16
The doctors wouldn't let the Vegeta stay with Bulma for fear that he would trigger whatever Freeza had implanted within Bulma's mind while under beesuasive 'therapy'. But he was there from the time visiting hours started to the time they ended. After two weeks Bulma finally found the courage to ask about Region 12, "I was told of the attack on 12. Did… did my fam…" "They were the first people Nappa got." Vegeta answered, rubbing his thumb along her knuckles.
Clearing his throat, he elaborated, "Nappa's days in the Freeza Force paid off because he noticed the signs of what was about to happen. He… he got who he could out, but most were still too afraid of the forest. It was the sight of their burned corpses that caused me to unlock my power and achieve the Legendary." "But then why haven't they come to see me?" Bulma sounded so small, so unsure. Vegeta's instincts screamed to murder the one who hurt his Mate, tamping those down to deal with later he shrugged, "They wanted to give us time. We are Mates after all."
Blue eyebrows furrowed, her nose crinkling in confusion, "I thought we were done with the Game?" "We traded one Arena for another, Woman." Vegeta chuckled, a deep, rumbling laugh that brought a smile to Bulma's face. "So who knows?" At his raised eyebrow, she clarified, "Who do I not have to worry about?" Rattling off the list, Vegeta raised a finger for each name, "Nappa, your parents, Nail, Bardock, and Raditz. Did you tell any of the other Winners?" Bulma shook her head, "No. How are they doing?"
"Blondie's been giving the doctors the run-around; not listening to orders, not taking her meds, that kinda stuff." Vegeta smiled at the antics he saw coming in today, "Kakarot's Chosen was released yesterday, it was all the idiot would talk about. Bardock's Mate…" "Who?" Bulma knew that Vegeta hated interruptions but she didn't have a context for this nickname. "Gine, Kakarot's mother. She's recovering well but probably has another week in here." Vegeta's voice turned hard, his smile morphing into a frown, "The Dwarf still hasn't walked or even felt her legs. Triclops carries her everywhere, rarely leaving her with someone else and never leaves her alone; no matter how much Paragus is hounding him to get back to work." "For a Saiyan who lost his Mate, he sure doesn't act like it." Bulma stated sourly.
A knock sounded at the door, rising from his place on her bed Vegeta wrenched the door open, growling, "What?" Nappa shook his head at his charge, "Just thought I'd let you know that there's a strategy meeting happening right now." "That little…" Vegeta hissed under his breath. Turning back to the blue-haired teen, he excused himself, "Sorry, Woman. It seems that I must remind someone of who's the puppet and who is not." "It's ok, go do your Princely stuff. But could one of you tell my parents that I miss them?" Bulma called as Vegeta stalked out of her room.
Since he was the only one left, Nappa bowed his head, "I will tell your parents, my Prince's Mate." "Wait!" The teen shouted as the bald Saiyan began to leave, "You know you can call me Bulma, right?" "Of course, but there are times and places where that is not acceptable. That is when I and others will address you by your title; out of respect, not disrespect, for your place within Vegeta's heart." Nappa replied before he left her alone in her room.
Forcefully slamming the door open, Vegeta stalked into the Command Center where Paragus and Shenron were seated at that weird lighted table. "We can't spare anyone from Region 4." Shenron said to the one-eyed Saiyan beside him. Motioning for Vegeta to sit, Paragus replied, "I don't see what the problem is." "Because you don't look." The Prince huffed as he kicked back and rested his feet on the table, "Most of the warriors stationed in Region 4 grew up there, so they are best suited for fighting in and defending their Region. Plus Kakarot and I have been in contact with a Mr. Popo, an old friend of Kami's who took command of the fight. Black Man said, and I quote, 'These maggots have got the other worthless maggots on the run.' When Kakarot asked where they were running, Black Man chuckled in reply, 'I'll tell you where they're not going to be... Safe.'"
Shenron shook his head at the mention of his old friend, "Oh, Popo. Always so elegant with his words. But without those fighters from 4 it's going to nearly impossible to reach the Capital." "Then send me." Vegeta stated, sounding very bored. "I can't…" Paragus stopped to think for a moment before continuing, "I can't send you to the Capital. Not until we conquer Region 2." Standing, Vegeta crossed his arms, "Sounds like I'm going to 2 then."
The scarred Saiyan replied quickly, "No… I'm afraid I can't do that Prince. Your place is with your Mate while she recovers." "My Mate will recover faster when that lizard is dead." Vegeta growled lowly, leaning towards his puppet with an evil smirk on his face, "You've seen what I can do, Scar Face, I'm worth a whole squad on the battle field. Not to mention that Region 2 is mostly Saiyan. They will either recognize me as Prince of All Saiyans or they will die." Signing, Paragus knew he had no option but to relent, "Very well, my Prince. If you truly wish to go, I cannot stop you." "I know." The Prince whispered as he pushed off the table.
His mind elsewhere at dinner, Vegeta ate slowly which garnered some unwanted attention. "You ok, 'Gete's?" Bardock spoke before the teen could answer, "He's fine Goku. We're shipping out to Region 2 in the morning." "Oh. Does Mom know?" The spiky-haired teen asked the Saiyan warrior. Sighing, the captain nodded, "Yeah… she knows. And she made it pretty clear that she's unhappy about it. But we're Saiyans, war is what I do and my Mate understands that."
Turning to Vegeta, Chi-Chi said, "If you don't come back, so help me I will find your body and eviscerate you. Prince or not." "You picked a good one, Kakarot." Vegeta chuckled lightly, "But I have no intentions of dying. Not when I just got my Mate back." "Good." The young women huffed, smacking Goku's hand as he tried to sneak some of her food off her tray. "Aww, come on Chi—Chi." He whined. "Don't you 'come on Chi—Chi' me! Go steal someone else's food." The raven-haired teen hissed, placing an arm around her tray to protect it from her ravenous Chosen.
Vegeta slid his untouched third tray over, grunting as he stood, "Here. I seem to have lost my appetite." Quickly tucking into the food, Goku mumbled, "Gee, thanks Best Buddy." "Don't mention it." The Prince gripped the other Saiyan's shoulder, hissing in her ear, "To anyone." Swallowing roughly, Goku nodded his understanding, body relaxing in relief when Vegeta let go.
Once they were sure that the Prince was gone, Goku wondered, "Any reason I'm not going with?" "Because," Bardock sighed, "Nappa's coming and that means someone has to stay behind a protect the Prince's Mate. Both you and your brother will be watching her around the clock while we're gone. You may join my sons if you wish Chi-Chi, provided that you won't distract your Chosen." "The only thing that'll distract Goku is food." Chi-Chi grumbled to herself. Bardock chuckled as he stood, a boy-ish smile on his face, "What can I say? He's a Saiyan through and through. Wish us luck tomorrow."
Coal black eyes downcast, the spiky-haired teen mumbled, "I hope he comes back." "Who? Vegeta? Goku, we both know that stuck-up Prince is too proud to die before Freeza." The young woman reminded her betrothed as she started to gather up the empty trays. Shaking his head, Goku gently held her hand to stop her movements, his bubbly voice strained, "Dad. I just got him back…" Chocolate brown eyes held coal black orbs, "Goku, I don't want to hear more nonsense like that. Bardock is a more then capable fighter and I'm sure he doesn't want to miss any more time with you. Your Dad has more reasons to come back then Vegeta does." "That's where your wrong, Cheech. I've seen the way 'Gete's looks at Bulma… and he'll kill whoever he has to, to get back to her." The young Saiyan sighed before he helped clear the table.