Disclaimers:

I no Toriyama, don’t sue

This story contains violence, swearing (though only in Japanese), and adult situations, but no lemon. If you’re under legal age, you probably shouldn’t be reading this.

The attack names were gathered from the Ultimate DBZ Information site. So if you’re wondering about any of the attacks mention, or any other questions about DBZ, you should probably go there.

The tarot deck is based on the Rider Waite and Sacred Circle decks.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me at toshiba@vegetafreak.zzn.com

The soft feeling of bed sheets enclosed the Prince as he opened his eyes upon his spacious room in the grand palace of the Saiyajin capital. He raised myself up out of the bed and walked over to his open balcony to look out. A gleaming city of white concrete and white lights, the crown jewel of an empire spanning three galaxies, an empire ruled over by Saiyajin might. His empire, or at least it would be soon. His lips drew into a wide smirk and a feeling akin to the anticipation of battle flooded his chest.

Although angered by the fact that Kakarott had been allowed off world to receive special training Vegita amazingly enough didn’t mind. The third class was a lieutenant in the King’s Guards, a high rank for anyone to achieve, but he was still a third class and the Prince’s inferior. He is to be commented though, Vegita thought. It’s been five years since the tournament and Kakarott was still a challenge; of course now that he had received special training maybe he would prove to be a better challenge. He certainly couldn’t be any worse than Nappa. The Commander was too hotheaded and stupid, his large body too slow and weak in ki to be a challenge to the faster, stronger and smarter Prince. Well it wasn’t as if any other Saiyajin could put up much of a challenge against him either. By the scouter readings he was the strongest in almost a millenium, it was even thought that he could be the legendary. It was only a matter of time before the power, and the authority that went with it, would be his.

Quickly donning a battle suit, his standard white gloves and gold tipped boots, he was interrupted by a knock on the door. Slipping his chest amour over his head he stalked towards his unsuspecting victim.

"What do you want?!" The Prince yelled out, causing the unfortunate Mercurian slave to jump back in shock. In an attempt to compose himself, the creature fell to one knee and brought a fist to his chest in a traditional salute. The delay and formality only added to the Prince’s fury.

"You will tell me why it is you came here," Vegita said as he began forming a ki ball in his hands, "Or there will be one less bothersome slave and one big mess to scrap off the walls."

"Ah, the King’s Guards have returned from training, Ouji-sama. You left orders yesterday to inform you of their arrival." The alien’s pure red eyes tried to stay the look of fear but failed miserably.

"Why yes, I did." The Prince’s voice calmed as the ki ball dissipated from his head. "I guess I should thank you," Vegita turned to leave, "By putting you out of your misery."

Before the alien could even react a back kick connected with his stomach, cracking his ribs and causing them to puncture his heart and lungs. A swift elbow shattered the wheezing creature’s trachea and flung him back into the far wall at the end of the halls. He slumped forward then collapsed into a pile on the floor; it didn’t even get a chance to scream. Making his way to the landing bay, the Prince passed a pair of guards.

"There is a mess in my wing of the palace; have it removed."

Several were gathered to witness the arrival of the King’s Guards. Counted among the attendants were Nappa, Radditz, and the Prince himself, who stood hidden in the back. The streaming sources of light streaked through the sky and the four pods finally crashed against the padded dock. The hatches of the pods opened as the pungent odor of the reviving solute filled the air. As soon as the four stepped out Nappa moved forward.

"The King could not attend your arrival personally so he has sent me as his representative." Vegita glared at the sound of Nappa’s words. With what the King was detained with would probably have left a bigger mess than Vegita had; but the female would definitely be screaming.

As the King’s representative Nappa was given the same respect as the King and regarded the first three as the vowed their loyalty. The fourth merely walked past the bald-headed Saiyajin and towards the previously unnoticed Prince. Giving a curious look to the taller Saiyajin, Vegita watched as Kakarott knelt down on one knee and swore his oath of loyalty, adding with great relish the words, "The future King". Nappa fumed as his tan skin turned bright red. Kakarott got to his feet and glanced behind at the furious elite.

"Stop it, Nappa. What difference does it make; two months or two years from now I will be King and those that remember it will be rewarded in due time."

"I am the King’s representative and the oath should be given to me."

"I will be King." Vegita replied with an icy tone piercing his voice.

"Not yet you aren’t." Nappa countered.

"It’s only a matter of time." Vegita said, his jet eyes daring Nappa to counter again and allow him to unleash his true wrath. The Commander knelt and gave the salute but not a word left his mouth. As the elite left the landing bay, a muffled tirade could be heard, damning all third class upstarts and royal sons.

~~~~~

"I almost feel tempted to ask you what prompted that out there. Not that Nappa isn’t a good target but hardly worth risking your life over."

"Do I detect a note of concern, my Prince, that you might miss a lower class nobody? I don’t know, if I’m going to be killed for taking the life of an elite Nappa might as well be the target as anyone. To rid the world of stupidity I would gladly be a martyr to the cause."

Against himself, Vegita laughed at the remark for both warriors had found in the Commander a common enemy and verbal punching bag. The pair had long since left the landing bay and towards an arena. It had been too long since either of them had had a good fight.

"My father himself would give you the title of heir to the throne if you were to rid him of Nappa. Greatest irony for the Saiyajins, that actions and deeds mean nothing while pointless words can spell life or death."

"You had a greater claim to the oath of loyalty then the great Commander; the future of the Empire to the King’s lackey."

"You would not be trying to distract me so that I will go easy on you, huh?"

"No thought would be further from my mind, Vegita-sama."

"Good, I expect to get some new techniques out of you, unless one of them is a fall back of course."

"As if a Saiyajin would back down from anything." Kakarott replied, his blood running high at the thought of combat.

"Well then." Vegita said and stopped in front of two massive stone doors. At the prince’s silent command the two posted sentries opened the doors and the two warriors walked in. Passing beneath an archway, the two entered the empty arena and began to stretch; continuing their verbal battle before the real one began.

"I suppose now you will be rusty, fighting on nothing but backwater planets against second rates. I hope you like spending time in the rejuvenation tank."

"I’m sure that Nappa and the other royal trainers entertained you for hours on end. We’ll just see who needs the tank at the end."

With that the two Saiyajins jumped up and began their assault. The sound of flesh against flesh joined with the whiz of the two bodies cutting the air, the only indication of any battle as their forms moved faster than the eye could see. The invisible battle continued for over an hour, neither combatant slowed or gave an inch. Suddenly a scream ripped from Vegita as a bright blue white aura sparkled to life around him, the force of the unexpected ki knocking Kakarott back off his feet.

"I see the techs finally got the gravity chamber online."

A knowing half smile appeared on Vegita face. He had been practicing in the higher gravity for several weeks now. Kakarott would need to pull a lot of tricks out of the bag to beat the Prince now.

"Enough warm-up," Vegita finally said aloud. "Let’s see what the third class onore has actually learned."

At that a yellow glow enveloped Kakarott’s form. "I thought you would never start." the taller Saiyajin replied in a tone of impatient playfulness.

"No point in delaying it then." stated the Prince and he flew at Kakarott.

"You have gotten rusty, Vegita, or at least lazy. No one would attack head-on with warning. Practicing with Nappa seems to have soften your head, my Prince."

‘Or maybe you’ve let your guard down." And with that the Prince’s image disappeared. Shocked by the move, Kakarott whirled around, extending his six senses to try to detect his adversary.

"And you accuse me of fallback techniques." the taller Saiyajin called out, confusion about Vegita’s whereabouts evident in his voice. His mind replayed the move in his head as he tried to figure out Vegita had learned such a trick.

"But I’m right in front of you." a voice called out. Before the lieutenant could respond a hard fist slammed into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him and sent him flying back several feet. A swift kick followed again to his midriff, lifting him into the air. The Prince was not far behind, slamming his clenched fist against the prone Saiyajin’s back, watching with glee as the figure careened towards the ground.

"Who has gotten rusty, baka? You must have been practicing in low gravity, I think it’s affected your brain mass as well as your power." To prove his point the Prince began to charge his ki and fired a Renzokou Kikou Ha. As the energy balls hit, a cloud of dust formed around Kakarott’s body.

"Maybe I should call the techs to prepare the rejuvenation tank?" The only visible Saiyajin waited in a relaxed fighting stance as he listened for a reply from his rival. Without warning an answer came back in the form of a solid beam of energy.

"Kikou Ha!" The energy approached before he had time to dodge. Putting up his ki shield, Vegita waiting for the beam to end, his concentration solely on protecting himself from the blast. Just as he lowered his shield a fist slammed him below the jaw, snapping his head back. Anticipating the next strike, Vegita put up a block and dislodged the punch aimed at his abdomen. Grabbing Kakarott by the wrist, Vegita stared into the fellow Saiyajin’s eyes. The same deceptively playful tone Kakarott had used earlier found its way into Vegita’s voice.

"I see you have gotten stronger, but your old tricks won’t work." The Prince smirked and sent a fist flying at Kakarott.

"How about some new ones then? Kuuchyu Teishi!" The taller warrior replied and disappeared before the fist found its target.

"Right here, your highness." called out Kakarott and now it was Vegita’s turn to search for his adversary.

"I’m being to think you’ve lost your edge, my Prince. I’m not even bleeding." The comment earned a growl from Vegita.

"Don’t tell me, Vegita, that I’ve thrown you for a loop. You must have learned some new techniques in the time that I was gone. I mean, you couldn’t have spent all your time playing with Nappa."

The smirk returned to Vegita’s face as he began to build his ki. Kakarott had learned something in his new training, I guess I won’t be too bored then. He also must have learned to disguise his ki; I can’t feel him anywhere. No matter, time to bring the ingrate back down off his perch.

"Amazingly enough, Kakarott, Nappa did show me something. A weak attack, hardly worth my time to see, but an attack, once mastered can be modified, the power increased until it is truly worthy."

"You really are turning into Nappa, my Prince. Who knew you could run on in the mouth so."

"Then I have only five words for you, onore," Vegita smirked and threw his arms and legs out. " Zenshin kara no Shyougeki Ha!" All at once the arena was filled with energy, explosions causing the ground to shake and the walls to crack. As soon as the initial attack was delivered, Vegita threw up his ki shield, protecting himself from the raw power he had unleashed. The cry from Kakarott showed that he was not as quick. Seizing on the opening, Vegita attacked, punching and kicking the other warrior’s stomach and back, ending finally with a side kick into Kakarott’s nose.

"Well it seems I’ve made you bleed now, ne?"

With that a scream of fury a yellow fire surrounded Kakarott and he flew at Vegita.

"Now it begins!!" the taller Saiyajin screamed and he aimed a fist at Vegita’s face.

~~~~~

The contest went on for hours, both warriors fighting as if their very existence depended on it. In a rare moment of rest the combatants assessed each other. The two were evenly matched, more so even then they had been at any other time. Vegita had, up until that time, always been the victor in their spars, though there were times he was only able to stand for a few minutes to claim his victory before exhaustion and injuries claimed him. This time there was a shadow of doubt about the outcome, could Kakarott actually beat him? The Prince, though battered and panting for air, began to build his ki up for one more attack. That bakayaro will never defeat me, I am the Prince and Heir to the throne of Vegitasei; there is no way.

Kakarott felt the power build-up before he saw it. What was the Prince doing? He can’t have much power left; I better call this off before he destroys the arena.

"Vegita, let’s end this here, call it a tie. It looks like I’m gaining on you, your highness."

"A tie! A true Saiyajin can never be defeated and acceptance of defeat is worse than death. How dare you think that you, a third class bakayaro, can match yourself to the next Super Saiyajin! SHINE!!! Gyariku Hou!!"

The energy Vegita had been building up exploded into a solid beam of purple light. Oh my Kami, Kakarott’s mind screamed, he could destroy the whole planet with that beam. Thinking only of the planet’s safety and his own, he cupped his hands together. I hope this attack works or there will be one old man in hell laughing at me.

"Kame Hame Ha!!" And an equally strong beam shot out to meet the Prince’s Garlic Gun. The two beams struck with a huge force, nearly knocking both men over with the energy backlash. The two titans battled, putting everything they had left into their blasts. Suddenly Kakarott diverted his energy, twisting and manipulating the beam. Before Vegita had time to react the blue energy hit him and sent him crashing into the wall. With no source behind the power Vegita’s beam died, but not without taking a victim. The leftover energy hit the unguarded Kakarott across his side. Having no shield and not enough time or power left to put one up the beam hit him full blast, driving him into the ground. Vegita made his way out of the debris of his impact. He got me, was the last thought the Prince had before he collapsed to the floor.

~~~~~

Vegita awoke with a start and a groan as a booted foot pounded him in the stomach.

"You are a disgrace, unfit for the throne. You allowed a guard, a third class one at that, to defeat you. I should destroy you now to wipe away the shame you have brought upon the house of Vegitasei." A fist shot out and grabbed the Prince by the collar of his battle suit. Rising up off the throne room floor, the Prince stared intently into the King’s eyes. The anger of his defeat mixed with his anger towards his father. It was the duty of a son to kill his father when the time came for the son to rule and Vegita would relish his father’s blood on his hands.

"You do not even dress like a Prince, though from what Nappa tells me you already think yourself King, accepting oaths of loyalty. You are a fool, Vegita; you will never become King. You can’t even beat a simple guard, how do you expect to defeat the greatest warrior of his day? No matter, I am sending you away. You enjoy living as a third class so I am fulfilling your wish; you are to go off world with the flagship. Lord Freeza has expressed interest in a treaty with the Saiyajins and I will not have my onore son here to embarrass the Royal House before the Cold Clan." With that the King threw the Prince against a wall and watched as the plaster cracked on impact. "You are not fit to be heir, brat; you are a failure, a disgrace. You will never see the throne, Vegita. Guards, get this maggot out of my sight at once and take him to the tanks."

At that the ornate doors to the throne room opened and Vegita felt hands grabbing at his upper arms and haul him away. His last vision was of his father cruelly calling out to him, "You are failure, onore."

~~~~~

A shot of pain rang through Vegita’s body again. His eyes were unfocused and nothing around him made sense. He could see through the cloudiness bars, and figures moving about. Pain traveled through him again as his other senses began to return. Warm metal surrounded his wrists and ankles, clanking with his every move. What?! Chains?! His mind screamed as he tried unsuccessfully to understand what was going on.

"So, the monkey is finally awake. You should be happy, the Mistress has decided to keep you. I personally would have killed you before you had a chance to get out of that collar."

Vegita’s confused mind suddenly snapped into recognition. Vegitasei, Kakarott, his father; it had all been a dream. What was happening to him, had he lost both his mind and his freedom? Memories washed over him of the day before, his time in the torture chamber, and he clenched his teeth. He was still here on this Kami forsaken planet, under the control of that creature. What did that weakling baka mean when he said that he Mistress has decided to keep him? He attempted to shift but found that he was enclosed in a tight cage, back in the Kennel as when he first arrived here. A shot of pain once more traveled up his spine as he stopped moving. The bruises on his back had still not healed; the collar around his neck must do more than just regulate his ki but it also slowed down his metabolism and his natural healing process. He tried to move his tail but found that something impeded his movement. Feeling down his along his thigh his hand came in contact with a silk loincloth, the kind that the serving boy had worn the during Vegita’s first encounter with the Mistress. Feeling down farther he felt stitching at the hem of the cloth over his right leg. Sitting up as much as the dimensions of his cage would allow, he saw a dark blue crest of an eagle, the symbol of the house.

"Count your blessing, boy. Most houses tattoo or brand their slaves, especially pleasure ones. The Mistress said that you have gone through enough pain for now and would spare you the further agony."

"When I am free, I will spare none of you my wrath. I will lay waste to this house and all who dwell in it."

The guard, seeing that a messenger had entered the room, turned away from the Prince and ignored his angry tirade. His emotions flared into a rage as he saw the human turn and ignore him. They will pay; they will all pay for what he has suffered. All in this house will die; the ‘Mistress’ I will make as my own personal pet. With his rage and vengeance fueling him, Vegita grabbed at his collar and pulled. He was rewarded with a bolt of pure ki raging through his body, causing him to black out.

~~~~~

The two figures sat and watched as a young boy in a loincloth poured a sample of wine in his palm. The taller figure smiled in satisfaction as the wine was tasted, found to be safe and the goblet filled, the lip wiped clean. The other occupant stared incredulously as the boy spoke four words and kissed the rim. After the young slave had been dismissed the smaller figure finally broke the deafening silence.

"What was that? Rather elaborate ritual for serving wine."

"Not at all," replied Bulma to the questioning Kayra. "Many slave houses have adopted measures to ensure the safety of the owner from poison. I chose a ritual of loyalty, a way for my slaves to show true love, honor and devotion to me. But I didn’t call you here so that you may comment on serving etiquette; you came to my house yesterday and created a stir greater than the Saiyajin. Why are you here?"

"I am here to serve you, Lady of Modulus. In dreams and visions I have seen you, your past and present, even the present yet to come. The Fates have led me to your door. You hold the key to this planet’s destruction; forces from all time and space coming together to decide what will become of this world."

Nervousness descended on Bulma as she heard the girl’s prophecies. In a way, what she said was old hat in the house and the surrounding villages. It seemed every one or two months the Wisdom Babba would come out with her visions of doom and gloom. Few, if any listened to the rants anymore, living with the reassurance that the Fates would never allow Babba to actually be correct on such grave a matter. But this wasn’t Babba, and something in those dark green eyes saw farther than even the old crone could dream of.

"The evil was born many years ago, a duel between two rival merchant houses for the approval of a lord, a battle between the eagle and the jackal." The girl stopped at that and sipped her water, pausing as if not wanting to go further. Bulma felt her eyes grow wide, she remembered these images from long ago, another time, another place. The memories swept over her of a life that only existed in her dreams and nightmares. She stared around the room, the decorated walls and marble floor felt more like a glided cage than a sanctuary now. Rising from her throne, she walked to the window and stared out.

"You can only hide from the past by ignoring it. It is when we hide from it that it comes back to haunt us. Please continue." stated the blue-haired woman. Dressed in a form fitting cream coloured dress, a low square neck highlighting her chest. Her long aqua hair was off her shoulders, neatly coiffured atop her head. Kayra glanced over the Mistress’ neck and throat, all traces of the marks gone. Taking another sip of her water, she gazed into the cup as if it were a portal, showing her the story she was telling.

"At first the duel was peaceful, a battle of wits, a friendly rival, but soon it escalated far beyond." Bulma’s proud shoulders slumped a little and a silent shiver traveled down her spine at the images the haruspex’s words invoked.

"It all came to a head one night when the lord of the scavengers attacked the kingdom of the air. They set fire to the homes of the birds, burning and destroying everything in their path. They plundered the thoughts from the owl’s head. The shadows of the night hid the creatures of evil as they slaughtered the eagle, the owl, the falcons and robins and swallows. All that survived was a young blue bird, taken into the den of the jackal."

A crash echoed though the high vaulted ceilings of the hall and two pairs of eyes fell on the wine goblet on the floor. The thick crimson liquid flowed from the overturned bowl on to the floor and soaked the hem of Bulma’s gown. A scream caught in her throat as she stared down at the stain and the wine, looking to the world as if blood flowed from the cup.

"My Lady!" Kayra gasped, grabbing a cloth and her water to wipe up the spill. Setting the goblet to right, Kayra dipped the cloth in the water and began rubbing the stain out of the Mistress’ dress. The action brought Bulma out of her trance and she crouched down and placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder.

"What else, what else have you seen?" Grasping at the both shoulders, Bulma shook her, the bottled up emotions coming out on the surprised Bruha.

"Mistress, please stop before you make yourself hysterical." At the girl’s comments determination set into Bulma’s posture and iciness formed in her eyes. Turning away from Kayra, Bulma returned to staring out the window.

"We cannot change the past, only confront it. I promised myself once I would never show weakness, that I would never cry. Continue." The cold even words came out of Bulma’s mouth, leaving no doubt in Kayra’s mind about the person before her. If the Fates had a plan for this woman, she would rise to meet the challenge.

"What you speak of, the house, the duel, that night; it was a long time ago and I was a different person. I must have been nine, ten at the most. My father, the owl he was known as to us, was the highest scientific scribe in all of Gaia. He built up a great house for his family, the house of Modulus. My brother was never as smart as my father was but he was wise in the ways of politics, money. Soon he was the head of the family, he even decided that we should affiliate ourselves with a ruling house. He brought us into the rivalry with Okazaki, all for power. I loved my brother but he never understood my father and his knowledge. They fought over everything, even my fate. My father thought I should take over the technical side of the house, my brother wished for me to be presented at court. Their last words to each other were said in anger."

"I’m so sorry, Mistress."

"Don’t be. Please just continue. Is there anything else you see?"

"I saw the blue bird sent to a cage but she escaped with the ring of a doll and the knowledge of the owl. The ring holds the key to the survival of the planet. After finding freedom, the bird flew away, hiding her identity from all. In the end she could never truly hide, she showed the strength of her blood to rise like the phoenix."

A reluctant smile spread across Bulma’s mouth, she almost laughed at the last comment. Becoming a slaver was hardly a rise to the level of her father. She had given her house the name Modulus in memory of him and, in a way she was fulfilling his destiny for her.

"I think you are mistaken, I am hardly the phoenix of my father’s house. You must be very wise for the Fates to grant you such ability but why they would give you visions of me I will never know."

"You are more important than you realize. Your actions, no matter how unconscious they are, have allowed this world to survive. A great evil is coming, its shadow draws nearer but you have been able to keep it at bay."

"I am tired of talk of the universe; what of home, what of now, what of …"

"The Saiyajin." Kayra interjected.

Bulma nodded, in truth she had a favor to ask the young witch.

"I have seen him before as well. He has vengeance in his veins, anger in his heart. The tailed one is from a long line of warriors, murderers on a celestial scale. He is very strong and a great desire lies within him. You will never tame him by the whip; you were never tamed and neither will he. You two are like the Sun and the Moons, different yet both powerful, forces of nature the pair of you, not to be owned or controlled."

"Do you see anything else in your dreams or visions?"

"I see what the Fates wish me to see but the cards are wise and do not lie. The answer you seek may be within the confines of the cards."

"Cards! What cards?"

Kayra did not respond but walked back to the throne and sat before the low service table. Wiping the surface clean, she placed a silk covered bundle on the table and looked up at Bulma, waiting for her to return to the center of the room. Ignoring the still spilt wine, Bulma glided back towards the table and sat opposite Kayra on the carpet. Bulma’s blue eyes stared transfixed as the silk bundle was unwrapped and a deck of thick parchment cards was revealed. Lifting the deck into her hands, Kayra brought them against her chest and mouthed a silent blessing on the cards. Looking back up, she placed the cards in front of Bulma.

"Now just shuffle the cards and think of a question. The order you put them in is the one that will show your future. Please, Mistress."

Bulma complied and picked up the cards, the fine texture pleasing in her hands. Unable to keep down her curiosity, she spread the deck in her hands to see the fortune telling cards. The colorful symbols and pictures, painted in plant dyes and ochres, fascinated her eyes. Breaking out of her trance, she quickly shuffled the deck, feeling nothing in her mind but uncertainty. As if by instinct though, a feeling came over her and she stopped and handled the cards back to the haruspex. "I’m ready." she replied in a voice that mirrored her internal uncertainty.

"Fear not the cards, My Lady." Kayra said in a calm knowing voice. "The future the cards show is not set in stone; they give a glimpse of what may come, you can change the end."

Kayra slide the first card off the top and placed it on the table.

"The first card is the Querent’s card, the symbol of the seeker." The surface of the card was painted in hues of green and gold, the picture of a fertile field of corn and wheat. Standing in the middle was a woman, heavy with child, clothed in a white gown and crowned with a halo of stars.

"It is the Lady, a symbol of life and giving. She is a symbol of the Mother Goddess, the creator of life. All existence for her is cyclical, like the coming of the seasons or the cycle of the Moons. She is strong and wise, patience and intelligence growing in her from experience."

Bulma said nothing, her concentration fully on the picture on the card and Kayra’s calm knowing voice.

Unsure about the Mistress’ silence, the girl continued. Taking a new card she laid the card perpendicular on top of the first card.

"The second card, Obstacles, examines what forces and influences have impacted your life, that stand in your way. Your obstacle is the King of Wands, a creature of fire and will. The wand symbolizes will, of energy and purpose, of passion and spirit. The King represents a male energy, an authority figure whose will clashes with your own. This force clouds your mind and tests your will. He is dangerous."

No comment again came from Bulma as she stared at the new card. In contrast to the fertile field of the Lady, the new card was lifeless, a sandy barren desert, only a lone figure seated at a throne. There sat a man, dark and mysterious, the essence of fire. Dressed in robes and a crown of gold, the figure sat on a stone throne carved with reliefs of lions. The final touch, a flaming staff clasped in his hand, the symbol of his power.

"The third card shows the present, the here and now." Flipping over the next card and placing it above the crossed pair, Kayra continued in her explanation. The card depicted a couple, naked and embraced in each other’s arms. Surrounding them was bushes of roses and lilies, the flowers of purity and love. Yet a snake could be seen through the bushes, making its way towards the woman.

"The Lovers card; the bonding of two into one, creating an union stronger than the sum of its parts. Yet this union comes with difficult, you must make a choice between your will and your desire, a choice between instant gratification or the long-term outcome. Your decision, whatever path you take encompasses not only yourself but also all around you. You must use caution; you are valuable, you are a giver and important. You are the Lady; if your judgement is impaired or your life in danger the consequences could bring the end to this world."

"Why me? Why does the weight of the world rest on my shoulders? I did not want this."

"You must not fear, my Lady. The Fates have protected you, they have brought me to you, to see the dangers and warn you, to heal you as well. Others have been sent to aid you, the lady bushi and the shadow. There are others, I have seen them, they will protector you from true harm. Fear no more, My Lady, you are not alone."

"Please continue with your reading. Where did you find such cards? You see so well with them."

Showing her obedience but avoiding the question, Kayra flipped the next card and placed it under the first two.

"This card shows the root of your concern, what has shaped and molded your opinions of this current situation. You have been shaped by fear, fear of ignorance, fear of bondage, fear of pain, the eight of swords reversed. The swords surround the figure, surround with fear, uncertainty with every step you take, bound and blinded by it. Chains, they bind you from long ago and they have never lost their pull. You have run from your fears, distancing yourself from their source but the feelings still remain. The feeling of bondage, the loss of your self, it affects you even now. This fear has made you sharp, cleared your vision but you must not let it bind you again, blind you to the truth."

Not halting, Kayra laid the next card to the right of the cross. "The fifth card, the recent past. You have turned up the ace of swords, a sign of raw talent, creativity and intellect. It indicates a time in your past of great creative and intellectual growth, an awakening of yourself after the fear of the bondage. The fear of the past created in you a need to distance yourself, both physically and emotional from it, that desire made you build this place, restore the memory of your father’s dream for you. It is the symbol of your freedom and all that has come with it, a single broad sword held by a single strong hand, your independence."

Growing in confidence with every card laid, Kayra turned up the next card and gasped. "The three of swords reversed in the sixth card position. It shows a betrayal in the future from someone who you greatly trust, a betrayal which will cause you great sorrow and loss."

"What! Is that all you can see? Who is it, who would do such a thing?" Bulma came to life at hearing the prophecy of doom. All around her were loyal; she had earned their trust when she first started the house, the time of the ace of swords, she remarked in her mind.

"I cannot tell, My Lady. The cards are vague about such details, and I cannot read them well enough to discern such answers. All I can see is that it will be a trusted figure, someone close to you will stab you in the heart." Kayra said, pointed to the reversed card. Bulma repeated Kayra’s original gasp upon viewing the card, three down pointed swords going through a heart.

"Do you wish me to continue? I can stop, we can resume this another time."

"No, you will finish. I cannot hide from my past and I will not hide from my future."

"The seventh card, the attitude of the Querent, is ruled by the two of disc, the sign of fluctuation, of being pulled in two directions. It is the concern of the Lovers, the desire for instant gratification against the need to protect others. You fear your destiny, the weight of it all on your shoulders but you know that the sacrifice is necessary. Your life is in truth always a balance between being strong and wishing to feel protected. It is the double edged sword that you must carry, the one you have carried for so may years."

Bulma looked at the cards lain out upon the table. The last one was on two dull shields, held together by basil leaves. The deep browns of the discs mixed with the dark greens of the basil and surrounding foliage imprinted on the card. She inhaled the scent of the card, swearing that she could smell the basil and the maple leaves.

"The eighth card is the opinion of others to the king of wands, your obstacle." Kayra replied and dealt a card on to the table. "A knight of swords reveals a general fear of chaos comes with your opposing will. A knight is a messenger, a sign of things to come. As a symbol of air, the messenger is one who is charming and clever, a lover of challenges. This knight comes for the king and will bring a turning of the tide with him. Yet, there is no evil in him. There is an innocence and ideal nature in him but he will be the coming and therefore is a creature to be feared."

"The second last card, reveals your hopes and fears, is that of the Chariot. A team of horses powers the chariot, but the control of this power, this energy, is that which you fear. Your hope in this card has been what it has been through the whole spread has been control of self: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yet your fear is that someone else is controlling the reins, the path of your life. You fear the loss of yourself."

"The final card is the Outcome, what the Fates have proclaimed will happen if events remain unchanged on their proper course. Your fate is decided by the wheel down turned, …"

A knock thundered through the silent hall and sent shock waves through the spines of the two occupants in the room. "Enter!" cried out Bulma to the knock’s wordless question and stared down at the unfortunate messenger.

"What news have you to report?"

"My Lady, we have brought the Saiyajin to you but I’m afraid he is passed out."

"Bring him in anyway. I do not require his services, just his presence."

The guard bowed at the request and turned back to the door and disappeared down the hall, the cards suddenly forgotten as both women stared at the door. Two guards walked in, each carrying one of the Saiyajin’s arms, and dropped him in the middle of the floor. Nodded away their presence Bulma turned back to Kayra. The younger girl was shocked; nothing in her visions had prepared her to for the overall size and build of the creature. As she stared down at his static body, the fear that she had felt of all the people, all the planets he had destroyed washed over her. Her knees almost gave out on her as she glanced back at the table. A warrior of will who could hurt the Mistress, destroy the world, and he would bring others. Cursing herself for leaving her sword in her room, Kayra walked over to the Mistress.

"He is the creature in my visions, I have seen him before. His kind bring only death and destruction to a world and he, he is strongest of all. He is dangerous, My Lady, he could bring your downfall."

"As long as the collar stays on him his energy is gone, he is no threat. I have brought him here, not so that you may prophesize, but that you may heal his wounds, as you did for me yesterday."

"Heal him?" Baffled by the request, Kayra looked over, noticing for the first time the bruises that colored the creature’s back, welts and sores obtained through brutality and immense pain. Bulma merely looked back at the Saiyajin, a look of sadness and guilt played on her face and in her deep blue eyes.

"Please, I ask you as the Lady of this house, heal his wounds. If you respect my authority you will do this."

"I have to gather my herbs. If you give me leave I will return shortly."

"Please, go." Bulma replied, her eyes never leaving the Saiyajin’s body. Kayra merely headed to the door and walked down the hall, the sound of her footsteps growing weaker, then disappeared all together. As if in a trance, Bulma walked over to the creature’s side and trailed her hand across the plane of his back. The movement earned her an involuntary jerk from the Saiyajin and she immediately winced in pain. When she was this close to him in was as if his wounds were her own, his pain her own. She ignored the thought as her hand traveled farther down his body, touching the silk of his new loincloth and then the soft fur of his tail. Her stroking was rewarded with a soft purring from the unconscious Saiyajin and she smiled despite herself. Leaving his tail, her hand made its way back up to his shoulders and neck, the warmth of his body reminding her of the day and night before. She lowed herself down further and kissed the back of his neck to his shoulder, tasting the wine that she had rubbed on him the night before. Kayra was right about one thing though, his strength was immense, the muscles of his body revealed great physical strength and an irony will. What would his strength be like without the collar, the thought brought her back to a sense of reality. When he had first come to the palace he was weak physically but that ki. Had he been able to use it against one of her slaves it would have easily burned him alive. The collar was something new, it had only been tested a few times and his power level caused the first one to explode. The second one was built even stronger but it could still be erratic. She still remembered Sar’in’s shock at the power readings he got from the Saiyajin; a very strong race indeed. Her hands renewed their journey across his body, sweeping over his arms and tracing out lines of his fingers. The memory of those fingers created a warm feeling in her stomach, what he did with them and what he made her feel. Raising the hand up off the ground she lightly massaged the palm, planting a kiss in the middle when she was finished. What a magnificent creature, his defiance was still there but she would curb him, he was just another slave.

Smiling at her silent victory over him, she stood again as she heard steps near the half-opened door. The young Bruha was back, carrying the herb filled mortar in her small hands. Walking over to Bulma, Kayra looked down at the Prince again, her fear pushed to the back of her mind.

"The concoction works as the last one did, the potion must be rubbed into the skin. Do you wish me to administer the salve?"

"No, I will do it." Bulma took the crushing bowl, knelt beside the sleeping Saiyajin and fingered out a sample of the salve. Rubbing the mixture on her hands, she felt the warmth already seeping through her skin as she slowly began to massage Vegita’s wounded back. The smell of rosemary, cinnamon, and willow bark filled her nostrils and her hands became slick with the oil. As soon as the salve was rubbed on to the Saiyajin’s skin it began to glow a warm green color, highlighting the contours of his back from the oil. Finishing her work, Bulma stood next to Kayra to watch as the welts and bruises faded from view.

"Is it almost done?"

"When the green glow stops he should be completely healed."

The green light glowed brightly but suddenly a new light formed around the Saiyajin Prince. A blue-white light slowly came to life, building in intensity it soon overtook the green. Bulma watched in disbelief at the power radiating from the Prince, the white light highlighting his body; he almost looked like a dark god. How could this have happened, she mentally cried, the collar was controlling his ki, now it looks the second collar would go the way of the first. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he had gotten stronger, but he couldn’t have gotten that strong; it was impossible. She called to the guards to fetch one of the technical slaves with the controller.

~~~~~

He felt a warmth surround him through the darkness of his mind. First it touched him, soothing his skin and relaxing him. Then he had felt the warmth, like a rope tossed out, pulling him out of the darkness of unconsciousness. He followed the feeling, reached for the warmth. The blackness around him faded away and a deep blue enveloping him, reminding him of that woman. Anger flared up in him as his mind began to think again of that lovely creature, enslaving him, torturing him; she would pay. His mind kept rising through the blue fog as he felt his body and the strength, his ki. The feeling of his power shocked him; it had been so long since he felt ki around him, controlled ki. His body must be healing itself; a Saiyajin’s strength always increased as they healed. Another realization came to him, if he can control his ki then that blasted collar must be weakened. The feeling quickly died as the ki faded into nothing. What trickery is this? Vegita’s mind screamed. How could this happen? That woman; she’s done something to me again. His anger renewed and grew for his captor as his body finally obeyed his mind and his eyes opened. He was no longer in the cage; those weak humans had taken him back to the throne room. Noting the two shadows on the floor, he glanced up at two female figures. The first one was a short girl, brown hair falling over her black and green clothing. She hardly attracted his attention as his gaze caught the second occupant in the room, her. Staring at her again he experienced the same wonder at her beauty, the renewed irony of the angel who condemned him to hell. In her small hands she clasped a control module, that’s how she did it. You understood what happened, didn’t you little human? You saw my increase in power and fixed your contraption, you think your machines can save you from my wrath? His mental tirade stopped as he heard the voices of the two women discussing his fate.

"Mistress, I do not think it wise to keep the Saiyajin alive. You will never tame him by the whip, his pride is too great, and if anything happens to the collar, his wrath may be greater than a Bruha curse."

"Remember that you are a guest in my house. I will not harm you but do not over step your boundaries, this creature is a slave in my house, his destiny will be decided by me."

"If that is all then, My Lady, I ask for my leave. My supplies are running low after producing the salve and I must begin planting herbs for the winter."

Vegita watched as the younger human walked out the door, leaving him alone with the ‘Mistress’. "You have wise console," Vegita finally said with a superior tone in his voice, startling Bulma, who thought he was still asleep. "If I ever were to escape this contraption I would not rest until I had returned the favor you have given me. I will see your neck in my hands, ‘Mistress’. The tables will turn."

Recovering from the shock that the last conversation had been listened to, Bulma merely walked over to the shackled form. Leaning down, she trailed a delicate hand over his now healed back and watched in interest as his flesh twitched under her touch. Continuing to prove her point, her fingers found the end of his tail and played with the fur with the tips of her fingers. Hearing the intake of breath and the low growl in the Prince’s throat, Bulma looked up to his face to see his eyes sliding shut. Leaning forward she found the side of his neck, nipped at the lobe and whispered low in his ear.

"As long as you have the collar you are mine, and as you proved last night, ‘My Prince’, you are too valuable to let out of my grasp." Her fingers racked through his hair as her body encircled his, her chest pressed against his back. A groan escaped his lips at her teasing as she kissed his neck below the collar, chuckling at him.

"If you are ready to be obedient, ‘Prince’ Vegita, I have new training for you. A pleasure slave does not only physically please their master. You have shown that you possess other gifts and you will learn how to use them." Kissing the back of his neck again, she lightly licked his skin, tasting the wine mixed with the salty male taste of him. Standing back up, ignoring the stain of the oil on her already soiled gown she called for her guards.

"Take ‘his highness’ away. Have him bathed and taken to my study, and no punishment this time." Nodding their compliance, the guards grabbed Vegita, the feeling of hands on him again brought him back to reality and he struggled under their arms.

Smiling at his delayed reaction Bulma looked down at her gown. The oil of the salve had soaked through the linen, giving the fabric a translucent quality. Staring down at the wine stain she sighed, what a waste of a new gown. She called to a passing slave to clean up the spilt wine and walked back to the low serving table. The cards of her future had still not been removed, Kayra had walked out before she could collect them. Staring down at the final card she picked it up in her hand, the Wheel reversed. All her life had been a cycle, Kayra had said, what would a down turned wheel mean? Dismissing the thought from her mind she walked to her room to find another gown.

~~~~~

Sar’in walked through the torch lit corridor and a shiver passed down his spine. He had arrived at the Bushi house late yesterday, the fear of the dark and what traveled in it hurried them in their journey. The stories of bandits and assassins attacking night travelers was bad enough but recent rumors of otherworldly creatures, vampires, attacking those who left the safety of their homes at night. Whether the fables were real or imagined Sar’in didn’t care. The imagined have a horrible habit of becoming real.

Of course, the palace did not inspire much confidence itself. A black fortress amongst the cliffs, it stood as a sharp contrast to the white and mauve palace of his Mistress, but in truth the two women were like night and day. He still remembered walking up to the gate, fear of invoking the anger of Lady ChiChi ever present in his mind. The daughter of a warlord and an Amazon warrior princess, ChiChi was product of two strong fighting bloods and she held fast her two heritages. Her father and mother, it was said, met, lived and loved on the battlefield, as well as dying on it. Living forever for conflict, the two picked a fight with a power more ruthless than themselves and were killed, leaving ChiChi an orphan. Losing her territory and power, the girl gathered what resources she could and fled, vowing to find victory where her parents had found defeat. Finding nothing but enemies of her parents around her, she allied herself with the only neutral house in the region, the house of Modulus.

Memories of Modulus and the Mistress went through his mind as he was taken to address the Lady of Bushi. Where his home was a bright and immaculate, Bushi was dark and foreboding. When he finally reached his destination he was shocked by the sheer size of the throne room. True to her nature, ChiChi’s throne room was in fact a fighting arena, the lines of the boundaries running across the smooth gray stone floor. And there, at the end of the room sat the Lady ChiChi. Hair and eyes as dark and strong as Bulma’s were blue and wise Sar’in wondered how either woman had found a partnership with the other, but they did. Fueled by a fear of attack and the need to survive, the two most powerful women in the land joined forces, becoming both allies and trading partners. The two women even found a kindred in each other, a person who understood the pressure that they both faced, being a force in a male dominated world. The treaty had been signed many years ago and only gotten stronger with time, but still fear reigned in Sar’in’s conscious. Walking up to the seated figure, Sar’in and the others bowed low and proclaimed a greeting from themselves and the Mistress of Modulus. Quickly bringing forth the silk offering, they waited for any sign of either acceptance or death.

"Rise, slave. I will accept you into my house for the time it will take you to do whatever to that contraption. I hope you have brought your own supplies, you will find nothing of a great technical nature here but the inventions your Mistress sends. You will sleep with the other slaves, in the general sleeping quarters. I will give you all the time you require but in return you will also begin designs on the new weaponry I have come up with. Now go, the house slaves will deal with your possessions. I suggest that you leave before the training begins, it is not for the light hearted."

Sar’in and the others quickly stood and followed the slaves out of the room. The training sessions were definitely not for the faint of heart. The Lady ChiChi herself led them and normally would participate in spars and fighting competitions. Of all of the warriors, she was the best in the house, unmatched in the region for her ability, speed and, if needed, brutality. She kept her allies close and her enemies closer, thank the Fates that I am an ally.

The general sleeping room was just that, rows of single cots; a straw mattress, down pillow, and blanket. It wasn’t much but she treated all equally and none cruelly. Leaving what little they needed, Thak and Sar’in took their leave, bidding the messenger good-bye and followed their guide to the location of the pod. The same sense of shock at anything related to that Saiyajin returned with a vengeance when Sar’in saw the condition of the pod. The sphere was cracked and scorched, wires sticking out and circuits boards revealed due to the lost covering. How that creature survived not only the journey but the crash also was amazing; these Saiyajins are more that meets the eye. With that thought in his head, the pair started their work, primarily just attempting to figure out how the thing worked.

Sar’in finally turned into the lab only to discover Thak was gone, a summons by the Mistress no doubt. There was something about the thrill of discovery, playing with a new toy to see how it worked that kept the pair working all night. They had discovered much about the external structure and workings of the craft and as soon as they could find a way to open it, they would do the same to the interior. The greatest breakthrough had come when they finally found the mechanism that controlled to main power generator for the craft. The work needed a more precise instrument and Sar’in had made a search through his supplies to find it. Seeing Thak gone, he continued with his work; when this thing is up and running he’d be able to find out so much more about it. Slipping into the pod, he found the main motherboard for the power regulator. Luck for them the wiring had really been only slightly damaged, luckier still that the power source had been left intact with no damage at all. Trying to decipher the inner workings of the machine had given him a healthy respect for the technological minds that must have created it. The level of sophistication in the circuitry and the complexity of the materials used went way beyond the intelligence of the Saiyajin who had traveled in it. Where had technology like this come from? Sar’in continued to delicately poke and prod at the transistors and wire connections when an unexpected beeping began in the craft. Leaping out of the hatch faster than he would have thought possible, the tech slave stared in amazement as the space ship began to beep and blink, the power connect finally restored. Happiness at the discovery caused Sar’in to laugh out loud.

"It works," he cried softly. "It works!" he finally yelled at the top of his lungs. Excitement overtaking him, Sar’in ran from the room determined to find Thak and get word back to the Mistress. As he made his way for the door a distinct beep, soft and low began to tone as a small red light began to blink at a steady rate in the cabin.

* * * * *