Seven: Shadows of the Mind

- 7 -

Shadows of the Mind

Piccolo glanced sideways at Goku's father as they flew towards his ki signature. He was unsure why he was helping him... and in doing so helping his enemy, but there was something about this man that meant business, from the serious way he carried himself and seemingly permanent frown that felt out of place on the face he knew so well, to the black battle gear he wore. This was not something he could easily ignore, especially with this threat towards Earth. He didn't care about the people per se, but this planet was his or someday would be and he couldn't have an outside force take it away.

Looking ahead of him he gritted his teeth. This man could wipe the floor with both him and Goku... at the same time! If this threat was something he was concerned about, Piccolo didn't even want to imagine how powerful this threat had to be.

.~-~.

Goku sighed lazily in the late morning sun as the birds cooed in the surrounding trees. With one eye, he glanced at his son whose soft snores made him grin foolishly. Closing his eye, he shifted into a more comfortable position as he thought about the huge amount of sweet talking he had had to do to get ChiChi to let the little guy off from his studies for the day. Gohan had been working so hard as of late to please his mother that he thought the boy deserved the break. So much work... it wasn't good for someone his age, but it was hard to convince his wife of this truth. She wanted her son to be something, not stuck like them in a hut in the middle of nowhere. Yet, he really didn't see what was wrong with this type of living... nature was... perfect. He liked people, don't get him wrong... he just didn't like the constant bombardment of noise and smells that came with the city life.

At the thought of city life his mind slowly made the connection to Bulma, which swiftly went to the Saiyan she had told him about. He never thought of himself as an alien... just some strange human with a tail. To know he came from a species not even from Earth excited him and also worried him. He was happy he wasn't alone, that there was someone else like him. Even now he had to stop the urge to rush over to Bulma's just to see him. But... in the very back of his mind, underneath all this excitement was the fear, the low warning that these beings could very well have the same strength with ki that he had... if not more... and they wouldn't be so honorable about it. What if more came? As far as he knew he was the strongest warrior on Earth. He believed in himself, but he wasn't naïve to the fact that he was only one man. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his mind, three days... only three days and then he would meet this other Saiyan and decide... Decide what? It wasn't like he would kill the guy... that was dishonorable. But he could train.

Letting his concern go, he let the small grumble in his stomach take over his thoughts, even though he had just eaten only four hours ago. He wondered dimly what ChiChi would cook for lunch later as images of pot stickers... ribs... steak and the like filled his mind. There wasn't a food on Earth Goku didn't like, and there probably never would be. All of it, the sweet, the sour... even bitter things... He salivated just thinking about all the interesting flavors his palate had tasted so far and all the more he had yet to come across, which was few and far between.

So engrossed on his thoughts of food, Goku failed to notice the huge ki level that entered Earth's atmosphere... or even sense it as it traveled in his direction. It wasn't until the two energies were near him that they registered in his mind. His eyes snapped open as the more powerful one hit him like a wave, drowning him in raw, unbridled power. Jerking, he sat up and looked to the sky. Who could it be? No one on Earth was that powerful, and if they were they would know to hold it in so as not to hurt anyone... Befuddled, his senses reached out to the second ki, recognizing it quickly as Piccolo's. A dark chill went down his spine and he sprang to his feet, swiftly going to his son and nudging him awake.

"Gohan..." he said as he kept his gaze up to the sky, where he would see the two figures soon enough.

"Uh?" the little boy yawned, rubbing his eyes.

"Gohan, I need you to go home," he started, only to realize his son would never make it; it wasn't like he knew how to fly... Growling at ChiChi's insistence that the boy not be trained, he pulled him up to his feet and stared down at him. "Stay behind me, okay son?" Gohan nodded, eyes wide as he sensed his father's concern.

Goku stood gritting his teeth as the two approached, planning in his mind on how he was going to keep his son safe and fight that enormous power at the same time. As the specks appeared in the sky and drew closer, he felt himself growing more worried... Only to suddenly be shocked and confused as he stared at someone who looked just like him flying next to his nemesis. He didn't think or move until the two touched down in front of him, and even then he was so stunned that it took him a few seconds to realize what he was really seeing. He didn't even acknowledge Piccolo anymore as he took in his mirror image. They were roughly the same height... their hair exactly the same other than the brown hue... and his cold black eyes studied him with a slight scowl. Which, on his face, looked plain weird. He was also wearing all black, even a cloak that if he wanted to could hide his face... he painted a very ninja-like look. Another noticeable difference was the deep, angry scar on his left cheek and the furry tail wrapped around his waist.

His first thought had been whether this was the man Bulma had been talking about. If all Saiyans looked exactly like him. But that didn't add up. Bulma's Saiyan was injured... and she wouldn't let him do anything of the sort. So was this another one? He tried to push back the dark misgivings he had thought of earlier. Was that a good thing? His fear that they would be stronger than him seemed to be hitting home. He scratched his head, puzzled as to why now, after so long, why would they show up now?

"Um... who are you?" he chuckled softly, somewhat nervous.

His lookalike eyed him. "I'm happy to see you lived, Kakarot. Even if you did not complete your mission." Goku gave him a puzzled look, but before he could ask what he was talking about he continued, "Never mind that now... Tell me, did you hit your head when you were younger?"

He nodded, unsure what that had to do with anything. "Yes..." Slowly he found himself grow more calm, even with this man's power level, something told him he wouldn't attack. "I fell from the top of a waterfall one day and hit my head on the rocks below... or so grandfather Gohan said..."

Hearing this, Bardock's frown deepened. "So... you don't remember anything?" he paused shortly, "Not even who I am or where you come from?"

Goku shook his head. "No... Should I?"

Piccolo growled, "You dimwit, that was what he was implying!" Goku stiffened suddenly, glancing over at the green man. Why would his lookalike be with his nemesis if he was good?
Sensing his discomfort, Bardock spoke swiftly, "Kakarot, I've come here to warn you."

Goku gave him another puzzled look at the name he used. "Um. Why are you calling me Ka... Kakertot... or whatever you said? And warn me about what?"

Bardock opened his mouth to answer, but caught a small movement at his son's feet. Closing his mouth, his brows rose seeing a small boy peer out from behind. Meeting his gaze, the small boy swallowed and hid once more behind Goku's legs. He glanced at Goku, seeing the relation clearly... He wasn't sure what to think about this new information. His eyes went to the boy's tail that swayed back and forth.

Gaining his courage, the small child peered out again, tugging on the orange gi. "Daddy... who's that man that looks like you?"

Goku looked down at him. "I don't know, Gohan..." He picked up his son and moved him to his shoulders, rather having him there just in case he had to make a run for it. Fixing the man a curious look he asked, "Why do you look like me?"

Bardock studied the boy more closely. Obviously there were no Saiyan women here, which made him only half Saiyan... something the elites and elders wouldn't like. Yet he was amazed, for unlike the current children born of their race, this one looked healthy and strong, at least by his appearance... ki-wise his scouter read both of them as being remarkably low, which he wasn't pleased about. He had hoped his youngest would have carried on with the advances both he and Raditz had made in ki level, but it seemed his son was still as weak as when he last saw him as a babe. Even so, it was remarkable, these earthlings were compatible with their race... So far he had yet to find another that was. He wondered if their energy was compromised... it had to be...

"I'm your father, Kak... Goku," he answered smoothly, "Elected leader of the Saiyans until we find Prince Vegeta... who crashed here on Earth a few weeks ago. Regrettably the Prince had a Saiyan betrayer following him. I momentarily knocked him off course, but he will be here shortly and if he does not get the Prince he will destroy this planet."

"Destroy?" Goku asked, innocently scratching the back of his head. "Like take control? Or..."

"No. Destroy as in Earth existing no more. As in all that will remain is a dust cluster in space." Bardock couldn't stress how serious the situation was even if he wanted to.

Piccolo stared at him, unbelieving. "You have to be joking..."

Bardock fixed his stern look on him. "I wish I were. Raditz would sooner blow up this whole planet than let Vegeta out of his grasp, and report that he failed."

His green face slackened, eyes widening. "H... How can one man have the power to destroy a whole planet?"

Bardock glanced between his son and the Namekian, almost sounding proud. "All Saiyans are capable of such power. We are a proud warrior race that has over countless generations bred the best fighters the universe has ever seen."

Goku scratched his head, chuckling. "I don't understand why he can't just search and leave?"
Bardock frowned as he took in his son's relaxed, carefree demeanor. "You... would not understand. We are a very prideful people, Goku. Raditz... your older brother, is no different. Don't think for one second I am a model for our people, Goku... I'm tame... a scientist who has grown to look past the bloodlust... sadly many others from our race would slaughter for the joy of it. Your brother is one of those Saiyans."

"I have a brother?" he asked, still trying to wrap his head around it all. In reality he found himself feeling rather ill, but he didn't show it.

Piccolo shook his head as Bardock glanced over at him, realizing from the Namek's facial expression that his son was normally like this. He grimaced, not happy his son appeared not to have the same level of thinking capabilities as him. The only thing he could think of that would affect that would be the hit to the head... But he still hoped it hadn't been bad genes... it couldn't have. With who his mother was he should be even stronger than Raditz and himself... Not to mention for Gohan's sake... the boy needed to be special if the elites and elders would let him live. But then again he could just neglect telling them.

"Concentrate, son. Yes, you have a brother," he snapped, growing irritated. "This isn't the time to be caught up on such things."

Frowning, Goku became suddenly serious, surprising both of Bardock and Piccolo. "When will he be here? Other than myself, Piccolo, and a few others, Earth is defenseless."

"If that's all you have?" Bardock cursed softly, shaking his head. "I can't get involved. Earth would have way worse problems if they found me here. Earth could easily turn into a civil war for furious Saiyans and that is the best likely outcome."

Piccolo grunted, "There's worse?"

Nodding, he stared at the ground thinking. "A tyrant who controlled us for many years..."Making us into the monsters that the universe knows us as...He kept that to himself, not wanting to reveal too much. "He is backing the betrayers... if he decides to make an appearance not even a Saiyan army could save this planet."

Goku shivered at the horrid thought. "So what do we do?"

Bardock looked up at the sky. "I need to find the Prince... make sure he's safe. Then from there we can decide what to do."

Goku studied the man claiming to be his father, wondering if he should say what he knew. But if the situation was as dire as he said... He nodded. "I know where he is..." Bardock looked up from the ground at him, surprised, never thinking it would be that easy. "I haven't seen him, but a friend of mine found him. I'll lead you there, but first I need to drop Gohan off. ChiChi would be furious if I left without saying anything." Turning, he gestured with his head. "Follow me..."

Bardock was confused as to why his son was worried about a woman being furious as he followed him. The thought was swiftly dropped when his scouter picked up the increase in his son's power. It wasn't a lot, but it did make him wonder...

.~-~.

Vegeta woke as a soft, cooling breeze drifted though the window and floated over his body. He blinked in the noon sun that lighted the room, his mind somewhat groggy. Grunting, he slowly sat up and surveyed the room, having to remind himself that he wasn't back on Freeza's ship. They were only dreams haunting him, nothing more. Frowning, he brought his right knee up and rested his arm on it. He really needed to get a hold of himself. These dreams. They were troubling him more than he cared to admit. Rubbing his forehead, he tried to push the thoughts and dreams away only to find them annoyingly persisting. He clutched his fist, but then stopped as he felt the soft wrap around his hand. Blinking, he looked down at his hands, recalling that the woman had come into his room in the middle of the night... trying to stop the nightmares and taking care of his bleeding palms.

A strange sensation filled him as the image of her came to his mind, the pale moonlight playing on her face. Her kind, worry-filled gaze that held his... "I don't need a reason. I decided I wanted to help you and so I am," her voice silenced the demons temporarily, "I didn't know what to say to you... everything I thought of seemed... wrong."


He closed his eyes and rested his head on his propped up arm. He could almost smell her standing there, feel her warmth. "I just wanted you to feel safe here... know that no one will hurt you and... see that not everyone is harsh and cruel." The fire in her eyes, if he could have touched it he would have been burnt."Fine, I sympathize to a degree, I can't lie... no one should have the wounds you bear, but there is nothing I can say or do to make that go away or to make it better... all I have is the present."


What was it like to live with such passion for life? The concept felt lost on him. He had a goal, an objective he would give his all to accomplish. He would kill Freeza even if that meant death itself. His own life meant little to him... "Right here and now to make a difference... whether you accept it or not is up to you." But her voice didn't leave him. He opened his eyes, looking at the wrap on his hands. The wretched blood covered hands. So many he had killed. So many he had hurt. So many he didn't give such a chance that she now offered.

Vegeta snorted. What right did he have to this peace? This safety from pain? Looking at it for the first time with open eyes, he realized he didn't deserve it... any of it. She should shun him, turn away from him like everyone else did. It was the normal reaction when faced with a monster. He winced at that thought, but it was right. He was a monster, wasn't he? Never before had the name so many had called him weigh down on his shoulders. It was almost like he had been living in the dark for so long, his mind unable to grasp the true reality of his life until she turned on the light with her gentle, carefree nature. It was like he was awaking from a long nightmare. A dark, twisted dream with that evil lizard as his keeper...

Truthfully, it only made everything worse. The young boy, barely five, who had dreams of changing his people and bringing them to greatness only to awaken from a long slumber to these horrors done by his own hands. In an attempt to continue living in the hell he found himself thrown into, he had let Freeza shape him into the beast he wanted. Let himself fall from the honor his mother had instilled in him. All this time he thought he had stood fast against his tormentor, showing no pain as the freak beat him, tortured him. Showing no emotion as he killed for him... Oh how he had lied to himself! He could see it so painfully clear now. He was a mere shadow of the child that had been taken from his home. Having all his dreams shattered, twisted until the only want he craved was death and destruction. Until he only sought one thing: Freeza's head at his feet.

Breathless, he stared at the bed, feeling his own monster within writhing with rage. Weak! Pathetic! The beast roared at him. Their lives mean nothing! Nothing! Swallowing, Vegeta tilted his head to look at the floor. His mother had stated otherwise. She had cherished life and her people. She had taught him that yes, with power one could kill, but the one who showed restraint from killing those weaker than him was the stronger one. She died. She was weak. He gritted his teeth, grabbing the bed sheets. His mother had been anything but weak! Many had even believed her to be stronger than his father. He growled lowly at the monster within. Insulting himself was one thing, but his mother...

Swiftly, he stood from the bed, ignoring the pain that rippled through his body at the movement. He clenched and unclenched his fists, breathing deeply. This was not happening now! So not happening now. He had to get his revenge. Needed it even. He knew he was only fooling himself thinking all this agony would stop with the wretched lizard's death. But it was all he could think about all these years... The only drive he had left. Part of him really wished he could just believe the woman, let her show him a new life. But he didn't want to deal with this: the knowledge that he had let his mother down. Let them all down. There was no way to reach what this girl offered without looking at himself and what he had done... to let himself wallow in the nightmare...

Ignoring the fact that he was fleeing from his demons instead of facing them, he left the room, holding onto whatever was left of his pride as he looked for a distraction. Anything to salvage what was left. He had only been awake for four days on this damn planet and already he was succumbing t- to whatever affected these pitiable earthlings. He hesitated on the staircase as the sound of someone below interrupted his thoughts. Continuing, he slowed his descent and stopped at the bottom. Leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest, he watched the woman bent at the waist reaching into the fridge. The door hid most of her except for her rear in short black shorts and long tan legs, her right arm rested on top of fridge door as her fingers strummed. It seemed he just found that distraction -never mind that she was the cause for his certain predicament in the first place. He might as well make her suffer like he was.

She made a happy sound, finding something she liked, and stood, closing the fridge door. His eyes scanned her body as she started to take the wrapping off... he wasn't sure what it was. It was a little bigger than the size of her hand with an off-white structure with pink crap on top. Uninterested in the object, his gaze went back to what was. She was wearing a swim suit top underneath a white half shirt that tied at the neck and back, her blue hair sticking somewhat to her face showing she had recently been in the pool. Her finger went into the pink stuff on the object and she brought it to her mouth to suck it off when she noticed him, eyes widening slightly as she pulled her hand back. She gave him a tentative smile. Uncomfortable at what the smile made him feel, he glanced away. She turned her back to him and went to the counter. Jumping on top, she sat with her legs swinging back and forth.


"Good morning, sleepy head. Or should I say afternoon...?" She took a bite of the food object, wiping her mouth with her fingers.

"Hn," he grunted walking forward, "What is that?"

Swallowing, she held it out, "A vanilla cupcake... you want a bite?" Eyeing her suspiciously he drew closer and sniffed it. She chuckled, "It's not poisoned, Vegeta... I wouldn't have eaten any if it was."

A small shiver went down his back when she said his name. Confused as to why, he glanced down at the cupcake then looked back at her, finding that he was rather curious with the sweet smelling food. Holding her gaze with his, he leaned forward and took a bite. He was startled by the overwhelming taste that hit his palate, the sugary sweetness that he had never had before and he quickly found himself wanting more. As she pulled her hand back, he grabbed her wrist, holding the cupcake there before him. He stared at her intently as he leaned forward slowly and took another bite. And then another, and another. Hoping she wouldn't notice how it was disappearing.

Bulma couldn't take her eyes from his, captivated by his dark gaze. She shivered. Heart pounding, her mind was abnormally silent. Something that was unheard of for her. The air felt thick, heavy around her and she felt this odd fluttering in her stomach. With each bite, more crumbs fell onto the floor and each bite his lips closer to her fingers. She felt herself heat at the thought. How could something so innocent as eating a cupcake be so incredibly enchanting? Did he feel it too?

Bulma was snapped from her musings when his teeth barely grazed her fingers, followed by his lips. Realizing what he had done. "Hey!" Bulma cried out, "That was the last one!" When he shrugged casually, she crossed her arms, huffing as she pouted. "I can't believe you just did that..."

Vegeta gave her a dark smirk that made those fluttering sensations return. "I'm evil, woman... stealing food from a feeble female is hardly a stretch."

Get a grip, Bulma. All of this had been a distraction to get what he wanted, nothing more and she had fallen right into it. "Ghaa." She rolled her eyes. "Right, says the man who still has pink frosting on his lip."

She jumped off of the counter and stood hardly an inch away, wiping the frosting from the corner of his mouth. Without thinking about what such an action meant, she popped her finger into her mouth. Her cheeks flushed. His intense gaze brought back that feeling she didn't want to name it. What was this? This sudden tension between them? Or was it just her? Yeah, most definitely me. Down, Bulma. So can't go there.


"Um..." She walked past him, brushing his shoulder as she quickly changed the subject. "My mother isn't home so there isn't anything made for lunch..."

"Then make something," his reply came out rough, trying to ignore her scent that still hovered around him.

Bulma glared. Unable to believe someone could be so rude and she snapped back, "Excuse me?" His brow rose as she stood there with her hands on her hips. "You would think if someone wanted something they would ask a little nicer."

He grunted, "Cook me something, woman, or I'll go terrorize the city until I get it."

"Really now?" She stepped closer, forgetting the tension from a few moments before. "I'd like to see that whenfeeble little me can push you around." To prove her point her hand went to his shoulder and pushed. He stumbled backwards into the counter, his eyes glaring murder at her. "Now... just ask me nicely and maybe I'll consider it."

The nerve of this woman, he couldn't believe it. He was a prince and she was demanding he ask nicely? A low, threatening growl rumbled up from his chest, making her blink, but she didn't back down. If anything her eyes only narrowed more as she stepped closer, her head tilting up to glare at him. His arms folded across his chest as he hardened the look on his face. A noticeable tremble went down her, but she didn't back away or stop glaring at him. Once more he was surprised by her courage... or stupidity... either or. No one ever stood up to him when he looked at them like this. Let alone, even meeting his own look with her own burning blue gaze...

He was the first to look away, staring at the ground at his right, feeling somewhat scorched. "Forget it."

"Ohhh?" she drawled and he gritted his teeth as she patted his shoulder. "Big macho man is pouting?" Backing away she sighed, "Fine... I'll make some mac and cheese and some sandwiches." She pointed to the table. "Shouldn't take long, sit."

Perturbed by how easily she ordered him around and that he was even doing following her command, he walked over to the table as she started getting things out of the cabinets. As he sat there, watching her, his mind went back to the cupcake. How her blue eyes dilated. How her cheeks pinkened. He liked how he could make such a bold woman blush. It would be a lie if he said he hadn't felt anything too. He frowned at such thoughts, his attention going back to her as she hummed softly. She filled a big pot full of water boiling on the stove with four boxes of these small yellow-white things. His eyes fell on her almost bare back. The soft tan flesh. She balanced on one leg as the other lifted, her foot scratching her calf, bringing his gaze to those legs of hers.

Bulma ran a hand through her wet hair as she moved from the stove to let the macaroni cook and started on the sandwiches. She glanced back at him, catching him watching her and turned back to the task at hand, unsure if she liked him staring at her like that. It made her feel naked in a way. The way those dark hooded eyes followed her every move. But she said nothing as a pile of ham, cheese, and lettuce with tomato sandwiches stacked next to her. Had she said something? Or perhaps done something? She couldn't think of anything she had done that would warrant such a severe look from him. If anything she felt like he was some black panther at the West City zoo, stalking her through the glass that separated them, wanting to eat her for a snack or something.

Finished with the sandwiches, she turned and set them down before him, giving him a small smile before turning back to the macaroni that was done and needing to be drained. The movement jarred him from his staring and he felt just as uncomfortable, if not more than she had, realizing what he had been doing. Taking a bite out of the first sandwich on top, he scowled at himself. She isn't that good-looking. So why did he find his gaze always going back to her backside?

"Where is the other Saiyan?" he asked, keeping his indifferent tone as he fought himself and his eyes that seemed to have a mind of their own.

"Oh Goku?" A small smile played on her lips as she lifted the hot water and macaroni from the stove top. "He lives with his wife and son at Mt. Paozu." Vegeta nearly gagged on his full mouth, swallowing just as she continued talking unnoticing and dumped the full pot into a strainer, "Gohan's so cute with his little tail... Reminds me of when I first met Goku..." she paused, bringing a finger to her chin, "I wonder if he has learned to balance on it like his father?"

He finished the sandwich and started on the next. "How did you meet?"

She dumped the macaroni into a bowl, mixing in the other ingredients. "Ahh that... Well, I was fifteen on my summer break. I was on a quest to find adventure and..." Bulma stopped herself from saying 'the perfect man'.How embarrassing would that be? She blushed slightly, hoping he didn't notice her slip (which he of course did) and she went on, "Anyway... we became good friends as we ran head on into trouble, stopping bad guys." She chuckled at the memories and shook her head as she turned with the bowl and set it down before him. "Some of the bad guys became our friends... We brought down that mad guy... what was his name?" Scratching her head, she bit her lip and then rolled her eyes, laughing, "Right, he called himself Emperor Pilaf. Wanted to rule the world. What an ass." She sighed, for once sounding sad, "But those were the days. The fun! The adventure..."

He glanced sideways at her as she sat down next to him and grabbed one of the few remaining sandwiches. Saiyans didn't normally share their food, so this was certainly an odd feeling. He finished eating the sandwiches not long after that and switched to the bowl of what she had 'mac and cheese'. The whole time unsure what to think about the new information about Kakarot with a demi-saiyan brat. Or about her. She sounded almost depressed. Especially when she finished eating and brought her leg up, resting her chin on her knee with a heavy sigh. And while she was staring at his food, seemingly watching him eat, he knew that she wasn't really watching him. Her blue eyes glazed over with that dreamlike look, a cheerless grin on her lips. Scowling, he forced himself not to look at her, not sure why he didn't like that look on her face...

Bulma blinked a couple times, coming back to reality. "Wow... I still can't believe how proper you eat. Goku's such a pig." He gave her a weary glance as she chuckled, remembering her parents' surprise at how clean Vegeta had been at dinner last night. He was just as fast, but instead of food flying everywhere like Goku, who tried to get it into his mouth as quickly as possible, he managed to get everything in without making a mess.

Vegeta snorted, "I'm..." he hesitated, "I'm higher ranking than him..." Which wasn't a lie. "I was trained not to be so wretched."

Bulma rolled her eyes. "Right... okay, Vegeta." Standing, she started to grab some of the plates and went to the sink. "So did you like it?"

"Un?"

"The food. Did you like it?" She turned, pinning him with an eager look.

"It was awful," he stated with a uninterested face.

"Oh..." She turned back around, tensing. He smirked at her back, knowing it had made her angry as she scrubbed the plates harder than need be. The silence trickled by like the water from the faucet, and he waited for her to snap at him. Only his head jerked up from his food when one of the plates she had been cleaning shattered into the sink.

That ungrateful jerk...Sure, it was just mac and cheese and sandwiches. But still... She tightened her fists, ignoring the few pieces of glass stuck in her palms, her body trembling with anger. In hindsight it was rather irrational to be so angry, but she was tired of him being so rude. Or maybe it was all this sudden tension between them that she didn't want to name? It didn't matter, she was reaching her boiling point.

Vegeta's brow rose, his smirk leaving his lips just before she turned. "If it was so horrible than why did you eat it?"

Shrugging, he eyed her hands, seeing the wounds and blood dripping to the wood paneled floor. "Do you see anyone else here who can make this crap?"

Drip... drip... her blood spattered. It was starting to make him uneasy. The warning about hurting an Auronya flaring back up in his head. "Oh, you ungrateful... unappreciative... asshole!"

Her name calling went on for a couple more minutes, each one more creative and crude than the last. But he only stared at her, letting her run out of steam. That was if she would. Finally the room fell silent as she glared daggers at him. That was his cue. The chair scrapped loudly against the floor as he scooted it back to stand.

"Are you done?" he asked taking a step towards her shaking form, in part amused at how angry she was... and also confused. He had been trying to irritate her. Something she would have normally caught on by now. So why hadn't she? Drip, drip, drip. And then there was that. His gaze went to her hands, stating the obvious, "You're bleeding, woman..."

Looking down she gasped, quickly unclenching her hands. "Shit..." Turning back to the sink, she tried with shaking hands to pick the pieces out. It wasn't horrible, but it did hurt.
He stood there listening as she muttered more curses under her breath. He had thought he had heard all she could come up with, but was surprised and amused to find there was more. Slowly, he made his way to the sink next to her and seized her bloody wrist... As he expected, she had only made things worse. She froze at his touch, holding her breath as he forced her hand under the running water. Then carefully, he pulled the last piece she couldn't get from her flesh. They stood there with the water still running over her hand. Why am I doing this? Helping her like this... He didn't help anyone. But he was having difficulties concentrating with her this close, her back pressed into his front. Her scent hinted with those strawberries surround him. Her warmth seeped into his haggard body. Never had he felt so relaxed around someone... It was back when he was a young cub. With his mother and father. Painful memories sprung up in his mind, swirling before his eyes.


Vegeta blinked, feeling dizzy, his other hand going to her hip to keep himself anchored. While it had been four days since waking... he still felt so drained. So weak. And it seemed that reliving these memories didn't help his condition any either. His body shook from the strain, and he wondered why all of a sudden this was happening. He knew she could feel it, yet said nothing... He closed his eyes as a wave of nausea came with renewed dizziness... Why did he have to be so weak? Why now? He didn't dare open his eyes as her fingers touched his face, the smell of her blood faintly registered as he nearly blacked out right there but managed to stay standing.

"Hey, Vegeta... are you okay?" her voice was tight with worry. She turned around slowly, her arms supporting him with his head resting on her shoulder. Sighing, she put his arm over her shoulder, "I told you, macho man, to take it easy... Come on, let's get you to the couch." She eased him slowly to the living room and got him to lie down. "I'll be right back..."

His onyx eyes followed her as she left the room, taking with her all the warmth and light. What was happening to him? Damnit... He had never in his life showed such weakness that he was showing now. It was almost like he was a moth being drawn to her flame. Her big sparking flame. Putting his arm over his eyes, he gritted his teeth. So much for forgetting his memories... or the problem he seemed to now have. It wasn't long until Bulma returned, holding a syringe in her hand, and before he could protest she had it in his arm.

"I'm lucky you're not afraid of needles like Goku... even if he was in your condition he would try to run away..." Shaking her head, she chuckled softly, kneeling in front of him. It was a matter of seconds that he felt it: the pain subsiding as the drug inched its way through his body... placing him in a numb state.

Pulling the needle out, she placed her thumb over the injection site. "There we go..." She let go of him as she rose to her feet. "You realize that for me it would only take a few cc's of this to work, but you..." She held up the syringe and winked, trying to lighten the mood. "Takes nearly the whole thing. I'll be back." She hesitated, then chuckled, "Just try to stay... put."
The room appeared to be moving slightly, so he closed his eyes, feeling suddenly sleepy. His mind felt like everything was moving slowly. Memories flooded back. And he was lost in his mind when she returned. He felt a soft blanket being spread down over him. So kind and caring. He didn't deserve this kind of treatment. Dimly he was aware of his tail as it snuck out, wrapping around her slim waist.

"Hey?" she mumbled, trying to force it off. He didn't give her time to as he jerked her closer, forcing her sit on the couch with him. He then grabbed the back of her head, bringing her closer. There was something he had to say... before he fell asleep.

He found that he couldn't keep his eyes open. "You're going to regret helping me..."

Her breath was hot on his face as she sighed, trying to ignore how uncomfortable he was making her feel. "Right, because you're so evil..."

His eyes snapped open and tried to glare, only to fail horribly. He sneered at her, "Don't patronize me. That's not what I meant..."

"Then what did you mean, Vegeta?" Her still somewhat hurt hand rubbed his face gently. "That you're trouble... clearly... Goku always got me into trouble, why would you be any different?"


"Because his enemies... won't torture you till you lose your sanity." She froze, realizing he was opening up to her, though it was more likely because of the drugs than any conscious decision to. "Ask yourself what a monster fears... You'll find him staring back at you from the darkest shadows." He closed his eyes. "My being here has only damned you..."

"Shhh..." She tried to comfort him, pushing back the fear that rose from his panic filled words. "Everything will be alright, Vegeta..."


A soft snort escaped him, "I'm his favorite toy... maybe he'll come himself to -to finish what he started." She swallowed. "Fucker probably... won't leave ship... just destroy planet... like mine." His voice trailed off as he fell to sleep, his tail loosening around her waist.

She studied him, feeling sick. How could someone be that strong? Destroy an entire planet without leaving space? She sat back, her eyes watering at hearing his pained voice. Poor Vegeta, I can't imagine what you are going through. Not able to ever go home... Shaken she stood, unsure what to do. He made it sound like he was so sure someone would come after him. Running her trembling hand through her hair, she started for the back door. Was there anything she could do to stop them from coming? Maybe they had a tracker on the pod... or maybe it was too late. Oh Kami... She hoped not.

.~-~.

Bardock sat across from his son and mate in a small kitchen that they called home. It was slightly awkward seeing the interaction between the two. How did my son find such a demanding and controlling creature on this planet? It was beyond him. Though, it didn't help any that the Namek was still there, watching... It seemed whatever past his son and the green man had she was well aware of it and had even fainted because of it, then woke up to yell at the top of her lungs at anyone and everyone. She wasn't happy... so no one was.
He cleared his throat. There were pressing matters and wasting his time listening to the woman wasn't something he wanted to do... He froze when she gave him a hard glare with deathly intent that rivaled Vegeta's. He paled, swallowing nervously. Maybe he really didn't want to be on this woman's bad side... If he didn't know any better he could have mistaken her for a Saiyan woman. His son gave him an apologizing look. It was probably best if he just let her rant some more until all the steam was gone.

It was only an hour or so when that finally happened. She sat down for the billionth time, studying him.

"Who are you and why do you look like my husband?" her voice was... calm. For a lack of a better word.Mmm... husband. Is that what they call a mate here...It didn't really matter.
Goku smiled. "Well ChiChi... it goes like this... I'm an alien from some other planet named... er... vagita..."

"Vegeta..." Bardock corrected his son smoothly.

Shrugging, Goku continued, "And this is the reason why Gohan has a tail... see he has one..." Bardock let his tail come up into view, it moved as if to wave. "And the reason we look alike is because he is my father."

"YOU'RE WHAT!" she cried out, only to faint. It seemed that this was a common occurrence for the woman.

"ChiChi!" Goku said as he caught her, but she wasn't there long when she suddenly spring back up.

"Oh my..." After taking another look she fainted again.

Bardock glanced over at the Namek, who merely shook his head with a mix of disbelief and disgust before looking out the window with his arms folded across his chest. Bardock had to stifle a chuckle because it reminded him of someone he knew very well. Well... that was if the young man from five years ago was still intact from what he had been through. The Resistance was lucky he had finally escaped, but it was a crushing blow to have a handful of Saiyans turn against their fellow refugees to join the very creature who sought to destroy them.

The tired and battle-weary father watched as his lost son tried to revive his unconscious mate. This is going to be a long day...

~~~~ .~-~. ~~~~

Beta'd by LPphreek