His hearing was the first thing that returned to him as the blackness began
to dissipate around him into a world of pain. He could here the onna making
a big fuss, begging him to get up, or move, anything. His eyes slowly
squinted open and he saw the look of concern etched across her somehow
fetching, face. He winced, he must have been hit pretty hard to think
something like that. He shook his head and sat up forcefully.
Chi-Chi grabbed his shoulders firmly, "Maybe you should lie down for another minute."
He scowled at her and pushed her away, "So Kakarot thinks he can blind side me huh? Well I'll show him!" He stood up shakily and limped a few steps before collapsing to one knee.
"Goku.uh no, he's not here." She said almost fearfully as she took a step toward him with an outreached arm.
"Then who hit me? That brat of his?" he growled turning to her.
"I did." She said motioning to the dented frying pan a few feet from him, "And by the way that BRAT happens to be my soon too."
He fell back, ignoring the end of her statement, "You? That's impossible."
"Vegeta, I'm so sorry, I'll go get ice okay?" she choked out, still in shock over what she had done.
He stared at the ceiling half-conscious. That woman packed quite a punch when she was angry. How was it then she was never taught to control her ki? He shook his head, what did it matter? He stood up on rubbery legs, "No.I don't need it, I'll just be going."
"Are you sure?" she asked holding the back of the chair in front of her. How could she have reacted so violently? Okay, so he had threatened her family, but she should have expected him to say something like that. He always spoke tough like that.
"Yes." He snapped angrily, stalking towards the door.
She rushed over to him and tried to help him to the door. Why did she have to go and lose her temper like that? And she wondered why she was alone so often. Kami! Who wanted to be around some unstable woman who knocked people out for saying the wrong thing?
"Would you get off of me!" Vegeta finally growled, swinging the door open, almost falling out of it.
"But Vegeta, you can't even stand straight." She argued. He turned to respond to her when he heard another loud crack and a saw white flash then he felt a drop of water on his head, followed by another one and then a few more. Suddenly, the heavens had opened up and released a deluge of water upon the Earth. Vegeta let out an angry howl screaming, "Are you all working against me huh?" He tipped to one side but quickly regained his footing as he stared angrily at the weeping sky.
Growling softly he went to fly off but was stopped by Chi-Chi's pleas and unsteady hand around his wrist, "No please, I can't let you leave in your condition, in this weather."
"Please, I have no problem with rain and you barely hit me with that frying pan." He answered looking back at her with a murderous gaze.
She rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand in attempt to drag him back into the house, "You'll catch cold.besides.you might get hit by."
Suddenly a lightning bolt cracked in the dark sky causing her to jump into Vegeta's chest with a cry. He almost fell over from the force she threw herself at him. As he kept himself steady he looked down at her shuddering figure perplexed for a moment before realizing he was holding her. When had he put his arms around her? He winced, he was starting to think that earlier hit had given him some sort of brain damage. He grunted pushing her away, "You aren't seriously afraid of a little lightning are you?"
Her eyes were darting about like a frightened cat, or perhaps a drowned rat is a better analogy? He could barely make her out because of the fierce downpour, soaking them both to the bone. "Please? Just until the storm passes." She whispered.
He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, cursing himself for what he was contemplating. He looked out at the darkened horizon and then back at her. Scared of a little storm, how ridiculous, the damn woman had just minutes before practically knocked him, the prince of Saiyajins, out. By now he should have killed her for her insolence not comforted her for her fears. Walking past her, he entered the house yelling back to her, "Well are you staying out there or what?"
Chi-Chi's eyes grew wide and then relieved. "Thank you Vegeta."
She walked back up the pathway to the cottage, thankful and surprise he had agreed to stay. It seemed out of character for him almost. Then again, what did she know of his character? She squealed as another lighting bolt hit, causing her to run into the house, slamming the door behind her.
"You're just lucky I don't want to wreck my clothes and deal with that damned scientist." He lied crossing his arms.
She looked over at him about to say something but the words came out as a whimper as she saw the way his soaked clothes clung to his body. She could make out the outline of his chiseled body through the wet fabric. Even the way he stood so upright and properly looked intriguing in his current state. Admittedly he carried off his compact frame extraordinarily well. Her mouth opened and closed a few times as she scanned him up and down trying to pry her eyes away to no avail. She had never realized how sexy he was. She slapped herself mentally, sexy?? Where'd that come from? He looked nice, not sexy. No! Not nice, he didn't look at all. She was married, married to a wonderful man who would leave with no word for months on in. She shook her head, she wasn't going there, not at that moment. She was married.
She gulped as their eyes locked onto each other. For a minute she almost thought she saw a glint of loneliness in the obsidian depths of his eyes. She shifted uncomfortably as they stood there locked in each other's gazes for a moment. She could tell she was blushing. Her brain was yelling at her to say something before she made a total fool of herself but her body refused to reply. She was married.
"Eheh.well, I'm soaked, I'm gonna go get changed." She choked out finally. Quickly she exited the room and walked down the hall to her room, slamming the door. She looked about to make sure she was alone before exhaling. Where the heck did all that come from? Her heart was racing a mile a minute and her face felt hot. She closed her eyes and hit her head with her hand, "Get a grip Chi-Chi!" What was she doing? Asking him to stay like that, it must have sounded like, 'oh Vegeta take me!' to him!
She looked through her closets..nothing. All of her clothes were waiting to be washed. She hadn't had time for laundry with that party and then the shopping and the company. She cried softly, biting her lower lip cursing herself, "A fine time to slack off on your chores Chi-Chi, what the heck are you going to wear out there?"
Turning she noticed a bathrobe she'd been given for Christmas by Bulma a few years ago. She'd barely worn it, thinking it was pretty pointless, since it was much easier to dress right away in the morning. But how would Bulma know that? Besides, it was nice of her to get her anything for Christmas. Anyhow, it was the thought that counted. She went to grab it and ended up cursing herself again, "Oh right, so I'll walk out there in barely nothing but a robe, that's intelligent." But what else could she possibly wear?
***
Vegeta stood in the middle of the living room motionless. His eyes staring at the pool of water forming below him as water cascaded off of his soaked figure. The way she had just looked at him, he had never seen such a look of sincere gratitude, directed towards him, in his life, not that he'd ever done anything to deserve gratitude. It was just, it gave him a strange feeling, and he wasn't even sure how to describe it.
He looked up suddenly feeling awkward in his soaked attire, in this small room, in this peaceful cottage, in his body, hell even on this planet. He shifted about restlessly, unsure of what to do with himself.
Why had she blushed when she had spoken earlier? And the way she had stared at him. He felt so bewildered, bewildered he had stayed and bewildered that she had asked him to. Hell, minutes before he'd made snide comments about her family, personality and cooking. He had tried on a few occasions to kill her family for Kami's sake! He cringed at the feeling of guilt in the pit of stomach. He didn't deserve such hospitality, such kindness.
He looked down the hall wearily, then back down at the floor. He needed to get a grip before she returned but he wasn't even sure he could move at the moment, his head still ached from the hit he'd taken earlier and now his stomach ached for staying here. He wasn't sure if he was about to collapse or scream out.
He heard the door creak open down the hall, cringing as he saw her silhouette move slowly towards him. She combed her long raven hair with her fingers as she moved closer. Their eyes met for a moment and then Vegeta gave into a fit of laughter he had never experienced in his life.
She looked over at him mortified, as he actually had to hold the table in front of him to keep from keeling over in cachinnation.
"What? What's so funny?" she cried, nervously pulling at her clothes.
He breathed in and looked up at her about to respond but when he opened his mouth only cackles came out as he grabbed his stomach.
"WHAT?" she screamed, her face turning redder by the minute.
"Do you usually dress up as a hard shelled candy when it rains?" he finally said in-between laughs.
She looked down at her costume and sighed, "A few years ago me and Goku dressed up as M&M's for Halloween. It was the only clean thing I had."
He looked at her as seriously as he could, "Well that explains your fear of rain, you're scared you'll." Before he could even finish he started cackling again, "Melt!"
"Well at least it's not a pink shirt and lime green pants!" She screamed.
Instantly the Saiyajin prince's laughter ceased, his forced smile replaced with the usual scowl. Encouraged she kept ranting, "Yeah, Goku and Gohan came home laughing about it, they giggled for hours and hours over that."
He cocked his head, "Fine, turnabout I suppose is fair play." He smirked stifling a giggle, "You still look ridiculous although I will say red is your color."
She looked down, her face as red as the M&M she was dressed up as. She sat down on her coach and sighed, deciding the robe would have been a far better choice, once again a fine example of her social skills.
After a moment, she looked back up at him, deciding to get the subject off of herself, "I suppose you'll need a change of clothes until those ones dry."
He looked at her smugly, "I'm sorry, but I refuse to dress up in the matching costume."
She scowled, "Oh shut up! You can wear something of Goku's, you jerk!" She smiled testily, "Of course considering your stature they'll be big on you, maybe you'd be better off in something of Gohan's."
His face faded back to an angry expression; "I refuse to dress in Kakarot's clothing."
She sighed, "You'll get sick if you walk around in soaked clothes."
He grunted and pulled off the green sweater he had been wearing, the damned scientist had no taste in clothing, actually, the entire planet had poor taste in his opinion.
Chi-Chi's eyes quickly averted from the visage of the half naked Saiyajin, "a little decency please?"
He smirked, placing a hand on his hip, "What? Do I make you uncomfortable."
She glanced up at him and then looked back down at the ground, "No, but someone stripping in front of me makes me a little uncomfortable."
"Honestly, it's just a shirt." He complained walking over to a chair and plopping down on it.
She shifted in her seat uncomfortably as she felt his eyes on her. She bit her lip frustrated, realizing he was only doing it to get a rise out. She just had to show him, that he couldn't get to her.
Finally, she looked up at him. His eyes were shaded from the looming shadows of the room but she could still make out he was looking at her. His skin shone slightly from the slight light coming from the kitchen hearth. Her eyes rested momentarily on the scar on his right pectoral, wondering how he had gotten such a thing when suddenly he shifted his body to the side. Her eyes fell back to the ground as she realized he must have noticed her looking at it.
"Some weak creature got in a good hit before I sent him to the next dimension." He said in an even voice.
She looked up at him and cocked her head to the side, "Huh?"
"You were looking at the scar weren't you?" he asked almost annoyed at her act of obliviousness.
"Did it hurt?" she finally answered.
"I don't feel pain." He answered in a monotone voice.
"Bull." She said raising an eyebrow.
"I've been raised my entire life not to feel pain. One only feels pain because they expect to feel it when they're hit. I, on the other hand, have been trained as a soldier. We don't feel pain because we're taught that it's false." He looked down thoughtfully, "Not taught I suppose, programmed is a better word to describe it."
She entwined her fingers together and sighed, "That's sad."
He scowled, "What the hell's so sad about that?"
"Well, without pain how do you know when you feel joy or pleasure? Even though it hurts at time, I like the full spectrum of feelings." She answered.
He let out a false laugh, "Oh I see, how noble you are, little wife to a missing hero and mother to a hero in training."
She let out a ragged breath and looked out the window as water slowly traced its way down the windowpane. She caught her reflection and frowned, what a joke she was. She shuddered as a lightning bolt struck.
"Why is it you're so scared of a little rain anyway?" Came Vegeta's gruff voice.
She looked over at him and glowered, "What do you care?"
"Hmph, you're the one who asked me to stay." He answered, sitting back.
She clicked her tongue annoyed, she HAD asked him to say. Damn her and her poor judgement calls. She sighed, what would it hurt to tell him anyway? Maybe it would even make him act nicer towards her. Besides, he was the first person to ever even take an interest in her enough to ask.
"Well, when I was younger, my father and I lived in a beautiful castle." She began.
"A castle? Hmph, you can spare me the fairy tale." He interrupted, skeptically.
She looked up at him enraged, "You're the one who asked me, and for your information, I happen to be the princess of Mount Fry Pan."
He crossed his arms and let out a hurrumph as she sat back and continued, "So anyway, my father understandably became paranoid as people began trying to steal his treasures and even kidnap me and my mother for ransom. First, he taught me some martial arts techniques for self-defense and had created for me a helmet that could generate powerful laser blasts but that didn't stop the intruders. He tried to fight them all off, he was strong, but being under constant attack and threat isn't good for one's nerves."
Vegeta's eyes rolled, "Is this story going anywhere?"
She inhaled heavily and scowled, "I was getting to the point oh patient one. Anyway, my mother was taken one night and killed by some ambitious treasure hunters. In a craze, my father went to a gypsy who was passing through the town. She said for the price of one million zeni she could rid him of his intruder problem. Willing to try anything, my father complied with the gypsy's wishes. With money in hand, she set a curse on the mountain, saying it would 'burn and burn until all bad intention was withered away into the wind.' Well, honestly, I didn't understand it and neither did my dad but a minute later a huge bolt of lightning hit our castle followed by a large crack of thunder and as we watched the entire mountain burst into flames. I watched as my home and everything I knew went up in a cloud of smoke. Ever since then, when I see lightning I get that feeling, I felt then."
She looked up at him and sighed. He stared at her for a moment before leaning forward, his face illuminated by the occasional crack of lightning beyond the window, "Even if I was to believe you were a princess, I'd still say that story was poorly concocted. Honestly, I could have some up with something better."
Chi-Chi's eyes watered over, she had just shared with him a story she hadn't told a soul and he scoffed at it as though it were nothing but lies. She turned her head from him and whimpered silently unwillingly to let him see her cry.
He sat back, "Oh poor you, at least your damn home still exists, my planet was blown up, did your beloved husband tell you that? At least you knew your mother if only for a short while, I don't even know my mother's name." His voice grew fiercer and fiercer by the second as he continued, " and least you didn't have to be kind and respectful to your kidnapper for years if only to survive, the only thing giving you SOME semblance of sanity a legend that for all you knew could be absolute rubbish but inside you knew it was your only hope of surviving the hell you were in. The only way to beat your captor."
Chi-Chi was taken aback as he leaned forward so they were face to face. She trembled in fear as he looked at her with hatred. She had never seen eyes that could go through so many emotions so quickly.
He sneered, "And then, after years of self-loathing and humiliation to have your chance at retribution just to have it yanked away by an enemy who should have killed you but decided to let you live in shame. A creature who could care less about the legend, about the destruction of his race, about the destruction of everything I was supposed to be." He hissed the final words, his hand slamming the arm of the chair as he stormed out of it and next to the fireplace.
With a choleric growl, he sent a blast at it, setting it ablaze. The room suddenly illuminated and warmed by the firelight. The color of warm orange danced upon his face as he stared at the flames as though they were an extension of himself.
She sat back and finally breathed again, her eyes wide. He had just told her everything and strangely nothing at the same time. Somehow he was able to keep his outburst so anonymous while at the same time personal. She looked back at him as he panted still recovering from his enraged words, "So? What does it matter? You survived didn't you?"
"No I didn't survive." He answered ruefully, "Frieza killed me, end of story, the gods simply decided to play some cosmic joke on my by letting the dragon balls bring me back."
She looked down and sighed, "I'm sorry."
He snorted and looked over at her, "For what?"
"I'm sorry you never got to get your revenge on Frieza." She answered, turning to him sadly, "And that you seem to think your life is pointless."
His eyes grew wide in confusion, "I never said I thought my life was."
"You insinuated it." She answered, "Besides, I know how it feels to be lonely." She motioned to the house and laughed good natured, "Hello! I've been away from all human contact for about eight years now."
He looked around the room and smirked, "You're better off anyway from what I've seen of your race, they're dirty self-absorbed creatures."
She let out a laugh, "Oh they're still acting that way? You'd think after eight years they'd learn a new trick."
His eyes scanned her face in confusion. He felt like she had just touched something in him that he hadn't shared. How was it she saw he was alone? Why was it that she cared and how was it she accepted everything he had said when he had been so callous to her?
Quietly he sat back down and looked up at her, "Why is it if you were trained in the martial arts, you never learnt how to control your ki?"
"Well." She looked up thoughtfully, "My father didn't go into any great fighting detail just the basics."
Staring at the ground he continued, "Odd, you're very powerful for someone without formal training. You should at least know how to fly."
She smiled at what she took to be a compliment from the Saiyajin, "Fly? You really think I could learn how to?"
She laughed imagining the possibilities. She could get to the market MUCH quicker and spare her poor feet and even better she couldn't wait to see the look on Gohan's face if he tried to fly off somewhere when he was supposed to be studying. She let out an evil cackle.
He looked up at her. "Yes, perhaps you should bring up to Kakarot when he."
"Who the hell wants to wait for that screw up to show up when you can teach me." She laughed.
Vegeta's eyes grew wide in protest, "No, I have training of my own to do, I have no time to spend training the likes of you."
"Aww....but even you said it wouldn't take too long." She persuaded, "And, I'll even throw in free meals for every class."
His eyes lowered to the ground, it would be nice to have a meal he could digest every now and then but he had training to do and he already lost so much time.
She pleaded hopefully, "Well at least think about it."
He looked at her suspiciously, "Fine, I'll consider it."
His eyes traveled to the window where he noticed the rain had all but stopped. He stood up, "The storm's over."
She looked to the window and then back up at him, "So it is."
Vegeta picked the soaked shirt up about to put it on but then opted against it, putting it on the chair. "I should be going then."
Chi-Chi stood there awkwardly in her Halloween costume looking at the less than composed prince. She had a feeling she would laugh about this whole thing later, in a year or two. He went to the door and she opened it. He turned and looked down at her for a moment, unsure of what to do. Chi-Chi's arm twitched twice and finally she decided to go for it. It was just a nice 'thank you hug', after all. She embraced him and whispered, "Thank you Vegeta."
He felt an odd burning sensation just below his eyes as one of his arms went around her waist and the other against his better judgement brushed her cheek. She looked up into his face as he looked down at her. He moved his face lower, noticing the pink hue forming below her eyes and the dazed almost dreamy look in her eyes. He felt his heart begin to race as he felt her soft figure pressed against him like a warm comforting blanket. He shut his eyes, loosing his nerve and whispered, "I should go, the storm's over."
She stepped away and nodded her head in mortified consent, "Yeah, thanks Vegeta."
"Don't do that." He reprimanded softly.
"What?" she asked looking down at the floor, embarrassed at what they had almost done.
"Thank me." He answered taking off into the sky.
She watched his figure grow slighter and slighter upon the nighttime horizon. Finally, deciding to go back in. She massaged her temples, too tired to think or analyze what they had almost done. It was nothing. Nothing at all. She went down the hall and fell into a deep, uncomfortable sleep.
The next morning, Chi-Chi walked shakily outside, carrying in tow a large barrel of laundry; she had to take to the river. She looked down at the step and to her surprise saw a new pair of shoes. She placed the basket down and picked them up. They were beautiful and to her surprise were her size. She looked around the cottage unable to find any evidence of who had left the gift, although she had an idea. Finally with a smile she slid them on her feet, took the barrel and went on her way, determined to get her chores done, unaware that a few feet above her perched on a tree branch was her anonymous provider watching her with uncertainty and confusion as his feelings whirled out of his control.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Author's Notes: Eh? Eh? I've been working on that chapter for about a month. ^_^ Ten Pages on Microsoft Word!! That's like two chapters in one with my fic.s! What'd ya think? Well now that I've gone and written myself out, the next update will be in a week or so I'd say. I'm feeling inspired now thanks to all of your awesome reviews and support!!
Loriko_Neko: thanks for the review and hey! I got this out pretty fast right? I'm not too evil ^_^
Veggies_misstress: Bingo! And by the way, what's up with the G/B ficcie? I'm dying for the next chapter
Elektra642000: Yes love definantly does hurt in the DBZ universe ^_^ thanks for the review!
Evilcarrot: yeah most author's make Bulma out to be more innocent than she really is, I think it makes more sense to put more kick to her step, she's a feisty one. I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Reina: you're wish is my command one frying pan to the head. Thanks for the review
RedLady: Aww, you should try your hand at one anyhow. ^_^ I'm sure you could pull it off wonderfully! Yup the almighty frying pan makes it appearance.
Dew777: I'm glad you're enjoying it! And hey! Three days later isn't too shabby of a wait right? ^_^
Cdkobasiuk: Amen to that! They're much easier to handle once you that and I'm sure Chi will teach our prince a thing or two.
Bucky: With the reviews you leave Bucky, they're more than worth the wait and btw I'm gonna slap Vegeta for being such a bad muse but you could maybe work on Los Rotos while you're waiting for Vegeta to be more cooperative? Eh? Oh and by the way, Gobble Gobble
Penchy-chan: I know I'm a bad girl but hey! I got the next chapter out as promised! ^_^ girl scout points for that one? Thanks for the review.
Chi-Chi grabbed his shoulders firmly, "Maybe you should lie down for another minute."
He scowled at her and pushed her away, "So Kakarot thinks he can blind side me huh? Well I'll show him!" He stood up shakily and limped a few steps before collapsing to one knee.
"Goku.uh no, he's not here." She said almost fearfully as she took a step toward him with an outreached arm.
"Then who hit me? That brat of his?" he growled turning to her.
"I did." She said motioning to the dented frying pan a few feet from him, "And by the way that BRAT happens to be my soon too."
He fell back, ignoring the end of her statement, "You? That's impossible."
"Vegeta, I'm so sorry, I'll go get ice okay?" she choked out, still in shock over what she had done.
He stared at the ceiling half-conscious. That woman packed quite a punch when she was angry. How was it then she was never taught to control her ki? He shook his head, what did it matter? He stood up on rubbery legs, "No.I don't need it, I'll just be going."
"Are you sure?" she asked holding the back of the chair in front of her. How could she have reacted so violently? Okay, so he had threatened her family, but she should have expected him to say something like that. He always spoke tough like that.
"Yes." He snapped angrily, stalking towards the door.
She rushed over to him and tried to help him to the door. Why did she have to go and lose her temper like that? And she wondered why she was alone so often. Kami! Who wanted to be around some unstable woman who knocked people out for saying the wrong thing?
"Would you get off of me!" Vegeta finally growled, swinging the door open, almost falling out of it.
"But Vegeta, you can't even stand straight." She argued. He turned to respond to her when he heard another loud crack and a saw white flash then he felt a drop of water on his head, followed by another one and then a few more. Suddenly, the heavens had opened up and released a deluge of water upon the Earth. Vegeta let out an angry howl screaming, "Are you all working against me huh?" He tipped to one side but quickly regained his footing as he stared angrily at the weeping sky.
Growling softly he went to fly off but was stopped by Chi-Chi's pleas and unsteady hand around his wrist, "No please, I can't let you leave in your condition, in this weather."
"Please, I have no problem with rain and you barely hit me with that frying pan." He answered looking back at her with a murderous gaze.
She rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand in attempt to drag him back into the house, "You'll catch cold.besides.you might get hit by."
Suddenly a lightning bolt cracked in the dark sky causing her to jump into Vegeta's chest with a cry. He almost fell over from the force she threw herself at him. As he kept himself steady he looked down at her shuddering figure perplexed for a moment before realizing he was holding her. When had he put his arms around her? He winced, he was starting to think that earlier hit had given him some sort of brain damage. He grunted pushing her away, "You aren't seriously afraid of a little lightning are you?"
Her eyes were darting about like a frightened cat, or perhaps a drowned rat is a better analogy? He could barely make her out because of the fierce downpour, soaking them both to the bone. "Please? Just until the storm passes." She whispered.
He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, cursing himself for what he was contemplating. He looked out at the darkened horizon and then back at her. Scared of a little storm, how ridiculous, the damn woman had just minutes before practically knocked him, the prince of Saiyajins, out. By now he should have killed her for her insolence not comforted her for her fears. Walking past her, he entered the house yelling back to her, "Well are you staying out there or what?"
Chi-Chi's eyes grew wide and then relieved. "Thank you Vegeta."
She walked back up the pathway to the cottage, thankful and surprise he had agreed to stay. It seemed out of character for him almost. Then again, what did she know of his character? She squealed as another lighting bolt hit, causing her to run into the house, slamming the door behind her.
"You're just lucky I don't want to wreck my clothes and deal with that damned scientist." He lied crossing his arms.
She looked over at him about to say something but the words came out as a whimper as she saw the way his soaked clothes clung to his body. She could make out the outline of his chiseled body through the wet fabric. Even the way he stood so upright and properly looked intriguing in his current state. Admittedly he carried off his compact frame extraordinarily well. Her mouth opened and closed a few times as she scanned him up and down trying to pry her eyes away to no avail. She had never realized how sexy he was. She slapped herself mentally, sexy?? Where'd that come from? He looked nice, not sexy. No! Not nice, he didn't look at all. She was married, married to a wonderful man who would leave with no word for months on in. She shook her head, she wasn't going there, not at that moment. She was married.
She gulped as their eyes locked onto each other. For a minute she almost thought she saw a glint of loneliness in the obsidian depths of his eyes. She shifted uncomfortably as they stood there locked in each other's gazes for a moment. She could tell she was blushing. Her brain was yelling at her to say something before she made a total fool of herself but her body refused to reply. She was married.
"Eheh.well, I'm soaked, I'm gonna go get changed." She choked out finally. Quickly she exited the room and walked down the hall to her room, slamming the door. She looked about to make sure she was alone before exhaling. Where the heck did all that come from? Her heart was racing a mile a minute and her face felt hot. She closed her eyes and hit her head with her hand, "Get a grip Chi-Chi!" What was she doing? Asking him to stay like that, it must have sounded like, 'oh Vegeta take me!' to him!
She looked through her closets..nothing. All of her clothes were waiting to be washed. She hadn't had time for laundry with that party and then the shopping and the company. She cried softly, biting her lower lip cursing herself, "A fine time to slack off on your chores Chi-Chi, what the heck are you going to wear out there?"
Turning she noticed a bathrobe she'd been given for Christmas by Bulma a few years ago. She'd barely worn it, thinking it was pretty pointless, since it was much easier to dress right away in the morning. But how would Bulma know that? Besides, it was nice of her to get her anything for Christmas. Anyhow, it was the thought that counted. She went to grab it and ended up cursing herself again, "Oh right, so I'll walk out there in barely nothing but a robe, that's intelligent." But what else could she possibly wear?
***
Vegeta stood in the middle of the living room motionless. His eyes staring at the pool of water forming below him as water cascaded off of his soaked figure. The way she had just looked at him, he had never seen such a look of sincere gratitude, directed towards him, in his life, not that he'd ever done anything to deserve gratitude. It was just, it gave him a strange feeling, and he wasn't even sure how to describe it.
He looked up suddenly feeling awkward in his soaked attire, in this small room, in this peaceful cottage, in his body, hell even on this planet. He shifted about restlessly, unsure of what to do with himself.
Why had she blushed when she had spoken earlier? And the way she had stared at him. He felt so bewildered, bewildered he had stayed and bewildered that she had asked him to. Hell, minutes before he'd made snide comments about her family, personality and cooking. He had tried on a few occasions to kill her family for Kami's sake! He cringed at the feeling of guilt in the pit of stomach. He didn't deserve such hospitality, such kindness.
He looked down the hall wearily, then back down at the floor. He needed to get a grip before she returned but he wasn't even sure he could move at the moment, his head still ached from the hit he'd taken earlier and now his stomach ached for staying here. He wasn't sure if he was about to collapse or scream out.
He heard the door creak open down the hall, cringing as he saw her silhouette move slowly towards him. She combed her long raven hair with her fingers as she moved closer. Their eyes met for a moment and then Vegeta gave into a fit of laughter he had never experienced in his life.
She looked over at him mortified, as he actually had to hold the table in front of him to keep from keeling over in cachinnation.
"What? What's so funny?" she cried, nervously pulling at her clothes.
He breathed in and looked up at her about to respond but when he opened his mouth only cackles came out as he grabbed his stomach.
"WHAT?" she screamed, her face turning redder by the minute.
"Do you usually dress up as a hard shelled candy when it rains?" he finally said in-between laughs.
She looked down at her costume and sighed, "A few years ago me and Goku dressed up as M&M's for Halloween. It was the only clean thing I had."
He looked at her as seriously as he could, "Well that explains your fear of rain, you're scared you'll." Before he could even finish he started cackling again, "Melt!"
"Well at least it's not a pink shirt and lime green pants!" She screamed.
Instantly the Saiyajin prince's laughter ceased, his forced smile replaced with the usual scowl. Encouraged she kept ranting, "Yeah, Goku and Gohan came home laughing about it, they giggled for hours and hours over that."
He cocked his head, "Fine, turnabout I suppose is fair play." He smirked stifling a giggle, "You still look ridiculous although I will say red is your color."
She looked down, her face as red as the M&M she was dressed up as. She sat down on her coach and sighed, deciding the robe would have been a far better choice, once again a fine example of her social skills.
After a moment, she looked back up at him, deciding to get the subject off of herself, "I suppose you'll need a change of clothes until those ones dry."
He looked at her smugly, "I'm sorry, but I refuse to dress up in the matching costume."
She scowled, "Oh shut up! You can wear something of Goku's, you jerk!" She smiled testily, "Of course considering your stature they'll be big on you, maybe you'd be better off in something of Gohan's."
His face faded back to an angry expression; "I refuse to dress in Kakarot's clothing."
She sighed, "You'll get sick if you walk around in soaked clothes."
He grunted and pulled off the green sweater he had been wearing, the damned scientist had no taste in clothing, actually, the entire planet had poor taste in his opinion.
Chi-Chi's eyes quickly averted from the visage of the half naked Saiyajin, "a little decency please?"
He smirked, placing a hand on his hip, "What? Do I make you uncomfortable."
She glanced up at him and then looked back down at the ground, "No, but someone stripping in front of me makes me a little uncomfortable."
"Honestly, it's just a shirt." He complained walking over to a chair and plopping down on it.
She shifted in her seat uncomfortably as she felt his eyes on her. She bit her lip frustrated, realizing he was only doing it to get a rise out. She just had to show him, that he couldn't get to her.
Finally, she looked up at him. His eyes were shaded from the looming shadows of the room but she could still make out he was looking at her. His skin shone slightly from the slight light coming from the kitchen hearth. Her eyes rested momentarily on the scar on his right pectoral, wondering how he had gotten such a thing when suddenly he shifted his body to the side. Her eyes fell back to the ground as she realized he must have noticed her looking at it.
"Some weak creature got in a good hit before I sent him to the next dimension." He said in an even voice.
She looked up at him and cocked her head to the side, "Huh?"
"You were looking at the scar weren't you?" he asked almost annoyed at her act of obliviousness.
"Did it hurt?" she finally answered.
"I don't feel pain." He answered in a monotone voice.
"Bull." She said raising an eyebrow.
"I've been raised my entire life not to feel pain. One only feels pain because they expect to feel it when they're hit. I, on the other hand, have been trained as a soldier. We don't feel pain because we're taught that it's false." He looked down thoughtfully, "Not taught I suppose, programmed is a better word to describe it."
She entwined her fingers together and sighed, "That's sad."
He scowled, "What the hell's so sad about that?"
"Well, without pain how do you know when you feel joy or pleasure? Even though it hurts at time, I like the full spectrum of feelings." She answered.
He let out a false laugh, "Oh I see, how noble you are, little wife to a missing hero and mother to a hero in training."
She let out a ragged breath and looked out the window as water slowly traced its way down the windowpane. She caught her reflection and frowned, what a joke she was. She shuddered as a lightning bolt struck.
"Why is it you're so scared of a little rain anyway?" Came Vegeta's gruff voice.
She looked over at him and glowered, "What do you care?"
"Hmph, you're the one who asked me to stay." He answered, sitting back.
She clicked her tongue annoyed, she HAD asked him to say. Damn her and her poor judgement calls. She sighed, what would it hurt to tell him anyway? Maybe it would even make him act nicer towards her. Besides, he was the first person to ever even take an interest in her enough to ask.
"Well, when I was younger, my father and I lived in a beautiful castle." She began.
"A castle? Hmph, you can spare me the fairy tale." He interrupted, skeptically.
She looked up at him enraged, "You're the one who asked me, and for your information, I happen to be the princess of Mount Fry Pan."
He crossed his arms and let out a hurrumph as she sat back and continued, "So anyway, my father understandably became paranoid as people began trying to steal his treasures and even kidnap me and my mother for ransom. First, he taught me some martial arts techniques for self-defense and had created for me a helmet that could generate powerful laser blasts but that didn't stop the intruders. He tried to fight them all off, he was strong, but being under constant attack and threat isn't good for one's nerves."
Vegeta's eyes rolled, "Is this story going anywhere?"
She inhaled heavily and scowled, "I was getting to the point oh patient one. Anyway, my mother was taken one night and killed by some ambitious treasure hunters. In a craze, my father went to a gypsy who was passing through the town. She said for the price of one million zeni she could rid him of his intruder problem. Willing to try anything, my father complied with the gypsy's wishes. With money in hand, she set a curse on the mountain, saying it would 'burn and burn until all bad intention was withered away into the wind.' Well, honestly, I didn't understand it and neither did my dad but a minute later a huge bolt of lightning hit our castle followed by a large crack of thunder and as we watched the entire mountain burst into flames. I watched as my home and everything I knew went up in a cloud of smoke. Ever since then, when I see lightning I get that feeling, I felt then."
She looked up at him and sighed. He stared at her for a moment before leaning forward, his face illuminated by the occasional crack of lightning beyond the window, "Even if I was to believe you were a princess, I'd still say that story was poorly concocted. Honestly, I could have some up with something better."
Chi-Chi's eyes watered over, she had just shared with him a story she hadn't told a soul and he scoffed at it as though it were nothing but lies. She turned her head from him and whimpered silently unwillingly to let him see her cry.
He sat back, "Oh poor you, at least your damn home still exists, my planet was blown up, did your beloved husband tell you that? At least you knew your mother if only for a short while, I don't even know my mother's name." His voice grew fiercer and fiercer by the second as he continued, " and least you didn't have to be kind and respectful to your kidnapper for years if only to survive, the only thing giving you SOME semblance of sanity a legend that for all you knew could be absolute rubbish but inside you knew it was your only hope of surviving the hell you were in. The only way to beat your captor."
Chi-Chi was taken aback as he leaned forward so they were face to face. She trembled in fear as he looked at her with hatred. She had never seen eyes that could go through so many emotions so quickly.
He sneered, "And then, after years of self-loathing and humiliation to have your chance at retribution just to have it yanked away by an enemy who should have killed you but decided to let you live in shame. A creature who could care less about the legend, about the destruction of his race, about the destruction of everything I was supposed to be." He hissed the final words, his hand slamming the arm of the chair as he stormed out of it and next to the fireplace.
With a choleric growl, he sent a blast at it, setting it ablaze. The room suddenly illuminated and warmed by the firelight. The color of warm orange danced upon his face as he stared at the flames as though they were an extension of himself.
She sat back and finally breathed again, her eyes wide. He had just told her everything and strangely nothing at the same time. Somehow he was able to keep his outburst so anonymous while at the same time personal. She looked back at him as he panted still recovering from his enraged words, "So? What does it matter? You survived didn't you?"
"No I didn't survive." He answered ruefully, "Frieza killed me, end of story, the gods simply decided to play some cosmic joke on my by letting the dragon balls bring me back."
She looked down and sighed, "I'm sorry."
He snorted and looked over at her, "For what?"
"I'm sorry you never got to get your revenge on Frieza." She answered, turning to him sadly, "And that you seem to think your life is pointless."
His eyes grew wide in confusion, "I never said I thought my life was."
"You insinuated it." She answered, "Besides, I know how it feels to be lonely." She motioned to the house and laughed good natured, "Hello! I've been away from all human contact for about eight years now."
He looked around the room and smirked, "You're better off anyway from what I've seen of your race, they're dirty self-absorbed creatures."
She let out a laugh, "Oh they're still acting that way? You'd think after eight years they'd learn a new trick."
His eyes scanned her face in confusion. He felt like she had just touched something in him that he hadn't shared. How was it she saw he was alone? Why was it that she cared and how was it she accepted everything he had said when he had been so callous to her?
Quietly he sat back down and looked up at her, "Why is it if you were trained in the martial arts, you never learnt how to control your ki?"
"Well." She looked up thoughtfully, "My father didn't go into any great fighting detail just the basics."
Staring at the ground he continued, "Odd, you're very powerful for someone without formal training. You should at least know how to fly."
She smiled at what she took to be a compliment from the Saiyajin, "Fly? You really think I could learn how to?"
She laughed imagining the possibilities. She could get to the market MUCH quicker and spare her poor feet and even better she couldn't wait to see the look on Gohan's face if he tried to fly off somewhere when he was supposed to be studying. She let out an evil cackle.
He looked up at her. "Yes, perhaps you should bring up to Kakarot when he."
"Who the hell wants to wait for that screw up to show up when you can teach me." She laughed.
Vegeta's eyes grew wide in protest, "No, I have training of my own to do, I have no time to spend training the likes of you."
"Aww....but even you said it wouldn't take too long." She persuaded, "And, I'll even throw in free meals for every class."
His eyes lowered to the ground, it would be nice to have a meal he could digest every now and then but he had training to do and he already lost so much time.
She pleaded hopefully, "Well at least think about it."
He looked at her suspiciously, "Fine, I'll consider it."
His eyes traveled to the window where he noticed the rain had all but stopped. He stood up, "The storm's over."
She looked to the window and then back up at him, "So it is."
Vegeta picked the soaked shirt up about to put it on but then opted against it, putting it on the chair. "I should be going then."
Chi-Chi stood there awkwardly in her Halloween costume looking at the less than composed prince. She had a feeling she would laugh about this whole thing later, in a year or two. He went to the door and she opened it. He turned and looked down at her for a moment, unsure of what to do. Chi-Chi's arm twitched twice and finally she decided to go for it. It was just a nice 'thank you hug', after all. She embraced him and whispered, "Thank you Vegeta."
He felt an odd burning sensation just below his eyes as one of his arms went around her waist and the other against his better judgement brushed her cheek. She looked up into his face as he looked down at her. He moved his face lower, noticing the pink hue forming below her eyes and the dazed almost dreamy look in her eyes. He felt his heart begin to race as he felt her soft figure pressed against him like a warm comforting blanket. He shut his eyes, loosing his nerve and whispered, "I should go, the storm's over."
She stepped away and nodded her head in mortified consent, "Yeah, thanks Vegeta."
"Don't do that." He reprimanded softly.
"What?" she asked looking down at the floor, embarrassed at what they had almost done.
"Thank me." He answered taking off into the sky.
She watched his figure grow slighter and slighter upon the nighttime horizon. Finally, deciding to go back in. She massaged her temples, too tired to think or analyze what they had almost done. It was nothing. Nothing at all. She went down the hall and fell into a deep, uncomfortable sleep.
The next morning, Chi-Chi walked shakily outside, carrying in tow a large barrel of laundry; she had to take to the river. She looked down at the step and to her surprise saw a new pair of shoes. She placed the basket down and picked them up. They were beautiful and to her surprise were her size. She looked around the cottage unable to find any evidence of who had left the gift, although she had an idea. Finally with a smile she slid them on her feet, took the barrel and went on her way, determined to get her chores done, unaware that a few feet above her perched on a tree branch was her anonymous provider watching her with uncertainty and confusion as his feelings whirled out of his control.
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Author's Notes: Eh? Eh? I've been working on that chapter for about a month. ^_^ Ten Pages on Microsoft Word!! That's like two chapters in one with my fic.s! What'd ya think? Well now that I've gone and written myself out, the next update will be in a week or so I'd say. I'm feeling inspired now thanks to all of your awesome reviews and support!!
Loriko_Neko: thanks for the review and hey! I got this out pretty fast right? I'm not too evil ^_^
Veggies_misstress: Bingo! And by the way, what's up with the G/B ficcie? I'm dying for the next chapter
Elektra642000: Yes love definantly does hurt in the DBZ universe ^_^ thanks for the review!
Evilcarrot: yeah most author's make Bulma out to be more innocent than she really is, I think it makes more sense to put more kick to her step, she's a feisty one. I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Reina: you're wish is my command one frying pan to the head. Thanks for the review
RedLady: Aww, you should try your hand at one anyhow. ^_^ I'm sure you could pull it off wonderfully! Yup the almighty frying pan makes it appearance.
Dew777: I'm glad you're enjoying it! And hey! Three days later isn't too shabby of a wait right? ^_^
Cdkobasiuk: Amen to that! They're much easier to handle once you that and I'm sure Chi will teach our prince a thing or two.
Bucky: With the reviews you leave Bucky, they're more than worth the wait and btw I'm gonna slap Vegeta for being such a bad muse but you could maybe work on Los Rotos while you're waiting for Vegeta to be more cooperative? Eh? Oh and by the way, Gobble Gobble
Penchy-chan: I know I'm a bad girl but hey! I got the next chapter out as promised! ^_^ girl scout points for that one? Thanks for the review.
