Last time:
She'd never seen a man quite like him before, his muscles bulging and tight against the fabric of his coat. His hair shot straight up on end, reminding her instantly of her dear friend Goku. She smiled sweetly at the mysterious man and waved him over.
He reluctantly obliged.
***********************************************************
"I haven't see you around here," Bulma said, her hand absently running through her long, silky tresses. She turned and motioned over her shoulder for Vegeta to follow her. "I've lived here for ten years and I've never seen you. Are you traveling through?"
"No," he finally said, saddling up beside her, subconsciously wondering where she was leading him. He glanced over his shoulder, the figures of Chi-Chi and Krillin shimmering in the distance. They'd returned to spy on him, but she couldn't see them. She was a mere mortal, and as such she could not see the damned, or the celestial, unless shown.
"Talkative, are we?" she laughed.
They came to an open field some two hundred yards from the market place. A bare, flattened boulder, about ten feet in diameter, sat just before them. Bulma took a seat upon the rock, patting the place next to her. Again Vegeta was reluctant to oblige. What was it that this mortal woman wanted with him? And why was she not afraid of a stranger as were most women of the time? He knew he didn't exactly have a "kind" face, so why was she so calm?
"You're moving here then?"
He shook his head. He should be going. He had to find 17 and get back to Lunaus.
"Alright." She cupped her chin with her hand, her brows furrowed. "Not passing through, not staying…Are you visiting someone?"
"No."
"Business?"
He nodded.
"Ok, now we're getting somewhere. What sort of business? I don't see a pack with you. You're not selling anything."
"I came for a fellow business man, yet I find myself lost."
"What does he look like? Maybe I could find him for you." She glanced around, though knew there was no one around, except for those few still at market. Gently she tried to penetrate his mind, see an image of this partner, and then find the mind of that man; she was quite beyond shocked when she found she could do nothing but give herself a mild headache. But sometimes it was that way with mortals. Sometimes their minds possessed natural barriers that make it almost impossible to pull information.
"Please stop," Vegeta murmured. He'd come across telepathic mortals in the past, though none as strong as she. "It's quite annoying."
"What is?" Was he referring to what she thought he was? No. It couldn't be. Though she instinctively put up her own shield.
"You know what you're doing," he huffed, bringing his legs up so he now sat Indian style, his black satin cape flowing behind him. He was dressed in the manner of an important man, one who could draw attention if he wanted, though blend in with a crowd as well. A perfect disguise when coming to the Earth. "But to be perfectly clear with you—" He tilted his head and looked over at her, her eyes slightly wider. "—I cannot stand it when other 'mind-readers' try to tap into my mind. It's very uncouth of you to not mention it."
"Forgive me," she said quickly, a furious blush touching her cheeks. She'd never encountered a telepathic mortal before. Though, she'd never really thought about it. Maybe all those "naturally closed doors" were mind-reading mortals like this strange man. She would have to be more careful in the future. It was imperative that her secret remain hidden. "But there was no way for me to know. The blame is not fully mine."
"Yes, but you agree that it was rude."
She nodded.
"And don't do it again." He turned his head to face forward again. "In fact, try not to do it at all if you can help it, with others I mean. It's more of a…challenge, to learn who a person is, rather than spying on their thoughts. And you look to me like a woman who can enjoy challenges."
"Why do you think I waved you over?" she said confidently, feeling almost comfortable with this man who she didn't even know his name.
"My name is Vegeta."
"You're unfair, Vegeta," Bulma sighed. "Please grant me the same honor. I swear to not pry into your mind, but you must swear the same for me."
"Fine. I swear." He frowned.
"Thank you. My name is Bulma."
**********************************************************
"She still won't return?" 18 sighed, her eyes on the parade of mortals that The Keeper of the Souls was leading into Heaven. It'd become a ritual of sorts for her as of late, what with Bulma gone.
"She is too in love with the Earth and its beings," Goku answered, his heart heavy with grief. The only way she would return without wanting to would be if there was a dire emergency that needed her assistance. Otherwise, she was feared to remain there forever.
"But she cannot stay much longer. Heaven needs her. We all need her. She is the example for the others, for the New Ones. Without her…" Her words trailed off. "I see that you've been successful as of late," she remarked, pointing to the procession of mortal souls, several of their bodies were tinged with a faint, barely noticeable, aura of golden light; Goku's mark of triumph; his saved souls.
"My last slipped through my fingers," he sighed, pulling his wings tightly together, as if he were trying to lessen them. "He was a gambler and a murderer of his kin. He was just beginning to see the error of his ways when a fatal heart attack struck. He died knowing that he could not be saved."
"And you had the misfortunate of seeing my wrongful brother?"
"Yes, he was there, waiting for the man to die. It's so unnatural to see an angel with black wings. I'm shaken every time."
"Angel!" she spat. "He is no angel. He's a demon, Goku. A foul demon. And a collector of wicked souls for that matter. Do you know what they're doing now, the demons?"
"Yes, I've heard." He hung his head. "They've been contracting souls for the past three hundred years. They've taken innocents right from under our noses. 18! We need your miracles. Hasn't the Almighty granted you leave yet? I haven't sensed you on the Earth in so long. It needs you."
"He has not," she said bitterly, turning from the mass of mortals, her blonde hair catching the light perfectly, her powder blue feathers seemingly white. "I won't ask him again. He still has hope."
"And so should you," Goku scolded, finding it unbelievable that both 18 and Bulma had the same negative attitude towards mortals. Was he the only angel left that still believed they stood a chance? "How many times does He have to reassure you angels?"
"I'm not an ordinary angel, Goku. You know that. Everyone does. Even them!" She motioned frantically to the souls, an almost endless line of semi-transparent once-beings. "I can feel their eyes on me. They know I'm more like them than any of the angels they've seen in their short time here. And they wonder, 'Is she one of us turned angel? Can we become angels too?' And the answer is yes, Goku. The answer is yes, because the Almighty has run out of options in this Cold War with Lunaus. The contracting and the mortal angels are the last parts of the puzzle. Don't you see? The war is already at the Gates. It's only a matter of the spark, and then we're back to chaos, and all shall suffer."
"And the Lord knows you feel this way?"
"Of course he does. And I think he agrees with me, though he's determined not to let his error with his angels reoccur. Did you know that there is only maybe a third of the original angels left in Heaven? A third! The rest are mortal angels." She shook her head wearily. "Demon-angels are becoming increasingly powerful. The last time I was on Earth I had the misfortunate of encountering one."
"One you knew?"
"Yes, but not in a very long while…Their power was enormous. I had to cloak myself to remain unnoticed. I…I witnessed a murder at the hands of this disguised demon. They transcended into mortal form and killed a woman…And so I performed a miracle, I brought her back to life, and I let her know me for what I was…I gave her a feather." She pointed to the place on her right wing where she'd plucked the feather; the spot would always remain bare. Angel feathers never grew back, leaving them with constant reminders of how they were lost.
"We can still win," he murmured.
"Win?" She laughed, turning from him. "It's not about winning, Goku. It never was."
"Then what is it about?"
"If you have to ask, you'll never know…"
*********************************************************
"Do you have any idea how much I need you right now, boy!" Lunaus roared, his milk white feathers ruffling in frustration. He, the first angel to fall, was alone endowed with white wings as he descended from Heaven. Why the Lord allowed him to retain such an obvious symbol of good, he did not know, only that he adored his feathers and would, under no circumstances, allow even his whored demons to touch them. He believed—in some way—they were the key to the Almighty's undoing. "Your outbursts are causing me millions of souls! Do you understand that?"
He sighed deeply, head in his hands, and turned his back on the Keeper of the Damned Souls, assuming his position on his self-proclaimed throne. Of course he was furious with 17, but he could not deny his love for his demon, so much like himself. He was one of the few Lunaus allowed himself to have such feelings for, though he denied them openly. "Demons have no use for love!" he'd proclaimed countless times.
"What am I to do with you, my dear friend?" he sighed, finally looking at 17, whose blue eyes were cast at the ground. It'd taken the combined strength of Chi-Chi, Krillin, and the scout demon to apprehend him and bring him back to Hell. "Three of my best, well, two of my best and a scout it took to bring you under control. What was it that upset you so? Am I to expect this more often now? Am I to find another, more worthy, Keeper?"
"No, Sir, of course not," 17 said finally, his eyes slowly rising to meet those of his master. " I can handle the job, only…" He trailed off, his eyes dropping with his voice. How could he explain to Lunaus that it was ill words from Vegeta that caused him distress? How pitiful he would sound. How pitiful he would feel.
"Just because Vegeta is a full-blooded demon, does not make his words true," Lunaus said. 17's eyes widened and he fought to keep his anger in check. "Chi-Chi told me what was said, and I believe you were entitled to run off. Though the struggle to return could have gone undone." He rose from his throne and placed a firm hand on 17's shoulder. "I understand how you must feel. You dread turning your back to the others for a moment for fear of exposing your one white feather. But remember this," he said, pointing to his wings. "I possess wings of nothing but white feathers, and I am a 'demi-demon' just as you. Now, do try to keep your anger at bay with Vegeta. I know he's harsh, but that's only because I made him that way. I needed a demon fully capable to being ruthless and loyal."
"Why did you ask if you already knew?" was all he could think to say.
"Why do you do the same now?" Lunaus laughed, patting 17's shoulder once, then turned to leave.
"That was pitiful," came a sneering voice from behind 17. He jumped almost instantly, turning around so fast he nearly lost balance. In the back of his mind Lunaus' words still rang clear—"You dread turning around…for fear of exposing your one white feather," and that was absolutely true.
"What do you want, Nappa?" 17 spat back, subconsciously pulling his wings as tightly together as possible. "I thought you were on guard duty for the next thousand years. You know, for being tempted by an angel and releasing all those souls to Heaven. You do remember that, right?"
"Only because you constantly remind me. But what's so wrong with what I did? At least it was in the bounds of my job description. I've never been known to throw fits over name-calling."
Within moments Nappa was to the ground, his bald head colliding with the deep brown clay. He pushed and shoved at his fellow demon, only to have his head once again slammed down.
"More hissy fits, my friend?" he laughed, dodging a punch.
"You're scum, Nappa. All full-blooded demons are the same. Scum!"
"What else should I be? My job is to harbor souls for an army. Evil souls! What more can I be but evil myself? Now get off me before I use force with you."
"I'm ten times stronger than you, Nappa. Don't test me," 17 said, climbing to his feet, his long silky hair mussed. The taller demon laughed at the sight, having always found 17's "girlish" hair humorous. "No get the fuck away from me. I can't stand you."
"And I can't stand sniveling demi-demons." He dodged one last attempt from 17, then sauntered away and out of view, leaving 17 to his thoughts.
Was he right? Could he be just a lowly demi-demon, still pining over the Lord and wanting to be in His light once again?
No.
He shook his head furiously. That was one thing he was sure of. He did NOT wish to lay eyes on the Almighty again. That part of him was gone, and no one, not even his belovéd sister, could change his mind.
********************************************************
Bulma let the rock that had been levitating just above her hand fall into her palm, her face the picture of triumph. For the past five hours she and Vegeta had been discussing their lives, though, more often than not, she did all the talking. Now they were to the point of complete relaxation with each other—and they both confessed it was a rarity to be so comfortable with another person—and were engaged in a battle of mental power.
"There isn't much I cannot do," she laughed, tossing him the rock.
He rolled his eyes at her, then held out the rock and mentally commanded it to rise to the air, some two inches from his hand.
"Easy," he stated, dropping the rock to the ground. "Can you move heavier objects?" He smirked, thinking that he had her, though in a split second realized he was inches higher than a moment ago, and Bulma was having a hard time suppressing her laughter. "Let me down," he growled, reaching at her.
She did as he said, though at that second, his arms were reached out, and he ended up nearly in her lap. He stumbled to his feet, mumbled something under his breath, and straightened his cape.
"You're amazing," she said confidently, secretly thinking that aside from Goku, 18, and Yamcha (The Keeper of the Souls), this strange earthman, Vegeta, was her closet companion.
"Companion?" Vegeta laughed, running a hand through his unruly hair. "You barely know me. And if you did, I'm sure you'd think otherwise."
"What of our agreement?" Bulma snarled, rising to her feet. "You swore."
"I'm not one to keep promises," he sighed, exasperated, his time running thin. Soon it would be the evening, and that meant valuable time wasted with nothing accomplished. How could he have allowed himself to get so caught up with this woman and not even feel compelled to bed her without consequence? Sure the thought had crossed his mind, to have her in his arms, panting and sweaty; but to ditch her afterwards? Somehow that seemed too wrong, even for him. "But if you must be that way," he said, his foot tapping the ground lightly. "I didn't pry into your thoughts. You sent it to me, by accident. It's a mistake even the most experienced of us make. But be warned, I'm no man to get caught up with. If ever our paths cross again, do well to turn away from me."
"I simply can't do that, Vegeta." She let herself smile, though her heart was still wounded by his truthful words. "I'm compelled, in some way, to stay by you. I can't explain it, but I want to know you more. When are leaving? Can we meet again? Soon?"
"I know your meaning, woman, but I can't allow that to happen. My job is at stake right now, and I have certain…duties, that demand my attention. Being with you for so long was a mistake. I must go…Now."
"You try so hard to be cold, Vegeta," she said, not turning around when she felt the presence of another angel, though she knew it to not be Goku. "But let me tell you this: I will not give up on you until I discover the root of your consistencies, why you are the way you are and what drives your darkened soul."
"My darkened soul?" he laughed, suddenly picking up the distinct feeling of another's eyes on him. He glanced around, but found not a soul beside the blue-haired mortal. He knew it to be an angel, cloaked from him, and immediately put up his guard, though regained composure for conversation's sake. "How is it that you can hit it on the mark so expertly, yet you're so blind to the blatant truth?"
"And what truth is that?" She crossed her arms and ignored the pull at her arm. Whoever the Almighty had sent was eager to speak with her.
"That, no matter what you do or say, I will never let on to my true self. In fact, we shall never see each other again, if I can help it, so your search for the 'root' is meaningless. Good day."
"You'll come back," she said to his back. "I know you can feel that connection we made today. I haven't in all my existence felt such a pull on my soul. It's impossible that we should never meet again. Good-bye Vegeta."
He only laughed at her words and continued on his way.
"Bulma!" the cloaked angel whispered in her ear, once he was out of sight.
"Reveal yourself," she sighed. There was nothing that bothered her more than speaking to air.
"You must return," they said, their long reddish hair materializing before her eyes. "The Keeper of the Damned Souls is at Heaven's Gates as we speak!" Her eyes held nothing short of distress. "He's demanding we give over the souls 'taken' from Hell a thousand years ago!"
"What would Lunaus want with those souls?" Bulma asked, grinding her teeth.
"It wasn't Lunaus' doing, Bulma. He came on his own."
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---Chapter 3!! Ok, so now all the characters (I think) are mentioned. Well, all the important ones. And Vegeta and Bulma have met, yay!!
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: Back to Heaven…
Note: The reason Bulma and Vegeta don't recognize each other is because they've never met before now. When Heaven and Hell were at war, they didn't focus on faces, get it?…And they only know of each other by their status name, e.i.: The First Angel and The First Demon.
Note2: I really hope everyone is enjoying this. I'm putting a lot of effort into it, 'cause I never do with my other fics, LOL!
She'd never seen a man quite like him before, his muscles bulging and tight against the fabric of his coat. His hair shot straight up on end, reminding her instantly of her dear friend Goku. She smiled sweetly at the mysterious man and waved him over.
He reluctantly obliged.
***********************************************************
"I haven't see you around here," Bulma said, her hand absently running through her long, silky tresses. She turned and motioned over her shoulder for Vegeta to follow her. "I've lived here for ten years and I've never seen you. Are you traveling through?"
"No," he finally said, saddling up beside her, subconsciously wondering where she was leading him. He glanced over his shoulder, the figures of Chi-Chi and Krillin shimmering in the distance. They'd returned to spy on him, but she couldn't see them. She was a mere mortal, and as such she could not see the damned, or the celestial, unless shown.
"Talkative, are we?" she laughed.
They came to an open field some two hundred yards from the market place. A bare, flattened boulder, about ten feet in diameter, sat just before them. Bulma took a seat upon the rock, patting the place next to her. Again Vegeta was reluctant to oblige. What was it that this mortal woman wanted with him? And why was she not afraid of a stranger as were most women of the time? He knew he didn't exactly have a "kind" face, so why was she so calm?
"You're moving here then?"
He shook his head. He should be going. He had to find 17 and get back to Lunaus.
"Alright." She cupped her chin with her hand, her brows furrowed. "Not passing through, not staying…Are you visiting someone?"
"No."
"Business?"
He nodded.
"Ok, now we're getting somewhere. What sort of business? I don't see a pack with you. You're not selling anything."
"I came for a fellow business man, yet I find myself lost."
"What does he look like? Maybe I could find him for you." She glanced around, though knew there was no one around, except for those few still at market. Gently she tried to penetrate his mind, see an image of this partner, and then find the mind of that man; she was quite beyond shocked when she found she could do nothing but give herself a mild headache. But sometimes it was that way with mortals. Sometimes their minds possessed natural barriers that make it almost impossible to pull information.
"Please stop," Vegeta murmured. He'd come across telepathic mortals in the past, though none as strong as she. "It's quite annoying."
"What is?" Was he referring to what she thought he was? No. It couldn't be. Though she instinctively put up her own shield.
"You know what you're doing," he huffed, bringing his legs up so he now sat Indian style, his black satin cape flowing behind him. He was dressed in the manner of an important man, one who could draw attention if he wanted, though blend in with a crowd as well. A perfect disguise when coming to the Earth. "But to be perfectly clear with you—" He tilted his head and looked over at her, her eyes slightly wider. "—I cannot stand it when other 'mind-readers' try to tap into my mind. It's very uncouth of you to not mention it."
"Forgive me," she said quickly, a furious blush touching her cheeks. She'd never encountered a telepathic mortal before. Though, she'd never really thought about it. Maybe all those "naturally closed doors" were mind-reading mortals like this strange man. She would have to be more careful in the future. It was imperative that her secret remain hidden. "But there was no way for me to know. The blame is not fully mine."
"Yes, but you agree that it was rude."
She nodded.
"And don't do it again." He turned his head to face forward again. "In fact, try not to do it at all if you can help it, with others I mean. It's more of a…challenge, to learn who a person is, rather than spying on their thoughts. And you look to me like a woman who can enjoy challenges."
"Why do you think I waved you over?" she said confidently, feeling almost comfortable with this man who she didn't even know his name.
"My name is Vegeta."
"You're unfair, Vegeta," Bulma sighed. "Please grant me the same honor. I swear to not pry into your mind, but you must swear the same for me."
"Fine. I swear." He frowned.
"Thank you. My name is Bulma."
**********************************************************
"She still won't return?" 18 sighed, her eyes on the parade of mortals that The Keeper of the Souls was leading into Heaven. It'd become a ritual of sorts for her as of late, what with Bulma gone.
"She is too in love with the Earth and its beings," Goku answered, his heart heavy with grief. The only way she would return without wanting to would be if there was a dire emergency that needed her assistance. Otherwise, she was feared to remain there forever.
"But she cannot stay much longer. Heaven needs her. We all need her. She is the example for the others, for the New Ones. Without her…" Her words trailed off. "I see that you've been successful as of late," she remarked, pointing to the procession of mortal souls, several of their bodies were tinged with a faint, barely noticeable, aura of golden light; Goku's mark of triumph; his saved souls.
"My last slipped through my fingers," he sighed, pulling his wings tightly together, as if he were trying to lessen them. "He was a gambler and a murderer of his kin. He was just beginning to see the error of his ways when a fatal heart attack struck. He died knowing that he could not be saved."
"And you had the misfortunate of seeing my wrongful brother?"
"Yes, he was there, waiting for the man to die. It's so unnatural to see an angel with black wings. I'm shaken every time."
"Angel!" she spat. "He is no angel. He's a demon, Goku. A foul demon. And a collector of wicked souls for that matter. Do you know what they're doing now, the demons?"
"Yes, I've heard." He hung his head. "They've been contracting souls for the past three hundred years. They've taken innocents right from under our noses. 18! We need your miracles. Hasn't the Almighty granted you leave yet? I haven't sensed you on the Earth in so long. It needs you."
"He has not," she said bitterly, turning from the mass of mortals, her blonde hair catching the light perfectly, her powder blue feathers seemingly white. "I won't ask him again. He still has hope."
"And so should you," Goku scolded, finding it unbelievable that both 18 and Bulma had the same negative attitude towards mortals. Was he the only angel left that still believed they stood a chance? "How many times does He have to reassure you angels?"
"I'm not an ordinary angel, Goku. You know that. Everyone does. Even them!" She motioned frantically to the souls, an almost endless line of semi-transparent once-beings. "I can feel their eyes on me. They know I'm more like them than any of the angels they've seen in their short time here. And they wonder, 'Is she one of us turned angel? Can we become angels too?' And the answer is yes, Goku. The answer is yes, because the Almighty has run out of options in this Cold War with Lunaus. The contracting and the mortal angels are the last parts of the puzzle. Don't you see? The war is already at the Gates. It's only a matter of the spark, and then we're back to chaos, and all shall suffer."
"And the Lord knows you feel this way?"
"Of course he does. And I think he agrees with me, though he's determined not to let his error with his angels reoccur. Did you know that there is only maybe a third of the original angels left in Heaven? A third! The rest are mortal angels." She shook her head wearily. "Demon-angels are becoming increasingly powerful. The last time I was on Earth I had the misfortunate of encountering one."
"One you knew?"
"Yes, but not in a very long while…Their power was enormous. I had to cloak myself to remain unnoticed. I…I witnessed a murder at the hands of this disguised demon. They transcended into mortal form and killed a woman…And so I performed a miracle, I brought her back to life, and I let her know me for what I was…I gave her a feather." She pointed to the place on her right wing where she'd plucked the feather; the spot would always remain bare. Angel feathers never grew back, leaving them with constant reminders of how they were lost.
"We can still win," he murmured.
"Win?" She laughed, turning from him. "It's not about winning, Goku. It never was."
"Then what is it about?"
"If you have to ask, you'll never know…"
*********************************************************
"Do you have any idea how much I need you right now, boy!" Lunaus roared, his milk white feathers ruffling in frustration. He, the first angel to fall, was alone endowed with white wings as he descended from Heaven. Why the Lord allowed him to retain such an obvious symbol of good, he did not know, only that he adored his feathers and would, under no circumstances, allow even his whored demons to touch them. He believed—in some way—they were the key to the Almighty's undoing. "Your outbursts are causing me millions of souls! Do you understand that?"
He sighed deeply, head in his hands, and turned his back on the Keeper of the Damned Souls, assuming his position on his self-proclaimed throne. Of course he was furious with 17, but he could not deny his love for his demon, so much like himself. He was one of the few Lunaus allowed himself to have such feelings for, though he denied them openly. "Demons have no use for love!" he'd proclaimed countless times.
"What am I to do with you, my dear friend?" he sighed, finally looking at 17, whose blue eyes were cast at the ground. It'd taken the combined strength of Chi-Chi, Krillin, and the scout demon to apprehend him and bring him back to Hell. "Three of my best, well, two of my best and a scout it took to bring you under control. What was it that upset you so? Am I to expect this more often now? Am I to find another, more worthy, Keeper?"
"No, Sir, of course not," 17 said finally, his eyes slowly rising to meet those of his master. " I can handle the job, only…" He trailed off, his eyes dropping with his voice. How could he explain to Lunaus that it was ill words from Vegeta that caused him distress? How pitiful he would sound. How pitiful he would feel.
"Just because Vegeta is a full-blooded demon, does not make his words true," Lunaus said. 17's eyes widened and he fought to keep his anger in check. "Chi-Chi told me what was said, and I believe you were entitled to run off. Though the struggle to return could have gone undone." He rose from his throne and placed a firm hand on 17's shoulder. "I understand how you must feel. You dread turning your back to the others for a moment for fear of exposing your one white feather. But remember this," he said, pointing to his wings. "I possess wings of nothing but white feathers, and I am a 'demi-demon' just as you. Now, do try to keep your anger at bay with Vegeta. I know he's harsh, but that's only because I made him that way. I needed a demon fully capable to being ruthless and loyal."
"Why did you ask if you already knew?" was all he could think to say.
"Why do you do the same now?" Lunaus laughed, patting 17's shoulder once, then turned to leave.
"That was pitiful," came a sneering voice from behind 17. He jumped almost instantly, turning around so fast he nearly lost balance. In the back of his mind Lunaus' words still rang clear—"You dread turning around…for fear of exposing your one white feather," and that was absolutely true.
"What do you want, Nappa?" 17 spat back, subconsciously pulling his wings as tightly together as possible. "I thought you were on guard duty for the next thousand years. You know, for being tempted by an angel and releasing all those souls to Heaven. You do remember that, right?"
"Only because you constantly remind me. But what's so wrong with what I did? At least it was in the bounds of my job description. I've never been known to throw fits over name-calling."
Within moments Nappa was to the ground, his bald head colliding with the deep brown clay. He pushed and shoved at his fellow demon, only to have his head once again slammed down.
"More hissy fits, my friend?" he laughed, dodging a punch.
"You're scum, Nappa. All full-blooded demons are the same. Scum!"
"What else should I be? My job is to harbor souls for an army. Evil souls! What more can I be but evil myself? Now get off me before I use force with you."
"I'm ten times stronger than you, Nappa. Don't test me," 17 said, climbing to his feet, his long silky hair mussed. The taller demon laughed at the sight, having always found 17's "girlish" hair humorous. "No get the fuck away from me. I can't stand you."
"And I can't stand sniveling demi-demons." He dodged one last attempt from 17, then sauntered away and out of view, leaving 17 to his thoughts.
Was he right? Could he be just a lowly demi-demon, still pining over the Lord and wanting to be in His light once again?
No.
He shook his head furiously. That was one thing he was sure of. He did NOT wish to lay eyes on the Almighty again. That part of him was gone, and no one, not even his belovéd sister, could change his mind.
********************************************************
Bulma let the rock that had been levitating just above her hand fall into her palm, her face the picture of triumph. For the past five hours she and Vegeta had been discussing their lives, though, more often than not, she did all the talking. Now they were to the point of complete relaxation with each other—and they both confessed it was a rarity to be so comfortable with another person—and were engaged in a battle of mental power.
"There isn't much I cannot do," she laughed, tossing him the rock.
He rolled his eyes at her, then held out the rock and mentally commanded it to rise to the air, some two inches from his hand.
"Easy," he stated, dropping the rock to the ground. "Can you move heavier objects?" He smirked, thinking that he had her, though in a split second realized he was inches higher than a moment ago, and Bulma was having a hard time suppressing her laughter. "Let me down," he growled, reaching at her.
She did as he said, though at that second, his arms were reached out, and he ended up nearly in her lap. He stumbled to his feet, mumbled something under his breath, and straightened his cape.
"You're amazing," she said confidently, secretly thinking that aside from Goku, 18, and Yamcha (The Keeper of the Souls), this strange earthman, Vegeta, was her closet companion.
"Companion?" Vegeta laughed, running a hand through his unruly hair. "You barely know me. And if you did, I'm sure you'd think otherwise."
"What of our agreement?" Bulma snarled, rising to her feet. "You swore."
"I'm not one to keep promises," he sighed, exasperated, his time running thin. Soon it would be the evening, and that meant valuable time wasted with nothing accomplished. How could he have allowed himself to get so caught up with this woman and not even feel compelled to bed her without consequence? Sure the thought had crossed his mind, to have her in his arms, panting and sweaty; but to ditch her afterwards? Somehow that seemed too wrong, even for him. "But if you must be that way," he said, his foot tapping the ground lightly. "I didn't pry into your thoughts. You sent it to me, by accident. It's a mistake even the most experienced of us make. But be warned, I'm no man to get caught up with. If ever our paths cross again, do well to turn away from me."
"I simply can't do that, Vegeta." She let herself smile, though her heart was still wounded by his truthful words. "I'm compelled, in some way, to stay by you. I can't explain it, but I want to know you more. When are leaving? Can we meet again? Soon?"
"I know your meaning, woman, but I can't allow that to happen. My job is at stake right now, and I have certain…duties, that demand my attention. Being with you for so long was a mistake. I must go…Now."
"You try so hard to be cold, Vegeta," she said, not turning around when she felt the presence of another angel, though she knew it to not be Goku. "But let me tell you this: I will not give up on you until I discover the root of your consistencies, why you are the way you are and what drives your darkened soul."
"My darkened soul?" he laughed, suddenly picking up the distinct feeling of another's eyes on him. He glanced around, but found not a soul beside the blue-haired mortal. He knew it to be an angel, cloaked from him, and immediately put up his guard, though regained composure for conversation's sake. "How is it that you can hit it on the mark so expertly, yet you're so blind to the blatant truth?"
"And what truth is that?" She crossed her arms and ignored the pull at her arm. Whoever the Almighty had sent was eager to speak with her.
"That, no matter what you do or say, I will never let on to my true self. In fact, we shall never see each other again, if I can help it, so your search for the 'root' is meaningless. Good day."
"You'll come back," she said to his back. "I know you can feel that connection we made today. I haven't in all my existence felt such a pull on my soul. It's impossible that we should never meet again. Good-bye Vegeta."
He only laughed at her words and continued on his way.
"Bulma!" the cloaked angel whispered in her ear, once he was out of sight.
"Reveal yourself," she sighed. There was nothing that bothered her more than speaking to air.
"You must return," they said, their long reddish hair materializing before her eyes. "The Keeper of the Damned Souls is at Heaven's Gates as we speak!" Her eyes held nothing short of distress. "He's demanding we give over the souls 'taken' from Hell a thousand years ago!"
"What would Lunaus want with those souls?" Bulma asked, grinding her teeth.
"It wasn't Lunaus' doing, Bulma. He came on his own."
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---Chapter 3!! Ok, so now all the characters (I think) are mentioned. Well, all the important ones. And Vegeta and Bulma have met, yay!!
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: Back to Heaven…
Note: The reason Bulma and Vegeta don't recognize each other is because they've never met before now. When Heaven and Hell were at war, they didn't focus on faces, get it?…And they only know of each other by their status name, e.i.: The First Angel and The First Demon.
Note2: I really hope everyone is enjoying this. I'm putting a lot of effort into it, 'cause I never do with my other fics, LOL!
