Sorry so late in posting, I got called into work before I could get the computer going. Thanks for reading and don't be afraid to let me know your favorite parts and chapters.
29
As the exhausted group of rag-tag warriors settled in for the evening, Vegeta watched as Raditz and Goku whispered worriedly about their father while the film crew was silent over the deaths that they had seen and Bulma had wandered over to a pile of cloaks and laid down. "It's all my fault." Everyone looked at Vegeta as he continued, "Those soldiers would still be alive. Bardock and Nappa wouldn't alone or dead for all we know. Scar-Face didn't give me any assignment. This whole mess was my plan from the beginning."
"We know." Puur stated softly, with Polunga adding, "Even the guys from 13 knew. I mean, did you honestly think Jeice thought Paragus gave you orders that he wouldn't have heard? Bardock wanted you to complete the mission and Jeice trusted him, so he helped where he could." The events of the past few hours finally began to catch up to him as images flashed behind his coal black orbs. A girl in a ruffled purple dress... A deadly accurate, overweight girl... Crazy gold eyes... A ginger giant... A weathered hand on someone's shoulder... A tiny girl covered in flowers…
It's too much. The group watches as Vegeta falls to the ground clutching his head as tears leak from his eyes and sobs tear themselves from his throat. After several minutes, Bulma begins to speak, "Cui, Recoome, Dodoria. Zarbon, Sixteen, Kami. Toriyama..." With each name, he quieted down until his sobs became soft hiccups to better hear his Mate. "Those deaths mean that our lives never belonged to us. Our lives belong to Freeza, and our deaths do too; but if you can kill him, Vegeta… then all these deaths mean something. Selypa, Guldo, Buter, Jeice... They chose this. We chose to follow you, Vegeta. As Sixteen once told me, 'A life that's lived in fear is not living.'"
"Why?" The emotion in his voice cut them to their core, "Why me?" "Because you're our Prince." Raditz answered gently, kneeling before his Prince. "You're my friend and ally. I can't just leave you behind." Goku beamed softly, joining his brother on the ground. One by one, the group knelt before the distraught Saiyan Prince until only Bulma remained. Walking around the others, the blue-haired teen knelt down and placed her hands on Vegeta's cheeks, 'Look at them… …Vegeta. They all… …see you as… …their leader, Prince… …and King. And… …I Chose you… …long before they… did.'
Gazing at the warriors kneeling before him through watery eyes, Vegeta swiped at his eyes to dry them. Thank you, Woman. Vegeta pressed his rough lips to her soft, strawberry lips in desperation to feel something, anything, other than the guilt and pain that was bearing down on him. Gently threading his fingers into her soft blue locks, the Prince slid his tongue across her lips, seeking entrance. Bulma's hands found purchase on his shoulders, her grip tightening as their tongues did an ancient dance.
Unable to stop himself, Vegeta flinched as pain flared from his right shoulder. And Bulma noticed; "Are you hurt?" "I'm fine, Woman." Vegeta hissed as his Mate poked his right shoulder again. Sitting back on her heels, the blue-haired teen crossed her arms as she raised an eyebrow, "Well, I'm not convinced. Take off your shirt and let me see." Reluctantly removing his chest plate, the Saiyan teen made a point of pouting as he slowly pulled his tight spandex shirt over his muscular body.
Everyone but the Saiyans gasped at the claw marks on the black, flame-haired teen's tan shoulder. It was beginning to ooze blood from the scabs being removed with the shirt. Just then, Icarus came back down with food, water, and medical supplies. "Looks like that'll need stitches." The dragon-like man grunted as he sat down the provisions. Snarling at the man, Vegeta held out a hand for the amber bottle, "I can take care of my own wounds."
Swiftly taking a swig of whiskey, he drizzled some over his shoulder, biting his tongue to hold back his moans. "There. My body will do the rest." Vegeta panted, struggling to keep himself upright. "Don't forget your other wound, Prince." Icarus said as he handed out food to the others. His hand went to try and hide the trail of rust-colored, torn fabric but he was too late. "Vegeta! What happened to your leg?!" "One of those lizard creatures caught me by surprise. My body will heal in a few hours, so just leave me alone, Woman." Vegeta shot back, frustrated by her worry that was beginning to cloud his mind again. Huffing as she stood, Bulma grumbled under her breath, "Why can't you open up?"
"You two are not full-Mates; are you, Prince?" Icarus inquired as he finished passing out food. At the odd looks everyone was giving him, the dragon-like man sighed as he sat down on a rickety-looking chair, "I'm the last of my clan, Prince. And my heritage will die with me, I'm afraid. But I'm no idiot. It's impossible to fake a Saiyan Mark, especially one that is supposed to be months old, and yet I do not see such a Mark on you." Vegeta scowled at the strange man, reaching for his shirt, "You know nothing."
Chuckling at the stubborn teen, Icarus's forest green eyes held a knowing gleam, "I know more than you, young one. Your father was the one who got me noticed by Freeza and we became fast friends. He told me that he'd hoped you would achieve the Legendary and free Ee-arth one day. But your father gave me a warning; 'With the powers of the Legendary you can do great things but there is a cost. Without a Mate to help you focus, you could lose, not only your mind but everything you've grown to love.'"
Vegeta scowled but hung onto every word, So that's the reason I'm going crazy. "How did you know about Vegeta's wounds?" Bulma wondered as she sipped on some water. Exhaling roughly as he stood, Icarus replied, "My senses are as good as your Mate's or better. Plus I've had time to hone them to perfection. All of the Dragon clans have senses like Saiyans, both Western clans," He pointed to himself, then to Polunga, "and the Eastern clans. But it is late and you all need your rest, I shall be your guard tonight." Everyone settled down with old, musty-smelling cloaks for blankets and pillows as their host clicked off the light before leaving the hidden basement. As much as he didn't want to, Vegeta's body dragged him into a restless sleep.