Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, as always. I was a little disappointed by the number of reviews I got because I really love to hear your thoughts! I can take constructive criticism so if you don't like the chapter for whatever reason, please let me know! Otherwise, I just think no one likes the story :( Other than that, enjoy!

Set Me Free

Chapter 5


Bulma was the first to break the eye contact between herself the prince. She quickly turned her attention away from the royal couple and back to Kakarott to continue her conversation with the young warrior.

Vegeta however, could not keep his eyes off her. He continued to look her up and down, amazed at her beauty. Her silk gown hugged her body perfectly. The deep red contrasted to her pale skin and blue hair, which was pinned in a neat bun perched upon her head. The prince continued to stare until his future wife interrupted his thoughts by slightly nudging him in the ribs.

"I think the guests are waiting for us to begin dance." She whispered.

Vegeta turned to face Chi Chi and solemnly nodded. As the music began, he took her left hand into his right, forcing her to face him as he placed his left hand on her hip and she followed suit by wrapping her right arm around his shoulder.

Bulma glanced briefly at the couple before downing a glass of champagne. She was about to leave the ballroom to get some fresh air out in the gardens when a Saiyan man stepped in front of her, blocking her exit.

"May I have this dance?" He inquired, extending a hand.

She looked up at the young man who stood before her. He was handsome and tall. His face held a genuine smile as he waited for her answer.

Bulma thought for a moment before reluctantly agreeing. She grasped his hand as he lead her out onto the floor.

While they swayed to the music on the dance floor, Bulma studied the man's face. His attractive features were soft and welcoming, unlike Vegeta's, who always seemed cold and sharp. Bulma's eyes stopped roaming and settled upon an X-like scar that was planted on his left cheek. She momentarily faltered, mentally cringing at the thought of how he received such a scar. Her eyes wandered to the opposite side of his face, spotting another scar that was etched across his right eye.

"I'm Yamcha, by the way." He stated, interrupting her thoughts.

"Bulma" She answered, a small smile playing at her lips.

"Yes, I believe I've heard rumors about you. You're from Earth, correct?"

She nodded, never breaking eye contact.

"I have never had the pleasure. I hear it's beautiful."

"Oh? Well, you are really missing out. You have not seen beauty until you have seen Earth."

"Oh I beg to differ…" He trailed off then added. "I do have you in my arms, after all."

Bulma blushed at his words and quickly looked away, hiding the huge grin that was spread across her face.

"You are too kind, sir." She said, turning her attention back to the striking man standing before her.

The music came to an end and the surrounding couples broke away, clapping casually in respect to the orchestra. Eventually, the young pair also followed suit and separated. Yamcha gracefully grabbed Bulma's hand, giving it a soft kiss before they departed.

Once again, she blushed and returned the gesture with a smirk before turning to leave. Yamcha hesitated for a moment before quickly reaching for her shoulder.

"Will I see you again?" He asked.

Bulma thought for a moment. "I would like that very much." She answered him with a beautiful, sincere smile before turning to leave once more, exiting the room. He watched her go, pondering when he might get the opportunity to see her again.

Meanwhile, a dark pair of eyes watched the couple and the interaction that occurred between the two. The prince stood in a distant corner of the ballroom, studying the scene, a scowl placed upon his handsome features.

How could she stand the man? He was not worthy of her company, neigh, the ground she walked upon! A low class Saiyan who was relieved of his soldier duties. Ha! He could not even perform the tasks of what every Saiyan male is born to do! And yet, the woman grants him her attention. Vegeta snorted at these thoughts. She needs a real man. With that, he stalked off and left the room, ignoring the glares from his father and mother about leaving the party.


"Fancy seeing you out here."

Kakarott turned around to face the intruder of his thoughts. "Oh your highness!" He grinned, putting an arm behind his head. "What are you doing out here? Its kind of cold out tonight and you're the guest of honor at the party!"

Chi Chi stepped forward, wrapping a shawl around her bare arms. "Oh, well, its kind of boring in there…" She trailed off, glancing behind before turning her attention back to the man. "And the prince left me after our first dance so I decided to seek out my own company."

Kakarott grinned and motioned towards a spot next to him on the stone ledge he was leaning against before she paid him a visit. "Be my guest, your highness."

"Ugh please Kakarott! Call me Chi Chi." She smiled, walking towards the balcony next to the soldier.

Kakarott let out a chuckle before agreeing with the princess. "Well, you choose a lovely evening to come out here." He stated quietly, trying to start up a conversation.

Chi Chi nodded silently, gazing up at the stars that twinkled above their heads. An enormous moon sat facing them, giving off a red tint. The landscape covered some of the moon, due to the rolling hills and tall mountains that lay in the distance. The view was breathtaking, to say the least.

"I wouldn't worry about Vegeta leaving you and stuff. He's always doing stuff like that." Kakarott added, hoping to cheer the young princess up.

She slowly shook her head. "Oh Kakarott, I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about marrying him! Ugh, that's such an awful thing to say, I know! But, I-I-I just do not connect with him… I don't love him or even like him. At all." She buried her face into her hands, small tears escaping between her fingers. The princess was scared. Scared for her new life on this strange and lonesome planet. She felt no love; both from and to her future husband.

Kakarott stood still for a brief moment, contemplating his next move. He looked around before he embraced the young woman before him, holding her close and rubbing her back for comfort.

"I wish I wasn't even a princess so I wouldn't be forced to do things like this!" She added, crying harder. "I just want to be… set free. I would give anything!"

Kakarott thought about her words and tried his best to console his friend. He remained silent, giving her the opportunity to voice her opinion once more but all that was heard was quiet weeping.

Finally, he spoke up after what seemed like eternity. "It'll be alright, Chi Chi. I'm here for you."

Immediately, she stopped her sobbing and wiped away the tears. She glanced up her supporter, her big dark eyes meeting his. "Oh Kakarott! Oh you called me Chi Chi!"

She jumped into his arms once more, returning the strong embrace. Kakarott was slightly confused that his simple words made her feel better. He had no idea. That simple act was everything Chi Chi needed to hear. It made her feel like she was not a princess in his eyes but rather, a friend.


"I demand a dance."

Bulma turned around. She too was guilty of getting lost in the moonlit landscape as she stared off the balcony. Now, she was face to face with the person she did not expect to request a dance from her.

"Your highness?"

The prince stood before her, hands shoved into his pockets as he glared at her, waiting for the answer. "Well?" He prodded.

She stood up and leaned against the stone ledge. "Well, it's getting late and I was going to retire soon."

"I will not take no for an answer."

Bulma rolled her eyes. "Isn't the party done soon?"

"Soon does not mean now" He smirked.

Bulma thought for a moment. "Alright. One dance" She sighed.

"Good." The prince grasped her wrist before turning on his heel, leading her back into the ballroom.

Vegeta did not say a word as he proceeded to the dance floor, leaving Bulma to ponder what the hell is taking place. She and the prince barely exchanged words, much less have a conversation together and now, here he was dragging her along for… a dance? The young woman was perplexed, to say the least, at the prince's actions.

"Well woman, do I have to do all the work myself?"

She suddenly noticed they were located in the center of the floor and Vegeta was positioned and ready to begin. She shook herself out of her daze and continued to follow his lead.

The surrounding guests stared at the couple, waiting for them to begin. The music began and initiated the dancing. Soon, the visitors paired up and joined the couple.

Minutes passed without any interaction between the two. Finally, Bulma cleared her throat, catching Vegeta's attention. "So what's all this about?"

Vegeta quirked an eyebrow down at his partner, encouraging her to elaborate.

"Your highness, we have never had an actual conversation together and here we are… dancing!"

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Why do you have to analyze this?"

Bulma broke the eye contact, looking down at her feet as they continued to sway to the soft music playing quietly in the background.

"Besides, you should feel honored you have the opportunity to be with me." Vegeta added, a small smirk forming.

Bulma frowned at the comment. What an arrogant man! "OH! Is that so, huh?"

While the arguments progressed between the pair, the King's eyes narrowed as he glared at the couple, studying the interaction between the two. He frowned at the possible explanation for his son's behavior. The prince seems to be infatuated with this lower-class female.

"What a lovely evening" The queen announced to her husband, flashing a bright smile.

The king sneered at the statement and he quickly left the room, his cape billowing behind him as he disappeared from sight.

Before Bulma knew it, the music ended and guests filed slowly out of the ballroom, bidding their goodbyes to the lonesome queen.

The young woman realized she was still in the prince's arms as she gazed into his dark and handsome face. Suddenly, Vegeta made the first move and slowly removed himself from his partner. Before Bulma had the chance to say departing words, the prince was already making his way to the exit. But she could have sworn she saw a small smirk forming on those perfect lips of his before he left…


The next day, Bulma and Chi Chi sat on the young princess's balcony, eating a delightful breakfast and discussing the past events that took place the night before.

Chi Chi was lost in thought as she pushed around pieces of fruit with her fork, trying to decide where to begin. "What do you think of Kakarott?" She blurted out to her long time friend.

Bulma looked up from her meal and studied her friend before giving her answer. "I think he's a great guy. Very nice." She turned her attention back to her food and continued to shovel pieces of meat and eggs into her mouth. She paused for a moment. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason!" Chi Chi abruptly answered, resuming pushing around her fruit.

Bulma grinned, realizing her friend's newfound feelings towards the soldier. "He is rather handsome, don't you think so?"

Chi Chi smiled and nodded. "Very much so!"

"Chi Chi! You're almost a married woman! Naughty, naughty…" She wagged a finger, her smile growing wider by the second.

"You tricked me!" The princess cried, burying her face into her hands as redness crept onto her cheeks from embarrassment. "Besides, I hear my fiancé is after a different woman."

Bulma stopped laughing and stared at her friend across the table, who was also returning the eye contact.

"Chi Chi, listen, he came up to me while I was-"

"B, don't worry about it. I don't care! I barely talk to the man… He scares me!" She giggled.

Bulma sighed in relief. "Yeah, that is true. He is a scary man!"

And the girls continued on with their laughing session throughout breakfast.


Meanwhile, King Vegeta and his son were busy discussing diplomatic matters, joined by Radditz, Kakarott, and Bardock.

"…alright, it is settled then." The king announced as they started packing up papers files.

As Prince Vegeta stood up to leave, the king unexpectedly turned the conversation in a new direction.

"Kakarott my boy, have you taken a mate yet?"

The prince slowly took his seat again, trying to figure out the 'angle' his father was getting at by asking this simple question.

Kakarott looked between Vegeta and his father, nervously before answering. He chuckled and fidgeted in his chair, suddenly uncomfortable by the new spotlight that was placed on him. "Ha well… no." He grinned, putting an arm behind his head.

"Well, then, I think it is about time" The king announced.

The prince looked at his father, raising an eyebrow. The king paid no attention to his son as he continued on with his speech.

"How about, oh what is her name… lady Bulma."

Vegeta had to use all his strength to contain himself after the announcement his father just made. His mouth nearly dropped to the floor as his eyes doubled in size but he quickly regained his composure before anyone noticed. Then, he turned his interest towards the soldier seated across from him, who appeared uneasy as he continued his glare.

"Oh that is not necessary, your highness-"

"I insist, Kakarott."

And with that, the king gathered the rest of his documents and left the room. The room was quiet except for heavy breathing that was coming from the prince himself, who appeared to be fuming. His eyes scanned the room as the company waited for a response.

He released a low growl before rushing out of the room, knocking over his chair as he leapt to his feet. The prince was going to have a talk with his father about this matter.


Vegeta did not bother knocking as he burst through the tall double doors leading into his father's study.

"Father, I must speak with you." A definite edge radiated in the prince's voice as he spoke.

The king was seated as usual, behind his enormous desk, consumed in his paperwork. King Vegeta looked up at his son as a leering smile began to appear. "Yes? What is it?"

The prince continued to march over towards the desk. He abruptly slammed his hands down on the dark marble, leaning over till he was nose to nose with his father.

"You leave her out of this."

"And who is this you speak of?"

"You know damn well who it is!"

The king let out a chuckle and leaned back in his chair, lacing his hands behind his head but never breaking the eye contact with his son.

"Well Vegeta, it sounds as if you have taken a liking to this young woman."

Vegeta continued to glare daggers at his father. "And what if I have?"

"You are already betrothed."

"I can take a concubine."

The king rubbed his temples in frustration at his brash son. "Yes, but she is much more than that to you, isn't she?"

Vegeta remained silent, suddenly realizing what was happening to him. Sure, he thought the woman was intriguing, but nothing more… or so he thought. If she was nothing to him, he wouldn't be standing here demanding she be his, and only his.

The king caught sight of the perplexed look upon his son's face as the realization replaced the anger that was etched upon his looks.

"You must marry Princess Chi Chi. Our alliance with Earth depends on it! Besides, you are falling for a lower class woman. She is beneath you, Vegeta!"

Vegeta pushed himself away from the desk without making a sound. As if in a trance, he headed for the doors, his father calling out to him.

"I will never allow it!"


Bulma was lost in her romance novel, laying on her back in the warm sun in the middle of the field, where she usually spent her time. Taking a break from her reading, she embraced the book to her breast as she sighed and daydreamed about finding her perfect man and living happily ever after.

A shadow soon loomed over her, interrupting her dreams. "Hey!" She sat up, annoyed by the disturbance. The young woman shielded the sun out of her eyes as she gazed up at the figure who was trespassing on her thoughts.

Prince Vegeta.

"What do you want?"

He squatted down, snatching the book away from her as he read the title and flipped through the pages.

"You know, this stuff will make you brain dead, if it hasn't already." He smirked, holding the book out of reach as she hastily tried to retrieve it from him.

"Argh! Give it back you jerk!" She tried again to snatch it back, but no success.

He chuckled at her feeble attempts. "That's no way to speak to a prince!"

"Ha, prince? A prince is handsome and caring and loving and heroic. You're just an ass!"

Vegeta shook his head, rolling his eyes at her response. "You've been reading way too much of this shit." He tossed it back to her.

She picked up the book and held it tightly to her as she glared at the man. "Well? Why are you here? Clearly to ruin my day because you're doing such a good job-"

And he silenced her with a kiss.


Author's Note: OH! Now we're talking! Yeah, I finally got the story interesting, eh? Haha at least, I hope so :) Please review, my lovelies!

PS: I apologize for any grammar errors... I scanned through it quickly but I wanted to get this posted ASAP for you all.