| Honor, Pride and Duty Chapter 3: A Run-in With Nappa |
| Author: Selenity Jade Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: Do I look like Toriyama-sama? |
| Buruma stopped the car at the end of an old mountain road. She encapsulated the vehicle and donned her backpack. Sighing, she started the long hike up the mountain. When she reached the top, she gasped in surprise and recognition. There stood the giant, bald warrior from those metal pods three days before. He held a young teenager by the hair, beating the poor kid. She reached into her pack, pulling out her latest gun model. She ran up behind the giant man and pointed it at his back. "Leave the boy alone," she warned angrily. He looked at her in surprise and his eyes widened in recognition. He smiled cruelly. "Well, if it isn't the little blue-haired vixen," he growled. "Put the boy down," she ordered. Nappa laughed. "What are you going to do if I don't?" "This," she said, pulling the trigger, releasing a ball of energy into the warrior's chest. He flew backwards into a large tree, stunning him momentarily. She ran over to where the big brute dropped the boy. His young face was a mask of cuts and bruises. He opened his eyes and they focused on her. She gasped as she saw the complete innocence and trust in the young man's eyes. "Are you okay? Can you walk? We've got to run," she told him. The spiky-haired young man nodded and painfully rose to his feet. His eyes grew wide and he pushed Buruma behind his larger body. Buruma looked around him, gasping as she saw Nappa had recovered and was standing before the younger boy. Something rubbed against her leg and she jumped. Looking down, she gaped as she saw the tail. "You're Son Goku!" He glanced at her over his shoulder, smiling faintly. "How do you know my name?" "I was sent by a friend of your grandfather's to find you." "Oh." He turned back to the giant man. She scowled and pointed the gun at him. "Nappa, leave the kid alone!" Goku blinked and looked at her again. "You know him too?" She smiled humorlessly. "We've met, unfortunately." Nappa leered at her. "I'm hurt. After all I have done just to possess you and this is how you treat me?" She spat at him. "Your prince said no!" she snapped. "Do you want to disobey him? His is, from what I gather, stronger than you." Nappa smiled. "Vejiita-sama isn't here." Buruma shivered, the hand holding the gun wavering slightly in her hand. "I'd kill myself before I'd let *you* touch me," she warned. He laughed. "Dead or alive, I will take you." She gaped at him in horror. "You are sick," she said softly. Goku blinked in confusion. He looked at the woman behind him, who had saved his life, in confusion. "What's he talking about?" She glanced at him and tried to smile reassuringly, but she had the feeling it was falling flat. "It doesn't matter, kid. He won't do it anyway." She stepped up bravely beside the beaten teenager. She glared at Nappa. "What business do you have with Goku? Why beat him so badly!?" Nappa snickered. "We came to Earth for Kakarotto here." Buruma blinked. "His name is Son Goku." The huge man scowled. "His name is Kakarotto. He is a third-class Saiyajin warrior sent here as a brat. His mission was to destroy this worthless planet. Obviously, he failed. But after seeing you, little female, I'm not at all disappointed." She shuddered. "Why do you think he's this Kakarotto?" she asked. He laughed. "Surely you've noticed his tail?" he sarcastically pointed out. She blinked. "Yeah, so?" She gaped as the giant's furry belt moved out from around his waist, revealing a dark brown tail. It wagged behind the burly warrior before settling lazily behind him. "Do all of you have one?" was the only thing that came to mind. Nappa grinned maliciously. "All of us. Tails are our strength. So many interesting things can be done with tails," he told her with a sly grin. She gagged at the thought before putting a hand on the tense young man's shoulder. "Are you truly who he says?" He shook his head violently. "I don't know! He has a tail, like I do! I've never met my parents, but I don't know if I believe him." She smiled. "I wouldn't believe him, either, kid." He smiled back at her. "Thanks." He frowned. "I don't know your name." "Buruma Briefs." "Nice to meet you, Buruma-san." "Your name is Buruma?" Nappa sneered. She growled and the burly warrior blinked. "Yes, my name is Buruma! It's not any more stupid than yours. Now, my new friend and I will be leaving now." She grabbed Goku's hand and pulled him backwards with her. Nappa snarled. "Don't move," he ordered, raising a palm to her. She aimed her gun at him. "Want to try me?" she snapped. He smirked. "I like you, female. And I will have you. Besides, I must bring Kakarotto back." "No, you don't. And you won't," she snarled. Squeezing the trigger, another energy ball was released and hit him once again in his chest. He flew backwards into the trees again. Buruma grabbed Goku's hand and started running away, pulling the young man after her. Goku blinked and ran after the frantic blue-haired woman. "Buruma-san?" he asked softly. She glanced at him. "Are you okay enough to run?" He nodded. "Yeah, but why are we running? We could have fought." She gaped at him. "Are you mad? You were nearly killed earlier if I wouldn't have saved you. Besides, he scares me," she whispered, still stumbling down the mountain. He stopped running, and yanked at her hand, pulling her to a violent stop. "Why? I won't let him hurt you. I promise." She blinked and smiled. "Thanks, Son-kun, but I think he's too strong for you. Let's just keep moving," she said, trying to pull him down the path. "I can fly. Can you?" She gaped. "Of course not!" "Then I'll carry you," he said, picking her up in surprisingly strong arms and levitated into the air. He then flew away from the mountain. He, unfortunately, didn't get very far. He halted in mid-air, a few meters from where he began and Buruma looked over, seeing a very angry Nappa. He growled and powered up. "You will be mine, girl," he snarled. "As for you, Kakarotto, I should kill you for taking what is mine, third-class, but Vejiita-sama wants you alive. I'll let you watch, however," he said, suddenly grinning cruelly. Buruma tightened her grip around Goku's neck. "Don't let him take me," she pleaded. "Kill me first." She whimpered as a ki ball headed straight for them. Goku twisted suddenly and they both began screaming in pain as it engulfed them. Goku fell out of the sky and she was thrown away from him. Unexpectedly, she was caught out of the air, grunting as her small body hit a hard chest. She was terrified of looking up to find Nappa. She nearly wept with relief when she saw it was the warrior called Radditzu who had caught her. She threw her arms around his thick neck, squeezing for all she was worth. "Thank you," she whispered shakily. He glanced at her in surprise, and then glared at the floating Nappa, who appeared ready to kill his comrade. Radditzu pressed a button on the side of his eyepiece. "Vejiita-sama, we have a problem." Pause. "Very serious, Sire. I think it'd be wise to get here immediately." Another pause. "Now would be good. Nappa is about to kill me." Pause. "You'll understand when you get here." Pause. "Yes, Sire." He clicked the button again and glowered at Nappa, his arms still wrapped around the trembling female. "Vejiita-sama is on his way, Nappa. And I don't think you'll get out of this lightly. He told you that you couldn't have the girl and you deliberately disobeyed him. You are supposed to be searching for Kakarotto, Nappa." Buruma gasped. "Please, did you see a boy fall when you came?" she asked Radditzu softly. He blinked and nodded. "Over there," he said pointing downward and to the west. She gasped. "Can you put me down? I need to see if he's okay." He nodded and glared at Nappa, who was smirking. "But I found Kakarotto, third-class. This wench interfered. That deserves punishment." Radditzu scowled and slowly lowered to the ground, landing next to the unconscious young man. He set Buruma down gently and she scrambled over to the kid worriedly. He had a large burn on the back where the energy ball hit him. He had been trying to protect her from the blast, she realized. They had been facing Nappa, not facing away. Her eyes filled with tears and she whimpered. She felt his chest, sighing in relief as she felt the smooth rise and fall of his breathing. She swung around at the two warriors, reaching into her pack and pulling out another gun. She aimed it at Nappa. "It wasn't enough you had to beat him nearly to death, you had to try and kill him! All he was doing was protecting me! You monster!" she screamed. Radditzu gulped. "Listen, girl, that weapon isn't going to hurt him. Just let Vejiita-sama handle him, okay? You'll only make Nappa angry." "Oh, I'll hurt him," she hissed, squeezing the trigger. Nappa again was thrown away from them and into the surrounding brush with a loud crash. Buruma smirked. "Too bad it won't kill the bastard." Radditzu gaped at her. "That's one powerful gun if you can do that to Nappa." She smiled and turned to find Goku looking at her. He tried to rise and Buruma helped him, placing his arm around her shoulders. "Thank you for saving me, Radditzu," she said softly. "But I'm going now. I want to be as far away from Nappa as possible." Radditzu grimaced. "I understand that, but I can't let you go just yet. We were looking for Kakarotto, your friend there, my brother, and we have orders to take him. I'd prefer it if you didn't leave alone, either." "I'll kill her!" roared a recovered Nappa and before anyone knew it, Nappa held Buruma suspended by the neck. "Nappa!" Radditzu barked. "Vejiita-sama said I couldn't have her, not that I couldn't kill her," he stated sweetly and squeezed her delicate throat. She gasped for air, attempting to kick the man, but to her horror, she couldn't even reach. "Nappa! Release her now!" Radditzu roared. "Why do you care, Radditzu? She's a worthless human." Radditzu powered up a blast. "Nappa, I'm warning you-" The bald man laughed. "You can't hurt me and you know it. Only Vejiita-sama is stronger than I!" "Release her!" Nappa laughed again and squeezed a bit harder, and Buruma's eyes soon rolled into the back of her head and her body went limp. Nappa smirked and tossed her limp body against a tree. He continued to laugh and turned to face Radditzu. A scream of rage erupted and both Saiyajin turned to stare in surprise at the forgotten young man. He screamed again, powering up rapidly. He turned his angry gaze to the large bald warrior and disappeared. Nappa flew through a few dozen trees as Goku reappeared with a kick to his head. Radditzu gaped in surprise and gulped. "Good one, Kakarotto," he whispered and rushed to the blue-haired female's side. He turned at the sound of footsteps, looking at his younger brother who stood there with tears in his eyes. His innocent and trusting eyes. "Is she going to be okay?" Radditzu looked down at the lifeless female sadly. He quickly felt for a pulse, and sighed in relief as he felt the faint tremor under his fingertips. He placed his hands over her chest lightly and closed his eyes. His hands started glowing softly as he poured his energy into her. Goku watched on nervously, unsure of what to do to help. He sighed in relief when she started to cough violently. He rushed to her side. "Buruma-san!" She smiled weakly at the bruised boy and turned to find Radditzu kneeling beside her. She blinked and then smiled faintly at him. "You saved me again," she said softly. He grunted and then grinned mysteriously. "Someday, I'll tell you why." He turned to the young man. "You are Kakarotto." Goku blinked. "I don't think so. My name is Son Goku." Radditzu shook his head. "No. You are Kakarotto. I would know; you are my little brother." Goku gaped at the warrior. "Huh?" "I'm your brother, Kakarotto," he said, pausing when the machine over his eye blipped. He sighed in relief. "Vejiita-sama will be here soon." He looked down at Buruma. "Can you walk?" She attempted to rise, falling over to be caught by Goku. "Thanks, Son-kun." He nodded. "What hurts?" She groaned, "Everything." He grimaced and lifted her light body into his arms and settling her comfortably. "I'm sorry," he told her. She shook her head. "Not your fault, Son-kun." He frowned and gazed at the dark blue bruises on her neck. He winced. "How bad does it hurt?" "I'm fine, Son-kun." "We can change that," the forgotten Nappa growled threateningly. Goku swung around to face the giant, his face angry. "Stay away from her!" Nappa smirked. "And who's going to stop me, kid?" Radditzu moved between his brother and Nappa. "Vejiita-sama will be here in a few moments." Nappa laughed. "So? Vejiita-sama is the cruelest of us all. He wouldn't care if I kill her!" Radditzu smirked. "Really? Then you'd better ask him." Radditzu looked up just as Vejiita flew into the small clearing. He looked over the group with his arms crossed. He blinked as he took in Buruma's presence and scowled. "What's going on?" he demanded gruffly. Radditzu and Nappa knelt before their Prince. Buruma watched the Saiyajin, her arms tightening around Goku's neck. "Well? I'm waiting," he snarled. Both opened their mouths to answer, and both snapped them shut as Vejiita held up a hand. "Radditzu, you first." Radditzu nodded. "I noticed Nappa's ki level rising on my scouter and another ki was rising as well. I followed them and arrived to find Nappa firing upon the kid and the female. The young man twisted quickly enough to protect the female, but was hit in the back. They both fell. I caught the female and brought her to her friend. Nappa followed and threatened the female. She then used some sort of gun that she fired, flinging Nappa quite a distance into the forest. She helped her friend and by then, Nappa had returned and he attempted to strangle her. She passed out, the boy kicked Nappa hard enough to send him flying again, and I saved the female. That is up to the present. Oh, and the boy is Kakarotto." Vejiita blinked. He looked at Goku closely. "Why does he look beat up? One blast shouldn't have done that." Radditzu shrugged. "No idea." Vejiita looked over to Buruma. "What happened before Radditzu appeared, Onna?" he asked softly. Radditzu glanced at his prince in shock. Vejiita *never* used that tone of voice. Buruma sighed. "I was asked by an old man to find his former pupil's grandson. I tracked him down and found him on a large mountain. I arrived to find the Neanderthal there beating the hell out of Son-kun here. I told him to let him go, and when he didn't, I shot him with my gun. We argued, I shot him again, and grabbed Son-kun and ran. He found us and that's when Radditzu appeared." Vejiita snarled and turned to Nappa. "Why were you beating on Kakarotto? I ordered you to find him, possibly capture him, not beat him!" Nappa frowned. "He resisted." "So you decided to beat him senseless? I have eyes, Nappa. He was beaten for fun not to submit. I don't care about your little pastimes, soldier, as long as you follow orders. Now, I told you to leave the Onna alone. What excuse do you have for that?" Nappa gulped. "I wasn't going to take her, Sire. You never ordered me not to kill her." Vejiita walked softly to stand before the large warrior. "So, you decided to kill her, regardless of the fact that I let her go just three days ago?" Nappa paled. "She fired at me." Vejiita laughed. "While I admit that was pretty stupid of her, she does have guts. She fired at you to save Kakarotto from your cruelty, and to save herself." He scowled. "If I didn't need all the warriors I can get against Furiza, I'd kill you for this." "But, Sire-" "Enough, Nappa. You disobeyed me. I released the Onna and you have the nerve to try to kill her. If I would have wanted her dead, I'd have killed her in the first place." He growled. "I'll deal with you later, Nappa. Return to base camp. Now." Nappa saluted and flew off. Vejiita watched Radditzu for a few moments. "You saved the Onna's life twice?" Radditzu nodded. "Go back," he ordered gruffly. "Take Kakarotto." Radditzu nodded and walked over to his brother. Goku blinked. "But-" Radditzu shook his head and looked at Buruma, who was trying to stand. "She'll be safe, Kakarotto." "But-" he began again. Radditzu chuckled. "Would I have saved her life twice just so he could kill her?" Goku blinked and nodded reluctantly. He looked worriedly at Buruma. "Buruma-san," he whispered. She smiled, putting a hand against a tree to keep herself standing. "I'll be fine, Son-kun. Thank you for saving me." He nodded. "Thank you, for saving me. You may not have physical strength, but you have the heart of a warrior," the young man told her. She grinned. "See ya, Son-kun," she called out as he and Radditzu disappeared into the forest. She leaned against the tree, looking up at the warrior Prince. "You seem to go looking for trouble, Onna," he commented softly. She smiled humorlessly. "Not on purpose, I assure you." He snorted and walked towards her. "You had a weapon that knocked Nappa down?" "Yes. I designed it three years ago." He blinked. "You designed it?" She nodded. He smirked. "Good work," he commented. Narrowing his eyes, he searched her body with his gaze. "How badly are you hurt?" She blinked. "Just bruises, I think." "Why are you holding onto that tree then?" She grimaced. "My back is killing me, I'm light headed and dizzy, I hurt from head to toe, and I didn't want to embarrass myself by falling over." He grunted and picked her up gently, surprising her. "I passed a lake on the way here," he commented as he slowly levitated into the air. "I can see to your injuries there." "You don't have-" "Shut up, Onna." She snapped her mouth shut in surprise. Vejiita was definitely a walking contradiction. "Who had you searching for Kakarotto?" "An old man who had made a promise to the boy's adoptive grandfather, who died a few years ago. I don't know the man, not really, but I was sent to help him." "You realize I'm taking him with me," he stated. She sighed. "I need to bring him to Kame-sennin first." He shrugged. "We'll see." Buruma shivered at the cold wind blew over her and his arms tightened unconsciously around her. "Are you cold?" he asked softly. "A little." No sooner had those words left her mouth that she suddenly felt a wave of heat from his body. "Huh?" "I used my ki," he told her. "Oh." They fell silent and Buruma looked down to watch as the forest flew by beneath them and giggled in delight. Vejiita smirked. "Like flying do you?" She grinned. "Never been flying like this. Well, I did today, but I was a little terrified at the time." He growled. "What?" "Nothing," he grunted. He moved her around in his arms, carefully moving his hold to her waist, holding her back securely to his armored chest. He picked up speed, and Buruma shrieked and grabbed onto his forearms tightly. "Hush, Onna. Trust me." She relaxed and let herself enjoy the ride, laughing out a few times in delight as he swooped through the air. He smirked at her obvious joy, almost disappointed when he spotted the lake. He slowed and descended, landing silently before the lake. He carried her over to a spot of soft grass and set her down gently. He stripped off his armor and tossed it beside him. He sat on the ground beside her, reaching into a hidden pocked of his armor. He pulled his gloved hand back to reveal a small box. He opened it and Buruma blinked at the weird first-aid kit. She watched the Saiyajin no Ouji curiously. He glanced at her quickly, frowning slightly. "You're going to have to undress," he told her gruffly. She blinked and blushed. "Um, okay..." He chuckled. "Modest?" She glared at him. "Maybe you Saiyajin run around naked, but on Earth we wear clothes." He laughed out right. "We wear clothes, Onna. We just don't take nudity as seriously as you seem to. Turn around and take your shirt off, then lay on your stomach. It'll preserve your modesty." She nodded and did as she was told, hissing softly as the shirt rubbed against a wound in her side. She blushed, thanking Kami she was facing the other way. "My bra, too, I suppose," she commented. "Yes," he said, his voice strangely distant. She removed the article and lay on her stomach. "What are you going to do?" "Kill Nappa," he hissed. "Huh?" she asked intelligently. "Nothing, Onna. This is going to hurt, understand? Your back is one giant bruise." She nodded, tensing up. "Relax. Tensing will only make it hurt worse." "Okay, okay," she snapped. He snickered. "Moody, are we?" She sighed. "Sorry, I've had a very, very bad day." He grunted softly in agreement and dipped a cloth in the lake. "This will be cold," he warned, placing the wet cloth on her back. She whimpered, trying to pull away. "Hush," he scolded gently and cleaned her back as tenderly as possible. He then grabbed an ointment of some sort and removed his gloves. He squeezed a small amount in his hand. "I'm going to rub a healing lotion onto your back. It's activated by ki, so you'll feel my hands burning." She nodded. He placed his faintly glowing hands on her bare skin lightly. He rubbed gently, careful to keep his hands from pressing too hard. Soon, he had finished her back. "Turn over, Onna." She blushed, carefully covering her chest as she rolled on to her back, mindful of the tenderness. She looked up to see him bent over, re-wetting the cloth. He turned around and looked up to meet her eyes. "What?" he asked. "Why are you doing this for me?" He scowled. "Do I have to have a reason?" She looked away. "Generally, yes." He growled. "I feel like it." She nodded and closed her eyes nervously, her hands still covering her chest. When she didn't feel him move, she opened her eyes. "What?" "What are you afraid of?" "Nothing," she stated quickly. "Why would I be afraid?" "You're fucking trembling, Onna. And it's not cold." She looked away. "Let's just get this over with, okay?" He growled again. "I'm not going to hurt you. If I wanted that I wouldn't bother with healing you!" She blinked. "I know." "Then why do you fear me? Granted, that's not unusual, but I've never done anything to you to make you fear me. Why are you frightened?" She sighed. "I don't fear you, not really." He knelt over her, using a finger to lift her chin, making her look at him. "What are you afraid of?" She blinked at him. "I've had Nappa chasing me half the day, threatening to rape me, he tried to kill me a few times, and now I'm half naked in front of his leader. It makes me a bit nervous, okay?" He scowled and pulled away from her. "I'm not going to fucking hurt you! That includes raping you," he growled. She sat up, her hands still protecting her modesty. She watched the Saiyajin get up and begin to pace angrily in front of her. She was surprised it bothered him so much. He didn't seem to be the... sensitive type. She nearly chuckled at the thought. Actually, when he was around his men, he seemed just as ruthless and cold-hearted as they were. "I know that." He swung around to face her, his fists clenched. "Then why are you so afraid of me?!" he demanded loudly. She flinched and turned away from him. He grimaced and watched her bruised back silently. He just didn't understand her, he decided. He noticed her shoulders shaking slightly and winced. He didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want her scared of him. Gods, for the first time in his life, he didn't want someone to fear him. Hell, this little female caused many firsts in him. He didn't like it, but he couldn't stop it either. Now, she feared him. He yelled at her and now she was upset. He'd never cared about someone's feelings before. She had shown such courage and spirit, even while scared. Now she was upset and he didn't know how to help. He scowled. He actually wanted to ease her emotional turmoil. He glanced at his bare hands. What was happening to him? Watching her tremble while she waited for him to touch her bothered him. Sure, he had a lot of blood on his hands and would have much more before his life was over. People were supposed to fear his touch, but gods, her fear bothered him beyond anything he had felt before. Now, she was upset and he had caused it. Damn it, it hurt to watch her now. His heart tightened and his stomach was in knots. What the hell was wrong with him? "I'm not going to hurt you," he whispered trying to soothe her as best as his pride would allow. "I know that," she repeated. He knelt on the ground. "Then why do you fear me?" She whimpered and looked back at him, tears falling slowly. "I'm not afraid of you, not really." He held her teary gaze with his troubled one. "Then why? All I want is to treat your wounds. I wasn't going to hurt or rape you. Half-naked or not." She laughed weakly. "Gee thanks, I'm not pretty enough to rape now," she teased softly. He blinked in shock and looked away quickly. "That isn't what I meant. You're gorgeous. You know that too." She smiled faintly and lay down on her back, her arms still covering her. "You can continue," she told him, closing her eyes. He watched her silently for a few moments. "Why are you frightened?" he asked, kneeling beside her. She sighed; the rise and fall of her chest accented her partially exposed cleavage nicely. "Can we change the subject?" "No." He pressed the cold cloth over her. "Please?" "No." "Why do you want to know?" "Damn it, Onna. Just answer the question!" She sighed. "The way Nappa was looking at me. What he wanted to do to me. Then the whole watching him torture Son-kun, the threats, fleeing in the air, being blasted, falling from the sky, and being strangled. All of it happened in within a short period. It's a little emotionally draining and I'm overwhelmed." He scowled. "Look at me," he ordered gruffly. He watched as she snapped her eyes open and gazed at him in surprise. He stared into her deep eyes for a moment. "Why were you afraid of *my* touch, Onna. That explains the moodiness and general freaking out. You were terrified of *my* touch," he whispered. "No," she murmured. "I was just thinking about Nappa and the thought of you touching me made me think of what he threatened and how he looked at me." He watched her eyes silently, his mind torn. He wanted to kill the bastard who caused this woman to fear his touch. Gods, he wanted nothing more than Nappa's head right then. He sighed and held her gaze as he placed a bare hand on her exposed stomach, suppressing the disturbed feeling away when she flinched. "Just finish, Vejiita." He scowled. "Close your eyes." "Huh?" "Just do it." "Why?" "Damn it, Onna, you say you don't fear me." She sighed. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her eyes clouding with tears. Did he have to be so... tender? It was hard not to be emotional faced with such... concern. Vejiita sighed and squeezed the lotion onto his hands, rubbing them softly over her bruised neck. He growled low in his throat, causing Buruma to jump nervously. "Look at me." She looked, blinking at him curiously. "I swear to you, stupid Onna, I will not hurt or touch you in any way you do not wish it. I swear on my honor as a Saiyajin warrior and on my honor as the Saiyajin no Ouji." He paused and moved to straddle her hips. He set his warms hands on her belly, below her arms that were covering her breasts. "I swear I won't allow anyone to harm you," he murmured. He moved his hands softly over her stomach, on her arms, shoulders, neck. She watched him wide-eyed and confused. "What are you doing?" "Just relax," he told her softly, running his soft hands over her neck and through her hair. His fingers danced lightly over her face. "See, Onna? I'm not going to hurt you." "I already knew that," she whispered breathlessly, a slight tremor in her voice. He frowned. "Why are you still afraid?" She opened her eyes in surprise, looking into his intense gaze. "I'm not." He leaned down. "Your voice wavered." She swallowed. "What's wrong?" She shook her head. He ran his hands through her blue hair, playing with a strand absently. "Your hair is soft," he whispered. She watched as he stared at the strand of hair that was intertwined in his fingers. He brushed a strand off her forehead tenderly. "I won't hurt you." She nodded. "I know." "Then why are you trembling?" "No reason." He frowned. "Don't lie to me," he grumbled. "I'm not afraid." "Good," he said and reached for the wet cloth, rubbing it softly over her injuries. He then rubbed more to the lotion over her with his glowing hands. He finished quickly and looked down into her wide eyes. He frowned. "You are still afraid," he accused. She shook her head. "Confused." He scowled. "Why?" "You confuse me. I know you're a warrior, yet why do you care if I'm hurt or not? I'm not seriously injured. Yet, you insist on helping me and making sure I'm not afraid. Why?" He shrugged and moved to her attend to her legs. "Vejiita, why? The way I've seen you with your men I wouldn't have thought such... minor injuries would matter to you. You don't seem like the caring type of guy." He laughed and tossed her clothing at her. "I'm not. You haven't seen anything yet." "Then why?" she asked as she struggled into her bra and shirt. He shrugged. "I like you, Onna. You have courage even while you're afraid. Besides, you knocked Nappa all over the place." She smiled and stretched. Her eyes widened in realization. "I don't feel pain anymore!" she exclaimed in surprise. He smirked and pulled on his gloves. "Of course not." She grinned and tackled him, squeezing him hard as she hugged him. "Thank you, Vejiita." He blinked. "You're very strange," he muttered. She released him and stood back, cocking her head curiously at him. "What do you mean?" "Are humans always so grabby?" She laughed. "It was a hug, Vejiita." She frowned suddenly. "Don't Saiyajin hug?" He shrugged and pulled on his armor, unwrapping his tail and then re-wrapping it around his waist. "I don't know. My race was destroyed when I was very young. I don't remember much." Her blue-eyes widened. "Gone?" He nodded and turned to face her, crossing his arms over his chest. "Furiza destroyed my planet while I was on his ship as a hostage. Only Nappa, Radditzu, Kakarotto, and I are left. That is why we came here. To retrieve Kakarotto." She sighed. "That must be horrible to have your planet destroyed. And your race nearly gone." He shrugged and looked up at the darkening sky. "I don't remember what it's like to have a home planet or people." He looked at her. "It doesn't matter. It's in the past and all that is left is revenge. Which is why we've retrieved Kakarotto." "What if he doesn't want to come with you?" Vejiita shrugged. "It doesn't matter, he will come." Buruma frowned. "He has grown up on this planet and thinks of himself as human, Vejiita. Making someone fight for you isn't going to help you much. Only if he fights willingly will he be of use." Vejiita shrugged. "I agree, but willingly or not, it is one more warrior on our side that we didn't have." Suddenly his scouter that was lying on the ground beeped. He scowled and picked it up, fastening it on the side of his head. "What?" his gruff voice demanded. "Vejiita-sama, we have a problem," Radditzu said wearily. "Another one?" "Kakarotto is demanding to see the blue-haired female. He's worried that leaving her with you was a mistake and you've hurt her." Vejiita snarled. "How is that a problem? Knock him out. The Onna is perfectly all right." Radditzu gulped. "Sire, I told him you wouldn't hurt her, but he grew enraged. He's powerful when he's angry. I've never seen anything like it. His power has quadrupled at least. I can't beat him and Nappa is having problems trying to subdue him." Vejiita snarled. "He's that strong? Fine, I'm coming." He clicked the scouter off. He glanced at the curious Onna. "I'm taking you back to our camp. It seems Kakarotto is convinced I am going to hurt you." She nodded and he picked her up, jumping into the air. She wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes, relaxing against his chest, soothed by his soft breathing. He glanced down at her. "Tired?" "A bit," she answered. "We'll be there soon." She nodded. "Can I ask you something?" "Hn," he grunted. "What's it like to have a tail?" He blinked. "I don't know what it's like to not have a tail so I have nothing to compare it to." She giggled. "Why do you keep it around your waist?" "To protect it. It's very sensitive and if caught in a battle, it can render a Saiyajin immobile." "Oh. If it's such a weakness, why do you keep them?" He blinked at her in horror. "To remove one's tail is just wrong. It isn't only a weakness; it's also a strength. We have the unique ability to transform at the light of the full moon into a giant ape." She started. "Um, Vejiita?" "Hn?" "Tonight is a full moon." |