CHAPTER TWO: Surprises and News

It was dark and quiet. Something was definately wrong.

"Kijah!"

She heard her own name, and turned quickly, her eyes focused and Kijah recognised the face. Miaka!

"WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO COME INTO MY QUARTERS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT... and WHERE IS MY MATE!??" Kijah erupted.

Miaka grinned, knowing this was definately the Kij she remembered. There was none other on the planet capable of her decibal range. "I am on maternal leave Kij, I figured since I haven't been issued a place, that I'd visit you. Or that sly little hybrid you've caught." She winked and Kijah bristled.

"What'd you say to him, and WHERE in the god's names is he!?" Kijah yelled, her tail showing her utter rage. She'd had a basically sleepless night, and all of her worries and pent up anger were pouring out just then.

"I think he went training." Miaka said, finally standing, still wary of Kijah's mindset. "Hey Kij, what's this about you being the queen's guard?"

She cracked her neck and walked to the closet, pulling out her heavier training armor. "Come on" she said, muffled as she changed into it. "I have to train as well, and you could likely use a little spar. I'll explain on the way." Kijah said quickly

Miaka raised a brow and looked surprised as Kijah grabbed her arm, and pulled her out the door.

What exactly had gone on all of this time?

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He blocked, and went for a hit, but was blocked also. This angered him, as he lifted into the air, powered up, and shot with in seconds.

This time his partner was hit, square in the chest.

"KUSO SHIN! I'm no enemy! Why all the rage?" she stood, clutching her armor, as the burning slowed down.

Shinto landed, his eyes calming at the same rate as his ki. "Raleiko, I'm trying to train. I don't know what YOU want to call it, but I have a few ranks to uphold in this tournament, and I'll stop at NOTHING to achieve them." he scowled into the female's face.

He recoiled as she punched him square in the diaphram, knocking the wind out of him. "You want to train Shinto, lets train." Raleiko scowled, tightening her fluffed tail around her waist. If this male was going to be her mate, he'd have to learn what to take seriously.

Shinto scowled and began the spar again. This time he had a bit more trouble defeating his partner than before.

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Chatsu spun, kicked, and jumped to avoid the kick he knew would be countered.

Upon landing he shot a punch, slammed into the shoulder of his opponent, and reflected the ki blast with one of his own.

Jaka was down and out within minutes, and Chatsu realized how bored he was.

He scowled, and wiped his hands, leaving the moaning Jaka to the cleanup crew.

How was he supposed to get better when his opponents were all so weak?

He lashed his tail free of his waist, and flicked his light gaze to the door. Chatsu smirked as the answer to his question entered the arena.

"Kijah. Lets go." He said simply, and watched as she phased out, leaving Miaka blinking cluelessly.

He jumped, but felt the punch to his lower back and snorted, spinning to catch the kick.

Chatsu smirked right back at his mate, who had a look of pure pleasure on her face as she fired a shot from her free hand, leaving an opening for a sweep kick that almost left him flat on his face.

Chatsu recovered and phased out, coming in behind her and kicking, only to be met with a lateral spin kick, one she'd perfected in the past weeks.

Now THIS was what he called a challenge.

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Miaka scowled. She definately had missed too much while she'd been gone. The fighting speed had increased, at least Kijah's had. And her mate was just as incredible.

How had this happened?

Her thoughts ran back to Kijah's changing out of her warmups before training.

Maybe it was the armor. If it was, she'd need to get her hands on some just as fast.

"Miaka?" a soft voice interrupted her thoughts.

Only one Saiyan she knew carried such a voice.

Miaka turned to face Liena, grinning. "Well look who it is!" she said, bowing in greeting. Liena had grown, although she wasn't very tall, Miaka could tell she'd definately grown up.

Liena bowed in return. "What brings you back to the planet?" She asked, reaching up to place a hand over her arm.

Miaka flicked a gaze to her arm, and then looked back to her "Well I am going to have a brat put in the gestation tanks here, and of course, the tournaments! My mate will be returning for them also."

Liena grinned "Looks like everyone has found a mate for themselves!" she rubbed her arm a bit, and then her hand jolted down quickly.

Miaka quirked her brows and realized why, as Kakarott entered behind Liena.

Kakarott; she hadn't known him well, only that his power was questionable. It was said to be strong, but many had never been able to identify the reason. She silently wondered where that attractive brother of his ran off to....

He scowled to Liena. "We have to get something on that arm, and eat before training more. I've got that heavier armor ready. I made a few extra for Kij and Chatsu also. I'm sure they'll be asking for it soon."

Liena nodded, angered about her arm, but glad to know that her power would only increase more. She'd really developed a self control level when it came to putting up with heavy armor.

"In a few, I want to watch Kij, and talk to Miaka for a bit." she said, leaving her arms at her sides.

Kakarott flicked a quick glance to Miaka, then around the arena, and nodded to Liena, letting his hand run over her arm. He turned and left without another word.

Liena sneered wickedly and replaced her hand over her arm once again. "Sorry about him, he gets like this around tournament time." she grinned

Miaka nodded. Keeping her thoughts to herself.

They both leaned against the wall and watched Chatsu and Kijah adding bruises to each other.

So it was heavy armor.... how on Vegetasei would that help raise power levels?.. Miaka thought heavily, barely noticing the fights and spars around them.

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"What is it?" Vegeta scowled into the message screen.

The guard behind the screen trembled, and then looked down. "Message from Off-worlder Radditsu sir."

Vegeta sneered. Great, another pointless, babbling from his old elite guard. "Well put him on already... and tell the baka to make it short."

Vegeta sat back and remembered the earth trip. For all its wonders,he'd gone with his two guards, Nappa and Radditz, off to some idle job. He'd been dealing with the odd feelings he was having for Bulma, and didn't need his idiotic guards telling him what 'treason to the throne' was.

Vegeta didn't recall asking for them to report, nor did he even recall the far off place he'd sent them to scout out. Now he was forced to put up with Radditz's babbling every few seasons.

With that, the mass of hair himself appeared on screen.

Vegeta folded his arms "Well well... are we sick Radditsu? You're precious skin looks a bit pale in that light."

Radditz smirked. "I'm fine sire. In fact, this place isn't turning out so hard to conquer as we thought."

Vegeta inclined his head non chalantly. "Well, isn't that nice....."

Radditz raised a brow "There are rumors of an heir sire.."

Vegeta's gaze fixed directly on Radditz in return. Obviously scathing his appearance, as he seemingly recioled. "I do not disguss the palace news over galaxial broadcast, warrior. You know that." Vegeta said, his eyes wary.

Radditz gritted his teeth a bit, making the droplet of sweat on his brow seem larger. "Well.. yes sire.. forgive me. I'll need to go, that moron Nappa needs my help in controls."

Vegeta sneered and cut off contact.

"Nappa would never take to being called a moron. In fact. I haven't seen his bald head this entire time." Vegeta brows lowered deeply as he thought outloud.

Something was up. He didn't know just yet, but there was something going on.

He stood and entered the main Royal suite. Taking a seat by the bed, he kept an eye on Bulma the entire time she insisted on 'working' so diligently.

His own mind was set on protecting his mate and son.

Saiyan instincts forced waryness on his part. Those simple minded fools never got to him in such a way. He'd have to keep a closer eye on what information got out.

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He turned, gulping, but keeping his teeth gritted. It took every ounce of self control he had not to erupt into screams of frustration.

He was a Saiyan Elite! how could two freaks like this have greater power than he!

"Keep your cool Saiyan... we'll arrive soon" the sly accented voice came from the shadows. "YOu don't want to end up like your bald headed friend over there.." a gloved hand pointed to Nappa's limp body, impaled through the heart.

Radditz sneered, and flicked his gaze back to the female looking one. He had the deep sly voice of a male, but jewelry, and dressy green hair made him seem all and too female

The feminine creature called Zarbon smirked. "Now then, next time be sure to find out about this heir. The master suddenly wants every bit of information on your monkey-tailed race"

"Yeah! wonder why, you all seem weak to me" the fat pink... thing stepped into view also. His annoying voice crowded Radditz's ears, and he sneered uncontrollably.

"Lets go hairy, we gotta get you all wrapped up for the big arrival!" the fat one said and grabbed his arm. He let himself be dragged along, keeping in mind Nappa's demise

Who was this 'master' they spoke of? and how much more odd looking could these creatures get?

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Nothing had ever felt so good in her entire life.

Her back cracked a bit, and the soft covers of her bed supported her aching muscles.

Bulma let out the deepest sigh of her life, wondering WHY she insisted on keeping the baby inside of her for a split second.

That question immediately switched, to why she insisted on working on a barbaric, bloodthirsty tournament that she likely wouldn't want to see anyway.

"Would you STOP worrying and go to sleep. You only plague MY thoughts" that annoyed voice came from the corner.

She smirked, knowing how much her spinning thoughts irked him, and loving being able to irk him whenever she could. "I'm sorry, I'm just so glad I finally finished that work. The tournament is set, and I can sleep.. for now. He seems to be settling down."

Vegeta snorted "Thank the gods. You do NOT know how damn annoying it is to have constant light in your quarters for 3 days straight."

Bulma held in a laugh. He could be such a whiner, and she winced. "Hungry again!" she whined herself, not even catching the irony.

Vegeta rolled his eyes and folded his arms. Forcing his instincts down and vowing not to bow to her wishes. "Vikaro. The Queen needs to feed again" he said simply, knowing the sweating guard would be running around trying to break the record of speedy deliveries.

Bulma turned on her side, as her eyes lolled shut.

Vegeta let his own sigh of relief, waited a few minutes, and then stood.

After a few minutes of assurance, he stealthily clicked off the begotten lights, slid into bed, and curled around his mate not making a sound.

His deep scowl faded to a lighter one as the two drifted off together for the first time in weeks.