5
Only Krillin would be with them this evening since Piccolo was not one for parties and Nail and Selypa apparently had something else to do. Probably designing our pre-Mating ceremony clothes. I'll never understand Capital wedding traditions. Vegeta frowned as the tiny four-foot Escort walked between him and Bulma. Leading the way up the long driveway, Krillin rambled on, "Finally! This is the party of the year. Only the best and most elite get invited. In your face, Sauza! Now, remember to smile because there will be photographers and I won't stand for sourpusses. Did you hear me, Vegeta?" "Fine! I won't frown." Vegeta snapped, rolling his eyes at the bald man's excitement. Somewhat satisfied with his reply, Krillin marched up the steps leading to the front yard, "Everybody is here for one thing and that's to revel in your presence. My Winners. This is all for you."
Just as they crested the top of the steps, a crowd of people cheered and began to huddle around the concrete walkway to get a glimpse at the engaged Winners. I don't think I'll ever be used to the way these people dress. Vegeta thought as he scanned the throngs of people. The citizens of the Capital were always dressed in the newest strange fashion, typically having something to do with brightly colored furs or sharp, dark angles, and they dye their hair a new, random color every other week. Not to mention their weird tattoos and piercings. Releasing a warning growl, Vegeta revealed his sharp canine teeth to a man who had reached out and touched Bulma's bare arm. After that, he rested a hand possessively on the small of her back the rest of the walk into the mansion.
Once inside, Krillin led them through a maze of rooms, one of which was Freeza's personal library and a particular book got Vegeta's attention. Official Saiyan Handbook? Well then, that just might have to go missing in the aftermath of this shindig. Continuing to trail behind the Oompa Loompa, Vegeta intertwined his left arm with Bulma's right as they stepped through the open French doors and onto the patio. Inquisitively scrutinizing the huge backyard, Vegeta saw that there was a space set aside for dancing with a live band playing, but his eyes stopped their search when he saw the tables and tables of food which took up nearly twice the space as the dance floor.
Sharing a look, both teens made a beeline for the food. Deeply inhaling, Bulma exclaimed, "It all smells so good. I want to try everything." "That'll be difficult with your tiny stomach." Vegeta purred, resting his chin on her shoulder. He knew that he should not be showing this much affection so openly, and yet it was almost like he couldn't stop himself. A sudden realization hit him, Bulma's the first woman to have hugged me since my Mother died… "Then I'll just have to try a bite of everything." Bulma huffed, stepping away from him to grab a plate, "Besides, you always eat my leftovers anyways." Chuckling at her tenacity, Vegeta relented, "You know, that's probably been your best idea on this trip yet." They spent a good portion of the evening around the buffet tables, pausing in their eating to chitchat with random people who insisted on talking with them.
Suddenly Vegeta heard two voices he thought he would never have to hear again, "Oh my! How wonderful it is to see you again, deary." Her cherry-haired companion nudged her green-clad side with his elbow, "Don't you mean 'dreary'?" The Horrible Two cackled at their own inside joke as Bulma stared at them in confusion. Whispering in her ear, Vegeta explained, "They were my prep team for the start of this blasted Journey and all they did was talk my ears off." The woman, Vegeta dubbed her Horrible Ichi, held out a plate of chocolate cookies with a white filling, "You simply must try one of these. They are divine!" Bulma shook her head as she rested a hand on her stomach, "I'm stuffed. I don't think I could eat another bite." "Here." Horrible Ni held out a flute filled a pink drink that smelled of watermelon. Arching an eyebrow at the man, Vegeta hissed, "What is that?" "It's for when you're full." He said and Horrible Ichi elaborated, "It makes you sick. So you can go on eating."
Glancing at Bulma, Vegeta handed his plate to Horrible Ni, "I think it's time for a dance. Come, Woman." The Saiyan Prince gently turned her shoulders away from the Horrible Two and guided her towards the dance floor. It had been many years since he had last danced, but Vegeta soon remembered. Taking one of Bulma's hands in his and placing her other hand on his shoulder before resting his free hand on her hip, Vegeta began to lead his blue-haired mate around the dance floor. "This is disgusting. People are starving in 12 and here they are, throwing it up just to stuff it back in." Bulma hissed, looking down to make sure she didn't step on Vegeta's toes.
"Eyes on me, Woman." Vegeta rumbled quietly, "And watch your words. Remember the reason why I asked you to be my Mate on live television?" "So you would've asked me anyway." Bulma gasped, elated that he had given her the confirmation she had been looking for. Vegeta snorted indignantly, "Of course. As I said, I already asked you; even if you didn't know it at the time. Didn't you ever wonder why no boys really pursued you after you started wearing it?" Her face went blank as she tried to conceal her puzzlement at his words. Smirking, Vegeta answered his own question, "It's because of how many Saiyans are in 12. Every boy is taught that when a girl shows up with a gift given to her by a Saiyan, he is to stay away for her and not to seek anything more than friendship with her. Because it will not end well for him if he tries for anything more."
Krillin floated up next to them with a tall man with dark brown hair, a long thin mustache, and shockingly red eyes dressed in an emerald suit paired with a tan dress shirt. "Guys, this is Shenron E. Dragon. He's going to be the new Game Master." "That Cell fellow will be a tough act to follow." Bulma snipped. "Bulma! Don't get snippy with guests." Krillin cried, his dark eyes wide in fear of Shenron's reaction. A deep laugh erupted from the Game Master before his rumbling baritone intoned, "It's quite alright, Krillin. I'm sure that Miss Briefs is just tired from the Journey, that's all." Gesturing to Bulma, Shenron inquired, "May I, Prince Vegeta?" Ever so reluctant to trust another man to protect his Mate, Vegeta stared hard into the man's strange red eyes and found that he meant no harm, "Hurt her and I will end your sorry excuse of a life." "I understand, Prince Vegeta." Shenron bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment, accepting Bulma's hand when Vegeta offered his dance partner to him.
Gently pulling her to a proper dancing distance, but not too close to perceived as ill-intentions by the easily enraged Saiyan, Shenron helped her sway to the music, "What do you think of the party? I know you were far too young to have gone to anything like this before your family's exile." Recalling Vegeta's warning from a few minutes before, Bulma replied, "It's all a little much for me." "Humph." Shenron grunted, answering his own question, "It's atrocious. However, if one can abandon all morals, I guess this could be fun." After he spun her around, Bulma settled for a sly smirk, "And I take it you've abandoned your morals, then?"
Shaking his head, Shenron sighed, "I'm the Game Master. Making sure people have fun is my job. Although that may have been what brought Cell to his end." "Too much fun?" Bulma wondered, her eyes catching a flash of something on the inside of his suit jacket. His rumbling voice low, Shenron snickered to himself, "So it would seem. After all, Perfect Cell decided a deathberry was better then what our merciful President would do to him for his… mistakes." Shock danced across Bulma's face as the last verse of the song started, causing the middle-aged man to smile forlornly, shrugging, "My position has never been the safest job around. I knew that going in, that's why I volunteered for it." Bulma couldn't believe her ears, "You volunteered for this? Why?"
The Game Master gave her his practiced answer, "Aspiration for something meaningful. And a chance to make this year's Game actually mean something." Rolling her eyes, Bulma glanced around for Vegeta, "The Games aren't meant to mean anything other than to scare people. If they mean anything at all." A soft smile tugged at the corners of Shenron's mouth, "All it takes for a meaning of something to change is for one brave person to wish for it."
Vegeta walked up to the dancing pair as the song faded out. Greeting the teen as he approached, Shenron pulled out a pocket watch, "Thank you for allowing me to dance with your lovely soon-to-be Mate, Prince Vegeta." He rubbed his thumb over the face of the rose gold timepiece, causing an image of the Saiyan Royal Crest to appear for the briefest of seconds, disappearing so fast that the teens were not even sure what they had seen actually happened. "Well, it seems that time has gotten away from me again. I'm certain that we will meet again though. Until then, farewell and I wish you both the best of luck and happiness." After bidding them goodbye, Shenron slipped away amongst the crowd as if he was a serpent.
Forcefully dragging Bulma to his chest, Vegeta growled quietly in her ear, "What did he say to you?" "Let me go, Vegeta." Bulma snarled back, her body was already on high-alert from the throngs of people and Vegeta's strong arms, though she usually felt safe when he held her, were not helping her fraying nerves. Loosening his hold but not releasing her, Vegeta's hot breath fanned against the back of her neck and the shell of her ear, "I asked you a question, Woman. What. Did. He. Say. To. You." Anger began to boil her blood as Bulma's flight-or-fight instinct began to kick into high gear, "His job. That's all we talked about."
Her voice started to rise in volume as she continued, "Is there anything else you'd… nughff…" Vegeta had spun her around and pressed his lips to her's in a harsh, bruising kiss, resting a hand on her head to hold her in place until she relented and relaxed against him. It was a show of dominance to the few Saiyans there but even the Capital people disliked such public displays of affection. Once sure that she would stay quiet for a few seconds, Vegeta pulled away, murmuring against his lips, "Must you yell all the time, Woman?" Before Bulma could answer, Krillin appeared out of nowhere, "It's time for the Presidential Salutation, come on."
The Winners interlocked arms again as they followed their bald Escort back towards the patio. "Do you think we convinced him?" Bulma whispered as they came to stand a few yards back from the patio. I hope so. Vegeta shrugged as a set of doors opened on the second floor leading out to a balcony, Freeza walked through the doorway and stopped at the waist-high railing. Addressing the crowd before him, Freeza's high-pitched whiny voice grated on Vegeta's sensitive ears, "Good evening! I would like to welcome our two Winners since this is their last stop on their Triumphant Journey. They are two young people who embody many of my own ideals, some of which are strength, honor, and cunning."
Freeza locked eyes with Vegeta, grinning wickedly as his speech continued, "And I want to personally congratulate them on their engagement. Your love for one another has inspired us. And it will continue to inspire us every day for as long as you live; like a shining light, reminding all of us that there are good things in this world even if they seem evil at first." Discreetly shaking his head as he raised his glass as a toast to the happy couple, Freeza dashed any hope Vegeta had. Nonononononono! We did everything he wanted! That slimy, good-for-nothing, two-faced liar! Vegeta scowled up at the grinning murderer, his expression showing his hatred which just made that purple smile bigger.
Releasing Vegeta's arm, Bulma turned to Krillin, "I think I'm ready to go. What about you, Vegeta?" Pulled from his dark thoughts, Vegeta blinked as his mind registered the question, "Not yet. Can you spare me one more dance this evening, Milady?" The Prince bowed at the waist, his black eyes never leaving her face as he pressed his lips to the back of her hand. "Of course, my Prince." Bulma giggled, a blush appearing as she let him lead her back to the dance floor.
Nodding at the band, Vegeta brought them to the middle of the dance floor as the band struck the first note. It was a haunting melody on the stringed instruments with tambourines and shakers to keep the beat. Unlike every other song played that night, Vegeta had requested that this one's lyrics be sung. An older woman began to sing the mesmerizing words in the old Saiyan language. "This is a beautiful song. What's she saying, Vegeta?" Bulma wondered as she laid her head on his warm shoulder, letting him guide the sway of their bodies to the music. Warmly smiling at the memories, Vegeta answered softly, "She's singing about that first Saiyans to Mate and Bond. Their names were Yamoshi and Shallot. Yamoshi only knew of battle, it was where he thrived and it was where the other Saiyans saw that he was the best to lead them. But in order to be crowned King of All Saiyans, Yamoshi had to find a mate to produce an heir.
"Shallot was a female of great renown for her feats on the battlefield. She actually fought alongside Yamoshi many times. In order to find what he considered a suitable mate, Yamoshi held a contest for any female who wished to participate, the last one standing would win the honor of being the Queen of All Saiyans. But there was one important piece of information that no one knew, the last Saiyan would have to fight Yamoshi. Now, Shallot was a marvelous tactician and used as little energy to win her fights as possible; so when she defeated her last opponent and had to face Yamoshi, she was well-prepared.
"Their fight lasted three days with no respites for food or water. In the end, Yamoshi called the battle to a close, announcing that he had tied with his Mate. For you see, he did not just want someone who was easy on the eyes, or marginally intelligent; no, Yamoshi wanted a Mate who could rule in his stead until his heir was old enough to become king should he perish on the battlefield." Looking into Vegeta's face, Bulma crinkled her nose, "That's not very romantic." "It's as romantic as Saiyans get." Vegeta chuckled, beginning to hum along with the song of his ancestors' love story.
As the singer started on the last line, Vegeta crooned its translation to Bulma, "The King and his Queen, warriors 'til the end, never stopped their war, their war for each other." Smirking, Vegeta whispered sensuously, "See, Woman, Saiyans can be romantic. Just in our own way." Bulma leaned forward on her tippy toes, landing a smooch right on his big, fat smirk. When she began to feel Vegeta move his mouth against hers, Bulma pulled away, a sultry smile dancing in her clear blue eyes, "Prove it." Barely containing a pride-shattering whine, Vegeta scowled at his inner thoughts, Can't she see what she's doing to me? Why did I have to fall for the most insufferable, infuriating, idiotic Woman in this country? But the longer he gazed into her twinkling blue eyes, Vegeta felt his scowl turn into a genuine smile, Because, at the heart of her, Bulma is as fierce as any Saiyan warrior; for a weakling…
Offering Bulma his arm, Vegeta said, "Thank you for the dance. May I have the honor of escorting you home?" Lightly placing her hand on his arm, Bulma accepted Vegeta's offer, beaming like the Princess he always knew she would be. When they followed Krillin through the library on the way out, Vegeta surprisingly couldn't spot a specific book. I guess I'll have to keep an eye out at the Market for it. Vegeta held his Mate close to him as they walked down the long walkway and the even longer driveway since it was now late into the night and it seemed like everyone but the teens had been drinking for hours on end.
