Chapter 4: Muddled Up
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Nothing! There I said it. Happy now?
Ok, I know I haven't updated in a while, but I've been looking for a new job. Ever since I quit my job at the Sheriff's Dept. I've been bored stiff, and I still can't seem to find a good job. Anyway, I hope this chapter is somewhat of a consolation for the long delay, and as for the crazy stuff that happened; I have no idea what went down with the last chapter. I wrote it in Calibri 12 pt fond. Believe me, I know how hard it is to read something that way, and I have no idea how to fix it. Sorry folks, I'm still tryin to figure this whole uploading crap out, please don't hate me! By the way, thanks to all who have reviewed! You all have really encouraged me to keep going with the story, and thanks to those of you who took the time to give me some pointers! Anyway, on to the 4th chapter! Hope you all enjoy.
Bulma wanted to move, she really did, but there seemed to be a disconnect between her brain and her body. She could only watch in horror as Vegeta, non so gently, dropped her into the tub. She came up out of the water sputtering and glared at him.
"Bastard" She growled
"That's for earlier." Vegeta began, but stopped when he saw the look on Bulma's face.
'No, she's not!"
Bulma shook her wet fur for all she was worth, and was delighted to see that her plan had worked. There, before her, stood a very wet, naked, and pissed off Vegeta.
"Well, it looks like you just got your bath. No need to waste water huh."
Before she could come up with any more bright ideas, Vegeta dove into the tub and surfaced on the other side. He then rested both arms on the sides and just sat there staring at her.
"What" Bulma asked. She was a little nervous about the look she was receiving from her bath buddy.
"There's more to the story you told my parents. I want to hear the truth. I, unlike my father and mother, don't simply accept someone's words as fact. Now, talk"
Bulma's face faltered. She hadn't thought Vegeta to be one capable of such great personal insight. 'I guess everyone has their moments' She muttered to herself. Damn, she'd been caught. Now what was she supposed to do.
"I'm a loupgaru." (A/N: A friend told me to call her that. I had no idea it was an actual word. See, constantly learning new things)
"What the hell is that?" He gave her a puzzled look.
"Sigh, this is going to take a while. Long story short, I am by your Saiyajin standards a princess. I am the daughter of the alpha male and female of my pack. Yaumcha was my "Friend". He had a fascination with my kind and I with his. We shared stories about our kind to each other, and by the time I realized his true intentions, it was too late. He drugged me, and the next thing I knew I was aboard one of Frieza's ships and living in my own circle of hell. Yaumcha, however, takes great joy in torturing me, and Frieza takes some sick pleasure from it. He allows Yaumcha to follow me everywhere to ensure that I am following Frieza's orders exactly. He must have thought me devoid of all senses if he didn't think I would see him at that banquet. The man is truly an idiot. Anyway, that's about the gist of it. His betrayal is what really gets to me." She said, leaving out the part about her transforing abilities.
Vegeta just stared at her as if she had sprouted another head.
"You're telling me that you're a princess of that mudball planet? How the hell did this, Yamchop, slip under the radar? Surely your parents would have noticed your disappearance."
"That's just it. My parents were never home as it was, and seeing as how my father was forced to surrender the pack to his brother over some political bull shit; my disappearance went unnoticed. That's where Frieza stepped in. He "informed" my parents of my choice to join his allegiance, as it were, and my parents agreed to the whole thing. They thought it would buy us some time to prepare for battle; help us gain some allies. Unfortunately, they didn't realize at the time Frieza was just using them. They still don't, and I have been unable to contact them. Frieza's orders…ya know?"
Vegeta just shrugged as he lathered her fur with some black substance she decided was shampoo. She stood stock still as he silently scrubbed her haunches, tail and back legs. He then worked his way to her torso and front legs. When he reached her neck his hands sunk into thick soft fur. He grunted and removed his hands to squeeze more of the black stuff into his palms before returning to the task at hand. He scrubbed her neck fur, it seemed more like a mane to him, then moved to her head; being careful not to get any in or around her eyes. Bulma's body had subconsciously relaxed as he scrubbed and she realized, after jerking to keep herself upright, that she had nearly fallen asleep on him. She opened her eyes as Vegeta twisted the faucets of the tub to the desired temp. then to her shock and horror, grabbed her by her nape and shoved her under the icy water to rinse her off.
"You insufferable, Bastard! What the hell was that for?!"
"I felt like it, besides, its not nap time." He mused as he watched her drag her shivering wet body out of the bath.
"Yeah, well, shoot." She said as she shook her fur and began licking it to dry like a cat.
"What the hell are you doing Bitch? You're not a Fucking cat?"
Bulma paused mid lick and lifted her eyes to meet his. His confusion very evident in his coal black eyes. Bulma giggled as she returned to drying her fur.
"Answer me Bitch!"
"Sigh, how else am I supposed to dry myself off. Its not like I can just grab a towel and dry it that way. Not to mention, this is how I get my fur so fluffy and soft." She said proudly as she lifted her front paw and began licking along her foreleg in an attempt at ignoring the grouchy prince as he to emerged from the bath and began drying himself off.
"You are a weird one."
"Well, to me you are weird. I mean look at you. Walking around naked. Don't you Saiyajin's have any self respect?" She smirked to herself as she moved to licking her shoulder.
Vegeta's face turned three shades of red before he quickly snatched his training shorts and put them on, followed by his shirt, and the rest of his armor. He watch silently as Bulma fluffed the last bit of her tail, and trotted over to the full length mirror by the closet to check herself out.
"Vain little whelp."
"Arrogant prick"
"Grrrr"
"Humph, and you call me a Bitch, look which one of us is growling now"
"If it wasn't for Frieza's protection, you would have already been blasted Bitch. You're the most annoying creature I have had the displeasure of training. I think I liked you better when I didn't know you could talk."
"And I liked you… wait… I never liked you, so there" Bulma snarled as she bared her teeth.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!
"Who the Fuck is that?"
Bulma just ignored his comment as she grabbed the doors handle with her teeth and opened it to greet whoever was on the other side.
"Am I interrupting anything Bulma?"
"Kakkarot? Hey, No, you weren't interrupting anything. What brings you by?"
Bulma stepped aside as she motioned for Kakkarot to enter the room, and Vegeta couldn't suppress the growl of agitation that escaped his lips upon seeing his sparring partner bending down to scratch behind Bulma's ears.
'What the hell is my problem? It's not like she's my pet or anything. Hell, its not even like I care about her at all. This is getting too weird for me. Maybe I've finally lost it." Vegeta pondered to himself before shaking the rouge thoughts from his head. They would have to wait till a more convenient time.
"What do you want Kakkarot?"
He raised his head to look at Vegeta, with a blank expression, but soon sobered. He gave Bulma one final pat on the head before rising to stand directly in front of his prince.
"Your father has an armament meeting. He wants you there; something about new technological advancements." Kakkarot whispered trying to keep Bulma from hearing, but his sidelong glances to see if she was paying attention to their conversation spoke volumes.
'Oh, I heard you all right. Idiot. I have better hearing than that. Ok Vegeta, lets see what you and your people have to hide from Lord Frieza. Sure hope its what he sent me here to find out about. I'll just have to pay the labs a little visit after everyone goes to sleep for the night. Then I'll be able to judge for myself what I'm up against. Lets just hope its worth my time. I want to get off this planet before anything else crazy happens. ' She thought to herself. Unfortunately she was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't hear kakkarot say goodbye. The door slamming behind the two males brought her back to reality.
"Well, lets see what these Saiyajins have up their sleeves. Hey, wait for me!" With that Bulma pulled the door open and raced after the two Saiyajin males. Unfortunately for Bulma, they were well out of eyes range, but she immediately picked up Vegeta's scent.
'Hmm, not to bad. Spicy, with a musky undertone. I like.' She thought as she raced down the halls many twists and turns till she finally caught sight of the two males.
"Hey, wait up guys."
"Bulma, hey, we didn't know you were going to come with us…uhhh." Kakkarot said nervously as he scratched the back of his head and avoided eye contact with her.
"What he means is that you weren't invited to this meeting, Bitch, now scat. I don't have time to pet sit." vegeta said, and dismissed her with a wave of his gloved hand.
Her once wagging tail and erect ears drooped and she shrunk back as if she had just been hit.
"Well you don't have to be so mean about it. I just thought…" but she paused, thinking better of herself.
"Just thought what? That we would just let you tag along? You are working for Frieza, he sent you here for training, and that's all you are here for. You are not to be trusted and you certainly aren't smart enough to understand what is going to be going on. So why don't you go back to your room, chew on some chew toys, or whatever you mutts do for fun and leave us to our business. Maybe later I'll have one of the servants take you for a walk or something."
Bulma's ears flattened against her head and her tail tucked up tightly between her legs. Never in her life had she felt so humiliated, so hurt, and so angry. She couldn't settle on one emotion, but she knew one thing. His words stung. She felt her vision blur as the tears filled her eyes, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. With her head hung and her eyes misty she could only stare at the hateful prince.
"I'm sorry I've been such a burden. It's nice to know how you really feel about me. I won't take up any more of your time." And with that, Bulma turned tail and ran back to her room leaving the two men alone in the massive halls.
"Vegeta, I can't believe you said that. That was heartless, even for you. She has been nothing but nice to everyone around here. She doesn't deserve that kind of treatment!"
Vegeta just stared after Bulma until she was out of sight. He hadn't meant to be so hard on her. He just couldn't risk letting her see what his scientists had been working so hard and so secretly on. He just couldn't risk her betraying that kind of information to Frieza. Something told him she wouldn't do that, but his head wouldn't believe his gut. One thing Vegeta knew was not to trust anyone, even a creature who, from what he read, were known across the universe for their nobility, and honor. No, he had to do it. He had to send her away. It was for the best. Sighing, he completely ignored Kakkarot's protests and shoved the large doors open and proceeded in; leaving Kakkarot to shut them.
She ran, ran as fast as her paws would carry her. She ran until she reached her door and slammed her shoulder into it to open it; not caring if she hurt herself in the process, and head butted the doors shut behind her. She then ran and threw herself on her bed and cried her heart out.
'What did I do that was so horrible for him to hate me. I thought we had at least become acquainted enough to be civil to one another. Oh, well, at least I know how these Saiyajin's see me.' She thought bitterly.
She raised her head and looked at the mirror on the vanity across the room. Glaring at her reflection she hopped of the bed, crossed over to the vanity, and sat upon its bench to look at herself. Sighing, she cocked her head to the side and closed her eyes before letting her transformation slip. She reopened her eyes and stared at her human form. She turned her head this way, then that, then balled her long hair in a high bun on her head before inspecting her appearance again. She let her hair fall around her face and huffed angrily at her reflection.
"What is wrong with me. Would it be so bad if they knew?"
She then stood and crossed stark naked over to her full length mirror and again inspected herself.
"Who am I kidding. I've got nothing." She groaned as she turned to look over her shoulder at her backside in the mirror.
"Are you kidding me? You're absolutely gorgeous that's what you are!!"
Bulma whipped around trying to cover herself.
"Chi Chi?! What are you doing here?" She all but yelped as she watched the black haired servant from earlier cross to sit on her bed.
"I just thought you could use some cheering up. Kakkarot told be about what Vegeta said. He said you took it pretty hard, and I thought it would be fun to take you out of the palace for a while."
Bulma wrinkled her nose in irritation, and Chi Chi nearly gasped when she realized what she must have sounded like to her new "Friend".
"No, No, I'm not here to take you for a walk dummy. I mean in your human form. I want to take you to the markets. We could get you some things to entertain you while you are here. Besides, I heard there's this really nice café that just opened, and I've been dying to try it." Chi Chi said nearly drooling at the thought.
"Haha, leave it to you and Kakkarot to think of food. Sure, I'd love to go. It'll be nice to stretch my legs. I haven't been out of my Loupgaru form it seems like forever. Let me throw on some clothes and we can go."
"Sounds great!"
Bulma went to her walk-in closet and searched through the wardrobe. She settled on some short cut off jean shorts, and a black spaghetti strap tank with a pair of black flops and belt to match. She left her waist long wavy hair down, and put on some eye shadow and liner for effect.
"Well, what do you think?" She asked Chi Chi as she did a little twirl.
"Amazing! Girl, with that exotic coloring of yours and that smoking body, we're gonna have to fight the men off with sticks." Chi Chi laughed.
Bulma just shook her head and drug Chi Chi out the door.
"Come on Chi, I need to get out of here. Quick, Race ya!" And with that Bulma took off down the long halls with Chi Chi close behind. The girls laughter could be heard all throughout the palace, and reached the keen ears of two very curious Saiyajin men.
"Do you feel that Kakkarot?"
"Yeah, feels like Chi, but I have no idea who the other girl is."
"That ki, it feels familiar somehow."
"Yeah, I feel ya. Its no Saiyajin that's for sure. Who could it be?"
Vegeta shook his head. "Don't know Kakkarot, but I know how to find out. Come on idiot, try and keep up."
Vegeta and Kakkarot were about to round the first corner when the strange ki bared on them and slammed head long into Vegeta's solid body and bounced off. Catching Vegeta off guard.
"WHAT THE FUCK!!"
"OOMPH! OUCH!"
HEY!! GAAAAHHHH!!"
Bulma's sudden stop caused Chi Chi to slam into her back and both women were sent sprawling to the floor in a tangle of long bare legs and arms.
Vegeta glared down at the two women that lay on the marble floor before him, and couldn't help but stare in shock at what he saw. BLUE HAIR!! Where had this woman come from. Surely he would have noticed such an attractive slave running around the palace, and if not her looks; her hair was impossible to miss.
"Who the fuck are you?" He growled at Bulma.
"Ummm."
"Hey Chi, let me help you girls up." Kakkarot said as he offered both women a hand.
"Thanks Goku!" Chi Chi said as she took hold of his right arm.
"Goku? I thought his name was Kakkarot?" Bulma asked her friend as she stared at Chi Chi awkwardly.
"I call him Gouk, its kinda a nickname I made up for him. Its easier to say." She explained
Bulma nodded her head and put her hand out. "Nice to meet you Goku!"
"Likewise" Goku took her hand and gave it a firm shake while his other hand was behind his head and he laughed sheepishly. Vegeta, not liking being ignored, stepped in between Bulma and Goku causing Bulma to take a step back in order to not be chest to chest with him.
"Hey! Gee, whats your problem Vegeta? Can't stand not being the center of attantion?" Bulma asked.
"I'm only going to repeat the question once more. Who the FUCK are you?"
Bulma locked eyes with Vegeta and couldn't resist. He had humiliated her earlier and now was her chance to watch him eat his words.
"Gee Vegeta, and here I thought you were a little more perceptive than that. I guess one couldn't expect much from a Saiyajin. Why don't you go back to your big boy meetings and leave little ol me to my business. I mean, Chi Chi here was just taking me out for a walk. Come on Chi. Lets get out of here."
And with that, Bulma grabbed Chi Chi by the hand and proceeded to drag her down the opposite hallway to the main gates of the palace.
"No, it couldn't be, could it?"
Flashback:
"Prince Vegeta, are you paying attention?"
Vegeta raised his head from the pages of his textbook and stared lazily at the teacher in front of him.
"That's what I thought. Now, will you please read the next chapter aloud to the class. This next race is very rare, and can only be found on one planet in the whole galaxy. They will be the main focus of your next test, so listen up. Alright, you may begin your highness." The teacher said
Vegeta straightened in his seat and used his tail to turn a few pages. He took a deep breath and began.
"The Loupgaru: These creatures are the masters of disguise. They have the ability to transform back and forth between their humanoid and loupin form at will. They possess minimal power in their humanoid form, but are a formidable opponent in their loupin form. However, to even see a Loupgaru is rare. They are a very shy race, and tend to blend in with the other inhabitants of their home planet Earth.
Because of their extreme rarity, the Loupgaru uses its humanoid and loupin form as a way of disguising itself from its enemies. When trying to identify a Loupgaru from any normal human beign; there are three key things to look for.
1. All Loupgaru are either a deep blue, white, or light blue in color. Very rarely does it occur, but a mixture of colors is possible, mostly found in the alpha families.
2. Their coloring carries through in their humanoid form. Their hair and eyes will remain the same color no matter their transformation. Their ears will be slightly pointed and they will maintain a feral look even as a human.
3. In their Loupin form, all Loupgaru have a humanoid form and function. Upon closer inspection of the paws. A loupin uses its elongated digits as fingers and its dew paw like a thumb; giving them the ability to grasp objects like they would in their humanoid form. They also have the ability to stand and walk for short distances on their hind legs; much like they would in their humanoid form. (picture Van Helsing, Hugh Jackman, in his werewolf form. That's how she moves about)
Loupgaru live in family units called packs; it is believed that when removed from their family unit a Loupgaru will die from lack of socialization, however, no such studies have ever been attempted…….
End Flashback
Vegeta's eyes Widened. 'The Bitch? No, It just can't be true.' He thought.
"Kakkarot, we are finished for the day."
"But Vegeta, its only 2100 hrs." Goku whined. (A/N: 9:00pm for those who don't know military time)
"Go find some way to entertain yourself. I have other matters that require my attention at present." And with that, Vegeta disappeared around the same corner the two women had moments before.
Goku shook his head knowingly before his stomach gave a loud rumble.
"Gee, I'm starved, I wonder whats going on in the mess hall."
As Goku made his way to the mess hall he pondered on one thing. 'I wonder how Vegeta is gonna take it when he finds out that the woman with Chi Chi was Bulma. Hmm, her voice and eyes were a dead give away. Oh well, guess I'll find out later. Ooh, is that steak I smell…. Gods I hope so. I'm sooo hungry.
Author's Note: Will Bulma and Chi Chi ever make it to their little Café for dinner? Will Vegeta come to terms with Bulma's being a Loupgaru? And will Goku ever get the steak he was hoping for? Find out in the next chapter.
