Chapter 7. Some violence in the first part, but the cuteness reappears towards the end.

Disclaimer: You know the drill by now, right? -Nods-

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Chapter 7 - Thank You

"You brat! How DARE you disappear like that!", yelled Zarbon as his fist connected with Aisha's jaw.

"Yeah, it's not nice to make us look for you", Dodoria added. He brought his foot down hard on Aisha's back. Zarbon and Dodoria had finally caught up with her. She'd almost made it to her room after leaving Vegeta's when Zarbon saw her first. He roared in anger and ran towards her. Aisha heard him and started to run away. She thought she was home-free, until she ran into Dodoria.

He grabbed her hair and dragged her all the way to Frieza's room. Once inside, Dodoria called Zarbon via his scouter and alerted him of Aisha's capture. A few seconds later, Zarbon entered the room.

Now here they were, once again, beating Aisha within an inch of her life. And being the evil aliens they were, they loved every minute of it. The sounds of her bones snapping, the sight of bruises on her body, the smell of her sweet blood…they enjoyed it all.

Frieza just sat there and watched. Oh how he loved a good show every now and then. He also enjoyed getting in on the beatings, but only sometimes. Why waste his time getting his hands dirty, when he had two brutes to do it for him? He chuckled to himself as he watched the puny, Saiyan child learn yet another painful lesson.

Aisha thought for sure she'd die this time. She was lying in her own blood and her vision was becoming very blurry. Her body had just about given up and would soon shut down. Tears fell down her cheeks as she thought about her parents, her life, and…her Prince.

Just moments ago, he'd saved her from being caught inside his room and even told her to meet him again.

Maybe he does like me, she thought. Or maybe…he just feels sorry for me.

Suddenly, a horribly pain awoke her from her thoughts, and she screamed. Dodoria had applied all his weight to his right foot, jumped up, and stomped on her tail, crushing it. The sudden shock caused her body to jump, and every muscle inside stung with tremendous pain. She sobbed quietly. Zarbon and Dodoria looked pleased and laughed. Frieza also laughed at the wretched body on the floor.

"Zarbon, take her to her room. Forget the healing tanks. We'll let her heal slowly this time. Maybe this'll teach her to stay in her place", Frieza said. He left the room, with Dodoria walking right alongside him. Zarbon grabbed Aisha harshly, walked to her room, and literally threw her inside.

"Pathetic Saiyan. You're lucky you're not dead, although you should be", he said. He walked off to join Frieza and Dodoria.

About four or five weeks is how long it took Aisha to heal. And even then, she was fully one hundred percent. Frieza and his brutes left her alone the whole time. They probably wouldn't check on her for about another two weeks.

"Perfect. I can visit Vegeta like I told him I would", she said to herself. It was hard for her to walk, but determination, loyalty, and quite possibly love made her go on. It was horribly painful for her to walk up the stairs, and it seemed like it took longer because of the pain, but she did it and finally made it to Vegeta's room.

She knocked twice. No answer. She knocked again, and this time the doors opened.

"Come in", Vegeta said.

Aisha walked in and sat against the wall. Vegeta felt somewhat concerned, but his young pride wouldn't allow him to show it.

"They managed to catch you, huh?", he asked.

Aisha slowly nodded, and tears fell from her eyes.

"What are you crying about?", Vegeta asked. Aisha didn't respond and kept crying. "Hmph, forget it", he said.

Vegeta walked to his bedroom door. "I'm getting a snack", he said and walked out of the room. Once he left, Aisha cried harder and soon sobbed uncontrollably. However, she'd calmed down by the time Vegeta returned.

Vegeta had an apple in his hand. He hopped onto his bed, sat down, and placed the apple next to him. Then, he formed some of his ki into a small laser and cut the apple in slices. Aisha watched him closely. Then, Vegeta looked at her.

He pointed to an empty spot on the bed. "Sit", he said. Aisha did so. Once she was comfortable, Vegeta used his tail to gently push the apple slices to her. Aisha looked at them, then back at Vegeta.

"Go ahead, eat them. I ate mine on the way back", he told her. Aisha took a slice and ate it. It felt good as it traveled down to her stomach, and the taste was lusciously sweet. Soon, she ate them all and she started to feel better.

She got off the bed and started walking towards the door.

"Guess I'd better head back to my room", she said. Vegeta said nothing. He turned his head and folded his arms. Aisha suddenly felt a weird urge. Courage came out of nowhere and she walked back over to the bed, climbed onto it, crawled to where Vegeta was sitting and…kissed his cheek.

Vegeta's eyes widened in shock and he pushed her away.

"WHAT do you think you're doing!", exclaimed the embarrassed and blushing Prince.

"Thanking you for the snack. It was delicious", she replied.

"A simple 'thank you' would've sufficed", he told her.

Not for me, Aisha thought. She got off the bed and walked towards the door again. She'd gotten into the hallway when Vegeta told her to stop. She turned to look at him.

"…Would you…um…like to stay in here for the night?", he quietly asked her, a bit embarrassed. Aisha's heart danced.

"Yes. I'd like that", she replied, and walked back into the room.

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-Squeals- How was that? I think it's simply adorable. -Jumps up and down- Ok, the next one, to me, is the best. I really enjoyed writing that one. Hope you enjoy reading it.

OoX-EbonyDuchess-XoO