Fulfillment

A big hello again to all the happy people who enjoy this. I just kinda figured that I might as well update this, since you all love it and since I'm sick and can't do much else except sleep and vomit. Yay me! Also, I'd like to take some time for shameless pluggage: For all ye who be K/18 fans, I'd seriously recommend reading my story 'One Good Reason'. I'm told it's quite good Also, I've a comedy series you might enjoy called 'Oookay…' And, I finally posted my Mirai timeline story called 'Escaping Fate' and I think she could use some love. Plus, I've got a G/CC one-shot I put up recently called 'What They Don't Understand' that I SERIOUSLY recommend, even if you're not a G/CC fan. You might find it enlightening. And I know this'll raise some hackles, but I wrote a Krillin/Bulma story called 'Learning to Let Go'. It's nothing real major, just how I think the two came to terms with their emotional states toward one another; sad ending, though.

And, to plug some others: To give credit where credit is due, I have to let you now exactly what was the source of 75 of my inspiration for writing this. I was inspired to write this after reading 'And Then You'll Know' by the incomparable Deadly Beauty. Seriously, if you like this, hers is probably 100 times better! And, of course, please take the time to read and REVIEW Diinya-chan's story, 'Blood's Song'! If you don't, you don't know what you're missing!

Okay, enough with the commercials, time to get down to business. Here goes.

Chapter 6

Somewhere in the capital city of Vegeta-sei a lone figure leaned against a wall, hidden from view in a dark alley. This man was no stranger to this place; he'd come here many a time before. He found it helped him to think, to plot against his enemies as he'd done so effectively in the past. It was how he'd acquired his current position of power. That had been enough for a while, but he wanted more; he wanted the throne.

This wouldn't be easy, he knew. Rising to his current position had been no small task. The steps he'd taken to ensure his place had been what some would consider drastic. The lies he'd told, the people he'd manipulated... the ones he'd killed. If all that had been necessary to ensure what he held now, he could only imagine what he would need to do to wear the crown.

But he was more than ready, and he certainly wasn't above anything. All he had to do was bide his time; people could be manipulated, he knew. They were like chess pieces, just waiting for him to move them into position. He just had to wait, to be patient as he maneuvered his little pawns toward his ultimate goal. Patience was something he'd acquired long ago. But he also needed to hold his temper, and there he would no doubt run into trouble.

He could be patient, yes, but when it came to holding his temper when angered, he'd always struggled. If someone interfered with his plans, if someone insulted him in some way, he had a tendency to nearly go ape on them. More than a few had turned up dead because of that. This time, he knew he would have to be careful. He couldn't afford not to be.

There was, however, one mitigating factor in all this. His prize, his queen despised him. She was an unusual creature, the only one he felt worthy to sit by his side, even if she WAS only going to be an ornament for his glory, even if she WAS considered to be below all the others on the planet. Now, he faced competition for her affections, and from that... that THING! That disgusting little worm wasn't worthy to wipe mud from his boots, yet she seemed to want HIM! Well, that creature didn't know who he was messing with.

A smile played across his face as an idea began to form in his mind. It was perfect! He could do what he wished, leave behind whatever mess he wanted and he knew where the blame would fall. They'd blame that freak; he'd be the one to take the fall! He had to remind himself to take it slow, however. Much as it disgusted him, he had to allow the scum to worm his way into his woman's heart. Then, he could execute his plan, thus removing him from the picture and hurting her in one fell swoop. That would be her punishment for scorning him; then he would step in and make it all better. She'd fall into his arms like the weak little plaything she was. And he would enjoy every second of it.

The figure stood up straight, dusted off his armor and strolled off toward the palace. It was time to enact his plan.

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Vegeta was still in an indignant rage as he stomped through the capital city. The nerve of that freak, daring to talk back to him in such a manner! He had every right to say what he said; he had every right to say whatever he so chose! He was the Prince of all Saiyans! He was next in line for the throne! What he said went without question, and that was that.

Still, perhaps he had been a tad too harsh. Even if he had, though, it certainly hadn't given that freak-girl the right to lay a hand on him! She had struck royalty, an act punishable by death. If she had been anyone other than the daughter of the Kind's closest friend, she would've been drug out into the center of that arena and executed. When he ruled, he certainly wouldn't show such favoritism to anyone. Petty attachments were for the weak! All they'd served to do was hold his father back, and he certainly wasn't eager to repeat that error.

As time passed, he found himself in a part of the city that he rarely frequented: the third-class borough. It was a rather plain neighborhood, with nothing to really make any individual domed dwelling stand out. Odd, considering each dwelling held anywhere up to four families at one time. He expected there to be at least some sign of large groupings of Saiyans living therein, but found none. Then he remembered a regulation he'd ordered not more than a year ago, that third-class dwellings had to be kept clean, lest the occupants receive a steep fine. Yet another case of him acting on a whim.

Truth be told, he really wanted to be a good ruler. He wanted to lead his people as his father had before him. Granted, in his opinion, things could and should be done differently, but he couldn't deny that his father had done an all around decent job. The people certainly seemed happy enough under his rule, with the exception of a few malcontent non-conformists that lingered about the planet. In his opinion, those people would look for anything to complain about, and for now at least, they appeared to be focused intently on slavery. Stupid nonsense; why did they bother trying to change things that were beyond their power to change? It wasn't as if they could ever win their argument anyway. The King's decision had been final and there was no way he was changing his mind, especially after the Purging had been completed. He wasn't about to let all the resources they'd spent be in vain.

As he mulled over such things, one particular dwelling in the area caught his eye; it was larger than the others, obviously structured to be some kind of scientific complex. He remembered having placed an order to said establishment while in one of his top of the world arrogant moods he seemed to have so often; something about making himself stronger by the end of the month. A ridiculous amount of time to complete said task in... But there was no way he could change his mind now. He had a reputation to protect, after all! Deciding there was no time like the present to at least see what ideas their new human scientist may have concocted, he marched over to the building and entered the door.

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Bulma sat down rather hard in the chair in front of her desk, almost completely exhausted from all her work. She couldn't believe her luck. She'd been given this project to complete in a month, yet she hadn't even been given time to draw up plans for it yet. The, she actually had to build this thing and no matter how she reconfigured it, it appeared that this machine would take at least a month to build in and of itself. It was impossible! Ridiculous! It was-

The sound of her front door sliding open startled her and she looked up to see... HIM! That psycho Prince, the one who was responsible for her entire situation in the first place! The one that had pulled her from her home and stuck her here on this godforsaken rock that didn't have so much as a single drop of coffee!

She wanted to scream at him. She wanted to claw his eyes out! She wanted to... to... do SOMETHING to him! Upon further reflection, however, she decided it would be best to save her energy; no doubt she would be needing all of it to complete her assignment, to say nothing of being aware of the more shifty types that frequented her home. She let out a reluctant sigh and tangled her fingers in her hair. "What do you want?" she asked.

Vegeta regarded this woman with some interest. She certainly wasn't typical of most humans. Her hair wasn't of the usual coloring, for one. An odd sort of greenish blue; the Saiyan race hadn't seen that sort of coloring in its entire existence. Most unusual, however, was her appearance.

He had been schooled in his life by many tutors and the like, some of which were female. All of them had fit the usual concept of the intelligent: flat hair, simple appearance, dull manner of speech. But this one was different. He might even go so far as to say she wasn't an ugly waste of space. An unusual feat for a human.

"What do you think I want, Woman? I'm here to check on your progress." He looked around the room at the various machine parts and blueprints scattered across the room. "Though by the looks of things, you haven't gotten far." He smirked at her. "What's wrong, Woman? Incapable of completing a simple task?"

Bulma jumped up from her seat, hands clenched into fists at her side. "Why you...! I'll have you know I am MORE than capable to handle this job! The only problem is the fact that YOU gave me a ridiculously short amount of time to do it in! There's no possible way I can-"

"How much more time will you need?"

Bulma was so shocked fell back down into her chair. "Huh? Wha...?"

Vegeta crossed his arms and scowled. "Open your ears. I asked you, how much more time will you need to finish?"

She felt her jaw drop a bit. The Prince, legendary for his arrogance and unmerciful demeanor, was actually offering her an extension? No way, it had to be a trick! Then again, she really couldn't pass up such an opportunity, not when the alternative was possibly life in a harem. "Um... probably about seven weeks, if I could get a little more help. All I have now is my dad, three other people, and a couple Saiyans who don't feel too inclined to help me."

Vegeta snorted. 'Most likely want her to go to a harem,' he though to himself. "Fine. I'll get you more help. And those Saiyans on your crew will be removed."

She could scarcely believe it. All these accommodations and she didn't even have to ask? "Uh, thanks, I guess."

Vegeta turned and started out the door. "Save your gratitude." He smirked. "I just refuse to allow any Saiyan to be ordered about by a human, let alone one as slow-witted as you."

He just made it out when he heard a large ceramic object shatter against the door.

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Juuhachi sat stunned as she looked at the little human that occupied her bed. He had passed out again shortly after making his statement, which left her cheeks still flushed. She regarded him as he slept, wondering what had possessed him to say such a thing.

In all her years, no one had ever called her beautiful, much less an angel. She had always been considered hideous, a blight on her family and her species. Not even her last suitor had been able to bring himself to say that to her. No real surprise there, everything about the man had been fake; this little human, however, had seemed so sincere, so happy to see her, as if he'd been expecting her to be there when he woke up. That last thought made her blush spread just a bit more. Now she was thinking about waking up with the guy? 'Well, why not?' she reasoned with herself. 'I DO own him now; who's to say that I can't keep him in my room somewhere?'

That last thought did trouble her mind, though. She owned him. She owned another living being, something that she had cried out against time and time again. Sure, she knew that the alternative was to allow the Prince to kill him, but... it still seemed wrong. It was then she made up her mind: he wouldn't be treated as such. She would not treat him as property, would not force him to do what he didn't want to. She would own him in name only. He would be free to move about her family's quarters in the palace, free to do whatever he wished, to a point, of course. She also knew that if it seemed she was giving him too much leeway, he might be taken from her and forced to work at one of the mines. That was sometimes a fate worse than death. No, she would have to keep him on somewhat of a leash, especially in public.

She couldn't help but smile at him as he began to mumble something in his sleep."...So beautiful... perfect," he said. That only served to make her blush even more and she secretly wondered what her brother would say about this. Was he being sincere? Was it possible... did he actually find her... beautiful? Did she dare believe him when he called her perfect? She certainly hoped so, and began to wonder if her brother would approve of him as...

Her eyes flew open wide. Had she actually thought of him like that? It couldn't possibly happen, not now. Besides, all she knew about him was that he was, well, strong, kind, caring, and attractive in his own strange way... She stood and left the room. There was no way she was going to be able to concentrate, not with him in the same room.

Juu made her way down the stairs and into the main room of their apartment to find her father sitting in his favorite chair by the fire, reading some old book or other. No doubt it was some sort of historical account, whether about their own world or not. DDaifu had always been fascinated by the history of various cultures; he said that if you know what happened in a culture's past, you could understand what was happening now, and subsequently predict what might happen in the future. An interesting concept, to be sure, but that wasn't what she was interested in right now.

She rushed over to her father and wrapped her arms around him in a rather tight hug. "Thank you, Father," she whispered. "You don't know how much I appreciate what you've done for me."

Daifu looked up at his daughter and smiled. "Your welcome, my dear. Though I must admit, I'm not quite sure what exactly I've done for you. Care to enlighten me?"

Juu knew her father's tricks all too well. This was no doubt his subtle way of checking up on her, making certain she hadn't 'soiled her reputation' as he would put it. Her suspicions were confirmed as he began sniffing lightly, looking for any change in her scent as his gaze shifted subtly to her neck. "You really don't trust me, do you? Nothing like that happened yet, Father. He just... said some things. That's all."

"Such as...?"

Juu looked down at the floor, as she felt her cheeks grow warmer still. "He... he said I was... beautiful. Beautiful and perfect."

Daifu could feel his protective father instincts clash with his shock and happiness. No one had ever said that about Juuhachi in all the years she'd been alive. He shook his head slightly to clear it. "I see. So that would explain the red cheeks you're currently sporting?"

Juu scowled slightly. "Well, maybe it's because my own father is checking to see if I'm still a virgin? I'm not some whore, you know. I won't act on a crush-" She clamped her mouth shut and her eyes flew open at the sound of what she'd just said. Crush? Her? Impossible. Certainly she wouldn't be so stupid as to fall into that trap again, would she? Still, there was no denying the fact that when Krillin, HER Krillin, had said those things, she had felt-

"Well, my dear, I'm glad you're happy. I just hope you realize that this is going to have to count as your birthday gift. You've no idea how much I had to shell out to pay for him." He smiled slyly. "The King's pride is great, but his greed is greater. But listen, Juuhachi, I don't want you sleeping with that human in ANY sense of the word, do you hear me? I don't care where you put him, but he is NOT to share your bed." He noted his daughter's slightly downcast face and sighed. "Really, it's not as if I'm not allowing you to have any contact with him. I tell you what, why don't I have some workers convert that old closet of yours into a bedroom? You never use it anyway, and since he's your 'bodyguard' and all, he really should be kept close, shouldn't he?"

Juu threw her arms around her father's neck and hugged him tightly again. "Thank you, Papa! I really appreciate this!"

Much as Daifu was happy for his daughter, he was having a slight problem. "You're welcome, but right now, Daddy can't breathe!" She looked at his face, which was now beginning to turn blue and released, placing her hands behind her back and staring at the floor in her embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, Father. I just… I don't know what came over me. But... I've never wanted to be around anyone this much before. He's... he's comforting to me. I suppose it's because his people view him the same way that ours view me. I can't say for certain, but I think he's... special."

Daifu straightened his house robe and smiled again. "I'm sure you do. Now, you run along. I'm sure you wish to see him again already." Before she left the room, he called out to her. "One last thing Juuhachi. When the lad wakes up, send him down here. I wish to have a chat with him."

"Papa, you act as if he were a suitor."

He chuckled slightly. "Are you denying that you wish him to be?" She merely blushed in response and he laughed again. "I thought so. Now, as I said, when he feels fine enough to move, bring him here to see me. We have things to discuss, he and I."

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About four days later, Chi-Chi hummed as she skipped down the corridor. Thankfully, there was more light at the moment, so she wasn't relegated to the light put out by that glowing sphere, which had learned was called, appropriately enough, a glowsphere, and could see quite well to avoid the few hands that would jut out from some of the cell bars at her. Not many dared to mess with her anymore; after her first trip down here, she'd learned that she was allowed to take appropriate action toward anyone who attempted that, and more than a few were nursing broken hands or whining about missing fingers. She was also intrigued to note that Kakarot found that fact quite... well, attractive.

Upon her arrival, she inserted her key into the lock, only to find the cell door was already unlocked. She stepped into the room to see Kakarot free of his chains, slipping on some strange armor, his rags he'd been relegated to before lying in a pile in the corner of the cell. "Wha-?" She looked at him, total shock plastered onto her face. "What's going on?"

He looked up at her and smiled. "Oh, yeah. I meant to tell you earlier; I'm getting out today. They reduced my sentence for some reason. I guess the Prince must've been in a pretty good mood about something or other to do that."

Chi-Chi looked downcast. "I-I'm glad. Really. So, I guess... I guess this means I won't be seeing much of you anymore, huh?" She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up into a pair of serious dark eyes.

"Chi-Chi, don't you remember what I told you? You're a very special, very beautiful woman and I have no intention of letting you go. You... you really mean a lot to me." He flashed her that same big, dopey grin. "In fact, I've got something I want to ask you about later tonight. Can you meet me in the palace courtyard after you're done with your work?"

She really didn't know what to say. One second, she was panicked over the fact he was leaving, and now, he was asking her to meet him after her assignments were done? Things certainly seemed to be moving fast to her, but she felt compelled to answer. "I'm not sure if I can. I mean, I don't usually get done 'till after dark, and then they don't usually let me leave the building..."

"What if I ask them to let you? I've got some pull with my rank; I can probably get you some time to leave. Would you come then?"

Chi-Chi sighed. "Well, if you can, then yes, I'll come."

Kakarot's smile grew. "That's great! I'll see you tonight, then." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "G'bye, Pretty Eyes!"

Chi-Chi froze where she stood and began blushing. He kissed her. For the first time in her life, a guy had kissed her! Her head was still reeling from that, but she managed to keep her mind clear enough to call out to him. "Just what's so important about what you have to say, anyway?"

He called back to her without looking back as he left the room. "You'll see tonight!"

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Kakarot got no further than ten feet away from the dungeon's entrance before he heard his brother's voice ring out. "Well, well, it seems Kakarot has finally been released. How was your stay, brother? Did you find it enjoyable?" Raditz stepped toward him with a malicious smirk etched onto his face. "Of course you did; you had that Earth whore to keep you company."

He ignored his younger brother's growl and began to laugh as he continued. "Tell me, brother, how was she? Was it to your liking? Perhaps now that you're done with her, I should take a turn. Not like she's good for anything el-" He didn't get to finish his statement as he felt a fist connect with his jaw. Still slightly reeling from the hit, Raditz looked up into the face of his brother. "What's wrong, did I touch a nerve? You're pathetic, you know that? Consorting with the females of a lesser race, one that isn't fit to wipe the mud from the boots of those two outcasts that have the honor of being called noble. All of them deserve to rot and you with them!"

Kakarot's face gained a smirk of its own. "So that's what this is about, isn't it? You can't stand the fact that I've found someone, but you got rejected by someone that nobody else seems to want. You didn't lose to competition; you lost to your own arrogance. Well, guess what? It's time for you to get over yourself."

Raditz felt his hands ball into fists as he struggled to control his rage, a large fake smile on his face. "Tell, you what, Brother. I'll let you slide this time. But the next time you cross me, you're mine. Do you hear me? Mine!" With that he stormed out the door, headed toward his own home.

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The mid-day light shining into his eyes was what woke him at first. He felt inclined to roll over and sleep some more; he hadn't had a decent night's sleep in a few weeks. However, the sounds of hammering, sawing and other noises associated with construction kept him from his desires. Krillin sat up and scratched the back of his head, trying to remember where he was. The room seemed palatial, rather ornate and feminine and there seemed to be several construction workers entering and exiting a room adjacent to this one.

He jumped out of the bed as he suddenly remembered what had happened. He was in HER room! That angel he had seen on the wall that day, she wasn't an angel at all! She was a Saiyan! How could he have been so stupid?! She was probably going to kill him for what happened, for what he said-

"Oh, good. You're awake."

He turned toward the source of the voice to see that same blonde standing in her door way, and the sight nearly made his heart stop. She was wearing what appeared to be some rather anatomically correct armor, which accented her already noticeable figure. On top of that, it didn't cover a single portion of her long, gorgeous legs. He thought he was going to faint again right then and there.

She smiled at him. "Hello. My name's Juuhachi."

'Juuhachi? Wow, that's a pretty name. Pretty name for a pretty girl...' He then remembered what he had said to her earlier and began to panic. "Oh, my... I-I'm sorry! About what I said, I had no right. I shouldn't have spoken that way."

"Don't be sorry," she said, smiling a little wider. "You... you're actually the first person to ever say that to me." She blushed and looked away from him. "I-it was rather nice, actually. Thanks."

He found himself blushing now and chuckled nervously. "Heh, no problem. I mean, I only said what was true."

"No one else thinks it's true. They think of me as a deformed freak."

Krillin's eye flew wide. Her, considered ugly? "WHAT?! How can anyone think that?"

Juu looked up from the floor. "My coloring. My eyes and hair are colored strangely. No other Saiyan is colored like this." She hung her head and turned her back to him. "It's... it's ugly!"

"Are you kidding?" She turned back to find Krillin standing directly in front of her now. "Where I come from, blonde hair, blue eyes, that's considered gorgeous! To any human guy, you'd be the most angelic being they'd ever seen! And frankly, I think that if any Saiyan had any brains, he'd think you were gorgeous, too. I've seen some of the Saiyan women, and frankly, they're rather plain. You, you're... perfect." He found himself blushing brightly again, and stared down at the floor, a weak laugh escaping his lips.

Juuhachi smiled brightly again. 'You'd like this one, Juunana. I'm sure of it.' "You must be hungry," she said. "Come with me, I'll get you some food. After that, my father would like a word with you."

Krillin's face erupted into a huge grin. "Food?! Lead the way!"

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Chi-Chi wandered the courtyard, hoping to catch sight of Kakarot. She'd finished her duties about an hour ago, and apparently Kakarot had succeeded in getting permission for her to leave to meet him. Finally, after about thirty minutes of searching, she found him in a part of the palaces oversized garden, standing in a gazebo. A large smile appeared on his face as he waved to her and motioned for her to come to him.

"Glad you could make it," he said when she finally arrived. "I'm really excited. I've got some big news for you!"

She couldn't help smiling at him. "Really? And what might that be?"

He smiled shyly and drooped his head a bit. "Well... I got you reassigned. You won't be feeding criminals anymore."

Chi-Chi couldn't believe her ears. Just how much pull did this man have? "O-okay, what'll I be doing, then?"

She noticed that Kakarot seemed to become a bit more nervous, as he began to run his hand through his unruly hair. "Well, I-uh I hope you don't mind... I had them make you m-my personal cook. I figured this way, I could still see you, and you wouldn't have to worry about anyone slapping you, or any thugs groping you... I thought it'd make you happy.

Chi-Chi opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. He had done all that for her? And now he seemed nervous, as if he were worried she'd be mad. That was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her! Still unable to speak, she stood on her tip-toes and kissed him.

He smiled. "Wow! I guess that means you like the idea?"

Chi-Chi smiled as well and wrapped her arms around him. After a moment, she found her voice and spoke, fully intent on saying that she loved it. Instead, three other words came out. "I love you."

She opened her eyes wide, shocked at the fact she had said that. When he spoke, however, her nerves were once again calm. "I love you too, Chi-Chi. That's why I want to ask you something."

Chi-Chi's heart began to flutter as she looked up into his eyes. "Yes?"

"Well, I think you know how much you mean to me. I love you, I really do. I'm not sure how it happened so fast, and I frankly don't care. What I care about is the fact that you are the perfect woman; you're strong, independent, beautiful..." and here he smiled, "... and boy can you cook! And, most of all, you're my soul mate, Chi-Chi. When I'm around you, I feel... I feel indestructible. Unstoppable. I feel like I can do anything."

"Chi-Chi... will you do me the honor of becoming my mate?"

Chi-Chi could feel tears stinging at the back of her eyes as she struggled with the urge not to cry. This was like some sort of fairy tale she'd heard her mother read her when she was a child. She smiled and her voice trembled as she spoke.

"I would love to."

Without speaking so much as another word, he kissed her and scooped her up into his arms, carrying her into the palace in the direction of his room.

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I guess I'll stop here for now. I hope you all enjoy this. Review with any, and I do mean ANY comments or questions. Thanks!