Disclaimers: Don't own, don't ask, don't sue.
A/N: Sorry. This isn't one of my best chapters ever...getting up at 6, then going to bed at 3 for the last week just doesn't seem to be working for me...anyway, 16's being worked on...
Black Sunrise
She was curled up on one of the reclining chairs in the large living room, a hot mug of tea in her hands. Her face was pale and her eyes void of all emotion as she looked into the steaming mug, wondering if she could see her future. Everyone was sitting around, waiting for her to speak and knew that if she was rushed into anything, she would just clam right up and not say a word. Gathering her strength, she took a sip of the scalding drink and placed both feet on the floor, elbows on her knees.
"A few years ago when I was in grade 7 I was in a public school. There was this boy, and we went to the movies a few times, maybe for ice cream once but I don't remember. He started becoming obsessed with me, leaving me notes in my locker...sick notes telling me how much he loves me and how much he misses me. One day after school he followed me and snuck into my house. My parents were gone and had been gone for almost a month when this had happened..." She couched slightly, tugging the sleeves of her silk pajamas over her hands, fingers curling around the soft fabric. "I remember I was in the kitchen making myself something to eat when I felt these hands come up behind me and pull me against someone."
"I let out a scream, and then turned around only to find Jade standing there behind me with this sick look in his eyes. He told me that I was the only one for him, that he would never stop loving me...that he wanted me to have his children. He advanced on me and forced a kiss onto my lips. That's when I hit him the first time in the face. He hit me back, pressing me against the fridge, holding my arms at my sides. He kissed me again and I lifted my knee up to connect with his groin, but he must have been suspecting that and closed his legs around my knee, so I did the only thing I could. I opened my mouth and once his tongue was passed my teeth I bit down hard enough to make him bleed. He jumped back, hitting me across the face again." She rubbed her arms, head down as she spoke lightly.
"I punched him in the nose, breaking it, then punched him again which gave him a black eye. He punched me in the stomach and as I was bent over, he started tearing at my shirt and pants trying to get them off. I reached out for something I could get my hand on and smacked him in the head with it. The object was a wooden cutting board. He fell over and I started kicking him in the ribs. I didn't know what else to do. He was trying to molest me and I knew I had to get away but I didn't know how. So I kept kicking him, and kicking him, and kicking him until he started to cough up blood." She got out of the chair she was sitting in and walked to one of the many windows, arms wrapped around her waist as she looked out into the inky blackness.
"When I stopped, he stood up with the help of a counter and looked at me. He spat blood in my face and laughed. I remember his laugh...it sounded like he had enjoyed what had just happened...and then he spoke. I'll never ever be able to forget his words. Don't forget Bulma...don't forget that you shall forever be mine, and you shall always remain mine. I always keep what I have and I always get what I want. You're what I want, and you're what I'll get." She rubbed at her eyes feeling the beginning signs of tears as she fought against herself to keep them back. She wasn't going to break down.
"I phoned my dad right away and told him what had happened. The next day I was in a private school...and Jade was nowhere near in sight. But he had gone to the papers and they printed up a horrible story about how I beat him up...and they didn't listen when I told them that he had tried to do so many horrible things to me! They didn't fucking listen! My name was blackened by that event, and it's taken me so many years to overcome that black smudge on my otherwise perfect name."
She punched the wall beside the window; pictures rattling as she violently expressed her anger. Bulma didn't stop until the knuckles on her right hand were bleeding, and even then Vegeta had to pull her away from the wall, wrapping his arms around hers from behind, rocking back and forth slowly. "A year later, I met Matt. We were just friends at first but slowly that changed. I found myself feeling things I didn't think were possible, and I found myself trusting him more than anyone I had ever trusted before. He was my best friend..."
She felt a pain in her chest as her throat tightened, making it hard for her to breathe as she struggled to continue. No one spoke and for that she was grateful, but couldn't someone say something? "After a few months of being friends, we couldn't fight the desire to have a relationship any more. He was so kind and sweet...never pressured me into anything...my parents loved him. His parents loved me. We were just, perfect for each other. We were just about going out for two years when my parents told me that we were moving here a few days before our two year."
"He...he was supposed to come and see me a couple days before I was to leave...but I was holding a secret. I hadn't told him, or anyone for that matter I was pregnant. Can you imagine, pregnant in grade 10? I waited for him, and waited for him, and waited even longer for him. But he never showed up. I tried calling his house and his cell phone, but still, no answer, so I started to flip through the television to see what was on. Came across the news...and there was a picture of Matt, a picture of the man that was the father of my baby. They said he got into a car crash..." Tears fell from her eyes, dripping onto Vegeta's arms.
"So I went there, and he died while I was holding his hands. There were reporters everywhere...surrounding me...people were telling me that it wasn't an accident, that Matt was supposed to die. There were camera everywhere...and I just wanted to be left alone. I told my parents that I wanted to stay in Toronto until I finished off my grade 10, and 11 year. They didn't know that I was pregnant. I stayed with Matt's parents, Markus and Chloe, until I moved here..."
Her body was rigid as Vegeta pulled her against him and it took her a few moments to relax. "I thought he would have left me alone after all these years. He wants me. He'll do anything to get me. I don't want you guys to get hurt, so please...please think about what I've said. He's willing to do anything, go through anyone, and kill anyone to get me."
Star jumped up and rushed to Bulma, wrapped her arms around her friend, and around Vegeta as well. "I'm sticking with you, no matter what. You're my friend and I'll kick some Canadian ass if I have too!"
Chi-Chi and Goku nodded as well. "We're both here for you, and we know that Vegeta is here for you too..."
"That's right I am. No one is going to hurt you while we're around."
"But you guys have to go to school."
Vegeta shook his head, tightening his arms around Bulma's small frame. "I'll just drop out, or take home schooling. There's nothing in school for me."
"No kidding. Once I explain to my parents what's going on, I'll be around too."
"Us too."
Bulma nodded her head and pulled out of Vegeta's arms, pushing Star aside gently. "I don't want you guys to get hurt on my account."
"I'm not going to get hurt on your account." Star laughed. "I'm willing to get hurt on Rayne's though!"
But Bulma didn't answer as she took her spot back in front of the window, looking out. "I hope my parents are all right..." It seemed that the effects of the bomb in her house still hadn't set in, that she was left with nothing but a suitcase and a few other little things. But at least she and her daughter were safe...for now.
"Pet..."
"Don't call me that. I'm not your pet."
"Bulma..."
"What Vegeta?" She sniffed, choking back a sob.
"Let's go for a walk."
"Not without my daughter."
"I'll send the fool, and the harpies into the room with her, along with a few other people. Your daughter will be perfectly safe. I want to take you on the grand tour and introduce you to my finest security guards."
"But..."
"No buts. I'll throw you over my shoulder if I have too, but you're going outside, and you're going to get some fresh air and you're going to see just what goes on outside of my house."
He took a hold of her left hand and led her to the front hall where she had left her shoes. After watching her slip them on, he handed her his coat and wrapped an arm protectively around her waist. He took her outside and turned right going around the house and into the back yard. There was a small building there and he opened it. Barks filled the air and Bulma got the faint feeling of being in a pound.
"All purebreds. All perfectly harmless to those it knows. Perfectly deadly to strangers unless you give the command." Vegeta stood Bulma in the middle if the large room where at least 20 Rottweilers. There was a smaller room off to the side, but she just stood where she was placed. Vegeta opened up a few kennels and large male dogs jumped out, circling her.
Nodding his head, Vegeta smiled. These dogs were expertly trained. "Sit." The five dogs did as they were commanded, all at the same time. "Friend. Bulma is a friend. Kep." The largest of the males walked up slowly and smelled Bulma's legs, and then her hand. Sneezing once, he walked back and barked. The other dogs in the circle, and those in the kennels barked as well. "He's telling all the others that you are a friend, because I said you are a friend. Next...this is what I really want to show you..."
He walked her into the smaller room where there were puppies in kennels. They barked and yipped playfully, pouncing and playing with their pen-mates. "Oh my god, how cute!" Bulma exclaimed and walked towards the first kennel.
"Pick two. Bitch or male I don't care."
"What?"
"Pick two."
"Why?"
"One for you, and one for Rayne of course."
"How much are they?"
"Free for you."
"Vegeta...are you sure?"
He nodded his head, arms crossing over his chest as he stood still, waiting for the woman to make her choice. Bulma walked to each kennel and looked inside, looking for two puppies that stood out the most. In the 5th kennel that she looked into, she found a pup yelping out in pain as its pen-mate jumped and bit it. "This one."
"Why?"
"Looks passive, and yet its eyes show a great fierceness. Will be perfect for Rayne."
"Done." He opened up the door to the kennel and pulled out the whining puppy, which looked up at him and growled a bit. Vegeta held the pup in his arms and walked behind Bulma as she made her final choice.
"This one." In the last kennel was a pup with large eyes, though one was the traditional chocolate brown, and the other was a milky blue. She opened the door and plucked the pup out, holding it up for inspection.
"Both are bitches. If that's what you want to know."
"Actually, I was just looking at her."
"Needs a name."
"Isis."
"And the other?"
"Let me see her."
Vegeta took Isis from Bulma while she picked up the other pup and looked her over. "Luna."
"Good. Now all we have to do is get them collared and leashed, then they're ready to go. Luna will go sleep in Rayne's room on one of her blankets or something that has her scent. Isis will sleep in your room on something that smells like you, or she could sleep beside you...it doesn't matter." He grabbed one puppy under each arm and took them to a stainless steel counter and placed them on it. He pointed to a cabinet on the wall to the right. "Open it and pick out your desired leashes and collars."
Bulma did as she was told and opened up the metal door. Inside were all different kinds of collars and she took down a thick baby blue collar with white flowers in the center and handed it to Vegeta. "Luna." She chewed on her bottom lip and looked through all of the collars, searching for the best one, one that would suit Isis perfectly.
Grinning, she held up a leather collar with silver and gold skulls running along the center. It was perfect. "There. The last one. I'm sorry...I can choose another one if you want me too."
"It's all right." He was busy fastening the collars onto the puppies, and then went to a large machine and typed in a few things. A couple of minutes later a tag popped out in the shape of a dog-bone, and then another one came out in a skull shape. "Isis and Luna." Vegeta nodded his head proudly, glad to know that if he wasn't around, then she would have two of his top dogs around with her at all times. Where Rayne went, Luna would go.
"You still need leashes."
"Got them." She was holding two simple chain link leashes with black handles. She handed them to Vegeta and watched as he clipped them onto the puppies, then picked them up to set them on the floor. Bulma was handed Isis' leash, and she took a hold of it. "Where too...?"
"To another part of the yard. I'll show you the other kinds of security we have around this place."
"All right." Vegeta took a hold of Bulma's hand, squeezing her cold fingers as he laced his through hers. He wanted to give her strength but he didn't know how. This woman was strong, but he didn't know how much longer she could be strong for. Her life was threatened, her daughters life was threatened, her house was blown up and she had no clue if her parents were safe or not.
"You know Vegeta...I really am getting tired, and I still have tea in the living room, and I've just been under so much stress...I don't know how much more I can take. I, I'm so scared Vegeta." She whispered, eyes downcast as she walked beside him, Isis walking calmly beside her.
"Pet, it's all right. Nothing bad will happen to you...not while I'm around, and not while these pups are around. If they so much as bark out the wrong way they'll have they other dogs running to come to their aid. My dogs are very, very well trained."
"And to think that this night was perfect...you are such a lovely dancer Vegeta...you really are."
"Would you like to dance again? Might not be as perfect as the last one, but I can make due with what I've got."
"I'd feel...stupid. You know who I am, and I'm not really wearing the dancing thing..."
"I think you're beautiful, and I don't care if I know who you are now, this dance will be much better than what it was before. Please?"
"Well..." She sighed, bottom lip between her teeth as she nodded shyly.
"Great." He took the leash from her hand and dropped it to the grass, placing Luna's beside it. "Stay." He took Bulma to an empty patch on the lawn where there were no lights and where no one could see them.
"We don't have any music Vegeta." She let herself be pulled into his arms and her head found its resting place on his shoulder.
"We have music. You just have to listen for it. Can you hear the sound of the wind in the leaves or the crickets? Can you hear the beating of my heart?"
She nodded again, eyes closing as she forced her mind to focus on his sound of his heart and how it lulled her tense body into relaxation. His arms felt so right around her, it was as if she was perfectly safe from the outside world, from her past, from everything...but she knew she wasn't. Deep down she knew that Jade could be out there watching, spying on her and plotting ways to get Vegeta out of the way.
"Don't even think about it. Don't think about anything but here and now. Think about this..." He squeezed his arms around her a bit tighter, forcing her to breath in his smell and her mind went blank.
"But how..."
"You were stiff."
"Oh..."
Vegeta stopped moving and removed a hand from her back to place it under her chin, tilting it upwards. She was forced to look at him, forced to look into his dark eyes, forced to show all of her fear. "Don't think. Just feel. Don't fear...just...feel..." he slowly lowered his head until their lips were just touching, amazed as his own self control as he held back from ravishing her divine mouth. But he kept it sweet and pure, lips barely touching as he placed on one feather-light kiss after another.
Her mind was numb, but maybe it was better that way because she couldn't think of anything else but Vegeta at the moment...the way his lips felt against hers, the way she could sense his hidden desire and friendship between them. Somehow she felt right being pressed up against him, lips covered with his. Isis let out a little bark and pounced on Luna, who growled and returned the pounce once Isis had turned away.
Vegeta chuckled against Bulma's lips and pulled away from her. "Looks like the puppies are getting restless. It's time we go inside so you can finish your tea and go to bed."
"Hmm? Tea? Oh, right." She coughed, cheeks flushing. She walked to Isis after forcing herself to pull away from the arms she was wrapped up in and picked up the leash from the ground along with Luna's. Handing the other pup over to Vegeta she straightened herself and began to walk back to the house, Vegeta following closely. She was confused, royally confused. Were they going out, were they friends or were they still mortal enemies that hated each other? Bulma walked into the house in a daze, kicking off her shoes and going to the living room where she could sit alone for the total of 5 seconds before he followed her, sitting across from the blue-haired teen.
She had lost all interest in the tea as her eyes started to burn holes in her knees as she focused on them. If she looked up, he would catch him looking at her, but she still felt his eyes upon her body. I wonder what he's thinking right now...
Blue met black as they looked at each other, Vegeta smiling as Bulma chewed on her lip, Isis tugging happily at her pant leg. "I...umm...should be going to bed..."
"Speaking of bed, you don't mind if I bunk in my room with you, do you?"
"What!? Why?"
"I don't want you out of my sight, that's why. Don't worry, I'll sleep on the floor."
"No!" She coughed and flushed again. "I mean no the bed is big enough for all of us on it. I...uh...don't mind."
"You sure? I've got no problem sleeping on the floor."
"I...I'm sure."
"All right then. What do you say we go and get these pups settled into bed and get you all tucked in?"
"But I'm not..." she let out a large yawn. "Tired."
"Can't bull shit and bull shitter. You're almost sleeping on your feet. Now c'mon, be a good girl and go to bed."
"Yes Master." She snickered, standing up. Isis trotted beside her happily, stub wagging as much as it could while she pranced up the stairs, following Bulma. She turned into Vegeta's room and nodded to Mitch who was standing outside of the door that he opened for her. Stepping inside she was rushed by Star, Goku and Chi-Chi making Isis instantly drop to the floor, lips pull back to show her sharp teeth. Growls stopped them in their tracks and Bulma yanked on the chain. "Friends."
The pup seemed to be content with that and sniffed each of them carefully, memorizing their scents. "Where'd you get the dog?"
"I gave Isis to Bulma. Luna's for Rayne." Yet again they were subjected to another dog sniffing the three clueless people down. "The best protection money can buy...next to a gun." Vegeta grinned proudly. "Anyways, get out. The woman wants to go to bed. You all know where you're sleeping so leave."
"Vegeta!" Bulma scolded, shaking a finger at him.
"What? You told me you were ready for bed, and I told them to leave so you could go to bed...what was so wrong with that?"
"You could have done it a little more politely."
"It's all right." Star yawned, rubbing her eyes. "I'm going to go to bed anyways. I'll catch you guys in the morning." She walked out of the room glaring at Mitch as she passed him.
Chi-Chi leaned her head against Goku's chest, stifling a yawn herself. "Well, it looks like I'm going to go and tuck Chi-Chi in, and then go sleep on the couch or something. You guys have a great night." He looped an arm around the raven-haired woman's shoulders and guided her close-to sleeping figure through the door. Vegeta nodded and dusted his hands looking smug with himself.
"Give me a break. You are the most rudest man I know."
"Not my problem. Seems you're attracted to rude, strange men."
"Go blow a goat."
"I'd rather have the goat blow me thank you!"
"You're disgusting!"
"I know."
Bulma huffed and yanked back the covers on the bed and slid between the sheets with her daughter in the middle of the bed. Vegeta gingerly pulled the pillow out from under Rayne's head and tossed it to the floor and placed Luna on it. The pup sniffed and licked the pillow, circling three times before lying down. Isis jumped up on the bed and squeezed herself onto the edge lying beside Bulma.
Vegeta rolled his eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry. Just short tempered."
"I haven't noticed."
"Go to sleep."
"Turn the lights off."
"You do it!"
"I'm all ready in bed!"
"FINE!" Vegeta shouted, Rayne letting out a cry of protest. He received one of the most deadly looks in his life from Bulma and held his hands out. "I'll go get her a bottle. Don't move."
She stuck her tongue out at him and sighed, pulling her daughter into her arms.