DISCLAIMER! I still own nothing! I do not own DBZ or SM. I also do not own the Saiyan Language, that belongs to MegaKat and she graciously allows me to use. Enjoy! As always, please leave a review or a PM, those are always much appreciated and welcomed! Also, if you have any questions about the timeline please let me know! Feel free to email me if you do not have an account on here and you comment/leave a review as a question. I can respond to you that way. THANK YOU AS ALWAYS!
CHAPTER 31: Ta'i Na'va
Videl flew back towards the city at a tempered pace. Her thoughts on Gohan and his family and friends. Suddenly, a familiar energy began to approach her, one she recognized as Gohan's little sister. Videl paused in the air and called out to the small girl waving her over.
"Gine," Videl yelled loudly as the blue-eyed child approached her, "where are you going?"
"Ma and Uncle Vege are that way," she pointed to her right, "so I'm going to help them. I can't feel Ja'ta as strongly as before so something must have happened. Plus, Goten and Trunks went that way and they'll need my help especially after what Uncle Vege did." She made to fly off but was stopped by Videl grabbing onto her shoulders.
"What do you mean because of what Vegeta did?" The short black-haired woman leaned down looking into the blue eyes of Gine.
Slamming her eyes shut she balled her hands into fists and dropped her head. "Uncle Vege showed up with Ja'ta m'yo and blew up part of the stadium." Her eyes flew open as she looked up at Videl. "He almost hurt Aunt Bulma! I have to help Ma stop him." She trailed off as her eyes took on a sad tone, not wanting Trunks to see his own father in such a state.
"Hey," Videl smiled softly at the young child, "why don't you come back with me. I know Gohan and your Mom wouldn't want you there. People back at the tournament grounds might need your help. Can you come back and help me, please?"
Gine looked to her right, calculating who needed her more. Cutting her eyes to the left she could sense the anguish and worry that Bulma was going through. Nodding her head yes, she looked back up to Videl. "Let's go," she whispered and blasted back towards the arena.
Videl let out a sigh of relief as she watched the small girl fly ahead of her before catching up to her side. As the duo touched down in the center of the ring Videl looked around her in shock. There were three huge chunks missing out of each of the seating areas surrounding the fighting ring.
"VIDEL!" She turned to see her father, Hercule Satan, running towards her screaming her name. "Oh, thank goodness!" He wrapped his arms around her tightly. "I was so worried when you flew off with that weird skinny kid. You're not hurt, are you?"
"Small lady! Thank goodness you came back!" Michiru dropped to her knees before the small girl inspect every inch of her.
"You're not harmed are you, Chibi koneko?" Haruka asked while dropping her hand on top of her head causing the small girl to look up at her. She could see the remainder of the inner senshi, sans Amie, standing behind her.
"No, I didn't even make it to where Ma is cause Miss. Videl stopped me." Gine looked down at the ground rolling a rock under her foot.
"Thank you, Videl-san." Minako smiled with tears in her eyes at the teen aged girl while she reached out her hand to Gine. "Come on Gine, Bulma will be relieved to see you."
They walked a short distance to where Bulma was standing shouting out orders and instructing people on where to take the wounded. She paused mid-sentence when she saw the senshi walking up to her and instantly let out a breath of relief she hadn't realized she had been holding. She bent down scooping the small Saiyan girl into her arms hugging her tightly to her chest.
"Oh Gine! Please don't run off like that again. Do you know how furious your mother would be with me if something were to happen to you?" She pulled away to look her in the eyes momentarily before returning to hug the small girl full force.
"But everyone is off fighting and I can't sense everyone like before. They might need help and Uncle Vege," Gine gave a small shiver, "he didn't seem like my Uncle Vege."
The senshi all looked at one another and nodded their heads.
"Tell me, little princess," Makoto stepped forward rubbing her hand up and down Gine's back, "what do you mean Vegeta didn't seem like himself?" Makoto was physically shaking herself after feeling the loss of her own mate.
"Cold, his aura was dark and cold," she paused for a moment in thought, "and angry. Super angry, like worse than when the gravity room breaks."
Meanwhile in the dessert, Usagi, Piccolo, Trunks, Goten, Tarble and Krillian slowly made their way to where Vegeta was currently taking a beating from Majin Buu. Trunks let out a loud angry growl as he powered up. Trunks started to fly away only for Tarble to appear before him stopping the small boy. Goten powered up ready to chase after him when Piccolo grabbed a hold of the small boy's arm.
"Uncle Tarble, I have to go help him!" Trunks yelled.
"Trunks, I can't let you go down there. If you get hurt," he shook his head, "I couldn't face your mother."
"Let me go Piccolo!" Goten yelled. "I have to help Trunks and his Dad!"
"No Goten, we can't lose you too." He growled up at the small boy.
"If I were Gohan you would have let me go! You wouldn't have stopped me!" Yelled back shocking the Namekian causing him to lose his grip on the boy's arm.
Usagi smirked as she let out a small laugh. Folding her arms over her chest she blasted off into the air behind the small boys in order to assist them and her brother while Tarble and Piccolo stood back watching. Trunks and Goten rocketed past Babidi shoving him out of their way. Usagi paused at Babidi's side before kicking him out of her way and tossing a small ki blast that sent him towards the Earth.
"That's for what you have done to my family. When we're done with your pet, I'll be coming for you." She appeared at her brother's side just as Trunks had kicked Buu away from him. She and Goten began removing the part of Buu that had been wrapped around Vegeta.
"Come on Dad! Wake up." Trunks shook his Father's chest.
"Trunks, he's pretty hurt. He might be dead." Goten whispered softly.
"My dad is the strongest guy alive! He isn't dead! You take that back!" Trunks yelled as he continued to shake his father.
"Trunks," Usagi rested her hands over her small nephew's hands, "let me try something." She smiled softly at the small boy.
He nodded his head yes and started to pull his hands from under Usagi's when he felt them shaking as she grabbed onto his hands in a reassuring manner. Leaving his hands where they were, he could feel Usagi's healing light mixed with her Super Saiyan power ghosting over his hands. He looked down to see his father's eyes fluttering open.
"Dad!" The small boy yelled as he smiled down at him.
"My son." Vegeta smiled briefly before looking around confused for a moment. He sat quickly jarring himself upright. "Wait! Where is he? Where's that pink tub of lard?!"
"Trunks knocked him way over there." Goten pointed to some rocks where there was a dust cloud was rising.
"Vegeta you should rest for a moment longer." Usagi soft voice filled his ears. He looked up to see her eyes closed in concentration and he could feel the Lunarian power slowly trickling into him mixed with her Saiyan ki as well.
"What are you doing?" He growled angrily at her as he could feel the darkness trying to be erased from within him. He grabbed her arm.
"You were hurt Uncle Vegeta and Ma is just trying to heal you." Goten smiled happily at the grumpy older Saiyan; oblivious as to what the black M on his forehead meant.
"Yeah Dad, just let Aunt Usa help you." Trunks kept his hands where they were resting on his Father's chest.
"It's fine boys." Usagi ended the light and pulled her hands away from him and stood.
Vegeta stood quickly roughly grabbing her arm and jerked her away from the boys. Holding both of her upper arms in his hands and whispered harshly at her. "What do you think you were doing? Don't you understand I need this power to destroy that pink monstrosity?! I'm going to be the one to end him but if you take away my power boost, I won't be able to save Trunks, or Bulma, or you!"
Usagi sighed resting the palms of her hands on his broad chest and let her head fall just over his heartbeat in defeat. "I was only trying to heal you." She whispered sadly. "I know you don't want to lose this power and that is why. . . " Her words caught in her throat as her mind replayed what had happened to Radditz. "Why I mostly used my Saiyan power to restore your ki and the Lunarian to heal your worst wounds. Damnit." She sniffled as she felt tears falling again.
Vegeta leaned in and wrapped one arm around her back while beckoning his son and Goten closer to him. "I'm going to protect you all." He whispered softly into Usagi's ear and looked down at his son. "Trunks listen. I need you to take good care of your mother and Usagi."
"Why would you say that Dad? You can take of them too, right? Dad?" Trunks looked up at his father.
"I want you to take them away from here. Keep them safe. Cril, Usa?" He whispered quietly into her hair as her shoulders trembled. "I'm going to finish off Buu by myself and I want you two to get out of here. It isn't going to be safe for you to be around."
"You can't do that Dad! You need our help." The young super Saiyan turned to look at his best friend. "You're down, right Goten?"
"Oh yeah! We can all take him on together and finish him off in no time!" Goten cheered.
"Yeah! We'll gang up on him, all four of us, and he won't even know what hit him." Trunks smiled up at his father.
"We're tough! I'll bet we can beat that big blob without your help. Might even do better than you did!" Goten shouted excitedly.
"Yeah!" Trunks cheered.
Both boys instantly regretted their words and covered their mouths with their hands causing Vegeta to smirk.
"Trunks," Vegeta turned away from Usagi letting her crumple to the ground and walked over to his young son, "you are my only son and I haven't held you once since you were a baby. Come here."
Trunks wrapped his arms around Vegeta's legs returning the hug. "This is kind of embarrassing with Goten watching Dad." The young boy looked up to see his best friend sitting in his Aunt's lap giving him a thumbs up.
"Trunks," Vegeta spoke causing Trunks to look up at him, "you have made me proud my son." He raised his hand and struck Trunks in the neck knocking him out cold.
"Trunks!" Goten jumped up from Usagi's arms and ran up to Vegeta. "Why? Why would you do that?" He started hitting him with his small fists. "You're his Dad, you aren't supposed to hit him! You're supposed to protect them and take care of him! Why would you do that?! Oooohhh!" Goten doubled over as Vegeta hit him in the stomach also causing him to pass out.
Piccolo landing on the ground next to Vegeta. "I think I understand, Vegeta." He looked over to see Usagi standing and crossing over to them. "And one day so will Trunks."
All eyes turned to look in horror as they saw Buu coming back towards them completely unharmed. "Which mean man hit Buu?"
"Take the boys as far away from here as possible. Go, now." Vegeta walked past Piccolo to stand between them and Buu.
"You'll die," Piccolo paused, "you'll know, that right?"
"Tell me, do you think I'll meet that clown Kakarott in the afterlife?" He questioned solemnly.
Piccolo sighed, "I'll tell you the truth," he bent down to pick up Trunks as Usagi scooped up Goten, "though it might be difficult to hear. Goku devoted his life to protect others and defending the planet and that is why he was able to keep his body. You on the other hand," Piccolo looked over at Usagi to see her shoulders shaking, "will not receive the same honor when you arrive before King Yenma."
"Heh," Vegeta sighed. "So be it. It's time now. Go quickly Usagi and raise the next generation to be strong."
"I will. Goodbye, ta'fr." Fearing she would lose her resolve she spun on her heel and blasted away as quickly as possible.
"Farewell, Vegeta." Piccolo called out as he flew away as well. He flew quickly and yelled at Krillian without stopping. "Hurry up Krillian! We have to get away from here as quickly as possible!"
Krillian joined them in the air. "Does Vegeta really think he can take that guy on by himself? Is he crazy? Buu is going to eat him alive."
Tarble slowed his pace to speak with Krillian. "He's going to use the ultimate attack." After hearing the words spoken Usagi cried out in anguish as they flew away quickly from where her eldest brother was amassing a power the others had never seen before.
"Ultimate attack?" Krillian questioned as he slowed his pace to look behind him.
"Self-destruct and take Majin Buu out with him." Tarble supplied quietly solemnly as he glanced back to where his brother stood powering up.
"Stop dawdling Krillian and keep up!" Piccolo yelled as he glanced at the Saiyan princess only to see her eyes clinched shut and holding her youngest son closer to her.
"Are you serious?!" The formerly bald monk yelled at the youngest Saiyan prince. "Doesn't he realize he could kill us all with that kind of attack?"
Piccolo scoffed at him. "That's why he told us to get away as quick as possible and why I told you not to linger."
They paused momentarily as they felt and saw Vegeta's power increase exponentially not only in a blinding light but also able to feel the heat on their skin. Usagi let out a heart broken sob as she felt her brother disappear. The quartet watched in awe as Vegeta gave up his own life in order to save everyone on Earth.
At the world Martial Arts Tournament Bulma staggered slightly as she felt an invisible bond within her own self snap. Tears immediately began to fall from her eyes without warning as she continued to direct people and emergency assistance as to where they needed to go. Makoto and Minako walked up to the blue haired genius and wrapped supportive arms around her.
"He's gone." Bulma shuttered. "I've felt it once before on Namek when Frieza. . . …" she sucked in a deep breath trying to steady herself, "when Frieza killed Vegeta." She looked to the blonde and brunette who stood at her side. "Is this what Usagi went through with Goku?" The senshi of Venus and Jupiter nodded at her with tears shinning her their eyes. "How? How has she been so strong through this? And not come to us?" Bulma let out a broken sob. "I feel like my heart is being pulled out of my chest." Her knees gave way; Minako and Makoto supported her as they led her over to a chair beside Ami.
Haruka and Michiru took charge in directing people as the females bonded with Saiyans grieved. Hotaru and Rei walked over to the senshi of Neptune and Uranus asking how they could be useful as Mamoura entered the arena and began to treat those with minor injuries. The children gathered around the adults giving them comfort with their child like innocence. As the stadium began to clear Piccolo carrying Trunks, Usagi cradling Goten, Tarble, and Krillian landed near the grieving females. 18 and Marron ran up to Krillian, thrilled to see him alive. Hotaru stopped in her tracks as she helped an elderly woman and locked eyes with Tarble. The two of them nodded at one another and she continued aiding the woman.
Once the stadium was cleared, the remaining forces of Earth grouped together. They agreed to head off to Dende's look out and inform everyone of what had happened. They piled into one of Bulma's large capsule vehicles and headed for the look out. The entire ride to the look out was filled with an uneasy silence. Gine sat nestled against Usagi's right side as she held a sleeping Goten. Bulma, who had opted to let Tarble fly, was sitting beside Usagi on her left holding Trunks comatose body close to her as she sobbed.
Everyone slowly exited the bus and were greeted warmly by Dende and Mr. Popo. Usagi and Bulma laid Trunks and Goten down in a bed and covered them up. Makoto shuffled Bardock and Kaboka into another room to make them lay down, promising them food when they woke from a nap. Marron was laid in the top bunk bed of one of the last rooms available. Minako cradled her young son Baijun to her chest as she held Isuki's hand leading her to the bedroom where 18 and Krillian had just laid their small daughter down. Tucking her daughter in with a kiss she stood and nodded to Usagi as she walked in holding Gine in her arms. The small dark-haired child's head rested against her mother's shoulder fighting sleep. Mamoura and Rei laid their young adopted children down in another room and let them sleep.
The adults gathered in the courtyard area where Mr. Popo and Dende had set up a table full of food. Usagi, being the last to exit the building, was greeted with the faces of everyone looking at her. She found her sisters gathered around one another all silently supporting one another as they experienced the same feeling. Haruka held Michiru around her waist as the aqua marine haired woman buried her face in the sandy blonde's chest. Tarble stood next to Bulma with his hand on her shoulder. Hotaru stood behind Tarble with her arms wrapped around his middle and his free hand holding onto her own. Krillian was gripping 18's hand as he fought to hold back the tears. Videl stood off by herself looking around as if trying to find something or someone. Piccolo caught Usagi's eye as he leaned against the doorway.
"They're going to want answers." The Namekian spoke without opening his eyes. Hearing no response to his words he cracked open one eye to look at her. "Are you going to be able to give them those answers, or do you need me to handle it?"
She sighed heavily closing her eyes. "It is my responsibility." She looked back up to him. "Thank you, Piccolo."
"Hey," he leaned away from the wall and walked over to her side, "have you been able to feel Gohan?" He asked with concern over his former student.
"I haven't felt him in a while." Her voice cracked as tears shimmered in her eyes as she looked up at him. Nodding her head, she crossed over to the group and they gathered around her quickly like moths to a flame. They began to ramble off one question after another. Usagi held up her hand in order to silence them.
"Usagi," Ami asked quietly drawing all eyes to her as she walked up to Usagi with her right arm cradling the underside of her belly and her left hand gripping the fabric of her shirt over her heart, "tell me, did Nappa," she paused sucking a breath as tears began to fall down her face, "is he really gone? Did he really leave us?"
Usagi crossed over to Ami and pulled her into her arms. "He died protecting me. I'm so sorry Ami, it is my fault your mate is gone but I will avenge him."
Ami gripped the front of Usagi's gi in her hands and cried heart broken sobs. Usagi looked up at Minako, Makoto, and Bulma as they awaited their turn for confirmation of what they had all felt. Tarble pulled Ami from Usagi and led her over to one of the chairs to sit while Hotaru handed her a glass of water. Dropping her shoulders Usagi began to tell them all that had happened.
"The brothers were working for an evil sorcerer named Babidi who was trying to awaken an evil creature named Buu that was sealed away by the supreme kais. They killed Spopovich and Yamu and then turned on us. Dabura, the demon king, killed Kibito and Nappa on the spot." Usagi hung her head in shame. "He was aiming for me when Nappa shoved me out of the way. We underestimated our enemy and it is my fault that he is gone. Then he turned on Tarble, Krillian, and Piccolo. His spit turns anything it touches into stone and we lost them momentarily. I can only assume that Dabura was defeated since they returned to normal. We followed Babidi and his henchmen into his ship." She paused looking at everyone with a sad smile.
"Everything was going so well at first. Vegeta fought the first guy, Pui Pui and defeated him quickly. Then Kakarott fought a light devouring monster named Yakon and beat him. Turles was the next to fight and his opponent was Dabura." She closed her eyes momentarily as her final memory of him replayed in her mind. "He fought hard and bravely against Dabura, but he wasn't strong enough." She locked eyes with Makoto. "Turles went out like a strong and proud Saiyan warrior with his last thoughts being of you, Bard and Boka. I just remember seeing red and feeling my blood boil." Her hands clinched into fists and her body began to shake as the feelings of anger and loss of her best friend and brother filled her being once more. "Vegeta had to have knocked me out because the next thing I remember is waking up and Babidi was taking control of Vegeta and Radditz." She slammed her eyes shut, her mind supplying Radditz's feelings and words. "I tried to save him Minako. I really did, I tried to purify him, to take the evil Babidi had forced in him but I couldn't." The tears trickled down her face as her shoulders shook violently. "All I ended up doing was killing him. I couldn't save my own brother." She felt soft arms circle around her shoulders as Minako held her softly.
"You tried to save him." Minako hiccupped as tried to hold back her tears. "I felt through the bond that he was at peace at the end just before the bond we shared was severed." The blonde pulled back causing their eyes to lock. "You did save him and did the best that you could for him." Minako smiled at her friend. "There's no use crying over spilt silk."
"Minako." Usagi whispered as she wrapped her arms around the other blonde's waist and buried her face in her shoulder. When she had regained her composure, she stepped back from the blonde and looked to Bulma. "After Gohan, Kai Shin, and I buried Radditz I vowed to save Vegeta. Following their ki signatures I made my way back to the tournament where I felt Vegeta let out three powerful blasts." Bulma hung her head as she remembered seeing Vegeta mercilessly kill people in the stadium. "And then they were out in the dessert again, so I tried to get there quickly. Vegeta and Kakarott were fighting and ta'fr, Vegeta, admitting to letting Babidi take control of him so that he would have the strength to finally beat Kakarott in a fight. He knocked out Kakarott and went off to fight Buu himself and," she paused, her eyes locked with Bulma's sad and broken gaze, "he sacrificed himself to save all of us. He used Final Impact in order to take out Buu, but it cost him his life as well."
"So," Bulma started sadly, "Vegeta gave up his life for everyone on Earth?"
Usagi nodded her head yes.
"Oh Vegeta." Bulma clutched at her heart as she sank to her knees losing consciousness. Tarble crossed over to Bulma and scooped her prone body up carrying over to one of the couches.
"I'm sorry everyone." Usagi turned her back to them. "We thought we could handle this and all we succeeded in doing was losing everyone."
"Hey guys! Why's everyone so glum?" Goku popped onto the look out just in front of Usagi and bent down eye level with her. "Usagi?"
"You idiot." She whispered quietly as she thumped her forehead against his chest. "How can you be so cheerful?"
"Cause," he whispered quietly in her ear as he enveloped her into his arms, "we are going to find a way to bring everyone back and defeat Buu."
"WHAT?!" Everyone yelled loudly.
"He's still alive?!" Piccolo bellowed as he reached out searching for Buu's ki.
"Yeah Piccolo," he nodded solemnly. "Vegeta's attack almost finished off Buu but it wasn't enough. I have a favor I need of you Piccolo." He continued when Piccolo nodded his head yes. "There's a technique we need to teach the boys when they wake up. It's called the Fusion Technique. If Vegeta or Gohan were still around I would have one of them help me with it, but we will have to teach it to the boys. They will join bodies with this technique and be strong enough to defeat Buu."
"Sure Goku." Piccolo nodded his head and resumed leaning against the wall.
"Are you out of your mind?" Minako looked up at the carefree confused smile on Goku's face.
"Do you really think Bulma is going to let Trunks help fight that thing?" Makoto questioned as she glanced over to the blue-haired genius's prone body.
"Especially after just losing her husband?" Snapped Rei with her hands on her hips as she glared up at the tall warrior.
"Bulma won't be able to stop Trunks any more than I would be able to stop Goten." Usagi spoke quietly lifting her head from Goku's chest. "They are Saiyan," her eyes flitting over each of her senshi, "and the call to fight and seek out revenge is strong. I don't like the idea of them facing Buu, but they might just be out best chance." Her eyes slipped closed as she took a shaky breath. "Kakarott doesn't have much time left here on Earth," she pulled away from him slightly to look into his eyes, "isn't that right? You used too much energy while fighting Vegeta and your time has been shortened?"
Goku stuck his hand behind his head and chuckled nervously.
"There's no point in lying." She placed her hands on his muscular chest and gave him a sad smile. "I can feel you slipping back to the other world." She rested her right hand against his cheek. "I wish we had more time together, but we will have to make the most of it. What do we need to know about this thing you want to teach the boys?"
"Usa," Goku whispered softly as he placed his hand over hers. He bent down and placed his lips to hers in an innocent kiss.