*Author's Notes: I have already written up to chapter nine, but I am only going to put the first two chapters up immediately. I want to wait until I see if there are any problems with this fanfic, so if there are let me know and if you like this story, let me know also! Enjoy! ^_^
Chapter 2
Bulma kept quiet during the trip to Vegita. Most of it was due to her dismay to leave her birthplace, but the rest of it was her "friendly" traveling companion. Nappa stared at her hard as if she were some kind of strange animal on show. It made her terribly uncomfortable and increasingly annoyed. Bulma didn't enjoy people looking at her as she weren't a princess. Then again, her friends often would call her by her name instead of her title, but that was since her friends reached knighthood. Gokuu had been the first to reach knighthood, Yamcha next, and finally Kuririn. However, even with their new titles, the three rarely required people to call them by their titles. Gokuu, as far as the Princess knew, had only been called "Sir Gokuu" by the King and Queen.
Nappa continued to watch the Princess across from him in the carriage. He still couldn't believe that the Prince was going to mate with the woman before him. The commander was well aware of the King's plan to get rid of the Princess if she did not go over well with the Prince. Nappa didn't have high hopes for the Princess, especially her insolent manner which would not delight the Prince too much. In a way, he was a slightly happy with his assignment to retrieve the Princess and deliver her to the Prince. It would be more amusing to see how the Saiyajin no Ouji would react.
Bulma closed her eyes, partially to rest and partially to ignore Nappa. She hoped that if she rested for a while, she would feel somewhat more at ease. In her mind, she imagined a terrible monster-looking person with arms as thick as trees and a face that even a mother couldn't love. She tried desperately to think of something tranquil and pleasing, but the image of what her future husband looked like haunted and terrified her. Obviously at some point she had fallen asleep because the next thing she knew someone was calling her name, and she had woken up with a jolt. Actually Bulma had woken up throwing punches and having sweat all over her face. Nappa was surprised because he had almost gotten a fist to his cheek just before Bulma had fully woken up.
"What's going on?" Bulma asked, wiping her forehead and making a futile attempt to look dignified.
"I believe you were dreaming, Your Highness," Nappa said, smirking at her. "We're nearly in Vegita now."
"Great," Bulma said, taking in a breath. "I suppose it doesn't matter much what I look like to Saiyajins, though."
"When you're not a Saiyajin it doesn't," Nappa admitted, laughing a little. "The Saiyajin people already have low expectations of you."
Bulma frowned and for once met Nappa's gaze. "I may not be a Saiyajin like the rest of you, but I'm not trash," she said quite boldly, the commander had thought. She wasn't aware that he could snap her neck at any given moment. "My blood is just as blue as your Prince's blood is."
Nappa chuckled, wondering if the Prince would find her gall amusing or infuriating. "I hope you will be smart enough to find out that women are not treated as highly in Vegita as they are in Capsule."
"For now," Bulma said so dismissively that Nappa was actually starting to believe she would try and change that. Her attitude was not altered by the laughter that followed her statement. "You may not believe me, but even the mighty Saiyajins are not going to reduce me into a lowly piece of trash."
*Things are certainly going to get interesting... *Nappa thought, liking the idea of the Princess and the Prince's meeting more and more.
The carriage came to an abrupt stop, rocking the passengers some. The sound of the horses coming to a rest and the sound of the driver stepping down to the ground was heard. Soon the doors of the carriage were opened and Nappa and Bulma exited. Two Saiyajins already were taking down her luggage, each having about ten chests to carry. Bulma was a little amazed at their display of strength, but not astonished as she had seen such power in Gokuu many times. It only gripped her interest for a while because she was told to follow Nappa into the Saiyajin castle.
The castle was about twice as big as the Capsule castle and ten times less inviting. It looked nice from the outside, white with majestic walls and towers, but inside it was like a nightmare. Soldiers--you could tell they were soldiers because they saluted more than they bowed--were just about everywhere in the castle. All the Saiyajins looked at Bulma with disgust or broke out in snickers. Some gave her a gruff nod to indicate they realized she was royalty, but Bulma could tell it was forced. The worst part of walking through the brooding halls was the terrible portraits of royalty. They were all of these scowling, evil, malicious characters with black eyes that looked like they could burn through flesh and tall black hair like a wild fire. Bulma had to keep telling herself that she was doing this for her kingdom. If these people were all strong like the strongest person she knew, did her kingdom really stand a chance against them? Most of her thoughts were of Gokuu
whole-heartedly fighting the Saiyajins until his last breath and leaving Gohan fatherless and Chichi a widow. That was just one probable scenario of a family's ruined life. There could be thousands others. Maybe, just maybe, she could put others' lives before herself. She had had a nice life before it was given away to some Saiyajin prince. Bulma couldn't say that she lacked love or friends, so if she were to die, it wouldn't be too terrible.
*I'm not a teenager anymore, but I'm not past my prime either,* she thought. *I'm still young and attractive... I should have accepted some of those suitors instead of leaving myself open to be thrown to the lions. Now I'll probably die at twenty-four.*
Bulma nearly ran into Nappa as he stopped at a room and motioned to it. "You will wait here for the Prince," he said, opening the doors.
The Princess took in another breath and went into the room as she was instructed. Nappa closed the doors behind her and Bulma looked around the room. It wasn't anything special; it had a fireplace on one wall, a small couch across from it, and a small table with chairs behind the couch. The room was fairly bare for its large space and lack of furniture and it contained only one window between the couch and the table. The curtains around it rustled in the air, indicating the window was open. Bulma went over to the window, thinking about her window in her room that showed a view of the lovely garden. The view Bulma saw when she looked out the window was a little less than disturbing. A large group of Saiyajins in five rows were marching back in forth in the courtyard below. They looked like they were in a trance; not a trance as if not knowing what they were doing, but a trance like preparing for some kind of fight. It unsettled her, but also intrigued her in a way. She
wondered how long they would keep doing that, even if it was creepy. Perhaps whenever they stopped she would find out why they were doing what they were doing. Of course, Bulma always considered the fact that she wouldn't ever figure out why Saiyajins did what they did as long as she lived in Vegita.
***
"Might as well get this over with," Vegita said as he made his way to where he was to meet Bulma. Someone had attempted to tell him a little about his prospected mate, but he hadn't listened to a word of it except that she, like her father, were somewhat of an inventor. It was extremely odd, and he didn't particularly like that his father had betrothed him to not only just a weak woman, but some scientific egg-head. It made him sick, but eased his mind about having to find a reason to get rid of the woman. She would make it easy, and he would soon be able to concentrate on fighting again. The woman was merely a short hurdle he needed to jump over.
Vegita was getting bad vibes from the way Nappa had acted when he told him the Princess of Capsule had arrived. He had grin on his face that irked the Prince and his roundabout remarks about the woman had left him wondering what exactly he was going to get. The soldiers were already talking about her, and she hadn't even been in the castle for a full day. Most were acting as if there were a great joke going on, and Vegita was right in the middle of it. If the woman was going to make his men think less of him, he either was going to have to get rid of the woman as fast as she could or simply show the soldiers just how powerful he could be. Either way, Vegita would be no joke.
He passed a few soldiers who were sharing a laugh but stopped dead in the middle of it when Vegita approached, and they saluted him. This did not make the Prince smirk as he usually did when his men jumped at the sight of him in fear and reverence. Now it seemed that they were lacking the reverence and were merely doing their actions out of fear. Vegita was quite angry that someone he hadn't met yet had already caused this reaction among his subjects. He was truly being to wonder what the Capsule Kingdom had sent him. When he was two feet away from the doors of the room where his prospect mate was held he stopped.
*What kind of woman is it?* the Prince wondered. *She must be a pale, little weakling, otherwise my men wouldn't be acting like they are. I can just imagine it... One of those women who faint at the sight of blood and spend their time drinking tea and watching the clouds floating by. Damn Otousama! What was he thinking?? If this woman displeases me, I am going to get rid of her and that damn kingdom of hers. I don't care what my father says about how we could profit from it.*
Vegita placed a steady scowl on his face and walked up to the doors. He opened them slowly as not to seem eager or to startle the woman inside. As he entered and did not immediately see anyone, he almost thought he had gone to the wrong room. Vegita then caught sight of a figure behind the white curtains around the large window. He frowned not being able to see much through the curtains and wondering if he were right about the woman enjoying to watch the clouds float by.
Bulma hadn't noticed there was someone stepping about a foot behind her. The soldiers were still at their foreboding march and keeping her interest. Every step they made was perfect and precise; they never took more steps than they had the last time and occupied the same space of the courtyard. None of them looked tired, their faces were fixed like stone, and they even blinked in sync with each other.
"What in the world are they doing?" Bulma murmured aloud.
Vegita frowned, wondering what the woman was looking at, but was unable to see over her. Now that he was closer to her he could see that she had oddly colored hair like he had never seen before. He also could see that she was taller than him which he did not approve of at all. Vegita decided he better get a look at her face and see what else he did not approve of.
"So, what is so fascinating out there?" the Prince said to get her to notice his presence.
Bulma jumped and whirled around, holding back a scream. Her shock wasn't lifted upon knowing it was just the Saiyajin Prince; the man in front of her looked just like those horrible scowling pictures she had seen in the hall. She backed up against the wall next to the window, not only uncomfortable, but almost unbelieving that one of those terrifying people existed.
The Prince was a little shocked himself, but hid it well underneath his scowl. The woman wasn't as tan as Saiyajins were, but she wasn't deathly pale either. He had expected her to scream when she noticed him, especially since she seemed to be scared. However, she looked back at him with intense blue eyes that appeared to be trying to figure him out. Even more interesting was the fact that her bottom lip was rolled under and her hands were balled up as if she might even try to fight him if he came closer.
*Well, she's not half bad to look at,* Vegita thought, his scowl slowly turning into a grin. *Still, I can't imagine what kind of offspring we would produce. Saiyajins all have dark hair and eyes--if the next crowned Prince looked like her, the house of Vegita may never be taken seriously again.*
"So, you're the woman from Capsule, hmm?" Vegita said, folding his arms. "You don't look much like an inventor."
Bulma knew he had said something to her, but she had no idea what it was because she had been concentrating more on the sight of him. "How long have you been in here?" she asked, wondering if he had been lurking in the shadows ever since she had entered the room.
"Long enough," Vegita replied, taking the time to inspect the rest of her. His grin expanded. "Not too bad..."
The Princess's face became red and she stood with a more noble posture. "Excuse me, but do not look at me as if I were some kind of piece of meat," she said with a frown.
"Hmph," Vegita said, meeting her gaze again. "You'll be lucky if you're treated like that."
"I am a princess," Bulma said, losing all the fear she had previously had. "I don't care what you Saiyajins may think, but I am royalty just like you are."
Vegita smirked and walked up to the window, causing Bulma to step back so that she were at least two feet away. He looked out the window and saw the troop of men marching.
"So, that's what caught your interest," the Prince said. "I'm surprised that a woman like yourself would enjoy watching soldiers marching."
Bulma edged a little closer to the window. "What are they marching for?" she inquired.
"It's a royal courtyard--they're standing guard."
"For how long?" Bulma was close enough that she could see over his shoulder.
"Until they are ordered to stop."
"How long have they been like that?"
Vegita shrugged, looking at her from the corner of his eye. "Most likely a few days."
"A few days??" Bulma repeated incredulous. "No one can stand out there and march for a few days like that!"
"You don't know Saiyajins then," Vegita said, raising a brow. "You sound shocked."
"I don't care if they're Saiyajins or not; it's cruel to keep people like that for such a long period of time!"
"Cruel?" Vegita laughed. "Hey, you down there!"
The men below suddenly stopped and all stood at attention in Vegita's direction. "Hai, Vegita-Ouji!" they said in unison.
"None of you are getting tired, are you?" the Prince asked casually.
"Iie, Vegita-Ouji!"
"Good, keep at it." The Prince waved his hand and the troop immediately began marching again at the exact spot they had stopped at.
Bulma frowned, especially when the Prince faced her with a smug look. "You've brain-washed them," she said with disgust. "They actually think that they're not tired."
"I would have thought an inventor would be more intelligent," Vegita said, walking to the middle of the room. "No matter; it would be dangerous for women to be that knowledgeable anyway."
"I am quite intelligent, thank you," Bulma said, following him halfway. "And just why would it be dangerous for a woman to be that way?"
"If a woman tried to assert herself as better than a man, especially royalty," Vegita said as if it were common knowledge, "she would be killed for her insolence."
"Well, I think that is ridiculous," Bulma said angrily rather than fearfully. "No one would kill me for besting a man. I've done that in many ways and hopefully I will continue to do so."
"Hmph, if you value your life," Vegita said lowly, "you won't in Vegita. Let me assure you, you can be killed as easily as a commoner."
Bulma folded her arms over her chest, glaring at the Prince. "You might as kill me right now," she said in an even tone. "I expected Saiyajins to be so closed-minded that they wouldn't accept strong women unless they could fight. I've prepared myself to die for what I believe."
Now the Prince was very amused. "You are truly stupid," he laughed. "A weak woman like you is willing to die so easily?"
"I am not stupid or weak."
"You're just as weak as the inhabitants of your little kingdom," Vegita returned, "who will be destroyed just like you if you wish it."
"If I wish it?" Bulma said now feeling cautious about her words.
"If you're killed, then the alliance is obviously off," Vegita said, slightly glad his father had reminded him about the alliance with her kingdom. It was useful for getting to the woman. "That would lead to your pathetic people trying to attack we Saiyajins. Finally it would result in the destruction of the entire Capsule Kingdom."
"B-B-But I thought that you needed the technology of our kingdom--"
"It is beneficiary, but I have the last say in it, and I don't value the Capsule Kingdom as much as my father does."
"I won't let you hurt my kingdom!" Bulma said infuriated.
"And just how would you stop me if you're dead?" Vegita asked, chuckling when she bit her lip and gave no reply. "I see you don't have a response to that, eh?"
*Damn,* Bulma thought, *I never considered that my own kingdom would be used against me. I thought the alliance would last even if I were killed, but that's absolutely crazy. This guy is right about the Capsule Kingdom seeking revenge on the Vegita Kingdom--Gokuu and the others wouldn't stand for my murder! But the Saiyajins have the largest army in the world and would surely kill everyone! ...I told myself I would think of my kingdom first and myself second... How can I allow this pompous Prince to treat me for less than I am?*
"I have no use for an insolent woman," Vegita said, grinning when he saw that each word upset her more. "As the future King of Vegita and the ruler of the Saiyajin empire I must have a mate that understands her role."
*Mate?* Bulma silently repeated. *He makes it sounds as if we are animals or something.* "What might that role be?" Bulma asked, unfolding her arms and putting her hands on her waist.
"To do what I command," Vegita said smoothly. "My mate must also produce a male heir when the time is right. That is all she must do."
"So, your mate should just sit there waiting for you to tell her what to do," Bulma scoffed, "or wait for her time to carry the King's child. What, when the child is born?"
"He'll be raised to be a suitable descendant to the throne."
"I mean, what of the Queen once the child is born?"
"Queen," Vegita laughed. "Often the Queen as you say is referred to as the `Mate of the King.' To answer your question, though, the King's mate is put away somewhere. For all I know she could be killed once she has produced an heir."
"Wha-what?" Bulma stammered. She didn't know how much worse this place could get. "Why would she be put away or killed??"
"Often so that no other children can be produced to contest the crowned Prince's descent to the throne."
Bulma's mouth hung open, trying to keep calm. "What of your mother--was she killed?"
Vegita shrugged. "I have no idea," he answered indifferently. "I've never seen her and my father never speaks of her, so I assume she's been disposed of."
"This place is insane!" Bulma said, stumbling over to a wall so that she could lean against it. "In a way you're saying that I am going to be destroyed whether I am your wife or not!"
"You can think of it like that," Vegita said, enjoying to see the woman so disturbed. *I can't believe I'm actually enjoying talking with someone,* he thought. *Maybe I will keep this woman around for a while... If I can do something about her insolent attitude, I might even go along with this stupid alliance.*
"Is there anything else I should know about?" Bulma asked, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples.
"Yes, you aren't free to roam about the castle as you please," Vegita said. "We've set up a room for you where you will stay unless I instruct otherwise."
"What??" Bulma was off the wall and glaring at Vegita again. "I'm just supposed to sit around until you decide what to do with me??"
"Perhaps you do have some kind of intelligence," The Prince replied. "I suppose you may go out to the bathing hall."
"What about eating?"
"I'll have some servant bring you something."
Bulma couldn't keep her anger under control anymore. "I am not going to be treated like some kind of prisoner!" she shouted. "I am a princess!"
"You're also a loud-mouthed woman," Vegita said, rubbing his ears. "Now if you don't quiet down, I'm going to have to make you quiet down."
"Go ahead and try," Bulma said. She had had it, and she hadn't even been there for an entire day. "If you're going to treat me like a prisoner, I'll scream my head off if I please!"
"With pleasure," Vegita said, quickly walking over to her.
Bulma barely had time to move before the Prince had grabbed her. Even though he seemed a bit short, he wasn't the least bit less strong. He held her high above his head as if she were a cloth doll. Bulma cried out and tried her best to get free. It was no use; the Prince was too strong.
"Let me go--are you crazy??" Bulma screeched.
"I'll shut you up for good," Vegita said, taking Bulma over to the open window. He held her outside of it, above the courtyard.
"No!!" Bulma screamed, kicking her legs around as though she thought they would help. "Don't drop me!!"
Vegita began to loosen his grip on her. "Why not?" he asked. He grinned as if this were all a joke. "You want to die, don't you?"
"No!!" Bulma was becoming frantic. It was at least twenty feet down to the courtyard. Below the soldiers kept marching as if nothing were going on above them.
"No? You said you would rather die than live by the Saiyajin way."
"Don't drop me!!" Bulma pleaded, shutting her eyes. "Please, don't drop me!!"
"If I don't drop you then you'll have to do what I tell you," Vegita said. *This is more fun than beating up on someone,* he thought.
"I refuse to be treated like a prisoner..." Bulma said, despite the fact she was scared out of her mind.
"Have it your way," Vegita said simply. He completely loosened his grip.
"No!!" Bulma screamed, falling for about three seconds. Vegita grabbed one of her hands before she fell any more. Her breathing was so fast, she was afraid her heart was going to give at any moment.
"Now if I let you go again, you'll be killed," Vegita said, laughing above her head. "It would be a waste to see a not bad-looking woman splattered all over my courtyard. Oh, well."
"No!!" Bulma said, grasping his hand with her other hand for dear life. "I'll cooperate!!"
"It's not worth it," Vegita said, playing with her. "I think I'll drop you anyway."
"No, please!!" Bulma begged, tightening her grip on his hand. "I will stay in the room and be quiet! You won't even know I'm there! Just don't let me go!!"
Vegita grinned evilly. "It would be so easy just to..." he said, shaking his hand a little, making Bulma swing and cry out like a frightened child. "Mou ii."
Bulma eagerly clung onto Vegita as he pulled her back up. She was so scared she held onto him as if he had saved her life and hadn't endangered it. Vegita allowed it for the time being since he was having too much fun.
"Pathetic," he said, watching the woman gasp for air. "I hope now you'll understand that I'm not playing games with you."
"Games??" Bulma echoed, pulling away from him and gathering herself back together. "You held me out an open window about twenty-five feet in the air just for your amusement!!"
"Just don't think I wouldn't drop you," Vegita said, smirking at her. "I was very tempted."
"You're just as crazy and sick as I thought you would be!" Bulma said, gripping her arms as if to make sure they were still there.
"If you're going to start screaming again, I can find an even worse way to shut you up," Vegita said, evil look returning to his face.
"No, just..." Bulma said, getting heavily tired of dealing with the Prince, "show me where my room is."
"Hmph," Vegita snorted, turning toward the door. "I guess you've had enough then."
"More than enough," Bulma muttered, following him out of the room. For a few minutes she followed him through the castle in silence, but started up a conversation again. "How long do you plan to keep me here?"
Vegita grinned ahead of him. "I guess that will just have to be a surprise, won't it?" he said obscurely.
Bulma sighed and gave up trying to talk with him further. However, she did imagine the Prince's red cape flowing behind him as fire about to consume the little royal-pain-in the-butt. This cheered up the Princess just enough not to run off while the Prince's back was turned.
Chapter 2
Bulma kept quiet during the trip to Vegita. Most of it was due to her dismay to leave her birthplace, but the rest of it was her "friendly" traveling companion. Nappa stared at her hard as if she were some kind of strange animal on show. It made her terribly uncomfortable and increasingly annoyed. Bulma didn't enjoy people looking at her as she weren't a princess. Then again, her friends often would call her by her name instead of her title, but that was since her friends reached knighthood. Gokuu had been the first to reach knighthood, Yamcha next, and finally Kuririn. However, even with their new titles, the three rarely required people to call them by their titles. Gokuu, as far as the Princess knew, had only been called "Sir Gokuu" by the King and Queen.
Nappa continued to watch the Princess across from him in the carriage. He still couldn't believe that the Prince was going to mate with the woman before him. The commander was well aware of the King's plan to get rid of the Princess if she did not go over well with the Prince. Nappa didn't have high hopes for the Princess, especially her insolent manner which would not delight the Prince too much. In a way, he was a slightly happy with his assignment to retrieve the Princess and deliver her to the Prince. It would be more amusing to see how the Saiyajin no Ouji would react.
Bulma closed her eyes, partially to rest and partially to ignore Nappa. She hoped that if she rested for a while, she would feel somewhat more at ease. In her mind, she imagined a terrible monster-looking person with arms as thick as trees and a face that even a mother couldn't love. She tried desperately to think of something tranquil and pleasing, but the image of what her future husband looked like haunted and terrified her. Obviously at some point she had fallen asleep because the next thing she knew someone was calling her name, and she had woken up with a jolt. Actually Bulma had woken up throwing punches and having sweat all over her face. Nappa was surprised because he had almost gotten a fist to his cheek just before Bulma had fully woken up.
"What's going on?" Bulma asked, wiping her forehead and making a futile attempt to look dignified.
"I believe you were dreaming, Your Highness," Nappa said, smirking at her. "We're nearly in Vegita now."
"Great," Bulma said, taking in a breath. "I suppose it doesn't matter much what I look like to Saiyajins, though."
"When you're not a Saiyajin it doesn't," Nappa admitted, laughing a little. "The Saiyajin people already have low expectations of you."
Bulma frowned and for once met Nappa's gaze. "I may not be a Saiyajin like the rest of you, but I'm not trash," she said quite boldly, the commander had thought. She wasn't aware that he could snap her neck at any given moment. "My blood is just as blue as your Prince's blood is."
Nappa chuckled, wondering if the Prince would find her gall amusing or infuriating. "I hope you will be smart enough to find out that women are not treated as highly in Vegita as they are in Capsule."
"For now," Bulma said so dismissively that Nappa was actually starting to believe she would try and change that. Her attitude was not altered by the laughter that followed her statement. "You may not believe me, but even the mighty Saiyajins are not going to reduce me into a lowly piece of trash."
*Things are certainly going to get interesting... *Nappa thought, liking the idea of the Princess and the Prince's meeting more and more.
The carriage came to an abrupt stop, rocking the passengers some. The sound of the horses coming to a rest and the sound of the driver stepping down to the ground was heard. Soon the doors of the carriage were opened and Nappa and Bulma exited. Two Saiyajins already were taking down her luggage, each having about ten chests to carry. Bulma was a little amazed at their display of strength, but not astonished as she had seen such power in Gokuu many times. It only gripped her interest for a while because she was told to follow Nappa into the Saiyajin castle.
The castle was about twice as big as the Capsule castle and ten times less inviting. It looked nice from the outside, white with majestic walls and towers, but inside it was like a nightmare. Soldiers--you could tell they were soldiers because they saluted more than they bowed--were just about everywhere in the castle. All the Saiyajins looked at Bulma with disgust or broke out in snickers. Some gave her a gruff nod to indicate they realized she was royalty, but Bulma could tell it was forced. The worst part of walking through the brooding halls was the terrible portraits of royalty. They were all of these scowling, evil, malicious characters with black eyes that looked like they could burn through flesh and tall black hair like a wild fire. Bulma had to keep telling herself that she was doing this for her kingdom. If these people were all strong like the strongest person she knew, did her kingdom really stand a chance against them? Most of her thoughts were of Gokuu
whole-heartedly fighting the Saiyajins until his last breath and leaving Gohan fatherless and Chichi a widow. That was just one probable scenario of a family's ruined life. There could be thousands others. Maybe, just maybe, she could put others' lives before herself. She had had a nice life before it was given away to some Saiyajin prince. Bulma couldn't say that she lacked love or friends, so if she were to die, it wouldn't be too terrible.
*I'm not a teenager anymore, but I'm not past my prime either,* she thought. *I'm still young and attractive... I should have accepted some of those suitors instead of leaving myself open to be thrown to the lions. Now I'll probably die at twenty-four.*
Bulma nearly ran into Nappa as he stopped at a room and motioned to it. "You will wait here for the Prince," he said, opening the doors.
The Princess took in another breath and went into the room as she was instructed. Nappa closed the doors behind her and Bulma looked around the room. It wasn't anything special; it had a fireplace on one wall, a small couch across from it, and a small table with chairs behind the couch. The room was fairly bare for its large space and lack of furniture and it contained only one window between the couch and the table. The curtains around it rustled in the air, indicating the window was open. Bulma went over to the window, thinking about her window in her room that showed a view of the lovely garden. The view Bulma saw when she looked out the window was a little less than disturbing. A large group of Saiyajins in five rows were marching back in forth in the courtyard below. They looked like they were in a trance; not a trance as if not knowing what they were doing, but a trance like preparing for some kind of fight. It unsettled her, but also intrigued her in a way. She
wondered how long they would keep doing that, even if it was creepy. Perhaps whenever they stopped she would find out why they were doing what they were doing. Of course, Bulma always considered the fact that she wouldn't ever figure out why Saiyajins did what they did as long as she lived in Vegita.
***
"Might as well get this over with," Vegita said as he made his way to where he was to meet Bulma. Someone had attempted to tell him a little about his prospected mate, but he hadn't listened to a word of it except that she, like her father, were somewhat of an inventor. It was extremely odd, and he didn't particularly like that his father had betrothed him to not only just a weak woman, but some scientific egg-head. It made him sick, but eased his mind about having to find a reason to get rid of the woman. She would make it easy, and he would soon be able to concentrate on fighting again. The woman was merely a short hurdle he needed to jump over.
Vegita was getting bad vibes from the way Nappa had acted when he told him the Princess of Capsule had arrived. He had grin on his face that irked the Prince and his roundabout remarks about the woman had left him wondering what exactly he was going to get. The soldiers were already talking about her, and she hadn't even been in the castle for a full day. Most were acting as if there were a great joke going on, and Vegita was right in the middle of it. If the woman was going to make his men think less of him, he either was going to have to get rid of the woman as fast as she could or simply show the soldiers just how powerful he could be. Either way, Vegita would be no joke.
He passed a few soldiers who were sharing a laugh but stopped dead in the middle of it when Vegita approached, and they saluted him. This did not make the Prince smirk as he usually did when his men jumped at the sight of him in fear and reverence. Now it seemed that they were lacking the reverence and were merely doing their actions out of fear. Vegita was quite angry that someone he hadn't met yet had already caused this reaction among his subjects. He was truly being to wonder what the Capsule Kingdom had sent him. When he was two feet away from the doors of the room where his prospect mate was held he stopped.
*What kind of woman is it?* the Prince wondered. *She must be a pale, little weakling, otherwise my men wouldn't be acting like they are. I can just imagine it... One of those women who faint at the sight of blood and spend their time drinking tea and watching the clouds floating by. Damn Otousama! What was he thinking?? If this woman displeases me, I am going to get rid of her and that damn kingdom of hers. I don't care what my father says about how we could profit from it.*
Vegita placed a steady scowl on his face and walked up to the doors. He opened them slowly as not to seem eager or to startle the woman inside. As he entered and did not immediately see anyone, he almost thought he had gone to the wrong room. Vegita then caught sight of a figure behind the white curtains around the large window. He frowned not being able to see much through the curtains and wondering if he were right about the woman enjoying to watch the clouds float by.
Bulma hadn't noticed there was someone stepping about a foot behind her. The soldiers were still at their foreboding march and keeping her interest. Every step they made was perfect and precise; they never took more steps than they had the last time and occupied the same space of the courtyard. None of them looked tired, their faces were fixed like stone, and they even blinked in sync with each other.
"What in the world are they doing?" Bulma murmured aloud.
Vegita frowned, wondering what the woman was looking at, but was unable to see over her. Now that he was closer to her he could see that she had oddly colored hair like he had never seen before. He also could see that she was taller than him which he did not approve of at all. Vegita decided he better get a look at her face and see what else he did not approve of.
"So, what is so fascinating out there?" the Prince said to get her to notice his presence.
Bulma jumped and whirled around, holding back a scream. Her shock wasn't lifted upon knowing it was just the Saiyajin Prince; the man in front of her looked just like those horrible scowling pictures she had seen in the hall. She backed up against the wall next to the window, not only uncomfortable, but almost unbelieving that one of those terrifying people existed.
The Prince was a little shocked himself, but hid it well underneath his scowl. The woman wasn't as tan as Saiyajins were, but she wasn't deathly pale either. He had expected her to scream when she noticed him, especially since she seemed to be scared. However, she looked back at him with intense blue eyes that appeared to be trying to figure him out. Even more interesting was the fact that her bottom lip was rolled under and her hands were balled up as if she might even try to fight him if he came closer.
*Well, she's not half bad to look at,* Vegita thought, his scowl slowly turning into a grin. *Still, I can't imagine what kind of offspring we would produce. Saiyajins all have dark hair and eyes--if the next crowned Prince looked like her, the house of Vegita may never be taken seriously again.*
"So, you're the woman from Capsule, hmm?" Vegita said, folding his arms. "You don't look much like an inventor."
Bulma knew he had said something to her, but she had no idea what it was because she had been concentrating more on the sight of him. "How long have you been in here?" she asked, wondering if he had been lurking in the shadows ever since she had entered the room.
"Long enough," Vegita replied, taking the time to inspect the rest of her. His grin expanded. "Not too bad..."
The Princess's face became red and she stood with a more noble posture. "Excuse me, but do not look at me as if I were some kind of piece of meat," she said with a frown.
"Hmph," Vegita said, meeting her gaze again. "You'll be lucky if you're treated like that."
"I am a princess," Bulma said, losing all the fear she had previously had. "I don't care what you Saiyajins may think, but I am royalty just like you are."
Vegita smirked and walked up to the window, causing Bulma to step back so that she were at least two feet away. He looked out the window and saw the troop of men marching.
"So, that's what caught your interest," the Prince said. "I'm surprised that a woman like yourself would enjoy watching soldiers marching."
Bulma edged a little closer to the window. "What are they marching for?" she inquired.
"It's a royal courtyard--they're standing guard."
"For how long?" Bulma was close enough that she could see over his shoulder.
"Until they are ordered to stop."
"How long have they been like that?"
Vegita shrugged, looking at her from the corner of his eye. "Most likely a few days."
"A few days??" Bulma repeated incredulous. "No one can stand out there and march for a few days like that!"
"You don't know Saiyajins then," Vegita said, raising a brow. "You sound shocked."
"I don't care if they're Saiyajins or not; it's cruel to keep people like that for such a long period of time!"
"Cruel?" Vegita laughed. "Hey, you down there!"
The men below suddenly stopped and all stood at attention in Vegita's direction. "Hai, Vegita-Ouji!" they said in unison.
"None of you are getting tired, are you?" the Prince asked casually.
"Iie, Vegita-Ouji!"
"Good, keep at it." The Prince waved his hand and the troop immediately began marching again at the exact spot they had stopped at.
Bulma frowned, especially when the Prince faced her with a smug look. "You've brain-washed them," she said with disgust. "They actually think that they're not tired."
"I would have thought an inventor would be more intelligent," Vegita said, walking to the middle of the room. "No matter; it would be dangerous for women to be that knowledgeable anyway."
"I am quite intelligent, thank you," Bulma said, following him halfway. "And just why would it be dangerous for a woman to be that way?"
"If a woman tried to assert herself as better than a man, especially royalty," Vegita said as if it were common knowledge, "she would be killed for her insolence."
"Well, I think that is ridiculous," Bulma said angrily rather than fearfully. "No one would kill me for besting a man. I've done that in many ways and hopefully I will continue to do so."
"Hmph, if you value your life," Vegita said lowly, "you won't in Vegita. Let me assure you, you can be killed as easily as a commoner."
Bulma folded her arms over her chest, glaring at the Prince. "You might as kill me right now," she said in an even tone. "I expected Saiyajins to be so closed-minded that they wouldn't accept strong women unless they could fight. I've prepared myself to die for what I believe."
Now the Prince was very amused. "You are truly stupid," he laughed. "A weak woman like you is willing to die so easily?"
"I am not stupid or weak."
"You're just as weak as the inhabitants of your little kingdom," Vegita returned, "who will be destroyed just like you if you wish it."
"If I wish it?" Bulma said now feeling cautious about her words.
"If you're killed, then the alliance is obviously off," Vegita said, slightly glad his father had reminded him about the alliance with her kingdom. It was useful for getting to the woman. "That would lead to your pathetic people trying to attack we Saiyajins. Finally it would result in the destruction of the entire Capsule Kingdom."
"B-B-But I thought that you needed the technology of our kingdom--"
"It is beneficiary, but I have the last say in it, and I don't value the Capsule Kingdom as much as my father does."
"I won't let you hurt my kingdom!" Bulma said infuriated.
"And just how would you stop me if you're dead?" Vegita asked, chuckling when she bit her lip and gave no reply. "I see you don't have a response to that, eh?"
*Damn,* Bulma thought, *I never considered that my own kingdom would be used against me. I thought the alliance would last even if I were killed, but that's absolutely crazy. This guy is right about the Capsule Kingdom seeking revenge on the Vegita Kingdom--Gokuu and the others wouldn't stand for my murder! But the Saiyajins have the largest army in the world and would surely kill everyone! ...I told myself I would think of my kingdom first and myself second... How can I allow this pompous Prince to treat me for less than I am?*
"I have no use for an insolent woman," Vegita said, grinning when he saw that each word upset her more. "As the future King of Vegita and the ruler of the Saiyajin empire I must have a mate that understands her role."
*Mate?* Bulma silently repeated. *He makes it sounds as if we are animals or something.* "What might that role be?" Bulma asked, unfolding her arms and putting her hands on her waist.
"To do what I command," Vegita said smoothly. "My mate must also produce a male heir when the time is right. That is all she must do."
"So, your mate should just sit there waiting for you to tell her what to do," Bulma scoffed, "or wait for her time to carry the King's child. What, when the child is born?"
"He'll be raised to be a suitable descendant to the throne."
"I mean, what of the Queen once the child is born?"
"Queen," Vegita laughed. "Often the Queen as you say is referred to as the `Mate of the King.' To answer your question, though, the King's mate is put away somewhere. For all I know she could be killed once she has produced an heir."
"Wha-what?" Bulma stammered. She didn't know how much worse this place could get. "Why would she be put away or killed??"
"Often so that no other children can be produced to contest the crowned Prince's descent to the throne."
Bulma's mouth hung open, trying to keep calm. "What of your mother--was she killed?"
Vegita shrugged. "I have no idea," he answered indifferently. "I've never seen her and my father never speaks of her, so I assume she's been disposed of."
"This place is insane!" Bulma said, stumbling over to a wall so that she could lean against it. "In a way you're saying that I am going to be destroyed whether I am your wife or not!"
"You can think of it like that," Vegita said, enjoying to see the woman so disturbed. *I can't believe I'm actually enjoying talking with someone,* he thought. *Maybe I will keep this woman around for a while... If I can do something about her insolent attitude, I might even go along with this stupid alliance.*
"Is there anything else I should know about?" Bulma asked, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples.
"Yes, you aren't free to roam about the castle as you please," Vegita said. "We've set up a room for you where you will stay unless I instruct otherwise."
"What??" Bulma was off the wall and glaring at Vegita again. "I'm just supposed to sit around until you decide what to do with me??"
"Perhaps you do have some kind of intelligence," The Prince replied. "I suppose you may go out to the bathing hall."
"What about eating?"
"I'll have some servant bring you something."
Bulma couldn't keep her anger under control anymore. "I am not going to be treated like some kind of prisoner!" she shouted. "I am a princess!"
"You're also a loud-mouthed woman," Vegita said, rubbing his ears. "Now if you don't quiet down, I'm going to have to make you quiet down."
"Go ahead and try," Bulma said. She had had it, and she hadn't even been there for an entire day. "If you're going to treat me like a prisoner, I'll scream my head off if I please!"
"With pleasure," Vegita said, quickly walking over to her.
Bulma barely had time to move before the Prince had grabbed her. Even though he seemed a bit short, he wasn't the least bit less strong. He held her high above his head as if she were a cloth doll. Bulma cried out and tried her best to get free. It was no use; the Prince was too strong.
"Let me go--are you crazy??" Bulma screeched.
"I'll shut you up for good," Vegita said, taking Bulma over to the open window. He held her outside of it, above the courtyard.
"No!!" Bulma screamed, kicking her legs around as though she thought they would help. "Don't drop me!!"
Vegita began to loosen his grip on her. "Why not?" he asked. He grinned as if this were all a joke. "You want to die, don't you?"
"No!!" Bulma was becoming frantic. It was at least twenty feet down to the courtyard. Below the soldiers kept marching as if nothing were going on above them.
"No? You said you would rather die than live by the Saiyajin way."
"Don't drop me!!" Bulma pleaded, shutting her eyes. "Please, don't drop me!!"
"If I don't drop you then you'll have to do what I tell you," Vegita said. *This is more fun than beating up on someone,* he thought.
"I refuse to be treated like a prisoner..." Bulma said, despite the fact she was scared out of her mind.
"Have it your way," Vegita said simply. He completely loosened his grip.
"No!!" Bulma screamed, falling for about three seconds. Vegita grabbed one of her hands before she fell any more. Her breathing was so fast, she was afraid her heart was going to give at any moment.
"Now if I let you go again, you'll be killed," Vegita said, laughing above her head. "It would be a waste to see a not bad-looking woman splattered all over my courtyard. Oh, well."
"No!!" Bulma said, grasping his hand with her other hand for dear life. "I'll cooperate!!"
"It's not worth it," Vegita said, playing with her. "I think I'll drop you anyway."
"No, please!!" Bulma begged, tightening her grip on his hand. "I will stay in the room and be quiet! You won't even know I'm there! Just don't let me go!!"
Vegita grinned evilly. "It would be so easy just to..." he said, shaking his hand a little, making Bulma swing and cry out like a frightened child. "Mou ii."
Bulma eagerly clung onto Vegita as he pulled her back up. She was so scared she held onto him as if he had saved her life and hadn't endangered it. Vegita allowed it for the time being since he was having too much fun.
"Pathetic," he said, watching the woman gasp for air. "I hope now you'll understand that I'm not playing games with you."
"Games??" Bulma echoed, pulling away from him and gathering herself back together. "You held me out an open window about twenty-five feet in the air just for your amusement!!"
"Just don't think I wouldn't drop you," Vegita said, smirking at her. "I was very tempted."
"You're just as crazy and sick as I thought you would be!" Bulma said, gripping her arms as if to make sure they were still there.
"If you're going to start screaming again, I can find an even worse way to shut you up," Vegita said, evil look returning to his face.
"No, just..." Bulma said, getting heavily tired of dealing with the Prince, "show me where my room is."
"Hmph," Vegita snorted, turning toward the door. "I guess you've had enough then."
"More than enough," Bulma muttered, following him out of the room. For a few minutes she followed him through the castle in silence, but started up a conversation again. "How long do you plan to keep me here?"
Vegita grinned ahead of him. "I guess that will just have to be a surprise, won't it?" he said obscurely.
Bulma sighed and gave up trying to talk with him further. However, she did imagine the Prince's red cape flowing behind him as fire about to consume the little royal-pain-in the-butt. This cheered up the Princess just enough not to run off while the Prince's back was turned.