Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ.

The Perfect Flaw

Chapter XIX

Idiot, Vegeta scolded himself. You really are a fool. Sighing, the Prince lay his head back, thoughtful.

Now that he sat here in silence, the fugitive laying just feet away— unconscious— he wondered just what the hell had been running through his head. Just what had happened? What had caused him to . . .?

Had he not be furious with her when he spun her around, had not the intention of brutal murder been etched in his mind?

Oh, it had, for he could recall his emotions clearly. The anger still felt fresh, like a stubborn flame refusing to die down completely. But it was also mixed with the current anger, the anger for himself, for this confusion and frustration. He just didn't understand what had happened! Yes, he'd admit it just like he had before, she was an attractive alien. But had he really allowed his lust to go so far? Far enough to actually lock lips with the creature? Last he had done something like that— it'd been one moon ago, when he'd experimented with the servant girl. Perhaps he was just going through another phase? Like he had back then?

Vegeta sighed again, closed his eyes as a shameful confession crossed his mind: in fact, if Bulma hadn't fainted, who knows what they'd be doing right now. A strange heat burned his cheeks as an alien image flickered against his eyelids; he let out a soft growl. Idiot! You're just lucky that didn't happen! You know the possible consequences of that!

On Vegeta, it was forbidden to make sexual contact with a foreigner or slave. Well, okay,not forbidden— just— scolded, disgraceful. That's why his father had kept the whole 'ordeal' 'secret', hidden away from media and public knowledge. However, it depended on the type of slave. If the slave's sole purpose in life was that of a concubine, then it was considered acceptable, for the females would have already been accurately neutered— thus preventing the accidental impregnation of one. But any other slave, a builder, a science worker— to have relations with them, it was looked upon as a display of poor judgment and character.

Ergo, what would he have done had he actually gone that far? How could he have been so stupid as to jeopardize his honor? To do— that? With a slave?

Vegeta's eyes shifted to where Bulma lay. She was breathing soundly, her lips parted ever so slightly, her cheeks pink from the fire's warmth. She looked so— innocent. Who would have known such an attractive, angelic looking creature could be so much trouble? Already he felt two moons older, just having been in her company. She was loud, obnoxious, impertinent . . .

Vegeta growled as the anger once again flared.

. . . and a dead fool!

How dare she!— Vegeta looked down at his clenched fists---how dare she make a fool out of him! How dare she think him so low, that she goes and tries to run off with his Radar! That insolent, overbearing, stubborn, ignorant— . . . .

"Vegeta . . ."

The Saiyan froze. All thought vanished as his eyes darted back to the blue haired human.

"Vegeta . . ." she mumbled again. She was still slumbering, Vegeta noted, but no longer peacefully. Her body shudderedas though chilled,grewstiff, while herknucklesturned a deathlywhite.Eyes clenched, a tear glided down her cheek. " . . . please . . . don't . . ."

She's dreaming about me?

Vegeta scowled, turned away once more. Feh. What did he care? It didn't make any difference if he had let his lust take control for but a moment, she was still just a slave. A doomed slave. Vegeta didn't doubt for a second that the girl would become an example to the empire, an example of what could happen to someone if treason were to even cross their mind. Her death would be gruesome and torturous, he knew. Arms blown from their sockets, flesh singed away from her slender fingers. Yes, gruesome indeed.

Well, there were just two more Dragon Balls to find anyway, so no need stressing over the tiny incident.

Stressing, who's stressing?

But now, Vegeta gave up. He'd admit that he had underestimated the fugitive, a second time. But not again. From now on, he was going to keep an even closer eye on her—

and on himself.

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Waking up the next morning was like waking up in flames.

Her lids cracked opened ever so slightly, and still the sunlight sliced through them, causing knots of pain to spread just above her brow like lava. Bulma groaned, lolled her head from side to side. For a moment she wasn't sure exactly where she was; the pain was presently too preoccupying. Then a cool shadow fell over her, as a guttural voice spilled into her mind: "Well, what do you know? The human's finally awake."

And suddenly it hit her. Like lightning she bolted upright, looking up into the cold ebony eyes which alone put a winter chill into the thick, heated air. "Wha–- where— what happened—?" She could have sworn that just seconds ago millions of stars had spattered the black sky, and that they'd been— . . .

"You fainted," said Vegeta, bluntly. He turned and began walking in the opposite direction.

"Oh."

Well this was . . . awkward. First of all, he said it as if her fainting was no big deal. Which it was! She couldn't even remember doing so.

But she could remember before that. The kiss.

Subconsciously Bulma brushed her fingers against her tingling lips. Had that really happened, or had it been just a dream? A part of her mind told her it had been all in her head, which made sense because why would Vegeta have even thought about doing something like that; but then the other part, unfortunately the one that made more sense, argued, askingwhy elseshe would have fainted?

She reluctantly gave in to the second logic.

Second of all, how! How in the hell hadhis furyresulted in them kissing, and why was he acting like nothing had ever happened? Wouldthings be different now? Should they be? Should she just ignore it, too? And pretend it never happened?

Could she?

The freshrecollection crept into her mind. She remembered the feeling of his lips as they'd ravaged hers, the warmth, the butterflies that'd fluttered in her stomach. It was just . . . inconceivable. She couldn't believe it. She had kissed— not to mention her first kiss— the Saiyan Prince. A lethal murderer. The strongest being in the universe next to Frieza. It was strange. A part of her felt disgusted, while another part of her felt . . . special.

While another part felt . . .

Third . . .

"What the hell did you do to me!" hollered Bulma, confusion melting into anger.

Vegeta turned, bewildered. "What did I do to you?"

"Yeah! I was unconscious, wasn't I!" She wrapped her arms about her form. "What did you do to me while I was defenseless, hmmm?"

Vegeta scowled. "You're the most conceited slave I've ever met," he said. "I didn't do a damn thing to you, and nor would I want to."

Then why did you kiss me?

Luckily Bulma caught herself before saying this. She had no desire to make him too angry, as she was sure this statement would do so. She had enough problems at the moment: she was tired, the confusion was beginning to give her a headache, the Radar was . . .

Bulma gasped. The Radar! She was such an idiot! God dammit! What was she going to do?

Wasn't it obvious? there was nothing she could do. She'd failed, the Radar was back in his possession . . . the universe was doomed.

"Now," the Prince continued, "if you're done spewing asinine accusations, then it's time to go."

Sulking, Bulma nodded. Guess the case was closed then. He was putting it behind them after all; hadn't even mentioned it.

Just when she was about to comply, Vegeta whirled on her, his eyes flashing and his teeth bared. "And if you even think about trying to escape with the Radar again, or even escaping for that matter, I swear I will take your impending death into my own hands. Understand?"

Again, the girl nodded, eyes wide. Vegeta relaxed slightly. "Good. Now, let's go."

As Bulma coiled her arms securely around Vegeta neck in preparation for takeoff, she acknowledged a strange, unfamiliar emotion that seemed to momentarily stray into her. One that hadn't been there before.

It was almost like . . . an itch to kiss him again . . .

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A/N: Sorry for the wait (and I know it was short); I've been really busy with school and track and piano. You can check my bio anytime for updates, I'll say whether or not I'm working on it, whether or not I've started on it, and whether or not I'm even continuing the story or just putting it on hold. So yeah . . .

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