Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Perchance to Dream ❯ To Sleep, Perchance to Dream ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Last time, Vegeta revealed to Dende that Bulma was dead, and that he would soon follow if she were not wished back to life. Will he get his wish?

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Part 2: To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

Dende looked shocked, but quickly recovered. "Explain, please."

Vegeta clenched his fists. "It has to do with the bond between a Saiyan and their mate. Do you really want me to go into detail?" The Namekian nodded, so Vegeta continued, annoyed. "When two Saiyans mate for life, a joining of their spirits as well as their bodies occurs. When one of the pair dies, the other soon follows. It was discouraged among the warrior elite and royalty, for obvious reasons. And I can't believe I allowed it to happen to me, and with a stupid, weak, human! I didn't think a Saiyan could even have a life-bond with a lesser species."

Dende thought a moment. "Then why did Chi-chi live after Goku died?" he asked.

The Saiyan shrugged. "Why should I care about Kakarott's mate? It's probably because she's only human. That's also why I'm not dead already. The bond with a human is not as strong..." He stopped suddenly as the pain in his body intensified, making his head start to spin again. Clenching his teeth, he forced himself to stay upright, breathing in short, shallow pants until the agony lessened. As soon as he was able, he spoke again. "But I'm sure I don't have much time left, so can we get on with it?

"Are you positive that Bulma is dead?" Dende inquired. "She could just be injured..."

"She is dead," Vegeta interrupted harshly. "I felt her spirit torn from my own. What more proof do you need? I have no time to search for her body."

The Guardian remained silent for a long moment, staring off into the sky. Finally, he looked back at the Saiyan. "I cannot help you, not yet."

"WHAT?!" Vegeta roared. "Why the hell not? You've got the dragonballs here, I have a wish that needs to be made, what's the problem?"

Dende regarded him sadly. "From what you have said, the only reason you want Bulma to return is so that you will not die as well. Your concern is not for her, only for yourself. I cannot allow this selfish wish."

"Why... you... little..." Vegeta sputtered in rage. He held one hand palm out in front of him, ready to blast the Guardian into eternity. But even as he gathered his energy, a fresh wave of agony washed over him, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. A shadow crossed his vision, and he saw the Namekian kneeling beside him. Dende's hand came to rest on his forehead, and in that instant, all the pain left his body. He felt light, as if he were floating, then the darkness closed in once more.

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It was dark, too dark to see anything but the blackness all around. But Vegeta didn't need to see to know what to do. He held Bulma in his arms, kissing her passionately. He buried one hand in her hair and tilted her head back, exposing her neck. She giggled as he moved his lips lower, and he began to unbutton her blouse with his free hand. As he shifted his grip, she squirmed away and danced out of his reach, still laughing. Vegeta felt a bolt of fear go through him as he suddenly felt another presence in the darkness with them: cold, evil, and eminently powerful. "Woman, come back," he commanded. "It's not safe."

"Come and get me," she teased from right behind him. He spun around and tried to grab her, but came up with only air. He heard her laugh again, further away this time. "You missed me!"

The malicious force was getting closer, but Vegeta still couldn't pinpoint it's location, or Bulma's. "Bulma, please," he called again, trying to keep the panic out of his voice. "I don't want to lose you." He was terrified at the prospect, and shot a bolt of energy into the air, trying to dispel the darkness, but the beam fizzled out within a few feet, and the blackness folded in once again.

"You're not trying," she called out gaily. "I'm over here!" Suddenly her tone of voice changed. "Vegeta!" she screamed in terror. "Help me!"

The Saiyan spun around and began to race blindly toward the sound of her voice. "Where are you?"

"Help me! Oh, god, help me, Vegeta!" she cried, sounding even further away.

"I'm trying! Where are you? Bulma! Bulma!"

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"Bulma!" Vegeta awoke with a jolt, sitting up suddenly. He thought he could still hear her voice, echoing off in the distance. He turned his head toward the sound, and came face to face with Dende. He glared at the Guardian. "What did you do to me?"

"I had to know," the Namekian replied simply.

Vegeta was confused. "Know what?"

"What you would never be able to consciously tell me--your true feelings. I don't even think that you could admit them to yourself. But you cannot hide them in your dreams."

"So now what?"

"I will let you use the dragonballs to wish her back."

"Finally!" Vegeta jumped up, then staggered a bit as the terrace seemed to sway beneath him. He regained his balance quickly. "Let's get on with it."

"You know that one wish has already been used?"

"Yes, yes, I know. One wish should be sufficient."

A few minutes later, the two stood in the shadow of the great eternal dragon, Shenlong. "What is your wish?" the dragon boomed.

The Saiyan stepped forward. "Return my mate, Bulma, to life!"

Shenlong paused for a long moment. "I cannot grant this wish," he said finally.

Vegeta felt as though he'd been punched in the gut. "What?" he cried. "Why not?" The dragon remained silent. "I demand that you tell me why!"

Shenlong's overpowering voice came again. "I cannot grant your wish because the one you call Bulma is not dead. Her spirit has been separated from her body but it has not been transported to the Otherworld. Her spirit and body both live, but are separate."

Vegeta could barely breathe. Unthinking, he gasped out the first thought that came into his head. "Bring her here."

Shenlong nodded. "Your wish is granted," he growled. A flash of light blinded Vegeta for a moment, and he threw up his arms to cover his eyes. When he looked up, the dragon had disappeared and the dragon balls were shooting off in all directions, leaving gleaming trails in their wake.

Vegeta turned and saw what appeared to be a metal coffin, similar to what Dr. Gero had kept his androids in. Steam rose from around it, and a small glass window showed at the top. Heart pounding, Vegeta walked toward it, afraid of what he might find inside. His hands refused to stay steady as he wiped a bit of condensation off the window and peered in. He gasped as he saw Bulma's white face staring back at him. Her eyes were open and unblinking, and seemed to stare right past him. Looking further down, Vegeta saw that her hands were crossed over her bare chest. She looks dead, the Saiyan thought with a shudder. Tearing his eyes away from her pale form, he began searching the edges of the case for a way to open it.

"That may not be the best thing to do," Dende said, moving to stand beside him.

Vegeta straightened up, ignoring the dizziness he felt as he did so. "And why not?"

"This container seems to be keeping her body alive, but I sense that her spirit is trapped elsewhere. Removing her from this now may truly kill her. We have to find her spirit and rejoin the two."

"How can I do that?" Vegeta yelled, stalking away angrily. "I wouldn't even know where to start. There's no way..." he stopped and gripped his head with both hands as daggers of pain set off fireworks behind his eyelids. He sank to his knees when it began to spread down his neck and shoulders. Breathing became difficult, and he felt sick to his stomach as he fought to stay conscious. After what seemed like an eternity, the pain faded to a dull ache, and he opened his eyes. Dende stood next to him, with a hand on his shoulder and a look of intense concentration on his face. He offered his hand to help Vegeta up, but the proud Saiyan brushed it away and struggled to his feet on his own. Both stood in silence for a long moment. Finally the Namekian spoke.

"I think I may know of a way to find Bulma's spirit," he said slowly. "In your dream, you heard her cry out for you. I thought it was strange how strong the call was--it even seemed to be coming from that direction." He pointed west, and Vegeta nodded, remembering what he thought he had heard as he awakened earlier. "That may have been her spirit contacting you through the bond you share. If you follow that, you might have a chance of finding her."

"All right," the Saiyan growled. "I'll do my best."

"It will be difficult for you," Dende cautioned. "You will have to search with your heart and listen to your feelings, something you are not used to doing. Let your spirit guide you--it will be drawn to hers." He reached out toward the other man. Vegeta automatically flinched and leaned away slightly, but then relented and let the Guardian place his hand on his forehead. Dende's eyes closed, and Vegeta felt warmth radiate throughout his body. "There," the Namekian said, opening his eyes again. "I've healed your body and spirit to the best of my abilities. Get some senzu beans from Korin--they should help sustain you until you can find Bulma."

Vegeta straightened his shoulders, then turned and immediately launched into the air. As Dende watched his energy trail fade, he sensed a presence move up beside him.

"You heard?" he asked.

"Everything," Piccolo replied.

Dende thought for a moment. "He won't make it on his own."

The other Namekian sighed. "I know."

The little Guardian turned to his friend. "Will you go after him?"

"Hmmm..." Piccolo rumbled. "I suppose."

Dende gripped his companion's shoulder. "Thank you. He would never ask for help, but I sense that he will need it."

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To Be Continued...

Next: Will Vegeta be able to find Bulma's spirit in time? And who is behind this attack? Stay tuned...

Thanks for reading! Please review... I'm beginning to think no one has an opinion on this story, one way or another! :)