Disclaimers: Don't own, don't ask, don't sue.

A/N: Sorry for the long delay of my next chapter! I hope you guys like this one, as it took me a long while to write this. As always I look forward to hearing from my devoted readers. Tell me what you think. Oh! Lots, and lots, and lots of surprises in the up-coming postings.

Black Sunrise

They were all sitting outside, aside from Vegeta who had to keep up with his hosting duties. Bulma peeled the mask away from her face and rubbed a finger into her eyes. "I swear to god, this lawn is spinning." After a few seconds she replaced her mask and patted down a few stray strands of hair.

"It's just you who's spinning. Now quit your bellyaching and...and..." Star crossed her eyes looking beyond confused as found out she could look at her own nose.

"Are any of you interested in watching a scary movie in the name of Halloween?" Vegeta asked, his body leaning against the garden doors that led from the library to the backyard. The woman in white was everywhere and no matter who he asked, no one knew the woman; no one except Star.

It was obvious that the butterfly knew who this swan was and he knew for sure that she wouldn't let the information slip. "Movie? What one?" Goku asked trying to keep a firm hold on to his intoxicated girlfriend.

"We've got a ton to select from, so why don't you guys go in and pick one. I'll call everyone else into the theater when you've decided." He watched as the swan started to stand up and shook his head. "Except you Pet. You owe me another dance. Don't worry for you shall be in very capable hands."

She felt her cheeks slowly light on fire as her blue eyes fell to her hands. "If you say so." Bulma smiled. She really liked this side of Vegeta, in fact, she really liked this side a lot. Why can't he just act like this all the time? If he were like this then I would have no problem going out with him, unless he wanted me to take him home to meet the parents. And god only knows I cannot do that. I just, I know that I should be able to trust him and I want to trust him, but I don't know if I can. Bulma, you're contradicting yourself.

Star winked to Bulma and latched onto Goku's free arm and together the three of her closest friends walked away from her, leaving Bulma alone with Vegeta. "So, where do you want to go and dance, back on the dance floor?"

"No."

"Then where?" Bulma asked as she stood up, running a hand down her dress to straighten out any creases that had started to show.

"It's a surprise."

"Oh? I don't like surprises very much."

"Well that's just too bad is it not?" He held out a hand and smiled to himself as Bulma took a hold of it. He led her around the outside of the house to a small garden. Her eyes widened at the sight she was standing in front of. There were small candles flickering everywhere in the garden, some nestled in the plants while others were lined up in the cut grass forming a circle.

"This is just..."

"Do you like it?"

"Yes. This is just...I'm speechless."

"Good. Now milady may I have the honor of a dance?"

"You did all of this for me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"For the hell of it. Answer my question."

"Yes. I'll dance with you...of course I will..."

He led her slowly into the circle, making sure to keep her dress away from the flames and wrapped his left arm around the small of her back, drawing her close to his chest. She placed her right hand on his shoulder and together they linked their free hands together. Bulma closed her eyes quickly as she felt a warm tingle run through her fingertips, body shivering slightly as she swallowed. She couldn't lie to herself, she found Vegeta, well this Vegeta to be perfect in every way.

With a nod of his head, he signaled some figure in the dark to start the music and as soon as the first notes played, he moved into a slow dance. Vegeta had felt her shiver and saw something pass through her clear blue eyes, but couldn't distinguish what it was. She was beautiful and his mind couldn't register the fact that she was still someone whose name he didn't know.

"This is one of my favorite songs Vegeta..." Bulma said lightly as she looked up at him. Once long ago she and Matt had danced to the very same song, but the feelings she was fighting with at the moment were not present when they had danced. 'Everything' by Lifehouse held more meaning than she would have ever cared to admit to anyone. She slipped her hand from his and enfolded them around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder.

He shifted his arms so he could clasp them gently around her and tilted his head to the side, resting his cheek on the crown of her head, taking in her scent, the feel of her against him. He was listening to the words of the song and instantly kicked himself. The song would have been fitting if they were a couple, but they weren't. She knew his name, and she was still a mystery to him. It wasn't fair. "Who are you Pet?"

Bulma smiled against his shoulder and shook her head a bit. "You've got to figure it out on your own..." She slid her right hand down from his neck and let to come to a rest on his chest. "I can feel your heart..."

Chi-Chi smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes as she placed her head on Goku's shoulder, his arm wrapped around her waist. Star smiled, arms hugging her torso as they all looked down upon the scene unfolding in the distance. The candles reflected off of Bulma's silk dress giving her almost an angelic glow as she moved smoothly with Vegeta. "They're perfect for each other..." Chi-Chi sighed happily.

"That they are..." Star smiled. "Did we pick a movie?"

"Oh yes! The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." Goku grinned.

"Fantastic. I'm going to have nightmares for a week." Chi-Chi grumbled, nuzzling her head happily against the shoulder it was resting on.

Vegeta swallowed and pressed his face into her hair, eyes closing as he took in a breath. "You are so beautiful."

"Thank you, but you don't even know who I am, and you've only seen my eyes and my lips so you do not know if I am beautiful or not."

"Eyes and lips are all that matter to me. That's the only thing that I find attractive...you are beautiful Pet, so beautiful."

Neither one of them spoke just moved with the other person in a state of uninterrupted bliss for the remainder of the song. It was over too quick for both of them. She lifted her head from his shoulder and smiled up at him. "Thank you Vegeta. I mean it. Thank you so much..."

"You're welcome. Anything to make a beautiful woman happy...shall we go inside and watch the movie now?"

"Actually, I need a cigarette." She laughed and received a wink from Vegeta as he reached inside of his coat and pulled out a pack, offering one to her. She drew one out and smirked, placing it to her lips. He produced a lighter as well and lit it, watching as she expertly took in a deep haul and then mimicked her actions. Her eyes were half closed as she tilted her head back in the circle of candles to look up at the stars. "Thank you for the dance. It was really nice..."

"You're welcome. I've got to thank you though. You are by far the most exotic woman here tonight...would you allow me the pleasure of sitting beside you while we watch the movie?"

"I'd love that. I'm not one for scary movies."

"I'll protect you." Vegeta grinned and tossed his half-finished cigarette onto the lawn. "We should get going if we want to watch the movie before midnight."

"Sure." She tossed hers beside his and watched as the smoke mingled together. He held out his arm and she took it, pressing herself close to him. Her purse beeped and shook for a few moments. "Hang on. This might be important..."

He stopped and watched as she pulled her purse from her shoulder and opened it up to extract a cell phone. "Hmm, text message..." Chewing on her bottom lip, she flipped the top up and began to read. Her eyes widened and almost bulged out of her head before rolling back as she fainted, cell phone bouncing from her limp fingers to land in front of Vegeta.

"What the hell?" He bent down and grabbed the cell phone and read the message, a growl escaping as he looked around in the bushes. I see you Bulma. Don't get too comfortable with him. I can dispose of him just as easily as I did the last one. You're mine.

So, the little prick threatening Bulma was at the party and obviously somewhere close by but Vegeta wasn't scared. Shoving the cell phone into his pocket, he knelt down beside the fainted figure and slipped an arm under her legs and the other one around her shoulders. Standing up with little difficulty, he held her close, eyes narrowed as he walked to the side door and started kicking at it, waiting for someone to let him in. One of the butlers opened the door and looked at the woman in Vegeta's arms. "Take her to my bedroom. I want three men in there with her. Two posted at the windows and another in front of the door. If you see anything suspicious let me know. I'm going to take care of all these people."

The unknown man nodded his head and took the light woman, watching as the young man stormed through the house shouting and yelling at everyone. He did as he was told and began to walk through the darkened hallways and as he passed a few of the people he worked with, he nodded his head to some of them. The selectmen followed without question.

She was placed gently in the middle of the bed while three men stood in front of the windows feet shoulder width apart with their arms behind their backs, eyes peering into the darkness. They didn't know why they were doing this, but they weren't going to question. Young Master Vegeta always knew what had to be done in case something every happened.

"LET ME IN YOU UGLY BASTARD!" Star screamed, jumping up and down in front of the man that stood guard at Vegeta's bedroom door.

"I'm sorry Miss. I cannot do that. Master Vegeta's orders."

"MASTER VEGETA MY ASS! LET ME IN OR I'LL MAKE YOU PAY YOU LITTLE SHIT! YOU'VE GOT MY FRIEND IN THERE AND I DEMAND YOU LET ME SEE HER!"

"I'm sorry Miss."

"DAMN STRAIGHT YOU'LL BE SORRY!"

"It's all right Mitch, let her through. These three people are the only ones that are allowed in there other than me. Anyone other then that kick them to the curb."

Mitch stood aside and held the door open for Star, who glared at him and stomped on his foot. "Arrogant bastard."

Chi-Chi shoved Star into the room and the two girls ran to Bulma's side, both kneeling on either side of her on the bed. "B...B! Wake up!" Star shook her friend's shoulders making her head bounce on the pillows.

"Star! That's no way to wake her up! Vegeta do you have any smelling salts or something like that?"

"No, but I can have a cold cloth?"

"Perfect. Go get one." Vegeta nodded his head and ran into the bathroom adjoined to his room. He walked out a moment later with a damp black washcloth and handed it over to Chi-Chi. She folded it lengthwise and laid it across Bulma's brow, which creased up instantly, body shooting up.

"He...he..." she couldn't say any more as she broke out into sobs.

"It's all right Bulma. It's all right. Don't you worry about anything."

"My...my daughter! I have to go and get my daughter!"

"She's perfectly safe at your house. She's with your mom, and nothing will happen to her."

"I want my daughter!" She shoved Star aside and looked around, eyes wide with panic. "I need my bag."

Vegeta dashed out of his room and within a few minutes he was carting in several overnight bags, unsure of which one was Bulma's. She snatched her bag away from Vegeta and opened it up. Pulling out a pair of dark blue jeans, she slipped them on under her dress and pulled the silky fabric up and over her head. All the men in the room adverted their eyes as she tossed her dress onto Vegeta's floor, ripping the mask away from her face. She tugged on a blood-red tube-top and then a black zip-up sweater.

Once there were socks on her feet, and her hair was taken down from its curls, she twisted it into a knot and wrapped a thin hair-tie around it. After her boots were thrown on, she pulled the hood of her sweater like jacket over her hair and looked around. "I don't care who comes with me, and I don't care whose car I have to steal but I am going to get my daughter, now."

Vegeta walked up to her, car-keys held in his open palm. "We can take my car."

"Good. Star, I want you to call my mom and tell her I... we're on our way. Explain what's happened and tell her that I want her to go to wherever the fuck my dad is and stay with him."

Star nodded and got on Bulma's phone, talking quickly to Bunny, explaining the whole story and what was happening. Bulma looked from Chi-Chi to Goku, and then to Vegeta. "I've got a ton of explaining to do, I know, I'm sorry. But I want to get my daughter out of my house now, and make sure that my mom is on the jet as soon as possible."

"Good. I'll have a car follow us filled with my bodyguards. I'll give them a quick debriefing on what's going on, and what they have to do. Wait here for two minutes, and then I'll be back."

Star changed just as Vegeta left, along with Chi-Chi. Goku had more decency and left to change in the bathroom and soon walked out wearing khaki pants, black docker shoes, and a blue t-shirt. Chi-Chi and Star were pretty much dressed the same; light blue jeans with just a simple t-shirt. Chi-Chi's was purple and Star's was black. All three of the girls had their hair done up just like Bulma's and they looked at each other.

Bulma was scared worse than she had ever been in her life. How could her past just creep up and jump out at her like that? It wasn't fair to her and it wasn't fair to her friends. She felt bad, really bad for having them dragged into the middle of her mess, but now that they all knew she was in danger, they wouldn't back down no matter what.

True to his word, Vegeta came back two minutes later in a new outfit as well. He was wearing dark jeans that bagged in the legs, a thick studded black belt, a black muscle-shirt, and black shoes with silver buckles. His contacts were out and now his dark eyes looked even darker, and scarier. "You all coming?"

The three nodded their heads and looked around. Vegeta tossed them another set of car keys. "Thought you might. Let's go and get this done with." Bulma walked right passed him and into the hallway. After turning a couple of corners she found the front stairs and ran down them, Vegeta and the others in quick pursuit. He led them to the garage and pointed to a black convertible. "That's the car you guys will be taking."

Bulma knew without being told that they would be taking Vegeta's classic mustang. She unlocked the door and leaned over to unlock the passenger door as she slid in and plugged the key into the ignition. Vegeta leaned in front of Bulma and clicked a button, the garage doors lifting up and as soon as the doors to the car were closed, Bulma was speeding out and into the drive way.

Her hands were trembling as she took a left, eyes glaring at the road as her foot pressed on the accelerator a bit more. "Hey, slow down. We'll get there in no time..."

"How the fuck do you know where I live?"

"Down Pussy-Cat. My dad's a business associate of yours. We've been to your house a few times before you came. Take a right at the next road. Short-cut."

She did as she was told, eyes darting every now and then to make sure that the others were following her. Vegeta rolled down his window and lit a cigarette, handing it to Bulma. "Here Pet..."

She nodded her thanks and inhaled deeply, blowing the smoke from her lungs quickly. "How the fuck did he find me? How the fuck did he follow me without me knowing? How the fuck did he get my phone number?" She banged an open palm on the steering wheel a few times, tears filling her eyes.

"It's all right. Listen, I know I've been a jerk to you for like...ever, but just please Bulma. You have to know that no matter what we're here for you. And if that means I've got to go out and kick everyone's asses, then that's what I'll do to make sure that you and your little girl are safe."

"Thanks. Once I get her, and get her settled down at your place, I'll explain everything. You all deserve an explanation and a chance to back out of this mess."

"There's no backing out. I don't care what you got yourself into, but I'll make sure that you can get yourself out."

"I don't need a fucking babysitter Vegeta!"

"No, what you need are some really good friends that are willing to stick by your side no matter what happens."

"And where do I get those? The only friend I have like that is in Toronto!"

"Bull shit."

"What did you say?"

"What you thought I said. I said bull shit."

"Fuck you all right? Just fuck you." She turned sharply into the little drive in front of her gates and honked the horn a couple of times. They parted for her and once she was sure she could squeeze through the gap without scratching the paint on the car, she sped into the driveway and threw her door open without even bothering to turn the car off. Goku showed up moments later, along with the other car filled with Vegeta's men.

Everyone piled out of their cars, leaving them all running while hurrying up the stairs. The front door flew open and there stood a very frightened Bunny. She was twisting her hands together in front of her and stepped back to let in the running, panicking teenager. "Mom, you've got to go. Vegeta's men will take you to the jet and don't you worry mom, everything will be fine here. We're going to be staying at Vegeta's place. His parents aren't in town until the summer."

"Bulma..."

"GO MOM!"

Bunny lifted her head higher and nodded. Her bag was packed with everything that she would need, and what she didn't have she could always buy. "Very well then. You've got my number and I've got yours. But what I want you to do is go out and get a new phone and a new number."

"I know mommy. I love you. I'll see you when I can all right? Tell daddy that I love him." Bulma hugged and kissed her mom quickly, watching as she was escorted out of the house, her bag being carried for her by one of Vegeta's lackeys.

"Bulma? What do you want us to do?"

She ran a hand over her face and turned to Chi-Chi. "Listen Chi, I want you and Goku to go and round up the play-pen. Should be in the kitchen or around there. Then I want you to go and find some toys. Star, I want you to go into the living room and grad all of the movies and books that you can get your hands on for Rayne. Then go into the kitchen and grab everything you can. I'll meet you down here in 5."

The three nodded their heads and took off to go and find the things that Bulma told them to go and find. "What do you want me to do?" Vegeta asked slowly.

"I want you to come with me, please. I know that I shouldn't be afraid to go anywhere in my own house, but you never know right?"

"That's all right. I don't mind. But just make sure that I've got something to do all right? I feel useless just standing there."

"Fine. C'mon." Bulma dragged him up the stairs and into her room, making sure that she was being as quiet as she could be without waking her daughter. She pulled out a suitcase from under her bed and opened it up. "I want you to pack everything that you think I'll need. I've got to go and see to my daughter."

Vegeta nodded his head and looked around the room before walking to the closest dresser and dumped its contents into the suitcase. Women always bitch about not having enough, or the right kind of underwear, so he had packed it all. Pulling out 6 pairs of pants, and then 10 different kinds of shirts, he placed them into the suitcase. What else does she need? Sweater...something to sleep in...He walked into the large closet and looked around. This woman had taste and style, even if most of it was black and gothic.

Grabbing her silk robe and matching pajamas, he threw them in on top of everything else, and just for good measure, found her slippers peeking out from under her bed. Her suitcase was full.

Bulma had to move by the light coming from her room, as she didn't want to wake her daughter in the task of packing and making sure that she had everything possible in the little bag. "What I don't remember I can always buy..." She placed enough outfits into a small bag to last for two weeks, along with socks, undershirts, and three different pairs of shoes. Pajamas were next and she grabbed three pairs. She could always wash them.

Closing the bag, she tossed it into her room with a backwards glance, looking at Vegeta who held onto her suitcase with one hand and bend to pick up Rayne's bag with the other. She flashed him a small waning smile as she began packing Rayne's diaper bag, filling it with wipes, diapers, and more clothing. Making sure to grab the baby monitors, she stuffed them inside as well and then zipped it up, slinging the bag over her shoulder. Running to the closet, she pulled out a jacket for Rayne, and then picked the little girl up, wincing as she let out a furious cry for being woken up. "It's all right baby, it's all right. It's just mommy."

Bulma pulled Rayne's arms through the sleeves of the jacket and then picked the screaming girl up. Picking up her daughter's most cherished stuffed bear and holding her close she walked out of the smaller room and stood beside Vegeta, who gave her a curt nod and then followed her out of the room and back down to the front foyer. "I didn't ask someone to put in the car seat!"

"It's all ready done Miss. Your mother demanded she stay long enough to put that in, knowing you might have forgotten." Mitch said, grabbing the bags from Vegeta.

"Thank you."

"Let's get out of here. I've got a bad feeling..." Vegeta muttered, ushering Bulma down the steps and to his car. He opened up the passenger door and flipped the seat forward, letting Bulma squeeze by him to buckling in her red-faced, crying daughter. Star appeared next to them and held out a bottle filled with milk and Bulma smiled, handing it to her daughter who clutched it tightly. Placing the stuffed bear within reach, Bulma pulled her upper body out of the car and tossed in the diaper bag.

Goku, Chi-Chi and Star were all ready in their car as Bulma slid into the seat, Vegeta jumping in beside her. This was one moment where he was glad his car was still running and warm as he closed his door and took off down the drive. The gates were still open and he flew threw them, Goku following Vegeta, and the other car following the soft-top.

Bulma couldn't help but feel like something was wrong, and as she looked behind her to check on the other two cars; a flash of orange and yellow broke out into the sky along with a big bang. She screamed and covered her head with her hands, Vegeta swerving to the side of the road. There were flying and falling pieces of what once was the Briefs Mansion.

The house they had just left moments before was littering the ground in flames all around them. He forced Bulma to sit properly in her seat and reached over her to tug on the seatbelt and then fastened it. She was curled up on the front seat, head against the window, hands still covering her head as her shoulders started to shake. Rayne had dropped her bottle and started crying harder than ever as Vegeta took off down the road towards his house.

Chi-Chi had turned around in her seat to look at the destruction that had ruined the house as tears fell down her cheeks. Star was slumped against the backseat, head down and Goku didn't hesitate to follow Vegeta's lead and speed towards his friends' house.