AN: I'm still working out the kinks, be patient with me. Enjoy.

CP

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Chapter 2

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Vegeta sighed as she bought him a new outfit. The tank top wasn't so bad and the new shorts seemed to be better than the pair he had found. He attributed it to less sand. Shrugging, he put on the flip-flops and followed her out of the store back on the boardwalk. He'd been on land a total of twelve hours now and he still felt lost. The ocean called to him but the freedom was just out of his reach. If he went back now, he was a dead merman.

Vegeta was starting to feel impatient as they kept moving towards the crowds of people. He was hungry, tired, and extremely drained from his transition. All he wanted was to accomplish his mission.

"Woman, where is this food you promised me?"

"We're almost there, Vegeta." She kept pulling on his hand, a touch he was regretting as it seemed to strengthen the connection he started with her. This could be problematic. He couldn't form a bond with an air-breather. He'd known others, countless others that shamed themselves with their own insanity. As a prince, he could not fall for the same tricks. It was bad enough one of their own was sent to the shore as an infant just to maintain the species.

"Here we are!" She smiled brightly and he felt a tug in his body. "Let's get you fed."

"It's about time."

"Oh hush you." Her laughter made him ache. "You sure are grumpy when you're hungry."

"Food, woman."

"Yeah, yeah." Bulma walked up to the server and ordered a rather large meal and his eyes widened with the portions set before him. "I wasn't sure what you really wanted so I ordered a bit of everything."

Vegeta recognized the food from her memories. Chunks of raw fish prepared with rice and seaweed. It looked peculiar and he hoped it was compatible with his digestion. At this point, he was too hungry to care.

He picked up a piece and shoved the entire thing in his mouth. The combination of flavors exploded on his tongue and he had never tasted anything more exquisite in his life. It was better than all the years of eating fish under the ocean. Better than the palace prepared foods of his youth. This was, certainly, food fit for royalty and yet it was made available for the common folk. He had to have more. Plate after plate was presented before him. Salmon, tuna, blowfish and more. Each paired with rice or fruit, sauces either sweet or spicy.

As he ate, he watched the blue-haired woman from the corner of his eye. She ate delicately, her chopsticks dunking the sushi in a sweet orange sauce. This woman, Bulma, was becoming quite useful to him. In the span of mere minutes she'd clothed and fed him. Of course, he knew, that not all humans were as generous as she.

"So, Vegeta, what brings you to West City?"

"I'm looking for someone." He sighed, he might as well use her to his advantage. Maybe she's seen Kakarot. "He was my comrade's son."

"Do you know his name? What he looks like?" She asked.

"I do. His name is Kakarot, son of Bardock."

"I don't know anybody by that name. How old was he when he went missing?"

Vegeta sighed, the woman's memories were already fuzzy. He'd have to connect with her again if he wanted quick answers. However, he didn't want to accidentally bond with her. "He was a child, no older than four."

Her eyes widened. "Gosh, how old would he be now? At least twenty?"

"At least." He picked up another plate of food and began eating again.

"How do you know he's still alive? He's been missing for so long."

"I got a tip that he was wandering around these parts." Not to mention I felt him weeks ago. He'd come into his powers. Transitioning at such a young age, he repressed his inner nature.

"Hmm, well I hope you find him." She pulled out a billfold and placed some money on the table. "Well, I need to go now. This should cover your food and a hotel for the night. I hope you also find who stole your things."

He sighed. "No one stole from me."

"Then..."

"I am a mere visitor here." He looked up at her. "You have heard the legends of Merfolk, I assume?"

Bulma's eyes widened and he chuckled. "Yes, I am Prince Vegeta of the Merfolk to Vegetasei."

"Now you're pulling my leg." She laughed. "That's a good one."

"You dare laugh at me?" He growled. "It's bad enough that I'm forced to walk upon land with you air-breathers, but it's another to be laughed at whilst my kingdom lies in ruin! I come here for Kakarot, from the house of Bardock. You will help me find him, woman!"

"Listen here, bud. I won't be ordered around."

"I am royalty. You do as I say!"

"No. Not up here you're not." She poked him in the chest and he growled in agitation. "Vegeta, I don't care where you come from. If you want my help you ask me nicely. Say please! I fed you, I bought you clothes to help you. I don't mind helping someone, but don't question my intelligence."

"You think I lie?" He huffed and grabbed her arm, food forgotten as he dragged her to the back of the restaurant away from prying eyes. Vegeta then pulled up his top and moved the shorts down to his fin line to show her the scaly appendage just above his butt. It flared out with relief as he sighed in comfort.

"You have a fin ..."

"Yes, insolent woman. I am a merman damnit! One of only a few left, the one I seek was hidden here years ago to carry on our line. My father chose him, himself. I'm here to bring him back to fight for our home." He turned around and sniffed out a breath.

"I still say I should take you to a hospital."

"Still don't believe me?" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Humans and their inability to comprehend anything."

"Hey, I'll have you know I'm a genius."

Vegeta grumbled as he stared at the woman. He needed information now and not when she felt like giving it to him. Standing here trading insults and verbal sparring were getting him nowhere. At this rate, he'd never find his charge. "Fuck it." He then touched his forehead to hers again, sifting through her memories and then he pulled back in shock.

"You lied to me." He clenched his fists in rage. What were the odds that the first human he found knew of the spawn of Bardock?

"I did no such thing, I don't know what you're talking about." She huffed in frustration.

"You know Kakarot." He pointed an accusing finger at her. "He stands tall, proud, yet mated to a human female. She's killing him by keeping him away from the ocean."

She creased her brow. "Goku?"

"Yes, Kakarot." He sighed. "I'd recognize that head of hair anywhere. I see he also has a child. Take me to him, it's time he knows his birthright."