Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Price You Pay ❯ Chapter Thirty-One ( Chapter 31 )

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The Price You Pay: Chapter Thirty-One

Vegeta woke in the morning surprisingly exhilarated. His sleep in the plush chair hadn't been as bad as originally anticipated and after the revelations of the previous evening it felt as if a load had somehow been lifted off his shoulders. He could handle imminent danger, but uncertainty in his personal life was a different story.

“Vegeta no Ouji.” The comm screen blinked to life in the early morning light.

Great, just what I want to see first thing in the morning. Radditz's fat head.

“What is it Radditz?” asked the prince, not bothering to conceal his irritation.

“I was asked to inform you that your father has requested an audience with you in the throne room this morning.”

“On what grounds? It's not like the old fool has anything to prove anymore.”

“May I request permission to enter, sir?” asked Radditz after giving some creature off screen a sharp look.

“If you must.” Vegeta sighed. Well, everything had been going well that morning.

After bowing slightly, Radditz began to explain what had happened the night before and Nappa's strange behavior.

“He seemed especially arrogant; as if he knew something big was going to happen today with your father. I fear it may have something to do with Lady Bulma.” Normally the idea of the King upset in anyway would make Radditz uneasy, but after spending a couple of days with the fragile creature he was becoming curiously protective.

“You think?” His words were practically dripping with sarcasm. “Alright, inform my sorry excuse for a father that I will meet him in the throne room in an hour's time. And Radditz, it's probably in your best interest to feign ignorance in relation to the onna. The ignorance part shouldn't be too difficult for you.” The prince grinned and Radditz shook his head.

“You always did know how to flatter me senseless, your highness.” With that final comment Radditz exited Vegeta's quarters for the throne room.

Well, father. It would appear that today is a good day for you to die after all.

~~~~~~~<(((((|||)))))>~~~~~~~

When Bulma woke it was not only to an empty bed, but to the dark walls and ambiance of Vegeta's quarters. Exiting the bedroom, Bulma headed toward the bathroom in hopes of getting another wonderfully relaxing bath in. The cool tile felt soothing against her tingling feet. They were still warm from Vegeta's bed. Even though he had opted not to share the night with her, sleeping in blankets traced with his scent made rest come much more easily.

Turning the faucet on in the sink, Bulma ran the water over her hands and then over her face.

At least I didn't have another nightmare.

She reached for the nearest towel and patted her face dry. A bath was going to feel really good. Movement in the bathroom mirror caught her eye and she turned around to find Vegeta standing off to the side, clad only in a towel.

“Good morning, onna. It would appear we had the same idea.” He smiled but it was unsteady, as if something was bothering him. “There should be plenty of hot water left if you're still interested in that bath.”

Vegeta made his way toward her and caressed her cheek. Bulma's eyes widened. She could feel his body heat as their bodies neared. She tried to stop the energy surging inside of her from closing the final gap between them. This was not the same Vegeta. Reminding herself of that never seemed to help though. It seemed that no matter where she was, she and Vegeta would always have an undeniable, natural chemistry. She was attracted to him regardless of the bond they shared.

“Hmph,” Vegeta grunted and released her. Apparently he'd felt the pull as well but had also decided to resist.

What's wrong with me?

Vegeta questioned himself and as he saw Bulma's eyes glow silver, he knew what Zarbon said was true. They were mated, and powerfully so. Still, somehow he felt that their relationship wasn't just coincidence.

“I am obligated to go see my father this morning,” said Vegeta as he adjusted the towel around his muscled mid drift. “But I should be back soon.” Vegeta looked up at her and smiled ever so faintly and for a brief instant, his glowing eyes softened. He turned away from her, giving her a clear view of the burn mark across his back that was now giving off a sort of blue radiation.

Once again, that was interesting.

After Vegeta was completely gone from sight, Bulma started running the bath water.

Nice and relaxing.

The tub filled quickly and Bulma added some bath salts of a familiar fragrance. Everything on Vegeta-sei seemed to share the same spicy smell as the salt. It was intoxicating. Once a proper amount of salt was added, Bulma quickly removed her cotton PJs and lowered herself into the bath water, hissing as the steaming water touched her unprotected skin. From her position in the tub, Bulma could just barely see the door to Vegeta's bedroom.

Steam rose from the water and permeated the air with the smell of spices. Bulma relaxed and leaned her head against the back of the tub. She could get used to this. After a few moments of silence, there was the sound of a door closing and Bulma leaned forward to watch Vegeta exit the room in full royal armor. Something in her stomach tightened.

Be careful, Vegeta.

~~~~~~~<(((((|||)))))>~~~~~~~

Though the Saiya-jin no Ou was accustomed to his son's blatant acts of disrespect, his tardiness seemed especially irritating as he sat, impatiently, in the throne room. With at least 200 other nobles and senators present, the room was bustling with life as Saiya-jins of all shapes and sizes and from each of the two different continents waited for the Prince's arrival. The king stared intensely at the large wooden doors used to gain entrance to the throne room. His son had to have known he would be forced to respond this way. He was putting them all at risk—a risk Vegeta should have been especially aware of.

Soon, Vegeta, soon.

~~~~~~~<(((((|||)))))>~~~~~~~

Drying her hair with the nearest towel, Bulma didn't expect a pair of large Saiya-jin arms to suddenly enclose her in a death grip. Shocked and frightened, the startled Earthling let out a blood curdling scream as she was jerked around to face her captor. Beside himself with the humor of it all, Nappa chuckled.

“Well, aren't you a feisty little one?” cooed Nappa as Bulma started to swing and kick at him to no avail. “And quite a looker, I might add. No wonder Vegeta's kept you locked up here and all to himself.”

“Vegeta! Radditz, where are you dammit? Aren't you supposed to be protecting me?” cried Bulma desperately. Of the few Saiya-jins she'd met so far, this one was definitely the scariest. Tall, firmly built, and bald, he had a look of madness about him that she found less than comforting.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, little lady, but Radditz is indisposed at the moment and as for your little boyfriend, Vegeta, well, he's about to get what he deserves from dear old dad.” Nappa grinned sloppily, baring a ferocious set of white teeth.

“Let me go!” Bulma struggled with the Saiya-jin for a few moments as complete horror came over her.

I should have followed my instincts before and warned Vegeta.

“I don't think so. You're far too interesting to release now. Don't worry though. You won't be separated from Prince Vegeta for too long. Let's go see him now, shall we?” Without second thought, the brutish giant threw Bulma over his shoulder and exited Vegeta's quarters. In the hall, Radditz lay fallen on the floor, a dark bruise developing over his right eye.

Radditz…

After seeing her guard lying unmoving, Bulma started to scratch desperately at Nappa's back in hopes of getting close enough to grab his tail.

“Uh, uh, uh.” Within a second, Nappa reached over and struck Bulma lightly on the temple, just softly enough to knock her out.

~~~~~~~<(((((|||)))))>~~~~~~~

As the doors to the throne room burst open, the King stood to greet his menacing son.

“I have come, as you commanded.” Vegeta bowed slightly to the older warrior but it was evident to everyone in the room that respect was the last thing on his mind.

“Really, brat, haven't you been flogged enough publicly to know that arriving late does not put you in my good graces?” It was a threat but such an act hadn't occurred since Vegeta was very young. There was little the Saiya-jin no Ou could do to harm his son now.

“And haven't you been alive long enough to know that I am the strongest warrior on this planet?” mocked Vegeta. The King grunted.

“I was once the strongest too, Vegeta, and my father before me.” Something wasn't right, thought Vegeta, as his father started to take on a tone barely hinting at some sort of sadness.

“Spare me the formalities, what exactly is it that you've called me here to do?” Vegeta was getting testy again. He didn't have the patience to listen to his father lament the loss of the former King. Sadness was weakness and the House of Vegeta-sei had no room for such a disgrace.

“Well, if you don't know, then maybe I should show you.” The King smirked and made a gesture toward a guard as the throne room door was opened. Vegeta's eyes widened in horror as Nappa appeared—and he wasn't alone. In less than a second Vegeta turned on his father.

“What is the meaning of this, old man?” Vegeta's eyes burned fire as if the very thought of his father burned to ashes would make it possible.

“I thought you might be able to tell me, brat, considering it was you who hid her in your personal quarters.” The King's eyes hardened. “Why is she here, Vegeta?” demanded the Saiya-jin no Ou. When Vegeta didn't answer, the King approached his son and, without restraint, slapped him forcefully across the face.

“You dare strike me, Father?” Vegeta's ki level began to rise as the enraged Saiya-jin Prince powered up.

“Do you have any idea what you have done?” asked the King roughly as he grabbed Vegeta's shoulders and shook him. “Freeza knows, Vegeta. He knows. Does that mean anything to you? Does the future of the Saiya-jin Empire mean anything to you?” Vegeta broke free and glared openly at his father, his head high.

“What future? The future of a race of warrior slaves?” spat back the Prince vehemently.

“A human, Vegeta. A human. Of all the females in the universe you found the only human female remaining and decided to keep her here. On Vegeta-sei?” The King turned his back on his son. “You of all people should know what happened last time Freeza thought the humans to be a threat.”

Vegeta was silent.

All those screaming people. There was no way they could have known… could have expected…

Vegeta's thoughts ran away with him.

A year of peace treaties between the Ice-jin and the Earthlings and still… all those faces… all those lives utterly and completely destroyed along with the hope of every Saiya-jin under Freeza's rule and the irony of it was that they didn't even know it.

Rash'kin a sonat su ma. Skar shinta mun a kin'moshan… Rash'kin a sonat su ma. Skar shinta mun a kin'moshan…

“Bring her forward, Nappa,” commanded the King as he looked at his confused son. Vegeta shook his head as he was brought out of the trance that had momentarily consumed him. Nappa laid Bulma down on the red carpet with a surprising amount of care before the two men and walked away. Murmurs were heard throughout the room as the unmoving body of the Chikyuu-jin was exposed for all to see.

Someday I will have your head for this, Nappa, Vegeta vowed silently.

“Bulma…” Vegeta leaned down and knelt on his knees before the unconscious woman and then glared up at his father. His eyes were a magnificent golden hue with a hint of blue.

“Well, at least now I know why you're so smitten with her, brat,” said the King with sarcasm. “And she is so weak and defenseless, after all. I suppose it wouldn't be difficult to—“

“If you value your life at all you will not finish that sentence.” The King's words were cut off as Vegeta gripped his father's neck and lifted him off the ground. It was now the King's turn for his eyes to widen.

Oh, Vegeta, you couldn't have…

Vegeta dropped his father and he fell heavily to the ground. After coughing and rubbing his neck for a few seconds, the Saiya-jin no Ou rose to his feet and looked his son in the eyes. Everything was suddenly crystal clear.

“I thought maybe you were having a little fun, Vegeta, but it appears that you are more of a fool than I ever could have imagined,” began the King. “An Earthling?! You mated with a pathetic—“

As the flash of piercing white light faded away, there was a stillness in the room that Vegeta never thought possible as all the nobles' and senators' eyes focused on his unmoving stance, extended arm, and smoking white glove. From her position on the floor, Bulma moaned.

“Listen to me, all of you,” said Vegeta as he turned to the crowd of shocked Saiya-jin bureaucrats. “What you have just witnessed will be the fate of anyone who has the stupidity to ever disrespect my mate again.” His eyes still glowed and his aura was an alarming red. The former Saiya-jin no Ouji was not keen on idle threats. “As I'm sure you all are now aware, I have absolutely no qualms with spilling noble blood.” With that last statement, Vegeta walked over to Bulma's prone form and picked her up in his arms, cradling her head on his chest.

“Vegeta…?” questioned Bulma as her eyes began to flutter.

“It's alright, onna. Go back to sleep,” he said in a soothing voice. “I swear, onna, you can sleep through anything.” He smiled at her as she began to slip back into a restful state. Making his way down the red carpet and to the throne room entrance, Vegeta turned to the nearest guard. “Oh, and do see that the mess in here is cleaned up.”

As soon as the door closed the room was filled with the sounds of distraught nobles and senators. No one was quite sure what they had just seen, but one thing was certain: Vegeta-sei had a new king.