Author's note: Thank you for the reviews and answers to the last chapter. :-)
Hope you enjoy this next one.
Chichi stood in the shade of one of the tall fruit trees on their spacious land. The gentle breeze softly lifted at the ends of her wet tresses as she raised up her gaze, discovering that she had sought refuge under one of their apple trees. She had finally managed to catch her breath.
Her face was still red, although a few shades lighter than before.
Softly the tips of her fingers went to her lips as she recalled the embarrassing incident that had just taken place and how Vegeta's eyes had seemingly stayed locked on her mouth.
Am I imagining things or could it be that it looked like he wanted to...
The princess's face turned tomato red again at the thought that she couldn't seem to finish.
Wanted to kiss you? Mocked darkly the inner bullying voice that had been troubling her.
As if!
You're just imagining things. Vegeta was half-awake anyway.
Probably didn't know what he was staring at.
As if he'd consider such an ugly ghoul as you. He's way out of your league.
Slowly, Chichi's face turned back to it's normal milky white complexion as she considered and accepted the dark thoughts.
Gradually she lowered herself down to the ground and sat underneath the tree, frowning.
How awful! I basically hit a handicapped man. How terrible of me! And to think after he had just woken up from such a nightmare. I need to make things right with him.
"I'll just wait for this embarrassment to die off a bit more first." Chichi sighed to herself.
.
.
.
A couple of days had past and the shame that had filled Chichi had at last subsided a great deal. Good enough so that at last she could think about what had happened without blushing.
She had been brushing her hair in the early hours of the morning after showering and getting dressed when she had received a knock on the door, just as she was practicing in her mind her apology to Vegeta.
"Come in," Chichi answered to whoever was knocking.
The door slowly opened, revealing one of the butlers. The tall thin man bowed to her, fidgeting nervously.
"Go-od m-morning, Princess Chichi." Stammered the man and he pulled out a folded paper from his pocket. "The phone rang for you while you slept. H-here's a-a-a n-note. A message for you, Miss."
After the butler had quickly finished speaking he speedily walked over and placed the folded paper onto her lap and then practically ran out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Stunned, Chichi blinked a few times before giggling.
"He must be new. Never seen him before. Makes sense that he's nervous."
She reached down and grabbed the paper on her lap.
A message from who, I wonder?
Her eyes quickly skimmed the brief note and a smile spread on her face as she read.
They found it!
"They found the flower!" Chichi happily sang, clutching the note to her chest in glee.
.
.
.
Vegeta's narrowed eyes watched the door slowly being opened as he laid in bed.
It better not be another stupid nurse wanting to brush my hair. He thought in annoyance.
To his relief and shock, it wasn't.
It was the person he had least expected to see.
It's her. He thought stunned.
After what happened between them during their close proximity with each other a few days ago he had almost altogether written off seeing her again.
He had behaved in a way one shouldn't to a princess. For all he knew she was betrothed to someone.
Not that he cared, but he knew a princess had a reputation to hold. Perhaps her heart was taken.
Perhaps he had frightened her...
Chichi stood at the door with a smile and a healthy glow radiating from her, thanks to the good news she had.
"Morning." Said the Princess walking in. "I have terrific news to share, Vegeta."
Chichi shut the door behind her and that's when the memories of two days ago came rushing back.
A bit of pink colored her face for a second.
She turned around and solemnly faced the prince.
"But first, I must apologize to you, Prince Vegeta," Chichi said while bending forward towards him, giving him a bow worthy for a prince.
Vegeta stared wide-eyed at her in disbelief at what he was seeing and hearing. He wasn't used to being honored as a prince by anyone other than from Nappa and Raditz or someone begging him to spare their life.
"I am so sorry for my actions the other day. I wasn't thinking clearly and assumed the worst. I ask you for your forgiveness."
A twinge of red covered the bridge of Vegeta's nose and he snarled while quickly looking away from her.
He mostly needed forgiveness. Not her. And she was apologizing? This woman was making no sense.
"Oh, never mind it, woman!" He loudly snapped, visibly flustered and avoiding her eyes. "Just share the news you have with me."
Chichi took that as an apology accepted and raised herself up from her bow with a grateful grin.
"They found your flower!" She cried out joyfully.
Vegeta's eyes grew large at that.
Did he hear that right?
"WHAT?!"
Chichi laughed in delight.
"I know!" She laughed. "I almost can't believe it myself."
She gave a happy twirl and then walked over to Vegeta's bed and sat down beside his feet on the mattress.
"They should be here either tonight or in the morning. They're arriving by helicopter. They had to make quite a trip to get it." She smiled.
But it's worth every zeni that I'll give them. Thought Chichi.
The Saiyan could feel the heavy burden that had been weighing him down in his heart about his condition suddenly melt and fall off. Soon he would be back to being able to move again. Then he would make his way back into space if he could manage to find a way.
A melodic chirp got the princess's attention and she turned her head to the window and at the same time Vegeta also did. The two both seen a small red bird on the window sill singing as if for them for a few seconds before flying away out of the opened window.
A thought occurred to Chichi.
"Hey, how would you like to see outside?" The young woman offered Vegeta. "You've been all cooped up inside here ever since you first got here."
He thought about it for a little and the idea pleased him. Fresh air might do him some good. Sounded far more entertaining to him than to keep staring at the walls.
"Yeah, why not?" He replied to her with a grunt.
.
.
.
Vegeta's eyes flinched at the brightness of the day as he used his tail to steer the red capsule corp electric wheelchair he was in out of one of the castle's back doors. His dark eyes slowly began to adjust to the sunlight and he stopped the chair from moving once he saw Chichi from behind come into view.
She had changed her clothes. Chichi was now wearing a yellow summer dress and flip-flops on her feet. A big brimmed straw hat finished off the ensemble. Everything she wore was fitting for the season and warm weather.
Chichi turned around and seen Vegeta sitting there in his wheelchair, dressed in the guest clothes he had picked out for some of the male servants to dress him in. He had on grey sweatpants and a black tank top.
All of his bandages had been removed, as the medical staff had informed the princess that they would be doing before she had changed into her dress since they were no longer needed.
Wow, his skin looks great! You can't even tell he suffered serious burns and cuts! Chichi mentally exclaimed.
Vegeta scanned their surroundings.
"So, ...this is earth." Vegeta muttered, eyes looking up at the nearest tree branches swaying in the wind.
He hated to admit it to himself, but he found it all rather peaceful so far. He wasn't used to a planet being so pleasantly bright.
"Yes, isn't it lovely?" Asked Chichi with a sigh as she marveled at the beauty of the nature around them.
The prince didn't dare to answer that, choosing to ignore the question and hoping Chichi wouldn't notice. He looked at her, recalling how she had looked with her energy level raised.
The tip of his tail briefly went to brush his cheek, remembering that she had managed to cause it to slightly sting.
Incredible. This princess had actually managed to cause me some pain. Vegeta considered in astonishment. A feat not many can say they've done.
Chichi's eyes were closed. She was soaking a bit of the sunshine and enjoying the warmth on her face when Vegeta spoke, breaking the comfortable silence between them.
"Tell me, what made you give up fighting, Chichi?"