She turned another corner, slaming straight into Bardock. "I'm sorry." she stuttered. Wait a minute..."Just what exactly are you doing in the Imperial Wing?" she demanded.

Bardock blushed slightly, "Waiting for you." he whispered softly, his dark eyes staring intently into hers. Bulma took an akward step back and glanced around looking for possible exits. "I didn't mean to frighten you." he whispered, "I need to speak with you."

Bulma fidgeted nervously, "Then come to the lab tomorrow, I can't speak right now." She stepped forward, trying to move past his form. His hand reached out and gently held her shoulder.

'This can't wait until tomorrow.' a voice whispered in the back of her mind- his voice. Bulma's face paled as she pulled away from his grip. She opened her mouth but there was no sound. 'We're bonded.' he continued, 'Our minds have bonded.'

Bulma shook her head, "Impossible!" she cried desperately, "I'm bonded with Vejiita!"

"I know." Bardock said, "But you only share a bond of blood, we share the mind. Do you know why you don't have such a bond with Vejiita?" Bulma shook her head, "Because, neither one of you can understand your feelings for each other. Do you really know if he loves you?"

Again, Bulma could not give an honest answer, "That is what is preventing that bond. Neither one of you can truely admit you love the other."

Bulma glared up angrily at him, "You have NO right to say that, I love Vejiita!"

"Do you? You care for him, but you constantly doubt his love and therefore you doubt your own feelings for him." Bulma was silent, his words struck deep into her soul. Bardock reached out and took her hand, his finger lightly tracing the wound. "My feelings for you have created the bond." he whispered, "I love you. No matter what, you will be nothing more than a slave in anyone's eyes, including Vejiita's."

"That's not true." Bulma cried, ripping her hand away from his. "Don't you ever come near me again." she whispered coldly, "Stay away from me Bardock, I want nothing to do with you!"

Bardock cringed at her words. He let her pass, but before she was out of range he spoke, "You will see what I say is true. I will wait for you then."

Bulma stopped, "Then you will wait for quite some time, but I will never come." then she continued on.

* * * * *

Dondurma stormed down the halls cursing under his breath. "That little bitch." he spat coldly, "She's done too much to the King. I have to get rid of her." he stopped, "But how?"

There was stirring behind him, "We have a solution to your problems my Lord." a voice spoke. From the shadows came two men. Dondurma recognized them as the diplomatic scientists that had come to Bati-sei to bring some of its technology back to their own planet. What did they want? "Do you wish to hear our proposition." the one continued.

Dondurma nodded, "I will hear it, but you have much explaining to do."

"Quite understandable. My partner and I are not scientists, we are slave traders." Dondurma's attention piqueed.

"Then why did you come to Bati-sei?" he asked wearily.

"There have been rumours of the great scientist from Chikyuu. Many rulers want her to serve under them and would pay quite a hefty price for her. We were sent by our master to observe her and he wishes for her to be captured and brought to him. She will then be sold to the highest bidder."

The second trader continued, "We've had one problem, however. It is not easy to capture her when she is constantly under your King's gaze. We were almost out of hope until we discovered your hatred towards the Chikyuu-jin. Perhaps, you can help us into the King's chambers and we will rid you of your little problem."

Dondurma smiled, "I would rather she be dead, but perhaps this is better. She will either learn her place under a new master or die defying him. Either way, she is out of the Vejiita's favor for good."

The two traders smiled at each other, thankful that Dondurma had believed their lies. He would never aid them if he knew the truth involving Freeza. "Come, follow me." Dondurma motioned, "I will take you to her at once."

* * * * *

The young Prince waited eagerly for his father's arrival. He sat in the middle of the gravity chamber floor, his legs crossed and his eyes wide with excitement. The door to the chamber opened and Trunks jumped excitedly to his feet, "I am ready to spar, father!" he exclaimed eagerly.

Vejiita was thoughtful for a moment, he was never allowed to refer to the King as his father. He could still remember the blows delt each time he had let the word slip. This would be different, he would make up for the 'King's' mistakes, for the mistakes of all those before him. He would build the most superior race ever, with a queen and an heir at his side.

"We will not be sparring today." Vejiita said quietly, Trunks smile faded and his he could not hide his disappointment. "Come here boy." Vejiita called softly. He led Trunks outside the chamber. Vejiita sat and pointed for Trunks to sit in front of him. "There is much we need to discuss today. You fought well today, still something bothers me." Trunks nodded, "Why did you hold back your true power? You are a Super Saiya-jin, are you not?"

The boy looked up at his father, ashamed at what he had done, "I'm sorry father," he whispered, "I didn't think it was necessary since my opponent was so much weaker than I. It didn't seem right, I wanted to give him a chance."

Vejiita sighed, the boy sounded so much like he had when he was young. So much wisdom in a boy of eight. If only he himself had retained that wisdom while in the camps of Freeza. "Perhaps you made a better choice, but all must know that you hold such power. But we will not dwell on that tonight. There is another matter." Vejiita stopped, glancing at his son who was hanging on his every word. There was such adoration in his eyes. "You will meet your mother tonight."

Trunks was genuinely surprised, "My mother?" he asked, then a small smile drew on his lips, "Is she going to be the Queen?"

Vejiita laughed, "Of course. She is waiting for us in my chambers. Tonight, you shall meet and we shall begin to make a name for the Neo Saiya-jin empire."

* * * * *

Bulma threw herself onto Vejiita's bed and sighed. She curled agianst the sheets and burrowed her head into the pillows. She kicked off her shoes and sighed, it had been a hell of a day. Her eyelids became heavy and darkness surrounded her when a sharp knock on the door jarred her back. 'Shit. If anyone know's I am here...'

She began to search for a hidding place in case this person was stupid enough to enter uninvited. There was another knock and then he spoke, "My dear," Dondurma spoke in a sickly sweet tone, "Won't you please let me in?"

Bulma was dumbfounded, how did Dondurma know she was here? She began to feel sick, remembering all of his threats against her life. Had he come to complete his promises? The door slid open and Dondurma entered, along with two men. Bulma recognized them as scientists. She could not guess their reason for being present. She began fumbling in her pocket, looking for her capsule that held her most recent project. Built just for this reason. Her palms were sweaty as they latched onto the capsule, but there was no time...

Bulma was pinned to the ground underneath one of the scientists. She began kicking and screaming, trying to free herself, but to no avail. He pulled her up and pressed her back into his chest, "My master will be most pleased to see you." he chuckled, his hand pressed to her lips. He turned to Dondurma and smiled, "Thank you so much for your help, I'm sure my Lord Freeza will be quite pleased with you and will remember you in the hour of his triumph."

Dondurma paled: What kind of fool had he been? He reached for Bulma, trying to jar her free from her captor's grasp, but it was obvious he had forgotten about the other. The blow came from behind, knocking him unconcious. Bulma struggled, still trying to pull the caplsule out of her pocket, but she could not move. "Let's not waste anymore time." he whispered softly into her ear, "Freeza is surely losing his patience."

* * * * *

Bardock sprinted down the palace halls, praying to any deity that she was safe. He ran straight into the King and the Prince. Vejiita turned and glared angrily at him, "Please, my King. Now is not the time to bring up our differences. Bulma is in danger."

"And how exactly do you know?" Vejiita spat.

"That is not important now, we must hurry."

The three raced to imperial chambers. Vejiita stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Dondurma slowly rise to his feet, rubbing his throbbing head. "What happened!" Vejiita screamed, on the edge of losing all control.

Dondurma avoided all eye contact, "I am not completely sure, sire. I heard a scream and came to investigate,. When I entered there were two men attacking the Chikyuu-jin. I tried to help, but I was not able to overcome them. They knocked me out, but not before telling me who had sent them."

Bardock controlled his anger, it was obvious he was lying about something. But it wasn't the time to bring that up. Vejiita was not fooled either, but there were more important matters, Who sent them?" he whispered, his voice promising a painful death to whomever dared such a thing.

"Freeza." Dondurma whispered.

Bardock's knees buckled and Vejiita fell against the wall; the horror was visible on his face. His mind began to turn as he realized the hell Freeza would have planned for her, merely to get at him. The world began to spin and Vejiita let all rage loose. He allowed the tears to flow down his face as he let out a heart stopping scream of anguish.

* * * * *

I know, evil cliffhanger. Sorry, I'm working on thirteen as we speak. Email me if you like, which I know you do...

Meiko