Saiya-jins scattered out of his way, hugging the shadows as he stormed past. How many more females would the stupid elites throw at him? He hated the whores that wanted nothing more than his title and the status it would bring them. "Cowards!" He snarled.

King Vegeta paused in front of a window, watching the setting sun. Thirty years he had lived in the castle, and he had always hated his prison. Everyone always wanted something, including his throne. "100 females!" he roared. He hated them all.

He needed a shower, but even that was denied when he entered his royal chambers and saw blood splashed against his floor and walls. A blast of cold air slapped him in the face and he snarled. He found the open grate, covered in ice. A puddle of water formed around the edges, leading towards the door. Vegeta's eyes glowed a feral red, his shower forgotten.

Vegeta had dealt with assassins before, but in his own chambers! The blood grew thicker down the corridors, drawing closer and closer together. Despite his rage, he was curious. To loose this much blood, a Saiya-jin should have collapsed already. He found his intruder in the gardens, and he froze. His assassin was not male, but a female.

Near a rare rose bush, she had finally fell, her eyes closed and her breath shallow and weak. He stepped closer and knelt. His tail brushed her blueish face and he hissed in surprise. Her skin was colder than ice. She was immediately awake, her eyes filled with fear and... Was it contempt that he saw?

The girl tried to rise, but had no strength left. She sank back down, the light quickly fading from her black eyes. No pleas, no tears; this girl had accepted her fate and offered no explantions for her intrusion in his life. "No, you will not die so easily!" he growled.

She sensed his hostility and snarled, her teeth bared. Her eyes closed and darkness claimed her. Vegeta gently lifted her limp body, feeling the life rapidly leaving her. He had seconds to spare. No, he would not let her die before she answered his questions. Who was she? Who had sent her and why the hell was she not afraid of him?

The technicians looked at the girl stupidly when Vegeta entered the labs. "Save her!" he roared. Immediately they sprang to action, hooking several wires to her nose, mouth, arms and legs. She was quickly stripped of her clothing and he hissed in shock. Her back was covered in angry scars, several still healing. He was all to familiar of the damage left by a cat whip, its nine straps designed with metal tips at the ends. Vegeta wouldn't have been surprised if they were energy zappers as well, causing a Saiya-jins ki to sharpely rise with each lash.

She was young and her hair was coated in ice. Strangely, he wanted the girl to live. In her, he saw himself and something exotic he rarely labeled on one of his kind. Vegeta tried to recall an elite or first class female that resembled this woman, but no name would come to mind.

Ringo stared at her bare walls, torn with grief. "Lema, how could you?" Turles had informed her father of Lema's fate; neither of them had much hope of her survival. "You can't be dead!" she screamed, tears splashing against her sheets. A week had passed and she had locked herself into her room.

Lema felt as if she were flying. Was she dead? Her mind was surprisingly blank and she could remember nothing before her weightless oblivion. Opening her eyes, she found herself suspended in a strange liquid, her clothes missing. Doctors moved slowly around the lab, but one person caught her attention. He was out of place, his arms crossed and his expression cold.

She growled in fear, bubbles forming around her head. He looked up, their eyes locking in a silent battle. The Saiya-jin screamed arrogance and power; Lema prepared herself for a battle of wills. Hate, why she didn't know, quickly replaced her fear and the glass around her cracked.

Vegeta had never seen such animosity directed towards him. He had seen the flash of fear, but it was brief. Alarms sounded and the doctors panicked as the glass shattered and the girl was released. She braced her hands against the floor, ignoring the shards of glass in her palms. He expected the female to hide her nudity, but this one stood and glared at him in defiance.

All action ceased, all eyes directed at the two Saiya-jins. Guards filled the room, but he motioned for them to halt. "Who are you?" she demanded. Again she had surprised him. Was she trying to trick him? Had she not been sent to kill him?

Vegeta smirked in amusement, further angering the small female. His muscles tensed in excitement, his tail quivering around his waist. He had no doubt that she would try to fight. Vegeta stepped closer; she stood her ground. "Stop!" she snarled, crouching on all fours. Again he roared that his guards not interfere, their spears lowering towards her chest. "Who are you?" she asked again.

"Figure it out." He was blocking the only escape. Lema attacked and as her fingernails reached for his face, she was knocked to the floor. Vegeta straddled her waist and pinned both hands in his right fist. "You dare to challenge me, onna!"

Instead of cowering, she responded by viciously bucking and kicking her feet, attempting to throw off her captor. "Get off of me!" She reached for his arm with her teeth, but he slapped her genlty across the face.

"You will stop!"

"No!"

Vegeta applied pressure and to her credit, she didn't cry out. Again he saw the flash of fear, but she surpressed it. "What were you doing yesterday?" he demanded, his voice low and threatening.

"I..." Lema wanted to answer, but couldn't. Her head throbbed and a small whimper escaped before she could smother it. "I don't know..."

Vegeta matched her rage with his own, his grip crushing. "You lie! Did you not enter my chambers with the intention to kill me?"

The color drained from her face and she stared at Vegeta in horror. Had she intended to do that? "No! I don't believe you!" she screamed. Her teeth sank deep into his arm, drawing blood that trickled down his arm. She refused to let go.

His guards immediately reacted; "Stay back!" he roared. The feral female showed no signs of releasing his arm, fear causing her to sink her teeth deeper. Violence would only increase her instinct to fight; strangely he found himself wanting to calm the frightened Saiya-jin. She was so small, but had the heart of his strongest warriors. "Will you fight all of us, little one?"

She growled, offended by the nick name. Blood slid down her chin, her eyes never leaving his face. Fear turned to confusion; his expression revealed no emotion. Lema slowly relaxed, still uncertain of Vegeta's intent. The guards had circled them, ready to strike at his next command.

There was no where to go if she managed to escape Vegeta; she was hungry and needed clothes. Would he have her arrested? Bracing herself, Lema released the Saiya-jin's arm, expecting him to strike her. Her reaction did not go unnoticed. He traced an angry scar on her shoulder, following it to her hip. Vegeta growled, blinded by hot fury. Lema attempted to pull away; "No! Do not hide these from me."

"They're ugly," she whispered, ashamed.

"No, they're badges of strength and courage." Her fingers uncurled and he felt the tension leave her body. "Who are you?"

"I..." Stabbing pain pierced her head and she screamed. Lema stopped trying to remember. "I don't know."

Vegeta stood, pulling her up and wrapping a lab coat around her too thin shoulders. After a few more minutes, he had managed to find a blue body suit with armor. It defined every curve perfectly, perhaps a little too perfectly. Turning away from her, he exited the lab. "Come."

She bristled. Was everything an order to be obeyed? "If I refuse?"

His guards tensed, ready to strike, but Vegeta lifted a hand. "You would not eat, little one?" The guards were confused; why was he tolerating her defiant behavior. She had attacked him, yet the female went unpunished. A few shifted uncomfortably, others gave her a glance that promised a slow death if given the word.

Lema was hungry. "Why are you doing this?" she finally asked. "Am I not your enemy?"

He glanced over his shoulder, his gaze hard and unforgiving; "Are you?"

She was afraid of this Saiya-jin, a feeling that she didn't like. Stubbornly she crossed her arms and defiantly accepted his challenge. "If I were?" Lema had never seen anyone move so fast, her body slammed against a wall. The breath was knocked from her lungs, a hand closed around her throat. "You're no threat to me," he growled; "Do not mistake my curiosity for kindness nor mercy, female. I have none!"

"You're not a friend, but neither are you an enemey. I know not what or who you are; only that I should hate and fear you." He moved closer, his body pinning her against the wall. Raising his free hand, he reached for her face. Lema instinctively turned away.

"I will not strike you, little one." He lowered his lips to her ear, whispering something that only she could here. "Never challenge me publicly again, not unless you're ready for the consequences should you loose."

"Death is nothing to be feared."

Vegeta chuckled in amusement, "Death will not be your fate, little one. No, I have another use for you."

Her face flushed in shame and anger; "I am not a slave!" she snarled.

"Your life is mine, little one."

She struggled in vain; he didn't even strain to hold her down. "What do you want of me?"

Vegeta didn't answer, already moving down the corridor again. Guards to her rear, she had no choice but to follow. The Saiya-jin male held great status and power, judging from the way the guards obeyed his every command. Was he a General of the army, a body guard for the king? Both seemed so wrong, yet why else would she fear this male? He confused her, and he had yet to harm her? Had her mission been to kill him? Again, she shook her head in denial.

She didn't trust Vegeta, but not enough that she would kill him without a reason. Who was she and where had she come from? Unaware that Vegeta had stopped, Lema crashed into him, bumping her nose. Whimpering, Lema staggered back, clutching her bloody nose. She attempted to wipe it away with her black tail, staining it a crimson red.

Vegeta growled, angered by his response to her pain. The desire to shelter and protect the small female was powerful, and deep down he knew she would resent him for it. She knew pain and hardship, unlike the spoiled daughters of the elite soldiers. Females, to his knowledge, were weak and unable to defend themselves. Would this small female, prove him wrong? Knowing of no other way to find out, he led her to the public cafeteria. Only if necessary, would he interfere if something should occur.

Lema trembled. Was he angry with her? Vegeta was tense, ready to strike; after a few minutes he turned and continued down the long corridor. Where was he taking her? Everything was so wrong and she forced herself not to reach up and clutch her head. Lema's vision blurred and she fell to her knees. "Cold..." She fought the waves of pain and fear, swimming in eternal darkness.

Her skin was as cold as ice, Vegeta gently knelt and brushed back her sweat soaked bangs. Lema's teeth chattered and her lips were blue. "Cold..." She was back in the tunnels, lonely and slowly dying. "Little one..." She didn't hear him, curling into a tight ball. Again, he called to her. "You're safe, little one."

"...safe." Was there such a thing? Fear and pain was all Lema understood in her confusing world. Fear, pain and... Her eyes widened. Lema... that was her name.

She slowly lifted her head, captured by pools of dark emotion. "Lema..." She hesitated but said it more loudly. "Lema, that's who I am." His eyes widened, "I can't remember anything else."

He helped her stand, guiding her with his tail wrapped around her waist. She showed no further signs of distress and curiously glanced at the different tapestries upon the castle walls. All were of ancient kings of the past; all but one. Curious, she stopped, studying the features carefully and turning to look at the male beside her. "You're..."

"Hai." He waited, wondering what her response would be. To his surprise, she drew away and refused to look at him. She was furious, her fingers curled into tight fists.

"You said I could eat?"

Vegeta tensed. Why should he care if she liked him or not? She was just another female; wasn't she? He knew otherwise, but it was the only way he could deal with her rejection and dismissive attitude. Vegeta wanted to kill the people responsible for her scars, mental and physical.

Ringo, taking a chance, entered the dark house. Sitting at a table, not a lantern glowing in sight, was Turles. His expression was blank and in his hands he held a familiar object that nearly made Ringo run in tears. 'Oh Lema, what happened to you? You can't be dead!'

Quietly, she approached the Saiya-jin space fighter and sat. The silver star necklace twinkled on her face, but Turles made no indications that he saw her. "Please don't give up," she whispered. The tears that she had been holding back, streaked down her pale face. "Why Lema? You're suppose to be invisible!"

She felt a hand land heavily on her shoulder. Looking up, Ringo gasped. Turles was shaking in rage, not at her, but at anyone who dared to touch his daughter. Rumor had it that Turles had once been a part of the royal court, but had chosen to live in the country, taking jobs in space for his brother, Bardock. "She's alive."

"How do you know? Why hasn't she come home then?"

"I've always known when she's hurt or in trouble; it was part of the reason why I returned home a month early."

"Why can't you find her then?"

"She's alive, that's all I know. Ringo, for your friend's sake, you must be strong."

"Hai." Ringo wasn't the fighter like her best friend, but she would try. "Turles..."

"What?" His voice had lost the edge that she normally heard. Turles sounded tired and defeated; but he was always so strong.

"I'm sorry."

"I should have been here," Turles told her. "Let's go."

Ringo's eyes widened as she followed the tall warrior outside. Turles was a mystery to everyone, but no one had the strength to fight him. "Where are we going?"

"She's on the planet, that much I'm sure of. Bardock has a perimeter around the planet. All ships that come and go are thoroughly searched. I just pray..."

"What's wrong?"

"I just pray that Frieza hasn't found out about her."

"Why? Lema wouldn't..."

"She would if those that she swore to protect were in danger. Lema has enough power she could destroy planets in a single blast."

Ringo paled. She knew her friend was strong, but to wipe out... 'Lema, I hope you're ok.'

It took Vegeta a week to finally make it to the cafeteria with Lema. Unaware of the turmoil outside his kingdom, he had his dinner brought to his bed chambers. Lema slept in his bed, he on the couch until her eyes were closed. He would often join her, stroking her soft flesh and leaving before the first rays of sunlight. Her dreams were dark and terrifying, the girl calming only when he held her throughout the night.

Her distrust gradually faded, but he wanted much more than she could give. In time, he would have her, mind, body and soul. Vegeta always received what he desired; to him, Lema was no different. She was female and all females desired power and money.

He had traveled down the steps in his chambers one evening, hissing in pain as he landed in the freezing waters. In his hands was a torch, but even the small light couldn't pierce the heavy darkness. Moving a few feet, the corridor branched off in three directions; it was amazing how she had found the one that led to his chambers. The more he investigated the more he came to realize that she had no intentions of killing him. Without better lighting, Vegeta carefully retraced his path and locked the tunnel. "How long was she down there?"

"...Hours, days... it could have been weeks. I remember little else except darkness and cold water. My fingers and toes were the first to loose feeling..." She was standing in the door way, her eyes on the water tunnel. "You shouldn't go near them."

"A little water won't kill me," he growled. She moved quickly, slapping him hard across the face. Tears of agony slid down her face and he heard the sob of despair.

"Not knowing your enemy will always kill you!" She snarled. "I underestimated that tunnel and its traps. My memories may be fragmented and shattered, but I know enough that I should have died! Never," she screamed, shoving him against his night stand, "ever belittle something as small as water!"

"Are you challenging me?" he growled. His grip cracked the wood beneath him, but he managed not to grab and throttle the female. He hated not knowing her true motives and she confused him. She never asked about his title, or his position, in fact, she seemed to avoid the entire subject.

Lema gave a sad smile, "I choose the battles I stand a chance in winning, and you're not one of them. I have no desire to mate, especially one such as yourself."

Her words hurt and he was surprised when he cupped her chin and lifted her face. Lema attempted to pull away, but a strong hand guided her closer until she was pressed against his body. "Am I so bad, little one?"

"You would try to enslave my will and mind. All I desire is to fight?"

"You're a fighter?" he asked in surprise.

"I can't remember," she whispered. "I don't think I was trained," she finally admitted.

"Are you hungry?"

"A little." Lema shifted; despite her desire not to get attached to Vegeta, she couldn't deny her attraction to him either. King Vegeta, known throughout his kingdom and space as a ruthless tyrant, found himself extremely gentle around this Saiya-jin female. She asked for so little and he realized how wrong he had been about her. Lema wanted nothing of his throne, his title and the power that he would bring her.

Lema was far from being weak, having survived hypothermia and long hours or days in the water tunnels. Could she adapt to her new environment, or would it destroy her? Long black hair covered his arms and part of her shoulder had been exposed. Lema blushed. Vegeta found her intriguing.

He remembered the first time he had asked her to take a shower. Vegeta laughed, ignoring Lema's questioning glare. "Shower? What's that?"

'She can't be serious!' Lema thought he was angry, but gaped at him as he started to laugh. He laughed so hard that his chest began to hurt. Gaining some control back, he led her to another room with porcelain walls, and a strange contraption on the farthest side. "This is a shower." He turned a few knobs, bringing forth a rainfall. Curious, she touched the water, pulling back with a shriek.

"It's cold!"

'She really doesn't...' The more King Vegeta learned about her, the more questions that he had. The girl's skin was tanned from years of being in the sun and her hands were calloused, as if she were accustomed to hard labor. Everything about her screamed that she was from the country, but no one ever mentioned anything about a girl this attractive. Black eyes gazed into his own, curious and slightly afraid.

"Now what?" she asked.

"You step into it." She looked doubtful and tried to back away from the water.

Lema hated the cold water, not really understanding why. "No... I don't want..."

King Vegeta growled, turned another nob and shoved the girl into the shower. She started to protest, but he soon had her pressed against the porcelain wall and waited. To his dismay, he realized that she still wore one of his silky robes, expensive and impossible to find. Lema couldn't believe how warm the water felt, soaking into her shivering body. 'It feels... I'm not cold anymore...' Slowly, she relaxed, not sure what she was supposed to do next. "What is the point of this shower?" she finally asked him.

"Do you not know what a bath is?" he taunted, enjoying the flush of anger on her pale cheeks. 'She's thinner than a month ago...' he thought.

"Of course I know what a bath is!"

Pulling away, he stepped out of the shower and shook his head of the water. "I'll give you twenty minutes." As he stepped out of the bathroom, he turned to stare at her. Despite her amnesia, she was trying not to let it affect her. He smirked; this could work out in his favor.

After he had left, Lema sank to the floor and lowered her head to her knees. Everything was so confusing, so new to her. Why did everything feel like the first time for her? There was a strange bottle on the side of the tub. Curiously, she grabbed it and let some of the slippery liquid touch her hand. 'What is it?' Rubbing her fingers together, she watched as it began to form a white foam. She sniffed at it and growled. "It's awful!"

Rinsing her hands off, she let the strange rain rinse her hair out, refusing to touch anything else in the shower. The robe was becoming uncomfortable and heavy. With a snarl, she ripped it off and tossed it towards the door, staring at her reflection in the porcelain. She didn't recognize the stranger that she saw. 'Is that me? Who am I? Do I have a family; if so where are they?' Lema felt like she had lost something or someone very important to her. Her soul was empty, making her feel isolated and insecure.

"Dammit!" she screamed, pounding her fists into the wall. She didn't notice the dents she left behind, nor the blood that stained the tub beneath her feet. "I hate this! Why, why, why! I want to remember, but my head hurts when I try!"

King Vegeta, sitting in a chair outside of the bathroom, knew nothing on how to comfort the frustrated female. How would he react if he woke up, not knowing where he was, how he got there and why? He half expected her to cry, and marveled at the shattering force she applied to his bathroom. The porcelain shattered and he could only imagine what he would find when she finished her bath.

'How long have I been in here?' The shower had long since lost its warmth, but Lema didn't seem to notice until her teeth started to chatter. Lifting her head, she realized that she was sitting, her tail wrapped around her ankles. 'I'm cold again,' she growled silently. 'I may not remember anything except my name, but that doesn't mean I'm dead.' Her black eyes flashed in determination as she stood, water dripping from her body as she stepped out of the shower.

King Vegeta chose that moment to step back into the bathroom. Lema fought the urge to cover herself and lifted her head in defiance. 'I'm not weak!' She didn't remember a lot of things, but this one thought she had no doubt of.

He smirked in approval, tossed her an outfit and left her alone again. 'He's so... so... arrogant!' she fumed, quickly putting on the black and white uniform.

That was nearly four days ago. Releasing Lema, he tossed her a black and white uniform. "Are you hungry?" he asked again.

"No." Vegeta frowned. She crossed her arms, daring him to call her a liar.

Vegeta chose not to respond and left the room, giving her no choice but to follow. Lema growled; he infuriated her. Still, as he walked, she couldn't help but observe how his muscles flexed. He had grace, power and pride in every move that he made. She knew his name and title, but not the man without the crown. Lema had sensed his frustration and desire to be liked, not because of his position, but because of himself. He had no friends and she wanted to reach out to the lonely king.

Lema wondered if she too was without friends. Did anyone accept her as she was, or did they want her to be something different?

"What are they?" Lema asked in awe. They were walking down a set of long corridors, to where she didn't really know. Hanging on a wall were long carved objects with sharp points at both ends. King Vegeta watched as she slowly came out of her internal shell, asking more and more questions.

Coming up beside her, he traced the ancient weapons and smiled in pride. It was the first she had really seen him give. Lema blushed, wondering why she suddenly felt shy around the powerful Saiya-jin. "They're the weapons of the most powerful fighters in the royal family. Before we learned how to manipulate energy with our minds and body, these are what we used in battle."

Lema was intrigued by the glint they gave and started to touch one. Quickly Vegeta grabbed her hand, pulling it away from the sharp blades. His grasp was warm and she could feel the warmth rise in her cheeks. "Why..."

"Their poison, if cut by one, will kill you. No Saiya-jin has ever survived their bite."

"Can you fight with them?" she asked, thankful that he had stopped her. Still, she hated the idea of being fearful of an inanimate object. What she would give if she could master such weapons, even her life. King Vegeta saw the fire in her expression and held his breath. Who ever she was, the girl was far from helpless.

"All royalty are trained to use them."

He saw the barriers start to rise again, but he wouldn't let them. Lema trembled in his grasp, burying her head in his arms. "I want to hate you, but I... I can't!"

"Why?" He felt hot tears hit his bare arms, but she refused to let him see her face. His tail wrapped around her waist, holding her secure as the tears came faster and harder.

The idea of letting her go, to let anyone claim or touch the small female, infuriated him. 'No, he would never let this one go. Who ever she was, the girl was his now!'

"Let go," she asked.

"No." Grasping her chin, he forced her to look up, waiting until the tears slowed. "You will never leave my side, little one." Why was he so possessive of this girl; he could have his pick of any noble girl in the castle? Then it dawned on him. He didn't want just any girl, their only objective his crown and power. This girl may not remember, but she knew what hard work was, what it took to survive. The Saiya-jins in the castle, most of them, had forgotten this lesson and what they were.

"But..." he shouldn't have done it, but King Vegeta didn't care. He silenced her protest, claiming her salty lips with a savage growl. Her eyes widened, but she was trapped, nor did she really want to escape. Was submitting to this male so bad? Reluctantly, King Vegeta pulled away and continued down the hall, not trusting himself to touch the girl again. If he did... His eyes flashed and thankfully she couldn't see them.