A Place in the Dirt

Chapter Two: Metaphor

The ship was up and ready.

It seemed Bulma had been up all night fixing up this thing for the two of them to make it in perfect shape. She smiled in triumph as she turned towards Vegeta with her hands on her hips. He gave her a satisfied smile in return which left them both with an aching feeling from the small gestures. They had realized a long time ago that they weren't meant to keep doing this back and forth relationship they had going on. Yet, it was still one of those things that were hard to let go. He turned away first after the awkward feeling to spot the younger Saiyan walking into the room.

"Wow Bulma! It looks great! Are you sure you have this thing ready already?" He looked up in amazement at the ship that Bulma had put together with a little help of course. The younger Saiyan took a few steps towards the two and sat down his bag.

"Yep, she's all ready to go. I have already checked over the status and engine to be sure you guys will be safe inside. Just don't try to run into too much trouble, okay?"

Goku laughed as he scratched the back of his head, "You know that a search for the dragon balls have never been easy. Not to mention this time it's across the universe! Are you sure you don't want to go with us Bulma?"

She laughed and shook her head, "No, no Goku. I've gotten a little too old to handle these things. I also have to stay here with Bra. I'm sure no babysitter will want to watch her for a year!" Her real reason wasn't even that. She didn't truly think that neither she nor Vegeta could spend so much time cooped up in a ship like that. The best thing for them was this time apart, she was sure. They had to spend so much time living in the same house after all. She could think of this of a vacation almost.

They both turned from their conversation at the sound of a grunt, "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's just get on with this already." Vegeta crossed his arms over his chest and went up to the door of the ship to make his way inside. "The sooner we get the dragon balls back on earth the better. We don't want this place blowing up our families do we?"

"Good point," Goku agreed before picking up his bag and heading inside after Vegeta. He stood in the door way as he looked back at Bulma for her to tell them the status of leaving.

"Did you even tell your family good bye this morning?" Bulma questioned as she went to the status panel and pressed on some buttons.

"Uh… I did that last night. They know I'm coming on this trip Bulma, don't worry." He waved her off before going inside and looking down at the control panel, "Vegeta… I don't know how to fly this thing… I don't think we thought of that."

"I got it Kakarot, just sit down and strap in." The older Saiyan pushed by him and sat down in the chair that was next to the panel.

"You know how to drive this thing?" Goku asked nervously as he sat down and pulled the straps over his body. He was suddenly paranoid about the driving skills of a prince.

"I do live with her you know. She also got ideas on how to build this ship from the one I came to earth with…" He stated before he did the same with his straps and pushed one button. They sat, getting ready for the countdown before they started on their shaky ride out of the atmosphere.

Goku could feel his teeth rattle and held on to the arms of his seat. He did not remember this ride being so bumpy when he went to planet Namek. He guessed Bulma had improved on what her father had created since then. Soon things were going smoothly and he looked around the ship before speaking, "hey, is it safe to get up now?"

"Mhm, we've made it out of the atmosphere now. I'm just waiting for the radar to pick up where the first dragon ball is."

It wasn't long after the words were spoken that Goku was up and walking over to see the radar pick up on the first ball. "Alright, there it is," he grinned as he watched Vegeta put the coordinates for the ball into the ship.

The male groaned as he rolled his eyes at what the ship told him the time would be, "it looks like it's going to take three earth days before we even get there. I guess that means it's time for some sparing?" He smiled wide at the other Saiyan who nodded in agreement.

They both made their way around the room and to look for what looked like to be something close to the gravitation room. After several minutes of searching he groaned at the fact that not only did they not find it, but there was only one bedroom.

The outraged prince soon was back at the console to call for Bulma to tell him what the deal was. Once he was connected with her he growled angrily. "What the hell were you thinking woman!"

Bulma giggled at his misfortune and smiled wide, "I didn't have time to do much with the ship Vegeta. I only had a day to get the one I had already built ready for this trip. We didn't have long you know…? The ship can't with stand you two sparing in it, so that is a big N.O."

"What am I supposed to do with my time up here!"

"Maybe it's time to do some soul searching Vegeta…"

"What the hell are you talking about?" He grunted, but she just giggled once more before she winked and disconnected the conversation.

He slammed his fist down on the panel before he leaned back in the seat behind him. "Damn women…"

"I wonder what she meant by that Vegeta…" Goku wondered out loud, "I mean… why does she want you to search for souls especially when we have to look for the dragon balls?"

The prince rolled his eyes and looked back at the younger male, "it's a metaphor you idiot."

"I don't get it…"

"Of course you don't…" though Vegeta was starting to get it. Bulma knew him better than anyone and he figured she knew something about his fillings for the fool behind him. Was that what she really meant?