Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ.
Pandemonium ran rampant in the banquet hall as the women rushed to get out of the room. Vegeta's last words ran through Bulma's mind as she helped direct the women not to their rooms, as Vegeta first instructed, but to the catacombs below the castle. Vegeta had told her once that when a full moon appears the safest place for anyone who doesn't become an Oozaru, whatever that was, was in the catacombs.
Gradually, Bulma, ChiChi and the oldest refugee Baba were all that were left outside. Bulma had already decided not to follow the others into the catacombs and turned to head back to the banquet hall.
"Bulma, where are you going?" Baba demanded. Baba was a mystery to all of the refugees, no one knew her exact age but she was a lot older than the rest of the women. How she had survived so long with Frieza, no one knew. He would summon her and she would leave hours later. No one knew what he did with her, no one was allowed to join or watch when she was with him. She had grey-purple hair that was straight and hit her shoulders. She was also extremely short and always carried this weird glass ball with her.
"To help Vegeta," Bulma responded, starting to run back to the banquet hall.
"Child, I won't let you go alone, I have seen glimpses of what is to come and my fate lies in that room. I will go with you." Baba said running to join Bulma.
"You two are not leaving me out of this! My Kakarot is in there!" ChiChi said.
"But ChiChi, you're pregnant!" Bulma and Baba protested.
"I don't care, I need to be with Kakarot, if something were to happen to him, I don't know what I'd do! I'm going and you can't stop me!" ChiChi said with determination and a look in her eye that had Bulma and Baba scared to disagree with her.
A loud crash sounded from inside the banquet hall, it was followed by several more. The three women looked at one another for a second before Bulma forced the doors open. Where there had once been the door and connecting wall to the balcony, there was only crumbling stone. It was as is something very large or several somethings that were very large had hurtled through it.
Bulma shivered, she did not want to go out there but she knew that she must, her people needed her to be strong and to face whatever horrors were out there. It was her duty as queen to stand by her king during not just the best of times but the worse as well. That is what the marriage vows of earth said, "for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for rich or for poor." They might not be on earth anymore but they were still from there and still had to uphold their own values and roots. That meant facing whatever lay out there, no matter what. Bulma was not a quitter, one who would turn tail and leave when goings got tough. No, she would stand by her mate even if it meant standing up to him at his worse.
"Rooooaaaaarrrrrrr," the women rushed to the hole in the wall and looked out beyond. What looked like several giant apes roamed outside. Some were fighting with one another while others climbed trees.
"Ahhhhhh," ChiChi let out a shriek as the one closest to her grabbed her and proceeded to bring her eye level with him. Bulma didn't have time to react to this as another one grabbed her.
This one she noticed was different from the others in the way he carried himself and instantly, Bulma knew that it was Vegeta who held her.
"Vegeta! Put me down this instant!" Bulma demanded.
"Roooooaaaaarrrr," was the response she received.
"Knock it off Mister! This behavior is highly inappropriate! You are damaging our home and scaring my girls!" Bulma shrieked.
Vegeta brought the bug in his hand close to his eye, it was familiar to him and he did not know why. Yet, he had the strangest urge to obey the tiny insect. He brought his nose closer to sniff it and *wack* the bug hit him in the nose. How dare it, didn't the bug know it we in the presence of greatness. It should be humbled to be before him! But then that scent hit him, he knew that scent. However, he couldn't recall from where. He brought his nose close to the creature again and was rewarded with another hint of that scent before his nose was smacked again. He did know that scent, it was special to him, it belonged to his mate! It represented his love, his home, and his salvation! He had to focus or he could hurt the one thing that mattered most to him in the world! She was probably scared; he had to reassure her that she was safe. He opened his grip on her so she could stand on his other hand so they could remain eye level and he could focus on her.
With that thought and his actions, Vegeta began to try to move his lips, not in the common roar of his kind but to form words to reassure his mate; something never done by an Oozaru.
"Rob, Robl, RBul, Burrr, Bulrr, Bulma," Vegeta finally managed, "Bulma, m, my Bulma." He squeaked.
"Vegeta, babe, can you understand me?" Bulma asked, shocked.
"Ye, Yes," Vegeta managed in the deep voice of the Giant Ape.
"Babe, we need to stop the others, they'll destroy everything and could kill their mates!"
"Ha, How?"
"You're their king, they'll listen to you! Guide them!"
"Na, Not ki king, only prince. Father might be alive."
"It doesn't matter, you are their acting king! They will still follow you if you lead them. Be their king; lead them along the right path. Help them remember who they are like I have you!" Bulma insisted.
"Yes, my Queen but you have to help me."
"Place me on your shoulder we will have to either destroy that thing Nappa brought with him or get them to remember who they are!" Bulma said with conviction.
Vegeta grunted and did as instructed. He looked over towards Kakarot, he was still rampaging like a buffoon but his mate was sitting on his shoulder and appeared to be talking to him. At least he hadn't hurt her, but the idiot needed to calm down. Vegeta walked over to him and grabbed him so he had his attention. He growled at Kakarot reminding him that he was king. Using his royal presence, Vegeta was able to fully calm Kakarot. One by one they worked to get each of the transformed Saiyens to calm down. They worked together until all that were left were the defectors.
"Baba," Bulma said suddenly, "Where is Baba, she came out here with us. Vegeta, we have to find her."
"There she is," ChiChi said, "what is she doing with Nappa?"
Bulma and Vegeta looked Baba was standing on the Giant Ape Nappa's palm. The Ape was staring at her like he couldn't believe his eyes. They seemed totally oblivious to those around them and appeared to be deep in conversation. As they approached, Bulma and Vegeta saw Baba place her hand on Nappa's cheek. Her touch seemed to sooth the beast in Nappa and brought an end to his rampage. Looking beyond them it became apparent that several other mates had not listened to Vegeta and fled to the catacombs, instead they were outside trying to sooth their mates. Vegeta quickly shot his Galick Gun at the replica moon to prevent anyone from losing it. Once it was destroyed the Saiyens began to revert to their humanoid forms. Vegeta and Bulma walked arm in arm to Nappa and Baba.
"Soooo," Vegeta drawled as they approached, "No one but a Saiyen can be a true mate, huh?!"
"P-Prince Vegeta, I'm sorry. I know what I've done is foolish but please do not hold my mate responsible. I have waited a long time for her." Nappa stammered.
"Quiet Nappa, you are in no position to make demands, especially considering what you almost did could have resulted in a lot of our mate's deaths. Give me one good reason why I should let you live."
"I-I can think of no excuse, I await you judgment and take full responsibility. Please do not hold my men responsible." Nappa said bowing before Vegeta and exposing his neck. Waiting for the final blow, he chanced a look at the purple haired woman who was his mate; at least he'd die seeing her face as his last memory. He tensed when the blow never came he looked up. Vegeta's hand was poised in his famous Galick Gun but no energy was forming. The reason why was Bulma was standing in front of him.
"Vegeta, as your queen I ask you to be lenient with Lord Nappa. He obviously grew up under the belief that your mates could only be Saiyen and grew bitter when he never met his own. When you first broached the subject of mates from other planets he was still bitter and jealous because he obviously thought it wouldn't happen for him. He was just proven wrong apparently. I have a solution that would prevent Baba from losing her mate. I propose we exile Nappa to his castle and his lands for the rest of his days. He and Baba can live there with his men. If he needs something he is to message you and request and audience. Only during that time my he leave his land."
Vegeta looked at his mate thoughtfully for a moment before speaking.
"My darling, you are wise beyond your years, I personally don't know what I would do without you. Truth be told I was reluctant to kill Nappa, he served my father loyally for many years. You offered me the perfect solution, thank you." Vegeta kissed her gently on her forehead.
Their tender moment was interrupted by the sound of a blaster coming from the castle followed by a yelp. Moments later Raditz came running out of the castle, a purple haired woman hot on his heals. She was holding a gun and shooting at Raditz.
"You overgrown monkey, I'll teach you to stare at a girl while she is sleeping."
"Raditz! You are a Saiyen Elite, conduct yourself accordingly!" Vegeta shouted, "Are you scared of a tiny woman?!"
"It's Launch!" Bulma shouted, "She woke up!"
"Woman, that woman is not Launch, she has purple hair, or did you forget? That woman is blonde!" Vegeta said.
"Vegeta, Launch multiple personality disorder, her blond/dark personality comes out whenever she is triggered."
"Well what triggered the change? She obviously was triggered by something."
"She is triggered when she sneezes, it happens on occasion. The trick is to make her sneeze again."
"Well how in hell to we do that?"
"We have to make her sneeze."
"Hmm…we usually tickle her nose but it has to be with something soft."
"Raditz! Use your tail to tickle her nose!"
Raditz jumped up and flew behind Launch stealing her gun with one hand he gently wrapped her in his arms. His tail moved and tickled her nose."
"Ah, ah, ACHOO!" Launch sneezed and was reverted to her blue haired self. She turned in Raditz's arms to look at him. "It's you! I've dreamed of you!" She said and jumped up wrapping her legs around his waist and planting her lips on Raditz. He hesitated then began to respond with enthusiasm
The moment struck Vegeta and he found himself laughing in true humor. Pretty soon laughter erupted all around. Clearing his throat, Vegeta interrupted the kissing couple.
"Might I suggest you two find an undamaged room while the rest of us repair the castle? No one wants to see you two in any state of undress while we are fixing this place." Vegeta said with humor. "Alright men, time to clean up our mess."
With Vegeta's command, all of the Saiyens began to repair the hole in the wall and any damage to the castle. When it was completed, Vegeta found himself at Bulma's side once again. He wrapped his arm around his mate. He felt happier than he had in many years and it was all thanks to this woman.
"Bulma, you are the moon of my life, I need no other. I love you." Vegeta said looking into her eyes.
"Vegeta, my love, you are my sun and stars, whatever we face next we do it together, as one." Bulma replied.
Feel free to comment. I haven't decided to go one or make a sequel to this story. I'd appreciate your input.