Stay... (Boliko, Rensou, Amaranth)

[ammy]

Old memories you left
I hold onto years gone by, for it feels oh so long
When you leave, there's always someone left behind
With so many questions...

Days, weeks, months, years....

How many have passed? Without a word? Without even an acknowledgment? How many more would there be until things were as they once were? Amaranth didn't know. At this point, she wondered why she even cared. But she did, far more than she wished to. The Saiyan man had been in her thoughts since he left so abruptly. That quick goodbye with no explanation of where he was going. A promise that he would return to her, broken. How many night did she lay awake, wondering if he was dead? If he was hurt? It had been months until she had news of him. He was back on Vegeta. Safe and sound. She had waited, and waited, and waited. But still she heard nothing from him.

Well, she was done waiting.

It was true, she was here on official business. After all, she had taken responsibility for the military base on Nor. It was she who was to be the one who worked with the Saiyan Solar Empire to see that they could in fact protect her people from those she could not. So it is no surprise that Princess Amaranth Rixior had come all the way to Vegeta to have a meeting with their King.

From Earth, to Kold, and finally here. She had come a long way to meet with him. And meet with him she would. It was why at this very moment, she was making her way through the halls of the castle to the throne room. Two Saiyan guards led her, both dressed in that silly armor of theirs. In truth, Amaranth would be amazed if they protected them at all. She had wished to speak with Boliko on that. Nor was a very old fashioned place and not always keen on outsiders. If she had to listen to one more complaint about the Saiyan solders "nearly naked skin with only shameful, skintight leotards" she was going to kick them all off her home.

She gave a soft sigh, smoothing the front of her skirt. Unlike her travels else where, Amaranth was dressed for her role. She wore a black, corseted top with a sloping back, trimmed in onyx and gold beads. A long skirt covered her legs, the material a deep, dark purple. Her blond hair was curled and pulled into a half-up half-down style. Her gold circlet was around her head. She looked regal, queenly, and striking. She was royalty and she would be treated as such. But even with her head held high, her face the picture of calm, she couldn't stop the pounding of her heart. The twisting of her stomach, and the shaking of her hands. They would reach him any moment and in truth, Amaranth had no idea if she was ready to face him yet.

To face the man she had called a dear friend.

The man whom she had fallen in love with.

King Boliko Koregetsu.

[Gray Callahan]

A blizzard whips around the Super Saiyan's body, ice turned to steam as a thin mist rises from his bare body. His feet dig into the snow, water pooling above his toes. Fresh blood oozes from open cuts in his bare body, but he feels no pain as anger swells within him. His body begins to shake and contort, as the Icer lord stumbles backwards in shock, the Saiyan king's body mass increasing proportionally with his power level...

The saiyan king wakes with a start, gasping. The covers of his bed are folded below his chest, his chiselled bed covered in a cold sweat. Another nightmare, and yet another that almost felt real. He places his hand to the brow of his head, as if to calm the tumultuous headache, his eyes squinting in inner agony; pain that could not be mastered by force or by vanquishing a foe. This was pain caused by fear and guilt.

The saiyan rises within a couple of minutes, to shower. His mind wanders as his body hangs limp, to strange places and times...

---

The super saiyan looks decidedly bored, one hand placed under his head as he sits slumped in his throne. There was a time in the day when he had to attend to 'kingly duties', being a political leader as well as just a 'figurehead' royal. His duties generally involved somebody complaining about something, economics, yadda yadda. Boliko simply agreed with whatever the advisor suggested to do, unless it particularly bothered him. Being a king wasn't all fun and games, especially when you decided to take it upon yourself to sculpt the world into perfection, or near to it.

"Lord Koregutsu! A guest is on the way to see you! States she has business with you, from the world of Nor! A Princess Amaranth Rixoir!" The saiyan king is woken from his half-slumber by these words from the announcer, and in an instant his stomach does a tumble. Ammy? Why was she here, now that the treaty had officially ended? It was only a matter of time before blood spilled, and he did not want her involved. No, not one bit. Yes, she was a fine warrior, but in war? She could get hurt. Boliko had intended to personally go to Kold to settle the score with Touketsuki within the month, but now things were liable to get more complicated.

Guilt. The same guilt that added to the stress that broke his sleep. He had never returned to Nor, never contacted her or anyone else. Never said sorry. Never whispered a single 'I love you'. It floods back, now, and the saiyan king feels suddenly queasy.

Below that, though, was excitement. To rest his eyes upon the beautiful Noran princess again, to smile at her quirks and mannerisms, to just know her presence was near... that would be a gift. The saiyan king nervously runs a hand through his hair; but no, the wild, characteristically-Saiyan tangle would not become any neater. He couldn't pat down his armour for creases, and felt decidedly helpless in his choice of attire. He was becoming more and more wary of the battle suit - it no longer felt protective, but restrictive.

He shakes his head, the tumble of thoughts coming back to Ammy's immediate presence. He exhales once, locking his fingers together in nervous anticipation. She was just another factor that made Boliko's life a hell of a lot more complicated, but the saiyan king would have long gone mad had it not been for the thoughts of her that oft calmed him to sleep. Why would a woman with such a calming affect now cause such anxiety? Because he had screwed up before, and had never had time nor thought to right his wrong due to his preparations for war.

Princess Amaranth Rixoir would be here any second.

The woman he loved.

[Rensou Hiruen]

Capes swirled behind purposeful steps, and soldiers, servants and civilians parted before oncoming tide as it swept over the grounds of royal home. The Hiruen two had come, and up each and every level of the stairway they ascended in the most splendid dress for the most important of meetings. The elder of the pair wished words with his King, and he would have them, at the very least saving Boliko the annoyance of ridiculous requests of the masses issued by political tongue, nay, he would most certainly appreciate the arrival of his General and the son of the very man. Words of war had been shared between rival legends. . .plans were coming together.

The army was strong, the rank and file were numerous and the elite among them had shown themselves in the Taikaishita Nitaiyo. All that remained was marking the best among the beasts, and Rensou himself would see to that in consideration that Koregutsu had more pressing matters to attend to, those matters being preparing himself mentally and physically for the battle to come. Boliko himself would finally have chance at Touketsuki Yakedo, a battle Rensou himself wished to see won by his own hands~ Yet it mattered not whom struck the tyrant down, and the Hiruen son had seen two chances to seal the deal, it was Boliko's turn.

Rensou at least owed him that, but once that was finished, he considered what he owed him repaid. Afterall, it was the greatest gift he could bestow upon the man, for to surrender his right to vengeance was given willingly, but if Boliko Koregutsu tarried for a moment in the task of bringing the bastard to his rightful end or proved himself to be outmatched, the General would not waste a moment in coming to his aid. It was with worry of time and date the father and son came this day, for Rensou himself had been busy and had been neglecting his own personal ascension to higher reaches of power. . .the General sought more time, a single week, to improve himself so that he might be more ready for the greatest battle the Universe had ever seen.

Rensou and Tsuken Hiruen stepped through the great doors and into the throne room itself, and the pair crossed forearm before chest in salute as intent ear listened to the footsteps of those whom also sought the attentions of Boliko.

“Boliko, I need more time. . .”

[ammy]

The three stopped before the doors of the throne room for a moment, one of the guards whispering to the ones stationed outside the doors. They sneered at her, and Amaranth paid them no mind. The end of her tail flicked back and forth, the only sign of broken composer in the otherwise perfectly calm princess. She caught the muffled talk of two men behind the door, and Boliko's scent. Her stomach twisted up even more and she balled her hands into fists to keep them from shaking.

"Are you ready, Princess?" one of the Saiyans asked. Amaranth sighed. No turning back now. She nodded and the two Saiyans at the doors opened them wide. She stepped in, eyes immediately finding the source of her uneasiness. Two other men stood before him, obviously father and son. She gave them little more than a curious look before turning her gaze to Boliko once more. She walked up, her shoes clicking ever so softly on the floor. Her heart was pounding, her stomach twisted. Her gaze was focused on the man in the throne, and nothing else.

He looked tired, worn. She could make out dark circles under his eyes. Had he been sleeping well? Was this coming war weighing on him? Or was there other reasons, happenings in his life that she didn't know anything about? A deep pain blossomed in her chest at the thought. It was not a new pain, nor one caused by any wound or sickness. It was the kind of pain that could only be felt when ones heart had broken, when the one they loved left. When they never returned, never spoke to them again. It was this pain that kept the neutral expression on her face. This pain that still the nervous flick of her tail. This pain that kept her eyes as cold and detached as she could be.

"King Koregetsu. I hope I am not interrupting," she stated, her gaze meeting his.

[Gray Callahan]

The saiyan king feels his heart rise to his mouth once again as the doors open, but no - this was a different friend, one of more fatherly resume. Rensou Hiruen and the little Hiruen Jr., a warrior of already great strength. Today, though, the saiyan king was not jubilant to see them - especially with Amaranth arriving soon. Rensou was hostile to non-Saiyans who had yet to prove themselves, Boliko was well aware, and Tsuken was perhaps similar. Boliko hoped not, but his learning would be mostly from his father at this point. Perhaps the saiyan child had learned from Boliko, whom he saw occasionally, but it wouldn't be as prominent.

His general needed more time. Boliko presumed that Rensou was referring to his need to train. Boliko had, of course, told Rensou of his intentions, to move into action very soon. As soon as his tournament was done, in fact. That little game had been Rensou's idea, and sure, it was cute - but Boliko had little time to play. His nightmares were getting steadily worse, and the saiyan king would rather the potential recruits were briefed and got to proper training than a showcase of their existing talents. Ah well, he had to hand it to Rensou, the fights would probably be entertaining.

But, now was not the time for Rensou to be slacking. He shifts his weight up to standing and does a half-hearted salute in response to the gladiator's own, before responding - "We will discuss this later, I have an important guest soon to arrive. Don't expect much, though, Hiruen."

On the last syllable, with Boliko looking somewhat peeved and flustered, Princess Rixoir entered.

The saiyan king twists from his spot, a small gasp almost audible. He quickly closes his mouth and swallows, blinking hurriedly. He was nervous. More nervous, really, than he had ever been before. Her demeanour was cold to him, and too right, but the saiyan king had gotten to know the girl in their time together - deep down, she was feeling the same as him; saddened, lonely, and angry, yes, but for a different reason than the king.

"P-Princess Rixoir. Always an honour." He twists to Rensou and Tsuken. "We were about done. Rensou, this is Princess Amaranth Rixoir, of Nor," and then, to Ammy, "my lady, this is Rensou Hiruen, High General of the Saiyan Solar Empire forces, and Private Tsuken Hiruen."

His speech is formal, but his face glows a shade of pained red. Why now, why now? He just wants to bury his head in the woman's shoulder and whisper a hushed 'Sorry'.

A hushed 'I love you.'

But Boliko wasn't prepared to risk that love. What if his enemies found out? She would be endangered. That feeling he couldn't quite describe was one of the reasons he had not returned to the princess - if they consummated that love, her life would be ever endangered.

Boliko couldn't do that to her. But he couldn't stop her doing that to herself.

[Rensou Hiruen]

Rensou grinned with satisfaction as Boliko granted his request for more time to prepare himself for the grandest battle the worlds would ever know, an allowance for preparation. The violent Saiyan was always training, and when he was not, he was often in a healing chamber or begrudgingly attending to his duties as commander of the forces. The elder Hiruen answered with a nod, whilst Tsuken opted to vocally thank his godfather. “'dank'ya, Unc' Bowiko!” the boy exclaimed as both son and father saluted in unison. It seemed they would be departing shortly to do exactly what their request pertained to.

And then, she strode into the room~

[/i]

A tail danced behind her, the Saiyan noted, and his own waltzed behind him in similar fashion – Rensou oft whipped his tail about, absentmindedly articulating his speech with the prehensile thing at times. . .it was also an excellent means of understanding his current mood: a lazy drift often signified he was in a pleased state of mind, while slashing to-and-fro often represented rising agitation. Once wrapped around the waist, it was almost a certainty that Rensou Hiruen was about to engage someone in a fight. The tail this woman wore, however, was no Saiyan tail. The long streak of auburn fur churned the air behind him with a medium. . .curiosity.

She spoke, placing herself at the forefront of attentions and utterly neglecting the very idea that Rensou might still be speaking with his King, and that tail thrashed with a bit more vigor. . .annoyed. Tsuken, however, did not necessarily share the racial prejudices his father often regretted. Rensou had been raised amongst such things, but he had neglected to impart such close-minded beliefs upon his child – he let the boy make his own decisions.

Tsuken did, and just as rudely as the woman had done so as he came between she and the King, gazing up at her with expectant browns before he made his request of her. “Candy!” the child exclaimed, fully expecting the woman to be carrying such things for some reason. Perhaps he could smell such delights, but Rensou had not yet tested the air with his own nose and he had no idea what exactly had led Tsuken to believe this woman whom was apparently royalty held sweets within her pockets. Nay, Rensou had instead focused himself on the tension radiating from Boliko Koregutsu, and unless his eyes betrayed him. . .the man seemed a bit flustered.

A mighty King rendered nervous by the arrival of an alien woman, and for a moment within a moment the elder Hiruen was confused: certainly Boliko had never shown any shame when faced by the females of any specie, and now he appeared to be at a loss for words. Immediately his General arrived at the suspicion that he was either romantically involved with this Princess or wished it on either a base level or something entirely more complex.

“Perhaps it is I who is interrupting. . .” the man mused, shaking his head at Boliko slightly. To think. . .a Saiyan attracted to this woman!? There was many Saiyan women to go around, and Rensou pondered the taste of his King in that very instant.

[ammy]

He was flustered, flushed red with what? Shame? Anger? She couldn't quite tell. He stuttered, and she couldn't help but raise a delicate brow at that. What was he so nervous about? Could it really be that he felt shame or guilt? Or maybe he was jumpy at the sight of her arriving so suddenly without warning. The same way he left her... Amaranth turned to the general and his son, nodding at them.

"It is a pleasure to meet you both," she said. Amaranth was about to speak to Boliko once more when the youngest Hiruen ran up to her, asking for candy. Amaranth blinked before a bright smile stretched across her face. The child was by far the cutest thing she had ever seen. Her eyes, which had been so cold to the King and his general turned warm as she knelt before the young child. Reaching into her pocket, Amaranth drew out a small, brightly wrapped thing that smelled of chocolate. She grinned at the small boy.

"Now, how did you know about this? I always keep a small piece for when I'm nervous," she said, placing the chocolate in the small boy's hands. He really was quite the sweet heart. The General's words though brought her back. Amaranth gave a small sigh. Her smile slipped away and the warmth in her eyes faded as she turned to the king once more.

"I have not heard from you or any of yours in two years, King Koregutsu. I wish to speak with you on the matters of the SSE and it's continuation in my planet... I also have other matters to speak with you on, regarding Touketsuki Yakedo. Is there a place that you, your general, and I my talk privately?" she asked.

[Gray Callahan]

Boliko considers her words in silence, ignoring the judgement of Rensou for now. Yes. There was an accusation there, hidden behind words of formality. You left me, when our relationship had finally begun to expand into something bigger. You left me on that planet to run your empire, forgetting me. Boliko percieved that to be the meaning behind those words, and he hides a grimace. She was mostly right, too, but partially it was out of protection for her. Unlike Brandon he didn't need to have to defend her physically, but he could try to keep her safe, by keeping her out of harm's way.

Once the World Trade Organisation had been quelled, he would have returned for good.

Or would he? Still there would be threats, distant worries like Guerin out there, and could he stand to have her threatened? Solidifying that romance, it would lead to her being endangered. Still, she was here, putting herself out for him. In neglecting to even contact her, he had brought her in the path of harm. She was still the lovable girl he knew, as shown in her interactions with Tsuken, but the hardened exterior was as the warrior he acknowledged.

He motions to do the door. The guards nod, and leave the room. "We won't be disturbed. I believe Tsuken should leave also." He nods at Rensou, before smiling at the child.

[Rensou Hiruen]

The youngster was quite pleased, his large eyes closed upon his small face and each and every one of his teeth shining in the light of the room as he displayed a proud nose. Perhaps the nose of Rensou and Boliko had diminished with age, but the boy had a quite keen one, a thing greatly amplified by his Saiyan heritage and his own innate desire for sweets. With small fingers, he accepted the chocolate and scratched the back of his head with an amount of shyness evident as he declared, “T'ankies!” quite pleased, Tsuken quickly unwrapped the thing with deft fingertips and devoured it in short order.

Whilst the son had been entirely captivated by the idea of candy, the father was suddenly brought to attention as the woman mentioned that abomination that had came to this world nearly six years ago and sent Rensou to hell, quite literally. Any information in regards to Touketsuki Yakedo was of immediate interest to both the General and the King as well, for plans were already underway to remove him from the world of the living as the assembled spoke. Nails bit into palm as the gladiator looked to the woman, perhaps there was use for her yet – Rensou had already sensed an unbelievable fighting strength welling within her, an oddity for a non-Saiyan, and that had garnered some respect. News of Yakedo immediately drew his attentions away from what he suspected of Boliko and she, and he set the departure of his boy underway immediately.

The scouter upon his left eye was not his own personal device, but one of the military itself. . .Rensou had never bothered to buy one when there were many available for use, though he would never dare take it off world. Such was the nature of military owned equipment, and the scarred fighter mentally reminded himself to purchase a model and have Boliko's engineer modify it in short order before he pressed a button on the side of the thing and opened a channel to the daughter of the deceased Kosai, Sessa Anana. Orphaned, she now resided with the General and his son, and served as a caretaker for the child when business called. “Sessa, I need you to come get Tsuken,” the Saiyan listened for a moment before a look of agitation took over his features. “It's important, girl, you can train tomorrow~” And with that, Rensou released the button and brought discussion to close.

With a face absolutely covered in chocolate, Tsuken contributed a remark on the very same subject. “Tew'er tah bwing candy!” Rensou bit back a smirk and replaced it with a smile as he stepped to and knelt beside the child, “Tell her yourself,” he informed as he wiped away a bit of the chocolate with his thumb and tasted the stuff.

”SESS'! 'DIS TSUKEN! BWING CANDY!”

--------------------

Four minutes later, Sessa Anana had arrived – the daughter of a fine warrior and a fine friend of the General, she was powerful and with it exceptionally fast. As ordered, she had brought a sack full of sugary things for the child and departed with him in short order after the necessaries had been attended to: greeting the King and paying respects with a bow, and she offered a curtsy to the Princess of Nor. Rensou received an annoyed smirk for interrupting her training session. Tsuken had been neither polite nor perturbed, for as soon as his sitter arrived he had torn into the delicious treats with reckless and messy abandon, littering the floor of the throne room with crumbs and wrappers before he was gone.

Rensou reached into the air with a relaxed hand, catching one of the plastic things in his palm and making a fist around it in short order before he crossed his arms. Though he did not particularly care for the woman, he was impatient to hear what she had to say on the subject of the creature he had lovingly dubbed the “lizard fuck.”

[ammy]

The child was sweet, incredibly so. As she watched the young boy interact with his father, Amaranth felt a pang in her chest. The young Hurien reminded her of a child that had once been very dear to the Princess. Nessa, her niece, daughter of her brother Cole. Like Tsuken, Nessa was always sniffing out different candies, especially chocolate. She gave a soft, tender smile at the child, a sadness flashing across her eyes silently. As the boy's nanny came to get him, she turned her gaze away. The heart ache gone, the tender sadness forgotten.

Business was brought to the center of attention. The entire way over, Amaranth had been going over her interaction with Touketsuki, and Serori, over and over again. There had been things told to her in confidence that she would not speak of with these two. Things Serori had confided in her about. Things like the Icer's dreams, and the heavy medication he had been put on. But, there were things that Boliko - and now Rensou - needed to know. Like the Icer's fragile mental state. That fact was obvious to any that would see him face to face. Something that Amaranth was sure his followers were not keen to let out into public knowledge. Amaranth sighed, and began. She knew that Boliko wouldn't care for the first part of her tale, but she would start from the beginning.

"Before coming here, I had to land on Kold to make repairs. It was there that I came face to face with Touketsuki Yakedo," she started. Amaranth turned her gaze onto Boliko, her silver and blue gaze locked on his dark ones. She was the picture of calm, though she studied him carefully. How would he react? She lowered her gaze to the floor, thinking back to the time she saw him. A soft headache started in her temple as she thought back to how he had invaded her mind, ripping the memory of Boliko first transformation to Super Saiyan from her mind. Her skin still crawled and her tail snapped at the memory. She continued.

"I..... I am not sure what the Icer Lord was like when you last fought him, General Hurien, but, he seemed quite...unstable when I met him. He was all over the place, his power level spiking and dropping at a moments notice. He seemed unstable, a bit all over the place. Like his mind wasn't all there," she said quietly. She had not revealed anything Serori had told her, not had she lied about knowing such things. Amaranth simply spoke of her observations of the Icer Lord. She turned her eyes to both the General and the King. This may be old news to them. but irregardless, she felt that it was her place as the SSE's ally to report her observations to the King, her friend.

[Gray Callahan]

The saiyan lord regards Amaranth's words warily, his stomach churning angrily at the mention of Yakedo. Outwardly he remains mostly unchanged, but a single hand clenches into a fist, the give-away. His nails press into his palm, close to drawing blood, skin compressed into white rather than tanned by the pressure. If Amaranth had come face-to-face with Touketsuki... and was still alive, then he must not be aware of her true allegiance. Right? Still the king of the warriors listens further, and the more he hears, the less certain he is. If Touketsuki's mental state was fragile enough, then he might not be actively hostile to Saiyan Solar Empire forces.

If that was the case, then yes; now was the best time to strike for certain. His eyes drift from Amaranth's and across to Rensou's, a knowing smirk briefly crossing his lips. He somewhat recalled a bit of Rensou's tale - perhaps that was the start of Touketsuki's downfall. Perhaps that was the reason Rensou was still alive. But Boliko would not have mercy. Thousands of saiyan dead were at the hands of the World Trade Organization, and the tyrant lizard himself.

Lord Koregutsu demanded justice, and justice called for the blood of the tyrant.

When Amaranth finished, the saiyan nodded. "While we do have spies on World Trade systems, we were unaware of Touketsuki's mental affairs, and I thank you."

He smiles slightly. "Before your arrival, we had already intended to head to Kold in person. I intend to make Touketsuki pay for his war crimes against my people." He watches Amaranth coolly, his gaze now collected. His words should not be too radical on the Princesses' ears; she knew of his vendetta against the lizard, and now that the Icer was weakened, even if only mentally...

"We should take this opportunity to finish him, once and for all. That way I can focus on helping the warriors of Earth fight back against their evil overlord on that planet." The saiyan nods. Nam and his gang should be on Vegeta by now, but it was likely that the Special Forces would miss the majority of the SSE forces at this rate. It was a shame; three Super Saiyans would have taken down Touketsuki to no end. Boliko grins. Two would be fine.

"Hear that, Rensou? Hurry up with your training preparations. This is sounding more and more promising."

He turns back to Amaranth, a finger twisting non-chalantly in the air, an enterprising spiral. "What was the state of things on Kold, bar our soon-to-be generous host's mental state?" he muses.

[Rensou Hiruen]

Rensou had been spared in his second encounter with the Icer lord, a battle in which he had ascended to the realm of Saiyan legend: a golden fire had overcome him in the purest of emotional upheaval, a blaze that had been inadequate in burning away the monster. . . .with but a bit more power, the General had absolutely zero doubt that he would have cut the creature down in moments and the assembled trio would not be standing here this very moment discussing the very aforementioned. With the news of the unstable mentality of the snake, Rensou was only offered with another hypothesis as to why he was still alive.

He had been paralyzed, impaled, broken and bloodied: in a purely medical sense, he should have been long dead before he sustained the damage he did, but the will flowing through his veins had clung determinedly to life. Had Yakedo been stayed by some amount of indecisiveness in the fatal moment when the ex-gladiator had been completely helpless? Possibly. On the opposing end of the spectrum, perhaps he had meant for Rensou to suffer for some time before he failed to remain in the realm of the living.

. . .either scenario was a glaring display of weakness. Mercy was something unknown to the father of Tsuken, for that which was weak and placed itself before the strong deserved to die. Had the tables been turned, Rensou would have blown every atom that accumulated to form the whole without a second thought. The Princess of Nor had brought to them valuable information, and the soldier offered a formal smile: appreciative rather than friendly.

“. . .the stage seems perfect, liege,” Rensou grinned, unfolding his arms from his muscled chest and cracking a swift and unstoppable fist into the palm of another. There were suspicions of weakness, but the woman had provided concrete evidence and Boliko was as pleased as his General. The point remained that time and time ago, Touketsuki had proven to be a capable powerhouse. It seemed the advantage of sheer strength and speed had always been his, but according to calculations and recorded battle power samples, Rensou was well aware that he and Koregutsu both were capable of handing the tyrant his overdue death. “I will be comfortably ready before the week's end.”

Of course, the warrior of his people had heard Boliko mention Earth: that useless planet which showed little promise in the way of quality resource and recruits to the forces. The King's dealings were his own, and Hiruen did not particularly care for some of his views. . .yet, he had pledged his allegiance and would stand behind the man he called a brother with unwavering resolve. It was a discussion for later date. Boliko asked of more information on the state of the frozen rock Yakedo called home, and Rensou put aside the thoughts of Earth as he encouraged the woman to continue.

“Please, do tell of Kold~ What of the population? What of his fighters?” Hopefully Amaranth had even more wondrous intel.

[ammy]

He was going to Kold? To fight Touketsuki. Amaranth felt her stomach drop, like a lead weight was suddenly dropped. Was he going to tell her? Inform her of this before they left. Once glance at his cool gaze told her all she needed to know. A fresh wave of pain racing into her chest, leaving her speechless as the King and his General spoke. Ready before the weeks end... So soon. So very soon. In that moment, Amaranth decided that she would be going with them. But, her decision was short lived as both Rensou and Boliko asked for the state of things on Kold. Both held smug smiles, Boliko acting so non-chalant about the entire thing. Amaranth sighed.

"I was not able to gleam much, but what I saw puzzled me. There do not seem to be many warriors guarding the castle. And what of their energy level I sensed, they will be little worry. I was not able to have free run in the castle, and stayed in the Queen's servant room for most of my days there, slipping out only when Touketsuki slept rooms away, not wishing to hurt his wife as he slept. I was able to meet one of his personal guards though. Another Icer, though his power was significantly weaker than Touketsuki's," she said. Amaranth felt awkward, unable to meet the eyes of either Rensou or Boliko. She was constantly shifting through information in her head. What was relevant, was was personal to Serori, what was simply too important to keep out. That last one was easy. Amaranth didn't know if it was supposed to be a secret from the Icer, or if Boliko cared if he knew. But Amaranth had seen the look on the Icer's face at the knowledge he had ripped from her mind.

"Boliko....Touketsuki also knows about your latest leap in power... He knows about your transformation into a Super Saiyan," she said quietly, turning her gaze toward the King finally. She prayed that he shrugged, laughed. Anything of the sort. Doing so would mean that it was okay. That she had not allowed knowledge of his power to the Icer. If he laughed... it would mean that this had not been his trump card. His deciding blow to him. If he laughed, then she could breath. As it was, Amaranth held her breath, waiting anxiously for any sign from the two. Be it good or bad. She just needed a sign.

"Also, I would ask that you allow me to go with you into battle. I am apart of the SSE after all, and I have scores to settle there of my own," she said. The thing about her words is that they weren't a question, weren't a request. she would be going with them into battle. If not to aid them again the Icer, than to find C.Haos and kill him.These two may have their revenge, but Amaranth also had her's.

[Gray Callahan]

He said to lose my life or lose my love
That's the nightmare I've been running from
So let me hold you in my arms a while
I was always careless as a child
And there's a part of me that still believes
My soul will soar above the trees
But a desperate fear flows through my blood
That our dead loves buried beneath the mud

The king folds his arms, seemingly non-chalant about the revelation that Yakedo knew of his strength. He then offers up a bright smile. "I had thought as much. But does Yakedo know that a Super Saiyan never stops growing in strength?" he says, grinning.

"It is long past time he paid for those who died on those fateful few days, my friends. Even if my strength is lesser than his, my heart, my courage, two aspects of the immortal qi that flows through our veins, that is stronger! I do not bring death in my wake, don't travel from planet to planet to plunder life and money. He may be a changed man, but he must pay for past crimes!"

The saiyan king shakes his head, the smile having vanished over the course of his speech. His gaze completely encompasses Amaranth as he listens to her final sentence.

He is silent for moments, his face neutral. His mind is frenzied. He glances at Rensou for a second, calculating. In the end, he realised he didn't care.

He steps closer to the woman he loved. "Amaranth Rixoir. Do you really want to know the reason I have not contacted you in these past couple of years?" His stare pierces her own now, inky eyes burning with a mixture of fear, passion and anger.

"I do not want you to get hurt in this silly war!" He doesn't raise his voice, but the sentence is definitely an exclamation. He shakes his head.

I love you, his voice would intrude on her mind, a silent gesture that Rensou would be unaware of. Those words he had never uttered aloud, and technically he had yet to; a quick kiss on the forehead was all that had passed between the two beings on Nor, before Boliko had rushed off to help his general.

[Rensou Hiruen]

With attentive ears, Rensou Hiruen drank in each bit of delicious information as the young woman with a tail so unlike his own, which churned the air with excitement, talked. He smiled, nodded, focused intently upon her words and the idea that Kold was so terribly guarded. . .well, they would certainly wish to reinforce their defenses, should they survive. Rensou meant to make that an impossibility, for he was a Saiyan whom thirsted for blood, a warrior who meant to balance the scales.

He folded, unfolded his arms again, and finally decided he preferred the first act as he crossed them once more. So, Touketsuki knew of Boliko's ascension? He would be hard pressed to keep up with the brutality his King was capable of, and Rensou truly doubted that Boliko would see much of a challenge at all. He firmly believed he and Boliko both had risen above Touketsuki years prior, for these two were iron and sharpened one another. As far as the general knew, Touketsuki had no titan of strength to prepare himself for the oncoming conflict, and for that he would suffer. Rensou Hiruen was a blessing to Koregutsu, and vice-versa. Aware of unaware of legendary transformation, Yakedo would die.

She informed she wished to accompany to Kold, well, certainly Rensou had no problem with that. . .and that decision was most certainly the princesses own to make. Boliko made words that pointed out he had other ideas, and the ex-gladiator would leave them to their debate. The female from Nor had impressed, showing she had the resolve of a warrior within her and that was something Rensou could respect, though she had not fully gained such a thing yet. Saiyans themselves were hard-pressed to earn his admiration.

Boliko declared himself undermatched against Yakedo in grand words, and the general smiled. He truly believed the king ready, his past failures had seen to that. Certainly, Touketsuki would pay for the mistake he had made nearly six years ago. Rensou had said not a word during the exchanges between Amaranth and Boliko, he simply needed information: of that, he had received plenty. And a week from the impatient Koregutsu to better prepare. One had best attend to that.

“Your words instill certainty that the World Trade will trouble the Empire no longer, Princess Rixoir. I thank you.” On his heels, Rensou turned and began to exit the room, but a thought came to mind and he tossed his head backwards, over his shoulder. “Koregutsu, if you require me, you know where I'll be.” In the gravity chambers. Meditating somewhere on the Scorched Plains. Sparring with his son on the grounds of his estate. Rensou Hiruen was hardly a difficult man to track down, for he was a creature of habit. . .and his habit was battle. With that said, Rensou was gone~

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