Devilry

The room stayed deadly quiet. Her body became immobile. Not responding to any command, she couldn't even move a muscle. Simply breathing was taking all of her energy and focus.
Bulma felt as if the room was spinning but her feet needed stay on the same spot, he couldn't know he had gotten under her skin completely.

'Well, woman?' he asked on stern tone, this time the humor in his eyes vanished. Walking towards her while tauntingly asking her if she did not want this kind gift from his.
Bulma remained quiet, uncertain of what to answer the man. Her thoughts were in a frenzy; escape, Dragon Balls, Prince Vegeta…

'Unless, of course, you think this will bring me the same luck it has brought you?'

Bulma suddenly felt her foot move. She was taking a step back. Her knees were shaking, her heart racing.

'Do you suppose this little trinket has what I am looking for?'

Bulma told herself to stay steady and not let his words get to her. He could be bluffing, trying to figure out if they indeed held any power. Swallowing her fear and worry, she tried to answer him by sounding unbothered by it all,

'I'm not quite sure what you want me to say to this…'

For a second his smirk reappeared while he closed the gap between them and reached out for her chin. Holding it up, as if admiring her looks. But of course, in order to do that, he would have to actually look at her face and not keep his eyes on hers. No, he was admiring her brave persona. He could tell she was scared; of that she was certain. But again, he found some respect in what she was trying to do.
All the while Bulma had to figure out if he did truly know or had an idea of the true power of the Dragon Balls. His stoic expression told her absolutely nothing.

'Tell you what,' he said, 'I'll lend you this,' holding the Dragon Ball before her eyes, 'so you have all the luck in the world while making me a tool that can make stronger.'
'I didn't say yes to your trait.' Her voice was barely above a whisper. Heat rose to her cheeks again, feeling embarrassed for not being able to control her fear in this dire situation, wanting to sound more certain of herself to appear stronger. She didn't know if he could tell but she could feel her body tremble, hear her voice sound different. Wavering at every word spoken.
Her mind was not clearing up and remaining in a fog of emotions and fear.

'You didn't know what to say,' he reminded her, 'so I'm saying it for you, woman.'
'And you suppose that by giving me this trinket of luck, I'm suddenly going to get a genius idea? That's not how it works,' Bulma answered, finally being able to make her voice sound normal again.
He snickered, and the tickle of air made Bulma suddenly aware of their proximity and how he had yet to let go of her chin.

'But that's the whole point, is it not?'

Grabbing her wrist roughly, making her wince in pain. He pushed the Dragon Ball in her hand. And pulled her closer, so their faces were only inches apart. Bulma's eyes widened, alarmed by his sudden behavior.

'To help you get a genius idea?' he hissed. 'Don't mistake my calmness for weakness or patience, if I didn't control myself, you and your entire pathetic planet would be dead by now. I didn't destroy all of you just yet, simply because of your father's invention and the idea we could have possible found a race with the potential to benefit our technology. If you and half those other scientists don't step up your game, you will all end up getting destroyed together with this mudball of a planet.'

'Y-your going to destroy us!?' Bulma gasped in shock.
'I said, if. Meaning it is all in your hands, woman.'
'I'm doing all I can!'
'Not good enough.'
'You need to give these things time— 'I don't have time! I don't like waiting!' he yelled, pulling her arm up. Bulma placed the Dragon Ball against his chest, to keep a distance while her feet dangled in the air. His eyes held the same hatefulness she had seen in them before. And though it might have frightened her, it also angered her. She wasn't responsible for any of the hurt or unjust that had been done to him and his barbaric race! It made her no longer doubt the decision to betray them and think of the safety of her own race.

'Fine! I'll do it!' She screamed back angrily and desperate. 'But like I said, it is going to take some time!'

Letting go of her wrist, Bulma's feet met the ground again. Standing awkwardly close now, she noted how he really wasn't tall as their eyes were meeting on the same level. Taking in his features, that were permanently blessed with a scowl, she suddenly came to hate those dark eyes again.
They followed her every movement and seemingly noticed every detail. She couldn't escape them. And this long silence was killing her slowly too.
Tightened her fingers around the Dragon Ball in her hand and with a fuming look, she turned around. Her hair definitely hit his face but she didn't care, with persistence she walked away from the prince.
'I'll find my own way back!'

He didn't respond or stop her.

When finally out of his room, she took a much needed deep breath before going towards the elevator. The guards didn't speak or question her. Her mind noted how this was the perfect opportunity to trulyescape this time. She had another Dragon Ball and only needed one more to make the wish. Suddenly the thought of wishing the entire Saiyan race to be wiped out, crossed her mind.

It would solve everything…

But with the devil himself breathing in her neck, she needed to get to safety first. Knowing it was Kakarot that was on guard and probably waiting for her return, she decided that going back to the scientist department was no longer an option. When she entered the elevator, she pressed the button to put it on hold and then took out a capsule. With a poof her self-improved scouter, which her father had put the blueprints of the ship in, appeared. It would be her guide out of here.

But first she needed to contact both of her parents. She wouldn't leave without them, despite the difficulty of all three of them leaving together. Pushing the button that connected her to the drone device so she could reach her mom and the glasses of her father, yes, those really weren't all that plain as everyone thought, Bulma explained her situation quickly.

…Dad, mom, I have another Dragon Ball! It would be best for us to leave now. Right now, I'm alone. I'll never get another chance like this…

…Bulma, go ahead. We'll seize our chance tonight. There is no need to wait for us. Go ahead!…

…Yes, dear, do what your father says! We'll be with you in no time…

Realizing that going to her father was indeed perhaps not the brightest idea, and her mother was out of reach as well, Bulma unwillingly went along with the idea to escape before they could. After all, they had planned this and thought this out over and over. The three of them together simply wasn't an option. The Saiyans would be on to them in no time. Yet it pained her to leave them.
Uncertainty ate away at her but hearing her father's voice, which seldomly sounded stern, she also knew he would be upset with her if she didn't follow through while having this perfect opportunity.

The elevator doors opened at that moment, and suddenly there was no way back.

This ship is huge… There was no way I could've escaped last time!

It took a great deal of work to not get caught and a nagging little voice in the back of her head kept worrying about her parents. Sure, her father had copied her work and had a scouter for the two of them too but… What if the Saiyans found out about her escape before they could get out? What if they got caught? What if I can't find the last Dragon Ball!?

With all her worrying, Bulma suddenly was standing closer to freedom then ever before. Carefully awaiting her chance, she sneaked into a stockroom and got out via a small vent using her little handy laser-pen. When her feet touched the familiar earth ground, her nose got hold of the fresh scent of the air and her eyes saw the clear blue sky that she had missed for so long again. Bulma could hardly grasp the beauty of the planet and her own regained freedom. Taking a few deep breaths, she then had to proceed to sneak around to avoid a few guards flying around the ship.

She would have to go by foot in order to avoid getting any unwanted attention. Her heart was racing but somehow, she had managed to create a distance between herself and the ship. Her mind kept going back to her parents and occasionally she would check on them, but they kept repeating for her to get going and leave as quickly as she could.

It wasn't until she was in a forest, out of sight from the Saiyans, standing in front of a quiet little river and hearing nature surround her, she fell on her knees and started to sob. Her entire body felt wrecked, torn between going and staying. Saving and being a coward.

Taking off the scouter, she washed her face with the water of the river. Its coolness calmed her down. Her eyes glanced back up to the blue sky, which she had missed so dearly during her days in captivity and living only underneath artificial lights.

'And so, the blue haired beauty escapes...'

Freezing on the spot, Bulma couldn't believe the voice she was hearing. Did this man follow her every move? How could he be here?
Turning around to face one of her many demons, she was graced by the usual sight of him. A mischievous grin with eyes that expressed no harm whatsoever. But Bulma knew better. This guy was all trouble. He must've been hiding his power-level this entire time!

'Kakarot,' she breathed while still unbelieving the sight before her.
'Go ahead,' he simply said while nodding for her to keep going forward, 'I'm not going to stop you.'

Bulma stayed silent for a second, her eyes scanning her surroundings. He seemed to be all by himself.
'How did you know?' She asked, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

'You never came back.'

Bulma knew he was keeping an eye on her but she didn't think he could just go ahead and leave his own duties to follow her around. Uncertain of what to do, she could feel her body become immobile again much like with the prince. Emotions were slowly turning her into a wreck.

'Why do you think you can't trust me?' he calmly asked while stepping closer to her.
'You are a Saiyan!' Bulma hissed in anger.

He held his hand out to help her get up, but she avoided his touch and stood up on her own, her body finally letting go of the fear. The action only seems to amuse him. Crossing his arms, he gave her a look. 'But so far, I've done nothing but help you.'

'You said I was indebted to you,' Bulma pointed out. 'That's not the concept of helping someone.'
'I did say that, didn't I?' he laughed while sheepishly scratching his hair. Bulma wondered if he did it on purpose to be so senseless at times and behaving as if they were friends of some kind!
'Well, what is it? No playing games! Just tell me!' Bulma said, getting aggravated by the man.
'I simply wanted to say goodbye…'
'Goodbye!' Bulma grabbed the scouter on the ground and, having enough of his games, started running as fast as she could.

He appeared before her in a matter of seconds, making her crush right into his chest.

'No kiss goodbye?'

Bulma pushed herself off of him and gritted her teeth while sending him a glare. She hated his taunting way of speaking! She hated all Saiyans!

'What the hell do you want!?' She screamed in frustration.

'Nothing, I just wanted you to be safe. That is all,' he said answering her with a certain honesty, but one that held malicious consequences as an undertone. At least the prince spoke a clear language she could understand.

'And why do you care about my safety!?'

'Pretty things shouldn't get hurt,' he simply answered.

For the once, Bulma had wanted him to use his ever taunting tone because when hearing him say it void of any, it made her feel so much more uncomfortable.
Swallowing, she once again tried to escape. This time grabbing a capsule out of her pocket. Disappearing into the cloud of smoke, she climbed onto the motorcycle, one of the few her father had brought with him and started driving as fast as she could away from the man.

Kakarot only watched and didn't chase after her this time. And she never bothered to look back while speeding off.

'Was that such a good idea? I mean she did get out without our help, there was no need to show your face and do that...' Raditz started, appearing from behind a tree. His eyes were on the woman in the distance.
Kakarot smirked, amused by his big brother's faked concern. It still seemed to sting a little that the exact woman that had almost blown off his hand, was the very pawn on they needed to accomplish their goal.
'We can't have her slacking… I need her to hurry up and get all seven,' Kakarot explained.
'What about Vegeta?'
'I'll take care of him…'
'I can't believe they both took the bait,' Raditz said smiling at his brother.
Kakarot could only nod in agreement. 'Until we meet again, Bulma,' he whispered underneath his breath while his dark eyes gleamed in delight.

The wind was numbing her. It almost felt as if she was flying. Closing her eyes from time to time, to let her mind run free. She was going way too fast, should she now have an accident, her fragile body would not survive the blow. Her heart was racing just like her mind and the motorcycle underneath her body. She had been foolish. Letting herself get caught up in other people's misery.

Libelle, Forog… would never sacrifice what she had... home. It had been taken from them while she still had a chance to save it.

And she had been caught up in noble deeds and reasons that in the end, she had fooled herself with it. Perhaps all that nobility did not even exist in their worlds.
Saiyans were a warrior-race but that did not mean it held the same meaning to them as it did on Earth. The prince… He would not spare her or a single soul on this planet. He only cared about what could benefit him and had deluded her into thinking she was needed by him.

What if even Libelle and Forog were in on it? Why had she ever thought of helping this man?

Because you wanted to make sense of something that didn't, the harsh voice in her head said.
I wanted him to be human like me. Feeling deprived and angry while forgetting that he had a choice in the matter of attacking Earth. And he had done so without the feeling of shame or regret. He might have encountered a monster, but he is no more himself.

Her mind went back to the Dragon Balls and for a moment the possibility that she was perhaps falling into a well-set trap crossed her mind. Perhaps the prince knew much more. Perhaps he wanted her to show him where the rest was. And if he was a skilled as Kakarot, which she assumed he was, he could be hiding his power…

Halting her wild ride to figure out her next move. Her hand went to search for a great power, the prince's, and was relieved to find it was still in the ship she had left behind. Finding Kakarot was impossible since he could hide his power-level. A childish part of her sincerely hoped she would never have to see his face again. Though that was doubtful considering how deceiving he was.
Instead of dwelling, Bulma searched for the other, and last, Dragon Ball. So far nothing. But driving around, with the scouter on was surprisingly soothing, even though she had to watch out for Saiyans.

…Bulma! Can you hear me?

Bulma halted, surprised to hear her mother's voice. She sounded nervous.
…What is it mom?!
…the last Dragon Ball! The last Dragon Ball just appeared next to the rest of them!
…mom, are you sure? Bulma asked, stunned by what she was hearing.
…Yes! Yes! I'm sure! Unfortunately, the drone near the house is the damaged, so I can't tell who it is but there is someone there, Bulma! Do you think it could be your friend, Kami? I'm trying to get one of the good drones near the house but it going to take a while…Excited by the idea that it indeed could be Kami, Bulma thanked her mother and headed straight for her house. In a good few hours she would be reunited with a familiar friendly face and end this horrid time. She was still debating on her wish, the thought of wiping out the Saiyan race did have its appeal now...

Her mind was numbed by the thrill, her body tired from the journey.
All though her senses were on high alert at all times. Unwilling she kept checking if the high power was still in its place and if no one was following her. So far so good.
It was pure luck that she hadn't been too far removed from home. She would have to drive all night but tomorrow in the early morning, she would be arriving. Home.

It was so surreal. Much like her surroundings. It had only been a short period of time but there had been moments were she truly had thought she'd never see the blue sky turn pink by sunset again.
Or see animals walking around in full freedom, though unharmed and unaware of the threat that was holding Earth.
Thankfully, adrenaline was keeping her awake and the idea of sleeping was completely dismissed. It was going to be a narrow drive, when arriving she was definitely going to be out of gas.

When finally getting closer, her scouter told her of five Dragon Balls just waiting for her. The power-level near the house wasn't too high, giving Bulma the relieving feeling that it had to be indeed Kami waiting for her. Suddenly the thought occurred to her she hadn't heard from her parents yet, and it was well in the morning.
They were going to escape in the night. But she hadn't heard from them since midnight, when her mother had informed her that the drone that had been on its way got destroyed and the other ones wouldn't be there until morning.

…Dad? Mom? Do you copy?

No reply. Her heart wavered and for a moment she wanted the hit the break but that would cost her motorcycle energy that it couldn't afford to waste. She couldn't go back and help, no matter how much she longer for it.
Feeling scared and uncertain now, Bulma kept driving. The city came into view. It was still in ruins and with the scouter on Bulma could sense a few Earthlings hidden in the rubbles and half-destroyed buildings. Oh, how she wished she could simply join them.

When her house came into view, she saw a few of the drones were keeping watch. A feeling of relief washed over her, this confirmed that her mother and father hadn't been found out because they had agreed they'd press the self-destruct button should that happen. Though, it did not explain why she hadn't heard from them.

Soon worry was forgotten. Her heart welled up with joy when seeing an old green man in the distance, accompanied by a black figure that was simply one of the kindest men she had ever met. The closer she got, the more she started to smile until she saw Kami's stern expression. It was the same as when King Piccolo had threatened the Earth. Even Mr. Popo's welcoming smile was a sad one. It made her heart sink and fear wash over her.

Halting her motorcycle, creating a dust cloud, she waited for Kami to speak op but when seeing his saddened eyes and how they went straight to something to her right, Bulma realized something was off. Her eyes followed his and when the dust disappeared was shocked to see who had also been awaiting her arrival.

Was there no escape from these demons that came out of the darkness of the sky?

Awaiting at her house was none other than his royal majesty himself, Prince Vegeta, with a grin full of devilry and delight. He was all by himself and holding the last Dragon Ball.

'So, are you going to tell me what power these balls truly possess, woman?'

Comment/review!