Chapter 7: Heartsease
Warning: (M) Contains Gore, Sensitive Subjects, and Suggestive Content.
Rating: (T-M) Not for Kids.
Pairings: Bulma/Vegeta, etc.
A/N: I'm questioning whether to put the second part of this Saiyan Bulma! Series in this story, or separately. I'm planning on writing up until the 2019 Broly Movie, and, well, it'll obviously be several parts; The Saiyan Saga, The Android Saga, The Buu Saga, etc. So, should I write it all here? Well, I mean the Saiyan Saga. As of this moment, we're living in the Dragon Ball era. No DBZ just yet.
Some characters may be different, but the Z fighters will remain the same. Chi-Chi though... I don't know why, but I think in my head, idiot Goku and nincompoop Vegeta would love to see their wives fight, right?
So imagine a fusion... huh?
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!
[. . .]
"I want a bath, I need air conditioning, I don't want to be stranded in the desert without a boyfriend or my dyno caps anymore." - Bulma.
[. . .]
She felt like she was floating.
Living in an endless dream, she ran across the field of meadows stretched for miles.
She wandered over the tall grass in tiny, helpless, and joyous steps, savoring the freedom and lightness on her back and shoulders. Around her, flowers of every color sprouted, spreading in waves that emitted glitter into the gentle air revolving around her.
In the distance, she could see a small cottage covered from head to toe in green, shading two figures that stood with their arms waving above their heads.
Behind her, a girl with golden-colored hair and eyes as black as evening dusk laughed in merriment as she ran, giggling right alongside her. She could feel arms engulfing her in warmth and protection and a fondness so close—so real—it made her still.
She felt the sense of dread form in her heart, aching to release and let the shelter of love envelope her instead upon recognizing the smell of flowers and family in familiarity. Her eyes shed salted water for burning wounds, letting her little hands grasp the warm material of clothing as much as she could.
Her tail curled around a wrist, and her eyes...
Their luminescent glow... shined upon the dying ones of her home.
The body holding her began to let go and the young Bulma could no longer hold in the grief she knew was coming.
She found herself staring at the weakened form of a loved one, grasping their hand for any sake of hope.
The blues and greens became red and black, and the blood-splattered ground overran her senses of common tragedy she had to see at such a young age.
The ground shook below her and she ignored the sounds of screaming and of two others who grabbed the fallen body and her burning hands. Desperate cries wailed in distances close and far, and the little girl, bouncing in the hands of a running mother that stumbled, stared despairingly at the falling bodies by a hand belonging to a creature with horns and red eyes.
A fire that expanded in vast distances reflected in her broken centers.
And then in a twinkling exchange, the horrible images would cease.
In fleeting moments, the shaking and magma red would stop.
She could smell someone new and someone strong, and her blurred eyes would catch sight of magnificent blue and black. Delicate hands catered her close, and though it was only for an instantaneous second, she felt safe.
Bitter moments would return when she could no longer feel the chills of the white mist that covered them both. Heavy, she felt herself falling into deep slumber when the warmth of another lulled her to peace.
And their voice called to her, comforting her into a dream she could not understand.
It was always a cycle. A memory, a tragedy, a nightmare, and a reality.
But she found that in some, he would stay.
[. . .]
He didn't move. Didn't listen. Didn't speak.
Sometimes, he didn't dare breathe.
Other times, he yelled with all his might.
And in those instances, he would see others do the same.
Frustration and hopelessness boiled treacherously in his hollow soul, a soul that sought pleasure in the suffering and torn eyes of those just as helpless as he.
His breathing would labor and his hands grasp, seeking a light he desperately wanted to reach.
The light would flicker, returning from red to white or into nothing.
It ruptured, sizzling and letting what was in the dark come and take him.
Red eyes would haunt his every turn, and torn bodies of races across the galaxies piled in front of him. Wars would rage and he would be the culprit of them all, villainous in his intent. Beams would pierce through his chest and into his heart, and knives would cut into his skin until all he could feel was agony.
He would run away, killing what he could find.
In fear of his life, he stared at the black mist without anything left to lose.
Careless, he stepped toward it, only to stop when figures of his past beckoned him to stay. His people. His mother. His father.
And another.
And when fierce, gentle blue eyes begged of him in silence, he would blast their beauty away, only for it to return and haunt him as well.
The red eyes were ruthless, merciless, and cruel. Those malicious foci would forever come with clawed hands, and a smile so wide it held into a sinister simper.
He would run, unable to escape. It was always one step closer.
But streaks of blue would make him follow after her, desirous. Long hair belonged to a pair of hearts he wanted to hate.
The blue eyes were kind, hands as soft as a feather, soul as pure as an angel.
He would kill, only for them to return.
Gold ran past him in dusty trails in the middle of the void he stood powerlessly upon, calling out to him only to disappear before he could even understand what it was that they were.
The shine of power he knew that coaxed him in his nightmares flashed before his very self.
He would see in the eyes of his past, fighting and stumbling as he did now, constrained in a vacant place there was no escape from.
But in the sitting silence, he could never feel alone. His hands would hold her close.
And he found... she would always stay.
[. . .]
1 Month Later
[. . .]
Vegeta opened his eyes forcefully despite the protest of his heavy eyelids.
His ears easily—and loudly—picked up the computerized voice of the pod informing him they had two minutes until landfall. Vegeta shifted, grazing his teeth due to the volume resounding in his sensitive ears, momentarily pleased to find that the feeling in his limbs and body was coming back from being numb for a month.
Already, he began sitting up to access the controls on his seat as he always did when being sent on missions, however, the sensation of breathing right by his neck stopped him.
The foggy haze of his breath appeared in the black of the glossy window, and so did...
He froze when he realized that the annoying woman he took was clutching onto him with her arm draped lazily over his shoulder. Her head was beside his jawline, and quite clearly, he could see the blue locks of hair pressed against him.
He clenched his jaw.
He forgot he brought her with him.
Growling, he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her away from him, gentle despite his aggravated mood. She didn't move, and Vegeta prepared to shake her awake so that she could stop being so damn close, infuriated at her weird behavior. She kept doing that lately, and he knew why but he didn't want to ever assume such a thing. However... He narrowed his eyes, stopping to take a good look at her.
He had already studied her many times. The thing was, he always found himself fascinated every time. Thinking, constantly.
She always looked so...
Her eyes fluttered.
Annoying. Stupid. Ugly.
Her lips parted.
Soft.
He glared when she opened her mouth to yawn and stretch her body simultaneously while curling her tail around his extended arm that was grabbing her. Her hands were placed firmly on his thighs, and when she arched her back to flex her tense muscles, Vegeta let go of her so quickly it looked as if he was getting burned by her.
Bulma fell back and yelped with widened eyes when she felt the cold touch of the door, seeking something to grab. Her hands caught his shoulders instead.
She blinked, stopping, locking eyes with a troubled Vegeta.
Then, she screamed.
Vegeta covered his ears.
"What the hell!?" She exclaimed, letting go of his shoulders and backing up more, only to still find herself very close to the stupid male, "What—"
"Shut up!" He seethed, "You insufferable—"
Bulma's tail flickered angrily, "What do you mean, shut up!? What are you doing?!" She asked furiously, grabbing his chest armor and pulling him harshly closer to her, "You better have a damn good explanation as to why I'm in some weird—"
Vegeta grabbed her hands and twisted them off his garments, growling, "Unhand me—"
She blushed when he easily shook them off, "You better unhand me before I disintegrate you into ash!" She snatched her hands away and then overpowered him, easily on top yet again in the silly little space, "What is this place? What are you doing cuddling next to me—"
"Cuddling!?"
"—in here!? You creep! You—You..." She inhaled sharply, feeling her body tingle, "You... Weird... Weirdo..." She murmured, lagging down. Her angry persona did not notice the cuffs turning on.
Vegeta watched expectantly, observing her eyes lid and her breath labor at her use of energy, "Stupid girl," He snarled, grabbing her forearms easily now and pushing her with him forward, "Watch your power level before you faint on me again," He scolded, irritated beyond belief.
Bulma blinked, swaying slightly as he held her, "...What...?" She asked softly, trying her best to look at him properly as to not look like a total idiot in front of him, "What did you...?"
Vegeta glared and raised a wrist of hers, showing her the blinking symbols. "Have you forgotten already?" He asked, unsure why the flush in her face was making him want to do something, "You belong to me."
Her eyes widened, but he could barely catch it. "I do... not, asshole," She gnarred, attempting to fight him again. "I'm... Bulma Briefs, and... I belong... to no one...!" Her tired expression released puffs of breaths very close to his face due to her idiotic determination to tower over him, making a shiver run down his spine. When she found that she couldn't budge against him, she retired.
Vegeta scoffed when she fell onto his chest, clearly exhausted. Although he couldn't exactly feel her weight on him due to how light she was, her warmth was certainly not bothering to go away. He let go of one of her arms, seeing that she obviously had no strength left in her, and seized her face.
Bulma was forced to look at him because of his strong grip on her chin. She winced, adjusting herself for better comfort in his lap. His cold and calculated eyes always reminded her of the void of space.
Vegeta tilted his head, searching deeply in her eyes. She held her breath, unsure of what to make of his interested expression. "What makes you believe you can ever subjugate me, wench?" He asked her, voice held in a sharp whisper.
Around her, the pod began to shake and increasingly rise in temperature, "...I..." She glanced behind him and knew that it wasn't just her mind shutting off; the pod was falling.
"Answer me," He clenched his hand.
She made no indication that it hurt—it didn't—and glared at him. Her nose picked up his aggravation, and her body did not react well.
As the pod fell and the voices of robots told them of their situation, Bulma sneered at him. "I don't—"
She scented something else. Her eyes widened, and when Vegeta saw her tail raise, he let her go.
And the pod landed brutally into the sandy beaches.
[. . .]
Bulma squinted, adjusting to the sudden bright light in the sky casting heat all over her body. Her expression cringed when the spectacle burned her orbs, and she raised her hand while groaning to cover the brightness. Below her, she felt grains of microscopic rocks and crystal scratch and settle her down, and at her feet, water lapped up her white boots.
Where was she...?
"Get up."
Bulma's eyes opened wide and she snapped her head at the voice, caught off guard. The sensations that slowly returned to her went ignored, and by some sort of urge, she sat up. Her shoulders began to pulse.
Vegeta stood beside her, looking angry. His scent did little to hide his emotions, however, and she sensed no fury from him. His smell... It was odd.
Her eyes narrowed. "Where are we?"
Vegeta looked at the sky. When he found nothing, he looked at her again. "We are on planet SFGX15." He answered her, sounding reluctant to do so. It didn't go unnoticed by Bulma. His reluctance provoked her to find out more.
Bulma stood stiffly and dusted her body off of any dirt, disgusted that she had to touch the floor. She always hated getting dirty... "Planet SFGX15...?" She murmured, squinting as she took a look around at what she had to admit was pretty scenery, "I've never heard of this planet. It doesn't have a name."
Vegeta grunted. "That is because this planet has yet to be conquered." He explained.
She blinked. "What?" She asked, furrowing her brows, "Conquered? What do you mean, conquered?"
Vegeta scowled at her. "You stupid peasant. Do you know who Lord Frieza is?"
She frowned. "Do you mean the guy telling you what to do all the time?" She asked, sensing very high ki far off in distances.
Vegeta growled, still disgruntled over the fact that while unconscious, he remembered being told in her jumbled state that she read it off his scouter. It infuriated him that she went through his stuff and at the same time uneased him that he never found anything unusual, but it intrigued him that she even managed to read it. Not that it mattered, she probably spoke galactic tongue and switched the settings.
"Watch your tongue." He hissed darkly, skeptical of her still.
Bulma crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, forwarding her attention back on him again. "That wasn't meant to be offensive." She said truthfully, noticing the pleasant breeze hitting her face. It was unexpected, and quickly, she calmed herself. She let the elation of finally stepping out into a sunny planet take her. She didn't know what happened before she got in the pod with him, or at least, she couldn't recall it all completely just yet, but whatever it was, she was happy that she was here, free from the ship.
In Vegeta's room, she was restless. A pang struck her head and her eye twitched. She remembered—
Vegeta sensed her happiness and questioned if the woman had some disorder or malfunction in her cerebrum. His apprehension increased when she softened her expression, "Are we here to stay?" She asked, hopeful in her tone. She cursed herself for not hiding it well.
Vegeta's stoic appearance never wavered. "No."
Bulma glared. "But this is a good planet," She turned around and looked at the glistening, crystal clear water, "It looks... beautiful here." A soft sigh escaped her. The tail coiled around his midsection twitched at the sound.
Vegeta became increasingly agitated when she again, looked at him, smiling.
"Wouldn't you want to?" She asked kindly. In the quiet atmosphere, she looked heavenly.
Maybe. "No," He spat, and looked to the heavens, trying to locate his missing comrades. He found nothing again.
The trees and mountains in the distance were welcoming in her presence. Though the gravity here was quite heavy, she realized that this place... resembled much of her old home. It made her nostalgic.
"What... solar system is this?" She asked him, hoping that maybe she could get exact coordinates to perhaps live here if she came again.
Vegeta shot her a wavering glare. "We are in the Quantum Solar System of Section 4.5G." He replied. Though completely against telling her information, he figured that if Nappa and Raditz didn't arrive soon, he'd have her here to order her around and get this filthy mission done for.
Bulma choked on air, "What!? We're where?" She asked, swerving on him in disbelief.
Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Is there something wrong with your ears? We are in the Quantum Solar System in the unperturbed section."
Bulma paled. "But... We were..." She looked at the slightly mangled pod, "How did we arrive here so quickly?" She questioned, recalling reading the location present in Vegeta's scouter. If she was right, then they were light years away from where they once were.
Vegeta rose an eyebrow. "We have spent approximately 1 Zimounth in that device," He said, amused when her expression became that of horror.
"What!?" She yelled, and Vegeta had to refrain from blasting her stupid mouth, "No way. No way did we spend that much time in that waste of a—" She stopped talking and immediately looked at the sky. Something was coming.
Vegeta issued a look of mild confusion at the sky and then at her.
What he didn't know was that Bulma sensed two moderate power levels headed straight for them. She paled. Before the prince could question her, Bulma quickly appeared in front of the Prince and snatched his arm to fly away and land at an appropriate distance. It caught him off-guard, so much so that he blasted her hand away.
She cried out and waved her hand to take off the burn, shooting a glare so ferocious it could've been possible to burn a man.
But not enough to deter Vegeta. Vegeta, ready to demand why in all that's divine did she even touch him, kept his mouth shut when he landed gently and saw the pods of both Nappa and Raditz land where they both once stood.
He blinked, taking in the answer in front of his eyes, ignoring the awkward shifts of the ground shaking from the impactful drops of pods. She... knew when they were coming. Before he did. Sort of.
He felt a heat form beside him. "What the hell was that for?" Bulma seethed, stepping in front of him with a blue aura blazing around her, "I just saved your life!"
Vegeta didn't care. "I did not ask you to save me." He spat, shouldering past her to approach the steaming pods.
Bulma stood there in disbelief.
Vegeta didn't turn around when he heard her piercing scream, "You ungrateful asshole! I save your life and you just blast me!?"
He almost chuckled if it weren't for the fact that he was still put off about her easy detection.
"You've got some nerve!"
Vegeta felt a headache form. Perhaps burning her mouth would've been the most appropriate action. Clearly blasting her hand wasn't enough. As if he should be grateful anyway. He didn't ask her to come in and save him like some weakling. He knew they were going to crash there, he was going to move. He felt the heat before she did! Clearly, she didn't understand the concept of having abilities so sharp he was used to incoming danger.
Though... he had to admit he hadn't... exactly...
"Annoying little bitch," He hissed in his common tongue, loud.
Bulma, understanding his every word in Saiya-go, formed sparks of energy in her hands. That stupid fucking...! In the shade of a small tree, her fuming anger rose so high it burned the leaves.
Of course, Vegeta could care less for it. He had no time to waste.
The doors of the pods opened, and just like the pod Vegeta had to drag Bulma out of, steam poured out.
Nappa was the first to step out, clearly unhappy. The big Saiyan did not enjoy being cramped inside the tiny space.
Raditz stepped out afterward, shaking off any unsettling strain in his body. He held a scouter in his hand, and though Vegeta had asked them both not to bring one, Vegeta was partially glad that Raditz wasn't a total nincompoop. The prince was aware he'd need one to discover the power level of any living creature that resided on the planet.
And now that Raditz had disobeyed him...
Vegeta zipped toward him and snatched the object off his hands, "What the hell did you bring this for?" He asked, testing.
Raditz widened his eyes and then became neutral with a step to the side. "With all due respect Vegeta, we need that to check the power levels." He answered, seeing the female stride angrily behind him.
Vegeta almost broke it. "We are Saiyans," He hissed, tossing the device at his feet, "We do not need that shit. All other beings are inferior to our strength."
Raditz picked it up. "This Scouter is different," He told him, and Vegeta stopped his fuming, "The human girl Launch rewired the circuitry and made it so that it is completely hidden in Lord Frieza's radar," He handed it to the calmed man, "The location, screening, and audio are blinded."
Vegeta scoffed. "The pathetic human girl? I doubt she would have the capabilities to do such a thing. If you ask me, I'd say you're giving the whore too much credit," He growled.
Raditz said nothing.
"Have you formed an attachment to the little bitch so quickly, Raditz?" Nappa asked, laughing.
Raditz crossed his arms. "As if I'd associate myself with her kind."
"By the way you have been interacting with her, I'd say you did," Nappa said, amused upon seeing Raditz's face redden. "Why, with your low power level you'd be perfect mates!"
Raditz muttered something unintelligible.
As the two other Saiyans bickered, Vegeta stood by, unsure of the scouter. He didn't trust it completely. Though, it was an improvement from what he initially thought. He'd use it, yes, but not until he was sure it was just as he said. He cannot afford to have the girl be exposed. When he sensed the female behind him, he thought about something.
Bulma stopped right in front of his face, still angry when he turned around. He lifted a scouter with a green lens, "Prove yourself to me, female. Are you capable of fixing gadgets, as you so claim?" He asked, curious.
She took a moment to answer, washing off the anger. "Yes," She stated, confidently, "Anything you give me, I can fix. Or make."
Vegeta handed her the object she took almost greedily, "See to it that the audio and screening is not capable of recording as this weak fool states," The prince turned to Raditz indifferently, "And replicate the object. Twice. Two, for me and Nappa," He ordered, hostile and harsh.
A vein pulsed in Bulma head. "Don't order me around," She growled, and Vegeta narrowed his eyes, "I'll see to it myself, thank you very much," She started looking at it, "Comprende?"
Vegeta just looked at her. As did the others.
She sighed. "I'll do it. I'll probably have two more made by tomorrow. But." She looked at the object angrily, and his tail flickered wildly, "You can't expect me to work on this without—"
Vegeta tapped his foot impatiently, "We shall bring you materials." He snapped. "But you must have it done by tomorrow. Immediately."
Bulma rolled her eyes. "Then I can make it." She grumbled.
"Hn." Vegeta nodded, pleased.
Bulma stopped looking at the device, aware of Raditz's eye. He, out of all three, seemed disturbed the most to have her around.
"What?" She sassed, "You have something to say?"
Vegeta crossed his arms and smirked, as did Nappa.
"Look, Vegeta," Nappa started, smirking, "The female is challenging Raditz."
Raditz remained impassive.
Vegeta snorted. "I doubt she would have an issue," He admitted, surprising Nappa, "She is not as weak as she seems."
Bulma rose an eyebrow. "Was that meant as a compliment or an insult?" She asked, and all Saiyans but Vegeta noticed her tail flickering.
"Whichever annoys you most," Vegeta gruffed.
Bulma scowled.
Raditz looked at Nappa, expecting the older Saiyan to be annoyed at the interaction. All in all, Nappa did not care. Raditz didn't either, but... He did not like being mocked. It was bad enough Vegeta had kept doing such things since they were both boys. Nappa had to split them apart many times before they killed each other completely.
Well, before Raditz died. Raditz would never rival his power. Now, Nappa couldn't either.
There was a sigh in the silence. "So. What are we doing here?" Bulma asked, looking around for anything useful. She figured that she'd need to start looking for things to set up camp, considering that they would probably stay here a while. Not to mention for the scouter as well... Perhaps the trees held things that were helpful. She could probably also say hello to any residents born on this planet. Assuming that they were a peaceful species...
She detected quite a few not too far off, and though she didn't know what they looked like, she would probably find out soon if she set out early and gathered supplies. She hoped they were kind.
Nappa and Raditz said nothing. It was not in their right to answer her questions. Vegeta had told them not to. They also didn't answer for personal reasons, but both differed. Raditz just didn't like her, but Nappa... Nappa knew of something.
Vegeta spoke, "Nappa, Raditz," They straightened, "Fly and find their civilization. Report to me what you discover," Vegeta instructed, pointing in the distance.
The two Saiyans nodded and flew off without another word in opposite directions, heeding after the instructions of their leader.
Bulma felt a tad put off when her question went completely ignored, but the feeling went away when Vegeta turned around and looked at her. "Remain here until our return. Do not runoff. I will not save you if you find yourself in peril," He ordered, glaring at her menacingly.
Bulma opened her mouth to protest, but Vegeta had already blasted off into the sky to join the other two before she could.
There, she remained, angry, disturbed, and full of dread.
[. . .]
Bulma didn't care that Vegeta told her to stay put.
As if she'd listen to him, anyway. She was done with that. If he wanted her help, she'd do things that she wanted to do.
And right now?
Bulma wanted to eat.
Being a Saiyan, she always had a huge appetite that wasn't entirely satisfied due to her constant starving in search of planets with food. So, assuming that this planet had living creatures because this planet was full of greens, she didn't want to waste an opportunity to find the food she wanted.
With the scouter tied to her hip, she pulled at the given gloves she found inside the pod and set off to find fish among the water. Lucky as she was that their pod landed in front of a beach, she took a good time staring and checking the device Vegeta had tasked her to examine in the warmth of the sand beforehand, enjoying her time. Though she had taken off the stretchy white armor Vegeta had given her a while ago, she had no fear of something impaling her as she relaxed once more after making sure the gadget was safe.
It felt free.
She set the object in the pod and flew off afterward, and now, standing in the middle of the ocean, she ignored Vegeta's warnings. A little distance wouldn't harm anyone. She could still see the pods, anyway.
Her keen eyes searched in the water, spotting various small fishes swimming back and forth. There were a lot of different colors in the light blue, and she found herself smiling upon seeing other creatures interact and enjoy the area. That wasn't what she was looking for, though. She frowned. Perhaps big fish weren't in this region—
Her eyes brightened and a smile split on her face when she saw a dark shadow. It was very big, possibly three times bigger than Vegeta's room. Perfect. Just what she needed.
Stretching, she cracked her knuckles and stilled. Remembering that this needed to be done, she ignored the icky sensations starting to prickle her and recalled that she had been doing this almost her entire life. Luxuries were preferred... but she could do it.
Taking a breath, she shot herself into the water, creating waves big enough to reach the open door of the pods.
In the water, she relished the fresh feeling. Her usual warm body bathed in the cold sensation, and her glowing eyes cast light at the beauty of it all. With renewed vigor, she snatched onto the tail of the dark shadow lurking deep within the water.
It struggled at first, trying to whip her with the extra fins it had. Of course, she didn't get hit and instead pulled at the thing ten times her size, heading for the surface.
When it turned its head and tried to chomp her with its massive jaws, she drew back her hand in the water and punched it so hard she made a dent in the middle of the fish's forehead, killing it instantly. She winced when she saw the blood coming out. She thought she hadn't hit it so hard...
Sighing and letting the bubbles surface, she jumped out quickly from the water and tossed the massive fish beside the pods. Blood splattered on the sand and thankfully not the pods, and Bulma smiled as she walked up to it.
Dripping in water, she stopped by its mouth capable of swallowing her whole and tried not to be a little put off from the fact that if she was... some other species, she'd be shitting her pants.
She rolled her neck.
Time to cook.
Humming, she flew off toward the trees, off to gather materials to set up a perfect camping site.
[. . .]
Bulma clapped her hands in an effort to remove the dust and stared proudly at what she'd made.
After a few hours of gathering, searching, and working, she had managed to make a tall tent big enough to fit two people, along with three other tents meant to hold a singular person with leaves soft to the touch and sturdy, bendable wood. Leaves stuck to the sand and made for soft stepping around a well-lit campfire that she formed to use her ki, and a large stump sat not too far off, catering four large portions of the entire fish.
The smell of crisp air was replaced with a mouth-watering scent, and happily, she sighed.
The head of the fish was cooking in the big fire still, held up by a stick that turned slowly on its own accord. She would turn it herself, but frankly, she was too lazy to do so. Besides, why turn it with her hand manually when she can make it work by itself?
Her hand snatched a piece of skin from the cooking head. Putting it in her mouth, she savored the slightly naturally salted taste of the fish and swallowed.
It was pretty good.
Her eyes drew to the starry sky when she felt him come back. Well, all three of them.
She dropped the smile off her face, to hide her joy. Her tail didn't much hide it though. She was excited to see their reactions. They would know that she wasn't as stupid as they thought her to be!
"Welcome back," She stated casually, watching him stop and hover above her holding various materials in his hands. "Took you long enough to come back."
Vegeta landed, looking around without anything to give away in his face. He was oddly quiet.
The other two soon joined him, instantly aware of the area.
And the very scrumptious smell in the air.
Just as Vegeta had done, they amused themselves to gather in their environment.
"Hope you guys are hungry," She shrugged, thumbing to the big stump holding hellish amounts of food, "I did a little hunting."
Vegeta and the other two Saiyans darted to where she pointed at. "Considering we didn't eat for 1 Zimounth," She went by the fire and checked the fishhead, "You guys need to eat."
The three perplexed Saiyans looked at her.
There was a long, tiring silence.
"You made this?" Raditz questioned, breaking it.
Bulma crossed her arms. "Obviously. Who else do you think is here besides me?"
Raditz huffed.
Nappa wrinkled his nose. It smelled very good. "Hmph. Only this?" Nappa asked though he didn't sound ungrateful. In fact, he was impressed.
"Hey, it's a lot better than what you guys would've come up with," She snapped.
Nappa shot her a dangerous look.
She wasn't affected.
Vegeta glowered. "You left," He said rather than asked. It was no surprise to Bulma that he was upset.
She smiled. "That's right. To get you all food," She pointed at the steaming fish, "Which, if you guys don't eat now, will become cold." She said, smirking when Vegeta's frown deepened.
Nappa and Raditz hopped on it instantly.
Vegeta stayed firmly in place. He was not sure what to think. Instead, he went after his usual approach, "You disobeyed my orders."
Bulma waved him off, "I told you," She said, becoming irritated, "You don't tell me what to do."
Vegeta clenched the material tight in his hands, forming dents.
"You may be the Prince of all Saiyans," She flew to the table and gathered his portion, "But," She flew back to him, offering the steaming meal, "You don't control me."
Vegeta stared at the food. Then, at her. As always, her eyes were glowing.
Radiant.
Fierce.
Luminescent.
Her spirit was never deterred. No matter how harsh he was.
How stupid.
He sneered and tossed the things he promised her at her feet carelessly. Bulma stepped back, sensing fury from him. "Make the Scouters at once. I will not remind you again," He seethed and ignored her offer, confused once again.
Bulma stayed and dared not the feeling of disappointment course through her. What else did she expect? Certainly not any nice words... She knew she should've ignored her caring nature and done things for herself. That way she wouldn't be so annoyed right now.
Placing the food beside the fire as he left, she turned to gather what he brought her. Unable to settle her anger, she decided to work on what he told her to, looking forward to finally busying herself into her favorite pastime.
However, she halted in her steps as his voice boomed fitfully where she stood, "We rest for tonight. Tomorrow, we begin the purge."
Her eyes widened, and she turned around, appalled.
"What?"
[. . .]
A/N: Expect chapters to lengthen, now.
Zimounth - Month
Toodles~
Ana.