Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty – Prince Vegeta's Struggles with "Friendship"

Written by: Feraligreater328

Overseen by: StevenBodner and SparkerLightning

Chapter 8: Appreciating Nature

Kumagoon National Park...

Vegeta groaned and grumbled as he walked along behind the rest of the group. Here he was, in a nature park of all places, because Bulma dragged him along on a "family outing". He stared ahead with disdain, wishing he was training and not listening to the bespoke toaster over and his raven-haired assistant prattle on.

Android 17 was beaming with pride, wearing a crisp new long-sleeve sweatshirt and an orange park ranger band. 16 was wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt with the word "LARGE" printed on the chest. Behind them was Android 18 and Krillin, both politely listening. They had been planning a wedding for the past few months and appreciated the respite from that. Behind those two was Bulma, tightly gripping Trunks' baby leash and allowing him to fuss around with nature, at least to the extent 17 requested she would.

And finally, at the rear, there was sour-faced Vegeta and the one thing on this trip that seemed to spark something other than dull disinterest. Bulla gooed and gahed as she waved her arms about, motioning to butterflies or birds or brightly colored things on the ground. She was having fun, but was not at all fussy. She serenely sat in her father's arms, occassionally reaching out and babbling as if to tell him something and other times pressing her whole self against his chest. Her father was warm and it was kind of chilly in this mountainous nature preserve.

Unconsciously, and he'd never admit to it even if he noticed himself, Vegeta's face softened when near her. His baby girl. His Princess of All Saiyans. He had fallen in love for the third time the first day he saw her chubby little face and her crystalline blue hair. And she had fallen in love right back. Not that she didn't enjoy the company of her mother. Or her various aunts and uncles (she preferred that green fellow, he gave off a really nice feeling when he held her). But, something about her Dad made baby Bulla feel safe. Loved completely and unconditionally and unendingly.

She motioned to a squirrel on the ground and Vegeta knelt down with her. He had adjusted his ki to send off a feeling of passive engagement, so that the squirrel wouldn't be spooked and run off. Bulla reached out and gently patted her hand onto the squirrel's head. She brought it down the fragile little creature's back and gently grasped its tail. Almost on instinct, Vegeta mumbled. "Careful. You're really strong, daughter. Don't want to kill it..."

And, seemingly understanding, Bulla obeyed. The two of them, father and daughter, were both totally absorbed in their interactions with the squirrel that neither noticed the party outpacing them. Everyone else briefly stopped and 16 and 17 seemed willing to wait, but Bulma waved them along. She knew how her husband and daughter could be and didn't want to keep everyone standing around for too long. Vegeta could sense her, Krillin, and Trunks when he needed to catch up.

And so the others marched along, all except one who chose to hang behind. Android 18 stood there, watching Vegeta's gentle interactions with his child...and her heart softened on him just a bit.