Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ A Place Within Strangers ❯ Part Three: Continued ( Chapter 7 )

Author's note: I don't really do these, I'd rather have people go on and enjoy the next chapter...but I have only two things to say: THANK GOD FOR DJFUSION! If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have made it this far. And, only one more chapter to go.... Enjoy it.

I do not own or make a profit of the DBZ franchise. I do believe that the honor of creating such a show, manga, etc. is of Akira Toriyama. DBZ is a trademark of TOEI Animation (says on the label of DBZ videos) and licensed by FUNimation. So from all that legal stuff, you can conclude that I DO NOT own this stuff....I just get a kick of out using their characters for entertainment purposes. So please, do not sue.

* When does the judgement day come?

Like a thief in the night.

In an hour when ye look not for me.

The fool says, He is not coming.

Let us drink and be merry for he is not coming.

Behold I stand at the door and knock...

She cared.

I cannot say I have ever trusted or had concern for anyone -I learned at an early age that there is no tie that is considered unbreakable. There is always a weakness, a breach where betrayal lies. Qualities of companionship were bred out of my mind quickly, a friend was only an enemy I had not yet discovered. People were useful, but only for certain tasks, and after became obsolete.

I was trained to discover useful qualities, and manipulate a person until I discovered exactly what I needed from them. I would extract the necessary, and if the person was left battered and broken because of it, so be it. I just made sure it never happened to me.

No one would ever really learn who I was or where my weakness dwelled -if anyone became close it was because I wished it and the situation was to my advantage. I learned that no one truly cared for anything or anyone, and any interest for well being was false and driven by malicious intent. I was suspicious of everyone.

But along with all these things that have been proven to me in my life, I've also learned that the people of Earth are stupid.

Some of them are exactly the type I have encountered in space, others are a type I have not met at all. To this day, I cannot understand how these morons even managed to exist for so long. They are fond of anyone, even strangers, and they welcome outsiders into their homes with an open heart, offering material and emotional support from nothing but kindness. Bulma was one of them. And I had no choice but to believe she was deranged.

With a revoltingly cheerful smile and a flirtatious wink, she openly offered me her home. In a playful voice, she mentioned I was cute, and with a foolish innocence belonging only to her, she began her intrusion into my bruised soul. It was more than enough to put me on guard and make me wonder what she could possible want from me. She was not ordinary in the slightest and she proved to be more of a challenge than I could have ever imagined.

She had a stubborn streak -one to match my own- only I considered it a waste of ability as she did things for unselfish reasons. I wanted to control her, to feel that power once again that had been unrightfully stripped from me, and see her cower in fear because of it. The worst thing she ever did -and in some way, the best- had been to resist me. She had an independent mind and mouth that couldn't stay shut. She didn't see me as an uncontrollable monster that could destroy her without thought, she considered me one of her playthings. A puzzle to figure out. It infuriated me to no end. Yet somehow...she became my first friend.

And I loathed her for it.

_______

The surroundings are the same, I see no difference from what was here before. I have been living in turmoil, yet this place remains in peace. It would drive me to a jealous rage were I not so tired. My mind and heart deteriorates, my body offers no strength. And although my pride implores me to reconsider, I must seek relief. Even if it is from a weak Namek.

The guardian, however, has changed and he's no longer untainted as he used to be. His body is burdened by wisdom, traces of innocence mar his eyes. He is weak, but the power held in his hands could leave a man crippled in bliss. He is encumbered -bound by the responsibility of watching over this earth. He used to be intimidated by me. Now he looks at me with sadness.

He apologizes quietly. "I'm sorry I was not there."

Only two chairs rest in the bare room, and although I am sure he has done nothing all day, he sits as if he were exhausted, holding a wooden staff between his thin hands.

"Bring her back."

He shakes his head and for a moment, looks away. "I can't. Not yet."

I growl. I will not take anything less. "Why?"

He closes his eyes, and I am left with the Namek in silence. His breathing turns heavy and echoes off the marble. His fingers trace the wood blindly.

"I can take away your pain, but it is not my duty to do it," he tells me as he opens his eyes. He sighs. "It is hers."

My fists clench in anger. I have no patience for this. "Namek, stop playing these games!" He jumps slightly, the staff falling from his hands and toward the floor.

He looks at me, dispirited. "What if it was meant to be?"

I've heard enough! He may apologize for her death, but he may not excuse it with the will of fate! If he were not a being of purity, my anger would take what little control I have left and allow me to kill him. But I need this. I need her. And he is the one who will return her to me. I must remain in control.

"No," I hiss. "It is not meant to be this way. I did this to her. It was my fault, and if it wasn't for me, she would still be here."

"But..." His eyes are clouded in doubt. "How can you be sure?"

"If I hadn't bonded with her or caused her pregnancy, none of this would have come to happen. If I hadn't presumed that our bond alone could sustain her and give her the strength she needed to give birth..." I exhale slowly. To my disgust, I find my body trembling. "It is my fault." My voice falters. "You cannot keep her away from me because of a mistake."

He bows his head.

"I've felt your heart, Vegeta, and I know you speak sincerely. I'll bring her back to you, but you must have patience." He stands, and begins to slowly walk away. "It's simply a matter of time..." He pauses and turns back to me. "But you, my friend, must rediscover yourself .... for without her, you are truly lost."

I watch silently as he leaves. I know am alone for now, with only my son and daughter to accompany me. And yet all I can really think of, is how much I wish I were dead.