Bulma pounds Vegeta's back with the bottoms of her fists as he flies with her waist over his shoulder. She tries to kick him in the crotch several times, but the angle never works. She screams and hollers insults during the entire flight.
"Give it a rest already!" says Vegeta.
"No way asshole!" says Bulma, still struggling with all her might.
Her tenacity is so annoying, thinks Vegeta.
"Over there," says Raditz. "I see a cave."
"Finally," says Vegeta.
They set down and walk inside. Vegeta drops the Dragon Ball and throws Bulma down on her butt.
"Could you be any more of a piece of shit?"
Vegeta storms up to her. He yanks her head back by the hair.
"Listen here!" he says, hot breath on her face. "I'm sick of your bitching. So if you keep disrespecting me, I'll be happy to teach you what happens when you piss me off."
He holds up the back of his hand as if to slap her. "Do you understand me?"
Bulma nods.
"Good."
He pushes her head aside.
"So now what?" says Raditz. "We've got the Dragon Ball and Freeza will be on our asses any minute."
"I'm not worried about Freeza. If he dares leave the other six Dragon Balls unguarded, then we'll make our move."
"And what move is that exactly? Stop pretending like you have a plan. You always act on impulse and get everyone else mixed up in your thoughtless schemes."
"Are you questioning your Prince?"
"Yes, I am. And I should have done it sooner. Then maybe Nappa and the others wouldn't be dead."
The punch strikes quickly.
Raditz stumbles back and as bile flies from his mouth.
"Take back what you said!"
"No. I've watched everyone else die because they were too afraid of your unhinged anger. Now I'm the only one left, and I won't be silent any longer. We need a real plan or we're dead."
Vegeta's fist shakes his entire forearm. It settles at his side and unclenches.
"I'm stepping outside for a minute."
Vegeta walks with sagging shoulders and a lowered head, hands on his hips.
Bulma studies him as her mind works to take advantage of the situation.
###
Moori waves from an island as Dende and the others fly in for a landing. Moori catches Dende out of the air and pulls him to his chest.
"Oh my little youngling," says Moori. "I was worried I'd never see you again. I'm so glad you're safe."
"As am I, but we need to act fast. Nail and the others need healing from Lord Guru."
The others land beside them.
"Yes of course. Nail, we thought you were lost. I'm grateful to see otherwise. Hurry to Lord Guru. He's been worried sick about you. I'll tend to Goku."
Nail bows and proceeds to where Guru and a couple warriors rest under an overhang.
Moori kneels beside the swaddled Goku. His hands pass over the blanket. His senses feel out the injuries. His face gapes.
"I've never seen such internal damage without any kind of external trauma."
"You can heal him," says Gohan, "can't you?"
"Our powers don't heal the body directly. We help it recover its own life force which then allows the body to recover as it normally would.
"I can at least stabilize his condition. Whether or not he will recover, I'm not sure. This is beyond my ability. Maybe even Lord Guru himself."
Gohan and Krillin share a concerned look.
Guru rises to meet Nail despite a protesting gesture. Guru wraps an arm around Nail and pulls him close. The scent of Slug's spirit has faded which brings sadness to him. He makes peace with it by inhaling deeply and letting Nail go. The man who stands before him is safe, and that is what truly matters now.
"Come and rest Nail," says Guru. "Let me soothe your ailing body."
Nail smiles and kneels before Guru after he sits down. Guru places both palms on Nail shoulders. A warm, viscous ki spills orange light over his body. The pain melts away as it dissolves into the pulsing waves.
At some point, Nail drifts into a nap. A pleasant dream de-stresses his mind. Slug and his younger self train with a playful air. He rouses from it at peace and relieved of pain. He stretches his arms upward as his eyes blink open.
"Thank you Lord Guru. How long was I asleep?"
"Not long my son. You deserve more rest after all you've done."
Nail purses his lips. "It seems all I have done is endanger everyone. I've brought a terrible evil upon our people. I will do everything I can to stop it even if I must pay with my life."
"I believe this outcome was inevitable. We've been persecuted ever since we left Namek and this is merely the logical outcome of it. If anything, we're in the best position we can be to finally achieve peace. You've gotten so strong and made wonderful new friends and allies who are loyal and courageous. If we can overcome this trial, then I think we can finally be free once again."
"That's a nice way to think of it, but how can we stop a force like Freeza? He took me out in a single blow. Even if I am stronger now, there's no way I'll win."
"Not in an all out battle, no. But if we can get the Dragon Balls, then we can rescue our people and turn the tide against the tyrant Freeza."
"But how?"
Guru turns to Goku who rests nearby. "I sense a great source of power within Goku. One that could even rival yours. If I can release that potential, and he is able to recover from the horrendous damage he has done to himself, then I believe we have a chance."
"Really? That strong? Maybe the two of us could handle Freeza long enough to steal back the Dragon Balls."
###
Bulma stands up and walks towards the cave mouth.
"Where are you going?" says Raditz.
"I'm going to straighten out your leader so we don't all end up dead."
"Sit back down. There's nothing you can do to change his mind."
"Why don't you just worry about guarding the Dragon Ball if you're so unwilling to help."
Raditz crosses his arms and growls as Bulma leaves the cave. "She really is fearless. But it's her funeral."
Outside, Bulma sees Vegeta standing down by the shore. She approaches until she is a few step behind him. He gives no sign of noticing.
"It's okay to be afraid you know," she says. Vegeta twitches at her words. "You don't have to be in control of everything. And pretending you are doesn't help."
"Save your speech," he says. "I don't want to hear it. I'll do things my way."
Bulma steps up beside him and gazes out over the ocean. "I figured as much."
Bulma unfastens the belt around her waist. The one piece jacket and skirt loosens around her form. She undoes the first clip at her neck and works her way down the torso.
Stunned silence paralyzes Vegeta as Bulma slips the jacket off her shoulders so it falls to the ground. She stands in a black, long sleeved shirt and pants that fit snugly to her body.
"What are you doing?" he says.
"I haven't bathed since that Ginyu guy kidnapped me. And if we're all going to die, then I want to be as relaxed as possible during my last moments."
Heat flushes Vegeta's cheeks as she grabs the waistline of her shirt and pulls it up over her head. The sight of her bare midriff and bra fill Vegeta with an anxiety worse than the anticipation of a battle.
He tries to speak again, but Bulma places a hand on his shoulder to support herself. The touch saps his strength. Bulma uses her other hand to pull off her boots one at a time. Vegeta cannot help but ogle her alluring torso.
Saliva wells in his mouth as Bulma grabs the waistband of her black leggings. She pushes them down to her ankles, revealing beautiful thighs and calves. She steps out of them, and Vegeta nearly chokes on his spit. He finally remembers to swallow as she prances out into the water in just her gray bra and underwear.
Bulma dives beneath the surface and emerges a moment later.
"Come on in," she says, waving with one foot. "You're way too tense. You need to relax more than I do."
"What is this nonsense?" he says. "I don't need to go for a swim."
"It's called skinny-dipping, and it's supposed to be fun. Don't tell me you're going to turn down an invitation by a gorgeous, naked woman."
Vegeta's brain finally breaks through the fog clouding it. He pulls off his gloves and pushes his armor up over his head. He lifts the shirt of his blue suit next before wrestling with his boots.
Bulma laughs at the sight of him hopping on one foot.
He does have a nice body at least, she thinks.
Vegeta dives into the water and swims out to her.
"Now what?" he says.
"We have fun silly."
She splashes him in the face and takes off as fast as she can.
"Why you," Vegeta says with flustered breath.
He gives chase as Bulma tries to evade him. She dives and makes quick turns to elude him while sneaking in some more splashes as he continues to follow.
Bulma swims deep. Vegeta grabs her ankle and pulls her back. Their limbs entangle. Their chests press together. They float to the surface.
They stare into each other's eyes. Bulma places a hand on Vegeta's cheek. He feels helpless somehow, but not from physical weakness.
Bulma leans her lips in and guides Vegeta's face to hers.
They kiss.
Anxiety threatens Vegeta's sense of safety. His muscle memory tries to fend off the strange combat maneuver but is impeded by a desire for more of it. His battle awareness remains alert, yet he wishes for his guard to come down. Despite feeling weak for wanting to be vulnerable, the experience is as exhilarating as his craving for a good fight.
The kiss ends. He leans in for another. Bulma puts a finger on his lips.
"I've got some more comfortable accommodations in my Capsules. We should take this inside the cave."
Bulma leads Vegeta by the hand as they wade up to the shoreline. They grab their clothes before striding to the cave entrance.
"Out of the cave Raditz!" says Vegeta.
Raditz jumps to his feet at the urgency. He is confounded by the sight of a shirtless Vegeta and Bulma covering herself with an armful of clothes. She smiles and winks.
"What's going on?" says Raditz.
"Just get out, now!"
"Oh you can't be serious."
Vegeta's eyes flare with fury.
Raditz grumbles and walks past them to leave.
Bulma giggles and rummages for the Capsule pouch in the pocket of her jacket. She sets up a large mattress with a blanket. She slips under the covers and looks at Vegeta with soft eyes.
###
A rested Gohan, Krillin, Nail, and Dende watch as Guru claps his hands together. He rubs the palms up and down until the friction bursts into a golden flame around them. They pull apart and descend over the unconscious Goku.
Guru's fingers grip and massage Goku's neck. They work the muscles to flush out toxic energy until they feel relaxed. When he finishes, he moves to a shoulder. Dancing flames remain behind on the neck until they absorb into the skin.
He works in this manner for each section of Goku's body. He finishes with the feet and leans back, sweat adorning his head.
The four look to him for an answer. Guru smiles.
"Goku will be okay," he says. "Now stand back. I'm going to release his dormant power which should complete his recovery."
Guru places a palm over Goku's heart as the others step away. Guru feels his spirit slip into Goku's body. His ethereal hand plunges through the cool, blue waters of Goku's soul.
As his hand reaches deeper, heat nips at the fingertips. He presses on with the water getting hotter as he does. It transitions to a golden plasma. Bubbles roll past his hand as a scalding pain boils it.
Guru senses a disturbance in the spiritual spring. Some kind of beast swims up to his hand from deeper still. Guru halts his advance and grabs hold of what power he can reach. Phantasmal jaws of an ape open around Guru's hand. He yanks his arm back as the jaws snap shut.
Guru retreats his clenched fist to the cooler surface. He releases the ki he retrieved just before recalling his spirit from Goku's body.
Goku gasps to life. His whole body spasms from the release of power. The pulsation of new vigor filling his vessel reignites the pain of the still healing injuries. He twitches two more times before settling his breathing and body. Every nerve remembers the pain his last Kaioken inflicted.
"Dad, you're okay!" says Gohan. He moves to hug Goku but memories of how Goku screamed the last time he touched him halt the gesture.
"Yes, I am," he says. "What did I miss?"
The others fill him in.
"I see. Rescuing Bulma and getting the Dragon Balls won't be easy. But I feel an incredible new strength thanks to you Lord Guru. I think we can do it now."
"I merely assisted. That great power came from your noble spirit. However, I should warn you. I sense a terrible and ferocious power beyond even this. I'm not sure what to make of it, but it's not one I would ever try to draw out. You must be careful not to let a storm like that consume you."
"I'll keep that in mind. It sounds terrifying."
"It was. Power like that may let you defeat any enemy, but I doubt you could tell friend from foe."
"Right. So does anyone have any ideas on what to do next?"
"Our biggest issue," says Krillin, "is even if we get the Dragon Balls and make our wish, we'll still have to deal with Freeza. The only way off the planet would be piloting his ship which none of us can do."
"We could have someone get the Earth Dragon Balls to wish us all home," says Gohan.
"That's a good idea, but they don't have the radar. We do."
"Oh yeah."
"So your Dragon only grants you one wish," says Guru. "Ours will grant you three."
"Really," says Krillin. Hope takes flight in his heart. "That's amazing. Maybe we really can do this."
"If your Dragon is stronger," says Goku, "does that mean it can revive people who have died more than once?"
"Yes, that's not a problem. There are no restrictions on what Porunga can grant other than something beyond his power which is limited by my own."
"Alright," says Goku. "We can save Master Roshi and Chiaotzu!"
"Great," says Krillin. "Let's draft a plan of attack!"
He pulls out the Dragon Radar and a large pad of paper. He begins sketching images and arrows.
###
Vegeta lies on his back, exhausted and fulfilled in a way he has never known before. Bulma nestles up beside him and pulls the blanket tight over her shoulders. With his arm as a pillow and her back to his side, Vegeta feels her peaceful breathing.
For the first time he truly relaxes himself with another person. He closes his eyes and aligns his breathing with hers. He drifts to sleep beside her.
Bulma opens one eye. She monitors the rising and falling of Vegeta's chest against her back. When she believes he has fallen deeply asleep, she slips out of bed and gets dressed.
She makes sure she has her Capsule pouch in her pocket. All the while, she keeps an eye on Vegeta to make certain he does not awaken.
Her hands glisten with anxious sweat. She picks up the Dragon Ball. It slips free and clanks on the stone floor. Vegeta snorts and stirs. Bulma holds her breath.
Vegeta settles back down and snores. Bulma ensures a firm grasp on the Dragon Ball before lifting it a second time. She tiptoes to the cave entrance.
She peeks outside for Raditz. There is no one to the left or right. She strains her neck to check above the cave entrance in case he looks down from above.
With no sign of him, Bulma inhales and runs for the sea. At the shore, she slides into the waters on her belly to avoid making too many alerting splashes. Her heart pounds while she swims as hard as she can. She refuses to look back.
When she is deep enough to be fully submerged while upright, she throws a Capsule below the surface. She dons a diving mask and air tank. Another Capsule releases a diver propulsion vehicle. She grabs one of the two handholds while holding the Dragon Ball against her stomach. Her thumb flicks the switch of the torso sized device to the fastest speed. The sea scooter propeller whirls in its mesh cage to pull her through the ocean.
When no one comes for her, her beating heart calms. Her thoughts jump to Vegeta. Guilt clenches her stomach. He seemed to genuinely desire an intimate connection. She sympathizes with such a plight, but steels her nerves knowing she has to get back to the others.
Vegeta rustles beneath the blanket. His arm reaches for something that is not there. He jolts awake. His eyes scan for Bulma. She is gone. An emptiness fills his stomach.
He searches for the Dragon Ball but cannot find it. His rage boils as he realizes he has been tricked. Just when he is about to release his power to destroy the cave around him, it dies out. A strange melancholy restrains the anger. It infiltrates and destroys it.
He sits on the bed where Bulma had been. His thoughts and emotions battle across his mind.
Author's Note 07/08/2023: Freeza arrives next time and the battle begins! I hope you have enjoyed reading this story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I have made the tough decision to end this series with the conclusion of the Namek Saga. I have been working on my own writing that I hope to publish and just do not have the time to continue with this project. That said, this project and all of the views and comments I have received have been so important for me as a writer. I really cannot thank you all enough. Sharing something I have worked so hard on and receiving almost unanimous praise has really built up my confidence as a writer. I did not think I would ever feel capable enough to publish my work, but I do today. I have been working hard on something and have a complete first draft to show for it. Thank you is not enough, but it is all I can say to my amazing readers. You all have done so much for me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
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