OMG I'M BACK! I'm so sorry it's been so long. But here it is! Another chapter! And I'm already working on the next one after this so hopefully it won't be such a long wait! Thank for all the wonderful reviews. Ya'll are the best!
The next day the Moon Queen had called a meeting of some of the ruling families. The King and Queen from Mars, the Saiyan King, Prince, and generals, the Earth kingdom's ruling family and various advisors. The attack on the Saiyans had been long and grueling and they needed to be updated on the enemy now that they had shown their face.
Once everyone was settled King Vegeta stood and nodded first to Queen Serenity before he began his briefing.
"As you know two years ago was when this enemy first attacked. They attacked some of Vegeta-sai's outer territories. I believe they were testing our response time, which fortunately is very quick thanks to the Moon Queen's transportation abilities. This enemy also seems to have the ability to teleport." He was thinking back to how after battling gruella forces on the outer rim the enemy had disappeared and within a day appeared on their home planet.
"The minions are massive in number and easily defeated. However, the number of them is a problem as we still have to expel energy to destroy them. My other concern is that they could be hiding a more powerful force that we have yet to see."
The group began discussing the pros and cons of sending scouts. The Martian Queen Rayne advising that finding their enemy before they could build their forces would be the best option. The Earth King Edward pointed out that they could be finding an enemy that might have more might then they could handle, if they met them on their turf. Wherever that might be.
"Besides, Queen Serenity's power protects this glaxay. We're safe here." Endymion pointed out much to the disgust of the Saiyans. "Eventually they'll realize they can't hurt us and move on to an easier target."
"How noble, let's hide behind the Queen and let them go attack other planets in our Universe." The Saiyan Prince sneered as he rocked back in the chair he was sitting in arms crossed over his chest. What a pathetic weakling. His dark eyes flickered over to the Moon Princess who he was surprised to see actually seemed to be listening to the exchanges instead of zoning out like she had been apt to do in previous years. For a brief moment her gaze met his before she quickly looked away to listen to her mother speak.
"Even my power has its limits and its weaknesses. I think it would be wise to let the outer scouts continue to try to pinpoint our enemy's location and once they find them we can then attempt to determine what strength they may have. I would rather take the battle to them but we must remember that a battle on the outskirts of the Universe, should they be that far away, has its own risks. We will have to transport food, supplies, and people in a constant stream and that takes time. It is vulnerable. We will need to remember that. Let's break for lunch and continue this meeting in a few hours."
Everyone stood as Serenity did and she lead the way onto one of the large open patios. Endymion waved Usagi on as he stood with his parents discussing what a war on a faraway front might mean. Earth was a source of resources for the other planets and so it would be to them they would look.
Raditz watched with a calculating gaze as the moon princess practically flew out of the room ahead of the Saiyans and by the time they had gotten outside she had disappeared. One glance at his Prince told him that the other Saiyan had no interest in finding the girl, but Raditz did.
Fortunately with his heightened senses he didn't even have to try to locate her energy source. He could follow her trail with ease thanks to the light floral perfume she wore. So he grabbed his own meal and slipped away from the group as well.
Vegeta's eyes narrowed when he realized that his comrade was following the trail of the moon princess, but refused to go as well. She wasn't his concern.
"Nice hiding place princess"
Usagi jumped as Raditz spoke from the shadows of one of the large pillars near her. He chuckled a little and stepped forward. The blonde-haired teen glared at him for just a moment before rolling her eyes and smiling at the familiar face.
"It not nice to sneak up on a lady Raditz."
"And you have definitely turned into a lady, Usa. Not quite the little girl we left"
He smiled wolfishly as she blushed and looked down.
"Is that what has the Saiyan Prince all off-kilter," he asked.
The moon princess' eyes shot up to Raditz's wide with surprise. She didn't think anyone else had noticed that she and Vegeta were fighting. By the look the spikey-haired man was giving her, she was seriously wrong.
"He's a jerk. And if he's 'off-kilter' it's probably something else. I don't think he cares about me all that much." Her eyes were cast downward again as she twisted a napkin in her hands. The Saiyan could smell the salt of unshed tears but she refused to cry. Apparently whatever Vegeta had done it had really affected her.
"He called me a child," her gaze came back up, her eyes angry and upset, "said I had no idea what the world was like outside my mother's protection. But.. I'm not stupid.. I know there is more out there. And he.. I mean when you all were gone.."
"When we were gone we were at war Usagi. And compared to what we've seen.. done.. you are a child. And honestly I hope it stays that way."
She stood up and crossed her arms, looking enough like Vegeta to make Raditz smile.
"Then tell me Raditz. I'm going to be Queen someday. I can't be kept in the dark forever."
"Unfortunately princess, this knowledge is more of an experience thing. Do you really want to know what it's like to take a life? Have your life in danger? Have the lives of your friends and loved ones in danger? No you don't."
She stepped closer to him her eyes fierce.
"Would it help me be a better Queen?" Raditz was momentarily shocked and she knew from the look on his face the answer was yes. "Then yes, I want to know. I would love to never see that kind of threat in my lifetime but it's not looking like that is possible. Universal peace is a wonderful dream but even I'm not so naïve to think it's a possibility. And someday my mother will be gone and it'll be my responsibility to protect us. And if I don't even know what that means.. how will I be good at it?"
"Princess Serenity", the Earth prince came around the corner his eyes narrowing at the closeness between the two standing there.
Usagi took a step backwards and gave Raditz a small smile. "Excuse me."
She stepped forward taking Endymion's arm and allowed him to lead her away.
The next day Usagi got up before the sun. She snuck into the barn with a quiet nod to the stable master who had become used to her coming and going early in the morning. She slipped into the stall of her favorite mare quickly saddling and bridling her. She led her out a small side exit in the castle walls before climbing on and urging the horse into a run.
She took her mare on a winding path into the woods near the castle. They meandered for about an hour before she finally came upon a clearing just as the sun was beginning to slip over the horizon. She loosely tied the horse off to the side and settled into a familiar routine. She settled on the grass in a cross-legged pose and closed her eyes. It took her no time at all to begin to feel the energy signatures around her. Mostly the plants and animals and farther away she could just barely sense the inhabitants in the castle.
Once she had comfortably grasped her own energy she began to practice pulling it out, just as Vegeta had taught her, and trying to form it in her hands. She was able to summon a ki ball fairly quick now but it still took her a lot of focus and energy.
A voice nearby broke her concentration.
"Not bad."
She whirled around to find Vegeta leaning against a tree watching her.
"You still need to work on monitoring your surroundings."
The blonde princess didn't know what to say. She was still mad at him but worse she was hurt. He wasn't there when she needed him and he didn't seem to care at all.
"Thanks for the tip, you can go now."
She resolutely turned her back on him missing the anger that flared in his eyes. Before she drew another breath he had moved across the field to stand directly in front of her. Her blue eyes stared angrily into his dark ones and for a moment neither of them said anything.
"I thought you trained in the gardens."
"Too many memories," she responded before she could think of a better excuse. She wasn't sure but she thought it might have been guilt that briefly flashed across Vegeta's face.
"I thought we were friends.." her eyes cast down and she fiddled with the hem of the training shirt she wore. Usagi hated the way her voice had come out, plaintive and needy.
He knew he treaded dangerous water when he put a hand under her chin to lift her gaze back up.
"As far as I was aware we still are. I didn't abandon you Usa."
She stared up at him, biting her lip nervously. She didn't know why but her heart felt like it was constricting in her chest.
"I needed you.." her voice was almost a whisper but he didn't dare lean in any closer. He was too close already. He could smell the light scent of her around him, her eyes stared up at him so trustingly and he was itching to put his other hand around her waist.. draw her closer. Instead he asked a question that was bound to be a mistake.
"What's the 'arrangement'?"
The petite blonde jerked back from him, breaking the spell.
"That's none of your business"
"Well I'm making it my business."
The moon princess scowled at him from a few steps away. Endymion and her and come to an agreement that while she wasn't exactly pleased with, she had agreed to none the less. And he had somewhat hinted that it was best kept between the two of them. As many things are kept between husband and wife, he had said. Still they weren't married yet, and the look on Vegeta's face suggested he thought something far worse was potentially going on.
"Well," she started her voice hesitant, "Endy said he had a girlfriend back on Earth. Which is fine you know we weren't.. I mean we just became officially engaged last year." Vegeta stood impassively as she began to ramble. "So anyway, he was.. well I mean men are.. he's older than me and he was.. you know, intimate with her. And well she understands that he's engaged but she wants to still have a relationship with him. And I mean we aren't married yet.. and I'm not ready to.. so I don't mind if he.."
At this point the pig-tailed young woman was pacing back and forth as she spoke avoiding eye contact with Vegeta was now staring incredulously at her. So the Earth Prince basically told her that he was going to keep sleeping with someone else if she wasn't going to sleep with him. And it sounded to the Saiyan Prince that he twisted it in just the right way that Usagi was going to let him and on top of that keep quiet about it.
While the knowledge made him dislike the other man even more, he was mostly relieved that this arrangement wasn't something worse.
"Let me tell you something Usa," Vegeta started once she had stopped rambling. He stepped closer to her his eyes intense. "Men aren't animals, we can control our urges. He's an asshole and he's twisting your head around to have his cake and eat it too."
She glared up at the man in front of her, "you don't even know him Vegeta. You just think you're better than him."
"I am better than him."
She gaped at his words before becoming furious again and stepped up to the Saiyan poking him in the chest. "Of course, no one is good enough for the mighty Saiyans."
"Stop it Usa."
She poked it him again. "You all are just big, bad warriors with nothing to fear. Better than everyone."
"Usagi." His voice was low, growling with warning. He wasn't sure if she was aware of it but her energy level was rising with her temper and it was causing him to respond in kind.
"Well I'm not afraid of you," she poked him in the chest again. "I.." she was stopped abruptly by the feel of his mouth on hers. His kiss was firm, he had slipped one hand to the back of her head the other around her waist to pull her flush against him. It only took a moment before she was kissing him back.
Finally they separated, though his hand remained at her waist. She looked up at him dazed while he smirked down at her.
"You kissed me."
"Yes."
Why?"
"Seemed like the best way to shut you up."
Vegeta regretted it the instant he said it. But it was too late. She recoiled like she had been struck, and then she slapped him.
"You are an animal." Her voice was shaky, her eyes full of tears as she spun away to her horse, flinging herself into the saddle and urging the animal away.
He stood there for a moment trying to figure out what had just happened. One minute she'd been yelling at him, her eyes wild, her hair waiving in the whirl of energy that they were both summoning and the next minute he had been kissing her. The feel of her soft mouth on his had been divine, she had melted so easily at his touch.
When he pulled back to look at her he knew he shouldn't have done it. She was looking at him like no one had ever kissed her before and he knew that was true. Apparently no one had ever kissed her like that though, and there was some male satisfaction to be had there. Still why he had to go and shoot off his mouth though he wasn't sure. It was for the best though, she was engaged. To someone else.
The feeling that he didn't want to acknowledge was how much her words that followed had cut. The Saiyan Prince ran his fingers through his unruly hair and shot back to the castle. It was going to be a long day.
When he got back to the castle she had already stabled her horse and was in the training yard with Raditz. The Moon Queen had suggested the Saiyans take some time to help train some of the Senshi in hand to hand combat and naturally Usagi had demanded to be included.
When he had gone to see her that morning it was to tell her that they needed to put aside their differences since her mother expected him to train her, however it looks like she had gotten Raye to switch her training partners. He stood still as the fire warrior approached him.
"Guess it's you and me buddy."
Vegeta nodded and they began.
Across the pitch Raditz was reprimanding Usagi for her lack of concentration.
"What is going on with you this morning? Lovers quarrel?"
The Saiyan warrior was only somewhat surprised to see her eyes flickering to Prince Vegeta.
"Oooh, that's not who I meant but okay.. what's going on?"
"He.." her voice dropped low and she motioned Raditz closer, "he kissed me."
Her trainer's eyebrows almost disappeared into hairline and she covered her face with her hands. Raditz ushered her away from the training ground, well aware that a certain pair of Saiyan eyes were boring holes in the back of his skull, but Vegeta would just have to deal with it.
"No offense princess, but why are you still mad at him then?"
"He said.. that it was the easiest way to shut me up."
The Sayain warrior couldn't help the bark of laughter that shot out even as the moon princess glared at him.
"Sweetheart, I promise you that Vegeta has NEVER used that tactic to shut me up. Or anyone else."
The blonde princess sneaked a glance at the Sayian Prince from beneath her lashes before looking questioningly back at Raditz.
"So then he kissed me for a different reason?"
"Bingo."
"Raditz, I may have said something I regret.. because I was mad."
She looked so guilty that he couldn't help but pull her into a hug. He felt Vegeta's power spike in warning but seeing as his friend and comrade was the one who upset her, he ignored him.
"Maybe make it up to him? Talk to him tonight, at the party."
Usagi had almost forgotten about the masquerade ball that was being held tonight. She and the senshi had planned their outfits weeks ago, as soon as the theme, which was the Sea of Serenity, had been announced. A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Her mother was going to have a heart attack when she saw them.
"Thanks Raditz, you're the best! I will."
Raditz risked a glance over at his Prince who was glaring murderously over at them but only smirked and returned his attention to the petite blonde to continue her training.
"Serenity Usagi, what are you wearing?"
It wasn't her mother but Haruka, recently returned from patrol who stood in her doorway with a scolding tone.
Usagi and the senshi who were getting dressed giggled at the stern look Haruka was casting them.
"We're water sprites, from Mercury!" Each of the girls was dressed in a long flowing skirt that hung low on their hips with a slit up to mid-thigh and a sheer long sleeve top with a seashell bra underneath. They all wore their hair loose with seaweed, shells, and starfish artfully placed throughout.
"Oh Ruka, it's not that bad!" Usagi wrapped her arms around her protector and laid her head on her shoulder. "It's not like we're running around in tiny little skirts with hooker boots or something."
The Saiyans were loudly laughing and drinking as they prepared for the ball in their quarters. They'd decided on dressing as pirates for the ball tonight. Their costumes varied mostly in colors of black and red, and most of them wore either hats or bandanas. That combined with the simple black masks that each had made it hard to tell them apart. At least to the casual observer.
When it was time to head out the Saiyan party happened to run into a small group of women dressed in silvery gauzy dresses with slits almost up to their waist and the neckline dipping almost to their navel. The sheer material gave glimpses of the black undergarments underneath.
"Well, well what have we here." One of the Saiyans chuckled.
"Sirens of the sea, better beware." One of the girls answered back as they smiled and blushed under the gaze of the Saiyan group.
A couple of the bolder girls slipped up to some of the men, one of them approaching Vegeta.
"Need a date tonight?"
He looked down at the voluptuous brunette who had slid her arm through his and smiled prettily up at him.
"Sure."
The rest of the girls paired off with some of the Saiyans and they continued on down the hallway toward the sound of the music.
The Saiyan Prince wasn't really sure why he had said yes to the girl who was happily hanging on his arm chattering to her friends. Maybe it was to get his mind off a certain blonde princess who he had been reminding himself all day he was not attracted to, that she was a child, that she was engaged for fuck's sake. And he did not want her. He just needed to keep reminding himself that and he'd be fine.
