Months passed and plans were made. Landing on a planet with vegetation and food to spare Radditz set her escape in motion. There was no moon giving her an advantage so he thought. The chances of her being caught by Vegeta were barely better than any others. But his speed and strength gave him an edge. He hadn't been sure she would take the bate and she hadn't. The only reason they even knew she was gone was that they had been watching for her to take one escape not another. "She's seeing things we didn't" Vegeta whispered standing next to his second in command. She had even broke into Vegeta's quarters to get her belt. Giving Vegeta the perfect excuse to go after her. Wishing his prince luck both set out to find the runaway. Along with half the other crew, but she was one to hide herself well. They were only too glad that she wouldn't have time to break her collar.
Bulma crouched low to the ground as Barten and a few others flew overhead. Her black gi and bandana over her hair kept her near total invisibility when in the shadows. Hissing ever so lightly she knew she could kiss her hopes of escape goodbye if she couldn't wash the blood off her. A creature that resembled a bear had attacked her looking for an easy meal. It now was injured and so was she. Its claw had done a decent job on her arm. It wasn't the pain that bothered her so much as that the blood would leave a strong scent. Searching for a pond she knew she would have to wash, wasting precious time and putting her in danger. But the blood loss was an even larger risk. 'Lesser of two evils.' Glancing up to the stares she prayed to any listening Kami to let her get through this. Preferably alive. Finding a lake she noted with a small note of satisfaction most of it was hidden by the surrounding wood. Slipping out of her clothes she eased herself into the warm water. Rinsing herself off she decided to make this quick. Getting a needle and thread from her belt she started to tend to her gash. Getting into the princes room by no means of invitation had been no easy task. But after getting in finding her belt and out she had made a run for it. Finishing her last stitches she cut the string with her teeth. It would have to do till she had the time to do something better. It was then that she felt something behind her. Suppressed ki and the warmth of a body, both of which were followed by a pair of arms. Forced to turn and face her company, she froze. Vegeta.
Vegeta had seen the mess of blood and smelled it to. By the looks of things others Sayains had been there too. But before he took to the air again he caught sight of a barely perceptible trail that had been covered well. Only problem was the blood on a few of the leaves. But this blood was red; the rest was a brown green. "You can run Woman but you can't hide from me." Following it he figured that she had been hurt with the skirmish of whatever had attacked her. There was very little to go by but the scent of her blood was more than enough to go off of. He also could smell the scent of water. And she was heading straight for it. He didn't know if she could smell it too but by the looks of things she was planning on cleaning up. Smart of her, but as he neared the waters edge he saw what he hadn't expected to see. She had stripped down and was washing the blood that had traveled all over her arm off. Silently he saw that she was capable of tending her wound as she sewed it together. Thinking that this would be as good as time as any he made his move. Silently he approached her from the back. He had only worn his pants seeing no need for his full body armor. She stiffened noticing him just before he forced her to face him. Big blue eyes widened as the met his gaze. Her arms moved to cover her chest from under the water as he pulled her too him. She was his now, smirking he decided to make that clear to her. "Look at what I found, looks like I have a new toy to play with." He felt her begin to shiver under his touch and he glance at her hands when he felt them brush against his chest. She seemed to be rubbing a scar on her arm. Looking back to her face he saw exactly what her fear he had always seen was. The fear of being raped, and worse yet it looked as if she knew what it was like. She had been touched before and not willingly by the looks of it. "You will come back with me, you will behave yourself, and you will not be a trouble for me is that clear?" His voice was steely and didn't show any of the rage, at whoever had harmed her, he felt. Why he felt that way he didn't know, he just did.
"I'll die first." Her response surprised him, even though she was clearly terrified her voice lent on to none of it.
"You'll do as your told." He whispered into her ear pulling her closer. Grabbing hold of her arms he forced them to her side. He crushed down his desire for her as he felt her bare chest make contact with his. "Or we will find other ways of getting you to behave."
For a moment Bulma couldn't say a word. There was an odd feeling deep inside of her that had just magnified when he touched her. Nodding she broke contact with his face. She could feel his sense of superiority radiating off him and grimaced. He lifted out of the water and stood by the bank waiting for her to follow, minus the ki of course. Swimming to the edge she wondered how she would get dressed while saving her modesty. Glaring she did what she thought to be unexpected. Powering up she took the ringlet about her neck by surprise and was able to phase out of sight and grab her clothes. Knowing that he had probably gotten a glance at her she at least felt that she hadn't been on display for long. After receiving an anything but pleasant shock from the collar she dressed. The pain it caused was beginning to take little affect on her. Smiling she wondered if it was because she was getting used to it or stronger. Stepping out of the bushes she met Vegeta glare for glare. Gasping when he picked her up she struggled for a moment, mind racing. But when she saw he was only flying her back to the ship she crossed her arms and put the same stubborn look she wore whenever she didn't get something or got to do something she wanted. She knew that she was going to be beaten in front of the other slaves for show. It was to make them fear running, and it worked for most. But what were a few concussions when hell was waiting afterward? Yes tomorrow would be a long day. Starting when they arrived back at the ship.
Bulma held her breath as she heard the crack of the whip followed by its sting. Fifty lashes. Halfway through and she had yet to make any noise other than her breathing. Granted it was rough but not one scream had escaped her lips. 'Goku must be in hysterics.' She thought distracting herself from the pain. 'Probably raising hell up in heaven too.' The last thought pressed into a tight smile making her next lash harsher than any of the others. 'If they want me to beg for them to stop they're going to be sorely disappointed.' So far she had been beaten physically giving her skin a lovely color range going from her normal color to blue, purple, green, and any other color in-between. Also having a few broken bones ensured slow movement for months. And last but not least a whipping, but throughout the whole thing the only noise she had ever made was a grunt when the wind had been knocked from her repeatedly. 'There goes my beautiful swimsuit back.' She thought knowing that what she was thinking was absurd, but at the same time knowing it was her heart that caused her the most pain. Slowly she slipped out of consciousness; her body shutting out the pain blissful darkness released her.
Radditz had watched as she took her beatings silently. He hadn't expected her to beg but her silence had been a little surprising. It was then that he saw just how much pride she owned. Small wonder that they fought the way they did. They were so much alike in the little ways. Too bad Vegeta didn't see it. When her punishment had been given they saw that she had passed out at the very end. As everyone left Vegeta brought her to her new quarters.
Vegeta glance down at the stubborn woman he held. Her black outfit she had worn was in shreds revealing a great amount of her back due to the whip ripping it apart. Now she didn't have a choice but to where the same clothes as the other slaves. She would be less than amiable when she woke. Placing her on the bed in his side quarters he ordered for one of his maids to tend to her wounds. For some reason he wanted to stay with her. But he had work to do, starting with talking with Radditz.
It wasn't the pain that went as deep as her bones that woke her, or the burning sensation from the lashes on her back. But the feeling of someone touching her back. Turning at speed that was uncanny considering her condition, grabbing the wrist that was trying to pull away she was met with two orange eyes. Her skin was green but other than that she looked human. Gasping she stiffened and fell back to the bed just barely being able to land on her front and not her back. Breathing heavily she was able to ask her question. "Where are my clothes?"
"Gone, they were beyond repair. I've been tending to your wounds since his majesty brought you here. I'm sorry if I woke you."
Looking into the strange girls eyes she saw she spoke the truth. Forcing herself to relax she tried not to move. "You should have let me die."
"The prince would not have been pleased if I had. Anyway even a life such as ours should not make you want for death."
"That's what you think." She muttered wondering what she would have to live for. Radditz had respected her but Vegeta didn't as far as she knew. "What's your name?"
"Call me Loo-La, everyone else does. Are you the prince's new mistress?"
Bulma stiffened at that thought. "If I am I'll kill myself before he can touch me." The thought of being used as an object solely for pleasure was revolting; she had not worked all her life to be as strong and intelligent as she was to be used as a mindless whore. Loo-La gave her a dress to put on and left while Bulma dressed. She noted that the dress wasn't that bad but for her bruises and scratches. She couldn't see her back and thought that for the better. Now that Loo-La had left she felt a small bit of fear in her stomach. To put it nicely she had seen that Vegeta desired her, and that was something that she didn't like. Moving slowly she could tell that her bones were fine. 'If only I had a senzu been I would be fine.' Looking at the ringlet about her neck she both marveled and loathed it. Such feelings weren't unknown to her but still she didn't like having halfway feelings. Turning sharply to the sound of the door opening she winced. 'Forgot my back.' Opening her eyes she saw Vegeta right in front of her. Moving back slightly she just barely kept herself from trembling. He circled her and had a blank mask on when he re-entered her line of vision.
"You're very stubborn." Vegeta stated not knowing how to handle her. He had seen her back and knew it hurt like hell, yet through all her punishment she hadn't cried out, or begged for it to be halted.
"Since when wasn't I?" Stepping closer to her he saw her wariness to his proximity.
"How long till you can get back to working on the rest of the training room?" Her shoulders relaxed slightly but she was still on guard. She didn't trust him and he could see she knew exactly what position she was in.
"Now, I'm a bit slow but I can do the calculations and hold off on construction till I'm better, shouldn't be too long." She paused and looked as if she were deciding how to word her thoughts. And he had a feeling he knew what her question would be. "Wha-what are you going to-to do with me?"
Her voice held a small quaver of fear and she mentally kicked herself for it. But she had to know. "I mean other than my work on the gravity chamber and such." Looking him in the face as she said it was the hardest thing she had done in a long while. In all truth she rather be facing Chi-Chi's wrath than him. She wasn't fast enough to avoid his movements as he pulled her to his body. It didn't hurt but she still felt like a caged bird in his arms. Before she could speak he claimed her lips for a second time. She probably could have pulled away but her weakened state left her vulnerable and unable to fight him off. When he did let her breath she was trembling and couldn't stop it.
"I won't hurt you woman, you don't have to fear your nights here. I respect your intelligence and you're very brave. But don't forget that I am your master and you will do as you're told. If you don't the rules will be changed." She only nodded still overwhelmed by all that had happened that day. That night she slept lightly. And was long gone into her lab by the time Vegeta waked.
Weeks passed and Bulma's body healed. Her only worry was that Vegeta and Radditz would wonder about her accelerated healing, but neither questioned it much to her relief. Vegeta hadn't touched her any more than he had before she lived with him, which she was grateful for. She avoided many fights with him and when they did argue she never pushed it so far as to get her into serious hot water. He had tried to get her to be one of the cooks but soon found out why Radditz's slaves had worked it out so someone else had her shift.
"I told you I couldn't cook. Of all the things I am capable of that is not one of them."
"The food isn't edible!" Vegeta looked back to the plate that she had warned him not to eat from. And of course he hadn't listened.
"Oh its eatable just not tasteful, I never claimed to be a chef, mechanic yes, scientist yes, cook, never. Why do you think I ate at Goku's all the time? His wife can cook."
"Wife?" At the sound of a word he didn't know he forgot the assortment of something in front of him and looked back to her. Sighing she looked up for a minute as if trying to hold herself back from doing something stupid. Being exactly what she was doing.
"Wife is the female side of mate. Husband and wife, you would call them mates." Her voice softened and he could tell she was remembering her past life.
"Did you have a mate?" He hadn't meant to ask it but it slipped, she looked to him oddly for a moment then answered.
"I had a boyfriend for awhile but he sort of got intimidated by my strength, same with the rest of them. After my parents died I stopped dating altogether." Turning she left for her room. He barely was able to hear what she said to herself. "If only it hadn't happened."
'Now what does she mean by that?' He thought having one of the other slaves give him food that he could get past his tongue.
Radditz found the two of them quite amusing as well. The way she could irritate him without getting in trouble was what he liked most. He was determined to understand how her plans worked. Occasionally Vegeta would point out things that could be changed infuriating her to no end. But almost as often she could prove him wrong. Which led to what the argument was in front of him. Bulma must have been really into the equations in front of her because she didn't notice that the prince's arms were on either side of her. Being her fault from when she had ducked between them to get a better angle at the blueprints in front of her. Both too busy to notice the position they were in he decided to leave the room.
Bulma couldn't help but smirk in satisfaction when she had gotten it through to the prince's thick skull that she was right. But it was also then that she realized how close she was to him. Turning slightly she looked to his face. She tried to get out but instead he pulled her to him. Her back to his chest and her arms pinned she was more than a little uncomfortable. "Umm you can let me go now." She whispered trying to repress the sensations flowing through her body. She had the feeling that she was safe whenever she was this close to him, and that feeling worried her.
Vegeta could feel how tense she was from under his touch. He had seen how she reacted when around any males. She had a good facade of confidence and indifference but unlike the others he saw right through it and saw how frightened she truly felt. But when they had come out of their battle of wits all he wanted to do was hold her. She began to struggle soon after but her collar stopped her from being any real challenge. He heard her remark but didn't acknowledge it. Leaning so that his mouth was next to her ear he began to tease her. "Something wrong little one?"
Bulma if at all possible stiffened more than she already was. "Please Vegeta let me go I have work to do." Her voice held no emotion other than exasperation; she didn't want him to know how much he was getting to her. But all he did was look straight into her eyes. Slowly he planted his lips atop hers, it wasn't like the others he had given her, it was sweet and gentle not demanding. She found herself not kissing him back but not really objecting. When he pulled away she hardly had time to blink before he was gone. After that she found out that even though she lived near Vegeta that it was very easy to avoid him. She got up early and worked late at night.
Time passed and her life remained in the chaotic style it had been thrown into. She had once more grown as comfortable as she could get around Vegeta. When she thought about it she couldn't understand why she not necessarily forgave him for kissing her but let the anger ebb away. Though she hated having to be Vegeta's slave or just plain being a slave the one perk of belonging to the prince was no one dared touch her. Too bad that he didn't serve Vegeta. All that the crew knew was that she had been found in one of the empty room nearly dead and surrounded by her own blood. And that brought her to her present position. Lying on the medical bed hardly able to blink without causing something to hurt. She would have been put in one of the rejuvenation tanks but others were occupying them at the moment. 'Guess I wasn't the only one who ran into him.' She thought glancing at the others who were residing in beds too. She hissed in pain at the effort to sit up. It was then that Radditz noticed she was awake. Pushing her back down he ordered her to stay there. Muttering a few choice words she obeyed. For the time being anyway. Settling down she shuttered at the memories that were surfacing to her mind. Some old, serving her as a reminder of what he was, and the fresh ones of the night before. Signaling many nights of restlessness and days of turmoil. Closing her eyes she began to doze. Woken every few minutes by her hellish dreams.
~~ "Daddy!! Mom!!" Bulma fought against her restraints as she was forced to watch the gory death of her parents. Helpless to do anything she cried. Turning to the cause of her pain she shrieked. "Haven't you done enough? You kidnapped me beat me humiliated me and now murder my parents!" Her voice was at its loudest and she let them know EXACTLY how she felt. But the three faces only looked at her blankly. Well not completely devoid of emotion. Gero had a look of satisfaction at what he was causing her to go through. And his two creations, the monsters that had captured her, one looked blank. Nothing shone in her eyes, but her counterpart looked smug, promising with his gaze that he would repeat what he had done the night before. Slowly her sorrow dimmed and anger began to fill its place and more. Looking to one of her many burns on her arm her rage grew even more. The last thing she remembered before blacking out was breaking free of her bonds and attacking Android 17 full force. ~~
Bulma gasped as she reeled up into a sitting position. Her body was drenched in sweat and she nearly yanked the very machines that were keeping her alive out of her body. Heart racing she covered her face. Not crying but remembering. That had been no nightmare. Just the last day of her complete pride, 17 had hurt her; she had thought she had killed him that night. All she knew that had happened after that night was that Goku had found her in the ruble of the building and that there were no traces of the scientist and his abominations. She knew 18 was still around, hard to believe she was the reason why, but that was also the time she found out that 17 was still around. But of course 17 would find her when she was in outer space. "I swear I'll kill you someday 17, even if it means taking my life to do it." She growled, she WOULD escape this hellhole life and hunt him down. And when she was finished with him there wouldn't be a scrap of metal to identify him by. And after that Gero would be next. Then maybe she could look herself in the face again and be confidant of who she really was. But for now she would recover, emotionally she was beaten. 17 had found her the other night. Tortured her, raped her, and left her for dead. She had bones healing and blade marks too. A few scars would be left but only one was truly meant too. Looking to her left arm she saw the mark he had left the first time. He had scalded her flesh making a ring go around the upper part of her arm. And now she had a fresh one to match on her right one. Yes, 17 would pay for his crimes, and she was going to make sure of it. She jumped slightly when the feminine voice cut through the silence.
"Don't move too much you'll kill yourself, literally." To her the voice didn't sound as if she cared whether Bulma lived or died. Looking towards the voice she saw the figure of a Sayain woman making her way towards Bulma's bed. "Now what are you doing awake? With all the drugs Radditz pumped into you I expected you to sleep for a month, not a day." Now her tone had turned slightly amused.
"Rather not talk about it." Bulma muttered trying to rub her temples without snagging her tubes in her hair. Scowling at them she debated whether or not to rip them out. Whoever was beside her saw her internal debate and forced Bulma's hands to her sides.
"Don't, as annoying as they are you need them for at least another day."
"Who are you?" Bulma asked desperate to distract her mind from itself. "And I thought all the women on this ship despised me, what do you care whether I live or not." Her voice was cold to match the one of the one she was talking with.
"I don't care either way." She stated confirming Bulma's beliefs. "But I have a mate so you don't have to worry about me hating your guts for having the prince's attention."
"Believe me they can have him." Bulma groaned thinking of all the evil glares she had gotten from the woman of the crew. "I'd rather live with Oolong and Roshi combined then be around that arrogant ass." A soft chuckle came from the woman.
"He is a little prideful but be careful of who you insult and in front of whom." Handing Bulma some food she began devouring it gratefully. She felt as if she hadn't eaten in days.
"Thanks I'm famished." She received a raised eyebrow from her remark and stopped.
"I heard you had no manners and can argue with the best." She said implying the prince.
Sitting straight she spoke. "I was raised by the richest and most influential family of my planet. I was president of our company; charm is something required of a woman of my rank. I just see little use of putting them to work when I have no real reason to." Looking to the one beside her she could make out that she was defiantly Sayain, the dark shadowy figure of spiky hair and the amount of ki she felt proved it. "You never told me your name."
"Sakata. And as it is I only know you as 'Woman' I don't believe anybody knows your true name."
"Radditz does though he doesn't use it. My name is Bulma Briefs." She would have held her hand out to shake but two things held her back. One was she didn't think Sakata would know what it meant and two that the tubes and needles were still in the palms of her hand. It was then that the drugs Sakata had mentioned began to take affect. Without her empty stomach to torture her insides and keep her awake. "Sorry but I'm going to fall asleep now." Before she could hear Sakata's response she was out, and she wouldn't wake up till her stomach felt as if it would tear her apart from the inside out days later. But they would not be ones of rest, more however ones of nightmare memories. Ones she had tried to suppress and refuse to think of since they happened.
Vegeta looked at his slave as she slept. When they had found her they were surprised she was even alive. From what they could tell she had been raped, burned, and cut up by a knife. Most of the marks on her were nearly gone while her state of mind he knew nothing of. His old nurse had been the only one to see her awake and she said that she had only insulted him. 'She's avoiding the thought of it.' He thought scowl deepening on his face. They had been forced to remove her collar too; her ki had been what kept her alive over all, that and maybe her stubbornness to live. He saw as she dreamt of hellish things. Never screaming but always fighting, her face in pain and so many feelings that he didn't know. But once she was well enough to leave the medical wing he had her brought back to her room. Making sure someone was with her at all times he ordered them to alert him when she woke. It was late one night that she did finally awaken.
Bulma slinked into the kitchen and began to raid it of what food she could manage herself. Quickly growing restless she passed her room. She had spent Kami knew how long asleep and forced to relive her past and present. If anything she would be dammed if she let that happen to her again. Changing into something she could move easily in she raced to the training room. Even though it belonged to the prince she considered it hers. She built it she designed it so she was going to use it. As she began to power up it was then she noticed the missing collar. Smiling slightly she began a physical workout. Her sore body protested but she continued anyway. Setting the agility bots she had them attack her, you weren't suppose to destroy them merely avoid them, THAT had been fun to explain to Vegeta. He seemed to think that everything would either move for him or be blasted to oblivion. Rising into the air she let it go. She concentrated purely on her work. Refusing to think of anything else other than what she was doing. She sighed when she noticed that though they may still challenge the local prince they still weren't good enough for her. By dawn she had taken to a punching bag. Her body had healed and her mind had accepted what had been but her anger remained. The poor punching toy would have to be replaced after her temper had ranted upon it. She was about to start disintegrating it when someone approached her from behind. Turning sharply she took her fighting stance. What she saw was her 'master'. Vegeta. Grabbing her arms and pinning them to her sides he held her. At first she struggled fear welling up inside of her, but soon all she did was let him hold her, finally noticing the tears trailing down her face.
From the doorway Vegeta watched her go full out against the bag hung from the ceiling. They had yet to put the collar back on her and she had used that to her advantage. Finally walking up to her she whirled around preparing to defend herself. Slightly surprised that she had heard him but not showing it he pinned her arms and pulled her close. The pain in her eyes told more than she knew. And for the first time in his life he comforted somebody. He saw the tears running down her cheeks when she hadn't. She eventually accepted his offer and let him hold her. He knew she was a woman of pride, and the unspoken agreement to not mention this was clear. Leading her back to his quarters he sat her in front of the table loaded with food, which his other slaves had provided. Pulling up a chair he sat beside her. Looking at her he saw she had regained control of herself, no longer crying but still looking a mess she sat staring straight forward.
"When the day comes that I escape I will hunt him down." She whispered, never had he heard so much hatred in her voice.
"You know who did this then?" She nodded still not facing him.
"How can I forget? He's done it before. Hurt me, he killed my parents. After that I only had Goku and his family, and now he's dead and they're Kami only knows." What surprised him was that she was telling him things without them being forced from her. He also had the feeling that he was hearing things nobody else had. "When are you going to put the collar back on me?" He looked at her for a moment. Through her passive façade mingled with hate and anger he could see a great fear. She felt bad because she couldn't fight what had happened to the best of her capabilities, her lack of ki had seen to that. Thinking he turned her to face him.
"As long as you behave I'll let you keep it off. But try to escape and you'll be worse off than you were before. Now eat. I want my gravity room finished." Beginning to eat again he saw her surprised expression from the corner of his eye. In that he saw her thanks.
Bulma finished the training room by the end of the month. Her added power enabled her to test her inventions first hand and not convince others to do it. But as she had worked she felt for the first time in her life ill. She had thrown up that morning and it was only after Vegeta had ordered her to go to the medical wing before he left for a mission of some sort that she did. She knew she wasn't pregnant, Radditz had told her that the morning after 17. But what met her in the room was nearly every Sayain woman on the ship. All were worse off than her and Radditz and the medical slaves looked overrun. She was about to let them know she was there when she recalled something. Most of that night was a blur to her, pain and blood loss stopping her from remembering all the horrors that had happened that night.
~~ "This will keep you from bothering master Gero." 17 sneered sticking a needle in her arm. "Even if you live through tonight you wont make it."~~
Being a hairs length from death the memory was blurry, but it was that memory that told her what to do. Going around she collected several women's blood samples. Taking note of the symptoms she set to her corner of the lab. Though she hadn't used it much in her months with Vegeta. Pushing aside all her old works she prepared herself for an over hall. Writing down all she already knew she began looking for something that would tell her what was wrong with them. Others were fine it seemed to be only attacking the Sayain women. A problem if she wanted to keep her heritage a secret. For the remainder of the day she worked only taking breaks when she had to. Two weeks later she could hardly stand when she found the cure. Unfortunately it would only work for full-blooded Sayains, and though she may have been born one the mutation she had undergone as a child thanks to her father it wouldn't help her. She had just given it to Radditz when she collapsed to the floor.
"Girl you've worked yourself too hard." He whispered to her half conscious form. Carrying her to a medical bed he finally noticed her condition. She hadn't told anyone she was sick and the only one who even knew was not on the ship. Another week passed before they all began to grow worried about her. Vegeta favored her and she had helped save the lives of every Sayain female on bored earning their respect at long last. But now she seemed to be going through the same things they had and the antidote she made had no affect on her. When Vegeta returned from his signing he had been informed immediately.
"That stubborn woman." He growled talking to no one but himself as he stormed to the area of the lab she was being treated in. "Had to go and get herself sicker than she was." Striding to her side he told everyone in the room to leave. Once the door was shut he took hold of her hand. She was pail and it was obvious that she was having difficulty breathing. "Stubborn woman, you worked yourself near death." She had awakened when his hand took hers and Bulma forced herself to open her eyes. All she ever felt like doing was sleeping. She knew this was the second stage of the illness. She had been forced to wait for some of the others to reach it before giving them the cure.
Looking up Bulma saw Vegeta's blurry form. Giving a small smile she spoke in a horse whisper. "Look who's here, his mighty self here to see little ol' me." Her voice held humor along with sarcasm. "What do you want? You can't have broken anything yet."
Vegeta looked at her surprised. She was acting like her normal self when it was quite plain to anyone around that she couldn't stand on her own two feet. "Vegeta." She had always been one to either insult him or call him by his first name. "I want to sleep. You can shout at me tomorrow." And without another word she closed her eyes. Feeling her head he could feel the warmth through his glove. Assigning a couple nurses to tend to her over the night her left. Knowing he wouldn't be able to sleep he went straight to his 'gym' as she called it. All the while he had been gone she had been in his mind. Never had a woman held this much of his attention or fancy. And the problem was he knew it wasn't just a physical attraction. But the bonding gene had been bread out of the Royal Line. Hadn't it?
Meanwhile Bulma kept waking to hellish dreams never quite remembering what had happened but still feeling the fear they had given. This time however no one came to see if she needed anything. Using all her strength she sat up slightly only to see the unconscious form of her nurse on the floor. Looking about wildly she saw the blurred form of a woman approach her. Doing her best to look intimidating she tried to focus on whoever was coming near her, and tell whether they meant to hurt or help.
"So we meet again Miss Briefs." She knew that voice. Laying back down Bulma answered her guest.
"So we do 18. Need another repair." A soft chuckle was all she heard before starting to slip off to sleep again. But before she could completely go she was rudely awakened.
"Sorry Miss Briefs but I can't let you sleep. I'm here to help. Stay awake it'll slow the virus down." Bulma felt herself being lifted and put onto a cold table that had been fixed so that it kept her in a near standing position. "You saved my life when you didn't have to Miss Briefs." 18 began gathering things Bulma couldn't see. "Now its my turn to return the favor." Bulma smiled slightly remembering what 18 was referring to.
Unlike her brother 18 had been forced into becoming an android. Gero had place a chip in her circuitry so that he could control her. But during a sparring session with her brother he had given a good kick to the head short circuiting it. Leaving 18 in control but barely alive. Knowing that if she went to Gero to be repaired for the damage she had sustained from the sparring that he would see the chip problem and fix it she went straight to the one person who had a prayer of saving her life. Bulma Briefs. Bulma had been ready to finish 18 off but her heart told her not to. Seeing that 18's story was true she saved the woman's life.
"How many times do I have to tell you 18? Call me Bulma." And for the rest of the night 18 worked on a cure for the one person she trusted.
"I'm sorry to say but I helped create this disease. You were lucky that I was stopping by the pub on the space station or I wouldn't have known you were here or sick." Pausing slightly Bulma knew she was trying not to cry. "I'm sorry for what my brother did to you." It took every bit of concentration for Bulma to answer back.
"Its not your fault 18. I forgave you a long time ago, though your brother I must say is another story."
"Well Bulma if you don't get to him first you know I will. He has to be stopped, after all he's done to us one of us is going to rip his sprockets out and see that there's nothing left to put back together."
"And then Gero will get his turn." Cheer had been forced into he Sentence as Bulma felt her body wrack with pain. Everything hurt and she dearly wished for the sweet oblivion sleep offered her but her will to live and 18's help kept her from the death that would come if she did. It was nearing the time of dawn had they been on a planet with a sun. 18 was just about to give Bulma her medicine when Vegeta walked in.
Vegeta had trained most of the night and had managed to get in a few hours of sleep. Waking up hours early he decided to check up on the stubborn female who occupied most of his thoughts. Walking into the med room where she was suppose to be he found her nurse unconscious on the floor next to the bed. 'That woman was too weak to do this.' He thought putting the poor slave onto the now empty bed. Using his ability to sense ki, something no other Sayian to his knowledge could do, he felt out for her weak ki. Heading into the adjoining room he froze for a second. A blond woman he had never seen before and could feel no ki from was about to stick a needle in his Bulma's arm. (Since when did he refer to Bulma by her first name?") Not thinking he blasted her sending her into a table behind her everything on it crashing and shattering on top of her. But the needle, which had been racing to meet the ground to break, stopped inches from the hard floor.
"18, get it." He heard Bulma whisper in a tight strained voice. "I can't hold it much longer." But it was Vegeta that got the needle first. He would have shattered it by now but Bulma had saved it, who was this woman? She seemed to have been unfazed by his light attack. Standing before him only her clothes damaged she held out her hand.
"The names 18 and if you want Bulma alive you'll hand me her one chance of living." Her voice though monotone held no threat only truth. Glaring untrustingly at her he gave her the serum. He watched tail flipping annoyed as she inserted the liquid into Bulma's system. "Bulma, you have to stay awake till this takes effect ok? You were stubborn and defiant enough to defy Gero I'm sure a petty thing like death you can withstand."
"Ha, ha 18." Bulma muttered. "But your right, a little thing like death won't stop me. I have to much work to do before I can even consider kicking the bucket." Allowing herself to be helped into a standing position.
"Always the stubborn one Miss briefs." Scowling he watched her smack the back of the blonde's head weakly.
"What did I..." Her sentence was interrupted by a yawn but once it was over she continued. "...about calling me that. You're my friend not my employee, call me by my first name or I'll teach ya the hard way." Vegeta could tell there was no real venom in his pet's voice and only watched as the two conversed. Who was the one Bulma trusted enough to inject something in her when so near death.
"Bulma you are a real piece of work you know that." 18 said carrying her to a bed and tucking her old friend in. "You can't hardly keep your eyes open and you threaten people, anyways when you get up I'll be long gone. I have a brother to hunt and revenge to fulfill." The last thing she heard Bulma say before dozing off was for her to leave something for Bulma to destroy.
"Who are you?" Vegeta said now that Bulma was asleep.
"I told you my name is 18, may have been something else at one point but not anymore."
"Why are you here." His arms were crossed and he glared at the petite girl in front of him.
"To help Bulma, I owe her my life when she could have let me die. She has a good heart and things have happened to her that shouldn't have. I found out what my brother did to her and came as fast as I can. She'll be weak for a while but she'll live. Now if you'll excuse me I'm leaving. The few men I met on my way here will be quite shocked to find themselves unconscious I'm sure, and I would like to leave before they awaken and come looking for me." Bowing slightly she left for the door. Not seeing any reason to stop her he let 18 go. Pulling a chair next to Bulma's cot he waited for her to awaken. She had questions to answer, and she wouldn't get out of them like before.
Bulma groaned at the pounding migraine that awoke her. Opening her eyes she squinted as the harsh light met her sensitive eyes. Gaining focus she saw a tray of food beside her. But even though she was hungrier than she had been in a long time and her tongue felt like a desert she couldn't muster the strength to reach for it. But as if someone had read her mind, a gloved hand brought the desired drink to her lips. Drinking it thirstily she ignored the fact that it was the worst thing she had ever drank in her life. It was wet and that was all that counted at the moment. Looking about she saw that it was Radditz who had given her the cup.
"So girl you live. The prince will be glad to hear of that. I believe you're in for a long berating then a good interrogation." He said it with both amusement and humor in his voice.
"Oh goody, lucky me. I've lived to see him kill me." Bulma muttered eyeing the sandwich with an intense glare. Whatever that drink was it had woken her up and relieved her of her splitting headache. Feeling that her ki was up to it she brought the desired treat to her mouth.
"That was my lunch you know." She heard Radditz growl with no real anger behind his voice. She only shrugged and continued inhaling the sandwich that deserved its own zip code.
"Well whatever Vegeta wants to know from me he'll have to wait. I'm taking a shower and getting a change of clothes. I don't want to know how long that I was asleep but by judging on how good I feel I say a while. 18 needs to make her things work faster, but for right now I'm just glad I'm alive." Pushing out of her bed she fell to a pitiful heap on the floor. Her ki may have been working fine but her body…well lets just say a baby had more strength than her.
"Great." She muttered. Closing her eyes she felt out into the reservoirs of her power. Yup, her ki was fine her body was kitten strength. Not bothered much she just floated high enough to stay a few inches off the ground. Before she could be stopped she was gone, racing down the halls. She nearly ran into a Sayain when rounding a corner but avoided knocking him down, or even touching him, just in time. Meeting his gaze she saw that it was Barten.
"Well, well look at what I found."
"Who, Barten you make yourself sound even dumber than you already are when you speak like that. I am a human, a person, not a thing." She smiled sweetly seeing his anger. She always had a knack for bothering the hell out of people by turning their own words against them. "I have to go meet Vegeta so if you don't mind, not that I care if you do, I'll be leaving now." Moving around him she continued her way to her room. A shower, some food, and then an ear bashing from Vegeta, sounded like a decent schedule. And maybe if she got lucky she could go back to the lab.
Sitting on the couch Bulma listened to Vegeta rant, rave, and threaten her for not obeying his orders.
"You told me to SEE the doctors and to GO to the medical wing. I did. And anyhow, I saved the life of every Sayain female on this ship." 'With the exception of me.' She thought thinking of 18.
He stopped and looked at her for a moment. By the time he had came back to his rooms she was able to walk from point A to point B with only a few stops to regain balance and strength. He walked right up to her and pulled her to her feet by her arm. Pulling her close he made sure she was listening.
"You listen here woman. You will do, as I tell you, next time don't dance around the orders I give you. You knew what I meant and purposely didn't follow them." Looking into his eyes she saw his anger towards her. She nodded not having much else to do. For once, she was at a loss for words. He had been scared for her.
'That can't be.' She thought, as she got ready for some sleep. 'He's a pompous jackass who thinks of nothing other than himself. He must have been worried that I wouldn't be around to boss or build things for him,' And after that little bit of self denial all things were once again set in the universe. And she was able to get some shuteye.
Weeks passed and Bulma wondered exactly how long she had been held captive. Each day ran into the next with only a few events standing out in her memory. But that all changed when they actually landed at a planet and stayed there. It had been the Sayains new 'home' planet since the destruction of their home planet. Looking about she couldn't help but think that it looked like home, slightly higher gravity but not a lot. Looking from the window in her room she missed the steps of Vegeta entering. She jumped slightly when his hand touched her shoulder. Turning to him he gestured for her to follow him. Telling her that some of the lower slaves would bring her things to her new room.
Vegeta watched silently as his tech slave looked out her window to her new home planet. Bulma hadn't noticed him come in, touching her shoulder he felt her flinch from beneath his glove. She still hadn't recovered fully from the incident so long ago, at least not mentally. He had her follow him out of the ship. There were many guards bowing as he passed by and slaves kneeling. And all either looked at Bulma in awe, or glared at her for her insolence. She walked mere feet behind him head up, standing tall and proud. Later it would be heard that she was a noble from a distant planet, captive of the prince. And with the way she presented herself, even downed in slave clothing, she looked regal from the tip of her toes to the ends of her hair. He walked into his room slamming the doors wide open. As usual it was clean and ready for his use of it.
Bulma couldn't help but gape at the luxurious surroundings, not even in her own home had had this many jewels and décor. But as Vegeta turned to see her reaction she masked her face to looking between unimpressed, or just plain impassive. Looking around she saw the door leading to the bathing room, a corner that appeared to be a mini library, some dressers, a desk and the bed. It looked like it was as big as her old room had been. (And it hadn't been small folks.) The sheets altered from being Blood red and black. It looked as if someone had marbleized the fabric and done it without blending the two colors. Making a beautiful contrast. But then it hit her. "Vegeta, where's my room?"
The Sayain heir had watched amused as she took in her new home, he noticed how her eyes lingered on his books with a hungry look in the, but when they fell upon his bed he could see her eyes widen more than they already had, first in shock, then admiration, and finally fear. He scowled when she asked her question; he had known that this was going to happen eventually. And she had every right to hate and fear him. She still trembled slightly when he held her and brief flashes of fear could be seen in her eyes before she had the chance to mask them with annoyance anger and so on when people came too close to her. "You share it with me now." He walked right up to her forcing her to face him. "I won't touch you woman, you don't have to worry about that." His voice was almost gentle as he spoke to her. His lips brushed against hers as he spoke. She nodded slightly not making any other movement. Pulling away he told her to stay put till he returned later, and just so she wouldn't get into trouble he said she could read from the books on the shelves. He had found out that in her boredom on the ship she was very good at begging. But the way she did it he considered it more like pestering, eventually Radditz had caved to her and taught her how to speak, read, and write the Sayain language. Which was just as well considering that was the main language around here.
Bulma watched shocked and dumbfounded as Vegeta left the room. Not so much at him, she had grown used to his half advancements to an extent. It was now she was starting to react towards him, she had just almost kissed him. She held lots of self-control, hardly used it when it came to her loud mouth and short fused temper but when it came to pain she did very well. But he hadn't hurt her in a long time. It had been awhile since she had been introduced to the wall. Walking around his room and reading few a few of the books she started to get bored. Looking into the bathroom she caught sight of a mirror. Walking over to it her mouth dropped. Her hair, which hadn't been cut since her capture, reached just below her butt. "How in the hell did I miss that?" She muttered looking around for a brush. Walking back into the other room she dug one out from her bags the other slaves had brought in. After taking a long bath, drying off the old fashion way she tackled her long locks. Sitting on a chair she began untangling the aqua mass that cascaded down all around her. She was in the middle of getting her bangs braided behind her head the door slammed open. Looking up she expected to see Vegeta fuming about SOMETHING, but instead it was Radditz. Wasting no words he grabbed her arm and began pulling her through the halls. "Radditz! What the fuck do you think your doing?" She shouted as she tried to stop herself from being dislocated from her arm. Ignoring the shocked expressions of servants as they passed. Powering up enough to break free from Radditz's grip she forced him to stop in the middle of the hall. "What are you doing?" She said in the same tone she used whenever angry and trying to hold it back against the incompetence of one of her employees.
"The disease that was on our ship has gotten into the castle." He said heading straight to the point. Everyone in the hall watched in surprise that a slave would act the way Bulma was.
"Take me to the ship my notes are still in the lab." Her voice was steady and held only to strictly business. "I'll get it." He pulled a green skinned and orange pink haired woman to his side. She looked terrified up at
Radditz. "Take her to the medical wing now." She nodded trembling at the same time. Before Radditz could phase out and run at top speed to the ship she shouted after him.
"I want ALL my notes Radditz, and if you so much as bend the paper its written on I'll kick your ass!" After giving her cheerful message to him she turned to the girl. "Well? Lead the way." She gaped at her for a moment before nodding and leading the way. Bulma had the feeling she was going to be the object of much gossip before the day was done. But that wasn't new to her; it had been that was long before the Sayains came to her life. When they reached the medical wing her guide ran away. Shrugging Bulma walked in unannounced. With a quick glance around at all the women, Sayain women, in the room. Seeing plenty of medical slaves she began barking out orders. They all stopped what they were, all gaping at the newcomer. "NOW!" The authority in her voice made all the slaves jump and start fulfilling her orders. After going from one patient to the next she sighed in relief in the fact that they were all only in the beginnings of the first stage. As soon as Radditz came in she set to work, thanking every deity she knew of that she had been able to keep decent notes while she had been sick. She nearly dropped a beaker when someone lifted her up from behind by her neck. Ignoring the pain for a moment she used her ki to get it a safe distance away from her and on the table. Grabbing onto the wrists of whoever was holding her she tried to turn around. Finally giving up and vision swimming she wondered if they knew she was being slowly suffocated. Going for one last ditch effort she elbowed her captor in the ribs. Falling to the ground she had barely time enough to breathe and turn when she was pinned to the wall. An angry Sayain with hair going to his mid back and the height of Radditz stood there. "What the fuck are you trying to do you could have made me drop the beaker." Hands on her hips she notice the large audience she had gathered just by opening her mouth. Turning she yelled at them all. "Get back to work now! All of you!" Looking back to her current annoyance she scowled. "Say what you want to say so I can get back to work. Radditz is getting what I need from the ship and I would LIKE to be ready for him when he gets back." She was interrupted by the doors slamming open for the hundredth time that day. "To late." She muttered looking around her obstacle to see a larger version of Vegeta. Eyebrows raising she came to the conclusion that this man was his father, before the doors had time to close Vegeta followed.
"Woman what are you waiting for get to work on the cure." He barked at her seeing that she wasn't working.
"I was but I keep getting interrupted." She answered standing out from the rest of the people in the room whom were all kneeling on the ground. Looking to Vegeta's double she saw that he was holding an unconscious woman. With no fear she went straight up to him. Reaching out a hand he stepped back not letting her check the woman's temperature. "If you want me to help her you have to let me see how advanced she is."
"Who are you?" He growled handing the sleeping figure to his son.
"Bulma Briefs, the one person in this room who doesn't give a shit who you are or what race your from. I can help and I'm trying." Voice rising she ignored all the open mouths with the exception of Vegeta's and continued. "But if I'm going to get anywhere with my work you have to let me DO it." Turning around she walked up to the prince who was smirking and took the woman from his arms. One look at her and she hissed. "Shit! Get me a bed and wake her up. Use cold water if you have to I want her conscious NOW!" Running a hand through her hair she tried to calm herself down. "Vegeta, get Radditz in here. Give him my notes; he can handle all the other women. Just tell him to give it to them once they reach stage two." She was about to head to her newest patient when the king blocked her way. She was about to order him out of her way when Vegeta stopped him from striking her.
"If you want mother to get better you'll let her get back to work." Bulma's eyes widened when she heard that. "She's your mom? Well I don't know how to help her at the moment Vegeta." Her voice was calm and it was the same tone she used whenever she had a big job in front of her and was getting ready to tackle. "She's at the same stage I was when 18 came. And since she didn't use notes and I was to busy hanging onto life to notice what she did I have to do this from scratch." Looking to the king she saw the confusion in his eyes. "If you want her alive I need full access to whatever I need and also you can keep her awake. Sleeping helps promote the virus." Walking around him she started to help wake the sleeping queen.