Alright, well, I was going to hold off updating this because I thought my
writing on it was too sloppy and wanted to wait until I had the time and
attention to make it better, however I have gotten so many reviews that I
decided to go ahead and get started anyway. Maybe if I take my time this
time I can do okay, but really my writing is much better when I do it at
with paper and pen than when I write raw from brain straight to computer.
(Example: The first half of BORT, before I took that really long break, was
written on notebook paper first, the more recent entries weren't. Also, CC
is in a notebook. This fic isn't. See if you can see what I'm talking
about.)
Disclaimers: I own nothing except a few original characters.
~
"Hurry it up; do you think we have all day?"
Bulma cast Vegeta an annoyed look as she set down the last dragon ball, irritation at the man's lack of patience beginning to get the better of her. "You know, we could wait for a few more days to bring her back, Vegeta. I'm sure she wouldn't mind." She said acidly. "I fail to see how Usagi would really appreciate being brought back to a cranky man like you anyway. You know, I think I will wait another day or two, or at least until you learn to behave yourself!" She crossed her arms, smirking triumphantly as she watched his face slowly become redder and redder with rage.
"Kakarrott!" He yelled finally, gaining the attention of the tall dark haired man who was currently suffering his wife's nitpicking as she tried to fix the tie she had forced him to wear.
"Yeah?"
"Get up there and wish back my mate before I destroy this fool!" He growled.
"Um. . . well, I would, but Bulma's got her scary face on. So. . . I guess you're gonna have'ta either apologize or do it yourself. Sorry."
Vegeta's growl grew even more furious. He had never called the Earth's dragon himself before, and wasn't sure he could do it correctly. He wouldn't risk something going wrong when he was so close to having his mate back and so Bulma, who was very experienced at calling Shenlong, had volunteered to do it. Unfortunately, she was having one of her frequent can't-stand-Vegeta-so-will-do-anything-to-irritate-him days.
"Bulma?"
The blue haired woman's head snapped to the source of the voice, triumphant smirk sliding slowly from her face at the sight of the speaker.
The dark haired boy rang his hands nervously before he realized what he was doing and quickly stuffed them into his pockets, looking up at her through troubled, crystalline blue eyes. "Please wish my mom back." Veggie requested somberly. "Dad isn't the only one who wants her back, and it. . . well, it's cruel for you to draw this out just to annoy him. So, please. I'd really, really like to see my mom again."
She stared at him a moment, utterly chastised. He may have all of the characteristics expected to be found in an offspring of Vegeta, but he was Usagi's child, too, and had her talent of making anyone feel guilty for even the smallest little injustice. She sighed and turned to the dragon balls, raising her hands above her head and calling the dragon as she had so many times in the past. In the back of her mind she wondered if Usagi had taught Veggie how to attain that innocent expression they both used so often to get their ways. Had she made him practice it in front of a mirror when he had been a child?
She made the wish, and an expectant silence fell over the group as the dragon began to glow with power, no one daring to so much as breathe loudly. Somehow this was important. They had wished back friends and loved ones countless numbers of times, but this felt more important.
A small, glowing form began to take shape before them, and Vegeta watched it hawkishly, fists clenched so tightly that they shook and his knuckles were completely white. The form shifted, became humanoid in shape, and the glow began to dissipate very slowly, revealing deep blue eyes and long golden hair. She wore loose white pants and a white tank top rather than what she had worn the night she was killed, and her long hair was in a high ponytail rather than its usual braid.
Vegeta didn't care about the details though. Ignoring all else he strode purposefully to her, barely even noticing the quiet smile that lit her face or the way she opened her arms to him as he reached her and clutched her tightly to him, almost too tightly. The void that had been left when she had cut him off from their link and left him filled, warm and bright and comforting as he felt her slim arms close around him and her buried his face in her hair.
"Time for this later." She whispered after a few moments, patting his arm and attempting to pull away. Her voice, so quiet and musical, sounded forced, as if choked with tears. Vegeta didn't want to release her, but he did, slowly, at her quiet request. Before he had even pulled away completely Trunks was there, and Veggie, each trying to hug her at the same time. Vegeta didn't feel the usual shame he might have as he watched the tears trail down Veggie's face, deciding reluctantly that the boy had the right to cry at this instance. He kept muttering something that sounded like an apology, but Usagi merely whispered something soothing and kissed his forehead.
Slowly his relief at seeing her again and having his head filled with the precious bond they shared began to abate and was replaced by anger. Vegeta crossed his arms to keep himself from lashing out and glared angrily over the heads of his sons at his small wife.
"Why the hell did you make us wait to bring you back?"
Trunks and Veggie pulled away from her to stare at him. Everyone was staring, but the proud Saiyan prince barely noticed, much less cared. Usagi merely smiled, though, unwilling to become annoyed by his lack of manners.
"I sent the message along, didn't I? I was training so that I would be strong enough to buy myself enough time to transform next time I was attacked. Surely that's a good enough reason for you. Don't pout."
"I could have trained you." He pointed out. He was not pouting. He wasn't!
"Darling, a Saiyan's training wouldn't work for someone like me. Besides, time passed differently where I was, so I really got much more work done that you might imagine. Come, don't scowl at me so. I missed you."
With a growl, he sprang into action, flying towards her and grabbing her up in his arms before heading straight for the window of the room they shared and inside, lips hungrily finding hers before he had even set her down.
~
Diamond looked up, a startled gasp emitting from his lips as a presence sprang into being suddenly in his senses, so surprised that he dropped the plate he had been taking.
"Watch it!"
He looked blankly at the large, purple being that served meals in Lady Kilaki's palace, turning and leaving without bothering to clean up the mess he had made.
It couldn't be.
And yet he felt her, more strongly than ever.
But she had died.
And yet there it was, her familiar, wonderful power signature, burning brightly in his mind. His princess.
He left, heading for the source of the energy signature as fast as he could.
~
"Vegeta, you're being silly, I'm fine."
"No, you're sick, and you're going to the doctor."
Usagi sighed patiently, knowing from the waves of stubbornness emitting from his side of the bond that she wasn't going to be able to change his mind easily, and they would soon be at the hospital. "So I have the flue bug or something. I'm not glass, I won't break. I've been back for a whole month and you still won't leave my side for more than two seconds. My enemies are hiding and there's nothing for you to worry about." She reached up to stroke his cheek, smiling gently. "Come on, Vegeta, you're becoming like an old mother hen. Trunks and Veggie already don't let me out of their sights. Bad enough I have to put up with that from them, but you. . . .well, don't you think it's time you set an example? We'll call it 'leave mommy alone so she doesn't have a mental breakdown.' Sound like fun?"
"We aren't nearly as bad as you make us out to be." He grunted, refusing to meet her eyes for fear she would change his mind. "You are going to the doctor."
"But I hate doctors!" She wailed.
Her mate was completely unsympathetic.
~
It was difficult following when that barbarian husband of hers took to the air - and how he managed that, Diamond would never know; not that he wasted too much time thinking about it when stalking his princess was so much more important. It was difficult following them, but he would be able to find that delicious energy of hers anywhere.
It wasn't difficult to slip into the hospital and weave an illusion around himself. Not difficult to dazzle the workers with mind traps that led them to believe that he had been working there as a male nurse for years. Not difficult at all to assign himself to the doctor who was examining his princess.
She didn't recognize him. He had been half afraid that she would, but no, he had inverted the illusion spells so that she wouldn't even sense them, unless maybe she was specifically looking for them.
She was so pretty, sitting there in the paper gown the hospital supplied, hands in her lap, slim, beautiful legs hanging off the edge of the table. The scars that covered her arms, legs, even the small portion of back that he had caught a glimpse of angered him - who would dare mar the beauty of his princess? Diamond supposed it must have been that husband of hers, who watched her continuously as if waiting to lash out at the slightest thing done wrong. The doctor was a friend of the rather annoying woman that his princess and her brute of a husband lived with, and made no comment about the scars whatsoever.
He was undoubtedly a fool.
Diamond had been stalking . . . well, stalking was such a strong word. He had been following his precious Serenity, completely out of devotion and the desire that she not be hurt again, ever since she had somehow managed to come back from the dead. He still didn't understand how it was possible, but if anyone was powerful enough to come back from the dead, it was undoubtedly his dear, sweet princess. The brute husband of hers was amazingly strong, and he was still waiting just the perfect moment to attack, when the advantage would be his completely. And then he would whisk his lady love away and into safety and prosperity to spend the rest of eternity as his queen. He didn't give one whit about Lady Kilaki, or his contract with her. She hadn't done anything since Beryl had "killed" Serenity, not even tried to take over the world. She was useless.
He was content to watch his princess as he pretended to fill out paperwork, content to cherish her from afar until he could take her away. He hated her husband, but at least she hadn't wed that other man, the one in the tuxedo. Diamond hated the Brute, but he despised the Prince in the tux.
"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Badman, I have your results now." The doctor said warmly as he walked back into the examination room, closing the door after himself.
"Well?" The brute growled. He sat in a chair on the opposite side of the room from Serenity, arms and legs crossed in a very antisocial manner. He deemed to take his eyes off her for once when he spoke so disrespectfully to the doctor.
Made nervous by the Brute, the doctor directed his answer to the princess instead.
"Well, you aren't sick, Mrs. Badman."
She slid gracefully from the table, or began to, but the moment she moved the Brute was at her side, one large hand clasped onto her slim, pale arm. "I told you." She whispered playfully to him. Oh, how brave and sweet and beautiful she was. He would rescue her from her pain soon enough.
"Then what's wrong with her?" The Brute demanded, arm circling her possessively.
"Nothing's wrong with her."
A growl began to sound in the Brute's throat. "Don't toy with me, human."
"Mrs. Badman, my congratulations. You're pregnant."
Diamond dropped his clipboard, jaw falling open.
Serenity was very pale. "You must be mistaken." She said, so quiet it was a wonder any of them heard her.
"Why would I be mistaken, dear?"
"I'm. . . . damaged."
"Well, it's early yet, but as far as I can tell, everything is perfectly normal. Whoever told you it wasn't possible was sorely mistaken." He smiled greatly at the couple's shock, smile growing as the Brute turned and wrapped Serenity tightly into his arms, holding her much too tightly. She offered a weak smile, then burst into tears. Trembling, Diamond hurried from the room.
He was going to sick up.
~
The doctor's brow furrowed in concern. "Shall I give you a few moments?" He offered.
Vegeta nodded quickly, drawing his mate closer to him and glaring until the doctor was gone and the door once more safely shut, thankful that the annoying male nurse who had made him so uneasy had also left.
"Usagi? Are you. . . . upset?"
"I didn't think it was possible." She reached up a trembling hand to swipe at her tears, smiling. He could feel her amazement now, and her joy, through their bond. "After what happened - and it's been so long, too. . . ." Her voice trailed off. She laughed suddenly and threw her arms around his neck, pulling his lips down to hers. "I'm so happy." She breathed against him as the kiss ended. "I feel like my heart's about to burst, or fly out of my chest, or something."
"I don't want that happening." He permitted a smile, pushing away the sudden fear before she could see it in his eyes. But she felt it, through their bond.
"What?"
"It hurt you so much last time. If something were to go wrong with this one. . . ." It was difficult, revealing this fear to her. Vegeta had changed drastically from what he once had been, but he would never be comfortable with speaking about his feelings.
"We'll have to be extra careful, that's all."
"But the people who attacked you. . . ."
"Nothing will hurt this child." Her eyes blazed fiercely for a moment before she fell against him, arms sliding around his waist, lips on his. "I love you. More than anything."
~
He reached her throneroom panting, in much distress. He knew his appearance must be wild, but didn't care. Lady Kilaki looked up from whatever she did to keep herself entertained, rising in surprise to see him.
"Whatever is the matter, my Diamond?"
"Enough of this sitting around uselessly. This world is yours if you want it, so why not make a move?" He demanded.
"I can take my time, now. I only wished to avenge my son. The Council won't even be expecting me to form the first attacks for a few hundred human years. Our kind move slowly. There is no more need for action right now, only planning."
"I know something that will change your mind." He announced, drawing himself up to full height.
"Oh?"
"She's still alive, my lady."
~
To Be Continued
Okay, there it is. Review, oh my wonderful readers.
Disclaimers: I own nothing except a few original characters.
~
"Hurry it up; do you think we have all day?"
Bulma cast Vegeta an annoyed look as she set down the last dragon ball, irritation at the man's lack of patience beginning to get the better of her. "You know, we could wait for a few more days to bring her back, Vegeta. I'm sure she wouldn't mind." She said acidly. "I fail to see how Usagi would really appreciate being brought back to a cranky man like you anyway. You know, I think I will wait another day or two, or at least until you learn to behave yourself!" She crossed her arms, smirking triumphantly as she watched his face slowly become redder and redder with rage.
"Kakarrott!" He yelled finally, gaining the attention of the tall dark haired man who was currently suffering his wife's nitpicking as she tried to fix the tie she had forced him to wear.
"Yeah?"
"Get up there and wish back my mate before I destroy this fool!" He growled.
"Um. . . well, I would, but Bulma's got her scary face on. So. . . I guess you're gonna have'ta either apologize or do it yourself. Sorry."
Vegeta's growl grew even more furious. He had never called the Earth's dragon himself before, and wasn't sure he could do it correctly. He wouldn't risk something going wrong when he was so close to having his mate back and so Bulma, who was very experienced at calling Shenlong, had volunteered to do it. Unfortunately, she was having one of her frequent can't-stand-Vegeta-so-will-do-anything-to-irritate-him days.
"Bulma?"
The blue haired woman's head snapped to the source of the voice, triumphant smirk sliding slowly from her face at the sight of the speaker.
The dark haired boy rang his hands nervously before he realized what he was doing and quickly stuffed them into his pockets, looking up at her through troubled, crystalline blue eyes. "Please wish my mom back." Veggie requested somberly. "Dad isn't the only one who wants her back, and it. . . well, it's cruel for you to draw this out just to annoy him. So, please. I'd really, really like to see my mom again."
She stared at him a moment, utterly chastised. He may have all of the characteristics expected to be found in an offspring of Vegeta, but he was Usagi's child, too, and had her talent of making anyone feel guilty for even the smallest little injustice. She sighed and turned to the dragon balls, raising her hands above her head and calling the dragon as she had so many times in the past. In the back of her mind she wondered if Usagi had taught Veggie how to attain that innocent expression they both used so often to get their ways. Had she made him practice it in front of a mirror when he had been a child?
She made the wish, and an expectant silence fell over the group as the dragon began to glow with power, no one daring to so much as breathe loudly. Somehow this was important. They had wished back friends and loved ones countless numbers of times, but this felt more important.
A small, glowing form began to take shape before them, and Vegeta watched it hawkishly, fists clenched so tightly that they shook and his knuckles were completely white. The form shifted, became humanoid in shape, and the glow began to dissipate very slowly, revealing deep blue eyes and long golden hair. She wore loose white pants and a white tank top rather than what she had worn the night she was killed, and her long hair was in a high ponytail rather than its usual braid.
Vegeta didn't care about the details though. Ignoring all else he strode purposefully to her, barely even noticing the quiet smile that lit her face or the way she opened her arms to him as he reached her and clutched her tightly to him, almost too tightly. The void that had been left when she had cut him off from their link and left him filled, warm and bright and comforting as he felt her slim arms close around him and her buried his face in her hair.
"Time for this later." She whispered after a few moments, patting his arm and attempting to pull away. Her voice, so quiet and musical, sounded forced, as if choked with tears. Vegeta didn't want to release her, but he did, slowly, at her quiet request. Before he had even pulled away completely Trunks was there, and Veggie, each trying to hug her at the same time. Vegeta didn't feel the usual shame he might have as he watched the tears trail down Veggie's face, deciding reluctantly that the boy had the right to cry at this instance. He kept muttering something that sounded like an apology, but Usagi merely whispered something soothing and kissed his forehead.
Slowly his relief at seeing her again and having his head filled with the precious bond they shared began to abate and was replaced by anger. Vegeta crossed his arms to keep himself from lashing out and glared angrily over the heads of his sons at his small wife.
"Why the hell did you make us wait to bring you back?"
Trunks and Veggie pulled away from her to stare at him. Everyone was staring, but the proud Saiyan prince barely noticed, much less cared. Usagi merely smiled, though, unwilling to become annoyed by his lack of manners.
"I sent the message along, didn't I? I was training so that I would be strong enough to buy myself enough time to transform next time I was attacked. Surely that's a good enough reason for you. Don't pout."
"I could have trained you." He pointed out. He was not pouting. He wasn't!
"Darling, a Saiyan's training wouldn't work for someone like me. Besides, time passed differently where I was, so I really got much more work done that you might imagine. Come, don't scowl at me so. I missed you."
With a growl, he sprang into action, flying towards her and grabbing her up in his arms before heading straight for the window of the room they shared and inside, lips hungrily finding hers before he had even set her down.
~
Diamond looked up, a startled gasp emitting from his lips as a presence sprang into being suddenly in his senses, so surprised that he dropped the plate he had been taking.
"Watch it!"
He looked blankly at the large, purple being that served meals in Lady Kilaki's palace, turning and leaving without bothering to clean up the mess he had made.
It couldn't be.
And yet he felt her, more strongly than ever.
But she had died.
And yet there it was, her familiar, wonderful power signature, burning brightly in his mind. His princess.
He left, heading for the source of the energy signature as fast as he could.
~
"Vegeta, you're being silly, I'm fine."
"No, you're sick, and you're going to the doctor."
Usagi sighed patiently, knowing from the waves of stubbornness emitting from his side of the bond that she wasn't going to be able to change his mind easily, and they would soon be at the hospital. "So I have the flue bug or something. I'm not glass, I won't break. I've been back for a whole month and you still won't leave my side for more than two seconds. My enemies are hiding and there's nothing for you to worry about." She reached up to stroke his cheek, smiling gently. "Come on, Vegeta, you're becoming like an old mother hen. Trunks and Veggie already don't let me out of their sights. Bad enough I have to put up with that from them, but you. . . .well, don't you think it's time you set an example? We'll call it 'leave mommy alone so she doesn't have a mental breakdown.' Sound like fun?"
"We aren't nearly as bad as you make us out to be." He grunted, refusing to meet her eyes for fear she would change his mind. "You are going to the doctor."
"But I hate doctors!" She wailed.
Her mate was completely unsympathetic.
~
It was difficult following when that barbarian husband of hers took to the air - and how he managed that, Diamond would never know; not that he wasted too much time thinking about it when stalking his princess was so much more important. It was difficult following them, but he would be able to find that delicious energy of hers anywhere.
It wasn't difficult to slip into the hospital and weave an illusion around himself. Not difficult to dazzle the workers with mind traps that led them to believe that he had been working there as a male nurse for years. Not difficult at all to assign himself to the doctor who was examining his princess.
She didn't recognize him. He had been half afraid that she would, but no, he had inverted the illusion spells so that she wouldn't even sense them, unless maybe she was specifically looking for them.
She was so pretty, sitting there in the paper gown the hospital supplied, hands in her lap, slim, beautiful legs hanging off the edge of the table. The scars that covered her arms, legs, even the small portion of back that he had caught a glimpse of angered him - who would dare mar the beauty of his princess? Diamond supposed it must have been that husband of hers, who watched her continuously as if waiting to lash out at the slightest thing done wrong. The doctor was a friend of the rather annoying woman that his princess and her brute of a husband lived with, and made no comment about the scars whatsoever.
He was undoubtedly a fool.
Diamond had been stalking . . . well, stalking was such a strong word. He had been following his precious Serenity, completely out of devotion and the desire that she not be hurt again, ever since she had somehow managed to come back from the dead. He still didn't understand how it was possible, but if anyone was powerful enough to come back from the dead, it was undoubtedly his dear, sweet princess. The brute husband of hers was amazingly strong, and he was still waiting just the perfect moment to attack, when the advantage would be his completely. And then he would whisk his lady love away and into safety and prosperity to spend the rest of eternity as his queen. He didn't give one whit about Lady Kilaki, or his contract with her. She hadn't done anything since Beryl had "killed" Serenity, not even tried to take over the world. She was useless.
He was content to watch his princess as he pretended to fill out paperwork, content to cherish her from afar until he could take her away. He hated her husband, but at least she hadn't wed that other man, the one in the tuxedo. Diamond hated the Brute, but he despised the Prince in the tux.
"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Badman, I have your results now." The doctor said warmly as he walked back into the examination room, closing the door after himself.
"Well?" The brute growled. He sat in a chair on the opposite side of the room from Serenity, arms and legs crossed in a very antisocial manner. He deemed to take his eyes off her for once when he spoke so disrespectfully to the doctor.
Made nervous by the Brute, the doctor directed his answer to the princess instead.
"Well, you aren't sick, Mrs. Badman."
She slid gracefully from the table, or began to, but the moment she moved the Brute was at her side, one large hand clasped onto her slim, pale arm. "I told you." She whispered playfully to him. Oh, how brave and sweet and beautiful she was. He would rescue her from her pain soon enough.
"Then what's wrong with her?" The Brute demanded, arm circling her possessively.
"Nothing's wrong with her."
A growl began to sound in the Brute's throat. "Don't toy with me, human."
"Mrs. Badman, my congratulations. You're pregnant."
Diamond dropped his clipboard, jaw falling open.
Serenity was very pale. "You must be mistaken." She said, so quiet it was a wonder any of them heard her.
"Why would I be mistaken, dear?"
"I'm. . . . damaged."
"Well, it's early yet, but as far as I can tell, everything is perfectly normal. Whoever told you it wasn't possible was sorely mistaken." He smiled greatly at the couple's shock, smile growing as the Brute turned and wrapped Serenity tightly into his arms, holding her much too tightly. She offered a weak smile, then burst into tears. Trembling, Diamond hurried from the room.
He was going to sick up.
~
The doctor's brow furrowed in concern. "Shall I give you a few moments?" He offered.
Vegeta nodded quickly, drawing his mate closer to him and glaring until the doctor was gone and the door once more safely shut, thankful that the annoying male nurse who had made him so uneasy had also left.
"Usagi? Are you. . . . upset?"
"I didn't think it was possible." She reached up a trembling hand to swipe at her tears, smiling. He could feel her amazement now, and her joy, through their bond. "After what happened - and it's been so long, too. . . ." Her voice trailed off. She laughed suddenly and threw her arms around his neck, pulling his lips down to hers. "I'm so happy." She breathed against him as the kiss ended. "I feel like my heart's about to burst, or fly out of my chest, or something."
"I don't want that happening." He permitted a smile, pushing away the sudden fear before she could see it in his eyes. But she felt it, through their bond.
"What?"
"It hurt you so much last time. If something were to go wrong with this one. . . ." It was difficult, revealing this fear to her. Vegeta had changed drastically from what he once had been, but he would never be comfortable with speaking about his feelings.
"We'll have to be extra careful, that's all."
"But the people who attacked you. . . ."
"Nothing will hurt this child." Her eyes blazed fiercely for a moment before she fell against him, arms sliding around his waist, lips on his. "I love you. More than anything."
~
He reached her throneroom panting, in much distress. He knew his appearance must be wild, but didn't care. Lady Kilaki looked up from whatever she did to keep herself entertained, rising in surprise to see him.
"Whatever is the matter, my Diamond?"
"Enough of this sitting around uselessly. This world is yours if you want it, so why not make a move?" He demanded.
"I can take my time, now. I only wished to avenge my son. The Council won't even be expecting me to form the first attacks for a few hundred human years. Our kind move slowly. There is no more need for action right now, only planning."
"I know something that will change your mind." He announced, drawing himself up to full height.
"Oh?"
"She's still alive, my lady."
~
To Be Continued
Okay, there it is. Review, oh my wonderful readers.