Chapter Twelve – Survivors
"Tara, could you get me out of here first?" Vegeta was in a real bad condition and his voice was barely more than a whisper. She set him free from his chains and helped him up, groaning in pain from her own wounds.
"Let me handle dad, Tara," she heard a familiar voice say.
"What the… Trunks? But how…"
Trunks lifted up Vegeta, who was now unconscious, and smiled: "My sword is a magic tool, I cannot be killed by it. Didn't I tell you that?"
"No," Tara coughed up blood and spat it out. "You didn't, you jerk. I thought you were dead." A tear rolled down her cheek.
"Well I'm not. But you two almost are and in this condition you can't use your healing powers on dad either. Get onto my back, I'll carry dad. We have to get to Capsule Corp. as soon as possible."
Tara tried to stay awake on his back, but succeeded only partially. Trunks's voice sounded far away when she heard him say: "I'm going to land, Tara, you can get off now."
She rolled off his back and felt the lawn underneath her, cool and soft. The last thing she felt was Trunks's strong arm picking her up and putting her on his shoulder, just like he did with Vegeta on his other shoulder. He dropped them off at the infirmary of Capsule Corp., where dr. Briefs took good care of them. Trunks went up to Korin's Tower to get some senzu beans for them.
*Vegeta?*
*What?*
*How are you feeling?*
*Alive. You?*
*The same… I'm so sorry I got you into this.*
*It was my own free will to go and look for you, you're not to blame here.*
*Why?*
*Because I went looking for you…*
*No, why did you go and look for me?*
*You know damn well why I did that.*
*No I don't.*
*You do.*
*You're not going to tell me, are you?*
*Not now, not like this.*
*Will you tell me when we get well?*
*Maybe. Still I think you can figure it out yourself.*
*Yo, sleepyheads, wake up already,* Trunks interrupted. "I've got a little present for the two of you."
Vegeta opened his eyes and saw Trunks by his bedside. His son. He couldn't comprehend it, it was too much for him to handle.
"Guess I can call you 'dad' from now on," Trunks said to him, handing him a senzu bean.
"Don't expect me to call you 'son' yet," Vegeta said in a grumpy tone. It was obvious that he didn't mean any harm by it though.
"Doesn't this make you feel like a group hug?" Tara smiled mockingly. Even so, her eyes looked sad because now Vegeta knew what, or more exactly who, his destiny was. She swallowed her senzu bean and got out of bed.
"Hey, where are you going?" Trunks asked.
"Just taking a walk. Relax, I'm not going to disappear again."
"You'd better not," Vegeta growled. "I'll go with you just to make sure."
They walked out, leaving Trunks alone.
"You look pretty scary when you transform," Vegeta stated.
"I wouldn't know. It's not like I'm in control when it happens."
Vegeta sighed. "I've never witnessed any kind of power like yours. You must really love him."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It's obvious that you've made your choice, Tara."
"You're jumping to conclusions, Vegeta. I don't want to choose between the two of you."
"Then what do you want? Do you want to solve this the Saiyan way?"
"The Saiyan way?" She looked puzzled.
"There are rules for situations like these, you know," he said impatiently. "When one cannot choose between two partners, they have to fight to the death. One survives, thus being the one who was destined to be with the other."
Tara grinned. "I never knew such a rule existed. I would never do that to you or to Trunks! No, Vegeta, it's so much simpler than you think. I love you and Trunks. You love me, Trunks loves me. I see no problems here."
"You're suggesting that you could bond with the both of us?" He made a dismissive gesture. "Impossible. Bonding is sacred and unique. It cannot be done."
"And how would you know? All I see is someone who is not willing to share."
He turned his back to her. "Trunks is my son. What you ask of me is ridiculous, not to mention disgraceful."
"I guess we disagree on that point. Just think it over, will you?" She took off and went to see Trunks.
"Your father truly is a proud and stubborn man," she sighed.
"Like I didn't already know that," Trunks said.
"Trunks," she said and looked him in the eye questioningly, "do you have any idea how Vegeta feels about me? I mean, you've got this whole bloodline-thing working for you, you should be able to tell."
"I think he fears you. Not because you are stronger than he is, but he's afraid of the fire you could ignite in him. He still considers love to be an emotion for the weak, he doesn't want to give in."
"He made that perfectly clear," she sighed. "I asked him to consider it…"
"Consider what?"
She looked down at the ground. "A double bond."
He couldn't help it and started laughing.
"So you think it's ridiculous too," she said disappointed.
"I think you're very brave to ask my father such a thing!" He contained his laughter and looked at her. "Did you really think he would say yes? With his pride?"
"I don't know. I guess you're right. This whole idea is pointless."
He put his arm around her, trying to comfort her.
"Do you think it's weird to be in love with two persons at the same time?" she asked him.
"Not at all," he whispered. "I know it's rare, but that's just another reason to treasure it."
"You're so sweet… I love you, Trunks."
"Love you too." They kissed tenderly only to be brutally interrupted by a golden aura, kicking Trunks away violently.
Tara looked up to the Super Saiyan in front of her.
"Ve… Vegeta?" she gasped. "How did you…"
Trunks got up, rubbing his jaw. "There's no need for this, father."
"I'll be the judge of that!" Vegeta snapped. "There's only one way to solve this issue: we fight."
"If that's what you want…" Trunks powered up and went Super Saiyan as well. "Bring it on!"
They were both surprised to find out that they couldn't move an inch. Tara had stretched out her hands and was mumbling a spell.
"I won't let you," she said softly. "I never intended to get anyone killed. You two shouldn't blame each other, you should blame me. I caused this mess. So if one of you wants to fight me, go right ahead." She released them.
"I was only defending myself," Trunks stated. "I have no desire to fight you, Tara."
"I know," Tara said. "Vegeta?" They looked at each other and Vegeta powered down to his normal form.
"I'm not suicidal, Tara." He shifted his gaze to Trunks. "You'd better watch your back around here."
"I will."
Vegeta turned around and left with clenched fists. He did it! He finally achieved Super Saiyan strength! What did he care about Tara?
