Thank you for continuing to comment and follow this story. (Fixed a few dropped words, too.)
A warning that this chapter contains a violent episode beginning in the middle. It is depicted as a flashback.
"Vegeta! Where are you? We're leaving soon. Vegeta?"
"I am here, Bulma." He stood against a tree with his back to her. "You can stop calling for me."
Bulma smiled. "Wow. Glad you're happy to see me, gorgeous."
"The prince of all Saiyans does not have to run just because someone else summons him. Perhaps he has other things to do."
"Other things like what?" Bulma stepped closer, dropping her bag on the ground. "And what's the deal with calling me someone? Didn't you say twenty-four hours ago that we're a team? And will you stop speaking like you're describing a separate person?"
"Bulma!" Vegeta clenched his fists. "Just back off. I need to think. Your questions are not helping me do that. Does that sound better?"
She observed his body language. He stood hunched over with his head down, much like the night he appeared at her bedroom door. They hadn't slept together since that night. They shared a long kiss after he used the new training setup - his thank you to her - but that was it. She didn't take his distance personally. Emotions were raw, but this response confused her.
Perhaps I can try joking with him.
"No, big guy, I won't back off. You just did a 360-degree attitude change. I know you're moody, but really?"
"Fine." Vegeta looked up and exhaled. "If you cannot leave me to my own thoughts, then we will return separately to the estate."
"Vegeta!" Bulma stamped her foot on the ground. "What's wrong with you? Why are you shutting me out?"
He flew upward. "I will meet you later."
"Go then!" Bulma hollered. She looked down at her shoes. "Go."
Vegeta landed outside a cavern in the forest, clutching both sides of his head, laughing louder and louder like a possessed man. He shot multiple ki blasts from his hands into the cave until rocks tumbled across the entrance. Then he fell onto his knees, punching the ground until cracks spiraled beneath him. He wanted to murder Dr. Brief on the spot the day before. The old man had beaten him like a professional fighter. Bulma had the most to lose if she didn't concede to her father's wishes.
Where would that leave him?
Attachments were becoming distractions - dangerous even. His quest for ultimate power and vengeance had been denied to him since childhood. Now because of his hard work, the mission he had once been ridiculed for was nearly complete.
Dr. Brief breathed heavily as he heard Bulma running to their machine lab. She threw open the door, cracking the glass windows on both sides of the entrance.
"Dad, what did you say to him?! What did you say to Vegeta?!"
"Something he already knew to be true." He picked up his travel bag. "He heard our argument yesterday."
"What?" Bulma felt like her heart was caving in. "How? Oh my god. You turned on the intercom in the observation deck? How could you? I should leave you right here on this mountain!"
"That's fine with me. I can return on my own."
"I hate you!" Hot tears began streaming down Bulma's face. "Oh god, I hate you so much. You had no right!"
Dr. Brief swallowed to hold back his own tears. He was devastated to see his daughter crying, but he feared the prince unlike other men could break her spirit if something went wrong. And those two were falling hard for each other quickly. The look in Vegeta's eyes during training said it all.
"His pride and selfishness blind him, Bulma, along with his ego. He has a great mind, and he's the hardest worker I've ever seen, besides you and Goku, but he may never be satisfied even if he becomes this 'Super Saiyan.' You said that to him once. You told me, remember? Who knows if he stays on Earth afterward?"
Bulma sobbed into her hands. "I have had it with your lecturing! He's not completely selfish. He is fighting here. He hasn't done anything to hurt us or anyone else since he's lived in our home. We're just getting started. Give him a chance."
Dr. Brief reached out for her. Bulma shook her head no. She turned her back on him.
"In your heart you know he's a tortured soul, sweetheart. You can travel without me. I'll see you at home."
He lit a cigarette and walked out the door. Bulma's hands gripped the lab table as she cried.
She had never felt so alone.
###
Vegeta arrived at the Briefs' estate feeling exhausted. His fatigue was more mental than physical, and all he wanted was unconscious sleep without dreams or nightmares. Bulma would return soon enough. He wanted to see her, but his condition was more unstable than he thought. He didn't want to be awful with her again.
He had been given a clean bill of health before leaving the mountain, but he was warned him to avoid triggers for allergic reactions until another set of follow-up tests were performed. He decided that he wouldn't follow this order. Leftover anger about developing this problem was bad enough. He felt fine.
He landed on the grounds, hoping to avoid Bulma's mother and any other Earthlings on two legs who annoyed him. He would sleep in the main house, where he had been before, instead of the guest quarters. That was final. Within minutes he felt something fuzzy slapping his legs before entering his room. He had heard Tama dashing toward him shortly before. He expected it.
"Meow."
"Gods, why must you smite me?" Vegeta laid his arm across his forehead dramatically. "The omen of death is calling. Woe is me."
Tama slapped his legs again and began to purr.
"I should test how well my treatment works." He bent down to her level. "Vile beast, if I die soon my inner thighs will make a tasty meal for you. I am trying to determine whether you are as dumb as a rock for annoying me or bravely protecting territory."
He closed his eyes.
He had a pet once. One his father's attendants, a breeder, gave him an animal on his fourth birthday that most humans would liken to a dog. The gift delighted the young prince. Saiyans held high regard for the animals, known as nions. They could be used in battle or on exploratory missions to lead patrols, detect traps, and serve other needs. Some owners kept the animals for sentimental reasons, although the royal army reserved the right to draft them from anyone at any time for its use.
Being their first-born heir, Vegeta's parents expected their assistants to cater to all of their son's requests - or predict them. The boy's intelligence and early fighting skills also made him a prodigy. Together, these circumstances guaranteed that he would be a lonely child - and an entitled, insufferable brat. The king expected this behavior would lessen over time. He was grooming the boy for leadership. Everyone hoped his future reign would be as powerful as his father's, if not more, but Saiyans were also facing peril - a result of their own doing.
Vegeta's strong attachment to his pet concerned his father, for whom affection was of lesser importance than teaching the boy about power and dominance. There was too much at stake. The boy's talents had attracted the attention of the Saiyans' colonial overlord, Frieza, who was rarely defied when he wanted something. Planet Vegeta had more independence under his rule because of Saiyans' usefulness as overseers and conquerors of other beings across the universe. Yet the king felt his people's livelihoods were endangered. He instilled in Vegeta that one day he would be the most powerful of their people, the warrior of legend. The memory burned inside after his planet was destroyed, along with his parents, even as a part of his soul rotted.
Vegeta had confined himself to his living quarters outside of Frieza's main base. Nappa and Raditz, the prince's remaining Saiyan attendants, were nervous about what would happen to all of them if his behavior continued. Frieza visited him after hearing that the boy was now refusing food and water. It had been a month and Vegeta wasn't meeting expectations for his future service to him and the galactic army.
The boy sat alone in the dark. Frieza, who could barely contain his disgust, activated the lights at the highest level, causing Vegeta to cover his eyes. He bent down and stared at the boy, who didn't move -perhaps out of defiance.
"I heard you're not eating much these days, child. Are you ill? Saiyan monkeys like you are known for being greedy eaters. Perhaps your meals have become unappetizing. Your attendants seem satisfied with it, though. They need to resume your training schedule."
Vegeta stayed quiet. Frieza liked hearing his own voice, apparently. The boy was smart enough to know nothing good would come from interrupting him.
"Oh, I know." Frieza lowered his eyes as if he were distressed. "You're still mourning your parents' deaths. Planet Vegeta's explosion and the deaths of your people were a terrible loss for my empire. Rest assured I'm doing everything possible to find out what happened. Although this won't make up for your tragedy, I do have a gift that might help you feel better."
He nodded to a guard outside of the room who then dragged in a whimpering, tortured nion. Vegeta, whose face showed no emotion, followed the animal's movement with his eyes. He hadn't seen his pet in months after she disappeared from his room.
Frieza's long white tail swished. "I understand this creature once belonged to you. I see you missed each other. What is it called again?"
"Her name is Achmis, Frieza."
"Achmis?" Frieza grinned. "That means 'joy,' yes? That dialect precedes the universal language the gods decreed for all mortals. Oh my, who taught you that? What an interesting boy you are, but then again you're no ordinary five-year-old - and a handsome one, too."
Vegeta glared at him, and then he turned his face away.
Frieza gripped his chin. "Why do you despise me? You don't even know me. I could be a good friend and teacher for you. I don't pay special visits to just anyone, but let's get a few details straight between us. First, you will address me as Lord Frieza."
He raised his palm to Vegeta's face, turned and blew Achmis's leg to pieces. The force of the blast hurled the screaming animal against the wall.
"No, no!" Vegeta joined his hands together and fired multiple ki blasts, becoming angrier with each shot. Frieza blocked each hit, blowing holes in the room from all directions.
"Yes! Show me that anger, Prince Vegeta!" Frieza said gleefully. "Earn your title!"
Tired and breathless, Vegeta became dizzy and fell. He crawled in his howling pet's direction until Frieza stepped on his back. Cold air blew over him.
"You do have some fire left in you. Good. Your depression and unwillingness to eat have left you weaker than I thought, unfortunately. We should've destroyed this entire shelter together by now."
Vegeta felt himself choking as Frieza wrapped his tail around his neck. He dangled the boy in front of him.
"Your father thought highly of you, Vegeta. He would be disappointed to see you like this. You have a sharp mind and rare, natural talent for battle. It's fine if you want to die under my watch, but I will keep you alive long enough to be tortured until I decide when you die. Instead, you could honor King Vegeta by allowing me to help you. What I'm doing here is for your own good. You will thank me later."
Vegeta's eyes returned to his injured pet. Frieza sighed and threw the boy in her direction.
"What is it about this creature? Let's continue our lessons, shall we? This one is about attachments."
Frieza broke the animal's neck with his tail, killing her instantly. Vegeta slumped across her, but he would not cry.
"You will bring harm to yourself and others with weak emotional attachments such as this." Frieza lifted the boy gently into his arms. "The bond was weak because you weren't willing to stand up fully for Achmis. She is dead now because of you. There is no in-between. Vegeta, I will protect you as long as you listen to me. Your lessons will be difficult, but you'll be one of my strongest warriors if you do what I ask. Your mind must be clear. Understand?"
"Yes."
"Yes what?
"Yes, Lord Frieza."
"Very good! Ah, I can smell your bloodlust, child. It excites me. It runs through your Saiyan veins! Come. You will eat with me tonight and resume your training later."
###
Vegeta looked around his room. His eyes were unfocused, and his hands were shaking. He didn't know long he had been dissociated, but he experienced episodes like this before. Tama had been licking his arm and fingers, which must have brought him out of his blackout. Dazed, he spontaneously reached over to pet her.
"I am not like the rest of you, Tama. I am… incapable of love. Your mistress is an attachment I cannot have."