Meant to Be

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any of its characters


Chapter Six: Destinies Exchanged (Part One)

“We should be landing on Vegeta-sei within twenty minutes, Vegeta-sama.” The ship’s pilot announced. He had wanted to come alone, but Freeza insisted in sending a crew with him, most likely to keep tabs on him… It did not matter; he accomplished everything he needed to before this trip.

Briefs went on with the experiment; it turned out exactly as predicted. The poor unlucky bastard they caught simply melted away. After the metal dried over his remains, they were not even able to scratch it to get DNA samples; at least Freeza’s scientists will not be able to tell it wasn’t a Saiyan specimen.

Turless should have been back on Vegeta-sei four days ago. Hopefully his pathetic excuse for a father and even more sorry excuse for a king gave the warrior the conference he ins instructed Bardock’s brother to request. But with the preparations to his fool of a father’s birthday celebration, Vegeta doubted the man was even seeing his mistress these days, much less granting appointments…but one could only hope.

It would be of no consequence however, it only meant he would have to brief the King himself.

Vegeta closed his eyes, it has only been about ten months, ten months away from his home, his people…the woman…no, he could not get like this, he could not afford to let his emotions cloud his judgment anymore. The woman belonged to another and it was better that way, what they had was nothing more than a few moments of passion, hardly worth this…this…obsession. He had managed just fine, had not thought of her in a while…but returning home, being so close…yet so far.

“Engaging landing sequence, return to your positions and prepare to land” the voice over the speaker brought him back to the present, the prince made his way to his sit next to the pilot, strapping himself then nodding to his subordinate to commence descent.


+++


“Vegeta…I could hardly believe the lizard allowed you to come!” Were his father’s first words upon seeing him,eta eta had not wanted anyone to know he was coming, for reasons yet not clear even to himself, so he asked his father to keep it under wraps. He had however, at least expected Kakarotto to be here, couldn’t the moron feel him?

“Hmph, then why did you invite me?” his posture, the one he always opted when speaking to his sire, standing tall, with powerful arms across his chest.

“Stop the nonsense…I’m glad to see you’re still in one piece.”

“Did you speak to Turless?” The Ouji got right to the point.

“Yes…what the fuck kind of sick experiments is that lizard doing on us?”

“I know only of that one, but according to Turless there were more Saiyans captured.” Vegeta made his way to the throne and sat on the one belonging to him…Gods it’s been a while since he saw this room. Then a distant memory of a certain blue haired little warrior pricking his skin with a lance in this very room made him hiss out loud. If his father noticed he did not let him know.

“Yes, he told me so as well, we have a sample of the metal. Our head scientist is analyzing it as we speak, we should have a report tomorrow morning.”

“A sample… How did you get it!? I tried to get my hands on it myself but it was impossible.” His words came out in a mixture of amazement and incredulity, Briefs and himself had tried to break a piece of the remains of the bastard they had used for the test, sithe the rest of the metal was closely weighted and cataloged, that had been their only alternative not to raise suspicion.

“I’m still not sure how…but if there is someone who can crack it…”

“I don’t think you realize the severity of this,” Vegeta interrupted his father, “this isn’t child’s play father, this is more than Bardock can grasp.”

“Who said anything about Bardock?” the king’s words met the same note as his.

“Hmph…anyhow,” Vegeta’s eyes narrowed, searching those of his father, somehow the king seemed different, the fact that they were here speaking for more than a couple of minutes without lashing at each other left him confused, “there is something else I want to discuss,” Vegeta removed something from within his armor and held it up for his father to see. The king looked at it for a few seconds, sighted, then met his heir’s eyes.

“Is a piece of armor…what of it?”

“I got it from Madran, or more accurately from a Madrani-jin warrior I fought in Madran.” The Ouji’s eyes never left the Ou’s, he had not been sure before, but seeing his father’s nervousness, hearing the involuntary sight he let escape a moment ago, confirmed it. He was now sure his father had something to do with it.

The King sighted again and shifted on his sit, he had not planned on letting his heir on the conspiracy, mainly for his well-being, but there was no way to avoid it now, he knew very well he could not fool his only son.

“We were responsible for the attack to Madran.” Vegeta no Ou admitted simply, watching the expression on his heir’s face change.

“How is that possible?” the astonishment in the prince’s voice was unmasked, “I fought rebels and Madrani-jin…and Bardock’s squad assisted us…” Vegeta’s eye fixed on his father’s, the confusion clear on that dark gaze.

“All part of the plan.”

“Plan…what plan?!”

“We’ve been preparing to attack Freeza since you left; right now I have my whole lab developing new, very powerful weapons to set up more raids.” Vegeta could hardly believe his ears, he had thought his father stupid and ball less, instead, the king was fighting back, while he, one of the most powerful beings in this part of the galaxy, cowered like a girl at the thought of that lizard…

“More raids? He could think of nothing better to say.

“After the meeting with the head scientist tomorrow we’ll decide what to do…I trust they’ll have stronger weapons and faster ships, the prototypes you saw in Madran are but toys compared to what we have now.”

“Toys.” Vegeta repeated softly to himself.

“Brat… in the meantime, try to get all the information you can. I will find a way to get you back, and when that happens…we go all out.”

“All out…you don’t seem to understand, Freeza’s power is greater than all his forces combined, and that is including the Ginyu… me. I commend what you’re trying to do, I did not think you had it in you, but we are not ready to go head on against that monster.” For the very first time the king saw fear in the eyes of his son…what has that monster done to him?

“Last time we spoke I would have agreed with you…but now…if you could only see the things we’ve done.” The pride and confidence shone in the king’s face if only to give Vegeta some hope.

“I can see you have confidence on your team, I cannot wait to meet them myself…but an all out attack that is nonsense, at least right now.”

“The last time we destroyed his main developing base, next the “Lodos” lab, and then Freeza’s own palace…don’t you see Vegeta…we can do this!” Vegeta paced the room absorbing what his father just said, he sounded so sure, so hopeful he only wished he could deceive himself the same way, but he knew better, he knew that monster and knew they could not beat him. Freeza was too strong; even if they managed to destroy everything…kill the Ginyu Force. Freeza will remain; and he alone was enough to annihilate the Saiyan race.

“I will sit through this meeting tomorrow, but no matter what I hear, I will not be convinced that you can get rid of the lizard. In the meantime I need to come up with a party to blame for the attack to Madran-sei, Freeza himself put me in charge of the investigation.”

“Does he suspect us?” Vegeta no Ou’s expression changed to that of worry.

“I do not know, according to Ginyu he is watching me…but then again it could be because of something else.”

“What?”

“Nothing you need to know…now let me have a day’s rest, I haven’t slept well in ten months. Do not tell anyone I’m back yet” Vegeta walked out of the throne room through one of its many secret passages, catching the Ou’s nod. Nappa who had been there all along nodded as well and moved to follow his prince.

“Is fine Nappa, I don’t need you to accompany me.”

“Vegeta-sama I will pray to the Gods all day, thanking them for bringing you back well.”

“Don’t thank them yet.”


+++


Stepping out of his bath, Vegeta stretched, relishing on the warm steam in the room, it had been so long since he enjoyed a luxury such as this, even the soft fluffy towel felt oddly comforting.

Vegeta walked out of the bathroom to roam around his room, a room he sometimes thought of, especially the last night he spent in it. He stopped by the bed, looking down at it, images flooded his mind…blue hair sprawled freely against white sheets, fair skin, warm…soft under his, if he closed his eyes he could almost hear her moans…how did you do it…how did you etched your image into my mind…my heart?

“Baka Yaro!!” he cursed himself, “stop thinking this nonsense at once.” He had gotten through all this months just fine, why now, why all of a sudden everything reminded him of her?

He got dressed in his ceremonial armor, armor he hadn’t wore in so long. It felt good to be out of Freeza’s uniforms. He stood in front of the mirror, inspecting the figure in it…how different he looked, it wasn’t anything physical, but there was a change very hard to miss. He brought a hand to touch his face, then his black and silver armor and finally the royal emblem broach that held his crimson cape.

“You are Vegeta, Saiya-jin no Ouji…don’t ever forget it.” The figure walked away from the mirror, to the door and into a world he knew and desperately wanted to come back to.

+++


“Vegeta!!! Goku was the first to acknowledge what everybody else was too dumb folded to accept. The young third class ran to the prince and embraced him in a bear hug; he almost knocked everyone to the ground as he did so, including the king.

“Let go of me Baka yaro!!” Vegeta’s voice sounded so different from before he left, more mature, detached somehow. Bulma found herself having a hard time breathing, Vegeta was so close, yet so far out of reach, she instinctively drew closer to Raditz, whose arm came to rest on her shoulder and tail came to wrap around her waist, the way it did at night while he slept.

+++

Everyone in the room halted their activities to receive their king, but as Vegeta revealed himself from behind his sire all eyes were focused on him. His old self would have like the attention, but now he wanted nothing more than to seek the quite tranquility of the night. Kakarotto of course was the first one to speak, throwing himself at him as if they were long lost lovers. He didn’t mind it as much as he should have, in fact he was relieved the third class did not have any hard feelings toward him. In truth he had missed the fool almost as much as he had missed…the woman.

As he struggled with Kakarotto, his eyes fastened on the vision of blue standing by Raditz side. He thanked all the gods in creation that his face did not show the pain he felt, the betrayal he had forgotten all these months. He met her eyes for a fraction of an instant and saw…guilt…did the woman actually felt guilty? It took all the control and strength he possessed to turn the other way, away from her spell, a spell he now realized he had never gotten rid of.

Bardock approached him and knelt, bringing his fist to his chest as he would to his father, the king.

“Vegeta-sama, I am glad to see you back.” He nodded to the scarred man finding it odd that his father didn’t reprimand the indiscretion, of neither father nor son. It seemed he was not the only one who had changed in all of these months. He met his father’s eyes finding no reproach in them. Chivaa at that moment came to stand in front of him, bowing to him before the king as well.

“Vegeta-sama…” he held her chin and gently lifting her face to meet his eyes, he found guilt there as well. He smirked knowingly, somehow the knowledge of this betrayal did not mean a thing to him, did not bothered him at all. He then met Kakarotto’s eyes and the third class just looked away, unable to hold his gaze. Vegeta stepped forward and nodded his respect to Toma, who had stayed back all the while, then he saluted a couple of their squad members, and finally…Raditz. The tall warrior met his eyes easily, unwelcome written all over them. He noticed the man’s tail possessively around the woman’s waist, and again he thanked all the years of training, of schooling his face to hide his emotions, that they could not see his hurt.
Raditz arm rested comfortably on her shoulder, proudly letting him know that prize was undisputedly won.

“Raditz,” he found himself automatically saying, nodding as if they were best friends. He was a prince, he would not, could not let the taller man know how affected he was by this. “Woman,” he continued, “I regret not remembering your name…I do apologize.” He noticed out of the corner of his eye, Kakarotto’s expression, he also heard a few gasps amongst the audience; he smirked inwardly as he realized he’d never uttered those words before, The woman’s face did not change however, she bowed low in respect.

“Bulma…Ouji sama,” Raditz spoke possessively, “my mate’s name is Bulma.” Mate…did he say mate? It felt like a kick to the groin, this time the woman looked up to Raditz, a strange expression on her face.

“Mate!?” was all he could say at first, but recovered quickly, “You are certainly a strange one, taking a slave as mate…is it even allowed?” he asked smirking, looking around the room , as if asking anyone who would know. But his insides screamed, he wanted to go, to run, to beat something, to kill someone.

“I am not a slave anymore Ouji-sama.” His angel spoke to him in anger, his eyes met hers again, he hardened his face, but hers remained impassive.

“My apologies Bulma mate of Raditz.” Then he did what he did best, smirked at her in mockery, wanting nothing more than for her to hurt, to hurt like he was hurting. “If you’ll excuse me,” he made a small bow, “I have other’s to attend to…Chivaa, Kakarotto,” he snapped at the two seemingly forgetting the others, “follow me…father.” Bowing his farewell to his sire and the others he walked away…away from her, with the two fool ones in tow.


+++


Vegeta looked up to meet her eyes for a second; no longer than that, his face was unreadable, as if he didn’t even know her. Chivaa came and salute him, jealousy cursing throughout all her being as Vegeta brought his hand to her friend’s face, as he smiled tenderly at her…but the smile was all wrong, then he looked at Karrot-chan, who at that moment turned around in shame, he knew…Vegeta knew about the two of them, and said nothing. He then saluted Toma, Mousroum and Celipa, and then Raditz. Vegeta nodded at him with no resentment, no malice, just a good-natured prince acknowledging his subject. It broke her heart into a thousand pieces. And then he said those cruel words, words that spread the pieces across the universe never to be brought back together again.
“Woman…I regret…” He didn’t even remember her name, and here she was crying night after night for him, holding onto the memory of that one night. Then Raditz called her mate, told Vegeta that she was his mate…and he mocked them, mocked her. How could he…how dare he? Her sorrow took a sharp turn, becoming hurt, then anger and finally rage. And when the asshole called Raditz ‘strange’ for mating a “slave”, she wanted to scream at asshole to the top of her lugs “You had no problem with that when you fucked me!!” Instead she let cool reserve take over.

“I am not a slave anymore…Ouji-sama.” The detachment in her own voice surprised her; he eyed her and smirked, mocking her once more. She got ready to say something to him, but Raditz’ tail tightened around her waist making her stop.
His royal assness soon forgot about them and summoned Goku and Chivaa to follow him, surely to pound them both for their affair.

Bulma looked at Chivaa sadly, giving her a thousand words of comfort with her blue eyes. Then they walked away just like that.

A hundred different encounters she had imagined, a hundred fairy tale ways of her prince coming to sweep her off her feet, to her rescue, but this…this she had not even considered.

“Damn, that was awkward.” She heard Toma say as the Ou, Ouji, Goku and his daughter walk away.

“Sorry.” Raditz whispered in her ear, his apology sounding more relieved than sorry.

“For what?” trying to sound as tough as the metal in her lab she whispered back, she turned to him raising on her toes, and kissed his mouth right in front of everyone…he called her ‘mate’ well, act like it! She thought, half hoping he would not push her away making an ass of her. He instead lifted her easily with his tail and held her face while they kissed; she closed her eyes desperately trying to forget where she was, and everything that just happened.

On the other side of the room, she failed to notice a certain prince glaring daggers at them.

A cough brought them back to their senses, she opened her eyes slowly to see Celipa glaring at her, she was one of Raditz’s team members, strange woman this Celipa. Always close to Raditz, always looking at her as if wanting to hurt her, she even mention it to Raditz once, he only said not to pay her any heed, Celipa was a bitter woman who had chosen never to mate. But the more she thought about it, the more she convinced herself the woman had a thing for Raditz.

“Why don’t you fuck her right here, Captain?” the Saiyan woman said maliciously to Raditz, “I bet the Ou would really enjoy that.” Raditz gave her a hard stare but said nothing. He took Bulma’s hand and made their way to the Ou, her eyes widened as she thought what exactly he was planning to do.

“Ou sama,” he bowed, pulling on her to do the same, “my mate and I wish you a long life and an honorable death,” he bowed again, as did she, “we have to retire for the evening, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow and Bulma is worried about the brat.” She looked at him thanking him silently for his kindness.

“Yes, a long day indeed…rest well Bulma, tomorrow I expect you put on quite a show.” Vegeta no Ou responded in an agreeable tone.

“A show Ou sama?” Raditz always told her never to question the king; she didn’t know why because the man always laughed at her saying she reminded him of his dead mate…Vegeta’s mother.

“If we want to convince my brat to help, you need to convince him that our findings and your inventions can help us win against Freeza…I do not know what’s he’s gone through, but I’ve never seen him this distraught.” The king finished gazing out the balcony door his son had exited from.

“Ouji-sama will be at the meeting tomorrow?” She couldn’t hold the words as they left her lips; Raditz gave her a strange look.

“Yes…any objections?” Vegeta no Ou asked amused.

“No, of course not Ou-sama I just thought he would leave immediately.”

“Ou Sama,” Nappa interrupted them, “Freeza is on the com.link, he’s requesting an audience with you immediately.”

“What now? Fucking lizard knows what today is…I will see you both in the morrow.” And the king was gone. They made their way to the balcony, the same balcony from long ago, the same balcony Vegeta and the others were at right now.

“Where’re we going Raditz?”

“Home” he answered somewhat annoyed.

“The door is the other way.” She tried to pull him to the direction of it, but of course she could not.

“Yeah…so?”

“So, at least for tonight let’s be proper and exit the proper way.”

“Is there someone you’re trying to avoid out there?” his annoyance, very apparent now.

“What?! I can’t believe you said that.” Her eyes sparked with fire, Raditz was a patience man, never raising his voice at her before, and now, now that she needed his support the most, he decided to act like a jealous fifteen year old.

“You think I don’t know what you did back there? You… ‘Let’s not make a scene in public Raditz’… and in front of the king and every god dammed elite on this entire planet…the man doesn’t even remember your name, do you really think he cared about your little show?” he was so angry that she could feel his ki through the bond they did not share, “I should have put you in your place, that’s what I should have done.” He looked away from her.

“Put me in my place?!” she knew she had gone a tad over the edge, but for him to act like this, “And where exactly is my place?” his eyes came back to hers; they stood by the balcony, their backs to the window, arguinth fth feigned smiles for all to see. Outside however were three set of eyes fastened on them.

“Let’s not argue ok…all I want to do right now is get home, we do have a long day tomorrow.” He rubbed his temple as he often did when stressed.

“Raditz,” she turned to look at him, playing with his hair as she always did to calm him down, “The fact that he is here, doesn’t change a thing between us, I care about you deeply and you have done so much for me and Trunks. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.” He let her play with his long locks, closing his eyes while she did it, both of them oblivious of the short Ouji glaring outside and the very pissed Saiyan woman glaring inside.

“Gratitude isn’t the same as affection.” He whispered after a long time.

“Love comes in many different ways, but I do love you Raditz.” This time it was he who came down to meet her lips, they kissed tenderly for a few moments, and then he turned to open the door to the balcony.


+++

“I see you two had some fun while I was gone.” Vegeta fastened his eyes on Chivaa, and then on Kakarotto, if the ground could have swallowed them both, they would have been very grateful. But there was no such luck, only the piercing stare of the one betrayed.

“You must be wondering why haven’t I killed you yet…I should, but that would not be much fun now would be? Vegeta gave them an ugly grin, Chivaa let out a gasp. Goku looked her way and took a step closer to the prince.

“Is not her fault Vegeta…I was the one who started it.”

“Goku…”Chivaa gasped behind him, he halted her with his hand, not to say another word.

“If you must punish someone I should be the one to suffer the consequences.”

“If I must…are you listening to yourself Kakarotto?! You are in no position to ask anything of me. Let’s say I do kill you, very, very painfully, then what? I should just mate this piece of used merchandise and move on with my life?” Vegeta leaned against a wall with his arms crossed; he could sense the third class’ hurt at the words he just uttered.

Then the woman and her ‘mate’ came into view; fucking bastard’s tail was still securely fastened around her. They came to stand by his father, both bowing. He would give everything he owned to know what they were saying; his father was speaking to her, a smile on his eyes though his face as impassive as always. Did she ensnare him as well? Then Nappa came, and both he and his father left the hall.

He watched as the two people he now hated the most walked their way to the balcony…what could they possibly want? Kakarotto’s eyes were on him; thankfully the fool found it in his heart to stay quiet. Chivaa too was looking at the two standing a few paces away. He watched them speak to one another in that intimate manner reserved only for one’s mate, saw her playing with the fool’s hair, for all to see. And Raditz did nothing but submit to the woman’s touch…will. He couldn’t blame him though; the one night he spent with her was enough to burn his soul.

Raditz kissed her…again. Before it sliced his insides, but now he felt rage, as never before, he would not let them get to him like this, he would forget her, forget he ever had anything to do with her, she was but another of the many slaves he released his stress with.

+++


Raditz stepped out into the cold night, immediately flaring his Ki to protect her from the cold and the gravity, outside Chivaa, Goku and Vegeta met them in silence. Raditz made his way to the prince, bringing his fist to his chest and bowing reverently, she did the same.

“Vegeta-sama, we are glad to see you back safely.” Vegeta said nothing; he just continued to stare, his back against the wall, his arms across his chest, his red cape flowing with the wind, it made her heart ache with longing, with sorrow…with need.

“You’re leaving?” Chivaa was the first to break the silence.

“Yeah, we’re tired; Raditz and I have tons to do tomorrow.” Bulma responded turning to look at her friend, grateful for the change of mood.

“I guess that means forsaking your training.” Vegeta spoke from the corner. “And I was hoping you would be my warm up.” Bulma felt Raditz tense; she squeezed his hand glaring at the object of so many sleepless nights, of so much sadness.

“I do not think anyone is training tomorrow Ouji-sama.” Raditz answered, sounding more calmed then she knew him to be.

“And why is that?”

“We have a meeting with the scientists and you father Ouji-Sama.”

“Why will you be at that meeting?” Vegeta walked towards the taller man, he could still see the woman’s hand tangled through his wild mane, trying his hardest not to react to the close proximity he kept his eyes on Raditz.

“I am the head of strategy and information department Ouji-Sama; I have to be informed of everything concerning our new technological developments.”

“Ah…yes I forgot you’re our spy.” Raditz tensed again, but instead of retorting on the sarcastic comment, he unwrapped his tail from his waist and slowly brought it around Bulma’s own waist bringing her closer, Vegeta’s eyes flickered for half an instant and then became cold.

“Ouji-sama.” Raditz nodded to the prince, and then turned to the other two, Bulma met Vegeta’s eyes and saw nothing but bottomless black, they stared at each other for a moment, she bowed and then turned as well.

“I will see you tomorrow Chivaa, Kakarotto.” Nodding to his brother who miraculously remained silent the entire while and his lover, Raditz flew away with her in tow.

Vegeta followed them with his eyes for a few moments then he turned to face the remaining two.


+++


Goku could not believe his eyes, Vegeta walked in the room with the king. His first thoughts were anger, a little, since he had been so worried and Vegeta didn’t even tell him he was coming. But then the anger turned into relief, then happiness, it had killed him not to know what happened to his friend after he got knocked unconscious, and now he was right here, standing right in front of him. His eyes watered and there was this strange knot in his throat, before he could even stop it, he threw himself at his prince. Vegeta would probably beat him up for it later, but right now he didn’t care.

He flew to Vegeta almost knocking everyone in his path and held him into a bear hug.

“Vegeta!!!!” he ed ied in joy, everyone turned to look at him but he did not care, he was so happy Vegeta was ok.

“Let go of me baka yaro!!” Goku’s smile grew wider upon seeing his friend was even acting normally, then Vegeta stiffened, making Goku turn towards the direction Vegeta was suddenly staring at…Bulma, Kami in heaven! He had forgotten all about Bulma. He let go of the prince, pretending he hadn’t noticed. He could see his brother’s tail wrapped securely around Bulma’s waist. Raditz was not the showy type; he himself had never seen him act any different towards any particular woman, even though he knew his brother had bedded almost every decent looking Saiyan woman in the planet. But when it came to Bulma, his older brother knew no reserve. He kissed her in public, he held her, held her hand and now he was displaying the ultimate sign of affection to a Saiyan.

Goku cringed as he saw that tail bringing the woman closer to him, as if to shield her from view. He turned to Vegeta, releasing the breath he did not noticed he was holding, as he saw the prince had already moved on and was now saluting others. Then Chivaa came and the strangest thing happened, Vegeta held her face and smirked, then he gave him a weird look…shit he knew about them, unable to hold his friend’s gaze he turned the other way in shame. How in hell did he think for even a second that he could fool Vegeta?

He then saw Vegeta salute Raditz and Bulma, maybe he could not fool Vegeta, but Vegeta couldn’t fool him either, underneath this civility, he knew all this affected his friend. But as always it was his prince’s foolish pride that always kept him from his true feelings.

“Chivaa…Kakarotto, follow me” he heard him snap, and here were they now, watching Raditz and Bulma disappear into the night. Vegeta once again turned to them, with those black eyes full of new shadows, new hatred.

“Why?” his question was directed right at him, he again could not look at him in the eye, “I have no feelings toward this woman, but I would have expected a lot more from you Kakarotto…I see you’re all cut from the same mold.” Vegeta looked away as he said the words, into the dark sky.

“Ouji-sama…” Chivaa said, Goku put his hand on her shoulder and shook his head.

“Can you leave us?” he said gently, Vegeta turned to them sharply.

“No, she will not, you did this together and you will face it together.” He walked towards them, stopping but mere inches away, his eyes bearing Chivaa’s.

“I do not know how much of a punishment this will be, but I will not mate you, say what you will to my father…to the others, and you Kakarotto, “he looked away reflecting his next words, “It will be a long time before I can trust you, right now I do not know whether I want to kill you or just beat you up until you beg for death’s release.”

“Vegeta…please believe that we did not meant you harm…we,”

“Harm… Fool, you think you can harm me? You are nothing but a third class baka who knows nothing, this whore betrayed me, and you think she will not betray you? You are naïve and that will be your punishment, I will have to do nothing to make you hurt.”

Goku tried his hardest not to react, after all Vegeta deserved to vent it all out on someone, Chivaa probably thought the same since she remained silent throughout the insults.

“I will see you tomorrow in the training grounds after that idiotic meeting…I will not show you mercy Kakarotto.”

“Neither will I.” Goku found himself saying, Vegeta nodded and went back into the hall.

“He took it rather well.” Chivaa whispered.

“Very well.” Goku whispered back.


+++


They all sat patiently waiting for the Ou and the Ouji to commence the meeting. Bulma had not gotten a minute of sleep, and she knew others in the room hadn’t either. Chivaa sat across from her. She wanted to tal her her friend so badly, to ask her what went on, Chivaa was here and unharmed, so at least that part she didn’t have to worry about. Karrot chan was not here though, e hee he didn’t know about their plans and the meeting, but Chivaa looked calmed enough, so she knew he was fine too.

Raditz on the other hand had not spoke a civil word to her since the night before, she knew he was upset, so she didn’t want to push it, he’ll come around.

Bardock sat next to Raditz and Toma next to him; there were a few other scientists on her team and that was all. They had learned from the previous attack, this meeting was tightly monitored and known to few.

The double doors opened, Vegeta no Ou and Nappa came in the room, all eyes on them, then on the door behind.“Whe“Where’s my brat?” that answered everybody’s question, Nappa closed the door and stood behind his king.

“We thought he would come with you Ou Sama,” Bardock answered.

At that moment the doors flew open and a rough up Vegeta came in the room.

“Isn’t this fucking meeting over yet?” he smirked to his father, glancing around the room, his eyes stopped on her, then narrowed to slits. “What’s she doing here?” he snapped pointing at her with his head. She looked around and realized she was the only non-Saiyan present.

“She is the head scientist brat.” Vegeta no Ou responded before anybody else could.

“What?!” Vegeta spat the word looking from her to his father, then back at her. She felt her face hot with rage, “And this is the ‘genius’ you talked about…since when old man you follow slaves orders. She says ‘let’s go and attack Freeza,’ and you comply, no questions asked…has she ensnared you between her legs too?!” Raditz was on his feet and on his face the next second, Bardock and Toma were there as well trying to hold him down and Chivaa was by her side, they all moved so godamn fast

“What are you going to do…commoner?” Vegeta asked Raditz, taunting him, Bardock and Toma’s hold seem to be giving as Raditz fought to get lose.

“I’ve swallowed enough of you shit…Ouji Sama,” Raditz spat viciously, “I don’t give a fuck who you are, I’ll beat you now so that I won’t have to hear you anymore.”

“I’ll love to see you try…commoner.”

“If it is such a problem me being here, I will leave, I am not a slave…I don’t have to take this abuse.” She said walking to the door, all eyes on her.

“You stay right where you arVegeVegeta no Ou snapped, “Brat, you calm yourself down before I beat you for your insolence, you and Raditz sit down, you’ll have your chance to defend your woman’s honor after we’re through here.” All halted and obeyed, even Vegeta who stared at his father with such rancor that shook her to the bone.

“Bulma…your findings.” The Ou began, forgetting the scene from moments before.

“Let’s get this over with.” Vegeta said crankily, sitting down next to his father, staring at Raditz with murder in his eyes. Poor Raditz, she thought feeling sorry for her loyal lover, she knew Vegeta enough to now that he would not forget this…and all because of her.

Raditz sat down as well, not backing down an inch from the unfriendly stare. Bulma put a hand on his shoulder, reassuring him, thanking him for sticking out for her. Her eyes averted from him to those in the room.

“We been working with the adamantium for over a week now, and I can honestly say we are no closer of cracking the make up of the metal, let alone how to work with it, or how Freeza intents to use it. It is by far the most resilient material I’ve ever encountered.
Whatever weapons they plan to buwithwith it will be tough to beat...if not impossible” Her eyes met the Ou’s, he had expected more progress, but they had tried every piece of technology available to them and nothing. If only she would have been more involved on her father’s work, If only she would have listened to him when he tried so many times to share with her his research. No she had been more interested in boys and her looks at the time to care, she sighted rubbing her temples, a tendency she got from Raditz.

“Bardock and I think they want to build ships with it, the metal is virtually indestructible…if they already devised a way to work with it, this war is already lost.” Her eyes went from Vegeta no Ou, to Bardock’s, Toma’s, Chivaa’s and finally His, Vegeta’s, they lingered there for a few seconds.

“Freeza is not building ships, and he has not found a way to work the metal…well sort of, he does know if it is exposed to high amounts of heat, the metal melts, but it goes back to its normal indestructible state as soon as it removed from it.” Vegeta words came out startling all present, all traces of his previous sarcasm and animosity gone.

“How long have they worked on it?” Bulma asked him, so naturally, as if nothing happened between them, as if all the months of anguish and wondering didn’t exist.

“About three years.” Vegeta responded just as casually.

“Three years…and they’ve only got that far with it?”

“Fortunately for use lie lizard’s head scientist is not as willing as yourself.” She thought his eyes flickered for a moment…but then again, that couldn’t be right.

“Have you had any contact with this scientist, Ouji sama?” Bardock interrupted.

“Yes, Freeza wants to somehow inject the metal onto his warriors skeletons…”She gasped, Vegeta looked away as if remembering something, then continued, “As a matter of fact he seems to believe that Saiyan structure could resist such procedure, he captured your brother and his squad to do such experiments.”

“By Kami in heavens!” Toma whispered, Bardock’s expression did not change.

“I was sent to Lodos to “persuade” this scientist to continue his research, that’s how I found out about all this. Turless was imprisoned and was supposed to be the subject for this procedure.

“What happened?” she could not take it any longer, this sounded so familiar, just like when papa was supposed to produce super soldiers such as this back home.

“I convinced him to work for us, at least to sabotage the research so they won’t get any closer to find a way. We let Turless go and Briefs went on to experiment on some poor bastard I caught…I do not.”

“Did you say…Briefs?” her heart skipped a beat at the mention of that name; her throat went dry as the words left her mouth.

“Yes, he is the head scientist working for Freeza…you might know him, he’s from Chikyuu.” Her world began to spin round and round…papa…papa is alive, alive and on the hands of that monster.

“Woman!!” she heard Vegeta’s voice on some far away realm, the only thing she could feel was the thunderous beatings of her own heart.

“Bulma!” Raditz’ arms came to support her as she had not realized her legs were no longer holding her. She looked up and the last thing she saw as the world became a blur of darkness was his face…her prince’s face.

+++

A/N Whew that took a little long to update! I’m sorry, I’m kind of working on a lot of other projects so I got a little behind revising this. The story is developing a little faster now. I hope you enjoy this chapter...see you soon^^