"Brat!" Nappa bellowed reaching out large arms to grasp at the ten-year-old boy that was intent on driving him mad. He’d been heading towards the training hall to give his prince a message when the boy had sprung out of no where, grabbing at his tail and running circles around him before finally turning and running as fast as he could for the training hall.
"Damn it, Kakarotto!" Nappa yelled as he charged forward, running after the boy as fast as he could and still unable to catch him. He was at the ripe age of twenty-seven and was huffing as he came to a stop in the training hall. The boy had grown much taller and stronger; however, he still had a lean, lithe body. Nappa looked up to see that he was standing behind his prince, grinning like an idiot.
"Kakarotto, are you pestering Nappa again? What have I told you about that?" Prince Vejita said through a smirk, powering down.
The prince was eighteen now and also taller, he was still shorter than most warriors though. His strength was more than most had seen. Many speculated that he was stronger than the king himself. Surprisingly, the only person able to keep up with him in a sparring match was the young Kakarotto.
The prince was mature now and had filled into his body. He didn’t have large bulky muscles like most warriors. His body was much more compact. He had a proud chest, narrow hips, and muscular thighs. He was quite the specimen. He was wearing a tight blue bodysuit, white gloves and boots, and simple, white, sleeveless chest armor.
"Hiya, Jita. I was just playin’." Kakarotto said letting his grin fade. He still wore a gi rather than the usual Saiyajin uniform and armor. He insisted that his gi was more comfortable.
"Prince Vejita, the king wishes to see you as soon as possible in the throne room." Nappa said, waiting to follow the prince to his destination.
Vejita nodded, turning to leave the training hall with Nappa at one side and Kakarotto at his other side.
"The king? I never met tha king." The boy mumbled curiously.
"You must call him King Vejita or Sire. Nothing less, and don’t speak unless you are spoken to. You got it?" the prince said, realizing that he’d never shown the boy the throne room.
"Hai." Kakarotto mumbled, trying to remember all the new rules.
****
"Ah, Prince Vejita, I see you are still improving." The king mused, motioning for the slave at his side to be dismissed.
"Sire?" the prince said, bowing slightly.
"You’re eighteen now, correct?" the king asked, motioning for his son to sit in the smaller throne beside him.
Vejita nodded, taking his seat beside his father. He watched as his father dismissed both Nappa and Kakarotto, but wasn’t too surprised when Kakarotto remained standing there. The prince was a little more than disappointed when Nappa just continued walking away rather than helping the boy.
"Dismissed." The king snapped watching as the boy before him remained standing, a look of complete confusion crossing his face.
The prince wanted desperately to help out but knew that his father would only be upset.
Kakarotto stepped to the side slightly, moving closer to his prince. He didn’t know where he would go. He was rarely out of the prince’s company and found himself frightened at the king’s booming voice.
"Jita…" he mumbled, surprised as the king stood suddenly, jack slapping him, and causing him to fly backwards, landing on the cool tile floor of the large room with a thud.
"Father." The prince said, standing and interrupting his father’s raging.
"Is this the boy?" the king asked, calming and sitting back in his throne.
"Yes. This is Kakarotto." Vejita answered, sitting back in his own throne, fighting the urge to ask the boy if he was all right.
"Why is he so insolent? Hasn’t he been under your care this entire time?"
"Yes, Sire, but I’m afraid I never taught him the behavior used when in the presence of his king." The prince explained, watching as the boy slowly sat up, wiping a small dribble of blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
"I see and you allow him to address you so?" the king asked, surprised.
"Yes, Sire. As a child I didn’t see the importance of it. So, to this day he continues to address me as a friend."
"I hear that he is able to keep up with you in sparring matches." The king said, watching as the boy slowly stood, inching closer and closer to his son.
The prince nodded, motioning for Kakarotto to come to him. He could see the relief in his eyes as he stepped over and stood at his side.
"I called you here to tell you that Lord Freeza has requested your assistance in purging a particular planet. You will be leaving in the morning. It should take you no less than a week. I suggest you spend the rest of the night preparing for your departure." The king explained, waving his hand in that same manner to let the prince know that was all.
The prince stood, bowing slightly before he turned and left, Kakarotto following closely. As he exited the throne room, Nappa joined him again.
"I assume you heard, Nappa?"
"Yes, my prince. By the king's orders, I’ll be remaining here." Nappa said, noticing the worried look on his prince’s face. Soon they reached the prince’s quarters and Nappa followed him inside.
"I’m leaving Kakarotto here under your care. If anything happens, I’m holding you responsible." Vejita said, stepping over to his closet to gather together his most formal uniform.
"Jita, who’s Freeza?" Kakarotto asked, plopping down on his bed Indian-style.
"He’s a king that is much stronger than myself or King Vejita. I’ll be gone for only a week. So, have no worries."
"Hai." Kakarotto answered, looking up at Nappa who was smirking down at him. For some reason he had a feeling that this week was going to be a long one.
****
It was nearly a week later and Kakarotto stretched his arms into the air as he stepped into the training hall. He’d been spending most of his time there, hardly sleeping a wink. Nappa stood opposite another warrior, starting a sparring match of his own.
Kakarotto wasn’t sure why, but he felt as if he’d matured considerably over the past week. He no longer found the need to horse around and tease Nappa or any of the other warriors. He powered up as he lifted into the sky, practicing kicks and punches and a number of other attacks he’d seen his prince use in an intricate kata.
The king had been calling him into the throne room just about every day, having another elite soldier train him on the proper decorum. It was terribly boring, but he had no choice as the king watched on, threatening to end his life if he made a single mistake.
"Kakarotto, perhaps we should call it a day." Nappa suggested watching as the boy snapped out of his trance.
Kakarotto slowly floated back down to the floor of the training hall. His body was drenched in sweat and his legs felt weak. How long had he been training? He nodded, following the larger man through the corridors until they came to their quarters.
Nappa entered his own room as the boy entered his. It was strange. The boy was surprisingly quieter with the absence of his prince. A buzzing sound interrupted his thoughts. Slowly he rose from his seat on his bed, pressing the small white button of the intercom.
"Yes?" he asked, releasing the button and waiting for a reply.
"Prince Vejita has just arrived."
"Be right there." Nappa answered quickly, stepping to the door that led to his prince and Kakarotto’s room. Upon entering, he quickly found that the boy was gone. There was no point in worrying over it though, he had to get to the landing docks.
****
Prince Vejita stepped out of the small sphere shaped ship. The purging mission had been easier than expected. He guessed that Lord Freeza had requested him to witness his strength for future plans. It didn’t matter though. Whatever Freeza wanted Freeza got. He was the strongest being in the universe.
A few soldiers nodded to him, welcoming him home. The prince was surprised to see Kakarotto standing at the entrance, waiting patiently for him. He’d half expected the boy to tackle him.
****
Nappa got to the entrance in time to see that the boy was already there. He was surprised since not many were able to sense ki like the king and prince.
"Prince Vejita, it’s nice to have you back." Nappa said, bowing at his prince’s approach.
Vejita was surprised to see that Kakarotto was bowing as well and gave his supposed bodyguard a questioning look.
"King Vejita ordered that Kakarotto be taught the proper decorum. Seems it has worked, eh?" Nappa chimed, watching as his prince’s eyebrows rose.
"Well, come on. It’s late." Vejita said simply, starting for his quarters, Nappa and Kakarotto following him closely.
****
A large white hand grabbed Kakarotto’s throat, throwing him to the ground. There were ripping and breaking sounds followed by pain. Kakarotto heard his own scream as blood filled his vision. A burning pain ran deep inside of him causing him to gasp for air, but the air was suddenly gone, replaced with more blood, and he was drowning.
Kakarotto sat up in his bed breathing deeply. He hadn’t had that nightmare in a long time. He wanted desperately to clutch his blanket that smelled so much like his mother, but he had lost it long ago. The only other thing to do was to wake his prince, but with all the new things he’d been taught, he thought it the last thing he should do. The king had told him how the prince was so much stronger and wiser, making sure that he knew he was the last person in the world that should be allowed to be near him since he was only a low class orphan.
Kakarotto figured that he’d just have to prove himself to his prince. It seemed that was the only thing he could do.
****
"Kakarotto, attack me." The prince said, stepping back to resize his opponent. He had been back for nearly a month and the boy was just now getting used to him again. He’d explained to him just the other day that it wasn’t necessary for him to be so formal when they were alone or in the presence of just Nappa.
Kakarotto complied, smiling somewhat at the sensation of getting a few hits in. His prince had surely noticed his growing strength but had said nothing about it.
Nappa stood by, watching the display of power. The two of them were reaching levels never thought possible. It was funny how the prince had urged the boy to call him by the silly nickname. It was as if the prince needed a friend. Nappa was also surprised by the prince’s lack of interest in the women soldiers that constantly flaunted about him. Either way, he thought it none of his business to question.
With a loud crash, Kakarotto slammed into the tiled floor of the training hall, causing the hard floor to crumple at the force of the impact. Surprisingly, Nappa watched as the boy rose, smirking, a habit he must have picked up from the prince.
