Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Don't Fear The Reaper ❯ Love Of Two Is One ( Chapter 1 )

~All Our Times Have Come~

Here I am again. In honor of my *!!FAVORITE HOLIDAYEVER!!* I have written a nice straight forward, old fashioned, no nonsense horror fic. There's really no real plot beyond what you would find in your average horror movie and there's no lemon whatsoever. Maybe I'll write a sexy teen-slasher fic to make up for that sometime but not today. This my first attempt at horror and I spit it out over two days so expect some typos and grammar crapola. Beyond that…grab some popcorn and twizzlers and sit back and relax. Enjoy. I have included words to the song Don't Fear The Reaper at the end of this fic. For those of you who wish to truly experience the dementia that is my mind…you can fire up winamp and crank up the volume as you read. ^_^ I know it's a little long…but all my fics seem to end up that way.

~Here But Now They're Gone~

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Once again…as if it really needs to be reiterated… Any rights, opinions, intentions, wants, or otherwise self-revolving traits regarding Dragonball Z are purely in my own mind…but that's the way I like it. This story is mine, though, even if it is full of grammar typos and holey plot structure.

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*Don't Fear The Reaper*

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Vegeta stirred and took a deep breath before opening his eyes and glaring in annoyance. He reached out and brushed away the blue strands that hid the figure curled against his side. "Onna. You cannot stand my schedule and yet you sneak into my bed anyway. I am tired of your bitchiness in the mornings. Sleep in your own bed."

She groaned unhappily at being wakened but snuggled closer. "I get lonely. I won't be bitchy."

He sneered. "You're always bitchy."

She snarled and smacked him with his own pillow. "Only cause you make me!"

He growled and rolled out of bed, throwing the blanket over her head. By the time she fumbled out of it he was gone to start his training.

"Damn."

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"GOKU!!!" A screech pierced the peaceful early morning quiet. "GET YOUR LAZY BUTT OUT OF BED!!"

The martial artist never flinched. He'd grown used to the noise long ago.

"Daddy!"

The feeling of a nine year old bouncing on his stomach was a different matter all together.

"Hey, buddy." Goku opened his eyes, caught Goten, and pulled him down to cuddle before rolling out of bed and getting dressed for breakfast.

"Morning ChiChi."

"It's about time you got down here. Honestly! I slaved all morning just to give you something to eat. The least you can do is show up!" She clinked a heaping plate before him and stared down impatiently. The expression quickly reversed into a loving smile and she hugged him happily. "Guess I wore you out last night, huh?" The amazon whispered into his ear teasingly.

He grinned and kissed her. "Uh huh."

"Eeeew." Goten exclaimed. The teenager at the table next to him just blushed and ignored them. Soon the food was gone and Gohan headed for school while Goku took off to find Vegeta and spar.

"Don't spend all day with that man!" ChiChi yelled but Goku was already gone.

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"Hey, Vegeta. Ya wanna spar?"

"Hn."

They disappeared into the gravity chamber.

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"Barbara."

The young girl jumped nervously at the sound of her name, almost dropping the delicate beaker in her hand. "Y… Yes, sir, Mr. Cline, sir." She addressed her supervisor. He stood stiffly in his pristine, orderly, white lab coat and frowned sternly.

"You were late today. That's the third time in two weeks."

She stared down at her feet guiltily. "Yes, sir. There was an accident on the freeway. I couldn't…"

"I expect you to make more of an effort from now on. Your tri-monthly review is coming up. I assume you are aware?" He eyed her disdainfully. "I have some things to go over with you about it. Be sure to make yourself available tomorrow. And don't be late again." He turned and walked away without another word.

Barbara stood there, tears welling up in her eyes and wondering if she should start searching the want adds. She *needed* this job! Her rent was due in two weeks and she was flat broke. She could barely afford gas to get here from the other side of town. It wasn't fair! She did her best! Why did her boss have to be such an asshole?! Her nerves were totally shot. She reached for the counter to steady herself and shrieked as the beaker she had been so careful with before hit the ground and shattered.

"Oh no! Damn it! I'm gonna be in so much trouble!" She panicked and snatched up a neutralizing powder. She didn't even know what was in that beaker! Now she was really in for it! "I just know he's going to fire me! I know it!"

The powder fizzled for a few seconds and then stopped. Quickly she scooped the broken pieces onto one corner of her lab coat and dumped them in a trashcan. Then she went back to clean the tiny shards and the spill.

"Ouch!" Barbara examined the tiny cut on her finger and pulled out the piece of glass. Cursing, she finished up despite it. Once the mess was clean she took off her coat and got her purse, readying to go home for the day. She hurried, hoping she wouldn't see her superior on the way out.

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Vegeta grinned at the other Saiyan. "Is that the best you can do?"

Goku grinned back. "Nope."

They met again but they were both growing tired. The fight quickly turned to a wrestling match. Neither could quite get a grip on the other's flushed, sweat slicked skin. Finally, as if completely attuned to the one another's thoughts, they both gave up and collapsed back to back, panting heavily.

"It's been a good day, Vegeta."

"Hn."

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Bulma made her last rounds, checking to ensure all the labs were shut down properly. She had taken over most of her father's duties since he'd gotten older. It gave her parents more time with each other and they needed that.

One of the research/development labs was still lit so she went inside. "Hello? Anyone here?"

No answer.

There was a slightly moist lab coat on the counter but the room was otherwise empty. Bulma hung up the coat and then shut down the room before leaving.

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"Hi, guys." Bulma greeted as the two Saiyans exited the gravity room. She gave Goku a quick hug. "You staying for dinner, Goku?"

"Nope. I'm sure ChiChi would want me home. I've been gone all day. Bye. Bye, Vegeta." He flew off and the two went inside.

"Hi, mom. Hi, dad." Bulma greeted her parents. "What's for dinner?" She gave her dad a hug and then helped her still beautiful mother to set the table and pass out the plates.

"Well, sit down and you'll see." Her mother replied. Trunks bounded into the room and took his seat next to his father. Dinner went normally with all the Briefs chattering away while Vegeta ate silently, just listening.

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Vegeta wordlessly tucked his son into bed and was about to shut off the light when Trunks stopped him. "Father? I… I had a bad dream last night. Would you leave the light on?"

The prince paused and eyed his son sternly. "Dreams are not real, boy. They only show you yourself and what you must face and conquer. They are in your mind. Control them."

The boy nodded and Vegeta turned off the light, going to his room falling asleep quickly.

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Goku snuggled with his wife in their room. "Dinner was great, ChiChi, but you forgot dessert. I guess I'll have to find my own." The amazon giggled happily until his kiss silenced her.

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Barbara made it home and into her apartment. She suddenly wasn't feeling well at all. 'It must be my nerves.' She poured herself a cup of tea and turned on the radio hoping a little relaxation would make her feel better. Only half way through, the cup suddenly dropped from her nerveless fingers and she rushed to the bathroom where she vomited into the sink. Turning on the faucet she splashed cold water onto her face and gasped when she saw the mirror. Her eyes were puffy, bloodshot, and gray while her face was pale and drawn. "Oh no!" She noticed something strange when she said the words. Opening her mouth she gasped again. Her tongue was colorless and her gums were black. "Oh my god! What's wrong with me?! What am I going to do?!" Tears began streaming down her cheeks and her stomach knotted up. Her neighbor! He was a doctor! He could help her. Quickly she went out and pounded on the door across the hall. "Ross! Ross! Please open up! Ross!"

Finally the door opened. "Barbara? What's the matter? You don't look so good. What's wrong?"

"I don't know!" She sobbed.

He examined her for a second more and then put his arm around her shaking shoulders, speaking reassuringly. "It's alright, Barbara. I think I'll take you to the hospital. Let me get my keys."

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Vegeta rose with the sun and was surprised to find himself alone. He came out and saw his son sitting and sniffling at the breakfast table with the boy's grandma and grandpa. "Morning, father. Mom's sick in bed. I think she gave me a cold too."

Vegeta examined the two older humans. "You too?" He asked frowning slightly.

"Just a touch of the flu, sweetie. I'm sure we'll all be fine in a day or two. You look healthy and handsome as ever though." Trunks grandmother reassured in her sugary tone and flashed him a smile with only half of her usual teasing.

The prince nodded and headed off to train.

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Goku tossed and turned before laying awake with his eyes half open. Something was odd. It was too quiet. He rolled out of bed and went downstairs. There sat his wife at the table sipping some tea. "Hi, ChiChi. You okay?"

She shook her head. "Oh, Goku. I don't feel very good. Goten doesn't feel well either, he's still in bed. Gohan's fine. He went to school already. Maybe you should go eat at the Capsule Corp. I really don't feel up to cooking and I don't want you to catch this. It's awful. Go on. I'll feel better after some rest, I know it."

"Alright, ChiChi, you feel better." He hugged her gently. "I'll be back later."

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"Hey, Vegeta!"

"What is it, Kakarott?"

"Vegeta, I'm hungry!"

The prince glared, pausing in his routine. "What do I care?"

"Everybody's sick. There's no food." Goku pouted.

Vegeta frowned suspiciously. "What?"

"ChiChi, Bulma, her mom, they're all sick. There's no one to make breakfast."

The prince rolled his eyes. "Then go hunt something down, or are you *completely* helpless?"

"But…" Goku hesitated then shrugged and grinned. "Okay. Let's go."

Vegeta tensed angrily. "Why must *I* interrupt *my* training just because *your* baka stomach is empty?!"

"Awww, come on, Vegeta. I bet you haven't eaten anything either."

The prince sighed in annoyance. "You better make today's spar worth my while!"

Goku grinned. "Don't I always? That's the spirit."

The ouji growled and took off, Goku following along behind.

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When the two Saiyans flew back to the C.C. that evening, they saw a sea of flashing lights and people in uniforms swarming over the entire property. "What the hell is going on?!"

"How should I know, Vegeta?"

"What the hell is this?! Tell me what's happening!" Vegeta stomped through the chaos looking for answers with Goku following along behind.

"Father!" Ten-year-old Trunks ran up to him. "They took mom to the hospital! Grandma and grandpa too! There's some sort of emergency. Like some chemicals or something makin everybody sick. These people have been here all day. I was feelin sick earlier but I'm okay now."

The prince's eyes narrowed at the jumbled news. He turned to face Goku. "Take me to Bulma. Now!"

"Uh, okay." Goku laid his hands on both princes and they disappeared.

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Vegeta stared in disbelief. "Onna?"

Bulma opened her eyes slowly. "Vegeta? Oh, thank goodness. Tell me, how do you feel? Are you sick?"

"We are fine, woman." He answered gruffly. "What is wrong with you?"

She took a shallow, rattling breath and closed her feverish eyes. "It's some sort of virus. It originated at Capsule Corp. At least one employee has died from it already and who knows how it happened. It is highly contagious. They may even quarantine the laboratories. They already quarantined off this part of the hospital. Trunks. How do you feel? You were sick earlier."

Trunks almost couldn't answer. He stared at his mom. She looked half dead already. "I… I'm fine. I went and trained in the gravity room and feel a lot better."

She sighed in relief. "Good. I hoped that it wouldn't affect your Saiyan immune systems. You guys need to go away. This thing is bad, real bad. Who knows how far it's spread already." She coughed and a black ichor leaked from the corner of her mouth. "Vegeta. Take care of our son… I love you."

"Mom! No!" Trunks cried. Vegeta just stood silently.

"Goku, tell ChiChi I love her too."

The tall warrior looked drawn and pale. "…ChiChi was sick when I left this morning…"

Bulma stared at him and tears leaked from her graying eyes. "Oh no, Goku! I'm sorry!" The big man backed away in horror and his fingers went to his forehead. He disappeared.

Trunks clung to his mother's arm and cried. Vegeta approached stoically. And she spoke again. "Vegeta. No one knows what this is but…it's deadly. If ChiChi has it then that means she got it from touching Goku and he got it from touching me. I'm sorry. You should go. You should all sterilize yourselves. Anyone else you meet could get it just from toughing your clothes." The prince made no move to leave. "Please, Vegeta."

Finally he pulled the boy away and nodded. "I will be back."

"No. Don't come back."

He paused but didn't respond. The father and son swiftly disappeared out the window.

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How's that for the first chapter? There's only three so don't worry. Continuing…