Chapter 4

As soon as Bulma felt his arm loosen around her, Bulma yanked herself free from Vegeta's grasp. She collapsed to the ground on her hands and knees and quickly crawled her way over to Gohan to hide behind his young form.

"Are you okay?" He asked innocently, for that brief second, his face had changed back to a young child's, absent of the stern set of his features that made him look much older then his years.

"Y-yes I'm okay." Bulma bit out nervously. Her body still shook but that cool wave of relief washed over her to have finally gotten out of the Saiyan's clutches. She breathed in a deep sigh and exhaled slowly, trying to control the wild beating of her heart.

"Well now, isn't this a touching moment." In front of them, Vegeta stood crossing his arms, frown in place.

Gohan turned to stare angrily at him, his face once again changing into that of a seasoned warrior. His eyes were strong and unflinching as they matched the equally black depth of Vegeta's. She could see the muscles of his jaw clench as he grated his teeth together, and his young stance stood proud and protectively in front of her. At that moment he looked just like his father. Son-kun was always headstrong and brave. Never had the act of cowardice ever invaded his path to helping the people of Earth. Even when he knew the battle was in his opponent's favor he never turned his back on what he knew was right.

Bulma could feel warmth enter her heart. How proud would Son-kun be if he could see his son now? Facing off bravely against an enemy whose power was unparallel to his own? Just to protect his dear friends? Even though Gohan as standing bravely in front of her, she could still see the underlying fear in the shadows of his eyes. His tiny growing body was shaking only slightly, the soft plump baby fat of his hands and cheeks clenched to try and hide his own terror. The boy knew he was no match for the wickedly powerful Saiyan before him, and yet he refused to back down.

That's what true bravery was about. A true man can only acquire bravery when something challenges their power to live, putting themselves in a situation where the odds are against them, when they have almost absolutely no chance of victory, just to protect the ones they care for, to risk your own life for the safety of others. That was true bravery, and for the first time in her life, Bulma recognized and respected all her friends for it.

"Vegeta…" Gohan growled the name out as if it were a curse. He bared his teeth and crouched into a fighting stance.

Vegeta only smirked. Not a second later, both bodies vanished. Bulma's heart jumped into her throat when they both disappeared right in front of her. Looking around her she failed to see where they had disappeared to, but the sudden sound of skin smacking skin caused her to raise her head and stare into the sky.

Her mouth hung open and her eyes went wide as she saw, in only a color-schemed blur, the two warriors face off. Her eyes could barely follow the blobs of color as they jostled left and right. She cursed herself suddenly feeling beyond weak in the whole situation. How did she ever plan on escaping Vegeta when she could barely keep up with his speed in a simple fight?

The colors slowed and a purple figure began to fall from the sky, crashing right next to her. Bulma screamed as she was tossed in the air from the strong impact and quickly scuttled behind a nearby rock for safety. Gohan appeared out of the rubble, growled angrily, then shot back up into the air.

"Is that all you got kid?" Vegeta pushed. "I thought you have gotten better then that. Or maybe being a loser runs in the family."

Gohan frowned. "My father is not a loser Vegeta." He said proudly. "My dad is a great man, better than you could ever be!"

"As much as that pains me, I have heard that tiring speech before and grow weary of it." Vegeta scowled. "I will defeat Kakarrot, then we shall see who's great!"

A burst of energy surrounded his compact form and he torpedoed himself straight at Gohan. Both of his fists landed painfully into Gohan's chest and he was sent back into the dirt.

"You're father is a no class fool who has no sense of Saiyan pride. He is a disgrace to his lineage and a sentimental imbecile who places his trust in his friends thinking it will give him strength." He sneered disgustedly. "That is why he is so pathetic."

"My father is not pathetic!" Gohan yelled, his white aura exploding around him. He jumped out of the ditch and launched himself at Vegeta, fist raised and eyes locked furiously.

Just when he was about to land his powerful blow across the smirking face of the fiendish Saiyan, he fazed out. Momentarily stunned, Gohan let his guard down and was met with a breaking fist to his ribs.

Gohan's breath was ripped from his lungs and his system refused to suck in air. He collapsed to his knees holding his chest, blood suddenly rushing up his throat and out his mouth.

"You have adequate power but such blatant mediocrity in your performance leaves you far from a commendable opponent."

Gohan couldn't speak or even sit up. He hunched over trying to fill his lungs with air and calm his burning chest from pain from the many broken ribs. Gohan could hear the sound of feet padding across the ground then the distinct sound of a woman's scream. His eyes widened and he looked to his left to see Vegeta throwing Bulma carelessly over his shoulder.

"N-no…" Gohan stuttered, his eyes growing heavy as once again blood leaked from his lips and spattered the ground below.

"We had a deal." He heard Vegeta say over the sounds of Bulma's shrill cries of outrage and fruitless attempts at resistance.

Gohan cringed, unable to get up from the pain. Instead he clenched his fists and shut his eyes painfully tight. He didn't know what felt worse, the burning of his ribs or the sound of Bulma's cries for help. He had failed.

"And what do we have here? You've seemed to save me the trouble of finding the Dragonball. I take it that's what this odd shaped ball is." Gohan's body froze as he saw Vegeta lean behind a rock and retrieve the large orange ball that he had hidden. He also didn't miss the revolting looking smirk that twisted on his features.

"I am taking what's mine. Go run along to your bald friend and relay this message: if either of you follow me in some foolish attempt to try and stop me, I won't hesitate in killing you."

As he lay there broken and unable to move, he could feel the distinct sensation of someone's power rising and the sound of Vegeta blasting off into the sky, taking the Dragonball and Bulma along with him.

A/N: Okay I know, not a very eventful chapter but I didn't have much time to write it. It is the holiday season so things are hectic over here and I won't be able to put anything up until after the holiday season. I still managed to post a chapter for all my stories, that's my gift to you.

I'd like to thank everyone you reviewed: marciaah1223, Lady-night-shade04, earlschibiangel, evilace, v-mangrl, and Naru Uzumaki. You all are wonderful!

Everyone else that's reading this, don't forget to review yourself and I am still looking for a beta or story ideas if anyone is interested. Thanks again.

Happy Chanukah!