Everyone feared him. From the moment he could walk, he had been taught to hate, to trust no one and to kill anything that was weaker than him. He hated his life, he hated this castle, and he hated the cowards that surrounded him every morning when he woke. Only one seemed to ignore his hate filled snarls, the only Saiya-jin that walked along side him without fear. It was the only reason King Vegeta hadn't destroyed him for his arrogance. The old warrior regarded him with a cool anger of his own, but never directed at the king. It was towards those that tried to grovel at the King's feet as if he would grant them special favors.

Bardock never complained, but took the task of guarding King Vegeta with a quiet dignity. There was no one better, and one mistake from those that tried to take his place always died. King Vegeta often wondered at the Saiya-jin's absence the last two years, and there was a rare spark of interest in his eyes that usually wasn't present. He was tempted to ask and there were times when he saw the challenge in Bardock's expression for him to do so. Would the Saiya-jin answer?

King Vegeta growled. Bardock was one of the rare few that had dared to challenge his father. What had shocked the world was that the fighter had won? Instead of taking the throne as was his right, he looked directly at the ten year old boy at the time, and swore his allegiance. Several years later, Bardock faithfully continued to serve King Vegeta when many would have requested quieter life styles.

Bardock was more than capable of managing an army or field of servants; he always refused. King Vegeta how vowed to never let anyone become stronger than him again, and Bardock had trained him personnally. The warrior was a genius when it came to battle and he never performed the same trick twice. He was a master at hunting and everyone feared him far more than their King.

King Vegeta didn't mind it so much as he had in the past. Bardock's presence was one of the few rare moments when people left him alone. He was tired of the noble females flaunted before his throne every morning. Not like his choice mattered. All he cared about was an heir to the throne.

Absent again, King Vegeta found it harder and harder to escape the many responsiblities his position demanded. Sighing, he stopped to stare out a window. To his knowledge, other than Bardock, there was no one stronger than himself. For a moment he wanted someone he could lean on and trust completely, but his father had taught him that suck a luxury was impossible. Despite Bardock's loyalty, the only person he could trully depend on was himself. Bardock wouldn't always be around to save him from bastards like his father.

The one satisfaction he had was that his father had never broken him. So why did he feel like that little boy again when his advisor's harrassed him about the ancient laws. He had no need for a wife! The type he desired didn't exist. There wasn't a female a live crazy enough to challenge him.

Things had to change, but this was his life...

The solution was a hot shower, yet even that was denied. Upon entering his chambers, he immediately knew he wasn't alone. The smell of blood hit him hard, the source coming from his sleeping area. Furious, he began to stalk his intruder, his eyes glowing red in the darkness.

His room was the one privacy he looked forward too every evening. How dare someone invade! Blood covered the floors and open vent in his floor, but he didn't find the source. "Show yourself!" He roared. King Vegeta remained in the door, waiting for his opponent to make the first move.

"I will not repeat myself!" Assassination were not new on Vegeta-sai, but this was the first time anyone had ever gotten this close. Several of his guards were about to die. How did Bardock find such idiots? Inch-by-Inch, he began to circle the room, hoping to spot the elusive killer. There were only so many places for him to hide and it was narrowing to beneath his bed.

Half mad with fury, Vegeta tossed the bed across the room, effectively cutting off any chance of escape and the only place for his elusive killer to hide. The last thing he expected, was the half-frozen, half-dead female to launch a full attack.

She was so small, that Vegeta would have normally laughed. Yet her punches and kicks were strong and precise, nearly breaking through his defenses several times. She avoided being backed into a corner, but the female was fully aware she had no where to run. This was a matter of pride for her, refusing to die without giving it everything she had to live.

King Vegeta should have killed her immediately, but the little female was obviously too tired and cold to continue her assault. He had heard of the under ground water tunnles, but never considered them a threat. She slowly inched towards the vent, hoping to escape that way, but Vegeta quickly kicked it with his foot.

An hour later she finally stopped, dropping her hands, but not her head. Her eyes blazed, defiant even now as she realized he was toying with her. "Hurry up and finish this! I'm so damn tired of this game."

He heard the bitter anger in her voice, the hurt that he didn't quite understand. She didn't want to die, but she wasn't about to beg or ask for her life either. His rage quickly turned to curiosity. Rarely did he find a mystery worth investigating. Who was this assassin, who hired him, why was he in his quarters, and how did he manage to cause a fatal injury upon himself? Large pools of blood were found closer and closer together, indications that the assassin had rested several times before making it to the palace gardens.

Vegeta's curiosity grew. The gardens were forbidden to anyone other than royalty. He looked foward to meeting his assassin, hoping that he still lived. Turning down forgotten paths, he finally found him, but surprisingly, his assassin was not a male. She was a half frozen female, small and almost child like. Her body lay beneath a rare rose bush, unable to continue her escape. The female's eyes were closed and her breath came in shallow and weak gasps.

Vegeta knelt beside her, his tail lifting dark hair from her face. He hissed, pulling back his tail in surprise. She was as cold as death and her lips were a bluish tint. The female's eyes snapped open, her black eyes filled with a bare hesitation of fear and... He froze, captivated by the pure hate. In her eyes he saw himself.

So much hate... He could literally see the red flames dancing in her dark gaze. At death's door she started to rise, ignoring the drops of precious blood soaking into the ground. Her small body trembled at the effort and with a scream she staggered onto her feet and stepped into a fighting stance. King Vegeta stared at her in shocked silence. Despite her battered appearance, she was attractive and... Completely wild...

She didn't plead for her life, not that she had much of it left to beg for. This girl was going to fight him with everything she had, knowing she didn't have a chance in hell of surviving, but would die trying to take him with her. His tail slowly uncurled from his waist, King Vegeta unaware that it was dancing behind him.

His eyes sparked with a predatory gleam, Vegeta keeping at a distance as he circled her. She was barely standing; he didn't even know where the energy to fight was coming from. This one would never submit to him, and the thought enranged him. Every instinct was pushing him to accept her challenge, but it wasn't even a fair fight.

Lema snarled, knowing this Saiya-jin was dismissing her as a real threat. There was something about a red tail she should remember, but everything was too hazy for her to really care. She had wanted her final moments to be left in peace, yet even now, at death's door, she would have to make her last stand, to show to the world that no male would ever make her beg or his slave.

Why was he circling her that way? He didn't speak and his eyes glinted with a cruel hatred, but there was a small spark of interest that she nearly missed. She doubted that he was even aware of it. This male... She knew instinctively he was like no other she would ever face and fight again. Lema knew if she fought him, it would have to be to the death. He would completely dominate her, take over who and what she was, and that was not acceptable!

In a last scream of defiance, Lema attacked, wishing for death to wash over her. She could feel it wrap around her legs and arms, and still she pressed on. Lema would keep her promise, to finally be free...

King Vegeta couldn't believe it; she had actually intiated the attack. He could see the life fading from her eyes, but she wouldn't stop. One blow, it was all it would take, yet despite his intentions to kill her, he couldn't push himself to do it. Furious, he snatched her wrists, whirling her around in a crushing embrace. She howled, snapping at his arms. He wanted to fight her at full health, to see what she was fully capable of.

As predicted, she collapsed in a matter of minutes. He should have let her die; the girl deserved a warrior's death for her rare act of courage. And yet... King Vegeta snarled. He would not be denied the rare opportunity to fight one of the strongest fighters on the planet. Vegeta wondered if she could defeat Bardock?

He lifted her unconscious body into his arms, carrying her to the labs. Vegeta ignored the startled glances of those he passed. Not a single person could remember a time he had bothered to save anyone, especially a female. "You're not going to die," he commanded.

She was so damn tired... Why didn't he just simply let her die in peace? Was it so much to ask for? Weakly she opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. She wasn't afraid. Vegeta froze, staring at her in a mixture of rage and awe. How dare she not be afraid, and at the same time he wanted her to remain this way. Isn't this what he had been asking for moments before? "Can't stop it..." It was faint, but he had heard her. She was refusing to live, her answer an act of defiance.

His grip tightened, a breath from snapping her fragile neck. If it weren't for the fact that she had just demanded her death, he would have gladly done it. "Little one, your death will come at my choosing and not a moment before!"

A flicker of fear flashed in her eyes, but it was so faint that he thought he had imagined it. She was too weak to struggle against him and chose to slip back into her dark oblivion. He was losing her. Vegeta couldn't recall ever seeing her before, but her personanlity reminded him a little of Bardock.

All action ceased when he entered the lab, doctors staring at him in numb disbelief. "Idiots! Take her!" They sprang forward, blue in the face from fear. If he wanted her to live, no one was stupid enough to tell him other wise. Failure was never an option with King Vegeta as they moved rapidly to attach wires and an oxygen tank around her nose and mouth.

He had thought her attractive in the garden, but nothing had prepared him for this little spit fire as they stripped her of all her clothing. She was a fully matured female, short, but developed and curved in all of the appropriate places. He liked what he saw. Warm liquid surrounded her body, keeping her suspended as it worked to heal her fatal injuries.

Hours ticked by, her status critical. She was struggling to defy him, even now, but Vegeta won in the end, the machine finally beeping green two days later. He circled the tank, missing nothing as he studied her. Vegeta really didn't need the intrusion in his life, but dammit, for the first time, he was far from bored. His entire body was screaming to possess her, to demand her submission, that no other may have her... Vegeta was very aware of the ancient laws... Would the ancients accept her? Other than himself, only Bardock had ever entered that sacred place and exited unharmed. It was part of the reason King Vegeta kept him alive.

On her back were several scars, most of them still healing. She was not a stranger to pain and it angered him more than he cared to admit. It reminded him of the marks he had found on his mother and Bardock, all gifts from his father as they tried to shield him from his father's rage. Is this why she wanted death? Was this her way of defeating those that wished to see her broken? Vegeta had the instinctive urge to run his fingers down every line, all too familiar with these types of scars.

He had a powerful desire to hunt the bastards down that had left these marks, to show them the true meaning of pain. Vegeta didn't torture his victims, he simply killed them. Had this girl ever known kindness? Vegeta growled in approval, waiting impatiently for her to recover.

Ringo stared at the walls of her room, torn with grief. "Lema... I don't understand. Am I not your friend?" Turles had notified Ringo's father about Lema's disappearance. Strangely, her father had taken her disappearance seriously, a rarity for a field servant. She had thought Lema a simple commoner, but everyone had been ordered to stop their work and to search for the missing female. "Where are you? You can't be dead!" Tears streamed down her face.

Lema had been so close, but even the freedom of death was denied. She simply didn't have the will to go back to that kind of life. Alone and afraid, Lema recalled every moment in the past six months. Where had things gone so wrong? A tear slid down her cheek, blending with the blue liquid. The pain of being separated from Raditz had nearly destroyed her and then they had come... She still remembered the pain, her body left for the predators.

Loneliness could not exist in her world. She had to be stronger, if only to rise above the bastards that had tried to break her. Fear was never an option, not if she wished to conquer her enemies. No, the only emotions she would allow was a cool indifference. Rage wouldn't be too bad. Let it be directed to the ones that had wanted her dead. 'I don't need anyone! I don't want anyone! Everyone is my enemy!' Bubbles began to form around her head, the computers beeping rapidly.

Finally, unable to escape the mockery of her existence, her eyes snapped open. She was in some kind of prison, surrounded by glass and liquid. Her hands brushed against her confinement, searching for a weakness. Doctors ignored the furious female, more afraid of the male standing a few feet back. She spotted him on her second inspection of the tank. Despite her new resolutions, she was terribly afraid of this one. She hid her emotions, refusing to show even the slightest hint of a weakness.

Nothing had ever prepared her for someone like him. He was tall and possessed red hair. She knew it was uncommon, as was the tail, yet it was more accepted than her black one. She hated her tail; it was the cause of so much pain. Instinctively, she wrapped it around her waist, not wanting anyone to grab it. Vegeta saw the rage and he worked to surpress his instincts to fight her. His expression was cold, indifferent, and proud. Lema wanted nothing to do with him. He would demand total control and she would rather die than give it to him.

First things first; she needed to get the hell out of this contraption! Snarling, the bubbles grew bigger and bigger, the computers exploding in every direction from the surge of power feeding into it. Vegeta's eyes widened, captivated. Where the hell had this female come from? It seemed impossible for one such as her to hide and none of the elite talk about her.

Lema screamed, the glass shattering into a sparkling shower as she landed on all fours. She ignored the shards digging into her palms, her eyes never leaving the male that blocked her only escape. His arms were crossed, as if he were taunting and daring her to try. He didn't even bother getting into a fighting stance, so sure that he could defeat her. Lema's eyes were red flames, teeth pulled back in a vicious snarl, and the fur on her tail bristling as she continued to search for an opening.

Vegeta would never admit it; he wanted this fight more than he had ever wanted anything else in his life! She was not afraid; far from it. Lema would choose death before she gave into him, and that, Vegeta vowed, was not going to come so easily for her.

Alarms blared in the background, but none of that mattered as the two Saiya-jins faced each other. She was crouched like one of the large tigers seen near the northern mountains. This form of fighting was unique to him, but he was patient enough to wait and learn. Her black tail was wrapped tightly around her waist, not giving it any chance to be used against her. All action had been brought to a stand still in the lab, the doctors looking on in dumb horror.

"Move..." Vegeta's eyes narrowed, furious that she would command him.

He took a step in her direction, and in a flash she was striking, swiping at his arms and face with her nails. She was fast, and if he didn't want to hurt her, he had to end this now. Vegeta slammed his fist into her chest, knocking the wind out of her. Still she remained standing, moving in once again. With the right training, she would be unstoppable. Vegeta dogged a round house, snatching her foot and flipping her onto her stomach. Not giving her the chance to roll over, he crushed all his weight onto her, taking her hands and pinning them to the floor.

If he thought her enraged before, finding herself helpless and vulnerable, Lema erupted in a shriek, straining, snapping her teeth at his exposed arms, and trying with all her strength to buck him off. Neither were aware of the guards that had entered the room, watching in stunned disbelief as the small female gave it everything she was worth to get free. King Vegeta calmly held her, not even straining.

The guards were confused; why wasn't she dead already? Surely he would kill her for this lack of disrespect? Yet he simply kept her pinned, a rare look in his eyes. He understood this female, far more than she realized. The last thing he wanted was to kill her, not when he knew what it was like to hate and to never have a single soul he dared to trust.

Moving her arms until they were pinned beneath his legs, he turned one of her hands palm facing upwards, frowing at the blood that oozed to the marble floor in thick drops. As if her struggles were mere child's play, he set about pulling out each sliver of glass, tossing them to a corner of the room. He did the same to the other hand, watching her gradually calm.

Her eyes had yet to return to their normal color, but he noticed a hint of confusion and weariness that hadn't been present at the beginning of their little battle. She waited, hoping he would drop his guard. Vegeta wasn't that stupid. Snatching a nearby table cloth, he wrapped the little female until she was confined and covered.

He still needed to check her feet, but not until he knew she would not try to run or attack again. There was even a small piece in her tail and without thinking he reached for it. Lema shrieked in terror, sinking her teeth deep into his arm. Vegeta snarled, and again he couldn't find it in himself to strike her down. His guards were awaiting the order to execute her, but as he stared into her black eyes, the little female courageously and savagely fighting what she didn't understand, Vegeta felt himself softening when he would have destroyed anyone else.

To all those that were present that day, they watched King Vegeta perform an act of compaasion for the first time in his twenty-five years of life. With his free hand, he began to stroke her cheek, purring softly so as to calm her. She didn't want to trust him; he could see it all as if she were an open book. Angry tears formed in her eyes, threatening to fall as she battled between what he was saying and what her instincts were screaming. She needed to get away, to be free, but that was impossible and they both knew it...

He saw the first flicker of fear, more of the unknown than himself. Her teeth sank deeper, but he held his wrist in place, his other arm snaking around her waist as he pulled her close. What ever she was, Vegeta quickly dismissed the idea that she was an assassin. She didn't even seem to be aware of who or what he was.

She whimpered, her body starting to tremble. He could feel it then, the terror that she had hidden so well. She knew he could win, furthering her instinct to bury her teeth deeper into his flesh. He didn't try to pull it away, instead placing her in his lap until his chin rested on her shoulder.

Lema listened to the sound of his voice, the soft growls that tickled against her throat. She waited for him to strike her, to demand punishment, but an hour passed and they still sat in the same spot. Inch-by-Inch, she gradually eased her teeth from his wrist, horrified that she had caused so much damage. Instinctively she reached down and began to stroke the wound with her tongue, unaware of the significance of her actions. Several of the guards paled; Vegeta simply ignored them. He knew the results of allowing her to bite him and not killing her immediately. What was done could never be unchanged. His only problem now was how to deal with the situation? Realizing what she was doing, Lema jerked back, to only find him pulling her back into his lap.

She lowered her head, bracing herself for the blow that never came. Instead of demanding a bandage, his injured arm joined the other, holding her trembling form. This was not what she had expected upon running away from home. She had wanted freedom, to escape one form of slavery to find herself in another. Still, he had yet to harm her, but it was probably only a matter of time.

Lema was grateful he had covered her with the table cloth. Without explaining himself, Vegeta stood, taking the now pacif female back to his chambers. She was still very weak, but he would finish her recovery the old fashioned way; it would give him the time to partially tame this wild creature.

He cancelled all his appointments for the remainder of the evening, failing to notice that Bardock wasn't anywhere to be found. Vegeta didn't care, only focused on the little female. She still felt the desire to fight and run, but she was holding it back with an extreme effort. "Who are you?" he asked. Vegeta couldn't believe how easily he could read her, all her emotions passing through him as a result of the bite. There was so much information and... He forced back his howl of fury, stunned at the intensity of his reaction to her. God, there was so much pain, she didn't even know how to believe that there was a chance at something different.

Vegeta, until that moment, had never done anything for anyone else. Silently, he vowed to protect this girl, to give her the time she needed before he returned the mark. Was this how he had been? Is this how he felt? He didn't want her to see the atrocities and the scars of his life. When she didn't answer, he gently repeated his question.

If there was one thing Lema feared more than this man carrying her, it was her father finding out where she was and taking her back. She loved her father, but Lema would rather die than to ever return to that hell. Vegeta gently lowered her to his bed, refusing to relinquish his hold on her. She needed to learn he was in control, but he would do this without pain or violence.

"Little one, you will sleep." She bristled at his name for her, but seeing as how she refused to answer him, the name suited her perfectly. Lema gave one last attempt for freedom before giving into him, her eyes too heavy to keep open any longer. Again he reached for her tail, surprised at how soft it was.

Thankfully the shard of glass fell right out, leaving him free to stroke the glossy fur. Only one other person had ever had a black tail, but she had died so long ago that her name was barely a memory to Vegeta. He needed to sleep; did he dare allow her to remain unrestrained? Pulling her securely into his arms, he held her, draping his leg across her thigh to hold her in place.

Later he would get his answers, but for now she would sleep. Despite her fear and distrust of him, she moved closer turning until her face was buried against his chest. Her movements were so innocent yet provacative that he started to wonder about his decision. That night, he slept without dreams or nightmares of the past. He felt truly safe... Invisible threads had been formed, winding around them. They were the beginnings of an unbreakable bond that neither ever imagined possible, but the only chance the planet would have to survive. A flash of light lit the sky for thousands of miles, a sign that the ancients had finally found the ones they had waited several millienium for.

Turles could feel her, but she was keeping her location a secret. He was furious, but greatful at the same time. Lema was hiding not from him, but something else. It was this place. She would rather face the very depths of hell than return here. What the hell had happened? Bardock had assured him she would be safe here?

He found his twin in Torn's home, talking quietly to the girl that had suddenly barged into his home. There was nothing special about her; so much so that he was amazed that she was the daughter of a powerful warrior like Torn. Turles snorted; females were weak.

"It's amazing that we're related!" Bardock spat, not even glancing up. Turles frowned. No matter how hard he tried to keep his twin from his thoughts, Bardock always knew when he was around. Not just him; anyone. "If you had just left her alone, none of this would be necessary!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Lema's in this situation because you separated her from the only protection she had!"

"You said she was safe here!"

"She would have been if she hadn't jumped in where she didn't belong!"

Turles watched the terrified female flinch, her head turning away from Bardock. His twin turned away, issuing a few commands before he leaned against a nearby wall and crossed his arms. Bardock always appeared so calm, unaffected by the events around him. Was he really as cold hearted as they say, or was it all an act?

"You would know if you didn't shut me out all the damn time?" Bardock sighed, quickly clamping down on his regrets.

"Did you learn anything?"

"More than I cared too. I'm greatful for the blood bond I created years ago with Lema, but bringing her back isn't going to be so easy." Several guards re-entered the hut, dragging with them three field masters and shoving them to the ground. Bardock stared at them with cold malice, a glint of cruelty shining in his dark eyes. Turles knew he was a savage, but to watch his brother walk up, snap the closest one's neck and then snap another's arm like it were a twig had him even stepping back in surprise. To say Bardock was upset was a huge understatement. Bardock was livid and if Turles recalled anything about his twin brother, was that the third would suffer before he would be allowed to die.

Bardock knelt, the third field master unable to look away. There was a hint of a smirk on his face, but it wasn't real. Ringo started to leave, but Turles quickly shoved her back down, somehow knowing it was necessary for her to stay. "We can do this the easy way," Bardock snarled, "or the fun way. I would prefer the fun way; it's been a while since anyone's given me a chance to play."

The field master paled, struggling briefly before Bardock snatched the man's tail and broke it. The guards looked green, but none of them were stupid enough to vomit. Bardock would kill them without a second thought. Had his twin always been this cold blooded? 'Shut up and pay attention!' Bardock snapped mentally. Turles blinked, surprised that his brother was able to communicate without Turles keeping the connection. 'I'm always connected to you, dumb ass!'

"I didn't know!" the Saiya-jin shrieked.

Ringo was visibly shaking, but to her credit she didn't faint. Their was an inner strength to her that Turles would have missed if he hadn't been forcing her to remain in her seat. "Every field master here knew Lema belonged to the house of Turles! Not only was she his daughter, but I have personally declared that she was under my protection! If my status is unknown, please, let me know! I'm in a mood for an educational lesson!"

If Turles felt any sympathy for the Saiya-jin, all of it vanished the moment Bardock mentioned Lema. He wanted to snatch the man, but Bardock sent a mental blast that nearly had him sinking to his knees. 'Do not! You'll have your chance; just don't let that brat take off! One other thing; ensure that Lema's twin hears nothing of this conversation you're about to hear. If you think I'm a savage bastard, Cyan will level this field without a second thought and then some.'

"We didn't kill her!"

"Not for the lack of trying," Bardock taunted. "Do you tell me what happened, or do I have the female behind me start. With each word she utters, I'll break a bone. You'd be surprised at how many bones there are before you die from the blood loss."

The Saiya-jin's eyes were bulging from his head, a slap bringing him back to reality. "She should have just stayed out of it; no one helps another Saiya-jin weaker than herself! We just wanted to have some fun!"

"At an elite soldier's expense. Despite her lack of strength, she is still the daughter of a Saiya-jin elite!"

Turles slowly started to piece together what had happened, understanding the sudden pain Cyan and himself had felt before Lema had shut them out. It had been the last time she had communicated with any of them, her mind a whirl of chaos, fear, and tremendous pain. He had returned to find her gone. "How often does this happen?" Turles hissed, trying not to crush Ringo's shoulder.

"All the time," Ringo whimpered, tears in her eyes. "Father warned me not to venture out alone, but that day they caught me in the rice fields helping some of the workers. I know it's not my job, but they work so hard. The field workers told me to run, that I wasn't the first they had taken advantage of."

"Lema came running, throwing herself on the biggest one's back. He was dead before anyone could stop her, Lema already racing to attack the next. I've never seen her so angry, but even she couldn't stop six of them. After she had killed three of them, they managed to bring her down, tying her to a tree."

Turles felt the pit of his stomach revolt, not wanting to hear the rest, but needing to. It was then he felt Bardock's inner strength surround him, not once blaming him for his failure yet again. 'She's alive. Stay focused. You need to hear the rest of it; Lema suffered through hell to save this girl.'

"They ripped the back of her shirt, the leader snatching a nine tipped whip and slammed it with all his strength into her flesh. God, she didn't even scream. The field workers begged that they stop, that she was under Bardock's protection. They simply laughed and called them liars. I've never seen anyone beat like she was, and the entire time she remained silent. Not even a single tear was shed, not until..."

Ringo started to cry, unable to continue. "Until what?" Turles roared, slamming the field master against the wall. "What the hell did you do to her?"

The bastard was too terrified to speak, and with a snarl of disgust, Turles dropped him, trusting Bardock to find the worst torture possible. "Ringo, I need you to finish it!"

"They broke her tail! Oh my god I can still hear her screaming, and then she just stopped. I swear, for a moment I thought her eyes were pure green and then she was gone. None of us saw her break free. The next day she didn't show up to work and my father told me to search for her."

"Did they..."

"No, to either of us. Lema stopped them before they had the chance. She knew... Somehow she knew I was in trouble, even though she was on the other side of the field."

That evening, Turles finally managed to face his twin, but just barely. "Can you find her?"

"You're not going to like it."

"That's not what I asked?"

"She's lost the will to live, Turles. For the moment she's stable; I just haven't quite figured out how yet. She was so close to giving in."

"You can't see it?" Bardock knew everything.

"Something about her cancels out a lot of my abilities. I just know that if we find her, let her see Raditz. As much as you dislike them being together, he might be one of the few people that can keep her from giving up. And for the record, be thankful he taught her what little he did; they would have finished what they had tried to start with Ringo."

"And Cyan... I can't keep this from him, you know better than that!"

"Just make sure he isn't near anything important!" Bardock started to fade into the shadows, stopped by a hand on his arm. There was a tense truce between the brothers, one that had been strained to the limits twenty-five years earlier.

"You're going back, aren't you?"

"He's not his father," Bardock growled. "If you had been less of a coward, you could have fought for her. You're such an idiot!"

"She could have..."

"Like hell she could! Dammit, do you have any clue the pain the both of them suffered! Despite everything I try, I'm going to lose him! He won't let anyone in!"

Turles knew it was pointless to say other wise. Bardock would never stop protecting King Vegeta, despite the lives his father had destroyed. "It no longer matters."

Bardock hesitated, his eyes showing a small hint of regret before he masked it. "That girl of yours has to live, Turles. For now that's all you need to know." Without a further explanation, Bardock was gone.

Lema felt as if she were falling, and then she was safe. A strong aura was wrapped around her, silently keeping her from sinking any further. He was very angry, but not at her. 'Bardock...' Her uncle had always been a part of her life, even when her father had demanded that Raditz stop hanging out with her. Bardock had objected to the separation, but in the end, he had given in to his twin.

'I'm sorry.' It was the last thing she recalled before she fell back asleep. She thought she had imagined it, but the feeling remained with her for the remainder of the night. Bardock had always been able to make her feel that way, safe and without fear. If there was anyone she feared more than her father, it was Bardock. No one messed with him, not even his own son who was fearless of everyone.

Lema didn't care that he knew why she had run away. Somehow she realized that he wouldn't send her back. Several hours later, she woke to a feeling of warmth. She could barely remember the last time she had felt this way, safe... Lema knew better than to believe in a false reality, but for the moment, she allowed herself to pretend. She had already forgotten the dream. If she kept her eyes closed, perhaps she would never have to recall those horrible moments in the field.

Sunlight filtered through the large room, falling on the sleeping couple. Slowly she opened her eyes, studying her surroundings for the first time. If she wasn't mistaken, this was the same room she had escaped into. Not three feet away was the vent, still open. Lema recoiled, instinctively curling herself into the warm embrace of the strange male.

He was instantly awake, his eyes watching her. She was a complete contrast from the day before, trembling in fright. Vegeta lifted his head, scanning the room for any threat. Not smelling or sensing anything, he glanced down at her. He knew it wasn't himself that she feared, not with her seeking him as a shield. Vegeta frowned. Why was he sheltering her so much?

Sensing he was awake, Lema tried to pull away, but like the night before, he simply held her pinned beneath him. Vegeta didn't even have to strain and it amused him that she even bothered to try. Lifting her head, she studied him, forgetting for a moment about the frozen tunnels a few feet away. He was reading her thoughts, but silently kept them to himself. She had every reason to fear the tunnels and he was amazed at her will power to remain alive as long as she had.

His expression was without emotion and there was no evidence that he laughed nor smiled. He almost seemed confused, but he said nothing as he calmly restrained her. What did he want from her? He acted like a possessive male protecting its mate and the thought was more terrifying than if she had stayed in the tunnels.

The only thing between them was the sheet covering her body, leaving her feeling very vulnerable. He could do anything he wanted. In the fields she had always had some sort of control of her life; here she was a small fish in a big pond. "What now?" she finally asked, needing to break the silence between them.

"Depends," he growled, his hand coming up to stroke her cheek. She flinched, but didn't try to pull away. The female didn't appear afraid, yet since she had biten him, he swore he could feel and see everything that she did. She reminded him of his mother, proud, but even the strongest warrior could only with stand so much. Everything about her indicated that she had been severly beaten and not just once or twice.

"Stop," she hissed, trying not to lash out.

Vegeta smirked, rewarded with a flash of fury. He didn't give her a chance to knee him, reading her intentions and flipping Lema onto her stomach. Vegeta shifted his weight, placing most of it on her back while holding her arms out. He made a mental note to feed her later, but not until they has settled their little dominance match.

Lema's lip curled back, but his arm was just out of her reach to snap at. He chuckled, as if taunting her to try. This position was humiliating, yet once again he had her at a complete disadvantage. One wrong move and the sheet would vanish. He could demand her submission, but Vegeta decided he liked their little battles. Besides, why tame something that shouldn't be tamed? Instead, he should try to win her trust and his reward would be an unfailing loyalty that nothing could severe.

He noticed that her tail never left her waist, wrapped so tightly he didn't know how she breathed. There were small indications that it had been crushed and the thought saddened and angered him. She was a rare treasure and instead of treating her like one, she had been driven almost to the edge of insanity. He felt a deep sorrow in her, one that she didn't dare allow too close to the surface.

"Are you not hungry?"

Her stomach protested in response, a red hue spreading down her neck. She would never admit to weaknesses such as hunger or pain, but she knew he wasn't fooled. With a heavy sigh, she stopped struggling, accepting what ever fate he decided upon. Vegeta released her, surprising Lema when he eased off of her and tossed a black uniform with purple trimmings on the side.

Was it really that simple? Why wasn't he beating her? Vegeta glanced at her one last time before he left her to dress, moving to the other room. There was only one door and he doubted seriously she would willingly jump back into the frozen tunnels. The uniform was a perfect fit, complementing her small figure and curves. Her tail blended with the black satin and if he didn't know it was there, he would have thought she had lost it or was born without one.

Her long hair fell to her waist, swishing at her rear as she walked. She wasn't even trying, but everything she did was with a sensual grace that made most of the elite females look like working girls and cheap trash. As soon as she was ready, he walked out of the room, always aware of her every move. Lema knew he would never let her run, and even if she could, he could easily catch her. It was in the way he moved, the way he carried himself.

As they passed through the halls, Lema didn't fail to notice the fear he generated among other Saiya-jins, male and female alike. He didn't glance in their directions, indifferent to the way people thought about him. If any questioned her presence, none dared to voice their opinion and gave her just as much distance as the man in front of her. Who was he? A part of her realized she should know this information, but she seldom cared about anything other than surviving. There had been a lot of things she hadn't told Raditz or Ringo, but thankfully no one had ever managed to succeed at taking what she didn't want them to have.

Lema didn't mind, grateful that no one spoke or harrassed her. A few guards followed at a distance, but even they seemed terrified of the male. It reminded her a little of her father, the way the field masters all scattered every time he returned home. Lema sighed. Did he even care that she was missing? Lema quickly dismissed the thought, knowing it didn't really matter if he did or not. She wouldn't go back to the fields; she couldn't, not even for her father.

Vegeta didn't like her silence. Females were generally very out going and talkative, but this one was very withdrawn and distant. She didn't want to be around other Saiya-jins, nor did she like being out in the open. Lema hugged the shadows, recoiling every time she was suddenly thrust into a well lit area. He knew everything about her, but Vegeta needed her to trust him with the information on her own. Force was not going to work with this one, nor would threats of death or pain. She was no stranger to the brutality of life; he could see it so plainly in the shadow of her expression.

The throne room was quiet and almost empty when he entered, a few servants bringing their food before they exited. His mother was absent, not to his surprise. He sighed. His mother was nothing of the fighter she had once been, not that he could blame her. Vegeta's father had beaten it out of her a long time ago and he had a strong feeling he had stolen her from another. She didn't talk about her life before his father had claimed her, nor did he ask.

Lema stared at her surroundings in shock, missing not a single thread or tile. The walls were covered in tapestries of the kings and ancients before him, his image hanging above the throne. Lazily, he rested a hip against her escape route, gauging her reaction. Her silence only seemed to intensify as she quickly figured out who he was. Strangely, he was connected to her, feeling her growing fear. She hid it well. Quietly, she moved to a corner, pulling into the shadows as if she were one with it.

He didn't want to start another boring day, but he had little choice in the matter. Order was everything and to make even a slight break in it took months to fix. He admired her ability to blend in, none of his visitors even realizing she was in the room. It wasn't until one of his messengers mentioned a group of space fighters that she stirred, coming out of the shadows to stare at the map.

"The Ice-jins ask to join forces with us, your majesty..."

Lema snarled, but remained silent, her eyes glaring at the messenger. The male shifted, clearly uneasy around her. She took a protective stance closer to Vegeta, not even completely aware of her actions. He refrained from laughing. She would prove to be more interesting than he first gave her credit for. There was something very dangerous about her at the moment; she almost seemed to hate this Saiya-jin.

King Vegeta dismissed him, refusing to comment one way or the other. "You know what they are." Lema began to withdraw again, but this time he wouldn't allow it as he snatched her wrist and yanked her into his lap. "You have two options, little one." He felt her tense, preparing herself for the worst. "One, you can answer my questions; or two, I'll keep you exactly like this for the remainder of the afternoon until you comply."

She paled, glancing at the doors and back at Vegeta. He wasn't joking. Lema doubted that he even knew how. "This is not like you," she finally spoke. "Everyone speaks of you in fear; why do you not kill me?"

"Is that your desire?" he taunted, a cruel smile turning up at the corners of his mouth. She almost believed the stories she had heard about him, but Lema was starting to believe that he really wouldn't hurt her. Vegeta lowered his head, grazing his teeth against the softness of her throat. He held her close, feeling her jump in surprise. "I told you before and I'll say it again; you're life is what I choose to do with it."

Lema whimpered, gripped by a rare surge of panic. He grabbed her legs and wrapped them around his waist, holding her still as he continued to explore. Vegeta moved towards her ear, nipping at it before he brushed against her chin. "No," she breathed.

She wasn't even trying to hide it. He growled, doing as she asked and simply held her. It wasn't natural for a male to fight his instinct, but he also knew she needed more time before she was ready for him. Vegeta had never taken a female, yet a deep part of him knew he would not be an easy male to mate with. She had to completely trust him or she would be badly hurt as a result. He just prayed she didn't wait too long or his intentions will have been in vain.

"Little one..."

"Lema." The name reminded him of someone, but he couldn't quite place it. It didn't matter. He had little use for the past, nor the people in it.

"What do you know of these Ice-jins?"

"They're planet pirates, roaming the galaxy and destroying everything in their path. They take few prisoners and turn the ones they do into slaves. If the Saiya-jins do work for them, it will only be for a time until they have us executed. The strongest of their race are Frieza and Cooler, brothers to their ruler King Cold."

"How do you know this information?"

"Through my twin. He's always kept me informed of where he's been and the enemies he's encounted over the years. They're the one race we need to avoid; they have yet to discover the location of this planet and it needs to remain that way."

"Who is your father?" Vegeta already knew the answer, but he wanted her to say it. At least it confirmed a myth. Who would have thought he would have the daughter of Turles in his possession? He'd be damned if he gave her back either!

Lema looked away. He knew he could demand a response and thankfully he dropped the question. She knew he would ask again later and Lema was so afraid he would force her to return. "Don't sign that treaty; if you care anything about this planet..."

Vegeta snorted, capturing her chin in an unbreakable grip. "I have little reason to protect this mud ball."

"Is there nothing worth saving, anything at all that you care about?"

He wanted to say no, but he would by lying and she would know. It bothered him and he had no intentions of revealing this much, yet he found it so easy to speak with her. He knew she would say nothing, having learned early not to reveal what would kill her later. "You are free to explore where you wish, but on your word that you will not leave the palace grounds."

Lema blinked in surprise. "Am I not..."

"Do not give me reason to change my mind? I will assign a guard, but for now I trust that you will stay out of trouble."

For the first time, she smiled, hugging him before she ran out of the throne room. It threw him off guard, no one ever having dared to thank him before. She knew nothing of who and what he was capable of, and perhaps he preferred it this way. Lema asked for nothing and as a result he would give her the things she needed and desired the most.

Lema wasn't quite sure what to do with her unexpected freedom. For the first time in several months, she allowed herself to relax. Vegeta wanted her to stay in the caslte; did that mean he would keep her from returning home? God, she'd gladly stay his prisoner if it meant not going back. He didn't seem interested in causing her pain, but what if that would all change?

Everything was so ancient in the castle, many places covered in layers of dust. She explored every inch of the castle, finding corridors that had been abandoned long ago. After a time, unaware that the sun had set, she came across a room with blue carpets and a spinning wheel in a far corner. It was so solemen, not even a single window to be found anywhere. It was here she discovered her, a woman so sad that Lema couldn't stop the tears that fell down her cheeks.

This startled her, surprised at how clearly she could pick up the woman's anguish. Their was a quiet acceptance about her, as if she were simply waiting for her time to come and go. The light in her eyes were dull, as if the joy in life had been stolen away. Lema wanted to walk away before the woman had noticed her, but the moment she lifted her head, she never had a chance. The woman was quickly on her feet, moving towards Lema. "You can't be her! Leana..."

Lema stared at the woman in confusion. Suddenly she was being crushed in a desparate hug, soft tears soaking into her uniform. "Leana, I thought you were dead!" Lema didn't have the heart to tell her the truth, simply holding her back. Who was Leana?

Several minutes later, she calmed and stepped back, as if seeing Lema for the first time. The light that had started to shine in her eyes faded and she drooped with a weariness that worried Lema. "I didn't mean to startle you," Lema whispered, not certain of what to say or how to help.

"You look so much like her, my best friend." The woman stroked Lema's dark hair, as if she were in another time and place. A hint of sad smile was on the edge of her lips and for a brief time she could almost imagine that her friend was alive again. She quietly studied Lema, trying to decide if halluciations were common before one moved to the other world? "Your tail? It's black." Lema shied away, her expression filled with bitter anger. Ringo, other than Cyan and Raditz, was the only person to ever tell her that it wasn't a defect. Her father never said anything and Bardock was always away. Everyone else simply told her it was unnatural, that she was a freak, and would never find a mate that would desire such an atrocity.

"I should go," Lema told her, already heading back the way she had come. The woman gently grabbed her arm and turned her. At that moment two kindred spirits had found each other, living in a world that seemed to reject them, but refused to allow them an escape.

"Your mother; who was she?"

"I never knew her and father refuses to speak of her."

"Come." Lema sighed, not sure why she followed. Down darker halls they traveled, the light failing to reach this deserted and haunted wing. The wind howled through the cracks, almost a wail of protest that they dared to trespass. After what seemed an eternity, the woman stopped behind double, steel doors, hidden with large black curtains. She pulled a key from her belt, and with a turn in the rusty lock, the door opened, revealing a chamber filled with Saiya-jin armor and several tapestries.

It was the one at the farthest end of the room that captured Lema's attention, of a female Saiya-jin that stared back with a fierce but proud expression. Despite her warrior like appearance, their was a calmness about her that Lema thought impossible to find in a Saiya-jin anymore. The woman wore a royal blue uniform with black armor and a royal crest over her heart. It was red, signifying she was the royal guard to the queen. Around her waist was a black... Lema's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes going wide. She thought Cyan and herself were the only ones; so how? Her father had said no other Saiya-jin possessed a black tail.

"She was the first to ever have been born with one," the woman said, as if reading Lema's mind. "It caused quite an uproar with the lab technicians and there was talk that she should be destroyed, even as an infant. It was the ancients that demanded they leave her."

Lema longed to know the woman on the wall and felt as if her heart had been torn in half. She couldn't explain the anguish of seeing an old photograph, but it was as if this one person could have filled the emptiness surrounding her soul. She had to go, to be anywhere but here. Lema had no idea she could feel such rage, potent and black in its fury. So many secrets and lies... How dare her father keep this from them? What other secrets were being hidden from them?

"How did she die?"

Zucca looked away, "I'm sorry."

Lema stormed out of the room, unable to look at any of it. What was her mother and why had she been a part of the royal court? Did Vegeta know her? Did her Uncle know? Not once did anyone mention her mother, where she had come from, nor how she had died. All Lema knew was that Turles was violently against his daughter learning how to fight or being near the elite social circle.

Vegeta was in the throne room, still listening to the same aliens. She ignored them, focused entirely on the Saiya-jin standing to Vegeta's right. He had seen her enter, and as always, it was impossible to read his expression. Did he even care that she had vanished, that she had nearly died a few days ago?

All her pain, anger and hatred exploded to the surface and with a rage filled snarl, Lema lunged. Attacking Bardock had been the last thing on her mind, surprising them both as her fist connected with his jaw. He crashed through the wall, part of the ceiling collapsing around him.

Silence echoed throughout the throne room, all eyes centered on the angry female. Vegeta's guards started to surround her, but one glance and they shrank back. He scowled, disgusted that they would cower away from one female, but even he had to admit that her display of power was impressive. Not many could surprise his best fighter let alone knock him clean out of it.

He thought of stopping her, but decided to watch the battle to its conclusion. Bardock picked himself from the rubble, not even bothering to shake off the dust. Lema knew Bardock better than anyone, despite the mask he wore. He was livid, his eyes glittering dangerously as he glided back into the room. Raditz had mentioned that Bardock could be vicious in a fight and to never get him riled up.

"Your father underestimated you, brat!" Bardock spat, stopping just out of arms reach of her. His niece took after her mother, but in looks only. She had definitely picked up her father's temper.

"He wouldn't know, would he?" Lema snarled back, letting the emotions fuel her rage. For so long she had held everything back.

"I won't fight you." Everyone gaped at him, including Vegeta. Bardock never backed down from a challenge. Lema started to shake, conflicted with anger, confusion, and mostly hurt. Did he think so little of her that he would disgrace her in front of everyone? Dammit, she was a Saiya-jin; was she truly a freak like everyone claimed then?

"The disgrace would come in accepting the match; you don't stand a chance." She felt as if she had been physically slapped, but he had yet to touch her. Lema no longer had the desire to fight, her shoulder's dropping in tired defeat. Bardock knew he had hurt her, but he refused to lie to her.

"Did my father send you?" Lema growled. "I won't go back, not now, not ever!"

Vegeta glared at Bardock, not fully understanding how his guard knew her. It didn't matter. He would be damned if he let her leave. Vegeta snatched her back, placing himself between them. Bardock seldom showed surprise, but even he couldn't hide his amazement. He towered over the smaller female, but there would be no one safer from him than Lema. "She stays."

Lema didn't wait for her Uncle's response, already walking away. Vegeta watched her leave, always aware of the man that had served by his side for twenty-five years. After she had vanished from sight, he grabbed Bardock by his uniform and slammed him against the wall. "Touch her, and I'll kill you."

Bardock didn't back down, meeting the steady gaze of his king. Lema had always been his problem; he wasn't quite so ready to hand over his responsibility to a man he wasn't sure would repeat the same mistakes as his father. Vegeta wanted to eliminate any threat that could take her from him, but decided that doing so would not be in his best interest. Something about the entire situation felt wrong and even now he could feel a deep hurt that she was struggling to hide.

Vegeta couldn't fault Bardock for refusing the fight, but he wouldn't have done it in front of an entire elite circle. Bardock was right though. Lema wouldn't have stood a chance; one major blow from Bardock and he could have seriously hurt her.

Lema would prove to them all; she wasn't a weak fighter. She didn't care how long it took, but she would defeat her Uncle. It was in the middle of the castle, a place where soldiers and students in training came to raise their power levels. She didn't understand the computers, but she watched and learned. "You've never trained here before?" Lema turned to the fighter beside her.

He smiled, offering his hand. Lema glared at it, not completely trusting it or the person attached to it. Was this some kind of trick? He laughed, clearly not offended by her refusal to shake his hand. "Care to try it?"

"No." She lied. Lema started to leave, but he snatched her wrist and pulled her into one of the rooms. "What the hell are you doing; I said..."

"And you expected me to believe that? According to the lab geeks, you've been in here for nearly four hours." Lema crossed her arms, refusing to comment. She did want to learn, but what was the catch? "I'm Cowli, a student at the academy. I have about a year left before I have to test."

"What's your status?"

"Don't know," he said, shrugging as if it didn't matter. Despite herself, Lema found herself liking Cowli. He didn't act like an elite, but he clearly wasn't a third or second class fighter either. Saiya-jins just didn't act like Cowli, he was friendly, easy to get along with and smiled a lot.

"You're strange." Cowli laughed, punching several buttons before he turned to face her. "We'll start with something easy." Lema didn't know what to expect, but quickly found herself thrown to the floor as a blast slammed into her back. It hurt, but Lema managed not to cry out. Painfully she forced herself back up, staring at the wall behind her. "As you adapt, they'll adjust to your level. Cowli moved out of the way, simply allowing Lema to find her rhythm.

He figured it would have taken her an hour or more, but in twenty minutes she was moving at a speed that the machine was having problems keeping up with. It started with one, quickly followed by two and three. At the end of an hour, even he had to keep moving, laser beams shooting at them from every direction. She didn't look like a fighter, but Cowli had learned a long time ago not to under estimate even the most unlikely threat.

Her uniform was soaked in sweat and she showed no signs of wanting to quit. Three hours later, he sagged to the ground, watching her move in and out of the path of the beams. A couple had hit her, but she seemed to brush them off. "What else is there?" she finally asked, needing more.

Cowli smiled, the two quickly becoming friends. He didn't understand why he had wanted to help either, only that he felt that if he did, he wouldn't regret his decision. She needed a lot of training, but Cowli had no doubt that she could quickly learn and wondered if she would be a good sparring partner in a few weeks.

Stepping into a fighting stance, the beans continued their assault. This time she did smile, accepting the challenge he presented. "Do you have a name?"

"Lema."