The assorted group of the earth's defensive forces relaxed as the ki flash subsided. There was a void where Brolly's ki had been moments prior. There was no material trace of the Legendary Super Saiyan's existence.
"It's over," breathed Goku, a relieved grin breaking out across his face.
Mirai no Gohan let out a whoop of victory. He swept Goten up and swung him around. "We won! We won! We won!" shouted the three Son children and Trunks together in unison.
Nappa and Radditz butted heads to celebrate. Yamcha, Kuririn, and Choatzu did a little victory jig. Tein and Piccolo grinned proudly. Prince Vegeta was virtually oozing with arrogant self-congratulations. However, King Vegeta did not seem to share the victory spirit. He took to the air and was about to set out when Son called to him, stalling him.
"Hey, 'Geta! Where are you going?" called the eldest Son, with a baffled look on his face.
King Vegeta stared down at him, with a somber look on his face. "There's some business that needs to be attended to."
Without another word, he disappeared into the waning daylight.
****
The corporation helicopter landed in the middle of the wastelands, sending up a cloud of dust. As the propellers slowed, Chichi hopped out of the compartment, followed closely by Princess and Queen Bulma. In the distance they could make out the figures of the earth fighters. There was no sign of Brolly. One of the figures rose into the air. After a moment, there was a streak of ki as the person disappeared over the horizon to the north.
The three women jogged towards the men, calling out a thousand inquires as they approached. They converged first on Chibi no Gohan, Goten, and Trunks. Despite the boys' protests, the ladies checked them for any scraps or bumps before next turning to the adults.
"Oh, Goku-san!" cried Chichi, collapsing into her husbands arms.
"Don't worry, Chi. Everything's okay now," murmured the man as he gently stroked her hair.
"Well, boys, did you make your princess proud?" laughed Princess Bulma as she turned to Radditz and Nappa. The shorter warrior grinned wolfishly, while the bald Saiyan just blushed and smiled like a small child.
Princess Bulma and Prince Vegeta's eyes met for a moment, but they quickly looked away. Nappa was about to comment when Yamcha interrupted by confronting his ex-girlfriend. The two broke out into a fierce fight over what the young woman was doing in such a dangerous place.
Meanwhile, Queen Bulma glanced around, searching for her husband. "Son-kun, where's..."
"He said he had some business elsewhere," answered the eldest Son, a slightly baffled look on his face.
Queen Bulma's eyes light up with understanding. She turned to her son and smoothed back his lavender hair from his face. Leaning close, she addressed him in a stern, motherly voice. "Trunks, you stay here with the others. I'll be back soon."
"Are you going after Dad?" asked the young child eagerly.
"Stay," replied Bulma, her eyes conveying the seriousness of her command...and the seriousness of the consequences for Trunks's disobedience. The small child nodded his head in understanding. Queen Bulma turned to the others. "I'll meet you back at Capsule Corp."
The others gave her a slightly confused look in reply, but no one tried to stop her. They knew better than to get in the way of Bulma Briefs on a mission.
She jogged back to the helicopter and hauled herself into the cockpit. The blades whirled as she started the engine. The air vehicle took to the air and headed towards the north.
*****
Bulma flew the helicopter low above the wooded mountain range, her eyes scanning for a particular spot. She found what she was looking for on the second sweep of the area. A large outcropping jutted out of the side of a mountain, barren against the lush green of the trees. Bulma brought the helicopter down precariously on the cliff's edge. She slid out of the cockpit and was greeted by a harsh, biting wind. She wrapped her arms protectively around herself, trying to fight off the bitter cold. She warily approached the concealed entrance of an immense cavern. Hesitantly, she entered.
Her footsteps echoed as she walked across the rugged cavern floor. Vegeta stood in the middle of the natural chamber. He turned to his wife, his black eyes expressionless.
"He's gone."
Indeed, Dr. Gero had done a very thorough job of evacuating. Ripped wires hung exposed in the walls and from the ceiling. The main computer's keyboard had been smashed in order to prevent anyone from reaping information from the system. The motherboard was still giving off random sparks. But the scene in the middle of the cavern was what made Bulma's stomach drop. There were two human-sized tubes. And they were empty.
"He took the androids," whispered Bulma, her voice quavering.
Vegeta sighed heavily. Bulma came up behind him and placed her hands on his broad shoulders.
"You were going to stop him, weren't you," whispered his wife softly. When he didn't reply, she rested her cheek on the back of his neck. "Don't blame yourself for him getting away."
Vegeta still didn't reply. However, his body shivered ever so slightly. Bulma dropped her arms and wrapped them around him, pulling him close to herself. Slowly, he turned around so that he was facing her. He placed his hands lightly on her hips. Bulma curled up in his embrace, her head nestled in the crook of his neck. They stood like that until the sun had set.
****
Princess Bulma fidgeted as she glanced out the window for the fiftieth time that afternoon. "They're not back yet," she commented.
"Forth-three," reported Nappa. He, Radditz, and Mire no Gohan were keeping a tab of how often the young scientist expressed her concern for her counterpart.
Bulma scowled at the bald Saiyan and turned back to the fading sunset. A figure caught her attention; she glimpsed Prince Vegeta slipping through the darkening shadows of the outdoor gardens. Glancing back to make sure Nappa and Radditz were still preoccupied with goading Gohan into drinking some victory sake, Bulma slipped outside and towards where she had last seen Vegeta.
The prince was sitting cross-legged, his back straight, by the elegant outdoor fountain in the center of Mrs. Briefs's hybrid tea rose garden. His dark eyes settled on Bulma as she quietly walked up next to him. Gracefully, she knelt next to him. She pretended to be busy studying the water trickling down the granite fountain. She held out her hand and let the icy water flow over it, numbing her fingertips. Vegeta reached out and pulled her hand out of the water. He grasped her fingertips tightly, bringing back the warmth.
"It's over," murmured Bulma, her eyes fixed on her hand enclosed in Vegeta's.
"Is it ever really over?" he replied, a melancholy tone to his voice.
The young woman took in a deep breath, understanding what he meant. There would be someone else, something else, some other threat to replace this one. "What can I say? Maybe we were destined to fight. To be the small piece of hope that protects this world."
Vegeta snorted. "Your sentiment is sickening, woman."
Bulma shrugged. "It brings me comfort. And even if I don't always believe it, or if I sometimes think it's unfair, I can never forsake it. I'd rather think that all my suffering isn't in vain. That some greater good comes out of it all. But then again, doesn't everyone wish for that."
"I don't," replied the prince. "There is no truth to it. It's senseless to believe in lies."
"How do you survive, Vegeta? How can you keep going without any hope...in anything?"
"I'm a Saiya-jin. I live to fight. That is my one motive, my one incentive. Everything else merely passes away under the sun."
"And does that philosophy make you happy?" The dark glare she received told her the answer that he would never dare voice. "Why are you so afraid to open up and feel? Life isn't worth living if you don't feel anything."
"I know what the joy of victory is. The triumph of destroying one weaker than myself," defended the prince.
Bulma let out an exasperated sigh. "That's not true emotions."
"Yes, it is."
"No, it's not. And you know that's the truth. You know what, Vegeta? I think you're just scared. You hide behind you're macho prince-of-all-Saiyans attitude just so you don't have to risk getting hurt by anyone. You can't be hurt if you don't care about anyone."
Prince Vegeta dropped her hand and glared at her. "Woman, you have no right to assume anything about me. You know nothing about me."
"I would if you would let me! You're right that I don't have a clue of even half of what you've been through in your life, Vegeta. But that's not my fault. You're the one that won't tell me anything!"
"Why do you even want to know?" retorted the angry prince.
"Because I care!" Bulma's face flushed as she realized what she had just let slipped. She ducked her head. "Because I care about *you*."
She was startled when Vegeta began to laugh. She looked up at him and frowned. "What's so funny, pray tell?"
"You and your foolish emotions, that's what!" replied the smirking sovereign.
Princess Bulma's eyes narrowed. "My emotions are not foolish! Forgive me for even caring, Vegeta! Obviously, it's wasted. Honestly, I don't know why I bother to care for a stupid ape man like you." Bulma's lips were contorted in a fierce frown. With a 'hmph' she crossed her arms and turned her head away, causing her ponytail to bounce jauntily.
"Oh, shut up, woman."
Bulma turned back towards him to protest his response. Vegeta, however, hand other plans. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her to him. Bulma only had time to let out a small squeak before the Saiyan prince brought her lips to his own. Bulma wanted to fight, but she couldn't resist the warmth of his mouth. .
"Those three are going to be disappointed to find they missed *this*," stated a dry voice.
Princess Bulma and Prince Vegeta leapt apart. They looked up to see their counterparts grinning down at them. King Vegeta and Queen Bulma looked at one another and then looked back at their younger versions.
"We'll leave you two alone. Sorry for the interruption," commented Queen Bulma as she walked past. She waved her hand for them to carry on.
"Good night," commented King Vegeta as he followed after his wife. "And I'll make sure to keep the Terrible Trio occupied."
As the husband and wife disappeared inside, Princess Bulma turned back to Prince Vegeta. He looked very sedated. Groaning, she dropped her head into her hands.
"That was so embarrassing!" she moaned. "It feels like the first time mom walked in on me and Yamcha kissing on the couch! I feel like a teenager."
Her hands were gently pried apart and she found herself face to face with Prince Vegeta. He smirked at her. "Be quiet and keep kissing me," he purred.
*****
This will be the last post until after finals. I hope everyone does well (for all of you who have exams). Review, please!
~ladymoonlight
"It's over," breathed Goku, a relieved grin breaking out across his face.
Mirai no Gohan let out a whoop of victory. He swept Goten up and swung him around. "We won! We won! We won!" shouted the three Son children and Trunks together in unison.
Nappa and Radditz butted heads to celebrate. Yamcha, Kuririn, and Choatzu did a little victory jig. Tein and Piccolo grinned proudly. Prince Vegeta was virtually oozing with arrogant self-congratulations. However, King Vegeta did not seem to share the victory spirit. He took to the air and was about to set out when Son called to him, stalling him.
"Hey, 'Geta! Where are you going?" called the eldest Son, with a baffled look on his face.
King Vegeta stared down at him, with a somber look on his face. "There's some business that needs to be attended to."
Without another word, he disappeared into the waning daylight.
****
The corporation helicopter landed in the middle of the wastelands, sending up a cloud of dust. As the propellers slowed, Chichi hopped out of the compartment, followed closely by Princess and Queen Bulma. In the distance they could make out the figures of the earth fighters. There was no sign of Brolly. One of the figures rose into the air. After a moment, there was a streak of ki as the person disappeared over the horizon to the north.
The three women jogged towards the men, calling out a thousand inquires as they approached. They converged first on Chibi no Gohan, Goten, and Trunks. Despite the boys' protests, the ladies checked them for any scraps or bumps before next turning to the adults.
"Oh, Goku-san!" cried Chichi, collapsing into her husbands arms.
"Don't worry, Chi. Everything's okay now," murmured the man as he gently stroked her hair.
"Well, boys, did you make your princess proud?" laughed Princess Bulma as she turned to Radditz and Nappa. The shorter warrior grinned wolfishly, while the bald Saiyan just blushed and smiled like a small child.
Princess Bulma and Prince Vegeta's eyes met for a moment, but they quickly looked away. Nappa was about to comment when Yamcha interrupted by confronting his ex-girlfriend. The two broke out into a fierce fight over what the young woman was doing in such a dangerous place.
Meanwhile, Queen Bulma glanced around, searching for her husband. "Son-kun, where's..."
"He said he had some business elsewhere," answered the eldest Son, a slightly baffled look on his face.
Queen Bulma's eyes light up with understanding. She turned to her son and smoothed back his lavender hair from his face. Leaning close, she addressed him in a stern, motherly voice. "Trunks, you stay here with the others. I'll be back soon."
"Are you going after Dad?" asked the young child eagerly.
"Stay," replied Bulma, her eyes conveying the seriousness of her command...and the seriousness of the consequences for Trunks's disobedience. The small child nodded his head in understanding. Queen Bulma turned to the others. "I'll meet you back at Capsule Corp."
The others gave her a slightly confused look in reply, but no one tried to stop her. They knew better than to get in the way of Bulma Briefs on a mission.
She jogged back to the helicopter and hauled herself into the cockpit. The blades whirled as she started the engine. The air vehicle took to the air and headed towards the north.
*****
Bulma flew the helicopter low above the wooded mountain range, her eyes scanning for a particular spot. She found what she was looking for on the second sweep of the area. A large outcropping jutted out of the side of a mountain, barren against the lush green of the trees. Bulma brought the helicopter down precariously on the cliff's edge. She slid out of the cockpit and was greeted by a harsh, biting wind. She wrapped her arms protectively around herself, trying to fight off the bitter cold. She warily approached the concealed entrance of an immense cavern. Hesitantly, she entered.
Her footsteps echoed as she walked across the rugged cavern floor. Vegeta stood in the middle of the natural chamber. He turned to his wife, his black eyes expressionless.
"He's gone."
Indeed, Dr. Gero had done a very thorough job of evacuating. Ripped wires hung exposed in the walls and from the ceiling. The main computer's keyboard had been smashed in order to prevent anyone from reaping information from the system. The motherboard was still giving off random sparks. But the scene in the middle of the cavern was what made Bulma's stomach drop. There were two human-sized tubes. And they were empty.
"He took the androids," whispered Bulma, her voice quavering.
Vegeta sighed heavily. Bulma came up behind him and placed her hands on his broad shoulders.
"You were going to stop him, weren't you," whispered his wife softly. When he didn't reply, she rested her cheek on the back of his neck. "Don't blame yourself for him getting away."
Vegeta still didn't reply. However, his body shivered ever so slightly. Bulma dropped her arms and wrapped them around him, pulling him close to herself. Slowly, he turned around so that he was facing her. He placed his hands lightly on her hips. Bulma curled up in his embrace, her head nestled in the crook of his neck. They stood like that until the sun had set.
****
Princess Bulma fidgeted as she glanced out the window for the fiftieth time that afternoon. "They're not back yet," she commented.
"Forth-three," reported Nappa. He, Radditz, and Mire no Gohan were keeping a tab of how often the young scientist expressed her concern for her counterpart.
Bulma scowled at the bald Saiyan and turned back to the fading sunset. A figure caught her attention; she glimpsed Prince Vegeta slipping through the darkening shadows of the outdoor gardens. Glancing back to make sure Nappa and Radditz were still preoccupied with goading Gohan into drinking some victory sake, Bulma slipped outside and towards where she had last seen Vegeta.
The prince was sitting cross-legged, his back straight, by the elegant outdoor fountain in the center of Mrs. Briefs's hybrid tea rose garden. His dark eyes settled on Bulma as she quietly walked up next to him. Gracefully, she knelt next to him. She pretended to be busy studying the water trickling down the granite fountain. She held out her hand and let the icy water flow over it, numbing her fingertips. Vegeta reached out and pulled her hand out of the water. He grasped her fingertips tightly, bringing back the warmth.
"It's over," murmured Bulma, her eyes fixed on her hand enclosed in Vegeta's.
"Is it ever really over?" he replied, a melancholy tone to his voice.
The young woman took in a deep breath, understanding what he meant. There would be someone else, something else, some other threat to replace this one. "What can I say? Maybe we were destined to fight. To be the small piece of hope that protects this world."
Vegeta snorted. "Your sentiment is sickening, woman."
Bulma shrugged. "It brings me comfort. And even if I don't always believe it, or if I sometimes think it's unfair, I can never forsake it. I'd rather think that all my suffering isn't in vain. That some greater good comes out of it all. But then again, doesn't everyone wish for that."
"I don't," replied the prince. "There is no truth to it. It's senseless to believe in lies."
"How do you survive, Vegeta? How can you keep going without any hope...in anything?"
"I'm a Saiya-jin. I live to fight. That is my one motive, my one incentive. Everything else merely passes away under the sun."
"And does that philosophy make you happy?" The dark glare she received told her the answer that he would never dare voice. "Why are you so afraid to open up and feel? Life isn't worth living if you don't feel anything."
"I know what the joy of victory is. The triumph of destroying one weaker than myself," defended the prince.
Bulma let out an exasperated sigh. "That's not true emotions."
"Yes, it is."
"No, it's not. And you know that's the truth. You know what, Vegeta? I think you're just scared. You hide behind you're macho prince-of-all-Saiyans attitude just so you don't have to risk getting hurt by anyone. You can't be hurt if you don't care about anyone."
Prince Vegeta dropped her hand and glared at her. "Woman, you have no right to assume anything about me. You know nothing about me."
"I would if you would let me! You're right that I don't have a clue of even half of what you've been through in your life, Vegeta. But that's not my fault. You're the one that won't tell me anything!"
"Why do you even want to know?" retorted the angry prince.
"Because I care!" Bulma's face flushed as she realized what she had just let slipped. She ducked her head. "Because I care about *you*."
She was startled when Vegeta began to laugh. She looked up at him and frowned. "What's so funny, pray tell?"
"You and your foolish emotions, that's what!" replied the smirking sovereign.
Princess Bulma's eyes narrowed. "My emotions are not foolish! Forgive me for even caring, Vegeta! Obviously, it's wasted. Honestly, I don't know why I bother to care for a stupid ape man like you." Bulma's lips were contorted in a fierce frown. With a 'hmph' she crossed her arms and turned her head away, causing her ponytail to bounce jauntily.
"Oh, shut up, woman."
Bulma turned back towards him to protest his response. Vegeta, however, hand other plans. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her to him. Bulma only had time to let out a small squeak before the Saiyan prince brought her lips to his own. Bulma wanted to fight, but she couldn't resist the warmth of his mouth. .
"Those three are going to be disappointed to find they missed *this*," stated a dry voice.
Princess Bulma and Prince Vegeta leapt apart. They looked up to see their counterparts grinning down at them. King Vegeta and Queen Bulma looked at one another and then looked back at their younger versions.
"We'll leave you two alone. Sorry for the interruption," commented Queen Bulma as she walked past. She waved her hand for them to carry on.
"Good night," commented King Vegeta as he followed after his wife. "And I'll make sure to keep the Terrible Trio occupied."
As the husband and wife disappeared inside, Princess Bulma turned back to Prince Vegeta. He looked very sedated. Groaning, she dropped her head into her hands.
"That was so embarrassing!" she moaned. "It feels like the first time mom walked in on me and Yamcha kissing on the couch! I feel like a teenager."
Her hands were gently pried apart and she found herself face to face with Prince Vegeta. He smirked at her. "Be quiet and keep kissing me," he purred.
*****
This will be the last post until after finals. I hope everyone does well (for all of you who have exams). Review, please!
~ladymoonlight