A/N: Okay, apparently some people are confused about this story so I'll say it again. I made this story as a continuation of the one shot because of the popularity of it on the Bulma/Vegeta fanfiction livejournal. It's already complete but I do have to make minor changes to it so that's why I'm only posting a chapter a day. That being said, I'm glad people are enjoying it. Thanks for the reviews. :)

5 years ago…

"Stop holding back, Kakarot. I know you're a third class clown but surely you can fight better than this," Vegeta taunted his sparring partner.

Kakarot spat out the dirt he had eaten when his face that hit the ground and wiped his mouth with a smile. "Oh that's it. Time to show you what I'm really made of," he said before he jumped towards him.

"Ooh scary," Vegeta mocked with a smirk as he nimbly dodged the blow and gave an uppercut of his own that Kakarot jumped away from.

The battle between the two warriors grew fiercely, making the others sparring stop their matches and watch in awe. It was clear that, in terms of strength, the two were nearly equal but no one would admit that out loud. To suggest that a common third class warrior was anywhere close to equal with their Prince would be considered treason. Even if the match was a draw everyone would refer to it as having been in Vegeta's favor.

After another fierce 30 minutes of non-stop combat, the two finally lowered their power levels and touched down. One glare from the Prince and all the gawkers turned back to their business. Smirking at the power he possessed, he walked over to grab a towel and drink some water. He was halfway finished with his drink when he noticed Kakarot staring at him.

"What do you want?"

"Ah, it's just I'm kind of thirsty so I was wondering if I could have some of your water," Kakarot gave his best victim look which only received a look of disgust from Vegeta.

"You honestly expect me to share with you? Ha, I wouldn't want to get your third class germs, it will make me ill. You should have brought your own drink."

Kakarot ignored the 'third class' comments and continued on, "I didn't know that you wanted to spar today so I didn't bring one. My family barely has enough water to wash and cook, I can't afford to take some with me everywhere I go unless I know I'll be needing it."

Vegeta stopped drinking as he remembered his Father mentioned something about a water shortage in the lower quarters of the city. Vegetasei was undergoing a terrible drought for years and apparently most of the local sources had dried up and everyone had to go further and further out to find water clean enough to drink without getting sick. Of course, if it hadn't been for his Father bringing it up he would have never known; he had never stopped to think about where the food and drinks in the palace came from.

His thoughts on the matter were interrupted when a messenger called out to him. "My Prince, your Father has requested your presence in his study."

"What does the old man want now? No matter tell him that I'm busy."

"I'm sorry, my Prince, but he has said that it is very urgent and that you must come now."

Growling at his Father's order he waved the messenger away. "I swear, if he is just using the word urgent to make me come he will know my wrath." Turning to walk away, he paused and looked down at the drink in his hand before tossing it back to Kakarot who caught it with a surprised look on his face. "Take care of that for me, will you?"

Kakarot's surprise melted away as his usual smile returned to his face. "Gee thanks, Ve-," he stopped as he saw the looks he was getting, "Yes, Prince Vegeta. I'll take care of it like you said," he finished with a serious look.

Vegeta ignored Kakarot's sudden change of demeanor passing it off as him finally learning his place and made his way to the palace to see what was so urgent.

"There you are, Boy. What took you so long?" King Vegeta asked from his desk, barely taking the time to look up from his piles of paperwork.

"Blame the servant for taking his time to find me. Now what is it that's so important that you had to interrupt my busy schedule?"

King Vegeta fixed Vegeta to his spot with an intense glare. "Don't take that tone with me, Boy. You're the Prince of this planet so you should know that there are much more important things that sparring."

"Is this about the water issue again? We've already gone over it."

"There are far more problems than just that one issue." Standing up he walked over to the window and looked out over the city. "Since our refusal of the Cold Empire's treaty, the need for purging planets has become practically non-existent. There have been so few missions coming in that our people barely leave the planet. Our ancestors had never bothered to make relations outside of those involved with this business so we don't have any way of importing goods to benefit us. Not to mention that we don't produce anything that would be good for exporting so our planet's funds will soon be completely diminished."

"What do you mean? That's our planet is going bankrupt?"

King Vegeta let out a barking laugh. "Ah, so you can pay attention when something important is being said. Good, good."

"Stop messing around with me! I can do without your joking."

"It's no joke, Boy. Water isn't the only resource that we're running out of, you know. Without water, our producers can't grow the crops needed for most food. It's not apparent to you now because everything is brought to the palace for us but there are already those in the lower quarters that are barely getting by."

"Yes, Kakarot had mentioned that."

"Bardock's youngest son? Yes I recall that you've been seeking him out specifically for the purpose of sparring. It's a pity that he's a third class. Such strength would be beneficial to the elite forces."

"Who cares about what could be, Old Man? He was born a third class clown and he'll die a third class clown. Nothing will ever change and it doesn't need to."

King Vegeta sighed before walking back to his desk. "Which brings me to my next point. The possible solution to our problems."

Vegeta's fists clenched at his sides. "You better not suggest that we take the cold's offer to work for them. They don't want a partnership anymore, they want slavery."

"You're absolutely correct. Any deal we make the Colds will be of no benefit to our kingdom. Which is why I've found another solution." King Vegeta reached into a drawer and pulled out a three inch piece of plastic. "Do you have any idea what this is?"

After staring at the object for a few seconds something clicked in his mind. "I remember that old codger that came by here when I was young, showing off his plans for something that looked similar to that."

"Yes, Dr. Briefs. He claimed that he could make a device that could transform anything you could imagine into a palm sized capsule. He went from planet to planet hoping that his idea could increase his planet's trade."

"I remember you laughing at his ludicrous idea and sending him on his way. So why bring him up after so long."

"The reason to bring him up," King Vegeta clicked the top of the capsule and threw it to the side, "… is this."

Once the sudden puff of smoke disappeared Vegeta's wide gaze fell onto what looked to be a two-wheeled vehicle of some sort. Primate and useless for a society that got around by flying but the feat could not be denied.

"I can see that you're as shocked as I am to see that this device is as real as can be. During his travels off planet Bardock, one of the first men to bring up the extent of the decline of our planet, visited the planet that Dr. Briefs was from. He was shocked to see that the culture was thriving, even with the benefits of Universal trade. It was solely because of this device. Water could be brought to even the most barren of areas and shipping became easier to manage boosting their planet's economy tenfold. When I heard about this I sent a request proposing that we open up trade between the planets. I had expected to be turned down because of our previous treatment of the doctor, but to my surprise the owner of Capsule Corporation accept the offer fully. However, when I talked about the extent of our planet's problem, it was decided that the entire company would move here."

Vegeta blinked at that. "What?"

"Yes, it was decided that opening trade routes and figuring out the needs of our planet would be difficult without seeing the damage firsthand. Hopefully it's not too late to repair the damage."

"This is ridiculous. We are the Saiyan race. We don't need help from anyone, let alone some fragile beings that don't know anything about…"

"Don't know anything about what, Boy?" King Vegeta cut him off with a look that instantly made him regret his outburst. "Tell me, how did you learn about our planet's troubles? Did you go out into the city and see those that were suffering? Did you go outside the city and see the state of the crops? No, of course you didn't because you've never had to learn about the world outside your interests. If you wanted something, it was yours but did you ever stop to wonder where it came from? In all your 23 years of living you've never had to struggle to survive. You've never experienced what it's like to be denied something you wanted so badly. So if there's anyone that doesn't know anything it's you."

Vegeta grit his teeth as he seethed with anger at his Father's demeaning, though admittedly true, words.

"So now is the time for you to learn. As of next month, Capsule Corporation will be moved to Vegetasei and you will be in charge of overseeing the work being done. I've been told that there is a possibility of training equipment being made to help our army strengthen our defenses in case the Colds decided to forgo pleasantries and attack so you'll also have to aid with the designs so that we can the most out of them. Do you understand your role here?"

Though he hated the idea of hovering over the old codger while he went about increasing trade the idea of better training equipment did sound worth his time. With a nod, Vegeta turned towards the door ready to get on with his day.

"Oh and Vegeta," the King's voice stopped him before he could leave. "The owner of Capsule Corporation is not to be touched. This is not a slave we're talking about but a very important business partner.

Vegeta gave him a bored glance. "I'm not five, Father. If I could get through those droll dinner parties the Colds forced us to attend without killing anyone I'm sure I'll get through with harming the old doctor." And with that he pushed the doors open and stormed out, ignoring his Father's last words about him not listening to him or some other nonsense.

If he had stayed a few seconds longer, however, he would have understood that the owner of Capsule Corporation was not the old codger he'd met years ago but his 22 year old daughter, Bulma Briefs; A woman who without even trying would turn his entire perception of the world upside down.

A/N: There we go, a slight glimpse at the issues 5 years ago. Please feel free to review, I love to hear the feedback.