Summary: Vegeta's going mad, and it's up to Bulma to save him.
FALLOUT
—Chapter One: Turmoil—
By Ascendo Tuum
Rolling thunderclouds surfaced in the distant horizon, the sun sinking down as a sign of defeat. The sky rumbled ominously, and Vegeta watched on silently as thunderbolts began to strike through the dense masses of angry gray, to touch down upon the ground. He had no fear of being hurt by some tiny bolt of lightning.
Earth is a pathetic place.
Loud noises rocked the world, but it seemed like Vegeta had tuned them out. He heard not a thing, except for the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and his own contradictory thoughts. His eyes snapped open, his mind refusing the soothing pangs of meditation
Just then, the porch door creaked open, and Vegeta sensed a familiar person walk timidly towards his sitting figure. He did not bother to turn around, already knowing it was Bulma, from her pitifully diminutive ki level. "What is it woman?" The words contained no trace of emotion, being only an automatic response
"Vegeta…" The blue-haired woman began, a still hand in the air as if about to rest on his shoulders in a consoling manner
He furrowed his brow in irritancy, but said no more. It did not do to repeat a qustion again because of pathetic human hearing.
Bulma sighed softly. The former Prince of Vegeta-sei was so cold; it was like touching ice. He held no warmth or compassion in his onyx-black eyes, only some sort of profound spite. She wondered if he had always been like this, so cynical and jaded. It struck her to think that he had never once had a happy moment to cherish
She could not help but wonder if he would ever stop acting so aloof and accept that he had acquaintances he could "trust." She knew trust, for Vegeta, was an entirely complicated manner and sometimes mused how the Saiyan could launch off into brief tirades on her stupidity. Now was not the time to mentally reprimand the hot-tempered prince
"Must I repeat myself again?" His voice was like a wind rustling through brittle leaves, and she winced from the frostiness in his tone. He held no consideration for anyone, and sometimes it hurt her to pieces to see him blatantly ignore her caring for him. Bulma did not understand why he overlooked her concern for him. Was it because he felt that it was weakness? Or, on the other hand, was it something else
"D-dinner's ready." She abruptly muttered to break the silence, all the while trying to clear the tangled mass of nerves, which garbled her words. "There's um, turkey and mashed potatoes.
Vegeta stood up, his back still to her. This woman… she is odd. Unlike her silly friend, Kakkarot's little housewife with her frying pans. Or Krillin's precious love, 18, the damned android who supposedly switched sides and is nothing more than a bunch of metal screwed togethe.Bulma… she has a more forgiving and caring aura. Bah, what am I thinking? She is a bitch, a feisty little bitch..
The Saiyan Prince did not consider love anything. He did not feel that particular quality to be of any use. In fact, he found it completely idiotic for everyone around him to display affection to their mates
What is with these foolish people and love? He wondered. Then he remembered Bulma was behind him, and immediately rid himself of his reflecting as he stormed inside without even a word of gratitude
Sadly, Bulma cast her aquamarine eyes into the sky and found inside of her a feeling she never thought possible. Why Vegeta, why must you be so distant? Why can't you accept that I just want to be your friend? She closed her eyes abruptly, and the emotion of loving pity overwhelmed her. Since when had she begun to consider Vegeta more than a rude boarder at her home? Since when… since when had she thought of him as something more than a person to be tolerated
Bulma was amazed by her feelings. Is it possible, that I am beginning to care for him?
Silently, she stepped inside and closed the screen door behind her, only to see the Saiyan finish the last bite of his usually large dinner and leave. Her eyes met that of her mother's, and Bulma sat down at her place and began eating too.