Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Stranger ❯ The Meeting ( Chapter 1 )

The Stranger

By Jody

Kind of fic: Romance /Alternate Universe / Suspense

Pairing: Vegeta/Bulma

Rating: R

Warnings: Suggestive language, angst

Disclaimer: I not own Dragonball Z or any it's characters.

Background: This fic takes place in the late nineteen century in England. Vegeta is a very rich gentleman who moves into the countryside in which Bulma resides with her mother and father. Because of his wealth he is simultaneously welcomed into the elite social circle in the society with Bulma.

Summery of Chapter: Bulma reflects on her first meeting with Vegeta at a ball.

Chapter 1

The Meeting

My first perception of him was clouded by the excessive banter of the gossiping mouths of the countryside. He was expected to be devilishly handsome with a very foul mouth and a smirk that I heard never left his lips. He stole many hearts stealthily like a cat burglar with only his appearance in use but because of his dry wit and suggestive language the women easily forgot he had acquired it and moved onto something better.

He was everything they said. He was an enigma and because of my curious nature I had to understand him. This drive in me made me become very close to him. He was a different kind of person than the other people around me. I knew the expected from them but his unpredictable actions never could be predicted or explained, at least not from my limited knowledge of his character back then.

He made himself known to all at a very exclusive party that was held by the Baugh family that seemed then like in a worthless attempt to get either of their daughters married to one of the most eligible bachelors in the countryside. He walked in suavely handing his coat to one of the doormen and then waited to be announced by a stout herald who like most of the other workers seemed to be worn out.

" They were right about him." Nancy whispered quietly trying to evade other people from listening, " He is a very attractive man. If I was not a married woman I believe I would get to know him better."

" Does it matter whether or not you are married," I said. Everyone in the whole country knew she had a wondering eye. Her husband had to keep tabs on her constantly so that this certain body part would not lead her into any sinful predicaments that involved others.

She did not answer me instead she left my presence allowing me to return my line of sight back to Vegeta. His physical appearance was rather exquisite although his hair was quite untamed and he was not as tall as most of the other men. He was very handsome though and his extremely masculine body looked absolutely wonderful in his suit. These qualities easily made up for his height difference with the other men.

His eyes scanned over the room only stopping when he caught my gaze. He smirked as his eyes glided over my person. He walked across the room leaving the host mumbling pleasantries into the air. She herself made her way quickly towards another guest leaving his brevity upon leaving behind her.

" I saw you staring at me over there most provocatively so I decided to award you with a better view, woman." He said tilting his head slightly.

" Your assumption that your coming over here would be awarding is very far from my point of view and my name is Bulma, not woman" I retorted even though I knew his assertion was correct.

" I must admit I normally do incite certain feelings when meeting women, naturally the feelings I incite are usually of a romantic kind but in some cases, as in yours, they seem to be different woman," He said, my last comment not fazing him. "In these few cases these feelings are either genuinely different, which I still doubt, or a facade covering over the usual. Which suits you the first or the last."

" The first, the later is absurd and can't you recognize what a name is or are you not intelligent enough to notice what it is used for Vegeta. One would think with your wealth you would have been taught how to be courteous and well mannered."

" I can recognize that Bulma is your name, whether or not I decide to use it is another matter. Concerning my education I can assure you I went to better schools than all the people you surround yourself with," He stated causing me to glare at him. I believe if I was not in public but somewhere far away from all other eyes I would have tried to physically hurt him which I doubt it would have made a difference to his disposure.

We continued sometime like this until our gazes were lifted from each other by a very tactful comment by a young man hinting for a dance with me. I stared at both of them the contrast too evident; one was a gentleman and the other a bastard. Yet I stayed with the bastard remaining quiet and acting as if this comment was only said in a jocular nature and not a question that deserved an answer.

He became uncomfortable flinching as he stared at us almost begging to be excused from this tense atmosphere. It only occurred to me then he was aware of our impoliteness to his unwanted interruption. He whispered something about promising the next dance to Lady Mary Carter and not wanting to upset her by getting her after the other waltz began. I smiled as his retreating figure disappeared into a muddle of white ball dresses and black tailored suits.

Usually my indifference to their proposals was apparent but I would honour their requests and dance with them, not caring whether I danced all night or sat in a corner beside the fireplace alone. It did not really matter to these men either, for in the countryside rejection was easily forgotten and disappointments disappeared in a matter of moments.

" Vegeta do you know how to dance?" My question was left unanswered since he was no longer behind me. He was somewhere where my eyes could not find him and I certainly was not going to look for him.

I saw him later leaning against the railing of the balcony, completely at peace. He looked too serene to be the same man who was just so impertinent to me. He was looking into the sky with such an intensity that I thought he must have been looking for something only he knew was there.

" You can't find infinity you know," I commented as I watched him from the doorframe.

" Woman I know I can't find infinity that was not what I was looking for."

" Then what were you looking for?" I questioned as I approached him from behind.

" Something that is lost forever."

My eyes followed his gaze to region of the sky he was looking at. All I saw was stars but I continued to stare for a long time trying to find something else but I still only saw the stars.

" There is nothing but stars out there Vegeta?"

" I know."

" Is that what you are looking at."

" No, not the stars woman."

" Then what?"

" None of your damn business woman," he said finally changing his line of sight to me. He had a hint of regret in his eyes that was not because of me but something else. He looked mentally drained and tired of something, something that was causing him pain.

Was he in love? I looked at him again. He did not seem like he was in love, at least not with someone, more with the idea of something or someplace. A man does not look like that when he is in love with a woman even if he was feeling heartache, a man who is in love as a glint in his eyes that cannot be described.

" Vegeta is there something wrong?"

" No."

" You could tell me if there was."

" No I could not"

" Why?"

" Because I am not a person to whimper out my problems to young ladies who have nothing better to do than pity people, annoy them and go to weekly parties to entrap poor unknowing victims they call men to become their cowardly husbands just to show their false superiority as women."

" I do not only go to parties Vegeta nor do I pity people. And even if I pitied someone it surely would not be you with your damned arrogant egotistical self. Goodbye and goodnight Vegeta."

I left him there. It was his problem for him to deal with alone since he would not condescend himself long enough to speak to people who were obviously lower than him in his mind. I did not see him the rest of the night nor did I want to. I left the ball trying to forget him and promising myself to avoid him wherever I went. Fortunately unknowing to myself then he would always be close to me.

Author Notes: I am a very brutal critic of my own work as well as others and I like when people do the same for me. Please don't just say you hate the fic please tell me why and also if you like the fic please tell me why because this is the only way I can grow as an author. Being articulate in your reviews always helps me to become better because there is always room for improvement and I am willing to listen. This chapter is kind of small but the other will probably be longer.