Chapter 65
"V-Vegeta? Would- My growth … it'll continue for a few more decades. Would you not like-"
"The fact that you'll grow to a similar height as that of your parents? I did not need to see this for that to be brought to my attention. As you said though, decades, it is not going to be something that will determine my choice. There are more pressing differences between us than size that need to be reconciled first." Vegeta reassures Ayeka that her someday growing over a foot taller than he is is not something he finds unfavourable in a woman. If he only chose woman smaller than himself his options would be very limited. He chose Bulma knowing in decades her appearance would greatly alter before his would as humans tend to do – with the exception of Bulma's mother.
They sit close, Vegeta's arm gone but if she tries to move it reappears. On screen are some basic martial lessons between mother and daughter. The form is good and the motions are fluid yet it is too basic for Vegeta and he points out the crucial flaw that her mother does not train her hard and is going soft on her because of her emotions. He also questions the need for the grey skin when in battle outfits to which Ayeka can only answer that what they wear is ceremonial and it supposedly works as a micro layer of protection. Ayeka knows of the great differences he speaks of. They have fast forwarded to when she is 18 years old and a young Sasami has made her appearance, as have some moments with Yosho that Ayeka told her current fiancé to hurriedly move past.
Seto gets discussed at length as Vegeta sees danger within the eyes of the green haired woman and when the screen switches to that of Frieza that same look remains. With Misaki having left the room Vegeta bluntly brings up whether or not Saiyans killed any of the royal family. Ayeka is not comfortable with the question and hesitates for a long time.
"Lady Seto's parents, my mother's grandparents, were on one of the few Juraian planets you took out." Solemnly she announces the fate of her own great-grandparents and Vegeta's hand in it. It was before her own birth so she never got to meet them but for this she knows that Lady Seto will be gunning for Vegeta's downfall rather than supporting their relationship. A powerful enemy, one that will challenge Vegeta.
"Did the planet remain? … If not then it was me, and if so there is a low chance unless they were formidable warriors." Vegeta nods accepting this and Ayeka nods too with a bit of eagerness at the fact that her prince most likely did not kill two of her immediate family members. She has already seen one of his charged Galick Guns take out a planet on these recordings.
As usual her peaceful life of diplomacy and education is met with a hard cut to Vegeta on a bridge of one of Frieza's ships from the viewpoint of a scouter. There is a pinkish hue to the video and the angle of frame is low with two lumbering Saiyans towering at either side. Nappa and Raditz look set to go on the attack with the hairs on their tails raised and their fists curled. A gloved hand swipes at Nappa's side and brings the bald berserker into order. Before them stands Frieza out of his seat and stood at eye level with Vegeta's scouter.
"You sent the long haired one on some foolish mission to go through our archives. What did you hope to find? You know I erased your filthy planet's history from existence. If you mention to me a single word about that Super Saiyan nonsense all three of you monkeys will not be leaving this room alive." Frieza raises one finger and lets a ball of orange energy manifest as he locks eyes with the insubordinates before him for the umpteenth time. The scouter viewpoint does not move and Frieza chuckles as the two other Saiyans have taken half a step back to ready themselves.
"I ordered him. I am the Saiyan Prince. These are my subordinates. Nappa, Raditz, dismissed. You're discipline for being caught will come later." A hand is raised and Frieza is unimpressed as Vegeta gives an order when in his presence. Vegeta pays no heed to his comrades as they leave, his attention is solely on the overlord. He crosses his arms and begins to explain his actions. "I sent the weakling off for information on other Saiyan pods. Raditz cannot be the only one who was off planet on a mission at the time of the asteroid. He's weak, others must survive and looking at the rest of this army mistakes would have been made."
"Founding a new Saiyan army to perhaps challenge myself with? They're all dead. These idiotic endeavours of yours make my men question why I bother keeping you animals alive. You know the drill by now, Vegeta. I keep you alive for one reason: I find it amusing. Go ahead and continue your petty actions of what you think to be rebellion. By the way your next job is a hospital ship we've found being far too charitable to people we have not got around to killing yet. Make sure Nappa does not destroy the equipment or scientists like last time."
Vegeta takes his armour off over his head and as Frieza smiles the scouter detonates from a power level too high for it to read. The present day Vegeta explains that the armour was treated as more valuable than him, every punishment he had to remove it so that it was not spoilt or hid Vegeta's injuries from the sadistic Lord Frieza. Ayeka has learnt something else though and albeit she can imagine the grizzly nature of what came next she asks Vegeta if his search for Goku did begin that long ago. He endured torture to find the man who beat him down and became his eternal rival. The Saiyan offhandedly says that he was not searching for Kakarot in particular and that came more from the brother he sent to find the information, all other leads he managed to find had already been tracked down and assassinated.
5 more minutes in and they are getting dangerously close to Ayeka's 20th which signifies one year left until Vegeta is fully caught up. Names and faces are the main thing Vegeta is memorising as well as any weakness to exploit. Beside him Ayeka is blushing over some thoughts she is having over the young teen Vegeta – his appearance is mostly the same just slimmed down and with the last remnants of his childhood fringe. He knows more of her culture and planet now and she has seen the difficult life he led and the single road open to him as his kill count began to rise. His anger appears mostly abated now after witnessing the indirect murder of the Queen of all Saiyans. She can hear his deep and slow breathing. He is too close.
"When on Jurai, have you seen any locale you would like me to show you around?" Ayeka hazards some small talk before her time with Vegeta finishes, trying to strike up some interest in her home planet. Her huddled body language and eyes that fail to meet his speak to the prince in a tone he wants rid of now.
"All depends first on if my Super Saiyan 3 form proves an adequate disguise, there were a few spots that seemed remote enough that both me and Kakarot could train for the tournament. … Ayeka, shy all you want it does not change the intimacy we have shared, nor does it suddenly incline me to act on those base desires any-more, so your behaviour only serves to showcase your own thinking. Any news on any of our dates?" His punches are not pulled by any margin as he responds to her question. Vegeta is no tourist and where he can set up shop for the week prior to the battles is the only part of Jurai he has any want to visit. He feels the vibration in the cushions as Ayeka strongly reacts to his blunt words.
"Not as of yet. … Well, may-maybe a bit. A bit of a-a-an idea? I … I want them to be perfect." The princess manages a response with a high level of awkwardness. She weakly smiles and attempts to direct it at him.
Misaki exits the laboratory of her friend and looks about to see her daughter and Vegeta appearing closer together than the awkward distance she left them at. She smiles and excuses herself as she walks around to the stairs. Ayeka stays perfectly quiet with her mother in sight and keeps a watchful eye that Misaki notices and teasingly winks back at her bashful child. Her eyes linger to see if there are any more nostalgic images of her children she can relish but it appears that that time has long since passed on the screen. At the top of the landing she makes her way promptly towards her children's room to fetch a toy of Sasami's that her daughter wants and Washu worryingly said she would improve. Strolling down the corridor a loud exclamation gets her attention and a quick detour is made. Misaki knocks on the ajar door and pushes it open as a disgruntled noise gets hurled her way as her only response.
"Please Miss Ryoko, keep a civil tongue. My Sasami - What by Tsunami are you wearing?" Her scolding of the pirate's use of undignified language gets interrupted as the monarch sees what she has walked in on. She opens her mouth in surprise as her eyebrows rise in confusion at such an unexpected sight.
With an indignant huff Ryoko stops what she is doing and turns about to look at her uninvited guest. A red bow-tie is untied about her neck and on her bed are a pair of red shoes and unattached white shirt cuffs. Her buxom top half has conspired against her and even the blue tights are squeezing tightly with her extended leg length and musculature. Ryoko is half wearing Bulma's bunny girl outfit with the exception she is forced to wear a brassiere to cover her breasts as try as she might she cannot stretch the material over her chest without risking ripping it. The pirate does not look impressed. This is uncomfortable to wear and she does not like the feeling of knowing Vegeta's former wife fit into this and she is straining the fabric by being too large. She is annoyed and is facing an issue in getting out of the outfit without ruining it.
"Did I say you could come in and start bossing me about?" Ryoko is not going to indulge in Misaki's healthy want for foul language not to be used and wants her gone from her room. She speaks with open hostility and glares at the Queen who barged into her room.
"An open door hardly gives the impression that you do not desire visitors. Do you understand me Ryoko, no swearing around my children." Misaki can hear her aggravation yet pushes for her cause in disallowing Ryoko to swear in an environment where Sasami could potentially hear.
"I understand. I won't do as you command me though, your highness. Piss off. Didn't my Vegey already tell you abut how I could turn you into mince meat if you start getting all uppity with me?" She does not want any Juraian to give her orders and tell her what to do, just because she is the queen does not mean anything to Ryoko. Rebellion against that empire is in her blood. Her freedom is hers and Jurai shall not strip it from her again.
"There is no need for such aggression here, I am just looking out for my child as a good mother."
"So according to the Queen of Jurai a girl's not allowed to get a bit annoyed when somewhen waltzes in on them changing? Good lessons you teach your kids."
"As if this is not something you intended for but just for someone else to walk in on. Wearing such a – a-an outfit like that?" Misaki responds to the open insult on her ability to raise her own children and be a good parent and attacks back on Ryoko's more than questionable attire.
"You better not be bad mouthing Vegeta's special present to me as I took it from his ex-wife's collection. A heartfelt gift from him to me. I nearly had him in tears, your girl helping in that too. Don't talk like you know anything."
A small smirk is on Ryoko's face as she gets to announce one of her victories over the prince and she stares at Misaki to see if she dares to follow this up. She spins about in her costume she dislikes as the Queen remains silent. Ryoko pauses and starts sorting out the skintight material that is irritating her. Wearing her normal tail accessory is far more fun than this boring piece of fluff she has instead.
"What happened? Ryoko, what is causing all this?" Misaki takes the plunge. Too much has happened today. Too much has been left unsaid and kept in the shadows from her. Her daughter told her not to pry and that it is not her business. She is being lied to and she wants to know why and why Ryoko, a fiancée of Vegeta, is taunting how she nearly made her betrothed cry. Her voice is low and serious.
The actions of Ryoko stop. Her ears flatten against her head and a snarl turns her lips. The Queen wants to know the big secret that haunts Ryoko. She is no coward, she will show this Queen the truth she wants and enlighten her about what Vegeta is. She hopes Ayeka will forgive her for this but she will not dance in the darkness with this, she will face it all in the light. Ryoko faces Misaki dead on and then reaches behind her and undoes her bra. It falls down as Misaki turns her head respectfully from the semi-naked woman.
"See these? So did Vegeta as he nearly beat me to death. He had a good go on them as he bit my fucking ear off and destroyed my arm. Prince charming almost raped little old me." She seethes out these words, her hate over those actions still there, and Ryoko steps closer to the Queen. Like her daughter the first reaction is denial and Ryoko quells it by igniting a flame. Misaki has no chance to process her words as Ryoko strikes with more truth. "Of course, worst thing that bastard did was … he called for her!"
Part of her floorboards become splinters as Ryoko looks at her now vacant room. She let the cat out of the bag and Vegeta will be paying hell for it, like he should. Ryoko shakes her head. This is her issue not something Misaki can go charging to Vegeta about, she has her side as well and putting a Queen in her place is a tasty sounding activity for her. She re-fastens her bra, quickly teleports into Vegeta's room and grabs her blanket and throws it about her before teleporting to join in the fun.
"Get away from my daughter and explain yourself, Devil!" Misaki bellows at the top of her lungs at the seated Saiyan as fury burns in her eyes. Half of the bannister collapses behind her. Her eyes do not register a pirate floating down into the scene.
The Saiyan slowly turns about and raises from the sofa. Ayeka has recoiled in fear at her mother's anger, never having seen her anywhere near this level of rage before, and terror strikes her as she sees Ryoko and pieces the puzzle together. Vegeta faces the Queen and looks at her and the destruction she has wrought in his house.
"Is what your strumpet upstairs says true? Ayeka, run, he's dangerous." She wafts her arm and makes a move towards the stock still Saiyan. Her mauve eyes pleading at her eldest child to flee quickly from this vile man as she prepares to challenge him in whatever mean is necessary. All Ayeka does is timidly shake her head and keep an eye on Vegeta.
"Yo, I'm not upstairs, bitch. I knew you were judging me. Hey Vegey, she was annoying me so I told her, sorry 'bout this Ayeka."
Ryoko chirps in as she glides across the room and gives Misaki a firm kick on the backside for that insult. She sends an apology across to Ayeka as she is the one who will suffer most from this news becoming public. Her blanket covering her gets the attention of Vegeta for a split second until he sees the flash of blue tights from her legs.
The Queen turns quickly to face her attacker behind her in a jerky motion and tracks the floating cyan maned woman as she floats nearer to Vegeta. This is insanity to her, it makes no sense why Ryoko would dare go close to him and especially in the risqué outfit she has donned. Her daughter has still not fled. Misaki's heart freezes. Her child already knew all this, she kept this dark secret from her, Ayeka is with Vegeta even after he attempted to rape someone. She honestly thought her child could not surprise her more than when she learnt she had the power of flight but apparently she understands nothing of Ayeka at all. Misaki growls at the Saiyan. It is his fault. He is the one doing this to her Ayeka and the demon responsible of this heinous crime.
"Yes, it's true. Maybe you should leave, Ayeka, this could become messy." He states with no emotion to both Juraians but his eyes are still on Ryoko. His eyebrow twitches and the ki of his multi-form flutters higher. He knows what she is wearing and the glare he gives her shows how much he despises it. Even though it was a long time ago for him he distinctly remembers her words of never wearing his deceased wife's precious outfit. Ryoko awkwardly looks away – not wanting to really be seen like this by him.
The princess stands, and she stands resolute. She will not flee like all the other times her mother has seen, she is strong and this is their private issue that her mother needs to be set right about. Ayeka will not abandon her prince. She sees paleness creep into her mother's face as she makes her decision and it pains her to see her so.
"Misaki, before you say anything regrettable that might make Ryoko kick you with more vigour: I am sure she told you that it was only an attempt and not the full thing." Golden eyes find their way back to him, Vegeta's emotionless delivery is tainted by his mind wandering towards what he knows Ryoko is doing and she hears it.
Glad that he had a break of over a year to save him from incessantly arguing the same argument with different women, Vegeta tries to keep his cool. A bark of a telepathic message rattles in Ryoko's head as he questions what she is doing. Behind in the training room she feels the attention of the main body of the Saiyan Prince also being drawn to her audacious attire. Ryoko pulls the blanket tighter around her. If she were not so invested in this conversation or could easily get out of this costume she would change in an instant. Misaki is not paying attention to her and so Ryoko mouths an excuse to Vegeta, his expression does not change.
"What does that matter? How dare you worm your way into my family making us trust you for you to betray us with-"
"How easily can I crush you? What woman could stop me from having my way and make my wants purely an attempt and nothing more? The only thing strong enough to stop Vegeta, is myself. Ryoko is still here to tell you about my failings because I fought to allow her to."
"Queenie, ya gotta listen. I ain't defending him but you gotta know that I made the mistake for this to happen. Bastard saved my life from me being stupid and greedy." She will own up to her side in all of this and stop Misaki writing her off as some poor victim. Ryoko hears ire shaping Vegeta's words. He is harsh in his description of it and she lets it pass for this was her stupid decision. She floats closer to Ayeka and away from Vegeta.
"He saved you? What sort of sense does that make when he is the danger? You must truly be desperate to side with him after such horror, how could you forgive him!"
The Queen's words hold more weight than she intended as she blindly attacks. This confidence and ease with which Vegeta discusses his crimes irritates her to no end and her mind is at a loss at how he warped both women to be his allies in this. She does not understand a thing and no sense can be found in their arguments. Golden eyes start weighing up the decision of whether or not she should give Misaki another hard boot for her very misguided words but Ryoko's attention goes to her side. Misaki has struck out in rage and though her words were not intended for Ayeka they might as well have been. The princess recoils and is pained greatly at her mother's thoughts being so on the matter, viewing her as no more than a dumb fool who does not know any better. At this Misaki's ravings quieten. She just hurt and demeaned her child. A great wave of guilt drowns her voice.
"I haven't. Never said I did. Me and Vegey are at an understanding, that's all. … And this all happened as he was playing favourites and treating princess so safe and with care making me doubt him." Ryoko continues after choosing not to attack. Misaki wants to know the truth and this is the truth. That forgiveness has not come yet and will not for a long time. The blue haired monarch was raging due to her fear for Ayeka's safety which Ryoko baited for fun, Ryoko sets her straight with the fact that Ayeka is not the one who gets mistreated by Vegeta.
The princess nods to attest to this. The decision Ryoko made to teleport was fuelled by Vegeta's respect for her own issues surrounding intimacy. Misaki is silent. She stands there still, looking like an animal ready to pounce at any provocation, yet she is too at a loss to do anything. Not that much time passed since her last visit and for all this to happen and both women having seemingly dealt with it to an exhaustive amount leaves her little room to manoeuvre. The finger is still pointed at Vegeta. Her eyes keep going to her daughter wondering how Ayeka's loyalty was earnt to this extent and why she thought it appropriate to keep all of this from her own mother.
"Woman, I am a Saiyan. I am only active for very specific periods of time. I warned everyone and teleported off planet, same as I have done for over a decade. … Someone followed and the rest was the best I could manage in a bad situation."
"It is true, mother. Washu herself explained it to me. All of it. … Th-there was nothing else he could do … He promised me that he would never hurt me. He is no threat to myself or Sasami. It was a tragic error that re-really hurt. … Please, believe us. We're working through it." Speaking what she can she tries to allay her mother's obvious fears and worries. There is not much else she can say but this. Ayeka looks in desperation at her mother to try and come to some understanding around this whole delicate incident. She looks across to the prince to see if there is anything else he can say to aid his own defence.
"My wife never got hurt once by it. And I am paying my dues." Vegeta bows his head and puts his head in his hand, massaging the bridge of his nose. That single reason is all he needs to show how the fault does not primarily lie on his side.
"Not paying enough." Ryoko chirps in for this is still her view in all of this. For all the anger he is repressing right this second at her she will say the truth as she faces him.
"Explain. In detail." Her back straightens and she pushes her hair back in place over her shoulder. Misaki's mauve eyes are full of seriousness as she stares down the Saiyan and takes this leap of faith for her daughter's sake. One chance is what he will get to persuade her on this. Her full height is much greater than that of Vegeta's. With some more information it is making a bit more sense to her as to the events that occurred; something to do with Vegeta's biology leading to enhanced lust and him taking precautions that were then discarded.
"The lab rat can handle that, I am not in the mood to argue this with anyone and an unbiased source of information should work better. For all I know Washu should have the best understanding of all of this. Right this second this troublemaker is who I promised to speak to next." The chance was given to him but he cannot indulge her. There are other pressing issues on his mind than going through his biology and what he did leading up to their dates and the whole aftermath they are still suffering through.
This is not a satisfactory answer for Misaki. Vegeta does appear troubled but she cares naught for it. She gave him a chance and he is passing her off. Her daughter quietly says please to get the Queen to go along with Vegeta's proposition. Misaki takes several deep breaths and looks at her daughter and back to Vegeta and then her little Ayeka again. Going to Washu entails leaving the room. Asking her friend to teach her about what happened in her absence would mean that Ayeka and Vegeta will be left in the same room together. That is not an idea that appeals to her.
"Hold on a sec. … Princess can keep you company until I'm all ready and dressed." Ryoko disappears and teleports from the room. He is keeping his new promise with her for them spending time together yet she is not going to let him see her in his deceased wife's outfit after this reaction, she is escaping to change and let him cool his head. Vegeta's eyes follow and look upstairs and the Queen finally has enough wit about her to see where his attention is.
She bluntly questions him why Ryoko is wearing that outfit and if it really was his late wife's. The Saiyan nods and his knuckles harshly whiten. Ayeka had not noticed that. Now that she has she gasps and covers her mouth. That is a faux pas that previously would have made Vegeta blow his top, this is not acceptable behaviour from Ryoko – a great misstep. She understands her fiancé's behaviour better now, he was silently dealing with his fury at someone nearly literally forcing themselves into Bulma's shoes. Vegeta again tells Misaki that Washu will enlighten her but for now this act of Ryoko's takes precedent. His sixth sense is keeping an eagle eye out for Trunks to protect Ryoko from that eventuality if his son returns to find this scene. Such an outfit is not aiding Misaki's view on him, talk of rape and an outfit like that do not paint the most complimentary picture for someone she is supposed to be entrusting her daughter to.
A gesture is attempted as Misaki gives a stern apology for the damage to his property. A waft of ki opens the lab door. She bluntly tells him that she is not in the least bit happy with this. Misaki asks for Ayeka to follow her, to distance herself from the dangerous man until her final judgement is made. The daughter declines and tells her mother to go and speak to Washu, and reassures her that she is perfectly safe here. Misaki shakes her head and says that she cannot believe that.
"I am wanted for trillions of murders and the destruction of many planets. My last crime that I stopped myself from fully committing makes me no more a threat than I already am." Perspective is given to Misaki's trust in him. Vegeta is a few seconds away from putting her in Washu's lab so that the interrogation of Ryoko can begin. Since she could trust him knowing how many he has mercilessly slaughtered it does not make practical sense that this assault on a woman when he was compromised should be viewed in such high regard.
Each step is forced by willpower as Misaki grudgingly makes her way to seek out her friend in the gloom. She does not close the door behind her. Vegeta shakes his head to himself. Light footsteps approach him. Ayeka stands by him. She does not know where to start. This is not good for her, not after Ryoko set her mother on the warpath. Ayeka sees the prominent veins standing out on Vegeta's neck. He is coping well, better than she ever thought he could do for such a trespass. Not during one point of this stressful day has she ever had the notion of utilising her power of ordering him to stop training and for that she commends him, his year of growth has proved most constructive.
" Vegeta? I – I trust you. … I know that you cannot change your biology any-more than you can change the past. Please, do not – don't do anything to warrant this again." She continues to stand by his side even after her mother's departure and reaffirms her faith in him that he tested to the extreme. He is thinking of a woman other than her and for once she cannot blame him for doing so and nor is she jealous over this kind of attention.
"I am being sorely tempted right now to do just that. There isn't even the smell of alcohol on her breath. … You are a loyal woman. And you show the proper respect, unlike others."
"Go to her. Those night terrors, her behaviour, what she was wearing this morning … Vegeta, she needs your help. … More than I do. I-I can handle mother. … You know how she thinks, you can understand her better than I ever could. Seeing your past, both of you have suffered trauma, help her cope the same way you do. I-I am too different to aid her with this." Ayeka remembers all too well what occurred last time she sent Vegeta off to begin diplomacy with Ryoko. She tells him to go and do it regardless. His compliments to her favour she likes but knows they are born more from his anger towards Ryoko than any liking towards herself.
The Saiyan pauses. His main self exits the training room exhausted and spent and they reform. Recklessly expending ki in fits of rage instead of properly pacing himself and worn out from how much time he spends in his transformed state he has to cut his training short until he rests his energy reserves. Vegeta has to be even more careful now. He has his full power to control if Ryoko antagonises him further. Through his anger he does not fail to see who is giving him her support and trying to aid her newfound friend. Her words try and speak to how much more he can help Ryoko than she can but the subtext is clear to even his mind clouded with rage. She just sat through and watched it shown to her, this is her comment and he shall respond.
"Do you think my wife shared many similarities with me? I hear what you are thinking. We have more in common than just our titles."
Vegeta eases her doubts with words she takes to heart. It would be idiotic of him to leave her to continue to fester on these thoughts. Ayeka is the one he gave the doubts about her body to when he chose Ryoko as the more attractive, the one who deals with the stress of the political fallout of her own behaviour and relationship, the festering doubts about his own goodness – things that Ryoko does not concern herself with. In this he will aid her before aiding Ryoko. He is guilty for both of them requiring his council.
His eyes close as he focuses on sensing the pirate. There is no movement from her ki signature and as far as he can tell that must mean she has completed doing the right thing and has removed his late wife's clothes. She did not say whether she would signal or call for him when ready or if she expects him to just know.
A gentle touch graces his cheek.
The princess' velvety soft lips pull back from his face. Vegeta's eyes open and he turns to look at Ayeka. She smiles radiantly. Her face blushing bright red and her posture a little hunched from nerves yet all the same there is a bright warmth coming from her following his words to her. It takes a second for her embarrassment to get the better of her after such a bold move from herself, aggressively pushing physical intimacy on her prince. She turns and shuffles towards the debris and splinters of the bannister and goes to start clearing it up. Vegeta watches. He did not think what he said was worthy of that reaction, being surprised by his own power does well to improve his mood. Somehow he broke through and past her great awkwardness around his physical self, he touched her deeply and her emotions responded before her brain had time to wrap itself up in worry and second thoughts. He tells her to leave the servant work for he shall repair it later, she shakes her head and insists and continues.
She lays on her pillow-less bed with her blanket in a heap by her feet and her face in her arms. Vegeta stands in Ryoko's room with his frown deepening. The pirate's wardrobe has not altered. He spies the accessories to complete the outfit strewn about with total disregard. Ryoko's ears lower now that she has sensed his presence. His black pupils can now see all of his wife's outfit that Ryoko managed to squeeze herself into and his ki flutters.
"I can't get it off." Ryoko bemoans her situation of being stuck in clothing that makes Vegeta hate her and that gets more uncomfortable the longer she wears it. Her golden eyes peer out. Her legs kick and her skin shows quite clearly through the taut tights.
"Why are you eve wearing it in the first place? We had a deal!" No sympathy is offered, his anger does not stay contained, Vegeta roars his displeasure at Ryoko.
The light-bulb in the room flickers on and off. He steps closer to the bed waiting for what poor excuse she will come up with for this treachery. Ryoko knows she has done wrong and honestly feels guilty about this, however there is little she can do now when trapped in his wife's bunny suit. His anger she does not like. She has caused it but she wants rid of it. His eyes hold a danger. That rage he holds does frighten her, he could attack her and flashbacks play of her previous experience of that. She covers her ears with her hands and groans before flipping up onto her feet, standing on her mattress and then bouncing down and away from him. Ryoko looks for some piece of clothing to put over her exposed bra.
" … Don't shout at me. … I dunno. I-I just got bored and wanted to try it on but it's too small. I want it off as much as you do, told you to wait anyway." She finds a red jacket with puffy shoulder pads and throws it on, completely buttoning it up to the top, and gives the only reason she can think of. Boredom and curiosity are a dangerous mix. Ryoko emphasises her own stance being the same as Vegeta in which she wants this off.
"I'm going to make you find yourself either employment or a hobby if you keep doing things like this in your lazy restlessness. Take those damn rabbit ears off, I will strip that off you if you're not willing to comply."
"What, you think you can get this off? I'm being careful here so this doesn't get damaged and what I remember is you that you rip clothes, shred 'em right off. Sod off. … You won't touch me." Her own voice raises in lieu of his insult about her elfin ears and that foreboding threat of him touching her and stripping her. She backs away with her hands covering herself and a glare in her eyes. Ryoko's golden eyes then soften. An epiphany has hit her. She has said something and she now nods in agreement at herself. "No. … I think that's it, Vegey. Don't touch me. Not till like our date or whenever. Hands off me. … I- I can't. I don't like it, so now you won't do it. Hands to yourself."
Another demand of Ryoko's comes as she warily watches Vegeta's anger. He pauses. His anger simmers down below a boil. Vegeta now realises how true Ayeka's words were about the damage Ryoko has suffered. He knew she was avoiding his touch but this step of an outright ban on it when she is a very physically aggressive person poignantly highlights the depths of her trauma. Her body visibly relaxes as she sees his rage lessen, her eyes anxiously dart about. Vegeta nods. He will accept this demand with no question.
"Ryoko, I- I can do that. … You're making me have second thoughts about taking you to her grave. Don't make it so I have shackle you up just so I know you aren't nearly killing yourself or disrespecting her." Vegeta warns her of her behaviour. Teleporting into the training room, flaunting her ripped outfit, antagonising Misaki, pushing ideas of sex onto Ayeka and now dishonouring his wife. The warning of shackles is heard loud and clear even if only used in a metaphorical sense.
Ryoko bows her head and nods. She does not even trust herself. Before she knew what she was doing she was struggling to fit this bunny suit over her womanly hips and the justifications she hears in her head make no sense. Both know she was trying to do this to make some point, a point she no longer agrees with or wants to make. Ryoko does not want him to view her as someone untrustworthy, someone he has to supervise like a child, and she fears what this night will hold for her.
She looks up at Vegeta, meeting his stare, and quietly apologises. There is one painful truth to be gleaned from all of this. This anger and rage, this level of protective behaviour from him is not his usual reaction to her misdemeanours. He is not angry for her going against him. This is a deep seated behaviour she would like to see be born for her sake and not against her. Vegeta is lashing out for his wife's sake. Not even when she forcibly got him into the bed in this room did he show this fury. The truth has come out in his actions.
"After all that time in there, you still love her, love her so much." Ryoko quietly states her findings with a forlorn look to her.
"I went in to move on and accept her death, not to forget or remove her from me. … Bulma, she will always be there."
It is not something that should be so unexpected, Vegeta states it as it is – he will always carry feelings for his wife. A silence sweeps the room. Ryoko sighs to herself and gets her hair out from under the jacket she just put on. She looks at Vegeta. This is something she will have to accept and live with until she supersedes those feelings herself. She called him up here initially as there are things she wants to talk to him about and Ryoko decides she should try and give that a shot even if the atmosphere between them is unfavourable. Ryoko takes a step closer to him and bites at her lip. This is going to take some gall to say, especially when wearing this.
"Fresh start. New beginning. B-Before I did this whoopsie I had a think about a few things. One, about our date. And two – this one's a bit more out there. Some what-ifs and that but, when you decide and we're all nice and happy with none of this crap … we get our own place. Our home. This planet, another solar system – preferably not Jurai – I don't care. Is that something you'd do? A place for us. My home, not just yours. Your kid too if he wants." Ryoko sums up the courage for a conditional request, for Vegeta to give her her own home, her own place and not to stay in one of Bulma's. She maintains eye contact with him. She does not expect him to agree to moving off world yet she does not need them to. Ryoko watches his eyes. She grimaces. His focus is not changing. Ryoko snarls, this is important and she has screwed it all up, timed it perfectly wrong. He is still fixated on her sin against Bulma. "I'll take it off when I can, OK? I'll try again- fuck it! Send Ayeka up. You're not listening to me! I'm alive, somewhat. How are you gonna love me if this sex suit tears you up so much? Go, I'll call you back. Wait! Ya might as well move this bed over to your room and sort that out whilst the lady in waiting sees to me."
The physicality of her body leaves and she whips about facing away from him. Her arms cross defensively over her and her shoulders slouch. All he is caring for is Bulma and not her want. He did not even seem to be mulling it over in his head to give her an answer. She wants the permanence of this, of some place that finally she can call her own. It sounds good to her and maybe then she can change like Vegeta did and find the same happiness that this planet gave him. His presence leaves and as she peers around the main furnishing of her room has gone with him. That will be her goodwill over what she has done, he can sleep on a bed and not the floor now, sleep at eye level with her so she can see more of the light and kick him easier if he does not shine. She looks out the window and takes her jacket off, dropping it to the floor. Her own fiancé is now barred from touching her. Ryoko predicts the nightmares of tonight will not be fun and now no comforting hug will ever come from him.
The Princess of Jurai excuses herself as she enters and walks up behind Ryoko. She stands for a moment and then Ryoko turns about with a dejected and grumpy look to her face, not at all like what she sees blessing Ayeka's face. A warm blush, Ayeka is very pleased and happy despite having the task of undressing Ryoko. The pirate undoes her bra that is in the way and holds it in place at the front as she points out the problem areas that have got her stuck. Ayeka cannot help but make a cheeky comment about weight and size. All Ryoko does to respond is say that she is not a teenager any longer and that she really wants this outfit off. The princess understands and sets to work helping Ryoko, it is very tight, so much so Ayeka feels more like she is peeling the skin from Ryoko trying to do this. Being her careful and methodical self her fingers halt when Ryoko bites and asks what happened to make her over the moon. Ayeka answers with the truth. Ryoko curses and swears.
Waiting outside, Vegeta has finished his project of interior design and has rearranged his room to encompass two beds with a moderate gap between them. Far away he senses his greatest foe and both of them are paying attention to the next hurdle set before them. Gotenks is leaps and bounds ahead of their power. Both are confident they can compete with their fused son only due to the 5 minute duration that Gotenks has as a Super Saiyan 3. Ayeka exits and nods at him saying that she has done what was required of her and she has tried to comfort Ryoko as best she can, Vegeta accepts this and tells her that he has sorted out and fixed the bannister. The princess quickly leaves and goes back downstairs to the empty house to await her mother. Vegeta enters Ryoko's room and notes there is more of his house to fix as he notices the floorboards by the doorway. His black long sleeved t-shirt is back on as are the brown cargo pants, a neatly packed box is on the floor between them, Ryoko hovers in the air with her legs crossed.
"Answer me. You can take it back if you want. We getting a house or not?" Ryoko bobs in the air and cuts straight to the point.
Vegeta enters the room and picks up the box containing his wife's possession, he walks past Ryoko and places it within her wardrobe. Turning about he nods and agrees that if she is the path he chooses he can buy a new home as long as there is room for his training facilities, he is not that attached to this spare capsule house he found when he fled his marital home. She smiles weakly. So far so good, all things considered, he has accepted both things she has asked. Ryoko lets her feet touch the floor and promises Vegeta that she will never do that again. He questions her reason for attempting it in the first place. She shrugs. He tells her that if she wishes to lash out against him to only do so against him and not his family, Ryoko replies that her reason was not that, or she at least does not think it was. She looks at him and asks if she looked good in that outfit. That is what she believes her motive was; to show herself off, see how she compares against Bulma, to see if she can act sexy towards him. Vegeta shakes his head. It is hard to look attractive when your outfit is bursting at the seams, and more importantly she is not the woman to be wearing it.
" What? No more of that stuff you did where I proposed and you said how gorgeous I am? I could go for some of that. You have fun looking through the kiddie pics? Any juicy revelations?" Ryoko knew that she would get no compliments from him, she has pushed him into too foul a mood for him to play along with her games. She continues the conversation along its natural course by enquiring about the activity that caused her to get bored and try on new clothes, mainly for what Ayeka told her she accomplished.
"I saw my mother and what killed her. Apart from that nothing interesting, most I remember of my past and Ayeka's side was nothing I could not already infer or guess. She ages very slowly and she did not like how our contrasting backgrounds were shown so apparently to her when we share a similar past." He gives what he believes to be a basic run down of the feature length film he sat through that irritated and bored him and the effect it had on Ayeka who he knows Ryoko is questioning about. Vegeta watches as Ryoko's eyes narrow and her face almost turns into a sulk, upset at herself for providing the opportunity.
"And so she kissed you. Brave girl. … I'd've given her a week after mummy's special talk before she would even hold hands with you. Not that I'm one to talk. I'm serious about this. You touch me and … I don't know what I'll do but I don't like it. … If I teleport back into your training room you can save me, I'll allow those exceptions."
"Don't teleport back in then." Vegeta seriously states this warning he gave her earlier in the day, something he should not have to repeat. She does not trust herself or her own judgement, he still requires her to do her part and not cause mayhem every hour night and day. Ryoko does not react to his words, she just does not want him touching her body. Vegeta scratches at his head, shakes it and blows the billows on the already dying embers of their conversation. "You said two things. What was the first one?"
" When our abstinence ends on our special date I was thinking how about you give me more. A wedding dress is all good but it won't take all day. More. What more can you think of? All out, whole hog, what … What else do fiancés do?" She smiles at his push for them to continue and enquires about what they can do on their special day aside from her getting the most beautiful dress she will ever wear. Ryoko does not know of anything else associated with this, she asks the widower for his knowledge to make their date even more of an occasion. She takes a small step closer to him and manages to wink at him, the Saiyan does not react.
"I was a fiancé to my wife for less than an hour. Why do you think I, who had a wedding due to pregnancy, know what happens during engagement? You could've asked Gohan, he might've known, Washu even - I'd stay away from Misaki at the minute." Plain and simple he is the wrong person to turn to. He has spent far more time engaged to either woman from space than he ever did with Bulma and her surprise marriage so honestly he cannot help her out in providing any ideas. Vegeta lists those who might know though even so Kiyone and Mihoshi would be good bets for Ryoko to ask.
"You're useless. I want a special day, full of commitment and relationship shit I ain't never had. There must be something. Anything." Ryoko huffs about his ineptitude in this area of romance. She does not want to ask others, she wants her fiancé's ideas for their date. The question is turned back on him. Vegeta shrugs, not caring for being called useless.
"She turned off my training room and told me to get changed, then I stood at the altar. Nothing in between. Surely in the wisdom of your grand age you must know something for yourself?"An eye for an eye and the insult is repaid, aided by his lingering ill emotions she gave life to by her escapade. His empathy is not high. Vegeta looks away and senses Gotenks defusing, the 5 minutes did not change even with more power being contained in the fusion.
"Ha-ha. Least I'm not the one balding." A sour retort follows. Ryoko will not get angry with him, she is guilty and he has every right to be pissed off at her – she saw what happened when he forced Ayeka to watch his death.
"My hairline has not changed since I was a child, a Saiyan's hair does not alter so I cannot bald."
"That's stupid. OK then, an engagement party … that involves in-laws if TV's true. I don't … Vegey, who'll give me away at our wedding?"
Ryoko's brain churns away at the dribs and drabs she picked up from lounging around watching terrestrial television and makes a large leap forward that she realises she has no answer to. She looks curiously at Vegeta. She has no-one on her side for a wedding or anything, no family nor real friends she would invite, Ryoko has no guests to invite to her own wedding. This fact hits her.
Uncaring about this issue as the exact same thing was apparent at his own wedding and it did not bother him, Vegeta lets out a long sigh as Ryoko's thought process wanders. She told him at dinner she had matters to discuss, truth be told he fails to see her having any more to say right now and he could be training. After wearing his dead wife's clothes she will not get opinions from him concerning marriage. Ryoko still seems to be expecting something from him as if he can magic this issue away.
"Skipping a few steps there. I have to agree to marrying you first. How about we have a meal when we're out, I can get you an engagement ring – I know you're one for jewellery. You can try thinking of something yourself, I planned out all of our last date."
The air around Ryoko changes as their prior date is mentioned. The dancing was good, the sexual assault she did not need reminding over. The date he orchestrated for the plan that failed and led her to becoming the mess she is. Unhappy thoughts are in her head. Her feline eyes sharpen. She decides she will push. There is something she knows he can give her. This thing above all else she desires and so with his unkind reminder she will go for it.
"Yeah, your plan was definitely memorable. I probably should try and stay away from your silly ideas – though you're getting me that damn ring, that's good, like that – this ain't my forte though. … What if - … What if we're not skipping steps? If I'm getting a dress it'd be a shame not to use it for a small, teeny tiny, rehearsal?" Red tinges her cheeks and elongated ears. Ryoko makes the audacious request she thought up when waiting for him. This will be a date to end all dates. She goes to step closer but her foot rises and falls in the same place. A bride for a day. Just a day is all she is asking for, even half of one, she hungers for this and feels her chest tighten in anticipation.
"That might be going too far." No warmth is in his eyes as he responds to her request. In this Vegeta will not cave in and give willingly. He shakes his head. There is only so much he will do for her and this is not one of them.
"I want it. It'll be educational for me. You said your training was to move on, so you've moved on now let's do this together. C'mon Vegey, for me."
"When I said we would have escalation in our dates I meant that as in a slow and gradual build. I am not comfortable with this."
"I wasn't comfortable with your plan to grab my arse and tickle my tonsils with your tongue. … D-d-do y-you think I'll m-make a good wi-wife?"
The rouging to Ryoko deepens as she persists for her wish to be granted and strikes back in whatever fashion she can. His date had things she did not want at the end and did not clear with her, at least here she is being considerate enough to ask him in advance for consent. She stammers out her last question in a manner more befitting her rival than herself. Her throat makes a noise like a dog whining as she looks at him nervously for an answer.
"As long as you find yourself something to occupy your time with. Train yourself, build a career, study, raise my child, you will be unbearable unless you have your own life to live. You cannot sleep away the rest of your life." Vegeta takes this opportunity to emphasise his point that she needs to find something to do so that she does not find herself committing constant mischief. It is an excuse he can give otherwise he is in good mind to shoot her down with revenge in mind. Saying no or yes would cause her to most probably become unbearable and worsen his temper. He is not attracted to laziness.
"If that's your only complaint then that makes me happy. … I guess though if I go through with it then I don't have much choice and it will be training. That's my last resort though, Vegey. You're right, I don't want you to love another me. It'll be my greatest theft if I have to do that. … You can sleep on it, tell me if I can have my day as a bride tomorrow. I'll do my bit, get you a fancy ring too – with your money though – I'll treat you nice on that day. I'll propose to you all good and proper in the best way I can think of, make for a better memory than rain and mud. … Before that day though … I think I need to talk about what happened, Ayeka's idea but she is – she's right. I need to just talk about it. I won't get angry, just a long chat about it all to clear my head a bit. I'll behave, for now."
"You've got 10 minutes until my ki comes back."