Power of Love
by Hidden Angel

Chapter Nine - Treachery of the Heart


Kakkarot held onto Chi Chi's hand as they walked along the shore of the lake. Neither wanted to talk. All they wanted to do was enjoy the moment they had together and the beauty of nature. It was a brilliant and sunny day, a perfect day to go for a walk.

The sun beamed down on the lake, causing it to glitter like diamonds. Chi Chi leaned over a bit to get a better view of the lake. "Kakkarot, look! Fishes! Aren't they so cute?"

"Huh?" Kakkarot leaned over as well, wondering what she was talking about. He certainly didn't see any fishes and his Saiyan eyes usually didn't miss much. "Where?"

Chi Chi smiled evilly to herself. Without warning she pushed Kakkarot into the lake. She didn't know why she did it, she just had the urge to do it and now she had done it. She watched as Kakkarot immediately lost his footing and found himself in the lake.

As he thrashed about wildly, she could only laugh. Suddenly he started to sink, hands still waving about, almost as if in panic. Than, his was gone, not a trace of Kakkarot remained. Oh no! Could he swim? She had never bothered to find out if he could swim or not. What if he couldn't?

"Kakkarot?" Her voice shook in fear. Just as she was about to jump into the water after him, a hand grabbed at her legs. "AHHHHHHH!" She felt herself being yanked into the water.

Kakkarot laughed as Chi Chi fell into the lake beside him. "So, how does it feel to get a taste of your own medicine?" She glared at him accusingly than crossed her arms and got out of the water. What? Was she mad at him? "Aw Chi Chi, are you mad at me?" No response. "I'm sorry." Still no response. Chi Chi merely continued to stand at the waters edge, her back to him. "Chi Chi?" Kakkarot quickly got out of the water and walked around so that he was facing her. However, she refused to look him in the eye. Instead, she turned around again, facing out towards the lake so that her back was, once more, to him. He leviated and flew in front of her, trying to force her to look at him. Immediately when he was in front of her, she pushed the Saiyan just hard enough to send him sprawling back into the water, a glint of a smile forming on her lips.

"That's what you get for pulling me into the water."

Kakkarot only grinned up at her, happy that she wasn't really mad at him. He dragged himself out of the water once more, powered up to dry off and than pulled Chi Chi into his embrace.

"I'm glad you're not really mad at me."

She hugged him back, smiling the whole time. "You big lunk, I could never be mad at you." She closed her eyes as his lips brushed her's in a kiss that managed to tell her how much he cared.

*****

Toruo stirred into wakefulness. He tried to move his hands around so he could stretch his muscles. What? What was this? Why was he being tied down? A face loomed in front of his.

"Ah, Toruo. So you are awake. How nice of you to finally join us."

"Lumo? What the hell is going on? Why am I tied down?"

"Little one, do not worry. We will let you go soon enough. As soon as our plan is complete."

Toruo stared in fear at his two captors, Lumo and Homto. "What are you talking about? You guys are crazy!"

A dangerous glint was in their eyes, one that Toruo had never seen before. Lumo laughed evilly. "Our plan? You do not need to know what our plan is but you will know when it is complete."

Lumo and Homto left the little cave which held Toruo captive, laughing to themselves. Once they were gone, Toruo struggled against his bonds. No, nothing. He couldn't get free. These weren't just any bonds, they were bonds to hold down Saiyan prisoners, taught only to the elite guards of the castle. Of course, Homto and Lumo had been part of the elite guards. Afterall, they were from old Saiyan elite families.

Toruo closed his eyes. Whatever Lumo and Homto were planning, he had to find out. It didn't sound good.

*****

Vegeta looked up as he felt Homto and Lumo's ki approaching the castle quickly. What did those two bakas want? He crossed his arms, scowl on his face, waiting for the two to arrive at his door. As he expected, a few minutes later, there was a desperate pounding on the door.

"Come in you bakas! And try not to knock so loud. I am not deaf."

"Sorry my Prince."

Vegeta narrowed his eyes at them. They seemed unbelievably breathless. What was wrong with them?

"Well, what do you want?"

"Prince Vegeta, we believe that there is a traitor among us." Lumo believed it was best to address the young Saiyan as Prince, hoping to make him believe that they were completely loyal to him.

"WHAT?!" Vegeta's yell of fury shook the very foundations of the castle.

"My Prince, please calm down."

"Hmph. Who the hell is the traitor? I will blast them beyond the next dimension."

Silence greeted the question.

"Well? I am not going to wait here all day. Tell me now!"

Homto and Lumo looked at each other, fear plastered on their face.

Homto spoke up in his dumb sounding voice. "We have reason to believe that it is...Kakkarot."

Vegeta's eyes snapped open in shock. Kakkarot? No, Kakkarot would never betray him, or would he? Kakkarot was a loyal guy, but exactly who was he loyal to? Was he loyal to his Prince or his King? No, he would not doubt Kakkarot like this.

"What exactly is it that makes you suspicious of Kakkarot?" He barely managed to spit Kakkarot's name out.

Lumo seemed to cringe in fear. "My Prince, Toruo has been missing for the last two hours. The last person to be seen with him was Kakkarot."

Vegeta turned his back to the two Saiyans.

"Get out of here. I have things to think about."

"Yes Prince Vegeta."

Vegeta felt the receeding ki of Lumo and Homto and slumped down onto his bed. What if Kakkarot really was betraying him in some way? Why would he? How had Toruo disappeared? All these questions rang through Vegeta's head as he slowly rubbed his temples, trying to get his brain to function properly.

*****

Bulma gently knocked on Vegeta's bedroom door. Somehow, unknown to her, she sensed that Vegeta wasn't in the best of moods. She wanted to see what was wrong with him, wanted to make him feel better. Ever since his semi confession and her complete confession, Bulma felt herself being drawn to him more and more.

There was no answer to her knock. Scared for his sake, she knocked again, this time louder. Still no answer. Quietly she pushed the door open to take a peek.

"Vegeta?" She kept her voice down, trying not to startle him even though she doubted that she could. The Saiyan Prince did nothing to acknowledge that she was there. She stepped into the room and approached him. Gently she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Vegeta shook away violently. "What are you doing here? Get out of my room damn woman!" His voice was filled with nothing but hate. "Who gave you permission to come in? Now leave!"

Bulma blinked a few times, fighting back the shock and the tears beginning to form in her eyes. "I...I'm sorry for disturbing you Vegeta but I..."

She never finished her sentence as a hand came flying at her face, knocking her halfway across the large bedroom. Bulma brought a hand up to her face, feeling the sting it brought. The tears now fell unchecked, unfaught, down her slightly bruising cheek.

"I told you to get out! That should teach you a thing or two about learning where you stand. Next time, respect your superior's orders."

Shakily, Bulma stood up wondering how this Vegeta could be the Vegeta that had, sort of, expressed his love for her. "Fine Vegeta. I'll make sure never to disturb you ever again." Without another word, she ran out the door, making sure to slam it as hard as she could on the way out.

Bulma ran blindly out of the room and nearly knocked over a stunned Kakkarot. "What's wrong Bulma?"

Kakkarot's voice broke through her pained thoughts and she quickly collapsed against him, the pain overly unbearable. She felt his arms wrap around her as he began to try and comfort her. In response, she could do nothing more than cry even more. Vegeta was just too confusing for her. One moment, he was being sweet, the next, he hit her.

As the door slammed shut, Vegeta regained control over his body and mind. What the hell had just happened? The last few minutes began to replay themselves in his head. Oh Kami, had he just hit Bulma? No, he crumpled to the floor in realization. He had hit the only person he had promised to protect, the only person he cared for...the only person he would ever love.

Getting resolutely to his feet, Vegeta walked to the door. He would find her and apologize until she forgave him. He smirked at the thought. Never had he believed he would ever beg for forgiveness. He yanked the door open and froze where he stood. Bulma stood near his door...in Kakkarot's arms.

Anger flared through his veins. Ignoring the startled look on both Kakkarot and Bulma's faces, he slammed the door. How could they do that to him?


Next Chapter...
Back to Fanfiction