Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters or "Running From and Angel" by Hootie and the Blowfish, "You Can Still Be Free" by Savage Garden, "Lights" by Ellie Goulding, "Once Upon a Broken Heart" by The Beu Sisters, or "I'm Yours" by the Script.
I'm sorry about the long wait, but as I'm sure you can tell, this is going to be a long chapter. It's also going to be the last chapter, so I wanted it to be the best chapter. I've been planning things out for a really long time. Also, I did NOT want to end the story with eleven chapters (those who are familiar with me know I can't stand numbers that end in one) so I wanted to merge the two chapters. I'm going to start with a short scene from the end of the last chapter to get us all back into it, especially because everyone loved the last line so much ^^
*****PLEASE READ*****: I have a friend that has recently gotten into DBZ and she's been working on a Dragon Ball Z/Yu Yu Hakusho crossover called "What you Saiyan?" It's a really good story that I think you would all enjoy so please look it up. Her FF name is dragoscilvio. I am also writing the sequel, Tarble in the Family. Hope you enjoy.
And now for reviews :D
FatesBestFriend24: Yes, he was helpful for once ^_^ About darn time, right?
Dbzfan777: Yeah, he came in handy for once in his life XD
KimiruMai: Me, my aunt, and my cousin agree with you on the Kanye West version. I've never even heard it, but they really don't like it. It's much better when she sings without guests anyways.
MissieMidget: No, I didn't make the cover. FatesBestFriend24, who recently changed her name, did. The link is on my profile. She did a great job with it ^_^
Middlekertz: Yup ^_^
TFSrules: I have no sympathy for him either XD That's why Yamucha (who I can't stand) got to catch him by surprise XDDDD Glad you liked my little joke ^_^
Guest: Thanks :D
DaniHime86: Lol, yes, Bulma will never go back to Yamucha, but at least he can still be a good friend and get her away from a stalker creep ^^
Fate: I'm glad you liked that part. I was thinking about the scene for ages XD I had to wait for songs to inspire me before I could actually write it X3
Lintu-lvr4: I've been trying. I'm glad you like the plot.
ThInG tWo: I'm glad you like the songs :D
KK saiyancat: Thanks for the song ideas, actually ^_^ I'm happy I could use them too.
Guest: Well, this story is almost done. This is the final chapter *phew*
Kagetoworld: lol, gee thanks XD I know I have a lot of stories. My friend said it's because plot bunnies keep attacking XD And, aw, yeah sure, it's the onions alright, but it's okay for guys to cry ;)
Lilalex579: Sadly this is the last chapter…
Dalissa34: Yup, but this is the last chapter.
Flee27: Oh, it's not the three years. It's the seven years after Cell. But I'm glad you like it all the same, and I hope you like the last chapter.
Bulma singing
Hanak singing
Vegeta singing
Bulma noticed Hanak's shock and used it to her advantage, bolting from his arms into Vegeta's.
Hanak felt his blood boiling as she took her hand and gently patted his cheek. Vegeta closed his eyes, relief finally setting in as she kissed his forehead. Hanak let out a frustrated cry and was about to charge them both when he was hit with a large energy blast from the ceiling.
Bulma was shocked, but in seconds Vegeta was on his feet shielding her from the force of the blow. She studied his expression and noticed that he didn't seem surprised by the attack at all. He smirked and said, "About time, weakling."
"Weakling?" Bulma questioned, blinking her shock away. "Yamcha is here?"
Vegeta looked down to the woman in his arms with a serious expression and nodded. He started checking her quickly for injuries. He only had a few seconds before Hanak would be on his feet again, ready for a fight. Bulma took Vegeta's hand and kissed it.
"I'm okay, Vegeta," she assured him. "He didn't hurt me. It was just mind control…I think."
"I thought I lost you," Vegeta admitted. It was true, because Vegeta thought that his Bulma would never resurface, that her mind would belong to his enemy for the rest of time.
"Never," she told him.
"Hey!" they heard Yamcha call from above, his voice travelling down the whole in the ceiling. "You two okay?"
"We're fine!" Bulma called back up. "Um, thanks for that."
"No problem!" was Yamcha's respond. "But you two better get up here before he comes to!"
"That's the first un-foolish thing you've said all day!" Vegeta yelled up to him. After hearing an annoyed, "Hey," Vegeta turned back to Bulma and said, "Let's get you out of here."
"And you?" Bulma asked, knowing the answer.
"I…" Vegeta looked back to the pile of rubble. "I have some business that needs to be taken care of."
Bulma nodded. "I kind of figured. Just be careful, Veggie."
Vegeta flashed her an irritated glare, but softened when her saw her saddened smile and tears in her eyes. He pulled her close to him and placed a short but promising kiss on her lips. "I'll be fine," he whispered against them. "No go…I don't want you here when he wakes up."
"Okay," Bulma surrendered. "I'll go."
Vegeta reluctantly released her and watched as she ran up the stairs. He knew that the weakling would get her out of the building before the real damage occurred. Now all the Saiyan warrior had to worry about was his alien enemy who had yet to surface from the rubble of the broken ceiling.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth
Come on try and tell me what you're talkin' about
Those things you're dealing with, you're living a lie
Every time I see you it makes me wanna cry
Vegeta froze as he felt Hanak's power circulating around him again. He forced himself not to think about what the lyrics of his songs meant, but it was definitely another attack about his life and how he would never escape his past.
But he knew that wasn't true. As long as Bulma could forgive his past crimes, he should be able to as well, but then Hanak's songs wouldn't be having this much power over him.
Sometimes we'd laugh and talk, seems like yesterday
Then you let the white horse come and take you away
They came to get you, it was cold and black
The wheels were in motion, there was no turning back
Running from and angel, runnin' to the devil
It finally made sense, what the attack was about. Hanak was furious that Bulma had chosen him despite seeing in her mind what Vegeta was capable of. The reason he felt this power consuming him was because even Vegeta knew that she was choosing a fearsome criminal, a killer, a demon who should have been an angel to the people of Illus.
Vegeta shook his head and powered up in attempts to pry Hanak's energy off of him. After the Illusian's energy disintegrated around him, Vegeta let out a breath of relief. For the first time the entire day there was silence. Vegeta relished in the silence until he realized something.
It was too silent.
The Saiyan stretched out his senses to signal in on Hanak's energy and realized that he was no longer in the building. Vegeta didn't know how it was possible for him to escape, but it was possible that he was using that last illusion as a distraction. Maybe that was why he broke free so easily this time around. That only meant one thing.
"Bulma!" Vegeta shouted before blasting through the walls of the rundown building to find his mate and stop Hanak from hurting her.
Bulma got tired of running pretty quickly, so now Yamcha was flying with her. "You okay, Bulma?" he asked.
"Of course," Bulma said as if it were obvious. Vegeta had taken her flying all the time in the past, and Yamcha was much slower than her Saiyan lover. This was a piece of cake.
However, Bulma still felt like something was off. Vegeta hadn't met up with them and they had been flying for quite some time. Hanak should have been defeated by now. Other than being taken off-guard, Hanak only had his illusions. Had Bulma been more aware, she would have been able to get away from him just on the minimal martial arts she did know from watching her friends.
"Yamcha, can you sense for Vegeta?" Bulma asked nervously. She just wanted to make sure that he was okay.
"Um, sure B," Yamcha said focusing his energy. His eyes shot open at what he felt and he stopped flying.
"Yamcha, what's wrong?" Bulma asked.
Yamcha didn't respond. He was looking at the angered Illusian in front of him. Bulma saw that he was staring intently at one spot and looked to it. Her eyes widened as she saw her kidnapper floating in the air, a deranged and enraged expression plastered on his normally calm face. He sent Bulma a cruel smirk.
"You didn't think you were getting away from me now did you?" he asked sinisterly.
And that reminded both Bulma and Yamcha of how Vegeta used to be when he came to Earth and attacked on Namek. They were in trouble.
Vegeta searched desperately for Bulma's ki. It may be low, but he had locked in on her and he wasn't letting go. He didn't know how long he had before Hanak made a move against them and, even though his power was mostly illusions, he knew that both humans would be in trouble. Even he, the Prince of Saiyans, couldn't fight a half-hearted illusion. Hanak's abilities were definitely not meant to be trifled with.
"Conrad…Hanak, please," Bulma pleaded. "Hasn't this gone on long enough? Hasn't there been enough violence?"
"You don't understand!" Hanak shouted at her. "You saw what that monster is capable of and yet you still choose him."
"Hey, dude," Yamcha said curtly, "I'm not really Vegeta's biggest fan either, but even I can say he's not as bad as he was when he came here."
"It still doesn't make up for the past," Hanak growled.
"But neither will I," Bulma said quietly. Hanak stared at her like she was crazy. "I can't replace your dead wife," she elaborated. "I can't give you back the time you lost. Coming after me and trying to force me to be with you will not make you happy. That's one thing you and Vegeta have in common."
"Excuse me?" Hanak asked incredulously. "What, pray tell, is our ONE similarity?"
Bulma smiled sadly. "The two of you can't let that day go."
Hanak was about to scream at Bulma some more for even suggesting that the Saiyan was as affected as he was by the loss of his family, but she didn't give him a chance.
Cool breeze and autumn leaves
Slow motion daylight
A lone pair of watchful eyes
Oversee the living
Feel the presence all around
A tortured soul
A wound un-healing
No regrets or promises
The past is gone
But you can still be free
If time will set you free
Hanak couldn't help but still be enchanted by Bulma's voice. Even though she wasn't an Illusian, her voice still sounded soft and pure as she was singing for his tortured soul and whispering promises of a life better than his past. It was too good to be true though and he found himself scoffing at her words. Still, it didn't deter her.
Time now to spread your wings
To take to flight
The life endeavor
Aim for the burning sun
You're trapped inside
But you can still be free
If time will set you free
She was telling him to let go, to let himself be free of the memories that haunted him for decades. Her words weren't misguided either making it even more difficult for Hanak to keep his own guilt from surfacing. But it didn't seem to matter when she was telling him to reach for something greater and be someone better. Then another thought hit him. He wasn't the one that caused the problem. Vegeta had, but on someone else's order. For the first time, he felt as bad as the tyrant, punishing Vegeta for something he had little control over as a child.
But it's a long, long way to go, he sang in response. Bulma nodded in understanding, but was happy to finally get through to him.
Keep moving way up high
You see the light
It shines forever
Sail through the crimson skies
The purest light
The light that sets you free
If time will set you free
Vegeta was flying quickly to where Bulma's energy was. As he got closer, he could hear her voice echoing in the distance. He mentally cursed himself, hoping he wasn't too late like last time where she was surrendering to Hanak. He couldn't lose her, not like that, not again.
He was surprised to see Yamcha and Hanak hovering in the air, no one making any movements as Bulma continued to sing from Yamcha's arms. Her words were comforting, encouraging even, that even Vegeta felt he could relate to what she was telling his current enemy.
Sail through the wind and rain tonight
You're free to fly tonight
And you can still be free
If time will set you free
Hanak nodded, finally accepting everything. It took him a long time to process his thoughts and feelings, and he could now admit to himself that taking an innocent, unwilling woman, whether she was under his control or not, was the wrong way to handle his pain. It still left him bitter that she would rather be with the man who wiped out his own race, but maybe the fact that Vegeta was pretty much alone for so long in the universe was punishment enough for his crimes. At least Hanak would have a chance to move on.
He started to descend onto a roof, followed by Yamcha who set Bulma down. Vegeta, finally shaken out of his stupor, decided now would probably be the best time to reveal himself. All eyes were on him as he landed on the roof and crossed his arms.
Bulma looked between both Vegeta and Hanak before singing her final verse.
And going higher than the mountain tops
And go high like the wind don't stop
And go high
Free to fly tonight
Free to fly tonight
"You are both free now," Bulma said softly to them.
Yamcha looked between the three of them and felt somewhat out of place now that things were starting to be worked out between the three aliens. "Um, I'm just going to go now," he said pointing away from the group with his thumb.
Vegeta looked over to him and gave him a curt nod, a silent and uncharacteristic thanks for the part he played for getting Bulma back. He would most likely never be thanking him again in the future.
Yamcha flew off of the roof and headed as far away as he could, leaving Bulma, Vegeta, and Hanak to finish working things out. First, now that there was a moment's peace, Vegeta made a move towards Bulma, again to make sure she hadn't been harmed in any way, even though he knew for certain that she hadn't left Yamcha's grasp until they were on the roof.
Hanak watched the two lovers being reunited and felt a sense of longing. Bulma had been right; he wouldn't have been able to replace his lost love with her, and he didn't want to, not anymore.
I had a way then losing it all on my own
I had a heart then but the queen has been overthrown
And I'm not sleeping now, the dark is too hard to beat
And I'm not keeping now the strength I need to push me
Bulma and Vegeta looked over to Hanak, both confused at his words. It sounded like he was giving up. Bulma could not tell why or what the man would be giving up on, but Vegeta knew better. Having nearly lost Bulma, he could only imagine the despair Hanak felt now that his need for vengeance had been gone.
You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine it when I'm alone
And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
And dreaming when they're gone
'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home
Calling, calling, calling home
Hanak looked up to the sky, feeling the sensation of the wind around him. He could picture his wife, hearing her voice calling him from the beyond, and he wanted to answer her call.
You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine it when I'm alone
Home
"Vegeta, what is he doing?" Bulma asked, feeling a ton of energy pouring out from Hanak. She knew something was wrong seeing as she had never felt energy before in her life. It was starting to worry her.
Vegeta's eyebrows clenched together; he was stunned by what he was feeling from the Illusian. He had heard about this power only once, although it was said never to have been used except as a form of ritualistic suicide in the planet's culture. He did not want to answer Bulma's wondering with the truth and just waited until he no longer felt Hanak's energy around them.
"Vegeta?" Bulma questioned again.
"He wanted to be with her," Vegeta explained. Bulma didn't understand until she saw Hanak's lifeless body fall forward, no longer able to hold him up. She was about to move to catch him, but Vegeta stopped her, holding her tightly while burying her head in his chest so she wouldn't have to see anything more. He flew away quickly before she would even be able to hear the body hit the ground and be haunted by even more death and despair. The human had had enough for one day.
Vegeta touched down at Capsule Corp. pretty late after the two flew around for a bit to de-stress. The sun was already setting, but neither of them was ready to go home. Bulma wasn't ready to face her parents and explain the whole Hanak situation. Likewise, Vegeta didn't want their son to find out. It would be another strike against him that he wasn't ready to have added. He was already blaming himself for placing Bulma in any unnecessary danger.
The two of them reluctantly entered their home. "Mom, dad, I'm home," she called out receiving no answer. "That's odd."
Vegeta looked around the darkened home and found a small piece of paper, a note saying that the Briefs were out and Trunks was at Chi Chi's visiting Gohan and Goten. Relief washed over Vegeta knowing that he wouldn't have to deal with this until the weekend was over, maybe longer if no one decided to ask.
Bulma sighed when she saw the note, her too feeling relieved. Part of her didn't even want to say anything to her parents about this day. They didn't really know much about the singing job except that she had it. She could always tell them she quit, that it was another phase that's behind her and leave it at that. She knew that Vegeta would take it the hardest if everyone knew, so she reassured him by turning to him and stroking his face as gently as she could, her eyes telling him what was on her mind. No one needed to know.
Vegeta let out a breath of relief and nodded. He could agree with that so long as something like this didn't happen again. He had so many enemies, too many, and he didn't want another one to find him like Hanak had. Bulma could see so many confused emotions swimming in his irises, so she decided to start humming a song, one that would reassure her feelings for him.
Once upon a broken heart
I was walking alone in the dark
Looking for a way to start again
What I wouldn't give for a friend
There was no love in my life
There was no light in my eyes
All the tears that I had cried and cried
Seemed like they'd never end
Vegeta visibly stiffened. After all they had gone through today, he didn't need another reminder of his past faults and how he had failed her. Part of him was trying to ignore her as he turned away and attempted to leave. Bulma managed to stop him though using her gentle hand to hold his face in place and continue her song.
And I never believed fairytales came true
But now I know that they really do
Now that I found you, now that I'm here with you
Just look at the sunshine, and you
Showed me a world
That I'd never seen
I woke up and fell into this dream
Happily ever after just took time
Once upon this broken heart of mine
Vegeta's eyes widened at her confession. He was sure she was going to berate him and make him feel guilty, but he mentally smacked himself for thinking such a thing. That was not how Bulma was. She was loud-mouthed and irritating, always scolding him for stupid things, but she was also accepting and forgiving, and she did not hold anything against him. If anything proved that to him, it was this hell of a day they experienced together.
Long ago and far away
I could never dream of the day
That your love would come my way and stay
And sweep me away
Vegeta chuckled slightly. No, he could never openly express himself and tell her than he loved her, but he was at least trying to act in such a manner. Part of him felt his protectiveness translated into love, not sure what that particular emotion felt like. He cared; that much he knew, but everything else was still a fog. At least they'd have time to figure it out together, when he wasn't training of course.
And I never believed fairytales came true
But now I know that they really do
Now that I found you, now that I'm here with you
Just look at the sunshine, and you
Showed me a world
That I'd never seen
I woke up and fell into this dream
Happily ever after just took time
Once upon this broken heart of mine
Bulma stopped singing, just leaning into Vegeta's warm embrace. The Saiyan inhaled, taking in her scent and relaxing his raging mind. There was still so much that needed to be said and done between them. Where he would probably never openly admit that he loved her, he needed to assure her that this wouldn't be a repeat during that three year period waiting for the androids to attack.
He pulled her back momentarily gazing into her questioning eyes before holding her close a bit, swaying side to side. The two of them continued to stare into each other's eyes. Vegeta opened his mouth to say something, but closed it and sighed. He was about to lower his pride big time for her, and could only hope that she would appreciate it.
You touch these tired eyes of mine
And map my face out line by line
And somehow growing old feels fine
I listen close for I'm not smart
You wrap your thoughts in works of art
And they're hanging on the walls of my heart
His words came out soft, barely above a whisper, but Bulma heard them growing more confused by the minute. She gently stroked his face before he nuzzled into her hand. He swallowed the lump of nervousness forming in his throat and continued to continue with his self-imposed humiliation.
I may not have the softest touch
I may not say the words as such
And though I may not look like much
I'm yours
And though my edges may be rough
I never feel I'm quite enough
It may not seem like very much
But I'm yours
Tears of joy and acceptance started streaming down her face at which Vegeta answered by pushing them away. She had already known when she started pursuing the Saiyan way back before their son was born that he was rough, dangerous, and pretty much everything she was warned about today. Gently grazing her arms with her soft hands egged him on to continue his lyrical speech.
You healed these scars over time
Embraced my soul
You loved my mind
You're the only angel in my life
Bulma gasped at what Vegeta said as he pressed his forehead to hers. He called her his angel. She would have thought for sure he would steer clear of that word as Hanak had accused him of being his people's fallen angel. Bulma clenched her eyes shut, willing herself not to think about her former boss and his attack on her and her Saiyan lover. Instead, she moved her hands back up his arms and up passed his neck into his hair. She played with the strands earning a contented growl from the Saiyan.
The day news came my best friend died
My knees went weak and you saw me cry
Say I'm still the soldier in your eyes
At this point, Vegeta felt himself struggling. It was true that he had been devastated when the last remaining full-blooded Saiyan had left him alone in the universe. He had held himself up in another room of the house where no one would bother him except for Bulma on occasion. He hadn't confided in her, but she knew. She knew he was alone, but she would still treat him with respect. She even tried to force him back into training with her half-hearted insults which was sometimes the drive he needed. She was what he needed.
I may not have the softest touch
I may not say the words as such
And though I may not look like much
I'm yours
And though my edges may be rough
I never feel I'm quite enough
It may not seem like very much
But…
"I'm yours," she whispered into his ear when his voice caught in his throat. She pulled back to gage his reaction which could only be described as a contented calm. Vegeta nodded to her, but neither sang nor said anything more. Nothing else had to be said that day. Everything else could be figured out on another. Really, right now, both the Saiyan and human were physically and emotionally exhausted.
Vegeta picked Bulma up and carried her up the stairs to her room, for the night and probably for many more nights it would be their room. It was unfortunate that they couldn't take advantage of their solitude for the night, but it didn't matter. They shared a kiss to convey all that was left unspoken between them before they drifted off into a peaceful slumber. They were both content to be lulled to sleep by each other in the silence of the house. Before Vegeta completely drifted off, he stared down at the woman in his arms and prayed to whatever deity would listen that this would be the last major adventure for a little while. He had some lost time to make up for.
A/N: And that's a wrap. I must say, I'm actually relieved that it's over. I never did a multi-chapter song-fic before and I must say, it had its challenges. I will still continue to write my random one-shot song-fics and actually have some set on the back burner as of right now while I start finishing up some other stories. I hope you enjoyed the final installment of this story, and I hope it was well worth the wait. Thanks again to all you readers for your continued support and patience.