Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Legend Of the Bond ❯ Déjà vu ( Chapter 29 )

Bulma screamed again in pain. She felt too weak to be able to comprehend anything but the waves of agony that were coming from within her. Muuri's face crumpled in frustration and sweat as he tried even harder to heal Bulma. Dende, who stood vigilantly beside Muuri, was near tears as he struggled to take away the pain Bulma was feeling. Bulma convulsed anew, arching her back and grabbing at a shocked Muuri's outstretched arm, disrupting his healing concentration. Bulma's eyes went wide as she turned to face him with tears streaming down her flushed face. She had no idea what was wrong; she had never felt anything like this incredible pain. Of course, she hadn't lived near other humans for most of her life. She had heard about how other races' births caused the death of the mother. For all she knew this was normal for someone giving birth to a half-Chikyuu-jin, half-Saiya-jin child. But that didn't matter, Bulma was scared that she was not only going to lose her life but the life of her unborn child. If Vegeta had been true to her, and had not used her for his own purposes, their deaths could devastate him. She looked Muuri in the eyes, trying hard to say something, anything that would be useful. Her intense blue gaze was hard on Muuri, who couldn't look away. Slowly her mouth opened.

 

Her whisper was hardly audible. “I…don't…I…can't…”

 

Muuri could only nod in mute acceptance; he understood that she didn't know how to assist them in helping her, but that she knew she also could die as a result of this process. The other Namek-sei-jins seemed to understand as well, as their concerns passed in low hushes among them. All of them could only watch impotently as their friend was slowing dying in the process of trying to hatch her young. But their whispers soon turned louder. A puzzled Muuri broke away from Bulma's grasp and turned to the doorway filled with his brethren.

 

Bulma closed her eyes in forced concentration, trying her best to get a handle on the frustrating and pain-filled event that was her child's birth. She didn't immediately notice when Nail re-entered the room, or notice the accompanying presence of the female Chikyuu-jin, who rushed to Bulma's side, almost flinging Muuri out of the way.

 

“Don't you dare give up, Bulma Briefs!”

 

Bulma's eyes flung open, wide with shock, not because of the next wave of contractions, but because the voice was familiar and oh-so-welcoming to hear.

 

“Chi-Chi!” Bulma turned to look at her long-lost friend, and she grabbed her hand. “Please…help me! I don't know-“

 

“I know, I know, it was hard for me, too. These little guys are strong.”

 

Chi-chi gripped her hand tighter and with her other hand gently wiped the sweat from Bulma's forehead. Strapped to his mother's back, Gohan was fully awake and oddly aware. He stayed quiet as he looked over his mother's shoulders at Bulma. Just then Bulma also looked at Gohan's little face and felt awe at the sight of what her child might look like, and how wonderful he or she could be. She pictured her child with her good looks and Vegeta's strength. As her imagination grew, she envisioned herself together with Vegeta and their child, as a family. A new sense of urgency crept up inside her.

 

“Tell me what to do, Chi-chi.”

 

Nail watched as the other Chikyuu-jin instructed everyone but Muuri and him to leave. He saw the newcomer push apart Bulma's legs and give instructions to Bulma on when to push and how to breathe. His worry and agitation never left him and in his heart a new feeling came over him. He wanted so very much to protect Bulma, to take away this pain, to even endure it in her place. He saw Bulma glance over at him from time to time and knew that his presence was reassuring to her.

 

The newcomer, Chi-chi, never left Bulma's side, even after hours of Bulma being in constant pain and even after hours of her own youngling giving way to his own needful cries. As the night fell and blanketed the sky with stars, he continued to watch in growing concern as Bulma became further soaked in sweat as she attempted to force the hatchling out of her abdomen.

 

**********

 

Only a few stars away from Namek-sei and hurtling through space at a reckless speed, was Vegeta. He had fallen into a deep state of meditation as he tried to reach out to his wife. He knew that he was closer to her now, more so than he had been in months, and her thoughts, though not clear, were so strong within him. However, her pain had also become his pain. He was frustrated by this, for he knew he was stronger, that he could endure much more pain than her. If it meant her continued survival then he would do anything he could. Gritting his teeth, he stretched out with his mind, and using the bond, tried to take the pain from Bulma.

 

At that precise moment, Bulma felt a power unlike she had ever felt course through her. The pain from the contractions all but vanished, replaced by the overwhelming sense of urgency to see her unborn child. Gripping her bed sheets with sweaty fists, she pushed with all her new strength, and in that fleeting moment she felt him. Vegeta! Bulma knew he was close. She could hear his distant thoughts. As their souls touched and his love for her spilled over her, Bulma suddenly felt like an idiot. Vegeta did love her! He hadn't used her! He knew of the Legend of the Bond but he didn't care; he only cared about her. He did indeed love her with his whole being! Even if she thought he had acted cold or distant, she could feel him in this instant and she felt his emotions like they were her own and so she began to cry. Her sobs grew louder as she pushed harder, as she urged her stubborn body to deliver their child, so that they could be united once more. And be together as a happy family, no matter what difficulties might lay ahead of them.

 

Moments later, everything went blurry, but her hearing remained clear. A new sound filled the air, not the familiar, demanding cry of Chi-chi's child, but the cry of her own taking in the air of Namek-sei. Her joy was immense. For so many years, she had been enslaved by the Saiya-jins, but now, thanks to Vegeta and their child, her heart and flesh and blood belonged to them. She had freely, on her own accord, given those things to the Saiya-jin people, because her love for their prince and now his heir was more than she thought possible. Chi-chi slowly handed over the whimpering child to Bulma, who was eager to hold him in her arms no matter how weak she was. Bulma looked down at the baby with bits of lavender hair sticking from his damp head and smiled as tears of happiness continued to roll down her cheeks. The baby had her father's hair, and he had Vegeta's face and tail. Though the moment had passed and she no longer felt connected to Vegeta's thoughts, she still could feel his presence linger in the very air around her.

 

“It's a boy.” Chi-chi smiled as she watched the newly crowned mother cooing at her newborn, calming him down. “What are you going to call him?”

 

Bulma looked up at Chi-chi and her smile grew impossibly wider.

 

“Trunks…I'm going to name him Trunks.”

 

***********

 

The bloodied Namek-jin hit the ground with a loud, dull thud. Freeza stood over him with a disgusted frown. He had practically killed everyone in this pathetic village and yet they stood so proudly and pitifully against him. Zarbon stood not far from him looking bored. It had only been a few hours since their arrival, yet they had found absolutely nothing in regards to either Bulma or the Dragon balls. This was the third village they had decimated and still no information surfaced as to the whereabouts of the Chikyuu-jin, only silence and mild resistance greeted them with each new village. Freeza was beginning to grow impatient. He had left quickly from his fleet and didn't bring any of his soldiers to do his dirty work besides Zarbon, though he was quickly regretting that decision.

 

“I will spare your pitiful life if you just tell me where to find these so-called “magical” Dragon Balls.” Freeza practically spat out the words.

 

The Namek-jin only looked up to his oppressor with a hollowed expression but remained silent. Freeza's frown turned into an enraged grimace and he quickly used his mechanical foot to smash the Namek-jin's neck, killing him instantly.

 

“Let's search the village ourselves and see if anything shows up.” Freeza turned from his latest kill to Zarbon, who nodded in agreement.

 

“Surely there must be some clue here as to where these Dragon Balls are. From what I can surmise, this planet is thinly populated.”

 

Freeza knocked down a door to one of the white round huts and walked inside, with Zarbon close behind. As the Ice-jin stood back and scrutinized the interior, his second-in-command began to knock over furniture and upturn assorted objects in his search. It didn't take him long before he came upon something that looked to oddly connected with a Dragon Ball.

 

“Sire, over here. I think I have found something.”

 

Freeza casually walked over to Zarbon, his unpleasant expression still glued onto his face. “What is it?”

 

“See for yourself.” Zarbon held back a curtain that was covering a small alcove carved into the back wall of the dwelling. In the alcove, was a shelf that appeared to be makeshift altar, on which sat an empty stand that looked as though it had been fashioned to hold something large and round. On the wall just above the altar was a mosaic design, depicting an image of an orange sphere with four red stars floating in its center. The absence of the actual object spoke volumes to both Freeza and Zarbon.

 

***********

 

Muuri and Nail spoke quietly outside Bulma's small hut. It had been a few hours since the birth of Trunks, but both of them had grown fearful, sensing that an evil aura had begun to envelope their peaceful planet. Nail, at first, did not want to leave Bulma's side, but the Grand Elder's call was both powerful and urgent, so he left with much trepidation. Upon his quick return to the village, he spoke to no one, but immediately sought out Muuri, the Elder of this village, because the fate of Namek-sei and its inhabitants had become grimmer than it had ever been. Nail had been quietly sickened by the news he heard from the Grand Elder, and he felt wracked with guilt since he had not sensed the evil force land on Namek-sei earlier, as he had been so wrapped up in the birth of Bulma's young one.

 

“The Grand Elder has come to this decision after heavy contemplation.” Nail tried to control the bubbling anger in his heart, knowing that he needed to be calm more than ever. “We must understand that this has not been an easy decision for him to make.”

 

“This does not bode well for us, Nail, but we knew something like this could happen since Bulma's arrival.” Muuri sweated nervously, concentrating on all the possible scenarios, thinking of the bleak future that could befall not only his village but his entire race.

 

“The Grand Elder seemed to know that this would ensure our survival. But, I also have a feeling that The Grand Elder was given some specific intelligence from an outside source.” As he said that, Nail regained his composure. This “feeling” he had gotten from the Grand Elder about this “outside” intelligence seemed to be more of a blessing, more similar to divine intervention than meddling.

 

Muuri frowned. He knew deep inside that this would work out for the best, but to have to go through with it was unsettling. “I'll go get it and take it to the Grand Elder. Nail, please protect my village until I return.”

 

Nail nodded and Muuri made for his own hut. The Grand Elder had also commanded him to protect Bulma at all cost. According to the Grand Elder, Bulma and another, who none of them had ever met before, would now hold Namek-sei's fate in their hands.

 

***********

 

Chi-chi handed Bulma a large cup of cold water. Bulma took the cup in both hands and drank in down in large, hurried gulps; her enthusiastic drinking caused Chi-chi to smile. The two girls were alone. Dende had nearly fallen asleep on his feet, exhausted from the hours he spent on helping Bulma with her delivery. He departed with the other Namek-jins, once everyone else had given their congratulations and let the new mother have some time alone. Bulma was holding Trunks, looking bone-weary and tired, but determined to stay awake to hear Chi-chi tell her of everything that had happened since her capture.

 

Bulma was more than relieved to hear that Zarbon had exaggerated most of the losses the rebellion had suffered, and she was grateful to hear that Vegeta was alive. She already knew he was, but to hear it from Chi-chi's lips was soothing and comforting. But when she heard that Vegeta-sei had been destroyed, her heart sank and grew cold. The remorse she felt overwhelmed her and surprised her. Until Trunks' birth, Bulma had not realized had much the planet had meant to her. She knew that she needed the Dragon Balls more than ever before. Vegeta-sei had become her home after Chikyuu was destroyed. Now she had lost two planets she had called home, the place where she would have raised Trunks. She kept her sadness in check by the weight of her son in her arms and the fact she was determined to make everything that was wrong right again.

 

“And don't worry about the early delivery; apparently, half-human and half-Saiya-jin children need much less time to gestate than a normal human baby.”

 

The sudden change of topic again surprised Bulma. “I hadn't realized.”

 

“Don't worry. I didn't know either until Gohan was born.”

 

Trunks yawned toothlessly and Bulma looked down at her child with tender eyes. She felt so much pride and affection just looking at him. Bulma's sudden feelings of elation were only dimmed by the fact that Vegeta was not here to join her in the celebration of the birth of their son and by the shadow of loss from the war and Vegeta-sei. Bulma had so much to do now and so much to protect. Trunks was half-Saiya-jin; like Chi-chi's son Gohan, he was half Chikyuu-jin as well, which meant with both of their home planets destroyed, he was also a symbol of two dying races. She was again determined to make sure that Freeza did not continue to have a death grip over so many innocent worlds and lives.

 

Chi-chi put Gohan in his carrying pouch and put him on her back. She then stood up and glanced at Bulma with soft affection. “I'm going to take Gohan with me to check on my ship. You two need to get some rest.”

 

Before Bulma could protest, Nail walked into the hut with a very stern and serious look on his face. His ominous aura could be felt by both, who looked at him in surprise.

 

“We need to talk.” Nail's voice was even, but Bulma could sense that not everything was right. As he began to speak, the news hit her like a flying Saiya-jin punch to the gut. Freeza was here on the planet! Any feeling of joy left her like water being sucked up by a sponge. So here on Namek-sei would be her final stand against him, but it also meant that was the reason Vegeta was nearby. She closed her eyes and focused on her bond with him, but this time he felt like he was drifting away when he had felt so close to her before. Then another realization dawned on her, chilling her to the bone.

 

It would be one thing to have to fight Freeza alone, she worried, looking down at the newborn life cradled in her arms, but how was she going to fight Freeza while trying to protect her son?

 

***********

 

Juunanago and Juuhachigo had spent the last few months exploring the desolated planet they were on out of sheer boredom. After they had killed Gero, their long-suppressed anger and feelings of vengeance took over their beings. They had wanted to let out their frustration and resentment on the people of the planet, killing everyone, destroying everything they could, slowly, but they soon realized that there was nothing left on the planet to really destroy. Only trees and mountains were not safe from their malevolence. After a few weeks they noticed that the towns or cities were not only devoid of any life but were only devoid of life recently. As if the life on the planet were simply disappearing.

 

Only when they stopped to rest and ponder why such a thing could occur did they finally encounter what was causing all of the disappearances. Shock and disgust passed through them as the twins beheld the ugliest of creatures either of them had ever seen. In a hissing, sinister voice, the abomination declared to the two astonished androids that it had been biding its time, waiting for them to appear. It had been hungering for them, it said, for they would be its final meals in order to bring its evolution to perfection. In that desperate moment, the frightened and angry twins launched themselves at the hideous being, and a final and great battle began that would end all battles; however, these three creatures were not aware that they were about to usher in the beginning to an end.

 

***********

 

Vegeta felt Bulma's mounting panic and his own impatience grew with each passing second. He could feel her slipping through his fingers as the strength of his bond with her felt weaker. They must be going in the wrong direction! But Kakarotto continued to assure him that these were the right coordinates he'd gotten from Chi-chi. Vegeta felt as if something terrible was going to happen, the feeling burning on the edge of his mind. Clenching his gloved fists, Vegeta knew with increased certainty that he needed to be by Bulma's side, to protect her and fight for her, and yet he was stuck here, powerlessly floating about in space this cramped spaceship with that dunderhead Kakarotto!

 

***********

 

“It is the only way for us to end this once and for all. The Grand Elder wishes for you to use the three wishes.” Nail voice seem to echo in Bulma's mind as she stared at him as he said those words.

 

Bulma had no idea why the Grand Elder had placed the sole responsibility on her to make these wishes, but the fact the Namek-jins were letting her use the Dragon Balls was enough to keep her normally active mouth shut. She was still lying in bed, wrung out from just giving birth and her son was only a newborn who needed his mother. But he would have no future if Freeza didn't die here and now. She looked over at Chi-chi, who walked over to her.

 

“Chi-chi, can you please take care of Trunks for me?”

 

“Of course, don't worry about him.” Chi-chi was trying to hide her own sense of panic. It was obvious she wanted to do nothing else than protect both of their children. She took a few steps closer to Bulma and took him from Bulma's arms, trying to be careful not to wake the slumbering child. Bulma watched with a look of longing and loss as Chi-chi took Trunks. Bulma didn't want to be apart from her son, but what had to be done, had to be done. Once Chi-chi stepped away from the bed, Bulma, pushed herself up into a sitting position. With shaking weak legs, she slowly got to her feet. She had to wait as the feelings come back to her legs before she could move, and even then she had to move slowly.

 

Bulma looked around her small hut that she called home. A thought occurred to her then: she had a newly build ship, and although it wasn't one hundred percent complete, it should get her to wherever she wanted to go in no time. However, if she was going to make the three wishes she wanted to make, then she needed Vegeta to be here as soon as possible.

 

“Nail, can you wait for me outside?”

 

Nail nodded and left without saying a word.

 

Once he was gone, Bulma turned to Chi-Chi. “I need you to go ahead of me with Nail to see the Grand Elder.”

 

“Wha-“

 

“Let me finish, please. I have a plan that, if it works, can salvage a lot of lives.”

 

More than a little skeptical, Chi-chi frowned a bit, but then nodded. “What do you need me to do?”

 

“Stall them while I pack. I'll meet you at the Grand Elder's place. But if, for some reason I don't show, I need you to make my wishes for me.”

 

“What?!” Chi-Chi was horrified at the thought. “Why would you not show up?!”

 

“I don't think that will happen, but I just want to cover my bum in case the very worse happens and I come across Freeza before I met up with everyone.”

 

“I've seen the way Nail looks at you; he won't leave here without you.”

 

“He will, he will have to.” Bulma wasn't totally sure about that, but she had to believe her newly formed, well, her plan that was still forming would work. She quickly told an agitated and nervous Chi-chi her wishes and then shoved her out the door towards Nail. With trembling hands and as quickly as her weakened body would allow, Bulma did her best to rush and pack.

 

Chi-chi, on the other hand, had two babies to carry as she walked towards the Namek-jin warrior, who had his back towards her. It wasn't going to be easy to try and convince him to leave without the main guest, but after hearing Bulma's plans and her wishes, she had to do it. She continued to walk purposefully as she watched Nail's back get larger and larger. Crazy as it was, if Bulma's plan worked, then Chi-chi could realize something she had never thought was possible: a home and life for her and her family, without the threat of Freeza hanging over them.

 

“Nail?” Chi-chi's voice came out somewhat uncharacteristically tentative and small.

 

Nail turned to her with a stoic expression on his face.

 

“Bulma told me to tell you that she wants us to go ahead of her because she wants to try to make herself presentable for the Grand Elder.” Chi-chi felt as if her voice was like that of a robot's, and the words sounded lame, even to her own ears.

 

“I can't do that and we can't wait; we need to leave, all of us, now.”

 

She had to come up with a good enough excuse, but she didn't know how to continue to stall. “Bulma says that she wants and needs us to go ahead because it's important that she do this. She told me that she has to do this, for the good of all Namek-sei and its people.”

 

Nail gave Chi-chi an incredulous look. What was Bulma thinking? What was important enough to delay something that could cost so many lives, even her own? Nail wanted to trust Bulma's judgment, but the thought of leaving her alone, especially when all of the villagers were gathered at the Grand Elder's home and an intense evil was somewhere on the planet looking for her, was not something he was happy with. He was conflicted. He could trust her, but it might turn out to be something that caused her harm. Many times, she had worked on stubbornly, bringing herself to injury, when she was involved in her many projects. He had to look at this as no different. And now, she was trying to formulate a plan, to use her wishes to the maximum effect, but she delayed any longer, she might not have the opportunity to make those wishes after all.

 

“Nail,” Chi-chi said with an earnest look in her dark eyes. “Bulma is not dumb; she knows that time is important. And believe me, I don't like this either. I honestly have a bad feeling about leaving her behind, but I have to trust her plans, because if they work, more lives will be saved.”

 

“You know what she plans?”

 

Chi-chi knew Bulma wanted no one to know of her wishes, because if they knew what her wishes would be they might not let her make them.

 

Nail looked at Chi-chi as she remained silent and thought on her answer. He saw a strong determination build in her eyes. In his heart, he knew better than to agree to this, but he also had to have faith in Bulma's judgment. He would do as she asked; he would take Chi-chi and the children first, and then come back for her as quickly as possible. Nail suddenly got that puzzling feeling again, like someone was manipulating him. It was almost as if the Grand Elder was pushing him to do as Bulma directed. Before Chi-Chi could answer his question, Nail spoke again.

 

“Alright, I'll take only you first.”

 

Chi-chi's eyes widened with relief and she smiled. “Thank you.”

 

Nail picked her up gingerly, being careful of the two babies attached to the Chikyuu-jin. “Hold on.”

 

Nail shot into the air towards the Grand Elder's home, hoping fervently that he'd made the right decision. He would fly as fast and as hard as he could so he could return to Bulma as soon as possible.

 

***********

 

Bulma quickly attached two cables, and then flicked a switch to encapsulize her new ship. With a soft poof, the ship shrank in size, becoming a small capsule, which fit easily into the palm of her hand. Bulma quickly slipped it into the pocket of her white lab coat. Underneath, she had put on her worn Saiya-jin outfit, hoping that these clothes would last her until this whole mess was over with. She grabbed her other things and hastily threw them into her capsule box. She knew she wouldn't be coming back to this little hut that had been her home for the last few months, but she didn't have time to reminisce. She had to repress her feelings and doubts about Vegeta's arrival until later. No matter how much she loved Vegeta, her child…their child, was her first priority. Her whole life had been made a mess because of Freeza's evil ambitions, because fate had decided that her home planet had to be destroyed, and that Vegeta-sei, her other home, had to be destroyed as well. She would not, could not expect to try and right all the wrongs that had happened in her life because of other people's greed but she would try. For little Trunks' future, order in the universe must be established for him to always be safe and to have a home. She knew what must be done, how certain things must be put in place so that another tyrant like Freeza could never be born.

 

Once everything was packed and ready, Bulma put the other capsules in her coat pocket and made for the door. She knew Nail might still not be back from taking Chi-chi, but she could always take her friend's ship to the Grand Elder. She opened the door and froze, immediately experiencing a limb-paralyzing sense of déjà vu. Zarbon stood in front of her with arms folded across his chest, sporting the most devilish of grins. Her eyes widened, looking up at him in abject horror, just as she did so many months ago when she last saw Vegeta. When her voice returned to her, it came out as a scream.

 

***********

 

Vegeta was on edge; even his skin felt hot and tight. Any reassuring feelings about Bulma had lessened alarmingly, but what he did feel once again was fear and pain. This had to be wrong, that somehow Kakarotto's coordinates were off. The thought that Freeza had already landed ahead of them on the planet that Bulma was on only made him more agitated and uneasy. Vegeta began to fear more so for Bulma's safety; his worry poured from his heart like a waterfall. He felt as though something was about to go horribly wrong very soon and they could delay no longer.

 

“Kakarotto! Can you not sense that damn lizard's ki?” Vegeta demanded as his anxiety made his voice razor-sharp.

 

“Yup, it's standing still. Could be that he landed on the planet already.”

 

“Then why are we not meeting up with them yet? Use your odd powers and send us both to Freeza immediately!”

 

“But Vegeta, we are still lightyears from Chi-chi's coordinates and-“

 

“I don't give a Tuffle's ass about your wife's coordinates! I order you to transport me to where Freeza is, right now!”

 

“But-“

 

Vegeta began to power up. “NO `BUTS!'” he nearly shouted as he squeezed his fists into two angry balls.

 

“Okay, okay!” Kakarotto was taken by surprise by Vegeta's stubborn demands, but knew it was probably for the better, because for some reason he'd begun to feel Freeza's ki drifting farther and farther away from them. He leaned over towards Vegeta's seat and touched his shoulder. The tall Saiya-jin focused his mind, trying to pick out Freeza's distinctive ki in the endless sea of space. Then an odd feeling overcame him. Kakarotto didn't know what to make of it, like power was being transferred to him from an unknown source, almost like he had already lived a thousand different lives and now they were all coming together within him. As fast as it had come, the feeling left Kakarotto the second he locked onto the direction of Freeza's ki. Within seconds the two Saiya-jins disappeared from their small ship, leaving it to drift about in space.

 

***********

 

A small, scaly muscled thing floated in the blackness of space. Its arrogant and confident posture could only be taken as a threat to all who tried to approach it. Its pink skin, smooth and leathery, gleamed in the light of a nearby star. The thing's eyes were closed as it reached out with its mind for something, anything nearby that could be powerful enough to toy with, or to destroy and satisfy its sick sense of pleasure, as it had been for the last few months, in between destroying worlds. Then it felt something, tickling the tip of its far-searching mental whiskers. Now it knew which direction to take, but where exactly it would lead, the thing didn't know nor cared. Something powerful was out there, nearing the end of its journey. Something that it could destroy, something it could use to have fun with. The thing was looking forward to it.