| Finding Hope Chapter 2: Nighttime Visitors |
| Author: Selenity Jade Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: Dragonball Z isn’t mine. Don’t sue. Buruma woke immediately with the feeling that something is very, very wrong. She tensed and attempted to look around slowly, but she found that somehow Vejiita had spooned up behind her and held her tightly. :: Don’t move, :: a voice breathed softly into her mind. She started and opened her mouth and found Vejiita’s hand covering it a moment later. :: I told you, Onna, don’t move! :: the voice snapped. She immediately realized the voice in her head was the Saiyajin no Ouji himself. What the hell is going on? He kept his hand on her mouth, breath tickling her ear. :: Someone is in the room, :: he told her irritably. She blinked in surprise and immediately knew that was what woke her up. She wanted to ask him a question, but she wasn’t telepathic, as he obviously was. How could she-? :: Just think it, baka. :: She nearly growled out loud. :: Who is it? :: she asked softly, deciding to yell at him later. She was, truly told, frightened. :: Zarbon. :: :: What’s he doing? :: :: Watching. :: :: Why don’t you do something!? :: :: I will, :: he told her and she could almost feel his smirk in her mind. She had an incredible urge to bite his hand that covered her mouth, but decided against it. The baka deserved it, but right now was not the time. “What do you want, Zarbon?” Vejiita snapped irritably and Buruma flinched visibly when his voice sounded in the silent room. The man laughed. It sent shivers down her spine. She didn’t know if she’d ever heard such a laugh before and she had an irrational urge to cuddle into Vejiita’s strong embrace, no matter if he was a killer or not. At least she knew she was useful to him. “What’s wrong, Vejiita? Aren’t you happy to see me?” “Not particularly,” the Saiyajin drawled. “That’s too bad, monkey,” the voice said cruelly and Buruma felt Vejiita stiffen, his arms clutching onto her painfully. She couldn’t help the whimper that escaped her and he immediately released her, sitting up to glare at the intruder. She took the chance to sit up beside the fiery warrior and gazed fearfully at the impossibly beautiful man who stood beside the bed, his arms folding and a positively evil smile upon his face. “Furiza would be very interested to know that his little monkey prince had a possession such as her,” the man sneered, openly leering at Buruma’s barely covered form. She wanted to bury herself into the blankets, his admiring gaze sent her skin crawling, but she refused to allow herself such a comfort. Vejiita barked a laugh at the green man. “It is not Furiza’s concern who I bed, Zarbon. I refused to bed those whores he provided me, despite the beatings I got for my disobedience. I am free of his service and I plan to bed whatever I please, be it a human onna or a goddamn animal.” The green man arched an eyebrow at the smaller warrior, looking pointedly at Buruma. “Why would such a beautiful little thing like that want a pathetic monkey like you?” Vejiita waved his hand dismissing the comment. “Why she chooses to be with me is none of your concern, Zarbon. What are you doing in my private rooms?” “Furiza wishes to know why this one woman has captured your attention when not one female has ever earned a passing glance. He ordered me to come and see for myself.” The man shrugged. “I could care less about your bedtime activities, Vejiita. I’d love to take her away from you, though. She is gorgeous. How much is she worth to you?” To Buruma’s shock, Vejiita laughed. “Same old Zarbon. You still think more with your dick than your brain.” Zarbon grinned. “Only when one finds a woman who looks like that,” he said motioning to her. Vejiita smirked and pulled a started Buruma into his lap, nibbling lightly on her ear. “She’s not for sale, Zarbon,” he told the man. “She still pleases me. Besides, I marked her as my mistress already.” “Oh, so you plan to kill her after you tire of her then? That would be a waste,” he drawled, his eyes gleaming at Vejiita’s little act of affection. Buruma did her best not to think about Vejiita ministrations or the creepy feeling Zarbon gave her. She glared at Vejiita as Zarbon’s words finally sunk into her. She opened her mouth to snap at him, only to have Vejiita silence her with his mouth. :: Don’t even think about it. Not now. :: he told her irritably. He let her up for air, and forced her to curl into his muscular chest. “Enough about the Onna, Zarbon. You aren’t getting her. Why do you continue to put up with that lizard? Isn’t it demeaning to have to sneak into bedrooms to leer at their occupants?” The green man shrugged again. “It pays well enough.” Vejiita shook his head. “Are you done now? Do you have enough evidence for Furiza yet?” Zarbon shook his head. “Sorry, Vejiita, but my orders included bring your pet to him.” Vejiita growled at the man. “Don’t even think about it.” “Well, I could be persuaded to tell Furiza that I couldn’t get to her. If you give her to me for tonight.” Vejiita set Buruma aside and rose from the bed. “You dare to demand what is mine?” he hissed. “Do you really want to fight it out here, Vejiita? We’d destroy the palace and your pretty little toy.” “Are you scared that I might have improved enough to beat you?” Vejiita sneered. The green man barked out a laugh. “Hardly, Vejiita. I just don’t want to see the beautiful woman harmed. I’ve taken a liking to her.” Vejiita smirked. “You and everyone else, Zarbon. Take a fucking number.” Vejiita crossed his arms over his bare chest, glancing at Buruma, before turning his gaze back to Zarbon. “I’ll give you two options, Zarbon. One, leave now and report whatever the hell you want to Furiza. Two, die by my hands and report to Furiza from Hell, explaining to him how a monkey kicked your worthless ass.” Zarbon smiled. “Have it your way, Vejiita. But I suggest you watch your back, monkey,” he sneered walking towards the door. “I want that girl and Furiza wants that girl. Who do you think will get to keep her? You?” He laughed as he shut the door behind him. Vejiita turned and looked at the wide-eyed human, a sneer on his lips. “Go to sleep, Onna,” he ordered tiredly, getting in beside her and closing his eyes. “Vejiita?” she asked timidly. “Hn.” “What did he mean by killing me after you tire of me?” He growled irritably and turned to look at her. She is beautiful. Too beautiful. Why does she have to have brains on top of it? She is more trouble than I thought she’d be. Who’d have thought such an exotic beauty would cause so much turmoil? “It’s a Saiyajin trait to mark their mistresses, Onna. However, once marked, it can’t be removed.” He pointed gently at the small character above her breast. “When a Saiyajin tires of his mistress, he kills her. Another Saiyajin would never take a marked female, unless he wants her beyond logic. Then he takes her and uses her, then kills her.” He glanced at her. “It is our tradition to kill those that are no longer useful. If the one that marks you has no interest in you any longer, he kills you. Understand?” “But-” “Onna,” he said, staring into her pained cerulean eyes. “You won’t be killed. Now, sleep.” He lied down and shut his eyes again. “Vejiita?” “Hn.” “What if Zarbon captures me?” “If he does, you’ll be raped by him and possibly by Furiza if he takes you to him. Then you’ll be killed,” he stated bluntly. Buruma’s eyes widened fearfully. “But he won’t.” “How can you be sure?” Vejiita opened his eyes. “I won’t let him. Go. To. Sleep.” She glared at him and curled into a ball. She closed her eyes, but kept seeing Zarbon and a faceless monster named Furiza. She shivered and curled herself tighter, tears leaking from her eyes. She had watched her friends die, one by one, trying to protect her. Watched two of them raped. And now, it might happen to her, too. She didn’t care about dying; she would welcome death. She deserved death. After all, it was her fault that the Saiyajin came to Chikyuu-sei. It was her they were looking for and now, while her friends had suffered terribly before they died, she was treated well. Too well. She felt guilty for that and she just wanted to die. She wouldn’t kill herself; Goku would never forgive her for giving up. But, she didn’t want to be raped before she died. She continued to cry silently into the pillow. She missed her friends and family. She missed her home. Everything here was new and strange and dangerous. She was captured and forced to live as a princess would, and her friends were dead. Dead, defending her against these monsters. And now she was in the same bed as the man who ordered her capture and she was afraid of being taken away from him. That was ironic. She didn’t want to be taken away from him, because at least she knew he wouldn’t hurt her like they would. She didn’t know Vejiita, didn’t know exactly what he was capable of. She could see the darkness in his eyes, the pain. The very same pain that she was sure shown through her eyes now. The pain you have watching unmentionable horrors and surviving when all you wanted to do was die. Or kill those responsible. And damn it all, she was lonely. She was so very alone now. The closest thing to a friend in this strange place was a Saiyajin no Ouji who was so cold to everyone, her included. She sighed silently. She saw things in his eyes tonight. Saw horrors, pain, battle, pride, agony, and the very same loneliness she herself felt. Yet, his heart was cold now. Cold and dark. He had survived too long in such pain that she wasn’t even sure he felt them any longer. She supposed she sympathized with him, but she knew he would be very angry if he knew. He would probably shun her were he to find out she could see so much in his dark eyes. She clenched her eyes shut, trying to ebb the shuddering sobs that shook her body. She didn’t want to wake the Saiyajin next to her. She didn’t want him to see her so weak. She gasped as Vejiita’s arms snaked around her, pulling her back into his chest. He cradled her protectively in his arms, his head above hers. “Stop crying, Onna,” he ordered softly. “Gomen, I didn’t mean to wake you,” she whispered through her tears, trying to pull away from him. “Stop it,” he snapped, crushing her to him. “I won’t let Zarbon or Furiza have you. You are too valuable to me. Stop crying.” “But what happens after I help you win? What happens if you win and I’m not longer needed? I can go home, right? I can go back home, but I can’t bring my friends back. I can’t bring them back now that Piccolo-” she gasped and sat up suddenly. The dragonballs! That big, bald man called Piccolo a Namek. What if-? But I can’t ask Vejiita about it. What if he uses the dragonballs for himself? But isn’t Furiza worse? “What are you thinking, Onna?” he asked quietly, pulling her down within his embrace again. “Hey! You can read my thoughts! You did earlier! Why aren’t you now?” she demanded angrily. She was happy he wasn’t, of course, but she wanted to know about the whole telepathy thing. He was still holding her, too. And her crying had slowed. Maybe he needs the comfort sometimes, too. He snorted and brushed her hair out of his face, folding it under his head. “I don’t read people’s minds unless I have to. It’s dishonorable. I was only reading yours so we could communicate without Zarbon knowing I was awake.” “Oh.” She paused, chewing on her lower lip thoughtfully. “Is that a trait all Saiyajin have?” He nodded. “Yes, some more powerful than others. I’m a very powerful telepath, but I keep my mental shield up at all times, so don’t worry about me reading your thoughts unless I’m communicating with you.” He paused. “You realize you’re also telepathic, don’t you?” She started. “I am?” He snorted. “Yes. Powerful one, actually. You have a mental shield up; it is quite good for an unconscious effort. I had to break through it to speak with you. It wasn’t difficult, but if you had training I wouldn’t have been able to do that.” “Oh.” “What were you thinking about earlier? You were talking and then stopped,” he reminded her. She sighed. “Can I trust you?” she asked timidly. “No.” He laughed. “No one should trust me, baka.” She nearly laughed. He was honest at least, but she knew if she didn’t have his cooperation, she wouldn’t be able to work her new plan. “I’m going to tell you anyway, because I can’t do it without your help. If you’ll give it.” “Help with what?” he asked suspiciously. “I want your word that what I’m about to tell you doesn’t go any further. I want your word that you won’t use what I’m about to tell you for evil.” She waited for him to answer her, his hand absently rubbing her arm. It was surprisingly comfortable to be curled up in his strong arms. It was also very comforting to her fears. “I can’t give you that. But I will give my word, as the Saiyajin no Ouji, that I will not use what you tell me against you, however. Does that suffice?” “I suppose it will have to do. On my planet, there was a man named Piccolo.” “The Namek-jin.” “Yes! Do you know where Namek-sei is?” He frowned. “Yes. But why? Namek-sei is filled with a bunch of peaceful green beings that hold almost no use to Furiza or us. That is why it hasn’t been touched yet.” “Piccolo was one with a being called Kami. He died with Piccolo, taking with him his dragonballs.” She paused and tensed up, hoping she was making the right decision. “I promised you I’d help you with Furiza, and this is why I’m telling you this instead of trying to escape and do this myself. These dragonballs are magical balls that grant wishes. Almost any wish. I would like to see if Namek-sei has a set. If I could get the dragonballs, I could wish back my friends,” she whispered tearfully. “If we find them, you could wish for whatever you need to defeat Furiza. Even wishing for immortality, as most villains wish to do. The dragonballs can’t defeat Furiza for you, but they can help.” When Vejiita didn’t answer right away, she began to worry. She tried to turn to look at him, but his grip tightened, not allowing her to. “Vejiita?” “You place a lot of trust in me by telling me this,” he whispered, his voice strange. “Hai,” she answered. She trembled in his embrace, half frightened by how he’d use this information, half worried he wouldn’t let her wish her friends back. She missed them so much. If she could do that, she wouldn’t feel so bad about helping the man who caused their deaths. She knew she’d much rather have a man with honor, as Vejiita had shown, then the man the creepy Zarbon served. Vejiita squeezed her suddenly, burying his head into her hair. She could feel his heart pounding against her back. He breathed in her hair softly. “You smell good,” he murmured quietly. His arm around her stomach relaxed and drew soft circles through the flimsy fabric of her nightgown. His other arm held her loosely around her chest. Her breath caught as his tender caress sent a surprisingly pleasing shiver up her spine. “You should not have trusted me, Onna,” he whispered. She held her breath. “We will go to Namek-sei. Find out if they have these balls.” “My friends are warriors,” she told him. “Goku might be persuaded to help you defeat Furiza. He’d want to defeat anyone that is evil.” “Goku? You mean the traitor, Kakarotto?” She shrugged. “He was my friend. My best friend. He is very strong. He was taken down by twelve Saiyajin. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been defeated.” “I see.” He was silent a few moments. “If your friends are wished back, will you keep your word to help me?” She nodded. “If those balls exist, you may wish your friends back. Then, I will wish to be immortal. That way, if I can continue to grow strong and defeat Furiza. Right now, being immortal wouldn’t help me much. Furiza is a hundred thousand times stronger than I and I’d be defeated a million times, immortal or not. But, with time, and you, my little genius, I will win.” He squeezed her. “Now sleep.” She sighed and did as she was told, his soft, purring snores in her ear made it easy to drift into a peaceful sleep. For once, free of nightmares. ~~~~~~~~~~ She woke to the sounds of the shower from the bathroom. She stretched and burrowed deeper into the large covers. She was rudely interrupted by a naked Saiyajin no Ouji, who chose that moment to stroll out of the bathroom. She averted her gaze, blushing as he shook himself off, using his ki to dry himself. “Shower and get dressed, Onna,” he ordered moving to get dressed. “Do you always do that?” “Do what?” he asked over his shoulder, pulling on his spandex. “Parade around naked.” He glanced at her and immediately noticed her blush and averted gaze. He laughed. “Get used to it. My people have no sense of modesty, Onna. Besides, why should I be ashamed of my body? It is absolutely gorgeous.” She snorted and got out of bed, moving towards the bathroom. “You obviously think too highly of yourself,” she snapped and slammed the door shut. She stripped off the flimsy gown and stepped into the warm shower, sighing happily as the heat coursed through her. She quickly washed herself and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around her. Entering the bedroom, she found the Saiyajin no Ouji, dressed and waiting in his royal armor, cape included. He openly looked over her scantily clad form before snorting and leaving the room. She rolled her eyes and grabbed an outfit similar to the one she wore the day before and re-entered the bathroom to dress. By the time she was ready to leave, Vejiita’s patience had visibly worn thin. “Are you done yet?” he snapped. “Yes, Vejiita. I’m done,” she sighed. He growled. “Do you have to address me so informally?” “My, aren’t we in a pissy mood,” she remarked flippantly. He snarled at her, causing her to flinch. “What’s wrong with you?” “Onna, leave off!” She frowned as she watched him pace, his face thunderous. She came up behind him and placed a hand lightly on his shoulder. She soon found herself pinned against the wall, hanging by the grip on her throat. She looked up fearfully into Vejiita’s enraged eyes. She gulped as her air was cut off, clawing at his hand. “You’re hurting me, Vejiita,” she gasped out. His eyes suddenly widened and he dropped her neck, looking at his hand. She started coughing and looked up at him, frightened. His hand dropped suddenly and he looked at her, his eyes haunted. “I’m sorry,” he whispered softly and to her complete shock, he dropped to his knees in front of her. She reached out and placed a hand on his arm, pulling back as he flinched violently away from her. “I’m so sorry,” he said again, his voice pained. “It’s okay,” she murmured. She placed a hand on his cheek, ignoring his flinch, making him look at her. “I’m okay, it’s fine.” He turned his head away from her. “No. It’s not okay. You trusted me not to hurt you. You trusted me,” he said. She watched him as he clenched his fists angrily. Her mouth opened as a realization hit her. He’s never been trusted before and he thinks he just betrayed the one person who trusted him. He thinks he betrayed me. She put another hand on his face, forcing him to look at her. “I’m fine, Vejiita. I still trust you.” He snarled and pulled away from her. “Don’t, damn you! Don’t trust me! I don’t deserve it or want it! Don’t fucking trust me! I already betrayed that!” he roared. She shook her head. “No. I’m fine. You didn’t betray my trust. I still trust you, Vejiita.” He stared at her, wide-eyed. “Why?” “Because you’ve never betrayed it. It’s a feeling, Vejiita. I trust you. With my life.” He stared at her for a few moments, his eyes confused and pained. He finally moved his gaze down to her neck, closing them as he saw her purple bruises. He opened them a moment later, reaching out for her, his face startled when she didn’t flinch away from him. He wrapped his hands around her neck gently and closed his eyes. Soon a soft light emitted from his hands and Buruma felt warmth enter her. All too soon, he removed his hands, revealing her flawless throat completely healed. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Take a guard and go to the ship,” he ordered softly, looking at his hands. She reached up and felt her newly healed neck in awe. “I didn’t know you could do that with ki,” she said thoughtfully. He shook his head. “You can’t. It’s a gift very few Saiyajin have. It’s a gift that we look down upon and no one knows I possess it. Please, don’t tell anyone of it,” he requested quietly. “I won’t.” “Go to the ship, Onna.” “What about you?” she asked. “Just go,” he pleaded hoarsely. “Vejiita, not without you. I don’t trust the other Saiyajin and what if that Zarbon came upon me?” He winced and nodded. “Fine.” “Will you tell me what happened to make you so mad?” she asked tentatively. She was still kneeled in front of the fallen Saiyajin and very concerned. “My otousama ordered me to purge a planet. I have to complete that before we can go to Namek-sei,” he told her, his voice dull. “Oh.” She felt horrible watching Vejiita just kneel on the floor watching his hands. She suddenly hugged the man, who stiffened as she embraced him. “Don’t feel bad anymore, Vejiita. I’m okay and I still trust you. Why feel bad?” “What are you-?” “You look like you needed a hug,” she said, smiling as she felt his arms snake around her, pulling her to him. His embrace tightened, moving her into his lap. He buried his head into her hair, allowing her to hold him. A knock sounded at the door and Vejiita looked up, snarling. He stood up, taking Buruma with him, and set her on her feet gently. He walked towards the door and answered it. A few moments later, he came back looking furious. Again. “What is it?” she asked. “Furiza is on his way here,” he told her. He grabbed her arm and led her out of the door, dragging her along with him. “We have to leave. Now!” |