Bulma had long since ceased her screaming, figuring it would change nothing. She clung to Vegeta's neck, and would have most definitely choked him to death, if he had not been a Saiyan. Though he had to admit, that with a lot of training and hard work, she could be as strong as a low class warrior. His brother had told him numerous stories of the wars that happened all over the planet, almost constantly. And there was good reason of course. Planet Vegeta was well known for purging and destroying planets for their our profit, or sometimes even simply for sport.
"Are we almost there?" Bulma whispered hoarsely into Vegeta's ear. Her head was forced into the crook of his neck, her eyes closed as tightly as she could get them.
"Woman, relax. I told you already, I'm not going to drop you," he sighed in annoyance, trying to pry her from his shoulder, and force her to look at the landscape passing swiftly below. "And open your eyes."
Slowly she loosened her grip around his neck, letting herself lean back slightly, onto Vegeta's awaiting arms. She looked up at him, his eyes transfixed on the sky ahead, though he knew she was starring at him. He glided one hand around to her stomach, then in one quick motion, far too fast for Bulma to notice as it was happening, he turned her over and wrapped his arms around her waist. She gasped, closing her eyes tightly. They were so far above the ground that some clouds were below them.
"There's nothing you should fear, woman. You're safe." His voice was neither soothing nor sweet, though that was obviously the idea behind his statement. Slowly and with hesitation, she finally pried open her eyes, and was amazed at what lay before her.
"Its so beautiful from up here," she sighed, easing into Vegeta's now loose embrace. The view gave her such a euphoric feeling, that worrying about plummeting to her death had completely escaped her mind. All the mountains, streams, rivers, lakes, and forests for miles were stretched out before her, seeming to show off their beauty. She never could have imagined something so wonderful in all her dreams. It was still so hard to believe that any of this could possibly be true. But then a thought struck her, almost forcefully, as if being thrown at her from someone else, and she nearly dropped out of Vegeta's arms. His reflexes caught her though before she even knew anything could be wrong, so the almost fatal fluke went unnoticed. *Earthlings can't be the only intelligent life in the universe!* she thought shamefully, a frown forming on her lips. She had been so selfish to think that there was an endless universe out there, but only the Earth had inhabitants. Suddenly everything didn't seem so far fetched, and she relaxed completely against Vegeta's chest, taking in all the beautiful scenery. Though didn't have as long as she would have wished, for Vegeta began to descend to the earth, having spotted their destination.
Vegeta's brother lived some three or four cities over from the city in which their school was located. Hence the reason for flight rather than taking a car. His house, well more like castle, was set in a secluded area deep in an evergreen forest, so far in the country that no phone or cable lines ran out there. The building was far far larger than Bulma's home at Capsule Corp., about four or five times its size and height. Its outer walls were made entirely of gray stones, with an enormous wooden door at the front, giving it an unmistakenable medieval appearance. Its windows were twice as tall as Bulma, all stained glass, though none having images of saints or church-like things that are normally on such windows. Instead they were of gorgeous men and women, all wonderfully built, with beautiful faces and jet black hair and ebony eyes. Though one window inparticular stuck out, having a figure standing, hands on their hips, head held high with pride and honor. She couldn't distinguish whether this was a male or female, though she doubted it was made to resemble more of one than the other. Its hair and eyes were what made it so much more noticeable than the others, which she guessed was the point of it, not the beings' gender. The hair was golden blonde, looking almost as if was glowing. The eyes, a beautiful blue green color, set in the direction of the sky, as if looking directly at anyone would bruise their pride and make them less glorious. He/She had the appearance of what a God/Goddess was pictured as in all the books Bulma had read on them, being fascinated with the subject. Though this was also extremely unlike any God/Goddess at the same time. Its stature gave her the feeling that if this being were real, they would be arrogant and rude, much like the alien that was holding her tightly to his chest, as they floated to the ground.
"You like his home I take it," Vegeta said as they touched down, and he released her, though she stayed against him.
"Its…Its…" She paused, searching for just the right word, but found not a single one that could describe how great this work of art really was. "I love it," she settled for, now taking a few steps forward and turned around. "Who is the figure with the blonde hair?" He gave her a questioning look, then folded his arms over his chest, and smirked.
"He is the Legendary Super Saiyan," he answered, arrogantly referring to the genderless being as male. "He is what I am to become." Again he laid emphasis on the word 'he'.
"Super Saiyan…Hmm…" She pondered this a moment, opened her mouth, then closed it again. She wanted to question him about it, maybe even take him to see her dad and have tests done. But then all at once, a thousand images of alien movies bombarded her brain. *No…That's too cruel, even to consider…Besides…He's human enough! I mean no one has the slightest idea!*
"Something bothering you?"
"No, its nothing…Can we go see your brother?" she asked, suddenly remembering why they'd come here, and was eager to find out her fate. Vegeta simply nodded, taking her around the waist and leading her to the front door. She smiled dumbly, shyly starring at the ground as it moved beneath her, like a scared girl on her first date. Before they were ten feet from the door, it suddenly began to creak, and the huge wooden doors slowly opened, revealing the man Bulma had seen at the school's orientation.
"What are you doing here Vegeta?" the older version of himself asked, scowling down at him. "And who is this!?"
*Well he sure as hell is Vegeta's brother* Bulma thought, cowering slightly when he pointed a finger at her. "I'm Bulma," she whispered, glancing up at him, then back at the ground.
"Quit with the Earthling act Tomacasa!" Vegeta boomed, getting in his face. "I've told her everything about Saiyans that I could, I need some information from you."
"Whoah, wait one second! You told her, an earthling, about our race? What the hell possessed you to do such a thing!!?"
"I had to!"
"Why!?"
"I don't know! I felt like she needed to know! That's why we're here!" Suddenly Tomacasa's face fell from angry to shocked.
"You mean to tell me you…you…" He leaned over to Bulma, brushing the hair away from her neck, exposing Vegeta's bite mark. "Oh Vegeta…You're far too young for this…" he murmured, taking his head in his hands.
"For what?" they asked in unison.
"Come inside. You're definitely going to need to sit down. Especially you Vegeta." He turned and walked away from them, back into the house, expecting them to follow, which they did. Vegeta still had his arm around her waist, compelled to hold her closer.
They sat on a large black leather couch just around the corner from the door. They weren't in the living room, any of the living rooms in the castle. It was more of what was used as a waiting room back when castles were common homes. Vegeta fidgeted nervously, knowing this information was going to change his life. "Vegeta, please, you're making me nervous," Bulma said soothingly, rubbing his back in small warm circles.
"Ok, there's no use in dragging this out and killing you both with anticipation…" He paused, thinking for the exact words. "When Saiyan males feel the urge to take a mate…er…wife so to speak, they will bite her on the base of the neck. Its like asking for their hand in marriage, well that's what it's the equivalent to on this planet…A bond is formed between the two, though is only one-sided until the female returns the gesture…Males cannot survive being part of a one-sided bond. They become weaker and weaker, until they eventually die…Do you understand?" he asked, biting his nails nervously.
Vegeta sat, clutching both of Bulma's hands tightly, eyes bugged out of his skull. Bulma's mouth was parted slightly, but other than that, she was completely calm. She was more shocked that the news didn't shock or frighten her, as it had Vegeta. "Yes, I understand," she finally said, nodding her head. "Vegeta? Are you ok?"
"Give him a minute," Tomacasa suggested, taking a seat in the chair beside the couch, on Bulma's side.
"So, all I have to do is bite him in return, and we're bonded?"
"Yes."
"For how long?"
"Eternally…" he whispered, as if saying it louder would make Bulma's reaction louder. She raised an eyebrow at him, then pursed her lips rather tightly.
"Forever?…" She looked over and Vegeta, smiling when she saw he was still starring blankly ahead. She couldn't believe how calm she was being about the whole thing, how right it all felt that that's what she should do. She should bite his neck, drink his blood, become bonded to him forever. It was like she had the Saiyan instincts and Vegeta was the scared earthling. "I can live with that," she said after a while, smiling again.
"You're so calm," Tomacasa said in awe. "I would think a young woman of your age and race would faint from such information. Its overwhelming! Its unfair!…to ask you something of such commitment and depth at such a young age! You have so much more to experience! Vegeta was foolish! He-"
"Please, calm down," Bulma urged, taking one hand away from Vegeta to set on his leg. "You're hysterical and Vegeta's apparently turned to stone. I'm the one with the most at stake, and I'm perfectly calm…Tomacasa, please, trust your instincts…" He looked up at her, amazed at how calm he'd become with just the few words she spoke. He smiled weakly at her. She truly was an amazing creature. He could see why Vegeta chose her. Then suddenly she frowned, and growled in a low tone at herself then stood and stomped out of the room. Tomacasa was compelled, in a brotherly way, to go after her and find out what was wrong.
"Bulma?"
"What!?" she hissed, slamming her fist on the nearby wall in the hallway.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing! Leave me alone!" she growled, holding up an arm, warning him not to come any closer. "This is so ridiculous," she mumbled to herself. "I don't care about Vegeta, or his feelings for me, or that dumb bond! I don't know what came over me in there, but that's not me! I don't want anything to do with that alien or you!" Somewhere in her outburst she started addressing the words at Tomacasa ( I hope you all are catching on to what's happening, cause I'm not going to explain it :P).
"Bulma!" he screamed suddenly, grabbing her arms and throwing her against the wall, almost forgetting how much stronger he was than her. "I have no tolerance for pitiful, sniveling people like you!" He took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself, though it only seemed to get him more worked up. "I denounced my race and lived as an Earthling so I wouldn't be like all the rest of the arrogant Saiyans! I wanted to be different! I wanted to be like an Earthling!" He sighed, releasing her from his grasp and shaking his head. "But now I find Earthlings are no different aside from strength. They're just as arrogant and selfish as Saiyans!"
"I refuse to change my beliefs and personality just to suit you and that, that…that barbarian!" she screamed, not at all intimidated by Tomacasa. "I don't know what that bite did to me and why I'm feeling so…strange, but I won't let it control me, you hear!? I won't let men control me any longer! I don't care if he's going to die! I don't want to see you or him ever again!"
"I don't care if you'd rather see my brother die than become his mate! You WILL bite him and make a bond! Or I will personally destroy you!" he boomed, grasping her around the throat and lifting her off the ground.
"I-" she gasped, but that's all she could manage before her breath was completely cut off. She tried desperately to free herself, scratching and clawing at his hand and arm, though with no luck, not even a whisper of a hope that she would get free.
"Now listen good, Earthling!" He studied her face, calculating how long he could hold her such a way before her heart stopped. "That bite did nothing more than bring out the good in you! The reasoning! Everything you should be, but obviously are not!" On that note he opened his head and watched with fascination as her body fell to the floor, limp and heavy. He fought the smirk that was pulling at his lips, refusing to enjoy the rush he'd just received from nearly cutting her life short. It was his Saiyan nature, after all, to feel such a way after a kill. Or in his case, a near kill. "Are you ready to talk, calmly, like an Earthling should?"
She just nodded, jerking to her feet and backing up.
"You're a tough girl, aren't you?"
"I like to think so," she spat, crossing her arms.
"Of course," he laughed, imitating her position. "As are all Saiyans. Males, females, children."
"What's the point?"
"When a Saiyan male bites a female blood isn't the only fluid exchanged. From-"
"What!? You mean he put something in me!?"
"Quiet!" he snapped, pointing a finger at her. She stiffened immediately, not wanting to be back in his painful grasp. "That's better…Now, as I was saying. From the male's fangs a hormone is released, directly into the female's bloodstream. That hormone causing her to become…nicer, I suppose is the word for it." Bulma opened her mouth, a determined look on her face, though closed it as he raised his hand. "Before you ask, the purpose of the hormone is to make the female more motherly. Otherwise they're likely to have the child then desert it."
"So I'm not myself because of some alien hormone that Vegeta put in me!?"
"…Yes…"
"But, when does it go away!?"
"Well, as you can see, you're easily combating the hormone. You didn't notice it much before, because it unfortunately gives the receiver false happiness. But don't worry about that, that's only temporary."
"When does it go away!?"
"Easy!" he demanded, holding his hands up, almost defensively. "It goes away after the birth of your first child."
"What!? I have to have a baby!?"
"What!?" Vegeta's voice suddenly boomed, causing both Bulma and Tomacasa's heads to snap and face him.
---Chapter 9!! Weeeeeeee! :P I know, I know, I'm horrible at updating soon and I made the chapter really short. But hey, at least I got it out, you know? And besides, I really didn't know how to continue, this story keeps giving me the worst writer's block. Its awful! Anyways, I hope you all enjoy it!
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!
Next time: Vegeta and Bulma try desperately to find a way out of the bond…
"Are we almost there?" Bulma whispered hoarsely into Vegeta's ear. Her head was forced into the crook of his neck, her eyes closed as tightly as she could get them.
"Woman, relax. I told you already, I'm not going to drop you," he sighed in annoyance, trying to pry her from his shoulder, and force her to look at the landscape passing swiftly below. "And open your eyes."
Slowly she loosened her grip around his neck, letting herself lean back slightly, onto Vegeta's awaiting arms. She looked up at him, his eyes transfixed on the sky ahead, though he knew she was starring at him. He glided one hand around to her stomach, then in one quick motion, far too fast for Bulma to notice as it was happening, he turned her over and wrapped his arms around her waist. She gasped, closing her eyes tightly. They were so far above the ground that some clouds were below them.
"There's nothing you should fear, woman. You're safe." His voice was neither soothing nor sweet, though that was obviously the idea behind his statement. Slowly and with hesitation, she finally pried open her eyes, and was amazed at what lay before her.
"Its so beautiful from up here," she sighed, easing into Vegeta's now loose embrace. The view gave her such a euphoric feeling, that worrying about plummeting to her death had completely escaped her mind. All the mountains, streams, rivers, lakes, and forests for miles were stretched out before her, seeming to show off their beauty. She never could have imagined something so wonderful in all her dreams. It was still so hard to believe that any of this could possibly be true. But then a thought struck her, almost forcefully, as if being thrown at her from someone else, and she nearly dropped out of Vegeta's arms. His reflexes caught her though before she even knew anything could be wrong, so the almost fatal fluke went unnoticed. *Earthlings can't be the only intelligent life in the universe!* she thought shamefully, a frown forming on her lips. She had been so selfish to think that there was an endless universe out there, but only the Earth had inhabitants. Suddenly everything didn't seem so far fetched, and she relaxed completely against Vegeta's chest, taking in all the beautiful scenery. Though didn't have as long as she would have wished, for Vegeta began to descend to the earth, having spotted their destination.
Vegeta's brother lived some three or four cities over from the city in which their school was located. Hence the reason for flight rather than taking a car. His house, well more like castle, was set in a secluded area deep in an evergreen forest, so far in the country that no phone or cable lines ran out there. The building was far far larger than Bulma's home at Capsule Corp., about four or five times its size and height. Its outer walls were made entirely of gray stones, with an enormous wooden door at the front, giving it an unmistakenable medieval appearance. Its windows were twice as tall as Bulma, all stained glass, though none having images of saints or church-like things that are normally on such windows. Instead they were of gorgeous men and women, all wonderfully built, with beautiful faces and jet black hair and ebony eyes. Though one window inparticular stuck out, having a figure standing, hands on their hips, head held high with pride and honor. She couldn't distinguish whether this was a male or female, though she doubted it was made to resemble more of one than the other. Its hair and eyes were what made it so much more noticeable than the others, which she guessed was the point of it, not the beings' gender. The hair was golden blonde, looking almost as if was glowing. The eyes, a beautiful blue green color, set in the direction of the sky, as if looking directly at anyone would bruise their pride and make them less glorious. He/She had the appearance of what a God/Goddess was pictured as in all the books Bulma had read on them, being fascinated with the subject. Though this was also extremely unlike any God/Goddess at the same time. Its stature gave her the feeling that if this being were real, they would be arrogant and rude, much like the alien that was holding her tightly to his chest, as they floated to the ground.
"You like his home I take it," Vegeta said as they touched down, and he released her, though she stayed against him.
"Its…Its…" She paused, searching for just the right word, but found not a single one that could describe how great this work of art really was. "I love it," she settled for, now taking a few steps forward and turned around. "Who is the figure with the blonde hair?" He gave her a questioning look, then folded his arms over his chest, and smirked.
"He is the Legendary Super Saiyan," he answered, arrogantly referring to the genderless being as male. "He is what I am to become." Again he laid emphasis on the word 'he'.
"Super Saiyan…Hmm…" She pondered this a moment, opened her mouth, then closed it again. She wanted to question him about it, maybe even take him to see her dad and have tests done. But then all at once, a thousand images of alien movies bombarded her brain. *No…That's too cruel, even to consider…Besides…He's human enough! I mean no one has the slightest idea!*
"Something bothering you?"
"No, its nothing…Can we go see your brother?" she asked, suddenly remembering why they'd come here, and was eager to find out her fate. Vegeta simply nodded, taking her around the waist and leading her to the front door. She smiled dumbly, shyly starring at the ground as it moved beneath her, like a scared girl on her first date. Before they were ten feet from the door, it suddenly began to creak, and the huge wooden doors slowly opened, revealing the man Bulma had seen at the school's orientation.
"What are you doing here Vegeta?" the older version of himself asked, scowling down at him. "And who is this!?"
*Well he sure as hell is Vegeta's brother* Bulma thought, cowering slightly when he pointed a finger at her. "I'm Bulma," she whispered, glancing up at him, then back at the ground.
"Quit with the Earthling act Tomacasa!" Vegeta boomed, getting in his face. "I've told her everything about Saiyans that I could, I need some information from you."
"Whoah, wait one second! You told her, an earthling, about our race? What the hell possessed you to do such a thing!!?"
"I had to!"
"Why!?"
"I don't know! I felt like she needed to know! That's why we're here!" Suddenly Tomacasa's face fell from angry to shocked.
"You mean to tell me you…you…" He leaned over to Bulma, brushing the hair away from her neck, exposing Vegeta's bite mark. "Oh Vegeta…You're far too young for this…" he murmured, taking his head in his hands.
"For what?" they asked in unison.
"Come inside. You're definitely going to need to sit down. Especially you Vegeta." He turned and walked away from them, back into the house, expecting them to follow, which they did. Vegeta still had his arm around her waist, compelled to hold her closer.
They sat on a large black leather couch just around the corner from the door. They weren't in the living room, any of the living rooms in the castle. It was more of what was used as a waiting room back when castles were common homes. Vegeta fidgeted nervously, knowing this information was going to change his life. "Vegeta, please, you're making me nervous," Bulma said soothingly, rubbing his back in small warm circles.
"Ok, there's no use in dragging this out and killing you both with anticipation…" He paused, thinking for the exact words. "When Saiyan males feel the urge to take a mate…er…wife so to speak, they will bite her on the base of the neck. Its like asking for their hand in marriage, well that's what it's the equivalent to on this planet…A bond is formed between the two, though is only one-sided until the female returns the gesture…Males cannot survive being part of a one-sided bond. They become weaker and weaker, until they eventually die…Do you understand?" he asked, biting his nails nervously.
Vegeta sat, clutching both of Bulma's hands tightly, eyes bugged out of his skull. Bulma's mouth was parted slightly, but other than that, she was completely calm. She was more shocked that the news didn't shock or frighten her, as it had Vegeta. "Yes, I understand," she finally said, nodding her head. "Vegeta? Are you ok?"
"Give him a minute," Tomacasa suggested, taking a seat in the chair beside the couch, on Bulma's side.
"So, all I have to do is bite him in return, and we're bonded?"
"Yes."
"For how long?"
"Eternally…" he whispered, as if saying it louder would make Bulma's reaction louder. She raised an eyebrow at him, then pursed her lips rather tightly.
"Forever?…" She looked over and Vegeta, smiling when she saw he was still starring blankly ahead. She couldn't believe how calm she was being about the whole thing, how right it all felt that that's what she should do. She should bite his neck, drink his blood, become bonded to him forever. It was like she had the Saiyan instincts and Vegeta was the scared earthling. "I can live with that," she said after a while, smiling again.
"You're so calm," Tomacasa said in awe. "I would think a young woman of your age and race would faint from such information. Its overwhelming! Its unfair!…to ask you something of such commitment and depth at such a young age! You have so much more to experience! Vegeta was foolish! He-"
"Please, calm down," Bulma urged, taking one hand away from Vegeta to set on his leg. "You're hysterical and Vegeta's apparently turned to stone. I'm the one with the most at stake, and I'm perfectly calm…Tomacasa, please, trust your instincts…" He looked up at her, amazed at how calm he'd become with just the few words she spoke. He smiled weakly at her. She truly was an amazing creature. He could see why Vegeta chose her. Then suddenly she frowned, and growled in a low tone at herself then stood and stomped out of the room. Tomacasa was compelled, in a brotherly way, to go after her and find out what was wrong.
"Bulma?"
"What!?" she hissed, slamming her fist on the nearby wall in the hallway.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing! Leave me alone!" she growled, holding up an arm, warning him not to come any closer. "This is so ridiculous," she mumbled to herself. "I don't care about Vegeta, or his feelings for me, or that dumb bond! I don't know what came over me in there, but that's not me! I don't want anything to do with that alien or you!" Somewhere in her outburst she started addressing the words at Tomacasa ( I hope you all are catching on to what's happening, cause I'm not going to explain it :P).
"Bulma!" he screamed suddenly, grabbing her arms and throwing her against the wall, almost forgetting how much stronger he was than her. "I have no tolerance for pitiful, sniveling people like you!" He took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself, though it only seemed to get him more worked up. "I denounced my race and lived as an Earthling so I wouldn't be like all the rest of the arrogant Saiyans! I wanted to be different! I wanted to be like an Earthling!" He sighed, releasing her from his grasp and shaking his head. "But now I find Earthlings are no different aside from strength. They're just as arrogant and selfish as Saiyans!"
"I refuse to change my beliefs and personality just to suit you and that, that…that barbarian!" she screamed, not at all intimidated by Tomacasa. "I don't know what that bite did to me and why I'm feeling so…strange, but I won't let it control me, you hear!? I won't let men control me any longer! I don't care if he's going to die! I don't want to see you or him ever again!"
"I don't care if you'd rather see my brother die than become his mate! You WILL bite him and make a bond! Or I will personally destroy you!" he boomed, grasping her around the throat and lifting her off the ground.
"I-" she gasped, but that's all she could manage before her breath was completely cut off. She tried desperately to free herself, scratching and clawing at his hand and arm, though with no luck, not even a whisper of a hope that she would get free.
"Now listen good, Earthling!" He studied her face, calculating how long he could hold her such a way before her heart stopped. "That bite did nothing more than bring out the good in you! The reasoning! Everything you should be, but obviously are not!" On that note he opened his head and watched with fascination as her body fell to the floor, limp and heavy. He fought the smirk that was pulling at his lips, refusing to enjoy the rush he'd just received from nearly cutting her life short. It was his Saiyan nature, after all, to feel such a way after a kill. Or in his case, a near kill. "Are you ready to talk, calmly, like an Earthling should?"
She just nodded, jerking to her feet and backing up.
"You're a tough girl, aren't you?"
"I like to think so," she spat, crossing her arms.
"Of course," he laughed, imitating her position. "As are all Saiyans. Males, females, children."
"What's the point?"
"When a Saiyan male bites a female blood isn't the only fluid exchanged. From-"
"What!? You mean he put something in me!?"
"Quiet!" he snapped, pointing a finger at her. She stiffened immediately, not wanting to be back in his painful grasp. "That's better…Now, as I was saying. From the male's fangs a hormone is released, directly into the female's bloodstream. That hormone causing her to become…nicer, I suppose is the word for it." Bulma opened her mouth, a determined look on her face, though closed it as he raised his hand. "Before you ask, the purpose of the hormone is to make the female more motherly. Otherwise they're likely to have the child then desert it."
"So I'm not myself because of some alien hormone that Vegeta put in me!?"
"…Yes…"
"But, when does it go away!?"
"Well, as you can see, you're easily combating the hormone. You didn't notice it much before, because it unfortunately gives the receiver false happiness. But don't worry about that, that's only temporary."
"When does it go away!?"
"Easy!" he demanded, holding his hands up, almost defensively. "It goes away after the birth of your first child."
"What!? I have to have a baby!?"
"What!?" Vegeta's voice suddenly boomed, causing both Bulma and Tomacasa's heads to snap and face him.
---Chapter 9!! Weeeeeeee! :P I know, I know, I'm horrible at updating soon and I made the chapter really short. But hey, at least I got it out, you know? And besides, I really didn't know how to continue, this story keeps giving me the worst writer's block. Its awful! Anyways, I hope you all enjoy it!
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!
Next time: Vegeta and Bulma try desperately to find a way out of the bond…