Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Forbidden Encounter ❯ Vegeta challenges Kakarrot... ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ!!!!!!! Don't sue me. So there…

Forbidden Encounter

Chapter 10

Goku looked around for a moment and sniffed at the night air. " I see you brought Bulma. Do you really want her to watch you die, Vegeta? "

" She is here to see to your mate, idiot, she's not here as a spectator. " The Saiyan Prince growled. " We should not fight here, though. "

" What's a few innocent casualties to a Saiyan? " Goku smirked, perfectly imitating the prince.

" You are out of control Kakarrot, your mate is carrying your child, you idiot! And to further harm her will kill them both. "

That got his attention and Vegeta saw several different emotions flicker across his rival's eyes before the man's primal urges took over again. " Then… maybe we should fight somewhere else. Come on, Vegeta. "

Goku rushed at the smaller Saiyan and growled as Vegeta evaded him. Vegeta took off in flight, heading out into the night and away from the city. Goku darted after him and threw a ki blast at the luminous golden warrior ahead of him. " Come back here! "

The sprawling mass of Satan city had given way to rich fields of crops and cattle; which had then become barren rock formations and desert scrub, when the two finally stopped. " Alright, Kakarrot. " Vegeta growled, dropping into a fighting stance, and then powered up. " Now that your son is safe… let's go! "

" You tricked me! "

" It's not my fault that you're an idiot. " Vegeta shrugged as if suddenly bored with the whole situation.

Goku snarled and attacked, Vegeta blocked and smirked at him, as they locked up and exchanged a series of kicks and knee thrusts. Despite his larger size and advantage in sheer strength and power, Goku wasn't gaining any momentum, for the smaller Saiyan was more skilled, his clever mind always seeming just a step ahead. But Goku growled, he was still stronger; Vegeta couldn't keep this up forever…

**

Bulma waited in the shadows of the nearby apartment buildings wondering if anything… even Vegeta could stop the marauding Goku. As their brilliant auras disappeared into the distance, she ran straight for Gohan. She had tremendous confidence in her mate as one of the most powerful warriors in the universe… but Goku was probably still the strongest. Every day for a little over five years she'd watched Vegeta lock himself in the gravity room and train harder than ever, she loved him with all of her heart, but still if he ever did surpass Goku… But right now wasn't the time to worry about that.

Gohan groaned as she collapsed to her knees next to him. She forced a senzu bean down his throat and shook her head sadly, already looking at the apartment where she'd seen no movement from Jenna yet. She started to get up when Gohan grabbed her wrist. " What happened? Was that Vegeta? I must've blacked out. "

" Yes. " Bulma said softly, fighting back tears. It was so hard not to be afraid for him, knowing that he had gotten Goku mad at him so that he'd forget about Gohan.

" I'm… I'm sorry, Bulma. I know I shouldn't have come here. I can't believe I hit her with the door either. I was just so… mad at him. "

" Vegeta told you to stay away! Why didn't you listen to him? " Bulma cried. "Damn it Gohan, he might get killed now because of his stupid obsession with his honor and because you couldn't leave things alone just a little longer. "

" You think it's that easy to forget that my father betrayed us? "

" And tonight didn't you betray him, and everything he and Piccolo have ever taught you about fighting? In case you missed it, you attacked a woman! And worse, she has about as much Ki as one of your pinkies and she didn't even know it was coming! You and I both know damn well that Goku wouldn't have attacked you first. You brought his anger upon yourself and you knew what you were doing and now… now I might loose Vegeta! "

Gohan looked away, unable to meet her gaze… not because of her anger, but because he knew she was right, his father might actually be powerful enough to kill Vegeta, and with the mood he was in, Goku would be trying it too. He had never seen this side of his father before, and he was ashamed to admit that it scared him. It was hard to believe that the Saiyan Prince had stepped in to save his life, but even more impossible was the realization that there was something so primal and instinctive in a pureblooded Saiyan that could make them suddenly seem so different from a human or even a demi-Saiyan. To suppress such a dark, primal rage so well, Gohan realized suddenly exactly how much iron self-discipline and honor Vegeta must've had all along, and the Prince had been raised by Frieza to be a killer! How much worse would it be if Vegeta ever…

" I have to go. " Bulma choked back her tears and started to get up, pulling Gohan from his thoughts.

" Bulma… " Gohan said softly, gently catching her hand. " I really am sorry and… try not to worry Bulma. If anybody can handle my father… it'd have to be Vegeta, he is the Prince of all Saiyans; I can't imagine him… giving up when he has so much to fight for. "

She nodded, but didn't turn around and as he let go, she ran to the apartment to find Jenna. Bulma shook her head sadly as she passed the hole in the wall of the hallway, and saw the door, partially off its hinges, and the still form of the girl just beyond it. The wall where Jenna had been thrown into it was cracked, a testament to how hard the poor thing had been hit. She dug through her pockets to find the other senzu bean, praying even as she gave it to Jenna that Vegeta wouldn't need it later.

It was hard to believe that Goku… her sweet, innocent GOKU, had taken this girl as a lover… but she was beautiful, and young. Bulma smiled sadly, nothing would ever seem quite the same to her, and she knew that now. Some part of her had hoped that Vegeta was wrong; that there was still a chance Goku might want to go back to Chichi and forget that this had happened. Yet somehow, she knew Vegeta was right all along, she could see it that Jenna was to meant be with Goku. Bulma watched the senzu work its magic, and the girl sat up slowly, holding her head.

" What… happened? And what is that awful taste in my mouth? " Jenna asked, before she had opened her eyes, she blinked in surprise and stared at the female visitor kneeling beside her.

" Hi. " Bulma said offering the girl a hand up, and Jenna accepted. " My name is Bulma Briefs. I don't know if you remember me, but we met at a Party last year? "

" Y-you were with the guy with the pointy hair, right? I was wondering why you seemed so familiar… What are you doing here? " Jenna asked, her green eyes a little afraid.

" Well, the guy with the pointy hair is my… boyfriend, Vegeta. And right now he's trying to stop Goku from killing… things. "

" W-what? Goku? "

" Jenna, relax it's ok, but it's a long story and hard to explain. " Bulma told her, motioning to a chair and helped her to it. " I don't know exactly where to start, but Goku has been my friend through everything we've been through, and I just want to see him happy… and I think that he'd be happier with you than with Chichi. Goku is not… normal; I guess I mean he's not human. He's a Saiyan but he was raised here on earth and for most of his life he thought he was a human. He married Chichi before he found out that he was a Saiyan, and they had a son named Gohan. Well, I guess I had known for a while that Goku was unhappy with Chichi, but I never thought… "

" Never thought what that he'd meet some little… "

Bulma stopped the girl's angry words with a warm smile. " No, I never thought that Goku would ever start acting like a Saiyan. "

" What do you mean? " Jenna asked, still scowling, but she settled back into the chair, tucking her knees up to her chest, listening.

" Saiyans aren't like humans, they are from a planet that was destroyed, so there are only two of them left. Goku, and my Vegeta. Saiyans are warriors. They have astonishing strength, speed and stamina, and they can destroy entire planets if they feel moved to do it. "

Jenna started to laugh, but Bulma pulled out of her pocket a capsule and threw it on the floor. It popped to reveal a TV/VCR set up and she pressed the play button. At first it was static, but then Napa and Vegeta's destruction of South City was playing across the screen… until just after Napa destroyed the fighter plane the war correspondent was in… Then came the Cell games… and Jenna's eyes widened and for a while, even after the tape had gone dead, she stared at the screen. " T-that giant bald guy was real? I thought that the government and… "

" Yeah, sure they called it a hoax, I remember it too, but the buildings were not dropped by simultaneous explosives in planned demolition, and they weren't empty either. But Napa wasn't half as powerful as Vegeta when he did that to an entire city. What the camera didn't show, was a battle between my friends; Goku, Gohan, Yamcha, Tien, Choatzu, Yajurobi and Piccolo fighting against the little guy, and yes that was my Vegeta on that tape. Goku let Vegeta leave earth, and we met him again on Namek… but I can tell you about that later. But just so that you know… Mr. Satan didn't have anything at all to do with defeating Cell. Gohan and the others killed him, and it wasn't tricks of light and sound either. Saiyans, Nameks and even some humans can learn to harness the Ki energy of their bodies and earth itself, using it to fly, to attack and in some cases, even heal… Tonight I think Gohan just wanted to talk to his father… but when you answered the door… well, he hit you with it. He could've killed you without even thinking about it, which is why Vegeta is fighting Goku right now. Goku actually tried to kill Gohan tonight. "

Jenna paled and stared at her helplessly for a moment, before she started to cry. " G-goku tried to kill his son? W-why? "

" To protect you. "

" B-but I'm alright- why would he try to hurt his own son? I'm just his lover he can't do that because I got a little bump on my head!! "

" No. " Bulma said sharply, getting the girl's attention and snapping her out of her dazed expression. " It wasn't just a little bump, Jenna. Look at the wall. It's cracked and dented and you were very lucky he didn't kill you. Besides, you aren't just Goku's lover. Saiyans aren't human, when they mate it's for life and they actually share their heart and soul with their bond mates. Meeting you showed Goku that he has instincts and desires that he never knew about before. The only Saiyans he had ever met were bloodthirsty and brutal killers, who took what they wanted and Goku had to fight and sacrifice himself to defeat his own brother to save his son's life. Goku didn't want to be a Saiyan; he hated the idea since the first time he ever met one of his race. But he is a Saiyan, and he would move heaven and earth to protect you and unfortunately yes, that includes fighting a sixteen-year-old boy that attacked without thinking and tried to hurt a helpless human female on purpose. "

" I'm not helpless! "

Bulma laughed, having said the same thing to Vegeta on many occasions, especially tonight… But she knew the only reason he had brought her along was so he would have someone to make sure Gohan and Jenna wouldn't die while he was dealing with Goku… especially since he knew he might loose. " Against Goku or Gohan anything is helpless… except Vegeta, but even he might not be able to beat Goku. "

" I don't understand. If Goku might kill your boyfriend… why are you being so nice to me? " Jenna whispered. " Aren't you mad at me for… seducing Goku into sleeping with me in the first place? Don't you hate me for… "

Bulma interrupted with a half-hearted grin. " Part of me wants to. " She admitted quietly. " But I know Goku. And I know that you couldn't have seduced him if it wasn't meant to happen. Vegeta took one look at the way you were watching Goku at the party that night and after he picked up his jaw, told me right then… that Goku was going to take you as his mate. I laughed at the time, and forgot all about it when he started kissing me… but he knew, he warned me and I still wasn't ready to face it, until I saw you. Part of me still doesn't believe that he could ever cheat on Chichi, but like I said, I knew he wasn't happy with her, but I think he'd be happy with you. "

" So… you really don't hate me? " Jenna smiled softly. " I was afraid that none of his friends would even talk to me. "

" Well, let's just say that Vegeta and I weren't a real popular couple with our other friends either… come to think of it, Goku was the only one that accepted us being together for a long time… I kind'a cheated on Yamcha with Vegeta, and I never felt guilty about it once… Tell me that isn't selfish… but I couldn't help it, it just felt right. I've never been able to explain what I did to anyone before, no one understood. "

Jenna's eyes lit up a little and she managed a smile. " That's so weird I felt the same way about Goku! The way he looked sitting there alone and the way he said he was married, it was in his eyes that he was lonely or wanted something… I knew I should've stopped myself… but I couldn't. I just had to have him. Then that day we met at the park again… watching him with his son… even then I was drawn back to him… I felt like I was shaking all over but it wasn't because I was cold or nervous. I touched his chest and I swear I almost… well, I almost went crazy trying not to kiss him right then… I didn't get any studying done as he left either that day, I cried… and it was only the second time we met but I did, when he left I couldn't help it. "

Bulma smiled. " I know exactly what you mean. It seemed like one day was dating Yamcha and we were happy. Then Vegeta came back to earth and I swear every time I got near him I wanted to tear my clothes off and pounce on him. Then I saw Yamcha kissing that other girl and I don't remember how I got home or anything else until I was kissing Vegeta and heard myself ask him to help me get rid of Yamcha, that I wanted him to know two could play the game he started. At first I thought I wanted revenge… but after I figured out that I was in love with Vegeta… I realized that I was really looking for an excuse to sleep with him. That much physical attraction to one person is something I've never been able to explain, but it sounds like you felt the same with Goku. Speaking of that, though, how have you been feeling? "

"Other than almost being thrown through a wall, fine, why? "

" Well, with Saiyans, when they bond, that means their mate also becomes pregnant, part of a mental, physical bond that gives him telepathy and empathic knowledge of how you feel and where you are at all times. "

" Well, I'm not worried, I'm on the pill and I have the dreaded morning after pill too, just in case. "

" I sure hope you haven't taken any of those yet… "

" No, of course not. I'm not due for my period for another three weeks. "

Bulma sighed heavily with relief. " Good, and when you do get pregnant, don't get rid of it. It might… it might hurt Goku really badly to loose the baby, since Saiyans are also linked to their kids. Which is a good thing too, because half Saiyans are stronger than hell, and when they kick… it hurts! Even while he was in space training, whenever Trunks got upset, I could feel Vegeta telling him it was all right, that was the most amazing thing I have ever felt, it was so warm and… yes I know it sounds crazy, but I couldn't have asked for anything more than to feel that again. I felt like he was holding me when I closed my eyes and concentrated my attention on the baby. Besides, I have to warn you Jenna, human birth control is no match for Saiyan stamina. I was on the pill and on a shot and Vegeta still got me pregnant. Condoms didn't work either. And the bastard didn't tell me that if I agreed to be his bond mate, that I'd get pregnant. On the other hand, after the first one is born, Saiyans can control their fertility. I haven't used anything since Trunks was born. "

" I love Goku,, hell I've never cared so much about anyone before, but I can't have kids right now… "

" That's exactly what I told Vegeta- except that there was a lot of swearing and me trying desperately to knock him out… which he laughed at… then he threw me on the bed and made love to me until I didn't care anymore. Saiyan men are impossible they like to eat, fight and have sex. Mine threatens to blow up the earth whenever he gets pissed, and while he could very easily do it, he won't at least not until he finds some more Saiyans and therefore somewhere else to live. "

" You say that so calmly. "Jenna laughed. " Do want some coffee or something? I'm getting kind of tired. "

Bulma grinned, shaking her head. "No I'm fine, thank you. Why don't you go lay down and I'll go wait for the men in question outside. "

" Are you sure it's all right? "

" Of course, silly this is your house. "

" I just meant I don't want you to feel like you need to leave. I'd really like to talk to you some more. " Jenna grinned sheepishly.

Bulma laughed. " I have a feeling you and I are going to be seeing a lot of each other. "

" As long as your boyfriend is all right. " Jenna sighed sadly. " I hope that they don't hurt each other. I don't want to be the cause of anything else going wrong. "

" It was meant to happen, Jenna. It isn't your fault that so much is happening you and Goku both made choices that were a little hasty maybe, but I also don't want to see Goku unhappy, and I know that I'm starting to believe in destiny just as much as Vegeta always has, and if he's right, he's going to be just fine. " Bulma shivered in the evening air as she settled down on the stone steps of the apartment, trying to believe what she had told Jenna. Could Vegeta and his pride, iron determination and sense of honor really take on a warrior that it often seemed had been created in pure goodness and the strength of love itself? " Please Goku, don't take him away from me. I love you both. But I need you, please come back to me Vegeta. " Not wanting to break his concentration, Bulma didn't send her thoughts to him, but closed her eyes and tried to hold on to hope, praying for the first time that her mate could beat the man he always said he wanted to destroy.

**

Vegeta attacked with a head-butt and smashed his elbow up into Goku's face, and followed it up with a series of punches and kicks that would've immobilized any lesser opponent, but Goku finally snarled and blocked. The larger Saiyan caught Vegeta's leg and threw him into the face of a nearby cliff. Vegeta smirked and arched one eyebrow at him as he pulled himself out of the wall of rock.

Goku screamed in rage and rushed at him, Vegeta vanished, and Goku growled, waiting… Vegeta's Ki seemed to flicker behind him, and Goku turned to punch him when he felt Vegeta's knee strike his kidney from the side and the prince spun quickly to land a vicious punch directly over his heart. Goku was thrown back, forced to choke down the searing pain in his chest. He couldn't quite get his arm up to block in time as Vegeta struck again, this time at Goku's face, with an elbow. Goku powered up screaming in rage and grabbed for the smaller Saiyan, Vegeta growled, as Goku caught him by the throat, and the man's hand tightened slowly.

Vegeta didn't struggle, needing a moment to think, he let Goku keep the iron claw locked on. As if he were surprised, Goku growled and tried to tighten his grip even more, this time, Vegeta winced, reflexively bringing up his foot kicking the muscles and soft tissues on the underside of Goku's shoulder. Vegeta didn't have time to catch his breath, as the hold was broken, for Goku kicked him in the head, sending him flying back.

Vegeta finally stopped himself, and growled holding his sore throat; he waited for his rival to make his next move. It didn't take long. Goku blurred and disappeared, closing the distance between them easily, but Vegeta vanished too and for a moment the sky above the desert was silent. A thunderous burst of Ki and the rivals reappeared, locked in a flurry of punches and kicks. They vanished again, clashing occasionally and then reappearing as each tried to make short work of the other.

Vegeta feinted left with a punch and grabbed Goku's shirt in the same motion and throwing him over his shoulder. Goku stopped himself easily, and growled as he charged the Prince blindly. Vegeta was ready with a ki blast, but Goku dodged, striking Vegeta in the face with a punch that sent him flying into a tower of rock, and brought it down on top of him. Wasting no words, Goku drew back his hands, summoning energy for his favorite attack.

Still buried in the rubble, Vegeta growled low in his throat as he tried to shake off the devastating power punch and felt for Goku's ki. The Prince's eyes narrowed… A Kame-ha-me-ha?? Already? Seeing that he had no choice but to fight it with a blast of his own, Vegeta focused for a moment, then leapt up, rising from the rubble ready for the Gallic Gun. While training for the androids in space, he had worked on this attack, improving its power and his control of it. But, he saw the energy that Goku held waiting in his hands, and wondered if he had improved it enough…

" Kame- "

" Gallic "

" Ha-me- "

" Gun "

" Ha! "

"Fire! "

Finally the two Saiyans launched their attacks at the same time, and the beams met with agonizing force. Vegeta snarled and pushed back harder, it felt like his shoulder had been slammed out of joint. But he smirked; it hurt but was not even close to being the worst injury he had experienced. He could feel the energies holding each other at bay… but for how long? The dazzling cloud of pure energy and light was balanced equally between them, but as they both continued to use more Ki to try to gain the advantage, the giant ball of energy was becoming dangerously unstable. Vegeta knew it would burn them severely if they didn't at least try to block before it exploded, but Goku's blast was aimed down… and if he let it past him, the earth might be destroyed.

He chuckled at the irony, and pushed harder, forcing more power into the massive, dangerously flickering ball of light.

" What's so funny, Vegeta? " Goku growled, his voice showing the strain of keeping the attacks under control and on target.

" I remember being in this position with you once before, Kakarrot. And yet this time it's me on the defensive. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm rather enjoying it. " Vegeta shrugged, trying to keep concentrating through the haze of pain in his shoulder.

" What? Being… on the defensive? "

" No! " Vegeta snapped, deciding if he was that stupid that he wasn't worth talking to, and then he got mad. " How could you be so stupid? You fought me like a true warrior… And Frieza as if you were an ancient spirit of vengeance, finally come to punish the tyrant for taking over the universe and enslaving it! Then Cell… and yes Gohan killed him, we both know the boy wouldn't have found the hole in his defense if you had not rushed in on his flank as I blasted him from the other side. The bald headed human moron could've killed Cell with that kind of an opening! And now you dare to attack your Prince and can't even understand why I have to stop you? "

Vegeta pushed his attack forward until he felt it searing his hands and arms, and screamed in frustration and pain but it was worth it to feel the sudden surge of power envelope him in an even brighter haze of shimmering gold light, he barely had time to squeeze his eyes shut as the two attacks exploded in a dazzling show of power and finally dissipate leaving Vegeta singed, but standing and Goku nowhere to be seen.

Vegeta's chest heaved with the massive last effort, and he collapsed to his knees. Still, he knew better than to underestimate Goku, he was an idiot, but he was an idiot with a new mate, one who had just been injured. Human females were more beautiful than the few female Saiyans he had ever seen, as a boy but they were ridiculously weak in Ki and understanding of their own physiology. It was quite possible that neither Goku nor his mate were aware that she was most likely already pregnant.

Vegeta closed his eyes and felt for Goku's Ki. He was a few miles away. The idiot was done fighting, definitely unconscious but still not likely to stay that way long. Vegeta stood up and took to the sky, tired and sore, but glad that he didn't have to kill the idiot. The debt of honor he owed his last purebred subject for sparing his life was finally repaid, and yet he could only think of getting Goku back to his mate.

For years he had worked and trained and slaved away for this moment and now that it was here… there was no great warrior's body to burn in victory, no fellow warriors to bow down before him. He had only defeated his own doubts, about himself and the warrior he had grown up to be. It was hard to admit even to himself, but his failure to defeat his enemies was not because he had lacked the power to beat them. He had lacked the will to win, rather than just to fight. Battle came easily to him, but winning was something he had always second-guessed himself on. Vegeta snorted, as he lifted the larger Saiyan onto his shoulder and returned to Satan City, well, he told himself, that time was past. He truly was, the Prince of all Saiyans once more, his title safe and unchallenged… yet all he wanted was to make sure that Gohan was all right, that Goku and his mate were safe. How strange that he had tried so hard to defeat this man only to be thwarted time and again until he had to beat him to save the idiot's life, and his honor.

Bulma jumped as her mate landed next to her. " Oh Goku you didn't… V-vegeta! Oh my holy Kami! What happened to you? "

" It's just a scratch. How is his mate? "

" Vegeta she's fine. But you're wrong. She's not pregnant. " She giggled, touching his hair. " Does this mean I get to call you Hairball? Or how about Fuzzy? Umm… "

" How could she not be pregnant? And what in the hell would you want to call me that for? "

" Oh… so you mean you have suddenly decide to change your hair style? You look pretty sexy that way… although you look sexier yet when you have eyebrows, babe. Were you standing too close to a fireball or something? "

" Bulma, you aren't making any sense. " He growled, trudging past her to throw Goku onto the bed beside Jenna.

" You can see the results for yourself, babe, but she's not. " Bulma shrugged, following her mate out into Jenna's living room.

" What of the brat? "

" Gohan's going to be sore for a while, but you were in time to keep him from serious harm. That was very brave of you, Vegeta. I'm so proud of you. "

There are too few of us left… even if Gohan never understands what it means to be a warrior, " Vegeta growled defensively. " I couldn't… "

" Oh Vegeta… " Bulma giggled softly wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply to interrupt him. " I know you're a fierce warrior, but you're also not as heartless as you pretend. You even spared Goku, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I could've sworn you had been trying to kill him for at least the last… 5 years to kill him. "

He gave her an evil smirk. " Thank his mate for that, actually. If he is going to take a mate like a true Saiyan, then perhaps he'll start acting like one. If he were still with that loud harpy I would've had to put him down out of pity. A Saiyan bullied by that weakling? Inexcusable. "

" Vegeta! What a horrible thing to say! " Her eyes flashed in rage but he just purred low in his throat, drawing her into his arms he kissed her, only it was demanding and passionate. She pushed against him for a while, but her anger was no match for his seductive kisses and the way he was purring. She wanted to be mad at him, but all she could think about was how much she loved him, and how glad she was that Goku had not killed him or Gohan. " Mmmm… " Bulma shivered as the kiss broke. " I love you, and I'm glad you're all right, but it wouldn't hurt you to BE NICE to our friends! So what are we going to do now? "

" Waking up next to his mate should calm him down. " Vegeta grunted, " But, just in case it doesn't I shouldn't leave, although, if he were to wake up still pissed, I'd get to enjoy kicking his ass again. "

" Well, as sexy as you look with your blonde Radditz like hair style and aqua eyes, I think it looks like he roughed you up pretty good too, Vegeta. "

" Radditz? "

Bulma rolled her eyes and dragged him over to the nearest mirror. " Honestly, Vegeta. I don't know what's worse, your pointy hair or your usual refusal to change it. You have hair down to your butt, babe. How did you miss that? "

" Radditz's hair went down to his knees, woman, this goes down to my waist. "

" So, let me guess, this is some type of new level of Super Saiyan? " She rolled her eyes, shaking her head slowly. " I suppose there's just going to be no living with you now, is there? "

He growled. " You, not Kakarrot are what has kept this planet from being destroyed by me, woman. "

" I meant your ego, Vegeta, not that you'd still literally destroy the Earth. "

" Hmm, and you don't have a little ego yourself, eh? Wasn't it you that found out you built a Time Machine in the other dimension and told me what a genius you were in your sleep so many times that I slept in the gravity room for over a week to get some peace and quiet? "

"No, I told you to sleep out there so you couldn't spend all night driving everyone crazy with the way you make me scream your name every time we have sex. "

" I can't help it that you find me completely irresistible. " He smirked, purring contentedly as he nuzzled her throat, nibbling lazily at her ear.

" You wouldn't be trying to play with me, would you? Will you stop it? " Bulma giggled. " I like this affectionate side you're showing me all of a sudden, Vegeta, but this isn't our house, you know. "

" As if those two would notice… What do you think they've been doing for the last half hour? You ought to be glad I have the kind of control that I do. Or I would've already striped and ravished you in some forest by now, woman. "

Bulma laughed. " Hmm, that's one of your fantasies, huh? Sounds interesting… "

He snorted. " You participating in a Saiyan mating hunt? Woman, you'd be lucky to last five minutes in the middle of the afternoon without hurting yourself. At night I doubt you'd make it five seconds… "

" You jerk! I had been all over the world looking for the Dragonballs by the time I was 17! I've been to Namek and routinely get the better of you, Vegeta. Why would you think a little moonlit sex would faze me? "

" You think you're serious, don't you? " He laughed. " Besides, it isn't just sex, minx. That's a formal mating. I was supposed to have done that with you before we bonded, but I couldn't risk letting you get hurt before I caught you. "

" Wait a minute! You said formal…Does that mean like Saiyan wedding or something? " He growled, realizing he'd said too much. " You said you couldn't marry me as I wanted you to… is this why? Is it because we aren't completely mated by your standards? "

The feral growl continued and deepened for a moment, then he glanced at her. " It isn't as if we had the resources at the time. After all, our only potential witness was an idiot that thought his own race was a bunch of honor-less savages and disowned them in favor of wanting to be human. Denying everything that he was even though if he had not been a Saiyan and born with his extraordinary power and strength, Frieza would now be immortal and ruling the entire universe. He dishonored all Saiyans with taking a mate without bonding her to him. Now he has to decide if he is going to try to repair the damage he has done to Gohan, and do it right this time with this girl. I know he will, stay with her after the way he tried to kill his own son, you and I will have to participate in a mating hunt. I don't know how Kakarrot will feel about it, but if he's Saiyan enough to follow his instincts into cheating on his harpy of a wife, then he's Saiyan enough to hunt his new mate. "

" So how does this hunting business work, so I know what to tell Jenna. "

" We and other mated couples go out into the woods, kill some things, eat them and then we get aggressive and the females run off and we hunt you. Traditionally the new pair of perspective mates is supposed to be the first pair to be reunited, meaning she would be the first female captured for some very serious mating. This is usually where the mates would mark each other. "

" So you're telling me we'd make love in front of the other males? "

" Our audience would usually depart after the marking takes place, after all, they have their own mates to catch. Although yes, they could stay to watch if they wanted to, but the one to catch his woman the fastest after then new mates, is a sign of his strength and power. "

" What if you catch the wrong girl? "

Vegeta laughed. " I know you by scent, woman. You could change anything you want to about yourself, and I will still be able to find you, I will still recognize you. And none of those silly perfumes you wear will ever get my attention the way you do when you want me. " He started to purr, drawing her into his arms, nuzzling her gently. " And you want me right now, but not as much as I want you. "

Bulma was about to deny it, but he kissed her passionately and she moaned, leaning into him and suddenly forgetting all about her protests...

Notes: As Vegeta alluded to in the context of the story; some stuff is different than what you're used to!! THIS IS AN ALTERANTE UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!! Meaning that since Goku didn't die, a few other things can (and will) be different as well. Cell's death was ultimately Gohan's doing, just like in the DBZ storyline, but Gohan didn't overpower Cell… partially because he never coughed up 18. The tournament battle with Cell was longer, and tougher and at the end of it, Cell was still too impossibly strong, so they did the only thing they could. Vegeta and Goku forced him into a mistake. They worked together and fought together as they will in the straight timeline later in the series, in some of the movies and... * Shudder* during GT. Vegeta, Gohan and Goku ALL went SS2 during the battle with Cell, but for different reasons… I have an idea. WOULD ANYBODY LIKE TO SEE ME (This is Lady Valtaya) WRITE OUT THE BATTLE WITH CELL AS IT HAPPENED IN THIS TIMELINE?? I think it might clear up some of the questions and criticism I keep seeing in the reviews I do so love to read!!!!!!! I'd be happy to have Gokusgirl post it as sort of a Prologue to Forbidden Encounter!!!