Two

It was supposed to be a happy gathering of friends. Almost everyone was there. Goku, Chi-Chi, Gohan and Goten were being the best hosts they could be, which meant that Chi-Chi trying to stop her husband and sons from eating everything before dinner was even served. Although, Gohan was too busy talking to Videl to notice the food (rather unusual for a Saiyan with an appetite as big as his). Even Goku was acting rather strangely, he would steal a few tidbits now and then, but he was also entertaining guests, talking to Mr. Satan Krillin and Yamcha. Trunks and Goten were alternatively stealing food, playing with Buu and Bee and fighting. Chi-Chi was, of course, trying to keep an eye on all of this as well as on the food and joining in on various conversations. Bulma was talking with Yamcha's new girlfriend and Eighteen, who was also playing with a sleepy Marron.

Vegeta watched this from an unnoticed corner of the house, glancing outside at the night sky occasionally. He thought no one had noticed him, but two people had.

Goku watched Vegeta from the corner of his eye. He thought that his fellow Saiyan would act differently after the fight with Buu, but he didn't appear to have changed at all. No, he knew that Vegeta had changed, he just didn't show it, in fact, he was even more withdrawn than he was before. Goku thought about going over to him, but he had enough experience to realise that Vegeta would just smirk, say something scornful and walk off.

Vegeta looked away from the window to the sky and caught Kakarott's eyes as he stared at him. He looked like he was going to get up to come over to where Vegeta sat. Vegeta just glared at him in warning then got up and left.

/Wow, I didn't even have to do or say anything./ Goku stared wide-eyed after him for a moment then shrugged, returning to his friends' conversation.

Bulma also noticed her husband's retreat. She excused herself and left Eighteen and Yamcha's girlfriend (she had already forgotten her name) to gush over the adorable Marron. Exiting the warm and friendly house, Bulma stepped into the cool night air. Looking around she saw Vegeta standing a small distance away.

She knew he sensed her approach. Like his fighting opponents, he always seemed to know where she was and when she wanted him. He didn't turn around from his contemplation of the stars. She didn't touch him when she stood beside him. His rejection of her embrace earlier that day had left her a bit hurt, although she knew he did not like public shows of affection.

"It's been five years." He spoke so quietly that Bulma almost didn't hear him.

"I know."

"Many things have changed."

"Like what?" Bulma had a nervous feeling in her stomach. He wasn't going to …

"Me." Vegeta's shoulders slumped slightly with that admission. It was almost a full minute before he turned around.

Bulma almost took a step back in surprise. He had a slight smile on his face which complemented his gentle expression perfectly making him look like the most beautiful being alive. "But some things have stayed as beautiful as they always were." A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. "Like the stars for example."

Bulma knew she should be angry at this. He was teasing her, but she couldn't help smiling. "The stars huh." She would have said more, but she shivered violently as a cold breeze blew around them.

Vegeta's face flashed a quick look of concern then he took off his jacket and put it around his wife's shoulders, holding her close to him. He bent his head down close to her ear. "The stars are only a minor beauty compared to the one I hold in my arms." Then he kissed her. "Happy anniversary love," he whispered then he let go and walked back to the house, his normal surly expression back in place.

Bulma pulled the jacket closer to her body, inhaling the smell of it that was Vegeta, a smile playing about her lips. Then she noticed the tiny weight hanging from her neck. She looked down at the golden pendant inscribed with an intricate crest that had suddenly appeared there after Vegeta's embrace. It looked very similar to the crest on Vegeta's signet ring, though she couldn't be sure, he had only showed it to her once, briefly, and she could never find it again. The smile grew bigger and radiated love in waves. She held the pendant clasped in her hands for a while then she tucked it under her clothes, so it could be closer to her heart. She pulled the jacket on properly and walked back to the warmth of her friends and family.

Unbeknownst to the couple, a watcher had lain hidden in the bushes close by, spying intently on them.

* * *

"Report."

Nappa was in a surly mood. He had just found out that King Vegeta had sent Bardock and his group along with Raditz to Earth as well. He couldn't do a thing about it either. King Vegeta was intelligent enough and skilled enough in some ways to make it very difficult for him to do what he wanted. /Damn him and his royal position. It's a good thing that he'll be taken out with this plan otherwise I would have acted rather rashly about his interference./

Suddenly he whirled around to the other Saiyan who he had almost forgotten about. "What did you say?" He demanded. "Repeat your observations." The Saiyan did so, a smile playing about his lips.

"Interesting." Nappa grinned evilly. "This is even better than I had hoped."

* * *

"Sorry guys, I totally forgot about this. I promise it'll only take a little while. It's only a brief meeting."

"Sure thing Bulma," Chi-Chi assured her friend. "We'll just wait here."

"Come with me, I don't really have to be there, I just have to make an appearance then I'll leave things up to Dad." She looked around at everyone in the room. "The best shopping is nearby anyway and I'll treat you all to lunch."

"Yeah!" Goten and Trunks ran into the room hearing that. The four women just looked at them. "What?" Trunks grumbled. "We're bored, and there's an amusement park near there. Dad won't take me."

"And Gohan's too busy studying," Goten piped in. "And Dad's off with Krillin doing something."

Bulma sighed. The shopping trip she had organised with Chi-Chi, Eighteen and Videl was slowly sinking into oblivion. She was about to open her mouth to give in, when Videl said, "I'll take you guys."

"Videl, you don't have to," Bulma tried to argue.

"I don't mind. Besides, I can catch up with you later." Videl would never admit this out aloud, but she was still a bit shy around Gohan's friends and their families, especially these three women. They made every effort to include her in things, but she was still slightly nervous and unsure. They were starting to grow on her though and were slowly becoming some of her closest friends. Which was why she was so nervous about today and a little secret that she had kept from them.

"If you're sure. I only say this for the sake of your heath and sanity." However, no one else had any other ideas. "Okay. We'll all go together then we'll meet up for lunch."

The group headed downtown to Capsule Corp's main office, chatting happily and laughing at the two excited boys with them. Marron was being adorable, as always, and tried to chase after Trunks one time. He laughed and pretended to let her almost catch him. Goten watched them wistfully.

"What's wrong sweetie?" Chi-Chi bent over to ask him.

"Gohan used to play with me like that," Goten said. "Was he really only pretending?"

Chi-Chi smiled and tousled his hair. "You had fun didn't you?" Goten nodded. "Then does it matter?" Goten shook his head and smiled. Then he joined Trunks in playing with Marron.

After only a relatively short walk they reached the tall skyscraper that was Capsule Corporation's main offices. The rest of the group followed Bulma into the building and up the elevator to one of the top floors and the general meeting room. "Do you guys want to wait out here for a minute? I'll just duck in and out." Bulma disappeared into the room.

They waited for a few minutes then suddenly something so unexpected was heard that they all ran into the room in a panic.

Bulma had screamed.

Inside there was a huge scene. People had reacted as soon as Bulma had opened her mouth and more screams were heard. People were running around in the small space in absolute panic and chaos. As soon as Eighteen stepped through the door, a strange tingle ran down her spine. Trunks and Goten felt it too, so did Chi-Chi and Videl, but to a lesser degree. But they didn't pay too much attention to funny feelings, there was something more important that had captured their attention.

There was a giant portal covering one of the walls of the meeting room and coming out of it were …

"Saiyans!" Eighteen recognised them immediately, though she had only seen a few, but being a former android had its perks on occasion. Information was one of them.

"It can't be," Chi-Chi shook her head. "There's just no way."

"Hey!" Trunks yelled out and ran to the portal. "Get away from my mother!" The huge bald Saiyan turned away from the petrified Bulma to stare and smile at the puny boy who thought he could stand up to him.

"Nappa!" Chi-Chi started shaking. "No, I know he's dead. Vegeta killed him!"

"True," the huge man agreed, never taking his eyes off Trunks. "But it was so nice here that I thought I'd come back for a vacation." And with that he backhanded Trunks, who flew across the room and hit another wall. He slumped down, unconscious.

"Trunks! You bastard!" Goten ran at him, trying to get enough momentum to fly, but it was only a small room. He jumped and punched Nappa in the face. The large man didn't blink, he just grinned. Goten tried to hover, but fell down. A panicked look took over his face. He raised his hand and tried an energy attack, but he couldn't even feel his ki at all.

"What —" he was cut off as Nappa wrapped a hand around his throat and lifted him up. Then he threw Goten over by Trunks.

Eighteen raised her hand, knowing that Nappa shouldn't be any trouble for her, but she couldn't feel her ki either. Her eyes widened at this realisation and fear crept up her spine. She backed away, holding Marron tight as she cried. Videl and Chi-Chi launched themselves at Nappa and they were both brushed away like flies.

Nappa approached Eighteen, his evil smile still on his face. "No," Eighteen whimpered. She held onto her daughter tighter.

"Eighteen! Run!" Bulma jumped onto Nappa from behind. Eighteen ran, not knowing that Nappa had kept advancing, Bulma was now lying beside Chi-Chi on the floor. A wrench on her hair brought her to her knees and she cried out, still holding the terrified Marron. Nappa pulled the toddler from her grip and set her down in front of Eighteen.

"The last thing she'll see is your face covered in blood," he threatened with a barely suppressed eagerness, "unless you give up."

Eighteen nodded. "I surrender, don't hurt her!" Her voice was thick with tears and fear.

Nappa chuckled. "Okay then. She'll still see your face covered in blood, but it won't be her last vision." Then he punched Eighteen. The last thing she heard was Marron screaming then there was nothing as unconsciousness claimed her.

Nappa surveyed the damage he had inflicted. It was almost too easy. They were powerful, under normal circumstances, however, thanks to Babidi he had been able to get around that. He gestured to the Saiyans standing nearby who had not moved since exiting the portal. "Take them to Hell." They nodded. Nappa was about to walk back through the portal, when the scent of blood stopped him.

He looked down at the young boys lying nearby.

One of them, the first one, what was his name … Trunks, yes, that was what the other boy had yelled out, he was bleeding from a small gash on the head.

Nappa smiled as a few things pieced together. He had called the blue-haired wench his mother, that would mean that he was …

The grin turned even darker.

"I think I should leave a message here." Nappa bent down and touched the small pool of blood surrounding the boy's head. "One that will spark the proper reaction."