Chapter 21
Euphoria builds within her heart, joy circulating out from her chest alongside her blood. After all those long and gruelling years she has spent trying to resurrect her dying career she has finally clawed her way back on top; no longer will she be looked down on and mocked constantly by her superior officer Detective first class Mitsuki. She might still be stuck with her bumble-headed partner who continuously drags her down and gets her into awful situations, but all her hard work and countless hours of overtime might have finally come to fruition. Just as Vegeta strives towards perfection in the art of combat, she has pushed herself in pursuit of furthering her career in the police. A rare smile forms on Kiyone's face as the Juraian emperor announces her new role and title as Honorary Royal Protection Command Officer of Jurai, first class. If only Mihoshi were not still firmly attached to her then this moment would be perfect, being given such a prestigious accolade by the Emperor of Jurai himself and in person … but then it dawns on her.
Kiyone might be getting what seems to be her dream of promotion coming to yet a sinking feeling is entering the pit of her stomach and her very blood begins to chill. Her job has now become to stay on a far off planet looking after dignitaries with just Mihoshi as back up, her only backup against that man grinning at her and her partner. She didn't have to hear the loud conversation that was taking place to recognise him, everyone at the academy to become an officer has to go through his file. The galaxy's most wanted and most dangerous man who's record is thought by many to be pure fiction, just an extreme case file to outline the supreme class of criminal that even the police should never try to take on directly. But he is real and she now has to live in the same house as him, his house. Her promotion has quickly turned into an assignment to a suicide mission she realises. That smile that was just beginning to creep into her face withers as the Saiyan's grows.
All of the other members of the galaxy police force are currently beating a hasty retreat back to Kirito with their tails between their legs, a few insincerely wish them luck in their new position. Only Captain Kythezoguru remains close by due to his unconsciousness brought on by a sudden lack of sternum. Mewlings from Mihoshi still continue as the poor and terrified police woman attempts to hide from the scary man known by the galaxy police force as the definitive definition of murderer, her gloved hands painfully gripping on for dear life on the navy jacket of Kiyone. Serious, sapphire eyes lock with the midnight pupils of the prince. Kiyone remains motionless and still despite the fear growing inside her, trying to remain calm both for herself and her partner so dependent on her and her strength. Her pistol is charged, its safety off and it is now back in its holster where it belongs. She knows she needs more firepower than a simple handgun, even if Mihoshi joined her, but the law backs down to nobody. In her eyes all she sees is him as a criminal and herself as the one who's duty it is to bring him to justice.
Throughout all of this, Vegeta has not said a word. His home is going to be invaded by even more inhabitants, and women at that. One that has a similar hair and eye colour to him when super Saiyan and another that seems to be thinking about doing something she will live to regret. If this is the price he has to pay then so be it, toying with these yellow bellied wimps will give him something to do until his training room is back operational. He can hardly sense any ki signature from them at all, they are merely commoners untrained in the way of warfare and lambs ripe for the slaughter being offered up to his altar. In any case they have to be easier to live with than a mad scientist, a princess and a pirate in love with him, his wife's ex and a little girl. All he has to do first is crush their initial want to try and arrest him, curbing those tendencies early on could save him trouble in the long run. He'll be the gentleman and wait for them to make the initial move: ladies first.
Waiting for these unlucky women to show their mettle and if they have what it takes to defend his daughters here, which he knows they truly do not, Azusa glances at his family around him and this planet they are on. A slight breeze stirring across the lake, ripples agitating its waters caused by the downward thrust of his hovering spaceship and the small feathered creatures flying around in flocks. Very similar to Jurai, but the differences are there: in the taste of the air, the greenness of the grass and especially in the plant life and trees growing in the glens and vales. From the looks of things so far, only one of the unfortunate sods hand picked by Vegeta seems to be worthwhile of letting stay to safeguard his children, it might not be much but anything is better than nothing. Jurai and the Galaxy police have a very long standing relationship together, if they are the universal law enforcement agency then Jurai is its armed force and the only reason that the police survived through the tyranny of Frieza and Cold.
With most of his chest exposed, his slab like muscles on display and his clothing hanging on in dribs and drabs, Vegeta glances back to Azusa. The emperor ignores him, preferring instead to walk towards his son to start discussions about the woman called Haruna and how she could help the royal family's problem. Feeling off balance due to having only one weighted boot on, Vegeta kicks off his lone remaining shoe and stretches his gnarled toes through the long strands of grass. His knuckles crack, both of his fingers and his toes before he puts his right arm out towards the two female officers.
"I am Vegeta, Prince of all Saiyans. I understand you two are going to be trying to survive in my home, good luck." Neither one of them approaches his offered hand. He retracts it and smiles again, enjoying the great show of fear and terror shown in that whimpering wreck of a police woman on the verge of tears. It takes him back to see such sweet dread and horror brought on by his proximity, the spines wrenched from people at the mere sight of him. How it feeds his ego so. He has put behind him the want to be a living nightmare yet such a reaction brings a great, and welcome, feeling of nostalgia to him, Vegeta never stopped liking seeing utter despair creep into someone's eyes when they realise it is he they must face. Trying not to enjoy himself too much, his keen eyes spy Kiyone's hands begin to twitch with motion towards her holster. His eyes narrow and his smile widens.
"Now, now, that's hardly sporting. Look, I'm unarmed and have no concealed weaponry. Such a shame, for if I had to be handicapped by using such a slow and weak weapon you might begin to stand the slimmest of chances of causing me to break a sweat." Vegeta speaks calmly, he has no reason not to be so self assured and confident before such lowly opponents as these. Kiyone's hand stops, Mihoshi still hasn't ceased her cowering yet to provide her partner with any assistance. She doesn't like this. She doesn't care too much for her predicament or what might happen to her for doing her duty but she cannot stand the thought of someone believing themselves to be well and truly above the law. It goes against her principles, her beliefs and what she stands for, Kiyone will not allow some killer to transcend the justice system and escape his due punishment.
"Your captain has tried and failed." A threatening voice breathes down the neck of Kiyone. A wavy, blonde ponytail is freed as Mihoshi falls over backwards and away from her partner now Kiyone is no longer what she deems to be a safe and secure hiding spot. Her bobbled hat rolling away unnoticed as she gapes in confusion whilst frantically looking at where Vegeta just was to where he is now. She doesn't even warrant the slightest glance from Vegeta, the quivering wreck on her knees is not his prey.
"Jurai has tried and failed." Kiyone is taller than Vegeta by a good few inches, as is Mihoshi, so when she whips around to face him she looks down at the grinning face. Nonchalantly, Vegeta rubs at where her free and untied hair struck him across the face. Then his eyes go down to the stun rod jabbed firmly into his midsection. Yawning as he does so, he short circuits it with his own sparks of energy, leaving it to tumble in a smoking mess out of the police woman's hands. An angry and infuriated woman growls at him, used to living with Bulma he is accustomed to behaviour like this. With that feeble attempt at a surprise attack now in the past, he continues his speech. "Millions of others before you have tried and failed. Frieza was one of the few to succeed, but what do you hope to accomplish by drawing your gun? You know there is only one outcome."
Laughing, Vegeta strides away from Kiyone and Mihoshi. He turns his back to them. Leaving the teal haired woman to stew in anger at being ignored so blatantly. She, an officer of the law, being disregarded in this manner by someone who should be behind bars riles her up and grinds her gears. Kiyone will not stand for it, quick as a flash her gun is drawn and its barrel nestles itself into the spiked hair of the prince. Vegeta stops walking. By the amount of force she is pressing the cold, hard metal of her gun into the back of his head, Vegeta can safely say he has succeeded in spectacularly pissing her off.
"Shut up! You have the right to remain silent so damn well use it! I-I have to do this. I am a police officer and you have broken the law. Surrender yourself, hands where I can see them. Now! Or-or …or I'll-"
"Suit yourself, I tried to warn you. Now, this may sting a little, and I'm talking about what will happen to you if you pull that trigger, not me." Kiyone just revealed a major weakness to Vegeta; she is apprehensive of firing her gun. Maybe it's because he is, like he said, unarmed, that she will be shooting him with his back turned or she has yet to experience being responsible for someone's death. Vegeta doesn't honestly care, it means little to him. Currently he is devising the best way to take down Kiyone, disarm her and completely demoralise the blonde bimbo on the floor whilst leaving injuries to an absolute minimum. That last part could prove problematic for him, such a fine line of power to use to take down the police woman whilst not killing her in the process. He can't recall how durable the police are and he has no idea what species she is. All the time whilst he is thinking he can hear the minute sounds of her finger inching its way onto the trigger and her breathing speeding up, just one question remains and that is should he take the bullet or dodge it.
Turning his body around gradually, Vegeta turns to face Kiyone, the gun's barrel now wedged between his brows. If she didn't have the guts to shoot him when his back was turned or even when he moved, there is no chance in hell she can pull the trigger at this point. Very few people can kill whilst staring into the eyes of the other, even fewer that aren't already behind bars, and Vegeta should know for he is one of the few. She hasn't got the guts to attempt ventilating someone's skull and in front of such a large audience as well and they both know it. Making no sudden movements, Vegeta takes a step back and then another. Kiyone continues to train her sights on the Saiyan but her hands won't remain steady, ragged breathing wracks her chest as her frayed nerves struggle with this impossible situation.
The Emperor can see her, if she shows that she is not capable of this then he might strip her of this double edged promotion but then again contracting that one finger could spell death for her and Mihoshi as well. Gritting her teeth, she has to just watch as her quarry gets further away from her, smirking all the way. Her decision is finalised when the small Juraian girl runs up to Vegeta's side, scolding him for being nasty to his new guests and that she won't be his friend anymore if he continues to misbehave. Kiyone lowers her gun. There is no force that will make her discharge her firearm when a child is in the line of fire, so for now Vegeta is off the hook. Whilst Vegeta pats Sasami on the head and reassures her he isn't going to cause too much trouble, Kiyone helps up her partner. Mihoshi apologises to Kiyone for not helping her as she puts on her hat and straightens it. Vegeta doesn't like the word 'friend' being bandied around, it doesn't suit him at all and leaves a bitter taste in his mouth when he says it.
" Very wise of you, woman, very wise indeed. Your law means nothing here. This is my house, my rules. The sooner you understand that, the less of your bones I'll have to break. Do I make myself clear?"
" … I hear you. However, the law cannot be ignored like that, you break it and I shall report it." If it weren't for that kid by his side, the emperor's beloved daughter no less, she would not be accepting his terms so easily. For her and her partner's survival though she'll have to learn to live by his rules. Her pistol slots itself back into her holster as she and Mihoshi stand facing him. Mihoshi still looking fearful of the imposing Saiyan prince, her hands over her chest in a very timid stance. Vegeta presses his dominance once again.
"Fine by me, report whatever you want, means nothing to me. Now, Mihoshi, do you understand what you've gotten yourself in for? I bet your partner's just thrilled with you for damning her like this, but this can't be the first time you've caused her trouble. I didn't know the police were so desperate they hired spineless worms to keep the peace. … You better watch yourself, Kiyone won't be around to protect you forever or maybe it's her you ought to be careful of from now on." Sasami slaps Vegeta's arm to stop him being rude and threatening, she can't reach any higher and her hand stings as if she just hit concrete. He looks down at the pint sized girl, it is probably for the best if he stops toying with them now. Having had his fun, he will wait to see his words slowly start to take their intended effect. Worming their way inside the mind of the vulnerable blonde, planting false fears on top of the very real and many things she already has to be scared about. It doesn't matter what her braver partner says to her now, the words of comfort Kiyone gives to Mihoshi fall on deaf and terrified ears. Worried eyes dart everywhere, everywhere but the scary Saiyan. Mihoshi was always very susceptible to insults, taking everything to heart, but the thought that her partner she adores could harbour ill thoughts towards her is the one doing the most damage. She doesn't believe for a second that Kiyone would ever hurt her, but she doesn't want to lose her best friend over something so trivial as getting her assigned all alone to a dangerous planet with the most notorious criminal to still be walking.
With Mihoshi starting to bawl like a baby and Sasami now verbally telling him off for upsetting her, an idea occurs to Vegeta. It won't involve him doing anything he perceives as cruel or unkind and the niggling little thought is seeming all the more amusing to him in his sleep deprived state. Sasami is the first to notice the image in front of her is no longer the physical being of Vegeta as the afterimage begins to fade away, then the others do as well. The cops and Azusa act wary of his absence as they scan the scene for a trace of him. Ryoko and Yamcha know where he is, it's hard to mistake his ki signature with anything else terrestrial, and there he stands in front of Goku. Vegeta hands over something to Goku, the object too small to be made out as it switches hands. Only the faintest glimpse of a reddish colour can be made out. No words are said as Goku shrugs and puts the object on his head.
"There is no mistaking it, the spitting image of Bardock. I saw your father as well, when I was away . He sends his regards and praise for slaying Frieza, Kakarot. Your brother, I think he still might be holding a grudge against you for killing him. Ha, they call me the monster and people quickly forget you killed your own brother in cold blood and that old man who raised you as his own son." Giving the one he hates above all others that one item of headgear, Goku truly does now bear an even more uncanny resemblance to the father he never met. With the line of red still on his cheek from when Vegeta needed to let off some steam, Goku adjusts the headband on his head; only doing this to pacify the prince who's mood seems to dangerously shift from one second to the next.
"…Uhh, Kiyone? Isn't that just like your headband he's -" Mihoshi finally finds her voice and quietly speaks to Kiyone. From such a distance it is hard to make out whether that thing on the stranger's head is what she thinks it is, it doesn't make sense to her how it could be anyway. That is until she looks at Kiyone and freezes. A noticeable tan line running across Kiyone's bare forehead showcases her new lack of headband. Kiyone's hands run to her head to check. Her fingertips feel nothing but her skin below her fringe. First her eyes widen in shock at how such a thing could possibly have been accomplished for she didn't feel or notice a thing, then they narrow. They narrow maliciously on the Saiyan prince; her teeth bared and hands clenching into fists.
"You! Y-you … Right! That's it, no more playing nice- Woah!" Kiyone's rage gets the better of her. Before she knows what she is doing, her gun is in her hand and levelling itself straight and true towards the broad back of Vegeta. In an instant her feet are a foot off the ground, her gun is pointing at thin air and Mihoshi screams. A firm hand grips the front of Kiyone's outfit. Apparently Vegeta needs to work a bit harder to show Kiyone her standing, she will learn one way or another who the alpha male is.
"Hmm, heavier than I expected." A butt of a pistol slams into the bridge of Vegeta's nose, Kiyone's fury rising at this insult and being manhandled like this. Unlike on all other occasions she has done this, no wet, crunching sound follows of a broken nose instead just a clang and a hairline fracture along the base of her gun. Proving ineffective, Kiyone growls with anger and twirls her pistol around. Staring down the barrel of a gun yet again, Vegeta turns Kiyone's world into blackness.
A shot rings out as the police officer lifted off her feet blindly fires her gun in panic, the laser blast blows a smoking crater in the grass. The strong pressure on her jacket releases itself, dropping Kiyone back onto her feet as her spare hand works to investigate why she can't see. Her fingers know the feel of the fabric over her face, she touches it everyday. Lifting up her headband to stop it acting as a blindfold and into its rightful position, Kiyone trains her gun back on the Saiyan and fires again. As if he were swatting a pesky fly only partially troubling him, Vegeta deflects the bolt nonchalantly.
"I did warn you what would happen if you opened fire upon me. Apparently I overestimated how smart you were." Five more blasts are fired at Vegeta, all seemingly pass directly through him as his dodges occur too fast for their eyes to perceive. "… And to think, you can't even shoot a stationary target." Kiyone's finger keeps pulling on the trigger in vain until Vegeta is no longer in front of her. Instinctively dropping to her knees and swivelling 180 degrees around, she sees no one in her sights but a still terrified Mihoshi who is only just starting to think about drawing her own weapon.
" Good guess, but try again. Or were you purposefully aiming at that miserable excuse of a police officer?" A hardened, leathery sole of a foot taps the top of Kiyone's head, causing her to look up and see the Saiyan hovering and looming above her. By the time she starts trying to move her hand, he has moved on to stand behind Mihoshi. Pulling her up to her feet, stealing her gun and getting the blonde in a headlock, Vegeta takes a hostage to liven things up.
" Too slow again, tut, tut. I could have killed your partner then, you failed her Kiyone." Vegeta pushes Mihoshi away from him and drops her gun to the ground, he wouldn't want Mihoshi to go and accidentally get shot by her own partner. With Mihoshi now fully out of the picture and openly crying about how scared she is of the nasty, cruel man, Kiyone takes another shot now that her line of fire is clear once again. Disappearing and reappearing again, Vegeta continues dodging every single one of her shots effortlessly despite the laser blasts travelling at the speed of light. Having been shot clean through the chest by a beam before, Vegeta knows how deadly these weapons normally would be to most beings. His sardonic and mocking comments continue, infuriating and annoying his opponent relentlessly with his seeming inability to be hit. Though he is surprised by how little her aim or judgement is being affected by his taunting; she's not half bad, he'll give her that much.
Unfortunately, being so focused on her target and not in the scenery behind him, one of Kiyone's shots inadvertently detonates a moderately sized boulder sending roughly hewn chunks of shrapnel through the air. Ayeka, her father, mother and Funaho safely encapsulate themselves and all nearby people under one of their protective force fields however, one Juraian is not close enough to be under their protection. As thin slivers of rock scrape at the skin of Vegeta and the two police women, a large and jagged dagger of stone hurtles its way towards small Sasami. It strikes dead centre in the chest. Atomising on contact with the sturdy bulk of Vegeta blocking it from harming his chef. Misaki sighs in relief as her terror dies down seeing her baby darling perfectly safe. Turning away from the two women he was toying with and towards the young girl, Vegeta inquires as to whether she sustained any damage. Her petite arms latch themselves around his neck as she hugs him and thanks him. She stops the hug seeing he is uncomfortable with it, apologises and runs back off into the welcoming arms of her mother.
"So much for protection. You pair of failures actually put the Emperor's daughter in harms way then because some moody woman can't control her temper and has an incredibly itchy trigger finger. Pathetic, worthless, idiotic-" Vegeta gets shot in the back of the head. He stands still as smoke rises from where he was struck, that was a very rude interruption. Counting to ten in his head and taking some deep breaths, Vegeta keeps his calm. His head turns slowly to the side so he can look and see the culprit. Heavily trembling hands almost drop the gun they are holding, Mihoshi closes her eyes and fires again. The blast is caught and crushed, Vegeta's eyes stare at this cowering woman. She starts apologising, saying she is sorry for shooting him and asking for him to forgive her, he smiles. Basically grovelling and begging for her life, Mihoshi stumbles backwards to Kiyone. Vegeta was never one for showing mercy or for being moved by the words of others.
Raising his left arm he sticks up his thumb and points out his index finger as if his hand were a gun, two purple pinpricks of light flash out and zap the hands of both Mihoshi and Kiyone. Two guns go cartwheeling into the air as the police women grab at their jolted hands. Involuntary contractions wrack their smitten, but otherwise uninjured, hands. Click. They both feel it and stand petrified. A chuckle from Vegeta sounds as he holds their own weapons to the base of their skulls. Only gently pressing the barrel against their skin, enough so they realise the guns are there but no more. Tears uncontrollably fall from Mihoshi's eyes as she hears a finger tightening over the trigger. Her eyes close shut as she waits, dread freezing her soul and paralyzing her to the core. Both police women unable to move, as the thought of their own inevitable demise fills their minds with despair. Seconds tick by agonisingly slowly. A hand cold with fright finds its way to Mihoshi's and holds it tight, her partner Kiyone whispering to her that it'll all be alright as she weds her fingers with her partner's for mutual comfort. Mihoshi grips as tight as she can. Kiyone bows her head to the ground as her vision is taken away from her this time by the growing moisture in her eyes.
Then Vegeta ends it, a loud crack echoes across the lakeside.
A confetti of broken shards of metal and plastic fall like rain from his hands, the two guns are no more. The pressure leaves the back of the two police women's necks. Mihoshi sinks to the ground as her knees buckle, tears still streaming from her eyes. Dusting off his hands, Vegeta steps in front of the two women.
"If you were listening you should know: I am no longer the same man your laws pursue. I don't kill anymore. Just consider this a little lesson if you ever think to try and arrest either me or Ryoko, and count yourselves lucky, I didn't even bruise you." Neither woman looks at him nor acknowledges his words. It might have been harsh but he has learnt from having Washu stay in his house that making people understand who he is and what he is capable of early on will benefit him in the long run. By now none of the Galaxy police officers by Kirito are there anymore, all having fled inside the belly of the leviathan. Leaving only four duffel bags behind containing the personal belongings of their fellow officers who have to stay behind. Vegeta won't apologise to them over threatening their lives, his day so far has been moderately stressful and he won't say something so blatantly untrue. All he does is offer a hand down to Mihoshi to help her back up. She cowers and shies away from him, continuing to sob as he lowers his arm back by his side.
"I'm not finished with you!"
Kiyone's foot lunges out in a vicious kick aimed at Vegeta's head, not surrendering to this man who held her life, and her partner's, in his hands. Blocking and grabbing the leg swinging at him, the Saiyan father takes this moment to check up on his son again and to tell him he will have to leave his newfound playground soon. After receiving a prompt reply from his son that he and Goten are on their way to find an exit, Vegeta brusquely tells the teal haired officer to dry her eyes first before thinking about staging an attack. She just growls back at him, he doesn't even perceive her as any sort of threat and that is what annoys her the most.
"Woman, stop. Doing this only serves to tire yourself out and irritate me. If this goes on for much longer you'll just carry on showing Azusa how incompetent you are. The way things will work out are as long as you don't get in my way you are free to do what you will, find somewhere else to live, get a job or a man, or woman, just don't try and cross me. My patience can only be pushed so far before I do something you might not live to regret." He warns her. Vegeta is done playing around with her for now. Eyes of blue fire continue to try and intimidate him, perfectly retaining her balance on one leg whilst the other is held aloft in the firm grip of the Saiyan. She fidgets, trying to free her captive leg, Vegeta calmly steps on her single grounded foot and lifts her other leg higher and higher until he hears the first grunts of stifled pain. Fists pound at his body, her attempts to get away from him fruitless and hurting her knuckles.
"You're quite the stubborn, little fighter aren't you? You're hunting big game now though, too big for you, or anyone for that matter. Pack it in or else you'll find yourself handcuffed to the back end of a dinosaur, along with cry-baby over there. Last warning." With that, Vegeta lets go of her leg and walks off. Leaving behind a frowning Kiyone to go and check on her partner Mihoshi still crying over her near death experience.
She wasn't expecting to get such good entertainment when drinking in her grandstand seat, sadly though her sake bottle has run dry and Ryoko can't be bothered to go and fetch another one and potentially miss seeing something else fun. Watching Vegeta make that grown woman break down like a helpless baby tickled her immensely, though she normally would be found laughing to herself over watching that she is not. The space pirate does not like any part of this idea where the police are being allowed to stay with her and Vegeta, she detests law enforcers nearly as much as she does Juraians. On top of that he just happened to pick two rather attractive women as well. She fears not for Vegeta's head being turned by their beauty for he has shown a dozen times before his complete neutrality over a woman's appearance, but he never forcefully took off any pieces of her clothing like he did with the police woman's headband.
Calling to the man she loves from the rooftops, smiling gaily and waving with both her arms, Ryoko gets the attention of Vegeta back onto herself. Simply, he says to give him five more minutes and carries on his way, striding towards the Juraians and Ayeka. Ryoko pouts, again he brushes her off in favour of playing the hero to the prissy princess. She decides that enough is enough and teleports back down off the roof and besides Vegeta, barely warranting a glance from him as he continues walking. Hovering along behind him, she wraps herself around his bulk when he stops in front of the Juraian Royals. Ryoko grins widely seeing the princess stood there, wanting to intervene but unable to act as she would like to in front of her mother and father. She sticks her tongue out at Ayeka and nuzzles against Vegeta, quite preferring this style of tattered clothing he is sporting.
"They'll do. Is that all now? We done here?" Before Azusa gets the chance to reply, Vegeta carries on, already having decided that it is time this carnival went back to where it belongs. "Good, now I must ask you something before you leave my planet and me in peace … Azusa, how in the hell do you survive living with two women?" Ayeka and Ryoko pause to look at him, he seems as serious and no-nonsense as ever yet they didn't expect him to ask such a question. Being one who despises aid or help in any form, Vegeta himself isn't too keen on the idea of asking Azusa for some advice on his current living situation. Out of the handful of people he knows, Azusa is the only one so far who seems in the least bit capable of giving a useful answer. The emperor of Jurai frowns his brows in puzzlement.
"You mean my wives? How I have and live with two? It's … not the simplest thing, granted, but why ask me this, Saiyan? Your own wife proving too much for the mighty Vegeta to handle?"
"Only so much in that my wife passed away a year ago, Ryoko is not my wife or anything of the sort." Vegeta is quick to erase any misunderstandings about his relationship with the woman cuddling into him and pressing her body ever closer to his. Ayeka continues to glower at her rival, wishing all manner of ills to befall her as she tightly holds onto the Saiyan prince. Bound by her parent's proximity, the fair princess can only stand there and watch as Ryoko's actions stoke her inner fires. Azusa seems to not really care about the news of the Saiyan being a widower, or of him and Ryoko not being an item like he suspected.
"Yet …" Leaning in close, Ryoko breathes this one word into Vegeta's ear. Her sensuous lips almost brushing his ear. " … and I am much more flexible than that rigid cop was. Give me another kiss, Vegey, and I'll show ya." Vegeta stops what he is doing for a full second to recollect his thoughts, that is the exact reason he is asking Azusa right now.
" … Out of curiosity, Azusa, your wives … when the second marriage came about were there issues of jealousy or such?" That massive green eyed monster is probably the largest obstacle concerning the pirate and the princess he feels has to be overcome. Otherwise they will continually be tearing into each other, arguing, fighting and all of which will chew into his precious time training to deal with. Instead of Azusa replying though, his second wife cuts in and interrupts.
" Of course not! Me and sissy are the best of friends and always were." In Misaki's eyes that is the truth, however as Azusa's eyes shift towards Funaho it is clear to see that the same can't be said for all parties involved. The first wife keeps her silence. A much younger and prettier girl who is also the daughter of the infamous Devil Princess of Jurai, Lady Seto, being married to her beloved husband did indeed displease Funaho. She is over it now and has been for a good long while but for a short time she did consider Misaki as a bitch trying to steal away the man she loves. Azusa knew all about Funaho's feelings early on after going through with the arranged marriage to Misaki and agrees with his wife now that it would be best to keep that secret buried in the past.
Seeing that they are of no use to him or unwilling to be so, Vegeta discards the conversation. Choosing instead to try and persuade Ryoko to remove herself from his person, he fails at that as well. Giggling merrily to herself as she does so all she does is bring up the promise he made, how he has sorted out Ayeka's problems and that all terms and conditions on her side have been met, Vegeta agrees that he can't worm himself out of it and will stand by his word. Smiling happily, she hugs him even tighter hearing that he will keep to his promise and spend time with just her. There is a sharp and clear message in his eyes as he stares over at the pink haired scientist and that is to fix his training room and to be quick about it. Washu hears it loud and clear but even she can't do anything till the custom parts have been made, there is a difference between a genius and a miracle worker. She would normally pretend to be busy doing what he says, but having spied Yamcha going towards that dumb blonde he was talking to earlier she has more important concerns.
Emerald eyes have him under constant observation every step of the way as Yamcha approaches the two officers to greet them and offer a more friendly welcome than Vegeta gave them. At the sound of approaching feet, Kiyone's hand instinctively whips across to her now empty holster and grabs at nothing but air. Scowling at forgetting she is now weaponless and defenceless, she looks through her fringe at the second muscle bound guy to approach her and Mihoshi. Mistrusting him, Kiyone watches this total stranger cautiously. She messes with her hair, sorting out her orange headband to the way she prefers it after Vegeta roughly put it back on her. He might not be a known fugitive but that doesn't mean he isn't just like the Saiyan who belittled and humiliated her, almost dislocating her leg. Yamcha crouches down in front of Mihoshi with Kiyone by her side just in case he tries anything.
"Hi again, looks like you could use my help for a second time." He outstretches one of his arms to touch Mihoshi, she lets out a small wail and throws herself at Kiyone instead. Understandably, the dark skinned woman is still traumatised and distrusts this man she can't see clearly through her bleary eyes. Quieting and comforting her partner, Kiyone fixes Yamcha with a serious stare. Yamcha holds his open hands out in front of him, showing he means them no harm. " Hey now, I'm not like Vegeta so don't worry your pretty little heads. Name's Yamcha, I'm the only one here who's actually the native species to Earth not one of these Saiyans or Juraians or whatnot, uh, not that I hold anything against offworlders like yourself. D'ya need a hand with your stuff? I live here too, you see -"
"- With me." Washu chimes in ominously, now stood directly behind Yamcha with her hands on her hips, not impressed at all. Tapping her foot on the grass, she glares down at her man talking in such a flirtatious manner to a woman other than herself. Nervously, Yamcha slowly turns and waves at his lover standing over him. She made sure she was directly on the scene to act as a reminder for him to behave himself. Wiping away the tears from her eyes, Mihoshi gets the chance to clearly look about her and see that the one addressing her is the same man from before who helped her. As recognition sets in, Yamcha smiles at her again. Some of the fear within Mihoshi dissipates, her hold on Kiyone lessens. Looking down nervously and then back up again, she moves her lips silently before her voice stops catching within her throat.
"Y-you're the nice man from earlier, aren't you?" Yamcha nods. " The one who stopped me falling over and – and carried the guns for me?" He nods for a second time as Mihoshi slowly opens herself up to the fact that this man neither wants to or will hurt or scare her. The eyes of Washu though seem to be offering up the promise of the complete opposite. She has been through situations like this before, her lover stolen from her by some young and pretty airhead, and she swore to herself to never let it happen again, by whatever means she sees fit. Making the same offer as last time to carry their belongings for them, this time Mihoshi accepts. Kiyone remains silent as she studies this man for any hint of deception or trickery, if Yamcha is lying then even her honed abilities as a detective fail to spot it.
His hand is taken by the darker hand of Mihoshi as Yamcha helps her off the floor before proceeding to pick up all four of their bags. With Mihoshi starting to question Yamcha about what's going on, who everyone is who lives here and so on, the two serious faced women turn to face each other. It takes Kiyone a second or two but she places the face of the scientist.
"Dr. Washu Hakubi, the Tuffle scientist, I presume? Hiding behind thugs now for protection instead of the diplomatic immunity of Jurai, guess you're just another crook I'm supposed to let walk free. You had me jumping through hoops, searching for loopholes and basically living at my desk for two years because of the Ultra Energy Matter Crisis you caused, you can't evade the law forever."
Washu shrugs off Kiyone, she barely listened to a word being said to her, her concentration solely focusing on Yamcha and the blonde. Someone of her longevity and lack of ethical concerns was bound to have had a few disputes about her experiments, and on rare occasions for the consequences of them. In the early days it was easy to bribe them to keep them off her back, working on developing weapons, gadgets and gizmos for their officers to use, but throughout the centuries she began to rely more on her many contacts in high places to make investigations cease and police commissioners to turn a blind eye. Kiyone was the unfortunate one who once was tasked with looking into one of Washu's more recent escapades involving the disappearance of a unique and rare fuel source . Unlike the previous officers, she wasn't so easily deterred and kept on the trail like a bloodhound. However, she could only get so far before webs of red tape began stopping her. Now it's just her luck she finally comes face to face with the one she spent so long searching for in the single situation where resisting arrest is far too simple.
"So if you ever need anything or Vegeta gives you any trouble again, just come and find me and I'll help as best I can. Ok? I'll probably be with Washu in her place … not like that's gonna help ya to find me really, but just knock on the door anyway." Yamcha starts bringing his talk with Mihoshi to a close. The more he talks to her, the more his sense of foreboding rises. Out of the corner of his eyes he spies Washu still staring in his direction and the second cop warily glowering about, judging him as if he is, or is about to, do something wrong. Not wanting to be rude, but preferring to keep out of harm's way, he begins to turn when a jubilant detective grabs one of his hands and begins shaking it enthusiastically.
"Oh thank you, thank you, you really will protect me from the scary man? Thank you ever so much!" Over the moon that someone has said they will safeguard her from the unstoppable Saiyan, she smiles gaily up at him with all her worries floating away like fluffy clouds. Yamcha is quite surprised by her sudden behaviour and as he tries to hide a backwards look at Washu with a small turn of his head, he sees her brows furrowed.
"Yeah, I, uh … I … Well, let's just say I'll do my best." Wanting to wrap things up as quickly as possible and unable to say to her that he stands as much chance as she does when facing Vegeta now that she seems to have overcome the fear brought on from her earlier ordeal, he breaks off physical contact with her and strides quickly into the house. Mihoshi follows him, but not before Washu quickly takes her place by his side to enforce the notion that he belongs to her. Her grip on Yamcha's arm would be painful if he were a normal human being, Washu does not look impressed one tiny bit. Kiyone brings up the rear, trudging along slowly into this place she will now have to call home, taking one last longing look at Kirito and the outside world before she steps beyond the Saiyan's threshold. She wanted a promotion, yearned for it indefinitely, and now her wish has come back to bite her.
Sighing and creaking as do the boughs of trees being blown in the wind, lying beached in a crumpled heap on its side, Ryuoh rests. Moss has overtaken most of the exterior hull, the main dome of the biosphere cracked in several places and long tendrils of wood have bored its way through the base of the ship in search of nourishment. Father and daughter stand before this grounded spacecraft, a hushed, private conversation between the two violet haired royals. They both know that the time before Kirito leaves for Jurai again is close at hand and wanting to clear the bad air that formed between them they separated themselves from the others, strolling aimlessly in silence until they ended up at this particular spot.
"… Father, Ryuoh has already taken root on this planet. My tree will not live the life it should do, or was made to do, but there is nothing to be done about it now. No force could make it voluntarily yield its hold upon that within its grasp, whether for better or for worse its future is here, on Earth…" Ayeka looks at the floor whilst speaking. She knows her father is reluctant at best over what is going on and more than anything wants him to understand the situation fully, to not be displeased or disappointed in her and secretly she wishes for his blessing. Nodding in acknowledgement of her words and their meaning, the father looks at his daughter. This means a lot to her, more than anything has ever done, he does not want to be unnecessarily cruel to her but words alone will not clear his bad blood with the Saiyan race overnight.
"Ayeka, I always worried that you would end up as untameable and free spirited as your mother … but I also hoped you would end up as loving and passionate as her. Of that, there is no doubt. This is not the life I wished for you, but neither is the one I was so blindly forcing you down the path of. Just … be careful. You are still so young and innocent, my daughter, that you do not see the potential danger here. The Saiyan has killed, billions upon billions, he might not be that way for the moment in time but you cannot ignore what his nature dictates of him. His life is one of violence and warfare, of bloodshed and death, you tread a dangerous road with your decision, never forget that. If you see any signs that he might not be who you think, don't, for Tsunami's sake, blind yourself to what he may do. Run. Get as far away from him as you can. Sasami's life will depend upon your judgement as well." Azusa puts his arms upon her small shoulders, turning his delicate and fair child to face him as he speaks. It's a parent's job to worry, he understands where she is coming from but she must listen to his own opinion. As birds flock and roost in the rafters and limbs of the once great spaceship, Ayeka raises her head and smiles up at her dad. Ayeka promises she will do her best to make sure no harm will ever befall Sasami or herself and reassures him that Vegeta would never act violently towards either of them. Though hardly assured by what she says, the emperor of Jurai accepts these few words as the only solace he can be offered.
With nothing more left to say, Azusa and Ayeka walk back to the group. Ryoko's hold on Vegeta strengthens in the growing proximity of her hated rival, not that the additional strength bothers Vegeta in the slightest. The Saiyan prince approaches the leader of the Juraian empire, with space pirate in tow. Ryoko and Ayeka's eyes lock for a second as tension fills the air, the princess wanting greatly for Ryoko to purge herself from the Saiyan prince. The space pirate just grins though at Ayeka, she will not yield her possessive hold on Vegeta any time soon. However, the icy atmosphere formed between the two proud fathers does not abate in the slightest. Vegeta and Azusa will never see eye to eye and neither has the slightest leaning towards wanting to. This family meeting has gone on long enough for Vegeta, and because of it he now has two more people inhabiting his house and a promise to Ryoko he cannot break. A small speck rising from the surface of the behemothic flagship tells him that his son has had his fill of fun, there is no reason to delay anymore.
"Time to start saying your goodbyes. What you came here to do is finished and I would appreciate it if you left me and my planet in peace now." Straight to the point as always, Vegeta lets Azusa know that what small welcome he had here has run its course into oblivion. He won't physically force them into their ship, not yet anyway. The sooner the parents of Ayeka and Sasami leave then the sooner his training room will be fixed and he can satisfy his personal addiction for strenuous exercise.
"I might not be here, but if I catch word that you have so much as laid a finger on my daughters then be prepared for the full might of Jurai to come crashing down upon you."
" That would be most unwise for you, sending down the entirety of your armed forces to their deaths will leave your empire defenceless and ripe for the taking. Not that I would harm Lady Ayeka or Sasami, but rethink your threats and who you are threatening." Vegeta walks away from Azusa. Not wanting to strike up another conflict with him, he leaves the family to have their time alone. The purring of a content Ryoko keeps him company until he stands side by side with Goku, when the Juraians depart he will not let himself be distracted from his rival any longer, there is one thing he must find out. Goku looks curiously at Vegeta with this tailed woman wrapped around him, raising an eyebrow out of intrigue. Without even looking, Vegeta barks for Goku to keep his eyes and thoughts to himself lest he wants to see a fist close up.
Goten and Trunks land by the lakeside, smiling and laughing as they cheerfully run back towards their dads before it all becomes too much for someone. Too caught up in their own little, childish minds, they don't notice a grown woman nearly completely break down into tears as they pass. Misaki weeps openly into Ayeka's shoulder as she tightly hugs her cherished children close to her, never wanting to let go of them. Tears begin to well and fall from Sasami's eyes as her mother's sadness infects her, she doesn't want to be without her mother or to cause her to be upset because of her absence but neither does she want to leave her sister. Standing strong with only a few hints of emotion showing on his bearded face, the emperor of Jurai comforts his wife and joins the embrace. They say their farewells to their beloved daughters. Azusa keeps his second wife company as she struggles to say goodbye to them, it tears at her heart the very thought of living without her precious children anymore yet she has accepted Ayeka's wish for independence and is trying her best to cope with that decision.
Eventually Misaki completes the herculean task of saying goodbye and releases her grip on her children, clutching her hands over her bleeding heart as Azusa slowly leads her back towards Kirito. Funaho holds one of Misaki's hands and smiles at her, but it does naught to stop the doting mother from continually looking over her shoulder with a heart-wrenching and longing look. It pains Ayeka and Sasami to see their mother like this, Ayeka keeps a hold on Sasami to make sure she won't run off back to her mother and make things even more difficult for them all. Small Sasami waves at her mother as she continues to get further and further away from her, only by a slight amount does she strain against her sister's hand.
All too soon for both Misaki and Sasami, the heads of the Juraian empire are stood beneath the vast belly of Kirito; Azusa, Funaho, Yosho and Misaki turn around for one last look and farewell at Ayeka and Sasami. Both blue haired Juraians soon to be separated by the gulf of space have rivers of tears flowing from their eyes, Ayeka's eyes remain dry though – she has already cried enough today and won't allow herself to succumb to them again. Shouting as loud as she can, Sasami wishes her mummy a safe and pleasant flight back home. Her kind words though only serve to act as an additional icicle of grief to pierce the tender and open heart of her mother. Sniffling back her tears as best she can, wiping at her face with the rag of Vegeta's clothing, Misaki takes this one last opportunity on Earth to say what she has been waiting to say.
"S-see you soon, my lovely, precious girls. Pl-please come h-h-home to Jurai whenever you want. I'll miss you. … And … Ayeka, I hope you find the happiness you want here, I really do, for I'll be busy arranging the wedding between you and Prince Vegeta. Consider yourselves engaged with BOTH of your parent's blessings!" In a flash of emerald, the Juraian royals are taken back into Kirito. Misaki might have been overwhelmed by emotion, distraught and distressed as her role as a mother to her daughters becomes less and less involved, but she had this planned. Azusa made the grave mistake of causing her babies, and herself, hurt and upset, for that she will not readily forgive. Her revenge for his foul behaviour is far from over, she only wishes she could see the jubilant look on her Ayeka's face at the news. The next few days, weeks, or even months, will be hard for her but she knows she has done the right thing by her children. If Azusa tries to argue, she will be forced to take a page out of the Saiyan's book and use her superior strength to settle any and all of his disputes.
A stunned silence has fallen over the lakeside. Kirito rises back into the vastness of space with but only Sasami watching it, the others too preoccupied upon other matters. Frozen in place, Vegeta and Ayeka stand with their mouths agape in shock. A slight tinge of rosiness enters Ayeka's cheeks and it soon develops into a full on crimson blush covering her whole face, butterflies flutter in her stomach and her heart skips several beats. She goes to hide her reddened face in her hands as her mind keeps on replaying those words her mother just said.
Engaged.
Her and Vegeta, with her parents' blessing. It doesn't seem real to her, like she is in a dream, a most pleasant dream that she does not want to wake up from. What started off as an attempt to flee from one arranged marriage has ended up landing her slap bang in the middle of another. Her imagination soon takes a hold of this concept, flashing images of her desires that might soon come to pass. The bouquets of flowers raining down from up high, the forest green bridal dress, the walk up the aisle to the altar within the grand temple as all of Jurai gathers just for her and her special day and finally him waiting there for her. As Misaki predicted, a jubilant and truly radiant smile blossoms on her covered face.
All too soon though it gets whipped away. The glorious mental image shattering into fragments too small that it would be hopeless to piece them together again. She was so caught up in the moment that she forgot. She forgot about him and those words he said to her alone in her room. Ayeka pivots around and faces the Saiyan prince, lowering her hands from her face only so she can see him properly. From his face she realises all those wistful thoughts were just a dream, a fanciful dream and nothing more. Vegeta is frowning.
"You cunning, manipulative bitch! You had this whole little act planned out from the start, didn't you? Didn't you! Playing the victim so Vegey will take pity on your sorry arse as you try and steal him away from me, you thief!" That's the final straw for Ryoko. Fingernails dig into the exposed flesh of Vegeta's chest and neck as her rage builds. She will not accept this, she will not allow this to happen to her, Ryoko begins to shiver with fury. Flaring up from her core, anger fills her body. Crimson sparkles off her skin and a red mist starts descending over her vision.
A power other than hers also ascends, overshadowing hers like a gorilla before a greenfly. Ryoko's senses aren't too blinded by wrath yet that she doesn't notice Vegeta doing this and his steely eyes keeping a watch on her. Snarling at him jumping in between her and the prey she would so love to rip apart for a second day in a row, she dissipates her aura and slumps in a sullen sulk on his shoulder. Her vice like grip on him doesn't diminish in the slightest though.
"The pot is calling the kettle black. Calm down Ryoko, I … th-this is just some trivial mistake. It doesn't mean anything, so don't get so vexated over it. You think the prince of all Saiyans would -"
" I-I-I … I have to go." Ayeka hurriedly runs off back into the house, muffled sobs sounding from her as she runs. The indignation and infuriation in Vegeta's tone made it all too clear to her that what her heart yearns for he will not allow. He called his arranged engagement to her a 'trivial mistake', something so minor as to be akin to bumping into someone when walking, and it cut deep. He told her that he was not over his wife's death but to be brushed aside without a second thought as though she meant nothing to him after all he has done for her on this day claws deep rends in her heart. She might not have wanted to cry anymore today but fate transpired against her. Before she gets back into his house her eyes have already misted up as the pain in her chest worsens. Today has not been her day, unrequited love is taking its toll on her.
Sighing to himself at forgetting how his blunt words can cause hurt, Vegeta watches as the princess flees back into his home, deciding to give her some time to come to terms with things rather than go see her with Ryoko still attached to him. Not like he can get rid of Ryoko, he is a man of honour and won't have his pride damaged by becoming a petty liar; for however long it will take Washu to do her job, she and him will be spending some old fashioned quality time together. She hasn't forgotten his promise either. As soon as Ayeka left the picture, Ryoko begins tugging on the torn scrap of clothing failing to cover Vegeta's chest. Her mood still leaves something to be desired after the man she is clutching was promised to another, but denial is keeping her rage in line. Plain and simple, after the initial shock had gone away and Vegeta had crushed Ayeka's hopes leaving her sobbing, she has no faith whatsoever that Misaki's arrangements will ever bear fruit. It's just a load of hot air and nothing more, no threat to her and nothing to come between her and this man.
Vegeta quietly says to her that he is going to keep his foolish promise but that he must first deal with something. Ryoko absently nods, he's been delaying for a while now but a few minutes to her don't matter as long as she gets to stay by his side and hug him. The Saiyan prince turns and faces Goku as Ryoko fidgets about until she is cradled within his arms, he looks down at her as she smiles up at him. Vegeta sighs again and rubs at his tired eyes whilst still supporting Ryoko in one hand. He tells Ryoko to stop pulling at his trousers. Ryoko says that's Trunks, not her, causing Vegeta to look down at his son and the confused expression on his face. Another interruption forcing him to detour Goku, he snaps at his son to tell him what he wants to say.
"Dad, I don't understand what's going on. I mean, it's not like I care about those Jurai people or what you were talking about but … why did Sasami's mum say that? Wh-what did she mean by engaged?" Trunks thinks he has heard that term before, but cannot place from where. He thinks he heard it on T.V, that does not help him understand the meaning behind the word though, whatever it is, it sounded very serious. The same inquisitiveness that led him aboard Kirito has led him towards his father with this question. Vegeta's eyes stay locked on his son, unblinking and focused. The words do not flow into the Saiyan prince's head, he does not know how to answer this question from his son. Out of all the time the two women have been vainly attempting to court him, this secondary reason behind his denial of them has risen it's ugly head: Trunks, his and Bulma's son.
"She was just being stupid, that poor woman got confused with her being so emotional and all, who can blame her when she has to live with the shame of Ayeka being her daughter. Oh, but how embarrassing, to think that our secret plans were publically announced, Vegey, hmm?" She doesn't like this line of enquiry. Even though Ryoko doesn't and will not acknowledge this as a proper engagement, just hearing that word sends tendrils of dread into her soul. Quickly taking the initiative, she tries to turn this to be about her and her feelings rather than about the Juraian princess.
" Yeah, whatever, you still haven't told me what engaged is. Dad, tell me."
" Listen here kid, what engaged means is that in the not too distant future me and Vegey will -"
"No. Ryoko, don't go there." Vegeta's voice is stern, his eyes flash onto the woman in his arms. He is too tired, too sick of this whole thing, to allow her to complete that sentence. For a long time he has known about and partially accepted that both pirate and princess hold romantic feelings towards him, but his son does not. Ayeka has been told about his feelings on the matter, soon he will clear things up with Ryoko to hopefully simplify the anarchy gripping his home. Nudging the space pirate pouting at him, he gets Ryoko to stand up as he kneels before his son to explain this delicate matter. "Son, engagement is the state that a couple are in when they decide … when they decide that they want to marry. That answer your- "
"What! But you can't, Dad, you can't. Mum's your wife, you don't need another stupid, ugly woman! How could you?" Trunk's outrage manifests in the fluttering of lavender strands. A firm hand grips the lad's shoulder, the father tries to calm down the son. Vegeta might be antisocial and unsympathetic to most but he cares deeply for his son, as a father he knew this would be his reaction. His son is in the same state he is in, still grieving for Bulma. Till that state passes for both of them, he will not upset his son by choosing a new woman; he bets neither Ryoko or Ayeka have even contemplated the full extent of what their involvement with him will entail. Not once has either shown an interest in Trunks, bar the absolute minimum, or the want to be an integral part of his life. They haven't even realised if they do want to be with him, and even to take him as their husband, they will have to become Trunks' step-mother. From Vegeta's perspective he couldn't say either of them showcase any ability whatsoever in performing this important family role.
"I'm not, son. I never said anything of the sort. This prince is not going to be marrying anyone for a long time."
"But – but you said…" The small rocks that had started to levitate descend back down to the floor, Trunks calms down but still appears confused. Matters like these aren't designed for a child's mind to be able to properly handle, it is far too complex and complicated for him. Vegeta nods in a comforting manner to his son, his voice quietens as he continues trying to enlighten his child about the whole situation. However, his words have struck a chord with the cyan haired rogue. A double edged sword, he down right admitted that he will not end up betrothed to Ayeka yet the exact same could be said for her. Tightness grips her heart.
"I will not be replacing your mother, Trunks. What Misaki said means little to me, she can arrange to her heart's content but it doesn't mean I have to go through with anything for any woman. Look son, you needn't worry about it. I promise you I will not do anything to soil Bulma's memory, she is still the only love of my life. … However, there will eventually come a time, Trunks…" His ungloved hand gets slapped away by his son, he went too far. Trunks is not yet open to even thinking about the future and that possibility. Cursing himself and his fatigue addled mind, the Saiyan prince rises as he massages his stinging hand and his son's afterimage dissipates.
Stood up, he cricks his neck to the side and catches something out of the corner of his peripheral vision. As his sense of vision locks onto this and he turns to focus upon it, his sixth sense ascertains his son's current location; he is in his room, no doubt sulking and brooding. Ryoko's amber eyes are looking at him, looking at him in that same exact manner as they did when he resurrected and told her to stay away from him. It truly is a complete minefield, every conversation having pitfalls and traps wherever he puts his feet, a delicate balancing game where saying anything is guaranteed to upset someone. She takes two small steps backwards and away from him, Vegeta curses himself for a second time. That was not the best way to let Ryoko know about his feelings, or lack of them. Tilting his head back, he speaks. Continuing what he was going to confess to his son, but now just to Ryoko.
" … There will be a time, a time where I will be ready, ready for moving on. Some day in the future, when I have fully grieved for my wife's death and put it behind me, the prince of Saiyans will begin his search for another." He has admitted it, that he is not ready for whatever Ryoko wants to offer to him or for him to offer to her, Vegeta hopes she will understand. As much as he loathes discussing such weak things as emotions, Ryoko has a right to the truth.
" What d'ya mean search? I'm right here, Vegey. … Don't you … don't you like me?" Ryoko speaks with a voice unnaturally quiet for such a brash woman. She averts her eyes to the floor, her left hand messes with her side locks and the poppy balanced above her ear. Last night, when she visited his room in hope of some action leading on from that single, blissful kiss, she asked him something of a similar nature and he avoided the question, with a lot less grace and ease than he can avoid a bullet though. Vegeta lowers his head and faces her, taking one step closer to close the gap between them.
" Currently, not in the same way you obviously feel for me. I can't, I'm incapable. I am sorry for this, Ryoko, but, as I said to Ayeka, I require time before I can accept what you two want from me. Could you have moved on if I had remained dead? How long would it have taken you, and you hardly knew me … I was with Bulma for a decade, she was my wife, think of what you are asking of me."
"So … the flower and-and yesterday, yesterday when you kissed me … it didn't mean anything? … I don't mean anything to you?" Her long and slender fingers tremble as her messings with the flower in her hair become more frantic. She cannot look at him, it pains her too much. Ryoko averts her eyes from his body so close to hers. The elfin ears of hers drooping, her shoulders hunching and her usually so active tail hangs limply from her waist. As much as she wants to know and understand the man she loves, fear and worry gnaw at her insides upon asking that question. It has been asked now though, even though part of her doesn't want him to answer it so she keep on believing whatever she wants, all she can do now is await his reply.
"The flower was a misunderstanding, I merely did not want it and so just handed it to whoever was closest. Yesterday though … was me being selfish, caught up in the high emotions of the day and being alive again. I thought, maybe, that perhaps trying to force myself to move on to another woman would help to distract me, I was wrong. I'm sorry for leading you on like that." There is the response Ryoko's heart dreaded hearing. He meant no harm by doing what he did but his actions are causing her great hurt and distress now, nothing he did for her was ever out of love. Another red petal falls from the bloom she is wearing as a decoration. Ryoko moves her hand away from the flower in her hair and crosses her arms in front of her. She shakes her head side to side to try and rid her eyes of the tears threatening to burst from them, it is hurting far worse than she thought possible. Even when dead she had the hope and knowledge of his return yet in this dark corner her soul has found itself in there is no light or ray of hope that she can see. A shudder runs through her body, the pain in her heart doesn't stop growing, intensifying to all new reaches of heartbreak just like it is within Ayeka as well.
"… So, I don't then. … But, neither does Ayeka, right?" Those golden eyes of hers barely manage a quick glance at him whilst talking. Saying that phrase and admitting it almost tears her apart. Her knees threatening to buckle completely as cracks begin to grow in the dams she has hastily thrown up within her eyes. She only manages to stay strong and standing from the knowledge that Vegeta pities and doesn't care much for those who are weak.
Vegeta did not enjoy bringing pain to her like this, his sadism slowly having dried up over the years. Ryoko is hurting bad and he can clearly see that, the brave face she is trying so hard to put on is deceiving no one. Living a life on her own for the most part, not including Ryo-ohki, such pain like this is new to her; the betrayal that put her in prison being the only event before Earth that caused her any degree of emotion similar to this. The Saiyan prince is no stranger to pain, physical or emotional, but the pain of rejection is not something he ever had the misfortune to encounter. Guilt builds within him, his pride forcing him to take the blame for the women's hurt. Vegeta steps forward and gently hugs Ryoko, one hand around her back and the other patting the back of her head.
"I have no preference of Lady Ayeka over you. Romantic involvements might be off the table but I would not say you are nothing to me, if you were then you'd either be dead or evicted by now. Consider yourself … a friend." There is that word again – friend – that Vegeta is not too keen on but he can think of no other term to describe their relationship. When it comes down to it, friendship is still a largely alien concept to him, the only true friend he ever had was his wife otherwise his view on most people comes down to whether he would have any qualms about ending their life, the lucky ones on that list number just over a handful. He thanks Sasami for giving this idea to him, declaring herself as his friend before the circus came to town. The Saiyan is careful over the pressure he exerts in this embrace, powering down so he is not at risk of breaking her bones, only her heart.
Ryoko struggles to sniff back the rising tides of saline waters threatening to burst forth at any moment during this most painful of pleasures. Her fingers creep around Vegeta's waistline, pausing and hesitating each time they run over one of the many rips and tears leading her to touch his bare skin. Her brazen attitude and impulsive nature gone and stripped from her, leaving her vulnerable and extremely sensitive to this bodily contact, this touching she seconds ago would have been so eager for. As much as she yearns for him physically, she cannot handle this right now. Her want to be with him stems from her intrinsic desire for him to want to be with her, to keep her company and be there for her, loving her. Vegeta's actions, kind and thoughtful as they are, are hollow.
She rests her head on his broad shoulder and lightly hugs him back as the first drops of moisture begin to seep through her tightly closed eyelids. The patting on her head becomes a delicate stroking of her wild and spiked hair as Vegeta tries to shush her, Ryoko's tail begins to fidget side to side ever so slightly from this welcome touch. Her muscles tense and her breathing becomes hard and fast as she tilts her head to look into Vegeta's stone cold eyes. Not being one to give up or surrender to her fate, Ryoko makes one last feeble attempt. There is no doubt about its outcome, but her heart won't let her do nothing; she has to try, even if it is selfish of her, to make him see the depth of emotion she holds for him.
"A friend … with benefits?" Weakly, she forces the smallest of hopeful smiles to form on her face through the tears escaping her feline eyes. Even though it was an entirely fruitless attempt with a 0% chance of working, her heart still manages to drop into an even greater pit of despair when he shakes his head. Ryoko diverts her eyes back to the Saiyan's shoulder and she hugs the prince tighter. Very quiet and muffled sobs come from Ryoko's head buried in the bulk of Vegeta's collarbone, he continues his comforting and waits a few minutes before proceeding with what he has to tell her.
"As much as I admire your tenacity in pursuing your goals, you really need to stop and have a serious think about what it is you want first. You know of who I am, what I have done and that my strength is far superior to your own. You know of how I can kill you so easily if I were to misjudge my power by a miniscule amount … and yet you still seem so driven to try and seduce and bed me. Even Kakarot can tell you how dangerous it can be for a frail woman to get involved with Saiyans in that manner. … And if you dare speak of what you have heard to anyone else, Kakarot, I will make you know the pain of a dead wife." Vegeta shoots a dangerous glance towards the low class warrior of his race that he is still stood quite close to. If it weren't for his ki sensing alerting him to his proximity, the tired prince could have easily forgotten that he was spilling his soul so close to the one he wants to defeat in battle above all others. Snarling at the feigned innocence and ignorance of Goku, Vegeta turns his attention back towards the woman who shared his line of work. The trickle of water down his chest from Ryoko is not lessening in the slightest. From the side-lines a cabbit meows to herself with her ears drooped down out of sympathetic compassion for her mistress.
"In just under a week, I will indeed start to begin my cycle: my mating season. Along with Kakarot and his brat, I will lose most, if not all, of my self control. Any female that we sense will be in grave peril, and we are naturally drawn towards strength so the risk posed to you, Ryoko, is even greater. Saiyan courtship, you would not survive. It is a brawl to earn the right to mate, to prove ourselves as strong males of a powerful and worthy bloodline, but as all Saiyans old enough now have such high levels of strength and will have minimal control over it you would most certainly be, at the very least, severely injured. I might be able to fully control my mind in the primary bestial state of a Saiyan but in this secondary one the only way we can safeguard women from danger is by taking ourselves off planet, or incarcerating ourselves somewhere like Kakarot and his kid used to in the hyperbolic time chamber. That time is not one where you should become curious or tempted by those carnal desires of yours. For I will act … and you won't be able to stop me."
Giving her one last tender squeeze, he breaks off the embrace and steps backwards away from Ryoko. Silvery, cyan hair hangs down obscuring Ryoko's face as she continues to hang her head downwards. Alone she stands, the emotional turmoil brought on from the hug has left her, but left her forlornly in the solitude of rejection. His words are confusing to her, too wrapped up in her own sorrow and hurt she barely hears most of the words said but she got the gist. Even that one event where she hoped Vegeta would finally act like a man and give in to lust has been taken from her. Trying to escape from the pain, she shifts her body into its non-corporeal state. She won't run though, not like Ayeka. Ryoko was promised an afternoon with Vegeta, and even if he doesn't love her and being close to him is now painful, she doesn't want to lose this opportunity to be with him.
Vegeta apologises one last time to Ryoko. Life was so much simpler for him when all that mattered was life, death and power. The Saiyan prince turns his thoughts back towards that which he lived by and faces his nemesis, pointing at him and furrowing his brows. Ryoko seems to be in no mood for him to continue talking to her, so for the time being he will get right down to the business at hand. No games or fooling around, this is far too important for that. The only thing of importance to him and the thing that has plagued his mind and not allowed him to rest: power.
"Now, Kakarot, I won't waste any more time. I have to know. Show me your strength. Show me what I have to surpass."