The True King of Thieves

Ryomi Hayashi

Note: Just to let everyone know, this story has nothing to do with Robin Hood! I frequently read stories about forest thieves and if any stories have influenced me, it's them.

Chapter Five: Only The Strong

Bulma lay awake in her forest bed, looking up at the tree-cloaked sky. Masked by leaves, she could barely see the stars she loved to watch, but now she didn't really care. She had her mind on other things.

Why had she come here? Could it be that she had traveled into the future? Then what was all this talk about magic?

She hadn't remembered much since before she woke up in the tent. It was probably just another day at Capsule Corporation, just another boring day. True, a lot had happened in her life, but lately the days had seemed a little routine.

Her father had moved the company to a bigger location in Osaka, and she could remember the first few days since the move. Everyone was productive and diligent, all running around with something to do. Even Bulma, who normally had her head in the clouds, had her schedule packed with chores.

Eventually, things slowed down. Slow enough until Bulma's thoughts were clogged with boredom. Unusual for a girl as wealthy and famous as her, but with her accustomed to life in the fast lane, it was anything but fun. Things started to remind her of the days back when she was used to living in boredom, the days when things moved quickly but slow enough for her to enjoy the world around her.

Before her father's wealth had seemingly reached its apex and then surprised everyone by climbing even hire in status, she remembered lazy days of lounging around in Capsule Corp. Days of talking with friends, making new ones, and going with all of them to the popular hangouts. Even though she enjoyed karaoke bars and laid-back days around the house, not much really happened.

She paused for a second. Come to think of it, not much had happened in her whole life. Sure she grew richer, smarter, and even more famous by second, but any teenage girl in her position would bore or tire after a while.

Bulma did, however, remember one incident long ago. Some years ago when she was still a child, she heard something strange about some dragon balls that would give her any wish she wanted. She, of course, thought it was the strangest thing and dismissed it as a rumor. But ever since then, she had always dreamed about getting those dragon balls and wishing her deepest dream to come true. Could it be, somehow, that those dragon balls had anything to do with her current situation?

Maybe, she thought to herself, the idea of her father creating a machine that accidentally threw her into the very recess of space and time wasn't so far fetched. Or maybe it was. Whatever the case, she was stuck here with a bunch of rebel thieves with some kind of illness she couldn't seem to feel anymore.

And that was another thing. The symptoms of her illness had long since worn off, but perhaps she wasn't quite rid of it yet. And was it contagious? It seemed serious, what if she was able to single handedly sicken every member of the tribe of thieves who had cared for without even meaning too?

She stopped herself. She was rambling in her own head, worrying just wasn't like her. Maybe this planet or dimension or whatever it was screwing up her mentality because it really wasn't normal for her to worry.

Turning to her side she sighed. True, she wasn't really scared or anything, but things weren't exactly going her way. She wasn't homesick just yet, but she wasn't exactly blooming where she was planted. Normally she would've adapted quite well to her situation, but what with Kyrinn, her illness, and everything else thrown her way, it was hard to get used to all the changes.

Interrupting her thought train, she saw Vegeta shift around and finally turn to face her, fast asleep of course. Funny, she remembered his blankets and sleeping area being far away from hers, since when did he move them up so close?

She ignored his sleeping figure and turned to her side. As she watched the wind rustle the trees she realized something. Anyone else in her situation would be terrified, lost and lonely, craving for even a small relic to remind them of the world they once knew. And here she was, not exactly completely adjusted to her circumstances, but fine nonetheless. The fact that she was lying next to a moody king of thieves that could kill her in an instant if he so willed and in a dark forest that could house unknown creatures of tremendous might and she was just lying there reminiscing gave her a bit of pride. True, she did always know that she was strong, but like this she would've never imagined.

She turned once again to her side and took a gaze at her moody king of thieves. He didn't snore or anything, but he was sure creepy when he slept. Most people looked angelic when they sleep, Vegeta, on the other hand, looked like a rampant sadist. She shrugged off the thought; maybe it was just the light.

She heard him shuffle again and mumble nonsense in his sleep. She could she him move about, but in the moonlight she couldn't make out any details. Sighing, she ignored him and closed her eyes, finally trying to fall asleep. Again, he shuffled closer, mumbling in his sleep something to the effect of "Devrick I'll kill you".

Bulma groaned internally. How barbaric, he even kills people in his dreams. Now he shuffled closer to her until his breath was hot on her neck.

She sighed. He's going to catch whatever it is I have, she thought.

Then, he did something so unexpected she would've sworn he was awake.

He threw his arm around her and dragged her closer to him.

"Vegeta, are you awake?" she said, trying to peel his arm off, but to no avail.

He didn't respond and she grew frustrated, trying to escape from his iron grip and finally managing. Rolling away, she huffed a frustrated sound and arranged the blankets around her.

"Stupid Vegeta," she grumbled to herself. Being a leader of thieves she would've thought he would away at the snapping of a single twig, but she was wrong.

He threw his arm around her again, this time it hit her in the waist, and rather hard. He didn't pull her close this time, but just lay there with his arm draped over her.

She sighed once more and this time didn't move him. She had given up. Sure, if he didn't move he'd throw a fit when he woke up, but it wasn't her fault anyway. Maybe she had even grown to like him a little more, but not by much. Though she wasn't in a fit of giggles right now, she wasn't terribly upset either.

Hell, it wasn't exactly romantic to have a heavy arm slung over you while you're trying to sleep. The only reason she didn't move it was because she gave up.

Bulma could tell this was going somewhere. Just from this she could sense that she would be hearing and seeing a lot more of Vegeta. Perhaps it would all go downhill and they would become sworn enemies, but who knows. She lay there with his arm hanging over her almost protectively and couldn't help but wonder.

Was it true that only the strong could love?