Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Ancient Future ❯ The Pact ( Chapter 3 )

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN DBZ OR THE WORKS BY TRACY HARDING

Note: Characters may be out of character

THE ANCIENT FUTURE

THE DARK AGE

PART 1

TIME

Chapter 3

The Pact

The Prince rode hard for well over an hour, but the forest had become so dense he was forced to slow down to a walking pace.

Bulma wasn't too fond of horses and found the ride a not very pleasant experience.

Still, she was calm now, as she sat in silence, resting her head against her escort's back.

Her rest was interrupted as the horse came to a stop.

Bulma opened her eyes and removed her arms from around the Prince.

They had reached a stream, which Bulma thought was a welcome sight, for it had been a long time between drinks.

The Prince threw a leg over the horse and slid off.

He then turned and offered his hand assistance to Bulma.

Bulma could feel herself blushing; she'd never received this kind of treatment back home.

Most of the guys Bulma hung out with were her brother's friends who'd never wasted any affairs and graces on her.

If they had she probably would have found it patronising and decked them.

"I believe we have reached a safe distance," the Prince assured her, leading his horse to the water.

When the Prince crouched to take a drink, splashing water on his face and neck.

Bulma removed her backpack and followed suit.

The water relieved her aching cheek.

Over the past few hours it had constantly reminded her of how cocky and stupid she'd been, turning her back on an opponent during a fight.

The cut that Goku had left on her neck stung like a paper cut, and became even more irritated when she washed it.

She pulled out her hairbrush from her bag.

Bulma then let her blue hair loose and brushed the knots out before tossing the brush into the bag again.

Only then did she notice that the Prince had taken a seat and was watching her with some amusement, the right corner of his mouth curled up in a type of grin.

`Thou art so extraordinary," Vegeta said. "By what name art thou known?"

Bulma answered feeling slightly embarrassed, "Bulma Briefs, Bulma to my friends."

"And, where art thou from?"

That was a tricky question and she didn't want to pause to long in case he thought she was lying.

"My home be far away, in a country known as Australia."

(A/n that's not my fault, it said so in the book, and I didn't know what to write)

The Prince seemed perplexed by her answer.

"Then how can it be that I, who consider myself to be fairly well learned, have no knowledge of this place? And how be it that thou speaks my tongue if thou are not from these parts."

Bulma shifted uncomfortably under the Prince's unbelieving stare.

"Ah, well my country will not be discovered for another 1200 years. As for speaking thy tongue, my father teaches British History and language.

He was born a Briton himself, or Welsh as they be known in my time."

The Prince was taken aback a moment.

"Thou art from the future?"

"Indeed." Bulma said looking him straight in the eye, hoping he would not think her mad.

"What year doth thou claim to be from?" Vegeta questioned, "The truth now," he said firmly.

"I was born in 1966, yesterday for me was the year 1993."

The Prince rose in fury, his eyes wide in disbelief.

Bulma held out her hand to calm him.

"I think I can prove it, if thee will just hear me out."

Vegeta was beginning to think his men were right about this girl; he didn't believe one word of her tale.

Still he was interested to see how far she'd go before he got the truth out of her.

So he took a seat, and beckoned for Bulma to go ahead and prove him wrong.

She smiled meekly and dived into her bag.

She mentally thanked her mother for giving her an instamatic.

Bulma brought out the camera for his inspection; the Prince reached for it.

"Careful," Bulma said, and he quickly withdrew his hands.

This made her smile.

"It be harmless I promise. Thee must just be careful not to drop it, as it be very fragile," Bulma offered it to him again.

Vegeta just looked at the camera, not game enough to touch it.

"Thee appears fragile, yet thee hast quite a sting. Thou hast my leave to explain."

"Okay"

Bulma walked a few paces away and squatted down, looking through the lens at the Prince.

"This be a camera, it takes pictures."

"It draws?"

"Sort of." Bulma warned the photo would be ready in a few minutes.

The Prince smiled, delighted at the thought.

Just as Bulma took the picture, however, he realised how preposterous it sounded and his stern expression returned.

"The smile looked better," Bulma said happily as the camera ejected the photo.

She gave it a couple of gentle blows, then held it under her jacket to develop.

"Shan't be long, it has to sit in the dark for a moment."

The very dubious Prince sat waiting with his arms crossed.

Bulma pulled the photograph out from under her jacket, and her face split into a bigger grin.

`My father would kill for this' She thought.

"May I see?" Vegeta's curiosity got the better of him.

"Only if thee promises I can keep it."

A gentle smirk graced his lips as he viewed the picture.

"Be this how I appear to thee? Thee must think me barbaric, like the Saxons."

He ran a hand through his matting hair, and across the stubble that was growing on his face.

`Not at all," Bulma smiled, "I assure thee, I do not look my best either."

The Prince laughed.

Bulma felt the air of mistrust beginning to lift.

"What else dost thou have in there? Show me more."

Bulma assembled her saxophone, an alto, and played a short, sultry piece that met with great approval of the Prince.

Vegeta loved the music of his court bards, and he found this high-pitched horn as beautiful as the harp or flute.

Then as Bulma set up her C.D Walkman and speakers, Vegeta picked up one of the discs.

He moved it to and fro, catching the beams of sunshine, which reflected a rainbow around the forest.

"Amazing, what does it do?"

"It plays music too." Bulma explained.

She picked a C.D and played it.

A soft Piano piece filled the air; the Prince stood up, astonished.

"By the Goddess! I have never heard the like."

"It be piano," Bulma whispered not wanting to break the mood she'd created.

The Prince closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"It be the most beautiful music I have ever heard."

The way he said gave Bulma the feeling that this brief moment of pleasure was well needed.

He wandered around the small clearing, for a short while lost in another world.

`Could he possibly have something to do with my interest in this period of history?

What if I never make it home?

Will I again be born in the twentieth century to aimlessly search for information on the Dark Age, without a clue as to why?

Suddenly the Prince appeared disturbed, so Bulma switched the music off.

Now only the sounds of the forest could be heard.

Vegeta had drawn his sword, and was watching the forest with caution.

Bulma stayed low, even though she had heard nothing out of the ordinary.

All was still for a moment, and then two bowmen emerged from the cover of the trees.

There was little Vegeta's sword could do against two bows.

The pair yelled instructions in another tongue, and at a glance, Bulma guessed them to be outlaws.

They were fair haired and primitive in appearance compared to the Britons she'd encountered thus far.

Vegeta dropped his sword as the bowmen ventured into the clearing.

They circled him, gloating over their find.

He was obviously a rich man.

One stayed back to cover the captive, while the braver of the two approached Vegeta to relieve him of his riches.

Bulma took this as her cue, and let loose a whistle.

It seemed that the 2 had been so focused on the Prince that Bulma had gone unnoticed.

The man closest to the Prince was delighted with the discovery and stepped towards her.

Vegeta had to smile at the 2 unsuspecting thieves.

Bulma noticed this and winked to assure him she had a plan.

The man dropped his bow to take her in hand.

He eyed her over, expressing his pleasure to his accomplice who just sniggered.

Vegeta took a step forward, but the 2nd man interrupted any thoughts he may have had for her rescue.

The first man pulled Bulma close to him; she could barely breathe for the stench of his body.

`I'll die of suffocation!' She thought

He grasped her back with both hands and ground her against his groin; his legs were spread wide apart, and he was much taller than she was.

"Perfect," Bulma whispered to her assailant.

She gathered all the power she could, and promptly kneed him in the groin.

When the man keeled over she belted his face with her knee, so hard she broke his nose.

(A/n That's basic self defence, just remember that, Kick, knee, run for your damn life)

The distraction was all Vegeta needed; he reclaimed his sword and ran the outlaw near him through.

He turned to find the other man out to settle the score with Bulma.

The Prince approached from behind and severed the head from the man's shoulders, with one clean sweep of his blade.

Bulma freaked as she watched the head roll across the ground; the man's body twitching where it fell.

"Art thou crazy!" She shrieked hysterically, "I could have knocked him out or something, thee did not have to kill him."

She began to tremble from the shock and her stomach threatened to let her see its contents from the sight of so much blood.

Vegeta didn't understand this at all.

"But he would have killed thee."

She was going to be sick.

"I can take care of myself. What is wrong with you people?"

She darted off into the bushes.

By the time she returned, the bodies had been dragged out of sight.

Vegeta stood with the reins in his hand, ready to leave.

Bulma approached him, ashamed of her behaviour.

"I want to apologise, I did not mean…."

Vegeta waved her to silence, tossing her an apple.

`If thou hast recovered, we should make haste to reach the others by nightfall."

He mounted his horse, and smiled.

"Or Goku shall have the men believing thou hast turned me to stone."

After clearing the forest, they travelled at a steady pace.

The Prince slowed his horse to a stop at the top of a hill.

He spotted smoke from a campfire and smiled pleased that dinner would be waiting for him.

"Art thou hungry?" he asked Bulma who was dozing against his back.

She groaned in pleasure at the thought of FOOD!

"I could eat a horse. No offence." She patted the animal she was riding without moving her body.

"Well hopefully that shan't be necessary," The Prince answered as they galloped down the hill.

The campsite was a hive of activity.

A wild pig slain by the warriors was roasting over the fire.

The Prince's tent had been raised.

Torches were lit around the camp to discourage thieves.

Most of the men had settled by the fire to tell stories about their battles over a mug of mead.

As the Prince rode into the camp, his men rushed to meet him.

All except Goku, who appeared rather irritated?

Madoc, the eldest amongst them, was the first to reach the Prince.

"Majesty, I shall never leave thy side again. I have been out of my mind with worry.

What would I have told the King?"

Vegeta dismounted in good cheer, the smell of dinner filling his nose.

He slapped the worrywart on his back and said.

"Twas no need for worry, Sir Madoc, I had Bulma here to aid me."

Vegeta turned and helped her down from the horse.

As soon as she hit the ground Goku was in her face.

"Thou dost not belong here."

Bulma took a step back, holding her hand to her head, in a dramatic pose.

"The Saxons failed to catch thee, what a shame."

Vegeta intervened before the situation got out of hand.

"I swear Goku, if it was not for the services of this woman I would have been murdered by thieves this very day."

Goku was about to protest, when Vegeta added and I will not hear another word against her.

Goku glared at Bulma before returning to the fire.

"Thou hast seen a bit of action, Sire? A knight roughly Vegeta's age asked.

Bulma noticed that his eyes were a steely blue, and noticeably fixed on her.

He was of medium build, and seemed rather menacing.

The Prince took Bulma by the arm and pulled her towards hi tent.

Over his shoulder he said.

"Cadogan, I have seen things this day that I never before imagined."

"Do tell Sire,"

Cadogan said with obvious envy as he watched Bulma disappear into the tent.

"Later."

The Prince replied and closed the flap.

Bulma pulled off her bags, and the Prince motioned her to a large fur rug on the floor.

"Rest, thou art safe here, I shall wake thee soon with food and drink."

"Sounds marvellous," Bulma muttered as she crawled onto the fur, and promptly fell asleep.

Vegeta pulled off hi armour, and watched the woman sleep.

His eyes never strayed far from her face, and the dragon that was imprinted there.

He believed the story of her origins now, or he believed she believed it.

But if she was telling the truth, then who brought her back.

And who marked her with his mark.

He only knew one person with that type of power, and he hadn't been seen for over a decade.

And why did she appear so much like his deceased mother.

He watched the candlelight flicker over her face, and he smiled, she was beautiful…. When she was not acting like a man.

He made a mental note to inquire about her fighting skills.

Then he left to join his men outside.

Bulma was woken by a nudge in her side, and she awoke in fright.

"Easy," The Prince said.

Bulma just grumbled, "Oh I'm still here, no offence, I was just hoping it was a bad dream."

Vegeta nodded.

He passed her the mug he was holding, and watched her gulp down its contents.

She spluttered.

"WHAT IS THIS, 95% ALCHOHOL!"

"Mead," Vegeta said smirking like an idiot.

He handed her some bread stuffed with pork.

(A/N BLEARGH)

Bulma handled it as if it was the most precious thing in the world.

"Vegeta, thou art a true legend, thank - " She clamped a hand over her mouth when she realised that she had addressed him by his first name.

He just laughed and assured her that it was all right and that she was most welcome.

Bulma just looked at him.

Vegeta smirked as he watched her eat.

Bulma was feeling a little uncomfortable.

After a few minutes of silence, she cracked.

"Thou hast been speaking of me?"

"Aye, I told my men all I know and saw."

"What hast thou decided?"

"Well," the prince sat up straight a crafty look in his eyes; "I would like thee to show my knights what thou hast shown me, so they may decide for themselves."

Bulma flashed him a thumbs up.

He assumed this meant yes, and mimicked the gesture.

Bulma muffled a giggle; it just didn't look right.

"I will let them know," Vegeta said as he exited the tent.

Bulma cast her eyes around the tent, feeling the beginning of homesickness.

The prince escorted Bulma to the fire with her bag of tricks.

Cadogan came forward to assist Bulma with her burden.

"It would seem that I have missed all the action this day." He handled her backpack carefully.

Then the knight looked at Vegeta to be introduced.

"Bulma, this be Sir Cadogan, my scout and messenger."

Cadogan bowed, and took up Bulma's hand, kissing it lightly.

"At thy service."

Bulma slid her hand away.

"Thanks, but no thanks," She replied in the nicest way possible, and she took her bag back.

This caused the men around the fire to chuckle drunkenly.

"She be onto thy game, Cadogan." The redhead called.

Vegeta was glad Bulma wasn't so gullible as to fall for Cadogan's charms.

The prince walked around the circle introducing everyone.

When he reached Goku, the knight fixed her with an icy glare.

Bulma just smiled sweetly.

The men were engrossed for hours with what Bulma showed them, and her story.

Vegeta smiled as he watched her joke and drink with his men, as if she belonged sitting around a fire in the middle of nowhere with large men in metal.

She was expected to answer millions of questions at once, and the more she drank, the more talkative she became.

When Bulma had shown them the last of her tricks, Vegeta stood and spoke her name.

She turned to face him with a questioning look.

"Tell me of the way thee fights."

Goku's dark mood returned with that comment.

Bulma tried not to notice and explained to Vegeta about the art of Tae-kwon-do.

"The principle is that one's strength does not depend on one's size."

"Ridiculous," Goku snorted.

He was immediately hushed by those who were hanging on Bulma's every word.

She then explained how she maimed Goku with one hand, and about the nervous system.

Vegeta's eyes lit up.

"Could I be taught this?"

"Nay, Majesty, she lies. She be trying to trick her way into thy favour. It be sorcery, I say." Goku stood, enraged.

Bulma rose to face Goku.

"Thou art really starting to bug me.

What does though want from me?"

She threw her arms into the air.

"Dost though want me to prove I could have killed thee today?

Alright I will."

She stormed off.

Goku was stunned by her outburst.

"She be not normal."

"Indeed." Vegeta laughed, shaking his head.

"What on Earth?"

He watched Bulma drag over a few large logs that had been cut up for the fire.

He beckoned for Sir Cedric to assist her.

Bulma had calmed down quite a bit and instructed Cedric to place 2 logs parallel to each other, and the third crossing them both.

He accomplished this and she smiled, then asked Goku to approach.

When he didn't, Bulma placed her hands on her hips and said smugly.

"Art thou afraid?"

"I do not fear the likes of thee," Goku said huffily, and stepped forward.

(A/n sorry I had to write this, I can just imagine Goku throwing a tantrum here, heheheeheh)

Vegeta tried unsuccessfully not to smile, and he waited to see what would happen.

"Question," She aimed this at Goku.

"Could thee split this piece of wood in 2 using only thy bare hand?" She gestured to the piece of wood crossed over the other 2.

Goku looked at the log then back to Bulma.

"Nay, it would be impossible, even for the strongest man.

"Be that so, watch and learn."

She knelt on one knee before the log and closed her eyes.

The camp hushed.

Bulma breathed deeply and focused.

She then tested her aim on the log, by bringing her hand gently down in the centre.

Bulma fixed her eyes on the point where she wished her hand to connect with, and let out an almighty cry, and brought her hand down.

The wood splintered, and split right down the middle.

The knights were stunned for a second and then broke into applause.

"Bravo," Cadogan said staring at her, not in a way she liked.

"Most impressive," Sir Madoc said.

Bulma ignored them for now, and turned to face Goku.

She pointed to the broken wood.

"That could have been thy skull."

Goku stared in amazement, knowing he could not have done the same thing with an axe.

He took hold of her hand, and examined it.

"Not even a scratch," He announced to the others.

He appeared confused and weary.

Bulma decided she'd best take her leave now.

"Gentlemen," she said nodding.

"Bulma," The Prince said and called for her to wait for him.

"Where art thou going?" He asked when he reached her.

`To sleep I suppose. Where doth thou want me?"

They both smiled shyly.

Vegeta waved at his tent, signalling that she would sleep there.

`Vegeta? Where are thou going to sleep?"

Bulma pointed at the prince.

His grin grew.

"In my tent." He walked off in that direction.

"I see." Bulma said.

She considered the option of sleeping outside with the drunken party, but then decided against it, the odds for survival were better inside.

She walked towards the tent where Vegeta was waiting for her.

"The men have not seen a good-looking woman since last winter," he said, just in case she was thinking about it.

"That's a lot of hormones," She commented.

Whistles were heard from the party outside, as Bulma disappeared inside.

Vegeta motioned for them to be quiet.

But like any other single male, he was enjoying every moment of it.

The prince motioned for Bulma to sit on the rug.

`Surely I have been enough entertainment for 1 evening,' Bulma thought.

Bulma was a little worried, because this was obviously where he slept, but she sat down hesitantly all the same.

"Thee never answered my question, could thee teach me thy way of battle?"

"I doubt thee would have the time or patience, it be more then a way of battle, it be a way of life."

She lay down.

"Please Bulma, I would like to try. I have good need of thee."

His tone was so pleading, that Bulma sat up again.

"If thou hast nowhere else to go, come back to Mon with us. It would not seem so at a glance, but I am a wealthy man, thee would be well taken care of."

He said definitely.

"Art thou offering me a job?"

Bulma couldn't believe it.

One day in her new time zone and she already had employment.

"Aye that be it," He jumped to his feet.

"Thee could be my…" he clicked his fingers while searching for the word he wanted.

"Advisor! Thee must know many things I do not."

"And personal trainer," Bulma added.

Bulma held up her hand for a high five.

Vegeta looked at her hand confused, but he crouched down holding his hand up in the same fashion.

(A/n Oooooo that would be sooooo cute)

"Slap it," Bulma said.

He did as she bade.

"There you go," Bulma punched him playfully in the shoulder.

She lay down, "Goodnight."

Vegeta stayed awake thinking.

`THE DRAGON RETURNS.'

The thought came out of nowhere accompanied by the same feeling of certainty that he hadn't felt since he was 15 and had reclaimed his father's throne from his treacherous uncle.

Whatever had guided him then, was with him now.

There were many things afoot.

Why had his father summoned him home?

Why were there so many Saxons so far west?

Something was up.

Vegeta lay down on his side and looked at Bulma.

He brushed a piece of hair out of her face.

"I believe our meeting was also intended." He whispered.

Hey everyone

Did ya like that?

It took forever; I was up till late trying to finish.

But I did it just for you.

So now you gotsta do something for me.

REVIEW!

That's all I ask

I'll get working on the next chapter, which is called An arranged Marriage…ooh

Here's a preview….

"Where be my father?" Vegeta asked.

"Why he left for the court of Frieza only yesterday," Percival informed him as if everyone knew.

"Frieza! Why?"

"Why? The Wedding Sire!"

Vegeta was set at ease; he reached for a goblet of mead on the table by the fire, and took a long swig.

"Ah, my father's mead, there be nothing like it. So tell me, who shall be wed?"

Percival went white.

"But I thought thee knew Sire?"

He seemed to want to avoid the issue, only making Vegeta more curious.

"Knew what, Percival?" The Prince smiled amused by his game. "Who shall be wed?"

It be thy own wedding. Sire. Hast the king not told thee?"

I assure you that this is a B/V still…it's just the way the story goes.