Scientific Journey: Bulma's Story:
Disclaimer: Screw it I can't be arsed anymore!
A.N- 20/8/03 Heheh I've been forgetting to date! Ugh! Well I've been updating my site and reading this completely amazing, beautiful, awe- inspiring,... words cannot even begin to describe Bulma & Vegeta fanfiction. Some of you have most likely already read 'Dark Angel' by Camaro, but I'm on chapter 48 right now. It's truly an amazing epic, one that is enthralling and has inspired me. I can't get over how good it is! So if you haven't read it, read it! Or even read it again. Now, back to my story. I don't even know where I'm going with this :S & this problem always happens to me, I start with a good idea, and then get stuck. Plus I haven't been able to get un-hooked from 'Dark Angel.' But here it is, finally, and I hope it's not as bad as I think it is. Oh, and I might move the A.N block to the end of each chapter so I can summarise. Yeah, it wasn't intended, but Goku and ChiChi are starting to play an important part, I just love Goku so much! *Coughs* Well, erm, enough of that before I go off track even more. . Presenting: Chapter 8! (Cue drums etc)
Chapter 8: And so it begins
"C'mon people! Work with me here! Aren't you even looking at the designs? Ugh! I'm not letting any of you take a break until you all deserve one; and right now, YOU DON'T!"
Vegeta chuckled as he watched the woman, his, little woman, from a distance as she ordered the Earthlings around like a Saiyan master would order a human pet. It was quite amusing to see her so lively and, well, bossy. She inspected the various products that her workers were busy trying to hastily complete; clipboard in her hand and a pen behind her ear. He'd noticed that she treated work very seriously, and even wore the lab coat that the King had given her. Of course, she'd never even got to wear it in the palace, nor had she been able to actually see the labs. She treated work like he treated training; it was a priority, something that had to be done to the fullest. That was where they actually shared something in common; they were both determined and lived to reach their full potentials. For Vegeta it was strength, but for Bulma, it was intelligence.
"KAKARROT! How many times do I have to tell you? YOU CAN'T ATTACH BLUE AND RED WIRES TO EACH OTHER!!" The tall Saiyan pulled his usual sad puppy expression, and Bulma sighed. 'Get a grip Bulma; he's only trying to help, remember? But he knows nothing about science! He's just holding me back."
"Sorry Kakarrot, but I'm gonna have to let you go. You're just not, erm, qualified and experienced enough for this job." Kakarrot stared at her, dropping the circuit board he'd been working on in shock.
"So, what does that mean? Do I get a new job?" Bulma whacked her forehead with her palm; she'd never met anyone so stupid in all her life, but sweet none the less.
"I'm firing you Kakarrot, giving you the sack, the boot, capiche?" He stared even more blankly at her, and she once again sighed. It was then that she noticed Vegeta resting by a tree, his arm folded as he watched from a distance. "I know! Why don't you go train with Vegeta? I can manage everything here."
"Ok, if you're sure you can manage?"
"Of course! Now run along." He happily obliged, literally jogging over to Vegeta. It wasn't long before they both flew off further into the forest, and large bangs could be heard, accompanied by flashes of light. 'Boy will be boys.'
"Erm, miss Bulma?" Bulma turned to see two of the young mechanics holding onto a large piece of white metal shaped into a quarter of a dome. "We've completed part of the shell." She inspected it, and then smiled; Kakarrot had gathered her some very talented workers, even if he hadn't known it.
"Excellent! Take a break and then get to work on the next piece of shell." They nodded and leaned the large piece of heavy metal against the wall before retreating into the house where ChiChi slaved away in the kitchen. Bulma wiped the sweat from her brow. It was a hot day, and after just two days of solid working, her project was only just starting to take form. 'I just hope this works.'
Meanwhile, Kakarrot dodged yet another of Vegeta's carefully aimed ki blasts; moving just in time for it to skim past his shoulder. As soon as he had however, he was forced to block as Vegeta began a combo onslaught. He finally landed a fist to Goku's jaw, sending him flying back a little.
"You're a little rusty Kakarrot, but you're still as strong as ever. It's about time I had a decent challenge. Beating that weakling brother of yours to a pulp every day was beginning to bore me. But you're lacking something. Hmph, don't tell me you've been spending precious training time with that little whore you claimed?"
Kakarrot's eyebrows twitched together; no one called ChiChi a whore! No matter what authority they had. Vegeta raised his eyebrows in shock as Kakarrot powered up and began to attack Vegeta, each powerful attack catching him off guard and hurting, a lot. Kakarrot's final hammer hit to Vegeta's back sent him down to the ground, the many trees breaking his high fall. Kakarrot landed infront of him, calming down a little after realising his mistake, or was it a mistake? Vegeta merely stood up, chuckling as he did so and dusting off the leaves and dirt from his clothes.
"Kakarrot you dog you! Don't tell me you have feelings for that woman?" Kakarrot's silence said it all, but he wasn't prepared for the mocking laughter that following from deep within Vegeta's throat. "You really are the black sheep of you're family, or perhaps even the Saiyan race! Your emotions always were your weakness. But I'm slightly intrigued." Kakarrot, who had his head down in shame, suddenly looked up, his face serious as opposed to its normal happy state.
"What do you mean your highness?"
"How such a weak and pathetic little human could affect you so much."
"I don't know, but, well, she just makes me...happy." Vegeta stared at his Saiyan sparring partner in disbelief. He'd probably only known the woman for as long as he'd known Bulma, and he'd actually started to develop feelings for her? It was preposterous! Pathetic! But most of all, it was weak. After his mother's death, Vegeta had sworn to himself that he'd never allow such feelings, such emotions, ever enter his life. But was he kidding himself? The woman, Bulma, his slave. Wasn't he happy when he was around her? Wasn't he happy to lie next to her side every night, sharing each other's warmth? Wasn't he sad when he had to leave her side for just a few minutes? He shook his head, annoyed with himself for thinking such things. But wasn't he just stating the truth to himself?
"Prince Vegeta, are you ok?"
Vegeta snapped to attention at the sound of Kakarrot's voice, and smirked, firing a quick ki blast at his sparring companion.
"You let your guard down Kakarrot. NEVER let your guard down, even to an allie."
ChiChi sighed and rested her head in her arms as she finally sat down at the kitchen table. The whole morning had been complete and utter chaos, and Bulma's annoyingly loud and commanding voice had not ceased to exist all morning. But ChiChi did admire the female scientist, mostly for her strength to carry on living. She wished that she possessed such courage. She had at one time, but not anymore, and that reflected in her past actions. Kakarrot had been there to save her from her pathetic attempt to end the suffering and depression that she'd felt. He hadn't been happy with her suicide attempt either. She'd also been mad at herself from feeling a twinge of guilt as she witnessed Kakarrot's face when he'd discovered her, and she still felt that now as she reminisced.
---------------------------------------------Flashback---------------------- ------------------------
He'd taken her into his care for five whole days, but ChiChi wanted none of it. All she wanted was to join her father and her mother; to be released from the hell she was living. Kakarrot had given her freedom of the whole apartment, and she made her way to her destination from the separate room he'd also given her. He'd left early in the morning, something he often did daily, leaving ChiChi alone once again. Sometimes she welcomed the solitude, but other times, she despised it. Being alone gave her time to think, to remember a life that she didn't want to remember, therefore putting her into a further state of depression.
Now, she stood in the small lemon coloured kitchen decorated by some poor fellow human that had been kicked out of THEIR home, possibly even killed. The thought of it made her even sadder; how many of her kind had been slaughtered at the hands of this alien race? These, barbaric murderers! She opened one of the many drawers, the sound of metal cutlery crashing together with the force that she'd opened the drawer with. It echoed through the silence momentarily, and ChiChi picked her weapon, her saviour. She examined it careful. Who'd of thought that a knife, of all objects, could look so beautiful? She smiled, letting the morning sun reflect off the metal onto her face and into her eyes. This object was her deliverance; and so she brought it down to her slender wrist. She hadn't always been so weak. Infact, she was probably the strongest woman on earth, physically, that is. Emotionally, she was the weakest, and that was something what she hated the most. She blamed it on her father though; for keeping her distanced from society as a young child. Her mother had died shortly after her daughter had been born, and so ChiChi had had a lonely childhood; being an only child with no female companionship. She had to learn from books and TV, teaching herself all that she knew. Her father became even fatter and lazier as she got older; but ChiChi became physically stronger. But that wasn't enough.
A single crystal clear tear droplet trailed a path down her cheek from her now blurry chocolate brown eyes. That was the final straw, the final encouragement to get the job done. So ChiChi pressed the blade against the skin of her pale wrist, wincing as the sharp metal pierced her skin. In one slow movement, she brought the blade across her wrist, slicing her main vein and dropping the bloodied knife, marking the immaculately white tiled floor. It was then that she felt the pain as blood, her blood, seeped out of the wound and trailed a path down her hand and wrist. It passed through her slender fingers, falling onto the floor in droplets, as more red droplets fell from the sides of her wrist. She gasped in pain; never had she wanted death to be so slow and painful. ChiChi fell onto her knees, her energy slowly fading just as she was. Was it all worth so much pain? She brought her wrist towards her chest, trying to stop what she'd already started. She began to cry, her dress stained with the blood from her mortally wounded wrist. She began to realise that maybe she was being a little selfish and over the top. She always had been a drama queen; it was a trait from her mother according to her father. So wasn't this just a little over the top? People had been through much more than she had after all. Many were already dead, and here she was, giving up! She began to cry even more, mainly at her mistake caused by her patheticness. Was she in two minds because of her conscience slipping in and out? Or had she always been in two minds? She felt her body go numb and was feeling very cold. Her lips were dry, and she leaned against the kitchen counter for support, since she was too frail and weak to support herself. There was nothing she could do now, what's done is done, so she closed her eyes, and welcomed the blackness.
Light. A light. Shining so brightly that it forced ChiChi so slowly open her eyes. The white light blinded her, and she was forced to squint so that her eyes had time to adjust. Was she in heaven? She hoped so. But would she stay there after being judged? Or, would she be punished for her selfish act and sent to hell for all eternity?
"Good, she's finally awake."
The voice startled her slightly, and was very unfamiliar, but seemed friendly at least.
"Looks like another job well done everyone."
What did that mean? Where was she? Did these voices belong to angels?
"Keep an eye on her stats though, she may need another transfusion."
ChiChi opened her eyes fully to see a white ceiling. Since when did heaven have ceilings? She expected white puffy clouds like candyfloss. It didn't smell like heaven either. No, it smelt distinctively like medicine. It was then that reality dawned on her. She was nowhere near heaven. The bleeping of the life support machine next to her, the plasters attached to her arms where tubes fed her liquid into her blood system. It all became very clear; she was in a hospital. But how did she get there? Who had found her and rescued her? But had it been a rescue? Or was it more of a punishment? She had wanted to die dammit! But SOMEONE hadn't even allowed her to do that. A blonde haired nurse suddenly hovered over her, taking her temperature and recording it onto a clipboard.
"36.8, not bad. You're gonna be ok Miss.ChiChi."
"Who, who brought me here?" Her voice was quiet and craggy, and it took a lot of effort for her to speak.
"A Saiyan, strangely enough. He was pretty shocked when he brought you in. I calmed him down with some coffee though." The nurse had a sweet voice, somewhat calming even, and she tucked the white starched sheets tightly around ChiChi to keep her warm. "I'll go tell him you're A - Okay! He'll be glad to hear it, I'm sure." The nurse scuttled away, leaving ChiChi alone once again.
'So, it was HIM who saved me! But why?' She didn't understand. Why would was he keeping her alive? Was it to torment her even further? She witnessed her father being killed before her eyes, and had then been taken from her home on the Fry Pan mountains to be dumped in a city where she'd never been before. On top of that, she'd been forced to work with people she didn't know, nor knew how to communicate with under the situation. Not like they were allowed to socialise in the labour camp anyway. She then heard the door swing open, and dared not turn her head as she heard footsteps approach her. But she couldn't resist as she felt a presence looming over her, and couldn't help but gape as she did so.
Kakarrot stood protectively at her side, not knowing what to say. He was glad she was alive, and seeing her brought so much happiness to him, more than words could describe. Maybe now he had a chance. Maybe now she'd let him get to know her a little more, and vice versa. He only hoped.
"You scared me ChiChi." She silently gasped at his words. "Don't scare me like that again. I thought you were dead! How could you do such a thing? How could you kill yourself!?" She wished she could explain to him; tell him everything. But she couldn't. He was the one who had denied her her rights, and he would pay.
"I understand if you don't want to talk right now. But you can't go on like this."
She hated him. She hated him for caring about her. She hated his sweet boyish looks and sweet, caring voice. She hated the way that she was drawn to him. Most of all, she hated him for being the only person who was trying at least to understand her. That was the icing on the cake.
Kakarrot watched as she turned her head, and it hurt, it hurt a lot! He'd gone out of his way to help her, and this was how he re-paid him? He stepped back, annoyed to see that she didn't react. From that day, things became worse that they already were. She distanced herself even more, trying not to talk to him as she recovered, no matter how much time he tried to spend with her. When her voice recovered, so did her temper, more wild and un-tameable than ever. But Kakarrot didn't give up. He knew there was a way to win her over; he just had to find it. ChiChi was stubborn, but everyone had their weaknesses.
---------------------------------END FLASHBACK------------------------------ ----------------
ChiChi stared at the deep scar on her wrist. She began to wish that she could've sliced both of them; maybe she would've died quicker. He would've been too late to save her, and she'd be finally at peace. But no; now she had no choice but to live this pathetic life. ChiChi was so wrapped up in herself that she hadn't even notice Bulma enter the kitchen until her voice broke her away from her deep thoughts.
"You look troubled, care to share with me?" Bulma sat down, a glass of tap water in her hand and dirt smudges on her face.
"Not really." Bulma frowned; she missed sharing things with her friends back on Earth and had hoped ChiChi would fill that spot.
"Ok then, I understand." There was a silence, as ChiChi contemplated on whether or not to confide in the fellow human. Could she trust her? Or had she been brainwashed by the Saiyans? There was really only one way to find out, and so ChiChi took her chances.
"Have you," she paused, trying to word her sentence right and catching Bulma's attention in the process. "Haven't you ever tried to, well, escape? Or were you telling the truth when you said that you liked it here?" Bulma stared at ChiChi, not really knowing the answer herself. Of course, she had tried to escape, but it hadn't really been planned. She'd been constantly asking herself whether she actually did like it on Vegetasei, and it was a question that even she couldn't find a complete answer to. There were always these 'buts' and 'ifs' which always persuaded her to eventually drop the subject, leaving the question un-answered.
"Of course I tried to escape, but that was a nightmare. I got caught, but, well, that's another story. I hate it here, but then again, I like it. It's a difficult question to answer. Of course, I miss being at home, and Earth always will be my true home. But what have I got left there? Nothing most likely! But here, I have more than I think I do. I'm just about content." ChiChi nodded, wondering why she couldn't feel the same about leaving Earth. She had nothing there either, but she never really had anything to begin with. Life for her was just one big merry go round, never ending and always turning round in the same, boring cycle.
"I can't stand it here." Bulma frowned, pushing aside the laugh that was so desperately trying to escape from her lips.
"But you've only just got here!" But she had a slight point. After 5days on Vegetasei, Bulma had begun to accept her cruel fate, and had tried to look on the bright side. "Why do you hate it? And what's the deal with you and Kakarrot?"
Bad move. ChiChi glared at Bulma for intruding on her personal life. 'How dare she ask me such things! There is and never was a deal between me and that bastard!'
"I don't know what you're talking about. There's no 'deal' as you so indecently put it, between that fiend that me!" She turned her nose in the air defiantly, and Bulma raised an eyebrow at her cold tone and pompous, spoilt attitude. 'Boy, I'm gonna have a tough time with her! Now I see why Kakarrot's so bewildered.'
"Oh? So, why the constant dagger glares in his direction? Why avoid him, when he's just trying to be nice? You don't know how lucky you are ChiChi, and that's what really pisses me off!"
"Excuse me?"
Another bad move. Why couldn't life be simple? Why was there always some spoilt little bitch that was so high maintenance, that even equally high maintenance guys fitted them? Bulma shook her head; 'and I though I was high maintenance! Sheesh!'
"Look, I don't wanna argue with someone I hardly know. I wanted us to be friends."
"Well then just don't question how I choose to live my life, and we'll get along fine."
"Fine."
"Fine."
Bulma narrowed her eyes. She'd never met so many incompetent people in her life; even the workers could get on her nerves sometimes. People just didn't realise how lucky they were sometimes. 'Geez, I'd be glad if someone like Kakarrot was chasing after me. He cute, sweet, and good looking, even though he may be lacking slightly on the intellectual side. But more importantly, he's probably the only Saiyan I know who's prepared to make people happy, instead of greedily receiving and never giving. No, Kakarrot is probably prepared to do anything for someone, and that's a quality that you rarely find in someone, especially Saiyans. Looks like I'm gonna have to bring out the guns to get ChiChi thinking straight. Which guns I don't know quite yet.'
"Can I just say one thing?" ChiChi looked up at Bulma, her face emotionless. "And try you're best not to get mad. Just listen to my advice and think about it." ChiChi nodded; she could do that easily. "Give people a chance, otherwise you'll find yourself lonely for the rest of your life. You can't be living on high expectations, especially here. Just receive what life has for you with a open mind, that's a lesson I've had to learn anyway.'
ChiChi watched as Bulma stood up to leave, her words still replaying over and over in her head. 'I am open-minded!' Or was she? She'd purposefully given Kakarrot a hard time, and she'd been a little rude to Bulma too. So maybe she could give being nicer a go? It wouldn't exactly hurt, would it? And what could the consequences be?
Dinner that night was strange to say the least. The kitchen could only accommodate four people, so the ten workers remained in their temporary lodgings: the spaceship. There was plenty of room in there for there, while the two Saiyans and two humans shared Vegeta's log home. Vegeta glanced over at Bulma; the grin on her face giving away the fact that she was content. But the grin was also devious as she glanced at Kakarrot and ChiChi now and then, and even at Vegeta when he thought he wasn't looking, but infact, he was. 'I know that expression,' Vegeta thought as he chewed more meat and swallowed hard. 'The woman's up to something. I actually feel slightly sorry for the poor fool who she's meddling with.' Oh, if only he knew.
Kakarrot, however, was probably the most content at the table. ChiChi had actually sat next to him, willingly, without her normal shouting and complaining, which eventually led to her running into the lounge where she'd eat alone. But now she quietly chewed on her meal, keeping her eyes fixed on the plate infront of her. It was a step at least, however small it may have seemed. He glanced at Bulma, who winked at him, and he winked back, secretly guessing that she'd had a part to play in it all.
Bulma frowned slightly. She'd gotten everyone together at last, but it was so silent she could've killed herself! She observed the scene before her; Vegeta stuffed his face, occasionally meeting her glance with a narrow eyed glare, he was on to her, she knew it all too well. Kakarrot looked puzzled, probably trying to think of how to actually start a conversation. Bless him; at least he was trying! ChiChi however, remained quiet as she dug her fork into the potato she mashed over and over, turning it into, well, squashed mashed potato. At least she'd made a little effort to socialise.
"So, Kakarrot, it's strange but, you remind me of someone. I just can't put my finger on it either!" She giggled, trying to break the ice, and Vegeta rolled his eyes at her attempt to add conversation.
"He's Radditz's younger brother baka." Bulma frowned at Vegeta, trying to laugh off her embarrassment. 'Damn him for blocking me! I was just getting started and he puts me off track! Impossible man!'
"That's it! So is that your only brother, or are there more?"
"Nah that's it, I'm the youngest. What about you Bulma?" She smiled; her plan was working.
"Just me I'm afraid."
"Hmph, I consider that a good thing." Bulma ignored Vegeta's comment, and maintained her smile, gesturing to ChiChi with her eyes. Kakarrot finally got the idea, and cleared his throat, turning to face the silent woman next to him.
"What about you ChiChi? Any brothers or sisters?" She didn't even look up, just replied monotonously.
"No. I'm an only child."
Bulma continued with the fake smile; 'at least she answered! I'm actually getting somewhere with this!' She kicked Kakarrot's leg from under the table, making him stare at her.
"Erm, Bulma? Why'd you just kick me?" She burst out laughing, why, she didn't know, but it helped her hide her panicked expression as she thought of an excuse.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to! I was just erm, un-crossing my legs. Geez it's cramped here!"
"I'll move then." Bulma waved her hands frantically in the air at ChiChi's suggestion.
"No no no! You stay here! There's plenty of room!"
"But you just-"
"Ignore me! Haha! I'm. Just. Being... Silly!" She could've shot herself right there and then for coming up with such a lame excuse. But Kakarrot bought it, and ChiChi remained quiet.
Vegeta, however, couldn't help but smirk. 'So, she's meddling with Kakarrot and his little slave. Interesting. Well, two can play this game." Bulma watched as Vegeta stood up and walked over to a cupboard. He'd finished every last bit on his plate, and Bulma watched in horror as he pulled out a small and slender black glass bottle. He slammed it on the table, adding 4 wine glasses.
"I think we should celebrate, don't you?" he particularly looked at Bulma, who pulled a face at him. Wine couldn't be that bad an idea, but it was too early for her guinea pigs to get drunk! She watched as Vegeta poured the glasses full to the rim with the red liquid.
"I better not Vegeta, you know what happened last time!" Kakarrot chuckled at his own misfortune, and ChiChi eyed the wine curiously.
"Aaah yes, the memory is all too clear! Ha! And I thought you were a baka when you were sober! You wouldn't believe what idiotic things Kakarrot here did!"
Bulma gaped at Vegeta, her eyes wide as he was about to ruin the evening. 'That jerk! I can't believe him! Kame I hate him!" She attempted silencing him by kicking him under the table, turning his attention to the scorning woman to his right on the square table.
"First Kakarrot, and now me! Keep your feet to yourself woman!"
Bulma looked up at the sky, 'Vegeta, you are going to die!'
"You know, maybe we should save the wine for another time. When my project is complete perhaps? It's such a shame to waste it!" She began to pour the wine back into the bottle very carefully, agitating Vegeta. This meant war.
"No, I say we have it now. I can get more, foolish woman!" He grabbed her wrist, stopping her from emptying the contents of ChiChi's glass.
"Well I say we save it! Now kindly remove your grip on my wrist!"
"Pour that wine back now woman!"
"NO! You're the only person who wants to drink the damn stuff!"
"I'M LOSING MY PATIENCE WOMAN!" It wasn't just his patience he was losing either, but Bulma stood firm, while Kakarrot and ChiChi watched the scene from their seats.
"FINE!" She then did something she knew she'd forget the next day. All eyes were on her as she picked up the slender bottle. It hadn't been full in the first place, but there was enough in there for about a glass each. He then sprung to her feet, the legs of her wooden chair scratching on the floor as she did so. Vegeta winced, and then sprung to his feet also, he couldn't let the woman win this time.
"To Bulma Breifs! Best fucking scientist on Vegetasei and Earth!"
It was then that she brought the bottle to her lips in one swift movement, and everyone watched in horror as she drank the red liquid. Vegeta growled and tore the bottle from her lips, the liquid spilling onto her overalls as he did so. She wiped the wine from her mouth and grinned. It tasted better than any wine on Earth! It was more-ishly sweet, so sweet that she reached for the bottle. She wanted more! She needed more!
"C'mon Vegeta! You said you wanted to celebrate?" She hiccupped, and then giggled, the wine a lot stronger to that on earth, and therefore taking affect much quicker. Besides, Bulma always had been a lightweight. Vegeta frowned. He'd never expect her to sacrifice her own soberness just to save Kakarrot from embarrassing himself. 'Foolish woman.' He examined the bottle, a trail of the sticky wine dripping onto the floor.
"Vegeta! Gimme the bottle! C'mon!"
He grinned, clutching the bottle as she desperately reached for it, nearly falling over as she did so. 'Seems like my plan has evolved into an even better one!'
Disclaimer: Screw it I can't be arsed anymore!
A.N- 20/8/03 Heheh I've been forgetting to date! Ugh! Well I've been updating my site and reading this completely amazing, beautiful, awe- inspiring,... words cannot even begin to describe Bulma & Vegeta fanfiction. Some of you have most likely already read 'Dark Angel' by Camaro, but I'm on chapter 48 right now. It's truly an amazing epic, one that is enthralling and has inspired me. I can't get over how good it is! So if you haven't read it, read it! Or even read it again. Now, back to my story. I don't even know where I'm going with this :S & this problem always happens to me, I start with a good idea, and then get stuck. Plus I haven't been able to get un-hooked from 'Dark Angel.' But here it is, finally, and I hope it's not as bad as I think it is. Oh, and I might move the A.N block to the end of each chapter so I can summarise. Yeah, it wasn't intended, but Goku and ChiChi are starting to play an important part, I just love Goku so much! *Coughs* Well, erm, enough of that before I go off track even more. . Presenting: Chapter 8! (Cue drums etc)
Chapter 8: And so it begins
"C'mon people! Work with me here! Aren't you even looking at the designs? Ugh! I'm not letting any of you take a break until you all deserve one; and right now, YOU DON'T!"
Vegeta chuckled as he watched the woman, his, little woman, from a distance as she ordered the Earthlings around like a Saiyan master would order a human pet. It was quite amusing to see her so lively and, well, bossy. She inspected the various products that her workers were busy trying to hastily complete; clipboard in her hand and a pen behind her ear. He'd noticed that she treated work very seriously, and even wore the lab coat that the King had given her. Of course, she'd never even got to wear it in the palace, nor had she been able to actually see the labs. She treated work like he treated training; it was a priority, something that had to be done to the fullest. That was where they actually shared something in common; they were both determined and lived to reach their full potentials. For Vegeta it was strength, but for Bulma, it was intelligence.
"KAKARROT! How many times do I have to tell you? YOU CAN'T ATTACH BLUE AND RED WIRES TO EACH OTHER!!" The tall Saiyan pulled his usual sad puppy expression, and Bulma sighed. 'Get a grip Bulma; he's only trying to help, remember? But he knows nothing about science! He's just holding me back."
"Sorry Kakarrot, but I'm gonna have to let you go. You're just not, erm, qualified and experienced enough for this job." Kakarrot stared at her, dropping the circuit board he'd been working on in shock.
"So, what does that mean? Do I get a new job?" Bulma whacked her forehead with her palm; she'd never met anyone so stupid in all her life, but sweet none the less.
"I'm firing you Kakarrot, giving you the sack, the boot, capiche?" He stared even more blankly at her, and she once again sighed. It was then that she noticed Vegeta resting by a tree, his arm folded as he watched from a distance. "I know! Why don't you go train with Vegeta? I can manage everything here."
"Ok, if you're sure you can manage?"
"Of course! Now run along." He happily obliged, literally jogging over to Vegeta. It wasn't long before they both flew off further into the forest, and large bangs could be heard, accompanied by flashes of light. 'Boy will be boys.'
"Erm, miss Bulma?" Bulma turned to see two of the young mechanics holding onto a large piece of white metal shaped into a quarter of a dome. "We've completed part of the shell." She inspected it, and then smiled; Kakarrot had gathered her some very talented workers, even if he hadn't known it.
"Excellent! Take a break and then get to work on the next piece of shell." They nodded and leaned the large piece of heavy metal against the wall before retreating into the house where ChiChi slaved away in the kitchen. Bulma wiped the sweat from her brow. It was a hot day, and after just two days of solid working, her project was only just starting to take form. 'I just hope this works.'
Meanwhile, Kakarrot dodged yet another of Vegeta's carefully aimed ki blasts; moving just in time for it to skim past his shoulder. As soon as he had however, he was forced to block as Vegeta began a combo onslaught. He finally landed a fist to Goku's jaw, sending him flying back a little.
"You're a little rusty Kakarrot, but you're still as strong as ever. It's about time I had a decent challenge. Beating that weakling brother of yours to a pulp every day was beginning to bore me. But you're lacking something. Hmph, don't tell me you've been spending precious training time with that little whore you claimed?"
Kakarrot's eyebrows twitched together; no one called ChiChi a whore! No matter what authority they had. Vegeta raised his eyebrows in shock as Kakarrot powered up and began to attack Vegeta, each powerful attack catching him off guard and hurting, a lot. Kakarrot's final hammer hit to Vegeta's back sent him down to the ground, the many trees breaking his high fall. Kakarrot landed infront of him, calming down a little after realising his mistake, or was it a mistake? Vegeta merely stood up, chuckling as he did so and dusting off the leaves and dirt from his clothes.
"Kakarrot you dog you! Don't tell me you have feelings for that woman?" Kakarrot's silence said it all, but he wasn't prepared for the mocking laughter that following from deep within Vegeta's throat. "You really are the black sheep of you're family, or perhaps even the Saiyan race! Your emotions always were your weakness. But I'm slightly intrigued." Kakarrot, who had his head down in shame, suddenly looked up, his face serious as opposed to its normal happy state.
"What do you mean your highness?"
"How such a weak and pathetic little human could affect you so much."
"I don't know, but, well, she just makes me...happy." Vegeta stared at his Saiyan sparring partner in disbelief. He'd probably only known the woman for as long as he'd known Bulma, and he'd actually started to develop feelings for her? It was preposterous! Pathetic! But most of all, it was weak. After his mother's death, Vegeta had sworn to himself that he'd never allow such feelings, such emotions, ever enter his life. But was he kidding himself? The woman, Bulma, his slave. Wasn't he happy when he was around her? Wasn't he happy to lie next to her side every night, sharing each other's warmth? Wasn't he sad when he had to leave her side for just a few minutes? He shook his head, annoyed with himself for thinking such things. But wasn't he just stating the truth to himself?
"Prince Vegeta, are you ok?"
Vegeta snapped to attention at the sound of Kakarrot's voice, and smirked, firing a quick ki blast at his sparring companion.
"You let your guard down Kakarrot. NEVER let your guard down, even to an allie."
ChiChi sighed and rested her head in her arms as she finally sat down at the kitchen table. The whole morning had been complete and utter chaos, and Bulma's annoyingly loud and commanding voice had not ceased to exist all morning. But ChiChi did admire the female scientist, mostly for her strength to carry on living. She wished that she possessed such courage. She had at one time, but not anymore, and that reflected in her past actions. Kakarrot had been there to save her from her pathetic attempt to end the suffering and depression that she'd felt. He hadn't been happy with her suicide attempt either. She'd also been mad at herself from feeling a twinge of guilt as she witnessed Kakarrot's face when he'd discovered her, and she still felt that now as she reminisced.
---------------------------------------------Flashback---------------------- ------------------------
He'd taken her into his care for five whole days, but ChiChi wanted none of it. All she wanted was to join her father and her mother; to be released from the hell she was living. Kakarrot had given her freedom of the whole apartment, and she made her way to her destination from the separate room he'd also given her. He'd left early in the morning, something he often did daily, leaving ChiChi alone once again. Sometimes she welcomed the solitude, but other times, she despised it. Being alone gave her time to think, to remember a life that she didn't want to remember, therefore putting her into a further state of depression.
Now, she stood in the small lemon coloured kitchen decorated by some poor fellow human that had been kicked out of THEIR home, possibly even killed. The thought of it made her even sadder; how many of her kind had been slaughtered at the hands of this alien race? These, barbaric murderers! She opened one of the many drawers, the sound of metal cutlery crashing together with the force that she'd opened the drawer with. It echoed through the silence momentarily, and ChiChi picked her weapon, her saviour. She examined it careful. Who'd of thought that a knife, of all objects, could look so beautiful? She smiled, letting the morning sun reflect off the metal onto her face and into her eyes. This object was her deliverance; and so she brought it down to her slender wrist. She hadn't always been so weak. Infact, she was probably the strongest woman on earth, physically, that is. Emotionally, she was the weakest, and that was something what she hated the most. She blamed it on her father though; for keeping her distanced from society as a young child. Her mother had died shortly after her daughter had been born, and so ChiChi had had a lonely childhood; being an only child with no female companionship. She had to learn from books and TV, teaching herself all that she knew. Her father became even fatter and lazier as she got older; but ChiChi became physically stronger. But that wasn't enough.
A single crystal clear tear droplet trailed a path down her cheek from her now blurry chocolate brown eyes. That was the final straw, the final encouragement to get the job done. So ChiChi pressed the blade against the skin of her pale wrist, wincing as the sharp metal pierced her skin. In one slow movement, she brought the blade across her wrist, slicing her main vein and dropping the bloodied knife, marking the immaculately white tiled floor. It was then that she felt the pain as blood, her blood, seeped out of the wound and trailed a path down her hand and wrist. It passed through her slender fingers, falling onto the floor in droplets, as more red droplets fell from the sides of her wrist. She gasped in pain; never had she wanted death to be so slow and painful. ChiChi fell onto her knees, her energy slowly fading just as she was. Was it all worth so much pain? She brought her wrist towards her chest, trying to stop what she'd already started. She began to cry, her dress stained with the blood from her mortally wounded wrist. She began to realise that maybe she was being a little selfish and over the top. She always had been a drama queen; it was a trait from her mother according to her father. So wasn't this just a little over the top? People had been through much more than she had after all. Many were already dead, and here she was, giving up! She began to cry even more, mainly at her mistake caused by her patheticness. Was she in two minds because of her conscience slipping in and out? Or had she always been in two minds? She felt her body go numb and was feeling very cold. Her lips were dry, and she leaned against the kitchen counter for support, since she was too frail and weak to support herself. There was nothing she could do now, what's done is done, so she closed her eyes, and welcomed the blackness.
Light. A light. Shining so brightly that it forced ChiChi so slowly open her eyes. The white light blinded her, and she was forced to squint so that her eyes had time to adjust. Was she in heaven? She hoped so. But would she stay there after being judged? Or, would she be punished for her selfish act and sent to hell for all eternity?
"Good, she's finally awake."
The voice startled her slightly, and was very unfamiliar, but seemed friendly at least.
"Looks like another job well done everyone."
What did that mean? Where was she? Did these voices belong to angels?
"Keep an eye on her stats though, she may need another transfusion."
ChiChi opened her eyes fully to see a white ceiling. Since when did heaven have ceilings? She expected white puffy clouds like candyfloss. It didn't smell like heaven either. No, it smelt distinctively like medicine. It was then that reality dawned on her. She was nowhere near heaven. The bleeping of the life support machine next to her, the plasters attached to her arms where tubes fed her liquid into her blood system. It all became very clear; she was in a hospital. But how did she get there? Who had found her and rescued her? But had it been a rescue? Or was it more of a punishment? She had wanted to die dammit! But SOMEONE hadn't even allowed her to do that. A blonde haired nurse suddenly hovered over her, taking her temperature and recording it onto a clipboard.
"36.8, not bad. You're gonna be ok Miss.ChiChi."
"Who, who brought me here?" Her voice was quiet and craggy, and it took a lot of effort for her to speak.
"A Saiyan, strangely enough. He was pretty shocked when he brought you in. I calmed him down with some coffee though." The nurse had a sweet voice, somewhat calming even, and she tucked the white starched sheets tightly around ChiChi to keep her warm. "I'll go tell him you're A - Okay! He'll be glad to hear it, I'm sure." The nurse scuttled away, leaving ChiChi alone once again.
'So, it was HIM who saved me! But why?' She didn't understand. Why would was he keeping her alive? Was it to torment her even further? She witnessed her father being killed before her eyes, and had then been taken from her home on the Fry Pan mountains to be dumped in a city where she'd never been before. On top of that, she'd been forced to work with people she didn't know, nor knew how to communicate with under the situation. Not like they were allowed to socialise in the labour camp anyway. She then heard the door swing open, and dared not turn her head as she heard footsteps approach her. But she couldn't resist as she felt a presence looming over her, and couldn't help but gape as she did so.
Kakarrot stood protectively at her side, not knowing what to say. He was glad she was alive, and seeing her brought so much happiness to him, more than words could describe. Maybe now he had a chance. Maybe now she'd let him get to know her a little more, and vice versa. He only hoped.
"You scared me ChiChi." She silently gasped at his words. "Don't scare me like that again. I thought you were dead! How could you do such a thing? How could you kill yourself!?" She wished she could explain to him; tell him everything. But she couldn't. He was the one who had denied her her rights, and he would pay.
"I understand if you don't want to talk right now. But you can't go on like this."
She hated him. She hated him for caring about her. She hated his sweet boyish looks and sweet, caring voice. She hated the way that she was drawn to him. Most of all, she hated him for being the only person who was trying at least to understand her. That was the icing on the cake.
Kakarrot watched as she turned her head, and it hurt, it hurt a lot! He'd gone out of his way to help her, and this was how he re-paid him? He stepped back, annoyed to see that she didn't react. From that day, things became worse that they already were. She distanced herself even more, trying not to talk to him as she recovered, no matter how much time he tried to spend with her. When her voice recovered, so did her temper, more wild and un-tameable than ever. But Kakarrot didn't give up. He knew there was a way to win her over; he just had to find it. ChiChi was stubborn, but everyone had their weaknesses.
---------------------------------END FLASHBACK------------------------------ ----------------
ChiChi stared at the deep scar on her wrist. She began to wish that she could've sliced both of them; maybe she would've died quicker. He would've been too late to save her, and she'd be finally at peace. But no; now she had no choice but to live this pathetic life. ChiChi was so wrapped up in herself that she hadn't even notice Bulma enter the kitchen until her voice broke her away from her deep thoughts.
"You look troubled, care to share with me?" Bulma sat down, a glass of tap water in her hand and dirt smudges on her face.
"Not really." Bulma frowned; she missed sharing things with her friends back on Earth and had hoped ChiChi would fill that spot.
"Ok then, I understand." There was a silence, as ChiChi contemplated on whether or not to confide in the fellow human. Could she trust her? Or had she been brainwashed by the Saiyans? There was really only one way to find out, and so ChiChi took her chances.
"Have you," she paused, trying to word her sentence right and catching Bulma's attention in the process. "Haven't you ever tried to, well, escape? Or were you telling the truth when you said that you liked it here?" Bulma stared at ChiChi, not really knowing the answer herself. Of course, she had tried to escape, but it hadn't really been planned. She'd been constantly asking herself whether she actually did like it on Vegetasei, and it was a question that even she couldn't find a complete answer to. There were always these 'buts' and 'ifs' which always persuaded her to eventually drop the subject, leaving the question un-answered.
"Of course I tried to escape, but that was a nightmare. I got caught, but, well, that's another story. I hate it here, but then again, I like it. It's a difficult question to answer. Of course, I miss being at home, and Earth always will be my true home. But what have I got left there? Nothing most likely! But here, I have more than I think I do. I'm just about content." ChiChi nodded, wondering why she couldn't feel the same about leaving Earth. She had nothing there either, but she never really had anything to begin with. Life for her was just one big merry go round, never ending and always turning round in the same, boring cycle.
"I can't stand it here." Bulma frowned, pushing aside the laugh that was so desperately trying to escape from her lips.
"But you've only just got here!" But she had a slight point. After 5days on Vegetasei, Bulma had begun to accept her cruel fate, and had tried to look on the bright side. "Why do you hate it? And what's the deal with you and Kakarrot?"
Bad move. ChiChi glared at Bulma for intruding on her personal life. 'How dare she ask me such things! There is and never was a deal between me and that bastard!'
"I don't know what you're talking about. There's no 'deal' as you so indecently put it, between that fiend that me!" She turned her nose in the air defiantly, and Bulma raised an eyebrow at her cold tone and pompous, spoilt attitude. 'Boy, I'm gonna have a tough time with her! Now I see why Kakarrot's so bewildered.'
"Oh? So, why the constant dagger glares in his direction? Why avoid him, when he's just trying to be nice? You don't know how lucky you are ChiChi, and that's what really pisses me off!"
"Excuse me?"
Another bad move. Why couldn't life be simple? Why was there always some spoilt little bitch that was so high maintenance, that even equally high maintenance guys fitted them? Bulma shook her head; 'and I though I was high maintenance! Sheesh!'
"Look, I don't wanna argue with someone I hardly know. I wanted us to be friends."
"Well then just don't question how I choose to live my life, and we'll get along fine."
"Fine."
"Fine."
Bulma narrowed her eyes. She'd never met so many incompetent people in her life; even the workers could get on her nerves sometimes. People just didn't realise how lucky they were sometimes. 'Geez, I'd be glad if someone like Kakarrot was chasing after me. He cute, sweet, and good looking, even though he may be lacking slightly on the intellectual side. But more importantly, he's probably the only Saiyan I know who's prepared to make people happy, instead of greedily receiving and never giving. No, Kakarrot is probably prepared to do anything for someone, and that's a quality that you rarely find in someone, especially Saiyans. Looks like I'm gonna have to bring out the guns to get ChiChi thinking straight. Which guns I don't know quite yet.'
"Can I just say one thing?" ChiChi looked up at Bulma, her face emotionless. "And try you're best not to get mad. Just listen to my advice and think about it." ChiChi nodded; she could do that easily. "Give people a chance, otherwise you'll find yourself lonely for the rest of your life. You can't be living on high expectations, especially here. Just receive what life has for you with a open mind, that's a lesson I've had to learn anyway.'
ChiChi watched as Bulma stood up to leave, her words still replaying over and over in her head. 'I am open-minded!' Or was she? She'd purposefully given Kakarrot a hard time, and she'd been a little rude to Bulma too. So maybe she could give being nicer a go? It wouldn't exactly hurt, would it? And what could the consequences be?
Dinner that night was strange to say the least. The kitchen could only accommodate four people, so the ten workers remained in their temporary lodgings: the spaceship. There was plenty of room in there for there, while the two Saiyans and two humans shared Vegeta's log home. Vegeta glanced over at Bulma; the grin on her face giving away the fact that she was content. But the grin was also devious as she glanced at Kakarrot and ChiChi now and then, and even at Vegeta when he thought he wasn't looking, but infact, he was. 'I know that expression,' Vegeta thought as he chewed more meat and swallowed hard. 'The woman's up to something. I actually feel slightly sorry for the poor fool who she's meddling with.' Oh, if only he knew.
Kakarrot, however, was probably the most content at the table. ChiChi had actually sat next to him, willingly, without her normal shouting and complaining, which eventually led to her running into the lounge where she'd eat alone. But now she quietly chewed on her meal, keeping her eyes fixed on the plate infront of her. It was a step at least, however small it may have seemed. He glanced at Bulma, who winked at him, and he winked back, secretly guessing that she'd had a part to play in it all.
Bulma frowned slightly. She'd gotten everyone together at last, but it was so silent she could've killed herself! She observed the scene before her; Vegeta stuffed his face, occasionally meeting her glance with a narrow eyed glare, he was on to her, she knew it all too well. Kakarrot looked puzzled, probably trying to think of how to actually start a conversation. Bless him; at least he was trying! ChiChi however, remained quiet as she dug her fork into the potato she mashed over and over, turning it into, well, squashed mashed potato. At least she'd made a little effort to socialise.
"So, Kakarrot, it's strange but, you remind me of someone. I just can't put my finger on it either!" She giggled, trying to break the ice, and Vegeta rolled his eyes at her attempt to add conversation.
"He's Radditz's younger brother baka." Bulma frowned at Vegeta, trying to laugh off her embarrassment. 'Damn him for blocking me! I was just getting started and he puts me off track! Impossible man!'
"That's it! So is that your only brother, or are there more?"
"Nah that's it, I'm the youngest. What about you Bulma?" She smiled; her plan was working.
"Just me I'm afraid."
"Hmph, I consider that a good thing." Bulma ignored Vegeta's comment, and maintained her smile, gesturing to ChiChi with her eyes. Kakarrot finally got the idea, and cleared his throat, turning to face the silent woman next to him.
"What about you ChiChi? Any brothers or sisters?" She didn't even look up, just replied monotonously.
"No. I'm an only child."
Bulma continued with the fake smile; 'at least she answered! I'm actually getting somewhere with this!' She kicked Kakarrot's leg from under the table, making him stare at her.
"Erm, Bulma? Why'd you just kick me?" She burst out laughing, why, she didn't know, but it helped her hide her panicked expression as she thought of an excuse.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to! I was just erm, un-crossing my legs. Geez it's cramped here!"
"I'll move then." Bulma waved her hands frantically in the air at ChiChi's suggestion.
"No no no! You stay here! There's plenty of room!"
"But you just-"
"Ignore me! Haha! I'm. Just. Being... Silly!" She could've shot herself right there and then for coming up with such a lame excuse. But Kakarrot bought it, and ChiChi remained quiet.
Vegeta, however, couldn't help but smirk. 'So, she's meddling with Kakarrot and his little slave. Interesting. Well, two can play this game." Bulma watched as Vegeta stood up and walked over to a cupboard. He'd finished every last bit on his plate, and Bulma watched in horror as he pulled out a small and slender black glass bottle. He slammed it on the table, adding 4 wine glasses.
"I think we should celebrate, don't you?" he particularly looked at Bulma, who pulled a face at him. Wine couldn't be that bad an idea, but it was too early for her guinea pigs to get drunk! She watched as Vegeta poured the glasses full to the rim with the red liquid.
"I better not Vegeta, you know what happened last time!" Kakarrot chuckled at his own misfortune, and ChiChi eyed the wine curiously.
"Aaah yes, the memory is all too clear! Ha! And I thought you were a baka when you were sober! You wouldn't believe what idiotic things Kakarrot here did!"
Bulma gaped at Vegeta, her eyes wide as he was about to ruin the evening. 'That jerk! I can't believe him! Kame I hate him!" She attempted silencing him by kicking him under the table, turning his attention to the scorning woman to his right on the square table.
"First Kakarrot, and now me! Keep your feet to yourself woman!"
Bulma looked up at the sky, 'Vegeta, you are going to die!'
"You know, maybe we should save the wine for another time. When my project is complete perhaps? It's such a shame to waste it!" She began to pour the wine back into the bottle very carefully, agitating Vegeta. This meant war.
"No, I say we have it now. I can get more, foolish woman!" He grabbed her wrist, stopping her from emptying the contents of ChiChi's glass.
"Well I say we save it! Now kindly remove your grip on my wrist!"
"Pour that wine back now woman!"
"NO! You're the only person who wants to drink the damn stuff!"
"I'M LOSING MY PATIENCE WOMAN!" It wasn't just his patience he was losing either, but Bulma stood firm, while Kakarrot and ChiChi watched the scene from their seats.
"FINE!" She then did something she knew she'd forget the next day. All eyes were on her as she picked up the slender bottle. It hadn't been full in the first place, but there was enough in there for about a glass each. He then sprung to her feet, the legs of her wooden chair scratching on the floor as she did so. Vegeta winced, and then sprung to his feet also, he couldn't let the woman win this time.
"To Bulma Breifs! Best fucking scientist on Vegetasei and Earth!"
It was then that she brought the bottle to her lips in one swift movement, and everyone watched in horror as she drank the red liquid. Vegeta growled and tore the bottle from her lips, the liquid spilling onto her overalls as he did so. She wiped the wine from her mouth and grinned. It tasted better than any wine on Earth! It was more-ishly sweet, so sweet that she reached for the bottle. She wanted more! She needed more!
"C'mon Vegeta! You said you wanted to celebrate?" She hiccupped, and then giggled, the wine a lot stronger to that on earth, and therefore taking affect much quicker. Besides, Bulma always had been a lightweight. Vegeta frowned. He'd never expect her to sacrifice her own soberness just to save Kakarrot from embarrassing himself. 'Foolish woman.' He examined the bottle, a trail of the sticky wine dripping onto the floor.
"Vegeta! Gimme the bottle! C'mon!"
He grinned, clutching the bottle as she desperately reached for it, nearly falling over as she did so. 'Seems like my plan has evolved into an even better one!'