- 12 -
Darkness vs. Bulma
She was almost halfway there, all this thinking happening in mere seconds. She had to do something to make him seem less intimidating. Kami... I don't remember it being this hard... Her resolve to get to the bottom of this and maybe an apology grew. Yeah right, like that would ever happen... She then pictured him like a sulking cat who a minute ago got told no for going after a bird. That worked. She almost smiled then but forced her face into a frown, preparing to scold the unruly kitty. Hehe... Damn it! Get a hold of yourself. This wasn't a laughing matter. He had insulted her and her friends, not to mention that thing with Bardock. After all they... she... had done for him and he does this, it was almost like those times she gave Plato treats and then he went around destroying important papers... shredding them even.
Working herself up into a rage, she put her hands on her hips having reached the halfway mark and yelled as she continued towards him, "What the fuck is wrong with you?" Seeing him snarl at her high-pitched voice she cheered inside. "Seriously, Vegeta, how dare you insult me and my friends... I would understand it if I did something to make you angry, but I haven't."
Bardock's eyes widened a little after having winced at her high voice. He thought maybe she would be timid about this when he had smelled her fear before entering the door, but amazingly it was gone and she was meeting the boy head on.
Vegeta growled, a low rumbling deep within that made the other two Saiyans' hair stand on end. "Will you shut up, wench!" His eyes met hers, angry that she had dared to yell at him. "Get me food and leave me the fuck alone."
Stopping a foot in front of him she glared up at him. "NO... get it yourself, jerk." She noted the pause in his tail's twitch and stored it for later. "First of all, I am not a servant! Second, if you can't be nice and eat with us you don't deserve any. And lastly, I'm not a... a wench, you bastard."
His teeth clenched after getting over his momentary shock. "Nice?" Snorting, he stood straight from the wall, "I am never nice." He bent his head a little. "And I'm done playing house. I am a killer. Not some tamed pet like Kakarot and it's about time you remember that."
Her brow rose sarcastically as she crossed her arms. "A killer... yeahyeahyeah, I've heard this already, jerk. But the fact still remains..." She suddenly pushed him back to the wall with her right hand, in his current weakened state she actually knocked the air from him and making his ribs scream in agony. "I could have let you die..." He growled as she continued, "And I'm not purely talking about after the crash... you remember that little stint in your room? Your lung collapsing?" She pushed a little harder, knowing it had to hurt. "Is this the problem? You can't handle knowing you owe someone?"
"I owe you nothing..." Before she could rebut he added, "My debt was repaid when I decided not to kill you or your own."
"Oh really?" she hissed back. Ungrateful... arrogant... self-centered... egotistical...
"Hn." He tilted his chin up.
Her eyes darkened as she grabbed his shirt and yanked him down, growling back at him as she grew even more frustrated. "You never had a chance of killing anyone here and I will see to it that you never do... so that means nothing." Nose to nose with him she hissed again, "So you still owe me..."
He grabbed her wrist as tightly as he could, uncomfortable with their closeness. "I owe nothing to you."
She winced at the strength in his grip but didn't let go of him. "You do! And what more, it scares you. You have never had to owe someone other than Bardock... let alone an outsider, and it's bothering you."
Vegeta was furious that his grip didn't remove the offending appendage... and his unease was growing. Her own breath was hot on his face and her eyes darkened with true rage. The dark blue with hints of light could almost be captivating if he let them. He had noticed before that they tended to darken when she was really angry, but this was extreme. It was also strange given Saiyans' remained one color, cool black. Well, it was a really dark brown, but humans couldn't tell the difference. Then there was also the little fact that she was pushing boundaries, which wasn't anything new... she'd always done that, but this. She was getting more physical than any other time... while she was just a human, she truly was a perfect specimen of her race... not only intelligent, but strong for human standards. Maybe it was a side effect of being around Kakarot and other fighters. He didn't care. What he did care about was that she was actually besting him in his weakened state. It made him so furious... nervous, given she could hurt him... and excited. The last two only made him even more livid.
He squeezed her wrist more. "Shows how naive you really are..." Finally her hold slipped as she tried to pull it away. "I don't care because I don't owe anything to you, and what is bothering me is you thinking you can fit me into your..." His words became harsh, bitter and sarcastic, "Perfect little world with butterflies and rainbows." She tried to take a step back, not liking his own use of force, "And your laughable morals would only get you killed in my world."
She snapped back, "This isn't your world, Vegeta... and I'm sure not everyone is a cold bastard like you."
He gave a cold harsh laugh that sent shivers down her spine, "Oh no? I am the Master of Darkness, woman, they try but they can never come close..." She shook her head, about to say something but he cut her off, "I am the pure embodiment of the evil that is out there-"
She was really starting to get afraid, but what could she say? Of course she had an idea, but that wasn't her... she couldn't use what he had told her against him. But anything else sounded weak... A breeze brushed against her, "Hit him where it hurts..." A soft voice whispered in the depths of her mind. She couldn't... that wasn't... "He will only listen to what he knows like this... hurt him," the voice said more commandingly. It was comforting and gave her strength.
Before Vegeta could continue on his little 'I'm darkest speech', she cut him off, her fear making her harsh, "Oh really? And here you told me Freeza was..." Putting her free hand to her chin pretending to think she continued, "Now what did you say to me... You just had to tell me? Ask what a monster fears and you'll find him staring right back at you?" He flinched, clearly not liking her saying that. "Now tell me, Vegeta? If you're sopurely evil... What is your master?"
Bardock's eyes widened at the low blow... He never thought the sweet, slightly naive, and kind girl would go so far. He glanced at his son, somewhat worried, finding his expression matching his. What should he do? By duty he should be stepping in and defending his prince's honor, but the boy had brought it on himself... Torn, he went back to the stare down, still impressed that the girl was holding her own...He still didn't smell any fear. Even so... this was his prince. He had sworn to the king he would forever be loyal even as he ruled in his stead. Bardock was about to open his mouth when a strange feeling passed over him, his senses telling him something was a little off in the room in general. "They need to do this... the boy needs this..." He frowned, unsure where that thought came from, but did find himself agreeing with it. His anger with the girl calmed.
"Um... guys?" Goku asked.
Both of their heads snapped to him, glaring, saying at the same time and making him flinch, "Shut up, Kakarot." "Let me handle this, Goku." They turned back to each other once more, forgetting again about the two other Saiyans in the room.
"Do tell me, Vegeta... If you are the shit, the biggest baddy out there, the purest evil... the devil incarnate..." She actually stepped close again, letting the fear deep down fuel her. "Why do you have nightmares of him? Cry out in the night? Sweaty and frighten-"
She didn't get to finish when his other hand suddenly went to her neck, lunging at her as she gave a little squeak. The fear she had been holding surfaced as they slammed to the floor, him landing on top of her. At the same time Vegeta lunged Goku had moved to save her, but Bardock grabbed his arm, stopping him and shook his head when his son looked at him. Goku glared at his father, about to ask what the hell he was doing when Bardock's mind reach out to his.
"I will not let him hurt her son, but they need to do this... Vegeta needs to learn." Goku blinked surprised at hearing Bardock's voice in his head, then looked at his friend.
Something, instinct, self-preservation... Whatever it was, snapped inside her when her back hit the floor, his body weight crushing her as he landed, his dark hollow eyes on her as his hand tightened around her delicate neck. This wasn't like the other time and his ribs weren't caving this time. She lashed out... boxing his ears, knowing it would hurt him so much more with his sensitive hearing. He hissed in pain and she moved frantically, making her movements quick as she rolled out from under him. Yet she was still too slow getting to her feet as his hand shot out grabbing her left wrist... her eyes snapped to him, finding both of them on their hands and knees. The smell of her fear surrounded them. He gave a wicked smile, thinking to throw her to the ground again, when she abruptly pulled back her other arm and punched him with a perfect fist. His head actually snapped back from it, the force behind it catching him off guard as he released his hold on her, blinking in surprise and reaching up to find she had split his lip.
Unable to acknowledge the pain in her hand, Bulma jumped to her feet, her mind in a daze while her body moved once again to attack the threat before her. Of course later she would be horrified at her actions, but he had provoked her flight or fight response, and when it was clear she couldn't have the first she wasn't about to go down without a fight. She wouldn't lie there and die... A snarl escaped her lips as she kicked him in the stomach as he remained on the floor on his hands and knees, stunned. He smelled her fear, it was suffocating and yet she wasn't prone, frozen like all of his other victims normally were. Grunting in pain he rolled away and blocked her foot as she went to kick him a third time; she was dangerously close to breaking his barely healed ribs and it made him realize how he could be in some serious trouble and wondered why Bardock wasn't stepping in.
Vegeta went to stand when she stumbled back a little but swiftly steadied herself before lunging at him, forcing him to bump against an end table and stumble into the far wall. The crash of a vase went ignored as he found himself on the defense as she lashed out wildly, her attacks erratic, clearly not planned other than subconsciously she knew he was hurt in the chest. She got a few hits in before he caught both arms and turned her so her back was flush against him before her legs could lash out instead. Thinking he had her, he looked at Bardock who was clearly impressed by the woman, but serious, What is he... He cursed in pain when her teeth sank into his forearm actually breaking the skin. When he didn't let go she suddenly went limp, effectively using her body weight against him as they toppled to the floor again. Using his training and tail he effectively held onto her arms and landed on top of her, pinning her, his legs straddling her. Both breathing heavily even as she continued to fight and buck beneath him making him find it increasingly hard to keep a hold.
He blinked upon seeing her face, her eyes such a dark vivid blue, wild, furious and yet frightened. His blood surrounded her lips... startling him. She growled at him bucking him off, suddenly taking his brief surprise and using it. He rolled and got to his feet as he heard another sound come from her throat. More animalistic than ever. He had braced himself for the attack that never came. His head jerked up as he heard her screaming at Goku who had her arms locked behind her back and continuing to fight just to get at Vegeta.
"Bulma, calm down!" he said, his voice pinched with concern for his friend.
Goku grunted, clearly being careful not to hurt her with his own strength yet having difficulties containing her. She slipped one arm away and decked her friend in the face, about to lunge at Vegeta again, but he swiftly got her pinned to the wall. Vegeta could only stare in wonderment and shock as she hissed and growled, sounding very much like a Saiyan woman when cornered... like a wild animal. And that was when it clicked: yes, she was afraid, but she wasn't going to die without a fight. Something all of his victims had been lacking... the overwhelming urge to survive, to fight even if they knew all odds were against them. Maybe humans and Saiyans were more alike than he first thought... Wiping the blood from his split lip he played it all back in his head... impressed and yet worried. He wasn't about to try attacking her again knowing she would actually put up a decent fight in his current state.
"Bulma..." Goku pleaded, his voice shaking with distress. "Please, Bulms... look at me. He isn't going to hurt you. Not when I'm here."
Her movements suddenly stopped as she looked at him, confused and daze. Her voice came out as a weak squeak, "Goku?" Her chest heaved, trying to get breath, the sound haggard as her air-hungry lungs worked hard.
He gave her a small smile loosening his grip. "You're okay, Bulma, it's okay."
Her eyes started to water, her small body shaking as the adrenaline slowed and she went limp, sobbing; the sound made Vegeta uncomfortable as she curled up into Kakarot's arms. He made soft sounds and kept telling her it was okay... Vegeta looked away, frustrated and confused as to why he didn't like her crying. And also trying to merely wrap his head around the fact that the slip of a woman not but a minute ago, beat the crap out of him. His breath was pained, wheezing, body hurting from both the excursion and her attacks... He almost felt as bad as he had the first day waking up and was actually lucky she hadn't been cognizant enough to actually hit him in those 'special' spots she had pointed out that other night.
"You okay?" Bardock asked, suddenly next to him.
Vegeta glared at him, feeling a little betrayed, then looked back to the floor again, wiping his lip as he gave a curt nod. "Hn."
Bardock's tone suddenly became low, threatening, "Ego tibi fideles... ad plebem..." {I am loyal to you... to my people...} Vegeta looked at him surprised. "Si autem ego rursus puerum cecidit vos ... quamvis te nocere."
{But if you do that again I will beat you boy... no matter how hurt you are.} His face was deathly serious. "Cum vobis appositis neque ob nolui vos alienare nisi qui potest etiam ope nostri extinctionem." {When I told you not to get attached, I didn't want you to alienate the only person who can actually help our people from extinction.}
Vegeta growled, "Non mores vivis sub." {I will not live under their morals.}
Bardock shook his head, disappointment showing in his eyes, making him ill. "Yes... yes... of course, my prince." Vegeta flinched, knowing he only addressed him by prince after saving him from Freeza, when he was very, very angry and disappointed with him. "Now go upstairs... the others outside heard your little fight and the girl's parents can only keep them back for so long." He sighed, glancing at Bulma who was still sobbing in Goku's gi, "Why they both are helping is beyond me..."
Vegeta blinked, finally hearing the voices in the backyard frantically talking as both the doctor and Mrs. Briefs tried to keep them calm, saying whatever was going on they would only get in the way... Why were they doing that? He just tried to hurt their daughter and they were in a way protecting him... Were they daft?
"Go now..." Bardock snapped, reaching his point of patience.
Frustrated, he said through clenched teeth, "I will not be caged, Bardock. I can't do that ag-" He stopped, realizing what he had been about to say. Cursing his weakness, he swiftly turned and limped a little as he left, growling at himself.
Bardock watched him go, concerned about what he had been about to say. 'I can't do that again...' Why do you think they are caging you? If anything they are releasing you from your own cage... He shook his head with a sigh before looking to Goku who had been watching them out of the corner of his eye the whole time and now was looking at him fully, a frown on his lips.
"You should take her upstairs..." Bardock rubbed his forehead, suddenly exceedingly tired. He knew this would be a bad day... and it had started out so good too -well after the whole nightmare bit. Maybe it would get better now...
Goku stood, carrying Bulma and cradling her to his chest as she sobbed. He turned, about to leave then stopped. "I see what she sees, Bardock... there is good there..." His voice was soft almost a whisper, but the tone carried weight. "I will help as much as I can, but clearly he is drawn to her... If he hurts her I cannot say what I'll do..." It sounded as if he was about to say more but then started walking again, going up the stairs.
Bardock swallowed, realizing what Bulma had said was right... there was more than meets the eye about his son. Of course he understood his protectiveness; she was his first family after his grandfather Gohan died and before Chi Chi and Gohan... she did a lot for him. Cursing at his prince in the Saiyan tongue, he shook his head. He really hoped not to alienate Bulma... she might fear them now. And the thought of that made him sick. She had been so kind and caring up 'til now. He didn't want that to change... it was a new and strange feeling for him, but he liked it.
Sighing wearily, he went to the back door, hoping to play this off as nothing but a little scuffle. He braced himself, feeling anxious as he saw the yellow door. So bright and cheerful. Hoping for the world Bulma would brush this off... there was a chance... He grimaced. He also hoped his prince learned the lesson he wanted him to. Bardock didn't like seeing the betrayal in his eyes, but the boy had to learn that right now he was going to be weak for a while and fighting her or anyone on this planet could prove deadly. Even he had been somewhat surprised at the ferocity he had seen from her, though it seemed Goku hadn't been surprised... Pushing the thought away, he turned the handle and opened the door, all their worried eyes turning towards him. Questioning, and yes even some suspicious...
"What just happened?" Chi Chi asked with Gohan on her hip glaring. "And where's Goku?"
"Yeah... What happened?" Krillin, Roshi and Oolong said together.
He gave a soft laugh as he reached behind his head, mimicking his son, which seemed to calm them instantly. "Well... Bulma kicked Vegeta's butt, actually." Maybe there was a method behind his lax nature after all...
Their eyes widened, as Krillin managed to say, "Whoa... What happened?"
"They both said things and then it kind of happened... but don't worry, they are both fine. Well, Vegeta is probably hurting a little, but..." He shrugged, wanting to appease them. "He did deserve it..." They nodded in agreement. His eyes went back to Chi Chi. "And as to Goku, he's now calming her down... sorry this happened."
Mrs. Briefs smiled. "Oh don't worry, deary... not like it hasn't happened before."
Bardock's brow rose. "Really?"
Krillin laughed, "Yeah. B has a bad temper sometimes. Of course she can't hurt us and tends to hurt herself more..."
The doctor nodded, rubbing his mustache. "She's also put one of her ex's in the hospital. So it's not a surprise in the least she can be vengeful."
They all glanced at each other, unsure what to say, when Bunny said cheerfully, "Let's get the food out... can't let it go to waste now."
Bardock chuckled in spite of himself, amazed at how well they took it. "I'll help you..."
"Oh thank you, deary... such a nice young man..." He flushed a little, not pointing out he was technically older than her.
.~-~.
She sniffled, wiping her eyes and smearing her make-up horribly. "Jerk... I just went postal and all you can think about is your stomach?"
He chuckled innocently, "Hey! Fighting you off was hard work."
She wrinkled her nose, not amused in the least. "That isn't funny Goku..."
Having calmed down after ten minutes of bawling her eyes out and ten more of him trying to tell her she had done nothing wrong, they had finally reached this point. She had been horrified upon realizing the metallic taste in her mouth was Vegeta's blood, only dimly remembering she had bitten him. That was easily taken care of with a glass of water, but the thoughts of what she had done stayed with her. Even if the whole thing was fuzzy... like her mind had been overloaded with the information she had taken in each second to survive.
His look turned serious suddenly. "You did a good job, Bulma... I'm proud of you..."
Her brow rose. "You're joking right? I was like a crazed, rabid animal..."
Shaking his head he brushed the hair from her face, smiling a little. "Crazed or not you kicked his ass, and if I hadn't stopped you, you could have done some serious damage, but he's okay and more importantly you're okay." He shrugged. "No harm no foul right? Isn't that what you used to say?"
She groaned, putting her head in her hands and shaking it. "Oh kami... when did you become the parent?"
He shrugged again, pretending to think about it. "I don't know... I guess when Gohan was born."
"Oh..." she groaned again into her hands, "You got to be kidding me... don't be a smart ass, Goku. We both know you're not dense."
"Okay. " He stood then held out his hand for her. "Come on... I'm serious about being hungry and I was hoping to get a spar out of Bardock..." She eyed him, knowing what was coming next. "Which..." He chuckled, reaching behind his head. "Will you suggest for me?"
She rolled her eyes. "You realize one of these days I'm going to be gone and you're really going to have to show you have brains?"
His smile instantly fell. "Please don't say that."
Taking his hand, she let him pull her up from her soft bed. "I'm serious, Goku... Someday you will have to take your mantle as leader and not let others suggest things on the off chance they suggest what you're thinking or rely on me to know what you want said." He looked away, really not liking what she was saying. "I'm not saying I'll be dead... Kami I hope not, given I would have to die twice for that... but not all the bad guys are weakened Saiyans and my body simply can't take this kind of abuse." She rolled her shoulders. "I already feel stiff... geez I need to start working out again, ever since V-"
She stopped talking. Suddenly worried again about him... about what she said... Why in the world did she set him off like that? Yes, she got angry... exploded and yelled. Accidentally put an ex in a coma. Hit her friends a lot... Geez, I'm a horrible friend. No wonder why I can't keep a guy... And now she was depressed on top of tired, sore, and concerned. Okay, so she did have the tendency to fly off the deep end, but never had she been the one to set someone off... She shivered remembering Vegeta's eyes, deadly, hollow.
Goku nudged her, knowing her well enough to know what she was thinking. "You are not a horrible friend, Bulms, we don't care about the hits..." He shrugged one shoulder with a chuckle. "They aren't even bee stings to us."
"Hey..." She pouted but felt a little better.
Goku continued, "And Vegeta is... clearly troubled." Sighing, he pulled her into a tight hug nearly choking the air from her, "I'm happy that you are trying to help him... he needs someone like you, but please don't get yourself hurt." Pulling back, he ruffled her hair. "He's not going to remain weak forever you know..."
She nodded, looking at the floor. Really, when had the little guy... well not so little now... become the parent figure here? It was embarrassing her being five years older... But then maybe he was starting to actually fit into the role he was meant to have. It was strange that the weakest one of the gang called the overall shots or they went to question when they didn't know what to do next. But she really did like it, feeling included... When Goku did take his mantle she was going to truly be left on the side lines...
Sighing sadly for herself, earning her a worried look from him, she said, "Let me touch up my makeup and we can go."
He nodded, not saying a word as she walked over to her mirror and cringed at her horrible appearance. Black mascara was running down her cheeks and smeared from when she rubbed them, while a little bit of Vegeta's blood remained on the side of her mouth. Swallowing, she quickly wiped it away, trying not to think about it. Geez... all that prep work this morning wasted... She snorted as she started to wipe it off. She wasn't going to put any on again... didn't feel like it, seeing as she was too depressed about life in general right then... Her vanity didn't seem important. Wiping it all off, she looked at herself... I'm pretty right? Why couldn't she get a guy to love her at times like this? Stay by her side? Instead of relying on her younger 'brother' to do this? Oh that's right, she had a tendency to get physically abusive and yell a lot...
"Okay." She ran a hand through her hair, not really caring. "Let's go..."
His brow rose, surprised. "Um... not that I don't think you look fine, but aren't you going to put any on?"
Giving him a half shrug, she opened the door. "Why bother?" She paused, an idea coming to her, and a nice change of subject. "Hey, why don't you, Chi Chi and Gohan stay here... Then Bardock can train you and you'll be doubly prepared." She tried to think she was doing this for him and Earth given he had to fight, but really she only wanted him around again.
He laughed, "That sounds great... geez I only wanted to see what he could do..."
She rolled her eyes at him again. "Come on." Flipping the light off before he was even walking towards her. "If it's all basically coming down to you..."
"And Piccolo..." he added swiftly, sounding very happy about that fact.
"And Piccolo..." she sighed, having learned long ago not to argue with him. "He could at least train you, and show you what to expect..."
He nudged her again. "See, this is why you lead."
She snorted, "Really? You weren't thinking that?"
Holding up his hands, he shook his head innocently. "No... Seriously, B."
Passing Vegeta's door she hesitated, wondering if anyone had fed him after the little tiff they had. She wasn't about to let him starve. But she was actually kind of scared to go in there. Not only because of what she had seen in his eyes... but because he would call her out on using things he had in some way or other trusted her with and she had used it against him. Rubbing her arms, she decided to ask her mother to do it as she continued. Having walked a few steps she was surprised when she heard Vegeta's angry voice.
"What do-" he sounded frantic then. "Let me go you third-class." Growling and struggling in Goku's arms as they came out of the door, he wasn't really carrying him, merely held his arms around his chest and guarded against kicks. Vegeta hissed angrily, "I will kill you if you don't let me down now."
"Um, Goku..." she started, then looked away when Vegeta's eyes snapped to her. She added softly, "I don't know..."
"Nah... it's good." He jerked his head gesturing for her to continue walking.
Vegeta's eyes bore into her back, both glad... and angry? That she wouldn't look at him. Wasn't this what he wanted? Then why was he frustrated that she wouldn't look at him? Wouldn't dare him to insult her so she could hit him back with one of her own. He didn't smell fear from her, but there was an unease there that hadn't been before. He should be joyous, laughing at her foolishness. Then there was the flip side to that... Why wasn't she yelling at him? Why wasn't she angry at him for attacking her?
Goku watched the older Saiyan look after his best friend as she led the way, having stilled instantly seeing her and had yet to pick up the struggle, clearly deep in thought. He wasn't surprised... nor angry. Maybe a little worried, but Bulma had proved that she could handle herself if anything else. He also wasn't surprised he was drawn to her... he had been... and even Bardock clearly liked and wanted to protect her given those harsh words he heard him say... even if he didn't understand them he just knew it. He found himself wondering what it was about his 'sister' that seemed to attract Saiyan men?
Of course there was her personality... she was smart but also random, very random. So spontaneous at times that she didn't think things through all the way or she did think things through, but did it anyways damning the consequences. Odds didn't matter to her, for she felt anyone could overcome them if they worked at it. She flipped between anger and happiness a lot, always had... though with age it had certainly become more of a teasing thing than anger. He wondered if that was in part because of him... not seeing him in so long. Having seen her at Master Roshi's house and her sadness, he felt bad for not visiting her at all... He wasn't going to let that happen again. Maybe after all this was said and done ChiChi would like her... he really hoped so, because sneaking away to see his friends really sucked.
As they entered the kitchen, he braced himself for more struggling. It actually didn't happen until they were almost upon the door when realization dawned on the older Saiyan.
"Let go of me now!" Vegeta growled lowly, livid that every time he attempted to use a move to get him out of the younger Saiyan's hold, he seemed to be prepared.
Bulma sighed, drawing his attention again, "You realize either you can go out there calmly with him taking you and they might not see or you make a scene and make it worse?"
She chanced a glance at him and a lighter blue color met his black eyes. They were masked a little, making him uneasy. "I will not be dragged out there like this, woman." He hissed, "Especially since I don't want to be out there."
"I'm glad I'm not a wench anymore," she said trying to be sarcastic but failing miserably. With another sad sigh she added, looking away, "Goku, just put him down and guide him out with his shoulders if you must."
He chuckled, "That sounds okay..."
Vegeta felt his feet touch the floor and the clown's arms release. His tail lashing behind him, he glared at the floor. He was too pissed to care that it was out... He felt so powerless. Helpless as they bent him to their wills. Just like Freeza... his mind hissed. He couldn't wait until this was all over and he could leave. Maybe even blowing the whole damn thing up before he did go. No... that would get Bardock on his ass. Then again, screw Bardock, clearly he wasn't protecting only him anymore. He actually cared about these fools...Disgusting.
Bulma hesitated, "Um..." She glanced back taking in Vegeta, making him really uncomfortable. "I need to take care of that lip and..." She averted her eyes. "And that bite..."
Interesting... is she ashamed? Yes, he was angry that he let her get the best of him. But in truth he was mostly impressed... still somewhat shocked over it. If she did have ki like the other human fighters they had mentioned before... he would have been in much worse trouble. In all truth, it was more of a turn-on than an insult. He knew she couldn't even scratch him if that stupid thing Freeza had given him hadn't stripped his ki away, but the ki was gone, and though hurt he still had some strength. He watched as she moved to the sink and opened the cupboard underneath, bending as she pulled out a first aid kit and giving them both a view of her ass. He stared for a few heart beats before averting his eyes, frustrated. Her besting him merely complicated things more, he was still all set on being himself and insulting everyone, but his Saiyan instincts were overriding even the cool killer he was...
Grabbing a medicated pad, she turned, not really thinking and started to dab the cut on his lip, concentrating on her work. His eyes widened, too shocked to say anything, his thoughts lost as he watched her. He didn't think to say something even after she was done, swiftly grabbing his arm. She gasped seeing her handiwork... he didn't need to look, he had seen it. How the blasted woman managed that he didn't know. It had to be his weakness. It took special needles to pierce his skin... But they had used those even when he was hurt. The puzzle was left forgotten when warm tears hit his arm. He blinked again, looking at her surprised to find that she was crying.
"I- I'm sorry..." she said softly, her eyes refusing to look up, her hand trembling.
Why is this blasted woman crying? It simply didn't make sense to him... she had fought back in retaliation to him attacking her. Why was she apologizing? It was exactly like the last time he had attacked her. Before he couldn't make sense of it and now was no different. This whole thing wasn't logical and for a woman who clearly prided herself as being such... He couldn't figure it out, couldn't figure her out. Which only drew his curiosity more, needing to figure her out.
"It's okay, Bulms..." Goku said softly, but not moving.
Vegeta felt very uncomfortable, standing there between them and even more so when she looked up, her blue eyes having changed to a more murky color. "No it isn't, Goku! I promised that nothing would hurt him and I did."
He blushed somewhat, looking away, unsure why he was even bothering. "Woman... stop this idiocy. For someone who is so intelligent you really are stupid." Seeing her eyes widen at the compliment he snorted, continuing in a harsh tone, "Such a small flesh wound... Don't insult me thinking I'm so weak. My skin has been shredded to the bone more times than I can count... Now seeing as I obviously don't have a choice in any of this... if you would hurry up and get this over with, that would be great!" He finished sarcastically, sneering at their pale, sick expressions.
Nodding she wiped the tears away, not really feeling hungry anymore as she realized what those faint hair line scars that covered his body were from. They were so thin she had almost missed them and they had confused her at the time, but now... She averted her eyes back down to his arm and started to clean it, trying to be as gentle as possible, feeling his glare on her the whole time. From her position she could barely see his tail, still lashing out angrily, but with a small tic to it. Nervous? Maybe, but she wasn't quite sure.
Finishing the wrap, she tapped it. "Okay..." Cleaning up swiftly, she sighed, "So how hungry are you guys now?" Goku's stomach growled hungrily and he chuckled. She rolled her eyes. "Geez Goku... you really are bad." Without looking back at them she went to the door and stopped. "Vegeta... It was never my intention to make you feel confined here, but even so if you don't have anything nice to say... just don't say anything. Please."
He gritted his teeth. Not her intention? Of course it was her intention... did she really think he would be so stupid to believe her? And then... the slump of her shoulders, the look he had seen in her eyes. She was upset, but not in the way he was used to seeing... Anger. It was totally gone. The flame in her eyes quelled and he didn't like it. If anything it should be more alight, having bested him... and angry over him attacking her and the insults. Yet she was... sad. Was it because he thought he was caged and she really didn't want him to be? Damn it, this all was so frustrating.
Bulma opened the door and the sound of the others talking instantly stopped as they turned to look at her. "Hey, Bulma!" Krillin said, standing, "Are... are you okay?"
"Er... not bad," she said, lightening her tone and trying to sound cheerful, but Vegeta noticed how the light didn't reach her eyes.
The door closed behind her as Goku started to move him towards the door. Knowing he wasn't prepared, Vegeta turned, punching him in the gut... his fist felt like it was going to shatter with how weak he was as it met his rock hard abs, but it was worth it seeing the taller Saiyan hunched over grunting. He shook his hand, frustrated with his weakness. The only thing keeping him sane was knowing when all this was said and done, his power would be unimaginable from it.
Goku straightened, mostly only getting the air knocked out of him, but he was impressed with the strength behind the punch considering how weak he was. His eyes studied him as he stood stiff by the door with his back to him, the sound of laughter coming from outside. Goku was worried, what would Vegeta do when he got his powers back? Bardock had said that he had been stronger than him a long time ago... and his father's power was simply... amazing. Then there was also the torturing stint and what was weakening him now. He had noticed after the fight with Piccolo five years ago, how his strength had increased a lot. Was it a Saiyan trait?
Vegeta was rubbing his knuckles. "Learn your place, Kakarot... don't think I'll forget about this."
Goku shivered a little at the threat carried within as the older Saiyan stepped forward opening the door. The laughter stopped again to see who it was, only to start again suddenly by a comment from Mrs. Briefs. Goku shook his head and rushed after him, his troubled thoughts were swiftly forgotten as the sight and smell of food took over and he appeared suddenly in his chair next to ChiChi surprising them all as he started shoveling food in.
"Goku... really?" She glared at him.
"What?" he replied with his mouth full.
Bulma rolled her eyes again... she always did that a lot when Goku was around... finally sitting down and noticing how her mother had rearranged spots, making it so Vegeta would have to sit between Bulma and Bardock. That placed all three Saiyans down at one end, given Goku was sitting next to his father. It made sense since they all ate most of the food and it also put Vegeta next to the two people who in her mother's opinion, the young man liked the most. Right now though, she wasn't sure she wanted to be next to him... but she wasn't going to say anything. Especially since Vegeta actually sat down on his own and started to eat.
She could tell he was hungry, given he hadn't eaten since the night before and it was an hour or so after noon... His tail gave that jittering twitch she had seen inside. He was on guard, watching everyone while trying not to look like he was. Pushing the food around on her plate, she glanced at him as he ate quickly, yet so properly... It might be the only thing that had remained from before the universe twisted him. Vegeta...
"Goku... why can't you eat like him?" ChiChi asked after a break in talking, her cheeks flushed a little as they all got over the shock that not only did Bardock eat with manners, but the biggest jackass of all time was actually even more proper.
"What?" he said with his mouth full, "He's eating just as fast."
"But he's not getting it all over the place... or talking with food in his mouth!" she snapped, "Seriously?"
Still pushing the food with her fork, Bulma shook her head, "It's no use, Chich... I think it has something to do with being alone and having to fend for himself when he was younger..." They all looked at her, surprised by how neutral... even sad she sounded. "Besides, Vegeta's a prince... you can't really compare them given he probably had training since birth. At least all the ones I know have..." She shrugged, then looked up finding their worried faces. "What? I know I didn't say anything bad... so what's with the looks?"
Vegeta didn't stop eating... well neither did Goku... but he did slow. He also knew she hadn't eaten anything... but why should he care about that? The woman wasn't his concern. Damn it, he was a killer, a cold, ruthless murderer. He shouldn't be upset about this change, which he had wanted... He forced himself to continue eating faster, but watched her from the corner of his eye.
Oolong snorted, "You sound like a kid who just got her sucker stolen."
Vegeta almost choked on a piece of chicken when she flipped him off, pretending to rub her eye brow, but everyone but Gohan knew what she was doing. "You would know, Oolong, seeing as that had once been one of your many professions."
"Bit-" He caught himself, glancing nervously at ChiChi, "Sounds like someone hasn't been laid in a while... where is Yamcha, by the way?"
She glared at him. "My se- my love life is none of your concern, you overstuffed porker, and I wouldn't be talking if I were you considering all you get is out of one of Roshi's magazines."
Krillin and Roshi burst into laughter, "Oh boy, B! That was a good one." Even the others chuckled a little bit, but nowhere near what those two did.
Oolong looked embarrassed. "Well at least I'm not in his collection..." Then his eyes widened when he realized what he said.
Her eyes narrowed, swiftly darkening, making all the laughter stop as she gave first him then Roshi a death glare. "What do you mean I'm in his collection?" Setting her fork down, she slowly stood, hands on the table.
To her credit, she really had the man quaking with fear... actually to Vegeta's surprise all the guys including Goku skulked away. It was amusing seeing them flee because of this slip of a girl. Goku moved suddenly so that he was sitting under the table, his hand reaching up every so often to continue eating, Krillin and Oolong snuck away from next to Master Roshi before running a safe distance hiding behind a lawn chair on the other side of the pool. Even her father and mother retreated, while with more honor... the doctor went to his lab and the mother entering the house silently. It wasn't until Goku yanked ChiChi and Gohan under the table with him did the two foreign Saiyans remaining think maybe they should do the same, but by then it was too late.
"I-I-I... it's..." the old hermit stammered, sweating profusely.
"You disgusting, perverted old fool..." her voice was low, threatening, surprising Vegeta and Bardock at how intimidating it actually sounded. "The magazines I'm in weren't meant for you to wank off to... I'm not a whore, but a respected member of society and would never lower myself to such a disgraceful degree." She straightened, folding her arms. "I should cut off your genitalia and make you eat them. Or better yet..." Pushing the plates off the table in front of her, she put her foot on the table and dug within her boot, pulling out a capsule. "Gut you and leave you for the vultures."
Putting her foot back down, she pushed the capsule and tossed it to the clear part of the table. Vegeta stopped eating with the fork halfway to his mouth when the puff of smoke cleared revealing a magnitude of guns and other things he didn't really recognize. Roshi finally stood raising his hands and tried to calm her down.
"Come on, Bulma... I didn't really do- I..." He weakly managed, "It's an honor..."
She had grabbed the semi-automatic gun when he had said that, pausing in her movements. "An honor?" she hissed, flipping the safety off and putting it on its highest setting. "I know this won't kill you because of your ki, but they will hurt, old man... I'd get running if I were you." Her eyes glinted.
"Oh shit." He put up a small ki barrier as he started running away. She lined the sight up with his retreating form and fired, hitting him in the ass in quick precision. "Ow oww oww..."
She bent her knees and she huffed as jumped onto the table, making many of the drinks spill. She took two steps before jumping off on the other side, continuing to shoot the high energy gun the whole time with deadly accuracy, almost every time hitting her mark even as he got farther and farther away. Sprinting after him, she still kept her deadly aim and surprisingly ran faster than that one time she had been chasing Goku... Which only told Vegeta she hadn't really been trying. As the old man disappeared around the corner, she paused in her shooting, pushing buttons on the gun to make a small screen come out.
"Don't think you will get away, Roshi. I have a ki detector on this, you revolting pig!" she called out, disappearing around the corner.
Vegeta was still frozen, his hand in mid-air, unsure what the hell just happened. One second they had only been talking, laughing, and now everyone was hiding while Bulma shot the old one. He blinked, finishing what was on his fork as he continued to eat. He found himself really glad that the woman hadn't been cognizant when she fought him or else he really could have been dead. He glanced at Bardock who was still stunned.
"Guess that's why they didn't take you two fighting as a big deal..." He shook his head.
Chi Chi got out from under the table and dusted herself off. "I don't blame her..." She straightened her chair and sat back down. "Though this is the first one I've been present for and I got to say... Goku, I think I like your friend."
Having been eating this whole time, he said under the table with his mouth clearly full, "I told you..."
"You did." She nodded, picking up the things around her. "But I really need to ask her if I can have one of those..."
There was a choking sound followed by a nervous laugh, "Um... your frying pan works enough Chich..."
She chuckled, "Get out from under the table..."
"No way! It's not safe," he said with no ounce of humor, "Last time she was this bad she almost nuked us..."
Sighing with frustration, the black-haired woman looked under the table. "She doesn't have a nuke, Goku. It's some advanced gun she no doubt made..."
"It might have a self-destruct button that's a nuke!"
She snapped, "Then get your butt out from under there and protect your family!"
The table moved as he got out, plate still in hand with Gohan on his shoulders, who was looking around wide-eyed. "At least she's not depressed..." He said with his mouth still full.
Krillin and Oolong came back shortly after. "Great going, Oolong..."
"What?" He snorted, "She started it."
"Didn't mean you had to throw Master Roshi under the Bulma bus..." He merely shook his head, then chuckled seeing Goku and Vegeta, "Well... glad to see you two still eating."
Bardock shifted in his chair. "I understand you haven't all been together for a while... but how often did she do something like that?"
Krillin looked from Goku to Oolong and shrugged. "Well, we normally gather once a year, sometimes more..." He chuckled, "It's been a long time since I've seen her that angry though... normally she just throws random objects that happen to be around or she tries to hit us... which doesn't really do anything..."
"Speak for yourself." Oolong grumbled, "I've gotten a few shiners."
He rolled his eyes at the pig. "And you deserved everyone of them." Sighing, he looked to where the two disappeared. "She hasn't really done it in a while though... but then again you should probably ask Yamcha, he's seen more of her."
"Who's that?" Bardock asked, curious.
Goku finally stopped eating and let Gohan off from his shoulders before relaxing in a chair. "An ex-bandit who we became friends with along the way..."
Krillin sat down too. "Yeah, they have been dating off and on for... ever..." He searched for his drink, happy to find it was one of the few Bulma hadn't knocked over. "I really don't understand it, they always fight and then he does stupid things like taking other girls out... I like him and he's my friend, but I really don't think he's the best for her." He took a sip from his drink. "But whatever."
Oolong snickered, "You're just bummed because you like her and she won't give you the time of day."
He blushed horribly. "Shut up."
Vegeta finished, crossing his arms and leaning back. Not quite sure what they were talking about but thought he had an idea... Kakarot was married, which had to mean permanently mated. This dating... was maybe something like the red moon thing he heard the older saiyans talk about? But this sounded more like mating for a short period of time, almost like life-mates and then splitting. He really didn't care about human customs but hearing of the woman with another left a bad taste in his mouth. But then why should he care who the woman was with... Probably a pathetic weakling. All humans were weak what was he thinking? Gritting his teeth he stared at the table.
Oolong snorted again, "Hey, I don't blame you, she's fricken hot."
"Um guys..." Goku sat up, eyes wide, shaking his head, "I wouldn't..."
Bulma opened the back door right as Oolong continued, "That one time she lost her capsule that contained her clothes and she was forced to wear this..." He whistled, "Sexy bunny outfit... dang her bo..."
Hearing him, she walked over frowning but had her arms crossed, the gun still in her hand, eyes downcast before she hit him in the head with the handle. "You're just as bad as he is..." She walked back to the table as he fell back unconscious on the grass and sat down on the table next to the other weapons, one leg bent while the other hung off. "Sorry about that..." She proceeded to take apart the gun and fiddle with it, her movements quick and frustrated. Vegeta had to agree with Goku, he was glad the flame was back.
ChiChi shook her head. "Nothing to apologize for... though I might not have a gun I sure as hell would have hit him a few measures with my frying pan."
She gave a wicked grin at that, eyes not even looking up as she clicked the gun with no cartridge. "I'd love to see that..."
Vegeta watched her, feeling strange seeing that look on her face, her face somewhat flush from running. Her scent was in the air, strong due to the small drips of sweat on the back of her neck and back. He felt like he was frozen there by it. The damn woman naturally smelled like that favorite fruit of hers, yet it was also tangy. It was all so strange, he wouldn't say he didn't like what little talk he heard from everyone. It was almost natural, and then seeing them interact with each other... in some ways all of them acted like 'nice' saiyans. Maybe there was something to this whole compatible thing... could there be a way they were related somehow? It sounded preposterous to him, hell he was furious with himself for thinking it... but how else would you explain it?
"Where did he go?" Krillin asked, not really caring.
"I don't know, but he doesn't have a beard anymore, which is all I care about..." He flinched when she clicked the gun again. "And the next time I'm over there I'm burning his whole collection."
Mrs. Briefs exited the house a minute later with a plate of food in her hand. "Here you go dear..." She set it down on the table next to her and started to pick up the scattered plates. "Anyone else need anything? Lemonade?"
"Thanks, Mom."
"No thank you, Mrs. Briefs." Krillin said followed by other no thank you's.
Bulma squirted oil into the gun, frustrated at how rough it felt and determined to get it to work perfectly. Rubbing her face, some of it streaked to her cheek before she wiped her hand on her already black shorts and reached over, grabbing a few grapes as she continued to study it. The others watching her while her mother went to Vegeta.
"Do you need anything, deary?" Her shadow fell on him, making him nervous. He shook his head, keeping his eyes on her daughter who grabbed what looked like a small screwdriver, yet she was using it to shave small slices of metal from inside it... using a great deal of force... which explained in part where her strength came from. "Okay I'll be inside if you need anything."
When she entered the house Bulma spoke, "So I was thinking... maybe Bardock and Goku should spar later. I know I'm not the only curious one to see how that would play out." She glanced, up looking at Goku then Bardock. "Then maybe they should stay here so you could train him some, since you can't help..."
His brow rose. "Actually, Bulma, I was hoping that would happen, but I didn't want to interrupt today..."
ChiChi frowned, lips pushed into a thin line. "Wait, you mean stay here until this Raditz guy shows? How long is that?"
Bulma shrugged looking at Bardock as she put the tool in her hand down. "We never really talked about that..."
Bardock rubbed his forehead, thinking. "Maybe two weeks if we are lucky..."
"TWO WEEKS!" She shrieked and even Bulma and Krillin flinched, "We can't stay here for two weeks, Gohan has studies and-"
"Oh c'mon, Chich." Goku pouted, obviously excited at the prospect of not only sparring with his father but getting some training and being with his friends.
"I'll teach him, Chi Chi," Bulma offered, not looking up as she put all the pieces to her gun back together. "I'll have him performing logarithms by the end of the first week." She clicked the gun again before adding the cartridge again.
That stilled her, clearly thinking. Then she stated slowly, "I guess... but I need clothes from the house."
"I can get them later!" Goku said cheerfully.
Sighing, she gave in, not seeing any way to argue. "Fine, but I'm helping your mother cook."
Bulma smiled. "Wouldn't expect anything less." Flicking the safety off and putting it on its lowest setting she nodded to Goku. "Hey, throw that plastic cup into the air..." Then added as he reached out, grabbing it, "And not insanely high, please..."
"Ready?" he asked, not even standing.
"Shoot."
When he threw it three stories into the air, she swiftly locked onto it and fired off twenty rounds that all hit the cup; never letting it hit the ground until satisfied. Beaming she looked at them and said, "Thought that felt off, thanks."
Krillin shook his head as he whistled, "Dang Bulma, I don't think I could do that with my ki..."
She looked at him slyly. "Wanna have a contest?"
He shook his head, putting his hands up. "Naa... I know that look, you'll beat me for sure."
Pouting she put the safety back on. "Pu-" Then caught herself, "Um... coward."
"No, only know when I've already lost." He chuckled, taking a drink, "Besides... you're a sore loser even if I did win."
"No I'm not..." She wrinkled her nose.
Oolong snorted, still lying on the ground, groaning out, "Yes you are, and what the hell did you hit me with? A baseball bat? I'm still seeing stars..."
She huffed, "No, the back of my gun, and I am not a sore loser..."
Vegeta wished he had his ki, for he would so take her up on that offer. It was childish, sure, but a great way to test speed, accuracy, and energy control, and from what he could see she might give him a run for his money. Sitting there watching her, listening to them... he was having difficulty keeping angry. Maybe they weren't caging him... but then... He frowned, looking at his crossed feet, conflicted and confused again. He was a murderer... took fun in killing people and yet he found himself rather content here. What the hell was wrong with him?
"I'll do it, Bulms." Goku said, drawing him out of his struggle, "Then when we're done I'll spar with you, Bardock."
"I might join you..." Bardock stood suddenly with his son. "I find myself relatively curious at how I would do."
She smiled, jumping from the table. "Awesome! I'll still need one of you to throw mine up in the air, but that shouldn't be too hard."
"I'll do it..." Goku grabbed two more cups before walking a little from the table.
Bardock followed with his own cup. "Any rules?"
"Mmmm..." She switched the safety off again. "Well obviously you don't want to incinerate the cup, but try and keep it the same size as the beam of my gun's energy bullet. Also might want to keep it the same energy too... I've designed the bullets from this to dissipate after so much distance so it doesn't hurt anyone. While we are shooting first in the sky it could accidentally fall low."
"Sounds fine." Bardock turned to her. "Can you fire it at me really quick so I can tell how much it is?"
She looked at him. "You sure?"
He chuckled, "It won't hurt me... just shoot for my palm." Shrugging, she lined up and shot, not really surprised that it didn't hurt, but that he actually stilled the energy and closed his hand around it as he absorbed it.
"Can you do that, Goku?" He shook his head, just as amazed. "Does it add to your ki?"
"It's not a technique used for higher blasts because you have to equal the power with your own slowing it down before you catch it... too much you snuff it, too little it hits you and obviously you get hurt. For battles it's rather pointless. You do absorb it but it doesn't remain long if you don't use it..."
She nodded, understanding. "Gotcha... Okay, let's get this show on the road." They lined up in a row with the others watching intently. "Okay, three... two... one."
All three cups flew three stories into the air and all three started firing. Gohan's little voice cheered his father on as the cups stayed equally in the air. Vegeta was relatively surprised, despite Bulma's disadvantage at having a gun, she actually held her own. The recoil of her gun, while more pronounced, was much like the small recoil when they fired energy. That's when he realized that she had modeled it after precisely that. It also gave her an advantage... both of her competitors had to concentrate to actually keep the level and size exactly right, too small... that was cheating, but really it was harder to get smaller beams that weren't really powerful. All the energy was concentrated.
Five minutes later Bardock was clearly struggling to keep his energy from not being too powerful... He wasn't used to suppressing his power and Vegeta wondered if he would have the same problem... while he had before practiced similar things, it was never with a beam so small. By the end of ten minutes Bardock had accidentally incinerated his cup, automatically disqualifying him. So he stepped back to watch... wishing he had his scouter. He knew he was putting off some major energy needing to put it somewhere and when you were that close others could feel the waves, but even from where he was standing he felt nothing from Goku.
At the end of fifteen minutes they were still neck and neck, but their cups were not looking so good so Bulma said, not stopping, "Okay... at least in this portion it's a tie, but fair game now..."
She suddenly slammed into Goku, hoping to get him to miss. He had expected as much from her, but let her do it and laughed as he did a one handed cartwheel, still hitting his target. Muttering 'show off' under her breath, they then watched each other carefully, waiting for the other to try and mess the other up. Of course they all knew Goku could have won hands down if he really wanted to, but it was only a game so he kept to her abilities, pushing and tripping, not much else and not overly powerful either. The concentration it must have taken Goku to not only keep from incinerating the cup but not hurt her amazed both Vegeta and Bardock... But it really was nothing to him, having spent his whole life concealing his power and strength... it was second nature.
After about three minutes of toying with each other, Goku finally managed to trip Bulma, but she rolled forward and ended in a crouch, still barely managing to keep it up. Using Goku's distraction she twisted her wrist a little, shooting his own beam out of the air before hitting her cup again. Not realizing his had missed and that the cup was lower, he continued to fire. When he noticed it missed, his eyes widened and he focused solely on the cup, finding it almost a yard from where it was supposed to be. He did precisely as she planned and she promptly sprung into action. She knew he would notice her movement and ki in a matter of seconds... she also knew if she put him in a position where it was either hit the cup or stop himself from hurting her he would pick the latter.
Taking off at a sprint, keeping her eyes on her cup and hitting it, she suddenly went into a short baseball slide maybe a yard from him... at least Yamcha had been good at something... the grass wasn't really good, but she didn't need to go far. With her momentum, she hit his feet, forcing him to teeter over her. Taken completely off guard, having thought she would simply slam into him again he was forced to do a hand spring while she kept firing. In a desperate attempt to keep the cup up he fired, but she shot it out of the sky before going back to hers and then it was all over, his cup hitting the ground. They all blinked, surprised, even Goku was dumbfounded as he sat on the ground crossing his legs and pouting.
"How did you do that?" he whined. Letting her win was one thing, but being actually beaten by her... he didn't like it.
Getting up, she brushed the grass off her legs and butt about to answer, but Vegeta spoke, startling them, "She shot your beam out of the sky when you were concentrating too much on her, then when you realized your beam missed you made the second mistake of concentrating solely on the cup... then your third mistake was not falling on her. She used the knowledge that you would pick not hurting her over hitting the cup against you."
"Whoa..." Krillin eyes bugged. "How'd you get all that?"
The woman was smiling coyly at him, which kept him from saying something more insulting, instead stating indifferently, "I make it my job to know."
Breathing heavily she came back over to the table. "Okay... he's all yours now Bardock." Setting her gun in the holder with the rest, she encapsulated it, stuffing it back in her boot before picking out another one. "We should probably go elsewhere for the spar..."
Bardock stood with his arms crossed. "Are you sure? Didn't suppressing ki so much tire you?"
Still sitting on the ground, Goku lost his pout as he shook his head confused. "No? I've suppressed my ki every day since Grandpa Gohan taught me how to and only let loose what I need. That was..." He shrugged. "Nothing really..."
Bardock and Vegeta exchanged looks, remembering the day before when Krillin had mentioned something about that. "How does that work? Is that like sensing ki too?"
Standing he chuckled, "No, not really... sensing ki's like..." He paused, "Standing in a dark room with candles in random places..."
Krillin nodded. "Each one has its own color, you can say, and own intensity..."
The younger Saiyan grew closer to the table. "Suppressing your ki you have to... kind of just gather it and pull it all in." He shrugged again. "I can't really tell you how, it's something everyone has to learn on their own."
Bardock nodded, looking at the ground in thought. "I'll work on it... and you can teach me the sensing later."
"Sure after din-" ChiChi coughed and he laughed sheepishly, "And I get the things from the house."
"Hey, depending where we go we can easily stop by your house..." Bulma said as she walked over to a bigger free space.
Chi Chi stood, nodding. "I like that better; knowing my husband he might pack all pants... or forget underwear."
The depression she had felt from earlier was pushed to the back of her mind as she tossed the capsule to the ground. "Glad I put this in my boot today, never know what you'll need."
When the puff of smoke cleared her newest jet appeared. She almost had it done before that visit to Roshi's inland, yet the jet was having a final system configuration when she had left. Lucky too, considering if she had been using it like she had planned she would have either been hit by Vegeta's pod or totally missed it, given it went exceedingly faster than the ancient piece of shit she had used. It was sleek, reminding her more of a ship from some comic book than anything else, but hey it looked cool.
She turned to the others as they looked at it. "Bardock, go get your scouter... we'll wait for you. Now for those none flyers..." Beaming, she put her hand on the side, the jet scanned her palm and the door opened. "Welcome to Capsule Air... I'll be your driver, navigator, and, well... everything... all aboard." Grabbing the handle, she lifted herself up then proceeded to help ChiChi and Gohan up.
Vegeta watched Bardock fly to his guest room window and enter while the others boarded, but he remained where he sat. Of course he wanted to see the fight, but he didn't like admitting he couldn't fly at the moment. Without ki, he couldn't do it... he glared down at the edge of the table, frustrated. He wasn't about to lower himself to forcing Bardock to carry him, even if he did stay somewhat behind and the others didn't see... He would sooner surrender himself to Freeza than do that...
"Hey, almighty Prince of Saiyans! Are you waiting for the red carpet or something? Get your ass in here." His head snapped up as Bulma's sarcastic voice echoed off the buildings.
His eye twitching, he glared at her. How dare the woman mock his title. Forget the consequences, he was going to kill her... Standing, he gritted his teeth, growling, knowing she couldn't hear being as far away as she was, but he didn't care; it was the only warning she was going to get. Fist clenched, he started around the table when Bardock's hand on his shoulder stopped him, squeezing tightly in warning.
"Cool it, boy..." His mind brushed his quickly before he let go and walked towards them, the scouter over his eye.
Crossing his arms he glared at the ground as he continued to walk. Oh, he was cool alright, cool enough to wait back and plan out his revenge on her. Strike her when she was her weakest... vulnerable... While he couldn't hurt her physically just yet, in the way of mind warfare he was certainly her superior. He did learn from the best after all...
~~~~ .~-~. ~~~~
Beta'd by LPphreek
No comments:
Post a Comment