AN: Hi all!! Sorry I haven't updated for awhile. I waited extra long to make sure that Fanfiction.net was definately fixed. Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I made it twice as long as my other chaps =)
Chapter Ten: Truth about the Past
Vegeta opened his eyes slowly and felt grass prickling under his bare skin. He turned his head slightly and saw a blue haired woman sleeping peacefully beside him, her shoulders resting on him, her arms sprawled across his chest. He could hear her soft breathing and he slowly sat up, not wanting to wake her up. He stood up and looked around, seeing his and her clothes sprayed all over the floor. He quickly put his clothes on and turned around to face her, she started to mumble to herself as she started to curl into a ball in the grass. She then started to shiver. Vegeta lifted his head to the sky and saw the sun beginning to rise. He then grabbed Bulma's clothes and walked over to her and lifted her slightly, not wanting to wake her (AN: She's a pretty deep sleeper =P). He then slowly wrapped her clothes around her delicate body, and slowly lifted her. Her head started to move, and rested on his chest. Vegeta smirked then slowly rose to the sky, flying back to the others.
****
ChiChi sat on a chair, her hand was holding a dry green leaf. She lifted it up and her head leaned forward, examining the leaf. "Well, this is the right medicine. But for some strange reason, Bardok isn't getting any better."
Goku frowned started frowning. "Isn't there any way for father to get better?"
ChiChi turned her head to face Goku. "Well, I really don't know. I'm not a doctor or anything. I only know about medicine when I was a servant back then."
Goku started to stare blankly into space, looking clueless. "Well, Eighteen is the expert here, and she doesn't know what's wrong with him either."
ChiChi started to place a hand on Goku's shoulder, causing him to flinch a little. "I'm not too sure about this," she said softly, "but I think your father is dying."
Goku stood up quickly, causing ChiChi to let go of his shoulder immediately. "No way! Father can't be dying! He… just can't be!!! How can that be possible?"
He's voice was so loud that it caused Bulma and Iresu to run into the room.
"Goku? Are you alright? What was all that yelling I heard from outside?" she asked with a concerned look on her face.
Goku stayed silent and ChiChi decided to answer her. "Bulma, I really don't know. But I think Bardok's dying…"
A sad look crossed Bulma's face. Her head started to drop and she looked at the floor. She took a deep breath and started talking softly. "I had a talk with Eighteen about this, Goku. ChiChi is right, Bardok is dying."
Goku started to drop onto his knees on the floor and placed his hands over his face. "No… I don't understand. Father was so healthy. He was never ill. How… is he dying?"
Bulma walked towards Goku and crouched down in front of him. "Eighteen only figured this one out this morning. Bardok has a rare heart disease. Eighteen's guess is that it's passed through genes."
Goku suddenly lifted his head. "How long?"
Bulma didn't answer him at first but then started to open her mouth. "A month at the most."
Goku 's face started to drop as if it was in pain. "A month??? But that's such a short time…"
Bulma placed her hand on Goku's shoulder. "I know, but at least you have some time to prepare for this."
****
Dear Diary,
Weeks have passed rather quickly. Each day, Bardok had been getting weaker and weaker. I'm not sure if I can handle him leaving us forever. If it weren't for Bardok, I would most likely be dead. I owe him so much, I have a whole lifetime to repay him for his kindness and yet he has to leave us so soon. Vegeta and I have not spoken to each other all this time. I feel so lonely… Vegeta is always flying somewhere to train, I hardly ever get to see him. I feel like a fool… I feel like he had played a game in my mind. He doesn't love me, does he?
"Hey you guys!!! He's awake again!!!!" Goku yelled out of the window. Iresu had been playing with the flowers and she quickly dropped them, standing up. She started to run inside the house. Bulma, Krillen, ChiChi and Rei stopped what they were doing (which is mainly, gathering some wood for the fireplace) and ran inside too. Vegeta, as usual, was nowhere to be found.
"Goku! How is he?" Bulma asked excitedly. She started to frown when she saw the worried look on Goku's face.
"Not doing very well. He can barely move," Goku replied softly.
Everyone stood at the side of Bardok's bed. They noticed that he's face was very pale. There were dark rings around his eyes and he looked very weak.
"How are you doing Bardok? Please hang in there," Krillen said. Bardok started to slowly shake his head.
"Do it for us, please," Rei said softly. Bardok just stared at her.
Bulma could feel tear drops falling down her cheeks. "I still remember the first time I saw you, you were so nice to me and you taught me martial arts. I know we haven't really known each other for all that long. But to me, it feels like a lifetime. From all my seventeen years, the moments that I have cherished the most have been the past three quarters of the year. You are the closest to family that I ever had." Bulma leaned forward, wanting to hug Bardok when her pendant started to hang out loosely. Bardok's eyes started to open wide as he saw the pendant. With a weak and shaking arm, he grasped his hand around the pendant and stared at it.
"Soraya…" he said softly with a frail voice. His lips started to form a warm smile. He looked at Bulma and stared at her. "Bulma… I want to hear you call me 'father'."
Bulma stared at him strangely. She then started to open her mouth. "Father…" she finally said.
Bardok smiled again. "Soraya…" he whispered once more. Everyone's faces were confused as they did not know who Soraya was. "Good bye everyone," he whispered slowly, closing his eyes. His hands then let go of Bulma's pendant and fell limply on his side.
Silence filled the room as Goku moved the sheet to cover his father's unmoving face.
****
Bulma slowly lifted the branch out her face as she peered at the sight. Vegeta was meditating under the moonlight, the same spot where she had found him when they had spent an intimate night together. She smiled sadly as memories started to come back.
Vegeta opened his eyes as he saw who was coming towards him. "What do you want, woman?" he demanded.
Bulma started to frown and sat down next to him. "I just thought that we could talk."
Vegeta grunted. "Talk? About what?"
Bulma started to shrug. "Well… I just wanted to ask you a question." She paused and received no sign. "Do I mean anything to you?"
Vegeta stared at her. "And what if I refuse to answer?" What is she trying to do? For the past month, I have tried to avoid her. Why is she coming back to me?
Bulma started to get angry. "Baka! I don't believe you! Are you implying that I mean absolutely NOTHING to you?? I was wrong about you, Vegeta, I thought that you knew how to love. But you're just an arrogant bastard and you'll never change!"
Vegeta started to cross his arms in front of his chest. "Feelings are for the weak!! And you're weak, just like everyone else from that pathetic planet, Saijin."
Bulma's face started to turn red with fury. "How dare you insult my planet like that? You are the most cold-hearted man I have ever met!" Tears started to well up in her eyes, distorting her vision. Vegeta remained silent and didn't answer her.
Bulma quickly turned around and started running away as fast as she could, not wanting Vegeta to see her crying. She then tripped over a rock and she fell onto the floor. Instead of trying to get up, she remained lying on the ground and slowly started to sob. I can't believe this. I know I felt something that night. I know it. Why is he denying it? Does he think he can fool me?
Vegeta stood still from his position. A part of him wanted run to Bulma and take her to his arms, but as usual his pride overtaken his mind. No… I don't want to be… weak. He quietly watched as Bulma picked herself up and then started running away, out of his sight.
****
"I don't understand…" Goku started to whisper slowly to no one in particular. ChiChi turned to face him slowly. "What don't you understand?"
"Who is Soraya? Why did he want Bulma to call him father? I just don't understand," Goku said quietly.
Everyone was gathered around a campfire outside Goku's cottage. It was the next night after Bardok's death. He was buried next to a tree early that morning. Everyone was still feeling rather miserable about what had happened (Well, Vegeta didn't really care all that much).
"I'm just as curious as you," Bulma started to stand up. "I really want to know what he was talking about!! And the way he looked at my necklace, it's as if he knows everyone about my past. What could this all mean?"
"Maybe I could tell you," a deep voice suddenly answered. Everyone turned around to see who had spoken up and saw a dark figure standing in the shadow. The figure started to step forward, appearing in the light, his face was now clearly visible to everyone. Bulma started to gasp.
"Piccolo!!!" she declared out loud.
"Do you know this green alien?" Krillen asked. Bulma nodded. "He's the one who kidnapped me."
Goku started to stand up, his face in anger. "Who are you and what do you want? If you're thinking about kidnapping Bulma again, I think you picked the wrong time!"
Piccolo ignored Goku's threat. "I'm not here to cause any trouble. I'm here to tell you the truth. I'm sure you would all like to know."
Bulma turned to face her friends. "Believe me, guys, he's not the bad guy."
Goku's face started to calm. "Alright, why don't you join us and tell us what is happening."
Piccolo didn't reply and sat down near the fire. Vegeta grunted next to him, clearly not impressed by his previous actions. "I am quite sure all of you have found out that Bulma is the daughter of Soraya, the princess of Planet Saijin."
Everyone started to talk immediately, not believing what Piccolo had just said.
"Princess of Saijin? What on earth…? What does this have to do with my father?" Goku asked.
Piccolo started to turn to Goku. "One thing your father had kept a secret for all of your life is that you have a twin sister. And your sister is Bulma."
Vegeta's eyes widened in surprise. I was right the whole time. I suspected that she was the princess, and now it has been confirmed.
Piccolo ignored everyone's surprised faces and continued. "Two decades ago, the princess of Saijin fell in love with a warrior from Vejitasei. Their love had brought great problems in the royal family and Soraya was forbidden to stay with Bardok. One of the problems was that Soraya was carrying Bardok's child in her womb. Since it was immoral to kill a Saiyan with royal blood, Soraya was given permission to give birth. She gave birth to twins, Goku, and Bulma. Soraya and Bardok decided to take a child each and let them grow up in different lifestyles, and not letting them know the truth about their past. I had been Soraya's personal bodyguard and she had confided in me for a very long time." Piccolo started to stand up. "I must leave now. We will meet again when I awaken your full power. Good bye." He started to walk away and then disappeared.
"Wait!" Bulma called out and then realised it was too late. "I wanted to ask him more about my past!"
Goku stared at Bulma and then smiled for the first time for the past week. "My sister…" he whispered. Bulma smiled back at him.
****
It had been a week since Bardok's death. Goku and his friends were all starting to go back to their normal state, but everyone had noticed that Bulma and Vegeta had been arguing a lot more than usual.
"Stupid baka!!! Get out of my sight!!! Don't annoy me when I'm training!!!"
"Don't call me stupid you moron!!! I might not have had any education, but I'm pretty bright for someone who's had none!!"
They're voices could be heard from miles away. Eighteen started to frown and even Iresu was starting to get rather exasperated.
"Why are they always fighting?" Iresu asked Eighteen quietly.
Eighteen shrugged. "God knows. They've been at each other all week. It's as if something happened between them."
ChiChi had been sitting beside them, staring up at the sky the whole time. "That's true, but whatever came up, Bulma hasn't told me about it." She started to look ahead of her and saw Goku and Krillin sparring in the distance. "By the way, has anyone seen Rei?"
Eighteen shook her head. "No idea where she is. She's been gone since this morning."
Meanwhile…
"Stop your screaming and go away!!!" Vegeta yelled irritably at Bulma.
"No Vegeta!!! Not until I finish saying what I have to say!!!" Bulma screamed back.
"I don't want to hear it. Leave now before I blast you!!" Vegeta started to grit his teeth.
Bulma smirked and put her hands on her hips. "You wouldn't."
Vegeta scowled and formed a ki ball with his hands. "I wouldn't bet on that, woman."
Bulma still kept on smirking. "Vegeta, you're pathetic." To her surprise, Vegeta pushed his arm forward and the ki ball was moving towards her. Luckily, she dodged it quickly. "Vegeta, what is wrong with you?????" she started to yell. Her big sapphire blue eyes then started to go misty and she softened her voice. "All I wanted to ask was if you still loved me…"
Vegeta started to laugh. "Who said I ever did? Don't get your hopes up too high, woman. Feelings are for the weak."
Tears started to roll down Bulma's cheeks. "No, I refuse to believe you!! Can you really look me in the eyes and tell me that you felt absolutely nothing that night?"
Vegeta didn't answer her at first. What is this woman trying to do… Bulma started to become angry. "Answer me, you arrogant bastard!!!"
Vegeta couldn't look at her in the face. Why do I have trouble telling her that I felt nothing? He then stared into her eyes. "That… night… meant… nothing… Did you hear me?? It meant NOTHING!"
Bulma looked at him teary-eyed. She remained silent and started to drop to her knees. She then put her head in her hands and started to wail. Vegeta silently cursed himself as he heard her sobs. Kami, what have I done?
From the distant, Eighteen cocked her head, trying to see what was going on. "Bulma's crying. Not good," she muttered. ChiChi stood up and started to frown. "That arrogant prince named Vegeta must have said something to her. Arghhh, why can't they just stop arguing. I'm going to see what's going on." She stood up and started to walk off.
Vegeta was using all his mental strength to fight the urge to run to Bulma and tell her he didn't mean the words he said. No I can't… she's not only from Saijin.. but the PRINCESS of Saijin. What was I thinking? Kami, I am Vegeta, prince of Vejitasei. I will not forget my planet and fall in love with a scum from Saijin. Fall in love?? Why did I use those words?? Love does not exist! It is a disillusion created by the weak!
A voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. "Bulma! What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Vegeta started to scowl as he saw the black haired woman run towards Bulma and pull herself up.
"It's okay, tell me what's wrong," ChiChi said softly, trying to calm her best friend down.
"I… am… hurt…" Bulma managed to say through her sobs. ChiChi sighed and put her arm on her friend's shoulder, and slowly leading her away from Vegeta. "Now take a breath and tell me exactly what happened," she said softly. They were slowly walking back to where Eighteen and Iresu were sitting.
****
"WHAT?!?!?! What do you mean you slept with Vegeta?!?!?!" ChiChi screamed out loud. Bulma looked around and saw Goku and Krillen in the distance looking at them with puzzled faces. She turned to her ChiChi. "Not so loud, Chi!!"
ChiChi looked around and saw exactly what Bulma had seen. She started to sink her body lower. "Whoops, sorry about that Bulma."
Eighteen turned to face Bulma. "Listen, there's something you should know about Vegeta. He's ego is bigger than anything else of his. My guess is that the only reason he's acting this way is because he found out that you're a princess from Saijin. Remember when I told you awhile ago that Vejitasei and Saijin are enemies?" Bulma nodded and Eighteen continued on. "He's never been with any other woman in his life. It might sound shocking but it's true. He has no time for one. The only thing he ever cares about is becoming stronger. But you said that he showed you some passion. Now that is something the prince never shows. If you want my opinion, I think Vegeta is starting to feel something but too proud to admit it."
Bulma nodded when she suddenly saw Iresu running towards them. "Hey guys!!! Rei just came back and she says she found something!!"
ChiChi, Eighteen, and Bulma quickly stood up as they saw their brown haired friend running towards them, waving her arms around. Rei stopped in front of them, trying to catch her breath. "I was just taking a walk this morning, and then I got lost. You won't believe this. I found some spaceship in the forest. It took me quite a while to find my way back here. But I know where the spaceship is, you guys should see this."
Bulma looked at her, astonished. "A spaceship? On earth?" Rei nodded. "We better get the boys here and check this thing out!!!"
****
"Well… I'm pretty sure it was here somewhere," Rei started to say. Everyone was wandering around the forest, trees surrounding them.
"Are you sure? There seems to be only trees," Bulma said. She heard Vegeta scowling behind her and turned around. "You better not be wasting my time," he growled.
"Hey guys, look at that!!" Goku called from the distance. Bulma grabbed Iresu's hand and everyone ran towards Goku. He was standing on a large rock which was slightly uplifted. In front and below him, not too far away, was a large spaceship, it had two alien-looking guards standing at the entrance of the ship. It was round in shape and it was speckled with dirt. "I guess this is the one you were talking about, huh?" Goku said with a huge grin in his face.
Eighteen's mouth started to drop open. "This can't be…" she slowly turned to Vegeta, "Could it be??"
Krillen started to frown. "You guys care to tell us what you think this could be?"
No one answered but then Vegeta quietly spoke. "This spaceship belongs to Frieza. And by the looks of it, it is about to set into space sometime soon."
Goku's grin grew even wider. "Great, a ticket back to my home planet!"
ChiChi stared at him strangely. "What do you mean?"
"Well, this may be our only chance to go back home!! Let's board the ship!!" Goku replied.
"But what about us?" ChiChi asked, referring to her, Krillen and Rei.
"You can come with us, can't you?" Goku said looking confused. Rei shrugged. "I wouldn't mind. I'd love to travel in space."
"Yeah, me too," Krillen agreed. ChiChi shrugged then slowly started to nod her head.
Bulma started to smile. "Hey, let's get on this thing!!! We'll sneak in somehow."
****
Bulma, ChiChi, Goku, Rei, Krillen, Iresu, Eighteen, and Vegeta stood low behind some bushes, very close to the ship.
"All right. I checked out what was through the window. It's just an empty room, it's safe to sneak into it. Here's the plan, every time the guard patrols here and walks back, we fly through that window. We've got to do it quickly and one by one, ok?" Goku whispered.
"But not all of us can fly," Krillen whispered back.
"Well, I'll go with ChiChi. Eighteen can go with Iresu. Krillen, you're pretty good at levitating, you can manage, you take Rei. I guess Vegeta can take Bulma," Goku whispered.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!" Bulma whispered loudly.
Goku looked at her puzzled. "Why not?" he asked.
"Because have you forgotten?? I can fly!!" Bulma said quietly.
"Well, if we go in pairs it would be quicker that way, but if you really insist," Goku muttered. He stuck his head out of the bush for a few seconds then faced his friends again. "Alright, coast is clear. I'm going to take ChiChi with me. When the guard walks past again, the next pair go." He picked up ChiChi and then flew off.
Bulma took a deep breath. I hope we all get onto the spaceship without the guards noticing us.
****
Bulma looked up as Vegeta appeared through the window, he was the last person to take his turn. Goku started to stand up. "All right! We did it! Now we got to work out our next plans. Well, I'm pretty much short of plans, any idea guys?"
Across the room, Rei had slowly opened the door and stuck her head out when Krillen suddenly pulled her in. "Don't do that! You might get seen!!"
"Sorry, I was just trying to check out the hallway," Rei replied.
Iresu was sitting next to Bulma, feeling quite bored. She spotted the necklace around Bulma's neck and reached out and grabbed it. "Can I see this?" she asked. Bulma smiled. "Sure you can," Bulma replied, taking off her necklace and handling it to Iresu. Iresu grabbed it and examined it, quite amazed by the symbols that was on it. "This is pretty," Iresu said to Bulma. Bulma smiled and started to stroke Iresu's blue hair. She's so innocent…
Iresu started to put the necklace around her neck, happy to be wearing it. She was about to take it off to give it back Bulma when the spaceship started to shake.
"What's happening?" Krillen asked.
"System all set. Ship preparing to take off. Destination Planet Saijin. Time five hours. Please fasten seat belts. I repeat, please fasten seat belts. Ship ready to take off," an electronic voice could be heard in the room.
Bulma's eyes started to widen. "Kami, did I hear them say they're going to my home planet?"
Goku nodded. "They sure did."
"Last warning. Ship ready to take off. Please be seated and fasten your seat-"
"I can't believe we finally get to get off this boring planet. At least Saijin is near Vejitasei," Eighteen muttered.
"-to take off. Five… four… three… two… one…"
Everyone in that room heard a deafening roar in the engine and they felt their bodies being pulled down. The open window automatically shut closed. The light in the room started to flicker and soon went out. Bulma could feel the ship moving up in great speed and she grabbed tightly to Iresu, and at the same time grabbed the person closest to her. She shut her eyes closed as she felt the quivering of the ship.
Within a few minutes, the lights flickered back on and Bulma heard a deep growl close to her ear. She opened her eyes and realised she was clinging tightly to Vegeta's arm. She quietly yelped as she flinched and then fell on her back.
"Ship has safely left earth and in space. Seatbelts can be removed and crew members can resume to work."
"Where's Rei? What the hell, she's not here anymore!!" Goku exclaimed. Bulma looked around and realised there was only seven people in the room.
"What on earth happened to her?? How can she have disappeared like that?" ChiChi demanded.
Before anyone made another comment, the door of the room sudden flung open. A figure stood in the doorway and Vegeta's eyes started to widen in horror.
Bulma's head started to spin as she could feel part of her memories returning to her. No… it can't be… This is a nightmare…
AN: So what did you think? Please write a review and tell me. Oh, and if you would like to be notified when the next chapter comes out, just tell me your email address. bye!
