Mystery Years

~Chapter One~

"Hey Vegeta. What's up?" She smiled brightly at him and made him uncomfortable. 'What's with her? Why is she being so nice to me?' "Vegeta, are you all right?" Her smile changed to concern.

"What?" He snarled.

"You had me worried for a second. You weren't acting like yourself." Her bright inviting smile came back across her features.

"Humph I don't care about your acting." He gave her an icy glare.

"Huh?" Her brow furrowed in confusion. Vegeta ran his last statement through his mind. 'That didn't have anything to do with what she said you idiot!'

"I was just worried about you. You don't have to get angry. Haven't you ever had anyone care about you before?" Vegeta made his normal scowl and went to leave her and go inside when she halted him. "That wasn't suppose to be a hard question." She leaned back in the swivel rocker and turned it in his direction. "Hm?"

"No, now are you satisfied?" He crossed his arms and stood with his back to her. She sat back up and took a sip from her ice tea. She reached forward and rotated the serving table.

"Oh come on. What about your parents?" She grabbed a muffin and sat back again.

"I didn't know them well." He said bitterly.

"Vegeta are you hot?" She asked sounding innocent.

"Why?" He got a little nervous.

"Just trying to figure out why you're so grumpy. I thought maybe it was the heat." She sat up straight and put her half eaten muffin down on a small plate in front of her. She reached for an empty glass and poured some ice tea into it. The clatter of ice cubes clinking against the glass seemed to be louder then usual since it was the only sound being made. "Here." She held the glass out to him. "It'll cool you down." He turned and took the glass from her. "You can sit." She pointed to the chair next to her. He pulled the rod iron cast back chair out and sat down. The table was glass and framed by the same iron as the chairs. A matching chaise lounge was by the oval swimming pool, and a fairy fountain was centered a couple of feet from the bottom of the stone grand staircase, which led to the dome house. Vegeta looked above him to discover what was providing shade.

"What is that?" He looked at the thing again.

"A Shade Pavilion." A warm breeze swept across them and Vegeta watched the water in the pool make small waves until his attention was stolen by Bulma brushing the hair from her face. "Vegeta, would you tell me a story from your childhood?" She took a sip and leaned back once again, nibbling on the muffin. "Hm?" She smiled at him beautifully again.

Yamcha walked out the back door of the house after being told his girlfriend was out by the pool. 'I don't know why I bothered to ask. She's always here when it's hot.' He stopped though at the top of the stairs because of Bulma's laughter. He looked down at her, to see her laughing and talking with none other then that murderer.      

"What's going on here?" He hopped down the stairs. They turned to glance at him. For only a moment Yamcha saw a genuine smile on Vegeta's face.

"I was just having a chat with Vegeta, why?" Bulma went from happy to annoyed real quick. Vegeta took notice to the change and snickered. Yamcha turned his attention to the snickering warrior.

"What?"

"Doesn't seem to me like you're welcomed here." He leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms and snickered some more.

"What?!" Yamcha yelled out of anger.

"Oh shut-up Yamcha." She took a sip. Vegeta snickered again. "You too, Vegeta." Vegeta stopped and frowned at her. He was about to give her a piece of his mind when he saw she was dead serious and not the least bit intimidated by him. He had to give this weak human credit, only his father and Frieza and some of the higher ranked goons had been allowed to tell him to shut-up. Vegeta was completely impressed by her brassiness. He flashed her a smile, which seemed to startle her. Vegeta broke out into a full laugh from her reaction.

"What's so funny? She told you to shut-up too." Yamcha had been oblivious to what had just happened. "You're a real idiot." Yamcha started to laugh. Vegeta growled and jumped to his feet. He clenched an angry fist in front of himself trying desperately to control his power and temper as not to hurt or kill Bulma.

"Yeah well she told you first, besides I can actually make you quiet. Then we'll see who the real idiot is." Energy started to grow around his fist and Yamcha backed away scared and angry, he too started to power up an attack.

"Alright boys, calm down. As much as I'd like to see him kick your butt I don't fancy rebuilding my house." She rose from her seat and walked between them, forcing Vegeta to lower his hand so he wouldn't hurt her with the gathered Ki energy. Yamcha however had backed away enough and wasn't anywhere near Bulma.

"I think I can manage killing him without ruining our home." Yamcha became very angry and looked to Bulma for her disapproval but received none. 'Our home? Why didn't Bulma yell at him? Our home! It's not their home it's her home, why hasn't she corrected him yet?!'

"I have no doubt." She flashed him an evil grin. Vegeta's blood started to boil with excitement from her behavior.

"What's with you, babe?" Yamcha half snapped, getting completely jealous with all the attention she was giving Vegeta. "I'm your boyfriend re-mem-ber, not him." She twisted her upper body to face him.

"Yeah about that. We need to talk." She shocked both men.

"What?!"

"Hmph." Vegeta crossed his arms, disappointed that she didn't let them fight. At least he didn't have to worry about them being affectionate towards each other. He couldn't stand it when they had done that.

"Vegeta could you leave us, please?" Her voice rang out sweetly leaving Vegeta very stunned. Her request had completely caught him off guard. 'Please?'

 "Sure." Yamcha was baffled further by his submission. Vegeta walked up the stairs and disappeared behind an urn that had an oversized floral bush in it. He stopped there, wanting to know what was going on. He leaned against the rail and listened carefully.

"Bulma?" Yamcha asked sorrowfully knowing full well what was coming.

"Yamcha things with us…weren't…aren't going well. We…I'm calling it quits." She took up her seat.

"What?!" Yamcha stalked over to her.

"It's not working out."

"What?! Why?!"

"We just aren't clicking anymore."

"Clicking. Clicking! We aren't fucking clicking!" He was almost in her face.

"Yamcha settle down."

"You're screwing someone else aren't you?!"

"Excuse me! Sorry Yamcha I'M NOT YOU!"

"Hey I said I was sorry!"

"Listen the boxes by the door is all your stuff, please leave. I've got things to do."

"Like what? You're a spoiled little brat!"

"I've got to do the laundry and clean." She stood to leave.

"Yeah right. Besides it can wait I want to talk now!"

"It's Vegeta's."

"Oh that's right you serve him, I forgot." The entire statement was just dripping with sarcasm and jealously.

"I have to make him breakfast. He has to be starving. Do you want to deal with a hungry Saiyan Prince?"

"Vegeta this Vegeta that. Vegeta. Vegeta!" He stopped a moment to look back at her. "You're fucking HIM aren't you?!"

"I'm not sleeping with Vegeta. Get over it and get gone!"

"You treat him so much better then me."

"I should he is a prince after all." She smirked at him as she headed up the stairs, Vegeta couldn't help but grin largely at the comment.

"Bitch!" He seized her by the arm.

"Owww stop, you're hurting me!" Vegeta stood straight up at this but tried to remain calm as not to alert Yamcha of his presence. "Ahhhhh." Thump, thump, thump.

"I'm so sorry, Bulma!"

"Get away from me!"

"But I didn't mean to – "

"I said GET AWAY FROM ME!" Vegeta was just about to jump in when his pride stopped him. 'This is none of your damn business. She got herself into that mess she can get herself out.' He was about to walk away when he heard her yell. "Vegeta!" At the sound of her bellowing his name something inside him snapped. For some reason now he wanted to help her. He fazed in at the bottom of the stairs almost landing on top of her.

"What?" He barked, his sight never leaving Yamcha.

"Get him outta of here!"

"Why should I do that for you?"

"Because I want you to." She whined, her voice a little hoarse.

"I don't know." He teased.

"Do what ever you want to him but when you're done kicking his sorry ass just make sure he's still alive, beaten but alive." She said angrily, Vegeta looked to the ground for a moment to think. He knew full well she didn't want him maiming or killing innocent people let alone her friends, so this was a once in a lifetime chance, sort of. He could kill them all if he wanted to but she would refuse to aid him anymore and would probably sick Goku on him. Vegeta also knew if something where to happen to her Goku would prove once in for all that he could be a real Saiyan. And pissing off a Super Saiyan wasn't high on his list of things to do. Vegeta looked at the combatant in front of him.

"Looks like you made a huge mistake."

"I know. Bulma call him off." The first sentence was only heard by the Saiyan's extraordinary hearing and the second part just made Vegeta even madder.

"Listen here I am no dog. I have my reasons for following what she says but not because she ordered me to."

"Well what's the difference between a dog and a monkey? They're both ugly." Yamcha decided to get his shots in while he could. He knew Vegeta wouldn't kill him and he knew that he was going to get beaten to a bloody pulp so he had to make it worth something. "Course monkey's tend to smell bad. So what about it monkey boy?"

"At least I wouldn't get dumped by a female, especially because she had just lost interest. How pathetic do you have to be to have that happen to you? Hm?"

"Of course you won't get dumped by a woman, you couldn't tame one to begin with." Bulma huffed at the remark but decided she wasn't in a good position to give a feminist lecture.

"She doesn't look like she disgusted with me like she is with you."

"What are you saying?"

"I thought I was perfectly clear, guess it just went in one ear and dribbled out the other much like your brain did." Bulma grinned. 'Clever little Vegeta.'

"Hey you're the stupid monkey."

"At least I sleep with high class females only." Vegeta knew full well Yamcha hadn't touched Bulma in almost a year, he saw their affections dwindle down to almost nothing right before the boy from the future showed up.

"Hmph at least I can attract a member of the opposite sex." Vegeta at Yamcha's statement and took a fighting stance.

"Please stop it you two. Yamcha just leave." Bulma said weakly and was barely audible the pain of the fall starting to settle in.

"Why? It's not like you can make me." Yamcha sassed. Vegeta turned his attention to the little doe behind him but found himself looking at nothing. He looked down to see her leaning against the base of the fountain hugging herself and giving him a weak smile that made him just boil and ache at the same time. He scanned her body for any life threatening wounds but only found that she was covered in a few scraps and red marks which were going to turn into bruises for sure. What really caught his attention was the stream of crimson flowing down the side of her face. A shiner was forming under the outer part of her eye and down across her cheek. He clenched his fists and growled. He turned to the fighter who was watching them intently.

"I knew something was going on between you two!" Vegeta growled again.

"You twit, there is nothing going on between the two of us."

"I don't believe you for a minute." He retorted. "But you can have the little tart."

"Ok Vegeta you can hit him anytime now!"  He looked down at her to see her wince in pain a little. She all the strength she had left just to stay conscious and speaking was taking its toll. When he heard Yamcha take a step forward he turned just in time to receive a punch in the face. Vegeta stepped backwards to the side of the fountain.

"That's all you got?" He snickered. "I'm not even bleeding." Yamcha just growled in response, and went to try and hit him again. Vegeta easily countered and slugged Yamcha sending him flying into the staircase, cracking it severally. "Give up loser?" He mocked and crossed his arms. Yamcha gave Bulma a fierce look; Vegeta fearing for her safety stepped in front of her. "Get out of here." His tone turned serious.

"You can't tell me what to do." His voice was muffled because of his hand over his mouth wiping the gushing blood from his noise.

"Funny because I just did." Vegeta scowled at the man.

"You aren't welcomed here anymore." Bulma chimed in, Vegeta growled slightly not wanting her waste her energy talking. Yamcha could only furrow his brow in disgust and took to the air. "Come back when you've cooled off."

"Fine, whatever." When Yamcha was gone Vegeta turned and stooped down next to Bulma.

"Why would you invite him back?"

"To come and get his stuff."

"I could just obliterate his belongings?" Bulma laughed then whimpered at her soar ribs, not to mention the pounding headache she had.

"When he cools off him and I will be friends, trust me." Vegeta let out a rumble from his chest in revulsion. "He's not a bad guy, he's just not boyfriend material anymore."

"But you just said you'd be friends?" He was completely confused.

"Boyfriend without a space is someone who…" She looked up at the sky thinking about how to explain.

"You mate with?" She looked at him.

"Sort of. What exactly do you mean mate with?"

"Someone you spend your life with and have offspring with."

"Mmm, a boyfriend is like a trial mate. You're intimate with him but you don't have kids. You aren't totally committed to each other. It's all about seeing if you the two of you could make it as mates. Now a husband on the other hand is, he's a mate"

"I think I understand." Not wanting her to try and explain anymore, he could see thinking was causing her pain and he could understand why with that gash in her head. Vegeta gathered her in his arms to her surprise and he took to the air.

"Eep!" She gripped his neck tightly, but after a heartbeat relaxed.

"I'd never drop you, of course if you did something to annoy me I can't – " She cut him off by giving him a butterfly kiss on his lips.

"Thank you and I know." She whispered in his ear fanning his neck with her hot breath, which sent chills down his back. She rested her head on his shoulder and let out a deep sigh. Vegeta just levitated there for a moment before he snapped out of his daze. As he flew toward the house Bulma adjusted herself in his arms and let out another sigh. 'His arms feel so wonderful.' Vegeta went up to her balcony and into her room through the open sliding door. He placed her on her bed and went to the bathroom to fetch a dampened washcloth to cleanse her wounds.

[Some time later.]

Vegeta entered Bulma's room and looked to her bed to find her missing. A sudden breeze gusted in through the balcony and rattled some crystals hanging from the ceiling. Rainbow colored lights danced all about her room. 'It's like a dream. I always wondered what a dream was like. My mother described them but she didn't do them justice.' He looked about a moment longer before remembering his purpose. "Bulma?" He looked around but she was nowhere to be found. The breeze shifted and a glorious floral scent crept to his sensitive noise. He recognized it after a moment. "Woman." He said in a primal voice. Vegeta stepped to the bathroom door, which was slightly ajar. Placing the knuckles of his first two fingers on the door he slowly pushed it opened, peering in and glancing all about. Bulma was soaking in a very large tub, with blue candles burning around her on the tiled ledge surrounding the giant tub. He swiftly walked to her and froze when he reached the tub. Two blue sparkling gems were watching him.

"Hey." She smiled at him, which shocked him. He thought for sure she was going to scream, but she didn't. 'She should have screamed. Why didn't she yell at me? The normal Bulma would have done something out of anger but she just said Hey.' "Vegeta is there something wrong?" She looked worried.

"No." He said sternly and cleared his throat.

"Towel?" Vegeta looked beside him and picked up a large purple towel. He held it out to her and she stood up. Vegeta gasped. Bulma wrapped the towel around herself and sat down in a clearing of the candles. She wiped the suds off her arms and then proceeded to her legs. She ran her hands down her right leg and placed it on the ledge. Vegeta swallowed hard at the sight of her and felt his black shorts grow smaller. When the other leg was suds free she dropped the first one down to the floor and swung the second down to meet it. Through it all she had managed to flash Vegeta her nether region but when she brought her legs together the towel covered her ending the erotic show. Vegeta got very uncomfortable. He started to wonder about her behavior. 'True I got to see most of her when I was tending to her wounds but I didn't get the whole picture.'

"What's with you?" She gave him a strange look.

"There's nothing 'with me'." She stood up and dropped the towel. She walked over to her vanity and picked up her robe. Vegeta couldn't believe she was standing there in front of him in all her glory. "What makes you ask?" She slipped her floor length black silk robe on, but didn't close it. She sat down in front of her mirror and picked up her brush and began to brush her hair. "Well?"

"Aren't you usually a little more modest when you aren't in the presence of your mate?"

"Why? Are you uncomfortable?" She had an inward giggle at that thought.

"Why would I be? It's not like I haven't seen a nude female before."

"So why does it matter if I'm modest or not?"

"Maybe that moron was right. Maybe you are just a tramp." With that said Vegeta received a non-verbal response. Bulma chucked her wooden brush at him, hitting him square in the forehead. He caught it as it bounced off and set it on the sink behind him. That's when she noticed he was holding a mug.

"What's that? In your hand." She stood up and walked towards him closing her robe and tying it.

"It was for you." He handed it to her and started to leave but was stopped by a gentle hand.

"Thank you." She smiled thoughtfully at him and took a sip of the tea. She smiled again but looked at the mug's contents. "What is this?" She asked innocently.

"A special blend. Your mother put it together for you."

"Ahhhhh." She ran to the sink and poured it out and rinsed the mug then filled it with water. She swished some around in her mouth and spit it out. She took another drink but swallowed this time.

"What are you doing?"

"As much as my mother tries to help she's bad at it. She doesn't know how to make homemade tea, trust me."

"When I was injured she brought me some and I'm still alive." He boasted. She smiled at him.

"I made the tea, I just couldn't bring it to you. I had been swamped with work." She put the mug back in his hands when she passed him to exit the bathroom. Vegeta followed her out and went to her door. "I'll be down in a few minutes to make you lunch." He stopped and spun around to face her.

"Don't bother, I'll dig something up, you stay here and get some rest." By then Bulma had made her way to her dresser.

"Vegeta, I'm fine." She dropped the robe and received another gasp from Vegeta. She opened the drawer and slipped a blue snake skinned bikini on with a matching triangle top. Then she crossed to her closet and disappeared into it. A couple of seconds later she came out wearing blue jean short-shorts and a pair of sandals. "Come on, Vegeta. Let's get some food in that tummy of yours so you can train." She patted his stomach with a grin and grabbed his arm. "Hmm?" She pulled on his arm.

"Fine." He answered with such coldness it made Bulma shudder. Vegeta looked at her. "Are you sure you're up for this?"

"Yes I'm fine." She responded lightly.

"Hmph."

"See you need food, you're grumpy." This time she smirked at him and poked his side. Vegeta couldn't help but smirk back.

"You know some times I wonder if you really are a mere human."

"Oh why thank you, Vegeta." He looked stunned; he didn't think she would have taken it as a compliment. He had expected her not to understand and get offended, but she didn't. 'She understood me.' "Come on." She tugged at his arm and began to walk down the hallway.