I'm alive! I'm sorry its been so long since my last chapter, but life gets in the way. Since this has been posted, I obviously survived my finals (barely). I love Christmas break. Anywho, I won't ramble any more, I'll let you read!

* * * * *

There wasn't an empty seat in the arena, every Saiya-jin and Bati-jin had arrived to see the young boy claim his rightful title as Prince of the Neo Saiya-jin emipire. Vejiita glanced casually over the crowd, scanning for signs of her.

She was seated with the other slaves, in the front. She was glowing with excitment, no doubt anxious to see her son again. A slight smile crossed his lips as he watched her. She was so beautiful, her personality was mirror to his in almost every way. 'Soon.' he promised, 'Soon I will raise you to the pedestal you deserve. Soon you will be queen of the Neo Saiya-jin empire.'

She had often reminded him of the deal they had made years earlier. She wanted to return to Chikyuu. Every time she requested, his heart was torn into half. Why did she want to leave him? He could glorify her, make her a goddess. He would give her everything she desired, and more. She was quite difficult to figure out.

She turned her head and caught his gaze. For a moment, he stared into the depths of her eyes before quickly averting them so that no one would notice. He did not catch the disappointment that crossed her face as he did so. His gaze turned to Bardock. He too was watching her. Hatred and jealousy burned through Vejiita's veins. Bulma could not understand the danger of allowing him to get too close.

Vejiita turned his attention to the group of Saiya-jin warriors in the center of the ring, awaiting the battle. Vejiita's smile returned; these warriors were the strongest of their generation yet stood no chance against his son: This tournament was over before it even started.

The flag was raised and the ceremonial drums were heard as the boy entered the ring. The crowd fell silent as the soldiers in the middle took their positions. The boy glanced up at the King, awaiting the signal to begin. Vejiita glanced once again at Bulma, her attention focused on her son. Vejiita looked at the boy and gave a nod. The tournament had begun.

* * * * *

Gohan slipped into the sewers, he had to stay close to the palace. He couldn't miss her arrival. Any delay could be dangerous. Then, they would pay, all of them. Freeza, Ryuu, Vejiita. All would die at his hands, they would die for the sins they committed.

* * * * *

Freeza sipped his wine, glancing out the window at the city. Ryuu watched him, waiting for him to speak. "Tell me." Freeza asked, "Have you found your missing slave yet?"

Ryuu shifted uncomfortably, "No my lord, we have yet to find the boy."

Freeza frowned, glancing at the contents of his glass. "Pity." he sighed, "Oh well,soon we will have our little visitor to keep us company. We can occupy ourselves waiting for her arrival instead of worrying about such trivial matters." that sadistic smile returned, "My plans for this little creature only mark the beginning of Vejiita's end."

* * * * *

The boy landed punch after punch, kick after kick. The other soldiers had yet to land a single blow. Vejiita smiled, it was obvious he was merely toying with them. This was merely for show. He turned and watched Bulma, she clung to the railing, her knuckles were white. He chuckled to himself- she could not phathom the boy's power.

There was a cry from the ring and Bulma turned her face, disgusted. Vejiita turned his attention back to the ring. The boy was alone, calm and poised. He hadn't even broken a sweat. Vejiita stood, signaling to the boy. "Come here brat." he called. The boy came and knelt before Vejiita. "You have fought well," Vejiita swallowed the lump in his throat, quickly glancing at the crowd. 'Damn woman.' he cursed. "You have earned your title as Prince Trunks of the Neo Saiya-jin empire."

There was silence for all but three seconds, then loud cheers erupted from the crowd. Vejiita heaved a sigh of relief, glancing at Bulma. Her smile said "I told you so."

* * * * *

Bulma hurried down the hall, anxious to find Vejiita. Maybe Trunks would be with him. Vejiita had always fought with her about him, expecially concerning her role with the boy. There was never any agreement on that matter. At the next turn, she slammed sharply into Vejiita's chest.

The King grabbed her arms and pulled her away from his body, quickly releasing her. She glanced behind him and smiled at the prince. He stood proudly, modeling his father. His hair had been trimmed just above his ears, making him look even more handsome. She bowed politely, "I'm terribly sorry your majesty."

Vejiita murmmured a dismisal and signaled to the door. Bulma stood tall and proud, that ever so polite smile still on her face. "I need to speak to you my King." she said calmly, "About a deal we made years ago."

Vejiita sighed, "Not now woman." he spat, "We have discussed this before, there was no deal."

That polite smile quickly faded as she tried to keep a thousand obsenities from slipping past her lips. "I'm sick of this Vejiita." she spat coldly, "You won't even take the time to listen to me! I've done everything you've wanted and more for eight fucking years and you won't even let me visit Chikyuu! You're an arrogant bastard who needs to get his head out of his ass and see that there are others around here besides himself!"

The tears began to fall and Bulma spun around and ran out of the room leaving two very dazed young men. "What was that?" Trunks asked.

Vejiita shook his head, "How should I know?" he wondered, "Who the hell can understand a woman?" he turned to the boy "Go to the gravity chamber and begin your training, I'll meet you there shortly."

Trunks nodded and ran off, eagerly anticipating the sparring session with his father. Vejiita mumbled curses under his breath as he turned to find Bulma.

* * * * * *

She barged into the lab, screaming at every technician to get out of her way. The slaves scurried out of the room, not willing to hear her bitch again. Satisfied that she was alone, she began to vent. She smashed her hands into a test-tube rack, the glass tearing at her skin. She ignored that pain as she gazed at the blood. She seemed hypnotized as the red liquid trickled down her arm onto the floor.

Vejiita stepped into the lab silently, watching her. Her shoulders began to shake as she fell to the floor sobbing. He couldn't move, he stared at her bloody hand. A new desire coarsed through his body, something beyond lust. His jealousy of Bardock, his need to protect her- they all stemed from this emotion he had tried to keep hidden for so long. Now, he stood the chance of losing her forever. If she were to allow Bardock to come too close the worst could happen. He hadn't helped matters by constantly pushing her away. Now, there was only one thing he could do to insure that she would remain his.

He knelt down next to her; she stiffened as he brushed against her body. She watched as he pulled off a glove and picked up a piece of glass. She stared as he drew the sharp edge of the glass against the palm of his hand, drawing blood. She didn't protest as he took her injured hand and placed it against his, mixing the blood.

Bulma's body began to spasam, darkness surrounded her. She felt nothing but a combination of pleasure and pain. She was living a life that was not her own. She felt emotions that were not hers, anger, hatred, desire, pain like none other, and a desire to be needed.

Slowly, the world came back to focus and she found her head resting in Vejiita's lap. She made no attempt to move, she merely laid there letting him stroke her damp hair. She gasped for breath and clutched his hand. Finally, she regained her ability to speak. "What just happened?" she gasped.

Vejiita shuddered, "It is part of the Saiya-jin mating ritual called bonding. There are two bonds between a Saiya-jin and his mate. First there is the bond of blood, what you just experienced. Second, the bonding of the minds. Most Saiya-jins, with the exception of the royal line, mate for life. The only way there marriage is considered valid is if they are bonded both ways. It is extremely easy to achieve the first bond, but difficult to achieve the second. A female may be bonded with several males, but they only share one bond. She can only mate with one she shares both bonds with."

Bulma sat up, stroking Vejiita's cheek, "Why doesn't the royal line bond?"

"The very first King of Vejiita-sei refused to bond with any mate, killing the one that produced the heir. It was believed that this was the reason that the line was so strong. Because of this, it is forbidden for any member of royal blood to take a bonded mate."

"So why did you bond with me?"

Vejiita stiffened, glancing down at her hand. How could he answer that when he himself did not know the answer? He grabbed her wrist and pulled her up, "I want you to go to my chambers and rest. I will return after I spar with the brat. Be quite and don't let anyone see you."

Bulma tried to object, but Vejiita quickly left the room. Shrugging her shoulders, she headed off towards the royal wing.

* * * * * *

Dondurma stepped out of the shadows, his face twisted in disgust. "This seals your fate bitch." he spat under his breath, "You will die."

* * * * * *

The two watched the entire scenerio, from her entrance to Dondurma's vow. "We'd better hurry," one whispered, "Ryuu will be getting impatient!"

The second nodded, "It will be difficult capturing her, but I think I know just the one to help us."

* * * * * *