Hey, peoples! Sorry it's been another week and a half since my last post. Anyway, I'm leaving in the morning, so I thought I'd post this now. I'll be gone for 6 days, so don't expect anything new until Friday at the earliest. Oh, and if you're wondering, it's marching band camp. WHEE!! No, seriously, I'm excited. I LOVE marching band!! ANYWAY, this would be what I consider the midpoint of my story (even though I KNOW I'm over halfway done!).

Oh, about the chapter? I know I've been giving you all a taste of Prince Vegeta's good side lately. That was my PLAN. He's NOT such a bad guy! Well, this chapter will give you even more of an insight on the Vegeta's and their odd, twisted minds...

Chapter 33: Under A White Flag

"Pan, wake up. Honey, it's time to get up..." The sound of her mother's voice brought Pan out of her slumber and back into the real world... which she was a bit disappointed with, for she had been having a normal dream for once, and a pleasant one at that. She had dreamt of Trunks and Zamuri returning to her, and Vegeta-sei was at peace. Yeah, like that was ever going to happen.

"Pan, you have to get up if you want to say goodbye to Keiko."

"What?!?" That got her up. Pan scrambled out of bed, into her clothes, and out of her tent. "Keiko! Wait up, Keiko!" She spotted the girl on top of a nearby hill with Goku and Gohan, who were discussing something.

"Hey Pan!" Keiko called. "I was afraid you wouldn't make it."

"Are you kidding?" Pan panted as she reached the top of the mound of grass. "Hey, I've got one more favor to ask of you, if you don't mind."

"Sure! What is it?"

"Well, it's my brother, Zamuri... He's a prisoner in Vegeta's castle, and I was wondering if you could give him a message." She leaned in closer, so her father and grandfather couldn't hear. "Tell him everything's going to be all right. Tell him that we're fine, and not to worry about us. And we're coming to get him."

"Got it. But... how will I find him if I don't know what he looks like?"

"Oh, that's easy! He's my twin, so we look a lot alike. He's got short black hair, black eyes, and a red cloth headband around his head."

"Okay, thanks!"

"Promise you'll tell him?" Pan held out her right pinkie.

"I promise." Keiko smiled, linking her pinkie to Pan's.

"Keiko, it's time to go!" Gohan called.

"All right, I'm coming!" She replied. Turning back to Pan, she winked and they released their pinkies. Hurrying over to Goku's side, she waved one last time at Pan as Goku placed one hand on her shoulder, and the other on his forehead. Then in an instant, the two were gone.

"Okay, here we are!" Goku stated as they arrived in the middle of the castle garden, where Bra just so happened to be waiting.

"Thank you so much for everything, Goku." Keiko bowed deeply to show her respect.

"Aww, it was nothing, really!" He insisted modestly. "Oh, hey Bra!" He waved, taking notice of the smiling princess. "Well, see ya!"

Keiko waved as he disappeared, and then turned back to Bra and bowed.

"Well? How did it go?"

"It went as planned, milady. Just as you said, Son-san was a great help, and is truly an excellent leader."

"And the baby?"

"Prince Goku was taken in by Gohan-san's mate and cared for. He is in good hands, I can assure you."

Bra smiled weakly. "Then in return, I grant you your freedom, as promised."

Keiko nodded. "I thank you, milady. But I have a promise of my own to uphold before I go."

"I understand." Bra said. But just then, her acute hearing picked up the sound of a twig snapping, as if stepped on. She whirled around to see Prince Vegeta glaring down at her, arms folded.

"I know everything, Bra. You can't hide it from me anymore." He said in a low, firm voice. He advanced toward the two stunned girls.

"O... onii-kun..." Bra stuttered. Keiko took a step back and sank to her knees, bowing deeply.

"I don't know what to say, except I am extremely appalled and disgusted! You're in league with Kakarot?!?"

"No! It's not like that!"

"Damn it, Bra! I've had enough of your lame-ass excuses!" He shouted shaking his fists. "I know what I saw!"

"Please, Onii-kun! Just hear me out!"

"SHUT UP!!!" The sheer force of his words knocked Bra off balance, and she stumbled backwards. That same old aura formed once again, engulfing his entire body in flickering crimson-red flames. "Traitor..."

Bra cringed in fear, trembling at the thought of what dire consequences would follow. But suddenly Keiko lunged in front of her, and shielded the princess with arms outstretched.

"It was my fault, Highness!" She asserted, putting on a brave face.

"Keiko, no!" Bra cried.

"Please, sire! Don't punish her for my doings!" the girl shouted, taking no notice to Bra's pleas.

Whatever she had done, it seemed effective. For Vegeta's aura diminished and he swayed, clasping a hand to his forehead and grimacing painfully.

"Fine..." he muttered weakly. "Then you shall be punished, foolish maid. You will remain forever enslaved, regardless of anything my sister promised you. You will be given extra chores, and receive fifty lashes later this evening... once my headache is gone..." He staggered away without another word.

Bra was positively stunned by Keiko's amount of courage. "Keiko... you didn't have to..."

Keiko turned and smiled. "Hey, I'd consider that being let off easy. I've gotten much worse for doing something as simple as stealing bread from the kitchens."

"Thank you, Keiko. I may never find a way to repay you."

The maid smiled cheerfully and led the way back into the castle.

Of course, they weren't smiling for much longer. As soon as King Vegeta was informed of their doings, he became infuriated.

"WHAT?!?" He shouted, springing to his feet at the news of his youngest son's second kidnapping. "Who is responsible for this?" he demanded.

"A maid working in this very castle, Otou-san. Keiko, I believe." Prince Vegeta stated. The king let out a stressed sigh, and collapsed back into his throne.

"Did she operate alone?" he grumbled, rubbing his temples.

"... Yes." said the prince hesitantly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Otou-san. There were no others." he nodded.

Bra, who had been listening in secret from around the corner, leaned up against the wall and sank to the floor. Her brother had lied for her. She did not deserve his sympathy. So why was he doing this? He had never lied to his father before.

"Then she should be punished immediately!"

"Already taken care of, Otou-san. She has been given fifty lashes and assigned double the workload." said her brother calmly.

"Good... saves me the trouble... You are excused, Vegeta."

The young man bowed and left his tense father to his troubles. At the sound of approaching footsteps, Bra took off for her room so as not to be discovered.

Not five minutes later, she heard a soft rap at her bedroom door.

"It's open." She called. In came Prince Vegeta, a soft smile displayed upon his face. "Oh, hey..."

"Hey." Vegeta slowly crossed the room and sat next to her on her bed. "You seem distracted. What's on your mind?"

"Oh, you know... stuff..." she shrugged casually.

"Is it because you're shocked that I lied for you?"

Bra gaped at her brother. "How did you..."

"Are you kidding?" he joked. "I'm surprised Otou-san didn't hear you! You breathe way too loud, sis."

Bra laughed. "But why did you do that, Onii-kun? I certainly wasn't worthy of your mercy."

"I know, but Otou-san is already frustrated with you about your training. I thought I'd give you a break."

"Thanks, Vegeta." Bra smiled, giving him a big hug.

"Any time. But just tell me one thing. Why did you organize for Goku's kidnapping anyway? You knew you were just going to make Otou-san upset."

"I know. And it seemed more like deliverance than a kidnapping."

"But why?"

"It's complicated..." she sighed, averting his gaze.

"Try me."

The next morning, Keiko was a bit nervous about her new job in the dungeons. But after the harsh whipping she had received the previous evening, she figured it couldn't be much worse. Mitsuko hadn't pestered her with an endless list of questions like she had expected. Her sister was probably holding back out of sympathy, which angered her. She didn't need compassion.

Feeling anxious to get the chore over with, Keiko hurried to the kitchens to pick up the prisoners' food and headed down the cold dark stairway. There was a little steel cart waiting at the foot of the stairs for her to put the plates of food on. The little list of cell numbers in hand, she searched the stone doors for the corresponding numbers. All seemed to go well at first. The prisoners were all too happy to have this new service. They all seemed harmless to Keiko, and she couldn't figure out why such people were here in the first place. But it would be terribly rude to ask such a thing, so she put away her curiosity and continued down the hall. As she rounded a corner, she caught sight of two guards standing in front of one of the cell doors. Wheeling the cart past them casually, she glanced at its number above the door. It was not on her list. So she continued on, deciding to forget about whatever was being so heavily guarded, until she had one cell left; cell number 11. Locating the right cell, she took out her keys and unlocked the door. The prisoner inside this cell was not at all like the others she had seen. This one was but a small boy, perhaps around her age. His black untidy hair made it impossible to get a good look at him with his head drooped down to his chest.

"... Hello?" She called softly, getting the boy's attention. He wearily lifted his head up and gazed at her with tired eyes. He had been asleep.

"Yeah...?" He said weakly with a dry scratchy voice.

"I've come with food for you." She said, holding out the last plate on her cart. "It's not much... just a bit of bread and meat, and some water..." But she could already see the boy absent-mindedly licking his lips. He leaned forward, temporarily forgetting the chains that held his hands over his head. "Oh, here! Let me get those for you." Keiko said, reaching for her keys again. Careful to first close the door behind her, she freed him from his shackles and handed him the plate of food. He hungrily scarfed down everything that was in front of him in under a minute, and his stomach rumbled happily in response. Keiko suppressed a giggle.

"Not much, but that definitely hit the spot!" The boy patted his satisfied belly appreciatively. "You've earned my thanks. What did you say your name was?"

"I didn't. It's Keiko. I work as a maid in this castle."

"Pleased to meet you, Keiko. I'm Zamuri."

"Zamuri..." Keiko repeated. The name sounded familiar. Of course! This was the boy Pan had wanted her to deliver a message to. "Are you Pan's brother?" She asked.

"How did you know?"

"I met her recently, and she gave me a message to give to you."

"Really?!? What is it?" Zamuri asked excitedly.

"She told me to tell you not to worry about them. They're all doing fine, and they're coming to get you out soon."

"Really? How soon?"

"I'm not sure." Keiko shrugged. (To be honest, I don't think Pan was sure either.) "Well, that's it. That's all she said."

"Okay... Thanks, Keiko." Zamuri smiled.

"I'm sorry, but I think I have to go now. I have a lot of other jobs that I need to get done. I'm afraid I'll have to put you back in those..." She sadly pointed at the shackles hanging from the ceiling.

"I understand." Zamuri sighed, and raised his hands up for her to put the iron clamps around his wrists. Keiko sighed as she finished, picked up the plate and headed toward the door. "Will you ever come back?" Zamuri asked. Keiko smiled and nodded. "Good."

Dinner was especially quiet in the royal dining hall that evening. It was though an invisible curtain of angst hung over the king and his two remaining children. As usual, Bra barely touched her food. But tonight she had lost her appetite completely, so she sat there prodding her food with the tips of her fork to make it look partially eaten. In fact, King Vegeta was doing something similar on the other end of the great table. Only Prince Vegeta seemed to be eating anything. Five minutes into the meal, the king rose from his chair and left the room without so much as a word.

"I'm done too." Bra announced to her confused brother, and slowly followed her father, trying not to look suspicious. She pursued him all the way to his main council chamber, where she was surprised to see his best military leaders were waiting. They all gathered around a small wooden table covered by a large piece of paper that appeared to be a map. Quickly masking her ki, she hid behind a marble pillar to listen in. The voices were low and serious, and she could barely make out a word. Suddenly remembering the advice her brother had given her, Bra slowed her breathing so as to remain unnoticed. Remembering her training, she closed her eyes so as to free up her other senses. The conversation became clearer, and she caught words such as 'troops', 'rebels', and 'attack'. Being more than able to put two and two together, Bra held her breath as she realized what her father was planning.

"No..." She began muttering unintentionally. "He can't..." Then, something happened. Some unknown inner fire within the princess broke loose, and she found herself racing out from her hiding place and up to her father screaming, "You can't do this!!!"

"Bra! What are you doing in here?!?" Vegeta shouted with a mixture of anger and panic.

"Otou-san, this has gone far enough! Please, just leave those people alone! They had nothing to do with Goku's kidnapping!"

Vegeta fully turned toward her, a look of growing resentment in his black eyes. "And how would you know this?"

"I..." Bra hesitated. (Damn! Caught in my own lie again!) Desperately trying not to lose her cool, she quickly thought something up. "I just know that they aren't that type of people. If you'd had spent time with them like I had, you'd understand."

"Hmph..." The king crossed his arms. "What do you want me to do? Just sit here while my son is in the hands of those traitors?!?"

"Otou-san, please... just hear me out... Make a truce with them! Stop this fighting once and for all!"

"Why should I?" The king snorted.

"Because..." She stuttered. What now? "... because..."

"Because it would be of great advantage to you, Otou-san." Prince Vegeta walked slowly into the room in his usual cool fashion. "If you were to have Goku live there as one of them, he would soon learn all their strengths and weaknesses, giving us a huge advantage over them. He would locate all their hiding spots, secret storages, and most importantly, learn their fighting techniques. Plus, you would have plenty of time to build up your armies for the final attack on the rebels!"

"He has a point there, Your Majesty." One of the generals mumbled.

"Hmph!" The king said again. "And what kind of father, king or not, would leave his son in the clutches of his enemies?"

"I've seen the way they cared for him, and I assure you he's treated quite well." Bra assured. But one intimidating glare from her father, and she stepped back, deciding to let her brother handle it.

"Think of the outcome of this, Otou-san. You will be known as the most brilliant and dedicated leader of Vegeta-sei in all of history!" Knowing he had hit the nail right on the head, the prince moved in for the kill. "So why don't we put these petty war plans aside for a while, and focus on the future?"

"I still don't like the idea of letting Kakarot's kind raise my youngest son." King Vegeta thought aloud, scratching his chin. "But you do come up with some valid points, Vegeta. Very well, I will call a truce with Kakarot... for now." He sent one of the guards to bring him a blank document to write the truce on. "But I'm warning you, if one thing goes wrong I won't hesitate to attack them!"

"Oh, and there's one more thing, Otou-san. It's about Trunks." The prince added.

"Hmm? What about him?"

"Well, he's been locked up there for quite some time now. And he doesn't seem to be doing anything. If he truly wants to live with those rebels, why not let him? I will gladly take his place as your heir. Anyway, I'm sure it's better than living every day knowing you're holding your own son captive."

"True..." The king muttered. "He does seem to express a deep liking for those people. All right, I'll add that in." He agreed, scribbling madly on the piece of parchment.

"Arigatô, Otou-san." Prince Vegeta bowed and turned to leave, winking at Bra as he passed.

"What was that for?" Bra asked, once out of their father's earshot. "I mean... it was brilliant what you did, but I never would have thought it was possible to free Trunks in the process! Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Oh, I have my reasons." The prince whispered slyly.

The next day, King Vegeta met with Son Goku under a white flag, where they both signed the official document in front of several witnesses (including Gohan, Goten, and Piccolo). As Goku put the quill to the paper and carefully scrawled his name down, Vegeta chuckled inside. The fool was falling perfectly for his ultimate plan.

"I hope this means there's no hard feelings about my previous behavior, Kakarot." Vegeta said as he rolled up the scroll.

"Oh please, call me Goku!" He laughed.

"Well then, that's that. You won't have any trouble from us anymore, so long as you do the same."

"Thanks! You know, you're alright, Vegeta. May your life be long and your kingdom prosper!"

"Eh heh heh... And yours as well, Goku." Vegeta chuckled. He turned to Trunks, who had been brought with them as part of the agreement. "Well, Trunks... If this is truly where you want to live, I no longer see reason in stopping you. I think you are a fool in doing so, but it is not my place to decide these things for you anymore." He placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "You have grown into a fine young man. Your mother would have been very proud. Just know that if you ever decide to come back, our doors are open to you."

"Thank you, Otou-san." Trunks beamed. Then the king did something he hadn't for the longest time. He leaned in closer to Trunks, and embraced him in a warm and sincere father-son hug. Trunks was surprised at first, but resisted embarrassment and hugged back.

"TRUNKS!!!" A shrill, excited voice rang from the hills just west of the group. Pan came zooming up to them as fast as she could, considering the previous day's training. "So it's true! You've come back!!!" As soon as Trunks broke off his hug with his father, Pan rushed straight into him, knocking him off his feet. She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. Trunks was a bit surprised by this gesture, but thought it was merely due to her anticipation of the day they would be together again.

"Hey, Pan! Long time no see!" He stated rather casually, not quite knowing what else to say.

"Here! I saved this for you!" Pan unbuckled the red sheath strapped around her, and handed it to him.

"Thanks! I knew you'd keep it safe for me!" Trunks stood up and slung the loaded sheath over his shoulder, fastening the familiar red buckle. It felt surprisingly good to once again have that constant extra load weighing him down slightly.

Vegeta smiled at seeing how happy his son truly was here. One can't help but smile when all is right again, and the sun begins to shine after the rain. But don't think the sky was completely clear.

"But Otou-san." Pan turned to her father after the king and his men had left. "What about Zamuri?"

"He wasn't mentioned in the truce, Pan." Gohan said truthfully. "We'll have to find another way to get him back. For now, let's just be thankful we're on neutral terms with the king again." Seeing the disheartened look on his daughter's face, he quickly added, "But don't worry! We're going to get him back soon."

"How soon, Otou-san?"

Gohan didn't answer.

What does Gohan mean? What will result from this treaty that is meant to be broken? What were Prince Vegeta's secret intentions in setting Trunks free? When will Zamuri be liberated? And most importantly... what will little Goku grow up to be like, and will he be a benefit for King Vegeta or the rebels?

But the biggest question is: WHEN WILL I ACTUALLY FIND THE TIME TO WRITE THE ANSWERS?!? Guess you just gotta wait (and pray) until I do! Ja ne for now!!