A/N:

Writing this chapter was hard for me, so it's a little shorter than I originally intended. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! It's your reviews that keep me on schedule!

Thanks:

ScoobyDoobyDee (schedules are hard D:), Niko8, BlueHairedSaiyan, Many Voices In My Head (That is a high compliment! and glad I could convert you to a Vegeta fan ^_^), dbz-trunks-zbd, yourheartspeaksthetruth, CreatorOfHavoc, KC, Cara2012, Greendragonsheart, Naughty Cat, Eure, KayuraK (anyone that willingly poses like that is an idiot in my book), MK08, jdboss1, betty69blue, dyingdreamsv2, Firestorm1991 (glad you could catch up! now you have to deal with my updating...), Death101-Fox Version, Girness, 6teenana1 (he turns into a frog in the anime, but not the manga. none of that bulma change thing happens either. yay filler!), Trixie-chan, omgover9000 (oh good! he is a good villain, I must agree), WinryCherry101, and Onba.

also, thanks to everyone who reviewed my new oneshot! that was extra special to me since I never wrote anything focused on those two before (though I want to write more! need ideas...)

And sorry for the partial confusion from last chapter. I suggest rereading the last line if you're confused...but this chapter will clear things up. I'll try to make things much clearer in the future (when/if I kill off more people).

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Whispers

Her eyes told the whole story though he knew she wouldn't say it. Not unless he provoked her, which he was still unsure he wanted to do. Has she ever seen me kill?

It was weird to think that she hadn't. Killing was a part of his life, a large part. She had been in his life before and managed to scratch and crawl her way into his very being, but she hadn't seen him murder anyone this callously.

Though a part of the annoying, nagging part of his brain (that he would probably never comprehend) regretted the action. He didn't want her to fear him, but then again he was also darkly curious. This was him. Plain and simple. She knew his past and looked beyond it. She had been on the frontlines of his verbal assaults, of his obsessive tirades, and she was here. It killed him to think he needed her around him, but if she had left because of this, Vegeta wasn't exactly sure how close he would be from breaking. He coughed harshly, deep voice sounding grating in his throat. "It was..."

"I know." Her blue eyes flashed to the ash on the ground. The air smelled horrible. Burnt leathery skin, crisp bodies. There was nothing physically there, nothing but dust, but all of them knew what had just happened. The smell hung through the air as a constant reminder. Bulma stiffened her body, "...I understand."

"Do you?" The words were icy, but Vegeta needed to know. He watched her twitch and immediately frowned.

Half of him didn't expect an answer. If she were smart, she would have been running or crying. But Bulma didn't do anything but stand there. He watched her heavy chest fall and crash, like battering waves on rocks. Vegeta frowned at her; she was too fragile for this. But she surprised him by nodding and stepping closer. Her fingers traced his cheekbones before she placed a delicate kiss on his cheek. "Do you remember when I first kissed you?"

He couldn't help the red coloring his face. Vegeta hated such vulgar acts in public, but the memory linked to her words made him ignore it. "Yes."

"You thought I was going to attack you."

"I did not."

She smiled then and kissed him again. Vegeta felt his stomach quirk, a mixture of bile and different pangs of emotion. Bulma had the audacity to giggle. "You still need to relax."

"Woman, do you realize where we are? Even I know you are not that moronic." Vegeta wanted her closer, but more than anything, he wanted her safe. "Frieza is on this rock. I will not relax..."

Her body colliding with his was one of the only things that ever caught him off guard. It was unexpected, almost unnatural-that kind of contact. He would still stiffen though she had never tried to hurt him. Muscles tensed, jaw clenched, Vegeta growled before relaxing into her embrace. As unnatural as it was, it was nice. He felt...he didn't know.

He didn't know what she was doing, but she was already wrapping her arms around his shoulders to tightly grip him. Bulma pushed her body closer to his, soft fabric of her clothes creating friction on his battle armor. She couldn't seem to get close enough to him, but Vegeta didn't feel any need to move. But that still didn't warrant her behavior. "Woman..."

"Shut up, okay? Just be quiet and let me enjoy this." She gripped him harder, small hands moving down his back as she buried her face in his neck. The action made Vegeta incredibly warm. Part of it was embarrassment. What happened between a Saiyan and his mate were left between the two, not uninvolved spectators. Bulma was making these weird noises, and he didn't like it. "When you weren't you...for a second I thought...I thought..."

"You thought wrong." He grabbed both her cheeks and lifted her face, wanting to get a glimmer of her eyes-eyes he thought were once incredibly disturbing and foreign. Now they were a reminder of a life with no Frieza, a life after Frieza. He trailed his gloved fingers down her cheekbones. Vegeta had never touched anything so gently, but she was fragile. She was precious to him and the last thing he wanted to do was break her.

It was like a barrier cracking. This shield he had between him and his limits, boundaries he didn't even know existed, were bursting. His eyes were unfocused, and he could feel a typhoon of hot energy seep through him, showering him in power and unadulterated fury.

He reigned in that power when he saw his son yelling. It was almost a relief not to feel that energy anymore, that once consuming energy that seemed almost golden to his glazed over eyes. Gohan was screaming something inaudible, and the young boy's own eyes seemed solely white. The half-Saiyan shot his body towards Frieza, but the lizard emperor only vanished, reappearing only to smack Gohan harshly into Goku's open arms.

Confusion seemed to calm Goku's senses even more. His son was injured, not dead, and he carefully placed Gohan lightly on the ground before standing against his enemy. "You will fight me. Leave the others out of this."

"Another third class monkey? Please." Frieza's purple lips grimly smiled before he lifted himself into the air. "In order to rid the universe of this monkey infestation, I need to start with the leader. Raditz was just collateral damage. Excuse me, please."

Within seconds, Frieza was disappearing across the sky, leaving with Goku's anger. The buzzing noise in his mind went away, and Goku turned to his son. Gohan was crying, bawling. Red blood was over his hands and cheeks, and Goku had to peel him off from the dead body on the ground. "Stop crying, Gohan. Calm down."

"...but he...he..." Gohan cowered his head into his father's shoulder. He was still too young for this. I don't know if anyone's ever old enough for this. Goku stroked the upper end of Gohan's neck, a sad attempt at comforting his son's trembling body. Raditz was dead. His face was white, eyes rolled over. The stench of blood and burn wounds hovered around him, gluing Goku's feet still.

They hadn't known each other long and barely had more than a couple conversations together, yet still, Goku could feel a growing pain in his heart. This man had been his brother, his ally, and now he was dead. "It's okay. Please let go, Gohan." Goku nudged his little boy from him, but Gohan gripped tightly. His tears were staining Goku's newly obtained armor, and the man felt his heart tear when he forced the boy off of him. "Piccolo, take Gohan and Raditz's body back to Earth."

"Dad...please don't leave me. Please..." Gohan's voice was raspy through the tears. His small hands reached towards his father, but Goku turned away. Piccolo grabbed the little boy by the waist before taking Raditz's corpse.

Piccolo hesitated, cringing a bit at Gohan's wailing kicks. "Are you sure about this, Goku?"

"I need the both of you alive more than anything." His dark eyes fell to the puddle of blood staining the ground. "Go back to Earth and collect the dragon balls."

"You want me to wish Raditz back to life?" Piccolo shifted his weight again. The mention of the dragon balls seemed to calm down Gohan's nerves.

"No. We may need the wish for something else. I...I don't know how to stay in contact with you."

"I'll ask King Kai to look out for you. Don't freak out if you hear a voice in your head. Do you understand, Goku?"

The Saiyan nodded. "Thank you, Piccolo. Who knew you'd be such a good friend."

Piccolo didn't visually respond. He glanced at the young boy still crying in his arms and then back to Son Goku. "You killed my father. And now I'm taking care of your son."

"I owe you a lot. I won't pretend I don't."

"I'm not asking for anything, Goku." Piccolo shook his head. "I think I failed to be the full demon my father wanted me to be. Seeing the terror that Frieza and his men bring and my own people's way of life, I can't say I wish for the same things I did a year ago."

Goku weakly smiled. His mind was still with Frieza's escaping figure, but he kept a straight face. Fools rushed into battle without calming their heads first And Goku may have been foolish at home or with his friends, but never when fighting an enemy. He was collected, calculating. His innate fighter's sense would look for any sign of weakness and then quickly expose it. But he wasn't sure what Frieza's weakness was or if the cold lizard had any at all.

And then there was a part of him, that growing, gnawing fury, which wanted to rip away the collected Goku. The calm, loving, forgiving Goku. He wanted to throw the passive Goku aside and opt for this primal violence battling in his chest. Save it for Frieza.

He would channel that energy then. Raditz's death, Gohan's injury, the hell that monster had put his friends through- he would use all of that when he was fighting the alien for real. But first, he needed to make sure his son was safe. "That's good to hear, Piccolo." He placed a hand on Gohan's rising back and whispered, "You were brave today, Gohan. Never forget that I love you. Tell your mother I love her more than anything. Will you remember that?"

The little boy turned his head. Clear tears were outlining his eyes. "Daddy, you're scaring me."

If my body is completely destroyed, not even the dragon balls could bring me back. He glanced at Raditz's body. It was haggard looking, limp, and that was only after a few minutes. Goku was much stronger than the other Saiyan, which meant he could give Frieza much more of a fight. And there's this power...

He wasn't sure if this power in him wouldn't completely rip his body to shreds if he let it.

"I'll try to send the others back." Goku gulped. He needed to get Krillin out of there. The man had already died once and couldn't be resurrected again. "If they don't meet you in an hour..."

"I won't hesitate to save myself, Goku." Piccolo grunted. "But save my planet."

Goku raised an eyebrow. "You don't consider Earth to be your planet anymore?"

Piccolo shook his head, "I meant the Earth too. No doubt Frieza will want to find us there."

The Saiyan took that information and locked it into his mind, saving the fuel for the inferno that was waiting to be released.

His heart threatened to leave his chest with the way he was holding her. They were desperate, that much was obvious. Desperate for each other's touch, each other's skin. How he wanted to just take her away to a place where he didn't have to worry about her weak frame and faulty physical ability. He just wanted to feel her hair. Vegeta smirked. It was still so smooth despite their surroundings. He remembered briefly how she used to bitch when she was younger about her personal hygiene and how his quarters weren't equipped with the proper cleaning 'essentials'.

Maybe she's matured. The Saiyan grunted at that. He had no doubt that as soon as she was back on her own dirtball she'd be wailing about her clothes and hair and whatever useless crap she complained about.

Vegeta stiffened. Fuck. I didn't realize I actually missed her.

At least not this intensely. He knew she had taken a part of him with her that day she left. Vegeta had thought about her constantly, though those thoughts sometimes verged on wanting to rip her throat out. Now he would kill anyone that even dared thinking about hurting her.

The bald one coughed in the background, and Vegeta growled in annoyance. "What do you want, human?"

"Err...there's ...there's..."

Vegeta's eyes became dry and bloodshot immediately. He was stupid, careless, distracted. Damn this girl was always so distracting! He pushed Bulma away from him, perhaps a little too roughly, but the scar-faced idiot immediately went over to her.

"Vegeta!" She sounded wounded. Bulma scrambled to her feet and immediately placed her hands on her hips. "What the hell is wrong with you?" She groaned. "Don't answer that. I already know. But do you mind giving me more warning next time?"

"Leave." There was nothing warm in his voice. He didn't have time for explanations or useless chitchat. Bulma needed to get out of here now. "Take her and the Namekian away from here. Frieza..."

Yamcha pulled Bulma back towards him, but his face looked crestfallen. "He's already here...his ki."

No, no, no, no! This wasn't how this was supposed to turn out. She was supposed to be safe! Frieza was never supposed to get to her. She couldn't...he wouldn't let her die. "What the fuck are you standing around for?"

"If we fly he'll sense our energy." Yamcha was struggling with his hold on Bulma's waist. The woman did not like the idea of leaving Vegeta alone, he knew that.

Vegeta sighed and walked up to her, taking her hands and pulling her away from Yamcha. "Listen to me closely. I do not have time to repeat myself." He quickly glanced back. Frieza's ki was pounding through the sky, headed directly towards them. He didn't have much time. "You need to leave me alone with him. You can't be here when Frieza comes."

"Because I'll distract you?" She asked innocently.

"No. Because you will die." Vegeta turned to leave, but her small hands grabbed his wrist. She didn't have much strength in her, but he turned anyway. He wanted to memorize her, though he knew that would be impossible. With such weirdly beautiful features, he doubted he could fully take in all of her. But, he needed to. He needed to remember her, to engrave her in his mind just in case this was the last time he would see her. "What?"

Her blue eyes seemed almost shy, which was incredibly strange for her. The shyness soon disappeared when Bulma completely embraced him again and placed her mouth right over his ear. "I love you."

His voice caught at her words. They seemed to easily flow out of her mouth, and yet his mind couldn't process them, not completely. She had said it low, softly. Most likely because she did not want the others to hear her. He could feel that intense pressure in his chest grow even more, and as much as he wanted to just grip her body tightly against his own, he knew he couldn't. He didn't want to hurt her.

She was doing enough hugging on both their ends anyway, and Vegeta simply placed his hands back through her hair. He could never get enough of that blue, silk hair. Bulma looked up suddenly, and he wondered if she expected him to say something.

Was that the kind of thing that warranted a reply?

She hadn't phrased it like a question, but he could already see the frustration igniting in her eyes. Vegeta couldn't get words to form on his lips. He kissed her forehead instead, but that didn't seem to be enough. Bulma's relatively weak grip became weaker. She nodded her head to herself and bit her lip. "I'll see you again."

"No promises."

"You will kill him, Vegeta."

He looked up to her and saw only confidence. This was what she thought of him and he had no idea why. She loved him. She wanted him too.

The Saiyan prince could only nod. He glared back to the bandit, a silent demand to take her away now. And within seconds, they were hiding close by. I need to move him.

That would be his first objective. Killing the tyrant would be hard enough without the constant pressure of making sure that woman was safe. He relaxed a little when he felt the two human men's ki decreased. He could barely sense them , and he was trying to. Dende and Bulma's kis were not noticeable at all. Frieza would never find them unless he specifically tried to.

Vegeta clenched his fists. He wouldn't put it past the demon.

It appeared that Vegeta was alone, just as he would have it. One on one duel with the devil. His black eyes carved through the sky in patient agony. Frieza's ki was a mountain in the plain, but the Saiyan prince still didn't have a visual.

All his training seemed to boil down to this moment. He anticipated this day, dreamed about it. But as he stood there in nothing but his armor and the wind, Vegeta felt unprepared. There were days when he could have worked harder and pushed himself more. He wasn't a Super Saiyan, but he wouldn't let that be his death.

No.

He needed to live. He had something to live for.

His head snapped back up. There was an object blocking one of the suns. Its long tail whipped, thrashed at the air, and Vegeta arms dropped in horror. He was taller now and more terrifying. Frieza landed easily in front of him, red eyes tearing through his mind.

"You've been a real pest, Vegeta. Surprising. I'm mildly impressed that you managed to get rid of the Ginyus." His shiny body looked sickly. Like worn, veined leather. Frieza raised one finger. "But...what is that phrase? All good things..."

"...Come to an end." Vegeta's pulse was stampeding. He attempted to steady his energy, but he just wanted to kill the son of a bitch. His instincts were taking over, but he didn't want to go into this fight blind. Vegeta sharply inhaled. She believes in you. It felt stupid to think those words. And even stupider to think she hadn't been the only one. Raditz was depending on him, and so was his father.

"...some Saiyans are born with this innate ability. It hasn't happened for thousands of years, but I see this strength in you."

It couldn't have been the only way. Immortality or legends. That couldn't be the only option in destroying this fiend. Vegeta cut back his nerves, opting for biting remarks. "Your reign is coming to an end, Frieza."

"Now, now. That's where you're wrong, my little prince. All good things come to an end, and fortunately for me..." Frieza laughed. It was sheering, glass shattering. Vegeta bore his teeth in hatred of this monster. This was nothing but a game to him, a stupid play of cat and mouse. Frieza materialized inches from the Saiyan's face, his speed paralyzing. "...I'm not any good."

His clawed hands scraped across the prince's cheek, drawing blood as he was hit ten feet away from his original position. Frieza's power was unbearable, but Vegeta quickly stood up, ignoring the three lines of blood stinging his face.

Frieza didn't bother moving. "I could make this quick, you know. One simple shot through the heart maybe? Or maybe I should just blow up this pile of shit and you along with it. You can't breathe in space, can you? And neither can that little bitch of yours, I'm sure."

He didn't react to Frieza's taunt about Bulma. Vegeta wiped the falling drops of blood and smiled. "Then do it."

"But what fun would that be? I wouldn't get to hear you scream." Another flash. Frieza was in front of him and back-fisted the Saiyan in the nose. "Or cry. That wouldn't be fun at all."

Blood flowed swiftly from his nose, and Vegeta held his head down in an attempt not to choke on it. Saiyans healed quickly from battle; it was a part of their physiology, but he was pretty sure his nose was broken. Vegeta barely acknowledge it. This wouldn't be his first broken nose, or even his fifth. "Not here."

Frieza almost laughed again. "You're joking."

"No. " He gagged as some blood managed to slip down, but the injury was already healing. Vegeta wiped the remnants away from his upper lip and tried to steady his breathing. He was incredibly outclassed. His mind was becoming unfocused, dizzy already. He had not waited over twenty years to be taken down so easily, to come against Frieza like this. Even though his prideful mind would never outwardly admit it, Vegeta was slowly becoming terrified.

But he grounded himself. If this was his last stand, then so be it. He would despise himself for never trying. Though he wanted to live, he could never have a life as a coward. "This land smells like your lackeys' corpses. We need a new battleground."

"Consider it your first introduction to death. You better get used to it. I bet Hell smells worse."

"Tell me when you get there."

"Arrogant for someone so weak." Frieza drove his fist straight through Vegeta's front armor and smirked at the Saiyan's bruised body.

The air was already spinning. Bits of darkness seemed to invade Vegeta's vision as he struggled to recover from his knees. He coughed violently, hacking up blood. It was warm, salty in his mouth, and although Vegeta felt broken down, he stammered back to his feet, again wiping his mouth. He bit down hard and raised his hand. This couldn't be happening. Not like this. He was not going to lose. "I WILL END YOU!"

The blue blast flew off his hand easily. It drained his being, leaving him weaker but still standing. Vegeta breathed heavily as the dust and rock left the area. Frieza was completely unscathed. "I'm getting bored of you, Vegeta. If that's seriously the best you can do, then there's really no point dragging this out longer."

"Wh...what?" He was worn, tired. Memories of training, of Vegeta-sei, of every moment of hell in Frieza's hands, crashed and tore their way through him. Every single day he had waited for this moment. And now...now he couldn't even fucking damage him! "What the fuck are you? Why won't you die!"

"Because you're doing it entirely wrong." The ice demon's voice became low, threatening. "Let me show you."

With one long finger, Frieza aimed directly over the prince's heart. Vegeta could feel his breath and chest falter. The timing would have to be perfect if he wanted to live. He needed to live. Do it, Frieza. He could dodge it. Everyone thought he could. Everyone expected him to beat this monster. And damn it, he was going to. Go ahead and try.

He watched as the small purple blast started to materialize out from his fingertip. But the light never left his finger. A white boot came into contact with Frieza's head, and the tyrant was knocked quickly to the ground, face first.

Vegeta growled at the man landing in front of him. He seemed different, black hair slightly levitating with ki. "Kakarot."

A/N:

Tired. Bedtime. thanks for reading :)