Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball (Z/Super/GT) or its characters.
Author Notes: I am sorry for the delay, I had some others things to do and that restrained the time i had to write.
Has been brought to my attention (thanks for Fulfilling His Legacy for mentioning that to me) that I never described how Asparus looks like and it's kind silly to discribe him now in the story, so i will do this now in the shortest way possible, so it doens't take much space.
Asparus has a spiky upwards reddish brown hair with two bangs close to his forehead sticking out downwards in a V like shape. His eyes are sharp and somewhat large, compared to Cabba's. In contrast to his fierce glare and constant frown, his face is rather smooth and with his softer jawlines, if he would not be glaring angry at someone or something all the time, he would have a rather peaceful look. Another detail is the black cloth tape that he has across his left cheek, he uses this to cover a scar that he gained in an accident when he was a child.
His outfit is composed of a dark blue shirt and a dark green long sleeved undershirt. In his waist he wears a large dark green sash belt, his pants are made of the same fabric of his shirt, but with a slightly lighter blue color, they are long and cover all Asparus legs, even covering a little bit of his shoes. And for last, his shoes are very identical to the ones that Cabba uses, but with a darker purple color.
That's all that i have to say this time, enjoy the reading. ;)
"I went there, to that stupid planet, but… It exploded, I thought that you were dead." Caulifla is shaking and crying, Cabba is so confused, but he can't stop himself from smiling seeing how much she cares about him.
"It's okay now, I am safe and sound." Cabba stroke Caulifla's hair, slowly and affectionately.
She lifted her head from Cabba's chest and locked her gaze with his. He stared at her, smiling unconsciously. 'How can she be so beautiful.' Cabba thought to himself. With his fingers, Cabba caressed Caulifla's left cheek, which still is wet from her tears. Caulifla grabbed his hand and with a swift motion, she started to kiss his fingers, making Cabba shiver with the touch of her lips.
"By the gods, what's all this noise?" Cabba's mother rushed out of her house, just to be surprise by the sight of the two young saiyans in a small crater at the front yard. "Cabba!" She yelled her son's name, and tears formed in her eyes. "You're alive." The woman ran towards them, at all the speed that she could.
Caulifla separated herself from Cabba, giving space to his mother, who hugged him so tight that he almost couldn't breathe.
"Mom… Can't breathe." His words didn't affect her in the least, she just kept hugging him while sobbing.
Caulifla could hear little steps coming from the house and she knew well who that is. "Big Brother!" Letto started to scream and jump at the first sight of Cabba. The little boy leaped on his brother and his mother, hugging both of them.
Lettu's eyes, shining with his tears, turned to Caulifla, after he noticed she standing close to them, his lips displayed an even bigger smile. "You brought him back, like you promised."
"What did I tell you, I would find him and bring him back." She didn't bring Cabba back from where he was, and she too just found him outside of his house. But she couldn't say that, she doesn't want to disappoint Lettu.
The Saiyan child, let go of his brother neck and jumped at Caulifla's arms. She was surprised at first, but quickly embraced Lettu, holding him closer to her. "Thank you, Miss Caulifla."
"I never break my promises, you know." He is so small and warm, like a little puppy, Caulifla wants hug him forever and take him to her house.
"Oh my… Cabba what happened to you?" Cabba's mother noticed all the blood on his body and face, and all the damage that his body armor has suffered.
Hearing the older woman's worried words, Caulifla turned her attention again at Cabba, and for the first time she noticed the condition that he is in. Most of his body is covered in blood, but there is no sight of wounds or bruises.
"It is nothing mom, don't worry about it." There is no way that she is believing that, but Cabba lied, he never had lied to her. His mother nodded her head to him, showing that she will not continue to pry. But Caulifla noticed his lie too and she will not let that pass.
"The hell?" Caulifla put Lettu on the ground and walked closer to Cabba. "How is this nothing? You disappear for two days and when you show up, you're all trashed up and covered in blood."
"It's done, I had to fight and it is over now." Cabba is different, he never talked to her like that. Caulifla felt a little dejected, but, grew more worried because of his strange answer.
"Fight what? Who was so strong that gave you this much trouble?" Caulifla pressed on.
Cabba's mind wandered to the events of two days ago and his fight with Freeza. He got scared thinking about what would happen if she knew about it. "It's was my mission from the Force, don't worry about it." Cabba gave a cold answer, much to his immediate regret.
"You talked about the giant robot the other day, what changed now?" Caulifla stomped her foot on the ground, getting annoyed at Cabba's attitude.
"Come Lettu, help me prepare the table for lunch." Mother and Son, walked away from the couple. Lettu didn't want to leave, but he just followed his mother anyway.
"What is wrong with you Cabba?" Caulifla sat by his side, but he avoided her gaze.
"I'm sorry for being rude, the last two days have been really stressful." He looked tired and stressed, Caulifla was not done talking with him, but she also didn't want to make him feel even worse that he is now.
Both of them just stared at each other in silence, Cabba don't want to talk about his mission and Caulifla will not leave him alone. But the awkward situation didn't last long, as Cabba's ship soon landed close to them, with Asparus and Kale disembarking from the vessel.
"Cabba, I am happy to see you well." Asparus was not sure if he should have intervened, but Cabba seemed relieved for his intrusion. "By the looks of your clothes, I don't know if well is the right word to use, but at least you're alive."
"Your highness. I am the one who is happy that you're safe." Cabba eyed Kale standing beside Asparus, and this made him raise his eyebrow a little. 'I am imagining things, or is Kale being too comfortable around him?' he wondered quietly.
"I-I am happy to see you too." Kale raised her voice a little, and surprised Cabba with this little comment.
"Thank you, Kale. Sorry for making you guys worry, but, I am glad to be back." Cabba shivered a little thinking that he is about to leave again, so it is like he is lying to them again. "Hold on a little, what are you doing with Kale, prince Asparus?"
"Not my choice, and not only with her." Asparus's expression changed from cheerful to annoyed really fast. "You see, your crazy girlfriend kidnaped me and demanded that I should guide her to Udim, in some sort of suicidal rescue attempt."
"Girlfriend?" Cabba looked confused by Asparus words, and then the prince pointed at Caulifla, who stood up, crossed her arms and shifted her gaze away. "She is not my girlfriend! We're not like that." Cabba jumped from the ground landing some feet's ahead. 'Why does everybody keep saying things like this, she is probably going to get mad.' Red from head to toe, Cabba turned his head to Caulifla and the angry expression on her face sent a chill down to his spine.
"Yeah, we are not like that." Caulifla is angry, so mad that she could punch Cabba's stupid face. 'Why does he react so bad every time someone mention that?' She walked away from Cabba and grabbed one of Kale's arms. "Let's go Kale, we already saw him, he sure has others things to do."
"But Sis." Kale hesitated a bit. "Are you sure?" She looked at Cabba and then to Caulifla, not understanding too much.
"If you want to stay, be my guest. I am going home." Caulifla released her friend's arm and began to fly away slowly.
"Wait, I will go." Kale waved shyly at Cabba and smiled a little to Asparus before she took off after her imposing friend.
"You know, for being strong and capable as you are, you're surprisingly dull." Asparus shook his head in disapproval.
"Its your fault that she left angry." Cabba pointed one finger at his prince.
"Don't blame that on me... Forget it. If you can't see it, I am not going to be the one to open your eyes." Asparus walked close to Cabba and looked serious at him again. "So, what happened there. From what I could see, you were not even close to beating that guy, and yet here you are, alive."
Cabba responded him with silence, his eyes were cold and serious. This reminds Asparus a little bit of his father, which made him get a little scared of the Saiyan soldier. Cabba noticed the prince discomfort and sighed deeply, taking his eyes away from the other man.
"I didn't win. If is that what you want to know." Cabba lifted both of his hands and stared at them shaking. "I am not strong enough, not yet. But I will finish him."
"Finish him? What are you talking about?" Asparus only knows Cabba for a few days, but he can see that this is not his normal way of thinking. "I saw the planet explode, me and those two. We thought that you were dead. Never thought I would see that brute woman crying and yet she did just that."
Cabba's body twitches at Aspirus words. "What are you trying to say?"
"You intend to go after him again and alone?" Asparus is shocked at his own words, the idea that Cabba has in mind is way too wrong for him to believe. "You should tell them, at least the spiked hair one. She seems strong, she could help."
"Did you not see what he did to that entire planet's people, to that planet itself and all the others that he has been to?" Cabba yelled throwing his arms to the air. "He is a monster, I am not going to let he get near her… or Sadala."
"You're going to risk your life alone for this?" Asparus tried to raise his voice, but, failed. "You're going to risk losing her in your life, because of your lies?"
"What are you…? I just told you the truth and you know that I am right." Cabba eyes burned bright with anger.
"You told me the truth, but did you told her what you are going to do?" Asparus looked defeated, seeing that his words had little effect on Cabba. "I beg your pardon for intruding, it's not my place to tell you what to do."
"Your highness, don't worry about me. I am going to defeat him, I am going to protect Sadala." Cabba calmed himself and shared his convictions with Asparus. "Just inform the king that I am working on taking that threat down."
"I can do that. I hope you don't mind me borrowing your ship a little longer." Asparus looked at Cabba one last time and saw nodding to him with a smile. "Just don't lose yourself because of this fight. I already witnessed someone doing the same thing in the past."
"I am stuffed." Champa burped while holding his stomach with both hands. "Vados, we should come to Sadala more often."
"I think so too, master Champa." The angel is seated alongside her master, around one of the restaurant tables.
The place that before was full of hungry Saiyan, is now empty with only the waiters and the two Saiyan soldiers, that are paying for the food, remaining.
"It's about time we go, don't you think?" Champa left his seat and stretched his arms. "I am not in the mood to wait anymore, let's go after Cabba and get out of here."
He walked out of the building leaving both Vados and the Saiyans behind him.
"Mister soldiers, Thank you for the food and hospitality." She soon followed her master.
"Remind me to get a punch on Cabba for that later." Beano whispered to his brother, who as just happy to still be in one piece.
"Mom, I am sorry, but I need to go." Cabba has just cleaned himself and changed his clothes to a set of new ones. He is in the front door, putting his shoes while trying to explain to his mother, why he must leave again so soon.
"You just came back, why you need to leave again?" His mother waved one wood spoon at him, with her left hand.
"Because, I have to." His answer is once again short and vague.
"And what do I tell Lettu? what do I tell her, if she comes back here?" Her last question shook Cabba's resolve quite a bit.
"Just tell them that I am working." Cabba sighed a bit, he stood up and embraced his mother. "My job is to protect you and everyone in Sadala, and I am going to do that." He slipped away from her arms and walked towards the door. "I love you mom, I love all of you."
After walking outside and closing the door behind him, Cabba noticed two presences in front of him, it alarmed him at first, but, as soon as his eyes landed on the newcomers he relaxed again.
"Are you all ready now?" Champa looked a little embarrassed, since he stood a little too close to the door and heard everything.
"I am ready, sir." Cabba nodded and bowed his head.
"Good, let's go Vados." Champa pulled Cabba closer to them and pointed upwards.
"Love sure is a beautiful thing, right master Champa?" Vados giggled at Cabba, who in return blushed lightly.
"You… be quiet and take us there… I don't believe you ruined my cool stance."
A torrent of light engulfed all three of them and as the light rushed to the skies, they all vanished with it.
"Where have you been?" Asparus has just entered the private quarters of the palace and was welcomed by his father's voice, making every bone of his body shivers.
"I found Cabba today, he said that he still is working on the mission you gave him…" The prince brushed off his father's question.
"I asked, where have you been?" The king continued, but this time, in a harsher voice.
"I was taking a time with some friends." The young prince heisted to said this, but, said it anyway.
"Friends you say." The king stands now in front of his son, his body towering in size compared to the prince. "I have reports here stating that you were sighted with two criminals and low ones, to make it worse." His words are cold and his gaze judgmental, what makes Asparus very uncomfortable.
"Why do you care?" The mood now is even worse, king Salada utterly detest his son's attitude, and in contrast, Asparus hates the way his father sees him as nothing more than a bothersome burden.
"Why do I care?" The king snapped and punched the wall next to Asparus. "You're weak, undisciplined, rebellious and now is trying to bring shame to our family."
"You're going to do what? Leave a new scar on my face?" The prince is trying to put up a strong façade, but he is scared, scared enough to make his arms tremble.
"You… Get out of my sight." The king turned his back and walked away, because of this, Asparus could not see the hurt expression that his father has on his face. 'Will you ever forgive me for that?'
"As you wish, father." Soon after, Asparus stormed his way towards outside of the palace.
It only took a few minutes of walking alone, to Asparus be escorted by his trusted bodyguard and friend. Like it is magic, Greeno almost always finds out where the prince is, when he is out of the palace alone.
"Something is wrong my prince?" The older man questioned, seeing the disturbed look on his master's face.
"Just the usual, my father's daily demonstration of love." He said sarcastically.
"Your highness, it would help if you didn't provoke him every time." Greeno is already used to the fights that father and son have, but he never grasped why the king pushes Asparus away so much.
"He only respects strength. Nothing will help improve his mood, unless I stop being so weak." Asparus turned to Greeno, like he just had the best idea in the world. "Greeno, I need a favor from you."
"I don't think I will like this." The soldier is worried, but he would never say no to his prince.
"I am stupid for being worried about him." Caulifla is fuming since she got home, Kale is almost scared of her friend temper. "Did you see the way he denied it?"
"Denied?" Kale remembered the events of earlier in front of Cabba's house. "So, is he your boyfriend?" She asked innocently.
Caulifla choked on her words and looked at Kale, embarrassingly. "That is not the point." She exclaimed with a high-pitched voice. "Why does he have to deny in such way, is like he hates the thought of us… you know."
"I think he does that to not let it bother you." Kale fidget her fingers.
"But he denying it, is what bothers me, not the other stuff." Caulifla yelled getting angry at Cabba again.
"Do you like him, sis?" Kale asked in an upfront way, surprising Caulifla.
"Of course, I like him, if not, I wouldn't hang out with him." Caulifla tried to brush off, but Kale continued to stare at her, making her uneasy. "I don't know, okay? He is nice, kind and sweet. It's always fun when I am with him. But that doesn't mean that I love him, or his stupid cute face."
Kale giggled and blushed at Caulifla's sudden outburst, with this it was clear as day, on how her friend feel about Cabba. Caulifla did not know that Kale could tease someone, and she is not too happy with her discovery, with her being the target of said tease. She started to yell at her friend who kept laughing at Caulifla's increasing embarrassment.
"Sis, do you hear that?" Kale asked, wiping some tears of laughter from her eyes.
"Hear what?" Caulifla who is still upset, didn't heard anything.
"Someone knocked on the door." Kale pointed to the front door.
The spiked hair woman, stomped her way to the front door and with a quick grab of the handle, opened the door with no ceremony. The last person on the planet she expected to come here, was just outside of her house.
"What do you want, wimp?" Caulifla is not in the mood to deal with the coward prince and his insults.
"How many times I told you to stop calling me that?" Asparus growled at her, angry at his new catching nickname.
"It's best that you leave while you can. I am really want to punch someone in the face right now, and you're making difficult to me not punch you." She tried to close her door, but the prince stopped it with his hands.
"So why don't you punch me?" Asparus smirked at her. "That is exactly why I am here."
"What?" She looked creeped out and in disbelief. "Have you lost some screws on you head?"
"Before, you said that only you could defeat Cabba, right?" His black eyes shined like a bright gem. "I want to fight against you, so I can become stronger."
"I don't know what you're plotting, nor do I care." She cracked her fingers. "But if getting your ass whooped is what you want… I going to give you just that."
"Great, come at me with everything that you got."
Caulifla took Asparus to the same deserted field that she trained with Cabba and Kale. And as soon as their feet touched the ground she charged at him, not giving a space for him to breath. Being fast as he is, the young man could barely evade some of her punches, before getting hit by five others in sequence. The blows to his body seemed like he was being hit by a giant hammer, making him stagger at her every move. It was less than ten minutes before the prince started to gasp for air.
"So, had enough already?" Caulifla asked making fun of him. "I can close my eyes to make it easy, if you want."
"No…" He shook his head, not because he was angry, but because something is still missing. "You can transform too right? I mean, With the golden hair."
"Super Saiyan?" She snorted at him. "I don't think you can handle that, wimp."
"Your punches are way too light, if continues in this way, it's not going to be worth it." He taunted Caulifla, not knowing how much things like this have effect on her.
"Light you say?" Without an extra thought, Caulifla transformed into super Saiyan, but she didn't stop there, she went beyond, into super Saiyan 2. "Let's see how you like my punches now."
In a flash, Caulifla dashed at Asparus, delivering a punch on his face, with enough strength to send him flying towards some rocks way beyond were he was standing. He tried to stand up, but Caulifla appeared behind him, punching him again, but this time on his chest, sending him flying to the sky. Now with a kick, she directed him to the ground on the other side of the field.
"What do you think of my punches now?" She yelled at the prince, and then landed close to him.
"Not… Bad." Asparus once again tried to stand up, but his legs gave out, making him kneel on the ground. The blows he received from her and the impact of all his falls and collision with rocks, opened a lot of little cuts in his arms and torso. "But you said that you could defeat Cabba." He spat out some blood that were in his mouth.
"What of it?" She didn't like the way that he phrased it.
"You're not even close." The pain in his body, made Asparus arch forward a little, but strangely enough he had a smile in his face. "If this is you real power, then you stand no chance against him. I saw him fighting in Udim with a lot of enemies at the same time, even saw a little of his fight against that crazy Freeza guy, I can say for sure that he is above you."
"What did you just said?" Caulifla pulled Asparus by the collar of his battered shirt.
"Don't take your frustration on me, it is just the truth. He is stronger than you."
"Not that, your idiot, you said that he was fighting Freeza?!" Her fingers clenched even harder at the fabric, almost tearing it off.
"I remember it well. He called that white lizard guy thing, Freeza." Asparus shivered at the memories of seeing the villain. "Cabba as shaking like a leaf at first, but he did fight head on with this Freeza."
Caulifla is now even more pissed than before, she feels cheated and annoyed. With a swiftly move from her hands, she tossed the prince to the ground, making a huge noise.
"That is why he is acting so strange." She bit her lips in frustration and returned to normal, losing her golden aura.
"Sis, are you guys done?" Kale who was watching from afar, approached when she thought it was over.
"Kale, help this guy get on his feet and walk with him to my house." Caulifla stared at Asparus who is lying on the ground. "If I stay too close to him right now, I might snap his neck." Caulifla took off to her house leaving to other two behind.
"What did you say to her?" Kale asked Asparus, making an angry face at him.
Asparus was mesmerized about how cute she looks pouting like that, he slapped one of his cheeks to get his attention away from her face. "At first, I thought it was because I said Cabba is stronger than her." He groaned in pain trying to get on his feet. "But now, I think is because of this Freeza guy."
"Freeza?" Kale know who this is, but she got confused on how the prince know this name.
"The lizard Guy that Cabba was fighting on Udim." Kale helped him stand up, putting one of his arms around her shoulders.
"Oh no…" Kale seemed frightened. "This can't mean anything good."
"So, you know him as well?" Asparus asked, as they started to walk together.
"I-It's a long story, but he shouldn't be here… this is not right." For a moment she relived in her mind, some moments of the tournament, and the unpleasant experience that was the encounter with Freeza.
"You know, even if you're so quiet, I enjoy more talking to you than to that harsh woman." Kale frowned at him, for his words about Caulifla, but yet, she couldn't hide the little smile on her face.
In their way back, Asparus tried to make Kale tell him about their past with Freeza, but she remained quiet about it. They took their time to return to Caulifla's house, because when she began to fly, Asparus started to groan and scream in pain, so they walked all the way back.
When they finally got back at Caulifla's house, Kale helped him tend to most of his wounds, while Caulifla inquired all about the events in Udim. At first, the prince wasn't sure he wanted to reveal something that Cabba didn't talked about with her, but he felt that it was the right thing to do and was scared to his soul about what Caulifla would do to him if he didn't tell her the truth.
During the story he was telling her, Caulifla expressions changed really fast, sometimes she was angry, others fascinated, then angry again. In conclusion, she decided to stay angry with Asparus for leaving his companion behind and Freeza for being nuisance, but, got even more worried about Cabba and his lies.
"So, he wants to take on that annoying guy, all by himself?" Caulifla stared at the water, in the cup she is holding.
"If I did understand what he was talking about. Yes, he wants to do this alone." Asparus poked one of the bandages, that Kale wrapped around on his left arm. "Something about not letting that monster get near you."
Caulifla felt a little bad about the way she left him behind. She is happy and at the same time annoyed, that Cabba thinks that she needs protection. She remembered what Freeza did to him on the tournament and then the way he looked earlier in his house, with is armor almost completely destroyed and his body covered in his blood.
"I will not allow this to happen again." She clenched the cup on her hand with such strength, that it shattered in many pieces, spilling water on the floor.
"Are you going after him?" Asparus stood up, moaning in pain again.
"Damn right I going after him." Caulifla got up from her chair and rushed towards the front door.
"Wait." Asparus got her attention, making her stop with hands on the handle of the door. "Take me with you. I want to help as well."
"Think you can keep up?" Caulifla glared at him, looking up and down, like measuring his condition.
"I think I can fly now… Maybe not fast as you, but I can go."
"Then, come if you want. Not going to stop you." She left the house with haste, leaving the door open.
"I-I will help you." Kale grabbed one of his arms gently.
"Thank you." For the first time in years, Asparus blushed and didn't have a good or clever answer.
"Where do you think she is going?" Kale closed the door behind them.
"To his house, I am sure of it."
"Then, hold tight on me." As soon she said this, Kale turned red in embarrassment, which made Asparus blush as well. The two of them took off after Caulifla, but with a much slower speed.
"Who can be now?" Cabba's mother was surprise by a sudden knock on her door. It's really uncommon for them to receive so many visits in one day. "Oh, hi Caulifla my dear." Her lips parted in a smile as soon as she saw Caulifla standing outside of her door.
Caulifla tried to look past the older woman, leaning her head to the sides. "Is Cabba still here?" she looked energetic and restless as she asked.
"I'm afraid that he is not." The woman expression turned into a mixture of disappointment and sadness. "He had to leave, said it was for work-" Cabba's mother suddenly jumped back, like she has just saw a ghost. "Your Highness! What happened to you?"
Kale and Asparus landed close to Caulifla, much to the older woman's surprise and disbelief at the current state of the prince.
"I beat the crap out of him." Caulifla smiled proudly as she announced that.
"Oh no my dear, you can't do that." Cabba's mother ran outside to help Asparus. "This could get you in a real problem."
"Don't worry about this." Asparus tried to calm the woman down. "I asked Caulifla to fight with me. It's not her fault." He noticed the way Caulifla is staring inside the house, like she had lost something in there. "So, Cabba is not here anymore?"
"No… He already left." She crouched and punched a hole in the ground.
"What is wrong?" Cabba's mother sensed the worries of the three of them, making herself worry. "It's something wrong with Cabba again?'
"He is an idiot and is charging towards danger alone." Caulifla clenched her fists. "Taking everything on his back and protecting people that didn't asked for his protection."
"I think that is enough." Asparus interfered on her rambling, after seeing the pale look on the older woman's face. "We should go look after him elsewhere, he still probably here in Sadala."
"He is not." She said with a low voice. "I tried to feel his Ki, but he is nowhere in the planet. I even tried before I got here, but still didn't find him. I still came here, not wanting to believe that he was already gone.
The trio is once again left with no clue where to go, while Cabba's mother is watching them, holding her apron fiercely, worried sick about her son.
Caulifla stood up, turned her face upwards to the sky and breathed slowly, cooling her head and calming her heart. "I am going to find him, and when I do. I going to beat some senses into him and put leash on him, maybe that way he stops with the stupid idea of doing stuff alone."
"But you can't stop him from doing his job in the Defense Forces." Asparus commented sarcastically.
"Then, just watch me." She smiled cheerfully giving her answer, but for some reason, the prince doesn't think that she is joking.
P.S -I specifically separated only this chapter in two parts, to be less confusing about what universe this or that bit happens.