Chapter 14: Blind Fury and Heart of the Moment
Author's Note: Thank you all for your reviews and kind words. Just to let you know, my mother had cancer on her nose about six years ago. I was in the room with her when they did the surgery, and the scar has made her very self conscious. This time the cancer is once again on her nose, but additionally on her head, forehead, cheek, and various parts of her arms and legs. It is treatable with surgery, and they have it scheduled next month. Basically they will be having a consultation for a full body exam where they will biopsy every single place cancer is found. They will then take her in, remove the patches, and graft skin from areas on her body with similar pigment and density. She is very nervous, but she beat it before without having to endure the harsh chemical treatments, and we are praying she beats it again this time. Feb. she will have a follow up and it will be determined if she will need more aggressive treatments. Her advice to avoid this is to wear sunscreen, and DON'T USE TANNING BEDS!! She was a sun worshiper and tanning bed addict when she was younger, and it has finally caught up to her.
I hope this chapter is back on track, and thank you for your concern, patience, and kindness with me. I have put a lot of thought in where I am going with this story, and it is going to be a Long one with probably close to thirty chapters at this rate. Hopefully I'll be able to keep your interest that long. So, without further ado; your chapter update. ^_^
A bright explosion of lights crossed his vision followed by a near deafening crack. The ringing in his ears muffled all sound, but the woman's screams. Pieces of glass like tiny barbs pierced his skin as one of the French doors shattered on contact, and he felt weightless as he fell bodily to the ground below. His body hit with a sickening thud; knocking the wind from his barely healed lungs. He let out a growl mingled with a groan as he shook his head while picking himself up from the marred earth below. He spat some blood from his mouth before fixing his sights on the man standing in the gaping hole he'd been sent through moments before.
'Kakkarot!'
His thoughts turned bloody as his hackles raised along with his ki, and he let out a guttural roar at his enemy. Blood flowed freely from his scalp and other various places on his body. He shook his head furiously, and wiped his face; smearing blood all across. He snarled and his tail lashed about furiously as he watched the other male posture above him and growl as he prevented Bulma from approaching the scene. The way Kakkarot was acting around the female drove his jumbled senses into overdrive until one instinct's demands were all he heard.
He had to fight for his female, and his territory. It was the call of his Saiyan Instincts that pulled at his gut. He felt as his rational mind gave way to a more primal side, and all thought and reason were lost.
Bulma watched in horror as Goku flew down to where Vegeta had picked himself up off the ground. The two were now mere inches apart, and apparently sizing each other up. Their noses were almost touching, and they were growling, snarling, showing their huge canines, and posturing. The fur on Vegeta's tail was on end, and both males' hackles were raised. She felt like she was watching the beginning of a dog fight, and screamed down at the two men to stop, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.
"GOKU… VEGETA… STOP IT!" Bulma yelled as she leaned out the gaping hole in the side of her room; not caring that the floor was now unstable and she could easily fall.
Vegeta was the first to strike. He head butted Goku in the face, and was not surprised when the younger Saiyan was only momentarily stunned; that was all the time he needed. He followed up with an elbow to the head, and a roundhouse kick to the head followed by another elbow to the back of the head which drove the younger male into the ground.
'Blind side me, I'll bash your skull in you third class mother fucker!' He thought as he made to stomp Goku's head in.
Goku's eyes widened and he let out a choked gasp of pain as he felt his nose break, and sparks flew before his eyes. He turned his head to the side, and barely had time to right himself before a booted foot came crashing down where his head once laid. His eyes widened as he took in Vegeta's form. Something had happened to the older male. His muscle mass appeared to be larger, and Goku could practically feel the testosterone radiating from his form by way of an increase in his Ki's intensity. The blood flowed faster from the numerous cuts and gashes that littered his body, and he seemed completely oblivious to anything going on around him.
Bulma ran as fast as she could down the stairs, through the living room and kitchen, past the two occupants who were too busy making out on her table to notice the commotion, and out the back door. She ran bare foot through the grass as she sprinted around the house; all the while praying that she could separate the two before they killed each other. She'd known something like this was bound to happen, but she'd not expected Goku to be the aggressor. She'd never in all her life thought that Vegeta would be the one forced into a fight. It was all surreal; it couldn't be happening.
'He's gone way too far this time.' She thought as she recalled the look in Goku's eyes. He was acting on instincts he didn't even understand. Unfortunately for him Vegeta was as he'd said before; a true Saiyan in all aspects. He knew himself and his race inside out, and understood the meaning behind each flex or growl. Goku was unwittingly challenging Vegeta in the one area he had the least confidence. His manhood.
As she rounded the corner Bulma caught sight of what she knew was no typical fight. Neither man was using any ki, and they seemed to be straight up brawling. Vegeta had resorted to biting, and Goku to tail pulling. Each male was inflicting more damage to the other than usual due to their lack of protection by their elevated ki. At present they were grappling on the ground, and Bulma gasped as she watched Vegeta rolled Goku onto his back, and began mercilessly pummeling him in the face. Blood poured from Goku's nose, and was slung across the yard tinting the green blades with a sickly dark hue. Something was wrong here, and she knew it had nothing to do with the situation, and everything to do with them both being Saiyan. Not just the fact that they were both Saiyan, but Saiyan males. She hesitated at the corner for a moment as she watched the two break from the one sided ground grapple, and sit back on their haunches glaring and gnashing their teeth at one another. She eyed Vegeta warily before turning her attention to her best friend. His eyes were wild, but she could see the hesitation there. He had transformed into a super Saiyan while on the ground, but it seemed like whatever state Vegeta was in was proving to be a little more difficult for the younger Saiyan to handle, and she could see in Goku's eyes that he was losing control of the situation he'd created, and regretting it.
'They're going to kill each other.' Bulma thought fearfully. Goku was acting out because he'd felt Vegeta had hurt her in some way, but she couldn't figure out what had possessed him to take it as far as he had. He was usually so passive, but he'd gone and lost control. It could have been the fact that he'd warned the older Saiyan, and was angry that his warning hadn't been heeded. Apparently Vegeta wasn't the only one whose pride could be bruised.
However, she was shaken by the display, and slightly frightened by her best friend's unusual behavior, but what scared her the most was the way Vegeta was reacting to Goku's aggression. His eyes were completely wild, and he looked a little more shaken than anything. He looked deranged, and something told her that Goku had accidentally crossed an unknown cultural line with the older male causing Vegeta to feel the need to defend himself and his pride. She just couldn't figure it out, but when Goku launched his counter attack, and the two locked in a death grip on the other. She knew she needed to act before life blood was shed.
"STOP IT YOU TWO, NOW!! QUIT IT! She screamed as she ran toward the two. She was so caught up with her fear of losing one of the males that her common sense flew right out the window, and she ran up behind Goku to try and pull him away by his gi. The minute her hands made contact, Goku struck without thinking.
CRACK!!
A feminine scream pierced the testosterone induced haze, and both males stood shocked as they watched a streak of blue fall to the ground with a thud. Goku's eyes widened in panic as he watched Bulma get knocked back. She'd grabbed a hold of his gi only to be elbowed in the head as he'd reared his arm back preparing to release a fist to Vegeta's face.
Vegeta's eyes widened, and a roar like none other tore from his throat as he bashed Goku into the dirt before he immediately turned his attention to the little female lying in a ball on the ground. She was holding the side of her face and writhing from the agonizing pain in her head.
Goku slowly allowed his transformation to slip, and felt the extra power leave his tight muscles. With more effort than he would have liked Goku hefted himself to his feet, and quickly made his way to where his friend lay. He hadn't meant to strike her down, but he wasn't thinking rationally at the time. As he reached a hand out to pick Bulma up he felt the older Saiyan's ki spike almost painfully.
A low rumble stilled his approach, and he raised his eyes from the ground to meet the deep brown irises of the elder Saiyan male. The two were once again inches apart, but the glare down was the most intense, and Goku was forced to look away. Goku swallowed the large lump that was forming in his throat, and took two generous steps back as Vegeta flexed and hunkered over Bulma's shaking form protectively; unintentionally dripping blood all over her blue hair and pale skin as he held her against his chest; slightly angled away from Goku in a protective manner. It didn't take a rocket scientist to see that Vegeta wasn't going to let him anywhere near Bulma.
"Kakkarot, if you come any closer, so help me, I'll soak the earth with your guts!" Vegeta whispered on a growl. His eyes were burning with the promise of death, and something much more primal.
Goku nodded his head once in understanding. He hadn't been sure before, but now he was. Vegeta had staked his claim on his little blue haired friend, and Goku would be damned of he didn't try to intervene. He wanted Trunks to be born, but he wasn't sure he wanted his friend to suffer. Trunks had indicated that their relationship was a "passion sort of thing", and he knew that Bulma needed the type of relationship that lasted; not just a fling. At least he knew she would be safe this time around; Vegeta seemed to be more protective than aggressive toward her. That was more than he could say for Yaumcha. He just hoped that this time line would be different. Maybe Vegeta would actually be able to care for Bulma the way she needed, but he wasn't about to get his hopes up. She'd been there to pick up the pieces when his life had shattered before, and he'd always be there to pick her up when she fell. He just hoped that Vegeta would be the one to take up the mantle this time around.
He let out a little chuckle and smirked at the older male as he gestured toward Bulma with his head.
'You take care of her Vegeta. She's like family to me, and if anything happens to her I'll come looking for you personally.' Goku warned telepathically. He wasn't about to cave. He'd made his point, and Vegeta understood. He'd taken things to the next level, and Goku was certain that it wouldn't be long before Vegeta passed him by in strength. He just hoped that when that time came Vegeta's priorities would be different.
The look he received was an incredulous one, and Goku nearly laughed as he watched the prince struggle to find a voice for his complete astonishment.
'You're the stupid fuck that hit her! What right do you have threatening me and calling my honor into question? You third class dog! I should have killed you when I had the chance.' Vegeta growled mentally as he gently stroked Bulma's blue hair absently before resituating her in his arms; cradling her unconscious form like a baby against his chest.
"Hn. Tell Bulma, I'm sorry I hit her. It truly was an accident. I'll tell everyone the party is off." Was all Goku said before putting two fingers to his head and vanishing from sight. He could always talk to her later. It wasn't like she'd never been accidentally struck before; it was one of the many hazards of being around warriors all the time. He was just glad she was so sturdy for a human.
Vegeta stared at the spot his rival once occupied for a few seconds; almost forgetting about the feather light woman in his arms. Her sudden whimper drew his immediate attention, and he darted his eyes down to her.
"Woman?" Vegeta questioned as he nudged her forehead with his jaw; indicating that he wanted her to look at him.
Bulma raised her head, and could barely make out what Vegeta was saying from the ringing in her ears, and her blurred vision. Goku had really gotten her good on that one. She'd have to remember not to try that method ever again. What had she been thinking? Oh, wait, she hadn't.
"I'm ok Vegeta. He just knocked me senseless that's all. Give me a few hours and a few aspirin and I'll be good as new." Bulma assured him as she attempted to remove herself from his grasp. It wasn't like she'd never been struck by a man with super human strength. She'd dealt with worse on more than one occasion with Yaumcha. She'd have to really give Goku the what for when she was better.
Vegeta stiffened, and pulled Bulma closer when she tried to get to her feet, and turned sharply on his heel before striding toward her back door. He wasn't taking any chances. He wasn't sure about the humans condition, and wasn't sure she was really ok. He had to make sure.
"Woman, you are going to medical to get checked out. How do I contact that old man you call a father?" Vegeta grumbled as he used his massive shoulder to push the door in.
Bulma rolled her eyes, but remained silent as she heard the bolt break, and the door cave in. She had the money to fix it anyway. Her head and face hurt her too bad for her to really care at that point. She could hear the startled gasps from Yaumcha and Candy, and the warning snarl that ripped through Vegeta's chest when Yaumcha tried to question the surly Saiyan about what had happened. She allowed her head to loll to the side as she tried to fix her gaze on something solid. She was pretty sure that she had a concussion because she was tired. She was fighting sleep, but losing. She fisted her hand against Vegeta's chest as he carried her down the long corridors toward the medical wing, and could feel the wetness of his blood against her body, and she grunted.
Vegeta heard her little grunt and felt her hand fist against his chest. He cast his eyes downward and could easily guess what her problem was. She was covered in his blood, and it was currently seeping into her clothing, staining her porcelain skin, and matting her sterling blue hair. He gently snuffed against her hair and mumbled something under his breath.
"Vegeta, really, you're in worse shape than I am. I mean, look at you! You weren't completely healed to begin with, and now you look like you took a roll in a glass bed! Honestly, I'm ok. You need to put me down so I can tend to you before you bleed out all over my floor." Bulma argued as she watched the red rivulets wind down his face from his hair, his chest and arms. She could actually feel the little shards against her, and cringed at the thought that they were being ground deeper into his skin by her body.
Vegeta remained silent, and simply continued his determined march until he reached the door. He used his shoulder to hit the pad next to the door used for emergency entry, and after the doors slid open strode through toward one of the gurneys. He set Bulma down, and turned toward the intercom. He stared at it in utter confusion. The scrawling was in a language he had yet to master since coming to reside on the shit hole planet, and the intercom was to say the least complex. He'd have to figure it out sometime.
Bulma could see him work his jaw as he studied the intercom. His jaw muscles clenching as he tried to figure it out. She suppressed a tiny giggle for her heads sake, and gingerly stood to her wobbly legs. She definitely had a concussion, of that she was certain, but she knew that was the least of her worries at the moment. She slowly and carefully made her way to Vegeta's side, and placed her had gently on his arm; indicating that he should step aside.
Vegeta grunted in response, but granted the little blue female room to utilize the communication device. He watched her with rapt fascination as she punched in a few numbers and hit the large long button and held it to talk.
"Hey, dad? You in there?" Bulma asked as she let up on the button.
A few silent seconds, and a loud noise could be heard in the background precluding her father's tired voice.
"Ya. Do you need something? Why are you in medical?" Her father's voice changed from tired to alert and concerned in a heartbeat, and she smiled affectionately.
"Well, ya know how it goes. Goku and Vegeta got into a bit of a scrap on the lawn and I got tangled up in the madness. I'm ok, probably just a concussion and a few bruises, but Vegeta here is insisting that I get checked despite his current condition. Seriously dad, can you just come up here?" Bulma groaned as she felt the tell tale throbbing behind her eyes and at the base of her skull signaling that she was about to endure one of the world's worst migraines.
"Be right there." The doctor, Marshal Briefs said before cutting the call.
Bulma slumped against the intercom, and turned her head to stare at her surly companion. He was currently biting on his arm trying to dislodge a few pieces of glass, and she was surprised when he actually succeeded in his mission. She grimaced, and tapped his arm when he spat the pieces on her floor, coating it in blood, and pointed to the trash bin to his left. He blinked once at her, and went back to work. It seemed to Bulma that Vegeta was somewhat of an expert in field medicine. She guessed he had to be living under Frieza. She highly doubted that Frieza gave two shits about his men and Vegeta was, from what she was told, not at all on Frieza's good minion list.
Both occupants' eyes darted to the door when they heard footsteps halt just outside. Marshal Briefs strode in wearing nothing more than his work pants and shoes. He was covered in sweat, ash, and pieces of metal, and Bulma smiled as she watched her father immediately head to the sink for a good washing before tending to their wounds. He'd shaved his moustache off, and had recently gotten his hair cut. Her lip twitched before she nearly collapsed in full blown laughter.
"What the hell happened to you?" Bulma asked as she retrieved a lab coat from one of the many drawers, and came up alongside her father, gesturing to his face and head. He turned to her after cleansing himself, and accepted the coat; shrugging into it with a grunt of affirmation.
"My normal barber was on vacation, and your mother insisted that I go to her salon. The fag decided that I needed a more "modern" look, and before I knew what was happening… this!" He growled gesturing to his clean shaven face and the stylish fohawk on his head. To say he was pissed would be an understatement. He'd briefly glanced at the man crouched in the corner chewing on his arm, and felt the immediate need to put the boy in his place, but refrained on account of his self preservation. He'd learned not to take his frustration out on others a long time ago.
"Ok, so tell me, what happened?" Dr. Briefs grumbled as he watched his daughter sit on the gurney. He pulled a flashlight off the metal table and checked her pupils. He then felt around her neck, and shoulders. He checked and cleaned her cuts, and gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead before turning away.
"Looks like you were right Bulma. You have a pretty bad concussion. I trust you know how to handle that." He smirked as he turned to cast a knowing glance her way. She was an adventurous girl, and had sustained the same injury before without the help of her burly friends. He laughed out loud when she blushed, and humphed irritated.
"Whatever dad, just check Vegeta now before he gnaws his other arm off." Bulma said as she strode over to the wounded male and pulled his forearm from his face with a scolding look.
Vegeta glared right back at her and bared his bloody canines. He was genuinely surprised when she rolled her eyes, ignoring his reaction, and simply pulled him toward the bed where she'd been sitting. He allowed her to push him down once more, and watched hesitantly as Dr. Briefs prepped a needle.
"What is that old man?" Vegeta ground out as the old male approached, brandishing the clear liquid contained in a medical syringe. He wasn't too sure about the look the Dr. was giving him, and didn't relish the idea of having a foreign substance injected into his body.
"It's a tetanus shot. I'm not completely sure your Saiyan physiology is 100% immune to any and all of earth's ailments so it is best to be safe." Dr. Briefs said as he motioned for Vegeta to stay still.
Vegeta cast Bulma a questioning glance, and she smiled reassuringly while nodding her head. He sighed, and sat motionless as the doctor administered his drug. He hated the feeling of the cold liquid entering his system, but didn't mind too much when he felt the woman's tiny hand over his arm; rubbing it gently where he'd been punctured to ease the ache.
"It will probably be sore for a while, but that's normal. The shot is injected into your muscle so it may be annoying." She explained. The last thing she needed was Vegeta freaking out because his arm hurt and was useless for a few days.
"Ok, now the fun part." Dr. Briefs said sarcastically as he brought out a pair of tweezers, some gauze, needle and surgical thread, and a bottle of alcohol and gave Vegeta a good long look. He wanted to make sure the Saiyan knew he wasn't going to tolerate any reactions while attempting to dislodge the shards that littered his head and torso. His left eye twitched as he turned toward the tiny table to retrieve the tweezers and a cloth to soak up the blood. It was like he was in the military all over again.
Vegeta glared at the older man, but something about the admonishing/warning glare the doctor gave him stilled his anger, and caused his respect for the old man to increase, if ever so slightly. It seemed that he'd underestimated the older man. He cocked his head to the side as he regarded the man coolly. He took the opportunity to really study the older male. It was then he recognized the familiar look on the man's face. The females sire had seen battle, had seen death, and a shit ton of other atrocities; same as he had. It had been hard to see it before with that long hair and moustache, but with the nearly military style cut, clean shaven face, and military straight posture, it was almost beyond Vegeta how the older male had survived. How he had become so, tame.
He looked at Bulma then her father who was angrily threading the curved suture needle. The older male was fairly muscular for a scientist, and he'd noticed quite a few scars littering the man's torso through his open lab coat. He was suddenly curious. There seemed to be more to the older male than what he let on. His daughter was his spitting image, and he could see where she got her temper from. However, she hadn't inherited his stoic demeanor; something Vegeta admired the man for.
"Alright, now sit still. I doubt I need to explain to you how this needs to go." Dr. Briefs said as he gave Vegeta another warning look.
Vegeta shot a glare toward the blue haired woman who was stifling a giggle as she sat patiently watching the goings on; swinging her legs back and forth over the edge of the gurney she sat on.
"Well, I thought you said you'd be fine in a few hours. It looks like Kakkarot knocked you back a few years. You're acting like a five year old." Vegeta scolded as he snarled at her. He hated being patronized and mocked.
"Now, now you two; be still. This is why I never had two children. Too many headaches." Dr. Briefs grumbled as he began the tedious task of removing the shards from Vegeta's person.
Vegeta sat patiently as Dr. Briefs' steady old hands quickly and painlessly moved across his flesh. He was surprised at how efficient and quick the man moved. He was grateful; he wasn't very patient about sitting still while being treated. Had the humans been in possession of a healing chamber the glass would have fallen out as his skin healed. However, he was surprised that he didn't seem to mind the older male. He had the same calming demeanor his daughter possessed, another similarity between the two.
Dr. Briefs smirked from under his glasses and adjusted them on his nose as he concentrated on the task at hand. He could feel Vegeta's nose against the top of his head, and the subtle move of his lavender hair as the Saiyan male scented him. He'd heard about the Saiyan's strange behavior from his daughter, and was grateful for her childhood journals. She'd taken thorough notes of Goku's odd behavior as a child, and he'd managed to figure out that most were due to his being from a different race/culture.
Bulma watched as Vegeta scented her father, and snorted. He pulled his head back sharply, and made a disgusted face before turning his head and sneezing. He then turned back toward her father and glared at the top of his head accusingly. She let out a tiny giggle, and tried to muffle it behind her hand. She was grateful that Vegeta seemed to tolerate her father. It sort of endeared him more to her. She loved her father, and no matter what; if someone didn't like her father they might as well not like her. Her family was very tight knit, but she and her father shared a special bond. She was truly a daddy's girl.
"Sorry about that, my boy. I should have warned you I'm a smoker." Dr. Briefs chuckled as he straightened; reaching out with the wet rag to clean off the residual blood from a rather nasty gash in Vegeta's side before applying a dab of iodine, and a gauze bandage. He'd stitched and bandaged it, and hoped that the larger gauge dissolving stitches he'd used would hold in the Saiyan's tough skin.
"Hn." Vegeta snorted as he turned his head away, and stared at the opposite wall as if disinterested in what he had to say, but his tail gave him away. As it twitched lazily against the wall both father and daughter could tell he was rather comfortable.
"Alright. Those stitches should hold up under the gravity you use, but be careful. The added pressure could cause them to pop if you aren't careful of your movements. Just be conscious of yourself." Dr. Briefs said as he cleaned up his work station, tossed the garbage, and leaned against the counter with his arms crossed.
A comfortable silence settled on the three as Vegeta deftly tested his body, and noted the stretch and pull of the various areas that were stitched. When he was satisfied he turned toward the Dr. and nodded his thanks. Vegeta turned toward Bulma and cocked his head questioningly.
Bulma rolled her eyes and threw her head. Had she not had the world's worst head ache she would have smacked her forehead.
"I almost forgot. We never fed you." Bulma said apologetically.
Vegeta's nose wrinkled in agitation. "I'm not your lazy ass dog. Don't ever refer to me that way." He growled warningly as he straightened and leaned toward her threateningly. Despite having been treated for his injuries from the earlier scuffle he still had some fight in him.
Dr. Briefs put a hand on Vegeta's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze.
"Let it be boy." Dr. Briefs laughed. "Bulma dear, you know what to do about your head. Should I ask your mother to wake you periodically throughout the night or should I?"
Vegeta wrinkled his nose at the absurd notion. Why would she need waking for a minor bump to the head?
"Sure dad. I'd much prefer you do it. You're easier to wake up to." Bulma chuckled as she leaned up and placed a quick peck against the old man's cheek, and watched him disappear from the room; no doubt back to his lab.
Bulma turned toward Vegeta and after hefting a sigh, motioned for him to follow her as she exited out the other set of doors toward the kitchen. She was relieved when she felt the familiar pressure of Vegeta's tail around her wrist, and casually continued on her path through the house.
"Why is it necessary for you to be awakened throughout the night?"
Bulma craned her neck slightly to look at Vegeta funny.
"You mean you don't? Uh, well human's can actually die or have severe brain trauma when they suffer a concussion. One of the first signs of a concussion is that the person wants to go to sleep. It is best to keep the sufferer awake or wake them up periodically to check on them. Sometimes a sufferer may go to sleep, and just… not wake up." Bulma said casually as she entered the kitchen and headed toward the fridge to prepare something for dinner. Once in the kitchen he slowly released her wrist from his tails grip, and allowed it to sway behind him as he thought.
Vegeta watched in silence as the little female moved about the kitchen gathering all the ingredients she needed for whatever she was making. Somehow, her little speech had caused his stomach to clench, and he frowned in concern as he cocked his head and observed her.
'She doesn't look like she could die? She looks fine, a little tired, but…' Suddenly his train of though stalled, and he immediately stood ramrod straight. He paid extra close attention to her ki, and the life force she was emanating. He scented her, and completely tuned into her. He snorted when he picked up the scent of his blood mingled with her scent, and it caused his insides to stir. He shook the roving thoughts from his head for more productive ones. If something happened to her he'd never get his GR repaired.
"Here ya go Vegeta! Careful it's still hot." Bulma said as she placed a heaping plate of spaghetti and meatballs in front of him while taking a seat across from him with her own smaller plate. He looked from his plate to her, and back before digging in.
Bulma sat shocked. 'That's the first time he's eaten anything without watching me eat first. Hn, maybe he's finally getting it?' Bulma smiled as she dug into her own pile, trying desperately to stay awake. It was bad enough that it was almost bed time, but to add a concussion to the mix was just cruel. Now she wasn't going to get a good night sleep. She sighed, and finished her meal quickly; not waiting for Vegeta to be done with his massive portion. She dumped her dishes in the sink, and bade her male companion a good night.
"Hm." Was all the reply she got, and she barely noted the slight agitation in his voice.
Vegeta sat at the table staring at where Bulma had just been. He slowly set his fork down, and frowned. She didn't usually leave him to his own vices like that; especially during meals. He growled testily and shoved the half eaten plate away from him, and stood to his feet. Suddenly he wasn't so hungry.
He silently made his way to his room, and noted the sound of the shower running. Apparently she figured out she'd been covered in blood, and didn't want to go to bed dirty. He smirked as the memory of their mingled scents tingled the inside of his nose. He'd rather liked that combination, and couldn't help but wonder what other smells they could create.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL!?!?!" He raged in his room as he registered the thought. That female was human; not worthy of his affections let alone his mingled scent. He growled in frustration as he whipped his clothing off, and slid between the sheets. He forcefully pulled his pillow over his head to drown out the sound of running water, and the images that would create, and fell into a restless sleep.
About an hour later Bulma emerged from the hall bathroom freshly bathed. She was wearing her comfy black and red tekken pj pants, and her black tank top. If anything she wanted to be comfortable. Her head was throbbing worse than before, and she felt dizzy. Lights and sounds were a terrible bother, and she knew that she had to try and sleep it off; despite the hourly waking she was going to be receiving. She shuffled her way to her room, and shut her door before easing herself down into her bed; snuggling up with her nice warn blankets.
It didn't take her more than a few minutes before sleep claimed her, and she was tossed into a dreamless state.
A few hours passed by. Vegeta gnashed his teeth at an invisible opponent, and fisted his hands into the sheets. His thrashings were what woke him as he fell from his bed to the floor in a graceless heap of pillows, sheets, and limbs. He rose with a start, and with wild eyes, and a heaving chest took in his surroundings. His breathing evened out as he was brought to the present, and shuddered at the memories his mind had conjured as he slept.
'Fucking Frieza.' He thought as he recalled the humiliation he'd been forced to endure. If the beatings weren't bad enough. He growled as he phased into his bathroom and promptly brought up into the toilet. He wretched a few times, and continued to dry heave as the thoughts swarmed his mind, and caused gut wrenching dry heaves to wrack his body. Tiny specks of blood tainted the water, and he lunged for the tub, and turned on the water. He downed it in huge gulps, and promptly threw the water back up into the tub. He flicked the handle, and the water shut off, but he still hung from the side as he tried to get a hold of his mind and body.
He'd never told anyone of his experiences with Frieza, and never planned to. That was something he had and would once again take to his grave. He growled and wiped his mouth clean and brushed his teeth to rid himself from the terrible taste. He spat out the foam, and rinsed his mouth. As he was about to exit the bathroom he paused. He placed both hands on the side of the sink, and stared at his reflection in the mirror. He was bloodied, and bruised. He had stitches, bandages and butterfly strips all over him, and he thought he looked more like a train wreck than a prince. He sneered at his reflection, and stormed out of the bathroom.
'What am I now? I'm nothing, and that blasted third class fool thinks he has the right to come here and threaten me in my…' His eyes widened. He was about to stake claim to the compound and those that resided in it. He almost called the compound his home. He roared and tore at his hair. His mind was turning on him and he couldn't even stop it.
Vegeta rounded, and threw open his door, and stormed down the stairs intent on training, but paused halfway down and gnashed his teeth in annoyance. He couldn't train yet. He knew it, and his body knew it. He was just about to head back to his room when a sudden thought struck him. He scented the area, and realized that none of the briefs had traveled the hall since Bulma and he had retired to their sleeping chambers. That meant, her father had forgotten to check up on her.
His eye twitched in irritation, and something else that he couldn't place. He shrugged his shoulders as if to shrug off the nagging feeling to check on her himself, but her words once again echoed in the back of his mind.
"Sometimes a sufferer may go to sleep, and just… not wake up."
He growled as those words played in his head, and his feet carried him to her door against his will. If the woman wasn't strong enough to deal with a little head injury then she deserved what she got.
'You promised to protect her.'
The thought came unbidden to his mind, and his face paled. He had promised hadn't he; on his honor even. He hadn't upheld his end of the agreement, and had on more than one occasion failed to prevent her from being harmed. His shoulders slumped as a ragged sigh escaped his lips.
Slowly he opened the woman's door, and peered inside. There she was, curled on her side; one arm resting against her head in a protective manner as if to ward off anything lest it cause her more harm. He frowned at the thought of her being forced to protect herself from anything. He was here, and that was his duty. He quietly approached her bed, and crouched by her side. He placed his face inches from her, and was grateful for her tiny puffs of breath that fanned across his eyelashes. He closed his eyes, and reached out with his tail to stroke the underside of the arm above her head.
"Wake up woman." Vegeta gruffly ordered as he gently reached out to shake her with his large hand. He waited for what felt like hours until he heard her breath hitch, and saw her blue eyes crack open to stare at him from under her arm. She looked miserable.
"Mmmmhhh. Vegeta. What the hell? I was trying to sleep." She grumbled sleepily, and it was apparent that she was in a great deal of pain.
"Your father forgot to check on you." Vegeta stated quickly trying to explain his compromising position. He hated being forced to humiliate himself because of a foolishly made promise. God he hated being honorable. It was too damned hard.
Bulma didn't seem to be in the mind to care, as she rolled over away from him, and attempted to find a comfortable way to lay her head. She groaned irritably once before curling into a ball; pulling the covers up to her chin, and burrowing into her pillow.
Vegeta cocked his head to the side, and regarded her silently. He wasn't sure how to deal with her reaction, but was pretty sure it wasn't what her sire would have accepted. Sure she was alive, but something seemed off about her. He reached out, and gently tugged her comforter like he'd done before just to get a rise out of her, and was rewarded by her little hand snaking out from under the thick duvet to pull it back where it belonged. This was also not a good sign. She was way too passive.
"Quit Vegeta. My head is throbbing, and I really want to sleep this off." Bulma grumbled as she rolled over to face him; body still encased in the covers. She reached out, and shoved her palm against his face, and was rewarded by feeling his head move out of her reach. She really wanted to sleep.
Vegeta chuckled to himself as he felt her hand against his face, and felt her trying to shove him away. He obliged her only till he was out of her reach, but he remained at her bedside. Something was pulling him in, and he wasn't quite ready to let her be. Her ki was fluctuating unusually, and he wasn't sure he felt comfortable leaving her to sleep the hours away till sunrise by herself. His eyes scanned her room until they fell on the beanbag in the corner by her bed. He could smell Kakkarot's lingering scent on it, and without a second thought; plopped himself into it, and made himself comfortable. The thought that he was scent marking her room barely even reaching his consciousness as he used his feet to pull himself and the bag closer to her bedside. He knew she wasn't feeling well when the sound didn't even cause her to stir.
He shut his eyes and curled his tail against his abs; the tip flicking across the bulging muscles softly in content as he listened to the even rhythm of her breathing. He'd have to wake her again in a couple hours, but he was content knowing that she was for the time being safe under his watchfulness. His nocturnal eyes scanned her room for any possible threat out of habit, and once he'd determined the area safe; settled himself further into the bag, and laid his head back to rest.
Bulma could hear Vegeta make himself comfortable in her bean bag, and a soft smile graced her lips. She couldn't help the swelling in her chest as she heard him pull himself closer to her side. She lay still for a long while before sleep once again claimed her. No matter how interesting Vegeta's presence could be; her throbbing head took priority.
Nearly two and a half hours later, Bulma woke to the feeling of something warm against the side of her face, and felt her hair being brushed from her forehead. She slowly opened her eyes, and was met with a pair of deep brown.
Vegeta's mouth was set in a firm line, and she could tell he was sensing her ki. The slight twitch of his nose told her he was also scenting her. Despite his attentiveness, and his unusually gentle manner; she was still a little put out at being awakened at such an early hour. She was not a morning person.
"MMMMMM" Bulma moaned as she pushed his hand away once again. However, she noticed that her head wasn't hurting her as bad as it was before.
'He didn't just do that.' She thought as she registered a warmth leaving her body that she'd only felt once before. She regarded Vegeta strangely. He'd given her some of his ki to aid her in her healing process. Why, was beyond her.
He was still perched in her bean bag, and was leaning forward with his weight resting on his elbow while his other arm lay gently across her body as he stared at her. He looked tired, and as she really looked at him she could see all the wear his years of hardships had wrought upon his body, yet, despite it all he still retained his regal and handsome visage. She leaned herself closer to where he was resting next to her and laid her head on his folded arm and stared at his profile. She smiled when his eye drifted her way, and he nuzzled her head with his own. She liked this side of him. It was hard to think of him as the same heartless bastard that had caused so much pain and suffering when he was being so gentle. She also assumed that was what made him so dangerous. He could turn on you at the drop of a hat.
"Mrrrraaaahhhhh"
Bulma shut her eyes, and smiled softly as she listened to Vegeta's purr. She would never tire of it, and the vibrations coming from his body soothed her. She gently raised her hand to rest on his arm that was draped protectively across her side, and felt the muscles twitch. He stopped his purring, and she frowned as he gently pulled himself from her, and leaned back heavily into the bean bag. She watched as he ran a gloveless hand across his face, and yawned wide, his canines showing feraly, before settling his tired gaze on her. He looked like a worn out lion.
"How long must I continue to wake you woman? Is there a certain timeframe?" He grumbled in a gravelly voice thick with exhaustion.
Bulma smiled sympathetically. "Vegeta, you should get yourself some sleep. I should be fine. My head doesn't hurt anymore."
She didn't miss the look that flashed in his eyes, and sighed. She slowly slid her body across the bed till she was all the way on the other side. She patted the place where she had once laid.
Vegeta cocked his head, and cast Bulma a weary look before heaving a deep sigh of resignation, and slowly crawling onto the plush feather top mattress. He bodily flopped face down into the bed, and growled into the pillow. He snatched the thing up, and balled it between his arms, and under his head; burying his face into its softness. He turned his face from her to indicate his desire to sleep, and that talking was not going to happen. The damned woman was going to be his end. How did he keep getting himself into these awkward situations with her? He inhaled deep, and held her scent for a second before huffing, and shutting his eyes to sleep. He was almost completely out when his subconscious felt the woman moving closer to his side of the bed.
'WHAT THE!?!?!'
His eyes suddenly snapped open when he felt her small frame against his side, and nearly shot out of the bed when her cold feet came in contact with his calves. He quickly jerked his body away, and nearly flew out of the bed. He turned angry eyes toward her curled form, and was surprised to see her staring up at him innocently; trying to fight off a small smile.
Vegeta growled irritably as he moved back toward her, and gave her a scathing look as he propped himself up on his elbows; wary of lying back down.
Bulma blushed, and ruffled his hair before she rolled over to her back and wiggled herself under his arm to stare at him fondly.
"You're a great friend, Vegeta, you know that right?" She said softly; her eyes slowly slipping closed with fatigue.
Vegeta shifted his hand from under the pillow, and gently placed it under Bulma's head to cradle it in his palm. He massaged her head softly as he stared straight ahead; not acknowledging her last statement. It wasn't that he didn't care for her welfare, and he wasn't attracted to her, but her most recent attentions and behaviors were strikingly Saiyan. He was confused, and he feared the times he forgot himself around her. She was not a Saiyan no matter how she acted. She wasn't a Saiyan. He frowned as he contemplated their previous interactions. He hadn't meant to give her the wrong idea, but apparently he had. He didn't want her as a mate. An ally or friend, but not a mate. He didn't know how to be with a female in that way. He'd never tried or really had the desire to since Frieza had gotten to him. The memories were all too real. He'd tried bedding a female once, but ended up killing her when his mind flashed back to the disgrace he'd suffered under Frieza's hand.
His body shivered slightly at the memory, and he screwed his eyes shut against them. He hated how even in death the homosexual lizard still controlled him.
Bulma's soft smile fell slightly as she regarded his troubled expression. She felt a sinking in her stomach as his frown morphed into a scowl, and she knew something had gotten to him. She wasn't unfamiliar with warriors who suffered from flashbacks of their war times. Her granddad had many triggers, and she recalled a time in the mall during Christmas shopping he'd heard a balloon pop, and immediately crawled under a bench screaming for everyone to get down. She'd only been eight at the time, and was extremely embarrassed, but once she was old enough to understand; she loved her granddad more than ever. He'd sacrificed so much. She only wished she'd gotten more time with the man.
"Hey, you in there? Vegeta, planet earth to planet Vegeta! Come one space boy; I'm the one who's supposed to get that far off visionary look not you." Bulma chuckled as she laid her hand against the side of his face in an effort to draw him in from his thoughts. She knew his mind was a dangerous place, and was afraid to let him muck around in there unchecked for too long.
Her delicate palm against his cold face drew his attention, and he shook his head roughly trying to shake away the jumbled thoughts. He stared down at her with an expression he hoped she couldn't read. He didn't feel like being this close to her. Something about his earlier dream, and his current position had him once again feeling out of sorts. He let out a sound that was more of a growl than a sigh as he turned his face away from hers; noting as her hand gently fell away. He was grateful that she at least seemed to understand some of his non verbal cues.
Bulma could tell that Vegeta needed his space. She'd felt his body tense up when she'd touched his face, and when he sighed and turned away she wasn't offended. She knew that was his nice way of asking her to let him be.
"Good night Vegeta." She said as she wriggled her body from under his, and returned to her side of the bed. She rolled on her side facing away from him, and was extremely grateful to Kami when she felt him lie back down. She chanced a peek over her shoulder, and frowned sadly as she took in his appearance.
Vegeta was lying face down, the billow was balled under his head and he had his arms wrapped around it as if someone may try to snatch it from him. His brows were creased in angst, and his eyes were shut tight. She could feel the covers move as the tip of his tail lashed out, and she had to suppress the desire she had to try and sooth his pain away. She merely reached behind her, and pulled the covers up till they covered his back, and returned to her side to try and sleep.
Vegeta lay silent and still. He tucked his tail between his legs protectively, and wrapped it around his left thigh. He knew he should probably head back to his room in case he had a nightmare. He didn't want the woman to worry, but something about her presence soothed him; so he remained. He sensed her ki, and knew she was once again fast asleep, and her slow even breathing could attest to the fact. Slowly he allowed his muscles to relax, and he spread his legs slightly till his calf came in contact with her leg. He didn't need her comfort, but the physical proof that she was there set his mind at ease, and he was able to fall into a dreamless sleep.
Neither one knowing what the morning would bring; neither caring. Sleep was a necessity shared by the two races, and was a necessity that claimed them both.
Author's Note: GOD! I hate this chapter. I just couldn't write it the way I wanted to. My mind has been so jumbled that I can't even think, and my mom is getting worse. I've been using this as a distraction, but it's not working out too well. I hope you like it, but I'm not going to be surprised if you don't.