| Honor, Pride, and Duty Chapter 1: Buruma meets Vejiita |
| Author: Selenity Jade Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: Do I look like Toriyama-sama? No? Then I don’t own DBZ, do I? |
| Buruma stared at the large tower in awe. She couldn't even see the top of it. She stood silently for a long moment, just looking up at the impossibly tall tower, her mind attempting to work through the one question she couldn't answer: how the hell did they do that? She sighed and dug into her dark blue pack, giving a small 'ah' of discovery when she found what she was looking for. She pulled the white box out, opening it to reveal capsules of all shapes and sizes. She grabbed the appropriate one, pressed the button, and threw it away from her. After a small explosion, a little air car sat on the ground where the capsule had been thrown. She smiled happily and got inside the car, strapping herself in. She turned the key, starting the vehicle, and directed the car to fly towards the top of the tower. She spotted the top after a few minutes. She circled the round tower top, sighing when she realized there wasn't a place to land. "Looks like they don't have visitors often," she muttered to herself, setting the controls to hover. She opened the large door, and gazed out at the tower. She gulped. "I must be insane." She moved the steel grappling arm she had equipped the air car with a few months ago, and secured it on the sturdy railing. She extended the ramp, smiling when it made the satisfying click against the tiles. She double checked her pack and walked softly across the ramp a little nervously. She breathed a sigh of relief when she reached the other side. She glanced around curiously. "Hello?" she called out. "Korin-san?" "What are you doing, girl?" a gruff voice rudely demanded from behind her. She swung around to face the voice, blinking when she spotted a short, heavyset man. He wore some kind of sword at his side and held a large chicken leg in his hand. She grimaced. "I'm looking for Korin-san," she told him politely. "He does live here, correct?" The bushy haired man grunted. "Yeah, so?" he demanded, stuffing the chicken leg into his open mouth. Buruma ground her teeth in irritation, but forced a smile on her face. "I would like to speak to him, please." The man belched. "You're breaking the rules. In order to see Korin, you're supposed to pass the test first." "Listen, I'm here now and I would like to speak to him. I just need to ask him a question or two." He burped again and turned away from her. "I don't care what you need. I'll ask Korin if he'll see you, girl. I doubt he will though." "My name is not girl," she snapped. He laughed. "I don't care what your name is either, girl." "Stop calling me girl! Call me Buruma, which is my name. Buruma Briefs." The little fat man's laughter echoed loudly in her ears. She glowered at the space he once occupied, repressing the urge to stomp her foot. She paced silently as she waited for him to return with Korin. The little man was going to get an earful, she decided. He had no right to be so rude to her. She was trying to be polite and he belched! How could anyone be so... disgusting? She turned at the sound of approaching footsteps. She saw the same fat man from earlier and a large white cat, who was using a large wooden cane. "I am Korin, young one," the white cat stated. Buruma blinked. "You are the legendary Korin?" The cat chuckled and nodded. "Yes, I am Korin. It's unusual for me to meet with someone when they haven't passed the test. But I know why you have come and who you are, Buruma Briefs. President and Inventor of Capsule Corporation." Buruma sighed but nodded. "Yes," she confirmed bitterly. "I had hoped that I wouldn't have to reveal that. I'm on a sort of vacation, going on an adventure that I postponed years ago." The white feline nodded. "You see, Buruma-san, your status as President of Capsule Corporation has nothing to do with this privilege." She smiled thankfully, but still sported the slightly confused look. "Then why did you meet with me since I did not pass the test? I didn't even know there was a test." "Two reasons actually. Your reason for coming is one. The other is I owe your father a favor. He saved my life many years ago with one of his inventions. He and his family are always welcome here. Now, ask your questions." 'My father? He didn't tell me anything...' She bowed politely at the feline. "I have come in search of the legendary dragonballs. I don't even know if they exist or not, but I've done some research and they say that the Earth's Guardian created them and is believed to live above your tower. I'm searching out the Guardian to see if I can find out the energy signature of those balls and create a locator for them." Korin chuckled. "Yes, the dragonballs exist. They are real and they grant the one who brings all seven together a single wish. Kami, the guardian of Earth, created them. You truly are your father's daughter, Buruma-san. Planning to invent a locator is ingenious. That would be quite the accomplishment. However, there are some problems. Kami does not receive visitors unless it is a special case and if he does not allow you to, you won't see his lookout. But I can help you." "Really?" she asked excitedly. The cat nodded. "I have a Dragonball here and I can give it to you. You can make that locator with it. But I wish a favor in return, if you don't mind." She nodded. "Anything in my power." "There is an old martial arts master on an island in the south. He is called Kame-sennin. He has a Dragonball as well, but I'd like you to aid him in one of his problems." "Problems?" "Yes, he's searching for his former pupil's grandson. Unfortunately, he isn't having much luck. I'll give you my Dragonball and point you in the direction of Kame-sennin, who also carries another. You can make your locator then. You'll get what you want and Kame-sennin finds the boy." Buruma nodded. "That sounds fine, Korin-san. Do you have the island's exact position?" The feline smiled. "Of course. How about you stay for lunch, and then head off?" "That would be wonderful, Korin-san," she said politely. "Good, I'll grab the Dragonball. Follow Yajirobe," the cat told her disappearing into the building. "That's surprising," Yajirobe grunted, leading the way into another room. "It is a great honor to dine with Korin. Why'd he give in to a girl, I have no idea." "I bet," she snapped at the rude man. She didn't like him at all, she decided. He was completely repulsive. Bad manners, rude, smelly, and completely sexist. She shivered in disgust, following the small man. He opened a side door, motioning her inside. She blinked as she took in the simple, yet beautifully decorated dining room. "Sit there," the surly man ordered, pointing towards a chair. Buruma scowled. "Excuse me, fat man, but I think you should be a little nicer to me," she snapped angrily. "I'm a woman, not some dog you can order around!" The man grunted. "Why should I? You're just some stupid girl." She clenched her fists and screamed out obscenities at the round man. She continued to yell at him as he fled the room, slamming the door behind him. She stopped cursing and gasped for breath, fuming silently. She swung around as another door opened, revealing the white cat. He looked around the room, his eyes resting on Buruma. "Where's Yajirobe?" Buruma growled, surprising the feline. "He fled after insulting me, the bastard." Korin sighed. "I apologize, Buruma-san. Yajirobe is a law unto himself and he isn't a big charmer. He insults everyone, so don't feel bad." She smiled. "I told him off and he fled." The cat chuckled. "I see. Here," he said, holding his hand out, revealing a small orange ball. She gasped and reached out for it, letting a little 'ah' of happiness as she touched it. "The first dragonball," she murmured. ~~~ Buruma landed her air car silently on the large beach. She looked over the ocean curiously. "So, this Kame-sennin lives out there." She checked her watch, sighing at the time. "I'll camp here tonight and head out in the morning." She encapsulated her air car and put it away, grabbing another capsule. After a small explosion, a large round house stood on the deserted beach. She entered the house, quickly ate dinner, bathed, and crawled into bed. Just as she closed her eyes, the earth trembled violently, shaking the capsule house. She tumbled out of bed and ran out of the house. She gasped in shock and not a little fear as she saw a metal ball streak through the dark sky, landing a half mile away shaking the ground violently again. She fell to the ground screaming as the wind blew up around her. She looked up when the dust settled to find another flying ball barreling towards the same position the other one landed. She curled into a ball as it impacted, eyes clenched tightly. After the trembling and wind slowed, she lifted her head and glanced around. "Meteors?" she asked herself in disbelief. She ran into the house, grabbed her capsule, and then encapsulated the house. She glanced down when she realized she was still in her night cloths. "Oh, who cares if I'm dressed," she muttered. She was wearing a small tank top and a comfortable pair of boxers. She slipped on the shoes she had grabbed and opened the air bike capsule. She got on it quickly, and headed towards the impact site. She hovered over the craters, her eyes wide. There were three, each one holding a metal ball in the center. She landed swiftly and got off her air bike. She walked cautiously over to the nearest crater, peering into it nervously. She blinked. 'It's a space ship... Three of them.' She fell over as the pod in front of her opened and a hand appeared, grasping onto the side of the pod. A huge man emerged, his long spiky hair trailing down his back. He wore some sort of device over one eye, which he opened and glanced around warily. His cold obsidian eyes fixed upon her immediately and Buruma shivered, backing away from him. He flew into the air, floating a few feet above her. She watched him silently, her blue eyes wide with fear. She was positive this man wasn't exactly a nice guy. Especially the way he was leering at her. She suddenly wished that she had taken the time to dress properly. "What have you got there, Radditzu?" a deep voice demanded. Buruma glanced behind the man floating above her, her eyes getting bigger as she beheld the bald giant there. He smirked at her when he caught her gaze. "A little female, Nappa," the one called Radditzu stated. "She is definitely exotic looking. Too bad she's so weak." The larger man snorted. "Who cares? What does it matter if she doesn't survive what you have planned?" Radditzu glared at his comrade. "You are demented, Nappa. Why kill the female during the act? Besides, I wasn't talking about mating her." "What are you two arguing about now?" a gruff voice demanded from behind them. Buruma started as she gazed at a smaller warrior, his black hair flowing straight up. His eyes fixed on her and he blinked. "What's this?" "Sire, she was here when I exited my pod," Radditzu answered immediately. "So? What is there to argue about?" "Nappa mentioned his perversion again." The shorter man grimaced and floated down to land silently. He clicked a button on the device that was placed over his eye, grunting after a series of beeps sounded. Buruma inched away cautiously, feeling particularly nervous after the conversation she had heard. She stopped her movements when the smaller man glared at her. "I think that Kakarotto is over that way," the smaller man stated. "This female has almost no ki. She is of no consequence. Let's go." The large bald man grinned maliciously at the blue-haired female. "Vejiita-sama, may I have her?" Vejiita glanced at Buruma, who stared at Nappa in absolute terror. "Sire, I don't think that would be wise," Radditzu put it. "Nappa will break her or worse." "You stay out of it, weakling!" Nappa barked advancing towards the longhaired warrior. Her eyes narrowed at the two arguing men. She stood up and placed her hands on her hips. She thought she saw the shorter warrior smirk in approval, but before she could be sure, it was gone and in its place, a cold look of calculation appeared. "Excuse me!" she yelled at the three angrily. "I'm not a fucking toy! I'm a person and I'm not going with any of you," she stated stubbornly. Vejiita crossed his arms and looked the fragile female over. "I don't think she wants to go, Nappa. Let's just find Kakarotto and get the hell out of here." "But, Vejiita-sama, I really want her," the bald man whined. Vejiita glowered up at the giant. "And where do you suppose we put her, Nappa? She couldn't fit in your pod with you, not with your bulk. Radditzu will be crammed in with his brother. Where would we put her?" "You could keep her in your pod," Nappa said sulkily. Vejiita snorted. "Yes, that's exactly what I want. To share a one-man pod with a loud human onna. No, Nappa. You can't keep her." Nappa actually pouted. "Vejiita-sama, could I play with her now, then?" Radditzu paled. "Sire, no! Giving that female to Nappa is just cruel, Sire. Just kill her. No one deserves that fate." Vejiita raised an eyebrow at the large bald warrior. "It seems Radditzu has a problem with how you treat your toys, Nappa. As did most of the Saiyajin, if I recall. Just forget about it, Nappa. Find a Kishan female on Thyea. We'll be stopping there on our way back. If I remember correctly, the Kishan females were your favorite. But right now, we have a job to do." "Vejiita-sama, please, I really, really want this one," he begged. Buruma stared in horror at the large man, her blue eyes wide. She glanced pleadingly in the direction of the smaller man who appeared to be the leader. Their eyes met for a few moments. She felt caught in the intensity of his gaze. She saw a glimmer of something pass through his onyx eyes before it was replaced by the cold, amused mask. She watched as he turned his eyes from her to look at the bald warrior. He crossed his arms and glowered. "Nappa, your appetites are going to get yourself in trouble one day, fool. What do you possibly see in this little onna enough to argue with me?" He glanced at her pointedly. "She's gorgeous, yes, but so are a million other silly females you play with. Why this one?" "She has blue hair, Sire," he said watching Buruma, who was inching away again. She gasped as she felt a hand grab the base of her neck. "I wouldn't," the one called Radditzu warned softly. His hand really wasn't threatening and surprisingly, she felt halfway safer with him. He'd kill her, she knew, but he wouldn't do what the one called Nappa was suggesting. "Please," she whispered. She had enough of an idea of what the large one wanted her for and she knew she'd rather die. Thus, the reason Radditzu was safer. "Sorry, little female, the decision is Vejiita's," he told her quietly. "I'll admit, the blue hair is nice, Nappa, but have one of your whores dye their hair. We aren't taking her." "It isn't the same. I just want this one. Please, Vejiita-sama. I'll be fast, I promise." Vejiita glared. "No, Nappa." "But-" "Enough!" he snapped. "Radditzu also seems to have an attraction to her as well and I will not have either of you two distracted from the mission." "What do we do with her, Sire?" Radditzu asked. "Kill her?" Buruma jumped and tried to scramble away, getting only two steps before Radditzu caught her semi-gently by the back of her boxers. She flipped around to glare at the man holding her. "I will not let you kill me or give me to that pervert!" she snapped angrily. Radditzu laughed. "You have spunk, girl. But I told you, it's up to Vejiita." He paused and watched the short warrior look over his captive. "No. She is of no worth dead. Let's just leave her." Radditzu nodded. "What if she tells someone of our arrival?" Vejiita chuckled coldly. "So? Anyone on this planet would be easily defeated." Buruma kicked the one who held her in the leg. "Excuse me, but it's very rude to talk about someone when they're standing right here!" she snapped, braver now that felt the smaller warrior wouldn't let her be taken by Nappa or killed. "Are you going to hurt the people here?" she demanded of the warrior who now held her securely by the waist under her arm. The bald man glowered at her. "You're mouthy!" he accused. "We can fix that for you." He stalked towards her and ripped her slender body from Radditzu, pulling her up to his face. "Keep mouthing off, female. If you make our Prince angry enough, I may get to have you yet." "Nappa! Put her down. It's one thing to kill cleanly, but quite another to scare the girl half to death!" Radditzu snapped. "You're too soft, Radditzu," Nappa sneered and threw Buruma to the ground roughly, stalking away from her. Buruma grunted as she connected to the hard ground, her head hitting a sharp rock. She cursed softly, putting her hand behind her head, feeling the injury tenderly. She pulled her hand away and looked at it, spotting the crimson color of her blood. She groaned. "Just great." She started in surprise and a little fear when a rough hand grabbed her neck. "Don't move," order the gruff voice of the small warrior. She froze, holding her breath. He pushed her hair up, forcing her head down. She winced at his rough exploration. After a few moments, he let her head go and she felt his warm body move away from her back. She blinked and glanced at him, finding him watching the other two warrior's arguing violently. "Go now, Onna," he ordered softly. "Huh?" "Escape now, Onna. While they're arguing. Your head is fine and you probably don't have a concussion." He reached into his armor, pulling out a small wrapped sheet. He handed it to her without looking at her. "Use this on your wound. Now go." She gaped at him, surprised. "Why?" He grunted, still watching the now physical battle between his warriors. "I don't like Nappa's pastime any more than Radditzu does. Besides, killing weak females is beneath a Saiyajin warrior. You pose no threat. Why waste the energy? Now go, Onna." She nodded and ran away, only to turn back to stare at the smaller warrior. As if sensing her gaze, he turned to her, his dark eyes capturing her. She ran back towards him, causing Vejiita to blink. "Your name is Vejiita?" she asked when she stopped in front of him. He folded his arms over his chest and nodded. "Vejiita, Saiyajin no Ouji." She grinned. "A real prince, hm?" He nodded again, his eyes betraying his confusion. "I am Buruma Briefs. It was nice to meet you, Vejiita, and I thank you for releasing me," she said. She smiled impishly. "If I can ever return the favor, my name is well-known and it'll be quite easy to find me. Thank you," she whispered and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him soundly on the lips. She released him just as quickly and fled into the brush. |