Four: Mask

The three years passed painfully since that day Juuhachigou promised herself. The girl was now fifteen and slowly making her way to adulthood. And even though how hard Chilt's training schedule pushed her, Juuhachigou managed to maintain her lean and petite body much to the interest and amusement of the Saiyans. Many gawked at her as she and Nnsta walked down the now familiar corridors heading towards the training headquarters. In training, Chilt had told her she had improved drastically, even though the words had been stuck in his mouth for some time.

Chilt was now, fully a Saiyan man of thirty earth years with a fair beard and a mind full of conspiracy, Juuhachigou trusted him no more than she trusted the King. Planet Vegeta itself was now fully devoted into Lord Frieza's service, and the Saiyans were dying to revolt. Juuhachigou knew that could never happen with the opinion some of the Saiyans held of Frieza, they seemed all too terrified to even mention him.

Juuhachigou had also developed a cold demeanor, but it was completely all an act which she had been using for three years to survive in the harsh training of Planet Vegeta. Only one thing kept her going, and the only way she was ever going to see her brother again was to climb up the social, respectful ladder, and the only way to do so was to increase her power. It did. Her manner had to become stern. It did. She had to show no emotion. She didn't.

However, as she made her way with power and strength for three years, she also lived them in pain and agony. Sometimes she would cry herself to sleep at night, cursing Juuroku for ever sending them here or all the Saiyans. She loathed all of them, and they could sense it when she looked at them. She glared at detested every single one. Well, every one except one particular Saiyan.

She never got to see Prince Vegeta as often as she would have preferred, it was a rather countable seven times in fact. Every single time, he would ignore her, like she didn't exist. She couldn't pretend to herself that it didn't hurt. However, on one of the seven times, she had actually caught him glancing at her for a few seconds before turning away. That had made her feel oddly giddy for the rest of the day, even though her outward demeanor did not expose it.

Juuhachigou was only halfway to training before she spotted Master Chilt walking towards her. His young face was stern, and he was obviously irritated. In addition to that, he was looking appalling. His hair was in a wild tangle, his beard was looked mangled and red eyes glared at her intensely. Juuhachi stopped walking, and her lips pursed. Approaching into hearing distance, she heard Chilt curse to himself.

"Stupid son of a bitch," he growled as he stood in front of her.

"Master Chilt?" Juuhachi implored; her voice cold and firm. Gone were the days the young girl trembled and quivered in front of him. Juuhachigou now faced Chilt with a composure that made them almost feel like equals, which they were not.

Chilt glared, he was no fool to not have realised Juuhachigou's endless acts. He was tired of her masquerades. "Stop freaking pretending you're so cold you stupid twit!"

Juuhachi pretended she had heard nothing. 'Twit' had become Chilt's favourite insult for her. He had become a snake who had lost his venom three years ago. "It seems you're not well Master Chilt. Shall I postpone the training?"

"No." There was scorn in Chilt's gruff voice. He pushed past Juuhachigou and began to walk in the direction of the throne room. "There is no training today, Princess Juuhachigou."

The girl raised her eyes in surprise. This was a first; the first time in three years.

Chilt noticed her expression change. "There's been a change of plan. The Saiyan elite are meeting in the King's throne room. Interestingly, that also includes you and your brother… Juunanagou."

Her eyes widened. She couldn't control the sudden hope crawling into her mind. Juuhachigou had not heard the name spoken by another being for so long. She quickly hurried after Chilt with Nnsta trailing behind her.

When they entered the throne room together, Juuhachigou couldn't believe it. The Saiyan elite consisted only of a few high order Saiyans who were placed around a table. The King sat at the end, and Juuhachigou, to her horror, realized that she and Chilt were late. They received a few glares which were directly solely at her Master before Chilt struggled his way to find his right spot next to the King. Juuhachigou followed him blindly and seated herself down next to Chilt. The King glared at his right hand Saiyan, Chilt's appearance was atrocious.

Admirably, Chilt ignored all of the Saiyans stares and raised brows, even managing a polite nod to King Vegeta. Juuhachigou looked away from him and glanced at the person opposite her seat at table.

Juunanagou.

She held her breath, and quickly suppressed all her emotions and excitement. He was staring at her, and probably had been staring at her from the moment she had walked into the throne room. It was unbelievable. His dark raven hair was shoulder length, his shoulders had widened, but familiar ice blue eyes pierced back at her. It had only been three years, but Juunana's glare had become more stabbing and intense. It almost reminded her of a face of an insensitive, uncaring murderer. Like him. When Juuhachi's head finally moved, she knew Prince Vegeta was seated right next to her brother, opposite of Chilt. Vegeta was raising one eyebrow at her, and she refrained from a blush, realising he had noticed her little moment of pleasure.

"Well," it was the King that saved her. "It's nice to know you've all made it here for the meeting in excellent time." The cutting sarcasm in King Vegeta's voice was more than evident as Juuhachigou felt ashamed. Even though it was Chilt's fault, she still felt shame. She glanced at Chilt, who showed little emotion. Oddly, he didn't care much. It was as if such an insult could be allowed to pass, because the worse was yet to come.

King Vegeta continued. "My Elites… you all know why I called you here for." There were a few grunts, nods and impatient glances from his audience. "It is about the insane amount of corruption spreading in our homeland."

Juuhachigou nearly smirked. No wonder Chilt was so uncomfortable.

King Vegeta slanted his brushy brows, "It seems as if that lizard, Frieza is attempting to cause a revolt right here in our own country. This means there is another to war we have to fight, and it'll be worse, because it's an internal war."

"It's not only Frieza," Vegeta interrupted, deliberately not looking at Chilt, "Some of these conspirators probably do it for their own personal self gain. Even though, personally, I believe they have more to lose than to gain."

There were quiet gasps from the elites. It was as if the Prince had more sway over the Saiyans opinions than the King did. Chilt raised his brow. He knew Vegeta was directing what he was saying right at him.

"Vegeta," The King spoke, "I'm more worried about conspirators working for Frieza at the moment. I don't think I would even bother thinking about those wanting it for self gain. We Saiyans are not unintelligent. Surely we would see the conspiracies early."

Now Vegeta looked at Chilt. He said nothing, and his dark eyes conveyed nothing. He didn't need to. Chilt merely glared back at the Prince. Juuhachigou almost fidgeted for a second, she was witnessing the hate between the two powers. Her Master Chilt, and Prince Vegeta. There would come an inevitable day when both of them would bare claws against each other, but right now, they were just baring teeth.

"What do you suggest we do about this, King Vegeta?" An Elite called out.

"It's obvious," his voice was serious and cold. "You will exterminate them. I grant you the power to do so," King Vegeta eyed the foreign twins, "And by that, I mean all of you."

"King Vegeta," Chilt said, "And how are we going to know who is a conspirator and traitor? We can't just turn on them and kill them without having a good deal of evidence that they are, indeed what they are."

"That's very interesting, coming from you, Master Chilt," It was Prince Vegeta who answered, sneeringly. "I have always thought you were the type to usually kill things, careless whatever it is who you are killing, especially if they are creatures weaker than you."

"My Prince," Chilt answered with tints of venom, "Don't act like you don't do it yourself. I'm just inquiring about the issue."

King Vegeta sighed. He had to stop their bickering. "It would be obvious, Master Chilt. You will know, and you will have to be sure. I trust that because you are all Elite, that you won't make any foolish mistakes. Now, are we all clear on this?"

"Yes," came the ominous reply from the group as King Vegeta nodded. When they were all dismissed, Juuhachigou found herself almost shaking. Her brother was like Prince Vegeta's shadow, and she tried pathetically to slow her heart's beating as the Prince approached her.

"Princess Juuhachigou," he spoke in a low tone, "Report to my headquarters later. I have important issues I must discuss with you."

She glanced at his dark pupils and then back at her brother, Juunanagou, who hadn't stopped staring at her. She nodded carefully as she watched them both walk away, the girl now struggling to place her mask of coldness back on.

She walked with Chilt back down the corridors with the present Nnsta trailing behind them. "You saw him again." Chilt decided to say as Juuhachigou tried to ignore him.

Juunanagou. She couldn't believe it. Everything had happened so quickly. Her brother had seemed so distant, even though he had been sitting right opposite of her. Juuhachi strangely found comfort in her brother's placid demeanor, it meant he had to adjust the way she did, and also, it seemed as if Vegeta had not been successful in releasing Juunana's demon either.

Chilt, realizing he had plunged Juuhachigou deep into thought, didn't bother to converse any more.

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A/N: A short chapter this time. I apologize, but it's the best I can do for now.

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