Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ For Crying Out Loud! ❯ Acceptance ( Chapter 10 )

My eyes opened slowly, my body barely registering the cool cloth that was lightly pressed to my forehead and cheeks. My head was still spinning, my vision still a little blurred.

"Are you alright now?" came Yamcha's familiar voice. I squinted a little to see him kneeling down next to me, dipping the washcloth into a bowl of cool water and pressing it to my flushed face one more time. I winced a little when he reached the cheek he had slapped. I noticed the regret in his eyes and I tried to give him a reassuring smile.

"As good as I can be I guess." I whispered, and his inner turmoil flashed on his face.

"Bulma... I.."

"You don't have to apologize Yamcha."

"But I... I hit you."

"I've had a lot worse-" I stopped myself, realizing that I had almost let slip out everything I've been hiding. He looked at me, his eyes a little wide.

"Bulma... After I... hit you... something happened. You lost all color, your eyes were dead. It was like you saw a ghost or something. And you kept saying 'I'm sorry John.' Who's John?"

I closed my eyes for a moment. For months after everything had happened, I had had flashbacks like the one Yamcha described to me. But that was 3 years ago. Since then, I hadn't had a problem keeping the torture inside. I exhaled and opened my eyes again.

"I can't explain Yamcha. Please, just accept that."

He was silent for a moment. Taking in my decision of silence. But, he soon nodded, held my hand and kissed my knuckles.

"Alright Bulma. Come on, I'll take you home now."

He helped me up, and I realized that I had been laying on a fainting couch in the break room of the dress shop. When we went into the main store area, the woman crowded around me to make sure I was alright. I smiled and slipped them some cash for thanks.

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Yamcha walked me to the front door, even though I promised him that I was alright.

"You're sure?"

"Yes silly boy. Now go on, go home."

"Bulma, you're really sure you want us to be over? There's nothing I can do to change your mind?"

He was so cute. No matter how far from sexually attractive I found him, he was still cute. He reminded me of my old guy friends from Grade School. I smiled and reached up to cup his cheek in my hand. I leaned forward and kissed the opposite cheek.

"Yes Yamcha, I'm sure. But no matter what, there'll always be a place in my heart for you. Now go home. I have things to do."

He smiled and kissed my palm.

"Thank you Bulma. Goodnight."

I watched him leave in his car, my heart heavy with guilt. Even if he wasn't my type, he was still a nice guy. The fact that he hit me was inconsequential. Men did stupid things when heartbroken and drunk. I was lucky he didn't try to do any harm to himself. Turning on my heel, I opened the front door to a silent house. That was odd. Even the hum of the Gravity Room was gone.

I walked through the house into the kitchen. No Bunny. No Vegeta. What the hell was going on? I turned and noticed a little green post-it-note stuck to the door. Leaning in I read the tiny black scrawled letters.

"Bulma-

You're father and I went out to dinner and a movie.

Be back by 10.

Love, Mom"

Well that explained the missing parents. Now what about Vegeta? I didn't really feel ready to confront him yet, but I knew it had to be done. And I didn't exactly want to go on a wild goose chase after him. So I did the next best thing.

I'd cook.

Come on now. Its not that funny. It was the perfect plan. The smell of food would make him come to me. I only hoped that the Briefs had the essentials that I'd need. Glancing at the clock, I noted that it was 3 pm. Perfect. Just the correct amount of time needed to make this meal.

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I leaned over the cooking pot, raising the wooden spoon to my lips to taste the spaghetti sauce I had been simmering for the past 2 hours. It was divine. The sweet flavors of stewed tomatoes, garlic, sage, and oregano flooded my senses as I stirred it, waiting for the water to boil for the noodles. I was about to dump the noodles into the rolling water when I heard the back door slam shut. Great. I had better toss in the secret ingredient before Vegeta saw. (**Can't tell what the secret ingredient is... sorry ^_^ my mom would shoot me)

I stirred in my spices and a pound of Italian sausage into the sauce and inhaled deeply. Oh goodness this was going to be excellent. As if reading my mind, I hear Vegeta's voice from the hall.

"What the hell is that smell?"

"Heaven Vegeta. You're smelling heaven!"

He stepped into the kitchen, surprise on his face. Obviously, he hadn't expected me to stay within 10 feet of him, let alone talk to him. I smiled softly at him, a little nervous as I poured in the noodles, sparing two sticks.

"Here." I said, handing him one as I munched on the other.

"It isn't cooked."

"I know. Its a tradition. Go on."

He nibbled at the tip of his spaghetti stick, but soon it disappeared in his mouth with a series of crunches.

"It wont be done for at least half an hour, so go find something to amuse yourself." I said, turning back to the noodles to stir them. My body froze when I felt his hand rest on my side.

"Woman, we need to talk."

"What is there to talk about." I said, my voice almost cracking. His other hand went up to sweep the hair away from my shoulder and he placed a gentle kiss on the back of my neck. Not now. I couldn't deal with this now. I stepped to the side away from him, and felt his heavy sigh.

"You're the one who started this onna. You shouldn't start things you can't finish."

With that, he walked out. I was positive he wasn't going to come back for dinner. I stared into the bubbling sauce and sighed as well.

"Well, I might as well call Goku. I'm sure he'd appreciate this."

"You're going to have to talk to him sometime Layla. That man is stubborn as hell."

"Ya. I know. What's Goku's phone number?" I said, picking up the phone on the wall.

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**A/N: Yay.. another chapter... even though it sucks something bad. heh.. Well, I'm going to warn ya people now... this story is almost finished! *cries* I really hope the last few chapters I write are going to be a lot better... I don't know why, but the comedy I had originally planned turned into drama and sap... ha.. I dunno... anyway, review and let me know what you think. Love you all! Toodles!