Chap 8

Vegeta watched in amusement as Bulma did a few punches in the air. From her little 'work out' classes from TV, she new pretty much watch she was doing. Except the fact that if she ever tried to hit anyone in that way, she'd shatter her arm. She had no strength with the form, she was off balance, and it was just all around bad.

Vegeta circled her like a hawk does its prey. She was determined, her eyes focused, she was breathing hard, and her face with contorted with rage. She wanted nothing more than to get it right.

Vegeta could admire that. She was a proud woman, with fire for a soul, and yet somehow entirely a human girl. She was pretty, smart, and a devil.

And how could he forget loud?

"How much longer?" Bulma wined as she slumped over to take some breathes.

"Wimp." He watched as her face hardened and she went back to her punches. Vegeta had explained to her that no matter what she did, or said, a Saiyan trained till they dropped. She had pointed out that he had proved that point over and over before.

She was a bitch sometimes.

Vegeta was entertained for the most part. She was cute in her little dark blue outfit, her hair was pulled back but stands had fallen loose and were tangled around her face.

"I know I'm not doing it right."

"Oh? And how can you be so sure?"

"Cause your giving me that look." She sighed and wiped some sweat from her face. "That's disgusting!"

"I thought it looked rather sexy. Fitting, almost." Vegeta through her a towel. After she seemed to finish with that he walked around behind her. "Place your feet further apart. Your fist should fly from your waist line. Don't let them fly out, or you'll loose control. Vegeta helped her into position. If he would look at Bulma's face at the moment, he would notice she had gone rather pink in the cheeks. 

He instructed her to throw one more punch, slowly, and as she did he helped guide her arm, and moved her wrists in the proper form. "Like that."

"Oh…." From the sound of her voice, it sounded as though she were in a daze. "Are we done yet?"

Vegeta snorted. "Yea, I suppose has far as your fighting goes… not that I'm sure it'll ever go beyond it. But I think I should give you a history lesson, during a meal. How does Flimiem sound?"

"Fly-em-im-en…. Yea what the hell is that?"

Vegeta gave a chuckle. "You'll see. Bathe and get dressed."

~~

Bulma more or less dragged herself to her bedroom. She was tired; all day long she had done those punches. She wasn't sure what else she had done, she was almost entirely sure it had just been that. She was sweaty and tired. She felt loose, almost like rubber, and yet… she could barely feel anything at all. She was heavy, wasted, and sweaty. That bath sounded good.

It took Bulma a few minutes to pull her clothing off, they were tight and stubborn. She pulled on her robe, and dragged herself to the spring. She could tell that it was probably about seven at night. What time had she gotten up this morning! She couldn't remember. She had been training all day with Vegeta, and most of it was a blur. How did they do it?

Bulma dropped the robe, and stepped into the spring. The hot, natural water was god.

Bulma sunk down in the water. It was more or less the cure for everything. Her body went loose as she settled in. She was going to be sore tomorrow.

She started to dip of into her mind. She was tired, so her mind went to the one thing she normally wouldn't allow. Vegeta's body, pressed to hers. His rough, firm, powerful…hands, such control! And his chest, solid and… Bulma blushed. She couldn't get turned on! Not over Veget—well, ok maybe she could.

Bulma smiled and leaned back into the water, she closed her eyes. Nothing really continued from there, she thought a few things, but for the most part her body had collapsed. She nodded off, the hot springs adding to her body's weariness.

She drifted off, forgetting the spring water, forgetting her lessons with Vegeta. Forgetting about the common law of falling asleep while in water and while you had a date to keep with the Prince of all Saiyans.

~~

Vegeta got dressed in some slacks and a t-shirt. Something he had brought from earth. He liked the loose clothing, though it would never do in fighting. But for dinner it would be fine. Vegeta through his suit onto the bed. He stared down at the bed spread. It was a deep red, with the royal symbol and his fathers initial V in Gold. Vegeta frowned. In all the years he had been absent of this place, nothing had changed.

This room was dark, and omnipresent. The red stood out from the dark background. The floor about glowed in the dim lighting. Suddenly he couldn't stand it longer, so he stalked out of the door.

Already his mood lightened. He wondered if the woman was ready yet. He walked past his old living quarters, and on to Bulma's. As he came around, a rather cold, dragging feeling came over him. His senses picked up danger. Something was wrong.

Woman? Vegeta searched for her ki. Over at the springs. But something was wrong. Vegeta picked up his pace, and about ran through the gated doors of the hot spring. He quickly scanned the spring. She was there, in some form.

She was fast asleep and slipping into the water. Baka! (stupid/idiot) Vegeta knew he probably get allot of shit for this, but he couldn't let her die… like this. And in HIS bath. However, he wasn't in much of a hurry anymore. He walked over to her, keeping his eyes hard on her. Her nose was barely above the surface. Either she'd stay like that, or completely slip in taking a nice, big breath of water. And from that point on she'd either wake up sputtering, or drown. He came up and around her; he couldn't help but smile a little. She was foolish and weak, but it was entertaining. Vegeta liked it, he thought that was better than a female who talked, walked, and wore the same armor as a male.

Bulma's blue head took that moment to plop into the water. She didn't wake up. Vegeta went down on his knees and wrapped his arm around her chest, bringing her back up. She sputtered in her sleep, and when her body registered it couldn't breath she began to take deep breaths. She took that moment to wake up.

~~

Bulma woke up to feeling strong arms bringing her out of water and laying her down on cool tile. Her chest was heavy and it felt like it was burning. She was coughing up water and she felt the hands start to turn her on her side. In her daze she caught a glimpse of who it was.

Bulma laid her head down on the tile, breathing in. She must have fallen asleep in the spring. And Vegeta had saved her ass from drowning. To some point. The tile was really cool on her cheek. She relished in it, that is, until the wind picked up.

"It's going to rain, you able to go inside." Rain, out here? It was a desert out here. Bulma moaned none the less and tried to stand up. You never understand just how light headed you are, until you stand up. Vegeta's arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her. It was an uncomfortable situation. But at the moment she didn't have the strength to protest.

"The tile is fine. I just need a pillow." She heard Vegeta snort, and to her surprised, he picked her up. It was completely lost to Bulma that she was naked, in his arms, and completely at his mercy. And she really didn't want to complain all that much.

Her hair was wet, and the water it had trapped turned cold. It dripped down her back and on her chest. She could only imagine she was getting Vegeta just as wet. Either way she laced her arms around his neck and made herself her own little chest pillow. She didn't know if Vegeta was annoyed, or whatever might be flying through his mind. She didn't really care; he had put himself into this position. Well, it was cozy. She spent the trip from there to her room in a slight daze. Dipping into and out of sleep. It wasn't that long of a trip, so she slept in his arms up till the point she heard her door swoosh open. She half expected to be laid into her bed.

"Stand up." Bulma's heart sank.

"I want to go to sleep, come on Vegeta. Just put me in my bed." She heard Vegeta grunt, and then felt as he let her down.

"You need to eat, or you'll find that getting up tomorrow will be more difficult than it is now." Bulma sighed and stumbled to her closet. She stood there for a moment, seemingly trying to pick out something to wear.

"Do I HAVE to wear clothing?" Vegeta face feel. His eyes popped open, and his mouth dropped.

"Whaa—OF COURSE BAKA!" Vegeta yelled and stomped out of the room. She really didn't want to put on clothing. Actually, she would really like to just lie down and sleep. She glanced at the bed, it was calling her… but she knew Vegeta would be right back up here in a matter of seconds to get her up and out of bed. With a sigh Bulma began to rummage through her clothing. She had a nice, loose, comfy outfit. Baggy white pants and a white t-shirt. She felt very Zen as she looked herself over in the mirror.

She looked ill, but then again, she had swallowed a mouth full of water. At the thought she could almost feel the waves crashing within her lungs. She was going to be sick. Bulma took her brush and went through her tangled and wet hair. It was a bit long, and in the way. Maybe she should consider cutting it?

Nah, not tonight, probably not with in the next few weeks. Bulma brushed her hair back away from her face, and ringed the water from the tips. From that point, she remembered Vegeta haven't mentioned something about rain. She decided she would ware the jacket that came with the little out fit.

With a last glance in the mirror, Bulma was satisfied with her looks. So she headed out the door. Vegeta wasn't kidding about rain. It hadn't begun to rain, yet. But the sky was pitch black with swirls that seemed like it was angry. The wind was strong; trees were already beginning to crack under the force. She couldn't stay out here on the deck for long; she needed to get downstairs into the house.

*          *          *

WHAT HAD HE BEEN THINKING! Vegeta was on the verge of being beat red. Yes, even the Saiyan Prince blushed. Go to dinner, naked! It was bad enough seeing her prance around naked like she had. And she hadn't cared in the least. He half expected a slap, some screaming, and the usual fight. But nooo, she had… practically BEGGED him to take her. Or perhaps, she just didn't care who saw her body. And in her position, it's not unthinkable she was too out of it to really think… But! FEMALES! Absolute chaos.

Vegeta sat down in his chair around the table. The food was already there ready to eat. He would wait for a few minutes. He had too much to think about. That had been a shock. Why entirely, he wasn't sure. She was the strangest creature. He pictured her in his arms, her head resting on his chest. She had been content. She hadn't been worried, or afraid of what he might do in that situation. She had trusted him in that instance. Her body had been so laxed. Well, at least she had great form in something. Vegeta thought wearily. Vegeta rested his head into his hand, crossed his leg—with his ankle hooking over his knee. The table was digging into his elbow, but he barely noticed. He was trying to understand something. He could reason that he was physically attracted to the woman. That perhaps his attraction to the woman could be partially because he felt he owed her in some sense.

OR maybe it was just some form of respect. How many people had he meet in his life, that significantly weaker than he, were able to poke there fingers in his face? And win! Not many.

Bulma took that moment to walk in the room. Vegeta peered at her through the spaces of his fingers. She looked rattled. Her hair in a mess, her clothing in slight delay.

"IT'S INSANE out there! I haven't seen wind like that in years! Where did it come from, it just flew in from out of nowhere!" Vegeta didn't say anything; he just kept on looking through his little porthole. Bulma took notice. Her eyes shooting up. She seemed to loose herself, the way he noticed she did time to time.

He often wondered if she would fall over. Vegeta moved full frontal to Bulma, which seemed to break her little trance. Now she seemed uncomfortable. He watched every move she made, and all she did was simply sit. Something…

Bulma was going to go out of her MIND! He was looking particularly dark, his eyes were stone, his face set, and he was just absolutely….sexy. So Bulma had a thing for the dark and evil guy. And Vegeta was the fucking god of the dark monster. She didn't know whether to cringe back, or go leaping into his arms. Although she found herself doing neither. Instead she tried to not look him in the eye, and tried to stay focused on the food. Yes the food, concentrate on eating. Vegeta seemed to do the same thing. He dropped his stare and began to pick around the food, choosing this and that. Not bothering to place it on his plate before eating it. Saiyans had a 'healthy' appetite.

But what was on his mood to make him to… hmm, how should she put it. So… Vegeta? No, this was too calm for that. Bulma couldn't help but take another peep, and another, and then another. He was so mysterious. Even though they had spent a good deal of a year with each other, she still knew so little. And in a way she wanted to keep it like that. She didn't want to know, because Vegeta didn't want to remember. Sure, she dug around a bit, but she tried to keep it monotone as much as possible. More or less, if she were to find out all the details, she wanted Vegeta to come out with it on his own. She didn't expect that to happen anytime soon.

Well, for the moment she could figure out what meal this was. What had Vegeta called it? Fleminen'nen. Something like that. Turned out to be some sort of fish. A colorful fish too. A big one too.

Had Bulma paid attention to it in the beginning, she would have noticed that this table was stacked with food. The fish was the main piece. It was huge. Covered most of the table. It was a deep red with green and blue. It was served on its belly. The back had been cut open and the spinal cord removed. Bulma didn't want to know how they had done it. No mental pictures…so she moved on. Purple…looking drink. With fruits she had never seen and other things she didn't know where to categorize them. They looked like a vegetable, but when she tasted one. More like a candy or a really sweet fruit. It had a hard skin, but was juicy on the inside. It was a deep black color, and the inside seemed to poor out more of the purple-black color. She thought of a really juicy grape. Except these ones where the size of a baseball.

She tried the drink next. It was like a rich flavored wine. But it was thicker than normal liquids. And she knew she was in trouble the second it hit her stomach. It was another type of alcohol. She couldn't help but pleaded to Vegeta. She DIDN'T want to go on some sex craved nightmare, AGAIN! Vegeta gave her a hard look, not one with hate. His face was just hard, and slowly his lips curled into a devilish smirk. "Drink up." Was all he said. Bulma began to feel a certain queasy feeling in her stomach. She wasn't sure she wanted to take another sip.

~~

They ate the meal in silence. Vegeta having enough to feed several human males, Bulma barely touched hers. She had enough to at least make Vegeta shut up, but she really couldn't take down much. Vegeta was beginning to wonder if she was feeling alright. She HAD swallowed and inhaled water. And probably not the best type of water to take down. Bulma sat back leaning on both of her arms. All she could think about was how it was great to be able to do this with out them hurting. Oh yes, she should consider getting Vegeta back on that one. She almost wanted to laugh at the fact she had actually been scared of him at that point, and all of the sudden it seemed trivial.

Vegeta was sitting up straight, thinking, and glaring. He should have just let her drown. Their was her father, and hundreds of other scientist he could rely on. Why did he save her, why had his senses picked up on it? Sure he could read energy, but hers was so low it was impossible to find. How, Why had his body sensed it?  And of all the crazy things he had actually CARRIED her to her room! Well, he supposed he could let that one pass. How many times had she, with someone else, had to drag his body to a bed? Actually, now that he thought about it. Why did the woman strive so hard to keep him alive? How many times had she stayed the whole night with him? Worrying.

Bulma let a small sigh. Vegeta may not be the happiest of campers, but she had to give it to him. He knew how to do things, albeit his way, but he was in charge. He was a good leader. But maybe that was just because he was raised that way. She took a quick glance his way. He was staring at his empty plate. It looked like he was thinking and really hard too. She studied his manner. His back was straight, his hair was wild. When she had first seen it she had thought it amusing. Who on earth would have that kind of hair-do. Turned out he wasn't from earth. But now that she looked at it, she loved it. It was Vegeta's style. It was his wild, arrogant, and 'not going down' attitude; the hair was just working it for him.

"I suppose it's time for bed." Bulma muttered; she didn't like silence much. Vegeta looked, or preferably switched is area of focus to her. She could have sworn that if he were a dog, his head would have cocked to the side.

"I suppose you do need your rest woman. Busy day tomorrow. Jojoba should be making a visit, to go over the GR with you. If you haven't forgotten about that." Bulma gave an annoyed look, stood up and prepared to leave. That bed was sounding really nice. Bulma flipped her hair over her shoulder as she twisted around to walk to the door. That's when Vegeta spoke up once more.

"You don't really think you can open that door, do you?"
"Huh? Well…no, the door opens automatically. Where'd your head go Vegeta?"

"Woman, theirs only a raging storm outside. You'll get picked up with the wind and carried off. But go ahead. Try it."

"FINE. I will!" Now. When a woman is tired, after being under extreme stress the whole day and only has a day full of stress to wake up to. She gets grouchy. Very, very grouchy. So she stepped up to the door, it swooshed open and instantly the room was filled with a wind Bulma had never experienced before in her life. Some of the drapes were ripped from the hinges, plates were crashing against' the wall. Bulma felt her clothes wiping around her and her hair she swore was cutting her face. She tried to cover her face, but did indeed find her self being pushed back by the wind. Where were the tornado warnings?

Bulma was pushed back into the table by the wind. "Holy Shit! How is this possible?" Bulma yelled over the sound. "I'll never make it up to the room!" She heard Vegeta laugh. "Why aren't the doors closing?" Bulma snapped, angry that he found this amusing.

"Take a look." She could tell he was enjoying this. Bulma peeked through her arms. A tree had fallen and was blocking the doorway. She turned to give Vegeta a shocked look. He was perfectly calm. He seemed to enjoy the crazed winds. And the water. The room had begun to fill up with water. So much rain was pouring down from the skies it was insane. But he was perfectly at ease. Bulma pointed to the door. "How the hell do you purpose we get out of here and into our rooms? I can't stay down here all night!" Vegeta humphed.

He got up like a lazy cat and walked over to the door. With swift movement the tree was gone. Hurled back into the winds, and the doors swooshed closed. Bulma let out a sigh of relief as the wind died. She looked at the floor and squished her feet around. There had to be a good 3 inches of mud filled water. "How wonderful."

"Better get comfy woman. Theirs no way either one of us is going upstairs to our rooms."

"Oh is the big bad Saiyan Prince afraid of the wind."

"ABSOLUTLY NOT WOMAN! I just don't feel like destroying my sleeping quarters. Going to our rooms will have the same affect up their as it did down here when you opened the doors." Well, he had his point.

Bulma sat down and immediately regretted it. The cushion was drenched and now so was her pants. She blushed in embarrassment. She had forgotten underwear, and she was wearing white. Today was not her day.

And just as she was going to run into the next room, the lights flickered. "No! Stay on! Please tell me this place has-"She heard the crack of lightning, she felt it too. And the lights sizzled out. She heard a few of them blow up. "-an extra…back up?" Her voice was low. She knew the answer to that already. None. She figured that's how Vegeta would have it. She was slightly flustered now. This planet had technology to that of her very own! Why in the hell did they not have back up generators!

"What do you think the lightning hit? The power went out an hour ago; we've been running on the back up. So much for that." Bulma felt her shoulders slump. He had a special talent for being the barer of bad news.

"I hate you. So what do we do now?"

Vegeta mumbled a few things; he was obviously finding his away around the room with out difficulty in the pitch black. He tapped her shoulder, motioning for her to follow him. "I can't see shit, Vegeta."

"Try woman! I'm not going to hold your hand!" She knew, just knew he had started to walk off. So with a growl she tried to follow. The floor was wet, her clothes were wet, and she was wet! Not only that she was cold, tired, angry, and now she had to try and find her way through a house she didn't know very well and on top of that, it was dark. And all the while she didn't know where that little bastard of a monkey was! Oh what a great idea.

"HEY VEGETA!" She waited for the common response of WHAT in return. "Be a good little monkey and HELP ME FIND MY FUCKING WAY!" She heard something break. She figured it was his head being banged against the wall.

"WOMAN DO NOT-"His yells were getting closer, she followed what direction they were coming from. "CALL ME A MONKEY! I AM A SAIYAN PRINCE, DO I LOOK LIKE A MONKEY." He was right in front of her.

"Well, not since Yajirobe got ride of that fury appendage of yours." With that she humphed and started to walk in the direction he had just come from. "You coming!" Although she couldn't see anything, she still had her ears. And one thing a woman was good at was hearing things. It was something they could always use against a man. Vegeta had led her in a somewhat right direction because he was loud. She could hear him stomping up behind her, she figured he would stomp past her and she would have to keep up with those foot steps. But to Bulma amazement, and not so much to her amusement, Vegeta's hand grasped around her arm. He began to lead her in the direction he wanted. She glared at him through the darkness. He was hurting her arm! She yelled about it, but he only humphed and squeezed harder. Well that was just fine!

Bulma planted her feet. Vegeta just growled and began to drag her. She was really good at making things difficult. But he deserved it. "Ease up on the arm pall! And I will be happy to begin walking again!"

"And that's supposed to scare me?" Vegeta growled. He didn't ease up, and Bulma stiffened her legs. I'm sure that everyone sees children do that same thing with their parents. The only difference is the parents give in and stop. Vegeta however didn't go along with this concept. Instead he pulled.

MEOW!! Haha. I'm gonna stop it there! ~_^

~Tick