Scorned by Blood(Closed/Ohkara)

[Celeh]

Today had been one of those days that Celeh would have much rather forgotten. She got the food and supplies she was after. The saiyan, who was dressed in her armor with a dark blue cloak over top of it to hide her armor and tail, had been found out while in the grocery store where she was buying produce from. The people in the store began to attack her and called the police. She spent the next twenty minutes to the suburbs of the city. Her flight out was going fairly quietly, and the duffel bag on her shoulder and the three bags of groceries on her arm were in tact. It was difficult to say how or why they managed to stay together, seeing as grocery bags were known for being weak and easily torn.

The Saiyan came to a stop atop one of the last skyscrapers the city had to offer before getting into the suburbs. She had to catch her breath after dashing out of there so quickly. She set her supplies and groceries down on the roof of the skyscraper. Celeh had really hoped that her visit to Metropolis island would be more successful and peaceful than her visits to the other cities of Earth. Understandably so, the people of the cities were not so quick to forgive what the Saiyans had done before, and even if she had abandoned her military and her past, they could never understand that. This left her alone and scorned simply because she shared Saiyan blood. They knew nothing about her but that she had a tail and Saiyan armor, and they hated her just the same. Still, she did not return their hate. It was frustrating beyond reason, but to prove their anger wrong, she could not retaliate even though she was capable of leveling the city if she set her mind to it.

And so she sat on the edge of the roof, looking out over a city that hated her, knowing full well that one day she would be called to defend this place that hated her.

[Ohkara Minamaru]

The green-haired girl rocketed through the sky in her normal, enthusiastic way of darting too-and-fro,and spinning and flipping. The young lady enjoyed the experience of soaring through the air, and the gorgeous display was not only very fun, it was just one more way she could improve her own skills. Having slacked off on her own training lately, she was determined to make up for it, taking advantage of any opportunity that came her way.

Like many others, her destination was Metropolis Island, her current favorite shopping spot. Right now was the prime time for her to snatch up some more clothes. It was about time she got herself something other than the yellow training gi, and cyan bands and belts that she wore now- and those black combat boots definitely needed replacing; she couldn’t even remember how long it’d been since she’d first gotten them! However, it would seem her trip would be interrupted…

Stopping in the middle of a double-backflip, the young lady felt the presence of a high energy signature. Righting herself in the sky above the suburbs of the city, she peered around for any signs of distress. ”Oh great!” she thought sarcastically to herself, ”This is just what I need…”

Huffing, the green-haired girl ascended higher into the sky. With a hand on her hip, she’d scan the tip of the skyline; her eyes settling on a shadowy figure at the very top of a skyscraper. Brow rising, this piqued the young woman’s interests and she advanced forward, cautiously closing in on the silhouette. As she neared them, her features came to light; medium-length black hair, her clothing draped by a blue cloak. It was curious to see her there, and Ohkara instantly felt like there was something wrong.

Sympathy swept through her as she studied the woman’s face from afar, ”Heeeyyy!” Ohkara cooed at her, as not to provoke aggression; she didn’t know this woman, but she couldn’t ignore the fact that this woman was the source of the ki signature she’d felt.

”You doin’ alright?” she asked, now likely about forty-feet from the woman as she levitated in the air. Looking to the her, then down the skyscraper and back up, Ohkara's head tilted to the side and her brow rose, ”I mean…” she said, a very concerned look on her face, ”You’re not thinking about:”

Pointing her left index finger at the building she ran it down the outline, making a high to low pitch whistling noise to illustrate descending. Stopping before reaching the bottom, her eyes settled back on the girl, her hand dropping back to her side, ”Doing anything drastic, are you?”

The woman had never come across someone at the edge of a skyscraper that couldn’t fly; however, the look on her face was one hard to read: one that truly brought concern into her heart. She’d spent so much time protecting the people of Earth from danger, that she’d grown used to the idea of helping others, and truly enjoyed it. Perhaps, if this woman was in a bad place, Ohkara could help her out of it. She was sure if the shoes were on the other feet, she'd want someone to help her.

[Celeh]

There was a strangeness to Celeh's aura. It wasn't visible at the moment, but Ohkara would still be able to feel it. Despite the look on Celeh's face and the clear disgust the Saiyan was experiencing, her aura was eerily calm. Like a steady, calm sea it wafted in and back out like the shores at low tide. Her eyes scanned over the city, the voice of a woman behind her catching her attention. The former soldier poked her tail out from under the back of her cloak and swished it around light, letting Ohkara know just who and what she was dealing with. The half Saiyan would have to be aware that Celeh was a former enemy of the Earth, although she didn't act that way. "Are you sure it's wise to be worrying about me?" She would not be treated kindly if she were seen with a full blooded Saiyan that still wore their armor and proudly had their tail on display. But it didn't add up...why was she in a cloak, hiding her true nature until now?


"I've already experienced the sting of death once. I don't intend to do so again, and certainly not without a fight. But to answer your question more directly, no...I'm not going to be taking any lives today, least of all my own." The Saiyan woman turned her head to look back over her shoulder at Ohkara fully now instead of just a glimpse. "So what is it? Are you here to offer me sympathy or are you here to fight? No...you don't look the part of a warrior. You've got a face that's just too pretty for cold blooded murder." Celeh turned her gaze back to the city below and sighed.

"You live down there, right? What's it like to not be hated for simply breathing the same air as everyone else? The war is over, yet they cling to their hatred as if it is all that sustains them. I am a Saiyan, but I am not among those that would do them harm. Once upon a time I was part of the Saiyan military. I served alongside the Prince and Princess... but I fell prey to the dream of another, and my life was extinguished in trying to achieve it." She didn't know why she was telling all this to a complete stranger. It's not like she'd understand any of it. Celeh probably sounded crazy, what with her talk of having died once already. The former soldier just smirked, "Tch..."

[Ohkara Minamaru]

Ohkara was truly concerned for this woman; she could feel something strange in the woman’s ki. However, when the young lady poked a Saiyan tail out from under her cloak and swished it in the air, her advancement stopped, and her left hand rose to her face, covering her mouth for a moment as the woman questioned her choice to help. This was a conflicting moment for the young woman, as she contemplated her next actions.

Sure, this woman was obviously a Saiyan, but did that mean that she should write her off all together? Just because she was a Saiyan, did that mean she was evil, or had ulterior motives against Earth? Ohkara didn’t really think so; after all, two of her best friends, Shun, and Ethar were indeed half-Saiyans themselves. And yet, as the woman spoke, Ohkara couldn’t help but feel tense; her guard would not lower.

Turning back to look at her, Ohkara caught a full look at the woman in front of her. Piercing brown eyes, a scar across her right; she was pretty herself, however her attitude was off-putting. Asking her if she was there to fight her; then giving her a backhanded-compliment. Ohkara’s hand lowered from her face, clenching into a fist, ”Who the hell are you to judge me like that?” she snarled.

She’d only offered her help, and yet this woman was acting like she was offended by it; Her next words however, would put things into perspective. Revealing she was hated, she’d worked for the Saiyan Military, that she’d served the Saiyan Prince and Princess. Ohkara’s eyes widened with surprise as the woman spoke, and when she finished, the young woman stood in silence herself. Touching down at the far end of the skyscraper, Ohkara would sigh.

”I hated the Saiyans too…” she admitted, her normally bubbly tone filled with regret, with sadness, ”They attacked my people for no reason… They took over our planet; they slayed us, they used us. But it's over; we are no longer enemies. You're right, we cling to it, but its not for the reasons you think...”

Taking a few steps forward, Ohkara shook her head, her hands still balling into fists at her sides. It was clear that she was filled with emotion, ”I don’t know what you’re going through… I will admit that… But I do know what it’s like to be hated; to be looked down on. It is not a feeling I wish upon anyone. Even someone that admits they were an enemy at one point...” Advancing, the green-haired woman would take a seat at the edge of the skyscraper near the Saiyan, dangling her legs off as well.

Looking to her, Ohkara would give a light smile, not hiding the small tears building in the corners of her eyes, ”For what it's worth, I don’t hate you...” she told her, before giving a small shrug, ”and I don’t think that the rest of the planet does either…”

Placing her hands on the ground behind her, she leaned back, gaze rising to the sky, ”They’re just scared… We just don’t react the same way as the Saiyans…” she let out a dry chuckle, and shook her head, ”I mean, don’t take it the wrong way, it’s not like we’re weak… Earthlings just don’t have that same sense of pride… And… Well, we can hold a grudge pretty well, too… It's not just the Saiyan's either... We're notorious for doing the same thing to ourselves...”

”But listen…” Ohkara said, finally getting to the point, glancing over to the brunette, ”I don’t know what you’ve been through in your past, just like you don’t know the same about me… I am simply here to help. Call me stupid, if you want, but you look like someone that could use a friend… Or even just someone to listen…”

Giving a shrug, Ohkara straightened her back, and leaned over the edge of the building, eyeing the civilians far below, ”If I am wrong, you could always just tell me you leave you alone, though… I wouldn’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you already are…” another dry chuckle would leave her as she glanced sideways at the woman.

[Celeh]

Celeh did not hate the Earthlings for how they treated her. She understood it better than anyone. In their own way, her proud Saiyan race had wronged her just as they had wronged the Earthlings, but that was a story for another time. For now, there was an Earthling woman...a fair bit younger than Celeh by the look of her...who was showing compassion and a little regret for how Celeh had been treated. The solder gave a soft smile back to her and shook her head, "I am someone who should know better than to address the individual based on the whole. After all, that is my frustration right now, and I am hypocritical to treat you that way." Her gaze turned up toward the sky, not as a means to stare blankly at nothing, but as though she were actually looking at someone up there far off. "The reason for hate makes little difference. Hate is hate. It is not me that they hate. It is the blood that flows in my veins, and the atrocities and misdeeds of those who bare that blood. I do not blame you or them for that hatred. It is rightly inspired and justified in feeling. If the Earthlings had attacked us and the situation were reversed, I guarantee you that the Saiyans would feel the same toward you."

Celeh's gaze fell back down to the city below. Her eyes idly followed a stream of vehicles moving along the streets as she listened to Ohkara speak further. "You may not look it, but you have the heart of a true warrior. It is strong and vibrant...full of life. I can hear it in your voice...and see it in your eyes. Even now you struggle with the pain that the Saiyan race has caused you...but you fight it, hoping against hope that if you show compassion then those atrocities will not be repeated. It takes more than compassion and kindness to overcome your own suffering." Finally she stood up, slowly climbing to her feet and stepping away from the edge. Celeh looked Ohkara in the face fully, not over her shoulder like before.

"I hope that you never endure the sort of strife that I have endured. I will tell you a bit more about my story, if you are willing to listen." The saiyan woman crossed her arms over her chest and took a deep breath in preparation for her story. She looked at Ohkara intently, as if looking for a cue that she was going to listen. Then she would begin either way.

"I spent my whole life living a lie. I was taught, by force if necessary, that the Saiyan Royals were above the rabble in every regard. That they were more powerful, more intelligent, more capable, and had hearts that burned with only the purest intentions for the good of our people. But you and I both know the truth. However...you were not raised to believe that. Your whole world wasn't based on following their orders and living their dreams. Once upon a time it was my dream to be the best soldier in the military. I started at the bottom, even among my family's medium class heritage I was weak and worthless. When I came of age and began my training in the military academy, as all Saiyans do, every day was a fight for survival. I was beaten, battered, and told that I would become stronger or die trying." She paused after this, to let it sink in.

"Our only motivating factor was the possibility of achieving greatness. Failure was equivalent to death, and usually resulted in such. I believed it, too. I donned the bright red, the color of the royal family, and I surpassed all expectations of my heritage. My record in the academy of barely surviving...turned into a record of absolute success once I took on real missions as a low ranking soldier. My success earned me a spot at the side of the Princess. The queen herself hand picked me because I got things done without questions. I was the ideal soldier. I even suppressed my own feelings on things to maintain order and my post. I wasn't even a person anymore. I shoved my own desires and needs aside for the purpose of better serving them. I felt like Akassa was the closest thing to a sister that I ever had. When I served under her, she was the first person to treat me as a friend, and in some regards even as an equal."

"The queen only used me to watch over Akassa, though, because she didn't trust her half-saiyan step-daughter. I was a watch dog more than a servant. I didn't like the queen, though, and Akassa was my first true friend. I didn't get a chance to betray my post, though, because the Universal Church of One attacked our home. I was sent with the crown prince to their home planet in order to destroy them. It was a suicide mission and I knew that from the start. In my haste I told the Princess that glory in battle was less important than her life. I think she took offense to my words, but the king and queen's orders were final. I wanted to save her from that suicide mission, and even though my strength wasn't nearly enough to be of any help against the enemy that the prince faced, I still fought by his side not for him, but for the Princess. Because she was my friend and I could not bare to see her off on a suicide mission like that. I could not forgive myself if I knew she perished when I could have taken her place." Again she paused to take a breath and let Ohkara take it all in. She didn't seem the least bit upset or shaky despite talking about a clearly volatile subject.

"In a battle with a brainwashed Namekian assassin employed by the church, I perished. He and I fought the only true honorable battle of my life. When I perished, I felt like I understood him and he understood me...perhaps better than anyone else in the universe at the time. I died there, fighting for the dream of another...because I had used their existence as a crutch to justify my own and give it purpose. But it was all a lie. While I was in the afterlife, Akassa became a different person. She killed her parents, took over her home as ruler, and began making preparations to attack the Earth. By the time I returned to the land of the living, she had already laid claim to this planet. It was an impossible choice for me."

Her eyes narrowed on Ohkara and her teeth gritted as she spoke now. "I had to choose between fighting, and likely dying again, against the person I once believed was my best friend because I no longer believed in what she was doing...or I had to stand by and watch her destroy her own friends, family, and innocent people for the sake of her own power. And so when the war ended, I was left with nothing. I have nothing. I have been training every day, waiting for something to happen...A sign...a proverbial door to open...something to give my life direction and purpose. These people do not need a protector from the stars, but I need a home, and a reason to be. I was given a second chance at life, but so far it has amounted to nothing but solitude and observation. The heart of a warrior still burns within my chest. I've been restless and frustrated with this situation for months. I cannot venture into the city for being hated, attacked, and run out of town. if I retaliate than I am the monster they hate me for being, if I do nothing then I am beaten and possibly murdered, and if I run then I am a coward. Every day it's harder to choose to run away. Every day it's more difficult to not destroy a city. Not this one specifically, but any of them. I've been to all of Earth's major cities, and they've all given me the same treatment."

[Ohkara Minamaru]

As the Saiyan spoke, Ohkara’s impression of her changed once again. First admitting her hypocrisy, the woman went on to sympathize with the Earthling’s pain. Unable to keep things together the young woman could be caught wiping a few stray tears from her cheeks, and letting out a dry chuckle. Honestly this newly-found attitude was like nothing Ohkara had expected. She could already admit she liked this woman…

Going on, the woman praised the green-haired girl on her character; again, this woman could sympathize with what she was going through. It seemed this Saiyan was far more “down to earth”-so to speak, than she’d ever guessed. Again, the young girl wiped a few more tears from her cheeks, beaming brightly; eyes following the woman as she stood up and faced her, arms crossing over her chest. Piquing the girl’s interest with her offer to share her past, she nodded, allowing the woman to continue.

She listened intently to her words; having been born on Earth, Ohkara had very little idea what it was like for people on other planets, let alone the Saiyans. It seemed that although the two had lived very different, they suffered in very similar ways. Ohkara felt she could sympathize with much of what the Saiyan told her.

Allowing a moment of silence after the woman finished speaking, Ohkara finally spoke: ”Sounds to me like you were a great friend…” she told her, taking to her feet, and stepping up to face her, ”Even in the end… Sometimes it takes a lot to stand up for what you believe in, and even more to help right the path of a misguided friend…” she gave a weak smile, not exactly sure what to say; there were no words that the young woman could say to make things better.

”You know, I’ve felt the same way…” she told her, ”Without purpose, I mean… I was wronged by my own people plenty of times; admittedly, I hated them much of the same… But I had something they didn’t… Skills, power, I even learned how to fly…” she smirked.

”These are all things that these normal, innocent people can’t do. For some reason this planet has become a big target... I aim to protect it, and everyone on it; including those people that wronged me. You say that this planet doesn’t need protector from the stars, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for one. Did you know that…” raising two fingers from her left hand for emphasis, ”…two of the four people that led the Rebellion weren’t even Earthlings? I’ll even go as far to tell you that they are both half-Saiyans! One of them is even a bunny-Saiyan hybrid!” letting out a small chuckle, her face bearing a smile, it was obvious that Ohkara was close to both of these people.

”This might not be what you want to hear, but if you want the world’s opinion of you to change, you’re gonna have to make that change…” a look of sympathy washed over her face, as she eyed her, ”But, you don’t have to do it alone…”

Straightening her posture, Ohkara enthusiastically extended a hand to the woman, ”The name’s Ohkara, sister!~ And on the behalf of all Earthlings, I would like to help you.”

At this point the only way the green-haired girl could think to help this woman would be to get her to fight for Earth. Her best chance of that would likely be introducing her to the others, namely Ethan; seeing as he wasn’t very happy the last time she’d so openly invited someone into their group. But her intuition had been right then, and here it was again telling her this was the right call to make. He would have to deal with being upset with her again; not that that would bother her too much. Of course, she'd make sure she got to know this woman a little more before she introduced the idea, just until she was for sure that this woman was the right fit for the job.

[Celeh]

The saiyan stood quietly after she had laid herself bare in front of this stranger. Celeh felt an odd comfort from speaking to this young woman, almost like she really did understand...if only a little. That was still better than the solitude that Celeh had been in for almost a full year, and dealing with the fact that she had not only died, but failed to make the return to prevent her friend from making a terrible mistake that she had originally intended. "She does not know of my choice to die in her place. She thinks I took that mission because I was following an order. She will not know, either. She never knew I had returned to the land of the living, either."

Celeh paused and listened again, trying to find some semblance of peace in the girl's words. "This planet is a target because it is almost ideal in every way. Peaceful, beautiful, lush, plenty of resources, a well established level of technology and society...and although there are a select few warriors of notable strength, most aren't even at my level. It would be easy for any tyrant to make a few examples of the stronger fighters, then subdue the world. That's why they come after it. It's vulnerable, but a nearly perfect environment."

Celeh took a breath and shook her head, "I can only change their view of me if an opportunity rises. I'm a soldier, not a gardener, a builder, or anything like that. I fight battles. If there are no battles to be fought, then I stand at the sidelines waiting for conflict to arise. I don't mean to sound pessimistic about it. You have, at the very least, renewed my faith that some day this planet will welcome me."

She extended her hand to Ohkara and shook the girl's hand with a nod, "I wouldn't go so far as to say sister, but I will accept friend for now. My name is Celeh. I'm a former soldier of the Vegeta Military. Now I'm just a hermit living in the mountains on Earth." She finally cracked a smile, although just for a few moments as she said that last bit and shook Ohkara's hand.

"Thank you, Ohkara. I'm thankful that you have come to visit me today. It has made me realize that maybe I'm not doomed to solitude here. I have an odd favor to ask of you, though, for a time when you aren't too busy or tired." She let her arms rest at her side and she asked, "I can feel great strength within you. I want to face that strength in battle to see it for myself. If we are to be allies at any point, I want to know who I am relying on and how their power compares to my own."

[Ohkara Minamaru]

”Celeh…” the young woman repeated, nodding her head in approval. She liked the name; it sounded pretty.

Raising a brow at the woman as she purposed a possible spar between them, Ohkara smirked, her blood already boiling. The way this Saiyan talked, she was powerful; however, from what Ohkara could feel, there was little doubt in her mind that she outclassed her. Of course, unbeknownst to her, that was a result of that same Saiyan blood that ran through Celeh’s veins.

”A match, hm?” she asked with a smirk, ”Sounds good to me!~” she exclaimed, pointing a thumb to her, and then into the air enthusiastically.

Pointing to a small, inhabited island just off the coast, she looked over to the Saiyan, ”How about right there, right now?” she asked cockily, an edge to her words. Though the woman’s words were kind, Ohkara felt that she was being underestimated. She was ready to prove the metal she was made of.

”I’m ready if you are!~”

((Apologies for the lack of length here. ^^; ))

[Celeh]

Upon hearing Ohkara's reply to her mention of a match between them at some point, the soldier couldn't help but smile a bit wider than she had been. Still, her eyes drifted down to the city below once again before returning to Ohkara and settling on her. "I don't think it a wise decision for us to fight within the city, Ohkara. I don't know about you, but I've no intention of holding back. And I don't want anything to distract us or get in the way so that we might hesitate or direct our attacks differently during our bout."

The Saiyan woman pulled her hood up and looked over her shoulder at the groceries she'd bought, "I do have food and supplies I need to return to my house on Mount Paozu before they spoil. Perhaps we can have our bout on the mountain instead?" She offered a compromise, wanting to make a good impression, but also preferring a quiet, solitary environment for them to stage their sparring match upon. One of the valleys at the foot of the mountain would surely provide a scenic, but tactical environment for them to put all their skills on display for one another.

"I'm looking forward to seeing just what you can do. It's been a while since I've had a sparring partner, and I'm excited to have someone that can match my power. At least, that's what I can sense from you at the moment. If you can sense powers then you'll be happy to know that I'm not hiding my strength. I don't go to get groceries wearing my training weights."

[Ohkara Minamaru]

Ohkara listened as the woman debated her suggestion of fighting venue. Covering her mouth and letting out a small giggle, ”Ohhhh yeeeaaaah!~” she exclaimed with a nod; Celeh was right, if the two fought here, it would likely draw lots of uninvited attention. Furthermore, Ohkara definitely didn’t want to risk the negative affect that might have on Celeh’s reputation. ”I’m sorry, I guess I just got excited,” she responded, a nervous smile to her face.

Speaking again, the woman purposed moving the bout. ”Mount Paozu, hmm?” she repeated, giving the idea a moment of thought; suddenly, with a nod, she raised her thumb, her natural cockiness returning, ”Sounds perfect.” Then, rising into the air, Ohkara crossed her arms and grinned slyly- the woman having mentioned she wasn’t hiding her power, and that she normally wore weights. Keeping it to herself that she too donned a set of heavy training weights, which she currently wore; that would be her little secret… for now…


Playfully waving the woman forward, Ohkara giggled; ”Hehe! You seem confident!~ I can’t wait to see what you’re capable of! Lead the way!~”

((EHHH! ^^; the next one will be better! ><; ))

[Celeh]

The Saiyan pulled her hood back up before kneeling down and picking up her groceries. She lifted off the rooftop after Ohkara did, and started to fly casually towards Mount Paozu and toward her home. "You seem quite excited about this fight. I didn't think Earthlings had that sort of fighting spirit. Most don't, at least from my experience. I'm accustomed to fighting against foes much stronger than myself. Do remember that I trained and fought alongside Saiyan royalty. To say that they were stronger than me is a gross understatement."

She spoke calmly as they flew along, wanting to make it clear to Ohkara that Celeh wasn't a haphazard warrior looking for glory. She was a battle hardened soldier with plenty of experience and knowledge to go off of. "Assuming we aren't too beaten and battered to do so, I can cook up a bit of a meal for us after our match. I'm not a very good cook, but I can at least make it edible. Usually I cook meat and vegetables in a large wok. Sometimes I make noodles, too."


(We can exit thread here and move to Mt. Paozu if you like. IN which case Celeh will go for Zenni from this thread.)

[Ohkara Minamaru]

Ohkara nodded as the woman mentioned her excitement, ”Hell yeah I am excited! The only two guys I ever get to fight are a pervert and a punching bag! I can’t even remember the last time I sparred with someone that gave me an actual battle.” she smirked slyly, following the woman as she headed towards the mountain, ”Let’s just say, with the way you’ve talked yourself up, you better be able to back it all up!” she teased playfully. She was confident that this woman would put up much more of a fight than Ethan, or Ethar.

The mention of dinner made Ohkara’s hand trail to her stomach; luckily for Celeh, the young woman had eaten prior to heading for the city, so she would be fine up until after the match; however, once the match was over there was no doubt she’d work up an appetite. Hopefully the Saiyan would prepare enough food to curb her hunger. ”That sounds great!~” she exclaimed with a nod, ”Thank you!~”

((Exit thread. I too would like Zeni!~))

[Ethan Snow]

3700Z awarded to Celeh.

3000Z awarded to Ohkara.

Enjoy the astronomical gains while they last.