Sorry for updating so late again. We had a friend over so he could do his laundry and I didn't want to be rude. Also, just letting you guys know, I'll be posting two updates next Sunday afternoon since I've got a conference on Saturday and no computer access during it. Thank you so much for understanding.


32

Slowly consciousness came back to him as the smoke cleared. Pushing himself off the ground, Vegeta wondered, How'd I get down here? Oh yeah… the explosion must have knocked me off… On his feet again, the Prince surveyed the damage as he began to walk forward. "Medic!" Vegeta bellowed, unleashing his Legendary powers. Black, flame-like hair changed to golden blonde, the high widows-peaks stiffing as coal-black eyes became electric teal orbs. "Medics! I've got wounded over here!" He bellowed again, this time several people dressed in olive green with a white patch bearing a red cross on their arms came running.

He kept walking, even as swarms of people began to move in to help the wounded and dying. If you think killing these children will stop me, Freeza, you're wrong. 'Vegeta stop!' Pausing to ask Bulma what she was talking about, Vegeta glared at the medic kneeling next to a child a few yards away as a second explosion happened. Thrown back by the force of it, the Prince could feel that his coat was on fire but couldn't do anything about it as black smoke blotted out the sun and he fell into darkness.


A Saiyan with black, flame-like hair leaned against a doorway, his deep voice chuckling, 'Come on, son. The dishes can wait.' Vegeta stared at the man, his onyx eyes wide as he whispered, 'Dad? You're alive!' 'Of course I'm alive, boy. Now get your tail in here. If you're going to be King of All Saiyans one day, you'll need to learn everything you can from me.' Nodding as he walked away from the sink, drying his hands on a towel, he almost passed his father when the elder Vegeta stopped him. 'And where do towels belong, Vegeta?' 'Not in the living room.' The teen grumbled, wading the towel up and tossing it onto the counter; all the way across the dining room.

Sitting as pretty as could be on the ruby red loveseat, Bulma smiled at him as he entered. Her blue hair was held back by a red headband and she wore black tights and a black long-sleeve shirt, over which she wore a mustard yellow vest with matching boots. 'Bulma? I didn't know you were here.' A lovely pout appeared on her strawberry lips as she shot back, 'Oh? I could've sworn that you would've smelled me coming into your freaking house.' 'Bulma!' Panchy chided before turning back to Vegeta's mother, 'I'm so sorry, Karin. I honestly don't know what's gotten into her lately.'

Karin brushed her straight, black hair behind her shoulder, chuckling lightly, 'It's ok, Panchy. Both of our kids are so strong-headed that conflict is inevitable.' Seeing that the only available seat was next to Bulma, he settled into the loveseat; brushing up against his Mate was unavoidable. Sniffing deeply, he let out a low growl, 'Why is the Weakling's stench on you, Woman?' 'Oh, so now your nose works!' Bulma hissed, 'And it's none of your business anyway, Saiyan.' Roughly grabbing her chin, onyx orbs glared at deep blue pools as he snarled, 'You being my Mate makes it my business, Woman. Now answer me!' Frightened by his aggressiveness, Bulma found herself frozen.

Another growl, deeper than his, caused everyone to look at the source. The older Vegeta scowled at his son, 'What do you mean, 'my Mate?'' 'Exactly what I said.' He shot back to his Father before sighing, 'It'll be easier to show you. Take off your vest, Woman.' Bulma glared at him, snorting indignantly, 'No way!' I don't have time for this… He thought as he scowled, 'Either you do it or I will. Your choice.' Grumbling under her breathe, Bulma unzipped her vest and shrugged it off.

'There. Ya happy?' Bulma groused, crossing her arms under her breasts. Please listen… He begged mentally as he stared into her eyes, his expression softening as he whispered, 'Don't move; otherwise I'll tear it and that'll cause more problems.' Gently, ever so gently, he pulled the collar of her shirt aside to reveal his Mark to the adults.

Despite his hesitation, he bravely met his father's gaze; and it was one of murder. A sudden movement outside the window caught his attention. What is that? He wondered, rising to his feet; his father's anger forgotten. Everything started to click into place as he yelled, 'Get down!' The rocket smashed through the window as he threw himself over top of his Mate. Then the explosion happened…


Gasping as he jolted upright, Vegeta glanced around the room; finding himself in what appears to be a makeshift hospital. Onyx orbs spying blue hair that could only belong to his Mate resting on her arms on the side of his bed, asleep. He rested his hand atop her head as he allowed her breathing to lull him back to sleep.


Vegeta slipped in and out of consciousness for the next three days before finally regaining enough strength to stay awake for more than a few minutes. Never leaving his side, Bulma was always there when he opened his eyes. "When'd you get here?" Vegeta's gravelly voice rasped as a Namkeian with his shaggy blonde hair trapped under a white knitted hat entered his field of vision. Sighing, Piccolo answered, "A couple of days ago; along with everyone else in leadership in 13. The fight was over as soon as those bombs were dropped. The Revolutionaries waltzed right in with no resistance. Figured you wanted to know that."

Staring at the older Winner's long face, the Saiyan Prince scowled, "There has to be more then what you're telling me, so spit it out." Something cold and slimy touched his arm, causing the flame-haired teen to bared his teeth as he jerked away. Roughly grabbing the retreating appendage, Dende hissed, "Stop that! This stuff is expensive. Which is probably why it's working so well." Vegeta rolled his eyes, grumbling under his breath, "Just hurry it up, Magic Man."

Unable to fight the small smile, Piccolo's face softened slightly but it still did not quite reach his eyes, "Everyone felt it; mooks, Capitalists, and Revolutionaries alike. No one wanted to fight after that, apparently, not even Freeza put up a fight." A black eyebrow quirked up at that, "That's not the lizard's usual style…" Looking at all three faces, Vegeta knew that something bad had happened and no one wanted to be the one to tell him, "Bulma, what's wrong?" Please don't let it be Nappa… Teary blue eyes gazed into onyx orbs, her strawberry lips quivering as she spoke, "There were no survivors, Vegeta."

Vegeta blinked, his mind slowly processing this information. "I sent those medics to their deaths…" He whispered to himself, "I didn't know about the secondary bombs… how could I?" Stopping the teen before he could break down farther, the blonde Winner rested a hand on his blanket-covered foot, saying calmly, "Hey, hey. Look at me, boy." When Vegeta complied, Piccolo continued, "They knew what could happen. Those medics volunteered to go into a war zone without weapons. Don't let their deaths be in vain… Remember who the real enemy in."

Nodding sharply, his determination returning twofold as the young Prince clung to his Sensei's words. I will always remember who my enemy is. "Good." The older Namekain nodded, "Get some rest. I'm sure Krillin will come get you tomorrow to show you to your room." With that, both the former Winner and the healer left the two teens alone. Worried about his Mate, Vegeta asked, "Are you ok, Woman?" "Other than a few scrapes and scratches from the sewers, I'm alright. You're the one that scared us." Bulma answered tiredly.

Gently cupping her milky cheek, the Prince studied the dark circles under her vibrant blue eyes, his gravelly voice rumbling, "Why did you tell me to stop before the second explosion?" Deep blue pools held onyx orbs as she explained, "Teinshinhan managed to hack into the airwaves again, showing what was happening as the Revolutionaries were marching on Freeza's mansion. And that first explosion looked too much like a device that Chiaotzu had described to me one time." "Oh?" Vegeta was intrigued, "So who would've had the Dwarf to make such a thing?" Bulma shrugged, still keeping eye contact, "I don't know. Considering how few parachutes were dropped, it's safe to say that she didn't get started on them until after me and Raditz had left. Chiaotzu's amazing but even she can only do so much."

"Interesting…" Vegeta muttered as he released his Mate and laid back, "So Scar-Face still thinks he's in control, how hilarious…" Bulma stood up, stating, "I'm going to get something to eat. You want anything?" Pulled from his thoughts, the Saiyan teen's stomach rumbled at the mention of food, "You know what I like, Woman." Rolling her eyes, Bulma sighed, "Oh come on, you'll eat anything." "Exactly." Vegeta smirked, shouting as the blue-haired teen walked out the door, "And bring Nappa with you!" 'As you… …wish, Milord.'


Bringing back three trays of food, Bulma had found help to carry the Prince's meal to him. "Nappa! Bardock!" Vegeta exclaimed as his bald guardian and the spiky-haired captain entered the room, followed by Goku. Quickly setting down the tray he was carrying, the mountain of a Saiyan wrapped his Prince up into a bone-crushing hug, "I was so worried about you, Vegeta!" Tapping Nappa's shoulder, signaling for him to let go, the flame-haired teen coughed, "It's good to see you too, Nappa. What happened to you two after we… left?" The word felt like acid in his throat and tasted like bile on his tongue. If anything had happened to them…

Nappa shrugged as he sat down, "Well, we waited. After Bardock had gathered his strength again, we decided to strike out and see if we could find some Revolutionaries or medics." "Luckily the apartment owners had stuff that fit us," Bardock interjected. Nodding, the bald, mustached Saiyan continued, "Yeah, so we disguised ourselves then hit the streets, looking for friendlies. We came across a squad of mooks first but they were more than willing to desert Freeza and join our side." A small grin appeared on Bardock's lips as he retied his blood-red band around his head, "We managed to 'capture' four enemy squads before finally meeting up with the main group."

As he was listening to their story, Vegeta was scarfing down his food to Bulma's slight disgust. "Do you have to eat so fast? And messily too?" Quirking a single black eyebrow up at his blue-haired Mate, the Saiyan Prince scowled, "Oh, I'm sorry. I always seem to forget my manners when I HAVEN'T EATEN IN SIX FREAKING DAYS!" Tears welled up in her pretty blue eyes as Bulma stared at her food, whispering with barely any volume, "I didn't know…" Vegeta sighed, rubbing a hand down his angler face before apologizing, "I know. I shouldn't have yelled at you." I'm sorry, Bulma. 'Apology accepted…' Bulma whispered back across the Bond but her demeanor didn't change.

Reluctantly pushing the food aside, the flame-haired teen reached out and hauled his Mate into the bed with him. "What's wrong, Woman? Your emotions are a mess but I can tell you're mad at me." He said, rubbing his nose against her Mark. Her body responding to her Mate being so close, Bulma couldn't help the dreamy sigh that escaped her lips, "Freeza's not dead… you said you'd kill him." "And I will," Vegeta purred into her ear, the tip of his tongue dashing out to ghost the shell of it, "when the time is right. Three nights from now, we will become full-Mates." Gasping at his words, her voice full of hope, "Promise?" "I promise." And a Prince always keeps his promises.