| Chains Chapter 2: Balls and Laps |
| Author: Selenity Jade Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: Not mine! If it were, would I be writing fanfiction? |
| "Buruma?" Radditzu called into the empty room. "In the bedroom, Radditzu!" she hollered back from the back of her chambers. He shrugged and motioned for his guests to wait, walking towards her room. He knocked politely before letting himself in, gasping as he saw her. She grinned impishly. "What do you think?" He gaped at her. She was wearing a very, very daring gown that flowed softly over every curve of her body. The silvery-blue gown showed an almost indecent amount of cleavage by human standards, held up by two thin spaghetti straps. It cascaded down her legs, which showed through the long slits up each side of the dress, falling just short of her feet, adorned with a tiny pair of matching high heel sandals. Her waist-long blue hair was curled beautifully to frame her face enticingly. And atop her head sat a delicate silver tiara. "You look..." She giggled. "I know, gorgeous." "You're father is going to kill you," he warned softly, still entranced by his friend. He always knew she was absolutely stunning, but never had he ever pictured her as anything but his friend. Now, he saw her as a woman. A wonderfully gorgeous woman. "I know," she stated, winking at the still stunned Radditzu. "You can stop staring now. You've seen me all dressed up before." "Yeah, I know, but-" She laughed outright and grabbed his arm. "I added some Saiyajin modifications to my dress, so of course I look different, eh?" He nodded dumbly and led her out of the room, snapped out of his stupor when his two guests gasped at the sight of the Princess. "Buruma, you remember Kakarotto and Chichi." She nodded and smiled. "Welcome, Chichi, Kakarotto. Are you accompanying us to the celebration?" Kakarotto nodded, still gaping at her. Chichi slapped him on the head. "Stop staring, fool!" she snapped. "Sorry," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "You look wonderful, Princess." She grinned. "I know. And call me Buruma, please. You are Radditzu's brother, Kakarotto, and since he is my friend, that makes you one as well. You, too, Chichi." He smiled. "Thanks, Buruma." His mate nodded and smiled warmly. "Shall we? Vejiita isn't exactly looking forward to having to play 'Polite Visiting Royalty' right now and he's bound to be grouchy if we don't get our asses down there!" Radditzu paled. "You're right." He turned to Buruma and offered her his arm. It was then that she noticed what each of the Saiyajin wore and smiled appreciatively. Radditzu was dressed in formal armor, part of it from Earth and a part from his home planet, she assumed. He wore silver armor that her father had had made especially for him with her royal symbol on the chest plate, naming him her guardian and protector. It was thrown over a tight, navy blue spandex suit, a Saiyajin anomaly. His sword, which was used on rare occasions when he didn't want to use ki, hung at his hip, the silver sheath winking at her. Kakarotto was dressed similarly to his brother, except with Saiyajin armor, branded with the mark of his Prince. Chichi was dressed in a spandex suit, also, but over top of it was a thin gown that was split up the sides. Her feet were decorated with a long pair of boots, looking every-bit the warrior woman, except for the protruding belly. "You guys look wonderful," she complimented. Radditzu smiled. "You put us to shame, though," he murmured into her ear. "Yamucha is going to shit his pants." Buruma sighed. "I forgot he was going to be there." Radditzu hugged her shoulders as he led the group out of her chambers, towards the large ballroom. "I'm sorry, but he *is* your fiancé." "Don't remind me." Radditzu laughed heartily and kissed the top of her head. "Don't worry, little one. You're leaving with us, remember?" She growled. "I remember. Damn your Prince! Although, a chance to postpone my wedding is welcome, but to just *order* it of my father like that is unforgivable!" "Does Yamucha know?" She shook her head. "It's to be announced tonight." "Uh oh." "Uh oh is right," she sighed glancing up as they entered the ball. Every eye turned towards her. She held her head up high and walked regally towards her father, when she noticed Radditzu trying his best not to laugh. "What is so funny?" she murmured softly through her smile. "Vejiita-ouji is on the other side of the room." "So?" "He's practically drooling. Never thought I'd see that..." "Why? I am very beautiful, Radditzu." "That you are, Buruma, but Vejiita-sama is not known for his appreciation of the opposite sex. Beautiful woman don't affect him, from what I was told. My brother has been Vejiita's sparring partner for years because of his unusual strength, and Kakarotto told me that Vejiita-sama is very cold. He does not get affected by things normal Saiyajin males do. Like women. I don't think sex is ever on his mind. He's almost like a robot. And here he is, drooling!" She giggled and then smiled at her father, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Father," she greeted softly. The King looked at his beautiful daughter in disapproval at her exposed flesh. "Buruma," he began before the perceptive Princess stopped him. "I know, I know, but this will be my last celebration for awhile," she reminded him. He sighed sadly. "I'm sorry, Buruma, I tried to talk Vejiita no Ouji out of it, but the Saiyajin aren't a race that we can refuse. They can, and would, destroy our planet to capture you." She smiled reassuringly. "I'll be fine, Father," she said, looking over her shoulder as a light tap alerted her to a presence behind her. Her smile never faltered, by sheer strength of will. "Yamucha," she greeted. "Princess Buruma, you look beautiful," he murmured awed and lifted her hand to his lips. "Thank you, Yamucha," she said with an inward sigh. Her first dance would have to go to him, unfortunately, and then hopefully, Radditzu would take her from him as often as he could. She glanced at her friend pleadingly, to find him engrossed in a conversation with his Prince, who glanced at her once. 'Doesn't look like he's drooling...' She caught Radditzu eye and he nodded in understanding, smiling at her mischievously. She nearly stuck her tongue out at him, but when Yamucha asked her for her first dance, she smiled instead and nodded. ~~~ "What was that, Radditzu?" Vejiita demanded. "What, Sire?" he asked nervously. "The little exchange of glances you and the little inventor Princess seem fond of giving each other," he drawled. Radditzu sighed. "It's nothing, Sire. She has to dance the first one with her fiancé. After that, she would like me to cut in as often as I can." "And why would that be? He is to be her mate, correct?" Radditzu nodded. "She doesn't want to marry him, though." Vejiita snorted. "So? The female has no choice in the matter." Radditzu glanced at Vejiita. "Sire, she is a human. Here, the female usually has *some* say in the matter. Her station dictates the union, however much she despises it." Radditzu chuckled. "Besides, Sire, even if the female were to have no choice, Buruma would never put up with it." "She seems to be a defiant one," the Prince commented, watching her twirl around the floor on the arm of the human weakling. "Defiant, yes. Strong-willed? Definitely. Stubborn? Hell yes. But she is what she is," he stated with a shrug. "I wouldn't have her any other way. She's almost Saiyajin-like in temperament." Vejiita looked at the Saiyajin sharply. "How old is she?" Radditzu blinked in confusion. "She's 21 standard years." Vejiita started. "That young?" Radditzu nodded. "Yes." "How long will she live?" Shaking his head sadly, Radditzu watched his friend dance. "About 80 to 90 years, Sire." "Humans have such pathetic life-spans." "You forget, Sire. The oldest Saiyajin was only 200 years." "Yes, but he was still in his prime when he died in battle." The song ended and Radditzu started. "Sire, if you'll excuse me -" "No." "Pardon, Ouji-sama?" Radditzu asked in confusion. "I'll dance with the little female," he stated moving to cut in as the next song started. Radditzu blinked as he watched his Prince walk over to his friend. "Did I miss something?" he muttered to Kakarotto, who had walked up behind him. "I have no idea, brother. If he was any one else, I'd say he was smitten." Radditzu laughed. "From what I have deduced and what you've told me, that is impossible." Kakarotto nodded. "Yes. I thought so too." Chichi giggled from beside the larger Saiyajin. "Well, the impossible has happened," she said with a smirk. "I don't think so," Radditzu said. "I mean, maybe he just wants to get to know his new employee?" Chichi laughed outright. "You keep believing that, Radditzu." Kakarotto cocked his head at his mate. "Do you know something?" She smiled impishly. "Kakarotto, mate, it's a female thing." He frowned. "Huh?" She slapped him upside the head. "He watches her." "So?" "Intensely." "So?" Radditzu put in. She sighed irritably. "Males!" she exclaimed, rolling her eyes. "He's interested in her, but he has that look." "What look?" "The look that says he wants her and despises her for it. The look that says he'll hurt her and hate himself for doing it. Our dear Vejiita no Ouji lusts after the human Princess, and doesn't even realize it. He hates her and doesn't. He wants her as close to him as possible and yet wants her as far away, too. He knows he wants her, yet doesn't. His blood calls out for the hunt and yet his mind is wondering why." "That makes no sense," Kakarotto stated. "Sure it does. Watch them dance. He'll pull her towards him and flirt as only a Saiyajin knows how, and then he'll push her away, perhaps violently. Just watch." ~~~ "Dance with me," an incredibly rude voice ordered at her elbow. She glanced behind her, blinking in surprise when she saw the Saiyajin no Ouji standing there, a scowl on his face. 'The least he could do was be nicer or look more thrilled about it...' "Vejiita no Ouji -" "I suggest you ask nicer," the ever-considerate – and slightly dense – Yamucha told him arrogantly. Vejiita turned his scowl on the man, glaring. "Really?" he sneered. Buruma sighed. "I'd love to dance, Your Highness," she put in quickly. She didn't, after all, wish to see her fiancé, no matter how much she disliked marrying him, hurt. "But, Princess-" "You heard her, human," Vejiita growled, pulling Buruma away from him by the arm. She blinked in shock and started as she found herself lead away, dancing before she realized it. 'He's good,' she thought in amazement. "Tell me," he began gruffly, "do humans always pick such moronic weaklings for their daughters?" She shrugged. "No idea. I'm just a Princess." "That makes you better than they are," he stated. She shook her head. "No, it means I have a bigger responsibility and more headaches than they do." Vejiita snorted and pulled her closer to him, one gloved hand leading her from her lower, almost indecently low, spine. The other hand held her smaller one lightly in his. Buruma's hand had sat semi-comfortably on his shoulder until he moved them closer, forcing her to put an arm around his neck. His eyes bore into hers from his slight advantage in height, a whole couple of millimeters. "I must say, Vejiita, you surprise me. You dance wonderfully," she said, the appreciation evident in her voice. He grunted. "It takes no skill to dance when one is a fighter. It's just another set of movements," he told her gruffly. She cocked her head. "You're a warrior, hm? I suppose I should have thought of that, being a Saiyajin and all, but most princes I know have body guards to fight for them." He snorted. "Most princes you know must be from weakling races." She shrugged, gasping as he pulled her even closer, her body pressed intimately against his. His armor was slightly uncomfortable squashed against her soft flesh, but the heat from his body distracted her from it immediately. The room seemed to become infinitely hotter and she had the incredible urge to run. Far, far away. She glanced up to find his face a mere breath away, noses almost touching. "So, little Princess, how did you become an inventor? After all, most princesses I've seen are flighty little air-heads who have problems deciding which outfit to wear." She shrugged. "My father used to invent in his spare time and he taught me while I was very young. I loved it immediately and found that I seem to have a natural gift. I can invent, fix, or replicate anything," she replied absently. He arched an eyebrow and leaned down to whisper in her ear, his breath teasing her lightly, and sending shivers down her back. "Anything?" She nodded weakly. "You've already invented a gravity room, which I intend to use, but could you, perhaps, invent a device for a ship?" "Of course," she whispered. "A sort of invisibility device?" "Already did that..." He started and pulled back to look at her sharply. "You did?" She nodded in relief that he was not near her ear anymore. 'Gods, who knew ears could be so sensitive...' He chuckled deeply. "I am happy to have found you, Onna," he stated. Jumping, Buruma looked at him in surprise. "Don't your people hate technology and prefer to fight all out?" He nodded, scowling. "Of course. But, Furiza relies on his technology to protect him as well as his strength. In order to defeat him, we must war with him and his armies. Only then will we get a chance at the monstrous lizard." "I see," she murmured. She glanced over her partner's shoulder, nearly grinning at seeing her fiancé glaring jealously at the two of them. She giggled. "What is so amusing?" he demanded gruffly. "It seems, Vejiita, you have made an enemy of my fiancé." Vejiita shrugged indifferently. "I'm not worried. He's a moron. And what's worse, he's a weak moron." She began to wonder when the song would end, listening carefully for the music. She started when she realized they had been dancing through three songs. She glanced around, hoping to catch Radditzu's eye, as Yamucha seems to be a little scared of her dance partner, nearly growling out loud when she found him. Grinning from ear to ear at her, shaking his head at her pleading looks. She then caught a quick peek at her father, who was watching them thoughtfully. 'Uh oh. He better not even think about it...' "Your father seems very interested in us, Onna," he told her amusedly. She growled. Smirking, he leaned closer to her ear. "You sound positively Saiyajin when you do that. What is your father thinking?" "He wouldn't dare." "I wonder..." "Don't even say it," she warned. He laughed. "Don't worry, Onna. I wouldn't let myself mate for political purposes, especially with an alien female. I am not going to survive this war. My line will die with me." She blinked. "Huh?" "I will die defeating Furiza." "What if you defeat him and survive? Or what if he kills you and wins?" "I won't fight him until I can win. And I won't survive." "So, you're going to give up." He growled, pulling her to him roughly. "Giving up is for cowards and I am not a coward, Onna. What point to survive after I avenge my planet? There aren't enough of us left, not enough females, our race will die out. I will not live to see that." She struggled to pull away from him without attracting notice. "Vejiita, you're hurting me," she gasped out near his ear. He loosened his hold considerably, rubbing her lower back in apology. "Why not marry outside your race?" "Some may, but I will not." "Why? Don't you want a son to carry your name?" "Why? I have no planet, no people. Why have a son to carry my line and my name when he can rule nothing?" She sighed. "I am sorry about your planet," she murmured. He growled angrily, but didn't react with his body, thankfully. "I don't need pity." "I don't pity you, Vejiita. I sympathize. If it were my planet and my home, it would destroy me." "Then you are weak." She shook her head. "No. I am strong because I have something to be strong for, Vejiita." "Stupid human females," he snarled under his breath. "What's wrong with alien females, anyway?" "Everything. They are weak. Weak, pathetic. No alien female can attract a worthy Saiyajin. Any who do mate an alien aren't fit to be a Saiyajin." "You are seriously prejudiced, Vejiita," she scolded. "Did I give you permission to use my name, Onna?" he demanded. She smirked. "No, but I think it's only fair. You won't use my name nor my title, so why should I follow protocol if you won't?" He grunted in annoyance. "I apologize for interrupting you two," Radditzu butted in with a grin. Buruma pulled away from the Saiyajin no Ouji. "No need, Radditzu," she said, relieved. "What is it, Radditzu?" Vejiita demanded, putting a good two feet between the Princess and himself. "The King would like to speak to his daughter before he retires," Radditzu said, bowing politely at his friend. "Thank you, my friend," Buruma murmured. She turned to Vejiita and smiled. "Thank you for the dance, Vejiita." Turing back to her friend, she mock glared at him. "Rad-chan, I would appreciate it if you'd stop grinning at me like that." "Sorry, Bur-chan, but I find it humorous." "You would, traitor," she growled. She took his arm and he led her away from Vejiita, who watched the two friends banter back and forth, a deep scowl on his face. ~~~ "So..." "So...?" Sigh. "So, how was dancing with Vejiita-sama?" A giggle. "Radditzu, you're just like a woman sometimes..." "Hey! I am not feminine, Buruma! I'm a Saiyajin warrior, there isn't anything more masculine than that," he stated. Buruma laughed and curled herself into his lap. "I know, I know. I was just teasing, Rad-chan." He glowered. "Funny, Buruma." "Well, my father tried to test the waters with me and proposed, in a round about way, marriage to the hot-head." Radditzu blinked, wrapping his arms around her. "What?" "He saw Vejiita and I dancing, thought it would be a good political move if the Saiyajin and Earth were to have a marriage alliance. I diffused that situation fast. Yamucha isn't that wonderful, but I'd kill myself before marrying that egotistical idiot." Radditzu laughed. "He isn't *that* bad, Buruma." "No. He's worse. I was being nice." Rolling his eyes, Radditzu shifted her a little more comfortably in his lap. "What is up with you and my lap, anyway? You've done it since we were kids, yes, but you're twenty-one now! And yet every so often, you come to my rooms in your nightgown, like tonight, and curl up in my lap to talk." She snorted. "So?" After a hesitation, a soft sigh escaped her. "I don't know why I do it, Rad-chan. You aren't a very cuddly person usually, I know, but it makes me feel...safe. And wanted." "I'm sure Yamucha would love to have you in his lap," he teased. Another snort. "I don't care." "Besides, why do you need to feel safe? Or wanted for that matter. You've always been wanted." She sighed. "I don't know, Rad-chan. I can't explain it. All my life I have this... emptiness, I guess. I've felt alone and unhappy and unsafe for as long as I can remember. It lessens when I'm in your lap, especially the unsafe part." He blinked. "Truly? The whole alone, unhappy, and unsafe feeling I mean. Not the lessening in my lap thing." She nodded, closing her eyes, burying deeper into his embrace. "I see. Well, my lap is always at your disposal." She giggled sleepily. "Thanks, Rad-chan," she whispered softly. "Buruma?" "Hm?" "Are you ready to leave tomorrow?" "As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose," she muttered softly. She sighed. "Can I fall asleep right here? Please?" He nodded and kissed her head softly as she drifted off. "Anytime, little one," he murmured. He was suddenly startled by a knock on his chamber doors. He sighed. "Come!" he called out as loud as he dared, hoping that Buruma wouldn't wake. She didn't. "Radditzu, I have need -" Vejiita began, cutting off as he glanced at his warrior and the Earth Princess curled in his lap. "What in the hell?" "Sorry, Sire. I'd stand but, well, she's asleep and I don't want to wake her." "First, not wanting to wake her is more important than showing your Prince the respect due to his rank?" He sighed. "No, Sire. Of course not, but she's exhausted and I think something is bothering her and I just would prefer if I didn't wake her right now. Besides, do you really want her awake? With her temper?" "Feh, fine! Secondly, what in the fuck is she doing on your lap? Doesn't she have a soon-to-be mate?" Radditzu nodded. "Of course, Vejiita-sama." "Then why?" Radditzu looked away. "I'd rather not answer, Sire." "Answer anyway." "I didn't know myself why she likes it in my lap until tonight." "The reason, soldier?" He looked at Vejiita. "She feels safe." "Why? She may be nothing more than a weakling, damn it, but she's surrounded by guards, not to mention you, and it seems Kakarotto and his worthless mate have taken a liking to her as well. Why wouldn't she feel safe?" "Please, Sire, I don't-" "Answer." He sighed. "She feels it. She feels unsafe and alone. So she sits in my lap because it helps, she said." "You aren't bedding the Onna, are you, Radditzu?" Radditzu gaped. "No! First, she is way above my station. I'm her protector and her best friend. Second, she's untouched, Sire. Third, she's human and I already know how you feel about alien mates." "Untouched? At her age?" "She's human, Sire. They aren't supposed to until they are married or they are in love." "Love?" he sneered with distaste. "Yes, Sire. She has neither at the moment, so she's untouched. Earthlings do not have their virginity taken away from them when they turn 16." Vejiita snorted. "They should. It takes away the mess and tears at the time of mating. Besides, how would one know how to do take someone's innocence without the proper training?" "Um, I don't know, Ouji-sama. I haven't had either. I was raised here, remember? I haven't had mine taken as I was suppose to and haven't mated yet, either." Vejiita blinked. "How did you survive your first rut then?" "Locked myself in my room for two weeks. Stayed very, very far away from Buruma and all females." Vejiita shuddered. "Enough. Take her to her room, I would like to speak with you." Radditzu squirmed. "I'd rather not, Sire. She wants to sleep here." Vejiita growled. "Fine. You were programmed, correct?" "Yes," Radditzu said with a nod. "Good, I don't have time to tutor you in Saiyajin culture. We leave here and head to Amudeku. We're picking up technical supplies there for the Princess. You will be assigned as her guard, understood? That means, Radditzu, you will sacrifice your life for hers if need be. Even if she's nothing more than a human, I need her inventions. They are more important." Radditzu nodded. "I understand. I protect her willingly anyway." "Even laying down your life?" "There was a time I thought about nothing but her safety when she was in danger." Vejiita blinked. "Example?" "Please, Sire. Buruma doesn't remember it, I'd really rather not." "Answer." "Sire, I must refuse." "Soldier, as your Prince and commanding officer, I command you to answer me." Radditzu flinched. "She doesn't remember it! I am the only one who knows and she would rather die than have it revealed, if she were to remember." "Radditzu, do I have to kill you for refusing me? Who would protect the pathetic Princess then?" Radditzu sighed. "If I may have your word, it goes no further. No one must ever hear of this. Not even her." Vejiita glowered at his subject. "Fine. My word that I will never speak of this to anyone but you." Radditzu nodded. "Four years ago, she was attacked and nearly raped, Sire. I heard her scream, Saiyajin hearing, and came running. I saved her from being actually raped, but the damaged had been caused. She was hysterical and incoherent and the blood, gods, the blood was everywhere. She passed out, mercifully, and when she awoke, she couldn't remember how she gotten so hurt or what happened. I killed the man, of course, and no one knew what happened other than she survived an assassination attempt. That's what I told her and her father." Vejiita looked down at the girl within his fellow Saiyajin's arms, an unreadable expression on his face. "How close to being raped?" He gulped and looked away. "He violated her with his fingers and had undone his pants. When I got to him, he was a half-inch from entering her completely. Essentially, I caught him with his ass in the air, Sire." Vejiita was silent for a few moments and turned to leave. "You're her protector by my order, now. She is to be kept safe at all costs, understand?" "Yes," Radditzu agreed in confusion. 'Safe? He switched from alive to safe.' "Good. Carry her to the ship now, Radditzu, careful not to wake her. Bring whatever she packed. Her rooms will be right next to mine and yours are on the other side of hers." "But-" "That's an order, Radditzu," he snapped and left. Radditzu stared after his Prince for a few moments. "It seems, little one, you've affected our Prince more than anyone, even Chichi, realized," he murmured softly to her sleeping body. He rose, careful of his burden, breathing a sigh of relief when she stayed asleep. "I wonder, my friend, how long it will be before he realizes it." He sighed and shook his head, padding softly out of the room. She wasn't going to be happy about being aboard the ship. She was going to like it even less that her rooms were next to Vejiita's. "Why me?" he murmured to the air, grateful that the Prince wasn't waiting for him at the entrance to the ship. He stared at it in awe, before he snapped his mouth shut, and strolled though the large, gaping door. |