The Difference Between Love and Lust
Chapter 12
Authors Note: ooh Yay! Finally the next chapter. I know I've been bad about getting this one out. It's been a busy week. But here it is I hope it's worth the wait. I think it will be. :
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or it's characters and I'm not making any money. Yada yada yada.
Nightmares never last, one day you wake up and they're gone.
-Trunks
The temperature dropped to unbearable levels as another northern night began. Lust pulled her large blood red wings tighter about her body keeping out the chill. Even though the cold's only threat to the immortal was a slight discomfort. Turning her head, she glanced at the man who lay in front of her. He was wrapped in a wavering ki his entire being shuddering violently as the icy chill seeped from the cave floor and into his bones.
"Oh Vegita." Lust sighed, her eyes filled with icy tears. "Why do you have to be so stubborn? Please.. please go home." A tear broke free of her eye only to freeze on her cheek. She couldn't take another night of this. She couldn't just sit there and watch him die. But there was nothing more she could do. Everything she tried failed and she had tried EVERYTHING.
Slowly she stood and walked to the mouth of the cave a small shiver running down her spin. For a moment she stopped to look over her shoulder at the dying man behind her. His breath came in labored gasps as if each one was a pain he would rather do without. She had seen it in his eyes days ago. He no longer had anything to live for.
Turning back to face the open tundra Lust wiped the film of ice from her cheek. "I'm sorry Vegita. I'm so sorry." She bowed her head in grief staring blankly down at the blossom in her hand. The deep blue of the flower had faded and its remaining petals had long since wilted in the cold. "It's hopeless." She whispered letting the dead bloom fall from her fingers before diapering in a flash of brilliant red light.
A cloak figure stepped silently from out of the shadows. Moving to the crushed blossom without a sound, it bent gathering the broken flower into its hands. A soft blue glow formed around the figures cupped hands and sparks of lavender light flared up and died like tiny brilliant stars. The light seeped into the bloom filling it with a new life.
Slowly the flower closed in upon itself returning to the bud it once had been. Then in a sudden burst of glory it bloomed anew even more beautiful then it had been when first it had become a flower.
The figure smiled tenderly at the blossom in her hands. "You are wrong cousin. It is in times like these that hope is reborn stronger then before."
The forest was wrapped in stillness with only the occasion birds song to break the silence.
The complete quite was suddenly broken by a loud roaring sound. An air-bike broke through the trees scattering leaves in every direction. Bulma brought her air-bike to a stop and slipped from the driver's seat. Taking the Dragon Radar from her pocket she examined the screen thoughtfully. "Hmm getting closer. All right! I am such a genius!" She laughed happily spinning about in delight. "Beautiful and brilliant all in one!" She looked down at her reflection in the glass surface of the radar and winked.
Smiling excitedly she began to return to her air-bike. Suddenly her foot caught on an unseen root causing her to go tumbling to the earth her arms waving in an attempt to stop her fall.
A sudden sharp pain shot up her leg causing her to cry out in agony. Whimpering she rolled over into a sitting position clutching her ankle. Tears of pain ran freely down her cheeks. "Oh man! What rotten luck!" Biting her lip against the pain, she looked around for her dropped dragon radar. Her eyes coming to rest on a shattered pile of gears and wires. "Oh no!"
Dragging herself over to the broken invention she gathered all the parts together. Slowly her face began to light up. "I can fix this. It's no problem for a genius like me." Reaching into her pocket, she searched out her box of capsules. But her hand came up empty. Crying out in surprise she opened her pocket wide staring into it. "They're gone! They must have fallen out when I fell."
Her eyes scanned the ground around her till they fell upon the broken box that contained
her capsules. Beside it sat a squirrel the last of her capsules in its paws. "Hey give that back!" The like creature looked up its eyes widening in surprised fear before it hurriedly scurried up a tree taking the capsule with it. Bulma growled in frustration dragging herself over to the tree using it to pull herself to her good foot. Leaning against its trunk she shock her fist at the squirrel. "I said give that back you little monster!"
The squirrel chattered angrily at her then disappeared into a hole in the tree. "Oh that's it!" Bulma yelled hoping over to her air-bike. "I'm going home!" Starting the bike she spun it around racing off toward Capsule Corp.
Slowly the squirrel peeked its head out of it hole looking around carefully. "It's all right.. You can come out now."
Love reached out her hand toward the small creature. The squirrel chattered happily and ran over to where she sat perched on the branch her long golden wings trailing down behind her. Hoping into her lap it placed the capsule into her hand causing her to giggle in delight. Gently scratching its chin, she looked off in the direction that Bulma had disappeared into. "You did very well my little friend. Very well indeed."
He was floating in a complete eternal void of darkness. He felt a gentle pulling dragging him deeper into the nothingness around him. All he had to do was relent to it and his pain would end. The hunger, the cold, the loneliness, the rejection, it would all be eased in that nothingness. Just as the nothingness was about to devour him completely, a soft blue speck of light formed in the distance. Slowly its radiance grew till the entire emptiness was filled with its shimmering light. Soft warmth enclosed him as he was pulled into a gentle embrace. Warmth filled him driving the chill from his body and comforting his inner pain. He shielded his eyes trying to see the being before him only to remain blinded by the intense light. The last thing he could remember before the becoming lost in the brilliance was a pair of gentle blue eyes.
"Vegita.." He moaned struggling weakly trying to respond to the voice. "Vegita wake up"
Slowly he opened his eyes fighting to get his vision in focus. For a moment he though he saw a figure standing before him but then there was nothing there. "Get up Vegita." A warmth ran through his body carrying a sudden serge of energy threw him giving him just enough strength to stagger to his feet. "Who.. who are you?" he rasped his throat to dry to speak.
A soft laughed was the only answer he got. Staggering toward the sound Vegita clenched his fists. "Answer me!" he growled stumbling out of the cave and into the tundra beyond. Scanning the whiteness, his eyes came to rest on a figure hovering in the air above facing away from him. Snarling he brought his ki up around him forcing himself into the air. "Don't toy with me!" he growled.
The figure glanced over its shoulder flashing a smile at him. He caught a glint of blue before the figure took off speeding away into the horizon. Yelling a curse Vegita speed off in pursuit. He battled to catch up with the being in front of him but no matter how fast he went the blue light of its ki was always the sane distance from him. Till suddenly, it stopped.
He flew up toward it cautiously expecting an attack at any moment. Slowly the figure turned to face him the black cloak that had hidden all its features from view dropping away. Large blue wings spread wide in a sudden flare of feathers reveling the form of a woman a moment before his eyes where blinded by a sudden burst of intense blue light. When his vison cleared she was gone.
Slowly his strength began to seep from his muscles causing him to slowly sink back to the ground. Leaning weakly against a tree he looked around a scowl touching his brow as he saw the familiar roof tops of Capsule Corp. Staggering toward the building that had somehow become a home to him a decision settled in his mind. It was his territory and he would not let that weak pathetic excuse for a warrior drive him from what was his. Snarling in determination, he gathered the last of his strength and slowly rose into the air. Flying up to the first balcony he opened the sliding door and entered the room. Staggering toward the bed he collapsed into it falling asleep almost the moment his head hit the sweet-smelling pillow.
Bulma limped up the stairs muttering about evil rodents her face flushed with anger. Still grumbling she opened the door to her room and limped in. Dropping her knapsack on the floor she ignored the light switch and made her way slowly to her bed. This had probably worst day of her life. No strike that. The day Vegita threatening her on Namek had been the worst day. She groaned sitting down on the edge of her bed. "Why on earth do I keep thinking about him? He is such an arrogant, annoying, and sexy baka." Bulma put her hand over her mouth surprised at what she had just said. Bending over she slowly removed her hiking boots whimpering softly as it sent a new surge of pain up her leg. "The stress has really gotten to you this time Bulma." She scolded herself as she slipped under the covers. "Thinking Vegita is sexy... really."
Sighing in relief, she curled up on her side she eyes slowly beginning to close. Suddenly her eyes shoot back open growing incredibly wide. Slowly her hand slipped down along her side til it came in contact with the soft furry warmth wrapped loosely around her waist. She heard a soft sigh as her fingers traced lightly over the tail casing it to twitch at her touch. Ever so slowly she turned her head gasping in surprise at the man she saw laying beside her.
He looked like he had been through hell. Dark circles shadowed his eyes and his cheeks and nose were burned red by the wind. Other then those little bits of color his face was incredibly pale and drawn but his usual scowl was relaxed. "Vegita..." she whispered softly touching his brow gently drawing her hand away quickly in surprise at the feverish heat of his skin. "Poor guy.. he's so sick he feel asleep in the wrong room."
Careful so not to wake him she began to slip from the bed deciding she would sleep on the coach tonight and let him rest. As if sensing her movements his brow deepened into his usual scowl and his tail tightened around her waist refusing to let her go. Looking down at the clutching limb Bulma bit her lip. Reaching out slowly she shock his shoulder at first gently and then with more force. But it was no use Vegita was in lost in the deep sleep that only the very weary can find. Nothing short of an explosion would wake him. Sighing she slipped back under the covers letting the tail pull her close to the sleeping Saiya-jin. Resting his head on the pillow next to him she let her hand rest on his warm cheek. "I don't want to be alone tonight either."
Slowly Bulma's lips turned up into an evil little smile. She may never get a chance like this again. And she just had to know. Gently she touched her lips to his her heart racing with a slight fear that he would awaken. She felt his lips move against her slightly opening to allow her lips to mold against his. Bulma stared at his face in surprise at the response a chill running through her as her eyes meet his. He stared at her blankly for a moment before his eyes feel shut once again his lips parting from hers with tantalizing slowness. Muttering something under his breath, he threw his arm around her, pulling her tight against him. His breathing remaining deep and constant. Bulma stared into his chest shocked her breath coming in small little gasps. She had heard Vegita talking in his sleep before even yelling but she had never heard of anyone kissing in their sleep before. She lifted her chin to look up at his face half expecting to see him looking back at her. She could see the slight flutter of his eyelids that told her that not only was he asleep but in a very deep sleep. "Wow." She whispered lifting her fingertips to her lips. "What a great kisser."
She smiled snuggling in his strong embrace. There was no way she was going to be able to pry her way out of his arms so she might as well enjoy it. Sure he may be angry tomorrow if he awoke to find her there but hell it was worth it.
The room was wrapped in a gentle silence broken only by the soft rhythmic breathing of the two sleeping forms. Small golden points of light rained down on them as they lay wrapped in each others arms completely at peace. Love turned away from the sleeping two a soft smile playing over her lips. Lust had done her part well it seemed.
Stepping out on the balcony she stopped suddenly feeling the prescience of one she knew well. Looking over the railing, she stared down at the figure kneeling in the garden below. She was sitting amidst a sea of white flowers her long blue hair dancing freely in the wind. Large graceful wings the color the softest blue arched from her back folding slightly around her as she lifted a blossom to her nose breathing in of its scent.
Leaping from the balcony, Love flew over to land beside her. She knelt beside her and took her hands squeezing them warmly. "Cousin! What are you doing here?"
The blue goddess smiled to hug her dear friend. "I though you could use my help. How did you expect to convince Vegita to come back when he had no hope of winning Bulma?" She spoke softly.
Love blinked in surprise. "Are you scolding me?"
The woman stood a kind smile on her lips. "Perhaps just a little. But then I doubt that I could have gotten those two this close to each other to begin with. But then that's not my job."
Love moved to stand beside her frowning slightly. "So what happened to Lust?"
"I am assuming she went to be with Yamcha. She probably found him much more interesting then this little project she started."
Love sighed rolling her eyes. "She's always been like that. Starting things, she never intends to finish. She's just so flighty."
The other goddess nodded slowly. "That's the way she is meant to be."
Love smiled shaking her head. "You never get annoyed with anything do you?"
She shook her head giving her sister a wink. "That's the way I was meant to be." She turned her attention toward the direction of the balcony. "It looks like things may work out for you after all."
"Yes it does." Love smiled her own attention pulled in the same direction. "Thanks to your help."
The woman shrugged. "I had many good reasons to help. Namely a certain lavender haired boy."
Love frowned, looking confused. "Who?"
The other goddess laughed softly. "You'll see." She gave her cousin a wink and was gone in a flash of blue light.
Love smiled whispering softly. "Thank you Hope."
Chapter 12
Authors Note: ooh Yay! Finally the next chapter. I know I've been bad about getting this one out. It's been a busy week. But here it is I hope it's worth the wait. I think it will be. :
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or it's characters and I'm not making any money. Yada yada yada.
Nightmares never last, one day you wake up and they're gone.
-Trunks
The temperature dropped to unbearable levels as another northern night began. Lust pulled her large blood red wings tighter about her body keeping out the chill. Even though the cold's only threat to the immortal was a slight discomfort. Turning her head, she glanced at the man who lay in front of her. He was wrapped in a wavering ki his entire being shuddering violently as the icy chill seeped from the cave floor and into his bones.
"Oh Vegita." Lust sighed, her eyes filled with icy tears. "Why do you have to be so stubborn? Please.. please go home." A tear broke free of her eye only to freeze on her cheek. She couldn't take another night of this. She couldn't just sit there and watch him die. But there was nothing more she could do. Everything she tried failed and she had tried EVERYTHING.
Slowly she stood and walked to the mouth of the cave a small shiver running down her spin. For a moment she stopped to look over her shoulder at the dying man behind her. His breath came in labored gasps as if each one was a pain he would rather do without. She had seen it in his eyes days ago. He no longer had anything to live for.
Turning back to face the open tundra Lust wiped the film of ice from her cheek. "I'm sorry Vegita. I'm so sorry." She bowed her head in grief staring blankly down at the blossom in her hand. The deep blue of the flower had faded and its remaining petals had long since wilted in the cold. "It's hopeless." She whispered letting the dead bloom fall from her fingers before diapering in a flash of brilliant red light.
A cloak figure stepped silently from out of the shadows. Moving to the crushed blossom without a sound, it bent gathering the broken flower into its hands. A soft blue glow formed around the figures cupped hands and sparks of lavender light flared up and died like tiny brilliant stars. The light seeped into the bloom filling it with a new life.
Slowly the flower closed in upon itself returning to the bud it once had been. Then in a sudden burst of glory it bloomed anew even more beautiful then it had been when first it had become a flower.
The figure smiled tenderly at the blossom in her hands. "You are wrong cousin. It is in times like these that hope is reborn stronger then before."
The forest was wrapped in stillness with only the occasion birds song to break the silence.
The complete quite was suddenly broken by a loud roaring sound. An air-bike broke through the trees scattering leaves in every direction. Bulma brought her air-bike to a stop and slipped from the driver's seat. Taking the Dragon Radar from her pocket she examined the screen thoughtfully. "Hmm getting closer. All right! I am such a genius!" She laughed happily spinning about in delight. "Beautiful and brilliant all in one!" She looked down at her reflection in the glass surface of the radar and winked.
Smiling excitedly she began to return to her air-bike. Suddenly her foot caught on an unseen root causing her to go tumbling to the earth her arms waving in an attempt to stop her fall.
A sudden sharp pain shot up her leg causing her to cry out in agony. Whimpering she rolled over into a sitting position clutching her ankle. Tears of pain ran freely down her cheeks. "Oh man! What rotten luck!" Biting her lip against the pain, she looked around for her dropped dragon radar. Her eyes coming to rest on a shattered pile of gears and wires. "Oh no!"
Dragging herself over to the broken invention she gathered all the parts together. Slowly her face began to light up. "I can fix this. It's no problem for a genius like me." Reaching into her pocket, she searched out her box of capsules. But her hand came up empty. Crying out in surprise she opened her pocket wide staring into it. "They're gone! They must have fallen out when I fell."
Her eyes scanned the ground around her till they fell upon the broken box that contained
her capsules. Beside it sat a squirrel the last of her capsules in its paws. "Hey give that back!" The like creature looked up its eyes widening in surprised fear before it hurriedly scurried up a tree taking the capsule with it. Bulma growled in frustration dragging herself over to the tree using it to pull herself to her good foot. Leaning against its trunk she shock her fist at the squirrel. "I said give that back you little monster!"
The squirrel chattered angrily at her then disappeared into a hole in the tree. "Oh that's it!" Bulma yelled hoping over to her air-bike. "I'm going home!" Starting the bike she spun it around racing off toward Capsule Corp.
Slowly the squirrel peeked its head out of it hole looking around carefully. "It's all right.. You can come out now."
Love reached out her hand toward the small creature. The squirrel chattered happily and ran over to where she sat perched on the branch her long golden wings trailing down behind her. Hoping into her lap it placed the capsule into her hand causing her to giggle in delight. Gently scratching its chin, she looked off in the direction that Bulma had disappeared into. "You did very well my little friend. Very well indeed."
He was floating in a complete eternal void of darkness. He felt a gentle pulling dragging him deeper into the nothingness around him. All he had to do was relent to it and his pain would end. The hunger, the cold, the loneliness, the rejection, it would all be eased in that nothingness. Just as the nothingness was about to devour him completely, a soft blue speck of light formed in the distance. Slowly its radiance grew till the entire emptiness was filled with its shimmering light. Soft warmth enclosed him as he was pulled into a gentle embrace. Warmth filled him driving the chill from his body and comforting his inner pain. He shielded his eyes trying to see the being before him only to remain blinded by the intense light. The last thing he could remember before the becoming lost in the brilliance was a pair of gentle blue eyes.
"Vegita.." He moaned struggling weakly trying to respond to the voice. "Vegita wake up"
Slowly he opened his eyes fighting to get his vision in focus. For a moment he though he saw a figure standing before him but then there was nothing there. "Get up Vegita." A warmth ran through his body carrying a sudden serge of energy threw him giving him just enough strength to stagger to his feet. "Who.. who are you?" he rasped his throat to dry to speak.
A soft laughed was the only answer he got. Staggering toward the sound Vegita clenched his fists. "Answer me!" he growled stumbling out of the cave and into the tundra beyond. Scanning the whiteness, his eyes came to rest on a figure hovering in the air above facing away from him. Snarling he brought his ki up around him forcing himself into the air. "Don't toy with me!" he growled.
The figure glanced over its shoulder flashing a smile at him. He caught a glint of blue before the figure took off speeding away into the horizon. Yelling a curse Vegita speed off in pursuit. He battled to catch up with the being in front of him but no matter how fast he went the blue light of its ki was always the sane distance from him. Till suddenly, it stopped.
He flew up toward it cautiously expecting an attack at any moment. Slowly the figure turned to face him the black cloak that had hidden all its features from view dropping away. Large blue wings spread wide in a sudden flare of feathers reveling the form of a woman a moment before his eyes where blinded by a sudden burst of intense blue light. When his vison cleared she was gone.
Slowly his strength began to seep from his muscles causing him to slowly sink back to the ground. Leaning weakly against a tree he looked around a scowl touching his brow as he saw the familiar roof tops of Capsule Corp. Staggering toward the building that had somehow become a home to him a decision settled in his mind. It was his territory and he would not let that weak pathetic excuse for a warrior drive him from what was his. Snarling in determination, he gathered the last of his strength and slowly rose into the air. Flying up to the first balcony he opened the sliding door and entered the room. Staggering toward the bed he collapsed into it falling asleep almost the moment his head hit the sweet-smelling pillow.
Bulma limped up the stairs muttering about evil rodents her face flushed with anger. Still grumbling she opened the door to her room and limped in. Dropping her knapsack on the floor she ignored the light switch and made her way slowly to her bed. This had probably worst day of her life. No strike that. The day Vegita threatening her on Namek had been the worst day. She groaned sitting down on the edge of her bed. "Why on earth do I keep thinking about him? He is such an arrogant, annoying, and sexy baka." Bulma put her hand over her mouth surprised at what she had just said. Bending over she slowly removed her hiking boots whimpering softly as it sent a new surge of pain up her leg. "The stress has really gotten to you this time Bulma." She scolded herself as she slipped under the covers. "Thinking Vegita is sexy... really."
Sighing in relief, she curled up on her side she eyes slowly beginning to close. Suddenly her eyes shoot back open growing incredibly wide. Slowly her hand slipped down along her side til it came in contact with the soft furry warmth wrapped loosely around her waist. She heard a soft sigh as her fingers traced lightly over the tail casing it to twitch at her touch. Ever so slowly she turned her head gasping in surprise at the man she saw laying beside her.
He looked like he had been through hell. Dark circles shadowed his eyes and his cheeks and nose were burned red by the wind. Other then those little bits of color his face was incredibly pale and drawn but his usual scowl was relaxed. "Vegita..." she whispered softly touching his brow gently drawing her hand away quickly in surprise at the feverish heat of his skin. "Poor guy.. he's so sick he feel asleep in the wrong room."
Careful so not to wake him she began to slip from the bed deciding she would sleep on the coach tonight and let him rest. As if sensing her movements his brow deepened into his usual scowl and his tail tightened around her waist refusing to let her go. Looking down at the clutching limb Bulma bit her lip. Reaching out slowly she shock his shoulder at first gently and then with more force. But it was no use Vegita was in lost in the deep sleep that only the very weary can find. Nothing short of an explosion would wake him. Sighing she slipped back under the covers letting the tail pull her close to the sleeping Saiya-jin. Resting his head on the pillow next to him she let her hand rest on his warm cheek. "I don't want to be alone tonight either."
Slowly Bulma's lips turned up into an evil little smile. She may never get a chance like this again. And she just had to know. Gently she touched her lips to his her heart racing with a slight fear that he would awaken. She felt his lips move against her slightly opening to allow her lips to mold against his. Bulma stared at his face in surprise at the response a chill running through her as her eyes meet his. He stared at her blankly for a moment before his eyes feel shut once again his lips parting from hers with tantalizing slowness. Muttering something under his breath, he threw his arm around her, pulling her tight against him. His breathing remaining deep and constant. Bulma stared into his chest shocked her breath coming in small little gasps. She had heard Vegita talking in his sleep before even yelling but she had never heard of anyone kissing in their sleep before. She lifted her chin to look up at his face half expecting to see him looking back at her. She could see the slight flutter of his eyelids that told her that not only was he asleep but in a very deep sleep. "Wow." She whispered lifting her fingertips to her lips. "What a great kisser."
She smiled snuggling in his strong embrace. There was no way she was going to be able to pry her way out of his arms so she might as well enjoy it. Sure he may be angry tomorrow if he awoke to find her there but hell it was worth it.
The room was wrapped in a gentle silence broken only by the soft rhythmic breathing of the two sleeping forms. Small golden points of light rained down on them as they lay wrapped in each others arms completely at peace. Love turned away from the sleeping two a soft smile playing over her lips. Lust had done her part well it seemed.
Stepping out on the balcony she stopped suddenly feeling the prescience of one she knew well. Looking over the railing, she stared down at the figure kneeling in the garden below. She was sitting amidst a sea of white flowers her long blue hair dancing freely in the wind. Large graceful wings the color the softest blue arched from her back folding slightly around her as she lifted a blossom to her nose breathing in of its scent.
Leaping from the balcony, Love flew over to land beside her. She knelt beside her and took her hands squeezing them warmly. "Cousin! What are you doing here?"
The blue goddess smiled to hug her dear friend. "I though you could use my help. How did you expect to convince Vegita to come back when he had no hope of winning Bulma?" She spoke softly.
Love blinked in surprise. "Are you scolding me?"
The woman stood a kind smile on her lips. "Perhaps just a little. But then I doubt that I could have gotten those two this close to each other to begin with. But then that's not my job."
Love moved to stand beside her frowning slightly. "So what happened to Lust?"
"I am assuming she went to be with Yamcha. She probably found him much more interesting then this little project she started."
Love sighed rolling her eyes. "She's always been like that. Starting things, she never intends to finish. She's just so flighty."
The other goddess nodded slowly. "That's the way she is meant to be."
Love smiled shaking her head. "You never get annoyed with anything do you?"
She shook her head giving her sister a wink. "That's the way I was meant to be." She turned her attention toward the direction of the balcony. "It looks like things may work out for you after all."
"Yes it does." Love smiled her own attention pulled in the same direction. "Thanks to your help."
The woman shrugged. "I had many good reasons to help. Namely a certain lavender haired boy."
Love frowned, looking confused. "Who?"
The other goddess laughed softly. "You'll see." She gave her cousin a wink and was gone in a flash of blue light.
Love smiled whispering softly. "Thank you Hope."