not only foreign to me, but frightening. Frieza, if that was him, had gotten really close to me and used me. To think that his lips were on mine, that his tongue was in my mouth and from my memory down my throat, makes me feel so, so…vulnerable. I hate being vulnerable, trapped and helpless. How did I get so weak? When did I change from a trained assassin, feared by half the universe, to a pretty little princess who wears dresses and is mated off like a slave. And don't get me back to the whole Frieza problem again. I cant handle all of this. Sophia sighed loudly and huffed. She continued to think as she sunk her cheeks into her hands and stared out the window, out to space. And what do I do about being mated off? I can't refuse, I have no choice. Vegeta will no doubt have more say in the matter than I do. But he can't help me either. No one can help me now. And who will I marry? Will he be strong? Will he be kind? I don't want this I don't want any of this. All of the races at that table were and are weak, unattractive and spineless. And they will no doubt want to suppress me. Dominate me. There is no man in this universe that can dominate me. YES! That's it! I will be so outrageously myself that I will scare them off and show them just who is boss of my own life. Me, oh yeah. Oh who am I kidding. I would just be a bitch then and that is just what they will want. A nice, pretty, powerful woman to have their children. I don't want to do this. I hate this. I should be worrying about Frieza, not being mated off! I am powerless to prevent either even happening. It will be way too late to stop Kold now. Frieza will probably be on his own ship, thinking of lovely ways to remove my backbone and bleed me dry. I hate this. I hate being weak.

"I hate this…"

"Hate what?" Sophia's eyes met with a now conscious Vegeta and she smiled very, very weakly.

"Everything really." They both chuckled but Vegeta saw that Sophia had forced her laugh.

"I will sort this. Do not worry. We are here." Vegeta took her wrist and pulled her down an opening door. The first thing she saw was the relieved face of her mother waiting for her.

"Darling! You were missed my dear. You are late."

"Late?"

"For the council meeting. Surely you didn't forget the meeting where your very future will be decided?"

"That's what you think!" Vegeta stormed out, rage renewed and ready to take the whole planet on. Sophia however had surpassed anger and rage; she was now onto disbelief and sorrow. Vegeta ignored his mother and took Sophia's wrist again, leading her to the meeting room. He moved so quickly that it seemed mere seconds before they arrived to the very gob smacked room. Vegeta stood tall, ready for a rant.

"So here are the spineless cowards that I have heard all too much of." Vegeta spat and looked directly at his father, who instantly responded with just as much malice.

"We are the strongest and best of the universe and I beg your pardon my boy but I ask you to show me, the council and your future brother in law more respect."

"BROTHER IN LAW! I will have NO such brother in law. I will not allow you to go through with this MOCKERY of an attempt to 'strengthen relations' through Soph. I will not let you do this. And let's not even begin with your stupidity and compulsive need to give in to the Ice-jins shall we?"

"HOW DARE YOU! Remember your place boy and sit down. This is a place of discussions and talk, and respect, so wait until appropriate and you will have your say."

"Oh don't worry, I will." Vegeta sat down opposite his father and Sophia was still stood by the door. She stepped inside and regretted it immediately. She had changed out of her dress into a blue spandex under suit. It clung to her shapely figure and toned body. Basically, she received many looks…that she didn't like. Once again, the only place left was beside her father. She took her seat and was relieved to see the chair next to her was empty, no Kold.

But wait! That means he has already left! We have to leave soon. As much as I want Vegeta to try to get me out of being mated off, Frieza's escape is more important for us to prevent.

And she wouldn't have to wait long. The king stood tall and glared at his son. Now was the first time that Sophia surveyed the table. The same people were here as yesterday but there were all joined by one extra person. Every 'extra person' was young, male and were all drooling over her. But there was one more thing about them she noticed, they were all butt ugly. The king had obviously had enough of not intimidating Vegeta as he began to speak.

"Friends. I know I have asked you all to bring the princes of your planets to be considered as the future mate of my daughter, but I require more time to think upon a suitable suitor for her. So I ask that you stay here in the provided guest rooms until I have made my decision. Thank you and that is all." Everyone other than the King, Vegeta and Sophia left the room. now Vegeta wouldn't no longer be silenced.

"Nice delaying tactic. Now we 'talk'."

"Let me give you my side of the events. Sophia will be upset and will not see the full picture."

"I am listening." Vegeta crossed his arms demandingly and waited, with his trademark scowl on his face.

"Sophia. I wish to talk to my boy in private. Besides, your mother wishes to speak with you."

"No. I want to be here too. I deserve to be here! This is my future you are talking about and this isn't even the most important matter at hand. Kold isn't here which means that he is out there, freeing Frieza. And he will be on his way here with revenge on his mind. We need to prepare for war."

"SOPHIA! The Ice-jins are a trustworthy race and I trust Kold, and he would never betray this family."

"But it was Kold who said that Frieza could take me and Vegeta from you 20 years ago in the first place." Sophia slapped her hands over her mouth. How was she going to explain this one?

"What do you mean? Sophia?"

"We can't trust them father." Sophia turned to Vegeta desperately. "Listen. Let father do what he likes with my future, just come with me and let's stop Kold!"

"We should stop them…" Vegeta, not all too pleased that Sophia had just given in to their father, realised that she spoke the truth. Frieza was the biggest worry right now, not their father and his hopes to mate her off. But obviously the king had other ideas.

"Now you two. You are going no where. I think that Vegeta and I need to talk. Go to your mother and I promise to be fair. Go, now."

"Fine, but after Vegeta." She turned to her brother. "We leave." Sophia turned and walked quickly to her room. she was furious. It was her future they were talking about and she wasn't even aloud to be there. Even Vegeta didn't object to her not being there. He would punish him for that later. Right now she could use this extra time to train and become stronger for her next encounter with Kold, and possibly Frieza.

With Vegeta and the king.

"Now father. Where were we? Oh yes I remember, I was calling you an idiot and telling you that Soph will not be matted off." Vegeta stated calmly yet with enough malice to start his own war.

"And I will say this in response. She will be mated off just as you would have been if you hadn't given yourself to a primitive human woman and had a child. I would have chosen her mate right here and now, but I have another in mind."

"But everyone was here?" Vegeta closed his eyes and went over every person that had been present at the meeting. "Yes they were all present. Unless another planet has joined the alliance that you haven't told me about.

"Never mind. But we need to secure the future of the thrown. You will not rule here because of your family ties to that Earth planet. So Sophia is the only one left to secure the thrown. And we are weak from the war. We need to become stronger and with Sophia marrying into another, stronger, royal family, we will be safe."

"So you are telling me that you are doing all this, to secure the thrown and the future of our race?"

"Yes."

Vegeta wanted, as a big brother, to scream and rant at his father. But the truth was he agreed with his father. Tactically it was a good idea and would secure the thrown from other planets and the planet Vegeta from a revolution. After many grunts and 'mmm's, not to mentions a few damns and curses, Vegeta finally decided that he agreed with his father. But he would not be the one to tell her.

"Fine." Vegeta spat and got to his feet and left, without acknowledging his father. King Vegeta smirked, realising that he had won.

"Now all I need to do is convince Sophia like I convinced Vegeta."

A scowling Vegeta found Sophia in the training hall, beating up a few soldiers that had wolf whistled at her. She was powered up to Super Saiyan which caught him off guard. He didn't know she could ascend to Super Saiyan. Vegeta powered up and flew at his sister, who immediately dodged and counter punched him in the stomach, hard.

"You are scowling. It didn't go well I take it?" Sophia launched both fists at her brother who caught them. Hands interlocked the two Saiyans began a test of strength, attempting to force the other one back. So far they were drawing, neither of them being able to budge the other one.

"You could say that." Vegeta managed through clenched teeth. At her level he was finding it difficult to over power her. he decided that he would either have to try a different approach or power up further. Wanting to be fair on her, he decided to use a different approach.

"Why? What happened?" Instead of answering her Vegeta relaxed, sending Sophia forward. he crouched down, still holding her hands and pressed his knees against her stomach. As she came forwards he applied pressure to her gut and released her hands, double booting her like a spring over him until she met with the floor. "Vegeta what happened!" Sophia spat, charging at him with such a force that she took him down in a rugby fashion. Still he didn't answer her, simply fighting back and exchanging blow for blow. "VEGETA! TELL ME WHAT IS TO BE MY FATE!" Sophia landed a hard fist through his defences and collided with his jaw. Snapping his head to one side and forcing him to stumble backwards. She came at him again, this time he brought his hands up in surrender stopping her in her tracks. "Vegeta?"

"You are to be matted off when father decides who is most suitable. I can not help you." Sophia dropped her stance and fell to her knees.

"I knew it!" she sobbed. "I knew I would be doomed forever!" full tears took priority of her face and cascade down her cheeks.

"Don't cry Soph." Vegeta put his arms around his sister, trying to comfort her. "I am not used to seeing you cry…please don't."

"Leave me alone."

"But."

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Sophia jumped to her feet and ran out of the hall, leaving a very hurt Vegeta feeling confused. Once again she ran blind, hands on her face to hide her tears. She ran in autopilot to he room but smashed into one of the last people she wanted to see.

"Back so soon Princess?" Sophia looked up and was momentarily caught off guard buy the being that now held her in his arms. King Kold was smirking down at her with an evil twinkle in his eyes. "I didn't expect to see you for a while."

"I am full of surprises." She spat, furious as hell at the Ice-jins king. Then it hit her. This is excellent! He hasn't left yet! There is still a chance that we can stop him from freeing Frieza!

"Believe me my dear I have noticed. You look upset. What is troubling you my dear?"

"Nothing that has anything to do with you!"

"Now my dear. Do not be bitter with me. I know full well what is troubling you."

"Really?"

"Yes dear. You have been free all these years and now you are to be wed to another, mated off like a princess should be. Come, I may be able to help you." Kold took her wrists and quickly took her to his room. there she saw a woman. She was tall, slim and looked very beautiful. She had pink eyes, shoulders, shins, forearms, stomach and hair. Her skin otherwise was pure white. She was Ice-jin alright. "This my dear is my wife. Fridge. Queen of the Ice-jins." The Ice-jin Queen glided over to her and beamed at her lovingly.

"I have heard so much about you my dear."

"you have?"

"Yes. You are quiet the hero. You saved my son from a deluded life. Now his father and I can bring him back to the loving family he has forgotten and return him to his former self. He was such a caring boy. He loved al life. I am indebted to you dear. If I can ever help you."

"You can darling." Kold interrupted. "Princess Sophia here has a case of the pre marital jitters."

"No I don't."

"And denial too." Kold added and headed for the door. "I will leave you two in peace. You know what to do honey."

"Indeed I do. When will you be back?"

"Soon my love. Vegeta has required that I attend an emergency meeting with the council."

"Then I should be there!" Sophia added. Desperate to leave Kold and is wife. It was just too eyrie to be in the same room as them, talking like an average loving couple that could never be responsible for an abomination like Frieza.

"No my dear. Not even the Prince is not going to be present. You will stay here. I feel after talking to my wife you will feel a lot better, a lot calmer." Kold left and Sophia turned to face the patient Queen Fridge.

(AN: let's go over the family names of the royal Ice-jins shall we. Fridge, Kold, Cooler, Frieza. I am guessing there is a connection here -. lol)

"My dear. Sit beside me." Fridge sat on the bed and patted the space next to her. Sophia contemplated just turning round, blasting the door off and demanding to be present at that meeting, but thought against it. She sat next to the Queen and placed her hands on her knees. Looking into the caring eyes of the Queen, Sophia suddenly felt unearthly relaxed. "I was 60 years old when I was matted off. In your moons that is like 15 years of age. Back then Kold was older than me and already had an armada at his beckoning will, so I was more than intimidated. I had heard many things about him but never met him until our wedding day. The first time I saw him I wanted to turn on my heel and run for my life. As you can see he is not the warmest looking man. He intimidates people simply by being there. Put that on top of cold feet, worries and fear and you can imagine that I was not a willing bride."

"Then why did you go through with it?" Sophia leaned to face her, desperate for an answer that would help her.

"I didn't. I did just what I wanted to, turned on my heel and ran. Kold himself was the one who caught me. He told me that he was greatly attracted to me and that he wouldn't hurt me. That didn't calm me though. In the end both our parents had to capture me and force me into the wedding."

"No…that is wrong!"

"That is just what I said. But after a few years I fell in love with that man. Deeply. Every Ice-jin, especially ones with power, are cold to everyone. Other than to their close ones and their loved ones. Normally in private. He is the softest, most caring man I have ever met and I would never trade him. I love him dearly. At the time I would have said differently. I hated my parents for forcing me into this wedding but what I didn't know was that my parents, deep down, knew that one day I would love him dearly. And now I do. I tell my parents every day how grateful I am that they chose Kold to be my mate. Fear lasts a moment. Regret lasts a life time. You will be afraid for the moment you marry your chosen suitor, but not after. If you run, you will regret it for the rest of your life."

"I…I never thought of it that way."

"I didn't back then either. That is probably why my husband brought you to speak with me. Because he knows just how you feel. And so do your parents. We were your age once to you know. And in your exact position. And look how we turned out."

"You are happy. And in love."

"Yes. We certainly are. Now come here child." Fridge opened her arms and Sophia leaned into them, allowing the Ice-jin Queen to hold her like her own. "I have never had a daughter. But rest assure. If I had. I would have wanted her to be just like you."

"Thank you."

"You are quiet welcome. Now go. Run alone and prepare yourself."

"The meeting!"

"Will be over. It was an emergency meeting. They only last about a few minuets to announce something. So go and rest. You look exhausted."

"I am a little tired."

"You are. Farewell." Sophia got to her feet, more relaxed and at peace than she had been in days and walked out the door. She didn't quiet hear what the Ice-jin Queen muttered after her. "I have always wanted a daughter. And now…I have one."