Notes at bottom.
Chapter 8:
Bulma walked on the path that led from the lake back to her house. Silently cursing herself for forgetting it was a good mile hike. Plus she was wet. Stupid! I should have never come out here with him. If I'd known he'd go all goofy on me like that.. her thought trailed off as she remembered the look in his eyes. They had actually been glowing with a soft light. Was that something Saiyan? Like you'll ever know. Who ya gonna ask? Chichi? Wouldn't that be fun. ' How the hell do you know about a Saiyan's eyes glowing when they're sexually aroused?!' I definitely don't need that.
"Well, Bulma Briefs. You've sure gotten yourself into a weird predicament this time. I think I'd almost rather face Pilaf again." She sighed. "So now what? I really wanted this to play out a lot longer so I could make them suffer more, but I just don't think I have the stomach for it. Well. If Vegeta wants to show me Yamcha's cheating on me so bad, I guess it's time I let him. At least that will take that pressure off of me and give me time to fathom out what exactly is going on in that alien mind of his." Her mind made up, she walked more briskly towards home. She was beginning to chafe.
Vegeta had flown around for hours trying to clear his thoughts. By the time he made it back to Capsule Corp. it was getting dark. He had toyed around with the idea of just taking the GR and blasting off. Leaving all these confusing and irritating emotions behind. Along with that damnable woman and her crazy family. But the thought of turning tail was enough to make him want to incinerate the whole planet. Never. I will never be defeated by that.. that human.
He touched down on the lawn and walked through the kitchen door. Miss Briefs was putting the last of the supper dishes away.
"Hello dear. You're late, but there's plenty left over if you want me to heat something up for you?" she watched him walk through the kitchen, head bowed as though he were in deep thought. "You alright honey?"
Normally he would have just ignored the irritating woman. Heaven knew why she doted on him the way she did. "I'm not hungry." He murmured, looking up to see her very shocked expression.
"You wanna talk?"
"Talk? What in the name of Kami would I want to talk to you about?" he had meant for it to sound snide, but it fell short. Damn!
"About what's been bothering you lately. You haven't been yourself for days."
"And what could possibly be bothering me?" he crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her with mild curiosity. The woman had shown very little insight into anything since he had known her. It might be amusing to see what she thought his problem was.
She smiled. "Well, for starters, the fact that you're head over heels in love with my daughter and you don't have a clue as to how to handle it."
His arms fell to his sides, his eyes opened wide and his mouth parted in a slight gasp.
"I know everyone here thinks I'm a bit flighty. I suppose I am. But I pay more attention to the things that go on in my house than you know. And I have been watching you and Bulma. You went to the beach, shopping and then you disappeared for hours today. Together. You haven't been training which in itself is very out of the ordinary. And Yamcha has been acting all jealous. Not to mention how distracted Bulma has been the past few days."
His mouth dropped a little more. Oh this is just great. Now that woman's mother is turning out to be halfway intelligent. Mental note to not take her so lightly from now on. She could be dangerous. "I am not in love with your idiotic daughter." Was all he managed to retort.
She sighed. "I swear. Sometimes you children are just so dense. If you're not in love with her then let her alone. You're only confusing the poor girl. I know she's not really in love with Yamcha. They've just been together for so long, it's hard for her to imagine life without him. But I know her well enough to tell that she has been developing feelings for you since you came back. She probably doesn't even realize it herself. She's as thick as you are at times."
He frowned. "Feelings? What kind of feelings?"
"I think she's falling for you dear."
He snorted, but a look of uncertainty passed over his face. Could she really be? Could she have feelings for me? I mean, I know when I kiss her she seems to enjoy it. But who wouldn't? Well this should make my task all the easier. "I'm not the slightest bit interested in that stupid woman's feelings for anyone. Feelings are for weaklings." He snorted.
Mrs. Briefs sighed. "Love could really open up a lot of doors for you dear. Don't write it off so quickly. And by the way, Bulma said if you got in before ten to please come up to her room. She needed to talk to you about something."
"Oh?" he glanced up the stairwell, then shrugged. "If I have time." And walked slowly up to his room. He flipped the light on and stripped out of his shorts and tank, then proceeded to turn the hot water on full blast in the shower. He stood there for several minutes just letting the water flow over him, keeping his mind as blank as possible.
Bulma heard the water in the room next door. Well, he's home. It was at least twenty minutes before it cut off, then another ten before the hair dryer cut off. She giggled. I can't even picture him using a dryer on that hair. I wonder if he flips his head over? She giggled again, then sobered. Putting her book down, she stared up at the ceiling for what seemed like an eternity before a light tap at her door jump started her heart.
"Bulma? Honey, Yamcha's on the phone." Her mothers voice floated through.
Damn. I didn't even hear it ring. "Thanks mom." She reached and picked up her receiver, noticing the volume had been turned off. I don't remember doing that. "Hello?"
"Bulma? Hey babe. Just wanted to let you know I made the team."
"That's great Yamcha. I'm very proud of you. Wanna go out and celebrate?"
"Uh, um, sorry babe. Can't. I'm going out with a bunch of the guys from the team. It's a traditional sort of thing. You know."
She frowned. Traditional huh? "Ok. Well you just have yourself a good time then. And congratulations. Bye."
"Bye." Click
She sat up and pounded on the wall. "Vegeta!"
"What?!" came the loud, irritated reply, only slightly muffled through the thick walls of her home.
"Can you come in here for a minute?"
"No! I come to know one. I'm not a dog."
"Fine!" she jumped off the bed and slammed her door open then proceeded to knock on his, rather violently, until he opened it.
He stood there in his black silk boxers, a scowl across his face. "What do you want Woman!?"
"Your help." She growled out.
He lifted an eyebrow. "My help? And what makes you think I would want to help you?" there was a tinge of amusement in his voice.
Her eyes narrowed, and she advanced on him, only somewhat amazed that he stepped back. "Because I'm going to catch Yamcha in the act."
Ok I know. I promised a lot more in this chapter, but, hey! I opted for the evil cliffy instead. No actually I have to get my cast redone today, and I didn't figure I'd feel like typing for a few days so I got out what I could. Sorry. But seriously. The next chapter is going to be long, angsty and lemony. No gushy ooc for Vegeta either. Later!
