Scientific Journey: Bulma's Story:
Disclaimer: Yeah you know the drill; dbz isn't mine, your point?
A.N: I thought of this chapter on the bus journey home, so I'll see how the idea works out. Hopefully you know who are getting a little bit closer, and don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Kakarott & his mystery girl heheh.
Chapter 6: The Great Escape
It was deadly silent apart from the irritating ringing sound in Bulma's ears, and she slowly opened her blue eyes, letting them adjust to the dark surroundings. Her limbs were numb from sleeping in the same position for Kame knows how long; her arms secured above her head as she lay on a hard surface in a tilted 90degres position. She tried to move to ease her numb joints, but found that she'd been strapped down with metal bars over each wrist and ankle. She took a deep breath; her head felt dizzy and overall, she was quezy. She couldn't even think straight, and a voice jolted her back into consciousness as her heavy eyelids began to welcome the darkness once more.
"I think you've had enough sleep." She tried to talk, but it came out as a mumble, her blue shoulder length hair falling over her face as her chin dropped onto her chest. "I said wake up, you've already wasted enough of my time. I must've miss-judged your dosage. Dammit."
'Dosage? What did he give me? Drugs?' She opened her eyes again and allowed them to focus on her surroundings. Even though it was very dark, she could just about make out a door behind the shadowed stranger infront of her. He was sitting down with his legs crossed and arms folded against his broad chest. A light suddenly switched on, and although it was dim, it stung Bulma's eyes as it only shone on her.
"Are you ready to talk?"
"Wha..where am I?" She had so many questions, but her brain just wasn't functioning properly. She stuttered out a sentence finally, and the stranger smiled.
"Good. You're in a room as you can see. I'm holding you under trial for treachery."
"Treachery?"
"That's what I said. How do you plead?" Everything was all happening in slow motion for her, but she knew for a fact that she hadn't done anything of the sort.
"Treachery against who? I...I haven't done anything, I swear!"
"You plead not guilty then?"
"What are you talking about?" There was a brief pause, which felt like a very long and agonising silence for Bulma. Finally, she was given an answer.
"You have committed treachery against the Royal Family of Vegetasei. After the trial, you will be publicly executed.
"B..but you can't do that! Wh..where's your proof?"
"Right here. I'm waiting for you to talk Bulma; for you to defend yourself. Otherwise, I'll just assume that you are guilty. I have the power to think and do what I want so long as you remain non co-operative. It's all up to you."
"But I don't understand. How did I commit treachery? I was only doing, what the King asked me to do!" He uncrossed his leg and she knew that she'd gained his attention. Her head was spinning like crazy though, and she felt like she'd either throw up, pass out, or both.
"Go on."
"But I erm, I can't say."
"Then I can't help you out here, it's your call. Don't worry, anything you say will be used for you and you alone. Nothing leaves this room however." His words seemed to get quieter and quieter, and she didn't and couldn't even begin to understand what he was saying. However, she spoke anyway, she felt like she had to and she couldn't stop herself either.
"The King's project, he, he asked me to, to design something."
"Design what?"
"A training room." She could just about see him rest his chin on the back of his hand and lean forward, his facial features becoming a little more evident. He looked familiar, but in her state, Bulma couldn't make out who he was. "A secret project. They brought me, from Earth. I didn't want to come! I didn't want to work for him. But they made me!"
"I think I've heard enough, for now anyway." She remained tense however.
"So, so does that mean, I'm free to go?" There was another silence; whether it was just her or if he did it on purpose, she couldn't tell. But finally, he replied.
"Right now, you're to stay here until I've decided." She gaped at him, and he picked up a handkerchief from the small table/desk next to him. She could just about see through the darkness as he tipped a liquid from a dark bottle onto the material, and then switched off the dim light. Before Bulma had time to realise, she heard footsteps approach her, and her breath was taken from her as the handkerchief was roughly brought to cover her nose and mouth. She panicked, trying to struggle under the restraints as an alcoholic smell filled her senses a she breathed in. Within seconds, her struggling ceased, and sleep once again welcomed her as long lashed eyelids closed over drowsy blue eyes.
A certain very worried Saiyan sat on his bed; his back pressed against the wall as he gazed at the other occupant of the bed next to him. She'd been asleep for too long, sometimes experiencing pleasant dreams, and other times nightmares, he could always tell by her facial expression. He watched as her eyelids fluttered and she frowned slightly; she was having another nightmare. The previous night she'd sat bolt upright in bed, startling the Saiyan, who could only watch as she eventually lay back down again, mumbling words that he couldn't make out. Now it was the second day of her slumber, and the red sun was setting under orange, black and purple clouds. He'd left the balcony open so that a soft breeze drifted into the room, sometimes catching a stray strand of her green hair. She mumbled once again, and he gazed at her as her eyelids suddenly began to slowly lift to reveal the blue eyes that he'd secretly missed. He'd never seen such bright blue eyes before; it was the norm on Vegetasei for Saiyan women to have black, brown, and rarely deep green or deep blue. But never the azure soft blue-lilac eyes which she possessed. Her frown lifted as her eyes began to focus, and her lips parted slightly as she tried to find her voice and some words.
"V.Vegeta?" He smiled, properly for once, not his usual smirk. Then, he reached over to the night table and picked up a glass of water.
"Here, drink." She obeyed, and lifted her head to drink the water, the glass guided by Vegeta's hand. When she'd drunk half the glass, he took it away, placing it back onto the table.
'Am I dreaming?' She thought as she sunk her head back down into the fluffy pillow. 'But it all seems so real; the water, this room, him. But I have to be sure.' He then caught sight of her arm slowly lift and frowned as she tenderly touched his cheek. His skin was surprisingly smooth when she'd thought it would be coarse and rough. Even the lightest of her touch sent tingles down his spine, and it was something that he could get used to very easily. "It's really you!"
"You have a lot of explaining to do woman." She smiled, her senses becoming a little more aware the longer she was awake.
"Yep, you're Vegeta alright." 'SHIT! Did I say that out loud? Dammit Bulma!' He merely smirked for a few seconds though before the smirk dropped, amused with her humour at his expense. Besides, he was concentrating more on keeping his eyes fixed on hers without seeming intimidating. So far, she either hadn't noticed, or it wasn't bothering her.
"I've been playing 'nursemaid' as you call it, for two days you know." Now she really did laugh, something Vegeta hadn't heard in a long time, not like he was complaining. Laughing wasn't something that people really did on Vegeta unless it was due to mockery. But it was never a sweet giggle or short chuckle like Bulma's. She shifted onto her side and rested her weight onto her elbow as she rested her chin on her palm.
"Now THAT'S funny. YOU, of all people, played nursemaid to ME? I'm impressed Vegeta! I didn't think you were capable of caring about a pathetic baka like me."
"I'm not, I just wanted answers as soon as possible, that's all." She still hadn't noticed the slightly agitated tone to his voice, and his constant glare.
"Sure. You're a softie at heart, I can tell." He frowned at her response, and shrugged.
"I don't understand you woman. You're out cold for over 2days, but as soon as you wake up, you're as lively as ever." She grinned smugly, and raised her eyebrows over her closed eyelids with superiority. Her voice was still pretty groggy though, even though her wit and attitude was back to normal.
"I always will be a mystery to men." She then frowned and stared at him, pausing momentarily. "Hey! You once said you could read me like an open book!"
"I was wrong." She giggled, slightly worried about the fact that she was actually having a normal conversation with him, and enjoying it too. But she knew it wouldn't last, and it was about to stop, or so she thought anyway.
"I have a question. Why was I asleep for 2 days?"
"I was hoping you could tell me. I can't believe where I found you, and you're lucky that I did, when I did! What I wanna know though is how you got there. No smart person would even dream of going there, Saiyan or not. And I always figured you were smart; guess you proved me wrong when you ran away in the first place. What the fuck were you thinking!?"
"I didn't even leave the palace though! At least, I think I didn't."
"Woman, I found you in the capital city outside the palace. That qualifies for you leaving the palace altogether. How you got past the guards and made it into the city in one piece, I don't know. Luck, must've been on your side, for awhile at least." She managed to sit up, and rested her forehead on her hands, deep in thought.
'I can't even remember the past few days. Did I really leave the palace? But I'm certain that I didn't. I would remember if I did.' She looked up at him, clearly confused by her deep-set frown and the emotion in her eyes.
"I swear that I really can't remember leaving the palace! I know I left this room, why, I don't know. But I was pretty pissed off when I did."
"Yes, thankyou for breaking my mother's vase, I really appreciate that. All because of a petty argument! That's why I never let emotions take over. They make you weak, and that makes you do pathetic and stupid things." She glanced over at him with apologetic eyes, but he turned away. She'd never seen his eyes so, emotional, before. It looked like she'd hit a nerve, and he clearly didn't want her to see his eyes; the mirrors to one's soul.
"I..I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...oh Kame, I've really screwed up, haven't I?" He then gradually turned back to her, and met her eye to eye.
"Well what do you think? First you run from me, then you let yourself get drugged by Kame knows who. Kame knows what information they squeezed out of you, but it doesn't spell good news to me! They could be listening to this conversation right now even, extracting information like they did from you!" He suddenly unexpectedly grabbed her by the shoulders roughly, making her wince in pain. "Or did you just go there willingly!? WERE YOU JUST A SPY ALL ALONG JUST TO SET ME UP!? TELL ME WOMAN!!" She took deep breaths, her face full of emotion.
"NO! I SWEAR I'M NOT A SPY!" He could tell that she was close to tears; the whole three days must've been a strain on her. He stared right into her eyes, and realised that she was telling the truth. Vegeta loosened his grip and suddenly stood up from the bed, pacing around the room making Bulma feel even more nervous. She was used to mood swings, hell, she went through them herself on occasion. But not these kind of mood swings. He'd suddenly turned from sympathetic angel from heaven, to infuriated and accusing demon from hell. But was he really being sympathetic, or was her mind playing tricks on her? She frowned; too many questions needed answers that she didn't have.
"I need to know what you told them." His voice had decreased in volume, but his tone was still aggressive and agitated.
"I can't tell you Vegeta because I honestly don't remember! I don't even know who 'they' were!" He ran a hand through his mane of black hair, closing his eyes as he deeply thought. About what, she didn't know.
"Did you tell them about the project?" She looked away and he narrowed his eyes.
"I already told you, I don't remember!" He walked closer towards her, staring her in the eye as he did so.
"Yes you do. Now I'll ask you again. Did you tell them about the project!?"
"Ugh! Yes, No! I don't know! GEEZ! If I did, then so what?" She could tell she'd done something wrong as he hit the roof. Bulma cringed, thinking he was going to hit her, but he simple yet his rage out in a loud yell, turning on his heels as he did so and ultimately punching the wall. A removed his fist from the large hole in the wall, which was still cracking from the force of his punch, and sat down on the chair by Bulma's desk. Bulma slowly lifted her head from the protective position in her arms, her knees up to her chest, and his attention shifted to the single tears that had escaped from her eyes.
"For fucks sake woman, stop crying!"
"I can't help it!" She tried to sniff back the tears, but it was useless; once she'd started, she could never stop. She once again hid in the safety of her arms so that she didn't have to look at Vegeta. "Everything's my fault! I'm such a fuckin screw up! Why didn't you just kill me when you had the chance? Then, all this-" While she'd been sobbing into her arms, Vegeta had made his way over and sat next to her. Before she'd had time to finish her sentence, he pulled her close to him and put his arms around her. Why, he didn't know, but he didn't want to know at that point either. Something was telling him to comfort her, so he did. He'd ask himself about it later, but right now, he was enjoying just holding her. Bulma wept into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist and back, and resting her hands on his shoulder blades. She needed the hug, and didn't care who gave it her. She wasn't even asking herself why it had been Vegeta of all people who was comforting her. The tears eventually stopped, and Vegeta opened his eyes as he felt Bulma's head lift from his now tear soaked blue undersuit. Her eyes searched his, dancing in the light of the setting sun. He looked down at her, tearstains still on her face and her lips trembling from strong emotion. The image was all too painful for him, and he turned his head away to look out to the scenery outside the balcony.
"We need to leave this place." His voice was calmer and quieter, and Bulma rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the warmth he was emitting. "You can continue your project in the safety of a new location. But to anyone who has seen you, you are dead. Not even my father will know." She nodded, her hair brushing against his neck as she did so. She was dead to earth anyway, so why not Vegetasei too? It made no difference to her. "I will deal with any who question your disappearance, AND, I will deal with the traitors, WHOEVER they are."
Sunset had turned into a cold night sky of a deep marine blue- purple. Vegeta held Bulma close to him as he flew through the clouds, higher than normal and with his ki lowered as much as possible so as not to draw attention. Bulma had wrapped herself in a black sheet; a) so keep warm, and b) to look as un-human like as possible. Of course, the heat that Vegeta emitted was more than enough. The journey was slow, but eventually, Vegeta's feet touched down on the ground, and he walked towards a building. They were in a mountain area, so the house was cleverly placed in a hard to find location amongst trees and mountains. He opened the front door using a key card, and carried Bulma inside, placing her onto her feet once he'd closed and locked the front door. Bulma gasped at her surroundings; it was a log home, a little dusty, probably from not being lived in for awhile. The main room was the lounge where there was a log fire complete with a wide red brick chimney. The ceiling was moderately high, and the log walls had been covered in lighter and thinner planks of wood, probably to insulate the house further, keep bugs out, and make it look nicer. Two black leather sofas were in the middle of the room, a wooden coffee table in-between them. A square shaped rug probably made of real fur was also in the middle of the room under the sofas and coffee table. The real fur slightly sickened Bulma, but she realised that Vegeta had probably killed the animal for meat, and then used the fur, so he could just about get away with it in her books. Vegeta literally collapsed on one of the leather sofas; the whole evening had been an emotional strain on him, even though he would never admit to himself that his emotions got involved. Bulma sat down on the other sofa, letting her body mould into the soft leather as she relaxed her muscles.
"This is nice," she complimented, her voice tired and quiet. "I missed being in a house."
"I built it in my very early teen years, tired of living with my father. He doesn't know about it, and neither just anyone else." She turned her head to stare at him with disbelief and he smirked. "Yes woman, I really did build it myself before you ask."
"Why? What was wrong with living with your father? And where was your mother?" She had wanted to ask where his mother was since she'd met the King but not the Queen. Now seemed like the perfect opportunity, but the look on Vegeta's face at the mention of his mother made her realise she was wasn't.
"My father was and always will be an asshole. My mother was dead." It all began to slightly make sense to her. 'So, Vegeta actually has reasons for his coldness. Maybe if I coaxed it out of him, like therapy I guess, he'll be a little more in touch with his emotions. Denying emotions is definitely now good, he needs help. I knew I should've been a psychiatrist!'
"I'm sorry Vegeta, but these things happen." He glared at her with dagger eyes, and she backed into the sofa as much as possible.
"You're saying that my father killing my mother right infront of me just happens!?"
She stared at him; were her ears deceiving her? 'How could someone do that to their son and wife!?' She stared at him, struggling for words.
"Oh, well, I didn't know. But, how could he?" She began to share Vegeta's hate for the King; anyone who did that was a monster.
"How the fuck do I know? He just did. He never even mated with my mother. I wish that he had; the pain of loosing his mate would've killed him too. But of course, if they were mated, then he would never of killed her." He stood up, obviously agitated with the subject matter. "There's no point in fuckin talking about it."
"That's where you're wrong Vegeta." He glared at her for intruding in his personal life and for accusing him of being wrong. "Sometimes it helps to talk about things and to-"
"Well I didn't want to talk about it." His voice was harsh, so she decided to drop the subject, for now anyway. But her new goal was to uncover the mystery that was Vegeta. She decided to change the subject.
"You know, I feel a little bit stronger, as strange as it sounds. I don't even have to exercise! I constantly feel fit just from walking around."
"It's the gravity," he said in a matter of fact tone. "I noticed that it was weaker on lower on Earth. Your body is most likely still adjusting. Hmph, typical." She stared at him, not blinking, and he frowned as her mouth got wider and wider. "Now what's wrong with you woman?"
"Say that again!" He pulled a face of confusion at her like she'd gone mad.
"I said, now what's wro-"
"NO! Not that! Before that, about the gravity!"
"I said that the gravity on your planet is weaker than it is here. Why?"
"PAPER!! I NEED PAPER!" Despite the fact she was ordering him around, he quickly opened a drawer and she snatched the paper before he even had time to offer it to her. "PEN PEN PEN!!" He threw her a discarded pencil from the table and watched in curiosity as she began to scribble down notes at a fast speed.
"Wha-"
"Shush! I'm trying to concentrate!" He was taken back by her sudden interruption. Usually, no one would dare to interrupt him, but she did so freely and without a second though to it. 'It must be the project,' he told himself as she began to sketch something. 'Has she finally cracked it?'
Half an hour later, Bulma finally put the paper and pencil down and collapsed onto the sofa, taking deep breaths with mental exhaustion. Vegeta lifted his head from a cushion on the other sofa where he'd taken a nap while she'd frantically worked.
"I finally did it! All that time and the answer was right infront of me! I need metal, lots of it, wires, a toolbox, oh Kame the list is endless. I can't do this on my own. I need mechanics, scientists, I need help for crying out loud!" Vegeta remained silent, deep in thought as Bulma nagged on in a tired and drained voice. 'Oh course, that baka's still on Earth. Tomorrow I'll tell him to get his ass back here with a supply of mechanics and scientists disguised as slaves. Perfect.'
"Get some rest woman, I'll take care of the rest." But his words had been in vain; she was already sleeping soundly on the sofa. Vegeta grabbed the sheet that she'd dropped by the front door and threw it over her, walking up the wooden stairs to his attic style room to grab the old black quilt from his bed. He then returned to the other sofa downstairs and took one last glance at the sleeping woman before letting long awaited slumber welcome him.
Kakarrot's head hurt like hell. His slave was more than a handful than expected. Today she'd whacked him on the head with a frying pan when he'd asked more food, then on top of that, she'd hurt his ears with her shouting. After that she'd ran to her room in a mood and slammed the door, leaving a very confused Kakarrot in a very messy kitchen. Just then, his communicator beeped, and he lifted out the small black box and flipped it open to see the Prince's face appear.
"Kakarrot, I have a new top secret mission for you. I'm only trusting you because you're probably too stupid to betray me."
"A new mission? Wohoo! I'm so bored here your highness, when can I leave? The humans are co-operating well now." Vegeta rolled his eyes; he was beginning to remember just how annoying Kakarrot was.
"I want you back here right away." Kakarrot jumped for joy, nearly dropping the communicator in the progress.
"I'll leave right away! Oh, does that mean the others have to go too?"
"No they will stay there. And don't forget, you're only coming back because you're needed for a mission. It's top secret, so tell no one."
"Erm, ok, I guess I could do that." Vegeta rolled his eyes, but he could only trust Kakarrot, so this was his only choice.
"Good, now listen very carefully.."
Disclaimer: Yeah you know the drill; dbz isn't mine, your point?
A.N: I thought of this chapter on the bus journey home, so I'll see how the idea works out. Hopefully you know who are getting a little bit closer, and don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Kakarott & his mystery girl heheh.
Chapter 6: The Great Escape
It was deadly silent apart from the irritating ringing sound in Bulma's ears, and she slowly opened her blue eyes, letting them adjust to the dark surroundings. Her limbs were numb from sleeping in the same position for Kame knows how long; her arms secured above her head as she lay on a hard surface in a tilted 90degres position. She tried to move to ease her numb joints, but found that she'd been strapped down with metal bars over each wrist and ankle. She took a deep breath; her head felt dizzy and overall, she was quezy. She couldn't even think straight, and a voice jolted her back into consciousness as her heavy eyelids began to welcome the darkness once more.
"I think you've had enough sleep." She tried to talk, but it came out as a mumble, her blue shoulder length hair falling over her face as her chin dropped onto her chest. "I said wake up, you've already wasted enough of my time. I must've miss-judged your dosage. Dammit."
'Dosage? What did he give me? Drugs?' She opened her eyes again and allowed them to focus on her surroundings. Even though it was very dark, she could just about make out a door behind the shadowed stranger infront of her. He was sitting down with his legs crossed and arms folded against his broad chest. A light suddenly switched on, and although it was dim, it stung Bulma's eyes as it only shone on her.
"Are you ready to talk?"
"Wha..where am I?" She had so many questions, but her brain just wasn't functioning properly. She stuttered out a sentence finally, and the stranger smiled.
"Good. You're in a room as you can see. I'm holding you under trial for treachery."
"Treachery?"
"That's what I said. How do you plead?" Everything was all happening in slow motion for her, but she knew for a fact that she hadn't done anything of the sort.
"Treachery against who? I...I haven't done anything, I swear!"
"You plead not guilty then?"
"What are you talking about?" There was a brief pause, which felt like a very long and agonising silence for Bulma. Finally, she was given an answer.
"You have committed treachery against the Royal Family of Vegetasei. After the trial, you will be publicly executed.
"B..but you can't do that! Wh..where's your proof?"
"Right here. I'm waiting for you to talk Bulma; for you to defend yourself. Otherwise, I'll just assume that you are guilty. I have the power to think and do what I want so long as you remain non co-operative. It's all up to you."
"But I don't understand. How did I commit treachery? I was only doing, what the King asked me to do!" He uncrossed his leg and she knew that she'd gained his attention. Her head was spinning like crazy though, and she felt like she'd either throw up, pass out, or both.
"Go on."
"But I erm, I can't say."
"Then I can't help you out here, it's your call. Don't worry, anything you say will be used for you and you alone. Nothing leaves this room however." His words seemed to get quieter and quieter, and she didn't and couldn't even begin to understand what he was saying. However, she spoke anyway, she felt like she had to and she couldn't stop herself either.
"The King's project, he, he asked me to, to design something."
"Design what?"
"A training room." She could just about see him rest his chin on the back of his hand and lean forward, his facial features becoming a little more evident. He looked familiar, but in her state, Bulma couldn't make out who he was. "A secret project. They brought me, from Earth. I didn't want to come! I didn't want to work for him. But they made me!"
"I think I've heard enough, for now anyway." She remained tense however.
"So, so does that mean, I'm free to go?" There was another silence; whether it was just her or if he did it on purpose, she couldn't tell. But finally, he replied.
"Right now, you're to stay here until I've decided." She gaped at him, and he picked up a handkerchief from the small table/desk next to him. She could just about see through the darkness as he tipped a liquid from a dark bottle onto the material, and then switched off the dim light. Before Bulma had time to realise, she heard footsteps approach her, and her breath was taken from her as the handkerchief was roughly brought to cover her nose and mouth. She panicked, trying to struggle under the restraints as an alcoholic smell filled her senses a she breathed in. Within seconds, her struggling ceased, and sleep once again welcomed her as long lashed eyelids closed over drowsy blue eyes.
A certain very worried Saiyan sat on his bed; his back pressed against the wall as he gazed at the other occupant of the bed next to him. She'd been asleep for too long, sometimes experiencing pleasant dreams, and other times nightmares, he could always tell by her facial expression. He watched as her eyelids fluttered and she frowned slightly; she was having another nightmare. The previous night she'd sat bolt upright in bed, startling the Saiyan, who could only watch as she eventually lay back down again, mumbling words that he couldn't make out. Now it was the second day of her slumber, and the red sun was setting under orange, black and purple clouds. He'd left the balcony open so that a soft breeze drifted into the room, sometimes catching a stray strand of her green hair. She mumbled once again, and he gazed at her as her eyelids suddenly began to slowly lift to reveal the blue eyes that he'd secretly missed. He'd never seen such bright blue eyes before; it was the norm on Vegetasei for Saiyan women to have black, brown, and rarely deep green or deep blue. But never the azure soft blue-lilac eyes which she possessed. Her frown lifted as her eyes began to focus, and her lips parted slightly as she tried to find her voice and some words.
"V.Vegeta?" He smiled, properly for once, not his usual smirk. Then, he reached over to the night table and picked up a glass of water.
"Here, drink." She obeyed, and lifted her head to drink the water, the glass guided by Vegeta's hand. When she'd drunk half the glass, he took it away, placing it back onto the table.
'Am I dreaming?' She thought as she sunk her head back down into the fluffy pillow. 'But it all seems so real; the water, this room, him. But I have to be sure.' He then caught sight of her arm slowly lift and frowned as she tenderly touched his cheek. His skin was surprisingly smooth when she'd thought it would be coarse and rough. Even the lightest of her touch sent tingles down his spine, and it was something that he could get used to very easily. "It's really you!"
"You have a lot of explaining to do woman." She smiled, her senses becoming a little more aware the longer she was awake.
"Yep, you're Vegeta alright." 'SHIT! Did I say that out loud? Dammit Bulma!' He merely smirked for a few seconds though before the smirk dropped, amused with her humour at his expense. Besides, he was concentrating more on keeping his eyes fixed on hers without seeming intimidating. So far, she either hadn't noticed, or it wasn't bothering her.
"I've been playing 'nursemaid' as you call it, for two days you know." Now she really did laugh, something Vegeta hadn't heard in a long time, not like he was complaining. Laughing wasn't something that people really did on Vegeta unless it was due to mockery. But it was never a sweet giggle or short chuckle like Bulma's. She shifted onto her side and rested her weight onto her elbow as she rested her chin on her palm.
"Now THAT'S funny. YOU, of all people, played nursemaid to ME? I'm impressed Vegeta! I didn't think you were capable of caring about a pathetic baka like me."
"I'm not, I just wanted answers as soon as possible, that's all." She still hadn't noticed the slightly agitated tone to his voice, and his constant glare.
"Sure. You're a softie at heart, I can tell." He frowned at her response, and shrugged.
"I don't understand you woman. You're out cold for over 2days, but as soon as you wake up, you're as lively as ever." She grinned smugly, and raised her eyebrows over her closed eyelids with superiority. Her voice was still pretty groggy though, even though her wit and attitude was back to normal.
"I always will be a mystery to men." She then frowned and stared at him, pausing momentarily. "Hey! You once said you could read me like an open book!"
"I was wrong." She giggled, slightly worried about the fact that she was actually having a normal conversation with him, and enjoying it too. But she knew it wouldn't last, and it was about to stop, or so she thought anyway.
"I have a question. Why was I asleep for 2 days?"
"I was hoping you could tell me. I can't believe where I found you, and you're lucky that I did, when I did! What I wanna know though is how you got there. No smart person would even dream of going there, Saiyan or not. And I always figured you were smart; guess you proved me wrong when you ran away in the first place. What the fuck were you thinking!?"
"I didn't even leave the palace though! At least, I think I didn't."
"Woman, I found you in the capital city outside the palace. That qualifies for you leaving the palace altogether. How you got past the guards and made it into the city in one piece, I don't know. Luck, must've been on your side, for awhile at least." She managed to sit up, and rested her forehead on her hands, deep in thought.
'I can't even remember the past few days. Did I really leave the palace? But I'm certain that I didn't. I would remember if I did.' She looked up at him, clearly confused by her deep-set frown and the emotion in her eyes.
"I swear that I really can't remember leaving the palace! I know I left this room, why, I don't know. But I was pretty pissed off when I did."
"Yes, thankyou for breaking my mother's vase, I really appreciate that. All because of a petty argument! That's why I never let emotions take over. They make you weak, and that makes you do pathetic and stupid things." She glanced over at him with apologetic eyes, but he turned away. She'd never seen his eyes so, emotional, before. It looked like she'd hit a nerve, and he clearly didn't want her to see his eyes; the mirrors to one's soul.
"I..I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...oh Kame, I've really screwed up, haven't I?" He then gradually turned back to her, and met her eye to eye.
"Well what do you think? First you run from me, then you let yourself get drugged by Kame knows who. Kame knows what information they squeezed out of you, but it doesn't spell good news to me! They could be listening to this conversation right now even, extracting information like they did from you!" He suddenly unexpectedly grabbed her by the shoulders roughly, making her wince in pain. "Or did you just go there willingly!? WERE YOU JUST A SPY ALL ALONG JUST TO SET ME UP!? TELL ME WOMAN!!" She took deep breaths, her face full of emotion.
"NO! I SWEAR I'M NOT A SPY!" He could tell that she was close to tears; the whole three days must've been a strain on her. He stared right into her eyes, and realised that she was telling the truth. Vegeta loosened his grip and suddenly stood up from the bed, pacing around the room making Bulma feel even more nervous. She was used to mood swings, hell, she went through them herself on occasion. But not these kind of mood swings. He'd suddenly turned from sympathetic angel from heaven, to infuriated and accusing demon from hell. But was he really being sympathetic, or was her mind playing tricks on her? She frowned; too many questions needed answers that she didn't have.
"I need to know what you told them." His voice had decreased in volume, but his tone was still aggressive and agitated.
"I can't tell you Vegeta because I honestly don't remember! I don't even know who 'they' were!" He ran a hand through his mane of black hair, closing his eyes as he deeply thought. About what, she didn't know.
"Did you tell them about the project?" She looked away and he narrowed his eyes.
"I already told you, I don't remember!" He walked closer towards her, staring her in the eye as he did so.
"Yes you do. Now I'll ask you again. Did you tell them about the project!?"
"Ugh! Yes, No! I don't know! GEEZ! If I did, then so what?" She could tell she'd done something wrong as he hit the roof. Bulma cringed, thinking he was going to hit her, but he simple yet his rage out in a loud yell, turning on his heels as he did so and ultimately punching the wall. A removed his fist from the large hole in the wall, which was still cracking from the force of his punch, and sat down on the chair by Bulma's desk. Bulma slowly lifted her head from the protective position in her arms, her knees up to her chest, and his attention shifted to the single tears that had escaped from her eyes.
"For fucks sake woman, stop crying!"
"I can't help it!" She tried to sniff back the tears, but it was useless; once she'd started, she could never stop. She once again hid in the safety of her arms so that she didn't have to look at Vegeta. "Everything's my fault! I'm such a fuckin screw up! Why didn't you just kill me when you had the chance? Then, all this-" While she'd been sobbing into her arms, Vegeta had made his way over and sat next to her. Before she'd had time to finish her sentence, he pulled her close to him and put his arms around her. Why, he didn't know, but he didn't want to know at that point either. Something was telling him to comfort her, so he did. He'd ask himself about it later, but right now, he was enjoying just holding her. Bulma wept into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist and back, and resting her hands on his shoulder blades. She needed the hug, and didn't care who gave it her. She wasn't even asking herself why it had been Vegeta of all people who was comforting her. The tears eventually stopped, and Vegeta opened his eyes as he felt Bulma's head lift from his now tear soaked blue undersuit. Her eyes searched his, dancing in the light of the setting sun. He looked down at her, tearstains still on her face and her lips trembling from strong emotion. The image was all too painful for him, and he turned his head away to look out to the scenery outside the balcony.
"We need to leave this place." His voice was calmer and quieter, and Bulma rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the warmth he was emitting. "You can continue your project in the safety of a new location. But to anyone who has seen you, you are dead. Not even my father will know." She nodded, her hair brushing against his neck as she did so. She was dead to earth anyway, so why not Vegetasei too? It made no difference to her. "I will deal with any who question your disappearance, AND, I will deal with the traitors, WHOEVER they are."
Sunset had turned into a cold night sky of a deep marine blue- purple. Vegeta held Bulma close to him as he flew through the clouds, higher than normal and with his ki lowered as much as possible so as not to draw attention. Bulma had wrapped herself in a black sheet; a) so keep warm, and b) to look as un-human like as possible. Of course, the heat that Vegeta emitted was more than enough. The journey was slow, but eventually, Vegeta's feet touched down on the ground, and he walked towards a building. They were in a mountain area, so the house was cleverly placed in a hard to find location amongst trees and mountains. He opened the front door using a key card, and carried Bulma inside, placing her onto her feet once he'd closed and locked the front door. Bulma gasped at her surroundings; it was a log home, a little dusty, probably from not being lived in for awhile. The main room was the lounge where there was a log fire complete with a wide red brick chimney. The ceiling was moderately high, and the log walls had been covered in lighter and thinner planks of wood, probably to insulate the house further, keep bugs out, and make it look nicer. Two black leather sofas were in the middle of the room, a wooden coffee table in-between them. A square shaped rug probably made of real fur was also in the middle of the room under the sofas and coffee table. The real fur slightly sickened Bulma, but she realised that Vegeta had probably killed the animal for meat, and then used the fur, so he could just about get away with it in her books. Vegeta literally collapsed on one of the leather sofas; the whole evening had been an emotional strain on him, even though he would never admit to himself that his emotions got involved. Bulma sat down on the other sofa, letting her body mould into the soft leather as she relaxed her muscles.
"This is nice," she complimented, her voice tired and quiet. "I missed being in a house."
"I built it in my very early teen years, tired of living with my father. He doesn't know about it, and neither just anyone else." She turned her head to stare at him with disbelief and he smirked. "Yes woman, I really did build it myself before you ask."
"Why? What was wrong with living with your father? And where was your mother?" She had wanted to ask where his mother was since she'd met the King but not the Queen. Now seemed like the perfect opportunity, but the look on Vegeta's face at the mention of his mother made her realise she was wasn't.
"My father was and always will be an asshole. My mother was dead." It all began to slightly make sense to her. 'So, Vegeta actually has reasons for his coldness. Maybe if I coaxed it out of him, like therapy I guess, he'll be a little more in touch with his emotions. Denying emotions is definitely now good, he needs help. I knew I should've been a psychiatrist!'
"I'm sorry Vegeta, but these things happen." He glared at her with dagger eyes, and she backed into the sofa as much as possible.
"You're saying that my father killing my mother right infront of me just happens!?"
She stared at him; were her ears deceiving her? 'How could someone do that to their son and wife!?' She stared at him, struggling for words.
"Oh, well, I didn't know. But, how could he?" She began to share Vegeta's hate for the King; anyone who did that was a monster.
"How the fuck do I know? He just did. He never even mated with my mother. I wish that he had; the pain of loosing his mate would've killed him too. But of course, if they were mated, then he would never of killed her." He stood up, obviously agitated with the subject matter. "There's no point in fuckin talking about it."
"That's where you're wrong Vegeta." He glared at her for intruding in his personal life and for accusing him of being wrong. "Sometimes it helps to talk about things and to-"
"Well I didn't want to talk about it." His voice was harsh, so she decided to drop the subject, for now anyway. But her new goal was to uncover the mystery that was Vegeta. She decided to change the subject.
"You know, I feel a little bit stronger, as strange as it sounds. I don't even have to exercise! I constantly feel fit just from walking around."
"It's the gravity," he said in a matter of fact tone. "I noticed that it was weaker on lower on Earth. Your body is most likely still adjusting. Hmph, typical." She stared at him, not blinking, and he frowned as her mouth got wider and wider. "Now what's wrong with you woman?"
"Say that again!" He pulled a face of confusion at her like she'd gone mad.
"I said, now what's wro-"
"NO! Not that! Before that, about the gravity!"
"I said that the gravity on your planet is weaker than it is here. Why?"
"PAPER!! I NEED PAPER!" Despite the fact she was ordering him around, he quickly opened a drawer and she snatched the paper before he even had time to offer it to her. "PEN PEN PEN!!" He threw her a discarded pencil from the table and watched in curiosity as she began to scribble down notes at a fast speed.
"Wha-"
"Shush! I'm trying to concentrate!" He was taken back by her sudden interruption. Usually, no one would dare to interrupt him, but she did so freely and without a second though to it. 'It must be the project,' he told himself as she began to sketch something. 'Has she finally cracked it?'
Half an hour later, Bulma finally put the paper and pencil down and collapsed onto the sofa, taking deep breaths with mental exhaustion. Vegeta lifted his head from a cushion on the other sofa where he'd taken a nap while she'd frantically worked.
"I finally did it! All that time and the answer was right infront of me! I need metal, lots of it, wires, a toolbox, oh Kame the list is endless. I can't do this on my own. I need mechanics, scientists, I need help for crying out loud!" Vegeta remained silent, deep in thought as Bulma nagged on in a tired and drained voice. 'Oh course, that baka's still on Earth. Tomorrow I'll tell him to get his ass back here with a supply of mechanics and scientists disguised as slaves. Perfect.'
"Get some rest woman, I'll take care of the rest." But his words had been in vain; she was already sleeping soundly on the sofa. Vegeta grabbed the sheet that she'd dropped by the front door and threw it over her, walking up the wooden stairs to his attic style room to grab the old black quilt from his bed. He then returned to the other sofa downstairs and took one last glance at the sleeping woman before letting long awaited slumber welcome him.
Kakarrot's head hurt like hell. His slave was more than a handful than expected. Today she'd whacked him on the head with a frying pan when he'd asked more food, then on top of that, she'd hurt his ears with her shouting. After that she'd ran to her room in a mood and slammed the door, leaving a very confused Kakarrot in a very messy kitchen. Just then, his communicator beeped, and he lifted out the small black box and flipped it open to see the Prince's face appear.
"Kakarrot, I have a new top secret mission for you. I'm only trusting you because you're probably too stupid to betray me."
"A new mission? Wohoo! I'm so bored here your highness, when can I leave? The humans are co-operating well now." Vegeta rolled his eyes; he was beginning to remember just how annoying Kakarrot was.
"I want you back here right away." Kakarrot jumped for joy, nearly dropping the communicator in the progress.
"I'll leave right away! Oh, does that mean the others have to go too?"
"No they will stay there. And don't forget, you're only coming back because you're needed for a mission. It's top secret, so tell no one."
"Erm, ok, I guess I could do that." Vegeta rolled his eyes, but he could only trust Kakarrot, so this was his only choice.
"Good, now listen very carefully.."