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The Curse of the Bond	By : Kichi Category: Dragon Ball Z > General Views: 2852 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own DragonballZ, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
The Curse of the Bond

By: Kichi
DISCLAIMER: Dragonball Z belongs to Akira
Toriyama, BIRD/Shueisha Studios. Toei Animation, FUNimation, etc.
Not me.

WARNING: Rated R for violence.

Chapter 17 - Blood-rain and Fire
     "Yamcha let me go!"
Bulma screamed.

    "No!" Yamcha yelled back,
flecks of spit hitting Bulma in the face. "You tell me why he's so
damn important to you!"

    "Because I love him!"
she shrieked, her face crimson with fury. Yamcha's jaw sagged and
his hands relaxed. She jerked from his grasp. "I'm sorry you
had to find out like this! I'm sorry! But so help me Yamcha,
if you try to interfere in anyway I'll make you pay no matter what it takes!"
They glared at each other breathing hard, ignoring the other's who made
no effort to hide the fact that they were listening to everything.

    "What they hell is wrong
with you? He's a murderer Bulma! What would make you want someone
like that?" Yamcha snarled, disgust evident in his features.

    "He's different now, he
died on Namek, did you even know that? He's not like he was!
He saved my ass more times than I care to think of, you make it sound like
he forced this on me!"

    "It sounds probable!"
he snapped in return, his face flushed.

    "Bull shit! It took
almost a month just to get him to trust me enough to talk to me, I was
the one who started everything. He was the one who tried to stay
away!" She demanded.

    "But why Bulma?" Yamcha
cried, his anger abating enough for his true pain to show. "I thought
you loved me!" Bulma's face softened.

    "I did. And I know
this is unfair and cruel of me, but it wasn't like I planned it this way.
I never meant to hurt anyone. And I know you'll be okay Yamcha, admit
it.." she said smiling faintly. "This was going to happen eventually.
It was happening before you died, we were just growing apart."

    "But why him?" he cried,
giving one last futile effort.

    "Yamcha." Bulma growled,
her face darkening. "I know Vegeta came here before with bad intentions,
but everyone gave Piccolo a second chance with no reservations. Why
can't you do the same for him? He's not the same person who came
hunting the dragon balls. Trust me." She suddenly seized his hands,
and his dark, troubled eyes met her brilliant blues.   They locked
eyes for what seemed like forever as he searched for any hint of deception.
Needless to say, he found none.

    "I believe you." He said
at last with a sigh. "But I don't like it. Or him. But
I won't say a thing anymore." He pulled out of her grasp and turned away.
With a trembling hand she brushed away the tears that were forming and
turned to glare at Krillin, Tien, Chao-Tzu and Piccolo, who had not-so-subtly
watched the whole scene.

    Each paled in fear at
her temper or colored in embarrassment at being caught. With a huff
she turned on her heel and headed closer to the battlefield.

    She held back a scream
as Cooler broke through Vegeta's defenses with several lightning fast blows
that sent him hurtling towards earth.

    He was getting tired, and
gods did he hurt. Several of his ribs were cracked or broken and
each breath he drew was a ragged, pain-filled gasp. Cooler floated
before him as if speculating on his next attack. The corners of his
mouth drew back in a mocking smile and Vegeta growled angrily feeling his
power level spasmodically shoot up. He delivered a sharp kick towards
Cooler's head. He was amazed when his foot actually connected with
the slim, gray neck. But when Cooler grabbed his leg, he knew the
Ice-jinn had merely allowed the contact. He felt himself spin and
then he was hurtling through the air. He halted himself just in time
for Cooler's locked hands to come crashing down on his spine.
    He absorbed the blow with
a grunt as he shot towards the hard ground. But before he could hit the
dry earth, Cooler was there and drove his knee into Vegeta's abdomen, grinning
as the air rushed from the Saiyan's lungs. Vegeta landed on his back
with a stifled gasp. He tried to draw in much needed ai qui quickly
as he could, but the pain from his damaged ribs made it difficult.
Suddenly he heard a cry and the sound of a very close chi blast.
Then he heard footsteps coming right up to him. His eyes shot open
and Bulma dropped down next to him and shoved something tart and bitter
tasting into his mouth.

    "Eat it Vegeta!
Quick!" she gasped. He chewed it up with a grimace and as it slid
down his throat he gasped as his ribs knit themselves back together and
the burning pain that had filled him suddenly vanished. His strength
coursed through him, renewed and increased. He sat up with a gasp.

    "What are those things?
Kakarotto had them-" he was cut off by Bulma's lips covering his with quick,
fevered kisses.

    "Don't die! I only
have two left!" She cried and ran off- blowing him a kiss on her way- before
he could tell her to hide anyway. He felt his face flush with embarrassment
as he caught the gaze of the bald earth fighter with the dots on his head.
The human was visibly stunned and he nudged his companions and whispered.
Vegeta scowled. They reminded him of those sycophants Zarbon and
Dodoria and the whole damn Ginyu Force with their gossip mongering; and
he turned his back on them all with a dismissive wave of his hand and shot
into the air.
    It was Gohan who had Cooler's
attention at the moment. Vegeta snarled in anger. The boy may
be strong, but he was totally outclassed! But that thought was roughly
tossed aside as it appeared that Gohan was gaining the upper hand.
Several of his attacks were actually hitting Cooler and forcing the Ice-Jinn
into a surprised defense. Vegeta was not going to miss the opportunity
to hit him while he was distracted. He powered up, preparing to shower
Cooler with a hail of ki-bombs. But first..

    Hey kid, you better
back up. He warned. But it was almost unnecessary, Gohan had
felt his chi shoot up, though he had been uncertain of what he planned
to do. Gohan shot back and powered up and dozens of bright blue chi-spheres
began to rain on Cooler. The Ice-jinn smacked several away but still
a few hit. Gohan began to shoot a barrage of ki spheres as well until
the area where Cooler had been standing was engulfed in ki fire, the thunderous
explosions making the ground tremble.

    "What did I tell you,
brat?!" Vegeta growled, appearing before him. Gohan shrank back at
the fury painted across the older Saiyan's face.

    "Wh- what? I was
just trying to help!" Gohan stammered in confusion. Why was he so
mad?

    "Get out of here before
you fuck up and he gets his hands on you." Vegeta snarled. Gohan
shook his head in dismay and then Cooler's taunting words to Vegeta came
back to him: "Of course I'll have my fun first, as usual. You
probably have figured out where Frieza learned everything by now."
Vegeta closed his eyes, unable to repress a shudder�

    He couldn't imagine what
the androgynous alien did for amusement. But judging by the expression
of horror that had swallowed Vegeta's features at the prospect, he didn't
want to find out.

    "You can't stop me from
helping you if I think you need it." Gohan shot back in defiance.
Vegeta frowned. He didn't need the death of another Saiyan on his
head, even if he was only a half-breed. But how could he make the
boy understand that he had no chance? He drew back his fist, preparing
to knock the boy out with a quick blow to the skull when searing pain lanced
through his sideONT>ONT>

    A pained cry escaped his
lips with flecks of blood and he clutched his side with a gasp. He
raised his trembling hands and saw his fingers coated with his own dark
blood.

    "No.." he gasped, the
word stuck in his throat and he gagged, a gout of blood leaking from between
his quivering lips.

    "Look out!" Gohan screamed.
Vegeta felt the clammy tail wrap around his throat and tighten. The
world tilted at a strange angle and he felt the pressure and rush of wind
and he was again flung through the air. He crashed into a cliff-face
and for a moment as rocks and dust rained down on him, he began to lose
his focus. He pulled himself from the wall and swayed unsteadily,
the landscape was heaving and tilting alarmingly. Pain flared in
his side as Cooler landed gently before him. He tore his gaze from
the slowly approaching Ice-jinn down to his waist and saw his orange pants
were turning almost black with the blood that was steadily pouring from
a small hole.

    The strength drained from
his limbs and he could no longer support himself, and sank to his knees.

    "Your dying Vegeta." Cooler
said in a soft voice. "Apparently that ki strike hit a main artery.
If it hadn't you wouldn't still be bleeding. Come with me now and
I'll put you in the regeneration tank before its too late." He coaxed.
Vegeta crawled backwards and grabbed onto the jagged cliff face to keep
upright.

    "Nia.." Vegeta whispered,
his visage too pale for Cooler's liking. The Ice-jinn had meant to
subdue him and bring him back relatively undamaged. He had hoped
to avoid this. Cooler's eyes dropped to the small hole in the Saiyans
side. Blood spurted from it like a clogged faucet and it was steadily
turning his clothing from orange to crimson. He heard Vegeta's breathing
quicken until he was gasping raggedly. His eyes opened and closed
lethargically.

    "Vegeta. Your choices
are dwindling rapidly. I know you wish to live. Come with me."
He said, holding out his hand.

    "Leave him alone!" Cooler
barely had time to dodge as Gohan shot towards him with a well-aimed kick.

  &nb"You"You fool, I am the only
one who can help him. And besides. He belongs to me!
I can do whatever I want with him!" he snarled petulantly.

    "He doesn't need your
help!" Gohan cried, enraged. Vegeta was not a pet or a toy that Cooler
could just use as he would. The very thought enraged the demi-Saiyan
and powered his frenzied attacks. "And he is NOT your property!"

    Cooler was having difficulty
blocking and then each strike began to break through his defenses.
The boy's fists connected with his jaw and gut repeatedly, fueling Cooler's
rage.
    "Vegeta!" Bulma shrieked
as the ki beam sliced through his flesh. Everyone gasped in horror
as blood began to gush from the tiny wound. She barreled forward
as he stumbled back several steps and caught himself on the face of the
cliff. He slid to his knees and his features began to bleach.
His mouth opened and closed repeatedly like a landed fish.

    No, Kami no!
Bulma's mind chanted repeatedly as she darted to the Saiyan's side.
Gohan was distracting Cooler for the moment so she had to act fast.
Damn
it! After this there will be only one more left! She cursed.
She reached his side and dropped down. His eyes were wide and stared
sightlessly ahead and his fingers weakly clenched the gushing wound.

    "Vegeta! Vegeta!
Look at me!" Bulma shrieked, gripping his shoulders and giving him a rough
shake. His eyes slid over to barely focus on her.

    "Bulma.." he moaned weakly.
She shoved another senzu bean in his mouth.

    "Come on! Chew it
up! It will make it better!" Bulma cried, tears streaming copiously
from her eyes. The sight of him bleeding and beaten was almost too
much to bear. But- surneurned in shock as she heard an astonished
cry and saw Gohan plowing into the earth. Suddenly she felt a powerful
blow across her face and with a pained cry she was thrown back. Her
head struck the ground and the impact sent her blissfully into unconsciousness.
    Vegeta felt his very life
draining from him and welcomed it without a struggle. But then someone
was shaking him and screaming his name. He felt emotions hit him,
painfully intense and he shuddered, trying to pull away but his limbs refused
to respond.

    A bitter taste filled
him mouth, one that he recognized and without conscious thought he began
to chew the senzu bean that slid between his lips. Sound returned
and then feeling. He drew in a great gasping lungful as the blood
flow halted and he felt a huge surge of power eclipsing his previous level.

    He heard a familiar voice
shriek in terror and his eyes snapped open as Bulma's fear coursed through
him and then.. nothing.   He sat up and his eyes darted across
the landscape and saw her laying in a heap on the ground and above her
was..

    Cooler. No surprise
there.

    "Bulma!" he cried,
his heart clenching painfully at the sight of her motionless form.
Cooler turned to him with a victorious smile that grew into a grin upon
seeing the bloody red aura encircling the Saiyan. With an enraged
shriek the aura widened sending a small shower of dust and rocks everywhere.
The force of it alone sent Cooler staggering back a step. He shot
forward with an enraged cry and Cooler met his frenzied attack, blow for
blow.

    "Good!" He marveled.
"Frieza taught you well, but he should have taught you to be more responsive
in bed!" he said with a laugh. Vegeta screamed in fury and brought
his interlocked fingers crashing down on Cooler's head. Cooler merely
smiled and gripped Vegeta's wrists in an unbreakable hold. "Let's
give your friends a show, shall we?"
    Krillin had had enough.
While his friends stared stupidly, and Piccolo cautioned against joining
the fight, Krillin had kept his eye on Bulma. Even if everything
she'd said about Vegeta was true, the Saiyan was too busy to help her.

    He was starting to feel
guilt well up in him the first time Vegeta went down. Bulma had wrenched
her arm from Yamcha's grasp (not a simple feat when he was as angry as
he'd appeared) and had run to his side. No one had even tried to
stop her despite the fact that Cooler seemed to be aware of their connection
and would undoubtedly use it to his advantage.

    But he hadn't. At
least not at first.

    When Vegeta had been pierced
by the ki blast he'd felt like he was back on Namek watching him die.
He never admitted it to anyone, but he'd had a few nightmares about that
little scene, but instead of Vegeta being beaten to death it had always
been him.

    But Krillin shelved his
trepidation when Cooler appeared at Bulma's side and back-handed her, sending
her flying. Without even thinking he had taken off and headed to
her side.

    She lay in a crumpled
heap and Krillin gasped when Vegeta screamed her name, anguish in his eyes.
For a moment the sight startled so mso much that he could only stare in
amazement as Vegeta powered up and began to attack Cooler with alarming
ferocity.

    A soft moan from Bulma
brought him out of his momentary daze, and his features twisted at the
bloody gash across her cheek and the purplish skin around it.

    "Holy shit." He groaned.
And then he saw something that lifted the sudden weight off his shoulders.
He sighed in relief and grabbed the tiny senzu bean out of her limp fingers
and slid his arm under her shoulders, pulling her up to a sitting position.
She whimpered at the movement and tears suddenly slid down her cheeks.
"It's gonna be ok Bulma, eat the senzu." To his astonishment, she
slowly turned her head away.

&n&nbs "Veh- Vegeta.. needs it."
she gasped.

    "Bull shit." Krillin said
and shoved it in her mouth and put his hand over her lips, sealing them
closed so she had no choice but to swallow the miraculous bean. She
weakly flailed in his arms for a moment and more tears slid down her damaged
skin. But the skin of the bean had broken and the pulp and oil was
sliding down her throat of it's own accord and the healing energies coursed
through her body.

    The pain vanished from
her jaw and limbs and she sat up angrily pulling Krillin's hands away.
In fury she turned and slapped him.

    "I told you that was for
Vegeta!" She shrieked. "Why didn't you just take me to a hospital?!"

    "Bulma!" Krillin gasped,
"I know you care about Vegeta and despite everything he's done, I'm starting
to see that he cares about you too. Now in my place what would you
do? If Vegeta knew that I gave him the senzu instead of you, what
would he do to me?" Bulma brushed away her tears with a grimace.

    "All right." She murmured,
guessing his line of thinking. She couldn't ignore the fact that
they all still feared Vegeta and worried about his retaliation over hers.

    Their conversation was
abruptly cut off by a piercing shriek.

    Their attention was drawn
back to the fight and Bulma barely repressed a scream when she saw Vegeta
in Cooler's embrace. The Ice-jinn's long purple tongue was inching
towards his face. Vegeta was thrashing madly and she suddenly felt
Krillrencrench he the the ground.

    "Get down!" he screamed.
An aura of power developed around the thrashing Saiyan and then exploded.
    Nothing was working.
Every attack he tried was blocked or sent flying back at him, even with
his new strength; which was beginning to wane. He was starting to
panic, but he knew if he lost his control it would be all over.
- 9
- 10
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The Curse of the Bond