Chapter 10: Some wounds just won't heal.

Author's Note: DAMN IT ALL TO HFIL!! I thought I had that stupid problem taken care of…sigh. Oh well, maybe some day I'll figure out what is going on. Anyway, thanks for the reviews. I really enjoy reading them. Mew also likes hearing me read them. Her tail is twitching and she's batting at my hands as I type… her way of saying hello and thanks for reading! Well, enough stalling. Here is the long awaited chapter 10. (mumbles about stupid font problems and computers being of the devil.)

Vegeta stormed down the great palace halls; the echo of his steps were the only indication that anyone lived in it at all. Much to Vegeta's chagrin; he would be forced to play the role of the messenger of death to his father and "mother". The vein in his forehead throbbed as he pinched the bridge of his nose in attempts to rid himself of the headache he knew would be upon him in a matter of minutes. He couldn't shake the wave of dread he felt as he approached the heavy throne room doors. He paused just outside and glared at them as if they were the source of all his troubles.

'Sigh, can't put this off any longer. That woman owes me her life for the trouble she's placed upon me.' Vegeta thought as he steeled himself and entered the throne room.

It wasn't that he feared his father, on the contrary, he just preferred to steer clear of the old man in hopes of never having to deal with his father's constant harping and nagging him about taking a mate, settling down, and actually giving a damn about his people. He did care about his people, but Vegeta had no intentions of marrying simply to secure the throne. His father had taken his birth mother as a mate out of political obligation and look where that landed everyone. His mother was dead, he was given as a "present" to Frieza, and his father had a new wife to fondle. It made him sick to think that his mother was killed to make way for the woman he now was forced to yield to as his mother. He growled low in his throat as he approached the throne. Gasps were heard from the council members and concubines that had gathered in the great hall, but not a sound came from the two seated on the thrones ahead of him; for they were all to familiar with Vegeta's barbaric antics.

"My boy, what have you done this time?" The kings voice boomed in accusation.

He paused mid - stride as the queen placed a hand out. She nodded to the floor over which he had just trod and Vegeta noticed the generous amount of blood pooling on the carpet. Yes, the little Bitch had certainly gotten the best of him in that little scuffle. The wound would scar nicely; an addition to his already mangled body. He returned her stare with one of cold indifference and approached the thrones once more; to the queen's utter disgust and astonishment.

"Vegeta, the carpet. Why don't you go get yourself patched up and then come back…" Her voice was silenced.

"The last time I checked, I am the crowned prince of Vegetasei, and you were a mere replacement for the true queen. I answer to no one; least of all you woman. Do not presume to scold me like some brat; you are not my mother and I am certainly no child!" Vegeta roared as he powered up a blast and aimed it at her head causing her to shrink back in fear.

"THAT'S ENOUGH, VEGETA!!" His father roared as he stood from his seat upon the throne.

"What the hell gives you the right to come in here, threaten your queen, and expect us to stand by while you do it?" The king bellowed at his only son.

Vegeta merely grunted in indifference and lowered his hand; the ki ball retreating back to its place within his palm. He turned to leave , but paused half way down the long stairs to look at his father over his shoulder.

"Lauri is dead. I caught her with a soldier in the medical wing. There is nothing further I wish to report. If you wish to bury her, I suggest you get your servants to gather the pieces…well, what's left anyway. As for the guard; he is of no consequence."

King Vegeta glared at his son with a mixture of anger and understanding. He would have done the same had he caught his betrothed with another man, but knowing Vegeta; he would have blasted both parties to kingdom come and left nothing for the mourning family. Something was amiss with his son and he knew it.

"Why not destroy both parties? Surely you felt the desire to annihilate both, did you not?" The king called after his son's retreating form.

Vegeta stood stock still, his back rigid with angst. Certainly he should have expected his father to know when he was lying, hell, he had always been a terrible liar. That was one reason why he never felt the need to do so. It only got him into more trouble in the end, but somehow, he had to make sure his father didn't catch wind of what had transpired earlier that day. He turned back to his father; a malicious smirk plastered to his smug face.

"Yes, perhaps that would have suited me, but you forget my dear father. Lauri committed an act of treason, and for humiliating me so, I felt the need to make her suffer a slow and painful death. I ripped her apart piece by piece. She screamed for mercy and as you well know, none was given, as none was deserved." Vegeta lied as he stared his father in the eyes; his black depths unwavering.

The king stared into his son's eyes only for a moment before nodding his head in understanding. He had bought the poorly constructed lie. He reached out and grasped his son by the shoulder in mock affection. Vegeta immediately shook it off and glared at his king with irritation before brushing off his shoulder where the kings hand once rested.

"Do not touch me old man, I feel no need to socialize with you or your wife. I merely came to inform you of what I assume is to be the latest discussion for your councilmen." that said he cast a glare out to the crowd.

"No, I never expected you to come to me with nothing but scorn and forced loyalty. One day Vegeta, you will understand why I did what I did. One day you will be king and you will have to make sacrifices for the greater good."

Vegeta was livid. He fisted his hands so tight that his fingernails dug into his palms. River's of crimson flowed forth and he fought to keep his temper in check. He was considered a monster for what he did under Frieza's instruction, but even he could safely say that he would rather fight then give up a child to be raised by that tyrant.

"It would have been better for me if you'd have killed me than sent me to be the puppet for that murderer. You know nothing of sacrifice old man. You sit on your throne while everyone else dose your bidding. Tell me, how long has it been since you've stained your hands with the blood of the innocent? How long has it been since you've fought side by side with an elite guard? Do the nightmare's of death and destruction, the cries of the dying and those wishing they were dead ring in your ears and plague your mind? No. You have not seen battle. You have never seen death the way I have. No Saiyajin has seen what I have seen, nor done what I have done. No one, has killed the way I have killed. You talk of sacrifice, you know nothing, and for that, I will enjoy killing you when the time comes for me to take your throne from you." Vegeta raged as he stalked down the stairs, across the black carpet stained with his own blood and out the double doors.

The king could only gape at his son. Never in his life had he believed his son capable of such a speech, or such blatant hatred for his own flesh and blood. For the first time the King realized what he had allowed his son to become, and the gravity of it hit him like a ton of bricks. He slumped to his throne as his wife fussed over him. He looked into her eyes and to his own horror; was reminded of the woman who had bore his son. He wept for the first time; tears of bitter guilt and regret.

'What have I done?'

Bardock crept silently through the halls. He made certain no one followed him, and that no one had seen where he was headed. He looked to the left and the right before slipping the key into the lock and turning it. The loud click nearly choked him as he inhaled sharply and looked to see if anyone had heard it. No one had. He placed his hand on the door and twisted the golden wolf's head handle in preparation to enter.

"HEY POP!"

"AHHHHHAHHHHHHA" Bardock's heart leapt into his throat as he yelled out in surprise. He spun around and nearly knocked the intruder to his knees. His fist stopped seconds before colliding with the face of his youngest child; who was happily munching on some cookies from a tin cradled in his arms. Bardock shook his head in irritation before grabbing his son and hauling him into the gardens and shutting the door behind them both.

Kakkarot shoved another cookie into his mouth as he quietly took in his surroundings. Bardock, in the mean time removed the glasses from his face and rubbed the irritation from his eyes. His son could be so clueless sometimes.

"I wonder if Selena had an affair?" He murmured.

"Huh? What'd ya say pop?" Kakkarot asked when he heard his father's hushed voice.

Bardock immediately stiffened and returned his glasses to their previous position on his nose. He stared at his son as if he were appraising him and he smirked in good humor at the uncomfortable expression staining his sons features.

"Um, pop? Why are you looking at me that way? And why are we in the queen's gardens? Aren't they forbidden?" Kakkarot asked as he shoved another cookie into his mouth and watched his father circle his prone form.

"Yes, they are forbidden, and since you felt it necessary to poke your nose into matters that do not concern you; I have decided to charge you with a task." bardock stated as he came around to stare his son in the eye.

Kakkarot blanched at the thought of what his father may ask him to do.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I'm glad you asked, my son" Bardock smirked as he placed an arm around his sons shoulder and ushered him to the back of the gardens where Bulma lie peacefully munching on the meat left for her the previous day.

Kakkarot followed his father's gaze and was puzzled as to why Bulma was tied to a tree in the forbidden gardens and why she was tearing at the meat like a rabid dog.

"What's wrong with Bulma?" Kakkarot asked when Bulma's ears perked and her nose twitched at their approach. He noticed her eyes immediately and made motion to go to her. Something told him his friend was in danger and he desperately wanted to help. He let the tin of cookies slip from his grasp to be forgotten on the ground as he slowly made his way to his friend.

Bardock smirked triumphantly as he watched his second born reach his hand out to be sniffed by Bulma's twitching nose. He hoped that his hypothesis was correct and when Bulma extended her head to be petted; he knew he'd hit pay dirt. Kakkarot may have an extremely childish disposition, but he had insight that not many Saiyajin's could boast of, and the fact that he could see something was wrong with the little Loupgaru gave him hope of having a somewhat intelligent legacy when he was long dead and gone. He sighed before placing a hand on his son's shoulder and forking over a cookie to Bulma as a diversionary tactic.

"An accident in the medical wing rendered her nothing more than a mere dog. Prince Vegeta, myself and you are the only ones who know about it, and we intend to keep it that way. If word got out that she was nothing more than a raging beast; Frieza would snatch her up and use her against any living sentient being he felt deserving of a slow and painful death. What I need you to do is watch this door and guard it with your life. The fact that these grounds are forbidden helps you, but there is still the risk of someone hearing Bulma and coming to investigate. I need you to make sure no one besides the three of us enter these doors. Bulma's life and sanity depends on it. Do you understand?" bardock explained as he prayed to whatever deity was out there that his son could handle such an important task.

Kakkarot looked from his father to the darkened eyes of his friend. Her head cocked to the side as if trying to understand what was being said, but there was nothing of the intelligence in her that once was. She was merely a shell of a being, and Kakkarot felt grief at the loss of a friend. He looked to his father for answers

"Can you help her? I mean, can you make her the way she was before? She's my friend father, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and secure while you do whatever you can to help her. You have my word. I'll protect her from anything." Kakkarot declared as he put his fist to his chest to signify his oath.

Bardock nodded in thanks as he pulled out a needle from his satchel. Kakkarot blanched and his face turned paper white.

"Father, no, please, I don't need a shot do I? I feel perfectly fine. NOOOOOOO" Kakkarot screamed as he ran to hide behind a tree.

Bardock merely rolled his eyes, familiar with his son's reactions to needles. He lifted it into the air and watched the liquid squirt from the tip, then flicked it before stroking Bulma's neck fur aside and plunging it into the tender flesh.

Bulma was so immersed with her cookies that the offending pinch was easily ignored. She twitched an ear in his direction, but nothing more as she snagged another cookie out of the discarded tin and continued munching contentedly.

Bardock removed the needle and gave Bulma's neck a quick pat before standing up and replacing the cap on the needle and shoving it into the pocket of his satchel. He then turned to his son and raised his palms outward.

"I'm unarmed son, you can come out now" bardock laughed as his son slowly emerged from behind the two inch thick tree. His son really was a piece of work.

"What was that you gave her?" Kakkarot asked

Bardock shrugged and started walking towards the doors. "It's the first round of my attempts to make her normal." He finally said. A long silence followed as the two walked side by side.

"So, do I have to stand guard?" Kakkarot asked as he joined his father on the path toward the garden doors.

"No, that would be too suspicious. I want you to keep a lock on Bulma's ki and thus keep tabs on the door. Who enters and who leaves. If anyone besides the three of us and Bulma are in that room at any given time. You call me and head for the gardens."

Kakkarot shook his head in understanding as the two headed back to their home for some much deserved rest.

Vegeta was so angry he couldn't even see straight. He entered the Medical Wing and to his surprise found it cleaned of all carnage and restored to its pristine white and sterile steel shine. He growled in disgust; how he hated the smell of the Medical Wing. He hated the smell of medications and the fluids that came from the R.C. Tanks. He stalked over to a short brown, birdlike doctor who was working on some paperwork and smacked him upside the head. The doctor yelped and placed a hand to his throbbing skull before turning to see the angry prince towering over him. The doctor let out a yelp of surprise before bowing deeply.

"What can I help you with today my prince? Do you require a R.C. tank?" The doctor asked as he made effort not to look the terrifying prince in the eyes.

Vegeta sneered at the man cowering before him and merely shoved him out of the way as he gathered up some medical supplies and began the tedious task of sewing his arm back together.

"Um, your highness, might I suggest you allow me to….gaaahhhh"

A blast of light shot across the room and incinerated the poor doctor on sight. Vegeta took the hooked needle from between his teeth and continued his task; completely unfazed by the doctor's demise.

'That woman is a lot stronger than I'd initially thought. Any closer and she would have taken my arm off. Lets just hope Bardock can figure out how to restore her to her former self' Vegeta thought as he took the thread with his teeth and fingers to tie it off then snip it with his large canines.

Vegeta tossed the used items in the trash beside the gurney he'd sat upon and worked about putting his armor back on. Once he had accomplished that surprisingly daunting task; he headed to the training facilities for some much needed training.

Once Vegeta reached the training room all the occupants had fled for the night; not wanting to have the unfortunate pleasure of becoming the prince's own personal punching bag. He frowned in displeasure, but found it oddly comforting. He had not had peace and quiet for such a long time.

'Hmm, why not.' Vegeta thought as he crouched down and cleared his mind to do some relaxing katas. Tonight he wasn't going to think about anything except for the rigorous workout he was going to put his body through. He then opened his eyes and all movement after that was a blur of punches, kicks, and combo attacks. Nothing more passed through the prince's mind as he trained. Not his father, Frieza, nor the Bitch lying under the tree that acted as his mother's tombstone. Nothing, tonight was for him, and tomorrow he would worry about all that was wrong in his life. More kicks and punches and his grunts and snarls of effort were the only sound made the rest of the night.

Vegeta continued to train well into the early hours of morning until his body finally succumbed to exhaustion. He then made his way to the gardens and let himself in; making sure to close the doors behind him. He made his way over to the tree where Bulma was resting soundly and not counting the costs; he collapsed unconscious on the ground by her side. Sleep finally claiming the prince and thrusting him deep into his subconscious where incredible things were in store for him.

Author's Note: What will happen to Vegeta when Bulma wakes up? Will she attack him or will Bardock's medicine have worked already? Can Kakkarot keep a secret and will he be able to hold himself true to his word? Find out in the next chapter.