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Butterflies & Hurricanes	By : Froglady15 Category: Dragon Ball Z > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 739 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Disclaimer:I don't own anything. Just my Husband, laptop, my 3 dogs and a very overactive imagination… Dragon Ball Z and any songs mentioned in this fic DO NOT belong to me. I MAKE NO MONEY/PROFIT!

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Just my Husband, laptop, my 3 dogs and a very overactive imagination… Dragon Ball Z and any songs mentioned in this fic DO NOT belong to me. I'm just borrowing them for my own twisted amusement.
Butterflies and Hurricanes
Chapter 13
"Yes, he is on his way." King Vegeta said through the video monitor to the other king, moments after Vegeta's ship departure from Vegeta-sei's atmosphere.
"Excellent." Cold replied.
"He has brought with him a handful of our very best soldiers. Are you sure you can handle that?"
"He can bring as many as he wants," Cold shrugged in a bored tone. "I am prepared; even if he does happen to outnumber me, which I highly doubt at this point, the caliber of soldiers I have at my disposal will still be too much for him and his army."
A wave of anxiety and fear ripped through King Vegeta at that news. How could Cold have possibly found warriors greater than the Saiyans to fight for him? There were no races greater than the Saiyans; not to his knowledge anyway. Sure they weren't the only race of hardcore warriors out there but they were without a doubt the strongest. Who could he have possibly found to fight for him and could they be bought to eventually hold a peace treaty with him as well? If it was true that they were as good as Cold was gloating about then as hard as it was, he was glad he had sent Vegeta off. It would pain him greatly once he was done away with but it was for the greater good. Sacrifice a few to save an entire planet and race.
That was what he kept telling himself.
He knew he could not afford to fight a war with Cold even if he was bluffing about these so-called amazing warriors that were on a different league than the best the Saiyan race had to offer. They would lose, hands down.
Cold sensed King Vegeta's thoughts. "So long as you uphold your end of the bargain in all of this, you and your empire are in no danger. Things will go back to the way they were before; the Saiyans and Ice-jin, allies in conquering the universe together. My son for your son to keep peace in the galaxy."
"I understand," he said. "Though I would like to renegotiate the terms with regards to the woman."
"That depends," Cold replied, cocking his head to the side with interest. "She and her son are to be turned over to me; that, I am afraid, is nonnegotiable."
King Vegeta gave him a harsh glare.
"Do not cross me or betray me, Vegeta," he warned. "The loss of your son is more than a reasonable trade for what he did to my son. In the end this may be advantageous to both not only us but the entire galaxy as a whole. You and I both know full well that when we left them both our places they would have waged an all-out war against one another."
King Vegeta nodded in agreement. It was true; everyone knew they had hated each other. They would have been self-destructive and selfish enough to run both of their empires into the ground in an effort to bring the other down. Casualties and consequences of any negative impact to anyone or anything else would not even cross their minds most likely until one had defeated the other. Then where would everyone be? The entire galaxy would have become a war torn casualty mess, best case scenario. Yes, as hard as this was, it was the best thing. Sacrifice a few to save millions, possibly billions. He still didn't like it, but understood it.
"What is it you would like to renegotiate?" Cold asked with sudden interest.
"I need to prove a point to my son," he said. "You may have the girl to dispose of as you wish, that I will not go back on. However they share a bond; whatever she goes through so will he and vice versa."
"You wish to see him suffer through her." Cold acknowledged.
"Yes."
"If it adds to his own distress then why not?" He shrugged in a nonchalant tone. "Was it not over her that this whole thing was started?"
"Yes."
"Then she's just as equally responsible for the death of Frieza," he reasoned in a dismissive tone. "What did you have in mind?"
"I haven't fully decided yet; I will not do anything however until you have Vegeta locked down and in your custody." King Vegeta said. "Then I will make my move. I will let you know when I have her and I will give you a detailed explanation as to what is going on; my expectation is that you will keep him well informed of whatever I bestow upon her. Then you may have her and that half breed mongrel of theirs. I do not care about what happens to him one way or another."
"Very well," Cold nodded. "I will not send my men to retrieve her until your son arrives here. That will allow you three weeks to inflict whatever misery you wish on the girl. Is that fair?"
"It is," the king nodded.
"Ensure that she is alive and well, Vegeta." he warned.
"I have no intention of killing her. That would make things far too simple," he said with an angry glower. "I advised her to leave and she did not so she shall reap the consequences."
"Good. I will contact you once I have your son." Cold said and disconnected the call and turned towards one of his advisors, Seyton, a very small and frail member of the Ice-jin race. What he lacked in strength and size he more than made up for in cunning and strategy skills. "Wait two weeks from today before sending my men out to fetch Vegeta's family."
"You told King Vegeta three weeks I thought though." his advisor reminded him.
"I did, but I do not trust him to not go back on our arrangement. I need the girl here," Cold said. "One week of tormenting her will have to be enough for him."
"May I ask why?"
"I need her to be sound in mind and fully functional if she is to be of any use to me," Cold replied. "Not to mention she will be a valuable asset in breaking Vegeta."
"I understand my lord," Seyton bowed. "I will inform the men to hold off on their departure."
"Excellent," Cold nodded, pouring himself a glass of wine. Things were finally starting to come together. "One other thing, Seyton,"
"Yes, my Lord," he replied, turning back to his king
"Send Gero in when you have a moment." He said. "It is time to discuss specifics."
"I will make it a priority." Seyton said, bowing respectfully and dismissing himself and left his king to ponder thoughts of war and victory. If Gero was about to get involved, then things were about to get very interesting and very ugly for those on the wrong side.
It was he who had come to King Cold about a year ago and informed him of the truth about what had happened to his son, Frieza. No one knew how the man had found King Cold's mobile base ship, but he had. He had come seeking employment in exchange for valuable information about what had really happened since no one knew what had become of Lord Frieza. He had simply disappeared and was never heard from again. As some of his soldiers under his employ turned up here and there and there had been several rumors and theories flying around, but nothing concrete and of course each story contradicted the other in some way.
Then out of the blue, this Doctor Gero had shown up with a story of his own. A very different, but plausible story. At first everyone had been skeptical of the story but he had brought with him Lord Frieza's severed head and scattered surveillance footage he had recovered of the battle between Frieza and Vegeta which fortunately included Vegeta's finishing blow as proof to back up his story. He'd even had the coordinates of Frieza's damaged ship.
After that, King Cold had taken this strange Doctor Gero into the fold, gave him a place to work and between the two concocted a scheme. Seyton didn't know much of the details, as the grieving King wanted as few people to know the specifics about his son and about whatever grizzly plan they had concocted together. It was clear though, that Gero had a hate on for Prince Vegeta's mate, Bulma. That bit was unclear to him but he supposed he would be finding out very soon.
One thing was for certain, Seyton didn't like or trust this Gero character. There was something not right, something unnatural about him. He gave him a wide berth and never have him reason to think anything ill of him; he did not want to find himself on the bad side of this man.
He was going to let Cold's bounty hunters know that their trip would be delayed another two weeks but then decided to look for Gero first. The guys were getting antsy and would not be happy to know that it would be another two weeks spent on the ship with nothing to do.
Speaking with Gero was the better option of the two tasks he had been given. For now, anyway.
-0-0-0-
King Vegeta sat there a while on his own as he contemplated everything that had happened up to this point.
Second thoughts creeping into his mind as to whether or not Cold could be trusted to not turn around and attack them once he had taken care of Vegeta and the small legion of Vegeta-sei's finest warriors.
Vegeta had been shrewd in his selections and without them, the planet was for the most part defenseless against attack. Sure there were warriors left behind but they weren't the best. King Vegeta growled as he contemplated the position of vulnerability his planet was currently left in. He would make contact with several of the surrounding planets that were a part of the Saiyan Empire. Most of these small planets housed additional warriors and weapons. He needed them to be put on high alert.
Just in case the Ice-jin king could not be trusted and just in case things didn't go according to plan.
-0-0-0-
It had been exactly one week since Vegeta had left Vegeta-sei with a handful of Saiyan soldiers. Despite wanting to do nothing more than mope though, Bulma managed to set herself up a daily routine that kept her very busy. Before she knew it, the first week had flown by much quicker than she thought it would and that went a long way to her keeping to her schedule. In truth she was so busy, she almost didn't have the time to be missing Vegeta or be worrying about what may or may not happen.
She started her days off early, feeding and tending to Trunks before making her way down to where Asia kept Tarble. She would check in on him and feed him his formula; by that time, the nurse maid usually came back from her breakfast and her own morning routine and after Bulma established that she really was just a nice girl enthralled with babies and infants, she talked her into letting her leave Trunks with Tarble while she ran to Bardock's lab for a few hours. It was an opportunity for the two boys to get to socialize and get used to one another and for her to get in a few hours of mature tech talk her brain so desperately craved.
Bardock would usually give her a few projects to work on in her down time as he needed to oversee other more urgent matters. She would either spend some time helping him finish off a few things here and there or would help him sift through the many things he had on his to do list and took some of the more mundane tasks to start on for him.
Her time in the lab with Bardock was her favorite time of the day and she felt guilt many times over at wishing she could just throw herself into all of the serious work. If she didn't have Trunks and Tarble to look after, she would have done just that. So she spent a few hours there and took what she could back with her to keep her occupied in the evenings when she was confined by herself in hers and Vegeta's quarters.
Vegeta's absence during the day never bothered her all that much since he was usually off training or in meetings anyway. It was the nights that she found difficult to cope with. So she either studied or worked on her projects until she was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open.
After she finished her work in the lab it was usually time for lunch. Bulma would usually grab something light from the kitchen and head back to Trunks and Tarble where she would spend the rest of her day with them.
She would either bring them back to her place for the afternoon where she would supervise them on the balcony or take them to the courtyard Vegeta had shown her before he'd left. It was a good opportunity for her to catch some sun and for Aro to get out as well. Bulma would set up a play pen for the boys to hang out, which to her surprise they didn't mind or fuss at all; they usually fell asleep shortly after she'd arrived there.
Bulma took the opportunity to work with Aro and she enjoyed her time with him almost as much as she enjoyed her time with Bardock in the lab. The only thing she wished was that she had an extra person to help her with him; there was something new she wanted to teach him but she couldn't without someone else. Being that it is never a good idea to work protection alone with your dog and an even worse idea to have your dog do bites on yourself, she hadn't bothered with any protection work. Not that Aro seemed to mind, he was happy doing just about anything even if it was basic obedience drills. She could instantly tell that he was much happier now that she had been able to spend a few hours a day with him and it didn't take long for his sharp, tailored responses to come back.
She was delighted that Tarble seemed to really like Aro as much as Trunks. The first day she had let Aro interact with him, he had been afraid of the Shepherd; but it seemed once he saw that the dog meant no harm to him and that Trunks was comfortable with him around, he decided he was alright after that.
After dinner she would keep the boys together a little longer before putting Tarble to bed early. Neesa was always around and spent the night in the nursery, much to Bulma's relief. She wasn't sure if she could handle two babies at night. Thankfully Trunks was pretty good at sleeping most of the night by this time but she didn't know how Tarble was. If he wasn't, she figured he would wake Trunks up with his fussing and then she would have two of them to settle back down.
Once Trunks was down for the night, she would work for a little while and then indulge in a nice hot bath with a glass of wine or two. It was around that time she would usually seek Vegeta out through their bond, for fear of disturbing him.
He would seek her out in the mornings and sometimes throughout the day to find out how she was doing. They usually didn't talk long but it was nice that they kept in touch somewhat at least.
Apparently, the gravity simulator on the ship was working very well and Vegeta, being the hard core drill Sargent that he was, insisted the ship operate under 300 times gravity everywhere at all times with the goal of increasing it every few days. The maximum pressure it could handle was up to 500 times but not all of the soldiers could function under that just yet. It was Vegeta's intention that they could all handle the full capacity by the end of three weeks.
So if you're used to 750 then this isn't helping you all that much, is it? She said to him as she settled into her warm bath, glass of red wine in hand.
It is alright, he answered; she could tell he was exhausted. I need to find a way to ascend to the next level of Super Saiyan.
And how are you going to do that?
Believe it or not, Kakarott came up with the most genius idea, he said in a tone that implied he was somewhat annoyed by the fact that his first lieutenant may have had a better idea than him. I will maintain my Super Saiyan form at all times.
Isn't that exhausting?
It is very, he confirmed. So I must learn to function with it as easily as I can function in my regular state. I must be a Super Saiyan twenty four hours a day. The amount of energy it takes for me to maintain it all day and night makes operating under 300 times normal gravity quite the challenge for me as well.
I see, she said. So you walk around all day glowing like you do when in your ascended state?
Yes.
Interesting. I guess if the lights quit working, then everyone can rely on you to help find their way around. She joked.
Very funny, he growled.
I knew you'd like that. How's Asia doing?
She is fine. How are the brats?
They're really good! I got a stroller from Bardock just today so tomorrow I am going to take both Tarble and Trunks to visit Chi-Chi and Goten. I haven't been to see her since I picked up Trunks after you left. I've just been too busy.
I see; and no one will question you taking him outside palace walls?
I don't think so, but I guess I'll find out. So far no one cares where I take him. I've brought him to our quarters and to the courtyard. He's with me almost all day except the mornings when I go to work at the lab for a few hours.
My father is still not giving you any issue?
Nope. I haven't even seen him.
Hmmmn,
What?
That may be a good thing or it could be a bad thing, he said thoughtfully.
Well let's assume it's a good thing, Vegeta. She said. So far it's been a week and things are going really well.
I told you that you were worrying over nothing, he reminded her. That you would not have time to miss me.
Who said anything about not missing you? She asked coyly.
Hmmn,
Awe, do you miss me? She cooed.
Hmmn; well, things are relatively quiet around here, he sighed nonchalantly. No nagging or constant non-stop babble over things I have no interest in. No crying brats to tend to, no dog hair all over my clothing and I can train until I pass out.
Alright, I get it. She huffed. Though I am quite lonely right now. I'm in the bath with a glass of wine. I just finished washing my body. I was thinking about you as I did and imagined that it was your hands all over me, not my own and now I have this strange ache. It's quite uncomfortable, you know. She said trying to sound as innocent as possible.
Fuck off.
She snorted out loud, almost spitting out her wine at his response. I thought you didn't miss me?
Alright, I do, he reluctantly admitted. I miss you very much; which is why I train past the point of exhaustion.
I miss you too, she said. So what are you doing now? She asked, changing the subject.
Finishing off my work out.
That's why you sound so tired. Why don't you take a break and get some sleep? It's late.
Sleep is a waste of time.
No it isn't. She objected. Sleep and rest is just as beneficial as training and eating.
You sound like that clown Kakarott. He deadpanned.
Maybe he's a smart clown then. Ever consider that?
Ever consider that maybe that is the reason why the clown is still a clown and not a Super Saiyan? He argued irritably.
I thought you were the only one genetically predisposed to be able to attain it or whatever?
I am.
Then it wouldn't matter, would it? She asked him lightly, more razing him out of boredom than anything else. She missed not having him around to tease in an effort to lighten him up when he was stressing himself out too much. Sure things had been much too stressful between them for her to have thought about anything witty at the time, she thought guiltily; but she wanted to try now to get him to unwind somewhat, take a step back and realize that he needed to rest just like everyone else.
No; he can never hope to attain what I have but that does not mean that there are no other levels of strength for him to yet achieve that he will never attain if he does not apply himself like he has not been since we left.
Okay, but maybe you need to consider a balance. She suggested. I realize you want to be at your best once you get there, but you can't be at your best if you're dog exhausted as soon as you arrive. You are maintaining your Super Saiyan form all the time anyway, even when you sleep, right?
Yes.
Then technically you're still training while you are sleeping; ever consider that? She asked lightly.
No,
Of course not. She sighed. Get some rest, please. It will help me sleep knowing that you're resting too. You're overworking yourself, I know you are. Take a break, even if it's for a few hours and then get back at it.
He was quiet and didn't reply to her for a long moment. Alright. He said grudgingly. But only because I know you won't leave me alone until I do. I will not get much done anyway with your incessant nagging until I agree to get some rest.
She snickered to herself, knowing he really was tired and needed some rest but would pretend he didn't need it and resent her insistence for him resting. Thank you.
Hmmn, he grunted, deciding it was time to call it a night. He had trained nearly all day and most of his evening away, and if he was really honest with himself, he was exhausted. He would turn in for now to appease Bulma and maybe once he knew she was asleep, he would start again.
As he was wiping himself down with a towel, Asia happened to walk by him. If his muscles weren't burning as bad as they were, indicating to him that it was time to leave, her arrival was definitely his cue.
He never missed the way she looked at him, or rather how she pretended to not look at him. It was almost obscene and made him extremely uncomfortable and he did not know how to deal with it. So he completely ignored her and stayed as far away from her as possible. The last thing he needed was to inadvertently give her some kind of perceived encouragement since he feared that she was still delusional enough to grasp at just about anything.
Asia swallowed hard as she watched him from only a few feet away. His back was turned to her, but that was alright. He had the body of a god and no matter the angle, any angle on him was a good angle. She only wished he was hers and not someone else's.
While she was done chasing after him, it still hurt her to be in the same room as him. Watching him work and exert himself as hard as he did. The grunts that escaped his lips, the way the sweat rolled off his body; even the way he smelled was sometimes too much for her to take. It wasn't fair.
Seeing him constantly in his ascended state was almost cruel as well. He was absolutely beautiful; never had she seen anything like it in her life, nor did she think she ever would again. He was the only one of their kind who had achieved it in over a thousand years.
Here he wasted his attentions and life mated to someone hardly worthy of a second glance from him. It wasn't fair, she told herself again. She wondered he had ever been with Bulma while in his transformed state. Probably not, she scoffed bitterly to herself; he would undoubtedly kill her. Such a waste! What she wouldn't give to have him as he was right now. How intense would that be? It would be electrifying. And yet here she was, punished to pine after him in the confines of the ship. It was torture.
She watched as he wiped himself down with a towel quickly. She loved his hands; they were perfect. She could not help but stare at them and wonder what it would feel like to have his skilled hands all over her body; touching her and caressing her. He obviously had to be very skilled and conscientious of his hands that he never managed to hurt Bulma.
Not even that, the level of restraint and care and control he would have to exercise had to be exhausting for him yet she craved it. She would give almost anything for someone to handle her that way; with care and consideration and not like an animal the way his father treated her. She shuddered to herself as she thought of her own mate. What a joke! She hated him. If something happened to him while she was gone and she never had to see him, never mind share a bed with him again, it wouldn't be too soon.
Her father had not given her any other information to regards to his plans while she was gone; she had tried in the hope of confirming to herself that her son would indeed be safe with Bulma but her father hadn't let anything further slip with regards to his plans. The one small piece of information she did get out of him was he was interested in using Bulma to work in the lab and advance their technology once Vegeta was out of the picture. The way Asia saw it that meant she was in no serious danger once King Vegeta was out of the picture and therefore her son should be alright. That was all she cared about.
With King Vegeta gone, that also meant she was a free agent to move on with her life and find someone else. The problem was, no one other than Vegeta caught her attention. Yet he would have nothing to do with her and she knew to even try with him was a waste of her time. If only there was someone else who could sweep her off her feet and make her feel like she was the only woman who mattered. What she wouldn't give for that.
Unfortunately, the only male here who even gave her the time of day was Raditz and he was nothing more than a drunken fool and womanizer. She used to like him back in the day but Prince Vegeta had become the object of her affections until Bulma came along and ruined everything for her.
An odd mix of curiosity and jealousy over Bulma coursed through her once again. Curiosity at wondering how he could not be bored with her. Did he not wonder what it would be like to just lose himself and not have to be careful while being with someone; what it would be like to be with someone who was his equal and just be able to throw all abandon and caution out the window? And then the jealousy came into play. If he cared deeply for her then exercising that level of self-control while with her wouldn't even be a burden to him. Why couldn't she have had that?
She took a breath as Vegeta turned and looked at her suddenly. She felt her face redden in embarrassment at her obvious ogling. "You're highness," she commented.
"Bulma says your brat is doing just fine," he said as he walked by her.
"Oh, good," she nodded. "Thank you."
He didn't reply or acknowledge her any further, much to her disappointment as she watched him leave the gym presumably for the day.
Asia decided that him leaving was a good thing; all he did was distract her anyway. She needed to train and step up her efforts if she was going to make it through this unscathed. One never knew, maybe her father did have it right in that working alongside one another in combat was the one thing that would catch his attention. If she was to do that, then she needed to stop pining and start working. Vegeta was the perfect warrior. If she had even the remotest chance of impressing him, she had a lot of work to do and only two more weeks before they landed.
She went to the other side of the nearly empty gym to grab a weight ball off of one of the shelves; she didn't want to overdo it being that she had done drills earlier on that day but decided she needed some work on her core.
The one she wanted was at the very top and unfortunately, she was a tad too short to be able to grab it. She reached as high as she could, standing on the tips of her toes, her fingers just brushing it. "Shit," she sighed in frustration.
Asia was going to give up and choose something else to do when it suddenly launched itself off the shelf, crashing right into her chest and knocking her on her butt. God damned this 300 times gravity! She cursed inwardly. It was a lot harder functioning this way at all times than she thought it would be.
"Sorry, I was only trying to help," a voice mockingly said to her.
"I didn't need your help!" she snarled back, standing back up to find herself glaring at Raditz.
"Absolutely not." He replied with a wink as he walked away, leaving her on her own.
Asia frowned at him as he continued on his way; it looked like he was finished for the day. How nice of him to annoy me on his way out! She raged to herself. It was bad enough she had a hard time doing a few things here and there under the increased gravity, but even worse to be mocked for it. Come to think of it, he's been annoying me ever since we left! She thought.
"Asshole," she grunted as she picked up the extra heavy ball and began her own work out.
-0-0-0-
Brolly had taken to discreetly following Bulma periodically throughout the days. He kept a low profile, not wanting her to know.
So far, there was nothing he saw as suspicious where she was concerned. She kept mostly to herself and didn't talk to too many people but was polite to all of the palace staff. She ate her meals either on her own or in the privacy of her quarters.
He noted that she spent most of her mornings working in the lab with Bardock but decided that there was nothing significant about that; Bardock was a loyal, faithful servant to the crown. He would not be involved with anything against his king. The rest of her days were spent with the two boys and that was about it.
He had to keep a lower than normal profile when she was out in the afternoon because she always had the dog with her and the dog always noticed him.
Today she left the lab, didn't stop for lunch but packed up the kids and it looked like she was planning an outing. He wasn't sure if he should follow her or not. He did have training to do, but he was beginning to feel like following her around to appease his uncle was nothing more than a waste of time to him.
Brolly decided he would leave her be for the afternoon when all of a sudden the dog ran up to him and started barking at him.
"Shit," Bulma cursed under her breath. "Don't move or run or do anything! He's fine!" She called out, leaving the boys in the stroller and quickly made her way to Aro.
"Sorry, he can be a real ass sometimes." She said, grabbing his leash and calling him off. Aro reluctantly obeyed, and sat at attention on her left.
"Interesting," was all Brolly said, eyeing the dog. While Aro had done nothing more than bark aggressively at him and he did listen and stop when she asked him to, he was still watching him carefully, almost anticipating something.
"Well, you have been following me all week," she pointed out casually and had to resist a laugh at the startled look he gave her not unlike a child who'd been caught doing something he shouldn't. "You thought I didn't notice? Well I did; and if I didn't, he did and it's been aggravating him, which is why he came after you."
"Sorry." he mumbled, feeling his face turn red.
"Its fine," she shrugged. "I don't bite. He might if you piss him off and continue to act suspicious though. If you want to hang out, just ask."
"I just thought that-" Brolly stumbled trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for following her around all week. He felt bad enough for following and spying on her. "I thought Prince Vegeta would appreciate it if someone kept an eye on you while he was gone."
Bulma smirked. "Did he put you up to this?" she asked, her blue eyes lighting up.
"No,"
"Alright, well thank you for your thoughtfulness; he would be appreciative," she nodded. "All you had to do was say something though; it's kind of a bit creepy to just follow someone around."
"My apologies,"
"Whatever, it's fine," she said waving her hand in dismissal. "I'm heading out to the capital for a walk and to visit my friend, want to come?"
"Sure," Brolly answered. That was unexpected. "That is if I wouldn't be imposing."
"Not at all," she said, turning back to the stroller. "I could use the company and you can push the boys, if that's alright with you."
"I can do that," he nodded, following her.
They made their way through the halls and outside the palace and headed out to visit Chi-Chi.
Brolly wasn't much of a conversationalist but Bulma didn't mind having him around. If she wasn't up to speaking much or had nothing to say, he seemed alright with that and she liked that. It reminded her of Vegeta in the way that they could hang out for hours and not say anything, just enjoy each other's company and it didn't have anything to do with the bond. They just enjoyed being around one another.
So it seemed the same with Brolly only he was just kind of a silent companion which suited her just fine.
The rest of their journey to visit Chi-Chi went by without incident. Bulma enjoyed the walk through the capital and was more than happy to converse with everyone who stopped her. She found it odd that hardly anyone had seen Tarble. They all knew of him by name but none of them but for a small few had actually seen him in person. Of course he was fussed over, being that he was technically the next heir after Prince Vegeta.
She thought it was nice and made a special note to let Asia know and to ask Vegeta if it had been wrong for her to have taken him outside of the palace. There had to be a reason why Asia felt it necessary to keep him so sheltered. It hadn't occurred to her that taking him on an outing would not be okay. None of the palace guards had stopped her on her way out, in fact most of them had greeted and nodded at her as she passed them with Brolly and none of them questioned where she was going with the Royal heir.
Brolly could not help but smile at the human woman. She was very confident and not at all uncomfortable with conversing with anyone who spoke to her. He could see why Prince Vegeta had been drawn to her; she had an easy going, very approachable nature and made time for everyone and anyone who came up to her and happily introduced them to Tarble and her own son Trunks, even to the second and third class population of which there were more third class hanging about than any other class of Saiyan the further away from the palace they went. While at first he had assumed she just could not tell how to differentiate between class distinctions it became obvious to him that if she could, she probably didn't care.
He came to that conclusion as some of the more raggedy citizens approached her and she treated them just the same as one of the wealthy vendors she had been chatting with only minutes prior. It impressed him. Most first class or royal figures would not be bothered to even look at these raggedy Saiyans, much less stop to talk and introduce themselves and the company she had with her. It astounded him, actually and he relaxed. She did not need him around to "look out for her" as he had told her. No one here meant her any harm, in fact they all adored her.
If his uncle had anything to worry about with regards to her causing a political upheaval, from what he saw, she did not have to do anything or convince anyone to follow her; they would all on their own. She did not need to rally or spin deceitful lies and propaganda against the throne and cabinet. If anything did happen to her, they would be outraged and cause a riot all on their own.
Brolly wondered if his cousin, Asia had ever come down and conversed with the citizens of Vegeta-sei? He assumed not. No one knew that the second infant Bulma had with her was Prince Tarble until she told them who he was. They all knew, however that the other child with her was Trunks. He thought about how ironic it was that this girl everyone on his uncle's cabinet and even the king himself seemed to despise had the complete adoration of everyone here, more so than the current queen. He understood the threat and why his Uncle was concerned, but if there was upheaval it would not be her causing it.
That was the information he would take back to his Uncle based on his careful observations over the past week. For them to just leave her be. She was perfectly harmless in his opinion and family ties or not, he would warn her if he suspected his uncle or the king were plotting anything against her during Vegeta's absence.
It took them a while, but they finally made it to Bardock's place to visit Penelope and Chi-Chi.
The two human women embraced as though they hadn't seen each other in years and then put the three Saiyan children outside in the yard and sunshine to play.
Brolly was shocked at how much larger Goten also was than Prince Tarble despite only being a few months older.
The two women excused themselves for a minute, leaving Brolly there to watch over the boys.
"Ok, so who's that again?" Chi-Chi asked suspiciously.
"Brolly, Asia's cousin." Bulma answered. "Didn't you meet him at the banquet a few weeks back?"
"No, I don't remember," she said with a frown trying to recall. "Are you sure a family member of hers can be trusted?"
"Reasonably," she nodded. "He's not into all the political agendas from what I can tell. I think he's harmless anyway."
"Well let's hope so," Chi-Chi said. "Just be careful. You sure Vegeta won't mind you hanging out with him?"
"Whatever," she shrugged. "I don't have anyone else to hang out with and I can't spend all of my time with Bardock at the lab. If he wants to hang out then whatever, I don't mind. It makes me feel better having him around. I don't think he has any bad intentions. He doesn't have any friends around here either and I kinda feel sorry for him."
"You sure he won't get like the wrong idea?"
Bulma frowned, that wasn't something that she'd even considered. "I don't think so, no. He knows I belong with Vegeta. I think over here they more respect that kind of thing than like back home where in some cases if a guy knew you were taken it was a challenge to see if they could get into your pants."
"Well I hope so," her friend sighed. "Do you want anything? I'm kind of hungry."
"No, I'm fine but you go ahead." Bulma weaved her hand in dismissal. "So have you heard from Kakarott since he left?"
"Yea, off and on," she sighed. "What about Vegeta?"
"Oh yea, we talk every day. Usually in the evening before bed but sometimes a few times throughout the day. I told him I was coming to visit you with both boys."
"That's good he's keeping in touch," she sighed, putting together a few things for herself to eat. "Do you think he wants anything?" She asked, gesturing outside to Brolly.
"I don't know," she shrugged.
Chi-Chi grabbed a larger plate and moved her meal onto it and piled up extra food on it to share just in case Brolly wanted some and incase Bulma changed her mind.
"So how are you doing?" Bulma asked. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you look and sound really tired. Have you been sick?"
"No, I'm alright, I haven't been sick this time," she answered. "I am just exhausted, I don't remember being this tired last time this early on. I'm thinking it's just because I'm so stressed out about Kakarott being gone and because I have Goten to worry about. Penelope is a huge help with him but I feel bad for her helping out so much."
"I'm sure she doesn't mind,"
"I know she doesn't but I just don't want to take advantage, she has her own stuff she needs to keep up with too."
"True, but I'm sure she doesn't feel that way. Let her help." Bulma suggested. "You can always have Bardock bring Goten by for the day on his way to the lab and I can watch him. I don't have to go to the lab every morning. I have lots of work that I can do on my own; I usually have Tarble and Trunks with me, bring Goten by and then you can have a day or even just an afternoon to yourself to rest."
"I suppose," she answered. "I feel bad doing that though."
"Don't! How many times have you taken Trunks for us so Vegeta and I could have an evening to ourselves? Let me return the favor." Bulma insisted. "I don't want you getting sick and worn out."
"Alright," she nodded. "I'll let you know in a few days. That does sound nice, actually."
"Ok good." Bulma smiled at her friend. "I'm going to hold you to that now, you know."
Chi-Chi smirked at her friend and the two went outside to hang out with Brolly and the three Saiyan babies.
While they really didn't interact much due to their young age they kept close together, which Bulma thought was nice. She hoped the three would grow up to be best friends and hoped even more so that when Asia returned, she would allow it. Tarble was a really good baby but was too sheltered. Having Trunks around had already been a good influence on him; he saw Trunks doing things like trying to stand and walk on his own and it made him want to attempt the same thing as well. Or if there was something that he wasn't sure about, if he saw Trunks unafraid of it, then he wanted to do it as well.
Bulma hoped all this extra socialization was okay. She didn't see the harm in it, but then again this wasn't her culture and didn't know what was acceptable for a Saiyan heir and what wasn't. She just decided to keep on as she was and plead ignorance later on. It wasn't like she was putting him in any danger or teaching him to do bad things.
Bulma and Brolly spent the rest of the afternoon with Chi-Chi and Goten. It had been a nice visit and a welcomed change of scenery for Bulma.
They left in the late afternoon in hopes of being back at the palace for dinner time so that she could return Tarble before anyone grew suspicious over his absence. They made it back much quicker than Bulma had anticipated and so everything was fine.
She gave a lot of thought to Chi-Chi's warning about having Brolly around but decided she didn't need to worry; he didn't talk very much so what was the worry? She just appreciated having someone to talk to and accompany her and that was added to her routine, Brolly helping her with the two Saiyan boys and escorting her to visit Chi-Chi or whatever other excursion she'd planned for the day.
The rest of the second week went by just as quickly for her as the first had.
-0-0-0-
By the beginning of the third week, everyone on the ship was functioning comfortably at 450 times gravity, much to Vegeta's satisfaction. Everyone had done extremely well, not that they'd had much of a choice being that he insisted it never be shut off.
Asia showed up at the training center for a late night work out. She was so far very satisfied with her own progress. Her body was finally back to better than it was before she'd had Tarble and she was currently in the best shape of her life; strength, tone and endurance-wise. If nothing else, this trip had been worth it just for her to get some of her self-confidence restored.
"Fancy a spar this evening?" Someone asked her as she was finishing up her brief warm up before starting on drills.
"With you?" She sneered at Raditz. He had been razzing her nonstop and she wasn't sure if she should be annoyed or flattered; nor was sure if he was flirting with her or making fun of her. In any case, all he did was piss her off. Despite that, however, she had begun looking forward to their little encounters. It got her mind off of Vegeta and the rest of her personal problems and so the last two weeks on the ship training and being away from her father and the King had done her good. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been so content. The only thing she could admit that she somewhat missed was Tarble but even then, she only thought of him once in a while.
Asia felt plenty of guilt over it. She loved her son more than anything but knew she had no natural maternal instincts either and should never have even considered becoming a parent. Sure she loved her son and he was the only good thing in her life but if she could have changed things, she would have rather not had the child. She had too many other things she wanted to accomplish in life and his own father didn't have any interest in him because of his lack of strength and potential.
She was glad that Vegeta gave her a daily update from Bulma and it warmed her heart somewhat that he did that and she was happy that Bulma seemed to be taking good care of him but that was about the only time she thought about him. She had thought that she would be worrying about him and missing him but she wasn't. Not really. Just knowing that he was alright and in no danger was enough for her at the moment.
"Well, seeing as we're the only ones here," Raditz replied, gesturing around the empty gym and a grin that she had come to like seeing.
"Whatever," she sighed, feigning annoyance. "I have nothing better to do."
"That's what I like to hear," he chuckled, stretching his shoulders. "Shall we?" he asked, extending an arm out to her to go on ahead of him.
She gave him an odd look and made her way to the small arena floor and assumed a battle stance.
He chuckled at her and did the same.
"Well?" she barked at him. "Are you going to do something or are you going to just stand there and stare at me all night?"
"Ladies first," he answered, beckoning at her to come at him.
"Ha!" she laughed before launching herself at him full force, hitting him square in the jaw.
"Oww," he grunted, grabbing his jaw. "Good one."
She smirked victoriously at him and went in to hit him again but he blocked it and tripped her. "Gotten rusty, have we?" he laughed.
Asia scowled at him as she rolled and jumped back to her feet, ready to continue. "You're one to talk, pal," she sneered as came at him again, determined to gain the upper hand.
"I can understand," he laughed as he blocked another attempt at a blow from her. "Being a mother and all, takes up a lot of time."
"What would you know about it?" she snipped. "All you're good for is drinking and philandering."
"Awe, that hurts," he said, feigning offence as he threw a punch at her, which she easily blocked by quickly side stepping to the left.
"It's the truth, isn't it?" she asked, countering his punch with one of her own, managing to strike him in the arm while he was attempting to block it.
"Not exactly,"
"Then what is the truth?" she asked cattily. "Every time I see you, you have a new bimbo hanging off your arm."
"Maybe I am biding my time."
"For what?" she asked. "There's lots of Saiyan women who would be happy to give themselves to you, an Elite. So what's the problem, cold feet?"
He shrugged. "I found a girl, once."
"Oh yea?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, her interest piqued. "And what happened, did she get tired of being one of the many in a revolving door of women you like to surround yourself with? Do tell."
"She was great," he said with a slight frown. "Unfortunately she was too busy chasing after other things and prospects that weren't worth her time instead of seeing another, the more suitable option that was right in front of her; and so that ship has sailed."
Asia stood there a moment as she listened to him; his joking tone had quickly turned serious and she wondered who he was talking about? "And you haven't decided on anyone else since then?"
"Like I said," he said with a smile. "Maybe I am biding my time. Nothing stays the same forever. She's not stupid. Once she wakes up and realizes what her life has become, I'll be waiting."
"You're such a loser," she snorted, sending a kick at his mid torso, which he allowed. She had an eerie suspicion he was talking about her. "Come on, let's get this over with!" she taunted, throwing another kick and punch combo that he easily blocked.
"I am not a loser," he growled. "I am an Elite. The highest Saiyan rank there is with the exception of royalty of course." he threw in his own kicks and swipes at her and was impressed that she was able to match him blow for blow.
"Uh huh,"
"So I could not put you up in anything as elaborate as the palace, but I would treat you as my queen." he said before he managed to grab her arm, pulling her close to him and suddenly kissed her, something she had not been expecting.
Rather than pushing him away, she kissed him back hungrily for a moment before common sense kicked in and she realized what she was doing and shoved him away from her. "What the hell are you doing?" she hissed, not sure if she should be angry or flattered.
"Oh, come on," he snorted. "You've been begging for it all week with your comments and dirty looks, I'm not dense."
"I have not!" she objected. "You are completely delusional, you know that? And besides that, have you forgotten who my mate is? I could have you executed."
"But you won't," he shrugged easily with a smug grin.
"How do you know?" she challenged him, ignoring that irresistible grin of his.
"I just know," he shrugged. "Come on, there's no way you're happy with that old bastard."
"What business is it of yours anyway?" she shot back.
"None I suppose," he shrugged. "However I think it's a complete waste that you are with him to begin with when you could be with someone your own age who could show you a good time and would be able to be faithful."
"Ha! Like you could be faithful to one woman?" she snorted. "Give me a break! You're the worst womanizer, aside from him, that I have ever met."
"That's not fair," he sulked, actually looking somewhat hurt by her accusation.
"I think it's plenty fair," she said, crossing her arms stubbornly, her lips still tingling from the way he had kissed her only moments earlier. "Besides what does it matter? I'm taken, remember?"
"Oh, I remember, however what I don't get is why you're being such a hypocrite?"
"How am I the hypocrite?"
"If I was Prince Vegeta, you'd have been all about it, even now," he argued, finally deciding to call her out on it after a week of flirting with her and not getting the results he had hoped for. "I'm not stupid, I see the way you look at him; everyone does. Including him! Guess what? We all think it's pathetic."
She scowled angrily at him. "You don't know anything." she hissed.
"I know enough. I know that you hate your life-"
"And what makes you the authority in everything about me?" she cut him off.
"It shows. You've been completely miserable since your father forced you to hook up with King Vegeta. Everyone knows you had a thing for Prince Vegeta and when that didn't work out, you set your sights on his father like a bitch in heat instead of considering the better options that were right in front of you." He accused.
"How dare you!" she shouted as she smacked him across the face as hard as she could. "I am your queen! You will mind what you say about me!"
Raditz smirked at her. "My apologies, my lady. Perhaps my comments were out of line. I will leave you for the evening, however let me leave you with this last thought for you to ponder; had you not been so narrow minded as to only be chasing after the wrong thing, perhaps your life would have been different. If you had been able to step back and see who it was who had a genuine interest in you rather than focusing solely on something that was not meant to be, then maybe you would have realized that happiness was right in front of you in the first place. You'll never know now, will you?" he said in a serious tone before turning to leave.
Asia watched him leave with a frown as it began to dawn on her that Raditz always was pestering her and bothering her, ever since they were teenagers. Had he always had a thing for her and she had been so busy trying to chase after Vegeta that she hadn't even considered it?
She remembered then once, a long time ago when she had been trying her hardest to win Vegeta over that he had told her in his one of many cruel rebuffs that an elite warrior was interested in her and to quit pursuing him. Had be known that Raditz was possibly interested in her way back then? Had she been that blinded by tunnel vision and her father's agendas that she hadn't even noticed?
"Wait!" she called out to him.
"What?" he barked back at her, clearly embarrassed by his actions and being shot down.
"If what you are telling me is true, why didn't you make your intentions known back then?" she asked, trotting after him.
"Would it have made any difference if I had?"
She stood there a moment, pondering it. Probably not, she thought to herself. Not had she only been completely consumed with trying to gain Vegeta's affections, her father would have never allowed it, even though Raditz would not have been a bad match for her.
"Just what I thought," he snorted as the silence dragged on. He shook his head at her and continued his way out of the gym, feeling stupid for even making his feelings with regards to her known. What had he been thinking? He was obviously beginning to go stir crazy on this ship that he had even considered bringing this up to her.
"If, say I was interested," she called out after him again. "It could never go anywhere past this trip, you know that, right?"
"Not necessarily," he shrugged, stopping again.
"What does that mean?" she asked. "Are you an idiot? You know He would have us both killed, right? Never mind if he actually found out; if he even suspected such a thing it would be the end of both of us and my son most likely."
"We could leave." he suggested.
"Leave?" she repeated. "And where would we go?"
"I don't know, anywhere?"
"You're crazy," she said. "He would hunt us down. Not to mention, I can't go anywhere without my son."
"So bring him with us," he argued. "We can do this mission and we still have three weeks to plan on the way back. We choose someplace to go, someplace where no one would think to look and we grab your son and we leave in the middle of the night without so much as a trace. It's that simple."
"You would let me bring my son?" She asked completely floored.
"Of course!" he replied in an almost offended tone. "I don't mind brats. I was hoping to have a mate and one or two of them by this point in my life anyway."
Asia nodded as she looked at him closely, for the first time really seeing him. Sure she had grown up with him and had seen him and been around him almost every day, but she had never seen him as anything other than a fellow acquaintance. She remembered when she'd been about 12 or 13 years old, having a bit of a crush on him because he was constantly picking on her. She couldn't remember now why or how her interests had been diverted elsewhere but they had. Most likely her father's doing.
She looked at him and saw that he was completely serious, he wasn't just trying to fool her or manipulate her, or he seemed sincere from what she could tell anyway.
"Where would we go?" she asked, seriously considering it.
"I don't know," he shrugged. "Vegeta managed to successfully disappear for like two years, I'm sure it can't be that hard."
She nodded.
"Why, you actually interested?"
"Maybe," she said coyly.
"Well, you have time to think on it," he said. "I would make it worth your while and while I don't have a palace for you to live in or any of that other crap, I would treat you like a queen. That I can promise you."
She felt her cheeks redden. That was exactly what she wanted. Sure she loved all the conveniences and the luxury of the palace but she would leave all of that in a heartbeat to be with someone who would treat her like a mate should treat their mate; not like a convenience and a brood mare. She had tried with the king, she really had. In the very beginning it hadn't been so bad but after a few weeks it had been a rapid decline and she had regretted listening to her father's council ever since.
"I know you would," she nodded awkwardly, feeling giddy like a teenager again. "Let me think on it."
He huffed. "Ya, okay."
"No, I am interested." she said, reaching out for his arm and looking at him seriously. "I just have to make sure it's safe before I make my choice."
"I will make sure you and your son are safe. You have my word on that," he said. "Just say the word and the moment this ship returns us to Vegeta-sei, we will take your son and leave without any explanation. No one needs to know."
"What about Kakarott and Bardock?" she objected. She knew they were a very close family and she had seen firsthand what it had done to Bardock and even Raditz when it had been believed that Kakarott had been killed. She should have known then that Raditz liked her. She had been there for him a lot during the first few weeks in an effort to console him. Sure she was never friends with Kakarott, but he was still one of them, they had all grown up together and were around the same age. It had been devastating.
"I'll let Kakarott know and he can let my father and mother know and that's it. No one else needs to know.
"And so what would we do, then?" she asked, trying to wrap her mind around this so sudden development. "Just start new lives somewhere else?"
"Yea, why not?" he replied. "I'm up for a bit of an adventure."
She nodded at him. "Alright, I will seriously consider it. If you can guarantee me the safety of my son then I will most likely take you up on this ridiculous offer."
He grinned at her. "I will do everything I can, my lady." he said before leaving her alone in the training gym.
This was an unexpected turn of events. She wished she had known about his interests in her a long time ago. She could admit that where Vegeta was concerned he wouldn't have been able to sway her attentions but if she had known that he held affection for her, she would not have pursued the king at her father's request. That she was certain about. She never wanted that union.
Truth be told, she would have jumped at the opportunity if any of the men here had given her a similar opportunity. Anyone would be better than returning to her life with the King. But with Raditz, despite her harsh comments and judgements about the way he conducted his personal life, was a decent guy. She knew she had a real shot of happiness with him. That he was more than happy to include Tarble in their life also meant more to her than anything. Many Saiyan males would not be as keen on taking on another male's child as their own, especially in this particular scenario. As much as Asia did not care for being a parent, she did love her son and she could never leave him behind.
With the first real smile she could remember having on her face, she decided to retire to her quarters for the night and give serious thought to this new development.
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Butterflies & Hurricanes