Legend

Chapter warning: Yaoi romance. Angst. Sorry if my
Star Wars facts don’t quite jibe — don’t flame me!

Disclaimer: see Prologue

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Legend: Pain


(Kakarotto)

Vejita’s pulse is erratic. “We need to get him to the ship.
Fast.”

Nashika’s face is grim as we tear through the death star trying to
find the quickest way out. I can feel the tremendous power emanating from
her slight form, and I’m still in awe. But I’m not entirely
sure how she feels about saving Vejita, and for the first time, I’m
wary of her motives.

“If we can get near the hull I can blast our way out,” she says
with complete confidence. I have no doubt she can do it in this form,
but the death star is not a piece of tin.

“I’ll power down to save my energy,” she says, and instantly
her hair returns to its raven black.

We’re racing unhindered down the corridors and suddenly we round
a corner and nearly run into a young man. His face is haggard and grim;
he’s startled to see us. His gaze sweeps over us and rests on Vejita
slung over my shoulder, his left arm half gone.

“Please,” I say. “We need to get out of here.”

“Yes. The ship is going to explode. Follow me.”

We’re suddenly racing toward a hangar where fighter ships are housed.


“Can you fly one of these?” he asks.

“I can,” Nashika says and we’re suddenly clambering into
the ship. It’s a tight fit, meant only for pilot and co-pilot, but
Vejita’s slight form is light and limp and we manage to squeeze in.

“Thank you...”

“Luke!” he cries, and he’s inside his ship and jetting
out of the hangar.

Nashika’s fingers fly over the controls and our ship jumps out behind
Luke’s as we careen through the ship.

Her face is set in grim determination and her fingers are white-knuckled
on the wheel as she pilots the ship out and pours on the speed, putting
distance between us and the death star. Ships are everywhere and we see
a huge ship suddenly crash into the death star.

Our bodies seem to flatten against the back of our seats as the force
of the speed increases. I feel for Vejita’s pulse. It’s getting
fainter. She glances at me and then suddenly we’re thrown forward
with the force of the explosion behind us as the death star fragments
and pieces pelt our ship.

For a brief moment, Luke pulls alongside us, salutes us and then he’s
gone along with his fleet of fighters. We see our ship ahead and I breathe
easier. We don’t wait to dock, but Nashika opens the hatch, and I
fly out with Vejita cradled in my arms.

He doesn’t have much time left.


********


(Vejita)

I’m in my mother’s womb, the fluid cushioning me, the sounds
of her singing lulling me, sweet and soothing. I can’t feel my body,
but my other senses are sharp. I hear the music, the sound of her voice.
I can taste her light kiss on my lips. Mother...

Kakarotto.


********


(Kakarotto)

Vejita.

I watch his body as it floats gently in the healing fluid. Our shipboard
doctor is unable to reconstruct his arm. That will have to be done on
Vejita-sei, but he’s confident that they will be able to provide
him with an artificial arm that will be unrecognizable from the other.

Vejita. Koibito.

This is all my fault.


*********


(Nashika)

I’m losing him. He doesn’t know that I’ve watched him as
we head back to Vejita-sei, watched him as he set up a vigil in front
of the rejuve tank, watched as he lost sleep and agonized over his prince.
The bond is deeper than either of us could imagine.

I can’t lose him; but I don’t know what to do.


*******


(Vejita)

His arms are around me and his eyes are soft as he lays me in my bed.
My lover lies beside me and holds me, murmurring gentle words. His mouth
touches mine lightly, and I never want to leave this place or this moment.
If time could stand still...

“Aishiteru, Kakarotto. I love you.” My voice is weak and he
lays a finger against my lips. I turn my face against his chest and he
holds me. I fall asleep in his arms.


********


(Nashika)

Vejita-sei is ahead and the royal surgeons are waiting for us. Kakarotto
carries Vejita out and my heart grows cold with fear. The prince looks
small curled in the general’s big arms. He hasn’t had enough
time in rejuve and the surgeons will want to operate and put him back
in the chamber immediately. Kakarotto hasn’t even looked at me. Kami,
what can I do?

I love him.


********


(Kakarotto)

The surgeon won’t let me in, so I pace outside the operating room.
My heart feels like there’s an ever-tightening band around it. I
ne nearly burst inside to see what they’re doing to my prince, but restrain
myself and a few hours pass before they finally reappear.

They’re smiling.

Now they let me watch him as he’s placed in rejuve once again. I
have a cot brought in — I’m not leaving his side until he’s
out of there. Not until I’m sure he’s all right.


*******


(Nashika)

Back in the women’s dorm, I’m suddenly a celebrity. It didn’t
take long for word to reach Vejita-sei — the engineers and doctors
have spread the story like wildfire. I’m a princess, a super Saiya-jin,
and I’ve beat death back in a daring rescue. The masters immediately
set me in charge of women’s martial arts training, and my days begin
to fill with endless training sessions.

Then, the king calls for me.


*********


(King Vejita)

She looks just like her mother, and my heart leaps into my throat. Oh,
Kahow how could I have missed that the first time? What is she thinking?
What does she think of me?

And what was Vejita thinking? This whole affair stinks of betrayal and
my son is the betrayer. General Kakarotto hasn’t left his side and
doesn’t answer my summons. If it wasn’t he...

She’s beautiful, a face I remember as though it was just yesterday.
I don’t know what to say to her.

“Sire...” she begins as she drops to one knee. Then, hesitantly,
she stands and smiles tremulously. I hold my hand out to her.

“Father...” she whispers, and I take her into my arms.

I still don’t know what to say.

(continued...)