FINALLY I'M DONE WITH THIS CHAPTER! WOHOOO! Thanx for being patient and I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint. Sorrie it took so long, I've become extremely busy with school -.-9. But don't worrie, I'll continue writing no matter how long it takes :-p. Read and enjoy! And don't forget to review!
K-chan
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The thundering of hoofs filled the still air as the small group continued through small villages towards Kameshima. Bulma gave a low sigh as she swayed lazily back and forth with the movements of her horse. It had been nearly three weeks since they left the castle and Bulma was becoming increasingly bored. The young woman yawned and glanced around, watching the villagers bend over to tend their crops. Bulma smiled as she remembered what her village was like…before the Saiyan's came.
The blue-haired woman shook her head and continued to stare ahead, the green country side sprawled before her. The Imperial Escorts that flanked both sides of their group were expressionless and silent for the majority of the trip, and only spoke when it was absolutely necessary. The prince was also unusually silent, which bothered Bulma more.
Am I the only person alive on this trip? This silence is driving me INSANE!! Bulma thought to herself as she looked back at the Prince. Vegeta, unaware of Bulma's annoyance, remained silent. He crossed his arms over his chest and immersed himself into deep meditation, preparing himself for the training he would endure once he reached Kameshima. Bulma swiveled around in the saddle, her anger rising. Finally Bulma had decided that she had had enough.
"WHY ISN'T ANYONE TALKING!" Bulma screamed unable to restrain her anger any longer. The Escorts jumped in surprise, one almost falling off of his horse. Vegeta instinctively reached for his sword, but once he realized it was Bulma making the noise he relaxed and scowled at her in annoyance.
"What in Kami's name is your problem woman? Are you trying to get yourself killed?" growled the Prince, letting go of his sword's hilt.
Bulma scowled. "How do expect me to act when no one has talked for 3 weeks straight? You Saiyan's are simply impossible!" Bulma spat, urging her horse forward and pulling the lead to Vegeta's horse with her. Vegeta grabbed the front of his saddle in surprise.
"Calm down woman before you get us both killed!" the Prince exclaimed, his anger rising. Bulma ignored Vegeta and the shouts of surprise from the Royal Guards and she continued to urge her horse faster and faster, enjoying the look of fear that flashed across the Proud Prince's face.
Suddenly the road turned sharply and Bulma found herself headed directly towards a ditch. The escorts called warnings to her, but the blue-haired maiden had lost control over her horse. Bulma instantly found herself airborn and falling fast towards the ground as she and her horse tumbled into a pile of leaves, hooves and legs, dragging Vegeta's horse down along with them. Bulma sprawled down the ditch and landed with a thud, followed by a very angry Saiyan Prince who happened to land head first into a bush. After a few moments Bulma slowly sat upright, her whole body smarting with pain.
"Ugh…that wasn't too good. Thanks a lot horse", Bulma grumbled as she stood up and glanced around. The horses, surprised by the recent tumble, whimpered and got back unto their feet. Bulma bit her lip to hold back a chuckle as she saw a familiar pair of legs sticking out of a nearby bush.
"Woman! What in Kami's name did you do that for?" roared Vegeta, struggling to free himself from the prickly bush he had fallen into. Bulma giggled softly and watched in amusement as the Prince slashed angrily at the bush, leaves flying everywhere.
"I doubt you could have done any better, Your Highness," Bulma spat sarcastically as she limped over to the disheveled Prince and helped him out of the bushes. Vegeta grumbled at Bulma's comment but said nothing.
The pair suddenly froze as they heard the approaching hoof beats of the Royal Escorts. Bulma opened her mouth to alert the men to their whereabouts, but Vegeta hastily pulled her back behind the bush, making a sign for her to remain silent. After circling around the top of the steep ditch, the two escorts sprinted off in opposite directions in search of them. As soon as Bulma heard the sound of their hoof beats fade into the distance, Bulma spun around to Vegeta, looking perplexed.
"What was that for?" Bulma demanded, angrily, "Do you want us to be stuck in the middle of nowhere?"
"I would rather us be here than with my father's so called Escorts…I don't trust them," stated the Prince darkly.
"Why not?" asked Bulma. Vegeta paused for a moment, and then said,
"You wouldn't understand woman, so don't concern yourself with it." Bulma rolled her eyes at the Saiyan Prince's comment, but said nothing. The couple sat in silence until Bulma finally spoke.
"Well, what should we do now?" Bulma sighed as she glanced at her dismal surroundings.
"We continue on towards Kameshima," replied the Prince, matter-of-factly. Bulma turned to him incredulously.
"And just how are we supposed to do that, Your Highness? We don't even know where we are! How can we possibly find our way to Kameshima?" she exclaimed, poking Vegeta's shoulder accusingly.
The prince smirked arrogantly and shook his head.
"Have a little faith in me woman. I've been planning to escape from those guards for a while now, so naturally I've figured out how to get to Kameshima," replied the Prince, as he stood up from behind the bush.
"Since when did you become so smart Your Highness?" Bulma asked skeptically, still poking the Saiyan Prince's shoulder accusingly.
"My intellect far surpasses yours woman, so it shouldn't be of such surprise to you," Vegeta huffed, stepping away from Bulma.
The young woman glared. "Why you…"
"Enough of this! We need to start moving before they come back and find us. Saiyan's are expert hunters, which is why we must be extra careful," stated Vegeta. Bulma scowled lightly.
"Fine if you insist. Let's get back onto the road again," Bulma said, taking the Prince by the hand and leading him out of the ditch. Vegeta glared at her gesture, feeling as if she were treating him as a child, but remained silent. Once they had reached the top, Bulma glanced back down into the steep ditch.
"You know Vegeta," Bulma said, slightly out of breath," We really didn't fall down as far as I thought we had. I wonder why the Royal Escorts didn't see-" Before she could finish, Bulma felt Vegeta quickly shove her out of the way as a sword flashed inches from her face. Bulma shrieked in surprise and hid behind the Prince, cursing herself for not being more alert to her surroundings.
"Surrender My Lord, and no one shall be harmed," ordered the Head Guard, his sword pointed at Vegeta. The Prince glared menacingly.
"You insolent fool! You dare believe for even a second that you could harm me? You are not even worthy to walk on the dirt before me, and you think I will surrender to the likes of you?" Vegeta sneered at the guard as he protectively stood in front of Bulma, his words lashing out at the man before him. The guard shifted uneasily.
"My orders are that if you do not cooperate, I must kill you. Forgive me, Your Highness, but you must DIE!" The guard lunged at the blind Prince, his sword held high in the air. Vegeta parried the guard's blow as he quickly kicked his opponent in the abdomen, making him double over in pain. Vegeta glanced back at the woman,cowering behind him.
"Woman, don't just stand there! Go somewhere out of danger! It's impossible for me to win this fight and protect you at the same time," the Prince ordered, sensing the guard standing back to his feet.
Bulma, surprised by Vegeta's sudden, albeit sharp, concern instantly nodded and headed towards the side of the road. Vegeta's hand shot out suddenly and grabbed her arm, slipping a cool, small item into her hand. It felt like metal. Bulma glanced down to see a small blue-silver dagger encrusted with the crest of the Saiyan-Clan.
"So that in case something happens, you can protect yourself," Vegeta said gruffly. Bulma looked at Vegeta in surprise.
"Vegeta…I…"
"Just go," ordered the young saiyan as the guard lunged out and him once again. The two warriors clashed as Bulma dashed over to a nearby tree by the side of the road, silently praying for the brave Prince.
Don't you dare die out here Vegeta, Goku will never forgive me. Bulma looked on worriedly as the two Saiyan warriors continued their battle.
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Bardock paced his room impatiently, waiting for his men to report back to him. The Saiyan lord finally sat back on the elegant tatami floor in frustration.
What in Kami's name is taking them so long? They should have been back by now… Bardock thought angrily. Unexpectedly, there was a knock on his door, interrupting his thoughts. Bardock rushed to the door and slid it back expecting to see one of his men. But instead he came face to face with a grinning Goku. Bardock frowned in irritation and stepped away from the door.
"What is it now boy? I don't have time for nonsense." Bardock huffed as he returned to his seat at the table. Goku followed his father into the room, scratching the back of his head nervously.
"Well, you see, father…I…uh" Goku stalled looking flustered. Bardock narrowed his eyes.
"Spit it out boy, I don't have all day!" Bardock snapped, gulping down another cup of sake.
"I just wanted to know if-"
Abruptly two disgruntled guards burst in the room, one tripping into Goku in the process. Goku looked at his father in confusion. Bardock leapt to his feet as the two men hastily kneeled before him.
"Master!" the two men sputtered in unison. Bardock opened his mouth to rebuke his men but suddenly remembered that Goku still remained in the room.
Bardock turned to his son,
"Leave us boy, I have some things I need to discuss with my men," the Saiyan Lord said as he shot smoldering glares at the two men on the floor. Goku frowned.
"But father, I-"
"We will speak another time, my son, for now leave us." Goku sighed as he took one last look at the men cowering before his father, then he turned to leave, sliding the door closed behind him.
What was that all about? thought Goku, perplexed, as he slowly made his way down the hallway. Just as Goku was about to turn the corner, he heard something that made him stop dead in his tracks.
"What do you mean you lost him?" screamed Bardock as he smashed the hilt of his sword upon the back of the man before him.
"But master it wasn't our fault. We just recently received word from Chimayo that he had lost both the Prince and the slave girl when they fell headlong into a ditch! He is still searching frantically as we speak, My lord," said one of the soldiers.
Goku moved back towards the door, utterly confused by what he was hearing. Huh? The Prince? Could they be talking about Vegeta?
Bardock growled in frustration and kicked the servant aside as he moved to his sear near the table.
"How many times must I tell you worthless maggots that the ushering in of the new regime can only happen with the extinction of the Vegeta blood line. That means the prince must be eliminated, understand?" Bardock glared coldly.
"Hai, Bardock-sama!" said the two men in unison.
"Excellent, now grab more men and go after that weakling Prince. Don't bother returning until you have his HEAD!" Bardock spat angrily as his men rose to leave.
"Hai Bardock-sama"
Bardock took a sip of his warm sake and waved his hand, dismissing them. Goku stood before the door in utter shock as the two men slide back the door to exit. Bardock's men looked at Goku in mild surprise, but simply brushed past him. Goku's eyes remained fixed on his father as shock and anger filled his every being.
"You…You…traitor!" hissed Goku. Bardock calmly continued to sip his sake.
"I was wondering when you would say something after standing in the doorway like a fool. That's right, I am a traitor. A traitor to a weak and feeble regime. A traitor to an incompetent King and a disabled Prince. But don't worry, my son, it will not be so for long," said Bardock, smirking to himself.
"You will never get away with this!" Goku roared, now shaking with anger. Bardock stood and turned to his son.
"The question is, my son, who is going to stop me? The Prince, who is blind and rode away nearly a month ago? The king, who is so worthless that he does not notice his empire, even as it crumbles around him? The guards, who are all under my command? Who can stop me, Goku? No one!" Bardock chuckled darkly as he envisioned his future ascension to the throne. Goku narrowed his eyes at his father in disgust.
"How…How could you father? How could you commit such treason? He is your King! Where is your loyalty? Where is your honor!"
"Hah, honor? Honor means nothing in this world, my son. All the honor in the entire world couldn't save your mother from dying! But power, my son, power is everything!" said Bardock, his voice full of fierce passion. The Saiyan Lord then took a step closer to Goku, his son's face tense with fury.
"I won't let you get away with this father! Vegeta is my friend, and the rightful heir to the throne; I cannot allow you to hurt him! Your treachery ends NOW!" Goku quickly unsheathed his sword and swung at the Saiyan Lord, but Bardock was faster and quickly blocked his son's sword and kicked Goku in the chest, sending him sprawling across the floor.
"Don't get in my way boy; you may be my son but I will destroy all those who get in my way, including you," Bardock signaled to two of his guards, who had remained hidden within the room, to take Goku away.
"To the dungeon," Bardock stated coldly. Goku struggled furiously against the restraints of the two men, but they were much stronger than he was. As they began dragging him out of the door Goku quickly protested.
"You can't do this! I'm your son!" Goku yelled, still struggling to free himself. Bardock ignored his son's pleas as he watched the three figures disappear down the hallway.
The Saiyan lord then sat back down at his table, deep in thought.
"Soon…" he whispered to himself," Soon the kingdom shall be mine!"
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The silence on the road was impermeable. Vegeta studied the movements of his opponent, waiting for the moment to strike. The guard stalked around the young Prince, confused as to why Vegeta was not attacking him. He glanced behind him to see the young blue-haired woman huddled under a tree, nervously clutching a dagger.
"Humph, what's the matter my prince? Are your feelings for that woman hindering your ability to fight like a man?" mocked the guard.
Vegeta snorted and lifted his head towards the guard.
"Hah, don't make me laugh. I am an elite saiyan warrior. Only pathetic weaklings have such useless emotions," growled the Prince.
The guard chuckled. "Then attack me, my all powerful Prince," demanded the guard.
Vegeta smirked and raised his sword into the air.
"You are going to wish you never asked that," hissed the Prince.
Before the guard could blink, Vegeta sprinted towards him and began raining blows upon him mercilessly. The guard found himself retreating from the fast and deadly onslaught from the Prince.
How can one so young have so much power? thought the guard, as he frantically parried blow after blow, in shock as Vegeta's deadly blade danced around him. The air around them sang as the two swords clashed again and again, sending sparks flying. Suddenly, when the guard thought he could take no more, Vegeta stopped in midswing, his sword just inches from the guards face. The two warriors stood still as if time had froze. After a moment, Prince Vegeta finally spoke.
"Surrender now and I may allow you to take your own life and save yourself from your shame," the Prince uttered condescendingly.
The guard gazed at the prince and chuckled haughtily.
"My Lord and Prince, so full of pride that you actually believe I will obey orders from you! Don't you see, 'your blindness', you have no power here. And soon you won't have any power at all, after Lord Bardock becomes King".
Vegeta's blood ran cold as the words spoken by the guard washed over him. What does he mean "when Bardock becomes King? Vegeta thought, alarmed.
Suddenly Vegeta was overcome with fury as he pictured the traitor Bardock on his throne, ruling his people. Vegeta's hand lashed out almost involuntarily and wrapped around his opponents neck.
"I'm only going to ask you once. What is Bardock planning to do?" growled Vegeta in a dangerously low voice.
The man smirked and whispered,
"Why do you care; you won't be alive to stop him".
"What…did…you…say?" snarled the Prince, his hands suddenly shaking with uncontrollable fury. The guard's eyes began to widen with fear as he saw the enraged saiyan's hair flicker gold with indescribable energy and power.
"What in Kami's name…?" choked the guard in disbelief. Vegeta, overcome with anger, slammed the guard to the ground and raised his sword high above his head, his black kimono swirling around him like the wings of a death angel.
"You shall pay for what you have done. You and all those weaklings who dare betray me! I will have my vengeance, starting with your head!". The guard closed his eyes as Vegeta's sword arched down towards his head. Suddenly there was a shout from behind the Prince.
"Stop! Don't kill him!" shouted an unfamiliar voice. The prince spun around in the direction of the voice.
"Who dares try to stop me!" hissed the Prince, white with anger and irritation.
"Is that the way to talk to your future teacher?" said the voice chuckling. The voice sounded old and wise, but also cheerful.
The old man, coming from down the road, came to stand next the frightened young Bulma, who was still clutching her dagger.
"W-Who are you?" asked Bulma, timidly, studying the man before her. He was old and wore the long orange and saffron robes of a temple monk, his dark brown prayer beads dangling from around his neck. He smiled down at the concerned woman and turned his attention back to the furious Prince, who was now restraining the guard who was attempting to flee.
"I am Sifu Roshi… and I take it that you are Prince Vegeta, son of King Vegeta VIII," the monk said nonchalantly. Vegeta threw the pleading guard back onto the ground, placing his foot over his throat to keep him still.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't rip out his throat," barked Vegeta, irritated over being interrupted.
"Vegeta! That is no way to speak to Master Roshi!" Bulma reprimanded.
Master Roshi lifted his hand to silence her.
"You should not kill him, my Prince, because if you do you will never find out what Bardock plans on doing, nor what will happen to your father. Besides, I don't take on MURDERERS as my students," said the monk his voice calm and steady.
"Are you threatening me, old man!" shouted the young Prince, as he menacingly approached Master Roshi, forgetting about the nearly suffocated guard.
Master Roshi smiled.
"Well that depends, my dear Prince, do you feel threatened by me?" He let out a soft chuckle.
"Why you!"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Bulma shouted, stepping between Master Roshi and Vegeta. "I'm tired of this arguing, Kami you saiyans are IMPOSSIBLE! Just stop kidding yourself Vegeta! You've never killed anyone before, so why start now?"
Vegeta, surprised by her outburst, remained silent.
She doesn't know …she doesn't know that I ended a life that one frightful day on Hakurei… .
"You are perfectly right, my child. We should head back towards the monastery quickly, before our friends get back," said the Master, as he glanced at the empty spot where the guard had once been. Vegeta, realizing that the guard had escaped, cursed under his breath.
Master Roshi turned back to Bulma.
"Well, my child, let's head back to the monastery; there is much to be done". With that, the monk began heading down the road towards Kameshima.
Bulma glanced at the frustrated Prince.
"Are you coming?"
"I'll go when I'm ready, woman!" Vegeta snapped, as he attached his sword to his belt.
"And when will that be, your Highness?" Bulma snapped back, her anger rising.
"That's none of your concern," answered the Prince, coldly.
"None of my concern? NONE OF MY CONCERN?" Bulma hit Vegeta in the head with the hilt of her dagger out of Frustration, "Don't you get it? You are my concern! I've traveled Kami knows how far from home, put up with sleeping on the hard ground outside with all sorts of nasty bugs, had to bathe in dirty rivers and eat freezing cold rice everyday until I forgot what real food tasted like, only to hear 'it is none of your concern'!. Everyone around you is trying to help you, Vegeta, but you are just…just too pig-headed and stubborn to accept help or even acknowledge it. You want to be alone? Fine, I'm through. You can do anything you want; it's none of my concern anymore." Bulma stormed awaytowards the monk.
The young saiyan stood in stunned silence as Bulma's angry footsteps grew more and more faint. After a moment, Vegeta, not knowing what else to do, turned and walked after Bulma and Master Roshi, her angry words reverberating through his head. Little did he know a pair of eyes was watching his every move, waiting for the perfect moment to strike…
