Author's Note: Hey all sorry about the long wait but I had a really bad case of writers block and with all the traveling I've been doing and getting ready to start college I've been busy. Thankfully I was able to work on this for an entire day without getting writers block. This is the last chapter that will mostly take place in Yamako's past. The rest will all deal with the present with the occasional flashback in some later chapters. Anyways hope you like this chapter! REVIEW!

"talking"

thinking

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ.

Chapter 9: Orphaned
Yamako's Time: 8 years ago

Yamako furiously punched the air in front of her at an outstanding speed. Sweat poured down her face steadily so not even the energy from her golden aura was able to evaporate it completely. The graviton computer screen flashed the level of gravity in a consistent rhythm. She had been training since dawn (about 5 in the morning) and it was now well into the morning. After an hour or so the gravity level increased from 800 to 1100 and Yamako was pulled towards the ground. Yamako was currently in Feral Super Saiyan 2 but it wasn't quite enough to withstand the new gravity level. Growling Yamako pushed herself upright and giving a cry ascended to Super Saiyan 3. She had achieved Super Saiyan 3 about a year ago during a rigorous training session with Vegeta where Vegeta had kept mocking her in order to push her into a Saiyan rage (much like the 1 Pan went into when Rizaado killed Trunks and she first achieved Feral Super Saiyan 3) causing her to break through the barrier and into Super Saiyan 3. Unfortunately, she couldn't sustain Feral Super Saiyan 3 for more than a second (and only when extremely pissed off or frustrated) before needing to drop all the way down to Super Saiyan or Feral Saiyan in order to stay conscious, and she definitely couldn't go Feral Super Saiyan 3 when she had already used up so much of her energy training all morning. Gritting her teeth, she adjusted to the gravity and started to put more focused intensity into her training.

After about 3 or 4 more hours the gravity jumped from 1100 to 1800 and Yamako was instantly pulled to the floor. Yamako's body slammed into the ground as she gritted her teeth and groaned in pain and effort. She gripped the ground and tried to push herself to her feet. Clamping her eyes shut she growled and pushed her shoulders up slightly but her stamina didn't last and she soon slammed back down onto the floor. She dropped out of Feral Super Saiyan after a few more failed attempts to get back up and she stopped struggling as she focused all her energy into just staying conscious. The gravity was putting such a great deal of force on her that she could barely breathe because of the pressure on her lungs. Suddenly the graviton deactivated and the door slammed open. Now that the gravity was gone Yamako was able to lift her head and blearily look towards the door to the Gravity Chamber. Vegeta stood in the doorway with a slightly panicked expression on his face. Once he saw Yamako he burst into the chamber and ran over to her. Vegeta knelt down next to his granddaughter as Yamako gazed at him through half lidded eyes.

"Grandpa…" Yamako whispered out weakly before slipping into unconsciousness.

Vegeta sighed in relief and gently lifted her into his arms and over his shoulder. He carefully carried her out of the Gravity Chamber and into the Capsule house they were living in. He set her down on the couch and left to get a senzu bean. Coming back, he made her swallow it before he sat down on the couch watching her. After a moment she slowly opened her eyes and shook her head as she sat up slowly. She grabbed her head and gave another strong shake of her head before looking at Vegeta at the other end of the couch. Vegeta was looking at her with a stern expression plastered on his face. Yamako shrank back slightly and lowered her head. Ever since Bulma died Vegeta started becoming more and more distant and less…friendly towards her as well as being less tolerant of her mistakes. She wasn't quite sure what was going to happen next. Vegeta's eyes narrowed ever so slightly when Yamako lowered head and turned a little so that he was facing her more.

"Look at me Brat!" Vegeta commanded firmly.

Yamako hesitantly raised her head and turned her gaze to look straight into her grandfather's eyes. Vegeta crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her strictly.

"Why were you training under that kind of gravity? You know perfectly well that you're not supposed to be training under that severe of gravity without me there too. So why were you…?" Vegeta demanded sharply.

Yamako shamefully looked away and closed her eyes tightly. Her hands gripped her pants and she took a deep ragged breath.

"I was trying to get stronger. I wanted to become as strong as you! I didn't want to be a burden the next time Rizaado showed up. I wanted to be able to help in the next battle instead of being helpless. I know I disobeyed you Grandpa Vegeta but I had to… I thought it was the only way I'd be able to help the next time." Yamako stated monotonically before looking up at him cautiously.

Vegeta simply looked at her with the same expression and Yamako quickly averted her gaze.

"I'm sorry…" Yamako said quietly.

Vegeta sighed deeply and bowed his head a little shaking it back and forth somewhat. He raised his head to look back at Yamako who still had her gaze aimed at the floor.

"I've told you before that you don't have to apologize to anyone. I understand your desire to fight… It's in your blood but know this…you are not weak…and you couldn't possibly be a burden. I don't want you training under that kind of gravity without me because it's not safe for you to do so. I made a promise to your parents and grandmother when she died…and I intend to keep that promise…" Vegeta said softly, yet casually while his firm expression turned to 1 of slight tenderness.

Yamako's jaw dropped slightly as she stared at Vegeta in utter disbelief. She couldn't believe that he had actually said all of that. She knew that her grandfather worried about her and was concerned for her well-being but for him to actually admit all of that was incredible. Although Vegeta tended to be a little more open with his emotions around her, and Bulma and Bra when they were alive, she still didn't expect him to say all of that. Seeing the shocked look on Yamako's face Vegeta sighed slightly and after giving Yamako a look that told her to stay put he got up and headed down the hall. Vegeta returned a few minutes later with something in his right hand. Sitting back down he looked at Yamako for a moment before holding his right hand out towards her and opening his hand to reveal a pendent about the size of his palm on a long chain. It was in the shape of 2 crescent moons that were back to back with each other (creating a sort of X like shape) and Yamako looked at it with confusion. Yamako thought it looked familiar for some reason even though she was sure that she had never seen it before. She didn't know what it was or where Vegeta had gotten it and she quickly looked up at him in question.

"This is Saiyan Royal Family Talisman. My father gave it to me when I was about your age. It should have been passed to Trunks but I never saw fit to give it to him considering I was still the crown prince but it's time you had it. You've proven yourself worthy numerous times. It's time it was passed to you." Vegeta said casually as he offered the talisman to her.

Yamako carefully took it and looked at it for a second before looking back Vegeta uncertainly. Vegeta simply nodded in confirmation and gave a small half smile. Yamako smiled a little. That was the first thing even resembling a genuine smile in over 2 years. Gazing at the talisman in her hand fondly for a moment she quickly moved to place it around her neck. Vegeta stopped her and instead instructed her to fasten it around her waist so the talisman hung off-center to her left (below her heart) as tradition demanded in order to keep the symbol of the honor of the Saiyan royal family aligned with the heart and soul of a Saiyan warrior. Once Yamako had secured it in place she smiled at Vegeta who nodded and got up. He walked towards the front door pausing a moment to motion for Yamako to follow him. Yamako quickly complied and ran over to him. They went to a clearing nearby that they had equipped with the same shielding technology that Bulma had used at Capsule Corp. to protect it from damage. The clearing was large and provided a small, yet adequate battlefield for them to spar on. The 2 spent the rest of the day vigorously training and sparing with each other.

That night Vegeta couldn't sleep because he was thinking about something out on the roof. He knew that currently even if he combined his recently discovered incredible power with Yamako's own outstanding strength that they most likely wouldn't be able to defeat Rizaado, especially since transforming into Super Saiyan 4 without artificial moonlight the first time seemed like just a fluke. That meant that it would take too long to transform for the fight and transforming before the fight would seriously lower his ki. However, if he was able to learn how to transform without moonlight and Yamako was able to become a Feral Super Saiyan 4 then there was a chance for the Earth. Yamako already had her tail and he had been teaching her how to control it and herself in her transformed state for about 4 years now. She was pretty close to achieving Super Saiyan 4 already all she needed was a little more intense training and a push to throw her over the edge. He knew that Yamako achieving Feral Super Saiyan 4 was the planet's only hope. With that in mind and a new determination he decided right then that that was his purpose and goal from here on in. Everything he did would be for the purpose of helping Yamako ascend. Nodding his head in affirmation Vegeta got off the roof and went back to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. For tomorrow the real intense training was going to begin and he had to be prepared. There was going to be no holding back tomorrow and no giving up. From here on both Yamako and especially him were going to be giving it their all.

SCENE CHANGE

Vegeta and Yamako's shadowy figures danced around in the air above their sparring field. Both were moving at lightning speeds. It had been almost 2 months since Vegeta decided it was time to intensify their training and the 2 of them had greatly improved in that short period of time. Right now the 2 of them were moving so fast that the only thing that was visible were the occasional blurs of when they moved past at a slow enough pace and the explosions of when their blows were blocked or the rare occasion when they connected with their intended target. They were trying to land a punch or kick by out maneuvering the other or breaking through the other's defenses. So far it was a fairly even competition with neither of them landing too many hits. Suddenly Vegeta materialized and a second later Yamako materialized at the opposite end of the clearing. The two stared each other down in anticipation of who would make the next move. Both were panting heavily and sweat poured down their faces as they somewhat glared at each other. Vegeta and Yamako proudly floated in Super Saiyan 3 mode and both of the kis were the same. Vegeta gave Yamako a cocky grin and straightened, crossing his arms over his chest, knowing full well how his granddaughter would take the look.

Yamako was Vegeta's equal in every sense of the word; including her arrogance, pride, and impulsivity. Yamako took the grin and head movement as a sign that Vegeta thought she wasn't a worthy opponent. This infuriated Yamako to no end and her pride immediately demanded that she attack him for this insult. Giving a cry Yamako zoomed towards Vegeta in a fit of rage. Had she been able to think clearly she would have reconsidered this course of action and thought about the purpose of Vegeta's sudden action. Vegeta watched Yamako's impulsive strike and secretly smirked to himself while remaining completely motionless. Yamako pulled back her fist as she approached Vegeta ready to punch him with everything she had. Once she was close enough she swung with all her might and when Yamako's fist was only millimeters away from making contact with the side of his face a golden aura flashed around him a second as he disappeared. Yamako came to a stop a few feet past where Vegeta was previously floating. Yamako angrily glanced from side to side trying to locate him. Suddenly she was struck in the back of the neck and sent careening towards the ground. Yamako created a small grove in the ground as she slid to a stop. Yamako quickly pushed herself to her feet and turned around with a look of absolute rage plastered on her face. She looked up at Vegeta with malice but much of her rage died when her eyes met the sight before her. Vegeta floated up above her in Super Saiyan 4 mode with a smirk plastered on his face.

"This is a lesson you'd better learn fast Girl! Never blindly attack your opponent unless you can do so before they are able to retaliate or you are prepared for whatever action they take! You will never become a great Saiyan warrior unless you can control your rage and harness it to make you stronger not let it blind you in the heat of battle because you can be sure when you face Rizaado he would not pause in his attack like I did just now! You are clearly in over your head if you let your rage dictate your actions in such a disgraceful manner!" Vegeta spat out harshly.

Hearing those words brought all her rage back to the surface ten fold. She snarled and her eyes shown nothing but hatred towards her grandfather. She gripped her hands into fists at her side as energy crackled around her.

"I'll show you rage…! I'll show you just how strong I AM!" Yamako cried out venomously before letting out an ear piercing scream.

Yamako's aura sprang up around her and whipped around violently. Blue sparks sizzled around her muscles and hair as it swished back and forth in the turbulence created by her aura. Yamako hunched over growling and her eyes went blank. Her ki shot up tremendously and fluctuated chaotically. Her spine and rib cage cracked and her entire skeleton shifted to a more agile and sleek form. She stood erect and arched her back giving another fierce cry as sharp fangs developed. Her fists opened and the bones in her hand cracked as she grew long sharp claws. She lowered into a fighting position as she closed her eyes. After a moment her aura died down and her eyes shot open to reveal the piercing red feral eyes. Vegeta simply gazed on in shock for a moment before realization set it and caused him to inwardly beam with pride. She had achieved Feral Super Saiyan 3 and was actually able to sustain it. She was 1 step closer to becoming a Feral Super Saiyan 4 and at that moment couldn't have been more proud of his granddaughter. However, his happiness was short lived for the next second he remembered the cause of her transformation and silently cursed as he got into a fighting position as well. Yamako's eyes narrowed and she leapt into the air towards Vegeta with pure fury written all over her face. Vegeta dodged her initial attack only to have Yamako dodge the ki wave he threw at her in retaliation. The 2 traded blows for over an hour with no decided winner. They were in a deadlock with neither gaining a clear advantage over the other. Although Yamako was truthfully slightly stronger than Vegeta she wasn't thinking perfectly clear thus preventing her from gaining an advantage over Vegeta. Nearing their second hour of intense battling Vegeta managed to put some distance between himself and Yamako. This served to give a slight breather as Yamako surprisingly didn't charge after him right away.

While locked in fierce battle with Vegeta Yamako's rage had slowly died away resulting in a much calmer and clearer thinking Saiyan Warrior. Vegeta had noted that during the last 30 minutes of battling that Yamako was progressively making fewer and fewer mistakes and it was becoming increasing more difficult to land a blow. She was battling much more intelligently and was starting to gain an advantage but he didn't realize that she was no longer in a blinding Saiyan rage because she wore the same enraged face as before. Once Yamako had come out of her blinding rage and she was able to think clearly again she realized what Vegeta had been trying to do and that he was right. Yamako realized that Vegeta had purposely infuriated her so that he could teach her a valuable lesson on restraint and controlling her pride. She recognized that the same mistake she just made was the same 1 that had caused Vegeta so many problems in battles that he had fought in the past. He was trying to make sure that she didn't make the same mistakes he did, especially when it came to his pride. Yamako made a vow to never forget this valuable new lesson and to never make the same mistake during a fight again. So to prove it she simply floated in a battle stance with the same hate filled expression plastered on her face patiently awaiting Vegeta's next move. Vegeta was curious and very confused. His granddaughter simply floated in place when it appeared as though she was still in a blind Saiyan rage. An enraged Saiyan never waits for their opponent to make a move and yet it seemed that that was exactly what Yamako was doing. Looking at Yamako strangely he calmly floated to the ground. Yamako carelessly followed his lead until both were standing on the ground. Noticing that Yamako still wasn't attacking but simply seemed to be obliging to his terms he reasoned that she was no longer in a Saiyan rage but back to herself. To test this theory, he fired an energy blast at her. It wasn't incredibly powerful but it was strong enough to do some damage if it managed to strike her. Yamako swiftly dodged the blast and threw 1 of her own back of equal intensity. Vegeta dodged and leapt forward to meet Yamako halfway who also leapt forward. Their fist connected and they began to trade blows. After about 10 minutes they jumped apart and stood a couple yards away from each other.

"I think that's enough for today Brat…" Vegeta said as he smirked at Yamako and shook his head slightly.

Yamako grinned in return and nodded. Both powered down to normal and almost instantly collapsed to their knees because of fatigue. Both of them were completely spent on energy. Neither of them had ever spent so much time fully powered up before. Maintaining their transformations was incredibly draining. It was by sheer will that they were able to stay transformed for so long without collapsing or falling unconscious. Once they had caught their breath they both stood up and walked over to each other.

"Well done today Brat. You reached Feral Super Saiyan 3." Vegeta said pride evident in his voice.

"Thanks to you Grandpa Vegeta. I figured out what you were doing while we were fighting. I've learned a valuable lesson Grandpa Vegeta…and I'm sorry for-" Yamako spoke solemnly.

Vegeta stopped her with a motion of his hand. "I've told you before that you don't have to apologize to me. If I hadn't wanted you to respond in such a way then I wouldn't have pushed you into doing so."

Yamako smiled and nodded in affirmation.

"Anyways your behavior gave both of us a decent workout. Now we're both more prepared for Rizaado's next attack." Vegeta shrugged.

"Speaking of that workout…when did you learn how to become a Super Saiyan 4 without artificial moonlight?"

"About a year ago." Vegeta answered casually.

"Why didn't you tell me? …Or show me in a fight before now?" Yamako asked curiously. "How did you do it?" she asked as an after thought.

"I didn't tell you for the same reason I didn't show you in a fight before today. Because you weren't strong enough to reach Feral Super Saiyan 3 yet and I knew that that was the only way it was going to be a fair fight between us. I achieved the transformation with practice…and…" Vegeta painfully closed his eyes and Yamako instantly understood that he had replayed Bulma's death in his mind until he was able to transform on command.

Yamako smiled reassuringly at her grandfather and nodded. After a few more minutes of rest to regain their strength they flew home to eat and get a good night's sleep because they both knew it was going to be more of the same the next day.

SCENE CHANGE

Vegeta and Yamako flew through the air towards their sparring field for some afternoon sparring. It had been 4 months since Yamako achieved Feral Super Saiyan 3 and Vegeta had revealed that he could become a Super Saiyan 4 on command. After spending the entire morning in the Gravity Chamber training they decided to have a real spar out at their sparring field. They landed soon after and took a few minutes to regain the energy used in the flight there and to warm up with some stretches. Just as they were about to conclude their warm up they sensed a powerful and all-to-familiar presence appear in a nearby city.

"Do you feel that Grandpa Vegeta? It's Rizaado…he's back!" Yamako stated firmly.

Vegeta nodded in confirmation as he and his granddaughter reached out with their minds in order to assess Rizaado's ki increase. Vegeta detected Rizaado's true power and knew that they weren't strong enough to defeat him currently. That being the case Vegeta still knew that he had to face him. He had made several vows that the next time Rizaado came to Earth that he would make him pay for killing his entire family especially his mate. Even though he knew that there was no way he could beat Rizaado on his own he knew that he had to try in order to give his granddaughter more time to prepare. He knew that if he didn't face Rizaado then he would continue to wipe out innocent lives until they faced him. Vegeta was going to have to face Rizaado and drive him back into the dimensional rift so that Yamako would have time to harness her skills and become strong enough to kill him. Although they stood a better chance together Vegeta made up his mind to go solo. He had been staying up long after Yamako had collapsed in her bed from exhaustion and getting up hours before her to train so he would be prepared for this day. This made him quite a bit stronger than Yamako and as the strongest and as her grandfather he had to protect her from getting hurt or possibly even killed by Rizaado. No matter what it took he was going to protect her.

"Come on Grandpa Vegeta… Let's go avenge everyone's deaths!" Yamako stated with determination as she charged ahead and prepared to take flight.

Vegeta stopped her with a hand on her shoulder holding her to the ground. Yamako looked over her shoulder at him in confusion. Vegeta wore a stern unreadable expression on his face but Yamako noticed that his eyes looked even more forlorn than usual. She wondered what was wrong.

"Not you Yamako. I'm fighting Rizaado myself, you're staying right here!" Vegeta stated firmly.

Yamako's eyes opened wide with shock. "WHAT?! I am not staying while you fight Rizaado alone! He'll kill you Grandpa Vegeta! No I'm coming with you! We'll fight him together like you said we would!" Yamako ranted unbelievingly as tears began to form in her eyes.

Vegeta got down on 1 knee so that he was only slightly lower that being eye level with her. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked at her sternly. It was obvious that there was no other option than to obey him but if you looked into his eyes closely enough you could see that this decision was tearing him up inside because he knew that he was never going to see Yamako again and it pained him to see her looking at him with so much hurt and betrayal in her eyes.

"Listen to me Yamako… Rizaado is far stronger than I anticipated. Even together we can't defeat him but maybe someday you can. But you can only do so if you live." Vegeta said softly.

"Then don't go! Stay and train with me some more! I can't beat him without you Grandpa Vegeta! Please!" Yamako desperately pleaded.

Vegeta shook his head. "I can't Yamako. Rizaado will continue his rampage until we reveal ourselves or he finds us. I have to drive him back into the dimensional drift but you have to stay here and wait. You have to prepare for when he returns."

Yamako sniffled and looked defiantly at Vegeta. It was obvious she wasn't going to accept that. Vegeta broke eye contact and sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry Yamako…" Vegeta stated quietly.

Yamako gasped at being apologized to but before she had the time to even really process what had happened Vegeta nailed her squarely in the gut. Yamako grasped her stomach as she sunk to the ground slowly. As her vision blurred and darkened she gazed up at Vegeta in question.

Vegeta stood up and looked down at Yamako with a sad expression. "Take care of yourself Yamako. You're Earth's only hope now." Vegeta whispered just loud enough for Yamako to hear as he floated up into the air while Yamako completely lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.

Once Vegeta was well above the trees he turned towards the city in which Rizaado was located and most likely destroying. Vegeta's eyes narrowed before turning around to give his granddaughter 1 last look.

Be safe Yamako… I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you… Good-bye little Sapphire Princess… (Sapphire Princess is Vegeta's pet-name for Yamako) Vegeta thought as his eyes glazed over with unshed tears.

An instant later his eyes hardened and he turned back towards where Rizaado was. Instantly he was in level 4 as he shot towards Rizaado; leaving nothing but a fading golden ki trail in his wake.

SCENE CHANGE

Rizaado stood on the roof top of 1 of the many collapsed buildings around him waiting for Vegeta and his granddaughter to show. He soon sensed Vegeta approaching and was actually impressed by Vegeta's ki even though he still didn't think of Vegeta as an actual threat to him. Vegeta landed soon after and Rizaado was shocked by his appearance. While Vegeta stood there glaring at him Rizaado took the opportunity to look Vegeta over. Dark red fur covered his arms and back. His tail had changed colors to match his new fur color. His hair was still black but was down past his shoulder. His eyes were a bluish color with black pupils and outlined in red. Vegeta felt slightly unnerved by Rizaado studying him so vigorously but thankfully after Rizaado had sufficiently looked over Vegeta's appearance he smirked at the Saiyan prince and secretly looked around for Vegeta's granddaughter.

"Hey where's that bratty granddaughter of yours? She too afraid to face me? Smart girl." Rizaado chuckled.

"My granddaughter is of no concern of yours Rizaado!" Vegeta growled defensively.

"My my aren't we a bit touché on the subject. What's the matter afraid I'm going to take her away from you too?" Rizaado roared with laughter.

Vegeta growled. "I TOLD YOU SHE WASN'T YOUR CONCERN YOU HAD BEST WORRY ABOUT ME!" Vegeta roared angrily.

He had to keep him away from his granddaughter. That was the only thing that mattered to Vegeta anymore. He knew that he couldn't beat Rizaado but if he succeeded in keeping this monster away from Yamako then this fight had a purpose. Rizaado seemed to dislike Vegeta talking to him like that because he growled and a second later sprung forth for the attack. Vegeta powered up completely and attacked as well.

The battle raged on for an hour with Rizaado increasingly gaining the upper hand in the fight. Still Vegeta continued to fight and he managed to be a challenge for Rizaado. However, his ki was dropping rapidly and it was sheer will that kept him fighting despite the fatigue plaguing his body. The will to force Rizaado back through a dimensional rift and save his granddaughter. Once he felt that he had weakened Rizaado enough and that he had to force him back through the dimensional rift before all of his strength gave out he jumped back into the air and put his hands out in front of him beginning to gather ki in his palms. Rizaado jumped back and looked at Vegeta with amusement, interest, and curiosity.

Now what does this fool think he's doing? He can't form a ki attack powerful enough to kill me without killing himself. Rizaado thought.

Once Vegeta had gathered all the ki left in his body other than his own life force he paused for a moment to pant and gather his thoughts and courage. Vegeta closed his eyes and deeply sighed.

This is for you Yamako… Vegeta thought as he opened his eyes afterward and began gathering his very life force into his palms as well.

Rizaado's eyes opened wide with shock. He never thought that Vegeta would go so far as to actually deliberately kill himself in order to save the Earth. But then he realized that it really wasn't for the Earth but for his granddaughter. Either way the blast was becoming strong enough to kill him and there was no way to avoid it because he could sense that Vegeta had made it so that it would follow him (because of Vegeta's consciousness being present inside the ball of energy). He was trapped.

Glaring defiantly at Rizaado Vegeta prepared to release the energy in his palms. Giving a cry he forcefully shot the blast forward towards the now frightened Rizaado.

I'm coming Bulma… Vegeta thought as he released the blast; his soul also leaving his body and passing into the other world.

His lifeless body plummeted to the ground as his soul left it and instantly returned to its normal form just before it faded to rejoin its owner in the other world.

"NOOO!" Rizaado cried as the blast rocketed towards him.

In a second the blast was beginning to consume him. The energy seared and scorched his skin as the ball itself seemed to suck the very life out of him. Rizaado was desperate he had to find a way to escape. He was going to have to try to escape through a dimensional rift right there. He was going to have to focus almost all of his remaining energy into creating the dimensional rift inside the ki blast around his body. Gritting his teeth, he concentrated as hard as he could until finally a small weak dimensional rift opened around his body causing him to vanish at the same instant the dimensional rift closed.

The scarred battlefield was eerily silent as all living things had fled. Only the whistling of the wind disturbed the silence as it swooped over the battle field. A small charred square object blew across the ground. When it temporally got caught on a rock it was revealed to be a photograph. The only photograph Vegeta had ever willingly been a part of. It was the picture that Vegeta had carried with him since the day it was developed. It was a picture of when Yamako was 5 and had just recently unleashed her Feral Saiyan powers and started her true Saiyan training with Vegeta. Bulma had taken the picture when she ran into them as Vegeta was carrying her inside to get a senzu bean. Bulma was naturally worried about her granddaughter and after Vegeta assured her that Yamako was fine she whipped out a camera and prepared to take their picture. It was expected that Vegeta would grunt and complain, attempting to put up a fight about having his picture taken but surprisingly he didn't. Vegeta simply took a couple steps back so Bulma could get a better shot and faced the camera. It was a picture of Vegeta and Yamako in identical spandex training suites.

Both of the suites were ripped up and both Vegeta and Yamako had multiple scratches on them. It was taken right after Yamako and Vegeta's first true training session and it was clear that Yamako had gotten the brute end of the beating. Yamako was unconscious and Vegeta had her cradled against him. Yamako's head was resting on his shoulder and she was gently cuddling into his chest with a small smile on her face. Surprisingly, Vegeta had a small smile on his face as well and his normally cold eyes held a tenderness and softness to them that was rarely ever seen on Vegeta. Vegeta's eyes weren't focused in front of him though but on the young girl in his arms. Just before the picture was taken Yamako snuggled just a little deeper into Vegeta's chest causing Vegeta to glance down at her slightly and smile faintly at her as his eyes dramatically softened. Taking the opportunity Bulma quickly took the picture knowing from experience how rare it was for Vegeta to have an expression like that on his face, especially in front of someone other than the person that look was intended for.

Vegeta had snatched the picture as soon it was developed and instead of destroying it like everyone assumed he had held onto it. As Yamako grew older she smiled less and less. When she did smile it was never a true genuine smile and she lost more of her carefree spirit than anyone liked. Although Vegeta enjoyed having a granddaughter that attempted to live up to her royal Saiyan heritage and loved the person she was he began to miss the innocent child that in many ways reminded him of the entire Son clan. He missed her smiles and happy-go-lucky spirit as much as Yamako missed her grandfather when he wasn't so distant and cold even towards her. Vegeta had kept this photo because by the time it was developed he had already started to notice the carefree spirit Yamako once had beginning to fade away and he wanted a reminder of what Yamako was once like. It had been in his pocket during the fight but it slipped out just before Vegeta's body faded away.

A strong gust of wind pried the picture loose and carried it high into the air. It sailed on air currents for miles and as if led by some mystical force it found its way back to where Yamako lay unconscious on the ground. Drifting down to the ground the corner of the photo almost magically ended up underneath Yamako's hand as the wind mysteriously died down after that.

Present Time

"I woke up the next day and instantly searched for Grandpa Vegeta's ki. When I didn't sense it or Rizaado I knew he had done what he had set out to do…and that he was gone. I was on my own after that. It took me a long time after that to understand why Grandpa Vegeta had no other choice but to do what he did but it still didn't make the pain of his death go away. I lived at the Capsule house for another year or so before the memories became too painful. I basically lived on the streets or in the forest after that. I brought the portable Gravity Chamber with me wherever I went. I moved from cave to cave while in the forest but after a while I longed for human contact. So when I was 14 I moved from city to city staying in abandoned buildings wherever I went. I usually caught my own food but in the city I made glass objects or whatever to sell for clothes and other supplies. It was hard but somehow I managed to get by and all my experiences made me that much stronger. In a few months I had become far more powerful than Grandpa Vegeta had ever been. My ki continued to increase over the years until I thought I was strong enough to beat Rizaado once and for all. I guess Grandpa Vegeta really did a number on Rizaado because he didn't return until just a week ago. I ended up bringing Rizaado to his knees when we fought and was just about to kill him when he blasted me away and opened a dimensional rift to this time in order to kill you. I followed him but by the time I got through the rift he was already disappearing into another to recover from our fight and get stronger so he can return and kill you. But that's not going to happen because you're going to become a Feral Saiyan before he returns so the 2 of us together can finish him off once and for all." Yamako stated confidently as she discretely fingered the photos in her jacket pocket.

Yamako had not told Pan about the picture of her and Vegeta that had found its way to her after his final fight. It was a special picture signifying the relationship they really had even after they began to grow more distant and sad. It was 1 of her 5 remaining most valuable possessions. The other things were the Saiyan Royal Family Talisman (that she kept secured around her waist/hip with the talisman/pendant part under her pants-to keep it safe and out of sight), the bandana she had gotten from Pan, her father's sword that she had inherited when he died but didn't get until she had dug it out of the Capsule Corp. rubble after Rizaado attacked, and the last was a photo of her when she was a baby with both her parents. She was wrapped in a soft blue blanket showing her head and scruff of hair along with her tail hanging out the other end. She was being held by her mother with her tail wrapped around her mother's arm and Trunks standing slightly behind and slightly to the side of her mother with both of his hands on her shoulders. This was her favorite because she was able to see her mother with a genuine smile on her face and eyes that weren't empty holes like she remembered her mother having. These 5 things were the things she treasured more than anything else in the universe. She hoped that once this was all over she could gather more things to help her remember what everyone was like when the threat of death and the pain of loss weren't constantly looming over their heads. Yamako secretly smiled ever-so-slightly at the thought.

Pan watched Yamako carefully for a second after she had finished speaking noticing the changes in her demeanor. All the time she was talking about her past her mood became progressively worse and Pan was shocked by the horrors Yamako had gone through. She didn't think anyone deserved that much pain and tragedy in their life let alone all of what she went through in just the first 10 years of her life and yet still come out of it in 1 piece. Granted Yamako did seem traumatized and emotionally scared by her past but she was still sane and it seemed still a relatively caring person. When she stopped talking she seemed a little happier and much more hopeful about the future and Pan realized just how much she liked seeing this side of Yamako. Now she was going to do whatever it took to ensure that Yamako's mood stayed so positive and hopefully continue to get better and it looked as though the only way to ensure that was to help Yamako kill Rizaado. She made a vow right there to help Yamako save not only this Earth but the Earth of her future too. Putting on a determined face Pan turned to Yamako who looked back at Pan with her usual emotionless expression.

"So when do we start…?" Pan asked with determination.

Yamako smirked much like Vegeta. "Right now… HE-YAH!" Yamako cried as dropped into a battle position and simultaneously sprung towards Pan at a mind blowing speed.

Author's Note: So Vegeta sacrificed his own life to ensure that Yamako would live…very heroic of him don't you think? I know Vegeta was a little out of character in this chapter but I think it really works well for the story and explaining why Yamako was so close to him. Besides we all know Vegeta really does feel that way he just never shows it. Hope you all liked it and please remember to review! Laters!