Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Nossoreg's Revenge ❯ Chapter 1

Chapter One

"Oh, Vegeta. You worry too much," Bulma said with a flip of her hand. "I haven't been anywhere for months! I'm getting tired of this house!"

"Don't argue with me!" Vegeta snapped back. "Not in your condition!"

"My condition?" Bulma asked, rubbing her swollen stomach. "You use that excuse every time I want to do something fun. The way you act, it's like I'm carrying glass instead of a baby. I have done this before, you know," she said and shook her finger under his nose. "And without your help, I might add."

Vegeta turned his back to her. To Bulma, it looked like he was trying to close the discussion. But if she were able to see his face, she would have seen regret - an emotion the proud Saiyan prince refused to admit to anyone, except himself.

"You have been so overprotective in the last few years," Bulma said as she closed her small suitcase with a snap. "It's like you suddenly noticed Trunks and I existed even though we've been here for the last fifteen years!"

Vegeta grimaced and closed his eyes. He could see scenes as clearly as if they had happened just yesterday and not six years ago when he finally realized what his family meant to him. When the evil monster, Buu, had taken the lives of his wife and son, he had experienced the deepest pain he had ever felt. It was far worse than even his own death. Luckily, they were able to wish everyone back to life with the magical dragonballs and Vegeta had been given a second chance.

It was true that he had taken Bulma for granted all those years. He had been so focused on training to be the strongest and best warrior in the universe that nothing else seemed important. Even when Bulma had given birth to their son, Trunks, he spared no time for them.

As Trunks grew older and showed an interest in his father's training, Vegeta finally began to notice him. Even though they spent time together in the gravity chamber, he didn't really know Trunks. He was just a pawn in the ongoing battle in Vegeta's mind between himself and the only Saiyan who had ever defeated him - Kakarot. Since Kakarot had died trying to save the earth, Vegeta was denied his revenge. His only consolation now was that he would be able to prove Trunks stronger than Kakarot's sons.

Unfortunately, the same day Trunks won the championship fight against Goten, the evil monster, Buu, was released. Vegeta knew there was only way to stop this menace from destroying the entire planet. He would have to sacrifice himself as Kakarot had done years before.

For the first time, Vegeta really looked at his son and felt a strange emotion he knew could only be love for the boy. It also dawned on him that he felt the same for his wife, Bulma. He couldn't believe the years he had wasted and would never have again. The only way he was able to show them how he felt was to die for them.

In Otherworld, he learned his sacrifice was in vain. Buu still continued to kill those he could now admit to caring for. His anger was only matched by his determination for revenge. His wife and friends were dead and his son had become an energy source for the monster. There was one last chance to save him - fusing bodies with his nemesis.

That time, fused together, had also given Vegeta a unique perspective on Kakarot's power. He was never able to figure out why the other man was able to reach levels easier and earlier than he could. While fused together, he did. Vegeta realized that while he was driven by pride, rage, and revenge, Kakarot was driven by his need to protect what he cared about - his family, friends, and every living creature - as well as the pure joy of fighting. He also realized that he, himself, could be capable of this as well.

After being brought up to believe he would always be the strongest warrior in the universe, it was time to swallow his pride and admit that Kakarot was stronger. It was a hard pill to take, but one he could no longer deny.

With Buu finally defeated and the earth restored to normal, Vegeta dropped his need for revenge against Kakarot and vowed to protect those he cared for. He still trained, along with his son, but now he could do so with peace of mind.

But, if the opportunity to fight Kakarot presented itself, he would definitely jump at it.

"Come on, Vegeta," Bulma said and put her hand on his back. "It's just a birthday party. We'll be back first thing tomorrow morning. What could happen?"

His muscles relaxed under her touch and he gave a deep sigh. She was right. He was being overly protective of her. There was no rational reason why he shouldn't let her go the short flight to visit with her old friends. But that didn't mean he had to like it.

"If you insist on going," Vegeta said in a stronger voice than he felt, "then I'm going with you!"

"Good," Bulma said with a smile and handed him her bag. "Then you can put this in the jet - next to yours." Then she went to the stairs and called up to tell Trunks they were ready to leave.

"You had this planned the whole time!" Vegeta accused. He knew he shouldn't be surprised. While Bulma was just as hard-headed as he was, she was also extremely good at getting her own way.

"Of course I did," she admitted, then smiled at him over her shoulder. "But I'll let you drive."