20
Somehow the entirety of Region 13 managed to fit into the greenhouse level where all of the fruits and vegetables were grown. Goku stood in front of a dwarf plum tree dressed in a white suit with an orange tie. Ox had survived the fighting in 4 and was able to be flown in for his little girl's big day. Walking the bride down the aisle to the young man who won her heart, the big, burly man was nearly a blubbering mess but he managed to hold it together; barely. Chi-Chi was dressed in a her mother's wedding gown; white with pink apple blossoms around the bottom of the bodice, the hem brushing the floor as she walked, and she had a ring of plum blossoms in her raven hair.
When his soon-to-be Mate and her father reached the front of the people, Goku stepped forward, gently taking Chi-Chi's hand and leading her the rest of the way to where he stood before. Holding hands as they faced each other, Goku began to recite the Declaration Bardock had drilled into his brain, "I, Goku Son, take you, Chi-Chi Mao, to be my Mate. Now and forever, protecting you, providing for you and our offspring. And I promise, whether in this life or the next, I'll only have eyes for you."
A wet smile graced Chi-Chi's beautiful face but her voice was strong as she repeated the lines Gine had taught her, "I, Chi-Chi Mao, accept you, Goku Son, as my Mate. Now and forever, nursing your wounds, tending to you and the offspring you will give me. And I promise, if you die and I live, I will never love another like I love you." Turning to face the crowd, the Mates raised their interlocked right and left hands before thumping their free hand against their chest and raising the fist above their head in the Saiyan salute; pledging themselves and their family to their Prince.
Most people clapped while the Saiyans chanted, "A'oo! A'oo! A'oo!" But Vegeta stayed silent as he struggled to hide his heartbreak and longing from Bulma, Just a little while longer… I can hold on for a little while longer… The chairs were hurriedly pushed to the edge of the vast room as the small string band geared up to play. "I'm surprised they managed to find instruments for them." Vegeta chuckled as the Four-Quarter-String band from 12 struck up an old Saiyan Mating Feast song.
Everyone danced and ate and danced some more. Using the excuse of eating to keep from being dragged into the fray, Vegeta stayed in the background, stomping his feet in time to the beat. "Are you really going miss the chance of showing off your dance skills to Freeza?" A bored voice asked. Not missing a beat, the Prince shot back, "I could ask you the same question. Where's your date?" Eighteen pointed over to a group of children, "Krillin's teaching the kids how to dance and he's failing miserably. I was actually on my way to rescue him when I saw something I thought you might want to know." Nodding her head towards the far side of the dance floor, Vegeta saw Bulma talking with Yamcha.
Seeing red for a brief second, Vegeta forced himself to calm down, "You better go save Shorty before one of those girls makes a move on him." "Just don't kill the kid." The blond called over her shoulder. Quickly setting his plate down on the edge of a raised bed, the teen made his way over to his blue-haired Mate. Sorry Kakarot, I was going to save this 'til after the Toast to cover your escape…
"What are you doing here, Weakling?" Vegeta growled, his arms settling possessively around Bulma's waist. Wisely stepping back, Yamcha raised his hands in surrender, "It's a wedding, Vegeta. And Bulma found me, not the other way around." "Relax Vegeta, Yamcha's a friend and nothing more." Bulma sighed, rolling her blue eyes at how smothering her Mate could be at times. Whispering in her ear, Vegeta's deep, gravelly voice dripped with seduction, "Can to join me for a dance, my Queen?" Clear blue eyes gazed over her shoulder, her voice hot and breathy, "Of course, my King."
Bulma let him guide her out into the middle of the dance circle, noticing his slight nod to the band as they walked. Pulling out a short length of rope, Vegeta quickly tied it into a loop before draping it over her left wrist. Just as the band struck the first note, he slipped the rope over his right wrist and twisted so each hand had its own loop. Follow my lead. 'Always…'
Taking her bound hand in his, the Saiyan Prince began to lead his Mate in a rather fast-paced dance. Hands and feet crisscrossed too many times to count and Bulma found herself watching her feet, making sure she didn't step on Vegeta's toes. Eyes on me, Woman. Vegeta gently instructed through the Bond, a rumbling purr escaping him as clear blue eyes instantly snapped up to meet his inky black pools. Just relax, let the music guide your steps.
And she did. Staring into Vegeta's eyes, Bulma felt herself get lost in those black depths. Finally allowing the music to pull her along, the blue-haired teen found herself smiling and laughing like a child as she pulled her unbound hand away and hopped side to side. When Vegeta mirrored her, Bulma understood that it was her time to lead their dance. Making up whatever random dance move she could, the teen's giddiness grew as her Mate copied it exactly; no matter how stupid or ridiculous it was.
Put your mouth where my Mark will be. Vegeta tried to watch Bulma as she spin around him. 'When?' You'll know. Suddenly taking back control, the Prince used their bound wrists to pull his Mate to him. The last notes began to rise and fall from the violins as Vegeta bent his head and smoothed his mouth over Bulma's Mark beneath her dress. Don't bite. His growled as he felt her mouth on his shoulder. 'You take all… …the fun out…' I'm leaving tomorrow, remember? I'd rather leave you with an option to live a life then to be Bound to a dead man should I fail.
Running his nose up her pale, milky neck, he nuzzled her ear and whispered, "You did well. Most Saiyans have a difficult time staying upright." "What song was that?" Bulma asked, breathless from the dance. Vegeta chuckled as he led his exhausted Mate off the dance floor and towards the newly Mated pair, "It's 'The King's Song'. It's only played at the Mating Feast of the King and Queen of All Saiyans. I requested that it be played since we never got to dance to it before we Mated."
Goku slung an arm around Vegeta when he got close enough, laughing, "Man, that was some nice dancing 'Gete's. You'll have to teach me that at some point." "I will never teach a low-class warrior that dance. My heirs? Yes. You? No." Vegeta snarled quietly. 'You didn't know… …what you were… …doing, did you?' I remembered what my Dad taught me, which wasn't much. He died before we got too far into the song. Sorrow and pity rolled across the Bond, 'I'm sorry…' It's fine, Bulma. Just keep your pity to yourself. I've gotten over it.
"Umm? Are you guys ok?" Chi-Chi wondered, drawing the teens out of their thoughts. Bulma waved a hand, "We're fine. Just got lost in conversation is all." At the raven-haired woman's worried look, Vegeta rolled his onyx eyes, "Did Kakarot's mother not explain the Bond to you?" "She did." Chi-Chi huffed, her fists resting on her hips, "I'm just not sure about the whole thing…" "Aww, come on Chi—Chi, it'll be fine! It's not like we'll be in each other's head, we'll just be talking; like on the phone." Goku explained, pressing his nose into her cheek. That seemed to convince her, "Oh, alright Goku."
Subtly arching an eyebrow, the spiky-haired Saiyan held an impatient gleam of hope in his coal back eyes. "I take it's time for the toast?" Vegeta sighed. Kakarot's hopeless… Passing him a glass of ice tea, sweetened with honey, the newly Mated teen whispered, "Please? Before she changes her mind." "Fine." The Prince hissed back, clearing his throat to gather everyone's attention.
Taking their que, the band slowly faded out as the crowd turned and focused their attention on the flame-haired teen, who hopped up on a raised bed so he could be heard easier. Vegeta raised his glass, making sure to project his voice for all to hear, "To the new Mates!" The crowd raised their glasses with the teen as he continued, "Kakarot, may your strength grow with each year as your Mate leans on you for protection. May your offspring be stronger then you and each generation be stronger then the last. And lastly, may your offspring never know the burden of growing up under an oppressive and murderous regime. Naganen no jinsei to ai!"
"Naganen no jinsei to ai!" The Saiyans in the crowd repeated, lifting their glasses higher before drinking from them as Vegeta did. Stepping down, Vegeta passed his glass off as Bulma asked, "What was the last thing you said? I didn't understand it." "It was Saiyan for 'Many years of life and love.' All Toasts end with it." The Prince answered, taking her hand in his and leading her back to the dance floor.
Thankfully the band was playing a slower tune as Vegeta brought Bulma back to the middle of the dance floor. Swaying back and forth to the music, Bulma wondered within her mind, 'Why are we… …here again?' Hurt flashed between the teens for a second before Vegeta hid it, Do you wish to stop? 'No! It's just… …I thought you… …hated dancing…'
Bulma smiled at the warm feeling of Vegeta's rich laugher echoing between her ears. Quite the opposite actually. I'm rather fond of dancing… as long as I have the right partner, of course. Besides, someone has to cover Kakarot and his Mate's escape and that duty usually falls to whoever gave the Toast. I was going to save our dance earlier until after the Toast but… 'You felt like… …you had to… …show off to… …Yamcha…' Not just the Weakling. Vegeta snorted, too proud to admit that his Mate was right, Many of my people don't think that you are good enough to be their Queen; the fact that you managed to not fall proved them wrong. There hasn't been a Saiyan Queen yet who has fallen during 'The King's Song', no matter how many times the tempo shifts.
Clear blue eyes stared into inky black orbs as heat and desire roared across the Bond. Forgetting the rules of Royalty that Nappa had drilled into him, Vegeta yielded to his Mate's cry and captured her soft, strawberry lips with his own. The teens couldn't get close enough, even as their bodies meshed and molded against each other. A wanton moan slipped out of Bulma as Vegeta's lips left her mouth, trailing down her neck.
Glancing up, Vegeta locked eyes with Bardock who gave a slight nod. Vegeta retraced his path to her ear, rumbling softly, "Thanks for the help Woman." Those clear blue eyes turned cold as he pulled back, her voice too quiet to be considered safe, "You don't get to kiss me like that just to leave me hanging. Prince or not, you pay the price." Shamelessly pulling him down to her level by the back of his neck, the blue-haired teen latched onto a spot behind his ear and sucked hard for a solid minute. 'If I can't… …Mark you as… …my Mate then… …you'll just have… …to wear this… …mark. And I'll… …renew this one… …every week until… …I'm allowed to… …properly Mark you… …as mine.'
"What are you doing, Woman?" Vegeta snarled, but did not jerk away lest he hurt his Mate. A wet 'pop' sounded as Bulma stopped to admire her work. Satisfied, she released her hold on him, an innocent smile in place as she giggled, "What? All I did was give you a hickey, Veggie." Growling, Vegeta threaded a hand in her blue hair, lightly tugging her head back, forcing her to bare her throat, "Never mark me without my permission, Woman. Mate listens to me, not other way around. My Woman, my Mate, my Bulma…"
Lightly biting her exposed throat with just enough power to leave indentions without drawing blood, the Saiyan Prince focused on sucking a mark like the one she had given him. After a couple of minutes, Vegeta pulled back to study his work. Purring contently at the dark red circle on her milky skin, the teen released his feisty Mate. He smirked at her dazed look before hefting her up on his shoulder and stalked off the dance floor to find Nappa or the Briefs.
Upon locating the three adults together with Bardock and Gine, the flame-haired teen let his Mate slide down to the floor, "Nappa, if it is ok with the Briefs, you'll sleep there." "And if it's not?" Dr. Briefs queried, a bushy gray eyebrow raised behind his glasses. "That he'll just have to find somewhere else to stay." Vegeta snapped, "This is the only night I'll have to spend with my Mate for some time and I wish to be left alone." Bowing his head slightly, the bald Saiyan said, "I understand, my Prince. But should I hear anything uncouth or unbecoming of your title, I will intervene." A sharp glare made the mountain of a Saiyan swallow uneasily as the teen threatened, "Do so and risk your ears." Confident that they would not be disturbed tonight, Vegeta led Bulma through the crowds towards the elevator.
Panchy turned to Nappa, "What's going to happen to my baby girl tonight?" "Nothing." Nappa grumbled, adding, "Vegeta simply wishes to be close to his Mate. He probably has some things he needs to explain to Bulma." "But why couldn't they do that with you there?" Hank questioned, not understanding really anything that's been happening. Chuckling at the gray-haired inventor's cluelessness, Bardock shook his head, "Even though their Bond is stronger than normal, it is still difficult for them to communicate with it. My Mate and I are able to talk easily with it because it was the only we could talk for years." "Bulma will be fine." Gina reassured the couple as the tiny group watched Tienshinhan and Eighteen spin around on the dance floor with their diminutive partners in their arms.