Legend

Chapter warning: A little lime yaoi — just a kiss
or two. Ah, there’s nothing like a love triangle to start a war!

Disclaimer: see Prologue

___________________________________________________________


Legend: Fools

Vejita is at my door. What a fool I am! He always comes to my room after
a fight. Always! And now he’s here and he knows.

I move in front of Nashika and muscle my way out the door, forcing Vejita
to move away. With one hand behind my back, I gently urge her out and
push her away. I glance at her, and her face is fearful. She quietly slips
down the hall and disappears.

The prince’s face is hard and his jaw is working. I can almost hear
his teeth grinding.

“Vejita...”

“Shut up!” he spits out. I shut up.

“How —” He stops, choking up. “How could you —”

I’m silent as I watch him working out what to say.

“The women...” he begins and he has to compose himself again.
“The women never meant anything. I knew that, I accepted that.”

He’s close to tears, and I know it’s killing him to show me
this side. Then his face grows hard again and in his eyes I see the cruelty
that he’s capable of. I’m suddenly very afraid — not for
me, but for Nashika. I know what I have to do.

Reaching out slowly, I touch his face. The softening look encourages me
and I slide my palm along his cheek then to the back of his head where
I bury my hand in his hair and pull him close.

He moans softly and his eyes drift shut as I pull him in for a kiss. When
we separate, his eyes are begging me.

“Forgive me, sire,” I whisper and thumb his lower lip before
kissing him again. “When I left you I was in a...state. She was just
in the wrong place at the wrong time. She means nothing to me.”

“Kakarotto...”

I take his hand and draw him into my room, shutting the door.


**********


(Vejita)

How could he do this to me? He knows how much I love him! I was a fool
to try to mark him! And now I find him in the arms of that woman. He’s
on his guard now and I won’t be able to claim him, but he’s
mine. It’s only a matter of time — and timing. I’m with
him right now and that’s all that matters.

But as for her, she’s dead.


***********


(Nashika)

It’s not a rumor anymore. The general and the prince. I hear his
door shut and the prince has gone in to him. What a fool I am! I’m
not sure who I hate more at this moment, Kakarotto or myself.

I continue tossing on my cot, unable to sleep. I can feel his feverish
embrace and the touch of his hands and lips. No, I can’t hate him.
I know what he’s doing and why. This is a dangerous game he’s
playing, and I have a terrible feeling I’m the one in danger.

Does that matter? Haven’t I put myself in a dangerous position? What
will they do when they find out who I am? But to make an enemy of the
prince the very first day, and all over a matter of love... well, wasn’t
it love that put me here in the first place? I finally fall asleep toward
dawn.


**********


(Kakarotto)

I can’t show favoritism, so Nashika must get up with the rest of
the warriors. She looks frazzled and worn, but gamely goes through the
drills. After warmups and close combat drills, I separate her and a few
others for martial arts training.

The masters are impressed with her skill, though I know she’s still
holding back. She avoids looking at me the entire day except to salute.
After their dinner, I manage to separate her again by assigning her mess
duty. When she’s taking the trash out, I corner her alone.

“General,” she says and salutes, but her eyes are looking over
my left shoulder rather than at my face. I propel her behind the dumpsters.

“Nashika, I’m sorry,” I say, knowing there’s little
more that I can say.

She’s silent for a moment, then finally meets my eyes.

“What is between you and the prince is your business. Just tell me
one thing. Do I need to watch my back?”

“Yes,” I say. There’s no point in trivializing it.

She nods curtly and waits for me to move. I don’t know what I’m
waiting for her to say, but I stand aside to let her pass.

“Nashika —”

She stops and for what seems like forever, we gaze at each other. The
left corner of her mouth twitches, she salutes and leaves.


***********


(Nashika)

Just being in his presence makes my insides tremble. He was everywhere
today, watching, giving orders, training his new recruits. I could smell
him. I can still smell him on my skin, even though I’ve showered
twice. There’s no point in denying how he has affected me. But it’s
a luxury I cannot afford. If I want a future at all, I must avoid him
at all costs.


*********

(Vejita)

“Sire, he met her this afternoon behind the dumpsters, but it appeared
they only spoke for a minute.”

I send my spy back out to continue his surveillance. So, Kakarotto, you
play games yet, my love. Well, your prince can play games, too. And I
have a wonderful game for you and your woman.

This afternoon, I went to my father and he thinks I have a splendid plan.
You see, there’s a threat to Vegita-sei — a death star approaches.
Oh, it’s still a long way off, but I thought we should destroy it
before it finds us. There’s no sense tempting fate. And so, this
is a job for my best officer and his battalion. In fact, I myself will
lead this invasion.

And what better place to put your newest warriors but on the front line?
Worthy in battle... we shall see.

continued....