takes place during those three years of preparation to fight the androids. this also goes along with my other story ARGUMENTS. so yeah, read that first. it's completed. C: oh. and i don't own dbz. but i do own the universe.

Bulma

I found myself looking at you again. It had been just a few days after your quick, but not full, recovery since the time you almost killed yourself…pushing almost pass the limits of what your body could handle, destroying the spaceship in the process. You had been out for two days, and in those two days, my father was able to repair such a big space ship.

You were just coming out of the space ship, a towel hanging around your neck. I could still see the bruises and scars, even if they were healing faster than a normal human's body can. Then again, you weren't human. I saw a sweat trail down your face to your chin. It hung there for a moment, before dripping onto your sweaty muscular broad chest.

My eyes traveled back up to see your black eyes staring back at me, the same angry glare you always had almost twenty-four-seven. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks in embarrassment, and I knew just how red my face was at being caught. You gave a look of confusion mixed with almost disgust.

I turned away, stirring my spoon in my melting ice cream. I didn't seem to crave for the delicious cold treat on a hot day like this. I wanted something else, but I didn't know what it was. From the corner of my eyes, I looked again. You were already inside the house.

Bulma.

I looked at the setting sun, and welcomed the soon to come cool night. It's been too hot, especially in that house I had. I needed to come outside, with my ice cream, to sit under my huge umbrella that hovered over me on my comfortable chair. And to be honest, I was hoping to see you.

Bulma.

I've always wanted you to join me, instead of keeping yourself locked inside of that space ship. You were, of course, ungrateful. You didn't thank my father for rebuilding it for you, you didn't think me for nursing you back to health, and you didn't thank my mother for the delicious treats she always offered you once you were done with your daily training. It's almost as if you expect us to do these things for you. You may be a prince, but I'm no slave.

"Bulma." Was someone calling me? It sounded so vague…I turned and saw Yamcha, looking irritated. What's his deal?

"What?" I replied.

"I've been calling you for some time now." He said, his teeth gritting against each other. I rolled my eyes. And then he bluntly added, "You're always looking at Vegeta."

Was that jealousy I sensed in his voice? I looked innocently at him, then back to my melted ice cream. "So what? He just came out of the space ship and I just turned, ok?"

He was quiet, and I looked at him. He had doubt in his eyes. "You seem to be paying more attention to him lately."

I grimaced. I couldn't help but feel a part of me agreeing with him about his ridiculous remark. I gave out a forced laugh. "Vegeta? HA! Oh, please, Yamcha."

He shook his head. "I'm serious, Bulma. Your eyes look like you want to eat him, or something."

I was angered. How dare he? "Don't you dare criticize me of…of doing a crime that you yourself do all the time."

He jerked back. "What are you talking about?"

"The way you check out women in front of me. I'm getting tired of catching you flirting with them," I reminded bitterly, "If you're hinting on me being disloyal, you should look in the mirror first before doing so."

That didn't seem to make him happy. I didn't expect it to. "I've only wanted you, Bulma."

Oh, another argument. The arguments have been escalating from about him flirting with girls to me paying attention to you more than Yamcha. Maybe he needs some competition…to make him know that I'm not some woman he can use when he doesn't have anyone else. Bulma Briefs will NOT be used like a back-up!

"If we're only going to start another argument, I suggest you leave, Yamcha. You've already said you wouldn't be here if Vegeta killed me." With my hand, I fanned him away, giving him the dismissed sign. That evolved him into an even angrier state. But nothing he did scared me. Yamcha may be a strong fighter, but sometimes I thought he was a wussy. He began to bore me.

"Fine! I'm going! And this time, I won't be back!" with that, he flew away. I remembered the last time he said he wouldn't be back…the day I mistakenly got drunk by myself. Of course, from the results of that night, I didn't regret anything. It was a conversation that I had with you for the first time unguarded. I will always remember it.

I watched his retreating form in the sky as it turned from a dot to nothing. I knew he'd come back. He always did; two days at the most. Leaving the bowl of melted ice cream, I went into the house.

Vegeta

Even though I've caught you staring at me for the thousandth time, it never failed to surprise me. Ever since that night you had gotten drunk, you were almost everywhere within eye sight. And even so, I liked it every time you were looking at me, showering my body with admiration. It felt good. It felt even better to see the jealousy in your man's eyes.

I never liked him, and to know that you were paying more attention to me than him made me feel almost…invincible. I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it. I am an ambitious and selfish man; I want everything, especially the title of the strongest warrior ever, and I plan on getting it. After killing those androids, I will fight Kakkarot in a duel and prove my superior strength.

But once I'm done…once I prove I am indeed the strongest…what do I do? What is to become of this? I am a Prince of a race once so strong, but now dead. There is no point in ruling this Earth; what will I do with its weak and worthless lot?

There's something in me that wants something, but I don't know what it is. It's craving for something, driving me into insanity until I get it. I know I want to become a Super Saiy-jin so badly, but this wanting…this yearning for this…this unknown thing is driving me insane. Lately, I've been waking up in the morning, feeling like I'm missing something. I don't feel whole…and it's not because I'm not a Super Saiy-jin.

I've also noticed that seeing you seemed to bring some sort of comfort…some sort of ease in this craving…could it be that I'm…yearning for you? Madness! What do I need you for? Certainly not love! What can I do with love? I know what it does to a man. It brings fear…fear of losing someone you love. I will not allow myself to do that.

After my shower, feeling refresh and clean, I went into my room. Not a minute went by before you walked in. By the look in your eyes, I knew you've been looking for me. Your eyes eased once they settled upon me. You smiled. What do you want?

"Hey, Vegeta," you greeted as you sat on the edge of my bed. I drew my legs close to me, both bent, one propped up on one foot, while the other rested before me. I leaned my elbow on my knee as I stared at you, searching your eyes for answers as to why you were meddling in my room.

"What's up?" you simply asked.

"What do you want?" I demanded. This feeling in me for seeing you…this little joy was annoying me. I won't allow myself to feel this. These sentimental emotions are nothing but an enemy to me; something that could bring me down from reaching my goal.

But even the sound of my purposely harsh voice didn't bother you. I think you're growing too confident with yourself to think I wouldn't do anything. I could easily blast you to the next dimension, fool.

"Just wanted to see how you're doing, that's all. And I just felt like having some company."

Silence. You legs daggled from the side of my bed, swinging up and down as you wanted them to. You looked at the ceiling, seeing something I couldn't. I didn't understand, though. Why look for me for company when you had that…that moron?

You seemed to have sensed my question because you chuckled and answered it. "Yamcha and I kind have… broken up. Of course, I give him two days to return. He always does." You seemed confident with yourself once again.

"Why do you even put yourself through that? Why can't you just find someone loyal?" I asked before I could stop myself. It was true; I wondered why she even bothered herself with someone like him. She may not be the greatest thing, but she could do much better.

You simply laughed. "You don't understand."

I was irritated by the way you said that; as if I was incapable of knowing anything. I'm not a stupid child. You are. "There are thousands of idiots out there. Why him?"

You shook her head, still not looking at me, but smiling. What are you smiling for? "He's all I got, Vegeta. He's all…I seem to have." Suddenly, you shook your head, standing up. "I've known him since I was just a teenager. We've been through a lot more than you would think. We understand each other. Sure, there are some faults in this relationship, but in time we'll be able to fix them. No relationship is perfect after all."

"Faults? Fix? How many years has it been? Has there been much improvement?"

Suddenly, you were angry. "You don't know, Vegeta! You wouldn't understand…you wouldn't understand love. You're so thoughtless of everyone else; you only think of yourself. Yamcha may flirt with all these girls, but we've only got each other."

With that, you pivoted on one foot and walked out the door. I knew I hit a nerve somewhere there. But was that your reason? Because you're lonely, you're settling for someone like him? Is that your reason? That's a stupid reason; to be with anybody, taking anybody, loving anybody just because you're so desperate to have someone; because you're afraid of having no one and being alone. Utterly and completely stupid.

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