* * * * * * * *

"And just what is that obnoxious thing doing now?" Endou sneered contemptuously as he watched Bulma while she picked at the communication controls. Kakarrot frowned, but didn’t look up from his conversation with Raditz, "She’s making some improvements to our communication systems, it will allow us to communicate with the off-worlders who are out of our current communication range. It will help us prepare a counter-strike against Cold." Kakarott paused, an inkling of a smile formed on his lips, "The details are really too complicated for a simple palace guard such as yourself."

Endou bristled, "It is an honor to serve as a palace guard. Certainly better than a palace slut." Bulma paused in her work and Kakarott’s visage darkened, but Raditz merely chuckled, "Be careful how you refer to Bulma, for all you know she may become your queen."

Endou’s stomach turned at the thought, "Unlikely." He hissed, "Unless Kakarott wants to sacrifice the honor of the Legendary One for his third-class traits."

Kakarott visibly stiffened, Raditz shook his head, "I was speaking of Vejiita Ou baka" Endou shrugged, "He will never be king." He leered. Perhaps Kakarott and he were switched at the tanks. That would certainly explain Vejiita’s bedding habits."

Endou then found himself lodged into the wall, the eyes of all in the room wide and resting upon his flattened form. Kakarott stood calmly, his hand slowly lowering to his side. Peeling his body from the wall, he turned and marched out of the room, shooting the stone-faced Chikyuujin a heated glare.

* * * * * * * *

Vejiita stumbled through the desert as the wind bit at his cheeks and the ashy sand stung his eyes. He adjusted his scouter and searched for life. Everything was silent except for the gentle whispers of the wind and the whirling of the scouter’s numbers. Vejiita pulled his lips into his usual scowl as he picked up a small cluster of small kis. Nothing that would present any sort of challenge, but perhaps they could prepare a decent meal.

He continued forward, cursing himself for not stocking up on food capsules before leaving. He was just so frustrated that he took off in a surge of determination. That stupid woman had just pushed him over the edge—just like she always did. She drove him to the brink of insanity with the emotions she stirred inside of him. Maybe Bohen had been right; perhaps she was some sort of sorceress. Vejiita’s mouth curled, but she was his.

He stopped--a ripple of power surged up his spine. What the…? Numbers on his scouter began spinning. "Perhaps I judged this planet too quickly." He smiled as he turned around. A few yards away, a tall lanky creature stood smiling. Vejiita cocked an eyebrow as he studied this stranger. His head was elongated and his gangly body did not match his power reading. His lips spread into a wide, feral smile and his eyes narrowed and Vejiita knew that look—he wanted a battle.

"Hello." The creature sneered, "Can I help you find something?"

Vejiita crossed his arms "I just found what I was looking for." His feet slid apart and he slid into a fighting stance. There was a glint in his challenger’s eyes, "I’d be glad to oblige. I’ll even let you make the first move."

Vejiita shrugged and thrusted his leg out to swipe his opponent’s feet out from beneath him. However, he phased out before the blow could connect. Another surge up his spine…Vejiita whirled around quick enough to dodge the punch from behind. He pulled his head back and the fist swiped the scouter off into a sand dune. "Damnit." Vejiita muttered. Blocking a second swing with his wrist while kicking his foot out, landing a hit in his side. The alien stumbled back, "Not bad." He chuckled hoarsely.

"I’m not finished." Vejiita snarled, throwing a barrage of kicks and punches, but not a single hit landed. He’s not bad. His opponent got a punch through and knocked Vejiita’s jaw then blasted him in the chest. Vejiita flipped back, sliding back into the sand. He stood up, shifting his jaw and spitting out the blood. Not bad at all, perhaps I should step it up. Vejiita felt a raw surge of power as he leered at his opponent, who stood their stunned. He launched forward, and thrusted a hand through his chest. Vejiita smiled as the armor and bone cracked and blood ran down his white glove.

Vejiita pulled his arm back, satisfied. "You will be next Kakarott."

* * * * * * * *

Gishu stood stock-still in Cold’s throne room. His mouth was dry and his stomach clenched. He knows about Enjinia. He knows I know… Gishu squeezed his eyes shut and tried to talk deep, calming breaths, but they came out as shallow gasps.

The chattering stopped as the large doors opened and the large ruler strode up the dais and seated himself on the throne. Gishu bowed stiffly, certain everyone could hear the beat of his heart in the dead silence. "Good of you to come, Gishu." Cold drawled, sipping his wine. "I’ve come to ask you a question." He paused, "Perhaps a favor would be a better thing to call in it."

Gishu paled, "Yes my Lord?" Gishu was surprised his voice was even audible. Cold’s black lips twisted into a sinister sneer. "I have your dear friend, Toukan, eradicating the Saiyajin problem as you speak. This means that I will be acquiring the Saiyajin Territory to add to my empire. Unfortunately, I have little time left and no one to pass my throne on to." Cold rose, leaning forward and staring directly at Gishu, "Enjinia has turned down my offer, I don’t think I can handle two rejections from my best engineers." Gishu swallowed the lump in his throat, "I would like you to head the team that will be engineering my new heir."

Gishu exhaled, "My Lord…I have never…I mean…of course." Cold sat back, "Perfect, I ask that you get started at once. You have months of work ahead of you, and I’m not sure I have that much time." Gishu bowed, and rushed out of the room, thanking all of the deities above for their grace.

* * * * * * * *

Where are you, my Prince? Toukan licked his lips as he searched for his prey. I’ve already found your beautiful woman. Her mental walls are…lacking. You are my challenge. Where are you? Toukan’s eyes shot open. There! You really aren’t that intelligent are you? Opening your mental barriers during battle. That only makes you more venerable to me.

Toukan smiled, "How convenient. Your little female is near you. How about I arrange a little reunion. See you there." The door swung open and Toukan smiled as Gishu rushed in, sprinting past him. Not so fast. Gishu halted in mid-stride, his body paralyzed by an alien force. "Let me go, Toukan." Gishu said evenly, "I have things to attend to, and so do you."

Toukan gave him a toothy smile. "Congratulations on the new job, I know you’re better suited for it than Enjinia." Gishu bristled, "Good luck on your mission." He replied coldly. Toukan nodded, "Do you want to see a new trick before I leave."

Gishu sighed and crossed his arms, "You always did show off."

Toukan chuckled and ran his hand through Gishu’s hair. Gishu didn’t flinch. Sighing, Toukan pulled back. "One can only hope." He stepped back, "Now pay attention, because you can only see this once. It’s a little something I picked up on my visit to Ydrat."

Gishu watched skeptically as Toukan placed two fingers on his forehead and vanished.

* * * * * * * *

Bulma leaned against the cool metal of the control panel. She could feel the eyes of the other Saiyajins burning into her, judging her. Bulma. Everything stopped. Bulma, I need you. "Vejiita?" she whispered out, causing the onlookers to stare at her with even more scrutiny. Land the ship on the nearest planet, I’m there…waiting for you.

Bulma stood up, "Who pilots this ship?" she demanded, earning a few nods in the affirmative. "We need to land on the next planet." She barked, "Vejiita’s waiting for us." She stormed out of the room as the stunned pilots took the helm and the other Saiyajins murmured words of shock and disgust. Raditz frowned as words such as "mated" and "bonded" popped up among the conversations.

Striding after the alien woman, he cornered her, "How do you know where Vejiita is?" Bulma looked away, glaring at the open door, "He spoke to me in my mind." Raditz backed away, "So it is true." He whispered. The ship jerked and shook, "We’ve landed." Bulma stated. "I’m going to find Vejiita." She pushed past the larger man and bolted out the door. Raditz stood transfixed. "Can they really be bonded?"

* * * * * * * *

Toukan waited patiently for his first victim to stumble into his trap. The dusty winds rustled his hair as he saw a flash of blue heading in his direction. "Perfect." He murmured, "So easy to manipulate." She finally appeared in front of him, eyes glazed over and completely under his control. Toukan smiled, brushing his lips against hers, "Vejiita." She murmured.

Toukan pulled her close to him, "We’ll see him soon enough." He ran a finger down her cheek and neck. "I must thank King Cold for this mission." Bulma blinked once. "Two fine prizes to play with." A gust of wind and the woman was pulled from his grasp. He turned around and faced an angry Saiyajin. Bulma blinked a few times and shook her head, "What the…Raditz?"

The Saiyajin paid her little heed, "How did you do that?" he hissed. Toukan smiled, "My little secret." He smiled, "Though, a word of advice. You might want to teach her how to protect her mind a little better. She has no mental walls to speak of."

Raditz’s eyes widened slightly, "What do you want?"

"Nothing that really concerns you." Toukan sneered, "But it seems your mental defenses are lacking as well." Raditz choked slightly, "Perhaps your lacking more than your mind barriers." Toukan calmly walked towards the larger warrior, reaching out a hand and gripping his tail. "Rumor has it that the tail is a very sensitive part of the Saiyajin anatomy." He squeezed, satisfied when he saw Raditz’s face contorted in pain and bones began to crack. "You’re a magnificent creature—your pain is beautiful." Toukan breathed, tightening his grip. "Vejiita Ou must be quite a beauty," he turned towards Bulma, "just as are you."

Bulma gasped for breath, trying to regain control of her own body. Toukan returned his attention to Raditz. "You’re entertainment value has just gone down. I have more pressing matters to take care of." He held one hand out and squeezed his fist, Raditz face flushed as the breath was forced out of his lungs. Bulma watched in horror as Raditz struggled for breath. "You’ll be safe." A deep voice whispered in her ear.

Bulma tried to turn her head to meet the stranger, but her body wasn’t under her control. She felt a warm presence behind her, "Kyuuri will take care of this." Bulma watched Raditz, waiting. A flash of black and Toukan was pulled away from Raditz and a young girl stood in his place. Bulma felt her muscles give way and she fell back into the arms of the stranger.

Toukan glowered at them all, "I suppose I’ll just have to come back for you later." He hissed, "There’s still the King that must be dealt with." He smiled and vanished. Raditz lay in a heap on the ground. The young girl stood stoically; her black hair gave off a red tint in the light of the planet’s star.

"Good work Kyuuri." The man stated and she merely nodded in return. Bulma regained composure and tried to steady herself in his arms. "So you’re the woman I’ve seen in my visions." Bulma started to turn, but paused as a flash caught the corner of her eye. A few other Saiyajins were coming. "A little late." She muttered when Kakarott landed.

She got a blank stare as Kakarott’s visage paled. "It seems you didn’t heed my advice to well, did you boy?" Bulma turned to face to boy. She stumbled back, turning her head back and forth between the stranger and Kakarott. Kakarott’s color returned as a smile curled on his lips. "It’s good to see you too…Bardock."

* * * * * * * *

Vejiita stumbled back; another surge of that strange energy ran through him. "What is that!" he bellowed. This time, the energy seemed to be coming from a distance—somewhere from the west. "What if…"he paused, a smile of wonder crossed his lips. "Those are power levels!"

He lifted off to confirm his suspicions. "Wait!" a small voice called out, "You can’t go yet! We need to celebrate!" Vejiita touched back down, finding himself being greeted by a parade of civilians. There certainly not warriors. "You saved our planet from Puipui." Vejiita raised his eyebrows. "We must celebrate with a feast!"

Vejiita smiled at the mention of food and followed the crowd of grateful villagers. I’m sure those other warriors will wait.

* * * * * * * *

"We’ve got some more down here, Rikkuum!" Baata bellowed as Guldo continued down the corridor of holding cells. "Bunch of prisoners!" Guldo yelled back, "Might find something useful." He paused in front of one cell. A Saiyajin was sitting in the corner muttering to himself. "Odin…we’ll get them back…they don’t realize what they’ve done." Guldo chuckled to himself; "This one lost his marbles…if he ever had any." He stepped forward, "I know where you can find those who escaped." The Saiyajin hissed, "I know where they are."

Guldo turned around, a smile pasted on his pudgy face, "Oh, do tell." The Saiyajin smiled back, "I’d rather talk to your master." Guldo frowned, "I don’t think…"

"King Cold wants any information possible. We’ll bring him back with us." Rikkuum broke open the cell, "We get you to our master, you tell him what he wants to know and you can get a very good position in his ranks."

"All I ask is that I get my revenge."

Rikkuum sneered, "That can be arranged, what’s your name my friend."

"Bohen."

* * * * * * * *