Last time:
"Vegeta, you're not just pulling my leg. You're really for real? Because I will kill you if you bre-"
"Yes, I-I really do."
*******************************************
It took Vegeta no more than ten minutes to reach 18's house, a large off-white stucco structure in the back woods of the city. Tamotsu and Yumako had never cared much for the city life, only the clubs, which was really only for economic purposes. They loved the country life, the open fields and trees surrounding their house, and the same was true for 17 and 18.
He walked up to the house, ready to knock on the front door, but opted to go around to her bedroom window so not to make as much noise, when-
"Vegeta."
"Holy shit 18! What the hell are you doing!?" he yelled, forgetting that he was trying not to wake anyone.
"Well, I figured I'd wait out here for you since everyone else is asleep."
"Well you could have turned the light on. Kami," he growled, glaring at her, angry she'd actually caused him to jump. She simply smiled at him, standing up and looping her arm around his slim waist. He didn't protest.
"Come on 'Get, I'm not going to sit out here all night. I've got some cold pizza in my room for ya."
"Yeah," he sighed, allowing her to lead him into the house, though he knew it like the back of his hand. He'd spent most of his time there when not at home or school or Goku's house.
They reached her room a few moments later and before she could take a seat, Vegeta was plopped on the bed, his feet dangling off the side, ignoring the pizza box on the end table. *Kami, this must be big. He doesn't want to eat* she thought, taking a seat beside him, keeping her distance. She still really didn't know what he had in store for her, so it was best that she kept farther away to begin with. "Vegeta, give me your word that you're telling me the truth, that this is really for real and you're not just confused or lying or something."
"18," he said, just above a whisper, looking into her eyes. "Why would I joke or lie about something like this? I swear it's the truth, and I'm not confused. I know exactly what I mean, I..I've always know it."
"How are you taking the whole baby thing?"
"Would you believe me if I said I'm not mad about it? That I'm the exact opposite?"
"You-You want the baby? You're not upset that she accidentally got pregnant?"
"No. Why would I be? I did it to her."
"Oh Vegeta," she sighed with a warm smile. "You surprise me everyday."
"You think I'm not surprised about all this? Kami, its like I was hit with it all all at once and I still haven't had enough time to catch my breath. I-"
"Whoa, calm down killer. Relax for a minute," she practically ordered, moving closer to him and grabbing his hand. "I know you don't like the comfort and the sympathy, but you chose to talk to me, remember? So deal with it," she laughed. "Besides, I'll give you the best advice anyway."
"Hey, I did call you, didn't I?"
"Yeah. Yeah you did." She grabbed him under the arms, pulling him up close to her, so when she leaned back on her headboard his head rested just below her chest. He sighed deeply, allowing her to play with his hair, she was nervous too. What if she gave him bad advice? Or told him to do something that she thought would work but then someone else got angry? "Vegeta."
"Yeah?" He'd closed his eyes by now, his breathing steady, seemingly calm.
"You need to talk first, so I know exactly what's going on. I mean I know pretty much what is happening, but, when you called you said 'something happened' and that's why you needed to talk. What..What happened?"
"A lot," he sighed, opening his eyes for a brief moment to glance up at her. "She dragged me to her house to speak with her parents."
"Oh! How'd they take it?"
"Heh," he laughed sorrowfully. "Her mom was insanely happy, and her dad said pretty much that he wanted to rip me limb from limb but wouldn't because I would take care of the child."
"Yeah, that sounds like good ol' Dr. Briefs. You know he's only out to protect Bulma, he means nothing by it." "I'm not so sure, but that's not important. I didn't need his approval; I didn't even want to be there. Bulma came over and demanded my presence."
"Vegeta, you have to understand how traumatic this must be for her. I mean, telling her parents that she not only slept with you, but that you two were having a child together. Plus, the fact that you're not even a couple and therefore wouldn't be getting married like himself and her mother. He'd probably dreamed up a scenario in his head of walking his baby girl down the isle to the man she would spend the rest of her life with, without having had a child first."
"Yeah, I suppose you're right. I can see that point. I'd probably want the same if it's a girl."
"Right.." She looked down at one of the best friends she'd ever had, ever could have wanted. Vegeta had always, in his own way, been there for her in the past. This was her chance to return all of that, and be there for him when he needed support the most. "What else happened? How did you leave her?"
"More like how she left me." He let out another saddened laugh, bringing his hands up to his stomach, where he laced his fingers and rested them there.
"What'd she do?"
"She.." He squeezed his eyes shut, as if the memory that was now burned in his mind was slipping away. "..kissed me." 18 couldn't help but gasp, covering her mouth with her hand.
"She-She did? How? I mean where? I mean, I-What happened?"
He sighed deeply, and proceeded to tell her what had gone on. How he'd kissed her cheek, though he only seemed to remember it at that moment, it had been so absentmindedly done then. And how when he went to leave she pulled him back and told him she wanted "the feeling" again, and grabbed him and kissed him powerfully, passionately. And finally, before he had a chance to collect himself, she'd pulled away and he was out on the front porch. He'd wandered his yard for hours after that, before finally calling 18 and confessing his need for help, among other things.
"Vegeta, what..Did you feel anything? Is that what it was? It that what you meant by 'something happened'?"
"Why bother asking? You know the answer. Is 17 up?" he asked, opening his eyes.
"Uh, I doubt it. He, he wore himself out tonight. I think he's in a dead sleep."
"Why, what happened?" He sat up, wondering what could have happened to him.
"I'd rather not say. He-"
"If you don't tell me, I'll go in and find out myself."
"I told him Bulma was pregnant..with your baby."
"Kuso!" he swore, jumping off the bed. "Fuck! Damn it 18! You could have warned me!" he yelled, inevitably waking at least one person, for all the bedrooms were around the same area of the house. "He," he lowered his voice, though he was still yelling. "He's going to kill me, you know that? He will find a gun and shoot me, and my baby will be fatherless."
"Vegeta! Calm yourself!" she countered, wanting to slap him to knock some sense into his thick skull. "Did you honestly believe he would never find out? For Kami's sake, he's one of your best friends, he would have found out eventually."
"18," came a groggy voice from outside her room. 17. "What the hell's going on in there? Who's here? And the what hell are you yelling about?" Vegeta and 18 looked at one another, then made a run for the door, though halted when it swung open.
"Fuck," Vegeta said under his breath, taking a few steps back. Normally, of course, he would have taken on a challenge of a fight, even with 17, for they'd fought over childish things before. But this was no ordinary time, and definitely no ordinary situation, not childish in the least. This was his heart that had been shattered, turned to dust, unchangeably, and by Vegeta's doing. There was no way in hell, no matter how strong Vegeta's personality was, that he would even try and fight 17 (So he's not a wuss! :P). "17, hey."
"Vegeta," he growled through clenched teeth. "Vegeta Ouji, where the hell do you get off coming to my house!?" His once sleepy state was no more, he was fully awake, and charging at Vegeta, fully intent on his death, or permanent injury. "I'll kill you Kami damn it! I swear!" He lunged at him, pinning him to the floor. The only thing Vegeta did was try and push him off, or avoid his raging fists.
"17! Stop it!" 18 yelled, jumping on her twin's back and pulling with all her strength to get him off. "Stop it! It's not going to do any good!" She tried to reason, but his mind was so clouded with sorrow, he wouldn't even allow himself to hear her.
"How the hell could you, Vegeta!? What the fuck is wrong with you!? How-"
"17! 18! Vegeta!? What-What the fuck is going on!?" Tamotsu yelled, followed closely by Yumako, in her bathrobe. He wasted no time in pulling the boys from one another, though he needed some help from 18 to keep 17 in place on the other side of the room long enough for him to calm himself. Yumako went to Vegeta's aid, cradling him the same way 18 had when they were talking moments ago on the bed. His face was the most damaged; a black eye was already beginning to form around his right eye, along with other bruises in several places, there was a fairly large gash on his forehead oozing blood, and three more semi-less severe cuts under the same eye, and two on his lips, and also his nose was bleeding and a tooth had been cracked. 17 was unharmed, save the cuts and bruises his fists sustained from beating on Vegeta.
"Vegeta, are you alright?" Yumako asked, pulling her robe and using it as best as she could to stop the bleeding from his forehead.
"He should be dead!" 17 screamed, lunging forward again, though this time both Tamotsu and 18 held his arms and around his waist, pulling him back again. 18 covered his mouth, allowing Yumako to continue speaking with Vegeta.
"Are you alright?" she repeated, applying more pressure to his wound, ignoring, for now, the other injuries.
"Yeah," he groaned, trying to push away and stand up, though she pulled him back. "I'm fine Yuma, let me up."
"No, you're not fine. If you had one look at your face you'd agree with me. Come on." She pulled him to his feet, steadying him so he wouldn't fall over. "Let's go clean you up. Tamotsu, find out what happened." He nodded, bringing 17 over to the bed and sat him down, still holding his arms.
"17." 17 turned his head away, refusing to speak. "18, what happened in here? And what the hell is Vegeta doing here?"
"That bastard got Bulma pregnant! He stole her from me! He knew how much I loved her and he stole her!" 17 yelled, struggling to get free and finish his job.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. 17, calm down and shut up. I need to talk to 18." He looked to her, who was biting her nails nervously. It had all happened so fast, and in only a few seconds. And now Vegeta was in the bathroom, bleeding all over. "Is what he said true? Did he get Bulma pregnant?"
"Yeah," she sighed, not looking up at him. "He did, and he'd come over..over to talk to me, he was really upset and..and he said he couldn't wait 'til morning and something had happened and he needed to figure things out right away and he came over and he was talking and telling me things and he loves Bulma, he really does, I know it for sure, and he and I told him-"
"18, sweety, please, calm down. Slower now, don't work yourself up."
"Sorry," she nearly gasped, glancing at him and her crushed brother, looking at his marred knuckles for a moment, then back at the ground. "I told him that I'd told 17, you know about Bulma and him, and he yelled at me for it, said that 17 would kill him and his baby wouldn't have a father- "
"He'd make a horrible father!" 17 snorted, receiving a smack to the side of the head from Tamotsu.
"Continue," he said calmly.
"Then I yelled at him, and I told him that 17 would find out eventually..And then 17 came in, cause I guess we woke him, and ran at Vegeta, swearing he'd kill him, and then you guys came in..I'm sorry 17, I'm so sorry," she gasped, allowing a few tears to stain her cheeks. 17 had been crying since he entered the room, though they'd been tears of angry then, and were now still moistening his cheeks. "I know you love her and that you would make her happy and that up until now Vegeta never really did or could..But he does 17, and I'm sorry for that for you too. But I'm not sorry for Bulma and for Vegeta, because they deserve the happiness just as much as you do, and they do love each other..They just, they need to talk to one another about it and work things out..17, they're going to be parents together, and..and you beating up Vegeta will not change that and killing him will only make matters worse..I know..I-" Her sobs caught her breath a moment, and she wiped her nose on her sleeve. "I know you would do anything to make her happy, you've always wanted that for her..And this does 17, the baby, Vegeta, them together, it all makes her happy and makes sense to her..She loves him, and she'll love their child, and she loves you too, though on a different level..Just-Let her have her happiness, yours will come soon enough. I promise you." She stopped there, lowering her head, feeling more tears coming.
Vegeta sat on the toilet, waiting for Yumako to get her supplies to clean him up. He'd been silent the whole way there, ignoring her whenever she talked to him. His face was burning and pulsing with agonizing pain, pain he could have easily prevented. But he knew he deserved this, Shirosama, his father, and Bulma's father had all felt the need to do what 17 had succeeded in doing. He deserved this for everything he'd done beginning with his fight with Bulma six years ago; his anger towards her and Yamcha, his bitterness to everyone following his brother's death, the way he'd treated Bulma time and again throughout those six years, and all the recent stuff of the passed month. He'd deserved it for so long that he was almost happy it had happened.
"Vegeta, you're a stupid boy, you know that?" Yumako sighed, dipping a cotton ball in some alcohol and dabbing his forehead. He winced slightly, but allowed her to proceed. "17 was beating your face in and you didn't even try and stop him. What the hell was going on in your head? I know you, and you would never go stiff during a fight."
"I deserved it," he admitted, grabbing some toilet paper to stop his nose from bleeding.
"Why? What happened?" She tossed the cotton ball in the trash, grabbing for another one.
"I pissed him off."
"Vegeta," she sighed, tossing that one as well, then grabbed gauze and some tape and covered the wound. Though she soon found she'd need more than just the one, for it was too thin and blood was already seeping through. "He really did a number on your face, some of these may scar." She decided not to push him into answering, she'd get the information from Tamotsu, or 18 or 17 soon enough.
He sat still in silence, allowing her to tend to his wounds, for no one, save his mother, had ever given him that kind of selfless treatment, that loving nurturing feeling. He closed his eyes, taking in all the soft touches, the careful placement of bandages, even the sting of the alcohol on open skin. It was all invigorating to him, for he'd never done this, he'd always left his wounds unattended.
"Tell me something Vegeta," Yamuko urged, crouching down in front of him. "What made 17 angry? Why did he hit you? Why did you come over here?"
"Don't bother asking me again, I won't tell you. Ask someone else, I'm sure they would be happy to glorify themselves and make me into the bad guy," he grunted scornfully, turning his head from his friend's caring gaze.
"But Vegeta," she murmured, taking his hands. "You can be the good guy, the hero if you tell me. You can make yourself out to be whatever you wish," she tried to reason, though she knew the moment the words passed her lips that they were lies.
"Why would I do that?" he asked, looking at her with shifting eyes, taking in the curves and color of her face. She was truly a beautiful woman, made for the life she lived, the high-class finery and all the respect and adoration that went along with it. If she'd lived a few thousand years ago, she'd have been a Queen, or thought of as a Goddess. "Why would I make myself out to be something that I know I am not and never could be? I did wrong, I've been doing wrong for so many years, and I know that, and I know I deserve what's coming to me. So I do not need someone like you to try and persuade me to tell lies that praise me for things I never did! I'm a bad person, evil even, and I know it!" he cried, standing and pushing her to the floor.
"Vegeta, please!" she pleaded, grabbing after him. "I didn't mean it! I'm sorry!"
"Leave me alone Yamuko."
"Are you leaving?" she whispered, picking herself off the floor.
"Yes, I'm leaving. Its obvious that I'm not wanted by some, so I'm going."
"But-"
"No Yamuko! Stop trying to solve this! You can't solve everything, like you like to think you can! I'm the only one who can right all of this, I know that now."
"But we can help you, if you let us. Isn't that what you came here for, for 18 to help you?"
He sighed, looking at Yamuko, a woman he'd known since two years after him and Bulma had stopped being friends and became enemies. He could still remember the first time he'd met her, she'd changed something in him then, made him see things just slightly differently than he had before. Then, suddenly, his mind was flooded with memories, of past experienced that had also shaped him, made him who he was. Memories of his brother, of how happy his father used to be, of Bulma and Chi-Chi and 18 all laughing as he told them jokes and stories. And then the bad memories, the horrible ones he'd long since blocked out of his mind, though they seemed to over power him now. The times when he'd seen Bulma, arm in arm, with Yamcha, happy as can be, as happy as he and once seen himself with her. And of his brother's death and his father's retreat into a career of travel, just so he didn't have to spend all the time in a house full of memories. But the ones that appeared to stick out the most, were the ones that seemed so meaningless to him.
Flashback:
Vegeta sat on a bench outside the cafeteria, waiting for 18. It was his day to have lunch with her, for the day before she sat with Bulma, his sworn enemy. Then, speak of the devil; the aqua haired traitor walked by him, her arms looped around his other foe's waist, Yamcha. He glared at the couple, seemingly trying to burn holes through them. They were all that was wrong with the universe according to him.
"Vegeta, stop that," 18 sighed, standing before him, blocking his view of the "happy" couple.
"What?" he growled, standing, his stomach growling an echo.
"Nothing," she laughed, grabbing his arm and dragging him into the cafeteria, where the rest of his friends sat. They took their seats with them, the table two away from the one Bulma and her friends sat at.
"Uh, would you look at that?" Roxy groaned hatefully, as Bulma and Yamcha walked closer, seemingly towards them, the sound of her laughter deafening to Vegeta, for he could never arise that in her again. "They disgust me." She fake gagged herself, and the rest laughed, aside from Vegeta and 18.
"Shut up Roxy," 18 hissed in defense of her friend. "She's no different than you."
"Doubtful, very doubtful," she retorted, turning away from 18. They had that sort of fight several times a week, for 18 was always in defense of her. "You agree with me, don't you 'Geta?" she said, almost lustfully; she'd always had a thing for the brute.
"Yeah," he sighed absently, not really paying attention to them. 18 rolled her eyes, for she knew the truth of their past, as the others did not.
"Well, go on 'Get," one of the other's urged.
"Not today," he groaned, cupping his hand on his forehead.
"And why not? What's so special about today?"
"Its her birthday, alright? Leave him alone," 18 warned defensively (Its obviously years ago).
"Who the fuck cares? She deserves it, after all the shit she says about us, all the trouble she gets us in."
"And what, you've never done a thing to her? Come on Bussho, grow up."
"If you open your eyes," he countered. "And see the evil. Look at her, look at the way she walks, with her head up high so everyone knows how great she is, how much better she is than everyone. But she's not, I know it, and so does Vegeta."
Vegeta didn't respond to that, turning to catch a glimpse of Bulma and Yamcha walk passed their table, their voices in seductive whispers. He scowled scornfully at them, catching Roxy's attention.
"Vegeta," she said, placing a hand on his arm. "She's evil, and she hates you just as much as you hate her."
"That's not true," 18 argued, about ready to give up on them for the day and retreat back to her less vengeful friends.
"Stay out of this 18, it doesn't involve you."
"Well, Rox, it involves Bulma, so it involves me. I won't stand still and let you guys humiliate her."
"Then why don't you go sit with her then, if she's so high and mighty?"
"I didn't say that Roxy, don't put words in my mouth."
"Don't defend the bitch then," she scoffed, crossing her arms, and then turned to Vegeta again. "Come on 'Get, I'm leaving tomorrow. Give me this," she whined, pouting out her lower lip.
"We're all leaving tomorrow dumbass," 18 growled. "It's a Saturday."
"I won't be back for a week," she continued, ignoring 18's efforts.
"Fine," Vegeta sighed, caving.
"Kami, this is so ridiculous," 18 said under her breath. "I'm leaving." She stood, slamming her chair back into place, and stomped off towards Bulma's table.
By the end of the period, 18 had forgotten all about Vegeta's Roxy- driven motives, and walked beside Bulma on the way out of the cafeteria, inevitably becoming a target as well. They turned the corner, slipping on some recently well-placed water, skidding several feet before crashing into a freshly painted set of lockers.
"Fuck!" 18 swore, remembering the conversation at the other table. "Vegeta Ouji, you're dead!" she screamed, jumping up and running at him in his crowd of cackling friends.
"Damn it!" Bulma yelled, looking down at her new cheerleading uniform, wanting to burst into tears and run home. She looked across the hall, where Vegeta was being chased by 18, who she realized was responsible for this, he was always responsible for things like this that happened to her. "I'll kill him!" she proclaimed, getting up to join 18. "Vegeta!" she screamed, catching his attention and getting him off guard just long enough to sustain a punch in the face from 18. "What the fuck is wrong with you!? 18 told me you swore you wouldn't do this shit on my birthday! Why the hell do you do it anyway!?"
"I lied," he groaned, holding his cheek. "Damn it 18, what the fuck is your problem?"
"Oh, I don't know Vegeta, what do you think?"
"I'm so sick of you and your Kami damned group of morons! I hate you and you hate me, just leave it at that!?" she yelled, trying to calm herself. "Or do you enjoy seeing me in a rage?" she mocked, stepping towards him, twirling her finger around her hair. "Does it get you hot?" she whispered seductively, catching him off guard, rendering him speechless. He stood there, frozen, for several moments, watching her blindly. "Ha," she laughed, pushing passed him. "Just as I thought, just another hormone-driven jackass. Get your kicks somewhere else Ouji." With that said, she marched off towards the office, intent on reporting them.
End flashback:
Vegeta looked behind him, where 18 was standing in the doorway, saying his name. She'd most likely been doing that for several minutes.
"Vegeta, what's wrong?"
"She really did hate me back then, didn't she?" he asked, ignoring her question and Yamuko, who'd come to stand beside him.
"Wh-Bulma?" He nodded. "Well yeah Vegeta, I mean, you were horrible to her. She had no choice but to have sour feelings for you."
"Then how could she possibly-"
"She grew to love you, the way she had six years ago."
"How-"
"I can tell Vegeta, she couldn't possibly not." She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him into a loving embrace. "Are you ready?" she asked, still holding him.
"I'm going to ruin my life eventually, why not start tonight?" He pulled away and looked over to Yamuko, who was cautious. "Sorry Yamu, you know I don't like yelling at you."
"Yeah 'Get, I know. You better not do it again," she laughed, kissing his cheek lightly, then squeezing by him and 18 to her husband, who was without a doubt still talking to 17.
"How do you feel?"
"Like I'm going to fail," he sighed, reaching up to touch his bandaged forehead a moment. "And I have a headache. I hate headaches."
18 laughed, pulling him with her and leading him out to his car. They were going to settle this tonight.
*************************************
Bulma sat up in bed, her thoughts plaguing her mind, not allowing her to fall asleep. What Kimiko had said to her had been so true, so to the point, and she hadn't realized it 'til it was thrown in her face. She glanced at her bedside clock, the blaring neon blue light hurting her eyes. It was 3:36 AM, and she was dead tired, and had to get up in three hours for school. *And its only Monday* she though bitterly to herself.
After Vegeta had left and she and Kimiko had talked, she'd gone to see Shirosama, and try and calm him down. He'd be too upset at first to say a word, let alone allow her to enter his room. Though, after some sisterly coxing from the other side of the door, she'd been allowed access, and a chance to explain herself. She told him everything; how she'd recently become friends with Vegeta again and what had happened then, and what lead up to them ending up in bed together. She told him of how sweet he'd been at that moment, how he'd asked for her consent before he continued and how he'd told her tonight that he'd been glad for that night and that she was pregnant, for he wanted the child. And finally, she confessed her love for him, how she'd fallen for the neighbor boy, and how she'd just realized it recently, though somehow she'd always been.
She smiled at the thought, though it hurt at the same time, for she knew that they could never work, that they'd said their final good-byes. She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her blankets securely around her body. How could she have been so foolish before to deny herself that feeling? The feeling of true, pure love pulsing through her body. And though she wanted to hate herself and Vegeta for it, she couldn't, and she couldn't allow him to be left in the dark any longer. The next time she saw him, she would tell him exactly how she felt. If he rejected her, well, she always had their baby to fall back on, to love and to see Vegeta in.
She glanced over at the phone, suddenly getting the urge to talk to someone about all that had happened. And she knew she couldn't wait 'til morning, her thoughts were unsettled right now and needed to be shared. She grabbing the phone and dialed the first number that came to mind, the easiest one to remember.
"Hello?" a groggy, annoyed voice said answering the voice.
"Hey, its me, Bulma," she sighed. "Sorry about the time."
"What time is it?"
"3:30."
"What-What the hell are you calling for so late?"
"I needed to talk to someone."
"And you picked me?"
"Come on Krillin, can I please come over? I need to get some stuff off my chest, and you're the least judgmental."
"Why, what happened?" he asked, his attention having been caught by the urgency in her voice.
"I'll explain everything when I get there, ok?"
"Um, yeah," he said, still a bit confused as to her reason for calling him out of everyone. Surely 18 or Chi-Chi or even Goku could be better at it than him, besides he wasn't as close to her as they were.
"Thanks Krillin, I owe you big time." She hung up the phone before he had a chance to respond, then threw on some shoes and ran out to her car. She smiled to herself as she pulled out of her driveway, maybe this would bring her and 18's bald boyfriend a little closer.
************************************************
---Chapter 20! Oh yeah! I'm on a roll! I wrote this whole thing in like a day, aren't you proud? Heehee. I hope everyone liked it. I'm damn proud of these passed few chapters myself. How do you like the process? And the fact that the passed three and a half chapters have all been in one day? I like it, it gives a sense of, er, something, I don't know what, but I like it, heehee. :P
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next time: Bulma talks to Krillin about the whole situation. He has some interesting things to say (Or so I hope he will, heehee). And, what will happened when 18 and Vegeta show up at Bulma's house, but she's not there? Will they try and find her? And if they do, where will they look? Get ready for some running around and exhausting events. But don't worry; they're all strong enough to take whatever I throw at them. :P
Keep on reading :P I love you all! ;) Heehee.
"Vegeta, you're not just pulling my leg. You're really for real? Because I will kill you if you bre-"
"Yes, I-I really do."
*******************************************
It took Vegeta no more than ten minutes to reach 18's house, a large off-white stucco structure in the back woods of the city. Tamotsu and Yumako had never cared much for the city life, only the clubs, which was really only for economic purposes. They loved the country life, the open fields and trees surrounding their house, and the same was true for 17 and 18.
He walked up to the house, ready to knock on the front door, but opted to go around to her bedroom window so not to make as much noise, when-
"Vegeta."
"Holy shit 18! What the hell are you doing!?" he yelled, forgetting that he was trying not to wake anyone.
"Well, I figured I'd wait out here for you since everyone else is asleep."
"Well you could have turned the light on. Kami," he growled, glaring at her, angry she'd actually caused him to jump. She simply smiled at him, standing up and looping her arm around his slim waist. He didn't protest.
"Come on 'Get, I'm not going to sit out here all night. I've got some cold pizza in my room for ya."
"Yeah," he sighed, allowing her to lead him into the house, though he knew it like the back of his hand. He'd spent most of his time there when not at home or school or Goku's house.
They reached her room a few moments later and before she could take a seat, Vegeta was plopped on the bed, his feet dangling off the side, ignoring the pizza box on the end table. *Kami, this must be big. He doesn't want to eat* she thought, taking a seat beside him, keeping her distance. She still really didn't know what he had in store for her, so it was best that she kept farther away to begin with. "Vegeta, give me your word that you're telling me the truth, that this is really for real and you're not just confused or lying or something."
"18," he said, just above a whisper, looking into her eyes. "Why would I joke or lie about something like this? I swear it's the truth, and I'm not confused. I know exactly what I mean, I..I've always know it."
"How are you taking the whole baby thing?"
"Would you believe me if I said I'm not mad about it? That I'm the exact opposite?"
"You-You want the baby? You're not upset that she accidentally got pregnant?"
"No. Why would I be? I did it to her."
"Oh Vegeta," she sighed with a warm smile. "You surprise me everyday."
"You think I'm not surprised about all this? Kami, its like I was hit with it all all at once and I still haven't had enough time to catch my breath. I-"
"Whoa, calm down killer. Relax for a minute," she practically ordered, moving closer to him and grabbing his hand. "I know you don't like the comfort and the sympathy, but you chose to talk to me, remember? So deal with it," she laughed. "Besides, I'll give you the best advice anyway."
"Hey, I did call you, didn't I?"
"Yeah. Yeah you did." She grabbed him under the arms, pulling him up close to her, so when she leaned back on her headboard his head rested just below her chest. He sighed deeply, allowing her to play with his hair, she was nervous too. What if she gave him bad advice? Or told him to do something that she thought would work but then someone else got angry? "Vegeta."
"Yeah?" He'd closed his eyes by now, his breathing steady, seemingly calm.
"You need to talk first, so I know exactly what's going on. I mean I know pretty much what is happening, but, when you called you said 'something happened' and that's why you needed to talk. What..What happened?"
"A lot," he sighed, opening his eyes for a brief moment to glance up at her. "She dragged me to her house to speak with her parents."
"Oh! How'd they take it?"
"Heh," he laughed sorrowfully. "Her mom was insanely happy, and her dad said pretty much that he wanted to rip me limb from limb but wouldn't because I would take care of the child."
"Yeah, that sounds like good ol' Dr. Briefs. You know he's only out to protect Bulma, he means nothing by it." "I'm not so sure, but that's not important. I didn't need his approval; I didn't even want to be there. Bulma came over and demanded my presence."
"Vegeta, you have to understand how traumatic this must be for her. I mean, telling her parents that she not only slept with you, but that you two were having a child together. Plus, the fact that you're not even a couple and therefore wouldn't be getting married like himself and her mother. He'd probably dreamed up a scenario in his head of walking his baby girl down the isle to the man she would spend the rest of her life with, without having had a child first."
"Yeah, I suppose you're right. I can see that point. I'd probably want the same if it's a girl."
"Right.." She looked down at one of the best friends she'd ever had, ever could have wanted. Vegeta had always, in his own way, been there for her in the past. This was her chance to return all of that, and be there for him when he needed support the most. "What else happened? How did you leave her?"
"More like how she left me." He let out another saddened laugh, bringing his hands up to his stomach, where he laced his fingers and rested them there.
"What'd she do?"
"She.." He squeezed his eyes shut, as if the memory that was now burned in his mind was slipping away. "..kissed me." 18 couldn't help but gasp, covering her mouth with her hand.
"She-She did? How? I mean where? I mean, I-What happened?"
He sighed deeply, and proceeded to tell her what had gone on. How he'd kissed her cheek, though he only seemed to remember it at that moment, it had been so absentmindedly done then. And how when he went to leave she pulled him back and told him she wanted "the feeling" again, and grabbed him and kissed him powerfully, passionately. And finally, before he had a chance to collect himself, she'd pulled away and he was out on the front porch. He'd wandered his yard for hours after that, before finally calling 18 and confessing his need for help, among other things.
"Vegeta, what..Did you feel anything? Is that what it was? It that what you meant by 'something happened'?"
"Why bother asking? You know the answer. Is 17 up?" he asked, opening his eyes.
"Uh, I doubt it. He, he wore himself out tonight. I think he's in a dead sleep."
"Why, what happened?" He sat up, wondering what could have happened to him.
"I'd rather not say. He-"
"If you don't tell me, I'll go in and find out myself."
"I told him Bulma was pregnant..with your baby."
"Kuso!" he swore, jumping off the bed. "Fuck! Damn it 18! You could have warned me!" he yelled, inevitably waking at least one person, for all the bedrooms were around the same area of the house. "He," he lowered his voice, though he was still yelling. "He's going to kill me, you know that? He will find a gun and shoot me, and my baby will be fatherless."
"Vegeta! Calm yourself!" she countered, wanting to slap him to knock some sense into his thick skull. "Did you honestly believe he would never find out? For Kami's sake, he's one of your best friends, he would have found out eventually."
"18," came a groggy voice from outside her room. 17. "What the hell's going on in there? Who's here? And the what hell are you yelling about?" Vegeta and 18 looked at one another, then made a run for the door, though halted when it swung open.
"Fuck," Vegeta said under his breath, taking a few steps back. Normally, of course, he would have taken on a challenge of a fight, even with 17, for they'd fought over childish things before. But this was no ordinary time, and definitely no ordinary situation, not childish in the least. This was his heart that had been shattered, turned to dust, unchangeably, and by Vegeta's doing. There was no way in hell, no matter how strong Vegeta's personality was, that he would even try and fight 17 (So he's not a wuss! :P). "17, hey."
"Vegeta," he growled through clenched teeth. "Vegeta Ouji, where the hell do you get off coming to my house!?" His once sleepy state was no more, he was fully awake, and charging at Vegeta, fully intent on his death, or permanent injury. "I'll kill you Kami damn it! I swear!" He lunged at him, pinning him to the floor. The only thing Vegeta did was try and push him off, or avoid his raging fists.
"17! Stop it!" 18 yelled, jumping on her twin's back and pulling with all her strength to get him off. "Stop it! It's not going to do any good!" She tried to reason, but his mind was so clouded with sorrow, he wouldn't even allow himself to hear her.
"How the hell could you, Vegeta!? What the fuck is wrong with you!? How-"
"17! 18! Vegeta!? What-What the fuck is going on!?" Tamotsu yelled, followed closely by Yumako, in her bathrobe. He wasted no time in pulling the boys from one another, though he needed some help from 18 to keep 17 in place on the other side of the room long enough for him to calm himself. Yumako went to Vegeta's aid, cradling him the same way 18 had when they were talking moments ago on the bed. His face was the most damaged; a black eye was already beginning to form around his right eye, along with other bruises in several places, there was a fairly large gash on his forehead oozing blood, and three more semi-less severe cuts under the same eye, and two on his lips, and also his nose was bleeding and a tooth had been cracked. 17 was unharmed, save the cuts and bruises his fists sustained from beating on Vegeta.
"Vegeta, are you alright?" Yumako asked, pulling her robe and using it as best as she could to stop the bleeding from his forehead.
"He should be dead!" 17 screamed, lunging forward again, though this time both Tamotsu and 18 held his arms and around his waist, pulling him back again. 18 covered his mouth, allowing Yumako to continue speaking with Vegeta.
"Are you alright?" she repeated, applying more pressure to his wound, ignoring, for now, the other injuries.
"Yeah," he groaned, trying to push away and stand up, though she pulled him back. "I'm fine Yuma, let me up."
"No, you're not fine. If you had one look at your face you'd agree with me. Come on." She pulled him to his feet, steadying him so he wouldn't fall over. "Let's go clean you up. Tamotsu, find out what happened." He nodded, bringing 17 over to the bed and sat him down, still holding his arms.
"17." 17 turned his head away, refusing to speak. "18, what happened in here? And what the hell is Vegeta doing here?"
"That bastard got Bulma pregnant! He stole her from me! He knew how much I loved her and he stole her!" 17 yelled, struggling to get free and finish his job.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. 17, calm down and shut up. I need to talk to 18." He looked to her, who was biting her nails nervously. It had all happened so fast, and in only a few seconds. And now Vegeta was in the bathroom, bleeding all over. "Is what he said true? Did he get Bulma pregnant?"
"Yeah," she sighed, not looking up at him. "He did, and he'd come over..over to talk to me, he was really upset and..and he said he couldn't wait 'til morning and something had happened and he needed to figure things out right away and he came over and he was talking and telling me things and he loves Bulma, he really does, I know it for sure, and he and I told him-"
"18, sweety, please, calm down. Slower now, don't work yourself up."
"Sorry," she nearly gasped, glancing at him and her crushed brother, looking at his marred knuckles for a moment, then back at the ground. "I told him that I'd told 17, you know about Bulma and him, and he yelled at me for it, said that 17 would kill him and his baby wouldn't have a father- "
"He'd make a horrible father!" 17 snorted, receiving a smack to the side of the head from Tamotsu.
"Continue," he said calmly.
"Then I yelled at him, and I told him that 17 would find out eventually..And then 17 came in, cause I guess we woke him, and ran at Vegeta, swearing he'd kill him, and then you guys came in..I'm sorry 17, I'm so sorry," she gasped, allowing a few tears to stain her cheeks. 17 had been crying since he entered the room, though they'd been tears of angry then, and were now still moistening his cheeks. "I know you love her and that you would make her happy and that up until now Vegeta never really did or could..But he does 17, and I'm sorry for that for you too. But I'm not sorry for Bulma and for Vegeta, because they deserve the happiness just as much as you do, and they do love each other..They just, they need to talk to one another about it and work things out..17, they're going to be parents together, and..and you beating up Vegeta will not change that and killing him will only make matters worse..I know..I-" Her sobs caught her breath a moment, and she wiped her nose on her sleeve. "I know you would do anything to make her happy, you've always wanted that for her..And this does 17, the baby, Vegeta, them together, it all makes her happy and makes sense to her..She loves him, and she'll love their child, and she loves you too, though on a different level..Just-Let her have her happiness, yours will come soon enough. I promise you." She stopped there, lowering her head, feeling more tears coming.
Vegeta sat on the toilet, waiting for Yumako to get her supplies to clean him up. He'd been silent the whole way there, ignoring her whenever she talked to him. His face was burning and pulsing with agonizing pain, pain he could have easily prevented. But he knew he deserved this, Shirosama, his father, and Bulma's father had all felt the need to do what 17 had succeeded in doing. He deserved this for everything he'd done beginning with his fight with Bulma six years ago; his anger towards her and Yamcha, his bitterness to everyone following his brother's death, the way he'd treated Bulma time and again throughout those six years, and all the recent stuff of the passed month. He'd deserved it for so long that he was almost happy it had happened.
"Vegeta, you're a stupid boy, you know that?" Yumako sighed, dipping a cotton ball in some alcohol and dabbing his forehead. He winced slightly, but allowed her to proceed. "17 was beating your face in and you didn't even try and stop him. What the hell was going on in your head? I know you, and you would never go stiff during a fight."
"I deserved it," he admitted, grabbing some toilet paper to stop his nose from bleeding.
"Why? What happened?" She tossed the cotton ball in the trash, grabbing for another one.
"I pissed him off."
"Vegeta," she sighed, tossing that one as well, then grabbed gauze and some tape and covered the wound. Though she soon found she'd need more than just the one, for it was too thin and blood was already seeping through. "He really did a number on your face, some of these may scar." She decided not to push him into answering, she'd get the information from Tamotsu, or 18 or 17 soon enough.
He sat still in silence, allowing her to tend to his wounds, for no one, save his mother, had ever given him that kind of selfless treatment, that loving nurturing feeling. He closed his eyes, taking in all the soft touches, the careful placement of bandages, even the sting of the alcohol on open skin. It was all invigorating to him, for he'd never done this, he'd always left his wounds unattended.
"Tell me something Vegeta," Yamuko urged, crouching down in front of him. "What made 17 angry? Why did he hit you? Why did you come over here?"
"Don't bother asking me again, I won't tell you. Ask someone else, I'm sure they would be happy to glorify themselves and make me into the bad guy," he grunted scornfully, turning his head from his friend's caring gaze.
"But Vegeta," she murmured, taking his hands. "You can be the good guy, the hero if you tell me. You can make yourself out to be whatever you wish," she tried to reason, though she knew the moment the words passed her lips that they were lies.
"Why would I do that?" he asked, looking at her with shifting eyes, taking in the curves and color of her face. She was truly a beautiful woman, made for the life she lived, the high-class finery and all the respect and adoration that went along with it. If she'd lived a few thousand years ago, she'd have been a Queen, or thought of as a Goddess. "Why would I make myself out to be something that I know I am not and never could be? I did wrong, I've been doing wrong for so many years, and I know that, and I know I deserve what's coming to me. So I do not need someone like you to try and persuade me to tell lies that praise me for things I never did! I'm a bad person, evil even, and I know it!" he cried, standing and pushing her to the floor.
"Vegeta, please!" she pleaded, grabbing after him. "I didn't mean it! I'm sorry!"
"Leave me alone Yamuko."
"Are you leaving?" she whispered, picking herself off the floor.
"Yes, I'm leaving. Its obvious that I'm not wanted by some, so I'm going."
"But-"
"No Yamuko! Stop trying to solve this! You can't solve everything, like you like to think you can! I'm the only one who can right all of this, I know that now."
"But we can help you, if you let us. Isn't that what you came here for, for 18 to help you?"
He sighed, looking at Yamuko, a woman he'd known since two years after him and Bulma had stopped being friends and became enemies. He could still remember the first time he'd met her, she'd changed something in him then, made him see things just slightly differently than he had before. Then, suddenly, his mind was flooded with memories, of past experienced that had also shaped him, made him who he was. Memories of his brother, of how happy his father used to be, of Bulma and Chi-Chi and 18 all laughing as he told them jokes and stories. And then the bad memories, the horrible ones he'd long since blocked out of his mind, though they seemed to over power him now. The times when he'd seen Bulma, arm in arm, with Yamcha, happy as can be, as happy as he and once seen himself with her. And of his brother's death and his father's retreat into a career of travel, just so he didn't have to spend all the time in a house full of memories. But the ones that appeared to stick out the most, were the ones that seemed so meaningless to him.
Flashback:
Vegeta sat on a bench outside the cafeteria, waiting for 18. It was his day to have lunch with her, for the day before she sat with Bulma, his sworn enemy. Then, speak of the devil; the aqua haired traitor walked by him, her arms looped around his other foe's waist, Yamcha. He glared at the couple, seemingly trying to burn holes through them. They were all that was wrong with the universe according to him.
"Vegeta, stop that," 18 sighed, standing before him, blocking his view of the "happy" couple.
"What?" he growled, standing, his stomach growling an echo.
"Nothing," she laughed, grabbing his arm and dragging him into the cafeteria, where the rest of his friends sat. They took their seats with them, the table two away from the one Bulma and her friends sat at.
"Uh, would you look at that?" Roxy groaned hatefully, as Bulma and Yamcha walked closer, seemingly towards them, the sound of her laughter deafening to Vegeta, for he could never arise that in her again. "They disgust me." She fake gagged herself, and the rest laughed, aside from Vegeta and 18.
"Shut up Roxy," 18 hissed in defense of her friend. "She's no different than you."
"Doubtful, very doubtful," she retorted, turning away from 18. They had that sort of fight several times a week, for 18 was always in defense of her. "You agree with me, don't you 'Geta?" she said, almost lustfully; she'd always had a thing for the brute.
"Yeah," he sighed absently, not really paying attention to them. 18 rolled her eyes, for she knew the truth of their past, as the others did not.
"Well, go on 'Get," one of the other's urged.
"Not today," he groaned, cupping his hand on his forehead.
"And why not? What's so special about today?"
"Its her birthday, alright? Leave him alone," 18 warned defensively (Its obviously years ago).
"Who the fuck cares? She deserves it, after all the shit she says about us, all the trouble she gets us in."
"And what, you've never done a thing to her? Come on Bussho, grow up."
"If you open your eyes," he countered. "And see the evil. Look at her, look at the way she walks, with her head up high so everyone knows how great she is, how much better she is than everyone. But she's not, I know it, and so does Vegeta."
Vegeta didn't respond to that, turning to catch a glimpse of Bulma and Yamcha walk passed their table, their voices in seductive whispers. He scowled scornfully at them, catching Roxy's attention.
"Vegeta," she said, placing a hand on his arm. "She's evil, and she hates you just as much as you hate her."
"That's not true," 18 argued, about ready to give up on them for the day and retreat back to her less vengeful friends.
"Stay out of this 18, it doesn't involve you."
"Well, Rox, it involves Bulma, so it involves me. I won't stand still and let you guys humiliate her."
"Then why don't you go sit with her then, if she's so high and mighty?"
"I didn't say that Roxy, don't put words in my mouth."
"Don't defend the bitch then," she scoffed, crossing her arms, and then turned to Vegeta again. "Come on 'Get, I'm leaving tomorrow. Give me this," she whined, pouting out her lower lip.
"We're all leaving tomorrow dumbass," 18 growled. "It's a Saturday."
"I won't be back for a week," she continued, ignoring 18's efforts.
"Fine," Vegeta sighed, caving.
"Kami, this is so ridiculous," 18 said under her breath. "I'm leaving." She stood, slamming her chair back into place, and stomped off towards Bulma's table.
By the end of the period, 18 had forgotten all about Vegeta's Roxy- driven motives, and walked beside Bulma on the way out of the cafeteria, inevitably becoming a target as well. They turned the corner, slipping on some recently well-placed water, skidding several feet before crashing into a freshly painted set of lockers.
"Fuck!" 18 swore, remembering the conversation at the other table. "Vegeta Ouji, you're dead!" she screamed, jumping up and running at him in his crowd of cackling friends.
"Damn it!" Bulma yelled, looking down at her new cheerleading uniform, wanting to burst into tears and run home. She looked across the hall, where Vegeta was being chased by 18, who she realized was responsible for this, he was always responsible for things like this that happened to her. "I'll kill him!" she proclaimed, getting up to join 18. "Vegeta!" she screamed, catching his attention and getting him off guard just long enough to sustain a punch in the face from 18. "What the fuck is wrong with you!? 18 told me you swore you wouldn't do this shit on my birthday! Why the hell do you do it anyway!?"
"I lied," he groaned, holding his cheek. "Damn it 18, what the fuck is your problem?"
"Oh, I don't know Vegeta, what do you think?"
"I'm so sick of you and your Kami damned group of morons! I hate you and you hate me, just leave it at that!?" she yelled, trying to calm herself. "Or do you enjoy seeing me in a rage?" she mocked, stepping towards him, twirling her finger around her hair. "Does it get you hot?" she whispered seductively, catching him off guard, rendering him speechless. He stood there, frozen, for several moments, watching her blindly. "Ha," she laughed, pushing passed him. "Just as I thought, just another hormone-driven jackass. Get your kicks somewhere else Ouji." With that said, she marched off towards the office, intent on reporting them.
End flashback:
Vegeta looked behind him, where 18 was standing in the doorway, saying his name. She'd most likely been doing that for several minutes.
"Vegeta, what's wrong?"
"She really did hate me back then, didn't she?" he asked, ignoring her question and Yamuko, who'd come to stand beside him.
"Wh-Bulma?" He nodded. "Well yeah Vegeta, I mean, you were horrible to her. She had no choice but to have sour feelings for you."
"Then how could she possibly-"
"She grew to love you, the way she had six years ago."
"How-"
"I can tell Vegeta, she couldn't possibly not." She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him into a loving embrace. "Are you ready?" she asked, still holding him.
"I'm going to ruin my life eventually, why not start tonight?" He pulled away and looked over to Yamuko, who was cautious. "Sorry Yamu, you know I don't like yelling at you."
"Yeah 'Get, I know. You better not do it again," she laughed, kissing his cheek lightly, then squeezing by him and 18 to her husband, who was without a doubt still talking to 17.
"How do you feel?"
"Like I'm going to fail," he sighed, reaching up to touch his bandaged forehead a moment. "And I have a headache. I hate headaches."
18 laughed, pulling him with her and leading him out to his car. They were going to settle this tonight.
*************************************
Bulma sat up in bed, her thoughts plaguing her mind, not allowing her to fall asleep. What Kimiko had said to her had been so true, so to the point, and she hadn't realized it 'til it was thrown in her face. She glanced at her bedside clock, the blaring neon blue light hurting her eyes. It was 3:36 AM, and she was dead tired, and had to get up in three hours for school. *And its only Monday* she though bitterly to herself.
After Vegeta had left and she and Kimiko had talked, she'd gone to see Shirosama, and try and calm him down. He'd be too upset at first to say a word, let alone allow her to enter his room. Though, after some sisterly coxing from the other side of the door, she'd been allowed access, and a chance to explain herself. She told him everything; how she'd recently become friends with Vegeta again and what had happened then, and what lead up to them ending up in bed together. She told him of how sweet he'd been at that moment, how he'd asked for her consent before he continued and how he'd told her tonight that he'd been glad for that night and that she was pregnant, for he wanted the child. And finally, she confessed her love for him, how she'd fallen for the neighbor boy, and how she'd just realized it recently, though somehow she'd always been.
She smiled at the thought, though it hurt at the same time, for she knew that they could never work, that they'd said their final good-byes. She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her blankets securely around her body. How could she have been so foolish before to deny herself that feeling? The feeling of true, pure love pulsing through her body. And though she wanted to hate herself and Vegeta for it, she couldn't, and she couldn't allow him to be left in the dark any longer. The next time she saw him, she would tell him exactly how she felt. If he rejected her, well, she always had their baby to fall back on, to love and to see Vegeta in.
She glanced over at the phone, suddenly getting the urge to talk to someone about all that had happened. And she knew she couldn't wait 'til morning, her thoughts were unsettled right now and needed to be shared. She grabbing the phone and dialed the first number that came to mind, the easiest one to remember.
"Hello?" a groggy, annoyed voice said answering the voice.
"Hey, its me, Bulma," she sighed. "Sorry about the time."
"What time is it?"
"3:30."
"What-What the hell are you calling for so late?"
"I needed to talk to someone."
"And you picked me?"
"Come on Krillin, can I please come over? I need to get some stuff off my chest, and you're the least judgmental."
"Why, what happened?" he asked, his attention having been caught by the urgency in her voice.
"I'll explain everything when I get there, ok?"
"Um, yeah," he said, still a bit confused as to her reason for calling him out of everyone. Surely 18 or Chi-Chi or even Goku could be better at it than him, besides he wasn't as close to her as they were.
"Thanks Krillin, I owe you big time." She hung up the phone before he had a chance to respond, then threw on some shoes and ran out to her car. She smiled to herself as she pulled out of her driveway, maybe this would bring her and 18's bald boyfriend a little closer.
************************************************
---Chapter 20! Oh yeah! I'm on a roll! I wrote this whole thing in like a day, aren't you proud? Heehee. I hope everyone liked it. I'm damn proud of these passed few chapters myself. How do you like the process? And the fact that the passed three and a half chapters have all been in one day? I like it, it gives a sense of, er, something, I don't know what, but I like it, heehee. :P
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next time: Bulma talks to Krillin about the whole situation. He has some interesting things to say (Or so I hope he will, heehee). And, what will happened when 18 and Vegeta show up at Bulma's house, but she's not there? Will they try and find her? And if they do, where will they look? Get ready for some running around and exhausting events. But don't worry; they're all strong enough to take whatever I throw at them. :P
Keep on reading :P I love you all! ;) Heehee.