Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Prince and Princess Diaries ❯ Tourounoono ( Chapter 22 )

Chapter Twenty Two: Tourounoono (Doomed)

Vegeta glowered fiercely as he leaned against the wall in his wife's receiving room. After the annoying knock on her door and finding out it was Bulma's best friend, they had moved to this room. It had several chairs and sofas, a small table for tea and whatnot, and a fireplace. He could tell it had not been used for a while for the curtains were closed over the wide windows.

He kept to the shadows as his wife and her best friend talked and held back tears of sorrow. He also kept his eye on Kakarott, who was standing nearby as well. He had never liked the bastard, and for one reason only; he challenged his strength and power way too much. It irked the hell out of him.

Bulma ignored the tension between her husband and Chichi's. For the moment she was relaying what had happened while Chichi had been gone. She told her about Hokora's death, along with King Vegeta's. She kept Vegeta's return to herself for a later time. She hoped that they would have privacy soon, so they could talk about whatever they liked and would not have to worry about certain "people" hearing it.

Bulma smiled sadly when Chichi buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Kakarott grasped her shoulder and rubbed gently, and Bulma was surprised to hear a growl from the corner of the room. She gave Vegeta a confused frown, wondering what his problem was now.

Vegeta pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning against and moved over to his wife. He basically inserted himself between Chichi and his wife, and then he pulled Bulma up by her arm. After a loud "Ow!" was said, Bulma yanked her arm out of his hold.

"What is your problem, Vegeta? I did not do anything wrong!"

Vegeta glared at the disgusting couple staring at them a foot away from where he was standing. "I do not like Kakarott standing so close to you, woman. Stay away from him."

Bulma fought the urge to smack him. "Oh, grow up, Vegeta. I was not even near him. He was just comforting his wife."

Vegeta growled. "Are you implying something, woman?"

Bulma snarled back at him, noting the shocked look on his face at her returned action. "No, but are you, your exaltedness?"

Vegeta snorted and walked towards the door in a manner that shouted royalty. "I guess I am not wanted here. Have fun."

With that he left, slamming the door behind him. Bulma sighed. What is his problem? Did he do that just so he could leave? Or does he get jealous if a man is next to me? Damn, it must be bad if he gets jealous over Chichi's own husband.

Kakarott and Chichi both gave her questioning looks, and she threw up her hands in consternation. "I do not know what his problem is. He does not like men around me. You should have seen his reaction when he found Yamcha in my room."

Chichi's eyes widened. "Did he kill him?" she whispered, her hand holding tightly onto her bridegroom's. She had no clue what Vegeta was capable of, but she had heard enough from people to know. She almost felt like she knew him from all the adventures and whatnot she had heard from King Vegeta and Hokora, not to mention anyone else who was nice enough to talk to her or Bulma about him.

"No," Bulma sighed, "but he wanted to. He punched him in his face so hard that I think he broke his nose. Blood squirted everywhere. Yamcha did not even have a chance against him, even though he went after Vegeta first."

Chichi was all ears. She leaned forward with a sly look on her face. "You mean Lord Yamcha actually attacked the soon-to-be King of Vegeta-sei?"

Bulma actually smiled at the memory. "Yes...and it was wonderful. I think that I realized then how protective Vegeta was towards me, and that he actually had feelings for me deeper than just lust."

Bulma blinked at what she just said and blushed at the expressions on her best friends' faces.

"Um...I apologize, I should not have said that," she said politely, Chichi knowing that all her years of speech and properness training had caught up to her.

Chichi laughed it off and glanced over her shoulder at her husband. "Kakarott, if you would not mind, could you leave us alone so we could talk in private? We have much to talk about, my love."

Kakarott gave his wife an affectionate gaze and kissed her cheek. "Of course, my love. I shall meet up with you later in our chambers. Do not stay out too long, for it is already getting late."

Chichi nodded and Bulma watched with jealous eyes as they kissed in the most loving, gentle way, and then Kakarott left with one last glance in his wife's direction. She hoped her feelings did not show on her face. If only Chichi had not come at the wrong time...she could have been in Vegeta's arms all night....

Bulma let go of the amorous thoughts and turned back to Chichi. She had a lot to talk about, including her inside scoop on Hokora's death, along with King Vegeta's. She had a lot to tell her about the progress of the cure for the plague, not to mention Ucukusii's accident and his put down. Oh, and she also had to tell her about Vegeta's return. She had the feeling that they would be up all night long, for there were things she knew Chichi wanted to tell her as well. She smiled in anticipation, for she finally had her best friend back to talk to.

*******************

"So...what took you so long to get here?" Bulma asked in her native language hours later, sipping tea that she had called for about a half an hour ago. The servant had been sleepy; it had been obvious that he had been sleeping.

Chichi set her teacup down in its holder and leaned back against the cushioned sofa. "A lot of reasons. Do you know how long it takes for a messenger to get to where Kakarott and I reside? Over a week! The idiot took his time, too. He got there almost two weeks after you sent him out. By then, Kakarott and I were going through the planting season at our place, and we were helping out the village and all the outlying houses around our property. We could not leave for almost a week or something could have gone wrong. I was so upset, Bulma. I cried for days on end...it hurt so much to know that I was not there for her in her last hours. I am happy to know that you tried your hardest to save her, even though in the end it was worthless."

Bulma nodded, but said, "No, it was not worthless, Chichi. I know deep down in my heart that I helped some, and that I relieved some of Hokora's pain. She knew that I was there, and the last thing that she mouthed was that she loved me. Even with King Vegeta standing right there. It broke my heart, Chichi."

Chichi felt tears well up in her eyes again, but she blinked them back. "Oh Bulma, I feel so horrible. I wish I could have been here for something. Even for her burial."

Bulma blinked in sudden remembrance. "She has not been buried yet, Chichi. Vegeta and I were supposed to talk about where we were going to place her, but Ucukusii and I had that accident, and I broke my leg and I was in the regeneration tank for over a day or whatever. We still have to place her somewhere."

Chichi's face brightened. "Well, I guess I will not miss everything then. I can say my final goodbyes."

Bulma nodded sadly and changed the topic after taking another sip of her tea. "It is good to know that you and Kakarott are so happy even though you have only been married for a little over a month. How has it been?"

Chichi's face turned pink, and Bulma knew exactly what she was thinking about. They both laughed and Bulma told her to spill all the goodies.

"Well, I...it is wonderful, Bulma. I had no idea that marriage could be so...fulfilling to me. I almost feel complete as a woman. Kakarott treats me like I am a rare jewel and that I have to be handled with the gentlest of care."

Bulma started at her words. She would swear that Vegeta treated her the same way...well, most of the time.

"On our wedding night, I was not expecting what happened. When it was time to go to bed at the inn we stopped at for the night, Kakarott actually wanted to sleep in the same bed as me. I thought that was atrocious, for on Anausia-sei couples sleep in separate rooms."

Bulma nodded, remembering briefly how she had felt the night that Vegeta and her had been married and he had wanted to do the same thing.

Chichi shrugged and sipped at her tea once more. "I got over it quickly, but then he wanted me to get naked. I was all sorts of flustered, for only my maidservant had ever seen me naked. He told me he wanted to mate with me."

Bulma and Chichi giggled like little girls at the word "mate." Since they were alone and had a chance to talk about what they wanted, they had switched over to Anausian, their native language. The word "mate" in Anausian was so funny to pronounce. Not to mention the meaning.

"I know," Bulma said, laughing some more. "Vegeta said the same thing to me on our wedding night. It made me feel like an...animal. If he would have said something like that to me now...I would probably feel naughty."

They both laughed hysterically again. It was so wonderful to talk to each other uninhibited.

"But anyhow, after a while of coaxing me and kissing me and all that good stuff, we `mated.' Bulma...it was so...beautiful. I think Kakarott was shocked when I asked if we could do it again."

They giggled again. "Oh Chichi, you make me laugh so hard." After she calmed down she gave her a questioning look. "So he was gentle with you? He did not hurt you or anything?"

Chichi frowned at her question. "Well, not really. At first it hurt a little bit, but after the pain went away it was incredible. Why do you ask?"

Bulma looked away, knowing deep down that she had to tell her best friend. She hated keeping things from her, and it had been almost four years. "Chichi...Vegeta and I have never consummated our relationship."

Chichi gasped loudly. "Are you serious?! Bulma, you know what would happen if some man stole you away and...and raped you! Vegeta would have no claim on you if you had never consummated your relationship!"

Bulma nodded, but then shrugged in an annoyed fashion. "Yes, but I doubt severely that someone would ever steal me away. I know how to fight, Chichi."

Her best friend gave her a penetrating stare. "Bulma, I do not care whether or not you know how to fight. Sometimes that does not help."

Bulma stared back at her with a fierce expression. "Well, if something like that ever did happen, which it will not, I would at least not turn into a simpering debutante crying for her beau to save her."

Chichi sighed at her in dismay. "Bulma, you are so pig-headed. You have been married almost four years, and you have not even made love? I could tell that I interrupted a very intimate moment between you two whenever I knocked on your door."

Bulma plucked at her blue gown. "Yes, you did. But it is all right. I think we were rushing anyhow. Today--well, yesterday now, was the first time we ever kissed like that. Well, more than kissed," she said with a small intimate smile. "I did not know it could feel that way. The night that we were married Vegeta was going to force me. He did not want anything to do with me, and I guess I scared him away because he left the room and I did not see him again for over three years."

Saying that brought back many bad memories, but oddly, she was not mad at Vegeta anymore. She had forgiven him for his past childish actions.

Chichi jumped up from her seat after a long drawn-out silence. "I have an idea. I know it is late, but we have not sparred for a long time. Let's do it."

Bulma jumped up as well. "That is a great idea. I will lend you a set of my clothes. I still have your sword stored away in the trunk outside in our walled arena."

They ran into Bulma's room through her dressing room, and Bulma quickly threw her a set of clothes and told her to dress in her bathing room. Chichi hurried into the room and Bulma undressed swiftly. She threw her underclothes and dress every which way, littering her floor and furniture.

Bulma was done first, and she began searching for her sword. It was not in its normal place, and she remembered suddenly that she had been wearing it when she'd had her accident with Ucukusii. She was about to give up the search when she spotted it by her bed, next to the chair that Vegeta had been sitting in earlier. She silently thanked her husband for not taking it with him and strapped it to her side. By this time Chichi was done and waiting for her by the door that led outside. Bulma grabbed the small golden key that unlocked the door, and they both left for their walled sanctuary.

Bulma glanced at the room next to hers as they moved down the walkway heading towards the walled arena. The lights were still on in Vegeta's room, letting her know that he was still awake. Why? Was he waiting for Chichi to leave her room? Or maybe he could not sleep?

Bulma forgot about it as she unlocked the large wooden double doors and allowed Chichi to enter first. She went in after her and locked the door behind her, not wanting someone to come in. As always, it was a personal thing.

Chichi moved over to the long wooden chest by the large tree next to the wall. She opened it and pulled out the scabbard that housed her sword. It was nowhere near as nice as Bulma's, but it still got the job done.

Chichi quickly strapped it to her side, a calm look on her face. Bulma realized that Chichi was inspecting her, something that they both had been taught to do with every enemy, whether or not you knew the person well. Chichi might be her best friend and they knew each other better than anyone else, but they still scrutinized each other closely.

Bulma unsheathed her sword serenely and pointed it out to the side as she began to circle Chichi. The older woman pulled her own sword out as well, both hands holding the handle and pointing her sword out in front of her. They both had taken up different fighting stances since they had first begun to learn the art of swordplay, which distinguished them apart. They both fought in their own way, each had their own fighting style. That was one of the many reasons why they gave each other such a good fight.

Bulma evaluated all the open spots in Chichi's stance, noting that she seemed to be keeping her left side slightly exposed. She circled her one more time before she dove for her, aiming directly for the open spot. Chichi countered her attack perfectly, effectively blocking it and using her right leg to try to trip Bulma. The princess smirked at Chichi right before she flipped backwards and swept her sword in a wide arc as soon as she landed so she could protect her open back. Chichi stepped back immediately, her stomach almost being sliced open at Bulma's clever trick.

"Nice one," Chichi said smoothly, circling her friend once more. "You have never used that move before."

Bulma smirked again, realizing once again that she had acquired the habit from Vegeta. She hoped she intimidated her best friend with the look.

"Yes, I know. I have not practiced lately, but I was trying out that move on my own. I saw a soldier do it before you left, and I liked it. I decided that I would try it."

Chichi shook her head in amusement and charged her, her sword colliding with Bulma's. They struggled for the power to overcome each other, but Bulma was clearly the one in control. The princess flicked her hand just the right way and her sword slid around Chichi's, effectively knocking it out of her hands and flinging it to the side. The older woman dove for it, but no sooner found the sharp point of Bulma's sword in her throat than she turned to the side to retrieve it.

Bulma held the tip of her sword at Chichi's throat a threateningly moment longer, feeling the thrill of battle thrumming through her veins. She closed her eyes and smiled, removing her blade away from her best friend's neck.

"You need practice," Bulma said flatly, almost feeling disgusted that she had defeated Chichi so easily. Either she was advancing further than her, or Chichi needed to get back into the habit again.

Chichi reclaimed her sword from the hard-packed earth and snorted. "You were just lucky, child. Again?"

Bulma laughed quietly and nodded. "As you wish, my lady."

They went at it again, Bulma continuously knocking the sword out of her friend's hands or putting her into a position where she would have been instantly killed. Not once did Chichi knock Bulma's sword out of her hands or put her into a position where she would have been dead. Bulma suddenly knew after they went at it again and again that she was better than her best friend. She had finally advanced further than her, finally achieved what she had tried so hard to accomplish. Chichi must have realized this as well, for she stopped abruptly, panting hard with sweat rolling down her face. Bulma was calm, her breathing even. Chichi was clearly exerted, and she dropped her sword in exhaustion.

"You win. I cannot beat you anymore. I am afraid that the Princess of Vegeta-sei has finally overcome me," she panted, a sad hint to her voice. Bulma sheathed her sword and strode to her best friend. She stuck out her hand and Chichi smiled broadly as she grasped the younger woman's hand. They pulled each other together, their hands held tightly between them.

"You will always be a worthy opponent," Bulma said, honestly meaning it. "You were the one that made me try so hard all these years, and now that I have finally achieved the greatness I have always longed for, I know that you were the one that made me this great. You are truly a good friend."

Chichi smiled back at her, knowing deep down that she would never beat Bulma ever again. Her best friend had gone to great lengths to defeat her all these years, and now she finally had. Bulma was the best she had ever seen. She wondered briefly if anyone would ever be able to overcome her, when she suddenly heard clapping.

Bulma and Chichi both jerked towards the sound, their hands still clasped tightly between them. The princess released her hand when she saw the shadow sitting on the top of the wall, next to the large tree. She knew instantly who it was.

"Vegeta," she whispered, watching as the shadow jumped the good fifteen feet to the ground and landed too gracefully for a man. Chichi backed away, not knowing who it was. Bulma stilled her with her hand to let her know it was safe.

"What are you doing here?" Bulma demanded, feeling anger flood her. How had he gotten in?

Vegeta chuckled quietly as he moved towards them in a stalking manner. Bulma felt a tingle crawl up her spine and noticed it as fear. Vegeta could be menacing and evil when he wanted to be, and he was using that to his advantage right now.

"Well, my princess, I could not help but hear you two hacking at each other through my open windows. When one is a warrior and not stupid, one would realize that the metal clanging is swords hitting against each other," he said threateningly, his face and voice dark. Bulma swallowed.

"I did nothing wrong. Neither did Chichi. You have no right to be here. How did you get in?" she demanded, her hand automatically moving to the handle of her sheathed sword. Why she felt the need to protect herself was beyond her.

Vegeta glanced at the older woman next to his wife and glared at her. "Leave," he barked, sending Chichi into a panic. Bulma stared angrily at her husband and tossed the golden key she had kept in her pocket at her best friend.

"Do not worry about me. Go and I will talk to you later," Bulma said, not bothering to look at her as Chichi ran towards the double wooden doors and unlocked them. She gave Bulma one last look before she ran out of the walled arena, closing the doors but not locking them.

Bulma continued to stare at her glaring husband. "I repeat, how did you get in here?"

Vegeta snorted as he walked over to the abandoned sword that Chichi had left. "That tree has braches long enough for a person to climb up on. All I had to do was climb one."

Bulma gave him a wary look as he picked up the discarded sword. What was he planning on doing?

"So why did you come here? There had to be a reason," Bulma fumed, gripping the handle of her sword harder.

Vegeta inspected the sword in his hand closely. "Well," he mused, "I suppose that I wanted to see if my wife was lying to me or not."

Bulma gave him a puzzled gaze. "Lying? About what?"

"About whether or not you stole that sword in your hands. And about whether or not you knew how to use it."

Bulma paled. "Oh." She remembered briefly their discussion about the sword he had found buckled to her side when she had woken up earlier.

Vegeta chuckled. "So wife, what do you say? Why do you not show me how well you can fight." He looked at her closely. He had seen part of the fight between Chichi and her, and had been incredibly impressed. His wife was a worthy opponent.

Bulma felt her spine stiffen. "Never!" she cried, dismayed. She could not fight her own husband! She had heard way too many stories about the amazing way he fought. He was an extraordinary-no, legendary fighter if the stories were true. She would be slaughtered, and she had no wish to lose to him.

Vegeta felt the corner of his mouth quirk up. "And why not, my princess? Are you not...woman enough?"

Bulma seethed. How dare the cocky bastard! She was a good fighter in her own right, but she had no clue if she could go against a seasoned warrior like Vegeta. She had only ever fought several people in her lifetime, not hundreds or even thousands like her husband. Nor had she ever killed anyone like him.

"No," Bulma admonished, wishing he would give up. She had just won a victory, and she did not want that feeling to be lost.

But she did not think that was the reason why she did not want to fight him. She knew why. She did not think she could win against him. She did not want him to think less of her if he beat her with hardly trying.

"I promise that if you lose, I will not disrespect you," Vegeta said honestly, his menacing appearance disappearing. Bulma felt her face fall. How had he known? It was almost as if he had read her mind.

Bulma thought about it. He had promised that he would not disrespect her, but did that promise mean anything?

Bulma straightened her back. "I accept your challenge," she sneered, unsheathing her sword in a strong, fluid movement. She hoped with every fiber of her being that she would win, and that Vegeta would admire her and hold her in high esteem if she did. She could only hope however, as Vegeta's sinister expression reappeared, and he got into his daunting stance.

She knew she was doomed.