Last time:
"Correct."
"How do I become your mate?"
********************************************************
Vegeta glared down at Bulma, though he kept a tight hold around her, unwilling at that moment to let her soft little body go.
"Don't ask me such things right now. My decision is still debatable. I may have been rash."
Bulma's heart sank and a small frown appeared on her lips.
"Why ask me at all then?" she sighed, moving an inch or so away from him. He noticed this, of course, and pulled her back, closer than she was before.
"You have the perfect mate qualities, save strength."
"So, what, you're going over the hill and are afraid you won't have children before it's too late?"
"Sons," he corrected. "And I don't know what you mean by 'over the hill', but yes, I do wish to obtain heirs before I cannot."
"Obtain heirs? You act like it's an auction or something."
"If only it were that simple. Unfortunately unwanted emotions are involved."
"I'm tired," she said suddenly, rolling over away from him, her hands under her head. "Aren't you leaving?"
"Why do I have to leave if all you're doing is resting?"
"Whatever," she huffed, closing her eyes and trying to will sleep to her.
But it was no use; after a good hour and a half or so, she realized that sleep wasn't going to come. And now she was hungry, but didn't want to get up and let Vegeta know she was awake. She was, of course, extremely hurt by his statements about them being together. She couldn't believe herself, falling for him when all he wanted was to use her for children, which she figured he could care less about, and only wanted them for status or whatever is weird little alien mind thought. She tried to ignore it, but that only brought more images of delicious food in her head. And suddenly she couldn't remember the last time she ate and she stomach growled angrily at her for it.
"You need to eat," Vegeta grunted from behind her.
"You need to mind your own business," she snapped before she could stop herself. She buried her head in her pillow, hoping against hope that he had suddenly gone deaf.
"What's wrong?" It was a demand, if anything. He easily turned her over, forcing her to face him. "Tell me."
"Why do you care? It's obvious that you don't give a damn about me. You're only using me for my body and then I'll mean nothing to you, until you want my body again. Here's a thought! Cut my head off and keep my body! Then I don' have to look at you…."
"You're being ridiculous woman. What's gotten into you? Before you were overjoyed to be my mate, now you're angry. Why the sudden change?"
"Why didn't you tell me what I was agreeing to? That it was a heartless decision with no thought on your part, other than I was the perfect 'candidate' for giving you children."
"You could have easily asked. I would have given you the information. You make it sound like I forced you into it, when you agreed without so much as three seconds thought."
She was silent after that, knowing full well that he was right; she has agreed without thought, she hadn't asked him anything about what she was getting into, she didn't even consider it. The shock of him wanting to be her mate sent her whirling and she couldn't allow herself to say no.
"What did you think, it would be an earth arrangement?"
She had, but there was no way she would tell him.
"Alright, be silent. Just know that after we become permanent mates that your verbal silence will no longer be a barrier."
"W-What d'you mean?" she stuttered. "Permanent? Barrier? What are you talking about?"
"I already told you, I'm not getting into the mating just yet. I'll allow you some time to let it sink in before I take action."
"Action? What action? What are you going to do?"
"Stop worrying woman, you act like I'm going to gut you."
"Are you?"
"Now you're just being stupid. Honestly, I gave you more credit."
"Then tell me about mating. Then I won't have to come to bizarre conclusions in my head."
"What do you want to know?" He caved.
"What you meant by your statement, the permanent thing and the barrier thing. Why does it seem like if I become your mate then I'm stuck with you forever?"
"Very good," he mocked, rolling his eyes. "You picked up something. Indeed we will remain together always."
"So there's no divorce clause?" She was inching back again, though he only held tighter.
"We cannot be separated by any means. Unfaithfulness has dire consequences."
"What kind?" She was now pressed so close to him that she couldn't see his face, her head resting rigidly on his shoulder. If she hadn't been so freaked about the mating thing she would have seen how sweet it was so him to want her so close.
"If either of us is unfaithful, our bond will weakness us. Death has been known to happen to the already weak. Or those whose bonds are so powerful that any hint of adultery can kill them."
"So wait, you're telling me that if I kiss another guy I could die?"
"No, you're missing the point. Kissing isn't unfaithful if there is no desire to be with that being."
"So if I kissed my father or Goku?"
"Do not mention Kakarot in that way around me!"
"Sorry….Sheesh…." she trailed off, having obviously hit a nerve. "Ok, so, what's this bond?"
"When two beings bond, and there's only one way to do it, they become permanently attached, mind and soul."
"So, what you meant by barriers is that we can read each other's thoughts?"
He nodded. "Finally, you're catching on."
"How bizarre."
"Why? It's far superior to the system you earthlings have. Anyone can procreate with anyone and their mate can be none the wiser."
"It sounds….wonderful." A small smile finally came to her lips and she reached her arms around Vegeta's torso. "And you want this with me? Forever?"
"I thought my invitation was clear."
"And how do we bond?"
"It's simple," he said informatively. "We exchange blood, bonding us forever."
"B-Blood? We-We-We…." But she couldn't finish. She began backing away once more.
"Woman, would you stop doing that? And yes, I said blood. What's the problem? You see blood every month when you menstruate." She glared up at him at the mention of her period. "What, you suspect I didn't know that?"
"Why blood?"
"Woman, stop worrying. All that happens is I bite you here-" He pointed to the space directly above her collarbone, in the croak of her neck. "-take some blood, and then you do the same. Simple."
"S-Simple? Simple? I'm sorry buddy, but I'm just not as well equipped as you are."
"How?"
"I don't have fangs like you." He had, on more than one occasion, barred them at her in anger.
"You have sharp enough teeth, I assure you."
"And what about a mark? Won't it scar?"
"Precisely why it's done where it's done. So it's easily visible. Therefore others know that the particular being is taken by another."
"Can't we just wear wedding bands?"
"It's this way or no way, got it? You're either my mate or you're not, that simple. Why must you carry on about such things?"
"I can't just accept something like this so quickly Vegeta!"
"You did two days ago. Why is it different now?"
"Because, it's forever, that's why."
"And what, you thought it would end like all your other failed relationships with weaklings?"
"I didn't realize it was so permanent. On earth there are always loopholes, this has none."
"Which makes it better. If one cannot commit to another being faithfully then what is their worth in the great scheme of things?"
Bulma was dumbstruck. He was absolutely right. What was the use of an unfaithful partner? Why bother having a partner if they are not guaranteed to remain faithful? His Saiyan ways were in fact superior to her Earthling ways. How odd that it is a warrior race that can produce such faithfulness between their partners.
"No more words?" he asked curtly, sternly.
"There's one thing that's missing, and I can't ignore it."
"What could possibly be missing from such a fool-proof plan?"
"Love," she whispered, barely audible. But he'd heard her, loud and clear.
It was Vegeta's turn to be dumbstruck in silence this time. Love? No, she couldn't be serious. What good did that have in his plan?
"That has nothing to do with any of this. It's a useless human emotion."
"It has everything to do with it," she whimpered, tears spilling from her eyes as she struggled to keep from screaming, from getting more emotional than she already was. She'd be damned if she had another attack like this. "How can someone be forever faithful to someone that they don't love?" She sobbed quietly into one of her hands, trying to regain her words. "That's how bonds are broken, you know. They pledge their souls to one and later find another that they fall in love with and would gladly die to be close to for a moment."
"That's foolish and you know it. How would a race survive on such standards?"
"It's not for the race Vegeta….I don't care what the other Saiyans did. I need the love, I can't agree without it." And took a sharp breath, and added, "And not just for me to love you….I need you-"
"Don't waste your breath on it woman. You know it's impossible." He roughly pushed her aside, climbing off the bed. "Good luck finding something that doesn't exist." He reached the door, opening it, but turned around at the last moment. "You'll regret this later." He was almost gone when-
"Wait!" she called in a raspy voice.
He turned to face her, glaring angrily.
"If-If….If you do find that you can love me. No, before you say it's impossible, let me finish. If you do, somehow, end up feeling that way for me, just….just ask me to be your mate again."
"Why put yourself through such misery over this? It's useless."
"Because this kind of love I can never feel again….I have to wait and see….It's worth it…."
************************************************************
Bulma sat on her bed, legs bended in, hands out in front of her. She was waiting for Furto's reply; she'd just told him what had happened between her and Vegeta. He'd listened intently, but now she wanted his input, his advice, if he could offer any. Anything to make her feel remotely better over the situation.
"Miss Bulma, I….I really don't know what to say to you. I feel for your loss, but I urge you to move on. No life is worth living without love."
"I agree." She smiled weakly at him; it was obvious that he was extremely uncomfortable on the subject. She wondered if he had a love back home.
"And you have that love for him, you finally admit that to yourself, but being with him when he can't admit it, even silently or to himself-it's just not worth it. Without it you'll fall into despair." He sighed solemnly. "But, if you cannot move on, then I wish you the best of luck. Maybe he can admit it in time."
"He needs to feel it first."
Furto smiled knowingly, resting his elbow on his thighs, his chin on his hand.
"Did you find love yet?"
He winced at the question, straightening back to rigid posture.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to affe-"
"It's fine, Miss. I do not prefer to speak of her, but you have confided in me your deepest secret, and I shall do the same."
He told his sad short story of his lost love. She had not been from Fewsk. She was a Doonso, the Princess to be exact, the very same one that reigned there now. They met one a routine meeting of the planets; she'd become ill, not with Denj-sa fortunately, but it could cause death if not stopped in its early stages. He treated her, cared for her until she was strong again, and inevitably fell in love with her. She, surprisingly, returned those feelings, vowing her loved no other and never would.
They met in secret for over four years; confiding in each other, laughing with each other, loving each other. It wasn't long before Furto became restless with the situation, and suggested they run off together, a distant planet of refugees from other planets, one only a few solar systems away. She agreed to this, reluctantly, gathering what little she wanted in a small sack and meeting him in the courtyard outside her bedchambers. He was there, as planned, ready with a ship a few miles from the palace.
All was going well, or so the couple thought. When they reached the ship they embraced one another, kissing each other's faces all over, just happy to be together, knowing it would always be that way. The Queen, of course, had another thought on the matter. They were separated at once, Furto's sentence being death for daring to touch a Doonso royal in such a foul way. He pleaded for his life, winning it only after Jemalin vowed suicide if a hair on his head was put out of place.
"That was two years ago," Furto sighed sorrowfully, bowing his head respectfully in honor of his lost Jemalin.
"She seems, how should I say this?, different from how you speak of her."
"Oh, she has changed greatly in these two years. Her attitude towards the world is backwards, her mind finally caving to the sickness in her mother. She is not the Jemalin I fell in love with….Oh, but I love her still."
"How is it that you were permitted to the palace then, if that happened?"
"A new treaty, right before, with all the planets in our solar system, and the one in which I was to take us to. The Queen may only execute those of another planet with the permission of that planet's leader or leaders. Fewskm disagreed with my execution, though they would have surely gone along with it had it not been for Jemalin's pleas….How hard it was to see her in her finery, looking so beautiful as she ever did, but her eyes being soulless and lost. I doubt she recognized me when I passed her in the corridors."
"Trauma can have a deep impact on people's lives, believe me," she stressed, thinking of how because ofher fatal disease she began looking at Vegeta in a new light.
"Oh, silly me!" Furto suddenly said loudly, hopping from the floor. "Here I am moaning over the unchangeable past and you haven't eaten dinner yet. Come," she pulled her off the bed. "You need your strength, especially for the landing tomorrow."
*****************************************************
---Chapter 16!! Yay! Yippy! Yo! Woohoo! Would you look at that? They're split up already? But-But it was only for two days! Grr! Damn Bulma and her love for Vegeta. And damn Vegeta for not admitting his love to Bulma. If he doesn't shape up soon he's going to loose her….And aww! Poor Furto!
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=Chapter updates)
Next time: The landing. Dunt dunt duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!
"Correct."
"How do I become your mate?"
********************************************************
Vegeta glared down at Bulma, though he kept a tight hold around her, unwilling at that moment to let her soft little body go.
"Don't ask me such things right now. My decision is still debatable. I may have been rash."
Bulma's heart sank and a small frown appeared on her lips.
"Why ask me at all then?" she sighed, moving an inch or so away from him. He noticed this, of course, and pulled her back, closer than she was before.
"You have the perfect mate qualities, save strength."
"So, what, you're going over the hill and are afraid you won't have children before it's too late?"
"Sons," he corrected. "And I don't know what you mean by 'over the hill', but yes, I do wish to obtain heirs before I cannot."
"Obtain heirs? You act like it's an auction or something."
"If only it were that simple. Unfortunately unwanted emotions are involved."
"I'm tired," she said suddenly, rolling over away from him, her hands under her head. "Aren't you leaving?"
"Why do I have to leave if all you're doing is resting?"
"Whatever," she huffed, closing her eyes and trying to will sleep to her.
But it was no use; after a good hour and a half or so, she realized that sleep wasn't going to come. And now she was hungry, but didn't want to get up and let Vegeta know she was awake. She was, of course, extremely hurt by his statements about them being together. She couldn't believe herself, falling for him when all he wanted was to use her for children, which she figured he could care less about, and only wanted them for status or whatever is weird little alien mind thought. She tried to ignore it, but that only brought more images of delicious food in her head. And suddenly she couldn't remember the last time she ate and she stomach growled angrily at her for it.
"You need to eat," Vegeta grunted from behind her.
"You need to mind your own business," she snapped before she could stop herself. She buried her head in her pillow, hoping against hope that he had suddenly gone deaf.
"What's wrong?" It was a demand, if anything. He easily turned her over, forcing her to face him. "Tell me."
"Why do you care? It's obvious that you don't give a damn about me. You're only using me for my body and then I'll mean nothing to you, until you want my body again. Here's a thought! Cut my head off and keep my body! Then I don' have to look at you…."
"You're being ridiculous woman. What's gotten into you? Before you were overjoyed to be my mate, now you're angry. Why the sudden change?"
"Why didn't you tell me what I was agreeing to? That it was a heartless decision with no thought on your part, other than I was the perfect 'candidate' for giving you children."
"You could have easily asked. I would have given you the information. You make it sound like I forced you into it, when you agreed without so much as three seconds thought."
She was silent after that, knowing full well that he was right; she has agreed without thought, she hadn't asked him anything about what she was getting into, she didn't even consider it. The shock of him wanting to be her mate sent her whirling and she couldn't allow herself to say no.
"What did you think, it would be an earth arrangement?"
She had, but there was no way she would tell him.
"Alright, be silent. Just know that after we become permanent mates that your verbal silence will no longer be a barrier."
"W-What d'you mean?" she stuttered. "Permanent? Barrier? What are you talking about?"
"I already told you, I'm not getting into the mating just yet. I'll allow you some time to let it sink in before I take action."
"Action? What action? What are you going to do?"
"Stop worrying woman, you act like I'm going to gut you."
"Are you?"
"Now you're just being stupid. Honestly, I gave you more credit."
"Then tell me about mating. Then I won't have to come to bizarre conclusions in my head."
"What do you want to know?" He caved.
"What you meant by your statement, the permanent thing and the barrier thing. Why does it seem like if I become your mate then I'm stuck with you forever?"
"Very good," he mocked, rolling his eyes. "You picked up something. Indeed we will remain together always."
"So there's no divorce clause?" She was inching back again, though he only held tighter.
"We cannot be separated by any means. Unfaithfulness has dire consequences."
"What kind?" She was now pressed so close to him that she couldn't see his face, her head resting rigidly on his shoulder. If she hadn't been so freaked about the mating thing she would have seen how sweet it was so him to want her so close.
"If either of us is unfaithful, our bond will weakness us. Death has been known to happen to the already weak. Or those whose bonds are so powerful that any hint of adultery can kill them."
"So wait, you're telling me that if I kiss another guy I could die?"
"No, you're missing the point. Kissing isn't unfaithful if there is no desire to be with that being."
"So if I kissed my father or Goku?"
"Do not mention Kakarot in that way around me!"
"Sorry….Sheesh…." she trailed off, having obviously hit a nerve. "Ok, so, what's this bond?"
"When two beings bond, and there's only one way to do it, they become permanently attached, mind and soul."
"So, what you meant by barriers is that we can read each other's thoughts?"
He nodded. "Finally, you're catching on."
"How bizarre."
"Why? It's far superior to the system you earthlings have. Anyone can procreate with anyone and their mate can be none the wiser."
"It sounds….wonderful." A small smile finally came to her lips and she reached her arms around Vegeta's torso. "And you want this with me? Forever?"
"I thought my invitation was clear."
"And how do we bond?"
"It's simple," he said informatively. "We exchange blood, bonding us forever."
"B-Blood? We-We-We…." But she couldn't finish. She began backing away once more.
"Woman, would you stop doing that? And yes, I said blood. What's the problem? You see blood every month when you menstruate." She glared up at him at the mention of her period. "What, you suspect I didn't know that?"
"Why blood?"
"Woman, stop worrying. All that happens is I bite you here-" He pointed to the space directly above her collarbone, in the croak of her neck. "-take some blood, and then you do the same. Simple."
"S-Simple? Simple? I'm sorry buddy, but I'm just not as well equipped as you are."
"How?"
"I don't have fangs like you." He had, on more than one occasion, barred them at her in anger.
"You have sharp enough teeth, I assure you."
"And what about a mark? Won't it scar?"
"Precisely why it's done where it's done. So it's easily visible. Therefore others know that the particular being is taken by another."
"Can't we just wear wedding bands?"
"It's this way or no way, got it? You're either my mate or you're not, that simple. Why must you carry on about such things?"
"I can't just accept something like this so quickly Vegeta!"
"You did two days ago. Why is it different now?"
"Because, it's forever, that's why."
"And what, you thought it would end like all your other failed relationships with weaklings?"
"I didn't realize it was so permanent. On earth there are always loopholes, this has none."
"Which makes it better. If one cannot commit to another being faithfully then what is their worth in the great scheme of things?"
Bulma was dumbstruck. He was absolutely right. What was the use of an unfaithful partner? Why bother having a partner if they are not guaranteed to remain faithful? His Saiyan ways were in fact superior to her Earthling ways. How odd that it is a warrior race that can produce such faithfulness between their partners.
"No more words?" he asked curtly, sternly.
"There's one thing that's missing, and I can't ignore it."
"What could possibly be missing from such a fool-proof plan?"
"Love," she whispered, barely audible. But he'd heard her, loud and clear.
It was Vegeta's turn to be dumbstruck in silence this time. Love? No, she couldn't be serious. What good did that have in his plan?
"That has nothing to do with any of this. It's a useless human emotion."
"It has everything to do with it," she whimpered, tears spilling from her eyes as she struggled to keep from screaming, from getting more emotional than she already was. She'd be damned if she had another attack like this. "How can someone be forever faithful to someone that they don't love?" She sobbed quietly into one of her hands, trying to regain her words. "That's how bonds are broken, you know. They pledge their souls to one and later find another that they fall in love with and would gladly die to be close to for a moment."
"That's foolish and you know it. How would a race survive on such standards?"
"It's not for the race Vegeta….I don't care what the other Saiyans did. I need the love, I can't agree without it." And took a sharp breath, and added, "And not just for me to love you….I need you-"
"Don't waste your breath on it woman. You know it's impossible." He roughly pushed her aside, climbing off the bed. "Good luck finding something that doesn't exist." He reached the door, opening it, but turned around at the last moment. "You'll regret this later." He was almost gone when-
"Wait!" she called in a raspy voice.
He turned to face her, glaring angrily.
"If-If….If you do find that you can love me. No, before you say it's impossible, let me finish. If you do, somehow, end up feeling that way for me, just….just ask me to be your mate again."
"Why put yourself through such misery over this? It's useless."
"Because this kind of love I can never feel again….I have to wait and see….It's worth it…."
************************************************************
Bulma sat on her bed, legs bended in, hands out in front of her. She was waiting for Furto's reply; she'd just told him what had happened between her and Vegeta. He'd listened intently, but now she wanted his input, his advice, if he could offer any. Anything to make her feel remotely better over the situation.
"Miss Bulma, I….I really don't know what to say to you. I feel for your loss, but I urge you to move on. No life is worth living without love."
"I agree." She smiled weakly at him; it was obvious that he was extremely uncomfortable on the subject. She wondered if he had a love back home.
"And you have that love for him, you finally admit that to yourself, but being with him when he can't admit it, even silently or to himself-it's just not worth it. Without it you'll fall into despair." He sighed solemnly. "But, if you cannot move on, then I wish you the best of luck. Maybe he can admit it in time."
"He needs to feel it first."
Furto smiled knowingly, resting his elbow on his thighs, his chin on his hand.
"Did you find love yet?"
He winced at the question, straightening back to rigid posture.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to affe-"
"It's fine, Miss. I do not prefer to speak of her, but you have confided in me your deepest secret, and I shall do the same."
He told his sad short story of his lost love. She had not been from Fewsk. She was a Doonso, the Princess to be exact, the very same one that reigned there now. They met one a routine meeting of the planets; she'd become ill, not with Denj-sa fortunately, but it could cause death if not stopped in its early stages. He treated her, cared for her until she was strong again, and inevitably fell in love with her. She, surprisingly, returned those feelings, vowing her loved no other and never would.
They met in secret for over four years; confiding in each other, laughing with each other, loving each other. It wasn't long before Furto became restless with the situation, and suggested they run off together, a distant planet of refugees from other planets, one only a few solar systems away. She agreed to this, reluctantly, gathering what little she wanted in a small sack and meeting him in the courtyard outside her bedchambers. He was there, as planned, ready with a ship a few miles from the palace.
All was going well, or so the couple thought. When they reached the ship they embraced one another, kissing each other's faces all over, just happy to be together, knowing it would always be that way. The Queen, of course, had another thought on the matter. They were separated at once, Furto's sentence being death for daring to touch a Doonso royal in such a foul way. He pleaded for his life, winning it only after Jemalin vowed suicide if a hair on his head was put out of place.
"That was two years ago," Furto sighed sorrowfully, bowing his head respectfully in honor of his lost Jemalin.
"She seems, how should I say this?, different from how you speak of her."
"Oh, she has changed greatly in these two years. Her attitude towards the world is backwards, her mind finally caving to the sickness in her mother. She is not the Jemalin I fell in love with….Oh, but I love her still."
"How is it that you were permitted to the palace then, if that happened?"
"A new treaty, right before, with all the planets in our solar system, and the one in which I was to take us to. The Queen may only execute those of another planet with the permission of that planet's leader or leaders. Fewskm disagreed with my execution, though they would have surely gone along with it had it not been for Jemalin's pleas….How hard it was to see her in her finery, looking so beautiful as she ever did, but her eyes being soulless and lost. I doubt she recognized me when I passed her in the corridors."
"Trauma can have a deep impact on people's lives, believe me," she stressed, thinking of how because ofher fatal disease she began looking at Vegeta in a new light.
"Oh, silly me!" Furto suddenly said loudly, hopping from the floor. "Here I am moaning over the unchangeable past and you haven't eaten dinner yet. Come," she pulled her off the bed. "You need your strength, especially for the landing tomorrow."
*****************************************************
---Chapter 16!! Yay! Yippy! Yo! Woohoo! Would you look at that? They're split up already? But-But it was only for two days! Grr! Damn Bulma and her love for Vegeta. And damn Vegeta for not admitting his love to Bulma. If he doesn't shape up soon he's going to loose her….And aww! Poor Furto!
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=Chapter updates)
Next time: The landing. Dunt dunt duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!