Author's Note: All right here's the next chapter. Now I must warn you that Vegeta acts a little bit out of character in this chapter but it works really well for the story. If you don't like the way he's acting I'm really sorry but please continue to read my story anyways. REVIEW!

"talking"

thinking

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ.


Chapter 8: Royals Alone
Yamako's Time: 10 years ago

Yamako made 2 long grooves in the ground as the force of the blast hitting her stomach pushed her back. Yamako gritted her teeth and using all her strength deflected the blast into the air. Yamako panted heavily and looked up at her attacker. Vegeta gasped for breath as he stared Yamako down. Both were in Super Saiyan 2 mode but Yamako had yet to go Feral Saiyan. The girl's ki was impressive. In just 3 short years the girl had achieved Super Saiyan 2 as well as mastering her Feral Saiyan powers as long as she wasn't in the second level of Super Saiyan on top of being a Feral Saiyan (she wasn't able to sustain the strain that being a Feral Super Saiyan 2 put on her body yet). The girl was the youngest Saiyan to have ever achieved this and she was pretty close to Super Saiyan 3 on top of it. Giving a growl Yamako clenched her hands into fists and charged at her grandfather. Vegeta matched her move for move, blocking all of her attacks or countering them with his own. After almost a half hour of this the 2 separated and leaped into the air. They both growled as they gathered their ki into their hands.

"FINAL…" Vegeta cried as he stretched his hands out to his sides and 2 yellow orbs of energy appeared.

"KAMEHAME…" Yamako cried as she placed her hands together at her sides and formed a bright blue orb of energy.

"FLASH! Vegeta shouted jutting his hands forward together and releasing his blast.

"HA!" Yamako shouted as moved her hands forward and released her blast as well.

The 2 blasts collided and the force of the explosion sent out a giant shockwave. Yamako and Vegeta were both blown backwards. They crashed into the ground and skidded to a stop, both dropping out of Super Saiyan completely. Both lie motionless for a moment as the dust churned up from the explosion settled. Vegeta was the first to open his eyes and with a groan of pain he sat up, gripping his left shoulder. He pushed himself to his feet and looked across the yard towards Yamako. He took 1 painful step towards her before completely recovering from the dizziness of the blast and summoning enough energy to walk normally (or at least apparently normal but really just without much pain). He walked towards Yamako until she sat up and groaned. Yamako pushed herself forward and onto her right knee with her left foot planted on the ground. Groaning and panting heavily Yamako supported herself with her right hand while on her right knee and her left hand resting on top of her left knee. Yamako growled in pain with her eyes clamped shut. Yamako didn't have the energy to get up more than that and Vegeta, still gripping his left shoulder, panted heavily watching her.

"I think that's enough for today Brat… We've been sparring for over 24 hours and you need to rest." Vegeta stated before he turned around and started heading for the Capsule Corp. building (it has a ki shield that is activated by remote whenever Yamako and Vegeta are sparring with each other and blocks anyone or anything with a ki above 10).

Vegeta walked towards the Capsule Corp. compound and, pushing a button on his belt, deactivated the ki shield. Yamako blearily opened her eyes and looked up at Vegeta's retreating form. She closed her eyes again and growled in pain as she began pushing herself to her feet. As she did this, her muscles bulged and her nails began to grow longer.

"No wait!" Yamako called out stopping Vegeta in his tracks.

Vegeta looked over his shoulder and a look of astonishment crossed his face. He turned around and gazed on in wonder as Yamako's golden aura blazed brightly around her. Blue sparks flickered around her body as her aura flashed outward with each spark and her ki steadily climbed higher. Her bones cracked as her skeletal structure shifted to become more defined.

"Not yet Grandpa Vegeta." Yamako growled out as she raised her head to stare coldly and defiantly at Vegeta.

Vegeta's eyes widened as he gazed into Yamako's bright green feral orbs and his mouth dropped open in shock. Yamako let out a growl and showed off her sharp fangs as she gripped her hands into fists. Her eyes shifted from bright green to red and she threw back her head, letting out a scream as her ki shot through the roof. Her hair spiked up into Super Saiyan mode and then grew sharper as she bypassed that level and went into Super Saiyan 2 mode a second later. Vegeta gasped in shock and took a step back as he gazed unbelievingly at Yamako. She had done it. She had finally done it. She had mastered her Feral Saiyan powers enough to sustain it while in Super Saiyan 2 mode and her ki was incredible. It was almost as high as Pan's had been when she transformed into Feral Super Saiyan 3 for the first time. It was about 3/4 as high as Pan's had been and Yamako was only 8 years old. Vegeta couldn't believe it.

Just then Yamako's ki dropped and she collapsed to the ground unconscious. Yamako's hair changed back from its spiky golden form to its silky straight brown style. Her eyes changed back to their crystal blue color as they drifted shut and her fangs and claws disappeared. Her muscles shrank back down to normal as her skeletal structure returned to its standard form. She was able to hold Feral Super Saiyan 2 for a short time before the strain was too much for her in her weakened state.

Vegeta regained his composure a moment later and walked over to Yamako. Bending down he carefully lifted his granddaughter from the ground and gently flung her over his shoulder. He carried her into the building and deposited her on her bed in her room, knowing that after a good rest she'd be almost good as new. Vegeta quickly pulled the blanket that was lying at the foot of the bed over her and headed for the door. As Vegeta walked out he glanced at her from over his shoulder and gave a small smile. Yamako was proving to be the most powerful Saiyan of them all. He knew that even if he failed to defeat Rizaado and avenge the deaths of his son and the entire Son family that Yamako would find a way to do it. He smirked. His granddaughter was returning the Saiyan royal bloodline to the ranks of greatness and reclaiming the legacy of being the strongest of all the Saiyan bloodlines. Giving Yamako 1 last smile and look of tenderness he turned out the lights and left.

SCENE CHANGE

Yamako awoke to dark surroundings and bolted up in bed wondering where she was. She soon realized that she was in her room and relaxed. Climbing out of bed slowly because of her sore body and gripping her left side because of her few bruised ribs she went to the med lab. Leaping onto the counter she opened a cupboard and pulled out the brown bag full of senzu beans. Taking 1 out she quickly ate it and she felt her ki instantly being restored as well as the few bruised ribs she had healing. Standing up straight she headed to the kitchen to see if she could find something to eat. When she walked into the kitchen she spotted Vegeta leaning against the counter drinking a bottle of water. He turned to look at her when he sensed her presence and Yamako lowered her head in shame.

"I'm…sorry Grandpa Vegeta. …I'm sorry I wasn't able to continue training… I'm sorry for being weak…"

Vegeta looked at Yamako with a blank expression for a moment before letting out a sigh and shaking his head. Yamako looked at him in question.

"You don't have anything to be sorry about Brat… You are the crown princess of the Saiyan race…you don't have to apologize to anyone. …Besides…you are 1 of the most powerful Saiyans to have ever existed…especially for your age." Vegeta said as he smiled slightly at her.

Yamako only raised her head slightly to look at him in uncertainly before lowering her head once again. Vegeta sighed again. He set his bottle down on the counter and walked over to Yamako. He bent down on 1 knee in front of Yamako so that he was eye level with her.

"Listen to me Yamako…" Vegeta said sternly.

Yamako raised her head slightly to look into Vegeta's eyes. Vegeta stared at her with reassurance.

"Do you even realize that you went Feral Super Saiyan 2 yesterday…?"

Yamako's jaw dropped slightly and her eyes widened. Vegeta smirked and raised himself to his feet.

"I…I did…? I went Feral Super Saiyan 2…?" Yamako asked after she regained her composure.

Vegeta crossed his arms over his chest and nodded, smirking widely. Yamako looked at Vegeta in amazement before she broke out into a grin and punched the air happily.

"YEAH! ALRIGHT!" Yamako cheered excitedly.

Vegeta silently chuckled at his granddaughter's behavior. It was almost like going back in time and seeing Pan, Goku, Gohan, or Goten when they got excited about something. It was a nice reminder of the rest of the Saiyan race. After a moment Yamako calmed down and upon noticing Vegeta's eyebrow being raised in slight amusement and remembrance she bowed her head and smiled apologetically while putting her hand behind her head in a Goku like manner. Vegeta shook his head chuckling slightly and pulled out a bottle of water from the refrigerator before going back to leaning against the counter. He tossed the other bottle to Yamako and went back to drinking his own. Yamako smiled and quickly took a few gulps. She hadn't eaten or drank anything other than that senzu bean in over 2 days because of training and being out cold due to the stress of her transformation. After finishing her water Yamako and Vegeta managed to find themselves some food to satisfy their hunger. Once they had finished Vegeta decided it was time to test Yamako's new limitations.

"Ready to train Brat?"

"You bet Grandpa Vegeta! Let's go!" Yamako replied excitedly.

Yamako was always ready for a good spar and she couldn't wait to try out her new power of a Feral Super Saiyan 2. The 2 decided to train outside the city so they would have more ground to battle on. The 2 headed outside and took off for the forest outside the city but still within sight where they began stretching in order to warm up. No sooner had they dropped into battle stances and got ready to begin their fight when a large explosion was heard coming from the city. They shielded their eyes as the blast illuminated the sky for a second. They gasped and turned towards the city to see smoke billowing into the air. A moment later another blast was heard/seen and a nanosecond after the blast hit Vegeta doubled over. He cried out in pain as he gripped his head tightly in his hands. Yamako spun around to look at her grandfather in fear and concern. Vegeta sank to 1 knee still gripping his head tightly and crying out in agony. Yamako rushed over to him and bent down next to him, resting her hands on his left arm and shoulder.

"Grandpa Vegeta! What's wrong?!" Yamako asked worriedly.

"Bulma…! Some-something's wrong…! She's hurt…!" Vegeta barely strangled out, eyes closed, and with a great deal of effort.

Yamako gasped in horror and stood up. She quickly glanced over her shoulder at the city as another explosion illuminated and obliterated half of the western corner of the city. She immediately turned back around and urgently began trying to pull Vegeta to his feet.

"Come on Grandpa Vegeta we've got to go see if Aunt Bra and everyone else are alright! You've got to get up! Come on!" Yamako urged as she tugged on Vegeta's arm.

Vegeta forced himself to his feet despite the immense pain in his head and chest and turned to Yamako. Nodding they both took off for Capsule Corp. as fast as they could, praying that they would make it in time.

SCENE CHANGE

Rizaado grinned evilly as he floated above the wreckage that was once the Capsule Corp. complex. He began chuckling at his handy work. When he decided to come back from his training he decided that he wouldn't confront Vegeta or his granddaughter but instead would take away the people that meant the most to them, the only people they had left beside each other. Knowing that Vegeta and Yamako would be here in a moment and that they were both able to see him he smirked evilly at them. He gave a small wave before swiping the area behind him and creating a dimensional rift that he quickly disappeared into. The rift closed behind him just as Yamako and Vegeta landed a few yards away. Yamako raced over to the rubble that was once the Capsule Corp. building with Vegeta following close behind. Yamako began frantically tossing large pieces of debris to the side in an attempt to dig out Bulma, Chichi, Videl, and Bra.

"Grandma Bulma!" Yamako cried desperately.

Vegeta hung back a few steps with a vacant look on his face. His regretful wondering eyes shimmered slightly as he watched his granddaughter digging frantically through the rubble. Vegeta turned away and closed his eyes after a second; it being too painful to look at the wreckage before him knowing his mate was buried in there. Finally, after lifting a large piece of rubble off the ground and tossing it aside, Bulma's lifeless body was revealed. Yamako gasped in horror and a painful expression crossed her face as she gently pulled her out from under the rubble. Yamako knelt down on the ground and rested Bulma's head in her lap as she gazed down at her with glistening eyes.

"Grandma Bulma…" Yamako whispered out softly.

Vegeta's eyes opened and his head snapped over to look at Yamako. His normally cold piercing eyes became nothing more than shallow, vacant holes as they landed upon the lifeless body of his mate. He slowly walked towards them, his eyes and features becoming more and more grief stricken the closer he got. He stopped next to them and Yamako turned to look up at him. Vegeta looked down at Bulma's body with a pained expression as tears brimmed his eyes despite his attempt to suppress them. He couldn't hide his sorrow. He didn't even want to try. His mate, his love, was gone.

"Bulma…" Vegeta whispered out painfully as he dropped to his knees next to her.

He reached out slowly and hesitantly with his right hand towards her face. He gently touched the side of her face as tears began flowing down his cheeks and his eyes showed nothing but pain, sorrow, and misery. He quickly pulled back after the feel of her cold lifeless skin registered in his brain and he stood up abruptly. He backed up; a look of somewhat unbelieving horror and complete emotional agony on his face. He closed his eyes tightly and turned away, growling slightly through bared teeth. His hands clenched into fists and shook with pent up rage. Yamako's eyes widened slightly and her mouth dropped open as Vegeta's ki steadily began to climb and the ground beneath him shook violently. Vegeta gave a cry and hunched over as blue sparks began sizzling around his body. He continued to cry out as his tail unwrapped itself from around his waist and he leaned back, crying out more fiercely and lifting off the ground slightly.

"Grand-grandpa Vegeta…" Yamako stuttered as she gazed on in shock, a little frightened about his behavior.

Yamako had never seen her grandfather so angry, or in so much pain, before and it scared her to see him crying out so viciously. It was like he had completely lost his hold of reality. His reason for holding on to his sanity. His very will to live. It was like he didn't care what happened anymore. Whether he lived or died. Whether the planet survived or not. Or whether or not Rizaado continued to wreak havoc upon the Earth. It was like he had lost his very soul, everything that meant anything to him at all. Vegeta's head was thrown back and more sparks crackled around him and the cry that came from his mouth grew louder the more his body arched back. His body shook as his muscles bulged and a crater began forming below him because of the output of his ki. Yamako falls back on her butt as a sudden burst of ki emits from Vegeta's body and knocks her over. She stares on in shock and her mouth drops open as Vegeta's hair begins to grow longer and spikier yet remains its usual jet-black color. As Vegeta's muscles expand his red shirt is ripped to shreds and falls from his body. Vegeta closes his mouth to growl for a moment only to give another cry and show off that his eye teeth (upper canines) had more pronounced sharp points than normal. The tail failing around behind him fluffs and starts to loose some of its brown color. With an ear-piercing cry Vegeta's body glows bright gold and Yamako shields her eyes from the light with her arm.

When the light dies down she lowers her arms and looks back at her grandfather. Yamako gasps in shock at the scene before her. Vegeta is standing in front of her hunched over and growling with blank eyes outlined in red and hair down past his shoulders. His back and arms are covered in dark red (maroonish) fur as well as his tail being that color too and his muscles had probably doubled in size or at least seemed to have done so. Vegeta had officially ascended to a new level of Super Saiyan. Super Saiyan 4. Yamako sat up and rested on 1 knee. She gazed on mouth wide open in astonishment. Vegeta's irises reappeared after giving a quick snarl and he soon threw back his head and gave another ear piercing cry. Yamako jerked slightly in shock as Vegeta lifted off the ground a bit. His raging emotions were causing his ki to spike chaotically and fluctuate uncontrollably. His ki was causing the entire planet to shake. Yamako knew that even if the planet could withstand this kind of ki Vegeta's body couldn't; at least not as erratic as it currently was. Yamako became frightened for her grandfather's well being and knew that he had to calm down or else she would lose him too.

"Grandpa Vegeta please calm down…" Yamako pleaded desperately.

Vegeta didn't hear her. He was oblivious to everything around him. It felt as though his heart had just gotten ripped out. That his very soul was dead. He couldn't feel anything and he didn't see any point in going on. He had lost his reason for living. His son, daughter, daughter-in-law were all gone and now Bulma, his mate, was gone too. His life, his very sanity and the embodiment of everything that was good inside of him. Bulma was his other half and now that she was gone he felt like an empty shell. He didn't care if he died or if he destroyed the planet. He didn't see the point in caring anymore. Yamako's eyes watered and her bottom lip quivered as she sensed Vegeta's body being pushed to its limits.

"Please Grandpa Vegeta… Please calm down…" Yamako begged as tears started trickling down her face. "Please… If you don't then everyone on Earth is going to die…including you and me… Please calm down… I don't wanna lose you too…" Yamako sobbed desperately.

Something clicked in Vegeta's head as Yamako spoke those words. Her words had set off an alarm inside his head. At that moment the last bit of sanity left in Vegeta's mind took hold and his rational side regained control of his actions. Vegeta did still have 1 person left to live for. He couldn't let his granddaughter die. He wouldn't let her die. His granddaughter still needed him and as long as she was depending on him he couldn't give up. He wouldn't. He still had to protect her and take care of her. It wasn't his time yet. He had to find a way to carry on for her. Repeating this over and over in his head he slowly clamed himself. His ki stopped spiking and his body descended to the ground. He touched down and dropped out of Super Saiyan 4 into his normal form almost instantly. As soon as he had done this he dropped to his knees and supported his weight on his hands, tears still streaming from his eyes, though much less now.

Yamako quickly crawled over and buried her head in her grandfather's chest as Vegeta leaned back on his knees due to the sudden action. Vegeta simply sat there with his hands out to the side and arms slightly bent before hesitantly wrapping them protectively around Yamako's small frame. He clamped his eyes shut and tried to force the tears back but it was no use. Yamako could hardly bare to see Vegeta look so broken hearted and that only brought more tears to the young Saiyan's eyes. She snuggled deeper into Vegeta's chest and sobbed. The 2 of them were on their own now and they would have to take care of each other. They were going to have to help each other through this. They were the only ones left now. The last hope for the planet's true salvation from Rizaado. It was all resting on their shoulders. The all mighty Saiyan prince and his granddaughter, the powerful Saiyan princess.

Present Time

"I've never seen Grandpa Vegeta like that before. It looked as though he had lost his very will to live and it honestly scared me to death. I recovered for the most part with time due to my age and this being a usual occurrence in my life at this point but Grandpa Vegeta never did. Even though it looked like he was fine and back to normal he was a lot more distant after that and his eyes never really got the life back in them. They always seemed so hallow and empty but I guess that's what happens when you lose your mate. I remember my mother had those same kind of eyes, especially when my father was mentioned. Anyways…Grandpa Vegeta and I moved into a capsule house out in the forest shortly after. The place was filled with too many memories to stay. We trained a lot more often after that and we trained under more intense gravity too. We had a portable Gravity Chamber and we used it everyday. It was hard but we managed. Unfortunately, my life was about to take another turn for the worst and I had to say 'good-bye' to the person that meant more to me than anyone, Grandpa Vegeta, just 2 short years later…"


Author's Note: So what did you all think? I know that Vegeta crying is a little strange but it has happened before and I think it is warranted in this instance. Besides it did allow him to achieve level 4. Anyways hoped you liked it. Please review. Laters!