A/N:

Hi hi! Next update underway! It seems that some of you had the impression that I graduated from college last week. Not yet! I have two more years left until I become a fully fledged adult (scary). I plan on treasuring the remainder of my student life.

Back to fanfic related things. Thanks once again for all of your reviews! Like I've said in the past, the motivation I receive from your reviews is immeasurable, and I love you all for it. Thanks to everyone who's reading this! and all of my wonderful reviewers:

boona, TheDeadlyColera, Smile-thebestthingintheworld, Death101-Fox Version, Cara2012, Greendragonsheart, bvprincess23, Greenis my fav color, ZombieChick422, menga88, Trixie-chan, Winrycherry101, dancingsugar (thanks!), BloodyXan-Xan, Many Voices In My Head, dyingdreamsv2, johncorn (maybe! wait and see!), MK08 (yeah getting it pulled off seemed more...brutal than a sword cut), KayuraK (yay optimism :D), The0Blind0Writer (I think King Kai does, but I wonder how much we can trust him since that whole 'frieza didn't blow up your planet' thing), jdboss1, taity, gue22 (is updating two days later okay?), v-mangrl, DBZer16 (eep. fear doesn't make for fast updates! ...I mean, I'm not bribing :D), joys, Eure, ScoobyDoobyDee (aww thanks :D), PerfectLover, Trixie-chan (again!), Naughty Cat (if only they had a DBZ major...), YukiraKing, and Cloud Envy Shikamaru.

Oh, and now we have the nice little talk about power levels. Goku is actually a little weaker than he originally is in the series (no King Kai training). Gohan's a tad stronger, due to the Oozaru mastery. Vegeta is also stronger (as well as Raditz) because of the past beatings. Piccolo and Krillin are around the same power levels they would have been, but Yamcha is a tad weaker because he didn't have King Kai's training either. I'm still assuming that Goku, although slightly weaker than he's supposed to be, is still the strongest out of all of them. This is NOT to say that he'll turn Super Saiyan first or be the one who defeats Frieza or whatever. I'm not giving away that info :D I hope that clears up some power level confusion. And remember! This is technically an AU, and slight differences change a lot in the Dragon Ball universe :D coughearlyheartdiseasecough.

Enough rambling.

Disclaimer: I got new manga in the mail today :D ...but that's about all I own of DB/DBZ/DBGT.

Complications, Confrontations, Realizations

"It's great to see you back, Piccolo." Goku patted the Namekian on the back and then held out his hand. "We need your help, if you're willing to give it. You see..."

"I know about Frieza." Piccolo eyed everyone closely. Bulma watched his narrowed eyes follow each of their movements. She was still afraid of Piccolo, but how could she not be? He was the scariest thing on her planet, well, up until Raditz had shown up. But Raditz was their ally. Why couldn't Piccolo be that either? Bulma took a deep breath and stepped away from Yamcha. She shouldn't have felt so worried. There were currently six fighters surrounding her, counting Gohan. She should be feeling safer here if anything.

Vegeta... Her mind backtracked again, and she bit her lip, realizing she wasn't worried for herself but for the Saiyan prince.

Piccolo continued, just staring at Goku's outstretched hand. "There are advantages of being tied to Kami. Being able to keep my body was one of them. I was able to train under one of the Kais until you wished me back."

"So the Earth dragon balls are back now? Kami's back?" Krillin asked, avoiding the confusion that was arising over the mention of 'the Kais'.

Piccolo seemed distracted suddenly. His eyes turned to the environment around him, moving over the hills and landscape, the heritage that he never knew existed. "He is. I wish the old coot had told me about this place."

"You'll help us, right Piccolo?" Goku raised an eyebrow, "Whoa, whoever this King Kai guy is, he really did help you out, didn't it? Your power level is amazing."

The Namekian grunted at that, but still didn't answer. The other fighters were getting tense. None of them felt like fighting Piccolo, especially this seemingly more powerful version of Piccolo. "Who are you?" Piccolo motioned to the smaller Namekian.

"Dende, sir. Lord Guru says you're the one responsible for the Earth dragon balls?"

Again, no reply. Yamcha was getting jumpy, "Look, Piccolo. We have to worry about Frieza, so either you help us or you..."

"Mr. Piccolo." Gohan stepped up, standing next to his father after interrupting Yamcha. For once, the Namekian turned his head, looking at the little son of his rival. Gohan continued, "I saw what you did when...Uncle Raditz came."

At the Saiyan's name, Piccolo shot Raditz a dirty look, almost a death glare. He scowled, "Yeah?"

"And I wanted to thank you. For...trying to protect me." The little boy bowed slightly. "I know you and my dad weren't the greatest friends, but...thank you."

"I saw potential in you." Piccolo looked down at the child, "Even though you seemed like a cry baby. Someone toughened you up."

"That would be me." Raditz offered his hand, just like his brother was doing. Goku still had a smile on his face that seemed to only grow seeing that his crazy suggestion of a good Piccolo wasn't actually that crazy at all. "And I..." the Saiyan clenched his outstretched hand but then relaxed again. "I...apologize for killing you. Sort of."

"Hmph." Piccolo stared at the open hand with indignation and instead grabbed Goku's. "You have an ally in me, Son Goku. But don't think I won't want a rematch after we get back to Earth." There was something humorous in the way he spoke. Almost as he, like everyone else, knew that the chances of all of them actually making it back to Earth would be slim.

Goku glowed. "That's great! All of us against Frieza shouldn't be a problem."

"Especially with a Super Saiyan." Raditz sounded behind them. "Do not forget our bargain, Kakarot." His impatience reminded everyone of Porunga's presence. Not that a giant dragon in the background should need a reminder.

This is it, Vegeta. This is for you. "Ask him how to become a Super Saiyan. Ask him how to do it." Bulma told Dende stiffly. It was better than just granting Vegeta the power. That way Goku and Raditz and maybe even Gohan could learn the secret behind the legend as well. And the wish would be completely useless if Vegeta was...if Zarbon had already...

"If you're all sure..."

Bulma shot Raditz a glance who also nodded. She nodded her head, "Yes, we're sure."

Dende voiced the wish in the Namekian language, noises that made Piccolo's ears twitch in recognition. And just as Bulma hoped, the dragon replied. The response seemed short enough, which was good since she didn't want this Super Saiyan thing to be too complicated. But her hopeful expression faded when Dende turned around, not looking too happy at all. "Porunga says he can't give you an answer."

Raditz's face fell, his voice icy hard. "What?"

"He...He said it's different for every Saiyan. That it's not some specific piece of knowledge he can just tell you."

Goku scratched his head, "Well...that stinks."

"That stinks? Kakarot, we're screwed! Frieza will destroy us all. Namekian child! Wish for immortality for the Saiyan prince. That is the only solution." Raditz crossed his arms, firm in his statement.

"No, Raditz! Immortality has to be the stupidest wish I have ever heard of. Don't do it dragon!" Bulma waved a finger at Porunga, only half realizing that the dragon wouldn't understand her anyway.

"Save the wish."

Yamcha cringed at Piccolo's suggestion, "But what if Frieza..."

"Unless Frieza suddenly learns Namekian, I doubt we'll have any trouble. Send him back, Dende." Piccolo crossed his arms, letting his cape catch the end of the wind.

Dende did as the older Namekian suggested, and Porunga fell back into the dragon balls. "Son Goku." Piccolo turned to face the Saiyan. "King Kai wanted me to talk to you before we challenge Frieza."

Bulma stomped on the ground. Vegeta...poor Vegeta. We don't have time to just sit around. We need to tell him about his wish. She bit her lip. How will he face not knowing how to become a Super Saiyan? She didn't want to think about it. Bulma dragged another capsule from her pocket and stored all the dragon balls away, glad they hadn't dashed across the sky for once. Piccolo was currently talking to Goku about some sort of fighting move that was apparently super important, but she could care less. She wanted to get to Vegeta already and see if he was alive.

"Bulma?"

She turned back to see Yamcha standing a fair distance away from her. Her stomach turned and bit when the thoughts and memories of their life together came swirling through her head. She had been unfair to him. Sure, he hadn't been the most loyal or greatest boyfriend ever, but she had loved him. Loved. Bulma wondered when that started being in the past tense, when they were nothing more than childhood sweethearts, not mature, devoted partners. "Let's talk, Yamcha."

Vegeta could wait for a moment.

His whole body felt destroyed, absolutely mutilated. Vegeta had to restrain himself from vomiting blood, the area of impact causing his whole body to become numb with pain. Damn it. He didn't know who he was cursing exactly: Zarbon or himself. How could he have been so clumsy, so careless? Didn't he know he wasn't supposed to play around with his food?

Vegeta's gloved hand reached towards his back. He had tried to move his tail, but he couldn't. That connection was gone. The familiar sensation of something warm around his waist, something else to balance his body, was gone. And out of the corner of his eye, he saw the furry appendage on the ground, lifeless and bloodied.

The rage enveloping his body was what allowed him to stand. At first he was only on his elbows, then slowly, Vegeta crawled up to his feet, white boots standing in the pile of blood. His back felt raw, vulnerable, and he wobbled as he stood, not used to the absence of weight on his backside. The blood finally rolled out of his throat and flopped onto the ground, gritty, salty, and warm between his teeth. The Saiyan prince just wiped the remains before settling his eyes on his prey. "Zarbon."

"The monkey prince is stronger than I had expected. You surprise me, Vegeta." In his transformed state, Zarbon's voice was deeper yet even more sickening. The monster snapped in front of Vegeta and punched him square in the jaw, sending the Saiyan back to the ground. "Tell me Vegeta, what should I do with the Earth woman when I find her? She owes me a lot you see." A ki blast ignited in Zarbon's right hand. "Maybe I should take pity on her and just kill her quickly, not painless of course, but a fast death would be most merciful, don't you think?"

Vegeta coughed up hot blood again but didn't try to stand again. His bones felt shattered, muscles stretched and strained.

"That is after I use her. That is the only things she is good for, right Vegeta?" The ki blast reflected shadows over the monster's face. "Well then, say goodbye!"

The blast left his hand and carved through the air directly heading towards Vegeta's abdomen, The surrounding air was becoming hot with energy, and Vegeta swerved, forcing his already broken body to roll out of the way, barely missing a direct hit. Shattered bits of rock flurried up, and Vegeta closed his eyes to avoid the fragments.

He pushed his body up and flashed, only a hands reach to Zarbon. The blue-skinned creature flinched back but not in time. Vegeta had grabbed him around the throat, ignoring the pangs of intense pain in his body, fed by the need for blood, the need for revenge. "You're nothing but scum, Zarbon. Not even smart enough to lead yourself. You need Frieza to guide your idiotic mind. Consider killing you a service. That way you won't be running around with your head cut off when I dispose of Frieza myself."

Zarbon choked, reaching aimlessly for the hand that was currently crushing his esophagus. All that escaped his mouth was gurgling, nonsensical phrases. Vegeta tossed his body on the ground, a blue energy blast occupying his hand. Zarbon looked at him in confusion. He said it a rasped voice, "How...how did you manage to gain this power?" He coughed helplessly, "Is it that... woman? Does...she give you that power?"

"Hmph." Vegeta sneered, "This is the power of a Saiyan." The blue light glinted in his dark eyes. "And it'll be the last thing you'll ever see."

With one last shout, the ki blast left Vegeta's hand and crushed Zarbon's body into nothing more than burnt dust. His breath ragged, Vegeta managed a smile before falling face first, exhausted.

Yamcha had led her a little away from the others. Goku and Piccolo were practicing some sort of energy manipulation thing while Gohan chatted away with Dende and Raditz. Krillin gave Yamcha a disheartening look as the bandit led Bulma to a more private surrounding.

She didn't exactly know this day would come, the day she would have to tell Yamcha about, well, everything. The warrior placed his hands on his head, frustratingly grabbing at his black hair as Bulma sat on the ground, looking at him wide eyed. "Mind explaining some stuff?"

"What do you want to know?" A stupid question; she knew that, but she was avoiding the explanation, avoiding thoughts about Vegeta, what Vegeta was to her. Because she didn't exactly know what Vegeta was. She just knew she wanted to be with him.

"When did you meet him?" Yamcha replied slowly. "It was your wish, wasn't it? Back before..."

"Before us. Yeah." Bulma rubbed her fingers together and took a deep breath. "Remember what I wished for?"

Yamcha nodded, "The perfect boyfriend. I remember..."

"No, that wasn't it." Vegeta wouldn't have been the perfect boyfriend. "I wished for my perfect man."

Yamcha lowered his eyes, "And that isn't me."

"Yamcha..."

"It never was me, Bulma." His fingers rose to her face, and it was only when he wiped the tears from her cheek that she realized she was crying. Her throat felt dry, brittle with the heaviness of her emotions. She wasn't used to crying; she was Bulma Briefs! She was an independent, strong woman who had the intelligence and beauty that most could only dream of. She and Yamcha had broken up more times than she cared to remember. But perhaps the tears were falling now because she knew this would be the last time. After this, they were done for good. He had been a huge part of her life. "Do you love him?"

She shook her head, "I don't know yet."

"Did you love me?"

Bulma grabbed his hand and swallowed the remainder of her tears. "You were a good boyfriend, Yamcha. Besides all of the cheating and complaining." She cracked a grin and he followed. Their relationship was rocky, but she was still glad it happened. Yamcha, though sometimes lazy and a little promiscuous, did care about her. And she cared about him. "I did."

He kissed her on the forehead, and Bulma retained her smile. "I loved you too, Bulma."

"People grow apart," she offered.

Yamcha dully nodded, "I've been wanting to be a bachelor for too long anyway."

"Hey!" She punched him hard in the arm, but she doubted it actually hurt him at all. "I think I liked it better when you were afraid of me."

"I'm still a little afraid of you, let's face it." Yamcha grinned, "We're friends though, right?"

"Of course."

"With benefits maybe?"

Bulma made a disgusted face. "You're such a jerk! Remind me why I ever went out with you."

"I'm pretty sure Vegeta would kill me anyway."

She froze at that. Something about Vegeta reacting jealously towards Yamcha made her heart pulse. "You think he would?"

Yamcha scowled. "I don't have to like the guy, do I?"

"Oh, Yamcha." She patted him lightly on the back and quipped, "Since when do I care about your opinion anyway?"

"Bulma."

The deeper voice made Bulma turn to see Raditz staring at both of them. He looked at Yamcha, confused, but coughed to gain both of their attentions. Bulma raised a blue eyebrow, "What is it, Raditz?"

"It's Vegeta. I can't feel his ki."

He must have been seeing things.

But then again, he could feel others around him, but perhaps, with his luck, it was the Ginyu force or Frieza himself. Not her. Why would she be here? She had abandoned him. She had left him when he needed her most in the past. Why would she...

"Vegeta, please."

But those felt like her soft hands cradling his face in her lap, her fingers running through his hair and her sometimes insufferable voice echoing through his ears.

"Please be okay, Vegeta. Please."

His eyes finally opened only to see blue. Waves and waves of blue. His heart unnaturally quickened at the sight, at her smile and eyes. "...Bulma."

"Oh Kami, you're not okay, are you? You said my name."

The damned woman was smiling, cracking a joke while he was bleeding on the ground. He growled at her less than serious expression, but soon coughed as her body collided with his own. "Woman..." He felt something wet on his neck, something that wasn't blood. "Woman, what are you doing?" Vegeta could feel his temperature rising at her presence, and it was only when he sensed the several kis around him again that he sat up, gathering the strength to push her off and see that her eyes were wet. "What's wrong with your face?"

"Excuse me. My face isn't the one that's turning purple and has blood on it." She turned around after wiping the wetness from her eyes. "Goku?"

"Oh, right!" The tall Saiyan walked up and took something out of the pouch on his belt. "Here, Vegeta."

The Saiyan prince hit his hand away, "I don't need your help, Kakarot."

"Don't be an idiot, Vegeta. Take the senzu bean." Bulma grabbed the small object and held it up to him. "Here."

"The what?" Vegeta took the bean but inspected it before eating.

Bulma sighed, "Just eat it, you bonehead."

He gave one last grimace before consuming the bean and was immediately flooded with energy and strength. Vegeta managed to pull himself up when Bulma immediately gasped, "...Your tail."

"Vegeta?" Raditz looked pale. "What happened?"

"What do you think happened?" Vegeta bit. He tried to focus on Bulma. She had this weird calming effect over him, something unexpected from someone who also made him insanely irritable. But then the fact that they were here made him slightly panic. "Why aren't you summoning the dragon? Don't you have all seven balls?"

Goku scratched his head, "Yeah...about that..."

"What, Kakarot?" Vegeta couldn't help but sound angry. Here they were, with all seven dragon balls, just standing around like confused children. Why wasn't he getting his wish? Why wasn't he a Super Saiyan? "What the fuck is going on?"

"Sh, Vegeta, calm down." Bulma grabbed his arm. "The dragon couldn't grant the wish."

"What do you mean he couldn't grant the wish?" Vegeta's eyes narrowed on the grown Namekian. "And who the fuck is that?"

"Charming, aren't you?" Bulma sighed. "This is Piccolo. He's here to help us beat Frieza."

"Frieza is mine." Vegeta cracked his knuckles. "Raditz, come here." He had to strategize. Now that he was unable to reclaim his birthright through the dragon balls, he needed to figure it out on his own. Of course there would be more glory in reaching his ascension by himself, but he needed time for that. And time was slowly becoming a privilege. He was surprised the other Namekian was lasting this long. "Gohan. ...Kakarot." He needed all the help he could manage. "Before we attack Frieza, we need to take out the other soldiers. Woman, do you still have your ship."

Bulma nodded, "Yeah, but..."

"Good, return home with your Earthling. You can take the bald one with you too. They'll be useless here."

Krillin argued, "We're fighters too, Vegeta. I don't know what gives you the right to be so pompous, but I'm here to help my friends."

"Fine. But prepare to die then." Vegeta shrugged. The Earthling's physical state didn't concern him. He only wanted Bulma safe.

"Wouldn't be the first time..." Krillin mumbled.

Bulma wasn't too happy with the idea however. She got all flustered, fists clenched and eyes angry. "I'm not leaving you again, Vegeta."

"Woman..." His dark eyes looked at her seriously, trying to see the lie. But she seemed confident, stubborn. So annoying. His mouth twitched to a brief smile when he saw her like that. "This is not your battle. I have killed Zarbon, but all of Frieza's soldiers are dangerous to you." The thought made him remember something. I still have to kill that traitorous Nappa... "First we go to Frieza's ship and wipe out the crew. The monster doesn't deserve an escape route."

Goku raised a finger, "That's great and all, but Vegeta?"

Vegeta scoffed. He already knew he wouldn't like this Saiyan anymore than his idiotic older brother. "What?"

"I think we should eat first." Goku grabbed his stomach which was grumbling angrily. "I can't exactly fight on an empty stomach."

The Saiyan prince rolled his eyes. Bufoon. "Fine, whatever." He turned around and got ready to take off, ready to lead them all to Frieza's ship, but the small hand grabbing his own stopped him dead. Bulma's small, pale fingers intertwined in his own, not seeming to mind the blood staining his white gloves. Vegeta looked at her over his shoulder, expecting a joking grin or sardonic expression. But the woman only smiled. "What is it, Woman?"

"Let me fly with you?"

He caught his voice in his throat, practically choking on his Adam's apple. Vegeta nodded, confused, and grabbed her around the waist. He could hear Gohan's stifled giggles in the background and had to repress the urge of punching the half-Saiyan in the gut.

Gohan waddled from the lake, water dripping from the blue spandex underneath his armor. There was a giant crab in his hand, so large, Bulma wondered how they would manage to eat it all, even with three and a half Saiyans.

The young boy didn't seem to agree. "I hope this is enough..."

For the next several minutes, they began roasting the crab and eating. Bulma had to admit, she was famished. She couldn't remember the last time she had eaten, and although foreign, the crab tasted good. Gohan wasn't such a bad cook, even with ki energy. He must have picked something up from Chichi.

Her blue eyes caught Vegeta in the firelight, which was dim compared to the Namekian suns. She was feeling drowsy, but the constant danger of their situation was keeping her up. Bulma wondered when she would begin running on pure adrenaline alone. After stuffing his face, rather elegantly compared to Goku, Raditz, and Gohan, Vegeta left the small circle of fighters and walked away, only Bulma's eyes following him. Biting her lip, the scientist got up from her floor position and followed the Saiyan prince.

He was next to a tiny grouping of tall, toothpick like trees, arms crossed and eyes scanning the horizon line. His face was completely unreadable, which wasn't unlike Vegeta at all, but Bulma had an idea of what he was thinking about. She shuffled behind him. "I'm sorry."

Vegeta didn't turn around at her voice. He kept his eyes focused forward and breathed easy, though she could see the stress slightly in his eyes. "For what, Woman? Besides being incredibly..."

"About your wish." She stood next to him, still unsure of whether to touch him or not. Bulma didn't have Yamcha hovering over her conscience anymore. She could freely do...anything with Vegeta now, but there was still that nagging thought of if Vegeta wanted to do anything with her. And he wasn't really the type of person to have the oh so common 'relationship talk' with. Not only was this not really the time or place to be discussing something as arbitrary as their relationship status, but she doubted Vegeta had a full grasp of what a relationship was. Bulma sighed and decided to take the slow approach. She wasn't going to screw this up, not again. "I'm sorry the dragon didn't know."

"I hadn't even realized you summoned the damned thing."

Bulma blinked. That should have been obvious. The sky was pitch black when Porunga had been summoned. "You were probably unconscious."

Vegeta sneered at the statement, as Bulma should have known. He didn't need the reminder that he had been knocked out by Zarbon. Her eyes traced his bloody back. "And about your tail...it must have..."

"It did." Vegeta ended the subject with his bitter tone. For a while, they both remained silent, and Bulma finally thought she should leave when Vegeta turned around, black eyes piercing. "Why are you here?"

It was an innocent question, Bulma realized. He was genuinely confused, and she didn't know how to respond to that. So she countered with a question of her own. "Why do you think I'm here?"

His eyebrows furrowed at the words. "What?"

"Really, Vegeta. Think. You're a pretty smart guy, not as smart as me, but..."

"Woman." His voice was low.

Bulma laughed, "Sorry, but really. I've could have left with Gohan ages ago, but I'm still here. I'm here for you."

She couldn't help but notice the involuntary smile occupying the Saiyan's face. It was small, and probably not even considered to be a smile by most people's standards, but for Vegeta, he was practically ear to ear grinning. "What about the weak idiot?"

"He has a name." She walked in front of him and tried to read his face. Seeing the light glint in his eyes, Bulma smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. Bulma laughed a bit when Vegeta flinched back, not out of disgust but from awkward discomfort. She didn't let him get too far though, pushing her body into his. He was so warm, so nice. His hard body was filled with unbridled energy that made her skin twist and bubble, in a good way. Her breath became forced and heavy as Vegeta slid his own hands onto her hips. Their eyes locked, their bodies shifting closer, and for once, for a brief moment, Bulma forgot where they were and what they were doing there. She forgot that there was a space tyrant currently battling only one Namekian warrior, a strong one, yes, but still. She forgot that in any hour she could be dead. She forgot her past history with Vegeta, the anguish, the betrayal, the rescues, because all that didn't matter. The past didn't matter when they had the present.

Her blue eyes flickered up, "I have a name too."

"Bulma," he breathed. His gloves were still bloody, and he was getting blood on her cheek when he touched her. Vegeta scowled and removed them, wiping the traces of blood off with his fingers before kissing her.

A/N:

I feel like I had more to say, but I don't remember. So ...uhhh...thanks for reading! And if you have questions/comments/concerns/ please review! Until next time!