Disclamer: Dragonball z is not mine *sigh* it's other peoples such as Akira Tomaryia and FUNAMATION! So please don't sue me- i'm broke-^-^;
READERS NOTE: This story is based in a futuristic renaissance time period. And I also feel I must add (for all those Vegeta fans out there) that yes he is a little nicer and more of a comic relief......an angered comic relief. Also that there are no Dragonball GT characters either, for example Gohan is still young and training under piccolo's watch. OH AND YAMCHA FANS BEWARE!!! I think that's about it. Enjoy!
Sorry to bother you again but I just thought I'd add that if you have anything you would like to ask me about or just comment on the story(or prompt me to write the next bit) please feel free to write a review to Darion (that's me) Thanks!!!
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Part One
A man ran through the night, he was in a forest and had been running for half an hour now. The tree branches whipped against his body, his legs were tired and felt like jelly. Cold sweat poured down his face. But there was something different about this man, something different about the way he ran. He ran with fear in his heart, fear for his life. His breath was rapid and hoarse, and he was tiring quickly. He stopped and leaned against a tree trying to catch his breath, his glasses were smudged with dirt and sweat. He could hear the crack of whips, and the pounding hooves of horses beating into his head like drums. He pushed himself forward, trying to keep on moving, for his life..........for the sake of his daughter's life. He ran into a stream trying to lose the sent of the hounds. The water stung his body and made him want to lie down and give up, but he pushed on. He was going deeper in to the water now, and had to bite his lip until it bled to try not to scream from the fierce cold. The baying of the hounds had become incredibly close now, and the water was just slowing him down. He had to move faster, get some speed. He tried to run up the banks of the river but it was too late, they got him. The dogs dragged him back into the water and the men on the horses beat him until he was unconscious. The last thing he saw was a creature get off his horse and wade into the water, then nothing.
Dr.Briefs was taken away into the night, never thought to be seen again until...............
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* Three weeks later*
A cloaked man ran through the blackness, trying to avoid the torrential rains that threatened to flood the earth once more . The forest was blanketed with darkness, not even the stars shown tonight. The slosh of mud, and the splash of puddles was defining. In the distance was a huge castle with an oversized courtyard, and even through the ungodly weather the lights in the castle shone like the sun. The man hurried up to the draw bridge and waited for the sentry to see him. After ten agonizing minutes the draw bridge creaked open, and he ran inside.
Inside the castle was much more elegant than the outside, the halls were lined with candles and the arched door ways had beautiful red velvet draperies covering them. And the floor was emasculate, infact this was one of the most cleanest castles Vegeta had ever seen. As he pushed his way through the draperies and heard what seemed to be an argument, as he became closer he realized it was a very heated one. Vegeta stopped to listen.
''What right have you coming in here with that drunken wench?'' cried Bulma. Yamcha snorted and took another sip of ale.
''And what right have you'' Yamcha said slurring a bit ''to tell me what to do in my own castle, you should be more grateful to me!'' He said moving in on Bulma.
''This isn't you castle in is King Goku's and I should be gratefull to him not you!'' Bulma retorted, Yamchas face hardened.
''You do as I tell you , your only a guest here remember!'' Yamcha screamed raising a hand.
''She may not live here'' said Vegeta (who had finally decided to step in) ''But that's no way to talk to a guest'' at this he stepped up to Yamcha
''So let's say we put down that ale and you go get me King Goku'' Yamcha took this as an insult and drew his sword.
''You shall not talk to me as if I were a child'' Bellowed Yamcha.
''I challenge you to a fight!''
Vegeta snorted
''Listen you drunken fool this is an emergency! You think I would actually come here under any other circumstance?'' But Yamcha held his ground and put his sword right under Vegeta's nose. Vegeta smiled. He would never back down from a sword fight, especially if he knew he was going to win. The battle was short and Vegeta quickly disarmed Yamcha but just as Vegeta was about to thrust the final and deadly blow Bulma rushed in front of the sword. If Vegeta hadn't had amazing reflex's Bulma would have been dead, luckily he did.
''Get out of my way women!'' Vegeta cried.
''No! Please do not kill him I love him!'' Bulma sobbed. Vegeta rolled his eyes
''You are a pathetic creature, why would you want to spare his life he is a cowered and a drunk!'' Vegeta snarled but withdrew his sword. Unfortunately Yamcha was to drunk to think logically and tried to attack Vegeta again. This time Vegeta threw him in a head lock and pulled out a dagger. He was just about to slit Yamcha's throat and attempt to kill him (for the second time that night) when the King himself walked in.
Once Vegeta saw the King he immediately dropped Yamcha and returned his dagger. Yamcha stalked out of the room with Bulma cowering behind him. At once Vegeta and Goku locked eyes, it was almost a test of who would look away first. It was obvious that Vegeta thought that he was better than Goku, and made it quit clear every time they were together. Goku smiled. Vegeta glared.
''Well Vegeta your presence here is over whelming, what did I do to deserve it?'' Goku calmly said. Everything in Vegeta told him to attack, but his better judgment still held superior.
''Kakorot I do not need your insults I'm here under extreme surcomstances.'' Vegeta waited a beat making sure he had Goku's attention.
''My legion is under attack, or should I say was under. An unstoppable force destroyed my villages and armies. All of my court were captured and tortured till death. I escaped into one of my many passages with my most trusted advisor, we stayed there for many a days and eventually hatched a plan. I was to go to your kingdom ( against my better judgment) and seek your help and also warn you. We left during the night but he was caught, I made it.'' Vegeta sighed. He could actually feel his skin crawling, how could he have done his? Asking for Kakorot's help! Doing that was almost like breaking a law for him. Vegeta set his jaw and pushed himself to go on, he didn't like doing this but it was better than being killed.........or was it?
Goku looked down at Vegeta and said
''We must hurry then if we are to stop this thing, what do you suggest?'' Vegeta slammed his fists on the table.
''That's why I came to you! To see if you could figure out anything, haven't you been listening at all?'' Vegeta snarled. There was a long period of silence and then someone from the shadows spoke.
''If it were me, I would already have found a meeting place of somesort to go to when this thing comes.'' Piccolo stepped from the shadows arms crossed and a grim look on his face. Both Goku and Vegeta stared at him
''But unfortunately it looks like it's to late'' Piccolo smirked. By this time Yamcha had stopped sulking and was sitting there with Bulma listening to the conversation, Gohan and ChiChi were also there as well. Everyone immediately ran to the window to see what Piccolo was talking about.
Outside there was a war raging men and women being slaughtered. Houses were burning to the ground, and people were scattered across the country side. Vegeta was stunned, he had only been there an hour and already this unstopable force had found him. Vegeta looked away and immediately took command.
''Everyone pack up were leaving!'' He shouted.
''NO!'' Goku cried. ''We will not leave my people to die!'' Vegeta grew furious
''You are a fool! They are already doomed do you want to end up like them? If we leave now we may be able to fight back later!'' He looked around at everyone
''I'm leaving! those of you who want to live come with me!'' At this he stormed out of the room. Bulma looked up at Goku sadly and said
''I'm sorry Goku but he has a point, he may not be a king but any one should know staying and fighting is suiscide (even a prince) if we leave now we will be able to fight later, and then the odds might be on are side.''
Goku sighed but agreed. They left the castle at once, taking only what they needed. It was past midnight when they ran into the forest, they didn't have time to reach the stables, so they went on foot. It had been agreed that the take the secert exit out the back of the castel, past the maids quarters. There was quite a lot of them there. Vegeta lead the pack, then Goku and Chichi, Bulma and Yamcha ( who by this time had made up) and finally Piccolo and Gohan. The rain never stopped, infact it grew worse. And by the time it ended everyone was soaked to the bone. No one was very happy.

It was late morning when Vegeta decided that they had gone far enough into the woods that they could rest. Although it was morning, the forest was dark and the trees were tangled beyond individual recognition. Everyone was miserable, tired and hungry. And for one person, an incredible hangover, that hung over his head like a dark rain cloud. Finally Bulma spoke up
''Where are we supposed to be going? My feet are killing me and I think it's going to start raining again!'' Vegeta (who had been lying down) sat up
''Stop whining! You should be happy I saved your life! You could be dead right now or even worse being a slave for whatever has been attacking us of late.'' Bulma stood up and glared at Vegeta
''What makes you think this thing want's a female slave? Maybe it want's a male one, with a receipting hair line!'' Yamcha and Goku started snickering. Vegeta's eye's bulged out of his head and he turned a sort of crimson color. Receipting hair line? H-how dare she? He didn't have that bad of one...........did he?
Bulma (convinced that she had proved that she wasn't a pushover) sat down triumphantly. But Vegeta wasn't finished yet no one talked to him like that! He walked up to Bulma and squatted down so that they were at eye level.
'' It would want a female salve so it could do this'' At this he jumped up taking Bulma's hand and dragged her over to a tree with vines wrapped around it. He took one of the vines and wrapped it around her wrists. Then he took a willow branch and used it as a whip. Then he playfully hit her with it a couple of times(just enough so that it tingled her bottom a bit) Goku smiled Vegeta may not be the perfect guy, but he did have a wonderful streak of kindness(weather or not he admitted it) Bulma giggled a bit and turned around to face Vegeta
''Care to untie me?'' she asked. Vegeta raised an eyebrow and smiled
''What and take all the fun out of it........well that's just n-''
Just then Yamcha interrupted
''Listen, I don't care if your a Prince or not don't go near my girl! She's not yours and if you even touch her I'll filet you like a fish!'' Then he grabbed Bulma by the arm (roughly I might add) and stormed off. Vegeta smirked and sat down
''Boy you'd think a guy that consumes that much alcohol wouldn't remember he had a girlfriend, and also do you even consider them going out? I mean he is a bit of a player!'' Vegeta laughed. Piccolo snorted
''Why Vegeta, are you interested in her, maybe if you ask Goku real nice he might ask her out for you.'' Vegeta glared at Piccolo. Vegeta took the willow branch and whipped it at Piccolo so hard that he blead. Piccolo just laughed. Vegeta sighed act nice once and pay for it the rest of your life. Presently Yamcha walked up to all of them and said
''Look I have some friends in the traveling carnival, and one in a church, if we find them we might be able to get some shelter, food and maybe even some allies, it's better that sitting around here and waiting for nothing to happen.'' Goku jumped up at once and said
''All right let's do it!'' At that everyone left to the church (which was apparently the closest)

It was a little after dusk when they reached the church everyone's feet were sore, and there heads throbbed. So they all rejoiced when one of the monks said they could offer shelter and food for the weary travelers, seeing as the one they were looking for was not there at the time. So after they bathed and changed there clothes they went to a bar to celebrate.
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As you may have already guessed Yamcha was having his fill of ale, and while it was amusing for most of the people there, Bulma was beginning to feel violently ill. Why don't I just dump him for good, she thought to her self. Every time he goes here he comes back with a new girl for himself and a new bruse for me, I guess I have no will power, or maybe I'm just afraid to tell everyone what he does. She sighed and shook her head.
Meanwhile on the other side of the bar a stranger watched them curiously, they seemed to be no one in particular but he could sense there power, and feel their strength.They were defiantly someone. The bald headed man watched them closely.
Vegeta had, had enough of this! He hated even being seen with these fools, especially that one Yamcha! What a moron he couldn't figure out why the female stayed with him. All he had wanted to do was warn Kakkorot, but now he found himself suck at a bar with, with these morons! At that very moment Yamcha came over to Vegeta and sat down next to him with a wench a both sides.
''Heeeii Vegeta wasss up? He stumbled through his words. Vegeta looked away in disgust. Yamcha came right up to Vegeta's face, he was so close that Vegeta could taste the ale.
''Waasssss wrong Veggeeta? You wanna drink or somp'in?'' After a while with no answer from Vegeta Yamcha turned away. Then he did something Vegita would have killed someone over. Yamcha stood up pointed at Vegita and said
''Bartender another drink foor myyy friend the 'reciting hair line' guy!'' Vegita found it odd that Yamcha slurred every other word except when it came to mortifying him. Vegeta tried to cover his face with his hand and failed miserably. Finally Vegeta couldn't take it anymore and stood up to leave.........just as Yamcha was giving a drink to him. The ale went everywhere (everywhere on Vegeta that is) Vegeta looked over at Bulma and said
''I could have killed him when I had the chance, but nooo you wouldn't even hear of it!'' Bulma just looked away tears in her eyes.
''OOhhh nooo soorwe veggeta, you sure are a muss.'' Yamcha said, attempting to dry Vegeta off. Vegeta pushed Yamcha a side and left without saying a word. As he walked back to the monastery he wondered why he hadn't killed Yamcha, but all he could do was remember the look in Bulma's eyes. Later on he decided that the reason he didn't kill Yamcha was because he didn't attack someone who was drunk!
Meanwhile back at the bar Yamcha had already left with the two wenches into one of the rooms upstairs. And as soon as he had done so Bulma marched right out of there and into the night, at this point she didn't care where she went as long as she was as far away from Yamcha as possible! She found herself walking aimlessly around crying bitterly.

Piccolo and Goku had been a the monastery for some time now making arrangements for Chi Chi and Gohan to stay. And although Gohan had made it quite clear that he did not want to leave Piccolo or his fathers side, he was overruled and in the end it was decided that both of them would stay at the church with plenty of food and shelter, while the others went along their way.
''Goku, you can't leave me hear!'' Chi Chi sobbed. Goku wrapped his arms around her waist.
''Chi Chi, you know it's for the best, if anything happened to you, or Gohan I could never forgive myself.'' At this he kissed her passionately on the lips and turned to talk to Gohan.
''Now Gohan, this is important that you listen to me, take care of your mother and do exactly as she says. She is very upset right now, okay?'' Gohan nodded. Goku looked sadly at his son and wife. Gohan stood silently as Goku went to talk to Chi Chi again. Piccolo looked at Gohan and decided to talk to him one last time before they left. Piccolo pulled Gohan aside so Chi Chi could not hear, and lowered his voice to a whisper
''Gohan I will come back for you, you are a valuable asset, and a great fighter.'' Gohan grinned eagerly. He loved being recognized for his fighting techneqics and coming from Piccolo this just made his day!
''Gohan you must promise me that you will train every day I'am away!'' Piccolo said.
''Of course I will'' Gohan said latching his arms around Piccolo and giving him a huge.
''I'll miss you Mr. Piccolo!'' Gohan whimpered. Any other time Piccolo would have yelled at Gohan to stop being so emotional, but tonight Piccolo just hugged right back.

It was midnight by the time everyone got to bed, and even later when Yamcha staggered home. But Bulma was still up waiting to talk to him (she had finally decided to break up with him for good) And as he stalked through the door she walked over to him, and helped to a chair. He looked up at her eyes clouded over and glossy, but he was smiling......at her. She looked at him back, but with a different emotion. Hatred. Bulma clenched her fists and stood tall and proud, she was going to do this. Yamcha took her hand in his and rubbed it against his face, then kissed her gently up the arm. She knew the routine, he would do this everytime he cheated on her. Now She was sitting in his lap, and he was slowly stroking her hair. Suddenly Bulma stood up and pulled her arm away, she would not let Yamcha do this to her anymore. He looked at her questionably
''No Yamcha no more! I can't take anymore of your games!'' Bulma said. Yamcha looked at her blankly and said
''What do you mean? My love come here so I can show you what you mean to me.'' But Bulma backed away
''Yamcha I-I want to b-break up with you'' She said meekly. Suddenly Yamcha stood up, he glared at her intensely
''You WHAT?'' He shouted Bulma started trembling
''I-I want t-to break up with you!'' She said again. Yamcha grabbed her by the arm and threw her againt's the wall pinning her by the throat. She whimpered and tears welled in her eyes. Bulma had both her hands around Yamcha's wrist trying to pull him off her but his strength was to great.
''I don't think you really do want to leave me?'' Yamcha said threateningly. But Bulma stood her ground.
''But I do you heartless jerk!'' She croaked. Yamcha tightened the grip on her neck, then through her across the room, she hit the wall and landed on a table with a loud crash.
In his room Vegeta suddenly jolted awake, What the hell was that! He thought to himself. It was coming from Bulma and Yamcha's room. He rolled over on his back and lowered his breathing so he could hear what was going on. Whatever it was, those two sure had a lot of problems! Nothing happened for a few minutes then a huge crash shook the room. Vegeta could hear hushed voices and the sound of crying. Whatever was going on in there he didn't like the sound of it. Vegeta sat up in bed, all his muscles tense. Then a blood curdling scream ripped through the night air. At this Vegeta threw back the covers and jumped out of bed, he ran into the next room.
Bulma was on the floor bleeding badly and in a tremendous amount of pain. She was frozen with fear and looked up at Yamcha sadly. He threw another chair at her, and missed completely. He was so outraged by this that he grabbed Bulma by the hair, picked her up, threw her down and violently kicked her. She let out a scream of pain. Yamcha just kicked her harder. Then the door flew open.