Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonball Z

Chapter 22

Torture

Videl sat frozen in her chair. She didn't dare move. The Saiyans…the ones following King Kuda were around and she always avoided them. She hated them. They weren't like the others and just looking at them made her feel sick, especially knowing what she had done to her friends. She hadn't meant for it to happen this way. She had tried to save them, done everything she could to keep them safe. She had withheld information, given them false intelligence and made them seriously underestimate the Saiyans abilities, especially Gohan. She hadn't even told them that he was the person who killed Cell. When asked, she had just shrugged and said she didn't know.

She had plotted, planned, but now, they were starting to unravel and she needed to act quickly if she was to salvage her work. She covered her ears with her hands and winced as fresh cries rang through the building. Kami, Kabu had a set of lungs on him when he decided to cry! Just minutes after the pod had left Earth's atmosphere, Kuda's men had intercepted it, removing the child from the pod. She had seen what Gohan had recorded for the Nameks. If Kuda's men worked out how to play the message, they would begin to piece together the information Videl had held back. Like Gohan and the others being Super Saiyans. If they found that out, Videl wouldn't be able to protect Goku and the others anymore. For a year she had spent nearly every waking moment keeping the three Saiyan prisoners alive. General Greed would have had them submitted for experiments if he had had his way. Kuda would have made them playthings for his men. Videl had kept them safe, kept them alive.

Kabu screamed again. Kuda was using him as bait. His crying was being broadcast around the world on every form of media in an attempt to lure his parents out of hiding. Videl was almost certain that it was going to work. Appura's motherly instincts wouldn't allow her to ignore her son's frightened cries indefinitely. Sooner or later, she was going to break and come looking for her baby. Even Videl was fighting the urge to go and comfort the little boy. If only she could block out the noise, she could concentrate on saving his family.

"Captain Videl, come to the prisoners room immediately. You're going to want to see this," a voice over her walkie-talkie distracted her again. She wasn't going to get anything done with Kabu's cries carrying around the building. She heaved herself up and left her office. Kabu's cries were even louder out in the corridors. She wanted to clamp her hands over her ears but then again, the Saiyans were here. She couldn't show weakness. The soldiers from Earth knew what to do now when the Saiyans came. Don't show weakness. Don't cringe, don't flinch, and don't make eye contact. It was difficult to walk with purpose when you had to keep your head down but anyone who valued their lives either did it or didn't leave their rooms whilst the Saiyans were here. One poor soldier had discovered these rules the hard way seven months before. He had made the mistake of looking up as two Saiyans passed him and then quickly looking away. There hadn't much left of him to bury afterwards. Hell, the janitors had had to scrape him off the wall. There were still stains on the wall where the blood just refused to budge. Now, half the staff lived in fear. Videl kept her eyes fixed on the floor as three burly Saiyan warriors passed her, Elites they were called. She resisted the urge to look at them as they walked away. She was just rounding the corner when she heard one of them speak. "That's her," he said, "That's the one they call Videl. Apparently she bedded the half-breed Gohan and lived."

"Hmm, boy can't have much taste," spat the female companion.

"Well, he went from her to the Princess apparently," replied the first, "Sired that ugly brat who's now perforating his grandfather's eardrums." He sniggered and the female laughed. Videl kept on walking. Kami, she hated Saiyans.

She arrived at the cell where Goku, Vegeta and Tarble were being kept without running into anymore Saiyans. "What is it? Why did you call me?" she asked one of the soldiers standing guard. The guard grinned.

"Take a look," he said. Videl stepped forward and opened the grate on the door. She was surprised to find all three Saiyans up and pacing about. This was most unusual as Tarble hadn't gotten up off the bed under his own power for over a week. All three had their hands clamped over their ears. Vegeta seemed the most agitated. "Make him stop, make him stop," he kept muttering under his breath, "Gotta make him stop."

"An interesting trait isn't it?" said a voice that made Videl's blood run cold. She knew that voice.

"Hello Your Majesty," she said, fighting to keep her voice firm. She slowly turned around, keeping her eyes firmly on the floor. No one, not even General Greed, looked King Kuda in the eye and lived to tell the tale.

"Don't you find it fascinating?" the King commented, looking over Videl's head at the three prisoners, "A close family member is crying and it's like torture to them to not know where he is and if he's safe."

"Is he…" Videl started before she could stop herself.

"The brat is fine," snapped Kuda so fiercely that Videl almost flinched, "He just wants his mother. He's been coddled too much. A true Saiyan would not be bawling right now." Videl kept her eyes on the floor even though she wanted to jump for joy.

"Walk with me, Captain," said Kuda, "The prisoners will be escorted by my men." Videl looked over her shoulder back at the grate. Vegeta was watching them through it. Videl let her fear show on her face briefly before turning it back to its blank expression she had trained herself to use around Saiyans. Plans briefly whirled around her head and fell into place. She had a new one. She followed Kuda as she heard the door being opened.

"I understand you once were the temporary mate of the half-breed Gohan," Kuda stated.

"Yes sir, a couple of years ago now," she said, trying to concentrate on both the King and the heavy footsteps of the others behind them. Her mind was racing with how she could communicate with Goku and the others without the Saiyans realising.

"You have been very useful, telling us everything you know about them," continued Kuda, oblivious.

"There wasn't much of a choice," Videl stated, "General Greed had my father. He's the only family I have left." She added the last bit, knowing Kuda didn't give a rat's ass about her family situation but it might land with the Saiyans she had once called her friends, most especially with the one who had once jokingly called her 'daughter-in-law'.

"Even so, your dedication to furthering our cause has been noble indeed for a human," Kuda continued, "You are dedicated, aren't you?"

"Oh, of course sir," she said with false enthusiasm and crossed her fingers obviously behind her back, in full view of Goku and the others, "Anything to rid my planet of the Saiyan menaces." She kept her fingers crossed. She heard a noise from Goku.

"Keep moving, scum!" a Saiyan barked. Her message had landed at least. He must have finally been willing to listen.

"Tell me, what will happen with Princess Appura's son?" she asked, knowing the three prisoners wanted news of their kin.

"He will be kept safe and well whilst he is of use, then I shall see to it he is properly disposed of," Kuda snarled.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Videl said softly, "He isn't very strong. He has health problems stemming from his premature birth. He will never reach the strength of other Saiyans. You could leave him here on Earth, alive…"

"Captain! You forget yourself and your place!" snapped Kuda, "Don't forget what happened to the last soldier who forgot their place amongst the Saiyans. What was his name? Reynolds?" Videl cast a sideways glance at the blood-stained wall where a soldier had lost his life. She lowered her head.

"My apologies, Your Majesty," she said quietly as they approached the main control room. The room where she had witnessed Gohan attempting to save his son. She followed the King in. General Greed was already there, stood in the centre. King Kuda went and stood behind him. Videl stood back and watched as Goku and the others were chained to the chairs once more. They certainly were more active today, walking with relative ease, even Tarble who had been carried into the room just a few days before. The Saiyan soldiers chained them up and then left. Videl moved and stood behind them.

"Bring him in," barked Greed. Videl looked as another door opened and a soldier came in carrying…Kabu! The boy was merely whimpering now. Videl felt a pain in her chest. She had to do something now, she had to start making right some of her wrongs. She looked up at the big screen. It was a view of the city centre of West City. People were milling about looking up at what was obviously the big news screen in the main square. She slowly moved towards Goku under the pretence of getting a better view. Goku was chained to the middle chair, directly behind Greed and Kuda.

"Channel open," Greed commanded.

"Channel open," confirmed another soldier.

"Excellent," Greed said, "People of Earth! This is General Greed. The Saiyan Fugitives are still amongst us!" Videl looked at the console behind her. A message was flashing at the technician sat there.

'Alpha 2: Confirmed. Targets Appura and Gohan in West City Centre. In with crowd. Over.'

Damn it! They knew where Gohan and Appura were. They were going to lure them out with Kabu! She had to do something. She inched forward, closer to Goku as Greed bragged about made-up victories against the Saiyans. As Greed placed Kabu in full view of the screen, causing the boy to wail once more, she subtly loosened Goku's chains whilst the staff was distracted. Goku's head turned to look at her briefly. Videl quickly moved away as she heard a message come over the radio, 'We have confirmed targets, preparing to fire'. Goku must have heard it too because he leapt to his feet so he was in full view. "Gohan, Appura! Run! They know where you are! Run!" he screamed before slumping to his knees with the effort. Videl saw two flashes of light as Gohan and Appura fled the crowd in West City that was now beginning to panic. She allowed herself a brief smile before joining the other officers restraining Goku.

Appura's fists clenched in anger as she tried to control her breathing. "That bitch…" she snarled.

"Appura, you need to calm down," said Gohan. He was flew at the side of her as they sped away from West City.

"Why the hell should I be calm?" snapped Appura, "That little cow not only has our families imprisoned but now she has our son as well."

"You make it sound like all this was Videl's idea," Gohan replied, "Somehow I don't think it is."

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Son Gohan," Appura said.

"And jealousy doesn't suit you, Princess," said Gohan. Appura stopped short.

"Jealousy?" she replied, looking astounded as the Hybrid stopped as well, "You think I'm jealous of that little whore?!"

"Let's face it, ever since you found out about her involvement in all this, you've been paranoid and convinced this is all a plot to get me back," Gohan said coldly.

"She's helping those who've ripped our family apart," shouted Appura, "She was supposed to be our friend! Why would she do this if it wasn't to get you back?!" Gohan grabbed Appura by the arms and gave her a little shake.

"Think about what you're saying," he snapped, "Appura, you are my princess and my mate. I will not willingly leave your side. Only when you ordered me to. I am not going to leave you for Videl. There is another side to this, a story we haven't heard yet. I suggest you hold your tongue and reserve your judgement." He kept his firm grip on her arms as he pulled her up against him so they touched from chest to knee.

"You are my princess," he whispered in her ear, "Order me to stay away from her if you do not trust me to on my own. I am your mate, the father of your son. We are eternally bound together. We could be at opposite sides of the galaxy and I would feel every moment of joy and pain you experience." He released one of her arms and gently traced the mark he'd left on her neck what seemed a lifetime ago. Appura's eyes closed as he lowered his head to gently trail kisses down her neck before gently grazing the mark with his teeth. He heard her let out a little gasp and took the opportunity to capture her lips in a kiss. She gave in to his demands almost immediately, allowing him to plunder her mouth. For a moment, they floated in the air, lost in their own little world before Appura struggled against his grip and immediately he let go. She backed away a few feet, gave him a quick glance before taking flight once more, heading north.