Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Surviving Together: A New Legacy ❯ Needing a Friend ( Chapter 14 )

Surviving Together: A New Legacy

Chapter 14 - Needing a Friend

"Durka! Durka!" Aphara pounded on the door. She wanted answers from the man and NOW! "So help me if you don't open this door right now I'll blast it to--"

"What the hell do you want?" Durka growled as he swung the door open.

Aphara felt her breathing stop momentarily as she saw her angered captain sporting nothing but a towel around his waist. "Ah… I need to…talk to you." She managed to gulp before shaking the inappropriate thoughts away as she entered the man's room.

Durka frowned as the woman barged into his room. He had just finished a relaxing shower and was now faced with the person that caused his stress in the first place. "I asked what you wanted." He repeated. He noticed that she was blushing but he was much too angry to react.

"I want to know more about the vision." Aphara stated, trying her best not to look any lower than his neck. "I've been thinking about it, and I have to wonder if you didn't just spit out the first lie that came to your head? I mean a giant ape? Tell me the truth!"

Durka glared at the woman as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I told you the truth. I saw a rampant ape the size of my ship pounding the shit out of everything in sight. That's what I saw! If you don't want to believe me then that's fine, but that's what I saw!"

"Well I don't believe it! And so help me if you don't tell me the truth I'll--"

"You'll what?" Durka asked as he stepped closer to her. "Tell on me?" He mocked her childish behavior. "I will deny anything you tell the Emperor, so go ahead and tell him. You can't prove a damn thing, and like you said he probably wouldn't believe me anyway."

Aphara growled as she took a step back. "Do you want to chance that?"

"Go ahead." Durka smirked. "You'll only make a fool out of yourself."

"Very well." Aphara grunted; she knew he was probably right, but she couldn't back away from his challenge.

Durka watched as the woman stormed past him, slamming the door behind her as she left. He took a long breath as he ran a hand through his hair. 'That woman will be the death of me.' He seriously started to consider transferring her to another ship. Durka turned to get dressed when he heard another knock on his door. He frowned; he couldn't believe she had come back so soon.

Durka stalked towards the door and opened it angrily. "What the hell is it this-" Durka cut himself off as he looked into the eyes of the person before him. It wasn't Aphara.

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"That's the plan?" Garock asked disappointedly.

"What's wrong with it?" Trunks pouted as he thought his idea was flawless.

Garock shook his head at the boy. "For starters you underestimate the intelligence of both the Emperor and your mother."

It was Trunks turn to be disappointed. "I'm not relying on their intelligence here. I'm telling you. My mother is lonely, and the Emperor seems lonely as well. I really don't think it'll take that much to get them together. By the time they figure it out the sparks will already be flying!"

"You are a dreamer. Reality doesn't work that way. Two people don't just fall for each other out of loneliness." Garock tried to explain to the idealistic boy. "Besides, I don't think the Emperor is particularly open to having a relationship with anyone." Garock momentarily reflected on the conversation he had with Nappa a few days prior.

"What? Are you saying my mother isn't good enough for him?" Trunks asked defensively.

"No." Garock clarified. "It's just that I heard that the Emperor was in love once, and when he lost her he shut himself off to the possibility of ever loving anyone again. Even if your mother was the woman of his dreams, I don't think he would be willing to chance that kind of pain again."

Trunks felt a frown cover his face. "Ya, I guess I understand what you mean. My mom was never one to see a lot of men. In fact, I can only think of one, and she said he was just a friend." Trunks took a long breath before he continued. "But maybe that's more of a reason for her to try and find someone. I don't want her to be alone, and I don't want her to live in fear. I want her to be happy and safe. So why not at least try my plan? What's the worst that could happen?"

"The Emperor blasts me for going behind his back." Garock said flatly.

"See." Trunks smiled. "It's worth the risk. So, you're in?"

"Fine." Garock nodded. He didn't really believe the plan had a snowballs chance in hell, but if by some miracle this did work, he thought it would be beneficial to the Emperor. He had never gotten close to anyone. He always thought the man deserved better. "Then I will begin with your mother."

"Good." Trunks smiled. "I'll go take care of Emps."

And with the plan now in motion, each set off to deal with their respected targets.

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"Excuse me Emps, but I need to talk to you."

Vegeta had just returned to his throne room after his cleansing shower. The process did little to clear his mind, but he did look less frightening now. His eyes widened as he snapped his head around to look at the boy. "What did you just call me?"

Trunks held a smile as he caught the man's attention. "I want to talk to you."

"I'm busy." Vegeta said quickly, not yet ready to deal with the child.

"You're sitting on your throne staring off blankly at the wall. How are you busy?" Trunks crossed his arms not taking 'no' for an answer.

Taking a deep breath, Vegeta displayed one of his deep scowls. "Speak."

"Alright." Trunks began slowly. "I want to talk to you about my mom."

"Oh?" Vegeta brows perked up slightly. "I assume she recovered fully."

"Yep." Trunks smiled. "She is fully healed thanks to you." Trunks said trying to show his gratitude.

However, Vegeta didn't feel worth of the boy's thanks. "I am glad she has recovered. Is that all?"

"No." Trunks frown reappeared. He didn't like how the man was brushing him off. "I was hoping you would do me a favor."

"And why would I do that?" Vegeta asked thinking the boy had some nerve asking for a favor.

"Because." Trunks pouted. "I'm asking nicely. If you do this then I won't ask for anything else, ok?"

"Fine." Vegeta shrugged. "What do you want?"

"Well." Trunks cleared his throat as he prepared to use a skill he seemed to be quite good at: lying. "I told my mother how you were the one who put her in the tank, stayed with me as she healed, and gave us your room and well, she's very grateful and wanted to thank you personally. I was hoping you would be willing to have dinner with her tonight."

Vegeta was less than enthralled with the idea. He couldn't imagine her reaction as he came into the room. Fear? Sadness? Disappointment? Contempt? Disinterest? It could be any of the above, though none of which he wanted to see. "No."

"Well I knew you'd say--- NO! What do you mean no!!?" Trunks shouted utterly confused.

"I am busy." Vegeta used the quick excuse; the truth was certainly not an option.

"Well get un-busy!" Trunks demanded. "My mom has been through hell and she wants to thank you! The least you can do is let her!" Trunks wasn't crazy about laying a guilt trip on the man, but he felt he had no choice.

"Tell her she has no reason to thank me." Vegeta spat quickly. "I did what I did out of duty, and she has no need for gratitude." The mess was his fault in the first place. How could he listen to her thanking him?

"Well, my mom thinks differently. Come on! Just go to dinner. Is it that big a deal? Is a Merigh woman too much of a challenge for you?" Trunks asked, thinking that might work better.

'Not a Merigh woman' Vegeta thought painfully. 'An Earth woman.' He knew very well why he didn't want to see her again. She could very well hurt him, more detrimentally than any physical injury ever could. But, how could he live his life wondering? She was alive, and he was denying himself the chance to finish things between them. She had left so abruptly, gone for so many years. He had so many questions. Could he really live with never knowing the answers, no matter how painful? "Fine." Vegeta whispered quietly. "I will meet her for dinner in my private dinning hall."

"Great." Trunks released a sigh of relief. "She'll be there at seven!" Trunks rushed out of the room before the Emperor had a chance to change his mind.

No sooner had Trunks left, when Aphara appeared.

"My King." Her low voice interrupted Vegeta's thoughts. He turned to see the commander from Durka's ship bowing before him. "I am terribly sorry to interrupt you, but I was hoping you could spare a moment to speak with me. I have some information that I believe you will find very interesting."

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"No!" Bulma said very clearly and assuredly.

"But Miss Briefs." Garock objected, wondering if convincing the Emperor would have been an easier task. "You must understand, this isn't--"

"A pity dinner?" Bulma cut him off. "I don't want to spend the evening sitting across from a man who feels sorry for what happened to me. I wish you would just drop the subject!" She shouted utterly infuriated by the people butting into her business.

"This is not a pity dinner." Garock tried to reason. "He is very sorry for what happened to you yes, but he wants to make certain that you are all right. He is very concerned for you, and he wishes to see for himself that you have fully recovered."

"Well tell him I'm fine." Bulma huffed. "If he wants to see me so bad, he can visit me at work, which by the way I have no intention of stopping. I will be back at work tomorrow." She found the 'generosity' Garock had earlier mentioned on behalf of the Emperor, insulting.

"Please Miss Briefs." Garock decided he was going to have to use his last option. "I can understand your hesitation to spend an evening with a man you know nothing about but, he is a good man. I knew him as a boy, and served under him since he defeated Freeza, he saved me and many others from a life of bondage. I have never met anyone with more honor than he, and when you were assaulted, under his watch, he felt as though he had failed not only you, but all of us. He is a stubborn and arrogant man, but he is fiercely loyal and very trustworthy. Now I am asking you, to please join him tonight so he can apologize in his own way for what has happened." When Garock finished he had to admit it was convincing. Although he might have embellished the dinner part, he didn't feel any guilt for "lying" as he felt his description of the Emperor was accurate.

Bulma listened intently to the man's depiction. It was bizarre. As he spoke of the Emperor, she couldn't help but think of her lost love. "Fine." She whispered. "I will have dinner with him as he has requested." Bulma said very slowly, her interest had definitely been peaked and she agreed to the dinner, if for no other reason, than to satisfy her own curiosity.

"Thank you." Garock smiled satisfied that his part of the plan was complete.

"Was there anything else?" Bulma asked, as she was more than ready to end this conversation.

Garock was going to say 'no' when he remembered the last thing the Emperor had asked of him. "Oh… Yes." He whispered slowly before he began. "Nappa, is apparently still alive. The Emperor beat him severely and left him without energy. He said the man will eventually bleed to death, but if you wished to finish him yourself, he said it is your choice."

Bulma was silent for a while before she spoke. "I thank you for giving me this information." Bulma said simply as she walked to the door and opened it, making it very clear that they had nothing further to discuss.

Garock nodded in understanding as he quickly left the room and headed to give Trunks the update.

Bulma closed the door as she tried to figure out what to do next. Nappa was still alive, but not a threat to her. She saw no point in 'finishing' him off, slowly bleeding to death sounded much more appealing. However, knowing he was alive, she felt like she had to see him. He was the last person that would have any knowledge of Vegeta's death. She wanted to know the exact details once and for all. It is believed men facing death never lie, she hoped that would be the case now.

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Bulma walked slowly into her former chambers. She tensed slightly as she viewed the damage. Taking a huge gulp, she gathered her strength and stalked into her bedroom. She walked in on the defensive as she looked around for the bald brute. She found him cowering in a far corner. As she walked closer, she could see the damage that had been inflicted on the man. His body was coved in red black and blue.

'The Emperor must have really been furious that his law was disobeyed. He didn't hold back.' She noted as she couldn't help but wonder why the Emperor would have gone to such lengths. She even noticed the man's tail had been ripped out. 'Really furious.' Bulma thought as she continued to walk closer. The closer she got to the carcass the better she could assess the damage. She began to think the man couldn't possibly still be alive, but she was proven wrong as she heard a groan come from the man's throat. She jumped back slightly as she saw the man try to move. When his efforts failed, Bulma felt a smile cross her lips. 'Completely helpless.'

She kicked the beast onto his back. "Wake up Nappa!" She ordered as she could hear the man moan groggily. Bulma smiled innocently as she knelt next to him. She ran a finger up the center of his chest before she grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. "This must really be crushing for you. First to have your manhood stripped of you by a 'mere' woman, and then to be de-tailed by the Emperor. It must be eating you alive."

Bulma could see him trying to speak so she leaned in closer. "What's that Nappa?"

"B..t..ch." He stuttered out; however Bulma received the message, loud and clear. She pouted her lips as she responded. "That hurts Nappa. Here I came to put you out of your misery, and all you want to do is call me names. Honestly." She smirked as she lifted her elbow and rammed it right into his chest. He howled in pain as Bulma reveled in the sound. "Have you had enough?" She asked sweetly. "Well, I suppose since I'm willing to be a good person, I'll kill you right now to put you out of your misery as long as you do something for me in return. How does that sound?"

He coughed a few times before whispering. "W..u..t?"

Bulma smirked. "It's quite easy. I want the truth about Vegeta. I want to know if you were telling me the truth or playing some kind of sick joke. If you tell me, I will put you out of your misery. How's that?"

She watched as his swollen eyes opened and closed a few times as he tried to speak. "Come on Nappa." Bulma lifted him up some. "Spit it out and the pain will end." 'At least in this dimension.' She thought knowing he'd be burning in hell immediately following his final breath.

"V..g..ta… i.s…"

"What? Vegeta's is what?" Bulma demanded; she waited with anticipation for his next words.

"D..ea..d."

Bulma felt her bottom lips tremble as she heard his words. "Is that the truth!?!? Is what you told me earlier the truth? Tell me!"

"N..o.."

"What then, tell me now!!" Bulma demanded.

"Em..p.. er..r.. K..ill.. h…m."

Bulma felt her stomach twist into knots as he spoke. "The Emperor killed him!" Bulma screamed. "You're lying! Why would he do that!!?"

"K..ill… me… now."

Bulma growled; she couldn't believe this. Why would the Emperor kill Vegeta and allow Nappa to live? "Nappa tell me the truth!!?" She ordered.

"Ki...ll… M..E.." He spoke angrily. Bulma assumed the man had told her all he intended to so she felt no reason to stay any longer. She rose to her feet as she started to walk away. "Rot in the next dimension." Bulma spit at him before she left the room with every intention of letting the man live the remainder of his miserable life on the cold floor; beaten, broken, and pathetic.

As soon as Bulma was out of the room she shivered. She covered her mouth to stop herself from letting her emotions get the better of her. Here she was cursing Freeza and now Nappa tells her the Emperor is the murderer of her lover? 'Why did I have to learn all this now?' She moaned as she was too crushed to stop her tears. 'How could this be true? Especially after all that Garock had told me!'

Her misery was quickly interrupted however as she heard a door slam at the end of the hall. Bulma looked up to see a furious Aphara storm off in the opposite direction. She glanced at the door and remembered an offer that she suddenly wanted to take up.

Bulma rubbed her eyes as she walked to the third door down the hall. She knocked quickly and waited for an answer. The occupant opened the door angrily as she was greeted with a less than pleasant reception. "What the hell is it this-" Durka cut himself off as he looked down into Bulma's eyes. A concerned look immediately washed away his anger as he saw the distraught appearance of the woman before him. "Bulma?" He whispered as he wiped a tear away from her face, leaving his hand lingering against her soft skin. "What happened?" He asked gently.

The fact that the man before her was half naked didn't seem to register in Bulma's mind; her focus was to hold back her tears. "I could really use a friend." Bulma sniffed as she nuzzled her cheek against his palm. Durka immediately complied as he pulled the woman into his arms and accepted her into his room. "Just tell me how I can help."

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Author's Note: Alright, so we have Bulma looking to be consoled by Durka, Aphara looking to rat Durka out to Vegeta, Trunks and Garock looking to hook up Bulma and Vegeta, and Nappa wasting away a bloody mess on the cold floor. What fun! So, the big question is, how will this news from Nappa affect the dinner planned for the unhappy couple? Who knows? But trust me when I say that the next chapter is going to be a wild ride, but it's not what you're all thinking!