Once More

"B. It's been a while. I've missed you."

"Yamcha?" Bulma stared at the man of whom she once called her own. He changed in the past years they haven't seen each other. He was a bit taller now and much more muscular. His hair was buzz cut and he had a scar that went across his right eye and one etched onto his left cheek. Besides from that, he still looked like Yamcha: boyishly handsome with the same stupid grin and smiling eyes.

"Did you miss me?" He pulled Bulma into an unexpected embrace.

Bulma gasped as Yamcha kept a hold on her. To be honest, she hasn't given him much of a thought. Last time they saw each other, they had broken up and Yamcha disappeared without telling anyone a word.

"I'm fed up! Damn it! Fucking be a man for once!" Bulma yelled at the top of her lungs. She was home alone with only Yamcha to accompany her. He came knocking on her door that night with a bouquet of red and white roses. Yet again, he was presenting her with another pathetic apology.

"B, you're being irrational. I said I was sorry, isn't that enough?"

3 years of pent up emotions surged through Bulma and were released by her hand. She slapped Yamcha with all her might, leaving a red imprint on his cheek.

"You're unbelievable! OF COURSE THAT ISN'T ENOUGH, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Her face flushed crimson as heated tears flowed into streams. "OVER AND OVER YOU KEPT DOING THIS TO ME! AND EACH AND EVERYTIME I'VE CAUGHT YOU, YOU SAY THE EXACT SAME THING. I' M JUST SO-"

"But, I love you…" He whispered, only having the courage to say the poisonous words to the floor.

"It's not love. What we have… what we HAD, it isn't love. Yamcha, if you loved me, then you wouldn't have seen all those other girls behind my back. I should've been the only girl in your eyes."

"But you are! I was just confused. I know now, Bulma. You're the only one for me." He attempted to pull her into hug, but she pushed back against his chest, shaking her head.

"What kind of excuse is that? You were confused - for three years?! Please, stop lying to my face."

Yamcha stared at her for what seemed like hours to them. Deep down, he knew what she was saying was true, but he refused to look like the bad guy. In truth, he did feel something for Bulma. But what else could he say that he hadn't already?

He gently placed his hands atop her shoulders, squeezing them lightly. "One more chance. I know you've given me so many already, but Bulma I do care for you. It's you that I've ran back to all these times, right? That's got to mean something."

To an aggravated, not to mention genius, woman - That was the wrong thing to say.

Bulma smacked Yamcha's hand off her shoulder. She was tired of his lame excuses, frustrated and done him.

"You and I both know that the real reason you've stayed with me all these years is because of my family. We've showered you with everything you ever wanted! My dad sponsored you and your baseball team. We spot you when you were broke, allowed you to stay in this house for all long as you wanted, attending to your every need. I don't think it's just a coincidence that every time you felt satisfied with our "funds" that you'd go run off with another slut." Her body began trembling as the only thing powering her was anger. Exhaustion was nearly claiming her and she felt light headed.

"How dare you accuse me of such things! I've been there for you too, Bulma! You make me seem like I just used you all these years. What the hell are you trying to say?" Yamcha threw his hands up in the air dramatically. He was tired arguing as well, but only because he felt that he could be doing something more productive at the moment.

Bulma's last straw snapped.

"GET OUT!"

That was the last thing Yamcha thought he'd hear. "Wha? Bulma, stop this. Talk to me! What do you want!"

"I WANT YOU TO GET YOUR ASS OUT OF MY HOUSE. I'M DONE YAMCHA." She balled her hands into fists. "And so are we."

He felt hurt. He didn't think he'd lose her this easily. But, he didn't want to make matters even worse than they already were between the two. "Fine." He said firmly. "I'll come back when you've cooled off."

She winced. "Don't."

He gave her one last look and stomped through the hall and out the door, slamming it behind him.

Tears once again escaping her ocean-stained eyes, she fell to her knees and began bawling. She was alone yet again. She wrapped her arms around herself tightly. "There really is no hope." She sighed.

That was four years ago. And in that time, Bulma forgave Yamcha for his mistakes. However, seeing him again after all this time- she wasn't sure if she fully forgave his actions.

Yamcha released her so that they could talk face to face.

"So how have you been? You look great."

"I've been fine." She half-lied. "Yamcha, sorry to sound mean but, don't you think it's a little late? What are you doing here?"

Yamcha rubbed his palms together, smiling like an idiot. "I've been doing a lot of thinking. I've joined the army and I just got released today. Once they let me go, no!- this whole time I've been away; the only person I could think of was you! That's why I rushed over here as fast as I could, to see you again."

Bulma warmly grinned at his sweet gesture. Still, she knew Yamcha- and he was a coward. So she knew that he wasn't giving her the whole truth but she didn't want to sound like she was accusing him. "You went to the army?" she giggled softly "Tell me, what were you doing there?"

Yamcha blushed and knew he was caught. "Well, after what happened to you and me, I decided that I needed to start afresh. I signed up and let me tell you- it was brutal. I barely made it out alive with every mission we went through. But, I've met some wise men. They gave me advice and enlightened me. So I left yesterday and drove all the way here. Trust me when I say this Bulma. I've changed."

Bulma looked into his eyes trying to find any hint doubt. She was reluctant, but his words seemed authentic, at least for now anyways.

"I believe you." She said, earning another bear hug.

"Thank you! You don't know how happy you saying that makes me feel." Bulma returned the hug. They have shared great and memorable times together. She wanted to stay friends with this man. So she smiled and laughed. "Do you need a place to sleep tonight?"

He scratched the side of his head and nodded. "Sorry, but I promise this will be the last time. I kinda didn't have time to stop by at a hotel."

"It's okay. Come on. I'll show you to your room." She turned around and walked towards the hall, but Yamcha grabbed her arm to stop her half way.

"Huh? Is something wrong?"

Yamcha looked at her with a stern face, and slightly tightened his grip. "There is still one thing, Bulma."

"What?"

"When I left the army, you were the only thing on my mind. I know it must seem a little sudden, but please consider my offer."

She raised an eyebrow at him and nodded. "Sure, okay."

Yamcha raised her hand to his mouth, and brushed his lips against it. "Bulma, will you come with me… will you… start a family with me?"

She was wide eyed and speechless. Hell yeah it was sudden.

"Yamcha, I –"

"Please B. I love you so much! You're the only person who's ever brought meaning to my life! You made me realize what it meant to love, what it meant to have a love. You alone encouraged me to change my stupid ways. I can't see myself with anyone but you. I love you. And if you must, I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me you don't feel anything for me anymore. If that's the case, I'll leave tomorrow morning and you won't hear from me again." He looked at her with pleading eyes.

But Bulma didn't know what to feel. She was confused. She did still have some feelings for him, but were they enough- enough to sustain a family with him? And there was still Vegeta…He was getting married but Bulma couldn't deny that there was something there. It might not be mutual…but there was still something. What should she do? Ignite an old flame or spark up a new one? Bulma pulled her hand to her chest. She squinted her eyes and furrowed her brows. This was overwhelming.

Noticing her panicked reaction, Yamcha tried lightening the severity of his words. "I will understand regardless of the choice you make. I'm not asking you to decide right away…but I'd appreciate an answer. You see, I'm planning on moving a little farther aways from here, but I'd like you to come with me. We'll visit here often, but our home will be located in Europe. There's a baseball team I want to try out for and my connections say that I have a good chance at getting on the team. Think about it Bulma."

She looked at him with twinkling eyes. Maybe he really had changed. He had goals set for himself, and he wanted to live with her, and provide for her with his career. It's just… moving away from the one place she ever called home? Moving away from…from… She inhaled sharply. Could she do it?

Bulma sighed. "I'm not giving you a no…but I do need time to think about this. It's a big step, and so much has changed over the years, I barely feel like I know you anymore."

"Then we'll start over!" He walked into the room and closed the door just to reopen it seconds later.

He cleared his throat and offered Bulma his hand. "Oh, hi. My name's Yamcha Tachibana. It's very nice to meet you."

Bulma giggled and shook his hand. "I'm Bulma Briefs. It's very nice to meet you, ."

He laughed as well. "Please, call me Yamcha. I was wondering Miss Bulma. Would you mind going on a date with me tomorrow afternoon?"

"Haha. Why, I'd be happy to." She curtseyed, pretending to be wearing a dress.

"Thank you. I will see you tomorrow." He bowed.

"Until tomorrow then. Good night."

"Sweet dreams."

A/N: Yamcha or Vegeta, Yamcha or Vegeta? I have my personal preference, don't you?