I'm in a giving mood.. Yeah!!! ;) Here's a quick update, and a long one
too! Sorry if there's spelling or grammar mistakes, but I just wanted to
get this chapter posted, so I didn't re-read it properly!
Kissed by a Prince- Thanks for the review! Don't worry B/V will get together! I promise. ;)
Tmh-Froggie- Haha Cat fights?! Well that would be pretty interesting! Oh, Yamcha only threatened to take Marron to Vegetasei to scare her into not bad mouthing Akira. And yes. Marron is who he meant by 'I have someone on my ship you'd like to get your hands on'. ;) Thanks so much! and ya know what else?! I don't have writer's block anymore! I wonder why? hehehe
Hinagiku- Thanks for the review! I hope this nice, long chapter will answer all your wonderful questions you sent me in your review! ;) I'm so glad everyone still likes this story! I just hope I can keep it up!
Daisy31- Yeah, I know it might not seem like a B/V at the moment, but I promise it is, and it's coming soon!!! I just felt that indepth background was needed to get everyone up to speed, otherwise, the romance between the two might seem kind of crap ya know?! I hate when it's rushed, it can seem so corny. It's been my personal experience that you don't just automatically fall in love! ;) Thanks for your reviews!
Shades of Crimson- Always awesome to hear from you!! ;) Thanks a bunches! Yeah, Yamcha is a bit evil in this, and him and Marron definitely make a good couple. I know that everyone is freaking out over the way I'm portraying Vegeta and Akira, but it will all be explained and it won't harm the B/V I hope! B/V will start to get closer from here on I promise! I really enjoy having Trunks there to cause interesting scenes and whatnot! :) It's great! Thanks for your support and such! It's much appreciated.
Tai Bulma Chan- I've been typing ever since!!! Think they'll let me live?!?! God, I hope so! ;) Thanks for your review. Much appreciation!
Duh- I'm not too sure what you mean by 'Mary Sue'? I hope it's not bad, and I hope I don't dissapoint you. Thanks for the review!
Takuma- Yeah I haven't decided on anything solid when it comes time for Marron to come back into the picture, but it shall be interesting, huh?! ;) Thanks a lot for your review!
Mini Nicka- Hang in there! ;) Thanks for the reviews!
Gravidy- I loved Vegeta and Arro's reunion. Marron's master plan was just to get out of her marriage and be free of the life that she had been forced into. Yamcha's hsn't been carried out yet. I'll get into why Marron 'set up' Bulma later on ;)!
Nitte iz- *runs for her life* Holy mother of Bob! She's gonna kill me! I hope this update is quick enough to slow you down! ;) Thanks for the review!
~*~
Chapter 12: (Gotta remember to change this!)
Several expensive items flew across the room to shatter against the wall of their bedroom. Marron sat in the middle of the bed with a smug look on her face.
"Things didn't go so well with Akira I take it?" She mocked sweetly.
Yamcha let out a frustrated groan and threw one of her precious hand mirrors against the wall this time. Marron stared at it and clenched her fists. "Hey! Destroy your own shit, Yamcha, but leave mine alone!"
"That son of a bitch! I can't believe it!" He began to pace back and forth. "How could he have lived?"
Marron gave him a quizzical look. "Who are you talking about?"
"Vegeta! He's alive."
"You're joking," she accused.
"No. I'm not. Even Akira confirmed that it was him, and she doesn't make mistakes," he stated evenly. "This complicates things."
"Whatever. I'm going to take a shower," the blue haired woman announced as if she didn't care in the least bit, and she didn't!
~*~
"This is unbelievable," Radditz said as he stood in front of Vegeta. "How is this possible?"
The prince sat down on the throne and glanced around the room. Only the closest members of his father's inner circle and his own were there: Bardock, Jadora, Mycal, Nappa, Nor, Radditz, Turlis, Akira, Prince Arro, Prince Cass, and the tiny Princess Indara. Vegeta sighed.
"Freeza kept me alive for his own purposes." His voice held a certain finality to it. That was all he was ever going to say about that. "As I'm sure you know, Cooler and Freeza are going to start another war to decide which one of them should be the next ruler. Cooler found out about me."
Akira, who was standing by the doors, looked up at this. "He set you free in hopes that you'll give him the backing of the saiyan army."
He nodded at her. "Yes, but he doesn't think anything will happen for a while. We have plenty of time to prepare."
"You're really going to back him?" Nappa asked.
"I don't have a choice, Nappa. If it weren't for him, I'd still be locked up. He was my only escape route," the prince replied.
"We're better off to side with Cooler anyhow," Nor cut in. "He's not near as fanatical as his brother."
"I agree," Akira said. Vegeta locked eyes with her and nodded. He suddenly remembered the small group of people hiding out in his summer villa. Big mistake. Akira sensed his shifting thoughts and frowned. "What else is there, Vegeta?"
"What I'm about to tell you stays in this room. Come over here, Akira," he demanded.
She gave him a confused look but did as he requested. The prince grabbed ahold of her wrist tightly. He knew how she might react to this news. "Kakkarot and his mate are with me." The room went completely silent, so Vegeta went on. "I have decided not to punish them."
"What?! Prince Vegeta, they helped your wife escape," Mycal argued. He had been the old king's acoulra and best friend.
"If it weren't for them, my heir would be dead," Vegeta added cautiously. His fingers tightened around his best friend's wrist more. "Marron lives. She is here as well."
Akira glared at his hand. "It can't be! I saw her body. They put her in the fucking ground," she hissed. She tried to wrench her hand from his grip. "I went to her old homeworld! I saw the woman that raised the damn bitch. She told me that Marron and her child died during the birthing process."
"Then she lied, Akira, because I've spent almost two whole weeks with my son and my wife."
"Impossible!"
"From what Marron told me years ago," Vegeta said. "Thealda was a priestess as well. Perhaps she was able to block her true intent from you."
The young saiyan woman did not like hearing that someone had actually pulled a fast one on her. She was one of the most gifted priestesses in the universe. She tugged on her arm once again. "Let me go."
"You will not kill her." He turned to the others in the room. "Marron lives because of my son, and that is the only reason. She is not to be harmed by any of you, nor confronted. I know it will be hard, but it is what I have decided."
"May I please be excuse. I think I feel ill," Akira asked, finally pulling free from her friend's grasp and walking away without actually being told she could leave.
"Forgive her, Vegeta," Nor spoke up after the doors slammed shut. "She's been doing that a lot lately."
"I think it's because of Arthos," Arro agreed.
"What do you mean?" Vegeta glanced around the room at all the faces staring back at him. What did his other best friend have to do with anything?
"Arthos practically lived here after mother and father's funeral," Arro explained. "I honestly don't think he's stayed away longer than a month."
"He's been after Akira to marry him for years, but I think he's finally given up this time," Radditz said. "He's always contacted us the day after he leaves. We've yet to hear anything from him since he left five days ago."
~*~
Bulma sat in the garden alone, contemplating on what she should do. Should she try to run away again? Should just tell Vegeta the truth? Sighing, she flopped backwards in the grass and glared up at the morning sunlight. She shouldn't have taken on her sister's identity in the first place. She should have stayed on Briefsei with Thealda.
"Argh! What am I going to do?!"
"I know of a few things I'd like to happen to you," a cold voice drifted up from behind her.
Bulma jumped up to her feet quickly and turned to face the owner of the voice. She gasped. It was a tall, slender saiyan woman, and she had the most beautiful silver hair and eyes Bulma had ever seen. Wait! 'Silver hair and eyes,' she thought. 'Oh, goddess no! She's Akira.' The blue haired beauty glanced around frantically, searching for a way out.
Akira stepped forward and grabbed ahold of Bulma's chin firmly. They locked eyes, and both women just stared for what seemed like an eternity. Bulma could feel something throbbing in her head, like something was swimming through her mind. Thoughts and memories flowed between both women against their wills. Suddenly, she was pushed back several steps. Akira stared at her with a shocked expression.
"Y-you're not Marron," she whispered.
Bulma dropped to her knees and began crying. "Please, don't kill me."
Akira knelt down in front of her and lifted her face again. "I'm not going to kill you, Bulma," she whispered.
"You know my name! How is that possible?"
"I came across it a few times when I was in your head a minute ago," she admitted. The priestess gave her a sympathetic look. "I know your sister tricked you into this."
"Are you going to tell Vegeta?"
The saiyan woman shook her head slowly. "It's not my place."
Bulma swallowed hard. "But he's going to ask you about me, right? That's why you're here, isn't it?"
"I came here to scare the shit out of Marron, but since she's not here, that's going to be kind of hard to do." Akira stood up and helped the other woman to her feet. Her head turned toward the sky sharply. "Vegeta's coming. Just act frightened, and he won't think to question me about you."
"That won't be too hard," Bulma muttered.
Akira nodded minutely and gave Bulma a slight smile. "Yes, I know. I saw in your mind what happened on the ship. You'll have to be very careful what you say around him, or he may just kill you one of these times."
"That's not very reassuring," she whispered back as she Vegeta came into view, hovering above them.
He had his arms crossed over his chest and was giving them both disapproving glares as he descended. Akira turned her back to him and sighed heavily. Bulma just backed away, searching for someone friendly to come rescue her from Vegeta's wrath.
"I thought I made it clear that Marron wasn't to be confronted by anyone, Akira."
"I didn't do anything to the bitch," she answered with fake malice.
Bulma remembered that Marron supposedly hated Akira, so she shot the other woman an angry glare. Akira still had her back to Vegeta, but she could clearly make out the other woman's expression. She bit back an amused smirk. Vegeta was not impressed.
"Get inside the house, woman, unless you wish to be killed by some angry saiyan," Vegeta growled at Bulma. It was early afternoon, now, and they saiyan people had already been told of their prince's return and that the traitorous princess still lived. Some of the people didn't like that she was alive. Bulma turned her glare to Vegeta and then stomped away toward the villa.
"What were you doing?"
Akira shrugged. "I just wanted to scare her a little. At least give me that much since I can't kill her."
Vegeta turned her around, holding her by the shoulders at arm's length. "As much as I dislike it, she is the mother of my son, and she's wormed her way into his heart. He would be devasted if anything were to happen to her, and I would rather that not happen. He's too young to understand all that has happened."
"I reluctantly agree," his friend spoke. 'Of course the boy loves her! She's not Marron,' Akira thought. Stepping away from him, Akira walked over toward the lake. She hadn't been to his villa in years. "I missed this place," she whispered.
"Why didn't you marry Arthos after I supposedly died?"
"For the love of the goddess! Not you too," she groaned.
He chuckled. "That doesn't answer my question."
Akira shook her head and rolled her eyes. "You know damn well why I haven't married him," she accused. "I gave you my word, Vegeta, or don't you remember?" She demanded angrily. Years of pent up frustration floating to the forefront of her mind.
The prince nodded. "Yes, I remember. That is why I've decided to set things right."
"You can't. You're married, Vegeta." She turned back toward the villa.
~*~ (Another lovely flashback. Yeah!)
Arthos walked around the corner and froze. Akira was standing in the middle of the garden talking with Yamcha. The normally good natured prince narrowed his eyes hatefully. He was relieved when he spotted Vegeta walk up to the engaged couple and butt into their conversation.
Akira glanced nervously at Yamcha, remembering Vegeta's words earlier that morning at breakfast. "I think perhaps you should just go, Yamcha."
"I don't believe this! You're really going to let him dictate what you can and can't do with your life, Akira?" He reached for her hand and pulled it close to his heart. "I love you, and I know I can make you happy."
Vegeta tore Akira from Yamcha's grasp and held her close to his side. "I said she isn't going with you. If you continue whining, I'm going to have you removed from my planet forcibly."
"What's your deal, Vegeta? You have plenty of servants and advisors. You don't need her here."
"Actually, I do." The saiyan prince smirked, his tail curling around Akira's waist. "She is to be my queen."
"What?!" Yamcha's loud tone thankfully outshined Arthos' as he voiced the same question from his hiding place in the shadows.
Akira was simply in shock as she stared down at Vegeta's tail. He wanted her to be his wife, his mate?!
"The choice is hers of course," Vegeta added, knowing full well that he would have her and not Yamcha.
"I need some time," she whispered slowly and pried the brown tail from around her waist. She, then, ran off into the palace.
~*~(change of scene, still in flashback!!)
"Your father has been wounded. They're bringing him back here, Prince Vegeta," Mycal relayed.
"Why?! What's wrong with the regeneration tanks on the ships?" The angry prince demanded.
"They've been sabotaged. None of the technicians aboard the king's flagships are able to figured out the problem. We've been loosing a lot of fighters due to the inability for them to heal properly."
Akira frowned. "General Nappa will take control of the front?"
Mycal shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid not, priestess. He's been injured as well." The middle aged saiyan turned back to the prince. "Your father has requested that your mother take over control of the throne and that you and your men take over the front, your highness."
Vegeta smirked. "Finally. I've been waiting to far too long to get my hands on those lizard's armies again." He turned to his general, Nor. "Get the men prepared. I wish to leave as soon as possible." The blood in his veins was already calling out for battle. He practically jumped off the throne with excitement.
"Calm down, Vegeta," Akira scolded. "You won't be leaving for at least two days."
"Two days?! I plan to leave by nightfall."
Akira glared at him. "It's going to take at least eight hours to contact and gather all of your men, not to mention prepping and loading goods onto the ships. You are rushing in desire for battle, Vegeta."
He continued to smirk as he lead the way out of the throne room. "Of course I am, or have you forgotten that I'm a saiyan?"
She rolled her eyes as she followed him down the hallway. "Shouldn't you, also, contact Arthos and plan a rendezvous? He'll be extremely pissed if you leave him out."
Finally, a frown crept across the prince's face. Ever since last week's formal announcment that Akira and him were getting married, Arthos had ran off to his home planet and refused to speak with Vegeta. Akira had no idea that the two princes were not on speaking terms, or why he suddenly left. Vegeta pushed back his guilt over the situation. He tried to reason his selfishness by telling himself that if Arthos had really wanted her he would have said something to her months or years ago.
"Vegeta?"
Quickly, he thought of a round about way to answer her without giving away that cold, hard facts. 'Ah ha!' "His father's army is already joined with my own father's. Arthos is perhaps better to stay and protect Riessei and Vegetasei."
Akira quickened her pace so that she could grab ahold of his arm. He turned his attention to her, but never stopped walking. "Since when do you not want to ride off to battle without him?" She inquired with a suspicious look.
He paused around the next corner, where they were alone, pulling her close. "I think it's for the best to have him here to protect my future mate from spies."
"Oh please, Vegeta. As if I can't protect myself," she laughed.
"The Cold's will try anything to win this war, and if they find out about us, they might try to capture you and ransom you off." He brushed aside a stray locke of hair. "That's not something I wish to deal with."
"Fine!" She gave him a quick peck and stepped back. She peeked around the corner and smiled. "Your brother is running this way."
A panicked look lit his face, and he ran to the nearest window. Akira laughed as she watched him climb through the portal. The twelve month old Prince Arro giggled madly as he spotted Akira and his older brother wh o was half in, half out of the window. The little boy jumped up and grabbed Vegeta's leg and tugged on it playfully.
"'Get'," Arro slurred the older prince's name. "Pay, 'Get'!"
Vegeta groaned, slipping back into the hall that he had been trying to escape through a window from. "I have no time to play with you." He emphasized the word 'play' in hopes that his little brother would pick up the correct way of saying it. As for his nickname, Vegeta let it slide for now, and Akira had an feeling that it was because Vegeta liked it.
Arro pouted, an angered look in his eyes, and he crossed his arms over his chest Vegeta-style. "Promised."
"Fine." He lifted his brother up 'til he was situated comfortably on his shoulders. "I suppose I won't be leaving by nightfall," he mused.
"Definitely not," Akira responded happily. She was in no rush for him to go running off to the front lines of this terrible war. She blew Arro a kiss and gave Vegeta's handa quick, affectionate squeeze. "I'll meet you at dinner. I have some plans to go over with your mother for the wedding."
"Shit."
She paused. "What?"
"Who knows how long I'll be out there, and I'll be damned if I let father send me back here again after his return to the battle. I'm seeing this one through." He groaned frustratedly. "We'll have to wait."
"That's fine," she told him. "It can wait."
"Can you wait?"
She nodded and winked. "I can wait, forever if I must."
He smirked and bent down for a kiss, but Arro yanked on his spikey hair and giggled. Akira laughed, and Vegeta growled. "Damnit, brat! You better watch it," he warned. "I'm holding you to your word," he told Akira. "Forever."
"No one but you," she whispered devotely.
~*~(end flashback for now!)
Bulma laughed at her son as he pretended to slay an unfortunate fruit tree in the garden.
"He's beautiful," Akira commented from next to her. "Funny how something so sweet and innocent could come from your sister."
The blue haired woman took a deep breath and released it slowly. The saiyan woman had managed to sneak up on her and startle her. She frowned. "I feel as if I didn't truly know her, like we're thinking of two totally different people." She never took her eyes off Trunks.
"It's likely that we are talking about two totally different people. She had many personas that she liked to play around with."
"Was she really as horrible as everyone is making her out to be?"
Akira let out a heavy sigh. "I tried not to be too biased in my first opinion of her, but over all, my very first impression was not a good one. I'm sure you know of what I'm capable of?"
"Yes. I grew up with a priestess. I know what your kind can do," Bulma said.
"My kind?" Akira laughed. "Don't you mean our kind?" She saw the woman next to her frown. Akira shook her head. "My goddess, you have no idea."
"What do you mean?"
"Your mother," she paused. "Are you blind? I only meant her once, and even I can see it."
Bulma felt her heart jump a beat in her chest. "You've meant my mother? How do yo even know?"
"The priestess, you silly girl. Thealda." She glanced into Bulma's eyes. "You must take after your father's side, but you definitely got yor eyes from her."
"She can't be my mother! Why would she lie to me and say she's not?"
"I can't answer that one for you, but perhaps you should send for her to come here." Akira went back to watching the lavender haired prince thrusting his sword at the dying leaves. Fall was starting to set in. "I can try to convince Vegeta that it's a good idea."
"We've strayed from the topic of my sister."
"I haven't anything nice to say about her, and I don't wish to upset you over it. I sense only goodness from you, Bulma, and I would have us be friends."
"I would like for us to be friends too. Goddess knows I could use all the friends possible here," she joked.
"Akira!"
Both women froze at the authoratative voice that called out from the villa. Akira rolled her eyes. "I'm starting to prefer thinking he was dead," she joked back quietly.
Bulma bit her bottom lip and tried desperately not to chuckle aloud. Vegeta would grow extremely suspicious if he saw them conversing so good- naturedly.
"We'll talk later when I can get rid of him for longer than an fifteen minutes," her new friend whispered before running of toward Vegeta.
Bulma had a feeling that Akira was going to be a big help to her over the course of her time here, and Akira was pondering just why Vegeta was being so protective of 'Marron.'
~*~
My hand is starting to cramp, people! I'm sorry. I can't go any farther! ~hand collapses~ More soon, I promise! ;) I hope ya all like this chapter, and that some things are starting to become clearer. I don't know!
Please Review!
Thanks!
~*~
PANDORA ;)
Kissed by a Prince- Thanks for the review! Don't worry B/V will get together! I promise. ;)
Tmh-Froggie- Haha Cat fights?! Well that would be pretty interesting! Oh, Yamcha only threatened to take Marron to Vegetasei to scare her into not bad mouthing Akira. And yes. Marron is who he meant by 'I have someone on my ship you'd like to get your hands on'. ;) Thanks so much! and ya know what else?! I don't have writer's block anymore! I wonder why? hehehe
Hinagiku- Thanks for the review! I hope this nice, long chapter will answer all your wonderful questions you sent me in your review! ;) I'm so glad everyone still likes this story! I just hope I can keep it up!
Daisy31- Yeah, I know it might not seem like a B/V at the moment, but I promise it is, and it's coming soon!!! I just felt that indepth background was needed to get everyone up to speed, otherwise, the romance between the two might seem kind of crap ya know?! I hate when it's rushed, it can seem so corny. It's been my personal experience that you don't just automatically fall in love! ;) Thanks for your reviews!
Shades of Crimson- Always awesome to hear from you!! ;) Thanks a bunches! Yeah, Yamcha is a bit evil in this, and him and Marron definitely make a good couple. I know that everyone is freaking out over the way I'm portraying Vegeta and Akira, but it will all be explained and it won't harm the B/V I hope! B/V will start to get closer from here on I promise! I really enjoy having Trunks there to cause interesting scenes and whatnot! :) It's great! Thanks for your support and such! It's much appreciated.
Tai Bulma Chan- I've been typing ever since!!! Think they'll let me live?!?! God, I hope so! ;) Thanks for your review. Much appreciation!
Duh- I'm not too sure what you mean by 'Mary Sue'? I hope it's not bad, and I hope I don't dissapoint you. Thanks for the review!
Takuma- Yeah I haven't decided on anything solid when it comes time for Marron to come back into the picture, but it shall be interesting, huh?! ;) Thanks a lot for your review!
Mini Nicka- Hang in there! ;) Thanks for the reviews!
Gravidy- I loved Vegeta and Arro's reunion. Marron's master plan was just to get out of her marriage and be free of the life that she had been forced into. Yamcha's hsn't been carried out yet. I'll get into why Marron 'set up' Bulma later on ;)!
Nitte iz- *runs for her life* Holy mother of Bob! She's gonna kill me! I hope this update is quick enough to slow you down! ;) Thanks for the review!
~*~
Chapter 12: (Gotta remember to change this!)
Several expensive items flew across the room to shatter against the wall of their bedroom. Marron sat in the middle of the bed with a smug look on her face.
"Things didn't go so well with Akira I take it?" She mocked sweetly.
Yamcha let out a frustrated groan and threw one of her precious hand mirrors against the wall this time. Marron stared at it and clenched her fists. "Hey! Destroy your own shit, Yamcha, but leave mine alone!"
"That son of a bitch! I can't believe it!" He began to pace back and forth. "How could he have lived?"
Marron gave him a quizzical look. "Who are you talking about?"
"Vegeta! He's alive."
"You're joking," she accused.
"No. I'm not. Even Akira confirmed that it was him, and she doesn't make mistakes," he stated evenly. "This complicates things."
"Whatever. I'm going to take a shower," the blue haired woman announced as if she didn't care in the least bit, and she didn't!
~*~
"This is unbelievable," Radditz said as he stood in front of Vegeta. "How is this possible?"
The prince sat down on the throne and glanced around the room. Only the closest members of his father's inner circle and his own were there: Bardock, Jadora, Mycal, Nappa, Nor, Radditz, Turlis, Akira, Prince Arro, Prince Cass, and the tiny Princess Indara. Vegeta sighed.
"Freeza kept me alive for his own purposes." His voice held a certain finality to it. That was all he was ever going to say about that. "As I'm sure you know, Cooler and Freeza are going to start another war to decide which one of them should be the next ruler. Cooler found out about me."
Akira, who was standing by the doors, looked up at this. "He set you free in hopes that you'll give him the backing of the saiyan army."
He nodded at her. "Yes, but he doesn't think anything will happen for a while. We have plenty of time to prepare."
"You're really going to back him?" Nappa asked.
"I don't have a choice, Nappa. If it weren't for him, I'd still be locked up. He was my only escape route," the prince replied.
"We're better off to side with Cooler anyhow," Nor cut in. "He's not near as fanatical as his brother."
"I agree," Akira said. Vegeta locked eyes with her and nodded. He suddenly remembered the small group of people hiding out in his summer villa. Big mistake. Akira sensed his shifting thoughts and frowned. "What else is there, Vegeta?"
"What I'm about to tell you stays in this room. Come over here, Akira," he demanded.
She gave him a confused look but did as he requested. The prince grabbed ahold of her wrist tightly. He knew how she might react to this news. "Kakkarot and his mate are with me." The room went completely silent, so Vegeta went on. "I have decided not to punish them."
"What?! Prince Vegeta, they helped your wife escape," Mycal argued. He had been the old king's acoulra and best friend.
"If it weren't for them, my heir would be dead," Vegeta added cautiously. His fingers tightened around his best friend's wrist more. "Marron lives. She is here as well."
Akira glared at his hand. "It can't be! I saw her body. They put her in the fucking ground," she hissed. She tried to wrench her hand from his grip. "I went to her old homeworld! I saw the woman that raised the damn bitch. She told me that Marron and her child died during the birthing process."
"Then she lied, Akira, because I've spent almost two whole weeks with my son and my wife."
"Impossible!"
"From what Marron told me years ago," Vegeta said. "Thealda was a priestess as well. Perhaps she was able to block her true intent from you."
The young saiyan woman did not like hearing that someone had actually pulled a fast one on her. She was one of the most gifted priestesses in the universe. She tugged on her arm once again. "Let me go."
"You will not kill her." He turned to the others in the room. "Marron lives because of my son, and that is the only reason. She is not to be harmed by any of you, nor confronted. I know it will be hard, but it is what I have decided."
"May I please be excuse. I think I feel ill," Akira asked, finally pulling free from her friend's grasp and walking away without actually being told she could leave.
"Forgive her, Vegeta," Nor spoke up after the doors slammed shut. "She's been doing that a lot lately."
"I think it's because of Arthos," Arro agreed.
"What do you mean?" Vegeta glanced around the room at all the faces staring back at him. What did his other best friend have to do with anything?
"Arthos practically lived here after mother and father's funeral," Arro explained. "I honestly don't think he's stayed away longer than a month."
"He's been after Akira to marry him for years, but I think he's finally given up this time," Radditz said. "He's always contacted us the day after he leaves. We've yet to hear anything from him since he left five days ago."
~*~
Bulma sat in the garden alone, contemplating on what she should do. Should she try to run away again? Should just tell Vegeta the truth? Sighing, she flopped backwards in the grass and glared up at the morning sunlight. She shouldn't have taken on her sister's identity in the first place. She should have stayed on Briefsei with Thealda.
"Argh! What am I going to do?!"
"I know of a few things I'd like to happen to you," a cold voice drifted up from behind her.
Bulma jumped up to her feet quickly and turned to face the owner of the voice. She gasped. It was a tall, slender saiyan woman, and she had the most beautiful silver hair and eyes Bulma had ever seen. Wait! 'Silver hair and eyes,' she thought. 'Oh, goddess no! She's Akira.' The blue haired beauty glanced around frantically, searching for a way out.
Akira stepped forward and grabbed ahold of Bulma's chin firmly. They locked eyes, and both women just stared for what seemed like an eternity. Bulma could feel something throbbing in her head, like something was swimming through her mind. Thoughts and memories flowed between both women against their wills. Suddenly, she was pushed back several steps. Akira stared at her with a shocked expression.
"Y-you're not Marron," she whispered.
Bulma dropped to her knees and began crying. "Please, don't kill me."
Akira knelt down in front of her and lifted her face again. "I'm not going to kill you, Bulma," she whispered.
"You know my name! How is that possible?"
"I came across it a few times when I was in your head a minute ago," she admitted. The priestess gave her a sympathetic look. "I know your sister tricked you into this."
"Are you going to tell Vegeta?"
The saiyan woman shook her head slowly. "It's not my place."
Bulma swallowed hard. "But he's going to ask you about me, right? That's why you're here, isn't it?"
"I came here to scare the shit out of Marron, but since she's not here, that's going to be kind of hard to do." Akira stood up and helped the other woman to her feet. Her head turned toward the sky sharply. "Vegeta's coming. Just act frightened, and he won't think to question me about you."
"That won't be too hard," Bulma muttered.
Akira nodded minutely and gave Bulma a slight smile. "Yes, I know. I saw in your mind what happened on the ship. You'll have to be very careful what you say around him, or he may just kill you one of these times."
"That's not very reassuring," she whispered back as she Vegeta came into view, hovering above them.
He had his arms crossed over his chest and was giving them both disapproving glares as he descended. Akira turned her back to him and sighed heavily. Bulma just backed away, searching for someone friendly to come rescue her from Vegeta's wrath.
"I thought I made it clear that Marron wasn't to be confronted by anyone, Akira."
"I didn't do anything to the bitch," she answered with fake malice.
Bulma remembered that Marron supposedly hated Akira, so she shot the other woman an angry glare. Akira still had her back to Vegeta, but she could clearly make out the other woman's expression. She bit back an amused smirk. Vegeta was not impressed.
"Get inside the house, woman, unless you wish to be killed by some angry saiyan," Vegeta growled at Bulma. It was early afternoon, now, and they saiyan people had already been told of their prince's return and that the traitorous princess still lived. Some of the people didn't like that she was alive. Bulma turned her glare to Vegeta and then stomped away toward the villa.
"What were you doing?"
Akira shrugged. "I just wanted to scare her a little. At least give me that much since I can't kill her."
Vegeta turned her around, holding her by the shoulders at arm's length. "As much as I dislike it, she is the mother of my son, and she's wormed her way into his heart. He would be devasted if anything were to happen to her, and I would rather that not happen. He's too young to understand all that has happened."
"I reluctantly agree," his friend spoke. 'Of course the boy loves her! She's not Marron,' Akira thought. Stepping away from him, Akira walked over toward the lake. She hadn't been to his villa in years. "I missed this place," she whispered.
"Why didn't you marry Arthos after I supposedly died?"
"For the love of the goddess! Not you too," she groaned.
He chuckled. "That doesn't answer my question."
Akira shook her head and rolled her eyes. "You know damn well why I haven't married him," she accused. "I gave you my word, Vegeta, or don't you remember?" She demanded angrily. Years of pent up frustration floating to the forefront of her mind.
The prince nodded. "Yes, I remember. That is why I've decided to set things right."
"You can't. You're married, Vegeta." She turned back toward the villa.
~*~ (Another lovely flashback. Yeah!)
Arthos walked around the corner and froze. Akira was standing in the middle of the garden talking with Yamcha. The normally good natured prince narrowed his eyes hatefully. He was relieved when he spotted Vegeta walk up to the engaged couple and butt into their conversation.
Akira glanced nervously at Yamcha, remembering Vegeta's words earlier that morning at breakfast. "I think perhaps you should just go, Yamcha."
"I don't believe this! You're really going to let him dictate what you can and can't do with your life, Akira?" He reached for her hand and pulled it close to his heart. "I love you, and I know I can make you happy."
Vegeta tore Akira from Yamcha's grasp and held her close to his side. "I said she isn't going with you. If you continue whining, I'm going to have you removed from my planet forcibly."
"What's your deal, Vegeta? You have plenty of servants and advisors. You don't need her here."
"Actually, I do." The saiyan prince smirked, his tail curling around Akira's waist. "She is to be my queen."
"What?!" Yamcha's loud tone thankfully outshined Arthos' as he voiced the same question from his hiding place in the shadows.
Akira was simply in shock as she stared down at Vegeta's tail. He wanted her to be his wife, his mate?!
"The choice is hers of course," Vegeta added, knowing full well that he would have her and not Yamcha.
"I need some time," she whispered slowly and pried the brown tail from around her waist. She, then, ran off into the palace.
~*~(change of scene, still in flashback!!)
"Your father has been wounded. They're bringing him back here, Prince Vegeta," Mycal relayed.
"Why?! What's wrong with the regeneration tanks on the ships?" The angry prince demanded.
"They've been sabotaged. None of the technicians aboard the king's flagships are able to figured out the problem. We've been loosing a lot of fighters due to the inability for them to heal properly."
Akira frowned. "General Nappa will take control of the front?"
Mycal shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid not, priestess. He's been injured as well." The middle aged saiyan turned back to the prince. "Your father has requested that your mother take over control of the throne and that you and your men take over the front, your highness."
Vegeta smirked. "Finally. I've been waiting to far too long to get my hands on those lizard's armies again." He turned to his general, Nor. "Get the men prepared. I wish to leave as soon as possible." The blood in his veins was already calling out for battle. He practically jumped off the throne with excitement.
"Calm down, Vegeta," Akira scolded. "You won't be leaving for at least two days."
"Two days?! I plan to leave by nightfall."
Akira glared at him. "It's going to take at least eight hours to contact and gather all of your men, not to mention prepping and loading goods onto the ships. You are rushing in desire for battle, Vegeta."
He continued to smirk as he lead the way out of the throne room. "Of course I am, or have you forgotten that I'm a saiyan?"
She rolled her eyes as she followed him down the hallway. "Shouldn't you, also, contact Arthos and plan a rendezvous? He'll be extremely pissed if you leave him out."
Finally, a frown crept across the prince's face. Ever since last week's formal announcment that Akira and him were getting married, Arthos had ran off to his home planet and refused to speak with Vegeta. Akira had no idea that the two princes were not on speaking terms, or why he suddenly left. Vegeta pushed back his guilt over the situation. He tried to reason his selfishness by telling himself that if Arthos had really wanted her he would have said something to her months or years ago.
"Vegeta?"
Quickly, he thought of a round about way to answer her without giving away that cold, hard facts. 'Ah ha!' "His father's army is already joined with my own father's. Arthos is perhaps better to stay and protect Riessei and Vegetasei."
Akira quickened her pace so that she could grab ahold of his arm. He turned his attention to her, but never stopped walking. "Since when do you not want to ride off to battle without him?" She inquired with a suspicious look.
He paused around the next corner, where they were alone, pulling her close. "I think it's for the best to have him here to protect my future mate from spies."
"Oh please, Vegeta. As if I can't protect myself," she laughed.
"The Cold's will try anything to win this war, and if they find out about us, they might try to capture you and ransom you off." He brushed aside a stray locke of hair. "That's not something I wish to deal with."
"Fine!" She gave him a quick peck and stepped back. She peeked around the corner and smiled. "Your brother is running this way."
A panicked look lit his face, and he ran to the nearest window. Akira laughed as she watched him climb through the portal. The twelve month old Prince Arro giggled madly as he spotted Akira and his older brother wh o was half in, half out of the window. The little boy jumped up and grabbed Vegeta's leg and tugged on it playfully.
"'Get'," Arro slurred the older prince's name. "Pay, 'Get'!"
Vegeta groaned, slipping back into the hall that he had been trying to escape through a window from. "I have no time to play with you." He emphasized the word 'play' in hopes that his little brother would pick up the correct way of saying it. As for his nickname, Vegeta let it slide for now, and Akira had an feeling that it was because Vegeta liked it.
Arro pouted, an angered look in his eyes, and he crossed his arms over his chest Vegeta-style. "Promised."
"Fine." He lifted his brother up 'til he was situated comfortably on his shoulders. "I suppose I won't be leaving by nightfall," he mused.
"Definitely not," Akira responded happily. She was in no rush for him to go running off to the front lines of this terrible war. She blew Arro a kiss and gave Vegeta's handa quick, affectionate squeeze. "I'll meet you at dinner. I have some plans to go over with your mother for the wedding."
"Shit."
She paused. "What?"
"Who knows how long I'll be out there, and I'll be damned if I let father send me back here again after his return to the battle. I'm seeing this one through." He groaned frustratedly. "We'll have to wait."
"That's fine," she told him. "It can wait."
"Can you wait?"
She nodded and winked. "I can wait, forever if I must."
He smirked and bent down for a kiss, but Arro yanked on his spikey hair and giggled. Akira laughed, and Vegeta growled. "Damnit, brat! You better watch it," he warned. "I'm holding you to your word," he told Akira. "Forever."
"No one but you," she whispered devotely.
~*~(end flashback for now!)
Bulma laughed at her son as he pretended to slay an unfortunate fruit tree in the garden.
"He's beautiful," Akira commented from next to her. "Funny how something so sweet and innocent could come from your sister."
The blue haired woman took a deep breath and released it slowly. The saiyan woman had managed to sneak up on her and startle her. She frowned. "I feel as if I didn't truly know her, like we're thinking of two totally different people." She never took her eyes off Trunks.
"It's likely that we are talking about two totally different people. She had many personas that she liked to play around with."
"Was she really as horrible as everyone is making her out to be?"
Akira let out a heavy sigh. "I tried not to be too biased in my first opinion of her, but over all, my very first impression was not a good one. I'm sure you know of what I'm capable of?"
"Yes. I grew up with a priestess. I know what your kind can do," Bulma said.
"My kind?" Akira laughed. "Don't you mean our kind?" She saw the woman next to her frown. Akira shook her head. "My goddess, you have no idea."
"What do you mean?"
"Your mother," she paused. "Are you blind? I only meant her once, and even I can see it."
Bulma felt her heart jump a beat in her chest. "You've meant my mother? How do yo even know?"
"The priestess, you silly girl. Thealda." She glanced into Bulma's eyes. "You must take after your father's side, but you definitely got yor eyes from her."
"She can't be my mother! Why would she lie to me and say she's not?"
"I can't answer that one for you, but perhaps you should send for her to come here." Akira went back to watching the lavender haired prince thrusting his sword at the dying leaves. Fall was starting to set in. "I can try to convince Vegeta that it's a good idea."
"We've strayed from the topic of my sister."
"I haven't anything nice to say about her, and I don't wish to upset you over it. I sense only goodness from you, Bulma, and I would have us be friends."
"I would like for us to be friends too. Goddess knows I could use all the friends possible here," she joked.
"Akira!"
Both women froze at the authoratative voice that called out from the villa. Akira rolled her eyes. "I'm starting to prefer thinking he was dead," she joked back quietly.
Bulma bit her bottom lip and tried desperately not to chuckle aloud. Vegeta would grow extremely suspicious if he saw them conversing so good- naturedly.
"We'll talk later when I can get rid of him for longer than an fifteen minutes," her new friend whispered before running of toward Vegeta.
Bulma had a feeling that Akira was going to be a big help to her over the course of her time here, and Akira was pondering just why Vegeta was being so protective of 'Marron.'
~*~
My hand is starting to cramp, people! I'm sorry. I can't go any farther! ~hand collapses~ More soon, I promise! ;) I hope ya all like this chapter, and that some things are starting to become clearer. I don't know!
Please Review!
Thanks!
~*~
PANDORA ;)