Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Reconcile ❯ Reconcile Part V: I'm Doing This For You ( Chapter 5 )

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

Hope you all like this chapter!

***** = NormalWorld.

~*****~ = Vegeta's world.

^*****^ = Bulma's world.

*********************************************************** ************

Bulma shook her head as she felt herself being pulled away. She could feel the little boy's inner turmoil and hear his thoughts. "I'm not leaving you, I'll always be with you Vegeta..." Smiling sadly she blew him a soft kiss and spoke out before she completely vanished.

As the vision of the little boy faded, she found herself once again spiraling down a black tunnel.

She didn't know where she would end up next, just hoped that the Py'ar ritual would soon be over. It was easy trying to understand chibi Vegeta, she just didn't know how hard it would be to understand the older version of Vegeta.

She prayed to Dende that the ritual would come to an end soon.

~*****~

Bulma gasped as her eyes flew open. A cry of pain was emitted from her as she felt thick fingers dig their nails into each side of her arms. It was then that she realized she was being held captive. Looking down, she saw that her clothes had not changed and that she was still in the beautiful blue dress. But she was being handled roughly by two alien soldiers.

One was short and fat, almost like an overgrown lizard. The other that was holding her captive, was tall and looked almost human-like save for the deep orange skin that was wrapped around him and the extreme white unkempt hair he donned. Her eyes widened as she recognized the pair. Weren't they the same two characters that were on Namek-sei, the ones who performed that ridiculous dance before fighting? She couldn't recall what force they had been apart of, just remembered that their leader had been a scary large purple man with horns and that he seemed to have his own silly little dance as well.

She hissed from the pain that they were inflicting upon her poor arms. They seemed to drag her along a dim and narrow hallway. It looked as though they were on a large spaceship. She had no clue as to why the next phase of the Py'ar brought her here. She struggled helplessly in their firm grasp.

"Listen sweetie, you better stop your fidgeting or I'll personally rip you apart and save Lord Frieza the trouble of having to kill you himself!" The short fat lizard growled.

Bulma gaped at him, she tried to pull her arm out of his grasp. "Look here you ugly fat lizard, I don't care what you'll do to me but if you call me sweetie one more time, I will personally shred your genitalia to tiny little pieces and scatter them across the universe. Got it?!" Her anger rose as the threat spilled form her lips.

The orange man chuckled. "I think she likes you Dodoria." He winked at his comrade.

Dodoria began to sulk, "Shut up Jeice. We're not all pretty boys like you!"

Bulma was about to scream in frustration. "Where the hell am I? Why in Dende's name have you brought here? And would you fucking loosen your grip on my arms, I'm not going to run away you know!"

The two soldiers reluctantly loosened their hard grip on her arms. Bulma walked along with them for a few moments in silence, trying to calculate an escape route. Why the heck had the Py'ar brought her here as a captive? Her eyes darted around, but she came up with nothing as they walked slowly along the long narrow passageway.

That's when she decided to make a break for it. Ripping her arms from their loose grasp, she kicked both of them in the shins and started to run in the opposite direction they were walking in. Breaking in to a sprint, she ran down the narrow passageway, desperately trying to find an escape route. When she looked behind her to see if her captors were following, she saw them standing and smiling at her pathetic attempt to escape. Just as she looked forward again, her tiny fragile body slammed into what seemed a brick wall.

"Oof!" Bulma staggered backwards, promptly falling on her backside. She looked up and saw two cold onyx eyes staring down at her. Her heart froze. She recognized that look anywhere. It was Vegeta. Her face broke into a smile, "Vegeta!"

She jumped up from her sprawled position on the floor and rushed towards him for an embrace, babbling like a mad woman. "Thank Dende you're here! What the heck is going on, why did you-?" She stopped mid-tirade as she saw the cruel look on his pace. Realization dawned on her as he roughly pushed her back. This wasn't the Vegeta she knew, it was his former self when he was much younger.

Vegeta raised his eyebrow mockingly and narrowed his cruel gaze upon her. "It's Prince Vegeta to you, slave." He hissed the last word out in disgust.

She looked at him pleadingly. Maybe she could get through to him. "Vegeta, it's me! It's Bulma-" Before she could say anything more, she watched in horror as he brought his hand down, making it contact with her cheek in a thundering slap.

She soon felt herself being hurled to the side and slam against the wall of the narrow passageway. Bulma whimpered at the pain that was caused to her fragile body. This wasn't supposed to be real! So why did it hurt so much...? Tears rolled down her porcelain cheeks and she looked up accusingly into his harsh eyes. What had she done to deserve this?!

Vegeta crouched down beside her and roughly held her chin in his hand. Yanking her face closer to his, he once again hissed at her. "I said you shall address me as Prince Vegeta. Say it."

Bulma shook with intense fear. The man she loved had been a monster, he didn't have an ounce of humanity within him! He raised his hand once again. Wincing, before he could make contact again she sputtered out the words. "Y-yes Prince Vegeta," disdain was held in her words.

Vegeta stood up and roughly pulled her to her feet. As he gripped her arm tightly he turned to Jeice and Dodoria, who were watching the scene with great amusement. "I'll take care of her," his menacing voice sent shivers down her spine, as he gripped her arm painfully. "You may leave her with me, I will deliver her to Frieza."

Jeice and Dodoria looked at each other, before nodded and quietly walking down the hallway, turning to the right at the end and walking down another passageway. Vegeta stayed silent for a few moments, making sure they were gone. Slowly but gradually he loosened his grip on the tiny female and looked down at her sternly. He had done considerable damage to her when he flung her against the hard wall of the passageway. "Can you walk?" He asked roughly.

Bulma glared at him furiously as she tried to support herself against the wall. "What do you think?!" She snapped back, earning a surprised look from him. Her breathing became uneven and the walls began to spin around her. Right before she was about to fall, she felt two strong arms encircle her waist and keep her steady. With the dizzy spell over, she felt herself being hoisted up into her arms and carried down the narrow hallway.

Just as Vegeta reached the end, he ducked into a small door that had a tiny room attached behind it. He placed the female in his arms gently on the bed. It was ridiculous. He could wipe out entire races with a single blast, he could even kill woman, children, you name it, en masse in large groups.

But when it came to killing helpless and innocent individuals alone with only a flick of his wrist, he found that he couldn't do it. It was because of this flaw that he had been ostracized by his fellow commanders and soldiers. It was because of this that Frieza had forced him to eliminate people on a one to one basis, daily. He hated it. he hated staring into their eyes right before he shot a ki beam through their heart. It made him sick.

But that was what no one in Frieza's legion could understand. When it came to battle, he was ruthless and cunning. Hs unforgiving nature in battle was known throughout the universe. It was only when he had to kill innocents without fighting them, that he could do it. Nightmares of their faces as he pierced their hearts with a ki beam haunted him on a regular basis.

He looked down coldly at the shivering woman that lay on his tiny cot. He couldn't have left her alone, to be killed at the hands of Frieza. He would rather kill her himself because he knew that if Frieza were to kill her, she would be tortured to death. If he killed her himself, she would not have to suffer. But he even resented that thought.

Bulma shook from the pain that engulfed her body. She looked at Vegeta's face, set in deep concentration. Sitting up from the hard cot, she cleared her throat and spoke with great uncertainty. She knew that her Vegeta would never try to harm her purposely and she knew that this was Vegeta a long time ago. "What are you going to do to me?" She frowned as his jaw twitched unceremoniously.

He forced himself to look into her never ending sea of blue eyes. He had never seen such beautiful blue eyes in his life. It was such a shame that she would not be around for much longer. He had been so startled when she accidentally ran into him and fell back, but what had caught his attention the most was her ghostly blue eyes that looked up at him in joy as she cried his name.

That was another question needed to be answered. How did she know him? Those crystal blue eyes had instantly pulled him towards her, as he tried to remain in his cold stance in front of Dodoria and Jeice. And so he did the only thing that was fitting, he acted like himself. He had wanted to cradle her close as he saw her crumpled on the floor in pain. Instead, he had roughly pulled her to her feet. It was all apart of being him.

Now, as she sat up on the rock hard table known as his bed, he felt himself falling deeper into her pool of blue eyes. Shaking his head, he forced himself to answer her question. "I'm not going to do anything to you. But you will be killed."

"Why?" She cried. "What have I done wrong?!"

Vegeta frowned as he looked at the strange woman in her odd yet beautiful clothing. "I do not know. They were orders from Lord Frieza."

Tears sprang to her eyes. "But I don't know what I've done wrong! Can't you save me?"

He glared at her coldly, "I can't do anything for you. It's either kill or be killed."

Bulma tried to unsuccessfully struggle to her feet. "How can you say that? And why have you brought me here if I'm to be killed by Frieza?"

"I merely brought you here to see if you had any last requests. You are not the only prisoner I have brought in here to ask that. Tell me your name."

Her jaw hung to the floor. Was she hearing correctly? He was trying to comfort her in her last moments?! But she had thought Vegeta had been a cold and ruthless killer... It was then that she began to understand. Her eyes widened. He was forced to do such horrific things by Frieza, not because he wanted to.

Even though the Saiya-jin blood within him cried out for battle, it was Frieza that had kept tempting the young Saiya-jin Prince to be the way he was. She had seen first hand when Vegeta was a child, that it was not all about remorseful killing. Saiya-jins based their fighting on pride, honor and strength. It was not about how many people they killed, it was about how many times they won in battle.

And Vegeta was no different, as he wanted to emerge a winner no matter what. Even in Frieza's custody, he had never let go of his pride and honor. So as he stared at her with hooded eyes, she could see and understand why he behaved this way. It was a safe option in Frieza's company. Fighting was apart of his heritage, and she realized that he had to keep it alive or else his entire being would have dwindled away to nothing. She knew what she had to do. She had to show him that he was not as bad, as he thought he was.

"What?" He snapped as he caught her staring at him.

She shook her head and smiled sadly, "Nothing... Nothing at all. My name is Bulma." Looking at the floor, she tilted her head. "I do have one request..."

The younger version of Vegeta looked up at her in surprise. "What is it then? I will only grant it if it is within my power mind you."

She flashed him a mischievous grin. "A hug?" She wanted to burst out laughing as she saw his cheeks redden slightly.

"I am a warrior!" He sputtered indignantly, "I do not give hugs!" This was absurd. He had never gotten such a strange request before.

Bulma pouted playfully, "Pretty please?"

Vegeta snorted in exasperation. "Only if you answer a simple question for me."

She nodded in agreement.

"How did you know who I was before I had even spoken to you?"

She paused, wondering if she should tell him. Sighing to herself, she though she might as well. After all, if she was right, then Frieza was going to kill her in this dimension anyway. "I'm not from this world or dimension."

Vegeta's younger self frowned. "What do you mean?" This was very odd indeed. Just who was this strange and enticing blue-haired woman?

"I'm sort of from the future, in a strange way. Let's just say I don't belong here." She offered a small smile.

"You say you knew me in the future..?"

Bulma nodded.

He continued, "How are we acquainted?" It would be very interesting to find out.

Bulma wondered whether or not she should tell him. "First give me my hug and then I will tell you."

Vegeta growled, he didn't like her ordering him around but it felt somewhat comforting to him. Stepping awkwardly closer to her, he quickly embraced her and pulled away just as fast, disgust written on his face. Bulma had to giggle. "See, now that wasn't bad was it?"

"It was horrendous." He retorted, "Now tell me what I want to know."

She sighed, "I believe that in the future, you called me your mate." She was surprised as his face paled.

His hands began to shake. Just who was this woman and why was she here? "You mean.. My Tashi?"

Bulma shook her head, "No. I believe you just said mates." She watched him slump down in relief. Her perfectly arched eyebrow rose in conviction. "Do you believe me."

Several moments passed before he answered. "It is strange but from the look on your face I can see that you are not lying."

Bulma smiled, getting through to him was easier than she thought.

"But don't expect me to be soft on you because you think you are my future mate."

Or maybe not.

She bit her lip, "Trust me, you are anything but soft in my future world."

Intrigue burned on his face. "Tell me, do I defeat Frieza and become the Legendary?"

Bulma felt her heart break, how could she tell him that he had not been the one to avenge his people? Instead she twisted her words and answered only the second part of the question, hoping that he wouldn't notice. "Yes. You become the Legendary." She looked on as he closed his eyes in relief. At least she had given this young man, some piece of mind.

"I knew I would do it." Vegeta said quietly to himself, closing his eyes.

Loud thumping came from the other side of the steel door. "OPEN UP!" The muffled voice of Jeice could be heard. A quieter voice reprimanded him, "Now, now Jeice. I'm sure Vegeta has a good reason to be harboring the little fugitive." A high pitched voice hissed from behind the door.

His eyes flew open and landed upon her panic stricken face. "Frieza," He said, whilst standing up with lightning speed, he crossed the threshold of space that separated them and stared down into her eyes, a strange emotion burning in them. As Bulma felt herself falling into his onyx eyes, she nodded in understanding. It was the only way he could save himself. Her death was inevitable, but his was not and she knew that he had to do this to save his own life.

"Do it," she whispered as she tried to hold back the tears. He had never looked so handsome in his life.

Growling, he pulled her close reluctantly began to tear the fragile pieces over her dress. He purposely raked his sharp canine teeth over her bare shoulder, causing her smooth skin to rip apart. The blood oozed from the wound that had been inflicted upon her. Bulma tried not to cry as the searing pain shot up her arm.

She looked up at Vegeta and could see that he was going through so many different emotions, all of them unreadable on his face. She grimaced as she purposely lowered part of the sleeveless blue dress, exposing the top part of her chest. Vegeta tore at his armor, he couldn't believe she was actually letting him do this to her. Closing his eyes, he slapped her cheek as lightly as he could whilst causing it to bruise.

In the next instant, Bulma had laid down on the floor, sprawling herself out carelessly to look as though she were about to be raped. Through the entire ordeal, only a single tear streaked down her face as Vegeta lay on top of her, on the top half of his armor removed. He roughly held her arms above her head and put on a mask of hate on his face which he had mastered since being in Frieza's custody.

The door was suddenly blast open. Bulma began to whimper, as if in pain, when in truth she was perfectly fine except for the blood that was seeping from her cut shoulder.

"Vegeta!" She recognized the voice to belong to Frieza.

Vegeta was immediately on his feet, bowing before his master. "Lord Frieza."

Jeice looked at the floor and saw the blue haired female staring up at him with fear in her eyes. "What do you think you're doing? You knew she was Frieza's prisoner!"

Zarbon, a handsome green alien that stood in the corner of the room, narrowed his eyes at the exposed female shivering on the floor, who was now sitting up and clutching the tatter blue fabric of her dress to her chest.. "Just what have you been doing Vegeta?"

"Yes, do explain." Frieza demanded from his hovercraft.

Vegeta stood up from his kneeling position and smirked at Jeice cruelly. "Just having a little fun with the prisoner, Jeice."

Zarbon smirked at Vegeta, although he was not convinced, he couldn't prove it. "Well you've had you're fun monkey boy. Hand her over."

Vegeta snarled and was about to launch himself at the green alien, when Frieza intervened. "Come now boys, I cannot have you fighting over a little whore you know."

Both Zarbon and Vegeta powered down, but remained glaring at each other. Frieza's voice rang out once again. "Since you enjoyed her company so much Vegeta, I think that the death should be done by your hand. After all, it is fitting don't you think?"

Vegeta looked blankly at the tiny lizard that possessed more power than he could ever grasp. "Would it be better if you killed her Lord Frieza?" How could he kill her after learning that she was his mate in the future?! He felt as though his soul had been shredded to piece.

Frieza narrowed his eyes at his little pet. "Don't tell me you are attached to the little minx Vegeta...?" His voice reminded Vegeta of the time he had first been beaten at the hands of Frieza.

Vegeta glared coldly at his master. "Fine." Turning around he faced Bulma who was now standing shakily on weak legs. She looked at him, knowing that she would be alright. He clenched his fist as he stared into her endless blue eyes. He couldn't bring himself to do it. It was then he could here her voice in his head.

~It's alright Vegeta... I understand. Do what you have to do.~

As the three men behind him urged him to kill her, he stared questioningly into her eyes. Why was she telling him to kill her? He couldn't do it. He heard her voice in his head again.

~I'll be fine Vegeta. Don't worry about me, I'll see you in the future.~

Snarling, Vegeta formed a tiny ki ball on his index finger. The three men behind him faded away and all he could see was her beautiful vision before him, with a glowing light around her.

~I CAN'T!!~ He screamed back at her. He had always hated killing when it was only one helpless person. He could kill in groups, but never a single person alone. And how could he kill his future mate?

Her soothing voice echoed into the corners of her mind. ~Nothing can hurt me. I'll be fine Vegeta, just do it.~

He raised his arm stiffly, aiming straight for her heart. The pained expression on her face burned into her mind. He stared into her cool blue eyes, and knew that it was what she wanted. If he didn't kill her, he would be dead too and they would both suffer. He shot a long beam straight to her heart and felt his soul cry in pain as a single tear rolled down her eyes as the beam shot through her heart and she slumped to the floor.

Before her cold body hit the floor, he could hear her voice resounding in his mind. ~I understand Vegeta... I'll always love you.~

And so for the first time, the Saiya-jin no Ouji had encountered someone that had loved him dearly enough to sacrifice themselves for him. He showed no emotion or remorse on the outside as he turned back around and smirked cruelly at the three men. "Happy?"

Inside he was aching for the loss of the beautiful woman that had showed him what it felt like to be loved. With the cold mask in place, he stormed away. He vowed that he would never forget the love and sadness he had seen in her eyes and swore that he would train to become stronger than his tyrant of a master. But his heart closed up, turning to stone. He also vowed he would never feel love, it only made him weak.

~*****~

Bulma projected her thoughts of understanding one final time before the tiny ki beam pierced her heart, rupturing the vessels within her chest. She slumped to the floor, but instead of being dead like she thought she was, she found herself once again spiraling down the dark bleak tunnel. She clutched her heart as she remembered how the painful beam shot through her chest. It had felt so real, she had felt like she was going to die, but yet here she was once again spiraling down the black tunnel to the next phase of the Py'ar.

She had understood why Vegeta behaved the way he was in this time. She knew that although he tried not to become corrupt like Frieza and have his heart blackened with hate, it was hard for him to remember life with love. She knew that he had a reason to make himself stone hearted. Bulma felt and heard every single thought of his after he shot her and she knew why he chose that path.

She understood.

And so the next phase of the Py'ar had been completed, there was one more to go. She hoped she was able to get through it.

^*****^

Vegeta was once again looking at the wild colours that darted past his vision as he whirled through the strange tunnel. The colours were starting to give him a headache. He grunted as he was roughly thrown out of the tunnel and onto soft cushioned green grass. A box of some kind landed next to him.

Standing up, he observed the box and realized it was a pizza box. His stomach growled promptly as he took in the delicious smell of the succulent pizza. With his mouth watering, he bent down to pick up the box of pizza. But just as he was about to open the box he gaped at the clothes he was wearing at the moment.

They were no longer the normal earthling clothes he wore whilst he was with chibi Bulma. Instead, he was dressed in a pair of tight red trousers and snug fitting white muscle shirt. He looked up and noticed that his hair was no longer standing up right in its flame position. A baseball cap was on his head, forcing his hair to hand down. He growled, not believing that he looked like such a prissy. He ripped the cap off his head and flung it away. His hair instantly stood in its upright position.

The things he did for the Onna was ridiculous. She had better appreciate it, he thought to himself slightly in anger. Looking down at his chest, he saw three word emblazoned across the T-shirt. It read;

"Pete's Pizza Delivery."

He shook his head, not believing that he had been reduced to a pizza delivery boy! It was enough to swear him off of pizza for life. It was then that he noticed his surroundings. He was standing at the foot of the Capsule Corp. doorstep, in what seemed to be the evening. The stars twinkled and a full moon shone down, bathing the grass in its milky light. A frown flitted across his face. Why had he been brought here? What was he supposed to understand here?

As he examined the building, he saw many things that were different about it. It didn't look the same as it had in his time. Shrugging, he held the pizza box in his arm and ignoring the protesting growling of his stomach, he walked up the three steps and rang the doorbell of the dome-shaped mansion. He tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for what seemed like small eternity for anyone to open the door.

When the electronic door slid open, he was shocked to see Bulma standing there in a fluffy robe, her eyes watering and her nose red. She looked greatly disturbed and upset about something. He rolled his eyes, since when was she not upset by something? He mentally shrugged and reasoned that he was here to understand her, not berate her silly emotions. As he stared into her weary blue eyes, he looked at the age markings that showed him she was in her early twenties. It was then that he noted this even must have occurred right before he and Nappa were coming to Earth.

"Yes?" She asked sadly, blowing into a tissue.

He forced himself to swallow the lump in his throat and speak to her. "Uh, pizza delivery."

She sighed and looked at the box in his well-muscled arm. She couldn't believe how incredibly handsome and cute he looked. Her sad thoughts returned to Yamcha. She had found out that he was going to go away and leave her alone, to train with Kami. The recent argument was worse than any other they had. "Thanks, how much do I owe you?"

Vegeta thought to himself and made up some silly sum, "Two thousand zeni." He watched her eyes widen in surprise and then saw anger seep into the cool blue.

"WHAT?" She screeched. "How can it be that much, it's only a pizza?!"

Vegeta winced, about to back away when she suddenly pushed her face close to his and began yelling at him.

Bulma grabbed the front of his shirt, letting out all of her anger and frustration. It was bad enough that her boyfriend was leaving her to train with a green guardian, but to be over charged for a pizza?! What was the world coming to??! "Listen up buster. I don't know who you are or why you're over charging me for that pizza, but you better have a damn good reason for it!! You hear me?! And another thing-" She gasped as she found herself being flung over his shoulder, caveman style and carried back into her home. She kicked and screamed with all her might, but found that his iron grip wouldn't budge. He stepped into the living room and tossed her onto the sofa. She looked up at him, perplexed. How had he managed to find his way through the maze of her home? She looked at him closely as he stared at her and felt strangely connected.

"Do I know you?" She breathed in wonder. Her heart melted as he smirked at her.

"Yes you could say that," Vegeta was enjoying himself immensely at present. He hadn't man handled Bulma like that in years and it felt great! He reckoned that he would have to do that more often once they ritual was over. He placed the pizza on the glass coffee table and folded his arms. "Now tell me woman, why are you screeching at me so incessantly?"

Bulma gaped at him, anger flaring once again. She stood up and glared at him. "How dare you! Do you know who I am? I could have you fired from your job in an instant you ingrate. Get out of my house!"

"Go ahead Onna."

"My name is-" She was interrupted before she could say her name.

"Yes, yes. I know. You're name is Bulma Briefs. Trust me Onna, I know more of you than you know of yourself." Vegeta was getting tired with every passing moment.

Bulma huffed and folded her arms, "Oh? And how is that."

He smirked wickedly. Strolling up to her casually, he stood before her and pulled her close. "I know that you have a fiery temper, I know that you like to look at the stars, I know that you are a genius and..." He trailed off and gazed intently into her eyes.

Bulma's lips parted as she stood in close proximity with him, her pulse quickened as he pulled her close. Who was this strange man that had invaded her house and how would she get him out? Even though she tried to pull free, she found herself moving closer by the moment. "And?" She asked through dry lips.

Vegeta brought his lips to her ear and blew into it playfully. "And, I know that you have a small birthmark right... about... here." He trailed his hand down to the base of her spine and moved his index finger in small circles, pinpointing the exact location of her birthmark.

She gasped, jumping back as though she had just been burned. "How did you know that?" She asked fearfully. "Who are you!"

"Let's just say that I come in peace," he smirked at his little joke but frowned when he saw her face pale in fear. "There is no need to fear me. We will soon be acquainted. What I want to know, is why you are sitting in the house blubbering?" He knew he was being harsh, but he needed to show her that she was strong and above crying.

Bulma sunk down miserably into the sofa. "It's... It's... My boyfriend!" She wailed, burying her face in her hands.

Vegeta almost scowled in disgust. This was not his strong willed mate he knew, it was someone completely different. But then he reasoned with himself that he was in her past, before he came into her life and that of course she would be different. Rolling his eyes, he sat down next to her. "What did scar-face do now?"

She sniffled and looked at him curiously. "You know him? Is that why you're here, because he sent you to check on me?"

"No. But I do know him."

She shrugged to herself, maybe that is where she recognized him from. She had felt strangely attached to this man and yet she didn't know anything about him. She sighed and looked at the cream carpet. "He's leaving me... I don't want him to go."

Vegeta frowned and refrained from making a mean comment. "Why?"

"He said he needs to train with Kami and become strong so he can fight." She spoke with bitterness.

"Fight. Whom?"

She looked at him and spoke hesitantly, maybe he would believe her. "In one year, two Saiya-jins will be coming to Earth to destroy it. He's been chosen to fight, but I don't want him to!" She looked at the handsome unknown man closely, to see what his reaction would be. Surprisingly to her, he didn't seem phased.

"You do not need to worry," he spoke slowly. He could see the love she held for her previous 'mate' and understood why she cherished him so much. Even to this day, she was still attached to him slightly, Vegeta mused to himself. Was that why he was brought here? To understand her need to be loved and her attachment for the scarred human. He still didn't seem to understand why she needed him around, but he was determined to find a common ground. After all, he had to get to the next phase.

"Tell me Onna, why are you so attached to him? Do you love him?" It pained him to ask that even though he knew she would love him in the future with all her heart.

Bulma bit her lip and shrugged. "You know, I never thought about it... I don't know if I love him to be honest... He just seems to be the only one who understands me. He's the only guy I've known who tolerates my wild mood swings," she smiled softly at the comment. "I'm attracted to him, he's kind and honest and he makes me feel good... But I don't know if I love him... I just guess that I'm scared of being lonely." The revelation shocked her but at the same time it made sense.

Vegeta smirked, he finally understood where she was coming from. It was because she was in love with her former mate, it was because she was lonely. In many ways they were alike, both their loneliness had drawn them together in a heat of passion in the first place. He stood up from the comfy couch, thinking of one final thing to say to her. "Onna, for what it's worth. You are worth more than a million of him. Do not settle for second best."

She stood up next to him, facing him in confusion. "But then who will love me?" She didn't know why she was opening up to the strange pizza delivery guy so much. Something about him just instantly comforted her and attracted her to him.

Vegeta looked at her with an intense gaze. "If you trust me, then you will listen to me. Have your little boyfriend for now but in a few years time you will have to move on and choose a real man."

She frowned, "Yamcha is a real man."

Vegeta nodded, "For now. But when the time comes, you will know who it is you will love."

She let the cryptic message sink in. "Ok... Thank you." She reached out and hugged the stranger that had given her a new insight into her messed up life. She finally saw that it wasn't as messed up as it seemed

He smirked and let her hug him. He knew that she needed to be loved, understood why she stuck by her human mate for so long. He understood that she was lonely and that he had to learn to make himself more agreeable to her and comply with her demands for attention. She was a special woman after all. Vegeta finally felt at peace with the entire issue of his mate and her ex-lover.

He started to fade away from her as the understanding grew. He was onto the final stage of the Py'ar. So far it had been a breeze. He hoped the next phase would be easy too. The smirk widened as he watched her shocked face fade away into the distance. Once again he found himself swirling through a tunnel of colours that attacked his sensitive vision.

~*****~

Bulma was once again flying in the black tunnel to the next phase of the Py'ar. She hoped it was the last phase as she was growing weary and tired from all the work she had to do. Being shot in the chest with that ki blast had felt so real that Bulma almost suffocated on her sobs as she though about it.

The tunnel around her began to spin crazily, when it abruptly stopped. She opened her eyes and looked around at her location. A laugh caught in her throat as she recognized the landscape to be part of Earth. She was back home!! But wait, it was broad daylight. Hadn't Vegeta initiated the ritual at night and on the beach? She noted that the blue dress that had been torn previously, was replaced with her short figure hugging favourite red dress.

Her eyes widened. It was the exact same dress she had been wearing for the World Martial Arts Tournament!! Raising her hands up to her neck she felt the silk fabric of her brilliant yellow scarf. Moving her hands further up, they came to rest on her head. Her hair was no longer long! It was back to its original short length. Why was she here in these clothes at the current time?

She looked at the dry and rocky area around her. Many rocks were crumbling, as if they were thrown carelessly around or had been punched. Her feet crunched on the rocky soiled ground as she walked around in confusion.

The place she was in looked like it had been a battlefield...

She could distinctly hear voices speaking loudly, nearby to where she stood.

Sighing in relief, she ran up to the large boulder that separated her from the voices. She peeked out from behind the boulder and gasped in surprise.

Across from where she was safely hidden, stood Majin Buu in his first form and her husband standing face to face. Her voice caught in her throat as she took in his tattered and battered appearance. He was really hurt! She felt mild nausea wash over her as she caught sight of the blood that trickled from his mouth and eyes. Was this his condition before he died? Her eyes grew watery, and she uttered his name sadly to herself. "Vegeta..."

Frowning, she listened intently to the scene taking place between her husband and Majin Buu.

"That's right you bloated balloon freak!" Vegeta cried in anger. "I'm going to destroy you and then crush you to the wind!" He growled as he powered up.

Bulma watched him power up from the safety of the rock. Far above him she saw Piccolo flying away with her son and Goten. She couldn't believe how incredibly handsome he looked as a Super Saiya-jin, even with all the blood caked on his face. Her mouth fell as she heard him threaten the pink creature and power up to enormous proportions.

Bulma's heart froze as she realized he was about to sacrifice himself. She had been brought here because of the Py'ar to witness his sacrifice, but she couldn't let him do it. Scrambling out of her hiding place, she waved her arms above her head and began to run to him.

"VEGETA!!! NO!!" She screamed at the top of her voice whilst running towards his haggard form.

Vegeta frowned as he heard his name being screamed. He looked to the side and his eyes widened at the sight of his mate running towards him, arms flailing in the air. "Onna...?" Anger rose within him. Just what the hell was she doing here?! Was she on her own damn suicide mission?! He growled and snarled at her. "Get out of here Bulma or you'll be killed." He called her by her name, showing that he was serious and meant business.

Bulma breathlessly ran up to him, tears streaming down her face. "Vegeta what are you doing?!"

"I'm dancing." He snarled sarcastically. "What the fuck does it look like I'm doing?" He knew he was being cruel, but he had to get her away before Majin Buu killed her too. He sent a cautious glance to the pink blob.

Majin Buu just seemed to remain happily hopping from one foot to the other whilst speaking in his squeaky voice. "Buu no like you! Buu turn you into yummy biscuit. No, Buu no turn you into biscuit. Buu like choc-o-late. Me make you choc-o-late." He was still hopping from foot to foot.

Vegeta growled and looked back at his foolish mate. Gritting his teeth he grasped her shoulders and shook her. "Get out of here! I can't lose you to this pink blob!"

"What about you?" She cried back, sobbing. It was then that her head turned to Majin Buu. She narrowed her eyes at the pink monster and desperately willed it to stop moving closer with all her heart. To her utter surprise, Majin Buu froze. Even the dust swirling around him froze in place. Why hadn't she known that she could freeze the situation before?! Crying out in relief, she looked back at her shocked lover.

"What happened to him?" He asked in awe as he looked at the frozen monster and then back at her. "What did you do?"

Bulma breathed a sigh of relief. She placed her hands on his shoulders and desperately peered up into his eyes. "I don't know how long I can keep him that way. Vegeta please, don't do this!!"

He looked down at his beautiful mate. At least he could have his last moments with her before he self-destructed himself to save the people he loved. Raising a hand, he placed it gently on her cheek. "We both know that I have to do this."

She sobbed and threw herself into his arms, hugging him close. "No I don't want to lose you again! Please don't do this." She pressed her face into his bloodied and scratched chest. The beautiful blue gi he had worn was now tattered and torn to no repair.

He looked down in confusion. "Again?"

She sniffled and looked up sadly. "You chose Babadi's power over me..." A new set of tears trickled down her cheeks. She pulled away from him and looked at the ground, shaking as she tried to suppress the sobs that choked her.

Vegeta knew he had hurt her. He didn't know he had hurt her this deeply. He swallowed his pride, as he knew it might have been the last time he saw her alive. Walking up to her turned away form, he wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled his nose into the side of her neck. "Bulma... Forgive me."

She pulled away and looked up in surprise. This was the first time he had openly admitted his apology. "Vegeta...?"

"I took Babadi's power knowing exactly what I was getting myself into. I needed the power, I needed to be the way I was before even if it was for a brief moment." He continued seeing the confused expression on his face. He might as well tell her, after all he was going to die. "I needed to relive how I was before I met you and I needed to make as ultimate decision as to who and what I was."

"So, who are you Vegeta and what do you choose?" She whispered.

"You belong by my side and no one else's. I am who I have always been, but I chose you Onna. At the end of everything, I chose you and our son."

She burst into a new set of tears as she heard the words. She finally understood her proud husband. She understood why he had accepted Babadi's power in the first place. It was for selfish reasons, yes, but only because he wanted to find out who he really was. He didn't let Babadi have complete control over his mind and in the end he had chosen his son and mate over the evil power.

She understood that he was sacrificing himself for their son, for her and for her love. She knew she had to let him do this for her. It was his way of asking for forgiveness for the pain he had previously inflicted upon her. She knew that he loved her with all his soul and she knew that he would never do anything to purposely hurt her ever again. She understood and finally received all the answers to her questions.

She didn't need anything more because she finally at long last, understood him.

Crying and laughing at the same time, she flung herself into his arms and rewarded him with the biggest hug she could muster up. She smiled into his neck as his arms wound around her waist and hugged her back tightly. It would be their last moment together before he sacrificed himself for her and their son. She felt her feet being lifted off of the ground as she was crushed into his warm embrace.

Lacing her hands through his thick blonde hair, she looked lovingly into his teal eyes that no longer haunted her with the evil they beheld. She reveled in their beauty and striking austerity. Through salty tears, she roughly pushed her lips against his, kissing him hungrily.

Vegeta responded, kissing her back with equal force and passion. Beyond the kissing couple, Majin Buu stood completely frozen to the spot and remained that way until Bulma deemed it fitting to unfreeze him.

She slid her smooth lips against his cracked ones, softening them up with her sweet kisses. She felt herself being raised in his embrace further. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she continued to assault his lips with loving and tender kisses. She ran her across his taut, rippling chest, and felt a slight wetness envelope her fingers. She pulled her lips away and frowned as she examined her fingers. It was his blood.

She pouted, as his gaze pierced her soul, straight to her heart. "You're hurt..."

"Minor scratches," he smirked as he pushed his face closer to hers, rubbing his nose lightly against her cheek.

She pretended to whack him in the chest. "Minor scratches my ass!" She hugged him close and sighed sadly. "I understand why you have to do this..."

He snorted. "Good."

Bulma glared at him. "I'm serious Vegeta."

A small smile tugged at his lips, "I know."

Her head turned and she looked helplessly at the frozen image of Majin Buu. Snapping her head back, she pecked his lips deeply, stroking his cheek. "I love you Vegeta..." She whispered as she unwrapped her legs from his waist and hopped down.

His eyes bore into her own. He began pulling off one of the gloves on his hand. With his ungloved hand, he rubbed her cheek. "I know," although there was gruffness in his voice, she could hear affection in it as well.

Bulma closed her eyes and placed her own hand over his as he rubbed her cheek. Pressing her body against his, she sighed. It was as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She knew what she had to do. She opened her eyes in a determined fashion and stared at him with an unwavering gaze. "That's why I'm going to be with you when you destroy Majin Buu..."

His face went from at ease, to frowning in a nano second. "Are you insane? You'll be killed along with me!" He barked at her. What had gotten into her?

Bulma shook her head. "I know," she whispered. "Please Vegeta. Let me with you."

"What about Trunks? You can't leave him here alone." He tried to coax her out of her crazy decision.

Bulma smiled briefly. "I'll be with him anyway." She sighed seeing the confused expression of his face. "It's kind of strange but I'm a sort of entity of myself. I'm physically here as an entity but my true physical form is far away from here."

"Then how am I able to touch you." He said, not buying her lame excuse.

"I don't know but, I'm not from this dimension. I'm from the future, but nothing I do at present will affect the future. If you trust me, you'll let me be with you when you destroy Majin Buu."

He frowned, "Is does explain how you were able to freeze the overgrown gob stopper."

She laughed at his joke but stopped as he sternly stared at her. "Are you sure nothing will happen to you in this world if you are by my side."

"I promise, nothing will happen to me in this world." She looked into his eyes sincerely.

His hard gaze softened briefly and Vegeta shook his head whilst mumbling. "I can't believe I'm letting you do this. You're more insane than I am."

She smiled and hugged him again, whispering into his strangely shaped Saiya- jin ear which she loved dearly. "That's why we're perfect for each other."

He chuckled wryly. "Very well. It's time you unfroze that blob."

Kissing him one last time, she stepped out of his embrace and turned to look at Majin Buu. Concentrating her thoughts on him, she willed him to move. Suddenly, the pink monster came to life and began to jump around on each foot as he walked closer, continuing to threaten Vegeta, paying no attention to Bulma.

She nodded to herself in understanding. Majin Buu couldn't see her! She turned to Vegeta and relayed the information to him. "Vegeta, he can't see me!"

Vegeta looked down at her and nodded. He knew now that although this was not his real mate, she represented his real mate and was her specter. He searched for his true mate and found her far away at a safe distance from the battlefield. He opened his eyes and looked into the eyes of the woman he loved. Even though he knew she was not truly his mate in this physical world, he still loved her with all of his heart. "Ready, Onna?"

Bulma nodded in determination as she stood beside her husband. She glared at Majin Buu and grabbed Vegeta's left hand with her right. "I'm ready," this experience would teach her to understand him in his full state of mind. She loved him, she always would. Looking up, her breathing quickened, she smiled in uncertainty. "I love you Vegeta."

He simply smirked back and nodded. Forcing himself to tear his gaze from her gorgeous blue eyes, he stared straight ahead with his eyes fixed on the object of his hate. 'Trunks, Bulma,' he spoke to himself in his mind. 'I'm doing this for you.' He turned his head and looked at the sky. 'And yes, even you Kakarott.' With his last thoughts held close to him, he squeezed the hand of the woman he loved, tightly to let her know he would be ok. Not hesitating anymore, he pulled her close to his side and let out an almighty roar.

Tears rolled down her eyes as he squeezed her tiny hand. She looked at him through her tears and heard his very last thoughts. He was doing this for her and her son. He was even doing it for Goku! Her love for him burned in her chest. Yes. She understood why he did what he had done. She had forgiven him because she understood. Sobs wracked her body as he pulled her close by his side, still holding her hand, and heard him roar loudly as his power increased to an unimaginable proportion.

Bulma cried for the loss of her husband as she held his hand. The painful roar that was being screamed out attacked her ears, causing her temples to throb. Sucking in her breath, she screamed along with him as she felt the enormous ball of energy engulf the both of them, it's burning ki licking at their intertwined bodies. Bulma screamed with Vegeta and felt her grip on his hand loosen.

No longer was she burning by the flesh, in her husband's ki. She was once again spiraling down the dark tunnel as understanding infiltrated her mind. She wondered where she was being sent now by the Py'ar. Hopefully it would be back to her own world.

She knew why Vegeta had chosen to take Babadi's power and she had forgiven him with all her heart.

All because she loved him and understood him.