Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Just Like Heaven ❯ Cat and Mouse ( Chapter 20 )

A/N: Do not own DBZ or The Cure

Chapter Twenty: Cat and Mouse

Dinner had been announced and Bulma was happy to use this distraction to escape Yamcha's whining and groping, not to mention the succubus that accompanied him. They followed the swarm of guests toward the delicious aroma of the gourmet banquet. She knew Vegeta's appetite and the smell of roast beef was probably pure torture amongst the boring drivel of discourse. Hell, she was starving too and the subsequent consumption meant the evening was that much closer to being over.

Their travel was slowed by the annoying interruptions from fellow party guests, specifically Mallory Von Haden and her crew. Bulma had to bite her tongue while being facetiously nice at the obvious falsity in the interest of the West City socialites. The women, former college alumni, and fellow West City rich girls, paid Bulma only cursory acknowledgements while coveting Vegeta in all of his Saiyan glory.

She smirked as the women flaunted their obvious wealth in an attempt to gain the interest of the sexy Prince and barely concealed her delight when he flicked an irritated glare of contempt at their desperate fawning. He stood rigid and unresponsive to the multitude of questions they besieged him with, regarding them only with a heavy frown in return.

Mallory Von Haden shot Bulma a questioning look. She and her friends were all from the 'best' families in West City and had married into equally highly ranked social status. They certainly were not accustomed to being on the receiving end of a social snubbing.

Bulma suppressed a grin and said simply, "Prince Vegeta speaks very little English. He has been in this country only a short time and is as unfamiliar with our customs as he is with our language."

The socialites nodded, as if they understood and continued their obvious admiration to a greater degree, figuring the foreign Prince did not comprehend the conversation. Mallory turned a malignant grin towards the Capsule Corp heiress and said boldly, "He is absolutely delicious Bulma, where on Earth did you find him?"

Bulma sighed, how in the world could she explain Vegeta's origins with out launching wide spread panic? Or worse yet, without giving Mallory and her friends even more ammunition against her. They already thought her freakishly bizarre and an eternal outsider, if she explained Vegeta's alien heritage, they would probably believe she was insane.

"I met Prince Vegeta on one of my many travels," she said simply, blushing under the scrutiny of the women. They were a nosey and gossiping lot and she knew too much information could be hurtful to herself and her father's company.

Rebecca Parker-Clifton, known as Becky Parker in their school days, shivered and let out a pig-like squeal. "I haven't seen a man this tasty since you brought Yamcha into town! He looks like he is an absolute demon in bed, tell me Bulma…is he as naughty as he looks?"

Bulma stifled a giggle, knowing full well Vegeta could understand every word the women were saying (although they had no clue). She watched as Vegeta fought hard not to betray any emotion or embarrassment that might give his comprehensive skills away. He knew playing ignorant with this lot would be a merciful escape from another tedious conversation with some doltish Earthlings; the night would be too full of them as it was.

Mallory gave Vegeta a full body appraisal, with her sharp eyes lingering indulgently on the crotch of his tight fitting designer slacks. "It seems being a book worm has finally paid off for you, hasn't it? I mean, you must have something in that super-computer brain of yours that keeps attracting all of these big strapping men, it certainly isn't your charm!"

The tall thin woman took a bold step forward, giving Vegeta the full social graces one well- born individual gives to another. "Please allow me to introduce myself, Prince Vegeta. My name is Mallory Von Haden; my father is Schuyler Von Haden, founder of Von Haden Jewelers. Perhaps you know him? He has outfitted many a royal personage with fine diamonds and gems." Mallory exemplified her statement by offering her hand for a kiss. Her wrist and fingers bedecked with glittering stones and sparkling rubies from her father's personal vaults.

The Saiyan Prince increased his frown. He cared nothing for this woman or her baubles and made no move in accepting her out-stretched appendage. He was confused by the sudden animosity exhibited by these women and felt unease at the tension that had settled over his Earthling female companion. There was obviously some past history between the women and Bulma's sudden vulnerability was a facet of her personality he had never seen before. It was a trait he could well identify with however, having spent more than half of his life as the whipping boy of Frieza and his men.

Vegeta suddenly felt more of infinity with Bulma than he had ever felt with anyone in his life. Although she had not grown up with the violence and terror of his childhood, he knew now that she had faced the same loneliness and alienation. It was a striking epiphany that had him fighting the urge to jump to her defense. He resisted though, knowing this was one battle she would need to fight and win on her own. He crossed his arms and sniffed with disgust, letting his body language convey his feelings toward the shrewish woman and her friends.

Mallory pulled her hand back with a sigh, "I'm afraid you have been exposed to Bulma Briefs for too long; her vulgar manners are beginning to rub off on you" She turned, giving her twittering friends a conspicuous wink and then cast an amused smile at the foreign Prince. "You may turn your nose up at me now Prince Vegeta, but trust me when I say that it will only be a matter of time before you grow bored with the little computer nerd. You see, you wouldn't be the first of Bulma's men to turn up in my bed. I've been having fun with Yamcha for years and according to him, the Capsule Corp heiress is quire frigid in the sack. So when you are ready for a wild ride with a real woman, just give me a call."

Bulma had to bite her tongue to prevent a verbal explosion. It was true that Mallory and her friends had been sleeping with her ex-boyfriend for years specifically during the period when she and Yamcha had been supposedly exclusive. They had all enjoyed rubbing that in her face and she could still taste the bitter resentment and hurt even now, a decade after the fact.

But she would be damned if she let Mallory Von Bitch under her skin tonight! She took a page from Vegeta's skills of masterly emotional control and tempered the boiling rage that was swelling within her. Bulma would have liked nothing more than to slap the haughty little smirk off of the skinny woman's face. But instead she said with a wry chuckle, "Real woman? That's a good one…Mallory; I wouldn't be so quick to brag about your sexual prowess. I know for a fact that you refuse to suck dick and when you do come, (which isn't very often), you like to scream your daddy's name."

Mallory's howl of outrage would have been heard through out the Hall, had she not cupped her finely jeweled hand over her mouth in horror. Her friends immediately ascended upon Bulma, their manicured nails displayed like claws, ready to rip the Briefs woman to shreds for her treachery.

Bulma turned and pointed a quick finger in their direction. "I've got plenty more stories like that one, so unless you all want you dirty laundry aired out in the open, I suggest you back off!'

The upper class women of West City all cast each other sheepish glances and wisely withdrew their advance. None knew exactly what type of information Bulma Briefs had on them but decided the confrontation was not worth the risk and the retreat gave them all a few moments to bask in Mallory's humiliation. They were not all loyal to the Von Haden clan and it was for a few, quite amusing to see Mallory taken down a few pegs.

Bulma grabbed Vegeta's arm and pulled him towards the dining area, "Let's go Vegeta. The hypocrisy of these people is making my stomach turn and that roast beef smells too delicious to waste."

Vegeta followed Bulma's lead casting a cold smirk in the direction of the now scandalized females. His opinion of Bulma Briefs had elevated during the short-lived encounter and he realized that once again he had under-estimated her ability to prevail against adversity. She was truly his equal, aesthetically appealing with a healthy dose of arrogance that fueled her temperamental genius.

He watched in silent amusement as she pushed her way through the crowd, her head held high and irritation flooding her face. "She wants this evening to be over as much as I do," he thought as her forward progress led them into the Dining Area. He let his eyes trail down to her supple back-side which was almost visible from beneath the sheer fabric of her dress and amended his last thought, "She wants the evening to over almost as much as I do."

Dinner was crawling along at a snails pace, or at least that is how it seemed to Bulma. She was courteously participating in the small talk with the diplomats seated with at the table but her mind was truly elsewhere. Part of her was feeling guilty at her betrayal of Yamcha's friendship and the confident information he had shared with her throughout the years. She was sure she would catch holy Hell from her ex-boyfriend later as he was currently seated at the same table with Mallory Von Haden and her father. She could feel the icy chill of hate the jewelry heiress was bestowing upon him, even from a tables length away. She regretted the under-handed victory at Yamcha's expense, although he had certainly deserved much worse for calling her frigid!

But Yamcha seemed to be dealing with the discomfort in his usual unflappable way and to make matters worse, so was his date. Bulma was keeping a close eye and much of her undivided attention on Milan Reinardy, because truth be told she didn't trust the little tramp father than she could throw her. The majority of her preoccupation with the centerfold model was due to a little occurrence she had unfortunately witnessed earlier.

They had just reached the Dining area when they were stopped again, this time by the Mayor and his wife. During the exchange of pleasantries (apparently the Mayor and her father roomed together in college) she noticed the Saiyan's attention was diverted elsewhere. She turned and caught him leering at the dark haired woman beside Yamcha. And if his focus on the beautiful (but slutty) woman wasn't disturbing enough, Milan's reaction was. The woman was blushing a sensual shade of red and batting her false eyelashes in return like a coquettish strumpet.

It wasn't as if Bulma could blame her, having been of the receiving end of the Saiyan's penetrating gaze herself. But the incident had caused a huge pit to settle in her stomach and her over-analytical mind to jump straight into hyper-speed. She had soon arrived at one humiliating and uncharacteristically paranoid thought; ' Maybe Vegeta really did believe her to be sexually impotent!'

Bulma was secretly relived when the conversation at the table turned from Domestic Policy to golf, she finally had time to puzzle out this latest development in her yet-to-be-consummated relationship with the Saiyan Prince.

'The biggest obstacle,' she decided as she snuck a sideways glance at Vegeta, 'Is that I haven't a clue as to the mating habits of Saiyans.'

Her only other insight into the Saiyan race was Goku, who not only just discovered his alien heritage, but also lived primarily as he had been raised, as an Earthling. Goku had unwittingly settled down with Chi-Chi and started a family. Marriage obviously wasn't the gourmet meal he had originally expected when accepting Chi Chi's offer, but he seemed content in the role as a father and husband. Her childhood friend had immense loyalty, which prevented his eye from ever straying and (Bulma suspected) an infinite fear of his temperamental spouse to ever even entertain the idea of being unfaithful.

No, Goku was certainly not a model Saiyan unless one wanted a perfect example of the unlimited power potential of the warrior race. He was also a tantalizing lesson in what a good old fashioned dose of Earthling compassion could do for a being bent on destruction and waste. Of course she knew the knock to the head had ultimately tamed Goku of his wild Saiyan instincts, or so the legend went, but it gave her heart hope that there was something good inside of Vegeta. He was still hard and unreadable at times, but she had been given a glimpse of a man different than the murderous alien he had once been.

Somehow during the span of their brief companionship a bond of sorts had formed. They had both admitted (in their own ways) their feelings for each other and now… just when she was on the cusp of breaking through that one last barrier to the Saiyan's heart, there was another obstacle to over-come.

Bulma was savvy enough to know that Vegeta's interest in the dark haired Milan was only cursory and most likely fueled by sexual deprivation. 'But damn-it, she was certainly not going to stand aside and let the Saiyan Prince lower himself to take a common whore, when she was more than ready and willing to satiate his every carnal desire!'

So it came back to finding a solution for this present dilemma and having any basic knowledge of the internal workings of a Saiyan male would sure have come in handy right about now.

Bulma laughed at some inane golf story and snuck another peek at her companion. Vegeta was methodically finishing off his fifth plate of food. She was glad the rest of their tablemates were too immersed in their anecdotal stories to notice. She needed time to think and she had to do it fast. Dinner was drawing to a close and soon it would be time for her speech. Vegeta would be left vulnerable while she was off having her picture taken or some damned thing and there was not a thing she could do to prevent any advances from Milan.

She found herself thinking back to her long trip to Namek when bored with the endless training exercises of Krillen and Gohan, she had found herself utilizing the laptop computer she had brought along to research the Saiyans. Of course no Earthling data had existed regarding the powerful warrior race, so she focused her study on non-human primates, hoping to find any parallels or insights into the sociology of the alien people.

She discovered that along with human primates, non-human of the species could be identified with having three common traits: perfectionism, narcissism and aggression. Having seen Goku go Oozaru in person, she had decided to narrow her investigation to baboons; based primarily on the similar appearances as both the Oozaru form of the Saiyans and several breeds of baboons had characteristics of the long snout and tail.

*She learned that baboons were considered to be PA (perfectionist-aggressive) types that enjoyed playing games of dominance and submission based on aggression and exhibited grooming habits akin to perfectionism. She had went on to study more about the traits and now knowing Vegeta as well as she did, could see she was right on the money with some of her research.

Bulma was gifted with a perfect recall and easily extracted the data from her memory comparing the information to the Saiyan seated next to her. 'Aggression consisted of many acts, most involving body posturing, gestures and eye contact of intimidation and respect. Aggressive individuals often are found to strive for power and often could border on sadism'.

She eyed Vegeta and nodded as aggressive behavior traits almost described him to a tee. He had the proud posturing, the arm crossing on his chest and the piercing/glaring stare. He also at times seemed to risk anything and everything in his quest for power and victory over Goku. Vegeta had never thought twice about destroying entire populations or the brutal and arduous training he went through in order to surpass his nemesis.

"That's one trait, now onto the other," Bulma determined. 'Perfectionism can be displayed in certain traits such as obsessive ness, compulsiveness, repetition and the maintenance of neatness and symmetry'.

Again all could perfectly describe the Saiyan Prince. His whole life revolved around his obsession with power, his drive to train using the same techniques day in and day out and to say he was a tidy person would not do the man justice. He kept his belongings, like his environment, sparse and unpersonable.

It was also Vegeta's lacking sense of narcissism, mostly identified in non-human primates with the cognitive smile that made Bulma realize she was definitely on the right track with her thinking. She settled back in her chair and studied the Saiyan Prince with quiet reflection and concluded that the true Saiyan race did indeed have common traits shared with the indigenous baboon. Her mind raced with a super computer like speed through any previously stored data she had read on the species, when a sudden thought hit her with the velocity of a speeding train-

"Dominant baboon males mated with more than one female"

Bulma sighed, feeling little satisfaction with her new- found knowledge. Having insight into Vegeta's psyche would have been monumental if not for the disturbing parallel that immediately occurred to her, the information had been little use at the time, absorbed only as cursory data in her quest for understanding. Sitting here now, next to an extra-terrestrial she could openly admit to being in love with, a comprehensive sickness began to settle in the pit of her stomach.

Vegeta being a true Saiyan was possibly following his instinct and constructing a harem of female companions, which may or may not include her! She swallowed down the acidic bile that was slowly rising in her throat and attempted to let her logic take control. There was no evidence that Vegeta was casting her aside in favor of Yamcha's porn queen companion. Yes she had caught him leering at the woman, but since that moment he had not even so much as looked in the direction of the couple. He had been sitting in his usual contempt filled silence, effectively making short work of any and all food placed in front of him.

Bulma dared another glance at Vegeta. He was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed in front of him, eyes closed. His brows were furrowed, giving his perpetual frown a look of immense concentration. Since the conversation at the table was still evolving around the subject of golf, she dared a quick question.

"Vegeta…?" she asked softly. She moved in closer, gently touching his arm. "Vegeta, we have to talk…"

Vegeta snapped out of his reverie and she drew back as she watched irritation flash across his face. It was only a brief emotional glimpse into his present state of mind but it was enough to let Bulma know she was over-stepping her grounds with the moody prince. He resumed his normal impassive expression as he regarded her with neutral interest.

Under the weight of his serious gaze she found herself in an uncharacteristic loss of words. "Vegeta. I just wanted to tell you…well…what that woman said about me earlier…it's not true."

She blushed as Vegeta eyed her questioningly. He seemed clueless as to what she was trying to subtly convey, so she leaned in closer and whispered, with quiet urgency, "Yamcha had no right telling those awful women that I was frigid in the sack. I refused to sleep with him after I found out he had been cheating on me. He was fucking half of the women in West City and I was hurt and angry. He never complained about my sexual skills before that. I…"

Vegeta silenced her by placing a finger to her lips in a 'shushing' motion and nodded in understanding. "Bulma, I grew up in an environment of adversity and animosity. I learned long ago that my key to survival was to trust my instincts and rely on my own personal judgments. That woman is obviously very envious of your beauty and intimidated by your intelligence. Zarbon and Dodoria treated me the same way, hurling insults about my lineage and appearance, when all the while it was jealousy that fueled their cruelty."

Bulma found that she was holding her breath during Vegeta's rare confessional. She reached up and took his hand, which was still positioned at her mouth and squeezed it tenderly. She looked deep into his dark obsidian eyes and recognized remnants of ghostly hurt from memories past. She longed to take him into her arms and soothe away any past wounds inflicted by Frieza's men or even the Ice tyrant himself. She refrained however, knowing full well that pity was the last thing the Saiyan wanted or needed.

Instead she used her free hand to brush a slow caress across his cheek. She smiled as he closed his eyes and relaxed his face into the cup of her hand. "We'll leave as soon as I give my speech", she promised. She was pleased to see the visible relief on the Saiyan's weathered face. "He looks tired," she decided and wondered yet again what had happened earlier at the compound?

Yamcha had been begging to tell her about something he had witnessed and she knew whatever it was would not paint Vegeta in a very flattering night. "Are you all right Vegeta?" she asked him quietly, so as not to draw attention from the other guests at the table.

He opened his eyes and regarded her with wordless consent. "I've been better," he admitted. She pulled her hand away from his face when she felt the muscles of his jaw line strain with intrinsic tension.

"Ginyu literally kicked my ass today," he confessed truthfully. He watched the surprise register on her lovely face before adding; "He ambushed me with a tranquilizer gun. He planned to swap for my body and kill me in my weakened state. I was able to overcome the poisons and destroy him, but I depleted all my strength in doing so. Kakarott gave me some senzu beans, but I'm afraid my previous lack of sleep is beginning to catch up with me."

Bulma nodded and turned to the Mayor, who was in the process of rising up out of his chair. "Prince Vegeta is not feeling well Mayor, I beg your forgiveness in that I will not be here to give my speech. I need to take His Royal Highness home."

The Mayor shook his head with urgent negation. "That is not possible, Bulma. I was just going to step up to the podium and introduce you on behalf of Capsule Corporation. Please do not back out on me now, you are the center of my entire presentation tonight," he begged her with a mild panic.

The Capsule Corp heiress gave Vegeta a questioning look and frowned as he nodded and motioned for her to follow the Mayor. She could not contain a sigh of frustration and for the first time in years wished she were back in the wild days of her youth, when responsibility had carried a much lighter burden. She allowed her self to be led away from the table and turned to give the Saiyan a non-verbal promise of escape the moment she was through with her oration.

She found however that Vegeta had excused himself from the table in the interim of her very short absence and was headed towards the doors leading to the veranda. A small part of her was disappointed that the Saiyan Prince was not going to stay and listen to her speech, but what had she expected?

Vegeta was more of a warrior more than a Prince. He obviously was more comfortable in a battle for life or death than as a spectator for Earthling customs. The mayor positioned Bulma in a curtained section of the room and took his place beside the podium. He stood shuffling through his speech cards as he waited for the room to settle down from their after dinner forays to the wet bar and bathrooms.

Bulma had a great vantage point of the room from where she stood. She watched as Vegeta reached the open doors and smiled when he abruptly turned and flashed her the peace sign.

She gave him a small wave in return; happy that he had known exactly where her position was in the overly crowded room and could hardly surpass a school-girl-like glee at his acknowledgement. The Saiyan disappeared outside and Bulma relished in the surge of affection she had the moody Prince. She knew he wouldn't replace her based on the tongue wagging gossip spread about her earlier, but she still had serious reservations about Vegeta's possible attraction to Yamcha's date.

There was no way she would share Vegeta, with anyone. Bulma had already suffered enough heartbreak from Yamcha's infidelities to last her a lifetime. She now had serious trust issues that she knew the Saiyan Prince would neither entertain nor appreciate. What she needed was an opportunity to lay it on the line with her Royal companion. She was more than willing to put up with his mood swings and endless hours of training; and in return she expected an exclusive and very sexual intimacy.

Bulma thought this was more than fair, since Vegeta had very little to change in his life than where he slept at night. She could hope this would lead to love and affection from the Prince as time went by, but for now she would be happy with a weekend of intense foreplay and sex.

Still staring at the opened doors of the balcony, Bulma found her reverie interrupted by the sound of Yamcha and Milan's voices on the other side of the curtain.

"So you understand your part in this little plan, right Yamcha?' she heard the centerfold model demand.

"Uh-huh! I am going to tell Bulma what I saw at the compound earlier and convince her that Vegeta has not changed at all from a blood thirsty little monster. While I do this, you'll be outside seducing the pants off of him," replied the Earthling fighter.

"Right…and hopefully more than just his pants," giggled Milan.

Bulma clenched her fists and had to mentally restrain herself from ripping down the curtain and clawing the smile off of the younger female's face. She had a ballistic temper but understood discretion in this matter would gain her the upper edge in what- ever plot these two were scheming.

She steadied her breathing as Yamcha's voice lowered in level, "Milan, I have to remind you again that Vegeta is no ordinary man. He is a totally dangerous individual who has nothing to offer in a relationship. He has no money, no people to rule and no compassion. The only thing that little egomaniac has is ultimate power and he will not think twice about using it against you."

Milan laughed huskily and also dropped her voice to a low purr, "Yamcha, I thrive on danger. Prince Vegeta does not intimidate me one single bit. I don't care if he is penniless at the moment. He has great potential and with the right woman at his side, he could rule the world. And I am the right woman"

Yamcha chuckled and exclaimed, "That's it Milan, play on the little maniac's ego! That is the key to Vegeta, just tell him how great and mighty he is…you'll have him eating out of the palm of your hand."

"That's the plan lover…that's the plan. I'm going to convince that hot little Prince that a lifetime with Bulma Briefs will have him playing househusband and second fiddle to her riches. With me, well…who knows what he will become."

A pause from Yamcha as he considered Milan's words, Bulma knew the last thing Yamcha or the rest of the Z-fighters wanted was for Vegeta to reach full power. Milan was too busy plotting to be some twisted Josephine to Vegeta's Napoleon in a scheme of world domination. Little did the pin-up model know that the Saiyan could completely level the Earth with nothing more than a temper tantrum if he so desired. He had initially come to Earth to destroy the people and her inhabitants. He had bigger and more grandiose dreams in those days: immortality, the defeat of the Ice-jin Frieza and complete domination over the Universe.

Of course his plans had changed with the emergence of Goku and his superior strength and skills. Her childhood friend had defeated and destroyed the evil Frieza, nearly sacrificing his own life in the process. Not only had Vegeta been denied the victory over his former employer, but also the legendary Super Saiyan legacy that had been promised to him all of his life. Now Vegeta was forced to play the role of an Earthling in disguise, a mere spectator of the planet he once would have turned to dust and an uncomfortable ally of the man who had stolen his birth-right.

"No!" she decided with a shake of her head. "Vegeta has had enough pain and humiliation in one lifetime. I will not allow him to become a sexual plaything for that perverted little tramp." She crossed her arms Vegeta style and awaited the dark haired woman's departure. Bulma was going to nail Yamcha's ass to the wall (and this thought pleased her to no end) by way of interrogation.

It wouldn't be hard to bully Yamcha into submission; she had been doing it for years as both his lover and friend. As for Milan, well it was suffice to say that the younger woman didn't stand a chance in Hell of out-witting Bulma. The Capsule Corp heiress born the only child of a wealthy and eccentric couple had been raised never having to share and to always expect to get her own way in life.

The situation caused Bulma's inborn selfishness and pride to kick into over-drive. She would not lose Vegeta on this night. Not to Milan…and not because of Yamcha.

She waited out a long slurpy kiss between the two. "Good luck and thanks for everything Yamcha," the woman whispered in a husky voice. She left Yamcha bewildered and incredibly turned on as she made her way across the room in search of her soon-to-be Prince Charming.

The kiss made Bulma nauseous, but strengthened her resolve to confront her ex-boyfriend for the truth and to thwart the cat and mouse game Milan had planned. She waited until the dark haired woman was safely out of sight before stepping around the curtain to address the oblivious Yamcha.

The Earthling fighter was immediately having second thoughts about the entire scheme. Sure he wanted to break off this budding relationship between Bulma and Vegeta, but Milan's sexy kiss had left him wondering if he was actually ready to pledge his love and life to only one woman.

He briefly entertained the thought of winning back Bulma's affections and keeping Milan on the side for fun, but knew this would only backfire on him (as it had in the past). Bulma had an uncanny ability to sniff out his infidelities and see through his lame-ass excuses and besides; Milan had made her desire for Vegeta perfectly clear. The compact Saiyan had some strange power over women and it would be challenging enough to convince one of the two women to choose him over Vegeta, let alone two.

He was so caught up in his thought he failed to see Bulma standing before him, until she was right in his face. He took a surprised step backwards and gave her his usual disarming smile. "Hey Babe, I didn't see you there. How's it going?"

Bulma advanced towards him, her bright blue eyes narrowed with fury. "Don't you 'Hey Babe' me, Yamcha! I overheard everything you and your little hussy just said. I want to know what is going on and I want you to tell me right NOW!"

Yamcha raised his hands in defense and offered a nervous laugh in response. He hadn't seen Bulma this angry in ages and he panicked as he saw his half of the plans unravel right before his eyes. He had just been caught red-handed and lacked the quick mind to talk his way out of the situation. Aware that his face was shading a deep red of shame, he tried to look Bulma in the eye and explain.

"Milan is trying to help me win you back Bulma. I love you," he implored. Bulma unaffected by his words crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave him a glaring nod to continue.

Yamcha took her silence as acceptance and proceeded with his desperate plea. "I saw Vegeta kill a man today. The guy was begging for his life and Vegeta…he just laughed and blew the guy into oblivion. I'm sorry to have to tell you this because I know you have feelings for the guy, but you're not safe with him Bulma. He hasn't changed at all; he is still the same little homicidal murderer he always was. I wanted you to know this, because I worry about you Bulma. I still love you. I always have and I always will."

Bulma shook her head in disgust. Leave it to Yamcha to try and whine his way back into her life. She gave him a sneer that would have made Emperor Pilaf proud and said, "Nice try Yamcha. I know Vegeta killed someone today. He was attacked by Captain Ginyu and beat him in self-defense, he already told me. So don't try and twist this into something ugly just because you're jealous."

Yamcha stared at his former girlfriend unable to disguise his surprise. "He told you he killed Ginyu?" he asked.

Bulma nodded as she felt her anger slowly diminish. It was hard to stay angry with Yamcha, especially when he was acting so very pathetic. "Yes, he told me about it when he got here. Ginyu ambushed him with a tranquilizer gun but he managed to beat the bastard anyway. So salvage what is left of our friendship and call off your bitch-in-heat date."

Yamcha firmly placed both of his strong hands on Bulma's shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. "Bulma listen to me, it wasn't Ginyu that I saw Vegeta kill today… it was Arlen. I saw it with my very own eyes. Arlen was on his knees begging for his life and Vegeta blew him into smithereens. I'm telling you the truth. You can ask him yourself."

Bulma searched his eyes for any dishonesty, but saw nothing but the truth. She felt dizzy, as if the room were spinning and whispered, "Arlen…? But Vegeta promised me he wouldn't hurt him."

Yamcha pulled Bulma into his arms and gave her a consoling hug. "I'm here for you now Bulma…. I'm here for you now."

*References: Evolution of Social Behavior in Primates. A Genetic Approach to behavior in Ancestral Humans

"Toward Self and Sanity: On the genetic origins of Human Character"

Written by: AM Benis, ScD., and M.D.

Vegeta was on a mission to extract information from Yamcha's dark haired female companion. He suspected The Weakling had witnessed the obliteration of Ginyu while in the form of the Capsule Corp gardener and knew the Earthling would try and use