Hey everyone here we are again with chapter two! CelestialMageLucy and I have been working with our free time so the first couple chapters will come out fairly quickly but then it should slow down. We hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season thank you and enjoy!
Chapter Two: Everything Means Nothing
~Vegeta-sei~
The Prince of all Saiyan sits relaxed on his balcony ledge. His one knee brought up to his chin while the other dangles over the edge. He stares up at those vast, endless stars as he did all his life. He had everything he ever dreamed of here; he was next in line for his father throne, he has endless women throwing themselves at him, and of course he had achieved his destined Super Saiyan status. He was the strongest on the planet and he had conquered many for his empire and his bed, so why was it that he still searched these stars? He knew deep down in his heart something important was missing.
Always on cooler nights like this he found his mind drifting back to the days after the fight with Frieza where everyone was waiting for Kakarot to show up. He remembered the countless battles and victories as well as his final moments on Namake. That was not the thing that was missing though, the person he couldn't remove from his mind is the one he wished he could forget. It had been over five years since he had that soft, azure woman in his bed. He loved waking her up extra early to make her cook. He always admired her first thing in those wee hours of the morning as she sprawled out with her long hair behind her back and her peaceful expression. That was back before he realized his feelings for her, and what made her more mad was when she wouldn't get up he would toss her out of bed. The look of pure murderous rage would be radiating off her while he hid a secret smirk. She knew damn well that she couldn't make good on her threats, but that spirit of hers had him respecting her more. She would throw insults at him and would storm off to make his meal.
It was that spirit of hers that drew him in closer. She was weak as they came with no form of martial arts training and a laughable ki, but this made her body soft and supple. Her scent was warm vanilla and honey. At first he detested that scent as it tempted him to betray his people and his race, but once he had given in it had felt like heaven. She was warm, soft, and accepted him so willingly. He memorized her laugh, every line on her perfect frame, and hell those little imperfections that she couldn't stand, but he found the most attractive on her. As he closed his eyes he could see her as if she was in front of him. She haunted his dreams every night since he had left the compound. A deep-set frowned graced his mouth as he reopened his eyes and saw those countless stars. How did it all lead to this? He knew the answer.
He remembered when she came to him and explained what she was doing when he caught her. His frown turned into his signature smirk when he recalled how she butchered his native tongue. Took him by surprise mostly since she grasped the basics of his language. She had not only taken the time to invent a way to contact his homeworld, but also to learn his dialect. She was something else. She was always this raging ball of emotions and then suddenly she would surprise him with her genius. Her genius and snappy personality more than made up for her list of shortcomings. When would she stop surprising him?
"Won't you come back to bed, sire?" Came the sultry call of his concubines from the bedroom. One waited by the entrance to the balcony, but he didn't even bother to face her.
"I suggest you see your way out. I am done with your services for tonight." He ordered.
A slight pout protruded on her bottom lip, "Please my Prince, I can still see the tension you have to releave. Surely you would let me see to your- "
"Did I fucking stutter, whore?" His voice turned cold and the woman backed off.
"As you wish, sire." She quickly retreated to the other women and they left the Prince to his thoughts.
He inwardly growled, these women, the only reason they were here was because he was the Prince. They were here to serve the royal crown and nothing more. They knew their lot in life and obeyed. The Woman never obeyed unless she chose to. She was free and full of emotion in those cerulean eyes of hers. They used to watch and admire him. They respected him because of a mutual understanding. They had come together out of something other than duty, but these women…these people. What have they done to deserve him? He was a true prince again and had gotten everything he could possibly want. However, none of that ever seemed to be enough. Why was he so damn unhappy?
Gruffly he hummed to himself and closed his eyes. He thought back to his last night on Earth, his last night with her. They were on the roof of her home eating their last meal before his trip. He couldn't remember what they were talking before she faced him seriously. He remembered the way her hair fell off her shoulders like the waves of the ocean gently blowing in the breeze. She was a sight and he captured her in that moment. As she was rambling on about how she will miss him, he leaned forward and captured her mouth with his own. She felt soft against him and the dinner was long forgotten. All he could think of in that moment was ravaging her on that roof, and he did. He forgot about everything the only thing that mattered was her under him. He could still hear her cries and begging words in his ear. How she almost pushed him over the edge when he entered her. She was a beautiful, fine instrument to play and he played her well. That was their first and only time, one night off nothing but bliss. They made love in every corner of his room once he was done taking her on that roof.
The morning light flittered in through his curtains as he stood on the Earth balcony watching the sun rise in the far distance. He was aware of the beautiful woman asleep in his silk sheets finally resting after he took her body most of the night. She was everything he had imagined her to feel and nothing he had since before or now could compare. It took every shred of will power in his body to remind himself of his home and duty to his people. She had almost convinced him to stay behind and get lost in her. But it would never have worked out as she was a Human and he was a Saiyan Prince. This little night, this moment, was just that; a single moment where they coupled and nothing more. He felt her move up behind him as she wrapped her sheet around her nude frame and held onto his back. She rested her head between his shoulder blades and he felt the light tickle of her breath on his bare back. There was a comforting silence between them, but it held the bittersweet of 'goodbye' that they both acknowledged. They both knew this was the best they could ever hope for and, yet, it pained them to think that this could possibly be the end. He felt her remove herself as she placed a kiss on his back.
"I will come back Woman. I promise."
"You better." She replied before taking the steps to return to her room and finish up preparing his ship for its departure later.
His eyes opened again, and he was back on his planet where the stars only seemed to shine brighter. He kept his promise in the end when he returned a year later. Unfortunately he found the planet was sold off and all inhabitants gone. The same rage that filled him then, filled him now. He wasn't fast enough and in the end, they all were gone. After the initial shock and threatening to kill off anyone on the planet. He demanded information and used his diplomacy to gather that. Turns out the mortal enemy is the same mortal enemy from back on Nameke, but this time in the form of his older brother Cooler. It appeared that Frieza was also still alive and slowly rebuilding, while both King Kold and Cooler were protecting the vermin. His blood was boiling just thinking about it. The one responsible for destroying his race for the first time survived thanks to that third-class idiot and was now licking his wounds. Needless to say, the Saiyans and Ice-jins were never on good terms and a war was beginning to brew. He would not let those bastards get the better of them again, especially knowing they were responsible for Earth's tragic end.
It had taken him a better part of a couple years to start tracking down and freeing Earthling slaves. He granted them asylum on his planet as long as they contributed to the Saiyan race. It ended up being a better deal in the long run of things. Unfortunately, due to the weak nature of Humans compared to other races, they did not last long in the universe dark side. His father, and some of the more conservatives of his people, were not happy sharing their planet with his 'little pet project' and many felt prejudices against these Earthlings. But all would have to make due until he could take back Earth and put them back. Problem was that the planet was still occupied by the damn Ice-jins and nothing he could do to stop it unless he took down their whole fucking force.
But regardless if he kept the Humans here or not, didn't make a difference to him. He was looking for one particular woman among the endless faces of those he allowed sanctuary and every mission had come up empty. Each search found less and less humans. He mostly got back her blasted 'friends', but many of them did not make it. Among those survivors were Kakarot and his family, The old pervert, and the Namekian Piccolo. He had come to find by Kakarot's family that the Woman's parents did not survive when they all were separated as they were attacked. What's worse was from his rival's recount of the men that dragged her away assaulting her.
He let out a low growl at that knowledge. She was attacked before she was taken. He didn't understand the severity of it, but he did hunt those down responsible. It did not take him long to find each of the four filth that dared to put their hands on her, but not one knew her whereabouts. They sold her and that is where her trail ended. It has been almost five years now, the anniversary of when he left her was coming up. Each year she was missing would only confirm what he knew in his heart; she was gone. He had regrets about many things, and this was the biggest he would never admit aloud. His father had been pressuring him lately to find a proper mate and sire some brats as is law before he would step aside and allow him the throne. No matter how prestigious the title was of the women that were presented to him, he always seemed to find something wrong with each one. His father was more than willing to start a large harem for him to just get him to at least seek comfort in a woman.
Which is why there were concubines in his room. He sighed and hopped down from his balcony headed to the training rooms. Honestly, he couldn't find a reason to linger in his room any longer. His mind was too consumed by thoughts of what he had lost and how he may never taste the woman again. He jumped down from the balcony and landed on the paved ground with a soft thud. He headed towards the direction of the training areas on the royal grounds. As he made his way with a quiet stroll, he looked inside himself about his true feelings. Any sane man would consider her to be gone, or worse deceased. He couldn't truly bring himself to believe any of that. The damn woman used to instill the stupid human concept of hope. What was there to hope for now? He had gotten all he wanted true, but what was the cost? Was he truly happy here instead of Earth? Parts of him wished he could go back to those days with her in the sun. His home world was vastly different than hers. Veget-sai was mostly harsh dry deserts with large pockets of tropical rainforests. Earth was more like her, the sky was blue as those eyes and the large oceans the wavy and blue like her hair. Now the planet was stripped and brought down to only its harden core. Currently, his plans were to restore it back to its former glory even if it was a backwards mudball. He would do that for her…even if she were to never return. That would be his parting gift to her and his apology for allowing her to risk everything for his happiness.
He dryly smiled back up towards the sky. In his solitude he supposed he never changed; always looking towards the sky in hopes that maybe she is looking back at him. Hoping that they might be reunited once again. He believed she would be found. She would be brought back to him; even if he had to drag her himself. Wouldn't that be the sight to see. He could already hear her complaining and her weak hits against him. What he would give for one more argument; one more chance to make her eyes light up in the heat of their verbal transgression. She was so much like a Saiyan except for that pathetic Ki she had, she was something else.
He was approaching the training areas where there were many Saiyans already engaging in combat this time of night. All tensions were high with the knowledge that war would be soon around the corner and many wished to get the last of the training before things got started. There was the red moon festival as well. Which was three days of their primal instincts taking over and control them all. Many would send their offspring to their missions and others would be holed up in designated areas where they would not participate in the festivities. Those who did were subjected to their own whims from killing, eating, changing into their true forms, or sexual advances of any kind of nature. It was quite a festive time that happens once every 4 years. This was to keep their populations up and to ensure their future as a species. It was one of the more popular festivals. Unfortunately, it left them all vulnerable. Their trade would be down, many missions would have to be postponed as well. The festival would happen in 2 and half months. So, he had time to get off this planet and avoid it before the moon's rays affected them all.
The second event was that of his missions to gather more Humans refuges and offer them a safe space to continue the species. With earth stripped there were no dragonballs to rely on. That is unless he wanted to try and find New Namake, but he didn't think the Namekians would be happy to help him once again. He doubts that he would be allowed even near the planet considering he did the whole Frieza debacle…and him murdering many of their people. No, he will do this one his own and when he finds the Woman, then she can decide if she wants to use them to bring back her home or not.
He found his own personal room and begun to work on his stretches and observed his area. This nothing like the metal ship that she created for him to train in. When he first arrived he turned over most of the technology on the ship over to his scientists. So shortly after his scientists installed a gravity chamber in this room that he could access. They used the ship to advance their own to catch up with the vastly changing universe. With the help of what they learned on the ship it had taken all but a month to be one of the most competitive in the trade market and technology department. Couple this with their warrior services, his empire had become one of the strongest to not just ally with, but also to join in their ranks. Of course, this took a blow to the Ice-jin powerhouse, and nothing pleased the prince more than to know he got one over on Frieza and his fucking family. What would the woman think of that? More likely she would have demanded equal partnership and more business jargon he could care less about. Hell, he would give her that and more if she just appeared right in front of him.
He suddenly straightened himself as he felt another presence enter in his space. He turned an eye to the entrance and see his once rival, but now pain in his ass Saiyan guard Kakarot standing there. It had been two years since his men rescued Kakarot and his family. It was a Kold planet they had put a ki damper on him and kept him sedated. Turns out he was being used as a fairly efficient power supply.
"Figured you were up. Mind if I train with ya?" The fool dared to ask him.
"Shouldn't you be back with that harpy mate and brat?"
"Heh, kinda can't sleep since she has Goten keeping her up. Kid's got a pair of lungs on him."
"So that means you got out of helping your mate take care of your offspring?"
"Well if you don't say anything- "
"Idiot. Go back to your family." He gave the younger man his back.
"Aww come on Vegeta! Don't be like that! Let me spar with ya! I can't sleep, and I am bored!" Kakarot persisted.
"Will it get you to shut up?" The prince watched his subordinate nod enthusiastically; this earned him a groaned sigh. "Fine. Shut the fuck up and let's fight. I won't go easy on you."
"Heh, you wish." Kakarot smugly chuckled. "Same rules? First one to go to Super Saiyan forfeits the match?"
"Please, you are just worried I'll beat your ass again."
"Says the one who was in the regen tank for how long? A day more than me last time?"
"I don't think your harpy would appreciate that. Last time, she about lost her life."
"Chi? Nah, she is only worried. Seriously though, let's not tell her about this."
"Hiding things from your mate isn't becoming. Then again, she knew what she was getting involved with when she mated you."
"I suppose…" Kakarot begun his stretches while his prince begun to wrap his hands.
"Enough talk. Either fight or get out."
"Just what I was going to say." Kakarot got into a stance and prepared for his counterpart to make the first move.
The men trained for the better part of the whole night before both ended up back in the medical wing of the hospital in the regen tanks that would heal them. When the Prince of Saiyans could exit his own, a messenger was waiting dutifully to help prepare him and escort him to his own meeting room. His little trip to the wing had cost him a few missed appointments-not that he cared either way. After all he was the prince, and everyone ran on his time. The only exception being his father the King. After dressing in his royal attire that adorned him that consisted of his signature body suit which was in the shade of a darkened black color, his white chest armor with the royal crest engraved above his heart in red dye that form fitted to him. His long crimson cape clipped on his shoulders and he had put on his white boots and gloves. Once he was presentable, he followed the messenger escort to his meeting tower. He looked over his shoulder and smirked at his training buddy still floating in the blue water that surrounded him. He resisted a chuckle as he knew how much trouble he would be in when he returned to his mate.
Fighting with Kakarot seemed to be more therapeutic lately than anything else. Not that he would ever let the fool know considering he rather die than divulge that information. He always seemed to know when he was in need to keep his mind busy not unlike the dogs of Earth could feel the emotions. Fighting with Kakarot seemed to make him feel a little closer to her, that and it felt great beating his stupid face. What annoyed him most times was he knew the bastard was letting him win and holding back his strength. But as long as it wasn't brought up, he would let the fool let him think he didn't know. I think in their own way they were comforting each other on some level. They both had lost a lot, but they were Saiyans and Saiyans grieve in their own way.
Since the Saiyan race was brought back, that meant most of Kakarot's family, minus Raditz of course since it was Piccolo that destroyed him. But the man got to meet his Father, Bardock joined his family that way. From what he had heard, they all were doing well and Kakarot and his mate welcomed another addition to their family who they named Goten. This time it looked exactly like his father which seemed to be the gene in that family. The scowl on his face deepened. What would the Woman and his child look like? Not that he could ever mate with her since he was royalty, but it is something that maybe he could change when he was king and could throw out laws he found useless. But that didn't answer his question of their child. What would an offspring between them be like? It was hard for him to imagine because maybe deep down he knew that it would never happen. He could not take her as his mate and he doubt she would be more than willing to be his mistress. He was Saiyan and a royal one at that. He could not muddle the bloodline. But he wouldn't mind at least having her in his company. He valued her opinion and her knowledge. He could have her here as an ambassador for Earth. That would at least keep her in his circle.
Before his thoughts could go further down that road, he found himself entering his meeting room where all were waiting for him. They stood and saluted him in their Saiyan way of their fist over their hearts which adorned areas of the planet's crest. He gave a nod and they sat. "What news do you all have about the next expedition?"
A tall, lanky Saiyan stood first. This one was in charge of mapping and penetrating information about Human refuges. "Well sire, we have our next destination. About 20 or so Humans are used as slaves in the Ice-jin empire on Cooler Planet 49 in the southern quadrant of the Ice-jin empire."
"Good. What else?"
"Well Sire, what is interesting about this group is they specialize in weaponry and technology for the Ice-jin. Word is that they are preparing something big. No doubt that Cooler is planning on advancing on our empire again with his father's orders while his brother is recovering." This certainly got the prince's attention. His eyes were narrowed, and hope begun to take over his mind. Could this mean that she is there? But this could be like all the other times that appeared to be promising. This Human concept of hope was something he felt himself beginning to indulge himself more and more these days. Before he could ask more detail about it, a more defined Saiyan stood to object. This one he recognized oversaw military affairs; a high rank general in his father's army. He was more well rounded and strong looking with a deep scowl on his features.
"With all due respect your highness, but what is the point of this mission? Cooler Planet 49 is well within the Ice-jin empire. We have wasted more than enough resources on these Humans which is now hurting our image. We have lost too many Saiyans for this cause and now you want to infiltrate even deeper into that territory. It is going to be a suicide mission. Just how many more of us need to get killed before it sinks in that maybe this isn't what we should be doing. I don't know what exactly you are searching for or if you think you owe it to these weaklings, but-"Instantly the man stopped talking with his mouth ajar. A large hole was shot through his chest with blood pooling down his incinerated body. He crumpled to the ground as the Prince of Saiyans stood and glowered hatefully at the fallen general. All Saiyans stood up and backed away shocked from the sudden death sentenced by the royal heir. He narrowed his eyes and stared each of the men in the room down.
"Anyone else dares to question my methods can leave now with their life and return to my father's council. But if you stay, the next one to bring up if we should stop this mission will meet with the same fate." He voice was low and held the promise of death within it.
The men looked at each other nervously. Only three left the group and Vegeta had straightened himself. "Someone clean this shit up. The lot of you follow me to the science wing and we will begin to plan our course." He turned on his heel and briskly walked out of the room. The remaining men followed him as they allowed the servants to come and properly destroy the body. The dark prince was sure to have hell raised by his father, but he would not stand by his own meeting and his actions being questioned. He did not have time for the prejudices many Saiyans felt towards the Humans when he was in search of his prize. He will be damned if another dared to prevent him from being so close to what he had searched so long for. The group entered the science wing and the planet in question was pulled up in the hologram as the lanky Saiyan begun to explain the mission. He pointed where the slaves were kept and all the knowledge they would need to infiltrate. A few plans were made to sneak in or face confrontation to help the refugees to the safety of the ships waiting.
Vegeta's dark eyes did not waver from the hologram where his men were pointing. His gaze was transfixed on the area of the slave's holdings. He knew she was there, he could taste it. So many years had been wasted looking for her, but something about this mission was different. As weapons were produced in this area was discussed among the meeting, there was something oddly familiar about the structure of them. They had her signature on them and he was willing to bet all of the Vegeta-sei moons that she did have a hand in creating if not all of the products. She was there. The problem he faced now was getting her safely out. He would deal with the aftermath, but to know she is alive and safe was all he wanted.
"Sire…" The sound of his title being recalled for who knows how many times brought him out of his reverie.
"Hn?" He acknowledged.
"Is this plan suitable?"
"Which one?"
"We will send a highly qualified squadron to infiltrate the compound here" The one talking pointed. "There we will be able to round up the Humans and extract all weapons and data gathered. We will have ships waiting in this area here to gather and book it out of there."
"I will lead the squadron."
"I am afraid that is unwise sire. Your father will never approve."
"Fuck what he approves. I make my own decisions."
"But sire- "
"Do you wish to end as the other that went against me?
"We only wish what is best for this trip. You going with could endanger our people and future of this planet. You are too important and if you are captured, they have the heir again. Forgive me, but no one wants a repeat of what happened when you were a child." The Saiyan spoke boldly to his prince. Vegeta felt a tic going off in his head and he had to take several calming breaths to be able to speak. He stared the man down with such loathing.
"You speak out of line."
"I speak out of concern and fact. You asked for our help, then trust us to put these Humans in the right hands. We will send qualified men to get them back here safe. I know you are used to handling everything, but please, let your people lend a hand. You want the Humans, then you shall have them. But please do not insult our abilities to help serve the crown." The pair locked eyes before Vegeta scoffed.
"Very well. But I am looking for a specific kind of Human. Find her and you will be rewarded so greatly you couldn't even fathom."
"Her? We are looking for a female?"
"Yes. She goes by the name Bulma Briefs. Blue hair and eyes. Intelligent, a complete smart ass, weak power level. Find her for me and bring her back to me unharmed. And I swear you will have all you imagine and more. But she dies and so do you all. I will not play games here gentlemen. She returns to me alive and safe by your hand and all will be rewarded."
The room looked at each other curious. This was the first time their heir mentioned a particular Human, much less a woman. He even had offered a reward. Who was she and what was she to the Prince of all Saiyans? Seeing as the group had grown quiet and the questions begun to arise in their eyes. Vegeta turned on his heel to walk out. "Find her now and I suggest you do it quickly. The longer you wait, the more my patience grows thin. Stall too long and I go alone." He threatened before walking out the door.