Last time:
"Kiddo," he repeated, rolling his eyes much like his cousin. "Kami, I never missed that. You're never going to let up on me, are you?" Bulma giggled and shook her head. "I'm only two months younger than you, grandma."
Bulma could only laugh at his come back. It was exactly as she remembered it. But, then again, she never, in her worst nightmares, could have seen Taisho turning his back on her. Even without knowing what had happened in the past four years, he'd welcomed her with open arms. She couldn't imagine what he'd do if he heard her story.
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Bulma awoke the next morning feeling better than she had in years, aside from a dull sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach; Vegeta's doing, of course. But today wasn't for him. Obviously he wasn't ready to speak with her, and she didn't blame him. She was lucky yesterday getting him to say as much as he did.
She yawned deeply, then swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. She glanced at the clock on the wall; 7:36 AM. "Wow, its early," she sighed, dragging her body out of the guestroom and downstairs.
"Good morning Bulma. Did you sleep well?" Mrs. Ouji asked when she entered the kitchen, rubbing her eyes.
"Yes, very well." She yawned again, then took a seat at the table across from Taisho and Midori. "Good morning Taisho, Midori," she said, giving them a sleepy smile. Outwardly she was the picture of calmness, but inside she soul was screaming; she was home, finally, and surrounded by people she's loved since childhood, with the obvious exception of Midori, though no one could deny the little fireball's charm.
"Morning," Taisho mumbled around a mouthful of cereal.
"Good morning!" Midori all but yelled in her high-pitched voice. Bulma gave her a strange look, then smiled nonetheless.
"Tai, where is Vegeta? He's going to be late to practice, again," his mother groaned, placing her hands on her hips.
"Last time I knew he was still in bed. He was out again last night."
"Again! That boy has got to stop this! Where does he go at night?"
"I don't know. Somewhere in the East 550 area," he said, taking a swig of orange juice. "I heard him tell Goku that he goes there to 'think'." He rolled his eyes. He couldn't go one morning without hearing his mother yell about Vegeta.
"East 550! That's a half hour away!" Mrs. Ouji shouted, slamming the wooden spoon she'd been holding on the stove. "Go get him up! Right now!"
"Mom! Ayano is going be here any minute! I don't have time to waste on Vegeta!" he whined, standing up and sending his chair to the floor. He would not let Vegeta ruin today for him.
"I'll get him up," Bulma jumped in, not wanting the family dispute to continue.
"Would you?" Mrs. Ouji's voice was back to its usual sweet tone, a smile on her face. Bulma stared at her for a split second, a shudder running through her. The change had been so fluid, so unlike the old Mrs. Ouji, the one from four years ago. Vegeta must have really done some damage in that short time.
"Sure. Its no trouble at all," she said, grabbing an apple and heading up to Vegeta's room. She knocked quietly on his door upon reaching it. Nothing. She leaned her ear to it, listening to the light snoring of her old friend. "Vegeta," she whispered, poking her head in his room. He didn't stir. "Vegeta." She was louder this time, causing his eyes to snap open, and him to growl in annoyance.
"What woman?" he hissed, not looking at her. Bulma heart sank momentarily; she knew it would probably take some time, but it seemed he was punishing her double for something she had no recollection of doing.
"Your aunt said you need to get up," she replied, walking all the way into his room. It was much different than she remembered. Everything had been blue and white. Now nearly all his stuff was black; the walls, the carpet, his bedspread, the curtains, his furniture, even his computer. "She said you had p-p-practice," she laughed, not being able to help herself. And, who knew, maybe it would lighten the mood. She couldn't picture Vegeta on any kind of team. Teamwork wasn't his thing. "Practice for what?"
"None of your damn business," he snorted, throwing off the covers and sitting up. He was clad in only plain black boxers. "Now get out of my room."
"Hiss," she murmured, frowning at him, then walked out without another word.
"Stupid Onna," he sighed, rubbing his eyes and looking at the clock. "Its too damn early." He stood up and grabbed the phone beside his bed.
"Hello?" came the cheerful voice of Goku at the other end of the line.
"Uh, calm down Kakarot. Its just a phone call," Vegeta hissed. "Come get me in twenty minutes, alright?"
"Sure. Just be ready. I'm not going to be late like last time."
Bulma walked quietly back downstairs, chewing absently on her apple, all the while replaying random moments in her mind. She was devastated that things with Vegeta had been, and were still, so sour. Taisho was understanding and welcoming, much like she expected Chi-Chi and the others would be.
She sighed deeply, stopping halfway down the stairs, and took a seat. She took a rather large and extremely unladylike bite of the apple, chewing it slowly as she thought to herself. Moments later, however, she was interrupted by a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Bulma?" Taisho said, sitting next to her, pulling her hand, and the apple, away from her mouth.
"Huh?" she mumbled, not looking up at him. He didn't need to be a rocket scientist to know something was troubling her. And more to the point, it was about Vegeta. She was struggling with the past and present, trying desperately to make them fit on top of each other perfectly, and having no luck.
"What's wrong?" He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, hugging her to him. She obliged his affection, resting her head on his chest. After several moments of silence, he cleared his throat and said, "Is it Vegeta?" She stiffened slightly, then relaxed and sighed deeply. How could she think she ever had a chance keeping something from Taisho?
"Yeah…" she admitted.
"What happened?"
"That's just the thing," she nearly shouted, standing back up and throwing her arms in the air, her half-eaten apple slipping from her grasp and bouncing down the stairs. They both ignored it though, concentrating on the situation at hand. "I came back and he doesn't even care!" Taisho sighed inwardly, but what did she expect? "Yes, I know, I should have visited before now, I should have kept writing, but no one would understand why I didn't. And even if I tried to explain it, I don't think I could get through it all. It's too…Nevermind. It's boring. The point is that I thought I really had a good friendship with Vegeta. I wrote most of my letters to him, and now, when I'm finally back, he acts like I don't care. How can I make him see?"
"Bulma, calm down," he urged, grabbing her upper arms and forcing her gently to sit still. "You have to remember who we're talking about here. Vegeta. When does he let his emotions show through?" She nodded half-heartedly, trying to free herself from his grasp. "Well doesn't that tell you why he's acting so…" He paused a moment, trying to find the right word. "…distant? It's in his nature to be a jackass. No matter who the person is."
"Yeah…I know. Of course you're right, it's just, I don't know. I guess I figured once I got here things might be different. I feared coming back for so long, and now that I'm here my worst fears are being realized."
"Come on B," Taisho said with reassurance. "You know Vegeta. He hides everything. He missed you, there's no doubt about that. He just needs some time to let his anger run its course. He'll come around, you'll be." Bulma gave him a weak smile, then stood, reaching her hand out to her long time friend. He took it without hesitation, and she led him back downstairs.
"Taisho!" Mrs. Ouji yelled from the kitchen, just as he and Bulma walked in.
"Yes mom?" he asked, wincing at the volume of her voice.
"Ayano's here. She's waiting in the living room." She turned back to the dishwasher she'd been loading, and added, "She brought Taki and Kishi with her."
"Alright. Thanks mom," he said, grabbing a couple of grapes from the fruit bowl and popping them into his mouth. "Come with me B, I want you to meet Ayano and Taki."
"Who are they?"
"Ayano is my girlfriend. She moved to town last year…And Taki is Kishi's boyfriend, and Ayano's brother." Bulma nodded in agreement with his first statement to her, following him into the living room. Once there, Taisho immediately went to his girlfriend, kissing her gingerly on the cheek. Bulma went unnoticed for the first few moments, until Taki noticed her, gasping and gaining everyone's attention.
"B-B-Bulma Briefs!" he stuttered, eyes wide in shock.
"Bulma!" Kishi squealed, running over and embracing her old friend in her arms. When Bulma wasn't hanging out with Chi-Chi, Goku, and the others, she was with Taisho and Kishi. Towards the end of her last year in Satan City the groups started to blend together, though it was clear that she was the only one holding that bond together. "I'm so happy for you! I always knew you'd be something great!" she added, before finally releasing the still startled girl.
"Oh, thank you Kishi," she finally replied happily. "How have you been?"
"Oh fine, you know. Boring as hell around here without you…Hey! Wait a second! What are you doing back in town anyway?"
"Oh, my dad let me come after I complained about being overloaded with work." Another white lie. But they would never understand, she reasoned.
"Excuse me," Ayano jumped in, everyone's attention turning to her. "Why the hell is Bulma Briefs, a famous movie star, in your house?" Her attention was now aimed towards Taisho.
"She's an old friend," both Taisho and Kishi replied, half-nervously. Ayano could have quite the temper, which was ironic coming from such a tiny person.
"Bulma Briefs is an old friend?" she asked suspiciously, raising a questioning eyebrow at her boyfriend. He nodded nervously, ringing his hands. "Why didn't you tell me!?" she cheered happily, a wide grin reaching across her face. "She's my favorite actress! Kami!" She then turned to Bulma, smiling ear to ear. "I loved you in Playing Murder. I mean, I know you didn't star in it, but oh Kami! You were my favorite character. Was that your first movie?" She almost didn't take a breath the entire time.
"Whoa, Ayano," Taisho said, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her back to his chest. "Give her some room to breath."
"Oh its fine," Bulma insisted, taking a seat in the only empty chair, across from everyone else. "I'm used to it. Its no big deal." She wrinkled her nose in annoyance at herself, for sounding so arrogant, then bit her lower lip. "Yes, that was my first movie," she finally replied, turning to Ayano.
"Oh kuso!" Kishi swore, startling Bulma, who knew Kishi to be extremely religious and shunned swearing.
"Things must have changed more than I thought," Bulma thought sadly.
"We're going to be late!"
"Where are you all going?" Bulma asked, curious to see what people around there did for fun now and days.
"The water park a few towns over…It just opened last weekend," Taisho answered for everyone, scratching the back of his neck nervously. He felt bad for not inviting Bulma. But she had just showed up unannounced, and how do you ask a famous movie star to come out in public with you without looking selfish?
"Oh! Bulma! You should come with us," Kishi chimed in, jumping and grabbing her friend's arm, pulling her to her feet. "It'll be so much fun. And we can catch up on everything we missed over the years."
"Sure…If its ok with everyone else, that is." Everyone nodded in agreement with Kishi, and Bulma turned and ran for the staircase. "I'll be right down," she called back to them. "I just need to get my suit and stuff." Once alone on the stairs she let out a huge sigh and smiled wide. She couldn't believe how welcoming they all were. She didn't feel uncomfortable in the least.
She was so busy in her own world, that she didn't see Vegeta heading towards her. So, naturally, she was surprised when they collided. "Watch it!" he hissed, stepping back.
"Sorry your highness," she retorted, sticking her nose in his face. He huffed in irritation, pushing by her and stomping down the stairs. Bulma let out a soft moan when he was gone. "Just great," she sighed. "Push him further away. Nice going Bulma."
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"Finally we're here," Kishi sighed, unbuckling her seatbelt and checking her make-up in the mirror.
"Tell me about it," Ayano, who'd calmed down about being around Bulma, added. "Next time we need to pick some place a little closer."
Bulma yawned and opened her eyes at the feeling of the van stopping. "We're here already?" she asked, yawning again. Her hair was a tangled mess of blue curls, a thin line of drool visible coming from the corner of her mouth.
"Already?" Kishi baulked, turning around from the front seat to Bulma, who was sprawled out in the back. "We've been driving for nearly three hours." She then smiled and tried to hold back her laughter, along with everyone else, who all ended up failing, leaving the young actress dumbfounded.
"What? What's so funny?" she asked, looking around to see what they could possibly be laughing at.
"Oh Bulma. Your hair," Ayano laughed, almost to the point of tears, handing her a pocket mirror. She took it, checking her unruly hair, and smiled.
"Oh well. I'm not looking to impress any guys today…Does anyone have a hair tie?" Kishi dug into her pocket, pulling out a thin black rubber hair band, and tossed it to Bulma. "Thanks." She quickly smoothed her hair with her hands, not caring if she left bumps and strands sticking out, and pulled it into a very messy ponytail. She then checked her appearance once more with the little mirror, smiled, and tossed it back to Kishi.
"Bulma, I don't mean to be rude…but you look so-"
"Normal." She cut of Ayano, and grabbed her bag from behind her seat. "I don't get all glammed up all the time you know. Cameras just never catch me like this…Are we going in or not?" She had her bag on her lap, ready to get out at any moment. The heat of late morning was beginning to bake the inside of the van.
"Yeah! I'm getting bored," Taki whined, speaking up for the first time since they got there.
"Me too," Taisho said, getting out of the van and coming around to the back to unload everything.
"Ok, ok," Kishi sighed, looking over at Taki. "You guys are so pushy." He just rolled his eyes, then hopped out of the van and joined Taisho in the back.
"How much stuff do you girls think you need?" he called, lugging the bags around to the side. "Bulma's the only one who packed sensibly." He pointed to her single backpack. "She packed lighter than me!" The two girls laughed sarcastically, then piled out of the car, Bulma being last, swinging her backpack on her shoulders.
Once they were finally in the park the girls and guys went their separate ways to get changed into their swimming suits. Bulma, surprisingly, only got a few stares and whispers behind her back. People saying 'Oh Kami, is that Bulma Briefs?' or 'Wow, she looks JUST like Bulma Briefs', and things of that nature. Nothing compared to her usual hounding in Watanabe City.
"You girls almost ready!" Bulma called from outside their stalls, which were side by side. She'd been ready for almost ten minutes now, and was trying to wait patiently for them.
"Yes! Sheesh!" Ayano playfully hissed, pulling open the door, and frowned at her new friend. "Oh come on Bulma. At least have your t-shirt off. Show a little skin." She motioned towards her bathing suit, a simple blue bikini with a transparent blue wrap around her waist, and matching flip-flops. Kishi emerged a few seconds later, wearing an almost identical outfit, being purple instead of blue.
"Jeans and a ratty old t-shirt?" Kishi questioned, tugging at her shirt. "Bulma Briefs, you'll never change out of your tomboy-ish ways. Come on! Lets see that body of yours! I know it's under there somewhere."
Bulma sighed heavily and pealed off her loose plain red t-shirt, revealing the top of her black bikini. Then looking up at Kishi disapproving glare, she took off her jeans as well, wrapping her huge beach towel around her waist. "I don't see why I need to impress anyone," she complained, stuffing her clothes into her bag, and her bag in the locker she'd rented for the day. "I hate walking around half naked."
"Well, if you're not going to where make-up or do your hair," she paused, not sure of how to finish her statement. "Just be a girl for the day. I know you can. Don't think I haven't seen your picture plastered all over town!"
"That's different!" Bulma insisted, as they walked out of the changing room to meet with the guys. "That's my job!"
"What are you girls bickering about now?" Taisho sighed, grabbing Ayano around the waist and kissing her lovingly on the cheek.
"They want me to be a Barbie doll."
"No!" Taisho winced at his girlfriend's loud tone, and tilted his head to the side. "All we were saying was she doesn't need to dress so…so…boyish all the time."
"I'm comfortable! That's all the matters."
"Hey!" yelled a deep voice from behind the group of teenagers. "Do I need to throw you kids out?" A very good-looking man with dark brown hair and matching brown eyes wearing a nametag and a shirt with the water park's logo came over to them, hands on his hips.
"No," Kishi answered, cuddling up to Taisho for "protection."
"Sorry sir. It won't happen again," Bulma said, though immediately regretted opening her mouth.
"Bulma Briefs?" he gasped, eyes nearly bugging out of his skull.
"Oh, here we go again," Ayano growled. "How many times are people going to mistaken you for that talent-less slut?"
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," the man whispered, then walked away without a second glance back.
"Thanks Ayano," Bulma said, smiling widely.
"No problem…Oh, and sorry about the talent-less slut thing. I really do think you're a wonderful actress…And not a slut!"
"Its fine," she laughed. "I thought it was rather amusing actually."
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Chi-Chi snuggled up to Goku's chest and let out a quiet sigh. Krillin and 18 were cuddled on the other side of the couch, and Vegeta was sitting in a chair across from them all, staring at the far wall. They had all just got back from the movies, and were waiting for their pizzas to arrive. "Wow, Bulma's such a great actress," Chi-Chi finally said, looking up at Goku, who nodded in agreement. They'd all agreed that the movie wasn't the best they'd seen, but that Bulma was great at her job. With the except of Vegeta, of course. She was a horrible actress, as he'd said. "I miss her."
"Me too," 18 sighed.
"Why do you guys care about that stupid wench anyway?" Vegeta chimed in angrily. "She left and hasn't visited once since. She's not thinking about you guys, so why think about her?"
"She's been busy!" Chi-Chi insisted, glaring at her boyfriend's cold best friend.
"Ha! You're all no bodies to her. I bet she doesn't even remember you."
"You better can it Vegeta!" 18 warned, balling her fist.
"Whatever," he grunted. Then dug in his coat pocket for his cell phone, which was ringing. "Hello?…Yeah, what do you want?…No, I'm at Kakarot's. I'm busy…I don't care what you want…No! Stay there! I'm in no mood for you…Again, I don't care…No!…Hey!…Don't-" And the phone went dead. "Stupid wench," he grunted, shoving the phone back in his pocket.
"Who was that?" Goku asked curiously.
"No one."
"Right, you were just yelling at no one."
"Exactly."
"Come on. Who was it?"
"Well you'll all find out in a few minutes. Damn wench. I'm leaving." With that he got up and trudged towards the door, only to stop when there was a knock coming from the other side. "Kuso!" he swore, backing up.
"Vegeta!" Chi-Chi yelled, standing and confronting him by the door. "Did you have another fling, then ditch the poor girl!"
"Of course, I do that all the time," he said with a cocky grin.
"Oh, poor thing." She pouted, slapped Vegeta on the head, then opened the door to comfort whoever the most recent ex of his was. She'd been doing that ever since he started doing that to the girls in their school. Since she spent so much time with Vegeta on account of Goku, she felt it was the only right thing to do. She didn't want people thinking she hung around him because she wanted to, though lately she'd been wondering if maybe they were friends now. Ever since that day last year the thought had been in the back of her mind. "I'm so sorry for what he did. He's such a jer—Bulma!" She nearly fell back in shock, gaining everyone's attention at the mention of their old friend's name.
"Chi!" The two girls magnetized towards one another, soon to be embraced by Goku, 18, and Krillin as well. "I've missed you guys so much!"
"Oh Kami B! What are you doing here!"
"I finally got a break and you were the first people who came to mind." She was half-lying, of course. She'd had several long breaks before, but didn't come see them. She'd had a lot on her plate then though. Now was the first time she'd been able to do anything outside the city without, well, without certain restraints. But she didn't want to get into that long story. Not just yet.
"Oh! We have so much to catch up on!" Bulma simply nodded, then turned towards Vegeta, who was trying to sneak out unnoticed.
"Vegeta," Bulma growled, grabbing his shirt collar and pulling him towards the group. "What was the big idea over the phone?" He shrugged her arm off, and sighed angrily. He was in no mood to deal with Chi-Chi and her out of control temper, especially when directed towards him. But then again, it usually was.
He rolled his eyes and stepped back into the house.
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---Chapter 2! Ok, so I think I'm really getting back into this. It's not as good as I would like, but it's too much of a hassle to revise the entire thing. I've made a lot of little changes though, and plan to take the fic in a totally different direction than I originally had in mind.
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!! (ReviewsMore Chapters)
Next time: Bulma and the gang catch up on things, but is she really accepted so easily?
Note: Don't think Bulma's a moron for trying to act like nothing happened, especially with Vegeta. She just wants so badly for things to be like they were. That makes sense, right?
"Kiddo," he repeated, rolling his eyes much like his cousin. "Kami, I never missed that. You're never going to let up on me, are you?" Bulma giggled and shook her head. "I'm only two months younger than you, grandma."
Bulma could only laugh at his come back. It was exactly as she remembered it. But, then again, she never, in her worst nightmares, could have seen Taisho turning his back on her. Even without knowing what had happened in the past four years, he'd welcomed her with open arms. She couldn't imagine what he'd do if he heard her story.
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Bulma awoke the next morning feeling better than she had in years, aside from a dull sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach; Vegeta's doing, of course. But today wasn't for him. Obviously he wasn't ready to speak with her, and she didn't blame him. She was lucky yesterday getting him to say as much as he did.
She yawned deeply, then swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. She glanced at the clock on the wall; 7:36 AM. "Wow, its early," she sighed, dragging her body out of the guestroom and downstairs.
"Good morning Bulma. Did you sleep well?" Mrs. Ouji asked when she entered the kitchen, rubbing her eyes.
"Yes, very well." She yawned again, then took a seat at the table across from Taisho and Midori. "Good morning Taisho, Midori," she said, giving them a sleepy smile. Outwardly she was the picture of calmness, but inside she soul was screaming; she was home, finally, and surrounded by people she's loved since childhood, with the obvious exception of Midori, though no one could deny the little fireball's charm.
"Morning," Taisho mumbled around a mouthful of cereal.
"Good morning!" Midori all but yelled in her high-pitched voice. Bulma gave her a strange look, then smiled nonetheless.
"Tai, where is Vegeta? He's going to be late to practice, again," his mother groaned, placing her hands on her hips.
"Last time I knew he was still in bed. He was out again last night."
"Again! That boy has got to stop this! Where does he go at night?"
"I don't know. Somewhere in the East 550 area," he said, taking a swig of orange juice. "I heard him tell Goku that he goes there to 'think'." He rolled his eyes. He couldn't go one morning without hearing his mother yell about Vegeta.
"East 550! That's a half hour away!" Mrs. Ouji shouted, slamming the wooden spoon she'd been holding on the stove. "Go get him up! Right now!"
"Mom! Ayano is going be here any minute! I don't have time to waste on Vegeta!" he whined, standing up and sending his chair to the floor. He would not let Vegeta ruin today for him.
"I'll get him up," Bulma jumped in, not wanting the family dispute to continue.
"Would you?" Mrs. Ouji's voice was back to its usual sweet tone, a smile on her face. Bulma stared at her for a split second, a shudder running through her. The change had been so fluid, so unlike the old Mrs. Ouji, the one from four years ago. Vegeta must have really done some damage in that short time.
"Sure. Its no trouble at all," she said, grabbing an apple and heading up to Vegeta's room. She knocked quietly on his door upon reaching it. Nothing. She leaned her ear to it, listening to the light snoring of her old friend. "Vegeta," she whispered, poking her head in his room. He didn't stir. "Vegeta." She was louder this time, causing his eyes to snap open, and him to growl in annoyance.
"What woman?" he hissed, not looking at her. Bulma heart sank momentarily; she knew it would probably take some time, but it seemed he was punishing her double for something she had no recollection of doing.
"Your aunt said you need to get up," she replied, walking all the way into his room. It was much different than she remembered. Everything had been blue and white. Now nearly all his stuff was black; the walls, the carpet, his bedspread, the curtains, his furniture, even his computer. "She said you had p-p-practice," she laughed, not being able to help herself. And, who knew, maybe it would lighten the mood. She couldn't picture Vegeta on any kind of team. Teamwork wasn't his thing. "Practice for what?"
"None of your damn business," he snorted, throwing off the covers and sitting up. He was clad in only plain black boxers. "Now get out of my room."
"Hiss," she murmured, frowning at him, then walked out without another word.
"Stupid Onna," he sighed, rubbing his eyes and looking at the clock. "Its too damn early." He stood up and grabbed the phone beside his bed.
"Hello?" came the cheerful voice of Goku at the other end of the line.
"Uh, calm down Kakarot. Its just a phone call," Vegeta hissed. "Come get me in twenty minutes, alright?"
"Sure. Just be ready. I'm not going to be late like last time."
Bulma walked quietly back downstairs, chewing absently on her apple, all the while replaying random moments in her mind. She was devastated that things with Vegeta had been, and were still, so sour. Taisho was understanding and welcoming, much like she expected Chi-Chi and the others would be.
She sighed deeply, stopping halfway down the stairs, and took a seat. She took a rather large and extremely unladylike bite of the apple, chewing it slowly as she thought to herself. Moments later, however, she was interrupted by a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Bulma?" Taisho said, sitting next to her, pulling her hand, and the apple, away from her mouth.
"Huh?" she mumbled, not looking up at him. He didn't need to be a rocket scientist to know something was troubling her. And more to the point, it was about Vegeta. She was struggling with the past and present, trying desperately to make them fit on top of each other perfectly, and having no luck.
"What's wrong?" He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, hugging her to him. She obliged his affection, resting her head on his chest. After several moments of silence, he cleared his throat and said, "Is it Vegeta?" She stiffened slightly, then relaxed and sighed deeply. How could she think she ever had a chance keeping something from Taisho?
"Yeah…" she admitted.
"What happened?"
"That's just the thing," she nearly shouted, standing back up and throwing her arms in the air, her half-eaten apple slipping from her grasp and bouncing down the stairs. They both ignored it though, concentrating on the situation at hand. "I came back and he doesn't even care!" Taisho sighed inwardly, but what did she expect? "Yes, I know, I should have visited before now, I should have kept writing, but no one would understand why I didn't. And even if I tried to explain it, I don't think I could get through it all. It's too…Nevermind. It's boring. The point is that I thought I really had a good friendship with Vegeta. I wrote most of my letters to him, and now, when I'm finally back, he acts like I don't care. How can I make him see?"
"Bulma, calm down," he urged, grabbing her upper arms and forcing her gently to sit still. "You have to remember who we're talking about here. Vegeta. When does he let his emotions show through?" She nodded half-heartedly, trying to free herself from his grasp. "Well doesn't that tell you why he's acting so…" He paused a moment, trying to find the right word. "…distant? It's in his nature to be a jackass. No matter who the person is."
"Yeah…I know. Of course you're right, it's just, I don't know. I guess I figured once I got here things might be different. I feared coming back for so long, and now that I'm here my worst fears are being realized."
"Come on B," Taisho said with reassurance. "You know Vegeta. He hides everything. He missed you, there's no doubt about that. He just needs some time to let his anger run its course. He'll come around, you'll be." Bulma gave him a weak smile, then stood, reaching her hand out to her long time friend. He took it without hesitation, and she led him back downstairs.
"Taisho!" Mrs. Ouji yelled from the kitchen, just as he and Bulma walked in.
"Yes mom?" he asked, wincing at the volume of her voice.
"Ayano's here. She's waiting in the living room." She turned back to the dishwasher she'd been loading, and added, "She brought Taki and Kishi with her."
"Alright. Thanks mom," he said, grabbing a couple of grapes from the fruit bowl and popping them into his mouth. "Come with me B, I want you to meet Ayano and Taki."
"Who are they?"
"Ayano is my girlfriend. She moved to town last year…And Taki is Kishi's boyfriend, and Ayano's brother." Bulma nodded in agreement with his first statement to her, following him into the living room. Once there, Taisho immediately went to his girlfriend, kissing her gingerly on the cheek. Bulma went unnoticed for the first few moments, until Taki noticed her, gasping and gaining everyone's attention.
"B-B-Bulma Briefs!" he stuttered, eyes wide in shock.
"Bulma!" Kishi squealed, running over and embracing her old friend in her arms. When Bulma wasn't hanging out with Chi-Chi, Goku, and the others, she was with Taisho and Kishi. Towards the end of her last year in Satan City the groups started to blend together, though it was clear that she was the only one holding that bond together. "I'm so happy for you! I always knew you'd be something great!" she added, before finally releasing the still startled girl.
"Oh, thank you Kishi," she finally replied happily. "How have you been?"
"Oh fine, you know. Boring as hell around here without you…Hey! Wait a second! What are you doing back in town anyway?"
"Oh, my dad let me come after I complained about being overloaded with work." Another white lie. But they would never understand, she reasoned.
"Excuse me," Ayano jumped in, everyone's attention turning to her. "Why the hell is Bulma Briefs, a famous movie star, in your house?" Her attention was now aimed towards Taisho.
"She's an old friend," both Taisho and Kishi replied, half-nervously. Ayano could have quite the temper, which was ironic coming from such a tiny person.
"Bulma Briefs is an old friend?" she asked suspiciously, raising a questioning eyebrow at her boyfriend. He nodded nervously, ringing his hands. "Why didn't you tell me!?" she cheered happily, a wide grin reaching across her face. "She's my favorite actress! Kami!" She then turned to Bulma, smiling ear to ear. "I loved you in Playing Murder. I mean, I know you didn't star in it, but oh Kami! You were my favorite character. Was that your first movie?" She almost didn't take a breath the entire time.
"Whoa, Ayano," Taisho said, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her back to his chest. "Give her some room to breath."
"Oh its fine," Bulma insisted, taking a seat in the only empty chair, across from everyone else. "I'm used to it. Its no big deal." She wrinkled her nose in annoyance at herself, for sounding so arrogant, then bit her lower lip. "Yes, that was my first movie," she finally replied, turning to Ayano.
"Oh kuso!" Kishi swore, startling Bulma, who knew Kishi to be extremely religious and shunned swearing.
"Things must have changed more than I thought," Bulma thought sadly.
"We're going to be late!"
"Where are you all going?" Bulma asked, curious to see what people around there did for fun now and days.
"The water park a few towns over…It just opened last weekend," Taisho answered for everyone, scratching the back of his neck nervously. He felt bad for not inviting Bulma. But she had just showed up unannounced, and how do you ask a famous movie star to come out in public with you without looking selfish?
"Oh! Bulma! You should come with us," Kishi chimed in, jumping and grabbing her friend's arm, pulling her to her feet. "It'll be so much fun. And we can catch up on everything we missed over the years."
"Sure…If its ok with everyone else, that is." Everyone nodded in agreement with Kishi, and Bulma turned and ran for the staircase. "I'll be right down," she called back to them. "I just need to get my suit and stuff." Once alone on the stairs she let out a huge sigh and smiled wide. She couldn't believe how welcoming they all were. She didn't feel uncomfortable in the least.
She was so busy in her own world, that she didn't see Vegeta heading towards her. So, naturally, she was surprised when they collided. "Watch it!" he hissed, stepping back.
"Sorry your highness," she retorted, sticking her nose in his face. He huffed in irritation, pushing by her and stomping down the stairs. Bulma let out a soft moan when he was gone. "Just great," she sighed. "Push him further away. Nice going Bulma."
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"Finally we're here," Kishi sighed, unbuckling her seatbelt and checking her make-up in the mirror.
"Tell me about it," Ayano, who'd calmed down about being around Bulma, added. "Next time we need to pick some place a little closer."
Bulma yawned and opened her eyes at the feeling of the van stopping. "We're here already?" she asked, yawning again. Her hair was a tangled mess of blue curls, a thin line of drool visible coming from the corner of her mouth.
"Already?" Kishi baulked, turning around from the front seat to Bulma, who was sprawled out in the back. "We've been driving for nearly three hours." She then smiled and tried to hold back her laughter, along with everyone else, who all ended up failing, leaving the young actress dumbfounded.
"What? What's so funny?" she asked, looking around to see what they could possibly be laughing at.
"Oh Bulma. Your hair," Ayano laughed, almost to the point of tears, handing her a pocket mirror. She took it, checking her unruly hair, and smiled.
"Oh well. I'm not looking to impress any guys today…Does anyone have a hair tie?" Kishi dug into her pocket, pulling out a thin black rubber hair band, and tossed it to Bulma. "Thanks." She quickly smoothed her hair with her hands, not caring if she left bumps and strands sticking out, and pulled it into a very messy ponytail. She then checked her appearance once more with the little mirror, smiled, and tossed it back to Kishi.
"Bulma, I don't mean to be rude…but you look so-"
"Normal." She cut of Ayano, and grabbed her bag from behind her seat. "I don't get all glammed up all the time you know. Cameras just never catch me like this…Are we going in or not?" She had her bag on her lap, ready to get out at any moment. The heat of late morning was beginning to bake the inside of the van.
"Yeah! I'm getting bored," Taki whined, speaking up for the first time since they got there.
"Me too," Taisho said, getting out of the van and coming around to the back to unload everything.
"Ok, ok," Kishi sighed, looking over at Taki. "You guys are so pushy." He just rolled his eyes, then hopped out of the van and joined Taisho in the back.
"How much stuff do you girls think you need?" he called, lugging the bags around to the side. "Bulma's the only one who packed sensibly." He pointed to her single backpack. "She packed lighter than me!" The two girls laughed sarcastically, then piled out of the car, Bulma being last, swinging her backpack on her shoulders.
Once they were finally in the park the girls and guys went their separate ways to get changed into their swimming suits. Bulma, surprisingly, only got a few stares and whispers behind her back. People saying 'Oh Kami, is that Bulma Briefs?' or 'Wow, she looks JUST like Bulma Briefs', and things of that nature. Nothing compared to her usual hounding in Watanabe City.
"You girls almost ready!" Bulma called from outside their stalls, which were side by side. She'd been ready for almost ten minutes now, and was trying to wait patiently for them.
"Yes! Sheesh!" Ayano playfully hissed, pulling open the door, and frowned at her new friend. "Oh come on Bulma. At least have your t-shirt off. Show a little skin." She motioned towards her bathing suit, a simple blue bikini with a transparent blue wrap around her waist, and matching flip-flops. Kishi emerged a few seconds later, wearing an almost identical outfit, being purple instead of blue.
"Jeans and a ratty old t-shirt?" Kishi questioned, tugging at her shirt. "Bulma Briefs, you'll never change out of your tomboy-ish ways. Come on! Lets see that body of yours! I know it's under there somewhere."
Bulma sighed heavily and pealed off her loose plain red t-shirt, revealing the top of her black bikini. Then looking up at Kishi disapproving glare, she took off her jeans as well, wrapping her huge beach towel around her waist. "I don't see why I need to impress anyone," she complained, stuffing her clothes into her bag, and her bag in the locker she'd rented for the day. "I hate walking around half naked."
"Well, if you're not going to where make-up or do your hair," she paused, not sure of how to finish her statement. "Just be a girl for the day. I know you can. Don't think I haven't seen your picture plastered all over town!"
"That's different!" Bulma insisted, as they walked out of the changing room to meet with the guys. "That's my job!"
"What are you girls bickering about now?" Taisho sighed, grabbing Ayano around the waist and kissing her lovingly on the cheek.
"They want me to be a Barbie doll."
"No!" Taisho winced at his girlfriend's loud tone, and tilted his head to the side. "All we were saying was she doesn't need to dress so…so…boyish all the time."
"I'm comfortable! That's all the matters."
"Hey!" yelled a deep voice from behind the group of teenagers. "Do I need to throw you kids out?" A very good-looking man with dark brown hair and matching brown eyes wearing a nametag and a shirt with the water park's logo came over to them, hands on his hips.
"No," Kishi answered, cuddling up to Taisho for "protection."
"Sorry sir. It won't happen again," Bulma said, though immediately regretted opening her mouth.
"Bulma Briefs?" he gasped, eyes nearly bugging out of his skull.
"Oh, here we go again," Ayano growled. "How many times are people going to mistaken you for that talent-less slut?"
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," the man whispered, then walked away without a second glance back.
"Thanks Ayano," Bulma said, smiling widely.
"No problem…Oh, and sorry about the talent-less slut thing. I really do think you're a wonderful actress…And not a slut!"
"Its fine," she laughed. "I thought it was rather amusing actually."
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Chi-Chi snuggled up to Goku's chest and let out a quiet sigh. Krillin and 18 were cuddled on the other side of the couch, and Vegeta was sitting in a chair across from them all, staring at the far wall. They had all just got back from the movies, and were waiting for their pizzas to arrive. "Wow, Bulma's such a great actress," Chi-Chi finally said, looking up at Goku, who nodded in agreement. They'd all agreed that the movie wasn't the best they'd seen, but that Bulma was great at her job. With the except of Vegeta, of course. She was a horrible actress, as he'd said. "I miss her."
"Me too," 18 sighed.
"Why do you guys care about that stupid wench anyway?" Vegeta chimed in angrily. "She left and hasn't visited once since. She's not thinking about you guys, so why think about her?"
"She's been busy!" Chi-Chi insisted, glaring at her boyfriend's cold best friend.
"Ha! You're all no bodies to her. I bet she doesn't even remember you."
"You better can it Vegeta!" 18 warned, balling her fist.
"Whatever," he grunted. Then dug in his coat pocket for his cell phone, which was ringing. "Hello?…Yeah, what do you want?…No, I'm at Kakarot's. I'm busy…I don't care what you want…No! Stay there! I'm in no mood for you…Again, I don't care…No!…Hey!…Don't-" And the phone went dead. "Stupid wench," he grunted, shoving the phone back in his pocket.
"Who was that?" Goku asked curiously.
"No one."
"Right, you were just yelling at no one."
"Exactly."
"Come on. Who was it?"
"Well you'll all find out in a few minutes. Damn wench. I'm leaving." With that he got up and trudged towards the door, only to stop when there was a knock coming from the other side. "Kuso!" he swore, backing up.
"Vegeta!" Chi-Chi yelled, standing and confronting him by the door. "Did you have another fling, then ditch the poor girl!"
"Of course, I do that all the time," he said with a cocky grin.
"Oh, poor thing." She pouted, slapped Vegeta on the head, then opened the door to comfort whoever the most recent ex of his was. She'd been doing that ever since he started doing that to the girls in their school. Since she spent so much time with Vegeta on account of Goku, she felt it was the only right thing to do. She didn't want people thinking she hung around him because she wanted to, though lately she'd been wondering if maybe they were friends now. Ever since that day last year the thought had been in the back of her mind. "I'm so sorry for what he did. He's such a jer—Bulma!" She nearly fell back in shock, gaining everyone's attention at the mention of their old friend's name.
"Chi!" The two girls magnetized towards one another, soon to be embraced by Goku, 18, and Krillin as well. "I've missed you guys so much!"
"Oh Kami B! What are you doing here!"
"I finally got a break and you were the first people who came to mind." She was half-lying, of course. She'd had several long breaks before, but didn't come see them. She'd had a lot on her plate then though. Now was the first time she'd been able to do anything outside the city without, well, without certain restraints. But she didn't want to get into that long story. Not just yet.
"Oh! We have so much to catch up on!" Bulma simply nodded, then turned towards Vegeta, who was trying to sneak out unnoticed.
"Vegeta," Bulma growled, grabbing his shirt collar and pulling him towards the group. "What was the big idea over the phone?" He shrugged her arm off, and sighed angrily. He was in no mood to deal with Chi-Chi and her out of control temper, especially when directed towards him. But then again, it usually was.
He rolled his eyes and stepped back into the house.
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---Chapter 2! Ok, so I think I'm really getting back into this. It's not as good as I would like, but it's too much of a hassle to revise the entire thing. I've made a lot of little changes though, and plan to take the fic in a totally different direction than I originally had in mind.
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!! (ReviewsMore Chapters)
Next time: Bulma and the gang catch up on things, but is she really accepted so easily?
Note: Don't think Bulma's a moron for trying to act like nothing happened, especially with Vegeta. She just wants so badly for things to be like they were. That makes sense, right?