A/N: Reviews- elianni: Jealous Vegeta gives me life. I love when he gets like that so much, and I wish there were more canon scenes for it. Guess I'll have to make up for it ;) . You're too sweet! Also, thank you very much :D ! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too (if you celebrate it) !

Brii-Chan14: Thank you very much! I try to update as frequently as I can. I usually post a new chapter once a week, so no worries! More chapters will come your way.

There is another time gap. This chapter takes place five years later, so a quick recap on ages: Vegeta, Kakarot, and Bulma are now 20. Tarble is 18. Okay, I'll shut up now. Enjoy!

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Why? He was a great, honorable king. Every action he ever took was to better his people, or protect his family. He wasn't a bad man, not in any context.

So why? Just… why?

It was the only question ringing through Vegeta's head as he stood over his father's almost lifeless body. By Saiyan standards, his he couldn't be healthier. If he wasn't sorting diplomatic differences, he was training. His father, much like himself, didn't believe in leaving their safety solely in the hands of their guards. They needed to be ready for any circumstances, and if it ever came to it, defend themselves when the time came if their royal guards couldn't. So how does a man who values his strength and health so much, fall victim to some unknown illness?

And how does he simply become sick, quite literally, over night? It was impossible, and it didn't make any sense.

Vegeta searched for his father's voice in his memories, trying to remember anything he's ever told him that could give him solace and comfort. At the moment, the only thing he could recall was his father telling him: "When you die son, make sure it's in battle. Not because of old age, or poison, or anything like that. You must die with blood on your hands from your most worthy fight, whether it's your blood, or theirs. It's the only way to die with pride, and it's the only way to create your own legacy. Make sure you go out fighting."

He was just a young boy when his father shared this, but it always stuck with him. To think, his father might die from some bodily illness, and not in a glorious battle like he always dreamed of. It made him sick to the core. His father deserved an honorable death, not some cheap one.

When his mother woke him up in the middle of the night to tell him of his father's sudden fall, he didn't believe her. He still didn't believe it when he entered their bedroom and saw Tarble sobbing over their father's body. It didn't hit him until he started yelling at all the nurses and doctors to give him an answer, and explain what was wrong. When they all looked from one to the other with blank stares, silently begging one another to speak up, he knew it was all true. He didn't shed a tear, not like Tarble. All he could do was stand over him and stare, still in disbelief.

Vegeta rested his hand over his brother's slumped shoulder. "Go to sleep, Tarble. I'll watch over father for the rest of the night." Every muscled tensed under his touch.

"No," he muffled into his father's arm, furiously shaking his head. "I won't leave him!"

"Tarble, neither of us will be of any use if we both are spent in the morning," he tried reasoning with him. A part of that was true, although the bigger reason was a more selfish one. Vegeta wanted time alone with him, but he didn't feel right kicking his weeping brother out just for that. His brother and mother needed him to be strong for them during his father's absence. He couldn't do that if they knew he was hurt as much as they were.

"I don't care how tired I'll be! I'm not sleeping tonight, and I'm most certainly not leaving his side! Not until he wakes up." He slightly raised his head; enough to look at his father's resting features. If they didn't know any better, they would have assumed he was in a deep sleep. In a sick way, he almost looked peaceful in his wicked slumber.

"Alright," Vegeta gave up knowing he would get nowhere if he continued to push, so he decided to pull up two chairs. They both sat by the bed so they could keep an eye on him together.

After a while, Tarble would nod off. The first few times, Vegeta nudged him to wake up, but his heavy eyes began to crave sleep, too. He was about to suggest that they take shifts, so one could rest while the other watches, but the creek of the door stopped him. Vegeta assumed it was their mother coming into the room. She disappeared not too long ago, so he figured she finally composed herself and was ready to face the situation.

"How the mighty have fallen," said the voice that did not belong to his mother. Vegeta could detect the slight amusement behind the words, and couldn't help but let out a low growl. He knew this person very well.

It was, Frieza.

The brothers sprung out of their chairs, knocking them out the way in the process. Vegeta slightly stood in front of Tarble, preparing to protect him from the worst. Nothing good ever came from the lizard's presence. Why would this be any different?

"Y-You're, Frieza," Tarble stammered at the sight of him. He was ready in a fighting stance too, but he couldn't stop shaking. Fear quickly seeped into his veins as he remembered all the things his brother told him he was capable of. It was like standing in front of the devil himself. His eyes scanned back from Frieza to his brother, noticing Vegeta hadn't flinched an inch. How could he be so brave, knowing they're all in the same room as that thing?

"Tarble, get out of here now! I'll handle this," Vegeta barked back, never taking his eyes off the man in front of him.

"Relax Vegeta, I'm not here for him, or for your father for that matter. I'm here for you," Frieza explained calmly. Everything about this sent shivers down his spine. He didn't believe a damn word that came out of his mouth. "I'll make it quick. There's no need to send him off because by the time he leaves the room I'll already be done."

"I don't fucking care why you're here. All I care about is you getting off my damn planet, and not coming back. I won't tell you twice." The longer Frieza stayed the more he felt threatened. He hated feeling threatened, especially in his own home.

Frieza crossed his arms, and whipped his tail around impatiently. "You'll care more when you hear what I have to say. Besides, you don't have much of a choice. Well, you do, but the second one isn't one I'd recommend picking." After fighting against every instinct in his body, Vegeta dropped his guard. Following his brother, Tarble did the same, even though he didn't understand why. "I'm sure you recall that mission I dragged you on all those years ago. I finally found what I was looking for. I'm not entirely sure how strong the life forms on the planet are, so I'm recruiting you to join me again and take care of anyone who stands in my way. I'd rather not get my own hands dirty if I don't have to."

"You have Zarbon and Dodoria, so why do you need me?" They were second and third to Frieza's power. Their power levels were nothing short of great. One of them were easily strong enough to single handedly wipe out an entire planet, so why ask for Vegeta to join again? Unless he was just bored and wanted a whipping boy again if something went south. Well, he wasn't that same boy he was all those years ago. There was no way in hell he would allow that to happen again.

"Sure they're strong, but let's face it. They're not as cunning or strategic as you are. I need brains along with brawns for this specific mission, and they both are lacking in that department."

"And if I refuse?" He hesitantly asked.

Frieza's lips curled into a wicked smile, waiting for the prince to ask that very question. "Option two is that your father stays sick, and eventually dies. You see, I had someone poison him. If you don't help me, I'll have him finished off.

Vegeta was about to take off and charge at him before Tarble grabbed his arm, holding him back. How dare he even insinuate that someone in the palace is a traitor, and would double cross the family in such a way! But what if he was telling the truth? He couldn't decide what infuriated him more. The fact that Frieza may only be taunting him, or that it could be true. "How do I know you're not lying?"

Frieza's fingered glided over the pictures on the wall, stopping when he reached one of the king. "I suppose you don't, but are you willing to take that risk?" When Vegeta didn't answer, he knew he won. It was time to make the situation even sweeter, just to make sure he was officially on board. "Oh, and I found out about that Bulma girl you mentioned all those years ago," Vegeta instantly went numb. "She really is beautiful and unique. I have to say, I'm drawn to how her eyes match her blue hair. I can see why you're so fond of her."

"Shut up! Don't talk about her!" He shouted, baring his fangs. This monster had no right talking about her, or even thinking about her! Tarble was losing his grip over his brother the angrier he got.

"I'll do more than that, Vegeta. If you don't do as I say, then not only will I kill your father, but I'll take her from you, too. I'm debating whether or not I'll just sell her, or keep her for-"

"I'll do it! I'll do whatever you want, just stop fucking talking."

"I knew you'd see it my way. Gather your belongings, and meet me in my ship outside in one hour. We leave not a minute later."

As Frieza walked out laughing in victory, Kakarot stormed in, not caring that he brushed passed him. He closed the door behind him, and then ran to Vegeta's side. Vegeta was now slumped on the edge of the bed, face buried in his hands.

The thought of Frieza killing his father was frightening, but the thought of losing her, well there were no words. Did that make him a terrible son? Perhaps it did. The fact was that the idea of losing some woman meant more to him then his father. It was the damn truth, and Frieza knew it. The bastard knew it.

But she wasn't some woman, she was Bulma. The same Bulma he promised all those years ago that he would protect her from this tyrant, no matter the cost. He intended to keep that promise, even if it meant getting himself killed, or who he was, in the process.

"I tried getting into the room the second I found out he was here, but I Zarbon was guarding the door and wouldn't let me through. I tried my best, I swear," Kakarot said as fast as he could. Neither prince looked at him or each other for that matter. "Someone tell me what's wrong," he pleaded through the silence.

Tarble waited to see if Vegeta would speak up, but when he made no effort to explain, he filled Kakarot in himself. He spared no details, telling his friend everything that he missed. "So essentially, Vegeta made a deal with the devil."

"What the hell was I supposed to do, Tarble?!" Vegeta had him pinned on the wall, wanting any excuse to punch something or someone. Anything to make the numbness go away. Tarble held his brother's menacing glare, showing him he wasn't sorry for what he said. Vegeta eventually let him go when he didn't strike any fear into him.

"You were supposed to tell that bastard that I was going with you! You were supposed to say take us both or no one!"

"There's a reason I didn't suggest that," he spat out venomously. "Because it's a stupid idea! There's no way in hell I'd take you with me." Didn't he understand how dangerous Frieza was? Why would he ever think he'd volunteer his own brother to basically be abused the way he had been? No, not happening.

"That's right," Kakarot interrupted, "because I'm going with him. You have to stay here with your, dad."

"No you're not," Vegeta snapped his head in his friend's direction. It's like they both had a death wish.

"Uhmm yes, I am. You really think I'm going to let you go alone again? I remember how much he messed you up the last time," Kakarot threw his hand into the air as he argued. How could Vegeta stand there and ask him to stand back and watch him fall apart again? That is, if he even made it home in one piece this time. "You damn well know that we have a better chance together then apart! Yes, you are my prince, but you're my best friend first. I won't let you go by yourself and make the same mistake twice."

"Both of you listen to me," Vegeta was pacing back and forth, balling up his fists at his sides. If his father was awake right now, he'd be so ashamed of his behavior. No prince should have to beg for respect, and right now, that's what he felt like he was doing. Finally, he stopped moving, and was far away enough from both of them. "Tarble, both the princes can't be away from the kingdom at the same time, you know that. If father ends up dying while I'm away, you have to take place at the throne. The second there's no one to claim the title of being the next king, who knows what kind of chaos that would cause."

"If dad dies, I don't want to be king! That's your birth right anyway, not mine."

"It's both of our birth rights," he pointed out. True, he was the oldest son, but that didn't make Tarble any less of a would-be-king. "You have as much royal blood running through your veins as I do. Besides, it would only be temporary. I would take the throne back once I arrive home again, and you have to remember, that's worst case scenario. It might not even happen."

His plan made sense, but the younger prince hoped it wouldn't have come to that. Vegeta turned his attention back to Kakarot. "You can't leave because I need someone to stay here and guard Tarble and Bulma. If what Frieza said was true, then we have a traitor among our people and I don't want them to go unprotected. Kakarot, you're the only one strong enough, and the only one I trust, with their lives. I need to be able to leave here knowing I don't have to worry about them, too. I'm not telling you as your prince, I'm asking you as a friend."

He still hated the idea of Vegeta being alone with that tyrant. He hated knowing that either two things will result from this: Vegeta coming back more damaged than the last time, or dead. He wanted to tell him too bad, no way would he stay. However, Kakarot knew his friend wouldn't have openly asked him for this favor if he wasn't absolutely desperate. "Fine," he finally said in a low voice. "You have my word, but you have to promise me one thing."

Vegeta raised an eyebrow, "what is it?"

"The second you have the chance, kill the son of a bitch."

Vegeta was surprised at the dark statement, and the hatred behind it. Kakarot has never once believed in taking a life, regardless of the circumstances. He couldn't believe his friend was advocating for it now, but it only fueled him more. "Of course. Who do you think you're talking to?"

Vegeta was about to leave and gather his things before Tarble slammed his hand on the door, blocking the exit. "Aren't you going to tell, Bulma" he asked. "You know if you don't she'll be pissed."

"No, I'm not. She can be pissed all she wants, she can even hate me for it, but at least she'll be safe. Now move out of my way. I have a flight that I can't miss."

A/N: So, Frieza finally found what he's been looking for. What does this mean for our favorite prince? And how will Bulma cope with him leaving again once she finds out? We'll find out next chapter! Reviews, like always, would be super duper nice if you have the time!

Oh, and I hope you all have a lovely Christmas this week if you celebrate it!