Bulma strode down the hollow halls of her palace, listening absently to the clinking of her heels as they struck the marble floor. Only an hour ago she had watched Goku leave and now the others were asleep. Goku had remained long enough to tell everyone the story, and then had left quickly, wasting no more time. ChiChi had been the only prominent thing on his mind, and Bulma couldn't blame him. She knew their kind of love.
She sensed him nearby, but her abilities seemed clouded by a feeling of uncertainty. It was almost as if her mind was dismissing his presence as real. However, when she turned the bend, there he was. She paused for a moment and stared at the man in the shadows. It had been too long.
Vegeta stood in a corner, outlined by the gleam of Remina's three moons. Their beams of light penetrated through a nearby porthole and gave him a glowing appearance. Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, face stoic, Vegeta seemed to be a silent predator. Bulma smiled and stepped forward, allowing no feelings of intimidation to enter her mind.
"What are you doing, hiding back here?" Vegeta smirked in reply and uncrossed his arms. This seemed a welcome sign for Bulma who quickly came to him. He embraced her gingerly and ran his fingertips through her hair.
"Waiting for someone," he answered. Bringing his lips down to the base of her neck, right where her body suit cut off, he moved his mouth softly over her delicate skin. Bulma trembled as he found his way slowly to her cheek.
As the fire spread from collarbone to chin, her eyes filled with lust. Pulling herself closer to him, she awaited the presence of his lips on her own. It did not take long. Urgent cravings released themselves and the lovers interlocked. Frantically, she ran her hands through his hair, down his neck, over his back, the feel of him igniting her want. He held her waist tightly against his own, fingers grasping for the skin they longed to feel. Vegeta growled at the confinement her outfit placed upon her body. Gripping the neck, however, he could find no zipper or opening.
"How do I get the damn thing off?" Bulma laughed lightly and reached behind her neck. As her fingers reached for the place that would allow her to undress, something halted their endeavors.
Foot steps.
Bulma's head jerked around toward the hall, her eyes ablaze in anger. She growled in the moonlight and for a moment, Vegeta could have sworn she resembled Chimera. Then she looked back to him unhappily.
"We have an intruder." Vegeta nodded his understanding, for he too could now feel the alien ki. Bulma sighed and looked down.
"Why did I even think I'd have a chance…" With that she turned and took off, Vegeta at her heels.
****
The first time she saw Bulma, her heart skipped a beat. How she had changed since their first acquaintance on the Eckosphere. Life since then had so dramatically altered, that this static being coming before her seemed unreal. Yet there was the glorious creature of perfection that Galvan had so dearly desired. Saliya wanted to hate her.
The dark being Saliya had seen seated beside Galvan during the "bonding ritual" followed Bulma. His handsome appearance radiated intimidation, but Saliya could also see his own perfection clearly presented on the exterior. So, he was Bulma's mate. That did not surprise her. His appearance seemed to naturally meld with Bulma's own, the factors of strength and independence radiating from the two. Ironic, two perfect beings made the perfect couple. It was so obvious.
She could never tell Galvan.
****
Bulma's eyes widened at the sight of Saliya. Immediately her memories ignited, sending her vivid images of that dreadful day. Saliya's face awaking everything that she had striven for two years to hide.
However, now Bulma felt no pain at the memories, realizing that all had been resolved. She remembered Saliya's personality, and couldn't help but smile.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, halting a few feet in front of the Effian girl.
"Hello, Bulma," Saliya replied, returning her smile with an uneasy grin. "How are you?"
"Better now."
"I'm happy," she said, smiling widely to reveal her straight, white teeth. "You'll never know just how happy I am."
"Why are you here?" Bulma asked again. Saliya sighed and looked down. Now it was time to play her role. As for the time being she knew why she was here, that had long been figured out. However, now with Bulma in front of her…
Saliya took a deep breath and committed the ultimate treason.
"I need your help." Bulma frowned and lifted a delicate eyebrow, allowing her concern to filter through.
"What's wrong?" Saliya clenched her fists and brought forth the feelings.
"Please, grant me sanctuary!" She pleaded loudly. "Give me a place to stay, I beg of you!" Her tears ran down as she forced herself to remember every time Galvan had hurt her, raped her, forgotten her. Her sobs overwhelmed her so greatly she fell to her knees. With this came the realization of how much she wanted Galvan, and that added even more tears to her plight.
Bulma was instantly on the floor at her side, arms embracing her with surprising tenderness. Saliya felt their warmth and gave herself up to the pain she had felt for so long. Relinquishing her emotions, Saliya played her game.
"Of course," Bulma whispered. "Of course you can stay here. What happened to you? What did Galvan do?" Saliya wanted to smile, for at least now she could be truthful. Ignoring the dark Saiyan who stood above her menacingly, Saliya told her tale. All along, she could sense the man's disbelief, but that did not matter, for she could also feel Bulma's trust.
When it was all out, every last rejection, every single scratch to her person, Saliya calmed herself down. However, Bulma's anger was visible to the point of striking fear. As she had listened to Galvan's multifarious faults, remembering what he had done to her as well, Bulma's rage had built.
The maledictions of Galvan caused her ki to flare slowly, but steadily. Up, up, up, ascending into oblivion. It was only after she reached the strength approximately that of a Super Saiyan that Vegeta realized what could happen.
"Bulma!" He cried, rushing to her. She was still holding a withered Saliya, whose eyes were wide in surprised.
Bulma looked to him enraged and then, at the sight of his face, realized what she had been doing. Sighing and closing her blue eyes, she calmed her ki.
After a moment, when all her anger had dissipated as far as it could, Bulma gathered a breath.
"Vegeta," she began. "I almost went into the Blood Rage. When we fight Galvan, I'm sure I'll do it. Promise me that you won't let me lose my mind." Vegeta's eyes widened.
"Woman, you aren't going to lose your mind again!" He commanded. "It was hard enough to get you back the last time!"
Saliya closed her eyes in relief and fell to the floor. In her guise of fainting, she contemplated Bulma's "blood rage" and wondered if it could kill her beloved Galvan.
****
Sorry it's late… very busy over here! Will write more later!
HA: You know what I want!
Much luv to everyone and thank you for your patience! That is all
~JZero