Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the character not do I own the song Craddlesong by Rob Thomas or Falling into You by Celine Dion.
Sorry for the incredibly long update, but no songs were speaking to me and I've been incredibly busy with school and research and knee injuries and everything in between. Anyways, finally some songs spoke to me while I was studying on the beach, so I can finally update this one. I know it's been a while. By the way, you might hate me after this chapter, so fair warning XD
Blueflower1594: Who sings Against All Odds? Probably a band I know, but forgot XD Anyway, glad the chapter interested you and sorry for the long update.
IAmASaiyanGirlWarrior13: Yeah, and you're going to feel even worse for her after this chapter.
Marina: Thanks, glad you like it.
Miiodesu: I know, I can't picture Vegeta singing either XD I kind of just ignore that part when I write it XD And yes, yes he does and his power will be seen even more in this chapter.
Natsuki: lol, it chilled me writing it XD
Starchilds: If Vegeta catches up *foreshadowing* :3
TFSrules: Well, he's not exactly going to follow them…you see why momentarily.
Conrad Singing
Bulma Singing
Conrad was incredibly happy with himself for managing to get Bulma to his hideout without attracting any attention. Now he was admiring her beauty as she lie sleeping on his couch. He stroked her face and moved his hand down to her bare shoulder. My beautiful angel, he thought, now we can spend some quality time together. Unlike all the other women, he was not planning on letting her go.
Meanwhile, Vegeta was sitting in the bar waiting for Bulma to come on, but she never did. Before her "curtain call," he felt off, like something was wrong. When she didn't come out, he left the bar in an instant. He wasn't going to let anyone take her away from him or their son. That had to have been what happened. Bulma would never have purposefully disappeared like that, especially with him there.
Vegeta noticed the opened back door and went to investigate. He entered Bulma's dressing room and found her clothes and purse there, clue one to her being kidnapped. The second was strong scent of another person, a male, being in the room as well as her own unique scent, clue two. And there were also a few drops of blood that dripped onto the floor and wall. Vegeta's eyes widened as he took flight from the room. That was clue three.
Bulma's eyes fluttered open and adjusted to the dark lighting of the room she was in. The last thing she remembered was talking to her boss and him getting a little overly friendly with her. Panic took over her as she remembered him singing to her and everything going dark. Her stomach started churning at the thought that he had managed to take her.
"Hello my angel," she heard as Conrad came up from behind her and embraced her from behind. Bulma tensed in his arms as he moved his hands down to her stomach. She let out a whimper of fear. "Sh," he cooed while kissing and nipping at her jaw. "Everything is alright now, my dear. It's just the two of us."
"Conrad, there is no us," Bulma said, causing Conrad's ministrations to stop. This worried Bulma more than anything else, but she wanted to make it clear that she was with Vegeta and that they had a son. She was not planning on giving them up for anyone else, especially a psychopath like him. "I have someone," she told him. "We have a son. Please understand."
Conrad didn't say anything to respond. Instead, he started singing again, but this time Bulma couldn't fight it. With unresponsive, glossy eyes, he managed to get her mind's attention.
Everybody's got a different story
Everybody wanna give their selves away
But I'm still afraid
We can stay out of their field of vision
If we can keep ourselves a half a world away
Ah honey, we'll be okay
Bulma's inner self was screaming at her to fight. Conrad was pretty much saying that she was his prisoner and would never be leaving. If she only had Vegeta to worry about, then she probably would have fought and lost as she still had her doubts. But add Trunks into the equation and there was no way she was going to lose to him.
"You can't keep me here," she said in a daze. "Vegeta will find me."
"Why are you so quick to get away from me, Bulma?"
The world can be so cruel
But I will sing for you
This cradle song all night long
"If you stay with me, I will keep you safe," Conrad whispered. "You will never be taken for granted. You will be loved and appreciated for all that you are."
"I already am," Bulma replied, though she sounded unsure. "I need to go home to my son. Please."
But Conrad ignored her plea and continued singing his hypnotic song. She wasn't there yet.
Everybody's got their own opinion
Everybody's got a place where they belong
Like a favorite song
And I don't wanna be a faded memory
I don't wanna be the ghost that you can't shake
I wanna be the real thing
"You belong here with me, my angel," Conrad said. "You don't belong out there in the world where others overlook your talent and beauty. None of them deserve you and the privilege of hearing your voice as much as I. Please stay with me, Bulma."
The world can be so cruel
But I will sing for you
This cradle song all night long
"I promise to always protect you and never hurt you like you've been."
And with those words of comfort, Bulma was gone.
Vegeta couldn't track her. Her ki was already weak as it is, but something must have happened to her to make it feel like she didn't exist. He hated to admit it, but part of him wished Kakarot was still alive so that he could use his Instant Transmission. The idiot seemed to be able to track everyone with that ability, no matter how weak or hidden their ki was.
"Damn it!" he shouted. He knew he should have never left her alone, even for a few minutes. The reason he went with her, other than wanting to hear her sing, was to protect her from any other male who might try to claim her. He would not lose her again.
"Vegeta?"
Vegeta froze but growled at the presence of that man he hated more than anyone else on this planet.
"What do you want, weakling?" Vegeta snarled at Yamcha.
"Damn, what's got you so P.O.'ed?" Yamcha tried to joke. Receiving another warning growl, he did not try that again. "Where's Bulma?"
"Excuse me?" Vegeta replied.
"Well, you don't go anywhere really unless Bulma is with you, but she's not here either, so where is she?"
Vegeta knew Yamcha wasn't the one that kidnapped Bulma. He knew his scent very well being responsible for his death and then him hanging around Bulma all the time. Besides, Bulma knew how to handle herself against someone like him. There had to be something he was missing.
"Vegeta, is Bulma alright?" Yamcha pressed.
Vegeta wasn't one to lie, but he didn't want to admit to the idiot that Bulma had been kidnapped. But maybe he could know something, however small.
"What can you tell me about who can get backstage before a performance at bars?" Vegeta asked.
"What does this have to do with-"
"Answer the damn question!"
"Okay, okay…Kami, Vegeta, no need to get this angry. Only employees can go into the backstage area. They do have at least a little security."
"Would a bartender be able to go backstage?"
"I guess they could, but they're too busy serving on others."
Vegeta nodded and then thought of something. He remembered seeing Bulma with her boss one time and how uneasy he felt. He and Bulma both mistook it for jealousy. What if it was his instincts telling him to get Bulma away from the guy?
Vegeta took off, ignoring Yamcha's confused calls. He was surprised when Yamcha got in front of him. "Move, weakling."
"Bulma's in trouble, isn't she?" Yamcha asked. Vegeta didn't answer. "She's my friend Vegeta, and I won't just sit back while she's in trouble."
"If you are suggesting we team up, I highly suggest you leave. We will NEVER work together."
"Even if it's to help Bulma?" Yamcha asked. He hated his own idea as much as Vegeta, but he was trying to think about what was best for Bulma. A highly temperamental Saiyan crashing into a kidnapper's hideout was not the best thing. "Look, let's agree that we can't stand each other, but that we both care about Bulma enough to put those differences aside until she's safe. Then we can go back to our mutual hatred, deal?"
Yamcha held out his hand to shake, and Vegeta just stared at it. After thinking it over a few seconds longer, he reluctantly shook Yamcha's hand in agreement. Until Bulma was safe, they would put away their petty problems with one another. Rescuing Bulma was all that mattered.
Yamcha knew a little bit about Bulma's boss, Conrad. He used to be a famous talent scout for singers. It was said that he went crazy at some point, falling in love with all of his artists. Some disappeared and he was a suspect, but nothing could ever be proven. Still, no other artist signed with him and no one ever heard of him again. Yamcha had no idea he owned the bar where Bulma was singing. He honestly wished she had listened to both him AND Vegeta when they warned her the first time.
"This used to be his studio," Yamcha stated. "The only reason I know this is because my talent agency for baseball used to be partnered with him. They left after all of the accusations."
"A pity," Vegeta said sourly. If this was where Bulma was, they needed to get inside and they needed to move now.
Vegeta blew the door off with his energy and Yamcha glared at him. "Think you could be a little more discrete?"
Vegeta rolled his eyes. "I used to purge planets for a space tyrant. You tell me."
"Let's not start this now," Yamcha said. Sometimes he forgot that Vegeta was raised to destroy. He was now starting to understand why Bulma chose him. Vegeta had no one else in the universe (literally). Yamcha could tell his attitude towards Vegeta was starting to change, though he would never admit it out loud.
The two of them went inside and started walking down the stairs into the soundproof studio. As they were walking down, they heard the hushed and distant tones of a woman singing.
And in your eyes I see ribbons of color
I see us inside of each other
I feel my unconscious merge with yours
And I hear a voice say, "What's his is hers."
The voice sounded so far away to them, not really distance-wise; but whoever was singing, it sounded mystified, like whoever it was wasn't in the room. As they got closer, both Vegeta and Yamcha started to worry more.
I'm falling into you
This dream could come true
And it feels so good falling into you
The staircase seemed to go on forever. Vegeta looked at the pictures on the wall, all of other women. Yamcha saw them too and knew of a few of the singers who all met tragic ends. There was some that made it home to their families, which made Yamcha wonder why Conrad let some go and others disappeared or were dumped somewhere dead.
I was afraid to let you in here
Now I have learned love can't be made in fear
The walls begin to tumble down
And I can't even see the ground
Bulma was admitting her fears, even in her trace-like state. Even though her rational mind was still fighting, he subconscious was slowly choosing Conrad's kind words.
Falling like a leaf, falling like a star
Finding a belief, falling where you are
Catch me, don't let me drop!
Love me, don't ever stop!
Bulma was shouting at herself. It was so frustrating not to be in complete control of your body or actions. She would never wish this on anyone else. Snap out of it! she mentally cried, hoping to break free. She still wanted to go back to her son and maybe-boyfriend.
So close your eyes and let me kiss you
And while you sleep I will miss you
I'm falling into you
This dream could come true
And it feels so good falling into you
Yamcha knew that voice. He had just heard it in passing at times and never saw what the man looked like, but he would never forget that voice.
"Vegeta, I think Bulma is the other one singing," Yamcha admitted sadly.
They both knew that Bulma was strong and would never give up hope and let herself grow so distant. She wouldn't give herself away to a psychopath, unless you count Vegeta. There was only one explanation.
He was hypnotizing her.
Falling like a leaf, falling like a star
Finding a belief, falling where you are
They reached the bottom of the stairs and saw Bulma allowing herself to be kissed by her boss.
Falling into you
Falling into you
Falling into you
"Bulma?"
Both Conrad and Bulma turned to face them. Conrad smirked dangerously and clutched onto his prize. Bulma looked over, face void of all emotion, eyes darkened over with brownish-purple coloring.
Conrad ignored Yamcha, though he called Bulma's name. Instead he turned to Vegeta, an evil glint in his eye. He said something that shocked both Vegeta and Yamcha equally.
"You lost, Saiyan."
A/N: Okay, so does everyone hate me now? I hope not, but hey, I did have Bulma get brainwashed, but where's the fun if there's no brainwashing going on, right? Well, anyway, how does Conrad know Vegeta's a Saiyan? You'll have to wait to find out, though I promise you it will not be another three month wait, as long as the music speaks to me XD