"To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
-Macbeth
William Shakespeare
VI. Sound And Fury
Lost and Fondness
Shades of Crimson
A knot tied somewhere in the base of her stomach as she watched the pair in front of her flirt. She wasn't necessarily jealous of the pair, but some pang of envy was present … currently she was just unsure of where to place the blame.
Perhaps it was because ChiChi could pat Kakerott's nose playfully and they could joke, and yet Bulma could not publicly display any signs of affection. It was now mid-afternoon and the space pod was drifting casually to another refueling station.
Bulma turned her head, her nose wrinkling in almost disgust, as ChiChi kissed the large Saiyan's cheek and they both laughed wholeheartedly.
That very morning they had been flirting in the same manner. It was quite obvious to the three other shipmates that they were crushing on each other, but the pair seemed oblivious to any connection between them.
Flipping her aqua tresses over her shoulder and then pulling them up into a high ponytail, Bulma tried her best to divert her attention from the couple.
It was that very morning over breakfast when she noticed how distant Vegeta was and he had acted so all day. It was as if their meeting last night had no affect on him. As if … he was pretending it didn't happen. Or worse, he was ignoring that it ever occurred.
Bulma sighed as she exited the kitchen to plop down on the couch and pretend to shift her focus to the hologram set before her.
Why could Kakerott be so carefree, so friendly when Vegeta was a cold shell? How could ChiChi be able to be so open and affectionate towards him when Bulma herself could barely cast him a comforting gaze over breakfast without getting a cold shoulder thrust in her direction.
She sighed again and tried to concentrate on the babbling woman with long, purple hair. The woman smiled as she spoke about the planet Kanassa that had just been 'terminated' from Freeza's alliance.
Bulma frowned.
She had often heard this news and brushed it off. The word terminated was never so literal and even now she couldn't grasp the entire concept of it.
Then, the scene changed to Tien and his bride exiting their wedding ceremony. Bulma couldn't help but smile. They looked so … happy.
She was glad for her brother.
At least one of Freeza's children would be able to settle into a normal, happy relationship.
She lowered herself on the couch and sighed, feeling absolutely pathetic at the moment.
Tien and Launch had walked through one of the gardens after dinner and Launch had pointed out her favorite flower to him.
Tien had joked that he would have to remember those incase he ever stepped out of line. Launch laughed at him as they continued walking.
That evening they did make love and they did fall asleep in each other's arms.
When the navy haired princess awoke she smiled in the sleeping arms of her new husband.
She had never thought she could find such happiness in such a short time. However, she thought as her head rose and fell against his sleeping torso, she knew that much of their happiness would soon be lost when they had to return to planet Cold.
She smiled again as she snuggled deeper into his chest.
This was fortunate, however, because she would have had to been married soon - and she was glad she had found someone so handsome and so kind.
Yawning, her navy eyes slid shut and she found herself in the comforting sleep the arms of her companion had to offer.
That evening Bulma lay awake in bed.
It was late. She rolled over. Very late.
She wasn't sure why she couldn't sleep.
ChiChi lay beside her, her soft breaths escaping her slightly parted lips.
Bulma smiled. She seemed so content, so peaceful.
Bulma rolled over to face the wall and decided that ChiChi and Kakerott were possibly the cutest couple in the universe. She sighed, perhaps that morning over breakfast she would suggest they go out on a sort of … date when they stopped to refuel.
Swinging her legs over the bed, the blue haired princess tiptoed into the kitchen to get her routine glass of water.
She frowned as she began to fill up the cup, it was now too late even to steal a glance at the glorious Saiyan Prince training.
No, her frown remained, he was now sleeping.
Unfortunately she could not, so she sipped the glass of water to numb her thoughts.
As she sat the glass into the sink, however, she heard a cry that startled her.
It was deep and mournful, loud and startling.
Her thin eyebrows rose in question as she heard the distressed shout again.
Recognizing the voice as Vegeta's, she opened his bedroom door to find him jarring violently in his sheets, his eyes were closed and a painful look was strewn across his dark features. He looked so distraught and restless that it caused Bulma's heart to ache for him.
His body was coated in a thin layer of sweat and the sheets were now hanging off his bed. She frowned, he must have thrust them off himself with all of his agonistic shifting.
Another low groan escaped his lips, and then she heard him whispering a serious of nos.
Sliding the door shut, Bulma quickly rushed to the prince's side.
She placed her hand on his furrowed brow in an attempt to calm him down some. The panic-stricken look remained and she couldn't help but frown at his bedside.
"Vegeta."
She spoke his name softly, affectionately.
"He's taken them." He spoke back, his voice a low whisper.
"Who, Vegeta?" She questioned, her voice anxious as she grabbed onto his arms.
"Everyone." He spoke again, his sleep still overcoming him, "He's taken them all and he left me. Why did he have to leave me?"
"Vegeta." She shook him gently, causing his eyes to snap open in question at her.
He sat up from his bed, noticing the array of scattered sheets and his state of sweat and fatigue.
"Woman." He spoke softly, "What the fuck are you doing here?"
Fright was apparent in her eyes, "I … I … You were having a bad dream, Vegeta."
He nodded knowingly.
"Do you have them often?" She whispered, her eyes now full of concern.
He nodded again.
She sat down in the bed beside him and brought her hand to his brow again, "Go to sleep, Vegeta."
He looked questioningly at her. Gods he was tired …
She lay down beside him and rested her head against his bare chest.
"Woman …" He began to protest.
"Sh." She whispered, "Sleep."
He relaxed against her and allowed one of his arms to loop around her trim waist. She smiled and rested her hand on his firm torso.
"Good night, Vegeta."
He didn't reply, he simply didn't have the words to speak.
So he just lay, the comforting feeling of the woman in his arms as he stared at the ceiling above.
She would hold him until they both fell asleep and she would comfort him if his nightmares returned.
He frowned.
He didn't need a woman to help him sleep.
Her breathing became a steady rhythm, indicating she was finally asleep. Most of her weight shifted to his side and he felt her smooth skin against his abs. Aqua hair spilled about his shoulders and one of her long legs intertwined with his own.
No. he thought again, he did not need her to sleep.
He tightened the hold of her trim waist.
But he wanted it.
"We'll be landing in half an hour!" Raditz announced excitedly as he entered the kitchen.
ChiChi looked up from the omelets she was making and frowned, "Well you sure sound happy about that."
"Yep." Kakerott said from his seat at the table, and spoke casually, "He's real excited because there will be pleasure women available there."
Radtiz took a seat beside his brother and across from Vegeta, "Well I don't get fucked here like you two."
Both men's eyes shot up in question.
Kakerott blushed, "Radtiz, I don't know what you're talking about."
Bulma took this time to arrive, looking rather sleepy with her hair in a messy ponytail and her loose night shirt coming up to the top of her thighs, revealing the bottoms of her short shorts.
She yawned, "Smells good Chi!"
"Thank you." The raven-haired woman smiled at the other female present, "Are you just waking up?"
Bulma poured herself a cup of coffee and shot her a 'what-do-you-think' look.
She took a seat beside Vegeta and noted how he seemed to be avoiding her presence.
Big shocker.
She sighed inwardly. She had awoken to find herself in his empty bed and that she had slept in.
"We'll be at the refueling station in less than half an hour, so you better go make yourself … presentable woman."
Her cerulean eyes shot up at the beefy Saiyan who had spoke.
"Why?" She frowned, "You're refueling the ship yourself so you can get a free fuck out of it, why do I have to step foot off of the ship?"
"Whatever." Radtiz mumbled at her retort.
ChiChi took a seat beside Kakerott and placed the plateful of omelets in the center of the table, "Kakerott, what will you be doing once we arrive."
He shrugged as he grabbed three omelets and put them on his plate, "I'm not sure. We can take a walk if you would like, ChiChi."
She only smiled in reply and Bulma took the time to be bold.
"And what about you, Vegeta?" She smiled courtly, "Will you be taking a woman in the cell beside this oaf?"
His dark eyes merely shot up to meet hers boredly, "I don't find any pleasure with women so disgusting. It's degrading, I'm a prince."
She found his answer rather pleasing, not that she wasn't entirely surprised by it, and decided to chew her omelet and be silent instead.
His hand subconsciously found her own, causing a school boy blush to stain his cheeks.
ChiChi couldn't help but smile at his shy move and found the blush on the powerful man's cheeks more than a little flattering.
She sighed as they continued to walk, a strange comfort in their simultaneous steps.
"Kakerott?"
"Hm?"
"Are we like … boyfriend-girlfriend now?"
He paused a moment at the awkward question.
However, he seemed to know the answer.
"Yes, I suppose we are."
A smile adorned her features.
"Good."
He looked over at her as they continued to walk aimlessly.
"Yeah," He laughed lightly, "good."
Bulma opened the training facility doors to find Vegeta already present. A frown grazed her annoyed features. She had hoped to be able to avoid him.
Waking up alone that morning had made her feel silly. She pictured him waking up with her clinging helplessly to him. She wondered if he had felt disgusted or found her actions and herself entirely ridiculous.
She expected him to take a shower to try to rid him of her and then plan to avoid her for the rest of her stay aboard the ship.
He cast her a nonchalant glance as she entered.
"What do you want, mechanic woman?"
Her frown remained. Had he ever used her name?
"Well I wanted to train but," her frown was inset, "just tell me when you're done."
She turned to leave and he spoke, unexpectedly.
"No, stay."
He found his words strangely uncharacteristic of himself. However … he wanted her present, and he simply deserved whatever he wanted.
She turned around and blinked.
"You are not entirely weak woman, I saw you training the other day." He smirked, "Perhaps you'll make a worthy adversary."
A coy smiled played against her pink lips, "Worthy, hm? Is anyone worthy of the great Saiyan Prince?"
He half suspected she wasn't talking about sparing any longer.
"I said perhaps, woman."
She stepped closer to him, he frowned, she was wearing that damn training garb again.
It was blue and black, so revealing that he half thought she resembled a whore. He smirked, he half thought she looked the part of a goddess.
"Now, your form is perfect," He began with a matter-of-fact tone ringing from his deep, arrogant voice, "But your style is unoriginal. It's like you've been trained. You have to fight comfortably, find your own rhythm."
She blinked as he spoke.
She then took a fighting stance and glanced questioningly at him, "Yes, I suppose it is a bit forced."
"Yes." He came behind her and placed his hands on her waist, "Wasn't it you who told me that I needed to relax?"
She blushed lightly. Fortunately he was unable to see it. She remembered her embarrassing actions a few days earlier when she had massaged his back. A frown grazed her features. She sure had been making a point to embarrass herself around the Saiyan Prince lately.
He didn't mean to, but she could feel it when he placed his hands at her side he was feeling for the small curve of her trim waist. He felt her torso twist gently at his touch, her lean muscles moving beneath her soft flesh. Gods he wished the spandex material wasn't shielding her skin from his gloved hands as he did so.
She stepped back into his form, her firm bottom grazing his pelvis.
Bulma blushed as she felt their contact.
His hands slid from her waist to her hips.
The air in the training room was warm and stuffy. The pair was already sweating. It may have been from the humidity or it may have been from the closeness of their bodies. Neither knew nor took the time to care.
Bulma turned around, still in Vegeta's firm embrace, and stared into the onyx orbs of her training partner. Without knowledge of what they were doing, their lips met.
It was a short kiss. One in which as soon as they pulled away their eyes both widened slightly in shock.
Bulma's slid shut again, however, giving Vegeta time to study her perfect features.
When her cerulean orbs opened again, their lips met once more.
Vegeta's inexperienced tongue pushed it's way passed Bulma's lips. When hers were parted, granting him access, he flicked his tongue across her own. He pulled back, sucking on her bottom lip. She, in turn, took his upper lip between her teeth.
When they pulled away, Vegeta brought his gloved hand to the back of Bulma's neck. Aqua tresses netted between his fingers, her lips panted slightly and her cheeks flushed.
He couldn't stand it.
Pulling her into another passionate kiss, he captured her lips into his own and he slid his tongue between her parted lips. His tongue found her own and with bittersweet fervor they kissed.
Pulling away for a few short gasps of air, Bulma lightly bit down on her swollen lip. Sure, she had had a few kissed before, but none like this. Vegeta kissed her with such a passion that she was unaware anyone could posses. He kissed her as if he need her.
He brought his lips to her ear, backing her against the wall of the training facilities, and he flicked his tongue against the base of her earlobe.
With each heavy breath he took he was unaware of the affect he was having on the blue-haired princess. Each gasp of warm air tickled her insides and made her want him that much more.
He brought his kisses from her ear back to her mouth, and then from her mouth to trail down her neck. Bulma touched her fingertips to her lips before she ran her fingers down the path she imagined he would take with his soft lips. They were perhaps the only soft part of his body, and she was glad for it.
They put no thought into what they were doing - they simply acted.
Vegeta jerked the glove from his hand and then brought his hand to cup her firm breast. He squeezed her gently, taking the time to feel her mounds. He had never done this with a woman before. Vegeta was being honest when he had told the woman prior to this encounter that he found the women aboard the refueling stations to be disgusting. He would not take a woman so dirty and below him, so before this moment he had only taken his hands to relieve the tension that he restrained himself from enjoying.
Today, however, in the confinement of the training facilities he was along with the alluring blue haired woman he had dreamed of since her arrival, he would not be denied pleasure any longer.
Bulma traced her hand across his firm stomach. Removing the breast plate and spandex suit from the man before her, revealing his perfect torso.
She ran her hands over his broad shoulders, feeling the bunching muscles that had been formed there from his routine of excruciating training. Trailing her hands downwards, she brought her finger tips to play against the muscled planes of his back.
Her palms circled their way to feel his pectorals that rippled beneath his taut skin. She noted the perfection in his every muscle and her mind wandered to the hidden muscle beneath his spandex shorts. She wondered if it would be as perfect as the rest.
He allowed her to touch him, to feel every inch of him. She eyed him, in his masculine, prefect physique. Like some Greek god he stood before her, however, it was his turn to undress her and admire her creamy, pallid skin and to touch and kiss every inch of her flesh.
When they were completely undressed, Vegeta, brought his hands to her hips and hosted her up to rest against the strength of the wall and his own arms.
Bulma breathed in, feeling the support of his hard, masculine smoothness and the strength of his muscled thighs lifting her from the ground. She leaned against the wall and they met eyes.
Cerulean into onyx. Their hold was deep and steady.
His face remained as stone, unmoving, it was as if he were a marble statue, cold in all of his perfection.
She smiled, but there was something strangely comforting about him.
He held her hips in his arms and with a long, reassuring look into her eyes, she assured him that she was ready.
Lowering her onto himself, their eyes remained locked the entire time, both being enveloped in a pleasure that was entirely new and entirely exciting.
Tien held Launch's small hand in his own, squeezing her palm in a soothing manner. Their eyes met and she smiled lightly at him.
"Ah," Freeza spoke as the pair entered the throne room, each dressed according to the occasion, "You have arrived safely I see."
"Yes." Tien spoke, bowing lightly in his father's direction.
Launch looked from her husband to her father-in-law and curtsied as well.
"I am glad to hear." Freeza smiled, "The two of you will attended the formal dinner tomorrow evening."
"Yes father."
He nodded lightly, "Also, Tien, you will need to drop by the meeting tomorrow afternoon before the dinner. A few important nobles will be there and they will want to hear from the charismatic prince," he waved them away and then stopped himself, "Zarbon will be gone as well, so I will need you to take his place for the time being."
"Gone?" Tien questioned.
"Yes, he's going on a mission for a short period, I'm hoping he will bring your sister back, but we shall see."
Tien smiled, "Have you heard anything of her wellbeing?"
"Yes," Freeza laughed, "Raditz, one of those Saiyan oafs, just reported to me that the Kanassa mission was followed through with successfully and everyone was accounted for."
Tien nodded, "Good to hear."
"I do you hope you will meet her soon, Launch." Freeza leaned back into his throne, "The two of you could become good friends, I'm sure."
Launch nodded courtly at the emperor and then followed her husband from the throne room to get settled into their new room.
The raven haired woman laughed wholeheartedly at something her roommate had said.
The two girls were seated on their bed, wearing their pajamas, and having girl talk.
Bulma had questioned, and got out of ChiChi, that she and Kakerott were an official 'couple' now. Bulma found it strange since they couldn't actually go anywhere unless they were to land somewhere, but she was genuinely happy for her friend.
ChiChi had, in turn, questioned Bulma about her relationship with Vegeta. Bulma had told her that they had admitted that they liked one another and ChiChi had forced her to spill the details of their training facilities escapade earlier.
The raven-haired girl's eyes widened in shock as Bulma had told her what all they had done. ChiChi thought they may be moving a little fast, but the blue haired woman simply brushed her off. She had been ready, she assured her.
Laughing and talking, the two girls discussed an array of things - from marriage to Saiyan men and marriage to Saiyan men and shoes and life and … Saiyan men.
Bulma leaned against the bed and smiled.
For the first time in her life she felt complete. She felt that she not only had a real friend but a real man in her life, too.
After her and Vegeta had made love, they relaxed in each other's arms and then showered, separately, before the others had returned to the ship. They each pretended like nothing had happened, and when she met his eyes before dinner he simply smirked in her direction.
She was hoping to sneak into the kitchen again tonight to have a conversation with him. Bulma wasn't sure where they stood … and she wasn't quite sure where she wanted them to stand or if there was any way of defining where they stood.
Either way - she wanted to talk to him.
The tap water ran and ran and ran.
She knew he would be exiting soon, but she wanted it to appear that she just-so-happened to be getting some water when he walked past.
Hearing the training doors slide open her ears perked with excitement. She shut off the faucet and turned to face the perspiring Saiyan prince before her. Offering him a court smile she handed him the glass, beckoning him to drink.
He took the glass and emptied the cool liquid and sat it on the counter.
She refilled the glass for herself, and when she began sipping it, the pair simply stood still, looking at one another, waiting for the other to speak first.
They were both waiting for some clarity in their murky situation.
"Woman, you're of high class, yes?"
She blinked and then frowned lightly, "Uhm … yes. My father is actually on Freeza's high council."
It wasn't entirely a lie. He actually was.
She frowned again, "I think that's why this is all so difficult to cope with because I know that my father has something do with it all."
His face remained emotionless, his eyes dark and unfeeling.
"You are a fool for choosing this life."
She sighed, watching him go.
That was it? She frowned. That was what she had waited so patiently for half an hour for? Him to insult her actions, again, and leave her.
She frowned.
Again.
That morning the five were seated around the table, eating the breakfast ChiChi had prepared.
"ChiChi - thank you for cooking for us!"
The raven haired woman smiled as Kakerott spoke, and the wild haired Saiyan turned to Bulma who was sipping silently on he cup of steaming caffeine.
"And thank you Bulma for inviting ChiChi to come along!"
Bulma smiled over her mug, "Oh, my pleasure Goku."
Kakerott's brows rose in confusion, "Goku?"
A small laugh escaped Bulma's lips and Vegeta rolled his eyes.
"Yes, it means 'silly' in Ice-jin." The word 'silly' sounded strange coming from the Saiayn Prince's lips.
Bulma nodded, "Yes Vegeta, that's exactly right."
ChiChi kissed Kakerott on the forehead as she walked past him to get a refill of her eggs, "Goku. Hm. I like it."
Raditz frowned from the monitor before him, "News from Freeza."
"And what does the bastard have to say?" Vegeta's voice was gruff, laced with more than a bit of it's usual hatred.
"He says that we will be meeting up with another team tomorrow for our next mission." Raditz nodded, "The planet we should land on is only about six hours away, he says we have the rest of the time off as long as we meet with his crew when they land."
The team finished breakfast as Raditz rose to set their coordinates for their new destination.
Just as Raditz had said, the ship landed on their destination planet, Raquell, in six hours.
Bulma was relieved when she found out that this mission would be a simple retrieval of information to see if the suspected planet was in fact planning to commit treason. She, however, also found it ironic that they were working against a planet that was actually embodying the same beliefs they did and were actually on the same side as.
She suspected it was none of her business and as soon as the ship landed in the port, the largest Saiyan took off. He tossed his long mane of hair behind his back and scurried off.
Bulma frowned.
Probably to find a whore.
ChiChi brought Bulma into a short hug and smiled at her friend, "You can come with Goku and I, if you would like."
The princess smiled, half because of the offer and half because of the use of Kakerott's new nickname, "Nah, I'll be find here."
She didn't want to intrude on the couple's date, so she smiled and watched the pair depart.
Sliding the door shut she turned and found herself, almost regrettably, in the sole company of Vegeta.
They were settled in.
Launch's eyes shifted from the large four-post bed with the ornate silk comforters and array of matching throw pillows to the large wooden wardrobe bearing the Cold Crest etched into it's doors. She smiled at the large double doors that brought them to their balcony and to the view of the industrial capital of planet Cold. There was another door that led to their large bathroom equipped with a large marble tub, a shower for two, and a large marble vanity stretching across the length of the wall.
Their room was altogether beautiful. Between the decorations and the expensive items of furniture. Now that they had moved their own things into their new places the couple took the time to smile at one another.
"Are you ready for dinner?"
Launch watched as her husband spoke. He was now dressed in his nicest set of royal robes. He looked so charming, so imperial.
She walked to the vanity and placed a pair of diamond earrings on her small lobes, and then went to the wardrobe to pick out the nicest pair of dress robes she could find.
Launch had never been one for a big first impression, she honestly usually despised official events on her planet, but tonight they would be attending dinner with Freeza himself and her family would also be present as well as some various nobles the emperor had deemed important.
She smiled. Tonight she would shine like the empress she was deemed to become.
Sliding the earrings on a checking her reflection she smiled, "In a minute, dear."
"Sire." Zarbon spoke through the ship's universally wide communicator, "We're closing in on Raquell, it should be about five or six more hours."
"Good." Freeza spoke back, listening to his right-hand man's voice with a smile, "See to it that the mission is completed in half the time I would normally allow."
"Yes sire," Zarbon nodded, "It shouldn't take long. The Saiyan's are more than capable and with our help we should easily overpower the Raquellians."
Freeza leaned back into his throne chair and sipped on the plumb liquid in his stemmed glass, "And, if she is ready, bring our little Bulma back in one piece, okay?"
Zarbon smirked, "Yes sire, I think she should be willing to comply once she sees me."
Another sinister laugh, "Yes, I'm sure of it. Now Zarbon, I need to go collect my wife and join my daughter-in-law and her family at a dinner. Our alliances with each of their alliances should be set in place by tonight, but they fear the Raquellian's wish to secede. Please find me some proof of this."
"Hai." Zarbon bowed, even though his emperor couldn't see him do so, "I will sire."
"Good."
And with that, their connection was shut off.
They held hands as they strolled through the streets of planet Raquell. It was a planet which major's city was nothing more than a market. It was a very touristy place with an array of universal and unique restaurants, high-end shopping centers, and was also a wonderful place to sightsee.
ChiChi had purchased a camera and she and Kakerott were now taking their pictures beside a large, marble fountain.
"Goku - stand still!" The raven-haired woman complained as she looked through the pictures they had already taken, "You're blurry in every singe one of these!"
Placing his hand behind his head Goku laughed nervously, "Sorry ChiChi! Can we try again?"
She sighed, obviously irritated, and placed the camera on it's stand and backed away, "Okay Goku, now we have thirty seconds to pose, can you possibly stand still for that long?"
He shrugged and put his arm around ChiChi, when he had his arm around he allowed a big, goofy grin to encompass his features, "Look how good I'm doing!"
She couldn't help but laugh.
Then, Goku jumped up, "Look! Chi! It's Raditz!"
His voice was excited, and ChiChi looked to see the large Saiyan with his beefy arm around a petite brunette.
ChiChi thought that she was rather pretty, obviously a Raquellian with her bushy mane and long, tiger-like tale. She was dressed simply and her eyes were closed as she giggled at something the large Saiyan had said.
The raven-haired woman frowned, "She must not be to bright if she finds Raditz funny."
Just then the camera flashed, causing the distracted Kakerott to jump, taking ChiChi with him. When they landed they were sitting in the knee-high water of the fountain.
"Goku!" ChiChi exclaimed angrily and she got up and glared at the blushing Saiyan man.
"Hey, Raditz." The woman spoke from across the lane, "I think those two were calling to you. Do you know them?"
The Saiyan flashed his eyes up to the very pissed woman, soaked from her waist down, screaming animatedly at the man still laughing as he sat in the fountain while the camera positioned in front of them continued snapping pictures of the pair.
He frowned as they continued to walk, "Nope. Never seen them in my life."
"Vegeta." Bulma called opening the training facilities doors to find him inside doing one-armed pushups. He looked up, giving her an iritated scowl fro interrupting her and she frowned at him.
"Vegeta, I'm bored."
"Woman, I'm training."
Her cheeks puffed, "Train with me."
He stood up, glancing at her. She was wearing a pair of loose fitting sweatpants and a tank top.
"You're hardly dressed to train." He frowned, "And besides, when we train we tend to get … distracted."
She smiled coyly at him, "Are you complaining?"
A smirk grazed his features as he began to close the space between them, "Hardly."
His voice was nothing more than a husky whisper in his ear.
"Well, everyone's gone." Bulma smiled devilishly, "I'm sure we can find … something to do to cure my boredom."
He chuckled as he lifted her into his arms, causing her to shriek, "Hey!"
Vegeta mearly chuckled again, "Not in the training room again, woman." He smiled as he walked her to his room.
Nearly and hour later Bulma found herself wrapped in the warm embrace of the Saiyan Prince. She hadn't actually interrupted his training for sex, but she wasn't unhappy that it turned out that way.
She snuggled into his arms. No, she was very, very pleased she had.
Even though he was entirely inexperienced on the treatment of a woman, he seemed to be a natural and Bulma found that she had no complaints. She knew that she had always been a good kisser, and from the way Vegeta moaned deeply from above her she had enough confidence to say that she was a good lover as well.
However, the fact that she remained in his arms made her feel that he found her to be more of a whore. A satisfied smile crossed her features. Yes, she had to be. He told her himself that he found whores repulsive and he would never find himself in the presence of one.
She was startled by a loud beeping coming from the monitor beside Vegeta's bed.
Her head shot up, allowing Vegeta to sit up and lean his muscular back against the headboard of his bed.
She found him altogether appealing with his muscular upper body revealed and the black bed sheets wrapped around his waist.
"What is that?" She questioned, leaning back and allowing her aqua tresses to spill across one of his charcoal pillows.
He looked her over, her lean figure clad beneath his sheet, the tops of her breast visible and the creamy length of her neck tempting him from his place. Gods he was attracted to her.
"It's my communicator - remain silent."
He flipped open the monitor and frowned.
"Yes."
There was a short pause, Bulma remained perfectly still.
"Yes - we're here."
Pause.
"No. Not here on the ship, but they will return before you arrive."
Another short pause.
"Yes."
He shut the monitor and turned his attention to the woman lying beside him. He smirked at her as she glanced up at him.
"The other fleet will be here soon?" She questioned softly.
"Yes." He nodded routinely, "Zarbon and two of Freeza's others will be here in about two hours to assist us. He wanted the other's all here to complete this mission as soon as possible."
Bulma jerked upright, her cerlean eyes widening, "No. Vegeta … please." She whispered softly, "No."
His thick brows knitted together in confusion, "Woman, what the fuck is the matter with you."
She fell against the pillow and squeezed her eyes shut.
Her perfect day was being squashed before her.
"No … Not Zarbon."
Vegeta blinked again in confusion as the woman continued to lay beside him, her face a veil of disappointment and agony.
ChiChi smiled from Kakerott's side as they opened the doors to the ship.
Apparently they were no longer upset at one another. Or … more appropriately, ChiChi was not longer upset at Kakerott.
Radtiz soon followed, a satisfied smirk pulling at the corners of his lips, "We're all here then."
"You know." The nervous Bulma spoke up. She wore a tense smile, "We shouldn't do this mission. I mean … we're actually on their side. We're against Zarbon, right? I mean he practically butt fucks Freeza's for Heijie's sake!"
Vegeta quirked an eyebrow in her direction, "What is your problem, woman?"
She sighed, looking longingly at ChiChi, "I think perhaps I'm not feeling well. Maybe I should just sit this mission out."
ChiChi frowned at her, and then met eyes with the other three men present, who were also looking strangely at Bulma.
"Bee babe, you are acting kind of strange, but we're not going to leave you alone on the ship." ChiChi frowned again, "C'mon, it'll be fine. It's not like we're going to kill anyone this time so it should be fine."
Bulma sighed deeply and then Vegeta scowled, "We've kept them waiting long enough, let's go."
Taking into the air, the five flew for what Bulma felt was an eternity. She was nervous beyond belief. She couldn't imagine what their reunion would be like. She frowned, wondering if Zarbon knew all along that she would be here. Another frown as she watched her shipmates fly nonchalantly through the air.
This may very well be their last few moments together.
She watched Vegeta fly. Pride apparent on his calm countenance. He seemed as if nothing in the universe could bother him and yet, simultaneously, that everything in the universe bothered him.
Twice they had made love without being in a state of actual love … but Bulma had felt it. There was something between them. Perhaps it was the fondness that they had already confessed to. Perhaps it was something more.
She frowned.
More than likely, she would never have the chance to know now. She would be gone with Zarbon and Vegeta would despise her for being who she was.
Lowering themselves to the ground, her cerulean eyes spotted three figures waiting patiently on the dirt.
She bit her lower lip nervously, and decided on landing behind Vegeta, almost cowering after him.
Bulma frowned. She knew her panic was apparent.
The Saiyan Prince shot her another strange glance and then turned his attention to the three men before them.
In the center was the grin skinned, beautiful Zarbon, smirking at the five before him. To his right was an orange skinned creature that Vegeta had never seen before, and to the left was a humanoid Vegeta had long since become familiar with from his stay on planet Cold.
"Well," the humanoid spoke, a high pitched voice, "Let's get this over with."
Vegeta nodded, his own gruff voice replied with a short 'let's.'
The five began to walk and Bulma smiled lightly, thinking herself undetected, until Zarbon slowed his pace so that he was now walking beside her.
Vegeta frowned inwardly as he noticed Zarbon's pace change to stand beside what Vegeta could only define as 'his woman'.
"Ah, Bulma." Zarbon spoke her name lightly, casually, "How nice to see you again."
ChiChi blinked from the other side of Bulma, her mind racing. 'Again?'
Bulma kept her eyes ahead steadily as she could, swallowing lightly.
Raditz and the two men that had come with Zarbon were now at the front of the pack, seemingly unaware of the conversation blooming behind them. They were discussing the particulars of the mission.
Vegeta knew that was where he should be, but he couldn't pull his attention from the woman behind him.
Kakerott watched nervously from ChiChi's side as Bulma smiled courtly, "Yes Zarbon, and how are you?"
He laughed lightly, "Aw, you know I'm not one for small talk babe."
A knot tied in Vegeta's stomach. He knew that it was only envy that caused his features to twist into a scowl of disgust as he continued to walk and listen to the conversation behind him intently.
"Your father has been worried sick about you Bulma," Zarbon stopped in his tracks as took Bulma's small face in his hands, "You're going to come back with us, right?"
She remained still, her mouth shut proudly.
ChiChi froze as well, catching the terror apparent in Bulma's eyes.
Vegeta turned around and barked at the four behind him, "Small talk later, we're here."
Zarbon dropped Bulma's chin and her cerulean eyes darted up to meet Vegeta's onyx orbs. He turned from her, casting her a momentary glance of disgust, and they each entered the palace doors to complete their mission in silence.
So that's the end of that chapter ... I got to go into work at two every day this week and so I was left with lots of time in the mornings and today I sat down and wrote this chapter out. I wasn't planning on updating until I reached five reviews (which is stupid and I hate when writers do that … but I guess I'm kind of a hypocrite then. Eh.) and so I got them all so here's the chapter.
I will update again soon. Probably not until sometime next week though. (weekends are buuusy) However, I won't be able to abandon this story because I've grown really attached to the plot and I want to complete it and see it unfold.
Thank you for everyone who has taken the time to read and review!! Really, your reviews mean sooo much to me.
Hope to hear from you five again - and perhaps from those who read and then closed their window. The more reviews the faster the update. Heh.
Hope you enjoyed!!
-Crimson