Last time:
"Tell me what's wrong with you."
"Nothing," she repeated. "Nothing is wrong…"
*************************************************************
"Holy Kami," Vegeta gasped, his eyes widening just a little. "You're pregnant." He stepped back a few paces, starring at Bulma on the other side of the room, curled up in her bed. How in Kami's universe had this happened? "Woman," he growled, coming over to the bed and grabbing her arms, as if she weren't looking intently at him. "Explain to me how this happened."
"Calm down," she sighed, shrugging off his arms and pulling him to sit on the bed. He obliged out of shock and took a seat. "I don't see what you're getting so worked up about. It's not like you never wanted children. Isn't that what the mating thing was all about? You wanted heirs, and you were going to use me to get them." She opened her arms suddenly and pointed at herself with both hands. "Well, bub, that's exactly what you got. So suck it up and be happy, 'cause there's no way in hell I'm giving up this baby."
"Woman-"
"Hey! Wait a second. How come you didn't know I was pregnant?" She tilted her head to the side slightly and narrowed her eyes. "I thought you had highly sensitive Saiyan senses or something."
"Woman, with all that's been going on, I haven't had time to focus my energy on anything but your cure and all that's involved with it. When was I supposed to narrow in on your uterus and determine whether you were with child or not?"
"So, what? You have to know what you're looking for?"
"No, if you were listening, you'd know what I was saying."
"Vegeta," she sighed. She reached over suddenly and placed her hand on his rough cheek; he needed to shave sometime soon. "Look, I know that this comes as a huge shock to you-"
"Oh, and you were fully prepared for this?" he huffed, shoving her hand away.
"Please, just listen to me…Now, I know you're shocked, and this is all so sudden for you that you're doing the only thing that comes naturally to you."
"And what's that?"
"Fight. You're trying to pick a fight with me so you can focus on that instead of the real issue." She shuffled closer to him and caught his eyes. Kami how she loved those deep onyx orbs. She knew that if she allowed herself she could simply stare into his eyes all day, thinking of nothing else, only that she loved the owner of those eyes and that they were beautiful, and deep, and held so much more emotion than he would ever admit to feeling. "And to answer your question; no, I wasn't fully prepared for getting pregnant. But the reason I'm not so surprised is because there's a logical explanation behind it." She paused for a moment, making sure he was still listening. He was; he needed this little dialogue to soothe his racing heart. Father. He was going to be a father. "When we slept together, I was ovulating. It was a prime time for fertilization. And we didn't use any protection, and we weren't careful at all. We were too caught up in the moment to let the consequences register."
"You told me to forget the consequences."
"I meant feelings-wise. I never even thought of this option. But you know what, I'm not mad about it."
"You shunned me from your home, woman. How can you not be angry about this? Because there's no way in Kami's universe that I'm going to not see my heir."
"Well that's good news. I was about to offer you a way out."
"A way out of what?"
"Responsibility. If you decide having a child with me is too much of a bond for you, then you can leave anytime you wish. But if you go, you can't ever come back. I can't have my child hurt carelessly by you. You have one chance."
"You honestly believe that I would run from my responsibilities."
"I never said that. I said you could and I wouldn't hold it against you. I understand that our lives are completely different, and Saiyans have far different customs than Earthlings."
"And you think one of those customs is abandoning our mates when she bares our heir?"
"I'm not your mate Vegeta. And that's not what I was saying. I didn't know what Saiyans did under these circumstances. I'm pregnant with your child, yet I'm not your mate. I didn't know how that worked. Now I do…Sorry…"
"Woman," he sighed, absently wrapping him arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, breathing in that intoxicating fragrance that only he possessed. He didn't say another word, but she really hadn't expected anything more. He knew about the baby and he brain was probably too full of thoughts to say anymore. And why shouldn't it be? Hell, she'd be in hysterics had this happened with anyone else. But she wasn't. She wasn't because it was Vegeta's baby that was slowly forming in her womb. And she loved him. She never loved Yamcha, no matter what she told herself. If this had happened with him, she wouldn't have been able to deal with it.
"Vegeta?"
"Be my mate."
"No."
"Why?"
"Vegeta, we've already been through this. There's no way I'm going to be your mate just because I'm having your baby. It's not fair that you keep pressuring me with this." She turned from him and went back to her place by the wall. "You don't know how much I want to say yes when you ask me that…"
"Then say yes," he grumbled, moving closer. But when she held out her hand, he stopped and went back to his spot at the edge of the bed.
"I'm not going to explain this to you again. It's too much for me to look at you without wanting to say yes. But to have you ask me again…Vegeta, I just can't handle this anymore…Please, don't ask me again."
"Very well," he sighed, and climbed off the bed. He'd never been more confused. Hadn't she told him to ask her to be his mate again when he…well, when he could offer her what she wanted? So why did she say no? Sure, he really didn't know what he'd meant when he'd asked the question, though deep in his subconscious that was the reason.
He took one last glance at her as he shut the door, a deep sense of foreboding in his gut. And as he came into his own room, only a few doors down, a horrid image of Bulma's lifeless body in his arms flashed before his eyes. He stumbled slightly, caught completely off guard. Sure he'd seen such carnage before, and at his own hands even, but this was different; this was Bulma. And though he would never truly admit to himself that he loved her, he could not deny his attraction and attachment to her. If she was to die, he doubted he'd have enough will in him to pick up and leave Fewskm and return to Earth. After all, whom would he be saving it for, if not her?
He took a seat on his bed and closed his eyes.
And for the first time in all his long years he prayed to Kami, asking for Bulma to survive.
*****************************************************************
It was early morning when Bulma shot up in bed—and still very dark if she were to go outside—terrified out of her mind, the horribly distorted image still fresh in her mind. And even though she knew it was all in her head, that it was some horrific nightmare, she still found herself thundering down the hall towards Furto's room.
When she reached the door, it was locked, as she would have expected had she not been so hysterical. She pounded on the small wooden door, screaming for him to answer. Several other Fewsks poked their heads out into the hall to see what was going on, though went right back in when they saw it was Bulma; she was an alien, therefore they felt she was probably over-reacting.
"Furto! Open the door, damn it! I don't care if you don't have any pants on!" she screamed, her fists sore from hitting the door so hard for so long.
"My," he yawned, startled when she pushed by him and entered the room. "What's wrong Bulma? You've woken everyone in my house."
"Furto, tell me, can my baby die from the Denj-sa?"
"B-B-Baby?" he stuttered, rubbing his tired eyes. "What baby?"
"Answer me!" she pleaded, pulling on his sleeve. "If a woman is pregnant and has Denj-sa will the baby inside her die? I have to know!"
He was silent for a moment, almost too long for Bulma to stand, then he said, "No. Nothing of the sort can happen. Denj-sa is not a contagious disease. That is why so many are so apt to help."
"But I'm weak!"
"Your body is stronger than you think. And if you truly are with child, and its half-Saiyan-" He smiled at this. "-then there is hardly any risk at all that doesn't come with a normal pregnancy."
"Kami," she gasped, sliding to the floor. Furto almost ran to her before he realized she'd gone down on purpose.
"You're pregnant?" Jemalin asked, sitting up in Furto's bed. "With Vegeta's baby?"
"Yes," she laughed, startling the Fewsk and the Doonso. "Oh yes. As pregnant as they can get so far as I know."
"And you're happy about this?"
She smiled almost deviously up at Furto.
"Furto, I can never love a man more than I love Vegeta. I want nothing more than to bare his child."
He took a seat on the floor beside Bulma, smiling knowingly at her. He would have wrapped his arm around her had Jemalin not been there, but he felt awkward, therefore laced his fingers and put his hands in his lap. There were so many questions that he wanted to ask her, though the one he wanted to know most of all was one which he would never dream of asking her. It was her life and there was no chance that he was going to mess with it on a whim. Besides, she knew what she was doing. He knew she was a strong woman and therefore could stand to raise the child on her own if need be. He didn't doubt Vegeta's pride in responsibility, of course, but knew all too well the horrible fates of so many warriors on his planet. He would hate to know that Vegeta died in battle and left Bulma alone with their child and nothing reconciled.
"How did all of this come about?" he finally asked, then quickly added, "If you wish to tell me that is."
"Oh it's alright. I'm fine with everything right now. I'm well on my way to being healthy again and I'm carrying a little memento of my time with Vegeta. It's more than I could have thought possible."
"Well I'm very happy for you."
She smiled gingerly at him. Kami how she was going to miss him, and Jemalin too. If only she could put them in her pocket and sneak them back to Earth. But the dreadful Queen knew that Bulma was an earthling, therefore it was possible that she would send someone to search there. But Vegeta would be prepared when and if they came.
"Now, to answer your question, it all came about when I had that last attack of mine." Furto flinched noticeably, remembering the incident vividly. "I awoke in a warm bath and Vegeta explained to me that if I were to have another attack, of any kind, then I would definitely die. And then I told him I had to have him and that's pretty much that. I didn't care about the consequences. I didn't care about the pain it would cause me afterwards. I didn't care about love at that moment, only that the thought of my death was looming over my head and I couldn't bear to have my mind on it. I'm not ashamed at all about what happened. I'm glad that we had our time together and I'll never forget it. I can never know if we could have worked as a couple, but at least I have that one night, and our little hybrid."
"I wish you all the best," Jemalin yawned, giving Bulma a sleepy smile.
"Oh, Furto, while I'm here; how is the Elpinosus coming along? I noticed that you haven't touched it in awhile."
"It's thickening," he replied, motioning to the mini cauldron on the floor in the corner, surrounded by all the ingredients and tools required to prepared the medicine. "A few more days and it should be the right consistency and I can continue on with it."
"And how long after that?"
"Eight days," he sighed happily. "You'll be cured in approximately ten days, if I'm correct."
"Which I'm betting you are," Bulma said, giving him a quick hug before she stood. "Well, thanks a lot for helping me out, and I don't just mean tonight. It really means so much more to me than you could know that you're willing to help me even if you didn't know me when you agreed."
"Well," he laughed, standing as well. "I didn't agree exactly. Vegeta's a very persuasive man."
"Yes, well, I know that you would have helped no matter what. That's the kind of being you are. And I couldn't have been luckier, catching a fatal disease on a planet rich in resources and hospitality. Thank you so much." She embraced him once more, this time holding on for a moment longer. "Good night you two."
"Good night Bulma."
"Good night."
Bulma walked quietly down the hall back to bed, humming a little tune as she went, though she could barely even hear herself. She felt bad enough for having woken Furto, but nearly the entire house?—she'd apologize in the morning at breakfast.
She arrived at the door she was looking for a few moments later, sighing deeply as she reached for the handle and pushed it quietly open. Kami she was tired, mentally and physically. She figured she was probably feeling the effects of the Denj-sa finally, too.
She climbed into the bed and pulled the blankets up over her shoulders.
"Good night Vegeta," she whispered, giving him a soft kiss on the forehead. He didn't stir, though she knew he could sense her presence, even if it was only subconscious. "If only things had been different."
*************************************************************
The next morning, after breakfast, Furto advised Bulma that she should be completely sure of her pregnancy. She agreed, of course, adding that she'd been planning on asking him anyway. What she did not plan on however was that Vegeta would wish to be in the room with her when she found out. He knew she was pregnant. He could feel the Saiyan energy inside of her. What he didn't know was the effects that Denj-sa could have on the embryo, for he hadn't ventured to Furto's room the night before when he heard her screaming—he figured she was being hysterical—and therefore he didn't know exactly what was going on. Besides, as the father to her child, he had a duty to be there for her and he wasn't one to put aside his duties.
They sat in the home's examination room, the same room Bulma had been in months ago with Senju. It wasn't much of a medical center with it's clay walls and crude tools, though she knew Furto knew what he was doing and trusted him completely. Bulma sat up on the stiff bed, legs dangling off the side, not feeling particularly nervous. Vegeta, on the other hand, stood beside the bed, holding the edge of it, a solemn yet blank look on his face. Bulma had wanted to ask him a few times what he was thinking, though opted to be quiet and wait for Furto, and the results, instead. She'd made the mistake of trying to find out what was going on in his mind in the past and it always backfired on her. She figured she'd play it safe this time.
"Woman," Vegeta said, startling her. He'd been standing so still and had been so quiet for so long that he was almost like a statue; she hadn't expected that.
"Yes?" She looked over at him, wanting to see his face when he talked. There was just something about him; when he wasn't yelling or being negative she had the urge to stare at his face, delighting in the way it moved in it's tranquility. His eyes were soft and yielding, something she only saw a few times in all the time she'd known him—during her attacks and when they bedded together—though she could never tire of those eyes.
"Well my friends," Furto boomed happily, interrupting what Bulma knew to be a serious moment. "I have your answer right here in this little bottle." He held up a two-inch glass bottle filled with murky brown liquid. Bulma guessed her blood was in there, but whatever was making it brown was unsettling to her. Sure she knew that procedures were different here than on Earth, but how different she could have never imagined.
"Why's it brown?" she asked, not being able to help herself. Furto noticed the worry in her eyes.
"Oh nothing to worry about Miss," he said, smiling wider. "It's what's supposed to happen when a woman is with child. The mixture of chemicals and fertile blood create this color."
"So I'm definitely, absolutely, positively pregnant?"
"As pregnant as one can become," he laughed.
She turned to Vegeta instinctively, whose face was as solemn and void of emotion as ever. Surely this was what he'd wanted when he'd asked her to be his mate. He'd told her himself that the reason was to "obtain heirs." So why then was he not the least bit happy? Even in his own way?
"Vegeta," Furto said, setting down the bottle on a long sturdy wooden table. "Your expression is unsettling to me. What's bothering you?"
"The Denj-sa," he confessed, retaining his monotone and manner. "Will it harm the child?"
"No," Furto confirmed, his face straightening into seriousness. "Bulma awoke in the early morning and was very hysterical about a dream she'd had involving such a topic." He glanced at Bulma, silently asking her if he could recount the dream, which she'd told him of before Vegeta arrived in the exam room. She nodded. "The child inside of her was deformed. Its skin was wrinkled and its head was far too large and heavy for the child's neck to support its weight. She attempted to give birth to this being, though it died in her arms and shriveled like a fallen leaf…That of course cannot happen and the baby will be as healthy as any other. Even quite a bit healthier considering that you're the father, Vegeta. Saiyan children are extraordinarily immune to disease."
"Very well. I only ask because Denj-sa was never an issue on Planet Vegeta. I was unsure of its effects."
He walked out before Bulma could catch him. What had he wanted to speak to her about before Furto had come in?
************************************************************
"But from what I know that's a color for females on Planet Earth," Senju laughed, trying desperately to hold back his tears.
"Yes, it is," Bulma howled, quite unable to control herself as well. "And he hated it! He was so angry with me for giving him that shirt! But then he sensed Frieza and took off and completely forgot what he was wearing. I nearly died on the spot! I couldn't stop laughing."
"Well," he sighed, attempting to calm himself. "I never would have thought I'd hear such a story about the almighty Saiyan Prince. Never did I think he could change."
"Yes, well, he's still the 'same old Vegeta', but a lot has changed. I didn't believe it myself when he offered to assist me in finding a cure."
"I was mighty surprised myself. I first thought you were his mate and therefore his responsibility. But when I found out you were not I was greatly shocked. Long ago he would have left you to die."
"I believe that," she huffed, leaning back in her chair in the central room. It was only her and Senju in there and they were having such a wonderful time speaking with one another. "Ok, now you tell me something."
"I have a great story about Furto when he was just a lad," he laughed, the imagines already coming back to him.
"Oooo! Do tell!"
"Well, he was very young, not quite a man, yet not at all a little child. He'd already shown potential for being a healer, what with his brain capacity and all—Fewsks are tested very early on to determine their path in life. Well, he and I, another future healer, were playing, as children do, in the forest. I believe it's the same forest you ventured into. We stumbled upon a very ripe Faimu bush and immediately ripped off the fruit and began devouring it. This was not uncommon with an aged Fewsk, of course. But then we realized that the bush was in a stone circle, indicating that the Surzaicans had chosen that place for their home."
"What are—"
"Surzaicans are wild beasts of the Fewskm forests. They generally stay very far away from us Fewsks, unless of course we disturb their territory, which they mark with circles of small rocks and stones. It's a very evolved trait, yet they are still feeble-minded beasts with raging tempers. And it was not the Faimu they were interested in, merely the spot the circle was around, though anything inside the circle they considered theirs.
"So, I became hysterical, which is to be expected, for they could rip us limb from limb. But Furto, on the other hand, had the idea to challenge the leader Surzaican that was heading our way; a massive razor-toothed female. I ran from the circle, trying to pull Furto with me, but he wouldn't come. Finally though, when she was within feet of him, he dashed away and up a tree, dangling from his arms and legs, his backside completely exposed to the very tall mother. She nipped and clawed at him for several minutes, managing to tear the back portion of his tunic off. Then she simply walked off and left him alone. I was laughing so very hard when he shimmied down that tree that I nearly fell over. The entire home, and several others around, could talk of nothing else for weeks. To this day he cannot go into the particular forest."
Bulma's eyes were watering from the story she was laughing so hard, though in the back of her mind she'd been scared for the young Furto, thinking the beast would harm him.
"Wow," Bulma finally sighed. "Hey, how long have we been talking? My stomach's growling. I need something to eat."
"My word, we haven't closed our mouths for hours. I wonder what the rest of the house is doing."
"Well I better go find Vegeta. He'll want some food too. Always does."
"May I say something?" Senju ventured, grabbing her hand before she could stand.
"Certainly."
"I believe you are doing a marvelous thing, carrying Vegeta's child and staying so loyal to him even though he cannot return your feelings. You're a truly strong and magnificent woman. If only he could realize just how lucky he is."
"Well, whoever snags you as their mate is lucky as well. You're a wonderful man, Senju. I'm really going to miss you."
"And I you."
She embraced him in a powerful hug, not letting go for several moments.
"I better go. Bye Senju."
"Bye Bulma." He kissed her forehead tenderly, neither noticing the shadowed figure of the Saiyan Prince looming in one of the doorways.
*********************************************************
"Vegeta!" Bulma called, peeking her head into the rooms with open doors; apologizing when someone was in there. "Vegeta! Ve-Hey Golana, have you seen Vegeta? I've been looking all over for him."
"He came stomping through my garden not too long ago. Seemed rather upset over something."
"Do you know where he was headed?"
"He took to the air. I think he was going to your ship. Maybe to check the repairs. I'm not sure."
"Oh, ok," she sighed, turning to leave.
"If you'd like I could bring you there. I'm no Saiyan, but I can fly fairly quickly."
"I don't want to impose."
"Oh," she laughed, setting down her book. "It's no trouble at all. I want nothing more than for you and Vegeta to be happy."
"What makes you think otherwise? We might not be together, but I'm happy with what I have."
"Yes, but when he left he was upset, as I said. I figure you can correct his ailment."
"If it's really no trouble—"
"It isn't. Come now." She grabbed her wrist and led her outside, the fresh warm air feeling rather good. It wasn't so hot out now that the sun was beginning to set. The perfect time to be outside on Fewskm, or at least that's when Bulma preferred to be outside. Besides, the inside of the home was far too warm for her. "You know how to hold on? Because I can't hold you."
"Yes, of course." Bulma wrapped her arms around Golana's neck, feeling a bit uncomfortable being so close to a woman who had just recently confessed she had been in love with Vegeta. But it was the only way to get to him—and now she wanted to know what his problem was—so she sucked it up and held on.
They landed sometime later a few yards from the ship. The interior lights were on, and seeing that the Fewsks were finished with the repairs, the being inside must be Vegeta. Golana doubled over, trying to catch her breath. She usually didn't fly for so long with another to carry. Bulma apologized profusely for this, though it had not been her idea in the first place and figured Golana knew the risks involved.
"Will you be able to get back alright? You won't fall out of the sky, will you?"
"No. I'm fine. I only need to rest for a moment. Go on ahead. Vegeta can bring you back when you've patched him up."
Bulma gave her a weak smile and headed for the ship; she knew for a fact that nothing she could say could bring him from a bad mood. She took a deep breath before pressing the button to open the door, not knowing what to expect from the ill-tempered Saiyan. The last she knew he was in his normal mood; neither happy nor mad.
"Vegeta," she called once inside, pressing the button to seal out the warm air. The ship was much cooler and felt nice on her naked arms. "Vegeta, I know you're in here. Just answer me."
She found him a few moments later, sitting on the floor of the control room; he was meditating. She shrunk back, clinging to the doorframe, not wanting to disturb him. She'd been unfortunate enough to interrupt his meditation in the past. It was not something she wanted to re-live.
"What woman?" he sighed, not opening his eyes. "You might as well come in. I can't concentrate with you here."
"I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "I wouldn't have come if I knew you were meditating."
"Why did you come?" He relaxed his arms and opened his eyes, though did not look at her. And of course she had not expected him to. No matter what happened between them, he would always revert back to what he knew best.
"I was looking for you because I was hungry and I figured I'd get you some food too. But then Golana told me you were upset and probably here. So she brought me. Are you upset?"
"I suggest you leave."
"I can't," she huffed. "Golana is gone now."
"Well then I don't know how you're going to get back. It's many hours on foot. Good luck."
"You're telling me that I'm to walk back to Furto's home in the middle of the night when before you wouldn't even let me around the perimeter of the ship?"
He was silent at this. He hadn't thought of that fact.
"Just tell me what your damn problem is. I came all the way out here to find you and I'm not going back until I have what I want."
"If I cannot have what I want you sure as hell are not getting a thing out of me."
"Why do you have to be like this?" she sighed, taking a seat. It was beginning to be too much for her to argue with him, what with the disease nearing its end. She was exhausted. "I would think you would be happy that I'm having your child Vegeta. But no. You can't even be happy when you get something that you want. Nothing can please you."
"You think I wanted to only have a child with you?" he spat, thoroughly offended, if that was the word to use with someone so arrogant as him.
"Well, seeing as that's what you told me; yes, that's exactly what I thought you wanted. Now I don't know what the hell to think."
"I would never have asked you to be my mate if that was the soul reason. Kami woman. Don't you think there have been Saiyans who bear children without being bonded to another?"
"Well it's a little too late to be telling me this!"
"I'm well aware." He stood and walked to the opposite end of the room, leaning against the control panel, glaring out the window at the forest that was not to far in the distance. Kami how he wanted to leave this place. They'd only been back a short time, but Fewskm was definitely not where he wanted to be. Earth wasn't where he wanted to be either. He didn't know where he wished to be, only that a ship could calm his nerves; the main reason he came out there in the first place.
"What do you mean by that?" She could sense something else behind his voice, something deeper that he wasn't telling her, and didn't intend to.
"Well," he began, then switched his eyes so he was glaring at her. "What, you actually think I would tell you?"
"I didn't think hell froze over, Vegeta. I'm not expecting miracles."
"Leave."
"No."
"Why?"
"Kami," she sighed, leaning her head back. "You're like a two year old. I came here for a reason, and that reason was not to leave without finding out what was bothering you…You don't have to tell me exactly what it is, just what it's about, or how I can fix it. I don't want you upset all the time. I hate seeing you in pain, no matter how small. I want nothing more than for you to have complete happiness, to free yourself from your demons, and live in peace."
"Why?"
"Because I care about you, damn it. I would have thought someone as smart as you could have figured that out by now. How many times have I told you that I loved you? How long have we been out here together?"
"It'll only be a moment to me when we return. I won't bother myself with remembering such a thing as being this long. I have no use for it. It's not worth remembering."
"Only a moment, huh?" she hissed, suppressing the urge to charge at him, her fingers becoming sore from gripping the armrests of the chair. "Well I don't believe you. I refuse to believe that you could think of our time alone as only a moment. A moment alone? That's impossible." She held her head, trying to push back her sudden headache. How weak she felt. How utterly vulnerable. "You're impossible…I will have a lifetime to love you and all you can think of is one moment? What moment would that be, exactly?"
He sighed deeply, not wanting to say, yet not wanting to keep it in. If he were his old self he surely would have blasted her by now. No more worries. No more woman. No more—Kami, take me away from here!
"The moment I had you," he finally said, looking back out the window. It was sincere and honest, yet held no real emotion or conviction. Same old Vegeta; even after all this time. "That memory is burned into my skull. Everything else is nothing that I care to remember. Now go."
"You still haven't told me what's bothering you."
"You pretend to not know," he huffed.
"I don't know!"
"No! Of course you don't know! You don't have the faintest idea of what you've done because your backwards Earthly society tells you that what you did is not wrong! You're blind! You Earthlings are constantly disloyal to one another, even when you are mates and have children! It's disgusting even to think of! Nothing has pride for you!"
"I have no pride? What have to got to be proud of, Vegeta? Tell me! I'm carrying a half-Saiyan in my whom, that much I can have pride in, but what else! What is there for me! I can never be proud of our short time together! You tore me apart and I can never recover!" She didn't remember standing, though she was definitely on her feet now.
"I gave you no hope or hint that I could give you pride in such a thing! You knew the risks when you wished to be with me, woman! I am not to blame for your broken mind."
"My broken heart Vegeta. I still have the mind to know who and what you truly are. It's my heart that forces me to love you, ignoring my mind that knows all your flaws and cruelties." She took a deep breath, then continued. "And what the hell were you talking about before! I have NEVER been disloyal! What did you mean?"
"You and that sorry excuse for a healer!" Immediately he knew he'd said too much in the heat of the argument. Yet somehow he felt better, as if her knowing was what could make him feel like himself again.
"Furto!?" Utter confusion was painted on her face.
"Kami!" he growled, stomping out of the control room.
"Vegeta, I don't know what you're talking about! Please, tell me! When have I been disloyal to you? I know that's what you're getting at, but I can honestly say that I haven't the faintest idea of what you mean…My heart belongs to you and only you. Why would I jeopardize myself in any way?"
"Can I have no peace from you?" he sighed, collapsing in a kitchen chair. "Let my conscious at rest if you are going to bombard my subconscious."
"I have nothing to do with your subconscious, Vegeta. Your thoughts are your doing…How have I been disloyal?"
"Senju," he hissed after several moments. "Are you that incapable of honor?"
"Vegeta!" she screamed, falling to her knees before him. "I love you, and only you! You are the only being keeping us apart! How can you not know that?"
"I beg to differ," he sighed, shoving away her hands.
She hadn't the faintest idea of what he was talking about, and yet she could not bring words to pass her lips. He was drifting further and further away and she was powerless to stop him.
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---Chapter 28!!! Woo! Woo! Woooooo! Well, that was a rather long chapter if I do say so myself. Now I know what you all must be thinking: "Will this never end?" And the answer is: Yes, it will never end…LOL, just kidding! I am planning on ending it in the next few chapters, so all you best be keeping your eyes peeled.
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: Will Bulma ever find out that she missed her chance at happiness with her prince?
"Tell me what's wrong with you."
"Nothing," she repeated. "Nothing is wrong…"
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"Holy Kami," Vegeta gasped, his eyes widening just a little. "You're pregnant." He stepped back a few paces, starring at Bulma on the other side of the room, curled up in her bed. How in Kami's universe had this happened? "Woman," he growled, coming over to the bed and grabbing her arms, as if she weren't looking intently at him. "Explain to me how this happened."
"Calm down," she sighed, shrugging off his arms and pulling him to sit on the bed. He obliged out of shock and took a seat. "I don't see what you're getting so worked up about. It's not like you never wanted children. Isn't that what the mating thing was all about? You wanted heirs, and you were going to use me to get them." She opened her arms suddenly and pointed at herself with both hands. "Well, bub, that's exactly what you got. So suck it up and be happy, 'cause there's no way in hell I'm giving up this baby."
"Woman-"
"Hey! Wait a second. How come you didn't know I was pregnant?" She tilted her head to the side slightly and narrowed her eyes. "I thought you had highly sensitive Saiyan senses or something."
"Woman, with all that's been going on, I haven't had time to focus my energy on anything but your cure and all that's involved with it. When was I supposed to narrow in on your uterus and determine whether you were with child or not?"
"So, what? You have to know what you're looking for?"
"No, if you were listening, you'd know what I was saying."
"Vegeta," she sighed. She reached over suddenly and placed her hand on his rough cheek; he needed to shave sometime soon. "Look, I know that this comes as a huge shock to you-"
"Oh, and you were fully prepared for this?" he huffed, shoving her hand away.
"Please, just listen to me…Now, I know you're shocked, and this is all so sudden for you that you're doing the only thing that comes naturally to you."
"And what's that?"
"Fight. You're trying to pick a fight with me so you can focus on that instead of the real issue." She shuffled closer to him and caught his eyes. Kami how she loved those deep onyx orbs. She knew that if she allowed herself she could simply stare into his eyes all day, thinking of nothing else, only that she loved the owner of those eyes and that they were beautiful, and deep, and held so much more emotion than he would ever admit to feeling. "And to answer your question; no, I wasn't fully prepared for getting pregnant. But the reason I'm not so surprised is because there's a logical explanation behind it." She paused for a moment, making sure he was still listening. He was; he needed this little dialogue to soothe his racing heart. Father. He was going to be a father. "When we slept together, I was ovulating. It was a prime time for fertilization. And we didn't use any protection, and we weren't careful at all. We were too caught up in the moment to let the consequences register."
"You told me to forget the consequences."
"I meant feelings-wise. I never even thought of this option. But you know what, I'm not mad about it."
"You shunned me from your home, woman. How can you not be angry about this? Because there's no way in Kami's universe that I'm going to not see my heir."
"Well that's good news. I was about to offer you a way out."
"A way out of what?"
"Responsibility. If you decide having a child with me is too much of a bond for you, then you can leave anytime you wish. But if you go, you can't ever come back. I can't have my child hurt carelessly by you. You have one chance."
"You honestly believe that I would run from my responsibilities."
"I never said that. I said you could and I wouldn't hold it against you. I understand that our lives are completely different, and Saiyans have far different customs than Earthlings."
"And you think one of those customs is abandoning our mates when she bares our heir?"
"I'm not your mate Vegeta. And that's not what I was saying. I didn't know what Saiyans did under these circumstances. I'm pregnant with your child, yet I'm not your mate. I didn't know how that worked. Now I do…Sorry…"
"Woman," he sighed, absently wrapping him arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, breathing in that intoxicating fragrance that only he possessed. He didn't say another word, but she really hadn't expected anything more. He knew about the baby and he brain was probably too full of thoughts to say anymore. And why shouldn't it be? Hell, she'd be in hysterics had this happened with anyone else. But she wasn't. She wasn't because it was Vegeta's baby that was slowly forming in her womb. And she loved him. She never loved Yamcha, no matter what she told herself. If this had happened with him, she wouldn't have been able to deal with it.
"Vegeta?"
"Be my mate."
"No."
"Why?"
"Vegeta, we've already been through this. There's no way I'm going to be your mate just because I'm having your baby. It's not fair that you keep pressuring me with this." She turned from him and went back to her place by the wall. "You don't know how much I want to say yes when you ask me that…"
"Then say yes," he grumbled, moving closer. But when she held out her hand, he stopped and went back to his spot at the edge of the bed.
"I'm not going to explain this to you again. It's too much for me to look at you without wanting to say yes. But to have you ask me again…Vegeta, I just can't handle this anymore…Please, don't ask me again."
"Very well," he sighed, and climbed off the bed. He'd never been more confused. Hadn't she told him to ask her to be his mate again when he…well, when he could offer her what she wanted? So why did she say no? Sure, he really didn't know what he'd meant when he'd asked the question, though deep in his subconscious that was the reason.
He took one last glance at her as he shut the door, a deep sense of foreboding in his gut. And as he came into his own room, only a few doors down, a horrid image of Bulma's lifeless body in his arms flashed before his eyes. He stumbled slightly, caught completely off guard. Sure he'd seen such carnage before, and at his own hands even, but this was different; this was Bulma. And though he would never truly admit to himself that he loved her, he could not deny his attraction and attachment to her. If she was to die, he doubted he'd have enough will in him to pick up and leave Fewskm and return to Earth. After all, whom would he be saving it for, if not her?
He took a seat on his bed and closed his eyes.
And for the first time in all his long years he prayed to Kami, asking for Bulma to survive.
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It was early morning when Bulma shot up in bed—and still very dark if she were to go outside—terrified out of her mind, the horribly distorted image still fresh in her mind. And even though she knew it was all in her head, that it was some horrific nightmare, she still found herself thundering down the hall towards Furto's room.
When she reached the door, it was locked, as she would have expected had she not been so hysterical. She pounded on the small wooden door, screaming for him to answer. Several other Fewsks poked their heads out into the hall to see what was going on, though went right back in when they saw it was Bulma; she was an alien, therefore they felt she was probably over-reacting.
"Furto! Open the door, damn it! I don't care if you don't have any pants on!" she screamed, her fists sore from hitting the door so hard for so long.
"My," he yawned, startled when she pushed by him and entered the room. "What's wrong Bulma? You've woken everyone in my house."
"Furto, tell me, can my baby die from the Denj-sa?"
"B-B-Baby?" he stuttered, rubbing his tired eyes. "What baby?"
"Answer me!" she pleaded, pulling on his sleeve. "If a woman is pregnant and has Denj-sa will the baby inside her die? I have to know!"
He was silent for a moment, almost too long for Bulma to stand, then he said, "No. Nothing of the sort can happen. Denj-sa is not a contagious disease. That is why so many are so apt to help."
"But I'm weak!"
"Your body is stronger than you think. And if you truly are with child, and its half-Saiyan-" He smiled at this. "-then there is hardly any risk at all that doesn't come with a normal pregnancy."
"Kami," she gasped, sliding to the floor. Furto almost ran to her before he realized she'd gone down on purpose.
"You're pregnant?" Jemalin asked, sitting up in Furto's bed. "With Vegeta's baby?"
"Yes," she laughed, startling the Fewsk and the Doonso. "Oh yes. As pregnant as they can get so far as I know."
"And you're happy about this?"
She smiled almost deviously up at Furto.
"Furto, I can never love a man more than I love Vegeta. I want nothing more than to bare his child."
He took a seat on the floor beside Bulma, smiling knowingly at her. He would have wrapped his arm around her had Jemalin not been there, but he felt awkward, therefore laced his fingers and put his hands in his lap. There were so many questions that he wanted to ask her, though the one he wanted to know most of all was one which he would never dream of asking her. It was her life and there was no chance that he was going to mess with it on a whim. Besides, she knew what she was doing. He knew she was a strong woman and therefore could stand to raise the child on her own if need be. He didn't doubt Vegeta's pride in responsibility, of course, but knew all too well the horrible fates of so many warriors on his planet. He would hate to know that Vegeta died in battle and left Bulma alone with their child and nothing reconciled.
"How did all of this come about?" he finally asked, then quickly added, "If you wish to tell me that is."
"Oh it's alright. I'm fine with everything right now. I'm well on my way to being healthy again and I'm carrying a little memento of my time with Vegeta. It's more than I could have thought possible."
"Well I'm very happy for you."
She smiled gingerly at him. Kami how she was going to miss him, and Jemalin too. If only she could put them in her pocket and sneak them back to Earth. But the dreadful Queen knew that Bulma was an earthling, therefore it was possible that she would send someone to search there. But Vegeta would be prepared when and if they came.
"Now, to answer your question, it all came about when I had that last attack of mine." Furto flinched noticeably, remembering the incident vividly. "I awoke in a warm bath and Vegeta explained to me that if I were to have another attack, of any kind, then I would definitely die. And then I told him I had to have him and that's pretty much that. I didn't care about the consequences. I didn't care about the pain it would cause me afterwards. I didn't care about love at that moment, only that the thought of my death was looming over my head and I couldn't bear to have my mind on it. I'm not ashamed at all about what happened. I'm glad that we had our time together and I'll never forget it. I can never know if we could have worked as a couple, but at least I have that one night, and our little hybrid."
"I wish you all the best," Jemalin yawned, giving Bulma a sleepy smile.
"Oh, Furto, while I'm here; how is the Elpinosus coming along? I noticed that you haven't touched it in awhile."
"It's thickening," he replied, motioning to the mini cauldron on the floor in the corner, surrounded by all the ingredients and tools required to prepared the medicine. "A few more days and it should be the right consistency and I can continue on with it."
"And how long after that?"
"Eight days," he sighed happily. "You'll be cured in approximately ten days, if I'm correct."
"Which I'm betting you are," Bulma said, giving him a quick hug before she stood. "Well, thanks a lot for helping me out, and I don't just mean tonight. It really means so much more to me than you could know that you're willing to help me even if you didn't know me when you agreed."
"Well," he laughed, standing as well. "I didn't agree exactly. Vegeta's a very persuasive man."
"Yes, well, I know that you would have helped no matter what. That's the kind of being you are. And I couldn't have been luckier, catching a fatal disease on a planet rich in resources and hospitality. Thank you so much." She embraced him once more, this time holding on for a moment longer. "Good night you two."
"Good night Bulma."
"Good night."
Bulma walked quietly down the hall back to bed, humming a little tune as she went, though she could barely even hear herself. She felt bad enough for having woken Furto, but nearly the entire house?—she'd apologize in the morning at breakfast.
She arrived at the door she was looking for a few moments later, sighing deeply as she reached for the handle and pushed it quietly open. Kami she was tired, mentally and physically. She figured she was probably feeling the effects of the Denj-sa finally, too.
She climbed into the bed and pulled the blankets up over her shoulders.
"Good night Vegeta," she whispered, giving him a soft kiss on the forehead. He didn't stir, though she knew he could sense her presence, even if it was only subconscious. "If only things had been different."
*************************************************************
The next morning, after breakfast, Furto advised Bulma that she should be completely sure of her pregnancy. She agreed, of course, adding that she'd been planning on asking him anyway. What she did not plan on however was that Vegeta would wish to be in the room with her when she found out. He knew she was pregnant. He could feel the Saiyan energy inside of her. What he didn't know was the effects that Denj-sa could have on the embryo, for he hadn't ventured to Furto's room the night before when he heard her screaming—he figured she was being hysterical—and therefore he didn't know exactly what was going on. Besides, as the father to her child, he had a duty to be there for her and he wasn't one to put aside his duties.
They sat in the home's examination room, the same room Bulma had been in months ago with Senju. It wasn't much of a medical center with it's clay walls and crude tools, though she knew Furto knew what he was doing and trusted him completely. Bulma sat up on the stiff bed, legs dangling off the side, not feeling particularly nervous. Vegeta, on the other hand, stood beside the bed, holding the edge of it, a solemn yet blank look on his face. Bulma had wanted to ask him a few times what he was thinking, though opted to be quiet and wait for Furto, and the results, instead. She'd made the mistake of trying to find out what was going on in his mind in the past and it always backfired on her. She figured she'd play it safe this time.
"Woman," Vegeta said, startling her. He'd been standing so still and had been so quiet for so long that he was almost like a statue; she hadn't expected that.
"Yes?" She looked over at him, wanting to see his face when he talked. There was just something about him; when he wasn't yelling or being negative she had the urge to stare at his face, delighting in the way it moved in it's tranquility. His eyes were soft and yielding, something she only saw a few times in all the time she'd known him—during her attacks and when they bedded together—though she could never tire of those eyes.
"Well my friends," Furto boomed happily, interrupting what Bulma knew to be a serious moment. "I have your answer right here in this little bottle." He held up a two-inch glass bottle filled with murky brown liquid. Bulma guessed her blood was in there, but whatever was making it brown was unsettling to her. Sure she knew that procedures were different here than on Earth, but how different she could have never imagined.
"Why's it brown?" she asked, not being able to help herself. Furto noticed the worry in her eyes.
"Oh nothing to worry about Miss," he said, smiling wider. "It's what's supposed to happen when a woman is with child. The mixture of chemicals and fertile blood create this color."
"So I'm definitely, absolutely, positively pregnant?"
"As pregnant as one can become," he laughed.
She turned to Vegeta instinctively, whose face was as solemn and void of emotion as ever. Surely this was what he'd wanted when he'd asked her to be his mate. He'd told her himself that the reason was to "obtain heirs." So why then was he not the least bit happy? Even in his own way?
"Vegeta," Furto said, setting down the bottle on a long sturdy wooden table. "Your expression is unsettling to me. What's bothering you?"
"The Denj-sa," he confessed, retaining his monotone and manner. "Will it harm the child?"
"No," Furto confirmed, his face straightening into seriousness. "Bulma awoke in the early morning and was very hysterical about a dream she'd had involving such a topic." He glanced at Bulma, silently asking her if he could recount the dream, which she'd told him of before Vegeta arrived in the exam room. She nodded. "The child inside of her was deformed. Its skin was wrinkled and its head was far too large and heavy for the child's neck to support its weight. She attempted to give birth to this being, though it died in her arms and shriveled like a fallen leaf…That of course cannot happen and the baby will be as healthy as any other. Even quite a bit healthier considering that you're the father, Vegeta. Saiyan children are extraordinarily immune to disease."
"Very well. I only ask because Denj-sa was never an issue on Planet Vegeta. I was unsure of its effects."
He walked out before Bulma could catch him. What had he wanted to speak to her about before Furto had come in?
************************************************************
"But from what I know that's a color for females on Planet Earth," Senju laughed, trying desperately to hold back his tears.
"Yes, it is," Bulma howled, quite unable to control herself as well. "And he hated it! He was so angry with me for giving him that shirt! But then he sensed Frieza and took off and completely forgot what he was wearing. I nearly died on the spot! I couldn't stop laughing."
"Well," he sighed, attempting to calm himself. "I never would have thought I'd hear such a story about the almighty Saiyan Prince. Never did I think he could change."
"Yes, well, he's still the 'same old Vegeta', but a lot has changed. I didn't believe it myself when he offered to assist me in finding a cure."
"I was mighty surprised myself. I first thought you were his mate and therefore his responsibility. But when I found out you were not I was greatly shocked. Long ago he would have left you to die."
"I believe that," she huffed, leaning back in her chair in the central room. It was only her and Senju in there and they were having such a wonderful time speaking with one another. "Ok, now you tell me something."
"I have a great story about Furto when he was just a lad," he laughed, the imagines already coming back to him.
"Oooo! Do tell!"
"Well, he was very young, not quite a man, yet not at all a little child. He'd already shown potential for being a healer, what with his brain capacity and all—Fewsks are tested very early on to determine their path in life. Well, he and I, another future healer, were playing, as children do, in the forest. I believe it's the same forest you ventured into. We stumbled upon a very ripe Faimu bush and immediately ripped off the fruit and began devouring it. This was not uncommon with an aged Fewsk, of course. But then we realized that the bush was in a stone circle, indicating that the Surzaicans had chosen that place for their home."
"What are—"
"Surzaicans are wild beasts of the Fewskm forests. They generally stay very far away from us Fewsks, unless of course we disturb their territory, which they mark with circles of small rocks and stones. It's a very evolved trait, yet they are still feeble-minded beasts with raging tempers. And it was not the Faimu they were interested in, merely the spot the circle was around, though anything inside the circle they considered theirs.
"So, I became hysterical, which is to be expected, for they could rip us limb from limb. But Furto, on the other hand, had the idea to challenge the leader Surzaican that was heading our way; a massive razor-toothed female. I ran from the circle, trying to pull Furto with me, but he wouldn't come. Finally though, when she was within feet of him, he dashed away and up a tree, dangling from his arms and legs, his backside completely exposed to the very tall mother. She nipped and clawed at him for several minutes, managing to tear the back portion of his tunic off. Then she simply walked off and left him alone. I was laughing so very hard when he shimmied down that tree that I nearly fell over. The entire home, and several others around, could talk of nothing else for weeks. To this day he cannot go into the particular forest."
Bulma's eyes were watering from the story she was laughing so hard, though in the back of her mind she'd been scared for the young Furto, thinking the beast would harm him.
"Wow," Bulma finally sighed. "Hey, how long have we been talking? My stomach's growling. I need something to eat."
"My word, we haven't closed our mouths for hours. I wonder what the rest of the house is doing."
"Well I better go find Vegeta. He'll want some food too. Always does."
"May I say something?" Senju ventured, grabbing her hand before she could stand.
"Certainly."
"I believe you are doing a marvelous thing, carrying Vegeta's child and staying so loyal to him even though he cannot return your feelings. You're a truly strong and magnificent woman. If only he could realize just how lucky he is."
"Well, whoever snags you as their mate is lucky as well. You're a wonderful man, Senju. I'm really going to miss you."
"And I you."
She embraced him in a powerful hug, not letting go for several moments.
"I better go. Bye Senju."
"Bye Bulma." He kissed her forehead tenderly, neither noticing the shadowed figure of the Saiyan Prince looming in one of the doorways.
*********************************************************
"Vegeta!" Bulma called, peeking her head into the rooms with open doors; apologizing when someone was in there. "Vegeta! Ve-Hey Golana, have you seen Vegeta? I've been looking all over for him."
"He came stomping through my garden not too long ago. Seemed rather upset over something."
"Do you know where he was headed?"
"He took to the air. I think he was going to your ship. Maybe to check the repairs. I'm not sure."
"Oh, ok," she sighed, turning to leave.
"If you'd like I could bring you there. I'm no Saiyan, but I can fly fairly quickly."
"I don't want to impose."
"Oh," she laughed, setting down her book. "It's no trouble at all. I want nothing more than for you and Vegeta to be happy."
"What makes you think otherwise? We might not be together, but I'm happy with what I have."
"Yes, but when he left he was upset, as I said. I figure you can correct his ailment."
"If it's really no trouble—"
"It isn't. Come now." She grabbed her wrist and led her outside, the fresh warm air feeling rather good. It wasn't so hot out now that the sun was beginning to set. The perfect time to be outside on Fewskm, or at least that's when Bulma preferred to be outside. Besides, the inside of the home was far too warm for her. "You know how to hold on? Because I can't hold you."
"Yes, of course." Bulma wrapped her arms around Golana's neck, feeling a bit uncomfortable being so close to a woman who had just recently confessed she had been in love with Vegeta. But it was the only way to get to him—and now she wanted to know what his problem was—so she sucked it up and held on.
They landed sometime later a few yards from the ship. The interior lights were on, and seeing that the Fewsks were finished with the repairs, the being inside must be Vegeta. Golana doubled over, trying to catch her breath. She usually didn't fly for so long with another to carry. Bulma apologized profusely for this, though it had not been her idea in the first place and figured Golana knew the risks involved.
"Will you be able to get back alright? You won't fall out of the sky, will you?"
"No. I'm fine. I only need to rest for a moment. Go on ahead. Vegeta can bring you back when you've patched him up."
Bulma gave her a weak smile and headed for the ship; she knew for a fact that nothing she could say could bring him from a bad mood. She took a deep breath before pressing the button to open the door, not knowing what to expect from the ill-tempered Saiyan. The last she knew he was in his normal mood; neither happy nor mad.
"Vegeta," she called once inside, pressing the button to seal out the warm air. The ship was much cooler and felt nice on her naked arms. "Vegeta, I know you're in here. Just answer me."
She found him a few moments later, sitting on the floor of the control room; he was meditating. She shrunk back, clinging to the doorframe, not wanting to disturb him. She'd been unfortunate enough to interrupt his meditation in the past. It was not something she wanted to re-live.
"What woman?" he sighed, not opening his eyes. "You might as well come in. I can't concentrate with you here."
"I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "I wouldn't have come if I knew you were meditating."
"Why did you come?" He relaxed his arms and opened his eyes, though did not look at her. And of course she had not expected him to. No matter what happened between them, he would always revert back to what he knew best.
"I was looking for you because I was hungry and I figured I'd get you some food too. But then Golana told me you were upset and probably here. So she brought me. Are you upset?"
"I suggest you leave."
"I can't," she huffed. "Golana is gone now."
"Well then I don't know how you're going to get back. It's many hours on foot. Good luck."
"You're telling me that I'm to walk back to Furto's home in the middle of the night when before you wouldn't even let me around the perimeter of the ship?"
He was silent at this. He hadn't thought of that fact.
"Just tell me what your damn problem is. I came all the way out here to find you and I'm not going back until I have what I want."
"If I cannot have what I want you sure as hell are not getting a thing out of me."
"Why do you have to be like this?" she sighed, taking a seat. It was beginning to be too much for her to argue with him, what with the disease nearing its end. She was exhausted. "I would think you would be happy that I'm having your child Vegeta. But no. You can't even be happy when you get something that you want. Nothing can please you."
"You think I wanted to only have a child with you?" he spat, thoroughly offended, if that was the word to use with someone so arrogant as him.
"Well, seeing as that's what you told me; yes, that's exactly what I thought you wanted. Now I don't know what the hell to think."
"I would never have asked you to be my mate if that was the soul reason. Kami woman. Don't you think there have been Saiyans who bear children without being bonded to another?"
"Well it's a little too late to be telling me this!"
"I'm well aware." He stood and walked to the opposite end of the room, leaning against the control panel, glaring out the window at the forest that was not to far in the distance. Kami how he wanted to leave this place. They'd only been back a short time, but Fewskm was definitely not where he wanted to be. Earth wasn't where he wanted to be either. He didn't know where he wished to be, only that a ship could calm his nerves; the main reason he came out there in the first place.
"What do you mean by that?" She could sense something else behind his voice, something deeper that he wasn't telling her, and didn't intend to.
"Well," he began, then switched his eyes so he was glaring at her. "What, you actually think I would tell you?"
"I didn't think hell froze over, Vegeta. I'm not expecting miracles."
"Leave."
"No."
"Why?"
"Kami," she sighed, leaning her head back. "You're like a two year old. I came here for a reason, and that reason was not to leave without finding out what was bothering you…You don't have to tell me exactly what it is, just what it's about, or how I can fix it. I don't want you upset all the time. I hate seeing you in pain, no matter how small. I want nothing more than for you to have complete happiness, to free yourself from your demons, and live in peace."
"Why?"
"Because I care about you, damn it. I would have thought someone as smart as you could have figured that out by now. How many times have I told you that I loved you? How long have we been out here together?"
"It'll only be a moment to me when we return. I won't bother myself with remembering such a thing as being this long. I have no use for it. It's not worth remembering."
"Only a moment, huh?" she hissed, suppressing the urge to charge at him, her fingers becoming sore from gripping the armrests of the chair. "Well I don't believe you. I refuse to believe that you could think of our time alone as only a moment. A moment alone? That's impossible." She held her head, trying to push back her sudden headache. How weak she felt. How utterly vulnerable. "You're impossible…I will have a lifetime to love you and all you can think of is one moment? What moment would that be, exactly?"
He sighed deeply, not wanting to say, yet not wanting to keep it in. If he were his old self he surely would have blasted her by now. No more worries. No more woman. No more—Kami, take me away from here!
"The moment I had you," he finally said, looking back out the window. It was sincere and honest, yet held no real emotion or conviction. Same old Vegeta; even after all this time. "That memory is burned into my skull. Everything else is nothing that I care to remember. Now go."
"You still haven't told me what's bothering you."
"You pretend to not know," he huffed.
"I don't know!"
"No! Of course you don't know! You don't have the faintest idea of what you've done because your backwards Earthly society tells you that what you did is not wrong! You're blind! You Earthlings are constantly disloyal to one another, even when you are mates and have children! It's disgusting even to think of! Nothing has pride for you!"
"I have no pride? What have to got to be proud of, Vegeta? Tell me! I'm carrying a half-Saiyan in my whom, that much I can have pride in, but what else! What is there for me! I can never be proud of our short time together! You tore me apart and I can never recover!" She didn't remember standing, though she was definitely on her feet now.
"I gave you no hope or hint that I could give you pride in such a thing! You knew the risks when you wished to be with me, woman! I am not to blame for your broken mind."
"My broken heart Vegeta. I still have the mind to know who and what you truly are. It's my heart that forces me to love you, ignoring my mind that knows all your flaws and cruelties." She took a deep breath, then continued. "And what the hell were you talking about before! I have NEVER been disloyal! What did you mean?"
"You and that sorry excuse for a healer!" Immediately he knew he'd said too much in the heat of the argument. Yet somehow he felt better, as if her knowing was what could make him feel like himself again.
"Furto!?" Utter confusion was painted on her face.
"Kami!" he growled, stomping out of the control room.
"Vegeta, I don't know what you're talking about! Please, tell me! When have I been disloyal to you? I know that's what you're getting at, but I can honestly say that I haven't the faintest idea of what you mean…My heart belongs to you and only you. Why would I jeopardize myself in any way?"
"Can I have no peace from you?" he sighed, collapsing in a kitchen chair. "Let my conscious at rest if you are going to bombard my subconscious."
"I have nothing to do with your subconscious, Vegeta. Your thoughts are your doing…How have I been disloyal?"
"Senju," he hissed after several moments. "Are you that incapable of honor?"
"Vegeta!" she screamed, falling to her knees before him. "I love you, and only you! You are the only being keeping us apart! How can you not know that?"
"I beg to differ," he sighed, shoving away her hands.
She hadn't the faintest idea of what he was talking about, and yet she could not bring words to pass her lips. He was drifting further and further away and she was powerless to stop him.
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---Chapter 28!!! Woo! Woo! Woooooo! Well, that was a rather long chapter if I do say so myself. Now I know what you all must be thinking: "Will this never end?" And the answer is: Yes, it will never end…LOL, just kidding! I am planning on ending it in the next few chapters, so all you best be keeping your eyes peeled.
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: Will Bulma ever find out that she missed her chance at happiness with her prince?