She was crouched upon the concrete, one hand on the ground to keep her steady. Her blue hair was flying back in a frantic disarray, controlled by a wind that was not there. She smirked with a darkness that bordered insanity, and her body remained absolutely still.

Her eyes were bleeding.

They were the crimson of a rose, and the red fire that consumed her pupils raged in swirling hues.

Her black cape flowed behind her, also carried by the unseen wind. It displayed her red body suit that matched perfectly with her eyes.

However, something else was disturbing. She had been waiting for them.

Vegeta and Chimera halted in front of her and allowed silence to immerse the alleyway. Vegeta's eyes were wider then they had been in some time as he looked on with uncertainty. It was Chimera who acted first.

The tiger-like beast pounced in front of Vegeta and growled.

'She's in the Blood Rage!'

'Blood Rage?' Vegeta thought back, confusion clear in his feelings. Bulma looked at him and throwing back her head, laughed aloud. It was a high piercing laugh that echoed off the buildings and hung in the air like a fog. When her exertions ceased, she brought her head back to view them, smirk still firmly implanted on her face.

'Too many emotions! Bulma's suffering from what can happen when one is connected in a partial bond. Because we are not completely committed, she has gone into this seizure if you will!'

'You aren't completely bonded?'

'Of course not! I gave myself to Bulma, but she not to me!'

'I never truly believed...'

"You look a worthy opponent!" Her voice cut like sheers as it ran through the night air. It was clear and commanding, begging all to defy it. No one did. She stood, very slowly, the invisible wind that was her fanatical power still driving back her cloak and hair. Her eyes were seething with the Blood Rage, and Vegeta was wise to take a step back.

"Woman, calm down!" She lifted an eyebrow and took a step forward. Cocking her head to the side she examined him.

"Am I not calm, Saiyan?" She took another step, but this time Vegeta held his ground. "Fight me!" She declared. She spread her legs a shoulder length apart and brought forward her clenched fists, holding them parallel to the ground. She giggled spontaneously and slowly rolled her tongue over her upper lip. "I long for blood! Give it to me!"

'She's lost her sanity! It's temporary! She can fight it, but you must help her!'

'And just how can I do that?'

'Confront the truth! Tell her you believe her!'

'Why should I?'

'She'll die if you don't! Would you like that? The Blood Rage is an occurrence that can rarely be controlled. If she looses the ability to conform her power then it will destroy her!'

'She wants to fight me!'

'Then fight her you shall, and in the midst of it you will end the misery you have wrought!'

"How long must I wait? There are many more on this planet, I can sense them! If I cannot have your blood I will have theirs!" Vegeta looked down at Chimera and then back to her. She stood there in a mixture of fury and insanity. Had he done this to her? He growled and stepped forward.

"If I have to tame you woman, then let it be!" She smiled, and her dark humor portrayed a baleful countenance. Vegeta inhaled deeply and exhaled, realizing he'd have to fight her. Unwillingly, he brought forth his own clenched fists and summoned the power from within.

****

Trunks was deeply concerned. His food had suddenly become bland and so he set it aside. His mind was focused on other things that were more important.

His mother.

Something was truly wrong. He'd never felt so uneasy. Running a hand through his hair, he leaned back in consternation. Why did he feel so strange? As if she couldn't fend for herself out there. She'd done it for years!

Two years to be exact. Two long years he'd never get back. Grief, misery, emptiness. He'd thrived on those emotions when she left. Now what could he look forward to? Happiness? That was laughable. When had he been happy? But perhaps... Just maybe there was a chance. He turned to his friends. They were happy enough. Consuming their food unfazed by the alien environment they smiled easily. Nothing bothered them, nothing ever had.

He envied them.

Power! It was raging, like a storm the horizon was amiss with turbulence! Trunks found he had stood up quite suddenly at the inane feeling. He turned swiftly to find that Goku and the others were still consuming their food, not bothered by the sudden up rise of ki in the air. Could they not sense it?

Now was not the time to be asking questions. He flew out of the bar and towards this new sensation.

****

"Galvan, I think you should stop concerning yourself with this issue and move on to a more important matter." His scrutinizing gaze connected with her eyes.

"How dare you, Saliya!" He stood up quickly and turned around.

He needed to leave, she thought. He knew what was best. However, the people...

"Wait, Galvan! Hear me out!" He paused but did not turn. His fists were clenched at his sides. Finally, he turned to her.

"Just because I use you as stress relief gives you no right to criticize me! I am the people's Lord and Emperior, not YOU! I will decide what issue deserves my attention not YOU!" Saliya sighed and looked down to the ground.

"If you will not hear me out..." She couldn't get the words out. It was far too painful. Her voice was trapped in her throat. Although the truth was fighting to break through, she contained it. "Forgive me," she croaked. The finality of her words had a dizzying effect. She sat down on the bed. He stood above her for a moment. She awaited his next command, but prayed that it wouldn't involve her removing her clothing. She was so tired of having to do that as of late. His sexual drive had become too severe for her, leaving her exhausted and numb to his attentions. Recently, he had found he liked the rough, quick treatment. She had learned to bite her lip and take what was given. Saliya had nothing to give in return.

But herself.

Soon, even that wouldn't meet his requirements and she would be discarded. So why not try? She stood up and made her head move. It took an eternity, but finally, she was eye level with him. His countenance surprised her. He was looking down at her with a softness she could not recall ever seeing on his features before.

However, with eye contact his eyes turned cold and his mouth a rigid line. Could she do this?

Yes, she could.

"Don't forgive me." She stated this plainly, and allowed herself to be open to him if he felt the need to strike her. It hadn't come to that yet, but it was common knowledge that men found pleasure in such actions. Let him find his ecstasy.

"Very well," he replied.

"You may not have me anymore Galvan." She wanted to faint. The words stung as they fell from her lips. She kept the cry of grief from escaping her mouth. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Why deny yourself to me now? After I've claimed you so many times?" She looked down and strengthened her resolve. This must be.

"Because I feel a duty to my people. They come before you, Galvan. They come before us all." He snarled down upon her.

"How patriotic of you, Saliya. Are you proud of yourself for being so strong? I must admit, you've been a good little lap dog. Always there for my beck and call. Easy and easily replaced. You know your way out." She nodded and walked to the door.

Was it really this easy? She could deny him and she'd still live to see another day! The epiphany of this thought was mind boggling. She'd have to explore this control she now knew of. Though it was a very small amount, it still granted her some strength.

Saliya held her head up high as she walked through the door. She'd get Galvan back. However, this time he'd be the one begging. She would gain his respect, and only then could he have her heart.

The door closed and she was on the other side. She smirked darkly as she walked down the corridor. In fact, she wanted to laugh. If Galvan thought she had not noticed it he was sadly mistaken. The dim lights had picked it out of the room and magnified its existence. She had seen it before she left.

The tear that had formed on Galvan's cheek had not been produced out of joy.

****

Author's Note: This, perhaps, is my last chapter for awhile. Though I'm not completely certain of this fact, I believe it is so. I might be able to make my brain produce one more chapter! Oh boy, have I got some ideas! Heheh... You're gonna love it! or hate it... BUT PLEASE review!! Tell me how much you love me, or hate me! Tell me how you feel!!!!! =) I wanna know! Cause if there's one thing I don't wanna do it's boring you guys!! Alrighty then, guess that about sums it up!

Special Note: Gee wiz, how many of these things have I posted? OMG, I just said gee wiz... oh well!! Ms. Angel, where is my POL? Just wondering...

Much luv to everyone, specially those that say gee wiz! =)

That is all
~JZero