Chapter 7: Seeing Red

The week flew by rather quickly for Bulma. She didn't even realize it was already Saturday. She was just going through the motions of waking up and heading out at this point. She was numb. All of the encounters with Vegeta had completely drained her. But she got up anyways and got into the shower. As she lathered herself up, realization dawned on her. Crap. I have to see that brute again today for training. Bulma wasn't sure if their regular scheduled training session was even happening, but she got ready anyways and made her way to the gym. She wasn't one to run away when things got hard. And she had signed up for these classes, so she was determined to follow through.

When Bulma arrived at the gym - precisely on time - she saw Vegeta standing by the punching bags next to the sparring ring. He looks pissed, Bulma thought. She couldn't say she was surprised by his apparent mood. She was still angry with him. But she didn't really have it in her right now to fight with him, so she told herself that she wouldn't argue with him today. And she'd pretend that nothing happened between them this week. Let's get this over with. She walked forward to meet up with Vegeta.

"I'm surprised you actually showed. And on time, no less." He said snarkily.

"Look, I don't have it in me today to argue with you. Can we just get through this session with as minimal talking as possible?"

"Fine by me. Today is strength training. Here." He threw a jump rope at her. Bulma barely caught it.

"Hey! Warn me next time, wouldya."

"Not my fault you can't catch, woman. Now go jump some rope until I tell you to stop."

Bulma was boiling mad. Who the hell does he think he is?!

Vegeta raised an eyebrow at her. "You gonna stand there staring at me all day or are you gonna go jump some rope?" he snarled.

"Ugh!" Bulma stomped off to the corner and began to jump rope. She hadn't done it in years and it took her a bit to get the hang of it. Vegeta had to try not to smile at her awkwardness. He refused to find the woman endearing today.

Vegeta walked over to the other side of the gym to get a medicine ball where he was confronted by Tien Shinhan, a tall bald guy he knew from his Kinesiology classes. "Who's the dime piece you have over there, Ouji? I remember you two together last week too." He was glancing at Bulma salaciously.

Vegeta bristled. "She's no one. Just someone I'm training for my practicum."

"Just training huh," he said with a smirk. Vegeta wanted to punch him in the face. "That mean you won't mind if I put the moves on her?" Vegeta spun around and grabbed Tien by the front of his shirt. Tien put his arms up in surrender. "Hey man, we're cool. She's all yours."

"Who's all his?" a feminine voice called from beside the two men. They both turned their heads to see Bulma standing there with the jump rope in hand. She wore a confused look that seemed to slowly be growing more into one of anger. She turned a cold glare Vegeta's way. "Were you referring to me?"

Vegeta dropped his hand from Tien's shirt. "Forget it, woman."

Bulma was beyond furious now. "Like hell! I'm not your property or a prize for you two dickweeds to fight over!"

"Whoa-ho. You gotta feisty one there, Ouji. I'm surprised you can handle her, with your temper," Tien snickered. His snickering was cut short though when Bulma brought up her leg and kneed him in the balls. He doubled over in pain. "Fucking bitch!" Bulma was about to go after him some more, but Vegeta grabbed her around the waist and pulled her away.

"Get your hands off me!" She yelled. She maneuvered her way out of Vegeta's arms. He held up his hands in his own surrender.

"Woman, calm down."

"You really think telling me to calm down right now is going to get me to fucking calm down?! Fuck you, you jackass! I'm out of here." She turned to get her bag, but Vegeta jumped in front of her. "Get out of my way!"

"No," he said defiantly, his arms crossed.

"Excuse me?"

"No. We have training to do. Now get your damn panties out of a wad and go keep jumping rope, because, if I remember correctly, I never told you you could stop."

"Who the hell do you think you are, huh," Bulma said in a calm voice, her own arms crossed now. "You think you're intimidating? You think you're bad? You're just a short, little man who fights away your feelings because you're too fucking afraid to feel anything. And for that, I pity you."

Vegeta got up in Bulma's face. "Listen here, woman," he said threateningly. "You don't pretend to know me. You stand up there on your little pedestal that your daddy bought you and think everyone is inferior to you. But get this through your incredibly thick skull; you know nothing about me. So don't pretend you do. You got that?" he growled. Before he could even comprehend what happened, Vegeta was on the floor clutching his own jewels.

Bulma lent over Vegeta's crouched form. "You ever threaten me again, you'll really get to see what my daddy's money can buy." And with that she grabbed her gym bag and headed for the exit. But before she walked through the doors, she turned to address the entire gym, "And if any of you breathe a word of what just happened here to any press, you'll be served with a lawsuit so quick you're grandkids will have whiplash." Then she turned and walk out, leaving the men in the gym awed and dumbfounded. Even Vegeta couldn't help but think, damn that was hot.

Bulma returned to her apartment hours later after having spent the day at her parents' working in her lab. She opened the door to find 18 and Chi Chi doing each others make up, dressed to go out.

"Hey B!" Chi Chi called. It seemed like she's been pre-gaming quite a bit.

"Hey Cheech. What're you guys doing," Bulma questioned, as 18 began putting gold eyeshadow onto Chi Chi's eyelid.

"We're going out," 18 answered. "Go get dressed. You're coming too."

"I am?"

"Yes, you are," 18 said matter-of-factly. "It's been a rough week and we all just need to relax and have some fun."

"Oh! B!" Chi Chi screamed, not paying much attention to what 18 had been saying. "How did training go with Vegeta this morning?"

"Not great…"

"Oh? What happened?" Chi Chi asked, disappointment in her voice.

"He pissed me off so I kneed him in the dick."

"Ha! Are you serious?" 18 asked.

"Yup. Then I left. Been in the lab all day."

"Yeah, I can tell." 18 frowned at Bulma's appearance. "Hurry up and take a shower. And put on that red body con dress. You look hot in it."

"That's so true!" Chi Chi agreed.

"Okay, okay. I'm going." Bulma dropped her bags by the kitchen island and headed to take a shower.

After getting out of the shower, she made her way to her bedroom. She slipped on a lacy black thong and dawned on the aforementioned red dress, no bra. She checked out her reflection in the mirror. She decided to go light on the makeup tonight, but put on red lipstick to match her dress. She left her hair down, letting the soft curls brush against her bare shoulders.

"You look great!" Chi Chi said as Bulma walked out into the living room.

"No, you look hot," 18 corrected. "Now lets get going, the guys said they'll met us there."

"The guys?" Bulma asked.

"Yeah! Goku and Krillin are coming!" Chi Chi exclaimed.

"And your boy Raditz is gonna be there too," 18 added.

"Wow, I haven't seen Radz in forever. Now I'm really ready. Let's go!"

—

Vegeta was sound asleep. With all that had happened today, he thought he deserved a decent nap - something he rarely ever did. But his slumber was ruined when he heard someone banging on his front door. He grumbled into his pillow, "GO AWAY!," hoping the stranger at the door would be able to hear him and leave. To Vegeta's disappointment, the banging continued. Vegeta groaned, flipping off his covers and getting out of bed to answer the door. "Whoever you are you better have a damn good reason to be banging on my door-" Vegeta swung open the door to reveal a very tall and muscular man with a mullet. "Raditz? What the fuck are you doing here?" Vegeta said, annoyed. He hadn't seen Raditz in months and he couldn't say he was upset by that fact.

"Nice to see you too, Princey-boy! How the hell have you been," the tall man bellowed, clamping a hand down on Vegeta's shoulder and pushing past him into his apartment.

"I never invited you in, Raditz. Now what the hell do you want?" Vegeta became even angrier as he watched Raditz flop down on his couch and put his feet up on the coffee table.

"I can't stop in and say hello to an old friend?"

"We're not friends."

"Oh Princey, you wound me," Raditz said in mock dismay. He even pretended to wipe away a tear. "Anyways," he continued, letting go of the sad facade, "I was invited to join some people at a club tonight and came over to drag you along."

"No. Now get out."

"Ah! I knew you'd say that. But I'm not taking no for an answer. You're going, even if I have to drag you out kicking and screaming."

"Challenge accepted."

"Oh don't be like that, Vegeta. Come on. All you do is work, school, and train. Let loose a little! Down a few shots. Bang a few broads. Then you can go back to being uptight tomorrow."

Vegeta screwed up his face in disgust at Raditz's words. "If I go, I will definitely not be doing any of those things."

"Ah, but you're considering goin'?!"

Vegeta wanted to punch himself for that little slip up in his phrasing. God, Raditz is annoying. "Will it get you to shut up and leave me alone? Even if I go and just sit at the bar, scowling at all the other idiots?"

"You bet it would! Now get dressed and let's go. I'm sure everyone else is already there!" Raditz said enthusiastically, shoving Vegeta toward his closet to get changed. Vegeta was instantly regretting his decision.

And if he wasn't regretting it before, he definitely was when they walked up to the club entrance. The line was long and wrapped around the building, but instead of joining the end of the line, Vegeta followed Raditz straight to the bouncer at the front. "Son party," Raditz told the burly man. The bouncer opened the door to the club and let them through. Inside Vegeta was met by a throng of people that he could barely move through. He kept his arms crossed and fought his best to not touch anyone he passed by as he followed Raditz through the massive crowd. Vegeta noticed that there were two floors to this club and he could also see a pool outside. The bottom floor was two different heights, with the dance floor being down a few sets of steps and the upper floor holding the bar and branching off to other dance floors. Vegeta kept following the man in front of him until they reached a somewhat secluded alcove off the side of the big room. There was a big semi-circle velvet couch set behind the roped off area that Raditz led them to. Vegeta took in the faces of the people sitting on the couch, all of which he knew. There was Kakarot - or Goku, which he went by for some idiotic reason. Vegeta figured he would be here considering Raditz was his brother. Beside Goku was his girlfriend, Chi Chi, who he knew to be roommates with the wench next door. Next to Chi Chi was her other roommate, 18, who was practically sitting in the lap of the short, bald guy named Krillin from Vegeta's Injury Awareness class. As Vegeta looked over the people sitting on the couch, Raditz threw up his hands and gave an over-exaggerated greeting, "Hey everybody! The life of the party has arrived!" His announcement was met by eye-rolls from the girls and high fives from Goku and Krillin.

"Hey bro!" Goku exclaimed, his eyes catching a glimpse of Vegeta standing stoically behind his big brother. "WOW! You actually got Vegeta out of his apartment!" At the mention of his name, the other partygoers turned to stare at him. Vegeta wasn't fond of all the attention. Even less so when Raditz turned around and threw his arm over Vegeta's shoulders.

"I know, right! I had to drag him out by that pointy hair of his," he shouted, ruffling Vegeta's locks. Vegeta pushed him away.

"Keep your hands off or I'll pummel you," he threatened. Raditz only laughed and threw a light punch to his shoulder.

"Relax dude!" Goku and Krillin joined in, telling Vegeta to 'just chill.'

"That's it. I'm leaving!" Vegeta announced, already tired of everyone's shit.

"But you just got here," Goku replied.

But Vegeta didn't care. He turned around to leave, but as he did so, he bumped into something small and soft. It was a woman. He placed his hands on her hips to balance her. "Sorry," he apologized automatically, albeit still gruffly. And then he looked down at the frail thing in front of him, his coal black eyes meeting clear, ice blue. Bulma…

Bulma was taken aback by the endless dark eyes of the man in front of her. Never in a million years would she have thought she'd run into Vegeta here, of all places. But she should have known better, considering she'd been seeing him everywhere lately. She felt the butterflies in her belly again at the feel of his strong hands gripping her sides. They were so close, their chests were touching. Both of their breathing was ragged, as if they just ran from somewhere. Whatever spell they were under was broken by Raditz waving his hand in front of their faces. Vegeta immediately dropped his hands from Bulma's hips. Her skin felt burned from his touch. Bulma looked toward her friends on the couch and found the knowing looks of 18 and Chi Chi smiling back at her. Her face turned red and she had to look away from them. So she looked up at the tall man next to her and gave a sultry smile. "Hey Raditz. How's it hanging?"

"Oh you know," he said with a wink. He then bent down to whisper in her ear, "Like a horse." Bulma just giggled at his response. Flirting was her and Raditz's thing. It never went anything further than that, but they both enjoyed it nonetheless. Vegeta, however, did not know this little fact, having overheard their conversation - since Raditz can't whisper to save his life - and he bristled at his comment. Unbeknownst to either Vegeta or Bulma, the entire gang saw Vegeta's reaction. 18 nudged Chi Chi and gave her an evil grin. Chi Chi just shook her head at 18's antics.

"You know, Bulma," 18 said in a too chipper voice. "You and Raditz can always request a private room. They're actually quite nice." She gave a salacious look to Krillin, who had the gall to blush at his girlfriends not so subtle hint.

"Not a bad idea," Raditz said, snaking his arm around Bulma's waist. "What do you say, B?"

Bulma just smiled, placing her hand on Raditz's chest. "Oh come now, Radz. You know you couldn't handle me," Bulma said seductively.

Throughout their whole display, 18 kept her eyes on Vegeta. She noticed his hands clenched at his sides. His jaw was set and he had a murderous look in his eye. This only made her evil plan come together more.

"Maybe Vegeta could." Everyone turned to look at 18 and the murderous glint to Vegeta's eyes only intensified. "What?" she asked innocently.

Not liking the sudden tension in the air, Chi Chi jumped up from the couch and grabbed 18 and Bulma's arms. "Let's dance!" she shouted, pulling them toward the giant crowd. Before long they were lost amongst the sea of people. They could still see the boys at their table and the boys could still see them. The girls began jumping around to the music, but Bulma wasn't about to let 18 slide. "What the hell was that?" she yelled over the music.

"I don't know what you're talking about," 18 shouted back.

"Bitch, don't even. You know what I mean."

"Well, you two obviously won't admit that you're into each other, so it's not my fault I have to resort to dirty tactics to force you together."

"We aren't gonna sleep together, 18! When will you get that through your thick skull?!" Bulma was agitated.

"Come on, Bulma! Just look at him watching you right now. He can't keep his eyes off you. You're hot and he wants you!"

Bulma turned to look back at the guys. She noticed Goku ogling Chi Chi as she moved and Krillin staring lovingly at 18. Raditz was watching her and when he caught her eye, he winked. She ignored him and looked at the man on the other side of the couch. Vegeta was wearing a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up his veiny arms. He sat straight with his knees spread in a domineering stature, the dark denim of his jeans stretching over his thighs almost obscenely. His arms were crossed over his chest and, if she didn't know any better, he appeared to want to be anywhere else but here - which also could've been true. But Bulma knew Vegeta. She knew that that look in his eye was predatory. He was devouring her with his eyes. She stared at him as she moved her body to the music. She took in how his jaw tensed as she wiggled her hips sensually. No way…

"Whatever," Bulma said, having to look away from Vegeta. "He's probably just staring at me, plotting how he's gonna get back at me for what happened during our work out today." Bulma tried to reason.

This time it was Chi Chi who scoffed. "Psch, yeah right. He's totally eye-fucking you!"

Bulma looked at her dumbfounded. "How many drinks have you had?"

"Just enough to feel amazing!" she said, throwing her hands up in the air. This made both Bulma and 18 laugh.

"I think I need to get at that level. I'm gonna head to the bar," Bulma yelled, moving her way through the crowd. As she moved, she glanced to their table again and noticed that Vegeta was missing. Party pooper must've left already, she thought. When she finally made it to the bar, she took a seat on one of the stools and waved the bartender over. Before she could tell the woman her order, a deep voice came from beside her, "She'll have a lemon drop." She didn't have to turn to know who the voice belonged to. She already knew. She'd know that husky tone anywhere. As she turned to her left, and her eyes landed on Vegeta, she couldn't help the butterflies that immediately began humming in her lower belly. God, why does he seem so much sexier tonight? she asked herself. She watched him take the seat next to her with his whiskey in hand. He avoided her eyes and played with the lip of his glass. Bulma couldn't help think about him doing that to a pair of her lips.

"How'd you know I'd want a lemon drop?" she asked him, if only as an attempt to get her mind out of the gutter.

Vegeta just shrugged. "You seem the type."

"What's that mean?" She asked, annoyed. Before he could answer, the bartender returned with Bulma's drink. She took a tentative sip and let the tangy liquid slip down her throat. She caught Vegeta watching her from the corner of her eye. She just raised an eyebrow at him.

"Lemon drop suits you. It's sophisticated while still being strong." Bulma noticed his cheeks turn pink before he turned his head away from her. She was taken aback. She never expected to receive a compliment from Vegeta of all people. Not knowing what to say, she just took another sip of her drink.

Vegeta was appalled at himself. What the fuck was that?! Why did I say that? Vegeta downed his glass of whiskey and let it burn his throat. He rarely drank and he was starting to notice that his inhibitions were lowered. He didn't like it. He hated not having control, especially over himself. And this woman. She practically obliterated any ounce of self control he's had over the past week. She was poison. He needed to get out of here. Away from the succubus before he spouted any more nonsense. As he moved to get up though, she spoke.

"Thank you."

He was surprised. "For what?" he asked, refusing to look her way.

She smiled at him cheekily. "The drink. And the compliment you gave along with it."

Vegeta clenched his jaw. "It wasn't a compliment, woman."

"Oh? What was it then?" Vegeta noticed her voice take on a sultry tone. He hadn't realized that she had already downed her drink. And with the few shots she'd had before he arrived, she was now rather drunk.

He turned to look at her then, taking in her appearance. She was leaning toward him with her legs crossed. He short red dress road even higher up her thighs now that she was sitting down. The straight neckline of the dress made her breasts seem even fuller than they were normally. So much of her milky skin was exposed; he just wanted to run his hands all over her body and listen to the sounds it'd elicit. When he had a view of her dancing earlier, he wanted so badly to just grab her and fuck her against the wall, right in the crowded club. Suddenly, he felt Bulma's hand on his thigh, breaking him away from his thoughts. He looked up at her face finally.

"How 'bout we get out of here and finally fuck?"

—

Raditz brought the bottle of vodka up to his lips. He should've known better than to go out with people who were attached. Goku and Chi Chi left a bit ago to do God knows what, so he was stuck here on the couch next to the blonde and baldy sucking face. And he had no idea where Bulma went. He needed to find a lady friend before he started his own little pity party. He looked around the crowd, searching for a chick that'd catch his eye. But what he found was even more interesting. His eyes landed on the sexy blue-haired, bombshell. Damn, she's fine, he thought. But then he saw her hand on the thigh of the man sitting next to her. And low and behold, that thigh belonged to none other than Vegeta Ouji. "Oh, I can have some fun with this," he said to himself. There was nothing Raditz loved more - well besides getting laid - than to rile Vegeta up. So he took another swig off the bottle in his hand and made his way over to the bar. Raditz wasn't dense. He knew the moment he saw Vegeta and Bulma together that there was a lot of unresolved sexual tension between them. As he approached the two, he overheard what Bulma asked him. He couldn't hold in the laugh at Vegeta's shocked face at her words. His snortle made them turn his way.

"Well, look who we have here. I've been looking for you guys everywhere!" Raditz boasted. He clamped his hand down on Vegeta's shoulder. He was surprised that Vegeta didn't shove him off like usual. He turned to Bulma and the look on her face was one of pure fury. "What's wrong, B? Princey here not showing you a good time?"

Bulma's expression suddenly turned into one of confusion. "Princey?"

Raditz laughed. "What? He never tell you the story?"

"Raditz," Vegeta said his name threateningly.

He ignored him. "So me and Vegeta here, we grew up together. Me and Goku trained at his godfather's gym. Believe it or not, Vegeta wasn't as nice as he is now." Bulma made a disbelieving sound. "I know, I know. Hard to believe, but it's true. He thought he ran that gym. And given his royal status-"

"That's enough," Vegeta growled gruffly.

Bulma was even more confused. "Royal status?"

Vegeta gave her the most severe look she's ever seen from him, and that was staying a lot. "Woman. Don't." Bulma kept her mouth shut. But the butterflies in her belly were making her feel all sorts of ways. Damn, why do I find that so hot. Raditz caught the look on Bulma's face and immediately knew what was on her mind. His face split into a huge grin.

"Wait a second," he said. Bulma moved her gaze from Vegeta to Raditz. "Are you two…"

"No," Vegeta stated matter-of-factly, making Bulma's face turn red.

Raditz looked down at her and saw the disappointed look in her eye. It made his heart ache a little. "Hey, you wanna get out of here?" he asked Bulma. She looked up at him and saw the knowing look on his face. She plastered a faux sexy smile on her own face.

"Yeah. Let's go," she answered in a soft voice. She got up from her stool and Raditz put his arm around her.

"Let's go somewhere private, baby," he tried to whisper in her ear.

Before he could turn, Raditz felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up just in time to see Vegeta bring his arm back and punch him square in the face. Raditz stumbled backwards, letting go of Bulma in the process.

"Hey man," he said to Vegeta. "I'm not gonna get into this with you."

Vegeta didn't care. He swung again, but this time Raditz dodged him. "What's wrong, Princey? Mad that I've got more balls than you? Can't even go after the one thing you want."

Raditz's words pissed Vegeta off even more. This time he swung lower, hitting him in the ribs. Raditz was unfazed. He brought his own arm back and hit Vegeta in the cheek.

"What the hell is going on?!" 18 yelled, coming up beside Bulma with Krillin in tow. Chi Chi and Goku following right behind.

"Oh my goodness," Chi Chi called out behind the hand covering her mouth in shock.

Goku and Krillin looked at each other and went to go separate the two. Goku went up behind Vegeta and grabbed him by the shoulders. "Calm down, Vegeta." Krillin was blocking him from getting at Raditz. Vegeta aggressively shrugged off Goku. He caught a glimpse of red and looked up to see the distressed look of Bulma. He stared at her and she stared back. His breathing was ragged. Even with all that had just happened, he still wanted her. Raditz's words echoed in his head. Because they were true. God, I'm such a pussy. Before Vegeta could think on it any further, two bouncers were on their way over. They didn't even have to say anything, the group already knew they were being kicked out. They all filed out of the club and stood in the parking lot. Vegeta didn't stop with the group though. He just kept walking away.

"What was that all about?" Krillin asked, confused.

"Hey Vegeta! Where you goin', man?" Goku yelled after him.

"Leave me the fuck alone, all of you." He didn't even turn around, just kept walking.

Bulma stood there watching him walk away. "Vegeta!" she called out. He actually stopped at the sound of her voice. She jogged up to him. "Vegeta…" He turned toward her. Bulma stood right in front of him. She looked at his face and saw that his cheek was already starting to bruise. She brought her fingers up to touch it, but he grabbed ahold of her wrist.

"Don't. Don't pretend like you care," he mumbled.

"Believe it or not, I actually do care about you, Vegeta. As much as I hate to admit it. But you're too hardheaded to accept it. Or your own feelings you have for me."

He looked up at her then. "You're wrong. I feel nothing." He dropped her arm.

"I don't believe that. Not for one second."

"Then you're a fool."

"Why'd you punch Raditz then, huh? Or even that asshat at the gym?" she asked, irritated. "It wasn't because you were jealous?"

"I'll say again what I said this morning. Because apparently you didn't get it." He stepped closer to her. "You don't know me, so don't pretend that you do." He turned away from her and continued walking down the street. Bulma just stood there, tears in her eyes. Vegeta knew she was crying, but he didn't turn back. He hated himself for hurting her like that. But he refused to let her get close to him. He couldn't afford to lose anyone else he loved.