Warning: Language!

Facing the Future

Chapter 10

Bulma stomped down the hall, a frustrated growl coming out of her. How dare that man!? I am an heiress! How dare he disrespect me!? She let out another exasperated screech, stopping at a door and without another thought, entered into it. She let out a huff, crossing her arms as she scowled at nothing. It took her a moment to notice she wasn't in her room, she had entered the wrong one. She turned her head as she heard something move on the bed. Her anger and displeasure evaporated at the sight of Goku's friend laying curled up on the large bed. How could she stay mad about something so petty as the saiyan prince not liking her food when this woman just went through something so traumatic. Bulma chewed on her lower lip for a second before tentatively sitting on the edge of the bed. She studied Athea, taking in the woman's surprisingly adult features and the slight body underneath the covers.

She jumped a little when Athea whimpered, her face scrunching up a little as her body balled up. The young woman let out another whimper, scooting up towards the headboard. Bulma watched her for a moment before whispering her name.

"A-Athea," Bulma studied the girl before sliding a tad closer. She hesitated for a long moment before lifting her hand to lay it on the young woman's arm as she said her name again.

"Athea," Bulma said a little louder, very gently touching the girl's arm with her fingertips.

Athea shot up, looking around wildly as a blood-curdling scream came out of her, shattering the silence. Bulma was so surprised that she let out her own scream, falling off the bed and landing on the floor.

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He heard the screaming as soon as he landed just inside the ship. He let out a snarl as it pierced through his ears, his eye twitching as he stalked towards the room. Raditz burst through the bedroom door, a ki blast already formed in his palm.

He saw the blue haired woman on the floor, surprise flitting over her features as she whipped around towards him. The blood drained from her face at the sight of the blast in his hand, her face going ashen right before her eyes rolled up and she fell to the floor with a loud thump.

Raditz curled his lip in disgust before looking towards Athea. She was still screaming, though it had weakened significantly within the last few seconds. She was staring straight ahead, her eyes slightly glazed over. Tears were streaming unchecked down her face. Raditz scowled down at the limp form of the blue haired woman before stepping over her, his focus on the young woman on the bed.

"Woman," he said gruffly, watching her face intently. He knew that she was experiencing the aftermath of what happened with Frieza's men.

Raditz took in her wide eyes, the shudders that raked through her body, and the way her chest heaved as she gasped and sobbed. His jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed a little. He took another step towards the bed, his legs hitting the side as he crossed his arms.

"Woman!" he barked, his voice firm. Athea's head whipped towards him, another tear trickling down her cheek before she let out a cry, throwing herself forward. Raditz eyes widened as the young woman slammed into him.

That's the scene Goku stepped into as he froze, his eyes widening at the sight of Bulma laying on the floor, out cold, and Athea jumping at his brother, looking for all the world like she was attacking him. Goku didn't think about his next move, just jumped into action.

His features hardened as he stalked forward, acting quickly and grabbing Raditz's tail. The older man let out an outraged yell, falling to his knees with Athea still clinging to him.

"Let her go Raditz!" Goku commanded in a loud voice, his eyes narrowing as his brother let out a growl.

"I don't- Aaahhh!" Raditz cut off what he was going to say as he let out another yell. Goku squeezed harder, his jaw clenching.

"Duzu putakumea! Let me go!" Raditz snarled before successfully wrenching his tail out of Goku's hold. The furry appendage whipped through the air, smacking against the side of Goku's face. He let out a cry of pain, stumbling back and holding a hand to his cheek. Raditz's tail puffed at the end, the tips of fur as lethal as a spiked club.

Goku grimaced, scowling at his brother before his eyes widened a little. He ignored his son and Krillin as they appeared in the doorway, exclaiming loudly about what happened. Goku didn't hear their questions, just blinked at his brother and the woman clenching his shoulders. He suddenly realized that he had read the situation extremely wrong. Athea wasn't attacking Raditz, she wasn't trying to dig her fingernails into his shoulders or trying to choke him, like Goku first thought. The younger saiyan swallowed as he took in the real actions of both of them.

Athea was clinging to his brother, small sobs coming out of the woman. She was holding onto the large saiyan for dear life, her slim body shaking violently. Goku felt a little shame swirl in his chest. His brother was, in his own way, trying to comfort his friend and he...Goku winced...he had come in, accusing the man of hurting her and had attacked without thinking.

He watched both of them, regret shadowing his features for a moment before gently picking Bulma up off the floor. She was still out.

"Raditz," Goku said hesitantly, swallowing as his brother let out a low growl. He winced. He deserved that.

"I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions. I should have given you the benefit of a doubt." He swallowed again, noticing his brother's broad shoulders tense, the man's large hands slowly curling into fists as he climbed to his feet, his tail swishing angrily through the air with threatening intent. Athea still clung to him, her fingers going white as she strengthened her hold. Goku noticed this, noticing that even though Raditz had his arms at his sides, he had blocked any attempt for anyone to touch the woman wrapped around him.

Goku felt a shadow of a smile flit across his lips before turning his attention to his friend in his arms.

"Raditz," he said, looking back up at his brother.

The man didn't say anything, his tail flicking once before moving in front of him.

Goku took a deep breath. "What happened to Bulma?"

It was silent for a minute before the burly man in the room said anything. "Who?" he growled out, his voice still full of fury and caution.

The younger saiyan winced a little, hating that the small progress they had made was most likely diminished due to him acting without thinking.

"My blue haired friend brother," Goku watched the tail jerk a little, tensing slightly, "what happened?"

Raditz was quiet for a moment, still not turned towards them. "The stupid woman fainted. Your friends are pathetic Kakkarot," he snapped out, his head moving slightly and looking at Goku over his shoulder for a second before facing forward again.

Krillin and Gohan looked between the men, hoping that they didn't come to blows in the ship. They had to use it get home after all.

"Dad?" Gohan said hesitantly, swallowing a little as the man ignored him, still studying the long haired saiyan that he called his brother.

Goku didn't say anything for several minutes, before finally sighing, his shoulders drooping a little.

"Alright Raditz," he stated softly, "I'll believe you because you're my brother. And everyone deserves a second chance."

Goku ignored the snort that came from the burly man, turning and striding out of the room with Bulma still held securely in his arms.

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Raditz felt the other saiyan leave the room, along with that baldy and the boy. He waited until the door was closed before glancing down. Athea was still clutching his shoulders, her nails doing their best to imbed themselves in his armored shoulders. Her body was still shaking slightly, though not as violently as a few minutes ago.

His jaw clenched slightly, his tail swishing behind him before moving. Like the traitor it was, it wound around the woman's waist, tightening snugly against her hips. Raditz scowled at it before turning his attention back to Athea. Her eyes fluttered for a moment before closing, her breathing evening out. He let out a growl of frustration. The damn woman just fell asleep against him! Shit. His fists tightened until his knuckles turned white, his nails biting into his palms. He glanced back down at her, studying the soft curve of her cheek, her lashes fanning against her skin, the woman's luscious lips slightly parted as she took small, even breaths.

Raditz felt his body react, his lip curling back. Fuck! He wasn't going to let her hold any sort of power over him. He wasn't going to succumb to the voice telling him to slam her against the wall and bury himself into that deliciously curvacious body. Raditz willed his body to calm down, relaxing slightly as his erection eased. Then Athea let out a small moan, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face against his armored chest.

"Putakumea!" he snarled, his body traitorously becoming aroused once more, his uniform becoming painfully tight. Raditz let out a low growl of frustration before suddenly grabbing the woman, putting an arm underneath her legs and lifting her.

He shifted her as she struggled to get closer, settling a leg onto the bed as he laid her back in the middle of it. Athea whimpered again, trying to cling to him. Raditz scowled at her, their faces only inches apart. He glanced at her mouth without thinking of it, his tongue darting out to lick his bottom lip. His gaze was still focused on those plump lips as he grabbed her arms, extracting her hold on his neck. Athea let out another whimpering moan. Raditz's eye twitched.

"Fuck it," he snarled quietly before swooping down. Raditz froze just above her mouth, their lips skimming in a feather light touch before his eyes widened.

His head jerked up, trepidation swirling in his gut as he stared out the small portal window. Raditz swallowed, a snarling guttered growl coming out of him as he leaped off the bed, the woman forgotten momentarily as he rushed out of the ship, running towards his prince, who was already outside staring at the sky with a deep scowl on his face. Raditz clenched his hands painfully into fists, his lip curling back in disgust.

"Who is that?" Goku asked in a firm tone, watching the sky with his bald friend and the boy.

Raditz had to unclench his jaw in order to speak.

"Frieza."

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A/N: "Duzu putakumea" means 'You son of a bitch.'