Quick Author's Note: I know I usually thank everyone personally, but I know how much everyone's been looking forward to this update, and I want to get this up quickly. I appreciate all the support from absolutely everyone that reviewed. I've gotten more votes for Kaya to stay apart of the story, and I'm going to try to write her in. I'm glad no one hated her.

So BIG thanks to everyone who reviewed. I won't slack off next chapter, I promise! Thanks so much!

Chapter 16: An Italian Wedding: Part 1

(Lily Lake, PA, Christmas morning)

Gohan sat on the floor amidst several large boxes. He had bows stuck to his shaggy hair. Bulma sat next to him and laughed as he threw waded up wrapping paper at her playfully. She leaned over him and started tickling him mercilessly. Chichi walked in and smiled at her sister and son.

"Gohan, you're father has a surprise for you on the back porch," she called out.

Bulma smirked. "He's going to have to get away from me first!"

The little boy squirmed and squealed happily on the floor, trying to crawl away. He grabbed his nerf baseball bat and swatted his aunt on the shoulder. Bulma groaned like she was in immense pain, clutching her shoulder.

"Oh no! He got me," she fell back on the floor. "Goodbye, cruel world!"

Gohan giggled and ran out of the room. Chichi shook her head and walked into the living room. Bulma sat up and smiled at her sister. They started to pick up all the torn pieces of wrapping paper still on the floor and shoved them into an empty box.

"June call you yet today?" Chichi asked, sitting back on the couch.

Bulma took a seat next to her older sister and sighed tiredly. She didn't get much sleep last night. "Not yet. She's supposed to call me this evening."

"Vegeta?"

The blue haired girl turned her head to regard her sister with a confused look. "Why would he call? He left for NYC without so much as a goodbye."

Chichi shrugged, reaching into her pocket. "I thought maybe, since it was Christmas," she started, pulling something out of her pocket and dropping it into her sister's lap. "And well, he left this."

"Huh?" Bulma looked down at the neatly wrapped gift, disbelieving. "What is this?"

"Open it and find out. I've got to go help mom finish cleaning up the breakfast dishes."

Bulma watched her sister walk out of the room, leaving her alone. She immediately turned her attention back to the small box in her lap. Slowly, she peeled off the tiny, adhesive bow, trying not to rip it. It was blue and shiny and in the shape of a fully bloomed rose. It was beautiful. She stuck it to her knee and went back to the box. It was a little hard to open. The paper wasn't easy to rip. She had to pick at the tape that held it together and struggle to slid the box out of its tight confines.

"Oh my," she whispered. It was jewelry. What else came in a two-inch by two-inch velvet box? Swallowing nervously, she flipped it open. She was sure if someone else had been sitting across from her, they would have seen her eyes light up and the tears gathering.

"Chichi!" she called out frantically.

The other woman rushed into the room, their mother in tow. They were both wiping their hands on dishtowels. Chichi gave her a strange look. "What's wrong, B?"

(Le Marche, Italy, December 27th)

Vegeta was getting sick of being dragged across the Italian countryside, and he was about to start vocalizing his discomfort when his father walked out onto the empty verandah with a wide smirk on his face.

"What do you think?"

"That it better be the one because I'm getting irritated with this," he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.

His father glared at him. "This is your brother and Mara's wedding gift I'm trying to pick out here."

"I'm aware of that, but this is the sixth villa we've toured today. They're going to like whatever you get them, so just pick one." Vegeta looked around. "Pick this one."

The realtor walked in and approached Vegeta Sr. "How do you like it?" He asked.

The elder Ouji man sighed, watching his youngest son wander across the empty space in a daze. "Fax the paperwork to my lawyer," he said. "I'll take it."

"Of, course, signore. Right away."

Vegeta was busy staring out over the village. The mountainside was dotted with quaint little villas, just like the one his was standing in, surrounded by thick foliage and perfectly landscaped lawns. He sighed.

"You're thinking about that girl," his father commented. "Bulma?"

Vegeta narrowed his eyes and continued to stare forward. "There's nothing to think about there."

"Is that so?" He was ignored. "If it's nothing, then why did you give her a Christmas present?"

"How do you know about that?" Vegeta demanded angrily.

"Your grandfather told me," his father stated.

"It's mine to do with as I please," he shot back defensively. "Grandmother left it to me."

"I wasn't mad at you for it, just surprised you'd give something like that to a girl who is just a friend." He saw that his son was going to retort, and he cut him off. "You might think I'm foolish enough to believe that she was your girlfriend, but I'm your father. I know when you are lying to me, and I know about Alessa."

Vegeta turned away, ashamed that his father knew he had been lying all this time. He hated disappointing his father! "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"I know you are, but you shouldn't have felt the need to protect her family from me. I will not tolerate you being used in such a way, whether her father knew what she was doing or not."

"If you knew, why were you pushing me to be with her again?"

"Had I wanted you to marry her, I assure you it would already have taken place, and there would have been very little you could have done about it," his father reprimanded.

Vegeta didn't like the sound of that, but knew his father was quite serious on the matter. "Well?"

"I wanted you to tell me what happened," he spoke harshly. "My own son was afraid to come to me. I will not have it, and I will not sit back and watch you make a fool of yourself for this Bulma girl! You've made your intentions clear. When she stops being so stupid, she will come to you. Until then, I forbid you to contact her. Am I understood?"

"I've been staying away from her," Vegeta argued.

"Good." Vegeta Sr. glanced at his watch. "Come. We have lunch reservations in an hour."

(Avoca airport, PA, December 28th)

Bulma kissed Yamcha on the cheek and stepped back. "Call me when you get there."

He nodded and picked up his bags, but paused. "Are you really sure about this, B?"

She laughed, playfully pushing him toward the terminal. "Yes. Go. Have fun," she commanded jokingly.

Yamcha smiled softly at her. "You're the best. You know that, right?"

"No, but it's nice to hear."

"Flight 221. Denver. Bordering at gate seven," the PA speakers blared.

"That's me," Yamcha said. "I love you, and I'll call you as soon as I get there."

Bulma smiled. "Perfect! I hope you and the guys have a great time."

(Venice, Italy, New Year's Day)

Akira pulled the terrycloth robe around her body and smiled contently. Outside there were hundreds of people wandering through the streets. She watched them from the second story terrace of Arthos' Venetian palazzo. She was absolutely in love with this house.

"How about some lunch?"

She turned around and spotted him walking toward her. He looked as gorgeous as ever in a pair of loose khakis and an unbuttoned black shirt. "Sounds great," she told him. "I just need to get changed." She ran her fingers through her damp silver tresses.

Arthos nodded. "I've got to call Alyn before we leave anyhow. I'll meet you downstairs in the courtyard."

"Okay." She waited for him to leave before she turned toward the wardrobe to rummage through what clothes she'd brought with her. It was a beautiful day out, so she settled on dark green, cotton skirt and a beige v-neck tank top. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun and grabbed a pair of black sandals. They'd be walking, so she wanted to be comfortable.

She walked down to the courtyard and sat down on one of the wrought iron patio chairs to wait for Arthos. She was really excited. She'd never been to Venice before, and now that he'd brought her there, she didn't want to leave. They'd arrived yesterday afternoon fresh off the plane to attend a New Years Eve celebration in the plaza. She'd never known what she was missing. It was magnificent. They'd sailed down the canal in his boat while watching fireworks bloom in the sky. They didn't make it back to the palazzo until four in the morning.

"You beat me."

Akira glanced up the stairs at Arthos. "I'm used to getting dressed quickly," she replied, grinning.

He chuckled, jogging slowly down the chiseled gray stones. "I've got reservations at Antico Martini's. You'll like it. Their foods amazing," he assured her.

She stood up and reached out for his hand. "I'm sure I will."

Arthos interlaced his fingers with hers and pulled her close. "But maybe we should just stay in," he whispered.

Akira leaned in a pecked him on the cheek. "Sorry, but I'm hungry." She wiggled out of his grasp and pulled him by the hand out the entranceway.

(Lily Lake, PA, January 3rd)

Bulma shuffled through the mail as she walked across the snow-dusted lawn. It was mostly junk mail, but her attention stopped on a large envelope addressed to her. She frowned thoughtfully. There was no sender's address, but it was postmarked Le Marche, Italy. She quickly walked into the house and shrugged off her winter jacket, then picked the letter back up and ripped it open. A plane ticket fell out of, and she gasped, bending down quickly to pick it up.

Flipping the brochure open, she pulled it out and read it aloud. "Departure from Avoca's Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre Airport." She skimmed down, and her blue eyes widened. "Arrival at Ancona Airport!"

Shakily, she picked up the envelope again and looked inside. There was a small note stuck inside.

'Bulma,

I really want you at the wedding. It'd mean a lot to me. Please reconsider.

Sincerely, M.W.

P.S. June should be calling your cell any minute.'

Bulma blinked a few times and jumped when her cellphone started ringing loudly from the coffee table. She ran over and picked it up. "June?"

"I just got a telegram stating that I have a plane ticket to Italy on hold at the customer service desk at LAX," June practically shouted in her ear.

"I just got a ticket in the mail," Bulma shouted back.

"What the hell is going on?"

Bulma shook her head. "I'm not sure, 18." She glanced at the ticket again. "M.W.?"

"Mara Worthington," June answered.

"Why would she do this? Vegeta talks to her and Arro about everything. Doesn't she know we're not friends anymore?"

There was a short moment of silence before June spoke up. "Are we going?"

(Philadelphia, PA)

Marron stood nervously next to her mother as the associate brought over her dress. "I can't wait to see it," she whispered excitedly. Krillin was going to fall head over heals wit her all over again when he spotted her walking toward him in it! Her mother hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm so glad you're happy. Krillin's such a wonderful man."

"I know," Marron sighed longingly. "He's absolutely perfect."

A peppy blond dressed in fashionable black slacks and matching jacket came over carrying a dress bag in her hand. She smiled politely at the mother and daughter. "Ready to try it on?"

"Am I ever," Marron replied with a big smile.

The sales associate ushered her into a fitting room and brought her in the dress. A few minutes later, Marron emerged from the small room in a beautiful, white princess-style gown with tiny green roses embroidered here and there. Her mother gasped and covered her mouth with her hand, tears coming to her eyes.

"You look so beautiful," she said, starting to cry.

Marron blinked back her own tears. She'd been waiting for this moment ever since she'd met Krillin, and yet, it was still a little hard to believe it was finally happening.

Across town, Krillin was examining himself in a full-length mirror while his best man, Tien, stood back in a matching tuxedo. "Well, I hope Marron's cool with these."

"These are the one she picked out. Let's just hope she doesn't change her mind again," Tien laughed.

Krillin chuckled. "I don't mind, as long as she's happy."

"I hear ya." Tien walked back into the dressing room to change back into his regular clothes. "How's the house hunt going? Launch said you were looking for something in the suburbs."

"No luck yet, but we're not going to be ready to buy until after the wedding. We just want to get some ideas," he replied, going into his fitting room to change as well.

"I figured you'd want to build. You're an architect after all."

"I've drawn up several blueprints," Krillin admitted.

The two men finished getting dressed and went up to pay for their tuxes. They walked out and immediately pulled their heavy coats tighter around their bodies. It was freezing out! Tien pointed to a newsstand on the corner, and they headed over to it. He picked up a sports magazine and paid the vendor.

"We're still going to the football game, right?" He inquired.

Krillin snatched the magazine from his hands and gave him a funny look. "Um, is the sky blue?" He replied sarcastically. "Why wouldn't we? The Eagles are kicking ass this year."

"Just making sure Marron doesn't have you roped into anything."

"Nah," Krillin replied with a smirk on his face. "She's not the bondage type," he joked.

Tien laughed loudly as they jogged across the street before the light could turn green again.

(Le Marche, Italy, January 8th)

The two girls looked around in awe as they stood on the semi-enclosed verandah overlooking the mountainside. Bulma dropped her purse without even noticing. Mara smiled at their response.

"You guys like it?" She asked excitedly.

"I'm completely jealous," June answered. "It's amazing here."

Bulma nodded slowly. "I still can't believe I'm in Italy. I've never been to another country before in my life!"

"Then Italy was the perfect place for you to start," Mara told her. She motioned toward the door. "Come on. Let's get you settled in." She led the way into the main hall. "We're still putting things in order yet, so please forgive the chaos."

There were boxes everywhere, and the furniture was obviously not in the right places yet. Bulma frowned. "Are you sure we shouldn't stay at a hotel or something?"

"You most certainly will not," Mara scolded her. "I know the place is in disarray at the moment, but once we take your things up to the guest rooms, we'll go out to dinner. Lisdore is sending Renato over with some others to unpack all this and make it look presentable."

They walked to the end of the hall and started up the steps to the second level. June looked around. "So, you and Arro are moving here?"

"Oh no. This was our wedding present from his father," she explained, opening the door to one of the guest rooms. She walked in. "We have a townhouse in London where Arro runs the European branch of Ouji International."

The two girls just stared at her with bugling eyes. "A townhouse in London?" They both said.

Mara laughed. "You knew Vegeta comes from money. Why is all this such a big surprise?"

Sure they'd known, but Vegeta never really flashed it around. Bulma bit her bottom lip before finding the courage to speak up. "Where is Vegeta?"

"Well," Mara trailed off thoughtfully. She sighed. "I'm not exactly sure. There's so many damn places he could be, but if I had to put money on it, I'd say he's in Umbria at his place."

"His what?" Bulma repeated.

"At his house," Mara told her again. "He hasn't been very sociable lately, and he refuses to stay at the mansion in Caserta with his parents because Alessa and Brolly are staying there with their families." She turned toward the door. "Leave your things here. I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

(Ravenna, January 10th, wedding day)

"Can you believe this," Bulma whispered to June.

June shook her head. Mara had brought them to this amazing seaside mansion in Ravenna just ten minutes from where the wedding was taking place. It was where the girls in the bridal party were getting ready. Bulma looked around at the cathedral ceilings and marble statues. This place was beautiful. She smiled to herself, but it soon died as she spotted Alessa walk in carrying a long dark blue dress in her arms. It was a bridesmaid's dress!

Alessa caught Bulma's eye and smirked evilly. "Well, how interesting to see you here," she said. "What happened with you and Vegeta? I was so sure it was true love," she taunted.

Indara walked in and glared at Alessa. "Hey, slut. How about getting your fat ass into that dress. We have to leave it fifteen minutes, and god knows someone's going to have to help you with your zipper."

Vegeta's ex clenched her fists tightly as Bulma and June burst into uncontrollable laughter. Alessa stomped over to Indara and got in her face. "You better keep your damn mouth shut, or I'll let it slip that you've been hanging around Brolly's friend Trey. I'm sure your father would just love to hear that his precious baby girl is running around with one of his ex-partner's sons."

Bulma noticed the terrified look on Indara's face, and she walked over and pushed Alessa backwards gentle. "Back off her," she warned.

The two of them exchanged dirty looks before Alessa spoke up again. "Touch me again, and I'll own your whole family."

"Threaten her again, and I'll own yours," a deep voice cut in from the main entrance.

All four girls turned to spy Vegeta leaning against the marble archway. He had his arms crossed over his chest, and he looked absolutely gorgeous decked out in a custom made black tux. Bulma blinked, catching herself staring at him. She averted her eyes to the floor. She had to remind herself that she was still with Yamcha and that she only came here to give Vegeta back the Christmas present he'd gotten her.

"You need to get dressed," Vegeta ordered Alessa. "We're leaving shortly." He was trying hard to be civil, but he'd heard what she said to his sister and to Bulma. He was pissed beyond belief. She wouldn't actually do a thing to Indara, but he wouldn't put it past her to start shit with Bulma.

"Whatever," she responded walking out of the room quickly.

Indara glanced up at her brother guiltily. "How much did you hear?" She inquired cautiously.

He glared at her openly. "Enough. We'll talk about that later."

"Please don't tell father," she begged.

"You need to finish getting ready, too," was all he said.

Bulma and June watched as the younger girl bowed her head in shame and walked out of the room in the direction Alessa had disappeared. Vegeta looked up at his two former friends and sighed heavily.

"What are you two doing here?"

June walked over and picked up her purse. "I think I'm going to go wait outside so the two of you can talk." She walked toward Vegeta and paused, dropping her voice down so Bulma couldn't hear her. "Don't be an ass," she warned him before leaving them alone.

Bulma walked over to him, her black heals clicking and echoing loudly in the empty hall. It was quick, but she noticed him giving her an appreciative once-over. He smirked when he saw her blush. He wasn't going to hold back anymore. She looked amazing in the short lavender dress.

"You look good," he told her.

"Vegeta."

He cut her off, nodding toward her hand. "I see you got the present."

"I came here to give it back," she told him.

"You're not supposed to return presents. It's rude," he informed.

"It's too much. We're not even friends," she argued. "How do you expect me to explain this to Yamcha."

"To hell with that loser. He doesn't appreciate what he has."

Her breath caught in her throat. How could this be happening to her? She wanted this to end, but he was acting different. Before, he was never this straightforward with her, and to her complete horror, she was being drawn in by it. Sure, he'd always been confident and arrogant, but there was something so strangely appealing about this subtle difference in him right now.

"I can't accept this, Vegeta," she whispered, reaching down to pull the silver ring off her finger.

Vegeta reached forward and caught her hand before she even had the chance. His eyes landed on the deep blue sapphire setting beautifully between two tiny diamonds. She thought it was expensive, but she had absolutely no idea.

"You're keeping it."

Bulma shook her head. "I can't."

"Sure you can. If he asks, you can just say it was something your parents got you, or you can do us both a favor and kick his ass to the curb. I'd prefer the latter," he suggested.

"Vegeta!"

The couple looked up and spotted Mara and Indara walking toward them. Bulma forgot all about how close she was to Vegeta, and the fact that he was still holding her hand. She almost wanted to cry.

"Mara, you look so beautiful," she said.

Vegeta chuckled. "Yeah, not too shabby."

"Coming from you, that's the greatest compliment of all times," Mara replied, grinning at him. Mentally, she was fighting the urge to jump up and down happily that Bulma and Vegeta were talking and not screaming at each other. Her plan to bring Bulma to Italy was panning out perfectly. "Is the limo outside?" She asked Vegeta.

He nodded. "Arthos is pacing like caged animal. I suggest you hurry up and put him out of his misery."

Mara nodded. "Let's go get me hitched then!" She handed the long train of her dress over to Vegeta. It was kind of awkward for her to carry it while she walked. "Here. Take this."

He frowned down at the material she'd shoved into his free hand. "What the hell do I look like?"

"My man servant. Now walk," she ordered.

(End Chapter)

Sorry about the wait. I've had a lot on my mind lately. I know. No excuses! Got ya! Anyhow, I was going to keep going, but I have, of course, some things to fit into the story before everything falls beautifully into place. Hopefully the end of the next chapter will leave you all in an ecstatic mood. (Crosses fingers!)

Next time: We've got to catch up with Jayson, Yamcha, Bulma and June might run into someone famous after the wedding, not sure yet, and I'll hopefully get everyone back to San Callisto for the second semester; where things will definitely be very different! ;-P

Much love, all!

Don't forget to review, please!

Special section, devoted to Dark Hope Assassin- Here's the lyrics of the song that the title of this story is from! It was bugging me, so I searched through all my cd sleeves and websites until I found it. Don't know if anyone's heard of this band, but here it is. The song doesn't really go with the story, but it still rocks ass.

"With fists raised high in tightened knots
The room explodes and now this blood is on your hands
And there is no time for a second chance
To paint my face with blood and tears and cover up
In an open book that no one reads
A misspelled word that no one knows
You stole the rain
Then you turned around and tore my life in two
Just like the picture that once hung on the wall in the room that we used to share
So fold me up and put me back in the place where you used to keep your heart

You think its getting smaller?
It's been that way for quite some time now
The cadence beats down on the tar
It sounds the same as your fists raining down
(if you wanted to change the way I look at you...)
We've got to leave before the sun sets
Or maybe we don't have time(time to waste.)
It won't be long until you're gone into the night
You won't have time to paint my face with cover-up…"

Thursday, "Concealer."

PANDORA ;-)