In The Eyes of a Hunter
Written by Jennifer and Mandy
Chapter 9 - Fearful Senses
Disclaimer - We do not own any of the DBZ characters. Yet, any new characters that we have made to fit the story are ours, and part of In the Eyes of a Hunter. Thank you!
Author's Note: Sorry for the late update, folks. For all of you that don't know, Mandy has a mailing list. So if you would like to be on it, please post your email address along with your review. The point of it is, whenever we update the story, she emails those ones, so they will know when a new chapter is posted. Now, for those who thought we went too easy on Hugh, in the last chapter.(laughs evilly) well, here you go. ^^ Enjoy the chapter and please review!
Vegeta punched the door with the side of his fist to open it, planting a rather sizeable dent in the elegantly carved design of the wood, as well as in the wall the doorknob had struck as it swung in the room. He ignored the loud thud it made and stomped into the room.
A minute later, Bulma came half-running into the room. "Vegeta! If you would just listen to me, you'd see you've got it all wrong."
Vegeta stood there, leaning against the dresser, and stared at her. "Well.?"
She let out an exhausted sigh. "First of all, you know I'd never betray you. I can't believe you would think so lowly of me. That man was on me faster than I could blink!"
Vegeta continued his stare, though his initial anger was starting to decrease.
"Vegeta, you've got to believe me. This is ridiculous. This only thing you saw was me, being kissed by another man, and if you had looked closer you would have seen nothing coming from me except resistance! I would never go to anybody but you, Vegeta." She stopped and let her arms hang at her sides, staring back at him, waiting for some response.
He broke the stare between them and moved to sit down on the edge of the bed.
Bulma watched him and let out a quiet sigh. She walked over the dresser and started removing her jewelry and undoing her hair, letting it flow down her back and over her shoulders in big curls. "Let's just forget it ever happened." She said. "It shouldn't have even happened at all. I certainly didn't find that experience very pleasant. He definitely deserved a lot more than you gave him." She turned around to face Vegeta and gasped as she almost slammed into his chest, not knowing he had come up behind her.
He put his hands around her waist and leaned in close to her ear, speaking softly. "Close your eyes. I have something for you." He whispered and leaned back away from her.
Bulma looked at him curiously as the corners of her mouth lifted in a slight smile and she closed her eyes.
Vegeta stepped back and reached inside his jacket, pulling something from his pocket. He let out a breath, gazing down at the small black velvet box in his hand. He then reached down and took her hand, placing the tiny box in her open palm and closed her fingers around it.
She opened her eyes at the feel of something in her hand. She stared down at the box for a moment, then looked up and met Vegeta's eyes before returning her attention to the box. She let out a shaky breath and slowly opened it.
Suddenly, a brilliant white light filled the room. It exploded from the little box as if it were a living thing that had been contained for too long and was just waiting to be set free again. Bulma shielded her eyes from the blinding rays. She stared in awe as all the different colors shone faintly from within the center of where the light was coming from. Vegeta stood, his head turned downward slightly, with a proud smile on his face. He knew exactly what was happening, and was even excited despite himself. After a while, the light faded, though a soft white glow continued to shine. Bulma's eyes widened it surprise and she gasped as she looked down at the source of all the excitement, resting her eyes on a small, yet stunning ring. It wasn't a diamond, though that was what it could be closest described as. This was something she had never seen before and as she looked closer, the beauty was breathtaking. She stood, staring at it in wonder and amazement, unable to say anything.
Vegeta answered the unasked question. "It's called the Jilkion Stone. It was the most rare of all jewels on Planet Vegeta. Only one exists. The Royal family has passed it down for generations. This one stone is more valuable than anything on this planet. It's similar to what the people of Earth call a mood stone, in that it reflects your emotions by giving off a faint glow of the color most resembling what you feel." He looked down at the ring and took it out of the box. "And the stronger your mood," he paused and slid the extravagant band on her finger. "the brighter it glows."
Bulma looked down at her finger as he put the ring on. "Oh, Vegeta." She breathed. "I don't know what to say. This is so much more than I ever expected." She looked back up into his eyes, her own misting over with tears. "I'm truly honored to wear this." She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. She leaned up and kissed him, pulling him closer to her.
Vegeta leaned down and put his arms around her back and closed his eyes. After a few moments they broke the kiss. He rested his head on hers, breathing in the scent of her perfume. They stood, just enjoying being in each other's arms. A moment later he opened his eyes a little and spoke quietly. "Stay here. There's something I need to take care of." He pulled away from her embrace.
"What it is?"
"Don't worry about that." Vegeta replied simply. "Just get ready for bed and I'll be back shortly." He let her go and turned towards the door, smirking to himself on the way out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hugh walked slowly around the deck, rubbing the sore spot on his cheek where he had landed after being thrown by Vegeta. He stopped and leaned against the railing, looking out on the cold water and sighed quietly. He spoke to himself. "I'll have an ugly bruise there later." He let out another sigh, then smiled and chuckled to himself. "Ahh, it sure was worth it though."
"Was it?"
The grin disappeared from his face at the sound of the voice behind him. Before he could even turn all the way around, Vegeta had grabbed him by his shirt, lifting him nearly a foot above the ground. "I warned you!" the Prince shouted at him.
Hugh struggled against him, fearing for his life. He tried to pry Vegeta's hands away but to no avail. The shock from the sudden situation had robbed him of his voice, preventing him from screaming for help.
Without any further hesitation, Vegeta began punching the man repeatedly in the face with his right fist. He held back just enough so as not to kill him. The man was wailing now, letting out short yells with each impact. All Vegeta could think about now was this puny man forcing a kiss on his Bulma. Another punch, faster this time, with more force. A pained grunt was the reply as blood began to gush from Hugh's nose and split lip. Vegeta yanked him closer to him and screamed in rage. "Tell me now, weakling! Was it worth it?!!" Hugh only cried out in reply. He coughed, his heart pounding as he tasted the sour blood inside his entire mouth and gagged. Vegeta ignored his choking and hit him again, this time in the stomach. Hugh's eyes bulged and blood spewed from his mouth now. By this point, he had lost control over any strategy to escape. All he could think of was the numbing pain that racked his entire body. His throat went into convulsions, causing him to make stuttering, crying sounds involuntarily. Vegeta only sneered at the man's whimpers as his anger fueled the onslaught. He pulled Hugh back a little and slammed him into the ship's railing. He let out a short, strangled scream. Even if he were able to call for help, by now he was so thoroughly beaten his voice wouldn't reach anybody. He hung limp in the powerful Saiyan's fist. His eyes were closed tightly and his hand twitched a little. Vegeta pulled him closer so he was near enough to hear Hugh's slow, raspy breathing. Hugh opened his eyes slowly and stared at him in absolute helplessness. Vegeta whispered to him in a deadly tone. "I know what you're thinking. 'Thank goodness it's over. Now at least someone will find me, here on the deck, and eventually I will be all right.'" Hugh's eyes twitched at the mocking tone in his voice. Vegeta continued, "But there will be no one to save you, at the bottom of the sea." He paused, just long enough to stare into Hugh's eyes and watch the fear completely overtake him. Then with one final smirk, he hurled him over the railing into the cold black waters of the night. He stood there for another minute, staring at the water as the sounds of Hugh's final screams echoed through his mind. It reminded him of the way things had been, so many, many years ago. He frowned at the thought, yet didn't regret a single punch. He watched the surface of the water grow still, moving only slightly now, gently rippling from the slow forward motion of the ship as if nothing had ever happened. Hugh's pale, blurry figure quickly became invisible through the darkness of the water. He relaxed a little and shifted his weight. Without another word or sign of recognition, he turned to go back to the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bulma lay there, staring up at the ceiling with her hands casually folded behind her head, resting on her pillow. She looked up from her place in bed as Vegeta opened the door and came into the room, closing it behind him. She rolled over and propped herself up on her elbow. "Welcome back." She said with a smile. She rolled back down, resting her head back on her pillow.
Vegeta smirked and huffed in amusement. He crossed the room to get ready for bed. After changing out of the suit he wore to dinner, he went to the bathroom and washed his face and hands to rid himself of any traces of blood from earlier. He came back out moments later, drying his hands on his shirt. He climbed into bed beside Bulma and slid under the covers, resting is head on the soft pillow.
Bulma stared up at the ceiling in thought with the slightest hint of worry in her eyes.
Vegeta glanced over to her. "What is it?"
"It's the children." she answered hesitantly.
Vegeta let out a rough sigh. "Would you stop worrying about them? I already told you, they're fine. We've left them alone like this before and the worst we ever came home to was a broken gravity chamber. That was bad enough, but still, no one had gotten hurt."
Bulma sighed as well. "I know, I know. I just.have this strange feeling."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Bra! Get back here!!" Trunks yelled as he chased his sister around the living room. Then he added in more of a pleading voice, "Bra, I just had this place cleaned. Don't go and mess it up!" I don't think I'd be able to get Goten to come back over here any time soon.
"No!" Bra shouted back at him and kept running.
"It's your bedtime! Now come here!" he demanded.
"No! It's too early!"
Trunks smirked suddenly and used his full speed to finally catch her. He used the rest of his, much-appreciated, strength to keep the squirming child in his arms.
"No! Let me go, Trunks!" Bra screamed. She struggled with all her might, punching at his arms and trying to kick anywhere she could, but it was no use.
Trunks carried her up to her room, occasionally knocking things off tables from all the struggling and flailing. Finally when he kicked the door open and made it into her bedroom, he threw her on the bed and began tickling her mercilessly. "I'll stop if you promise to go to bed!" he said, ducking and dodging her kicking feet as she squirmed around on the bed.
Bra was squealing from the pain in her ribs, plus the fact that she knew she couldn't do anything to get away. "Ok, ok!! All right, I'll go to bed, just stop!" she shrieked between gasps of breath and bursts of laughter.
Trunks grinned and stopped, pulling his arms away from her. He looked at her another moment before pulling down the top of the covers in a move to tell her to get into bed.
Bra sighed and looked down before reluctantly crawling under the covers. She gave her best pouty face as she scooted down further under the blankets and laid her head back on the pillow.
"Ah, now don't give me any of that. No." Trunks said and finished tucking her in. He grinned playfully down at her before turning off her nightstand lamp. "Goodnight, Bra."
Bra yawned, despite her attempts at suppressing it. "Goodnight." She rolled over on her side, facing the door. The bright moonlight shone clearly through her window, casting dark shadows of the curtains that were pulled to the side and the top corner of her bed.
Trunks smiled and turned around to leave, closing the door on his way out. He straightened picture frames and put random nick-knacks back on the tables as he went down the hallway. He slid down the stairway banister to the living room and jumped over the back of the couch, landing on the soft cushions, and, by habit, propped his feet up on the coffee table. "Aw, man." he muttered. With a heavy sigh he got up, flipping over throw pillows and such in search of the remote control. After finally finding it underneath one of the sofas, he repositioned himself on the couch and turned on the TV. He leaned back in relaxation to watch wrestling, chuckling quietly to himself as he watched the intense 'fights' go on.
Bra lay in bed, staring at the wall in front of her. She blinked drowsily before finally allowing her eyes to close completely, but forcing herself to stay awake as long as possible. She exhaled in a contented sigh and muttered, "I wonder what Mommy and Daddy are doing." Suddenly her eyes shot open as she sensed she was being watched. Her heart pounded in her chest as her fear grew. She drew the covers up under her chin clinging to them with her hands. It's just my imagination. That's all. I'm just imagining things. she told herself silently, yet she couldn't shake the feeling. Her body froze as she became more and more aware that she was not alone.
Written by Jennifer and Mandy
Chapter 9 - Fearful Senses
Disclaimer - We do not own any of the DBZ characters. Yet, any new characters that we have made to fit the story are ours, and part of In the Eyes of a Hunter. Thank you!
Author's Note: Sorry for the late update, folks. For all of you that don't know, Mandy has a mailing list. So if you would like to be on it, please post your email address along with your review. The point of it is, whenever we update the story, she emails those ones, so they will know when a new chapter is posted. Now, for those who thought we went too easy on Hugh, in the last chapter.(laughs evilly) well, here you go. ^^ Enjoy the chapter and please review!
Vegeta punched the door with the side of his fist to open it, planting a rather sizeable dent in the elegantly carved design of the wood, as well as in the wall the doorknob had struck as it swung in the room. He ignored the loud thud it made and stomped into the room.
A minute later, Bulma came half-running into the room. "Vegeta! If you would just listen to me, you'd see you've got it all wrong."
Vegeta stood there, leaning against the dresser, and stared at her. "Well.?"
She let out an exhausted sigh. "First of all, you know I'd never betray you. I can't believe you would think so lowly of me. That man was on me faster than I could blink!"
Vegeta continued his stare, though his initial anger was starting to decrease.
"Vegeta, you've got to believe me. This is ridiculous. This only thing you saw was me, being kissed by another man, and if you had looked closer you would have seen nothing coming from me except resistance! I would never go to anybody but you, Vegeta." She stopped and let her arms hang at her sides, staring back at him, waiting for some response.
He broke the stare between them and moved to sit down on the edge of the bed.
Bulma watched him and let out a quiet sigh. She walked over the dresser and started removing her jewelry and undoing her hair, letting it flow down her back and over her shoulders in big curls. "Let's just forget it ever happened." She said. "It shouldn't have even happened at all. I certainly didn't find that experience very pleasant. He definitely deserved a lot more than you gave him." She turned around to face Vegeta and gasped as she almost slammed into his chest, not knowing he had come up behind her.
He put his hands around her waist and leaned in close to her ear, speaking softly. "Close your eyes. I have something for you." He whispered and leaned back away from her.
Bulma looked at him curiously as the corners of her mouth lifted in a slight smile and she closed her eyes.
Vegeta stepped back and reached inside his jacket, pulling something from his pocket. He let out a breath, gazing down at the small black velvet box in his hand. He then reached down and took her hand, placing the tiny box in her open palm and closed her fingers around it.
She opened her eyes at the feel of something in her hand. She stared down at the box for a moment, then looked up and met Vegeta's eyes before returning her attention to the box. She let out a shaky breath and slowly opened it.
Suddenly, a brilliant white light filled the room. It exploded from the little box as if it were a living thing that had been contained for too long and was just waiting to be set free again. Bulma shielded her eyes from the blinding rays. She stared in awe as all the different colors shone faintly from within the center of where the light was coming from. Vegeta stood, his head turned downward slightly, with a proud smile on his face. He knew exactly what was happening, and was even excited despite himself. After a while, the light faded, though a soft white glow continued to shine. Bulma's eyes widened it surprise and she gasped as she looked down at the source of all the excitement, resting her eyes on a small, yet stunning ring. It wasn't a diamond, though that was what it could be closest described as. This was something she had never seen before and as she looked closer, the beauty was breathtaking. She stood, staring at it in wonder and amazement, unable to say anything.
Vegeta answered the unasked question. "It's called the Jilkion Stone. It was the most rare of all jewels on Planet Vegeta. Only one exists. The Royal family has passed it down for generations. This one stone is more valuable than anything on this planet. It's similar to what the people of Earth call a mood stone, in that it reflects your emotions by giving off a faint glow of the color most resembling what you feel." He looked down at the ring and took it out of the box. "And the stronger your mood," he paused and slid the extravagant band on her finger. "the brighter it glows."
Bulma looked down at her finger as he put the ring on. "Oh, Vegeta." She breathed. "I don't know what to say. This is so much more than I ever expected." She looked back up into his eyes, her own misting over with tears. "I'm truly honored to wear this." She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. She leaned up and kissed him, pulling him closer to her.
Vegeta leaned down and put his arms around her back and closed his eyes. After a few moments they broke the kiss. He rested his head on hers, breathing in the scent of her perfume. They stood, just enjoying being in each other's arms. A moment later he opened his eyes a little and spoke quietly. "Stay here. There's something I need to take care of." He pulled away from her embrace.
"What it is?"
"Don't worry about that." Vegeta replied simply. "Just get ready for bed and I'll be back shortly." He let her go and turned towards the door, smirking to himself on the way out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hugh walked slowly around the deck, rubbing the sore spot on his cheek where he had landed after being thrown by Vegeta. He stopped and leaned against the railing, looking out on the cold water and sighed quietly. He spoke to himself. "I'll have an ugly bruise there later." He let out another sigh, then smiled and chuckled to himself. "Ahh, it sure was worth it though."
"Was it?"
The grin disappeared from his face at the sound of the voice behind him. Before he could even turn all the way around, Vegeta had grabbed him by his shirt, lifting him nearly a foot above the ground. "I warned you!" the Prince shouted at him.
Hugh struggled against him, fearing for his life. He tried to pry Vegeta's hands away but to no avail. The shock from the sudden situation had robbed him of his voice, preventing him from screaming for help.
Without any further hesitation, Vegeta began punching the man repeatedly in the face with his right fist. He held back just enough so as not to kill him. The man was wailing now, letting out short yells with each impact. All Vegeta could think about now was this puny man forcing a kiss on his Bulma. Another punch, faster this time, with more force. A pained grunt was the reply as blood began to gush from Hugh's nose and split lip. Vegeta yanked him closer to him and screamed in rage. "Tell me now, weakling! Was it worth it?!!" Hugh only cried out in reply. He coughed, his heart pounding as he tasted the sour blood inside his entire mouth and gagged. Vegeta ignored his choking and hit him again, this time in the stomach. Hugh's eyes bulged and blood spewed from his mouth now. By this point, he had lost control over any strategy to escape. All he could think of was the numbing pain that racked his entire body. His throat went into convulsions, causing him to make stuttering, crying sounds involuntarily. Vegeta only sneered at the man's whimpers as his anger fueled the onslaught. He pulled Hugh back a little and slammed him into the ship's railing. He let out a short, strangled scream. Even if he were able to call for help, by now he was so thoroughly beaten his voice wouldn't reach anybody. He hung limp in the powerful Saiyan's fist. His eyes were closed tightly and his hand twitched a little. Vegeta pulled him closer so he was near enough to hear Hugh's slow, raspy breathing. Hugh opened his eyes slowly and stared at him in absolute helplessness. Vegeta whispered to him in a deadly tone. "I know what you're thinking. 'Thank goodness it's over. Now at least someone will find me, here on the deck, and eventually I will be all right.'" Hugh's eyes twitched at the mocking tone in his voice. Vegeta continued, "But there will be no one to save you, at the bottom of the sea." He paused, just long enough to stare into Hugh's eyes and watch the fear completely overtake him. Then with one final smirk, he hurled him over the railing into the cold black waters of the night. He stood there for another minute, staring at the water as the sounds of Hugh's final screams echoed through his mind. It reminded him of the way things had been, so many, many years ago. He frowned at the thought, yet didn't regret a single punch. He watched the surface of the water grow still, moving only slightly now, gently rippling from the slow forward motion of the ship as if nothing had ever happened. Hugh's pale, blurry figure quickly became invisible through the darkness of the water. He relaxed a little and shifted his weight. Without another word or sign of recognition, he turned to go back to the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bulma lay there, staring up at the ceiling with her hands casually folded behind her head, resting on her pillow. She looked up from her place in bed as Vegeta opened the door and came into the room, closing it behind him. She rolled over and propped herself up on her elbow. "Welcome back." She said with a smile. She rolled back down, resting her head back on her pillow.
Vegeta smirked and huffed in amusement. He crossed the room to get ready for bed. After changing out of the suit he wore to dinner, he went to the bathroom and washed his face and hands to rid himself of any traces of blood from earlier. He came back out moments later, drying his hands on his shirt. He climbed into bed beside Bulma and slid under the covers, resting is head on the soft pillow.
Bulma stared up at the ceiling in thought with the slightest hint of worry in her eyes.
Vegeta glanced over to her. "What is it?"
"It's the children." she answered hesitantly.
Vegeta let out a rough sigh. "Would you stop worrying about them? I already told you, they're fine. We've left them alone like this before and the worst we ever came home to was a broken gravity chamber. That was bad enough, but still, no one had gotten hurt."
Bulma sighed as well. "I know, I know. I just.have this strange feeling."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Bra! Get back here!!" Trunks yelled as he chased his sister around the living room. Then he added in more of a pleading voice, "Bra, I just had this place cleaned. Don't go and mess it up!" I don't think I'd be able to get Goten to come back over here any time soon.
"No!" Bra shouted back at him and kept running.
"It's your bedtime! Now come here!" he demanded.
"No! It's too early!"
Trunks smirked suddenly and used his full speed to finally catch her. He used the rest of his, much-appreciated, strength to keep the squirming child in his arms.
"No! Let me go, Trunks!" Bra screamed. She struggled with all her might, punching at his arms and trying to kick anywhere she could, but it was no use.
Trunks carried her up to her room, occasionally knocking things off tables from all the struggling and flailing. Finally when he kicked the door open and made it into her bedroom, he threw her on the bed and began tickling her mercilessly. "I'll stop if you promise to go to bed!" he said, ducking and dodging her kicking feet as she squirmed around on the bed.
Bra was squealing from the pain in her ribs, plus the fact that she knew she couldn't do anything to get away. "Ok, ok!! All right, I'll go to bed, just stop!" she shrieked between gasps of breath and bursts of laughter.
Trunks grinned and stopped, pulling his arms away from her. He looked at her another moment before pulling down the top of the covers in a move to tell her to get into bed.
Bra sighed and looked down before reluctantly crawling under the covers. She gave her best pouty face as she scooted down further under the blankets and laid her head back on the pillow.
"Ah, now don't give me any of that. No." Trunks said and finished tucking her in. He grinned playfully down at her before turning off her nightstand lamp. "Goodnight, Bra."
Bra yawned, despite her attempts at suppressing it. "Goodnight." She rolled over on her side, facing the door. The bright moonlight shone clearly through her window, casting dark shadows of the curtains that were pulled to the side and the top corner of her bed.
Trunks smiled and turned around to leave, closing the door on his way out. He straightened picture frames and put random nick-knacks back on the tables as he went down the hallway. He slid down the stairway banister to the living room and jumped over the back of the couch, landing on the soft cushions, and, by habit, propped his feet up on the coffee table. "Aw, man." he muttered. With a heavy sigh he got up, flipping over throw pillows and such in search of the remote control. After finally finding it underneath one of the sofas, he repositioned himself on the couch and turned on the TV. He leaned back in relaxation to watch wrestling, chuckling quietly to himself as he watched the intense 'fights' go on.
Bra lay in bed, staring at the wall in front of her. She blinked drowsily before finally allowing her eyes to close completely, but forcing herself to stay awake as long as possible. She exhaled in a contented sigh and muttered, "I wonder what Mommy and Daddy are doing." Suddenly her eyes shot open as she sensed she was being watched. Her heart pounded in her chest as her fear grew. She drew the covers up under her chin clinging to them with her hands. It's just my imagination. That's all. I'm just imagining things. she told herself silently, yet she couldn't shake the feeling. Her body froze as she became more and more aware that she was not alone.