Chapter 12
True Colors
"Well it's been a long time, Father Zarbon. Or have you changed your faith again?" Vegeta spat taking to the air. Zarbon flew after him with just as much ease. "Now that I have done away with Dodoria shall we begin the real fight?"
"What? You want me to believe that beating Dodoria was so easy for you?" Zarbon said with a strong sense of confidence. It didn't faze Vegeta he could see that Zarbon was sweating.
"He he he very easy in fact." Vegeta said between his laughs. Zarbon just glared.
"I don't believe it." Zarbon said slightly smiling.
"Well Father, you must allow me to show you the errors of your ways." Zarbon's smile didn't disappear but it seemed to become more strained.
"Don't you quote me Vegeta, a quote from a traitor is nothing."
"Traitor? No self-respecting person could serve the likes of that piece of shit. I have learned that in my time there is no way to kill him, he has too much time on me. But now that I've found a way for absolute power.!"
"The DragonBalls?" He said trying to catch on.
"Yes stupid and Freeza will never have them! And once I have the DragonBalls he is done!" Vegeta yelled lowering himself to an attack position.
"It's you that doesn't seem to understand. Master Freeza is beyond anything you can imagine. Even with that kind of power you can't beat him."
"When will you blasphemous pig realize that I am the one who will bring you and that demon to your knees!?" Vegeta roared in rage.
"Watch that tongue Vegeta. Master Freeza and myself are the most powerful forces in the universe." Zarbon sniped smiling again. Something in his tone seemed to calm Vegeta, making his grin in return.
"Is that so.?" He mocked. In a flash Vegeta disappeared from sight. Zarbon realizing what he was doing spun to his right his fist striking out to stop Vegeta before he could attack. Vegeta caught his punch easily. Zarbon froze in shock, he could figure how Vegeta could be so powerful.
The power surging around Vegeta flared him roaring with the energy. Taking a firmer hold on Zarbon's fist Vegeta tossed him into the air. Zarbon twisted through the air finding his balance again. Zarbon halted his fight in time to see Vegeta zooming after him. One of Zarbon's hands snapped out held still by his other as he powered up to form one of his most powerful attacks.
The blinding flash of light shot out of his hand making rushing to meet the rushing Vegeta. Vegeta slowed to a stop before the attack but he didn't move out of the way. Instead he let loose a powerful roar tossing the attack aside. The blast flew across the sky to land miles away in a dazzling explosion. Zarbon couldn't move.
"Y.you just.knocked it away." He stuttered in his surprise. But Vegeta didn't pause to respond; moving faster than the eye could see Vegeta rocketed to Zarbon slamming his elbow into his face. Zarbon recovered from the blow and started to punch at Vegeta's face only to miss every time. Each time his fist reached Vegeta's face all he would hit was an after image, all of them grinning at him.
"This can't be the same vampire I once knew! It looks like you're standing still!!!" In a flash Vegeta had flipped over backward kicking Zarbon in the face sending him speeding towards the ground. Zarbon was lucky to land on the ground on all fours and recover quickly but not quick enough to block Vegeta's following move. Landing behind him Vegeta used a quick kick to his back sending Zarbon flying into the dirt.
"Come on Zarbon, my blood isn't moving yet!" Vegeta called to Zarbon not continuing his attack. He stood watching the weak Zarbon pull himself onto his feet.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Poor Vegeta, you have no idea. Yes you have come very far with your power but as you will see mine is still far greater." Zarbon said standing back up. His head turned to face Vegeta with a small trickle of blood coming down his chin.
"What? Far greater you say?" Vegeta said mockingly. Zarbon just smiled.
"Indeed." Whipping way the blood on his chin Zarbon stood a little taller than before.
"I see.ha ha ha ha ha!!! Zarbon even near your death you entertain me!" Vegeta laughed.
"Before you die again young Vegeta I will tell you what you are up against. The oldest of the vampires have a special ability to transform into a close demon from. A way of tapping into the oldest and purest power."
"Transforming? There is no such thing. Dying men do say the funniest things when they're desperate."
"You're wrong Vegeta. The only reason I haven't transformed in so long is that the form disgusts me. I find my more human form much more pleasing."
"Is that so. Well if this transformed body is more ugly then your currant form than this will be every interesting."
"If you had any sense Vegeta you would be terrified." Suddenly everything changed. The once beaten Zarbon changed into a monster. His body expanded, his face a fat scaly lizard's, and his power tripled. Its teeth became longer and sharper, talons springing from his fingers. Vegeta cried out in shocked surprise.
As Vegeta stared on shocked Zarbon rushed at him. Vegeta didn't even have time to move before Zarbon had a hold of him. Both of his monster-sized hands clamped down over his head crushing against his scull. The pain ripped into him, the pressure overwhelming.
In an instant the pressure was gone but Vegeta was now soaring through the air. As Vegeta regained himself he realized something. 'I can't win. I need help. It's too late to call Talana and Tobias they'll both be killed. One fight, one death, mine' Taking his last power Vegeta dived back at Earth to meet Zarbon in air. Seeing Zarbon's attack Vegeta veered at the last second.
"Vegeta you shouldn't be so surprised. I told you that the oldest vampires could transform. Which means that Master Freeza can too. And since he is he oldest he has far more power. So no matter how much you think you understand his abilities you will always be wrong."
Taking his time Zarbon shot a powerful attack at Vegeta. Moving at the last second Vegeta dodged the attack, but was caught of guard when two huge arms wrapped around him crushing his ribs. He could feel his chest grinding in on it's self. Through the pain Vegeta reached out for his last hope. 'Talana.Tobias.help me.'
'Vegeta hold on!' Talana cried in his mind. At the same time Vegeta felt the hold on him disappear which is not as good as it sounds. For now there was nothing holding Vegeta up and he was now falling a long way to the ground. Vegeta was barely aware as two slim arms caught him in mid fall.
"It's ok Vegeta we're here." Talana whispered above him.
"Get out, now!" Vegeta breathed fighting the need to black out. "He can't be beaten, listen to me get out of here." But Vegeta really didn't know if they listened to his pleas and transported out of there for he couldn't fight the blackness any longer.
***
"Veggie open your eyes I can see you moving." Talana said above him. Vegeta opened his only good eye to glare at his sister.
"Yes but if I kept faking sleep maybe you would have gone away," Vegeta spat closing his eyes again.
"Fine, I'll leave you alone when you get something to eat and you better be gone when I come back." Vegeta could hear Talana storm out of his room. He knew it was his room by the feel of the sheets, but he knew she was right. This time it would be hard to convince some girl to trust a limping man. Dawning a disguise Vegeta vanished from his room to the city of Rome.
***
Bulma took one last look at the device in her hand then to the mansion for the ninth time. She sat in her car just outside the iron gate to the estate. It had a long curvy driveway leading to a circle just in front of the mansion it's self. The walls surrounding the estate were 11 feet tall and made of a white stone. From what Bulma could see of the main house it was made of the same white stone with ivy crawling up the three stories.
"Well it sure is big." Bulma muttered still looking at the house. 'What did you expect, a shack in the woods? You should have guessed he was arrogant for a reason. But still it's big.' Turning the wheel Bulma pulled into the drive.
Stepping out of her car Bulma walked up to the gate. From what she could see there was no alarms or locks. 'Kind of stupid of them. My father and I work on the best alarms systems so I'd know if they had anything. But you'd think that with this place they'd have at least a dog.' Placing both hands on the cool metal gate she pushed hard for the gate was very old and rusted.
Finally getting the gate open she returned to her car and started up the driveway. The estate was huge with large trees in clumps, wide clearings with wild roses entangled in the bushes. As she drove closer to the building Bulma saw that the house had to be over a hundred years old. 'No wonder they don't have any new security.' She thought parking the car in front of the front door. Looking around Bulma saw no people, cameras, or animals.
"Kind of spooky up close." She whispered getting out of the car never looking away from the house. The door of her clicked and Bulma pressed a small button on hood. With a poof the car was gone and in it's place a capsule. Bending over she scooped up the thing, which is harder than it sounds for she still wasn't looking away from the building before her.
Exchanging her worried face for one that more resembled anger she stomped up the stone steps to the oak door. All though she looked more confident she slowed at the door, spotting a large knocker she slammed it in to the door three times. Almost before she finished the door was flung open.
"Hi I'm looking for- AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Bulma screamed at the person before her. Half of his face was a handsome man that Bulma could have sworn looked familiar but the other was the reason for the scream. The other half was burned and disfigured in a horrible way that didn't look human. "What happened to you face?!" She cried jumping away. Tobias stared at her for a minute before answering.
"When I was an innocent my friends dared me to enter the temple of Zeus. The priests caught me and poured oil across my face as penance." His cool voice answered. Calming down Bulma averted her eyes and stepped closer.
"I'm sorry." All Tobias did was nod. 'I bet he gets that a lot.' Bulma thought sadly, closing her eyes for a minute she readjusted her thoughts she looked Tobias in the eye with out a shred of pity in and smiled. Tobias was a little surprised but his respect grew for the small woman. "Where's Vegeta I need to speak with him?"
"Upstairs I think." His eye glazed over for a minute searching for something. "No he's not here right now, he's out." He said returning to look at her. Now not only was she still looking at him with no pity, she was now mad.
"I thought you said he was upstairs?" She accused. Tobias shifted under her angry gaze. 'What in the name of Hades is with this woman? She must be a water element, which means she has a lot of inner power.' Tobias thought. 'Especially when she's pissed.' He gulped as an image of a furious Talana entered his mind.
"Ms. Briefs I am not trying to fool you. The only ones at home are myself and Talana."
"TALANA!" With that Bulma had slammed past Tobias into the house. Tobias spun after her grabbing a hold of her arm.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" He demanded.
"Where is that little slut?!" Bulma screamed out raged ignoring Tobias's question.
'Well at lest Talana made a strong impression.' Tobias thought grimily.
"Tobias what's going on?" Talana called from the top of the stairs. "YOU!" She cried in surprise at seeing Bulma.
"Yes me, you blond bitch!" Bulma yelled slipping from Tobias's startled grip and storming up the stairs. Talana stood her ground enraged.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!" She screamed.
"You heard me you man stealing whore!" Bulma screamed reaching the top of the red carpeted stairs.
(AN: This next part is what Bulma and Talana are saying at the same time.)
"I don't know why my brother would tell you about this place but-
"First it's Yamcha and now it's Vegeta! Well I won't let you take-
(AN: Back to normal.)
Both of the women stopped to think about what the other one said.
"WHAT?!" They both yelled at the same time.
"You're sleeping with Veggie?!" Talana cried.
"You're his sister? I thought you were his ex?!" Bulma cried also. They both froze to glare and think.
"YES." They yelled again at the same time.
"Talana, I just get back and your already yelling at Tobias! If you want me to get any sleep you'll-!" An angry voice yelled to Bulma's left. Both of the women turned to see a very beaten and surprised Vegeta hanging out the door of his room. "Oh kusto!" Vegeta cursed diving back into his room.
"Not so fast Vegeta!" Bulma yelled pushing passed Talana to follow Vegeta. By the time Bulma was inside Vegeta was already spread out on his bed half unconscious. "Vegeta are you alright?" Bulma asked stepping closer. His eyes snapped open glaring.
"I'm fine." He snarled sitting up slightly lending on his elbow. Shutting his eyes tight and shaking his head he seemed to clear his head of the pain. "Just one thing. Don't take me to a hospital." With that he fainted back onto his pillow again.
"Vegeta!" Bulma cried falling to her knees next to the bed. "Oh Kame he's so cooled. We have to get him some help!" She said trying to pick him up. Looking behind her she saw Tobias and Talana leaning on opposite sides of the doorframe. "Help me!"
"You heard him, he can't go to the hospital. In a few days he'll be fine." Tobias said calmly.
"If you won't help I'll do it myself." Bulma growled turning back to Vegeta again. A strong hand fell on her shoulder. Looking up she saw Talana.
"Bulma I can't let you take my brother anywhere. He is safer here with us. Do you really think I would let my own flesh and blood die? I may try to kill him myself a lot but he and Tobias are the only ones I have left. Trust me he will be fine." Her calm voice reassured her. Letting go of Vegeta Bulma gazed down on him.
"Can I stay with him?" She asked softly brushing a piece of hair out of his face.
"Sure." Talana said lifting her hand from Bulma's shoulder. Quietly both Talana and Tobias left the room closing the door behind them.
"I like her Talana, and you did a good thing." Tobias said as the two of them walked down the stairs.
"I know, I just hope Vegeta will be ok."
"He'll heal don't worry."
"It's not that." Talana said stopping to look back at his room. "I felt the connection they share, it's like ours, unbreakable."
"Then they are in for a very hard time knowing how Vegeta is." Tobias said putting an arm around her shoulders.
"I think Bulma can feel the link but Vegeta may never understand."
"Have a little faith in your brother, he may change." Tobias said continuing their walk down stairs.
"After all this time? Maybe, I just don't know." Talana whispered taking a last glance at the room. "But if they do get together I really hope she likes blood because otherwise were going to have a major problem." Tobias paused and wrapped his arms around Talana.
"What makes you think he'll change her?" Tobias questioned.
"Well he kinda has to if he wants her to stick around." Talana reasoned. "But enough about my brothers sex life I'd rather talk about my own." She grinded her hips into Tobias's.
"Well that's one discussion that defiantly warrants my approval." Tobias whispered against Talana's lips before fully claming them. Talana dissolved into water as and Tobias turned to air. The two elements began to swirl together until they became a small hurricane that swept through the house destroying all in it's wake until they slammed through Tobias's bedroom doors. The doors slammed shut after them and a giggle was heard through the doors.
***
Opening his eye Vegeta was surprised to see sunlight, shutting his eyes again he slowly let them adjust. 'Who opened my curtains?' Looking around the saw the culprit. Her soft blue hair was thrown across his bed her arms supporting her sleeping head. Her eyelashes a delicate contrast to her pale coloring. Her thin lips were open slightly mumbling things from her dreams.
'What is she doing here still? How did she even find me?' Looking at his hands he saw that his wounds had been cleaned and bandaged. 'Did she do this, why?' Looking closer at her he could see a first aid capsule in her hand. 'So many questions that can only be answered with her waking up.' But instead of yelling at her he used him mind to grab the capsule and float it over her head. With a satisfied smirk he dropped it.
The thing made soft thunk as it hit her head and slowly she woke up. Focusing her eyes on Vegeta she smiled.
"Your up." She said softly cracking her neck from the hard night's sleep.
"I am and what are you doing here?" Vegeta growled glaring at her. Her smile vanished as she realized that he was not a morning person.
"I followed you."
"Not possible."
"Listen to me for two minutes! I followed you in my own ingenious way. When I got here I met you ex-wife. Oh wait I mean your sister." Bulma said sarcastically. Vegeta continued to glare. "Is there a reason why you lied to me or do you just like lying to people for no reason?"
"If I make it an open point that I am attached to someone than they are in danger. The more people that know the truth the more chances I could be betrayed." Vegeta didn't want to tell her the truth but she had a gift for finding him in a lie and he needed her to trust him to get the DragonBalls.
"Vegeta I wouldn't betray you."
"But there is that chance. That's all I need to be secretive."
"Will you tell me what happened to you?" She asked softly.
"Yes but not all for your own safety." Bulma nodded waiting for him to continue. "When I was much younger a man killed every one of my family except Talana. He had the help of his personal priest. They were vampires and they took my sister. I sought to train under The Dark Flame so I could save her. Tobias helped me to save her but we weren't strong enough to kill them. Now we heard they were back so I went to fight them, I lost. And that's it."
"You stupid son of a bitch why didn't you get any help?" Bulma asked angry again slamming her small fist into the bed.
"Listen to me you little bossy bitch-
"Shut up Vegeta for once. You may think you know everything but you don't!"
"I know you. You were a smart little girl as a child. So smart that you skipped grades and had no friends. You stayed apart from everyone doing your own thing but still always alone. Then you got one person to stick around you for a while. You were shy, insecure, and to over shadow it you were loud and bossy. Always looking for someone to be with you. Well nothing has changed, your still looking for someone to hold onto and still are as you continue to be loud as a bullhorn." Vegeta hissed watching his words sink into her brain, reliving some memory. When her eye returned to him they were icy and cold.
"And what about you? Some little boy that so important all others were inferior. You put your trust, love, and faith in one person and when it's betrayed you collapse into darkness. Your life becomes an empty shell to continue living. You give your life a pointless reason to continue on, but it becomes more than that. It becomes your only reason to live. Is that better Vegeta, better than my way? At lest I'm still alive inside." Her words were cold and painful to listen to but Vegeta listened.
"Well, it seems we all have are battles to win." Vegeta muttered.
"You going to come back to Capsule Corp. with me?" Bulma asked avoiding his eyes. 'Do you still care about me? That's what she really means. Even after that she wants to stay together.' Vegeta thought surprised.
"Yes." 'To both.' "But no doctors." Vegeta growled. 'Talana I'm leaving. I'll be in touch.' He listened for her answering reply but didn't hear anything. "One sec." He told Bulma. He closed his eyes and astral projected out of the room towards his sister's ki.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Yelled Vegeta jerking upwards. He leaned his face into his hands and started mumbling. "Bad image, very bad image. Evil image, image go away now." He sat back up looking perfectly normal. Bulma stared at him.
"What happened." She asked. Vegeta grimaced.
"I astral projected in on Talana and Tobias." Bulma stared at him before bursting into laughter.
"Let me just contact Talana and we'll leave." Vegeta said.
'Talana I am going to leave with Bulma I'll contact you in a couple of days.'
'Good get out then.'
"I'll get the car and then I'll help you out." Bulma said getting and turning towards the door. She was stopped by Vegeta's hand that had grabbed her's. The power in his touch lit her on fire but she calmly looked at him.
"No need, I can transport us there. Let me grab something." With his mind Vegeta floated the pendant to his hand. As it hit his hand the world around them changed from Vegeta's room at the mansion to his room at Capsule Corp.
"Wow!" Bulma breathed taking a look around. Vegeta fell back onto his bed and moved so he would be comfortable. "Well I guess you need your rest so just call if you need anything." She walked to the door sad at the way things had gone.
"Woman." He called not opening his eyes. She stopped and looked over her shoulder at him. "Our personal life will not be mixed with our day lives." She smiled.
"That's fine, I don't like big displays of emotion anyway." Tacking the last few strides she closed the door after her leaving Vegeta alone.
(AN: In the next chapter the Dragon will be summoned. But by who and for what I will leave you to wonder.)
True Colors
"Well it's been a long time, Father Zarbon. Or have you changed your faith again?" Vegeta spat taking to the air. Zarbon flew after him with just as much ease. "Now that I have done away with Dodoria shall we begin the real fight?"
"What? You want me to believe that beating Dodoria was so easy for you?" Zarbon said with a strong sense of confidence. It didn't faze Vegeta he could see that Zarbon was sweating.
"He he he very easy in fact." Vegeta said between his laughs. Zarbon just glared.
"I don't believe it." Zarbon said slightly smiling.
"Well Father, you must allow me to show you the errors of your ways." Zarbon's smile didn't disappear but it seemed to become more strained.
"Don't you quote me Vegeta, a quote from a traitor is nothing."
"Traitor? No self-respecting person could serve the likes of that piece of shit. I have learned that in my time there is no way to kill him, he has too much time on me. But now that I've found a way for absolute power.!"
"The DragonBalls?" He said trying to catch on.
"Yes stupid and Freeza will never have them! And once I have the DragonBalls he is done!" Vegeta yelled lowering himself to an attack position.
"It's you that doesn't seem to understand. Master Freeza is beyond anything you can imagine. Even with that kind of power you can't beat him."
"When will you blasphemous pig realize that I am the one who will bring you and that demon to your knees!?" Vegeta roared in rage.
"Watch that tongue Vegeta. Master Freeza and myself are the most powerful forces in the universe." Zarbon sniped smiling again. Something in his tone seemed to calm Vegeta, making his grin in return.
"Is that so.?" He mocked. In a flash Vegeta disappeared from sight. Zarbon realizing what he was doing spun to his right his fist striking out to stop Vegeta before he could attack. Vegeta caught his punch easily. Zarbon froze in shock, he could figure how Vegeta could be so powerful.
The power surging around Vegeta flared him roaring with the energy. Taking a firmer hold on Zarbon's fist Vegeta tossed him into the air. Zarbon twisted through the air finding his balance again. Zarbon halted his fight in time to see Vegeta zooming after him. One of Zarbon's hands snapped out held still by his other as he powered up to form one of his most powerful attacks.
The blinding flash of light shot out of his hand making rushing to meet the rushing Vegeta. Vegeta slowed to a stop before the attack but he didn't move out of the way. Instead he let loose a powerful roar tossing the attack aside. The blast flew across the sky to land miles away in a dazzling explosion. Zarbon couldn't move.
"Y.you just.knocked it away." He stuttered in his surprise. But Vegeta didn't pause to respond; moving faster than the eye could see Vegeta rocketed to Zarbon slamming his elbow into his face. Zarbon recovered from the blow and started to punch at Vegeta's face only to miss every time. Each time his fist reached Vegeta's face all he would hit was an after image, all of them grinning at him.
"This can't be the same vampire I once knew! It looks like you're standing still!!!" In a flash Vegeta had flipped over backward kicking Zarbon in the face sending him speeding towards the ground. Zarbon was lucky to land on the ground on all fours and recover quickly but not quick enough to block Vegeta's following move. Landing behind him Vegeta used a quick kick to his back sending Zarbon flying into the dirt.
"Come on Zarbon, my blood isn't moving yet!" Vegeta called to Zarbon not continuing his attack. He stood watching the weak Zarbon pull himself onto his feet.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Poor Vegeta, you have no idea. Yes you have come very far with your power but as you will see mine is still far greater." Zarbon said standing back up. His head turned to face Vegeta with a small trickle of blood coming down his chin.
"What? Far greater you say?" Vegeta said mockingly. Zarbon just smiled.
"Indeed." Whipping way the blood on his chin Zarbon stood a little taller than before.
"I see.ha ha ha ha ha!!! Zarbon even near your death you entertain me!" Vegeta laughed.
"Before you die again young Vegeta I will tell you what you are up against. The oldest of the vampires have a special ability to transform into a close demon from. A way of tapping into the oldest and purest power."
"Transforming? There is no such thing. Dying men do say the funniest things when they're desperate."
"You're wrong Vegeta. The only reason I haven't transformed in so long is that the form disgusts me. I find my more human form much more pleasing."
"Is that so. Well if this transformed body is more ugly then your currant form than this will be every interesting."
"If you had any sense Vegeta you would be terrified." Suddenly everything changed. The once beaten Zarbon changed into a monster. His body expanded, his face a fat scaly lizard's, and his power tripled. Its teeth became longer and sharper, talons springing from his fingers. Vegeta cried out in shocked surprise.
As Vegeta stared on shocked Zarbon rushed at him. Vegeta didn't even have time to move before Zarbon had a hold of him. Both of his monster-sized hands clamped down over his head crushing against his scull. The pain ripped into him, the pressure overwhelming.
In an instant the pressure was gone but Vegeta was now soaring through the air. As Vegeta regained himself he realized something. 'I can't win. I need help. It's too late to call Talana and Tobias they'll both be killed. One fight, one death, mine' Taking his last power Vegeta dived back at Earth to meet Zarbon in air. Seeing Zarbon's attack Vegeta veered at the last second.
"Vegeta you shouldn't be so surprised. I told you that the oldest vampires could transform. Which means that Master Freeza can too. And since he is he oldest he has far more power. So no matter how much you think you understand his abilities you will always be wrong."
Taking his time Zarbon shot a powerful attack at Vegeta. Moving at the last second Vegeta dodged the attack, but was caught of guard when two huge arms wrapped around him crushing his ribs. He could feel his chest grinding in on it's self. Through the pain Vegeta reached out for his last hope. 'Talana.Tobias.help me.'
'Vegeta hold on!' Talana cried in his mind. At the same time Vegeta felt the hold on him disappear which is not as good as it sounds. For now there was nothing holding Vegeta up and he was now falling a long way to the ground. Vegeta was barely aware as two slim arms caught him in mid fall.
"It's ok Vegeta we're here." Talana whispered above him.
"Get out, now!" Vegeta breathed fighting the need to black out. "He can't be beaten, listen to me get out of here." But Vegeta really didn't know if they listened to his pleas and transported out of there for he couldn't fight the blackness any longer.
***
"Veggie open your eyes I can see you moving." Talana said above him. Vegeta opened his only good eye to glare at his sister.
"Yes but if I kept faking sleep maybe you would have gone away," Vegeta spat closing his eyes again.
"Fine, I'll leave you alone when you get something to eat and you better be gone when I come back." Vegeta could hear Talana storm out of his room. He knew it was his room by the feel of the sheets, but he knew she was right. This time it would be hard to convince some girl to trust a limping man. Dawning a disguise Vegeta vanished from his room to the city of Rome.
***
Bulma took one last look at the device in her hand then to the mansion for the ninth time. She sat in her car just outside the iron gate to the estate. It had a long curvy driveway leading to a circle just in front of the mansion it's self. The walls surrounding the estate were 11 feet tall and made of a white stone. From what Bulma could see of the main house it was made of the same white stone with ivy crawling up the three stories.
"Well it sure is big." Bulma muttered still looking at the house. 'What did you expect, a shack in the woods? You should have guessed he was arrogant for a reason. But still it's big.' Turning the wheel Bulma pulled into the drive.
Stepping out of her car Bulma walked up to the gate. From what she could see there was no alarms or locks. 'Kind of stupid of them. My father and I work on the best alarms systems so I'd know if they had anything. But you'd think that with this place they'd have at least a dog.' Placing both hands on the cool metal gate she pushed hard for the gate was very old and rusted.
Finally getting the gate open she returned to her car and started up the driveway. The estate was huge with large trees in clumps, wide clearings with wild roses entangled in the bushes. As she drove closer to the building Bulma saw that the house had to be over a hundred years old. 'No wonder they don't have any new security.' She thought parking the car in front of the front door. Looking around Bulma saw no people, cameras, or animals.
"Kind of spooky up close." She whispered getting out of the car never looking away from the house. The door of her clicked and Bulma pressed a small button on hood. With a poof the car was gone and in it's place a capsule. Bending over she scooped up the thing, which is harder than it sounds for she still wasn't looking away from the building before her.
Exchanging her worried face for one that more resembled anger she stomped up the stone steps to the oak door. All though she looked more confident she slowed at the door, spotting a large knocker she slammed it in to the door three times. Almost before she finished the door was flung open.
"Hi I'm looking for- AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Bulma screamed at the person before her. Half of his face was a handsome man that Bulma could have sworn looked familiar but the other was the reason for the scream. The other half was burned and disfigured in a horrible way that didn't look human. "What happened to you face?!" She cried jumping away. Tobias stared at her for a minute before answering.
"When I was an innocent my friends dared me to enter the temple of Zeus. The priests caught me and poured oil across my face as penance." His cool voice answered. Calming down Bulma averted her eyes and stepped closer.
"I'm sorry." All Tobias did was nod. 'I bet he gets that a lot.' Bulma thought sadly, closing her eyes for a minute she readjusted her thoughts she looked Tobias in the eye with out a shred of pity in and smiled. Tobias was a little surprised but his respect grew for the small woman. "Where's Vegeta I need to speak with him?"
"Upstairs I think." His eye glazed over for a minute searching for something. "No he's not here right now, he's out." He said returning to look at her. Now not only was she still looking at him with no pity, she was now mad.
"I thought you said he was upstairs?" She accused. Tobias shifted under her angry gaze. 'What in the name of Hades is with this woman? She must be a water element, which means she has a lot of inner power.' Tobias thought. 'Especially when she's pissed.' He gulped as an image of a furious Talana entered his mind.
"Ms. Briefs I am not trying to fool you. The only ones at home are myself and Talana."
"TALANA!" With that Bulma had slammed past Tobias into the house. Tobias spun after her grabbing a hold of her arm.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" He demanded.
"Where is that little slut?!" Bulma screamed out raged ignoring Tobias's question.
'Well at lest Talana made a strong impression.' Tobias thought grimily.
"Tobias what's going on?" Talana called from the top of the stairs. "YOU!" She cried in surprise at seeing Bulma.
"Yes me, you blond bitch!" Bulma yelled slipping from Tobias's startled grip and storming up the stairs. Talana stood her ground enraged.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!" She screamed.
"You heard me you man stealing whore!" Bulma screamed reaching the top of the red carpeted stairs.
(AN: This next part is what Bulma and Talana are saying at the same time.)
"I don't know why my brother would tell you about this place but-
"First it's Yamcha and now it's Vegeta! Well I won't let you take-
(AN: Back to normal.)
Both of the women stopped to think about what the other one said.
"WHAT?!" They both yelled at the same time.
"You're sleeping with Veggie?!" Talana cried.
"You're his sister? I thought you were his ex?!" Bulma cried also. They both froze to glare and think.
"YES." They yelled again at the same time.
"Talana, I just get back and your already yelling at Tobias! If you want me to get any sleep you'll-!" An angry voice yelled to Bulma's left. Both of the women turned to see a very beaten and surprised Vegeta hanging out the door of his room. "Oh kusto!" Vegeta cursed diving back into his room.
"Not so fast Vegeta!" Bulma yelled pushing passed Talana to follow Vegeta. By the time Bulma was inside Vegeta was already spread out on his bed half unconscious. "Vegeta are you alright?" Bulma asked stepping closer. His eyes snapped open glaring.
"I'm fine." He snarled sitting up slightly lending on his elbow. Shutting his eyes tight and shaking his head he seemed to clear his head of the pain. "Just one thing. Don't take me to a hospital." With that he fainted back onto his pillow again.
"Vegeta!" Bulma cried falling to her knees next to the bed. "Oh Kame he's so cooled. We have to get him some help!" She said trying to pick him up. Looking behind her she saw Tobias and Talana leaning on opposite sides of the doorframe. "Help me!"
"You heard him, he can't go to the hospital. In a few days he'll be fine." Tobias said calmly.
"If you won't help I'll do it myself." Bulma growled turning back to Vegeta again. A strong hand fell on her shoulder. Looking up she saw Talana.
"Bulma I can't let you take my brother anywhere. He is safer here with us. Do you really think I would let my own flesh and blood die? I may try to kill him myself a lot but he and Tobias are the only ones I have left. Trust me he will be fine." Her calm voice reassured her. Letting go of Vegeta Bulma gazed down on him.
"Can I stay with him?" She asked softly brushing a piece of hair out of his face.
"Sure." Talana said lifting her hand from Bulma's shoulder. Quietly both Talana and Tobias left the room closing the door behind them.
"I like her Talana, and you did a good thing." Tobias said as the two of them walked down the stairs.
"I know, I just hope Vegeta will be ok."
"He'll heal don't worry."
"It's not that." Talana said stopping to look back at his room. "I felt the connection they share, it's like ours, unbreakable."
"Then they are in for a very hard time knowing how Vegeta is." Tobias said putting an arm around her shoulders.
"I think Bulma can feel the link but Vegeta may never understand."
"Have a little faith in your brother, he may change." Tobias said continuing their walk down stairs.
"After all this time? Maybe, I just don't know." Talana whispered taking a last glance at the room. "But if they do get together I really hope she likes blood because otherwise were going to have a major problem." Tobias paused and wrapped his arms around Talana.
"What makes you think he'll change her?" Tobias questioned.
"Well he kinda has to if he wants her to stick around." Talana reasoned. "But enough about my brothers sex life I'd rather talk about my own." She grinded her hips into Tobias's.
"Well that's one discussion that defiantly warrants my approval." Tobias whispered against Talana's lips before fully claming them. Talana dissolved into water as and Tobias turned to air. The two elements began to swirl together until they became a small hurricane that swept through the house destroying all in it's wake until they slammed through Tobias's bedroom doors. The doors slammed shut after them and a giggle was heard through the doors.
***
Opening his eye Vegeta was surprised to see sunlight, shutting his eyes again he slowly let them adjust. 'Who opened my curtains?' Looking around the saw the culprit. Her soft blue hair was thrown across his bed her arms supporting her sleeping head. Her eyelashes a delicate contrast to her pale coloring. Her thin lips were open slightly mumbling things from her dreams.
'What is she doing here still? How did she even find me?' Looking at his hands he saw that his wounds had been cleaned and bandaged. 'Did she do this, why?' Looking closer at her he could see a first aid capsule in her hand. 'So many questions that can only be answered with her waking up.' But instead of yelling at her he used him mind to grab the capsule and float it over her head. With a satisfied smirk he dropped it.
The thing made soft thunk as it hit her head and slowly she woke up. Focusing her eyes on Vegeta she smiled.
"Your up." She said softly cracking her neck from the hard night's sleep.
"I am and what are you doing here?" Vegeta growled glaring at her. Her smile vanished as she realized that he was not a morning person.
"I followed you."
"Not possible."
"Listen to me for two minutes! I followed you in my own ingenious way. When I got here I met you ex-wife. Oh wait I mean your sister." Bulma said sarcastically. Vegeta continued to glare. "Is there a reason why you lied to me or do you just like lying to people for no reason?"
"If I make it an open point that I am attached to someone than they are in danger. The more people that know the truth the more chances I could be betrayed." Vegeta didn't want to tell her the truth but she had a gift for finding him in a lie and he needed her to trust him to get the DragonBalls.
"Vegeta I wouldn't betray you."
"But there is that chance. That's all I need to be secretive."
"Will you tell me what happened to you?" She asked softly.
"Yes but not all for your own safety." Bulma nodded waiting for him to continue. "When I was much younger a man killed every one of my family except Talana. He had the help of his personal priest. They were vampires and they took my sister. I sought to train under The Dark Flame so I could save her. Tobias helped me to save her but we weren't strong enough to kill them. Now we heard they were back so I went to fight them, I lost. And that's it."
"You stupid son of a bitch why didn't you get any help?" Bulma asked angry again slamming her small fist into the bed.
"Listen to me you little bossy bitch-
"Shut up Vegeta for once. You may think you know everything but you don't!"
"I know you. You were a smart little girl as a child. So smart that you skipped grades and had no friends. You stayed apart from everyone doing your own thing but still always alone. Then you got one person to stick around you for a while. You were shy, insecure, and to over shadow it you were loud and bossy. Always looking for someone to be with you. Well nothing has changed, your still looking for someone to hold onto and still are as you continue to be loud as a bullhorn." Vegeta hissed watching his words sink into her brain, reliving some memory. When her eye returned to him they were icy and cold.
"And what about you? Some little boy that so important all others were inferior. You put your trust, love, and faith in one person and when it's betrayed you collapse into darkness. Your life becomes an empty shell to continue living. You give your life a pointless reason to continue on, but it becomes more than that. It becomes your only reason to live. Is that better Vegeta, better than my way? At lest I'm still alive inside." Her words were cold and painful to listen to but Vegeta listened.
"Well, it seems we all have are battles to win." Vegeta muttered.
"You going to come back to Capsule Corp. with me?" Bulma asked avoiding his eyes. 'Do you still care about me? That's what she really means. Even after that she wants to stay together.' Vegeta thought surprised.
"Yes." 'To both.' "But no doctors." Vegeta growled. 'Talana I'm leaving. I'll be in touch.' He listened for her answering reply but didn't hear anything. "One sec." He told Bulma. He closed his eyes and astral projected out of the room towards his sister's ki.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Yelled Vegeta jerking upwards. He leaned his face into his hands and started mumbling. "Bad image, very bad image. Evil image, image go away now." He sat back up looking perfectly normal. Bulma stared at him.
"What happened." She asked. Vegeta grimaced.
"I astral projected in on Talana and Tobias." Bulma stared at him before bursting into laughter.
"Let me just contact Talana and we'll leave." Vegeta said.
'Talana I am going to leave with Bulma I'll contact you in a couple of days.'
'Good get out then.'
"I'll get the car and then I'll help you out." Bulma said getting and turning towards the door. She was stopped by Vegeta's hand that had grabbed her's. The power in his touch lit her on fire but she calmly looked at him.
"No need, I can transport us there. Let me grab something." With his mind Vegeta floated the pendant to his hand. As it hit his hand the world around them changed from Vegeta's room at the mansion to his room at Capsule Corp.
"Wow!" Bulma breathed taking a look around. Vegeta fell back onto his bed and moved so he would be comfortable. "Well I guess you need your rest so just call if you need anything." She walked to the door sad at the way things had gone.
"Woman." He called not opening his eyes. She stopped and looked over her shoulder at him. "Our personal life will not be mixed with our day lives." She smiled.
"That's fine, I don't like big displays of emotion anyway." Tacking the last few strides she closed the door after her leaving Vegeta alone.
(AN: In the next chapter the Dragon will be summoned. But by who and for what I will leave you to wonder.)