What I've Been Looking For

Disclaimer: I own none of the songs that Lavender may sing. Do not have a fit over lyrics, she is actually singing them like dialogue. She is essentially the Nightingale from that old fairytale.

Chapter 4: Nightingale

Frieza looked up from his seat to the sound of the opening door. In the shadow of the entryway, he could barely make her out in her simple new dress and ribbons. She stood so daintily, anxiety evident in her face. Only it wasn't the same anxiety that he had noted in her earlier that day. "Come in," he gestured to her. "Don't be afraid. You're in no danger here." Now why did he say that?

Lavender stepped forward slowly, twirling with her hair. She knelt before him politely, as she knew she was expected.

"No no, stand. As long as it is just us, there is no need to bow." he waited for her to comply. "And look me in the eye. I don't know where people get the idea that directing one's eye below the one speaking to them is considered respectful. I want to know they are listening." A ghost of a grin graced her face for a fleeting moment as she looked up at him. It was gone before he could even figure out if it was ever really there. "That's better. I called you in here because I liked what I heard before. I want to hear it again. Sing for me."

Lavender bit her lip, "Any special requests?" she asked nervously.

He shook his head. "Sing anything you like, but sing."

"Alright," she cleared her throat and closed her eyes thinking of the song she was in the mood for, "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things," that ghostly grin showed up again as she sang softly.

"Louder girl, I can barely hear you," he demanded.

"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes. Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes. Silver white winters that melt into springs, these are a few of my favorite things. When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad; I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad." By time she sang the last bar as loud as the song would allow, she looked at him, trying to gauge his reaction.

His eyes held none of the answers she was looking for. They seemed to hold nothing, except confusion. She looked down, prepared for the worst.

"Continue…" he ordered, "If that is the end of that one, then sing another. I want to hear singing. Don't stop."

She looked up and felt her heart ease. Maybe everyone really was wrong about him. "This is where I belong. Beneath the clear wide blue here! I feel completely new here in the world above! It's like my life was wrong…"

Frieza found this new song a surprise. Was it possible that she was happy with her current place? Happy to be on his planet? Happy to be his slave? He would have to know more. She was a strange one.

"Life seems to be almost calling to me from this strange new world above!"

"Tell me," he interrupted before she could begin another song, "do you fear me?"

Her eyes filled with doubt. How was she to answer that? If she answered wrong, would he kill her for insulting him? What she answered right?

"I don't know how to answer that…" she said simply.

"The truth, of course, I want the truth."

"Well, truthfully, I don't know. Everyone says I should," she told him, "everyone except the captain. He says he can't tell me one way or another, only that you are his master and as such he has no opinion. He did say that I would have to decide for myself. So, I'll ask. Do you want me to fear you?"

AN: Lavender is so hard to write. I don't want to make her Mary-Sue, as I said before. I'm worried she seems too perfect and I don't know how to bring out her flaws more avidly. Clearly one flaw is she's indecisive and too timid. Have any suggestions? Please let me know in reviews. What would you like to see in the next chapter? If I can, I might work it in.