Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Changing Horizons ❯ Revealed Threats ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of the characters seen in the show, manga, movies, etc. But my goal in life is to capture each and every DBZ character and imprison them in a cryogenic stasis pod in my basement forever and ever and ever…

A/N: Thank you, guys for the reviews. I hope to get more feedback from you in the future to et me know if I'm doing a good job. Here's the next chapter and I hope you guys like it because it was torture to get out simply because I have finals this week and I've been spending all my time in my dorm room studying and crying because I don't think I'll ever see the light of day. But enough about me and my insolvable tribulations….enjoy…

Chapter 3

Vegeta sat back leisurely in the padded chair set in front of the transport ship's consol, calmly drumming his fingers on the hard metal that encased the inner-workings of the computer housed inside. The small gesture was the only indication of the worry that had been creeping along the edges of his mind ever since he had received the information, via vid-com, on Frieza's return to the palace. Frieza had indeed gotten back from his meeting with the heads of the various planets involved in the intergalactic council, and, judging by the measure of his enthusiasm, he had brought back a much-anticipated guest. Vegeta was speculating on just who this "guest" might be when a loud beep sounded behind him, signaling that someone wanted access to the room. He reached over the consol and pressed the button that would release the locks on the door, but turned his chair so that his back was facing the entrance. "Come in." He listened to the approaching footsteps and recognized the heavy military-like shuffle almost immediately. It was Kakarrot's older brother, Radditz, a man whom Vegeta had deemed not very bright. He was a good soldier though, and Vegeta had learned to tolerate the man's dull remarks and witless questions. It was one of the lessons Vegeta had unconsciously learned from Kakarrot; undoubtedly because they spent so much time together on purging missions and in such close quarters. Kakarrot had always been patient with the less-than-bright man, and had always taken the time to explain things carefully to his brother after Vegeta gave orders. It had unnerved the prince just how slow the man was sometimes, but Kakarrot had explained to him one day the cause of Radditz' mental affliction.

Radditz had once been a proud and powerful warrior with a sharp tongue and a cruel demeanor. For a while, he had been the bane of Kakarrot's existence and the two brothers had avoided each other at all costs in order to keep from killing themselves in their hate for one another. Radditz had often liked to prey on the weak and helpless, always taking what he wanted without any regard for those he was taking from. Kakarrot had been the exact opposite, feeling the desire to help those in need rather than take advantage of them. The two were almost evenly matched in power and their father had once justly called them the light and dark side of the same coin.

Then, one day, one of Radditz' many enemies sought him out in his home to repay a blood debt owed to him. Radditz had been staying with his father, Bardock, because he had been too indolent to take care of himself, and had readily accepted the hospitable charity of his father without a qualm. The provisional assassin, after failing to breach Bardock's impeccable security system, took aim at Radditz through a carelessly opened window before the sleeping soldier could sense his presence, and shot Radditz in the head, escaping unnoticed by anyone in the area. Because Bardock had been away visiting friends, Radditz had been left to bleed to death and was only discovered when Kakarrot, by chance, had come over to give his father a new set of armor he had picked up on his way there. Out of sheer stubbornness, Radditz had refused to submit to death, and only by good fortune had the blast to his head been slightly off-center, causing minimal damage considering the point-blank range. Kakarrot immediately put Radditz into a regan tank, but because of the delay and the severity of the wound, it had not been able to repair all of the damage. Radditz had been left somewhat an invalid, fully able to defend himself, but unable to comprehend the simplest of concepts without a detailed explanation. Kakarrot had insisted that Radditz still retained some of his previous intelligence, but it had a difficult time finding its way out and he needed things explained to him thoroughly before he could think on his own.

Vegeta's first reaction had been to put the soldier down, thinking it shameful to be so incompetent and incapable. He had only allowed him to live after Kakarrot's insistence and the small demonstration Kakarrot had made his brother perform in front of the prince. Kakarrot had put him through an intense training exercise to prove that Radditz' fighting skills were untainted by his injury. And he was right. Radditz blocked and dodged every kick aimed at him and managed to put his sparring partner into a lethal chokehold after only a minute into the match, thus proving his worth to Vegeta. He had become a useful asset to their squad, and eventually, Vegeta grew accustom to Radditz' slow wit, and had learned to be a more patient man because of it. He felt he at least owed Kakarrot this small gesture of appreciation for his loyalty, and Kakarrot's respect for him was amplified exponentially. Vegeta still found it difficult to understand exactly why Kakarrot had helped his brother. The malice Kakarrot had described feeling for Radditz before the accident had seemed all encompassing, but Kakarrot had dismissed it in a heartbeat to help his injured and needful brother. It was something Vegeta was privately in awe of. The strength of will it took to have such compassion was almost beyond him. But then again, he had spared the beautiful human because he had such compassion, hadn't he? It was not trait the Saiyan race particularly revered, though Vegeta thought any lingering traces of it had been all but beaten out of him by Frieza.

He could hear Radditz lumbering up behind him now, the man's steady gait seeming deceptively normal for one so afflicted, and Vegeta swiveled his chair around to acknowledge the giant of a man. "What is it, Radditz?"

"Prince Vegeta, my brother, Kakarrot wanted me to tell you we are getting close to Derouse. He says in a about twenty minutes."

"Fine. Tell Kakarrot to prepare our cargo."

"Cargo? What cargo? He didn't say anything about cargo." Radditz scratched his head in child-like curiosity, looking questioningly at Vegeta, and Vegeta took a breathe for patience before looking at him and speaking firmly.

"Your brother will know what I mean. Just go and tell him, Radditz." Radditz paused a moment before giving a quick nod and exiting out of the room hastily to follow his orders. The man may be slow, Vegeta thought to himself, but he still remembered to mind his betters. Vegeta turned his chair back around and rested his chin on one fist, sighing as his mind drifted back to Frieza's transmission. He couldn't stop pondering the possibility of Frieza bringing back yet another obnoxious devotee who shared the tyrant's own twisted sentiments of cruelty and domination. Several of Frieza's loyal followers had already signed their death warrants by trying to pick a fight with the stoical prince, but they had soon learned better. Vegeta had amazing self-control, and he chose his battles very wisely. Frieza's lackeys had been merciless his first few nights in Frieza's palace. They had taunted him and his men relentlessly, and still, Vegeta held back. They had called him the monkey prince; he was the fool without a throne who had stupidly given himself to Frieza. He was as weak as his monkey father. Vegeta stood stone-faced the whole time, despite all they said, and it was only when Jeiyce, the red-skinned, white-haired bastard, reached out a hand to shove him in the shoulder, did Vegeta retaliate, seizing the man's hand within his own before they could touch him, and crushing the flesh and bone into a bloody pulp. A few of Frieza's men attacked him then, and after Vegeta shouted a warning to his own men to stay out of the fight, he took them all at once and showed them all just how much of a fool he was.

It was many hours before Vegeta had thrown the last bloodied and unconscious body of the men who'd attacked him to the floor, amidst the circle of awed soldiers who had been avidly watching the fight. Vegeta had shown great skill and strength, and Jeiyce had been one of Frieza's strongest men. He should have killed them all then, and he had been contemplating just that when Frieza entered the room, angrily surveying the damage Vegeta had caused to his men. The time after Frieza's first blow faded in and out precariously, and when Vegeta finally awoke to the gently pressure of the damp cloth Kakarrot had been tending his wounds with, he still felt the calming release he had experienced after Jeiyce's defeat. The rage in him had subsided for the moment, and Frieza's beating had not quelled his sense of triumph. From then on, Frieza's soldiers had been more cautious when trying to provoke him, and Vegeta had begun to become accustom to Frieza's frequent and vicious temper. His life, from then on, had begun a steady pattern of beatings and cruel humiliations, but it all seem to burn away during those short, purifying moments on the battlefield, when he let his power consume him and rip out of him, unleashing destruction laced with his pain all in one giant quake of energy. It was only after he felt the calm stillness of his rage, did he feel the shame and regret of the innocent blood he had spilled. His fury should have been directed towards Frieza, and even though he knew he was no match for the nearly transparent beast, he felt that the day he gained his retribution, was the day he could avenge the innocents he had been forced to slaughter.

Vegeta rose wearily from his seat, temporarily pushing his dark thoughts down and away from consciousness as he checked the ship's distance from Derouse one last time, before leaving and heading towards his quarters. He had not seen the human female at all that day and he figured he might as well check up on her and Kakarrot to make sure everything was going smoothly. He thought briefly of the first moment he had seen her, standing straight and tall before him, her weapon aimed skillfully at him, her soft pale skin flushed with the fury at her lost love. He had been surprised then, by her beauty as well as her boldness. He had never seen anything like her, although she did resemble a Saiyan woman; but no Saiyan woman was quite so soft and fragile-looking. Her exotic blue hair framed her delicate face even as the wind had blown it about and the soft curves that nearly screamed for attention had been snugly bound in the material of her garment. But that hadn't been what had convinced him to spare her. It had been her eyes, those sharp, piercing blue eyes that had caught his gaze and wouldn't release it even as she shot at him with her ridiculous weapon. He hadn't realized it then, but now he could distinctively recall the desire to posses her then, to have her as his own no matter what the consequences. Without even thinking he had wrapped his arms around her and denied her the peace of death simply to feed his desire have her near him. He knew that now and that thought still unsettled him. He barely knew her, and she had already hinted at being more trouble than she was worth, but somehow he didn't care. By her reaction earlier in his quarters, she would probably never submit to him, but he secretly hoped that her dependence on him would soften her icy disposition.

Vegeta quickly dismissed his hopeful thoughts. Hope was not something he could count on right now. He had hoped that his father would come release him from his Frieza's custody, but he had barely heard from his father since his surrender. The news he had heard had been extremely brief and not very informative. Vegeta had been interested in the going-ons of Vegeta-sei, but in reality, he was really only concerned with information involving his father's restoration of the Saiyan Empire. From the day his father left him, he had been replaying the king's promise to himself almost every night as he lay in bed or on the cool stone of the dungeons.

We will rise again. And when we do, I will come for you.

He had begun to curse his father after his first year in Frieza's custody. King Vegeta had neither bothered to rescue him nor send him word on his coming. Vegeta had spent many days imagining just how his father was enjoying his freedom, and whether or not his enjoyment involved forgetting his captive first-born son.

Vegeta came to the door of his quarters, punching in the key code that opened the door, and nearly dropped his jaw at the sight he saw before him. There, sitting on *his* bed with the blue-haired girl, was Kakarrot, his arms wrapped tightly around her shuddering form as she cried sorrowfully into his chest. Although he was unaware of his reasons, Vegeta visibly tensed at the sight of their contact. Kakarrot looked up at his prince, a sudden look of mortification appearing on his sharp features, as he began vigorously shaking his head `no'. Vegeta simply glared at him, crossing his arms across his chest and clearing his throat to get the sniveling female's attention. She quickly lifted her head off of Kakarrot's chest at the sound, but she didn't look in Vegeta's direction. She stared at the floor in front of her, her cheeks still wet and eyes swollen and puffy from her tears. Nervously, Kakarrot was the first to speak.

"Ouji-sama, I meant no disrespect. I came here to follow orders, honestly I did, but things got a bit…complicated and…" his words tapered off when the girl next to him stood up stiffly. She fixed an angry glare in Vegeta's general direction as she spoke.

"It wasn't his fault," she said softly, wiping the tears from her cheeks with the wrinkled silken scarf she clutched in her hand. "I got a little hysterical and he was just trying to calm me down. Thank You, Kakarrot. I really needed that." Kakarrot nodded slowly, careful to keep his gaze averted from his prince, but didn't say anything.

"I don't care whose fault it is. When I told Kakarrot to prepare for our arrival on Derouse and I expected it to be done."

"There isn't much for me to prepare, your highness," she said the last words mockingly, this time gazing directly into his eyes with a look of defiance, and Vegeta took a full step towards her, his normal scowl deepening when she didn't back down. "You brought me here before I could get any of my belongings."

"You will soon understand, woman, that time is something I have little to spare. You will have everything you need once we arrive on Derouse. If you two are finished," he said as he glared at Kakarrot, who wisely cast his eyes downward, "it would be in your best interest to hide somewhere in this room. The ship is checked over once before it is left in storage and because I cannot just simply let you walk off, it would be wise not to be seen when they make their inspection. I will come for you within the evening. And if not me, then Kakarrot." The anger in the girl's eyes sobered a bit, and she nodded reluctantly.

"Kakarrot, I must speak with you before we leave. Get her settled and meet me on the main deck." With that, he walked out, leaving Kakarrot and the blue-haired female alone in the room.

Kakarrot joined him a few minutes later on deck, looking a bit sheepish and uncomfortable. "Prince Vegeta, You know that I would never-"

"Save it Kakarrot. I know you would never disobey my orders so blatantly. It's good that she at least trusts one of us. It'll make things go a lot easier."

"Yes. She is still very emotional. We were wrong about one thing though, Ouji-sama. She did see you kill someone; I mean it was inevitable, seeing as we destroyed that whole sector ourselves, but you unknowingly killed her mate before her very eyes. She had been hiding in the rubble and I guess she saw you two in hand-to-hand. Her mate thought she had been killed in the explosion after you destroyed the complex, and he must have attacked you shortly after. That's about all I got from her before she completely broke down." Vegeta absorbed this information and his mind immediately flickered to the young man with the piercing eyes and Saiyan features he had maintained eye contact with on the battlefield.

"Bulma," he whispered softly to himself, remembering the warrior's cry before he had charged to his death.

"So, she told you her name. I got the impression that you two didn't speak much on the way here."

"We didn't. It's the name her mate called before I killed him. It must have been him. Why did she confide all of this in you?" Vegeta looked up at the man contemplatively, genuinely curious as to why the girl would confess so much to one of the destroyers of her planet.

"I'm not really sure. I merely asked her if she was all right and she started crying all of a sudden. After I waited for a few minutes, she started mumbling everything aloud like I wasn't even there. I didn't know what else to do except sit down next to her and hear her out. I `m not even sure what possessed her to cry on my shoulder, but when she finished she thanked me for listening and started asking questions. I still have the scarf she was wiping her tears with." Kakarrot pulled out the pale yellow scarf from a pocket beneath his armor and handed it to his prince. "She wanted to know if you were serious about you said. I guess she doesn't view me as a threat because she didn't see me kill anyone. I think her candor with me might change if she knew that I helped ruin her planet."

"It might be better if she doesn't know for a while, at least not until I get her off-planet."

Kakarrot nodded before speaking. "So, was that all, Ouji-sama?"

"No. Frieza has brought someone back with him from the Junis quadrant. He didn't say whom, but he wants us in the throne room as soon as we arrive. Any idea as to who it might be?"

"Well, the Junis quadrant is notorious for seedy characters, but the only one I can think of that could be a potential threat hasn't been seen in years. It was thought that he died on some remote planet that he crash-landed on. They found his wreckage, but no body, and it was said that the planet he was marooned on was full of dangerous beasts."

Vegeta rolled his eyes and sighed exasperatingly, annoyed that the man liked to draw out his answers. "Who is it, Kakarrot?"

"Zarbon, Ouji-sama. The Blue Devil. At least, that's what they call him. He's an assassin who stayed mainly in the Junis quadrant until his disappearance. From what I hear, he's a violent but mute psychopath with a taste for the young and helpless . The rumors about him are pretty morbid. He didn't just kill; he slaughtered his victims in creative ways. They once said one of his targets' body had been scattered all around his own house, a different piece in each room. He also supposedly killed for pleasure as well, leaving a trail of dead women behind him. Despite his gruesome tactics and sickening fetishes, he never missed a target, and he's probably one of the most efficient assassins around. Or was, anyway. But I highly doubt that Frieza would even think of bringing him to Derouse. Frieza's crazy, but not stupid. He would know that he wouldn't be able to control him."

"He's controlled us for three years. I'm sure he could control a weaker race with no trouble at all. The possibility of Frieza bringing back this monster is cause for major concern, though. First of all, I don't want to have to deal with the bastard. Second of all, this might complicate matters further."

"You mean Bulma?"

"Yes. If a character like Zarbon even catches wind of a young, defenseless girl residing somewhere on Derouse, it will most likely pique his interest. We will have to be even more careful than we previously thought." Vegeta stepped up to the large porthole centered on the metal wall off to his side, looking out into the infinite space.

"Well, that's the worst case scenario, Ouji-sama. There's a big possibility that Frieza only brought another idiot to join his `beloved' Ginyu Squad. If we're lucky, Zarbon's dead body is rotting away on some remote planet."

"Luck cannot be counted on, Kakarrot. But you are right. We will see who Frieza brings and plan our actions from there." Vegeta stepped back from the window and moved to the computer stationed towards the front of the bridge. "We've arrived. We are in the process of landing now. If, for some reason, I cannot return here, take the girl to the caverns. Get her some food as well."

"Yes, Ouji-sama." Vegeta watched the man leave and was about to cross his arms and recommence staring into space when he noticed the soft silken scarf he had been clutching tightly ever since Kakarrot had first given it to him. Without even thinking about it, he lifted it up to his face, inhaling the light, feminine scent of the woman laced with the salty aroma of her tears, before unconsciously tucking it into the breastplate of his armor for safekeeping.

Ten minutes later, Vegeta walked down the ramp of the transport ship, the rest of his squad following closely behind him. Their pace was swift and purposeful, but Vegeta was in no real hurry to greet Frieza's surprise in the throne room. They took the long way there, down the twisting corridors that Vegeta had come to know so well during his hard years of navigating his usually battered body from the throne room to his quarters. The men behind him were quiet, more so, it seemed, than usual, and he wondered briefly if they too felt the same disquieting apprehension as he did as they headed towards their meeting with Frieza. No, he amended; they were no more quiet than they had ever been after a purge. The purge reminded them all that they no longer mastered their own wills. They were similar to dogs, fully capable of biting the hand that held their leash, but unable to contest as long as they were muzzled. Frieza, without even lifting a finger, had managed to throw everything they'd lost in those three hard years back in their faces by sending them to commit pride-less acts against innocents. Vegeta sensed Kakarrot's presence behind him and glanced back at him, unconsciously reassured by the man's strong, reliable demeanor. Kakarrot seem to transform when the time called for it; the man's face was now set into the hard, stony expression that their race was so well known for.

The doors were opened for them and Vegeta walked in, his sensitive ears immediately picking up Frieza's cool chuckle echoing out to him. Frieza had come back happy. There had been no way to tell on the vid-com what Frieza' mood had been because, even in anger, Frieza's eyes seemed to maintain the cruel sparkle of amusement that always meant malevolence. It didn't matter whether you had pleased him or not; just as long you continued to amuse him, be it in pain or obedience.

Frieza's pallid form was eased back languidly into his throne, his head turned in the direction of a dark, hooded figure to his left; the cloaked man stood straight and tall with a wide, bulky build. As Vegeta and his men moved forward, Frieza gave them a momentary glance before looking back towards the hooded figure, who hadn't so much as turned in their direction. Only when Vegeta stood directly before him, did Frieza turn his attention to him.

"Ah, so your back. I trust everything went well? Did you finish your tasks?" Vegeta forced himself to nod at Frieza's sardonic tone. The white lizard always managed to make their purging missions sound as if they had just come back from a simple errand, like the destruction and murder were just normal, everyday chores they did instinctively. Well, maybe it had become that way, but the poorly hidden mockery in his voice proved without a doubt that Frieza's insinuation was intentional. "Well, as I told you before, there is a reason I wanted you and your kin here. We have a very special guest among us." The dark figure shifted, facing them as Frieza gestured towards him, and his hood revealed none of his features. "This is Zarbon. He is a well renowned tracker and bounty hunter, as well as a first-rate assassin. I have just bought his services for the purpose of…persuading certain individuals whom are foolish enough to stand in the way of my conquests. I trust that you will get along well with him, Vegeta; you two have a lot in common. You both seem to have a tenacity for killing, and as of now, you both belong to me." Vegeta could not fully block the sting of Frieza's words. To be compared to such a cold-hearted killer who willingly murdered for money…it was almost more than he could stomach. With as much self-control as he could muster, he looked away from the contemptuous smile. "It will be interesting to see how two will interact, since, you will be working together from now on." Frieza paused dramatically and watched Vegeta's reaction keenly.

"As long as he doesn't get in my way," Vegeta said gruffly, throwing a challenging look at the hooded murderer. He'd be damned if he'd allow Frieza the satisfaction of knowing this news affected him. He could see the open disappointment on Frieza's face at his lack of response, but his attention was suddenly directed towards Zarbon, who was now removing his hood. The harsh artificial light fell onto the silent man's face, and Vegeta couldn't help but smirk. The man features were almost as fair as a woman's. There wasn't a scratch on the pale blue, delicate-looking skin, and Vegeta felt a growing anticipation to be the first to mar its unmarked surface. But his smirk slowly faded as he noticed the man's eyes. They were an unholy golden color possessing a look that bordered on feral, and the crazed glow that was emitted from them was enough to make Vegeta decidedly uneasy. Zarbon suddenly flashed him a devilish smile, showing off perfect white teeth, as if understanding Vegeta's wariness of him. He took a step down from the platform of Frieza's throne and held Vegeta's agitated gaze until Frieza chuckling broke the silence. Both men broke their gaze to look at Frieza, but as Vegeta momentarily glanced back at Zarbon, he didn't miss the look of disgust the blue-skinned man tried to conceal as he watched the pale lizard.

"Yes, you two will get along just fine. Or die trying." Frieza continued to laugh as he stood up and motioned to the guards to open the doors. "You are all dismissed. But you Vegeta, report back to me in two hours. I have a very special mission for you." Zarbon folded his cape deftly over his shoulder before moving towards the exit, and the small crowd of people standing in front of the doorway parted for him. Before he passed the threshold, Zarbon threw back an insolent look and condescending sneer in Vegeta's direction, and although his face betrayed nothing, Vegeta could feel his fists tightening of their own accord. He had more than decided that he didn't like Zarbon. It was obvious that some of Kakarrot's tales of the blue-skinned bastard were true; the demonic eyes and cunning smile proved that somewhere within that attractive shell lay a cold, methodically killer. He may have looked crazy, but his calculated look told Vegeta everything he needed to know. The man liked to toy with his victims, and possibly got a thrill from torturing them slowly, which meant he was more dangerous than Vegeta had suspected. It didn't seem plausible that Zarbon would let anything slip by him, and that fact would make things much more difficult. Vegeta couldn't even imagine what Zarbon would do if he discovered Bulma. He would have to be extremely careful. Vegeta glanced back at Kakarrot and the rest of the Saiyans who had witnessed the hostile encounter, and without being told they lined up on either side of the door awaiting their prince so that they could follow behind him.

Vegeta didn't speak until he was alone with Kakarrot in the hallway after the other men had gone to their respective quarters.

"What do you think about our new cohort, Kakarrot?" he asked neutrally.

"I think, Ouji-sama, that we have a problem. I have to say, I am sorry my prediction was so accurate. And it seems that the stories were accurate as well. He looks absolutely nuts."

"Yes, but he's smarter than he looks. I think he knows that his appearance is daunting and uses it to his advantage. We will need to be very careful around him." Kakarrot nodded at his statement.

"Do you want me to get Bulma? I can leave through the slave barracks; no one will see me then."

"Fine. Take everything you need with you and I will check up on her when I can. In case I don't make it back from Frieza unscathed, I want you to check up on her once more before the night is done. I have a feeling Frieza is in a malicious mood this evening. No doubt he wants to rub the situation with Zarbon in my face a little more."

"I will take excellent care of her, Ouji-sama. No harm will come to her." Kakarrot turned in the direction of his own quarters, leaving Vegeta to stand alone in the hallway. Slowly, seemingly without conscious thought, he reached into his armor and tugged out the yellow scarf belonging to the woman he was risking his and Kakarrot's life for. He drew in one long breath of the delicate perfume before he strolled into his quarters, a hint of a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth as he thought of the sad helpless girl with the deep blue eyes. So caught up he was with the pleasant distraction that he failed to notice the pair of sharp, golden eyes watching him from a distance further down the corridor. The hooded figure turned from his place in the shadows and hurried down the hallway in the opposite direction, with a noticeably more anxious bounce to his step.

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