18

'Vegeta… Vegeta… Vegeta… Wake up!' Jolting awake, the flame-haired teen glanced around at the familiar walls of the hospital. Bulma? 'Who else… …would it… …be?' True… Abruptly his curtain was jerked aside, icy blue eyes glared at the Saiyan as the woman moved closer to his bed. "I bet Baldy's glad to be the only bald one in your relationship." Vegeta snarked, hissing in pain as Eighteen sat down, causing him to shift. The blond woman shot back, "You're just upset because if you shaved your head it wouldn't grow back."

Struggling to get comfortable again, Vegeta hissed, "Why are you here?" "'Cause I'm hiding from that idiot shrink who won't let me leave." "But why are you here?" The Prince repeated, giving up on being comfortable until his visitor leaves. Eighteen stared at him for a few minutes before answering, "Goku sent me to check on you. No one's telling him or Bulma anything. Personally, I don't think your guardian knows anything. And they aren't letting anybody see you either."

Probably because I ordered Turles to attack that night. Vegeta scowled, "As you can see, I'm fine. You can leave now." "Not yet." The former Winner hissed, peaking around the curtain, "He's still looking for me. Besides, you haven't even told me how your injuries are. We all saw you get shot." Images of that night flashed back to him, shaking his head to clear it, Vegeta growled, "I let my guard down, but Selypa did her job well. The bullet missed my armor, thankfully the suit's bulletproof. In the end all it did was bruise a lung and some ribs. Tell the Woman I'll visit as soon as I can stand."

Tucking a short strand of stray hair behind her ear, Eighteen nodded, "Looks like the coast is clear. I'm going to update the others." She paused for a moment, speaking over her shoulder, "You worried her, you know. We all heard her scream when you were shot." And then the blond Winner was gone, leaving Vegeta to his thoughts.

How long have I been out, Woman? 'Twelve hours… …I think…' So not that long, good. Blondie said you screamed when I was shot. 'Yeah, it… …surprised and… …scared me… …the pain… …did…' You… You felt me get shot? 'Yeah, not… …as bad… …as you… More like… …when we'd… …spar and… …you'd hit… …my ribs.' This is new. I'll have to ask Bardock if he knows anything about this in not-full-Mates. 'Nappa's here… …should I… …ask him?' No. You can tell him I want to see him though. 'Ok…'

Vegeta waited what felt like forever for Bulma to get back to him. 'He said… …he's tried… …they won't… …let him.' Give me a couple more hours and I should be healed enough to move on my own. 'Eighteen's back…' The silence was killing him but he knew better then to try and move before he was healed enough. Dende and Nappa had taught him that.

Roughly five hours later, the teen slid his feet to the ground and pushed himself off the bed. Still hurts but I've handled worse. Annoyed at how slow he had to move, Vegeta actually avoided the hospital staff quite well. Until a certain brown haired nurse spotted him, "Prince Vegeta? What are you doing out of bed?" "What does it look like I'm doing?" Vegeta hissed, but he kept moving as he answered his own question, "I'm going to visit my Mate." "I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Prince. Bulma was very agitated after you were shot. We felt it was best if neither of you received visitors for a while." Her voice was soft, almost sweet like honey. I hate that tone of hers. Vegeta kept his thoughts to himself as he picked up his pace. Running was out of the question, speed-walking was causing his side to feel like it was on fire but Vegeta was the most stubborn of Saiyans.

At the last corner he heard a voice behind him say, "There he is!" Shoot! Running it is. The pain in his side flared, only making him move faster. Bursting through the door, Vegeta saw Nappa, Goku, and Bardock stand up but all the teen was focused on was the blue-haired Woman sitting on the bed. Vegeta growled at Bardock as he passed, waving his hand towards the door, "Send them away. I'm not going anywhere." The Saiyan warrior stepped outside to address the four men who had been chasing his wounded Prince as Vegeta flumped face-down on the bed.

"Why is Kakarot here?" Vegeta's voice was muffled by the mattress. "Me and Chi-Chi are getting married in week so Dad and Nappa were telling me about Mating and how that works." Goku answered, the grin in his voice obvious. Fighting to keep a straight face as he pushed himself up, the flame-haired teen grumbled, "And what's my Woman have to do with your Mating, Kakarot?" Gently pulling the surly teen onto the bed, Bulma announced, "I'm decorating the cake."

Bulma's warbling laugher washed over Vegeta like a soothing summer rain, "Don't worry Vegeta, my Mom and Ol'Margie are baking it." "Looks like I'll have to keep you out of the kitchen while they work." Vegeta smirked playfully as he settled back against the mattress. "I'm not that bad!" She gasped indignantly. "Woman, you are worse than the Old Man when it comes to cooking." The Prince chuckled, despite the pain.

Sounds of a scuffle outside caught everyone's attention. The imposing mountain of a Saiyan stood and walked to the door. Opening it, the three teens saw Bardock fighting with the men who had been chasing Vegeta. Far quieter then he should've been, Nappa snuck up behind two of them and smacked their head together. "What's going on here?" A familiar voice drawled as a blond man came into sight, "Well? Is someone going to answer me or not?"

The man Bardock had pinned to the wall spoke up, "We were ordered to bring Prince Vegeta back to his room." The Namekain crossed his arms, "And who ordered you to do that?" "His doctor." "Funny… I don't remember ordering anybody to chase Vegeta down." Dende smirked as the color drained from the two conscious men. Waving his hands, the healer instructed, "Let 'em go. But if I hear anything about Vegeta or Bulma being separated, I'll personally dissect your bodies. Am I clear?" "Yes sir." "Good. Now get out of here and take your friends with you." The blond man ordered as he stepped over the unconscious men and into Bulma's room.

Apologizing as he put on gloves, Dende said, "Sorry Veggie, I was just getting off my shift when you were brought in but I made sure to write orders that you were to be with Bulma. I don't know why they separated you two. It's proven that Mates heal faster and better when near each other." Vegeta scoffed, moving his paper shirt so Dende could see the wound, "Tch. I ticked Paragus off by ordering the bombers to attack that night instead of the next morning. That's why they haven't let anyone see me or tell anyone how I am."

"Well, no one messes with the White Mage or his patients." Dende scowled, gently prodding Vegeta's bruised side. Hissing at the pain the light touches was causing, the teen ground out, "I just need to remind Scar Face of who's really in charge." Finally done, the healer sighed, "You're in no shape to do anything. I'm surprised you made it here, to be honest with you. As your doctor and friend, I'm ordering you to stay in bed for two more days; with no strenuous activities. After that, you should be as good as new." "I'll try, Magic Man." Vegeta rolled his coal black eyes at the smart-aleck Namekain. "I'd expect nothing less." Dende said as he left.

Staring at the door, the spiky-haired teen couldn't help but ask, "Why'd you fight them, Dad?" "Because they wouldn't take no for an answer." Bardock growled, slumping back into his chair. Nappa sighed, running a hand down his face, "If we'd known that this would happen, I wouldn't've let you change the orders." "I changed the orders because of the mortars they fired every morning. If even one bomber got hit, the plan wouldn't have worked. Ticking my puppet off was just a bonus." Vegeta snapped.

"It would've been nice to have been let in on that piece of information." Nappa growled back. Bulma raised her hands, "Whoa, let's just calm down. 'Cause the last thing I need to be around is a bunch of angry, fighting Saiyans." Switching topics, Vegeta turned to Bardock, "You told me that Mates share each other's pain. But Bulma felt mine when I got shot, how is that possible?" "I don't know, my Prince. You're a special case in every sense of the word since you became the Legendary." The scarred Saiyan warrior sighed.

Coal black eyes narrowed at the disheveled mess of spiky black hair, the Prince hissed, "But I'm not the only one; am I, Kakarot?" Lowering his eyes, Goku shook his head, "No." Forcefully raising Goku's head, Vegeta instructed coolly, "Never, ever take your eyes off of me when you're speaking to me. To do so is a sign of weakness; and Saiyans don't show weakness." Satisfied that he got the message across, the Saiyan Prince released him, "When and how?" Goku shrugged but held his gaze, "The night of the rescue, while I was filming. I don't know how, I was just so angry at Freezer, at everything, that it just kinda happened. I tried to hide it but I didn't do a good job."

Contemplating this new information, Vegeta mused, "If a low-class clown like you can achieve the Legendary then all other Saiyans probably can too; if placed in the right situations. But why hasn't it happened before?" "Because your ancestors were always in the middle of the biggest, bloodiest battles. It was either transform or die." Nappa replied.

"That still doesn't answer the question of why I felt Vegeta get shot." Bulma huffed. Humming in thought, Bardock spoke up, "Gine thinks it may have to do with the sequence of events. When did you Mark her, Prince?" "In the Cave, during our first Game." "While I was pouring the MoonWater on your leg." The blue-haired teen added, unsure of how much context was needed.

The room was quiet while Bardock relayed their answer to his Mate. "Ok," Bardock's voice startled the teens, "so you Marked Bulma while under duress. And seeing the bodies in 12 triggered your transformation. It seems like high emotions is the reason behind it. You were watching the footage?" Bulma nodded, "Yeah, I saw him have a gun held to his throat and then the guy gave up. Then Vegeta started talking and got shot." "You both went on an emotional roller-coaster and it must have caused you to link up more than normal." The Saiyan warrior stated, continuing, "You two may be the first not-full-Mates to achieve a level of unity that normally takes a lifetime to reach."

Wondering what his father was talking about, Goku spoke up, "Is this that Bond thing you were telling me about? Me and Chi-Chi are going to hear each other's thoughts and stuff?" A slight smile on his scared face, the Saiyan warrior explained, "Yes son, but it's more than that. The Bond developed because of our warring nature; to help us understand our Mates and know when they've been hurt, even when separated on the battlefield. It's a blessing but there are times when it can be a curse as well." "Like when Mom and Bulma got hurt." Goku frowned, his bubbly voice small and child-like. Bardock nodded in confirmation.

"But when am I supposed to Mark Chi-Chi? And how?" The teen asked, confused by all this new stuff he was supposed to already know. "Traditionally, one Marks their Mate on their Mating night. At the height of pleasure for you both, you and Chi-Chi will bite each other at the junction of your neck and shoulder; make sure it's hard enough to draw blood. The Bond won't take until you do." Bardock spoke quickly, trying to get it over with, "If you want to know more than that, go ask your Mother." Cocking his head to the side, Goku wondered, "Is that what you and Mom did?"

Vegeta cackled on the inside as Bardock's cheeks took on a red tinge as the older Saiyan answered, "Yes, Goku. That's what we did. Just without the big pre-Mating ceremony because Freeza didn't like his Freeza Force to be tied down. Personally, I think he's afraid of the silent communication that happens because of the Bond." "Pre-Mating ceremony? What's that?" Bulma inquired, snuggling into Vegeta's non-injured side.

Sliding an arm around his Mate, Vegeta stated, "It's like a wedding ceremony with some slight differences. The soon-to-be Mates stand before a gathering of people, how large or small depends on the female, and they declare themselves as Mates before the group. Sometimes the soon-to-be Mates will make their own promises know to the crowd to help them be held accountable; however, there is always a promise that is reserved for their Mate's ears alone, to be declared after both are Marked." "Chi-Chi said that there would be food." Goku pouted since he hadn't heard anything remotely about food yet.

The Saiyan Prince chuckled softly, "I was getting to that, Kakarot. After the Declaration, a fest is held in celebration of the new Mates with either the male's father or closest comrade wishing them healthy offspring. It's tradition that the new Mates sneak off to their Mating Nest after the toast. And it's expected that both show off their Marks the next day." Yawning, Bulma asked, "Hoooww would they do that?" "The female would cut her clothes to reveal her Mark while the male would often go without a shirt or armor." Vegeta answered, his eyelids feeling heavy themselves.

Nearly asking another question, Bardock cut his youngest son off, "Not now, Goku. Come on, let's let them sleep. It's time I visited my Mate anyway." Nappa rumbled quietly at the confused, panicked look on Goku face, "Don't worry, I'll be staying with them should anyone try such an underhanded move again. Say hi to Gine for me." "Will do Nappa. I'll keep my radio on if you need me." The Saiyan warrior said as him and his youngest doppelganger left the room. Settling in for another long night in a chair, the bald guardian smiled at the sleeping teens as he planned out his Mating Feast Toast.