Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! Excellent as always. Enjoy!
Set Me Free
Chapter 9
My Dearest Daughter,
I hope you are well and I miss you terribly. I'm writing you to ask for your assistance on a project I have been working on here. I understand if you decline but I would really like to see you, my sweet.
Love,
Dad
Bulma delicately folded the note and tucked it tightly into the ribbon wrapped around her thin waist. She looked to the ceiling and released a small sigh, bringing her hand to her brow. It has been far too long since she has been back home…
But her life here is starting to get interesting. The prince and her have been meeting every day for the past few weeks, whether playing a game, taking a stroll, or simply having a nice chat. She will miss these moments terribly….
However, her father does need her help. But with what? He is the genius, why can't he figure it out?
She released a growl at the complicated decision she has to make.
"What to do…" She mumbled as she continued to pace back and forth in the hallways of the palace.
"Do about what?"
The young woman turned to the prince who was standing before her, holding a stack of papers and making his way to his study. "What's going on?" He persisted when he got no answer the first time.
"Nothing." She murmured, picking at her fingernails and looking at the floor. Then she released a heavy sigh turned her attention back to Vegeta. "So what are your plans for the day?"
He carefully tucked the pile of papers and folders underneath his arm and took a swig of his coffee. "Finishing up on some business. Father is urging me to prepare for this war on Planet Nash."
Bulma nodded and mindlessly chewed away at her thumbnail, her mind elsewhere. What was she going to do about this situation with her father?
"Why? You have something in mind?" His coarse voice broke into her thoughts.
"Yeah, sure." She quickly said and took off down the hall. She needed something to get her mind off of this dilemma and Vegeta is a perfect distraction. Bulma hurried off to meet with Chi Chi and ask her opinion on the matter.
"So what was with you today?"
The prince lightly brushed Bulma's blue locks out of her face. Both were currently perched upon Vegeta's black leather couch in front of the enormous stone fireplace. The flames lit the dark room and flickered across both faces, who stared ahead, mesmerized by the dancing waves of yellow and red.
Bulma was curled up beside Vegeta, her head resting on his lap. His right arm was draped around her, lightly caressing her soft skin, and his left held an alcoholic drink, one similar to brandy.
The young woman ignored the question, still pondering what to say, or if she should tell him at all. Instead, she rolled onto her back and stared into his dark onyx eyes, releasing a smirk. He quirked his head to the side and before he knew it, her straddled his lap and clasped his face in her hands her mouth over his. He feverishly returned the gesture and in the fit of the moment, threw his drink halfway across the room and picked her up.
Making his way to his mammoth bed, he gently tossed her upon the satin sheets and crawled over her, continuing the lip-and-tongue action. Bulma released a giggle and reached for the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head. Her eyes bulged out of her head as she traced over his magnificent body. His toned, dark olive skin glistened as the fire continued to light the room.
The prince smirked as he watched her reaction. He leaned in to capture her lips once more while his hands fumbled with her light pink dress.
"Fuck" He growled as he struggled with the clasp, getting frustrated by the moment.
She rolled her eyes and pushed the man above her away as she effortlessly worked away at the dress. "Men." She smirked. "You'd think you would be a pro by now." She tossed the dress aside but still remained clad in her red lace bra and underpants.
He ignored the snide comment as his looked over her flawless body. Her pale skin clashed against the darkness of the room. Her arms outstretched, beckoning him to join her and he obliged.
As they continued, her hands roamed down his chiseled chest down to his abdominal muscles, which contracted under her touch. She grinned at the power she had over him. Bulma's hands persisted their path until they reached the hem of his pants. She once again giggled as she felt a certain bulge. Her fingers traced the buckle of his belt and began to undo the clasp when her mind instantly went elsewhere.
Chi Chi
This was still her fiancé, technically, even though she knows about her friend's fling with Kakarott.
How long can she keep this up? Would they ever be something more than sneaking around, hiding in broom closets? Bulma would never admit it, but she felt something more than friends with the dark prince but the question was does he feel something more for her?
Suddenly, Bulma knew what she had to do and she sat up quickly, breaking off the makeout session. The prince, clearly confused, sat back on his hunches, his hands resting on his thighs as he focused on the woman before him.
"I need to go back to Earth."
Vegeta's cold stare bore into her and he looked away, focusing his attention on something else as he processed her words. Finally, he turned back to her, his features more softened and he nodded silently.
"I'm sorry. My father, he-" She quickly jumped off the bed and searched the ground until she found the letter from her father, which she handed to the prince.
Vegeta read over the letter, several times it seemed as time passed between the two. He folded the letter and slowly handed the letter back and made his way towards the fireplace.
Bulma grabbed her dress and threw it back on. As she reached for the door, the young woman looked back at Vegeta, who stood staring into the flames, hands shoved into his pockets. His once handsome look was distorted as he frowned into the fire.
Bulma hesitated but made her way back to the prince for a proper goodbye. She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and rested her face upon his bare back and mumbled into his skin a goodbye. He made no reaction towards her, which she took as a sign to leave.
Before shutting the door, she whispered "I'm going to miss you" and quietly shut the door, unable to tell if her words fell on deaf ears. She held back a choked sob and held her hand to her mouth, unable to contain much longer. Thank the gods she reached her room just in time as the tears fell.
Meanwhile, Vegeta pressed his back against the wall and slowly slid down, holding his face in his hands as images of her flashed across his memories. She will never realize what she means to him.
Months passed, crawling slowly by in Vegeta's opinion, since Bulma left. Luckily, he was thrown into hours of meetings, mountains of paperwork, and days of training in preparation for the upcoming war.
However, that was not enough to take his mind of her. At first, he was angry with her for leaving him. He was the prince of all Saiyans! Who denies him? Soon anger turned to hurt and pain, although he would never admit it.
Sleepless nights and busy days made him a wreck as the weeks passed. He purposely filled his days, pushing himself hours without breaks to ensure his mind constantly busy to prevent it to drifting of thoughts of her.
Bulma…
Vegeta's liquor stash was decreasing dramatically and both Kakarott and Chi Chi noticed a drastic change in mood and appearance. They hardly saw the young prince, unless in passing. He ate all his meals in solitude, either in his room or office.
Now, he found himself facing Kakarott in the training arena. The prince threw a couple quick jabs and punches in his direction, while Kakarott blocked the hits. Vegeta gave up on the hand-to-hand combat and reached for his sword as Kakarott mimicked the move.
The fight became heated as Vegeta took his frustrations out on the young soldier before him. The prince smirked as he saw a weak spot on his opponent and lunged forward but not before Kakarott noticed his mistake and quickly threw a kick in Vegeta's direction, sending him to the opposite wall.
"FUCK!" Vegeta bellowed, throwing his sword to the side and leaned against the wall in anger and frustration. As Kakarott neared him to offer aid, the prince pulled a knife from his boot and leaped forward but again was pushed down.
Vegeta released hissed as he punched the wall and exited the room, convinced he was just having a bad day. You need to get over her! She's making you weak.
The prince showered and changed and made his way to his next appointment, one which included his father and a business meeting. These days, it was getting more and more difficult to tolerate the man and he tried his best to avoid him whenever possible.
More time passed and Vegeta was to be shipped off to Planet Nash any day now. His army was prepared and ready for battle. He spent the remainder of days training. However, today he found himself sitting under the tree in the middle of the fields on the grounds of the palace. Bulma's special place where she would go to get some peace and quiet and read her ridiculous romance novels. The thought made Vegeta smile as he recalled his teasing about that stupid book.
Vegeta folded his arms behind his head and allowed himself to close his eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun upon his face.
A shadow loomed above him and caused him to stir awake. His mind raced to Bulma in hopes she returned however his stomach dropped when he saw his future bride.
"What?" He growled, irritated by the company.
"I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just going to read."
She turned to leave when the prince caught sight of the romance novel that once belonged to Bulma.
"That book…" He trailed off. Chi Chi turned back to him and looked down at the book before back into his eyes.
"Bulma left it for me."
Vegeta said nothing and turned back to looking straight ahead, hoping she would leave. Instead, she sat down next to her fiancé. "I miss her too."
Again, silence fell on the prince.
The princess continued. "I can't imagine what you're going through. I'm going to miss Kakarott when he leaves in a few days." She was referring to the war. The prince nodded slightly, just to acknowledge he was listening.
They sat in silence until she sighed and pushed herself up, turning back to the palace.
"Wait."
Chi Chi turned back and Vegeta was on his feet. "So, this thing with you and Kakarott…"
She blushed and felt ashamed. Suddenly, a look of fear crossed her features as she realized the danger she could be in for this little "affair." Vegeta has every right to punish her and law states he could very well have her imprisoned, much less killed for this little stunt. The harsh voice did not make it any better and she eagerly awaited his next words, unsure of the outcome.
Vegeta closed his eyes, trying to form his thoughts into words. "You love him?"
Chi Chi was taken aback by the words. Should she lie to her future in order to save herself? Or tell him the truth and hope the prince will go easy on her. Does she even love him? What a strange question but nevertheless an important one, especially between the prince and herself.
She nodded. "Yes."
Vegeta looked down at the ground, still trying to decide what to say next. Finally, he made eye contact. "Well, then you should marry him."
Her mouth dropped. She was absolutely stunned by his response. Without thinking, she charged forward and wrapped her arms around the man before her, silent tears fell in happiness. "Thank you." She murmured into his chest.
The prince nudged her away and walked back to the palace. He had freed her of the contract between the two. The alliance between Earth and Vegetasei will be shattered, but that did not matter to him in the first place. His father will be absolutely furious but again, he did not care. The one thing he actually did care about was gone, so why not take away something from his father as well?
Instead of announcing the news, he decided to keep a secret. At least till after the battle.
The prince downed a few glasses of amber-colored liquor and stared into the fire, thoughts returning to that one night he was actually happy.
Author's Note: Sorry, its short. But I couldn't decide where I wanted to end this chapter plus I just sat down and wrote it and I wanted to post it as soon as possible. Good news! I finally put together a "storyline" because for awhile I was kinda 'winging' it. This means, I'll get chapters out sooner. Also, there is going to be a sequel!
Review please!
