Hello All! Hope you are ready for this one! Hopefully some making up is in order! Anyway! Read away and enjoy! X x

Chapter 8 - Making Amends

The cell was quiet. The girls had rarely spoken since Bulma and Chichi's argument. Bulma was sitting in one corner as chichi was still meditating. It had been 2 days since they fought and nobody had said anything to anyone. 18 and launch spoke amongst themselves but Bulma had said nothing. Launch looked over at chichi who was still deep into her meditation and now she was concerned. She hadn't slept, or eaten since.

'You think we should try and snap her out of it?' Launch whispered as 18 looked over at her

'I don't know. I don't think its up to us to do so' she said as she turned to Bulma who was turned away from the others facing the wall. 18 got up and went to Bulma and sat by her

'What?!' Bulma huffed

'You need to apologise to her' she said

'No!'

Bulma…..'

'Ummmmm Excuse me?' a voice called out as they 3 girls looked up as they saw a young solider standing there. 18 got up and frowned

'What do you want?' she asked as he opened the door, and placed their food and water down

'I thought you might be hungry?' he said as 18 looked confused, she looked down at the food, soup, sandwiches and water

'Is it poisoned?' Launch frowned

'Of course not! I thought you would want to eat'

'Any why would you give this to us?' 18 asked as he looked at her

'I may be a soldier working under Tao, but it doesn't mean I agree with his methods. I joined the army to be a man of honour, not to kidnap innocent women' he said. Launch and 18 looked to the other and decided to take his word. Launch took the tray of food as he nodded

'Thank you' Launch smiled

'You know it would help if you just let us escape' 18 added

'Believe me, if I thought I could defeat the likes of the meta I would! But he would destroy me in a second! And….. I'm afraid'

'Isn't being a soldier about facing fear, danger or adversity. And putting the welfare of the people before your own?' 18 asked as he looked down and sighed

'I guess I'm not that good of a solider' he answered

'I don't believe that' Launch softly smiled as he bowed and left the cell.

'Wait!' 18 called out as he turned around after locking the cell again 'What's your Name?' she asked as he saluted to

'Lieutenant Washington. Only most people call me Wash' he answered

'Thank you Wash' Launch smiled as he nodded and left them to it. 18 and Launch helped themselves to the food. Building their strength as Launch left some next to Chichi and Bulma. Chichi still didn't touch her food, still deep in meditation. And 18 turned her attention to Bulma again.

'You know what I'm gonna tell you?' she asked

'Yes!'

'So?'

'I am not apologising! Everything I said was true, she just didn't wanna hear it!'

'You know what you said wasn't true! Seriously what is your problem with chichi?' Launch asked

'Doesn't matter!'

'Well it does because we can't afford to argue with each other now that we're trapped, you both need to make amends and you need to apologise to her!' Launch lectured

'What about the stuff she said to me! You gonna make HER apologise too?'

'She isn't the one who had a grudge against you.' 18 frowned

'I don't have a…..' Bulma looked at 18 who raised a brow at her, Bulma sighed and huffed 'Fine I have a grudge'

'For what though? What has she done?'

'You wouldn't understand!'

'Wouldn't I?'

'No you wouldn't, no one can understand what I'm going thorough.' She huffed as 18 looked over at chichi in her mediation cycle

'Would she?' 18 asked as Bulma looked at chichi as well and sighed and nodded. She got up and crouched down to her and gently tapped her shoulder, brining chichi out of mediation and looked around, facing Bulma, softly frowning.

'What is it?' she asked

I….. I ummm… I just wanted to say….. I uhh….. *sigh* I'm sorry for what I said' She said as Chichi looked so blank in the face.

'Is that it?' she asked as Bulma continued

'I lost my temper. And I took it out on you so…. I'm sorry' she said as Chichi looked at her not convinced

'I don't believe you' she said

'Huh?'

'Come on chi she apologised to you…..'

'I believe she's sorry. But I don't believe you lost your temper' chichi said getting up as did Bulma 'You have been funny with me for a while and I wanna know why!' chichi ordered as Bulma looked at her friends and grew nervous

'I… I….'

'You said those things for a reason. And I wanna know what it is!'

'I…. I wanted…. I wanted to hurt you… like how you had hurt me' Bulma admitted as Chichi looked confused as did the others

'I hurt you? How?' She asked as Bulma sat down and sighed hard

'Not intentionally, in fact, you don't even know it'

'I don't understand…..' chichi sat across from her as Bulma explained

A few months ago

'You're Going away to Fight again! I was hoping you would spend more time at home with us!'

'Woman don't start again! I need to get stronger and you know it!'

'Stronger than what? There is no threat coming and its not like you need to be going away again!'

'The fact you don't understand why I need to shows how much you don't know about the sayiens!

'Hey I'm trying here! But its not like your around to explain it to me! Your always in your gravity chamber or you've gone off world! All of this just to surpass over Goku! Its getting old Vegeta! And its getting boring!'

'I don't need to surpass that fool!'

'No of course you don't! is that why you follow him around like a puppy! Doing all that he is doing! I bet he doesn't have an issue staying home with his family!'

'Probably because his wife doesn't scold him every time he does!' Vegeta yelled as Bulma chuckled

'Ummm… have you met chichi? She scolds him as much as I do to you!'

'She understands Kakarott's need to fight, the woman used to be a fighter herself! She understands the thrill you seek when you push yourself further and further. She may scold her giant oaf of husband's absence but its never about his training or fighting! Its about when he needs to be working!' Vegeta argued. Bulma was confused, she had never known Vegeta to compliment Chichi in all the time they knew one another.

'Oh really?! And what else does she do better then!?' Bulma huffed

'Well if you must know, she's an exceptional cook! Kakarott always brings the food she bring to Berrus world and its always delicious! Not like the ready meal crap you provide. She also was once a strong fighter and still keeps up with her training, or at least enough to protect herself from bandits when she's alone! Not to mention….. She's…! Never mind!'

'No! She's what?!' Bulma frowned

'It doesn't matter!'

'It does to me! What is she?!'

'Fine! She's Beautiful' Vegeta admitted, blushing slightly. Bulma gasped. She had never known Vegeta to say anything like about a woman before! Especially one she knew!

'Oh she's Beautiful huh?! And what am I Vegeta! Am I just not as beautiful as her!?'

'You asked me! I answered!'

'I didn't say for you to tell me she's beautiful!'

'What I can't admire someone's beauty and talk about it! I seem to recall the amount of time you mention how attractive all those men you watch on TV, those 'Actors'. Plus you always say how much of a 'Hunk' Kakartott and Yamcha are! How is me saying it any different?!'

'You have never said anything about her before!' Bulma yelled

'I had my reasons!'

'I cannot believe you!'

'I think someone is attractive! Doesn't mean anything!'

'Your talking about my best friend here!'

'Your Point?!'

'I cannot believe you!'

'You asked me! I answered you! now you're getting mad over it! You wonder why I spent so much time away! At least when kakarott goes back to his wife, she'd be there to welcome him home with a decent cooked meal!'

'You are so infuriating! I wish you would just do as I say for once!'

'And I wish you were more like Kakarott's woman!' He roared as Bulma gasped. Vegeta realised what he had said and then felt regret. He wouldn't trade Bulma for anyone, but he knew that wasn't gonna convince his wife. She was almost as stubborn as him.

'Well I'm sorry I'm not like little miss perfect!' She huffed

'Bulma…..'

'You better go training' she said and left the room. Heading up to her bedroom and shut the door and fell on it crying softly. What did chichi have that she didn't?'

End Of Flashback

'After that, I saw you the next day. And you were with Goku. He stayed to be with you and not train and I just thought….. what did you do that I couldn't do? It wasn't fair. We haven't been on speaking terms since that fight. So I've been taking my anger out on the one person I thought was the reason for all of these issues. But that was wrong because you didn't even know. And it isn't your fault!' Bulma felt her eyes fill as she continued 'My own husband would prefer a woman like you, who's strong, kind, beautiful and i…. I have nothing' Bulma cried breaking down as Chichi looked at her feeling sympathetic. She kneeled down next to her and comforted her

'Bulma…..'

'I could never live up to your standards, compared to you I will always be second best!'

'That isn't true' Chichi said

'Yes it is! It even happened with Goku!'

'With Goku? What do you mean?' Chichi asked

'He told me, how much he fell in love with you and how he wanted to be with you! he admired your strength, your bravery, your beauty and I was so happy for him! but then I never saw him after that, its like you kept him away from us and we were always there for him! and then he was just gone! Its like you had a power over him! and you didn't even have to try! And then with Vegeta…. You didn't even try to get him to notice you and yet…. its happened. And I feel second best. And I deserve to be.' Bulma admitted all she felt over the matter as chichi was in awe over her confession, but she understood why Bulma would feel this way.

'I am sorry that you have felt like this. Why didn't you just tell me?'

'How could I tell you? I would sound like such a child!'

'What that you missed Goku? I don't think so. I mean I always told him to go visit you and the others, he never stopped talking about his adventures as a boy, and he talked about you so much. You were his best friend. And in a way, I have you to thank for finding him all those years ago and bringing him into our lives. And I always encouraged him to go see you. to stay in touch'

'Its true Bulma, Tien once told me that when he asked Goku why he didn't visit. Goku was just so happy to be with Chichi and Gohan, finally feeling at home.' Launch smiled as Bulma covered her face in shame

'I shouldn't have said all those things to you chi. I was angry and I was selfish. What I said wasn't true. I know Goku loves you very much and I'm glad he met you. I shouldn't have said all of those things about your relationship'

'I wasn't exactly an angel in our argument either. But you have to believe that Vegeta really loves you' Chichi said

'How can you be sure?'

'Because I remember the guy he was when he first landed on earth, and I'm sure you do too. And I don't see that man anymore. And that's because of you, he changed for you! if that isn't love, I don't know what is' Chichi smiled as Bulma wiped her tears away

'I…. just wish I can make him see that… I can be just as brave. Or maybe strong?'

'you already do Bulma' 18 smiled as Bulma softly smiled

'That prince does love you, has just too stubborn to say anything' Launch smiled

'And that is something you both have in common' 18 joked as the other 3 laughed

'I'm sorry girls. I was an ass'

'You're forgiven' chichi smiled as the two gave the other a hug as 18 and Launch joined in. friends once more.

'awwwwwwwwwwwwww isn't that sweet (!)' a voice called as they were greeted by Tao Once again

'You!' Launch huffed

'Hate to ruin such a touching moment, but I have some good news, I have sensed a familiar ki land back on earth, no doubt in my mind, you loved ones will be joining us soon.' He chuckled as the girls gasped

'Goku is back' chichi gasped

'Yes. And I cannot wait for our special reunion.' Soon, I shall have my revenge. Ta Ta!' He smirked as he walked away. 18 hit on the wall but again, no avail!

'Rrrragh! Now we really have to hurry!' 18 yelled

'What are we gonna do? It won't take long for the guys to get here! They're gonna get hurt! Or worse!' Launch added

'We need a plan! A plan to get out of here then work it all out from there!' Chichi said

'Okay and how are we gonna do that?' 18 asked

'I know how!' Bulma got up from her chair as the other three looked to her 'Ladies… We're getting out of here.'

Bulma has a plan! What will it be? Hope you guys have enjoyed this one I shall return very soon! Thank you for your support! Lots of love! Xx

Penelope out ;)