Chapter 3: First date

The next night, Vegeta found herself in a fluffy white sweater and tan flare skirt that reached mid-thigh. Black leggings and brown boots complete the ensemble. Bulma had practically bullied her into it, threatening the sabotage of her precious Gravity Room if she didn't.

Five on the dot, Goku appeared with Gohan in tow, beaming. He was dressed in tight, worn blue jeans and a red-checkered shirt and Vegeta had to admit he looked good. Goku smiled appreciatively at Vegeta, wishing she would dress up more often.

Bulma led Gohan to the kitchen as the pair prepared to leave. "Wait!" The two turned in surprise at her shout and Bulma snapped a couple of shots. Vegeta snarled but before she could lunge at the grinning woman, Goku snaked his arms around her waist and concentrated.

The two appeared in front of a large frozen lake. Vegeta looked around her in surprise and Goku enjoyed the feeling of Vegeta in his arms for a few moments before she pushed his arms away. "What are we doing here?" She snapped.

"Ice-skating!" Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "Here, you put on these boots and.." Goku grabbed her hand and led her to the rental booth, explaining happily. Goku quickly laced up his boots and looked up to see Vegeta fumbling with her boots in confusion. Kneeling, he deftly did up her boots.

On the ice, Vegeta was mortified at her lack of skills. Goku moved with smooth ease over the ice while she kept slipping into his arms. On his part, Goku was overjoyed at having Vegeta constantly, literally falling into his arms. I really must thank Bulma for her excellent suggestion, he reminded himself. However, Vegeta's natural grace and balance, honed from years of training soon came into play and she learned quickly. Soon, she was gliding smoothly over the ice and before long; the graceful Saiyan princess was spinning and twisting with professional ease. Goku initially moaned at his loss but was soon entranced by her smile as she leapt gracefully through the air, legs spilt, arms outstretched and back arched. The fading light from the setting sun caught the auburn highlights in her flame-like hair. That was one of the many things Goku loved about Vegeta; whatever she did, she did it with a fierce passion. The other Z fighters may think she is cold-hearted but Goku knew better. Vegeta was far from cold-blooded; she is extremely hot-blooded and intense. When she fights, she goes all out and woe betide the person she hates. Goku suspects that the people she loves would be extremely fortunate and can only hope he would be as lucky one day.

Vegeta smiled a genuine smile as she twirled into one of her familiar katas. Not an offensive one, this routine focuses on agility and balance with its twists and turns. It was almost like a dance. Initially, she had been so embarrassed that she had wanted to give up, but her pride wouldn't allow her. If that baka can do it... This was certainly very enjoyable and a change from the usual. This gliding over the ice...it's a bit like flying but not like flying. Goku admired her for a while until he noticed other guys gawking at her. Growling possessively, he skated forward and joined her kata. Vegeta started in surprise, then smirked as the two fell into a familiar dance. They mirrored each other's movements, while she flipped back, he flips forward, following her direction. As she spins to the front and side, he deftly copies her twist in the opposite direction, the two never colliding though they moved just centimeters from each other. When they came to a slightly breathless halt, applause broke out from the cheering spectators.

Vegeta flushed a little in embarassment and quickly got off the ice. Goku followed and the pair quietly returned their skates to an admiring rental booth owner.

They had dinner at a resturant nearby and after a few glasses of wine, Vegeta was feeling relaxed, even chatty. Vegeta admitted that ice-skating had been fun, though she was not used to the wintry weather or ice-related sports.

"Most of Vegetasei was jungle, and the weather was tropical and humid. Saiyans are more at home in lush rainforests." She smiled warmly in remembrance. "I miss the Jungle Runs..."

Goku looked interested. "Jungle Runs?"

"When the moon is full, our blood would boil with the song of the silver orb. Have you never felt your veins sing when the moon is high?" Vegeta leaned foward, her eyes gleaming excitedly.

"Uh..."

"To revel in the moonlight? To cut loose and howl?"

"I never dared." Goku's expression grew pained. "When I was a chibi, my grandfather always kept me locked up indoors when the moon was full. He says there was a monster out in the woods. Much later, I found out that that monster, which killed my grandfather, was me."

"You turned oozaru." Vegeta stated flatly.

Goku nodded. "Since then, even though my tail was removed, I've always felt nervous about going out on a full moon."

"Baka, the full moon isn't only about going oozaru." Goku could tell Vegeta meant no malice by the insult. "Nobody taught you to control the oozaru transformation."

"You could control your oozaru form." Goku recalled.

Vegeta smirked. "I meant, not only controlling the oozaru form, but also whether or not to transform."

Goku looked startled. "Even with the tail?"

Vegeta nodded. "One can learn meditative techniques to control the urge to go oozaru. But the moonlight still affects us. We become ...wilder. Our instincts assume greater control."

Vegeta closed her eyes and purred. "Full moon was always celebrated on Vegetasei. Little work was done during the day, we would rest for the revelry at night. We would partake in a hunt at dusk, with our closest family or friends. When darkness fell and the moon was high, ..."

Goku's curiosity was afire. "When the moon was high?"

Vegeta only gave an enigmatic smile. "You will know, if you would ever have such a chance. But it is foolish to reminisce." Her eyes lost their wistful look, growing hard. "Some bastard cut off my tail and another fool destroyed the earth's moon."

Goku fell silent for a while. "If our tails and the moon were ever wished back, would you show me?"

Vegeta looked startled at his question, blushing furiously. No! He couldn't know what that means, can he?

"Nani?" Goku wondered what caused her flush.

"Nothing." Her reply was too fast. No matter how Goku tried to cajole her, she refuse to elaborate further.

"NO! And that's final!" With her face set in an angry scowl, Goku gave up.

Vegeta was mostly silent during their way back later and Goku felt worried. As they landed on her balcony, he asked nervously, "Did you enjoy yourself tonight?"

Vegeta looked down for a long while as she thought. Goku's heart sank but to his delight, she raised her eyes shyly. "Hai."

Deciding to push his luck, he leaned forward. "So do I get a thank-you kiss?" He asked huskily.

Vegeta blushed furiously. "NANI?!" She spun and stomped into her room, snapping the glass doors and curtains shut in dismissal. Goku sighed in disappointment.

Inside, Vegeta stripped and flopped down on her bed. She lifted a hand to her hot face, thankful that he did not appear to notice the real reason for her abrupt dismissal. She had not been angry at him, in fact she was running from him. The conversation during dinner and then him wanting a kiss... she growled angrily and punched her pillow. What are these emotions? I've never felt this way before. Giving another angry growl, she punched her pillow again. It was some time before she fell into an uneasy sleep.