CHAPTER 3
"Mother!! Mother!!"
Trunks and Goten charged through the door of the medic room at Capsule Corp. The door swung open and clattered noisily against the wall. The room was devoid of human life. Light glinted from the metal tabletops and shone
through vials and bottles of various liquids and tablets.
"Mother!!" Yelled Trunks, the girl in his arms beginning to slip from his grip.
Goten looked back down the hall. The rain had dried off and golden sunlight began to filter through the blinds on the windows.
"Bulma! Are you here!?" Goten bellowed, wiping blood from his hands on his cotton pants. Panic was beginning to filter through his voice.
He could hear a door click open from behind him. He whirled around, standing defensively.
"Oh Vegeta! Thank god you're here! Please help!"
Vegeta's eyes wandered to Goten's hands and he stormed forwards, lifting the boy's hands up for closer inspection.
"What the hell happened?!" He growled. "You're covered in blood!"
Goten whipped his hands away, rubbing them more on his shirt.
"It's not mine! It's hers!"
Vegeta brushed past him and walked into the medical room. He saw Trunks lay the pale girl on the silver table. She was limp and lifeless, close to death. He froze when he noticed the scanner attached to her face, a strange panic engulfing him.
"Keep her alive! I'll go and find my wife!"
Trunks watched him leave and looked at Goten, worriedly.
"And how are we supposed to do that?" Goten answered, grinning, failing to disguise his panic. Trunks merely shook his head, staring at the lifeless girl. He held her hand, tapping it gently on the back, gauging any response. Goten stood next to him, following his stern gaze. He smiled.
"Pretty?"
Trunks shrugged.
"I suppose."
Goten smiled cheekily, nudging his friend playfully in the ribs.
"D'ya think she's wearing a wire?"
Trunks shrugged again, his face unchanging. He released her hand to press against a wound on her shoulder that began to bleed again.
"I don't think she's a spy, Goten."
Goten's face wrinkled into his 'are-you-serious' face. He gritted his teeth, smiling, jabbing Trunks harder.
"I mean... What underwear do you think she's got on?"
Trunks huffed, scowling.
"Grow up, Goten. Jeez!"
"I'm just tryin' to lighten the mood. Sorry."
Trunks cussed under his breath, flicking blood off his fingers.
"Hold this Goten. Keep the pressure on the wound."
Goten bit his lip, but carried out the actions, keeping his mind off the bloody flesh but looking at her bruised face. He tilted his head, frowning.
"Hey Trunks, look at this..."
"What?"
He tilted his head in the same direction as Goten's. Goten didn't respond.
"What?" Trunks repeated. "It better not be about her underwear."
Goten moved the girl's face a little. The dark, black hair shifted over her pale skin, the thick, dishevelled strands spilling over her shoulders.
"Is it just me, or does she look a little..."
"A little what?" Trunks prompted.
"Saiyan-ish? Y'know, with that type of hair. Her face looks Saiyan-ish."
Trunks scanned her face, shrugging again and shifting her tattered trousers away from her gashes.
"Yeah, I guess. But I'm sure lots of girls look like that."
"Check her butt!" Goten announced proudly. "Maybe she has a tail!"
Trunks was just about to tell Goten what a lecher he was, but the door burst open. A red-faced Bulma charged in, dragging a very nervous Dende with her. He had grown into a very calm Namek, but usually acted like all was lost when he was bossed about. He still resembled his past-self when it came to that, he was too nice, but a true friend. Vegeta hung in the doorway like he usually did, yet he seemed more nervous than brooding.
"What happened here?" Bulma asked, wiping the girl's face. "Vegeta told me you found her! Quick Dende! Can you do anything?"
The Namek looked authoritative. He had grown into his powers, and began to trust himself more. He eyed the girl briefly, and smiled.
"Sure can!"
He stretched his arms out, spreading his fingers apart. Ripples of light covered the girls body, closing over the wounds and dissolving the bruises. Colour began to come back to her cheeks, yet she remained unconscious, eyes shut. Dende dropped his hands to his sides, stepping back.
"Why hasn't she woken up?" Goten asked, a little surprised at the power of the Namek. Dende nodded at the girl slightly.
"We were very lucky to get to her so soon. Any later and she would of died. She's just a little more exhausted than I thought. It's better for a body to finish off healing themselves, anyway. Makes you stronger."
Bulma placed a hand on Dende's shoulder.
"Thanks, Dende. It was lucky that you were nearby."
"It's always a pleasure to help you guys." He said, a little blush of red covering his green cheeks. "I really must be getting back to the look-out. I hope to see you all soon, but without using my powers, okay?"
"Trunks," Bulma said, "Go and see Dende to the door."
"Oh it's okay." Dende beamed, "I know my way out. Just let me know how the lady gets on." He walked away, his white cape rustling as he walked.
There was a silence in the room, a quiet pondering. Bulma looked at the stranger quizzically.
"So who is she, guys?" she asked, looking from Trunks to Goten. "Do you know her?"
Both boys shook their heads, silently.
"Well where did you find her?"
Trunks jolted as her recalled the strange thing that was attempting to kill her.
"We both heard a scream, so we followed the noise and we found her." He winced and grabbed the edge of the table. "She was being torn apart by some... some... horrible thing."
Goten nodded.
"Yeah. It was so terrifying. I mean, you saw the wounds." He grinned, proudly. "But never fear! I stopped it! With my fists of fury-"
He was silenced by a slap to the back of the head by Bulma, Trunks receiving a matching thwack.
"You pair of dolts!!" Bulma yelled, her fists clenching in fury. "You could of been killed!! What was the big idea?!! I can understand saving someone, but putting yourself at risk!? What were you thinking!?" Her words came out in a bubbling stream.
"Jeez, Mom!" Trunks yelled.
"Don't jeez Mom me!" She yelled, "What would of happened to this girl if..." He voice trailed off as her mouth hung open.
"What is it, Mom?" Trunks asked, glancing sidewardly at his friend.
"That... that girl!" She stuttered, pointing weakly at her.
Trunks looked at her.
"Yeah, she's okay now, Mom." He soothed.
Bulma shook her head, jabbing the air with her index finger.
"No! She has a... has a..."
"A scanner. A Saiyan scanner." Vegeta stated, arms crossed over his chest. He stared at the girl, a frown plastered on his face. "Just like I used to have. Back when Earth... was still on the market."
Trunks and Goten averted their eyes. They were fully aware of Vegeta's past, yet it was still slightly unnerving to know that the Vegeta they knew now used to exterminate total planets, murdering man, woman and child, and enjoy every last moment of it. Goten snapped his fingers.
"I told you! I said just a second ago, that she looks Saiyan-ish!"
Vegeta slammed his fist on the table next to her.
"Looks can be deceiving! There's no way she could possibly be a Saiyan!"
"You can't be sure, Dad." Trunks wondered, looking at the scanner. "She may well be. She has the looks and the technology."
"Don't be a fool, son!" He scoffed. "When our planet was destroyed, there were four Saiyans left alive. There was Kakarrot, his brother, Raditz, Nappa and myself. No females."
Bulma pressed her lips together in thought.
"She looks young, 17 or 18. Maybe A relative of Nappa or Raditz? Grandchild or something?"
Vegeta laughed, throwing his head back.
"Nappa? Have children? That fool? Please!" His laughter died off, his forehead creasing in thought. "But Raditz?"
Trunks shook his head.
"Look, we no nothing about this girl. Maybe she is a relative, or maybe there were more Saiyans alive than you thought."
"Whatever we need to know...Maybe it's all in her scanner." Bulma suggested, placing a hand to her cheek. "I'll take it for a while and examine it. Then we can try blood tests. We should find something. We need to get Goku in on this too."
Trunks and Goten nodded, Vegeta stood silently, staring at the still figure sleeping on the table. Was she really a Saiyan? In his heart he felt that it was true. His mind began to feel weighed down. If this is the case, why did it take so long for her to show herself, why did she bother coming to earth at all? He felt so bitter, looking at the fresh, young Saiyan. The final seed of a deceased race.
"Okay!" Bulma said cheerily, reaching for the scanner. "Lets get this off---"
A grip of steel caught her wrist in mid air, clenching it away painfully. Bulma screamed as she was hurled of her feet, slamming into a cupboard of medicine. Goten stumbled backwards, colliding with Trunks, forcing him down on the floor.
"Mom!!"
Bulma rubbed the back of her head and looked up painfully, watching the girl bound off the table, snatching a scalpel and holding it, blade outwards, swishing it in warning. The girl's blue eyes shone in anger, her mouth curled in a snarl. Trunks eased himself up, slowly pacing towards the girl.
"Hey, there." He said softly. The girl turned on him, slashing the air with the blade.
"Don't come any closer or I'll kill you!" she cried.
"Okay, okay!" He said, stopping still. "We just wanted to make sure you were okay."
She eyed him cautiously, lowering the blade a fraction.
"Who are you?" she hissed, frowning darkly.
"My name is Trunks. This is Goten, my friend. We helped you earlier. Do you remember?"
The girl blinked, gazing at Goten.
"Goten?" She whispered. "Trunks?"
"Hi." Goten said, waving a little, a lop-sided grin resting on his lips.
"And I'm Bulma!" Screeched the Aqua-haired woman. "How dare you enter my house and attack me!! I swear people have no manners!! Now Put that thing down!!"
The girl advanced on Bulma, the scalpel aiming at her throat.
"It was your men who brought me here!" the light glinted off the razor sharp edge, sending a silvery cascade on the floor. "Now back off or I'll slit your goddamn throat!!"
Bulma frowned, backing up against the wall.
"Vegeta!"
The girl froze, widening her eyes, her skin loosing its colour in apparent desperation.
"Vegeta?"
Her hand slackened and the scalpel dropped to the floor, clattering noisily. She turned, following the direction that Bulma's cry was aimed at. Vegeta held his breath, locking eyes with the stranger.
"Prince?" She whimpered. A hand flew to her chest, as it rose and fell rapidly. Sobs escaped from her throat, her face filling with yearning. Despite the tears, she beamed with joyous relief. She shivered, plucking the scanner from her head, dropping it next to the scalpel.
"At last, my Prince! I've found you!"
She jumped upon the table, hurtling towards Vegeta. He made no movement, confusion planting him in place. Through the tears, she leapt off the far end of the table, landing in his arms.
"Wha?" He asked, right before she silenced him with her mouth, kissing him firmly. Sheer shock kept him from moving as her hands ran across his back, holding him to her. He irked, feeling his face grow hot. He pushed her away, feeling disturbed at the unexpected show of affection from the strange girl. He felt chilled, and extremely abhorrent, seeing his wife staring in poisonous anger, while his son stood, looking traumatised, with Goten grinning in lecherous mirth behind him, giving the thumbs up sign.
"Who... Who the hell are you?!" Vegeta growled, licking his lips. He saw Bulma reaching for a pan so he quickly decided to wipe his mouth with an expression of suitable horror.
"Excuse me." The girl said blissfully, "Allow me to introduce myself."
She slid down on one knee, head bowed respectfully. Her long black hair slid forwards. She tilted her head upwards, looking towards Vegeta's pained face.
"My name is Princess Hanako of the Saiyans. I am now responsible for this powerful race... and for you."
Her eyes glistened with tears. Silence followed, as she rose to her feet, clutching Vegeta's hand.
"I am your fiancée, Prince Vegeta."
"Mother!! Mother!!"
Trunks and Goten charged through the door of the medic room at Capsule Corp. The door swung open and clattered noisily against the wall. The room was devoid of human life. Light glinted from the metal tabletops and shone
through vials and bottles of various liquids and tablets.
"Mother!!" Yelled Trunks, the girl in his arms beginning to slip from his grip.
Goten looked back down the hall. The rain had dried off and golden sunlight began to filter through the blinds on the windows.
"Bulma! Are you here!?" Goten bellowed, wiping blood from his hands on his cotton pants. Panic was beginning to filter through his voice.
He could hear a door click open from behind him. He whirled around, standing defensively.
"Oh Vegeta! Thank god you're here! Please help!"
Vegeta's eyes wandered to Goten's hands and he stormed forwards, lifting the boy's hands up for closer inspection.
"What the hell happened?!" He growled. "You're covered in blood!"
Goten whipped his hands away, rubbing them more on his shirt.
"It's not mine! It's hers!"
Vegeta brushed past him and walked into the medical room. He saw Trunks lay the pale girl on the silver table. She was limp and lifeless, close to death. He froze when he noticed the scanner attached to her face, a strange panic engulfing him.
"Keep her alive! I'll go and find my wife!"
Trunks watched him leave and looked at Goten, worriedly.
"And how are we supposed to do that?" Goten answered, grinning, failing to disguise his panic. Trunks merely shook his head, staring at the lifeless girl. He held her hand, tapping it gently on the back, gauging any response. Goten stood next to him, following his stern gaze. He smiled.
"Pretty?"
Trunks shrugged.
"I suppose."
Goten smiled cheekily, nudging his friend playfully in the ribs.
"D'ya think she's wearing a wire?"
Trunks shrugged again, his face unchanging. He released her hand to press against a wound on her shoulder that began to bleed again.
"I don't think she's a spy, Goten."
Goten's face wrinkled into his 'are-you-serious' face. He gritted his teeth, smiling, jabbing Trunks harder.
"I mean... What underwear do you think she's got on?"
Trunks huffed, scowling.
"Grow up, Goten. Jeez!"
"I'm just tryin' to lighten the mood. Sorry."
Trunks cussed under his breath, flicking blood off his fingers.
"Hold this Goten. Keep the pressure on the wound."
Goten bit his lip, but carried out the actions, keeping his mind off the bloody flesh but looking at her bruised face. He tilted his head, frowning.
"Hey Trunks, look at this..."
"What?"
He tilted his head in the same direction as Goten's. Goten didn't respond.
"What?" Trunks repeated. "It better not be about her underwear."
Goten moved the girl's face a little. The dark, black hair shifted over her pale skin, the thick, dishevelled strands spilling over her shoulders.
"Is it just me, or does she look a little..."
"A little what?" Trunks prompted.
"Saiyan-ish? Y'know, with that type of hair. Her face looks Saiyan-ish."
Trunks scanned her face, shrugging again and shifting her tattered trousers away from her gashes.
"Yeah, I guess. But I'm sure lots of girls look like that."
"Check her butt!" Goten announced proudly. "Maybe she has a tail!"
Trunks was just about to tell Goten what a lecher he was, but the door burst open. A red-faced Bulma charged in, dragging a very nervous Dende with her. He had grown into a very calm Namek, but usually acted like all was lost when he was bossed about. He still resembled his past-self when it came to that, he was too nice, but a true friend. Vegeta hung in the doorway like he usually did, yet he seemed more nervous than brooding.
"What happened here?" Bulma asked, wiping the girl's face. "Vegeta told me you found her! Quick Dende! Can you do anything?"
The Namek looked authoritative. He had grown into his powers, and began to trust himself more. He eyed the girl briefly, and smiled.
"Sure can!"
He stretched his arms out, spreading his fingers apart. Ripples of light covered the girls body, closing over the wounds and dissolving the bruises. Colour began to come back to her cheeks, yet she remained unconscious, eyes shut. Dende dropped his hands to his sides, stepping back.
"Why hasn't she woken up?" Goten asked, a little surprised at the power of the Namek. Dende nodded at the girl slightly.
"We were very lucky to get to her so soon. Any later and she would of died. She's just a little more exhausted than I thought. It's better for a body to finish off healing themselves, anyway. Makes you stronger."
Bulma placed a hand on Dende's shoulder.
"Thanks, Dende. It was lucky that you were nearby."
"It's always a pleasure to help you guys." He said, a little blush of red covering his green cheeks. "I really must be getting back to the look-out. I hope to see you all soon, but without using my powers, okay?"
"Trunks," Bulma said, "Go and see Dende to the door."
"Oh it's okay." Dende beamed, "I know my way out. Just let me know how the lady gets on." He walked away, his white cape rustling as he walked.
There was a silence in the room, a quiet pondering. Bulma looked at the stranger quizzically.
"So who is she, guys?" she asked, looking from Trunks to Goten. "Do you know her?"
Both boys shook their heads, silently.
"Well where did you find her?"
Trunks jolted as her recalled the strange thing that was attempting to kill her.
"We both heard a scream, so we followed the noise and we found her." He winced and grabbed the edge of the table. "She was being torn apart by some... some... horrible thing."
Goten nodded.
"Yeah. It was so terrifying. I mean, you saw the wounds." He grinned, proudly. "But never fear! I stopped it! With my fists of fury-"
He was silenced by a slap to the back of the head by Bulma, Trunks receiving a matching thwack.
"You pair of dolts!!" Bulma yelled, her fists clenching in fury. "You could of been killed!! What was the big idea?!! I can understand saving someone, but putting yourself at risk!? What were you thinking!?" Her words came out in a bubbling stream.
"Jeez, Mom!" Trunks yelled.
"Don't jeez Mom me!" She yelled, "What would of happened to this girl if..." He voice trailed off as her mouth hung open.
"What is it, Mom?" Trunks asked, glancing sidewardly at his friend.
"That... that girl!" She stuttered, pointing weakly at her.
Trunks looked at her.
"Yeah, she's okay now, Mom." He soothed.
Bulma shook her head, jabbing the air with her index finger.
"No! She has a... has a..."
"A scanner. A Saiyan scanner." Vegeta stated, arms crossed over his chest. He stared at the girl, a frown plastered on his face. "Just like I used to have. Back when Earth... was still on the market."
Trunks and Goten averted their eyes. They were fully aware of Vegeta's past, yet it was still slightly unnerving to know that the Vegeta they knew now used to exterminate total planets, murdering man, woman and child, and enjoy every last moment of it. Goten snapped his fingers.
"I told you! I said just a second ago, that she looks Saiyan-ish!"
Vegeta slammed his fist on the table next to her.
"Looks can be deceiving! There's no way she could possibly be a Saiyan!"
"You can't be sure, Dad." Trunks wondered, looking at the scanner. "She may well be. She has the looks and the technology."
"Don't be a fool, son!" He scoffed. "When our planet was destroyed, there were four Saiyans left alive. There was Kakarrot, his brother, Raditz, Nappa and myself. No females."
Bulma pressed her lips together in thought.
"She looks young, 17 or 18. Maybe A relative of Nappa or Raditz? Grandchild or something?"
Vegeta laughed, throwing his head back.
"Nappa? Have children? That fool? Please!" His laughter died off, his forehead creasing in thought. "But Raditz?"
Trunks shook his head.
"Look, we no nothing about this girl. Maybe she is a relative, or maybe there were more Saiyans alive than you thought."
"Whatever we need to know...Maybe it's all in her scanner." Bulma suggested, placing a hand to her cheek. "I'll take it for a while and examine it. Then we can try blood tests. We should find something. We need to get Goku in on this too."
Trunks and Goten nodded, Vegeta stood silently, staring at the still figure sleeping on the table. Was she really a Saiyan? In his heart he felt that it was true. His mind began to feel weighed down. If this is the case, why did it take so long for her to show herself, why did she bother coming to earth at all? He felt so bitter, looking at the fresh, young Saiyan. The final seed of a deceased race.
"Okay!" Bulma said cheerily, reaching for the scanner. "Lets get this off---"
A grip of steel caught her wrist in mid air, clenching it away painfully. Bulma screamed as she was hurled of her feet, slamming into a cupboard of medicine. Goten stumbled backwards, colliding with Trunks, forcing him down on the floor.
"Mom!!"
Bulma rubbed the back of her head and looked up painfully, watching the girl bound off the table, snatching a scalpel and holding it, blade outwards, swishing it in warning. The girl's blue eyes shone in anger, her mouth curled in a snarl. Trunks eased himself up, slowly pacing towards the girl.
"Hey, there." He said softly. The girl turned on him, slashing the air with the blade.
"Don't come any closer or I'll kill you!" she cried.
"Okay, okay!" He said, stopping still. "We just wanted to make sure you were okay."
She eyed him cautiously, lowering the blade a fraction.
"Who are you?" she hissed, frowning darkly.
"My name is Trunks. This is Goten, my friend. We helped you earlier. Do you remember?"
The girl blinked, gazing at Goten.
"Goten?" She whispered. "Trunks?"
"Hi." Goten said, waving a little, a lop-sided grin resting on his lips.
"And I'm Bulma!" Screeched the Aqua-haired woman. "How dare you enter my house and attack me!! I swear people have no manners!! Now Put that thing down!!"
The girl advanced on Bulma, the scalpel aiming at her throat.
"It was your men who brought me here!" the light glinted off the razor sharp edge, sending a silvery cascade on the floor. "Now back off or I'll slit your goddamn throat!!"
Bulma frowned, backing up against the wall.
"Vegeta!"
The girl froze, widening her eyes, her skin loosing its colour in apparent desperation.
"Vegeta?"
Her hand slackened and the scalpel dropped to the floor, clattering noisily. She turned, following the direction that Bulma's cry was aimed at. Vegeta held his breath, locking eyes with the stranger.
"Prince?" She whimpered. A hand flew to her chest, as it rose and fell rapidly. Sobs escaped from her throat, her face filling with yearning. Despite the tears, she beamed with joyous relief. She shivered, plucking the scanner from her head, dropping it next to the scalpel.
"At last, my Prince! I've found you!"
She jumped upon the table, hurtling towards Vegeta. He made no movement, confusion planting him in place. Through the tears, she leapt off the far end of the table, landing in his arms.
"Wha?" He asked, right before she silenced him with her mouth, kissing him firmly. Sheer shock kept him from moving as her hands ran across his back, holding him to her. He irked, feeling his face grow hot. He pushed her away, feeling disturbed at the unexpected show of affection from the strange girl. He felt chilled, and extremely abhorrent, seeing his wife staring in poisonous anger, while his son stood, looking traumatised, with Goten grinning in lecherous mirth behind him, giving the thumbs up sign.
"Who... Who the hell are you?!" Vegeta growled, licking his lips. He saw Bulma reaching for a pan so he quickly decided to wipe his mouth with an expression of suitable horror.
"Excuse me." The girl said blissfully, "Allow me to introduce myself."
She slid down on one knee, head bowed respectfully. Her long black hair slid forwards. She tilted her head upwards, looking towards Vegeta's pained face.
"My name is Princess Hanako of the Saiyans. I am now responsible for this powerful race... and for you."
Her eyes glistened with tears. Silence followed, as she rose to her feet, clutching Vegeta's hand.
"I am your fiancée, Prince Vegeta."