Disclaimer (because I haven't yet put one up): All Dragon Ball Z characters are owned by Akira Toriyama (but any others that appear later are mine ;-P )
Now lets start to show why this story is rated 'R' ;)
Chapter 2
Bulma lay on her bed, her thoughts drifting as she tried to sleep. The long talk that had taken place between her and her son made her remember the times when everyone was together; when death hadn't laid it's hand upon their shoulder as the artificial humans began their rampage and their world turned to chaos. She turned onto her side and tried again to rest. She knew it wasn't to be. Admitting defeat she rose from the sheets and tied back her long blue hair. Slipping on her robe, she wandered to the window. It was a peaceful night, full of stars. She could recall the time when the nights were never peaceful; it felt strange to have them again. Looking at the sky she thought of Vegeta. Even though their relationship had been turbulent and confusing, she still missed him. She smiled as she pictured his scowling face and remembered the times when the scowl would melt and his features would warm as he looked at her. Of course this face only showed when no one else was around; an expression held just for her. Yet sometimes he would even try to hide it from her – hiding his true feelings lest it show a weakness in him. That thought really triggered a memory in her. Her eyes closed slowly as she sighed
Bulma wandered back to the bed and crouched on the floor. Reaching under the bed she pulled out a small box. Delving her hand into the box, she produced a leather bound book. She brushed a stray strand of hair from her face and sat down upon her bed. This was her treasured possession – her photograph album. Turning the pages slowly she stopped upon the third page and smiled, tenderly resting her hand upon the picture that was framed there. It was her favourite photograph of her late husband, taken before they had begun their relationship. In the picture he was training – a usual pursuit – but this time was different. He had trained in the back garden to the house instead of in his capsule. Bulma had heard his fighting cries and wandered out onto the balcony to see why he was making them. She was in awe at what she saw. She had never really seen Vegeta train, for his training was something he always did locked away, never on display. She watched his movements; his arms gliding swiftly through the air; his jumps so fast and flawless that a cat would have been jealous; kicks so high that she believed them not physically possibly. She could see the beads of sweat trace each and every muscle of his naked torso. Oh how she wanted to touch him and to have him touch her. To be in his strong embrace and kiss those sultry lips. To feel his muscular body pressed firmly against hers and see that wicked, but naughty, smile directed at her. To be thrown upon the bed like they did in the movies and have the most intense sex ever imaginable; have his dark persona all to herself. She could almost feel his touch at the thought of it and that made her want him all the more. She reached for her camera and took a photo for her album collection – pictures of special moments and special friends. She placed the camera down and watched him some more.
Vegetas movements slowed suddenly and he turned his head in her direction, still executing a number of skilled punches. His eyes pierced her heart and she felt her blood burn as she blushed. He didn't realise he was being watched, too focused in his training, but when he noticed it was Bulma his moves faltered for but a second. He looked away scowling and tried to resume his work out. It wasn't to be. He bit his lip and softly cursed under his breath. Turning on his heel he picked up his towel and walked towards his training capsule, without a second glance in her direction. Bulma watched him leave and contemplated the reason for him training in the open and for him faltering and leaving when he noticed her watching.
An hour had passed since their garden encounter and he was still in the capsule. His training had become more vigorous as he pushed himself that little bit further. Bulma was in the kitchen preparing a jug of water and a glass onto a tray then walked towards the training capsule. She approached the door and glanced trough the window. Why do you push yourself so hard? Why do you always have to prove yourself?…and why do you have to be so damn attractive in those shorts!…After a small chuckle she knocked and watched him stop fighting. He turned to face the door, returning the room to its natural gravity, then Bulma entered. "I thought you might want something to drink so I brought you some water." She placed the tray down on the side, trying to avoid eye contact as he walked towards her. This is so unlike me. I'm usually all 'hi wanna date me?' ugh I'm so pathetic! He picked up the jug and poured himself a glass of water, drinking it down in one gulp. He placed the glass back on the tray and returned to his training, seemingly ignoring her completely. "It wouldn't hurt you to say thank you once in a while you know" She sneered at him. "I didn't ask you to bring me fluids woman, you did that yourself"
He threw a punch towards a training bot that flew around his head. "Why do you have to be so damn arrogant all the time? A small bit of courtesy can go a long way. I don't know why I bother trying to be nice to you! You're nothing but selfish and…and self involved…and…and arrogant…" She paused, wincing at herself, then to herself muttered, "and I'm a fool for liking you the way I do." She spun around in a fit of anger and headed for the door, her final words being "I doubt you're even capable of having feelings for someone…or of any emotion other than anger and pride…!"
"How dare you criticise me woman!" The anger in his words made her stop and turn to face him, her expression resolute. "You stand there and dare to judge me, well let me tell you. I'm here to train, to show that I am the best. I may no longer have a planet to rule but I am still a prince, and I still have my pride. I am a fighter! And that is all I have known." He turned to face her, his scowl prominent on his dark features. His questioning eyes were fixed upon her. She stood her ground and did not move. "Do you know what it is like to be a prince of a proud culture? To be brought up to be the best? Knowing that it is your destiny to be the strongest fighter alive. Then as you are becoming just that, to have your father murdered and your home planet destroyed?" Bulma stared on silently, retaining eye contact. "I didn't think so woman" he chuckled sarcastically. "Kakarotto knows a little more of this side of me than I would have liked. I told him upon my deathbed when Frieza defeated me. But at least he never lets on. I was brought up to be what I am and then destroyed by the being that made me this way for being this way. How ironic. I train and I push myself to become strong, to continue in my birthright, despite it being repeatedly torn away from me…most of all by Kakarotto himself…so what else am I supposed to do here?" He walked towards her with an intense scowl, strands of damp dark hair hanging in front of his eyes, "…so you dare to say that I don't know what emotions are! That I'm not capable of feelings! Well I say that you're wrong. I know the harsh truth of emotion all too well. I will be the strongest and slowly I will try to give myself some 'form' of a life, but I cannot be distracted. Emotions are for the soft hearted, they will get you killed." He was about to resume his training when he turned back round to face her as she opened her mouth to speak in protest but his sudden change of expression made her stop. The scowl seemed to have been replaced with a curious sideways smile and a questioning glare.
"You claim I am without feeling, well how about this?" He cupped her face in his hands quite tensely, drew his face close to hers to the point of being rather intimidating and looked her in the eye. "How can I be without feelings…" His eyes lowered slightly as he stroked his thumb across her lower lip, then they returned to stare into her anxious ones, "…if I have developed feelings for you? Answer me that." Denying her time for response he tightly pulled her in for a deep and passionate kiss, wrapping one arm around her waist and intently holding the back of her head with the other hand. As the kiss continued he lifted her from her feet and succumbing quite contently to the embrace Bulma ran her hands along his back; she had wanted to do that for so long. Her fingers gripped on to every muscle. She let her hands glide along his neck and into is damp dark brown hair. She felt light and dizzy, as if the ground had been taken away from her and as the kiss finished and she found herself floating, held fast in his arms, near the ceiling of the capsule. Vegeta was staring at her intently with lust filled eyes, the wicked smile she loved so much playing on his lips. She could form no clear thoughts and her heart pounded in her breast. They slowly started to float back down to the floor and this time his words were soft – his intense scowl gone. "So tell me again Bulma about how heartless and empty I am. About how I know nothing of love or happiness, and of how you know about my pain…"
They landed on the floor gently, Bulma couldn't break her stare. He released her and stoked her face once more before he regained his composure, his usual scowl threatening to return, "I have to train." Turning away he prepared to resume his routine. Bulma couldn't quite believe what had just taken place. Lost within her thoughts she drifted from the capsule and closed the door behind her.
Bulma closed the photograph album and raised her fingers to her lips. She closed her eyes as she remembered the way she used to feel when he held her. She could still taste and feel his lips pressed against hers, but that was so long ago now and the thought led her to weep.
Trunks could hear her sobs and crept quietly from his bed. He tapped on his mother's bedroom door to let her know he was here then he softly opened it. He saw the album in her lap and knew why she cried, as she had done many nights before. "I'm sorry Trunks, I didn't mean to wake you…" He smiled at her and sat next to her on the bed. "The past is a painful place Mother, I know that all too well…" He gently wrapped his arms around her and held her as she released her pain. He quietly spoke, "…I think we should try to live with the present from now on…" Bulma smiled through her tears and closed the album.
