Surviving Together: A New Legacy

Chapter 17 - Hidden Feelings No More

"Hey, why is he holding my mom like that! Why won't he just let her go?" Trunks asked Garock as they continued to watch the pair from afar. After clearing out the area, Garock had suggested that he and Trunks give the pair some time alone. Trunks was eager to give them both time to 'get to know each other', at least until he saw his mother struggling against the Emperor's hold.

"Relax." Garock grabbed the boy's shoulder to keep him from confronting the Emperor. "You have my assurance that the Emperor would never do anything to hurt your mother."

"Then why won't he let her go? Why is he still holding her back?" Trunks asked rather skeptically.

Garock didn't quite have the answer to that question, but he did feel a hurricane of emotions emitting from the pair. He could only imagine where those emotions would lead, but thought it best if the pair unleashed them in private. "Come Trunks. I will get you some dinner."

"No." Trunks said defensively. "I want to wait until I know my mother is--" Trunks stopped suddenly as he saw his mother and the Emperor sink to their knees. He began to hear his mother's sobbing, but for once he didn't feel the need to rush over and protect her; she already looked safe. The tight embrace the Emperor had her in changed from an almost domineering hold to that of gentle consoling. Trunks was far from understanding what had brought his mother to this broken state, but even though he didn't understand the scene before him he knew she was safe. He assumed the pressure of everything that happened over the past few days was more than enough to bring anyone to tears.

Trunks couldn't help feeling a little bit hurt that his mother didn't come to him with her pain. True he might only be ten, but he loved her and would do anything for her. The young boy put on a brave smile as he once more looked at his mother before turning to Garock. "I guess this just proves how brilliant I am." Trunks smirked. "I mean, did I call those two or what?"

Garock shook his head; the boy had no idea how close his call was. "Come on half-pint. Let's go prepare dinner. I have a feeling they both might be more inclined to come after this."

"Half-pint?" Trunks glared at the man. "What happened to Master Trunks? I like that a lot better!"

Garock chuckled as he guided Trunks into the castle. The pair would have to have a serious conversation on the proper terminology for men of various stations.

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After Garock directed the majority of the crowd of horny warriors away, a group of fifteen men stayed behind to catch the end of the match between Bulma and Aphara before heading back to their training.

"Dammit! Why did the Emperor have to get involved? I was having quite a stimulating time watching those two chicks fight!" One of the rather depressed spectators noted.

"Yea." Another concurred. "I mean what does he care if we were watching those women fight. Just because he wouldn't enjoy it himself doesn't mean he has to force us to miss out!"

The group of men laughed as they headed back to the training facility. "Yea, I bet if it had been two men up there he wouldn't have halted the match!"

More snickering ensued before everyone was silenced by a blood-curdling scream. "What the hell was that?"

The men recognized the feminine tone. "Hey, do you think it's one of the women from the match?"

"We'd better go check it out." A member of the group said with genuine concern, before they all about-faced and rushed back towards the training grounds to find out what had caused such a horrible shriek.

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"What the hell were you thinking?!" Durka demanded as he brought Aphara back to his room before she could make a bigger ass out of herself than she already had.

"Me?!" The furious woman shot back. "Why the hell did you interrupt us?! I wasn't finished with her yet!"

"I can't believe that an intelligent woman like you refuses to see the truth in the situation. Bulma isn't guilty of the things you accused her of!" Durka knew the woman was too thickheaded to be reasoned with at the moment, but pressed on anyway. "You should feel lucky the Emperor didn't send a blast through your chest right where you stood!"

"Oh and I bet you would have enjoyed that, wouldn't you?" Aphara roared. "I'm sure it just tore you apart that I was hurting your precious little blue haired whore!"

Durka shook his head; he couldn't believe the woman was carrying on like this. "Aphara." He began slowly, as if talking to a child. "Bulma and I are just friends."

"Yeah, and Bulma and the Emperor are mild acquaintances." Aphara rolled her eyes in disbelief.

Durka paused a moment as he thought about Aphara's accusation. "What was it that made you think Bulma had something going with the Emperor?" Durka asked with blatant curiosity.

Aphara was startled by the question, but she was more than ready to smear Bulma's reputation. "It's obvious! Just put the damn pieces together. First, we know the bitch is lying when she says she never met the Emperor because if we recall correctly he was about ready to kill you after she was attacked. He had her blood on him! They obviously came face to face. And let's be honest--the Emperor would not have reacted so violently if it was just a random female that got attacked. And second, he flipped when he saw her grubby hands all over you! He was so angry that…" Aphara paused, as she was not ready to admit the next part. "I heard him say the woman's name in an affectionate manner after that!" She was able to admit only part of the truth. "They are clearly more than just fucking strangers!"

"I agree." Durka shocked Aphara with his admission. "But I still think something is missing. Something doesn't quite make sense."

"Who the fuck cares!" Aphara roared. "The details don't matter! This just proves that I'm right and that you have been wasting your time with some whore!"

"Why do you care?" Durka asked in a calm, expectant tone.

Aphara stuttered as he posed the question. "I already explained to you that--" Before she could finish her sentence, Durka moved to stand directly in front of her, forcing her to look him right in the eye as she spoke. In an almost panic stricken movement, Aphara took a step away from the man, but didn't make it vary far as his arm looped around her waist.

"Are you going to tell me the truth this time, or will I have to force it out of you?" He asked in a suggestive tone.

Aphara's lips twitched slightly in amusement as she digested that question. "Alright Captain. Force away."

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"Ve..ge..ta."

The sound of his own name numbed Vegeta's body to the core. He could only blink as his mind refused to register the truth. He tried to convince himself that he had simply misunderstood. How could he be the man she had never gotten over? How could he be the man she wants back in her life? He was a delusion to her. He was a circumstance. She couldn't have felt anything real for him. No! He had heard wrong. His imagination was running wild now that he was so close to fulfilling his fantasy. But that is all this could be, a fantasy.

Bulma continued to sob, as she heard no reply from her captor. The only move he made was to release her head and arms so she could hide her face in her hands. She felt his strong arms move around her waist, pulling her into his chest tightly, almost possessively. She could feel his breath grazing the side of her neck as he rested his head against the back of her own. Bulma wasn't sure how or why, but this man, a stranger whom she was violently fighting against just a short while ago, was now holding her in an almost affectionate, protective manner. Did he feel sorry for her? Was this his way of pitying her? To be honest she didn't care; no matter what the motive was, she needed to be consoled. She needed someone to hold her. She needed a shoulder to cry on. He offered that.

"Woman." He whispered, breaking the silence between them. As much as he feared ruining the sweet serenity of holding her in his embrace, he knew he had to. He had to know if he had indeed heard wrong. He had to know if his name was that which was whispered. He had to know if all that she wanted, all that she asked for, was right behind her for the taking. "Tell me."

Bulma lessened her sobbing as she heard him address her. 'Woman.' Vegeta used to call her that. The reason for that she would never know, but something about the way he would say it to her made her feel like she was the one and only woman in the universe. How she missed that feeling. 'Tell me?' He asks. 'Why does he want to know about the man who holds her heart? Why does he care?' She tiredly mused. Hoarsely, she whispered. "Does it really matter?"

"Yes." He answered very quickly. She had no idea how much 'it mattered!' He needed to know the truth. If by some miracle she had spoken his name, then why? He brought her nothing but pain! He made her a servant; he stole her innocence, her virginity, and even her sanity! Could that be it? Had the damage he inflicted on her been permanent? He begged the gods to be wrong. "Tell me."

Bulma tried to control her tears as she began to choke out the few words she could bring forth. "You won't understand. No one could understand what we shared. It was illogical, painful, and emotionally draining but… but it was wonderful at the same time. I was only a child, but I know what I felt. I will never love another man as deeply as I did Vegeta."

There it was again. She said it. 'Vegeta.' The words tore his mind apart and left him reeling--he couldn't believe any of this was reality. She did say his name; she actually meant what she said. 'No… She is delusional! A rational being could not care for me after the way I made her suffer.' "Your mind is broken." He whispered softly to her.

Bulma's eyes shot wide open as she heard the man call her 'broken.' She felt a new emotion rise within her; she couldn't believe the audacity of a man who didn't even know her to call her 'broken.' Bulma flushed with anger as she moved to pull away from his hold. Unfortunately, she didn't make it more than an inch before she felt something brush against her thigh. Bulma took a deep breath before she looked down to see what had brushed against her. For a moment her heart stopped beating as she looked down and saw a...rope? No, it can't be. What is that? In her disbelief she let out a blood-curdling scream that forced her captor to cover his sensitive ears, leaving her completely free.

Trembling, Bulma used her new freedom to gently inspect the object that wound itself tightly to her leg. Upon her touch, the entity detached from her thigh and instead wound playfully around her wrist. Squinting in the darkness, Bulma slowly lifted her hand and looked closely at the furry object that trapped her wrist.

Realizing what it was…she felt weak. She had to use all her strength to keep from passing out. 'Brown… Thick… Fur… No… It can't be… It just can't be…' Bulma's breathing became labored as she ran her thumb over the tip of the appendage. The act sparked a familiar purr from its owner sending more tears running down Bulma's face. 'That purr… It can't be… But… But I know that purr…' Time stood still as Bulma shifted around to meet a pair of ebony eyes. Eyes that she hadn't seen in ten years. Her heart stopped beating as every muscle in her body tensed in shock.

With a look of utter disbelief upon her face, Bulma's shaking hands slowly fumbled their way up Vegeta's armor before caging his face between her frozen hands. With tears streaming down her cheeks she ran her fingers over every crevice of his face. His dark eyes, his sharp nose, his big ears, his thick eyebrows, his long widows peak...his soft lips. She slowly touched his face as if to make certain he wasn't some figment of her imagination.

Vegeta watched her silently as she investigated his presence. Now she knows. What would this mean to her? How would this change his life? At that moment he didn't care. He was too wrapped up in her soft touch and embrace. With gentleness, his strong hands caressed their way up her arms and grabbed a gentle hold on her hands. How he missed this feeling.

And then it all ended.

Bulma pulled her hands violently away from his face and balled up her small hand into a fist she sent right across his jaw. Purely out of ill preparation Vegeta's body slammed back against the ground as Bulma jumped on top of him and started pounding his chest. "I hate you, you son of a bitch!" She screamed repeatedly as she drove her fists and elbows to inflict whatever harm she could. Vegeta was completely confused by the sudden change in demeanor. He grabbed her wrists and pinned them in front of her chest before rolling the two of them over, trapping her beneath him. "Enough woman!" He demanded, as he couldn't believe she had the gall to attack him! One minute she confesses her love and the next she attacks him out of abhorrence! 'The baka woman is insane!'

Once pinned, Bulma continued to fight against him until he stopped her completely. His hands clamped down on the side of her face forcing her to look him in the eyes. "Why are you fighting me, woman!?" He demanded as he saw the swollen pools of blue gazing at him with a hateful expression.

"You left me alone!" She screamed furiously into his face before another onslaught of tears came. "You left me all alone." She whispered slowly as her eyes closed and her lips curled. "I thought I mattered to you... You let me make a fool out of myself… Telling you how I felt... Did you think it some joke?" She finished as she started fighting against him again. "Just let me go! Let me go!"

"No!" Vegeta tightened his hold. "You are not a joke to me woman! I was not making a fool out of you. I needed to know."

"Know what?" Bulma moaned as she pulled her eyes away from him. "You bastard! You let me think you are dead for ten fucking years! And then I came here and you don't even bother to tell me you are alive!?! What kind of sick joke is that!"

"It is no joke!" He was becoming angrier by the minute. "I thought you were dead! I didn't know differently until the day I found you with Nappa."

"So why didn't you tell me then!" She demanded. She couldn't believe she had been mourning him for so long while he was ignoring her presence as though she never mattered.

"I didn't think you would care." Vegeta saw the suspicion in her eyes, so he continued. "What was I supposed to think woman? You have lived ten years without me. You have a son, and I saw you in the arms of another man! Tell me what the hell was I to conclude. I believed you to have another mate! I thought you loved another!"

Bulma blinked as she listened to his words. 'Arms of another man? Oh no…' I was so close to getting him into bed, and then he calls your name! You! You little bitch…He didn't say Bra, he said BULMA! That stupid name Durka calls you! What the hell is it? Some term for a cheap prostitute?! 'Oh gods Aphara was right.' "You should have told me." Bulma said in a calming voice. "I've needed you."

Seeing her anger lessen, Vegeta freed her hands, but kept her body tightly trapped beneath his. "I don't understand it woman." He whispered as her hands found their way back to his face. He nestled his cheeks against her palms, slowly closing his eyes. "I don't understand why you would still want me. I mistreated you, hurt you, forc--"

"Shhh…" She cut him off as her fingers covered his lips. "I know you have questions, I have a million myself. But right now, I only need one answered. I need to know if your feelings have changed since the last time we were together. Just tell me the truth."

A heart-pounding pause was held between the two before Vegeta gathered the strength to whisper his answer. "They have woman." He saw the crushing disillusionment in her eyes as he spoke, but he quickly eased her pain as he brought his lips to her ear and whispered that which no other would ever know. "My feelings are stronger."

Before Bulma could even express her elation to his response, Vegeta silenced her with his tongue. He had waited far too long for the woman. No more words were needed to express their emotions. He knew she still wanted him, and she knew he still wanted her. That was all they needed to know. Their bodies could tell each other everything else.

Bulma understood with perfect clarity Vegeta's intent at that moment. It was no longer a matter of the past or future, it was simply capturing the moment before another could escape them. Her body ached with anticipation as his body responded forcefully to her. Ten years was far too long for their bodies to be denied their union. They needed to become one again.

Their tongues danced together in a passionate rhythm as their hands massaged each others skin. Vegeta's cape and armor was the first to go, the harsh metal was hardly soft enough for Bulma to dig her nails into. After eliminating his armor, Bulma began pulling off his tight training gear. She couldn't help but notice how the entire ensemble accentuated his physique. Of course, nothing but his raw flesh would satisfy Bulma and she continued to remove his garments.

Vegeta followed his mate's lead as he lifted her on her knees. Now with easier access, he quickly discarded her shirt. Breaking from her swollen lips he moved down her neck until he reached her inflamed nipples. His tongue teased her sensitive breasts through the lacy fabric as he listened intently to her soft moans. The noise alone was enough to make his blood thunder in his ears. He smirked as he unclasped the white garment and quickly disposed of it. Vegeta took a few moments to simply bask in the glory of her bouncing mounds before devouring them with his hungry mouth.

Bulma faltered while undressing him as she felt his tongue tickle her nipples. "Oh… Vegeta." She moaned unconsciously as her hands slid their way up his exposed back towards his hair. Her fingers knotted in his wild mane as she forced his face against her arching chest. Her eyes slid shut as she bit her bottom lip to control her moaning.

Vegeta smirked against her chest as he felt her pressing him for more. He dropped themselves back until he felt the support of the grass beneath him. As soon as they were lying horizontally, Bulma spread her thighs, planting her knees firmly on the grass, trapping her mate's pelvis in between them. She could feel his hardened erection just begging for attention as she slowly began massaging her hips against his swollen member.

Vegeta let an animalistic growl escape his mouth as he began bucking his hips against her body. His lips only left her body when he rolled them over as he groped for her pants. This woman could drive him over the edge. "Let's save the foreplay for later." He chuckled as he quickly discarded the bothersome clothes. Bulma worked just as quickly to remove the rest of his spandex. Once Vegeta was stripped completely naked, Bulma couldn't help but lick her lips as she took in the beautiful sight of her lover. "Now Vegeta." She demanded with such intensity that he couldn't help but oblige.

"Impatient are we?" He smirked, knowing full well he was just as ready. Within seconds, all clothing had been eliminated, leaving nothing but intense, heat filled flesh between the two. Bulma persistently brought her hips up to his, begging him to take her. "Now." She demanded yet again.

"Are you certain woman?" Vegeta held himself steady as he tried to make her understand the consequences. "If we do this now, it means forever. When I take you this time, I take all of you. Think carefully woman. We cannot go back after this. You will be mine forever. I will be possessive, woman. I will not allow another man near you. I will kill for you, protect you and keep you always by my side, in my bed. This is forever woman. Not even death will part us. This is your only chance to stop me woman. After this, you are mine and only mine forever."

Bulma smiled as she touched his face softly. "I was yours a long time ago Vegeta. How could I not want this now?"

"Very well." He whispered before he kissed the crook of her neck. With one swift movement he entered her, simultaneously clamping his teeth onto her neck. The pain from the bite was overpowered by the pleasure of his powerful thrusts as Bulma screamed in ecstasy. Her cries of joy reverberated into the darkness of the night.

Neither of them took notice of the fact that they were desecrating grounds used by some of the strongest warriors in the universe; all that mattered was that they were together. After ten years of pain and loss, they had found their way back to each other, and now they could finally savor the bliss that each ignited in the other.

As their bodies moved in perfect synchronization their voices howled out together as they reached simultaneous orgasms. Their sweaty, sticky, bloody, tired bodies collapsed together on the soft grass. Vegeta allowed his lips to linger against Bulma's neck as he licked up the rest of her salty blood. "It is finally finished." He whispered proudly.

"What is?" Bulma asked a little confused.

"Our bond." He whispered as he slowly pulled out of his mate. "I'll explain later." He noted before kissing her lightly on the forehead. "Come, staying here isn't quite the wisest way to spend our evening. One of my men is bound to come by sooner or later, and I'll be damned it I allow one of them to see my mate without proper attire."

"Right." Bulma chuckled. "The last thing we need is another audience."

Vegeta grimaced slightly at the memory of Zarbon, but let it go as he saw her lighthearted attitude. The pair quickly dressed and straightened up. "My room then?"

Bulma was about to say yes when she finally realized that she had yet to break important news to Vegeta. "Damn it!!" She hissed as she covered her face in shame.

"What?" Vegeta demanded to know what had her suddenly so worried.

"Trunks! In all of this mess I completely forgot about him!" She shook her head, feeling like a neglectful mother.

"The boy is fine." Vegeta reassured. "He is probably off with Garock, setting up that damn dinner you insisted on."

"Dinner I insisted on?" Bulma eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "I didn't insist on any dinner. Hell, I tried to get out of it. But Garock told me you insisted on it."

It only took a second before each drew the same conclusion. "We've been set up!" Bulma announced, finding it rather amusing. Vegeta on the other hand displayed utter fury. "I'm going to kill that old fool. He should know better than to intervene in my personal affairs."

"I wonder what Trunks motives were?" Bulma thought out loud. "I guess he was worried about me, but-Trunks… Oh what am I thinking Vegeta we need to talk about--"

"Don't woman." Vegeta covered her lips quickly. He had hoped to avoid the subject a little longer, but he supposed denying it was not possible. "The boy is a fine warrior, and though he is more insubordinate than I like, I shall accept him as my own. Blood or not, he is a part of you, and therefore I can forgive his paternity." Vegeta opted to swallow his pride, as he knew mother and child came as one.

"Vegeta." Bulma shook her head as she wrapped her arms around his waist and let tears run down her cheeks. "You don't know how wonderful it is for me to hear that you would accept Trunks as your own even if he wasn't…" She paused as she pulled her face back to meet his. "But Trunks is your son. Vegeta, I haven't been with another man since I was with you."

"Don't lie to me, woman." Vegeta hissed as he broke away from her. "The boy can't be mine. He's too young. He has no tail. And you weren't fertile when we lay together. He can't be mine!"

"Vegeta, I would not lie to you." Bulma tried to explain. "Trunks is not too young, he's almost ten. Yes, he doesn't have a tail now, but that's because I had it cut off after his birth. And as far as being 'fertile' I don't know what to tell you; maybe since you are of a different species your seed is more resilient. I don't know. All I do know is that while Zarra and I were traveling to Merigh my stomach slowly began to swell and it became very clear that there was a new life inside me. Vegeta, I gave birth seven months after I left Freeza's ship. I went through an entire day of excruciating labor to bring our half-Saiya-jin son into this world. Trust me when I tell you that you are Trunks father."

"Seven months." Vegeta repeated slowly, thinking back to the day he became a Super Saiya-jin. "Excruciating labor. You called for me when you were giving birth." He stated, matter of fact. "So the child kept me connected to you. I should have seen it sooner."

Bulma looked up astonished; she didn't understand. "Would you mind explaining--"

"Later woman." He cut her off. "First we have a dinner to go to."

Bulma chuckled rather confused. "The dinner? Why would you still want to go? It was supposed to be a set-up. I think it's a little late, don't you?"

"Not if the boy joins us." Vegeta smirked. "He is my son. I wish to know him better."

"Then we tell him tonight?" Bulma asked a little nervous. She wasn't sure how Trunks would take the news that the father she had never spoken of was now alive and in his life.

"We shall see how things progress." Vegeta said rather openly. "First, we have dinner."

"Sounds good to me." Bulma smiled. "Dinner, a little family time, and then you explain everything to me! Got it!" She demanded of her mate.

"Demanding wench," he smirked. Not only had he rejoined with his mate but they had a son. A son! He had missed so much time with him but he would soon rectify that situation. "Come...let's go. I'd hate to keep the little conniver waiting." Vegeta and his mate set off for the dining hall for a nice family meal. It seemed the evening was about to get more interesting.

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Author's Note: *LavenderGoddessV takes long breath* That was rough! Emotional roller coaster all right! Ok, so no one can flame me about evil cliffhangers, this was not bad! All right so where does this all leave us? Well let's see. We have a family dinner, will that work out? Will Garock and Trunks be forced to admit their set up? And what about all of these lingering questions? Durka's vision, the group of remaining soldiers, Nappa… Is he even still alive? And lets not forget Cooler!!! Oh my, so much left to deal with! Our couple is finally back together. But will it stay that way? Will Trunks finally find out who his father is? Oh so many questions! They will all be answered though… Sooner or later… Until the next chapter…