Chapter 4: Elite Gathering

A/N: Another update, been a little while. Let's see if this story is still popular with my audience.

Chi-Chi had her hands full, literally. A comb in her mouth, both her hands pulling free the mess of spikes and doing her best to remove the split ends from Gine's unruly mane of hair. Though she never considered herself a beautician, apparently she was being called to clean up and fix Gine to be presentable for the evening. Brushing out her locks as the saiyan woman reclined back in a chair without a headrest, allowing Chi-Chi to do her damndest to fix her up proper.

"So how has your last three weeks been here, Chi-Chi?" Gine asked, casting a slight back over her shoulder towards the woman still intensely trying to clean up her hair. Gine, like most saiyan woman, felt that strength was before beauty. However, with what was taking place that evening she wanted to look good.

"It's-" Chi-Chi said through her teeth, a slight hiss to her words as the comb was still held there. Straightening out the one side of her unruly locks until she spat out the piece in her lips and into her other hand. "Been exhausting." Admitting that she had thought her training in martial arts would've been more preparation for being a maid.

Laughing heartily at her response, "No doubt, Viv has been working you quite hard with the cleaning and cooking."

"Yes, she's been showing me everything but I don't mind it." The larger woman felt more like an older sister. While critical of Chi-Chi at times, when it came to doing her work properly and taking time to make sure she did it right with a demonstration.

"You have to eat your breakfast before you start anything, I will not hear it Chi-Chi."

"No, no, you've got to do this first. You're just wasting time and energy."

"If you did not finish, that is fine, you are still learning. You need your rest, I've seen your posture and appearance slipping, go rest. I will clean this hallway and then join young Raditz in his room for the evening."

"That is good, we want our caretakers to have a positive relationship. I'm so grateful Lucious is so thorough with his work." The saiyan had a knack for finding the proper demeanor for all of their recent household workers.

As Chi-Chi continued to begin straightening-what she could- Gine's hair the woman had to ask a question. "What exactly entails for this evening?" She had several hours to prepare Gine and herself for the night. They were heading to the royal palace, all of them. Bardock's house and Caretakers.

"Oh it's a formality issue, we will be meeting with the royal family for show, sport, and our role as hosting the elite families for our semi annual matches to compete with others for ranking. Though it will be hard to make any progress this year…" She sighed, "Kakarot and Raditz just are not showing their full worth to the royal family. Nappa still serves as a general to King Vegeta, and Kabba is so doggedly loyal to the prince they won't ever lose that favor without a good reason. Bardock can only command the elite purge team of our world and expect that to be enough to rise in rank. We need our sons to show their power, through battle, tactics, or loyalty… But that just doesn't seem to happen."

"Is the ranking really that important?" Chi-Chi continued as she pulled free the backs of Gine's locks.

"It's a matter of saiyan pride. Our family has never gone up in rank beyond third since Bardock won his seat. But we can't afford to be stagnant. Even if we don't go beyond our current rank we must at least show that we are striving to be more. Perhaps one day some of our family could be apart of royalty, but with a history of laziness and uninspired children that will never sit well with the royal family."

She didn't offer a response to Gine, thinking about the notion of pride and honor were almost a currency in the saiyan world. If anyone put their pride on the line then it was the equivalent of losing a piece of your own body.

"Have you prepared yourself for the greeting ceremony?" The saiyan female asked the other woman, though she believed that there would be no way that Viv or Nevah would let that slip under the radar. But it didn't hurt to be sure.

"Mmmhm" Chi-Chi replied as the comb went back into her mouth and began brushing the hard locks free from the other side. "Yess- I've- got that." Her words a slightly lisp to them as the offending object in her mouth blocked her speech.

"Wonderful." Gine replied smiling, her eyes still watching herself be fixed up in the mirror. A knock from the outside came, the heavy pounding a clear indicator as to the owner. "Come in, mate, no worries yet about ravishing me before the ceremony."

The door pushed open as Bardock had a small sneer on his face. Hands were covered in dirt, and blood was running from small cuts on his face. The lord of the house eyeing the two women, though his once brooding complexion which obviously had something to do with his two boys.

Shaking his head, Bardock moved to go to his bathroom. A slight grumble escaping from his lips about not wanting to put up with this bullshit.

"What was that about?" Chi-Chi asked as Gine just shook her head.

"Training our sons. Their father is quite the dedicated fighter. I have no doubt that our yard workers will be fixing the ground for a few days after that mess." Gine enjoyed her yard, it was such a tranquil place for her to go and be, especially after all the work Chi-Chi had asked to put into it.

"I'm going to assume that the garden I asked to work on and put in, probably is a mess?"

Gine chuckled slightly. "Most likely, I know my mate very well and I'm certain he pushed both boys to their limits today. Wanting them tired and focused on what he wants, if Raditz doesn't get a reminder he'll probably lose focus and start gambling with the other saiyans and Kakarot needs to be pushed as well." Her eyes widened slightly as she recalled something. "Speaking of my boys." She turned head slightly to look at Chi-Chi. "I believe you are to be the one escorting my youngest as his consort?"

She nodded, "Excellent, ask Kakarot to give you a proper introduction with the other elites. It would be good if you met them personally, as all caretakers should recognize our fellow elites as they will become common faces. It would be good to know them to avoid offending some of them." Gine turned back to the mirror and let Chi-Chi continue her work. "I will do my best, Lady Gine."

"Oh you can dispense with the formal titles with me, I am Gine and you have worked hard these past few months and I have had no problems with what you've done for my family. It would be only proper as one of our caretakers to talk to me in private without them." Smiling as she looked at the woman finishing up her hair. "You remind me much of myself when I was younger, I'm so glad everything worked out and you are here with us."

"Thank you, Gine," Chi-Chi pulled free the last mess of knots from the saiyans hair. "Okay, should be clean. What do you think? Though I'm not much of a hair stylist." She added as she looked at the way Gine examined herself in the mirror.

"It will be fine, I don't expect to keep it perfect all night long. No doubt I'll have to show the young girls of house Kabba a thing or two before the night is out."

Chi-Chi could only imagine that meant a knockout fight, those were far more common than she cared to admit or even felt comfortable around.

"I will handle the rest, go get yourself ready." Gine said waving off Chi-Chi and out of her room. The caretaker tucked her head, "As you wish, Gine."

Smiling, she tipped her head watching the earthling turn and leave the room, she had barely opened the door as a large figured was outside waiting for her. "Come dear, we've got to change our outfits." It was Viv, already wearing her royal attire, the deep crimson red of her maid outfit, wrapped with a large white cloak that swept from the right shoulder and partially covered her back.

"Alright, alright!" Chi-Chi relented as the larger woman practically swept her away, they only had so much time.

[***]

The fanfare was quite extravagant even from the air and from a distance. "I know this is your first time at one of these events. Don't take anything that you might see here to heart, not every saiyan is like us." Kakarot spoke, distracting her from the gathering. He was carrying her in his arms bridal style, as neither Viv or Nevah could fly. So Raditz carried Viv on his back, the sight rather humorous for the brother with such a large woman and the small Norlean was held in one arm by Bardock who was joined by his mate on the other side of him.

Wearing a matching red outfit to what Viv had earlier, save her white cloak was a slight white sash that covered her waist. She might've looked like normal except she had a pink water lily adoring the top of her head neatly affixed to her hair. It was a gift for her after all.

"What is that supposed to exactly mean?" Chi-Chi said looking to Kakarot with furrowed brows. The saiyan only chuckled at her response. "You'll see, just remember you're still a caretaker and do not embarrass my family or there will be consequences."

Shaking her head, "You are so much different out here, I like you more when you're dozing in my garden out back…

"What are you doing?" Kakarot had come outside as he heard the sounds of a shovel and dirt being shifted outside. Curiously it wasn't the lizardmen who were the usual ones who kept the grounds looking well maintained. It was in fact Chi-Chi, there was a strange aroma in the air and he wanted to find out who was changing his backyard.

His eyes looking to the side just down towards the ground as Chi-Chi was on her knees. He could see the dirt on her hands on her clothes. Just beside her was a new type of plant to him, some were red, others were white, and a few more were light or vibrant purple.

He had at least found where that smell had been coming from.

"This is a garden," Chi-Chi replied with a sigh as she dusted off her hands and stood up to address Kakarot. The saiyan eyeing her and her plants curiously.

"So… you're planting food?" His one eyebrow winged into the air as he had a basic idea of agriculture.

Chi-Chi looked at her flowers then back to Kakarot. "Seriously?"

His head twitched to her, an irritation showing on his face. Kakarot's eyes melding into a glare that made Chi-Chi want to throw her hands up into the air with some level of frustration. "These are flowers, you know, the kind that smell good and look pretty?" The still puzzling look on Kakarot's face was almost incredulos for her.

"Oh brother, it's just to make the place look nice. It's something we did back on my world," Chi-Chi sighed as she turned and went back to her work.

"And my father gave you permission to make his home look like a… giant colored leaf?" Kakarot couldn't imagine that his father would ever let anyone make his home look like this. Where was the sign of a warrior in a variety of flower decorating his home?

"No, your father didn't, your mother however… She thought it would be a good idea. As I would also grow fresh food out here. But your soil isn't actually the most healthy so I would start and see what I could grow first and these are the basics, also a little bit of color won't hurt anyone."

Snorting slightly, Kakarot just eyed the creations she had planted in the ground outside. "Why are you doing it then? We have the lizardmen who take care of the grounds."

Sighing, "You are very much like your father, Kakarot." Casting the saiyan an annoyed glance. "He said the same thing to me earlier when I started." The two looked and apparently thought the same, the old adage the apple doesn't fall from the tree was quite accurate here. Pointing towards the murky lake Kakarot took notice of something else. His senses having been distracted by Chi-Chi he hadn't caught a quite glaring addition to the home.

Several of the lizardmen with a light aquamarine color and light yellow face stripes were currently digging up along the bank of the water supply. The ground being littered with more green vegetation, dark lillies, palm trees, and other bizarre additions. "I asked Gine if I could just touch things up and see how well they grow. If I can get basic plants to grow I might be able to get some local plants, this can also help create fresh produce. The fresher the ingredients the better the flavor that you saiyans love for your food."

Though as Kakarot pondered her words one of the lizardmen, the ranking Sarus chief, a massive creature, stopped in front of Chi-Chi, its face lined with more teeth than an alligator and as long as Chi-Chi's fingers. His heavy body decorated in the bones and newly added fauna to his head, several feet taller than Kakarot and twice the saiyans girth. It was an imposing beast that might've given Chi-Chi fear at one point in her life.

But Kakarot wouldn't let anything happen to the caretaker, yet he did not expect anything of the sort. The lizardmen were loyal and dedicated workers.

She had taken it upon herself to feed the lizardmen better. Instead of just raw flesh, a little salt and pepper, twenty or thirty minutes on a fire. It had originally been a challenge for her to have them trust her. But once they tried her food she had them sold, as carnivores though they weren't picky. Also a digestive system that could dissolve rocks didn't make the chore difficult. However, they still had a sense of taste and smell.

Yet the Sarus leader held up both hands to the human woman, and there resting in his palms was a large and freshly bloomed water lily, the vibrant pink flower petals and yellow center a beautiful piece to the woman. "Oh my, it bloomed so soon?"

"Gift. Pale one." The massive creature spoke with a slight hiss. His hand's the size of Chi-Chi's chest holding the small flower so delicately for one who might see him as a brute.

Smiling, "Well thank you, I'll add it to my-"

"No, Gift." It spoke and moved, holding the flower with his massive claw like fingernails and placed it in the bun of her hair. The flower seemingly finding root within her hair and settling there.

"Oh, thank you. I love it." She smiled as the Sarus pulled back and bowed its head and then went back towards the river. Her eyes shifted towards Kakarot who looked baffled. "Don't be jealous." A slight tease in her voice as the saiyan grunted.

"Of what? A flower or of a creature who I could overpower when I was five?" Kakarot said dismissively as he waved his hand and turned to leave. "Whatever, do what you want to the backyard, just don't ruin it."

Kakarot hadn't originally enjoyed the idea but… it wasn't too bad. He found it more peaceful and as Chi-Chi had more and more put in, the smells and aromas were soothing. Yet as a saiyan he didn't say any of that, leaving it to his mother who enjoyed the outdoor air.

He caught a glimpse of Chi-Chi as her eyes widened at the sight before her. He almost laughed, there was the royal palace. A massive red stone palace that covered almost five square miles, the outside practically a pentagon filled with saiyans. Inside lay the sprawl of those strong enough to be inside its gates, or those foreign businesses and dignitaries that had a small section carved out for them.

The flags of the crown of Vegeta-sei each twenty feet long draped down from the five corners of the building to where a massive castle that was a mile wide, and half a mile tall, the red glistening in the sunlight of Vegeta-sei's multiple suns. It was a truly a place to be admired.

Her first visit to the capital would be the royal palace, where a hundred or so 1st class and elite saiyans would be gathering. All of them.

Following in behind his father the group descended down towards the arrival area, where Kakarot could see two of the other house guests already there.

"Lord Bardock!" The voice of the young Kabba called out, a friendly wave from the youngster as they arrived. Standing beside him were the two sisters. Kale and Caulifa, neither one wearing the house colors as would be normal etiquette, but with a Lord only sixteen years old, what could one expect? Kale wore a matching red tank top and shorts, with Caulifa having a bright pink top and long blue training shorts.

Kabba on the other hand wore armor, one based off a new design for the saiyan prince. A single shoulder strap but a full chest plate with a blue undershirt and shorts.

The other guest was house Paragus, the gruff old saiyan with a criss cross scar over his left eye, a bright white tunic and purple and green armor. Beside him was his docile son, Broly. Wearing the same colored armor as his father except a jeweled crown wrapped around his head.

But the lowest of the four houses did not attempt to get involved as the young Kabba came up to Bardock. "It's great as always to see you."

His senior saiyan chuckled, "Still so much a child, Kabba." But he placed a hand on his shoulder, "I had hoped to see you grow a bit more, but your still just as short as ever." The playful mockery not fazing the younger saiyan.

"Well I keep training everyday, me and my sisters are working hard. Soon one day we'll best you and Nappa!" His eagerness and tenacity, it was almost infectious.

Raditz unloaded Viv from his back and followed Raditz who engaged the younger saiyan. "Well you've still got quite a few years of growing up there, squirt." Laughing as he put his hand in the young house leader's hair and ruffled it. "My old man is looking to make a purge team leader, how about you and your sister's join me. Might be a good little excursion to see if you really have all that metal you like to boast about."

"Oh I'm more than ready, I can handle anything you got, Raditz!" Kabba not at all bothered by the teasing of the other saiyan.

"Can you handle her?" Thumbing back towards the massive arachnoid female behind him, who was quite used to Radtiz's little games like this, smiled down at him. The other saiyan scooping an arm around his back and whispered, "One round in the sack with her will make you a real man, if you want?" He all but cackled turning the younger elite into a flushed teeanger struggling to make a conversation with a pretty girl.

"Eh, what's got you looking like that?" Caulifa said coming over, followed closely by a very nervous Kale who looked practically skittish. Her hands held up tightly behind her sister, a slight shake visible as she approached the much larger woman.

"Nothing my dears, it has been so long since I've seen the two of you, how are you tiny morsels?" Crouching down Viv opened her arms up, having prior experiences with both of these young saiyan women.

"Ah so good to see you, giant freak!" Caulifa snickered coming to openly embrace the larger woman.

The arachnid's voice rippled into laughter in response to her words.

As Bardock took Kabba by the shoulder and away from his lazy good for nothing of a son his wife headed towards Broly as Paragus snorted and walked away from the gathering.

"How are you doing? You look a little out of it, little one?" As Broly's mother was Gine's cousin, she was a distant aunt to the slightly aloof saiyan. Seeing him much as she would her own children.

Broly said little yet he leaned his head down as Gine caressed his cheek softly. "My little one, I know your mother would be so proud of you. Leeka would've wanted nothing more than to see you grow strong." Gine smiled as the saiyan closed his eyes and let her pull his head down.

"Miss her… I do." The saiyan whispered, "Father, hates me."

"Hush, hush little one." Gine replied consolingly.

Bardock watched his mate show care for that weakling of a nephew of hers. "Damnit, Gine." He muttered under his breath, a mild measure of disgust showing on his face. Thankful that neither of his own brats were that addled in their minds, to that extreme. His mind knowing full well that both of his boys were just lazy and slow to do anything because they had nothing to truly work for. Though there would be plans to finally sort all of that out.

In the midst of this semi reunion Chi-Chi looked around at all of the saiyans and was surprised at how different they all were. By comparison to the purge team Bardock ran and his family she had thought she had seen a wide spectrum but apparently she was wrong. A slight pinch on her ass snapped her back to the moment as she smacked Kakarot's offending hand, the bastard always pinched her right on the backside to get her attention or because he was probably some pervert in some measure like his brother. "Come on, let's get you introduced, can't have you sit back and gawk."

"Oi! Kabba and the twin terrors we got to introduce you to our new caretaker." Kakarot said bringing Chi-Chi closer.

"So soon and man.. She's really pretty." Caulifa grinned as she all but swaggered over towards Kakarot, of course Kale nipping at her heels but never touching her big sister. "Heya, so which team are you on?"

"My what? Team?" Chi-Chi replied a bit confused to the young saiyans words.

"Caulifa, she's not into women, she likes men. Proper saiyan men." Kakarot put a hand in between the two of them as Caulifa shook her head.

"Nah, I can tell em, she likes women. So what do you feel about joining House Kabba, me and my sister need someone our size to fit in our training schedule. Girls only!" Caulifa pushed a little forwards towards Chi-Chi her face getting within a foot. "So want us to win you and join our house in the future?"

"Ehhh? I really don't," Chi-Chi stammered nervously as the way Caulifa was looking at her. It was similiar to the way Raditz eyed Viv- "Don't you be teasing her now you little scamp." The larger woman said appearing from behind the two grabbing the saiyan by the shoulder.

"Ughh you adults are sooo dulll!" The saiyan whined, "Come on Kale let's get going and see the prince."

".. Oh… okay." Kale whispered following after her sister. Chi-Chi looked to Kakarot who shrugged, "She's just different, i'm sure she likes men and women. I think she does it for Kale whose too timid to be approached by a different gender."

"No, she's a bonafide lesbian." Raditz chimed in as he came up, "She wouldn't sleep with me, no woman would deny this fine example of a saiyan and not be one. Ain't that right Viv?" He chuckled with a glint in his eyes making the other woman blush slightly.

Before Kakarot could retort a hand swept from behind and smacked the long haired saiyan upside the head. "Knock it off, boy. You are here at the palace start acting like a god damn elite."

"Come on pops, we're meeting with Kabba's house. You expect a bunch of teenagers to behave like they should? I mean for crying out loud Caulifa wanted to jump our new caretaker. I mean can you-" His father smacked him again, making the saiyan growl irritated.

"Shut your mouth," His warning tone convincing the saiyan to just give it up. "Gine, Nevah, let's go." He barked as his mate gave Broly a reassuring pat on the hand and let him follow after his father in a lethargic way. Nevah calmly remaining out the saiyan squabbles fixed Gine and Bardock's appearances before setting herself just behind the two of them as they marched inside.

"Gah… old prick." Raditz grumbled massaging the back of his head.

"He's still the lord of the house, unless you wish to change that?" Viv gave a giggle and put a hand around him. "Shall we then?"

"Yeah whatever, it's not like I have anything better to do, hopefully they will set up the tables tonight."

Chi-Chi looked to Kakarot who just met her gaze. "That was house Kabba, be careful around them, they love their pranks. No doubt I'll expect Caulifa and Kale to try and abscond with you for a few hours just to test the waters…" His lips pulled into a slight grin as he saw the mortified expression on her face. "I might enjoy seeing how you handle a horny saiyan teenager and her sister."

"No- Thank you!" Chi-Chi said raising her hand in her declaration. "Not interested, I'd rather not be ravished by a lust filled saiyan woman."

"Be sure to stay by me then tonight and we'll make sure that doesn't happen." A slight smack on her ass from Kakarot made her growl warningly. "What? You just said a saiyan woman… nothing about a saiyan man."

"You're being just as difficult as them, you know that?" Kakarot had a slight infatuation with her, and while slightly flattering she was in no hurry or mood to become a bed warmer. I have my pride.

The voice in the back of her head also reminding her that it was probably just a game for Kakarot as it was for his brother. Though, thankfully neither were making a direct order of her to join them in either of their beds yet.

"What can I say, I aim to please." He chuckled as Chi-Chi just shook her head in irritation before following beside him.

The two making their way inside just a bit behind Raditz, the red hue of the carpet led into a large royal gathering room as there seated atop the three chairs were the royal family, King, Queen, and Prince Vegeta. The queen a more pleasant smile on her lips, her royal crown entangled in a mess of black spikes that were held away from blocking her vision. Her armor a match to her husband's and son.

The prince appearing bored of the gathering on his expression but maintained a dignified posture. His sharp features and flame upswept hair a mirror of his father next to him save his height. Missing a solid foot by comparison.

King Vegeta's body was draped with a long blood red cape that covered his front leaving all but his exposed gloves visible. A single blue medallion with the etched symbol of the house of Vegeta was loosely hanging off his neck, a royal treasure from generations of kings past. While lacking practicality, it was tradition and honor that bid him to wear it.

All four houses took a knee in front of their King. Nappa off to the side with his single caretaker, the one recently taken from House Bardock. Hellah, a full bodied woman, similar in girth to Nappa but a soft blonde hair and demeanour shown outwards as the saiyan male had her knelt beside him.

From there was house Kabba, the young lord brightly smiling up at the King. Eager to learn, and get stronger though just behind him was Caulifa and Kale both a stark contrast to each other and their older brother.

Then House Bardock, the single remaining full elite family with its varied Caretakers due to its size and needs. King Vegeta noting the newcomer beside the youngest son of Bardock, her eyes looking around partially transfixed by all of this. A slight breach of etiquette but nothing he would discipline a new house member for on their first visit.

Lastly was House Pargus, the old grizzled saiyan almost angry to be where he was while his son remained just staring off into nothing.

"Elite houses, I welcome you into my home. Raise your heads," His hand lifting upwards as all in attendance looked to the King. "Your loyalty pleases my family, and I await the upcoming months for the ranking matches to begin, though this is a measure of strength and wounds, grievances, and scores are to be settled. I wish to remind you all that you are in fact saiyans, we are all one people, so as we must come together in rememberance of those who are no longer here to enjoy the spoils of our great planet, I ask you all to continue your dedication and partake of my hospitality." The King's voice firm but also somber as he recanted their reason for gathering. "Now rise up," The King's face turning into a smirk, "And let the feast BEGIN!"

R&R

Kerghan