Last time:
"I didn't," he replied, starting to walk towards the parking lot. "Me and Trunks took a bus to the park that's only a few blocks from here and hung out there for a few hours."
"Oh you're so great!" She kissed him again, this time on the cheek. They got into the car, Trunks strapped in his car seat in the back, and pulled out of the parking lot. But little did any of them know, Vegeta had witnessed the whole thing and was none too thrilled, to say the least.
***************************************
Goku sat in his dorm room alone, and he was supposed to be doing some work before Chi-Chi called. But, instead, he found that leaning back in his chair and balancing a pencil on his nose was much more exciting and far less nerve-racking. Loud music played in the background and he was humming along with the tune, for he didn't know the words and was too lazy to learn them. Besides, to him, the words didn't matter much; it was the beat. And, just when it was coming to his favorite part, the music went silent, causing him to fall back and onto the floor. He sat up, furious at whoever turned it off, and rubbed his sore head.
"Vegeta," he growled, standing up, his head still throbbing. "What's the big-Are you alright? You look like a mess."
"Tell me the truth."
"Abo-"
"What's going on with Bulma and Rikyu?"
"Kuso," Goku swore, easing back into his chair, resting his arm on his desk. "They started dating about three months ago."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Bulma told me not to, she said you have no business in her life other than Trunks. And she made me promise."
"And what, our friendship means nothing to you?" Vegeta sneered, stepping closer.
"You tell me," Goku countered, just as venomously. Goku had been rather sore about the whole matter with him and Bulma and had put the blame on Vegeta because he never heard his side so there was no other way to feel. They remained friends though, but Goku was still upset about it and never failed to let Vegeta know. "All throughout our friendship you've shown me as much respect as if I were Yamcha."
"I don't need this from you right now. You have no right to pin that on me! You have your wife and your son and your perfect little life with no problems!"
"That has nothing to do with anything!" he growled, standing, his eyes level with Vegeta's forehead. "Besides, it's not my fault, or anyone else's, that you and Bulma are not together! It was all you! If you loved her so damn much then why cheat on her with that whore!? What the hell was wrong with you!?"
Goku was to the ground within seconds, his cheek pounding from the full force punch that Vegeta had just delivered.
"If I'm wrong then correct me. You leave me no other alternative. What the hell am I supposed to think? What about Bulma? She still thinks you cheated on her, and so do I."
"Bulma is the only person who deserves to know the truth, but she won't hear it, she won't talk to me. She-"
"Then tell me!" he cried, pulling himself back to his feet. "Tell me so I can tell her! I'll believe whatever you tell me..Look." He placed his hand, that wasn't holding his face, on Vegeta's shoulder, an action that he rarely let pass, but in this case, did. "I know you love her, I'm sorry I said you didn't before. I can see it in you whenever someone mentions her, or when you see her, even when you're with Trunks. You see her in him and you get upset. Even when you laugh there's something behind it, I can tell. You're miserable without her."
"Any fool could tell you that," he admitted, shrugging his hand away.
"Then why aren't you fighting for her? Why aren't you on your way to her house right now? And why, in Kami's name, are you with that whore you call a girlfriend?"
"Because I know she'll never take me back. What am I supposed to do, sit around and wait for her to come to me and ask my side? No. That'll never happen, she's too stubborn for that and you know it. I can't keep thinking that someday that actually will happen, because, let's face it, we were never meant to be."
"That's bullshit and you know it. You're just scared! You're more scared of this than anything in your life and you're too stubborn to admit it! She's slipping further and further away from you every minute and you're letting her." He paused and locked eyes with him. "Do you love her?"
He sighed deeply, looking down at the ground.
"Karkarot, y-"
"Vegeta Ouji!" came a feminine voice from the hall, followed by the door slamming open. "What's the big idea leaving me all alone in the lobby like that!?" His girlfriend.
"I thought I could loose you, I guess I was wrong," he groaned, turning to face her. She was furious, her brown eyes flaring with anger.
"Doesn't our love mean anything to you?" she whispered in desperation. Fake, all fake.
"You almost sound like you believe it," he huffed, pointing at the door. "Get out. I'm done with you."
"But-"
"Go!" Goku yelled, clenching his fists. He hadn't meant to yell, but that girl just infuriated him so much that he couldn't help it. When they'd first come to the school that fall she'd been all over him within a matter of seconds. He tried his hardest to get rid of her, telling her he was married, but she just wouldn't hear it. Then, finally, Chi-Chi took matters into her own hands. There might still be a scar on the inside of her lip where she punched her. Then, that very day, she ran crying to Vegeta and seduced him into bed.
"Whatever," she sighed, flipping them off then leaving, slamming the door behind her.
"Veg-"
*RING! RING!*
"Hang on." He walked over and answered the phone. "Hello..Chi-Chi! Hi! How are you? How's my little man?..I'm good, just trying to talk some sense into Vegeta." He turned towards the wall now, his back to Vegeta, unintentionally allowing him a chance to escape the incoming conversation when he was done on the phone. He quieting slipped out the door, closing it softly so not to be heard, and walked swiftly down the hall. He didn't know exactly where he was going, for he and Goku were roommates so he couldn't go to bed. He'd just wander around campus or drive into town maybe. Anything but stay and end up getting into a fight with Goku over Bulma. That's pretty much all they did anymore, she always came up in conversations. He would never escape her. But then again, he already knew that.
***********************************
Bulma, Rikyu, and Trunks pulled into the Capsule Corp. driveway just as the sun began to set. The sky was a orangish-pink color, spotted with wispy clouds; a perfect sunset. Bulma opened the back door behind her seat and unbuckled her little purple haired son. She hugged him to her, kissing his soft little forehead, sighing deeply. She loved him so much, she could hardly remember her life before him.
Rikyu walked over to her and looped his arm around her waist. He mussed the little tuft of hair on Trunks' head, then kissed Bulma quickly on the cheek.
"How was your first day teaching?" he asked as they headed inside.
"It was alright," she sighed, almost sorrowfully, as they entered the kitchen, and she set Trunks in his highchair. He fussed a little, because he'd always hated the thing, but then settled down when he saw her head over to the refrigerator.
"What happened?" Rikyu asked, telling by her tone that something must have gone wrong.
"What makes you think something happened?" She almost convinced herself with the question.
"Bulma, hun, I know you too well. What happened?"
"One of my students was.." She starred off at the clock behind her boyfriend, subconsciously counting the seconds that were going by. She opened a jar of smooched pumpkin and set the lid on the counter. "..Vegeta," she finished, reaching into a drawer to get one of Trunks' rubber-tipped spoons.
"Vegeta? Are you serious? How the hell did that happen?" He was clearly shocked, jealously hadn't sunken in yet, but she wasn't even sure if he was the jealous type, they hadn't been together long enough for her to tell. She certainly hoped not, and he had never shown any sings of it. One time, about three weeks ago, they'd been out on a date at some restaurant and a former date came over and asked Rikyu if it would be alright if he asked Bulma to dance. He didn't even hesitate with his answer, "Of course. But it's not my decision, she's her own woman." That little comment blew her away; she knew he was a keeper. He also didn't care when she hung out, alone, with former dates or even 17, who was still very much in love with her. And, after thinking about it for a moment, Bulma concluded that he was not the jealous type; a fine catch. Why hadn't he been taken long ago?
"I forgot that he went there," she sighed, putting the spoon into the jar and stirring its contents a little. "It figures though, he's my student AND first thing in the morning. Kami must be punishing me."
"No, you did nothing wrong." He walked over and pulled her to him, kissing her forehead. "Did you talk to him?" Not a ring of jealous; she was now absolutely positive about her previous assumption.
"Hell no. He tried talking to me but I wouldn't look at him. The jerk."
"I think you should try and talk to him, I mean hear him out at least. It's been a year. Don't you think that's long enough? He's entitled to tell you what happened, you didn't see the whole thing, from what you told me."
Bulma had stopped stirring Trunks' pumpkin mooch and had set it on the counter so she didn't accidentally throw it at Rikyu out of rage. Vegeta was a touchy subject with her and he knew it, and he was here telling her she should talk to him? It was absurd.
"But it's just a suggestion," he added, kissing her forehead again then grabbing the jar and going over to Trunks. "You're obviously waiting for something." He pulled up a chair into of Trunks' highchair and sat down.
"What do you mean?" she inquired, crossing her arms and leaning her back against the counter, watching intently as Rikyu tried to feed Trunks the food. Trunks hated it, but he was too old for just a bottle and too young for solid foods, so he just put up a hell of a fight whenever he had to eat.
"That's why you haven't talked to him yet. You're waiting for something to happen. I-" Trunks' temper tantrum interrupted him, as a glob of pumpkin goo was hurled into his eye. He whipped it off with the back of his head and continued to try and feed him. "I don't know," he finished, then successfully got a spoonful of food in Trunks' mouth.
"Well you're wrong," she sighed, trying her hardest not to laugh at the mess Trunks was making for Rikyu. "I am never talking to that jerk again. If I can't trust him, how can I believe what he tells me? I can't, it's not possible."
"You said that about Yamcha too after the stunts he pulled last year." Bulma instinctively flinched at the mention of her former love. It was always uncomfortable to have him mentioned while being with Rikyu. "And then last week you and him had a friendly conversation at dinner at my house." Again he got some food into Trunks' mouth, though this time he spit most of it out. Bulma giggled, then handed him a towel to clean him up a little. He'd need a bath after this, like usual. "Look, all I'm saying is that I don't think you can ignore Vegeta's persistence forever. He's Trunks' father so he is always going to be around, whether you want him there or not. You're going to have to talk to him eventually, and you're going to have to be civil. I know you don't want Trunks growing up with his parents fighting all the time, and it's not far to him either."
"Yeah, I know," she finally admitted, pulling up a chair beside him and resting her head on his shoulder. "But that doesn't mean I can't make him suffer until then."
"Oh hun," Rikyu laughed, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. He slid his hand from her waist down to the rim of her skirt, setting his hand on her bare knee. Slowly, and cautiously, he inched his hand up her thigh and-SPLAT!-Trunks chose that moment to fling a huge helping of his dinner at both Rikyu and Bulma. They pulled away immediately, Bulma laughing so hard she nearly fell out of her chair.
"Oh hunny," she cooed, standing up and picking up her son. "It looks like you got more on all of us than Rikyu got in your mouth. Come on, let's go clean you up." She turned and headed for the upstairs bathroom, then stopped and turned back around. "Are you coming?" she asked when Rikyu wasn't following.
"I'll clean up in here first. I'll be up in a few minutes."
"Oh you don't have to-"
"Bulma, you've had a stressful first day. It's the least I can do for you. I'll be right up."
"Alright, if you insist." She smiled sweetly at him, then turned and continued up to the bathroom, smiling the whole way. She couldn't have stopped herself from falling for him if she wanted to.
By the time the bath water had reached the right temperature and the tub was filled, Rikyu was already upstairs, helping Bulma give him a bath. She picked him up, his chubby little legs kicking all over, then set him gently in the lukewarm water, while Rikyu held him up with his hand on his back. Baths, believe it or not, were not despised by the little purple haired rascal. In fact, he loved them. His little arms flailed all about happily, splashing water all over the place, giggling like mad.
After his bath, Bulma dried him carefully and put him in a pair of clean pajamas; navy blue with the little feet, and a big red star on the chest, Bulma's favorite. She laid him down in his crib, but he was asleep in her arms long ago. She kissed him tenderly on the head, then quietly walked out of his room, meeting Rikyu back in the bathroom where he'd insisted on cleaning up first. He was a little bit of a neat freak, which Bulma didn't mind in the least, because she was the exact opposite.
"Where are your parents?" Rikyu asked when they were far enough away from Trunks' room to talk.
"Somewhere along the Amazon," she replied, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked. She was exhausted. "They're taking a boat tour. Should be back next week sometime."
"Didn't they just get back from safari, like two weeks ago?"
"Yeah, they're always doing that. Once, on a whim, they went backpacking across Western Europe and camped in tents along the way. They're insane like that; they don't even bring any capsule. They insist on roughing it."
"They're great people," he laughed. "I wish my mom could do that, but she's got her hands full with Yoshi (8 year old brother) and Sayuri (6 year old sister). They don't give her a moment's peace, I swear."
"You know, my parents' daycare center here (at Capsule Corp.) could watch them if she ever wanted to go away for a vacation. They'd watch them during the day and I could watch them when I got home every night. And Sorai and the others handle themselves and watch the younger ones that aren't as hard to watch as Yoshi and Sayuri?"
"No, I couldn't ask that of you. You have enough to deal with with Trunks and school and now this teaching thing, I ca-"
"Rikyu, sweety, I can handle it. They'll be a vacation compared to Trunks. Besides, I can just talk to your mother myself."
"B-"
"Nope, I'm doing it. She deserves it after all she's been through."
"Alright," he finally agreed. "I'll talk to her tonight." He glanced at his watch. "Oh, I should get home. You need to get some sleep for tomorrow."
"Or," she began in a husky voice, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You can stay here and I'll give you a ride to school in the morning."
"Wh-Wh-What about clothes?" he whispered, trying to keep his voice from shaking. Truthfully, he'd only been with a woman once, and that was two years ago, hardly an experience he wanted to remember.
"Shirosama is about your size, you can borrow some of his clothes."
"Wh-Where is he anyway?" He did all he could to keep from breaking out in a sweat from nervousness.
"Well the note on the refrigerator said him and Kimiko took everyone out for dinner and a movie."
"A-Aren't you t-tired?"
"Not enough," she purred, nibbling on his earlobe. He tensed some, but then wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him, their lips locking. He kissed down her neck, stopping at her collarbone and nibbled on it a little, something his brother had told him, a long time ago, that drove her wild. She leaned her head back, arching her back, a small moan escaping her lips. "Oh Vegeta," she whispered.
"What did you just say?" Rikyu stopped his ministrations immediately, pulling her back so they were eye level.
"I-I-I said over a little," she stuttered, raising her eyebrows in innocence. Kami, how could she have let that slip? And right when Rikyu was just warming up to her. He'd been reluctant to go any further than kissing with her, and though she pushed, he never caved; morals or something, she didn't know. "I'm sorry, I really am tired. I thought I had enough energy, but I'm bushed." She kissed his cheek quickly, then pulled for him to follow her upstairs. "Come on, I want to sleep in your arms tonight."
He smiled gingerly at her, over looking what she'd said, and he'd heard her. It would take longer than he thought for her to get completely over him. He understood, it was the same way with him and his first love.
******************************************
---Chapter 2! Wee! I'm on a roll! Yay! Sorry that the chapters are so short, I promise that they'll be longer soon, but I just wanted to get a few out and get the story rolling, you know?
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next time: The next day..
"I didn't," he replied, starting to walk towards the parking lot. "Me and Trunks took a bus to the park that's only a few blocks from here and hung out there for a few hours."
"Oh you're so great!" She kissed him again, this time on the cheek. They got into the car, Trunks strapped in his car seat in the back, and pulled out of the parking lot. But little did any of them know, Vegeta had witnessed the whole thing and was none too thrilled, to say the least.
***************************************
Goku sat in his dorm room alone, and he was supposed to be doing some work before Chi-Chi called. But, instead, he found that leaning back in his chair and balancing a pencil on his nose was much more exciting and far less nerve-racking. Loud music played in the background and he was humming along with the tune, for he didn't know the words and was too lazy to learn them. Besides, to him, the words didn't matter much; it was the beat. And, just when it was coming to his favorite part, the music went silent, causing him to fall back and onto the floor. He sat up, furious at whoever turned it off, and rubbed his sore head.
"Vegeta," he growled, standing up, his head still throbbing. "What's the big-Are you alright? You look like a mess."
"Tell me the truth."
"Abo-"
"What's going on with Bulma and Rikyu?"
"Kuso," Goku swore, easing back into his chair, resting his arm on his desk. "They started dating about three months ago."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Bulma told me not to, she said you have no business in her life other than Trunks. And she made me promise."
"And what, our friendship means nothing to you?" Vegeta sneered, stepping closer.
"You tell me," Goku countered, just as venomously. Goku had been rather sore about the whole matter with him and Bulma and had put the blame on Vegeta because he never heard his side so there was no other way to feel. They remained friends though, but Goku was still upset about it and never failed to let Vegeta know. "All throughout our friendship you've shown me as much respect as if I were Yamcha."
"I don't need this from you right now. You have no right to pin that on me! You have your wife and your son and your perfect little life with no problems!"
"That has nothing to do with anything!" he growled, standing, his eyes level with Vegeta's forehead. "Besides, it's not my fault, or anyone else's, that you and Bulma are not together! It was all you! If you loved her so damn much then why cheat on her with that whore!? What the hell was wrong with you!?"
Goku was to the ground within seconds, his cheek pounding from the full force punch that Vegeta had just delivered.
"If I'm wrong then correct me. You leave me no other alternative. What the hell am I supposed to think? What about Bulma? She still thinks you cheated on her, and so do I."
"Bulma is the only person who deserves to know the truth, but she won't hear it, she won't talk to me. She-"
"Then tell me!" he cried, pulling himself back to his feet. "Tell me so I can tell her! I'll believe whatever you tell me..Look." He placed his hand, that wasn't holding his face, on Vegeta's shoulder, an action that he rarely let pass, but in this case, did. "I know you love her, I'm sorry I said you didn't before. I can see it in you whenever someone mentions her, or when you see her, even when you're with Trunks. You see her in him and you get upset. Even when you laugh there's something behind it, I can tell. You're miserable without her."
"Any fool could tell you that," he admitted, shrugging his hand away.
"Then why aren't you fighting for her? Why aren't you on your way to her house right now? And why, in Kami's name, are you with that whore you call a girlfriend?"
"Because I know she'll never take me back. What am I supposed to do, sit around and wait for her to come to me and ask my side? No. That'll never happen, she's too stubborn for that and you know it. I can't keep thinking that someday that actually will happen, because, let's face it, we were never meant to be."
"That's bullshit and you know it. You're just scared! You're more scared of this than anything in your life and you're too stubborn to admit it! She's slipping further and further away from you every minute and you're letting her." He paused and locked eyes with him. "Do you love her?"
He sighed deeply, looking down at the ground.
"Karkarot, y-"
"Vegeta Ouji!" came a feminine voice from the hall, followed by the door slamming open. "What's the big idea leaving me all alone in the lobby like that!?" His girlfriend.
"I thought I could loose you, I guess I was wrong," he groaned, turning to face her. She was furious, her brown eyes flaring with anger.
"Doesn't our love mean anything to you?" she whispered in desperation. Fake, all fake.
"You almost sound like you believe it," he huffed, pointing at the door. "Get out. I'm done with you."
"But-"
"Go!" Goku yelled, clenching his fists. He hadn't meant to yell, but that girl just infuriated him so much that he couldn't help it. When they'd first come to the school that fall she'd been all over him within a matter of seconds. He tried his hardest to get rid of her, telling her he was married, but she just wouldn't hear it. Then, finally, Chi-Chi took matters into her own hands. There might still be a scar on the inside of her lip where she punched her. Then, that very day, she ran crying to Vegeta and seduced him into bed.
"Whatever," she sighed, flipping them off then leaving, slamming the door behind her.
"Veg-"
*RING! RING!*
"Hang on." He walked over and answered the phone. "Hello..Chi-Chi! Hi! How are you? How's my little man?..I'm good, just trying to talk some sense into Vegeta." He turned towards the wall now, his back to Vegeta, unintentionally allowing him a chance to escape the incoming conversation when he was done on the phone. He quieting slipped out the door, closing it softly so not to be heard, and walked swiftly down the hall. He didn't know exactly where he was going, for he and Goku were roommates so he couldn't go to bed. He'd just wander around campus or drive into town maybe. Anything but stay and end up getting into a fight with Goku over Bulma. That's pretty much all they did anymore, she always came up in conversations. He would never escape her. But then again, he already knew that.
***********************************
Bulma, Rikyu, and Trunks pulled into the Capsule Corp. driveway just as the sun began to set. The sky was a orangish-pink color, spotted with wispy clouds; a perfect sunset. Bulma opened the back door behind her seat and unbuckled her little purple haired son. She hugged him to her, kissing his soft little forehead, sighing deeply. She loved him so much, she could hardly remember her life before him.
Rikyu walked over to her and looped his arm around her waist. He mussed the little tuft of hair on Trunks' head, then kissed Bulma quickly on the cheek.
"How was your first day teaching?" he asked as they headed inside.
"It was alright," she sighed, almost sorrowfully, as they entered the kitchen, and she set Trunks in his highchair. He fussed a little, because he'd always hated the thing, but then settled down when he saw her head over to the refrigerator.
"What happened?" Rikyu asked, telling by her tone that something must have gone wrong.
"What makes you think something happened?" She almost convinced herself with the question.
"Bulma, hun, I know you too well. What happened?"
"One of my students was.." She starred off at the clock behind her boyfriend, subconsciously counting the seconds that were going by. She opened a jar of smooched pumpkin and set the lid on the counter. "..Vegeta," she finished, reaching into a drawer to get one of Trunks' rubber-tipped spoons.
"Vegeta? Are you serious? How the hell did that happen?" He was clearly shocked, jealously hadn't sunken in yet, but she wasn't even sure if he was the jealous type, they hadn't been together long enough for her to tell. She certainly hoped not, and he had never shown any sings of it. One time, about three weeks ago, they'd been out on a date at some restaurant and a former date came over and asked Rikyu if it would be alright if he asked Bulma to dance. He didn't even hesitate with his answer, "Of course. But it's not my decision, she's her own woman." That little comment blew her away; she knew he was a keeper. He also didn't care when she hung out, alone, with former dates or even 17, who was still very much in love with her. And, after thinking about it for a moment, Bulma concluded that he was not the jealous type; a fine catch. Why hadn't he been taken long ago?
"I forgot that he went there," she sighed, putting the spoon into the jar and stirring its contents a little. "It figures though, he's my student AND first thing in the morning. Kami must be punishing me."
"No, you did nothing wrong." He walked over and pulled her to him, kissing her forehead. "Did you talk to him?" Not a ring of jealous; she was now absolutely positive about her previous assumption.
"Hell no. He tried talking to me but I wouldn't look at him. The jerk."
"I think you should try and talk to him, I mean hear him out at least. It's been a year. Don't you think that's long enough? He's entitled to tell you what happened, you didn't see the whole thing, from what you told me."
Bulma had stopped stirring Trunks' pumpkin mooch and had set it on the counter so she didn't accidentally throw it at Rikyu out of rage. Vegeta was a touchy subject with her and he knew it, and he was here telling her she should talk to him? It was absurd.
"But it's just a suggestion," he added, kissing her forehead again then grabbing the jar and going over to Trunks. "You're obviously waiting for something." He pulled up a chair into of Trunks' highchair and sat down.
"What do you mean?" she inquired, crossing her arms and leaning her back against the counter, watching intently as Rikyu tried to feed Trunks the food. Trunks hated it, but he was too old for just a bottle and too young for solid foods, so he just put up a hell of a fight whenever he had to eat.
"That's why you haven't talked to him yet. You're waiting for something to happen. I-" Trunks' temper tantrum interrupted him, as a glob of pumpkin goo was hurled into his eye. He whipped it off with the back of his head and continued to try and feed him. "I don't know," he finished, then successfully got a spoonful of food in Trunks' mouth.
"Well you're wrong," she sighed, trying her hardest not to laugh at the mess Trunks was making for Rikyu. "I am never talking to that jerk again. If I can't trust him, how can I believe what he tells me? I can't, it's not possible."
"You said that about Yamcha too after the stunts he pulled last year." Bulma instinctively flinched at the mention of her former love. It was always uncomfortable to have him mentioned while being with Rikyu. "And then last week you and him had a friendly conversation at dinner at my house." Again he got some food into Trunks' mouth, though this time he spit most of it out. Bulma giggled, then handed him a towel to clean him up a little. He'd need a bath after this, like usual. "Look, all I'm saying is that I don't think you can ignore Vegeta's persistence forever. He's Trunks' father so he is always going to be around, whether you want him there or not. You're going to have to talk to him eventually, and you're going to have to be civil. I know you don't want Trunks growing up with his parents fighting all the time, and it's not far to him either."
"Yeah, I know," she finally admitted, pulling up a chair beside him and resting her head on his shoulder. "But that doesn't mean I can't make him suffer until then."
"Oh hun," Rikyu laughed, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. He slid his hand from her waist down to the rim of her skirt, setting his hand on her bare knee. Slowly, and cautiously, he inched his hand up her thigh and-SPLAT!-Trunks chose that moment to fling a huge helping of his dinner at both Rikyu and Bulma. They pulled away immediately, Bulma laughing so hard she nearly fell out of her chair.
"Oh hunny," she cooed, standing up and picking up her son. "It looks like you got more on all of us than Rikyu got in your mouth. Come on, let's go clean you up." She turned and headed for the upstairs bathroom, then stopped and turned back around. "Are you coming?" she asked when Rikyu wasn't following.
"I'll clean up in here first. I'll be up in a few minutes."
"Oh you don't have to-"
"Bulma, you've had a stressful first day. It's the least I can do for you. I'll be right up."
"Alright, if you insist." She smiled sweetly at him, then turned and continued up to the bathroom, smiling the whole way. She couldn't have stopped herself from falling for him if she wanted to.
By the time the bath water had reached the right temperature and the tub was filled, Rikyu was already upstairs, helping Bulma give him a bath. She picked him up, his chubby little legs kicking all over, then set him gently in the lukewarm water, while Rikyu held him up with his hand on his back. Baths, believe it or not, were not despised by the little purple haired rascal. In fact, he loved them. His little arms flailed all about happily, splashing water all over the place, giggling like mad.
After his bath, Bulma dried him carefully and put him in a pair of clean pajamas; navy blue with the little feet, and a big red star on the chest, Bulma's favorite. She laid him down in his crib, but he was asleep in her arms long ago. She kissed him tenderly on the head, then quietly walked out of his room, meeting Rikyu back in the bathroom where he'd insisted on cleaning up first. He was a little bit of a neat freak, which Bulma didn't mind in the least, because she was the exact opposite.
"Where are your parents?" Rikyu asked when they were far enough away from Trunks' room to talk.
"Somewhere along the Amazon," she replied, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked. She was exhausted. "They're taking a boat tour. Should be back next week sometime."
"Didn't they just get back from safari, like two weeks ago?"
"Yeah, they're always doing that. Once, on a whim, they went backpacking across Western Europe and camped in tents along the way. They're insane like that; they don't even bring any capsule. They insist on roughing it."
"They're great people," he laughed. "I wish my mom could do that, but she's got her hands full with Yoshi (8 year old brother) and Sayuri (6 year old sister). They don't give her a moment's peace, I swear."
"You know, my parents' daycare center here (at Capsule Corp.) could watch them if she ever wanted to go away for a vacation. They'd watch them during the day and I could watch them when I got home every night. And Sorai and the others handle themselves and watch the younger ones that aren't as hard to watch as Yoshi and Sayuri?"
"No, I couldn't ask that of you. You have enough to deal with with Trunks and school and now this teaching thing, I ca-"
"Rikyu, sweety, I can handle it. They'll be a vacation compared to Trunks. Besides, I can just talk to your mother myself."
"B-"
"Nope, I'm doing it. She deserves it after all she's been through."
"Alright," he finally agreed. "I'll talk to her tonight." He glanced at his watch. "Oh, I should get home. You need to get some sleep for tomorrow."
"Or," she began in a husky voice, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You can stay here and I'll give you a ride to school in the morning."
"Wh-Wh-What about clothes?" he whispered, trying to keep his voice from shaking. Truthfully, he'd only been with a woman once, and that was two years ago, hardly an experience he wanted to remember.
"Shirosama is about your size, you can borrow some of his clothes."
"Wh-Where is he anyway?" He did all he could to keep from breaking out in a sweat from nervousness.
"Well the note on the refrigerator said him and Kimiko took everyone out for dinner and a movie."
"A-Aren't you t-tired?"
"Not enough," she purred, nibbling on his earlobe. He tensed some, but then wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him, their lips locking. He kissed down her neck, stopping at her collarbone and nibbled on it a little, something his brother had told him, a long time ago, that drove her wild. She leaned her head back, arching her back, a small moan escaping her lips. "Oh Vegeta," she whispered.
"What did you just say?" Rikyu stopped his ministrations immediately, pulling her back so they were eye level.
"I-I-I said over a little," she stuttered, raising her eyebrows in innocence. Kami, how could she have let that slip? And right when Rikyu was just warming up to her. He'd been reluctant to go any further than kissing with her, and though she pushed, he never caved; morals or something, she didn't know. "I'm sorry, I really am tired. I thought I had enough energy, but I'm bushed." She kissed his cheek quickly, then pulled for him to follow her upstairs. "Come on, I want to sleep in your arms tonight."
He smiled gingerly at her, over looking what she'd said, and he'd heard her. It would take longer than he thought for her to get completely over him. He understood, it was the same way with him and his first love.
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---Chapter 2! Wee! I'm on a roll! Yay! Sorry that the chapters are so short, I promise that they'll be longer soon, but I just wanted to get a few out and get the story rolling, you know?
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Next time: The next day..