Chapter 9. A win-win situation, is it?

Gohan entered the small bedroom. The half-saiyan sensed around for any nearby presences but did not find anyone. "All clear." Gohan said with a grin as he stepped closer to the person on the bed.

Tobney rolled his eyes. "Good. I don't need yet another lecture about my disappointing behavior." Tobney answered annoyed.

Gohan sat down on the bed. "I'm sorry. It's my fault that you're in this trouble." Gohan's eyes moved to the glowing metal shackle around Tobney's wrist. The shackle was connected to the upper side of the metal bed, effectively tying Tobney to the piece of furniture.

"You should be. It is your fault. Damn it." Tobney answered. "Do you know how long it took me to get off their bad side?" Tobney leaned back against the wall. "And you waltz in here and destroy everything I've worked for."

"Hey, I didn't ask you to get into a fight with Comora and the others." Gohan answered. "But thank you. It was nice of you to help me out." Gohan smiled at his friend.

Tobney smiled back. "You were right. I should have helped you from the beginning. I was just hoping you wouldn't be so resistant." Tobney answered with a sigh.

"I brought you something." Gohan said as he showed the package. "Open it."

Tobney could already smell the delicious scent coming from something inside the brown package. Gohan watched as Tobney quickly ripped the paper off the contents and gasped at the sight of his temporary present. A plate filled with meat, vegetables and brown goo which Tobney loved. Gohan never understood why. It looked terrible and tasted even worse but Tobney enjoyed it. "Thank you." Tobney said as he looked up. "Do you want some?"

Gohan shook his head. "I already ate with the others." He answered. Tobney nodded. He didn't need any more encouragement to make the food on his plate disappear.

Gohan watched him eat as he went over the events of that day. It all started that morning. They were having another training session and Gohan was entertaining himself with Comora. He actually started to enjoy the training sessions. He always learned a lot. His training sessions with Comora were especially helpful. The man tended to pay attention to Gohan's techniques and continued to point out his flaws. Gohan had gotten better and better at defending himself because of this. The main problem this morning was that Itoro was in a bad mood. It was the first time Gohan experienced a more difficult sort of training. Today Comora introduced Gohan to this harder type of training. They flipped a coin to find out who was going to fight who. It was supposed to be two against one.

Gohan entered this little competition but sadly lost so he had to fight against Itoro and Kaon. On the other side of the room Comora was fighting Suna and Tobney. It was the first time that they did not have a judge watching the competition. The fight had gotten bad quite quickly. Gohan had another anger attack, resulting in him beating the others into unconsciousness. Comora was furious when he found out. He was about to punish Gohan when Tobney stepped in. The twenty-one year old was slightly hesitant as he tried to talk Comora into letting it slide. Comora was too angry to let it go though and Tobney ended up physically defending Gohan.

At the time Comora decided not to punish Gohan since they were clearly outmatched if Gohan and Tobney teamed up together. Later that day they fetched Tobney, gave him a long lecture and tied him to the bed with the strongest chains in the universe. They knew they couldn't punish Tobney physically anymore. He had gotten too strong for that. So, as a punishment, he had to stay in bed for a week without training sessions or proper food. He got a bowl of soup three times a day.

Gohan had been hiding since he found out what happened to Tobney but they found him pretty quickly. The ship was not that big. They gave him a beating and told Gohan not to speak to Tobney or meet him in the bedroom. Gohan could only enter that room with another warrior when it was time to go to bed.

"Did anyone see you?" Tobney asked as his white eyes looked up at him. The small blue pupils scrutinized Gohan's expression as the half-saiyan leaned back and bit his lip.

"I think Comora saw me. I'll find out during the training session in two hours, I guess." Gohan answered with a shrug.

"You should really do something about those anger attacks." Tobney said with a slight frown.

"I know." Gohan answered with a sigh. "I just don't know how. They surprise me. I just get so angry that I cannot control myself. I don't know what to do about it."

"Try to count to ten." Tobney advised.

Gohan scoffed. "Yeah. Like that is going to work." He complained. "Do you think Vegeta is going to be mad at you?"

"I'm afraid of that." Tobney answered. "I don't think they're going to let this one slide."

"Just hope for the best, right?" Gohan answered. "I've been in some tough positions on planet Namek but I managed to survive every time. It will be okay."

"Planet Namek." Tobney said as he stared at his bowl. "That is true, right? What Vegeta told us?" Gohan nodded as answer. "Comora told us not to talk about it because it could have been a traumatizing experience for you." Gohan did not answer but did not look at him either.

"Was it that bad?" Tobney asked curiously.

Gohan shrugged. "I don't remember everything." He answered. "Some things reoccur in my nightmares. I will never forget Freeza's face. All his faces."

"I've never seen him. I have only heard stories about him." Tobney answered as he leaned back, his hands folded together behind his head.

"Be glad you've never seen him." Gohan answered. "He's what nightmares are made of."

"Freeza taught Vegeta well." Tobney said with a nod. Gohan chuckled.

"Yes, he did." The half-saiyan answered with a grin.

"Rookie." The two comrades looked up as response to the voice of the intercom. "I want to talk to you. Meet me in my office. "

Gohan pulled a face and got up. "Meet up later?" He asked.

"Do you think you can get away from the others?"

"They have been paying special attention to me since they locked you up in this room." Gohan answered. "They're probably afraid I might sneak off to meet you without their notice." Gohan smirked. "They know me so well."

"Gohan. Why am I still waiting?" Comora's voice snarled through the intercom.

"Impatient as always." Gohan grumbled as he hurried out the room.

**** DBZ **** DBZ ****

"Oh come on." Gohan complained as he stepped back. The boy felt the wall nudge against his back as he stepped back again.

Comora and Itoro were standing opposite him. Gohan pouted as they stepped closer. "Cut me some slack, guys."

You knew this day was coming." Comora answered strictly. "So be quiet and let me put those ki-bonds on again."

"But you said I did not have to wear them anymore." Gohan answered.

"Yes, on this mission. The mission is over now so you'll have to wear them again. Vegeta doesn't know I let you take them off." Comora answered.

"Oh really?" Gohan asked. "He won't be pleased to hear that, huh?" He asked mischievously.

Comora chuckled. "Don't even think about it. If you do that I will tell him a thing or five about your behavior these past few weeks." Comora warned.

"Just wait a few more days." Gohan pleaded.

"No. I'll forget about it." Comora answered as he shook his head.

"No, you won't. You never forget anything. That's why you're so good at what you do." Gohan answered innocently.

"Sucking up to me now, are you?" Comora answered amused. "That won't work."

"I won't let you put them on again. I like having my power-level higher." Gohan answered defiantly.

Itoro rolled his eyes. "Just get this over with." He said as he looked at Comora. The man nodded as answer. They looked back at Gohan as they gradually powered, getting ready to fight Gohan if needed. The half-saiyan put on his puppy-dog eyes but Comora continued to glare back at him.

"I let you take them off and now they're going on again." Comora said with a nod. His red eyes narrowed at Gohan. A few seconds went by in silence as none of the warriors made a move. Comora looked at Itoro. The other warrior shrugged desperately. They both looked back at Gohan and attacked. Gohan widened his eyes and jumped up in the air to avoid the first attack from Comora. The boy whirled in the air as he tried to kick Comora against the shoulder. The man moved away just in time to dodge the attack but Gohan was already focusing on something else. Itoro grabbed Gohan's wrist in an iron grip. Gohan tried to pull his wrist free but Itoro was still stronger than him.

Comora appeared next to the half-saiyan but Gohan kicked sideways, hitting the man right in the stomach, forcing him to step back while Gohan got rid of Itoro's hand. Gohan jumped up and flew to the door in high speed. He turned a corner and bumped into Tobney. The two tumbled through the hallway until they bumped into the wall. Gohan shook his head dazedly as Tobney rubbed over his forehead. "Auch. That's going to be a bump." Tobney muttered.

Gohan went to get up but four hands got to him first. The half-saiyan only got time to blink before Itoro and Comora clicked the ki-bond around his wrists. "No." Gohan complained as his power-level was pushed down until level 5000.

Comora grinned. "That's done." He said to Itoro. His comrade nodded cheerfully while Gohan frowned at the two warriors.

Tobney sent a few confused looks around before noticed the ki-bonds around Gohan's wrists. "Oh! You're on those things again!" Tobney said cheerfully. "So, now, you're weak." He stated. Gohan sent him a glare but Tobney was already enjoying this too much.

The twenty-one year old grabbed Gohan on his wrist and pulled him up in the air until his legs were dangling in the air. Gohan growled. "I can still fly." Gohan answered annoyed.

"Can you?" Tobney challenged as he tilted his head.

Gohan frowned and tried to fly up but Tobney's hand on tightened around his wrist. "Let me go." Gohan said as he tried to make Tobney's release his wrist. Tobney did not budge but shook Gohan's wrist, forcing the half-saiyan to fall out of balance and lower to the ground. Tobney grinned at Comora and Itoro. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

**** DBZ **** DBZ ****

A knock was heard on Vegeta's door. The man frowned thoughtfully as he looked at his watch. He wasn't expecting any visitors. He did expect the Suta Team to arrive this afternoon but Gohan usually barged in the room without knocking.

"Come in." Vegeta said as he placed his pen on his white desk. The doors opened and Gohan walked in. He ignored Vegeta's surprised expression as he stopped in the middle of the room and knelt down.

"Request to speak to you, sir." Gohan said as he looked at the sober dark blue ground. Every time Gohan was in this room he tended to look at the large paintings of Saiyan warriors that were hanging on the walls. The room would be very dark if it wasn't for the large bright lamps hanging from the ceiling.

"Request granted." Vegeta said, somewhat put off by this behavior.

"I would like to strike a bargain with you, sir." Gohan yelled at the ground.

Vegeta raised both his eyebrows and leaned on the desk with his elbows. "Get up." He ordered. Gohan did as he was told. The half-saiyan walked closer until he could place his fists on Vegeta's desk.

"I would like to strike a bargain with you." Gohan repeated.

"You already said that. What is it?" Vegeta asked as he tilted his head.

"I want you to leave planet Earth alone. I want you to make sure the planet will be safe. I want you to place soldiers near the planet so they can watch over the planet and make sure it won't be purged." Gohan said as he looked into Vegeta's eyes.

Vegeta nodded. "And what do I get in return?"

Gohan looked down at his clenched fists and seemed to rethink this decision carefully. Vegeta waited patiently as Gohan hesitated. The half-saiyan looked up. "In return for those services you'll get me." Gohan answered determinedly.

Vegeta leaned forwards and tapped against the ki-bonds on Gohan's wrists. "I already have you." He answered.

"You may have control over my physical body but you don't control my mind, my soul." Gohan said with a nod. "I will go on missions. I will do my best during sparring sessions. I will do whatever you want me to do and I won't fight it." Gohan continued. "If you keep to your part of the bargain, I will be the best soldier you have ever had."

Vegeta eyed Gohan thoughtfully for a while until he answered: "Protecting a planet like that is very expensive. Keeping you on your ki-bonds and forcing you into submission might be cheaper."

"Will it? What if I continue to resist? What if I start destroying things? I know how much damage I can do. My training will be delayed gigantically if I don't participate." Gohan said. "It's a win-win situation."

"Yes, It's a win-win situation for me and planet earth." Vegeta answered with a smirk. "It's awfully selfless of you."

"I tend to be like that." Gohan answered. Vegeta looked into Gohan's eyes and noticed nothing but determination at this decision. The man leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms.

"What made you want to make this deal?" Vegeta asked curiously.

Gohan looked down as his mind went over all the bad things that happened on the planet they had to purge. "I noticed what a force like the Suta Team can do to a planet. I've seen the horrors. I don't want that to happen to planet Earth. I want to keep the planet save."

"Planet Earth in exchange for you." Vegeta said slowly. Gohan's knuckles were white as they leaned on the desk. "You're going to call me lord Vegeta." Vegeta said.

"I will."

"And you will do everything I say."

"Everything." Gohan answered with a nod.

"Fine. You've got yourself a deal." Vegeta said as he looked up at Gohan. The half-saiyan extended his hand to the older warrior. Vegeta looked from Gohan's hand to the half-saiyan face and raised an eyebrow.

"It is how we seal a deal on planet Earth." Gohan explained. "Humor me." Vegeta rolled his eyes and shook Gohan's hand once. Gohan tried to pull away but Vegeta kept his hand in an iron grip. The man rummaged through his drawers until he found what he was searching for. He held up a small golden key. He pulled Gohan a little closer and pressed the key against the golden ki-bonds around Gohan's wrists. Vegeta continued to push the key into the bracelet until it disappeared entirely. Gohan felt the bracelets vibrating against his skin as if a small motor had been activated. The bracelets lit up before they suddenly clicked and fell to the ground. Gohan widened his eyes.

"You will stay here now anyway. No reason to keep you on those things, right?" Vegeta asked as he watched Gohan pick the bonds up. "If you leave my ship without my orders the deal is off." Vegeta warned. Gohan nodded as answer.

Vegeta stared at the half-saiyan for a while, making Gohan slightly uncomfortable, until he suddenly got up. Gohan watched him walk out the room and decided he was to follow the man. Gohan followed him out the room, into the hallway, and back in the launching centre. Gohan raised an eyebrow when Vegeta turned back to him. "You can stay here for a while and think about your decision." He ordered before he walked out the room.

Gohan scoffed as he watched Vegeta walk out the room. He glanced at the space pods, all sitting there, tempting him to grab one and take off. Gohan stepped closer to the space pods. "Alright. I can play that game too." He muttered as he sat down in one of the numerous space pods. He folded his hands behind his head and closed his eyes.

Meanwhile Vegeta was just getting back in his office. The man sat down at the desk and looked at the security cameras to find out what Gohan was doing. He noticed Gohan was sitting in a space pod and jumped up. He was about to race back to the launching centre when he noticed how immobile Gohan was. The man eyed Gohan's closed eyes and relaxed body. The scoffed man scoffed as he brushed some papers on the desk aside. "Brat." He muttered as he sat down again.

That evening Gohan was sitting in the corner of the room, waiting for Vegeta to tell him he could go to bed, and mainly watching in disgust as Vegeta and Stirania flirted. The half-saiyan wondered what was going on between those two. Stirania seemed to hate Vegeta during the day but they cuddled like this every night. Gohan did not mind though. It kept the attention off him.

Vegeta was just grabbing a dark blue book with a bright golden title and looked up to meet Gohan's eyes. "Brat. Go to bed," Vegeta stopped talking and seemed to chance his mind, "No, stay here." He said. "I need a foot massage."

Gohan got up. "That's not the task of a soldier."

"Well, you sold yourself to me. Remember? I got you in exchange for planet earth." Vegeta said. "I can decide if you do the job of a soldier or a slave. And you weren't supposed to complain, remember?"

"I said I would do whatever you wanted me to do." Gohan answered. "I did not say I wouldn't complain." The half-saiyan knelt down at the edge of the bed.

"We should add that to your job description." Vegeta muttered thoughtfully.

Stirania placed her head against Vegeta's shoulder as she watched Gohan do his job. "Can he give me a massage too?" Stirania asked as she looked at her mate. "I could really use that."

"Sure. Brat, give her a massage." Vegeta ordered. "I can get one at any given moment from now on." He added when Stirania gave him a questioning glance. Gohan clenched and unclenched hi s fists but settled down and started massaging Stirania's feet.

Stirania groaned. "This is great. You have really strong hands."

"Should I be concerned by the pleasure you get from him?" Vegeta sneered after a second moan.

"Don't worry, Vegeta. You're still my favorite Saiyan." Stirania answered as she leaned against her mate. "At least until Gohan here turns eighteen." She added mischievously.

"If he lives that long." Vegeta muttered without looking up from his book. This threat did not miss Gohan's ears though. His eyes moved to the older Saiyan but Vegeta did not make eye-contact with him.

Stirania sighed happily as she closed her eyes. Gohan focused on his task and switched off his mind. He longed for the moment Vegeta would order him to go to bed. This did not happen very long after he started massaging her. Apparently, Vegeta was tired.

Gohan was lying in his bed later that night, staring up at the ceiling. He wondered if he made a mistake by making that deal with Vegeta. The man seemed to be trying to get Gohan to back out of the deal by ordering him to do things he'd rather not do. He then remembered that Vegeta used to do exactly the same when Gohan was working for him before he left for his first mission. He probably had to get used to working for Vegeta again. Gohan closed his eyes. He knew the alarm in his small room would wake him up early so he could get everything ready for Vegeta. He had to slip back into the routine as fast as he could. The first step he had to take was going to sleep right now.

**** DBZ **** DBZ ****

The following morning Gohan was woken up by his alarm, as he already suspected. The half-saiyan stretched lazily, wondering why an alarm clock woke him up in stead of Comora's loud voice, but then remembered he was back in Vegeta's ship again. "Stupid Vegeta." He groaned under his breath as he pulled on his blue uniform. The white armor with a brown stomach guard and brown shoulder guards felt heavy around his body. The boy was just pulling on his boots when the door to his room opened automatically. Gohan entered Vegeta's room and knelt down next to the door just as Vegeta's own alarm rung. Stirania groaned and rolled over in her bed.

"You get up too early." Stirania complained as Vegeta sat up.

"You say that every morning." Vegeta answered shortly as he pushed his blankets aside and his feet landed on the ground. Gohan watched as Vegeta made his way to the small bathroom. Gohan shifted on the ground to relieve the ache in his knees. He wasn't used to sitting like this anymore.

Vegeta emerged from the bathroom clad in his official black uniform and a brown armor with white stomach guards. The man looked at Gohan and sent a pointed look to the bed. The half-saiyan rolled his eyes and got up. He made the bed as Stirania moved into and emerged from the bathroom. Vegeta was rummaging through the closet on the other side of the room.

Gohan brushed over the soft light brown fabric. The golden decorations at the edge shined in the lights. Gohan gently smacked against the pillows to get them back into shape. The symbol on the brown fabric of the pillows was golden too. Gohan stared at the circular lines that surrounded the small star in the middle.

"Boy." Vegeta called as he emerged from the walk-in closet. "Come here." He ordered. Gohan got up and walked closer. He'd been wondering what Vegeta was searching for since the man walked into that closet. The man showed a leash.

Gohan shook his head. "You've got to be kidding me." He complained.

"If you complain I'll make you wear it around your neck." Vegeta answered as he leaned down and wrapped the collar around Gohan's wrists. The man pulled on the leash, making sure it was sealed properly, before his eyes moved up to Gohan's angered face. "Oh, don't be so sad. You could've expected something like this."

Gohan continued to frown at the older saiyan but did not utter a word. Vegeta got up, grabbing Gohan's leash in the process, and walked to the doorway. He pulled on the leash when Gohan did not move, forcing the half-saiyan to follow him. He briefly wondered if they should wait for Stirania but Vegeta did not seem to consider her at all. Gohan followed him outside. They made their way through the gray hallways until they reached the large room where Vegeta ate breakfast and dinner, and where he feasted with the Suta Team once a week.

Gohan wondered how breakfast was going to be for him. Vegeta usually let him join breakfast but he had to wait until Vegeta had eaten dinner every evening before he could eat himself. He tried to remember the routines they had before he went on his mission with the Suta Team. It seemed so long ago.

"Well, sit down." Vegeta snarled when Gohan did not move. The half-saiyan nodded and sat down. Breakfast was brought quite quickly and Gohan, he'd forgotten how hungry he really was, finished his meal within several minutes.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Gohan decided to ask one of his many questions: "I noticed the ship has landed when I looked out the window earlier. What are we going to do?"

"Assuming that you're coming, are you?" Vegeta answered without looking up from his food.

"You always bring me to meetings or missions." Gohan answered. "I cannot be your assistant if I'm not around."

"Does it make you feel better if you give your position that name?" Vegeta sneered as his eyes met Gohan's brown orbs. The half-saiyan frowned back at him for giving him such a hard time. He was just trying to make conversation.

"Never mind." Gohan muttered.

"One of my teams just purged this planet. The men and women above thirty and the children under ten have been killed. We're here to inspect the goods. The teenagers will be sold into slavery and I could use a few new deckhands." Vegeta answered as he looked back at his food again.

"They're better off dead." Gohan muttered under his breath. Vegeta heard this comment but he did not answer it.

The planet turned out to be quite a catch. Gohan could almost feel Vegeta's mood improving as they spent more time on the planet. According to calculations of Vegeta's minions, he would fetch a very high price for the young women they caught. There were strong built young boys who would make great slaves for other warlords.

Vegeta chose several girls and boys for his own ship. Gohan knew Vegeta preferred to use children for several reasons. One of those reasons was that children were easier to scare and would therefore not easily rebel. Stirania told Gohan that another reason was that, as long as those children were working for Vegeta as slaves, they would not be recruited as child soldiers. This made Gohan look at Vegeta with different eyes. Temporarily.

As Vegeta was signing contracts and negotiating prices, Gohan took his time observing the planet. The sky was a blood red color, which made Gohan wonder whether it was becoming night soon when they first emerged from the ship. Now they had been here for several hours, Gohan assumed the sky always looked like this. The solid ground was a brownish color which Gohan associated with sand but the ground was as solid as stone. He tried to find vegetation, the planet seemed to be one big desert, and eventually learned that these aliens could live on sunlight alone. The sunlight fed their skins and their bodies transformed the sunrays into energy.

"Lord Vegeta. " Vegeta and Gohan turned their focus to the small man that was advancing on them. His dark green eyes were sparkling when he noticed his potential buyer. "It's so good to meet you." His brown hairy hand met Vegeta's gloved hand. "This is the final load. All boys. Their age is ten to fifteen. You can choose the ones you want and we'll take care of the rest." Gohan and Vegeta followed the chattering man. "They're all healthy and strong. They will fetch a good price. Most of them are from this planet but we found a few visitors."

"I just want to see them. I'll decide whether I like them or not." Vegeta answered shortly. Gohan frowned when Vegeta pushed the papers in his hands. His eyes moved to the large cage in which the small boys were trapped, screaming and crying, wondering what was happening. Gohan bit his lip as he noticed their suffering, their screams tearing through his soul.

Vegeta placed a hand on Gohan's shoulder. The gentle squeeze told him to shut off his mind. Gohan nodded as answer to the non-verbal message. Vegeta growled at the noise they were making, taking a deep breath for his next action: "QUIET!" He yelled so loudly Gohan stepped back in surprise. The effect was evident as the boys slowly quieted down, crowding around the bars to find out who was the shouter.

"Good boys. Obedience is very important in this world. As long as you do what your superior says, you'll be fine." Vegeta explained as his eyes moved over the boys. "For example," Vegeta dropped the papers he was holding, "brat, pick this up." He ordered loudly.

Gohan sent Vegeta a glare as he sank through his knees to gather the papers. "He knows he has to do what I say in order to make it back to the ship in one piece. So I won't hurt him." Vegeta continued while Gohan gathered the papers. "That's how it works and that is how it will always work. Your life is as tough as you make it."

Gohan got up and handed the papers back to Vegeta. He pulled a face at the boys, earning hesitant smiles in return. Vegeta did not seem to notice this exchange as he moved to the door of the cage. "Kneel." He ordered. The young boys all knelt down, giving Vegeta proper view of them all. Gohan tried not to make eye-contact with them.

"Gohan?" A familiar voice spoke up. Gohan widened his eyes and looked up. His orbs searched for the source of the sound.

"Dende?" Gohan shouted when he notice the small green-skinned Namekian. The two jumped up and hugged each other tightly. "I thought I would never see you again." Gohan said. A grin was plastered on his face.

"I thought so too. Why are you working together with Vegeta?" Dende asked as he looked at the warrior over Gohan's shoulder. Gohan froze at Vegeta's name and turned around. Vegeta was glaring daggers at him.

"I'm sorry." Gohan muttered to the ground.

Vegeta scoffed. "We'll talk about that later." He answered. "I'll take that boy." He added to the small man. Dende and Gohan grinned at each other as they walked out the cage.

Vegeta was choosing more slaves as Gohan and Dende hugged each other once more. Gohan had to release Dende when one of the soldiers came up to escort Dende to the cage in which the slaves would be transported to the ship. Gohan sighed sadly. He was glad he would be able to see Dende again but it also meant Dende was going to be a slave from now on. Life as a slave was not much fun.

A fist got a hold of the band on Gohan's armor, forcing the half-saiyan to turn around. Gohan looked into Vegeta's cold eyes. "You're going to let me do this. That's an order." Vegeta hissed so soft that only Gohan could hear it.

A confused frown appeared on Gohan's face but he was not left in the dark for long. A fist made its way to Gohan face. He stumbled back and landed on the ground. Vegeta appeared next to his body but, instead of jumping up in order to defend himself, Gohan forced his body to stay on the ground. Vegeta pulled back a leg and kicked against Gohan's side. Gasps could be heard as Gohan rolled over. Vegeta buried his heal in Gohan's stomach twice, watching how the young boys in the cages cringed at the sound of Gohan's groans. "You see, boys." Vegeta said as Gohan rolled on his stomach, breathing heavily. "That is what happens when you don't listen to your master. "

Gohan glared up at him but did not say anything as he forced his body to stand up. He rubbed over his stomach while he went to stand next to Vegeta again. Work was not over yet.

The following few hours Vegeta's continued to inspect the planet, calculating the price they were going to ask for it. Gohan followed him all day, making notes, carrying bags and papers, and following orders. While they were making their way back to the ship, Gohan was searching for the cage in which the new slaves were being transported. He could not find it though.

Vegeta left Gohan in a small room. He told him he had to wait here because Vegeta had to take care of something. The room had no furniture except for a chair that was standing near the wall. It made Gohan wonder what purpose this room served. Vegeta entered not long after he left Gohan behind. "Look, brat. I got you a present." Vegeta said with a smirk as he stepped aside.

Dende ran in the room and grinned at his friend. "Gohan!"

"Dende!" The two friends hugged once more. Well, Dende hugged Gohan and the half-saiyan, seeing his hands were tied together once more, allowed him to do this.

"Can't we untie your hands?" Dende asked.

"Don't even think about it, brat." Vegeta answered.

"I don't have to listen to you." Dende snarled back.

Vegeta smirked as he stepped closer. He grabbed Dende's wrist, forcing the young Namek to turn up the palm of his hand on which a recent mark was seen. The wound was still fresh; his skin remembering how the hot iron touched the flesh. A dark V was seen on his skin. Gohan knew the real emblem was also a capital v. In the official emblem two rattlesnakes were curling around the lines of the V and two bird-like creatures were standing on either side of it, screeching to the sky.

Vegeta reached down and grabbed Gohan's wrists. He forced Gohan to open his hand as well. The mark was seen on Gohan's palm too. "Look at that. You're matching." Vegeta sneered. "This mark says I'm in charge of you. Don't you forget it." Both boys pulled away as Vegeta released them.

Gohan looked up at Dende. "It's okay. I can stay like this." He answered. Dende nodded as he sat down on the ground. Gohan followed his example. "Why were you on that planet? We did not purge planet Namek, did we?" Gohan looked at Vegeta.

The man shook his head. "That planet is too valuable. I might need those dragon balls some day." He answered, sitting down on low positioned window sill.

"We were visiting." Dende answered. "The people on that planet knew how to increase the size of the plants we are growing on our planet. We just wanted to know their secret so we travelled there to suggest an alliance." Dende looked up at Gohan. "I could join them because I am a member of the dragon family. That's why I was there." Dende looked down, his shaking fists clenching tightly. "The others were killed in the battle. We did bring some young fighters but we did not want to be seen as a threat. We did not expect we had to fight."

Gohan sighed. "I'm sorry." He said, even though there was nothing he'd done, he still felt guilty about not being able to help his young friend.

"How did you end up here?" Dende asked curiously. "Did you two decide to work together?"

"No," Gohan shook his head, "he decided it." Gohan pointed to Vegeta with his thumb. "I'm just trying to keep my planet in one piece." Vegeta ignored this as he looked out the window. He allowed Gohan the conversation. He was not planning on giving him any privacy.

Gohan shifted on the ground. "What kind of job did you get?" He asked. There were different kinds of jobs a slave could get on this ship. Some were sent to the ships of the Suta Team members, others were assigned as cleaning staff while others worked in the kitchen.

"I'm in the cleaning staff." Dende said as he looked up. "I don't really know what to expect." He added hesitantly when he noticed Gohan's expression. "Is it that bad?"

"No, I'm just surprised. The cleaning staff works everywhere in the ship. We might even bump into each other once in a while. I assumed Vegeta would make you work as a far away from me." Gohan's eyes travelled to Vegeta.

The man shrugged. "Friendship is not something I despise." He said as answer to the silent question.

Dende sighed as he looked down, his finger drawing circles on the ground. "I just wish I could have said goodbye to my friends and family. I might never see them again."

Gohan bit his lip, his eyes moving to Vegeta again, but the man shook his head. "Allowing you two to work on the same ship is already a very good deed on my part." He answered. Gohan frowned as he looked back at Dende.

"I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help." Gohan answered. "Just being here is all I can for now, I guess." He added.

Dende smiled up at him. "Yeah. Let's look on the bright side. I still have you." He answered. Gohan grinned back at him.

"For now." Vegeta got up. "You have to get to work." The man stepped to the doorway. "And you need to report to Comora for your training session."

Gohan looked up. "What?" He asked as Vegeta pressed on a button on his watch. A few seconds later Denisra appeared in the doorway.

"You called for me?" She asked cheerfully, pushing her black hair behind her shoulder.

"Yes. This boy is the new edition to the cleaning staff. Make sure he knows what to do and how to do it." Vegeta answered.

"What training session?" Gohan said as he looked up at Vegeta. The man walked out the room, motioning for Gohan to follow him in the process.

Back in Vegeta's office the man rummaged through his drawers, retrieving a piece of paper and handing it to Gohan. The half-saiyan's eyes ran over the paper. "What is this?"

"Your training schedule for this week." Vegeta answered. "You'll have sparring sessions with me, the individual members of the Suta Team and some group spars here and there."

"Yeah. I can read." Gohan muttered sarcastically. "Am I in the Suta Team permanently?" He asked as he looked up.

"You went on a mission with them." Vegeta answered as he raised an eyebrow at the half-saiyan.

"I know, but I assumed that was just a one time thing." Gohan answered. "I was hoping it." He muttered as his eyes moved back to the paper in his hands.

"Why would I let them teach you all their techniques and signs if you would have gone with them for just one mission?" Vegeta asked.

Gohan shrugged. "Can't I join a different team?" he asked. "Anything but the Suta Team?" Another mission with them sounded terrible.

"No. The Suta Team is just right for you." Vegeta answered with a smirk. "Now run along to your first training session with Comora. He'll be expecting you and you probably already know how he hates to be kept waiting." Vegeta waved him out the room. Gohan groaned as he turned around. This was something he was not going to enjoy.