Chapter 11

Time for some girl talk! Bulma nodded to herself, quickly topping the stairs and making her way towards Marie's room. She raised her hand to knock on the bedroom door. Maybe she'll finally confide in me after all this time. It has been two months since she came out of the time chamber. Plenty of time to-

"Go Away!"

Bulma paused, her fist inches away from the wood. Shooting a surprised glance at the door, she grabbed the knob, turning it slowly before cracking it open.

"Marie?" she said softly, poking her head in.

She heard Marie sigh, finding her a moment later sitting in a chair by the window in the corner, her legs curled to her chest, her arms wrapped around them. She gazed out the window a moment longer before turning her head and looking at Bulma.

Her lips pinched at the corners before she turned back. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice weary.

For a moment, Bulma didn't know how to act. She'd never seen her friend act like this! She slipped through the door, softly closing it behind her before sitting on the bed a foot away from the chair. Marie didn't turn around.

"What's going on with you? I mean, are you okay? You haven't been the same lately." Bulma asked gently, her gaze studying Marie's profile. The only sound in the room was the little clock on the nightstand, its ticking constant as it counted the seconds.

"Nothing," Marie finally said, her voice laced with bitterness.

"Please," Bulma pleaded gently, reaching forward and resting her hand on the girl's shoulder. Marie shrugged, knocking Bulma's hand off. Her hair fell away, cascading down her back. Bulma eyes widened.

"What's that?" she asked, reaching forward to touch the bite mark on Marie's collar bone. The girl jumped up, stepping away from her.

"Nothing!" she said quickly, clenching her jaw, her eyes troubled as she stared back at Bulma.

Bulma studied her for a moment. "Where you attacked?" she asked, standing up and taking a step toward the other woman. "because if you were, I'm sure Vegeta-"

"Stop it!"

She watched as Marie tensed, her eyes widening at the mention of Vegeta's name for a moment before she frowned, narrowing her gaze and crossing her arms.

"It's none of your business, now get out," she said harshly. Bulma gaped at her, stunned.

"But I want to help-"

"I said get out!"

Bulma stared at her a moment, before slowly walking towards the door. She paused when she opened it. Clenching the knob, she turned and gazed at her friend, watching as Marie once again sat in the chair, looking out the window, her eyes vacant. She softly closed the door.

"Vegeta!" Bulma shouted, her voice laced with anger, as she made her way across the estate, watching as Vegeta slowly descending from his fight with Goku. He took his time, crossing his arms when he finally landed. He frowned.

"What," he demanded, impatience written all over his face.

She poked a finger in his chest. "What did you do to my friend!" She stated loudly, glaring up at him. "I was just up there trying to talk to her when I saw-"

"That's none of your business!" he stated, cutting her off. She saw him grit his teeth. Throwing up her hands, she walked a few feet away from him, before turning back.

"I want to know what's going on! Don't give me that bullshit about it being none of my business! Marie's my friend! And if you're the one-"

"Shut up!" Vegeta practically shouted. His lips twisted, rage making his body shake.

"If you don't shut up right now," his voice was deadly low, "I won't be responsible for my actions."

Bulma backed up a step, balling her hands to her chest, fear trickling up her spine.

"O-Okay Vegeta. No-no need to get so worked up. I just want to know what's going on."

She felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up. Goku stood beside her, studying the other saiyan. He glanced down at her a moment later, squeezing her shoulder before returning his gaze to Vegeta.

"There's no need for that Vegeta," he stated softly.

Vegeta glared from one to the other, curling his lip. He let out a sound of disgust, shooting them an angry look before blasting off, disappearing over the city.

Bulma sighed with relief, hearing Goku turn and make his way to the house. She felt a pinprick of awareness a moment later, the kind you get when you feel someone watching you. She looked towards the house. Marie stood there, watching from her bedroom window. Bulma's eyes met the other woman's, a feeling of trepidation coursing through her. She shivered.