Adult-FanFiction.org : Gundam, Beyblade, DBZ, FMA

A Saiyan For All Seasons	By : Lynnember Category: Dragon Ball Z > Het - Male/Female Views: 6044 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own DragonballZ, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
A Saiyan For All Seasons

Chapter Eight

Camping
Confessions

Disclaimer:
DBZ is my obsession AkirAkira Toriyama�s genius.

*******************************************

Bulma felt it all morning---in the bath as she dipped her
head into the warm suds, selfishly enjoying the last real bath before her trip
to the back of beyond--- as she ate her breakfast, layering her toast with more
marmalade than normal in preparation for days of eating barely recognizable
cuts of unknown animal, roasted over a campfire. She felt it as packpacked her
small rucksack and carried it out to the waiting air car. Then when she was
saying goodbye to her parents, there was the secret desire swimming through her
chest -- the hope she d ged get to see the phenomenon rather than just sense
it.

Shs dis disappointed of course, but she wondered why he had
made the effort to let her know he was leaving if he really were dead set on
refusing to say goodbye. She never really expected Vegeta would come outside to
see her off with her parents, but there had been ample time before that. The
day she skipped work to rendezvous with him in the shower had proven to be the
last, and she felt a little cheated. Her libido demanded more than just one
bout of goodbye sex, no matter how amazing that contest was.

Bulma took one last long look at the gravity room, stifled a
sigh and opened the door to her air car. Her mother was on one side running on
in her usual cheery banter and her father was on the other, a lot more sanguine
and laidback than his wife. He rested against the hood, smoking a bent and
decidedly sorry looking cigarette as Bulma rolled down the window.

�You sure you�ll be okay, Dad?�

�I�m not sure, Bulma, I�ve only run Capsule Corporation for
the last twenty years. Do you think I�ll be able to cope for a whole week on my
own?�

�Okay, okay,� she said holding her hands up. �Enough with
the sarcasm. I get that it was a stupid question, but what I really mean is,
thank you.� She smiled. �It means a lot.�

�No problem, Pumpkin. I�ll never understand why you feel
compelled to keep going off on these adventures of yours, but if it makes you
happy then who am I to stand in your way?�

�It makes me very happy,� she replied. �You�re missing out.�

He laughed. �Some things are best left to those young and
insane enough to enjoy it, but are you sure you want to leave your capsule case
behind? I�d feel better if you took it. I know the kind of scrapes those
friends of yours get themselves into. I�m not comfortable knowing you don�t
have a way out if you get in any trouble.�

�Really Dad, I�ll be with the strongest fighters earth has
to offer. There�s nothing out there Goku can�t handle. I�ll be okay, so quit
worrying.�

�So long as you�re my daughter, I�ll continue to worry. When
you have a family of your own, you�ll understand.�

Bulma groaned. �Not you too! It�s bad enough that Mum keeps
hassling me, but you should know better than anyone that I�m not ready to
settle down yet.�

�I know.� He grinned. �But the truth is that no one is ever
ready. Things happen and you cope with them. That�s the way life goes.�

�I�m not listening anymore; can I go now?�

He laughed and throwing his cigarette away, reached through
the window to place something in her hand. It was small, barely visible to the
naked eye and felt cold on her palm. �What is it?�

�Just a small communication device. I have one in at the
moment.� He pointed to his ear. �Humour this old man and wear it, just in case.
Your friends won�t even know it�s there.�

�Will you stop acting like an old mother hen if I say
�yes�?�

�Scout�s honour.� He added a salute as well.

�Fine,� she said, looking at the small machine. �How do I
work it?�

�The frequency is all set, but if you need to change it for
any reason then there�s a small dial on the left. Pop it in like a normal
earpiece and then press it if you want me.�

�I can�t see why I would need to change frequency, but
thanks.�

�I gave one to Vegeta as well.�

�Vegeta? Why?�

�Well, he�s starting to feel like a member of the family to
your mother, and I thought, seeing as he will be gone for quite a while, that
he might need some help or advice while he�s away --- star charts, mechanics,
you know the stuff. This way he can contact us and we can help, no matter where
we are.�

�And if he gets lonely, then he can call for a nice long
chat,� Mrs Briefs added.

Bulma almost choked. �Vegeta � get lonely?� She laughed out
loud. �Mum, he�s lived his entire life alone; the last thing he�ll want on his
trip is you checking up on him every five minutes.�

�Well, your father said that, but I told him the same as I�m
going to tell you --- that�s complete nonsense. Why would he take it if he
didn�t want us to use it?� she said matter-of-factly.

That was a good point. Bulma shrugged her shoulders. �Fair
enough. I have no idea why Vegeta would possibly want it, but if he has no
objections then I guess it�s silly for me to have any. Isn�t it?�

�Very. Now you�d better get going. You don�t want to keep
everyone waiting now, do you?�

�I guess not.�

She felt a little nervous about giving too much away, but
she couldn�t leave without saying one more thing. After kissing her parents
goodbye, she spoke to them both.

�Could you do one more favour for me?�

They agreed of course; Bulma was never denied anything.

�Could you look out for Vegeta for me? I know I don�t really
have to ask, but I�d just feel better knowing his last two days here are
comfortable. Mum, please don�t call him unless you absolutely have to. He�s
going to be training so he�s strong enough to help save our planet. He won�t be
able to concentrate if you call him all the time. And Dad, make sure you�ve
triple checked everything on his ship before he leaves and that there are
plenty of spares, just in case. He�s really important---� She was about to say
�to me,� but caught herself just in time. �To the planet. If he can�t get back,
then the androids might just be too much for us. We need him on this one.�

Both assured her that they were more than willing to do
everything she asked, and after a little more fuss and final farewells, Bulma
started up her air car and began her journey.

The drive through West Capitol rush hour traffic was passed
in a strange mix of excitement and regret. Excitement about what adventure was
awaiting her at the Son home, but regret that she would miss the last two days
Vegeta was on planet. It was probably unwarranted considering how little
definition there was in her weird relationship with the temperamental alien
prince, but she really was sorry he was leaving. He would be back, but that was
scant consolation. There had been some comfort in knowing he was around and
ready to satisfy her if she wished it, and she would miss not having him to
fall back on should her sanity need the escape.

It was amazing how in tune with Vegeta�s energy she had
become. Even though she was now over twenty miles away from the house she could
still feel the same fluttery telltale pull of his power. It was getting beyond
a joke. What did the little monkey do to make her so aware of him the entire time?
She wasn�t in love with him, her friendship was one sided, and they were barely
even civil to each other when they were together. How did he manage to affect
her in such an encompassing way?

Something had to be done about it, but she wasn�t sure what.
She almost missed her last turning she was so preoccupied with it. What she
needed was clarity on the situation, but without knowing Vegeta�s views that
was incredibly hard to find. So long as he remained elusive and detached, there
was little she could do other than define boundaries in her own mind. What did
she really want from him? Fun and games were one thing, but they had been
sleeping together for four months. Under normal circumstances, it would be the
stage of a relationship where choices were made. The thought of gaining more
ground with Vegeta was laughable, but for her own peace of mind she had to
address the situation now. It was the only way she could feel confident with
continuing.

�Well,� she argued out loud. �What do I know for fact?� She
turned off the road onto a dirt track that would take her on a winding course
through the mountains.

�I know that Vegeta likes me. He admitted that, albeit
grudgingly. I know he is sexually attracted to me, and I know he�s coming back.
That�s good.�

She turned the radio off. She couldn�t think through the
noise.

�Unfortunately, I also know that he has no loyalties to my
planet, my race or my feelings. That�s bad, right?�

�Man!� she exclaimed. �Was I ever wrong when I said that
this situation wasn�t complicated? However, he doesn�t mind Yamcha knowing, and
that�s just plain weird. Perhaps,� she reasoned, �perhaps it would be good to
let someone else know. To get an outsider�s opinion on it all, but is Yamcha
the right person? I can�t really see him being unbiased about it. Ugh! This is
all so damn confusing, but what have I got to lose? I can�t keep this all
bottled up inside. I need to tell someone. Next to Goku, Yamcha�s my best
friend, and seeing as I can�t tell Goku, then Yamcha�s the only one who can
help me.�

That settled it. She would consult with Yamcha. Perhaps he
wasn�t the ideal choice, but she was sure between the both of them they could
thrash this situation out and give her mind the reassurance and direction it
needed. They would both be biased and she just hoped that through the
conflicting arguments, the answer she was craving would present itself.

Three hours after setting off, Bulma found herself flying
between the familiar rows of trees that lead to Goku�s home. A little while
longer and the woodland parted to boast a view that few could look on without
feeling an amazing sense of awe and contentment. Mountains towered all around
the flat plateau with its shrine to Son-Gohan next to the river that defined
the boundary of the Son land. Then there was the family house, small and
humble, but with more love inside than anyone could possibly desire. It was so
different from the vast expanse and bustle of her grounds, but just as familiar
and revered.

In keeping with tradition, she made a dramatic entrance,
revving the engine into the red, and performing an impossibly tight turn to
miss the house and spew dust over her waiting friends, as though she had driven
like an idiot the whole way there. She smiled. No one would know any different
-- no one would know that she had been so deep in thought the whole way there
that she hadn�t even considered being her usual reckless self.

�Bulma!� Goku greeted as the rest fussed over the dirt on
their clothes. �You made it!�

She didn�t even have the chance to clamber out. Her friend
was already on her, his arms locking around her body in a bear hug and lifting
her from the car. �We were beginning to think you weren�t coming!�

�Yeah,� said a voice behind them. �What time do you call this?�

Goku released his hold, setting her down on the grass. She
stepped around his side to see the speaker. Yamcha! It felt like too long since
she�d last seen her friend, but that wouldn�t help him right now.

�It�s called being fashionably late!� she shouted. �Besides,
I like keeping you all guessing.�

�Guessing?� he laughed. �Yeah, next time we�ll just go
without you. See how you like guessing where all the flesh-eating dino�s in the
forest are.�

�Stop being an arse, Yamcha!� Puar trilled, floating beside
her lifelong friend. �Or we�ll give those dino�s a taste of it.�

�Hey, why not? They�re the only ones who haven�t had a taste
yet,� Bulma teased. �He�s such a man slut now.�

�And damn proud,� Yamcha laughed. �When they�re queuing up
for a chance, how can I possibly refuse?�

He chanced a look to Bulma, just to make sure he was on safe
ground and she smiled warmly back before sighing, �The testosterone�s too much
for me already. Why did we agree to this again, Puar?�

�Because we�re insane,� she laughed, hovering over Bulma�s
shoulder. �Come on inside. Oolong is making tea.�

�Oolong? Do I dare drink it? He�s probably put some date
rape drug in it.�

�That�s why we�re making him drink it first,� she laughed,
and the whole party joined in as they entered the house.

Tea wasn�t the only thing on o whe when they sat down at the
country kitchen table and met up with Krillin who looked as though he was
stationed on guard duty. There was a veritable banquet set out on the wooden
table, more than enough for the Saiyan and his guests.

�Bulma!� Krillin greeted. �Thank god you�re here! We
couldn�t have kept him away much longer.� He looked nervously behind her and
mouthed, �Is he here?� in huge pantomime words.

�Who?� she mimed back.

�Vegeta.�

�Oh Kami, no!� she said out loud. �Don�t be ridiculous. It
would take something more powerful than the entire universe to drag him away
from his training. Besides, he�s leaving planet in a few days and probably
won�t return until the androids get here.�

Krillin sighed in relief, and he wasn�t alone. Goku seemed
to be the only one that looked less than ecstatic about the news. �Ah, what a
bummer,� he sighed. �I was hoping to get the chance to spar with him, seeing as
Chi�s not around and all.�

�Well I�m glad,� Krillin said. �It�s not that I�m not
relieved he�s batting for the good guys this time around, but I doubt I�d sleep
much knowing he was in the next tent over.�

It wasn�t said maliciously and Bulma let the statement
slide. It was a natural reaction. Vegeta was, after all, an efficient and
decidedly unbalanced mass-murderer. It was perfectly rational for Krillin or
anyone else to be wary of him. Just because he showed a less menacing side to
her didn�t change the man. She was never going to get Vegeta or the other members
of the Z senshi to make quick leaps forward in understanding. She was the one
who felt comfortable around Vegeta -- she was the one going insane, not her
friends. It was realistic that, Goku � being the only one with any realistic
chance of controlling Vegeta should he get out of hand � would be the most
casual in acceptance of him. Bulma just wished she had a similar excuse.

ndifndif]>

Gohan came bounding into the room a moment later, and there
was no more room left for conversation as the mass feasting began. Course after
course was laid in front of them. Chi Chi had been up all morning making sure
there was enough for everyone before her father came to pick her up. The food
itself was basic but deliciously and expertly prepared. Three courses of fish
never suited the palette so well, and Bulma ate hungrily. It was unlike her.
Perhaps her survival senses were kicking in - not knowing who might be cooking
their next meale hoe hoped they weren�t thinking she would! She was lost
without a microwave, and without her capsules, it was highly unlikely she would
have access to one.

It was halfway through dessert when she first heard it � a
noise that was unfamiliar. She looked up from her plate to see if anyone else
had noticed, but they were all munching away as though nothing had happened.
She shrugged her shoulders, and carried on eating. A few moments later and she
heard it again. It sounded like static. Then she remembered - the earpiece - of
course!

Dad, you know I can�t answer you here, she mentally
scolded, trying desperately hard not to make anyone suspicious. The static
erupted again. This time, however, there was something else - and it almost
killed her composure.

�Fuck! Is this thing working? I should have listened to the
fool when he was telling me how to operate it. Blasted thing.�

Bulma gasped, earning the attention of the entire room. �Are
you okay, B?� Yamcha asked.

�Uh, ? Oh? Oh yeah, I�m fine,� she lied. �The ice-cream was
a little colder than I expected, that�s all. I have sensitive teeth.�

�Maybe you should see a dentist when you get back,� he
offered.

�Yeah, maybe.�

Then Vegeta�s voice was there again, crystal clear as though
he were the one sitting next to her and not Yamcha. �It�s the right frequency.
Shit! How the hell am I supposed to know if it�s working or not?�

Bulma managed to stifle a giggle. Hearing Vegeta sound so
lost with her father�s technology was both priceless, and endearing. She looked
around the table, silently gathering her courage. When it was as high as it was
ever likely to get, she casually rested her elbow on the table, and then her
head on her palm. Surreptitiously switching the frequency she pushed the device
- activating it immediately.

�Well,� she said, her voice a little shaky. �I�m stuffed.�
She pushed her bowl away. �I don�t know about you guys, but I think Vegeta�s
missing out. That was one hell of a good meal.�

It was Vegeta�s turn to gasp now. It was as clear as day,
and Bulma found it incredibly hard to keep a straight face. �Woman?�

�Yeah!� Goku replied. �Chi�s cooking is the best; no Saiyan
should have to miss out.�

�All the more for us,� Yamcha chimed in. �Can you imagine
competing against two appetites like that? The rest of us would starve.�

�No need to worry there; Mum can cook for an army.�

�That she can, Kiddo,� Bulma agreed. �But if you�ll excuse
me I need to take a trip to the little girl�s room.�

�Make the most of having a toilet roll while you still can!�
Krillin laughed, and the others joined in.

She laughed along with them and grudgingly let go of the
communicator to leave the table. It took all her control not to run out of the
room, but as soon as the others couldn�t see her she did run, all the way to
the bathroom, and making sure to lock the door behind her, put the seat down
and sat on the toilet. Her ruse worked perfectly; she just hoped Vegeta would
be willing to talk.

Her heart pounding, she once more pressed the device in her
ear. �Vegeta? Vegeta, are you still there?�

There was silence. �Fuck!� she swore.

�Not now, Woman. I�m training.�

She did a voiceless celebration dance around the bathroom.
Not just because of Vegeta listening in, but because even with the sanctuary of
a locked door, she had to be careful. The Son house was too small to take any
chances.

�Liar,� she whispered, when she recovered. �Do you like
Dad�s new toy?�

No answer. Her elation quickly snapped into anger.

�Fine, don�t talk to me then, and thanks for saying goodbye,
arsehole.�

�Why should I say goodbye?� he replied. �With this device I
can piss you off any time I want.�

She smiled. �That you can, but it goes both ways, Bud.�

�I don�t doubt that for a second, Woman. Have you spoken to
your human trash yet?�

�Will you quit calling him that?�

�No. Answer the damn question.�

She sighed. It was useless to argue with him. �I only just
got here. We said hi and then we ate. No, I haven�t told him. Why do you want
him to know so badly?�

�I already told you that.�

�No you didn�t.�

�Then you weren�t listening properly.�

�God, Vegeta. Would you please stop talking in circles?� she
spat.

�No. When are you going to tell him?�

�I don�t know. When and if I get the chance to.�

He chuckled. �So you are going to tell him.>
>

�Yes, happy now?�

�Perfectly.� The word was full of sarcasm.

�Ugh! You�re insufferable.�

�Good. Can I get back to my training now?�

�No, don�t go,� she said, not knowing quite why.

�What else is there to say?� he asked.

�Nothing, I guess. I just�.� She sighed. �I just like
talking to you that�s all.�

�Foolish woman. This wouldn�t have anything to do with the
�friends� shit again, would it? If we can�t fuck then what�s the point of
talking? It�s all just a prelude to foreplay anyway.�

Bulma�s cheeks burned red � a mixture of embarrassment and
indignation. �And you have the gall to call me vulgar!�

�No gall, I was just putting it in words you would
understand.�

�Right! That�s it,� she snapped. �I�m hanging up right now.�

�That�s what I want.�

�Then why are you still talking? Drop the attitude already.
You know you like talking to me � and who wouldn�t? I am peculiarly exotic.�
She fluffed her hair in victory.

�Stop twisting my words, Woman, and you forgot �odd� and �a
problem.� But I rescind the last. You�re not a problem, you�re the god damn
mother of all problems. Now leave me the hell alone.�

�Okay, I get the hint,� she ceded. �But on one condition.�

�And that would be?�

�That you call me before you go.�

There was silence. Had he hung up already?

�Hey Bulma! Do you have the shits or what? Other people have
to go you know!� Krillin shouted, banging on the door.

�Alright! Can�t a girl have a dump in peace? Sheeeeesh. If
you keep that up I�ll just leave it in the bowl for you to flush!�

�Eeeeeeeeew that�s gross!�

lasslass=MsoNormal>

It was, but it worked like a charm, in two ways. The silence
was broken. Vegeta was chuckling at the exchange. �Vulgar you are, Woman. Very
well, I will do as you ask,� and then he was gone for real. With a smile
plastered wide across her face, she let the device go, and quickly relieved
herself for real, before letting Krillin have his turn.

�At last. I thought you�d died in there,� he said before
rushing in.

Bulma didn�t hear. All she could do was think about her
weird conversation with Vegeta. He would indeed say goodbye before he went, and
who knew what else he would have to say after that. Her father hadn�t outright
said that they could communicate from space, but it was logical they could. If
he could contact her mother then he could sure as hell contact her. It was a
win, win situation. Maybe she wouldn�t have to miss him after all. The only
trouble was Yamcha. Just how in the hell was she going to tell him?

Half an hour had been and gone before everyone was ready to
leave.

�Are you sure we have everything?� Oolong asked. �These
piggy feet aren�t made for needless walking.�

�We�ve checked everything three times already, Oolong,�
Gohan sighed. �Come on, it�s time to go. Besides if we need anything, one of us
can always fly back and get it.�

�Yeah, we�ve wasted enough time as it is, let�s go!� Yamcha
shouted, already a full hundred yards ahead of anyone else. �If we don�t leave
now we won�t get to Blue River Gorge before it gets dark.�

There were no more protests and the whole party set out for
the long hike along the foot of the mountains and the beginning of their
seven-day adventure. Spirits were high. Puar sang as they went, setting the
pace as she always did with the tunes from her and Yamcha�s time in the desert.
It was a wonderful mix of haunting melodies and bold-brash battle cries and
both seemed to compliment the vibrancy and life the party held. They walked all
morning, and Bulma was grateful when Oolong broke the fast pace and declared it
was time for a rest. He was sweating profusely, and the others knew they had to
humour him otherwise he would never stop complaining.

�Are you okay, B?� Yamcha asked as they all sat on a rock
under the shade of one of the many tall Momiji that were indigenous to the
area.

�Yeah, just about,� she said, thankful for the bottle of
water he gave her as he sat down next to her. �Just remember that I�m not as
fit as you guys. If you walk too fast one of you will be giving me a
piggyback for the rest of the day.�

He laughed. �You heard her Oolong. Bulma gets to sit on you
if we go too fast. Hey Goku, Krillin, let�s run the rest of the way!�

�Why make excuses?� Oolong snickered. �Bulma can sit on my
face anytime she wants.�

�Ugh!� she screamed, slapping him hard across the head,
�Keep your hentai snout away from me!�

/p>

When the laughter died down, Bulma decided to prepare Yamcha
for what was to come. Taking a deep breath she began. �I need to speak to you
later.� She looked cautiously around to make sure they weren�t being overheard.
�You know, without the others around.�

�Oh?�

She smiled to hide her nervousness. �It�s a secret. No one
knows, but I want you to be the first and only one I tell for now. Once dinners
over come on a walk with me down the river and I�ll tell you everything. Okay?�

He winked. �It�s a date.�

The rest was soon over. They were still full from Chi Chi�s
more than ample banquet and so rest and water was all that was needed before
they set off again. The second part of the trek wasn�t as hard as the first, as
it was mostly downhill. Bulma hadn�t been on the route they were taking before,
and Goku happily informed them that it was one of the more vigorous and
beautiful ways through the forest.

She was slightly worried to hear that the following day
required an almost vertical climb up the side of the gorge, but her fears were
allayed a moment later. Krillin patted his backpack. �Don�t worry, Bulma.
Oolong and Puar will transform and fly up. Goku, Yamcha and I will climb
unaided, but we brought all the climbing gear you need back here.�

�Besides,� Goku added. �If you can�t make it then I�ll fly you
up myself.�

�How high is it?� she asked.

�A hundred and thirty feet, give or take a few,� Yamcha
said. �Think you can do it?�

o:p>

�It�s been a while since I last went climbing,� she
admitted. �But I�m not a quitter. I�ll climb the damn thing or die trying.�

�That�s my girl!�

They carried on. It always surprised Bulma how the first few
miles of these treks hurt so much and then, relatively speaking her body got
used to the continuous movement and allowed her to actually enjoy the views.

It was dusk before they met up with the river again and made
their way along the bottom of the gorge. The conversation had all but dried up
at this point. Only Goku was his usual bold self and continued the banter,
blissfully unaware that no one else was joining in. Even Yamcha looked a little
more sedate than usual.

�Wow,� Goku called out, well ahead of the rest of the pack.
�I�d forgotten how tiring it is walking everywhere. It�s so easy to just fly
instead.�

There was no reply. Everyone was just glad to be at the part
of the gorge where it naturally widened enough for them to be able to set up
camp.

The tents were quickly assembled, and Bulma was soon
lighting firewood in preparation for the night�s meal. It was too far back to
the forest to hunt game and the guys wouldn�t fly, due to some previously
concocted bet, so fish turned out to be the food of the day.

&nb>

Surprisingly, seeing as Krillin cooked, dinner passed
pleasantly enough for Bulma. It was the thought of what was to come afterwards
that was truly turning her stomach. Yamcha wasn�t making a secret of his
curiosity either. He was fidgeting beside her as they sat around the campfire,
and throwing the odd enquiring look. She did her best to avoid his gaze. ! Ho! How would he take it? She hadn�t felt this nervous for a long time. What
if he took it badly? It was hard enough, not seeing him as much as she used to,
what if by telling him, she would only succeed in pushing him further away?

The fire was burning out now, and Puar, Oolong, and Krillin
had already retired to their respective tents. Goku was laying back, content
with his full belly and looking contemplatively up at the stars.

�You want to take that walk now?� asked Yamcha.

Not really, Bulma thought, but she nodded
nonetheless.

�Hey, Goku.�

He glanced lazily over to them.

�Bulma and I are just going to take a short stroll down the
river.�

�Okay!� He smiled. �Have fun.�

They turned away and Yamcha threw an arm over her shoulder,
having already picked up a flashlight to stop them from accidentally falling
into the river. Only once he was sure they were far enough away did Yamcha take
his top off, and lay it on the ground next to the steep gorge sides. They both
sat down on it, knowing it wouldn�t keep the damp away for long.

�Okay, we�re alone now. What�s this big secret you have to
tell me?�

�Well,� she began, feeling slightly sick. �It�s kind of hard
for me to speak to you about it, but the others, well, I just don�t think
they�d understand. I� I�m not even sure you will, or even if I do, I just . . . I have to tell
someone, but I�m scared. Scared you�ll take it badly.�

�Bulma,� he coaxed, taking her hand and running his thumb up
and down the back of it for encouragement. �You know you can tell me anything.
I�m your friend. It�s not my job to judge you. It�s my job to be there for you,
no matter what. Now, just take a deep breath and tell me whatever you want.
You�ll feel better for it in the long run. I promise.�

She felt indescribably better for his words, but wasn�t
completely reassured. �Okay then,� she said, �I want to talk to you about
Vegeta.�

�Vegeta?� he said, curiosity and confusion evident in his
voice.

�Yes. Do you remember our conversations about him when he
first came? About me trying to get to know him better?�

�Yeah?�

�Well, I think I finally have, only recently�� Her voice
hitched. Why was this so damn hard to say? �Recently I�ve gotten to know him
perhaps a little better than I initially intended to.�

She didn�t dare look at his face. His thumb had stopped its
caress and even the lack of that small gesture was painful. She could hear his
breathing, deep and heavy beside her.

�I don�t understand, B?� he admitted. �What are you trying
to say?�

/p>

�What I�m trying to tell you is that, four months ago, after
the party at Capsule Corporation, I� I slept with Vegeta.�

He didn�t speak but she hadn�t expected him to, not at
first. He needed time to get used to the idea.

�It wasn�t just the once either. I�m not in love with him or
anything. It�s just, well, it�s something new and fun and� I� I like it, and I
think he does too.�

Her face felt so damn hot, and her stomach was doing
cartwheels. He hadn�t said a word, nothing to tell her how he felt about it.
She understood that it was a bolt from the blue, and probably a cruel one at
that, but she needed him so badly to do something now. She�d given him enough
time to form at least an initial opinion. She needed something more now,
something other than silence.

�Say something,� she pleaded. �I don�t care if you call me
an idiot, if you think I�m insane, or if you think I�ve made the biggest
mistake ever, I just need to hear your voice right now.�

�Bulma,� he stuttered, but her name caught somewhere in his
throat and he either couldn�t or wouldn�t say more.

�Please!�

�I just can�t believe,� he tried again. �I don�t know what
to say.�

�If you can�t say anything else just please tell me that
you�re still my friend. At least give me that much.�

�Of course!� It almost sounded like a sob. Two large arms
circled her shoulders in a deathly tight hold. �My god, Bulma. You�ll always be
my friend; don�t ever doubt that.�

There was moisture on her cheek and she was surprised to
find it was her own tears. She was crying.

�You know,� he said at length, �I know this is going to
sound silly, but now I think about it, it kind of makes sense. The way he acts
around you. It�s always so different to how he treats everyone else. I just
never believed that he would take it so far, or that you� you would be happy
for him to.�

�I know,� she sniffled. �If you�d have told me a year ago
that this would happen I would have laughed in your face. I don�t fully
unders wha what�s going on myself. That�s why I wanted to talk to you about
it.�

He pulled her closer � if that were possible � resting his
chin on the top of her head as they both looked across the gorge, as though the
sheer rock the other side were the most fascinating view in the world.

�I�m so confused. I don�t know what I want from him. Before
he told me he was leaving I was perfectly happy just using him for sex. It was
nothing serious and something different in my life - something to get my mind
away from work for a few hours. You know, kind of like stress relief.�

�And now?� he asked, squeezing her a little tighter for
reassurance.

�And now . . . I don�t know. I feel bad that he�s leaving.
For some reason I don�t want him to go. I think� I think I�ll actually miss
him, not just the sex, but him as well, and you know what? It scares the
crap out of me.�

�Do you know how long he�ll be gone for?�

�He said until he reaches Super Saiyan, but I think it all
depends. I know he won�t miss the fight with the androids, whether he�ll be
able to transform into a Super Saiyan before then, I don�t know, but I know
him. He�ll fight the androids even if he isn�t. Even if, deep down, he knows he
won�t win, he�ll still be there. He�s too stubborn and proud to not show up.�

�And what has he said to you, about, you know, your
situation? Does he love you, B, or is he just using you as well?�

/p>

She sighed. �Knowing Vegeta, the latter, and to be honest
I�m glad he�s not in love with me. That would be too weird. Besides, I don�t
think he has the capacity to love. He told me he would be back, but he didn�t
say anything about what would happen when he did get back. I think he�s too
preoccupied with gaining Super Saiyan to think seriously on anything else right
now.�

�If you ask me,� Yamcha said, �it sounds like you don�t have
anything to worry about.�

�Really?�

�Well, yeah. You�re not in love with Vegeta and he�s not in
love with you, right?�

�Right.�

�Then don�t let it be serious. Of course you�re going to
miss him. The guy�s been living with you for the last two years, or however
long it is now. It�s going to be weird not having someone you�ve grown
accustomed to around anymore. But that�s the way things go sometimes.� He
shifted, so Bulma could see his face. �You want my advice?�

�Yes, more than anything.�

�Don�t let it get you down. You�re young, beautiful and
intelligent. You need to just kick back and enjoy life for a little while. Go
out, party, have some fun. Take your mind off it. I have a hunch that you�ll do
very well without him about, and I believe that you�ll realize that after all
is said and done, it was nothing more than a bit of fun. A few rolls in the hay,
and then chapter closed. I can�t imagine how hard it is for you now, having to
run Capsule Corp. Maybe this fascination with Vegeta is a result of having no
time for anything more than the distractions at home. Play the field a bit,
have some fun!�

�You know I can�t do that now.�

�Why not? Your dad�s still about, and obviously doesn�t mind
taking the pressure of running Capsule Corporation now and then, otherwise you
wouldn�t be here now. You don�t have to run yourself into the ground. You did
the same for him before you took over. Don�t be afraid to ask him. I�m sure he
won�t mind.�

�Maybe.�

�There�s no maybe about it. Doctor Yamcha prescribes at
least one day off a week for fun and mayhem, and then we�ll take it from there
� okay?�

She smiled. �Okay. Maybe you�re right. Maybe I have been
taking this too seriously.�

�Exactly, and we�ll start tomorrow. We�ll have so much fun
on this trip that you�ll wonder why you were even worried.�

Bulma sighed. Yamcha was right. She had been putting too
much importance on the situation. She had months before she would see Vegeta
again. Maybe she did just need to have some fun on her own and remember what it
was like to have a normal and Saiyan no Ouji-free life. From now on she would
only worry about Vegeta, when or if she had cause to.

Yamcha stood, offering her hand and pulling her up as well.
�Let�s go back,� he said. �We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow, and we
could use the rest.�

She nodded.

�And Bulma?� he said.

�Yeah?�

�Thank you.�

�For what?�

�For fee com comfortable enough with me to be able to tell
me this. I know it must have been hard for you, but it would have hurt a lot
more if you�d kept it a secret and I�d found out another way.�

Oh god! What had she done to deserve such a wonderful and
understanding friend? She gave him a long tight hug. It was the only way she
could convey how much his friendship meant to her. �I�m glad I told you too.�
She smiled. �Let�s go back.�

Arm in arm they walked back to the campsite. She would do as
he suggested. She was with her friends now, and they were going to have an
adventure to remember. For the moment at least, everything else was irrelevant.
Tired and extremely relieved for having shared her problems, she retired to her
tent. �Thank you, Yamcha,� she whispered, snuggling deep into her sleeping bag.
�Thank you.�

Cocooned in the fabric, she almost instantly fell asleep.

*********************************

A/N � Just in case you were wondering, Momiji is the
Japanese for Maple tree.

I hope this chapter works. It took a bit of progressive
storytelling to get it where I wanted. I edited out a page of fluff, but fear I
still left a lot of fluff in there. I just couldn�t figure out a way of making
the chapter shorter without losing information that might be important later. I
really hope I didn�t mess up the pacing too badly as a result.

*hugs*

Ember

Thank you LisaB. Your advice was invaluable as ever.
- 7
- 8
- 9
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

A Saiyan For All Seasons