Well... I fell off the face of the earth now didn't I?. And I am soooo sorry! Will you ever forgive me? Life man, it just kept happening and coming at me from all sorts of directions.

If you do forgive me for disappearing, then I hope you enjoy this non-stop chapter of Bulma and Vegeta interactions building the tension between the two like no other!

Warnings for this chapter... the normal that I say for every chapter.

Aaand I am sending a huge than you to MariIvyFenta for being my Beta, she does an awesome job and keeps me very motivated! A million times thank you!

With out further ado... Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 10: Trouble Brewing

Night was approaching, and time for the feast was getting close. People were already starting to gather within the main longhouse. The giant hearth in the center had a roaring fire with two pigs on a spit slowly rotating. Men and women alike were casually sitting at all of the tables, already drinking their fill of ale.

Bulma entered the longhouse, arm in arm with Chichi. The two of them had spent the whole day together, just gossiping and learning about the Village that she was now calling her temporary home. All the while, Bulma kept an eye on the women- learning who was married and who was not. Keeping tabs for her to bring up to Vegeta that next time she saw him, which most likely was approaching soon.

"Come," Chichi said with a slight pull of her arm. "You'll be sitting here. Next to the Prince. And hopefully, he appreciates my handy work." Chichi said as she lightly grazed her fingers over the intricate mohawk braid on top of Bulma's head while the rest of her hair flowed freely over her shoulders.

Chichi had recommended very firmly that they doll her up for the feast. And Bulma, not wanting to turn down any opportunity to beautify herself, smiled and allowed Chichi to work her magic.

Bulma smiled warmly up at Chichi as she sat down in her seat, her fingers subconsciously running through the ends of her hair. "And the Prince, where might he be? Do you know?" She asked as her eyes scanned the room.

Chichi sighed as she began making her way over to one of the nearby tables. "Most likely still training," She said over her shoulder.

"Still?" Bulma asked.

Chichi just laughed as she turned back around, slowly walking backward now. "That man lives and breathes the training area," she said with a roll of her eyes. Chichi opened her mouth to make another comment but stopped when she collided into someone behind her.

Thick sweaty arms wrapped around her middle as the Viking behind her buried his sweaty face into the crock of her neck, laughing, "Hope you're not saying bad things about me now, Chi."

Chichi snorted in response as she teasingly slapped the arm wrapped around her, not even bothering to look to see who it was. "I would never talk bad about you, Goku," Chichi said as she spun around in his arms and cupped his face with her hands. "But that place does make you smell worse than a warthog. So, before I get angry... remove yourself from me and go get cleaned up." With that, she then forcefully pushed herself out of his arms and made her way to a table, smiling and waving to others as she walked by.

Bulma giggled at the cute exchange in front of her and watched Kakarot as he shrugged his shoulders and turned to leave to follow his wife's orders.

That was when she finally noticed him standing there, sweat glistening off of his chest as it rose up and down. A linen cloth bunched up in one of his hands as he wiped away the sweat from his face. His feet spread wide in a casual stance, mud-splattered all up his boots and pants- which hung quite loosely off of his hips, the ties on them needing a bit of adjusting... or not. The V of his lower abdomen was very defined and hard to look away from. With a soft groan, she was able to force herself to look up to the upper part of his body. His head cocked to the side as his charcoal eyes slowly studied her from bottom to top, enjoying his sight as much as she was hers. But, once those dark eyes locked with hers, he instantly straightened his posture and spun on his heels to follow Kakarot out. But not before she caught a slight glimpse of his adam's apple bobbing up and down from a nervous gulp.

Once he was out of the longhouse, Bulma let out a sigh and began to pat her neck and face feeling just how flushed she had become.

"How does it feel?" A soft voice said beside her.

Bulma jumped slightly, startled by the voice, and quickly turned to only come face to face with the Queen smiling warmly at her. With a nervous laugh, Bulma returned the smile, "How does what feel?" Bulma asked.

"To have found your soulmate." The Queen said with a laugh like it was obvious that was what she was asking.

"Oh," Bulma let out in a shaky voice as nervousness started to flutter throughout her body. She quickly looked away from the Queen and down at her fidgeting fingers.

Twirling her engagement ring round and round, she quickly tried to come up with a response. "Nerve racking, unexpected, confusing, unbelievable... scary." She said the last word in a low whisper, so low that she was not sure that the Queen had heard her.

The Queen's smile brightened as she placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Yes, it's understandable that you would feel all of those things. But give it time and trust in the Gods- they know what they are doing." The Queen stood, her hand remaining a tight squeeze on Bulma's shoulder. "Besides, I can tell that the two of you are already smitten with each other. It won't be too long until you are the happiest woman alive." The Queen then turned to walk away but stopped to point a rigid finger at Bulma, "and once you are! You better hurry up on those grandkids of mine!" With a firm nod and her order put in place, she finished making her way to her seat next to her husband- leaving Bulma alone to her thoughts and surroundings.

'Smitten with each other?' Bulma gave a small laugh as she turned to look back at the spot that Vegeta was standing. 'Ya right...' She then started to imagine how he was just a moment ago, half-naked and freshly out of his training. Sweat lazily dripped down from his chest to his abdomen. And just like before, she felt her blush slowly creep up onto her face again.

With a high pitch yelp, she snapped her head away from her daydream. Desperately trying to get the image of Vegeta out of her head, she scanned the rest of the people in the hall. There were still many people laughing, toasting, and drinking ale. Chichi had joined a group of mothers, lightly socializing, not yet noticing that her son and one of his friends were attempting to climb up onto the rafters above everyone.

Bulma smiled at the two boys and their shenanigans before her eyes continued to scan over the people. She scanned the room until her eyes got caught on someone who was staring back at her. It was one of the Vikings that she had seen before but had never been introduced, the giant bear of a man.

She took a nervous gulp as he slammed the rest of his ale down before getting up to stalk over toward her. There was something about him that got her shaking in her seat. It could be just the mear size of him- he was intimidatingly tall and well built. Or it could have been the mischievous glint in his eye and the seductive smirk on his face. Everything about him just radiated trouble- and not just any trouble, but trouble that you could not get away from.

"So you can finally speak our language, eh beautiful." The man said as he placed both of his hands on the table before her. With his seductive grin widening, he leaned forward and cocked his head to the side. His eyes darted every which way, studying her face.

"Y-yes, I can now speak your language," Bulma said as she slowly backed away from him.

He didn't say anything after that. He just stood there studying her.

Bulma's brows started to scrunch together as she got irritated by his closeness. "What are you doing?" she snapped.

He let out a long sigh as his head tilted to the other side. "Imagining things."

Bulma's eyes nearly bugged out of her skull. "Imagining what, exactly!?"

"Things that can not happen," his eyes then snapped to her blue ones, mischief dancing about in those dark brown orbs. "But my Prince will be able to thoroughly enjoy... said things. He is a lucky man." He ran his teeth across his lower lip as he once again let his eyes freely roam over her.

Bulma fidgeted in her seat uncomfortably under his stare. "Do you mind?" She growled as she scrunched her delicate brows together in a glare.

"No," He whispered. "The name is Raditz, by the way." He said once his eyes met with hers again. Bulma remained silent and continued to give him her best glare. He chuckled at that and finally pushed off from the table and made his way back to his seat, refiling his horn with ale as he went.

Bulma let out a breath that she did not realize she was holding and continued to look about her surroundings. Sternly reminded herself to remember to stay away from that man.

Slowly the hall began to fill with more and more people, all with smiles on their faces and ales in their fists. Bulma was content with sitting and observing her archaeological eye scanning and taking in every detail possible. Just as the hall was looking at being almost to full capacity, and the fjord was cast in shadow, the lamps and torches lit up, bringing warmth through the snow-chilled air.

And it was the snowy air that she tried to blame the icy chill that crept down her spine. But in her heart, she knew better. And she hated that she knew it was him- without even looking, she knew it was him who now slowly prowled through the entryway. Hated that her heart rate was already picking up, her breathing was becoming uneven, and that her hands began to shake beneath the table. How can he create such a reaction just by walking in through the door?

Trying to calm her nerves, she looked down at her hands and began to fidget with her engagement ring. Breathing in through her nose and out her mouth, she reminded herself that this was not for forever and that she was going to be back home with Yamcha, the real man that holds her heart. Not this Viking fantasy that was now gracefully placing himself into the seat next to her. The heat of his body radiating off of him and seeping its way through her clothes.

Taking a nervous gulp, she squared her shoulders and lifted her gaze to look at the Prince sitting next to her. Her soft sapphire orbs met his cold charcoal ones. Another chill ran down Bulma's spine, causing her to clench her thighs tightly together.

"Don't do that," Vegeta growled.

"Don't do what?" She whispered back, still struggling to calm her racing heart.

"Lick your lips as you look at me." He said in a low husky voice as his eyes slowly dropped down to her lips.

With a gasp, she pressed her lips together, which were indeed wet. Oh dear god! had she really been licking her lips as she was looking at him? How embarrassing! With a scarlet blush now creeping across her face, she snapped her eyes away from him.

She could really use a cold drink right about now.

A thrall walked by, casually placing a mug of ale in front of Vegeta, which Bulma instantly snatched and began chugging.

Vegeta chuckled and signaled the thrall to bring two more ales. Once they were both placed in front of him, he grabbed one and brought it to his lips as he used his free hand to place the second in front of Bulma, just as she finished her first one.

Bulma nodded her head in thanks and brought the second drink to her lips, but in small sips this time.

"You are playing the blushing bride very well, Princess. Almost had me believing you." Vegeta growled as he took the first sip of his ale.

Bulma blinked as she looked at him. 'oh god, is my blushing that obvious?... Act cool, act cool.'

Bulma gave a small snort and forced a confident smile on her face, "I took acting classes when I was younger. Turns out I can be quite theatrical."

A slow blink was his only response before he turned his head toward his parents. "Just as long as they believe it, that's all that matters for now."

Bulma followed his gaze and watched as his mother caressed her husband's hand lovingly. The King leaned into his wife in response and whispered something in her ear, causing a blush to creep up onto her cheeks. The sight warmed Bulma's heart. She can only hope that she and Yamcha will look like that when they are old and have been married for many years.

'Right,' Bulma thought to herself, jolting out of her daydream, and she placed her ale back onto the table. 'Make them believe.'

Bulma didn't fully know what was coming over her, but before she knew it, she had scooted her chair closer to Vegeta's. She lifted her trembling hands and gently wrapped them around Vegeta's hand that was lazily resting on top of the table.

Vegeta instantly stiffened as his head snapped back over to her. "What are you doing, woman?" Vegeta growled but made no move to take his hand away from hers.

"Making them believe," she whispered back. She slowly began to lean closer, catching the slight increase of his breathing as he watched her with predator-like eyes. "Because I am pretty sure that two lovesick people don't normally sit next to each other like they have metal ramrods stuck up their asses."

She slowly began to caress his top knuckles and playfully lace her fingers through his as her other hand lazily made its way up to his shoulder. "I'm pretty sure they are always touching each other, leaning in close and whispering sweet nothings to one another."

Vegeta took in a shaky breath, "Is that so?"

She was doing this to keep up the ruse, to keep the others believing that they were two love-sick people. She was doing this so she may one day find herself back into Yamcha's arms. She was not doing this because she was craving his touch. Because she wanted to know the feel of his skin under her fingers. Or because her lips were once again tingling with need. Need that she has never once in her life felt so strongly as she feels right now.

Or so that was what she was telling herself as her hand made its way past his shoulder and up to the nape of his neck. The shine of her engagement ring caught her eyes one last time before disappearing into the thick black locks of Vegeta's hair.

Her eyes snapped away from the ring and back to Vegeta's intense stare. "Precisely," She whispered back. "And in order to have them believe the ruse, I need you to help me out a bit."

One of Vegeta's brows popped up as his back lifted away from his chair, as he too began to lean in closely.

Vegeta had no clue what was coming over him. But he could not resist himself as her hand lazily played with his and her other sinfully buried itself within his hair.

He began to slowly inch closer to her, "Oh? And what is it that you need from me?" He asked in a low growl.

The woman was now getting daringly close to him, her luscious red lips parting slightly -his began to part in response, tingling feverishly with need.

Her lips perked up in a small smile as he tilted his head to the side -he smirked in response.

"I need you," She whispered as she mimicked his head tilt. "To tell me..." The grip that she had on the back of his head tightened, causing him to take a sharp breath in and his heart rate to spike. No woman has even caused such a feeling to stir within him- ever... And he was seriously thinking of getting rid of her just because she could not speak the same language? ...Really?

His eyes dropped instinctively down to her lips, completely missing the flirtatious glint drop from her eyes.

"-What type of woman do I need to be looking for you, as the replacement bride?"

Vegeta froze, not fully processing what she just said. His eyes snapped back up to hers, confusion written across his face.

"What?" He whispered back.

"What type of woman are you looking for?" She asked again, as she slowly grazed the tip of her nose across his.

Vegeta tried to flinch back away from her, but she had an iron grip on him, and it would create too much of a scene in front of his clan's men to get her off. -So, Vegeta had to remain where he was, her hands sinfully holding onto him- still buried deep within his hair and massaging through his fingers.

Vegeta let a growl rumble deep within his chest as he glared at her. Bulma just raised her eyebrows at him, the look of complete innocence on her face.

How dare she pull that trick on him. All these feelings that she was stirring in him, she does not feel a single one! All she cares about or wants is to find him a replacement wife and go back... To that other man of hers.

A sting of jealousy shot through his chest at the thought of the other man that holds a claim on her. Vegeta tightened a grip around her fingers, while his free hand reached and snaked its way through her hair at the nape of her neck- mimicking what her hand was doing to him. He watched as her pupils dilated with desire, and he smirked triumphantly.

He pulled his lips back to snarl a response at her when a deep, loud howl sounded from the crowd before them, snapping the two of them out of the trance they were slowly being sucked into.

"Hey, my Prince!" The man who had just howled. "How about you save some of that for the bedroom, eh?" That sent most of the room bursting into laughter and mugs of ales to be slammed onto tables or knocked back in celebration.

With a sharp inhale, Vegeta pulled away from Bulma, snatching his hand out of hers. He placed his elbow on the arm of the chair and then aimed his attention anywhere else but her.

'Damn woman...' Vegeta growled at himself.

"Don't listen to him, my Prince! Kiss her!" Another voice from the crowd hollered. Vegeta ignored him.

They had to be convincing, but they did not have to be that fucking convincing.

He heard the woman let out a sigh as she too leaned away for him. And that small distance that was now between them pulled at something from his gut. He ground his teeth, fighting against the pull to reach for her again. His hand still tingles from the soft feeling of her skin- never before had he felt such soft skin. He glared down at his hand, balling it into a fist, willing it to stop. But, no matter how hard he fought it, her soft caresses still lingered.

Snapping him out of his treacherous thoughts, his father stood from his seat. Lifting his ale, he began to speak. "We feast tonight for two reasons. One, the Gods have gifted my son his soul mate." The King waved his hand toward him and then the woman, a broad smile on his face. "One he will marry after these summers raids."

The hall was filled with hoots and howls. Vegeta caught Raditz standing on top of his seat, lifting his ale high in the air, his brother Kakarot goofily following his lead.

"Skål!" Raditz cheered, his voice rising high about everyone else's. Cheers filled the hall once again, and everyone took a long drag of their ale. "Give her a kiss for us, my Prince!" Raditz laughed. "Ignore what those others were saying! And give your woman some lovin'!"

Vegeta shot him a glare. But the whole hall was now pounding their ales and feet, demanding for the kiss. He looked to his father, and his father lifted his ale and dipped his head, silently saying, 'Give the people what they want.'

Sighing in defeat, Vegeta turned to the woman next to him. She stared at him bug-eyed and trembling. 'Let's just get it over with,' he told himself as he quickly buried his hand back into her blue locks at the nape of her neck, and smashed his lips upon hers.

He had planned for a quick kiss, simple lips to lips, mwah, done. -But no. He is beginning to learn that nothing with this woman is going to be simple, and quick. The moment their lips met thunder, and lightning rocked through his body, and he was back on the beach. The battle, still roaring on around them, and this woman whom he thought to be a Valkyrie was straddling his lap and attacking him with such feverish need.

His cock twitched in response, and he pulled away with a breathless gasp, the sounds of the hall muffled and distant. Their eyes locked, and he knew her heart was racing just as fast as his. He couldn't resist himself as he placed another kiss on her lips, this one slower and lighter. Another shock of lightning zinged through his body.

Is that Thor trying to talk to him? That lightning shooting through his body every time their lips meet? Was she truly not feeling the same things that he was? -Or is she just a master of hiding such things?

The sounds of the hall came crashing back like a bucket of cold water. -All hoots and howls, laughing and pounding fists. Vegeta extracted his hand from her hair and leaned away from her, averting his eyes from hers.

"Yes, yes." Vegeta's father said, gaining the attention of the hall once again. "A wonderful display of soul mates love."

Covertly adjusting himself, he turned his attention over to his father. He will think about the meaning behind that lightning from the kisses later.

"As for the second reason why we feast tonight!" His father continued. "We were attacked by Jarl Dodorria. Sent here by his King." He said the word king like it was ash in his mouth. "This King Freeza." The hall erupted in angry growls and challenging roars. A growl rumbled deep within Vegteta's chest in response.

King Vegeta raised his hands, silencing the hall once again. "This King Freeza thinks he can send his men to our fjord. Come into our village demanding hospitality. To then turn around and raid us! Demand we kneel and accept his rule!" The hall erupted with angry roars and slamming fists.

"But we had sent a message of our own to this King! That we will not kneel! That we will not cower away from him!" The room erupted in another wave of cheers. "Saiyan's! What will we do?!"

"Fight!" The whole room answered in one solid chant, with fists raised high in the air.

Bulma quietly sat in her chair, her mug of ale firmly clasped in her hands. The King had finished with his speech and sent everyone to enjoy the feast. People went about serving themselves food and continued drinking, socializing, playing games, or dancing. Bulma's mind had been spinning like a top ever since Vegeta kissed her. She was too preoccupied to do anything other than sitting there and holding her drink. The kiss was so dominating and passionate, her mouth had never been claimed in such a way before. And so very, very public, like in front of his whole clan!

Sure Yamcha had kissed her in front of people, but those were always quick and fast little pecks. They were nothing like Vegeta's, 'I don't care who is looking, I take what I want when I want,' kiss. It had left her utterly breathless and needing to down half of her drink yet again to cool herself down.

'And you want to go back home to simple 'ol Yamcha?' The voice in Buma's head criticized.

Bulma let out a 'yelp' or surprise. 'Yes, of course, I want to go back to Yamcha! He is normal, and homie, and respectful...' Bulma's eyes slid over Vegeta's profile as she continued to go through the reasons why Yamcha was better and why she wanted to go home. 'And...And...'

'And so not as hot as Viking fantasy. And definitely not as good of a lover. If the way he kisses you has anything to say about it.' Bulma's eyes bugged out of her head, and she snapped her eyes away from looking at Vegeta. 'Nope, nope! Not thinking of Vegeta as a lover, no way!'

She is starting to go crazy. She is beginning to argue with herself.

'If you ask, Vegeta here would throw you over his shoulder and take you to the back room with all the Viking men in here cheering him on. And then take great pride in all of the noises he would bring out of you... Unlike Yamcha... who would not have sex with you even when you promised to be quiet. On. The. Day. He. Proposed to you.'

"Oh my God! Shut up!" Bulma had to slap her hands on the side of her face to stop the treacherous voice in her head.

"Excuse me?" She heard Vegeta growl next to her.

With a surprised gasp, Bulma snapped her eyes back to Vegeta, her hands nervously covering her mouth. "Did I say that out loud?" Her voice was a high pitched squeak.

"Yes, and why are you telling me to shut up?" He asked, placing his mug of ale on the table as he turned his body to face her.

Taking a deep breath in, she pulled her arms closer to herself. "It wasn't to you! I was trying to tell myself that." She finally dropped her hands from her mouth and started to nervously wave them in front of her as she talked. "I was thinking things that I did not want to think. And I was trying to tell my thoughts to stop and shut up."

Vegeta sat there for a good minute, his brows scrunched together in confusion. Until, slowly a smirk started to spread across his face. "You were thinking things, huh?" He arched an accusing brow at her. "And what sort of things were you thinking that would make you yell shut up?"

Bulma slammed her hands into her lap and shifted to the far side of her chair. Trying to put some distance between her and him. Which, ended up not being very much. "Nothing that you need to worry about!" She huffed out as she lifted her chin at him.

Vegeta's smirk widened as he watched her. "Tch," he sighed as he leaned away from her and picked up his mug of ale again, turning his gaze back to the crowd in the room.

Buma let out a long sigh of relief, seeing that his attention was no longer on her. Reaching for her mug, she scanned the room as well. Her eyes landed on a few of the women that she had learned were single, and her thoughts drifted to 'what type of a woman would Vegeta be into?'

'Hey! He never answered my question!'

Bulma turned her body fully towards Vegeta, determination set in her eyes. "What type of women are you into?" She demanded.

Vegeta choked on his ale as he surged forward in his chair. Pounding his fist on his chest as he coughed, he slowly turned his face toward her. "What?" he said between coughs, his eyes wide in surprise.

"What type of women are you into?" Bulma asked in a very matter-of-fact way. "I tried to ask you earlier, but you did not answer me... So -Tell me."

Vegeta continued to stare at her, dumbfounded, even after he was no longer coughing.

"Oh come on. You gotta tell me what you're into. The body type, personality, so on and so forth." Bulma urged as she scooted her chair closer to him.

"I highly doubt that this is the place and time for such a conversation," Vegeta said through clenched teeth.

"No one can tell what we are talking about. They are all distracted by the feast." Bulma argued back. "And besides, just as long as we are pretending to whisper sweet nothings to each other," Bulma whispered. She once again began to slowly interlace her hand with his, while the other grabbed onto his leather tunic and pulled him closer to her. "No one will know the difference."

Vegeta's Adam's apple bobs as he takes a nervous gulp. "I would prefer not to have such a conversation while I am sharing the same breath as you."

It was Bulma's turn to take down a nervous gulp once she felt his breath dance across her mouth and down her cheek. Heat began to rise in her cheeks, and pressure began to build down in her core. She squeezed her thighs together, but that did nothing but bring more attention to the area. She inwardly cursed at herself for thinking she would be ok with being this close to him with no effect.

"Yea," she said in a slow whisper. "That does complicate having any form of a conversation." She pulled away from him as she nervously licked her lips. "Didn't think about that."

Vegeta growled, his eyes locked on her lips.

"What?" Bulma asked, not noticing that she was once again licking her lips.

Quicker than she could blink, Vegeta's hand shot out and gripped her at the nape of her neck. His thick fingers tangled themselves within her hair as he pulled her back toward him, their breath once again sharing space. "I told you not to lick your lips while you are looking at me." His voice strained like he was holding himself back from something.

"Oops," was all that Bulma could say back as she stared into his eyes.

Vegeta let out another growl as his fist tightened its grip on her hair, causing her to take a sharp inhale of breath. "I can't stand you, and you don't belong here."

Bulma did not know why, but those words sent a sharp pain straight to her heart, forcing a whimper to escape out of her mouth. She tried to pull away from him, but he held his grip on her firm.

She started to feel him shake.

"Or at least that is what I am constantly having to tell myself." His eyes pierced straight into her soul. "That I can't stand you, and you don't belong here. But ever since that kiss on the battlefield, and the one during Father's speech..." He licked his lips as he tried to put together what he was saying, and instantly Bulma understood why he did not want her licking her lips. It instantly brought on the need to kiss him, and the pressure in her core intensified. Bulma bit down onto her lips, forcing the feeling away.

With a heavy sigh, Vegeta pushed himself away from her. He then leaned as far back as he could in his seat. "I will tell you what type of woman I want. But later, not right now." He then got up from his seat and stormed away, disappearing into the crowd.

Bulma leaned back in her seat, staring off into the distance. 'What in the hell just happened?'

It was true those words were beginning to be like a mantra in his head.

'I can't stand her, and she does not belong here.'

'I can't stand her, and she does not belong here!'

But the longer that she is here. The stronger he feels her presence. He knows when she walks into a room or when she leaves. He felt her presence by the training ground, and it took everything in him to stay focused on the fight and not look at her. It took everything in him just now. To not lift her from the chair, slam her onto the table, and claim her as his in front of all of his clansmen.

He groaned as he felt his cock twitch from that mental image that he had just given himself.

He needs to drink. And heavily. Or sleeping next to her, tonight is going to be torture.

The rest of the feast went without any more instances, and Bulma rather enjoyed watching the goings-on of the Viking feast. And once they all started to make their way out of the hall, she decided to turn in herself.

Pushing her chair in, she bid her goodnights to the King and Queen and snagged a sloppy hug from Chichi as she helped her husband walk -shaking her head at the adorable display. She allowed the two thralls to escort her to her chambers. Or well, her and Vegeta's chambers.

Just as she was about to disappear down the hall, her eyes caught Vegeta's from across the room. And the way he was watching her with that heated gaze sent shivers down her spine and instantly heated her core. She cursed herself as she quickly ducked behind the wall to hide from him, -sleeping tonight was going to be a challenge.

The thralls helped her out of her dress and undid her hair. It now hung loosely over her shoulders in soft waves. Once the thralls finished getting her ready for bed, she thanked them as they left. She looked to the bed, the fur blankets looking more and more inviting by the second. But she had to get the bed set up before Vegeta got to the room. No way was she waking up laying on top of his well-defined, god-like body again.

'My goodness, you sound stupid when you say things like that.'

"Shut up!" Bulma snapped at herself. If this is going to be an ongoing battle with her horny subconscious, she is going to go insane.

Taking a deep breath, she looked about the room for anything to help out the sleeping arrangements. Sadly the bed only had two pillows -she is going to have to ask the thralls for some more in the future. But she did find extra blankets, furs, and weapons. Grabbing what she needed, Bulma constructed a makeshift wall down the center of the bed.

With her hands firmly planted on her hips, she nodded confidently at her creation. "There, that should be able to keep us separate from each other."

Just as she was crawling under the blankets, the bedroom door creaked open, and in stumbled Vegeta.

"I don't need help from you thralls! I can undress myself," Vegeta growled as she slammed the door in the faces of the two thralls who were trying to help their obviously drunk Prince.

Bulma snorted as she watched him sway as he made his way over to the bed. He stopped mid-stumble as his hand landed onto the foot of the bed, and his glossed-over eyes caught her makeshift wall.

"What in Helheim is that Woman?" Vegeta growled as he drunkenly gestured to the bundle of furs and weapons.

Bulma firmly placed her hands on her hips, lifting her chin to Vegeta. "I'd think you would know what a wall is when you see one."

"Tch," Vegeta dropped his still gesturing arm as he plopped into, but almost missed, the chair next to the bed. "And why is there a wall down the middle of my bed?" He growled.

"This way, you don't touch me at night." Vegeta arched a brow up at her as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on top of his knees. Bulma took a nervous gulp. "Or... so I don't touch you."

"Tch," Vegeta shook his head at her.

"Either way, this is so we can sleep without the threat of touching one another!"

"And you think that it is a better idea," he said with a grunt as he forced himself back up onto his feet and reached for one of the many swords on the bed. With a soft 'shing,' he lifted it up and pointed it at her. "-that it's a better idea to have sharp objects between us instead?"

"Yes," Bulma said firmly.

"I think not," Vegeta said as he tossed the sword onto the floor.

"Excuse me! Yes, it is!"

"I do not trust you with sharp objects," Vegeta stated matter-of-factly, as he started to reach for another weapon on the bed. Bulma desperately tried to keep all of the items she had collected on the bed but failed miserably. All Vegeta had to do, even in his super drunk state, was lightly slap her hands away as he went from item to item and tossed them onto the floor.

"Like I said," Vegeta said as he tossed the last item. "I do not trust you with sharp objects, especially not after you attacked me this morning. I am not entering the Halls of the Gods by the hands of a small weak woman!"

"I would not kill you!" Bulma screeched.

Vegeta raised a brow at her, "The glint in your eyes this morning said otherwise," Vegeta said as he began to attempt to take his clothes off. Bulma sat there on the bed, her arms crossed over her chest, as she watched him struggle with all the ties to his outfit. After a minute of his struggle, she gave a heavy sigh and got up from the bed.

"Let me help you," she said softly, her hands grabbing the clasp of his outer cloak. Why he was not going after that first was beyond her. Vegeta growled and grumbled his protest -but then finally caved in. The promise of sleep motivated him to cooperate.

'This would be the perfect time to ask him about the type of woman he wants!' Bulma thought to herself as she neatly folded his cloak onto the chair. She took a deep breath in as she turned back toward him, preparing herself to yet again, for the third time tonight, ask him what type of woman he wants. But she stopped short as she gazed up at his hooded stare, the soft candlelight of the room dancing over his rough features -bringing out the fire that is in his eyes.

'You really going to ruin a moment like this, with a Viking god like that, with talk of other women?... What is wrong with you?' Bulma's horny side argued with her. With a shake of her head and now trembling fingers, Bulma reached for the ties on his leather vest. Deciding to remain quiet and bring the topic up at a different time, Bulma for once listened to her horny side and just enjoyed undressing the Viking man in front of her.

No! she was not going to let anything sexual come out of this. But, she could still take this memory and store it into the bean tickle bank for later. That would not be cheating, right?

The flash of her engagement ring caught her eye just as she was pulling the vest over his head. Guilt weighed heavily in her stomach as she began to fold that piece of clothing and place it with his outer cloak. 'Yes, that would still be very wrong of you to do. Just get him to bed and asleep, and then tomorrow try again.'

Squaring her shoulders, she turned to face him again, "Go ahead and sit on the bed. I'll help you with your boots, but the rest I think you will be able to handle by yourself." She said firmly, her hands fidgeting with her ring, instilling the power to resist the Viking before her into her words.

Vegeta's head tilted to the side slightly, not understanding the shift of her mood until the movement of her hands caught his eyes, and understanding crossed his face. His hooded stare quickly got replaced by a scowl and his trademark cold stare. With a short nod, he followed her directions and allowed her to remove his boots. Once they were off, he fell into his spot on the bed with a heavy sigh, not even bothering with his pants or tunic. Closing his eyes, he desperately tried to ignore the soft sift of the bed as the woman climbed back into bed.

He should have drunk more heavily. He is still way too aware of his surroundings...And! Almost had made a grave mistake.

But thankfully sleep took hold of him fast. The only good thing to happen from this night.

*~*~*~* A week later, somewhere on the coast of Norway *~*~*~*

A ship bobbed and weaved its way along the shoreline. A week on the water was not good for its cargo. The rotting skulls skewered on pikes and swords, now swollen and waterlogged. The stench was unbearable.

And it was the stench that reached the crew first, forewarning them of what they were about to find.

"Ugh, by the gods." A man gagged as he quickly pulled his tunic up over his face.

"What sort of monster did this?" Another choked out as he too desperately tried to cover his face.

The first scanned his eyes over the mess of the ship until his eyes landed on a skull and sword that he recognized. "Odin's beard!" he cried out in surprise as he reached and pulled up the skull in question. "Jarl Dodoria."

With his face set in rage, he growled out his next order. "Send word to Jarl Zarbon. He must know of this. There will be blood for this."

Dun-dun-dun!

Jarl Zarbon!

Anywho... I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please oh please leave a review, I love hearing from you. See you next chapter!