Bulma

*Two years. Today has been two years since Vegeta came to live with us. I don’t know exactly what to feel. I’m always annoyed with that jerk, but always afraid he’s going to leave. It sounds strange. We fight ALL the time, I mean, I can’t remember having a decent conversation with him. But still…he’s a real pain in the butt sometimes. Always demanding, never asking, always using the cruelest most cutting remarks, he’s never kind. But…even though he never knew…before he came to live with us…*

Bulma sighed.

*Before he came to live with us my dad use to abuse mom and me. Sexually, Physically, Emotionally. I was luckier. I could escape through school, and then when I met Son-Goku dad wasn’t NEARLY as rough. He was afraid of Goku…the others to. He’s afraid of their strength. So…although he didn’t stop, he never again left us with bruises, or bleeding. Sure, inside we were practically dead. But I’m…not grateful. I could NEVER be grateful for THAT. But because of my ‘emotional experiences’ I’m more prepared for Vegeta’s insult. I don’t think I could have handled Vegeta’s attitude if that hadn’t happened. It has made me stronger because I came through it. *

*He used to abuse us daily. But now…he hasn’t touched ME at least for two years. Because…I know he’s afraid of Vegeta’s strength. I guess he thinks Vegeta won’t let him get away with it. So for two years I was the freest woman in the world. *

*Until today. *

*Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the weed, maybe he decided that Vegeta wouldn’t protect me, maybe…maybe…I don’t know! Maybe he though that because I had taken it lying down before I would now! WRONG! I should go straight to the police. But…he…when I was sixteen, a while before I met Goku and the gang, he said if I ever went for help he would kill mama. I…don’t know what to do. *

She sat on the couch with her head on her knees, crying. Not making a sound, not moving, those things took too much physical energy, which she didn’t have. She had two large bruises on her upper arms, one on her cheek, *It’s not like dad to be so careless as to leave a bruise in a place someone can see. Still…it hurts like HFIL. * Her back was cut up by a glove Dr. Briefs wore. It was black with little silver spikes all over it.

*When he…* Bulma gulped. *When he…gets behind to…do his…’work’…he puts his hand on my back. If I scream, cry, make even the tiniest whimper he runs his gloved hand down my back. * She shuddered at the memory. *I know I should shower and change into something other than these clothes which have become rags from dad’s abuse. Also I need to find a way to cover this bruise on my face. I can wear long sleeves to cover the ones on my arms, and nothing low backed or…*

Bulma jumped as the back door slammed shut and she realized she couldn’t hear anything coming from the Gravity Room.

*NO! I CAN’T let Vegeta see me like THIS! * She jumped off the couch, ran up the stairs and into her room, then slammed the door shut and locked it. *Need to shower, change, and fix my face! * Bulma ran to the bathroom started the shower and hurriedly jumped in before Vegeta could call her to do something for him.

Vegeta

Vegeta cursed. That woman HAD been down here, but as soon as he came in to get her, to fix the Gravity machine, she had run upstairs to the shower. Vegeta snorted. *Stupid good for nothing Woman. All she ever does is yell and scream. I’m the Prince of Saiyan-jins! She’s just a lowly Chikyuu-jin Onna! And yet…the strongest men on this planet obey her! It’s pathetic and disgusting, and I cannot wait till I kill Kakkorot so I can kill the Onna in person. *

Vegeta growled. He knew that to beat Goku he needed to become a Super Saiyan-jin, and to become a Super Saiyan-jin he needed to train, and in order to train the most he needed the Gravity Room. *Exept that stupid Onna can’t even keep it going for more than a day at a time! * Vegeta growled. His thought turned to the woman more all the time.

She had been afraid of him when he first came here but…whenever he ticked her off she would forget her fear and begin to scream her lungs out at him. He remembered the first time she had thrown something at him. They had begun arguing about that nasty stuff she called ‘food’ when she had suddenly turned around and chucked a cutting knife at him. He was so suprised he had barely dodged it just at the last second. Turning to look at her he realized she had the most horrified look on her face. He had begun to gather a ki ball in his hand, but Kakkorot had shown up at that moment and the onna had ducked behind him for protection. Vegeta had lost his chance.

It seemed like so long ago…mow the onna threw everything at him. Books, papers, pens, pencils, knives, forks, spoons, plates, anything she could reach at the moment. *She has absolutely NO respect for Royalty! * He thought. *And yet…she can get me to do things that I would NEVER do! And she doesn’t even seem to try. * Vegeta cursed again. He definitely thought about the onna too much.

Vegeta paused at the end of the staircase wondering if he dared go order the onna out of the shower to make him some food then go fix the Gravity Room. Vegeta wisely allowed her to stay where she was. *Besides, anything the onna can so can I! And better! * Vegeta stomped toward the kitchen.

*Now Lets see…the onna uses this, * Vegeta pulled out a loaf of bread. *And these, * He pulled out a bottle of Mayonnaise, Ketchup, and Tartar Sauce. Next he pulled out a can of pear halves, a bottle of honey, and a pringles can. *Now I just put it all on the sandwich! * After the ((coughs)) sandwich was finished Vegeta did a little Victory dance.

((I know! OOC and I’m soooo mean to Veggie-chan but…you know ya love it anywayz!)) Vegeta took his sandwich to the table then returned to the fridge for a gallon of milk. ((Hey! It does a body good! Not that his needs it but would you rather I had him drink something Nasty like Tomato juice??? Good!)) Since he was still bending over in the fridge he missed Mrs. Briefs entrance. "Vegeta-chan! You’re in early!" Vegeta cursed.

*NO! Anyone but that stupid, blonde, bimbo! She’s freaky! * Vegeta sat down at the table with his milk and glass. "Vegeta-chan…do you what today is?" She squealed. He ‘humphed.’ "Why would I care?" He growled. "Because! It’s your two-year anniversary! We should have a party!" Vegeta raised his eyebrows. Mrs. Briefs continued. "You’ve been with us for two years now! Oh wow!" She continued rambling but Vegeta had stopped listening.

*So WHAT if I’ve been stuck on this miserable ball of mud for two years!?! It doesn’t mean anything! * "Oh Vegeta! Would you go get Bulma-chan for me? Her father wants to see her." Vegeta thought he had heard something other than her usual vivaciousness. Turning he frowned at her. * No…Just my imagination. Not like I care anyways. * Vegeta growled. "She’s in the shower." Mrs. Briefs looked at him in surprise. Then she grinned. "I know. That’s the point." Vegeta choked into his milk. "Dr. Briefs is in the basement!" She said in an annoying singsong voice as she left the kitchen.

Bulma

Bulma didn’t feel all that much better after her shower. Her back was aching and she was cold. She put on black leggings and an oversized green sweater. Pulling her hair up she looked into the mirror and gasped. *Oh Kuso! I forgot about the bruise! * Bulma sighed and pulled out her make-up.

She was just finishing, *and it looks pretty good, * when…"ONNA!" Bulma clenched her fist in annoyance. "What does that baka want NOW?!" She stormed out of her bathroom and threw open her bedroom door just as Vegeta reached it. "What?" She glared at him hoping against hope that her face looked normal, beautiful, and bruise-free. "Your father wants to talk to you. And then you had better go fix my Gravity Room and get me something to eat!" He growled. ((He didn’t finish his sandwich because…I mean hey! Would YOU eat somethin’ like that?!? Ok then!))

Normally Bulma would have shouted about how she wouldn’t have to fix the Gravity Room so often if he were easier on it, or screamed at him about her not being his slave, or at least said something about him calling her woman, but at the mention of her father her face grew pale and still. "O-of course." She mummered before walking past him to the stairs.

Her hands were cold and clammy, and her knees felt like they were about to give out. Vegeta stared after her in shock. *Something is definitely up! * He growled and followed her down the stairs and to the basement.

Bulma

Bulma walked into the basement/lab where her father was sitting at a desk facing away from her. "Come here Bulma." He said, his voice was low and dangerous. When she hesitated he snapped around to yell at her but stopped in surprise. "Bulma…I want to know what all these things are." He said in a much calmer, sweeter tone, waving at her latest inventions, which were strewned about. Bulma blinked twice. "Father? They’re uh…" She heard someone behind her snicker at her obvious confusion. She spun around on her heel and was totally surprised to see Vegeta leaning with his arms crossed against the doorframe.

Bulma almost hugged him in relief. If her father hadn’t done anything yet it was because Vegeta was there. She refrained from smiling at him and glared instead. She couldn’t let her father think she had told him anything.

"What? I said I would make you dinner and fix your damn Gravity Room after I spoke to my father." She also crossed her arms. "With you onna, if I’m not around to make sure you do them, things hardly ever get done." He smirked at her irritated look, even though she also seemed very relived about something.

"I’m hungry onna. Hurry it up." She opened her mouth to start screaming at him but her father cut her off. "That’s alright! I just wanted to know some things for work but…we can continue this discussion later!" He was trying to sound cheerful but he gave Bulma a look that seemed to say, "You bet we’ll continue this later!" Vegeta snorted at him.

*Suure! He wanted to talk about work! Who does he think he’s kidding? * He thought. Vegeta narrowed his eyes at Dr. Briefs. His instincts told him something was not right and to make Bulma leave FAST! He casually strolled up to her, grabbed her wrist in a firm but gentle hold, and pulled her out of the room and up the stairs. Her skin was as cold as ice and she was looking at him as if he’d grown another head.

"What?!" He snapped letting go of her wrist and turning to face her. She stared at him a moment before bursting into tears.

"Do you have any idea what you just did?!?" She whisper/hissed at him. *Dad’s going to think I told him everything! I’m dead! And if he doesn’t kill me he’ll kill mom! * Her whole body shook with sobs. Vegeta blinked. Had he done something wrong?

He frowned at her. "Enlighten me." He growled. She shook her head madly. "He’s going to think I told you stuff!" Then her eyes widened, she seemed to think she had given away some vital secret or something. She glanced at the door that led to the basement stairs fearfully then ran upstairs to her room slamming the door and locking it. But not before Vegeta saw how much her make-up was running. *Was that a bruise? And what stuff will he think she told? *



Wella! Whatcha think? It’s my first attempt at a ‘serious’ fanfic. My dad said it was dark and morbid though. But…well I tried not to make this as mushy as some of the other romances I’ve read so…be helpful! If ya think I’m getting’ to mushy just yell at me. O’couce…that means ya gotta review! Ja Ne!

Love, Peace, and Bullet-proof Marshmallows! Bulma4veggie