Love Blooms

*Thirteen years later*

"Focus," Vegeta shouted.

"I am," Usagi yelled back. Frustrated she collapsed to the ground.

"You are weak," Vegeta growled.

"I'm not a Saiyan, Vegeta. This is harder for me," she argued.

"You've been here for 13 years already, how is it you are unable to think like a Saiyan?" Vegeta spat.

"Because I'M NOT ONE!" She screamed. "I thought you were here to train me, not belittle me."

"Woman, I am pushing you to be better," he replied.

Usagi stood up and stomped toward the Prince, stopping only inches from his face. "Why do you have to be so infuriating?"

Vegeta hmphed and crossed his arms. "Why do you have to be so annoying?"

"You'll never win," Goku's voice called from behind Usagi.

"Yes I will," both Usagi and Vegeta yelled at the same time. Both furrowed their brows and turned their backs on each other.

Goku laughed. "You are both so stubborn."

"I am not," both royals growled.

"Kakarot, you deal with her," Vegeta said taking to the sky.

Usagi watched the man fly away. "He pushes all my buttons."

"This is the only way he knows how to train," Goku explained.

"I have learned so much since landing here," Usagi said, "Haven't I?"

Goku smiled. "You have learned better than some of our warriors. Don't let Vegeta discourage you."

Usagi took a deep breath. "I think I need to take a bath."

"I'll follow you back to the palace."

Both figures took to the sky and flew toward the palace.

Once in her own room Usagi undressed and prepared for a bath. The mirror caught her attention and she stopped to stand in front of it. She hardly recognized herself; her arms and legs bore massive muscles and a six-pack decorated her stomach. This race of warriors had made her strong.

In the 13 years she had been on this planet she had learned how to fight, fly and shoot energy balls from her hands. She knew how to detect power levels and how to hide and boost her own. She had learned so much about herself and her crystal, including how to transform into all her different forms of Sailor Moon.

She sunk into the bath. Thank god for Goku, he was the only reason she was getting as far as she was. Vegeta was a great fighter, but he didn't have the patience to be a teacher. Usagi often found herself looking forward to the days she trained with Goku.

Usagi tossed in her bed once more and sighed in frustration; she couldn't sleep. Giving up she got out of bed and donned the armor she had gotten so used to wearing. She headed out of her room and down to the training grounds.

"C'mon Vegeta, what's wrong with you?" Goku's voice echoed through the deserted area.

"Nothing," Vegeta's growl replied.

Usagi stopped and hid, listening to her two mentors.

"I'm not stupid, Vegeta. What's bothering you?" Goku asked.

"That woman," Vegeta finally admitted.

"Admit it Vegeta, you like her," Goku said.

"Why does she infuriate me so?" Vegeta yelled in frustration and powered up.

Goku laughed. "You've never had feelings for someone before, this is all new to you."

"Kakarot, I am the Prince of all Saiyans, women aren't normal around here, and beauty like hers has never been seen around here in the 150 years I've been alive!" He yelled again and threw an energy ball.

Usagi got surprised and forgot to hide her power for a moment, but hid it again when she realized what she had done. But not fast enough to go unnoticed.

"Who's there?" Vegeta demanded.

But Goku already knew. "Come out, Princess. I know it's you."

Usagi revealed herself from the shadows she was hiding in.

"How long have you been there?" Vegeta questioned her.

"Just a few minutes," she answered.

Goku and Vegeta exchanged looks. "Did you hear what was said?" Vegeta glared at the girl.

"Yes," Usagi answered quietly.

"It's not nice to eavesdrop," Vegeta spat.

"I'm sorry Vegeta. . . " She began but Vegeta disappeared. She looked at Goku. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I couldn't sleep, I just came out here to blow off some steam."

"Don't mind him, he's just upset you might have heard what he said about you," Goku said.

"There's no, might," Usagi told him. "I heard everything."

"Oh," Goku said.

"I really am sorry, I didn't mean to. Like I said I just needed to blow off some steam," Usagi repeated.

"I have an idea," Goku said. "Give me a sec." Goku disappeared and reappeared a few seconds later with a bag in his hand. "Come with me." He took to the sky.

Usagi followed him happily. She enjoyed the ability to fly while not in her Sailor Uniform. She sped up to be beside Goku. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see." He smiled at her.

Usagi smiled. Goku always knew the best places to go on this planet. They continued to fly for about 20 minutes at top speed when Goku began to descend. They landed next to a huge waterfall. One of the few places that was surrounded by greenery.

"Why have we never been here before?" Usagi asked him.

"Just never had the chance I guess," Goku replied. He walked over to the edge of the rock and sat down.

Usagi sat down next to him. The roar of the waterfall was deafening. She closed her eyes and tried to relax but found it hard with the little droplets of water that kept hitting her face. She flinched and Goku laughed. She opened her eyes and looked at him. "What's so funny?"

"Would you like to go down to the bottom where it's not as loud?" He asked.

"Lead the way." They both stood and floated down to the bottom of the waterfall and a little ways down where a large pond had been formed off the plunge pool. The sound of the fall was quieter here, more relaxing, and the water was a breathtaking green color.

"I have something for you," Goku said walking into the grass and reaching into his bag. He set up a few things and suddenly music filled the air.

Usagi's eyes went wide and she smiled. "I love this song!"

"I know," Goku said.

"How?" Usagi walked closer to him and he pulled her in to dance with him.

"I often heard you humming it when we were together," he explained.

"You did?" She smiled, then a thought hit her. "How did you get it?"

"I got it from Earth," he told her.

"How did you know what song it was?"

"I pay more attention to you than you think I do," Goku said, then went red. "I mean, urm. . ."

Usagi laughed and the music stopped. Goku looked down at her and their eyes met. They stood there for a few seconds in each other's arms, eyes still locked, and soon their lips met.

Suddenly comprehending what was happening, Goku swiftly pulled away from the Princess. A look of concern and confusion crossed her features.

"I'm sorry," Goku said pulling out of her arms. "I shouldn't have done that."

"Goku, it's ok." Usagi stepped toward him. She placed a hand on his cheek and looked into his eyes once more. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't have feelings for you."

"And I for you," Goku admitted. "But what about Vegeta?"

Usagi didn't answer him, she simply leaned up on her toes and kissed the man again. It had been many years since she had kissed anyone. After losing Mamoru, she'd had no desire to look for love again.

Goku pulled her in tighter and deepened the kiss, causing Usagi to let out a little moan. When they parted, she smiled. "This is much better than training."

Goku released her and walked over to the water. Removing his shirt, he smiled at her. "Care for a swim?" He dove in.

Undressing down to her underwear she dove into the water after him. Popping up right in front of him, she stole a kiss and dove under again.

By the end of the night the two were laying together on the grass. Usagi leaned up on her elbow and looked down at the warrior. She smiled and leaned down to kiss him softly. He smiled and ran his hands through her hair as she lay down on his chest.

"This was nice," Usagi said with a yawn.

"I agree," Goku nearly purred. They lay there listening to the sound of the waterfall, and soon both had fallen asleep.

Goku yawned and opened his eyes; the sun was shining brightly through the branches, and Usagi still slept peacefully beside him. He yawned and stretched, then bolted up. "Crap." He lightly shook the girl beside him. "Usagi, wake up, it's morning." His voice was urgent.

Usagi groaned, but stretched beside him. "Good morning."

"We have to go. You were supposed to train with Vegeta this morning. He's not going to be happy if you're late," Goku said.

"Oh, no!" Usagi stood and quickly put her over armor on.

Goku did the same then grabbed her hand and quickly transported them back to the palace. Letting go of her hand they both took to the air and flew as fast as they could to the building Vegeta liked to train in on occasion.

"Where have you been, woman?" Vegeta demanded as Usagi landed in front of him.

"I'm so sorry, I accidently slept late. I had a hard time sleeping last night,"
Usagi half-lied.

"Kakarot, it's unlike you to be late. Get to your students," Vegeta growled. "Follow me, princess." He turned and walked into the building.

Usagi hated it when Vegeta decided to train here. This small building was meant for endurance training, and was hotter in temperature than the rest of the planet.

"Well," Vegeta barked giving Usagi a look of annoyance. "Get started."

Usagi rolled her eyes at the Prince, but began her everyday warm up routine. Sweat began to accumulate on her body after only a few minutes, and she began to feel weak due to her lack of breakfast. She slowed down, trying to conserve her energy as much as she could.

"What do you think you're doing?" Vegeta asked.

"Vegeta, I didn't get breakfast this morning, I'm just pacing myself," Usagi told him.

"Maybe if you weren't out all night eavesdropping you wouldn't have woken up late," the Prince spat.

"I told you, that wasn't intentional," Usagi retorted.

"Pick up the pace!" He yelled at her.

More out of anger than compliance, Usagi began her warm up again, moving as fast as she could.

"That's better," Vegeta approved.

After her warm up, Vegeta had her run through some moves, then began to spar with her. Usually he held back while fighting with her, but today was different, he wasn't holding back at all.

After hitting a wall for the umpteenth time, she stood and yelled. "What is your problem?"

"Fight me woman," he demanded.

"No," she argued. "There's no way I can beat you, and I'm not learning anything by getting thrown against the wall a thousand times."

"You learn how to take a beating," Vegeta retorted.

"What did I do to you?" Usagi snapped.

Vegeta stomped toward the blonde. "You have done everything to me," he replied. Usagi backed away from him and he continued to move forward. "For the past 13 years, you have clouded my mind. Somehow you managed to . . . to curse me. All day, every day, all I can think about is you." The words coming out of his mouth and the tone he used were polar opposites. He was clearly upset. Usagi's back hit a wall and Vegeta placed both hands on either side of her head. "Seeing you makes my heart pound," he growled. "And I hate it. I hate what you do to me." Then he kissed her.

It was a harsh and forced kiss. Usagi began to panic, this wasn't right. She closed her eyes and willed to be next to Goku. She prayed to somehow be next to the kind warrior and not here with the harsh Prince.

Cool air suddenly hit her and she began to collapse, only to be stopped by a pair of familiar strong arms.

"Usagi," Goku's concerned voice echoed through her head. "Are you ok?"

They both fell to their knees and Usagi buried her face in his chest. "Take me away from here," she begged.

"Keep practicing," Goku told his students. He stood, picked up Usagi, and took to the sky.

Tears began falling down her face, even though she wasn't sure why. She held onto Goku tighter, trying to hide her tears. She had always been like this; when she cared for one person and others kissed her, she always felt guilty; like she had done something wrong. But more than that; this was the first time she had been so terrified in a really long time. Vegeta was strong, and if he had wanted to do more, she would have had no choice but to submit.

Goku landed near the waterfall where they had spent the night. "Usagi, what happened?"

"Vegeta," was all she could choke out.

Getting angry, the black-haired man put the girl down on her feet. "What did he do to you?" For the first time, he noticed how torn up her armor was. "Did he hurt you?"

She shook her head and wiped her tears. "No, not really." She took a deep breath. "I mean, he wasn't holding back today, but I can handle that. It's just," she paused and looked up into his deep brown eyes. "He cornered me against a wall, and kissed me."

Goku's eyes went wide. "WHAT?"

"I was so scared. He was saying I cursed him, and he hated me, then he kissed me. It was so forceful," Usagi explained.

"How did you get away?"

"I don't know. I closed my eyes and just wanted to be next to you so badly, the next thing I knew I was with you."

Goku smiled. "You used instant transmission!"

She thought for a moment then smiled. "I did!"

"That's amazing!" Goku kissed her quickly. "But I'm going to have a word with Vegeta." It was like he'd flipped a switch; going from light and happy to serious and angry. "What he did was wrong." Looking Usagi over again, he asked, "Are you sure he didn't hurt you?"

"I don't know." She sat down on the ground, willing herself to calm down. "I won't really know until the adrenalin stops."

"Will you be ok here?" Goku asked. He knew she would be hurting; even he got injured from to time to time in a full-on fight with Vegeta.

"Where are you going?" Usagi asked.

"To take care of something." His countenance went completely serious and he disappeared.

"Dammit!" Vegeta yelled punching the wall.

"VEGETA!" The yell was the only warning before Goku's fist met Vegeta's face sending him flying into the back wall.

"Kakarot, what's the big idea?" Vegeta hollered covering his face from the barrage of flying fists.

"What did you do to Usagi?" Goku questioned, not stopping his attack.

Vegeta stopped his fist and kicked Goku, sending him flying out the open door. He swiftly followed. "What happened between me and that woman is no concern of yours."

Goku flew into the air. "It is when she confides in me," Goku yelled sending energy balls flying at Vegeta.

Vegeta dodged the energy balls and flew behind Goku kicking him in the back. Goku stopped mid-air and flew up to Vegeta. The two exchanged blows for quite some time until Goku sent Vegeta flying to the ground.

The Prince hit sending shockwaves through the ground. Goku landed beside his friend.

"You need to find a better way to express yourself," Goku growled. "If you ever hurt, or advance on the Princess again, I will crush you."

Vegeta wiped some blood away from his mouth. "Watch what you say, Kakarot. I am still your prince."

"Stay away from her," Goku spat.

Vegeta stood. "What's it to you?"

"Dammit, Vegeta. Just admit it, you love her and you don't know how to handle it," Goku said, more calm now.

"She has bewitched me," Vegeta growled. "I do not love her."

Goku shook his head. "Even the mighty Prince is susceptible to love."

Vegeta gave up. "How did this happen?"

"Well," Goku said. "She's beautiful, smart, funny, and a great warrior. Not to mention the Princess of a lost world. She is amazing."

"Kakarot." Vegeta scrutinized his friend. "Is there something going on between you and Princess Serenity?"

"You need to apologize to her," Goku replied, dodging the question.

"For what?"

"Forcing yourself on her, scaring her, and being an all-around dick."

"I will not."

"You're going to push her away."

"Good," Vegeta raised his voice. "Maybe if I don't see her as much I will be able to concentrate more."

"If that's the way you feel, I'm taking a vacation, and I'm taking Usagi with me."

What will happen now? Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Gohaun