Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Veil ❯ Showdown ( Chapter 32 )

**As always, a BIG ball of thanks to Debido for beta-ing this chapter. He's a slave driver... JK! He's the best beta-reader I could have ever asked for. Thanks hun!** (A/N is at the end of the chapter).

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Radditz frowned with great effort. "D-do not be stupid boy, t-there is no way b-both of us will es-eca-" He found he could not say the difficult word in his stutter, not being able to form the 'p' with his mouth.

"Escape?" Dende finished off for him. He felt such pity for the once proud warrior.

Radditz nodded, closing his eyes. He felt himself lose consciousness slowly, uttering a final word before his grasp on the world around him slipped. "B-Bulma..."

The small boy shook his head sadly. There was no way he was going to leave Radditz by himself! He continued to slowly fan the large yet weakened man. They were both going to leave this ship alive and he swore fealty to the eldest Namek-jin, Guru, on it.

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Dende's head snapped up as he felt the ship jolt roughly. Somehow, the young Namek-jin boy had been lulled into a fitful sleep, the sudden abrupt surge of the ship made his eyes widen in surprise. He scrambled to his feet, anxiety ever present within him. Running over to the corner of the small cell, he gently tried to shake the large Saiya-jin out of his unconscious state.

"Wake up Radditz-san!" He cried in earnest, the ship had landed and a sense of urgency filled the young boy.

Radditz grunted as he awoke with a start. His body felt armoured in lead, a heavy burden upon the Saiya-jin's shoulders as the unforgettable memories assuaged his senses once again. "W-what is it boy?" Radditz asked in slight annoyance, his former character beginning to show, even with a cursed stutter.

"We have to get out of here." Dende spoke in a hushed tone. He looked at the large man in concern, "Can you stand?"

The Saiya-jin's eyes grew as the words of freedom echoed in his mind. He nodded and tried to heave himself up off of the floor. The weight of his body caused enough strain to pull him back harshly to the ground.

Dende grew worried with each passing second. The would never get off the ship in the Saiya-jin man's weak condition. The Namek-jin boy took initiative and separated himself from the fallen man. There was no time to lose. He closed his eyes, hoping for the best. They were now on his home planet and so he prayed that his telepathic abilities would work.

Concentrating all of his thoughts into the center of his mind, Dende began to hum continuously. The haunting high pitched notes echoed off the cell wall, carrying through the bars that entrapped himself and the Saiya-jin warrior. He reached out in his mind with am imaginary hand, envisioning his planet, his protector, guide... And friend.

*Nail-san...?*

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A shiver raced down Bardock's spine as his eyes widened. He scrambled to the foot of the bed, trying to shake Vegeta out of his psychotic state. "What do you mean, is she dead?!" Grabbing his shoulders, Bardock shook him violently hoping that it would regain his composure.

Vegeta gasped again, trying to keep a grip onto his reality and not allow the Fhak'tar to over power him. "No... I-I can't sense-" His voice shook in rage and sadness, "Her! She-she's not on the other... Side. She's not mine anymore..." He breathed out finally, groaning as he clamped his hands over his stomach whilst curling up into a tight ball. His body wracked as thundering coughs came from his throat, along with specks of blood.

Bardock drew back in fear. What was he going to do? How was he supposed to cure the pain?! Flying to the door, he went in search of the other guests on the ship. Someone had to know what they could do to help the Prince! He was being killed internally from the broken bond, and slowly but surely he would wither away and die if something wasn't done. But the most horrific idea was that should Vegeta not want to die, the Fhak'tar within him would be provoked to awaken. It had already started clawing it's way up from the recess of Vegeta's mind. There was no telling what would happen.

*****

"Do you think he will be ok?" Kakarott asked his father, nodding in Vegeta's direction.

Bardock stared solemnly at his son. "At this point in time, I'm not certain. We will reach Namek-sei in under two hours. If he is not back to his normal self by then... We will have to find a way to defeat Frieza ourselves and get Bulma back."

Goku cleared his throat and walked away awkwardly from the talking pair. He wished they would get to Namek-sei as soon as possible. The entire journey was taking its toll on the sweet-tempered Saiya-jin.

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They had just landed upon Namek-sei.

The blood in Vegeta's veins began to boil with an uncontrollable rage. The Fhak'tar was near the surface, and with each passing moment, he could feel his restraint slipping.

He snarled and pushed past Bardock rudely, squinting as the sun of the planet burned his iris. He had been kept in the dark for so long, that daylight seemed more like a curse than a blessing. Striding down the ramp, he looked out at the awe inspiring view from the cliff's precipice.

The rolling waves of the aquamarine sea below, shimmered as though minuscule glittering diamonds had been dropped from the sky and were gently floating in rhythm with the rippling waves. It seemed to stretch for miles but as Vegeta narrowed his eyes, he could see a horizon of flat land in the distance.

Down below to his right, he could make out a flat yet rocky landscape, dotted with large trees, their trunks thin yet sturdy. As his gaze turned to the left, he was surprised by the rocky cliffs that towered above the cliff he stood upon. He could faintly hear chirping in the background, much like the sound of birds he had heard on Chikyuu-sei.

A sensation of tranquility surged through Vegeta for a brief moment. But the amber sun of Namek-sei, that was setting majestically in the sky, signified the coming of a dark veil that would cloak the beautiful planet leaving evil and hatred in its wake.

Vegeta frowned at the view as he waited for the other fighters to follow him. He was their leader, not Bardock!

But at that moment, Vegeta began to question his own sanity. The loss of Bulma in their bond was still eating away at him, causing him to grow angrier than ever. He actually feared what would happen if he saw her again. Would he kill her? He had little doubt that he wouldn't kill her, but the rage he felt towards her was still there.

Gods help him if he ever saw Radditz! A feral, cat-like grin spread across his features. The Fhak'tar within him began to conjure images of the warrior, impaled upon a large spike with his intestines hanging out.

Vegeta imagined himself standing by the slain body, drinking the blood that poured out from the open wounds on the larger warrior's body. The debt Radditz owed would be repaid in his blood, Vegeta would make sure of that if he ever saw Kakarott's brother again. He shuddered at the vivid image in his mind.

Grasping at the last straws of his sanity, he whirled around to face his subjects and the Chikyuu-jin fighters. "We have to find the Drak'se before Frieza arrives," he barked at them.

The small bald headed fighter that had gone unnoticed until now, braved the wrath of the Prince and spoke. "Uh... Guys?" He muttered under his breath, uneasily.

Six pairs of eyes turned to look at him, and not all were friendly gazes. Krillin ducked his head under the stares.

Gohan smiled broadly, as innocent as any child his age should have been. "What is it Krillin?" He asked, blissfully unaware of the gaping stares he received.

The bald headed fighter scrunched up his small and stubby nose. He spoke hesitantly, aware of the murderous glare that was coming from the foul-tempered Prince. "I don't want to put a damper on things, but... Do we even know what these Drak'se things look like? It could take days to find them, even if we did know what they were."

A strange silence fell over the crowd of men.

Vegeta scowled in fury. The little twerp did have a point. The wheels in his head began to spin as he stared out at the beautiful green landscape.

It was the silent Namek-jin's turn to point out the obvious. He had known all along of the legendary Drak'se, through a conversation he had been inclined to listen to on Kami's Lookout. Piccolo had unwillingly listened to the old goat relay the information of the Drak'se and in turn, he had found out his true heritage of being linked to Namek-sei.

Strangely, he found that being on his home planet was not so unnerving as he had originally thought it to be. He had only known Chikyuu to be his home planet and had accepted that a long time ago. But to have learnt of his true home planet, made the quiet Namek-jin wary of the reunion he would inevitably have to partake in. "The legendary Drak'se are the Dragonballs of Namek-sei." He stated in a gruff voice.

Now the six pairs of eyes, turned to stare at him. Piccolo rolled his own eyes, muttering a curse under his breath about the idiocy of non-asexual species.

Krillin blinked once and raised his fist in the air, with a heary whoop if joy. "Hot damn, Piccolo! That's great news!"

"How did you know that?" Gohan questioned, tugging enthusiastically at the heavy material of his sensei's white cape.

A small frown formed on Vegeta's face as the word 'Dragonball' caused his ears to twitch in response. He had heard that word from somewhere before, but couldn't quite grasp its origin. Letting his own thoughts wash over him, his eyes began to widen in astonishment. He realised that he had first heard the word in the gut-wrenching nightmare that fell upon him on Vegeta-sei, after Frieza's departure.

It had been uttered right after Frieza had torn his arm through his mate's stomach, clutching the small fetus in his hand. In the dream, Vegeta had watched helplessly as she whispered the word to him and had fallen back into the sea of blood. The Fhak'tar inside him was screaming in rage at the memorable dream.

Having Frieza's hand rip through Bulma's stomach made Vegeta worry about her safety in the tyrant's possession, even more than before. He was fully aware of the things Frieza was capable of.

The memories of the day he was violated were still clear in Vegeta's mind and that only added more fuel to the raging fire that was coursing through his veins. He desperately tried to keep his anger in check. The only visible sign of his anger was the spasming muscle in his jaw that was clenching nervously. He remained silent as the usually quiet Namek-jin spoke.

Piccolo bared his teeth in feral grin at the small boy who was tugging his cloak. "Let's just say, I had a few words with the old goat on the Lookout."

Gohan's eyes rounded in wonder. "You spoke to Kami?! Cool!"

Piccolo grimaced at the boys enigmatic demeanour. "Namek-sei is my home planet..." He said quietly, trying to reinforce the idea in his own head rather than let the others know.

"That means your Namek-jin right?" Goku interjected stupidly. "Wow Piccolo, this is great. I'll bet your really excited to be here."

Kakarott snorted at his brother's mental density. The blow on Takkaro's head must have damaged his neural capacity to an immeasurable height. It was a wonder that the man had survived as long as his brother. Any other would have collapsed from the lack of mental stimulation.

Piccolo cast a knowing glance at Goku's brother. He didn't know how to explain it, but he could feel a connection brewing between himself and the unknown Saiya-jin and somehow couldn't help but wonder if it should have been Kakarott who Piccolo would have encountered at his first World Martial Arts Tournament. He turned back to his childhood friend and foe. "I can't explain it Goku. It's-"

"QUIET!!" The voice of the cruel Prince roared in fury. "We are wasting precious time." He spat. "If you wish to carry out this fools conversation, then by all means go back onto the ship and leave the rest of us to find the Drak'se! If you hadn't noticed-" Vegeta stopped mid-tirade as the rumble of a ship in the distance could be heard. He ran an irritated hand through his thick hair. "Shit," he muttered, whilst looking upon the Namek-jin and the brain-damaged Saiya-jin accusingly.

"This is just fucking great! Because of you idiots, Frieza has landed his ship!" Vegeta hissed, barely trying to control his anger. The thought of the lizard on the same planet as he, was tearing the boundaries of the Saiya-jin no Ouji's sanity.

The men around Vegeta began to back away awkwardly, each one afraid that the Prince was about to rupture the pounding vein in his forehead.

The Fhak'tar within Vegeta was roaring wildly like a trapped beast. His heart began to pound violently, to the point of pain, as the blood was pumped fervently around his body. Vegeta curled his fists into tight balls by his side as he internally counted to ten. He wanted to go to the ship and pound Frieza's lithe body until there was nothing left but the bloody pulp of his internal organs.

"So, what should we do now?" Goku asked cheerfully, seeing the tension and trying to ease it. It was safe to say that he was not helping.

Vegeta pinched the bridge of his nose, a habit he had acquired from his stay on Chikyuu-sei. "Kakarott, tell your imbecile of a brother to shut the fuck up before I permanently shove my boot in his mouth and gag him!"

The Saiya-jin warrior looked at his brother, casting a warning glance. He turned back to his Prince with an apologetic look. "Forgive my brother, Vegeta no Ouji. It seems as though-" He was cut off as the fertile land beneath their feet trembled in sheer force. The seismic tremors caused each of them to grit their teeth as they tried to keep their balance.

"They've landed," Vegeta speculated with a hint of amusement. His eyes narrowed eagerly at the prospect of battling against Frieza... And getting Bulma back. He hoped she was still the living, breathing doll Frieza had turned her into and that no other memories were added to her mind. It would be easier for him that way. But he knew that Frieza would never leave her alone.

What had Frieza threatened him with before? 'You will die by her hand, not mine, not Zarbon's. But hers.' That meant, that Bulma would no longer be herself and that her mind would already have been tampered with.

Even now, the rejection of their bond through her half was cutting into him and he could feel that the Fhak'tar was screaming and roaring at the loss of Bulma's love. It was such a bewildering creature to Vegeta, even though he harbored it within himself, he would never understand the creature's need for blood lust or the undeniable thirst it held to be loved.

Gohan bit his lip, not knowing if he should speak. "M-Mr. Piccolo?"

Piccolo frowned and looked down. "What is it kid?" His low voice took on a gentle kindness as he spoke with the young boy.

"Well, I have a Dragonball radar with me. Would that help us to locate the balls easier?" His soft voice reverberated in the stunned silence. He quickly pulled out an oval shaped device and presenting it to the group, he smiled.

The Namek-jins eyes widened in surprise. "Why do you have a Dragonball radar with you?" It was the strangest pot of luck for the group of fighters.

The young boy blushed bashfully at the floor. "Auntie Bulma gave it to me as a present the day I visited her house. She said she had a lot of them and that I could have one if I wanted to. She added extra games into the radar for me, so I could play it on the ship if I got bored." Gohan desperately turned to his father. "Please don't tell Mom, she doesn't know I was playing games on it instead of doing my homework! She just thought it was a piece of junk."

Krillin chuckled. "I don't think anyone would want to face your Mom, kiddo." He smacked Gohan's back in a friendly gesture.

Goku laughed at his young son. "Don't worry son, no one is going to tell your mother." He gently placed a giant hand upon Gohan's head, ruffling the bowl haircut that Chi Chi had insisted he get.

Vegeta could slowly feel himself being drained of his intellectual mind as Kakarott's brother spoke. "If you idiots have finished your nonsensical chatter. You need to get to work and find the Dragonballs before Frieza lays his hands on them and decides to annihilate all of us. Super Saiya-jin or not, I cannot compete with an immortal fighter."

"You?" Krillin piped up. "Don't you mean 'we' Vegeta?"

"No," Vegeta replied brusquely. "I will go and face Freiza myself while you gather the Dragonballs. Kakarott knows what wish to make." Vegeta stared at his childhood companion and they exchanged a glance of understanding that baffled the other fighters.

"But, Sire! You cannot go and face Frieza alone." Bardock spoke up for the first time. The normally quiet Saiya-jin scientist felt the need to make his Prince see sense. For the good of all their lives. If Vegeta went into the battle in the rage he was in now, there was no telling what Frieza would do or say to manipulate him into losing his concentration. Bardock knew the consequences of losing one's concentration in a battle.

"Why not?" Vegeta snapped, glaring at the older man that had somehow become his consort.

"Because, you need to power up to Super Saiya-jin to defeat Frieza. However in your current rage, if you do power up to that level, the Fhak'tar will be awakened from the outlet of energy. Granted that you would destroy Frieza because of your multiplied power level, in the process you would destroy this world along with Frieza and all of its inhabitants, including yourself and Bulma. Without Bulma's influence at your side, Ouji-sama, it will be a dangerous task to transform and one that I caution."

"Are you quite finished old man?" Vegeta sneered in disgust. "I know very well the limits of my own power and I intend on using them to win against Frieza. If you hadn't noticed, you old goat, Frieza has my mate." The last sentence was growled out in a deathly quiet manner.

Vegeta tore his glare away from the older Saiya-jin and sent a chilling glance to the scientist's son. "Kakarott lead them and find the Dragonballs with the radar. You know what to do when you have them in your grasp. Frieza and I will be dueling to the death, but there is no telling whether or not he will send his lapdog Zarbon to retrieve the balls. None of you will last a minute against Frieza, and so all of you must go and get the Dragonballs. Does everyone understand?" Vegeta flinched inwardly as he realised he sounded like a General leading his soldiers into war.

He couldn't help but feel that his father was smirking at him from the depths of Hell for such a display. He had been trained in the arts of combat since the age of four, and so Vegeta knew that the Saiya-jin Empire recquired knowledge of leadership skills, something which he had not embraced previously.

In his younger years, Vegeta had focused solely on combat, brushing the other skills aside as unimportant. Vegeta knew that his father loathed his ideological behaviour and so her continued to ignore the added training of a warrior, out of spite. The skills he was demonstrating at present, were only a reminder of the skills he had refused to learn, but obviously had a hidden knowledge of.

Kakarott nodded. "Understood." He smiled at his young nephew as the radar was placed in his hand. Kakarott frowned as he pressed the small button of the radar and watched the screen bleep to life.

Goku's eyes widened in shock as he looked over his brother's shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of the screen. "The Dragonballs, they're all in one place!" He exclaimed with joy. At least they wouldn't have to spend an eternity finding them.

Piccolo grunted in annoyance. "That means they're n Frieza's custody and are ready to make a wish. Those greedy little shits."

"Go," Vegeta growled quietly as he stared at the sinking sun of Namek-sei. It would soon be nightfall on this beautiful and harmonious planet. He could feel blood trickle from the inside of his hands and seep into the seams of his gloves as he dug his fingernails deeply into the palms of his hand.

Kakarott nodded and looked at the radar once more as he leapt from the cliff side and blasted off into the air. The other fighters followed suit, all eager to get the adventure started. All except one.

Vegeta had turned his head out to the sinking sun of the horizon, towards the direction of where Frieza's ship had landed. He bared his teeth at the green landscape. "What are you waiting for old man?" He asked threateningly as the presence behind him did not move.

"Ouji-sama," Bardock spoke in a pained voice, "Please let me accompany you. I have to make sure you do not do anything too rash."

"You are worried for your son, not me." Vegeta said flatly.

Bardock let go of a breath he did not know he was holding. "Forgive me Ouji-sama, but-but I have to know if Radditz is-"

"Silence," the Prince interrupted the older Saiya-jins pathetic attempt at an excuse. "You may join me Bardock."

The older man wondered why his Prince's voice was eerily calm. He soon found out as Vegeta turned to face him with a wretched and dark smile that illuminated his features. "But know this, Bardock. If your son ever shows his face to me again, he will not live to see a new day."

Bardock swallowed and nodded quietly. "I understand, Ouji-sama. I only ask that if you do chance upon meeting him, you show mercy and kill him with one blow."

Vegeta turned away from the suffocating stare of the other man. He did not voice his promise, because he knew he would never show mercy upon Radditz of they ever met. The wounds ran too deep in Vegeta's mind to show that kind of mercy. He knew the truth of what would happen, he would not be as merciful as Bardock was suggesting.

He powered up with a growl, closing his eyes as he reached out and touched Bulma's mind, only to receive a cold wall instead. That did not hinder his sense, as he pinpointed the exact location in which she stood. Only one thought was on his mind and that was to defeat Frieza and retrieve his mate.

Nothing else mattered.

The brave Prince bent his knees and blasted off into the purple-streaked sky of Namek-sei, eager to reunite with the tyrant lizard and prepped for the battle that would soon follow. He was distinctly aware of Bardock's comforting presence beside him as they flew at an unknowingly fast pace. From the corner of his eye, Vegeta could see the landscape mold into a blur of blue and green as he sped past, the urgency within him was growing with every few hundred meters he flew.

They flew in silence for the better part of the journey towards Frieza's ship, both lost in their own troubled thoughts.

*****

Dende looked up graciously at the taller and older Namek-jin that had come to their aid. They had exited the ship without any problems and were now trekking their way through the forest, so as not to get caught, with the limp Saiya-jin slung across Nail's shoulders.

Nail had found them in the lower deck of the abnormally large ship, upon following Dende's telepathic instructions. The secret passageways that Dende had found were truly a blessing to them as they managed to escape the ship without detection. "Thank you for coming, Nail-san." He said softly as he padded along side the Namek-jin warrior. He couldn't help but notice the worn features of the elder Namek-jin. Dende had been too preoccupied in escaping, that he had not noticed the torn and blood-stained Namek-jin battle suit.

Nail looked down at the young boy and forced himself to smile as he desperately tried to keep his balance with the large Saiya-jin hefted across his shoulder. "It's alright Dende." He said quietly. His face darkened, "But there is something you should know."

Dende looked at him perplexed, "What is it Nail-san? Is everything ok?"

Nail shook his head and spoke desperately, "I fear that the evil creatures that captures you are in the band as the other beings on Namek-sei, who tried to take the Drak'se from us!"

"What do you mean Nail-san?" Dende asked, fearing the answer.

"All is not well, Dende. Everything appears to be tranquil on the surface, but do not be fooled. Since you had left with your father, a band of alien soldiers landed on the planet, demanding us to give them the Drak'se. I don't know how they came to know of them, but our Namek-jin tribes have been fighting non-stop in order to stop them from gathering the Drak'se."

"That's why your battle suit is shredded," Dende whispered sadly. "I just assumed that you were training. I had no idea that the Drak'se were in danger."

"It's not your fault, Dende," Nail comforted. He sighed and shook his head. "Entire villages have been blown to pieces by these aliens, and there was nothing we could do to stop them."

"What about Guru?" The young Namek-jin asked fearfully.

Nail offered a small smile, "Guru is as well as he could be, but the news of the destroyed villages is putting a great strain on his heart. He is in hiding for the moment. We must keep him safe." He said, passionately.

Dende nodded, "At least Guru is ok, for now. But what happened to the Drak'se? Don't tell me they have all seven in their possession!" He said, horror present in his voice.

The older Namek-jin nodded his head in grim confirmation. "We still have hope though. They know nothing of the password and it seems as though they are awaiting the arrival of their superior. We are safe for now... But where is your father, Dende?" He asked in confusion, surely he still couldn't be on the ship!

Dende felt tears begin to brim in his eyes, "I don't know where father is, Nail-san. He just vanished. I am afraid to say or think anything about him, I fear that he is no longer alive."

Nail frowned at the pained words Dende was expressing as he relayed the whole story of his time spent on the large and eerie ship with the tyrant lizard.

Once Dende had finished his tale, the older Namek-jin gently placed a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. "It will all be ok Dende. Somehow we will manage to stop this evil Frieza from accessing the Drak'se and we will stop him from making his wish."

Dende nodded, sniffling as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

A sudden thought came to Nail, "Why didn't you heal this man on the ship, Dende?" He knew that all young Namek-jin's had healing powers and he was surprised to see that he hadn't used it on the burly man that was now unconscious.

"I saw a black hate in his heart, Nail-san. It was awful. Somehow, that evil man Frieza had hurt Radditz-san mentally as well as physically. When I tried to heal him, it wouldn't work because of the blackness I saw in the man's heart. I was also afraid of what he would do to me if I had healed him." Dende looked at the Saiya-jin man sadly as he spoke. "He was hurt very bad Nail-san, on the inside and out. I feel terrible for not healing him."

Nail could feel the great power that the warrior was emanating. He had also felt two immense powers bunkered away in the ship as he rescued his little brother and friend from the ship and instantly knew that the man slung across his shoulders was no where near as powerful as the other men on the ship.

Things were beginning to take a dangerous turn this evening and that meant that all the Namek-jin fighters would have to join forces to ward off the evil beings he had sensed on the ship. They needed all the fighting power they could get. Nail stopped walking and grunted with great effort as he placed the man down onto the grass.

Dende stopped dead in his tracks, confusion written across his innocent face. "Is there a problem, Nail-san?"

"Dende, you have to heal him. We have to take our chances with this man. If he is a foe of the evil energy I sensed on the ship, then it may make him an ally to our side. I do not think that the creature's heart is so black that you cannot try heal him. You have to do it," Nail probed the young boy gently. He had to understand that they needed all the power they could get, if they wanted to survive. "He is far stronger and superior to a Namek-jin warrior, and his energy is bursting to come forth. If you heal him, we may have fighting chance against the evil creature you call Frieza."

The young boy nodded in understanding. "Very well, I will try." He knelt down beside the still body of the Saiya-jin warrior and placed his hands to the man's chest. Closing his eyes, he concentrated all of his good and positive energy into the man before him. Dende hummed a soothing and melodic tune as he made his way through the black clouds of the Saiya-jin warrior's heart.

A soft yellow glow began to surround them and Dende smiled in relief. He could only heal the goodhearted and it must mean that the man he was healing, had a good heart. He prayed to Guru that the Saiya-jin warrior would not turn on them once he was fully healed, for all their sakes.

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Bulma smirked at Zarbon's fallen form by her feet. She wiped her hands clean, an evil glint gracing her eyes. "Take that you piece of green shit!"

Spinning on her heel, she stormed out of the room and made her way to the seat beside her master. She was more than ready to face Vegeta, whether or not Zarbon agreed. She knew she could kill him, no matter what anyone said. She wasn't weak, she was powerful and she would show them all.

She would avenge her parents, and her planet.

Even if it killed her.

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Frieza shifted comfortably in his miniature hovercraft. His gaze shifted over to his beautiful blue creation that stood rigidly beside him. A smirk played upon his lips as the stood at the large door to the entrance of his grand ship.

Zarbon glared at the beautiful woman that stood beside his master, in his place. His hand absently brushed against the swollen under part of his chin. A wince flew across his features as he accidentally rubbed too hard. It was all that woman's fault! If it wasn't for her and her stubborn behaviour, she would have been his by now. But she refused to acknowledge him and that was something that Zarbon was not accustomed to.

The rectangular door hissed with great effort as it opened slowly, rolling out a ramp onto the alien planet. Bulma watched in a bored manner as the ramp finally reached its destination. After what seemed a small eternity, they made their way down to the unknown soil of the mysterious planet. She frowned as she looked at the magnificent planet. "Is this it?" She asked peevishly. There seemed to be no one around for miles.

Frieza let out a hearty chuckle. "What's the matter dear, is this planet not to your liking?"

Bulma narrowed her eyes at the small man in the hovercraft. She pouted indignantly, "It seems a little bare. I would have preferred a more populated planet, something to really sink my teeth into and destroy." She grinned wolfishly at the smaller man.

The twinkle in Frieza's eye was all the hint that Bulma needed to know that he was pleased with her. "Well dear," he suggested cockily, "Once you have dealt with Vegeta, you can go in search of anything you desire and destroy to your heart's content."

Bulma laughed cattily, "Thank you my Lord, you are too kind." She bowed in a mocking manner that went unnoticed by the Ice-jin but was caught by Zarbon. He snorted derisively.

Frieza narrowed his ruby eyes to the green alien. "Is there a problem, Zarbon?"

"No, Lord Frieza." Zarbon sputtered incoherently at being caught off guard.

"Good." Frieza smirked, "Now be a good boy and get that little Namek-jin boy that was in your custody, he may be useful to us once we reach the destination of the Drak'se."

Zarbon's voice rose in alarm, "But-"

"No buts Zarbon," Frieza interrupted. "And after you get the boy, we can make our way to the Drak'se. My men should have gathered them already. I want to make the wish for immortality while I'm still young. Isn't that right Bulma?"

She smiled sweetly, "Since when are you ever wrong Lord Frieza?" She countered back a question of her own that made the lizard smile in pride at her.

"I'll be back with the boy," Zarbon murmured in disgust, as he went back into the large spaceship. It would take him a twenty minute walk to even get to the cells in the lower deck of the ship! He growled in jealousy at the closeness of Bulma and Frieza. He didn't like it one bit.

It was too bad that there was nothing he could do.

*****

After ten minutes of companionable silence, Bulma couldn't take it any longer.

"Must we wait for Zarbon, Lord Frieza?" She asked, after waiting a full ten minutes. Her patience for the overly pretty alien was wearing thin, "Why can't we just go to the soldiers that have the Drak'se, ourselves? Your little pet is taking too long to retrieve the boy, there are other Namek-jins on the planet that know of the Drak'se. I would prefer it if you made your wish so that I could get on with finding Vegeta and obtaining my revenge." She snapped, her eyes darkening in fury. From the corner of her eye she could visibly see Frieza's soldiers shudder at her menacing tone. She sneered inwardly in disgust at the display of weakness.

Frieza chuckled at the woman's comical behaviour. "My, my, it seems as though you are quite impatient to fight with the Saiya-jin no Ouji."

"You bet I am," she whispered darkly, more to herself than the tyrant. "If I see him again, there will be no restraints in using my power. He will pay for what he did to my family." She glowered at the scenic view before herself, her false memories were providing enough anger and hate within to her to have destroyed an entire planet full of innocent people.

She had thought she was an innocent, until she had gone on Frieza's purging missions after he rescued her from being killed on her home planet, Buru-sei. It was the only thing she could do to repay his kindness.

What Bulma didn't know, was that all of her memories were lies, carefully woven by the master beside her. Heavens have mercy on Namek-sei if the small yet powerful woman ever found out the truth.

Frieza laughed wholeheartedly at her death threats towards his favourite toy and pet. "It seems that I made a good decision in rescuing you on Buru-sei!"

"I would have much preferred dying with my family." She quietly as she saw the sun of Namek-sei sink beneath the trees.

The lizard narrowed his eyes in annoyance. He saw the flaw in his little memory project and knew that the love she held for her past may mean her downfall against the battle she would have with Vegeta. The scouter over his eye blinked to life at the oncoming power. He frowned in confusion, the power reading went completely off of the scouter's scale. What could this mean?!

Bulma noticed her master's unease and spoke up. "Is everything all right Lord Frieza?"

"It seems as though we have some company, Bulma dear." He mused in a cold tone.

She knew exactly what he meant. "Vegeta..." She breathed in remembrance, awaiting the Saiya-jin no Ouji's arrival with an antic disposition.

The setting sun caused the embedded jewels in her body to sparkle like a beacon of light, guiding the Saiya-jin no Ouji into her trap. A cold smile flitted across her face at the approaching fighter that was flying towards them in great urgency.

She was going to have fun toying with the handsome Prince, before she burned him to a cinder. "I'm going to enjoy this little reunion, Ouji-sama." She said to herself as the smile remained implanted on her face. The fighter touched down eight hundred meters from the ship of the Ice-jin. She shivered, an uncomfortable feeling washing over her. Even from the distance, she could sense that he was eyeing her up and down like a vulture starving for leftover scraps of meat.

"So it begins," Frieza said, chuckling in his own sick merriment.

He would thoroughly enjoy watching Bulma shred the proud Prince to pieces.

*****

The golden glow surrounding him dissipated into the air with a warm crackle. Radditz grunted as he felt the strong surge of ki flow through his body. It was a miracle that Saiya-jin bodies grew stronger each time they were on the brink of death. He was at his maximum power now. But he knew it wouldn't be enough to destroy Frieza, not by a long shot.

The veil of blackness surrounding his eyes slowly faded away as his eyes blinked slowly, trying to comprehend his whereabouts. As he looked up, he saw the face of the small green child that had been in the same cell as him.

"Are you feeling better, Radditz-san?" Dende asked in a small voice.

The Saiya-jin warrior snarled as he pushed the small boy away. Jumping to his feet, he looked around wildly like a caged beast. "W-where are we?" The painful stutter caused the warrior to wince in shame. It would be constant reminder of torture Frieza had inflicted upon him. All his life he had wondered what had made Vegeta so bitter and dark, and now he knew why.

Dende clasped his hands in front of him. "We are in a forest on Namek-sei. I managed to get you out of the holding cell with the aid of my brother, Nail-san." He nodded over to the tall Namek-jin warrior that was leaning up against a tree.

Radditz narrowed his eyes at the young boy. So many questions were poised on his lips. "H-how did you heal me, b-boy?"

A proud smile entered Dende's face. "It is a special Namek-jin technique. We are a healing race. Some of the elder Namek-jins chose to be warriors and protect the planet, so they are out of tune with their healing abilities, like Nail-san. But younger Namek-jins make the choice to be a protector or healer of the planet. Guru, the eldest Namek-jin on the planet, advised me to become a healer." His voice had heightened with excitement as he relayed the information of his planet.

The Saiya-jin warrior frowned. "I d-did not ask for your life story, boy." He grumbled under his breath affectionately. The boy had saved his life and that was enough cause to let him and his brother survive. It had also seemed as though Radditz's power had returned ten-fold, so now he was indebted to the young boy. His eyes grew in horror, "I-I have to go back to Frieza's ship!" He exclaimed with unbridled urgency.

The fear that Dende felt at those words was unlike any other. "You can't go back! WE have just healed you and for you to go back will be suicide. The evil man is very strong and he would kill you Radditz-san."

"B-Bulma is there, I have to save her!" He could not even speak her name without flinching. It was like a thousand daggers trying to spear his heart all at once.

Dende shook his head sadly, "It's too late to save her Radditz-san," he bowed his head.

"W-what do you mean?" Radditz growled softly, an icy fear gripping at his heart.

"They've changed her, made her into one of them. She is fighting on their side now." The young boy winced as he recalled the jewels that had been carefully and strategically placed into the beautiful woman's body.

The Saiya-jin warrior paled at the statement. He swallowed before closing his eyes in defeat. They had taken his sweet and kind-hearted Bulma and turned her into something to be feared. On his torturous stay on the Ice-jin ship, Radditz had heard many tales of a machine that could increase ki power to a dramatic level.

It was probably what Frieza had done to Bulma, so that she could fight on the lizard's side. It was obvious why they had chosen Bulma, she was a genius in all aspects and more importantly... She had belonged to Vegeta. Frieza would gladly take anything that had belonged to the Prince and make it his own. He suppressed a shudder at the terrible thoughts of what Bulma may be feeling. He secretly wondered if she remembered their encounter... It was a moment that Radditz would treasure for the feelings he had felt and he also knew he would hate the deed for the rest of his life. Only for betraying his Prince.

For the first time, Nail spoke as he saw the look of pain etched across the warrior's face. "What do we do now?" He asked quietly.

Coming back to his senses, Radditz glared sharply at the older Namek-jin. "I-I'm going back to the ship. I h-have to make sure she is fine!" His head snapped to the right suddenly. A faint smile tugged at his lips as his Saiya-jin senses allowed him to pick up the ki signature of his kin and brethren. "Brother if you are here, then it must mean that Ouji-sama is present as well." He whispered more to himself than the other two Namek-jin standing a few feet from him.

Nail and Dende watched in curiosity as the Saiya-jin warrior closed his eyes and went into a deep meditative stance.

Dende shuffled over to his brother, "What's he doing?" He whispered conspiratorially.

"I don't know, but what ever it is, I hope it doesn't involve going back to the ship where I sensed the evil powers." Nail gently placed his hand on the young boy's shoulder, a protective gesture of a concerned brother. He mused to himself, wondering if the Saiya-jin knew what he was doing. Nail prayed that the Saiya-jin would be able to aid them in retrieving the stolen Drak'se.

*****

The wind flew past in a mad rush as Vegeta's flying speed began to increase. From the great distance, his acute Saiya-jin vision could see the large dome of Frieza's ship, dotted with the yellow spikes needed to propel the ship in the zero density of space. Two figures surrounded by a hoard of soldiers came into view as Vegeta neared the ship.

Vegeta turned his head to look at the elder Saiya-jin. "Stay back Bardock! This is not your fight. You must remain unseen!" He shouted over the roar of his own ki.

Bardock nodded in understanding and shifted his body position to the left, swooping down in the Namek-jin forest, away from the where the battle would commence. He flew down into the trees and weaved his way through them, towards the back of the ship. He had to find Radditz, and nothing was going to stop him. With a determined look, he sent a final glance to his Prince before disappearing from view. He prayed to the Gods of Vegeta-sei that the Saiya-jin no Ouji would emerge the victor in the precarious battle.

*****

A bubbling anger frothed in the pit of Vegeta's stomach as he neared the ship. He frowned as he caught a glimpse of different coloured jewels shimmering in the setting sun. He could feel his heart pound with anticipation. Was that his mate? He was too far to confirm the thought.

As he neared the front of the large ship, Vegeta's breath caught in his throat as he envisioned his beautiful mate, standing in a tense stance next to Frieza. A growl escaped his pursed lips as he landed eight hundred meters away from the ship. The Fhak'tar was howling to get out as he took in the appearance of Bulma.

What had the slimy lizard done to his perfect mate?!

He snarled, baring his teeth as he took in the details of the sapphire jewel that was placed in the center of her forehead. The amethyst stones on her bare legs and arms glittered against the sun's setting rays.

His lower lip quivered in fury as Vegeta's jaw twitched at the sight of the clothes she had been placed in. She was wearing Frieza's armour, a short metal-plated navy skirt with a white chest plate emblazoned with the Ice-jin's Royal insignia, a calligraphic gold 'C' intertwined with an 'F' to signify her as part of Frieza's army, to the Royal House of Cold. The red cape that was draped around her shoulders, billowing in the wind, also depicted the gold coloured insignia, much to Vegeta's disgust. Even the white red-tipped boots gave her the identity of one of Frieza's Elite soldiers...

Vegeta's eyes grew in confusion. Elite soldier? Bulma was an Elite soldier to the Royal house of Cold? For some strange reason, Vegeta knew the embedded jewels in her body were the reason for her status in the army.

A jolt of pain coursed through his heart as he stared at her, forgetting that she was standing next to the Ice-jin and oblivious to the throngs of devoted soldiers that surrounded her. He felt a haunting ache tremor in his heart at the hatred that was etched into her face.

Even from this distance, he could see all the insignificant emotions dance across her glittering cerulean eyes. Images of Radditz and Bulma lingered in the recess of his mind, laughing cruelly at his tattered pride and broken spirit.

He was not ready to face her yet, all was not forgiven and certainly not forgotten.

But Vegeta knew that his emotions were only obscuring his better judgement. He would make her his again, by any means possible and there was nothing Frieza could do about it.

He physically willed himself forward, walking purposely slow so as not to seem desperate to be in her presence once again. The Fhak'tar wanted to tear the veil that sheathed it and dance merrily in blood at the sight of Bulma, but Vegeta would not allow it. He suppressed it with every ounce of control in his body, shuddering mildly from the intense feelings that the Fhak'tar spread through his heart. Vegeta feared what he would look like and do if the creature ever managed to escape its prison.

His face remained set in stone, yet he winced inwardly as the hatred in her face grew upon his leisurely approach to the ship. He desperately wanted to grab hold of the love she had previously given, like a drowning man reaching for a sturdy rope to pull him up. The woman with the fine jewels embedded in her body was not his mate, she was his enemy.

"I will save you... I will." He whispered softly in determination.

The image of Bulma and Radditz came to be a constant reminder to the Saiya-jin no Ouji, fuelling his rage to a new level.

Vegeta locked his eyes with Bulma, never letting them leave her gaze. Obsidian and cerulean collided in a deadly battle of emotions, each sparkling with an intense fury in a spell bound trance, as he stepped closer and closer to the ship.

He almost burst out laughing as she bared her teeth. Clearly a Saiya-jin trait she had picked up from him, confirming his thoughts that not all her characteristics had been erased. She was Bulma, there was no doubt about it. Although the woman before him held more power than anything Vegeta had sensed before. He was amazed at how her power level could have been increased so much as to rival the Ice-jin's.

It was too bad that Frieza had not taken into account that he was a Super Saiya-jin. And at that Vegeta smirked saucily at his mate, causing her to snarl softly at him. He could see a faint tinge of red streak her fabricated, creamy skin.

He wanted to chuckle at her obvious attraction to him. The forgotten memories still had not dimmed the desire she felt for him and Vegeta felt a little comforted by that thought. It may hold the key to unlocking her memories.

Vegeta began sizing up his opponent, the feral smirk still on his face. He was still considerably stronger than his mate was and he would enjoy showing Frieza that he was not a weak fool to give up a good fight. He would amuse himself by toying with her and Frieza, before he showed them both just how strong he really was.

From the other side, he heard shouting and spotted a flash of green which he ignored as he continued to stare into Bulma's eyes, never letting his gaze drop from hers. He saw the tremors of desire in her, causing her to lose her concentration for a moment.

His smirk widened.

It would be interesting battle indeed.

*****

Her heart thudded rhythmically against her rib cage as the Saiya-jin no Ouji approached. She glared hatefully at the man coming towards her, his eyes mocking her to do something to retaliate. She was going to give him a slow, bloody, painful death for murdering her family and purging her planet. Her eyes snapped as he was trying to force her to look away, to show her fear, but she wasn't going to allow that. Without a second thought, she bared her teeth.

She gaped at him.

He had the suicidal gall to smirk at her?! Bulma snarled softly as he stepped closer to the ship. She would let him take his time in walking to the ship, it would be his last moment of peace anyway.

A shudder rippled through her body as he continued to smirk at her. She wanted to scream at the way he was causing her to react. A rumble of desire echoed in her stomach and she snarled more in disgust, at herself rather than the cocky Prince.

As he continued to approach them, she could faintly hear shouting in the background. But all that was lost to her as she felt herself falling into the prison of the obsidian orbs.

*****

"Lord Frieza!" Zarbon shouted as he rounded the corner of the hallway towards the entrance of the ship like a tornado in full speed. "LORD FRIEZA!" He flew down the ramp and almost gaped at the sight of the Saiya-jin no Ouji advancing upon them.

Frieza tore his eyes away from Vegeta's approaching form in annoyance. "What is it now Zarbon?"

"The boy is gone," Zarbon gulped waiting for the wrath of his master.

But it never came.

The Ice-jin was too engrossed in the reaction between the Saiya-jin no Ouji and the girl. He didn't really give a shit about the Namek-jin boy. He remembered that Bulma had said there were other Namek-jins who knew what to do in the case of the Drak'se.

"Lord Frieza?" Zarbon shouted again, waving his hands around in front of the Ice-jin.

"What, Zarbon?" Frieza snapped, irritated by the high pitched wails of his right hand man.

"What should I do?" He asked pathetically. "Ra-" He was about to inform his master of the disappearance of the other Saiya-jin warrior when he was abruptly cut off.

Frieza resumed watching the interaction between the man and woman. "Go to location of the Drak'se. I entrust them into your care while I am here. Guard them with your life Zarbon, I will be there shortly." He said flatly.

Zarbon threw him a wounded look, "But where are they?"

"The information is on your scouter!" Frieza barked impatiently, not looking away from the spectacle.

The handsome green alien bowed his head sadly and in shame. "As you wish, Lord Frieza." He motioned for a few of the soldiers that were cowering behind the blue-haired beauty, to follow him. He took one last look at the Saiya-jin, sending a deadly glare but upon noticing his lack of interest in anything other than the blue-haired female, Zarbon took to the sky, following the directions displayed on the scouter's screen. He grumbled to himself all the way to the gathered Drak'se.

Kami help anyone who crossed the irate green warrior.

*****

Vegeta now found himself standing only a few meters away from his mate and the Ice-jin. He looked at the soldiers that were cowering behind his mate, in disgust. Upon looking at Bulma at such a close distance, he couldn't control his anger any longer. He glared at the small yet powerful lizard. "What have you done to her, you sick fuck?" He snarled, clenching his fists.

Bulma blinked in confusion. She stared at her master, arching one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows. "Have I missed something, Lord Frieza?"

Vegeta winced inwardly as she spoke, her voice caused another dull ache to course through his veins.

The Ice-jin chuckled, "No dear, it seems as though the Saiya-jin no Ouji has had a memory lapse," his chuckle turned into a full blown crazed laugh.

"So it does," Bulma let all the emotions from her face fall as she gazed blankly at the Prince that had destroyed her home world. "Tell me, Ouji-sama, did you enjoy destroying my home planet, my family?" She asked through gritted teeth.

It was Vegeta's turn to look at her in confusion, until realisation dawned upon him. He began to chuckle sadistically, ignoring his mate and speaking to Frieza. "It seems only fair that she would want to kill me for destroying her home world. Couldn't think of anything else to work her into a rage, could you Frieza? Pray tell, where did I destroy this little planet of hers?" He asked condescendingly.

Fury flitted across Bulma's face, "You fucking bastard!" She shrieked, almost lunging towards him before a cold hand gripped her wrist. She trembled with unchecked rage as her master held her wrist firmly in place.

"Save it for later dear," Frieza said slowly. "Why don't you ask her what you did Vegeta?" He asked the eerily calm Saiya-jin.

"What was the name of your planet that I supposedly destroyed?" Vegeta asked in a bored tone.

Bulma trying to wriggle free of Frieza's grasp, the rage was taking over her rational thought. "How can you not remember?" She screeched, causing both men to frown at the high pitch. "Buru-sei!! My home planet was everything to me and you destroyed it! You killed my family and I'M GOING TO KILL YOU FOR IT!" She was now screaming out each word as the black poison in her heart erupted like a punctured fissure.

Vegeta arched his eyebrow in amusement. "Is that the best you could do?" He directed to the Ice-jin, ignoring his screaming mate.

"What ever do you mean Vegeta?" Frieza hissed.

Vegeta barked out a laugh, "I destroyed her planet! How completely original." He said sarcastically, "Stupid little Ice-jin couldn't even think of a good reason-"

"STOP IT! STOP TALKING YOU BASTARD!" Bulma screamed, unable to stand the sound of his voice. She stopped fighting against the lizard that was holding her back. Narrowing her eyes, she spoke in a deathly quiet tone, "Let. Go." She stepped closer to her master, now whispering into his ear, "Or I'll kill you too. This is my fight and I will not be stopped." The soldiers behind her whimpered at the whispered words. She rolled her eyes at their cowardice.

Although she thought Vegeta could not hear, he held back a small smile as the threat reached his ears. She was not completely controlled by the monster... There was still hope.

Frieza gaped at jeweled woman in shock. His little creation seemed to be grasping the stores of anger within her, much to his own delight. He smirked before releasing her wrist. "Very well Bulma dear, go pound the monkey until there is nothing left but his tail."

Bulma flashed him a daring look, "Don't worry Lord Frieza, I intend to." She locked eyes with Vegeta, never letting them leave her gaze. "I only ask that you do not interrupt. This my fight, my revenge." Her fingers twitched as the Prince smirked again. Another hot flash tingled her skin unwillingly. How she longed to punch that cocky face!

Unable to stand his snide looking face any longer, she flew towards him and sneered in his face that was inches away. Both were not in view of the Ice-jin, nor could he hear their exchange. Her blue eyes were flashing with anger and another emotion that Vegeta couldn't pinpoint.

"Are you ready, Ouji-sama?" She whispered fearlessly.

"As always, Onna." He replied in amusement.

Bulma stood stunned, as she saw the hard look in his eyes soften briefly, before returning to their cold demeanor. "I will show no mercy!" She spoke gallantly.

"I wouldn't expect you too," he retorted coldly. "The Onna I know wouldn't, no matter what."

She glared at him suspiciously, "What do you mean by that?"

Vegeta let a feral grin spread across his face, "Perhaps all is not what it seems, Onna."

"Stop talking in riddles, dammit!" She cried, stomping her foot like a five year old.

He chuckled, slowly reaching out to cup her chin in his hand. He smirked as he felt her shiver under his touch, "I see that Frieza could not rid you of your temper. That is good." He said solemnly.

Bulma wrenched free of his touch, wincing at the burning sensation it left. "I'm going to kill you, Ouji-sama." Her voice returned to a cold whisper as her cerulean gaze pierced his own obsidian glare.

Vegeta roughly grabbed her arm, flexing his muscles as he yanked her close into a lovers embrace. Without a moments hesitation, he roughly placed his lips upon hers, kissing her with an unknown passion. He could distinctly feel her tiny fists pounding on his chest and took into account that had she been powered up, he would have been knocked back twenty feet. But her struggling did not hinder the need he felt to have her close by his side.

The bond was still drawing him to her and the rejection was only causing his thoughts to become irrational. He pulled his lips away, unwillingly and stared down into her eyes, holding them in a deadly gaze. As she stared up at him, he could remotely see a faint glimmer of sapphire burn brightly in her eyes and Vegeta saw her push away the comings of the bond. He lightly ran his gloved finger over the faint blush that was streaking her cheek. For the time being, the Fhak'tar inside of him was stilled, content to just be near her.

Vegeta breathed a sigh of exhaustion. Holding back the Fhak'tar was so much hard work, that he had forgotten the trappings of peace that being bonded brought to him. He felt himself being pulled into her cerulean depths, almost losing himself completely in their stunned appearance.

A small smirk flitted across his face, as his hand moved to touch the silky strands of sea-blue hair. He could almost feel his eyes droop shut as the wind around them blew tendrils of her soft hair across his face, causing him to inhale at the sweet scent that permeated from the thick locks. Vegeta had to restrain himself from overpowering her and taking her away from the watching eyes of Frieza and his pathetic soldiers. Shaking himself out of the daze, he gathered his wits and slowly began to speak.

"You may kill me, but I am going save you first, Bulma of Chikyuu-sei." He whispered back nonchalantly as he felt her body tremor in his hold. He held back a smirk as her gaze faltered and confusion reigned on her face.

Bulma scowled, wondering what he was babbling about. She was from Buru-sei, not Chikyuu-sei. She shook her head, transfixed by the strange look upon his face. If she hadn't been in her right mind, she would have almost thought it was filled with... Love. She snarled, knowing full well that a monster like him could not be capable of such a feeling. And so Bulma raised her head, looking up at the orange-streaked sky of Namek-sei. She opened her mouth and screamed as she began to power up in his tight embrace, her white aura burning around her.

Caught off guard, Vegeta found himself stumbling back from the intensity of the power, releasing his hold on her at the same time.

"It is too late to save me now, Ouji-sama!" She shouted over the roar of her own power. She gritted her teeth as she growled, setting her feet apart adamantly. "It's time to pay for what you did!" She threw her head back and screamed to the high Heavens.

Vegeta growled as he watched the white aura swirl and crackle around her in a sea of lightning flashes and thunderous sounds. He squinted as the triangular sapphire crystal that was embedded in her forehead, began to burn in a brilliant aquamarine light. His lips parted in wonder as her cerulean eyes clouded over in a black mist of hate.

It was then that Vegeta realized, she was transforming.

But what was she transforming into?

His mind began throwing around rhetorical questions, and he stood silently as he witnessed the dawn of a new era. The hope that he had held for saving her, was slowly slipping through his fingers like tiny grains of sand. He could only watch helplessly as he sensed the rapidly increasing ki rate, sky rocket to unknown levels for a Chikyuu-jin.

But the call of battle was not far from the Saiya-jin no Ouji. He relished in any challenge that was presented and he would gladly test out his mate's new found power. So as he watched the ground tremble under her feet, he smirked and shook his head. It would take more than his normal and current power level to make her submissive to him. He would certainly have to raise his ki level, but only minutely to over power her.

Under hooded eyes, he quietly watched her slowly transform into an unknown creature. And as she screamed from the depths of her soul with an unbridled rage and hatred, Vegeta knew one thing;

The battle had just begun.

**************************************************************** *******

A/N: HEY, HEY, HEY! Man I missed you guys sooo much! How long has it been since my last update? THREE WEEKS... Shoot, I really should start updating every week from now on. And I will try to!! Well I had quite a few emails asking me to update. And I apologise profusely for not updating sooner. I am SO SO SO sorry for the delay, life hasn't been kind. Big exams looming in May and I need to study. You know the drill! I wish there were more hours in the day, don't you?

Whew THAT was a LONG chapter. It's took me absolutely ages to write it... I hope that chapter made up for the LACK of chapters in previous weeks. I know you guys probably wanted to see the B/V showdown in this chapter, but a girl's gotta leave somthing for next time right?

To Maria S: Hey! How's the art going? Email me if you've fixed your emailing service, cuz I really need to talk to you. Oh yeah and if you have MSN messanger, let me know.

So... Let me ask all of you a question. How are you? How is life? Got any problems? I hope that each and every one of you is well and in good health!! Hope ya'll had a great Easter!

For all of you that have MSN messanger, my email address is Shigasu@hotmail.com. Add me if you want to have a little chat, always love meeting new people.

Thanks for all your reviews! *big hugs* You guys are great!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed that chapter, R&R if possible!

Thanks for all your support again and I'll be back with another chapter soon.

Until next time, Ja ne!

NB: Sorry for the long-ass A/N but I missed you guys! ^-^