Chapter 51 – A True Warrior
Bardock let out a loud, feral growl as he grabbed Tsuyoshi's wrists and slammed him into the ground. The warrior's body looked like a wave as Bardock continued to lift him, spin around and smash him down again. As he did, the ground shook and craters were formed. The look in his eyes was murderous. They were filled with a primal, bloodthirsty look that hadn't been seen in decades. Not since his battle against Dodoria, the day his squadron had been killed.
Finally letting go of Tsuyoshi's wrists, Bardock watched with a sick fascination as he glided through the air before falling to the ground with a sharp cry of pain. Oh how he had enjoyed making his opponents scream and beg for mercy. Now however, Bardock simply felt annoyance. He had sensed Jeice and Burter's arrival and he could see them talking to his pack, but he was too far away to hear anything. Whatever was happening though, it was serious and it had something to do with Gohan if Bulma's actions were anything to go on.
She was crouching in front of the boy protectively, like a lioness protecting her cub. It was still strange seeing Bulma act so maternal towards Gohan, but he could kind of understand it. After all, she had announced to pretty much everyone that she would never – could never – have children of her own.
At first, Chi–Chi had been a little unsure of how close Bulma and Gohan were getting. She had thought that she would be replaced by the blue haired human. Bardock scoffed and rolled his eyes as he started to move towards Tsuyoshi, looking like a predator stalking its prey. Stupid Earthlings and their emotions – if it wasn't them crying over nothing, then they were jealous and if they weren't jealous, then they were sick with worry!
As soon as he reached Tsuyoshi, Bardock lifted his hand, his eyes revealing nothing as he looked down at the warrior. The only thought that went through his mind was the word 'pathetic'. It appeared that over time, Frieza's warriors had been getting weaker and weaker! It was most likely because none of them lived long enough to become strong.
A blue light started to glow in the palm of his hand as his ki began to gather for the killing blow.
However ruthless he had once been, Bardock made his enemy's death quick. Sure, it wasn't painless, after all, he wasn't a saint, but it was quick. Tsuyoshi didn't even have time to scream as the blast enveloped him.
The sound of a fight beginning behind him immediately caught Bardock's attention as he turned to face them.
What he saw made him scowl.
When did Turles arrive? Sure, he wasn't one to bother with teams and squadrons, but surely he hadn't left the team he had been placed in when he sensed Jeice and Burter? Not only that, but how the hell had his brother been side lined whilst Bulma was fighting? He was much stronger than she was! However, as soon as that thought registered in his mind, Bulma delivered an uppercut to Burter's jaw and taunted him.
"Who's the fastest in the Universe now, you bastard?"
A deadly smirk played along Bardock's lips as he watched her continue to taunt the blue skinned alien. He had forgotten that Burter prided himself on that fact. For Burter, it was a shame Bulma had been pushed over her limits when Bardock had trained her, because his speed was definitely no match for hers.
It was still weird that Turles wasn't fighting, though. Usually he would have just ignored orders and attacked, which was probably why he was there with them now and not with his team. But instead of attacking, he was holding a protective stance in front of Gohan and the sight only made Bardock's smirk widen. That bastard had always mocked him for having a bond with the boy, yet there he was, ready to fight for him!
His eyes widened as Bulma seemed to space out. What the hell was she thinking of that was so important? Had something happened to the Prince? Bardock gritted his teeth. Nevermind the Prince, what about her? She was going to get herself killed!
Out of the corner of her eye, Bulma watched as Bardock ended his fight before darting forward and punching Burter.
"Who's the fastest in the Universe now, you bastard?"
All she got in response was a growl before Burter was charging towards her with a new speed. However, it was nothing she couldn't handle. Phasing in and out, appearing and disappearing, a smirk played along Bulma's lips.
Reappearing above Burter's head, Bulma looked like a deadly gymnast or even a basketball player with the way she moved so swiftly. Her legs were in the splits after she had jumped into the air at blinding speed and somersaulted. Then, her fists came together in a double axe before smashing into the top of Burter's head. Before he could fall to the ground however, one of Bulma's feet sliced across the air quickly, slamming into the side of Burter's head. A second later, her other foot joined and smacked into the other side his head. With his head locked between her legs, Bulma spun up and over in a backflip before launching him to the ground.
Oh how she loved taunting her opponents.
Noticing Bardock watching her battle with a smirk on his face made her inwardly smile, since it was more or less him saying he was proud of her. Bulma had always known that Bardock was a ruthless warrior, that he held nothing back during his fights. It was why so many people were uncertain as to whether or not he could be trusted. Before his planet had been destroyed, Bardock had been like every other Saiyan that worked for Frieza. He had been loyal to the lizard, had done everything and anything that was asked of him and his squadron.
That was before they had all been murdered.
Okay, so she knew that none of it was her business, but she couldn't help it. Bulma was too curious for her own good sometimes.
Here she sat, opposite of Kakarot's father, Bardock, watching him work silently. Whilst she inwardly debated with herself whether or not she should speak, her fingers drummed against her thighs, hidden by the large, metal table.
Lately, things had been pretty hard for her. She was only seventeen years old, yet she felt so much older. It was like the official ending of her relationship with Kakarot had made something snap inside of her and whilst Bulma was trying so hard to keep it together, she felt as though her life was passing her by. It felt like everything was moving in fast forward and she was just sat there, doing absolutely nothing. Her life was slipping through her fingers and there was nothing she could do about it.
Her mother had told her that it was just a phase, that she would snap out of it soon enough, but Bulma didn't think she ever would. It just felt impossible. Everywhere she went, she would see Kakarot and Chi–Chi together and the pain she felt would become worse.
"What is it, girl?" Bardock sighed as he placed down the scouter in his hands onto the table.
Bulma bit her lip as she looked up from the scouter to Bardock's face. It was easier looking at Bardock than it was Kakarot. Even though they were pretty much identical, there was a large scar on the left side of Bardock's face and not only that, but his features were much sharper, wilder even. Kakarot was always cheerful and relaxed whilst it was obvious Bardock had seen many, many awful things in his time. "I was just wondering…" Bulma quickly cleared her throat when she heard how quiet and weak her voice sounded. She knew Bardock hated weaknesses. Sighing, Bulma looked back up at him as she asked, "How do you do it?"
His body tensed at the look in Bulma's eyes. He could see the dark circles under them from lack of sleep, but that wasn't what had caught his attention. No, it was the raw pain he could see in them, the deep sort of pain that was hidden beneath the skin, the pain that nobody could see unless you showed it to them. "What are you talking about?"
At his returning scowl, Bulma looked back down at the desk, suddenly feeling like she was stepping into dangerous territory. When she spoke again, her voice was once again quiet and strained, as though she was trying her best not to cry. "How do you cope with the pain? I know it's different for you… but… right now you're the only person I can talk to. Nobody else has lost somebody they love. Even though–" She stopped herself from saying his name as her brows furrowed and the pain in her chest grew. "Even though he isn't dead… it still hurts. It hurts like hell."
If his body hadn't tensed earlier, it would have at her question. Nobody brought up his dead mate, Sharotto, because they knew it was a sore topic for him. They had been bonded and had been together for well over twenty years before she died. However, Bardock couldn't bring himself to snap at Bulma for bringing her up. Unlike the others, he could see just how much pain she was in. "I work."
Her head snapped up to his and her brows furrowed. "You work?"
"Yes." Bardock nodded as he kept his eyes connected with Bulma's, his features empty and serious all at the same time. "I keep my mind focused on what is important: bringing down Frieza. It is because of him that Kakarot's mother was killed and it was because of him that my entire squadron had been murdered as well as my race."
"It's easier for you, though." Bulma whispered but refused to allow the tears in her eyes to fall. "So many people here depend on you – they don't depend on me that way!"
He shook his head once. "It's not easy. Every day I wish I was out there. I wish that it could be me who avenges my race, my squadron and my mate by killing Frieza, but I know it can't be me. I'm not strong enough to go up against someone like him and if I did, it will make my mate's death be in vain."
She frowned. "How would it?"
"Her last request," Bardock also frowned as he looked down at the table between them, "was to protect our sons and myself. I tried to get to her, but she wouldn't give me her location through our bond and told me to get myself and Kakarot off the planet, since Raditz was already away on a mission. She had always been a proud and stubborn woman, so I knew not to question her, no matter how much it… it pained me to leave her behind.
"I vowed to her that no matter what, I will protect our sons. I vowed to her that one day, Frieza will get what is coming to him." There was a small smirk playing along his lips as he stared unseeingly at the desk. "She told me to shut up and just go."
Bulma let out a soft chuckle, but her features saddened at the pain that flashed across Bardock's features. It was strange to see it there considering how proud and emotionless he always looked.
"When Kakarot received his head injury during our escape and woke up remembering nothing," His eyes stayed glued to the table, refusing to look up and meet Bulma's gaze, "it was like somebody had poured ice cold water over my body. I wasn't one to pity people, but I pitied my son. He would never know or remember the woman who had brought him into this world." His features became much harsher as his fists clenched so tightly that his palms bled. "It made me hate Frieza so much more, but it was because of my promise to Sharotto that I didn't go back."
By now, her tears were falling and she couldn't stop them, even when Bardock had smelled the saltiness in the air and looked up questioningly.
Bulma wiped at her eyes furiously, feeling annoyed with herself for crying. "I'm sorry," She spoke softly. "I shouldn't be the one crying when your pain is far worse than my own." Bardock simply shrugged. Then, Bulma's eyes flashed with determination as she caught his gaze. "I promise we'll find Raditz, Bardock. We'll find him and then together, we'll defeat Frieza!"
Bardock couldn't help but smirk at the girl.
As Jeice delivered a punch to her stomach, ripping her out of her wandering thoughts, a wave of nausea hit Bulma so hard so could barely even see. When the hell had Burter and Jeice switched places? Bulma couldn't even remember. She was aware of eyes on her as her body doubled over and began to tremble, as beads of sweat started to slip down her temple and she squeezed her eyes shut.
'Not now…' Bulma groaned.
"Miss Bulma!" Gohan yelled, not knowing what else he could do.
"S–Stay back… Gohan…" Her voice sounded thick and strained and a second later, she was emptying the contents of her stomach.
Turles's eyes widened at the sight of Bulma slipping through the air as her concentration started to waver. As she continued to throw up, he could see Jeice cringing at the sight and smell before raising his hand with a smirk on his face.
Even though he had told her she wasn't cut out to be a true warrior, Turles still cared for the girl. As much as it made him feel sick to his stomach, he could not deny that he had bonds with Bulma and her family as well as his own. Feeling her ki fluctuating in distress, hearing her barely audible whimpers as her stomach muscles continued to clench and unclench, was all getting to him. Damn it! He knew that forming bonds was dangerous and weak, so why the hell had he done it? Now look at him!
Whilst growling with annoyance, Turles blasted up from his place beside Gohan. He should be grateful, really, he decided. After all, Turles prided himself on the fact that he was a true warrior and no warrior should be side lined to look after a kid that wasn't even his!
As Turles placed himself in front of Bulma's convulsing form, his arms came up in an 'x' formation, knowing that Jeice was going to release his charging blast at any second.
And he did.
Turles grunted with the strain as his right eye closed due to the shining brightness of the blast. His body tried to close in on itself as he fought to push back the attack, but he refused to let it. To do that was to admit defeat! So with a loud yell, Turles straightened up completely, his ki pushing the attack away and up into the sky and when he looked back at a slightly stunned Jeice, a smirk graced his lips before Turles lowered himself into a fighting stance.
"Are you ready to fight against a real warrior?"
Raditz cursed as Burter slammed him into the ground.
It had been a sneak attack, definitely one that whilst at the time he should have been expecting, he hadn't been. Since he had been fighting Jeice, Raditz had put his full concentration on the red–skinned alien. He hadn't seen Bulma knock Burter to the ground, nor had he seen her zone out whilst Burter shot up into the sky, heading straight for him instead of her. Apparently, he didn't like being outclassed or having the fact that he wasn't the fastest in the universe proven.
Only seeing Jeice smirk, Raditz had been expecting him to release a big attack. He hadn't been expecting Burter to phase behind him a moment before his ankle was grabbed and he was launched towards the ground.
Now, as he looked up, Raditz grimaced at the sight of Bulma throwing up after receiving a harsh punch to stomach before he dodged the ki blast thrown at him. The ground shook as it connected and a crater was formed, but he paid no attention to that. Instead, Raditz shot back up into the sky, level with Burter. At the same time, Jeice raised his hand and charged a ki blast, making Raditz's eyes widen, since Bulma was still preoccupied with throwing her guts up. What should he do? If he tried to help her now, Burter would realise what he was trying to do and stop him.
Before he attempted anything, however, Turles appeared in front of her and took the blast head on, causing Raditz's eyes to widen even further. Who would have guessed his uncle would protect Bulma? Despite the fact she had an attractive body Raditz thought that Turles had no other interest in her. But then again, back when he had first met up with Bulma and Kakarot, they told him that Turles had also taught her. Perhaps the supposedly bondless, uncaring warrior had actually bonded with her?
A punch to the face broke Raditz out of his thoughts, but just as Burter went to slam his foot into Raditz's side, the latter growled and lashed out, smashing his fist into the alien's stomach.
Damn, it felt good to finally fight these bastards back.
Vegeta tensed as he sensed Jeice and Burter appear before Bulma. What made it even worse was that they knew she was bonded to him. Damn it! Couldn't his woman ever keep her loud mouth shut? No. Of course she couldn't! And she certainly wasn't helping herself by getting so protective of Gohan, either. Those two thrived on just the thought of causing pain and horror.
He shook his head. Now was not the time. Hadn't he promised Bulma that he would stay focused on his own battle? She was staying to true to her side of the promise, so why couldn't he? Of course, Vegeta already knew the answer to that particular question before he even fully thought of it. It was because he was much stronger than her and they both knew that without help, she wouldn't stand a chance against Jeice and Burter. The reason why she wasn't focusing on his battle was for two reasons. The first being the fact that he hadn't even started fighting yet and the second being she didn't have time to focus on anything other than her opponents.
The fact that those two idiots were already there made Vegeta's blood boil and his fists clench. Had they been tricked? Had Kakarot been misled? They weren't due to arrive for another couple of minutes! But now that Vegeta was focusing on their energies, he realised that they had been on the planet for at least ten minutes, if not slightly longer. Did that mean Captain Ginyu was already somewhere on the planet? The thought made his stomach twist. What if he reached Bulma before Vegeta could reach him?
Pushing himself even faster, Vegeta gritted his teeth. Ginyu was already on the move, as were Recoome and Guldo since Nappa and Kakarot hadn't yet reached those two yet, though they were fast approaching. If any of the Ginyu Force were to reach the other rebels first, not a single one of them would survive. Sure, some of the rebels were surprisingly strong, but not a single one of them were strong enough to take on a Ginyu. Well, perhaps the Namek was, but he wouldn't win against Recoome or Captain Ginyu. Guldo, definitely since the little bug was pathetically weak if you stayed out of his mind tricks. Jeice and Burter he might be able to defeat, but only if he fought them one on one and not two against one. If it was the two of them against Piccolo, then he wouldn't stand a chance.
Vegeta's eyes widened as he felt Bulma shoot up out of her place the same moment Raditz did. Why the hell was she fighting whilst Turles was left protecting the brat? It made no sense! The Prince felt slightly comforted by the obvious declaration of protection from Raditz, but it didn't help him relax completely. After all, Raditz was going to have to stay extremely focused on Jeice during their battle. He didn't have time to be watching out for Bulma.
Damn that woman! She was going to be the death of him.
Just as he thought that, Vegeta saw through their bond as Bulma managed to get a hit in before taunting the alien. Seeing this made him smirk, especially when she slammed him to the ground shortly after. However, as memories flashed to Bulma's mind, causing her to lose focus, Vegeta growled both inwardly and out. Now was not the time to lose her focus, especially not against someone like Burter! What the hell was she doing?
It seemed as though Jeice took advantage of her distraction as he switched places with Burter and Vegeta's glare hardened as his woman took a blow to the stomach before throwing up. It wasn't unusual for a warrior to throw up after receiving such a strong blow to the stomach, but she had never reacted to one that way before and it made his eyes narrow. Was she sick again? If she was, why didn't Bulma tell him? Once again taking advantage of the moment, Jeice raised his hand, charging a ki blast that had Vegeta's heart racing and his fists trembling.
His panic angered him and seemed unnecessary since Turles shot up, shielding her body with his own.
Maybe he should stick to their promise and not watch? Vegeta nodded. Despite how badly she was fighting, Bulma was still a talented warrior and the only reason she wasn't winning against them was because it was the Ginyu Force she was fighting.
Clenching his fists, Vegeta blocked her thoughts from entering his mind and whilst it made his head eerily calm and quiet, it also helped him focus, which was exactly what he needed.
Now all he had to do was get to Captain Ginyu.
He had been told to ignore the ritual when it told him of Bulma being attacked, of her pain. When he had tried to argue, telling them that it was impossible for him to do something like that, Nappa had stepped in and told him that if it wasn't extreme pain, such as being killed sort of pain, then it was possible. The only reason why Kakarot had listened to Nappa was because during Vegeta's time on Frieza's ship, he had received beating after beating, torture session after torture session and since there had been nothing Nappa could do to protect Vegeta, he had to learn how to push away the whispers of the ritual.
Despite the ritual whispering to him, trying to control his body to take him to Bulma, Kakarot pushed forward and the further away he got, the easier it became to focus. After all, Bulma was a great warrior and there were too many people counting on him to defeat Recoome, Bulma included.
With that thought, Kakarot focused harder on Recoome's energy and pushed himself faster.
Raditz slammed his foot into Burter's stomach, earning him a grunt of pain before the Ginyu Force member was put on the defensive. It was obvious by the look on his face that Raditz's sudden speed and strength shocked him, but the Saiyan didn't let it go to his head as he instead only focused on defeating Burter.
There was a cry of Miss Bulma underneath him and hearing Gohan's voice, Raditz rammed his shoulder into Burter's chest, forcing his opponent to move back and away from the boy, just in case of any stray blasts. Risking a glance behind him, Raditz scowled at the sight of Gohan running towards Bulma, who was on the ground and shaking. What the hell had happened to her?
Before he could continue his thoughts, Raditz was brought out of them by the need to duck. He was just in time to miss a rather nasty elbow to the face! Grabbing the appendage and swinging him around, Raditz launched Burter across the sky but right at the last moment, the blue skinned alien managed to stop his momentum and shot forward. This time, Raditz didn't have the time to dodge the blow to his gut and when it connected, his eyes widened and spit came from his mouth as the breath was knocked out of him.
"What's the matter, Raditz?" Burter taunted as he put a little space between them. "Don't tell me you're worn out already. I was just starting to have fun!"
He didn't even bother to reply as he dashed forward, his movements becoming a blur as he went on the offensive.
A/N - I'm supposed to be getting my hair bleached today so that I can have it dyed pink. Have any of you ever been in that mood where you just can't be bothered to do anything at all? Well, I'm in one of those moods and have been for about two weeks now.
Preview To The Next Chapter: 'My Little Saviour'
If it had been anyone else, Bulma would have snapped, demanded to know if she looked all right, but because it was Gohan she remained quiet.
His small hands were on her shoulders, keeping her steady. It was strange that a four year old kid was helping her sit, was stopping her from falling to the ground. How pathetic must she look? Bulma wanted to laugh at herself, but couldn't for she knew that Gohan secretly needed her, knew that despite her being the one being helped, he was desperate for somebody to stop him from drowning. All of this bloodshed and hatred wasn't meant for children, it wasn't meant for anyone, no matter what some people believed!
Trying to give Gohan a smile, Bulma lifted herself slightly. However, just as she was about to say something, her senses went off, warning her of a danger and not only that, but Gohan's eyes widened in horror, noticing something behind Bulma that was approaching, fast.
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