A new journey

Mom, don't cry. Dad please, try to understand. My body… its hurting so much…

She remembered the blond curls of her mother, tickling her face. The tears wetting her cheeks. While her father gave the crowd surrounding them a look of pure disbelief, astonished to why no one was protesting to this decision his daughter had made for the sake of all of them. How could they stand that this woman was going to sacrifice herself? Did they not possess any shame? Had they no honor whatsoever? Not a man or woman even uttered the idea of resisting. Of fighting back! And all while this was something his daughter had always done, despite the odds. Despite the Saiyans terrifying power.

Bulma could remember seeing a distant sign of burning hate in his otherwise always kind eyes. She hoped he could find it in his heart to forgive them… and her. To pick up the pieces and start living again after being through this hell period.

Their base, that had been somewhat of a home for short period of time, was being left behind without looking back. Only a few remaining Earthlings dared to stare at the true heroine of Earth.
She wasn't going to be a part of this changed Earth and its renewed freedom.
Her body ached so much that she needed both of her parents to stand up.
The Saiyans would be departing soon. No, this woman, this supposed heroine, was going to stay to be become an essential part of the Saiyan Empire. That was a part of the agreement that she and the prince had made.

Bulma blinked a few tears away.

Why or how this scientist had been able to persuade the Saiyan leader was unknown to anyone, but Earth would be indebted forever to her. All were grateful for Bulma Briefs' incredible achievement.
Though she hadn't felt it being much of a victory.

And what did it all mean to two grieving parents who had to bid their only daughter goodbye?

A too quick of a goodbye. Had I been thinking clearly when I told him yes? Why did I accept his offer? Why? Fear had seeped its way in my mind and heart, blinding me…

The floating fleeting feeling her body was experiencing was short lived. Inside, there was turmoil, anger, fear. Her body squirmed to flee all the emotions she had been harboring inside.
Taking a deep breath, Bulma tried to calm down. Her hair was tickling her naked skin again. Only now she realized the fluid she had been kept in was thicker than water. She had been in one of these before, their magnificent healing tanks.

I remember so little on how getting here… I guess must've fallen unconscious… Oh, how terrible! My parents last image of me is collapsing on the ground!?

Slowly opening her eyes, she winced in pain. Her head hurt. Her blurry vision told her nothing new. It all looked the same as in her memories of when she had last awakened here. Yet back than she had a fickle hope to keep her alive. Now she didn't quite know how to feel.

Except feeling too tired to move. She closed her eyes again. Her head grateful for the relief of pressure. Trying to relax her body, she decided to not dwell on where she was any longer. However, the echo of her father's voice did not allow her mind any rest.

Why did I agree?

The image of her father scolding her and telling that now with the wish being granted, they could finally fight back and that she did not have to do this kept haunting her. Did he not indeed make a valid point?
Though she pointed out how many people they were still keeping hostage and even though they were equal in power-levels, they were not equal in power as Saiyans were still very capable of using natural Ki, something Earthlings were quite unfamiliar with, none of it could convince him of her choice.
And of course, Bulma had added silently in her mind, the Saiyan prince possessed her most prized possessions; her parents. Family. Her entire heart.
She then had simply hushed her father, embraced him tightly despite the pain in her body, and promised him she would find a way back.
She also pleaded him to be quiet about the wish, since Vegeta had threaten her that if she told anyone about the granted wish, other than her parents, he would be destroying her planet despite their deal. No Saiyan could ever know he had hissed in her ear.

In all honesty she hadn't thought about what her wish would mean for the Saiyans. It seemed, though he'd never admit it, Vegeta feared certain Saiyans would start thinking like Raditz and Kakarot.
For a moment, she pondered what could have happened to the brothers but soon her thoughts were back on her missed out options. Maybe she had been too willing, too easily accepting of his proposal…

Or maybe I'm overthinking… I don't think Earth could've had a much better outcome then the one it has been given now. Those brutes are finally going to leave and Earth will be at peace again...

I wonder if I can see my parents one more time before departing?

Darkness took over once again and her mind was forced to rest, making her body relax completely as well.
The next time she opened her eyes, she felt so much better. The water around her slowly drained and left her body trembling while the machine shut down on its own. It seemed the healing process was over. Opening the door and slowly getting out, Bulma noted she was in a different healing tank then before. It took her a minute to realize she was in the healing tank she had first seen Vegeta in. Surprised and confused, she remained in a daze, not moving until one of the doors in the room opened. Expecting the medic lady from before, she instead was greeted by the sight of none other than the prince himself.

Blushing scarlet, she held her hands before her in a futile attempt to shield it from his eyes. He was alone and seemed to be in a perfectly healthy condition, unlike last time she had seen him.
He didn't greet her but instead got straight to the point.

'I wanted you to heal quickly,' he explained on why she was here. Unbothered by her discomfort and lack of clothes, he kept his eyes on hers while talking.
'I expect you to start immediately.'

Bulma didn't quite know what to answer, founding the way the prince behaved to be a bit odd. Her mind still seemed numb from the deep sleep, making her unable to speak up. Instead, she remained silent and puzzled by his appearance and actions.

'You can be a bit more grateful, woman,' he bit out, annoyed with her passive behavior.

'I-I was hoping I could see my parents one more time…' She weakly spoke up while hating how her voice wavered when speaking to him. Her blue eyes stared into his, but his expression stayed stoic.

'We have left Earth several hours ago.'

A cold feeling washed over her. Again, she fell completely silent. A part of her didn't want to break down in front of him but a tear escaped her eye, nevertheless. She wiped it off her cheek as if it had been burning her skin, while avoiding his eyes for the first time.

'You could've at least let me say goodbye to them one more time.'

Vegeta crossed his arms, giving her a harsh look that was to serve as reminder of his not so kind character. He did not care for her feelings or thoughts. However, he did bother to remind her of her debt and the lethal mistake, according to him, she had made.

'The least you could've done was to think twice before taking such brash actions. I did not mistreat you, yet you betrayed me. Even if you see me as the greatest evil in this universe, you had no reason to do so.'

Confused, Bulma forgot her feeling of shame and stared at him for a moment, only to then realize he was talking about her escape.

'I had an opportunity and I took it,' she answered, unmoved by his words.

'Then why should I bother caring about your personal feelings?'

The cold statement had its affect. Bulma's shoulders hung in defeat. At this point she was hugging her body no longer to hide it from him but to feel some warmth in the iciness of his company. Her eyes stayed on the ground for a moment before she saw flicker and looked up, noting that there was a small window. The dark sky of the universe had always fascinated her. Nothing held more beauty to her.

'Where are we going?' she mindlessly asked, not looking at him and letting go of the subject. She did not want to think for the moment.

'My home-planet, Vegeta.'

The unexpected answer made her head snap and send him questioning look. To her surprise his expression was not quite as stern as it usually was. He seemed astonishingly... gentle when looking at her. His dark eyes went over her silhouette which made her aware of her state of undress again. Sensing her discomfort this time, he walked to one of the cabinets and grabbed out some sort of bathrobe and threw it to her.

It was soft and warm and under her breath she unwillingly thanked him. When their eyes met, Bulma could tell something was different then just moments before. He was now looking at her differently than before. She couldn't quite decipher what it was in his eyes, but he looked less hostile suddenly.

'When will we be arriving?' she softly asked.

'It will take a few months,' he muttered irritably, as if not being a pleased with the new journey and the idea of going home. Noticing her stare, he quickly regained his usual persona.
'I suggest you get dressed and start working. You have wasted enough of my time,' he said on a sterner tone. It was as if he had changed his mind about something. Like for example, being civil towards her.

'What is your planet like?' Bulma asked, using the same soft tone from before and ignoring his words.

Taken back by her question at first, he then just shrugged it off while pointing out it shouldn't matter to her what it was like.

'But in case you are wondering, yes, it is far superior compared to yours.'

Bulma rolled her eyes, not caring if he saw her do so. 'That wasn't what I was asking.'
The strange look in his eyes vanished completely when seeing her reaction and his usual grin appeared.
'Most would be honored to be threated so kindly by me, woman.'
'Most are luckier than I then, aren't they?' Bulma answered sharply with a rather dull undertone.

Shocked by her own natural reaction, he however only snickered in response. She could see the amusement in his eyes and somehow a smile found its way to her lips and the silence that lingered between them slowly became a more pleasant one. Oddly enough, it seemed he still appreciated her personality despite all that had happened. He didn't show any viciousness towards her. And she had to admit, she found herself being grateful for that. A vengeful Saiyan Prince wasn't something she could handle right now.
It then occurred to her she wasn't feeling any hate or anger either, even though having plenty of good reasons. I just feel too tired, she told herself when questioning her own motivation on why she could be feeling that way.

'Where do I find some clothes?' she then asked, having enough of the odd situation she was finding herself in. 'I don't think my colleagues will appreciate my current attire.'

'Someone will be with you shortly to assist you,' he answered coolly. 'With you out of my personal tank, I can finally resume my training. Even in that healing tank you took an abnormally long time to heal…'

'You didn't train because I was in you healing tank?' Bulma asked shocked while not even noticing his attempt at taunting her about being weak and fragile.

Again, he was a bit taken aback but then let out an aggravated growl and uttered something about some fools thinking he'd end up hurting himself during training again and not being able to use the superior machine to recover… As a prince, he was not allowed to take such a risk.

Watching the Saiyan, Bulma realized he was indeed surprisingly lenient with her. Perhaps she had misjudged him, and he had not seen her as just a mere slave but perhaps as something more. An ally of some sorts. And with revelation, she had to admit that she had perhaps betrayed him in a way when escaping.

But all was fair in war, was it not?

However, she did know when she needed to redeem herself. After all, he had shown her mercy and honored her wishes. Looking at the cold brooding prince, she realized now was that moment.
And as unnatural as it sounded coming from her lips, she said it anyway,

'Thank you.'

He only smirked in triumph at her, like he always did. As if he had conquered her in some way. He then turned around, ready to leave and train like he had said but not before looking over his shoulder at her one more time.

'Oh, and I don't believe I said you couldn't talk to your parents ever again,' he said. His lips then turned into a vicious grin, 'Or did I?'

The mocking question, as if he had forgotten what he had exactly threatened her with and was now obviously toying with her, didn't faze her at all. But her blue eyes widened, hands clenched on to the robe he had given to her while her heart filled itself with hope, when understanding the obvious meaning behind his words. Bulma couldn't help but ask him if he was being sincere or not.

'Are you saying I'm allowed to contact my parents?'

'Stop asking me foolish questions,' he roughly answered, turning his head back so she couldn't see his expression.

'I already told you once before, you can have a good life here… if you want to.'

I know, I know! Short chapter! But next one is going to be twice as long as this one and I think you'll like it a lot! I promise you that next chapter will be up real soon! (Quicker than my usual updates!)

Thanks for all the reviews, I just want you to know those are a huge motivation : -) So, please, keep them coming! Thank you for reading x