Bulma gripped the collar of his puffy green jacket to pull him closer, to deepen their passionate kiss. The pair had just embarked on their fifth trip that month. Each accompanied by an ample amount of conversation and kissing.
This time Vegeta brought Bulma to the North Pole of Vegetasei, where frosty cold tundra dominated the landscape. At first Bulma was surprised when she stepped off the aircraft. With how hot the capitol was, it was hard to imagine that anywhere in Vegetasei was cold. Thankfully, Vegeta had prepared her with a warm thermal-lined coat that had a hood to keep her ears warm.
Though freezing, the northern pole of the planet was still a desert, so instead of powdery snow, the entire ground was covered in thick sheets of ice. Not long after their arrival, the sun made its final decent behind the horizon, darkening the entire sky.
It was eerily quiet so far from civilization. The distant glaciers were beautiful but significantly less flashy than most of their recent adventures.
"It's really beautiful, peaceful even," she said sweetly to Vegeta who was zipping up his coat.
"You haven't see the half of it," he replied ambiguously. Bulma wasn't quite sure what more there was to see, there wasn't anything out here besides flat, frozen land. She opened her mouth to question what it was he meant, then furrowed her brow in confusion when she noticed something odd.
Vegeta's face seemed to be illuminated by a faint green light. As if reading her mind, he pointed with his eyes behind her.
Bulma turned around to follow his gaze, and found green streams of light serpentining through the darkness. Shades of purple and fuchsia danced across the star speckled sky. It was as if the North Pole was putting on an ethereal light show and they were its private audience.
She watched silently, awestruck for several minutes. "Aurora borealis,"Vegeta informed her.
"Wow," Bulma whispered unable to pull her eyes away from the stunning scene.
Bulma wouldn't shut up about these northern lights the entire flight back to the capitol. When they disembarked the aircraft, they were greeted by a displeased King Vegeta.
"I see you've been galavanting around the planet again," the king said as he glared at the prince.
"I've been taking time to appreciate our kingdom," Prince Vegeta retorted as he crossed his arms, "it hasn't effected my lessons, so I don't see what the problem is." Vegeta knew the problem was not his escapades, but rather who accompanied him. The King narrowed his eyes and growled at the insolent prince.
"Don't forget that your presence is required at the banquet tonight," the King reminded, deciding not to press the issue further. "There will many eligible, elite Saiyan women there, that are dying to meet you." The emphasis his father put on 'elite' and 'Saiyan' made Vegeta roll his eyes.
Bulma was stiff, cursing internally that she had to be witness to this conversation. "You should be keeping company that is more appropriate," the king said shooting Bulma a glare.
"I will be at the damn banquet," Vegeta sighed. He was willing to say anything to get his father away from Bulma. Vegeta had witnessed Bulma sass mean looking men that were twice her size, but she would never disrespect the king. Satisfied with his son's reply the king retreated back to the palace and Bulma felt like she could finally breathe again.
"So," Vegeta said with a smirk, "what are you going to wear for me tonight?"
"First of all, I don't know where you get off thinking I wear anything solely for your benefit," Bulma began with a huff. "Second, I hope you don't mean to that banquet, because it was pretty clear that your father doesn't want me there."
"Oh forget about him!" the prince said with a dismissive wave. "We'll find you something to wear." Vegeta grabbed her by the hips pulling her flush against his body.
"And I'll be the envy of the party with you on my arm," he whispered softly into her neck.
"Um, I don't know if it's a good idea..." Bulma breathed out but her perfectly crafted and logical argument that was supposed to follow turned into mush as the prince began kissing her neck.
Paragus, one of the king's 'trusted' advisors, stomped down the palace hallways as one of his minions struggled to match his stride. "Sir, I'm sorry!" he apologized for the hundredth time, "what was I suppose to do? Take them by force? Surely the commotion that would cause would get back to the king."
Paragus growled knowing that was, in fact, true, but the reality did nothing to quell his growing frustrations. "What did the Nameks say to you exactly?" Paragus questioned.
"Well when I located the first village and inquired about the dragon balls, they brought me before their elder, who I suppose is it's keeper. When I told the elder that I was collecting the balls he refused to hand it over," the minion recalled.
"But did he say why? Do you have to trade something for it? Did you offer him the money?" Paragus nearly yelled before realizing the were in the hall with potential eavesdroppers.
"I tried to offer the money as you instructed, but they weren't interested." He continued in hushed tones, "I'm not quite sure, as the elder spoke in riddles, but from what I gathered they will only give the dragon balls to those who are pure of heart, like that they have good intentions behind their wish."
"Pure of heart?" Paragus repeated while scratching his chin. The Saiyans were a strong warrior race who valued pride, honor, and loyalty. But purity? Not quite. They were a rambunctious people known to be violent, lustful, and at times brutal.
Paragus realized those who usually did his bidding were not suited for this job, but then who? Sure, there were off worlders on Vegetasei that could fulfill this ridiculous purity requirement, but would they be capable to discreetly carry out the mission and ideally disappear once it was over?
Later that evening, Prince Vegeta strolled into the banquet fashionably late, which was no surprise to anyone in attendance. What did draw attention was the woman he had on his arm. She had wavy aqua hair that draped over her shoulders, bedazzling blue eyes, and wore a dark navy floor length gown.
Her coloring seemed to compliment the prince's polished royal armor. The pair looked absolutely regal as they glided into the ballroom, and Vegeta's red cape fluttered behind him.
Many of the elite women huffed indignantly at the sight of the prince with another. They were each beautiful and strong, and much more fitting to be the Princess of all Saiyans (at least according to the king). So why had the prince chosen her, a woman whose appearance was so un-Saiyan.
Nearly all Saiyans had dark features, tanned skin, black hair, black, brown, sometimes grey eyes. She was a rare, exotic beauty and the other women resented her for it.
The King watched them enter and growled at his son's outright disobedience. "Would you look at that woman the prince brought?" he grumbled at his nearby advisor. With his thoughts elsewhere, Paragus completely missed the king's disapproving tone. "Yes, sire. She's very lovely."
"That is not what I meant!" King Vegeta sneered. "She's nothing but a filthy street rat he picked up from the marketplace. If my son was to marry an off worlder, she should at least be royalty!"
With that outburst, the king gave himself an idea. If he couldn't temp his son with any of the beautiful elite women, maybe a princess from another planet would suit his fancy. Perhaps his union with another planet's princess would be politically advantageous for Vegetasei. The king began scheming silently as the guests continued to dance and gossip.
Bulma and Vegeta made their way to the dance floor while whispers about the couple spread throughout the room. "Everyone is staring," Bulma mumbled.
"Let them," was Vegeta's only reply, as he grabbed her hand in his and placed his other on the small of her back. His confidence was reassuring, but then again he was such a show off he probably loved the attention.
She tried to follow his lead as spun her around the dance floor. When he finally caught on that Bulma couldn't dance whatsoever, they settled on swaying to the rhythm of the music. She tilted her head up to find that Vegeta was already looking down at her. His dark eyes that usually brimmed with intensity, were full of affection, and Bulma blushed.
'I'm letting this go too far,' Bulma worried trying desperately to suppress the feelings she had when the prince gazed at her like that. 'If I let myself fall for him, I'm only going to end up hurt,' she reminded herself.
The task was growing more difficult each day they spent together. Bulma felt like the connection they shared was wholly unique. She felt herself always drawn to him regardless of her internal protest. But despite all the time they had spent together though, he had never expressed how he felt about her.
'My father is just going to have to get over himself and his prejudice, because Bulma will be my princess whether he likes it or not,' Vegeta thought arrogantly, as he smirked at Bulma who wore a concerned look on her face. He could only assume it had to do with the other guests watching them.
"Hey," he whispered regaining her attention, "don't worry about them." Bulma gave him a small smile then nestled herself against his chest. He wrapped his protective arms tighter around her and she felt safe, even if just for a moment. 'Maybe the heartbreak would be worth it.'
The king smirked as his plan began to take shape. "First things first, I have to get rid of the girl," he mumbled to himself. Paragus overheard and instinctively looked over to where she and the prince stood. She smiled sweetly and greeted everyone Prince Vegeta introduced her to.
Paragus decided in that moment that she would be perfect. If he could send her to retrieve the dragon balls, the King would be thankful that he got rid of her and completely unsuspecting when he finally got his wish.