IX. To Kiss or Kill
Lost and Fondness
Shades of Crimson
She walked casually through the busy marker streets outside of the large gates that shielded the palace walls from the poverty and congestion outside it. Her sandals clicked gently against the muddy cobblestones and her shoulders constantly brushed random citizens of planet Cold as she made her way through the hectic market.
There were men and women shouting for her and everyone around to try and buy or at least take a glance at whatever it was they were selling. Their voices became a great collage of shouts and blended as one into a incomprehensible background noise.
The princess kept her perfect features emotionless - not wanting to draw any extra attention to herself. Though her face was often recognized it seemed as a passing person stood in place to study her questionably every now and then - but they always simply brushed off the thought and continued.
The emperor's only daughter would never step foot into these crowded streets to pick up tonight's vegetables. It was an absurd thought.
And that was exactly why Bulma did it. Because no one expected her to.
It was an escape - one of her last glimpses at freedom she had enjoyed since her departure from the Saiyans.
She would walk around the market and admire people in the middle of their daily routines. It was her escape from reality to view the reality of the common people.
However, her afternoon of being free of worry suddenly escaped her when she spotted a very familiar woman purchasing groceries just a score or two feet in front of her.
The woman had her long, beautiful dark locks pulled into a bun on the top of her head and she wore a pair of loose, and rather unflattering, robes. The belt that tied them to her waist was tattered and her sandals were in need of repair.
Bulam frowned - she blended in perfectly with the impoverished crowed around her.
This woman, however, was not some stranger to Bulma and she felt sickened by the thought of seeing her in such a state.
"ChiChi!" Bulma called, quickly making he way to stand before the woman.
The raven haired woman glanced up, her facial features somewhere between surprised and happy and astounded.
"Bulma?" She questioned dazedly, blinking as if the flawless woman before her was simply a mirage and would soon disappear.
The blue haired princess laughed and took her old friend into her arms, "Oh ChiChi, I have missed you so!"
"Bulma." ChiChi said, a smile now adorned her lips, "This is such a surprise."
From behind the protection of his mother's leg, a small boy peered around to glance in confusion up at the blue haired woman.
He had never seen anyone aboard their ship associate friendly with another being before. That was why his mother's newfound acquaintance was such a shock to him.
Bulma smiled at the boy shyly placed behind ChiChi. There was no question as to who he was. He was a carbon copy of Kakerott in everyway possible.
"Goku's son, I presume." A playful smile played on her lips, "He's wonderful Chi."
ChiChi ruffled her son's hair with an affectionate smile, "I know. He truly is. I just wish he didn't have to grow up like this."
The raven haired woman's demeanor became serious, "They've been captured, you know."
Bulma dropped her voice as well and nodded quickly, "I know. I saw them at the games three weeks ago. I was quite surprised and I worried of your wellbeing."
"I'm alright," ChiChi sighed lightly, "For the time being anyway."
Bulma smiled down at the boy and then looked up at ChiChi, keeping all serious in her voice she continued, "I'm doing my best to free them."
Arriving into the posh landing dock for Freeza's most prized guests, Zarbon's brother strutted out of his ship cockily.
Bulma frowned at the man who was somewhere between halfway attractive and annoying. She had always detested him for some unplaced reason, but now she saw that it was his over inflated ego with no substance to back it up.
Her attention shifted to Zarbon who was explaining his brother's past whereabouts over the last few months to his fiancé who nodded dumbly.
Bulma hadn't exactly hated this woman though. She embodied all the traits she herself was supposed to, however, this woman knew no better. She didn't hate her exactly, though she wasn't fond of her per se, her hatred belonged to the men who utilized her ignorance and beauty in their favor.
She turned her attention back Zachary, Zarbon's younger brother, and smiled flakily as he approached her and placed a kiss on both of her cheeks.
When he pulled away, his ego got the best of him and he smiled smugly at her and then to the rest of the audience.
"Bulma, my dear, I have come here to confess my love for you." Bulma blinked dumbly as he spoke, "Yes, despite your bastard child and your growing age, I wish to marry you." He smirked, "And I shall."
He took his brother's fiancé's hand and kissed it gently, complimenting his brother's taste.
Bulma, however, didn't take the time to notice. She was somewhere between embarrassed and furious. She was glad her son hadn't been there to hear his mother insulted so but at the same time she wasn't entirely thinking of him. He had insulted her and then decided that they would get married without hearing her opinion at all.
She glared ahead, so fixated on the green-skinned man that she didn't notice the way Freeza and Zarbon smirked happily at one another. Together, they knew their plans were working perfectly.
This exchange, however, did not go unnoticed by Launch who studied the two men's pleased and joyous demeanor with a frown.
After they had began walking to the dining hall she pulled her husband and his sister back to have a word with them.
"I'm telling you." She said, keeping her voice low, "They're planning something."
"Yes." Tien said with a frown, "They want Bulma to wed Zachary so they can tie Zarbon to the throne."
Bulma scowled, "I am not a pawn in his game Tien!"
Tien shrugged lightly while Launch's face shifted with fear, "He's a monster. Someone has got to stop him."
Bulma nodded as they continued walking, "And someone will, I swear to it."
A week had passed rather quickly and it was again time for the games.
However, this time Bulma didn't find the dread apparent in the pit of her stomach. She had thought on and off of approaching the Saiyans throughout the week and telling Vegeta of Trunks and her affection she still held for him.
Then, she felt silly for even dreaming that he may still harbor that 'fondness' he had spoken of nearly six years ago.
It was pipedream and she felt altogether pathetic for expecting anything from him. So instead she dressed for the games and tried her best to keep the fantasy from streaming through her head.
She made a point to look her best - having Avacadria lightly twist her aqua locks into a neat array of curls. She carefully placed the crown sewn of silver leaves atop her head and dressed in her favorite dress robe. It was a low beige hue with a dark brown triangle pattern at the base of the skirt. It was held by delicate straps and showed a bit of cleavage and tightened around the firmness of her stomach. It hung loosely at the hips and fell to the base of her creamy thighs, just above the knee. She wore a pair of sandals that were to be tied in loops around her feet and halfway up her calves.
She sighed lightly at her reflection, noticing the sheer flawlessness of her beauty with a haughty smile, but knowing no matter how beautiful she made herself look she would never be able to approach Vegeta.
Exiting the castle she joined Launch to walk to their box, and her sister-in-law informed her that Trunks was with Tien. Bulma smiled lightly, knowing that they would be going to visit her son's new favorite person and that thought rested nicely in her mind as the pair began to walk.
Vegeta's eyes rose up to meet those of the lavender haired boy that he had now had the chance with to meet twice. He frowned - Freeza's grandson.
A smirk grazed his features as he remembered that it was his treacherous grandson.
"This boys been fixated on you all month, I told him I would take him to see you again," Tien smiled apologetically towards the shorter Saiyan, "I hope it is of no inconvenience to you."
Trunks beamed up at the man, "I'm sorry I got you into trouble Prince Vegeta, I got my mom in a lot of trouble too. I didn't mean to, so we won't talk about that anymore - promise."
Clarifying, the bald prince frowned, "I'm sure you know that this is Prince Trunks, my nephew. And my sister harbors some … harsh feelings towards our father."
Vegeta's glare shot up at the man. Freeza's son …
Tien smiled as Trunks began chatting excitedly above some of Vegeta's moves he hoped he would use again today.
When Tien told the boy it was time to take their seats the bald prince's eyes fell to the Saiyan, "I hope one day you do ascend to the legendary, for you would make a much better emperor than the one serving currently."
Vegeta blinked in confusion as he watched the two go.
"I will cheer for you, Saiyan." The boy said, turning around with a smile as the two left. Tien turned around and the two men shared an almost understanding nod.
With that, Trunks and Tien took their seats in the royal sky box to await the coming games.
Bulma and Launch smiled as the two men in their lives approached. Bulma placed a kiss on her son's head and Launch one on her husband's mouth. With that, the two boys took seats in the second row by the women.
Zarbon and his fiancé entered shortly followed by Freeza and their arrival was announced and they stood and bowed as the roar of the crowed echoed across the stone walls of the coliseum.
When they were seated cerulean eyes studied the crowds with a bored frown, "Zarbon, where's your dear brother?"
The man shrugged lightly with a smirk, "I don't know - he said that he had something pretty big planned."
This thought settled uneasily in Bulma's stomach - and before she had much time to dwell upon it Zachary stood suited in his armor in the middle of the coliseum floor. The audience mirrored Bulma's confusion as he waved to the crowed and he began to speak into the microphone attached to his ear.
"Welcome ladies and gentle men - today I have a very special treat for you all!" The crowed remained silent as Zarbon's kin continued to speak, "Bring them out Froud."
As he spoke this, the guard named Froud ushered every gladiator available into the coliseum floor to stand patiently as he addressed them.
"I have come to give you a show not only for entertainment but to confess my love for the fairest lady in the universe." He smiled up at the box and Bulma blinked in confusion.
"Freeza's daughter is available for marriage and I have come to love her in the most sincere sense of the word. In this action I hope to return some of my favor and to prove to her my devotion to her," he turned his attention to the gladiators, the crowed awaiting for his next move.
"I will challenge any one of you gladiators, whoever wishes to step up and to fight me. The winner of our duel will have the chance to either kiss or to kill the beautiful princess." He turned to the box, "If I have his highnesses approval, of course."
Freeza stood up and walked to the edge of the balcony with a smirk, "Of course dear Zachary, I do not doubt your intentions nor your abilities."
With that - the crowed roared with approval. Today it seemed there would be a great twist in the games.
Zarbon laughed as Freeza set down beside him, "This should be interesting."
"Yes, yes." Freeza smiled, "Not one of those pathetic men will have a shot in hell in defeating your brother, and the entertainment should flourish."
In confusion, Bulma blinked. She turned to Tien and Launch who were also in a state of shock as well. The princess frowned, "And what if he is to lose?"
"Oh hush dear," Freeza said, staring ahead as Zachary continued to talk of his love for her, "There is no way. And if there is, you'll just be giving some pervert the chance to kiss you. You're quite beautiful, you know. You'll be doing him a favor."
Her eyebrows knitted together, "And what if he wishes to kill me? This is my life we're talking about."
Her son beside her watched as Freeza frowned, "Don't worry Bulma, have some faith in Zachary. I believe he knows very well what he is doing."
She sighed and watched as Zachary challenged a few men, who all objected.
Then, stepping ahead to face him, a challenger appears.
Bulma shifted to the edge of her seat to see the scowling face of Vegeta.
When Zachary laughed lightly with a nod, the other gladiators made their way back into the stocks and only he and the Saiyan prince remained.
Bulma's heart quickened as she realized the outcome of their battle would be terrible either way.
"I accept."
Zachary turned to the short, brawny Saiyan and smiled, "Ah, we have a challenger ladies and gentleman."
The usher led the others back into the stock and Vegeta and Zachary faced off.
The two exchanged a serious of kicks and punches. Each blow failing to faze either opponent.
Zachary sent a sharp chop into the prince's side, but the prince simply laughed and phased behind him.
From the box Bulma gasped, "Vegeta's merely playing with him …"
Freeza assured her swiftly that he was not and another three or four minutes of the two exchanging blows ensued.
However, Bulma's breath would once again be caught in her throat as the audiences excited cheers died down and Vegeta pulled away smirking from the gasping Zachary.
"I'm tired of toying with you," his fists compressed into tight balls, "It's time to show you what I'm really made of."
The crowed remained silent and the panting, wheezing green skinned man's eyes widened as his Saiyan challenger began to power up.
The sheer miraculous nature of it was breathtaking, and when the Saiyan emerged with cruel laughter not only was the visible energy around him golden but his flame-like locks of hair shined in the same manner.
From the balcony Bulma froze, "He is … the legendary."
Her insides were twisted into a mixture of panic and awe, but as quickly as he had emerged he had sent an energy blast through the green-skinned man's chest and laughed cruelly. He picked up the microphone from Zachary's lifeless body and smirked into it, "Freeza, I wish to claim my prize."
Bulma stood up shakily, her eyes still pinned to her long lost lover. From her side her son grasped her arm, "Mama!"
However, it was Launch who stood up and blocked the door in a fit of tears. Through her clouded vision she saw the cerulean-eyed princess coming her way.
"Freeza! Zarbon! Tien! Somebody! Help her!" She shook her head and extended her arms so that she was blocking the doorway even more, "We cannot send her out there! He will kill her mercilessly!" Her voice became a chocked whisper, "Please. Not like this … with Trunks …"
Freeza looked down at his palms, "There is nothing we can do."
Smiling sadly at her friend, Bulma took her in a short hug and placed a kiss on her son's forehead.
With that, she made her way out of the box and down the stairs to stand behind a door that lead to the coliseum floor.
The guard beside her sent her a sympathetic smile which she returned the best she could. There was a blank expression on her face. No tears and no agony were apparent, but it was definitely not a joyous occasion.
With a short intake of breath she awaited her reunion with the man she had dreamt about for so long.
Behind a gate on the opposite side of the tall wooden door Bulma was protected by, Raditz and Goku waited watching Vegeta as he stood patiently, a smirk playing on his features.
"He's been waiting to kill a member of the royal family his entire life," Raditz said as he watched him, "It's become an obsession - I'm surprised he's so patient."
"But she's just a girl." Kakerott said with a frown, "She's innocent in all this."
Their eyes, along with everyone in the coliseums, were pinned to the door that began sliding open vertically.
As the gates slid, a pair of small, dressed calves appeared to Vegeta. He smirked as he formed a small, blue ki ball in between his thumb and index finger of his left hand. The gate continued to rise, revealing a beautiful figure and then a head of aqua hair and an all too familiar face.
Vegeta was a bit taken back as the princess stepped towards him, sadness apparent in her cerulean orbs.
However, he outwardly remained emotionless as his insides twisted in turmoil.
She took another step towards him and they met eyes. There was no plea and no signs of recognition in her eyes as he studied her - the audience around them was forgotten as they all stood still awaiting the prince's decision towards the beautiful woman.
Their state of hush continued as he grabbed the back of her neck - the small, blue ball still remaining, not forgotten, in his other hand.
Bulma closed her eyes, ready to feel her neck in his grasp snap. Allowing a breath to escape her lungs she swallowed forcefully and then, unexpectedly, felt a pair of lips press firmly into her own as the ki blast in his arms crashed into a nearby wall.
The lips were removed quickly and when she opened her eyes she felt a rush of blood to her cheeks as the audience roared around her in approval and excitement.
In a state of sheer confusion, the dark Saiyan Prince made his way back into the stocks and Bulma opened her eyes to watch his turned back as she blinked in confusion.
Her hand subconsciously rose to her lips as she felt where his own had previously been. She was in awe and in a state of perplexity as she heard amidst the roaring crowed the gate Vegeta entered slam behind him.
From the box, a frown crossed the emperors lips as he watched the display below him.
Behind him, Launch and Tien exchanged confused glances and the little boy beside them cheered happily.
Zarbon's fiancé smiled adoringly, "What and exciting match! And that kiss! Heijie!"
From her left, Zarbon himself, however, simply closed his eyes, wondering where this put their perfect plan.