Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Price You Pay ❯ Chapter Thirty-Nine ( Chapter 39 )

Insert standard disclaimer here.

 

The Price You Pay: Chapter Thirty-Nine

 

He'd forgotten how the stars looked from space, he mused, as they raced past the port hole on the tiny shuttle. After spending so many years on Vegeta-sei as an advisor, the memories of the missions he'd been sent on across the galaxy while under Freeza's rule had started to fade. It was a good thing he'd remained in the Ice-jin's good graces after all this time. Being a favorite certainly had its advantages. After all, without being in such a position, this mission would have been doomed for failure.

 

He tried not to let himself become preoccupied by the connections he'd found about the Legendary. Though he'd finally pieced together the missing link, he was positive that telling the King would in no way aid in his ascension. Not that he didn't think the powerful Saiya-jin no Ou could achieve this goal—he would have to, for all their sakes.

 

Only an hour until we meet again, Lord Freeza.

 

~~~~~~~<(((((|||)))))>~~~~~~~

 

Nappa paced the halls uncertainly before returning to his quarters and staring at his computer terminal. He'd been studying different ways to strategically attack Dokar-sei for hours and was becoming more confused by the moment. Since negotiations were out of the question at this point, Nappa couldn't understand what had driven the undeveloped race to enter such an obvious suicidal war in the first place. It was true that the Saiya-jins had been experiencing more problems with other systems in their empire as time elapsed, but none had been so bold as to challenge their rulers to outright war.

 

The people of Dokar-sei were rural and lived in a general state of underdevelopment and poverty. Frankly, they were lucky to even be considered an Associate World in the first place as their only asset was the fertility of their land. The Saiya-jins required a certain percentage of the products produced on the planet to be used for inter-planetary trade but this was a reasonable bargain when the alternative was being purged. Some of the more exotic fruits produced on Dokar-sei were even considered valuable commodities in dozens of systems. It was such a shame they would have to be destroyed, whether before or after the situation with Freeza escalated.

 

Nappa still didn't understand why Vegeta didn't just send a few lower class warriors to get the job done. It could all be over in a few hours. He'd been completely for wiping out the entire race until the human woman arrived. Noticing the differences in the King's behavior may have been a difficult endeavor, but Nappa had been studying him for years—testing him and eager to see if he would truly become the greatest monarch in Saiya-jin history. If anything, the old Vegeta had been cold and ruthless. The current Vegeta was so afraid of his own shadow that he'd made sure there were at least a handful of other more “trusted” Elites surrounding Nappa at all times. Personally, he found the idea of his own men guarding him laughable, but there was something hard about these men that made Nappa feel they were more dedicated to their King than he'd given them credit for. No matter, he'd been a commander for years, and there were always other ways to get what you wanted.

 

~~~~~~~<(((((|||)))))>~~~~~~~

 

As the hours dragged by, Bulma found herself wondering just how long such a tedious conference could take. After the initial bliss at receiving a gift from Vegeta wore off, Bulma realized that she was in for a long night. She found it almost ridiculous that they were forced to sit on the solid stone thrones for so long just for a video conference with a few of the more influential nobles. But at the same time, she knew that her presence was necessary. They had to quench some of the lingering Saiya-jin suspicions and establish her as a permanent fixture beside their King.

 

Uncomfortable away from her son, Bulma began to think about her new family and the life they'd begun together on Vegeta-sei. Things were unstable in this dimension at best and such a lifestyle certainly wasn't ideal for the rearing of children.

 

Bulma glanced at her mate as he sat beside her, she wasn't being fair, she knew. This was what Vegeta had always wanted. And she was certain that his childhood while under Freeza was much more precarious than the one facing their son, who was currently safely guarded in the confines of the Saiya-jin palace. Vegeta was meant to be here. She couldn't imagine what he was going through. Having all of his dreams torn from him at such a young age, Kami, he must have been wishing for a moment such as this his entire life.

 

I must seem so selfish. When I said I could find a way for us to go back before…

 

She turned away, trying not to show the internal turmoil on her face or let any unnecessary emotions slip through her mental shield. While Vegeta handled many of her emotions well, Bulma was certain that this one was flavored with more pity than the proud Siaya-jin would care to taste.

 

It was a difficult decision. Now that she knew her appearance on Vegeta-sei had something to do with true interdimensional travel and that Kami wasn't just playing some sick joke on the two of them, finding a way back home became much simpler. If she could find a method that accurately tore through space time, and if she used the quantum data recorded at the time of her arrival, it was likely she could even use the same path that had gotten her here.

 

And what of Vegeta? Could she ask him to leave this place? Could she really ask him to leave everything behind for the sake of her and their child? Did she even know what she was asking?

 

Maybe there was a way to work things out without either of them having to sacrifice a part of themselves. As of now the choices were bleak: a dimension where her world didn't exist or a dimension without his. Neither sounded appealing.

 

Unsure of the reaction she would receive, Bulma slowly reached her hand out and placed it on top of Vegeta's. When the Saiya-jin no Ou gave no indication of displeasure, she marveled at how she hadn't sought some sort of small comfort from him before. Touching his warm skin always seemed to help clear her thoughts.

 

The conference will be over soon, onna.

 

Said Vegeta mentally; obviously misinterpreting her gentle touch. If anything, what made her most eager to leave was her uncertainty at being separated from Trunks.

 

The ring Vegeta gave her glittered tantalizingly in the light and Bulma smiled. Everything would work out. She just knew it.

 

~~~~~~~<(((((|||)))))>~~~~~~~

 

Vegeta pulled Bulma down an abandoned hallway. They hadn't been able to spend any time alone since the birth of their son. As the days stretched on, Vegeta felt gripped by a sense of desperation. The sensation was new to him, but at even the slightest thought of losing his mate or the child, the Saiya-jin King floundered. Things were just too quiet in the palace and he, as well as his advisors, believed that it was only a matter of days before the Ice-jin started enacting his plan. Indeed, the very fact that the Cold Empire hadn't already begun its attack on Vegeta-sei was confusing as hell. What were they waiting for?

 

At least the meeting with the nobles had gone relatively well. A few had looked upon Bulma with confusion. He had no idea what they suspected, but as there hadn't been any recent death threats, he couldn't imagine why any of them could be so shocked to see her. It was a good thing they hadn't waited any longer to reinsert her into the public eye.

 

“Where are we going?” asked Bulma as the Saiya-jin no Ou tugged her along.

 

“Somewhere we won't be disturbed.” Vegeta smirked at the confused look on his mate's face. She would figure it out soon enough.

 

After going down several different corridors, Vegeta finally found the room he wanted and kicked the door in. Bulma stared at him and remained standing in the hallway, obviously still confused.

 

“It's one of the guest rooms.” She peered into the darkness of the room. Vegeta took hold of her arm again and pulled her into the shadows, closing the door behind him. Vegeta pushed Bulma against the cold wood of the door. It was his only warning before he leaned in and forcefully pressed his lips against his mate's. They'd had time to couple since their son's birth but it had always been rushed. He wanted to savor her just once before…

 

“I want you.” His voice was rough.

 

Now.

 

The words reverberated in both their minds. Vegeta had practically shouted at her mentally. The action wasn't typical of the controlled Saiya-jin. As if shocked at his own words, Vegeta pulled away from his mate, turning away from her.

 

Bulma placed her hands on either side of the Saiya-jin King's face and turned him so he was facing her. Though the room was dark, the gold illumination of his eyes was bright and clear. His face was arrogant as ever, though his facade had slipped, he was determined not to let her know how affected he was. Bulma pressed herself against Vegeta's body and raised herself on her toes. Still staring into his eyes, she softly pressed her lips against Vegeta's before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him more deeply. The result was soft and encouraging. She kissed him as if she'd been made only for that purpose.

 

“I love you.” Her words were full of conviction as she looked intensely at the Saiya-jin King. There was no expectation in her voice, only honesty.

 

Vegeta stared at her for a few moments, obviously at a loss for words. He looked torn.

 

“I—“

 

“Don't say anything, Vegeta.” Bulma placed her hand over her mate's mouth in understanding. “They're only words anyway.”

 

Feeling less in control than he'd ever been in his entire life, Vegeta stared down at the weak creature before him. She was his mate, the mother of his son. She was beautiful and pure—untainted.

 

Bulma took Vegeta's hand and kissed his fingers one by one, looking into his eyes suggestively.

 

“Now, what was the reason you wanted to show me this room?”

 

Vegeta growled low in his throat and pulled his mate back against his body, running his had along the back of her gown to unclasp it. Once rid of the dress, the Saiya-jin no Ou picked Bulma up and walked her over to the bed.

 

The room hadn't been used in years, but the linens were new and soft. Staff made sure that all quarters were in working condition, regardless of their disuse. He unfastened his cape and pulled his breastplate over his head.

 

In mid motion, Vegeta abruptly stopped and turned his head toward the door, an alarmed look on his face.

 

“What's wrong?” asked Bulma, getting up off the bed and reaching for her discarded dress.

 

“Something has happened.” He was silent for another few moments. Apparently, whatever was happening in the rest of the palace was a major cause for concern. “They're looking for us right now.”

 

“We should go,” Bulma said after sliding the gown over her naked body and working on the clasps.

 

Vegeta watched Bulma mournfully, his eyes lingering over her exposed skin.

 

“Yes. I fear this is something we would not wish to miss.”

 

~~~~~~~<(((((|||)))))>~~~~~~~

 

The room was empty, just as he knew it would be. Part of him wondered why the King placed so much faith in his guards. Granted, there were many more now that things had gotten ugly, but obviously the security he'd enacted wasn't enough protection for the Saiya-jin Heir. It was a good thing Zarbon wasn't there. With the trusted adviser mysteriously unavailable, the traitor's luck had risen infinitely.

 

The young prince lay peacefully in his crib, the gold bars little more than a minor deterrent for the abnormally strong newborn. Even at this tender age, the baby would have no trouble bending the metal. Feeling nostalgic, the traitor stared down at the child, wondering at how the King could ever have fathered something so delicate looking.

 

Sensing a high ki in the room, the child stirred in recognition of his soon-to-be kidnapper.

 

“You've always had your father's keen senses, haven't you, little one?” whispered the Saiya-jin in a humble voice. This child would be something to be proud of one day. The warrior shook his head, not allowing his thoughts to deviate from the task at hand.

 

A few dozen guards were posted throughout the royal wing of the palace and though escaping would be difficult to a level approaching impossibility, he knew that this was his last chance. It was so rare that Bulma was ever away from her son and with her in the room, stealing the child away would be impossible. The link between the earthling and the Saiya-jin King was so strong that no one would ever be foolish enough to harm her.

 

“How could he be here so soon?” Frantic voices could be heard from the hallway and the warrior glanced up, sure that his plan had been ruined.

 

“No, I must go meet with the council. With Freeza so nearby…” The Saiya-jin no Ou's voiced trailed off as the Saiya-jin traitor heard the King's mate try to convince her lover not to be too hasty.

 

“Stay with the child.” The King's voice silenced the efforts of the woman and there was a command in his voice that never seemed to sit well with the Chickyuu-jin female.

 

More commotion came from the hallway as the guards followed their King, temporarily distracted. Bulma stood in the hallway for sometime after Vegeta left, her ki motionless. She must have been startled with all the chaos.

 

Why would Freeza approach the Vegeta-sei system so soon?

 

He tossed the thought away. It didn't matter. If Freeza was closer, that meant that it would be that much easier to get his target to the Ice-jin's ship without detection. And now that all the guards were frantically preparing for war, he had just the distraction he'd been waiting for. This was the right thing to do. The only thing to do.

 

The door handle began to turn, and from his concealed position the traitor could see Bulma's form perfectly silhouetted in the light coming from the hallway.

 

“Radditz?” Bulma whispered into the darkness of the room before closing the door behind her. She was quiet, hoping to avoid waking the sleeping child. The room was a perfect black.

 

“Where could he have…?” The Saiya-jin warrior approached her silently, Bulma's Chikyuu-jin senses no match for his Saiya-jin stealth.

 

I didn't want to have to do this.

 

“Radditz, where—“

 

I'm sorry.

 

Bulma collapsed.