AN: Hi there! I'm sorry if this chapter is subpar. I have been so exhausted and didn't have a lot of mental energy to proof-read. I hope you still enjoy. I am sure I'll come back in the future and do some serious edits, but I hope you still enjoy for now!
It was raining.
Bulma sat, her back leaned against the thick tree trunk, the leaves keeping her safe from the weather. Her arms were folded over her chest as she watched Yamcha, Nova beside him, laughing under the downpour.
"I love this!" Nova was declaring, her clothes clinging to her figure from the saturation.
" I love this, " Bulma mocked in a sing-song voice, quietly enough for only herself to hear.
They had spent the better part of the day walking back towards the castle. Seeing as how they were trying to avoid being intercepted by the army of Earth's Kingdom that would no doubtedly be on the hunt for them, the group had chosen the route that went around the hills, instead of over and through them.
This in of itself put Bulma in a sour mood. She was tired, hungry, and her morale was getting incredibly low. She felt she'd been through far too much in the past few months - let alone weeks, and even more so in the past few days. Ever since waking up from the shelter of a large tree, Bulma had been second-guessing her decision of even leaving for Earth in the first place.
Yes, she had been angry when she'd made the decision. And she had desired more than anything to see her father. But where had it gotten her? Long ago were the days of a comfortable bed, a loving cook, and a husband who was as doting as he was secretive and traitorous. Bulma had not gotten to speak to Daddy, let alone learn of his current state. Instead she'd been locked in a cell for 10 hours, forced to walk another several hours to a stranger's home, slept while Nova and Yamcha did things she didn't even want to consider - right under her nose, and had been listening to the two flirt even since.
" Oh, Yamcha. I might slip," Bulma was mocking now, glouring at the unofficial couple as the man in question grabbed Nova's hand. He held her tight while she giggled, relief at having been saved from her inevitable fall.
" Oh, Nova, I want to kiss you on the big-fat-lips." Bulma made her voice as deep as possible as she watched Yamcha's mouth move.
" Hahaha," Bulma continued, raising her pitch to a feminine reach, Nova's lips now moving in response. " You big smelly oaf. I've always wanted to kiss a bitch, and I love the taste of pickles"
"Then pucker up," Bulma was now back to her Yamcha tone.
"EWWW!" Bulma yelled, when the two actually exchanged a peck. "WOULD YOU STOP THAT, ALREADY?!"
"You're just jealous!" Nova yelled back, wiping some of the rain water from her eyes.
"JEALOUS?! OF THAT!?" Bulma called in return. She threw her head back dramatically and looked to the blanket of leaves covering her head. "Gahd, I wanna go home. I wanna go home, I wanna go home, I wanna get out of here!"
/
Typically spiked hair was now slicked back with the weight of the rain, and Vegeta was splashing through the muddy hillside. His leather boots left small craters where they sloshed, a tell-tale trail in his wake. After that perverse encounter with Maron, in which Vegeta had so elegantly threatened her life, he had no desire to stay in the palace alone. Unsure of where to truly start, he figured the obvious approach would be to scope out the surrounding villages for any sign his wife had passed through.
But he knew she'd be trying to avoid any henchmen sent after her, and thus she would avoid the most straightforward path. Likely she'd be strategic enough to take the time to travel around these hills, rather than the easy pilgrimage of going through them. And so he traveled, his road alternating between gravel and dirt.
How unfortunate it was that the skies decided to fucking rain, then, of all times. Wishing there was a tree or some type of shelter, he nearly regretted his decision to avoid the quicker route to the village. "Bulma," He muttered irritably, lamenting the face that she'd left Vegetasai in the first place.
If she'd just stayed put until he was able to return, they could have discussed matters. He would have even been willing to allow her to go back to Earth, accompanying him. If he'd been with her when she'd arrived, he doubted that Maron would have had the gall to do anything malicious at all.
Thinking of Maron only soured his mood. He couldn't help but remember, against his will, the stark image of her naked body in front of him. It made him feel a way he couldn't quite describe, having never before experienced such an emotion when it came to a female's body.
It was some sort of indignance, curling along a violation. Why, it had been against his wishes and will, and he couldn't help but compare it to being blindsided with a punch that hadn't been warranted.
With another growl, the young King sauntered forward. Trying his hardest to reach out and see if he could somehow determine Bulma's location, if by nothing else than by psychic power. And that in of itself was nothing more than asinine.
He knew it, the trees knew it, and the entire world would have known if had it been aware. This was such a pathetic position to be in.
"Damnit, Bulma…" He mumbled, his feet splashing ever more.
/
"Can we please go?!" Bulma moaned. The rain had cleared twenty minutes ago, and Nova had insisted that they wait in order to make sure there wouldn't be a second wind.
"I dunno, Bulma." Yamcha replied, looking to Nova for her opinion. "Whatd'ya think?"
"I think," Nova batted her eyelashes. The couple was leaned against a neighboring tree trunk, not attempting discreteness as they snuggled in the shade. "I think perhaps it might be a good time."
"You know!" Bulma spat. "I am the daughter of King Briefs, the wife of King Vegeta, and a Queen herself!"
"Right." Nova rolled her eyes before turning to Yamcha. "She is always rubbing that in my face, you wouldn't believe…"
"Enough!" Bulma snapped. "I demand some freaking respect!"
"Ssh!" Nova hissed, cringing as Bulma's shrill voice echoes through the nearby valleys. "You want the entire world to know we're here?!"
"Well, we wouldn't even be here right now if you two would LISTEN TO ME!"
Birds went flying out of the trees as Bulma's voice reached a volume she didn't know if she'd ever quite reached. She was stomping her feet and pulling at her hair, wondering if she looked as hysterical as she felt. Because she certainly did feel ridiculous, resorting to such actions just to express her irritation. But she was overwhelmed, feeling as if an entire lifetime of disregard and being underestimated was starting to weigh on her. And these two jerks were going to be the straw breaking her back, she just knew.
"Fine! Fine!" Nova rolled her eyes again, using Yamcha's chest for leverage as she pushed herself upwards. "Let's go, Princess!"
"You will not use my former title to condescend me!" Bulma warned.
"Former title? Ha!" Nova turned his cute nose to the skies. "There was never a coronation, remember? For all intents and purposes, you are still a mere princess. And don't forget it!"
"Oh…! You!" Bulma spat. She couldn't help but miss waking up in that guest house the day prior, watching Nova and Yamcha together. As awkward as it had been to witness, there had been some kind of uncomfortable shyness between the new couple that had Nova acting with her best side forward. Now, after just a few hours, Yamcha and Nova had quickly progressed into a more relaxed stage of courtship, and Nova was so much closer to being her old self.
"Hey, hey!" Yamcha jumped to his feet, putting both hands in the air. "No need to get so personal!"
Bulma turned to glare at him. He was no better. The guy was acting completely spineless, trying to be ever so diplomatic as to not insult Nova. He should be dressing her down! Lecturing her to know her place. Instead he spoke as if the two women were of the same social standing, and he were simply trying to resolve a sisterly disagreement.
"Let's just go, God willing!" Bulma threw her hands in the air. "Oh, I can't wait to be rid of you both!"
"Bulma!" Yamcha called, as she began to march away. The ground was still soft from saturation, and Bulma noticed herself working a little harder than normal to keep her balance. "Bulma, wait!"
She heard the sloshing of mud as he ran to catch up to her, but Bulma ignored him. "Just shut up and walk!"
A hand clapped her shoulder, and Bulma tensed. "Do not touch me."
"Bulma." Yamcha's voice was far closer to her ear now, enough that she cringed. "Look, is everything okay? You aren't acting like your usual self."
"If you seriously have to ask me that, you're a fool!" Bulma replied.
"Yamcha!" Nova was calling now, incensed. After dealing with Nova's blatant jealousy back on Vegetasai, Bulma could tell by the tone in her voice that she was currently experiencing it now. Rolling her eyes, Bulma kept marching. She didn't stop her pace, even as she listened to the two moving to keep up with her.
/
All was quiet for the next hour.
Bulma's emotions had fallen from hostile to solemn, looking down at her feet as she moved. It was exhausting to be so angry and not have a sufficient outlet. To have dealt with so many life changes in such a short span of time, to have been taken prisoner, and to now be living as some sort of a refugee.
Nova and Yamcha were now muttering quietly, so much so that Bulma couldn't make out their words. And she didn't mind. She much preferred to not be subjected to their excruciating flirting.
On top of her melancholy, a new emotion had recently been flickering inside. And it grew as she pondered during her walk, a result of Yamcha's recent behavior.
For the truth was, he had gotten cozy with Nova way too fast.
Where was the loyalty?
Bulma knew that she didn't want to be Yamcha's girlfriend, even if she wasn't married. After the kiss on the ship, she was assured that there was no way she would ever want to lay with him. Even if she woke up one morning and suddenly found herself single.
But for him to do this? After professing his undying love to Bulma for so long? He was able to progress so quickly after meeting another woman?
It felt like a slap in the face.
As if everything he'd ever promised and confessed to Bulma were some kind of lie. For if he truly felt as strongly as he expressed, wouldn't it have taken longer to warm up to Nova? And wouldn't he be completely turned off by Nova's rudeness towards her? Shouldn't he at least care enough about Bulma, as a friend, to not find someone capable of being so snippy attractive?
It all just made Bulma so angry, which in turn added to her frustrated sadness. Once again, for the umpteenth time in that mere week, she was wishing she could just be alone. She needed a hot bath, a soothing candle, and a quiet hour to process things in the safety of bubbles.
"OI!" A loud voice barked.
Bulma jumped. In that moment she was suddenly aware of the sounds of moving hooves, horses galloping in her direction with breakneck speed. Bulma looked to the source of the call, expecting to see a group of knights approaching. What she saw instead was a group of bandits, the apparent leader of which was brandishing a thick sword as they approached.
Nova had already screamed, and Bulma glanced in her direction. Seeing Yamcha put a protective arm around her. His eyes went to Bulma, calling for her to join them. But Bulma, about 5 meters ahead, ignored him. Despite her fear, seeing Yamcha so shielding of Nova just pissed her off even more. Bulma didn't want him touching her with those same hands.
In a flash, the lead bandit was on Bulma. His horse blurred by in a breeze, and Bulma felt something heavy dropping on her. It only took a moment for her to realize it was netting, as Bulma gawked ahead. "Was that really necessary?!"
"Quiet!" The bandit yelled, having already done the same to Yamcha and Nova. He circled back around to Bulma, stopping his horse right in front of her. The bandit sat quietly, peering down at her, wordlessly waiting as the rest of his group caught up. And when they did, the men let out a cheer in unison. Some kind of gang mantra, the likes of which had Bulma cringing yet again.
"P-Please don't hurt us!" Nova called out from behind. "Take her, and leave us! Please!"
"Nova!" Yamcha shot, his voice actually perplexed by her behavior for once.
But Bulma paid them no mind. Her eyes had already locked with the lead bandit's, and she refused to break contact first. He was still peering down at her from his horse, looking rather amused as she glared up defiantly.
"What brings a small thing like you to Wallop Territory?"
"Wallop? " Bulma scoffed. "That's you guys' name?"
"Bulma!" Yamcha snapped, his voice just as stunned as it had been with Nova.
The horsemen all let out a laugh in unison. All it did was jab at Bulma's sour mood even more. Even this group was looking down on her, presumably impressed that she'd even have the capacity to say such a thing.
"Quite a tongue on yeh, aye?!" The leader called. And Bulma's glare hardened. Just as she predicted. This stupid man was assuming the simplest of her. He actually thought he was above her, just because she was a young woman and he was a middle aged man.
Gods, why were so many men so damned shallow?! Especially the gruff, weathered ones?!
"Wait!" One of the horsemen towards the back called. "Sir! Take a good look at this one! Isn't she familiar?!"
"Hm?" The leader's deep voice grumbled. His eyes slowly left Bulma's own to trace up and down her body, allowing a few moments of thought. Clearly he recognized her, too, and was trying to place exactly where he had seen her before.
Bulma felt warm under his gaze, knowing it was only a matter of time. Her instincts told her to hug her chest and cross her legs, a small pathetic act of shielding herself from his penetrating eyes. And yet, something else inside told her not to. She was going to stand her ground against this bastard. She wouldn't let anybody hurt her again.
"Princess?!" The leader suddenly croaked. Some of the horsemen gasped.
Bulma did not deny it, nor did she affirm. She simply maintained her glare, balling her hands into fists.
"It is the Princess!" One of the other men shouted.
Suddenly all horsemen broke into a swarm of reaction. Some were laughing, while others were exclaiming their surprise. Others were simply gasping, and the leader just grinned quietly. He waited until the group calmed down, and then he spoke so Bulma could hear. "Never thought such a gravy train would fall in my lap."
"Excuse me?" Bulma's fists tightened. She could hear shuffling behind her, and she knew either Yamcha or Nova were attempting to free themselves of the net without being noticed.
"Hostage." The side of the leader's lip twiched. "The kingdom'll pay a pretty pound to get yer head back."
"Will not!" Nova shot.
" Nova!" Yamchas' voice cut in.
"What?! I'm trying to help!"
"Oh, shut up!" Bulma finally turned to the saiyaness behind her. "Weren't you just begging them to take me and leave you?! That was a jab at me, and you know it! You coward!"
The horsemen broke into laugher again, and Bulma bit her lip. She turned to snap something snide at them, but she was met with a blade. In that small time of distraction, the lead bandit had hopped from his horse and pressed the sword against her throat. "Gotcha," He said. His rotten breath made her nose screw upwards when hit her face. He removed the sword from her neck.
And in that moment, Bulma lost it. She didn't care that he was holding a weapon on her. He wanted her as a hostage, didn't he? Like hell would he actually hurt her! With all her strength, Bulma pushed back against him. Both hands on his chest, she used all the strength she could muster to shove. Catching him by surprise, he actually stumbled back a few steps. And Bulma made for the horse, ready to jump on it.
But it was futile.
Bulma knew it, even as she moved. And she wasn't surprised in the slightest when the leader caught her by the arm. "Oi!" He snarled, landing a backhand against her cheek.
Screaming, Bulma shook. She had a low pain tolerance to begin with, and she hadn't been slapped since Maron had done it to her months earlier. It brought back such horrid memories of crying alone in her palace room, being yelled at and manipulated. Desperately helpless, Bulma wriggled her body, fighting as hard as she could to break free from his grip. She could hear Yamcha yelling something, Nova's voice screaming, and consequential thuds.
The next thing she knew, she had been turned around and pulled into the bandit. Her back pressing against his chest, he held her with his arm pressed into her neck. Wide eyes watched as several horsemen apprehended Nova and Yamcha, the latter of which looked like he had made some sort of attempt at helping her.
The sight only made her stomach turn. For as much as she resented him in that moment, as much as his liking towards Nova had bothered her, Yamcha had still tried to save her. There was that familiar protectiveness still. The kind she could always depend on. And she felt tears rushing to her eyes to think of it. By and by, Yamcha was always going to have her best interest at heart. Wouldn't he?
"Let go of her!" Yamcha was yelling, even as a horseman tackled him to the mud. Nova was being handled much more gently, her arms forced behind her back by a single bandit. Nova was also Yamcha, tears streaming down her pretty face.
"Let my friends be, and I shall go without a word." Bulma quivered, taking as deep of a breath as she could manage.
"You are not in a place to make demands," The leader's chest bounced against her back. "But I will give it to you, you've got balls."
"Balls?" Bulma scoffed, raising her chin. "I am a woman, and that is all. We are not as feeble as you give us credit."
And then she was being forced towards the horse, the leader's entire body weight pressing against her to push her forward. It hurt when he shoved her in the back to get her to mount the horse. And she did so with such expertise that he let out a chuckle.
"What, you think I've never ridden a horse?" She huffed as he jumped on behind her.
"Shut up, Woman ." His stinky voice breathed, mocking her earlier self description.
And the next thing Bulma knew, they were riding away.