Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Hybrid ❯ Woe is me! ( Chapter 4 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Ravenreux 
Will Bulma get the chance to apologize?
Or will the Prince exact his revenge? Read on!
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 10.26.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.7K | Visits: 569 | Status: Completed
Will Bulma get the chance to apologize?
Or will the Prince exact his revenge? Read on!
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 10.26.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.7K | Visits: 569 | Status: Completed
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ, only the brain that thought this stuff up.
Chapter 3
Raditz smiled smugly. “I win.”
Bulma glared up at him from her spread-eagled position on the arena floor. “I thought I was supposed to spar with Kakarrot for this stupid study, not you.”
He uncrossed his arms and held out a hand. “That was before he became best buds with the Prince.”
She pushed away the guilty feeling and grasped the hand. “Yeah, and now-” He hoisted her to her feet. “-I’m stuck getting my ketsu kicked by you.”
“Aw, c’mon. I let you get in a few shots.”
Bulma clasped her hands together tightly and waggled her long lashes at him. “You’re so kind.” She made her voice thickly sweet.
Raditz snorted at her sarcasm. “What did you expect? I don’t fight girls’ everyday, you know.”
Bulma rolled her eyes. “I can tell.”
Bardock strode over to them and clapped his hands together. “Alright, that’s it for today. You can go about your studies now.” Both groaned, but nodded.
Bulma lifted her head and sighed. “Same time tomorrow?” I’m starting to hate Papa for agreeing to this.
Bardock nodded. “Yes, and I expect you to come on time.” He lifted a single black brow.
She held up her hands in mock innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She turned to Raditz. “I’ll exact my revenge later.”
He laughed. “You wish.”
Bulma glared haughtily before blasting out of the outdoor arena. Just wait Radish. Flaring her ki around her in an indigo aura, she shot off toward the library wing of the Palace. She’d been going there after her daily spars with Raditz for a week and a half. Ever since we showed up on this planet. Her days were basically the same. She woke up, ate breakfast in her quarters with her Tousan, sparred with Raditz until noon, ate a quick lunch if she was hungry, and then studied for a few hours. After that, she had around three hours of free time before dinner at Bardock’s house. Her Tousan and the saiyan scientist had found a friendship in their work that had extended to their private lives. Kakarrot and she had resolved any hard feelings and were almost as close as she and Raditz were.
Dipping low, she zipped between the scraggly trees that peppered the landscape between the Outdoor Arena and the Palace. Not that she saw Kakarrot all that much. He was always busy sparring with the Prince. She frowned slightly as the canopy whipped past her. There had been no sign of him since he’d left the lab that night. Bulma wished she was allowed to just go see him so she could apologize. It gnawed at her at night, until she finally fell asleep from mental exhaustion. She’d asked Kakarrot at dinner a few days ago how he was. The younger boy had only shrugged. “Same as always.”
She slowed as she hovered outside of her study room window. Leave it to him to be completely vague. Sighing, she tapped on the clear glass and waited. C’mon Socul, don’t keep me stranded out here forever. As if on cue, the window cranked inward. Bulma flew in. “Took you long enough.”
A hissing voice spoke up from behind her as she landed on the soft carpeted floor. “It’s not like I want to have a smelly saiyan in my study for three hours.”
She glared at the elderly Arlian. “Are you telling me I smell?”
“Yes.” He shuffled over to his desk and sat heavily in the wooden chair behind it.
Bulma suppressed a snarl. How I want to hit thee. “What are you going to lecture about today, Socul?”
He pulled open the voluminous book in front of him. “History and you’re to call me Master Socul.”
She plopped down into her chair and yawned. “Yeah, sure.” She leaned back and tried to relax as best she could and listened to him drone on. It was a three hour battle with sleep as she tried valiantly to pay attention. Really, all I have to do is read the books that Bardock gives me. She caught him say something about the Kings being named Vegeta after the planet. Piquing her interest, she interrupted. “They’re all named Vegeta?”
Socul huffed at the interruption. “Yes, now be quiet.” Bulma rolled her eyes and proceeded to play with her ki. She formed a small string of it and twirled it around her fingers in an effort to stay alert. Must…stay…awake. Her eyes drooped and the ki string lashed out to singe the desk. Socul jumped about ten feet. “You little brat!”
Bulma snapped awake and looked around bewildered. “Wha…what’d I do?”
Socul strode around the desk and grabbed the back of her shirt. “You burnt my desk, you ungrateful whelp!”
Stunned into silence, she was limp in his grip as he stalked toward the door. Wow, the old geezer is stronger than I thought. He popped the window open and tossed her out. Bulma yelped as she free-fell a good ten feet before catching herself. Glaring upward, she saw him smack his hands together as if he threw out the trash. Growling, she shot a small blast so that it whizzed past him. “Take that you crone!”
Socul shrieked and jumped back into the study. “Brat!”
Bulma seethed. “Forget this. I’m outta here.” She charged her ki and shot off into the sky unbeknownst to the eyes that watched her.
She flew for at least an hour. It took that long for her anger to dissipate into boredom. She felt the pull of an empty energy tank and slowly made her way to the ground. The thick forest had thinned out enough for her to see the ground and she caught a glimpse of a body of water in the distance. She dropped until she could safely touch the ground and landed lightly on her feet. I guess I could walk my way there; it’s still really early out. A giant grin touched her mouth. I don’t have to be at Bardock’s for a few hours. Breathing deeply, she started her trek towards the water she’d seen, using her nose to find her way. The woods weren’t overly noisy, the various chirping of insects or the squawking of the birds reaching her heightened hearing. She’d always found the woods back home soothing. Her Kaasan, she swallowed the knot that formed in her throat, had always taken her there to train. Eventually she’d gotten old enough to wander around alone and had ventured everywhere.
Hopping over a fallen tree, she unfurled her tail and allowed herself to relax completely. She never dared to it in the company of anyone. Not even Papa. Bulma suddenly felt ashamed and broke out into a run. How can’t I feel safe even with my Tousan? The breath puffed out of her mouth in pants, her already tired muscles screaming. “Because he can’t protect you here, only I can protect myself.” Her blue brow furrowed with determination as she pushed herself the rest of the way. She could see the sand of the beach. A stark contrast to Chikyuu’s, the sand was a rich rust color, with the water a greenish blue. She stopped midway to the water and bent over, her hands clutching at her knees as she gasped for breath. It’s so beautiful out here. In its own way, she reasoned. Chikyuu would always take the precedent for her. Her body recovered, she yanked off her boots and rolled up her sweats so she could wade in the water.
Vegeta watched her silently from the treetop he’d landed in. He’d followed her from the Palace all the way out here. It had amused him greatly to see her snub old Socul; he’d never liked the cretin. It’s not like he didn’t deserve it. It hadn’t been hard to follow her. She left a ki trail so big Nappa could follow it. He snickered at his own joke and resumed watching her. She thought she was all alone out here, not the least bit caring. She dragged her toes through the soft sand and hummed softly to herself. He cocked his head to hear better, but it was no use. He didn’t know what she was murmuring to herself, but he had heard her little declaration in the woods as she ran. He had to admit she was fast. He’d had trouble keeping up. Frowning, he glanced down at his gloved hands and sighed. A thought suddenly popped in his head and he smirked. Whipping his gaze back to the girl, he laughed. Payback time.
Floating off his branch, he drifted with the wind until he was hovering about ten feet to the left of her. Smirking broadly, he lifted his hands and shoved his ki towards the water. He sought out for her mind and chuckled. “I hope you can swim.” Concentrating, he pushed the mock wave over her frozen body.
Bulma stopped breathing when the voice spoke in her head. I know that voice, but where-- The water crashed down over her and she shrieked in surprise. The water pulled her under and she kicked her way to the surface. Gasping for air, she rubbed the water out of her eyes. What in Kami’s name was that?
“Me.” Sounded above her.
Bulma shrieked again. “You!”
Vegeta hovered above her, rubbing his sensitive ears. “Keep it down, that hurt.”
“Why’d you do that for?” She glared at him from under a curtain of sky-blue hair that matted to her face.
He rolled his eyes. “I had to repay a debt.” He smirked triumphantly down at her. “To you.”
Bulma looked into his smug black eyes and sighed. Using the dregs of her ki, she lifted herself from the water and floated towards the rusty sand. She noticed the he had unfortunately followed. A light bulb suddenly blinked on in her head. Whirling around, she slapped his face with her wet hair. “Did you follow me all the way out here?!”
Vegeta winced. There she goes again with the screeching. “How else would I get out here with you?” He asked bored.
Bulma pulled off her sweatshirt and wrung it out. “Why?” She stopped and blinked. “Wait, never mind.” She flopped down on the sand, her clothes squishing. “So, you got your revenge. Now what?”
“Now you apologize.” He sat Indian-style on a nearby rock.
Bulma couldn’t help herself. Picking up her soaked sweatshirt, she threw it at his head. “Apologize! After that!” She sat back and crossed her arms, her tail fluffing in frustration. “Forget it. We’re even bub.”
Vegeta pulled the sweatshirt from around his head and used his ki to dry his face. Holding it at arms-length, he let it drop into the sand. “Fine, I’ll let it slide.”
“Good.” Bulma hugged herself against the chilly breeze that blew in off the water. An awkward silence ensued where she stared at the rolling water and he stared at her.
He watched her silently, taking in the odd color of her hair and eyes. So much blue. She nervously swiped a lock behind her left ear and he smirked. I guess it’s kind of neat to not be black or brown. He saw her shiver as the breeze hit her wet clothes. He waited a moment before untying his cape from his shoulders. “Here.” He tossed it at her.
Bulma looked up and was pelted in the face by a thick heavy cloth. Why that little jerk! She pulled it off her head and looked down at it. Holy crap. Realization dawned on her. This is his cape! She held it up. It’s heavier than it looks. Puzzled, she glanced over at him. “Why?”
He didn’t look over at her. “I don’t know.” He dug around for an excuse. “Apparently you used up all your ki and can’t even dry yourself properly.”
Bulma ignored the superiority of his tone and wrapped the warm, rich fabric around her shoulders. “Thanks ‘Geta.”
Vegeta glared at her. “Don’t call me that.”
She smiled at him. “Okay ‘Geta.”
He growled and looked away. Great, now she’s giving me stupid names.
Yes, I knew that’d get to him. Bulma inwardly saluted herself. She looked back out over the water and noticed where the sun was in the sky. Oh crap! “Kuso, I need to get back!”
He glanced over at her suddenly upright, panicked body. “Where?”
She gripped the cape as if in her death throes. “Bardock’s. My Tousan and I always have dinner with them. I’m too drained to fly, so I won’t be back for hours.” She lolled her head back to stare at the sky. “I’m going to kill Raditz for doing this to me!”
Vegeta lifted an eyebrow. “You train with Raditz?”
She sunk back to the sand. “If you could call it that. I never win.” Snarling, she snapped at him. “Not that it matters now.”
He slid off the rock. I don’t know why I’m doing this, but I am. “I…I can take you back.” Wow, that came out easier than I thought.
Bulma eyes widened. “You will?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know why.”
“Oh ‘Geta!” She threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much!”
He stiffened and immediately shoved her off. “Consider this a blessing. Commoners aren’t allowed to touch me.”
Bulma’s mood couldn’t be dampened. “I do.”
Sighing, he gestured to his back. “Get on.” I hope my Tousan doesn’t see this.
She enthusiastically hopped onto his back and held onto his neck as he blasted off the rusty beach, leaving the green water lapping in his wake. Bulma couldn’t believe what was happening. Well, you’re currently clinging to the back of a very ornery young Prince that you shouldn’t be even talking to, let alone touching. She smiled to herself and rested her chin on his shoulder as the wind created by his speed literally pulled the water from her hair. She scrunched her brow. Huh, I didn’t think that was possible. Mentally shrugging, she tightened her grip around his lanky neck.
Vegeta felt her whirling thoughts and vowed never to venture into her head when she was deep in thought. I just might die from the tornado inside her head. His eyes shot toward the wave of blue hair that floated into his peripheral vision as her dainty chin rested itself on his shoulder. Does she have any idea of personal space? He felt her grip tighten around his neck and swallowed. Apparently not. Ignoring the girl plastered to his back, he increased his speed until they came within sight of the Palace. Vegeta looked around the at the surrounding city and inwardly cursed. Great, maybe I should have taken an interest into where they lived. He slowed to a hover in the air. “Alright girl, where am I going?”
Bulma scoffed. “You mean you don’t know?” His silence provided the answer. Bulma eyes widened. I guess he really doesn’t know. “It’s past the west point of the Palace, on the hill. You can’t miss it.” She yelped at they catapulted forward, her grip loosening so she slid down to catch his boots. “Hey!”
Vegeta smirked at her predicament as he sped up. Her shrieks would have been music to his ears if they hadn’t hurt so much. Note to self: Invest in earplugs. He spied the rather large compound on the hill and dove down, incurring more shrieks. “What? Is something wrong?” He laughed heartily.
Bulma suppressed her screams and pulled herself closer to his leg. She grinned evilly as she saw his dark brown tail wagging in front of her. Reaching out, she snagged in a tight hold. Now who’s laughing?
Vegeta stalled out in mid-air and dropped like a rock. The pain was excruciating and he couldn’t conceive for the life of him why. They both plummeted into the thick trees that surrounded Bardock’s house and bobbled down through the limbs until they both kissed the ground. Vegeta recovered first. He rolled onto his back and sat up, immediately smoothing the kinked limb. Snarling he regarded her finally stirring form. “I can’t believe you grabbed my tail!”
Bulma smiled smugly through the haze of pain in her head. “It serves you right, ‘Geta.”
Vegeta growled loudly as he hopped to his feet. The first time I try to do something nice, she goes nuts and grabs me! Trying desperately to control his rage, he whirled and punched the nearest thing to him- a tree. It cracked the trunk in half and it shuddered for a moment before pitching backwards onto the forest floor. “Kakarrot was right! You are a harpy!” He billowed out his ki, sending her rolling. “You even have claws like one!”
Bulma tried to get up, but he kept knocking her down. “Vegeta, I’m sorry!” She could only watched wide-eyed as his deep blue aura swirled angrily. Oh Kami, what have I done?
Vegeta leveled an evil glare at her. “Pissed me off.” His voice was a scathing whisper that sent chills down her spine.
“What the hell is going on?!” Bardock touched down, followed by both his sons. “We felt your ki Vegeta. What happened?”
“What happened?!” He bellowed. He pointed hatefully at her. “She happened!” He snarled loudly and clenched a fist. “I offered to bring back her here after she stupidly drained all her energy. But what does she do? She yanks my tail!”
Bulma huffed. “You were going to let me fall, laughing your dense head off!”
“So you grab me?!”
Bardock couldn’t find any words in his mouth. It was all too much to take in. He stepped forward between the two to stop the shouting. “Wait. Backup. Explain.”
Vegeta had finally calmed into a stubborn silence, so she started. “After training, I went to my studies. Only that creep Socul has it out for me, so he threw me out the window.”
Raditz piped up from behind everyone. “I heard about that.”
She sent him a nasty look that shut his mouth. “Anyway, I flew off angry and drained my energy. I landed in the woods and ran out to a beach.”
“The beach?!” Kakarrot asked incredulously. “That’s really far away.”
“Yeah, well, I was minding my own business when a certain Vegetable Prince hit me with a tidal wave.”
Vegeta whirled. “You deserved it Harpy!”
Bulma rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know. He followed me out there and we sat talking for awhile.”
Bardock glanced at the Prince. I didn’t know he could have conversation. “Go on.”
She glanced down at herself and realized she was still wearing Vegeta’s cape. Quickly she tore it off and chucked it at him. “He gave me his cape cause I was cold and offered to bring me back here.”
“Like I’ll ever do that again.” Vegeta mumbled.
Ignoring him, she continued. “It was all fine until he didn’t know where to go. I told him and he took off too fast for me. I almost fell off, but I managed to hold onto his feet.” She could feel the rage welling up again. “He thought it was hilarious!”
Vegeta turned to her and smiled crookedly. “It was.”
“I got so angry, that I pulled myself up and saw his tail, so I grabbed it.” She stated matter-of-factly.
Vegeta seethed. “I can’t believe you did it! I didn’t actually hurt you!”
Bardock took deep breath. “Vegeta, don’t worry. Nothing will come of it, so why don’t you head home before you’re Tousan notices you’re gone.”
He sent his elder a glare that could freeze hell. “Fine. I’m out.” Flaring his ki, he shot out of sight.
He turned back to the girl as she slumped back onto the ground. “Why do I always do stuff like that to him?”
Bardock tried to hide the thoughts running through his head. I hope for your sake that what just happened isn’t permanent. It seems like she destined to do this against her will. He shook his head. “I don’t know, but let’s take you back and clean you up.”
She nodded absently as he lifted her off the ground. Why do I always screw everything up?
Vegeta brooded silently as he flew back to the Palace. He couldn’t help but argue with himself about the girl. What the hell was she thinking? Doesn’t she know that touching another’s tail without consent is forbidden? He dropped lower as he neared the courtyard and extinguished his ki to land softly on the tiled walkway. He sauntered toward the Palace, his mind lost in thought. No, she probably doesn’t know because she wasn’t raised here, but didn’t her Kaasan teach her anything about our culture? He could feel his head starting to hurt. Maybe not because she didn’t think that she’d ever have to live among saiyans. Kami I’m confused. He took the steps two at a time up to the twenty foot tall double doors that served as the entrance to the throne room. Two burly saiyan guards stood at attention, decked out in the battle garb of the Royal Battalion. He tapped the seal on his chest plate and the guards opened the enormous doors for him to pass. “Prince Vegeta.”
He nodded to both before striding through the doors and into the enormous hall that was used when entertaining dignitaries from other worlds. An assortment of soldiers and servants ambled through as he made his way past them to the hallways behind the Crown Dais where the King’s throne sat. His eyes moved to the empty space beside it and he glared hatefully. Kaasan’s throne should still be there, regardless of whether or not she’s dead. From as early as he could remember, it had only been his and the King’s thrones that adorned the dais. Just like he wanted it. Like she never existed at all and I’m some miraculous creation. Shaking his head, he passed both of the uncomfortable chairs and through the large archway that rose up behind it. The archway that led to the quarters of the Royal Family.
He snorted as he passed the portraits of the past King Vegeta’s and snorted. Some family I have. He was the seventeenth in his family line. The seventeenth descendant of the Legendary Super Saiyan Vegeta that took over their barbaric race and civilized it. He could clearly remember his Tousan berating him for neglecting his studies once and delivering him a severe beating as punishment. If that’s what his idea of civilized was, then I’d better pray. Striding quickly he ducked past the King’s rooms and continued down to his own. The hall darkened slightly as his door came into view and he suppressed the urge to hunch his shoulders. He’d been jumped by the King more times than he could count as he’d stepped into the dimmed light outside his room. Like he keeps it that way on purpose. His large marbled door appeared on his left and he swiftly pressed in the pass code. The door clicked open and he slipped in as silently as he could. He waited a moment with his back to his room and held his breath.
A tickle at the back of his neck spun him around to face his guardian. He folded his arms in mock disinterest and allowed his tail to swing lazily back and forth behind him. “What do you want?”
Nappa noted the boy’s disheveled appearance. “You are late.”
“For what?”
“Your studies ending hours ago. What exactly have you been doing?” He gestured towards the dirtied clothes and torn cape.
Vegeta felt himself grow more defensive, his tail rewinding about his small waist. “I was hunting.” He didn’t know why he lied, but he tried not to think about it.
Nappa’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you, but I will take you at your word.” He rose from the small couch that he’d been sitting on while he waited. “You’re in luck. The King will be detained tonight and will not make it to dinner. You will eat in here.”
Vegeta moved away from the door so his guardian could pass. “Fine.”
Nappa moved his hulking body across the room and opened the door. “It would be wise for you not to lie, my Prince. It’s unbecoming for one like yourself.”
Vegeta snapped his mouth shut on his retort and waited until the door clicked shut. “Stuffy yaro.” Dropping his arms to his sides, he sauntered over to the same couch Nappa had just vacated and flopped down onto the cushions. He laid his head back on the arm and led his heavy lids slide down over his eyes. This isn’t good. Having Nappa suspicious of him wouldn’t be good for him, and it certainly meant that the King was in the loop. He lurched up into a sitting position and tore off his armored chest plate, throwing it across the room in frustration. “I have the worst luck.”
A/N: Aren't I a torture artist? Well, I put up Chapter 5. Read on and review! Ciao!(I'm italian)~Ravenreux
Chapter 3
Raditz smiled smugly. “I win.”
Bulma glared up at him from her spread-eagled position on the arena floor. “I thought I was supposed to spar with Kakarrot for this stupid study, not you.”
He uncrossed his arms and held out a hand. “That was before he became best buds with the Prince.”
She pushed away the guilty feeling and grasped the hand. “Yeah, and now-” He hoisted her to her feet. “-I’m stuck getting my ketsu kicked by you.”
“Aw, c’mon. I let you get in a few shots.”
Bulma clasped her hands together tightly and waggled her long lashes at him. “You’re so kind.” She made her voice thickly sweet.
Raditz snorted at her sarcasm. “What did you expect? I don’t fight girls’ everyday, you know.”
Bulma rolled her eyes. “I can tell.”
Bardock strode over to them and clapped his hands together. “Alright, that’s it for today. You can go about your studies now.” Both groaned, but nodded.
Bulma lifted her head and sighed. “Same time tomorrow?” I’m starting to hate Papa for agreeing to this.
Bardock nodded. “Yes, and I expect you to come on time.” He lifted a single black brow.
She held up her hands in mock innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She turned to Raditz. “I’ll exact my revenge later.”
He laughed. “You wish.”
Bulma glared haughtily before blasting out of the outdoor arena. Just wait Radish. Flaring her ki around her in an indigo aura, she shot off toward the library wing of the Palace. She’d been going there after her daily spars with Raditz for a week and a half. Ever since we showed up on this planet. Her days were basically the same. She woke up, ate breakfast in her quarters with her Tousan, sparred with Raditz until noon, ate a quick lunch if she was hungry, and then studied for a few hours. After that, she had around three hours of free time before dinner at Bardock’s house. Her Tousan and the saiyan scientist had found a friendship in their work that had extended to their private lives. Kakarrot and she had resolved any hard feelings and were almost as close as she and Raditz were.
Dipping low, she zipped between the scraggly trees that peppered the landscape between the Outdoor Arena and the Palace. Not that she saw Kakarrot all that much. He was always busy sparring with the Prince. She frowned slightly as the canopy whipped past her. There had been no sign of him since he’d left the lab that night. Bulma wished she was allowed to just go see him so she could apologize. It gnawed at her at night, until she finally fell asleep from mental exhaustion. She’d asked Kakarrot at dinner a few days ago how he was. The younger boy had only shrugged. “Same as always.”
She slowed as she hovered outside of her study room window. Leave it to him to be completely vague. Sighing, she tapped on the clear glass and waited. C’mon Socul, don’t keep me stranded out here forever. As if on cue, the window cranked inward. Bulma flew in. “Took you long enough.”
A hissing voice spoke up from behind her as she landed on the soft carpeted floor. “It’s not like I want to have a smelly saiyan in my study for three hours.”
She glared at the elderly Arlian. “Are you telling me I smell?”
“Yes.” He shuffled over to his desk and sat heavily in the wooden chair behind it.
Bulma suppressed a snarl. How I want to hit thee. “What are you going to lecture about today, Socul?”
He pulled open the voluminous book in front of him. “History and you’re to call me Master Socul.”
She plopped down into her chair and yawned. “Yeah, sure.” She leaned back and tried to relax as best she could and listened to him drone on. It was a three hour battle with sleep as she tried valiantly to pay attention. Really, all I have to do is read the books that Bardock gives me. She caught him say something about the Kings being named Vegeta after the planet. Piquing her interest, she interrupted. “They’re all named Vegeta?”
Socul huffed at the interruption. “Yes, now be quiet.” Bulma rolled her eyes and proceeded to play with her ki. She formed a small string of it and twirled it around her fingers in an effort to stay alert. Must…stay…awake. Her eyes drooped and the ki string lashed out to singe the desk. Socul jumped about ten feet. “You little brat!”
Bulma snapped awake and looked around bewildered. “Wha…what’d I do?”
Socul strode around the desk and grabbed the back of her shirt. “You burnt my desk, you ungrateful whelp!”
Stunned into silence, she was limp in his grip as he stalked toward the door. Wow, the old geezer is stronger than I thought. He popped the window open and tossed her out. Bulma yelped as she free-fell a good ten feet before catching herself. Glaring upward, she saw him smack his hands together as if he threw out the trash. Growling, she shot a small blast so that it whizzed past him. “Take that you crone!”
Socul shrieked and jumped back into the study. “Brat!”
Bulma seethed. “Forget this. I’m outta here.” She charged her ki and shot off into the sky unbeknownst to the eyes that watched her.
She flew for at least an hour. It took that long for her anger to dissipate into boredom. She felt the pull of an empty energy tank and slowly made her way to the ground. The thick forest had thinned out enough for her to see the ground and she caught a glimpse of a body of water in the distance. She dropped until she could safely touch the ground and landed lightly on her feet. I guess I could walk my way there; it’s still really early out. A giant grin touched her mouth. I don’t have to be at Bardock’s for a few hours. Breathing deeply, she started her trek towards the water she’d seen, using her nose to find her way. The woods weren’t overly noisy, the various chirping of insects or the squawking of the birds reaching her heightened hearing. She’d always found the woods back home soothing. Her Kaasan, she swallowed the knot that formed in her throat, had always taken her there to train. Eventually she’d gotten old enough to wander around alone and had ventured everywhere.
Hopping over a fallen tree, she unfurled her tail and allowed herself to relax completely. She never dared to it in the company of anyone. Not even Papa. Bulma suddenly felt ashamed and broke out into a run. How can’t I feel safe even with my Tousan? The breath puffed out of her mouth in pants, her already tired muscles screaming. “Because he can’t protect you here, only I can protect myself.” Her blue brow furrowed with determination as she pushed herself the rest of the way. She could see the sand of the beach. A stark contrast to Chikyuu’s, the sand was a rich rust color, with the water a greenish blue. She stopped midway to the water and bent over, her hands clutching at her knees as she gasped for breath. It’s so beautiful out here. In its own way, she reasoned. Chikyuu would always take the precedent for her. Her body recovered, she yanked off her boots and rolled up her sweats so she could wade in the water.
Vegeta watched her silently from the treetop he’d landed in. He’d followed her from the Palace all the way out here. It had amused him greatly to see her snub old Socul; he’d never liked the cretin. It’s not like he didn’t deserve it. It hadn’t been hard to follow her. She left a ki trail so big Nappa could follow it. He snickered at his own joke and resumed watching her. She thought she was all alone out here, not the least bit caring. She dragged her toes through the soft sand and hummed softly to herself. He cocked his head to hear better, but it was no use. He didn’t know what she was murmuring to herself, but he had heard her little declaration in the woods as she ran. He had to admit she was fast. He’d had trouble keeping up. Frowning, he glanced down at his gloved hands and sighed. A thought suddenly popped in his head and he smirked. Whipping his gaze back to the girl, he laughed. Payback time.
Floating off his branch, he drifted with the wind until he was hovering about ten feet to the left of her. Smirking broadly, he lifted his hands and shoved his ki towards the water. He sought out for her mind and chuckled. “I hope you can swim.” Concentrating, he pushed the mock wave over her frozen body.
Bulma stopped breathing when the voice spoke in her head. I know that voice, but where-- The water crashed down over her and she shrieked in surprise. The water pulled her under and she kicked her way to the surface. Gasping for air, she rubbed the water out of her eyes. What in Kami’s name was that?
“Me.” Sounded above her.
Bulma shrieked again. “You!”
Vegeta hovered above her, rubbing his sensitive ears. “Keep it down, that hurt.”
“Why’d you do that for?” She glared at him from under a curtain of sky-blue hair that matted to her face.
He rolled his eyes. “I had to repay a debt.” He smirked triumphantly down at her. “To you.”
Bulma looked into his smug black eyes and sighed. Using the dregs of her ki, she lifted herself from the water and floated towards the rusty sand. She noticed the he had unfortunately followed. A light bulb suddenly blinked on in her head. Whirling around, she slapped his face with her wet hair. “Did you follow me all the way out here?!”
Vegeta winced. There she goes again with the screeching. “How else would I get out here with you?” He asked bored.
Bulma pulled off her sweatshirt and wrung it out. “Why?” She stopped and blinked. “Wait, never mind.” She flopped down on the sand, her clothes squishing. “So, you got your revenge. Now what?”
“Now you apologize.” He sat Indian-style on a nearby rock.
Bulma couldn’t help herself. Picking up her soaked sweatshirt, she threw it at his head. “Apologize! After that!” She sat back and crossed her arms, her tail fluffing in frustration. “Forget it. We’re even bub.”
Vegeta pulled the sweatshirt from around his head and used his ki to dry his face. Holding it at arms-length, he let it drop into the sand. “Fine, I’ll let it slide.”
“Good.” Bulma hugged herself against the chilly breeze that blew in off the water. An awkward silence ensued where she stared at the rolling water and he stared at her.
He watched her silently, taking in the odd color of her hair and eyes. So much blue. She nervously swiped a lock behind her left ear and he smirked. I guess it’s kind of neat to not be black or brown. He saw her shiver as the breeze hit her wet clothes. He waited a moment before untying his cape from his shoulders. “Here.” He tossed it at her.
Bulma looked up and was pelted in the face by a thick heavy cloth. Why that little jerk! She pulled it off her head and looked down at it. Holy crap. Realization dawned on her. This is his cape! She held it up. It’s heavier than it looks. Puzzled, she glanced over at him. “Why?”
He didn’t look over at her. “I don’t know.” He dug around for an excuse. “Apparently you used up all your ki and can’t even dry yourself properly.”
Bulma ignored the superiority of his tone and wrapped the warm, rich fabric around her shoulders. “Thanks ‘Geta.”
Vegeta glared at her. “Don’t call me that.”
She smiled at him. “Okay ‘Geta.”
He growled and looked away. Great, now she’s giving me stupid names.
Yes, I knew that’d get to him. Bulma inwardly saluted herself. She looked back out over the water and noticed where the sun was in the sky. Oh crap! “Kuso, I need to get back!”
He glanced over at her suddenly upright, panicked body. “Where?”
She gripped the cape as if in her death throes. “Bardock’s. My Tousan and I always have dinner with them. I’m too drained to fly, so I won’t be back for hours.” She lolled her head back to stare at the sky. “I’m going to kill Raditz for doing this to me!”
Vegeta lifted an eyebrow. “You train with Raditz?”
She sunk back to the sand. “If you could call it that. I never win.” Snarling, she snapped at him. “Not that it matters now.”
He slid off the rock. I don’t know why I’m doing this, but I am. “I…I can take you back.” Wow, that came out easier than I thought.
Bulma eyes widened. “You will?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know why.”
“Oh ‘Geta!” She threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much!”
He stiffened and immediately shoved her off. “Consider this a blessing. Commoners aren’t allowed to touch me.”
Bulma’s mood couldn’t be dampened. “I do.”
Sighing, he gestured to his back. “Get on.” I hope my Tousan doesn’t see this.
She enthusiastically hopped onto his back and held onto his neck as he blasted off the rusty beach, leaving the green water lapping in his wake. Bulma couldn’t believe what was happening. Well, you’re currently clinging to the back of a very ornery young Prince that you shouldn’t be even talking to, let alone touching. She smiled to herself and rested her chin on his shoulder as the wind created by his speed literally pulled the water from her hair. She scrunched her brow. Huh, I didn’t think that was possible. Mentally shrugging, she tightened her grip around his lanky neck.
Vegeta felt her whirling thoughts and vowed never to venture into her head when she was deep in thought. I just might die from the tornado inside her head. His eyes shot toward the wave of blue hair that floated into his peripheral vision as her dainty chin rested itself on his shoulder. Does she have any idea of personal space? He felt her grip tighten around his neck and swallowed. Apparently not. Ignoring the girl plastered to his back, he increased his speed until they came within sight of the Palace. Vegeta looked around the at the surrounding city and inwardly cursed. Great, maybe I should have taken an interest into where they lived. He slowed to a hover in the air. “Alright girl, where am I going?”
Bulma scoffed. “You mean you don’t know?” His silence provided the answer. Bulma eyes widened. I guess he really doesn’t know. “It’s past the west point of the Palace, on the hill. You can’t miss it.” She yelped at they catapulted forward, her grip loosening so she slid down to catch his boots. “Hey!”
Vegeta smirked at her predicament as he sped up. Her shrieks would have been music to his ears if they hadn’t hurt so much. Note to self: Invest in earplugs. He spied the rather large compound on the hill and dove down, incurring more shrieks. “What? Is something wrong?” He laughed heartily.
Bulma suppressed her screams and pulled herself closer to his leg. She grinned evilly as she saw his dark brown tail wagging in front of her. Reaching out, she snagged in a tight hold. Now who’s laughing?
Vegeta stalled out in mid-air and dropped like a rock. The pain was excruciating and he couldn’t conceive for the life of him why. They both plummeted into the thick trees that surrounded Bardock’s house and bobbled down through the limbs until they both kissed the ground. Vegeta recovered first. He rolled onto his back and sat up, immediately smoothing the kinked limb. Snarling he regarded her finally stirring form. “I can’t believe you grabbed my tail!”
Bulma smiled smugly through the haze of pain in her head. “It serves you right, ‘Geta.”
Vegeta growled loudly as he hopped to his feet. The first time I try to do something nice, she goes nuts and grabs me! Trying desperately to control his rage, he whirled and punched the nearest thing to him- a tree. It cracked the trunk in half and it shuddered for a moment before pitching backwards onto the forest floor. “Kakarrot was right! You are a harpy!” He billowed out his ki, sending her rolling. “You even have claws like one!”
Bulma tried to get up, but he kept knocking her down. “Vegeta, I’m sorry!” She could only watched wide-eyed as his deep blue aura swirled angrily. Oh Kami, what have I done?
Vegeta leveled an evil glare at her. “Pissed me off.” His voice was a scathing whisper that sent chills down her spine.
“What the hell is going on?!” Bardock touched down, followed by both his sons. “We felt your ki Vegeta. What happened?”
“What happened?!” He bellowed. He pointed hatefully at her. “She happened!” He snarled loudly and clenched a fist. “I offered to bring back her here after she stupidly drained all her energy. But what does she do? She yanks my tail!”
Bulma huffed. “You were going to let me fall, laughing your dense head off!”
“So you grab me?!”
Bardock couldn’t find any words in his mouth. It was all too much to take in. He stepped forward between the two to stop the shouting. “Wait. Backup. Explain.”
Vegeta had finally calmed into a stubborn silence, so she started. “After training, I went to my studies. Only that creep Socul has it out for me, so he threw me out the window.”
Raditz piped up from behind everyone. “I heard about that.”
She sent him a nasty look that shut his mouth. “Anyway, I flew off angry and drained my energy. I landed in the woods and ran out to a beach.”
“The beach?!” Kakarrot asked incredulously. “That’s really far away.”
“Yeah, well, I was minding my own business when a certain Vegetable Prince hit me with a tidal wave.”
Vegeta whirled. “You deserved it Harpy!”
Bulma rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know. He followed me out there and we sat talking for awhile.”
Bardock glanced at the Prince. I didn’t know he could have conversation. “Go on.”
She glanced down at herself and realized she was still wearing Vegeta’s cape. Quickly she tore it off and chucked it at him. “He gave me his cape cause I was cold and offered to bring me back here.”
“Like I’ll ever do that again.” Vegeta mumbled.
Ignoring him, she continued. “It was all fine until he didn’t know where to go. I told him and he took off too fast for me. I almost fell off, but I managed to hold onto his feet.” She could feel the rage welling up again. “He thought it was hilarious!”
Vegeta turned to her and smiled crookedly. “It was.”
“I got so angry, that I pulled myself up and saw his tail, so I grabbed it.” She stated matter-of-factly.
Vegeta seethed. “I can’t believe you did it! I didn’t actually hurt you!”
Bardock took deep breath. “Vegeta, don’t worry. Nothing will come of it, so why don’t you head home before you’re Tousan notices you’re gone.”
He sent his elder a glare that could freeze hell. “Fine. I’m out.” Flaring his ki, he shot out of sight.
He turned back to the girl as she slumped back onto the ground. “Why do I always do stuff like that to him?”
Bardock tried to hide the thoughts running through his head. I hope for your sake that what just happened isn’t permanent. It seems like she destined to do this against her will. He shook his head. “I don’t know, but let’s take you back and clean you up.”
She nodded absently as he lifted her off the ground. Why do I always screw everything up?
Vegeta brooded silently as he flew back to the Palace. He couldn’t help but argue with himself about the girl. What the hell was she thinking? Doesn’t she know that touching another’s tail without consent is forbidden? He dropped lower as he neared the courtyard and extinguished his ki to land softly on the tiled walkway. He sauntered toward the Palace, his mind lost in thought. No, she probably doesn’t know because she wasn’t raised here, but didn’t her Kaasan teach her anything about our culture? He could feel his head starting to hurt. Maybe not because she didn’t think that she’d ever have to live among saiyans. Kami I’m confused. He took the steps two at a time up to the twenty foot tall double doors that served as the entrance to the throne room. Two burly saiyan guards stood at attention, decked out in the battle garb of the Royal Battalion. He tapped the seal on his chest plate and the guards opened the enormous doors for him to pass. “Prince Vegeta.”
He nodded to both before striding through the doors and into the enormous hall that was used when entertaining dignitaries from other worlds. An assortment of soldiers and servants ambled through as he made his way past them to the hallways behind the Crown Dais where the King’s throne sat. His eyes moved to the empty space beside it and he glared hatefully. Kaasan’s throne should still be there, regardless of whether or not she’s dead. From as early as he could remember, it had only been his and the King’s thrones that adorned the dais. Just like he wanted it. Like she never existed at all and I’m some miraculous creation. Shaking his head, he passed both of the uncomfortable chairs and through the large archway that rose up behind it. The archway that led to the quarters of the Royal Family.
He snorted as he passed the portraits of the past King Vegeta’s and snorted. Some family I have. He was the seventeenth in his family line. The seventeenth descendant of the Legendary Super Saiyan Vegeta that took over their barbaric race and civilized it. He could clearly remember his Tousan berating him for neglecting his studies once and delivering him a severe beating as punishment. If that’s what his idea of civilized was, then I’d better pray. Striding quickly he ducked past the King’s rooms and continued down to his own. The hall darkened slightly as his door came into view and he suppressed the urge to hunch his shoulders. He’d been jumped by the King more times than he could count as he’d stepped into the dimmed light outside his room. Like he keeps it that way on purpose. His large marbled door appeared on his left and he swiftly pressed in the pass code. The door clicked open and he slipped in as silently as he could. He waited a moment with his back to his room and held his breath.
A tickle at the back of his neck spun him around to face his guardian. He folded his arms in mock disinterest and allowed his tail to swing lazily back and forth behind him. “What do you want?”
Nappa noted the boy’s disheveled appearance. “You are late.”
“For what?”
“Your studies ending hours ago. What exactly have you been doing?” He gestured towards the dirtied clothes and torn cape.
Vegeta felt himself grow more defensive, his tail rewinding about his small waist. “I was hunting.” He didn’t know why he lied, but he tried not to think about it.
Nappa’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you, but I will take you at your word.” He rose from the small couch that he’d been sitting on while he waited. “You’re in luck. The King will be detained tonight and will not make it to dinner. You will eat in here.”
Vegeta moved away from the door so his guardian could pass. “Fine.”
Nappa moved his hulking body across the room and opened the door. “It would be wise for you not to lie, my Prince. It’s unbecoming for one like yourself.”
Vegeta snapped his mouth shut on his retort and waited until the door clicked shut. “Stuffy yaro.” Dropping his arms to his sides, he sauntered over to the same couch Nappa had just vacated and flopped down onto the cushions. He laid his head back on the arm and led his heavy lids slide down over his eyes. This isn’t good. Having Nappa suspicious of him wouldn’t be good for him, and it certainly meant that the King was in the loop. He lurched up into a sitting position and tore off his armored chest plate, throwing it across the room in frustration. “I have the worst luck.”
A/N: Aren't I a torture artist? Well, I put up Chapter 5. Read on and review! Ciao!(I'm italian)~Ravenreux