Disclaimer: I don't own anything DB/Z/GT related…
FROZEN IN TIME
Chapter 3
It was a barren place. Covered with dry, rocky deserts and small poverty stricken villages. Well, at least, it was once covered with impoverished communities… Now there was nothing left except small building and homes with large holes blown in the sides and blood and ashes spread around every edifice.
There wasn't one person to be found, with the small exception of a pair of teenage girls roasting a deer-like animal on a spit over a fire. The taller of the two had sparkling cerulean eyes, a braid of hair that reached the small of her back and matched the color of the sea, and a furry brown tail wrapped snugly around her waist; she lazily turned the spit as her comrade shot small balls of blue ki at the insects and small creatures that had the misfortune of crossing her path.
"You know Meliah…" the blue haired beauty muttered, "I don't think those bugs deserve to meet their demise just for crossing your path…"
The other girl looked up from the ground with her icy blue eyes and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear that had somehow managed to free itself from her waist length braid. "Well then what exactly do you suggest I do?" she asked, sounding annoyed at her friend who had interrupted her fun. Her tail pulled away from her waist and swayed languidly behind her.
"You could try doing something useful for a change, like…"
"Like what exactly?" Meliah asked suspiciously.
"Well," she murmured, "this won't be done for a while… you could go check the schedule so we know where we have to go next… And then you could set up the pilot programs…"
The auburn haired girl rolled her eyes in irritation, "You know Bulma, checking the schedule at every planet to see when we go home is not going to get you back to Vegeta any faster…"
Bulma turned whipped around to face her companion, eyes flashing and tail now thrashing violently behind her. "What did you say?"
Meliah smirked devilishly, "You heard me… I know the only reason you keep examining the schedule is to check on how close we're getting to going back to Vegeta."
The sapphire eyes of the female Saiyan narrowed in rage, "You little wretch! How dare you even insinuate such a thing?" Her fist shot out in an attempt to catch the front of Meliah's armor.
The other Saiyan jumped away nimbly and grinned impishly, "You know I'm right! Don't deny it!" Meliah stepped back into a large dried shrub that looked as if it hadn't had water in over a year. Her eyes darted down where she spotted a small amount of movement; a small tanned hand shot down and grabbed hold of something moving around in the bush. "Well look what we have here Bulma…" the Saiyan drawled to her friend; out of the bush, Meliah pulled a small boy with shining black hair and eerily pure white eyes out by his ankle. "Strange looking thing, isn't it?"
"I wouldn't talk… At least I don't have a tail…" the small boy spat viciously.
Bulma's eyebrows raised slightly, "Well… what a spunky little monster… How… surprising for someone of its species…"
The small boy growled, "I'm not a monster you beasts!"
"Beasts are we? Tell us boy, what's your name?"
The boy looked up suspiciously at his two Saiyan captors. "Why? What reason could I possibly have for telling you beasts my name?"
Meliah raised an eyebrow and gave the boy hanging from her hand a considering glance before settling her gaze on her comrade, "Boy's got a point Bulma…"
The blue-haired Saiyan nodded and gave a small smirk, "Yeah, maybe we should just leave him alone."
"Or," Meliah said, dragging the word out longer than necessary, "we could give him a five second head start, chase him down, and remove vital appendages and organs one at a time in five minute intervals…" After dropping the dark haired child unceremoniously to the ground the auburn haired Saiyan reveled in the creature's apparent fear.
Bulma's smirk morphed into an impish grin and an evil glint appeared in her cerulean eyes, "Isn't that what we did to the little monster's mother?"
The small boys colorless eyes went wide; his façade of cold hatred melted away to reveal the demeanor of a frightened little boy. "H-how do you know about my mother?" he whimpered softly.
"You can't honestly tell me that you thought your scream went unheard?" Meliah drawled.
If possible, the boy's eyes became even bigger, "B-but… my brother… he covered my mouth… No normal person could have heard it…"
"Yes," Bulma laughed cruelly, "but we're not exactly normal…"
"Exactly, so naturally we heard you scream when I pulled out your mother's heart…
The boy was now writhing on the ground in an attempt to block out Meliah's words.
"…and fed it to your dog…" she continued sarcastic empathy.
Letting out an agonized cry, the boy curled up into a fetal position and began shaking violently.
"Do you remember what we did to your brother, boy?" Meliah asked sweetly as she crouched down next the broken child.
Bulma began chewing on her lower lip as she watched her longtime friend torture the boy, "Meliah, I think he's had enough…"
The Saiyan stopped abruptly, her icy eyes narrowed and she looked up at the interrupter of amusement. "What?" Meliah snapped angrily. "Are you losing your nerve Bulma?"
"He's just a kid Meliah… Let's just leave him alone…" she continued.
A deep-throated growl resounded in Meliah's throat as she stood from her kneeling position next to the boy, "Fine… Whatever… Kill him and get it over with…" As she walked past the fire she pulled a piece of the meat off the deer and continued toward the two pods several meters away.
"Where are you going?" Bulma called after her irritated companion. "You didn't kill him…"
"You do it…" Meliah yelled back, obvious annoyance in her voice. "I'm going to be calibrating the auto pilot programs for our next destination."
The aqua-haired Saiyan sighed deeply and glanced down at the boy twitching at her feet. "Sorry about this kid…" she whispered softly before hitting the child with a wave of ki that enveloped his entire body in purple light. When the light vanished there was nothing left of the body but a small pile of smoking ashes that was slowly shrinking as the breeze gently captured the soot and carried across the sky. Bulma turned to the spit and removed the portions of meat that were not charred, placed it on two separate plates and carried it to her comrade who was standing outside her pod furiously typing numbers into a small remote control. "Here…" Bulma muttered handing one of the plates too Meliah.
Meliah simply grunted and motioned for Bulma to set the plate at her feet.
"I didn't mean to ruin your fun…" the blue-haired Saiyan started her tail curling and uncurling nervously around her ankle. "I just…"
"Yeah, I know…" Meliah replied quickly as if to prevent Bulma from saying anything that she herself would not know how to react to.
"How can you do it?" she asked softly as she sat on the dry earth next to her friend. "Every time I see one of them suffering like that, it takes me back to the day Freiza beat Vegeta so badly and left him lying on the floor of his room for two days."
"And we didn't find him until he was permanently scarred from the wounds," the other continued, beginning to press the keys on the remote control with even more force.
"Exactly… Do you think we'll ever see him again?" Bulma asked softly.
With an attempted smirk Meliah tried to lighten the mood, "I'm sure of it, and considering recent events, he will probably still be standing there with that shocked look on his face."
Ignoring the other Saiyan's remark she asked again, this time with more pain in her voice, "How can you do it?"
Meliah tossed the remote into one of the pods and hunkered down on the ground with her blue-haired companion. Suddenly becoming very interested in her food she replied, "I guess I'm more like my father than I thought…" After a long and uncomfortable silence Meliah looked up with a small smirk, "Guess what?"
Bulma's eyebrows knitted together, "What?"
"This was our last purge…" Noticing that Bulma wasn't making the connection for herself, Meliah continued, "We're going back…"
Both of the Saiyans broke out in genuine smiles.
"Vegeta…" Bulma muttered under her breath, hoping Meliah wouldn't catch what she had said.
"Yes, and I'll bet that fool still has that ridiculous, awe-struck look on his face…" Meliah replied to the comment that wasn't directed at her.
Bulma gave her friend a confused look.
"You know the one…" the auburn-haired Saiyan mocked, pulling her facial expression into one of total shock, complete with wide eyes and gaping mouth. "Don't tell me you don't remember that kiss?"
The other Saiyan's eyes widened considerably and her mouth dropped open slightly.
"Yep," Meliah said with a nod, "that's the face he made, alright... I bet you fifty credits that he makes that face again when he sees us…" After a short pause she amended, "When he sees you…"
The cerulean-eyed goddess quickly shut her mouth, "What makes you think he won't fall madly in love with you when he runs into us again?"
With a snort Meliah tossed her meat off her plate and climbed into her space pod, "Please… I've been inside that boy's mind, and he was ready to mate you before puberty… I can only imagine what he'll be like now…"
Climbing into her own pod, Bulma smiled, "Do you really think so?" As the doors to the two pods closed the pair resorted to telepathy to continue their conversation.
**Absolutely… If Vegeta is anything like every other male I've encountered in my life he will want you from the moment he sees you. It's really quite sickening…**
~You're just jealous…~
**Yes… How I long for Vegeta to want me the way he wants you…**
~You're so mean… Can't you just be happy for me?~
**Nope, no way. Now I'm going to sleep… You do the same…**
~Oh Vegeta… I can't wait to see you…~
**I can still here you…**
~Meliah! Can't you stay out of my head for five minutes?! I would like to have one personal thought to myself, thank you!~
**Yes, and I would like to sleep without you interrupting me with your disturbing thoughts about Vegeta… Now go to sleep!**
~Yes sir, Meliah sir!~
~Vegeta, I'm coming back to you!~
~*~*~*~*~*~
This was the time he hated most. Right in between purging missions. Freiza would always find some fault in something he had done, and punish him for it, even if it was a trivial matter. Last time it was something about disregarding an order. It wasn't his fault that Zarbon had given him the wrong coordinates for the planet he was supposed to go to. He ended up destroying a race of people that Freiza had a treaty with.
::I suppose Zarbon did that on purpose. Oh well…I wonder what Zarbon did that I'll get punished for this time? Huh?::
Vegeta was suddenly violently jerked from of his thoughts when two high and unfamiliar kis approached the ship.
:: I wonder who that is? I guess I'll go see…it'll give me something to do.::
~::~::~::~::~::~
"Do you suppose that Vegeta is here?" asked Bulma.
"He's here, and he is headed this way. Quick, lower your ki and…" replied Meliah. She trailed off when she saw an older version of her other best friend headed in their direction. "Run!" The two girls took off down the corridor away from Vegeta.
"Why are we running from him?" Bulma called over to her friend.
"We want to surprise him, that's why. I have the most brilliant idea! We'll go see him tonight so that freak Zarbon doesn't stop us. You have to remember that we aren't supposed to see Vegeta," she yelled back.
"Um…ok, whatever, but I don't know how long I can wait to see him…"
~When I see him I'm gunna give him a big hug! I'm sure he'll like that. I don't care if I do lose 50 credits or not. He has probably fallen for some other girl on the ship anyway…~
**You know, Bulma, you would probably have a better chance of getting with him if you play hard to get. That will drive him wild!**
~I wish you wouldn't do that! Stop poking into my thoughts! Just because you can doesn't mean you should!~
**But its so entertaining reading the mind of a fool that is hopelessly in love with one of my best friends! It's even more entertaining reading his thoughts 'cause he is so prideful.**
~Does he know that you do that?~
**Yep! And it annoys the living crap out of him! That's what makes it so fun!**
~You are pure evil! Do you know that?~
**Vegeta told me the exact same thing! What a coincidence! Yes I know I'm evil!**
~Okay, whatever Meliah! Wait!~
The two stopped running and looked at each other. "Where are we?" asked Bulma.
"Uh…I dunno?" replied a confused Meliah. "Lets find Freiza and tell him that we're back. I'm sure he will be very happy to see us…"
"Yeah right he'll be happy to see the two monkeys he sent away, hopefully for good! Infuriating Freiza sounds like fun, lets go!" agreed Bulma.
"Where did they go?" a very confused Vegeta asked to no one in particular.
"Now, now, my little Monkey Prince, it isn't good to talk to yourself," answered a mocking voice behind him.
Vegeta turned around trying his best not to begin a rant about being called a monkey. "Lord Freiza, I was not talking to myself. I was looking for the two new kis that I felt."
"Are you contradicting me, Vegeta?" asked Freiza dangerously.
"Forgive me, Lord Freiza. I think I have just been training too hard. Perhaps I need some sleep…" he replied.
"Yes, well, you do that."
Just then Bulma and Meliah walked into the room and spotted Freiza standing next to Vegeta. "Well, Bulma, it looks as if you won't have to wait to see Vegeta. There he is right there," said Meliah calmly.
"Kami! Do I look all right?" cried a frantic Bulma as she attempted to brush the nonexistent dust from her armor.
"You look fine! Now just relax! Come on!" She grabbed her friend and started to drag her towards Freiza and Vegeta.
"Lord Freiza!" she called. "We were just looking for you."
"Excuse me?" he asked turning to see who was speaking.
Vegeta then saw the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes upon. With her long beautiful blue braid and swaying light brown tail the Saiyan prince could have mistaken her for the Saiyan Sea Goddess Ariana.
"Don't tell me that you've forgotten us so quickly!" Bulma exclaimed. "Remember, you sent us away 10 years ago because we killed some race that we weren't supposed to or something along the lines of that." She sounded extremely calm considering how nervous she was feeling about being so near Vegeta.
"Let me see, I do recall doing something like that to a couple of Saiyans, yes, but I don't recall your names."
"I am-" started Bulma.
"Bulma," said Vegeta in a state of shock. His eyes were wide and his mouth was hanging wide open as he realized exactly who she was.
"Yeah that's right, Vegeta," she said as she and Meliah burst into a fit of giggles that had them doubled over holding their sides.
"Meliah, what is so funny?" asked Vegeta sounding extremely confused and not understanding why they were laughing at.
"Well…haha…its just, that…..hahaha…..is the exact….." Meliah paused to gasp for air, "…..face that you made when we left," she cried and she took control of her laughing. She wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "You owe me 50 credits, Bulma, even though that was almost worth it to see his face."
"Alright, alright, but you were right. You said when I asked if we would ever see
him again and you said, and I quote 'I'm sure of it, and considering recent
events, he will probably still be standing there with that shocked look on his
face.'
"
"That reminds me, you never told me what he said to you that made you kiss him! You have tell me that tonight!"
"That, my friend, is none of your friggen' business!" she replied as she turned to Vegeta. "So, Veggie-chan, we've been gone for 10 years. Do you have anything to say?"
"Uh…hi…" he said meekly.
"Come on Veg-head, we have wasted the precious time of Lord Freiza for long enough," said Meliah with a hint of sarcasm. "Good day, Lord Freiza!"
Ah, crap! It was hard enough putting up with them when they were little. Now what am I gunna do that they are hormonally controlled teenagers?
Down the hall Meliah began laughing to herself. *This is just the beginning, Lord Freiza. You have no idea what's coming your way…*
~::~::~::~::~::~
"So Bulma, now you have tell me what Vegeta said to you," said Meliah.
"Fine, you won't believe it if I tell you," she replied.
"Try me!"
"Okay, well when he came up to me I didn't want to talk to him, and…"
*^*Flashback*^*
"Bulma, I need to talk to you!" called Vegeta.
"Leave me alone, Vegeta! I don't want talk to you!" she replied and kept on walking.
He grabbed her wrist and turned her to look at him. "Then you can listen to me, and you don't have to talk," he whispered. "But if you do have to talk, keep your voice low 'cause I don't want Meliah to hear."
"I thought she was your best friend?" she asked quietly.
"She is, but she is an evil little wench and she would use what I'm going to say against me," he explained.
"Alright, speak," she said stubbornly. "You have 60 seconds. Go."
"The reason I said what I said is that I didn't want you know that I would miss you. You are my one weakness, and I didn't want you to know that. Meliah knowing is bad enough. I tell you now Bulma, I will miss you and I will count the days until you return to me."
She looked up at him and asked, "Really?"
"Really, now, will you miss me?"
She smiled and replied, "Yes, but here is something for you to remember me by…" Leaning in, she kissed him chastely on the cheek.
*^*End Flashback*^*
"You really are hopeless, do you know that?" asked Meliah in a teasing tone.
"Vegeta is right, you really are an evil wench! You are ruining the moment for me! I'm going for a walk, and I won't be back for a while. GOODBYE!" Bulma screamed causing her roommate to cover her ears. She walked out of the room and slammed the door loudly behind her.
Meliah flinched, "Note to self, don't tease Bulma about Vegeta when she is highly hormonal…"
::~::~::~::~::~::
Vegeta was sitting in his room trying to meditate, but he wasn't having much success. Every time he would close his eyes, he would see Bulma's smiling face.
::Damn woman! She will pay for invading for my thoughts!::
::No she won't, 'cause you would never hurt her.::
::Why not? She isn't any different then all of the other people that I've killed.::
::Yes she is.::
::I know, she is sooo pretty…WAIT! What am I thinking? No, no I can't think of her that way!::
Just then a knock at the door interrupted Vegeta's process of mentally banging his head against a wall. He walked to the door and opened it. "H-hello!" he stuttered as he took in the image of the person before him.
~*~*~*~*~*~
A/n: Who will be at the door? Will Meliah ever stop listening to Bulma and Vegeta's thoughts? And where will Bulma go during her nightly adventure through the ship? Find out in the next chapter! Plz R&R!!!!!
Man that felt really Dragonball Z Announcer-ish…
Sorry this one took longer to get out than the others… I was having trouble rewriting part of this chapter because it was accidentally deleted off of my computer AND my disc…
Please Review and Go with God!!
~*~Raven~*~