Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Another Life ❯ Realizations ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of the characters seen in the show, manga, movies, etc. DAMMIT! (Takes out pistol with single bullet in chamber…BANG! Vegeta please send flowers…)

Author's Note: Alrighty, here ya' go, the sixth chapter. I hope you enjoy it. I won't talk my head off this time like I usually do, but I just want to remind everybody that despite the twists and turns in the plot this is a B/V fic. I know I have probably run that fact into the ground, but I guess it doesn't hurt to say it again. Oh yeah, and thank you guys for the reviews. I would love more but I appreciate what I got. Okay, no more words…so just…enjoy…

Another Life

Chapter 6 -- Realizations

Bardock's head jolted up as he heard the front door slam shut. He groggily wiped his eyes and stood, awaiting the incoming visitor. His son marched through the doorway of his lab and stood before him, legs spread apart, arms crossed over his chest, with a grim look troubling his handsome face.

"It isn't good, Dad. I think they've found him. Or are about to." Bardock stood facing his son, his eyes downcast but still maintaining the stony warrior mask he had been trained to wear most of his life. His voice was just above a whisper when he spoke.

"He didn't make it to Corgus then?"

"No. When I arrived, there was no sign of him. I asked around to see if any Saiya-jin pods had recently docked there, and none of the crew there had seen any. I began to think the worst had happened, that they had caught him before he got there, but my source in Royal Intelligence said that they hadn't found anything. Then he contacted me today and told me they had a lead." Radditz took a few steps towards the window and leaned against the frame while he spoke, his eyes never leaving the view outside. "He said they found a piece of his ship. It had been burned pretty badly and it was nowhere near Corgus. It was somewhere in the Gamma quadrant. He also said that the ship had collided with a meteor somewhere along the way, and that it spun out of control. He said it didn't look like the pilot had any control over it." Radditz finally turned towards his father. "What does that mean, dad? Kakarrot knows how to fly a ship. Shouldn't he have been able to get it back on course?" Radditz stepped away from the window and looked at his father expectantly.

"I'm not sure what that means, son. Maybe his navigation equipment was damaged in the collision. Or maybe something went wrong with his cryo-stasis pod. I don't know. Kakarrot's a capable flyer. I'm sure that if there was anything he could do, he would have done it. Where do they think he is now?"

"One of three planets: Dais, Demos, or Tigros. It's where they found the piece of metal. He must have gone down in flames, by the looks of it. Dad, I'm not sure if he made it. And if he did and he's on one of those damn planets, he as good as dead when they find him. The last I heard, they had a couple of teams stationed outside each planet's atmosphere. They're awaiting the Prince's command to search." Bardock leaned over the table, resting his weight on his arms as he gave a heavy sigh. Things were not going in favor of his youngest son. He looked up when he felt Radditz's hand on his shoulder. "I know this is a lot to handle, Dad, but we gotta start thinking about what we should do. Kakarrot's whole plan was to stay on the run and keep the suspicion off of us. But if…if he didn't make it, then were the next ones they'll look to. The scientist's still missing. They won't let up until they find him and that means were in danger until then."

"I know, son. I didn't think Mickal was crafty enough to stay hidden for so long. I don't know where he is now, and neither does Kakarrot. But for some reason, I don't think that matters much to the Prince. From what I heard from all the Capitol gossip, his pride is still wounded from his defeat with Kakarrot. Garris was wrong about that not getting out to the people. He's looking to make an example out of your brother, boy, and he'll use any means necessary to do it. Take a look at the summons on the table over there," Bardock said as gestured to the cream colored paper with the broken Royal Seal. "He wants both of us for questioning. I have a feeling that `questioning' is not all that's going to be involved. He means to use us to get to Kakarrot. And when he gets him, I don't think he'll be too concerned about the whereabouts of Mickal Majobe. He'll want to battle."

"But Kakarrot's much stronger than the Prince. He'll win."

"Yes, I don't doubt that. But what do you think the King will do after Kakarrot kills him? He'll sick fifty elites on your brother to bring him down. Kakarrot's strong, but not that strong. It'll be a lose-lose situation for him. We'll be automatically killed and the Prince knows this. He's not leaving him much choice except to surrender and die."

"Well, none of this will matter if Kakarrot never made it out of that ship. I think your right about the Prince, though. He doesn't care about the scientist. He just wants to kill the one man who has been able to defeat him. And if he's already dead…then we'll be next." Radditz turned to sit at the table and Bardock, with a weary sigh, joined him. "So what do we do about the summons? Do we go?"

"We'll delay as long as possible. If they don't find any trace of Kakarrot and we're sure he got away, then we might have to become fugitives ourselves. I don't want Kakarrot to have to choose between freedom and our safety. It's the least I can do for his good deeds."

"Dad…" Radditz glanced at his father hesitatantly before continuing. "Why did Kakarrot sacrifice himself? He knew what he was getting himself into, but he took all the blame and gave up his normal life to become a fugitive, all for a man he didn't know. I can see why you did what you did, but I don't understand Kakarrot's logic."

"Your brother is more noble and loyal to his family than you and I will ever be. I think…I think he gets that from his mother. She was a hard and fierce woman when I first met her. But after a few months of serving with her in our squad, I noticed that every opportunity she had, she would throw herself in front of the younger warriors to protect them. Then I realized that she eventually tried to protect almost everyone in our squad. She had a strong sense of loyalty. I think that's what I liked most about her. When she died, I noticed Kakarrot acting more and more like her. You remember how he used to follow you around all day, `watching your back' as he called it, and you use to try and beat the crap out of him everyday. The boy just feels the need to protect everyone close to him. It's an admirable trait, but it's most likely going to get him killed this time." Radditz nodded his head solemnly at his father's words.

"I guess you're right. I don't think I'll ever understand him. I share a common past with him, our mothers both died when we were young and we both served on the same purging squad for a long while, but he and I are so different. I think. he's…he's a better man than I ever hope to become. I should be envious, of his strength, of his courage, but I'm not. I think he deserves everything that he's got, with the exception of this mess we're in now."

"You are wise beyond your years to make that assessment, son. I'm proud of you both. I just hope we all get through this in one piece. I don't know why, but for some reason I feel like there is about to be a change on Vegeta-sei. Something's in the air, and it doesn't feel good. Whatever it is, I think that we're all going to need to be together when it happens. We have to stay strong, and maybe, just maybe, we'll survive it."

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Bulma awakened to the soft, low rumbling sound of an engine. Her head was throbbing gently and her vision was slightly blurred as she pulled herself from under the heavy blanket that had been draped over her and the chair she had been sleeping in, but when she stood and stretched out her limbs, she felt rested. Bulma looked about her to survey her surroundings. Where was she? She moved over to the window and dropped the blanket she had been clutching in shock when she saw what lie outside. She was looking at endless space; millions of tiny stars sprinkled everywhere as far as the eye could see. She was in space? How did she-

Bulma groaned and put her head in her hands as she recalled exactly what had happened before everything went black. Kakarrot. He was a Saiyan. He was one of the ruthless murderers that had destroyed her planet and gave her the dismal, depressing life that she had tried so desperately to escape from. How could she have been so stupid? She had spent the night with him. She had KISSED him! He was a cold-blooded killer and she had snuggled up to him and shared her most intimate fears with him. Why? Why hadn't she been able to see past the handsome looks and the caring eyes? He was a demon in disguise. What was she going to do?

Bulma began to pace the room, trying desperately to come up with a plan, any plan she could think of to get herself away from this monster who had destroyed everything she cared about. She couldn't go against him in brute strength; she remembered that day all too well when the giant supermen came to take her away. The man who found her had been strong enough to lift her effortlessly off of the ground. No, she thought, she probably didn't have a good chance of surviving if she tried to knock him out. She would have to escape. But where? They were on a fucking ship! Where would she escape to?

Bulma let out an unlady-like growl of frustration and continued pacing. She was just about to give up thinking and burst into tears when the door slid open and Kakarrot cautiously peered into the room, his eyes resting on Bulma's tense form. She didn't know how to react so she just stood there facing him, arms folded across her waist as she tried to give him the most impassive look she could muster while keeping her fear at bay.

"Bulma, I'm not going to harm you, I promise. Let me explain before you jump to any conclusions."

"Conclusions?" Bulma was aware that her voice had taken on a shrill tone. "You ask me not to jump to any conclusions? You killed everyone on my planet with the exception of a handful of women and children. I think I have a right to jump to any conclusion I want." The look that suddenly appeared on Bulma's face was an even cross between horror and shock, and she nearly slapped her hand over her own mouth at her stupidity. Here she was, standing face to face with a brutal killer who could snap her in half on a whim, and she had to let her mouth run away from her. She took a deep breath to calm herself.

"Bulma, I didn't destroy your home world. But I'll admit that I have destroyed others. All in the name of an Empire that has now decided they want me dead. I don't think `I'm sorry for your loss' will cover all the pain you've suffered, but please believe me when I say that I don't mean you any harm. I'm a fugitive, just like you. But if you're caught, you'll probably only be sent back to your mistress. If I'm caught, I'll be dragged back to my home planet and killed just to prove that no one is allowed to survive after they defy the Empire." Bulma gave Kakarrot a defeated look and with a sigh, plopped down into the chair next to her. She couldn't argue with his reasoning. He seemed sincere, but Bulma couldn't help but feel a little hesitancy towards him. Something in the back of her mind bothered her, but she quickly pushed it down as her curiosity won over her wariness.

"So, you're saying that you can't ever go back? What did do you do?"

"I helped protect a scientist that was suspected of supplying Frieza with weapons. Frieza is a tyrant that has a rather shaky alliance with my people. If he were to have an advantage over us, he would kill us all off in a heartbeat. That's why they were so intent on capturing him. They figured they could either make him work for us, or kill him if he refused."

"But why help someone who could doom your people to death?" Bulma looked at the man in front of her curiously.

"Because he saved my father's life, and my father believes that he isn't helping Frieza. My father was willing to give his life for the man, and when the time came for him to do just that, I stopped him and took his place."

"Why?'

"Because if my father believed in someone so strongly, then I would do the same. Besides, I'm much stronger than my father. The king's royal guards were about to take the scientist away, so I took care of them so that my father could find the means for us to escape. After that, the King sent the Prince and eight of his strongest warriors after me, and I took care of them too. The Prince is probably furious that someone of my station has defeated him. That's why probably he won't stop until he's killed me."

"So your father is probably in danger now, isn't he?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Because it's been in my experience that when someone that angry wants something, he'll do just about anything he can to get it. If your father is still within the Prince's reach, then he'll probably use him to get you to come to him."

Kakarrot sighed heavily and sagged into the chair next to Bulma's and sat forward with his head propped up on a fist, his face drawn taught with deep concentration. "I hadn't thought of that. I just assumed that the Prince would chase after me and leave my family alone. I might be making things worse by running."

Bulma's heart softened at the despairing look on Kakarrot's face. He looked so genuinely concerned for his family. She reached out a hand and hesitantly brought it down to rest lightly on his shoulder. "I'm sure that they would rather you fight than give up. If you go back now, the Prince will probably just kill them anyway. You can't let the prince win by turning yourself in." Bulma watched Kakarrot's head lift slowly and he turned towards her, grasping the hand that had been on his shoulder within his large warm, ones.

"You're right. They will want me to fight. Thank you." Kakarrot warm and intense dark gaze stunned her into silence and she barely noticed he was moving closer to her until his lips lightly brushed against hers and she felt his arm slip around her. She didn't fight the dizzying warmth she felt when he lifted her up out of her chair and onto his lap, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and pressed herself against him as he gently, and meticulously prodded her mouth open with his tongue. She felt his hand slide into her hair and mold itself to her scalp as he held her steady, tasting her mouth with painstakingly slow thoroughness until she was breathless and weak and shuddering with desire. Bulma trailed her hands down into the opening of his shirt and smoothed them over his hard chest as she felt his kiss becoming more urgent. Her fingers touched lightly on a piece of loosely wrapped material near his shoulder, and she gently pulled away, much to Kakarrot's reluctance, to examine it. Her eyes widened in realization and she all but jumped off of Kakarrot's lap, shaking her head as she stared at his arm.

"Oh Kami! I'm so sorry. I forgot all about your arm. I meant to see to it last night. You've been walking around with an injured arm all this time, and I bet you're still in pain. Kami, let me go and see if Tao keeps a first aid kit or something around here." Bulma rushed off into another part of the ship, leaving Kakarrot in a dazed confusion. She came back a few minutes later carrying an assortment of bottles and long strips of cloth. "Alright, I hope you Saiyans aren't babies when it comes to pain." Bulma set the bottles down on the small table in front of her and began squinting at the labels in her attempt to comprehend the alien language.

"Pain is an everyday occurrence for a Saiyan." Kakarrot said as he watched her pull down the material of his shirt and remove the now dirty cloth wrapped around his shoulder and arm.

"Wow, this is pretty bad," she said as she examined his arm carefully. "How long has it been since you last cleaned it?"

"It hasn't been cleaned yet. I didn't have time." Kakarrot winced at the stinging sensation he felt when she wiped a rag soaked in a foul smelling liquid over his wound, but he didn't make a sound.

"I found this stuff in one of the supply crates. I know it works because Mistress Drudilia had a whole shelf full of this stuff. It's kind of a cure all medicine. If you've got an upset stomach you can drink it, and if you've got a cut you can just wash it in the stuff and it will kill any infection. I know, because I had to use it lots of times." Bulma held back an oncoming chill as she thought of Damien and his beatings. She wouldn't have to suffer them anymore now.

"Saiyans don't get sick. And we use regen tanks to heal our wounds. I didn't get a chance to use one because I was in such a hurry to get off-planet." Bulma applied a little salve from a small white tube to the wound and began to carefully rewrap Kakarrot's arm with the strips of cloth she had brought in. When she finished, she stepped back to admire her handiwork.

"See? It'll be good as new in no time. I'm guessing the Prince gave you that wound?"

"Yes. If it were not for my abnormal strength, the Prince would be the most powerful being on my planet. It was prophesized that he would become as strong as the Legendary Saiyan warrior of ancient times. So, I'm not surprised that it was he who injured me so badly. He is very skilled in the art of fighting." Kakarrot stood up and stretched out his arm slightly to test the binding. "Thank you. It feels a little better."

"Don't mention it," Bulma said quickly. "So where are we headed? I told you my plan stopped once I got onboard a ship. I have no clue what planets are safest to go to, or even where another planet is. The most I ever did back on my home planet was fly to our moon a few times to do research. Outside of my solar system, I'm out of my element."

"Well, I had been headed to a planet named Corgus before my crash, but now I'm not so sure if that's the best place to go. I was suppose to go there to get healed and wait for my father to contact me, but now I think I want to contact him first. I need to know what my next move should be and I have a feeling now that the Prince is already trying to get at them to get to me. I'll do anything my father tells me to. I don't expect you to come with me, seeing as it would be way too dangerous but-"

"So, what, your going to just drop me off on the first planet we come to?"

"No, I just don't want to put you in danger. There are plenty of planets were you could go where you'd be safe and-"

"Forget it, buddy," Bulma interrupted as she held up a hand to keep him from speaking further. "I think I'll have a better chance sticking with the strongest man of one of the strongest races in the universe. If you just drop me off on some random planet I know nothing about, it'll be too easy for some creep to just kidnap me and sell me back into slavery. So wherever you go, I go. Deal?" Bulma stuck out her hand to make the agreement official. Kakarrot scratched his head and gave her hand a curious look. Bulma gave an exasperated sigh when she realized that he didn't understand what she was doing. "It's another custom from my home planet. When you seal a deal, you shake hands." Kakarrot stared at her a second, then reached over suddenly and pulled her into his arms.

"Well, I kind of like this way a little better," he said as he bent his head down to meet hers in a slow, sweet, knee-weakening kiss. Bulma all but melted into his arms and buried her face in the crook of his neck after the kiss was over.

"Well, I guess that's as good a way as any," Bulma breathed against the smooth skin of his thick, corded neck. Kakarrot grunted in agreement and, after picking her up and cradling her in his arms, he set off in search of a soft place in which he could lay her down and claim her body as his own.

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"Your Highness, we did not find the fugitive, but we did find evidence of his ship's wreckage and a trail of blood that led to the nearby house of some local natives. The natives said that they had no knowledge of any crash nor had they seen an injured Saiyan. We questioned them for a few hours, and after we broke one man's arm he confessed that one of their slaves had gone missing. The man had been out looking for her all morning and had been afraid to tell his mistress lest she think him incompetent for allowing the slave to escape. We looked around for the girl to see if she knew anything, but we didn't find her. Instead we found the remains of the fugitive's ship. Then we found another native who claimed that a large man shot him with some kind of energy blast and that when he woke up, the supply ship that he had been flying was gone. We believe that Kakarrot, the fugitive, escaped on that ship. It is a possibility that he is traveling with the missing female slave, but we aren't willing to give the native too much credibility considering he would have said just about anything to take the heat off of himself. He eventually gave us trouble, so we ended up killing him for his insolence." The soldier continued to kneel before his prince as he awaited a response to his information.

"This is good news. He probably doesn't even realize how close we are to him. What of his family? Are they being interrogated?"

"No, your Highness. They never showed and they were gone when we went to retrieve them. We think they are on the run." The soldier seemed to brace himself for the explosion of Vegeta's temper, but it never came.

"They are smarter than I thought. It doesn't matter. We will soon have the third-class traitor, and I would have had no further use of them anyway. He will not know if we have them or not, and that still gives me the advantage. Keep a watch out for them anyway, just in case. When you have found the location of the fugitive, I want to be notified at once, before you retrieve him. I think I want to come along and watch him suffer with the knowledge that he will be made into a public example before the people of Vegeta-sei."

"Yes, your Highness. Do you have any further need of my services?"

Vegeta shook his head. "No, you are dismiss, soldier." The soldier gave his salute and headed off in the opposite direction.

Vegeta couldn't help but smirk at his success. He was about to find the man who had humiliated him beyond reason and caused his father to disown him. He would enjoy beating the life out him. His power was already rising from the daily physical tortures he had continuously put his body through. The man may have bested him once, but he was certainly not going to do it again. He would beat that low-level piece of trash within an inch of his life, and then he would put him on display for the people of Vegeta-sei. And after he had gotten the man to publicly swear his loyalty to his Prince and future king, Vegeta would end his life. It was a fitting end to a freakish existence. Vegeta chuckled to himself as he made his way to the infirmary to use the regen tank to heal the newly made wounds he had received from his hard day of training. He couldn't wait until he had the fool in front of him. It would be a good kill.

Next Up: Are Bulma and Kakarrot really getting it on? Will Vegeta find them? Where are Bardock and Radditz? These questions and much more will be answered in the next chapter, so review, review, REVIEW to find out as soon as possible! Oh, and did I mention you should review?