You'll Come Around

AUTHOR: Ningyo no Misa
PAIRING: Bulma/Vegeta
RATING: G
WARNINGS: None
DISCLAIMER: i do NOT own anything related to Dragon Ball/Z/GT nor am i claiming ownership. i do, however, take all credit for this original story thought up and created by me.

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You'll Come Around
the Prince's point of view after 'the beginning of it all.'

translation of words

anata mo: you too
ano: uh...
bakayarou: stupid fool
dame da: don't do that, cut it out
doushitano: what's the matter?
hayaku: hurry up, be quick!
hontou ni: do you mean it?
hontou: it's the truth
iie: no
ima: now!
kono yarou: you dumb idiot!
kuso: shit!
kusottare: son of a bitch!
masaka: I don't believe this!
matte yo: wait!
nani: what?
nani mo: never mind
ossu: hello
shimpai janai: don't worry about it
shizuka na: shut up!
sou ka: is that so?
watashi wa shinanai: I won't die!

-all translations courtesy of Juuhachi-gou. I take no credit for these.

(author's note... * represents Vegeta's thoughts. :: represents his subconscious self.)

*That stupid woman.* Back in the gravity room, Vegeta strained against forty times the normal Earth gravity. *Yamcha is nothing but a bakayarou. Why is she with him?* Vegeta growled and threw a punch at his shadow. He watched intently, as if waiting for the shadow to retaliate. When it did not, he 'humph'-ed and squared his shoulders. Crouching low, he gritted his teeth and threw his hands together.

"Watashi wa shinanai!!! I WILL beat Kakarott!" Vegeta raged as he fired a new ki blast in the works. It was rough and unfinished, but Vegeta had tested its power upon creation. It was fairly strong, enough to knock the daylights out of anyone. The blast exploded from his hands and he steered it around directly to his path. He prepared himself for the impact. But, seconds before...

::You know something, Vegeta? You are completely infatuated with her.::

"NANI?!" Vegeta lost concentration and the ki blast collided with him. It knocked him back on his rear and he skidded fiercely into the side of the Gravitron. Smoke and fire filled the room but were quickly extinguished as the overhead fire sprinklers kicked in. Mostly everything remained undamaged, but the Gravitron spluttered and sparked. Vegeta felt the weight melt off him and he slammed his fist into the floor.

"KUSOOO!!!" he screamed and jumped up. The soft, cold water misted over him, dampening his hair and clothes. After a while, the sprinklers shut off and Vegeta was left to curse a faulty machine. *Baka!* he flared, his ki rising with his agitation.

::Well, Vegeta, none of this would have happened if it hadn't been for her.::

Vegeta froze, his hands balled tightly into fists. *What are you talking about?! She has nothing to do with this, it's a faulty piece of...!!!*

::If you had been focusing on your moves instead of her tan legs, you...::

"Shut up!" he cried angrily out loud. A low growl purred dangerously in his throat. He looked down at his taut fists. The white gloves on his hands were charred and sooty. *Perfect, now I won't be able to train until tomorrow, unless...*

::Amusing, Vegeta! The perfect excuse to go see her.::

*Dame da! What would you know! I need to TRAIN, damnit!* With that, Vegeta pushed his subconscious out of his mind and sauntered outside into the still night air. A scowl set deep on his face, he looked up into the black, speckled sky. He paused for a moment, trained eyes searching far through space. A small, faint, fuzzy red patch caught his eye. He exhaled a ragged breath.

*Vegetasei...* Vegeta shook his head and continued on toward the Brief house. He rounded the corner past the Capsule Corp. building and walked stealthily. The place was covered with sensors and lasers all hooked up to one major alarm system. Vegeta's moves were slight and steady. As he got to the house, he looked up at a lighted window. *That's the room she and that kusottare share.* His temper began to rise. His brows furrowed deeper into a frown and he clenched his jaw.

::You're jealous, Vegeta.::

*Masaka! Me, jealous?! Of what?!* With a grunt, he kicked off the ground and floated up to the window. The curtains were drawn, but they were see-through. A small crack was formed where the two failed to meet. Vegeta peeked inside. Bulma was sitting up leaning against her pillow. Vegeta craned his neck in search of a better view. *What's that she's doing? I can't tell... what?!* Bulma was running her fingers through Yamcha's hair. He was still sleeping. She stroked his face gently. Vegeta's jaw went slightly slack. He looked down at his chest and placed a hand over his heart. *What... what is this feeling? Why does it feel like my heart has been ripped out?* He quickly snapped his head up, his fluster masked with annoyance. 

::I know what it is, Vegeta. You're hurt. She poured her emotions out to you and you actually thought you stood a chance. And now look; that should be you lying in there, not him.:: 

*That's not it at all.* Vegeta rapped roughly on the window. He could see Bulma jump, startled, and grinned evilly inside. She squinted her eyes as she rose and approached the window. A look of surprise crossed her face as she brushed the curtains away with a hand, opened the window and ducked her head under. Vegeta backed up slightly. Bulma frowned.

"Vegeta-san, what are you doing? It's time to sleep, go to bed!"

"Shizuka na, woman. You need to fix that gravity thing for me. Ima!" Bulma went rigid. Vegeta could feel a slight, angry burst course through her. He smirked, eyes set in their usual slanted position. 

::She really is desirable, isn't she, Vegeta? Especially when she's mad. I really love how her blue eyes ignite, almost like burning ice. Don't you think so?::

Vegeta shook his head. Bulma raised an eyebrow at him, something she was picking up ever since the Prince had arrived again. 

"Doushitano, Vegeta-san?"

"Shimpai janai, woman. Fix that stupid thing, now!" Vegeta gruffed.

Bulma balled her little fists and shot out hard with her right. It connected with Vegeta's face, but he did not try to block it nor flinch. Bulma pulled her hand back and tried to shake the pain out. She rotated her wrist: it was tender. With a flash, Vegeta's hand curled around her upper arm and he yanked her out through the window. Her mouth dropped open in surprise and her eyes grew wide. It was like slow motion. As Vegeta pulled her, she glided by him, her fragrant blue hair whipping under his nose. Her black silk bathrobe fluttered in the breeze along with her hair. Vegeta savored her smell, her touch. He closed his eyes.

::It feels like home.::

*No!* Bulma cried out as Vegeta's iron grip tightened. He opened his eyes and looked down at her. She was staring at him, slightly terrified, as she dangled freely in the air. Her legs swung back and forth and she began to dig her nails into his skin.

"Vegeta, don't drop me!" Her frantic whisper and scared blue eyes enticed Vegeta. Before he knew it, he had scooped her up into his arms and was leaning nose to nose into her face. Her eyebrows turned up in question, but she did not try to stop him. *Matte yo! What am I doing?!* Vegeta turned his head away quickly and flew back toward his ship that Bulma's father had made for him. He didn't want to have to go through that whole alarm system process again. Plus that, he was flustered and didn't want to have to be near Bulma for too long. He felt himself slipping.

"It's cold," Bulma shivered and wrapped up tighter in her bathrobe. The wind whipped at her, blowing fair blue strands of hair into Vegeta's face. Once again, the aroma of sweet flowers filled his nose. *So beautiful... Her skin, so pale, like a little China doll. Probably as fragile, too. I feel like I could break her if I hold her wrong...* Vegeta's muscles stiffened, not only at his thoughts, but also because Bulma pressed herself against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his stomach and snuggled her face into the crook of his neck. Through that robe, he could feel all her curves and her warm skin. His nerves felt like they had been set on fire; his awareness was heightened and he felt himself growing a little antsy.

::Hmm, Vegeta, I'd say you like her! Why so nervous? It can't be that you're AFRAID of this rare little flower, could it?!::

*Iie! You're wrong, there's nothing the matter with me! So why don't you just shut up for a while?!* Vegeta blocked it once more. Instead, to keep his mind off that and Bulma, he concentrated on the ground. He spied his pod farther down and began his descending. Landing easily on the grass, he unfolded his arms and Bulma went tumbling out. She landed hard on her side and winced.

"Ow, kono yarou! Watch what you're doing!" she yelled and rubbed her hip.

::Lean down and help her up, Vegeta. You know you want to.::

*SHUT IT!* Vegeta crossed his arms as Bulma got up on her feet haughtily. She brushed herself off and swung around angrily to face Vegeta. Her cheeks were a fiery red and she pushed her mussed hair back with a shaking hand. Vegeta stood, amused, as she puffed her bangs out of her eyes. 

"Now, get in there and fix that thing. Hayaku, woman! I don't have all night!" Vegeta ordered. Instead of obeying, Bulma, too, crossed her arms and glared. *Now what?!*

"My name," she spat, "is BULMA. Can you say that? Here, I'll help you. B-U-L-M-A! After all, monkey see, monkey do!" Vegeta blinked as if he had just been slapped. He growled loudly.

::She's quite the spunky one, eh, Vegeta? But there's something about that attitude of hers that you just can't resist. She's like you, Vegeta: proud, arrogant, up for a challenge. So take her on. Take her as your challenge.::

Vegeta lunged for Bulma and grabbed her around the shoulders. As he looked into her eyes, he didn't see the fear he had once before that night. She was stubborn and wasn't going to back down. Vegeta sneered and let her go. He looked down at the ground and scowled.

"Fix it, BULMA." A triumphant look lit Bulma's face and she did nothing to conceal her victory. She nodded and stepped inside the space pod. Her bare feet sloshed in the water. She looked down and wiggled her toes in the ankle deep water. Vegeta came up behind her and stood in the doorway as she searched for a drain hatch. She was bent over and held the top folds of her bathrobe together with one hand as the other held her hair back out of her face. 

"Ahh!" Bulma cried and unconsciously let go of the folds to unlock the hatch. Vegeta's eyebrow raised approvingly as his eye caught on her milky white breast. Bulma didn't seem to notice him looking as she struggled with the lock. It finally came loose and the water ran through the hatch and out the bottom of the ship. She stood up, the folds closing. She went to the control panel and leaned over it, scanning for the 'drying' button.

"Hey, Vegeta-sama, help me look for this button," she called, but Vegeta was too busy staring at her rear. He could hear her muttering to herself and then winced as a high-pitched squeal emitted from her mouth. 

"Nani mo, I've found it!" Bulma pushed the button and stepped back as jet streams of hot air whooshed out from ceiling and floor ducts. Bulma watched as the stray water kicked up into a tiny mist and then almost instantly vaporized. Vegeta was intrigued as he watched her. Her blue hair flew up and tangled around her. Her clothes ruffled and snapped in the air. 

::Imagine, Vegeta. Imagine taking her into your arms and kissing her. Imagine her moaning and going limp against you as you kiss her and run your bare fingers through her silky hair. Imagine how it would feel to have your strong arms wrapped around her tiny waist. Imagine her kissing you back...::

Vegeta's shoulders slumped as he watched her. *But she wouldn't kiss me back.* Bulma turned around to see Vegeta looking absently forlorn at the tiled floor. 

"Ossu, Vegeta! Are you still there?" Vegeta looked up at her quickly and frowned. Bulma, in return, frowned. They spent a moment just staring at each other. All of a sudden, something snapped inside Bulma's heart and she felt herself rushing forward. She pushed herself against Vegeta and much to her and his surprise, he opened his arms and caught her in them. She stared up at him, searching his eyes. 

"Vegeta-sama..." she breathed.

"Shhh," Vegeta hushed her. He placed a finger under her chin and lifted it up. He leaned in slowly, their lips inches away. *But what if she doesn't kiss me back?* Vegeta started to pull away. Bulma's hands darted out and grabbed his face. She shoved her mouth against his and his eyes went wide. His body tensed, an old reflex of his. He never liked anyone touching him like this. But her lips on his, her hands on his face, her body pushed against his... He gave in to her. He let his hands slide down and his thumbs massaged the small of her back. Bulma sighed as he parted their lips and his tongue tipped its way inside. She ran her hands up to his coarse, black hair and intertwined the strands with her fingers. Vegeta tightened his hold on her, but he was careful about it. He didn't want to hurt her. A soft purr reverberated through his throat.

It wasn't a long kiss. Bulma wasn't sure who broke it; she thought it might've been him. Their chests were heaving and Vegeta took a step or two back. There was an awkward silence; both stood there looking at anything but the other. Bulma gripped her hands shyly behind her back. She sneaked a quick peek at the flustered Saiyan. There was a small blush on his face. Bulma giggled to herself. 

"Ano, Vegeta-sama," she laughed. He said nothing, just scuffed his boot at the floor. *What just happened here?!*

::Well, whatever it was, you sure liked it!::

Vegeta growled. *Enough!* Bulma eyed him warily. Then she remembered the Gravitron. She crossed the room and tinkered with it a bit. A series of blips and bleeps sputtered from the machine and sparks flew. Annoyed, Bulma slammed her fist down on the Gravitron. It sputtered a little more, then went back to normal. She put her hands on her hips and grinned.

"There, good as new," she said, dusting off her hands. Her ice blue gaze met Vegeta's coal one. He was leaning against a wall, arms crossed. The way he was looking at her... she felt her heart skip a beat. 

"Well, uh, Vegeta-san. I'd better be getting back to bed. I'll just walk."

"Hmph, I hadn't planned on taking you anyway." Bulma glared at him and stomped out.

"Good night, Vegeta!" she hissed as she stalked off toward her house. Vegeta walked to a round window and propped himself up against it. *Anata mo, Bulma-chan...* He sighed aloud as he watched her leave.

::How can you tell her, Vegeta? How can you tell her you love her?::

Vegeta smirked to himself as he shut the pod door. He reprogrammed the Gravitron for fifty times Earth's gravity. He limbered up quickly and crouched low into a stance. He concentrated his energy to his hands, which were gathered at his right side. 

"Renzokou Kikou Ha!!!" He released his attack and prepared himself. His smirk never left his face. *I don't have to tell her. She knows.*

::Hontou ni, Vegeta? Sou ka?::

The blast collided with him. This time, he was ready for it. He gave slightly, allowing himself to be somewhat injured. He deflected the rest, not wanting to overdo it. The dust cleared and Vegeta stood, arms crossed in a block in front of his face and upper body. He panted and a trickle of sweat ran down his cheek. He wiped away the moisture with a gloved hand. Vegeta straightened and looked back out the round window toward the house. 

*Hai, hontou.* 

the end.

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disclaimer: i DO NOT own anything related to Dragon Ball/Z/GT, nor to i claim to. i do, however, claim all rights to this original story thought up and written by me.

Part 3