Chapter 38 – Are You Mad At Me?

Why was it that every time she forgave Kakarot, he gave her another reason to be angry with him? Not only Kakarot but now Vegeta as well! Sure, Bulma knew that Vegeta had never betrayed her before and that even though she was nearly always arguing with him, she was never truly mad at him, but damn it, he knew how much she cared for Gohan.

Gohan wasn't even four years old and he was being sent on a mission! She had been told once that Saiyan babies were sent on missions just months after they were born because of their transformation during a full moon, they were more than able to wipe out an entire planet depending on how strong the inhabitants were. It annoyed her to no end. Sometimes, Bulma was certain that they all forgot Gohan was half human too. Either that or they ignore that fact.

Bulma had all but shut herself away in her bedroom once they had taken off and could roam around the ship. Kakarot had given Gohan a tour of the ship, showing him where everything was and whatnot. He and Gohan would be sharing a room at Chi-Chi's request, since it was the boy's first time away from his mother and not only that, but he was on a ship going into the Cold Empire. That way, if something happened and they were ambushed by enemy ships, Kakarot would already be there to protect his son.

The sound of her bedroom door opening made Bulma's eyes open, though she stared stoically at the wall she was facing. She was led in bed on her side with her back to the door, the same pillow she was resting her head on was lying vertically as she pressed it tightly to her chest, like she was seeking some sort of comfort from it.

When the door closed, Bulma could hear the sound of footsteps approaching her as well as objects being placed on the bedside table on Vegeta's side of the bed. That was something Bulma had noticed about him – he always slept on the bed or side of the bed closest to the door, even if he kept his back to it.

There was no point in feigning sleep; she knew that he knew she was awake. As the bed dipped behind her, Bulma felt Vegeta rest himself behind her, using his elbow to hold himself up so he was leaning over her slightly. She refused to acknowledge him though. Even when she could feel his annoyance at being ignored, she continued to ignore him.

Her eyes closed as a hand stroked her outer thigh slowly and as Vegeta's lips pressed against her shoulder, Bulma took a deep breath before reopening her eyes and continuing with staring at the wall. "I'm still mad at you."

At the sound of her softly spoken voice, devoid of any emotion, Vegeta's hand stilled as he pulled his lips back an inch. Why was she angry with him? It wasn't like he had a choice as to whether or not the boy accompanied them! It was a choice for only the parents of the child to make. If Kakarot's harpy was okay with it, then he had no other choice but to allow the brat to come.

"Her name is Chi-Chi." Bulma said firmly, a little emotion finally entering her voice: anger. "And his name is Gohan. They're not called 'harpy' and 'brat'."

Vegeta's upper lip curled with anger as he retracted his hand as though she had a disease. His glare never left Bulma's back for a second as he rolled over onto his side of the bed.

"I don't care if you didn't have a choice in the matter." She told him, her voice lowering slightly until it was soft once again. "I still can't believe you didn't tell me. I still can't believe you hid it from me." Bulma turned over so that she was facing him, her eyes narrowing angrily as she sat up and glared at him. "What happened to hiding nothing and sharing everything? What happened to the whole 'what's the point in bonding with someone if you hide things from them'?"

His left eye started to twitch with annoyance as Vegeta lifted a hand and rubbed his temple. "I didn't hide anything from you." He spat through clenched teeth whilst closing his eyes, willing for his rapidly forming headache to go away. "If you weren't being so emotional, you would see that I didn't know about the boy joining us until you did."

Bulma's eyes widened. "What do you mean, if I weren't being so emotional?" She practically yelled at him, not caring about his headache in the slightest. "Gohan is only four years old, Vegeta! I have every right-"

"You don't have any right to be angry or upset." Vegeta snapped, finally having enough of her attitude and anger towards him. He hadn't done anything wrong! "You're not his mother – you're not even related to the boy! You may have fucked his father, but that in no way gives you the right to control his life or make decisions for him." With every word, he could sense Bulma's anger, shock and pain growing, but he was too angry to pay any attention. "He may be half human, but he is also half Saiyan! Like all other Saiyans, he will be brought up as one."

She ran a shaking hand through her hair, her eyes never leaving Vegeta's glare for a second. Then, when she could come up with no retort, Bulma got out of bed and made her way towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

Bulma's eyes snapped to Vegeta's form. He was now sitting up, his eyes narrowed dangerously as he watched her. She remained silent for a few moments as she opened the door and stepped out before finally answering.

"Away from you," She snapped before shutting the door behind her with an almost silent click.

However to Vegeta, it may as well have been slammed.

"Miss Bulma?"

Bulma hummed and turned her head to the side to look at Gohan, who was watching her with unsure eyes. His entire demeanour screamed his hesitance and Bulma instantly felt bad for snapping the way she had earlier that day.

It had been seven hours since her argument with Vegeta and since then, neither of them had talked to anyone. A couple of minutes after she had left, Vegeta had slammed out of their room and since then, she had been lying on the sofa unmoving and he had been training under intense gravity. Even though they still hadn't put any walls up in the bond, they didn't listen to one another's thoughts.

Turning so that she was completely on her side with her back resting against the back of the sofa, Bulma gave Gohan a small smile. "What's the matter, Gohan?"

His foot scuffed against the floor and it took him a couple of moments to answer. "Are you mad at me?"

"Mad at you?" Bulma repeated as she frowned. "Why would I be mad at you?"

The look Gohan gave her made her heart clench and her stomach twist as guilt filled her entire being. He looked so sad, reminding her of a kicked puppy. "You were angry earlier," He told her, averting his eyes to the ground, "when you found out I was coming with you."

"Gohan," Bulma breathed softly before clearing her throat and smiling gently. "I wasn't mad at you, kid. I was mad at your dad. He knows how dangerous these missions can be and you're only four years old! I just don't want anything bad to happen to you or for you to see things that you won't like."

The boy looked up to Bulma, once again seeming hesitant. However, the look completely disappeared as Bulma opened her arms to him and hugged him tightly, pressing his back against her chest as she cuddled him like he was a teddy bear. The hug comforted him because it reminded him of his mother. Whenever his dad was away for a long time, he would often wake up in Chi-Chi's bed with her hugging him tightly. The hold was soothing and made him feel relaxed.

"I can never be mad at you." She told him and he could tell she was smiling. "Your dad however…" Both chuckled at her unfinished sentence. "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings earlier Gohan, I just don't want you to have to grow up quickly like we all did. I want you to be able to be a child."

Gohan smiled. "My mom says that all the time."

"Your mom's a smart woman." Bulma chuckled once again before growing serious. "I can't believe she let you come with us though."

His smile slowly slipped away as guilt filled him. "She didn't." He spoke quietly. "Daddy kept asking her to let me and I didn't help by asking too."

Her embrace tightened as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, suddenly feeling tired. "Don't worry Gohan, your mom will forgive you and I'll keep you safe no matter what happens. I'll make sure you don't have to live the life me and your father had to live."

A/N - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Enjoy your presents from me ;-)

Preview to the next chapter:

Kakarot looked heartbroken as he pouted. "Hey come on! I'm not that bad."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not!"

"Yes you are!"

"Not!"

Bulma rolled her eyes as she gave up with their childish argument whilst Gohan laughed and Kakarot smirked. "Whatever! Is there something you need, Goku?"

"Uh…" Kakarot frowned and averted his eyes. "Vegeta is kind of… unconscious and won't wake up."

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