"Just as ugly as I remembered." Vegeta cracked his neck from side to side.

Zarbon had just finished his almighty transformation, during which his humanoid features shifted into that of an oversized bullfrog. "You fool! My power level has increased by two-fold!" He laughed, choosing to ignore his rival's latest insult. "Try to defeat me now! You never will!"

"Ready?" Vegeta crossed his arms.

"I should ask you, monkey!"

"No running away or crying this time." Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "This is it, understand?"

"Stop patronizing me!" Zarbon yelled. He lifted his left hand above his head, an orange light building in his palm. But before the power could fully charge, Vegeta disappeared into thin air.

Before he even had time to register, Zarbon's world was spinning. He slammed into the wall beside him, and a distinct taste of metal formed on his tongue.

"You know. You aren't the only one who has a transformation." Vegeta hissed from behind. Zarbon was terrified to look, but he turned all the same. However, the monkey was still in his typical form - one of a jackass albeit.

"Unlike you, I don't need to ascend to win." Vegeta added. "I'll save that honor for Frieza. Tell me, fool. Do you like how strong I've become during my time away? Does it scare you?"

"I'm-" Zarbon tried, and blood spilt down his chin. "Not scared!"

"I wonder how my Woman felt when you were backhanding her." Vegeta's jaw was clenched. "She might not be able to withstand your strength, but her will out powers you all."

"She's-!"

A cloud of blood burst from Zarbon's snout as Vegeta undercut his gut, causing the toad to fall to his knees.

"Shut up!" Vegeta snarled. He slammed a boot down on Zarbon's hand, eliciting a wail from the green reptilian. "Last night, as you beat her, she didn't try to run. I want you to remember that, Zarbon! You fled, and she stayed strong."

"Of course she didn't run! She was too weak-!" He tried, and Vegeta pressed his boot down harder as Zarbon screamed.

"Oh, and you won't deny it. She took everything face-on, even before her body deteriorated! I know her! Admit it!" A boot clashed against Zarbon's mouth. "Think of that! Die knowing you've less will than a feeble woman from the far end of a powerless galaxy!"

He couldn't believe this. Where was Lord Frieza? Frieza was the one who had ordered him to abuse her, Frieza was the one who told him to confront Vegeta now. He was supposed to be the leader! Why wasn't he coming to help?!

"Did you enjoy abusing her? Starving and inflicting pain? Do you want to live?" Vegeta spat. "Do you believe you deserve that?! Answer me!"

Zarbon grit his teeth. He knew this game well, and he refused to be a pawn. That is, until Vegeta kicked him again. "Agh! Ve-Veg-!"

"You tremble before me," Vegeta snarled. "Don't try to be stoic. ANSWER!"

"Please!" Zarbon coughed. "I was only following orders. I-I"

The toe of Vegeta's boot slammed into his jaw. "Even at your strongest, you were no match. Enjoy begging at my feet. Something the Woman didn't do, not even last night."

"But, Veg-V-!"

Vegeta pressed his palm to the temple of his rival's head. Slowly he summoned his energy, relishing in the warmth of the power. A smirk lined his lips, taking in the horror of Zarbon's eyes. "See you in hell."

.

BOOM !

The floor rumbled with the latest explosion. Roxena panted as she speed-walked down the hall on the balls of her feet. It sounded like everything was crashing down around her, and death seemed to only be a few steps away. It was only a matter of time if she didn't escape. It was unfortunate that she didn't own a pair of shoes, because the floor of this ship was always so cold, but that was the least of her concerns at the moment.

Trying her hardest not to tremble, she reached the end of the hall and braced herself. Her grey eyes peered around the corner carefully, and she took off after confirming the coast was clear.

All of those girls were so busy fighting each other that they couldn't consider the big picture. She was going to loot the kitchen before any of them made it from the sleeping quarters, which meant she had first dibs on the good stuff! Rations that would last her weeks.

Luckily it didn't take too much time to arrive at her destination. Although she was relieved, Roxena wasn't too surprised that the path had gone without incident. It was very rare for any of the guards to be down here at this hour, even when the ship wasn't being pillaged. The slaves knew their restrictions and the consequences well enough to not need monitoring at all times.

When she pushed open the kitchen door, Roxena froze in place. Someone was already there, and it wasn't one of the girls…

… His back was turned to her as he sat at the counter, stuffing his face with such determination that it would have been impressive if it weren't for the impending doom in the air. When he heard her he spun on his barstool, and a goofy grin spread across his face. "Hi!"

"I'm just here to check inventory!" Roxena stood up straight, ready to lie through her teeth, hoping it would work.

But it seemed her concern was of false pretenses, because all he did was nod before stuffing a piece of bread in his mouth. "Hope you don't mind, I was starving!"

He had black hair that extended below his shoulders, waving about in no discernible pattern. He didn't look any older than she was, if not even a bit younger. And his demeanor was so… soft, compared to any of the other men on this ship. Just seeing the look of pleasure on his face as he ate was enough to cut some of the tension, and Roxena felt her posture relax as she took another step forward. "We haven't met yet, sir… What is your preferred title?"

"Me? Oh, what?" He took one last bite before jumping to his feet. "My name's Gohan! I'm just visiting! I smelled this food and needed a snack. I haven't had a good meal in forever, and who knows when the next chance will be! I hope that's okay!"

"That's…" Roxena looked him up and down, taking him in. What in the world was going on? The bread and meat was on reserve for Frieza and his preferred men. But this guy? He was so… young . And mild. He wasn't insulting her, threatening her, or even trying to assert his power.

As she stared, too flabbergasted to speak, Gohan felt his smile dropping. Now that he wasn't stuffing his face, he really was looking at her for the first time. This girl was about his age, wasn't she? She seemed so timid. What was she doing in a place like this?

Not only that, but her eyes were mesmerizing. While Gohan was used to the blue of Miss Bulma's there was something different about these. They seemed to look right through him, and he'd never felt his stomach turn in such a way before. Why was he suddenly feeling so nervous?

Roxena noticed when his eyes went wide - and goodness, they were dark . Most of the people Roxena encountered on this ship were so exotic, and bright, and quite frankly terrifying, but this boy? He resembled a member of her planet. If it weren't for such dark features, that is. His skin was the same consistency, although quite a bit tan. And his hair was just as black as his eyes. All of her people were as pale as snow, with hair to match. But, had the coloration not been so different, he really could have passed as one of her own.

"Are you visiting, too?" The boy finally blurted, and he visibly cringed at his own words. "Oh… That was a stupid question, wasn't it?"

"Um," Roxena looked up to the ceiling… It definitely was, but how was she supposed to respond?

"Your neck!" Gohan gasped. In a moment he was at her side, and he was leaning in to get a better look.

Roxena hugged herself protectively and jumped back.

"Sorry!" He gasped. He jumped back, as well, and there was a small tinge of red forming on his nose. "I just wasn't expecting to see all those bruises. Are you okay?"

"I'm…" She started. This was the first time she had been asked such a thing since her planet was taken over. Since she had witnessed her family being slaughtered, and she had been forced on the ship. None of the other slave girls even asked if she was okay, not ever. But why would they, when they were just as ruthless as the men here. Her bruise could have easily come from one of them during some kind of late night dispute over who had to sleep on the floor…

Was she okay?

Of course, not. But why would he care?

"Someone's coming!" Gohan suddenly hissed. He grabbed Roxena's hand and began pulling her deeper into the kitchen. She was too stunned to resist, even as he put his hands on her shoulder, urging her to the floor behind the island. "Hide!"

AN:

Another short chapter, and I was planning to wait until next week to post it. I couldn't resist, though. What better way to celebrate my birthday?!