Just a quick note: Part 9 takes place two months after the events of Part 8. Just didn't want anybody to be confused.

* * * * *

Part 9: The Rise of the Super Saiyajin

Bulma lurched forward, her stomach heaving out the contents of the morning's breakfast into the waste reciprocal. Bardock's face twisted in disgust as the other workers tried to ignore it. Bulma groaned and rested her head against the table. "Sorry." she murmmured softly.

Bardock snorted and went back to work. The lab overlooked a vast array of gestation tanks that held the Genesis saiya-jins. They were quite far in their development; in another six months, they would awaken as adults. Bardock glanced back at Bulma, wondering if she knew what was going on inside of her.

Bulma lifted her head slightly, glancing up at Bardock. He was watching her again, though he tried to turned away. She frowned, he did that often. She wasn't sure what to make of it, what exactly was he thinking? She buried her face in her hands and sighed: she was pregnant. 'One night and this is what I get.' she cursed.

Vejiita had hardly spoken to her since that night, he only barked commands at her. A lone tear fell to the table, 'Maybe Dondurma was right, maybe I was nothing more than a whore to Vejiita.'

Her thoughts were inturrupted by Dondurma's shouts. She rose to her feet, knowing the consequences of defying him. Bardock growled as the guards approached, he stepped in front of Bulma. Dondurma smiled politely, "Out of our way, you know what needs to be done."

Bardock glanced back over his shoulder, "She doesn't." he spat.

"She'll know soon enough."

One of the guards reached around Bardock and pulled her roughly into his grip. Anger and fear tore through her body. "Let me go!" she commanded, knowing it was futile.

"Let's get this over with." Dondurma smiled, as the guards pulled Bulma out of the lab. They dragged her to the infirmary and into a secluded room. She gasped when she saw Vejiita there, waiting. "What's going on!" she demanded.

The only response came when the guards threw her on a metal table and placed her in restraints. Dondurma bowed politely to Vejiita, "I did not expect you to be present for this my Lord." Vejiita frowned, but remained silent, watching Bulma struggle. "This will be a very simple procedure, we'll remove the fetus as soon as the gestation tank is ready."

Bulma froze: What had they said. Finding new strength and determination, she fought against the restraints. "Don't touch me!" she screamed, "Don't touch my baby!"

They seemed to ignore her pleas, tears began to stain her face as she realized the hoplessness of the situation. "She will be put under, right?" Vejiita asked.

"It's not necessary, but if you..."

"Of course!" Vejiita interrupted. "Do it now."

Dondurma nodded and pulled a mask over Bulma's nose and mouth. Vejiita looked away from her; every tear that fell tore into his heart. He glanced at the door and spotted Bardock, glaring angrily at Dondurma. "Get out of here you third-class baka!" Vejiita barked. Bardock turned, casting one last glance at Bulma, a look of pity on his face.

Bulma tried to pull away from the mask, but soon, her body became heavy and everything seemed miles away. "Please, Vejiita." she whispered, before her eyes slid shut into a peaceful slumber.

Vejiita turned around and faced Dondurma, "If anything goes wrong, it'll be your head." Dondurma nodded, "I'm going to the gravity chamber to train, don't disturb me unless it's an emergency."

"Of course." Dondurma bowed, and then turned to one of the guards to give them their orders. Vejiita stole one glance at the sleeping Bulma: She would understand in the end, it wasn't a big deal. Right? He reached over a wiped off a remaining tear, praying that this feeling of pain would vanish with it.

* * * * *

Gohan grabbed another brick and carried it over to the pile with the others. Ryuu and a few others observed from a short distance away. "Quite a valuble slave you have there, is he for sale?"

Ryuu shook his head, "No, his work is worth more than the gold." A few chuckled in agreement.

"Aren't you worried that his power could overload the computer that controls the chip in his brain?"

Gohan stopped, his keen hearing focused more on the conversation, "No." Ryuu stated simply, "He would have to increase his maximum power at least ten-fold, and as it is, the chip keeps him from accessing his power and increasing it. The brat cannot get any stronger."

Gohan slowly set back to work, beginning to think of how he could escape. How could he become stronger without training? Then, he recalled something Vejiita had once said. Every time a Saiya-jin was weaker, he would become stronger than before. Every injury, every cut, every scratch, only made them stronger when they healed. Perhaps, he could overload the computer this way. 'It could take years,' he reminded himself, 'But I'll do it!' Starting now!

The boy dropped the brick and allowed the power to flow freely threw him, Ryuu and the others glanced at him, not really interested. "Let the bastard learn the hard way." Ryuu chuckled. Gohan began to power up, his head began to spin the world becoming blurry. Finally, escruciating pain erupted through his body and he fell into unconciousness.

* * * * *

"Wow. That was brave." Goku whispered over Kaio-sama's shoulder, "That's my boy."

"Quite powerful indeed." Kaio observed, "Though, it will take him many years to achieve the power he needs to regain his freedom.'

Goku turned away, sadness crossed his features. "I let them down." he said softly, "I let everyone down."

"You musn't blame your self." Kaio consoled, "You did all that you could, you died honorably."

"So what?" Goku screamed, "I died honorably? I sentenced Chikyuu to death, Gohan to be a slave, and Kami only knows what Vejiita is doing to Bulma!"

"Please," Kaio whispered, "it'll be all right. I'll find her, I promise. Until then, why don't you go and wait for Piccolo with the others. And why don't you do something for Yamucha over there, he seems kind of depressed."

Goku walked over to the warrior, and sat down next to him, "We'll find her," Goku assured, "I promise."

Yamucha forced a smile, but a tear fell down his cheek, "I'll kill Vejiita if he hurt her." he choked, "I promise you that."

* * * * *

Bulma woke in her own room. She tried to sit up, but the pain was fierce. "Don't do that." came a voice. Bulma turned her head and gasped when she saw Bardock sitting next to her. "Dondurma didn't give you any pain medication, so you'll be in pain for a while."

Bulma spat out obsenities that made Bardock smile, something that was very rare. For a moment, he looked like Goku. Bulma placed a hand on her stomach, an empty feeling overcame her. "Where is my baby?" she whispered.

Bardock shook his head, "It is not yours, it is the heir to the throne and you will lay no claim to it."

"What are you talking about?" she cried, "That was my baby?"

Bardock sighed, "On Vejiita-sei, the heir to the throne had no mother. A mate was selected for the King, a child was produced and she was killed. You should consider yourself fortunate."

Bulma cringed at the thought, "What did they do?" she asked, fighting the tears.

"It was a common procedure for upper-class soldiers. When a female became pregnant, she was worthless. They remove the fetus and let it develop in a gestation tank, allowing the warrior to return to her duties."

"But then the mother doesn't bond with the baby!"

Bardock shook his head, "Why should they? The brat is sent away the moment his development is complete. It is considered weak for upper-class soldiers to bond with parents, however, it can't be avoided among the lower-class. We cannot afford to use the tanks, so most mothers give birth to their children. My mate died giving birth to my second son, Kakarott."

Bulma gazed at his face, he looked so sad at the mention of his mate, "I'm so sorry." she whispered.

Bardock's face turned to stone, "It does not matter, my feelings towards her only made me weaker." Bulma was about to object when he stood and turned to leave, "I can't stay any longer." he said coldly, "Dondurma doesn't know I'm here."

Without another word, he left, leaving Bulma feeling more alone then she had ever felt before.

* * * * *

Gohan woke, the cold metal floor beneath him. Ryuu towered above him, a look of superiority accross his face. "I told you that would happen." he teased, "You really are stupid."

Gohan said nothing, but spit on Ryuu's feet. Ryuu's smile faded and he kicked Gohan in the jaw. "For that, you'll get a beating like none you've ever recieved before."

A few guards entered carrying clubs and whips, Gohan closed his eyes, surrendering to the pain. 'I have to bear the pain if I ever want to be free again.' a smile crossed his lips as the first club smacked the side of his head, 'It will be worth it."

* * * * *

Vejiita kicked the wall angry at everything. Angry at Bardock, angry at Dondurma, and angry at that woman. So angry at her for making him feel like this. It had hurt so much to see her so scared. This pain he felt only made him angrier.

"Damnit!" he screamed, his body severly beaten from training under the gravity chamber's maximum setting. Anger tore through him, confusion and hatred ripping him apart. His power broke levels that no Saiya-jin had ever achieved. Vejiita panted as he caught the reflection of himself, he had done it. The Super Saiya-jin had risen. Months of training in the gravity room, months of painstaking workouts and brutal injuries finally rewarded him. Now, he was the strongest.

A smirk of truimph crossed his lips, it was time to show her who he really was.

He exited the gravity room, stunning the soldiers around him. He ignored them and continued to her chambers. He walked in, not even knocking. Her head spun around and her jaw dropped. "Vejiita?" she murmmured.

"If you ever doubted my power before, here is your proof that I will rule the universe!"

Bulma turned away from him, curling into a fetal position, pulling the blankets around her. She silently prayed he would leave her, hoping he had said all that he had wanted.

Vejiita, had different plans. He sniffed the air, his teal eyes reflecting his anger. "Bardock was here." he growled.

Bulma sniffed, "He just came and told me what happened, I think I deserved to know. Besides, what do you care what we do? I'm nothing but a whore to you."

Vejiita snorted, "You are mine!" he spat, "You will do nothing with him unless I tell you otherwise!" Bulma was silent for a moment, then she asked, "What will happen to the baby when he's done growing?"

"He will be sent on a mission to purge a planet, then he will return to claim his title as Prince."

The only response from her was a sigh, satisfied, he turned to leave. "Vejiita?" she called out, her pained voice tearing at him, "Stay with me."

Vejiita turned and gazed at her outstreached hand. He thought for a moment and watched her eyes slide shut as exhuastion over came her, her hand falling to the sheets. He could leave now, she was asleep. Still, he couldn't do it. He slid off his armour and boots and pulled the covers back. Careful not to wake her, the great Super Saiya-jin laid down next to her and held her in the safety of his arms.

* * * * *

Yeah, I know, mushy wasn't it?

Next time: It's been 8 years since part nine and Neo Saiya-jin empire is becoming well established. This, however, has it's consequences. Freeza is homing in on Vejiita and is prepared to wipe out the Saiya-jin empire for good. The heir returns from his purging mission and prepares to fight in the tournament to earn his birth right. All this, and more. Coming soon (I hope)!

Meiko =)


Table of Contents
Part 8
Part 10