Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Revenge: An Earthling's Retribution ❯ Chapter 11

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Thank you to everyone who has continued to read and review this story. I can’t tell you how happy reading your reviews make me; no matter how long or short.

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Gosh, now enough with my rambling, its been a while lol, onto chapter 11.



Chapter Eleven

Against the blackness of space the red ball of fire that once stood so proudly burst open. It shattered into millions of sparkling pieces that glittered as they flickered like dying flames before the vastness of space swallowed them whole.

Vegeta's head shot up from drooping on his shoulder. He blinked his dark eyes a few times to clear his blurry gaze while his heart rate calmed. It was the same torturous nightmare every time he closed his eyes. All he ever saw behind his closed eyelids anymore was his home world exploding. And it wasn't a sight he wanted to haunt him forever.

The Saiyan Prince sat up straighter as he rolled his head around his shoulders to flex his stiff muscles. He gingerly looked over at the other occupants of his cell. Disgust flared in Vegeta's dark eyes as he observed the lanky figure of Raditz, who was curled up like a ring worm in the far corner of the dark, dank hovel.

The other Saiyan had been wasting away in the bowels of Frieza's mother ship for over a year now. Ever since he had been captured from planet Rave just before Frieza destroyed it. Raditz' muscular frame was nothing but a stick figure and his wounds had maggots happily feasting at his flesh. The sight had disgusted Vegeta so much so that he had wanted to use whatever ki he could draw out to kill Raditz. However the fact that he was one of the few Saiyans remaining, as Nappa continuously reminded him, had Vegeta turning away from him in utter frustration, leaving Nappa to use his meagre ki to close of the rotting wounds that plagued Raditz.

Vegeta and Nappa were in no better condition either. They had only been half healed when Frieza had pulled them out from a regen tank after Vegeta-sei's destruction. The Ice-jin had then pried his fingers into Vegeta's open wounds as if he were a piece of meat and not a living being. Most of the Prince's bones were healed but Vegeta's strength was not at all near full power and most of his wounds were still open. Add that to the fact that he only received one measly meal a day in entrapment, he was nowhere near healing on his own. It was an obvious ploy on Frieza's part to keep the three remaining Saiyans in check. It was also a testament to show Vegeta who was in charge and the Saiyan Prince loathed Frieza all the more for it.

He couldn't tell how long they had been travelling for, months or it could have been just weeks but Vegeta did know he was sick of it. Raditz was almost delusional and the only thing Nappa could get from him was muffled responses to the older Saiyan's questions whenever the rations of dried bread and gooey porridge was sent their way. Even water was scarce and the Prince had no doubt that this was just another of Frieza's tactics of showing them he was in control.

The bottom of the ship housed few other aliens who didn't look of much importance and were most likely forgotten; left to die in the urine infested place as other skeletons that remained surely had. The fact that Frieza had put him, the Prince of all Saiyans in this hole did nothing but grate on his already raw nerves. He was surprised that Raditz had managed to keep his sanity this long considering he was a complete moron. The fact that he was Kakarot's sibling just incensed Vegeta more and made the Saiyan Prince feel more hostile to his presence right now. Vegeta wanted nothing more than to murder that traitorous third class and using Raditz as a substitute would be immensely satisfying. Yet he kept going back to Raditz being one of only two Saiyans he had left to rule right now.

And yet deep down some part of Vegeta was more upset that Kakarot had managed to escape Vegeta-sei, against his orders, and leave with Bulma. He felt a seed of jealousy root inside him as he thought of the two together. Probably mocking him right now on some distant planet, limbs intertwined in the sweaty aftermath of sex.

“Fuck.” Vegeta growled in annoyance at his own thoughts in a situation like this and stood up to perform some katas. He would not lose himself completely like Raditz had. He would keep focused and his single minded determination to kill Frieza would be his motivation. He would avenge his fallen race and he would take his rightful place as ruler of the Universe.

~~~o0o~~~

Bulma didn't feel happy at the prospect of the looming green ball that she and Kakarot were fast approaching. In fact she felt apprehension niggle at her and she couldn't quite figure out why.

Her tummy was a rioting mess of nerves and her body felt boneless from just awaking from stasis. Kakarot was sleepily rubbing his eyes and Bulma looked nervously at planet Namek. It was the only safe place that she could co-ordinate into their space pod in such a state of panic and for some reason she now felt that it was a bad choice.

She had come here before with Kakarot and although she had been received with nothing but warmth she only felt foreboding at landing now. And the fact that she couldn't even justify why to herself made Bulma all the more frustrated. She gulped as they zoomed in closer towards Namek and it was the reassuring strong arms that wrapped itself around her that had Bulma breathing in deeply after she momentarily tensed up.

Bulma closed her eyes and allowed herself the knowledge that Kakarot would protect her from harm and she took pleasure in the fact that he could calm her without uttering a single word right now. After the stressful way they had blasted off of Vegeta-sei and then watching as it blew up into nothing but space dust had not been easy. An uneasy silence had crept its way into the pod and she could literally feel Kakarot withdrawing from her at the magnificently sad sight. She hadn't known what to say or do to comfort him and the sleeping gas had been heaven sent for them both. However with his arms wrapped carefully around her now she amazed at his ability to reassure her at a time like this.

Bulma rocked against Kakarot as they crashed onto Namekian soil and she took in a deep breath. There was a shared moment of silence that spoke of understanding between the pair. They were finally out of harm's way after all that they had been through.

"Planet Namek. Atmosphere breathable." The computerised voice from the pod broke the silence that Bulma and Kakarot had kept their entire journey.

With that said the hatch of the space pod opened with a creaking screech and Bulma stepped out before Kakarot. They breathed in the fresh air outside and stretched their stiff limbs. Bulma was about to look for her scouter when a familiar Namekian dropped down before them.

"Piccolo." Kakarot greeted, his weary voice resigned with relief.

The Namekian Piccolo, guardian to the elder Guru simply nodded at Kakarot after his suspicious eyes determined no threat from Bulma and the Saiyan. Personally, Piccolo had been the only one to slightly unnerve Bulma. She thought him a little creepy, and if what the children had told her about him was true, then she saw no reason not to be weary of him.

“Kakarot.” Piccolo’s stern, gruff voice greeted with a small inclination of his turbaned head.

Piccolo was, according to the children of Namek, a bad spirit that had lived in a very good Namekian long, long ago. The bad spirit had manifested itself into a completely new Namek being after the good Namekian had banished the bad spirit from within himself. Tales said that the elder Guru was so pure hearted that he could not condemn Piccolo to death and had therefore kept him close to his side as his personal guard.

How far these stories were true Bulma wasn't sure, but there was something eerie about Piccolo that surrounded him like the cloak he wore on his broad shoulders. This could have been a myth to teach the younglings of Namek morals as they did seem far-fetched but Bulma had seen enough of unimaginable incidents in her days to write it off as complete nonsense. Although the children had gone on to say that Piccolo had only truly renounced his bad ways when Gohan had been born. Apparently something so pure born from circumstances so dire –since Saiyan half breeds were sentenced to death if discovered – had encouraged Piccolo to change his ways. And as newly appointed guardian to Kakarot's son the bad Namekian had finally proved himself as a worthy soul.

Bulma had resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the kids who had wisely imparted the tale to her but she had to admit, there was more to the story between Kakarot and the Namekians than she had been told.

"I have to learn how to sense ki like you guys do." Bulma heard Kakarot say as his voice brought her out of her reverie. Before Piccolo could respond two other figures descended before them.

"Daddy." A four year old jumped at Kakarot and latched his arms around Kakarot's legs. Kakarot ruffled the bowl shaped hair cut before greeting his four year old son.

Bulma noticed the way Piccolo's shoulders stiffened slightly at the sight of Gohan and she wondered why that was. She watched as he turned towards his right to glare at the other being who had arrived with Gohan.

She knew the Namekian as Nail, Guru’s other guardian. If it weren’t for the less stoic expression and lack of turban on Nail’s antenna’d head, Bulma might not have been able to tell the difference between the two Namekians who stood before her. Piccolo’s piercing black eyes fell on her and for some reason it seemed like he knew more about herself than she did, making Bulma uncomfortably look away.

"Gohan." Piccolo's gruff voice scolded and Bulma looked towards the child who, with his Saiyan genes, could fly like a bird. "I told you to stay with your mother and Nail."

"Aww, but Piccolo …" Gohan muttered as he shyly looked at Bulma and then up at his father.

"It's ok Piccolo. He just wanted to see us." Kakarot defended his son and she watched as Gohan's dark eyes shone with pleasure.

"No, it's not ok." Piccolo growled out.

Bulma wondered how Chi Chi and Gohan coped with Kakarot's absence in their lives and she flushed at the thought of how much of time she had spent with Kakarot in the last year. As if conjuring Chi Chi from her mind the only other Earthling Bulma had seen since Earth ran over towards them. Her hasty approach cut off an explanation from Piccolo as to why it wasn't ok for Gohan to meet with his father.

Chi Chi was red in the face, her sleek raven hair slipping from its once neat hold and her old fashioned nun-like outfit looking a little ruffled. She couldn't fly and had obviously run the distance here. From what Bulma could tell Chi Chi was furiously over protective of Gohan and Bulma could understand why. Chi Chi was obviously madly in love with Kakarot and Gohan had been a product of a special relationship between them. Bulma wasn't sure though if Kakarot's feelings were as strong as Chi Chi's. Saiyan’s were not – as it would be classified on Earth – the maternal type. Or the domestic type for that matter.

And from the little cottage that Chi Chi housed here on Namek, with its warm smells of food and dust free furniture, left Bulma in no doubt that Chi Chi was a very domesticated being.

"Kakarot…" Whatever Piccolo had intended to say – and before Chi Chi could have any kind of reunion with the father of her baby – was cut short by a thundering crash in the near distance where the odd group of aliens stood.

Everyone immediately tensed before they caught sight of two other space pods rocketing into Namek. Both following the first one that had landed just moments ago. They all instinctively knew it didn't mean well for them. Bulma felt fear thump hard at her chest as the pounding sounded in her ears, drowning out all other sounds around her. Distantly she heard Piccolo bark out some orders but her throat dried up and she felt paralysed from fear.

She watched as three muscular forms stretched from the pods, proudly wearing armour from Frieza's army. One of them was oddly familiar. His orange skin matted with dry blood. He was accompanied by a blue skinned alien, taller than him, whose eyes resembled red pools. On his right was a giant of a humanoid, orange hair on his head and a dangerously dumb look on his face.

Bulma was snapped from her cold fear at the warm touch of a small yet strong hand on her biceps. She was pulled back by Chi Chi, with considerable strength, and literally dragged away from Kakarot and the two Namekians who were busy crouching into fighting stances behind her. Bulma sputtered out a denial but another smaller hand on her wrist had her looking down.

“It’s ok.” A small voice reassured her softly.

The child, Gohan, had a strangely all too knowing look in his suddenly mature dark eyes and Bulma felt as if she were looking at Kakarot for a single moment before she turned to look at Chi Chi again. She didn't really know the other woman that well but she knew enough to know that Chi Chi probably knew best right now. After all, the other Earthling had obviously listened to Piccolo's orders when she had failed to hear them.

So Bulma nodded and willingly followed Chi Chi behind a large blue rock. Yet she couldn't stop herself from turning around to glance uncertainly at Kakarot once more. He wasn't in the best shape without a stint in a regen tank after the battles he had been involved in. He had also then spent days in a cramped pod fast asleep. How well could he fight under those circumstances? Bulma knew the Namakians were well trained in what she still referred to as martial arts, but they were a peaceful race, not warriors. Maybe not so much Piccolo though, Bulma thought meanderingly as her cobalt eyes flashed with worry. Not really for the fate of the others but more so for the fate of herself.

There would be no one to protect her from physical harm if Kakarot got himself killed now. She had nothing to barter with and she was sure these men were here to finish the job they had started on Vegeta-sei. Bulma was not ready to die just yet. She hadn't fought so hard to die just when she had finally witnessed the Saiyans receiving their comeuppance. She didn't really want Kakarot to die, not only because he protected her, but because she did care about him. Only right now she cared more about herself than she did about him. There was no one in the Universe right now that mattered more to her than she did. She had been robbed of enough and she would not be robbed of savouring her victory. Frieza be damned.

"They're strong. But daddy won't lose." Bulma turned wide eyes towards Gohan as they crouched behind the rock.

For a four year old he vocalised himself without any struggle. She was slightly unsure of what to say to him considering that she had momentarily forgotten she was surrounded by others. Without her scouter she also had no clue as to how strong the three soldiers were or how strong Piccolo and Nail were either. This was a rare occasion indeed. So instead Bulma turned to look at Chi Chi for assistance.

Unlike her son, Chi Chi was not looking over at her lover but her focus was placed firmly on Bulma. Chi Chi's dark eyes narrowed as she studied Bulma's face and the scientist realised that Chi Chi was no fool. She had been through almost as much as Bulma had and she didn't trust easily.

“No he won’t.” Chi Chi agreed with her son, her voice strong and confident in Kakarot’s ability even though her eyes remained glued on Bulma.

Bulma couldn’t help but think that there was a hidden meaning to Chi Chi’s words and feeling a guilty flush stain her cheeks yet again Bulma decided to look away from the other woman's prying eyes. She was not prepared for a staring match with Kakarot's woman.

Bulma focused on the men who had arrived and tried to get her jumbled thoughts in order once again. With a small nod and a deep breath she focused on the men approaching Kakarot, Piccolo and Nail. She tried to use her extensive knowledge on Frieza's top warriors to try and place these intruders. She didn't want to find her scouter right now; she was in no mood to search through her capsules in front of Gohan and Chi Chi.

Orange skin, white hair, humanoid form, scary blue mug, ridiculous poses, …ridiculous poses? Bulma frowned as she watched the three warriors strike a series of flamboyant poses that looked utterly stupid coming from large warriors. And if Bulma had not seen one of them fight with her own eyes she would have believed them all to be a bunch of useless pansies. Bulma lightly frowned at her choice of words and distantly a disgusted image of Vegeta popped into her head.

Bulma mentally brushed it aside as she came to realise that these must be members of the infamous Ginyu squad. They were two members short though. Again Bulma wondered if Kakarot and the Namekian duo stood a chance against the notorious Ginyu force members.

"They're strong. But Kakarot, Piccolo and Nail should be able to take them." Bulma turned around to look at Chi Chi.

The dark haired Earthling had not taken her eyes off Bulma and if it weren't for Chi Chi's shrewd eyes, Bulma would have thought she had voiced her concerns out aloud instead of thinking them. What was it about this younger woman that set Bulma on edge?

There was no time to ponder the answer as shouts could be heard from beyond them. Dust flared and flashes of ki was all Bulma could make out. She now wished she had taken out her scouter as she couldn't keep up with the movements of the battle happening right before her eyes. It didn't seem like Chi Chi and her son were having the same problems Bulma noted as she watched the mother and son's eyes move in concentration.

Bulma bit her lip as she tried to focus on watching the action before her. It didn't work though and she was beginning to become frustrated. Time passed by in a flurry of dust and screams, ki blasts and exploding rock. She felt her heart momentarily stop every time Gohan’s tiny body shook with suppressed rage. However Chi Chi always placed her hand upon Gohan’s shoulder and the boy would instantly take in a deep breath which stopped his ki from raising stones around them.

“No, daddy.” Gohan’s desperate plea echoed into Bulma making her fear the worse.

Gohan’s sudden rise in his power level, spurred on from his obvious anger, lashed out at Bulma causing her to be pushed a little away. She landed on her bottom, her palms immediately going behind her to break her fall.

The slightly shell shocked genius watched in awe as Chi Chi managed to stand firmly in place, undeterred by Gohan’s rage as both her hands gripped the child’s shoulders. The young boy refused to be kept in place though, his judgement blurred by whatever he had seen happen to his father.

Bulma wanted to scream out and ask what had happened but she felt as if she would be intruding on the moment the mother and son were sharing. Instead she slowly stood up and timidly stalked towards Chi Chi and Gohan. She sputtered like a fish out of water for a few seconds before a shadow fell upon them. Three heads looked up to see a huge boulder hurtling over them. Repercussions from being caught in battle was all Bulma could think as she instinctively raised her arms to cover her head. Her breath caught in her throat and Bulma expected to be crushed like a bug beneath the rock that was aiming straight for her head.

The impact never came though and Bulma cautiously lowered her hands. She immediately realised the error of her ways the moment small stones showered her with vicious stings. Bulma hunched over her knees, her back weathering most of the stone storm, while her head remained safely ensconced inside her crossed arms.

The sluicing of rock fall against her back stopped as suddenly as it started. Bulma felt the warmth of a warm body against her own as she was spared from the torture of shattering rock. She tilted her head to the side of her arms to see Gohan’s tiny head over her right shoulder. His smooth face was pressed against her right cheek and his eyes were scrunched shut in concentration. Bulma lifted her head up more to see a ki shield surrounding the child and herself. Stones ricocheted  around them as it was met with the impenetrable barrier of Gohan’s ki. Feeling safer, Bulma lifter her head fully and  her eyes immediately caught those of Chi Chi’s.

The other woman was having no trouble defending herself from the onslaught of stones as her red aura waved around her to blast away any rock that dared to near her. However it was the burning look in Chi Chi’s dark brown eyes that made Bulma feel like she was thrust into the stone storm once again. Chi Chi’s eyes burned with a look of angry possession and her message came across loud and clear. ‘He’s mine!’ And she was not just referring to Gohan.

Bulma looked away and was relieved when Gohan slid off her back. He looked shyly at the ground and Bulma noticed a flush stain his cheeks. Not being able to help herself, even with Chi Chi’s non-verbal warning, Bulma pulled Gohan into a grateful embrace.

“Thank you.” She said sincerely, impressed at the kid’s consideration over her well-being.

“It was nothing.” Gohan assured her shyly and Bulma could feel the warmth of his embarrassment against her neck.

“Gohan …” Chi Chi’s voice wavered as she approached them and Gohan stepped back from Bulma’s embrace.

“I’m ok mother.” Gohan reassured Chi Chi in a tone that sounded way older than his four years.

A loud bellow followed by an agonising scream had all three heads snapping towards the loud noises in the distance. Lost in their own peril, Bulma, Gohan and Chi Chi had momentarily forgotten about the battle that still raged on. Following the deathly screams a solid silence floated around the barren lands the battles had caused. Bulma turned to look towards Gohan and Chi Chi for answers and noticed how rigidly still they stood. Their eyes were focused solely ahead of them and Bulma was almost afraid to turn in the direction they looked. They could have been frozen in time for all she knew.

"Errr…" Bulma stuttered, not knowing how to question them and secretly not wanting to hear their answers.

Gohan and Chi Chi didn't even look her way as they seemed to be whirred into action from their frozen spots by some invisible force in the air. They ran forward and Bulma just looked blankly at the empty spot where they once stood. Finally she slowly turned her head, face still expressionless, towards the battle scene.

"Oh…" Again she stuttered before her brain finally seemed to understand what her eyes were seeing.

As the dust settled around the remaining warriors let standing; with a reluctant step Bulma moved forward, feeling slightly out of place there.

All of Frieza's men lay sprawled out before her. Well whatever was left of them that was. They were no doubt dead. The blue skinned alien was missing his head and Bulma quickly turned away from the gruesome sight. She felt slightly less queasy to see the other two warriors looking slightly less meshed up than the blue one. The giant was lying flat on his stomach, his head twisted at and odd angle, eyes still open, staring lifelessly at her, a dumb look still imprinted on his face. Bulma felt as if he were looking accusingly at her and for a moment she wished his head wasn't on his shoulders. Bulma turned to look over at the orange alien who had been like Kakarot's and her personal tormentor. He looked oddly serene in death. His fine features smooth and his lithe form lying almost perfectly upon the ground. He clutched a gaping hole in his chest, his white hair fanned out around him like a cloud of innocence.

Piccolo, the only one standing, kept his body proudly upright but Bulma could tell he was struggling with injuries that were probably worse than they looked. His clothing was burnt and tattered, as he tore out another piece of material from his chest to wipe the blood from his face.

Nail was lying flat on his back, his breathing heavy as he clutched his armless shoulder. Bulma gulped, not certain as to whether he would die from the loss of so much purple blood that pooled from him.

However it was the scene of Kakarot on his knees, palms flat against the ground, back arched and chest heaving that had Bulma gulp down a weird feeling that was trying to choke her. It could very well be concern for his well-being as she had long since concluded that she cared about him. It was strange though to actually experience the care that had grown inside of her manifest into real feelings of concern for him. And it was the reactions of Chi Chi and Gohan that made Bulma feel awkward. As if intruding on their time together.

She had been used to being the sole focus of Kakarot's attention. Everything that he did revolved around her and suddenly he was flanked on both sides, leaving her outside of this triangle that she had no place in. It hurt and a slight taste of bitterness could be felt at the back of her tongue. She swallowed hard not wanting to inspect her petty feelings at that very moment.

Gohan was hovering uncertainly next to his father and Chi Chi was bent next to him, trying to smother Kakarot with affection it seemed. Bulma fought back the urge to roll her eyes at the younger woman. She was literally in tears, fussing over Kakarot's bruises as he tried to catch his breath. The Saiyan finally stood up, with the help of his lover, and he turned to look at Bulma.

His beetle black eyes looked straight into hers and a moment of instant understanding passed between them. He was glad she was ok and she was glad he was alive. It was a moment that needed no words and simply washed away Bulma's feeling of unwantedness and loneliness. A look that spoke volumes. A look that did not go unnoticed by Chi Chi as the younger human narrowed her eyes at Bulma. Bulma and Kakarot smiled simply at each other and Bulma nodded in acknowledgement of his victory.

The silence that ensued was broken by Nails growling as a squishing noise erupted from him. All eyes looked towards him and Bulma prepared for the worst. She was stunned though to see that Nail had also gotten to his feet. He wasn't dead and his shoulder had just spat out another arm.

"Regeneration." Piccolo said at the horrified look on Bulma's face and she turned her wide eyes towards his voice. She blinked a few times to moisten her dry eyes before she looked towards the others around her. No one else seemed to be as impressed by Nail's new arm as she was. Impressed and slightly disgusted.

"Let's leave." Chi Chi said confidently and there was a certain strength to her voice that no one thought to argue with.

Everyone turned to look towards the dead bodies once more before they all came to the synonymous agreement that it was time to move on. Get cleaned up, fed and rested. Wind drifted across the lands as if agreeing with them and Bulma moved some of her blue hair that had blown across her face. Securing her locks behind her ear she turned her back on the sight of Frieza's dead soldiers hoping it would be the last time she saw death. Praying she would be able to have the life she finally envisioned for herself.

She was glad when Kakarot stopped moving with the group so he could wait for her. She smiled in gratitude at him and they began to walk together. She didn't know if they'd have an opportunity of having a private conversation anytime soon and Bulma wanted to immediately confide in him a few things. She really didn't want to stay on Namek for much longer. In her excitement she missed the way Chi Chi's shoulders stiffened as the younger woman tilted her head slightly to the side when Kakarot had slowed his pace.

The shackles that had bound Bulma to enslavement had finally been broken. The weight that had forced her down was completely lifted. Now with the fresh smell of freedom breathing life into her burdened heart she could literally taste the sweetness of the life that was to come.

There was a distant scream that Bulma imagined to be her haunted self finally being vanquished from within her. So she didn't understand why Piccolo, Nail, Gohan and Chi Chi turned around to look at her. She didn't understand why Kakarot had grabbed her arms and turned her around so she was no longer facing the others but looking straight at him. She didn't understand why when he opened his mouth instead of words, nothing but blood passed his lips.

It was only when Kakrot’s eyes left hers and his head lowered to his chest that understanding finally dawned on her. Bulma's gaze followed Kakarot's and her deep blue eyes widened in shock as a round stain in between his chest and stomach grew larger and larger. Bulma screamed as a hand tore through Kakarot's bare chest. His armor had long since been disposed of and the top half of his bodysuit was non-existent.

At Bulma’s ear piercing scream Kakarot lifted his head to look up at her again before the injured Saiyan released her and fell to his knees. Bulma came face to face with the orange skinned alien who had been blocked from her view by Kakarot. Kakarot had been protecting her. She had never even seen it coming. All Bulma could do was stare disbelievingly at the alien as he smiled victoriously at her, lifting up a bloody hand full of Kakarot's organs and bringing it up to his lips. It was a hopeless coward's blow, delivered to an unsuspecting warrior of victory. There was a flash of light that furiously zoomed past her and the alien’s face was blasted from her sight.

“Kakarot.”

“Daddy.” Voices called out to the broken warrior and each sound was deafening for Bulma.

As if in a daze, Bulma lowered her head to look at Kakarot. She tried to speak, to call out his name, to reach for him, but all she could feel was a strange lump in her chest that began to rock her entire body. For a moment, everything was as still as Bulma, not even the wind dared speak in the moment that Kakarot fell backwards, his hand against his centre, kicking up dust as he landed soundlessly on the ground.

Movement blurred around Bulma and she was nudged by a running Gohan yet still she stood rooted to the spot.

The lump that had lodged itself in her own chest began to weigh her down and she sank to her knees. Kakarot would die protecting her. Memories of him from the moment she had seen him as a twelve year old till the moment he had just now stood before her bombarded her mind making her head feel twice as heavy. Bulma felt that same dead weight spread from her chest to her entire being and she couldn't breathe. Then there was something reaching for her.

From where she sat on her knees, at the end of Kakarot's body, his bloody hand stretched out towards her and Bulma thought she would faint from seeing him die. She watched as the four people beside him, two on either side, moved back slightly and turned to look at her.

Bulma didn't know how long she had sat there unmoving watching Chi Chi clasp Kakarot's left hand in her own, crying her eyes out while Gohan's head was buried in his father's side. Piccolo and Nail moved away from Kakarot's right, silently making way for Bulma, and she looked helplessly at the fast paling Saiyan warrior.

The pain etched on his face was enough to make her blanch and Bulma gulped back the thick lump that had moved from her chest to her throat. The moment her eyes finally found Kakarot's Bulma was suddenly spurred into action. She crawled on her knees, stumbling slightly, as she made her way towards him. Bulma grabbed his outstretched hand greedily and instantly guilt assailed her. He had placed himself in death's way to save her.

"Kakarot." Bulma swallowed hard, trying to rid herself of the constricting lump in her throat that was making it difficult for her to speak. Fire burned the back of her mouth and Bulma's eyes stung with unshed tears.

For the first time Bulma couldn't think of a single thing she could say and yet there were so many things she wanted, no needed to say to him. Words left unsaid that she would regret never speaking to him, emotions she wanted so desperately to express to him and appreciation she wanted so badly to bestow upon him. Yet time refused to allow her this and was cruelly pulling Kakarot quickly into the arms of death.

"I'll get some healing gel." Was all she could manage; all her brain could feed her mouth in that painful moment of inadequacy.

She could use the healing liquid on superficial wounds but Kakarot's insides were literally ripped from him. He gave her a sad smile at her words and in that instant Bulma knew she really cared for him. Not in a selfish way but in a way that even she couldn't deny anymore. How could she not? He had given his life for her.

"For everything I couldn't give you before." Those were his last words to her and it broke every wall she had ever erected against emotions.

Bulma sobbed out aloud, her chest heaving in throbbing pain, as she shook her head in denial at the fact that he would die. Die for her. How many times had she accused him of not really caring for her, not doing enough for her? Now Kakarot had given his life for her. His hold tightened on her hand for a fleeting moment and Bulma choked back her cries as scalding hot tears involuntarily fell from her eyes.

"I'll put some liquid on you. We'll save you. Get you to a place where I can stitch you up, save you. Kakarot!" Bulma screamed as his eyes closed and his slightly lifted head fell onto the ground, turning away from her.

Loneliness instantly consumed her and for the first time she realised she had never felt alone with Kakarot, even though she had never realised it before. Her head fell onto his chest. Uncaring that her cheek was being stained with his blood as she cried her heart out for him.

On the other side of him Chi Chi and Gohan did the exact same and their simultaneous cries where the only sounds that echoed throughout the deserted lands ...