Love Is A Strength, Not A Weakness

~ Part 12 ~

By Silver Dragonfly

Mirai Trunks has stood stunned for a moment at Usagi’s sudden disappearance, then he had sensed his family’s ki as well as the Sons’ and they were vanishing. Without waiting any longer he blasted off in a flash of gold in the direction he was sure that Usagi had gone, his anger, and fear rising as he got closer to home. All to soon he felt his fears confirmed as he spotted the demolished section of the Capsule Corp compound, more specifically the Briefs residency.

“Oh Dendee, what happened……” he quickly flew in the rest of the way, knowing it would be futile to call out for any of his family, none of them were here, except for Usagi, whose ki he couldn’t sense anyway. He choose to ignore the demolished buildings and instead concentrated on scanning the area for a familiar silver head, almost coming to a complete halt when he spotted her crumbled to the ground. He quickly flew over to her, and then scooped her into his arms.

Vegeta, Goku, Gohan, Goten, Trunks, Piccolo, Ubb, Krillon, Yamcha, Tien, and Chao-tsu sat inside the force-fielded cell. Half of the occupants sat and glared saying nothing, the others occasionally making pointless comments, but none the less the same things were on their minds. Where were the girls? Were they safe? And what did these people want with them? Vegeta let out a growl of frustration and then whirled and launched a barrage of attacks at one of the walls, when the dust cleared the force field stood there still perfectly intact. A string of curses in multiple Chikyuu languages as well as Saiyan and a few others streamed out of his mouth, the large green Namek smirked silently.

“It won’t do any good Vegeta, they have been preparing this for a long time, besides we aren’t what they are truly after anyway,” Piccolo spoke up although he didn’t turn his head.

“What are saying,” Vegeta growled out, everyone’s attention now on these two.

“We were captured for three reasons. One because we all had a hand in one form or another in the destruction of Freeza, two because of the women, and three for bait,” the Namek answered.

“What do you mean the girls?” Goku asked becoming very alert.

“And why would we be bait?” Goten asked.

“That woman who captured us is a changeling like Freeza, more specifically Freeza’s mate. Somehow Freeza ticked her off, so when she became pregnant she tricked him into banishing her, and she kept the kid secret from him. Well not much longer after he banished her is when he began to follow Goku to Earth, so she has the kid and raises it to take revenge for Freeza’s death,” Yamcha took over the tale as he had been here even longer then Piccolo.

“If She wanted revenge then why didn’t she just kill us all?” Gohan asked, something about the situation bothering him.

“Simple, because she knew all along none of us were the true threat, but Usagi, or the Lunarian brat as she terms it, is a hole other story. So we are bait for them to capture and if she gets her way, kill Usagi,” he continued, his fist clenching as he struggled to keep his anger under control, growling could be heard from all the saiyan occupants, Krillon turned to him, hearing something he hadn’t before.

“What do you mean if she gets her way?” he asked not completely sure he wanted to hear the answer.

“Well like Piccolo said, one of the reasons is the girls, with all of us in here we can’t fight back to rescue them. All of them Chichi, Bulma, Eighteen, Videl, Marron, Bra, and Pan, that Freak lady’s son can have them all and we can’t do anything about it…” Yamcha began, before he was interrupted.

“But what does he want with them, other than they are related to us, only Bra and Pan are the ones with a lot of strength beside Usagi,” Gohan began to ask but stopped as Vegeta’s glare. Yamcha looked up at them, looking them all in the eyes before speaking again.

“He wants them for a harem. Why not take the women that belonged to the strongest fighters known, and he wants Usagi for the Queen of the crop, he’s become obsessed with her in a way, and we are the bait to catch her. She won’t fight back if it means saving our lives and he knows it,” he then stated, Roars of rage and anger exploded from the prison are of the ship, and had Korihi not been so prepared for their capture the energy released surely would have broken them free and even possibly destroyed the ship, but instead it just lashed back at it’s owners. Once the light from the blast cleared one tall green Namek was the only one left standing in the cell.

“Baka Saiyans,” he muttered at their foolish release of energy.

“Watch who your calling bakas you overgrown weed,” stated a voice from across the passageway in a similar cell. The Z fighters all turned and stared in surprise at the prisoners in the other cell, even those who had been there over a month had not noticed them before.

The eight women held in a cell similar to that of the guys, just in a different bay, sat in a circle calmly. They didn’t know why they had been captured exactly, but they did know that they would need to figure out how to escape, not just for themselves, but for Usagi, for each of them knew deep in their hearts that she was next on the target list, and that this would be a fight that she should and could not face alone.

“It’s simple, we wait,” Chichi finally stated, being the eldest of the group the unspoken second in line for leading the team.

“She’s right,” Bulma added, “Our best bet is to wait to make a move until we have to. We already know that they have no idea about the extent of our own abilities. By keeping this hidden we will have the advantage of complete surprise later.”

“When we do move, we free everyone not just ourselves and the guys,” Eighteen then added; the compassion that Krillon had first shown her had rubbed off over the years they had spent together. Then a voice spoke up from a cell across from theirs.

“We thank you, but could you please tell us about the saiyans that live on this planet called Chikyuu?” a woman from the cell spoke up, a bit of hope shining in her eyes.

            Usagi slowly blinked her eyes open, and groaned slightly, before turning and snuggling into the warm body beside her even more. ‘Wait a minute, warm body…’ with this realization she turned her head and found her self looking at a very kawii sleeping Mirai. She smiled lightly, then the previous night’s events came crashing back down on her. Barely strangling a sob she slipped out of his arms and off the bed, pulling a blanket around her tightly and stepping onto the balcony that came off her room at the Moon Palace, and from there gazed up at the Earth in the daylight sky. “I was too late…” she whispered out, her voice taking on a hollow sound.

            “There was nothing you could do Usagi. It was planned for when you wouldn’t be there. Don’t blame yourself. Luna and Artimis told me what happened, they were ambushed, and attacked. It had been well planned they new just how to attack,” a familiar voice spoke up from behind her. Usagi turned to find the slightly rumpled for of Mirai Trunks, without a word spoken he opened his arms as she rushed into them and held her tightly. “Shh my bunny, we’ll get them back. Don’t you worry we’ll get them back,” he told her rubbing her back soothingly as her sobs slowly subsided.  A few minutes later she stood there silently in his embrace, her tears gone, but no words needing to be spoken. Reluctantly Mirai released her from his grip.

            “Go get cleaned up Bunny, I’ll wait for you at the kitchen,” he told her then with a wink went out the door. Usagi smiled as she watched him as he left a shy grin and faint blush grazing her cheeks.

“Ashiteru Tru-chan,” she whispered then headed to her large white marble bathroom to clean up.

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Vegeta smirked from his potion against one of the cell walls, the namek opposite him, the others sitting in various positions on floor and against the other areas of the wall.

“So that freak never did manage to find all of us, I never thoughts so. There had been to many Saiyans off planet at the time he destroyed. He really did turn out to be a fool,” Vegeta stated, happy that the Saiyans had definitely gotten the last laugh on Freeza.

“Unfortunetly those that Freeza never found she and her son did. There are no more beyond this ship. That I can guarantee,” Kagus, the oldest of the three saiyan men in the cell across from them said. Vegeta nodded, despite this, it was still good news that this super elite class soilder had delivered. There was more of them, he and Goku were not the only remaining full blooded Saiyans left. That and from what Kagus had said, all Saiyans had increased in strength greatly within a few years after Vegettasei’s destruction, almost as if the planet had been holding them back. All there of them were Super Saiyans, but had not reached level two. Though they also brought word of five female Saiyans held captive in one of the other blocks, they too had all reached the level of Super Saiyan, information that they had managed to keep from Tsurara and Korihi.

“What do you suggest we do Kagus?” Goku asked very worried for his wife, granddaughter, and friends.

“We wait, and pray that Korihi does not capture the one he seeks, for if he does. The only thing that could save any of us is a miracle,” the man replied, his tone grave.

“Usagi won’t give up, and she’d never give into that sleaze ball,” Goten stated with such finality that no one could disbelieve, for their lives depended on that fact.

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The eight Z women all smiled brightly at the five Saiyan women across from them. They had learned much from each other in the last eight hours, both groups of women trading information. Although it became apparent that the Z women were much more relaxed then even these Saiyan women who had been held captive for much longer.

“You needn’t worry so much. We have faith that our Usagi won’t fail, and when the time comes we will all be able to fight and teach both Tsurara and Korihi a lesson for ever messing with the Saiyans and those there families.” Bulma said reassuringly. She had been surprised and honored when these five women had immediately accepted her as the rightful Saiyan Queen, despite the fact that she herself was not Saiyan, all that had mattered to them was that she was Vegeta’s chosen. 

Videl watched the five women, her eyes resting on one particular, she was the oldest of the group, and her mate was held in another part of the ship, most likely where Gohan and the others were as well. “It will be okay Spara, I’m sure Kagus is fine, along with your brother Retasu” The saiyan woman smiled at the younger woman across the bay, surprising herself at how much the woman’s words had helped ease her fears, even if only a little bit.

Meanwhile Bra, Marron, and Pan where scheming on their own, for they had a demi-saiyan with no girl yet, and they were sure that one of the four unmated saiyan women would be a perfect match.

“What about Mame?” she asked very softly so they wouldn’t here them.

“No, she’s to old for him, what about Cini, or Azpa?” Pan suggested, her eyes sparking with anticipation in setting up her lavender haired buddy. Bra looked thoughtful for a moment.

“Nope, I bet it will be Kalli, any takers?” she asked, a glint in her eyes. Marron and Pan looked at each other and then at Bra, then glance over at the group of Saiyan women.

Usagi studied the still sleeping form of Mirai on the bed, he had been her support the last 48 hours, helped keep her sane and together. For now she knew she must go, she had to face Korihi, she had no choice, but she wouldn’t risk him. Korihi already had everyone else, she would not lose Mirai to him as well. She would not lose her soul mate, the one she loved. She carefully climbed onto the edge of the bed, and leaned over him, her silver hair done up into the royal style for this fight. With soft and caring eyes she leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on his lips before slowly pulling back, smile still on her face.

“Ashiteru Tru-chan, I’ll protect you. Don’t worry I will rescue them all. Ashiteru,” and with that she slipped off the bed and with one more tender smile vanished a brief silver flash.

Mirai Trunks slowly stirred, and shifted on the bed one arm coming up to touch his lips, then he opened his eyes.

“Usagi...Ashitieru… my bunny,” then he realized that she was gone, immediately he bolted out of bed not carrying that he wore no more then boxers, and then spotted the letter on the nightstand. Quickly he opened it and read the contents, then with a pained expression and tears forming in his eyes as he sank to his eyes he let out a strangled sob.

“Usagi…..USAGI!!!!!” his cry ringing throughout the palace and echoing.

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Prince Korihi sat on his throne and starred into a glass of blue fluid, he was getting bored. Everything had been set, he had the entire team but her, yet she had not shown herself. Perhaps he should finally dispose of the menace called his mother, hmm yes that may prove entertaining, but then he wouldn’t be able to watch her futile attempts to keep control. No he would keep her around for a little bit longer. He looked up annoyed as he heard a crash in the hallway and servants scurrying away. Then the main doors burst open to reveal a beautiful silver haired woman who strode in to the room. Her entire stride and manor declaring royalty, strength, and that this was not a woman to mess with. Korihi smirked, but this was who he had been waiting for, and he did plan on messing with her. Oh he would have her though, and nothing would stop him.

“Welcome Princess. I’ve been expecting you,” he greeted.

“Can it Korihi, You know why I’m here.” She stated her voice icy. Korihi just smirked even more.