Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or anything to do with the Boys over Flowers franchise.

Chapter 15: Jealousy

Raditz looked at Bulma confused as if she just appeared in front of him. "What are you doing in here? This isn't your class."

"I switched it Silly. I needed more science classes."

Raditz frowned. "You are more than likely smarter than the professors. I barely understand why you are in school at all."

"Well first of all, thank you for the compliment, and second, I do know a lot, but I don't know everything Saiyan."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning there might be some phrases or lingo that I might not know. My father taught me science based from Earth; I'm still learning things the 'Saiyan' way."

"Are you sure you just don't want to grill me about Vegeta, because I'm telling you now that it's not going to happen."

Bulma crossed her arms. "Well that's funny seeing that Vegeta first sent you to spy on me."

"Vegeta is my comrade."

"So what? You're my friend."

"Saiyans don't have friends."

"Well you do now so get over it." She said winking at him.

Raditz smirked but then looked around the class as other students started staring and whispering. "Bulma, Vegeta is going to find out-"

Bulma rolled her eyes. "Find out what? That I'm having conversations with beings other than him? What in the world was I thinking?"

"Your sarcasm is unnecessary. You know how he is."

"Yes and that's why I'm not going to let him bully me. I never stood for it before and I won't stand for it now."

Raditz shook his head. He felt like he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Bulma was just as stubborn as Vegeta and he could already feel the pain that was sure to come...

Vegeta was on his way to his next class when a Saiyan boy came in front of him and bowed.

"Your Highness?"

"What?"

"I am loyal to you and your house more so than anyone here so I feel obligated to report to you whenever I see conspiracy against you."

"What are you talking about?"

"My first class is with Raditz sire and today, well Bulma was in the class as well. They were both quite casual sire."

Vegeta's eye twitched and an envious vine of jealousy started to weave its way up his spine. His first reaction was to grab the kid by his armor and force him to tell him everything he saw. But his mother had spies everywhere. So he didn't need anything reported back to her. So with a harsh anger that scared everyone that was eavesdropping he said, "Your service was not needed. I am no longer with the woman."

He heard quite a few gasps at his statement. He didn't care where it came from, but right now he needed to talk with his comrade...

Raditz was not surprised at all when he was brutally slammed against the wall of Vegeta's school ground training room after he called for him. But he was however surprised at how maddening angry he looked. He was almost frothing at the mouth.

Vegeta's lips angrily peeled back to show his sharp canines as he seethed out, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Vegeta-"

"QUIET!" Vegeta pulled back and punched him in his mouth. Raditz's mouth quickly filled with blood and he would have slouched to the ground if Vegeta didn't hold him up. "You couldn't wait to take the opportunity could you? Couldn't wait to get my leftovers!" He kneed him in the gut this time, making sure that he heard a crunch. "You didn't even ask for my permission! You just went in for the kill! And you have the nerve to call yourself one of my comrades!" He lifted him back up and raised his fist.

Raditz waved his hands in front of him pleadingly. "Vegeta, Bulma and I are just friends!"

Vegeta backhanded him and let him fall to the ground. "Saiyans don't have friends!"

Raditz couldn't believe he was being punished for only talking to the girl! "Well I do!"

Vegeta yelled and then slammed his foot on stomach, enjoying the squirt of blood that came up from his victim's mouth. "So have you become a fool like your brother?"

Raditz had to turn to the side and spit out blood just to talk. "Bulma is a scientist for the palace now. She will be around my family more often."

Vegeta pressed down harder. "You mean you want her to be around you more often."

Raditz yelled out in pain. "Vegeta I would never be intimate with her without your permission!"

Vegeta stared at him for a while then lifted his foot up. "Well that's something you will never have to worry about because you'll never have it."

After a few moments of knowing that the Prince was done with his attack he pulled himself up. He groaned at the pain in his side and stomach. Something was definitely broken and bleeding.

"I figured as much. But you know there will come a day where someone will come along and take her and it will probably be someone that doesn't need your permission. Bulma is an alien but she is still a catch so it might not be me but someone will have her."

"Shut up!" Vegeta said as he kicked him in his face. "You and every other male in this school will not touch her. So make sure you put out the word that if any Saiyan man speaks to her then they will bleed by my hands."

"Vegeta you can't do th-"

"I've had enough of people telling me what I can and can't do. Now get to a tank." Vegeta said as he left his friend.

Raditz couldn't even stand and had to call Turles. His brother looked at him and sighed. "I don't have to guess do I?"

Raditz chuckled and leaned on his brother heavily as they walked to the nearest tank. "I didn't even do anything."

"You did something."

"Vegeta is obsessed."

"More than enough reason not to mess with him."

"I didn't."

Turles rolled his eyes at that as the finally made it to the tank inside the medical room. There were some students that were near that would be talking about his injuries and rumors would spread but neither of the boys cared at the moment. Raditz got inside the tank and Turles laughed.

"Both of my brothers are idiots."

As the liquid began to pour into the tank Raditz couldn't agree more.

Bulma heard that Raditz got sent to a tank and wasn't really happy about it. But she knew that it was a risk that she would have to take in order for her plan to work. The next day at school she noticed something was off. She could see guys talking about her but as soon as she got near them they would practically run away. Not the girls just the guys. She even tried waving or attempted to talk to a few, but they all just got away from her. In her first class, Raditz came in and sat down next to her but wouldn't react, respond, or even acknowledge her. As soon as the class was over he strutted out like nothing was wrong.

"What is going on?"

One of the girls in the class named Cella laughed and looked at Bulma amusingly. "You don't know? I thought you knew everything?"

Bulma glared at her and the girl dropped her amusement. "What's going on?"

Another girl, Pep, who was clearly friends with the girl, spoke up. "No guy can talk to you."

"Yea the prince gave out the order that no Saiyan male could speak to you."

Bulma blinked at the two girls completely confused. "He did what?"

Pep nodded her head. "Yea they were also told to spread it via word of mouth. I guess the Prince didn't want you finding out through your networks."

Cella crossed her arms. "You must feel pretty special to have the Prince not allow other men to speak to you. Saiyan jealousy is very strong."

Pep nodded in agreement once again. "So I guess it's true what Kakarot and his mate said, the only way you guys would break up is if someone forced you to."

"Was it the Queen or King?" Cella asked ready to gossip.

Bulma just looked at them not knowing what to say. "I'm sorry I have to go."

She stomped her way straight to Vegeta's personal training ground. She liked that her plan was working fast but she still needed Raditz to talk to her. Sure Vegeta was jealous, but this was going in the wrong direction. She didn't want him to start punishing her and Raditz and get over his jealousy that way, she wanted him to fall in love with her. And he was ruining everything!

She figured if he was that bothered with everything he would be training. Unfortunately his training room in the school wasn't as big as the one at the palace so there was no way he could put his gravity room in there. So fortunately for her, she could enter the room and not have to wait for him to power down the machine. When she got inside she crossed her arms and glared for a moment as she saw him doing punches in the air. She knew good and well that he knew she was there but he didn't stop his pace. After a moment longer she could take no more.

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?"

Vegeta didn't even glance her way. "I did not give you permission to enter."

"I didn't ask for it! You have no right to tell other men to stay away from me!" Bulma started tapping her foot on the ground in an impatient manner as he continued to ignore her. After a minute of his airborne punches she lost it and stomped her tapping foot and screamed, "VEGETA?"

Vegeta was in front of her face quickly growling out his frustrations. "Somewhere along the lines of our so called relationship you forgot that I am Prince and everyone else including YOU on this planet must do what I say! So if I say that you can only speak to animals it will be so. Do you understand you silly little female? Your wishes are nothing compared to my will!"

Bulma wasn't intimidated by him in the least. "So is this how it's going to be for the rest of my life? Vegeta can't have me so no one will?"

Vegeta sneered at her and gave her his back. To be honest he didn't know what to say to that. All he knew was what he was feeling at the moment. He didn't want to think about later or some possible future of her being with some other man. All he knew was that if she was not his woman she wasn't going to be anyone else's. Just the mere thought of it...drove him insane and he hated her and himself for that. He wasn't supposed to have these foolish emotions.

Bulma watched the tension in his back and sighed. She knew that yelling at him wasn't going to be the answer. "Look, you can't keep me caged just because you can't have me. If you do then I will have no other choice but to...leave." She saw a muscle flex and knew she was on the right path.
"I said I would be loyal to you. I never volunteered to be your prisoner."

"Don't fool yourself Woman, you're not going anywhere."

Vegeta really didn't think when he gave the order nor did he think about what to say to her when she approached him. Maybe he was being too harsh. And he hated that he was being seen as a jealous fool, but at this point he didn't care. He knew that she was waiting for a response but what was he supposed to say? He didn't know what to tell himself.

Bulma knew that her plan was working but she couldn't help the hurt she was starting to feel from hurting him. He wasn't used to having things taken away from him and it was pretty evident with today's display that she was something he wasn't ready to give up.

"I...I don't like this either. For a moment you were all I had and I had to give you up. So please don't shut me out from everyone."

He remembered the day after she got into the fight with Chichi. She had told him that she would be lonely and he told her that he was right there. But why should he care if she had no one to lean on? There were other females in the school; she could just speak to one of them.

"Vegeta...I don't want us to end things like this. Don't try to push me into a position where I could hate you, because I already discovered that I can't. I'm not a coward but I won't fight you Vegeta."

Silence filled the room. After a few moments of it, Bulma sighed at his back and turned to leave. But before she could turn away fully she felt him grab her wrist. It was the first time they had touched each other since they 'broke up'. It was only a few days ago but it felt like a century as electricity shot up her arm. She briefly wondered if he felt the same sensation. She looked at his hand and trailed her eyes up his arm and torso until she finally stared into those dark eyes. They must have stared at each other for at least sixty seconds. She felt his fingers flex slightly and knew that he was trying to savor the moment.

"Bulma...it's only temporary."

Bulma nodded slightly and looked back down to her wrist. "Are you going to let me go Vegeta?"

Vegeta hesitated. She meant more than her wrist and it angered him that someone actually had to ask him that question. He shouldn't care about anyone that much and let her go then gave her his back once again. Bulma finally turned around and made it to the door.

"Woman-?"

Bulma stopped and looked over her shoulder.

"Don't interrupt me again."

Bulma was more than annoyed and felt something else that she refused to explore. "I'm not your 'Woman' Vegeta."

She quickly left out after that before he could say anything else.

Vegeta growled and pushed himself into a vigorous training routine. He never went back to any of his classes and as soon as school was over he went straight to his main training room and activated his gravity machine. He pushed himself further with the settings, enjoying the pain as it crushed any and every thoughts of the blue haired wench. But that apparently didn't work as well as he hope as her words dripped into his brain like the sweat falling off his body.

"I'm not your 'Woman' Vegeta."

"Who is she to tell me anything!?" He yelled to no one in particular.

"I'm not your 'Woman' Vegeta."

"Like I care. I can have any woman in the known universe!"

"I'm not your 'Woman' Vegeta."

He yelled out a loud growl and turned off the machine. He walked out and picked up his scouter almost breaking the device as he contacted the next person. "Raditz? Talk to the blue haired she devil! I could care less!" He then threw the scouter on the ground not caring that he broke it and went back into his gravity room. "I'll show all of them."

The next day, Bulma walked into school disappointed that it was the same. It looked like she would have to get some new girlfriends to talk to. She wasn't looking forward to it, because she knew that no one really trusted her, they only feared and respected her. She went to her first class and sat down next to Raditz but almost fell out of her seat when she heard,

"Hello Bulma."

Bulma blinked at him a few times then smiled. "Oh so now you can speak to me?"

"Well Vegeta said that I could. I don't think he gave permission to anyone else."

"Well if I can only speak to one boy then I'm glad it's you."

"I am too."

After class Vegeta saw the same kid from the day before approach him. But, before the kid could say anything, Vegeta punched him in the face, effectively shutting him up before he could utter a word about Bulma and Raditz. He was already regretting his fast reaction of letting Raditz speak to Bulma. All he could think about during his first class was what in the world are they talking about anyways?

It was driving him insane. He had told himself all night and all day that he didn't care, but now he was sure that it was a lie that he told himself. He needed to leave and train until he passed out. But what did he see when he got to his private locker area, Bulma laughing with Raditz in front his.

He regretted letting the sons of Bardock have lockers next to him. He narrowed his eyes, wondering what in the universe was so funny. Were they laughing at him? Was he a joke?

And then to make matters worse they were so engrossed in their stupid entertainment that they didn't even notice him! He walked up to them and shoved Raditz, much harder than he needed to and glared at Bulma.

"Leave. Now."

Bulma rolled her eyes and looked at Raditz. "I'll see you later!"

Raditz nodded then turned to his locker. He paused to open it as he looked over to Vegeta who had a deadly look on his face. "You said I could talk to her."

"I know what I said. What did she mean she would see you later?"

"She's going to be in my father's personal lab."

Vegeta stared at him for a while before he asked, "She's going to be over your house?"

"Yes."

"That is unacceptable. She can only go to his lab in the palace."

"The King wants her to work on some private things or something."

Vegeta punched his locker and turned to Raditz. "Fine, but keep in mind she is only going there to work with your father."

Raditz really didn't want to get beat senseless today. "I will not break my promise Vegeta."

"You better not." Vegeta threatened before he left him in the hall with his thoughts.

Raditz watched him go away and shook his head. 'Never thought I'd see the day that Vegeta wouldn't be able to shake a girl.'

The next two days Vegeta felt even worse. He would see them talking and laughing and it made him angry so much that everyone was avoiding him because he was starting to punch anyone around him for no apparent reason. He even found himself changing his normal routes to spy on the two, to make sure that Raditz held up his word. After all, he had to make sure that someone he considered a comrade wouldn't betray him. Future tactical and battle plans could be at risk if one of his trusted officers couldn't be trusted. So he was only testing Raditz's loyalty. At least that's what he told himself.

At one point Bulma forgot something in her locker and had to go back and get it. Vegeta had watched her turn around and followed her. Once they were the only two in the hall and she was starting at him confused, he felt like an idiot. And the Prince of all Saiyans should never feel like an idiot.

Wanting to break the awkwardness of it all Bulma bowed to him. "Your Highness."

Vegeta didn't know what to say and pointed the obvious. "Your hair is down."

"Yes it is."

"I thought you always liked wearing it up?"

"I do."

"Then why is it down?"

Bulma examined his face. He was asking a very simple question that deserved a simple answer, but the way he was looking at her, so desperately, made it seem like that was the hardest question in the world. Bulma had her hair down on purpose. She was sending him a message and he had received it loud and clear.

"You know why."

"No I don't tell me."

Bulma rolled her eyes and tried to walk around him. "I have to go to class."

Vegeta stepped in her way. "Not until you say it." He didn't know it would be like this, he didn't know he would be would like this. But he couldn't stand seeing her smiling and laughing at another man. Those were his laughs, and his smiles. She had belonged to him. And now she freely gave them to someone else? He had to know that she was thinking of him as much as he was thinking of her. It had to be true. He refused to believe himself to be that much of a fool.

Bulma stared into his eyes. She didn't expect Vegeta to crack this quickly and wasn't sure how to play it. "You like my hair down."

"Why are you trying to please me?"

"Am I not supposed to please the royal family?"

Vegeta growled then grabbed her arm and ignored her squeak of a protest and dragged her into the nearest closet. He slammed the door and pushed both of her shoulders against it.

"There are no wondering eyes, no spies, no ears listening. It is just you and me. Now tell me why do you have your hair down?"

Bulma was breathing heavily and felt trapped for more than the obvious reason. Once again Vegeta was placing her in a position where she couldn't lie to him. She kept telling herself, remember the plan, remember the plan, but all she could see was him desperately, pleadingly, staring at her. She hesitated as seconds ticked away. The only thing that was heard was there heavy breathing. So she said the first thing that seemed right…

"…because I'm still your woman."

Without another word Vegeta crashed his lips upon hers and her hands shot out eagerly to pull him closer. Desperately they familiarized themselves quickly with each other. It went from 0 to 100 super-fast. Armor fell to the ground and hands were almost everywhere. Bulma didn't even realize what was going on until he started lifting her leg.

"Stop!"

"What?" He asked still kissing her neck.

"I can't do this with you." She said pushing him away.

Vegeta turned his head and banged it against the wall. "Bulma you're going to be the death of me."

"I told you that I can only go that far with my husband." She said as she reached down for her armor.

Vegeta snatched his up as well. "I hate that guy."

"Well you could always be him."

Silence like they had never felt before settled between them. Bulma didn't even realize she had said it out loud until the silence spoke for them. She didn't even look at him, she was afraid that he was going to be able to sniff out her plan.

Vegeta on the other hand felt like he was on a different plane of existence. It was like a whole new world was being shown to him.

"Look at me Woman."

Bulma shook her head and then he grabbed her shoulders trying to force her to look at him. "You want me to mate you don't you?" She still hadn't looked at him. "All this time when you had mentioned a mate or husband or whatever, you weren't talking about some other guy, you were actually speaking in hopes of me weren't you?" Bulma finally looked at him and he saw in her eyes a fear that he could easily read. A fear of the truth. "Why are you afraid Woman? All the challenges you issued of making me have feelings for you, were you planning something? What are you up to?"

Bulma's mind was running a million miles a second trying to come up with a solution. Vegeta was on the verge of figuring out everything. She had to come up with something, but at the same time she couldn't tell a lie.

"And this whole Raditz thing-"

"Raditz is my friend." She had to stop herself from showing more fear. "But you're right I am afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

"Afraid of being rejected."

Vegeta stared at her and shook his head. "No there's more to this story Woman. Do not play me for a fool."

Bulma swallowed. She had to give him something more, otherwise he would just leave her and never think of her again. She had to tell the truth. "I'm afraid of not having you. I'm afraid that you will forget about me. I'm afraid of you being with someone else. I'm afraid that I'll never be satisfied with someone else. So yes I have imagined you as my husband, because I don't want anyone else but you Vegeta."

Vegeta was looking at her, searching for any hint of a lie or manipulation but he couldn't find any. He stepped away and ran his hand through his hair. He honestly didn't know what to do. He wanted her...badly. For more reasons than he thought he could ever give any woman. But the problem was that she was not a Saiyan. And there were his parents. Plus he didn't want to be mated right now anyways. He just wanted Bulma to himself. This whole thing was so irritating.

"Vegeta the bell is going to ring soon. We need to leave before the students come into the hall."

Vegeta swooped her into his arms and kissed her softly. "You are mine Woman. I don't know what to do with you, but you belong to me. Remember that."

Bulma smiled and kissed him back. "Alright, I'll follow your orders your Majesty, for now."

Vegeta kissed her two more times then opened the door and they both went their separate ways like nothing happened. But their directions were just as separate as their emotions. Bulma was glad that things were working in her favor and that her plan was going smoothly. While Vegeta was unsure about everything. He wanted her, but couldn't have her. He also couldn't let anyone else have her, but that would be impossible unless she became his mate. But she wasn't Saiyan and if she was, he wasn't ready to take that next step with anyone...

Meanwhile...

Chichi was so nervous she wiped the same tray for the millionth time. Kakarot told her all day that everything was going to be fine but she was still scared. She had finally reached out to her father and he was on his way there. She didn't know if he would try to drag her home by her hair or fight Kakarot again. She just wanted him to be the sweet loving Dad that he always was to her.

When the doorbell rang she dropped the super clean tray onto the floor. The glass like material shattered into a million pieces and she quickly retrieved a broom.

"I'll clean it up. Your dad is at the door." Kakarot said taking the broom from her fingers.

"Alright...I'll go let him in." She said walking past him. They had their first real argument that morning when Kakarot said he wanted to open the door with her, and she had to tell him that the last time he was standing on the other side of the door it didn't work out too well. Finally he had bent to her logic and she was now opening the large door to the large house.

Her father stood there in his giant like form not looking happy and not looking sad either. She gave him a nervous smile and said, "Hi Dad."

"Hello."

"Please come in."

Her dad came inside and Kakarot walked up to him and bowed. The Ox King murmured a hello then sat down on the nearest couch. Chichi and Kakarot sat down across from him and before Chichi could play 'house guest' her father stopped her.

"I'm going to get straight to the point. I don't like what either of you did. You went behind my back and ran away." He said forcefully. He could see the tears spring up in his daughters eyes and continued. "I didn't know if you were alive or dead. I was terrified. Hadn't been that scared since the day your mother died and I didn't know where either of you were."

"Daddy I-"

"Let me finish! You weren't even proud of the decision you made."

Kakarot defensively said, "We are!"

"Then why did you hide it? Adults face their problems; that's part of growing up. You two acted like children because you are still children." He then sighed tiredly. "...but I was wrong to try and take away your dream. And I know that it was part of the reason why you did what you did."

"Daddy that's true but I really do love Kakarot."

"That's going to take a long time for me to accept it."

"So you will eventually accept it?"

"Like I said you guys are still children so you need some guidance."

"Thank you Daddy." Chichi said launching herself at him as tears fell from her eyes. He hugged her back missing his baby girl. She was everything to him and all he had left. He would never want to lose her. After a while of hugging Chichi pulled away from him. "There's something you should know."

"What?"

"I'm pregnant."

The Ox King looked at Kakarot none too happy. And Kakarot nervously laughed and scratched the back of his head. The Ox King exhaled his anger once again and nodded his head. "Alright. Where do I sleep?"

Chich's eyes became large. "You're staying with us?"

"Like I said you two need guidance and I don't know your husband nor do I trust him, so I'm not leaving until I'm sure it's ok for you to be alone with him."

"Dad he's my husband-"

"Don't complain to me. You're the one that's doing things backwards." He then glared at Kakarot. "You're supposed to talk to me before you marry my daughter. Not after."

"Well sir, no disrespect, but I don't think you would have given me permission."

"You didn't even try."

"You were going to take her off the planet!"

"And you couldn't have followed?"

Kakarot was silent for a moment. "I am sorry and I apologize for how we went about everything. Perhaps if I was raised to be more like Earthlings I would have followed the both of you and worked as long as possible to try and earn your respect. But the truth is that even with all of my emotions I still am a Saiyan. And we are creatures of action. But I want you to know that I am truly sorry for my past, and I have vowed to Chichi that I will never do such a thing ever again."

The Ox King took in everything he said. "But isn't that how you Saiyans make a living? This is a grand house; don't you need money to keep it?"

Chichi spoke up at that. "It's already paid for and we sent all of the servants away so we wouldn't have to pay them. And as far as income, we are going to start an Earthling cuisine restaurant in the restaurant district with the money that Kakarot does have."

"Well it seems the two of you have everything figured out. But I think I will stay permanently."

Chichi was about to say why but Kakarot spoke up. "That's fine sir."

"I want to make sure that my grandchild gets a healthy dose of Earthling culture."

Chichi smiled and grasped Kakarot's hand. "I would love that."

And for the first time that day, The Ox King smiled. "We're gonna be good."

Chichi smiled at her husband as he smiled back. He was right after all; everything was going to be fine.

Back at School...

It was now lunch time and Bulma decided it was time to move her plan along. She had Vegeta where she wanted but she also needed the universe to be on her side. Everyone loved a forbidden romance. With popularity in their favor, Vegeta will feel comfortable in marrying her. All she needed was a few rumors spread and the rest was history. When she arrived in the cafeteria everyone stopped to look at her. She hadn't eaten there since before she and Vegeta started dating. She always ate with Vegeta and his comrades. Or she would grab a snack and go work on something. A 2 hour lunch was just way too long for her. But she went ahead and grabbed a tray filing it up with what looked delicious while she heard whispers behind her.

"Is she not even aloud to eat with the Prince?"

"I say it's the Queen separating them. She controls the image."

"No way! It's the King! He doesn't want any half breeds."

Bulma turned around and spotted her table. She walked up to the table that housed the most popular gossiping girls in the entire school. "Can I sit with you guys?"

"Sure!" They all said simultaneously.

"Love your hair down by the way. It seemed like you always wore it up when you first got here."

Here you go Bulma, show them your acting skills. "Yea, Vegeta likes it- I mean liked it down."

Some of the girls looked at each other like they were trying to communicate telepathically. It was no secret that Bulma went to see Vegeta in his training room the day after Raditz was beaten to a pulp and all the males were forbidden to speak to her.

One girl slightly hesitated and then said, "So what's up with you and Raditz?"

"We're friends."

"It must be hard that Vegeta won't let any of the guys speak to you."

"It's just how he is." Bulma said smiling.

The girls looked at one another confused. "Aren't you upset that you're not with Vegeta? I would be crushed if I was dumped by the Prince."

Bulma made her eyes look big like she forgot something. "Oh yea-I mean I'm really sad. We had to end things and I'm really heartbroken from not seeing him."

"But you saw him the other day didn't you?" One girl asked hungrily for a confirmation.

Bulma looked like she was caught. "Uh-I mean, who you told you that?"

"There's also a rumor going around that you were with Vegeta this morning. No one saw either of you in your classes."

"Oh that! That was nothing. I just had to ask him something right quick it was nothing."

"Your Earthling friend said on the media wave that you two wouldn't break up unless you were forced to."

Bulma pushed her tray away like she lost her appetite. "I can't speak on that. Look I don't want to get into trouble and I don't want you guys to get into trouble either. So let's just say that I'm over Vegeta and I'm going with Raditz now and call it a day. I'd hate for any of you to become victims of any embarrassing gossip."

"No everything's cool Bulma!"

"Don't worry about anything!"

"Leave your tray we'll throw it away for you."

"Good. I'll talk to you guys later." Bulma said waving to them happily as she walked away. Once she was out of ear shot the girls went crazy.

"Oh wow we were right on! She totally threatened us when we mentioned the force to break up thing."

"This whole Raditz thing is a complete cover up! They are still seeing each other!"

"Can't wait to tell someone!"

The Next Morning

Vegeta got dressed for school like he normally did and went down to meet his parents. Ever since his encounter with Bulma he had been thinking of possible ways they would interact with each other. It was clear that with her level of intelligence and natural charm that she would be a valuable player in his ruling. So he definitely wanted to keep her around. The problem was that he didn't think he could ever stop being attracted to Bulma Briefs. It didn't matter who she settled down with, he was pretty sure he would have them killed. But Bulma is also not the type of woman to just bend to anyone's will. He had no doubt that she would indeed be loyal to him, but she would not remain pure simply because of his jealousy while he mated someone else and had children. And he couldn't get her to sleep with him now, so she would never be his concubine. The only way to keep her would be to mate her...but she wasn't a Saiyan.

So with a heavy mind he went into the breakfast room with his parents and sat down at the table. His parents looked each other and then back to their son.

The Queen took a sip of juice and said, "Vegeta is something wrong with you today?"

"Nothing, I'm just bored with everything." He said while letting the lie roll off his tongue like it was nothing.

"I don't see why you would be with things like this going on in your life."

The Queen slapped a printed news article right across his food. Vegeta looked at the printed paper that was in front of him which consisted of picture of Bulma and Raditz together with a title that said, 'Cover Up'. Vegeta picked up the paper and looked over the article as quickly as he could.

'...inside source...forced to end the relationship, but the forbidden romance still thrives...still secretly together...best friend is putting on a show to appease the Queen and King...love before the throne...

Vegeta was so confused. No one saw them yesterday; at least he didn't think they did. But he didn't know how everyone came to that conclusion. "What is going on?"

The Queen crossed her arms in anger. "You tell me? I didn't orchestrate this."

Vegeta ignored his mother and turned to the King. "Father, you don't honestly believe this mad gossip?"

The King tried to study his son's face. "Is it true?"

"No!"

"Because I will send her off this planet Vegeta."

"You don't have to do that."

"And why don't I?"

Vegeta hesitated. His mind ran through quite a few scenarios that could save Bulma from being out of reach until his coronation and the only thing that came to mind was something that still separated them but it was the only way. "Because I'm leaving."

"What?" The Queen asked.

He didn't know how it got like this but the only way to fix this was to go away for a while. Otherwise they would believe that it was true. It was no secret to anyone that he didn't like being told 'no' so they more than likely were expecting something like this. But if his father sent her away it would be a place he wouldn't even know about until he became King and by that time it could be too late. She could be mated to someone else. Plus there was no telling what his mother would do. She could very well blow up the woman's ship. No, they had to believe that he didn't care.

"I said earlier that I was bored. You took away my toy and now I want something to do. I'm going to go on a purging mission."

The Queen wasn't completely convinced. "And you have no problem leaving your comrade to the girl?"

"No."

The Queen decided to push it a little further. "I think it's a grand idea anyways. Aliens might even like a story of two brothers marrying two best friends."

"I don't care."

"Then her popularity would die down and no one would ever think of her being with the prince ever again."

Vegeta wanted to flip the table over but resisted the urge and with the best bored expression he could muster he rolled his eyes and pushed away from the table. "I'm finished. If you need me for anything else I'll be preparing for my mission." He said as he left out.

The Queen then spoke to the King once he was gone. "You see husband? He cares for her. This union with Raditz is a blessed event."

"I believe you are right. Now that this is behind us I do not care to hear this gossip anymore."

"I agree, but still, I think we need to start giving Vegeta some options to appease the elders."

"Do whatever you like."

The Queen kissed her husband and then left the table to do exactly what she would like to do.

A Little While Later...

Bulma smiled at the news article. She was really proud of her handy work. 'Now people will think that I'm still with Vegeta while he'll still be jealous of the idea of me being with Raditz. Bulma you couldn't have planned this any better." She exited out of the screen on her scouter and closed it down as she grabbed a small leather cross body that housed some of her capsules. Just after she kissed her parents goodbye there was a knock at the door. Bulma told her parents she would get it and was completely surprised to see Raditz.

"Raditz what are you doing here this early."

"I came here to tell you that Vegeta is leaving."

"What?"

"He's not going to school and he's going on a mission."

"For how long?"

"At least 3 months but it could end up being 3 years. These things can be tricky."

"3 years?"

"Yes."

Bulma didn't know what to do. She couldn't even truly wrap her mind around what he had said, "Three years?" She leaned against the wall from fear of falling. She hadn't expected Vegeta to up and quit. He wasn't going to fight for her? He was just going to give up and let her fall into the arms of another man? Did she miscalculate his feelings towards her? Did he read the article this morning and got tired of the whole thing? Could it be embarrassment? Was he leaving to forget her?

This unbinding fear that she didn't know she was capable of feeling gripped her whole body. So quickly all the games and the conquests dissolved around her and she was starting to see the truth for the first time.

"What docking bay is he in?"

"Level 5."

"Fly me there."

Bulma flung her body on him and he complied. He didn't know why he was doing it and he also didn't know why he told her Vegeta was leaving. Perhaps because he saw that article this morning and knew that part of it was true. Their relationship wasn't over.

In a matter of moments they were there on the side of the entrance of the hanger. Bulma pulled away from Raditz just as Vegeta was starting to walk up the ramp. Panic seized her whole body and she screamed out, "VEGETA!"

Vegeta heard Bulma's voice and stopped. He looked over his shoulder and saw her panting like she got there like crazy to see him off. But he also felt his father's piercing gaze from the entrance of the hanger. Bulma had no clue about the threat of her being sent away. That whole week of her building the gravity room he couldn't bring himself to tell her. He didn't want to believe that he cared that much. And part of him was angry that he actually did. Part of him was also angry that he was leaving her in the arms of another man. But he told Raditz that morning that he had better remember his promise or he would die.

Bulma's pleading eyes were now staring into his. He saw her mouth the words, 'don't.' And he knew it was time to take his eyes away. And he knew that he hurt her, but he had no choice. In order to see her again, he had to leave her now.

Bulma felt like she was slapped in her face as she saw him ignore her and walk into the ship. "He left?" Bulma couldn't believe it. There went her plan. Gone just like that and also something else. Her heart was pounding in her chest like it was trying to run after him. It was as if it was trying to climb up her throat and leave. She placed her hand over her mouth to try and stop it and realized it was the hardest sob she ever experienced as it escaped her lips. And that's when it hit her...

"I still love him."

She turned to Raditz's shoulder and cried not caring that the Saiyan had no idea what to do. How could she have been so stupid? Everyone tried to warn her. Now she was stuck longing after a guy that didn't know her true feelings. And on top of that she didn't know when she would see him again. He didn't even speak to her. Chichi was right, it all blew up in her face...

Meanwhile, Vegeta didn't stop walking until he got to the captain's chair and set down. He rubbed his eyes and exhaled out to no one in particular, "Is everything in order?"

"Yes Your Highness. You have the team you requested with one more addition." A soldier nearby said.

"Who is the new addition?" He said not really caring. He just wanted to get this trip over with.

"It is someone that your mother requested to come last minute; A female fighter, top of her class."

"Who is she?"

"Her name is Chaya."

Author's Note: Oh I know you hate her, but I had to do it. I didn't want to make up a whole other character and I still feel the need to have some story line from Boys Over/Before Flowers. And poor Bulma, she had no clue that her little article is what drove her man away. Well, in the next chapter, Bulma and Raditz get closer and Vegeta gets to know Chaya...ooh I can feel the anger from you guys already. Please Review!