Kakarot crept back into the dark room, muscles tense with frustration. The time spent trying to repair his pod had been utterly useless. The damn thing refused to work no matter what he tried.
Tomorrow, he resolved bitterly, he would go back and keep trying until he got off this pathetic mudball of a planet.
As he moved toward his bed, he noticed Kaede shifting restlessly in her sleep, whimpering softly. He dismissed it and carefully eased into his bed, trying not to wake her.
But the creaking of the old bed frame made Kaede's eyes flutter open anyway.
They stared at each other for a few moments in the dim moonlight from the window. "Kakarot?" she murmured drowsily.
"I'm back. Just go back to sleep and stop making those stupid noises," he said gruffly.
Kaede looked embarrassed. "S-sorry...I was having a nightmare."
Kakarot rolled his eyes but before he could lay down, Kaede spoke again hesitantly.
"Kakarot...would you mind sleeping in my bed tonight? With me?"
He stared at her incredulously. Surely he had misheard.
"What?"
Kaede repeated her request, even more timidly this time. "Please?"
Kakarot was at a loss for how to respond. Every fiber of him railed against such softness. But before he knew it, he found himself muttering "...Sure."
Kakarot slowly laid himself down in Kaede's bed right next to her while also feeling unsure. As he settled cautiously beside her, Kaede slowly wrapped her arms and legs around him in an embrace.
Though they had shared a room for a while now, being this close felt different and a bit awkward, even for him.
He tensed up instinctively at the contact. But she just whispered "Thank you" softly and drifted off to sleep against him.
Kakarot's mind raced as he lay there rigidly. What was he doing? This went against everything he knew.
Gradually he began to relax as Kaede's warmth seeped into him. She looked so peaceful and curled up with him. It wasn't as bad as he had imagined. Almost...nice even.
Kakarot shook his head slightly. What was he thinking? There's no way he could get used to this.
But as his eyes drifted shut, he couldn't deny a small part of him thought maybe staying here with her wouldn't be so terrible after all. A life of quiet moments like this...
'Wait what the hell am I thinking?'
Finally, he slipped into a restless sleep, troubled by the strange effect this girl seemed to have on his mind.
Next Morning...
"Kakarot..." she mumbled, sitting up tired. Her cheeks colored remembering being so close to him. An awkward tension hung in the air between them.
Being close to Kakarot last night had made her feel truly safe. She wished they could stay like that longer.
Kakarot by then had already disappeared from the bed. Most likely leaving while she was still asleep.
Kaede remained on the topic in her mind before her thoughts soon started to wonder about other things.
Kaede sighed thinking about the small puppy she had found a while back. After feeding him last night, the poor thing was still starving. She wished she could spare more food but her rations were barely enough.
Kaede considered asking Kakarot for help. He already knew about the dog after catching her feeding it that night. But she dismissed the thought instantly. Kakarot possessed an appetite greater than three boys combined and he would never willingly share food. Besides, he had made his views of both her and her "mangy beast" abundantly clear.
Asking a favor would only make her look more pathetic and desperate in his eyes. Kaede couldn't risk that, not when she was finally making progress with getting close to Kakarot. She had to bury her doubts and prove she could become stronger on her own.
Kaede's footsteps slowed as she suddenly remembered another person who had kindly offered her help once before...
A few days ago...
Kaede lay sprawled on the classroom floor, her body aching after being roughly shoved down. Milk seeped from her bag, soaking into her notebooks and staining it. Tomoo and his friends loomed over her, leering and cackling as they danced around her crumbled form mockingly.
Kaede's fist curled into a ball, helpless fury and humiliation burning inside her as the bullies continued their merciless torment.
Suddenly the classroom door burst open, revealing another student standing there. "Teacher! Tomoo is bullying again!" the girl yelled loudly down the hall.
"Damn, let's run!" Tomoo exclaimed, face paling. He and the other bullies scattered instantly, their taunts transforming to panicked curses as they shoved past the girl in their haste to flee.
A few moments later...
The brown-haired girl rinsed the soaked contents carefully before squeezing out as much moisture as she could. "It should be okay once it dries out," she assured Kaede, returning the damp bag.
Kaede accepted it with mumbled thanks, humiliation still burning in her chest. The girl studied her with sympathetic eyes. "Hey...since you always seem to be alone...if anything is troubling you, you can share it with me."
Kaede just nodded silently, still stunned by this strange act of kindness from a classmate.
Kaede hesitantly approached the girl who had helped her before, noticing she was alone reading. Kaede stayed quiet until the girl finally noticed her.
"Oh hey! What's up?" the girl asked with a friendly smile.
Kaede fidgeted, unsure how to explain. "Um well...I was hoping you could help me with something..."
The girl marked her page, giving Kaede her full attention. "Sure, what do you need?"
"I...I have this dog I found," Kaede began hesitantly. "It's just a puppy, abandoned and starving. I've been feeding it scraps but it's not enough and-"
"You have a puppy?!" the girl exclaimed excitedly.
Kaede waved her hands in a shushing gesture. "Not so loud! If Tomoo finds out..."
"Oh right, sorry!" The girl lowered her voice. "Don't worry, I can bring some of my lunch leftovers to help feed the little puppy."
Relief washed over Kaede. "Really? Thank you."
Later that day, the two girls crouched over the scrawny puppy in the bushes as it ravenously devoured the food the girl had brought.
"Aww he's so cute!" the girl whispered, gently petting the puppy's matted fur.
Kaede smiled softly. "Just promise you won't tell anyone else about him, okay?"
The girl gave a big smile. "I promise, it'll be our little secret."
Kaede felt a swell of gratitude at this simple act of kindness.
Kaede sat staring vacantly in front of her, lost in her thoughts. The sound of the door opening behind her made her turn around. To her dismay, Tomoo entered with a nasty grin, hands ominously hidden behind his back.
"Well, well, if it isn't the little cow freak," he sneered. "You're looking awfully cheeky today for someone who isn't even human."
Before Kaede could respond, a faint whimpering sound came from behind Tomoo. Her blood ran cold as he revealed her tiny puppy gripped in his hands.
"No!" Kaede cried out, leaping to her feet. How could they have found her secret pet? She had been so careful to keep the dog hidden.
Tomoo smirked as Kaede tried to dart forward. One of his friends grabbed her from behind, pinning her arms painfully. The puppy whined and struggled weakly in Tomoo's grip.
The puppy cried and struggled weakly in Tomoo's unrelenting chokehold. "Let him go, please!" Kaede begged desperately.
"Aw does the freak want her pet back? Too bad!" Tomoo sneered. To Kaede's horror, he tightened his chokehold on the puppy's neck, making it yelp.
Rage and anguish welled in Kaede's eyes. She couldn't stand to see her defenseless pet tortured so cruelly. "Stop it, you're hurting him!" she cried, straining uselessly against her captor's arms.
Tomoo and the others just laughed at her pleas. He held up the puppy by the scruff, poking and prodding it like a toy. "Who cares about some pathetic stray? It's just a useless, ugly animal like you!"
"Please, give him back!" she begged. Kaede struggled futilely against the bully holding her, desperation choking her voice as she begged more, "Please, don't hurt him! Do whatever you want to me but let him go!"
Tomoo smirked and passed the whimpering puppy to one of his cronies. He sauntered up to Kaede, eyes glinting maliciously. "Look at that, we finally got the freak all upset! This is the most emotion we've seen from you, cowgirl."
Tomoo leaned in close, his breath hot on her face. "I'll tell you what. If you cry and beg us properly, maybe we'll go easy on your precious mutt," Tomoo threatened.
Kaede bit her lip, refusing to give him the satisfaction of her tears. Tomoo's smirk faded. "Fine, have it your way." He nodded to the bully holding the puppy, who tightened his grip eliciting a pained yelp.
Fury shot through Kaede's veins. She would not let them torture her innocent companion. Recalling her training with Kakarot, she suddenly swung her leg straight up, driving her foot squarely into Tomoo's chin.
His head jerked back violently and he crashed to the floor, stunned. For a moment even his friends gaped in shock at Kaede's surprise attack.
Panting, Kaede felt a swell of pride at having struck back against her tormentor. But it faded quickly as Tomoo rose slowly, mouth slightly bloodied, and hand clutching his jaw while murderous rage burned in his eyes.
"You'll pay for that, freak," he growled. Kaede's brief confidence evaporated, replaced by all-consuming terror as the enraged bully stalked toward her. She had only made things worse for herself and the puppy.
Tomoo's face twisted in an ugly rage. "Give me that damn dog!" he shouted at his crony. Seizing the puppy in a painful grip, he turned on Kaede. "You'll regret that, freak."
With savage force, he kicked the puppy straight at the classroom wall. It hit with a sickening thud and a pained yelp before crumpling motionless to the floor.
"No!" Kaede screamed, struggling violently against her captor's grip.
Tomoo sneered at her anguish. "Looks like your pet monkey isn't here to protect you this time." He grabbed a decorative vase off the table and advanced on the crying puppy. "Maybe this will finally make you learn your place, cow."
Horror choked Kaede as she realized his intent. "Don't do this, please!" she begged desperately.
Ignoring her, Tomoo grabbed the injured puppy and positioned it on the floor. He nodded to his friend holding Kaede. "Make sure that freak watches."
Dragging the dazed puppy up by its neck, Tomoo nodded to his other friend. "Hold it still."
Kaede looked on in horror as they pinned the feebly struggling puppy down. Tomoo lifted the vase high, his face twisting in cruel anticipation.
Kaede thrashed helplessly as Tomoo raised the vase high over the terrified puppy's head. Total desperation covered her face. She had failed - her friend was about to die because of her weakness.
Then, in a last-ditch attempt, she screamed the only name that could possibly save them.
"Kakarot! Help us!"
Tomoo paused to sneer at her. "That monkey can't protect you or this useless mutt. Told you he wasn't gonna be here." With vicious force, he swung the vase down towards the puppy's head.
But his hand froze mid-swing, halted by an iron grip on his wrist. Tomoo's smugness evaporated, replaced by disbelief and fear as he found himself staring into Kakarot's cold black eyes.
"Impossible! How did you-" Tomoo sputtered, trying in vain to wrench himself free from that vice-like hold. But Kakarot's strength was far beyond anything he could comprehend.
"K-Kakarot!" Tomoo stammered. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Kakarot's lips twisted in a terrible smile. "You know exactly why I'm here," he replied, voice dripping menace.
With no warning, Kakarot brutally yanked Tomoo's arm up and slammed him onto the hard floor. The air exploded from Tomoo's lungs and stars danced in his vision. Before he could even gasp, Kakarot's boot crashed down on his chest, pushing the air from his body.
"Please!" Tomoo wheezed through the agony, ribs creaking under the pressure.
"I'm sorry, I'll leave her alone! Just don't kill me!"
Kakarot leaned down, increasing the weight slowly. "Not yet convinced. Maybe if I snap a few bones you'll take me seriously."
Kakarot looked down coldly at the cowering Tomoo. "Your presence in this place has been bothering me for a while. I've finally decided it's time to take care of you once and for all."
"I didn't even do anything to you!" Tomoo protested tearfully. "Why did you suddenly start protecting that freak Kaede anyway!?"
Kakarot's eyes narrowed slightly. "I have my reasons that are none of your concern."
Tomoo's expression twisted spitefully through his tears. "I bet it's cause you freaks gotta stick together, right? You rejects need to watch each other's backs."
Kakarot's eyes narrowed but Tomoo pressed on recklessly. "Yeah, I knew something was up when you first beat me up for messing with her. If it wasn't true then, it's definitely true now. Now you're definitely pro-"
Before he could spew more accusations, Kakarot increased the weight of his foot on Tomoo's chest, making him cry out in renewed pain.
"So what if I'm protecting her?" Kakarot said in a bored tone, though his eyes glinted dangerously. "As I said, my reasons are my own.
Kaede stared at Kakarot in stunned disbelief as he stood over Tomoo. She had cried out for him in desperation, but never expected he would actually come. Did this mean, on some level, he did care for her after all?
Kakarot looked up, meeting her shocked gaze. Kaede whispered just loud enough for him to hear, "You came for me...you do care."
Kakarot was silent for a moment, expression unreadable. When he finally spoke, his words were slow and measured.
"I've been thinking about it," he said quietly. "Yeah...maybe I do care, in my own way."
Warmth blossomed in Kaede's chest at his admission. Not only had he saved her, but he acknowledged an emotional bond - something she never thought he would be capable of.
The realization threatened to overwhelm Kaede with joyful tears, but she pushed them back, not wanting to appear weak.
Instead, she met his gaze steadily. "Thank you," she said with simple sincerity. They would have much more to discuss, but for now, this was enough.
Kakarot gave a small nod, his eyes lingering on her a moment longer before he turned his attention back to the bully on the floor.
Before he could speak again, the classroom door opened and a familiar brown-haired girl entered, taking in the scene with confusion. "Hey, what's going on here?"
It was the kind girl who had helped feed her secret puppy. But now Tomoo lifted a weak, accusing hand toward her from where he still lay pinned under Kakarot's foot.
"It's...it's her fault!" he rasped bitterly. "She's the one...who told us about the dog. You should be mad at her, not me!"
Kaede's head whipped toward the girl, shock, and disbelief coursing through her. The girl shifted guiltily, not meeting Kaede's eyes.
"I-it's true," she admitted quietly. "But I didn't think they would do anything like this, I swear!" Her voice took on a pleading tone. "I just mentioned it in passing, I never thought..."
Kaede bowed her head as crushing shame washed over her, mixed with the bitter sting of betrayal. This girl, whom she had trusted with her closest secret, had carelessly broken her promise. Her thoughtless gossip had led the bullies right to the helpless puppy, nearly costing it its life.
Kakarot kept his foot pressed down on Tomoo as he glared at Kaede. "This is why you shouldn't be so quick to trust strangers. You should have known better than to confide in some random weakling."
Kaede stayed silent, head bowed in shame under his harsh words. But she knew Kakarot spoke the truth - she had been foolish and naive.
Kakarot's gaze shifted to the brown-haired girl, who shrunk back in fear. "As for you," he growled menacingly, "I'll deal with you later."
The girl let out a small whimper and shivered at his threat.
Kakarot turned his attention back to Kaede, who kept her head bowed submissively. "It seems like all that training we did was useless if you're still getting pushed around by weaklings like this," he said, gesturing contemptuously at the whimpering Tomoo.
"I'm sorry, I've failed you," Kaede murmured, ashamed.
Kakarot studied her for a moment. "Well, no use crying over it now. We'll just have to train you harder to make sure this doesn't happen again."
Kaede looked up hesitantly. "You...you still want to train me more?"
For the first time, Kakarot gave her a small but genuine smile. "Of course. We're not done yet, not by a long shot."
Warm relief blossomed in Kaede's chest at his words. After they dealt with this situation, they could leave together and start building a new life, just the two of them. The thought made her blush slightly.
Oblivious to her thoughts, Kakarot turned back to Tomoo with renewed menace. "Now then, back to you..."
He pressed his boot down harder, making Tomoo cry out in pain. "I think it's time I finally take out the trash for good."
Tomoo's eyes went wide with primal fear. He struggled desperately but fruitlessly to escape from under Kakarot's foot.
"No, please!" he sobbed. "I'll do anything, just don't kill me! Please, I'm begging you!"
Kakarot's face twisted into a cruel smile. "Beg all you want, coward. It won't save you now." He slowly applied more pressure, grinding Tomoo's back against the unforgiving floor. The bully's pleas rose higher in anguish and terror.
Tomoo thrashed in agony under Kakarot's boot, mind blank with terror as the enraged Saiyan bore down. In desperation, he grabbed for anything nearby that could possibly help him.
Suddenly the crushing pressure on his chest disappeared.
For a brief, bewildering moment Tomoo thought maybe Kakarot was sparing him. But then he saw the Saiyan was frozen in place, eyes wide in agony, teeth gritting.
Confused, Tomoo looked down and realized his flailing hand had grasped Kakarot's furry tail. He squeezed experimentally and was shocked when Kakarot collapsed to his stomach with a scream of pain.
Understanding clicked for Tomoo - this tail was Kakarot's secret weakness! That's why he had released Tomoo so suddenly.
This changed everything. Now he finally had a way to make Kakarot suffer as he deserved. He slowly got up from the ground while also breathing heavily.
Kaede stared in disbelief as Kakarot fell to his knees with an agonized scream. She had no idea what was happening.
"Kakarot! Get up!" she cried out desperately. But he remained paralyzed on the floor.
A cruel smirk twisted Tomoo's face as understanding dawned. "Not so high and mighty now, are you freak?" he mocked.
"If you don't release me immediately I swear I'll kill you!"
Tomoo laughed harshly. "You're in no position to make threats anymore!" To emphasize his point, he ground his heel savagely into Kakarot's back.
Kakarot could only growl weakly, "Coward! Fight fair if you dare!"
But Tomoo was drunk on his newfound power. "Oh, I'm going to make you suffer for what you did to me, monkey boy!"
Kaede looked on in dismay, unable to comprehend how Kakarot could be overpowered like this. To her, Kakarot had always seemed invincible. But now he was at the cruel mercies of his tormentor.
Agony lanced through Kakarot as he lay helpless beneath Tomoo's merciless blows. This is what he deserved for showing pity, he thought bitterly. He should have killed the coward when he had the chance.
"Ready to beg me for mercy yet, monkey?" Tomoo sneered, punctuating his words with more kicks.
"Go to hell!" Kakarot responded with complete disdain.
"Not so fun being on the receiving end, is it freak?" Tomoo taunted. He recalled Kakarot's earlier threats to end his life and a sinister idea formed.
"You know, you really are just an animal," he said slowly. "And you know what we do to violent animals?"
Tomoo grabbed the discarded vase, the same one he had intended to use on the puppy. Realization dawned on Kakarot and his blood ran cold.
"No, you wouldn't dare," he hissed through gritted teeth.
Tomoo leaned over Kakarot with a demonic grin. "Since you saved that mutt, I guess you can take its place!"
Kaede's screams rang out. "Tomoo stop! Don't do it!" She thrashed wildly but the bully holding her was immovable as stone.
Tomoo hefted the vase, relishing his power over the once-fearsome boy.
I guess this is what he gets for being nice for a change. Kakarot could only think how he was going to die here in the most dishonorable and humiliating way possible.
Kakarot strained against the agony, trying to summon any remaining strength to save himself. But it was no use - with his tail captive, he was utterly defenseless. How could he have let this happen?
The shame of Kaede witnessing this...that somehow hurt most of all.
Tomoo poised the vase high for a lethal blow. "Say goodbye, monkey freak!"
Kaede watched in stunned disbelief as Tomoo raised the vase over Kakarot's prone form. He wouldn't actually do it, would he?
But then the vase came crashing down on Kakarot's head with a sickening crack. Kaede froze, unable to comprehend the sight before her.
Tomoo continued to rain savage blows upon Kakarot's head untill there were no signs of movement from him.
When Tomoo finally stopped, chest heaving from exertion, he scoffed down at Kakarot's body.
"Looks like he stopped moving. I thought you'd be a lot tougher, but you went down quick monkey freak," he mocked.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Tomoo spat in contempt. But his taunts fell on deaf ears - the Saiyan showed no signs of life.
Kaede felt hollow like she was trapped in some nightmare. This couldn't be real. Kakarot couldn't be gone just like that.
No! Her mind reeled in disbelief. This can't be happening! But the truth could not be denied - Kakarot lay unmoving in a spreading pool of his own blood.
Because of her foolish mistake, the one who had saved her was now gone. The crushing guilt and grief threatened to overwhelm Kaede. She went limp in her captor's grip, all will resist vanishing.
Kaede stared numbly as Tomoo laughed over Kakarot's motionless body. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the brown-haired girl who had betrayed her secret.
The girl who had betrayed her had her hands over her eyes and was freaking out. "This is terrible, I can't look anymore!"
But between her fingers, Kaede saw a twisted grin of satisfaction on her face.
Tomoo and the other bullies were also chuckling with malicious delight at the sight of the fallen Saiyan. Kaede's gaze moved to Kakarot's body, blood pooling around his head.
Something inside her shattered. Only monsters could laugh after extinguishing the flame of someone precious to her.
"You're the ones who aren't human!" Kaede screamed, rage and anguish ripping through her.
An incredible power awakened within, unleashing itself through invisible limbs. Her vectors tore mercilessly through her tormentors, sending blood and viscera flying.
In mere seconds, there was nothing left but mangled corpses scattered around the classroom. Kaede panted, the power subsiding as quickly as it came.
She slowly walked over to Kakarot's unmoving body, the classroom deathly silent save for the dripping of blood. She felt numb, unable to comprehend that his fiery spirit could be extinguished so easily.
The little puppy limped over and nuzzled Kakarot's body, whining mournfully. It seemed to sense that the boy who had saved him was now gone.
Kaede gently turned Kakarot onto his back. His half-lidded eyes were empty, staring right through her. Blood trickled from his mouth and the gash on the back of his skull.
"Kakarot..." she whispered, her voice cracking. She shook him lightly, irrationally hoping those intense eyes would regain focus. But he remained still and unresponsive.
Kaede placed her head on his chest, listening desperately for a heartbeat. Only stark silence greeted her.
The awful truth sank in - he was really gone, lost forever. And it was her mistake that had led to this.
"I'm so sorry," she choked out vision blurred with tears. She curled herself over him, wishing she could join him in oblivion, consumed by grief and guilt.
In the blood-soaked classroom, Kaede clung to her fallen hero amidst the carnage, praying this was just a horrific dream. But only the deafening silence answered her anguish.
THE END...
Nah I'm just playing. Chapter 4 will probably come out before or during the weekends.
Well looks like Kakarot finally showed his true feelings towards Kaede. Too bad he immediately got his ass handed to him for it. Now how will he survive this? If he survives, will he ever be the same? Looks like he could have gotten a pretty bad head injury. Find out next chapter.