Vegeta is traveling through space, still searching for Kakarot or any sign of other surviving Saiyans. He’s been parted from his mate for several cycles now. He aches for Bulma but his quest must be completed before he returns to Earth to settle down. So far his search has been in vain, but at least he reflects the time has not been totally wasted. He still burns with his thwarted anger at Frieza and since he’s unable to vent it on the monster himself, he’s taken to destroying the remnants of Frieza’s evil empire wherever he finds it. Each battle has increased his strength, although the sought after threshold of Super Saiyan still eludes him.
The destruction of Frieza’s empire had not been his intention when he started this search. But since he felt his best chance to find any available information on surviving Saiyans would be in Frieza’s data files he decided to start at the tyrant’s last base planet. So he had made that his first destination in his search for other Saiyans. Determined to locate any records that might hold information showing which planetary systems the cast-off Saiyan children had been sent.
Naturally his arrival on Frieza’s main base had been met by force. They were well informed about his so called treachery. So upon arrival he’d been immediately attacked by the troops that garrisoned the enclave. Fighting back, he had easily defeated what was left of Frieza’s now leaderless army. Once they were subdued, he’d accessed the Saiyan files in the base’s computer banks, but had been only able to locate some, but not all of the sought after records.
Following the slim leads he did find, had led him to other planetary bases, which after checking their records, he destroyed in turn. Those files leading him yet again to more bases, and so he had went, skipping from system to system, base to base always searching. And if nothing else as least venting his some of his fierce anger at Frieza, on his still fearfully loyal minions. But still Vegeta had found no other signs of living Saiyans or Kakarot.
Planets he had once helped subdue for the monster, soon began hailing him as a glorious hero for freeing them from the last vestiges of Frieza’s harsh tyranny. He gains a certain sense of satisfaction from doing these things, it’s a restoration for his battered warrior pride. Although he didn’t quite understand why, perhaps it was the influence of his mate, still felt, though only faintly. He knows she would approve of the results of his actions if not some of his more radical and violent methods.
On Earth time has passed too, after Vegeta’s precipitous departure they had
decided to use the last wish to bring back Yamcha. Which suddenly made Bulma’s life that
much more complicated. Ever since he was resurrected, her old boyfriend’s been trying to
renew their old relationship. Even though she’s told him time and again that she’s not
interested in him in that way any more.
No matter how hard she tries to she can’t seem convince him of that fact or to even discourage him, he just doesn’t seem to get the message.
Instead he keep showing up unannounced at Capsule Corp. Allegedly to train in the gravity chamber, but instead of doing any training he spends most of his time just hanging around the patio waiting for her to make an appearance. Then he follows her around the rest of the day like a puppy dog trying to convince her to go out with him. He had even tried to sneak up to her apartment to wait for her once but, luckily had been stopped by the new protocols she had instated after that time her mother had walked in on her and Vegeta.
And it doesn’t help matters that the Krillian, ChiChi and their other friends keep arranging group get-togethers, trying to patch up the old relationship. The last one had been a real disaster, Krillian's new girlfriend (Who turned out to be a real winner!) had started hitting on Yamcha. When Bulma had intervened, for Krillian's sake, everyone took it the wrong way and thought she was jealous! Then that stupid black mist hit and she never did get that misunderstanding straightened out.
Then to make things even tougher, ChiChi had decided that she needed to take a hand in the matter and act as a match maker for Bulma and Yamcha. So she and Gohan have begun to making visits to Capsule Corp more often than usual. Great for the kid, less studying, but bad for Bulma, now ChiChi’s nagging her!
“Look Chi, I still do like Yamcha,” She tries explaining it again. “But over the years he’s just hurt me too much. It would be foolish for me to ever let him do that to me again. Can’t you understand that?”
“I do, but he says he’s changed, he even mentioned the word marriage.” Says Goku’s wife persuasively.
“He’s mentioned marriage to me several times too Chi, but nothing’s ever come of it. It’s like he thinks that that word, is magic cure all or something!” Replies Bulma, “He may even mean it this time, but if I took him back, I know what would eventually happen. I’ve gotten tired of all his promises and lies. He’s just incapable of being faithful for very long. He’s just to much of a tomcat, I’m not going to go through it again. Please can’t we talk about something else?” Bulma pleads.
Which only ends up making things that much worse. ChiChi’s second favorite subject is complaining about how horrible Vegeta is.
Bulma has been tolerating her younger friend’s diatribes against the Saiyan Prince for months now, but only barely.
Bulma’s knowledge of her mate’s traumatic past is not really hers to reveal. Although sometimes she can hardly restrain herself from telling ChiChi to lay off Vegeta.
With her own truemate gone, she now understands too well what ChiChi's been going through.
Goku still hasn’t returned from Namek and the worry is wearing on his wife, but at least she has Gohan to comfort her!
All Bulma has is a stupid pink shirt! Sometimes she just wants to scream at ChiChi to shut-up already. Like right now! For some reason the other woman is getting all worked up about how awful Vegeta was, how he had hurt her precious son and Goku.
The argument about herself and Yamcha had already almost pushed Bulma to the breaking point, and now ChiChi’s calling her Prince some of the nastiest names she can think of. Bulma’s temper finally gets the better of her, “THAT’S IT!” she explodes at the other woman. “ChiChi, can’t you just give it a rest! Vegeta’s not all that bad!”
ChiChi’s eyes widen in shock at Bulma’s sudden fury, “How can you say that, he tried to kill my little Gohan and Goku, he did kill the others.”
“He did not kill the others, Nappa and the cultivars did!” Snaps the frazzled girl.
“Well he ordered..,” starts ChiChi wrathfully.
“Only because Frieza ordered him to finish what Raditz started!” Bulma’s anger burns almost as hot as that of her mate.
ChiChi puts her hands on her hips and her eyes narrow at Bulma, “Just why are you defending that monster Vegeta?”
ChiChi’s question hits Bulma like a ton of bricks and she realizes she’s let her temper run away with her mouth again. It‘s been happening a lot lately, and she suspects it‘s because of the bond she now shares with Vegeta. She only barely feels it but she still knows that something is frustrating him at the moment.
“Well,.. I...er, that is,. It’s just I.., know things about him that you don’t.” She stutters, trying to think of a way she can explain her outburst. “He did live here for several months before he left, after all and we did talk a little sometimes.”
“So you talked to him, so what!” ChiChi glowers. “How does that change what he did?”
“It doesn’t, but he’s not what he seems.” Replies Bulma trying to salvage what she can.
“So what is he then?” asks Goku’s wife crossly.
“For one thing, Vegeta’s a Prince.”
“RRRight, a prince of a guy who just happens to like destroying planets, cities and killing people.” says ChiChi sarcastically.
“No really, he’s real royalty just like you and Chaotze.” Bulma’s face takes on a serious demeanor, “Vegeta’s father was the King of the Saiyans.”
ChiChi pauses, “You mean he’s really a prince?”
“Yes.” Confirms Bulma.
“Then how did he end up with Frieza?” asks ChiChi still skeptical.
“He was taken by Frieza, as a hostage.”
“A hostage?!” ChiChi’s doubtful, but calming down.
Bulma nods, “Frieza defeated Vegeta’s father and forced him to hand over his heir as a guarantee of his and his people’s obedience.”
Bulma considers how much she can actually tell ChiChi without revealing the truth about herself and her mate as she says, “Frieza took Vegeta to force the Saiyan people into serving as his slave army. When he was taken, Vegeta was barely older than Gohan was at the time of Raditz arrival.”
ChiChi is startled by this news, “He was only a baby?!” But then her eyes narrow with suspicion, “And Vegeta told you all this, how do you know he wasn’t just lying.”
“I know he’s not, ChiChi.” Bulma almost whispers, “I’ve seen the scars, his back is covered with them. They look like whip lashes!”
Chichi can see moisture in Bulma’s eyes as they glisten with her unshed tears.
“Someone beat him terribly, a long time ago when he was still just a child and more than just once. I think it was Frieza.” Bulma bites her lip, “Vegeta never had a chance, ChiChi, he never had real childhood. He was stolen from his home, his family and then subjected to Frieza's total control at a very young age. I can’t even imagine how terrible it was for him. I don’t know what else happened but it must have been pretty traumatic to cause so much anger in him.”
ChiChi’s eyes have gotten wider and wider as Bulma had talked. She hadn’t even considered that Vegeta might have been a victim of Frieza’s, too.
“Bulma, is that why you’ve been so defensive about him?” ask ChiChi gently, suddenly beginning to suspect something.
Bulma nods, “I admire Vegeta for surviving for as long as he did, I even respect him.” She looks at Gohan’s mother, “I can understand why you feel so much anger towards him, but I think I can also understand, at least a little bit, of how he ended being the way he was in the first place.” She decides this is the time to plant some seeds. “And I was kinda getting like him.”
“This information makes me see things a little differently too.” Admits ChiChi thoughtfully, “You may have a point.”
“You don’t have to stop being mad at Vegeta,” Bulma puts her hands on her friend’s shoulders, “but I’d appreciate it if you could at least cut him a little more slack, okay?”
ChiChi smiles, and nods, “Okay.” Then her eyes crinkle.
“So just how much do you like Vegeta?”
Bulma blushes, thinking, ‘A lot more than you might suspect.’ Then shrugs as she turns away to hide her the true depth of her feelings. “He’s okay. Sometimes when he tries, he can even be quite charming. But most of the time he’s Prince Not So Charming.” She giggles a little, then adding mischievously, “But he’s got one of the cutest behinds I’ve ever seen.”
“Yeah I did happen to notice that too.” says ChiChi with a sheepish grin.
Both women start giggling girlishly and the subject is finally changed to something else entirely much to Bulma’s relief.
Vegeta has just finished destroying another base. When he had first attacked he
had taken one of the techs prisoner so he could access the records. The fearful man had
done as Vegeta ordered, but then said something strange, “You won’t get away with this
Vegeta, Frieza’ll be after your monkey butt!”
“Frieza’s dead he was killed when Namek exploded!” retorted the Saiyan Prince.
“Is that what you believe?” replies the tech with a crooked smile. Then he clammed up and refused to say anything else to Vegeta about it.
If the Saiyan Prince hadn’t already given the wretch his word of honor not to hurt him, he would have blasted the man to bits.
He decides that he can continue the hunt for any other surviving Saiyans later, if there’s an even the faintest possibility that Frieza did survive Namek’s destruction they’re all in big trouble. If the monstrous tyrant is alive, he’ll eventually head for Earth, bent on wreaking revenge and total planetary destruction. Vegeta needs to return so he can protect his mate and warn the others. Even if Kakarot has finally returned they’re all going to be in very deep shit if Frieza is shows up. If it looks like there’s no chance at all, maybe he can convince her to flee with him to another planet until he‘s strong enough to finally destroy that the monster for good.
Bulma has just hung up on Yamcha again, when her mother walks in.
“Was that him again?” asks Mrs. Briefs.
Bulma nods.
“Why don’t you just tell Yamcha?”
“I keep hoping he’ll go back to his old ways and start chasing other girls.” Says her daughter. “It would make it so much easier if he did that before I break it to him, but he hasn‘t.”
“You know why don’t you?”
“Probably because he misunderstood what happened at Roshi’s party, just like they all did, before that business with Garlic Jr. started.”
“No that’s not it, at least not all of it dear.” Her mother sits down and motions for Bulma to sit next to her. “Yamcha can see that you’ve changed, I think they all do. Your refusal to get back together with him is a good part of it too. By resisting him you’ve become something of a challenge to him, so that’s why he’s trying so hard to get you back. He doesn’t realize why you’re unattainable now, just that you are. So you’ve become more desirable than ever before. And also your confidence in your own sexuality is suddenly apparent but that’s because you’re secure in you’re knowledge of Vegeta’s love.”
“I guess that could be part of it.”
“I know it is dear. The only way to stop his pursuit of you, is to tell him the truth and soon.” She places her hand over her daughter’s. “It’s not fair to him.”
“I know it isn’t and I keep wanting to tell him. But it not just him I have to tell, you know, it’s everybody. And they’re all still so mad at Vegeta,” Bulma shakes her head, almost in tears, “that isn‘t fair to him either. I’d really like them to get used to the idea of him being around, before I break the news.”
“It would help more if he came back and stayed here for awhile.” Says her mother. “It’d give them a chance to get to know him.”
“I know, I miss him so much.” Answers her daughter, “I even got mad at ChiChi yesterday.”
“You’ve been doing that a lot lately, are you okay?”
“Yeah it’s just the bond, I think Vegeta’s pissed about something.” Says her daughter.
“So what happened yesterday?”
“Oh she was nagging me about getting back with Yamcha and I asked if we could please talk about something else, so then she started ragging on Vegeta again. It just set me off, then she wanted to know why I was defending him. I had to say something, so I told her some stuff, about how he was just a little kid when he was taken by Frieza and about the scars on his back. It kinda shook her up, but at least I think she‘s seeing him in a different perspective now.”
“Well that’ll help. Especially if she talks to the others about it.” responds Mrs. Briefs.
“That’s what I’m hoping.” Bulma smiles.
“Knowing ChiChi she probably will!” Says her mother with an answering chuckle, then she turns serious again asking, “Do you have any sense of when Vegeta might come back.”
“Not yet but he has do this, he needs to look for any signs of other Saiyans. He’s can’t be just an ordinary man, with ordinary concerns until he‘s sure. As a Prince he has certain responsibilities and he needs to fulfill them before he can be free to live his own life.”
“But now it affects your life too.” Her mother looks at her sympathetically.
Bulma says to her mother, “I know, but I understand why he has to do this, too.”
Then she smiles feeling something, and looks at the sky, “Besides he’s just started on his way home.”
A few weeks later, Bulma’s parents are having a small impromptu barbeque
Yamcha, Puar, and Oolong, having all shown up at once. Krillian is expected anytime too.
The group is sitting on the balcony and Yamcha is goofing around. He’s still trying to get her
to take him back.
Bulma decides to plant another seed, “I had a weird dream last night, that Vegeta came back.”
“What, Vegeta? You dreamt about him!” exclaims Yamcha.
“Ya know, actually he was pretty nice to me in the dream and a good kisser to boot.” says Bulma.
“What? You kissed him!” Questions her old boyfriend obviously upset.
“It was just a dream Yamcha,” she replies.
“You poor sap your jealous aren’t you.” Teases Oolong, “Admit it.”
“Right.” Yamcha leans back pretending nonchalance.
Bulma‘s mother walks up just then with more tea. “Speaking of Vegeta. Your dad said he’d be running out of fuel soon.”
“MMM! Vegeta’s running out of fuel.” Bulma gets a worried look on her face and turns to look at the sky with obvious concern.
Yamcha stares at her, a suspicion begins to form.
A little later Bulma who had joined her mother in the kitchen to help with dinner
preparations, stops. She sets down the tray she had been getting ready to take out and goes
to the doorway to look up at the sky again. Her mother comes over to her and places her
hand on Bulma’s shoulder. “Bulma? What is it, dear?”
Her daughter turns to her, eyes glowing, “It’s Vegeta, mom! He’s home!”
“That’s wonderful dear,” she reminds her, “but remember the others are here. And they still don‘t know.”
Bulma nods and returns to the kitchen.
Vegeta wakens and looks down on the blue planet. He can sense her eagerness even at this distance. But she not alone, he can feel the ki of some of her friends, including that idiot, Yamcha, the baka the cultivar had killed. Of all the rotten luck, they would have to be there today. It seems that this won’t be a private homecoming after all.
But he reflects, perhaps it’s better this way, he can tell them what he’s learned before she distracts him. Their reunion can wait a little while, until their mating is reaffirmed he will be his old self and able to resist the softening influence of her personality on his.
It’s fortunate that her father’s modifications to the pod had included a soft landing feature. He can bring the ship in on one of the regular landing pads at CC.
Unfortunately soft landing uses fuel and just as the ship starts to slow for final touchdown the last of it runs out and it crashes into the concrete landing pad instead of settling gently.
As the dust of the crash dissipates, they come running.
Vegeta can sense not only her gladness, but her irritation as well. She’s just as miffed as he is that they can’t be alone right away.
The door opens and he strides out of the pod, stopping halfway down the ramp. Yamcha runs up first and takes a defensive position with some sort of cat thing floating behind him.
“MM.” Vegeta grunts, ‘It figures the first thing I see is that baka.’ He glances over at his mate and her mother.
“Vegeta whatta you want?” Says Yamcha as he crouches slightly, taking a fighting stance.
Bulma’s mother asks, “Oh my maybe you’d prefer some coffee?” She knows he had acquired a taste for the beverage.
“I was hoping that Kakarot might have finally returned.”
“Mph what? No way, ya mean ya never found him in space.”
Vegeta leaps off the ramp, landing with a grunt in front of Yamcha. “Humph! Don’t remind me, I’m angry enough to hurt somebody and pounding you just might be the might be the therapy I need!”
Suddenly Yamcha makes a EEEWWUUUU sound pinches his nose and backs away.
“Geez you stink, Vegeta.” He and Puar back off a more few feet.
Sensing an approaching confrontation, Bulma walks between the two men, “Ah, hey guys, what’s that awful smell?” She turns and looks at her mate, but there’s a mischievous glint in her eye. “Oh it’s you.” She pokes his chest with her finger, “When’s the last time you cleaned up bud?” She arches an eyebrow at him, “You need a bath bad.” She turns and starts to walk away saying, “Please, this way!”
Yamcha is shocked by the way she’s ordering Vegeta around.
Bulma stops and glares back at Vegeta. “Well, what? You want me to roll out the red carpet.”
He growls then says, “What? I’ve been busy, woman! Not like those lazy lay bouts. Bathing is a luxury I couldn’t afford!”
Bulma says. “Well there’s time for it now, come on Vegeta you can get cleaned up while I find you some other clothes. That uniform is practically stiff with filth!”
He “humphs” and then follows her, watching her bottom move enticingly in front of him.
Yamcha stares, “Unreal.”
“I hope she knows what she’s doing.” adds Puar.
Bulma leads him, growling all the way, to the bath on the main floor.
Once the door is completely closed behind them, she’s in his arms like a shot, smiling and whispering. “I think you smell great!” She kisses him avidly. The room is redolent with a scent similar to that of nutmeg and chocolate. It’s his scent and she loves it.
He holds her tight, “So you haven’t told anyone yet?”
“No, I decided to wait and give them a chance to get used to you, especially Yamcha, Tien and the Chaotze. Krillian's pretty cool with the idea of you living here, but the rest of them were really worked up about it for a while. They couldn‘t understand why I even let you come, let alone allowed you to live here.”
“So what did you tell them.” Asks Vegeta.
“Piccolo helped me with that problem, he explained it to them.” says Bulma.
“So I suppose I need to be grateful to that Namek too!” He frowns.
His mate ignores the frown, and continues. “ChiChi and Gohan are getting better about it too. I got so mad at her one day, when she was criticizing you, that I lost my temper and told her about how you were taken by Frieza when you were a child, I even mentioned those scars on your back. It made her reconsider a few things and changed her attitude a little about you. I know she’s mentioned it to the others. I’m sure you noticed they’re not quite as hostile as they could have been.”
“Well it’s no big secret.” He growls, but still unhappy that she told them anything about his past, his privacy is all he has left.
“You go ahead and take a shower, I’ll get you some clothes.” She gives him a hug and another kiss. “I wish I could stay and scrub your back. But if I take too long coming back , they‘ll start to wonder what going on.” She grins at him, “I’ve really missed that cute tail of yours!” Her hand trails down his back, but stops before reaching it, then lets him go. “Oh and you better be a little rude to me, Yamcha’s already a bit suspicious. I know the way you followed me so easily, was making them wonder.”
He nods then strips and enters the shower.
Bulma looks after her mate regretfully. ‘We’ll make up for it tonight, love after everybody’s gone.’ She promises him to herself.
She heads up to his room and quickly snags him a pair of pants and a tank shirt
then gets a wonderful idea. She runs up to her apartment and gets a certain shirt. Heading
back down she stops long enough to drop them off, she look longingly at her mate’s partially
obscured athletic form in the shower stall.
She pauses just long enough to throw his dirty uniform in the washer. Then raising her voice loud enough for the others to hear it.
“Hey, you I left ya some fresh clothes.”
Taking cue from her he raises his as well, “You can leave now.”
“Why yes master, your wish is my command!” She responds sarcastically.
As the water cascades over him, he mutters, “The female of the species, such an enigma?!”
Leaving she returns to join the group. Krillian has arrived and joined the group.
“That took you long enough.” Says Yamcha a little suspiciously. “Whatcha do watch?”
“I did have to find him something to wear you know. Besides even if I did watch it’s none of your business anymore anyway.” Responds the girl coolly.
“Maybe I should make it my business!” He glares at the bathroom door.
Bulma’s mother comes to her rescue. “Now, now, no fighting this is a party.”
“Yeah that Vegeta’s nothing but trouble, he’s so unpredictable.” says Krillian. “It’s hard to tell what his motives are.”
Yamcha replies, “I think he just wants to find Goku, poor guy. He’s obsessed.”
“He’s used to getting what he wants that’s all, he’s like a spoiled little kid.” says Bulma.
“Kinda like you huh?” teases Yamcha.
Vegeta has finished his shower he comes out to get dressed and finds the clothes Bulma has laid out for him. He immediately recognizes the shirt. It’s the one he that was wearing the night that they bonded, the pink BADMAN shirt. He picks it up and smiles, he can smell the perfume of Bulma’s body that still clings to the fabric. She must have been using it while he was gone. He understands the unspoken message she has left him, the shirt carries the promise of tonight!
Remembering her admonishment, he yells, “Hello, servant woman bring me a drying cloth, at once!” When there’s no answers he calls out again. “Woman can you hear me?”
He hears her answer, “I can hear you, but my name is Bulma, and I’m not your servant, so say please! HUMPH”
“NNAH Forget about the stupid drying cloth then!” Is his disdainful retort. Even just mock arguing with her stirs his blood.
“Suit yourself, drip dry you, jerk!” She shouts back mock angry.
“What in the.., Is this some kind of a joke?” He elaborates.
“Is what a joke?” Is her reply.
“These garments that you left. Neh? Are they for a man or a woman? They’re pink! Ahh? Men in pink, how bizarre.” He knows it was hers.
Her voice calls back, “Aha. Come on, it’s the style here.” Then he hears them laughing.
He puts on the clothing and comes out to join them, scowling.
He glares at them and then growls, “This is ridiculous, I’m a warrior not a.., a variety of flower. Unh”
“Well, you smell good.” Says his mate with a seductive look only he sees.
“Isn’t that one of master Roshi’s old shirts?” Asks Yamcha still chuckling.
Bulma looks over at him, “Not any more, he left it here. I saw it one day and liked the color so I took it. Now it‘s mine.”
She turns to her friends, they all laugh harder.
“Stop that, stop it or I’ll blast you all.” Shouts the Prince, only part of his anger feigned.
They all stop and stare at him.
“Mmph.” Bulma turns back to him, “Listen up, fighting is no fun. Just relax.
He glares at them, grits his teeth and growls, “Nnneah!
“If you want to find Goku, just stay here he’ll come! I’ve known him since he was little, trust me he’ll be back.” She thinks to herself, ‘I just know he will.’
Krillian had left and the rest had started eating.
“Oh man Bulma this is great, I’m making a pig of myself.” Says Oolong.
Yamcha chuckles “That’s not hard!”
When suddenly Bulma gets emotional echo from Vegeta. A quick a spasm of shock and terror, followed by an explosion overwhelming rage.
Vegeta has picked up on an incoming power. And he recognizes the source, ‘Damn it, what that idiot said is true!’
Her mate jumps to his feet hits the table with his fist knocks over a glass breaking it, shouting. “So Kakarot failed after all, Frieza’s still alive and he’s coming!”
“Wait! How do you know? Maybe it could be someone else! Come on?” says Yamcha.
“Hmph! I know! I make it my business to know! Unlike you!” Vegeta knocks over his chair in his haste.
“What that suppose to mean?” Asks Yamcha crossly jumping to his feet.
“Hey! Vegeta you want a little more barbecue sauce on you’re spareribs?” Says Bulma trying to defuse the situation.
“Sure why not! We’ll just sit here and eat while our doom descends!” He glares at her, then his scowl softens as he realizes what she was trying to do.
Bulma experiences a weak echo of her mate’s childish terror, ‘No it can’t be please Kame‘. Vegeta’s just come home! I don’t want him to have to fight.’ She senses his rage growing stronger by the second, along with a hint of underlying trepidation, but also his fierce determination.
“Well my money’s on you guys.” says Oolong, then he adds “We can leave if you wanna fight here.”
“If it is Frieza we’ve got to try and stop him somehow.” Says Yamcha.
“Tell me something I don’t know!” Responds the Saiyan Prince, “And it’s worse, he’s not alone. If we don’t stop them, they’ll kill us all and destroy the planet. That’s why I came back, I heard a rumor that Frieza might be still alive.”
“We don’t stand a chance without Goku here.” Says Yamcha worriedly.
“Maybe not but we can at least try.” Responds Vegeta. “I’m not going to let them win without putting up a fight.”
“Well we better get going.” Says Bulma.
“What,.. where do you think you’re going woman?” Shouts Vegeta turning on her.
“I’m coming too.” She replies.
“A battlefield is no place for a woman!”
She glares at him, his own anger glowing back at him from her eyes. “I’m going and that final.”
Vegeta glares back at her, anger masking his worry, but his pride swells. His mate is as courageous as she is beautiful. But if Frieza should even suspect how much she means to him, her death would not be an easy one. Vegeta knows that the monster normally wouldn’t hesitate to destroy her simply because she is a female. But Frieza has always been unrelentingly jealous of his all lovers, both old and new. He always viciously vented that jealousy on any suspected rivals.
“Do what you want, but we’re not waiting for you.” He powers up and zooms off, Yamcha quickly following.
Bulma runs to her vehicle followed by Puar.
They jump in the flitter and she starts the engine. The two men have disappeared, but because of their bond she knows exactly in which direction to go and follows her sense of Vegeta. He’s seething with anger and she’s worried sick.
Finally she sees the two on the ground looking up at the sky.
As she comes in for a landing she shouts, waving. “Hello down there! Vegeta! Yamcha! I’m coming in!”
Yamcha stares at her as the flitter lands. Vegeta, her mate just glances over his shoulder at her. Still angry, worried and troubled by her presence.
They get out and Puar flies straight to Yamcha gladly yelling his name. Bulma walks towards them looking past them to her mate.
Yamcha yells, “What in the world are you two doing here?”
“We came to see Frieza! I missed him on Namek and I’m not going to let that happen again.” Yamcha notices how her face has almost the same angry smirk that Vegeta usually wears.
“Are you crazy? You realize what he’ll do to you when he finds you here?”
“Yes of course I do, he’ll come down and blow up the planet but I wanna see him before does it, what’s wrong with that? Besides I hear he’s kinda cute.”
“Hmph, it’s amazing how every time you open your mouth you prove you’re an idiot.” Says her mate, but she knows it’s his concern for her safety that is talking.
Both men turn suddenly turn to look over to where Tien and Chaotze land.
Yamcha greets them.
Vegeta puts his hands in his pockets, trying to be casual, but Bulma feels his tension increasing.
“Vegeta! I didn’t realize you were going to be here, too.” Tien starts shedding his heavy clothes.
“Is that okay?” asks the prince snidely.
“As a matter of fact, it isn’t. I still haven’t forgotten what happened the last time we met. You disgust me. How can you stomach him Yamcha?”
“Hah, I don‘t need anyone‘s permission!” Vegeta takes a step towards Tien, “And l osers disgust me!”
“What?” shouts Tien.
Yamcha steps between them, “Hey cool it guys this is no time to fight okay.”
Vegeta turns his back on Tien, and Bulma watches him.
Tien and Yamcha start talking about Frieza.
Vegeta tells them to shut up and sarcastically adds that they’re scaring the Namek, they turn and discover Piccolo standing a short distance away on a knoll.
Then the rest of the group arrives. And that’s when the others realize that Goku still hasn’t returned.
Frieza and King Cold’s vast ship looms above them. They stare in angry awe as it passes over and lands just beyond the next ridge.
Vegeta’s pleased that Bulma has not screamed, only made a small sound of awe as the monster vessel passed over them. He feels her fear and his anger at Frieza grows for making her feel that way.
Terror and anger grip them all in varying degrees, as they watch the ship land.
Bulma falls to her knees clutching a terrified Puar. She’s whimpering not in fear, but from the pain Vegeta’s anger is causing both of them.
Her mate fiercely cautions the others, “Now there’s no room for mistakes. We’ve all got to keep our power levels suppressed or Frieza will pick us up on his scouter.”
Piccolo puts his hand reassuringly on Gohan’s shoulder, “Ready?”
The boy nods.
Yamcha says, “This is insanity, I’ve never felt anything anywhere close to the amount of power I’m sensing right now.”
“I hate to say it Yamcha, but this is only the tip of the iceberg.” Says Gohan.
“There’s no way we’re gonna last very long against a massive force like that.” Says Tien.
“Hey you guys are kidding right?” asks Yamcha. “I mean you’re not suggesting we attack him.”
Yamcha scans the warriors in disbelief, “Like Tien said we’ll all be wiped out. I’m telling you Frieza’s a monster, and attacking him is sheer suicide!”
“But we have to try Yamcha.” Says Piccolo. “Unless we stop Frieza right here and now you may as well kiss the entire planet goodbye.”
They all look down in silence.
Then Vegeta says, “He’s right you know. You really have no choice, so what say we put an end to this pathetic whimpering and go find Frieza! Before he finds us.”
Frieza and his father exit the ship joining their assembled warriors on the ground.
They survey their surroundings. “So this is the planet Earth. My how very quaint.” says
Frieza then he suddenly starts to hallucinate Goku, as he had last seen the Super Saiyan,
there’s an electrical overload in his new systems and he has a flashback to his defeat on
Namek.
Meanwhile the Earth’s defenders are approaching the alien ship on foot. Keeping their power carefully suppressed, with Yamcha trailing behind fighting his fear. Then as the others including Bulma struggle up yet another cliff, Yamcha calls up to them. “I don’t think I can do this guys!”
Suddenly they stop dead, as the men feel the approach of another new power.
Bulma can feel her mate’s astonishment, “Guys, hey what’s going on?” asks Bulma looking from one to the other.
Krillian answers her, “I’m sensing another huge power level now.”
“An this one makes Frieza feel like nothing.” says Tien in low toned awe.
“Ya know guys it’s not too late we could still turn around and go home if we want right?” asks Yamcha.
“Be strong Yamcha.” says Tien.
She can feel Vegeta’s puzzlement.
A streak comes in unnoticed behind Frieza's ship. It lands and a mysterious lavender haired youth steps out. He glances across the field, he can sense the others approach in the distance. She’s even here. It will be so odd to see them both alive and together. He wonders how he will seem to them.
But that’s not why he’s come, first he has to do this then he can accomplish his real mission.
The ground begins to shake. Bulma falls her knees.
“Sounds like the fight’s starting without us!” Yells Yamcha.
“OH! Somebody stop this thing I wanna get off!” cries Bulma.
“It might be my dad!” Says Gohan.
“You think?” Asks Krillian.
“Who else would try ta take on Frieza alone.” Responds the young Saiyan.
“I don’t know?” says Krillian reaching out, with his own senses “It doesn’t feel like Goku.”
Bulma feels Vegeta’s anger intensify.
Suddenly there’s a flash of light and an explosion, followed by a huge rising dust and smoke clouds.
“If that’s Goku?! It‘s a..arrgh,” Krillian starts to take off, but Vegeta’s hand shoots out and snags him by the arm before he can get anywhere.
“NO! You’ll give us all away! Until I know what we’re dealing with I’d prefer to remain unnoticed! So unless I tell you otherwise...,” Vegeta tosses Krillian to the ground, “hunh, you stay put!”
Gohan runs to Krillian “Are you hurt?”
Krillian sits up, “Just my pride. Man, Gohan, what are we supposed to do?”
Gohan shakes his head. “I dunno.”
“What if Goku is actually over there, a.., an what if he needs our help right now.” asks the frustrated little warrior, “While we’re just sitting here doing absolutely nothing!” Krillian slams his fist into the ground.
They all sigh.
Vegeta growls then starts running off towards the battle field. The rest follow leaving Bulma and Puar in their dust.
“WAIT! OOOHH!!! How could they just leave me behind like that?” yells Bulma.
“Does this mean we can go home now?” asks Puar.
“No! I won’t turn back now! They think they can ditch us just cause we’re girls!” She responds, “Well I’ll show them what this girl can do, those boys better watch out, cause here I come HAHAHA hahahahaho hohoho! Come on Puar!”
She grabs the floating cat by the tail and tows Puar behind her as she runs after the others.
“We’ll teach those guys not to run off and leave us!”
The little cat protesting in pain, “oh,.., ahh.., oww...”as she flaps helplessly behind the determined girl.
It looks like fireworks bombardment as deflected energy balls scatter across the landscape.
They all reach the cliff edge and stop to stare at the unfolding battle..
“What the..,” says Vegeta.
“Hey what’s going on? I can’t see a thing!” asks Bulma clutching Yamcha’s shoulder for support. Then she asks, “What in the world happening down there Yamcha?
They can make out three tiny figures, one larger with a smaller one in front, facing off against a single one which seems to be glowing.
Suddenly the smaller of the two figures leaps into the air and starts forming a huge energy ball, he throws it at the third. The head on impact is deafening even at this distance, the ball starts sinking into the ground. Then Krillian realizes what’s about to happen, and yells, “EVERYONE GET DOWN!” And they all hit the ground.
The strange youth confronts Frieza and King Cold, turning Super Saiyan he
dispatches Frieza with one stroke of his sword. Then turns to deal with the monster’s parent
with equal ease.
He then turns to watch as all the Z warriors approach. But his gaze keeps returning to those two.
He’s not as tall as he thought he would be but is still impressive, even regal. And she is in the full bloom of her beauty.
When they confront him he tells them that Goku will be arriving soon and that if they what to follow him he will lead them to where he’ll be landing.
He is suspicious but she suggests that they trust him, it’s just like her!
Landing the group watch him warily.
The stranger pulls out something out of his pocket then tosses a capsule which produces a rectangular container.
“Look out you guys he’s up to something.” Says Yamcha.
The youth walks over and open the refrigerator, and pulls out a soda. “How about a cold drink? Goku’s not due to arrive for two more hours. It’s pretty hot and dry out here.”
They all stare. Bulma can feel Vegeta’s puzzlement and irritation. But she’s got an odd feeling about the new guy, she just knows somehow that he can be trusted.
“Well I don’t see why not?” She says.
Then Gohan says ,“Yeah ha ha.” And the boy runs to the refrig.
“Wait Gohan.” Cautions Krillian.
“Chill out Krillian.” Interrupts Bulma as she follows Gohan, “They’re just sodas.”
She notices the boy’s friendly smile as she comes over, there’s something compelling about him.
“Ooh! Wow what a great selection.” Says Gohan.
“Hey I’m starting to like this guy, he has root beer.” She says with a smile.
“Orange for me.” Says Gohan as he opens the can, then takes a big swig, “Ahh! Good stuff.”
“Yeah super.” adds Bulma.
“Does there happen to be a grape one in there guys?” asks Krillian hesitantly.
“Yeah two of ‘em.” replies Gohan. “It’s like he knew what we liked!”
Bulma can feel her mate’s irritation.
Krillian comes over and opens the grape one sips from it and then grins “Ohh boy!”
“Yeah!” responds Gohan.
He and Gohan laugh happily.
Bulma looks sidewise at the boy then asks, “Have we met? You look so familiar.”
The boy looks back at her, “No sorry.” He seems slightly uncomfortable and looks away again.
“Excuse me mister but how do you know my dad?” asks Gohan.
“Actually I’ve haven’t met your dad before I’ve only just heard about him.” It feels strange to see Gohan alive again and so young, the voice is so familiar that is almost makes him want to cry even if it’s higher pitched.
“Then how do you know he’s gonna arrive at this spot in two hours?” asks Krillian.
“Well that‘s ahh, sorry I.., I can’t say..,” stutters the young man in confusion.
Bulma can feel her mate’s jealousy.
“Why not? I’ll tell you because you’re up to something! Tell us now tough guy, who are you really?” Quires Vegeta crossly.
The boy looks down, “I-I wish I could.., sorry!”
They all look at him in silence.
Then Gohan says, “When you defeated Frieza and that big guy you were a Super Saiyan weren’t you?”
He raises his eyes to Gohan’s,“ Yes.., yes I was.” Is his soft reply, this is far harder than he thought it would be. Seeing them all like this. Meeting some of them for the first time and knowing what their fate might be.
“That’s a lie!” Exclaims Vegeta.
“Huh!” Chorus Krillian and Gohan as they turn to look at Vegeta in amazement.
Then the Saiyan Prince says, “Look buster, Kakarot, the one you call Goku, and myself are the only Saiyans’ left. Kakarot’s kid there is half Saiyan, so if you count him that makes just three of us. There’s no way you could have Saiyan blood!”
“Huh!” goes Yamcha as he looks at the youth.
“Ah!” Exclaim Gohan and Krillian as they turn back to the stranger.
“Yeah but we saw him. He just defeated Frieza and that huge guy.” Says Gohan, “All by himself."
“Well I’m calling him a liar not a weakling.” States Vegeta.
They all turn towards the youth again expecting an explanation or something, but all he does is stare down at the ground wordlessly. That’s when Bulma finally notices the patch on the boy’s sleeve.
“Oh! Hey you’ve got my dad’s company logo on your jacket. Are you one of our employees?”
The kid looks up with a funny smile, then answers, “No.., not exactly, just a fan.”
“Oh I see. Well tell me your name,” she says, “and I could recommend you to my dad for a job.”
“I a.., can’t do that I’m sorry, I know it’s strange.”
“Oh a mystery man!” Her eyes twinkle at him.
That too is strange she’s always had a cheery demeanor, but he has known her underlying sadness, the air of wistful melancholy that has as far back as he can remember has always surrounded her.
Tien asks sarcastically, “Is his shoe size a secret too?”
“Yeah why can’t I have a secret name,” adds Yamcha “that’s not fair! I bet you have a secret spy decoder ring too.”
For some unknown reason she feels moved to defend the boy, even against her own mate’s suggestions.
“Knock it off you guys, you’re all jealous. This guy just beat Frieza single handedly, so there!”
She turns to wink at the youth and sees him suddenly blushing.
“Right!” says Gohan.
“Hah!” grunts Vegeta.
Bulma can feel his jealousy flare.
“Who is that kid!?” Fumes Vegeta. ‘Not another one!’ He thinks angrily to himself.
“I don’t know who he is but he’s sure strong.” answers Gohan.
“He just can’t be a Saiyan. There has to be some other answer.” Says Krillian.
Bulma keeps staring at the strange youth, there’s something riveting about him, like she should recognize him and his looks as so strangely familiar but she can’t quite put her finger on it.
And why does the boy keeps stealing glances at both Vegeta and her?
Piccolo just watches everything silently, amazed that not one of them have guessed the boy’s identity. It’s so obvious, sometimes humans can be so completely blind to what’s right in front of them.
They been sitting waiting for a while now. Piccolo is standing with his back to the group, off to one side staring off into space. Gohan is standing next to Krillian who‘s sitting on the ground, Bulma’s seated on a low rock and Yamcha is standing to her left with Puar floating beside him. The boy is slightly to the center left just a couple of yards in front of them perched on a nearby boulder, directly across from him, is Vegeta who’s seated casually on another slightly smaller stone fragment. On the far side, directly opposite them, Chaotze and Tien are seated side by side on a stone outcropping beneath a tall boulder.
The strange boy keeps glancing over at Vegeta as if he’s especially fascinated by the Saiyan Prince.
Bulma can sense that Vegeta’s getting more and more irritated by the youth’s attention, he finally growls, “What are you looking at?”
“Oh,,. a.., nothing it’s just that I like your shirt.” says the youth.
“You would!”
Gohan looks over at Piccolo then walks up to him “A.., hey Piccolo do you mind if I ask you about something?”
“What’s that?” asks the Namek.
“Well.., a, when Dende and the other Nameks left to resettle on that new planet, you could of gone with them. I was wondering why you chose to stay here with us? Their your people.”
“Well I might join them someday. But for now, I feel like my mission is here on Earth. Sometimes connections between people run deeper than where they come from or the color skin they have.” Advises the Namek.
Bulma leans over to confide in Krillian, “Hey now check this out, is it me or do those two kinda look alike?”
Krillian glances from Vegeta and the youth, “Now that you mention it I can kinda see a resemblance. Well.., I mean just in looks, that other guy seems pretty nice. But Vegeta’s has the personality of a stump!”
“Well he’s a prince.” responds Bulma in defense of her mate.
“So what?”
“Princes have to act bored, like the world’s not good enough for them.”
“Huh, Vegeta seems more twitchy than bored. Like he’s got a bad case of hemorrhoids or something.” says Krillian.
The mysterious youth keeps glancing at Vegeta in interest.
Vegeta glares at the kid and suddenly asks. “Why do you keep looking over here, haven’t you seen a pink shirt before. If you like it that much you can have it.”
“No.., no thank you.”
“Then knock it off kid.” Warns Vegeta.
The boy just smiles, now he knows why she kept that old rag so carefully all these years.
“Maybe Goku met this guy somewhere out in space, Chaotze.” says Tien to his companion, “He has been gone a while.”
“But he told Gohan that he hasn’t met Goku.”
But how can he know the exact spot that Goku’s going to land two hours before he arrives?
“Maybe he’s wrong maybe Goku’s not coming.” Says Yamcha then he looks up at the sky. They all follow his gaze.
“Well the only way to find out is to wait two hours right.” says Bulma.
“Yeah.” responds Yamcha
“So how long has it been?” she asks sugar sweetly.
“One hour.” Replies Yamcha, resignedly.
“Well then.” she growls like the Saiyan, “just chill out for one more hour!”
“Well you can find another ride home!” yells Yamcha.
“FINE!” she yells back at him.
Vegeta’s tension is getting to her and she wishes the waiting was over too.
They sit around in silence for another hour, Krillian having gotten bored begins to toy with his empty soda can with his foot, it falls over breaking the silence with aloud clatter and Vegeta glares at him.
“OOPS, Sorry.”
There’s a soft beeping chime is heard the boy checks something on his wrist. He stands up and takes a few steps forward.
“Hey ya that’s it, two hours have passed. Goku should be arriving any second now.”
Krillian and Bulma jumps to their feet.
“Huh.” says Krillian.
“Really? asks Bulma.
“Okay.” says Gohan.
The youth looks up into the sky.
Then the guys begin to feel it. First Piccolo, who turns to look over his shoulder.
Then Vegeta stands up. “Huh!”
Then Chaotze shields his eyes with one hand as he floats up looking skyward, crying, “Oh my gosh Tien!”
And Tien ,“I know I feel it to Chaotze!”
Finally Krillian, “He’s coming!
And Yamcha “Man that guy was right after all!”
Bulma is shielding her eyes with both hands, “You all are nuts my woman’s intuition isn’t picking up anything at all right now.
“No it’s true! He’s finally home!” shouts Gohan joyfully. “My dad’s back,! Ha ha ha!” They all stare skywards and a glint appears. “Look up there Ddaadd!” Gohan is practically jumping up and down in he waves his hand wildly in his excitement as if Goku could actually see and hear his greeting.
The glint becomes a dot, the dot a streaking sphere. It plummets downward to impact into the ground a short distance away.
“Woo cool!” exclaims Bulma.
“Last one there’s a rotten egg!” shouts Krillian happily.
“Hey wait for me.” She yells as the guys start heading for the impact point.
The boys outpace her leaping and flying ahead eager to greet their long gone companion.
“Wait up!” she cries in frustration trying to keep pace.
“Wow! Check it out! What a crater!” Gohan says in amazement.
“Yeah no kidding, boom what a landing.” responds Krillian, “Hope he had some air bags in that baby.”
“Why? To protect the ship fro
m Goku’s head?” Says Tien.
“Yeah really!” grins Yamcha. They all look down at the smoking crater the steam dissipates, the capsule door opens, and Goku steps out. He gazes up at his friends in amazement. “Huh! Hey guys!”
Goku’s friends can barely contain their excitement laughing, shouting and crying, all at once.
Gohan shouts “What took you so long dad?”
Bulma, Krillian, and Chaotze are yelling and cheering.
“Goku!” shouts Yamcha gladly.
Tien grins. “Welcome back to Earth Goku!”
“Yeah!” yells Chaotze.
Piccolo just smiles, the stranger watches silently also smiling.
While Vegeta just glowers down at Kakarot.
“How did you guys know that I was coming?” Asks the long lost warrior.
Goku is wearing a different outfit than usual. The strange looking clothing consisting of red pants, a white blousy shirt. The shirt was covered by a black and yellow trimmed kind of a half cuirass designed with the left shoulder armored and an extended right hip guard. There’s also a white sash wrapped about his waist.
Vegeta mutters crossly, “Where’d he get that ridiculous outfit?”
Everybody’s yelling and shouting gleefully as Goku flies up to join them.
“Hi you guys how in the world did you know I was going be here?”
Bulma indicates the stranger standing beside her, “This guy told us, I think he might be a fan of yours. He’s a mystery man.”
“He knows all about you daddy.” Adds Gohan excitedly.
“Huh!” Goku and the boy stare at each other, the boy’s friendly look has vanished.
Bulma notices that the grim look on his face makes him seem even more familiar looking it almost reminds her of Vegeta!
“But how?” asks Goku.
“Huh!” the group choruses in surprise.
“He knew the exact time and place of your arrival.” says Bulma.
“That’s impossible we’ve never even met.” states Goku.
Then Bulma reaffirms it, “Well that’s what he said.”
The boy looks away from Goku’s gaze.
As she continues, “but he must have been tracking your ship in outer space.”
“Really? Ahh, I dunno Frieza tried that but I could sense his energy level as he passed me.” Says the Saiyan warrior. “He sure was in a hurry to beat me home!”
“But my gosh what in the world happened here you guys? Who defeated Frieza?” Goku looks over at the Namek, “You Piccolo?” He switches his gaze to the Saiyan Prince, “Or was it you Vegeta?”
The Namek answers, “Neither of us did. It was this guy. He did with ease, he turned into a Super Saiyan and picked them apart!”
“What!” Says Goku eyes widening in amazement, “A Super Saiyan?”
“I can’t believe it! That’s outstanding!” Goku’s excited “Can you imagine a Super Saiyan at his age! That’s fantastic!”
“Hey aren’t you forgetting something?” Yells Vegeta irately.
Goku looks past Bulma, as she half turns to glance at her mate.
Vegeta states crossly, “You, your son and I are the only Saiyans still alive!”
“Well if he says he’s Super Saiyan then that’s good enough for me.” Says Goku with a goofy grin.
“Oh honestly, Goku you take things way to lightly sometimes.” Says Bulma realizing her mate has a valid point.
Goku notices the half smile on the young man’s face at Bulma’s words, almost as if he had half expected something like that from her.
Goku shakes his head. “No I don’t.”
The boy’s face has turned serious again.
The youth then asks, “Goku could I have a word with you?”
“With me?”
“Yes.” He points to a place a little ways off, “Just the two of us. Please.”
“Huh!” Choruses the little group.
So Goku turns serious too, “All right then.”
Yamcha gripes as they walk away, “Hey what exactly is this guy trying to say?”
Goku half turns back to them with a wave, “It’s okay guys, I’ll be right back.”
The two fly just a little ways off, Goku following the stranger.
The group watches curiously.
“Mmph!” grunts Yamcha.
Bulma can feel Vegeta’s irritation increase as he also growls, in disgust.
The youth leads then lands just far enough so away to be certain that none of the others can overhear their conversation. He’s very aware of the sensitivity of Saiyan hearing being half-Saiyan himself! But there is one thing he never took into account having never met him.
Piccolo looks over his shoulder at the two conferring warriors. He can still hear them, the boy says, “Thanks!” To Goku as they land.
The two talk a bit about Frieza and then he asks Goku if it was true that he was a Super Saiyan. Goku responds and then transforms demonstrating his ability, then strange youth then transforms too.
The others watch Goku’s transformation for the first time with amazement.
Bulma feels her mate’s angry pain and frustration. She wishes she could go over to him, but the others still don’t know about their bonding and so she daren’t show to much concern for Vegeta.
The youth suddenly pulls out his sword and starts to attack Goku. But he stops mere inches from striking. They speak and then Goku raises his index finger igniting it and the two fence.
The distance group watches in astonishment as the two glowing golden warriors battle.
When the boy is satisfied, they stop and with a smile he tosses his sword up into the air. He returns to normal and leans sideways to deftly catch his sword in the scabbard strapped to his back. Goku also returns to normal and the two resume their conversation.
The youth then reveals that his name is Trunks. And that he has come down the timeline from the future to warn them. Vegeta was correct when he said that himself and Goku were the only two Saiyans left. But that he Trunks still is a Saiyan or rather a half Saiyan like Gohan, because Vegeta is his father!
When the youth reveals this Goku cracks up “Vegeta’s gonna be a daddy!” As he glances back at the other Saiyan in amused amazement.
The boy’s announcement still startles Piccolo even though it confirms his first guess. The youth’s resemblance to the Saiyan Prince is uncanny. And his hair color is a dead giveaway to his mother identity as well.
Then the youth informs Goku of the bleak future he comes from. Of his soon to occur death from a deadly heart virus, then the appearance in three years of a grave new threat that ends with the deaths of almost all of the Z fighters except for Gohan, who narrowly escapes. He tells Goku that his son had been his sensei until he too was killed fighting the two creatures of destruction.
When Goku complains about not getting a chance at fight the androids it confirms both Gohan and his mother’s assertions about him. Trunks is impressed by the older man’s eagerness to fight against all odds. He smiles at Goku telling him that was why he came back in time.
He hands Goku a small bottle filled with purple fluid, and informs him that though there is no cure available now for the virus, there is one in the future. Trunks then tells him how to take the medicine. And that was the reason his mother built the time machine in the first place so Goku could be saved. He was sent back by her specifically to give this medicine to Goku, so certain was she that if he lives he could make the difference!
Goku is both ecstatic and astonished. And asks if he knows Trunks mother yet.
The boy blushes slightly then points at Bulma.
“BULMA!”
The news that his oldest friend is the boy’s mother literally fells the great Saiyan warrior as he collapses in delighted laughter. He glances in the direction of the youth’s claimed parents. And convulses with laughter again.
“A.. a.. and Vegeta! Who would have guessed it!” As he calms down, “But they do suit each other!”
Vegeta scowls then comments, “What going on over there? That kid only pointed his finger and Kakarot just fell over.”
“I could a sworn I heard Goku say my name!” Says Bulma in puzzlement.
Once Goku settles down wiping away the tears of delight. Trunks explains that he will be born in a couple of years. He then describes what little he knows of his parents relationship and cautions Goku not to say anything that might reveal his secret for fear of changing history and preventing his birth. Goku turns serious and solemnly agrees.
Trunks bids Goku farewell with a promise to return before the androids arrive in three years.
Piccolo has heard every syllable.
As Goku goes to rejoin his friends, he tries to figure out what and how much he should tell them. But his goofy grin gets bigger as he sees Vegeta and Bulma. His friends all gather around him curiously asking about what he discussed with the stranger.
Bemused Goku replies “He didn’t say much!”
Piccolo interjects, “That’s not true. Tell them! They deserve just as much of a chance to live as he gave to you!”
Goku stares at the Namekian, “You heard what we said?”
“These ears aren’t just for holding my hat on!” Growls Piccolo.
“B- but I promised..” Protests the Saiyan.
“Then I’ll tell them.” Replies the emerald warrior, adding with an arched eyebrow in response to Goku’s startled look, “Don’t worry, I won‘t endanger him.”
Piccolo then recounts what he overheard, excepting the crucial information about the youth’s parentage. After some discussion of various options. They come to the general consensus, much to Bulma’s disgust, that they will wait, training hard to get ready and then fight the androids when they finally appear. Then Goku finally explains where he’s been all this time. And demonstrates a new technique he’s learned that he calls instant transmission. Then they all agree to meet in three years at a spot near where the androids are supposed to appear.
Before any one can depart, Vegeta breaks his scowling silence. “Kakarot don’t think that because I‘ve agreed to assist you against the androids, that it means anything else. We still have to things to settle between us. When this is over...,” he leaves the threat hanging.
Kakarot nods in agreement, grinning, “When it’s over!”
Vegeta departs, followed by Tien and Chaotze who head back to their mountain retreat leaving only Yamcha, Puar, Krillian, Bulma, Piccolo, Goku and Gohan.
Goku invites Piccolo, Krillian and Yamcha to come and train with him and Gohan. Piccolo accepts but the other two demur. Yamcha admitting that he could never keep up and Krillian saying that he’d prefer to train with Master Roshi. As they depart Goku makes an odd remark to Bulma, telling her, “Take care of that baby, Bulma!”
Yamcha blushes and grins then tries to use the remark in another attempt to get her to reunite with him.
She glares at he old beau, “As if!”
Then they return to the aircar and fly back to Capsule Corp.
Later that evening after everyone else, even Puar, has departed. Yamcha had remained behind still wanting to talk to Bulma. He finally corners her in the outside garden and confronts her, with a strange suspicion that had been triggered by Vegeta’s return and her subsequent actions. “Why in the hell do you keep letting Vegeta come back here!”
“He’s got more right to be here than you do. He does live here after all!” she replies sharply.
“Only because you invited him to!”
“I invited the Namekians’ too.” She says reasonably.
“But they didn’t end up living up in your tower!” Shouts Yamcha.
She sighs, this is getting tiresome. “It was safer for everybody involved if we kept Vegeta as far away from the others as possible, we’ve all told you that!” They’ve had this argument before when he first learned that Vegeta had been given an apartment at Capsule. She has other things she‘d much rather be doing right now, like reuniting with her mate. She just wishes Yamcha would leave, already!
“So why did he have to live here?” Continues Yamcha persistently.
“He needed to stay someplace! And besides like it or not, Capsule Corporation owes him big time for the Saiyan technology.”
“So why didn’t you just give him the money and let him go somewhere else.”
“There’s lots of reasons, mostly it’s that he didn’t understand Earth customs, and he still doesn‘t. He would have either gotten into trouble or caused it.” She starting to lose her patience.
“Knowing him he’d more likely have caused it, but I think Vegeta would of figured it all out quick enough.” He says sarcastically, then adds venomously, “He’s evidently learned enough though, I heard you went out with him a couple of times.”
“So we went out, so what?” is her icy reply.
“I understand you got pretty cozy with him at the Club.”
“And I just wonder who told you that? Maybe Tendera? Trying to cause trouble as usual.”
Yamcha’s taken aback, it had been the other girl. “Yeah.., well I still don’t see why he has to stay here.”
“We’ve had this discussion before Yamcha. Why are you bringing it back up now?” Anger is getting the best of her, she knows it’s partially because of Vegeta’s proximity, his taciturnity is infecting her.
“Because he’s here now!” Exclaims Yamcha.
Then he thinks of something else and takes a different tack, “Why’d ya change the open access to your apartment?”
“To keep idiots like you from just barging in when they felt like it!” She retorts. “I changed it because I wanted more privacy. With all the strangers that were living here in the compound, I thought it might be better that way.”
“I don’t believe you.” His eyes narrow in suspicion. “Did Vegeta try something?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, if he wanted to ‘try’ something nothing would of stopped him. He could’ve come up anytime he wanted, by just flying up and blasting his way in. But as you see,” she points to the still intact tower, “he never did. He was a perfect gentleman!”
Yamcha‘s eyes narrow. “I still think there’s something going on.”
In frustration she finally blurts out, “Maybe there is!”
“So he did try something, I’ll kill him!” says her old boyfriend, voice rising.
“He didn’t try anything!” she yells back, “I did, I invited him up. To dinner!”
“So that’s it!” Shouts Yamcha, “You let him come up!”
“Yes!” Bulma’s starting to lose her grip on her temper too. “And I planned the whole thing!”
“I knew it!” Yamcha starts ranting. “I’ve thought something was up ever since I got wished back. You’ve been so damned aloof and distance. Mooning around all the time, staring at the sky when you think no one‘s watching, you were thinking about him then weren’t you?! So just how long has this been going on?”
“Long enough for me to find out that at least he knows how to remain faithful!” She glares at him. “Unlike some people.”
He’s silent for a minute, then the second half of her earlier statement sinks in.
“You planned it?” He rails at her. “You just couldn’t wait, could you?”
“Wait for what, Yamcha?” she yells back, “We hadn’t been together for months even before you got killed.” She fumes, “And you’re the one who broke up with me remember! And I quote, ‘It was fun while it lasted kiddo, but I think we need to start seeing other people for awhile.’ unquote.”
“But Bulma that was before..,” he says lamely.
“Before what!?” She glares at him hands on her hips, “Before you found out that I might just do what you suggested! That I wasn’t going to be just sitting around anymore, waiting for you to come back to me whenever you finished your latest fling? Or before you realized that someone else might just be attracted to me!” She turns her back to him, crossing her arms exactly like Vegeta would.
“I.., I’m sorry Bulma.” His shoulders slump and he looks dejectedly at the ground.
“I am too, I’m sorry for all the time I wasted waiting around for you, at least Vegeta appreciates me.” She looks a him and sees how upset he is and relents a just little, after all he was her first love. “I think you’d better go for now Yamcha.”
Yamcha’s reluctant, “Bulma, baby please! Can’t we talk about this?”
“No we’ve talked more than enough for now.” She says gently, “I think that maybe it’s best if you don’t come back here for awhile. I’ll always think of you as my friend, but that’s all that can be between us from now on.”
Vegeta suddenly appears in the dome’s doorway, looking for his mate. He felt her anger growing, it’s excited him and he wants her.
Yamcha seeing the subject of their argument gets mad all over again, and glares at him, “What happened between you two!?”
“It’s none of your business.” Says Vegeta gruffly, he’s eyeing Bulma, her color’s up and her anger makes her even more attractive to him than usual.
“I’m making it mine.” Said Yamcha stalking menacingly towards the Saiyan.
“Fine by me.” Vegeta starts to power up. ‘I’ll show this baka not to mess with my woman.’
Yamcha takes a fighting stance and begins to form a Kamehameha ball.
“STOP IT, BOTH OF YOU!” shouts Bulma as she steps between them.
Vegeta looks at his mate, her eye are flashing in anger and she’s so beautiful. He‘d rather not be fighting, he has another type of exercise in mind, “If you say so, but he started it.” He powers down.
Yamcha is thunderstruck. Vegeta’s backing down because Bulma told him too!
Vegeta glares back at Yamcha then says threateningly, “Just stay away from her, Bulma’s mine now!”
Yamcha’s eyes widen, and he looks at her, she doesn’t even attempt deny it. “What’s he mean by that?”
“Yamcha just leave it.” She half turns to face him. “What’s between me and Vegeta is between me and Vegeta.”
“Alright Bulma, but if he ever hurts you.” He glares at the Saiyan.
“He won’t.” She looks back at Vegeta then turns towards the Saiyan. A soft wondrous look appears on her face as she looks at the dark warrior. One that Yamcha’s never seen before. She had never gazed at him like that, ever. He looks at the Saiyan jealously, Vegeta’s glower has eased, there’s something suddenly different about his entire stance, and the way he is looking at Bulma almost mirrors hers.
Yamcha suddenly realizes that they’ve both totally forgotten about him.
“I’ll go then, see you around, sometime.” Yamcha says lamely, as he watches Bulma move over to the Saiyan Prince. Vegeta’s arms slip about Bulma, he picks her up and leaps off the ground with her, heading for her bedroom balcony, they land softly, close together, their heads meet in an obvious kiss.
Unnoticed Yamcha leaves dejectedly.
Once on the balcony Bulma nuzzles his ear and then lays her head on Vegeta’s shoulder.
“Oh god, I’ve missed you, love.” She murmurs softly.
“And I have missed you, My Consort.” He replies as balcony doors slide open on their apartment.
He carries her to the bed sets her on it gently and strips off his clothes, she sheds hers just as quickly. They come together lips meeting and he enters her soft body fully once more with a satisfied sigh. She moans happily in response and soon they are locked in the full throws of their passion once again. Their hearts beat in tandem, as their emotions and senses intertwine. Fears of the terrible future are banished for the moment by the wondrous present of their reunion.
Months pass, then almost a year as the Z fighters desperately train for their future encounter with the androids. The Z fighter groups have little contact with one and other as each trains in their own unique ways.
Yamcha’s finally been welcomed back to Capsule Corp. He’s come to terms with the situation even if he’s still exactly happy about it. Although he and Vegeta aren’t friends per sea at least they’re not fighting. Yamcha uses the training chamber whenever Vegeta isn’t.
One evening as Yamcha’s waiting for his turn in the chamber, he and Bulma start talking.
“So how did it actually happen between you and Vegeta?” He asks her curiously.
“Nothing did happen at for the first few months. Except I couldn’t stop thinking about him and even started dreaming about him all the time.” She smiles, “I think Vegeta was having the same kind of problems.”
“Him?”
She laughs. “Vegeta said he was having trouble training, I was distracting him all the time.”
“Gosh! Who’d a thought it. I didn’t think anything could distract Vegeta from training. He seems so single minded.” Says Yamcha.
“Sometimes he can be, but it’s because of his past.” She looks over at the training capsule ruefully. “But I guess that’s part of why I love him.”
A few days later, while Yamcha is waiting outside for his turn in the chamber and Bulma’s upstairs with her parents, a massive explosion in the training room shakes the grounds and shatters the capsule.
Bulma rushes out of the house towards the wreckage, calling out his name in panic, “Vegeta!"
“I knew this would happen it he’s been trying to do the impossible!” Shouts Yamcha as he follows her.
Bulma runs over to it and falls to her knees,“ Ohh!” Yamcha joins her as she start scrabbling through the rubble trying to locate Vegeta.
“Where is he?” she says, fearfully. “Vegeta?”
She pulls debris off the pile, “Uh, oh!”
He sees the anxious concern filling her face and he suddenly realizes that the Saiyan Prince has given her what she’d always craved. A type of total unwavering love that he, Yamcha would never have been able to.
He finally understands everything. The last of his resentment towards Vegeta vanishes, Bulma’s happiness is all that really mattered to him. Yamcha loved and still loves her in his own odd way but knows it never would have been enough for her. Even he knows, that he’s just too fickle to ever remain faithful to her in the away she really wanted and needed him to be.
But it obvious that Vegeta can do just that, Yamcha has seen other women try to attract the Saiyan Prince’s attention. Some have even made blatant passes at him, but Vegeta doesn’t give them even a passing glance. When he’s not training, the only woman he shows any interest in is Bulma. Even if it sometimes seems that he’s only interested in insulting her.
Calling her, “Woman!” And acting as if she’s a mere servant half the time.
Vegeta can be even down right rude to her sometimes, but Bulma ignores it all, saying that’s just his way.
But Yamcha has also glimpsed from time to time, just how much Vegeta seems to cherish her. The Saiyan Prince may not be demonstrative but it’s obvious that he cares deeply for her. Yamcha has sometimes glimpsed the hunger in Vegeta’s eyes when he looks at Bulma. Like a starving man who’s been offered a feast and can’t believe it’s really his.
Suddenly Vegeta’s hand thrusts up out of the rubble. Bulma screams in startlement as she falls backwards into Yamcha’s arms.
She sighs a little, at least he’s still alive.
Yamcha is almost as relieved as she is by the sight.
As Vegeta groans painfully pushing his way out of the rubble. The Saiyan Prince struggles himself halfway free.
Bulma asks in concern. “You.., okay?”
He looks up at them, “Of course I am.” he answers.
Then starts weakly scrambling to his feet. His bloody battered body swaying slightly.
But Yamcha’s eyes narrow, Bulma’s practically sitting in his lap and Vegeta hasn’t reacted. He has to be hurt pretty bad.
Relieved her anger replaces her worry and she starts yelling at Vegeta, “How dare you! You dweeb, you almost wrecked my house! What are you trying to prove?”
Vegeta straightens manages to smirk a little then laughs weakly, his knees wobbling.
“Wait Bulma..,” starts Yamcha, but she does hear.
Yamcha has noticed that other man is barely managing to stand.
Vegeta’s legs suddenly give out, buckling and he collapses backwards into the wreckage.
“What...! Oh no!” She rushes over to his side, “You’re hurt!” lifting him tenderly into her arms.
“No I don’t need help.” He protests weakly, “I’ve got training to do.”
“You gotta stop training for awhile, I mean look at you, you’re a complete wreck.”
“But I feel fine,” he argues the pain harshening his voice even more than usual, “I’m a Saiyan, I can take a little pain, it means nothing to me. And I have to get stronger than Kakarot!”
“Okay sure, we all know you’re a tough guy but you need to rest now.” She tells him concern, gentling her voice.
“I take orders from no one!” He pulls free of her and starts to stand then collapses forward in the rubble once again, lapsing into unconsciousness.
Bulma cries “Oh No!” and bends over her mate in worry.
“Oh Vegeta!” She sobs softly, “You’re killing yourself.”
Yamcha is the one who gently carries the Saiyan Prince to the infirmary.
Vegeta finally regains consciousness in the infirmary, he looks around and sees his mate sitting beside the bed. “What is she doing here?”
Even though he’s been with her all this time he’s still surprised at the concern she always shows for him. Not understanding it, Saiyans females never exhibited such worry about their mates over mere injuries, if warriors managed to survive the initial damages they usually healed up quickly.
Still swaddled in the bandages he gets up and returns to the repaired Capsule and begins training again.
He knows Yamcha is outside, watching through the porthole. Well he’ll show that weakling human who the best is! And starts with one handed two finger push-ups, then changes to complete body lifts still only using his fingers. He grins to himself, as he hears Puar and Yamcha’s comments.
Yamcha had retreated when Bulma appeared. He backs off to watch from a distance. He’d come over everyday to work out after the capsule had been repaired. He can tell she’s arguing with Vegeta again. What in the hell is he doing in there anyway he’s been unconscious for a week and as soon as he wakes up he back inside that thing!
Vegeta’s in the midst of gravity spins when Bulma’s furious face appears in the holographic screen.
“Stop it Vegeta! You’re in no condition to be doing this right now!” He can sense his mate’s anger.
He just grunts in response.
“I know you don’t want to believe it but you are made of flesh and blood.”
Her worry infuriates him. He stops spinning to answer her.
“Stop pestering me woman! Leave me alone!” But loses his concentration and falls to the floor.
He pushes up and glares at her.
“You know I’m right! So why don’t you keep quiet and do as I say!” Her eyes are flashing in rage. “Nothing to say.” She calms down a bit “Well that’s good. Now go back to bed and get some rest.”
He glares up at the screen, “Not yet, I do have something to say.”
“Huh!” her worried look returns “What is it something wrong?”
“Or maybe your finally going to apologize to me!” She smirks at him, “If that’s the case let’s hear it!”
“Leave me ALLOOOONNNNE!” he shouts at her.
She stares at him concern and worry apparent.
Finally she answers him softly, “All right, but try not to injure yourself any more, remember I can feel everything too.” The holograph vanishes.
He stares at the spot it had been, he had forgotten that part of their bonding. She’s been bearing every bit of pain he’s experienced, without a single complaint until now. He lets himself feel his pain for the first time in ages, it’s intensity is staggering. She’s borne the echoes of this for who knows how long. No wonder she’s so worried about him. He shuts down the capsule’s gravity field and walks out, Bulma is waiting just outside. She slips silently under his uninjured shoulder and they walk back to their apartment in silence.
Yamcha looks on in amusement, at least she can get Vegeta to do stuff if no one else can.
When Vegeta finally recovers from his injuries, the still very frustrated Saiyan tells Bulma that he has to leave her again at least for a while. He still hasn’t been able to break through and become a Super Saiyan, she knows how it’s tearing him apart.
Bulma manages to get him to promise to stay with her just a little longer. “You haven't fully recovered your strength. You need to rest and recuperate just a little bit more from the explosion, love.” But she reluctantly agrees that if still he hasn’t accomplished anything in the next six weeks she’ll understand and let him go.
Early the next morning without telling Vegeta, she goes to her mother privately and asks her to remove the contra implant. If there’s even the slightest chance that she might lose Vegeta to the androids forever she wants something of him to keep, something of his to continue to living for.
Then every night after that, she frantically makes love to him. He thinks it’s simply because he’s planning to leave her again, so he doesn‘t resist her and that is a good part of it, but she’s also desperately hoping that her attempt will succeed.
One evening she makes a special effort, dressed once more in just the pink corset and black stockings. She heads for the gravity chamber wrapped in her swim robe, she arrives just as he’s finishing his workout. She knows today is her most fertile day of the month.
Waiting until he lowers the gravity, she steps into the room. His eyes widen as he sees her, she normally waits for him to join her upstairs, after he’s cleaned up.
She moves to the gravity control, and switches it over to null. As their feet drift from the floor she says, “You told me once that sometimes Saiyans mated in mid-flight. I can’t really fly,” she shrugs off the robe, it drifts away revealing what’s underneath, “but in here maybe we can get a feel for what you were talking about.”
It pleases him whenever she wears the pink confection. He floats towards her with a smile, “Maybe we can.” And the look she loves to see comes into his eyes.
He sheds his shorts and they come together in weightlessness, linking legs. Her breasts float high, nipples slipping free of the silken constraint and he suckles at one as he fingers the other.
Her hands reach around his back and she grasps his tail stub making him leap in response, she slips herself onto his erection with a glad sigh.
He starts to pump into her eagerly and she flexes her hips in response. His gently exerts his ki power, maintaining their relative position in relation to the room. But they twirl and sway with their movements in an aerial dance, a pirouette of love.
She feels his seed rising within him, and her orgasm explodes with his once more. But before he can even withdraw, a different heat suffuses her being.
In the warm afterglow of their loving, he is unaware of the change taking place, he doesn’t sense the new fire igniting within her.
Bulma feels a strange new heat, almost a burning within herself, as the flame of a brand new Saiyan life explodes inside her womb. She knows that she now has what she so desperately wanted, she carries his child.
Two weeks later Vegeta leaves her again, still unknowing. As she watches his ship disappear in the sky, with tears in her eyes she wraps her arms about her stomach. At least now, no matter what happens she’ll never ever completely lose him.
To be continued......