Chapter 99
Vegeta pants with blood dripping through his teeth and spilling from his lips. In this short moment of respite he looks up to the screen linking his training room to his rival's. A weakling infests Goku's room, a person's presence he sees as almost heretic within the sanctuary of these training rooms. The prince spits out blood onto the worn tiles and grunts as he can see those in his rival's room observing him. For every day that he or any other Saiyan was a slave he shall have his vengeance upon Frieza. He barks at the console and another simulation of the galactic overlord appears. No transformations of gold come from Vegeta as he engages his hated foe. Only when he is strong enough to complete this task shall that past cease in haunting him, this is the challenge set to him by his pride in reclaiming the honour stripped from him by years of servitude.
"... Maybe training like that is a bit too much for me. Does this room have anything survivable for humans?" The trespasser with Goku asks. She scratches at her raven hair as she ties it back and looks about the strange room.
"Chichi and others can manage this room at lower levels so being human ain't a big deal. At your strength I guess the training I did was doing milk rounds with Master Roshi so you could try that." Goku does some warm up stretches as he shrugs off this young woman's fears surrounding the challenge of this room. Her species should not determine whether she can use this or not following sufficient training. He offers advice for her to improve her physique.
"How about we think of some training that doesn't involve the former martial arts champion, media will have a field day if they find me doing milk rounds with that old pervert." Videl feels that Roshi is not the best choice and that her father might take some offence at this other famed champion being chosen over himself. Doing milk delivery rounds does not sound too appealing to a woman already engaging in superhero activities for training.
"But, I won the martial arts tournament too. If not him then Krillin's there and you can see what training he does. This stuff in here is a bit advanced for you right now, give it a month or two of proper training perhaps ..."
"You think I can get that strong so quick? Just like you guys?"
"Could do if you work hard, just not as hard as Vegeta there or you might not survive those months."
To this Videl agrees that she shall not train to those extremes that the proud prince tortures himself with. Unlike Chichi she cannot simply train through means of sparring with her partner as Gohan is not one whom finds enjoyment in the fight itself, she can and does occasionally but he is cautious and careful in his treatment of her. On the subject of Chichi Videl decides she might ask her mother-in-law as to how she trained for her time in the martial arts tournament, after that searching out for a human master to train her might be in her best interest. Now that Gohan is mostly settled with his goals in life by progressing far in his education and having secure employment with Washu she is wanting to advance her own wants. The thought of an unborn baby holding multitudes of her own power is driving her desire as a fighter, as the daughter of famed champion Hercule Satan, Videl wants to become a strong fighter and role model for others - she is just unsure of how to breach this ceiling into where all the other astonishing fighters reside.
Goku is supportive of her and kind in his approach of offering her advice. Goku goes one step further and suggests she asks Chichi for more than advice and for training under her tutelage. In his eyes his wife is skilled, determined, passionate and has showcased her abilities as a martial arts teacher through her work with getting Goten to become a Super Saiyan and holds enough similarities to Videl that they get along well on a personal level. To this Videl is not that eager. Chichi is pregnant and Videl does not feel this to be a wise choice to put a pregnant woman through that toil and effort. She also asks if this is just so that Goku can get a bit more space and independence from his clingy wife who is constantly demanding a multi-form of her husband to be with her always. Goku leaves that choice up to Videl as he starts his own training, and watching Vegeta train in his own self imposed hell. Once she gets strong enough he has weighted clothing, training regimes, this artificial gravity room and the Kais he can introduce her to for strength she just needs to reach the starting line for that to be safe.
In a far away city two women take their seats in the final venue planned for their date. Kaia is apprehensive as to how this shall work out as Ryoko encourages her. This is a large cinema in the middle of the city and the matinee performance chosen is a romance film. Ryoko's idea is that due to the size of the screen it will make it easier for Kaia to determine the brightness and picture being shown as opposed to making out small differences. There is another idea floating on in the background here and Kaia realises it as soon as the movie begins and she feels Ryoko. Lights have turned off and darkness reigns but for the film on screen. Ryoko is facing this fear with Kaia in her company and holding her as the pirate focuses on the film and not the cloying darkness at the edge of her vision.
Staggering lurches are taken out from the training room. A dumb smile rests on Vegeta's weary face as he lets his son take over within his sanctum. He managed to defeat that simulation of Frieza before his life was ended – nowhere near the innumerable amount he wants to kill yet that last victory was sweet. It was a good fight. A hard fight and he can exit with his head held high. His body looks and feels much the same as the princess spectating him. He raises an arm in greeting to her and he gets a concerned eyebrow raised in response.
"I deeply respect you, Lady Ayeka." Vegeta begins with his calculating mind plotting a new angle of attack. "As such, I am striving to emulate your actions. Yesterday, you fought on until your body broke multiple times, exercised till you could not move, and trained till you blacked out more than once. I intend to fight on, as you did, to not listen to the naysayers warning me of the dangers, as you did, as we both see that there is some great prize within our reach that we might attain through such reckless actions."
Vegeta stumbles through into the kitchen for a drink as he leaves Ayeka with those words to think on and how he is manipulating her obstinate nature in her date to his advantage. As he returns with some of the soot and dried blood washed from him he watches as Ayeka steadily stands and seriously faces him. She bows with her back protesting and Vegeta responds with a curt nod of his head. In a polite tone she asks him how he is faring and whether he holds any wounds that require medical attention, he dismisses her kindness and assures her he can and will be able to continue training after a short rest. In a composed tone she graciously shows her gratitude to him for his rescue of her in the bath and this he also dismisses as being nothing special with Ryo-Ohki having done most of the work.
Her breaths catch. Nerves seize at her as the black eyes of Vegeta bore into her. Fingers fiddle and fidget with the hems of her sleeves. The princess demurely bows her head and makes a formal request of Vegeta for his son's presence. Trembling enters her body. A fist bangs against the metal door without a word as the prince keeps his gaze on the unnerved princess. A few seconds is all it takes for the Super Saiyan 2 Trunks to exit asking his dad why, the father nods his head towards the maiden whom is beginning to blush. Ayeka stiffly steps towards the two as static enters the air from the prodigal son. There is a lump in her throat she cannot move, stifling her words more-so than the bath water earlier, and she perceives that the cunning Vegeta knows of her intent making it all the more awkward for herself.
The Crown Princess of Jurai steadily motions her sore body towards Trunks. She tries and somewhat succeeds at smiling at him. A feminine rose graces her cheeks. Ayeka clears her throat once and then twice, the second one to stall for time, and she then formally introduces herself with the full compliment of titles she holds. Ayeka's knees protest as she crouches to be level with the prepubescent Super Saiyan 2. For a moment her hands freeze and her brain focuses solely on this life changing task she is undertaking. She reaches into one of her over sized sleeves and from an inner pocket pulls out a small object she keeps hidden and close to her within her enclosed hand.
"Lord Trunks Briefs, son of Prince Vegeta of the Saiyans, please I ask of you to hold out your hand to me." Ayeka's voice quavers in volume.
Both father and son raise an eyebrow at her demand, Trunks does not understand what she is doing and Vegeta was not expecting this tactic from her. Trunks looks down at his hand and holds one out to her and asks her what she is doing. Her red eyes focus on his glowing hand and then go back to his face with a warm smile. She reaches out her own hand and passes the small object to the youth.
"By your decision and your blessing, I beseech of you to- t-t-to accept and offer my ring, a-and my affection to your father." With a radiant and tender expression Ayeka proposes through Trunks.
Trunks makes a confused sound being suddenly flung into this situation, cast in the middle of his father's romance with the say in possibly rejecting Ayeka here. His preference has already been made clear yet this takes it a step further than preferring one over the other as now he is giving his blessing to this proposal and the direct acceptance and go ahead to his bachelor father. With deliberation Trunks turns to his awaiting father and Ayeka rises from her half crouch. In an awkward manner Trunks gives the engagement ring over to his dad and then hurries back into the training room for escape. Vegeta stands there twirling the ring between his fingers with a smug look on his face.
"I was wondering whether you would fall into the trap of prostrating yourself in a kneel before myself as is Earth's fashion. You have chosen well in your approach, very well." His taunting compliments deliberately prolong and pause his answer. This small ring weighs heavily on him. He chucks it up into the air and catches it on his empty ring finger. "You have my answer. I accept your heartfelt proposal … though I shall not be wearing this ring due to my training."
The ring is taken off in a practised motion by Vegeta and he examines it. It is made of three unique bands. The middle is a creamy and brown material with either side made of two different woods. Encircling the middle band are embroided circlets of stark purple. As much thought as he put into his ring for her has been put into his. Looking up to Ayeka he sees tears of joy spilling freely from her eyes which she wipes at with her heart having burst at this grand accomplishment: she has proposed successfully to the man she loves. Throughout her mirthful weeping Ayeka proudly explains the ring's composition; the middle is made of shavings from her treasured seashell necklace, one wooden ring from parts of her prized tiara, the other wooden ring from heartwood located deep within her ship Ryuoh and the purple decorating it is strands of her own hair. All of it manufactured with aid from Washu to process the materials. Everything dear to her and even part of herself she put into this ring to him. He motions forward and an an additional reward is granted to the brave princess in the form of a warm embrace with her prince. She does not care for his smell of sweat and ash.
An upset and pouting royal Juraian is busy conversing and complaining to Washu. She has spent a lot of time trying to get in contact with her mother and simply cannot. So, following a long conversation with her father Misaki has managed to glean some information and grumpily reprimand him for the part he has played in this subterfuge. All this secrecy she does not like, especially from within her own family and possibly even against her own family. Washu nods and accepts what she is being told although it comes too late. Her detective squad of Goku and Gohan already unearthed one wish. Apparently New Namek is now a legal protectorate state within the Juraian Empire. Lady Seto has cleared up some of her mess and also the carrot with which she used to get the compliance of the Namekians has been found. Washu sees little sense in utilising the dragonballs if you are going to waste one of the wishes on clearing up you having used them. As to the other two wishes they can only guess, which upsets Misaki that even her daddy dearest would not tell her.
Her and the rest of her family aboard Kirito shall arrive well before Lady Seto's overridden ship shall finish being escorted to Earth. Washu is too busy to care for the niceties as Misaki starts trying to chat with her friend instead of providing her with information. Misaki is taking her turn to try and learn what she can from Washu, both of Ayeka's actions in love and of Washu's own relationship. At this the scientist terminates the call as this thorny patch in her relationship she does not feel like discussing at this time.
Even with an oversized cinema screen Kaia fails to process the majority of the film's visuals unless the shot is stationary for a good several seconds, and then the weariness of trying to do this throughout a feature length showing wears her down. A comfortable hold of a woman never leaves her. In the gloom Ryoko holds tight and remains close to her. Several distractions come Kaia's way from her date and the hands about her which she dismisses. After the movie ends they leave and having a short stroll about town they discuss the film they have watched and Ryoko fills in a few details that Kaia's blindness led her to miss. Both smiling, having fun, Kaia honestly and properly thanks Ryoko for their date and how it purposefully flew in the face of her ever present disability and allowed her to enjoy new and novel experiences with her attractive female companion. At the end of her thanks Kaia goes to give Ryoko a kiss on her cheek as a polite gesture. Ryoko dodges out the way with her tongue stuck out playing hard to get. With this Kaia wishes Ryoko luck in her date tomorrow with Vegeta and the two teleport back home.
What Ayeka has accomplished is not kept a secret from Ryoko for very long, nor is Ayeka under any want to keep it a secret. Filled with confidence from her flawless proposal and the sweet embrace in its aftermath the full haughty and proud nature of princess Ayeka is in full swing. With Kaia close by she reigns in any want of misbehaviour on Ryoko's part and the pirate tries to one up Ayeka through regaling her with tales of her own date and her plans for tomorrow and it fails to knock Ayeka off her high horse. Ryoko relents to a need of hers. Under strict supervision she is led to Vegeta's room, a room she is heavily reminded of that she has been exiled form, and the engagement ring given to the man she loves is showcased to her.
Vegeta's training shall often leave it removed from his finger and so on his bedside cabinet it rests next to a gold band that haunts Ryoko. A faint growl comes from the rogue's throat at the sight of this ostentatious ring that Vegeta accepted whilst Ayeka wove Trunks deeper into the web of her allegiance. In an angry proclamation Ryoko claims that what ring she shall get for Vegeta shall exceed this, and this ring shall be replaced tomorrow by her own. Ayeka doubts that any ring could rival her own as she fiddles with the solid piece of pearl about her own finger.
Come evening time Yamcha and Washu emerge from her lab with the genius seeking some kind of company and to talk. Yamcha gives Vegeta a hand with cooking dinner and Yamcha relays to Vegeta the few new pieces of information gained, which interest him little. The jubilance of Ayeka is hard to suppress at the meal sat beside her prince even with her body still protesting from yesterday's training. Then, not long after the meal is finished a familiar shadow looms over the landscape. At this Ayeka falters momentarily. Her father is here.
Kaia can sense the energy of the dreadnought. Her empathetic powers yield nothing from the tree however. Hands grab onto her. Ryoko knows what the arrival of Jurai means and she does not want to give up Kaia to them yet. The party head outside to meet the royal visitors and Vegeta spares a multiform for this as his training takes precedence. The Saiyan yawns and stretches and Ryoko falls into a yawn too. Green light beams down from the massive wooden ship and the carnival begins anew as Vegeta hears the loud calling of a mother missing her child.
Sprinting along the lakeside with Sasami astride her shoulders comes the Queen of Jurai shouting the name of her firstborn. Kaia cocks her head to the side as for the first time she can now recognise the ki of her Queen and the unprotected maternal emotions flowing from within her. Ayeka steps forward with her mother quickly closing the distance and in the background walking out from the teleporter is Azusa with a disdainful look in his eyes. She is not able to worry about her father for long as her mother is upon her, but a week has passed and even so that timespan has been too much for Misaki. The words to welcome her loving mother and sister back to Earth are thwarted by the strong hug Ayeka finds herself wrapped up in with Sasami hopping off her mother and joining in the hug. A pained gasp comes from Ayeka and Misaki suddenly freezes and recoils.
"Welcome … Apologies mother, welcome back. Sorry to worry you, I am fine, it is … my body is a bit sore currently so your loving hugs discomfort me. I-"
"And why are you in physical pain? What excuses do you hold for how this Saiyan hurt you?" Azusa's voice angrily booms in accusation at Vegeta for hurting his daughter as he closes the distance with ire growing in his eyes.
"Like mother like daughter, Misaki is training for the tournament and Ayeka felt left out and wanted some training of her own. In this I reluctantly complied and, though it goes against what I stand for, went easy enough on her that she is still standing now. If you want me to demonise myself then sure, I hit and struck your daughter many times yesterday for hours on end." Vegeta is willing to play the villain if he must.
"Father, it was my decision. I chose to undergo the training that compromises the majority of Lord Vegeta's life knowing full well what physical pain I should endure. I asked this of him and though he warned me of it complied with my wishes."
"Emperor Azusa, as a friend of your daughter I attempted to dissuade her from this recklessness and she chose to forfeit my council. Through my newfound gifts though I can assure you that Lord Vegeta held no malice or dark emotions towards the princess and no want to cause her surplus harm." Kaia bows deeply as she address her ruler.
Behind the adults and their issues Sasami merrily skips up to her friend Trunks who acts cool and dismissive over her arrival and she hands him back the game he gave her when she last left wrapped in a ribbon with a smile. The lad accepts it back and remarks he has another 6 of those left to give her until she completes the series. Scampering out from the house comes an overjoyed Ryo-Ohki leaps up into Sasami's arms.
"Yo, Peg-leg, since I got indefinite time chained up in a dungeon for murder how long does Seto get to rot for the attempted murder of my sweet Kai-Kai? Or am I hearing the sounds of a rotten system with a squeal of nepotism?" Ryoko's arms wrap possessively about Kaia as she injects herself into this conversation and takes a shot at Jurai. Harsh glances are sent her way by his family members at that insult which she laughs at.
"Watch your tongue, pirate. Kaia Jhun is within her rights to press charges against Lady Seto, what verdict is received is beyond my power to say or influence."
"Sure, OK, and so if I start pressing charges now against Ayeka for all the crimes I wrote down in her diary she'll get a fair trial too, right?" She devilishly coos to try and get solid evidence that the system that failed her is broken from the horse's mouth.
Kaia quietly tells Ryoko off for misbehaving however Azusa looks at his daughter and queries as to what possible crimes she could be referring to except any surrounding dealing with the Saiyan faction they are legally at war with. Ayeka does not allow Ryoko victory and so calmly explains that she has had issues with anger and broke a window and hit Ryoko. This is all so enthralling to Vegeta who feels that even 1% of his power standing here is an utter waste of his time. He barks out a question to his guests about their plans for staying the night. Sasami is quick to take up her old bed with Ayeka and Misaki is more than willing to replicate the same sleeping arrangement as when she was last here and share with her youngest. A flabbergasted Azusa protests about them voluntarily sleeping within the domain of the Saiyan when his ship Kirito floats above them with bedchambers specifically for them.
No words manage to sway the adamant mother-daughter pair of Misaki and Sasami. Azusa is displeased by their stubbornness and willingness to stay within the house of Vegeta and this choice of theirs forces his hand in a way he does not like. If they are staying in this house then he shall not leave them, to protect them and be close by he shall also have to take the shame of asking hospitality from the proud Saiyan Prince. Vegeta nonchalantly explains that the resident police officers have left a vacant room that he can use. The Emperor of Jurai queries as to its cleanliness and whether the linen has been changed. Vegeta scoffs and tells the Emperor he can do that himself. The Saiyan vanishes back off to train.
Misaki begins to motion over to Washu following the abrupt end to their previous conversation to see what is up and a bored Trunks finds himself at the centre of Azusa's attention. He warns Trunks to not trespass or vandalise his ship again. The youth is blasé and looks across to Misaki and asks if he can go on the large spaceship and she absently nods and agrees. Going off to one side the long time friend of Washu has her confide in her and Washu is willing to talk at this point. The two hug in solace of Washu's decision.
Kaia frowns at a twinge of pain in her skull. Trunks has transformed to Super Saiyan and is not holding back his power like his father does. At this point in time it is bearable for her. The Super Saiyan strolls past the emperor and into the training room with his father, a stern expression from Azusa following him, and Sasami wishes him luck as she takes her place again at her sister's side. Attention from her family members soon falls onto Ayeka's ring of pearl she is wearing. A hiss comes from Ryoko and she teleports away from the scene. Ayeka is quickly becoming self conscious about all eyes on her and her love life and her swelling pride can only sustain her for so long before she suggests they move indoors. She is not blind to her father's emotions surrounding her relationship but shall not address them now, if he has an issue as the Emperor he should have the prerogative to speak for himself.
Inside Ryoko has the television switched on as she floats through the air with a drink in one hand. The screen shows the training room which for now she shall not trespass. Vegeta and Trunks are sparring. However, Vegeta has not transformed and with this massive handicap faces against his blonde haired son and utilises his full arsenal of techniques to stay in the battle and point out flaws in his son's strategies. A sullen pout appears on Misaki's face seeing this intended violence against a child and then tempting whispers from Ryoko speak in her ear for joining her in a drink this evening – this offer is declined much like the previous one was. Roaring and grunting from the battle distracts Azusa as he surveys these potential threats to his grand empire and with a raised eyebrow he asks Kaia to disclose their current emotional state when training. As an informant she fulfils her job whilst respecting the privacy of her victims as best she can. With a bow Kaia simply states that the two are enjoying their time spent together as father and son. Azusa accepts and mostly dismisses this fact as with growing alarm he notices that this sparring match is not as one-sided to the Super Saiyan as he hoped it would be.
Later on with night having fallen most retire to their beds. Misaki can not be happier getting to spend the night with her two cherished daughters. Azusa on the other hand is less than thrilled with the two spare futons left in Kiyone and Mihoshi's room, a room he has to sleep in alone and away from either of his wives. He stays awake and alert for a few hours as he notices the short distance between the room his family is in and Vegeta's room. Ryoko flies past into Trunks' room at one point and he notices a glow from the room for a while and disregards it. Almost having consigned himself to sleep the trudging footsteps of a Saiyan Prince greet him in the dead of night. Azusa frowns at the battered and sweat drenched Saiyan. Vegeta smirks at the Emperor and visits the bathroom before going back downstairs to continue training.