A/N: Thank you for the story/author follows, favorites, and reviews. You just make my world go 'round.
Replies to the people who reviewed chapter six;
Lintu-lvr4 : Yes, uh-oh! I'll try to update a couple times a week! :D I'm glad you like it so far, heh.
LunarSinner : I can't wait for your updates either! It's really awesome that you like this story since you're a pretty fabulous author. My feels are everywhere. This calls for nutella! Woo!
Winrycherry101 : Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy this update. Thanks for reading this story, really, you're just amazing.
Chapter Seven – Won't Let You Be My Weakness
Breathe in, breathe out. Deep, calming breaths. Bulma sat at the table, next to Tarble, her hands folded in her lap. Her foot tapped out an irregular beat. She was fighting to not start hyperventilating, yet she didn't know why. She had a horrible feeling about something, and she just hoped dinner would go smoothly.
Soon after the best friends had walked in together, the blue skinned alien, Zarbon, had entered. Bulma hadn't paid it any attention. She looked around the table. King Vegeta, Dodoria, Zarbon, and a few elite warriors were gathered around it, awaiting the luxurious food and Frieza. Nappa was eyeing her and she tried to avoid his penetrating gaze. Her stomach was turning. Usually, she never felt emotions like this, but she just wanted to fit in. As a non-elite half-saiyan, she felt as though she'd always stick out and not belong. Bulma got to thinking, and wondered why Frieza even wanted her at dinner. She hadn't done anything wrong, and really, she wasn't too intriguing in her own mind. She knew she was beautiful, but she was also half monkey to the evil thing. Why was she here?
Bulma's head rose as she felt a larger than average power level heading towards the dining room. She wasn't surprised to see Vegeta swaggering in, looking handsome and as if he didn't care that a tyrant was visiting his planet. His eyes met hers and he didn't look away as he made his way to a seat across from her and next to Nappa. Bulma's eyebrows furrowed together and she cocked her head to the side slightly. Vegeta just shook his head and looked away, ignoring her once again. He couldn't risk her life by showing any friendship towards her. As soon as Frieza knew he valued somebody, he'd ruin them beyond repair. He couldn't bear the thought of the young, fiery scientist being hurt. Vegeta wouldn't let Frieza use her as his weakness.
Bulma looked down at her hands. Tarble grabbed her chin and lifted her head up.
"Just remember everything we talked about in the hallway, alright?" He offered her a smile and patted her leg. "And don't read too much into this dinner, okay?"
"I'll try not to, Tar." Bulma crossed her arms. After a while, everyone turned to the doorway. Frieza stood, smiling, and everyone in the dining room knelt briefly before him. He took his place as head of the table. King Vegeta was at the opposite head.
Servants rushed in and poured wine into the freshly polished, golden, wine cups. Bulma had never had wine before, but had seen people at her father's parties favor it. She took a small sip and didn't mind it. She thought the deep red liquid tasted bitter yet sweet, but strongly reminded her of pure grape juice. She couldn't see why people would want to drink alcoholic grape juice, but to fit in, she consumed it without comment. Servants brought out the courses. She had thought the food at her own fancy dinners on Earth was spectacular, but it was nothing compared to the Saiyan dishes. Everything looked and smelled perfect, and the food supply seemed endless. As soon as one dish was empty, a full one was brought out. Trying to be ladylike, Bulma didn't eat as barbaric as the elites. She consumed her medium rare steak and various other dishes, all the while noticing Frieza glancing towards her. She tried to pay it no mind.
"Bulma, was it?" He spoke up, causing the table to grow silent.
"Yes, Lord Frieza." Bulma said in shock after realizing he really meant her. She met his gaze evenly, showing none of the fear she was currently feeling.
"What do you even do on this dirtball of a planet?" Frieza smiled icily, sipping his wine.
"I…" Bulma fumbled for words. She glanced at King Vegeta, wondering if she should say she was employed as a scientist. What would he do if he knew she was only sixteen and the head (and only) scientist? Would he whisk her away and use her for his own benefit? Her mouth had gone dry. She cleared her throat, taking a sip of her wine to give herself more time to think. Just as Frieza looked like he was getting impatient, a Saiyan across the table cut in, understanding her dilemma. He seemed to always understand her, and even when he was supposed to be ignoring her, he helped her out.
"Bulma is Planet Vegeta's most scientifically intelligent female. She is currently our only and most important scientist and we'd never let her slip through our fingers." Vegeta laughed darkly. The simple explanation was almost a sort of threat to the powerful ruler. Frieza's eyes narrowed at the prince.
"I didn't ask you! The mutt could have answered for herself!" He snapped. Bulma seethed at the slur. Nappa chuckled quietly. He was quite entertained.
"Well, I answered for her, and the answer was good enough." Vegeta was working hard to contain his temper. He certainly did not take to being yelled at very well. Bulma watched Vegeta quietly with a skeptical expression. She could feel his power level rising with his anger. She only hoped that he'd be able to contain himself; the alien'd be gone after dinner.
"Filthy monkey…" Frieza mumbled. Slowly, an almost normal atmosphere returned to the long dining table, although the tension could almost be cut with a knife. Nappa seemed disappointed that the minor drama was over. Bulma felt Vegeta's power level slowly but surely return to normal. She could only sigh in relief that the dinner hadn't gone completely wrong and that it'd be over in a little bit.
Bulma picked at the food on her plate, full and anxious to get home, for her planet to be rid of the creature called Frieza. A couple of times she glanced up from her plate to see Vegeta's classic expression on his face, his eyes burning into hers. When she'd look back down at her plate again, her face would become one of confusion. What the hell? Wasn't he supposed to hate her or something?
A while more passed before Frieza stood up suddenly and motioned for his two right-hand men to do so as well.
"Until next time, my pets." He knocked his wine to the floor with his tail purposely as he left. A slave rushed to clean it and Bulma watched as he left. She sat at the table and watched the other Saiyans begin to leave. She looked over and asked Tarble if he'd take her home.
"Of course, Bulma." He flashed the smile that seemed too perfectly sweet for a Saiyan. Just as they got up, Vegeta appeared in front of the two.
"Unnecessary, Tarble," Vegeta's expression was unreadable. His voice was slightly strained. "I'll take her."
Tarble looked uncertainly at the two, then, having made his decision, shrugged and walked away. Bulma opened her mouth to object, but Vegeta cut her off.
"Just shut up and follow me, woman."
"Hey, jerk, don't you tell me what to do!" She crossed her arms and raised her chin high.
Impatiently, he grabbed her arm and dragged her through the palace. All the while, Bulma was protesting. When they finally reached outside, she refused to fly. Vegeta growled at her, picking up her light, fragile body in his arms and taking off. She blushed, her face growing bright red and hot.
"You have no right to even think of talking to me after you ignored me for a week! I needed you!" The last part slipped out. Bulma pretended it was no big deal and that she'd meant to say it.
"It was for the best." Vegeta grumbled.
"You're an asshole." She glared, her face turning back to its normal heat and color slowly.
"You don't understand!" He snapped at her. "I had to ignore you all week! If I hadn't, you would have been suspicious of my ignoring you today. I had to make it seem like we barely knew each other."
"I don't get it…" Bulma mumbled.
"If…if Frieza found out I had something to be taken from me, he'd…" He shook his head. "You don't need to get it. You never would."
"Try me," She whispered. Her big, ocean blue eyes stared into his.
"If he found out I had somebody close to me that he could turn into a weakness…well, he would. I didn't want you to be turned into my weakness. I had to stay away from you so he didn't hurt you to get at me." His eyes were straight forward, watching where he was going, though he knew the way by heart.
Bulma was quiet for once. She slightly understood his reasoning. She rested her head on his shoulder, snuggling it into the crook of his neck. He didn't mind much and the two were silent the rest of the way. When they reached Bulma's home, Vegeta didn't put her down immediately, and Bulma didn't want him to. She felt like he'd told her some sort of secret in a way and that it meant she meant a lot to him.
Putting her down after a few minutes, he prepared to fly away. Bulma caught his arm.
"What am I to you?" She asked desperately.
He stared at her, his coal black eyes assessing her. "I don't know."
When he said that, she dropped his arm and stepped away a bit.
"See you for training, tomorrow, then." Bulma smiled halfheartedly. She turned around and took one step when she was spun around by Vegeta. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately.
"See you tomorrow." He smirked and flew off.
Bulma nearly screamed. She felt like the prince was toying with her emotions; kissing her and then throwing her aside, or leaving her with little remarks before he flew off. She found herself wondering just what she really did mean to him.
On Frieza's ship, Zarbon had just finished telling his superior the information he'd gathered of Vegeta and Bulma's relationship. Since they hadn't taken off yet, Frieza had a plan forming in his villainous brain.
"Zarbon, fetch the girl. She's of great value," His smirk was bright and evil.
"Yes, Lord Frieza." Zarbon went out to get Bulma, having figured out where she lived because of Raditz. He'd talked quite a bit about his housemate when he had come onto Frieza's ship with Nappa and Vegeta.
Bulma was meditating on a rock outside her house when she felt the power level approaching. She couldn't identify it, so she knew it wasn't anybody good. Readying herself, she jumped into a battle position. She wished at least Raditz was home, but he and Kakarot as well as Bardock had gone to the training center. Bulma was overconfident and figured she could take her visitor. She was confused when she saw that it was Zarbon. He landed in front of her and took in her stance. To Bulma's dismay, he laughed.
"What are you laughing about, creep? What do you want!?" She yelled at him.
"You'll be coming with me, now," He smiled and moved to grab her. She lithely jumped back and gathered a large energy ball with her hands.
"Stay away from me, jerk!" Bulma yelled as she blasted the oddly colored creature. He fell, but when he got up, he wasn't hurt very bad. He started to take on an angry and amused expression.
"Struggling is futile, girl!" Zarbon knocked her to the ground. Bulma jumped back up and hit him dead in the jaw.
"My face!" Zarbon gasped, his hand shooting up to it. "Don't touch my face!"
"I'll do what I want! Keep your hands off me, buddy!" Bulma jumped out of the way as Zarbon tried to grab her again.
"Yes, keep your hands off her, buddy." Vegeta appeared behind Bulma, cracking his knuckles. "I was flying to the palace when I sensed you moving towards her, and I knew it would only mean trouble."
Zarbon chuckled arrogantly. "I'll take you out, Vegeta, then I'll get the girl for Lord Frieza."
"It's so sweet when you try to boost your own confidence like that." Vegeta sneered.
Bulma moved away from the two as quietly as possible. She could feel Vegeta's power level rise and knew that this would be one hell of a fight.
A/N: I love you guys so much that I stayed up until 1 am writing this. School, woohoo. I'll be getting four hours of sleep. :l Review please!
Which is your favorite out of these three; Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or Dragon Ball GT?
