Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Strength of Love ❯ The Robbery ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: Nope…Dragonball Z isn't mine yet. Akira Toriyama is still hogging all of the glory. But when he's finished with it, believe me…

The Strength of Love

Chapter Three: The Robbery

Bulma stared as the widening crack of the door revealed a giagantic hall full of brawny men. She felt herself becoming excited; the men looked liked strong warriors. She felt her lips curl up into a mischevious smile, perhaps they would prove to be a challenge. Bulma also knew that Seventeen and Eighteen were expierencing the same feeling. `Just you two wait,' she thought as she noted the familiar spark of anticipation flare in their sky blue eyes. `If I have to, then you guys will too.'

She took a few steps forward to what she supposed was the king of the bunch and decided to execute a bow, even when she found the notion ridiculous. However, if she was to persuade these morons, then she would need to pretend to respect them in order to gain their trust. She grinned as she even went so far to place a hand to her heart. "Vegeta-ou."

The king nodded in acknowledgement. He beheld the woman who yielded before him. Her beauty was outstanding; her oceanic blue hair was a sharp contrast to the other men in the room who were basically all Saiyans and had dark hair. She wore armor that was entirely different to the style of the planet, it looked so primitive compared to their own. Then, the king took notice of the forms that stood behind her, not even bothering to bow down to him in honor. They had eyes the same color of the woman, but their hair were two different shades. Where did these strange beings come from?

He shifted from his analysis. "Rise, and tell me of your reason of barging into my palace without proper introduction."

Bulma allowed a shocked expression to dash across her face. "My apologies, Your Highness. Where are my manners? My name is Bulma Valarte, and these," she said as she pointed to Seventeen and Eighteen, "are my bodyguards."

"Bodyguards? Then you must be considered in high esteem," the king realized.

Bulma nodded. "Yes, my father is very protective when it comes to me."

Vegeta-ou crossed his arms as he returned to business. "Well now, what is it that you came here for?"

Bulma bowed again. `How's this for respect?' she mused. "I came to deliver a message from my father, Cambrion Valarte."

The king thought for a moment, to try to recollect just where he had heard that name before. It seemed little familiar, yet he couldn't quite place it. He shook his head. "I don't recall knowing of a man named Cambrion Valarte."

"Then I shall give you a short history, if you may, Ou-sama. My father is a man who wants nothing but peace and prosperity for the universe. He is known throughout the galaxy for his pacific ideas and his just ways. I find it alarming that you have never heard of him, Your Highness."

Vegeta-ou rubbed his chin. "In truth, my dear, I vaguely remembered hearing that name, but I couldn't quite peg it," he admitted. "But I do not think I have heard that title matched with a man who was trying to create peace in the universe."

"Well, sire, I can assure you that he is striving for that very goal." She would have continued her speech if the doors behind her hadn't been blown off of its hinges, unveiling a younger version of the man that she was previously speaking to.

In truth, she had thought the king was handsome, but when her gaze was ripped from the Saiyan king to the other man, her mind was forced to acknowledge the new arrival as one of the most stunning and appealing men that she had ever had priveldge to lay her eyes on. He was standing in garb as the rest of these warriors, however on his left breast was a dark ruby crest and attached to his armor was a cape the color of blood. Under his protective wear was blue spandex, accenting his muscular arms and legs; his hands were covered in ivory gloves, still in the position of blasting the poor and defenseless doors. He was beautiful. There was no other word for it. Everything about him screamed to her senses and hormones.

"What the hell do you want, father?!! I was in the middle of training!"

"Vegeta," one of the Saiyans stood up from his seat next to the king. His hair was in mild disarray, though Bulma could see that he was also quite attractive. His muscle tone was similar to that of the shorter man. "That's not how you should speak to your father."

The knockout named Vegeta sneered at the man. "Shut the hell up, Kakarrot. I do not believe that I was addressing you!"

"I was just trying to-"

"What? Get your ass kicked by me in front of the so-called `guests'? Perhaps afterwards, I can show you how to keep your mouth shut. But right now, Kakarrot, sit back down in your seat and stop your worthless banter!"

Bulma watched in amusement as Vegeta cut the man down to size. Seventeen smirked, but tapped her on the shoulder to remind her of her assignment. She smiled as she noted that this `Vegeta' had pointed out the reason of her actually being inside the palace. "You are Kakarrot?" she asked the man who was still a little shaken by Vegeta's outburst.

"Yeah, I am," he answered.

Bulma then bowed once again. "I have heard all about you."

"Look, woman. If you want to give this klutz compliments, then do it in your own damn time-" Vegeta didn't get to finish the rest of his sentence, thanks to Seventeen who materialized in front of him and punched him in the jaw.

"I suggest you refrain from speaking to Ms. Valarte in harsh tones." the android warned, his blue eyes narrowing into two tiny slits.

"And I suggest that you start running if you don't want me to reduce you to a pile of cinders," Vegeta countered as raised his hand, fully intending to carry out his threat.

"Seventeen!" Bulma yelled. "He didn't do any harm to me, now stand down!" Seventeen snarled at the prince before returning to his place behind her. Bulma turned to the king. "My apologies, Ou-sama. These two love to get people riled up at times."

Vegeta-ou smirked. "My son loves to do the exact same thing as well. He deserved a good punch to the face for his behavior." He waved his hand, dismissing the matter. "Now what is the message that you were to give to me?"

"It's not really as much as a message as a…request, Your Highness. My father, in order to retain peace between all of the existing planets of course, wishes to recruit some warriors of your gallant race to help him achieve his goal."

"I was under the impression that your father wanted peace. Why would he need fighters to obtain it?" the king asked.

Bulma rose an eyebrow as her face suddenly turned serious. "I can assure you, Ou-sama, that my father is most certainly not a traveling monk. He, in his infinite wisdom, knows that the harmony that he desires could not possibly be executed without some force. Why, we already have a lot of-"

"A lot? Just how much `force' were you speaking of, woman?" the prince chimed in.

Bulma frowned at him. She hated to be interrupted, especially when she was doing a pitch. "Enough to make people realize that we are serious. We want only the strongest of your race."

"Look," Prince Vegeta started. "I don't have any intention-"

Bulma laughed. "You? You thought that I was indicating you? I'm sorry, my prince, but I was inferring to-" she pointed at Kakarrot, whose eyes widened when he saw what was happening. "-him."

The king stood up at that. "Your request is to take the strongest Saiyan away from Vegeta-sei?" Bulma's blue eyes went to the prince when she heard him let out a growl. "No, I cannot allow that. This entire discussion sounds like a contract that I made the mistake of signing twenty years ago-with a tyrant by the name of Frieza. I will not let the same error happen again."

"I don't think it is an option to refuse," Eighteen spoke up in her soft yet dull voice.

"Tell this `Cambrion Valarte' that I do, in fact, refuse."

"Then we'll just have to use methods other than words to induce you," Seventeen declared in a malicous tone and readied himself for combat.

The king of Planet Vegeta's eyebrows drew together. "So, this man wishes to use force against us to give up our most valuable warrior? Then, I can guarentee that you will not get your way without a fight."

Bulma placed a hand on her hip and smirked. "Are you sure you want to place yourself into a position that warrants fatalities among your people?"

"Bitch, if you haven't noticed by now, this room is filled with fighters-"

"I know. . .think of the massacre."

"Enough of this!" The prince cut in, unclipping his crimson cape and throwing it to the marble. "If you think that you can walk inside this palace and threaten us, then I will be glad to teach you a lesson." Prince Vegeta lowered himself into a fighting stance, his black eyes lit with flames of anger.

"Is that a challenge?" she asked.

"And here I thought you were smart. I assume that you will sic the two weaklings that are standing behind you, too afraid to come forward, considering the fact that you're only a messenger."

"Don't get me wrong, you primate," Bulma said as soon as she heard the two quasi-machines in back of her growl. "I'm a messenger now, but I have been known to turn into a slayer when the occasion calls for it."

Vegeta snickered evily. "A slayer of what? Small dogs and spiders? I doubt you can even throw a good punch. . ."

The next thing Vegeta knew, he was flying to the opposite side of the room. His back slid across the smooth surface of the palace floors and soon hit the brick of the wall. His eyes widened when he detected the full rise of her ki. Damn woman! She had been hiding it the entire time! What he had thought was a young and feeble female was now transformed into a being as strong as his best guards-hell, almost as strong as himself! How in the world could a woman possess so much strength?

Bulma simpered as soon as she saw the confusion shot across the prince's face. "Seventeen. Eighteen. Why don't go persuade Kakarrot to join us while I educate his-royal-pain-in-the-ass on proper manners."

"Of course, Bulma," Eighteen said before she and Seventeen marched off in Kakarrot's direction.

Bulma walked forward to where the prince was still lying on his back. Putting one foot in front of the other, she broke out into a chuckle. "Well, Prince Vegeta. . .just which lesson were you going to teach me? The art of falling, underestimating, or losing every ounce of your masculine pride?" Her smile turned into an all-out grin when she witnessed him start to pull himself up, glaring at her as he did. "Don't look so angry at me. I did warn you."

Vegeta regained his posture. "You're going to die, bitch."

"Eventually, yes. But it wouldn't be by your hand. You're too weak." She was ready when he launched himself at her. Her hands went up to block his powerful kick and she countered with a punch to his face. He side-stepped, missing the attack altogether, then attempted to deliver a blow to her side. Bulma felt the sting of the assault, but it didn't move her or hinder her senses. She grabbed his hand and drove her knee up to the underside of his arm, causing the prince to double over in pain, as well as taking a few steps backwards.

`No. . .this woman will not beat me! How can she move with such speed?' He channeled his energy. He would not be made a fool! The hue of the aura around him altered from white to a brillant blue. His dark eyes narrowed and a smirk crept across his face as he noticed the shocked expression on Bulma's face. "And now I'm going to bring you to your end."

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Kakarrot ducked when one of their legs threatened to hit him in his face. They were strong; there was no doubt about that. And the fact that there was two of them did little to help. Each time he managed to knock one of them away, the other would attack and stall for enough time for the fallen fighter to recover. And then. . .they would attack together, leaving him no chance, or hope for that matter, to catch a breath before dodging another assault.

The male attacker was able to hit him square in the jaw, making his gaze to turn towards Vegeta. At least he was doing better than he was at this moment. Vegeta had the blue-haired woman going on the defensive, forcing her to block his onslaught of punches and kicks. Kakarrot's attention was yanked back to his two opponents, when the blonde one grabbed a fistful of his coarse hair and brought his face down on her knee.

Then reality hit him; he really needed to train. He hadn't been in a training room in weeks, which was painfully obvious to him now. His body could just barely take the blows that his male enemy dished out and his awareness of the agony of the assault was so focused, that he didn't even notice that his blonde opponent was behind him. . .and he hardly felt her clock him in the back of his head, forcing him into a realm of darkness. . .

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Bulma was determinded to gain the upperhand in this battle. She hadn't been able to get a single hit in since he had begun his onset of strikes. `His power has increased dramatically. . .how can it be?' she asked herself.

Vegeta took advantage of her dazed state and smacked her hard against her ribcage, making her take a fall. She watched in horror as Vegeta stood over her, a blast in his hand, ready to wipe her clear from existence.

He grunted in pain and was then hurled away from her, smashing into the wall. Bulma searched for the face of her savior. "Seventeen!"

The andriod helped her onto her feet. "I think we're set to depart this planet." He gestured to Eighteen, who was carrying the unconscious fighter over her shoulder. He looked around the room at the stunned warriors. "There's no challenge in pulverizing such pathetic creatures, anyway."

"Alright," Bulma said as she dusted herself off. "Let's go." The three started to walk towards the exit.

"Do you really believe that I would allow you to leave?" Bulma heard the king state. She turned around and observed the lot of Saiyan warriors in a battle formation, prepared to try to stop them.

Seventeen crossed his arms. "Believe what you want to. However, I suggest that you grant us our leave, otherwise-"

"-we'll be forced to kill you." Eighteen finished.

"Saiyans, attack!" the king ordered.

Seventeen smiled when the legion of warriors charged at them. He prepared himself and let out a blast that destroyed the incoming Saiyans. "Now I believe we were on our way. . .that is, unless you would like us to anihilate any more of your precious inhabitants." He chuckled at the king's startled expression. "Come on. We have to rendezvous with the ship." And with that, the three took their leave, stealing the best Saiyan warrior from its home.

Author's Note: So now they have Kakarrot! Hmm. . .how will this turn out? Well, I already know, but think of the angst! I forgot to add this in the first two chapters: a special thanks to Tabi Chan, who gave me a few suggestions in this fic. Anyway, thank you guys for reading and as always, I hope you'll review!