Set Me Free

A/N: Don't own DBZ! This story was originally named Shooting and Falling but has been revised and I decided the name really didn't fit the story anymore. If you've read it before—forget all you know because there has been drastic changes to this story to add mystery, action and of course romance!

There's quite a bit of OCC (Out of Character) and AU (alternate Universe). There's some aguish through the story and some mild violence. As characters are introduced I shall supply a small sentence based bio, the rest you should be able to gather throughout this story. This is primarily a Gohan x Videl, but there's quite a bit Chichi x Goku and Bulma x Vegeta. Goku is referred to as Kakorat for some parts of the story since that is his original name.

Rating: PG 13

Actual Summary: Amid the flames of war, a forbidden passion ignites. The world is coming to an end. The saiyans have destroyed everything and Earth's last hope is dwindling between life and death. After being taken captive, Videl's determined to do everything in her power to free herself, even sacrificing the blossoming love that shouldn't have begun. As the war rages on, lives will be destroyed, betrayal becomes inevitable and obsession is deadly. How far will someone go to save the one they love the most? Only time will tell.

"Talk"

Thinking is in italics and whoever thoughts they are, their name follows.

Flashbacks are also in italics but are easier to be determined since it will be in a different format.

Will represent the next day. If it's less than that I shall supply it.

\\Prologue\\

September 12th,

The sky has grown dark and gray as it had ten years ago when they had first landed. Amidst the rumbles and the dead, the sky cried and its face smeared with blood. I shall never forget my childhood friend who had perished that day, we were not yet seven, and not quite ready to accept what had befallen upon us.

The war between the saiyans is no longer a war. It's been said thirty new cities have been burned down to the ground. So many lives have been lost and destroyed in the last ten years. Why won't they just leave us alone? Everything was just fine until they showed up. I can't remember the last time I saw my brother smile. He hasn't smiled for the past ten years. He's so cynical now, at least to strangers. I do my best to defend what little is left of our race but who can save us now?

My grandfather was taken captive just yesterday. My grandmother was over at our house when this had happened. There's nothing left of Earth except the blazes of another city being burned down and the cries and screams of the young and old. I haven't seen many survivors of these tragedies.

I've met a few. Some so confused and others so wry and angered. Some had been abused and left to die; luckily my siblings and I had arrived in time, in time to clean up the mess, but not in time to stop it. My brother says we have nothing left to believe in, I'm starting to believe it though our sister tells us otherwise. A woman, who has given up hope in mankind, specifically the men like our father and foolishly continues to believe that those cold-blooded monkeys would someday leave. I wish it were that simple. What monsters!

We were ill prepared for such an attack. On the News if you flip around, the world is blaming two humans in particular for treason. Chichi Tenui and Bulma Briefs, two women who had willing married two of those beasts! I don't understand how one could love someone that is responsible for such a massacre. What have we done to anger them so? We've created great treaties to convince them to pass over our planet and onto another. We'd sacrificed the newly populated Planet Pluto for them to spare us; so why now, and after all these years? Why so much blood. I can't close my eyes without picturing that young girl being slaughtered because she hadn't understood she was a "weakling." She was so young, so innocent and so naïve to the evil of others. It made my blood run cold and my maternity instincts kick in. I know and I'll admit it dammit, I would have died if I had jumped in as recklessly as I had wanted to. But my "reasonable" brother had cut me off with one of his brotherly speeches about "biding my time" that left me speechless and a bit embarrassed to say the least. But nevertheless those speeches won't work forever. Bid my time my ass! The one thing I admire, I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's their devotion of strength. Power is the ultimate weapon and I shall achieve just that, some how, some way. One day, I swear it, I shall destroy them. Even if I die trying.

Videl

It was about six o' clock on Planet Vegeta. In the royal throne room, third class Kakorat, the King of Planet Vegeta and Vegeta (Jr.) resided in. Both King Vegeta and his son wore the traditional royal attires while Kakorat (Goku) wore that of a saiyan warrior.

"We have 65 of the Earth cleared out, sire." Kakorat bowed.

King Vegeta merely nodded and ignored the huff coming from his youngest son, Vegeta Jr.

"Rise," King Vegeta ordered simply. "You need not call me sire for much longer, Kakorat for my son—"he gestured to Vegeta. "—shall ascend to the throne…" Whether I like it or not, The King thought with an inner grunt. King Vegeta glanced casually over his shoulder and as if his son had read his mind, he gave his father a heated glare.

"If I maybe so bold sire, why not his brother?" Kakorat like King Vegeta ignored Vegeta who at the moment looked damn good and ready to kill him. If looks could kill I'd be dead by now, Kakorat thought.

"My other son has practically dragged the royal family's name through the dirt a good time too many. Too many scandals and if he were to ascend to the throne there would be quite a riot if not a rebellion. We needn't alert Frieza in on all of this. We have yet to finish our debts to gain our freedom from his slimly grasps."

"Well, when I'm King I'll get rid of that lizard and all of his goons too." Vegeta scoffed.

"My other son is quite content without the huge title. He prefers to spend his days with his new mate, Sestina. Nice girl, a bit bossy but still a nice mate for him—" King Vegeta glared at his son. "—and all saiyan too, all 100."

Kakorat grimaced. "Do I sense a family quarrel coming on, because if I do I'll take my leave? I promised Chichi I'd be home in time for…spring cleaning." He had paled and groaned when he uttered the last two words.

"You know Kakorat, with all the extra effort you've put into the entire planet conquering, the wars and ascending to SSJ, it's rather impressive. You could, if memory serves, move up the ladder and become elite. That is, if the little woman doesn't mind."

"Little?"

Kakorat grimaced. "Oh no…"

"Oh no, that's right buster! You're late. I had to clean the whole place! Thirty bed chambers and twenty other rooms is not an easy task you know. Not to mention a refrigerator twice my size!" Chichi came charging down the room, frying pan in hand and mad as an angry hornet.

"Now I'm in trouble." Kakorat groaned.

"Trouble…? Oh no, you haven't seen trouble yet, buster!" Chichi snapped. Her hair was now unbounded, her eyes were flaring and her frying pan was held high in the air. "You had me worried sick. Damn you."

Kakorat dodged the frying pan and saw it was hot and just off the stove. "Hey, watch where you're swinging that thing. I told you I'd—I tried to—!"

"Don't try—do!"

"What about the servants?" King Vegeta inquired after remaining speechless during the first five minutes. Kakorat's woman was a princess of the pitiful planet Earth and had more riches than a second class. Those saiyans could at least afford thirty servants while giving them a mouthwatering paycheck.

Then why doesn't Kakorat have some? How odd. King Vegeta thought.

"Servants…? I gave them the day off seeing that my husband had promised to split this work 50/50. Not 100/0." Chichi waved the frying pan in a threatening manner. "If I had known you'd be this late I'd have come down here with you and drag you home by your ear! Do you know how I felt when I was sitting there with candles lit and the food getting cold? Do you?"

Dodging the frying pan, Kakorat shook his head. "I'll make it up to you, I promise. We can go to a picnic and then go for a moonlight stroll too. You like that. And—"

"—it will take a whole lot more than that, mister." Chichi sighed and put the frying pan at her side. "But it's a start." She curtsied before King Vegeta and gave the chuckling Vegeta a scornful glare before taking her husband's arm. Vegeta glared right back at her. Without turning around, Chichi added, "Oh and Prince Vegeta, your face may freeze that way. We wouldn't want that unless you want to scare the children."

Vegeta's glare intensified drastically. "Damn humans." He muttered.

King Vegeta merely shrugged while he began to leave the throne room. "Yet you married one. You might as well damn yourself while you're at it, son."

It was about dusk and after dinner. The Son family was now outside training and showing off new battle techniques. Chichi and Goten cheered the two older males on as they found themselves almost equally matched.

"You know I think you should find yourself a mate." Goku said landing a punch to Gohan's stomach.

Gohan rolled his eyes. "Well, I think not."

Goku frowned. "You know having a mate is not so bad. Not having one, now that's bad." Goku blocked his son's kick. "Besides, give me one good reason why you don't want a mate."

"I just don't."

"That's not a reason and if is, it's not a very good one. You know you don't have much of a choice. If The Fates say "Gohan you're will have a mate" then dammit you are. We went there and they told you straight up. Might as well start thinking about a family. One or two kids would be nice, a girl and a boy. Two boys, that's selfish thinking mostly on the male's side."

"Dad, what's with you and mom about grandkids? Is it contagious or something? Because if it is, I don't wanna catch it."

"Hey, I haven't mentioned "grandkids" in three—oh shit. I just did. Now look what you made me do." Chichi pouted and was glad her youngest son hadn't heard her slip up because he was running up to his father and brother and was talking about his day. Chichi handed Gohan and Goku both towels and bottles of water. "Nice job, both of you."

"Thanks, Chi." Goku kissed her on the cheek.

"Yeah, thanks mom." Gohan dried off the sweat that glistened on his forehead.

"You're what, eighteen now? Mating should have commenced two years ago, yet you chose to go off on that ridiculous war." Chichi sighed. "I'm almost forty and I'm not a grandmother yet. It's abnormal."

Goku laughed and received a glare from his mate. "Goku, that's not funny." She nudged him with her elbow.

"Ouch. Ok, ok. It's not funny. Chichi you're hardly thirty years old and you look ten years younger. I'm sure our son shall eventually find a mate even if we're gray and old before we get a grandchild."

"Hey!"

Goku laughed at Gohan who looked a bit offended. "But at least we got Goten. But he and Gohan turn out the same way; Kami knows we'll never get grandchildren. I guess we'll just have to adopt."

Chichi muttered something underneath her breath. "Come on inside, I made you guys a snack. I'm still after all these years not use to your odd appetites. Where do you put it all?"

"I'll show you later." Goku winked and received a playful punch from Chichi. He turned to his oldest son. "Gohan, why don't you come with me and my group? We're occupying and clearing out the eastern region of the planet tomorrow."

"You guys must be slacking or those humans are far more advanced than we thought. I mean really—" He cast a regretful glance at his mother. "Mom I—"

"It's ok," she waved her hand. "I feel more saiyan than human nowadays. Besides as long as my parents are safe, I'm ok. I don't agree with the tactics used…but…" she trailed off and her eyes shimmered with forming tears. "Uhm…your snacks are on the counter…I'm just going to—I need time to think. Excuse me." She barely got the last two words out before she dashed down the hallway and they could hear her cries as she went.

Goku hesitated for a moment. He was still new to this tears business. Chichi never cried, except for a few times but this was a whole new other reason. Her people were being killed and his kind was doing the killing. He could feel his heart clenching and tightening. It hurt him to see her in so much pain. She'd purposely cut of their mentally bond for the time being, that meant she was really depressed.

"You see?"

Goku turned and blinked at Gohan. "See what?"

"Complicated, women are simply too complicated. One minute they're happy and the next their pissed off—"

"—she's not—"

"—I know." Gohan threw his hands up into the air. "Can we change the subject?"

"I don't see why? You're the one that brought it up," Goku shrugged. "So are you coming or not? Maybe you can find yourself a nice captive." Goku smiled. "You know I met your mom by doing that. My father decided I needed to take a break from fighting and training so he partially dragged me onto Earth. It wasn't like it was now but you get what I mean, right?"

Gohan didn't answer and Goten tugged at his father's left hand, "Hey dad, can I come? Can I? I wanna see Earth too. It's not fair Gohan gets to. Why can't I have a captive too? That's not fair. Why does Gohan get all the good stuff—like going to Earth and getting a captive—and I don't. That's not fair!"

"Goten—"

"—I'll hold my breath until I turn blue and mom will really get you!" Goten threatened.

"This is no time for rhyming and—" Goku paused and saw Goten beginning to hold his breath. "Goten it's not going to work." Goku said firmly and folded his arms. Goten continued to hold his breath and was starting to turn dark blue.

"Oh for Kami sakes, dad, just let the squirt go. He can have my spot." Gohan turned to leave.

"Gohan they have some nice scenery, very interesting technology and stuff."

And stuff. Gohan rolled his eyes, "Dad, that's a pathetic attempt to get me to go."

It was Goku's turn to roll his eyes, "Not like there's anything left to do around here. You only sleep, train, eat, train, eat, train, eat, train, and sleep."

"Oh come on Big Brother, let's go!" Goten beamed. "I could bring back mom one of their buggies or their flowers. Oh, she'll love that. I bet she misses Earth a lot."

Goku nodded solemnly. Goten was right. Chichi hadn't seen Earth for over seventeen years. He made a mental note to bring her to Earth before the final plans were commenced.

Gohan sighed. "All right, I'll go. But this better be worth it."

"It will be. Maybe you can actually find a nice Earth girl."

Gohan grumbled, "I can't stand the Saiyan girls here—too gruff—and the Earth girls are worst."

"How would you know?"

"I don't know—they just are!"

"You're so odd. You live like a monk—sexually I mean." Goku said.

Gohan glared at his father. "Unlike most saiyans my age, I concentrate on the one and only important thing 'power' not on sexual pleasure."

"But most saiyans your age are either mated and married or mated and so-to-be."

"Lots of saiyans live without it and I'm one of them. It just gets in the way!"

Goku sighed. "It's a curse I tell you. I had it, my father had it, his father had it, and his father had it, and now you have it. Not in that specific order, I assure you."

"And this stopped when—?"

"—I met your mother,"

"Oh great, is this one of your pathetic attempts for me to mate? Because the full moon is—"

"—ten months away."

"Well at least this year I got a head start to avoid it. You know if it wasn't for Goten who can be easily bribed into spilling any of your plots with a bag of candy—well I don't want to think about what would have happened." Gohan shuddered with disgust.

"Oh it wasn't that bad."

"Dad did you even take a look at the last girl you tried to match me up with? Nothing personal but I mean are you blind!"

"No…I don't believe so. Beauty is skin deep, son."

"I know that. But seriously, are you blind? Besides, remember that old legend of the two saiyans who were paired up by the Saiyan Council to mate and they killed each other? Remember that?"

"…at the time? No."

"Dad—"

"—oh come on, it might be fun."

Gohan didn't say anything; he only rolled his eyes at his father. "Why am I wasting my breath?" Goku sighed. "Just come along and you can return back yourself anytime you wish, you have my word." A saiyan's word was everything except when it came to battle, and then it was another.

Why is he so desperate for me to go? Is this one of his matchmaking plans? If so I can only hope for disaster not a "happily ever after" thing, oh well it's a pretty interesting bargain. After this one last attempt at it he'll finally get it that not every saiyan, no matter what The Fates say will have a mate. I don't need one. Gohan thought.

Eventually, Gohan nodded. "One Earth day, and that's it, dad."

"Deal,"

Goten blinked and tugged his father's hand. "I do get to go, right?"

In the royal chamber room, Vegeta was putting on his armor as Bulma sat on the bed deep in thought with an equally deep frown on her face. It was silent and nothing but the soft swishing sound of clothing being dropped off and put on was heard. Vegeta raised an eyebrow. Bulma didn't say anything after he'd finished his explanation. "I know you don't want to go back to Earth after—well I won't force you to. I'll be back before you know it. And uh…" Bulma's head was still hung down and Vegeta hesitated to kiss her. Human are so unpredictable he had once said. It was true. So instead of debating with himself, he planted a swift and light kiss on the top of her head.

"I'll see you soon woo—B-Bulma." He said quickly and was glad he'd called her by her name instead of "woman." Kami, he'd be the King of Planet Vegeta known for his mate keeping him on the couch—and if things got really bad—without sex. Vegeta grumbled something underneath his breath and closed the door behind him.

When did I get so weak? He thought and a flashback came to mind when he'd first met the blue-haired beauty on his first expedition of Earth, about seventeen years ago.

Bulma bit her lower lip. Earth, how she missed it. There were so many memories—good ones and bad ones. Who would have believed all the things she'd cherished were either on Earth or here. There was one thing she feared she'd lose when Earth's inhabitants w-were executed. Bulma felt like a knife had stabbed her in the heart. Another jab, her parents, she hoped they were all right as well. They were so foolish wanting to nurture their equally foolish pets instead of coming to Planet Vegeta. Bulma sighed. She couldn't blame them. It took her so long to become accustomed to being a princess. She smiled, she was glad she had Chichi as her best friend. What better way to know how to be a princess than learning from a real life one?

Bulma looked up at the ceiling and frowned once again, "Vegeta."

A blonde man with blue eyes and a small build was talking on the six o' clock news. "East City ceases to exist today, ladies and gentlemen. I'm sure someone—"

"—can do nothing." A man scoffed. He was thin, tall with dark green eyes and red hair. He had a gruff tone, and his hair was now thinning.

Videl ignored her father. Adopted father, Videl thought mentally. She began to write again.

September 13th,

Oh mother why did you have to die, so now I've been adopted by this obnoxious couple? His wife drinks more than her husband, she's so dim-witted and completely insensitive! She cares nothing of what Earth will be like in a few days—or hours! I can't even remember you mother and that scares me. I feel alone, all my friends are dying—everyone is dying—and I can't do anything to stop it. Where is my brother, my sister—and what happened to my grandparents? Are they well? Have they all been captured and killed? Or were they tortured slowly within the inch of life and death begging for mercy—in death. Kami help us.

"What are you writing?" Linda, her adopted mother asked swinging a bottle of tequila in one hand. Her green hair was in a ponytail and her emerald eyes were a bit dilated. Her blue shirt was dirty from last night's dinner and her jeans should have been thrown out decades ago.

"Nothing," Videl muttered and turned her head to avoid smelling the liquor. She'd been told that she'd promised her mother long ago that she'd behave. These people were supposed to be her closest and dearest of friends in life. She'd honor her mother's wish for ten more months then she'd be official eighteen with her inheritance and freedom.

"Better stop with that sass, girl. You're not yet eighteen and until then you're not allowed to sass back. Who do you think is putting a roof over your head?"

"The government," Videl muttered again. She couldn't believe the adoption agency would believe these numskulls. She wished they didn't keep such tight watches on her or she'd have runaway years ago.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing," Videl shrugged and got up.

"And what do we have here?" Linda held up the diary. "Aww, look honey, Vial's got a diary, aww."

"It's Videl," Videl said through gritted teeth.

"Oh?" Linda asked not really caring. "Honey I think Videl needs some discipline, don't you?"

"Huh?" The drunken man turned from the TV emptying out the last of his drink. "Oh!" he looked around lazily for something and smiled at the cord dangling from the ceiling. "Here we go." He yanked it down while his wife gleefully shoved Videl forward.

"Whip her back good, honey. Teach her not to badmouth, Li." Linda beamed and drank down the remaining liquor in one gulp. "Need some more."

Videl glared at the older man. "Don't even try it, Bollix."

The taller man threw his head back and laughed. "Funny."

"It won't be funny when your eyes are rolled back at the back of your big oversized head! I've had to put up with this for too long and I've had enough of all your shit!"

"Why don't you make threats that you can actually accomplish!" Linda laughed.

"Why don't you shut your drunken ass up while I kick your husband's ass? I'm sick of both of you and once I'm done I'll bring the police and charge you for child neglect and—!"

Bollix gripped the cord and smirked. "—don't make threats you can't carry out, girl."

Videl narrowed her eyes. He'd beaten her once on her back when she was ten years old. She'd had the marks for months before they'd disappeared. But emotional, they were still there like burnt scars.

Bollix smiled cloy. "This won't hurt a bit." He stepped forward and the cord went flying.

"We've just receive warning that a major aftershock shall be felt in the southern region of the planet. Please evacuate the area through local air-cars immediately. Sources say it should hit in the next thirty seconds—"

A low rumbling could be heard from the mountains that made Bollix, Linda and Videl look up. Within the next second the little cottage home ceased to exist. The once loud television was broken in two with sparks glowing every once in a while. Videl pulled herself from the rumble and coughed. Her clothes were torn in a few places, her hair was a mess and her face was smudged with dirt. She had a few scratches, a few cuts and bruises but she was alive.

After staggering for a while, she got up and looked at the once standing cottage. No longer was there anymore of the cheap curtains and rugs or the rusty old door that contradicted with the inside. Linda was sprawling over with that same bottle of tequila in one hand, her hair was blowing wildly in the afternoon breeze and she hadn't moved an inch. Her husband was underneath the rumble except for his head and the one hand that held the cord. They both looked dead.

Videl sighed. She knew she shouldn't feel remorse for them after over ten years of torture. She knelt down beside Linda, she was unconscious and very much alive and the same went for her husband. Taking out her cell phone, Videl had dialed for the ambulance. After a few minutes she heard the roaring sirens and that's when she took off. She knew once the two drunken adults awoke and were capable for release they'd try to get back at her. They believed everything was her fault. She had to find her brother or someone—

Videl felt a hand come over her mouth suddenly and the owner brought her up against their firm chest.

She looked down below the small cliff and saw a few space pods and a few people stepping out of them.

Videl's eyes widen as terror spread through her entire body. Saiyans! Oh sweet Kami and one had her!

TBC

Completed and edited: April 22, 2005