40
The greenhouse was nice and warm, it had to be for all of Freeza's roses. I'm going to take out every single bush that doesn't have blue flowers. Hmm, maybe the Woman's mother could make use of this place… She was always planting things back home. Vegeta mused as he followed Nappa farther in; not noticing that the rose bush near the door was missing several flowers.
It wasn't until the fountain where he'd had his last conversation with Freeza came into view that the teen noticed a handful of people. Ones that he called friends. Stopping in his tracks, Vegeta roughly jerked Nappa around to face him, growling, "What is going on here? Answer me!" "It's your Pre-Mating Ceremony, Vegeta." Nappa replied calmly, unable to hide it anymore as his voice dropped to a whisper, "I know you promised Bulma that you would become full-Mates tonight. There hasn't been a Saiyan King yet who hasn't had a Pre-Mating Ceremony and you aren't about to start now. So get up there, cause its happening. I've spent too much time planning this to let it all go to waste because of your stubbornness."
Floored by his usually gruff and reserved guardian, Vegeta breathed out softly, "You did this… for me?" "Of course I did, Vegeta. You're not just my King, you're my friend. I've been planning this since we rescued her from Freeza." The older Saiyan grinned, resting a hand on his charge's back to push him forwards, "Now get up there, your Mate has waited long enough."
A foolish grin appeared on Vegeta's handsome face as he walked up the short aisle to his place in front of the fountain. Turning to face the small crowd, the flame-haired teen saw Goku and his Mate smiling brightly at him, behind them sat Bardock, Gine, Raditz, and Turles; all of which were ecstatic for their new King even if the two unMated males weren't showing it. Behind the Saiyan family sat a surprisingly sober Piccolo, Krillin was in his bedazzled gaudy orange jacket next to an obviously ticked off and embarrassed Eighteen. While Chiaotuz was as giddy as a schoolgirl from her spot on Tienshinhan's shoulders so she could actually see the ceremony.
On the other side of the aisle, Nail sat beside two empty seats with a small upturn of his lips; so small that unless you knew him well, you never would've known he was smiling. Roshi was next to the Namekian, without his red sunglasses, and beside him was Shenron. And behind them was the rag-tag film crew; Polunga, Oolong, Puur, and Larry.
As Nappa escorted Panchy Briefs to her seat Vegeta remembered something his Father had told him long ago. 'Now, Vegeta, when you find your Chosen and your Mating Day comes… You'll be the one to escort your Mother to her seat while I escort your Chosen's mother to her's; if we're both still alive anyway.' 'Of course, you'll both be alive!' That's what I said to you at the time, Dad. Little did I know how wrong I'd be… 'I'm not planning on dying anytime soon and neither is your Mother, but I need to tell you this just in case. If I'm not there the one you choose to give the Toast will escort your Chosen's mother and if your Mother isn't there… You'll have to walk alone.'
Tears began to well-up in Vegeta's onyx eyes at the memory, I can't cry… Not now! Blinking back the wetness that threatened to fall, he watched Nappa take his seat next to Goku… With two empty chairs beside him. Wait a minute… did Nappa really find pictures of Mom and Dad? I thought they'd all been destroyed… Soft clicking drew his glistening eyes up from his parents' seats. An inaudible gasp escaped the Saiyan as he stared at his Mate walking towards him.
Bulma was dressed in white from the top of her head to her feet. She wore a simple dress, nothing like what she'd been forced to wear for her Interview. It shimmered with each step, the six-foot-long train of fabric making no sound over the clicking of her high heels, while her pale, milky shoulders were covered by a net-like mesh. More white mesh was draped over her shoulders from where it attached to her hair beneath her circlet. If he'd thought Nail had done a good job on his Woman's hair before, Vegeta was beyond impressed now. No intricate braids today, only soft curls that bounced lightly with every step and only the barest touch of makeup. Bulma had no one to impress, everyone here had seen her at her worst in the thick of battle; so instead of looking like someone she's not, the blue-haired teen presented herself to her Mate as she was. As he had always seen her.
When Bulma and her father stopped at the end of the aisle, Vegeta stepped forward to take his Mate from her father. Once his part was done, Dr. Briefs quickly sat beside his wife. Leading her to where he had been standing, Vegeta couldn't help the rumbling purr in his chest that echoed across the Bond. Mine. Bulma laid her bouquet of blue roses on the edge of the fountain as she and the flame-haired teen turned to face each other and joined hands.
His deep, gravelly voice spoke first, as was tradition, "I, Vegeta, King of All Saiyans; take you, Bulma Briefs, as my Mate. Now and forever, protecting you, providing for you and our offspring. I promise you, Woman; there will never be another Queen at my side for as long as I live." A sweet smile graced her strawberry lips, clear blue eyes stared into inky black pools as she began to intone the Declaration Gine had taught her, "I, Bulma Briefs, take you, Vegeta, King of All Saiyans; to be my Mate. Now and forever, nursing your wounds, tending to you and the offspring you will give me. I promise that no other, king or otherwise, will ever hold my heart because it is no longer mine but yours, my King."
Turning to face the small group while still holding hands, the Mates thumped their free hands against their chest, raising them above their heads and opened their palms in the Saiyan Salute; pledging themselves and their future family to their people. Everyone clapped while the Saiyans, save Goku, began chanting as they pumped a fist into the air, "A'oo! A'oo! A'oo!"
Finally! You're all mine now, Woman. 'I don't want… …to wait either… But not yet… …Nappa's gotta make… …the Toast first.' Fine. Vegeta made sure to not let a scowl appear, but it was hard as he and Bulma walked back up the short aisle. "Food's this way," Bulma said, dragging her Mate behind her easily. Whispering as he stared wide-eyed at the food tables filled to the brim, Vegeta wondered, "How did those even fit in here?"
"I had Bardock and Raditz get rid of the purple rose bushes that were in here." Nappa chuckled at his King's opened mouth, "I made sure there was plenty of food because my King is not only Mating tonight, he was crowned this morning." "Let the feast begin!" Vegeta declared with hunger in his eyes but it was not a hunger for food, oh no; it was a far more primal hunger. But he played his part well, the teen had learned how to act over the past few years. The only one who truly knew what was on his mind was his blue-haired Mate.
After most everyone had eaten their fill, Bardock's family did something strange. The oldest spiky-haired Saiyan picked up two spoons while his younger brother pulled out a wooden box as the oldest of his sons held an odd wooden triangle with strings on it against his chest while holding something that looked kind of like a bow. "I know we're not much, my King, but we would be honored to play 'The King's Song' for you and your Mate." Raditz stated, hopeful but unsure considering how long the flame-haired Saiyan has waited for this night.
Nodding his consent, Vegeta took his Mate in his arms and led her to the center of their feasting space, which was just large enough for one couple to dance. Quickly picking up her train, Bulma brought it up and slung it over her left shoulder to keep from tripping on it. Nappa handed his charge a short length of crimson ribbon already tied into a loop. Draping the ribbon over their hands, Vegeta twisted his right hand so they each had their own loop.
Turles kept the beat with the box he was sitting on while Bardock used his spoons to set the rhythm as Raditz played the music on his strange instrument. This time both teens knew what they were doing as the young King began to lead his Mate. Remember, eyes on me. He whispered through the Bond as they kept pace with the rhythm, hands and feet crossing and uncrossing. Clear blue eyes gazed lovingly into inky black depths as Bulma waited for the right moment to take the lead.
At Vegeta's smirk, she knew it was her turn and she took it. Pulling her unbound hand free, the blue-haired teen couldn't help but giggle as she began to spin and twirl around her Mate. Vegeta had no choice but to follow her lead, no matter how ridiculous or childish her moves seemed. Eventually, he found himself laughing along with her; a deep, rumbling laughter that brought smiles to everyone in attendance.
Roughly pulling his Mate back to him with the ribbon as Raditz played the final notes, Vegeta smoothed his mouth over the Mark he'd made at the junction of her neck and right shoulder in a cave so long ago. Prompting Bulma to do the same, he growled, No biting. Save that for later. 'You're no fun…' Bulma pouted as her mouth found the junction of his neck and right shoulder. As everyone clapped, Vegeta ran his nose up her neck, panting in her ear, "You did marvelously, Woman. Even better than last time." "I could say the same to you," Bulma whispered back.
Clearing his throat, Nappa's gravelly voice rumbled across the feasting area. Once he was sure that he had everyone's attention, the bald Saiyan raised his mug of wassail as he spoke, "To the Mates!" Gine and Chi-Chi handed the two teens a mug of their own as the others raised their mugs. "Vegeta, my King, may there be no better King or President than you. May you always have the strength to fight, the cunning to outwit your opponents, and the wisdom to lead our people well. Above all else, my King, may your offspring be fierce, yet kind; intelligent, yet brave; and may they never know of war. Naganen no jinsei to ai!"
"Naganen no jinsei to ai!" The Saiyans repeated as everyone but the two Mates thrust their mugs into the air before drinking. Wait. Vegeta ordered before Bulma could lift the mug into the air. 'What?' Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he moved to loop their arms together so that they were interlocked, but drinking from their own mug. Now we drink. He purred, staring deeply into those clear blue pools as he lifted the warm cider to his lips.
Bulma held his intense gaze as she drank, wondering, 'Didn't we do… …this at the… …New Year's Festival?' Yes… What you and no one but us Saiyans knew was that this gesture is reserved solely for the Royal Family to use for three reasons. One, to announce their Chosen at the first Feast after they accepted the gift. 'That's why you… …did it for… …the Festival, right?' Indeed. Secondly, it is used as a gesture of peace since only comrades and allies ever lock arms. 'So even at… …the Festival, you… …were trying to… …stop the Revolution…' I had been sneaking in subtle messages the whole time we were on that blasted Journey. The New Year's Festival was my last chance. 'What's the third… …reason?' To show that I trust and respect you as an equal and a warrior… In your own rights, anyway.
With nearly everything done, Vegeta was more than ready to get out of there and finally Mate and Bond with his Woman. But before he could move, Bulma's mother walked up with a bouquet of blue roses, "Here, dear. Can't forget to toss the bouquet." "Of course not, Momma." Bulma smiled gently, taking the flowers from the blond woman. Turning her back to the four unmarried ladies, she threw the bundle of roses over her head. As everyone watched to see who would come out with the flowers, Vegeta saw his opportunity. Picking his Mate up and whisking her away in the blink of an eye, the impatient Saiyan fled towards the safety and privacy of his room.
Eighteen had a triumphant smirk as she stood with the bouquet in hand, her clothes a little out of sorts but not bad. A Saiyan whose spiky-hair was held back by a blood-red band stood beside his bald comrade, crossing his arms, "I'm surprised he hadn't left sooner." Nappa chuckled at his captain's words, "Oh, trust me, Bardock. If it wasn't for Bulma throwing her flowers, Vegeta would've taken off with her with or without a distraction. Our Queen's mother wished to keep a Capital tradition and I figured that it would suffice to cover their escape."
