Warning: Rated 'M' for a reason.
Better In Time
By Rise of the Blossoms
Chapter 1 – The Prince
"What makes you so sure that he will work with us? Or that we could even trust him?" A woman's voice called from the other side of the table. "He works for him after all!"
"If you had been paying more attention to our meetings more than your personal life then you would have found out the reasons why he could quite possibly want kill him." A man retorted. "His father gave him to the tyrant known as Frieza when he was just four years old. And for the past fifteen years, he has been living in slavery doing everything and anything Frieza demands him to, because he has no other choice but to follow the orders he is given!"
The blonde woman glared at the man who had just disrespected her. So what if it was kind of true that she had been more focused on her family rather than her job? Her husband and her daughter were her world and all she had left now and she would not let her job keep them apart. However, it would not be worth the argument if she said anything in response to his accusation.
Since her planet had been taken over by Frieza's men, her and her family left the planet on one of the very few space ships and travelled through space until they were eventually found by the Rebellion Army. The Rebellion Army were basically every living creature that refused to live in slavery or fear any longer. They were constantly battling with Frieza's army and every single day they had new comers who wished to join and help take down the tyrant.
Many rumours had been travelling throughout the Rebellion Army that there was a young boy, a very special young boy that could help destroy Frieza. It was said that he was born with a rare and legendary power locked away inside of him just waiting for the moment to burst free and rid the Universe of its deadly tyrant. It was said that his hidden power was unrivalled and that he would become even stronger than Frieza. Of course many people didn't believe a word of it. How could a boy, no older than nineteen, destroy an evil ruler that was known to be the strongest and most sadistic being in the Universe? Just for fun, Frieza would choose a random planet and purge it. Or sometimes, he would just blow the planet up completely.
"All I am trying to say is that," The blonde woman took a deep breath, "perhaps, being with Frieza for fifteen years has changed him. Perhaps he is what people say. Perhaps he is just as cold and as ruthless as Frieza because Frieza was basically a father figure for the child as he was growing up!"
The man she had early been shown up by shook his head, "He is the Prince of all Saiyans. He would never forget who he is, never."
"Perhaps it is time you faced the truth Bardock." She whispered sadly. "We have been searching for Prince Vegeta for well over seven years now and there is still no trace of him. Only destroyed planets with no inhabitants left because they have all been murdered… by him."
Bardock glared at the human woman. "No. I will not believe it. My son is a part of the Prince's squadron and he would not allow for him to forget who he is and neither would Nappa."
"Believe what you want Bardock, but I am tired of sending my daughter into space every other week to search for him. I am tired of being terrified that she won't return to me."
"Kakarot would never let any harm come to Bulma, Bunny." Bardock spoke more calmly. "She is his first bond, his friend."
Bunny smiled sadly at him. "Kakarot may be the strongest in the Rebellion army, but he isn't the strongest in the Universe." She said before leaving the room to leave Bardock with his thoughts.
Fifteen years ago, his planet was destroyed. His mate had been murdered a long with the rest of his race. As far as he knew, there was only six Saiyans left in the entire Universe. But he refused to give up hope.
Bardock was brought out of his thoughts when the main door to the meeting room opened and his twin brother walked in silently with his chin held high. "What do you want Turles?" Bardock sighed and rubbed his temple. He was tired and he wanted nothing more than to go to sleep.
Since the night of Vegeta-sei's destruction, Bardock had been having visions. That was how he and his four year old son got off of the planet. Before they left, Bardock went searching for his mate but by the time he found her, she was already dead. Through Bardock's visions, they had been able to find the Prince's location but every time somebody got to the planet that Vegeta was on, he was already gone and like Bunny had said not too long ago, there was only death and destruction left on the planets.
"Kakarot and Bulma have returned," Turles stated, "they did not find the Prince."
Bardock dragged his hand down his face until it landed on the table in front of him. He really was exhausted. The visions he received always took a lot out of him and they usually left him with a migraine that would last for a couple of days. Dr Briefs had made some sort of medicine to help ease the pain so that it wasn't as bad, but it still left him feeling sluggish and tired.
"They will find him one day," Turles said after feeling his twin brother's emotions. His brother wasn't an easy man to read. He kept his emotions well hidden, especially in front of the others. But Turles was always able to read his twin's mind and he could feel his emotions. It was something all twins as far as they know of could do.
"I know. But every day the Prince gets farther and farther out of reach. Every day his mind is unhinging, no matter how hard Raditz and Nappa try to keep him grounded and sane."
"What do you mean, brother?"
Bardock sighed once more and stared at the table. "I keep seeing him, Turles. He is becoming more unstable with each passing day. He used to kill quickly so that his victims would feel no pain but now, he draws out their deaths so that he feels like he is in control for once. He is changing Turles and I don't know if anything would be able to help him now."
"How do you know all of this?" A feminine voice spoke from behind the two men.
Turles and Bardock's heads snapped around to see a blue haired girl and a carbon copy of the two twin brothers standing in the doorway, each with an angry frown on their faces.
"It is rude to eaves drop, girl." Turles reprimanded the nineteen year old girl.
The blue haired girl strutted into the meeting room with Kakarot right behind her. "Who said I was eaves dropping? It's not my fault neither of you sensed Kakarot or me."
"That is because we were not expecting you."
"Of course," The girl smirked, "but wasn't it you, Bardock, who said we should always be aware of our surroundings? And was it, or was it not, you who said we should know where everyone is every second of the day?"
"You know it was, girl." Bardock glared at her.
"My name is Bulma, not girl." She returned his glare with much more intensity. "Now what were you saying about Vegeta?"
Turles scowled as he spoke. "Prince Vegeta's mind is becoming more unbalanced with every day he is stuck serving the lizard."
Bulma looked behind her to see her closest and best friend's expression. As usual, it was empty but she could see passed it. She could see the worry and concern in his eyes at his Prince's wellbeing. Whenever she was unsure of something, she would look to Kakarot.
When she first arrived ten years ago, she was so uncertain about everything mainly because everyone kept to themselves, everyone except Kakarot. He was the same age as her and when he first saw her looking so hesitant and scared he wanted to help her. Kakarot wasn't like the other Saiyans. When he was escaping from Vegeta-sei with his father and Turles, he suffered a blow to the head which should have killed him. However he was saved with the help of his father and uncle's ki. He was healed and now the only evidence of what happened was the scar at the back of his head and the slightly cheerful attitude.
However, with the fifteen years of growing up in an army that was constantly fighting, moving, or on the lookout for Frieza, his Saiyan heritage and mind started to come back to him. He was still the cheery boy he had been when he first arrived but now, he was stronger and more battle ready. If he had to, he would not hesitate in killing someone who posed a threat to him or his comrades. The younger version of him, the carefree version who found the happy in every situation, would have been disgusted with this version of himself. But what could he do about it? That is what happens when you grow up always on the run and forever fighting for the freedom of the Universe.
"So what do we do?" Kakarot asked in a serious voice. "Are there any leads on where he may be now, father?"
Bardock shook his head. "No. Right now, he is back on Frieza's ship. That much we do know. But I will be on the lookout for any news on where the Prince may be going on his next mission."
"What happens when we do find Vegeta?" Bulma asked, suddenly unsure. "What if he is already too far gone and just kills us?"
"You will call him Prince Vegeta." Turles said for what seemed like the millionth time since he met the human girl.
Bulma shrugged uncaringly. "I will show him no more respect than what I show for everyone else."
Kakarot sighed at his stubborn friend. "Bulma has a point, father. What happens if he is too far gone and tries to kill us?"
"Tries?" Turles laughed darkly as he folded his arms over his chest. "There would be no trying about it, brat. I just hope you both are fast enough to get the hell out of there if he does lose it."
"Turles," Bardock said angrily, "do not speak that way. The Prince may be strong, but with his mind being as unstable as it is, he is not at his strongest. However, that does not mean that he isn't going to be just as dangerous."
"What do you mean?" Bulma asked, her eyes narrowing. "If he is not at his strongest, then it shouldn't be too hard to get off of the planet and back to headquarters!"
Bardock shook his head again. "Nappa and Raditz are bound by oath to follow his every command. If he cannot kill you both or even catch you both himself, he could just order them to do it."
"So what you're saying is…?" Turles pushed on. He already knew about Nappa and Raditz swearing by oath that with every second of their lives, they would honour and protect their Prince and if it came to it, they would die for him too.
"What I am saying is that he will be extremely unpredictable. If he knows you won't be expecting him to ignore the chance of there being a challenge of fighting you both, he will take it. Growing up on Frieza's ship and being taught how to fight by the lizard and his lackeys has only shown him how to fight dirty. Raditz and Nappa have tried their best to keep his fighting the way a Saiyan's should be, but Frieza has proved to have a lot of effect on him and the other two."
"Then how do we convince him to rebel against Frieza and join our army? What makes you think that he won't just kill us and then tell Frieza that the Rebellion Army have been trying to recruit him?" Bulma argued, her voice rising slightly.
"Because he, Nappa and Raditz will see Kakarot and they will see that Frieza has been lying to them and that there are more Saiyans that are still alive."
Turles scoffed, "Three Saiyans. What makes you think that he is going to change sides and revolt against one of the strongest tyrants in the Universe, just because there are another three Saiyans that are still alive?"
"We are still his people and it is his duty as our Prince to do what is best for us." Bardock said in a matter-of-factly tone.
It was true. By blood and by law, Prince Vegeta was bound to his people whether they were dead or alive. Also, because of his Royal blood status, he was connected to each and every Saiyan that was still alive. Truth be told, the twin brothers were surprised that Vegeta hadn't realised sooner that there were three more Saiyans still alive.
Bulma sighed and pushed a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "Well if he is the only chance we have at defeating Frieza, then we're just going to have to take that chance."
Kakarot nodded his agreement. "We will train until you have any news on the where about of the Prince."
The blue haired human groaned. They were always training. Since the day she arrived ten years ago to this very day, they trained. It was kind of like a routine. They would wake up bright and early, eat breakfast before everyone else and then train right through the day until dinner. After dinner, they would rest for the evening or attend a late night meeting.
For a human, Bulma was unusually strong. When she turned five, she had taken martial arts lessons with a man called Master Roshi. He had been a turtle hermit and a pretty nice guy. He had taught her how to sense ki, how to use her own, how to control it, how to mask it and obviously, he taught her how to fight.
When she was nine years old, the planet Earth was invaded by a group of Frieza's followers. She and her parents had no other choice but to run. So they took one of the few space ships that was on Earth and escaped without any of the alien's realising. They all still felt incredibly guilty for abandoning Earth and the human race, but her parents were doing what was best for their only daughter. They didn't want her to die or to suffer a fate worse than death if Frieza got his hands on her.
Like she said earlier, every day since she had arrived at the Rebellion Army's headquarters, she had trained with Kakarot. She didn't know what her exact power level was, but she knew it was somewhere in the high thousands, if not hundreds of thousands. At first, the Saiyans had been worried about her gaining so much power because of her 'weak' body. They thought that maybe with too much power, her body wouldn't be able to control it and the power could destroy her. But she proved them all wrong. She took pride in being the strongest human to have ever lived just like she took pride in her beauty and intelligence.
"Fine then, let's go train." Bulma said reluctantly before leaving the meeting room with Kakarot following her.