CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:

She sat motionless upon the dresser stool, rose-colored orbs staring back at their wan reflection in the large mirror before them. Sighing deeply, she reached for the black hairbrush and began the automated movements of grooming the long, dark locks. She brushed and brushed and brushed and brushed, loosing all sense of time, as thoughts of a certain saiyan’s cold words filled her mind. She had to bite her lower lip to stop the tremble. She couldn’t cry now. She had shed too much already and at this point she felt completely drained and exhausted, inside and out. She dropped the brush and tied up the tips of her hair in its customary ponytail. She reached for the wooden crown and placed it above her forehead, slipping it into its usual place, as the long purple bangs hid it carefully. She closed her eyes and then opened them again to come face-to-face with the Future Empress of Jurai.

Cool, collected and composed, no one would have guessed what turbulent emotions raged within her heart. With eyes that looked empty and seemingly dead, none would have read the pain and anguish. She had to remember her training. No ruler of such a prestigious nation had the right to show any kind of emotion. This was something that had stuck with her, since the day she was born. Something that she had had the utmost faith and confidence in. That was until the day she had met…him.

She eyed the silk, pale blue kimono that Mrs. Briefs had been kind enough to lend to her, and she had to admit that the simple outfit looked quite stunning. Compared to the frumpy and heavy ceremonial robes she would have been forced to wear if she still had her things in tact, the kimono was like a god send. But she knew that her father would not approve. Her mother, however, was a whole different kettle of fish. Misaki Jurai, the younger of the two wives to the Emperor Azusa and mother to both Ayeka and Sasami, was quite a stark contrast to the brooding and more serious demeanor of the Royal House. With hair as blue as her younger daughter’s, Misaki was an exuberant breath of fresh air who was not afraid to voice her opinions, rather loudly, when she was displeased or pleased. It wasn’t that Ayeka resented Misaki’s general attitude, but she had come to enjoy the company of Funaho, the older wife and mother to Yosho, as a mentor and guide in her future role. The cool and calm demeanor she projected suited Ayeka’s mood and she cherished every single moment spent with her.

A light knock on the door snapped her out of her reverie and with a softly spoken ‘Enter’, the head of Sasami peeked through the door.

“Are you ready, Ayeka?” she asked quietly, before stepping fully into the room. A special kimono had been bought for the occasion. A light pink with hints of blue flowers across the silk, Sasami looked quite beautiful.

Ayeka nodded and got up from her seat, smoothing her hands down the robe with slightly trembling fingers. “Hai, I am ready, Sasami.”

The blue-haired girl looked at the wan smile with slight worry. “You are not happy, are you?” she said softly and bowed her head. “It’s all my fault. It’s all my…”

“Stop it now, Sasami!” Ayeka cut in sharply, watching with an inward wince as the younger girl cringed back in slight fear. Stooping down to her level, she placed her hands upon her shoulders and spoke a lot softer. “You must not blame yourself for the course of our fates. This is what Tsunami has planned for me and there is nothing you can do about it.”

“But there is!” Sasami cried out loud, tears beginning to fall out of her eyes. “She said you were supposed to be happy with Vegeta and now it’s not going to happen and it’s all my fault!”

A loud resounding slap echoed in the room and both girls were left stunned a bit at the event. Sasami held her now reddened cheek in quiet disbelief as she watched the older girl heave in barely controlled anger. “Wh…Why?”

“I am getting a bit tired of this, Sasami.” Ayeka spat out a bit harshly. “What’s done is done. There can be no turning back. We have to be strong, do I make myself clear?!”

The younger bowed her head and nodded in defeat, before feeling herself encompassed in a huge embrace that almost took her breath away. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around the older girl, burying her face against her neck, sobbing quietly. She knew that these weren’t just tears from the pain of the slap, but she was shedding the tears that Ayeka would never be able to show.

The tears of a dying heart.

~*~*~*~*~

Kiyone straightened the collar of her uniform and repositioned her hat just right, as she stared at her reflection in the large hallway mirror. Adjusting the cuffs on her sleeve, she was almost knocked into the glass as her partner bumped into her with a loud ‘Oof!’.

“Mihoshi!! Watch where you are going!!”

“I am so sorry, Kiyone,” The blonde gushed in apology, raising her wrist up to stick her radar watch within inches of the teal-haired woman’s face. “It’s…It’s beeping!!!”

Kiyone snorted and pushed her arm away. “I can see and hear that, baka!”

“But…but what does it mean?!”

“It means, you idiot, that the spaceship bringing the Emperor is approaching, that’s what! Do you have everyone assembled on the lawns?!”

Mihoshi nodded and saluted smartly. “All people are waiting on the lawn as requested…uuuum…”

“Now what?” Kiyone retorted sharply, as she halted in her tracks.

“Well…everyone is there except the princesses. Do you want me to go look for them?”

Kiyone frowned and began to walk towards the back garden. “No…they will come down soon enough. Perhaps they need some time alone for themselves.”

They stepped out and down the stairs, Kiyone noticing the rather motley crew of humans standing around the large green expanse of space. The professor and his wife were sitting beneath a shade, sipping iced tea or something, the saiyan named Goku and his wife were talking…or rather, the woman was shouting and the poor man was trying very hard to get a word in. Gohan stood in his Sunday best, fiddling with his tie and anxiously watching the door where Ayeka and Sasami were due to come out from. Bulma and Yamcha, dressed to the nines as well, stood off to the side…arguing. The one named Krillen was on his own, staring at the sky as if expecting it to fall at any minute, while the Namekian stood aside from the rest, leaning against a tree with his eyes closed and arms folded across his chest, successfully ignoring everyone and everything around him.

Kiyone sighed and raised a whistle to her lips. Blowing on it shrilly, she was finally able to get everyone’s attention. “Please, all of you. We are expecting really important guests. It would be wise for you to be on your best behavior and to stay in your assigned positions.”

When everyone kept staring at her in confusion, Kiyone grit her teeth and said a bit louder. “Your assigned positions? I am sure Mihoshi must have told you about that!”

“Uuuum…Kiyone…?”

“What is it, Mihoshi? Don’t tell me you didn’t tell them that now.”

“I am so sorry, Kiyone! I forgot all about that! I don’t know what they are supposed to do!!”

Counting to ten, Kiyone had to restrain herself from strangling the girl and with a sharp ‘Shut up!’ she focused her attention on the bewildered group. “Alright! You will be arranged from oldest to youngest…follow me!”

Ten minutes and several grumbles and complaints later, everyone was in their expected spot…aside from Piccolo, who had completely ignored Kiyone’s commands and orders. “Alright, now…is there anyone we are missing?”

“Vegeta isn’t here.” Goku announced loudly.

“Who is this Vegeta? Is he a member of the family?”

“He wishes!” Bulma snorted. “No, he isn’t a member. He is just a big pain in the…”

“Hey, the party started without me! What’s the big idea?!”

“RYOKO!!” came the happy squeal from Gohan, as he ran towards the descending space pirate.

“Yep! That’s me!” the cyan-haired woman said with a light laugh as she responded to the hug from Gohan with a light squeeze on his arm. “Whoa! Better keep that thing away from my face, you might hurt someone.”

Kiyone and Mihoshi had their guns pointed at her face at this time and in a cold voice the older woman spoke up. “You will surrender now, space pirate Ryoko. Do not try to resist arrest!”

“Hey! You can’t hurt her! She hasn’t done anything…” Gohan interjected, standing in front of her with his arms outstretched in a protective gesture.

“…yet!” Bulma completed with a snort. “You can arrest her if you like! She ruined my party!”

Ryoko sneered and made a face. “You still stewing over that little thing? Geez, you need to loosen up, lady!”

“I am more of a lady than you ever will be!” Bulma yelled angrily, about to run up to possibly claw Ryoko’s eyes out, when she was quickly restrained by Yamcha.

“Hey, where’s that short lady that said she was your mom?” Goku asked, scratching his head and looking around. “OWWW!!”

“It’s Little Washu to you, you overgrown monkey!” came the sharp retort as said woman appeared behind him, having struck the Saiyan’s head with a well-struck blow.

“Don’t you dare touch my husband!!” Chi-Chi yelled out in anger as she glared at the scientist. “If you do I will… I will…”

“I will just turn you into a stick puppet then!” Washuu said with a wicked smile on her face. “Would you like me to do that, Miss. Chi-Chi?”

Kiyone was about to get a big headache and felt like she was about to lose it, Ryoko yawned and asked loudly. “So, when is this shin ding getting on the way? I have other important things to do, you know.”

“As soon as this thing is over, you will be following us to the Galaxy Police Headquarters!” Kiyone snapped in irritation.

“Sure, sure. Whatever you say.”

Suddenly the old professor spoke up with barely concealed excitement in his voice. “Ah, they are here.”

A loud cry of ‘HUH?’ resonated across the lawn as everyone raised eyes to the heavens. Sure enough, there was the strange electrical charge in the air as the clouds seemed to part ways to show a looming….

“A tree???”

“No…not a tree…a spaceship…”

“A Jurain spaceship.”

“Oooooooo….”

With everyone’s attention focused on the huge ship approaching, no one noticed the princesses come out of the house or the motionless dark figure that stood against a far wall, watching the activities with seeming disinterest.

As the ship made its slow descent to the earth, everyone was left covering their faces and trying to balance on their feet as the huge gust of wind threatened to blind and knock them to the ground. Several coughs and even louder grumbles and complaints later, two blue balls of energy floated out of the gigantic vessel, only to stop inches away from the ground several feet away from the stunned spectators. The energy dissipated as six figures stood in its place. The first ball revealed a stately looking man with long, luxiourious purple locks tied in a ponytail and a beard that was treated in the same manner. With dark eyes that flashed in quiet discontent and disapproval, it didn’t take a genius to figure out that this was the Emperor himself. Flanking his sides, were a tall stately woman with long, black hair and features that looked serene and beautiful and a blue-haired woman with shocking blue hair and eyes that sparkled and twinkled with excitement. They were all dressed in heavy, but delicately colored and embroidied robes that declared their state of royalty to a hilt. Behind them stood similar dressed women and one man, who would have to be servants of some sort.

Kiyone stepped forward and saluted smartly before bowing. “Welcome to Earth, Lord Azusa, Ladies Funaho and Misaki. We are very ho…”

“Where are they?!” came the curt interruption from the Emperor.

“We are here, father.” Ayeka said quietly, as she stepped out of the shadows with Sasami in tow. With hands clasped in front of her, she held her head high, ignoring the growing scowl on his face. She was just about to bow to the women, when the loud squeal sent everyone cringing in fear.

“AYEKA AND SASAMI!!! MY BABIES!!!”

Sasami responded with a squeal of her own, as she ran into the wide and outstretched arms of Misaki. Everyone blinked at the exuberant display, which was a far cry from the somber mood, moments earlier. Ayeka was not spared from the bone-crushing hug, as she soon found herself enclosed in it as well.

“Misaki…” Azusa began with a low growl of annoyance.

“Look at you two!! You look so pale! Have you been getting enough exercise? Have they been feeding you well?! What happened to your clothes?!”

“Misaki!”

She rose to her feet and asked rather sweetly. “Yes, dear?’

The Emperor glared at her a bit angrily. “We are trying to get some answers here. Stop acting in such a manner!”

He ignored her indignant sputter and turned back to give a critical look at the silent group of spectators. “And who are these?”

Kiyone was just about to open up her mouth to introduce them when Bulma stepped forward with a bright smile on her face. “Hi! My name is Bulma and…oh wow! Are you really a King?! You must be so rich and…”

“Enough!” Azusa bellowed in irritation, as his eyes fell upon Ryoko and Washuu. “And pray do tell me, my dear Galaxy Police Officers, why there is a wanted criminal standing freely in our midst?”

“Well…you see…”

“We were going to arrest her, my Lord.” Kiyone interrupted Mihoshi’s stumble of words. “But we wanted to do that as soon as the visit was over.”

“Is that so?” The burly man didn’t look like he believed a word of it. “And I see that you have the mad scientist here with you as well.”

“Hardly mad.” Washuu replied with a small grin. “It is a pleasure to meet you again, Emperor Azusa.”

The Emperor snorted and nodded curtly, before his eyes widened in slight shock. “A Namekian?! What in the world is a Namekian doing here?!”

For a moment, no one could figure out the right answer to give to the clearly irate Emperor, and the question was soon answered by the talked-about being himself. “I am here of my own choice, Emperor. And what I do here is of no concern to you.”

Azusa sputtered indignantly at the rude statement, before the calming hand of Funaho on his arm caused him to falter. “I will ignore that from you, Namek.” He snorted before focusing his attention back on the motley crew. “Well…we will not waste your time any longer. I trust that I am speaking to the head of the household?” He asked, staring directly at Professor Briefs.

“Yes, yes. That would be me.” The old man said with a light chuckle. “Welcome to my humble home. Would you like to…”

“Save that for some other time,” the royal interrupted coldly, before pinning his gaze on his daughters. “Ayeka, Sasami, are you ready to leave now?”

All eyes turned to face the silent girls, each noticing that the younger seemed willing enough, but the older had her face lowered to the ground, her hands clasped tightly in front of the kimono, body shaking silently with anguish. Her body tensed as she felt a hand being placed on her arm. Raising dull eyes to the person, she noticed that Funaho now stood beside her, her gentle features filled with silent understanding. Ayeka stepped backwards and shook her head, before blurting out a weak, ‘No.’ This, of course, ignited her father’s wrath.

“What do you mean ‘No?!’” You were supposed to be married and you ran away…”

“I did not run away!! I got…lost!!”

“Lost?! What kind of stupid excuse is that?! You have your guardians to assist you and Ryu-oh is a very fine ship that can navigate its’ way throughout the entire galaxy!! Speaking of which…” He turned to face Kiyone and Mihoshi. “Where is the person responsible for bringing my daughters to this backwater?!”

The officers exchanged nervous glances before one of them spoke up. “My Lord…there…he…”

Ayeka cut in again. “His name is Vegeta and he saved my life in more ways than you can imagine, father!”

The Jurain contingent gasped in shock at the name, eyes widening as the dreaded word sank into their minds.

“Did you just say…say…”

“Hai,” Ayeka retorted back. “I said Vegeta. The rightful heir to the throne of Vegetasei…”

“It’s a lie! Vegetasei was destroyed! There are no known survivors!!”

“Unfortunately father…there was, actually…two of them.” She finished, pointing towards the sheepish-looking Goku.

Azusa glared at him. “He has no tail! He cannot possibly be a Saiyan! And he isn’t….”

“Barbaric? Wild? Insane?” Ayeka snorted in derision. “Things have changed, father. People change.”

“Saiyans never do, Ayeka!! You of all people should know about the history of our people by now!! Need I remind you of the loss of lives that they caused during one of their meaningless rampages?! Need I remind you of their cruelty and brutality?! He might look…domesticated to you…”

“He is not an animal!!” Ayeka bellowed in anger, her eyes flashing now with the intense emotion that filled her being. “He has treated me with respect and kindness!!”

“Watch the way you speak to me, Ayeka,” Azusa warned coldly. “I will only tolerate your rudeness because I believe that you have been brainwashed. Come with us to the ship and let us leave this place, at once. Your people await you.”

“And so does your groom.”

All eyes spun around sharply to stare at the newcomer with mixed combinations of shock, surprise and interest. The princess’ eyes widened the most as she took in the tall, handsome, dark-haired man with eyes of darkest black and she unwillingly felt her heart race in confusion and fear.

“Yo…Yosho?” She whispered painfully. It couldn’t be! It just couldn’t be him!

“Hai, my princess,” came the soft reply, as he walked up to the still stunned group. Dressed in the traditional Jurian robes, his long hair lay in two ponytails and framed his handsome features, his full lips parted in a warm smile as he bowed respectfully before his father and entourage.

“I am ready to come back home, Father,” he said raising his eyes. “Please forgive my impudence over the years. I am ready to resume my duties and to continue the royal line of Jurai.” Dark eyes flashed with hidden secrets. “I will marry Ayeka…as I am supposed to do.”

This caused the earthlings and Saiyan to gasp…while the hidden figure in the shadows wailed in anguish inside.

~*~*~*~

Vegeta had been silent throughout the ordeal, sharp eyes and ears drinking and listening to every sight and conversation. He had watched Ayeka come down the stairs and out to the lawns, the silk of the kimono flashing brightly in the hot afternoon sun, long purple tresses gleaming, that beautiful face that he would have gladly killed or destroyed planets for, filled with a sorrow that he knew that he had been partly to blame. He had whimpered out her name softly, kicking himself inwardly for even showing that much vulnerability and weakness at the sight of her. The pain was even worse as he realized that she was walking away…from him, and for Kami knows how long. He was letting her get away.

~ You are a fool, Vegeta. Why don’t you go out there and bring her back?! Why don’t you fight for her?! Why do you give up so easily?! ~

“It’s this damn planet,” he muttered harshly to himself. “I have become so used to their ‘peaceful’ ways that it has begun to rub off on me in more ways than one. I. Am. Such. A. Fool!”

But he still found himself unable to move from his position and could only watch in helpless anger and frustration as the Emperor ordered her departure. Growling lowly in his throat, he dug his fingers into the stony pillar that he was currently leaning against, unaware of the tiny cracks that had begun to show. His fury grew with each insult to his heritage and it didn’t help that Kakkarrot wasn’t even planning to help him much by defending their race.

His worry and fear grew even further as the newcomer arrived. He listened with dawning horror as the man introduced himself.

“Yosho…he…he is…alive…but…how?”

He could still remember Ayeka’s nightmare on the space ship back to Earth and he felt his heart sink at the look that had come unto her face. Obviously, she still harbored some sort of feeling for him. He noticed that she did not cringe away from his embrace or scream and yell at him as well. Feeling something dull spear through his heart, he closed his eyes to block away the images, his mind racing a mile-a-minute as the hurt and pain grew.

~ She still loves him. After all this time…she. Still. Loves. Him. She lied to me! ~

His anger exploded as he transformed into his golden state and, no longer caring if anyone saw him or not, he stepped out of the shadows and walked out to the lawns.

~*~*~*~

Ayeka was numb. Her body seemed to have gone into a state of automation as she watched the future heir walk up to embrace her. She hadn’t even found the strength to complain or refuse the offer. For years, she had thought him dead and now for him to reappear like this again…it was simply too much for her young mind to bear. She wasn’t sure if she ought to cry or laugh or simply scream in frustration. Everything was beginning to happen so fast.

“My precious Ayeka,” Yosho muttered against her ear huskily. “I have waited for such a long time to meet you again. Finally we can be together just the way it was meant to be.”

Her mind screamed in denial. It warned her to turn away before it was too late. But she felt strangely powerless in his presence. It was as if she was…hypnotized. Yosho released her with a wide smile and turned to face the curious spectators. Bowing politely to the professor and his wife, he thanked them for taking good care of Ayeka. He was about to continue, when he, along with everyone else, spun around as they noticed the furious Saiyan prince before them.

For a moment, nothing was said as each stared at the other silently. The silence was eventually broken as Azusa yelled out angrily. “Who is this?!”

Vegeta snarled and folded his arms across his chest, teal eyes flashing in derision. “I am the Saiyan no Ouji. That’s Prince Vegeta to you.”

“You and what contingent?” Azusa smirked coldly. “The last thing I heard was that your precious planet was destroyed by Freiza.”

“Azusa not now…” Funaho and Misaki tried to intercept softly.

“So, my planet was obliterated and you are lucky it was too, or I would have gladly wiped out your pathetic existence long ago!”

“You had a chance to, Prince Vegeta, and you and your planet purgers couldn’t do a thing! And now all you have is…what? Nothing, Vegeta! Without a planet to rule and control you are worthless in my sight!”

With a speed that stunned most of the crowd, the Emperor found himself staring into blazing teal-colored depths. Just as sudden, two swords were now aimed at the Saiyan no Ouji’s neck, as the silent male guardians sprung to aid their leader.

“Argh!!” Bulma screamed. “Would you guys stop this now?! Let him go, Vegeta! What’s your problem anyway?! Let them just leave!!”

“Shut up, onna!!” came the bellow of fury. “I will kill him first for such insolence!!” As each word was said, a glowing ball of energy had begun to form in his other hand.

“Come on, Vegeta…you don’t have to do this…” Goku said hastily as he walked up to his side. “We know how you feel about…”

“Shut up, Kakkarrot. You don’t have any idea as to how I feel right now. You never have and you never will, so just take your little hero speeches and get the hell away from me…NOW!!”

The energy ball got bigger with each minute, and the Emperor only sneered coldly. “Go ahead and destroy me if you dare, Vegeta. In fact…I dare you.”

The prince growled. “I will kill you,” he spat out in a deceptively calm voice. “Something I should have done the moment I laid eyes on your ugly mug of a fa…wha…?”

“Vegeta…please…please don’t hurt him.”

The Ouji spun around sharply as he felt the familiar warmth of the woman he loved. “Aye…Ayeka…” he croaked out harshly, the ball dissipating, his grip on Azusa’s neck loosening as he focused all attention on the rather glazed looking eyes before him. “Ayeka…are you…alright?”

“Hai…I am…” was the listless reply and this time Vegeta frowned in worry. Something was clearly not fine with his princess and he had a feeling that Yosho had something to do with it. He placed his hands on her shoulders and shook her rather roughly.

“Damn it, Ayeka!! What is wrong with you?! What have you done to her, you bastard?!”

Yosho smiled softly and walked up to them, gently prying the unresisting girl away from him. “She belongs to us now, Vegeta. As she always has. Now, if you don’t mind. We have a long journey ahead of us.”

“Grr…no!! Don’t you dare take her away!! I will blast you all this time, I mean it!!”

“Vegeta…don’t…please…” Ayeka murmured quietly, rose-colored orbs flickering with some sort of recognition. “I…lo…”

Yosho frowned and pushed her towards the ship a bit roughly. “Let’s go, Ayeka-hime. We have nothing else to do here.” He spun to face the group and bowed lightly. “Thank you all again for your help. We will be sure to reward you for your kindness.” And with a swift tug on Ayeka’s arm, he turned them back to face the ship, the bright blue ball of energy enclosing them in its cocoon before vanishing into thin air.

Azusa snorted and straightened out his robes. “I reciprocate the sentiment expressed by my son. I will ignore Vegeta’s display, but you are all thanked for my daughter’s safekeeping. We will leave you now…in peace.”

“Good bye everyone.” Sasami waved, her bottom lip quivering with barely held tears. “I will miss you all!”

“Good bye!!” came the simultaneous cries from the others, except for Vegeta who looked immobile, with his head lowered and hands clenched in fists at his side. His body began to tremble slowly at first, as he felt the Jurians disappear into their ship. The low rumble from the earth began as the ship rose slowly into the fading daylight sky. The low sounds of crackling energy from his body sent the others into a state of fear.

“Uum…Vegeta?”

“Oh man…he has that insane look in his eye again…”

“Vegeta! Cut that out! You are scaring us!!”

Their only reply came in the form of an ear splitting roar that shook the very foundations of the house and its environs. A display of raw power sending the Saiyan no Ouji into a blazing pillar of gold, sent everyone, including Goku, into absolute speechless states. At this point, no one else mattered to the wronged Prince. His fury, anguish and pain so deep that it threatened to destroy his very existence. He ignored the agonizing injuries he was inflicting on himself. He could feel himself about to explode.

And what better way to end his life.

He had no cause to live anymore. He had lost his people…his heritage…his unborn son…and most importantly…

He had lost the woman he loved.