Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Beyond Agony ( Chapter 8 )

I don't own it and you should know that already.

For all of you who are reading, thanks! It's my first time out and it is really nice to see so many visits.

Swinging around in her chair, Bulma thought of the many ways she could play to the Saiyan specialties of strength and speed.

`I could turn the IGU into an actual Gravity Room' she mulled over.

Breaking out a pen and paper, she began to draw schematics to guide the project. Using her previous experiences inventing the IGU, she was able to make the Gravity Room design more robust with functionality suited to the ever-battling Saiyan Empire.

Bulma was doing well with her scheme and nearly smiling when Bardock joined her.

“Greetings my lady”, said Bardock.

“Morning, Bardock”, Bulma answered.

“How was the evening meal with the King and Prince?” he inquired

“Insightful. The King has asked that I aid his empire buy building something that could help you Saiyans and I believe I have just the thing.” There was a hint of pride in her voice that made Bardock feel a bit better. He knew Bulma wasn't fully emotionally healed from her secret trauma, but working did help her feel good about herself.

“That is good news, mind if I take a look?” Bardock made his way over to the drafting table to view what could be a boon to the army.

Bardock was taken aback by the functionality this facility boasted. Not only could gravity be increased to provide a more challenging environment but also there would be opponents available for solo training. These opponents would detect the Saiyan and adapt to the last fight in which the specified user engaged the system. Using complicated calculations, it would adapt and challenge the user further. He would not only have to out muscle to succeed in battle, but he would also have to out-think his adversary as well.

Shifting from foot to foot, Bulma twisted her hands nervously and asked, “Well, do you think it will do?”

Bardock turned slowed, took Bulma's hands in his, and looked into her eyes. `My gods, delivering a prototype that will help must be the only thing she has left in her life.' This thought nearly tore him apart from the inside.

He smiled widely at her and answered, “Yes, child, it will do just fine. The King, and I dare say even the Prince, will be very pleased.”

Bulma released her breath and sat down. `Finally, something I can do right that will please someone' she said to herself.

“Thank you, Bardock. Your words give me comfort.”

“Then why is your demeanor telling a different story? Please, my dear, unburden yourself and tell me of what has done you harm. Your skin is so pale and your eyes are so tired, I worry greatly about your health and inner strength. Will you not me help you, my lady?” he pressed hoping to get an answer this time.

Bulma quite literally shrank in her chair under the intense glare of Bardock. It was almost as if thinking of the incident in question made her want to curl up into a ball until she was invisible.

“ You're a bitch, Bulma. You're argumentative, moody and bossy, all the things most men hate in a woman. What makes you think anyone will want you after this?”

She closed her eyes and started breathing heavily. The weight of Yamcha's words crushed her. Bulma began to panic as she played them repeatedly in her mind. He was right. She would never be wanted by any man. She was worthless and beyond salvage. She was nothing.

Bulma's mind swirled as her depressed and distorted view of her future played before her. Alone. Always, so very alone.

Watching Bulma change from confident scientist to wounded creature made Bardock's blood boil. He wondered who could alter her personality so drastically.

Bardock got on his knees in front of her as she began shaking her head from side to side and crying hysterically. Bardock held her as she wailed. Finally, her fragile, over tired body gave up and she passed out.

`My beautiful girl, what has happened to you?' he wondered as he carefully carried Bulma to her room.

“Ahhh, my Prince, you are the strongest warrior our race has ever seen” Grace gushed as she watched Prince Vegeta dispatch the third elite in an hours' time.

She nearly drooled over his perfectly proportioned body. She would have given anything just to be any of the drops of sweat rolling down his broad chest.

“Yes, I know. Enlighten me when you have new information,” Prince Vegeta snapped.

“Such a quick wit, my Prince,” she continued as she handed him his water and towel.

“Grace, why must you insist on watching me train? Should you not be training yourself?” he questioned.

Grace pressed her voluptuous body against Vegeta. “I am much too pretty to train, she purred. Anyway, I would not want to be too tired and beat up in case you want to ravage me” she breathed in his ear. She took his hand and placed it on her own breast whilst licking a path from Vegeta's neck to his chest.

If he were any other Sayian, he would have thrown Grace on the floor and fucked her until she couldn't stand. However, he was no ordinary Sayian. He knew of her disgusting habits and conniving ways.

For instance, how she would sneak away when he was off planet and frolic with anything that had a dick or when he caught her blowing Turles in a dark corner of the palace.

Appalled, Vegeta pushed Grace off his person. “The future Queen of this planet does not whore herself out in public,” he growled. “I abhor this behavior and will not be held hostage just because you think you are irresistible, girl.”

Grace's face began to show signs of hurt but she pressed on towards her goal. She was not going to give up just because he didn't care for her. She was going to marry him, whether he liked it or not.

She pleaded, “My Prince, I will be your wife. You should want to lick my lips, taste my skin and make me yours in every way possible.”

Vegeta crooked an eyebrow at her brazen speech. He walked up to her and pulled her close. He brought his face close enough to where their lips nearly touched and said ever so softly, “I would rather mate with an Ice-Jin than ever lay a finger on you, you repulsive piece of trash. You sicken me and would do well to never touch me without my permission again.”

With that, Vegeta left a very stunned Grace alone to partake in a hot, relaxing shower.

Bulma slowly opened a tired eye and coaxed its partner to do the same.

`Where am I and how did I get here?' she wondered. `Bardock…oh no. He saw me freak out. Way to keep it together, Bulma', she groaned internally.

After raising herself to a sitting position, she called down to the lab to have the techs start on her prototype. That foundation build had to begin today in order to be ready for the end of the week. She impressed upon the tech lead that her instructions should be followed to the letter or there would be hell to pay.

Satisfied that work was properly under way, she relocated to her adjoining cleansing area to make herself presentable.

Bulma glanced at herself in the mirror over the basin. Her eyes were puffy and her face was tear streaked and a bit dirty.

Slowly and carefully she washed away

the salt,

the tears,

the filth,

the hurt,

the humiliation,

the worthlessness,

and the loneliness.

She brushed her hair until it shone and bound it in a loose bun at the back of her neck. With a stern look, she addressed herself.

“You must focus on the work. You cannot allow anything to interrupt your work”, she admonished.

She repeated the mantra and pounded the counter with her fists, driving the idea into her head, making it her armor against the world.

Bulma was so entranced with this notion that she was nearly screaming at her reflection and then without thinking…

CRACK!

Bulma punched the mirror, shattering it and cutting her hand. She pulled back the appendage and chuckled. Yes, it hurt like hell, but she could have never imagined herself punching a mirror.

“Woman!” yelled the Prince toward the washroom.

`Oh no, Prince Vegeta is going to witness my `What ever happened to Baby Jane' craziness. That `ll go over real well with the King' she supposed.

Upon hearing no answer and not wanting to feel the wrath of the King because something happened to his charge he barged into the room.

It was like walking into someone else's dream.

There was glass all over the countertop and basin. The blue haired scientist was examining her hand in the most surreal manner. She sported a slight grin as if she was not truly expecting blood and pain to be the result of punching a mirror. All the while blood flowed like a small stream down her fingers culminating in a sanguine pool upon the floor.

Vegeta grabbed Bulma, turned her to him, and gave her a shake. “Onna, are you too stupid to realize that your weak race could not take such an insignificant blow without nearly bleeding to death?”

A still dazed Bulma looked into his eyes. He was almost worried. She could sense it but only because he needed her to complete the project.

She bowed her head, slumped her shoulders, and allowed Vegeta to lead her over to a chair. He grabbed a clean towel and a medkit to help repair the damage.

“What would make you behave so irrationally? Do all of your kind have this affliction?” Vegeta said with a smirk.

He wanted her to answer back, to show that spark he had seen on previous occasions. Her skin, though bloody, was soft and warm.

He tried to see her face but the most he got was a cheek. Oh how he wanted to stroke the side of her face and bring her full lips to his.

Bulma kept her head averted while he worked and uttered a small apology.

“I did not ask for an apology, I asked for a reason, woman. What the fuck was running through that brain damaged mind of yours?” he inquired as he was picking small slivers of glass from her delicate hand.

Bulma's head snapped to face the Prince. `Brain damaged?!?!?! No one insults my IQ. Doesn't he know that my mental prowess is ten times any one on his pathetic planet!?!?!?!?' she thundered internally. Her face began to redden and eyes became a deeper, more dangerous shade of blue.

`Yes little one, show me how your nature truly manifests itself', Vegeta thought. He hoped she would come to life right before his eyes but just as quickly as her features bloomed, the flame doused.

“You are correct, Prince Vegeta. I was neither thinking nor paying attention when I caused myself this harm. It will never happen again, of that you can be sure.” Bulma pulled back her newly bandaged hand and rose to press the button for the maid to tend to her room.

“Thank you for helping me with my hand” Bulma said as she bowed to the Prince and left the room.

Vegeta was stunned and intrigued at the same time. `She is hiding her true self from surfacing. There is something going on and I mean to find out what it is. I shall have to watch her more closely to find the reason for this damn peculiar behavior,' he planned.