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Chapter 36: Betrayal

His words echoed through her mind long after he had said them. A part of her was willing to compel to what he had said so simply and innocently, that it was hard to detect any signs of deceit in them.

Bulma let out a sigh, resting her head on the broad shoulder of the man who never seemed to make it easy for her. He was hard to read and even harder to describe what type of man he truly was. So was her relationship with him, it was undefined, complex and intense.

'Are you really leaving?' She muttered, not being able to even imagine such a thing. He was the one adamant thing in her life. Whether he was haunting her in her sleep or actually being his own frightening persona, he never let her be. She felt restless thinking about the fact that her life might change, that it would all be different from now on.

'Yes.' His answer came out with a sigh.

She frowned at his answer, looking up to see his face. He wore his usual stern expression but smirked when their eyes made contact. She smirked back, though she didn't know what it was that made him smirk. She only knew her own thoughts, which were becoming ironic.
She was more restless knowing he, the man who brought nothing but utter chaos in her life, was leaving.

'What am I supposed to do?' She whispered lightly.

He features softened when he heard her question. 'Nothing.'
'Nothing?' She echoed surprised, 'When I think about it… You are just leaving me in this mess all by myself…'
'Don't be so dramatic.' Rolling his eyes at her words. She could see through his façade, her words did have some effect on him.
'Yes, you are.' She scolded at him, 'You are still a selfish bastard when it comes down to it.'

'Of course.' Now she did know why he was smirking, bit it irked her in some type of way. It wasn't the reaction she wanted.

'It doesn't bother me…' It was some sort of confession to him and herself, 'I don't really know how to view you anymore.'

'I already told you…' Turning them both around, 'Trust me.' She noted he did it quite often, distracting her. His light kisses in her neck were pleasing but she wanted some clarity.

She wanted to be freed of these feeling creating havoc inside her mind

'How can I?'

He didn't answer her at first. Getting off of her with a sigh, as if he was tired of this whole ordeal. Which made Bulma actually internally cringe but outside kept a stony façade intact. She watched how his eyes glanced over the watch in the room. When she followed his gaze, she concluded it was almost time for him to go.

When he turned his head to look at her, his eyes locked on hers and they were back to their intense stares. Bulma lay still in the bed, afraid if she'd move she'd stop him from whatever he was about to do.

Leaning on his elbow, he reduced the large gap between them, making it just as intimate but while keeping a certain distance so their eyes could stay on one another.

'There is no mess.' His voice was soft and she could tell he was watching her reaction intently. She didn't answer his answer, but confusion settled on her face. A painful pang went through her chest, that send out a warning, making her entire body tense up in anticipation of what he was going to tell her.

'There are problems but… none of them truly involve you.' He closed his eyes, letting his forehead rest on hers, thereby keeping contact in this strange scene. Bulma couldn't close her eyes, she was too focused on him to make such movements. Her body wouldn't obey.

'I lied.'

She couldn't say the words shocked her, she half expected this. It was more of a conformation of what she had been quietly thinking.

'I lied because I am a selfish bastard…' She could feel the corners of his mouth rise against her skin, a hollow movement, 'And I can't say…' he nuzzled his nose against her cheeks, taking in her scent, 'that it… wasn't worth the consequences.'

Bulma felt a rush come over her, feeling a warm glow on her cheeks. Her eyes widened, searching for his but he was determined to not look at her anymore, stubbornly keeping his closed.
He grabbed her chin and the intensity of his actions made her almost forget everything. But when his tongue retraced from her mouth and his lips simply stayed still on hers, she realized how final this really was.

'Until we meet again, woman.'

He got off of her, without looking back and went straight to the bathroom to prepare himself for his departure.

Bulma lay still in the bed, not being able to move and having to remind herself to breath. She could've gone and walked out of here whenever she wanted.

Well that wasn't completely true either.

But it was now obvious that it was a lie that the Saiyans cared about her mere existence.
Of course, she felt foolish but a part of her knew the truth. She had just been so willing in believing him that she had shut down her logic mind completely and now was left with nothing but emptiness.

Though certain things didn't add up, like the anger his father had shown towards her. She knew deep inside it a was the actual truth. Slowly getting up from her somber slumber, she sat up straight on the bed.

Vegeta was a man who manipulated so many. His father was no exception.
But she couldn't conceal the feeling of stupidity, as if she was caught in a web where she had always thought it involved around her and now it turned out she was nothing but small bait. She was nothing.

Bulma let out a sigh, acknowledging that her thoughts were bordering depression again and that she was slowly stumbling back in her ways of when she had just returned to Earth before the invasion.

Consumed by grief, self-pity and now something new. Something bitter and self-loathing.

When he came back in, catching her staring endlessly at nothing at first but then her head shot up to look at him.

'So this is it.' Bulma spoke up, though the sound was foreign in her ears, like a faraway echo.
He didn't reply with much more than a simple nod, his mood seemed far from depressed and already excited by the idea of purging planets and causing destruction.

Bulma let out a snicker at his reaction, not being able to help herself. It was so typically for him to simply change his demeanor as he saw fit. 'How can I trust you?' Mocking his words, tilting her head to the side, as if she was scolding a child.
'I can't do that.'

He smirked at what she was saying. Straightening his posture, pulling on his gloves one last time to make sure they sat perfectly.

'Bulma.'

With the simple echo of her name, he drove her in stillness and she couldn't find anything more to say nor did he seem to find the need to say anything more to her then just her name. When he turned around and walked out of the room, the last glimpse she got of him was of his red cape fluttering behind him.

Her mouth opened but no sound came out. Calling out for him now was useless. He wouldn't return and she would just be making a fool out of both of them. What exactly was she going to say anyway?

He hadn't answered her. Their goodbye was rather cold but then again, how were they supposed to say goodbye? They would never truly do that, even if they both wanted to. At least not while one of them lived.

Feeling something flutter in her stomach, Bulma couldn't help but burst out in laughter.

He was out of her life.

And here she was… feeling… sad.

'Hahaha!' It echoed in the room full of memories. Her nemesis was gone and she was feeling lost and empty and bitter because she couldn't get any of the things she wanted. Revenge. Him. Everything just slipped between her fingers like sand and she was too damn stupid to do something about it.

Letting herself fall back on the bed, looking up at the high ceiling. 'Genius.' She snickered at her title, 'Genius.' Repeating the word now sarcastically.

Putting her hands on her face, feeling the wetness and warmth of the palms of her hands. Pointing out how torn she was feeling about this all.

She could go and say he played her and that he had tricked her again. But she had to be honest with herself.

Like at least he had been honest with her.

It had been a confession of many sorts and for once, she understood him completely even though it left her in a state of complete chaos.

Bulma stood next to her father, watching the crowd of Saiyans that watched how the King was to leave and take over the universe. She watched how they cheered, whistled and above all seemed to be overjoyed by the fact that he was going to collect what had always been rightfully theirs. She quirked up an eyebrow, it seemed that the so called mutiny against him was in higher ranks because the people were still quite fond of the new King, perhaps in spite of all the rumors that had been going around.

She wondered if it would bring some sort of peace among them or if it was only going to downhill from here on out. Looking up, she saw the humongous ship leave planet Vegeta, off to the realm of the once called Emperor of the Universe.
It ached her heart knowing her faith was now upon others but at the same time there was some sort of numbness over her. As if this was all just a part of being in this universe.

The walk over had been awkward and Bulma had thought it would lead to trouble but it seemed the Saiyans were too preoccupied with their King leaving that they paid little to no attention to her. It was obvious they did have an indication of who she was because she had felt their stares.

It embarrassed her to be known for being his… concubine but… at the same time it seemed like such small detail. It was just not important right now.

Feeling her father's hand squeeze in hers, she snapped out of her train of thoughts and looked at him, giving his a small reassuring smile. She didn't know what was around the bend, and she was damn sure it would take her all by surprise again but at least this time, she was somewhat prepared.
The reassuring feeling of her parents being in her life again made it all the more bearable.

'Let's go, Bulma.'

'Right.' She nodded, turning around with him.

'I think you should probably prepare yourself. The departure of King Vegeta seems to frighten a lot people. I think it is mostly due all the rumors going around.' Dr. Briefs voiced his worry and regret in one take, making her aware a lot had changed during her very short absence.

'Rumors?'
'I don't know who is to blame more, the Saiyans or the Earthlings.' He shrugged, 'Seems both are capable of doing so.'
'What type of rumors?' Bulma pressed.
'I already told you. That you were a spy and that you worked for King Vegeta. On top of it all, the Earthlings now have proven their use but what will become of us now and so on and so on.'

'I don't think they'll dispose of us. We are kind of doing all the work for them.' Bulma answered lightly, remembering Vegeta's words, 'In every single way.' She added bitterly, thinking about his opinion on breeding half lings.

'I know that but not everyone seems to believe that.'

In all honestly she never thought that being away from Vegeta, and all the benefits of being with him, was something she would dread having to miss. But this was going to be the death of her. This nonsense of people and the same old routine she had had before Vegeta had taken her away from here.

Though her workstation was still in the underground, thankfully, she found it horrible that she was no longer able to enjoy the views from the outside, the fresh air and bright sun to warm her skin.

She had yet to still run into Sok, who stayed surprisingly still in spite of her return. It wasn't much of a warm welcome, just like her father had said. Most people seem to avoid her.

But she didn't mind, she needed the free time to think.

Free.

She was free. It finally dawned on her how he had just let her go. She didn't have to worry about him anymore. About his tantrums or threats. About his entire being, he was off to create pain and hurt somewhere else now.

She didn't have to care about his existence anymore.

Or his immortality. When one thinks about it, this made his planet more vulnerable. Sok had said so himself that the only problem was his immortality.

'Is that your gift, Vegeta?' She whispered to herself, 'Is that what is supposed to make me trust you?'

It wasn't as if she had forgotten and forgiven everything he had done but a part of her could no longer deny there was more to them then they both were willing to admit. Well, then she was willing to admit. His confession was some sort of… form of telling her what he felt for her.

Maybe she was overthinking things again like always. Her feelings were numbed by the turn of events and she no longer felt the need to avenge herself. After all, Vegeta had a point, the next generation wouldn't know any better and maybe everything would work out for everyone. She just had to cope with the fact that her time wasn't here yet and she would have to endure this miserable life until the universe decided to end it.

Vegeta would be everlasting but she and her misery would eventually cease to exists.

Oh, Bulma, stop thinking so melancholic. Rolling her eyes at her own pessimistic thoughts and dramatic behavior. 'Maybe I should talk to someone…' But who?

A knock on the door startled her from her thoughts, letting out a tiresome sigh, 'Come in.'
When the person on the other side knocked again, Bulma let out a frustrated growl and got off from her seat to open the door, 'I said come in!'

As if on cue, the door flew open. His hair was slightly greasy and she couldn't remember the grey streaks had always been there or not, but he definitely looked older than last time she had seen him.

'Sok.' She blurted out in surprise, 'What are you doing here?'
'Ah.' He gave her a false smile, 'Shouldn't I be asking what are you doing here? I thought you'd come to my office and discuss what you were able to find out. And don't tell me you didn't find anything out, you were gone for a long enough time to come back with some piece of information!'

Bulma gaped at the man who seemed to have lost all his self-control. But beyond his façade of anger lied a frightened man, she could tell by the shakiness in his voice.

'What is going?' She asked calmly. Sok let out a groan, shaking his head at her question.
'Sok?' She pressed on, hoping he'd answer her question.

The grimace on his face predicted nothing good, seeing his shoulders move up and down but no laughter came to follow. The hairs on the back of her neck stood straight at the sight.

He didn't look like himself, almost a more delusional version of the genius he was.

'Is everything alright?'

'Everything is fine!' He yelled back, 'It is just sublime how everyone seems to lose their minds around here!'
'What?'
'People are slowly fading away in this place and everyone seems to be just fine with it! No one dares to fight back suddenly because of one,-just one!-, Saiyan!

'Wha-what?' Bulma asked in utter confusion, 'What are you talking about? What has happened!?'

'Briefs!' He hissed her name, 'You don't know?'

'No! I don't!' She yelled back, 'Remember, I wasn't exactly around!'

'Some Saiyan found his way into our system.' He mutter back, clearly calmed down. It appeared that the usual Sok was taking place again, he combed his hair back into its place and took off his glasses.

'So he has seen everything?'

'Every bit of information we have gathered, every plan. Everything.' He sighed, 'On top of that people seem to think you have something to do with it. So tell me what you know, so I can tell those fools they are wrong.'

Bulma was baffled at what she had just heard, a small smile made its way to her lips. It touched her heart that Sok, out of all people, seemed to have so much faith in who she was. Though it faltered when her traitorous heart reminded her of her conflicting feelings.

'I've heard about that.' Bulma nodded her father had told her about her being seen as a traitor. But now something much more interesting had occurred, 'Who is this Saiyan?'

'I don't know.' He sighed tiredly, 'I don't know!' As if he couldn't believe himself he was not able to outsmart a Saiyan.
'Personally I find that the time is now to strike. With the immortal King gone, they are just as vulnerable.'

'It's not going to be that easy.' Bulma cut it, 'Saiyans are still remarkable strong creatures—'

'Just like humans they have vital points.' He hissed out, aiming his finger at his neck. His hand was shaking quite a bit, mostly out of anger she assumed.
'I'm not saying we are ready but we should be starting to prepare ourselves for the inevitable!'

'Sok, this comes at a price. Losing the people we love—'
'Oh, don't tell me you've become all sentimental! I thought you were just like me, and wanted to get revenge at all costs?'

'I do!' Bulma felt a slight ache in her heart when she said that, 'But I don't know if it is all still possible. I think,' She took a breath, noting that Vegeta did know about the Alliance, so whoever it was that had cracked their system was loyal to Vegeta and not one of the other Saiyans, 'I think we should be a little more realistic from now on and look at—'

'What happened to you?' He piped in, looking flabbergasted at what she was saying. 'What happened to you to make you change your mind so drastically. Are you on their side!?' Pointing to the outside, 'On those cowards who are too afraid to fight but dare to nag at night how they can't go on!?'

For a brief moment Bulma thought he was talking about the Saiyans, 'No, I'm not.'

'Well then what made you say that?' His arrogant tone came off violent and Bulma noted that the patient, observing man had made way for another side of him, which was a lot less lenient and calm.

'I don't know, Sok. We need to think things through. Now everything is different and—'

'No, it is not. Everything is the same! Better than ever! The King is gone!' He argued back, 'That rotten Saiyan has yet to make his move. He hasn't told anyone as far as I can tell—'

'He has. At least I think he has—'

'Then we must strike now!'

'How!?' Bulma yelled back, 'You are going to make everyone an excellent gunner of some sorts?!'

'Technology, Miss Briefs! Or have you forgotten about your own talent? Robots can do it for us, automatic aiming systems! I've been working on it all for these past few months! Making those fools thinking I'm working for them but it is all for us!' Sok panted, his furious expression holding something demonic. Bulma had subconsciously taken a few steps back.

She nodded her head in agreement, hoping that it would somehow calm him down a bit.
'Okay. Say we do attack now. We need to think of a clear plan and think of every possible problem and angle and we need the people to be with us, Sok. We can't do this all by ourselves.'

'They think it's over…' He whispered, 'It's not.' His voice sounded like the hissing of a snake talking, his words were venomous and the hurt of their betrayal was a painful poison he could hardly bare.

'It's not over till it's over.' Bulma sternly stated, her voice not faltering the least bit, coming over as over-confident and full of belief in their small chances. But deep inside, she trembled and the idea made her nauseous to the core. She was so utter lost herself, how was she capable of telling him such lies?

'I do however feel we need to take precaution and—'

'Briefs?' The sudden interruption of the door flying open scared the hell out of her and instantly paled when seeing the two large Saiyan soldiers. In the corner of her eyes she saw a ghostly-pale Sok, whose hands were uncontrollable shaking.

She swallowed her fear and answered the two man, 'Yes?'

'You're coming with us.' He growled, his eyes briefly on Sok before looking back at her. He didn't seem like the patient type and his appearance was that of a typically Saiyan. His aura held something menacing. She had never seen him here before or on any floor really.

'Why?'

'Because I said so!' He hissed back, annoyed at how a mere Earthling dared to ask such a thing.

'I'm working on something—' Bulma's speech was cut short when he grabbed her by her arm and pulled her along, 'Let go!'

'M-me and my colleague were just discussing very important matters about th—' Sok tried to interfere and help her but the Soldiers couldn't care less about what he was saying.

'I don't care!' He sighed, 'Now get a move on!' He pushed her out of the room, making her stumble forward. Of course this scene attracted the right amount of attention. Not only was she scared to death for what this could mean, but it made her an even more interesting subject to discuss.

Avoiding all eye-contact, she glanced at Sok, who was trying to talk to the other Soldier, who didn't even pay attention to what he was saying.

'Quiet, old man.' The man, who had forcefully pushed her out of the room, answered, 'She'll be back and then you can continue your little meeting.' Rolling his eyes at what kept Earthlings preoccupied.

'Where are you taking me?' Bulma dared to ask, feeling relief wash over her body when she heard she'd be back. For a moment she thought she end up being a goner, that they decided to eliminate her for once and for all.

'King Vegeta does not appreciate tardiness.' His eyes gleamed when he saw her startled expression.

'King Vegeta?' Her heart began to race, was this all another trick of him? 'I thought he had left for—'
'No, not that King Vegeta.' Barking out a laughter in amusement of her reaction and what she was saying, 'Our one and only true King. His father.' He pointed out, 'Now, let's move.'

'W-why does he want to talk to me?' Now she felt truly afraid. Vegeta had just left without much of an explanation and now she was left all alone in this. He had said she nothing to do with this whole thing but it appeared things were different. King Vegeta knew who she was? Oh, Kami, what did he want with her? Or worse, what was he going to do with her!?

Feeling panic arise, she tried to follow them out in the calmest possible way that she could. She ignored all the stares she received and tried to keep her heart in its place and her head clear.
'W-what does the King want to see me for?' She asked again.
'I don't know.' He answered agitated by her, grabbing her arm again to move things forward.

Pushing her into a room she had never seen before, Bulma tried to even her breath and think what this could mean and where this eventually would all lead to. At best it would lead to death, at worse… it would lead to an excruciating death.
Looking around in the room, she noted it was a large hall with a long table in the centre. Just like Vegeta's room it lacked furniture but not necessarily luxury, it held something royal. Though she couldn't see much, it was rather dark. Now she felt more frightened, letting out an uneasy sigh.

Hearing the door open, she half expected to see Vegeta, be it son or father. Yet it was another Earthling girl, she was holding on to large plates. Carefully setting the table, others entered with plates of foods and drinks.

Bulma's eyes shot up in surprise, what is going?

They didn't say a word to each other or her and before Bulma's slow mind could tell her to talk to them, they had disappeared and left her all by herself again.

Now what? Am I supposed to eat? She looked at the enormous amount of food on the table, Oh, Kami, he wants to fatten me up and eat me...!

'Don't be so dramatic…' Muttering to herself, Bulma felt a chill come over her. Feeling the breeze, she turned around to see what had caused it. There he was, the King. The true King. Vegeta's father…

Standing stiff in place, not quite sure how to hold herself, she warily kept her eyes on the man, who excused the Soldiers that had accompanied him to here. He ignored her for several long minutes, going around on the other side of the table to take place in his seat at the head of the table.

Bulma simply stared in silence, not greeting him. Well, in all honestly, she didn't dare to speak up. He had a more frightening effect on her then Vegeta actually had.

When he sat down, his eyes finally landed on hers and he greeted her with a smile. It wasn't exactly a kind on but she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, and not interpret it as threatening.

'Miss Briefs.' When he spoke her name she was surprised he knew such a thing. But then the smart, not frozen by fear part of her brain told her he probably knew since he had send soldier out for her.
'Sit!' He hand gesturing to sit by his side, it wasn't said on a menacing tone but more in an insisting manner, as if he wanted nothing more for her to get comfortable and dine with him.

Hesitantly she walked towards the seat, cautiously sitting down, all while keeping her eyes focused on him. He didn't avert her eye-contact, just like Vegeta he seemed to relish on her rebellious traits to dare and keep looking at him in the eye.

'Eat.'

She frowned at the command but felt as if she had no other choice for the moment, grabbing the smallest thing she could find to eat. Her stomach was telling her that food would erupt back out should she dare to put it in her mouth and swallow the tasty looking thing.

King Vegeta quirked up an eyebrow at what was on her plate but gave her a small smirk, though she could tell he was somewhat confused by the small amount she had picked.

It dawned upon her that perhaps she was insulting him by doing so. So she took some more, ignoring the protest her insides were making by the mere sight of more food.

'Enjoy your meal.' He stated politely, bowing his head to her. She nodded but made no movements to start eating. She couldn't help but stare at the man in confusion.

He smirked, though his eyes were on his plate, he clearly knew her state of mind and was aware of her stare. Taking a glass of wine, or something she assumed was wine, he took a small sip. Letting the flavor stay in his mouth for a few seconds, he swallowed it and cleared his throat before speaking up.

'You must be wondering why you are here, Miss Briefs.'

'I am… your Highness.' Bulma's hesitance of what to call him did not go him by unnoticed but he made no remark of it.

'There is a certain subject I'd like to discuss with you.'

Bulma's mind immediately thought of a hundred things, images of Vegeta flashed before her eyes but also of the Alliance. A small panicky voice in her head was afraid he knew and saw her as a spy for them, even though that wasn't exactly the case, it was partly true.

Seeing her uneasiness, he placed his hand on hers which made her instantly pull back as soon as they made contact. She didn't dare to look up and face him but mumbled an apology for her reaction.
'Pardon me, it's just I…'

He let out soft sigh not bothering to listen to what she was about to say, 'It is about my son.'

'Vegeta?' Now daring to look up, suddenly making the connection and remembering what he had said to her on their first and last meeting. It wasn't as if she had forgotten, not at all. It was just that it seemed impossible that the King himself would bother to talk about his son with her.

'Yes… Vegeta.' His answer was slightly hesitant, as if he rarely called his son by name. He awaited her response for a few seconds but seeing her stoic expression, he cleared his throat and continued on.

'I want to know what sort of relationship you have with him.'

Bulma's eyes widened in respond, feeling her mouth go dry. An uneasy feeling of embarrassment and panic washed over her. Taking a glass of water, that was already poured, to drink away the dryness while thinking of an appropriate answer.

He didn't respond much but she could tell he had the same impatience as his son and that her slow movements would eventually annoy him and make him lose his self-control. So she quickly placed the glass back down. She bit her lip, stalling time to answer him something she didn't quite know how to formulate herself.

Intrigued? Next chapter will be up real soon! And yes, Vegeta is really gone…

I can't believe I reached 500… You guys are amazing! I love you!

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