Empire
Chapter 10: Close Proximity
Bulma stood on the terrace of her suite, staring out at the city of Aenire. The vacation city was so much different from the capital of Vegeta-sei, Venova. This city seemed a lot less conformed and militarized. It reminded Bulma of a beach resort on Earth. One of the suns of Vegeta-sei always seemed to be visible; there were very few clouds in the sky, unlike the sky in Venova, where it was constantly cloudy. Mieke had been telling the truth when describing the city's beauty over dinner the night Bulma was "kidnapped."
Bulma sighed. At the moment, she was alone in her suite. Brolly and Raeni had gone off somewhere with Raditz. They told her to remain in the room until one of them returned. To make matters worse, Chichi had also abandoned her. Bulma smirked to herself.
She's off with Kakarrot, I'll bet, she thought. To be in love...
"I could've easily killed you right then," a deep, cold voice said in her ear. Bulma shivered noticeably at the unexpected nearness of another body to the vicinity of hers. Without looking, she already knew whose body it was. She relaxed a bit.
"What's stopping you?" she asked.
Vegeta blinked at her question. He had not expected that particular response from her. He had expected some sort of sharp retort about his intelligence, height, or balls. How would he respond to this question?
"You are amusing, woman," he said in her ear. Bulma smirked. Slowly, she was beginning to learn "Vegeta lingo." That translated into meaning that he liked her. Something then occurred to her.
"You called me 'woman.' Have I finally graduated from harpy?" she asked. Vegeta could tell she was smiling. He could hear it in her voice.
"If you say so, woman," he said.
"What are you doing in my suite, on my balcony, Vegeta? Have you come to seduce me? It's only in the middle of the day, you know," she said. Vegeta smirked inwardly.
"What does it matter? I don't exactly hear you complaining about my being here," he said. Bulma turned around to face him. She realized that because she was barefoot, he was going to be a little taller than her. He stared down at her in his usual menacing way while she looked into his obsidian eyes.
Why do we always end up being so close to each other? she thought. It did not matter how close they got, neither ever did anything. Is he scared? Am I scared?
After a moment of uneventful silence, Bulma exhaled loudly. She shook her hair out and started to step around the haughty prince.
"Well, not that this dialogue with you hasn't been exceptionally exhilarating and enthralling, but..." Bulma paused as Vegeta grabbed her wrist. He pulled her back around to face him. Bulma's eyes were wide with shock. "What? Let me go, Vegeta. You have made an annoyingly bad habit of just pulling me wherever you want me. I'm not a play th..."
Bulma was silenced by Vegeta pulling her closer than she'd ever been to him. She inhaled sharply. His lips were a mere millimeter away from hers. She could practically feel them touching. Vegeta just stood, oddly enough looking down on the princess with emotionless, onyx eyes. She could feel his heart beating steadily against her chest while hers was starting to beat faster and faster.
So I do have an effect on her, he thought smugly. His face did not betray how he felt at all.
After a few moments of stillness, Vegeta released Bulma. He took a step back away from her. A self-righteous leer was on his face. Bulma looked slightly dazed. Vegeta may as well have just finished kissing her. She knew she must have looked flustered and blushed. She turned her glance away from the prince.
Trust Vegeta to look like he just won a sparring match after something like that, she thought dismally. Mood killer in five, four, three, two...
"You are so hideous, woman," he said before walking away exultantly. Bulma resisted the urge to laugh and instead put up her best front. She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Jackass," Bulma mumbled, scowling at him.
"Bitch," Vegeta retorted. He turned around and gave her a look. Bulma saw the lust in his eyes and knew the look meant one thing: he really wanted her, and he meant to have her. Once she heard the door to her suite close, Bulma sank to the floor of her balcony and sat on her knees.
I want him.
"Did I really just think that?" Bulma asked out loud. "Yes. Yes, I think I just did."
Three hours later, Chichi came back to the room. Kakarrot was following her. He was trying to move as silently as possible behind her. Bulma was nowhere in sight. Chichi looked around cautiously for her friend.
"Where is she, Chichi?" Kakarrot asked. Chichi put a finger up, peering around the corner into Bulma's bedroom.
"Looking for me?" Bulma asked from behind them. Both Chichi and Kakarrot whirled around to face the princess. Bulma looked a little less "put together" than normal. Chichi noticed this and stepped forward. Bulma watched as her friend examined her. Kakarrot also watched her with interest. "What?" Bulma asked. Chichi looked Bulma up and down once more before looking her in the eyes.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Bulma shook her head.
"Nothing," Bulma said quickly. "Why were you two looking for me?"
"Nice try, but it's not going to work, princess. I can smell the frustration on you," Chichi said. Bulma smiled at her friend. "I'll see you at dinner, Kakarrot," Chichi said. Kakarrot looked confused for a moment before leaving the room, being sure to incline his head slightly at Bulma. Bulma and Chichi sat down on the sofa.
"He doesn't talk much, does he?" Bulma asked. Chichi giggled girlishly.
"Oh, he talks plenty. But, stop trying to change the subject. What's wrong with you? You look all flustered. What were you doing while I was gone?" Chichi asked.
"I had a visitor," Bulma said. Chichi raised an eyebrow.
"Who?" she asked. Bulma recounted the entire Vegeta scenario. She left out the proximity encounter, though. She was not quite sure how to put that situation into words. Besides, the way Vegeta made her feel was still a little questionable. "Why are you making that face?"
"No reason. Just don't get involved with him, Bulma," Chichi said, a warning tone in her voice. Bulma blinked.
"I didn't plan on it, Cheech," Bulma said. Chichi nodded.
"Well, Raeni and Krillyn told me about how you have to go before the Galactic Council. They'll most likely try to intimidate you. So, I'm going to get you ready for that day," Chichi said, smiling. Bulma looked confused.
"How?" she asked. Chichi smiled.
"Bulma, you are a princess. It's high time you started acting like one. Though I hate to admit it, Prince Vegeta really is the perfect example of what you should be acting like. He exaggerates it a bit, but for the most part, he's got the royalty thing down," Chichi said.
Bulma stared blankly at Chichi for a minute. Chichi looked as if she was going to throw up. It was like the words that had come out of her mouth were like a foul-tasting food. Bulma could not help but to start laughing. Chichi rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Bulma nearly fell off the sofa.
"I'm sorry, Chichi. You really should see your face, though. It's priceless. Did you really just give Vegeta a compliment?"
"Unfortunately, I did. Tell anyone and this Frieza guy's henchmen won't need to kill you," Chichi said. Bulma hit her with one of the sofa's pillows.
"That wasn't funny," she said as Denni walked in the room. Both of them looked a little shocked, but for two different reasons. Chichi was shocked because Denni had entered without announcing herself. Bulma was shocked because she had not known Denni was here at all.
"Denni? What are you doing here?" Bulma asked. Denni stared blandly at Bulma.
"The queen sent me as your servant, your highness. I have a message for Lady Chichi," she said. Bulma nodded. Denni looked at Chichi, who was glaring daggers at her. "Kakarrot would like you to join him for dinner tonight."
"Only if it's okay with Bulma," Chichi said, looking at Bulma. Bulma waved her hand.
"Go on. Isn't that all you two do? Eat and make out?" she joked. Denni nodded and left the room. She passed Raeni and Brolly as they returned. Bulma smiled at them. "My faithful guards who left me alone for four hours. I thought you forgot about me," she said.
"We're sorry, your highness," Raeni said, her voice quivering. Bulma and Chichi looked at each other. Raeni was a little redder in the face than usual. Something else was also different about her. Neither could quite put the finger on it, though. Brolly just found his solitary corner and stood in it. "We got a little... side-tracked."
"Yes. Well, you might as well have the rest of the night off. All that's left is dinner. I can take that in my room. Perhaps you'll do a better job of guarding me tomorrow," Bulma said. Raeni looked over at her charge.
"Why is that?" she asked.
"I plan on going into the city," Bulma said, smiling.
Brolly and Raeni looked at each other. Chichi just smiled. The two Saiyans conferred with each other. Then Brolly looked sternly at the princess. Over the months, Bulma had become accustomed to Brolly's "looks." They had little effect on her. She stared impassively back at him.
"Out of the question, princess," he said.
"Why the hell not?" Bulma argued. "I'm always stuck in the palace at Venova. I go on VACATION in Aenire and I'm trapped in the palace like a prisoner, too! I'm leaving even if I have to sneak out," she said.
"Well, there is a festival going on in the city. Perhaps it would be good for her to get out," Raeni said. She moved a lock of wild, dark hair out of her round face. Bulma blinked.
That's what's different, she thought.
"Raeni?" she said. Raeni looked at Bulma, acknowledging her. "Your hair is down. And, you have a lot of it," Bulma said. Raeni looked down at her feet, trying to hide what appeared to be a blush.
"Yes, I suppose I do, princess. I didn't have time to fix it," she said. Bulma raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Why was your hair down to begin with?" Chichi asked. Raeni looked at Brolly for help. Bulma could obviously figure out what Chichi could not. She immediately took it upon herself to change subjects.
"So, can I go into the city tomorrow or what?" she asked. Raeni looked at Bulma. Bulma winked at her. Raeni heaved a relieved sigh. Before anyone could answer her, Vegeta sauntered into her room, arms crossed and surly. Raeni and Brolly bowed their heads. Chichi just frowned at him. Bulma smirked and relaxed on the sofa, crossing her legs.
"Out, all of you," Vegeta said calmly. Brolly and Raeni obeyed immediately. If any danger arose, they figured the prince would let no harm come to the princess. Chichi was not as sure though. She did not move, instead looking at her best friend. Bulma was staring at Vegeta. "That includes you, too." Vegeta glared at Chichi.
Chichi was not easily intimidated. Vegeta's death glares did nothing to her. She was probably the only person besides Mieke who could say that she honestly never feared him. She stared back at him with just as much intensity. If anything, Vegeta could learn to respect her, if she did not pop off at the mouth so frequently. It was like she should have been Saiyan in another life.
"Chichi, I'll be fine. Aren't you supposed to be eating with Kakarrot?" Bulma asked. Chichi said nothing and left the room, still glaring maliciously at Vegeta. She closed the door behind her. Vegeta looked back at Bulma. Bulma raised an eyebrow. He looked rather irate. She crossed her legs. "Something wrong?" she asked. Vegeta advanced on her so quickly; she did not have to time to prepare herself for what happened next.
Vegeta's gloved right hand closed around her tiny neck, holding her back against the sofa. Bulma's eyes widened in pure shock. Her hands went up to his, squeezing his wrist. Vegeta watched her. He was not applying much strength to his hold on her. In fact, he was applying very, very little. She still seemed to be struggling though.
"Vegeta, what are you doing?" Bulma whispered in a strangled voice. Vegeta continued to frown at her.
"Why did you let go of me?" he asked. Bulma raised an eyebrow.
"That's what this is about? Vegeta, I only called your bluff. I wanted to see if you would let me die," she said, trying to laugh. The only thing that came up was a strangled cough, though. Vegeta's eyes narrowed. He obviously found nothing amusing.
How easily she lies, Vegeta thought. He continued to stare her down. Bulma just watched him apprehensively. He tightened his grip on her a fraction. Bulma flinched under him. Vegeta realized something; she was in pain.
"You're lying, woman. Do not lie to me," he said. Bulma's eyes nearly bulged out of her head.
"Lying? What reason do I have to lie?" she asked. Vegeta's frown only deepened.
"Tell me the truth!" he yelled at her.
Bulma squeezed her eyes shut. There was no way she was getting out of this one. She had to tell him the truth. He might actually kill her this time around. Did she really want that to happen?
"I... I... I wanted to keep falling. I wanted to... die," Bulma whispered, sounding ashamed. She found that she could no longer look at Vegeta's opaque eyes that were burning with anger now.
"You wanted to use me to die?" he yelled at her. Bulma made no move to answer his question. He already knew the answer, though. Vegeta resisted the urge to snap her neck right then. Why was she so eager to die? It was not only the fact that she had tried to kill herself, and in a sick, twisted way use him to do so. What was bothering him was that he had nearly lost his mind afterwards. He was actually losing sleep trying to figure her out. "I'm not some executioner you can use at free will, woman."
"I'm sorry, Vegeta," Bulma whispered. She was starting to get a little dizzy. Vegeta loosened his hold on her. Bulma coughed and wheezed, bringing both hands to her neck. Vegeta stood up, looking down distastefully at her. "I just..."
"I don't give a damn about your problems, woman. I'm not here to solve them. Killing yourself won't solve them, either. You have an obligation to your planet and people. Fulfill it like an adult and stop being a child," Vegeta said.
Bulma looked up at him. Vegeta could see the tears running down her face. She had red marks on her neck where his fingers had been. He knew they would go away; he had not been squeezing enough to bruise her. She looked like she wanted to say something to him. He turned on his heel to walk away.
"Vegeta, would you ever take me flying again?" she asked in a scratchy voice as he reached the door. Vegeta pushed the button to open the door. Before he walked out, he turned his head to the side.
"Maybe," he grunted. With that, he disappeared out the door. It closed automatically behind him.
Bulma tried to find a smile, but found it incredibly hard to do so. Instead, she just thought about what Vegeta had said. It occurred to her that he had reprimanded her more like a parent than anything. She had been wrong to put him in that position.
Vegeta passed Denni as he was leaving Bulma's suite. She was carrying a basket full of clothes. She was not paying attention to her surroundings. Vegeta, full of frustration and anger, saw his outlet. He grabbed Denni roughly by her arm as they passed one another. Denni immediately went on the defensive.
As a result of being a Saiyan female, Denni's first instinct was to aim for the crotch. Her right leg went up between Vegeta's legs. Vegeta stepped back and caught her leg. He grabbed her right wrist as she brought her hand up to punch him. Twisting her arm around her back, he pushed her against the wall. She dropped the basket she was carrying. Vegeta leaned in close to her ear as Denni continued to struggle. She was extremely strong, and he did not really want to hurt her.
"Calm down," Vegeta said. Denni nodded quickly. Vegeta released her and stepped back. Denni turned to look at her attacker. She immediately looked ashamed when she realized who it was.
"A thousand apologies, sire. I had no idea it was you. I was daydreaming, and impulse took over when you grabbed me, and..." she began rambling.
"Yes, I know. What's done is done. You landing a punch on me is quite laughable." Here, Denni gave him a scowl that could have rivaled him in any department. "Tonight, when you are done with your new mistress, come to my suite," Vegeta said, oblivious to her glare. Denni raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing would please me more than to give pleasure to you tonight, my prince. But, your mother said I am here exclusively for the princess. I am not to go near you if I value my life," Denni said. Vegeta gave her an asymmetrical smirk.
"My mother is in Venova. We are in Aenire. What the queen doesn't know won't hurt her. I expect you later tonight or the consequences will be severe," Vegeta said. Denni nodded slowly. Vegeta turned on his heel and stalked off. Denni sank to her knees and began gathering the clothes up again.
What a prick! she thought.
The next morning, Bulma and Chichi were getting ready for their trip to the city. Bulma was debating on whether or not she should wear a hooded cloak or not. Brolly was wisely staying out of the conversation. Every now and then, Raeni would add her two cents.
"I'll stick out like a sore thumb if I don't cover my hair, Cheech. How many Saiyans have blue hair? I don't want to draw that much attention to myself," Bulma said. Chichi rolled her eyes.
"Bulma, you'll have Brolly tagging along with you. He alone is enough to draw attention to yourself. Besides, just think of your hair as a tracking device. It'll make you easier to find in a crowd," Chichi said. At those words, Brolly and Raeni looked at each other.
"Put a hood on," Brolly said quickly. Bulma looked confused.
"Why?"
"You're really easy to spot in a crowd full of brunette people, princess. You're a sniper's dream," Raeni said. Bulma frowned. She stood up, swinging the white cloak over her shoulders. She pulled the hood up and glared at her protectors.
"I'm going to tell the prince where we're off to. I'll meet you all at the gates in five minutes," she said. They all watched her leave before they could say anything else on the subject.
Bulma found Kakarrot and Raditz standing by big white doors. When they saw Bulma approaching, they lightened up and relaxed their stance. She smiled at the burly guards and stopped in front of them.
"Is the short stack in there?" she asked. Raditz laughed at the nickname, but Kakarrot looked a little puzzled for a moment.
"Yes, he's in there. He was doing a kata. I think he may be just meditating now. Do you want to see him or something?" Raditz asked. Bulma nodded, smiling her prettiest smile. "Well..."
"Raditz, you know Vegeta doesn't like to be disturbed during his morning exer..." Raditz had already opened the door silently for Bulma. Bulma stuck her tongue out at Kakarrot and slipped inside.
The room was gigantic, white, and padded all the way around. It took a moment for Bulma to locate the prince. It was not because of his size. It was because of the intensity of the light reflecting off the walls in the room. The fact that Bulma wore all white did not seem to help the matter, either. When she located Vegeta, she walked silently towards. As she did so, she took in his appearance.
Vegeta was sitting with his back to her. She had never seen him shirtless, so this was something very, very new to her. She could see every outline of every muscle in his back. He was so well-toned, it was almost scary. She had to pivot to walk around him. His eyes were closed. The expression he wore on his face was one he always wore: mild indignance. She came to a stop directly in front of him. Bulma's eyes traveled past his face down to his chest.
How can he be that muscular? she asked herself. He surely did not appear that way when she saw him fully clothed. No wonder he's such an asshole.
Before Bulma could blink, she felt a body in close proximity of hers again. She began to wobble. She gasped when she realized that Vegeta was standing directly in front of her, no more than three inches away. She swayed and lost her balance. She had made peace with that fact that she was going to hit the ground on her backside. When it did not happen, she looked up and saw that Vegeta had caught her. He was glaring at her with his usual annoyed expression. He lifted her back up, bringing her to his chest. Her hood had fallen back and her hair was hanging around her face.
"Why the hell are you in here, woman?" he asked. Bulma frowned.
"I came to tell you that I'm leaving to go into the city. What's the big idea scaring me like that?" Bulma asked. She realized that Vegeta had not yet released her. She gently tried to push away, seeing if he would let her go. His frown deepened for a moment, but he did not let her go.
"You are intruding on my space, woman. I suggest you watch your tone," he said. "How do you plan on getting into Aenire? Walking?" Vegeta asked. He sounded like he was hinting at something.
"I can't very well take to the skies like a spaceship, can I? Idiot," Bulma said, mumbling the last part. She looked away from him.
"You're right. We wouldn't want you plummeting to the ground. Earth would be missing its so-called leader," he said snidely.
Bulma's eyes widened considerably and she glared at him viciously. Vegeta was leering mischievously at her. Her mouth was hanging open. In that one instant, the amount of dirty words and insults that had crossed her mind would have made even Vegeta blush. Before she said anything, she realized one thing.
Relax, Bulma. He's trying to get a rise out of you. Don't let him bait you, she thought to herself. Bulma blinked and inhaled slowly. Her look of viciousness turned to one of indifference. For one second, Vegeta looked confused.
"Well, as much as I would just LOVE to stand here and debate that little rude comment of yours, I have somewhere to be," Bulma said. She pushed herself away from Vegeta with force this time. Vegeta released her. He crossed his arms and watched her.
Bulma was fixing her hair in order to put it back under the hood. She noticed Vegeta staring at her through her peripheral vision. She tried to ignore him. Bulma got the same feeling that she had when she first met Mieke. It was like she under surveillance. Sighing, Bulma, pulled her hood up and faced Vegeta again.
"What the hell are you staring at?" she yelled. Vegeta sneered at her.
"Only your hideousness, woman," he said. It took all Bulma's strength not to launch herself at him right then and there. Instead, she took a deep breath and stuck her nose in the air. A light bulb turned on in her head.
"I will not honor that insult with a rejoinder. I don't feel like verbally jousting with you right now. Good day, your highness," Bulma bowed very low, being sure to flash Vegeta a nice look of her cleavage. Her eyes met his for the briefest of moments. She stood up straight and walked past him, brushing up against his side slowly.
Vegeta turned and watched the princess disappear through the door. When she was gone, a small grin came to his face.
"So, the princess does know how to play," he said to himself.
Bulma met the other three at the front gates of the palace. They were standing next to what looked like some sort of scooters. Bulma raised an eyebrow.
"What are those for?" she asked. Raeni stepped forward.
"To ride, your majesty," she said. When she saw the incredulous look on Bulma's face, she sighed. "Surely you don't mean to walk to the city," she said. Bulma's face went blank. Chichi stepped up next to Raeni.
"Bulma, don't do this to me!" she screeched.
"Cheech, it will do you some good to get some exercise. All you do is eat and suck face with Kakarrot. Besides, it's a beautiful day. It can't be that far of a walk to the city, can it?" Bulma started walking through the gates. Raeni and Chichi looked to Brolly for help. He just crossed his arms and followed after his headstrong ward.