CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE:

Akiko hummed softly to herself as she bustled around Ayeka’s bedroom. Holding up several lace linens in her grip, she pushed open the doors that led to the adjoining royal nursery and smiled brightly at the two young nurses that were currently folding up baby clothes. Almost as large as the princess’s room, the nursery was a paradise of delicate blue hues and drapery. The grandiose cradle stood in the middle of the room, seeming to sparkle and shimmer with the sunlight that fell upon it. A large rocking chair, draped with royal cloth, stood in the corner while every toy imaginable, it seemed, were arranged neatly in a pile.

“Good morning, girls!” Akiko greeted happily, as she walked up to a closet to place the linen in her hands down. “And where is her Royal Highness?”

“She took the baby towards the gardens, my Lady Akiko.” One of the girls replied. “They should still be there.”

The head-maid nodded and stepped out onto the patio. Leaning against the ornate balustrades, she gazed down at the luscious gardens, trying to catch a glimpse of the mother and child. For a moment, she could make out nothing, but eventually, her eyes fell on the purple-haired princess who was sitting quietly in the white rotunda that was situated in the middle of the gardens. The young prince, dressed in a simple dark blue robe, was crawling around her feet, currently peering at some flowers in fascination, that was until a butterfly flew down to perch on his nose. Akiko could see Ayeka laugh lightly and that brought a smile on her own visage.

It was good to see the princess smiling again, even if it was for just a little while. The past two months had been rough on the young woman. Yosho and Azusa had had an impromptu trip to another planet to settle some civil dispute and so, neither man had had the chance to see the baby. But what had been puzzling was the fact that Ayeka had refused to let the Royal Announcer spread the news of the birth to the people. She had seemed almost panicked at the suggestion and Misaki and Funaho had seconded the motion, coincidentally enough. Akiko figured that the women had wanted the men to come back before the news was made officially.

~ Or perhaps they are worried that the boy has Saiyan blood in him. ~

She sighed and tugged restlessly on her apron. Seiyru had been born healthy and strong…but with a tail, which had been cut off on sight. The long, furry, brown appendage had been hidden carefully and Ayeka had insisted that it be kept in her possession. But, that wasn’t the only problem. Seiyru had the princess’s rose-colored orbs and purple-hair, even though it was a bit lighter, but unlike the tendency for Jurain hair to grow long and flat, Seiyru’s hair was as spiky and as upright as any Saiyan’s. And what a full load of hair, the young baby had had. Jurain babies had a rapid growth rate, since most babies had the tendency to begin teething at just four months, however, Seiyru, had not only begun to grow a full set of dentures, he was already crawling quite effortlessly at just two months.

~ Oh, the scandal this would bring to the Jurai Royal House, if the baby were made public to the people. Everyone would know that Seiyru is not Yosho’s son and whatever will the Emperor think? What would happen to Ayeka? Tsunami! What would happen to the baby?! ~

“My Lady Akiko.”

She started and spun around guiltily, as she stared at the bemused face of the younger maid. “Huh? Oh, yes. I am on my way.”

She gave a last look at the princess and her baby before giving a slow shake of her head and a heavy sigh.

~ I wonder what will become of the family now. ~

~*~*~*~*~

Kiyone closed her eyes and leaned against the headrest of her chair. With the headphones over her ears, she was able to drown out the constant whining from her partner, who was currently making a mess at the hull of their spaceship. Sighing softly, she sunk deeper into the comfort of the pilot’s chair and allowed her mind to wander.

It had been a while since their escapades on Earth and Kiyone had not visited that planet or Jurai either, for that duration of time. Thanks to their ‘rescue’ of the princesses, they had been promoted and their area of jurisdiction had increased. They were in charge of a fleet of several other Galaxy Police officers and their job was to patrol the area, getting rid of space pirates and criminals alike.

So far, nothing exciting had happened. They had arrested a few criminals here and there, but in comparison to someone like Ryoko, they were considered small fry and not that exciting at all. Kiyone sighed softly. She hated to admit it, but she wished she could get another case just as good as the kidnapping of the princesses, not that she wished for it to happen again…

“LIEUTENANT KIYONE AND MIHOSHI. DO YOU READ ME? THIS IS YOUR COMMANDER SPEAKING!”

She sat upright and took the headphones off her ears. Saluting smartly, she stared at the frantic-looking visage of her superior officer on the screen. “Lieutenant Kiyone reporting, sir! Is there a problem?!”

“I WOULD SAY! THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS COMING IN OF TWO SPACE PIRATE SHIPS THAT LOOK LIKE KEN-OHKI AND RYO-OHKI HEADING TOWARDS THE PLANET JURAI!

Kiyone blinked and sat even more upright, her heart already pounding in anticipation. “We will take the mission, sir! We are on our way!!”

“BE CAREFUL! WE DON’T WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT WE ARE ON THEIR TAIL, OR THEY MIGHT RETALIATE AND DO SOMETHING STUPID, LIKE ATTACKING THE PLANET!”

“Has the Planet been put on alert?” Kiyone asked, fingers already moving fast upon the console in readiness to move the spaceship towards said direction.

“WE ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE REPORT FROM THEIR SATELLITE MONITORING SYSTEM, SO THEY ARE ON HIGH ALERT ALREADY. THE EMPEROR AND HIS SON SHOULD BE ARRIVING SOON, SO ALL PREPARATIONS FOR A POSSIBLE BATTLE ARE IN ORDER.”

Kiyone gave a curt nod. “Has anyone tried to establish contact with the ships?”

The commander stared at her as if she had asked for the impossible. “NOT YET. BUT WE WILL LEAVE THAT UP TO YOU TWO. FIND OUT THEIR AGENDA AND IF IT IS MALICIOUS, THEN HAVE YOUR FLEET ATTACK IMMEDIATELY!”

“Yes, sir!” And saluting again, she turned off communications, only to glare at her blonde companion in irritation. “Would you get the hell out from there, Mihoshi?! We have a job to do now!!”

Mihoshi sniffled lightly at being yelled but, dutifully, ran towards her side of the ship. She stared at the console for a moment before asking sheepishly. “What…what do you want me to do, Kiyone?”

The teal-haired woman gave a sigh of exasperation. “Try to establish contact with the two space pirate ships at Sector 12A. We think it might be Ryoko and Nagy.”

“Okay! Establishing contact with the enemy ships now!”

~*~*~*~*~

Ryoko had had her eyes closed for the better part of the journey. She really had no destination in mind and her only aim for the time being was to get as far away from Earth as possible. The pain and memories from her encounter with Goku and Gohan did not help to ease her suffering and she sniffled pitifully, barely registering the consoling ‘meow’ from her cabbit.

“It’s okay, Ryo-Ohki. I will be fine. Don’t you worry about me. I have survived this long on my own. I don’t need any one or any…huh?”

She opened up her eyes as she felt the new surge of power. Blinking in disbelief, she sat upright on her chair and winced inwardly as the image of the familiar scientist suddenly filled the large screen before her.

“Ryoko! You are alright after all!!”

“What the hell are you doing here?! Why do I feel as if you are too close to me?”

“That’s because we are!” Washuu announced proudly.

Ryoko blinked. “We…??”

Bulma chose that moment to show her face and she waved lightly at the space pirate. “Hi! The gang’s all here! Me, Yamcha, Vegeta, Piccolo, Chi-Chi, Gohan and Goku…and the owner of the ship…what’s her name again?”

“It’s Nagy!” Came the irritated reply from the bounty hunter and soon enough, another squabble began, but that didn’t matter to Ryoko. Gohan and Goku were there. She bit her lower lip and tried to control her thudding heart. “Why…why are you guys all here? Where are you going to?” Surely they hadn’t come to look for her?

“We are taking Vegeta to Jurai to get back Ayeka.” Washuu tried to explain over the chaos. “Nagy was nice enough to offer us a ride…”

“More like forced yourself on here.” Vegeta grumbled as he continued to stare out of the large window into the inky darkness that was space. Piccolo sat quietly on the floor in a meditation position, not really saying much. Chi-Chi had deliberately turned her face away as soon as Ryoko’s voice had been heard while Gohan and Goku exchanged a quick glance before staring morosely at the floor in silence.

As for the space pirate, she wasn’t sure if she ought to feel relieved at having a chance to get to talk to Goku again or if she ought to be upset and lose them in space. The option was decided as the screen seemed to gather some sort of static. Frowning in confusion, Ryoko tried to reestablish contact with Nagy’s ship, only to growl as the familiar face of the ditzy Galaxy Police officer came on.

“Uumm…is that you, Ryoko?”

“No, it isn’t. This is her twin sister, Ryo-chi.”

Mihoshi blinked. “Eh? Gosh…I didn’t know Ryoko had a twin sister…”

“You moron!! That is Ryoko!!” Kiyone bellowed as she came on. She turned to face Ryoko with a cold look on her features. “Okay, Ryoko. I think you are going to have to surrender yourself now or we will begin attacking!”

The demon smirked. “But I haven’t done anything…yet. Why don’t you go bother the other people and leave me alone, hmm?”

Kiyone growled and reluctantly did as she was told. As soon as Nagy and Washuu’s face came on screen, she was quick to blurt out the same question. “Where do you think you are going to? Why are you all heading towards the Planet Jurai?”

“Ah, hello, Kiyone! We were just paying the planet a little visit. There is really nothing to get all flustered about.” Washuu replied with a bright grin.

“Don’t you know that you are under surveillance as we speak?! You might get attacked at any time!”

“But you are going to tell them to stop, are you not? After all, we haven’t done anything to you.”

“That’s right!” Bulma added. “You guys can’t just start firing at us, when we have done nothing wrong!”

Kiyone counted slowly to ten. “Listen! Your ships are under our records as criminals and we have the right to arrest you all…”

“But we aren’t doing anything wrong! We just want to see Ayeka and the ba…mmmphhff!!” Washuu’s words were cut off as Vegeta slapped a hand over her mouth. Giving the scientist a fierce scowl, he shook his head and gave a warning look. Washuu understood and motioned for the prince to release her. Reluctantly doing so, Vegeta stepped back and walked away again, leaving everyone gaping after him in bemusement.

Kiyone blinked and tried again. “Okay, so you are going to Jurai to see the princess. But do you have permission to do so? You know as well as I do that you are never going to be allowed into Jurain territory.”

Washuu smirked. “Well then, Kiyone. It looks like you are going to have to escort us into the planet now, aren’t you? After all, we are all friends, are we not?”

The teal-haired woman growled softly and barked out. “Alright! But don’t think of doing anything funny, do you understand?! I am going to try to establish contact with the Jurain authorities and tell them that you have come in good faith.”

And giving them a smart salute, she turned off communications with the visitors. “Mihoshi? Get me command center, immediately!”

~*~*~*~*~

Ayeka could feel it. She wasn’t sure of what it was yet, but it felt as if something big and monumental was about to happen to her. If it was good or bad, the princess did not know and that was what frightened her the most.

For the past two months, she had protected and kept her baby away from public view. The only ones who were aware of the child’s existence were her immediate family (besides Azusa and Yosho) and those that took care of her. Seiyru’s birth had been a blessing and yet a curse in her life. She loved her little one to death, and seeing that stubborn look in his eyes always reminded her of a certain prince that was still back on Earth…

Or was he?

~ Ah…Vegeta…if only… ~

She shook her head quickly and sat upright. There was no use daydreaming about things that were never going to happen. Vegeta would never think of coming down to Jurai. Just the thought alone and what could happen to him, sent her frazzled nerves into overdrive.

“I am more worried about Yosho and what he plans to do to you, Seiyru.” She dipped her hands into the cool waters in the bath and washed her face gently. It was almost midnight and she was alone in the large ornate bathtub, enjoying the solitude and solace.

“I would have given him a Saiyan name.” She began to speak softly again. “But I am afraid of what that might do to my father and Yosho. Seiyru….’strength and pride’. Just like your father.” Another wistful smile came on her visage as she closed her eyes, slowly slipping deeper into the waters.

~ Seiyru….will you ever get to see your father? ~

~*~*~*~*~

Vegeta gasped softly and sat upright, panting harshly as if having run a marathon. His hands clenched the edge of the sheets that he had been covered with, by Bulma he was sure, as he stared out of the large windows of the spaceship. It was deadly quiet as everyone had fallen asleep as Vegeta groaned weakly and rubbed his eyes.

~ Sei…Seiyru…who…who is that? ~

He placed a hand against his chest and tired to still his thudding heart. He hadn’t really had a nightmare, but his dream had been more of scrambled images that made no sense to him. The one name that had continued to fill his mind, however, had been that of Seiyru. He raised his knees and burrowed his face within them. Could that be…could that be his son?

~ Hai…it is, Vegeta, Prince of Saiyans. ~

He jerked his head upright and blinked in bewilderment at the floating vision of a beautiful blue-haired woman. She had a small smile on her face and for a brief instance, Vegeta was sure he was seeing Ayeka’s little sister, Sasami.

~ Who…who are you? ~ He asked, figuring that if this was a dream, he might as well make the best of it.

~ I am Jurai’s strength and life, the goddess Tsunami and I am just the older form of the one you know as Sasami. ~

~ I knew you had to have something to do with her. ~

For a few minutes, Vegeta scowled and struggled to ask what was really in his mind. He didn’t want to sound like he was that desperate, but fortunately, the goddess made that decision for him.

~ Ayeka and the baby are fine, Vegeta. ~ She said with a smile. ~ He looks just like you, too. ~

The Prince couldn’t help the surge of pride that flared through his body. His heart rate quickened with anticipation. He couldn’t wait to see what his son looked like, but instead, all he gave was a curt nod and a small grunt of acceptance.

~ What is he called? What name was given to him? ~

~ Seiyru. Prince Seiyru of Jurai. ~

Vegeta nodded slowly. ~ It is not a Saiyan name. ~ He finally stated flatly.

~ Hai, it is not. But you must understand that if the baby is ever made known to the public…he might… ~

~ Don’t you think I know that! ~ Vegeta’s frown deepened and he clenched his hands into tight fists. ~ I am going there to bring them back to Earth! And no one is stopping me this time! If I have to destroy the entire planet to do so, then so be it! ~

Tsunami looked panicked and she shook her head quickly. ~ But you mustn’t, Vegeta. You must take caution when going into Jurai. Bloods run hot and danger abounds everywhere for the woman and the baby you love! ~

~ So, what do you expect me to do?! Just sit down and pretend like nothing is going on?! ~

~ No… ~

~ Especially that damn bakayaro called Yosho!! ~ At this point, Vegeta was getting so upset, that his energy level was beginning to get higher and higher. Flickers of gold shone in his hair and his eyes had taken on a look of pure hate. ~ I will kill him with my bare hands! I swear it, I will! And if he dares touch a hair on my son’s head, I will make him wish he had never been born!! ~

Piccolo opened up his eyes and stared blankly at the angry-looking saiyan before him. He couldn’t see the goddess, but he could feel the presence of something stronger and much more powerful in the room. Deciding not to interfere, he closed his eyes again and tried to go back to his fitful sleep, but that was impossible as Vegeta had now gotten to his feet and had paced towards the window. Piccolo watched the agitated prince rest his head against the glass and sigh softly and for just one brief moment, the Namekian felt a tinge of sorrow for him.

Not that Vegeta was going to accept such a reaction.

Tsunami moved closer to Vegeta and placed her hands lightly on his shoulders. She noticed the way he tensed at her touch and she smiled softly to herself.

~ I know how much you wish to place your revenge on the people of Jurai, but you are going to have to remember that your son and the woman you love are also of that race. If you destroy them all….do you really think Ayeka will be happy? ~

Vegeta closed his eyes and groaned. Tsunami was right. Even if he did destroy Jurai, the chances of Ayeka never forgiving him for such an act were extremely high and not wanting to risk that, he was willing to take back his statement.

~ Then what do I do, Tsunami? What can I…? ~

He blinked as he noticed the goddess begin to fade away slowly. ~ Hey! Come back! Where are you going?! Answer my question!!! ~

Tsunami was trying to speak, but Vegeta could make out nothing. Her lips seemed to form the words ‘Make haste’ but he couldn’t be sure, for she was soon completely gone from sight.

“Kuso!!” He growled and stomped his way into the room where Nagy could be seen half-asleep on her chair.

“Wake up!” He barked out coldly. “Now!”

The bounty hunter cracked an eye open and stared at the angry saiyan before her. “What is it, now, oh Prince?”

“How much longer before we get to Jurai?!”

By this time, everyone else had begun to stumble out of his or her sleep at the commotion. Bulma yawned and scratched her head, as she mumbled out sleepily. “Geez, Vegeta, you don’t have to yell so loud…”

“We should be there as soon as we get word from Kiyone.” Washuu explained quietly as she walked up to the console. She had felt Tsunami’s presence as well and she knew without a doubt that something terrible was about to happen on Jurai.

“AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!! I DON’T CARE ABOUT THAT WOMAN!!” Vegeta bellowed in fury. “GET THIS SHIP MOVING AND NOW!!”

Never had anyone seen Vegeta this upset and even Nagy had to gasp a little at his fury. Nodding glumly, she gave the command to her ship. “Alright, Ken-Ohki, you heard the man…step on it!”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Kiyone was getting frustrated. Mihoshi was still unable to reach the headquarters and no one seemed ready to allow the ships any entrance into Jurain territory. However, a sharp beeping sound on her console, sent her off her seat and gaping in shock.

“Damnit!!”

She reached for the communicator and barked coldly into it. “ALL SHIPS PREPARE TO FOLLOW RYO-OHKI AND KEN-OHKI INTO JURIAN TERRITORY. REPEAT ALL GALAXY POLICE OFFICERS STATIONED AT SECTOR 122, PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE ATTACK!!”

“Ki…Kiyone?” Mihoshi whimpered as she stared at the dark look on her partner’s face. “What’s going to happen now?”

“I don’t know, Mihoshi.” Came the grave reply. “ But we are going to have to stop those guys before they can get to Jurai! Now, sit down and let’s get going!!”

~*~*~*~*~

Sasami ran as fast as her legs could carry her down the long hallway, her breath coming out in sharp gasps as she tried to make it to Ayeka’s room on time.

~ Oh, please, Tsunami…let me make it on time!! ~

“Oooofff!” She fell flat on her face as she tripped over the long night robe she was wearing. Trying to get to her feet, she gasped as she felt the shadow fall over her. Lifting up her gaze, she stared into the familiar, but yet unfamiliar face of Yosho.

“Yosho!”

“Hai, Sasami, my dear. I have returned.”

The young girl could feel her heart begin to thud even faster than before and she swallowed the rise of fear in her throat. “When…when did you get back?”

Yosho gave a small smile and a long sigh of exaggerated suffering. “An unfortunate incident happened, Sasami. Surely you know about it…after all…you are our goddess.”

“No…no….stay away from me!!” She shrank back and tried to run, but Yosho was too quick and soon had her engulfed in a choking hold around her waist.

“Where are you running to, little sister? Wouldn’t you like to see your father one last time?”

“Let me go!! You killed him!! I know you did!!! Let me go!!”

Yosho gave a cold laugh and whispered softly against her ear. “His time was up, sister dearest. Surely, you didn’t expect him to live forever now, did you? And once I take over the throne…I am going to make sure your precious mother goes next!!”

Sasami’s eyes widened in terror and with every fiber in her being, she screamed out helplessly. “AYEEEEKAAAAAA!!!!”

~*~*~*~*~

The Princess lifted her head out of the water and blinked in confusion. Had she actually heard Sasami scream her name?

“Sasami?” She called out softly, as she stepped out of the bath. Reaching for a towel quickly, she draped it around her body and tried to squash down the feeling of dread that had begun to fill her body.

Something was definitely not right and the feeling was extremely palpable.

“Sasami?!” She pushed opened the doors of her bedroom and stood still for a few minutes. The room seemed too large and the shadows too many as she held a hand to her thudding heart.

~ Seiyru!!! ~

Like a woman gone insane, she ran into her son’s nursery, not caring that anyone could have come in to see her half naked. For a moment, she wasn’t sure she was seeing the right thing, and she slowed down her steps just to be sure. Everything in the room looked normal and nothing seemed out of place….

….except for the thin trail of blood that seemed to come from the cradle all the way to another door that led to the hallway.

“No…no….Seiyru….” Ayeka ran up to the cradle and peered inside.

The only sound that filled the eerie silence was that of the light music from the golden music box still placed daintily within the folds of lacey linen.

The baby was nowhere in sight.

She could smell him. He had returned. There was no denying it now. Yosho had come back.

And staggering backwards, with her eyes growing wide with horror, the future Empress of Jurai, fell to the floor and screamed out her pain and anguish for the entire planet to hear.