Chapter 29-- Disposable Hero
Soldier boy, made of clay now an empty shell, twenty one, only son, but he served us well. Bred to kill, not to care just do as we say finished here, Greeting Death, he's yours to take away
--
Bulma took a deep breath as she stuffed her bandaged hand into her pocket. While the elevator climbed its way up to her home door, she quickly jumbled all types of situations she could tell Vegeta as not to let him know what really happened to her knuckles. But with aggravation, she knew he would figure it out. Despite how much she reminds him that he's an idiot, she knew it was far from true.
Perhaps she could hide it. She smiled with that thought and straightened when the doors opened stepping through, "Vegeta!" She called placing down her suitcase but keeping the door to the elevator open. She located his sock-covered feet stretched over the edge of the couch, "Vegeta come on we're late."
"Cancel." Came his quick reply.
Trunks looked at her with humor from his laid out position in their large and fluffy recliner. She rolled her eyes which he snickered at.
"Let's go, I'm not going to cancel, he went out of his way to stay up this late. Don't be rude."
"Shut up, you're ruining the movie."
With quick aggravation she stomped her way in front of the TV to glare at him but instead finding the wide and frightened eyes of her daughter who was comfortably laying upon Vegeta's chest with her head tucked up under his chin. Her little fist was grabbing tight to his t-shirt as she sucked her thumb. Bulma swung to the TV to catch a very disturbing scene of a person being murdered. "Vegeta!" She hollered, slamming a fist on the off button. "You know better then to let Bra watch movies like that! And why isn't she in bed! It's past her bedtime!"
Vegeta just grabbed the remote and turned in back on, "Its just a movie, woman. She wanted to see it."
"Vegeta, she will get nightmares and that results in her crying and screaming in the middle of the night." Bulma smashed the off button again, stomping over to the whining child and lifting her up, "It's time for bed, young lady."
"No, mommy! I want to watch the movie with daddy!" Bra screamed wiggling and crying while trying to escape her mother's hold.
"No, Bra you know you have to go to bed." Bulma carried the fighting child over to the elevator trying to ignore the paining wails.
"I want to stay! Daddy, Daddy make mommy stop! Let go!" She cried, smashing her hands into Bulma's shoulders.
Bulma clenched her teeth in pain, dropping Bra unceremoniously to the floor to hold her agonized shoulder bones. Bra quickly got to her feet and ran to her father. Vegeta had stood to try and prevent Bra's outburst but his reaction time had been a bit slow. Bra buried her head into his thigh, clenching him tight. "Daddy, I want to stay." She cried and sniffed against him.
Vegeta caught Bulma's eyes, wondering how much damage Bra had done. Her ki hadn't been incredible but for a human, her hit would certainly leave a mark. Bulma's eyes glistened from the pain but she glared at him nonetheless.
A good parent would tell Bra to go to bed. But a 'wrapped-around-their-child's-little-finger' parent couldn't say no. A hand raised and landed on her lavender head, stopping her tears as she smiled up at him. Bulma stomped her foot with an aggravated growl and cursed her way into the kitchen.
Vegeta lifted Bra up only to drop her upon Trunks' lap. "Nice" Trunks muttered mockingly and Vegeta put up one finger warningly while walking away.
He took his place behind Bulma who was leaning up against the counter with her back to him. He took notice of the bandage on her hand but said nothing as he waited for whatever 'talk' she had planned.
"Vegeta." She whispered, "You can't do that. That is not how parenting works. When I say she has to go to bed, you have to agree or you make me look like the evil parent and she ends up thinking you're a fucking god."
"What's so wrong with that?" He was relieved to hear her small short laugh before she turned around and faced him.
"I only do things like that Vegeta because I don't want her to walk all over us. She thinks she can get away with anything. Especially with you. And if we let it continue, when she gets older she will be the most spoiled and rude person in the world."
"Like you?" He watched a smile approach her lips before she nodded.
"Yep. Like I was. I'm not like that anymore."
He grunted, "Who the hell told you that?" She slapped him on the chest but before she could pull away, he grasped it lightly to hold it out before her, quietly question why there was a wrap around her hand.
Nervousness instantly stepped in, "It's nothing. Just got it smashed earlier today."
Vegeta, annoyed with her obvious lie quickly undid the bandaged. "Who the hell did you punch, woman?" He asked tugging at her wrist as he went to the freezer bringing out an ice pack and setting it on her hand.
She laughed just gently, cringing when he placed the cold ice on her wound, "Umm¼I kind of fired Epeon today."
Vegeta stiffened, "You. You hit her?"
"Right across the cheek. I think I busted her nose but damn did it feel good and hurt like hell at the same time. She'll more then likely sue but that's ok, even if she gets millions which won't even be the case because I have the best damn lawyers in the world I still will be the richest person in the world. Kind of sad really." Bulma inspected her hand, placing the pack back down, glancing up at her husband only to see him staring at her. Nervous now, Bulma tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "What?"
Did anyone ever tell her just how arousing it was to have their mate stick up for them? Not that he needed to be stuck up for, but to know that she had gotten physical because she was protecting what belonged to her, just made him¼
"Shit, we're late, let's go!" She took off to the elevator leaving him flustered.
Vegeta cursed himself.
--
"Sorry to come by so late but this was the only chance I could come with my job and all." Bulma and Vegeta situated themselves on the couch.
"So what's been happening? Anything that I should know?" Dr. Takashi asked with a knowing expression as he stared at his patient. "Might I say Mrs. Briefs, you certainly did a number on that woman's face. It's all over the news." The man chuckled.
"All ready? I hadn't thought it would be on until tomorrow morning. She must really want to sue me." Bulma shook her head while making mental note to turn on the TV when they got home.
"Oh, yes, she was yelling atrocities. Some things did catch my attention though." His eyes flickered over to Vegeta before glancing back at her, "Mrs. Briefs, I would like to speak to your husband alone please--"
"She knows."
"Oh." Takashi dropped his head before writing on his clipboard, "I can offer a few relationship therapists since it isn't my specialty." He stopped, glancing up at the laughing female.
"No, no, Doc. It's nothing like she more then likely said it was. She has never been with Vegeta as she described it. They did do some stuff but Vegeta realized that I am a goddess of my time and ain't no one going to be able to replace me." She smirked, leaning back in the couch with her head held high as if posing for a modeling agency.
Both men glanced at each other. "Right." The doctor broke the silence, giving a stiff cough, glancing down at his clipboard. "So where do you want to begin today, Vegeta?"
Bulma squeaked in her anger at their obvious rejection of her words, crossing her arms over her chest glaring deadly at the smirking Saiyan. "You set yourself up for that one, woman." He played innocently chuckling as she stuck her tongue out childishly. He shook his head, bringing his attention back to the doctor who was watching amusingly. "What?"
"Do you always call her that?"
"Not always."
"Yeah" Bulma added, "Sometimes its dumbass or bitch, or loser, or imbecile." The doctor laughed gently watching as Vegeta sent her a glare. The two were certainly in a playful mood tonight. He kind of didn't want to ruin it by bringing up the past. "Don't look at me like that." Bulma quickly stated, turning away.
"I don't remember needing your permission how I should look."
"Well, if you did you would have known that it makes you look like Mr. Grinch. And I tell you one thing, he wasn't that great looking if you know what I'm saying."
"Oh, please, what was that the other day about how I should model?"
"I was talking about your body, ain't nothing in there that says they would have to use your face. They more then likely would put a garbage bag over your head. If Trunks would have turned out like you I would have died of embarrassment."
"Same here."
"Ha, I know you don't mean that"
"Honesty is my specialty." He snorted.
"Is that why you didn't tell me about Epeon-for how many years again? 1, 2 no 8 that's right."
"If you hadn't been a bitch, it would not have happened."
"If you hadn't killed yourself, like a dumbass!"
"My mind is far superior to yours."
"How do you figure?" She scoffed.
"I know twenty three different languages and that's only on this pathetic planet."
"I could too."
"I know of technology that your feeble mind could never hope to conjure up."
"Try me."
"I wouldn't waste my time. It will all be transferred one ear and out the other. As your human's terms state."
"Kami, Vegeta, get over yourself. You've been on this planet for eighteen years. You are about as human as I am except you're a bit more ignorant."
"Ignorant?! Of what?"
"Was it you who asked me what second base was? You would think you'd have learned our terms by now but nope, they are all too good for you."
"Of course they are! I'm a Prince."
"And I'm Queen of England, who gives a rat's ass?" They both glared at each other before snapping their heads away both with crossed arms and pouts on their faces.
But their eyes slowly drifted to that of the person across from them that was keeled over in laughter, holding his side. They looked at each other before frowning and turning back to the man, "What the hell are you laughing at?" Vegeta was quick to growl.
The man slowly fell back against his seat holding his stomach as it shook with his laughter, "I'm sorry. But that was the funniest thing I have every seen!"
The couple growled at the insult, both barking, "Shut up."
The doctor coughed, straightening his posture tucking a short blond strip behind his ear, "Excuse me." He stated while trying to hide his smile behind his hair. "Shall we get started?" It was quiet for a few minutes before the doctor began again. "Again, we left off at the death of your mother."
Vegeta sighed heavily, discouraged about going back to the past again. He hadn't told Takashi that he told the woman simply because he didn't want to face that ever exasperating question the doctor was surely going to ask. But despite it, he said it. "It's done."
"Oh?" Niné smiled, a private glance to Bulma to prove that he had been right. "You told her." Vegeta nodded once. "That's great, Vegeta. I'm happy to hear it. And how does it feel?" Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Was it like I said it would be?" Vegeta slit his eyes seeing the smugness in the man's tone but he nodded once anyway, no use in denying it. "Good, I'm glad. Then I guess, if you are not ready to tell me, we will move on. We have covered your father and mother up to the time you were taken. Do you remember any of that?"
"Yes."
"Then let's start with everything you remember about your father 'giving you up'."
--
"Young Prince, you're father wishes to speak to you?"
"And I care, why?" Vegeta shot back as he continued to pound his sparring partner.
"It is urgent, Prince Vegeta."
"Well, Radditz, tell my father that he can burn in hell for all I care. He is not my king, I need not obey him."
"Vegeta." Radditz persisted.
Knowing that his superior always meant business when calling him by his first name, Vegeta rolled his eyes before he dropped kicked his opponent watching with a proud smirk as the older Saiyan smashed into the ground, unconscious. The young one dropped to his feet, grabbing his towel off the wall rack and picking up his armor. His tail flipped behind him, letting Radditz know that he was anything but happy about this interruption.
Radditz bowed his head when Vegeta past before following after him, "My prince, I wish you no pain. King Vegeta will be upset if you did not come."
"Cut with the formalities bullshit, Radditz." The six year old growled, is arms crossed across his barely balky chest.
"Vegeta, you know I hate that bastard as much as you but it is for your safety that I do this."
"Whatever, Radditz." The conversation was dropped. A few turns and more steps and Radditz pushed open the large doors to the throne room, only to growl immediately.
"Please, Vegeta, be careful. Watch what you say in this company." He bowed deeply as Vegeta eyed him suspiciously at what he was talking about only to slit his own eyes when his gaze caught the sight of the white lizard. Despite the disgust and warning his insides were screaming Vegeta tightened his back and traveled down the red carpet leading to the dias his father sat on. His black, emotionless, young eyes darted around catching the smirking features of Freiza, Zarbon, and the pink blob that was Dadoria.
"My son, thank you for greeting us with your presence." Vegeta rolled his eyes knowing the sarcasm that laced those words meant punishment. Everything meant punishment.
"What do you want?"
"Now, Young Prince." Frieza cut in from his floating chair, "Is that any way to greet your superior?"
Vegeta snorted saying silently that he had no superiors but with the glare he felt from his father, he did as instructed and bowed at the waist, "Lord Frieza."
"Now that's a good monkey." Both Saiyan Royalties growled at the green pretty boy named Zarbon.
"Now, now Zarbon, be nice." Frieza chided with a chuckle. "After all this is a friendly meeting." Vegeta let his rebellious eyes stay hooked with Frieza's bright red orbs. However only one beat and Vegeta gaze darted away. There was sickness welling inside he couldn't describe.
"May I, Lord Frieza, have a moment with my son?" Vegeta quickly turned his eyes to the king, question obviously apparent. The tone of his father did not suit him well. And the way the King Vegeta's tail flicked about alerted him that something was wrong. Something wrong enough to cause distress.
"A father and son moment, how sickening. Come Zarbon and Dadoria, let us entertain ourselves with the slaves here." Both creatures chuckled and followed the floating chair out of the throne room.
Vegeta turned his eyes back to his father, uncrossing his arms, waiting for his worried King to speak. "Son, come here." He whispered while rubbing his eyes from his defeated position on the throne. Young Vegeta was reluctant but at the moment, his father's ki had decreased telling him that no harm would happen at this moment. He made his way up the three steps then standing before the dais waiting for his father's attention.
King Vegeta sighed, taking his eyes up to his son's young hard features, sadness present causing young Vegeta's expression to falter, "I want you to understand something, My Young Prince. You are my heir. You are my blood. And that is why I do what I do. There will be." The king stalled, dropping his head, "There will be obstacles in your life, that you must overcome on your own. A Saiyan's life is a brutal one, for we strong, we are invincible. And for it, abused by superior beings. Do you understand, son?"
"Yes, Father. But nothing is stronger then a Saiyan."
"That is not true. Frieza is Superior. And he will abuse our power. He will abuse your power. Do you know why?" The young prince shook his head, "Because you are the One. You are the Legendary. And because you are, creatures will do everything they can to take that from you. But you must not let them. Never let any one tell you that you are not, My son. Never."
"I do not understand, Father. Why are you saying this?"
"It is something you need to know. And I hope with time and the more you grow, you will understand the decision I am about to make. I have no choice. I have no fight left in me since your mother. I cannot fight anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"One day, son. You will understand. But you must promise me, Vegeta. That you never forget who you are."
"I promise father, but I--"
"Are we done with this little bonding thing?" Frieza asked with much humor as he floated in the doorway with his first hand men behind him.
King Vegeta stood, and placed a hand on his son's shoulder squeezing it once before he stepped down the stairs, not looking back up to his child as he began his words, "The trade is done. My son for my people." Young Vegeta faltered when his father knelled before the creature like a slave. His heart went wild. His breath became insane pants. What had just conspired was too confusing for him to understand but one thing was for sure.
Abandonment.
A chuckle cut off his bewildered mind and Vegeta's eyes snapped up to Frieza. A smirk of smugness was apparent and those red of eyes of his glittered. "Well done. I knew you were a smart king. No matter the monkey brain that you have stored somewhere."
The King stood. And Vegeta's eyes went straight to him but never once did his father turn to him. Never once did those eyes meet his as he slithered out of his own throne room without a single goodbye or any apology or any love.
Vegeta took a step to go after to him. A single word was on his lips, begging to be screamed. He wanted to call after him. He wanted his father to come back and fix whatever was going on. He was too little to understand. He was too weak to fight any of it.
Movement pulled back his attention and startled he took a frightened step back when Frieza came so closely into view. The universal warlord transformed from a single disturbance in his life to a monster of far superior strength within one blink of an eye. Vegeta now felt fear for the first time in his young life.
"Prince Vegeta. How much fun we will have together, ruling the universe."
--
"Within one hour I was packed and boarded as if I were nothing but luggage. I was not allowed to leave his sight. And my father never showed his face again. Only till we arrived on Frieza's planet did I know that Radditz and Nappa were with me."
"That must have been horrible for you." There was no reply. "No choice. No explanation. Just that simple 'My son for my people.' Did you understand that at the time?"
Vegeta shook his head, "Many things were kept secret from me. I did not that we had been Frieza's slaves for a couple years prior until I became one myself."
"Did Radditz or Nappa explain anything to you?"
"I wasn't allowed much conversation for the first year I was with Frieza. He kept me beside him, making me witness things that I never could have imagined at that age."
"How did you react to your father's abandonment?"
Bulma watched him as he stood. The conversation was getting harder now it appeared. He sighed heavily gazing out the elongated windows, "Like any child I presume. With rebelliousness. With my…"
"What?"
"The word, Parents is odd to me. Saiyans call them Tiein. Translated is protectors or guardians. Parents translated are sires of an offspring. It's different."
"You're right. It's completely different. Use what you're comfortable with. From now on, if there's a word that isn't right, change it."
"I followed every rule my tiein laid out for me despite my dislike of it. But every direction Frieza gave me I did opposite and every order he gave I did not obey. I was beaten but it was no different from my Imyso, father. Frieza was entertained with me. If I had not stood out so much, I might have been better off. If I hadn't gone at all…"
"Where would you go, if not to where you were instructed?"
"Anywhere. The universe is big enough."
"You regret so many things. Yet the first day you came here, you said no longer regretted. I'm glad we're making progress. It's not an insult to regret. It's instinct."
Vegeta scoffed. "For a human maybe."
"For a being with a soul." Takashi fought back and it silenced any battles Vegeta had mentally prepared. "You have to stop thinking about 'what ifs' and 'should have beens'. There is no way to know what kind of life you would have had. Every path you took was to get to where you are now. Despite all the pain, all the deaths, all the victims; you are happy where you are now."
"Happy? Then why am I here?"
"You can be happy, and still live regretting. What we need to do, is get you to stop living in a past that can't change. If that's what you think, if repenting and living in agony is going to change what you did, then you are mistaken."
"To forget would be to murder them all again."
"No. No. Where did you hear that?" He whispered with such hurt in his tone, Vegeta brought his eyes to the doctor's knit expression. "You have suffered for your sins."
"Who are you to say that? I have died twice and both I've gone to hell. No one seems to think that other then you and her."
Bulma cut in suddenly, "You were brought back to life that second time because you are pure now."
"pure," Vegeta spat. "It was fluke."
"The dragon's a fluke is it? You have changed so much you don't even realize."
"I know I have changed."
"You say it with such disgust. Do you want to be that man I first met? The one that couldn't wait to blow this planet and move on?"
"I didn't regret so much then."
"You're blaming me for that?"
"I am blaming no one."
"That's what it sounded like."
Dr. Takashi broke in, "Bulma." Her enraged blue eyes reluctantly turned to him. "You're taking this personal."
"I have that right."
"I'm sorry but you don't. This really has nothing to do with you."
"It has everything to do with me! He's technically saying it's my fault he suffers so much now."
"No. That's not what he saying at all. He's saying he found his soul with you. And he's realizing just how painful having soul is. It's not a bad thing."
"I don't want him to hurt."
The doctor smiled, "But you want him to have a soul. They're a combination- the ying and yang if you will. They're can't be one without the other. You take care of his soul. I'll take care of the pain. But both with take time to heal. Do you understand?" Bulma's blue eyes went to Vegeta. He hadn't taken his eyes off her for the past few minutes. What was going on his mind she couldn't read but the distress was prevailing on his upper brow.
With a little unsure nod, she whispered, "Okay. I can do that."
"And Vegeta. You made a move the other day, indicating you are ready for the help. But in order for us to help you, walls have to be let go. Fear, anger, regret, hate. All of it has to go."
"How."
"That's something you have to learn to do on your own. Trust is a big helper though."
"I." He grit his teeth, "I trust."
The doctor smiled sadly. "I'm sorry, but it's not enough."
Pronoucement- Tie-in, Imyso-- e-my-so ---
I don't know why i deicded to make up words but there you go.
I was going to take out the part with them bickering, however, I thought it would be good to see that not everything is so incredibly serious all the time.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and hopefully next one will be filled with all the goodiness you like so much :) Laters