Chapter 13

Doubts

After her confession to Vegeta, Bulma didn't see him for a long time. Due to the ongoing war, his tactical knowledge was once again needed on the battlefield and he spent most of his time with fighting or planning counter-attacks on one of their two secondary planets. He left suddenly, without informing her about it and with a sigh she realised, she should have known it. After all, their relationship was almost non-existent. First, she felt foolish for telling her feeling to him, later she felt relieved. At least it was out there, not that it changed anything. Normally, she would have never told him, but he kept asking and asking and she just couldn't lie to him. Obviously if not for his indifference, he should have noticed it a long time ago.

After a few weeks, for the first time ever she realised that she might have become pregnant; after all she slept with him twice. She was surprised by her own absent mindedness and she couldn't understand how this only now occurred to her. Then as she inspected her state of mind more closely, she knew; all she could think about every time she remembered on those two occasions was just how mind-blowing it was. Maybe literally as she seemed to lost her mind. As she thought about it a bit more rationally, something came to her mind; a question what she already pondered a couple of times, but never asked it from anybody. The time just became ripe for it, she had to shed some light on the truth.

"Say Karris, how come saiyans are a dying race?" She asked.

They were in the hangar, installing a cloaking device on one of the spaceships. It was early in the morning, but they were all alone in the huge place. Most of the saiyans were out on missions or occupied one of the gravity rooms to train. Karris pulled his head out from the compartment where he checked the engine and looked at her strangely, before answering:

"You know, we are always fighting and even though we win our fights, many of us die on the battlefield."

"Sure, I knew that. It's just… I know that saiyans are often raping the victims on the planet. Some of those intercourses should lead to children, right?"

"Oh, so that's why you are asking it" He said, finally understanding her question. "I thought you knew; saiyans are not compatible with other races. Even though many look similar to us, no children were ever born from a saiyan and an alien."

"Huh?" She asked, shocked.

Now that she thought about it, she has never seen any demi-saiyans, at least as far as she could tell. Was it really so surprising, that saiyans could only have children in their own race? Now as she thought about it, it might be the same with humans as well. The fact that they have similar body structure doesn't automatically mean that they are that similar from a biological perspective.

"Guess it might be a curse. I mean the way saiyan fighters behaved during invasions would otherwise result to a huge growth in our population. I'm not sure though how strong a demi-saiyan would be. Our abilities are superior to most of the races; it might just lead to degradation anyhow."

"You see, it's so crazy that I'm living on Vegetasei for a long time now and there are still things about saiyans, which I don't know."

"I'm seeing it the other way around. You only live here since a few years, yet the amount of knowledge you gathered is frightening. Especially as most of it is coming from the fact that you are surveying us."

"You know the saying; the devil you know it better than the devil you don't" She smiled.

"I guess that's right" Karris nodded.

They stopped with the discussion and continued to work on the ship, while Bulma was relieved; she could not be pregnant after all. She wondered whether the Prince even though on the possibility, or he never even gave it a second thought.

Vegeta was walking back toward the huge spaceship what was modified to be the headquarter, when he felt three Ki. One was barely present, while the other two were clearly in distress. They belonged to the race, who inhabited the planet. Normally they would never get so close to the saiyan's headquarter, so he decided to check them out. As he walked in the forest, soon he located them. One, with the lowest Ki was lying on the ground under a huge log, while the other two were trying to get him free. They were woodworkers from the Wohal race; they were the ones, who built most of the furniture on Vegetasei. They were pretty humanoid, with dark skin and brown hair colour. Just like any other planet which became saiyan colony, the inhabitants were not really strong. It was pathetic, who even two of them couldn't lift up the log, which wouldn't cause a problem even for a 1 years old saiyan child. Without thinking he kept walking towards to them and once they realised he was there, they become white from fear. While the saiyans were now the protectors and the Wohals were happy for their presence, they still remembered how strong and cruel they were in reality. Vegeta had a smirk on his face as he saw the effect he had on them, yet he kept walking after he reached them. Then, without any visible effort, he lifted the trunk from the third man and threw it away, which caused a big rumble as it hit the ground. They all looked at him shocked, not quite sure what just happened. He started to leave, when one of them cried after him on a shaking voice:

"Thank you!"

He didn't stop or looked back, but somehow he remembered on her words about doing something without wanting anything in return. Was this just what he did? He most certainly didn't gain anything by this, but then… why was he doing it in the first place? Damn, he cursed and as he entered the spaceship and he went straight away into is cabin. He tried to focus on the report, which contained the most recent movements of the enemy, but he couldn't. His mind kept thinking about her and he threw the papers to the wall, while he jumped up and began to peace in his room. Just like the first time, when he was away, distance didn't solve his issue. If anything, it just made it worse. There were days, when he hardly ever thought about her, while on other days, she was all he kept thinking about. He could force himself to focus on his tasks, but as soon as his control loosened a bit, his mind wandered on his own. Why? Now he even slept with her and he never thought about any woman, with whom he already slept. That was a closed deal. Her words, when she revealed to him why she was with him, were so unexpected that he still had no idea, what to think about it. Why would she love him? He has never given her any reason to feel that way, he was never even nice to her. Ever. This just made no sense! He was so sure, she had some hidden agenda all along, yet he had to see how wrong he was. Because even though her words were unbelievable, he knew just from looking at somebody, whether they were telling the truth or they were lying. That skill came with his job as a warrior. She was telling the truth and that made him lost.

"Hey Vegeta, what's up?" He heard Kakarott as he entered his room.

"Damn it you clown, don't just burst in here!" He cried out and jumped to him, trying to land a punch in his face.

"But you said I should come to you as soon as I arrive" He frowned, while he evaded his punch with ease.

Vegeta sighed, then stepped out of the floor, indicating him to follow him. Kakarott nodded and soon they were in the room, which was the heart of the command centre, with all the communication devices and plans.

"I got some information from my spies, that a stronger troop is on its way to Tarek. I need you to come with me, to greet them" Vegeta said with a smirk.

"Just you and me?"

"I don't have any manpower to spare and as much as I hate it, you are one of the bests."

"Really? But I'm only a second class warrior."

"Consider yourself promoted; welcome to the elite league!"

As much as Vegeta hated it, he had to admit the guy was good. Maybe his raw power wasn't quite on the level of an elite fighter, but his strange techniques acquired from their slaves made him better and especially since this war, the Prince also learned that raw power is not everything, what a warrior needs.

"Seriously?" Kakarott asked with a stupid smile.

"Do you know me as somebody, who is joking?" He asked, crossing his arm on his chest.

That's right, he wasn't that type, which meant he was really promoted. While he was happy, he couldn't really decide what to think about it. His father just recently entered the 2nd class rank and now, he was finally an elite. Right now, he was ok with it, but as time passed, he had more and more doubt about what he would do, once the war is over. He could never revert back to his old lifestyle, that was sure.

They departed within a few minutes and soon landed on Tarek. This planet was one of Kakarott's favourite. While its primary function was iron mining, it had a beautiful landscape with rich flora and fauna. It reminded him on Earth and he decided to bring Chichi and Bulma here, once he has the opportunity. He was convinced they would also like this place. The race living here was also humanoid, just like humans, with a wide variety of hair colour and similar habits.

"Kakarott!" A little girl cried out and jumped up on him, hugging his neck.

"Trysa, what are you doing here?" Kakarott asked back, getting her off him, making sure not to cause her any pain in the process.

"I heard that some saiyans are coming and I came here to see who will arrive. I was hoping you will be among them."

As Trysa explained this, she cast a doubtful at Vegeta. Unlike Kakarott, he had a strict face and an intimidating aura. She was around 10 years old, with blond hair brained into two pony tail, dressed in a grey clothes. Suddenly Kakarott's face changed and his usually nice expression became hard. It was like she was seeing a whole other man standing in front of her; a real saiyan.

"Go back to the village, it's too dangerous here!' He called and this time, his voice was full of authority.

Trysa nodded and obeyed straight away. Vegeta looked at the whole conversation in silence. He knew Kakarott was an idiot, going around the colonies and making friends. Regardless being who he was, the slaves accepted him and looked up on him. He acted nothing like a saiyan, until he suddenly felt the approaching Ki from west. Vegeta also felt it and understood his sudden change in his mood. Now, as he was trying to sense how many from the enemy soldiers landed, he was every bit like a saiyan. His face was hard, his eyes serious and full with rage. Yet, that rage wasn't quite the same as Vegeta felt and it left him with questions. A few minutes later as they met the soldiers and he could sneak a look on Kakarott while fighting, he had no doubt, he was a fighter. It was like Kakarott had two personalities; a clown, making friends with people and acting like an idiot and the warrior, the saiyan fighter, the ruthless killer, who inflicted pain and death on anybody, who dared to oppose him. He could change from one to the other within seconds, just like he did now.

"Don't go on celebrate just yet!" They heard a voice from their right and looked there.

Most of the soldiers were lying around them dead, the remaining ones barely able to stand. That's when he appeared; a man with green skin and long green braided hair.

"I'm Zarbon, one of Freeza's strongest warrior!" He said. "I watched you fight, you are not as good as I thought.

"Oh but you are mistaken my green friend!" Vegeta answered and stepped to him. "Kakarott, he is mine!"

"Ok" Kakarott nodded, then turned to one of the remaining solders on his right, and finished him off with an energy blast.

"You are foolish, thinking that you can take me on alone" Zarbon smirked. "Not even the two of you would have a chance against me. More so, as you were already fighting for a while now, your energy must be low."

To confirm that, he turned on the scouter and checked their power levels. Both saiyans kept it repressed most of the time, so Zarbon burst out in laughing one he saw the numbers on the display.

"Those devices cannot be trusted" Vegeta answered, then began to rise his Ki, causing Zarbon to step back shocked as the number began to change.

Before he had time to react, the Prince launched his attacks and landed several punches, before Zarbon was able to gasp what was happening. Kakarott looked at the fight with awe. He has rarely seen Vegeta fight and it way a long time ago, that they have sparred. He heard how he improved during the years and his power was more and more formidable with every day. Unlike other saiyans, his attacks were precise, without any necessary movements, making sure to utilise his energy at an almost 100% efficiency level. Kakarott might be superior when it came to the number of techniques known by the two of them, but the Prince was his superior regarding precision. After just 5 minutes, Zarbon was completely beaten, hardly able to stand.

"I'm not sure who Freeza is, but if you are one of his best soldiers, I have no need to fear him" Vegeta laughed.

"You little…" Zarbon called. "I never expected that I would need to change, in order to kill you, but oh well… it looks like I cannot be helped. Just remember, nobody has seen this form and lived to talk about it, except for Master Freeza."

Before Vegeta could say anything, Zarbon's Ki increased and his form changed, making him almost unrecognisable.

"No wonder you don't want to change, you are ugly!" Vegeta laughed, but the next moment he felt a kick in his face and he was flying away from its force.

Kakarott jumped it, but he suffered the same fate as Vegeta, he also crashed into a tree, knocking it down.

"I told you, he is mine dammit!" Vegeta shouted to Kakarott, while he wiped down the blood from his mouth with her sleeve.

"You cannot take him on your own!"

Ignoring his remark, Vegeta launched a new attack, but again couldn't scratch him. Kakarott also attacked and failed again. They kept trying to take him down, but all they did, was injuring themselves in the process.

"Close your eyes!" Kakarott cried to Vegeta and prepared to use the blinding light technique.

Vegeta instantly recognising the pose obeyed and soon he heard Zarbon cursing.

"We need to think of a way to defeat him!" Kakarott called and began to fly away.

As much as Vegeta hated it, he was right. The way things were standing right now, they would only end up dead. While he was proud, he wasn't stupid; getting himself killed wouldn't solve anything. Reluctantly he followed him and they soon hid in a cave, near the mountains. They saw Zarbon flying towards them; while he still had his scouter on, he was unable to detect them as they were repressing their Ki. They sit down on the ground, trying to catch their breath. While the soldiers were not very strong, it still took some energy to beat them. Damn, if they only had the time to regenerate! But the healing tanks were on their spaceship and Zarbon would detect them there, before they were beginning to heal.

"I have never met somebody so powerful!" Kakarott called and even though he was injured, he looked excited.

Yes, Vegeta remembered, how he told him, that he only enjoys fighting with people, who are his equals or superiors. In a way, he began to understand him, somehow he wasn't enjoying killing weak soldiers any more, although he couldn't quite pinpoint when that exactly changed.

"How long can you maintain the invisibility?" Vegeta asked suddenly coming up with a plan.

"I'm not sure, I mean I'm out of energy and it required a lot of effort. I guess 2 minutes. Why?"

"I think I have a plan how we can defeat him" He said with an evil smirk.

A few minutes later the plan was set in motion. Vegeta located Zarbon with ease and before his scouter could warn him, he hit him from behind, then pulled him up from the ground and blasted an energy ball into his face, destroying the device.

"Sneaky bastard!" Zarbon cried and wanted to punch him, when he felt a kick from behind, which sent me flying.

"What? How?" He asked, looking around confused.

"I'm sorry, was I moving too quickly for you to see?" Vegeta asked with an evil grin.

"You didn't more, you were standing there the whole time!" He cried angrily as he got up.

"Are you sure? Look at me!"

Again, Zarbon felt an another kick from behind and he staggered.

"You were not the one, who did that!" Zarbon cried out an looked out fanatically.

Yet, he could see nobody else, apart from the Prince.

"Do you see anybody else here?"

"But… but… where is the other monkey?"

"I killed him. I told him not to intervene, but he wouldn't listen. That's why I left, to threw out the trash. Now, you have my full undivided attention."

"You wouldn't kill one of your own."

"What makes you so sure? I'm a saiyan and I'm quite sure you already heard about us."

Zarbon stepped back a bit involuntary. Indeed, he has heard about them, they were a feared race in the universe, who were not afraid to kill each other as well. Did this guy really kill the other one? He had to, the short one was nowhere to be seen. Vegeta laughed, seeing his expression and again attacked. Better said, he moved a bit, making the impression he attacked, but the real energy beam was created by Kakarott, who was there, making himself invisible. First, he wasn't so sure about Vegeta's plan, but as he had no other ideas, he went along with it. The Prince said that apart from the actual physical battle, occasionally a mental fight also took place with enemies, who were close in power. He wanted to make Zarbon believe, he was much more superior, breaking his mental strength, deeming him to lose his will to fight, tricking him to think, he lost.

"You will die here, you already lost!" Vegeta said and again, pretended to prepare for an attack, while it was Kakarott, who punched him in the stomach. Zarbon staggered back and coughed up a huge amount of blood.

"The fight is never over, until you give up or die!" Vegeta called and this time, he really shoot an energy beam, along with Kakarott, which run through him, making a big hole in his body.

"You… you will pay dearly for this…" Zarbon whispered, then fall on the ground, dead.

Just then, the invisibility wore off from Kakarott and he also felt to the ground, next to Vegeta.

"It was a hell of a fight!" Kakarott called with his usual smile on his face.

As the fight was over, he reverted back to the clown he was. Still, Vegeta had to give him credit; without him, he wouldn't be able to defeat Zarbon on his own.

I'm curious what you think about this chapter. I really struggle to write fighting scenes, so I'm not sure how this ended up. I know some of you might have expected to see some response from Vegeta to Bulma for her confession, but well… he still has to figure it out I guess :D He is pretty lost when it comes to her