ATTENTION!! There will be a lemon in this chapter! WARNING! :P
(I don't know the rules anymore about ratings, lol. People have told me different things, so I'm going to post this chapter as is and change it later if I need to.)
ENJOY :D
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Last time:
"Wh-Where is your son now?"
"Japan," Akio sighed. "He had to be put up for adoption when I was arrested, because neither of us had any living relatives…He'd be seven now…Someone you all know took him in…Jun Tsuruga."
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The plane ride back to Japan was interesting, to say the least. Bulma and 18 sat together, talking quietly to each other about the situation, while Vegeta sat across the aisle, staring out the window, and intent on ignoring them. He still couldn't believe they followed him to make sure he didn't screw up, though they claimed they only wanted to help. He was eighteen years old for Kami's sake, not a child. He didn't need babysitters.
Several rows ahead of the trio, sat Akio Sugai, Sen Miyahara, and the sleeping Ryoko. They were in deep conversation, discussing their lives over the past year they'd been apart, and generally making Vegeta sick to his stomach. He didn't understand what a woman like her saw in a guy like him, or vice versa. Of course, if it were up to him only certain people would be allowed to breed.
Twenty minutes before, it seemed as though Sen wanted nothing to do with Akio and was ready to board the plane. But only seconds before she and Vegeta were about to leave to board the place, Sen suddenly turned and ran towards Akio, who was about to leave. She slapped him loudly across the face and told him if he didn't get on the plane with her she would never speak to him again.
Now, it was like nothing had happened. As like she hadn't been about to ruin Green Dragon with her little scandal, which was still a hot news topic in Japan. But she promised to fix it and announce it was all a big misunderstanding.
"I still don't understand," Vegeta heard Bulma say to 18. "How can they have a family together? What about his son?"
"I thought that's why they were going back to Japan," 18 said, though equally confused. How could you re-adopt your own child?
"I don't think that's possible though. Once you give up your child, isn't that it?"
"But this is Jun…Kami, that's still weird to say. I can't believe Jun adopted a kid and we didn't know about it."
"She doesn't have to tell us every little thing, you know," Vegeta grunted across the aisle. Both women ignored his rudeness, as well as his comment.
"Well," Bulma sighed, leaning her head back. "I just hope everything works out for the best, for the sake of those kids. I wish there was something I could do, you know, to make sure they were well off. I'd feel like an ass offering them money or something though. It's not like they don't have any."
"I know what you mean. I hate to see kids suffer for stupid things adults do."
"We'll just have to wait and see."
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It was days before Bulma's big New Year's Eve party, and she hadn't heard a word from Vegeta. She didn't know what to think of him anymore. Ever since the drama with Sen, he hadn't been acting quite the same. And while it still wasn't over—for Jun and Akio were in negotiations of some sort—it felt like it pretty much was. All that anyone associated with Green Dragon could have done, was done. There was nothing left to do but wait.
"Bulma dear," Mrs. Briefs said, bustling into the ballroom, her hair pulled into a ponytail. Bulma blinked twice and narrowed her eyes. Her mother NEVER wore her hair like that. "Oh, don't look at me like that, I've been gardening upstairs all day." And by gardening she meant digging unnecessary holes in the dirt of the indoor outdoor room. "I just came in to see how you were getting along with the decorations. I thought maybe you might need a hand."
"I'm fine mom," she said, tearing off a piece of tape with her teeth. "Just finishing up. All we need now are the buffet tables and some people, and we have a party."
"What about music?"
"Back there," she said, pointing towards the small stage across the room. The red velvet curtains were pulled shut, hiding the myriad of electronics behind it: speakers, a karaoke machine, a turn-table, and much more than was necessary.
"One more thing." Mrs. Briefs reached into her apron pocket and produced a small cordless telephone. "Your boyfriend is on the phone."
Bulma paled and grabbed the phone, covering the mouthpiece. "He's not my boyfriend, mom! Now go bother someone else."
"Fine, fine," the older woman laughed. "But when you're walking down the aisle, and he's standing at the other end—"
"Mother!"
"Alright. Alright. Tell Vegeta I said hello."
"Yeah, got it," she sighed, and waited for her to leave before she put the phone to her ear. "Hello?"
"I'm coming," he said solemnly.
"Well it's not like it's your funeral," Bulma snapped. "You can sound a little more excited than that."
"You're so simple," he muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm not supposed to see you, genius. Not until this bullshit with Sen blows over. Jun's orders."
"Well—"
"But I'm going, so it better be worth my time."
A sly smile spread across Bulma's features and she nodded to herself. "Don't worry," she said, withholding her excitement. "I promise you'll have a good time."
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Bulma beamed with pride as the last of the guests arrived. It seemed even more people than she knew were there, laughing, talking, and just enjoying themselves and their last moments of the year. It was only eleven and so the party was just getting started. The big screen TV across the room from the buffet tables was cold; no one was even thinking about watching the ball drop (I don't know Japanese New Year tradition, so deal with it :P).
"Hey, B!" Bulma's smile widened.
"Hey Yamcha." As he reached her, he gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek then stepped respectively back. "Hey Tsu-Tsu. How's paradise?"
Tsuki blushed noticeably, while Yamcha busied himself with his cup of punch.
"Come on! You guys can't leave me in the dark here. I set you up and now I want to know if my meddling paid off. Clearly you can stand each other."
"Of course," Yamcha said, the blush finding its way to his cheeks too. "She…She's amazing."
"And what about you?" Bulma turned her eyes to Tsuki, whose face couldn't have been redder. Instead of giving a generic answer like Bulma expected, she leaned in and whispered in Bulma's ear. The words shocked her momentarily and then she smiled. Yamcha stood dumbfounded, but opted not to ask. "So, have you to jumped each others bones yet?"
"Bulma!" Yamcha snapped, clearly startled. He couldn't remember a time she'd been so forward and vulgar. But, then again, he hadn't seen much of her since he's started dating Tsuki. Who knew what kind of an effect Vegeta was having on her.
"Yes," Tsuki said, unashamed. "We have." Her lips formed a suggestive grin and Bulma figured it from there. It was only recently that they'd ended up in bed together. And it was all too clear that they were hot for each other, even now, standing in such close proximity to someone they both knew so well.
"Well good," Bulma finally said. "I'm happy for you. No use looking as good as you two do and not using your bodies." A flash of Vegeta's flame-like hair caught Bulma's eyes and her voice caught in her throat. Since nine o'clock, when Green Dragon first arrived, she had been wondering when and if Vegeta was coming. Now that he was here, all conversations she'd rehearsed in her head were gone.
He spotted her before she had a chance to react and started towards her.
"I—" she started, but the words wouldn't come and he was there before she could warn Yamcha. Not that Yamcha needed warning, but the thought of her ex-lover and her would-be-lover so near each other gave her chills. She barely squeezed out an apology, then followed Vegeta out of the room, to where the coats were kept, so they could be alone.
One look at his eyes and she knew something wasn't quite right.
"What's wrong? Were the roads bad on the way over?" But from the weather report she'd seen a few hours before, it wasn't due to snow again until after New Year's.
"No," he sighed. He sat down on one of the few chairs in the room and shook his head. "I've been with Jun and Sen, and her ex. They bitched and moaned for the better part of five hours, then there wasn't anything more to argue about and they settled whatever they had to settle. I don't even know why the hell Jun called me there, but I didn't say two words until the end."
"What happened?" was all she could think to say. The situation couldn't be easy on any of them.
"Sen and her lover are happy," he grimaced, "and moving back to Japan."
"What!? Japan! But I thought—"
"Apparently whatever kept them away before isn't as strong as his brat."
Bulma nodded. Of course. Meiji.
"Jun won't give him up though, so they agreed to buy houses next to each other and have some kind of sick family."
"But don't Sen and Jun hate each other? What kind of upbringing are those children going to have? That's a disaster waiting to explode."
"I know," Vegeta muttered. "But that's what they decided. And they say they're good with it."
Bulma was silent for a moment, in which time she arranged a chair opposite Vegeta and took a seat. For a second she wanted nothing more than to reach out and kiss him, but the thought faded as another invaded her mind. "I assume the charges are dropped then. No trial?"
"That's the only good news," he groaned. He looked up at her, his face drawn and unreal. He didn't look like Vegeta in that moment. "Oh yeah. I almost forgot. We're getting a divorce."
Bulma smiled widely and nodded.
"Well, come on." She took his hand and pulled him to his feet. "There's a whole party waiting for you. I'm sure your friends know you're here by now."
"I don't want to go out there."
"You never do," she laughed. "But you're going to. You said you would."
"No," he said, this time his voice carrying another emotion, one Bulma knew well. "Not yet."
He lifted his hand to her face and lightly brushed her cheek with his thumb, the rest of his fingers becoming entangled in her soft aqua locks. He took a step forward and waited. She didn't move. He inched his face closer, then waited again. Again she didn't move.
"Kiss me before I realize who you are," Bulma whispered, her half-joke falling to the floor as passion enveloped them. His lips were sweeter than she remembered, and as he eased her onto the soft carpeting of the coatroom, she couldn't force her brain to come up with a logical reason to keep them from going further.
And so they went further…
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In Bulma's room, two stores above the festivities, Maris had 17 backed against a wall. She'd had enough. Enough games. Enough wondering. Enough everything.
"I love you, 17," she whispered, and took a step back. What had happened to all those words she'd planned on saying? How she needed an answer from him or she was going to forget about him and start looking for someone else? Or how he wasn't even treating her like a friend, so much as a responsibility? Why had her mouth formed those four words, the words she never knew existed in her mind, until that very moment?
17's eyes widened, then dropped to the floor.
"I'm sorry," she sighed. She took a few more steps back, then decided she better sit on the bed. "I didn't mean to be so…blunt. I had a lot I wanted to say, but…well…I don't know. I'm just sorry."
"Don't be," 17 said, the initial shock wearing off. She loved him?…No. His luck couldn't be that good. "I should be sorry." He walked over and sat beside her, though was not so bold to take her hand.
"You? For what?"
"For not telling you how I felt. For leaving you guessing for so long…I think I knew so much longer than I realized, but everything just got messed up…I love you too."
"But?"
"How did you know there was a but?" He looked directly into her eyes for the first time that night, overly happy that she was daring enough to drag him from the party.
"I'm good like that," she said, her voice heavy with anticipation. "Now get on with it before I corner you again. I obviously can't handle waiting."
"Maris, I…There's so much I want to know about you, and so much that I already do. I've been listening to the others, and it's clear that I'm the only one you told about your…"
"Lover?" Maris offered.
17 blushed.
"It's fine. I think once I realized that I loved you, I was finally over Tobei. I still love him, of course, but it's different. He's gone and I have this perfect opportunity with you, and everything with him is memories. In another time he was the one…And now…you are."
17 tried to speak, but the words stuck to his tongue and he only sighed.
"Now, what did you have to say to me?"
"Maris, how can you be absolutely sure that you're over him? I mean, is six months enough? Are you going to be able to—"
"Love you completely?"
17 nodded and turned his head away.
"Does this answer your question?"
Within seconds they were a tangled mass of limbs on the bed, and it was perfect.
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Downstairs in the ballroom, Chi-Chi pulled Goku into a corner. Her eyes were wild, but with a new kind of emotion he'd never seen in her before. She was scared.
"Honey, what's wrong?" he whispered, pulling her close. By now his casts were gone and he only limped. Another few weeks and he'd be good as new.
"Goku, I figured now is the best time to tell you." Her voice was shaky, and across the room the big screen TV flickered on. Ten minutes to midnight.
"Tell me what? Are you ill? Do you need to go home?"
"Ill?" she laughed, her eyes cast at the floor. "Something like that."
"Hey! Goku! Chi-Chi!" 18 called, as she advanced towards them, Krillin on her heels. "Ten minutes to the new year. She eyed Goku in mock seduction then turned to Chi-Chi and said, "Wanna trade for the ball dropping?"
Everyone's laughter seemed to ring about the room, though when Goku glanced back over at his girlfriend, he could see she was having a hard time pretending.
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"Vegeta," Bulma gasped, just barely able to push him back far enough to speak. "Stop for a second." They were stripped to their underwear, though it seemed he was more eager to discard all clothing than he was to listen to her urgent words. "We need a condom. I am NOT going to end up pregnant with the devil."
Vegeta laughed beside the insult and reached across the floor to where his coat lay. He produced several kinds from his pocket and tossed them to Bulma.
"Pick one. I don't suggest the colors though."
"Why?" She eyed a red condom.
"Because, I'm not red or blue or purple. Just pick one."
"Romantic," she murmured, grabbing the first plain one she saw. And, as he tore the package and went to pull off his boxers, the realization of what they were about to do hit full force and Bulma let out a small sound. Not quite a gasp, but enough to draw his attention and halt his actions.
"What now?"
"What's going to happen after this?" she asked, feeling like one of those girls in a cheesy teen movie.
"You won't be able to walk for days and will thank me a hundred times over."
"Shut up and be real for a second. I meant—"
"Oh!" he laughed, sitting on his heels. "You meant US."
"You're brilliant."
"I'll tell you what," he said, eyeing her body hungrily. "We continue—" Bulma frowned. "Wait—We continue, and afterward, if we both think we want to be…"
"A couple."
"Then we decide then. Ok?"
Bulma smirked and started to stand.
"What?"
"No."
"No what?"
"No I won't do it. I'm not a hussy, and I'm certainly not one of your stupid bimbos. You're not going to con be into bed with that talk, so forget it. For a moment I thought you could actually be a good person…I guess I was wrong."
"Wait, ok?" he sighed, and grabbed her forearm. "Come here." He sat on the ground, crossing his legs, and pulled her into his lap.
"Yes?"
"You know where I stand on the girlfriend thing."
"Yeah. You think they're useless."
"No, I KNOW they don't work for me. Never did."
"Well, I can see your predicament. Not many women want to be with a man who can't keep his hands off everyone else."
"It's not that…Look. I've been fighting to only be attracted to you ever since your loud mouth walked backstage."
"I'm falling for you already," she mocked, rolling her eyes.
"Listen, Kami," he grumbled. "Ever since then, you've been the only girl I've wanted. I've been to clubs and bars and parties with tons of women half-clothed dancing all around me. And the whole time—" He swallowed hard. "Kuso…I'm terrible at this."
There was a long silence, in which Bulma didn't feel it was appropriate to speak. He wanted to tell her something important, and she wanted to hear it.
"F-For too long I waited to say this," he stammered, the words oddly familiar. "For too long I didn't know. For too long I denied it…I watched you from day to day and I could not say a word. My tongue was stuck, my lips were useless, my throat was dry and aching…"
"But now," Bulma said, knowing what was next. He was quoting Anzai again, only from a much newer text. Well, new to her, "my tongue is free, my lips are alive, and my throat is wet with speech."
She stopped there to let him finish.
"I find the world without you meaningless and I can't bear to take the journey without you."
The silence that fell was so dense Bulma nearly coughed. And even though the words weren't his know, the feeling was real, and she knew he meant it.
"Why do I love YOU?" she whispered. "Kiss me before I wake up."
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In the ballroom, the crowd was beginning to gather around the TV, everyone's voices seeming to say one thing: its almost here.
Chi-Chi and Goku were finally alone again, but just as she began to speak, Maris ran into the room and grabbed her around the waist, spinning her around. Her face was red and her forehead was glistening with sweat.
"Maris!" Chi-Chi snapped. "Don't scare me like that."
"Sorry," she sighed. "I just wanted to let you know something."
"Kami," she gasped in realization. "You had sex."
Maris beamed brighter.
"I hope it was 17 on top of you."
"Nope."
"What!?" It was Goku's turn to yell.
"It was me on top of 17."
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Vegeta slowly inched his way back up Bulma's body, his mouth stopping at her moistened breasts for a moment before reaching her mouth. Their clothes were completely scattered across the room now, along with twenty condoms of assorted colors and textures.
"Kami," Bulma gasped, her body shaking. "I hate to say it, but I'm glad you're experienced."
"Duly noted," he retorted, positioning his body over hers. He captured her lips almost roughly, and slowly parted her legs with his hand. For a moment his fingers danced within her folds, sliding in and out of her teasingly. "Kami," he sighed, smiling down at her. He lifted his fingers to his lips and licked them in such a seductive manner Bulma left she might have another orgasm right then.
He pressed much of his weight down on her, though was careful to give her enough room to breath. Bulma felt the tip of him at her dripping entrance and almost cried for him to stop teasing her.
"Ready?" he whispered, his lips pressed to her ear. The softness of his voice, or maybe the sincerity, sent shivers down her spine.
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Maris, 17, 18, Krillin, Goku, and Chi-Chi were all gathered around the TV now, along with the other one hundred-plus guests. The clock said one minute and still Bulma and Vegeta were nowhere in sight.
Goku's arms were around Chi-Chi's waist from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder. As the clock hit fifty seconds, Chi-Chi broke their silence.
"Goku, I have to say this now or I never will. Are you listening?"
He leaned his head forward so he could look at her eyes. Kami he loved her.
"Yes, honey. I can hear you." Forty seconds.
"Good," she sighed.
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"Kami yes," Bulma breathed. Vegeta smirked.
"Tell me," he said, one hand finding one of her heaving breasts, his thumb and forefinger pinching her swollen nipple.
"Kami…I want you Vegeta. You. No one else."
"Good," he whispered.
In the background, they could hear the party chanting dimly. The ball was dropping.
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Fifteen seconds.
"Goku, there isn't any easy way to say this. I—"
"Ten!" the crowd around them shouted.
The couple cringed at the noise and stepped away from them.
"Seven!…Six!…Five!…"
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Bulma let out a painful-sounding cry as Vegeta entered her, her nails instinctively digging into the flesh of his back. The crowd at the party cheered, "Happy New Year!" loudly, then faded into the background.
She tried to meet his thrusts, but he was admittedly more skilled than her, and she let him take control. He pushed hard and fast, until it seemed they would both explode, and then suddenly his pace slowed and his lips found Bulma's. Her eyes snapped open and he smiled down at her, still managing to keep his steady rhythm.
"You're mine," he said, and kissed her forehead. She nodded almost dumbly, and grabbed him around the shoulders. He obliged her plea and quickened his pace again.
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Streamers flew, people cheered, wine corks blasted to the ceiling, and Chi-Chi cried softly on Goku's shoulder. As the party crowd cheered, "One!", her words finally met his ears.
"Are you sure?" he asked, stroking her soft black hair.
She nodded into him.
"How many—"
"I took the test six times, Goku. I can't be any more pregnant."
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His final thrusts were almost savage in their need, and when he climaxed, so did she, and he collapsed on top of her. He slid to her side, with the help of their slick, sweaty bodies. He smiled over at her, expecting one in return, but all he received was a quivering lip and closed eyes.
"What?" he asked, too shocked to be comforting. "Did I hurt you?"
"No," Bulma sobbed, bringing her hands up to cover her eyes.
"Then what?"
"We forgot about the condom," she whispered through her fingers. Vegeta's eyes widened slightly as he remembered. They had a small fight, and during it he must have dropped the condom and then forgotten about it later on. He glanced down and sighed. She was right, no condom.
"What're the chances—"
She glared heavily at him.
"Look," he said, pulling her into him. "When is your next period?"
"A-About a week."
"Wait until anything happens. If you're pregnant, well, I can't deny the child's mine."
In his own little way, Vegeta was offering his undying affection and support. Bulma smiled meekly and kissed him. A moment later she gently pried open his hand and placed something in it. When he saw what it was he arched an eyebrow in confusion.
"What?" she asked, grinning to her ears. "You think we're finished already?"
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---Chapter 29! Yay! Finally! Wow! I think that's the longest I've ever gone without updating this story. I'm sorry :( I've been soooooooooo unbelievably busy lately. Getting ready for college and what not. But I hope this was worth the wait, and I still have one more chapter before I'm done. :D
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: The End :( tear
P.S. Please, please, please tell me if anything is stupid or over the line in this chapter. I'd really, really appreciate it.
P.P.S. Don't worry, I won't forget ANY loose ends in the next chapter. If I do…er…shoot me :P
(For Bond's Girl: Man, I think it's just so hilarious that EVERY single time someone leaves a negative comment, they ALWAYS fail to leave their user name. I wonder why that is. Thinks a moment Well, the only logical explanation I can come up with is that they're afraid of me countering them on their comments. But that's just fine with me, less work for me…Now I don't have to deal with whiny people who read my fics even if they don't like them…Strange how that is, lol, but oh well, I guess I'll never figure it out. Personally, I only read what I like and I don't leave rude comments to satisfy some deep-seeded aggression—which, by the way, can't be helped by lashing out at other people, you might need to seek help for that, but it's not my call…Anyway, I'm sorry for those of you who have been loyal and trusting of me. I promise to deliver, and I do…So what if I twist reality a little bit. Yes, we all know about boss/worker relationships, yadda yadda, and we also know that dinosaurs weren't around when people were, but we still accept them on DBZ…I think my little "imaginary" scenario can be swallowed by most people, you know, the people who read these fics for entertainment and laughs, not to criticize every little detail because suddenly they're not satisfied and would rather have the story go in a different direction…My advice: Write your own fic and see who does better, me or you…I can only imagine the outcome…snickers…Oh dear, I'm being cruel, aren't I? Back me up readers. Unite! :P…I love you all and I hope this didn't bring anyone down too much, I know I sure enjoyed the little attempt to frustrate me, haha! Ignorance never wins! I triumphed!)
(I don't know the rules anymore about ratings, lol. People have told me different things, so I'm going to post this chapter as is and change it later if I need to.)
ENJOY :D
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Last time:
"Wh-Where is your son now?"
"Japan," Akio sighed. "He had to be put up for adoption when I was arrested, because neither of us had any living relatives…He'd be seven now…Someone you all know took him in…Jun Tsuruga."
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The plane ride back to Japan was interesting, to say the least. Bulma and 18 sat together, talking quietly to each other about the situation, while Vegeta sat across the aisle, staring out the window, and intent on ignoring them. He still couldn't believe they followed him to make sure he didn't screw up, though they claimed they only wanted to help. He was eighteen years old for Kami's sake, not a child. He didn't need babysitters.
Several rows ahead of the trio, sat Akio Sugai, Sen Miyahara, and the sleeping Ryoko. They were in deep conversation, discussing their lives over the past year they'd been apart, and generally making Vegeta sick to his stomach. He didn't understand what a woman like her saw in a guy like him, or vice versa. Of course, if it were up to him only certain people would be allowed to breed.
Twenty minutes before, it seemed as though Sen wanted nothing to do with Akio and was ready to board the plane. But only seconds before she and Vegeta were about to leave to board the place, Sen suddenly turned and ran towards Akio, who was about to leave. She slapped him loudly across the face and told him if he didn't get on the plane with her she would never speak to him again.
Now, it was like nothing had happened. As like she hadn't been about to ruin Green Dragon with her little scandal, which was still a hot news topic in Japan. But she promised to fix it and announce it was all a big misunderstanding.
"I still don't understand," Vegeta heard Bulma say to 18. "How can they have a family together? What about his son?"
"I thought that's why they were going back to Japan," 18 said, though equally confused. How could you re-adopt your own child?
"I don't think that's possible though. Once you give up your child, isn't that it?"
"But this is Jun…Kami, that's still weird to say. I can't believe Jun adopted a kid and we didn't know about it."
"She doesn't have to tell us every little thing, you know," Vegeta grunted across the aisle. Both women ignored his rudeness, as well as his comment.
"Well," Bulma sighed, leaning her head back. "I just hope everything works out for the best, for the sake of those kids. I wish there was something I could do, you know, to make sure they were well off. I'd feel like an ass offering them money or something though. It's not like they don't have any."
"I know what you mean. I hate to see kids suffer for stupid things adults do."
"We'll just have to wait and see."
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It was days before Bulma's big New Year's Eve party, and she hadn't heard a word from Vegeta. She didn't know what to think of him anymore. Ever since the drama with Sen, he hadn't been acting quite the same. And while it still wasn't over—for Jun and Akio were in negotiations of some sort—it felt like it pretty much was. All that anyone associated with Green Dragon could have done, was done. There was nothing left to do but wait.
"Bulma dear," Mrs. Briefs said, bustling into the ballroom, her hair pulled into a ponytail. Bulma blinked twice and narrowed her eyes. Her mother NEVER wore her hair like that. "Oh, don't look at me like that, I've been gardening upstairs all day." And by gardening she meant digging unnecessary holes in the dirt of the indoor outdoor room. "I just came in to see how you were getting along with the decorations. I thought maybe you might need a hand."
"I'm fine mom," she said, tearing off a piece of tape with her teeth. "Just finishing up. All we need now are the buffet tables and some people, and we have a party."
"What about music?"
"Back there," she said, pointing towards the small stage across the room. The red velvet curtains were pulled shut, hiding the myriad of electronics behind it: speakers, a karaoke machine, a turn-table, and much more than was necessary.
"One more thing." Mrs. Briefs reached into her apron pocket and produced a small cordless telephone. "Your boyfriend is on the phone."
Bulma paled and grabbed the phone, covering the mouthpiece. "He's not my boyfriend, mom! Now go bother someone else."
"Fine, fine," the older woman laughed. "But when you're walking down the aisle, and he's standing at the other end—"
"Mother!"
"Alright. Alright. Tell Vegeta I said hello."
"Yeah, got it," she sighed, and waited for her to leave before she put the phone to her ear. "Hello?"
"I'm coming," he said solemnly.
"Well it's not like it's your funeral," Bulma snapped. "You can sound a little more excited than that."
"You're so simple," he muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm not supposed to see you, genius. Not until this bullshit with Sen blows over. Jun's orders."
"Well—"
"But I'm going, so it better be worth my time."
A sly smile spread across Bulma's features and she nodded to herself. "Don't worry," she said, withholding her excitement. "I promise you'll have a good time."
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Bulma beamed with pride as the last of the guests arrived. It seemed even more people than she knew were there, laughing, talking, and just enjoying themselves and their last moments of the year. It was only eleven and so the party was just getting started. The big screen TV across the room from the buffet tables was cold; no one was even thinking about watching the ball drop (I don't know Japanese New Year tradition, so deal with it :P).
"Hey, B!" Bulma's smile widened.
"Hey Yamcha." As he reached her, he gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek then stepped respectively back. "Hey Tsu-Tsu. How's paradise?"
Tsuki blushed noticeably, while Yamcha busied himself with his cup of punch.
"Come on! You guys can't leave me in the dark here. I set you up and now I want to know if my meddling paid off. Clearly you can stand each other."
"Of course," Yamcha said, the blush finding its way to his cheeks too. "She…She's amazing."
"And what about you?" Bulma turned her eyes to Tsuki, whose face couldn't have been redder. Instead of giving a generic answer like Bulma expected, she leaned in and whispered in Bulma's ear. The words shocked her momentarily and then she smiled. Yamcha stood dumbfounded, but opted not to ask. "So, have you to jumped each others bones yet?"
"Bulma!" Yamcha snapped, clearly startled. He couldn't remember a time she'd been so forward and vulgar. But, then again, he hadn't seen much of her since he's started dating Tsuki. Who knew what kind of an effect Vegeta was having on her.
"Yes," Tsuki said, unashamed. "We have." Her lips formed a suggestive grin and Bulma figured it from there. It was only recently that they'd ended up in bed together. And it was all too clear that they were hot for each other, even now, standing in such close proximity to someone they both knew so well.
"Well good," Bulma finally said. "I'm happy for you. No use looking as good as you two do and not using your bodies." A flash of Vegeta's flame-like hair caught Bulma's eyes and her voice caught in her throat. Since nine o'clock, when Green Dragon first arrived, she had been wondering when and if Vegeta was coming. Now that he was here, all conversations she'd rehearsed in her head were gone.
He spotted her before she had a chance to react and started towards her.
"I—" she started, but the words wouldn't come and he was there before she could warn Yamcha. Not that Yamcha needed warning, but the thought of her ex-lover and her would-be-lover so near each other gave her chills. She barely squeezed out an apology, then followed Vegeta out of the room, to where the coats were kept, so they could be alone.
One look at his eyes and she knew something wasn't quite right.
"What's wrong? Were the roads bad on the way over?" But from the weather report she'd seen a few hours before, it wasn't due to snow again until after New Year's.
"No," he sighed. He sat down on one of the few chairs in the room and shook his head. "I've been with Jun and Sen, and her ex. They bitched and moaned for the better part of five hours, then there wasn't anything more to argue about and they settled whatever they had to settle. I don't even know why the hell Jun called me there, but I didn't say two words until the end."
"What happened?" was all she could think to say. The situation couldn't be easy on any of them.
"Sen and her lover are happy," he grimaced, "and moving back to Japan."
"What!? Japan! But I thought—"
"Apparently whatever kept them away before isn't as strong as his brat."
Bulma nodded. Of course. Meiji.
"Jun won't give him up though, so they agreed to buy houses next to each other and have some kind of sick family."
"But don't Sen and Jun hate each other? What kind of upbringing are those children going to have? That's a disaster waiting to explode."
"I know," Vegeta muttered. "But that's what they decided. And they say they're good with it."
Bulma was silent for a moment, in which time she arranged a chair opposite Vegeta and took a seat. For a second she wanted nothing more than to reach out and kiss him, but the thought faded as another invaded her mind. "I assume the charges are dropped then. No trial?"
"That's the only good news," he groaned. He looked up at her, his face drawn and unreal. He didn't look like Vegeta in that moment. "Oh yeah. I almost forgot. We're getting a divorce."
Bulma smiled widely and nodded.
"Well, come on." She took his hand and pulled him to his feet. "There's a whole party waiting for you. I'm sure your friends know you're here by now."
"I don't want to go out there."
"You never do," she laughed. "But you're going to. You said you would."
"No," he said, this time his voice carrying another emotion, one Bulma knew well. "Not yet."
He lifted his hand to her face and lightly brushed her cheek with his thumb, the rest of his fingers becoming entangled in her soft aqua locks. He took a step forward and waited. She didn't move. He inched his face closer, then waited again. Again she didn't move.
"Kiss me before I realize who you are," Bulma whispered, her half-joke falling to the floor as passion enveloped them. His lips were sweeter than she remembered, and as he eased her onto the soft carpeting of the coatroom, she couldn't force her brain to come up with a logical reason to keep them from going further.
And so they went further…
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In Bulma's room, two stores above the festivities, Maris had 17 backed against a wall. She'd had enough. Enough games. Enough wondering. Enough everything.
"I love you, 17," she whispered, and took a step back. What had happened to all those words she'd planned on saying? How she needed an answer from him or she was going to forget about him and start looking for someone else? Or how he wasn't even treating her like a friend, so much as a responsibility? Why had her mouth formed those four words, the words she never knew existed in her mind, until that very moment?
17's eyes widened, then dropped to the floor.
"I'm sorry," she sighed. She took a few more steps back, then decided she better sit on the bed. "I didn't mean to be so…blunt. I had a lot I wanted to say, but…well…I don't know. I'm just sorry."
"Don't be," 17 said, the initial shock wearing off. She loved him?…No. His luck couldn't be that good. "I should be sorry." He walked over and sat beside her, though was not so bold to take her hand.
"You? For what?"
"For not telling you how I felt. For leaving you guessing for so long…I think I knew so much longer than I realized, but everything just got messed up…I love you too."
"But?"
"How did you know there was a but?" He looked directly into her eyes for the first time that night, overly happy that she was daring enough to drag him from the party.
"I'm good like that," she said, her voice heavy with anticipation. "Now get on with it before I corner you again. I obviously can't handle waiting."
"Maris, I…There's so much I want to know about you, and so much that I already do. I've been listening to the others, and it's clear that I'm the only one you told about your…"
"Lover?" Maris offered.
17 blushed.
"It's fine. I think once I realized that I loved you, I was finally over Tobei. I still love him, of course, but it's different. He's gone and I have this perfect opportunity with you, and everything with him is memories. In another time he was the one…And now…you are."
17 tried to speak, but the words stuck to his tongue and he only sighed.
"Now, what did you have to say to me?"
"Maris, how can you be absolutely sure that you're over him? I mean, is six months enough? Are you going to be able to—"
"Love you completely?"
17 nodded and turned his head away.
"Does this answer your question?"
Within seconds they were a tangled mass of limbs on the bed, and it was perfect.
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Downstairs in the ballroom, Chi-Chi pulled Goku into a corner. Her eyes were wild, but with a new kind of emotion he'd never seen in her before. She was scared.
"Honey, what's wrong?" he whispered, pulling her close. By now his casts were gone and he only limped. Another few weeks and he'd be good as new.
"Goku, I figured now is the best time to tell you." Her voice was shaky, and across the room the big screen TV flickered on. Ten minutes to midnight.
"Tell me what? Are you ill? Do you need to go home?"
"Ill?" she laughed, her eyes cast at the floor. "Something like that."
"Hey! Goku! Chi-Chi!" 18 called, as she advanced towards them, Krillin on her heels. "Ten minutes to the new year. She eyed Goku in mock seduction then turned to Chi-Chi and said, "Wanna trade for the ball dropping?"
Everyone's laughter seemed to ring about the room, though when Goku glanced back over at his girlfriend, he could see she was having a hard time pretending.
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"Vegeta," Bulma gasped, just barely able to push him back far enough to speak. "Stop for a second." They were stripped to their underwear, though it seemed he was more eager to discard all clothing than he was to listen to her urgent words. "We need a condom. I am NOT going to end up pregnant with the devil."
Vegeta laughed beside the insult and reached across the floor to where his coat lay. He produced several kinds from his pocket and tossed them to Bulma.
"Pick one. I don't suggest the colors though."
"Why?" She eyed a red condom.
"Because, I'm not red or blue or purple. Just pick one."
"Romantic," she murmured, grabbing the first plain one she saw. And, as he tore the package and went to pull off his boxers, the realization of what they were about to do hit full force and Bulma let out a small sound. Not quite a gasp, but enough to draw his attention and halt his actions.
"What now?"
"What's going to happen after this?" she asked, feeling like one of those girls in a cheesy teen movie.
"You won't be able to walk for days and will thank me a hundred times over."
"Shut up and be real for a second. I meant—"
"Oh!" he laughed, sitting on his heels. "You meant US."
"You're brilliant."
"I'll tell you what," he said, eyeing her body hungrily. "We continue—" Bulma frowned. "Wait—We continue, and afterward, if we both think we want to be…"
"A couple."
"Then we decide then. Ok?"
Bulma smirked and started to stand.
"What?"
"No."
"No what?"
"No I won't do it. I'm not a hussy, and I'm certainly not one of your stupid bimbos. You're not going to con be into bed with that talk, so forget it. For a moment I thought you could actually be a good person…I guess I was wrong."
"Wait, ok?" he sighed, and grabbed her forearm. "Come here." He sat on the ground, crossing his legs, and pulled her into his lap.
"Yes?"
"You know where I stand on the girlfriend thing."
"Yeah. You think they're useless."
"No, I KNOW they don't work for me. Never did."
"Well, I can see your predicament. Not many women want to be with a man who can't keep his hands off everyone else."
"It's not that…Look. I've been fighting to only be attracted to you ever since your loud mouth walked backstage."
"I'm falling for you already," she mocked, rolling her eyes.
"Listen, Kami," he grumbled. "Ever since then, you've been the only girl I've wanted. I've been to clubs and bars and parties with tons of women half-clothed dancing all around me. And the whole time—" He swallowed hard. "Kuso…I'm terrible at this."
There was a long silence, in which Bulma didn't feel it was appropriate to speak. He wanted to tell her something important, and she wanted to hear it.
"F-For too long I waited to say this," he stammered, the words oddly familiar. "For too long I didn't know. For too long I denied it…I watched you from day to day and I could not say a word. My tongue was stuck, my lips were useless, my throat was dry and aching…"
"But now," Bulma said, knowing what was next. He was quoting Anzai again, only from a much newer text. Well, new to her, "my tongue is free, my lips are alive, and my throat is wet with speech."
She stopped there to let him finish.
"I find the world without you meaningless and I can't bear to take the journey without you."
The silence that fell was so dense Bulma nearly coughed. And even though the words weren't his know, the feeling was real, and she knew he meant it.
"Why do I love YOU?" she whispered. "Kiss me before I wake up."
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In the ballroom, the crowd was beginning to gather around the TV, everyone's voices seeming to say one thing: its almost here.
Chi-Chi and Goku were finally alone again, but just as she began to speak, Maris ran into the room and grabbed her around the waist, spinning her around. Her face was red and her forehead was glistening with sweat.
"Maris!" Chi-Chi snapped. "Don't scare me like that."
"Sorry," she sighed. "I just wanted to let you know something."
"Kami," she gasped in realization. "You had sex."
Maris beamed brighter.
"I hope it was 17 on top of you."
"Nope."
"What!?" It was Goku's turn to yell.
"It was me on top of 17."
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Vegeta slowly inched his way back up Bulma's body, his mouth stopping at her moistened breasts for a moment before reaching her mouth. Their clothes were completely scattered across the room now, along with twenty condoms of assorted colors and textures.
"Kami," Bulma gasped, her body shaking. "I hate to say it, but I'm glad you're experienced."
"Duly noted," he retorted, positioning his body over hers. He captured her lips almost roughly, and slowly parted her legs with his hand. For a moment his fingers danced within her folds, sliding in and out of her teasingly. "Kami," he sighed, smiling down at her. He lifted his fingers to his lips and licked them in such a seductive manner Bulma left she might have another orgasm right then.
He pressed much of his weight down on her, though was careful to give her enough room to breath. Bulma felt the tip of him at her dripping entrance and almost cried for him to stop teasing her.
"Ready?" he whispered, his lips pressed to her ear. The softness of his voice, or maybe the sincerity, sent shivers down her spine.
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Maris, 17, 18, Krillin, Goku, and Chi-Chi were all gathered around the TV now, along with the other one hundred-plus guests. The clock said one minute and still Bulma and Vegeta were nowhere in sight.
Goku's arms were around Chi-Chi's waist from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder. As the clock hit fifty seconds, Chi-Chi broke their silence.
"Goku, I have to say this now or I never will. Are you listening?"
He leaned his head forward so he could look at her eyes. Kami he loved her.
"Yes, honey. I can hear you." Forty seconds.
"Good," she sighed.
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"Kami yes," Bulma breathed. Vegeta smirked.
"Tell me," he said, one hand finding one of her heaving breasts, his thumb and forefinger pinching her swollen nipple.
"Kami…I want you Vegeta. You. No one else."
"Good," he whispered.
In the background, they could hear the party chanting dimly. The ball was dropping.
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Fifteen seconds.
"Goku, there isn't any easy way to say this. I—"
"Ten!" the crowd around them shouted.
The couple cringed at the noise and stepped away from them.
"Seven!…Six!…Five!…"
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Bulma let out a painful-sounding cry as Vegeta entered her, her nails instinctively digging into the flesh of his back. The crowd at the party cheered, "Happy New Year!" loudly, then faded into the background.
She tried to meet his thrusts, but he was admittedly more skilled than her, and she let him take control. He pushed hard and fast, until it seemed they would both explode, and then suddenly his pace slowed and his lips found Bulma's. Her eyes snapped open and he smiled down at her, still managing to keep his steady rhythm.
"You're mine," he said, and kissed her forehead. She nodded almost dumbly, and grabbed him around the shoulders. He obliged her plea and quickened his pace again.
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Streamers flew, people cheered, wine corks blasted to the ceiling, and Chi-Chi cried softly on Goku's shoulder. As the party crowd cheered, "One!", her words finally met his ears.
"Are you sure?" he asked, stroking her soft black hair.
She nodded into him.
"How many—"
"I took the test six times, Goku. I can't be any more pregnant."
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His final thrusts were almost savage in their need, and when he climaxed, so did she, and he collapsed on top of her. He slid to her side, with the help of their slick, sweaty bodies. He smiled over at her, expecting one in return, but all he received was a quivering lip and closed eyes.
"What?" he asked, too shocked to be comforting. "Did I hurt you?"
"No," Bulma sobbed, bringing her hands up to cover her eyes.
"Then what?"
"We forgot about the condom," she whispered through her fingers. Vegeta's eyes widened slightly as he remembered. They had a small fight, and during it he must have dropped the condom and then forgotten about it later on. He glanced down and sighed. She was right, no condom.
"What're the chances—"
She glared heavily at him.
"Look," he said, pulling her into him. "When is your next period?"
"A-About a week."
"Wait until anything happens. If you're pregnant, well, I can't deny the child's mine."
In his own little way, Vegeta was offering his undying affection and support. Bulma smiled meekly and kissed him. A moment later she gently pried open his hand and placed something in it. When he saw what it was he arched an eyebrow in confusion.
"What?" she asked, grinning to her ears. "You think we're finished already?"
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---Chapter 29! Yay! Finally! Wow! I think that's the longest I've ever gone without updating this story. I'm sorry :( I've been soooooooooo unbelievably busy lately. Getting ready for college and what not. But I hope this was worth the wait, and I still have one more chapter before I'm done. :D
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: The End :( tear
P.S. Please, please, please tell me if anything is stupid or over the line in this chapter. I'd really, really appreciate it.
P.P.S. Don't worry, I won't forget ANY loose ends in the next chapter. If I do…er…shoot me :P
(For Bond's Girl: Man, I think it's just so hilarious that EVERY single time someone leaves a negative comment, they ALWAYS fail to leave their user name. I wonder why that is. Thinks a moment Well, the only logical explanation I can come up with is that they're afraid of me countering them on their comments. But that's just fine with me, less work for me…Now I don't have to deal with whiny people who read my fics even if they don't like them…Strange how that is, lol, but oh well, I guess I'll never figure it out. Personally, I only read what I like and I don't leave rude comments to satisfy some deep-seeded aggression—which, by the way, can't be helped by lashing out at other people, you might need to seek help for that, but it's not my call…Anyway, I'm sorry for those of you who have been loyal and trusting of me. I promise to deliver, and I do…So what if I twist reality a little bit. Yes, we all know about boss/worker relationships, yadda yadda, and we also know that dinosaurs weren't around when people were, but we still accept them on DBZ…I think my little "imaginary" scenario can be swallowed by most people, you know, the people who read these fics for entertainment and laughs, not to criticize every little detail because suddenly they're not satisfied and would rather have the story go in a different direction…My advice: Write your own fic and see who does better, me or you…I can only imagine the outcome…snickers…Oh dear, I'm being cruel, aren't I? Back me up readers. Unite! :P…I love you all and I hope this didn't bring anyone down too much, I know I sure enjoyed the little attempt to frustrate me, haha! Ignorance never wins! I triumphed!)