Chapter 7: Tears of the Sun

Vegeta had taken and put the items away for the time being in a safe place so they wouldn't get damaged. There was no point in looking at the other items until the time came for it. No sense in wasting energy trying to figure things out in the long run when they couldn't figure things out in front of them. Everything would fall into place in due time sooner or later. Bulma focused on the goblet in her hands as they waited to arrive at their next destination. It was such a weird this goblet. No liquid would be poured out of it but it was jeweled and crafted with such thought and care. A blacken cup with yellow jewels decorating it in a unique pattern. There was no writing but beautiful little pictures of curls and lines that brought out the yellow in the jewels. It was a magnificent goblet and Bulma couldn't put it down. She noticed the goblet was very light when it's fixture appeared to be heavy. When Bulma looked down at it from a bird's eye view the base fanned out as it appeared to look like the sun.

Bulma was mesmerized by the craftsmanship as she became infatuated with this particular cup. She looked up from her seat that was behind the captain's chair and moved it to her hands as Vegeta navigated with the map he was given. As each day passed, it got excessively hotter and brighter. They were heading towards three suns. Bulma had asked if any inhabitants could live so close like this. Naturally none could but on the map they were following from the Saiyan from the port before; it stated that there was indeed a planet that was in their general location. "Vegeta...are you absolutely sure you know where we are going" Bulma asked for the seventh time in the past few hours. "Ask me that one more time and I'm tossing you into the sun." he growled at her in annoyance. It was bad enough they were so close together but that she doubted his abilities to get them where they needed. He was sick of her questioning his every move. For once couldn't she just trust him to know what he was doing and actually have enough faith in him?

"Geez sorry." Bulma rolled her eyes at the snippy remark. The great heat was getting to them both. Even with the air conditioning at its maximum control it was still not match for the heat of the three suns meeting together. "Gods, can it get any hotter?" Bulma began to fan herself again with the paper. Dressed in a flimsy tank top and panties Vegeta did his best to advert his gaze from her. Sweat coated the top of her body and Bulma couldn't help but feel gross. but there wasn't much she could do since she didn't want to constantly be in the shower. Suddenly, out of nowhere, something caught her eye and pulled her out of her own pity party she was having for herself because of the heat. "Wait! What's that ahead of us?!" she screamed and climbed over Vegeta to press her face against the window. This had startled Vegeta and this half naked woman was straddling his lap as she was trying to get a better look of what was going on. He let out a low growl of warning and Bulma quickly removed herself. "The hell are you screaming about now?!" he snapped. Bulma got back to her seat and just glared at the Prince. "Well if you are so smart and know everything, why don't you find it yourself you jerk!" Bulma snipped and crossed her arms. Vegeta turned around in his seat and glared at her. "Don't test me woman. I don't have the patience." Bulma rolled his eyes to his empty threat and pointed left of him at the window. "Watch right there." Vegeta turned to look in the direction she was pointing in. There was something in space that seemed to have a slight wavering effect as the light rays hit the spot Bulma was pointing towards. To his shock he realized it was a great wall or force that wasn't letting a thing through.

"I believe we found the planet. Good eye Woman." Vegeta smirked. "Don't thank me just yet. How exactly do we get inside it?" Bulma didn't take her eyes off the wall before them as they watched how it worked and maneuvered the sun's rays off it. "We will just blast our way through, simple as that." Vegeta seemed confident in his theory. "Dumbass, it has a strong force field. It's bouncing everything off of it. There is no way this ship or you can get through it. We really need to think this over. There has to be a way through it right?" Bulma bit her bottom lip as she tried to think and Vegeta glared at her even more so. How dare she even suggest that he couldn't blast through the field. Did she not know who he was or who she was living with? "Hmph, you humor me Woman. But for now I will allow you to figure this out. If you cannot then I will do it my way and show you the true force of a Saiyan Prince." He smirk even more so proud of himself. "The wall must have a weakness somewhere or maybe there is a way to communicate to the hidden planet?" Bulma though aloud and didn't bother to pay Vegeta's ego anymore attention that was unable to avoid.

"Come on Woman, you claim to know all the answers; so tell me, how do we get though?" Vegeta chastised her. "Shut up, I don't know all the answers and we need to find a weakness like I said before if you would listen for just once. Hmmm." Bulma narrowed her eyes and widen them as an idea hit her. "How about morose code?" she suggested as she looked to him. "And how do we do that genius?" Vegeta crossed his arms and stood up before her. "Well...since you are so fond of blasting the shit up; why not have at it. Doesn't the universe have some sort of code like that on earth?" she crossed her thin leg over the other and matched Vegeta's smirk with one of his own. His eyes came alive. Finally some faith and he would get to prove to this foolish earth woman just who exactly he was. However when he came to the realization that didn't have that sort of code system he watched her use on earth his eyebrows knitted together and the smirk disappeared. "We do but not what you weaklings would use." he spoke and Bulma frowned at the comment. Well it is a good thing I have someone who knows how to properly use it." she said sarcastically. "Woman, even if I do this, who's to say they will understand and let us pass through? Not only do we waste our resources but we also might have it bounce back and blow up in our faces." he bluntly told her.

"Well we might as well return to Earth since you obviously don't have any balls to risk it." Bulma looked at him annoyed and held her stature. Vegeta glared at her at the low insult. "No ball?! Woman, don't even tempt me! I'll throw you headfirst with that blasted theory! Maybe your bitching will reach them!" He chuckled darkly at the though and Bulma shot him a dirty look. "Not if I throw your sorry ass out first! Do the damn theory!" she resisted the urge to punch him and Vegeta grinned even more as if daring her to try it and see what would happen. "So dramatic, just shut up and maybe I will stupid Woman." He started to walk past her as she sat in her chair. Vegeta went to the side of the wall and started to press a few combinations in the keypad as he went back to his seat. He then brought up the weapons screen and paused to carefully think up his message. Once he had what he wanted to quickly get across he began to fire. The ship rocked and screeched with each blast launched. Bulma barely strapped herself in as the first of many rocky motions of the ship started to take place. Vegeta sat in his seat like a professional and wasn't wavered at all by the screams of weapons hitting walls. Bulma could only cover her ears and wish the cease fire quickly. Suddenly the wish had come true and the ship began to be pulled on its own as Vegeta sat back in his chair. "V-Vegeta?! What is happening?" Bulma was in a panic.

"Shut up stupid Woman! I'm trying-" Vegeta was cut off as the shield came down and a green planet drew in the ship. "Vegeta! We are moving! We are going towards the planet! DO SOMETHING VEGETA!" She screamed in complete panic. "SHUT THE HELL UP WOMAN!" he roared and turned in his seat to look at her. He was infuriated and her screeching did nothing but make his headache even worse. He was about to open his mouth to really let her have it but was stopped short by the look of pure terror on her face. He was used to this look; how many countless victims had he slaughtered for the pure enjoyment of seeing this look but somehow when it was on her face and looking at him with those eyes; it made him wanted to stop the world. He quickly pushed any prying thoughts that might seep into this moment and focused on the situation. "Go hide. I don't need you being used against me." he ordered her as he got up. "Whe-where-" Bulma whimpered but Vegeta cut her off. "My room; there is a crawl space above the closet for such a situation as this. Get up there and I will come to get you when I think it is safe. I swear to the gods Woman, if you lead them to you because you were careless and shown you climbed up in that space I will not come save you." Bulma opened her mouth to say something but was brought up short by the look Vegeta gave her. "I know you are scared but I need you to trust me. Get going. I will not say it again!" Vegeta ordered and Bulma quickly unstrapped herself from the seat and took off running towards his room. Vegeta quickly prepared himself to fight if he had to. With Bulma safely put away he wouldn't have distractions and he stood before the latched doors to the ship. He actually welcomed the thought of a possible battle. It had been too long and his fists were just itching to beat some blood out of people.

He prepared his mind and got into a stance; ready to pounce the moment those doors opened against his use of them. Tall, thin like humanoid men with heavily tanned skin took their own stances and had their weapons poised. Even though each person had a look of a warrior, Vegeta could smell the fear from them. It didn't surprise him in the least bit that they might actually be the first invaders to their home. "Typical" he sneered to himself as he couldn't even count how many times he had invaded a planet that has never been soiled by his hands of destruction. He scanned the terrain behind the defensive inhabitants and saw that the planet might have a primitive society to it. There was a lot of lush vegetation and it seemed green was everywhere he looked. They had landed in the middle of a jungle of some sort. Vegeta's attention focused to the men as he recognized a language they spoke. Smirking, he saw and opportunity and he grabbed it. He spoke them a greeting and shock came across their faces. "Easier than I thought." he chuckled inwardly and began to talk to speak to them in a regal tone. The men began to kneel before him and he raised an eyebrow by their reaction. He asked them why they were bowing before him and the leader; a blacken man with a collection of brightly gammed embellishes around his neck stepped forward. He had interesting feathers woven through his long braided hair. He spoke to Vegeta as someone not just an equal but of also great respect.

Vegeta remained calmed and he listened to the leader speak to him. This was a long forgotten race and once thought to be extinct to this universe; Vegeta had come across him. They thought Vegeta was a great god. He smirked as the thought went straight to his ego and didn't even go against their theory of him. "Of course I am a god and you are wise to recognize such greatness from me." he spoke arrogantly. He also explained that his concubine was also on board of the ship and that he would go with them but he must go back inside the ship to retrieve her. Vegeta seeing that the race of people was no longer a threat went to his room where he sensed Bulma was hiding. He went to the closet and stood before it. "You can come out you sniveling woman." Vegeta crossed his arms and waited for Bulma to come out. She did such a poor job hiding as her ki was high with fear, her scent filled the room and stuck out like sore thumb, and the closet was messed up for her climbing up quickly into the crawl space. Bulma started to climb down and glared at him for his remark. "What happened?" she asked as she straighten out her clothing. "Follow my lead." he replied smugly. Bulma raised an eyebrow and Vegeta chuckled. "Remind me to teach you how to properly hide yourself." he continued to look at her amused. "Look, what happened?" Bulma ignored his jabs and wanted to figure out just how much danger they were in. "They believe I am a god and you are my concubine?" he didn't hide the humor in his tone. "How come I have to be you sex slave?! This is bullshit!" Bulma stomped her foot as this is the second time she was labeled as such. "And that will keep you alive. So stop you bitching and shut your face. We need to follow them. Pack the goblet and few things" he emphasized.

"I don't feel comfortable. Do we have to go? Can't we just stay here?" he asked him cautiously. "Now who doesn't have balls? Look you wanted the cure or not? I didn't travel all this way only for us to turn around because you are a 'little uncomfortable'. You should have thought about that before you had to tag along on this trip that I didn't want you to tag along with." he used her own actions against her and Bulma glared at him as she knew he was right. She crossed her arms and almost looked like she was holding herself as comfort. "I just don't want to hurt like last time..." Bulma felt a shiver go through her as she remembered the pain before she had passed out. It was something she had no desire to repeat again. "Then don't overwork yourself. Do as I say and you we won't have a problem." Bulma rolled her eyes at the statement. "Oh yes, because that worked so well last time didn't it?" she grumbled. "What's that? You want to go back to your stupid mud ball?" Vegeta mouth turned up into an infamous smirk. "Fine! What do we do now Prince Vegeta?" she used his title with a sarcastic tone. "Stay close to me and go put on something revealing" he purred the word to her and Bulma's face turned a beautiful shade pink. "Are you kidding me?" She quickly tried to recover from her embarrassment. "Yes. Now get to it. I want to get this stupid task over with." Vegeta urged her to hurry. "Are you sure it is safe?" Bulma rolled her eyes at his pushiness. "When will you learn to trust me?" he growled and walked away before the conversation turned into an argument.

Bulma threw her hands in the air as she let out an annoyed sigh. She quickly did as she was instructed and returned to Vegeta's side. She couldn't help but feel so small around the group of tall, large men. They had circled them and escorted them to their dwelling on the backs of large beasts. The fur on these creatures were soft like chinchillas, larger than elephants, and reptilian face expressions. As majestic as these creatures were or the beautiful surroundings this planet provided; Bulma couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy with leaving their ship behind. What if someone were to break in and take off with it? What if it offended the culture here and was destroyed in their absence? Bulma shuddered to think to be abandoned with a bunch of natives far, far from her beautiful home and her mother's garden. She kept eyeing Vegeta's cold back as he was riding ahead of her on his own beast like creature. He played the part of "God" to these people rather well. He screamed regal with his posture and the cold expression on his face. The tribe that surrounded them couldn't help but look at his godly act and almost keep from bowing down to him. Vegeta was eating this up as much as he would allow himself to. Bulma groaned inside her head. This was definitely stroking this man's endless ego. She would never hear the end of it when the time came for her to cook dinner. She could almost hear the back lash of how he is a god and needs to be treated as much. Forget being Prince, Bulma was sure that if Vegeta was given the chance, he would easily take the claim of 'God' any day. What brought Bulma out of her thoughts was that the jungle started to disappear slowly as they made their way through it and what started to replace was civilization life. For being so close to the suns, they certainly had an amazing atmosphere and temperature to match it. Bulma had guess it couldn't have been hotter than 78 degrees with an amazing breeze that played with her long hair. It was so refreshing to finally be able to get outside a ship and into actual sun with unfiltered air and fake air condition or heating. She was soaking it all in and her body thanked her for it. However the more they traveled the darker it started to become but the city was full of lights that it made it look like it was gold. Wide eyed, Bulma stared at the beautiful city and couldn't help but remind her of the legends on earth of the lost city of gold. The buildings and streets were a golden color and people stopped as they passed to bow and give their thanks. Bulma couldn't help but find Vegeta watching her for a moment or two.

"Why do they think you are a God?" she asked him. "Because apparently we are part of their folklore or something primitive like that." Vegeta turned around and pretended not to be interested in her. Bulma rolled her eyes as her stomach suddenly growled in hunger. "Vegeta, I'm starving. We have been traveling all day. I am starting to not feel so good..." Bulma voiced her grievance to the Prince. Vegeta snapped his body back to face her with anger on his face. "Stupid woman! Did this just happen now?" He kept himself from raising his voice and alarming the group that was escorting. Vegeta didn't want a repeat performance since they left the port a few weeks ago. "Couple hours...you seemed angry..." Bulma diverted her eyes away from him and played with the reign on the beast's neck. She knew she had made him angry but what else was new? She was always making him angry these days. He turned to the leader and demanded in the native tongue to hurry to their resting place. He knew Bulma needed food and rest immediately. He didn't know how long her body could hold out without flipping again. With the new orders demanded from the "God", they were rushed quickly to the beautiful gold palace that over saw the whole city of people and was personally made for the "Gods".

Vegeta quickly rushed Bulma up the steps and into a bed. Bulma prodded herself up on the pillows as he moved at neck breaking speeds to get her food. He set the tray down on her lap and Bulma eyed the exotically prepared dishes. She didn't know if she could trust it fully but a look from Vegeta changed her mind. Most of it was delicious and she had no problem eating the majority of what he brought her. Vegeta went to the closet and picked up lighter clothes than what Bulma had on. "Use this. I don't want your body's temperature to change too quickly like last time." he instructed her and left so she could properly changed. Bulma rested back into the bedding and Vegeta returned to her. He sat down on the bed and began to look her over and assessed for himself if she was overworked or not from the trip. "Tell me how you are feeling and don't bullshit me." he asked her seriously. "Calm down Vegeta. I am fine now. Thanks for helping me but if anything I just need to rest at the moment." she smiled and rested a hand on his arm to show she was fine and to ease his worries. Vegeta quickly stood up and away from the bedding. "I am going to ask about the gauntlet. Where is it?" he asked her.

"In the bag you asked me to pack. If you would just wait I will feel better and come with you." Bulma tried to get up but another look from Vegeta made her sit back down and not protest. He found the bag she walk talking about by the door and picked it up. He must have dropped it there in his rush to get her in bed and taken care of. He fished through it until he found the prize he was looking for. He clutched it in his grasp and then proceeded to leave the room. "Don't do anything stupid please..." Bulma begged him from her position on the bed and a worried look on her features. "Trust is all I ask silly Woman." was Vegeta's response to her request and quickly left her sight before she could insult him once more with her doubt.

Vegeta went to the leader that was found in the middle of the square at the base of the long line of steps that ascended up to the golden palace for the gods. There was already music playing and people in the streets. Many of them bowing and paying respects while other were joining in on the festivities to honor the God that had decided to visit the people. Many people celebrated with the city and others in their homes. The leader saw Vegeta approach him and he bowed to his higher. "My great God, you humble me with your prescience. How may I be of service to you oh great one?" the leader thickly laid on the compliments as he did not want to insult his god. Vegeta kept his game face on; he had a mission to complete. "I need to speak to you with a private matter. Where might I go about doing that?" Vegeta crossed his arms with the gauntlet in hand. "But my home of course. That is where the biggest celebration of your coming is being held but I have plenty of rooms where private talk can be made. Please my god, if you would but follow me." He bowed again at Vegeta. He lead Vegeta a short distance to his home where everyone and their mother was there. They had rushed their leader and their god and it was a long while before the leader could get Vegeta alone in a room to discuss the matter of business.

They were brought into one of the leader's many private rooms; this one a particular favorite. Vegeta got comfortable in his seat and then pulled out the gauntlet and set it down on the table across from the leader. The leader had a solemn look on his face but he could not mask the shock in his eyes. Vegeta knew he recognized it and smirked. Good, this saved them time from explaining what it was he wanted. He picked up the glass and played with it in his one hand. "You know what this is, correct?" He used a teasing tone. "The blessed goblet." he whispered. "Good eye. Just think, you won't have to fakely use night to help your people sleep; with this and the proper ceremony that goes with it; you can bring true night to this planet; however, you are a fool to think I would give this without a price." Vegeta stopped waving it around and looked in the sobering face of the leader as his eyes desperately looked at the glass in Vegeta's hand. "Anything great and merciful god...what is it you seek and you shall have it in exchange for the blessed goblet." he whispered in a needful tone as he ate up Vegeta's words. "I need the most sacred of fruit from the blood tree." Vegeta spoke quietly. The leader's eyes widen and looked at Vegeta. "You...you can't...such a sacrifice...please great God, there must be something you want more than that, more than that in which you might be willing to trade?" he begged

"I'm afraid not, otherwise I'd give you the blasted thing. But I need the fruit." Vegeta kept the goblet close in case he had any funny ideas of prying it from his hands. One rule of thumb is to never taking something from a Saiyan. The leader sighed and knew they needed the goblet more than they needed life. He bowed his head in defeat and nodded regretfully. "Very well. At dawn we will get the fruit." his voice was heavy. "I know what you are giving up for this." Vegeta kept himself cold and distant from the heavy-hearted leader. "Blessed God...he is my first born...I love him more than anything." he breathed through the tears that threatened to fall. "Then think about your people and future generation. Think what this will change for your planet and people. I'm sure one person isn't worth a change for the better for your planet. Think of the glory you will receive when it was you that brought this upon them. The will worship you for years and generations to come." Vegeta reminded him of the means of this deal. The leader hung his head low as he knew that this heavy sacrifice was for him but the good of the people outweighed more than the means. Having him where he wanted, Vegeta felt his victory won.

Sunrise came too quickly, well not really a sunrise since there were three planets. This planet's sunrise was when one sun set and the other was just starting to rise. As the light of the new sun was beginning to arise; a group of people had gathered around a tree that was bare and white. It stood on a hilltop that overlooked the city just outside it's walls. It twisted in an ugly and broken way. The ground surrounding it was dead and no growth had taken place there in such a long time. A young man was beside the leader of the city. He wore a proud expression where as the leader was a solemn one. Vegeta stood among the group of people that had gathered. Vegeta forced himself to watch the proud man...hell he didn't look like he could be called one since he looked so damn young. He felt a strange feeling well up inside him but he forced a cold and expressionless feeling to overshadow this. This had to be done and in many thing in this universe it was killed or be killed. When the sun took its place a certain point in the sky two guards came up and tied the young man to the tree. He showed no fear or regret; instead he merely smiled as if he found his sole purpose in life. The leader was much more different. This was his son and he loved him more than life itself; to do this deed was destroying himself. He hugged his son and tears fell from his face as he pulled back to take on last look at his son. A guard handed the leader a lethal looking weapon. His son exchanged him a few words to his father that Vegeta could not recognize and then closed his eyes. Without warning the leader sliced through his son and his innards spilled on the ground.

His son did not even cry out as bloody organs and innards pooled out of him. As his life faded, the tree took on a beautiful golden color. Red, ripe fruit began to blossom on the healthy tree branches surrounded by luscious green leaves. The fruit was ruby red, it had a heat that pulsated off of it, and from the plumpness could tell that it was swelling with juice that smelled to the equivalent of honey on earth. It had prickly spikes all over the fruit but could not pierce a person. By the time the beautiful tree was in full bloom, the boy was gutless and his blood covered the tree with the help of the guards. The leader was on his knees sobbing and his son's blood covered his hands. HIs many wives came and tried to console him as Vegeta gave his advisors the goblet. He went to the tree and picked some of the fruit off of it. He collected what he wanted and left the scene behind him. Vegeta was a hard man and tried not to ponder the feelings that the leader was going through. He knew he would never have children for that very reason there. Life always caught up to those that had done unspeakable things. His children would be weaknesses to him and that would be the last thing he would have held onto him. Never would he make the fatal mistake of having children to stay close to him.

Upon returning to the God's palace, he found Bulma was up and eating some fruit. She smiled in relief at him as he entered the room. "Hey you, didn't come back for almost a whole day huh? So where did you go?" she got up from where she was sitting and decided to make him a plate of food. "Pack Woman. We need to leave." he snapped coldly. Bulma almost dropped the plate at his tone and the way he spoke to her. She set the plate down and faced him fully. "But what about-" she started and Vegeta wheeled on her so quickly that he couldn't even register a scream. "I said pack! I got you stupid ingredient!" he shouted at her. Bulma shrunk back away as she felt the force of his words on her and the way they stung on her in such a way. She had knew better than to question him in one of his moods. "Okay...just...just give me a moment." She quickly agreed with him and left the room quickly to pack.

Vegeta got them back on the ship in such a short amount of time. Though they had left the ship out in a day or so, vegetation started to grow on it. Vegeta handed Bulma their bags and quickly unlatched the main door to the ship. She found fruit in one of the bags but did not question it. He quickly untangled the ship and lead the way in on it. He instructed Bulma to put the fruit in a special part of the freezer on the ship. Bulma did as she was told as Vegeta started up the ship. Once they had gotten into space and on their next course, Vegeta hadn't said more than a few words to her. He shut her out completely and Bulma didn't know why. All she could do was give him his space and hope he would come around to talking to her about what happened on the planet. "Vegeta...what changed?" she whispered to the cold and silent ship.