Disclaimer: Other chapters. Read them. Find it there.

A/N: Look at that, another chapter so fast! Well, appreciate it, who knows how long this speed will last. It all depends on how much I have to revise the chapters I am putting up...

Tail Tale Chapter Five

Bulma couldn't believe it. This was the second morning in a row that she had woken up held in Vegeta's arms!

Well, it wasn't like she minded too much. He was really very warm and comfortable to lie against. And his scent was enough to make her want to purr. In fact, she realized with a bit of a start, she WAS purring, very softly.

It was starting to dawn on her that several things were very different. She felt remarkable good right now, better than she had in the past few days. In a weird way, better than she had her whole life! Cautiously she sat up. Vegeta's tail was wrapped around her again, she noticed, and giggled a little. After convincing it to let her go, she slid off the bed and stood unsteadily. Her balance did not seem quite right. Wobbling a bit, she made her way over to the full length mirror.

Her reflection looked as surprised as she felt. In addition to the muscularity she had noticed yesterday, her hair stood up in little spikes (A/N: Think Videl after Gohan convinced her to cut her hair.) Her skin was nowhere near as dark as Vegeta's, but still a few shades darker than it had been. In her upper jaw she had two small fangs, sharper and more delicate than the saiyan men's, and behind her -

She stifled a shriek. Behind her a tail flicked idly to and fro. Carefully she caught it in her hands and pulled it around in front of her. It was a darker shade than her hair and eyes, midnight rather than sapphire blue, and the fur was soft and sleek. Also peculiar, not only did her hands feel her tail, but her tail felt her hands. It was obviously a solid part of her.

Bulma swallowed hard as she tried to process all these changes. It was one thing to be told they would happen, and quite another to actually experience them.

Speaking of odd things - how had she wound up in Vegeta's arms AGAIN? If it weren't for the fact that both times they were fully clothed, she would have been a lot angrier. Bulma wanted answers, and she wanted them now. A glint of mischief in her eye, she took a seat on the bed. The saiyan prince was still asleep, clearly exhausted. His tail flicked idly alongside him. She reached out and gave it a firm tug.

And promptly found herself flat on her back with an angry Vegeta straddling her body. His face barely an inch from hers, he hissed,

"Don't. Do. That. Again."

"Good morning to you too," Bulma replied, un-intimidated. "Want to tell me why I woke up next to you AGAIN, or should I just guess that you're harboring an unrequited love for me?"

Vegeta blinked, a bit nonplussed, and then gave a bark of laughter. "Hardly." His expression became wicked. "Considering that YOU pulled ME into your bed last night."

"I did NOT!" she shrieked indignantly, struggling to get up. He continued to pin her there, looking decidedly pleased with himself.

"You DID, woman. Now who is 'harboring an unrequited love'?" She went bright red at that, then redder still when he laughed at her.

"GET OFF ME!"

Not desiring burst eardrums first thing in the morning, Vegeta complied. He stood with tiger's grace, and scowled thoughtfully at her. Obviously the Annar was complete. She was as saiyan as she was going to get. Noticing him looking as she stood up, Bulma snapped,

"What are YOU looking at?"

"A saiyan with the most peculiar fucking coloration I have ever seen," came the swift reply. Unbidden a growl emerged from her throat, at which point she switched rapidly from angry to mortified.

Vegeta laughed harshly at her again. This was the most entertainment he'd had in years. Maybe enough to make up for the complete aggravation the past few days had been. He still was not happy over last evening's foray into instinctive responses. But if the woman didn't remember it...who was he to bring it up?

Bulma looked like she was going to explode, but a loud grumble pre-empted her. Looking embarrassed, she placed a hand on her empty and complaining stomach.

"Truce until after breakfast?" She requested plaintively. He smirked, readying another taunt, but was interrupted by a protest from his own stomach. The curse of the saiyan metabolism. Instead of taunting her, he merely nodded in reply and stalked out to the dinosaur carcass. It was nearly gone; one more meal for the two of them would probably finish it off.

Somewhat to his surprise, the woman did not hesitate today. She dug in without preamble, somehow managing to be dainty at the same time as she consumed triple her human portion. He shrugged and joined in the meal. When all the meat was gone, Vegeta cracked open one of the bones.

"What are you doing?" Bulma asked curiously. He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"The genius doesn't know about the sweetness of marrow?" He split the bone lengthwise and began to crunch on the tasty interior. The woman's expression hovered between repulsed and intrigued. Curiosity won out.

"Does it really taste good?"

"Try it," he suggested, holding out a chunk. As she reached for it he hesitated. Sharing the marrow in a kill was a lovers' tradition. Growling, he tossed it over to her before she could accept it from his hand. This wasn't Vegeta-sei, and he wasn't courting her, damnit!

To his dismay, he suddenly found himself pondering what it might be like to actually court the woman. He shook his head violently, wondering what the hell was wrong with him. He did not need a mate! He needed to become a super-saiyan and defeat Kakkorot!

"You're right, it is good!" Bulma smiled at him, and he felt a peculiar sensation in his gut at the sight of that radiant smile directed at him.

It freaked the hell out of him.

Bulma meanwhile narrowed her eyes just a bit. Her mind must be playing tricks on her. It almost looked like Vegeta was blushing. She dismissed the thought immediately and turned back to the capsule house.

"Where are you going?" he demanded sharply.

"To get dressed, 'Geta," she replied, rolling her eyes. His expression went from suspicion to outrage.

"GETA?!"

Snickering at his discomfiture, she darted towards the house. Only to run into what felt like a brick wall.

"Oof!" Bulma rebounded, though nowhere near as badly as she would have if she were still human. Piccolo cocked a brow ridge at her, taking in her new form.

"What are you doing here, Namek?" Demanded Vegeta harshly, annoyed that he hadn't sensed the green skinned being's approach. Piccolo must have pushed his power level down to almost nothing to get so close without detection. The warrior in question bared his long fangs in a sardonic grin.

"When I sensed a new power level near to my own, I thought to investigate," he replied calmly. "Goku intercepted me and informed me that he had already been to the Briefs and learned of what was going on here." He snorted. "And that I should just 'leave you two alone'." Vegeta nodded grudgingly; of all the pathetic warriors on this planet, the Namek was the only one besides himself who did not take Kakkorot's word as gospel.

"A power level near - I'm that strong now?" Bulma wheeled on Vegeta, amazed. "I'm as strong as him?"

"In raw power, yes," the saiyan prince admitted. "However, in terms of fighting skill, he would probably destroy you in two hits. Three at most." He paused. "This brings me to my next point. Get some suitable clothing on, woman. You cannot train in those hideous pajamas."

"Hideous?" Bulma bristled, tail whipping wildly from side to side. Piccolo surprised both saiyans by giving a sharp laugh.

"Allow me," he rumbled, and held his hand over the blue haired woman's head. A soft glow surrounded her, and when it cleared she stood there clad in a training gi. It was neither as tight as Vegeta's spandex nor as loose as Goku's orange gi. Instead it was somewhere in between, sleeveless, snugly fitting and yet allowing for full freedom of movement. In color it was a pale blue with lavender and white trim. On the back was a unique symbol that identified her sensei as Vegeta.

The prince nodded in approval while she exclaimed over her new outfit. He locked eyes with the curiously amused looking Namek. "Do not disturb us again. I will have no interference while I train her."

"Don't worry. I am the only one who would not listen to Goku's instructions on that part." Piccolo nodded to Bulma, and with a flare of his cloak lifted into the air and soared away. Vegeta said not a word, but turned and headed into the GR. Bulma followed along behind him, her tail flickering excitedly as she chattered.

"- really as strong as Piccolo? That means I'm stronger than Krillin or Tien or Yamcha! Ha, that's really great, imagine if I could beat up Yamcha because I never did pay him back for cheating on me with that - !" Her ramble was cut off abruptly as Vegeta cranked the power up to 50x earth's gravity. She hit the floor with a resounding thud, face first.

"Rule number one, woman. I am in charge here." A muffled curse came from the prone figure on the floor. Vegeta watched in amusement as she struggled to get up. "That means no arguing with me. When I say jump, you had better be six feet in the air before you even ask which direction."

"Power crazy son of a -!"

Vegeta cranked the gravity up to 70. Bulma whimpered.

"Rule number two. If you whine, I will blast you. Not until you are dead, but until you wish you were."

She had managed to get into a sort of half push up position, her arms trembling. Yes, she had power, but no idea how to use it. Yet. He smirked evilly and turned the gravity up to 100. She collapsed again.

"I will be over here. When you can walk over to me, I will begin your training." And he calmly walked across the room to the far wall, leaving a swearing, struggling Bulma behind.

Having realized that strength was no longer barring his transformation to super-saiyan, Vegeta figured now was as good a time as any to explore the barrier further. Like probing your tongue into the space where a tooth used to be in the gum, it was impossible for him to resist. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift further and further within.

Meanwhile, Bulma was pondering homicide. Or maybe that was saiya-cide. She was smashed flat on the floor of the GR with the weight of 100x earth's gravity pressing down on her. She couldn't even lift her tail off the floor.

I hate him! She seethed. I can't believe I ever thought he was attractive, that stupid arrogant thick-headed bastard! To her surprise, with the anger came a surge of strength that allowed her to lift her head. Of course when the anger dissipated, she dropped it down again with a loud thunk.

Of course! Bulma wondered why she hadn't thought of it before. She of all people, having watched Goku for so long, should know that anger elevated ki, and thereby increased strength.

And of course anyone but a beautiful genius such as herself would have simply made themselves furious and used that to move. SHE however, knew that that surge of strength would only last as long as she could maintain her fury. Not good form. Bulma instead lay very still and called up as much anger as she possibly could. At the same time, she made a point to 'feel out' where the ki energy was coming from, how it affected her, and how it flowed.

Then she relaxed again. It was a scientific approach to the situation, to be sure. Now that she sort of knew where it came from, Bulma attempted to summon her ki without anger. Minutes ticked by. Her forehead began to bead up with perspiration, but a whitish aura was slowly growing around her. It flared, dimmed, flared again, and then steadied.

With measured, careful movements, she stood up under the immense pressure, running ki through her already strong muscles to bolster her. Her eyes gleamed with immense satisfaction at her first success in this very physical and utterly new realm of expertise.

She glared at Vegeta, standing in apparent deep meditation before the far wall. His tail had come loose from its normal position around his waist and swayed temptingly behind him. A wicked plan formed in her mind, and she carefully and quietly walked across the room. Under ordinary circumstances, Vegeta would have noticed in a heartbeat. But he had underestimated the canny woman. Certain she would not move for hours, he had succumbed himself so entirely in his interior searching that he did not notice her moving. So Bulma managed without being detected to sneak across the GR and stand directly behind the prince.

She paused for a moment, ki still forming a white aura about her, to savor the impending revenge. Then without further ado, she caught the end of his tail in one hand, and with the other ran her index finger all the way down it from base to tip.