Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Destiny Lost ❯ The Scars That Bond ( Chapter 4 )

So… I tried reading through this chapter, but it was kind of hard when my husband was reading over my shoulder. I could just feel his criticizing eyes read over it, and I just couldn't handle it anymore. So I am sorry if this chapter has many mistakes… I feel bad, I think I say that in every chapter.

Anywho, thank you to all my reviewers!! I love you all!!! Keep `em coming!!!

Song I listened to while writing this chapter: Seether; Country Song

Disclaimer: I still don't own DBZ.

Bulma headed straight down to the belly of the ship to fix the triggering mechanism on the guns. The temporary fix the saiyans did was good, and it would have stayed fixed for a while… but she didn't want to be anywhere near the prince. He may be valuable and their savior , but it still didn't change the fact that he was a jerk. A huge jerk who was arrogant and totally full of himself.

Meanwhile, Radditz, Nappa and Goku sat in the main part of the ship. They were quiet for a few minutes… they were expecting either Vegeta or Bulma to start up again, or take their frustrations out on them. But after a few minutes of nothing, they felt it was safe to breath.

“Eherm,” Radditz cleared his throat. “I heard I had a little brother… you look just like father.” He said as looked at Goku. “Why don't you fill us in on what's going on.”

Goku nodded his head. “In a nut shell, father has been monitoring you three ever since King Vegeta handed the prince over to Frieza. He was unable to penetrate Frieza's watchful eye until Vegeta was a little older, since he was Frieza's favorite. We've actually tried getting to you guys a few times in the past five years… but with no such luck.” Radditz raised his eyebrow and rolled his eyes, silently saying `Well, obviously.' Goku continued. “As for the rebellion, we've been getting new recruits almost everyday… over half of them are Saiyan refugee's.”

Nappa and Radditz perked up at that tidbit of information. “What do you mean?” Nappa asked.

“Well, according to father, when word spread that the king handed his only son and heir to the throne over to Frieza willingly, in trade for half the universe, Planet Vegetasei became divided. Some felt that handing Vegeta over for half ownership of the universe was the best thing for the planet, making the Saiyans a stronger race. Other's felt the King disgraced the planet by giving their sworn enemy the heir to the thrown. The very heir that had promise in surpassing the King in strength at such a young age.

“The one's that voiced their disagreement with the king were silenced by death, or sent to serve Frieza…” He looked at his brother with a slight frown. “Like you.”

Radditz gave his brother a slight nod. He remember that day all too well. He was one of the first to be sent to serve Frieza, all because his father told the King that he had dishonored his people… to his face. The King was not pleased, to say the least with Bardock.

He remembered his father telling him to protect the Prince with his life before he was shipped off. He told him that Vegeta was important to the Saiyan Empire, and one day would help bring both tyrannies down. Although Radditz did not want to serve Frieza, he did promise his father he would complete this mission for him. He did, however, spend many nights cursing his father for condemning him to such a life, and although he didn't have it as rough as his best friend, Vegeta and couldn't fathom going through what the prince did at almost a daily basis, it was still horrid.

“Umm, anyway.” Goku went on. “The rebellion is led by father and Piccolo… I'm sure you've heard of him.” Both men nodded. “Bulma, myself, my wife and a couple others run rescue missions. We usually run a few a month, picking up people who need help or want to join our cause.”

Radditz lip curled in disgust. “You're married? Why would you do such a thing to yourself?”

Goku scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Well, we've been together since we were kids… and I kinda got her pregnant.”

“Wow, double whammy.” He looked at Nappa. “my brother's an amateur.”

Vegeta sat in the control room, looking out into the black abyss through the viewing screen. He had listened to the conversation, but became uninterested with it when they started talking about Goku's decision to marry and impregnate his mate… he had lost points with Vegeta with making such dumb decisions with his life.

He checked the navigation computer. They had about three hours left until they reached the rebel base. He reclined in the co-captain chair and closed his eyes. May as well get some shut eye before than.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Bulma and Goku piloted the ship towards one of the biggest space stations Vegeta had ever seen in his life.

“How have you not been infiltrated or attacked yet, with such a large base?” He didn't mean to speak to the wretched Blue haired woman, but he couldn't help but ask.

“We have a cloaking system. It can only be visible when one of our ships approach it, and it is always moving. Never in the same place… ever.”

Vegeta said nothing more, not wanting to speak to her more than necessary. He continued to watch from behind Bulma and Goku as they flew the ship into a docking station.

The five of them exited the ship onto the enclosed docking bay, walking down a narrow hallway that led into a large receiving area… they all came to a halt. There were hundreds of people, mostly Saiyans waiting for them. Once Vegeta came into view, the crowd all bowed onto one knee, lowered their heads and brought their left fist over their hearts.

“Great… that's all he needs to feed his huge ego.” Bulma whispered to Goku.

Vegeta was nervous and didn't exactly know how to handle the situation. It had been years since he was shown such respect and didn't exactly know what to do. He didn't dare show his nervousness, his face was stone like as he scanned the crowd and before it got too awkward for him, a fellow Saiyan stood up and walked towards Vegeta.

“Prince Vegeta, welcome. I am Bardock.” The scared, older of Goku said as he bowed his head. Vegeta returned his nod. “You must be tired and hungry. If you will come with me, I will show you to your new room, and then my youngest son will show you around.” He looked at Radditz, giving him a nod and a slight smile and then to Bulma. “Bulma, you are to report to Piccolo.”

Bulma groaned loudly. She knew what this was about. Bardock just gave her a smirk and turned his back on her.

There was no getting out of it, so she turned in the direction of the elevator and headed to where Piccolo was most likely at. His meditation room.

She knocked lightly before she let herself in. The room was dimly lit and in the dead center was Piccolo. He was levitating a few inches off of the ground as he was sitting crossed legged with his eyes closed.

“Bulma.”

“Hi Piccolo.” She said in a sigh as she kicked off her boots and sat down across from him and mimicked his form.

“I see you've accomplished your mission.” He stated, still not opening his eyes. Bulma watched him, she knew the underlining question in his statement.

She rolled her eyes slightly. “Everything went fine. I didn't get a scratch on me. Seriously, Piccolo, you don't have to do this every time I come back from a mission. It's been six months now… I'm fine-“

Piccolo opened his eyes and gave Bulma a stern look. “Bulma, I am your guardian. It is my duty to make sure you are well and safe. I promised your father I would do so… and I failed. You can understand why I check up on you.” His monotoned deep voice was calm but stern.

Bulma's peeved look softened a bit. “It wasn't your fault, Piccolo. You weren't even there. Please don't feel guilty. I'm fine, seriously. Now,” She stood up and bowed slightly to him. “I would like to take a shower and get some food in my stomach before I get some work done.” She gave him a smile, grabbed her shoes and left the room.

Piccolo looked at the door she had exited out of for a few moments then bowed his head. “You are not fine, Bulma. You are not fine.”

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Vegeta sat on his bed. His living quarters was a decent size. It was a large room that held a queen sized bed, two chairs and a desk, with a computer system. His room even had it's own separate bathroom, which Vegeta didn't have on Frieza's flag ship. They all had to share one bathroom, which was not pleasant. There was a large viewing screen and doubled as a video communicator and a television set and his room had two large windows, giving him a view of the never ending darkness and stars. Bardock had told him that he supplied him with some clothing, but had to go to the commissary to get new armor and anything else that he may require.

This whole situation was throwing him for a spin. He couldn't count how many times he had wanted the opportunity to kill the damned pink and purple lizard, and now he had his chance… his thoughts shifted to his father. He wanted nothing more to kill him too, he deserved it. Vegeta had sworn that both his father and frieza would fall by his hands…

His thoughts were halted when there was a knock at the door. He stood up, contemplating not answering. He could find things himself by exploring… but he wanted to avoid the attention he was getting from the other Saiyans. He still wasn't sure how to act around them, when they were always bowing at him, sure he was a Prince… but it still, the whole thing was new and slightly odd to him. So he decided that a tour was his best option. He answered the door and immediately regretted his decision. He growled and crossed his arms over his chest.

“What do you want?”

Bulma put her hands on her hips. “I don't want to be around you as much as you don't want to be around me… but, Goku's wife has gone into labor, so Bardock has asked me to show you around.” She stood there and tapped her foot.

“Fine.” He ground out. “Let's get this over with.”

He followed Bulma to the elevator at the very end of the hallway. They went up two floors and exited and walked into another hallway and went through double doors.

“This is where the cafeteria is. There are seven total on this base ship.” She let him enter first and let him look around. “It's open twenty four hours a day.” When he was done looking they went back to the hallway and she showed him to another cafeteria like setting. “This is our `tavern'.” It was smaller than the cafeteria, and it looked just like a tavern… it even smelled like one. It was just cleaner than the one's he was used to. He returned nods of acknowledgment from a few patrons and quickly exited, Bulma in tow.

She chuckled inwardly. She had run into Radditz before she went to Vegeta's living quarters.

“Bulma, I need to get laid… where can I go? Where can I find some willing women?”

Bulma burst out laughing and it took a few moments to stop. “Uhhm,” She snickered. “We have a tavern, on the thirty fifth level… people usually get lucky there… do you want me to show you?”

He was already headed to the elevator. “No, I can find it.”

They entered the elevator again and went up two levels.

“This is the commissary. This is where you can pick up new armor, toiletries and anything else you might need.” Vegeta nodded. The whole level was the commissary. He then entered the elevator, as did Bulma and again they went up a few levels.

“This level holds med bay and my labs.” She ushered him into the medbay. It was similar to the one Frieza's ship, only a bit larger. It was complete with beds, regen tanks and a couple rooms dedicated to surgery. She waited until he nodded yet again, telling her to show him the next place on her list.

Right next to the medbay, was the gym. It was stock full of machines and tool along with an Olympic sized pool. She then went to the next corridor over and pushed the double doors open for him. “This is my lab.”

His eye brow jump a bit, but his face never budged from his board and somewhat agitated look he seemed to always wear.

Bulma rolled her eyes and waved to a few people, working over some wiring and microscopes.

“This is where all of our weaponry comes from, along with any other technological thing the rebellion needs.” Vegeta nodded as he walked up to a table that held the ki collar he was wearing just a few hours ago. Seeing this Bulma walked up to him and picked it up.

“Everytime I come across a weapon or gadget from our enemies, I take it and study it.” Vegeta said nothing and walked around the room, carefully inspecting each project Bulma's tech's were working on. When he made a complete circle of the lab, he walked up to Bulma.

“I require food.” He then walked out of the lab.

She looked after him for a moment, and remembered that she was hungry too. She said a quick goodbye to her tech's and exited her lab. She was surprised to see that Vegeta was holding the elevator door open, waiting for her.

They rode in silence in the elevator and entered the cafeteria. Vegeta gave an inward sigh of relief that the place was pretty much empty, remembering that it was pretty late in the evening. He followed Bulma as she grabbed a tray and a plate, along with some silverwear and started piling food onto her plate, Vegeta did the same. He paused when he turned around to find a seat when he saw the woman sitting at a table, looking at him.

“I don't like eating alone, you want to join me?”

He furrowed his brows mulling the question over… and again against his better judgment he sat down at her table. She waited until he took a few bites before she tried to start a conversation. In that time, he stole glances at her when she was occupied with the food on her plate. He could tell there was something eating at her. She was hiding something, but what? To anyone, she seemed like a smart assed human woman who was beautiful and used her exotic looks to her advantage. He would never admit it, but she was a very beautiful creature.

“What do you think so far?” she asked with a friendly smile.

Vegeta paused for a minute before he put another piece of meat in his mouth and chewed. He lifted his eyes from his plate and looked at her. He shrugged indifferently. Bulma shook her head, not surprised at his answer, or lack there of. He swallowed his mouthful and leaned back into his chair.

“What did you mean earlier by `Your lab'?” he finally asked.

Bulma brightened a bit at his question. “Well, I'm in charge of research and development… I'm kind of a genius.” She smirked.

He scoffed at that last comment. “Why would Bardock send a lab rat on missions?”

Her eyes furrowed at him. “It so happens that I specialize in many areas other than science and technology. I've been trained in the medical field as well as strategy and combat.”

He crossed his arms, his smirk never leaving his lips. “Combat you say. I find that hard to believe.”

“Yes combat. I was pretty much raised by a Namekian, and not just any Namekian. Piccolo, I'm sure you've heard of him.”

Indeed he had. But nobody knew if he was a real person or was just made up to scare soldiers. The Namekian named Piccolo was said to be one of the most fiercest and most deadly warriors around. Vegeta, of course, thought that was bullshit. Only a Saiyan could be the strongest being in the Universe, and he was going to be that Saiyan.

“You mean to tell me he has taught you ki manipulation and flight?” His tone condescending.

“No. I'm only human. But he has taught me everything else… hand to hand combat and stuff.” She was growing tired of his tone, doubting her abilities.

“Hmph, then tell me Woman, how did Piccolo become you guardian?”

She flinched a bit and looked down at the table. “My mother and father were taken away from me ten years ago. My father fought with Piccolo during the first planetary revolution when Frieza first tried to take over Earth and it's allies. He left me in his care.”

“Did Frieza take your parents?” His tone lost it's sarcastic tone, it turning a little dark.

She finally looked up, her eyes focused on him. “They were taken by your father.”

Vegeta uncrossed his arms, he wasn't expecting that. But it didn't surprise him, stories of his father had reached him through out the years with such stories as hers. He was about to ask her another question, one that he had wanted to ask since they first met in the tavern. But before he could ask, someone called her name.

Bulma twisted around in her seat to see who greeted her and waved. There peeking out of her tank top was a mark that Vegeta was very familiar with. Bulma turned around. Sensing what Vegeta had seen, she consciously pulled at the strap of her shirt.

“Umm, I think I'm going to turn in. If you need anything, I'm five doors down from you.” She stood up and left in a hurry.

He sat there and tried to finish his meal, but he just couldn't. He shoved his plate away and headed to his room, he was unable to concentrate after he saw that mark on her.

When he got back to his room, he fired up the computer at his desk. Contrary to popular belief, Vegeta was pretty damned smart. At an early age, he had taught himself how to hack into Frieza's computer system and mess with launch dates for missions and planetary records along with numerous other things to piss Frieza and his men off.

He easily bypassed the base's firewall and brought up the information he was looking for.

Bulma Briefs Age: 20

Field of Specialty:

Head of scientific and technological labs. Research and development in weaponry as well as biological warfare.

Other specialties:

Medical, strategic planning and hand to hand combat.

Basic information:

Bulma Briefs, brought to main base by Namekian, Piccolo. On earth's date of June 03, 2527. Father, Trunks Briefs was taken into Saiyan custody against his will. Mother, Bunny Briefs was taken into Saiyan custody against her will. Bunny Briefs is assumed dead. It is unknown if Trunks Briefs is still alive.

Vegeta skimmed over the rest of her profile, until something caught his eye at the bottom of the screen.

Incident Report

He clicked on the words. Another page popped up and he read on, his fists gripping the steel desk as he did.

Date: October 29th, 2537

Extraction mission.

Three man team: Bulma B., Goku, Chi-Chi

On afore mentioned date, Commander Briefs was apprehended by the cold empire. Per Commander Goku's written report, Bulma was found five days later. Badly beaten and near death. She sustained a concussion, four broken ribs, fractured jaw, broken fibula, two broken knee caps and a deep cut that spans from her top left shouler to her right hip area.

After Commander Briefs rescue, she put herself in seclusion for two weeks, refusing any psychiatric evaluation. There is reason to believe the commander was raped repeatedly, but a rape kit was not performed as it would not have been conclusive since the Commander and her crew did not get back to base until after a week after her rescue.

After a mandatory exit psychiatric interview, the commander was prohibited from receiving any missions.

Commander Briefs is now cleared for all duties.

End Record.

By the time Vegeta had finished reading the report, he noticed that his fists had twisted the metal beneath his hands. His thoughts were confirmed when he saw the scar on the Woman's back. He absently rubbed the back of his shoulder… It seems the woman and he had more in common than he first thought.