Operation: Save Vegeta
Chap 3
Bulma sat back in her seat; her stomach for the moment busied it self digesting the delicious meat. She should really let Vegeta cook more often. She glanced at the clock, thirty more minutes until pizza arrived. That gave her half an hour to try and figure him out once again.
Vegeta, Veggie-head, and countless other names… what was it that he had just done. Had that been a threat, or something else? She found it hard to believe it had been a pass. Vegeta couldn't possible be capable of that! But than again…
Bulma started to tap her finger along her jaw. She could call Chichi and ask her. But Bulma instinctively knew that Goku had probably never made a "pass" on anyone, in his life. But would it kill her to call and ask?
It could, but Bulma was willing to take that chance. She got up and trotted over to the kitchen counter, hoped up and sat on the cool tile, snagged the phone and speed dialed Chichi. After two rings Chichi picked up the phone.
"Son residence." Chichi's voice was calm and sweeter than it usually was. Which meant it was a good day by Chichi's standards.
"Hey Chichi. How are things today?" Bulma tried to hide her eagerness to get to business.
"Oh! Bulma, things are going great. Goku is out back running chores for once! And Gohan hasn't made a single chirp about his studies. And I have been able to take a rest for once! But how are things over there? Sounds like you have something important to ask me." Bulma hated how Chichi could always tell when something was up.
"Can I ask you something about Goku?"
"That depends." Chichi's voice went flat and serious. Despite the fact that Chichi was always angry and yelling at Goku, she loved him with every fiber in her body.
"Don't worry Chichi, what I want to know… though I doubt Goku has ever done anything like this in his life, well-"
"Spit it out already."
"Has Goku…ever…, made some sort of pass at you."
"Bulma if you're asking what I think you're asking, you should already know that answer. But if you SAYING what I think you're SAYING, I suggest immediate professional counseling. But I hope to Kami, I'm wrong."
Bulma wondered if Chichi could tell she was frowning. "No, no Chi. It's, well," Bulma lowered her voice, and whispered into the phone. "I think Vegetable-head made a pass at me… actually I think he made several over this last week."
No reply. "Chi?"
"Hello? Chi?" Bulma strained into the phone's ear piece, curious if her friend had hung up on her… or ran out of the room.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!" Bulma about flew back from the phone. "Bulma, I want you to hold tight, I will be up there in a flash. DON'T go anywhere! I want details!" Bulma almost regretted ever calling Chichi.
"Ok, okay, Chi. I'll see you soon." Click. The sound signaled that Chichi had hung her end up. Bulma sighed and hung her phone up. She hoped that Vegeta wouldn't bother her further tonight. She placed her hands on the counters edge and balanced her wait down on them.
She let out a shrill and immediately shot her hands up. Oh shit. What was she going to do about her wrists? She couldn't let Chichi see; that would only cause big problems. Bulma momentarily panicked. She looked around the kitchen, looking for some sort of an answer.
She studied her hands. What could she do to make them almost… well non-existent for the night. She could feel the ping in the back of her mind screaming for her to hurry up! When Chi said she would be up here in a flash, she meant it.
Bulma was at a lost. There was no way she could let them find out! Especially Goku, even though he was a sweet heart almost 99.999998% of his life… there was still that .000002% he could be scary. And he would defiantly be angry with Vegeta. Of course Bulma had to take a second to think about how that was a bad thing. She shrugged it off, she had to do something about these bandages.
~~
"GOKU!!! Where did he run off too! Grrr, that man sometimes I swear!" Chichi paced around the outside of her house until she came up around to where Gohan's windows were, interestingly enough, wide open. Chichi frowned has she stomped up to the windows. "Gohan, you'd had better be in there!" She looked in and moved the curtains out of her way. No sign of Gohan.
"GOKU YOU'RE A DEAD MAN!!!" Chichi secretly hated the fact that Bulma had called. And yet, was eternally grateful. Although Chichi had enjoyed her day of relaxation she knew it had to have been too good to be true.
However, she did need to find Goku, she had told Bulma she would be there in a flash, and Chichi never liked to deceive a friend no matter what. Besides, she wanted all the details. Vegeta acting… normal, if that was the right word, was something to be interested in.
~~
'Hey she's' kinda cute…' Yamcha's mind wondered has he walked along the streets to Bulma's house. He hadn't seen her in a while, I wonder what was up. Besides, he didn't trust Vegeta; he would trust the devil himself first.
Although Yamcha and Bulma were dating, they had more or less gone on their separate ways. It was one of those things that just sort of happen. They were still quite acquainted though, quite! But nothing serious. And so Yamcha was left to wonder, and of course, so was Bulma. But just in case either was feeling a little lonely, their would be no worries.
Yamcha started to hum his favorite tune with a smile. He rather liked this situation. When he had first met Bulma, being THE desert bandit Yamcha, he had been shy of females. Every last one of them. But she had warmed him up, and now their was just a world of females to meet! Of course, some would only be friends… or two second annoying-fellow-travelers. He wasn't a pervert. Master Roshi more than ruled that category.
He came around to the park, only a few blocks away from Bulma's'. It was a nice park with white benches, pebbled walking paths, and little fenced flower gardens. But the trees were his favorite thing here. They were large and shady with healthy green leaves.
A little further down this path and one was sure to find the cherry blossom garden. It was the busiest part of the park with its soft green grasses, and hundreds of Cherry trees, and their pink flowers.
The wind was subtle today; Yamcha guessed that on the rare occasion the cherry tree's blossoms would fall to the ground, littering it but in a likable way. He loved windy days and being in the Cherry Blossom garden, the sight was shocking.
He turned left at the fork, turning away from the Cherry
Blossom garden; He didn't have time to visit it today. This path would take him
around the pond, through some more trees, and then he would have to cross the
street and head due east to Bulma's. He could fly, but what was the rush?
~
Bulma was panicking, she ran around her room looking for the solution to her little problem. She had finally gotten to the point where she had ripped the bandaging off. Which left two purple, puffy and painfully obvious marks, and all looking much like Vegeta's hands.
Bulma sighed as she plopped down on her bed. Well, she figured she had a few more minutes, and maybe sitting down to think quietly for a moment would better her reasoning. A shirt, DUH! Long sleeves!
But would that do it 100% for her. Probably not. Chances are she would lift her hand up or something and it would show. She couldn't just sit their the whole time and not move! That would be even more obvious! Chichi wasn't that stupid. What else?
Bulma taped her finger on the bed. She could re-bandage them… but that would take up time she didn't have. She brought her hands up to her face and inspected her wrists. She looked at the marks to see how long they ran along her arm. Not very far, it looked like he had only used two fingers to hold her there. That made her shiver. They were a little puffy, but not as bad as they could have been.
The marks wouldn't be covered by a watch or a bracelet, and she doubted make-up could do the job. She couldn't ware gloves that would give it away. She dropped her hands, her face set in her thinking mode as she scanned the room.
Her eyes laid on something.
Her mind stopped moving, time went to a stand still as the sudden thought occurred.
"OF COURSE!!" Bulma started to laugh in her triumphant way. She grinned and pranced over to her bathroom door.
She could pull this off, no sweat. She just had to hurry.
~~
Vegeta was in his room, the lights turned down to an agreeable level. The air was crisp and clean as the wind filtered in through the window that was left slightly open. He sat on the floor at the foot of his bed. Meditating, searching deep within. Focusing hard on himself and everything around him. Listening to the breathing core of the world.
He could feel Kakarot and his son along with the namik; they were training and training hard. Vegeta felt a ping of jealousy; the boy was strong, surprisingly strong. Vegeta knew the boy was holding back, still not aware of his true power.
In a way, it made Vegeta proud, the boy was a Saiyan, if only half, he was apart of the same race. The boy was a true warrior, both in brain and in power. Vegeta had to wonder how Kakarot felt about that, being bested by his own son…. Did Kakarot even understand it? Probably not.
But then again… why was Kakarot pushing him so hard? Kakarot did know. As Vegeta concentrated harder he could almost see the fight the three were having, like he was there. Yes, he did know, and Kakarot wanted to awaken it. Vegeta could feel that Kakarot was proud, very proud of his son.
Vegeta cut the image there. He didn't need to see anymore. With his all too familiar scowl imprinted on his face he came too from his meditation. He glared strait ahead, his fists clenched, and his power threatening to rise out of control.
Kakarot had surpassed him, and now the boy was on the edge of surpassing him. Vegeta was quickly becoming the weakest of the three Saiyans. Vegeta's eyes narrowed. He was not weak! The boy would NOT surpass him, perhaps for a little while the boy would taste the glory, but Vegeta would not let it live. No, Vegeta would be the strongest again. Yes, Vegeta would be the prince once more. The pride and the power of the Saiyan race!
And then he could defeat Kakarot. Take his place once more, and insuring it forever more. That was his goal, to defeat Kakarot. And to do that he needed to be a super Saiyan, stronger even…
He sat still on the floor while in the next room Bulma was, in a way, saving his ass. While back at the country side, Gohan, Goku and Piccolo all sweat dropped at the sight of Chichi.
Yes, she had found them. Yes she was pissed off; to the point her ki was flaring. And Yes, Goku knew he was in deep shit.
~~
"Hi Hun, hehe…" Goku rubbed the back of his head in that oh-so-gokuish way. Chichi glared with her 'death ray'. Piccolo took this chance to scoot out of the way while Gohan awaited the terrifying yells his mother was about to do.
"Go-KU! Down here" Chichi pointed to the ground, "NOW!" Goku drifted down, curious to how she had found them… and a little scared. He loved his wife, but man was she scary.
He finally came down, Chichi hard eyes never wavering from him. She stomped up to him, and grabbed him by his somewhat torn shirt. "Goku…. You get no dinner tonight! And later I'll give you every bit of tongue you deserve! But right now I have to get to Bulma's NOW!" Goku nodded with a big frown on his face, he reached his two finger to his forehead searching for Bulma's ki. Chichi turned to Gohan. "Get home, NOW! And you had better be in those books!"
Gohan laughed nervously has his mother transported with his father over to Bulma's. Gohan had a feeling tonight was going to be a very rough night.
Gohan looked to his mentor, Piccolo. Just has he though, Piccolo pointed in the direction of Gohan's house. Making it clear he should go home, now. Gohan sighed.
"Later Piccolo. See you again, here, tomorrow?"
"That's if you and Goku are still alive." Piccolo gave a nod, picked up his cape and flew off, leaving Gohan to fear for his well being.
* * *
Although it had been a shock to Chichi and Goku that Bulma was in her work-out fit, with wrist cuffs and all, the night was good. But because Chichi had brought Goku and all he could do was moan and complain about having some pizza. The two girls never got a chance to have their little chat. Which Bulma thought, might be a blessing in disguise. But what had been the most interesting thing of the night was that Yamcha had dropped in to say hi. It was almost like old time again!
Vegeta in the corner not socializing, Goku prancing around the pizza like a little kid, Chichi giving him warnings every five minutes, Yamcha laughing every now and then, giving Goku a few encouraging remarks, and him having to fend off Chichi for the remark. Almost like old times, it was only missing a few key figures. Tien, Gohan, Krillian, and the rest of the gang. Out on wild adventures, having good nights they would just kick back and have a good time.
The only thing that was out of place was her. Not only because she refused to change; her two wrist bands for tennis hid the marks perfectly! But she was too quite, and she knew it. She was too distant, and that was even more obvious… well at least it was pretty obvious to her and no one else picked up on it. She missed being the wild, young, beautiful and brilliant child she used to be. Being able to just get up and go! She didn't feel she could do that now. Were things really changing like that?
She wondered if things would be so sour in the future, how would it be if she… became old. She was supposed to be in her prime right now, not feeling like she was about to hit 60. Bulma took a moment to smile and laugh at something that had happened in the room. She even missed the pig, oolong. Where was he at? Where was Puar? Where was the rest of the gang?
Training or getting in all the things that they had missed out on in life. The androids were coming. A fact that had almost slipped by Bulma, but would re-root itself into her brain. That's why times had changed. That's why things could never be the same. But she had to be thankful for the blue haired boy's message. At least now they stood at a better chance of surviving. She looked at Goku. His face set in his childish manor. A deep frown on his face, he almost looked like he was gonna cry, even his hair was wilting. He kept whining about how it was his favorite kind of pizza, and Chichi. Her face set in a scowl, reminding Goku that he loved all flavors of pizza. Bulma smiled. Everything was still good. But what was it that really kept her from enjoying life. Was it Vegeta?
She looked over at him and was shocked to find him watching her. Studying her. The shadows played on his face, and his eyes were intense. Someone in the room had noticed her change, her lack of interest. Even has she caught him spying on her, he didn't turn his face. Never faltered. His face was like stone, all except the texture of his skin. The color, and the way it was shaped. His mouth turned down ever so slightly, forming his trademark scowl.
She felt a bit un-easy. The look in his eyes were peering into her soul, and she didn't like it. She didn't like being that easy to read, and he made it look like he could read her with ease. She turned her head, trying to shake the feeling. But it wouldn't leave. It never would.
~~
Yamcha watched with a careful eye. He had caught Bulma and Vegeta in their little moment. It wasn't anything sexual; hell wasn't even romantic to any form. But he knew something had been passed. And he feared for Bulma. He knew she wasn't being herself. OF course she was still her, but something had changed in her. He would have to get to the bottom of it some other night, when every one was gone… including Vegeta.
Yamcha turned his attention back to Goku and Chichi in their little back and forth brawl. He smiled; at least some things hadn't changed. Yamcha decided it was time to get back to his own little world. He said his good-byes; Chichi had decided to follow his example and had dragged Goku outside. They said their goodbyes and went back home. Yamcha waved goodbyes, turned to Bulma.
"Call me sometime, will ya Bulma? I like to keep up with the current events, ya know? Don't like to get too dragged down by the upcoming event of the Androids."
Yamcha could hear Vegeta mumble something about it. But Yamcha didn't press it.
"Sure thing, Yamcha. I'll be sure to remember to do that. I've just been busy." She had her sweet smile on, something was on her mind. He said some more good-byes, gave a quiet threat to Vegeta if he were to ever touch her, and went on his way.
He felt that he would stop by the Cherry blossom garden before he went home.
Thanks everyone for those great reviews. Keep it up, please! Was that long enough, or do you want longer? ( p.s. This story WILL be lemon, however, the lemon version will be posted on my web site. The one for fanfiction will be lemon-y clean. SO if you like lemon, go to my web site.... which I will give you a link to when I have the lemon version up ^.^. But for now, know that your not missing out on any "action", that comes later.
Ja.
~Tiff
