Of Two Hearts
Chapter 11: Incitation
The image of the younger Saiyan's determined face was clear in Vegeta's mind. He had been smirking, blocking all of the younger Saiyan's techniques as they fought, and the anger and determination on his face grew. Scratches and bruises decorated his face, as well as tiny rivulets of blood streaming from his mouth and forehead. The rest of his body was just as tattered.
Still, he kept coming at Vegeta with everything he had. Even though he was attacked by a strong force of fatigue, he continued his attempt to bring Vegeta down. Even though he hadn't gotten very many hits on Vegeta, he still kept going.
Vegeta decided to end this silly fight, and charged back at Goku, sternly letting him know that he was the better fighter of the two, and that Chi-Chi remained his, regardless.
Even when he had sent the younger Saiyan to the ground, flat on his face, Vegeta spoke harsh words to him, exploited him for his weakness, and spat in his face as if he were nothing more than the dirt he lay in.
***
Vegeta calmly awoke from his dream, sitting up in bed. He yawned, stretched, and then ran a hand through his hair. He let his hand rest at the back of his neck as he pondered. Why did he have that dream about fighting Goku?
Did it have some sort of significance? Dreams are very symbolic and often reflect things that had happened in a person's life, but what did this mean?
So, he didn't like Goku, and their dispute had gone beyond an altercation. It was to be expected, but it was still so mysterious.
Why did Goku do that? Why does he love my woman like this? Vegeta thought. He's so determined in getting Chi-Chi to be his, but he's been such a thorn in my side! He is an enemy and must be disposed of. But how?
Vegeta sighed and slid out of bed, rolling his head to shake off the thoughts. He'll deal with Goku later. He exited his sleeping quarter and shuffled across the hallway, not really knowing where he was going.
He stopped his mindless walking when he saw a familiar room a few feet away. A hesitant and mischievous smile crossed his face, as he knew whose room that was. This was going to be fun…
Vegeta entered Chi-Chi's bedchamber quietly, and cautiously took his steps towards her. His eyes subconsciously shot around, as he noticed the atmosphere of a pretty living space. Even the air had the faintest scent of the products a royal person would use, but it had an aspect that made it recognizable as Chi-Chi's.
Vegeta looked down at Chi-Chi lying in bed. She was still fast asleep. That was a surprise, Vegeta guessed, rolling his eyes. Usually, she would be watching the sunrise, or sneaking off to see Goku…
Vegeta looked at Chi-Chi closely, and thought hard about this woman. He might as well know more about his wife-to-be than her name. Actually, this wasn't that bad of a bargain.
Vegeta smirked. He had to admit Chi-Chi was more than just the key to becoming emperor. She was a beautiful Amazon princess indeed. It was a strange beauty that she had, but it was enough to turn a few heads, and of course, Goku was obviously subject to this…
Chi-Chi also had a strong personality, perhaps a little opinionated. She was feisty and determined, never giving in. Well, until Goku came… Then another side of her had come forth. The caring, gentle, kind, patient and understanding side of Chi-Chi was obvious for one to see.
Or maybe it was because she was smitten with Goku.
No, Vegeta affirmed. This side of Chi-Chi was good in its own way. These were the qualities that were found in a good wife, and if Vegeta could direct those feelings toward him, everything would turn out right…
Then again, Chi-Chi did all she could to avoid being with him.
Vegeta frowned as he remembered Chi-Chi had no interest in him as long as Goku lived. Then he smiled slightly, deviously, and slipped to his knees, getting a little bit closer to Chi-Chi. He reached out and gently brushed aside several strands of hair that fell into her eyes.
Chi-Chi didn't stir, and Vegeta wickedly took delight in her not feeling his touch. He leaned over her and looked at her closely. She was even pretty up close. Vegeta tilted his head. Perhaps being married to her wouldn't be so bad.
He lowered his head to hers, and kissed her, quickly and softly, just to see what it was like. Vegeta pulled away just as quickly, his eyes shooting around, a thoughtful expression on his face. Hmm, not that bad. Though Chi-Chi didn't do anything, her lips were soft and warm. Vegeta smiled, satisfied.
You will soon be mine, Vegeta thought, and ducked as he heard Chi-Chi's deep breathing slip into a soft moan, and she turned over, completely unaware of Vegeta's presence.
When it seemed the coast was clear, Vegeta got up and left the room. All he wanted was to visit his fiancée and now that he did, he was happy in his own way.
Vegeta continued to walk down the hallway, and sat near the edge of a cutaway in a turret, that served as a window. He watched the sunrise, and felt strangely calm. He hadn't felt this way in a while. He was always running around, busy, or stressed out, but this was sort of nice…
The view of the scenery was beautiful. Vegeta could see the bright sun rising behind the mountains in the distance, whose peaks touched the colorful morning sky. He could see many houses and the river by the Slave Headquarters.
Vegeta rolled his eyes. I wonder how MY pathetic slave is doing.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps echo from the other end of the hallway. Vegeta turned his head and saw someone walk into the light. He looked to be in a hurry, and troubled. It was suspicious…
"Hey, you," Vegeta called out to the man. "Come here."
The man wasn't nervous as he obeyed, but Vegeta still didn't trust him. "What are you doing?"
The man gave Vegeta a confused look. "Oh, don't you know today is the ICT, my Prince? Guards, servants and people like myself must prepare for it."
Vegeta was the one was confused now, and the man sighed. "The ICT is the International Coast Trade, Prince Vegeta. Every year, people from all over the world travel to trade their best products for other products. You name it, they trade it. Money, clothes, books, jewelry…everything."
Vegeta shrugged. "Fine. Be on your way now."
When the man left, Vegeta sat back against the cutaway, and crossed his arms, thinking. I wonder why I've never heard of the International Coast Trade until now. Oh well. I'll be able to exchange some garbage and see what kind of treasures foreigners have to offer…
***
Later on, Vegeta's breakfast came to him. Vegeta was happy to hear a knock on his door, and the scent of the tasty food waft through the door's cracks. He had been waiting for a long time now.
"Get in here," he told the knocker, knowing who it was.
Goku entered the room with the trays containing Vegeta's breakfast, and laid them down in front of Vegeta, who crossed his arms and looked at him suspiciously from his seat.
"Good morning, Prince," Goku said quietly, knowing his mere presence upset Vegeta nowadays.
"What kept you?" Vegeta snapped, as he began to dig into his food immediately.
"Everyone is busy today because of the Trade," Goku explained. "So the cooks weren't doing their jobs quickly today."
"I know that!" Vegeta snapped again, glaring at him, and then frowned as he saw Goku gaze longingly at the food on his plate.
"Can I have some, please?" Goku asked, immediately after his stomach growled loudly.
Vegeta laughed. "May you have a morsel? Hah! After the disrespect you showed me four days ago? You humor me. Go get your own food outside. I'm sure the food in the kitchen is for people better than the likes of you."
Goku frowned. "But eating in front of someone who has no food is rude."
Vegeta growled. I swear I'll kill him.
He reached for a bowl where two loaves of bread were kept. He emptied the bowl and stood up. "Fine, Goku. You want some food? Let us go." He grabbed Goku by the tail and led him outside, ignoring Goku's pleads on releasing his tail.
Vegeta marched through the chilly, winter breeze to a few berry bushes growing by near trees next to the palace. Some walnuts had fallen off the trees. Goku was silent as Vegeta mumbled angrily to himself, snatching the nuts and berries and tossing them into the bowl.
After a few handfuls, Vegeta shoved the bowl in Goku's arms. "Satisfied? Now hush and let me be." He spun on his heels and marched back to the palace, grumbling, as he began to ascend a flight of stairs.
"I really swear I'll kill him. I'm sick of seeing his face everyday."
"Really?" a new voice piped up.
Vegeta stopped at the voice-a feminine voice at that. Confusion was engraved on his face as he turned his head to the direction of the voice. He looked at a short, elderly woman who questioned him.
"Aren't you that old woman that lives in the farther country?" Vegeta asked. "What are you doing here?"
Shi Lu chuckled as she switched her walking stick from her right hand to her left. "I was on my way to the marketplace, and I could not help but overhear your grumbling about Goku."
Vegeta huffed and turned away. "It is none of your concern."
"Don't run away. I know a way to be rid of him."
Vegeta turned back, this time with a sarcastic look plastered on his face. "You know that is not humorous."
Shi Lu raised an eyebrow. "You do not believe me? I am the respected Medicine Woman. I know where people's strengths and weaknesses are. Don't you think I have computed the monstrous form of Goku with that Saiyan tail? Of course I tried to be rid of him after the atrocities he committed. It is just that my first attempt failed."
Vegeta stiffened, amazed. He looked at Shi Lu curiously. "What do you know about a Saiyan tail, woman?" he asked quietly.
"Plenty," Shi Lu answered. "I know enough that it is a source of tremendous power and is a catalyst, along with the full moon, that triggers the appearance of the Saiyan ape. This is my profession. I discover people for who they really are."
Vegeta chuckled. "You witch. You should have burned at the stake that day. You and your crazy nephew. But you're humorous. Now what was that offer again?"
***
Goku shivered as he began to feast on the nuts and berries Vegeta had served him. The walnuts were very cold and hard to crack open. The berries were sour. But Goku was grateful that he was getting any food at all. What many people wouldn't give for a meal just like this…
Goku consumed the rest of the berries, seeing most of the nuts were too frozen to be pried open. He deserted the bowl and stood to his feet. He hugged himself and looked up at the sky, which was a thick sheet of white clouds. It would snow soon, and Goku could already feel the intense cold.
He began to head back to the palace, trudging quietly amongst the remains of fall's leaves, until his eyes wandered around. He stopped at a familiar sight.
The peasants were continuing their work, and many of Goku's old co-workers were still laboring in the fields. Goku decided he would pay them a visit.
Wrapping his cloak around him tighter, Goku headed toward his old acquaintance, Matsuki. Matsuki was bent over, clearing a section of the fields of stubborn weeds. He was oblivious to Goku's presence until he heard a questioning sound.
He looked up to see Goku being led by the arm by Hanako, another old acquaintance. He wondered what Goku was doing here, and he followed him and Hanako.
Goku, meanwhile, was stuttering and stumbling as Hanako pulled him to a safe spot away from the fields. She took him to the Headquarters, and sighed with relief once she was sure they were both safe.
"Uh, it's nice to see you too," Goku said to her. "Why did you do that?"
Hanako timidly looked up at him for a moment, before she blinked, and her expression changed. She frowned. "Don't you know you could have been chosen?"
"Chosen?" Goku repeated. "What do you mean chosen?"
"You know," Hanako whispered, and then sighed at the confusion on Goku's face. "You…do not know, do you?"
Goku shook his head, and Hanako sighed again.
"I do not recommend wandering around the fields for so long, Goku," Hanako advised him. "People are going to get suspicious, and plus you could have been chosen for the International Coast Trade. The people are coming today!"
Goku blinked. "I wasn't going to wander for very long. I only wanted to say hello to Matsuki… Anyway, you still haven't explained to me what being chosen is all about."
Hanako frowned, and it seemed she didn't want to be the one to tell Goku this. She sighed again. "What do the people from the International Coast Trade come here for? To trade. And if they find any good peasants or slaves or any people like that, do not think our administrators won't hesitate to trade us off."
She hung her head and looked away, speaking quietly, almost inaudibly, "This place has been my home for as long as I can remember. I grew up as a peasant here. I learned the ways of becoming a good peasant as a girl. If I were ever to be traded off… I couldn't tolerate it.
"I do not have any family here, but I have grown up with these people for so long that it is as if they are my family. I do not want to be separated from them… I hate and fear the International Coast Trade every year. It is only destined to break the bonds of friendship and love. It is so awful…"
***
The birds weren't hopping around Chi-Chi's stone windowsill, ready to wake her up like they usually do. They had obviously migrated, leaving Chi-Chi to awake on her own.
The girl was reluctant to take in the light of another day. It wasn't because she didn't want to leave the warm atmosphere of her bed; it was the fact that when she woke up, a supervisor would be the immediate thing to see in her first waking moment.
Chi-Chi turned over and slowly opened her eyes. Maybe if she feigned sleep a little longer, the supervisor wouldn't have to watch her prepare for the day.
But curiosity kept Chi-Chi from carrying out that plan. She heard nothing this morning. Absolutely nothing…
Chi-Chi opened her eyes and bolted upright, amazed. She realized she was alone. This was the first time since her confinement that she was truly alone. Chi-Chi blinked. Is the punishment over? She wondered.
Slipping out of bed, the cautious girl headed toward her basin in the corner. She fell to her knees and picked up the cloth near the bowl of water. She began to get ready for the day, partially expecting to hear a supervisor walk in on her anytime now.
But no one came.
Now fully dressed, Chi-Chi shrugged and opened the bedchamber's door. No one was here, and that was a good thing… Strolling the halls for a moment, just exploring, she came to realize that no one had stopped her. No one had asked what she was doing without an escort.
That's strange, Chi-Chi thought, but then shrugged it off as she headed downstairs. Oh well. If this kept up, she could probably eat breakfast in peace and solitude too.
Well, almost.
"Lady Chi-Chi?" a gruff voice echoed from the ends of the Dining Hall.
Chi-Chi stopped arranging her breakfast on her plate and looked up to see a curious guard eye her suspiciously. Great, here it comes, Chi-Chi thought as she approached him.
"Yes, subject?"
The guard frowned at her. "What are you doing out of your bedchamber? The confinement was never annulled."
Chi-Chi felt like giving an exasperated sigh. "Can't I at least eat the morning meal in the light of the Dining Hall?"
"No, Princess," the guard answered sternly. "I must carry out the request of the emperor."
This time Chi-Chi did let out a sigh and turned on her heels, ascending the stairs, only to be stopped by the guard's voice for a third time.
"Just take the morning meal with you."
Chi-Chi knew she could safely roll her eyes now that her back was given to the guard. "No," she sarcastically retorted. "I would rather starve."
As she retreated to her bedchamber, Chi-Chi's thoughts drifted to Goku, now that her eyes caught sight of the same tree outside the stone window, where they had their talks of their feelings for each other…
How could such a simple thing as a bare tree trigger such wonderful memories?
Chi-Chi smiled slowly, wistfully, as other memories ran in her mind. Every meeting they had, every special moment with gentle words, every tender kiss… They all gave reason as to why she loved him.
She reached her bedchamber at last, and sighed once she closed the door behind her. She missed Goku. She wanted to see him. What she wouldn't give to see him…
Chi-Chi moved toward the back of the room, where the curtains were. The atmosphere of her bedchamber during the confinement was like a jail cell. It was lonely, cold, and dark.
Chi-Chi pulled the curtains apart so light could shine in the room. A breeze began to blow, and Chi-Chi stepped onto the back balcony. This was the only place the Ox-King didn't restrict her from going to, even though it was considered outside territory, because it was a part of her bedchamber.
It was nice to step out into the open, and another fact proved this was nice too, as Chi-Chi spotted something after hearing gentle murmuring below.
Chi-Chi held onto the railings as she looked below, and a passionate smile crossed her face. There was Goku talking with someone in the fields below. Chi-Chi's heart skipped a beat suddenly as she realized something. This wasn't anything special, yet she realized…
Goku is… handsome, she thought adoringly. Another thought filled her mind suddenly, and she left the balcony. When she returned, a sheet of paper and a quill pen was in her hand. Sitting at just the right angle, she kept her eyes on Goku, praying that he would stay where he was, as she sketched a picture of him.
Putting in the details carefully, she was cautious not to make a mistake. This drawing was going to be a treasure to her from now on. This is the closest thing I have next to him, besides my love and memories, Chi-Chi thought to herself. And every reminder will be sure to keep my love for him strong.
***
That afternoon, a long line of caravans came to the Ox-King's kingdom, where they met up with several other important people who were ready for the foreigners' arrival. Today was the day of the International Coast Trade, and not a minute was to be wasted as the foreigners and executives exchanged goods and necessities. The trouble started when the foreigners lingered over the peasants and slaves.
Hanako's fearful news came true, as all the people in the subordinate classes were lined up, as the executives looked them over carefully.
They only wanted the finest slaves.
A strange man with an evil gleam in his eyes circled a few of the male slaves and then looked Goku up and down. "Hmm," he said, and lifted Goku's chin so he could see his face.
"Not a bad face. How much is this one? He looks to be interesting."
One of the Ox-King's executives objected to the foreigner's request. "That servant appears to have a rebellious face," he said about Goku. "I do not think you would want him."
The foreign executive smirked. "That is for me to decide. If it must come down to this, bring me the servant's owner."
It only took a few moments until Vegeta was brought to the head of the line of the slaves. "Do you own this one?" the executive asked Vegeta about Goku. Vegeta seemed puzzled at first, but then he smirked. "Yes, why? Do you want him?"
The executive nodded. "I pay well for valuable slaves."
Vegeta crossed his arms. "Well, this one wasn't even supposed to be out here in the fields." He smacked Goku across the back of his head, and glared at Goku, who kept his stone-faced expression.
"He is ill and sometimes needs a good lecture or two to get him working. I haven't yet taught him the meaning of respecting his master. I don't know if you still want him."
The executive took out a sheet of paper, a quill pen, and a sheet of bark as a hard surface to write on. He wrote as he scribbled. "His statistics… His name is Son Goku. He appears to be of nineteen years of age and of Japanese descent. He has exceptional skills as a warrior and has…no family? Oh well. It sounds good to me."
Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "How do you know...?"
He trailed off as his eyes caught sight of a cunning Han Wong stand out of line, whispering to the executive. He obviously faked being an official in charge of the International Coast Trade, and he changed his peasant clothing.
Vegeta sighed. "Yes. Despite all of what I told you, you're still willing to take this servant off my hands?"
The executive nodded. "Of course, that's going to lower my offer. 45,000 yen?"
Vegeta grimaced, causing the executive to growl stubbornly. "All right… 50,000 yen, because he is young, and no more."
Vegeta walked up to the executive, and clasped his hand in agreement. "You have yourself a new pest."
***
The sun was beginning to set once the caravans left. The Officials who kept the records of progress for the International Coast Trade made their final reports, and were the last ones to go inside the Ox-King's palace for the night. Before they could rest after a long day of hard work, they had to report their records to the Ox-King.
The Ox-King settled back in his throne and sighed happily when he saw the Officials kneel before him with their scrolls at hand.
One opened his scroll and cleared his throat before announcing what was on his paper. "In my section, we have traded 300 sets of clothing and blankets, 220 sets of weaponry and 100 slaves in exchange for 500 sets of clothing, decorative items and wool sweaters, and 300 sets of guns, cannons, ammunition and swords."
This news and the other news that the men reported pleased the Ox-King, and at the end of it all, Vegeta turned to him and said, "Your Highness, I will have you know that I have done you a favor and rid that vermin, Goku."
The Ox-King seemed confused for a moment. "You did not kill him, did you?"
Vegeta shook his head. "No, sir. I would never do that without your consent."
Bah, if it weren't for you, I would have killed him a long time ago, he secretly thought.
"I sold him to some foreigners today. He should be shipped off to the Americans. He should be going to either North or South America, if I'm correct. Unless the foreigners stop by Africa or someplace, and the people there want him."
The Ox-King smiled, truly satisfied to hear that Goku was gone at last. He and Vegeta shared the same thought that with Goku gone, Chi-Chi would have no purpose in misbehaving.
Or so they thought.
Dusk settled when the treasurer carried the collected moneybags upstairs to the Ox-King's safes. He passed Chi-Chi on the way, not noticing that she wasn't supposed to be out of her bedchamber. If he hadn't been murmuring to himself, or carrying those bags, everything would have remained crystal clear.
The treasurer cast his face downward as he continued mumbling, trying to calculate how much money was made today. He wasn't paying attention to where he was going, and he bumped into Chi-Chi, who was carrying extra blankets back to her bedchamber. The winter nights were getting harsher.
They both collapsed at the accident. The treasurer groaned and rubbed his head. He gasped once he realized whom he bumped into. "Lady Chi-Chi! My sincerest apologies! Here, let me help you with those."
"No, it's all right…" Chi-Chi stood herself up and collected the blankets. Her eyes widened at the bountiful moneybags spilled all over the floor. "When did we make this much, Tsuda?"
Tsuda bent to scoop the coins back into the bag. "We did very well this year with the Trade, Princess. A lot thanks to that bothersome slave we sold off today. It was a good thing we were rid of him too. His Majesty was so relieved."
Chi-Chi hid her alarm and discontent very well as she turned her head away. "I see," she said quietly. Her quick retaliation formed a plan, as always. She wouldn't let the treasurer's reticence aggravate her.
"Well, this took place in the early hours in the afternoon, correct?"
"Uh-huh," Tsuda mumbled, gathering the rest of the coins. "Probably around the second or third hour. I do not know… They wanted to be done as quickly as possible."
Without another word, Chi-Chi slipped away to her bedchamber, and placed her blankets on her bed. She would no longer have to hide her true emotions behind a closed door.
She groaned in agony as she took in the painful truth again, and for another reason: something in her heart seemed to shatter, and it made her weak. She leaned against the wall and slid to a sitting position, her hand over her heart.
Something was happening inside of her.
There was a mix of certain feelings inside of Chi-Chi. She remembered that after the day she kissed Goku in the library, she gained this heightened awareness of Goku's presence and anything that had to associate with him, including the feeling that something agonizing was happening to him right now…
She somehow also felt the same thing with Vegeta, except… This awareness for Vegeta was stronger and seemed to overpower the awareness for Goku.
This fact proved to destroy another one of Chi-Chi's escapades. How could she find Goku if she wasn't aware of anything-not his location, call or thoughts-but his pain?
Confusion was Chi-Chi's master now, as a part of her reminded her not to risk another venture. The reminders of the previous failed attempts, the Ox-King's wrath, the shame she was causing his name, her wedding to Vegeta… They were almost enough to stop her.
But that other tiny part of her was determined to find Goku, somehow and someway.
I have to get Goku back, Chi-Chi thought, shaking away her despair. I have to, no matter what happens. I won't rest until I do.
To be continued…
Chapter Twelve: Fate Unleashed
Lady Thundera: LOL. You really let them have it. I'd hate to see what they look like now. Poor Veggie, but he kinda deserved it, huh? Yeah, Goku is slowly falling in love.
Caryl Mc: I've been noticing FF.net has been screwing up lately. I don't know why, but hey, at least the reviews are here and that's good for me. Heh. You sure you'd like to challenge Ox-King? I know you want to fight for G/CC's together-ness. Yeah, it's a nightmare for both of them. I had Vegeta beat Goku for a reason, so don't worry. LOL. You're scared of Vegeta? I like him. I like V/CC too. That might be a problem for this story…
Moon girl16: LOL. You really hated Koto, huh? The showdown is yet to come.
Lady Athena X: Yeah, it sucks that G/CC are in this situation, but love will find a way, as usual… Vegeta's getting sneakier, thus causing an even bigger mess for G/CC. The question is: Will Ox-King see that Chi-Chi has her true love? And that will be answered later…
Carrie2sky: I don't know what's up with FF.net. Yeah, this is a horrible, horrible twist of fate. But I like fate… And Chi-Chi's still grounded, and now she has a wedding to think about… It's getting worse, but still have hope!
Gogirl: I guess we should expect FF.net to screw up sometimes. Time and pressure are closing in on Chi-Chi. What should she do? Only Sadako knows. Heh.