Last time:
"You mean," Maris said, as they began to walk into the school, "that you want us to keep you from falling in love with him?"
Bulma sighed deeply and nodded her head, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
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Bulma sat uneasily on the edge of the mountain, a giant slab of rock jutting out from its side, her legs dangling over the edge. It wasn't the staggering height though, for from where she sat she'd have to take a running jump to make it close to falling off the mountain, but the person that sat beside her, his arm casually draped over her shoulder.
Hours ago Vegeta had arrived at her house to pick her up, again not allowing her to know their destination until they were there. This time, however, it wasn't a fancy restaurant or a booming club that he took her to, but a peaceful lake with few houses and cabins, as far from normal civilization, and reporters, as possible—just as promised. The lake itself wasn't that large, able to see across, and surrounded by mountains on all sides. He owned a cabin on that lake, a surprisingly small log structure with only four bedrooms, one bathroom and basic living room and kitchen. No televisions, no computers. There was one phone, and it was unhooked, for he never seemed to use it. When asked about the size of the cabin, he remarked that he didn't need a big place when what he came for was the lake and the mountains. If Jun didn't insist that he be in a secure building, he'd camp in a tent every time he went there.
For a long while they simply walked around his property, a large chunk of land surrounded by trees and accessible only by a small dirt road; a small beach, part of a forest, and two docks. There were no boats or other watercrafts, though Bulma guessed that he owned them and they must be in storage. The beach was gorgeous, a small strip of sand that extended into the water, much like a peninsula, with what he called an island at the end, though it was obviously attached. Just before they'd decided to climb the mountain, which was quite small, he assured her—and it was, only a thirty-minute hike—they'd sat on the beach, in silence, and for a moment she almost forgot who he was.
"I never thought a guy like you would take a date someplace like this," Bulma said offhandedly, as she stared at the miles of forest ahead of, and below, them. The lake was in full view as well, though Vegeta's cabin was lost to the trees. "It's completely unlike you. Even to own a place so beautiful. Must be a huge secret."
"Somewhat," he replied, giving a small yawn. Earlier that morning, around 4:00AM, 17 had come to his house and forced him to listen to a new song he wrote. Granted the song was amazing and Vegeta wanted to record it, but 4:00AM is 4:00AM, and he hadn't been able to get back to sleep. "How is it unlike me, exactly?"
"It's just I don't picture Big Rockstar Guy with a small place in the wilderness."
"We all have land up here. 17 and Goku are across the lake, and 18 is a few miles to the right of my cabin."
"Close, but not too close," she observed.
"Precisely."
"What time is it?"
"Why?" The tone of his voice suggested that he wasn't close to being ready to leave the mountaintop.
"Because, we should head down before it gets any darker. The sun's already starting to go down. I don't want to be up here at night."
"Why not? I sleep up here all the time."
"Alone?"
"Yes. Why not?"
"Whatever." She turned her head away just as he was leaning in, causing him to give out a great "humph". "Don't try that again either. I told you when you picked me up that this date was as friends, nothing more. No kissing, or fondling, or anything else you like to do on dates."
"Then how is this a date? And what the hell is so wrong with kissing?"
"Because, it'll lead elsewhere," she sighed, standing up and brushing off the back of her jeans. "And I don't want to have to be angry with you for making a move on me. Let's just not be put in that situation."
"You're difficult," he grumbled, standing as well, though he didn't bother to wipe any dirt away. "Kissing isn't what you make it out to be. Granted, the first time you were drunk off your ass and you thought I was trying to rape you, but I didn't do anything suggestive at the laser tag place. Give me more credit, woman. I don't take girls to bed unwillingly."
"I never said that, but I don't want to be in a position where I feel the urge to do more."
"What is it that scares you so much about me?"
"I am NOT scared."
"Then what is it?"
"I told you before," she stressed, giving a small signal that she was going to start heading back. Vegeta only sighed and followed, catching up to her easily. "I don't want to fall into a trap with you. The second I've been in your bed, you'll ditch out on me." She turned to him suddenly and gave him a devious smirk. "If I can keep you around long enough, you might actually adapt some good qualities and maybe, just maybe, you can find a girl that you truly like, instead of just from the neck down."
"Good luck, but as things are now, I'm still itching to throw you down and make you beg for it."
"Ha! Well, at least you're honest, but good luck to you too, baka. Man, what friends I keep."
"I already told you—"
"Save it Romeo. We have a mountain to climb back down."
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
17 sat at the edge of his seat, his hands clasped together, tongue pressed firmly against the roof of his mouth so not to say anything before he was ready. Across from him, at the hotel's kitchen table, Maris sat, her nerves almost as strained as his seemed to be. It was later Saturday night, and, on a whim, he'd driven over to Chi-Chi's, where Maris's mother said she was, and brought her back to his hotel room. As he'd driven to get her, his mind was racing with a million and one things. Now, as she sat there, her thumb between her teeth, he couldn't quite form his thoughts and feelings into words.
Ever since last weekend, when he and 18 had shown up unexpectedly and he learned of her feelings for him—and Krillin, though he tried to forget that—he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her; more than usual. Before she had been that cute girl from the concert, who he thought idly about dating, maybe. But now, with these new emotions in the air, he didn't want to let her get away.
"Maris," he said, after what very well could have been fifteen minutes.
"Yeah?" Was she trembling? She thought she was.
"What you said—"
"Please don't," she whispered, surprising herself. "I…It's just that, I mean, I like Krillin too. And until I figure out who I like more, I can't be with anyone. If I'm with someone I want to be completely devoted to them, and not have feelings for someone else. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yes," he sighed, biting his lip almost hard enough to draw blood.
"There's something else too."
17 looked up at her, trying to remain focused and not break down. How many times had he been denied love by another girl? Even with his fame, when he started to fall in love, the girl always seemed to sense it and run away. Kami, and he hadn't even known Maris all that long.
"I…Well, I have a really hard time being close with other people. I mean, I'm close with Bulma and Chi-Chi and Krillin, but we've only been friends since the day of the concert, and, well, I'm not really letting myself get close at all. Sure, I hang out with them all the time, like old friends, but the truth is they know next to nothing about me, and I intend to keep it that way until I can let people in again." She sighed deeply, then reached over and grabbed 17's hand for comfort, and to keep him from tapping his fingers. "Ever since I was in diapers I'd known Tobei. Best friend, through it all. He was there when I had my first boyfriend, turned sixteen. Fights, parties, love, hate; everything…Heh. When I lost my virginity to my last boyfriend, and then he dumped me, Tobei was my shoulder to cry on. I didn't even have to ask him, he was just there, like always, ready for anything.
"It wasn't until April this year, near the end of school last year, that I realized he was the guy I was supposed to be with, he was the guy I was in love with and always had been.
"It was the thirtieth. It rained that night, but I still ran all the way to his house. I climbed in the window, just as always, like nothing was different." She let out a small sorrowful laugh. "He was sitting on his bed, reading. Hamlet, his favorite play…I walked over to him and sat next to him, took his book and threw it on the floor. He didn't question me…" She trailed off suddenly, her eyes beginning to well with tears. 17 clutched her hand tighter, urging her to go on. She did.
"For a minute I couldn't do anything but stare at him, wondering how in Kami's name I had never seen it before. It was Friday, so his parents were at work, and we didn't have school the next day.
"I touched his cheek, and right then, in that moment, I knew he loved me too. And we were finally together, that night, and it was the most perfect moment of my entire life. I couldn't even remember my ex. All that I could see was Tobei, and I thought: This is what I want. This is for real, the rest of my life is with him."
She broke off to wipe her nose with the back of her sleeve.
"He died in a car accident two nights later, on his way to my house." She gave another hurt-filled laugh and shook her head. "Later his parents told me they'd gotten into a fight. Tobei had bought me a wedding ring and was planning on eloping that very night. In a rage with their disapproval, he stormed out. He was three blocks from my house when a drunk driver smashed into him. Died instantly."
"Maris, I—"
"And you know the worst part about it?" she all but demanded. "The damn drunk is still alive! Broke his neck, that's all! That's it! And Tobei died!" She burst into tears and collapsed on the table, wrenching her wrist free of 17's grasp. Immediately he ran around to her side, kneeled next to her, and pulled her as close as she would permit.
"I'm going to call your mom," he whispered gently, easily lifting her into his arms to place on the couch.
She only nodded slowly, her eyes hazy and her mind dazed. It was the first time in over five months that she'd spoken of Tobei.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"Come on!" Bulma whined as she and Vegeta crossed the lawn to reach his cabin. "It's not dark yet. We still have like a half an hour of daylight. Please!"
"You can go if you want, woman," he sighed, motioning towards the lake. "But I'm in for the night."
"Wait, what?"
"I'm going in the cabin. If you haven't noticed, I've been yawning for the past three hours."
"No, not that. I mean, yes, but—We can't stay here over night!"
"I'm not driving back this tired. Unless you want to chance an accident."
"I have to at least call my mom."
"Go right ahead. You brought your cellphone."
"Hello, mom?" she said once someone at her house picked up. "I'm fine…Yes, the date was nice…No, I didn't kiss him…Yes, he's right here…What? No, mom, listen—" She groaned angrily and handed Vegeta the phone. "She wants to talk to you."
"Yeah?" he said, pulling the phone several inches from his ear as the woman at the other end squealed happily. "Yes, I know…Yeah…I'm trying…Very difficult…Yes, for the night…Noon?…Ok…Bye."
"What the hell was all that?"
"Your mother is strange, but she knows you're staying the night."
"Fine. That's all and good, Vegeta, but I'm still itching to swim. I've neglected using my pool all summer."
"If you wanted to swim that bad, you'd have used your own pool, woman."
"I was preoccupied."
"Whatever. But as soon as its dark, I'm heading in. And if I fall asleep in the water and drown, you can explain to Jun what happened."
Not a moment after he finished his sentence, Bulma grabbed his arm and ran towards the lake, kicking off her shoes as she ran. Once on one of the docks, she pulled off her socks, and jumped into the water, not bothering with removing even her outer clothing. Vegeta stared after her as though she'd just committed a major crime.
"What?" she asked innocently. "I told you I really wanted to swim. And besides, I didn't bring a suit."
"You didn't bring a change of clothes either."
"Well come in."
"I'm not foolish like you woman. I'm changing."
"Pansy," she hisses playfully, then ducked under the water, not resurfacing again until she was several yards from the dock. And, to her utter surprise, and delight, found Vegeta was in the water and some five feet away. "Good, I knew you had some adventure in you. Now let's race. I bet I can beat you back to the dock."
"What are we betting?"
"It's a saying, Kami."
"Seriously."
"Umm…"
"If I win, you have to kiss me."
"You're an ass. A big horny ass."
"That's unpleasant," he remarked, getting a small smile from Bulma. He knew she'd say yes now.
"Fine, but if I win you have to stop badgering me about kissing you. Deal?"
He held out his hand and shook hers, then readied himself to race.
"One," Bulma counted. "Two…Three…Go!"
She took off far in the lead, pulling her arms through the water, and pushing with her legs, the weight of her clothes now much heavier than when she'd first jumped in. When she chanced a glance back, Vegeta was nowhere in sight. Until, however, she looked ahead at the dock; he was sitting on the ladder, smiling at her.
"How the hell did you—"
"Shut up and get out of the water. I have a change of clothes for you."
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Krillin stared blankly ahead, his expression and composure not that of a person who had just been told they were the object of a crush. 18 stood on the opposite side of the room, where she'd been since entering his house ten minutes before.
"You can think about it if you want," she said, "but I think I'm going to head out. I've already broken a sort of promise by telling you all that, and I don't want to pressure you into anything. I…Just call me, ok?"
"You don't normally do this, do you?" he suddenly asked.
"Do what?"
"Tell people when you like them. You don't."
"No," she sighed, looking slightly away. "I've never really liked someone…this much before. Enough to risk what little friendship I have with Maris, not to mention my dignity."
She was halfway to the front door when Krillin caught her by the arm and pulled her to him, pressing their lips firmly together. 18 tensed at first, having only been touched that way by one other man, then eased into it, and brought her arms up around his shoulders.
When they released, Krillin eagerly whispered, "Be mine, buttercup."
18 laughed appropriately at the corny nickname he'd only just made up. And, astonishingly, she liked it.
Her answer was as simple as reaching into her backpack—for she despised purses—pulling out a peanut butter cup, and placing it in his mouth.
"You're amazing," he sighed once the sweet was swallowed.
"I know," she laughed. "Just don't tell anyone else that."
"I think I may be falling in love with you."
18 tensed again at his words, only relaxing when he kissed her on the cheek and whispered, "But I don't expect anything from you," before leading her back into the living room.
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It was nearing one a.m. and still Vegeta refused to go to sleep, a fact he'd been whining about since they came down from the mountain. Try as Bulma might, he wouldn't budge, no matter how many times he yawned. He was waiting for the kiss, and no amount of card games would change his mind.
"You can't back out of a bet, woman," he reminded her, for the tenth time. "Hit me."
"I know," she groaned, as she handed him another card, trying her best to keep from smiling at the thought that he wouldn't go to bed without a kiss. And the fact that she was wearing his clothes; a pair was lose PJ bottoms and a white tank top.
"Hit me."
"You're making it awful tempting," she muttered, slapping down another card. "You're over. I win again."
"But I won before."
"Why are you so damn insistent on it? I mean, what could you possibly gain? I'm not sleeping with you, or going on another date, or being your girlfriend."
"A kiss, onna," he grumbled. "Hit me."
She reached over and slapped him lightly across the face, then smiled sweetly and sat back.
"If you don't live up to your word, I'm going to have to do it for you, and you won't like the result."
"Fine," she sighed, and scooted herself forward on the carpeted living room floor. Immediately, he reached out, grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her into his lap. "What're you doing?"
"Setting the mood," he laughed.
"Moron."
Slowly—only to annoy Vegeta—she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in, stopping only a millimeter from his lips. "I hate you, Vegeta," she whispered.
"Why's that, woman?"
"Because," she sighed. "You make me crazy…and I want to kiss you."
Their lips met not a second later, and Bulma knew, without a doubt, that nothing her friends could say, or do, could keep her from falling for him.
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---Chapter 14! Yes! Oh yeah! Woo! How was that? I loved that! That was amazing and awesome and ruled so frickin' much! Heehee. Wow, I have a big head :P Hope you all liked it as much as I apparently do :P
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters) I kid you not.
Next time: What the hell is going on!??…I dunno :P
"You mean," Maris said, as they began to walk into the school, "that you want us to keep you from falling in love with him?"
Bulma sighed deeply and nodded her head, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
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Bulma sat uneasily on the edge of the mountain, a giant slab of rock jutting out from its side, her legs dangling over the edge. It wasn't the staggering height though, for from where she sat she'd have to take a running jump to make it close to falling off the mountain, but the person that sat beside her, his arm casually draped over her shoulder.
Hours ago Vegeta had arrived at her house to pick her up, again not allowing her to know their destination until they were there. This time, however, it wasn't a fancy restaurant or a booming club that he took her to, but a peaceful lake with few houses and cabins, as far from normal civilization, and reporters, as possible—just as promised. The lake itself wasn't that large, able to see across, and surrounded by mountains on all sides. He owned a cabin on that lake, a surprisingly small log structure with only four bedrooms, one bathroom and basic living room and kitchen. No televisions, no computers. There was one phone, and it was unhooked, for he never seemed to use it. When asked about the size of the cabin, he remarked that he didn't need a big place when what he came for was the lake and the mountains. If Jun didn't insist that he be in a secure building, he'd camp in a tent every time he went there.
For a long while they simply walked around his property, a large chunk of land surrounded by trees and accessible only by a small dirt road; a small beach, part of a forest, and two docks. There were no boats or other watercrafts, though Bulma guessed that he owned them and they must be in storage. The beach was gorgeous, a small strip of sand that extended into the water, much like a peninsula, with what he called an island at the end, though it was obviously attached. Just before they'd decided to climb the mountain, which was quite small, he assured her—and it was, only a thirty-minute hike—they'd sat on the beach, in silence, and for a moment she almost forgot who he was.
"I never thought a guy like you would take a date someplace like this," Bulma said offhandedly, as she stared at the miles of forest ahead of, and below, them. The lake was in full view as well, though Vegeta's cabin was lost to the trees. "It's completely unlike you. Even to own a place so beautiful. Must be a huge secret."
"Somewhat," he replied, giving a small yawn. Earlier that morning, around 4:00AM, 17 had come to his house and forced him to listen to a new song he wrote. Granted the song was amazing and Vegeta wanted to record it, but 4:00AM is 4:00AM, and he hadn't been able to get back to sleep. "How is it unlike me, exactly?"
"It's just I don't picture Big Rockstar Guy with a small place in the wilderness."
"We all have land up here. 17 and Goku are across the lake, and 18 is a few miles to the right of my cabin."
"Close, but not too close," she observed.
"Precisely."
"What time is it?"
"Why?" The tone of his voice suggested that he wasn't close to being ready to leave the mountaintop.
"Because, we should head down before it gets any darker. The sun's already starting to go down. I don't want to be up here at night."
"Why not? I sleep up here all the time."
"Alone?"
"Yes. Why not?"
"Whatever." She turned her head away just as he was leaning in, causing him to give out a great "humph". "Don't try that again either. I told you when you picked me up that this date was as friends, nothing more. No kissing, or fondling, or anything else you like to do on dates."
"Then how is this a date? And what the hell is so wrong with kissing?"
"Because, it'll lead elsewhere," she sighed, standing up and brushing off the back of her jeans. "And I don't want to have to be angry with you for making a move on me. Let's just not be put in that situation."
"You're difficult," he grumbled, standing as well, though he didn't bother to wipe any dirt away. "Kissing isn't what you make it out to be. Granted, the first time you were drunk off your ass and you thought I was trying to rape you, but I didn't do anything suggestive at the laser tag place. Give me more credit, woman. I don't take girls to bed unwillingly."
"I never said that, but I don't want to be in a position where I feel the urge to do more."
"What is it that scares you so much about me?"
"I am NOT scared."
"Then what is it?"
"I told you before," she stressed, giving a small signal that she was going to start heading back. Vegeta only sighed and followed, catching up to her easily. "I don't want to fall into a trap with you. The second I've been in your bed, you'll ditch out on me." She turned to him suddenly and gave him a devious smirk. "If I can keep you around long enough, you might actually adapt some good qualities and maybe, just maybe, you can find a girl that you truly like, instead of just from the neck down."
"Good luck, but as things are now, I'm still itching to throw you down and make you beg for it."
"Ha! Well, at least you're honest, but good luck to you too, baka. Man, what friends I keep."
"I already told you—"
"Save it Romeo. We have a mountain to climb back down."
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
17 sat at the edge of his seat, his hands clasped together, tongue pressed firmly against the roof of his mouth so not to say anything before he was ready. Across from him, at the hotel's kitchen table, Maris sat, her nerves almost as strained as his seemed to be. It was later Saturday night, and, on a whim, he'd driven over to Chi-Chi's, where Maris's mother said she was, and brought her back to his hotel room. As he'd driven to get her, his mind was racing with a million and one things. Now, as she sat there, her thumb between her teeth, he couldn't quite form his thoughts and feelings into words.
Ever since last weekend, when he and 18 had shown up unexpectedly and he learned of her feelings for him—and Krillin, though he tried to forget that—he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her; more than usual. Before she had been that cute girl from the concert, who he thought idly about dating, maybe. But now, with these new emotions in the air, he didn't want to let her get away.
"Maris," he said, after what very well could have been fifteen minutes.
"Yeah?" Was she trembling? She thought she was.
"What you said—"
"Please don't," she whispered, surprising herself. "I…It's just that, I mean, I like Krillin too. And until I figure out who I like more, I can't be with anyone. If I'm with someone I want to be completely devoted to them, and not have feelings for someone else. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yes," he sighed, biting his lip almost hard enough to draw blood.
"There's something else too."
17 looked up at her, trying to remain focused and not break down. How many times had he been denied love by another girl? Even with his fame, when he started to fall in love, the girl always seemed to sense it and run away. Kami, and he hadn't even known Maris all that long.
"I…Well, I have a really hard time being close with other people. I mean, I'm close with Bulma and Chi-Chi and Krillin, but we've only been friends since the day of the concert, and, well, I'm not really letting myself get close at all. Sure, I hang out with them all the time, like old friends, but the truth is they know next to nothing about me, and I intend to keep it that way until I can let people in again." She sighed deeply, then reached over and grabbed 17's hand for comfort, and to keep him from tapping his fingers. "Ever since I was in diapers I'd known Tobei. Best friend, through it all. He was there when I had my first boyfriend, turned sixteen. Fights, parties, love, hate; everything…Heh. When I lost my virginity to my last boyfriend, and then he dumped me, Tobei was my shoulder to cry on. I didn't even have to ask him, he was just there, like always, ready for anything.
"It wasn't until April this year, near the end of school last year, that I realized he was the guy I was supposed to be with, he was the guy I was in love with and always had been.
"It was the thirtieth. It rained that night, but I still ran all the way to his house. I climbed in the window, just as always, like nothing was different." She let out a small sorrowful laugh. "He was sitting on his bed, reading. Hamlet, his favorite play…I walked over to him and sat next to him, took his book and threw it on the floor. He didn't question me…" She trailed off suddenly, her eyes beginning to well with tears. 17 clutched her hand tighter, urging her to go on. She did.
"For a minute I couldn't do anything but stare at him, wondering how in Kami's name I had never seen it before. It was Friday, so his parents were at work, and we didn't have school the next day.
"I touched his cheek, and right then, in that moment, I knew he loved me too. And we were finally together, that night, and it was the most perfect moment of my entire life. I couldn't even remember my ex. All that I could see was Tobei, and I thought: This is what I want. This is for real, the rest of my life is with him."
She broke off to wipe her nose with the back of her sleeve.
"He died in a car accident two nights later, on his way to my house." She gave another hurt-filled laugh and shook her head. "Later his parents told me they'd gotten into a fight. Tobei had bought me a wedding ring and was planning on eloping that very night. In a rage with their disapproval, he stormed out. He was three blocks from my house when a drunk driver smashed into him. Died instantly."
"Maris, I—"
"And you know the worst part about it?" she all but demanded. "The damn drunk is still alive! Broke his neck, that's all! That's it! And Tobei died!" She burst into tears and collapsed on the table, wrenching her wrist free of 17's grasp. Immediately he ran around to her side, kneeled next to her, and pulled her as close as she would permit.
"I'm going to call your mom," he whispered gently, easily lifting her into his arms to place on the couch.
She only nodded slowly, her eyes hazy and her mind dazed. It was the first time in over five months that she'd spoken of Tobei.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"Come on!" Bulma whined as she and Vegeta crossed the lawn to reach his cabin. "It's not dark yet. We still have like a half an hour of daylight. Please!"
"You can go if you want, woman," he sighed, motioning towards the lake. "But I'm in for the night."
"Wait, what?"
"I'm going in the cabin. If you haven't noticed, I've been yawning for the past three hours."
"No, not that. I mean, yes, but—We can't stay here over night!"
"I'm not driving back this tired. Unless you want to chance an accident."
"I have to at least call my mom."
"Go right ahead. You brought your cellphone."
"Hello, mom?" she said once someone at her house picked up. "I'm fine…Yes, the date was nice…No, I didn't kiss him…Yes, he's right here…What? No, mom, listen—" She groaned angrily and handed Vegeta the phone. "She wants to talk to you."
"Yeah?" he said, pulling the phone several inches from his ear as the woman at the other end squealed happily. "Yes, I know…Yeah…I'm trying…Very difficult…Yes, for the night…Noon?…Ok…Bye."
"What the hell was all that?"
"Your mother is strange, but she knows you're staying the night."
"Fine. That's all and good, Vegeta, but I'm still itching to swim. I've neglected using my pool all summer."
"If you wanted to swim that bad, you'd have used your own pool, woman."
"I was preoccupied."
"Whatever. But as soon as its dark, I'm heading in. And if I fall asleep in the water and drown, you can explain to Jun what happened."
Not a moment after he finished his sentence, Bulma grabbed his arm and ran towards the lake, kicking off her shoes as she ran. Once on one of the docks, she pulled off her socks, and jumped into the water, not bothering with removing even her outer clothing. Vegeta stared after her as though she'd just committed a major crime.
"What?" she asked innocently. "I told you I really wanted to swim. And besides, I didn't bring a suit."
"You didn't bring a change of clothes either."
"Well come in."
"I'm not foolish like you woman. I'm changing."
"Pansy," she hisses playfully, then ducked under the water, not resurfacing again until she was several yards from the dock. And, to her utter surprise, and delight, found Vegeta was in the water and some five feet away. "Good, I knew you had some adventure in you. Now let's race. I bet I can beat you back to the dock."
"What are we betting?"
"It's a saying, Kami."
"Seriously."
"Umm…"
"If I win, you have to kiss me."
"You're an ass. A big horny ass."
"That's unpleasant," he remarked, getting a small smile from Bulma. He knew she'd say yes now.
"Fine, but if I win you have to stop badgering me about kissing you. Deal?"
He held out his hand and shook hers, then readied himself to race.
"One," Bulma counted. "Two…Three…Go!"
She took off far in the lead, pulling her arms through the water, and pushing with her legs, the weight of her clothes now much heavier than when she'd first jumped in. When she chanced a glance back, Vegeta was nowhere in sight. Until, however, she looked ahead at the dock; he was sitting on the ladder, smiling at her.
"How the hell did you—"
"Shut up and get out of the water. I have a change of clothes for you."
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Krillin stared blankly ahead, his expression and composure not that of a person who had just been told they were the object of a crush. 18 stood on the opposite side of the room, where she'd been since entering his house ten minutes before.
"You can think about it if you want," she said, "but I think I'm going to head out. I've already broken a sort of promise by telling you all that, and I don't want to pressure you into anything. I…Just call me, ok?"
"You don't normally do this, do you?" he suddenly asked.
"Do what?"
"Tell people when you like them. You don't."
"No," she sighed, looking slightly away. "I've never really liked someone…this much before. Enough to risk what little friendship I have with Maris, not to mention my dignity."
She was halfway to the front door when Krillin caught her by the arm and pulled her to him, pressing their lips firmly together. 18 tensed at first, having only been touched that way by one other man, then eased into it, and brought her arms up around his shoulders.
When they released, Krillin eagerly whispered, "Be mine, buttercup."
18 laughed appropriately at the corny nickname he'd only just made up. And, astonishingly, she liked it.
Her answer was as simple as reaching into her backpack—for she despised purses—pulling out a peanut butter cup, and placing it in his mouth.
"You're amazing," he sighed once the sweet was swallowed.
"I know," she laughed. "Just don't tell anyone else that."
"I think I may be falling in love with you."
18 tensed again at his words, only relaxing when he kissed her on the cheek and whispered, "But I don't expect anything from you," before leading her back into the living room.
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It was nearing one a.m. and still Vegeta refused to go to sleep, a fact he'd been whining about since they came down from the mountain. Try as Bulma might, he wouldn't budge, no matter how many times he yawned. He was waiting for the kiss, and no amount of card games would change his mind.
"You can't back out of a bet, woman," he reminded her, for the tenth time. "Hit me."
"I know," she groaned, as she handed him another card, trying her best to keep from smiling at the thought that he wouldn't go to bed without a kiss. And the fact that she was wearing his clothes; a pair was lose PJ bottoms and a white tank top.
"Hit me."
"You're making it awful tempting," she muttered, slapping down another card. "You're over. I win again."
"But I won before."
"Why are you so damn insistent on it? I mean, what could you possibly gain? I'm not sleeping with you, or going on another date, or being your girlfriend."
"A kiss, onna," he grumbled. "Hit me."
She reached over and slapped him lightly across the face, then smiled sweetly and sat back.
"If you don't live up to your word, I'm going to have to do it for you, and you won't like the result."
"Fine," she sighed, and scooted herself forward on the carpeted living room floor. Immediately, he reached out, grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her into his lap. "What're you doing?"
"Setting the mood," he laughed.
"Moron."
Slowly—only to annoy Vegeta—she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in, stopping only a millimeter from his lips. "I hate you, Vegeta," she whispered.
"Why's that, woman?"
"Because," she sighed. "You make me crazy…and I want to kiss you."
Their lips met not a second later, and Bulma knew, without a doubt, that nothing her friends could say, or do, could keep her from falling for him.
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---Chapter 14! Yes! Oh yeah! Woo! How was that? I loved that! That was amazing and awesome and ruled so frickin' much! Heehee. Wow, I have a big head :P Hope you all liked it as much as I apparently do :P
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters) I kid you not.
Next time: What the hell is going on!??…I dunno :P