Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any of its characters. I am just a 20-year-old female fan trying to keep others busy with my own story I do not make profit out of. It is almost like charity.
Author note: Thanks for pointing out my spelling mistakes. I just get on a roll and type away!
Chapter 3
(Bulma) was staring at her precious GR. "Damn, Vegeta, what did you do to my machine?" She asked bewildered. The GR was a mess. It was lucky there was anything still there to work on. Vegeta smirked behind her. "Well, woman, if you upgraded it, it might withstand my power." He answered while crossing his arms. (Bulma) turned to look at him. He raised his eyebrows at her in question. "It will have to wait, Vegeta. I have more important things to worry about now." He glared at her. "What is more important than my training? In case you have forgotten, I am not doing this for my health! I am trying to save your pathetic excuse for a planet." (Bulma) groaned under her breath. "If you ask Bulma nicely she will upgrade it." "Listen Woman! I am not in the mood for games! Fix the GR!" (Bulma) sighed. "Follow me." She turned and started walking to the house, not waiting to see if he would follow. As they walked into the living room, they both froze. (Bulma) looked at the scene before her. The other version of her seemed to be scared of Yamcha while at the same time wanting to fight him. Yamcha however stood whipping blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Man, what came into you?" He asked Bulma in disbelieve. "Uhm, I think you scared her, Yamcha." Both shot their heads towards (Bulma). Yamcha's eyes widened. 'There are two of them' He thought to himself as he stared at both of them in turn. Bulma was still in the corner. She slowly stared to make her way towards (Bulma) and Vegeta. 'My timeline or not, Yamcha would not try and hurt me with Vegeta in the room.' Her eyes widened when she saw (Bulma) walking over to Yamcha and slightly tilted his head so she can see the wound better. 'What! Please tell me I am not still with him!' She wondered in disbelieve. Vegeta saw the look on her face. He has been looking at her very carefully since he entered the room. She seemed very different than the woman he knew. For one, she knew how to through a punch. Second, she feared Yamcha and seemed disturbed by the fact that (Bulma) was tending his wound. And third, she relaxed when she saw him. He drifted his eyes down her body. Just like (Bulma) she was small and seemed almost fragile. Her skin was slightly more tanned and her hair was straight. She also wore more practical clothes. But what caught his eye was the small ring on her left hand. He remembered the woman telling him that when a female has a ring on her left hand ring finger, it meant that she belonged to one man only. That she was taken. Almost like mated, but she can still change her mind if she wanted to. She must have noticed him staring because she quickly tucked her hand into her pocket and looked at him with her aqua eyes wide.
"Uhm, Bulma..." Both she and (Bulma) turned to face the old scientist who came into the room. "How long have you been here in this timeline or physical plane?" She tucked a small strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. 'The old man's presence seems to help her relax even more.' Vegeta noted. "Oh, I just told (Bulma) that I believe it to be for about 30 minutes. And it also had to happen between here and the old tree in Griddle road. That was when Vegeta told me he was training with Piccolo and I should not..." She turned to look at Vegeta but just as quickly turned away and continued. "... I should tell my mother not to make him dinner." She finished while swallowing hard. "Hmm. Is your car still outside?" "Yes. I haven't in-capsule it yet seeing as it is stuffed with shopping. I did ask Vegeta to help me unload but..." Her voice trailed of. "...Never mind. Do you want to see it?" She asked. "Yes. I would like to take some readings of it." She turned to leave, grateful to get away from Yamcha, but stopped when Dr. Briefs spoke again. "I can do that alone. You aught to get some rest. You look tired." Bulma turned to him. "I'm fine and besides, if I leave the car to you, I might not have a car left at all." She smiled at him, trying to hide the true reason. "True. Honey..." He said while turning to look at his daughter. "... Would you like to help us out at the car?" (Bulma) lifted up her shoulders and sighed. 'So much for my date with Yamcha.' She thought while turning to face him. "Sorry Yamcha. I think I am going to stay here today. I would like to help sort out this mess. I mean having a twin is kinda nice but I am quite sure she wants to go home as well. I hope you understand." She asked carefully. Yamcha looked at Bulma and back. "Yeah sure, babe. I will swing by tomorrow. Sorry if I scared you." He said to Bulma before giving (Bulma) a peck on the cheek and headed out of the door.
Bulma hung her head. "I am sorry to mess up everything so much." (Bulma) smiled while linking arms with Bulma to guide her outside. "It wasn't your intention. But tell me, where did you learn to hit like that?" "Yes, I am inclined to know as well. How did a weak female like you managed to hit a trained fighter like the earthling. He might be a weakling compared to me, but I am well aware of the fact that by your standards, he can be considered a true warrior." Vegeta stared at her. But when she turned and looked him in the eyes, he was not prepared for her answer. "You taught me." She turned around again and walked out of the door. Vegeta was shocked. (Bulma) looked at him and said. "If another Vegeta could train another me, it can't be so bad for you to teach me too." "What? Have you lost your mind, Woman!" Vegeta yelled. (Bulma) lifted her shoulders up in a defeated manner and walked out the door towards the others. "Hey, how did you get Vegeta to train you?" Bulma) asked as she neared the two persons next to the red sport car. Bulma smiled when she thought back to that time. It was right after the whole Yamcha ordeal. Vegeta was watching her every move to such a point that Bulma got really frustrated. That was before the engagement but they have been dating – openly. Smiling slightly, she thought back to that time.
Flashback
"Leave me alone, Woman!" Vegeta yelled for the sixtieth time that morning. The aquamarine haired vixen was really getting on his last nerve – granted he was only up for an hour and haven't had breakfast yet. "Oh come on Vegeta!" She started to put a fake pout on her face. "Woman, tell me one thing - Were you born for the sole purpose to drive me insane?" He glared at her. She smiled slightly. "Well then... If you are to busy, I guess I can always entertain myself at the mall." She turned to walk up the stairs but due to Vegeta's super speed all she saw were his dark eyes boring into hers. "Have you got no brains what so ever? Even your parents agreed that it would be saver for you to stay inside." He nearly growled out at her. "Oh, so what you are saying is that I should just wither away inside the house and never see the break of dawn again?" She asked putting her hands on her hips. "You just don't understand, do you?" He sighed while turning to walk away. Lowering her gaze, Bulma answered him. "You fear for my safety, don't you? You are scared that you cannot protect me and if I were to go out, something will happen to me again." Vegeta stopped and swallowed hard. Looking up, Bulma had nothing but determination in her eyes. "Just train me. Vegeta, think about it. What good will you be to me if you are on the other side of the planet battling those androids? What if something happened then? You won't be here." "I am not letting you out of my sight!" He screamed at her. "Yeah! A boyfriend who will actually take me to see him fight!" She squealed in mock happiness. Vegeta's scowl deepened. Walking up to Vegeta, Bulma put her arms around his neck, and said softly. "If you do not train me to fight or at least to protect myself, I will refuse to upgrade your GR." Growling Vegeta stared at her. "Will you never give up?" "No." She said softly as she quickly kissed him on the lips. "I'm just as stubborn as you."
End Flashback
Shaking her head slightly she answered (Bulma). "I told Vegeta that I would not upgrade his GR if he did not train me to fight. I mean, what good is one strong person, if he can't be everywhere. Let's say the androids attacked me at capsule corp. while he was fighting half way across the world. Who would then upgrade his precious GR after the battle if I am dead? It worked. Vegeta stared to train me the day after when he completely destroyed the GR and I refused to fix it." She giggled at that. Dr Briefs smiled as well. "Looks like you have your Vegeta wrapped around your pinky." Bulma turned to face him. "I know that he wants." She said mischievously. (Bulma) was deep in thought but her face suddenly brightened. "Hey! If you know of the androids, you must also have had the mysterious boy from the future, right? Please tell me you know who he is?" Bulma laughed. "Looks like we both want to solve the same mystery. No. I do not know who he..." "Dinner everyone!" Mrs. Briefs suddenly yelled. As both (Bulma) and Dr. Briefs turned to leave, Bulma noticed that her car phone has 2 new messages. Frowning she leaned over to press the play button but stopped. 'I will listen to then later. It's not like I have to call anyone back immediately.'
Meanwhile on the other earth: (Author Note: Vegeta will not appear in brackets seeing as there is only one in this timeline and the Bulma will always be the one from his timeline as no one knows she is in a time with two. Hope that makes sense. ;o) )
"You are late, Vegeta." Piccolo opened one eye to look at the saiyan prince as he landed near the edge of the lake. Vegeta shrugged and toke his place next to the water. "She can take care of herself, you know." Piccolo ventured as he closed his eyes again. Vegeta smirked. "She most certainly can." "Then why do you keep checking-up on her?" "You feel that?" Vegeta asked suddenly while flinging his eyes open. Piccolo opened his eyes and frowned. "I feel nothing." Vegeta stood up. "Exactly! Bulma's energy just completely vanished." He jumped into the air and raced off to where he had last seen her. Flying slowly, he followed the road praying that he would not find a wreck ahead. He did not. He searched and searched the area for her or a trace of her ki. Nothing!
End Flashback
Vegeta sprung up in bed. He was breathing hard. He glanced at his side where she should have been. He toke in deep breaths in order to calm himself. Dropping his head in one hand, he signed. The dream was of earlier that day when he found out that she was gone. The same lonely emptiness filled his entire being like before. 'What am I doing! I should be out there! I should be looking for her!' With determination, he shot out of the window and raced to the same road he searched all day long. Landing at the spot he last seen her, he started the walk to Capsule Corp. Keeping his eyes on the ground and his senses focused for any sign of her ki. "You have searched here before, Vegeta. I believe you would have found something if there was anything to find." Piccolo said from behind him. "I have to find her." Vegeta spoke simply while still walking. Piccolo fell in step with him. "Strange, I thought you said what she will never become a weakness to you." "What the fuck are you talking about?" Vegeta turned to face the green alien next to him. "She is causing you sleepless nights and you are already not thinking right. Even I would be able to win you if I should attack now." Vegeta smirked. "No, you would not. I would finish the fight as soon as possible in order to get back to searching for her." Piccolo shook his head. "Maybe you should consider the fact that she is dead. Kami said that..." "SHE IS NOT DEAD!" Vegeta screamed at Piccolo while grabbing the namek on his white cape collar. "Do you think for one second that I would not have felt it if she should have died? Her ki vanished! It did not fade and then disappeared. It just vanished!" "That is impossible and you know that!" Piccolo yelled back. Vegeta let go of Piccolo and walked on. "I can't take this sitting around. I am going out there and I will beat the shit out of everyone until someone can tell me where she is." Vegeta yelled while reading himself to fly off. "Who's sitting?" Vegeta gave Piccolo a death look. "Vegeta, you said it yourself. Bulma can take care of herself. If she is alive, we will find her. Don't worry. People do not just disappear." Vegeta's faced his namekian friend. "What do you propose I do?" "Since when have you started to listen to me?" Piccolo smiled at him. Vegeta shook his head. "Well, like I was saying before, Kami said that he didn't see anything at all near the road. He is searching the other planets as we speak." "Other planets! Yes, that is it. Kakkarot used his instants translocation on her. That fucking asshole will pay for this." "I am sorry Vegeta, but Goku's energy wasn't near her." Piccolo stopped Vegeta before he could leave. "Then why other planets?" "There are more than one way to jump between places, Vegeta. Maybe Bulma was working on a project that could send her off." Piccolo jumped into the air. "I need to go now. I will keep you up to date on what Kami can find. Try and rest, Vegeta, before you hurt innocent people, and talk to Bulma's father." With that he flew off to leave Vegeta standing in the road.
Author Note: Okay, so that was chapter 3. I hope you liked this chapter. If you didn't then look on the bright side – all info given in this chapter will help solve the big mystery of "where is Bulma!" Trust me; everything will become very clear soon. As always Read and Review Please! Your comments make me go on. P.s. The next chapter is stuffed full of flashbacks, so look out for that! ;o)
