The Power Of Love

SUMMARY: Vegeta and Kakkarot have their own, separate confrontations (of more than one kind)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Dragonball Z and am in no way connected to them. I only wish I was, than I'd have at least SOME $$$. I also do not own and am in no way related to the creators or producers or anything of the song Power of Love by Celine Dion. Please don't sue me. Seeing as how I am broke, sueing me would do you no good. =Þ

AUTHOR: Hidden Angel

Last time on Confusion Reigns:

"Kakkarot! What are you doing? Are you a traitor?"

"No, I'm not a traitor."

"Than why are you fighting against us?"

His answer was as cool and calm as could be. "Because no one is allowed to touch Chi Chi. She is my mate."

*****

"You have no right Kakkarot! I claimed her first!"

"I say she is mine and no one is to touch her!" Kakkarot's eyes flashed dangerously.

The two were about to launch at each other again when an all too familiar voice ended the argument. "What the hell are you guys doing? I can't even be gone for an hour without you guys trying to kill each other?"

All the Saiyans present dropped to their knees. "Prince Vegeta, Kakkarot here thinks he can do whatever he wants. He..."

"Shut up. I have heard enough." Vegeta had heard the entire conversation. After flying back from Bulma's house, he had hovered near a window by the hallway, listening in. "All of you, leave. I want to talk to Kakkarot alone. I will give you my decision on this little female later." v Homto and Lumo glared angrily at Kakkarot as they stalked off with the other Saiyans. The Z team, helping each other up in shock, left as well. Chi Chi looked at Kakkarot with a sadness in her eyes that he could not understand. Did she want to be Homto's mate? Is that why she was sad? Kakkarot sighed, unaware that he had done it out loud.

Vegeta looked at Kakkarot, deep questioning showing in his usually cold eyes. "Follow me." Wordlessly, Kakkarot followed his Prince to his chambers. "Close the door Kakkarot. I have some things to talk to you about."

Kakkarot closed the door and turned around to face Vegeta. "What is it my Prince?" His voice sounded tired and far away, even to himself.

Vegeta glared unmoving for a few minutes, making Kakkarot feel slightly uneasy. "Why did you fight Homto and the rest of our warriors for just one girl?"

Kakkarot's head snapped up. Whatever he had expected, this certainly wasn't it. "What?"

"You heard me. Why did you fight the others for one, little, human female?"

"Because...because," he wasn't sure how this was going to sound to the Prince. "I care about her a lot and I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I know it sounds weird because we've only been here for about a week, but from the first moment that I saw her, I knew she had stolen my heart and I didn't want her to give it back."

Vegeta's mouth dropped, and if it could, it would have smacked onto the floor. Quickly he recovered and shut his mouth. "What?! What do you mean you are in 'love' with her? How do you know that you are in 'love' with her?"

Kakkarot mentally wondered why Vegeta wasn't already throwing a ki ball at him. Saiyans were not suppose to show signs of affection. Emotions were supposedly weaknesses. "It's hard to explain. You just know when you're in love I guess. She makes me feel good feelings in a way that no one has ever been able to do before. I don't really know how to explain it. But I do know that I will not allow anyone to ever hurt her again."

"Is that all you can tell me?" Kakkarot nodded his head. "Fine. Leave for now. I will give my decision soon."

Kakkarot walked silently out of Vegeta's room, knowing that if the Prince ruled to let Chi Chi be Homto's mate, he would snap. He could not, did not want to imagine seeing her with anyone else. Silently thinking to himself, the young Saiyan wondered how far he would go for the woman that he loved.

Meanwhile, Vegeta sat brooding in his room. Love? What an interesting word. Hmph, what did he care about that word anyway? Not like he would ever feel it. Without a warning, Bulma's face flashed through his mind.

He wondered what that woman was doing at the moment. He hoped she would be back soon so she could finish his machine. His hands tightened into fists as he thought about what those men had almost done to his woman. "His" woman? What was he thinking? Since when had she become "his" woman? Why would he want her anyway? She was the loudest and most annoying female he had ever seen. Or was she?

Vegeta sank onto his bed. "She makes me feel good feelings in a way that no one has ever been able to to do before." Kakkarot's words bounced back and forth in his head. No. It couldn't be. He couldn't be in 'love' with the blue haired genious. He grabbed onto his head and violently shook it. What was wrong with him? What was this planet doing to him? What was this woman doing to him?

Vegeta opened his eyes. He was a warrior, a Prince, and would not lie to himself. That was a shameless thing to do. He would not deny it anymore. He was in love with Bulma. He murmured to himself, wondering what he was going to do. Hmph, what would he do? Nothing. He couldn't do anything. He was the Prince of Saiyans. He couldn't show any emotions. No. The only person who could know that he was in love was himself. No one else. Vegeta smirked, satisfied that he had finally figured out what those strange emotions were.

*****

Vegeta glared at his ten elite warriors. They were assembled in the Great Hall for their dinner. All eyes watched Vegeta curiously, wondering when the Prince would give his decision on the little human female Chi Chi.

The tension in the air was clear, even to the "slaves". Bulma had returned, with her parents, from her house to find a very tense group of Saiyans and friends. Krillen and Yamcha had filled her in on what had happened. Her reaction wasn't as great as her parents when she had told them about the "aliens" who were now basically ruling the Earth. She also watched the Prince, curious about more than just the decision he had about Chi Chi. She was curious about something else as well but wasn't sure exactly what it was.

Vegeta cleared his throat unneccessarily. The utensils fell out of everyones hands, Saiyan, human, anyone present. He was enjoying toying with everyones mind. He hadn't really needed to talk to Kakkarot in order to come up with his decision. He had already made his mind up long before that.

"What are all you bakas looking at me for? And are you all not hungry? Stop gawking at me and start eating!"

"Uh, Prince Vegeta, we were wondering if you had made a decision on Homto's would be mate."

"Oh, that little affair. Of a matter of fact, I have given that some thought and I have come up with a decision." All eyes stared, willing him to continue. "Hmph, if you all can't wait any longer, than I shall tell you." He paused for dramatic effect. "I have decided that the little human female, Chi Chi, shall be Kakkarot's mate. Do not question my decision, I have my own reasons."

Many of the Saiyan warriors continued to eat, not really caring, just interested in the decision. Kakkarot glanced at Chi Chi, but didn't say anything. He knew he would have to talk to her later. The noise level in the room increased as the tension fell and the Saiyans began to insult each other playfully as usual. Everyone seemed normal, everyone but Lumo and Homto.

*****

Homto was in a terrible mood. He wasn't happy with Prince Vegeta's decision. This wasn't unexpected however, as the Prince favoured Kakkarot in many ways. It was a real advantage of being on the Prince's good side, you usually got your way.

"What is wrong with the Prince anyway?" Homto was pacing back and forth angrily in his room. "How can he let this baka have his way? My family have always been loyal, first class Saiyans, yet this...this...boy from a third class family has more of an influence on the Prince? Is there no such thing as retribution anymore?"

Lumo spoke soothingly to his comrade. "Calm down Homto, it is only one little human female. The time will come when you will get to pay the third class Saiyan back. We just have to wait for that opportunity to arise."

Homto looked at his comrade. "Hmph, the Prince should be taught a lesson as well."

Lumo glared at Homto quickly before looking to the door. "Careful! You must not be caught saying such things! The Prince would have your heard in less than a second!"

"But it is true! Someone needs to teach him a thing or two!" This time, Homto's voice was much quieter than before as he heeded Lumo's suggestion.

Lumo smiled. He too did not like the Prince's ways. He too believed that the Prince needed a lesson or two. "Don't worry Homto, the day will come when we can repay the both of them for all that they have done to us."

*****

Kakkarot stood waiting outside the Great Hall as the "slaves" cleaned up after the meal. He needed to talk to Chi Chi and he needed to talk to her now. He had to find out her feelings. He had been waiting for nearly two hours when her and Bulma finally popped out the door. Most of the other slaves had retired for the night long ago.

Bulma spotted Kakkarot as they were walking out and made some excuse before quickly retreating to her own room. Chi Chi glanced his way and just continued to walk, as if she hadn't seen him at all.

"Chi Chi wait. I need to talk to you."

He heard her sigh and turn around to face him. "Yes Kakkarot? What do you want to speak to me about?" The look of sadness was once again on her face.

"I want to know how you feel about all of this."

She snorted at his words. "How I feel? Since when did the great masters decide to care how we slaves feel?"

"Chi Chi, please. I really care what you think."

She glared at him, eyes piercing through his very soul. "Thank you for asking me...AFTER everything is through. I am a person. I have feelings. I have a heart. How do you think I feel, being claimed as if I was a thing? How do you think I feel, being given away as if I was an unliving object? I have no control over my own life anymore!" Her voice was filled with controlled rage. Kakkarot could see that she was fighting back her tears.

"I..." He was speechless. He didn't know what to say.

"But I guess that's what we are to you guys aren't we? Nothing more than things that you have control over." Kakkarot felt as if a knife was being pushed through his heart, slowly killing him as it continued to penetrate deeper. "I'm sorry. It's a late night and I'm tired. Good night." Her voice didn't reflect what she was saying. It didn't sound at all as if she was sorry.

Kakkarot moved swiftly and took her hand in his. She turned around in shock and found his lips on hers. At first she faught it, but than her own emotions took over and she kissed him back. They held onto each other, neither one wanting the kiss to end. When they finally did pull apart, Chi Chi could only stare at Kakkarot, as she gasped for breath, her turn to be completely speechless.

"I have loved you since the day I saw you and would never do anything if I thought it would make you unhappy. I did what I did because I know Homto isn't a good guy. He would have hurt you, physically and emotionally. If you do not want to be my mate, we will only be mates in public, not in private. I..." He never finished as Chi Chi pulled his head down and their lips met in yet another passionate kiss.

NEXT TIME ON POWER OF LOVE: Vegeta's feelings begin to show. Treachery brews behind closed doors.

Chapter5