2

Everyone managed to get on the train on time. Needless to say, Krillin was ecstatic that they were on schedule. Upon finding the three Winners from 12 in the dining car the next morning, Krillin explained their schedule, "These next two weeks will be a beast. Twelve Regions in as many days, plus the Capital. But most of it will be dances, festivities, and admiring fans wanting to speak with you. And all you two have to do is wave, smile, give a few speeches, and overall just enjoy your time in the spotlight. You two have earned it, after all." It was the phrasing that made Vegeta's thoughts stutter to a stop, "What did you say, Baldy?" Rolling his brown eyes, Krillin repeated himself, "I said, 'You two have earned it, after all.'" "By killing!" Vegeta snarled, ripping himself from his chair and stalking out of the car.

If Vegeta could've survived walking off the train, he probably would've done so; instead, he settled for the lounge car that was the caboose of the train. Not really paying attention to the gait and footfalls for the person that entered the car, Vegeta snapped, "I'm not going to apologize so save your breath." "Trust me, I have no intentions of asking you to do such a horrible thing." Bulma chuckled; a breathless, warbling laughter. Glancing at the other teen, Vegeta arched a black eyebrow, "I thought you were the Drunk." Sighing as she sat down, Bulma brushed her hair out of her eyes, "What is up with you, Vegeta? As soon as we got back you wouldn't hardly even look at me; and now that the Capital's around you can't keep your eyes off me?" A flash of hurt crossed her pale, creamy face as she whispered, "I chose you; what more do you want from me?"

Hating himself for making her think that she was worthless, Vegeta pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled sharply, "Nothing, Woman. I've been trying to protect you this whole time." "Protect me from what, Vegeta? The Game is over. You don't have to shelter me anymore." Bulma shot back, tapping her foot against the floor. The repetitive noise grated on his already thin nerves, Vegeta released an odd sound somewhere between a snarl and whine, "I will always protect you, Woman. Especially from myself." "Yourself? Is that why you've been avoiding me?" Bulma's lovely voice was laced with worry and confusion. Vegeta responded with silence as he stared out the window, Why can't you just leave me alone and let me think… "Vegeta." He felt drawn to look at her, knowing just how terrifying she could be when she had that particular tone. "Please talk to me. Or do I have to recreate that raging infection you had, because you know I can."

Not having another option, Vegeta shed his pride to show her his weakness, if only for a moment, "Yes. With my mind believing that I am still in the Arena at inopportune times, I did not want to hurt you. My body craves yours, Bulma." With the use of her name, he had her rapt attention, "It has ever since that night in the cave but I do not trust myself. I'm so much stronger then you, it would not take much for me to harm you. Understand that I hadn't meant to cause you pain, but I saw no other way at the time." Moving quickly, Bulma threw her arms around his thick neck, her voice muffled, "All you had to do was say something, you jerk."

Suddenly the train was plunged into darkness as it went through a tunnel. With Bulma still hugging his neck, Vegeta held her close; he hated anything resembling a mine shaft ever since Nappa was almost killed. As they were zipping through the blackness, a faint light shone on a wall of the tunnel spotlighting an upright trident standing in a U-shape with barbs on the end in red paint. The train was moving so fast he barely had time to register what he saw, "Whoa, did you see that?" "See what?" Bulma wondered as she pulled back. Before he could tell her about the image on the wall, the train emerged into Region 11. It was a huge Region, the biggest in all of Ee-arth, but to Vegeta's surprise, the number of Freeza Force here was easily one mook to every two civilians. They watched as the vast plantation fields and orchards whizzed by through the chain-link fence topped with barbwire that surrounded the train tracks. This is an awful lot of security for such a poor Region. Vegeta mused as the train rocked to a stop at 11's station platform.

A Freeza Force mook, in full white uniform, greeted the small group as they disembarked. "Welcome to Region 11. This way." They were directed into the back of a waiting vehicle and rode for thirty minutes to reach the Justice Building where they would be speaking. "It's tradition for you to give a short accolade for the fallen Competitors. For 11, that'll be Toriyama and Sixteen." Krillin said in a rush, thrusting two, blue index cards at them, "I've taken the liberty to write your speeches for you, so please use them as a guide if nothing else." Reaching forward, Bulma took both cards and stated softly, "I can do the talking, Vegeta; if you want." Softly grunting in agreement, Vegeta turned his focus to the floor. I wouldn't know what to say. Or where to begin…


The Mayor for 11, an older man with very dark skin and thinning gray hair, stood on the front steps of the Justice Building, speaking into the microphone, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Winners of the 74th Dragon Games! Bulma Briefs and Vegeta Saiyan!" "That's your cue. And at least try to smile, Vegeta." Krillin nagged, pushing the teens out the huge doors and into the view of the crowds and cameras. Hesitantly stepping up to the microphone, Bulma cleared her throat and began to read from the cards, "Thank you, Mayor. We are grateful to be here with you and with the families of our fallen Competitors."

Now confident in her words, she lowered the cards and spoke from the heart, "Though they lived and fought with an honor I have rarely seen, Sixteen and Toriyama were both still so young. They had their whole lives ahead of them. But thankfully our lives aren't just measured in years; they are also measured by the lives of the people around us that we help and love. With that said, Vegeta and I are willing to donate one month of our Winner's Stipend to the Bird and Gero families every year for as long as we live as a thank you for their kind and gentle hearts." Glancing at Vegeta to see if he wanted to add anything, Bulma stepped back and when he barely shook his head, she started to turn to reenter the Justice Building.

Vegeta never took his eyes off the raised platforms that held Toriyama and Sixteen's families. A lone man, his hair and beard a stark white against his dark, sun-kissed skin, stood in front of the picture of Sixteen. That must be his father. On the other, a family of seven huddled together; the biggest of the children was hugging the neck of a black dog tightly. Every eye was boring deep into his soul and Vegeta knew that he could not leave without saying something. Hurriedly stepping up to the mic, Vegeta addressed the people before him, "I didn't know either Sixteen or Toriyama. But I do know that without them, me and the Woman wouldn't be here today. If the Little One had not shown Bulma kindness, I doubt she would've awoken from her beesuer stings. And if the Android had not been merciful the day of the Banquet, I most certainly would not be alive. So do not morn them, instead, live for them."

An itty, bitty smile appeared as he began to wax poetic, "I see the Little One in the flowers in the fields around 12. The inventions Bulma creates reminds me of the Android. I know the names I have used may seem as if I didn't care to learn their names, however, I only give such names to those I care about. They help me remember who they are…" Vegeta cast a glance at Bulma as he said these last words, "because I don't want to forget." Having said his piece, Vegeta turned to loop arms with Bulma and retreat into the safety of the Justice Building. Before he could take a step, however, a weathered old man whistled Toriyama's four-note tune as he raised a fist above his head and opened it. Some Freeza Force mooks swiftly descended on the man, hitting him in the back of the head and dragging him towards the steps of the Justice Building.

Instincts kicked in as Vegeta pushed Bulma behind him and began to round on the men dragging the poor man. Just as he was about to lunge forward and attack, a strong hand at the back of his shirt jerked him inside the doorway; but not before he heard and saw the gunshot. "Why'd you do that?!" Vegeta bellowed, "I could've stopped them!" Scowling, Piccolo raised a hand to halt any more arguments, then nodded over his shoulder to the stairwell. Without preamble, the blond Winner started up the steps with the two teens hot on his heels.

Shoving a desk aside, Piccolo opened a door that led to an attic space at the very top of the structure. Once sure that they would not be disturbed, the Namekian frowned, "You have a very simple task. How hard is it to mess this up?" "It's not like I asked him to do that." Vegeta shot back, crossing his arms. Shaking his head, Piccolo's expression remained unchanged, "That's not the point." Suddenly a thought smacked into Vegeta, his pout falling as he looked at their Sensei, "He has to understand that what happened was not our fault." "Who had to understand? What are you going on about?" The blond man's patience was wearing thin.

His worry for Bulma's safety getting the best of him, Vegeta hurriedly explained, "Freeza. That lizard came to visit me before this blasted Journey. He said he was concerned about rebellion in the Regions and something about how they don't believe our love story." Running a hand down his face, Piccolo sighed, "And I take it he wants you to make them believe it." Vegeta nodded in agreement while Bulma's anger began to get the best of her, "Why didn't you tell me?! Cause if I had known, I would've tried to give those families that money!" "A Prince never breaks his word." Vegeta shot back, scowling at the floor.

With her fists on her hips, Bulma screeched, "What's that supposed to mean this time, Prince of All Jerks?!" Roughly grabbing her upper arms, the Saiyan Prince pushed her against a support column, growling in her ear, "He threatened you, Woman, and your family too. What else was I supposed to do?" Clear blue eyes bore into inky black orbs as she whispered harshly, "And what about them? Who protects those people outside?" Snarling as he pulled away, Vegeta ground out, "They are not my Mate. I cannot help them." For the second time today, Vegeta allowed a minuscule bit of weakness to show through his tough outer shell, "Piccolo, help us get through the next two weeks. Please."

"The next couple of weeks?" Piccolo shook his head, desolation creeping in at the edge of his voice, "Get it together, Prince; because this ride doesn't end in two weeks. From now on your life is theirs. Every year, your private life gets dragged out into the spotlight; every intimate detail broadcasted to the whole country." Shakely, Bulma asked, her strong voice sounding so weak, "What are we going to do?" Gazing at the young man and woman who had just gotten thrown into a world he's hated for the past 24 years, the blond man fought to keep his face neutral, "You're going to smile. You're going to read the cards Krillin gives you, verbatim. And you're going to live happily ever after. Think you can manage that without messing it up?" Both teens nodded determinedly, making the tired loner allow a ghost of a smile to appear. "You can do this. You. Can. Do. This." The middle-aged man encouraged. Yeah right. Vegeta frowned as he stared out a dirty window, catching a glimpse of two Freeza Force mooks dragging the dead man's body from the steps.