Chapter Ten: As the World Shatters

Hey Guys! Wow, 10 chapters already? My how the times flies! I love all the reviews you keep sending us and love hearing the feedback! Please keep it coming! Seriously, I don't think you all know how much we appreciate the feedback and praise you all give, honestly it means the world to us when you do reach out! I hope you all keep staying with us as we continue our journey in this story and that you all continue to reach out as we will try and reach out to you with our work. Thank you everyone for reading our work and staying with us so far! Enjoy the chapter! -CelestialMageLucy

Bulma, your parents are gone…they didn't make it. The words echoed in her mind repeating itself over in her mind on a never-ending loop. Since when did things become so deranged? Her whole life she believed if she worked hard and was kind, this universe would find a way to reward her. She had completely taken her privileged life for granted. Of course, no matter how much she gave back or helped, the powers that be were punishing her. Maybe she was too happy? Maybe she used up all her luck? Was a person only allowed so much of it before it ran out? Whatever the reasons, logical or not, in this moment she felt another piece of her soul shatter. How many times would she have to break before she was unable to repair the damage? How much loss would she have to endure to understand that no matter how good of a person she was, no matter how much she sacrificed to protect others, none of it would ever be good enough. Her actions did not, and could not, prevent fate.

"A-are you alright?" Her dark-haired friend asked as she stood up. Her usually long hair that was swept up in a bun, now lay behind her back as it used to when she was younger. The young housewife, the scientist took note of, wore her clothing the same as she had back on Earth with its red Chinese dragon emblems and traditional style of dress. Why Bulma was just now taking note of it didn't bewilder her; perhaps she was past that now. She just heard that her parents were killed and all she could think was to stare at her friend's attire. Maybe she had finally become broken? She didn't even register what was being asked of her. If she had to guess, not that she much cared, it would more than likely be the same question. She didn't know how she found herself in a chair with both her best friend and his wife on either side of her talking in hushed tones as if she wasn't there, but finally she snapped out of her trance.

"What did you just say?" Her reply was nothing short of monotone and lack of emotion. A robot that had turned off all emotional sensors is honestly as she felt.

"See, she isn't crazy anymore Chi! She is talking now," gave a nervous chuckle from the man on her right side.

"This is no time for jokes! She is having a serious mental breakdown!" His wife chastised him, none too happy about his lack of concern.

"Well I mean it is a little funny-"

"Goku!"

"What! It is! Look, you kinda put her in a shock Chi. Just give her some time to think about it."

"That isn't the point!"

"Could you please both stop fighting? You are giving me a headache," Bulma found her voice and shook her head. Wordlessly, the scientist got up from her seat.

"Maybe you should take it easy. Your in shock."

"How do you both know my parents are dead?" She looked to them with her unwavering gaze, but neither could make eye contact with her. Clearly their guilty expressions stated it all. She gave a small nod in understanding. Then she turned to head outside.

"Bulma wait!"

"I need a walk," she spoke in a voice that wasn't hers. She turned her back to them and refused to turn back around from her path.

Goku placed a gentle hand on his mate's shoulder while she held herself and watched her friend leave their home. "Will she be alright?"

"Yeah, I'll keep an eye on her."

"I shouldn't have said anything."

"It is fine. All we can do now is be here for her."

Her feet moved but her mind felt empty, just like her feelings. Loss was a funny thing, just when you felt you couldn't think to sink any lower than you have been feeling, it drops you down to a new low. She looked out to the late afternoon sky as she found her feet walking with hollow steps that crunched underneath her, crushing the fallen leaves of the mountain trees. She made her way away from the house and wandered off the beaten path. She needed to walk, to feel the fresh air. All her hope was gone, what did she have left but besides her sick son? She hadn't realized fresh hot tears were falling down her face until she felt the pain in her feet from walking so much. After she could walk no more she slumped down on her knees into the forest leaves and sobbed into the ground. Her hands becoming dirty from clutching the dirt as she let out a heart wrenching cry that echoed into the forest. Her voice reverberating as noises she didn't know she possess escaped her throat. She dug her knees into the earth until she couldn't withstand the pain. She couldn't understand this feeling, although she had felt it before. How much more could her heart take? She should have counted herself lucky to have made it this far, but was it luck? Or was it her sheer will to survive for her son?

Inside her mind she berated herself for having such a foolish notion of hope. Hope to come back to her room when it was restored, to be reunited with her loved ones, there was a future where she would return to happiness. 'Hope, what a foolish concept...' She thought, limply her hair hung in her eyes as she turned her gaze to the dirt once more. She felt her mind on the brink of madness. She could not let it break, not here, not now. She struggled to remind herself of her son. Her sick little boy sleeping away in the bed they had been given. She tried hard to remember her reasons for hanging on for so long, but all her thoughts circled back to her depression. She had a choice; she could keep walking until she found a cliff and probably do the most sensible thing. Or, and the more likely choice, was cry right here and now to get it out of her system and head back to take care of her child.

Pitifully, she sniffled towards the dirty path she had made as she allowed her tears to continue to stream down from her eyes. She fisted her hands and continued to beat them into the ground as her sobs only worsened. With her voice raw, she could only muster her mouth into a silent scream as she continued to fall into her grief. Never would she feel her father proudly pat her back at a job well done, or see her mother happily baking their afternoon tea desserts. Never would she know her parents were alive, well, and happy for her. They would never know of her little boy she had to birth in secret for their safety. Never was a horrible word she had decided, it was final. Never was an awfully long time

She stayed there beating her hands bloody into the dirt, her clothes sullen and spoiled. Her hair limply clung to her shoulders as the afternoon turned to dusk which turned to a storming night sky. She threw her head back and let the water wash over her damp clothing. The rain felt like ice on her skin rinsing the mud and blood from her skin. Her mind was too far gone as she felt the droplets cascade all over her and soak into her skin. When was the last time she had really looked at the sky? Felt the rain? Her senses were heightened to points to which she dared not comprehend.

An unknown time later, Bulma Briefs managed to find her way back to the Son's residence in her wet, dirty clothes, with bloody knees and knuckles. Just ahead she could see the lights of the house shining brightly, like the beacon of a lighthouse in the night. Each step she took made she felt warmth wash over her. In that forest she left her grief and her emotions and just like before, she buried her emotions after letting herself cry. She had two legs, she needed to move forward. Move she did as she trudged her way through this wet, now thundering storm, back towards her temporary home. The doors swung open and there stood both her friends standing looking worried while a lavender haired little boy busted out between them and made a straight line towards his mother. She could make out from the lighting of the home, his own tear streaked face as he called for her.

"Where did you go!" He berated her with so much worry in his tone. His clean, innocent face gazed up at her with worry in his eyes. He was trembling, she could tell, and his little hands tightened with such strength on her arms as more tears fell. "I was worried! Why didn't you come back! You said we were a team! You can't leave without telling me! It is dangerous! You said this place was dangerous!" He continued to yell. Without meaning to, a soft smile graced her features, it was good to see her little man.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry." She softly replied.

Something in seeing the state his mother's face was in, only deepened the little boy's concern. "C-come on. Let's get you inside, you need a bath." He took her hand and began to make them head back to the house.

"Shouldn't that be my line?"

"Hmph, I didn't leave you behind or run around Momma." He scoffed.

"When did you grow up?"

"I have always been grown." He puffed his chest out to express his age and appear taller.

"You are going to have a childhood before that." She could only soften her expression.

"Why would I want that? I need to start being a man and take care of Momma." He spoke proudly as they went up to the steps on the large wrap around porch of the Chinese style home.

"That maybe, but you are only a child once. Did you eat?"

"He did, we made sure. He, well all of us, were mostly worried about you." The other mother spoke up for her son.

"But, no worries, we knew you would be back. So we got Trunks taken care of. Did you do what you needed?" Goku spoke in his usual tone.

"Yeah, um thanks guys, you know, for everything." She sheepishly apologized.

"No, no, we should be the one apologizing."

"All the same, I think I need another bath Chi, and some leftovers if you got any?"

"Of course, Bulma! We can talk after if you want?"

"I would like that."

"Looks like you both will be busy. Oh, I just remembered! I have to run over to Master Roshi's for something!"

"Don't be gone too late! You aren't getting out of laundry duty that easily!"

"I won't Chichi! Thanks!"

"Oh great! That old pervert survived!" Bulma found herself lamenting.

"Don't I agree! However, it is nice to see another one of the group come back. We have a lot to catch up on." Chichi helped Bulma back into the house while her husband took off towards the storming sky, but not in the direction of their old friend's house.

~Palace~

The Prince waited at the entrance of his personal balcony for the report of his rival. The Woman and Brat were safe and sound out of the palace where his family could not find them. He needed to make sure they would all be safe until he had time to sit down with the Woman and find out what happened and come up with a clear plan. Today had not gone how he had expected, and it had become to be quite the mess, but he counted his blessings where he could. She was safe, alive, and she was here. Everything else was second to that, but no matter how much he told his mind that the safest place for them was with Kakarot's caring family, he still couldn't stop his own worries. Especially after the recent update he had gotten after the council meeting. Learning that the woman had decided to walk away and wonder the wilderness alone had come as a shock to him, since normally she appeared so strong. Of course, once she was returned to their residence, Kakarot was to report back to him with details of the incident. So here he was, watching the storm above him from the dry, safety of his balcony door for a sign of the idiot to come report. He knew he was on his way as he locked onto his Ki signature and waited almost impatiently by the doors. He could feel the man speed towards the palace, and watched him land with a soft thud of his boots on the wet ground.

"Sorry I didn't come sooner Vegeta," he greeted with his goofy smile up at the unhappy expression of his prince.

"Took you long enough! Get in here and tell me everything!" The Prince of Saiyans ordered.

"Whoa, whoa! Let me dry off first!" He squeezed out his clothes best he could and entered the princes chambers as ordered. Quietly he grabs a towel and begins to dry off.

"You'll have had plenty of time to 'dry off' while you explain! Now tell me what happened!" the room stays silent for another few moments, "Damnit! What happened!" The vein on the royal Saiyan's temple throbbed with each second his anger was rising.

"Relax Vegeta. I kept a close eye on her. She was grieving, and I am sure she is allowed to do that under the circumstances. Her Brat has a name by the way; which I am sure you are more than aware of." The taller man shook his head as water droplets flew around the room. His prince sneered at the display.

"At least do that outside! We are not animals here!" He barked.

"Calm down, would you? You are too uptight you know!"

"I will be calm after you tell me what the hell happened!"

Goku didn't seem to pay any mind to the negative attitude he was receiving. He continued to dry off as he studied the annoyed expression on the man's face. "What?"

"You are honestly asking that? You have a fucking Ki for Kami-sake's! Just dry yourself that way!"

"Sheesh, you are in an awful mood!"

"OH! I wonder why!" The smaller Saiyan growled dangerously.

"Calm down. She is fine. She is safe. If anything, she and Chi are more likely gossiping as they are eating."

"Get to the fucking point!"

"Alright, alright, bossy as usual!" Goku didn't miss the slight rising murderous look in the prince's face. "She found out that her parents died. She kinda needed to cry it out, so, she did it by going alone into the forest."

"Who the fuck told her that!"

"Hey! She has kinda had a rough day. Chichi had no idea she didn't already know. So, it was an honest mistake."

"I knew leaving her in both your care was a mistake!"

"You are not talking about mistakes, are you? You honestly have more than enough room to talk." The normally goofy Saiyan spoke with a sudden more serious tone.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean!" The Prince of Saiyans snapped.

"You mind explaining the kid, your son?"

"I had no idea that Brat existed! Not that his parentage is any concern of yours!"

"No? It isn't hard to tell who he really belongs to. Vegeta, what did you and my best friend do?" He eyed the man almost humorously, raising an eyebrow.

"This is no time for your jokes, clown!"

"No, well let me ask you something? You going to step up and let that little boy know who is father is."

"The Woman and I need to discuss that."

"He has a right to know. I think you both need to sit down and talk to him."

"If anyone has rights, then it is me."

"Oh really? Why is that?"

"She lied to me! She had the audacity to try to keep it all from me" The smaller Saiyan blurted out as this made the rival take a step back.

"You must be joking. That is why you are angry? You can't possibly blame her for all this!"

"You have no right to talk about how I feel."

"Yes, I most certainly do. Okay, so you found her. You knew what happened, and the possibilities of what becomes of a slave were. You cannot stand there and judge her for surviving. If it wasn't for you, she would not have lost everything. We all would not have lost anything!"

"This is not on my hands!"

"Isn't it! You wanted her back! Well no shit she wouldn't be in the condition you hoped her to be in! She isn't a doll asshole! She is a human; one that has been through hell and survived on her own without you. You don't get to stand there and judge her as if this was a mistake or not." Goku folded his arms with his own disapproving look on his face.

"You couldn't possibly understand what I feel."

"Don't I? She is my best friend and I wasn't strong enough to protect her! I know you feel the same damn way! Otherwise, what the hell was the point in searching for the Humans in the first place!"

"I don't have to answer to the likes of you!"

"The hell you don't Vegeta! Why did you save the Humans in the first place if not for her? Why did you stick your neck on the line to create a place for us to live peacefully!"

"That is not your concern!"

"It is when it comes to my people!"

"You're a Saiyan! We are your people!"

"They are the only kind I have ever known!" The tall Saiyan shouted as he watched the prince pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"Just give me your report and get the hell out of my sight."

"I already did, she is fine and her son is fine. You still need to explain what is going on in your head. Why are you suddenly pissed at her? She did nothing wrong, and you are acting like she is a pest or something! I watched you all this time be torn up. I am not stupid! I know you care for her!"

"How would you know what I care about!"

"Because how I look at Chichi is the same way I catch you looking at that old picture of her you stole." The prince was cornered, apparently, this goon paid more attention than he let on, but that didn't mean he deserved to know anything going on his mind. He had no rights to that. He was not his council men and he was not his fucking ally. He was his rival. Perhaps it was time he was reminded of his place.

"Get out."

"No."

"You are disobeying a direct order from your prince."

"Believe that all you want, but we are friends, Vegeta."

"We can never be friends!"

"That is bullshit, and you know it. Why is this so hard for you! What could she have possibly done!"

"You have no right!"

"The hell I don't! You want to be mad at my best friend, then you better have a reason better than your sorry state of excuses!"

"You cross the line! Get out!"

"Get it through your head! I ain't leaving until you explain your attitude!" Goku stood his ground with folded arms and his usual, determined set scowl. Both Saiyans glared the other down with their own versions of hatred gazes. Neither one willing to move, nor give into the other. This was a battle of silence, but it wasn't clear who the winner would be. "You are pathetic, it was those feelings that pushed you over the edge. In yet, here you are again running from them and acting like you don't care. I don't care if you talk to me, but you should talk to someone and when you sort your shit out, you know where to find her. Word of advice, do it soon. She is hurting just as much as you, not that you give a fuck, right? After all, I think I get it, you see her as damaged goods."

"You cross the line!" Prince Vegeta growled dangerously.

"Did I? You aren't denying it."

"Get out of my sight."

"Don't come crawling back unless you are ready to take responsibility." The tall Saiyan made a swift bow and didn't even bother to wait for a response as he threw the towel at his prince's feet and made his exit just as quickly as he came. The prince could only glare down at where the towel made contact by his feet and hatred emitted off his form.

"Brother, why was Kakarot saying all those things just now?" Came the voice of his sister from the doorway. Kalei's older brother did not turn for several moments. He did not speak. The air hung with tension silence to which his sister did not mind.

"Get the fuck out of here Kalei." He growled the threat when he did speak. The girl didn't appear to care about the weight of his words as she entered the room and closed the door behind her with a gentle click.

"Don't start pushing me away too. You need as many friends as you can have here, buster." She spoke disapproving. She hadn't missed the annoyed scoff he sent her way.

"That is funny. I didn't think you had my back the way you acted today."

"Hey! I did better damage control than you did."

"Doesn't seem like it. Like I said, go away Kalei."

"Stop pushing me away too. Look, you are going through some shit. I get that, but you can lean on me."

"I don't need to lean on anyone."

"Again, with the lies you tell yourself. Look, I am not sure who this Earthling is to you, but she must be something to make you act this way." She helps herself to a seat on the edge of his bed as she watches her brother's back tense up and face towards her. She could feel his inner turmoil wash off him.

"You know nothing. Get out of my room."

"Okay, fine. I will go, but this Human has your kid, an illegitimate one, but still yours. I get you are going through a rough patch, but this not only affects just us as a family, but the entire empire. This bloodline is now tainted, and-"

"Shut up! Don't you think I know that already!" He interrupted with a rough growl.

"Then talk to me! Let us help you! We need to do damage control."

"I have! I have hidden her away with Kakaort! The only ones who know are us, the sworn to secrecy medical staff, and that clown!"

"So that is it? You plan to keep her a secret? For how long?"

"Again, with the incessant questions!" He pinched the bridge of his nose. His headache was coming back, and by the gods so was his insatiable temper.

"Whatever. You know that this is going to get out, and I won't be there to help."

"I never asked anyone to! This is my problem to deal with!"

"Why are you so damn stubborn!" She folded her arms. "I am trying to help you! No you didn't ask me to, but guess what! We are family! Family always sticks together and he isn't just your son, he is my nephew too!"

"He belongs to her. We will have no part-"

"Oh, shut up! You know that is bullshit right! He is family regardless of what bullshit lie you want to spin it. We take care of our own."

"He can't be our own because he is a damn hybrid!" By this his younger sibling narrowed her eyes with a contempt scowl that deepened on her features. She stared him down with such fire in her eyes and arms crossed as she stood.

"You spun to the entire council that those damn weaklings were useful. You saved them, protected them. Don't you dare start acting like you didn't spend the past five years or so not giving a shit. It is pathetic and disrespectful. You made us waste resources and time and energy on those pathetic Earthlings. Fine don't talk about them then . . . what about that broadcast?" Her face suddenly turned away as if rewatching the scene in her mind.

"It's a hoax nothing more. Some girl dressed up to look like us we'll prove that soon enough," Vegeta said eager for the subject change. "That is not something you should worry about though, it was assigned to me."

"Yeah you and all your infinite wisdom," she sneered sarcastically still clearly angry, "you can't seriously believe that crap about this being the last of it. What if that was me brother? Would our family still turn a blind eye pretending it wasn't real." Her face soloum and serious, unusual for her.

"As you said, we protect our own. If anything I would save you. This girl though, we don't even know who she is or if she is even really a saiyan. It's nothing to get so worked up over."

"How can you be so heartless brother!? She is just a little girl probably scared and saiyan or not she needs help! You of all people know what it's like to be under one of those Kold bastards."

"What do you know of it?" Suddenly angry at her mention of his time with Frieza.

"I have heard stories . . . Don't you sympathise with this girl? The council is wrong she needs help."

"If she isn't truly saiyan it's not our duty to save her. The council does what is best for the empire as a whole. This broadcast is propaganda of the worst kind, one that has the potential of starting a civil war. If we took up every rescue call in the galaxy we would not exist." He turns away irritated with this conversation almost as much now.

"Your unbelievable! Just when did you become such a heartless beast! I hope you reap what you sew," she screams at him as she is suddenly out the door. The cold prince folds his arms, and turns away from her retreating from his room. He should have felt guilt, or shame, but the strangest part was he felt neither. He took his hand and rubbed his face, 'What a fucking mess.'

His dark eyes turned back towards the balcony as it begun to rain now. He stepped towards the entrance of the doors and flew them open. He looked out to the wet ground and the heavy droplets making sounds while hitting the stone tile. All he could hear was the sound of that rain and see the darkness ahead of him as the torches did little shine out into the dark, wet night. This storm felt like something inside him. He gripped the door frame and dug his gloved hands into it. He glared out into the abyss as if it was the whole reason for his shitty day. He could blame the damn medical staff, he could blame the damn brat, or hell, he could blame the damn past several years in his vain search. He knew what slaves were, knew what they would face and the challenges. He had just hoped that she stayed just like the day he left, beautiful and carefree. That is what he had built up in his mind. He was so damn foolish.

The dark prince closed his eyes and let out a heavy breath, but his still troubled thoughts did not disappear from his mind. How many sleepless nights did he sit out on his balcony and stare up at the stars towards a dream that was only a mirage. She was broken, had years of misery on her face and she didn't hide it. What he saw was her worn and tired body with desperation on her features. Their reunion was not as how he envisioned. She had been through hell, and worst yet, saddled with his dying brat. Subconsciously he bared down on the doorframe and molded it out of shape in his silent rage. Not that he paid any attention as he focused on his inner dialogue.

He reflected on their brief reunion. She was bitter, angry, desperate, and hostile. She was not the beautiful weakness he built her up in his mind. But dammit, her fire was still there. Her body had been worn down, there was no mistaking that. However, she was just a wild as the day he met her. However, there was more fuel to her protectiveness. Having a brat changed her, and perhaps not in the best of ways. She was held down by a dying brat that he had caused. Perhaps that is where some of his anger was really aimed towards. He thought he had been careful. She wasn't the first he had slept with, and she certainly wasn't the last. He knew about stopping his seed from taking root in a manner of speaking. How the hell did that little bastard survive? Were Humans more susceptible to Saiyan's mating? This would be a first for his people. He had thought Kakarot's offspring was that of trying, not just a once and done. Maybe he should have talked more with that fool instead of giving into his desires?

Prince Vegeta removed his hands and punched the wall aside the door. He loved to call Kakarot the fool, but it was he that truly was. He dug his fist deeper into the stone. Not that he could feel it. Anger coursed through his veins and what is worse, so did the uneasiness with his undefined emotions.

'How did the fuck did things get so damn complicated!' He cursed at himself. There was no denying his actions had dire consequences. No matter what he built in his mind or envisioned today, he was at fault. Deep down he knew the woman did nothing that he should be mad about but the surprise of all of it didn't sit well with him. Clearly she was still in a very emotional state not unlike him. He would wait to talk to her this time, he would wait for Kakarot's reports to sound favorable for a conversation. She deserved that at least, he only hoped that she wouldn't end up more depressed staying with the idiot.