Chapter 3 -- Changes
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Vegeta walked into his room and opened the closet. He went to the back of the closet, where he kept the clothes that weren't training outfits. He was looking for something a bit more comfortable than the tight fitting outfit he had now. He grabbed a black turtleneck and tan kakis and placed them on the bed. He took a quick shower to clean the sweat off of him and the smell. He dried off and got dressed and looked at the clock, it read 4:46.
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"I got to make this up to her." he thought to himself as he tied a pair of boots on. He went into he closet and pulled out a sleek deep maroon dress and laid it out on the bed. He wrote a note and placed in on the dress and walked down into the kitchen.
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He was carefully not to be seen by her just yet. He pulled out a phone book and looked through the yellow section of it. He ran his finger down the pages looking for a place she spoke of before. He found the number and dialed it up. He was going to hate himself later for doing this but Bulma needed amends for how he was acting, plus she would get a kick out of it all.
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He hung up the phone and wrote on a sheet of paper and walked off towards the labs. Bulma normally worked till 5:30 so he knew she wouldn't come out prematurely. He slid it under the door and gave a knock then vanished before he was seen.
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Bulma looked up from the computer screen when she heard a knock. She got up and sighed, "Now who could it be?" she spoke out loud to her self. As she came around a desk she saw a sheet of paper folded on the floor. She picked it up seeing her name elegantly written on the paper. She walked out of the door and looked around seeing no one. She walked back in and sat down on a near by chair.
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She gave her name a look over once more, she knew only Vegeta wrote like that. She taught him how to write in her language and he soon added his own elegant princely style to it. She unfolded the paper wondering what was it all about, she read it to herself.
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"Bulma,
I'm sorry for my actions for the past days. I have no explanation for you at this time. All I can do is try and to make amends for them till I have a proper explanation worthy for your ears. So if it would please you, you'll let me try and make it up to you. Go to our bedroom and you'll find what you need. If you do not except my offer I'll understand. I'll be waiting for your answer in the living room.
-Vegeta"
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Bulma's heart melted like the first time he said "I love you" to her. She quickly ran out of the lab and to their bedroom and was surprised to see a dress laid out on the bed. She found a small paper on the dress and picked it up.
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"Thank you" was all it read. Bulma smiled warmly and ran into the shower and scrubbed herself as clean as she could. She blow dried her hair and brushed all the tangles out. She brushed her hair straight and made a path on her head. Her hair flowed off to one side and behind her, her bangs raised up a bit to give it volume. Then she pulled out her makeup bag.
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She dug around in the bag and pulled a few items finally out. She carefully applied each item to her face till she was satisfied with the result. She glowed in a rich golden color. Her lips were a rich plum lipstick and had a soft blush on her cheeks. And a soft plum eye shadow she lightly had applied on. She tossed off her towel and pulled on her dark red panties. She was very happy with the dress he pulled out, it was a deep maroon with black over lace that had a vine design over it. It had thin straps and was cut low enough to show off a little cleavage. She slid it on and looked at her self in the mirror. The dress stopped just below her knee's and had a slight cut on the side that showed some of her thigh.
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She walked over to her jeweler box and put on a ruby necklace that she bought just for the dress she had on. After putting on her shoes she put on some perfume and felt she was ready. She smiled at her self with one last look over. She made her way down the hall wondering what Vegeta had planned for them.
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Vegeta looked up when he heard Bulma enter the living room. He smirked when he saw her in the dress, all ready to go. He stood up and walked over to her and gave her a look over. "Took you long enough." he chuckled.
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Bulma gave him a little glare but was surprised to see him dressed up himself. He looked nice in the black turtleneck and tan kakis, she really liked this new look of him. "So now where to?"
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Vegeta smirked more and grabbed her hand softly, "You'll see."
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He lead her downstairs and out the door. He reached into a pocket and pulled out a capsule, he clicked it and tossed it towards the drive way. Bulma was a little surprised he was going to use a car. She was also happy she made him get his license after she heard about Goku and Piccolo's try from Chichi. He opened one of the doors and Bulma got in and strapped herself in. She knew he knew how to drive but she never been in a car with him driving yet.
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Vegeta got in the other side and buckled in as well, he backed out and took off down the street. Bulma was happy she didn't put up her hair or it would have been a mess seeing as the car Vegeta picked was a convertible air car. She was pleased he could drive so well, he didn't even kill anyone the whole way but she was more pleased at where they went.
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"OH MY GOD!" Bulma cried out for joy. Vegeta had pulled into one of her favorite café's. Well it was more of a restaurant but it had a café feeling to it. She had gone there before with one of her friends and talked her head off one night all about it. Vegeta ate his food in silence as she talked, she thought he didn't listen as she went on about it over dinner.
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Vegeta smirked at her reaction as he parked the car. He was pleased with the café himself. It wasn't that big and it was a weekday so not too many people where there, he liked that. Bulma had told him before it was one of them good places not too many people knew about but had faith customers that kept them going. She really liked it cause it had good food and not too many people to recognize her and hound her.
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Bulma was beaming as she got out of the car and walked over to Vegeta. "Happy?" Vegeta spoke up finally. "YES!" cried out Bulma as she hugged him around his neck. Vegeta chuckled slightly and wrapped a hand around Bulma's waist and walked her to the café.
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The waiter showed them to their seats and handed them their menu's. Bulma smiled brightly as she looked through the selection's. A man walked up to their table and smiled brightly at Bulma.
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"BULMA! My dear I'm so happy you grace my café once more with your radiance!" the man boomed.
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Bulma looked up and smiled, "TONY!" She stood up and gave the man a bear hug. Vegeta looked up from his menu a tad confused now. "Aww you shouldn't say such things you'll make me blush." she laughed.
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Tony chuckled and caught sight of Vegeta, "Ahhh and who might this strapping man might be?"
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Bulma laughed, "Oh I'm so sorry Tony this is my husband, Vegeta." Vegeta eyed the two, "Hello" was all he said.
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"Well hello there, I'm glad to finally meet the man who took my Bulma's heart." Tony chuckled.
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Bulma slapped Tony playfully, "Oh stop that." Vegeta gave a little glare at Bulma and Tony.
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Tony laughed, "Well it's nice to see you again my dear, I hope you enjoy your meal and it was nice to meet you Vegeta." Vegeta grunted in response as the old well rounded man walked back into the back of the café.
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Bulma sat back down smiling brightly. Vegeta blinked at her as she looked back at her menu, "Who was that?"
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"Oh that was Tony."
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Vegeta frowned a bit, "Yea I got that but who is he?"
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Bulma looked up from her menu, "Oh yaaaa you don't know about Tony, I forgot silly me. Tony is a old pal of the family, him and my dad went to high school. He's always joked around with me about being his Bulma."
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"I see" Vegeta shrugged it off as a human thing and went back to his menu. After a few minutes the waiter came back, "Can I take your order now?"
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"Well I'm ready I don't know about him but I'll have the Greek salad and the Chicken Parmigiana please and umm some red wine." The waiter wrote it down and took her menu. "And you sir?"
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Vegeta looked up at the man, "I'll have 5 Moussaka pizza's, 10 house special calzones and 10 meatball and sausage pasta dinners, 5 grilled chicken salad's and 15 order's of buffalo wings."
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The waiter looked at Vegeta in shock, "Umm is that all sir?" Vegeta gave the menu a look over, "And I'll have the same wine as her." The waiter scribbled it down and took his menu and walked off.
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Bulma looked at Vegeta, "Not that hungry?"
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Vegeta shrugged, "I had a big lunch."
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Bulma slightly glared at Vegeta, "So that means you cleaned out the fridge again?"
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"Heh"
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Bulma frowned a bit, "Saiyan pig."
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Vegeta huffed, "Hey at least I don't eat as much as Kakkarot!"
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Bulma laughed a little, "Thank god. I swear that man is a bottomless pit. I also thank god for home delivery food companies. I'll have to give them a call tomorrow."
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"Yeah and I want more steak this time." Vegeta grumbled.
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Bulma just smiled and looked around still amazed Vegeta did something like this for her. "I'm glad I have him. He still amazes me to this day." she thought to herself.
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The two talked mostly about the little things that where happening around them. The food came and they enjoyed it greatly. They paid and Vegeta took Bulma on a sunset stroll down to a park. She was swimming in it all of where Vegeta was leading her to. Vegeta lead her across a small bridge in which a pond from behind them streamed off to a waterfall just ahead of them. It also had a clear view of the lower laying part of the city. Bulma plopped down on the lone bench on the bridge and just kept smiling. Vegeta sat down next her with a soften face than his normal look and wrapped his arm softly around her waist.
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"I really like this, you know so….thanks, a lot." Bulma spoke softly and placed a tender kiss on his cheek.
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Vegeta huffed and smirked a bit more. "Yea I know"
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Bulma sighed happily and leaned he head on to Vegeta's shoulder. Over the years she learned how to do it just right seeing how she was the taller one by a few inches. Vegeta tighten his grip a little, drawing her slightly closer next to him. The two sat in silence and watched the sunset.
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Bulma almost wanted to doze off cause she was so comfortable on the bench like that. The last of the sun, bright red in color sunk behind a hill of homes below them. The stars slowly came out, rising from their sleep in the day and started to shine brightly. Bulma drew in a deep breathe and gazed upward.
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Vegeta raised a brow as Bulma pointed to the heavens. "Right there" was all she said at first. Vegeta looked up and saw nothing at where she was pointing. She wasn't pointing at where Vegetsei use to be, what other planet could she be point at?
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"Right what? What are you pointing at now woman?"
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Bulma smirked at him and kept pointing, "Namek silly or where it use to be."
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Vegeta blinked and saw she was right, that was where Namek use to be. "But why are you pointing there?"
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Bulma put down her arm and smiled softly at him and poked his nose softly. "Cause that's where I met your ugly mug for the first time."
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Vegeta huffed and thought back to that time. He must admit he found Bulma very lovely the first time he saw her but he was all business then, he wasn't who he was today, he wasn't her's yet at that time.
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Bulma leaned back a little and kept looking up. She kept quite for a bit as if lost in thoughts. "Would have you really killed be back then?" she finally spoke.
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Vegeta was shocked a little bit with her question but he wouldn't lie to her. "Ya… but… I was different then."
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Bulma smiled a little, "Ya you where, but…are you happy the way you are now? Doing things like this or do you miss that life?"
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Vegeta frowned a bit, "What do you think?" he said a little harsh.
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"I'm asking you."
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Vegeta gave a little sigh seeing she wanted him to say it. "Yes…yes I am. That life wasn't my choice this life is and I'm happy with my change to who I am now." A pause that lingered in the air for a bit. "Are you happy?"
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Bulma glanced over and saw he was looking right at her. She looked in his eyes for a bit then smiled and held his face. "Of course I am." The two leaned in and kissed feeling a bit relieved.
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Bulma curled up against him not wanting to go just yet. "You know, we should talk more like..this." Vegeta finally spoke up. Bulma nodded and felt at peace as he softly stroked her hair. "How about now?" she chipped in.
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Vegeta gazed up at the sky feeling like they should. "Well… I think it's your turn so go."
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Bulma smiled at his willing to talk to her. "Well… tell me about your family, you never have."
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Vegeta blinked a bit, she was right, he had never told her anything about that. "My father was a great man. He was the one who raised me till I was taken by Freeza. He was strong but more with pride than physical power. He told me I had the bloodline and power to become a super Saiyan. It was cause of his words and trust in me that I've worked so hard to obtained it. He was only one before I met you that gave me a kind word. And for my mother I never knew her, I was told she died when I was young. This must be true cause I have no memories of her at all."
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"I see…what did your father look like?"
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"He was a tall man and I suppose him and I looked alike. But he also always had a goatee. And... always looked at me, with such… trust and hope for me in his eyes."
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Bulma wrapped her hand in his and was happy she was getting to finally know such things. She could tell his father had meant the world to him. "Ok your turn."
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Vegeta thought for a moment not too sure what to ask her. "Ok how did you meet Kakkarot?"
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Bulma laughed a little, "Always with Goku huh?" Vegeta huffed. "Well it was when I was about 16 and looking for the dragonballs for the first time. He was just this odd monkey boy I almost ran over when I was looking for the four star ball. The silly kid thought I was a monster and tossed my car on it's side. Goku was so odd, funny and cute back then." Bulma chuckled a little thinking back to those long ago times.
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"Cute huh? Did you ever have a crush on the kid?" Vegeta snickered.
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"Naaa" Bulma stuck her tongue out at him. "He was a odd one and anyway I didn't meet Yam… Yamcha came into the picture soon after I met Goku. God he was such a wimp back then. He couldn't even look at a woman with out freaking out."
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Vegeta laughed, "Figures"
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"Wow I forgot how much I been through back then. I think I was almost killed at least a hundred times."
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Vegeta blinked and looked at Bulma, "That much?"
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Bulma looked up and chuckled. "Well maybe not that much but it seems that way with Pilaf, The Red Ribbon Army, Piccolo, and all the other monsters that attacked us."
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"Sounded like fun." Vegeta smirked.
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"Yea…it was." Bulma smiled. Bulma took a big breath in, "The dragonballs really have changed things. Something so small has changed everything really. I wonder what things would be like if I never found the first one in my cellar."
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Vegeta's grip around Bulma tighten a bit, "I wouldn't have liked that."
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"Me neither"
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Vegeta released his grip from Bulma, "Want to go?" Bulma nodded and the two walked off. When the two got home Bulma tossed her shoes right off and smirked at Vegeta. Vegeta eyed her and knew that smirk of her. Bulma glared playfully as she took off running down one of the halls. Vegeta grinned hungrily and kicked off his own shoes before taking off after her.
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Bulma ran as fast as she could smiling, as she got down father she looked back to see Vegeta no where but that didn't mean he wasn't close. Bulma ran around a corner only to bump into Vegeta. She started to fall backward but Vegeta grabbed her hand before she fell. He pulled her back up and only grinned. Bulma frowned as Vegeta took off running away from her. Bulma frowned but then smirked and dashed out one of the doors in the other direction.
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Vegeta smirked at his idea as he walked around the hedge gardens, she was never going to look for him out there. He enjoyed these games they played ever once in a while, it really got his blood pumping even thought it really wasn't a work out. Vegeta suddenly heard a rustling and was surprised that Bulma was looking for him out there. When he hid behind a corner to look around he didn't see Bulma.
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There sniffing at the ground down the long path was a large creature but it was deep in the shadows so he couldn't make out what it was. It stood up slightly, being on two leg's but it looked like it preferred four legs better. It's red eyes looked ahead and Vegeta stared in shock as it looked at him. A glimmer of long white fangs showed it self as it grinned at him. It started to run at him, all he could was look at it in shock.
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Just then two arms wrapped around him from behind. Vegeta cried out in pure shock and fell forward. When he looked behind him he saw Bulma looking at him in shock. He turned and looked down the other path and saw nothing. Sweat pored down his face as he tried to make sense at what just happen.
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Bulma walked over and sat down next to Vegeta who was sitting on the ground looking around in a very paranoid way. "Vegeta what's wrong!?" Bulma cried out as she hugged one of his arms. Bulma was a little surprised when he grabbed her and hugged her a little hard. "I…I ..don't know…" Vegeta's voice was trebling badly.
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"I…saw…something..it looked..like what I saw..before."
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Bulma held Vegeta to her and tried to calm him. She didn't know how to feel, to be frighten of what ever Vegeta saw. To be strong in a moment he needed it. If anything she was being over taken with worry at what could shake him up so much.
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"What was it?" she spoke softly to him, rubbing his back to calm him.
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"I..don't know. Before…it…it bit me..I think…I…GAHHH!!" Vegeta grabbed his head as a flood of pain came on. He was pushing hard to try and remember what happen but the pain was too much and he passed out in Bulma's arms.
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Bulma was in such shock and worry that he would just pass out like that. What ever was wrong with him it had to be bad for him to cry out in pain like that. She looked around fearing what ever he saw could be still out there, near them.
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"vegeta…..vegeta..please…wake up…" she cried, fear was starting to over take her now.
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Bulma tried her best to hold Vegeta but she couldn't hold in the tears. She cried into his neck as she held him tightly, she was frighten for the safety for the both of them. She just kept crying out his name and trying to wake him but nothing would for the rest of the night.
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After a hour she calmed down a bit but still was very frighten. Vegeta was too heavy for her to move by herself but she wouldn't leave him out in the yard alone if that thing might be out there, what ever it was. She managed to pull him closer as she leaned up against the hedge. She was going to have to wait till day and hope what ever it was would be gone by then or for Vegeta to wake up soon.
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Bulma kept herself awake the whole time. She was going to guard Vegeta no matter what would happen. So hours pasted and 3 am came around when Vegeta finally began to wake. Vegeta let out a groan and gripped his head. When his eyes met Bulma's he was so surprised at them. They where red and puff, part of her makeup was runny from all the tear that fell from her face. She looked at him so pleading for a answer as to what happened.
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"my…head.." Vegeta moaned. He sat back and looked down at the ground in shame. Bulma tried to smile and fell into his chest. She started to cry once more and Vegeta felt so utterly horrible. He held her tight as his heart was hurting so bad for putting her through all this but was it his fault really?
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"I'm….so…sorry" he barely whispered out. Bulma's crying soften and she finally spoke. "I..I was frighten I would lose you to…what ever was out there."
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Vegeta laid his head on her shoulder as the pain that lingered slowly was going away. "I was too" A tear rolled down his face and on to her skin. Bulma gasped a little when she felt a drop of water hit her neck.
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Bulma pulled back and looked at his face. She could see the fear brimming his eyes, she could feel he didn't like that fact he had no clue as to what was going on or what happen to him. For the first time fear was overtaking him.
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Bulma brought her hand to his face and rubbed her thumb over his cheek and felt a most streak. He did shed a tear and that was the proof, she also saw he was fighting back many more. She wondered when was the last time he allowed himself to cry if ever. She smiled weakly and embraced him snuggly.
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"It's ok if you want to, I'm never going to leave your side." she warmly whispered in his ear. It was her turn now to be the strong one, for him.
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Vegeta did nothing at first but that didn't last for long. He wasn't too sure how to feel or act as Bulma held him, trying to be strong, for him. He felt such a release like never before as the first of many tears came down. Bulma could feel them on her skin as he silently cried on her.
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Next Time…
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The search begins for answers to the problems that plague them now. Lock memories may hold a key but how can or what can unlock them is a different matter. So what happens when one can no longer control them self? What happens when the beast comes through and shows it's face? Whould your lover run away or stand by your side? Would you even know you are hurting her and the true extent of that pain? And what would you do to make it all go away?