Prisoner
By: dolce-bebe
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ, though I wished I owned Vegeta. Yeah, yeah, I know, it's been said before..
Summary: A/U. Frieza expects nothing less than the strongest, finest, most intelligent people in his court. Thus, he sends for Bulma to be the top scientist stationed in Vegeta-sei where she would be well protected. But who could honestly trust such a fiery woman to not start trouble amongst the Saiyajins? B/V.
Chapter 1: Found
Brushing the soft, damped, aqua strands from her eyes, she cringed slightly and remained in her sitting position. The girl had not moved for what seemed like hours. She sat with her back against the cool wall, her knees up and her head laying upon them. The barbarians had not even given her the chance to dry herself-although, it could have been worse. She half expected them to have raped her upon sight. Wasn't that what ruthless killers did? Surely the sight of a young woman having just stepped out of the shower with nothing but a white towel around her body, was more enticing even to a lone warrior. Not that she minded that they didn't, actually, she was quite relieved. Bulma had always prepared herself for the worse. She knew that under Frieza's reign, nothing was impossible, apparently their little mud-ball of a planet hadn't even put up any resistance when he showed up to declare himself the ruler. Who were they to fight back? They had weapons, powerful ones, although they needed man power in order to get them to work-but what exactly was their 'man power' compared to Frieza lifting up a single finger to have them all blown up?
Nothing, that's what.
He came not too long ago. Months, although Bulma could hardly remember. It had seemed like years. To some, he was a kind ruler-scratch that, a merciful ruler. He had not purged their planet, for the single reason that they could not fight back. Who would? The warriors he had sent held nothing against their human military army. In a matter of seconds their entire defence border had been infiltrated by Frieza's warriors, the Saiyajins. It wasn't long before the world had succumbed to his wishes. He didn't mistreat them after that, and although Earth was spared from the purging, the only one who seemed to see how ruthless the reptile was, was Bulma and a small group of rebels.
By Kami, the humans had even set up a temple to worship their new ruler. He had allowed them to live yes, but it did not mean that they were at peace. Thousands died each day, and all they did was praise him for being their merciful saviour.
Bulma scoffed. Not only was the tyrant a meaningless, and heartless fuck, but he was also conceited as fuck. He expected nothing less than the most strongest, of Earth's warriors to be a part of his court. At first she thought herself lucky. She was neither strong, or had any battle intelligence. She had been the most wealthiest woman on Earth at the time, and brains and beauty were her only fault. Apparently, it was what Frieza had wanted, and it was the same reason now as to why she sat in the cold dark room, waiting to be delivered to him.
Her father had helped build weapons before, though she was the one responsible for the upgrades, it didn't long before the word had reached Frieza's court. Talk was that he was shocked to find a woman with such beauty that could also have a intellectual mind other than that of a brick. Oh my, did she feel special then. And now here she was. Being shipped off to Kami knows where in the galaxy to provide him with more weapons so he could continue savaging other planets who actually stood a fighting chance.
The girl hugged herself tighter. If it weren't for Frieza's caring ways, her family would have been run out of the planet. The rebelling forces against the reptile had started out small all with a good intention, but the longer they kept on without food or water, Bulma had come to the conclusion that they had simply gone out of their minds. They were all pawns under his rule-it wasn't as if her father had any say in what his inventions were used for and apparently those were the reasons that they thought differently of them. Traitors, they called them, and had burned down their Capsule Corporation building after they had gathered a large enough crowd. Of course Frieza and his men had showed up to defend her family, and it only seemed to prove to the rebelling armies, that the Briefs family had indeed allied themselves with their new ruler.
Bulma wanted to gag. As if. The bastard had only come to protect their inventions. Saved her family, yes, put them in even more danger, double yes, and now without her parents by her side, she could barely keep herself from braking down in her worrying tantrums. Her father was old-well not old, but old enough that he could not defend himself. Her mother oblivious to anything, would not be able to tell an attack until her head had been blown off. By Kami, what would they do without her?
That was when the metal door creaked open. Bulma could barely make out the shadow of the figure as he stood in the light but she glared anyway. The warrior didn't waste any time and grabbed her by the upper arm, readying to drag her out, but the girl snatched her arm back seething.
"I can walk by myself," she snapped and made her way out of the door.
She could feel the presence of the warrior behind her, and heard him grumble under his breath, something of ungrateful, human wenches. Damn them all. She could care less. If Frieza needed her that badly, then she wasn't going to let some warrior, no scratch that, probably some underclass warrior bossing her around. And in fact if she was unimportant why hadn't he blasted her?
Stepping out of the ship, Bulma nearly felt her body collapse at the change in gravity. She braced herself at the edge of the doorway and felt the warrior's hands on her waist steadying her up. She glared at him and pulled away, trying to stand properly and walking as best as she could down the ramp. Where exactly were they? If she had known that she was going to be taken prisoner then the little genius would have strapped her gravicron device on her wrist. It certainly would up the pull of gravity around her, but no. They had to take her in a towel to be presented like some roasted food.
At the end of the ramp she noticed several warriors all wearing their armour with sour looks on their faces. One approached and gave her a gentle smile, his eyes turning into slits.
"Well, hello there!" he greeted with a wave. "Sorry about that, the planet's gravity is a bit higher than of..E-Urrth?" he turned and looked at another warrior that stood beside him.
"Earth, you dimwit," the other muttered.
The friendly fellow gave a nervous laugh, his hand reaching out to scratch the back of his head. "Oh that's right. Sorry about that. E-Arth. Such a strange name for a planet, don't you think?" he chuckled again and noticed Bulma's glare. "I-uh. So you must be that scientist that Frieza's been talking about-"
"Lord Frieza," the other interrupted again.
"Oh that's right, Lord Frieza. Well it's good to have you here Miss Tulma, I hope your journey went well. Turles didn't give you a hard time, did he? Oh sorry, I forgot to mention, my name's Kakarott-wow that was really rude of me, wasn't it? They all say I talk too much, honestly I'm not really sure what they mean. I'm only-"
Bulma crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, Kakarott. First of all, the name is Bulma. Second of all, no, my trip was not pleasant, and third, I can't fail to see why your comrades see you the way they do," she grumbled and turned her head to the side, refusing to see his cheerful face.
But he merely laughed causing the other warriors by his side to scowl disapprovingly. Was this buffoon really a warrior in Frieza's army? He was as harmless and as clueless as a fly. Perhaps it was merely a façade.
The warrior that stood behind Bulma brushed passed her and glared down upon the cheerful one. "We do not have time for idiocy, brother. I trust that you can find your way back to the palace without any directions," he said and then gestured towards the girl. "She is to be unharmed. Surely you can remember that. No distractions-got it?"
It was then that Bulma noticed their similarities. Not only were their hairstyles similar, but so was the construction of their faces. Kakarott seemed younger, she noted and more oblivious, unlike-Turles, was it? Who she could picture being a school bully, with his gruff voice and steady exterior. The others she noted, were similar to Turles. Frowns on their faces, their hair a complete mess, and stood to look down upon her from their terrifying height. The idiot Kakarott seemed to have been the only one to emote anything else beside a simple growl here and there. Awkward indeed.
"Ah, come on, Turles. I won't get distracted, I promise," he laughed and made his hand to salute. "Come on, Miss Bulma. We mustn't keep the King waiting. He's a real impatient one, yeap, he sure is."
He turned and started walking down the path with Bulma close behind. Honestly, the bracelet would have really helped. To others she must have looked like she had been constipated for days with how her legs wobbled on the dirt. She glared at his back. Where exactly had they taken her? Who was the King? Frieza? Had he named himself King of this planet as well?
The desert that they had landed on was a mass of red coloured dirt, but the path clearly over the small hills that they ventured on soon revealed a much more civilized nation. Bulma was surprised. She had thought the planet was nothing but dead sand, but the vegetation was far from what she had imagined. The trees seemed healthier than of Earth, more lavish. The flowers bloomed and the birds chirped. All but the thin concrete path that led to the vast, large, stone walls of the palace.
"Where are you taking me?" she muttered as she struggled to stand by him.
Kakarott raised an eyebrow. "King Vegeta of course," he replied.
"Vegeta?" Bulma frowned. "I thought I was to be taken to Frieza?" Great if she were lucky enough she'd be treated far less than if she was taken to Frieza himself. Kami help her. "Wait. Did you just say Vegeta? Are we on Vegeta-sei? The Saiyajin planet?"
"Well, yeah!" Kakarott beamed at her. "You've heard of us?"
Bulma fumed. "Oh I've heard of you! You were the pathetic bastards that Frieza sent to our planet. You destroyed our entire military forces and reduced us to nothing! You're his personal own army-tell me, does it make you proud that you've destroyed and killed thousands of innocent people without so much as a thought?" Kami she would have jumped him if she was certain she could rip his head off.
Kakarott waved his arms in front of him in defence and gave her a nervous laugh. "Now, now, Miss Bulma. We didn't want any of that. We were just following orders-"
"Do you think I'm stupid? Even before Frieza's reign the Saiyajins have purged planets for their own sick pleasure. It's just that now you can't defend yourselves against him that you're willing to take orders. How dare you bring me to this planet! Where is Frieza? I want to be taken to him right now!" Supposed to say she was losing it a little, was a complete exaggeration. One would have thought her mental to have screamed such insanities to a Saiyajin. Although, she supposed she was already crazy enough. It was one thing to be a sick twisted bastard, like Frieza, but also another to have been a cold hearted killer who could do nothing against the tyrant but act about his orders which was to still kill and murder and enjoy it.
"Miss Bulma, shhh!" Kakarott made an attempt to cover her mouth with his palm, but she snapped her teeth dangerously, and caused him to take a step back his arms waving about. "Please, Miss Bulma. If the others were to hear you, there's no telling what they would do. Come on, we're not that bad," he stammered.
"Not that bad? Have you lost your mind?" she screeched.
"Have you?"
Kakarott's arms seized their waving and he held his head down, his smile gone and a hopeful look on his face, causing Bulma to halt in her tracks and look over her shoulder to the low growling voice.
If Bulma had been angry before, she was beyond furious now. It wasn't much that she was being held captive in a planet full of merciless creatures, but the low grumbling voice of the intruder had her nearly off the edge. By Kami, the man wasn't much taller than herself but he had approached her his head held high and was peering down on her as if she were the tiniest thing that he had crossed paths with.
The Saiyajin had his arms crossed over his chest, his armour different from the others she had seen earlier, that and his red cape came down nearly to his feet. She wondered if she pushed him a little if he would stumble upon it. Arrogant, little prick.
"Oh hey, Vegeta," Kakarott started and tried his best to smile. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't getting back till much later. How was the mission?" He fumbled with his words and let out a few laughs.
The little one simply glared. "Shut up, you idiot. What are you doing outside the grounds, and why are you with this insufferable female?" He glared down again at Bulma who only huffed in response and turned her head to the side.
Vegeta let out a threatening growl.
"W-Well, this is Miss Bulma. Frieza sent her here to work at our labs. Or at least, that's what father said. I wasn't sure, he just told me to pick her up upon landing, orders by the King," he scratched his head with a finger his eyebrow raised. "Actually, I'm not really sure what she's here for. Don't we have a lot of scientists already? And guess what, she's from E-Arth. Strange name for a planet, don't you think? I didn't know they had scientists all the way there. So far."
"A human?" Vegeta spat his eye twitching slightly. He made a grab for Kakarott's collar and brought him down to his eye level. "Since when did Frieza decide on who gets to work in our personal laboratories?"
"I-uh. Well I don't really know," Kakarott managed out.
Bulma threw her hands in the air. "Oh I'm sorry. Am I intruding? But for your information, I don't want to be here anymore than you. I was told that I was meeting with Frieza, and I guessed that would have been in planet Cold. Not here," she said and put her hands on her hips.
In an instant a tight grip had been placed on her throat and Bulma found that she had been raised in air. She stuttered suddenly and gripped the hands that could very well break her neck.
"You are on my planet-you respect me, you pathetic, little wench." Vegeta spat, his eyes wild and his teeth clenched. He brought her closer to his face and hissed in her ear. "There are reasons as to why Frieza has brought you here-and if I find out that you are spying for that bastard, I'll kill you myself."
With one last glare, he dropped her to the ground where she lay coughing with her hand at her throat. From his angle, Vegeta could see bruises already forming and he frowned. He had read about them-humans. They were as weak and as pathetic as the Trailcons. Why Frieza hadn't ordered their demise, he didn't know. The universe did not need weaklings to exist, and he had been proven right. The wench was as loud and as useless as a banshee.
"Vegeta, look what you did!" Kakarott cried and was immediately at her side. "The King said she wasn't to be harmed. You okay?" He made a grab for her arm to help her up but Bulma pushed him away, glaring at them both.
"The old man is as useless and is as dimwitted as you are. Get that harpy to her quarters. I do not wish to see her hideous face within my sight again." Vegeta turned from them without another glance and headed through the gates and into the palace his hands on his hips.
"W-Why you-!"
"Miss Bulma please!" Kakarott had appeared in front of her, blocking the view of Vegeta's retreating form. "It's best not to anger him. He's a bit-er…moody at times. It's always best to stay on Vegeta's good side. He's rarely nice to his staff, and now with you here, he means it-he wont hesitate in killing you."
"That's your King?" Bulma cried. "That heartless bastard?"
Kakarott's lips twisted. "Well-future King actually. He's named after his father and the old man hasn't died yet, so technically he's still a Prince. He's not that bad once you get to know him, but it's probably better if you avoid him the time you're here."
"H-He called me ugly!"
"Yeah, he's like that-but oh! We're going to be late. You still have to change. I don't think the King would like it very much if you came wearing that. I mean the guards probably would but-" His lips twisted again as he looked nervously at her white towelled dress.
Bulma's firm hands on her hips tightened. "Well, if your so-called brother had waited till I had changed instead of barging in like some barbarian and taking me by force, I wouldn't be here dressed like this!" She puffed her chest and stalked towards the palace fuming.
She couldn't believe this. She was to work in the labs of Vegeta-sei? So this was what Frieza had wanted? He wanted her to create more weapons for them to use? She really should have known. It wasn't as if the Saiyajins did anything else but destroy everything. At least if she were in planet Cold she would be able to work with some of the most brilliant minds that had ever graced the universe. But here-she was to do what exactly? Supply the Saiyajins with more fire power? Over her dead body!
"Wait up, Miss Bulma," Kakarott cried out and made his way to walk beside her. "Sorry about Turles. He was just following orders. Besides I think you're here for much more than you think you are-well at least that's what my father said. He always talks like that, usually I don't understand what the hell he's talking about, but it makes sense to everyone else."
"Are you usually this talkative and oblivious?" Bulma snapped.
He chuckled nervously. "Yeah, they say that a lot."
"I'm surprised. I've read that Saiyajins were ruthless killers with no hearts-but you're just-"
"Different?"
Bulma blanched. "Er-"
"Ah that's okay. Well that's what Vegeta calls me a lot-and my brothers. That-and a lot of other mean words," he paused to scratch the back of his head. "I wasn't always like this. My father said I snuck out of grounds when I was still a pygmy because I wanted to learn how to fly. See-third class Saiyajins aren't allowed out of the grounds. We're weaker than others-but I guess I didn't listen. Anyways, I threw myself into the air and fell. Ha! From what I heard, it was a pretty nasty fall and I hit my head really hard. Father was quite disappointed when I grew up. He said I wasn't right," he said pondering slightly.
Bulma glanced at him. "Not right?"
"Like you said, Miss Bulma. Saiyajins are warriors. Well-I am a warrior, but I'm like this. I'm forgetful sometimes and I like to laugh a lot."
"And that's bad because-?"
"I honestly don't know. Vegeta always says I'm a waste of talent. See I'm an elite now," he pointed towards his armour. "This is the Saiyajin elite armour and we work directly under the King-well, actually I work for Vegeta. We grew up together. He's always undermining me because I'm like this. Doesn't understand how I could have raised up to the elites with my-what did he call it again?-oh that's right, 'my irritatingly cheerful demeanour,'" he lifted his finger as he quoted.
"Well, Kakarott," Bulma started with a sigh. "At least you're the most humane thing I've seen on the planet so far."
"Really? Wow, thanks a lot, Miss Bulma. You humans sure are nice."
Bulma hid back her smile. As much as she was thankful that she had met someone that she could rely on, well not technically rely on, but at least be civil with, he was still a Saiyajin, and that alone stood clearer than anything else. He wasn't to be trusted. No one was.
"Where are all the men?" Bulma asked suddenly.
She had noticed that the courtyard was empty except for the casual guards upon each entrance. Where were the tall, scary Saiyajin warriors she had read about. She pictured them as wild animals scampering about their planet, drunks most likely, with a thirst for blood and urges like apes. So far, she had met Kakarott who had a brain sized equalled to a pea, and Vegeta who had threatened to blow her head off if she so much as showed her ugly face to him. Honestly! She was considered to be the most beautiful, most intelligent woman on her planet, and he had called her ugly? She knew very little of Saiyajins but it was either the Prince of Vegeta-sei was blind as a bat or he had completely different tastes from the men on Earth. Ugly indeed.
"Only the elite live in the palace, the rest reside amongst the grounds. They just came back from a mission led by Vegeta, so I'm guessing they've returned home to their mates for the mean time. Never know when Frieza's going to give another order."
Bulma blinked. "Mates?"
Kakarott nodded then took a moment to think. "Yeah. A lot of the elites are older, so they've taken mates."
"So all your warriors are married?" Somehow was she was surprised. Ruthless killers did not have families or marry. This was why they were considered to be ruthless killers.
"Well not all of us," Kakarott laughed. "I'm not, I think I'm too young. Plus the others say I wouldn't know what to do with a woman even when the time came-hmm, wonder what they're talking about. But, Turles has a mate, my other brother Radditz is still looking though. Hard to find a strong Saiyajin female nowadays was what he always said. And Vegeta! Man, ha! Everyone's been trying to find him a mate since he became of age, but you know him-he's so stubborn. Doesn't think he needs a Queen to rule by his side. There is this Saiyajin woman candidate that they've been talking about, but I don't think he's really interested." He continued as he led her through the halls.
"I doubt that man could keep a woman without insulting her for five seconds," Bulma grumbled.
"You're right about that one! Ah! Here we go. These are going to be your chambers for the mean time, Miss Bulma. I'm supposed to be your personal guard while you're here so you can call on me whenever you'd like!" He said with a smile as he pointed to the large doors.
"Call on you? How do I do that?"
Kakarott blinked at her. "Well, I'll be outside your doors."
"Outside the doors…all the time?"
"Miss Bulma, it can be really dangerous here in the palace. Many of the warriors have mates, but some of the lower class who come in for a position change aren't. And you're so defenceless and human-it's just to be on the safe side," he said scratching the back of his head.
"I'm not so defenceless," she mumbled. But she was. Even if she were to struggle, punch as hard as she could and kick around to attempt some martial arts, she could probably barely scratch them. That was the awful truth, and honestly, the girl would rather have Kakarott then some other blood thirsty fool. He seemed harmless enough.
He gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll wait out here till you change. There should be some garments laid out for you."
Sighing she walked passed him and into the room. It was surprising ravishing. Nothing like she had ever seen. The walls were a light lavender shade, the covers on the bed a deep red, with linings of gold. The curtains were the same color and so was the shade of the soft carpet. It tickled her feet and seemed to sink into a softer form as she stepped further. There was a couch by the bed and a desk by the window with a small armchair. Honestly, it wasn't as if the Saiyajins had time to lounge about talking about life as humans did. What did they need the décor for?
Bulma hugged herself. She had been walking bare foot the entire way. Her towel and hair had dried. Kami would have cringed if he had caught sight of her, and that's exactly what she did when she came upon the mirror by the dresser. She gasped. She looked terrible-and were those eye bags? She, Bulma Briefs, had eye bags? What was the world coming to?
Firstly, she was taken against her will, in a towel no less, to be a slave lab assistant in a brutal planet that she could barely walk in, she had almost been choked to death by the Prince of Saiyajins, and now looked like absolute shit.
"Arrrgh!" and she swiped the contents of the dresser to the floor.
The noise, she guessed had caught Kakarott's ears and he was by her side within seconds. She was on the floor her hands on her tear stricken face. Gods, she was pathetic. Crying like a baby in front of a man she barely knew-a man whose people had helped invade her home planet, but the girl honestly did not know what to do anymore.
"What's wrong?" came Kakarott's concerned voice. He helped pick her up, and was shocked that she had let him. He sat her down on the bed. When he had heard her shout and things breaking, he had barged in thinking that an intruder had her by the throat, but instead the woman was on the ground bawling her eyes out.
"I'm ugly, that's what! You see this?" and she pointed to her eye bags. "I never used to have these until Frieza came! I was dragged here in a towel, my hair looks like I've been living with squirrels in the forest for the past ten years, you honestly think I can go to your King looking like this. I'll have you know that I am considered to be the most beautiful woman on my planet, and now I'm-I'm…ugly," she cried.
Kakarott scratched his head. "Come on now, don't let what Vegeta said get to you. He's always like that with women. I think you're very pretty. Your hair sure is strange though, but what I think is that you're too tired. When's the last time you had a good night's sleep? My mother always told me that a good healthy Saiyajin should eat a lot, sleep, and fight to remain strong. Maybe it's like that for humans too?" When she didn't respond, he took something from his breast pocket and handed them to her. "See this? It's a senzu bean. We grow them on Vegeta-sei as a secret from Frieza. It helps restore your strength. You'll be as good as new once you've had one of these!"
Bulma lifted her face from her hands and looked at the tiny, green bean in his hand. A trick? Though she very much doubted that he could even concoct something even as simple as poisoning the little thing that can lead to her death. She took it without another thought and popped the thing in her mouth. She felt a slight tingle, and then her eyes perked up. She had been famished when she arrived, but now she felt as if she had come back from eating a feast. The soreness of her legs and scratches on her feet had disappeared. Frantically, she dashed towards the mirror. No eye bags, check. Hair, no longer frizzy, check. Lips no longer chapped, check. Beauty back, double check!
"I don't believe this, it's a miracle!" she cried.
Kakarott stood by the bed and gave a slight chuckle. "Miss Bulma, you're not ugly to begin with! Just a little tired that's all-Oh no! Best we hurry up Miss Bulma, the King's not going to be too happy about this. I'll probably get another lecturing again." He sulked out of the room, with his head down.
Bulma glanced at her image one more time, and with a small smile made haste to dress. How exactly was she supposed to put the robes on? Frankly, she was a genius and it didn't take her long to figure the clasp on the dress was what was holding the thing together. She strapped it back on, the single strap on her right shoulder and hooked on the broach like diamond. The gown was white and loose, yet hung to her curves. Goodness, she looked as if she was in Rome. Saiyajins sure lived in a weird time line. She flung her hair loosely around neck and smiled at her reflection.
She was a role model to her people, like it or not, and she wasn't going to go about bowing to some King that was not hers. Heck, they didn't even have one, they had presidents-several of them, and now all dead. Great.
Kakarott had been standing outside the door as he promised, and was moving back and forth with his heels. He took in her sight and smiled. "The King won't be able to take his eyes off you, Miss Bulma," he exclaimed.
Bulma giggled. "Thanks. Now let's go, before you get into trouble."
"Heh-the King's a good leader, and believe it or not, he's actually pretty nice."
"What is your definition of nice?"
"Hmm, well, when there are no missions he lets us out to do what we want. We can visit our families and fool around. We hardly get to do that. He's impatient, I suppose that's where Vegeta got it from, but he's nicer than Vegeta if that's what you're really asking."
Bulma pouted, her lips pressed together and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Will he be there?"
"Vegeta? I doubt it. He's in charge of the military, but the King deals with everything else. He doesn't seem to think that Vegeta's ready to be King yet. That's why he's been so moody lately," Kakarott replied.
Bulma glanced at her shoes as they continued walking in silence. She would rather be put to work, than do this whole greeting thing. She honestly had not expected to be taken to the King. Exactly what good would that do? She was a scientist not some representative to be brought to negotiate-if that's what it was about. Negotiate about what? Bulma almost laughed. As if her planet had a say in the matter.
They came through a narrow corridor and a large door that was opened with two guards standing by the sides. The carpets leading to the throne were red and gold as well, she noted that it was probably the planet's color symbol. She followed the trail that led to the three royal throne chairs by the podium.
The King was rather intimidating, and looked just as fierce as his son. His hair was a lighter shade of brown, hell, they even wore the same armour and long red cape. He peered at her as she entered with Kakarott his eyes scanning her figure.
Somehow, Bulma felt as if she were the tiniest being on the planet. He stood, tall and proud, in the presence of, who she guessed were his council members. To his right an elder man stood, a man not much older than the King, his left eye scarred. He wore a darker armour, but the same red cape, a dull expression on his face. The other man to the left looked very much like Turles and Kakarott, and wore one a strange contraption that looked very much like a one eyed sunglass with the shade of pink on his right eye.
"Ah, so this must be the troublesome woman from Earth that Frieza has told me about," the King started and stepped down from the podium to observe her more closely.
The elder of the three cocked his head to the side. "Do Earthlings often look this breathtaking, my King?" he said, causing Bulma to blush.
"I don't believe so," the Kakarott look a like stated. He stepped down as well to observe her from under his nose. "Look at the odd colouring of her hair. I've never seen such a color, and I've been to the planet a fair few times. They are mostly filthy beings, perhaps she is some sort of royalty."
Kakarott took the moment to interrupt with a laugh. "Oh, father, she's no princess. Although she did say they treated her like one there, didn't you, Miss Bulma?" He smiled at her causing Bulma to blanch at his words.
"I-I never said that-"
"Well she said she was the most beautiful woman on her planet. They voted on it or something," he finished.
Bulma wanted to cry. She hadn't meant to boast. It had all been a part of her cry of dismay. She had merely blurted it out of despair. Not that she wasn't true to her word. She had always been in front of A-Magazine on Earth. She was a celebrity for Kami's sake-but now that all meant nothing. Certainly nothing a King and his council, and now Kakarott was making her look like a fool.
"Well there is no doubt about that," the King declared. "You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in all my years, my dear-ahh, next to my mate of course. And I trust that you are as smart as they say? Frieza has taken quite a liking to you."
Bulma nodded slowly. "We have-me and my father did-created inventions for him," she managed out, her fists at her sides. The thought of her father, had triggered something within her. She had barely been gone for a day and she already she wished death upon Frieza for sending her here and separating them. She wondered how they faired off without her.
The King seemed to notice the disturbance in her ki and nodded towards Kakarott. "You may leave," he began. "And tell Vegeta that he will be expected tonight."
Kakarott merely smiled in return, before giving one last bow and headed out the door, a bounce to his step, leaving Bulma alone with the three warriors. Her lips twisted nervously.
"My dear," King Vegeta said and took her hand. "Come, we have much to discuss."
Vegeta cursed under his breath as he proceeded to throw punches at newly elected Saiyajin Elite, Radditz. Having sending the soldier to the floor a fair few times, he wondered how the buffoon had managed to be related to that oaf of a rival of his. Not only had Kakarott managed to maintain and raise his ki with hardly any battle or war experience, but the constant ramblings of his pathetic questions often kept the prince wondering how such a brainless tart could have the brain capacity of a peanut, yet still best him in battle. It was an absolute embarrassment. The idiot had been nothing but a third class, and he, Vegeta, the Prince of all Saiyajins, was in fact, a prince.
"Pathetic!" he growled and sent his opponent to the ground once again.
Radditz raised his hand in defeat, the other resting on his chest as it heaved up and down from exhaustion. Ever since their arrival, the Prince had wasted no time in pummelling him to a bloody pulp. This was what Kakarott was for. They may be related, but they hardly shared the same ki. Although he had accepted the fact that his younger brother had surpassed him, it had been years ago. He had surpassed them all-although Vegeta did a good job with keeping up, he was not his brother. Surely he didn't deserve to be beaten like this. Apparently, it was so.
"Where the fuck is that idiot? There is no point in training with you weaklings," Vegeta grumbled as he stared at his fists.
"Wasn't he with that Earthling that Turles brought back? I heard she has quite a nice piece of ass," Nappa chuckled as he approached his prince. "The boys had to be on their best behaviour though, word is, the King doesn't want a finger lain on her."
Vegeta cocked his head to the older warrior, eyes glaring. "What is so special about that human? Am I the only one who sees how clearly pathetic she is?"
"You met her? She's rather pretty was what I heard," Radditz said as he tried to hold himself up. The poor man was gasping for breath. "Ah, come on Vegeta, you don't think any woman is worth your time."
"That is because they are not."
"Was she pretty at least?" Radditz urged on.
Vegeta's face twisted in disgust. "Odd colouring, but nothing worth a second glance," he mumbled.
Nappa laughed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Second glance, huh? So she is worth your first glance then? That's the first! She really must be something."
Radditz joined him in his laughter, causing Vegeta to fume.
"The only thing that will attract your attention to that horrid woman, is her extremely, irritating voice of a banshee. She is as ugly as a Namakien toad," he roared, but the two kept about their laughter.
The prince never took notice to women. He either blasted them upon sight or didn't bother with them at all. Apparently, the little Earth woman had caught his attention enough for him to actually argue about it. Interesting indeed.
Kakarott took the perfect timing in entering, the door shutting behind him. He saw the both laughing and joined them with a fit of chuckles.
"What the fuck are you laughing at?" Vegeta crossed his arms over his chest. "And where did you head off to-and where is that screaming harpy?"
Nappa and Radditz glanced at each other and raised their eyebrows, while Kakarott merely blinked.
"Oh, you mean Miss Bulma. Well I took her to the King. It looked like they had something really important to discuss. Father and Paragus were with him," he said in thought.
"So how'd you like the pretty female, brother?" Radditz chuckled as he dusted himself off. "Ahh, this is the third armour this week that I've had to replace. Damn."
"Miss Bulma is actually really nice- and really pretty too. Actually, the King thought so, he said she was gorgeous and then told me to go off and find you, Vegeta. He wanted me to tell you that you needed to be there tonight. Although, he didn't say what time-hmm I wonder, maybe I should have asked. But they did seem to be in such a rush-"
Vegeta interrupted. "Shut up, you fool. I have no desire to attend and sit by some useless old whelps that my old man calls council."
"Go for the food, at least," Nappa insisted. "We haven't had a good, home cooked meal in a while. All that capsuled food at the battle stations didn't do much for my appetite." He laughed. "I say, we eat, laugh and drink."
"I'll second that," Radditz said a grin on his face.
"Worthless," Vegeta grumbled and made his way towards the door.
"Hey! W-Wait up for me, Vegeta!"
Kakarott trailed after him and down the halls.
"Why are you following me?" the prince muttered under his breath.
"Well, I have to wait for Miss Bulma to finish. They sure are taking an awful long time in there. What do you think they're talking about. Father looked so serious."
Vegeta cocked his head to the side. "That woman is a spy, I'm telling you. And if I have enough evidence I'll send her head back to Frieza myself."
"She's not that bad! She's actually really nice once you get to know her. You shouldn't be so mean to her, Vegeta. The poor girl's been through a lot. I think she hates Frieza just as much as we do," Kakarott explained.
"I doubt that. I'm telling you-one wrong move and-" They rounded a corner of the corridor when someone came and slammed up against them.
"Watch where you're going!" Vegeta bellowed, his fists clenched.
It took a moment for Kakarott to peer over the prince's shoulder to find aqua blue stresses of hair spilled on the floor. Blue eyes turned to glare at them and Bulma hoisted herself on her feet, her own fists clenched by her side as she mimicked Vegeta's movements.
"You!" she exclaimed at him.
Vegeta's face contorted, his eye twitching. "Didn't I tell you to stay away from me, woman?"
"You bumped into me!" she retorted. "Why don't you watch where you're going!"
That was one thing the woman had right, and Vegeta almost cringed at the thought. Why hadn't he scented her coming their way? Her ki was weak yes, and even with his scouter, which he didn't have on at the moment, he had doubts that it could pick up her measly power level. Her scent had been imbedded in his senses. It would not go by unnoticed, especially by him or by Kakarott, and by the look on the idiot's face, he hadn't scented her either. That, and the stupid wench was talking back to him again. The woman was in need of lesson.
"Who are you to tell me what to do, you whelp. I could crush you beneath my boot without breaking a sweat."
Bulma crossed her arms over her chest. "Well we wouldn't want your precious boots to get dirty now, would we?" she mocked.
At Vegeta's threatening growl, Kakarott intervened.
"Hey, hey! Come on you two, we're both expected to be in the hall soon! I can smell the food already, and I'm sure you both just need a good meal to cool yourselves down. Hmm that reminds me I haven't had anything to eat yet in a while-man, I'm starving-!" Kakarott had gotten in between them.
"Shut up, you fool." Vegeta gave one last growl and turned to glare upon Bulma again before heading down the corridor.
"Ooh! I cant stand him! He is impossible!" she cried throwing her hands in the air in defeat. "Who does he think he is-just because he's a prince and all. So rude!"
Kakarott gave a nervous chuckle. "Wow, that's two in one day-and the day's not even over yet."
"Don't tell me he's actually going tonight," Bulma said with a frown.
She didn't hate Vegeta, she just wished he would burn in hell. So far she had not been mistreated in this planet like she thought she would be-well everyone had been civil except him. What exactly had she done for him to go off on her like that. They had barely been in each other presence for less than five minutes and he had already been trying to bite her head off.
"Well," Kakarott responded. "It is held under his honour to celebrate another Saiyajin victory. It wouldn't be right if he weren't there. Plus, we'll have fun, you won't even have to worry about Vegeta. Saiyajin celebrations are always worth going to. Think of all the food we could eat!" His eyes sparkled dangerously and he held his hands together.
Surprisingly the day went by faster than she thought. Although Bulma hadn't seen one single clock since she had arrived, she finally saw the sun starting to set. The King had said new garments had been brought to her room, and boy was he right. The closet was overfilling with them. Gowns of different colours and texture. Some she even noticed were sleeping garments, but no underwear. When she had asked Kakarott of them, he merely inclined his head and was in deep thought for a moment or two before he finally said he's never heard of them. Dressing up was one thing, but without underwear, Bulma felt very much naked.
The dress that was chosen for her to wear for the evening was the same red the held the pride of Vegeta-sei. The soft heart shaped lining fitted around her breasts quite nicely, and thankfully she noted, that they were not at a cold planet, or the need for a bra would have been really sufficient. The dress trailed all the way down to her feet so that she could hardly see them peeking out from the soft fabric.
The jewellery was provided as well and was in the box that she had thrown to the floor upon seeing herself in her most horrid stage. Someone had cleaned it up though, and it was lain next to the dress on the bed. The earrings were heavy, she noted, but couldn't pin point which stone it had been crafted from. The shoes were flat, although Bulma didn't quite like the feeling of heels in the first place. She wondered if Saiyajin women dressed more similarly to humans than she thought. They had been the most humane looking species she had read about. Others she knew, were not so lucky with their looks. Frieza was an example.
Bulma clenched her fists, her delicate eyebrows knitting together as her thoughts drifted back to the brief conversation she had in the throne room with the King, and his two advisors. They asked for too much, and it would all be to benefit their arrogant prince-one of whom she did not even get along well with.
Honestly, what was his problem? The man was infuriating beyond reason. Never had she met a man so determined, yet so vulgar and as audacious as he. He sure knew how to push her buttons. Bulma was no idiot. She knew defeat when it stared her in the face. In this case, it was Vegeta's raging eyes and scowl that had been promising her death. She would lose yes-in battle. He could break her neck, as he had said earlier, but it did not mean that she would go down without a fight. Her pride was all she had left after all. Not only was her home destroyed, she was stripped from her parents and dragged off to be a laboratory slave in an alien planet. No. She had nothing.
What was her life worth? Once upon a time in Earth, it had been worth a lot, but here-ha! They needed her for one purpose and one purpose only. So if Vegeta felt like blasting her into oblivion, then he could very well do so, but not without hearing a few words from her first.
The aqua haired woman smirked to herself. If only the little, monkey boy had some manners she would have really considered to him to be quite handsome. Almost. Maybe. Not. He was most terrifying, well that was what she had first thought. Kakarott didn't seem to think so. He talked of him as if Vegeta was a spoiled child, one who had always gotten his way-and had just grown up to be a man that could blow a mountain here and there. No, Bulma didn't doubt his abilities. According to the King, Vegeta was destined for something, although they didn't tell her what of. Well if he was destined for one thing, he had already won it-the prick was already the King of egotistical bastards.
Stretching her back and taking in her reflection one last time, Bulma sighed heavily, then raised her chin. 'You can do this, Bulma!' Her long curls had been swept to her right side and fell down past her breast. She knew it was no use in trying to be beautiful, it wasn't as if anyone on this planet appreciated anything but a good fuck. Except Kakarott, she thought with a chuckle. Brains, beauty and her pride, as long as she had that-screw you, Vegeta.
Sweeping her way across the room, she pushed the button that opened the door and stepped out.
The corridor was empty.
That was odd. Where was Kakarott. Hadn't he said he would always be by her door? Had he been dismissed?
A frown found a way to her lips. How the hell was she supposed to get to the hall. The palace was a maze, and it wasn't as if she had been counting her steps when he had led her to her chambers.
She hesitated for a moment, and decided down the right corridor. At least she knew that way led towards the throne room, if she were lucky enough, she could find a guard on duty and ask for directions, but the sounds of footsteps, suddenly made its way to her ears. A flash of Kakarott's warning came to mind causing her to halt her steps. It was a celebration for a victory for the warriors-did that mean that the hall would be full of men? Drunk men who had not had a woman in Kami knows how long.
Bulma gulped. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Perhaps if she had dressed in a less skimpy outfit, she wouldn't mind prancing around and asking a few men here and there for simple directions, but no. She had to pick the dress that pressed her breasts together and do her hair all the way up. Why did she need her pride again?
The footsteps were louder this time, and Bulma shut her eyes, scrunched her nose together, clenched her teeth, all the while pressing herself against the wall. Maybe if they thought her to be completely out of her mind then they would leave her alone. Hopefully.
"What are you doing, woman, and why does your face look even uglier than usual?"
She knew that voice and her eyes snapped open, gaping.
Vegeta stood looming over her, glaring with his arms crossed over his chest. He had just come of his chambers when the woman's ki had alerted him. She was alone and was mumbling to herself. He was right. She was out of her mind. "Is this some sort of human dance that you do against the wall. I must say," he said with a smirk, "It's not very appealing. You look as if you have been constipated for days."
Just as he expected she revolted and threw herself from the wall to go up on her tip toes and glare back at him. "I'll have you know that I was lost and scared to death that one of your horny little warriors were going to have their way with me. Kakarott said-"
"I don't know what the fuck that idiot has filled your mind with, but Saiyajins would not stoop so low. We have our own women, and we don't need pathetic weaklings gracing our beds," he cocked his head at her and smirked. "But never the less, you should be scared. The men might not want you, but you'd make a good punching bag-and knowing you, you're bound to find trouble, especially with that mouth of yours." His eyes darted towards her twisted frown.
Bulma huffed in response. "Well, Kakarott was supposed to be escorting me, but he's gone," she started.
"That's the first," Vegeta scoffed. "Usually, the idiot has the patience of a hawk, but you're so incredibly irritating that even that buffoon has gotten tired of your ramblings." He tilted his head to look at her then proceeded walking.
"Where are you going?" she snapped.
He growled. "Where do you think, woman? I have a celebration to attend. Unlike your worthless species, we Saiyajins accomplish victory every so often. Although, I can't blame if your puny, clouded brain can't comprehend such things."
Bulma glared at his back. The man was infuriating. Utterly impossible. "I'll have you know-I am the considered a genius on my planet. Certainly capable of a lot more than you think!" she exclaimed, her hands now on her hips as she trudged up to him, head raised high.
He sneered at her in return. "Is that so?" he snarled.
"Damn right."
Vegeta could feel his eyes rolling. He didn't even know why he bothered. The woman was a complete sore. He wasn't a patient man, he had never been and probably never would be, but the woman seemed insane enough as it was. No warrior had ever had enough courage to challenge him in battle, much less talk to him in such a manner. Usually it was him who had snapped at his men, but clearly the woman had a death wish. Several in fact, when he counted how many times she had insulted him in the day.
"If you want to sit here like the pathetic banshee that you are and continue your boasting, you're more than welcome. I don't have time for such things, no matter how humorous they are," he growled under his breath and continued down the corridor.
He heard her behind him, stomping her feet along the way, but noticed how she managed to keep quite a distance. Good. He did not want to appear as if he was escorting the harlot into the hall, no matter how much she begged. He smirked to himself. The woman was annoying, yes. She was incredibly weak, yes. He doubted he had to lift a finger but barely power up and she would disintegrate into nothing. However, she did have courage, that, he gave her credit for. Certainly a lot more than his men. Although the Saiyajin elites were superior, they never led in battle. They had a better chance with that fool Kakarott when he was angry, than Nappa could try leading. No doubt the oversized fool would lead them straight into a wall, no matter how much thinking he had done.
Yes the woman was courageous. Foolish, but brave. Perhaps she had not been boasting. She was incredibly beautiful, and much more than she had let on. The hair alone was something he had never seen on an alien woman, and even Saiyajin women did not have such soft locks. Although her constant bickering made him want to rip it off rather than run his fingers through them, it was beautiful none the less. Her features were very feminine even while angry, he noted. The eyes were another thing. They were demonic eyes. Blue and bright and filled with fire-yes, he was right, she was a demon. That was the only explanation for it. A demon who spied for Frieza. Humans were mild beings. Pathetic and bland just like their useless planet, but she was different.
Her nostrils flared at the sight of him. He noted that if he had his scouter on, her ki would be rising to a measly 4. He almost laughed aloud, but her piercing glare kept him rooted to his spot watching as her head tilted back when she tried to peer through him with her demonic blue orbs. Strange creature indeed. He'd rather burn than be caught escorting her to the hall. Her beauty was worthy of a prince like himself, and if she wasn't as pathetic and weak as she was, he would actually consider taking her upon his arm as they entered together. Of course, such a proclamation could only be shown if he was introducing his future mate to his world-and that would never happen. Not with her-not with any other female.
"Well, are you just going to stand there, or are you going to enter?" she snapped at him as he stood glaring at the closed doors.
He raised his head and puffed his chest out. "I will enter. You will wait till I reach my throne," he said firmly.
"And if I don't?"
"Then pray that the worms eat your corpse quickly."
But he should have known. Perhaps the woman had nothing to live for. Maybe she indeed wanted to die, because when he stepped forth, his men clapped and cheered, and she, out of no where, disobeyed his direct orders and trudged along beside him.
His father stared.
His men blinked.
To the far left he noticed Kakarott dumbfounded.
"Hey," she whispered with a slight giggle. "Looks like your men don't find me so hideous after all."
To which, he growled in response.
Well wasn't that a long chapter? This is my first attempt at B/V fic, please be nice! I'm sorry if the characters may see OOC. I'm sorry if Vegeta picked on Goku too much in this! Later chapters will explain everything. Please read and review and tell me what you think.