Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The King and Queen Diaries ❯ Roudouryoku ( Chapter 25 )

Author's Note: Well, I have to express some disappointment in my readers. Between the 25th and today, the 28th, I have had over 200 unique visitors and over 600 hits to the last chapter. Out of all that, I got 7 reviews. That really makes me sad and really upsets me that out of so many people reading this story, as readers, you don't even take the 30 seconds it takes to at least say good or awesome or it sucks. Out of every story I read, I review every chapter I read. Even if I don't have a lot of time I take the ten seconds it takes to say omg awesome update soon or something. If I have the time, I give constructive reviews. When someone takes the time to write a good, honest review, it helps people become better authors. I have to at least thank a few of the people who reviewed: Nobunaga the betta, who at least gave me the time of day to write a few sentences to give me some constructive criticism. I know that things have varied a lot in this story; I have been writing this story now for over six years, I was 19 when I first started this story and I am now 25. I have gone to college and been through war and deployment, marriage, college again; let's just say a lot lol. My writing style has changed and has developed differently throughout the years. So yeah I know that there are different tones and writing styles. I will take a half a year break and start writing again and it sounds different again lol. I am honestly just trying to get to the end in a respectable manner right now. But thank you for your review! DamonaVeggi, you are so crazy lol, and I love your reviews. I hope to see more :) Thank you to HawkAngel XD, yomegagirl01, AmyRose92, Kikira-Lynn, and dragonballzfreak210. People like you are the reason why I continue writing :)

Chapter Twenty Five: Roudouryoku (Labor)

"We are no match against them, my Queen."

Bulma, already pale, looked like death after Bardock's words. Brolli was close to her side, so close in fact that it drew both Turles' and Bardock's sharp eye. He was hovering unnaturally close to her, his hand ever-present at her back. Their gaze collectively turned to the Queen after their observation.

"What is wrong, Bulma?" Turles asked, nudging himself closer, moving Bardock out of the way. Not to be outdone, Bardock nearly knocked Brolli aside in his haste to see to her as well. Brolli snorted and let them attend her.

The moment Bardock and Turles placed their hands on her shoulders, she hissed. "I am in labor, you fools."

The color drained from their faces. They both began talking at once, nearly unintelligible, until Brolli told them to shut up without further ado.

"Be quiet. She does not want the entire camp to know that she is in pain and going into labor. She is currently in control of the pain and perfectly capible of taking care of military matters. If you do not wish to make matters worse, you will pretend that she is her normal self and distract her with what is going on currently."

Startled with Brolli's fierceness, both men left her side, nodding in aquiensce. "The men should be gathered and prepared. The generals are already outside, waiting for your orders, my Queen."

Bulma nodded, then subtly shuddered as more pain hit her. Gasping at the severity, she gripped onto Brolli and attempted to walk on her wobbling legs. Brolli was truly wonderful, she thought to herself as he guided her outside. He knew that she needed all the distraction that she could get, and was amply providing it for her. The less her mind was on this horrid pain, the better.

Still, she could not help but think of how much worse the pain was than she had anticipated. What she had previously experienced had been bad enough, but it was nearly crippling at the height of the contraction. She could not believe that this was the beginning and it would only get worse. Fear began clawing up her spine until it reached her throat, and she swallowed hard, nearly panting with exertion as she reached the side of her generals. She prayed to the gods that she would not shame herself in front of them.

"Ready the men. Do what you believe is best, prepare them well with words of encouragement. Make sure that their morale is at its pinnacle. When they are ready, let me know."

The four men nodded and bowed low. The Queen was finally allowing them to do their job, instead of doing it all on her own and hardly ever taking their advice. They were almost startled, but did not speak of it in this desperate time. Separating quickly, they went about readying the men.

"Did you see their faces? It was amusing," Turles commented, chuckling.

Bulma smiled softly, her pain momentarily forgotten. She let her gaze fall upon Brolli, who had his hand at her back.

"Let us walk. Perhaps it will help," she murmured.

Brolli shook his head. "Bulma, walking typically hastens labor. Are you sure?"

Thought furrowed her fair brow. "Perhaps that is not a good idea, then. I will rest until I am needed."

When she turned to enter her tent, Brolli made to follow after her. However, she waved him off. "I will call for you if I need you, Brolli. I would have a few moments of privacy."

He nodded, his fingertips brushing hers before she disappeared behind the flaps with barely a whisper of sound.

Instantly he was accosted by Bardock and Turles. "What the hell," Bardock muttered, rubbing his hand over his face. "This could not happen at a more terrible time. What are we supposed to do? Go off into battle, knowing that she is in labor, and expect not to be worried about it? I am going to be completely useless!"

Brolli frowned as Turles nodded, agreeing. "Our fondness for the Queen is unfortunately a weakness, but without her we would all be dead. While our care for her is greater than anyone elses on this planet, I believe she is right when she says that the men and women fighting for Vegeta-sei should not be notified, for it would do something similiar to them as well. They all worry for her, and if they knew that she was in pain...."

Bardock cursed and began pacing back and forth. "I wish that you had witheld this information from me, Brolli...damn you. Damn you, she is like a daughter to me! More than a daughter, I cannot even define what she means. I would give my life for her without hesitation, and knowing that she could possibly die...."

Turles suddenly appeared pale under his swarthy skin. "Lady Nana...she is not here."

Brolli nodded, his lips drawn into a thin bloodless line. He watched as Bardock's panic increased. He was practically ranting, and Brolli feared that he would go bald with how he kept raking his fingers through his hair and pulling on it.

"What shall we do?" Bardock continued. "Her midwife was meant to be here. Damn this situation! Who is going to help her majesty when it is finally time? We know not when it will be! It could be hours, it could be days! We all know how precarious her giving birth is; Anausian blood mixed with Saiya-jin...it is a recipe for disaster."

Brolli settled his gaze on both of the men. "I will be with her...but I will need help."

Both nodded, their pacing nearly amusing to him. Bardock waved his hand through the air several times, almost as if carrying on a conversation with himself and disagreeing at some of the things he was thinking.

"Yes, you will need help. Not just anyone can be in that tent. We will need a heavy guard, to protect her if the time comes. The Royal guard can cover that, but who shall be best for aiding her?"

Turles grumbled as he followed Bardock in his pacing. "I would rather not have some random male in her birthing room during such a private time. The Queen's body is not something that should be displayed to anyone, especially men who are not her husband. She is meant to be surrounded by comfort, women, luxury...we do not even have water, medicine, anything."

Brolli's frowning increased, and he lifted his head to the sky as he sighed. "You two are idiots sometimes. Obviously no one else should be in her birthing room besides me...and you two."

Both stopped pacing, then began sputtering. "Us?" they said at the same time, their faces drained of color.

Brolli nodded. "You speak of improper situations, of unworthy men witnessing our Queen in such an intimate moment, but clearly we three have been here for her during such periods many times before, no one else. There isn't anyone else on this planet besides women that should be here, helping her."

They both looked terrified. Brolli attempted to calm their nerves, but ended up doing the opposite towards the end. "I will be the one aiding in the actual birth, but I will need help during certain moments. She will need to be calmed, cared for...held down...during this process. It will be long, agonizing, and her screams will rip your heart from your chest, but I will need you to be strong for her, so that she can draw strength from us. You will need to listen to me at all times, never hesitate when I give an order. Be firm with her, she will undoubtedly ask for many things, beg for many things, that we will not be able to do for her."

The men looked like they were about to bolt as he continued, undaunted. "I will assume that neither of you have ever experienced birth. I ask that you help me. I trust no one else to do this with me, with her. She will be nervous, scared beyond words, as her pain grows. We need to be there for her, because it will mean the difference between her living and dying. A lonely, heartbroken woman giving birth to her dead king's children in the middle of a battlefield...even a heart and soul as strong as hers will be beaten if we are not there for her, showing that we love her and need her to fight for her life and her babes."

Pausing, he watched their expressions. They were scared. "I am not sure how educated either of you are concerning Anausian women, and I admit that I am not an expert myself, but I have listened to Lady Nana and I have been present at four Saiya-jin births. Bulma can die, my lords. While her spirit rivals a Saiya-jin woman's, her body does not. Anausian women are weak and fragile, and her kind has suffered for it. The birthing process on her planet is meticulous to prevent the death of the woman, but it still happens often. Bulma is giving birth to Saiya-jin twins, and Lady Nana has warned me repeatedly that her death is almost certain."

What he said next drew the breath from the two warrior's lungs. "If it comes down to it, if she dies before she has given birth, we must take every measure that we can to make sure the babes survive."

Before he could continue, the generals had returned. Flanking them were a majority of the Queen's guard. Everyone looked somber and sullen.

"The troops are as ready as they are going to be. Scouts report that Lord Frieza's army has amassed outside of the forest. The battle can begin at any time. Does her Highness wish to speak to the men?"

Brolli nodded, thanking them for their efforts. "I shall see if she is ready presently."

Entering the tent, Brolli had been expecting to see Bulma perhaps sitting on the lone stool, or maybe on the ground, so he was not prepared to see her staring down at a large puddle of growing liquid on the ground.

He ran to her side, barely catching her in time as her legs went out from beneath her.

"Bulma, are you alright?"

She was so pale, he could see the blue veins beneath her white skin. Her eyes were wide, their color nearly black. Her lips were bloodless as she spoke.

"Nana...Nana told me that the birth would come shortly after my bag of waters broke."

Brolli nodded. "Yes, it is true. This birth will happen a lot faster than we have anticipated."

He could hear the fear in her voice. "I am not ready for this, Brolli."

He pushed the damp hair from her face. She was sweating profusely. They would need to retrieve water for her quickly if she was to stay hydrated and strong.

"No woman is really ever ready, Bulma. The first time you give birth is the hardest. The children you will have after this will be easier, and you will be ready for it, but the first time, everything is new and unexpected. But I will be with you, along with Bardock and Turles."

Her lips trembled as she clutched at his arms. "You...you three will help me?"

He nodded. "I know that we are not Lady Nana, Bulma. But we three love you dearly, and will do anything for you. We will be here for you the whole time, doing everything that we can."

Her breathing quickened suddenly, and in the next moment, she was pressing her forehead against his breastplate, a low keening noise erupting from her throat. Her body was stiff as she clutched at him, and he held her close, making soothing noises and rocking her back and forth as agony ripped through her.

When the pain was over, she was shaking once more. She was gasping, as if it was hard to breathe. "It is...it is horrible. They just...keep getting...worse."

He pressed his lips to her forehead, then pulled her away to look at her. "Do not dwell on the pain. Think of the life that you are bringing forth. Heirs to the throne of Vegeta, our future rulers. All will be well, my Queen."

Attempting to control her breathing, she nodded. "Are the men...ready?"

He smiled as he quickly looked her over, then the smile faded. The suit that she was wearing was dark blue, but it was noticeable that her water had broken. Some of the men would notice if she was not careful.

"Do you think that you can walk, unaided, before the men? Are you capable of hiding your body with your cloak?"

He could see the fear on her face that she would not be able to do it. Her eyes, always so full of emotion, broke his heart as he watched them flicker with so many feelings.

"I--"

Bardock burst through the tent flaps at that moment, his face flushed and his sword drawn.

"It has begun, my Queen."

**********

Her scream echoed through the night, but was drowned out by the sounds of war close by. Her eyes, alight and feverish with pain, seized Bardock on the spot as he attempted to reach for a canteen of water and a piece of a hastily ripped cloak.

Frozen, he could not move as she bared her teeth, growling as if an animal. "Bardock! You bastard, how dare you leave me when I am--!" Her speech was halted as another cry tore from her throat. Tears were pouring down her flushed cheeks, and she sobbed as the contraction ended. Bardock quickly returned to her side, the canteen in hand and the cloth soaked with the cool fluid. He pressed the cloth to her hot forehead, and she moaned at the sensation.

She took a small sip from the canteen and then pushed it away. "I feel as if I will throw up if I drink anymore water, Bardock," she half-whined, half-panted. He chuckled as he sat next to her once more. She almost fell against him as he did, and he gladly supported her weight.

Turles and Brolli had left the tent but moments before, desperately seeking supplies. What water they currently had was what they themselves had carried on them, and their cloaks were now torn to shreds or used as bedding for the monarch. She was sitting on his cloak now, her head resting on his shoulder as she enjoyed a brief respite from pain.

It was happening much faster than any of them had thought. Lady Nana had explained to him that the process could last days, so he did not understand what was happening. Without her present, he felt lost. He understood what needed to be done, but all the same, he wished he had her knowledge in this matter. He was glad the Brolli was among them, else he feared that Bulma would be doomed.

The tent opened, and Brolli came in with his arms full of cloaks and several canteens, the same with Turles.

"The King and Queen's guard have gratefully divested themselves of their cloaks and water for her Highness," Turles said, setting the objects on the ground with Brolli's, allowing the younger man to arrange everything as he saw fit.

Bulma flinched. "They...they know, then?"

Turles nodded. "And are sworn to secrecy, your Highness. You are heavily guarded by men who would die for you and your heirs. As of yet the battle rages far from here, so do not worry."

She gasped as another contraction hit her. Moaning, she pressed her face into Bardock's chest, which was thankfully missing its armor. All three men had removed the articles of war, preferring to be able to move unhindered and be able to let Bulma use their bodies for comfort without weapons and armor getting in the way.

Bardock made soft murmuring sounds in comfort, something he had seen Brolli do. Her pain physically affected him, and he fought to control the shaking of his body as she cried into the skin of his neck, her tears soaking his suit. He wished more than anything that he could take this pain away from her, but it would not be so. She had to do this on her own, and he could only be here for her.

It had been almost five hours since the battle had begun, yet there was no news of which side was winning. Bulma was not sure if she should keep thoughts of it on the forefront of her mind, or the impending birth of her children. To know that soon she would be holding Vegeta's children in her arms made her heart flutter. Soon, these tiny creatures that she had carried underneath her heart for so long would be with her.

Thoughts of Vegeta assaulted her, and she felt tears begin anew. How she missed him at this moment, the birth of his children. She remembered the look on his face when she had told him that she was with child, the joy that he had expressed as he had twirled her around the room. The affection that he had showered upon her, the love that he had amazed her with. That such a man capable of so much death and terror had changed so significantly due to her touch, her love...that he had changed even more so at the prospect of fatherhood. She wished so vehemently at that moment that he was there, holding her hand, giving her comfort during this time of suffering. She wished so hard that when she opened her eyes, it was not Bardock that she saw, but Vegeta himself.

"You're here..." she breathed, her lips trembling.

He smiled softly. "Of course, my Queen. I will never leave you."

"I know..." she said quietly, tracing his cheek. ”I've known all along."

Bardock nearly jumped out of his skin as she suddenly slumped against him. Crying out, Brolli and Turles were at his side in seconds. Brolli checked her pulse, pressed his hand against her forehead. He frowned.

"Her fever grows. Continue the cold compresses. We may have to start wiping down her body if it does not go down soon. I f-fear that her fever may be a sign of distress from the babes."

Bardock held her against him, startled. Just moments before she had been gazing upon him with such longing, he could have sworn she was talking to someone else instead of him. Perhaps her fever was making her delirious.

Even though she had fainted, Bardock could still feel the tensing of her body from the contractions. He was almost glad that she had passed out, for it gave her mind a brief respite from the pain. He hoped that she would stay asleep for as long as possible.

The quiet gave Brolli and Turles time to prepare bedding and cloths for her. Turles meticulously ripped apart cloaks with his knife as Brolli managed to arrange a sort of bed. He pulled the stool close, along with several canteens and strips of cloth. With the last two cloaks in their possession, he began fashioning something that baffled the other warriors in the tent.

"What in the universe are you creating, Brolli?" Turles asked, standing next to him.

"Bulma cannot wear what she is much longer. I will wrap this around her body to preserve her modesty as best as possible, but still be able to help her when it is time for the babes to be birthed."

Turles shook his head. "Do you think it will be much longer?"

Brolli looked over to Bardock, who had his hand resting on her abdomen.

"Do the contractions come quicker?"

Bardock sighed. "I believe so."

Brolli glanced over to Turles. "We just have to wait now."

*********

Several more hours ticked by. A few times the men heard scuffles outside the tent, and they feared that the battle was drawing nearer to their location. They prayed that the guard would protect them if the need arose.

Bulma awoke with a weak moan, and almost instantly demanded water. Bardock, stiff from sitting in the same position so long, groaned as he shifted. Turles chuckled as he traded him spots. He figured Bardock had suffered enough and it was his turn.

Returning with water, Bulma gratefully accepted it. When it was all gone, she thanked him.

"What happened?" she asked, unaware that she had fainted.

"You fell asleep, Bulma. It is good that you have slept. How do you feel?"

She took note of her body. She felt tight, all throughout her body, and hot. She tugged at the neck of her suit, wishing that the material breathed easier.

"Ah, I think it's time you changed, my Queen," Brolli said, smiling. He could not wait to see the look on her face.

When he revealed what he had fashioned, Bulma stared at him in horror. It was hard for him not to laugh.

"You expect me to wear such an undignified thing?" she said, and then cried out. "Oh, gods! The pain," she gasped, gripping her belly. "It is much worse than before."

Brolli knelt in front of her. "The pains will grow in intensity and the time between them will shorten, until it is continuous. Do you feel the need to push yet?"

She gave him a crazed look as she tried to comprehend what he was saying through the anguish. "Push? What in the hell are you talking about?"

He chuckled. "You will understand when it happens. For now, let's get you changed into this undignified thing."

She groaned in misery as her contraction ended and Turles made her stand. Her legs were nearly useless and she bitterly told them as much. Bardock quickly moved to her other side to help her stand.

"How do you expect me to change in front of them? And with them holding me? This situation is very irritating," Bulma snapped, making the men smirk. "You think this is funny? You are all so very loathsome at this moment. In fact, I cannot wait until--"

Her knees attempted to lock as another contraction gripped her, but she lost control of her body and her legs went out from beneath her. She writhed in their arms as they attempted to hold her and comfort her through the pain. It seemed to last forever, and she cried out several times. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and both men felt her tremble violently when it finally ended.

Sobbing as she sagged in their arms, she began begging for the pain to be done with. "Please...please make it go away. I cannot take it anymore...."

Brolli took the moment to begin slicing away at her suit. By the time she realized what was going on and had emerged from the fog of the pain, Brolli was wrapping her round body with red cloaks. Shuddering, she attempted to speak, but the pain hit her once more.

The men felt their resolve weakening as the hour went on. Her suffering was permeable. Her body was growing weaker after each contraction, and no one could understand why the babes would not come.

The sounds of battle grew with each passing moment outside the tent. Once, Brolli left her side to go outside, only to return moments later, the look on his face grim. Bulma saw the change in his face, and fear lanced her heart.

"How fares the battle? Are we winning?"

Brolli knelt in front of her, cupping her face. Her hair was soaked clean through, her face red with exertion, her body limp and exhausted. The only life he saw in her was in her eyes, and he hated to see it killed.

He gazed into her eyes, his expression fierce. "Bulma, I need you to listen to me. It is imperative that you start pushing. These babes have to be delivered now. The battle is upon us, and I fear that the guard cannot protect us much longer."

Bulma felt her chest begin to heave, and she realized that she was hyperventilating. Belatedly she heard Brolli giving Bardock and Turles orders to help her stand upon the cloaks that were her makeshift bed, and then help her squat. Almost immediately she felt something shift low in her belly, and a contraction hit right after.

Through her agonized cries she heard Brolli shout for her to push. The pain was so horrible; she shook her head as she gritted her teeth, knowing that surely they would shatter at any moment.

"Push, Bulma. You have to push! Bear down with all your strength." He seized her chin, and her eyes snapped open, fury clear within their depths. "Push, now!" he demanded, and was startled when she screamed deep and furious, right at him, almost as if she wanted to leap upon him and choke the very life from him.

"Shut...up!" she shouted, gritting her teeth. She felt her as her body bore down, and she let out a startled gasp as she suddenly understood what Brolli had meant by pushing. Urgency filled her, and she lifted her wide eyes to his. He nodded, as if he knew what had happened.

"The harder you push, the faster they will come, Bulma. We have to hurry. We are being attacked as we speak."

She nodded, and she felt as Turles and Bardock braced their bodies against her back, their strong hands holding her arms.

Desperate, she bent her chin to her chest and pushed as hard as she could. Pain ripped through her almost instantly, and she felt her resolve falter. Tears were beyond her now, for the pain was so intense that tears could not reach her. She shook her head, dry sobs leaving her throat.

"I can't...I can't...."

Through the haze of pain she saw Brolli shake his head. "Yes, you can. I know it hurts, Bulma. The quicker you do this, the sooner the pain will be over. Do you understand? You cannot give up on me."

She suddenly screamed, but not in pain. Almost in slow motion, Brolli whirled around, a dagger that had been nearby in his hand. Loosing it with deadly accuracy, the creature that had entered the tent was dead in a mere moment.

Brolli turned back to Bulma, desperation clear on his face. She watched as he drew his sword closer to him, along with another dagger.

"We are going to die if you do not do this now, Bulma. Push now, damn it! Push as if your life depends on it!"

Sounds of pure torture began bursting from her throat, and Bardock and Turles looked at each other as their Queen screamed until she was hoarse, screamed until blood flecked her lips.

"Brolli, surely--"

"Shut up! Bulma, you're almost there, keep pushing! Keep pushing!"

Her cries were growing weaker. He fought to urge her on, to give her encouragement. Bardock and Turles murmured soothing words in her ears even as she let out bloodcurdling screams, urging her on as well.

When Brolli was sure that all her pushing was for naught, he felt it. He gave a cry of joy as he felt the head of the first child slip into his fingers. The look of astonishment on Bulma's face made him grin widely. "Yes! Bulma, I have the head of the first babe; one more push and your heir will be delivered!"

Shuddering, Bulma groaned hoarsely as she gave another exhausted push. Instant relief flooded her body, and she heard all of the men around her let out cries of wonder. Her world blurred around the edges and her head lulled on her neck, but the words from Brolli's mouth brought her back.

"You have a son, Bulma."

Her eyes did not want to focus. But she did not need to see. She sobbed, tears slipping down her cheeks.

"Yes," she whispered, and then gasped as another sharp pain hit her.

Distantly she heard the crying of an infant and Brolli urging her to deliver the last child. Only by pure instinct did she bear down, wails emerging from her mouth as she desperately tried to bring forth the last life inside her. She did not have an understanding of time for her mind was so gone, but it seemed as if within moments, the feeling of relief hit her once more.

She felt the cool sensation of the ground on her cheek, heard yells, shouts, screams, the clangs of swords around her. Then she felt nothing, heard nothing.

**********

Author's Note: Please review. I honestly want everyone's opinion at this point in this story. Your reviews are very important to me. I want to pursue a degree in creative writing/English, and it would mean a lot to me if you guys took the time to write a review for me. This story is nearing an end, probably not too many more chapters. So please review and feed a starving author :)