Jakuten
Disclaimer: Don't own, never own, don't sue, won't get anything anyway!
By: Selenity Jade (Jadesama@aol.com)
Chapter One: An Attack
Buruma sighed softly in frustration. She didn't understand it at all. She didn't understand why Vejiita didn't hate her yet avoided her like the plague ever since that night in her room two months earlier. She hadn't seen him for more than a few moments since then. He spent most his time in the gravity room. And when he did leave it, he always found some excuse to avoid her. It frustrated her immensely. It's not as if he confessed anything big. But she knew, to Vejiita, it was big.
Turning over onto her stomach, Buruma rested her head on her folded hands. She took comfort in her large soft bed and the pale moonlight that gently illuminated her room. She spent these past two nights thinking on Vegeta's strange behavior this way. Yet, nothing ever came of her contemplations.
Closing her eyes, Buruma wished she had more time. More time to find out what is behind the mask the Saiyajin no Ouji always wore. More time before Dr. Gero's androids arrived. Then she might never figure this out because he might die. A sudden ache filled her heart. 'I don't want him to die,' she thought to herself. She was surprised at this. 'I don't want Son-kun to die either. Vejiita is a person, although somewhat selfish and arrogant. A bit evil to boot, but he is still a person,' she rationalized.
Rising from her bed, Buruma headed out of her room intent on taking a calming walk. No point in worrying herself sick over the android mess. She knew that if anything could be done, Son-kun would do it. He always won. She had complete confidence in her best friend. Besides, with Vejiita, Son-kun, and Piccolo teamed up nothing could stop them! Not to mention little Gohan.
Smiling, Buruma remembered the strength that little demi-Saiyajin possessed. She loved Son-kun's son almost as if he was hers. Her smile fading at the thought. She would never have children of her own. She would never be loved like Son-kun loves Chichi. Oh, he never says it but he thinks of her. And the way he smiles when her name is mentioned. She wished someone would love her as much.
Opening the front door, Buruma grabbed a light jacket that she put over her white tank top. Shivering as the cool night air hit her bare legs, Buruma began to wish she had changed out of her shorts and into a nice comfortable pair of sweats. Steeling herself, she shut the front door softly as to not disturb her sleeping parents and walked out into the darkness. She followed the long path that led into the woods surrounding Capsule Corporation. As soon as she reached the trees, she let out a relieved sigh. Her father hated her going out alone like this. But sometimes she just needed to clear her mind and walking at night in her favorite part of the woods always gave her peace. And even some answers from time to time.
Buruma followed the well-worn path unconsciously. She followed the same path so many times she didn't even need to look where she was going anymore. Her thoughts returned to Vejiita. It disturbed her. Dwelling on the man for this long was beginning to take its toll. It began to feel somewhat like an obsession. She had no idea why it bothered her so much that he avoided her. She didn't understand why she even cared. All that they ever did was fight. Yet, now, she was beginning to miss fighting with the baka. He never stayed within yelling distance for more than a few seconds. And that bothered her most of all. He avoided her so much she couldn't even yell at him for it. Hell, she had even caught him coming into a room she occupied and hurriedly reversed directions and left. It was infuriating. And it hurt.
She didn't understand that either. Why should it bother her so? It shouldn't matter to her one way or the other and yet it did. Sighing, Buruma turned towards the left fork of the path instinctively. She desperately wanted to reach her haven. Picking up her pace, Buruma jogged the rest of the distance. It kept her from thinking anyway. As soon as she reached her destination, she screamed as a searing pain filled her frail body. Blackness enveloped her...
~~~
"Oh, dear, oh dear..." a very upset woman mumbled as she ran down the path to the Gravity Room. Reaching her destination, the woman immediately opened that large door without any thought to the consequences of interrupting Vejiita's training. Hitting the large button turning the gravity room off, she stepped into the room. "Vejiita, darling?"
"What?" snarled the Saiyajin from the ceiling. He had been training when the gravity returned to normal and it had shot him straight into the ceiling. And he was *not* pleased. Figures that he was in mid-jump when the Onna's blasted mother turned off the gravity.
"Have you seen my darling Buruma this morning? I went to her room and she wasn't there. None of her friends have heard anything from her today and I'm terribly worried. It's not like her to just disappear like this..." The woman looked up hopefully at the Saiyajin.
Shaking his head, Vejiita lowered himself to the floor. "I'm sure she'll be back later. She probably went shopping," the warrior said with a grimace. He hated shopping.
"No, you don't understand. She was supposed to help Goku with the dragon radar this morning. Piccolo broke it last week when they were sparring. Silly men. Anyway, that's when we started to get worried. She never showed up to Goku's house and he called here looking for her. I hope my precious daughter is all right..."
"Never showed up?" Vejiita looked to the Onna's mother. She indeed looked extremely worried, even if the old bat worried over everything. "I'll look."
"Oh, really? Would you? Thank you, Vejiita-san! Thank you so much. If you find her tell her we are so worried..." the woman got out her white handkerchief and dabbed at her tearing eyes. Rolling his own, Vejiita growled in annoyance. The damn baka cried when the cat gets indigestion. Muttering under his breath about weak human females, he left the gravity room and took to the air.
When he reached a remote enough location, he stopped. Closing his eyes, he reached out his awareness trying to get a sense of her ki. Although not a fighter, the onna had a unique ki signature and he knew exactly what it felt like. That is how he became so proficient at avoiding her.
Finally, he felt it. Faint but definitely the Onna. Close too. Worried at the low level, Vejiita flew towards it. 'At least she's alive...' He felt relief at that. And he decided not to think about why he should be relieved.
He flew into the trees surrounding the Capsule Corporation and sped towards the faint ki. As soon as he felt he was close enough, he landed and headed at a dead run towards it. He knew she was injured. He sped up. Reaching a clearing, he spotted Buruma's still form lying on the cold ground. Only her faint ki gave any indication that she was alive. As he reached her side, he knelt beside her. He lightly brushed her blue hair out of her face. Noticing the nasty gash on her forehead that still oozed blood, he face tightened. Growling low in his throat, Vejiita looked around her. Her clothes were ripped apart, exposing her pale flesh to him. Her shorts were shredded. Several claw and teeth marks marked her body. Blood was everywhere. He growled again. Rage burned within him.
Checking her breathing, Vejiita noticed how shallow it was. He gently lifted the unconscious onna into his strong arms and stood up. Holding her close to his chest protectively, he rose slowly into the air. She weighed no more than a feather would to him and he held her as though she might shatter any second. Looking down at her for a moment, he began to fly as fast as he dared back to her home. Revenge would have to wait.
~~~
Reaching his destination, the Saiyajin gently landed in the front lawn. Growling at the group that rushed out the doors, Vejiita held the Onna closer to his chest. Goku, Gohan, Chichi, Kuririn, Yamucha, Tenshinhan, Kame-sennin, and Buruma's worried parents ran over to him. Piccolo calmly walked over to him as unshakable as ever. 'At least he isn't acting like a moron... Looks like the Onna's baka mother called everyone she knew,' he thought to himself. He then glared at Yamucha, daring the man to approach him. Yamucha paused before cautiously making his way towards his ex-girlfriend and the Saiyajin.
"Oh, dear," Buruma's worried mother gasped when she saw her pale daughter's bloody and unconscious form.
"Vejiita, is Buruma-san all right?" Goku asked worriedly.
"She's injured," the warrior said.
"Here, let me have her," Goku said to his rival.
Growling at him, Vejiita held Buruma a little tighter. "Just tell me where you want her. I'll take her."
Starting in surprise, the entire group was speechless. Realizing how that sounded and looked, Vejiita glared at his rival. 'I dare you, Kakarotto. Try me...'
"Uh, okay, Vejiita. Let's take her to her room," Goku said a trifle nervously. He never saw Vejiita look so protective. And definitely feral. Smiling to himself as soon as Vejiita turned toward the house, Goku followed. He had never seen the Saiyajin focus his anger that well before. 'He might make it...'
~~~
Vejiita entered the room and made his way to her bed. Looking at the bed, he realized he couldn't turn it down if he didn't let go of Buruma with one hand. And for some stupid reason, he didn't want to. Turning towards Goku, Vejiita motioned with his head.
"Huh? Oh..." Goku turned down the bed for the warrior. Vejiita then gently set the fragile Onna into it and pulled the covers over her still form. Luckily for his rival, Vejiita missed the amused gaze Goku directed at his back.
Vejiita turned towards the group that assembled within the large bedroom. "What?" he growled at them.
"Nothing, Vejiita," Goku hastily said. "We'd better let Dr. Briefs look at her. Let's go." Everyone filed out of the room and Goku started to follow before he noticed that Vejiita hadn't moved. Turning towards the man, Goku fought to keep the smile off his face.
"Go away, Kakarotto. I'm staying."
"Fine, Vejiita. Don't get in Dr. Briefs' way," Goku said before leaving. Vejiita was left alone with the unconscious Onna and her father who was busy checking her vital signs. The silence in the room was strangely comforting to the Saiyajin as he watched her take shallow breaths.
"Thank you, Vejiita," her father said suddenly, snapping him out of his trance.
Looking at the old man, Vejiita frowned. "For what?"
"For finding my daughter."
"Oh." Silence descended once more. Uncomfortable, Vejiita began to pace.
Pausing after a few moments, Vejiita opened his mouth and then shut it again. Grunting, he turned towards the door. "Will she be okay?" he asked suddenly.
"Hm? Oh, yeah, she'll be fine. A concussion and some cuts and bruises. Bite and claw marks. Nothing too serious, I think. She'll be in full health in a few days time." Dr. Brief's paused and looked over at the Saiyajin. "She was attacked, correct?"
"Yes."
"Kill the beast."
"I planned on it." Vejiita then left the room.
~~~
Slowly opening her eyes, Buruma groggily looked around at her surroundings. 'What happened?' All she could remember was running to her haven. She attempted to sit up but stopped as agony filled her head and clouded her vision. The room blurred as she lay back down. She put her hand on her head and looked towards the window. She was in her room. She hurt in places she never thought possible. But how had she got here? What had happened?
"Good, you're awake," a gruff voice said suddenly. Buruma shrieked and jumped up, her pounding head, her sour body and the room spinning kept her in bed.
"Who...?" She asked to the disembodied voice, unable to recognize it. A figure moved out of the shadows and into the faint sunlight spilling into her room. "Vejiita..." she sighed out. Looking over her visitor, she noticed he was wearing tight black jeans and a black T-shirt. Her brow creased in confusion. Vejiita didn't willingly wear human clothing. Looking over his slender, yet muscular frame, she had to admit he looked gorgeous. She could see his lean muscles flex and move beneath his shirt as he approached her bed. Vejiita paused a few feet from her. Looking slightly above her head at the headboard, he avoided her gaze. "What happened? What are you doing here?"
"You were attacked. You've been out for most the day," he said gruffly ignoring her second question.
"Attacked? How did they find me? No one knows where I was going..."
"They didn't find you, I did," he said still without looking at her.
"What? *You* found me? How...?"
"Your baka-mother came into the Gravity Room worried about you and asked me to help find you. I did. I brought you back here," he stated with a small uncomfortable shrug.
"I was attacked?"
"Yes," he grunted uncomfortably.
"Who?" Her dull voice nearly made Vejiita wince.
"I don't know yet. Probably an animal of some kind. The bites and claw marks are an indication of that. Only you should have been dead."
"What?"
"Why would an animal tear you up like that and then leave you alive?"
"Point." She paused. "Why are you wearing human clothing, Vejiita?"
He glared at her. "None of your business."
She returned his glare. "Fine!" She calmed her anger a moment before speaking again. "You brought me here?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"Why thank me? I only brought you back here so I would have someone fix the damn gravity machine when it broke."
"No, you didn't."
"Yes, I did. I'm evil, Onna. Remember?"
"Maybe you are. I don't think you are all evil anymore though."
"What?! Of course I am, you idiot! I've destroyed planets, killed people and I enjoyed every moment of it," he snarled harshly.
"Maybe you did. But if you were truly evil you would have talked about killing me or my family or someone else," she pointed out.
Vejiita stood there stunned. He hadn't even thought of killing her. The thought of it actually disturbed him. "You know nothing, Onna. I am evil. I will always be evil. I don't care for anyone or anything. I destroy and kill. I am evil."
"Really? Why then did you go looking for me? Why did you bring me home? Why not let me die? After all, my father can fix the gravity room just as well as I can. So why, Vejiita?"
Unable to answer that, Vejiita turned his back on her. Standing there for a moment, Vejiita sighed suddenly. He moved towards the door.
"Why are you here, Vejiita?"
"I've been here."
"What?"
"I've been here since I found you."
"You were here all day?"
"Yes." Simply said, it brought confusion and a strange fluttering in her heart. Why would the man stay all day watching over her? He once admitted he didn't hate her, but not hating and caring are worlds apart.
"Why?" she asked.
"I don't know," he answered. "I don't know why I looked over you as you slept. I don't know why I even cared so much to go looking for you in the first place. I don't know why I felt such rage at what happened to you. I don't know anything anymore. Not when it concerns you. And I don't like it."
Looking at Vejiita's back, Buruma realized what a confession that was for him. Taking pity on him, she changed the subject. "When are the androids due to arrive?"
"Fourteen months," he answered.
"Will you fight?"
"Yes."
"Vejiita?" she asked timidly.
Vejiita turned back to face her, surprised at her sudden change in behavior. "Yes?"
"Don't die," she whispered.
Vejiita opened his mouth but no sound emerged. After a few attempts, he finally got his voice back. "What?"
"I said don't die, you idiot. I don't want you to die. Is that so hard to understand?"
Snorting, Vejiita quickly regained his composure. "Die? Vejiita no Ouji? Not likely. I'll destroy them all. I will be more powerful than even Kakarotto can imagine."
"Don't be cocky. I didn't mean it to sound like I doubted you. I know you are strong, Vejiita. But things happen. Take care, please..." she whispered, closing her eyes. Suddenly exhausted, Buruma struggled to stay awake.
Vejiita obviously saw this and took a few steps toward her, before stopping. "Sleep, Onna," he commanded.
"Don't boss me, Vejiita. Promise me..." she mumbled out as sleep was claiming her.
"Hn?" he grunted with his rough voice.
"Promise me... You'll be careful, won't you? Don't get hurt. Don't die. Promise me... Promise me you won't die..." she whispered.
Looking down at the pale woman, his face was unreadable. "Yes, I promise," he said softly, but Buruma had already fallen asleep.
~~~
Buruma woke to find the room empty. All signs that he had been there last night were gone. She nearly sighed in disappointment. She didn't know why but he soothed her. After realizing what happened... She didn't want to be alone yet didn't want to be around anyone either. She felt... unsafe.
She picked herself off the bed and stumbled her way into her bathroom. Turning on the hot water as far as it would go, she stepped into the shower. She scrubbed her body, not even feeling the heat. Her skin red from the scalding water, her mind empty. She didn't know how long she had been in the shower before she began to feel faint. She leaned against the wall of the shower, sliding down the wet tiles until she was sitting. Curling herself into a fetal position, the tears began.
Her body shook as she sobbed. All the pain and hopelessness, the fear, despair, everything came out as she wept. Nothing mattered any longer. She didn't even remember the attack and yet she felt so violated. So scared. On the Capsule Corporation grounds and attacked by some wild beast. 'Or not,' she thought as she remembered Vejiita's words. Something attacked her. Something... that didn't kill her. She felt so frightened. What if it happened again? What if she was killed the next time? Her only hope laid in the complicated Saiyajin no Ouji who stayed with her on her side of the compound and her own mechanical genius when it came to security systems. She didn't know if she would ever feel safe again.
~~~
Vejiita snapped his head up. Looking down at his meal, he frowned. Something was wrong; he could feel it. His meals kept being interrupted it seemed. He looked around but he didn't *feel* an alien ki. Standing up, Vejiita headed upstairs.
He moved down the hallway cautiously. It wasn't an immediate danger. He knew that... but something was *wrong*. Seriously wrong.
He paused outside of the Onna's bedroom door. Opening it silently, his gaze wandered the room. The faint sound of a shower reached his sensitive ears and he walked towards the bathroom. He suddenly had a feeling of deja vu. 'Always outside this damn room.' He knocked softly. When no one answered, he tried the knob. Locked. He grunted. 'Figures.'
He knocked again. "Onna!" he called out through the door. Still not receiving an answer, Vejiita started to get angry. "Onna! Open this door now!"
Nothing.
He growled. "Fine, Onna." He hit the door lightly and it flew inward. He stormed into the large bathroom steaming. He looked around and noticed a shadow in the shower. He growled and yanked back the shower curtain. He scowled.
Buruma was curled up, naked as the day she was born, sobbing. She didn't even *notice* her privacy had been intruded upon.
Vejiita looked down at her, his eyes guarded. He grunted softly. "Onna?" When she didn't respond, he turned off the running shower. He grabbed a nearby towel, which he noticed to be blue, and gently wrapped the weeping woman in it. He picked her up, marveling her lack of response to his presence. He carried her carefully back to her bedroom.
Setting her gingerly upon her bed, he softly dried her soaking body with the towel. He in no way denied himself the pleasure of gazing at her while she was like *that*. 'What is wrong with me? Acting like a Saiyajin in his first rut. What a master of control I am,' he thought to himself disgusted. Turned on by a *human* Onna. And the idiot Onna wasn't even aware of what she did to him.
After he dried her off, he moved her legs under the blanket and secured it around her shaking form. He frowned. Who or what ever did this is going to pay. Dearly pay. Growling, he turned away from her and moved towards the door.
"Don't," a very frightened voice came to him.
He stopped, but didn't turn around. "Onna?"
"Please don't leave me," she whimpered.
He sighed again. She didn't know what she was asking him. She had no idea how it would lower him. Lower him to staying with her because he *cared* for her and she lowered his defenses too often for his peace of mind. "Onna..."
"Please," she pleaded with him in a small voice.
He slumped his shoulders in defeat and turned towards her. She still lay where he had placed her. Her watery eyes gazed at him with such pain, it broke his heart. A heart he didn't even realize he had.
"Don't leave me alone," she whimpered at tears flowed from her eyes.
He walked slowly towards her bed, his heartbeat thudding into his mind. 'Now I'm scared of the stupid Onna. Fine warrior I am,' he grumbled to himself silently. When he reached the side of her bed, he paused unsure. He looked down at her. "I cannot, Onna."
"Please..." she whispered barely audible.
"Onna, you do not know what you are asking of me." His face was unreadable, or at least he hoped it was. Just as he hoped his heartbeat wasn't audible to her weak hearing.
"Yes, I do, Vejiita. I cannot be alone. I don't want to be alone..." she sobbed out.
"Why not ask one of the stupid protectors of this planet? Like Kakarotto or the bald one?"
"I can't, I just can't," she wept.
Looking into her teary eyes, he glared at her. Hating himself for doing it. "And why not, Onna? They are your friends. I am not. Why me?"
She closed her eyes against his anger and curled herself tighter. "I don't know. I just... trust you."
He gaped at her. She trusted him? *Him*? HIM? He couldn't help it, his mind couldn't move past it. "What?!" he asked floored.
"I said I trust you."
He stared at her, almost uncomprehending. "No one trusts me, Onna."
"I do. You won't hurt me... You'll protect me."
"And your other friends wouldn't?"
"No... I just... I don't know. I just trust you!" she wailed out, sobbing. "You don't have to stay with me. I know... you can't. Forget it." She hid her head in the large comforter.
He noticed the blanket shaking slightly. He scowled. He gently sat upon the bed, his back to the crying onna. He didn't move as she curled around his back, closer than any one had dared come to him when not in battle. He felt tense. As if he was being led into danger. Her proximately didn't *alarm* him. And that fact did.
Her small body seemed to embrace him as she curled around him. He could feel her chest rise and fall as she breathed. The slightly shaking form as she continued to sob quietly. And he let her.
"Thank you," she whispered, barely audible.
"Huh," he grunted. He moved until he sat against her large headboard, her shaking body lay next to him. She laid her head in his lap, tears still flowing. Looking down upon her, he wasn't sure how to stop her hurting. Stop the tears. He never had to deal with a crying onna seeking his comfort before. They usually run away screaming. "Don't cry, Onna," he said gruffly.
"Sorry. Sorry..." she whispered. Yet, her tears did slow. Soon all he heard was her light breathing as she slept.
He placed his hand on her head, absently brushing her hair away from her face. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift to sleep. "Onna," he whispered unaware that he had done so.
~~~
Buruma opened her eyes slowly and quickly snapped them shut again. The sunlight stung her eyes. Blinking, she gradually adjusted to the bright light. She sat up. Looking around she noticed she was alone. She felt the disappointment well within her. She knew she should be happy Vejiita had stayed at all, being who he was and yet she couldn't help feeling abandoned. She sighed and gently lifted her self out of her large, comfortable bed, heading towards the bathroom.
She brushed her hair and threw on an old T-shirt. Pulling on a pair of Jean shorts, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her body was bruised all over. Scratches everywhere. She knew most of the bite marks would leave scars. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen from crying. A nasty gash over one brow. She almost went back to bed right then. Only one thought stopped her. What would Vejiita think of her? That she was a weak onna that gave up so easily. She grimaced.
She left the bathroom and headed downstairs and across the compound. She was famished. Breakfast was the first order of business. Then she would head to her lab, she supposed. She needed to continue her research on Dr. Gero and the androids.
Silence greeted her as she entered her parent's dining room. Her parents looked up at her with worried gazes. She attempted a smile and hoped it came out the way she planned it.
"Mom, Dad," she greeted.
"Baby, how are you feeling?" her mother asked in her soft voice.
"Fine, Mom. I'm famished, what's for breakfast?" She saw her father flash her a warm smile as she sat down. Although they didn't live in the same building, they often gathered in her parent's kitchen for meals.
"Pancakes, dear."
She smiled at her mother, who got up to get her daughter a plate. She looked over towards her father.
"Yes, Daddy?"
Her father coughed, embarrassed at being caught staring at her. "Nothing, Buruma. I'm just worried about you."
"I'm fine, Dad." She looked at her plate and smiled in thanks at her mother. "Have you seen Vejiita this morning?"
"Vejiita, dear? No, I haven't and the Gravity Room hasn't been used all morning," her mother told her.
"That's unusual." She took a bite of her meal, thoughtfully.
"It is. He is always in there. The only time I ever see him is when he comes in for meals. And it's even more unusual that he hasn't come in for breakfast yet."
She continued eating, her mind on the mysterious Saiyajin no Ouji that had lowered his pride enough to stay and comfort her, in his own way, last night. She wondered where he went to, now. Probably avoiding her again. She sighed. Putting down her fork, she stood up. "I'm sorry, I guess I'm not as hungry as I thought I was. I'll be in my lab." She quickly fled the dining room, tears clouding her eyes.
He didn't care about her after all, she decided. He didn't care to make sure she was better this morning. He didn't even care to see her now.
She made her way to her lab, deep in thought. She just didn't understand the idiot. She was truly alone. Only last night did she sleep free from her loneliness. Because he took it away. His very presence took away the fear of being attacked again.
She unlocked the door to her lab, quickly turning on the lights and looking around. It was the same as she left it. It seemed so long ago that she had been in her lab. Yet it was only days. She grimaced. There was always work. And maybe it would ease her troubled mind.
She quickly spotted her computer within the giant mess. Sitting down at it, she quickly booted it up. The soft hum of it soothed her. It was familiar. Something she knew would never hurt her. She loved her work and always had. Now, it had a new meaning. Now she knew it was the only thing she could count on. Her work. She didn't need anyone. Not Son-kun, not the baka Saiyajin no Ouji, no one. Just her work and it will heal her and protect her. It could never hurt her. Not like he had.
"Onna," a voice startled her. She shrieked and jumped around to face the intruder. Vejiita stood against the doorframe, arms crossed across his chest. She absently noted his taunt muscles of his arm twitch slightly. A smudge of blood lingered on his cheek. Her eyes roamed over his appearance, taking in the same jeans and t-shirt from the night before.
She glared at him. "You scared the life out of me, idiot! And don't call me 'Onna'. My name is Buruma."
"*Onna*," he began stressing the word spitefully. "I am leaving the planet. To train myself."
She stared at him in shock. 'He was leaving?' She hid her hurt and glared at him again. "Why do you need to tell *me* that, Vejiita? You don't need my permission."
He shrugged. "I don't need anyone's permission, Onna."
She snorted. "You and your pride. You have blood on your cheek, idiot. What did you do, hunt again?"
To her surprise, he quickly rubbed it off and looked away. "Yes, I hunted again."
She knew he was hiding something from her, yet why would he bother? He had no need. He didn't care what she thought of him. Why hide things from her now? "You are not telling me something, Vejiita. What did you do? Kill some innocent man for looking at you the wrong way?"
Again, she was surprised at his reaction. He snapped his head around and growled. "I did not kill an innocent!"
She gaped at him. He killed someone? "Who did you kill, Vejiita?"
He looked away from her again. "No one you need care about, Onna."
"Tell me," she demanded softly.
He turned his guarded gaze back towards her. His black eyes seemed to bore right through her. "You don't need to know."
"Tell me," she repeated.
He looked down quickly before looking at her again, his guarded gaze not as unreadable. Worry filled them and a million other emotions she could not decipher. "A man," he said grudgingly.
"What man?"
He paused. "The man who had you attacked."
She gaped at him. He had *killed* someone for her. Not that it is something to be that unnerved about. He would kill anyone for any reason. What shocked her was that he went out of his way to kill someone who had hurt *her*. He *did* care. She looked at Vejiita. "Did he suffer?"
He smirked wolfishly. "More than you could possibly realize, Onna."
"Why did he have me attacked?" she asked.
"I don't know," Vejiita said growling in anger. "Stupid human wouldn't even tell me as I ripped out his heart."
"I didn't need the visuals, idiot."
"Weak Onna," he snorted.
"Yes, I am that I suppose." She turned away from him. "Why did I survive?"
"Again, I don't know."
She sighed. "Figures."
He stood there silently for a few moments watching her type on her computer. "I'm leaving tomorrow morning. I will return for the fight against the androids."
"I know. You would never miss a fight."
"No, I wouldn't." He looked down at the cluttered floor, before continuing. "You okay?"
She looked at him. She was surprised, she admitted. It seemed he did nothing lately but surprise her. "Yes. I have my work. It is all I need."
He looked at her strangely. "Good," he said. "I'll return in a little over a year."
"Fine."
He glanced at her a moment before quickly exiting the room. She continued to type at her computer. Tears gently falling from her eyes.
~~~
AN: This sucker is freaking HUGE!
Lovies!
Disclaimer: Don't own, never own, don't sue, won't get anything anyway!
By: Selenity Jade (Jadesama@aol.com)
Chapter One: An Attack
Buruma sighed softly in frustration. She didn't understand it at all. She didn't understand why Vejiita didn't hate her yet avoided her like the plague ever since that night in her room two months earlier. She hadn't seen him for more than a few moments since then. He spent most his time in the gravity room. And when he did leave it, he always found some excuse to avoid her. It frustrated her immensely. It's not as if he confessed anything big. But she knew, to Vejiita, it was big.
Turning over onto her stomach, Buruma rested her head on her folded hands. She took comfort in her large soft bed and the pale moonlight that gently illuminated her room. She spent these past two nights thinking on Vegeta's strange behavior this way. Yet, nothing ever came of her contemplations.
Closing her eyes, Buruma wished she had more time. More time to find out what is behind the mask the Saiyajin no Ouji always wore. More time before Dr. Gero's androids arrived. Then she might never figure this out because he might die. A sudden ache filled her heart. 'I don't want him to die,' she thought to herself. She was surprised at this. 'I don't want Son-kun to die either. Vejiita is a person, although somewhat selfish and arrogant. A bit evil to boot, but he is still a person,' she rationalized.
Rising from her bed, Buruma headed out of her room intent on taking a calming walk. No point in worrying herself sick over the android mess. She knew that if anything could be done, Son-kun would do it. He always won. She had complete confidence in her best friend. Besides, with Vejiita, Son-kun, and Piccolo teamed up nothing could stop them! Not to mention little Gohan.
Smiling, Buruma remembered the strength that little demi-Saiyajin possessed. She loved Son-kun's son almost as if he was hers. Her smile fading at the thought. She would never have children of her own. She would never be loved like Son-kun loves Chichi. Oh, he never says it but he thinks of her. And the way he smiles when her name is mentioned. She wished someone would love her as much.
Opening the front door, Buruma grabbed a light jacket that she put over her white tank top. Shivering as the cool night air hit her bare legs, Buruma began to wish she had changed out of her shorts and into a nice comfortable pair of sweats. Steeling herself, she shut the front door softly as to not disturb her sleeping parents and walked out into the darkness. She followed the long path that led into the woods surrounding Capsule Corporation. As soon as she reached the trees, she let out a relieved sigh. Her father hated her going out alone like this. But sometimes she just needed to clear her mind and walking at night in her favorite part of the woods always gave her peace. And even some answers from time to time.
Buruma followed the well-worn path unconsciously. She followed the same path so many times she didn't even need to look where she was going anymore. Her thoughts returned to Vejiita. It disturbed her. Dwelling on the man for this long was beginning to take its toll. It began to feel somewhat like an obsession. She had no idea why it bothered her so much that he avoided her. She didn't understand why she even cared. All that they ever did was fight. Yet, now, she was beginning to miss fighting with the baka. He never stayed within yelling distance for more than a few seconds. And that bothered her most of all. He avoided her so much she couldn't even yell at him for it. Hell, she had even caught him coming into a room she occupied and hurriedly reversed directions and left. It was infuriating. And it hurt.
She didn't understand that either. Why should it bother her so? It shouldn't matter to her one way or the other and yet it did. Sighing, Buruma turned towards the left fork of the path instinctively. She desperately wanted to reach her haven. Picking up her pace, Buruma jogged the rest of the distance. It kept her from thinking anyway. As soon as she reached her destination, she screamed as a searing pain filled her frail body. Blackness enveloped her...
~~~
"Oh, dear, oh dear..." a very upset woman mumbled as she ran down the path to the Gravity Room. Reaching her destination, the woman immediately opened that large door without any thought to the consequences of interrupting Vejiita's training. Hitting the large button turning the gravity room off, she stepped into the room. "Vejiita, darling?"
"What?" snarled the Saiyajin from the ceiling. He had been training when the gravity returned to normal and it had shot him straight into the ceiling. And he was *not* pleased. Figures that he was in mid-jump when the Onna's blasted mother turned off the gravity.
"Have you seen my darling Buruma this morning? I went to her room and she wasn't there. None of her friends have heard anything from her today and I'm terribly worried. It's not like her to just disappear like this..." The woman looked up hopefully at the Saiyajin.
Shaking his head, Vejiita lowered himself to the floor. "I'm sure she'll be back later. She probably went shopping," the warrior said with a grimace. He hated shopping.
"No, you don't understand. She was supposed to help Goku with the dragon radar this morning. Piccolo broke it last week when they were sparring. Silly men. Anyway, that's when we started to get worried. She never showed up to Goku's house and he called here looking for her. I hope my precious daughter is all right..."
"Never showed up?" Vejiita looked to the Onna's mother. She indeed looked extremely worried, even if the old bat worried over everything. "I'll look."
"Oh, really? Would you? Thank you, Vejiita-san! Thank you so much. If you find her tell her we are so worried..." the woman got out her white handkerchief and dabbed at her tearing eyes. Rolling his own, Vejiita growled in annoyance. The damn baka cried when the cat gets indigestion. Muttering under his breath about weak human females, he left the gravity room and took to the air.
When he reached a remote enough location, he stopped. Closing his eyes, he reached out his awareness trying to get a sense of her ki. Although not a fighter, the onna had a unique ki signature and he knew exactly what it felt like. That is how he became so proficient at avoiding her.
Finally, he felt it. Faint but definitely the Onna. Close too. Worried at the low level, Vejiita flew towards it. 'At least she's alive...' He felt relief at that. And he decided not to think about why he should be relieved.
He flew into the trees surrounding the Capsule Corporation and sped towards the faint ki. As soon as he felt he was close enough, he landed and headed at a dead run towards it. He knew she was injured. He sped up. Reaching a clearing, he spotted Buruma's still form lying on the cold ground. Only her faint ki gave any indication that she was alive. As he reached her side, he knelt beside her. He lightly brushed her blue hair out of her face. Noticing the nasty gash on her forehead that still oozed blood, he face tightened. Growling low in his throat, Vejiita looked around her. Her clothes were ripped apart, exposing her pale flesh to him. Her shorts were shredded. Several claw and teeth marks marked her body. Blood was everywhere. He growled again. Rage burned within him.
Checking her breathing, Vejiita noticed how shallow it was. He gently lifted the unconscious onna into his strong arms and stood up. Holding her close to his chest protectively, he rose slowly into the air. She weighed no more than a feather would to him and he held her as though she might shatter any second. Looking down at her for a moment, he began to fly as fast as he dared back to her home. Revenge would have to wait.
~~~
Reaching his destination, the Saiyajin gently landed in the front lawn. Growling at the group that rushed out the doors, Vejiita held the Onna closer to his chest. Goku, Gohan, Chichi, Kuririn, Yamucha, Tenshinhan, Kame-sennin, and Buruma's worried parents ran over to him. Piccolo calmly walked over to him as unshakable as ever. 'At least he isn't acting like a moron... Looks like the Onna's baka mother called everyone she knew,' he thought to himself. He then glared at Yamucha, daring the man to approach him. Yamucha paused before cautiously making his way towards his ex-girlfriend and the Saiyajin.
"Oh, dear," Buruma's worried mother gasped when she saw her pale daughter's bloody and unconscious form.
"Vejiita, is Buruma-san all right?" Goku asked worriedly.
"She's injured," the warrior said.
"Here, let me have her," Goku said to his rival.
Growling at him, Vejiita held Buruma a little tighter. "Just tell me where you want her. I'll take her."
Starting in surprise, the entire group was speechless. Realizing how that sounded and looked, Vejiita glared at his rival. 'I dare you, Kakarotto. Try me...'
"Uh, okay, Vejiita. Let's take her to her room," Goku said a trifle nervously. He never saw Vejiita look so protective. And definitely feral. Smiling to himself as soon as Vejiita turned toward the house, Goku followed. He had never seen the Saiyajin focus his anger that well before. 'He might make it...'
~~~
Vejiita entered the room and made his way to her bed. Looking at the bed, he realized he couldn't turn it down if he didn't let go of Buruma with one hand. And for some stupid reason, he didn't want to. Turning towards Goku, Vejiita motioned with his head.
"Huh? Oh..." Goku turned down the bed for the warrior. Vejiita then gently set the fragile Onna into it and pulled the covers over her still form. Luckily for his rival, Vejiita missed the amused gaze Goku directed at his back.
Vejiita turned towards the group that assembled within the large bedroom. "What?" he growled at them.
"Nothing, Vejiita," Goku hastily said. "We'd better let Dr. Briefs look at her. Let's go." Everyone filed out of the room and Goku started to follow before he noticed that Vejiita hadn't moved. Turning towards the man, Goku fought to keep the smile off his face.
"Go away, Kakarotto. I'm staying."
"Fine, Vejiita. Don't get in Dr. Briefs' way," Goku said before leaving. Vejiita was left alone with the unconscious Onna and her father who was busy checking her vital signs. The silence in the room was strangely comforting to the Saiyajin as he watched her take shallow breaths.
"Thank you, Vejiita," her father said suddenly, snapping him out of his trance.
Looking at the old man, Vejiita frowned. "For what?"
"For finding my daughter."
"Oh." Silence descended once more. Uncomfortable, Vejiita began to pace.
Pausing after a few moments, Vejiita opened his mouth and then shut it again. Grunting, he turned towards the door. "Will she be okay?" he asked suddenly.
"Hm? Oh, yeah, she'll be fine. A concussion and some cuts and bruises. Bite and claw marks. Nothing too serious, I think. She'll be in full health in a few days time." Dr. Brief's paused and looked over at the Saiyajin. "She was attacked, correct?"
"Yes."
"Kill the beast."
"I planned on it." Vejiita then left the room.
~~~
Slowly opening her eyes, Buruma groggily looked around at her surroundings. 'What happened?' All she could remember was running to her haven. She attempted to sit up but stopped as agony filled her head and clouded her vision. The room blurred as she lay back down. She put her hand on her head and looked towards the window. She was in her room. She hurt in places she never thought possible. But how had she got here? What had happened?
"Good, you're awake," a gruff voice said suddenly. Buruma shrieked and jumped up, her pounding head, her sour body and the room spinning kept her in bed.
"Who...?" She asked to the disembodied voice, unable to recognize it. A figure moved out of the shadows and into the faint sunlight spilling into her room. "Vejiita..." she sighed out. Looking over her visitor, she noticed he was wearing tight black jeans and a black T-shirt. Her brow creased in confusion. Vejiita didn't willingly wear human clothing. Looking over his slender, yet muscular frame, she had to admit he looked gorgeous. She could see his lean muscles flex and move beneath his shirt as he approached her bed. Vejiita paused a few feet from her. Looking slightly above her head at the headboard, he avoided her gaze. "What happened? What are you doing here?"
"You were attacked. You've been out for most the day," he said gruffly ignoring her second question.
"Attacked? How did they find me? No one knows where I was going..."
"They didn't find you, I did," he said still without looking at her.
"What? *You* found me? How...?"
"Your baka-mother came into the Gravity Room worried about you and asked me to help find you. I did. I brought you back here," he stated with a small uncomfortable shrug.
"I was attacked?"
"Yes," he grunted uncomfortably.
"Who?" Her dull voice nearly made Vejiita wince.
"I don't know yet. Probably an animal of some kind. The bites and claw marks are an indication of that. Only you should have been dead."
"What?"
"Why would an animal tear you up like that and then leave you alive?"
"Point." She paused. "Why are you wearing human clothing, Vejiita?"
He glared at her. "None of your business."
She returned his glare. "Fine!" She calmed her anger a moment before speaking again. "You brought me here?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"Why thank me? I only brought you back here so I would have someone fix the damn gravity machine when it broke."
"No, you didn't."
"Yes, I did. I'm evil, Onna. Remember?"
"Maybe you are. I don't think you are all evil anymore though."
"What?! Of course I am, you idiot! I've destroyed planets, killed people and I enjoyed every moment of it," he snarled harshly.
"Maybe you did. But if you were truly evil you would have talked about killing me or my family or someone else," she pointed out.
Vejiita stood there stunned. He hadn't even thought of killing her. The thought of it actually disturbed him. "You know nothing, Onna. I am evil. I will always be evil. I don't care for anyone or anything. I destroy and kill. I am evil."
"Really? Why then did you go looking for me? Why did you bring me home? Why not let me die? After all, my father can fix the gravity room just as well as I can. So why, Vejiita?"
Unable to answer that, Vejiita turned his back on her. Standing there for a moment, Vejiita sighed suddenly. He moved towards the door.
"Why are you here, Vejiita?"
"I've been here."
"What?"
"I've been here since I found you."
"You were here all day?"
"Yes." Simply said, it brought confusion and a strange fluttering in her heart. Why would the man stay all day watching over her? He once admitted he didn't hate her, but not hating and caring are worlds apart.
"Why?" she asked.
"I don't know," he answered. "I don't know why I looked over you as you slept. I don't know why I even cared so much to go looking for you in the first place. I don't know why I felt such rage at what happened to you. I don't know anything anymore. Not when it concerns you. And I don't like it."
Looking at Vejiita's back, Buruma realized what a confession that was for him. Taking pity on him, she changed the subject. "When are the androids due to arrive?"
"Fourteen months," he answered.
"Will you fight?"
"Yes."
"Vejiita?" she asked timidly.
Vejiita turned back to face her, surprised at her sudden change in behavior. "Yes?"
"Don't die," she whispered.
Vejiita opened his mouth but no sound emerged. After a few attempts, he finally got his voice back. "What?"
"I said don't die, you idiot. I don't want you to die. Is that so hard to understand?"
Snorting, Vejiita quickly regained his composure. "Die? Vejiita no Ouji? Not likely. I'll destroy them all. I will be more powerful than even Kakarotto can imagine."
"Don't be cocky. I didn't mean it to sound like I doubted you. I know you are strong, Vejiita. But things happen. Take care, please..." she whispered, closing her eyes. Suddenly exhausted, Buruma struggled to stay awake.
Vejiita obviously saw this and took a few steps toward her, before stopping. "Sleep, Onna," he commanded.
"Don't boss me, Vejiita. Promise me..." she mumbled out as sleep was claiming her.
"Hn?" he grunted with his rough voice.
"Promise me... You'll be careful, won't you? Don't get hurt. Don't die. Promise me... Promise me you won't die..." she whispered.
Looking down at the pale woman, his face was unreadable. "Yes, I promise," he said softly, but Buruma had already fallen asleep.
~~~
Buruma woke to find the room empty. All signs that he had been there last night were gone. She nearly sighed in disappointment. She didn't know why but he soothed her. After realizing what happened... She didn't want to be alone yet didn't want to be around anyone either. She felt... unsafe.
She picked herself off the bed and stumbled her way into her bathroom. Turning on the hot water as far as it would go, she stepped into the shower. She scrubbed her body, not even feeling the heat. Her skin red from the scalding water, her mind empty. She didn't know how long she had been in the shower before she began to feel faint. She leaned against the wall of the shower, sliding down the wet tiles until she was sitting. Curling herself into a fetal position, the tears began.
Her body shook as she sobbed. All the pain and hopelessness, the fear, despair, everything came out as she wept. Nothing mattered any longer. She didn't even remember the attack and yet she felt so violated. So scared. On the Capsule Corporation grounds and attacked by some wild beast. 'Or not,' she thought as she remembered Vejiita's words. Something attacked her. Something... that didn't kill her. She felt so frightened. What if it happened again? What if she was killed the next time? Her only hope laid in the complicated Saiyajin no Ouji who stayed with her on her side of the compound and her own mechanical genius when it came to security systems. She didn't know if she would ever feel safe again.
~~~
Vejiita snapped his head up. Looking down at his meal, he frowned. Something was wrong; he could feel it. His meals kept being interrupted it seemed. He looked around but he didn't *feel* an alien ki. Standing up, Vejiita headed upstairs.
He moved down the hallway cautiously. It wasn't an immediate danger. He knew that... but something was *wrong*. Seriously wrong.
He paused outside of the Onna's bedroom door. Opening it silently, his gaze wandered the room. The faint sound of a shower reached his sensitive ears and he walked towards the bathroom. He suddenly had a feeling of deja vu. 'Always outside this damn room.' He knocked softly. When no one answered, he tried the knob. Locked. He grunted. 'Figures.'
He knocked again. "Onna!" he called out through the door. Still not receiving an answer, Vejiita started to get angry. "Onna! Open this door now!"
Nothing.
He growled. "Fine, Onna." He hit the door lightly and it flew inward. He stormed into the large bathroom steaming. He looked around and noticed a shadow in the shower. He growled and yanked back the shower curtain. He scowled.
Buruma was curled up, naked as the day she was born, sobbing. She didn't even *notice* her privacy had been intruded upon.
Vejiita looked down at her, his eyes guarded. He grunted softly. "Onna?" When she didn't respond, he turned off the running shower. He grabbed a nearby towel, which he noticed to be blue, and gently wrapped the weeping woman in it. He picked her up, marveling her lack of response to his presence. He carried her carefully back to her bedroom.
Setting her gingerly upon her bed, he softly dried her soaking body with the towel. He in no way denied himself the pleasure of gazing at her while she was like *that*. 'What is wrong with me? Acting like a Saiyajin in his first rut. What a master of control I am,' he thought to himself disgusted. Turned on by a *human* Onna. And the idiot Onna wasn't even aware of what she did to him.
After he dried her off, he moved her legs under the blanket and secured it around her shaking form. He frowned. Who or what ever did this is going to pay. Dearly pay. Growling, he turned away from her and moved towards the door.
"Don't," a very frightened voice came to him.
He stopped, but didn't turn around. "Onna?"
"Please don't leave me," she whimpered.
He sighed again. She didn't know what she was asking him. She had no idea how it would lower him. Lower him to staying with her because he *cared* for her and she lowered his defenses too often for his peace of mind. "Onna..."
"Please," she pleaded with him in a small voice.
He slumped his shoulders in defeat and turned towards her. She still lay where he had placed her. Her watery eyes gazed at him with such pain, it broke his heart. A heart he didn't even realize he had.
"Don't leave me alone," she whimpered at tears flowed from her eyes.
He walked slowly towards her bed, his heartbeat thudding into his mind. 'Now I'm scared of the stupid Onna. Fine warrior I am,' he grumbled to himself silently. When he reached the side of her bed, he paused unsure. He looked down at her. "I cannot, Onna."
"Please..." she whispered barely audible.
"Onna, you do not know what you are asking of me." His face was unreadable, or at least he hoped it was. Just as he hoped his heartbeat wasn't audible to her weak hearing.
"Yes, I do, Vejiita. I cannot be alone. I don't want to be alone..." she sobbed out.
"Why not ask one of the stupid protectors of this planet? Like Kakarotto or the bald one?"
"I can't, I just can't," she wept.
Looking into her teary eyes, he glared at her. Hating himself for doing it. "And why not, Onna? They are your friends. I am not. Why me?"
She closed her eyes against his anger and curled herself tighter. "I don't know. I just... trust you."
He gaped at her. She trusted him? *Him*? HIM? He couldn't help it, his mind couldn't move past it. "What?!" he asked floored.
"I said I trust you."
He stared at her, almost uncomprehending. "No one trusts me, Onna."
"I do. You won't hurt me... You'll protect me."
"And your other friends wouldn't?"
"No... I just... I don't know. I just trust you!" she wailed out, sobbing. "You don't have to stay with me. I know... you can't. Forget it." She hid her head in the large comforter.
He noticed the blanket shaking slightly. He scowled. He gently sat upon the bed, his back to the crying onna. He didn't move as she curled around his back, closer than any one had dared come to him when not in battle. He felt tense. As if he was being led into danger. Her proximately didn't *alarm* him. And that fact did.
Her small body seemed to embrace him as she curled around him. He could feel her chest rise and fall as she breathed. The slightly shaking form as she continued to sob quietly. And he let her.
"Thank you," she whispered, barely audible.
"Huh," he grunted. He moved until he sat against her large headboard, her shaking body lay next to him. She laid her head in his lap, tears still flowing. Looking down upon her, he wasn't sure how to stop her hurting. Stop the tears. He never had to deal with a crying onna seeking his comfort before. They usually run away screaming. "Don't cry, Onna," he said gruffly.
"Sorry. Sorry..." she whispered. Yet, her tears did slow. Soon all he heard was her light breathing as she slept.
He placed his hand on her head, absently brushing her hair away from her face. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift to sleep. "Onna," he whispered unaware that he had done so.
~~~
Buruma opened her eyes slowly and quickly snapped them shut again. The sunlight stung her eyes. Blinking, she gradually adjusted to the bright light. She sat up. Looking around she noticed she was alone. She felt the disappointment well within her. She knew she should be happy Vejiita had stayed at all, being who he was and yet she couldn't help feeling abandoned. She sighed and gently lifted her self out of her large, comfortable bed, heading towards the bathroom.
She brushed her hair and threw on an old T-shirt. Pulling on a pair of Jean shorts, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her body was bruised all over. Scratches everywhere. She knew most of the bite marks would leave scars. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen from crying. A nasty gash over one brow. She almost went back to bed right then. Only one thought stopped her. What would Vejiita think of her? That she was a weak onna that gave up so easily. She grimaced.
She left the bathroom and headed downstairs and across the compound. She was famished. Breakfast was the first order of business. Then she would head to her lab, she supposed. She needed to continue her research on Dr. Gero and the androids.
Silence greeted her as she entered her parent's dining room. Her parents looked up at her with worried gazes. She attempted a smile and hoped it came out the way she planned it.
"Mom, Dad," she greeted.
"Baby, how are you feeling?" her mother asked in her soft voice.
"Fine, Mom. I'm famished, what's for breakfast?" She saw her father flash her a warm smile as she sat down. Although they didn't live in the same building, they often gathered in her parent's kitchen for meals.
"Pancakes, dear."
She smiled at her mother, who got up to get her daughter a plate. She looked over towards her father.
"Yes, Daddy?"
Her father coughed, embarrassed at being caught staring at her. "Nothing, Buruma. I'm just worried about you."
"I'm fine, Dad." She looked at her plate and smiled in thanks at her mother. "Have you seen Vejiita this morning?"
"Vejiita, dear? No, I haven't and the Gravity Room hasn't been used all morning," her mother told her.
"That's unusual." She took a bite of her meal, thoughtfully.
"It is. He is always in there. The only time I ever see him is when he comes in for meals. And it's even more unusual that he hasn't come in for breakfast yet."
She continued eating, her mind on the mysterious Saiyajin no Ouji that had lowered his pride enough to stay and comfort her, in his own way, last night. She wondered where he went to, now. Probably avoiding her again. She sighed. Putting down her fork, she stood up. "I'm sorry, I guess I'm not as hungry as I thought I was. I'll be in my lab." She quickly fled the dining room, tears clouding her eyes.
He didn't care about her after all, she decided. He didn't care to make sure she was better this morning. He didn't even care to see her now.
She made her way to her lab, deep in thought. She just didn't understand the idiot. She was truly alone. Only last night did she sleep free from her loneliness. Because he took it away. His very presence took away the fear of being attacked again.
She unlocked the door to her lab, quickly turning on the lights and looking around. It was the same as she left it. It seemed so long ago that she had been in her lab. Yet it was only days. She grimaced. There was always work. And maybe it would ease her troubled mind.
She quickly spotted her computer within the giant mess. Sitting down at it, she quickly booted it up. The soft hum of it soothed her. It was familiar. Something she knew would never hurt her. She loved her work and always had. Now, it had a new meaning. Now she knew it was the only thing she could count on. Her work. She didn't need anyone. Not Son-kun, not the baka Saiyajin no Ouji, no one. Just her work and it will heal her and protect her. It could never hurt her. Not like he had.
"Onna," a voice startled her. She shrieked and jumped around to face the intruder. Vejiita stood against the doorframe, arms crossed across his chest. She absently noted his taunt muscles of his arm twitch slightly. A smudge of blood lingered on his cheek. Her eyes roamed over his appearance, taking in the same jeans and t-shirt from the night before.
She glared at him. "You scared the life out of me, idiot! And don't call me 'Onna'. My name is Buruma."
"*Onna*," he began stressing the word spitefully. "I am leaving the planet. To train myself."
She stared at him in shock. 'He was leaving?' She hid her hurt and glared at him again. "Why do you need to tell *me* that, Vejiita? You don't need my permission."
He shrugged. "I don't need anyone's permission, Onna."
She snorted. "You and your pride. You have blood on your cheek, idiot. What did you do, hunt again?"
To her surprise, he quickly rubbed it off and looked away. "Yes, I hunted again."
She knew he was hiding something from her, yet why would he bother? He had no need. He didn't care what she thought of him. Why hide things from her now? "You are not telling me something, Vejiita. What did you do? Kill some innocent man for looking at you the wrong way?"
Again, she was surprised at his reaction. He snapped his head around and growled. "I did not kill an innocent!"
She gaped at him. He killed someone? "Who did you kill, Vejiita?"
He looked away from her again. "No one you need care about, Onna."
"Tell me," she demanded softly.
He turned his guarded gaze back towards her. His black eyes seemed to bore right through her. "You don't need to know."
"Tell me," she repeated.
He looked down quickly before looking at her again, his guarded gaze not as unreadable. Worry filled them and a million other emotions she could not decipher. "A man," he said grudgingly.
"What man?"
He paused. "The man who had you attacked."
She gaped at him. He had *killed* someone for her. Not that it is something to be that unnerved about. He would kill anyone for any reason. What shocked her was that he went out of his way to kill someone who had hurt *her*. He *did* care. She looked at Vejiita. "Did he suffer?"
He smirked wolfishly. "More than you could possibly realize, Onna."
"Why did he have me attacked?" she asked.
"I don't know," Vejiita said growling in anger. "Stupid human wouldn't even tell me as I ripped out his heart."
"I didn't need the visuals, idiot."
"Weak Onna," he snorted.
"Yes, I am that I suppose." She turned away from him. "Why did I survive?"
"Again, I don't know."
She sighed. "Figures."
He stood there silently for a few moments watching her type on her computer. "I'm leaving tomorrow morning. I will return for the fight against the androids."
"I know. You would never miss a fight."
"No, I wouldn't." He looked down at the cluttered floor, before continuing. "You okay?"
She looked at him. She was surprised, she admitted. It seemed he did nothing lately but surprise her. "Yes. I have my work. It is all I need."
He looked at her strangely. "Good," he said. "I'll return in a little over a year."
"Fine."
He glanced at her a moment before quickly exiting the room. She continued to type at her computer. Tears gently falling from her eyes.
~~~
AN: This sucker is freaking HUGE!
Lovies!
