Last time:
She almost couldn't form words to answer.
"Y-Yes…"
*********************************************************
The words of their last conversation bounced around Bulma's head for the remainder of the night, giving her no peace in the silence of her bedroom. No amount of pills or strain could put her into even a light and wakeful slumber. It was simply too much for her, and soon, everything from the moment she realized they were stuck together was pouring into her mind. All their fights and triumphs. All their harsh words and even harsher looks. Passionate kisses and erotic promises. Near-mating. Everything.
In the beginning she'd been devastated, to say the least, at the fact of having to spend so much time alone with the ill-mannered Saiyan who she'd already felt had been over-staying his welcome. Later, however, once she'd contracted Denj-sa, everything came into a new light. He was kinder, and gentler, and more humanlike in every way, no matter how little. She noticed every change in his manner and speech. He still taunted her, yes, but the feeling, the sincerity that had always been there before, that had been almost completely gone. He looked at her differently, with more care and thought at how he presented his face; a scowl or frown always, of course, but again with less emotion, and more of something else that she still couldn't figure out.
Had he been falling in love with her without even knowing it? Had all his kind gestures and offers of rescue been out of love? He really had no explanation for that, did he?
*No* she thought painfully. He couldn't love her, that was as plain as the fact that she still had Denj-sa, that any moment she could break out in Eskes and die while the cure was only weeks from being complete.
That was another plaguing thought. Death. How could she prevent another cold attack from happening and throwing her into an early grave? A cold fit with the frozen blood, that would surely kill her. Furto has said it himself, "This usually does not happen in Denj-sa…They usually die before this can happen."
"I need you Vegeta," she whimpered, giving way to tears, her thin legs curled into her chest. "And I hate you so much…"
********************************************************
"Rise and shine, Bulma Love!" Uvagon all but screamed, shaking her into reality. She groaned. She'd been having the most wonderful dream: Vegeta in her arms, kissing her all over, promising to love her forever. "Today we see the Gerish-hanits." The Gerish-hanits was a massive forest not too far from the Instructors' city, where more than half the population of Excaro lived. Rewl and Duro had set up the trip, promising them a great time; the forest was revered throughout the galaxy, a natural wonder. Bulma agreed, reluctantly, with the promise of being able to collect small specimens. She'd wanted to stay in and have calm and meaningful discussions on her last day on the planet; she was told they would do this that evening, and say their good-byes when they departed the next day.
"It's so early, Uv," she sighed, forcing herself up. "I barely slept a wink last night."
"Much on your mind?" His face turned liquidly from anxious to concerned, as he slowly lowered himself to the bed.
"Isn't there always?" She laughed at the question. Always? He barely knew her. "Well, since you met me," she added.
"I'm afraid your mind never gives you a moment's peace. Would you like to discuss it? We have some time before Rewl and Duro get here. You can tell me while you get ready."
"I have to take a shower." She climbed out of bed, halfway to the bathroom before she realized Uvagon was following her. "Umm, what're you doing?"
"Coming to listen to your woes." He was so innocent.
"I'm going to shower though, Uva-You know? Nevermind. Come on. You can sit on the toilet and I'll talk. I hope you can hear over the water."
"Drens-er-I mean-Geradrens have uniquely excellent hearing. I could hear your breathing before I came on the ship."
"Doesn't that crowd your mind? All those floating sounds?" She turned on the hot water, testing it with her hand before beginning to undress. "It'd drive me nuts," she said, pulling off her nightshirt.
"Well, living with it my whole life, I've learned to tune out what I don't wish to hear. I only heard you because I was listening for you. I wanted to know if you were still sleeping. I-" He stopped abruptly, slowly averting his eyes, his cheeks darkening. Was he embarrassed to see her naked? She laughed to herself. She'd been naked in front of so many men over the past few months, with her Denj-sa and all, that the thought didn't even cross her mind anymore. Take off your clothes. Get in the tub. Don't think about the lustful eyes on you. That'd been her policy from the first time she'd been conscious enough to think about it.
"So, what do you want to know?" She pulled the curtain shut and pushed the button to switch the bath faucet to the showerhead. The water was so soothing she almost didn't hear his reply.
"What's troubling you, of course. I'm greatly bothered by your doleful attitude." He sighed, not bothering to take a seat. He was too troubled to sit right now.
"It's everything, you know?" She lathered some soap and began applying it to her body. "Vegeta, mainly, of course."
"Of course," he repeated, to show he was listening.
"I just, oh, I don't know…I feel like I'm the only one whose ever had this problem. There have to be other males that act like him, non-Saiyans I mean. And earthmen, well, I don't know. I can see it being true, but I've never seen it. I've dealt with the unfaithful and the bawdy, but never a man so-Er! Infuriately!" In her sudden emotion she dropped the soap, cursing as she went to retrieve it. "I don't understand him, at all. And I thought I had a fairly good grasp on the male species before I met him."
"He's a Saiyan, Bulma. And from what I know of Saiyans, they hardly admit that such feelings as love exist, let alone express them. It was his environment, that's what's done this to his soul. Crumpled it like a weak infant child. Some would say he's hopeless."
"Some?" she laughed. "Only some? He's completely hopeless in my book. That's why I did what I had to do."
"Oh, yes. How did that go? I forgot to ask. Pardon me."
"It was…interesting, for lack of a better word." Uvagon chuckled. "What?"
"The phrase, 'For lack of a better word.' I've never heard it before. It's quite nice. But I'm interrupting, forgive me."
"It's alright." She smiled. He was so sincere and genuine. "Anyway-" She squeezed a good amount of shampoo into her hand and worked it into her hair. "-It wasn't so bad until I sat down and thought about it later. I mean, I saw the look in his eyes when he realized he was truly defeated, but it didn't really effect me until I was alone." She sighed, audibly painful. "He asked me what my motives were, and I said, 'To find love if I can, to stay as far away from you when a bed's around if I cannot.' And he said, 'You're truly determined to turn your back on me, aren't you?' And all I could think to say was yes. Yes, I am moving on from you. Yes, I can't bear to put myself through this pain anymore. And you know, I think he was truly upset, or at least mildly shocked and a little angry. He'd lost me completely in an instant, lost me in the sense that he can never touch me again and never have a chance to bed with me…It was like an icy dagger in my soul when I finally realized what had happened, when he was already out of sight and fully on my mind…I hate him for letting me love him like this." She sniffled up her sobs, not bothering to wipe her tears that were already being washed away by the steaming shower water. "He knew I could do it, knew I could love him with everything I had…and he…he just let me go ahead and do it. No warning, no nothing!" She pounded the tiles suddenly, not caring that she hit them so hard that her hand would surely bruise later.
"Bulma, please, don't cry," Uvagon pleaded, wanting nothing more than to reach behind the shower curtain and crush her into his chest. "He's not worth your tears. If he can't be man enough to admit he loves you, then he doesn't deserve you, or your tears."
"I know," she sobbed, straightening herself, the water feeling over-bearing suddenly, and too hot. She turned it off. She pulled back the curtain, giving Uvagon a gracious smile when he wrapped a large blue towel around her body and lifted her from the shower. "Why can't I just love you instead? And live here for the rest of my life. That wouldn't be so bad, living here."
"That would be easier, wouldn't it?" he laughed, softly rubbing her arms and legs to dry her. "But life always throws twists and obstacles at you. Look at me. I spent my entire life, up until I met you-" She smiled. "-in a disease-ridden death-trap, and now I'm living the greatest life I could have ever imagined." He kissed her cheek lovingly. The way a father would kiss his daughter, or a brother would kiss his sister. "I have wonderful friends, a beautiful home, warm welcoming ex-Drens and even a love-interest that I never thought possible."
"Duro seems like a great woman, from what I've seen in her." Bulma had spent the past few days with the Geradrens at the main Instructor home, and some memorable moments in Severs House; she could hardly imagine returning to Earth. "She could make you truly happy."
"You make me truly happy," he confessed, kissing her forehead and eyelids. He couldn't deny his attraction to her any more now than he could before, and neither could she. "It's an honor to have you as a friend."
"Right back at ya," she sighed, leaning into him. For a moment she thought he might kiss her, might begin that cycle of emotions that could leave them unsatisfied in a heap of her slept-in sheets. But instead he simply hugged her, rubbing her arms some more. She was probably dry by then though.
"Uvagon! Bulma!" Their heads snapped in the direction of the door. It was Rewl, coming to get them for their little trip.
"I'll go receive him," Uvagon said, reluctantly releasing her.
"I'll be right out. I just need to get dressed."
She took no more than five minutes, choosing a plain white tee-shirt and form-fitting jeans, with comfortable hiking boots. Her hair she swept into a quick ponytail as she walked into the kitchen, not giving a damn about the bumps and imperfections. A light jacket was tied around her waist incase she got cold later.
"Good morning," Duro said, giving Bulma a quick hug; she was extremely admirable in regards to Earthlings. Plus, she loved Bulma as a being, and Bulma felt the same for Duro; she'd miss her greatly.
"Morning," she yawned, patting her pockets. "Kuso. Hang on. I'll be right there." She returned a moment later, a thin dino-cap tin in her hands, that she slipped into her pocket. "Almost forgot my supplies."
"What ever for?" Rewl asked, tilting his head to the side. Bulma could tell just by looking at him that he wasn't the math and science type of guy. Probably would have been considered more of a class clown.
"Instructor Uli said I could take some specimens to study, if they weren't fenced in and endangered. And I also need my medical supplies for my Denj-sa."
Both Rewl and Duro gasped, not being able to contain themselves.
"Denj-sa? We didn't know," Duro said, eyes narrow and wet. "We never guessed. We-"
"It's alright," Bulma assured them. "I've had it for many months now. I'm used to it. Furto is mixing the cure as we speak."
"Are you sure you're up for this trip?" Rewl asked, concern written all over his face, and something else too that Bulma couldn't quite think of.
"Of course. Now not another word about it. The supplies are only a pre-caution. Uvagon and I both know how to use them. I'll be fine. Now let's get going."
All they could do was shrug and follow her.
**************************************************************
Vegeta's mind too had not halted since his sudden realization: Bulma was gone, forever. He hadn't slept, not even for an instant, the entire night, and was simply starring at the ceiling of his room. The gears in his head were still at high speed, flinging unwanted thoughts away instantly; stomach growing, check controls, check blasted cabinets for ship damage, check on Furto and the Elpinosus; none of those thoughts stayed for more than a nanosecond.
He couldn't lie to himself any longer. He needed Bulma Briefs the super genius. He needed her as much as he needed to train all the time. She over-powered him in a way that no one could compare; not Frieza, not Goku, not any of the enemies that have defeated him left him feeling so empty as this defeat. And who was to blame? Bulma? But it was something he could not give her, that's why she wasn't curled into him right now, her gorgeous aqua hair invading his nostrils in the most intoxicating way. No, instead she was off enjoying herself with Geradrens, not caring at all that he needed her, that his entire being pined for her. And what kept him from having her? Why, his pride of course. His stupid, no good-
"This is ridiculous," he snapped aloud, throwing a pillow at the opposite wall. "I should be training."
He hopped off the bed and slipped on a pair of blue shorts and tennis shoes; no shirt required. He was outside and doing one-armed push-ups in a matter of seconds. But no amount of kicks and punches and push-ups could veer his mind. He was stuck, and, like it or not, only he could fix things.
But can he?
*************************************************************
Bulma returned beat and bruised from her trip to the Gerish-hanits. She'd fallen a few times, once down a steep incline and slammed into a tree. Everyone worried that an Eskes attack would kick in at any second and insisted on bringing her back. She refused, naturally, wanting to see what she came for. She was extremely glad that she did too, because Rewl and Duro hadn't been lying, the Gerish-hanits truly was a wonder to behold. With lakes and rivers and cliffs and valleys all contained in the massive forest, not to mention gorgeous plant and animal life; it was one of the most amazing things Bulma had ever seen.
Once they'd seen all the sites of the Gerish-hanits, and had a brief picnic snack, they all headed back to the Instructors' house for dinner and a farewell party for Bulma. She'd wanted to go get Furto, but Instructor Derg confirmed that he'd declined her offer; the Elpinosus was simply too important to him. Bulma felt bad.
Now she was back on the ship finally, exhausted, but satisfied with the way she left things with the Geradrens. They would all see her off tomorrow. She knew it would be terribly difficult for her to leave the planet and its people that she so adored now, but she had responsibilities; Furto had to get home, Vegeta was on the verge of a nervous breakdown being there, and she needed to see the Earth again, not to mention everyone she'd left behind. She wondered if they'd given up hope of finding her, or if her father had been clever enough to realize where she was. She hoped so.
Bulma flopped backwards onto her bed, bouncing a little, then lying still, simply starring at the ceiling, feeling peaceful and calm; and then Vegeta popped into her head. Was it the right thing to do to leave him like that? To deny him a chance to have her? Maybe they can bed together, just once, and that be it. But no. That would never work, and she knew it even before she finished her thought. He'd never want to leave, and neither would she, and she'd only end up getting hurt.
She closed her eyes, forcing sleep to come.
*************************************************************
Bulma's wake-up party consisted of, not only, Uvagon and Furto, but Rewl, Duro, and Instructors Derg and Uli; Instructors Tellev and Loars were waiting outside with the other Geradrens she'd made friends with in her short time there; both from the inner city and Severs House.
"Wake Love!" Uvagon yelled, shaking her.
"Yes, wake up!" Rewl added.
"Open your eyes, friend!" said Duro.
"Hi," Bulma muttered, rubbing her eyes and sitting up, immediately being embraced by nearly all the inhabitants of the room. She had to fight them off to breathe. "Good Kami, you people are too much of morning people." Everyone fell silent; obviously not used to her sarcasm. "I'm only joking." They were still blank. "Messing around." Nothing. "Umm, I didn't mean it."
"Oh!" they all cheered in unison, laughing as if she'd said the funniest thing in the universe.
"Can I at least get ready before we say good-bye?" She toppled out of bed and to the bathroom, glancing back at all the retreating aliens; only Uvagon remained.
"I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me. I owe you my life." He wrapped her into a great bear hug, covering her face with kissing, lingering maybe a little too long on her lips. "Not a day shall go by that I don't think of you, My Bulma. I wish I could see you again, know how things turn out for you."
"I doubt this is our last meeting, Uv," she sighed, cherishing his muscular arms around her shoulders; she wondered if she could ever have it again and feel this good. "I promise you that I'll do my utmost to try to make contact with you, and to try to see you again. And I'll never forget you either, not a chance."
"You truly are a wonder, Bulma. I don't see how Vegeta can deny his love for you. He's deceiving himself."
"Uv, I, please, don't talk of him. I'll deal with him when we're in deep space. This time is for you and me, and those other rambunctious Geradrens out there. Kami, I can't believe I'm leaving already."
"Hurry, will you? Tellev, Loars, Derg, and Uli are anxious to see you off. They have something for you."
"Oh dear. Not a gift? I don't have a thing-"
"It's their custom, just let them, alright?"
"Alright."
It took Bulma only ten minutes to shower and dress, rushing out to the kitchen to find it empty, save Vegeta, who exited the moment he saw her; she tried to ignore it. Her day, not his. She found them soon enough, crowded just outside the ship, a buffet table set up a few yards away.
"Food?" she laughed, as Rewl handed her a glass of Wesstles Juice; very tangy and thick.
"Of course," Uli replied, handing her the Excaro equivalent to a roll, with some type of vegetable on it. "We love food here, for parties especially. And this is a party, is it not?"
"I wish it were some other party than this. I don't want to leave, not ever."
"We don't wish for you to go either," said Tellev, sipping her Wesstles Juice. "But our lives separate us. I'm grateful that they have connected us as well."
A wave of cheers coursed through the crowd.
"I love you Bulma," Duro whispered, embracing her warmly. "I know we don't know each other quite that well, as much as I would like, I still feel like you're a sister to me, you know?" Bulma nodded, she did feel that way too. "Everything you represent is so pure and beautiful. I only hope I have a daughter half as wonderful as you." She kissed her cheek quickly, and added, "Good luck with the Prince. I just know he'll come around eventually."
The remainder of the party continued that way for several hours, until Furto announced that Vegeta would wait no longer; a half an hour to launch. From then on Bulma was a bundle of tears and sobs. She said good-bye so many times she couldn't count, and hugged so many people that it was second nature to her now, it seemed.
As she boarded the ramp, Uvagon ran to her, wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off her feet.
"I love you Bulma," he whispered, kissing her forehead once. "Here, take this." He handed her the wristband he always wore, a band that all Drens were required to wear; truthfully he'd never thought about it until Bulma had asked about it, and intended to remove it. "I would forget it and give you something to remember me by."
"Uv," she sighed, tears welling again. She searched her pockets frantically. Nothing. Then her face lit up; she pulled off the tiny silver ring she always wore and enclosed it in his hand. "I've had this since I was sixteen years old. I've always worn it and it's always brought me luck."
"No, Bulma, I-"
"No buts, I insist."
"Good-bye My Bulma."
"Good-bye My Uvagon." She pulled him to her one last time. "I love you too."
Finally she was at the top of the ramp, waving to everyone as it began to ascend.
"Good-bye everyone!" she called, tears streaming. "I'll miss you!"
When the door was finally shut she slowly found her chair and strapped herself in, not glancing at neither Furto nor Vegeta; only thinking on what had happened. She was leaving, finally, and there was nothing she could do about it.
"It's a horrible feeling," Bulma sighed. "And to think, I have to go through it again with you, Furto…I hate good-byes." She couldn't help but glance at Vegeta, startled when he was starring back at her.
"We need to talk," was all he said, then starred out the window for the remainder of take-off.
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---Chapter 23!!! Yes! Woo! Finally I posted again!…I'm so horrible about that. I apologize. But hey? Did you like? Huh? Huh? I know, I know, hardly any Vegeta at all, and no Vegeta/Bulma interaction, but I PROMISE, next chapter I will more than make up for it. And if I don't you can hate me :P
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: Vegeta/Bulma action! Woo! And landing on Fewskm (most likely).
She almost couldn't form words to answer.
"Y-Yes…"
*********************************************************
The words of their last conversation bounced around Bulma's head for the remainder of the night, giving her no peace in the silence of her bedroom. No amount of pills or strain could put her into even a light and wakeful slumber. It was simply too much for her, and soon, everything from the moment she realized they were stuck together was pouring into her mind. All their fights and triumphs. All their harsh words and even harsher looks. Passionate kisses and erotic promises. Near-mating. Everything.
In the beginning she'd been devastated, to say the least, at the fact of having to spend so much time alone with the ill-mannered Saiyan who she'd already felt had been over-staying his welcome. Later, however, once she'd contracted Denj-sa, everything came into a new light. He was kinder, and gentler, and more humanlike in every way, no matter how little. She noticed every change in his manner and speech. He still taunted her, yes, but the feeling, the sincerity that had always been there before, that had been almost completely gone. He looked at her differently, with more care and thought at how he presented his face; a scowl or frown always, of course, but again with less emotion, and more of something else that she still couldn't figure out.
Had he been falling in love with her without even knowing it? Had all his kind gestures and offers of rescue been out of love? He really had no explanation for that, did he?
*No* she thought painfully. He couldn't love her, that was as plain as the fact that she still had Denj-sa, that any moment she could break out in Eskes and die while the cure was only weeks from being complete.
That was another plaguing thought. Death. How could she prevent another cold attack from happening and throwing her into an early grave? A cold fit with the frozen blood, that would surely kill her. Furto has said it himself, "This usually does not happen in Denj-sa…They usually die before this can happen."
"I need you Vegeta," she whimpered, giving way to tears, her thin legs curled into her chest. "And I hate you so much…"
********************************************************
"Rise and shine, Bulma Love!" Uvagon all but screamed, shaking her into reality. She groaned. She'd been having the most wonderful dream: Vegeta in her arms, kissing her all over, promising to love her forever. "Today we see the Gerish-hanits." The Gerish-hanits was a massive forest not too far from the Instructors' city, where more than half the population of Excaro lived. Rewl and Duro had set up the trip, promising them a great time; the forest was revered throughout the galaxy, a natural wonder. Bulma agreed, reluctantly, with the promise of being able to collect small specimens. She'd wanted to stay in and have calm and meaningful discussions on her last day on the planet; she was told they would do this that evening, and say their good-byes when they departed the next day.
"It's so early, Uv," she sighed, forcing herself up. "I barely slept a wink last night."
"Much on your mind?" His face turned liquidly from anxious to concerned, as he slowly lowered himself to the bed.
"Isn't there always?" She laughed at the question. Always? He barely knew her. "Well, since you met me," she added.
"I'm afraid your mind never gives you a moment's peace. Would you like to discuss it? We have some time before Rewl and Duro get here. You can tell me while you get ready."
"I have to take a shower." She climbed out of bed, halfway to the bathroom before she realized Uvagon was following her. "Umm, what're you doing?"
"Coming to listen to your woes." He was so innocent.
"I'm going to shower though, Uva-You know? Nevermind. Come on. You can sit on the toilet and I'll talk. I hope you can hear over the water."
"Drens-er-I mean-Geradrens have uniquely excellent hearing. I could hear your breathing before I came on the ship."
"Doesn't that crowd your mind? All those floating sounds?" She turned on the hot water, testing it with her hand before beginning to undress. "It'd drive me nuts," she said, pulling off her nightshirt.
"Well, living with it my whole life, I've learned to tune out what I don't wish to hear. I only heard you because I was listening for you. I wanted to know if you were still sleeping. I-" He stopped abruptly, slowly averting his eyes, his cheeks darkening. Was he embarrassed to see her naked? She laughed to herself. She'd been naked in front of so many men over the past few months, with her Denj-sa and all, that the thought didn't even cross her mind anymore. Take off your clothes. Get in the tub. Don't think about the lustful eyes on you. That'd been her policy from the first time she'd been conscious enough to think about it.
"So, what do you want to know?" She pulled the curtain shut and pushed the button to switch the bath faucet to the showerhead. The water was so soothing she almost didn't hear his reply.
"What's troubling you, of course. I'm greatly bothered by your doleful attitude." He sighed, not bothering to take a seat. He was too troubled to sit right now.
"It's everything, you know?" She lathered some soap and began applying it to her body. "Vegeta, mainly, of course."
"Of course," he repeated, to show he was listening.
"I just, oh, I don't know…I feel like I'm the only one whose ever had this problem. There have to be other males that act like him, non-Saiyans I mean. And earthmen, well, I don't know. I can see it being true, but I've never seen it. I've dealt with the unfaithful and the bawdy, but never a man so-Er! Infuriately!" In her sudden emotion she dropped the soap, cursing as she went to retrieve it. "I don't understand him, at all. And I thought I had a fairly good grasp on the male species before I met him."
"He's a Saiyan, Bulma. And from what I know of Saiyans, they hardly admit that such feelings as love exist, let alone express them. It was his environment, that's what's done this to his soul. Crumpled it like a weak infant child. Some would say he's hopeless."
"Some?" she laughed. "Only some? He's completely hopeless in my book. That's why I did what I had to do."
"Oh, yes. How did that go? I forgot to ask. Pardon me."
"It was…interesting, for lack of a better word." Uvagon chuckled. "What?"
"The phrase, 'For lack of a better word.' I've never heard it before. It's quite nice. But I'm interrupting, forgive me."
"It's alright." She smiled. He was so sincere and genuine. "Anyway-" She squeezed a good amount of shampoo into her hand and worked it into her hair. "-It wasn't so bad until I sat down and thought about it later. I mean, I saw the look in his eyes when he realized he was truly defeated, but it didn't really effect me until I was alone." She sighed, audibly painful. "He asked me what my motives were, and I said, 'To find love if I can, to stay as far away from you when a bed's around if I cannot.' And he said, 'You're truly determined to turn your back on me, aren't you?' And all I could think to say was yes. Yes, I am moving on from you. Yes, I can't bear to put myself through this pain anymore. And you know, I think he was truly upset, or at least mildly shocked and a little angry. He'd lost me completely in an instant, lost me in the sense that he can never touch me again and never have a chance to bed with me…It was like an icy dagger in my soul when I finally realized what had happened, when he was already out of sight and fully on my mind…I hate him for letting me love him like this." She sniffled up her sobs, not bothering to wipe her tears that were already being washed away by the steaming shower water. "He knew I could do it, knew I could love him with everything I had…and he…he just let me go ahead and do it. No warning, no nothing!" She pounded the tiles suddenly, not caring that she hit them so hard that her hand would surely bruise later.
"Bulma, please, don't cry," Uvagon pleaded, wanting nothing more than to reach behind the shower curtain and crush her into his chest. "He's not worth your tears. If he can't be man enough to admit he loves you, then he doesn't deserve you, or your tears."
"I know," she sobbed, straightening herself, the water feeling over-bearing suddenly, and too hot. She turned it off. She pulled back the curtain, giving Uvagon a gracious smile when he wrapped a large blue towel around her body and lifted her from the shower. "Why can't I just love you instead? And live here for the rest of my life. That wouldn't be so bad, living here."
"That would be easier, wouldn't it?" he laughed, softly rubbing her arms and legs to dry her. "But life always throws twists and obstacles at you. Look at me. I spent my entire life, up until I met you-" She smiled. "-in a disease-ridden death-trap, and now I'm living the greatest life I could have ever imagined." He kissed her cheek lovingly. The way a father would kiss his daughter, or a brother would kiss his sister. "I have wonderful friends, a beautiful home, warm welcoming ex-Drens and even a love-interest that I never thought possible."
"Duro seems like a great woman, from what I've seen in her." Bulma had spent the past few days with the Geradrens at the main Instructor home, and some memorable moments in Severs House; she could hardly imagine returning to Earth. "She could make you truly happy."
"You make me truly happy," he confessed, kissing her forehead and eyelids. He couldn't deny his attraction to her any more now than he could before, and neither could she. "It's an honor to have you as a friend."
"Right back at ya," she sighed, leaning into him. For a moment she thought he might kiss her, might begin that cycle of emotions that could leave them unsatisfied in a heap of her slept-in sheets. But instead he simply hugged her, rubbing her arms some more. She was probably dry by then though.
"Uvagon! Bulma!" Their heads snapped in the direction of the door. It was Rewl, coming to get them for their little trip.
"I'll go receive him," Uvagon said, reluctantly releasing her.
"I'll be right out. I just need to get dressed."
She took no more than five minutes, choosing a plain white tee-shirt and form-fitting jeans, with comfortable hiking boots. Her hair she swept into a quick ponytail as she walked into the kitchen, not giving a damn about the bumps and imperfections. A light jacket was tied around her waist incase she got cold later.
"Good morning," Duro said, giving Bulma a quick hug; she was extremely admirable in regards to Earthlings. Plus, she loved Bulma as a being, and Bulma felt the same for Duro; she'd miss her greatly.
"Morning," she yawned, patting her pockets. "Kuso. Hang on. I'll be right there." She returned a moment later, a thin dino-cap tin in her hands, that she slipped into her pocket. "Almost forgot my supplies."
"What ever for?" Rewl asked, tilting his head to the side. Bulma could tell just by looking at him that he wasn't the math and science type of guy. Probably would have been considered more of a class clown.
"Instructor Uli said I could take some specimens to study, if they weren't fenced in and endangered. And I also need my medical supplies for my Denj-sa."
Both Rewl and Duro gasped, not being able to contain themselves.
"Denj-sa? We didn't know," Duro said, eyes narrow and wet. "We never guessed. We-"
"It's alright," Bulma assured them. "I've had it for many months now. I'm used to it. Furto is mixing the cure as we speak."
"Are you sure you're up for this trip?" Rewl asked, concern written all over his face, and something else too that Bulma couldn't quite think of.
"Of course. Now not another word about it. The supplies are only a pre-caution. Uvagon and I both know how to use them. I'll be fine. Now let's get going."
All they could do was shrug and follow her.
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Vegeta's mind too had not halted since his sudden realization: Bulma was gone, forever. He hadn't slept, not even for an instant, the entire night, and was simply starring at the ceiling of his room. The gears in his head were still at high speed, flinging unwanted thoughts away instantly; stomach growing, check controls, check blasted cabinets for ship damage, check on Furto and the Elpinosus; none of those thoughts stayed for more than a nanosecond.
He couldn't lie to himself any longer. He needed Bulma Briefs the super genius. He needed her as much as he needed to train all the time. She over-powered him in a way that no one could compare; not Frieza, not Goku, not any of the enemies that have defeated him left him feeling so empty as this defeat. And who was to blame? Bulma? But it was something he could not give her, that's why she wasn't curled into him right now, her gorgeous aqua hair invading his nostrils in the most intoxicating way. No, instead she was off enjoying herself with Geradrens, not caring at all that he needed her, that his entire being pined for her. And what kept him from having her? Why, his pride of course. His stupid, no good-
"This is ridiculous," he snapped aloud, throwing a pillow at the opposite wall. "I should be training."
He hopped off the bed and slipped on a pair of blue shorts and tennis shoes; no shirt required. He was outside and doing one-armed push-ups in a matter of seconds. But no amount of kicks and punches and push-ups could veer his mind. He was stuck, and, like it or not, only he could fix things.
But can he?
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Bulma returned beat and bruised from her trip to the Gerish-hanits. She'd fallen a few times, once down a steep incline and slammed into a tree. Everyone worried that an Eskes attack would kick in at any second and insisted on bringing her back. She refused, naturally, wanting to see what she came for. She was extremely glad that she did too, because Rewl and Duro hadn't been lying, the Gerish-hanits truly was a wonder to behold. With lakes and rivers and cliffs and valleys all contained in the massive forest, not to mention gorgeous plant and animal life; it was one of the most amazing things Bulma had ever seen.
Once they'd seen all the sites of the Gerish-hanits, and had a brief picnic snack, they all headed back to the Instructors' house for dinner and a farewell party for Bulma. She'd wanted to go get Furto, but Instructor Derg confirmed that he'd declined her offer; the Elpinosus was simply too important to him. Bulma felt bad.
Now she was back on the ship finally, exhausted, but satisfied with the way she left things with the Geradrens. They would all see her off tomorrow. She knew it would be terribly difficult for her to leave the planet and its people that she so adored now, but she had responsibilities; Furto had to get home, Vegeta was on the verge of a nervous breakdown being there, and she needed to see the Earth again, not to mention everyone she'd left behind. She wondered if they'd given up hope of finding her, or if her father had been clever enough to realize where she was. She hoped so.
Bulma flopped backwards onto her bed, bouncing a little, then lying still, simply starring at the ceiling, feeling peaceful and calm; and then Vegeta popped into her head. Was it the right thing to do to leave him like that? To deny him a chance to have her? Maybe they can bed together, just once, and that be it. But no. That would never work, and she knew it even before she finished her thought. He'd never want to leave, and neither would she, and she'd only end up getting hurt.
She closed her eyes, forcing sleep to come.
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Bulma's wake-up party consisted of, not only, Uvagon and Furto, but Rewl, Duro, and Instructors Derg and Uli; Instructors Tellev and Loars were waiting outside with the other Geradrens she'd made friends with in her short time there; both from the inner city and Severs House.
"Wake Love!" Uvagon yelled, shaking her.
"Yes, wake up!" Rewl added.
"Open your eyes, friend!" said Duro.
"Hi," Bulma muttered, rubbing her eyes and sitting up, immediately being embraced by nearly all the inhabitants of the room. She had to fight them off to breathe. "Good Kami, you people are too much of morning people." Everyone fell silent; obviously not used to her sarcasm. "I'm only joking." They were still blank. "Messing around." Nothing. "Umm, I didn't mean it."
"Oh!" they all cheered in unison, laughing as if she'd said the funniest thing in the universe.
"Can I at least get ready before we say good-bye?" She toppled out of bed and to the bathroom, glancing back at all the retreating aliens; only Uvagon remained.
"I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me. I owe you my life." He wrapped her into a great bear hug, covering her face with kissing, lingering maybe a little too long on her lips. "Not a day shall go by that I don't think of you, My Bulma. I wish I could see you again, know how things turn out for you."
"I doubt this is our last meeting, Uv," she sighed, cherishing his muscular arms around her shoulders; she wondered if she could ever have it again and feel this good. "I promise you that I'll do my utmost to try to make contact with you, and to try to see you again. And I'll never forget you either, not a chance."
"You truly are a wonder, Bulma. I don't see how Vegeta can deny his love for you. He's deceiving himself."
"Uv, I, please, don't talk of him. I'll deal with him when we're in deep space. This time is for you and me, and those other rambunctious Geradrens out there. Kami, I can't believe I'm leaving already."
"Hurry, will you? Tellev, Loars, Derg, and Uli are anxious to see you off. They have something for you."
"Oh dear. Not a gift? I don't have a thing-"
"It's their custom, just let them, alright?"
"Alright."
It took Bulma only ten minutes to shower and dress, rushing out to the kitchen to find it empty, save Vegeta, who exited the moment he saw her; she tried to ignore it. Her day, not his. She found them soon enough, crowded just outside the ship, a buffet table set up a few yards away.
"Food?" she laughed, as Rewl handed her a glass of Wesstles Juice; very tangy and thick.
"Of course," Uli replied, handing her the Excaro equivalent to a roll, with some type of vegetable on it. "We love food here, for parties especially. And this is a party, is it not?"
"I wish it were some other party than this. I don't want to leave, not ever."
"We don't wish for you to go either," said Tellev, sipping her Wesstles Juice. "But our lives separate us. I'm grateful that they have connected us as well."
A wave of cheers coursed through the crowd.
"I love you Bulma," Duro whispered, embracing her warmly. "I know we don't know each other quite that well, as much as I would like, I still feel like you're a sister to me, you know?" Bulma nodded, she did feel that way too. "Everything you represent is so pure and beautiful. I only hope I have a daughter half as wonderful as you." She kissed her cheek quickly, and added, "Good luck with the Prince. I just know he'll come around eventually."
The remainder of the party continued that way for several hours, until Furto announced that Vegeta would wait no longer; a half an hour to launch. From then on Bulma was a bundle of tears and sobs. She said good-bye so many times she couldn't count, and hugged so many people that it was second nature to her now, it seemed.
As she boarded the ramp, Uvagon ran to her, wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off her feet.
"I love you Bulma," he whispered, kissing her forehead once. "Here, take this." He handed her the wristband he always wore, a band that all Drens were required to wear; truthfully he'd never thought about it until Bulma had asked about it, and intended to remove it. "I would forget it and give you something to remember me by."
"Uv," she sighed, tears welling again. She searched her pockets frantically. Nothing. Then her face lit up; she pulled off the tiny silver ring she always wore and enclosed it in his hand. "I've had this since I was sixteen years old. I've always worn it and it's always brought me luck."
"No, Bulma, I-"
"No buts, I insist."
"Good-bye My Bulma."
"Good-bye My Uvagon." She pulled him to her one last time. "I love you too."
Finally she was at the top of the ramp, waving to everyone as it began to ascend.
"Good-bye everyone!" she called, tears streaming. "I'll miss you!"
When the door was finally shut she slowly found her chair and strapped herself in, not glancing at neither Furto nor Vegeta; only thinking on what had happened. She was leaving, finally, and there was nothing she could do about it.
"It's a horrible feeling," Bulma sighed. "And to think, I have to go through it again with you, Furto…I hate good-byes." She couldn't help but glance at Vegeta, startled when he was starring back at her.
"We need to talk," was all he said, then starred out the window for the remainder of take-off.
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---Chapter 23!!! Yes! Woo! Finally I posted again!…I'm so horrible about that. I apologize. But hey? Did you like? Huh? Huh? I know, I know, hardly any Vegeta at all, and no Vegeta/Bulma interaction, but I PROMISE, next chapter I will more than make up for it. And if I don't you can hate me :P
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: Vegeta/Bulma action! Woo! And landing on Fewskm (most likely).