Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Dragonball Z. The amazing Akria Toriyama does. I only own the plot and my own characters
Bardock's story
Chapter 14: Something in common
The next day, although Tora had practically pounded the facts in to his mind, Bardock went to meet Kayla at the training centre on the edge of the city. Like he had told Kayla, the only saiyans here were all youngsters, mostly in groups of four and most were boys. They reminded Bardock of the first day he met Tarro and Tora. He could still remember feeling a little apprehensive when his mother took him to meet his new friends then the feel of Matrika's tail nudging him forward. He would always remember that gorgeous warm smile that Matrika would always use for him. Right now, with the battle between his head and his heart, he wished he had his mother's guidance to help him decide what to do about Kayla.
Finally, Bardock arrived at the training centre. Unlike the last training session, Bardock found Kayla waiting in the lobby for him. She hadn't seen him yet, giving him a chance to look at her in her armour. The way her armour fitted in to the shape of her body was stunning, with the light blue centre running down her stomach and over her crotch. The flesh revealed between the armour and the spandex over her legs was enough to have Bardock imagining what was hidden from view. He smiled to himself as he walked closer to her. Finally, she spotted him and smiled that beautiful smile.
"Hey, I was starting to think you'd lost your nerve."
"You're kidding me, right?" He replied, "Me, lose my nerve? Don't make me laugh, girl."
Kayla's eyebrows rose in amusement, "Well, then, let's get on with it."
With the wink, the two saiyans went to one of the available arena and started stretching. Kayla noticed that Bardock was starting to show off by flexing his chest and arms in ways that subtly got her attention. She smirked and shook her head, amused. And when they started training, Bardock's show-boating continued, trying his best to show more of his strength and skill by starting a series of push-ups with one arm behind his back and using only one finger. Finally, Kayla got bored and suddenly disappeared. Bardock was left looking around for her. A few seconds later, he felt something kick him in the ass, sending him skidding across the floor. The kick wasn't that hard, in fact it was playful by saiyan standards. Bardock pushed himself on to his feet and saw Kayla floating just off the ground smirking playfully.
"That's enough showing off, Bardock," She announced, "I came to have some fun, not be flirted with."
"Ok, well, you asked for it."
He then flew at her at full speed, his hand raised to throw a punch at her. She also flew at him until they collided. But, rather than punch each other, the two saiyans grabbed each other's hands and pushed against each other. It was a great opportunity see Kayla's eyes closely again.
Eventually the training heated up and Kayla had Bardock on his toes with the techniques and moves she was pulling but he gave as much as he got. In fact, the training heated up so much that two hours later, Bardock caught Kayla by accident. She disappeared then reappeared in different place. As she reappeared, Bardock had shot an energy blast which caught her off guard and scratched her shoulder leaving a mark. She landed and rubbed the area. He landed by her.
"Are you ok?" He asked.
"It's just a scratch," She replied, softly, "You got lucky."
"Really?" He replied, teasingly.
"Yeah, anyway, it didn't hurt."
"Well, let me see."
He raised his hand to the shoulder and gently touched the skin around the wound. As he inspected it, Kayla's eyes were grazing over his features.
"Well, it doesn't look too bad. We just need to clean it."
That's when he looked up from the wound and their eyes caught each other. It was like the whole universe froze around them.
"I think we should have a break."
Although Kayla clearly wanted to carry on, Bardock lay down on the floor, leaning back on his elbows. Kayla followed his lead and lay next to him. As they recovered their energy, Bardock looked over at Kayla to see her eyes were closed but a smile was settled on her face. It reminded him that he had asked her something last time they trained but she never answered him.
"So," He finally said, "Are you going to answer my question? About what your father was like?"
Kayla's eyes opened and she sat up, turning to Bardock. He sat up too, looking back. Her eyes were wide and hesitant. Then with a sigh, she started answering.
"My father, Sage, was a good man. He was really proud when I was born. He used to show me off to the other new fathers. We were really close. He trained me for most of my childhood. When he was away, I would wait for him. Then when he returned, I would dash as fast as possible to the landing bay to meet him."
"But one day, he had been gone for a two weeks and I was getting impatient. That's when the space pods of his team returned. I got up and was about to run out when my mother tried to stop me. She had never done it before so she must have known something was wrong. I ran to the landing bay any way. But when I got there, my father's best friend, Ladus, grabbed hold of me. I asked him where my father was but Ladus didn't say anything. He looked sad. Then I saw him, being helped out of his pod. I just stared in shock. Dad was unconscious, had blood pouring all over his face, his armour was almost all gone and his scouter had disintegrated. He was placed in a tank but there wasn't much point. After a matter of hours, he was dead. I didn't understand what had happened. Dad had never come home like that. But now I know the truth."
"Father and his team were ordered to take over a planet with very strong inhabitants. They were so strong that the takeover was never completed. My father and his team were out classed. They tried to escape but they were trapped. That's when my father became a hero. He sent his team to the pods while he distracted the resistance. The battle finished and three of the team went back for father. They found him almost dead and brought him back for treatment."
"So he died trying to get his crew to safety." Bardock concluded.
"Yeah. Ladus and the others owed my father their lives. But I can't forgive the person who ordered them out there."
"The King?"
Kayla shook her head. That's when Bardock realised. Kayla's hatred of Frieza came from the fact her father had died doing Frieza's bidding. It gave her a new dimension. Like Bardock, Kayla had suffered heartbreak by losing a parent, though not in the exact same circumstances.
"What about your father?" Kayla asked, "I remember you told me he was the one who gave your scar."
Bardock turned to her for a few seconds then turned away again, sighing heavily.
"I told you about my father. Return the favour."
Finally, Bardock started talking. Started right at the beginning, telling Kayla how his father hated him and condemned him as a failure as soon as he was born, and then eventually finishing at Matrika's death, including how Bozek gave him the scar. Reliving his childhood made Bardock's saiyan rage start to rise. Suddenly, before he became too angry, he felt a dainty hand rest over one of his now clenched fists. He looked from the hand up in to Kayla's face. Her emerald eyes were sympathetic, all the saiyan bravado most tailed warriors displayed and Kayla's own usual sassiness were gone. It was enough to stop Bardock's anger flaring out of control.
"It's ok," She said softly, "What that monster did was unforgivable so being angry even now is ok. But, you've come through it beautifully. It's made you the strong warrior you are; the warrior I can see in you."
The gaze between them intensified, drawing their faces closer until the invertible happened and they kissed. It was just a gentle brush of lips but it was enough to tell each other they wanted more. The kiss heated up as Bardock held Kayla's face in his hands and she rested her hands on his strong arms. In an instant, Bardock's dilemma about this gorgeous saiyan was gone. He would have her as his mate.
Eventually their lips parted, Kayla laughing breathlessly.
"Well, I think we've got our energy back," She chuckled, "So, you want me to carry on beating you up?"
"You wish." He smirked back.
With a joint chuckle, they shot back into the air and started sparring once again.
I hope you like Kayla's father. However, for the next chapter, there's going to be a serious spanner in the works.