Yes, I am alive, barely. I have been very sick and haven't had the energy to do anything. I still have not fully recovered and am on tons of antibiotics, so I hope that doesn't show in my writing. I hope that something like this won't happen again. I should be better soon, I hope. So I hope there will be no more delays. I am also sorry for all of the people who e-mailed me, I didn't return a single one. I have not touched my computer in almost a month and I cannot possibly respond to them. I don't want to be rude and I'll try to read through the ones that didn't get deleted but don't expect a response. Please, e-mail me again if you want me to respond and I promise I will. =) Thanks for putting up with me, you guys are great.

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The palace walls echoed with chaos as every available Saiya-jin soldier rushed to the ship dock at the will of an apparently irrational King. Vejiita paid no attention to the soldiers complaints an advice. Dondurma stood guiltily behind the King as Bardock stood at his side. "I don't care if the palace is left unguarded, every Saiya-jin comes!"

Dondurma shook his head, "Please, my King, be reasonable. You cannot take every Saiya-jin on a suicide mission against Freeza! Also, how do you suppose we find her? We have no idea where Freeza is."

Bardock's eyes narrowed, "You know full well how to find her." he growled, his tail bristled slightly, "You did plant a tracking device in her like all the other slaves." Dondurma swallowed, nodding slightly. Vejiita's eyes widened, "And you just forgot about that?" Bardock continued. Vejiita's shock melted into fury and Dondurma avoided all eye contact, "I know why." Bardock spat, "Because this is your fault, you gave her to Freeza."

Dondurma paled, "That's not true! I would never do such a thing." Bardock grabbed his throat, "Liar!" he growled, "I am bonded to the woman, I know exactly what happened. You gave her to them."

Vejiita paled. Bonded? It wasn't possible, she was his! And Dondurma. He betrayed him, but why? The world around him began to spin as the sounds and colors blurred together. A small tug at his arm brought the world back into focus. He turned and saw Trunks standing next to him, he was dressed in royal armor. "I want to go with you." he said firmly, "I will defend our honor and hers."

Vejiita smirked slightly, "You will go and together we will show Freeza the power of a Super Saiya-jin." he turned and glowered at Bardock and Dondurma, "I will deal with you later. Both of you will come with me on the shuttle."

He turned sharply, not waiting for a response. Trunks glared darkly at Dondurma, then he followed his father. "Let's not waste any more time." Vejiita said coldly, "Get on the computers and find her, or ever Bati-jin and Saiya-jin will die at my hands."

* * * * *

Gohan eased through the dark halls, he lowered his ki so it was untracable by any scouter. He crawled into the venthaltion system and continued to the throne room. He stopped when he heard Freeza and Ryuu. "I just recieved a transmission, she will be arriving shortly." It was Ryuu. Freeza chuckled slightly, "Good." he purred, "We must prepare for her arrival."

Gohan clenched his fists tightly; he would wait for her and then he would kill them all. Bulma would be okay and maybe he could find some peace.

* * * * *

Bulma both physically and verbally abused her captors, though it did little good. Once they had left Bati-sei's atmosphere she was restrained, gagged, and left in a corner of the tiny shuttle. All energy gone, she curled up in exhaustion and allowed the tears to flow freely. Her two captors paid little attention to her as they discussed what rewards Freeza would give them.

"Freeza is very wealthy," one snickered, "I am sure he will reward us handsomely."

The other one nodded, then turned and nodded towards her, "Perhaps he will allow us to endulge ourselves in her as well." They both laughed and Bulma felt her stomach turn. She began to struggle again, one of her captors turned to her and shook his head. He casually walked to her and grabbed her hair, forcing her to look at him. "Why don't you rest." he sneered, "We'll wake you when we land." The world blurred as her head was smashed against the metal wall and darkness engulfed her.

* * * * *

Vejiita stared coldly at the stars as the shuttle moved past them. In the window's reflection, he could see Trunks dozing. Why did it hurt this much? Was this what she called love? He could not understand what that emotion was, but he wasn't sure he could live without it or her for that matter. He could only imagine what Freeza would do to her before he killed her. Surely, he did not expect Vejiita to be able to follow them but would they arrive soon enough?

He stiffened as the door opened and he could sense Bardock's presence. He glanced back at his son, who did not stir. "What do you want." he said softly.

Bardock breathed, "We have her location and will arrive in a few hours." he bowed and turned to leave, but Vejiita would not allow him too. The King appeared before him and latched onto his throat, "Are you bonded to her." he growled, Bardock nodded in return.

Vejiita threw Bardock against the wall, "How can YOU be bonded to her? I have been her mate for eight years!"

Bardock shook his head, "I may kill myself for saying this but it must be said. You cannot bond for her because you do not care for her, or won't admit it. Your pride is what is blocking you from holding her heart. It is her choice now, she can choose one who truely cares or one who has treated her like dirt for the past eight years."

Vejiita shook and the ship began to tremble as Vejiita turned over to Super Saiya-jin. "How dare you." he growled, Trunks stood behind him, rubbing his sleepy eyes in wonder, "She is mine, and to accuse me of such is treason. You are nothing but a clone. You're not even the real Bardock." the Saiya-jin before him paled, his jaw dropped, "I do care about the woman. I don't care who hears it now. If she dies, then I will not live without her, and neither will you or the rest of the Saiya-jin race."

Bardock slummped to the floor as Trunks gazed up at his father in awe. Bardock began to examine his body, "I am a clone?" he whispered softly, "What happened to the real me? What happened to Bardock?"

Vejiita calmed, his ki lowered, "He died on Vejiitasei when Freeza destroyed it." he turned his back, his head hurt and the world would not stop spinning. Bardock rose slowly, pawing into Bulma's mind. His head slumped in defeat, he had lost her. Without uttering a word, he left.

Trunks turned and placed a hand on his father's shoulder, "Father," he whispered softly, "What happened?" Vejiita was trembling, sweat dripped from his face. A small smile formed on his lips as he began to chuckle, then laugh hysterically. Trunks gazed up at him confused, "Are you all right father?" he asked.

Vejiita nodded, his smile fading. "I'll be better when we get your mother back." he muttered, "Rest, you'll fight a difficult battle soon."

The prince sighed and returned to his chair and quickly dozed off. Vejiita closed his eyes, pressing his sweaty brow against the glass; she was his now. Bardock was right, he had to choose between his pride and her. He smiled again, she was his now, no one could contest that. Still, all of this would mean nothing if he didn't get her back.

* * * * * *

Bulma woke when something impacted her stomach, "Wake up sweetie, we're here." Bulma gasped for breath as she was dragged down dark corridors. Her vision returned and she was able to get some balance. She was shoved into a large, ornately decorated room. She thought she would vomit when she saw several men chuckle as their eyes travled over her body. "Kami help me." she muttered under her breath.

She was thrown roughly infront of the dais and gazed up at two very strange creatures. One was a cat-like being, she doubted he was Freeza. The other, sent chills up her spine. His face was smooth as glass and his black lips were twisted into a sadistic smirk. He slithered down the dais and quickly helped her to her feet, "Remove the restraints at once." he orded, "This is no way to treat our honored guest!"

She stood stock still, glaring coldly at him as they removed her chains. Running was not an option, she would never be quick enough, but if she could get her weapon. It couldn't kill Freeza, but maybe it would buy her some time. Freeza smiled, bowing slightly as his tail twitched excitedly. "Welcome, my dear." he purred, "I hope your journey was comfortable."

Her eyes narrowed, "Vejiita will find me, and then he'll rip you apart limb by limb."

Freeza laughed, his tail slidding around her arm and drawing her closer until she was barely touching his chest. "Vejiita doesn't know where to find you." he teased, "But don't worry, I'll return you to him soon enough. Just think of how upset he'll be when your corpse is returned to Bati-sei, beaten and broken. It's a pity I won't see his face, but it is still fun." She tried to pull away, but found another body behind her. "Do try to be a respectful guest," Freeza continued, "Ryuu here was so kind for letting us stay here." The man behind her chuckled and the other men in the room joined in.

Then, it all happened. The body behind her vanished and Freeza released her, his eyes darting across the room. She turned and followed his gaze, a young man was holding Ryuu by the neck, beating him to a pulp. She shook her head, he was a Super Saiya-jin, but it wasn't possible! She studied him closer, his face was so familiar, her knees buckled, "Gohan." she whispered, tears streamed down her face.

The body in the his grip stopped struggling and hung their lifeless as he continued to beat him. Then, he threw the corpse down in disgust, turning to Freeza, "It's your turn." he whispered coldly, "I'll kill you for my father, Krullin, Piccolo and Chikyuu."

Bulma paled, Chikyuu was dead? She fell to her knees, the man in front of her was not the boy she knew eight years ago. She glanced at the body next to him, when did he change? Then, she noticed Gohan glance behind his back, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Freeza frowned as the wall of the throne room exploded. The blast took out several of the soldiers and sent Bulma back a few feet. When the dust cleared, she could see and army of Saiya-jins, led by Vejiita and Trunks.

Vejiita flared his ki, turning Super Saiya-jin Trunks did the same-a surprise to her, but a relief all the same. "Freeza," Vejiita snarled, "I'm going to send your ass to hell."

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