Dragonball Z: Unlikely Romance
A Dragonball Z FanFic By Eric Jacobson
Chapter 7 -- The Kidnapped Saga
Episode One - Vanished

Disclaimer: You know how it goes. I don't own DBZ, I don't make cash off this story, blah
blah blah. So, don't sue me. If you do, you won't get much at all. Seriously...

Author's Note: This story is actually Chapter 7 of a larger tale, DBZ: Unlikely Romance. If you haven't read that story yet, please do. It sets this one up.

{**~**~**}

Darkness covered the campsite, the only light coming from the stars overhead. Crickets could be heard chirping their mating songs in the distance, only drowned out by the quietly rolling surf from the ocean lapping at the sand of the beach.

Krillin, Mizuki, Vegeta and Bulma returned from their night of dancing to find a quiet campsite. Dr. and Mrs. Brief had long since retired, and the only sign that they had been awake was the smoldering embers still burning in the fire pit. Smoke rose from the ashes, giving the air the pleasing scent of a wood stove like the ones found in the rural districts of Japan.

Vegeta, still a bit tipsy from all the Molson he had drank earlier, staggered over to the beach and sat himself down in the sand. He looked up at the sky and smiled. Tonight, he had actually had some fun for once. No worries about becoming a Super Saiyan and overtaking Kakkarot's power, no need for him to mask his softer side with the cold overtones of his pride. Tonight, he was able to let it all go and enjoy himself.

A few moments later, Bulma joined him by the shore and sat next to him. "Hey, Vegeta! So,did you have fun tonight?"

"You know, Bulma, tonight was one of the happiest nights I've ever had. Hard to believe, isn't it. Me, the mighty Prince of Saiyans, letting it all go and actually trying to have a good time. God, I hope Kakkarot doesn't get word of this. If he did, that idiot would be dragging me around to nightspots all over Japan."

Bulma giggled a bit. "Yeah, he probably would. But don't worry, I won't say a word. And Krillin already knows he should keep it quiet. I'm sure you telling him to keep quiet about teaching you how to dance is more than enough incentive for him not to tell Goku you had some fun, too." She took his arm into her own and rested her head down on his shoulder. "And boy oh boy, Vegeta, can you ever dance! I don't think I've ever seen you move like that before."

"And you'll never see it again, either."

"Oh, Vegeta. At any rate, I sure had a good time tonight. And I'm glad you were there with me. Heaven knows that moron Yamcha would have ever taken me to a place like that. And if he did, he'd probably be going nuts and hitting on every girl in the building. But you, you're so much different than he is. Thanks for the wonderful night, Vegeta."

"Hmmph." Ever the Saiyan's way of saying 'You're Welcome'. Bulma had grown used to it at this point, she knew he meant well. Even though he had let his pride down for one night, he was still ever the defiant soul. "Well, I'm going to go see what Mizuki's up to. I'll see you when you decide to turn in for the night!" She leaned up to kiss his cheek, and then stood up. Brushing herself, off, she hurried back to the campsite.

Vegeta remained, still staring up at the stars overhead. It had been a wonderful night. Nothing he'd ever expected to be doing, but still grand just the same. Above him, the stars seemed to rock back and forth. 'Must be the alcohol' he thought. A few minutes later, he sensed someone coming towards him. And since none of the other Z fighters were around, it could only be one person.

"What do you want, baldie?"

"Well geez, Vegeta. Can't get anything by you. Just thought I'd come join ya." Krillin sat down near the Saiyan warrior, being careful not to sit too close and give him an excuse to gripe any more than he already had. "Well, I won't ask you if you had any fun or anything, cause I know how ya are about that sorta thing. But I gotta tell ya, man, you really did good on the dance floor tonight. You blew everyone away."

"Well, I appreciate the sentiment. But that's probably the last time you'll ever see me do anything of the sort."

"Heh. At least I got to see the one and only time. And before you snap at me, don't worry. I won't tell Goku anything about this entire event. If I know him, he'd wanna see it for himself and you'ld end up fighting with him."

"Well, you know that it will inevitably happen. I will prove that I'm stronger than that third class moron."

"Heh. Well, maybe someday, Vegeta." Krillin looked up to the sky himself. "Man, it's pretty clear out tonight, not like it was this morning."

"That still worries me..."

"What? What worried you?"

"That fog this morning. Something about it just wasn't right."

"What do you mean, Vegeta?"

"I'm not really sure. I got the feeling that something was going to happen, and soon. Thankfully, it had nothing to do with our little outing tonight. But the night isn't over yet..." Krillin's happy look turned sour as he pondered Vegeta's premanition. Usually it was himself that had the "bad feelings" about everything. And usually, he was right. But this time, Vegeta had sensed it. He wasn't sure what to do or say.

The two sat there for some time, thinking about different things, letting the effects of their drinking wear off so they could walk straight when they went to retire for the night. They both looked up at the stars, and neither one really spoke much.

And then, it happened.

An explosion knocked them forward. When they recovered they turned back to the campsite to see a giant ball of flame coming from where they had parked the car.

"What the hell was that?" Krillin yelled.

"I knew it! We'd better get up there, baldie. Come on!"

The two fighters flew with urgency to the spot where the explosion happened. It had been the car that blew up.

"What in the hell happened to the car? What made it explode like that. What's going on?" Krillin wasn't sure which way was Tuesday, and Vegeta stood, his eyes wide with both confusion and fury. Dr. and Mrs. Brief had been jarred awake by the explosion and came running to see what was happening.

"What happened to the car, Krillin? Did Vegeta have one of his fits and blow it up?" The good Doctor was rubbing his eyes, still a little tired.

"Nope. He and I were down at the beach when we heard the car blow up. Neither of us have any clue what the heck is going on here."

"Oh my," Mrs. Brief was in shock. "Where are the girls? Are they alright?"

Krillin and Vegeta looked at each other. They had no clue where the girls were, and they sure weren't here with them. They both took off for their respective huts, each searching for his lady friend but finding no sign of them. They returned after searching the perimeter, still with no luck in locating Bulma or Mizuki.

At that moment, both Krillin and Vegeta felt something. It was ki. And not just one, but three. They turned in the direction they had sensed it. Through the flames, they could see the outlines of three huge humanoid creatures. Two of them seemed to be carrying something, but they couldn't quite make it out.

"Who the hell are they?" Vegeta roared in anger. He wasn't happy about not being able to find Bulma.

"I don't know. I've never felt anything like them before. What are those things the two smaller ones are carrying? It looks like..."

"Bulma!"

"Mizuki!"

The car gave off another explosion as the remaining contents of the fuel compartment met with the flames. Everyone turned to avert their eyes, and when they looked back, the creatures were gone.

"Alright. I knew something was going to happen, but nothing like this. Get your gear on, baldie, we're going after them."

"Right." With that, the two took off to get into some other clothes. Fighting in suits wouldn't really cut it, and they had brought some training gear in case they wanted to work out a little while they were here. As it turned out, they were about to use it to fight an unknown enemy, and more importantly, save the girls...