Chapter 7

Training

Vegeta was on the verge of fainting due to exhaustion. He pushed his limits and trained by a 300 times greater gravity by now, but his body wasn't fully accustomed to it yet. To his dismay, only two other saiyan was capable of enduring the same gravity; Chaya, who was a member of the elite class and Kakarott, a 2nd class warrior. He could understand Chaya; she was 24 years old with a huge experience behind her. There was no difference between a man and a woman when it came to fights, both were equally strong and women also participated on the missions, with the only exceptions when they gave birth. Bulma found it hard to believe that even pregnant women went to conquer planets and only a day after giving birth, they were back in business. Kakarott was a mystery on the other hand; born as a low class, promoted as a 2nd class, he was still way more talented than many of the higher level warriors and he was only 14. Vegeta was 19, still the strongest warrior among the saiyans, but he felt more and more like Kakarott was closing the gap. They trained non-stop during the last 2 years and it already led to a huge improvement among the saiyans. Vegeta gathered his remaining strength and decided to train a bit more.

"Hey Vegeta, do you want to spar?" Kakarott asked one day when they both left the dining hall at the same time.

Vegeta grinded his teeth, as Kakarott was the only one, who dared to talk with him so casually. He already told him several times, that he should call him Prince Vegeta or Sire, but it seemed that it was just too hard for him to remember. Somehow he decided to give it up and just let it slide, but it still unnerved him.

"Why would I waste my time on a 2nd class, like you? It's not like you are much of a challenge."

"I trained a lot and I also picked up some new techniques."

"New techniques? From whom?"

"People on the colonies know some cool stuff, like the acid orb" Kakarott explained, then as demonstration he hit the wall with a small green orb.

As Vegeta looked there, he saw that a smaller hole appeared on the wall, which began to grow until it became so huge that a saiyan could easily pass through it. He recalled reading something about this in their database, but he has never seen a saiyan perform it so far. They had details on every colony they conquered, not just about the resources the planet had, but also detailed descriptions about the inhabitants' power level and techniques. It was rare that a colony tried to get rid of the saiyan invaders, but they decided better to be careful and study them.

"Why would they teach you something like this?"

"Maybe because I'm not mean like the others. I helped them out with some work and I think we are friends now."

Friends… Wasn't this something the woman kept saying? Now is Kakarott also coming with the same shit? When exactly did he make friends with them at all? More importantly, why would he be friends with them? It's not even like saiyans were friends with each other, much less with slaves.

"How can you lower yourself to their level? You are a saiyan, a member of a superior race, yet you ask our slaves to teach you?"

"What is wrong with that? Sure, we are stronger, but they have some unique techniques, which could help. I think it was common on Earth to learn fighting from others, who were stronger or more experienced."

"Yeah, and look where that lead them; they are all dead or living as slaves. Saiyans on the other hand are prospering."

"I don't see any issue with learning from others. Fight with me and you will see!"

Vegeta wasn't sure what to do. Normally he wouldn't lower himself to fight Kakarott, that one time after their first mission together was enough. On the other hand; he had to give him credit, even if it was unwillingly done. Also he was intrigued, he has rarely seen any new techniques which could be of any use, as most of the inhabitants of the planets were not wordy opponents at all. Still didn't Kakarott have any pride?

"Fine, let's fight" He finally agreed and they went to one of the gravity rooms.

Kakarott had an annoying grin on his face the whole time and Vegeta wanted to punch him just for that. He was excited, even though both of them were clearly aware, that the Prince was still way stronger. How could somebody look forward to a fight which he will lose anyway? That was beyond him.

"I will set the gravity to 150, just to make it more interesting" Vegeta said and walked to the control panel.

"Good!" Kakarott nodded.

They stood at the opposite side of the room and looked at each other. Both of them were waiting to let the other attack, before finally giving up and beginning to do that at the same time. Even with Kakarott's new techniques, like the acid orb and the blinding light, the Prince still had the overhand most of the time. After a heavy punch as the younger saiyan got up, he called:

"I wasn't planning to use this as I'm still not fully controlling it, but here you go!"

With that, Kakarott disappeared and the next moment Vegeta felt a punch landing in his face. He staggered and looked around, but he was nowhere to be seen. Damn, he was invisible! He recalled the race who tried to use this technique against them, but it was useless as they could locate them with the scouters. Vegeta tried to concentrate on Kakarott's Ki, but he couldn't detect it. Again, he got hit several times and he was unable to block it. As he leaned against the wall, he became conscious of the fact, that it was impossible to detect him, because unlike the race, who owned this technique, Kakarott was able to repress his Ki as well, making him undetectable. He felt blood in his mouth and had to spit it out. He wiped his mouth with his hand and tried to find out a way to turn the table. This time none of them was wearing an armour. Armour was good for real fight, but in order to improve, they had to feel pain. Nothing motivates somebody better as the need to avoid even more pain. Again, the Prince felt a hit, but then as he got up, he had a smirk on his face. Just before he got attached, he felt him! Kakarott was able to repress his Ki until the very last moment of his attacks, but then he needed to use his power, hence his Ki became detectable. It meant, he only needs to focus on the exact moment before the attack and he will be able to deflect it.

"Wow, you figured it out rather quickly!" Kakarott smiled as he became visible again.

He was exhausted, bleeding from several injuries and even his breathing was uneven. Still, Vegeta was in a similar shape and he was in real trouble. He figured out how to deflect the attacks, but he couldn't find a way to attack. Because the only moment when the Ki was detectable was shortly before the impact, otherwise he would just fight blindly.

"Why are you visible?" The Prince asked, trying to gather his remaining strength.

"Am I?" Kakarott asked and looked down at himself, calling: "Damn, it already wore off! You see? It takes a lot of power to maintain this form, that's why I told you that I wasn't planning to use it yet."

With that said, he fell to the ground and remained sitting there, with his back leaned against the wall. Vegeta relaxed; the fight was over and he has won. Of course he has, he was the Prince. Still, again it was undeniable how much Kakarott improved. He was sure, he had the potential to become an elite fighter one day. Based on techniques alone, he was already superior to them. Why? Bardock wasn't anything special, though he improved somewhat during the last two years, but Gine wasn't a formidable opponent either. Radditz was a typical 3rd class… so there was no logical explanation for Kakarott's potential. What was the most outrageous; the techniques which he acquired from the slaves were rather useful.

"So, are you interested to learn any of the techniques?" Kakarott asked, with a smile.

Of course he would be interested, but he wasn't just going to say it, unlike somebody, he had his pride. The most fascination was this last one, but some others could also come in handy in the battlefield.

"I don't need any cheap tricks, I'm the Prince of all Saiyans. I will wipe up the floor with everybody!" He called and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"But… you also learned how to sense Ki and repress it!" Kakarott said. "How come you needed that?"

"Shut the hell up and don't challenge me, damn it!"

"Isn't it rather like you want to learn it, you just cannot admit it? I don't think the slaves are very fond of you, but I can teach you!"

"Go jump in the lake! I already told you, I don't need your help; anybody's help!"

"Ok, if you mean it" Kakarott shrugged and got up from the floor.

Vegeta wished that he could just tell the truth, but he barely confessed it to himself. Also, in case he would show interest in any techniques, that would show him week; since a strong warrior would already have the sufficient skills. Wouldn't he?

As Bulma was fixing the control panel outside the gravity room, she could see Vegeta in there, training. By now she wasn't surprised that he was in there in almost every hour of every day. The only other saiyan, who spend a similar amount of time there was Kakarott, but even he wasn't training right now. She liked to watch him, even though at times she couldn't see his movements at all, when he picked up speed. In the last 2 years she saw him almost every day, but their conversations were short and he only spoke with her, when it was unavoidable. Her projects were more and more about training equipment recently and she was the only scientist, who was not working on the classical task, like engines, fuel, armours. By now the scientists were all skilled and knowledgeable and they were working together as a team. It helped a lot, that nobody was killed from them in the last 6 years and they had more experience as any other team before them.

"Vegeta, I need to turn off the gravity, to reboot the system" She called through a loudspeaker.

"Fine" Vegeta grunted and grabbed a bottle of water, while he leaned against the wall.

As soon as the gravity was turned off, Bulma walked into the room and opened the compartment in the wall, which stored the gravity machine. Vegeta looked at her somewhat shocked as unlike usually, she wasn't wearing her white overall, but an extremely short and tight short with a strapless top. Her long blue hair was gathered in a ponytail, but many locks came lose already. When she leaned into the compartment, Vegeta couldn't tear away his gaze from her back. He cursed; he never realised that she had such curves under her usual clothing.

"What the hell are you wearing?" He asked, but whished he didn't as when she turned to him, he also saw her breasts.

These garments were not able to hide her figure at all. Bulma turned to him, trying to be prepared for another argument.

"In case you haven't realised it, the air-conditioning is busted and it's hot like hell."

"I don't care, put something on!"

That confused Bulma; she had no idea, why he was acting so strange, just because she wore regular clothes.

"I have more clothes on than you!" She snapped, pointing at his bare chest.

Vegeta was also suffering from the heat and only trained in a short, leaving his chest bare. By now Bulma was more or less used to this sight, but she tried to remain in a safe distance.

"It's none of your concern, what I wear. In case I want, I can train naked!" He cried out angrily.

"I certainly wouldn't mind that" She laughed. "Just let me know when you do that, so I won't miss it!"

"What?" He asked and stepped closer to her, trying to intimidate her with his presence.

"Don't be like that, it was actually a compliment! You have a great body, you must know that with all the training and stuff."

He looked at her dumb folded. Was she crazy? How can she say something like that? Has she no shame at all? He already knew she was an enigma, but it looked that she can still surprise him after all these years.

"You are vulgar, Woman!" He managed to say while he blushed.

"I just told you my opinion. Anyhow, what is so wrong with my clothing?"

"It's… showing too much skin!"

"Don't tell me, that it disturbs you, because you find me irresistible?" Bulma asked, trying hard not to laugh.

Vegeta felt how his face became hot and he wanted to take a few steps back; she was way too close. He forced himself to remain there; backing off would be a sign of weakness and he wasn't weak! Damn it, she was just a mere human, how did she manage to make him feel so… well, he wasn't quite sure what he felt, but he hated it! He was a warrior, the last thing he needed was feelings of any kind!

"What is it, Vegeta? She asked on a playful tone and this time she stepped closer.

Though she immediately regretted it as by now only a thin layer of air separated their bodies from each other and she was drawn to him. She already knew that she liked him, even though she had no real reason to feel that way. He was a complete jackass, who would even kill her, would she not be so useful. Even so, she wanted to get close to him, get to know him and see his real-self, behind all his cruelness. The more she get to know the saiyans, the more she realised they were not necessarily evil, at least not all of them. They just never tried to live any other way then being warriors.

"Get away from me!" She heard Vegeta's voice and it was so threating that she stepped back, bumping her back into the wall.

They were still way too close, but she had nowhere to go, she was cornered. To her shock he stepped closer and once again, their bodies were almost touching. She gulped and not because she was afraid of him, she was afraid of herself. She felt his heat on her body and she had to struggle not to push herself to him and kiss him on the lips. She knew she was nuts, for even thinking about it, but all she could think of were his lips. Vegeta saw that she was struggling, but also felt, that it was not out of fear. Even though he was only inches away, she wasn't afraid of him. He tried to think back, just when did he lose his power over her, but couldn't remember. It was odd, she was the only one, who dared to approach him, argue and threated him as a normal person. From one side it was outrageous, from the other, as reluctant as he was, he had to give her credit. Suddenly, without any warning he felt her warm, moistly lips on his own and she pressed herself to him. At first, he had no idea what was happening and before he knew it, he was kissing her back. As he felt her fingers running through his hair, he grabbed her and pulled her even closer. He felt her hot breath on his face and her breasts pressed against his bare chest. Just what the hell was this feeling? He was with quite many women, but he never felt anything like this. And all they were doing was just kissing! On the other hand, she was the first one, who was willingly going along with it; hell she even took the lead! Just what kind of power did she have? He suddenly broke the kiss and stepped back. As he looked at her face, he could clearly see that she was disappointed. She was out of breath and her face was flushed, which just made her even more desirable. He was confused and he needed to get as far away as possible, so he rushed out of the room and only stopped, once he was outside of the palace. He needed to cool off and he knew that this time it had nothing to do with the air-conditioning, that he felt hot; it was her fault!

As soon as Vegeta left, Bulma sank to the ground and remained there sitting. Just what the hell happened between her and Vegeta? She completely lost it and kissed him! How can she be so stupid? She knew damn well who he was, how he was and she failed to control herself nevertheless… Even so, why wasn't he pushing her away? It was clear, that he also enjoyed it, at least as much as her, but how can that be? He never showed any interest in her, did he? One thing was sure; at best he found her desirable, but it wasn't more as an instinctual desire, without any feelings. Why couldn't she restrain herself? Why was she playing with the fire? Still, this kiss was something, what she never expected… it has awoken such desires in her, what she never felt before and she was convinced that it was all worth it. She sighed, got up and walked out of the room to cool down. When she reached the lavatory, she washed her face with cold water several times, until she felt a bit better. As she dried herself and looked into the mirror, she saw that her face was still a bit red. Then suddenly she remembered on Vegeta's expression a second before he rushed out and she had to laugh. Even though she had no idea, what he was thinking, it was clear that he never expected for this to happen. Maybe he will think twice, before cornering her like that! It would be good for both of them as now, that she tasted his lips, she was sure she will have to struggle much harder to restrain herself.

Oh well, they finally kissed; it took them long enough :D Still, they will have to face a lot of challenges along the way, so the story is far from over!