General Turn, King Vegeta's most powerful fighter, knocked on the door to his king's quarters. “What? Where am I?”

“Your majesty! We are an hour from the moon kingdom.”

“Fine. Wake me up when we arrive.” Vegeta fell back a sleep, exhausted from the former weeks of non-stop fighting. “I swear, all I want to do is go back home and not do a damn thing for several weeks. One of these years, I'll actually find a mate and settle down.”

The moon kingdom had come up in his reports in the last several years and he had heard that it was one of the most powerful planets in the universe other than Vegeta-sai itself. What caught his attention was that the kingdom was ruled by women and had been for several millinueum. 'I'll see how powerful they are soon enough.”

Queen Selinity was sitting in the throne room with the princesses of their respective planets surrounding her. “Your majesty. What do you want us to do when the Saiya-jins arrive?” Princess Venus asked.

“Do not provoke them. I have heard rumors of their power and they are not an opponent I wish to clash with. At the moment I don't know why King Vegeta wants to see me, but until he makes his intentions clear, you are to keep an eye on the princess and make sure that no harm comes to her.”

“Where is Serenity this morning?” Princess Mars asked. It was nearly noon and no one had seen a sign of the moon princess.

“Probably sleeping in again,” Jupiter giggled.

Mercury and Queen Selinity sighed. “One of these days, she's going to regret not paying attention in her studies! Does she even know who the Saiya-jins are Mercury?”

“She fell asleep during that class. I don't know, but every time someone mentions the topic of war, death or destruction, she tunes everything out. Her whole world is based on a fanatsy that all is good and no evil exists."

Selinity covered her face with exhaustion. "That's exactly why you four need to keep her safe. With a personality like hers, there's no telling what the Saiya-jins will do." The queen knew how to handle tense situations, but when it came to her daughter, nothing was certain and she prayed that nothing happened while King Vegeta was on their planet.

Serenity's guardians bowed to the Queen and started to retreat when the alarms sounded. *The Saiya-jins had arrived!*

Princess Serenity woke with a gasp, hearing the sound of alarms near her door and windows. Glancing around with bleary eyes, she quickly rolled out of bed and quickly ran to her walk-in closet. 'I can't believe I'm late again!' Serenity pulled on a light blue dress that came down to her ankles and hugged her slim figure. In a rush, the moon princess left her hair flowing to the floor and fled through the doors and across the castle gardens. She was in such a hurry that she never saw the people approaching before she crashed into the lead person. Serenity felt as if her nose had been broken and she toppled to the ground on top of what she had hit.

Serenity was roughly picked up by the arms and forced to stare into a pair of blazing eyes. "You dare to attack us?" the huge man snarled. His hair looked funny to Serenity, but kept her mouth shut as she realized at how close he was to losing his temper.

"I didn't mean to hurt him. He was in the way and he should have moved. Could you let me go? I'm terribly late and I can't miss the rest of my classes?"

The man growled and glanced down at his leader. "Your majesty?"

King Vegeta hated the idea of appearing weak and jumped to his feet with a ferious snarl. Glaring at his general and captain, who was on the other side of the girl, "No woman can hurt me?" Walking up to the girl, he yanked her out of the General's grasp and pulled her so close that he could smell the white lilies in her hair. "I kill people for less things than runninig me over. Why did you attack me, Lunarian?"

"Your majesty, if it appears I attacked you, then please accept my apologies. I was in a hurry and forgot that we were having visitors today. Seeing as how I'm more than late to class, allow me to escort you around the moon kingdom." Her smile was sincere and King Vegeta found himself falling under the spell of ocean-blue eyes. He was intrigued by the lack of fear in her expression and stared at him with complete trust and innocence.

Serenity, ignoring the furious glares from his companions, gently grabbed the kings hand that held her and began leading him towards the castle. "I'll start by introducing you to my mother."

Vegeta started to follow, but stopped with an abrupt halt and jerked her back against him. Serenity rubbed her wrist and looked at Vegeta with awe and wonder. "This isn't a social visit! I'm here to see Queen Selinity, not some peasant girl and her mother!"

"Oh no. Mother is going to kill me! I never remember introductions!" Smiling warmly at the three Saiya-jins, she gave a graceful curtsy and bowed her head in respect and acknowledgement of Vegeta's position. "Welcome to Lunaria, and I, Princess Serenity, shall be your guide and advisor while you visit our home."

The captain, third member of Vegeta's small group, looked at the woman with a skeptical scowl on his face. "You... a clumsy, small pimp squeak cannot be the daughter of the most powerful person on the planet?"

"That was not polite, even if I did run over your King! No, I'm not the most graceful person in the universe, but that's mostly because I'm in a hurry. However, that does not excuse you for calling me a liar! Lunarians are not capable of lies and deception."

King Vegeta was rather amused by the girl's temper, but he did not want to kill the princess before he had had time to observe the queen and her planet. "I accept your invitation and will hold you to your vow, Princess."

To the amazement, including the captain and general, Serenity quickly forgot why she was angry and grabbed the King's arm again, leading them through the long halls of the castle. "Do you want to be called King Vegeta or your majesty?" She glanced at the general on her other arm and giggled, "What about you? I can't say hey you the entire time."

"I'm General Turn of the Saiya-jin army."

"Captain Pars."

"What is a Saiya-jin? If it weren't for your tails, I would almost say you were humanoid."

"You've been neglecting your studies!" Vegeta scoffed, not believing how ignorant the girl was. 'She's leading the most powerful men happily to her mother, not realizing I can snap her neck with one twist of my wrist.'

Serenity frowned, "I suppose so, but I grow weary of hearing about constant battles and death. Why can't there be peace and love?"

Vegeta heard the note of sadness in her voice, but she never lost the smile on her face. "You have much to learn about the ways of the universe, Princess. Saiya-jins are a race of fighters and love the thrill of battle, death and destruction. There is no greater honor than to die gloriously in a fight!"

"You know no better," she replied calmly. "Allow me to show you something other than war here on Lunaria."

She was like walking into a dream. Serenity was innocent, naive and pure and for once King Vegeta found himself respecting the small woman on his arm, disregarding his attitude towards soft people. In all the years he had been traveling throughout space, she was the first to look upon them without fear and gave them complete trust and kindness. 'That will change when she learns the truth and what we really are.'

The walls of the castle were made of a clear crystal they had never seen before, reflecting all the colors of the rainbow. Serenity was curious about their tails and had to resist the urge not to touch and feel how soft they could be. She studied the king carefully, noting how handsome he was and the power that rippled beneath her hand. "Did you not bring a wife? We would have welcomed her here."

"What is a wife?" King Vegeta asked, not understanding the word. "Is she a servant?"

"No," Serenity giggled. "A wife is a person you agree to spend the rest of your life with, sometimes falling in love."

"You're talking about a mate. I didn't bring one, because no woman has ever met the standards I search for."

"You have standards?" He gave her a stern look, making her blush and look at the floor in embarrasement. "I apologize; that was rude of me and none of my concern." They came to a huge door and Serenity asked that they wait while she introduced them to her mother. "I request to see Queen Selinity and present three visitors to Lunaria; King Vegeta, General Turn and Captain Pars of the Saiya-jins!"

The door was quickly opened and two women looked at Serenity and glared at the Saiya-jins beside her. "Princess, why are you not in class? We've been searching for you all morning!"

"I was delayed, Uranus. King Vegeta and his companions needed an escort and I couldn't be rude. They have been very kind and polite."

A retort was on the tip of Neptune's tounge, but one glance at Vegeta and she decided to say nothing. The King's eyes were blazing with a challenge, one she had no desire to accept. "Fine, but you are to report to the training halls, Serenity. You've missed enough class for one day."

"Not so fast!" Vegeta commanded, his tail snaking around Serenity's waist. "The princess has agreed to be our guide and I will have her honor that request!"

"Uranus, let them past. By Lunarian law, she must follow through with her promise."

Uranus scowled. Seldom was she called away from her home world to guard the moon kingdom, and they never wasted time when the request was from Queen Selinity. She knew the princess was far too trusting for her own good, but could do nothing but obey Selinity's command and allow the Saiya-jins passage into the throne room.

Queen Selinity rose from her chair and the warriors had to admit that she was attractive with her long-silver hair; yet she did not have the same innocence and trust that her daughter contained. She still had a kind expression, but unlike Serenity, she was aware of the universe and the people within it. "Welcome to the Moon, King Vegeta. I hope that my daughter has been helpful and will remain so during your stay with us."

King Vegeta made no sound or movement and he waited to make his judgement on the race of Lunaria. He observed four other women surrounding the queen and he almost laughed in amusement. 'Where are the men? Are they so foolish to allow their women to go unprotected?'

Motioning to her protectors, "Two of these women will be happy to escort you to your rooms." One woman in green and another in red stepped forward, but stopped when he growled in a warning.

"That is not acceptable," he commanded. "Serenity is my host and she will guide us. Does her word mean nothing? According to her, Lunarians are not capable of lying or trickery."

Queen Selinity paled, but Serenity acted and looked oblivious to the fear in everyone's heart as the King skillfully pulled the Princess between him and his guards. He could hear the gasps and mumurs of protests from the court, but none would openly challenge the Saiya-jins to a battle.

She knew he was aware of her fear and was waiting for her reaction. 'How can Serenity not see the danger of these three?' King Vegeta's tail snapped feriously in the air, occasionaly cirling around Serenity's waist and then around his own again. Selinity had lost the battle before it had begun; unless her daughter came to physical harm, she would never believe anything ill about the three savages. "As you desire, King Vegeta. Princess Serenity, you are hereby excused from all future classes while the Saiya-jins remain here. Will this satisfy your demands King Vegeta?"

"For now."

They turned to leave when Selinity surprised them with musical laughter in their ears. "By the way, the three of you are invited to the ball being held tonight and no, we don't need men to protect us here." King Vegeta's eyes widened in shock, not expecting her to read his thoughts like an open book.

"Don't wait up for me!" he growled and left.

"Queen Selinity," Uranus begged, "you can't let her stay with them. They're savages and..."

"I am bound by the ancient laws of Lunaria. To break them would invoke the wrath of Selene and even I am not foolish enough for that. Besides, all we know about King Vegeta and his men are based off of rumors from unreliable sources. Yes, they are fighters, but I will allow them a chance to prove themselves. For now, Vegeta is only curious about us."

"Can you defeat him?"

"No. Under any circumstances, we must not provoke the rage of the Saiya-jins, especially Jupiter and Uranus. I know your reputation of starting fights, but this is one challenge you will never win."

"All I have to say is, he'd better no hurt my bunny!"

"I doubt that seriously. If what the legends say are true, then I may have more to worry about than open war with the King."

"What do you mean?" Mars whispered.

"Watch and learn. The King's eye is on the princess and he will not let her go so easily I fear."

"What about Endymion?" Mercury gasped. She couldn't believe what she was hearing; a Lunarian and a Saiyan-jin was like dogs and cats getting a long. Still, if it made her friend happy again, she would let nothing stand in her way. Mercury knew that Serenity had never loved the Earth Prince, nor he in return. They were like brother and sister, but neither had found anyone better to marry.

Endymion was to arrive sometime that evening for the ball, a meeting Mercury found herself looking foward too with eaching passing minute. He was the only person that understood her search for knowledge and never once laughed at her.

Serenity glided through several halls and passages, glancing often at her companions before she came to three rooms. King Vegeta was impressed with the size, a bath in each one and a triple size bed that could hold five Saiya-jins. "Not bad," he said, starting to take off his boots and armor.

"Is it too small?" She had never played hostess before and hoped that the King and his friends wouldn't be disappointed with her services.

"It will serve our purposes while we remain here. If we desired so, we could and would sleep on the ground. As a matter of fact, maybe we should, considering how much this will weaken us."

"I can have the beds removed and replaced with rocks?"

"We're fine," he growled with annoyance.

"Your doors are connected and if you should need anything, I'm right across the hall. I'll return when the ball is to commence and hopefully you'll like to attend."

Vegeta threw off his shirt and let it fall onto the floor. Glancing at Turn and Pars, "Leave until I call for you." They bowed and withdrew to their separate chambers, needing and wanting much sleep. They seldom got the opportunity and knew the King could handle himself if the Lunarians should try something foolish.

When their doors were shut, King Vegeta returned his gaze to the princess standing in his room, unsure of what he expected of her. She started to walk away, but he grabbed her wrist and prevented her from leaving. "What is your age?"

"Seventeen, but not for much longer." All the happiness he had seen in her face and eyes had vanished, replaced by a sadness that reflected the pale light on her cheeks.

"Is that a problem?"

"I want to be eighteen, it's just well... I don't want to spend the rest of my life with someone that I don't love and never will!" Her bangs fell before her eyes and without thinking, he brushed them aside and traced the soft lines.

"Explain, I don't understand your laws or customs."

"The day I turned sixteen, my mother decided that the kingdoms of Elyson and Lunaria would make a perfect alliance. They assumed Endymion and I would be thrilled with the idea of marriage, but he's my best friend and like a brother. Neither of us protested, because we had no one better to choose from. A month later, I told my mother that I would like to choose who I wanted to be with and she gave me until my eighteenth birthday. If I found no one else, then I had to marry the Prince of Earth. The same went for Endymion."

King Vegeta had never heard of anything so absurd and started to laugh. "You're willing to throw your lives away for something that your parents desire? Defy them if you're not happy."

Serenity shifted, feeling strange with his intense gaze, but he refused to let her go. "I can't! Don't you understand, peace is everything to me and if it keeps our parents happy then a marriage to Endymion will be worth it! There's so much chaos on Earth already that I can't allow the tensions to grow any further; it's all the hope they have left."

"What's occuring on Earth?" She was sitting on the bed beside him, her thoughts in another place.

"There's a shadow over the planet that hasn't always been, but I don't tell my mother what I see or feel. Even Prince Endymion can feel it and nothing has ever scared him as badly as the evil spreading throughout his lands. Day by day, he watches the planet fall apart and no one can see that a stupid marriage will never stop the evil approaching!"

King Vegeta realized that the woman beside him wasn't as ignorant as she portraid, but let people make their own assumptions about her. "What do you want for a mate, princess?" He moved closer, but she didn't realize the advantage he was taking.

"Someone that is strong and not afraid of anything. I don't want to be treated as an inferior, but as a person with ideas and feelings. What about yourself?"

Vegeta blinked in surprise, never having the time nor desire to think about the idea before. "Why are you interested in my personal life?"

"The idea that people being alone makes me sad. So many people tremble and lie to you; I could feel it in the throne room from the other senshi. Is it hard to be a fighter, with no friends but those that fight along side you?"

"I've never needed anyone except for Pars and Turn. This conversation is finished."

"You're the one that refused to let me leave, remember?" she giggled.

Vegeta's tail uncoiled and he slightly lifted her face to meet his burning gaze. "Princess, I forget nothing. You have no idea the water that you tread."

Confusion was in her eyes and Vegeta smiled. "I don't understand."

"Leave while I give you the chance, Princess." Before she could move, King Vegeta lowered his mouth against her startled lips, waiting for her to protest and tell him to stop. Her eyes were trusting and innocent as his mouth brushed her soft lips.

He felt her gasp, not expecting him to kiss her or to feel so good, perfect and strong. His tail on her arm felt like a soft and silky feather. Vegeta's tongue slid between her lips, wanting more than *just* a simple taste. She was nothing and everything he expected. Her kisses were soft, never demanding and full of emotions that she revealed openly. The more he received, the more he wanted and craved. Realizing where he was leading them too, Vegeta pulled back with a hand covering his mouth.

"What's wrong?" Serenity asked in a daze, feeling cold without him holding her still.

"Nothing. Leave and get ready for the ball, you're not to be late again today."

"I didn't mean to offend you," she replied softly, leaving the room. After Serenity had fled, all that could be heard for several hours was a lot of cursing in Saiya-jin and things being thrown against the wall. Eventually, Vegeta was able to reign in his temper and place his hands on the wall, his head bent low.

His body trembled with an uncontrollable desire to follow Serenity and finish what he started. "What the hell is wrong with me?" he snarled. "She's not even a damn Saiya-jin!' The more he thought about her, the more he realized that she was the only person, Saiya-jin or not, that had not fallen at his feet in terror. "I need to blow something up!" He thought about asking his two guards to spar with him, but he wasn't about to wake them up. Unknown to him, Pars and Turn were already wide awake and smiling in amusement.

Serenity returned to the safety of her room and sank into her sheets and blankets. She could still feel the touch of his mouth and the smell of musk. It was so strong in her nose that she thought he had dumped a bottle of it onto himself by accident. 'Strange, why do I suddenly feel so alone now that he isn't around." A soft knock tapped on her door, "Come in."

Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Mercury, four close friends, entered her room and stared at her with concern. We hoped that you were here," Mars said.

"How are they?" Venus asked with excitement. She was always looking for a good romance or to see if her friend had finally found love.

"Who?"

"Don't play games with us bunny; the Saiya-jins! We all saw how quick he told your mother off!"

"They're really nice."

"Are you sure about that Serenity?" Jupiter didn't trust the Saiya-jins and it was clear in her expression and voice.

"Jupiter, they may be fighters, but they won't attack unless they have a reason."

"What makes you so certain?"

"They are neither evil or good, just warriors of the universe."

"Serenity, have you forgotten that these are Saiya-jins, the most savage and ruthless creatures to ever travel space? Their reputations are known to destroy entire planets and civiliations without blinking or caring."

"I don't care for rumors!" Serenity snapped, glaring dangerously at her friends. "Do you know why they fight? I don't, because I'm not there to witness their battles. Neither do I know if they had a good reason. What I do know is that I sense no mailce in their hearts and I refuse to judge them without giving them a chance!" The girls stepped back at the fury in their friend, a silver light beginning to glow around her small body. Serenity had more steel in her heart than any of them had ever suspected, leaving them speechless and slightly afraid.

"Serenity, we meant no harm. We're just concerned about your safety, including Endymion."

Venus regretted her words and covered her mouth. Serenity slumped to the bed and tried to hide the pain in her eyes. "He's coming today, isn't he?"

"Serenity, we know that you care for him."

"It's not love, Mercury. Let's forget about that and get ready for the dance."

They couldn't believe their friend. One minute she's angry, sad or happy. "Sure!" They didn't know it, but Serenity was bleeding inside and longed for a soul mate that she would never have.