| Chains Chapter 3: Confusing Behavior |
| Author: Selenity Jade Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: So don’t own. I’m not good enough for that! :P I write for fun, not for money. |
| Buruma stretched happily as she woke, slowly opening her eyes to look around. She first noticed that she was alone and in bed. But it was not her bed. She shot out of the soft bed hurriedly, looking around wildly for some clue as to where she was. She glanced down to find herself in her warm, comfy, and, of course, stylish pajamas. She sighed in relief and tiptoed out of the bedroom, only to find a large sitting room. She quietly walked through it, gasping in surprise and relief when she saw Radditzu asleep on the large couch. She glowered at him, grabbed the nearest pillow, which was black, and swung it at him as hard as she could. He started up violently, looking around wildly for danger. His eyes widened when he saw her and he relaxed. She threw another pillow at him. "Buruma! What's that for?" "You jackass! Where are we?" she demanded. "I was sleeping in your quarters, Radditzu. Now I am here. And I know this isn't in my father's palace. Where are we?" He looked down, backing away slowly. "Now, Buruma, don't get angry, okay?" She glowered at him. "Don't get angry! Damn it, Radditzu! Where are we?" she screamed angrily. He mumbled something she couldn't understand. "Say it so I can hear you, idiot," she hissed. "We're on Vejiita-sama's ship," he muttered just loud enough for her to hear. "What?!" she exploded angrily. "Fuck!" "Buruma! You're a princess-" "Fuck being a princess, Radditzu! You took me away from my home! While I was sleeping!" "Now, Buruma," he began before he let a quick 'eep' escape and he ran for dear life. He quickly darted into the bathroom, slamming the door in her face, and locked it. "Goddamn it, Radditzu, I'm going to kill you! You hear me!" she screamed to the bathroom door. She pounded on it, unaware of the person coming up behind her. "Radditzu, you monster, open this fucking door and face me like a man! Coward!" "Buruma, that isn't nice," she heard through the door. "You're freaking scary when you're angry, you know." "I don't care! Why the hell are we on that jackass's ship, Radditzu!?" "Because I ordered it," an amused voice stated behind her. She swung around to come face to face with the arrogant Saiyajin no Ouji she had the dubious pleasure of meeting the day before. She glared at him. "What is the meaning of this, Vejiita?" she hissed. He looked down at her haughtily. "I wanted to leave early. I had Radditzu bring you on board." He shrugged. "Get over it." She snarled and swung at the egotistical Saiyajin. Vejiita caught her dainty wrist easily, smirking into her snapping blue eyes. "Onna, you'll have to do better than that," he said chuckling. She lashed out with a foot, connecting with his shin, causing him no pain of course, but Buruma whimpered and collapsed onto the floor, clutching her foot. Vejiita knelt in front of her and stared at her, his face expressionless. "Onna, don't do that. You'll break your foot." She glared at him, her eyes burning into his. "What the hell are you made of? Steel?" She rubbed her foot. "At least when I kick Radditzu, he can feel it!" He chuckled softly. "Is your foot broken?" She frowned and moved it experimentally, then shook her head. "No, it just hurts like hell." Radditzu then decided to cautiously venture out of the bathroom. He cracked the door open, and then emerged quickly. "Buruma? What happened?" he demanded worriedly, gazing at the kneeling Prince and his friend who still sat on the floor. She shook her head. "Nothing important, Radditzu. I'm just a moron sometimes." He blinked. "Are you hurt?" he asked her softly. "Did Vejiita-sama-?" She grinned. "He's an asshole as usual, but it was my own damn fault, Radditzu. No need to worry, okay?" He frowned and glanced at his Prince suspiciously, but shrugged. "Fine, Buruma." He paused and stepped away from her before speaking again. "Look, I'm sorry about not waking you or something, but-" She put up a hand to stop him. "Don't worry about it, Radditzu. As the jackass," Vejiita growled at that, "said, it's over with. I'm still a little ticked, but what's done is done." She smiled warmly at her friend. "Want to help me up?" He smiled and walked over, taking her hands in his large ones, and pulled her to her feet. She stepped experimentally on her foot, grimacing a bit. "Thanks, Radditzu," she said softly and turned to the smaller Saiyajin who was giving Radditzu a dark look. "Why didn't you just wake me?" He smirked. "I didn't want to hear you bitch and whine about it." Shrugging, he turned to walk towards the door. "Have Radditzu take you to the Science Wing after you eat and get cleaned up." He looked at Radditzu over his shoulder. "And stay there with her, understand?" Radditzu nodded. "Yes, Sire." "Good." Vejiita opened the door and paused thoughtfully before stepping out of it. "Oh, and Onna? You'll be having dinner with me tonight; I have some things I wish to discuss. Radditzu, you and your brother will join us." "What about Chichi?" Vejiita rolled his eyes. "Fine, bring Kakarotto's mate as well," he growled before disappearing. Radditzu smothered a grin and turned to his friend. "Get dressed, and then we'll eat." She stared at the door thoughtfully. "Radditzu?" "Yes?" "What the hell is his problem?" The large warrior shrugged. "He's always like that, I've been told. He thinks females are worthless except as broad mares, according to Kakarotto. But," he said softly, "I don't think he'll be thinking that for long." "What do you mean?" "Nothing, Buruma. Get dressed." ~~~ Buruma stepped into the large dining area, looking around her in grudging approval. It was simple, yet elegant, a large table set in the middle of the large room, eight big chairs sitting around it. Must be Vejiita's private dining room, she decided. She followed Radditzu over to the table, smiling as he pulled out a chair for her. She sat down gracefully and turned to look at him. "Where's His Royal-Pain-in-the-Ass?" she asked mischievously. He grimaced. "Buruma, don't be so difficult. He probably heard you and I don't want to get in the middle of one of your fights again." She glared at him. "I never asked you to, Radditzu, so butt out." "Buruma, I really don't want him to kill you, you know." She scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. He needs my inventions, baka." "Maybe, but I doubt he'd be thinking that when he's pissed off at you. His temper is famous as is his impatience." She sighed and rolled her eyes, but before she could comment the door opened to reveal Kakarotto and Chichi. She smiled warmly. "Chichi, Kakarotto, nice to see you guys again," she greeted, happy to have an interruption from the discussion with Radditzu. Kakarotto smiled widely as did his very pregnant mate and both took chair opposite of her. "Princess Buruma, you look beautiful," Kakarotto complimented. Buruma blushed. Despite knowing that she was gorgeous, she didn't receive compliments often from strangers. Radditzu did on occasion, her father sometimes, but others never did. She wasn't wearing much beside a long blue gown that she thought showed off her curves nicely without showing too much skin. It wasn't uncomfortable and that was why she picked it. "Thanks, Kakarotto, and I thought I told you to call me Buruma," she reminded him. He grinned. "Sorry, Buruma, not used to calling royalty by name." She shook her head. "I don't like my friends calling me by my title. It's just wrong. Are all Saiyajin like that? It took me years to get Radditzu to drop the 'Princess' and 'Your Highness' crap." Chichi smiled and nodded. "We are a very formal group, usually. The lower classes anyway. Royalty refuses to use titles more often then not." Buruma rolled her eyes. "That explains why grumpy likes to call me 'Onna'." Chichi coughed suddenly and Kakarotto turned to his mate worriedly. "Chi? Are you okay?" She waved him away as she got herself under control. "I'm fine, Kakarotto," she told him quietly and turned to Buruma. "How are your rooms?" Buruma frowned thoughtfully. "They're perfect, I only wish I would have been told we were leaving. I forgot to pack some things and they weren't in my capsule case that Radditzu brought." "Well, if you need anything, feel free to ask Kakarotto or I. Between us I'm sure we can find what you need." Buruma smiled. "Thanks, Chichi." "Anytime." The Saiyajin female paused and leaned towards her. "Buruma, I just thought I'd extend an invitation to dinner tomorrow night at our rooms, if you aren't busy. Being the only non-Saiyajin on the ship will be a bit difficult, I'd imagine, and I'd like to be friends. As we're going to be spending a lot of time together, with you being so close to Kakarotto's brother. We Saiyajin are a rough lot, and I'd be the first to admit Kakarotto and I are very different then your average Saiyajin." Buruma blinked before grinning. "Thank you, I'd like that. Very much so, in fact." "No prob-" "Enough," a voice demanded. Buruma turned to find Vejiita entering the room, a scowl on his face. "Sit, Radditzu," he barked and walked over to sit beside Buruma at the head of the table, while Radditzu sat beside her on her left. As soon as he took his place, a servant rolled a cart in and began serving their dinner. Buruma had no idea what it was, but it looked halfway appetizing. Lots of different meats, she noticed. Soon after, the group set into their meal with a single-mindedness Buruma almost envied. It seemed that Radditzu's eating habits were not unusual to them. Soon after, the Saiyajin had finished, Buruma absently noticed how much cleaner Vejiita was at eating than the other Saiyajin. She was the last to finish. She noticed Vejiita's amused gaze at her delicate eating habits, but he didn't comment. 'Thank Kami.' He glanced at Kakarotto, who nodded slightly. Vejiita then stood up and paced beside the table. "Onna, you know you are here to help us defeat Furiza's army. I expect a lot out of you, and we will discuss later what I want from you. What I wished to speak to you about does not leave this room, understood?" She nodded, intrigued at his behavior. If she didn't know better, she'd think he was worried or nervous about something. "I know we have spies aboard my ship. It disgusts me to know this, as you are the only non-Saiyajin aboard, and that means some of us are working for that lizard. Because of this, I need to lay down some... rules. One, I don't want you going anywhere unaccompanied. You will be with Kakarotto, Radditzu, or myself at all times when you are not in your rooms, this includes the Science Wing and any of the restrooms we have around this ship. Kakarotto and Radditzu, while low-class soldiers, are unusually strong. Kakarotto, remind me to have a chat with your father about that some day," he told the spiky-haired Saiyajin absently. "Your quarters are connected to mine by a door in the sitting room. That door is to remain unlocked at all times, in case of an emergency. I don't want to have to blast through the door. It'd be a pain to fix anytime soon. We have a communicator in the sitting room, which we share, unfortunately. If you need to go somewhere, call one of them. If, however unlikely it may be, they are unavailable to escort you, you can contact me with that if I'm not in my rooms. And only if you absolutely must be somewhere, Onna. I'm not a damn bodyguard and I don't want to leave an important strategy meeting so you can take a stroll. Understood?" At her reluctant nod, he continued. "You will work sometimes in the Science Wing with Bardock, Kakarotto and Radditzu's father. He's strong, but also very intelligent." He then looked pointedly at Kakarotto and Radditzu. "You two know the punishment for failing to protect her," he warned. They both nodded. "Good." He watched Buruma for a moment. "You are not to eat in the common dining area, too chaotic. Also, you are not to associate with any of the males onboard. Radditzu, Kakarotto, warn them off her should they take an interest. Radditzu, how strong of a telepath are you?" Radditzu sighed. "Not very and if you're thinking what I think you are, no, I can't speak with Buruma telepathically. She's too strong." "Explain." "She values the privacy of her mind... it's hard to break through her wall. We've only done it once and that was with her permission." "I see. Kakarotto is useless in that area as well. How about your mate, Kakarotto?" Chichi rolled her eyes slightly. "I'm moderate. If I'm close enough, I think I could speak with her, yes." "How close?" "Two hundred feet, maybe a bit more." "How about receiving a message from a non-telepath." "Thirty feet, or thereabouts." "Fuck," he cursed. "Fine. Onna, if you, for some stupid reason, find that you are alone and in danger, I want to you think, loudly, my name, understood?" Kakarotto and Chichi started in surprise, but they went unnoticed by the other people in the room. They glanced at each other before turning back to their Prince. "Later tonight, I'm going to... get a sense of your mind so that I can pick up distress, if need be, understand?" She nodded. "Good. Radditzu, escort her to her rooms. I'm going to train. Kakarotto, join me in an hour. Onna, I still need to talk to you after I train. Don't fall asleep, because I will wake you." He then turned on his heels and walked quietly towards the door. Just before he reached it, he turned and looked back at the group. "I don't need to remind you how important it is that she stays safe, correct?" They all nodded, save Buruma who stared at the Saiyajin no Ouji with an odd look on her face. He smirked and left the silent room. Chichi was the first to recover and coughed politely. "How about we see her to her rooms before you train with him, Kakarotto?" The Saiyajin nodded thoughtfully, getting up with the others. They all walked her to her rooms, each lost in their thoughts. Buruma blinked in surprise when she saw they had arrived and the Saiyajin were standing in the sitting room, each staring at her. "What?" Chichi shook her head and turned to her mate and his brother. "I'd like to talk to her alone, if you guys don't mind." Kakarotto nodded and nipped his mate's nose tenderly. "See you tonight, Chi," he said softly and left the room, Radditzu following shortly afterwards. Chichi turned to Buruma and sighed. Buruma cocked her head at the Saiyajin curiously. "What did you wish to speak to me about, Chichi?" She coughed in embarrassment, before motioning to the couches. They both sat down and Chichi cleared her throat. "I'd like you to listen to me for a moment before you say anything, okay?" Buruma nodded. "I'd like to explain some things about Vejiita-sama. He's not usually described as a nice or a compassionate man. He isn't either one of those things. He's cruel, ruthless, arrogant, proud, cold, and very dangerous. He can kill without remorse and doesn't hesitate to do so. But," she began softly. "He's a Saiyajin. That is what most Saiyajin strive to be. He is the perfect Saiyajin warrior and all of us are proud of our Prince. He's nothing like his father was, and for that we are very grateful. Vejiita-sama has honor. That is something so few of the royal family possessed and Kakarotto and most warriors on this ship would die for him because of his honor. He can and does kill, but his word is kept at all times. He doesn't kill for pleasure, even if he derives pleasure from it. He once served under Furiza and no one knows what that was like for him. Furiza is a monster. He has no honor. He kills because he can. He destroys because he loves it. Vejiita-sama hates Furiza with a passion that consumes him. I don't know what Furiza has done to our Prince, but his hatred for Furiza surpasses anything I've seen. It is more than the destruction of our planet and race. It is more than the murder of his father. Whatever it is, I doubt we will ever know." Chichi paused and looked at the clearly confused female in front of her. "I don't think he ever thought about anything but defeating Furiza. Killing him has dominated Vejiita-sama's thoughts for years; it is almost an obsession. I know you're curious to know why I'm telling you this." Buruma nodded and Chichi chuckled. "Kakarotto is the closest person to him, and they are strangers. They spar. Kakarotto is the only person that Vejiita spars with, despite my mate's lower class. I've been around the Prince since I mated Kakarotto years ago, but even I've never seen Vejiita-sama ever look at another person. Actually see another person." Chichi smiled. "He sees you." "Chichi, I doubt-" "No, let me finish. He *sees* you, Buruma. He looks at you and sees a person. Another living, breathing, feeling person. Do you know that I've never once seen Vejiita-sama dance before that ball of yours? I knew he could, because all royalty are trained to, but he has always refused to. Remember your comment on how he always calls you 'Onna'?" She nodded. "You coughed. Why?" "I could have sworn he didn't even know the difference between women and men before, Buruma. He calls Kakarotto and Radditzu by name or uses a derogatory comment. He calls me 'Kakarotto's mate' and even refuses to speak directly to me. He addresses everyone like that. By calling you 'Onna' shows that he *sees* you as a woman. It's a damn miracle if you ask me. Now, when he told you to call him telepathically, both Kakarotto and I were completely shocked. He won't speak to anyone mind to mind. Anyone. Not to save his own life. I doubt he'd do it even if it were vital to his revenge against Furiza. He won't. I don't care if he needs you for his defeat on Furiza, he would *not* speak mind to mind with you. And yet he is willing to do just that. He'll have to attune his mind to yours because you have no telepathic abilities to speak of and he'll do that tonight." "But he was so reluctant-" "Yes, he was. Telepathic communication can sometimes let the other person read thoughts and emotions that were not meant to be read if one is not in perfect concentration when sending them. He was reluctant but did say he was going to do it. That is almost beyond belief to us." She looked at Buruma pointedly. "He picks fights with you. That's also unusual. If I didn't know better, I'd say he *liked* arguing with you. He hates everyone, Buruma. He doesn't speak to them unless he has to." She sighed. "I don't know what's going on in his head, and frankly, I'd be scared to know. But I do know this. He *sees* you. I want you to know because I don't want you to take his insults wrongly. He doesn't argue with anyone. He'd blast them, period. He likes to argue with you and I expect he'll keep doing it. Hell, I'm sure he doesn't even mean half of what he says. He's a very complicated man and I know he's difficult. I just don't want you hurt because he does something hurtful. I'm pretty sure he likes you in his own way and I'm pretty damn sure he doesn't like liking you. He may become worse or better, I don't know. I just wanted to warn you before tonight and he attunes his mind to you. He's not going to like it and I think he may be a bit harsh on you. Argue with him, by all means, but don't be hurt. Okay?" Buruma blinked. "Don't worry, Chichi. I don't think he can hurt me. My feelings aren't easily hurt. He could kill me, beat me, anger me, but I doubt he could ever hurt my feelings." Chichi gave her an odd look. "I think you're wrong, Buruma. I've seen how you look at him, too, you know," she said softly and rose. "I must get back. I'll have Kakarotto come get you for dinner tomorrow. That way you won't be without protection." She walked towards the door, but stopped before reaching it. She turned back to Buruma. "I want to say something that is very inappropriate, but I need to say it anyway. I like you, Buruma. Kakarotto likes you. And I know Radditzu adores you like a sister. I think I'd be correct in saying all of us would agree on one thing: Vejiita-sama needs someone, Buruma. And I think that someone is you." Then she was gone. Buruma stared at the door open-mouthed for a few moments, before snapping it shut. "They are all insane," she whispered softly. |