Chapter 12

As Bulma was led out of the third class soldier barracks by Kabba and the two elite guards, she couldn’t contain her excitement. It was visible to the three that were accompanying her, though they said nothing. This was the first time Bulma was walking around without having to wear slave robes, instead she had on the medical gown, white and simple, and essentially small slipper like shoes. It was the first time since she arrived on the planet that she actually felt like a person, and Bulma was filled with new, joyful emotions. She also held on tightly to her main capsule, that had all her belongings beside her training suit, which had been sadly destroyed when the medical officers were trying to save her life the pervious night. They were heading to a place Bulma had only been once before, a launching pad for air cars that some of the more privileged Saiya-jin’s used, though Bulma suspected them to be more lazy then anything else. She had to once deliver some goods to a waiting air car before, at the instructions of Chili, who now could never lay a finger on her ever again. Bulma could feel his hateful eyes behind her, following them. She guessed he could hardly believe it, that she was now above him in almost everyway.

Once they stepped outside and on to the pad, Chili stopped and looked on, silently cursing the fact he let her live so long. And Bulma could tell his thoughts just by looking at him, as she stopped and turned back to look at her old Master, her mind slowly remembering all of her beatings. It had cost her much, to survive the harsh and cruel beatings the Tabe-jin subjected her to. She could still see the scars on her body and could still feel the powerlessness, and humiliation she had felt when he struck her. Her training had helped to bare the burden of his hate, and Vegeta had come to continue her training, allowing her to survive longer. The thought of Vegeta then caused her thoughts to drift, he had saved her, both last night and almost a year ago when he first meet her, in that garden she most likely would never see again. Now he had done this, given her almost complete freedom, though she was still subjected to the will of the Royal House, as a paid servant. Again, the thoughts of Vegeta caused her mixed emotions, she almost didn’t know what to think of him anymore. Luckily her contemplation was broken by the voice of Kabba.

“Bulma, please get into the vehicle, I’m sure you wish to be gone from this place as soon as possible.”

Bulma turned to look back at Kabba, who was now sitting in the vehicle waiting for her, “Yes, I’m coming.” Then she started forward again. Before her was a massive air car, elegant and sleek, almost completely silver from appearance. The inside was almost completely visible from the outside, as windows seemed to surround the rest of the vehicle. The elite guards were seated inside as well, ready to pilot their way to Bulma’s new home. She hesitated for a moment before she stepped inside and sat down. She began to feel nervous, though her excitement was still prominent in her heart. Once she was comfortable and the door firmly in place, the vehicle went forward, spiraling ahead at top speed. Bulma didn’t even get a chance to look back, as her scenery changed too rapidly for her to follow.

Instead she sat forward, looking down at her hands in her lap. Kabba simply looked at the girl beside him, satisfied, knowing she was special, even if it was just because the Prince spoke of her in favorable light. Last night the Prince had come to him, briefly, to order him to escort the girl, Bulma, to her new job. He had said it was because the girl caught a traitor with her own invention created by scraps found around her slave department, that she was assigned both to her new position and Kabba as her escort. But even with those simple words, Kabba knew the Prince must have thought the girl was somewhat special, or simply he was attracted to her, which had brought relief to Kabba, he had heard the rumors as well regarding the Prince and his preferences. Kabba then broke the silence, feeling the need to talk to this alien girl that had caught the attention of Prince Vegeta.

“So, I believe you meet Prince Vegeta, is that so?”

“Ah, yes, I did meet him.” Bulma said, quickly adverting her focus from her lap to the window beside her, away from Kabba.

“I’m surprised that when you met him he didn’t blast you, he doesn’t like slaves to take it upon themselves to talk to him.”

“He talked to me first.”

“Oh, I see.” Kabba thought that was unusual, but didn’t question her any further regarding the Prince. Instead, he talked about her deeds. “I’m surprised you were placed with Slave Master Chili with your talents, I’m glad you caught that whore Yasai and freed the Prince of an unwanted marriage.”

Bulma stiffened, he had a fiancée as well? “I didn’t know he was betrothed.”

“Well, he isn’t anymore thanks to you.”

“Oh, did I do something wrong, to rid the Prince of his beloved?”

Kabba laughed at her statement, “Hardly, you caught a traitor, and like I said, it was an unwanted marriage.”

“Oh…” Bulma didn’t know what to think of that either, it seemed Vegeta was surrounded by women, he could hardly care about one more, right?

“With his hate for Yasai and his hate for the harem, it had caused rumors about the Prince, but seeing you now, I know those rumors could hardly be true.”

Bulma raised her eyebrows to this and turned to face Kabba, “What do you mean by that?”

“Not many know the Prince well, but I am one of his oldest attendants, and probably the only one to know that his doing this for you must mean he has some kind of attraction for you.”

Bulma then snorted with disgust, “Yeah, like lust and nothing more, I do not wish to be his mistress.”

It was then Kabba’s turn to raise his eye brows, “The you do not wish to have his affections?”

“Hardly, he destroyed my planet.” Bulma lied, she didn’t know if she did or did not want his affections.

“No matter I suppose,” Kabba was then confused, his Prince was surely acting odd, even towards someone who had caught his most despised wife-to-be, Yasai, in a traitorous act. And the girl was acting odd as well.

“So…what happened to his fiancée…what was it now…Yasai?”

“He had her killed.”

Bulma wasn’t surprised that Vegeta would do something like that, that she caused the woman’s death by recording her made her feel guilty though, she didn’t feel that simply because the woman was unfaithful she deserved death. It was obvious to Bulma now that the one who had knocked her out and took her device that night she saw Yasai was Vegeta, who was probably looking for his betrothed at the time, and just had stumbled upon her as well. But her thoughts were yet again disrupted, but this time not by any voice. Ahead of her she could see the most amazing city she had ever seen. It was white washed and beautiful, shining in the rays of the two suns above it. The city looked to be the most technologically advance city she had ever seen, almost completely different from the third class barracks, it was obviously busy, she could see Saiya-jins flying about, heading towards whatever destination they had. Bulma could see large round windows of blue glass glittered among the tall buildings. And in the center of the city, sitting upon a large hill, was a very immense building, taller then any other and seemingly more beautiful then the city. On top of that building was a carved relief of an insignia, one she had seen only once or twice before, and it was the Royal Crest of Vegeta-sei. Bulma blinked in realization, it was obviously the palace and the City was obviously the Royal City and her new home. They reached a building that was near the Palace, one that looked both important and old. Once the air car landed on the building’s grand air pad, Bulma was lead out by Kabba, followed by the two guards. The group made its way into the building with ease, with Bulma looking around like kid in a candy store. They passed door after door until they reached a large double door, and walked in. It was a large lab, with many different species scurrying about with only a few Saiya-jins to accompany them. There were many different consoles and booths throughout the room, each with a scientist looking hard at work. No one seemed to pay attention to the four visitors though Bulma had gotten a few glances. At the end of the room was a large solitary console that was empty. It seem to belong to the overseer of the lab, but there was no one like that around, and it was that console Kabba lead Bulma to.

“This will be your work station, you will be in charge of this lab, they are currently five different labs here. This lab is in charge of Engineering and Development of new technologies for both the Saiya-jin and Cold Empire.”

“Cold Empire?” Bulma never heard of such a thing.

“Yes, lead by Lord Freeza, I’m sure you heard of him, now lets go to the mess hall and your new your chambers.” Kabba held his hand out towards the exit while Bulma seemed entranced by the console before her. She was running her hands over the cold metal when she looked up to Kabba, his waiting form ready for the next step in his assignment. She nodded and headed for the door with Kabba by her side. “You will work six days a week, with one day off for free time to do as you please. You may have sick leave, but only for server sicknesses.”

“Ok, that’s no problem, I hardly get sick.”

Kabba nodded but then stopped and turned to look at Bulma seriously, Bulma stopped and looked at him as well, “Also, because you are woman, do not get pregnant, while employed here, the King does not allow for such things, though there has been exceptions. If you do get pregnant, the King will most likely call for its termination.”

“I understand, but believe me, that’s the last thing I want right now.”

Kabba nodded and continued down the corridor. They walked past many doors again, their foots steps loud against the metal floor. It seemed they would be making their way up, towards the residence floor and mess hall. The group continued in silence, walking towards their next destination. She was still excited, her pervious nervousness she had in the air car melting away with each step. She would finally have something to call her own. She remembered her home back on Chikyuu, her things spread throughout the floor, and her mother always asking her to clean it. Those sweet memories seemed so far away now, but the future seemed closer, filled with possibilities. She might not have the need to use her cloak invention anymore, there might be no need to escape.

They finally arrived to an elevator, but it was in use, so the group waited. While they waited Bulma became nervous again. Her hair on her arms seemed to stick up and she could feel Vegeta, though Bulma still couldn’t understand why. Her feelings proved correct as the elevator’s doors opened to reveal the proud Prince Vegeta. Bulma gasped, she hardly recognized him. When he stepped out, Kabba and the guards bowed before him, Bulma simply stared, disbelieving what she saw. There before her, in his royal armor and cloak was her trainer and old friend, standing proud and tall, though he wasn’t much taller then her. His eyes bore into hers, silent in their greetings. Bulma didn’t know what to do, she still hated yet loved the man before her, not knowing whither to attack him or fling herself in his arms, so she froze unaware that she was getting odd looks from the ones bowing.

When the other three finally stood erect, they seemed nervous. Bulma hadn’t bowed, normally the Prince would blast someone for that kind of disrespect. Vegeta was just as lost as Bulma was, even though he showed no emotion, inside there was a battle raging. A part of him wanted to grab her and hold her close, the other part was still furious at her, wanting him to put distance between them. Vegeta had forgotten all about the others who were with her until Kabba spoke.

“Ah, Prince Vegeta, this is Bulma Briefs, I believe you meet before.” Kabba said, his voice shaking slightly.

Vegeta turned his attention towards Kabba, “Yes, we have.”

“I was just showing her to the mess hall for some food and her new chambers.”

“Fine, make it quick, I have other things for you to do today.” With that, Vegeta decided to move on, giving Bulma one more look. He was gone before any of them could take another breath, when he was out of sight, Kabba sighed, but Bulma was frozen, unsure of what just had taken place. He acted like he didn’t even know her, like he didn’t even care.

“You’re lucky Bulma, to show that kind of disrespect to the Prince and survive…” Kabba just shook his head and lead the enthralled Bulma into the elevator.

***********

Vegeta had made his way to his studio in the Palace. He had many things to do before he left with Freeza in nine days. It was necessary that Kabba made his way back to him soon, especially since he wanted Bulma to have some time to herself before he saw her again, if he decided to see her again. That little encounter in the corridor of the Science and Technology building had rattled his emotions. He had felt her emotions, how she was still uncertain of him, that she still did not accept him. He knew that to have her accept him, he would have to give her freedom and not the kind of freedom he had just given her, he would have to give her complete freedom, to leave Vegeta-sei if she so chose. He had given her this opportunity for both his rebellion and himself. Bulma was now closer to him, easier for him to visit her, but she still closed herself off to him. He slammed his fist into the wall only hard enough to crack it, nothing more. To have her meant to loose her in some way or another. This was a better way then what he planned to do before, but it was harder and less certain, Vegeta didn’t know if Bulma would ever accept him. Fire burned in his veins then, she would accept him no matter what. Before he left he had to see her one last time.

**********

Bulma and Kabba stopped at a double door on the top floor of the building. The top floor was both beautiful and elegant, consisting of both the mess hall and residential area. The corridors were filled with art and vases, and the floor was carpeted. The main room of the floor held the chambers for the Grand Overseer of the Division, a council member for the Royal house. Bulma was lucky to receive one of nicer chambers closer to the overseers own. Bulma couldn’t help but feel curious as to why they treated paid servants so well. She thought that paid servants were just a notch above slaves. Perhaps it was because this was the Royal City, and everything here was over the top. Kabba keyed in a code on a panel next to the double doors. When the doors opened and both Kabba and Bulma stepped in, Bulma gasped. Before her wasn’t the largest room, but it was certainly nice. To her right, in the corner was a white dresser, simple yet exceptional. In the upper right corner was a Chikyuu-jin style bed, again simple in design. On top of the bed were a few small metal boxes, but Bulma ignored them as she continued to look around the room. Next to the bed was a bed stand with a light and an alarm. On the far wall, next to the bed stand, was a large window the went from floor to ceiling, and opened to a very small balcony. On the left wall just ahead of her was what looked to be a couch, but it’s design was foreign to her. In front of the couch was a low rise table with another thin metal box sitting plainly on top. To her immediate left was a another door. She let her curiosity get the better of her and she opened the door. Behind it was both a sanitary chamber, or restroom, and a closet with three pieces of clothes hanging from the rack and two pair of shoes below them. Bulma didn’t know what to say, the quality of the room was more then she hoped for. She turned to Kabba, who was still in the main door way, waiting patiently.

“This will be your chambers for as long as you work here.”

“It’s nice, I like it, but there is stuff all over the place, what’s with the boxes and things?”

“Prince Vegeta knew you had nothing, so he commissioned a few people to at fit your room with necessary things, including the furniture, which are all Chikyuu-jin style. Some things on the bed though are gifts from both the Prince and a few council members.”

“I see, so everything here was prepared for me?”

“Yes, you must understand you did something very important for the Royal House. The purity of the next Queen guarantees the strength of the Royal Line. That Yasai was doing something very unforgivable for next Queen and mother of the next heir.”

Bulma’s heart again froze at his words, “So Yasai was…?”

Kabba shook his head, “No, hardly, the Prince hated her, he was never seen with her. What you did had caused even the Prince to speak highly of you.” Kabba then handed her a thin metal card. She took it, unsure of what it was or why she needed it. Bulma felt silly, hearing that Vegeta had spoken highly of her made her feel warm, she shouldn’t feel warm, she should feel nothing at all.

“So what is this?” Bulma said as she turned the card over, inspecting it absentmindedly.

“That is important, don’t lose it, it is your credit to use for shopping, you ID card, and key to this room. There is a small section of the City that carters to servants and off world goods, you might want to go shopping to get a feel of your new home. The Prince gave you extra credits. He is truly being very generous with you.”

“Thank you, for all your help. I might take the opportunity to shop but first, when to I start work?”

Kabba then smiled at her comment, “You have two days of free time, to get settle down, then you work on the third day, at 800 hours until 2000 hours. Remember, you have one day a week of free time, and lunch is at 1300 hours and ends at 1400 hours.”

“Ok, is there anything else I need to know?”

“You are not allowed to leave the Royal City at anytime, unless you have permission from the King or the Prince. But other then that, you are on your own, just make sure to watch your back, Bulma, and take care. I must leave, the Prince wishes to have my company now.”

“I see, again, thank you…and…,” Bulma looked away from the old Saiya-jin, uncomfortable with her next sentence, “thank Prince…Vegeta for me for his generosity.” It took everything she had to say that, to thank the man that destroyed her home for just a small room was unacceptable, he should give her back her planet. He did not deserve words of gratitude, even though she felt it in her heart.

“I will Bulma, I hope you provide our empire with rich technology.” Kabba gave her a slight nod then turned and left her alone in her new world. Bulma stared at the door for a few minutes, then looked at the control panel next to it. It had a screen, which probably had many uses. Bulma took only a few steps to reach it, then after a few more seconds of study, locked her doors.

Bulma whirled around with a smile on her face. She felt so light. She had be given a chance at something she had always wanted to do, she would be working as an inventor and engineer, to better the awful society she was forced to live in. No more Chili, no more slave work, no more days of beatings and starvation. Bulma had two days of rest, and relaxation. She hadn’t a day off in six years, and now she was given two, and she felt immensely thankful at the kindness of two days. She then decided to start off her little vacation with a bath. She went over to the dresser and opened one of the three drawers. Inside she found underwear and bras, and the next drawer held night gowns and white over robes and finally the last drawer held towels. Bulma then wondered about laundry, just where and how was she going to clean all these clothes? Bulma shook her head, she wasn’t going to think about that now, she was gong to enjoy the time given to her.

Bulma took a towel, a piece of underwear and a bra. She let out a grateful sigh, her last pair of underwear had rotten away years ago and her training bra she wore at twelve was too small for her now. She could finally feel human again. Bulma went over to closet and looked at the three clothes hanging neatly within. One was a long light powered pink dress, the other was a short red dress and the last one was a medium sized green dress. She chuckled at the thought of Vegeta picking out these dresses for her, that he remembered her little ranting about dresses and such. Her face then grew somber, again the thought of Vegeta caused turmoil within her. Instead of dwelling on him, she pushed him out of her thoughts and instead thought of her next two days. She wanted to stay in today, so she would wear a night gown after her bath. Tomorrow she would shop.

Bulma took her time washing herself, bathing slowly and meticulously. She looked at all her scars and wondered if her body would ever be prefect again. At least her face was free from scars. She got out of the bath after she was well and pruned, happy to feel wickedly clean once again in her life. She put on one of her simple night gowns, thankful that she had eaten with Kabba before arriving here, so she didn’t have to leave her new home. She went to the bed and opened the first box. Inside was armor and a black full body spandex suit. She looked at the odd piece of armor, it was black, gold and white, with large shoulder pads. It only seemed to cover her breasts, shoulders and half her back, hardly something to be worn in battle. But then Bulma remembered the other scientists wearing such short breast pieces with white robes. She remembered the white robes in the dresser and she finally understood that was her new uniform for work. She put the body suit and armor on top of the dresser, then went to the other box on the bed. When she opened it, she froze, utterly taken away at the object before her. It was a necklace, simple, small, and breathtaking. Under the necklace was a note, in elegant and powerful handwriting.

It read: I will see you again soon, wear it.

Bulma could only guess that it was from Vegeta. She didn’t want to see him and she certainly wouldn’t wear the necklace he had given her. He couldn’t win her over with pity gifts, nor force her to accept him simply because he commanded it. Slightly mad at him, she shoved the piece of jewelry back into the box and stuffed it into the back of the bottom drawer of the dresser. She didn’t want to think of him at the moment, she didn’t want to think about the fact her heart was still torn because of him. Or the fact he still had her heart. So she went to her couch and sat down, surprised at how soft it was, it had looked uncomfortably stiff. She then ran her hand over the thin metal box on the low rise table in front of her. She then opened it cautiously and again was surprised. Before her was a potable computer console, allowing her to work on inventions here, in her chambers, or possibly personal inventions and creations. She smiled, the device was still new to her, as was the Saiyan technology, so she would learn it all from this little thing before her. Bulma couldn’t think of a better way to spend her first day then to improve her knowledge, even though she was still a genius, she needed to catch up, she had been unfortunately held behind for six years. Working with scarp from the third class barracks had assisted her a lot in becoming acquainted with the new technology, but it never been enough, it had never been what was before her now.

Bulma studied the console endlessly, letting the two suns set, not even paying attention to the time. She was enjoying herself and taking her time, not letting anything pressure her into working faster. She was so engrossed with her new device, she forgot all about her capsule sitting beside the console, or the fact she was getting very tired. Bulma didn’t even notice when she fell asleep on the couch with console still blinking madly away, flashing information across the screen. The night had grown deep and Bulma still was sleeping blissfully on her couch, not even aware she had company.

**********

Vegeta had flown to Bulma’s new chambers, and went inside via her large window and balcony. He had given her one of the few rooms that had a balcony for that reason alone, so he could enter her room inconspicuously. When he entered her chambers it was already late, the night was half over. Vegeta had been debating whiter to visit her today or at another time, but his desire to see her again won over his senses. He wanted to be close to her and he wanted to know how she would react to his presence again. He was still angry at her for denying him, but he still wanted her, it was their fate as those who were bonded, they loved each other against all reason. Once he stepped inside he spotted her immediately on the settee, sleeping peacefully. He walked closer to her, to view her better. He noticed the console on the table and gently closed it, making sure not to wake his sleeping other half. It was dark, but he could see her just fine, the stars from the window illuminated her blue hair, making her look like something from myth or legend, bewitching him utterly. He just looked at her, not knowing what to do, he wanted to wake her, but then again he liked the feeling of blissful slumber he felt coming from her.

He walked back to the window, but instead of taking off, he leaned against glass, folding his arms against his chest and waited. He waited for her to wake, he waited for morning, he just waited for something to come about. Vegeta kept his eyes glued to his bonded, to Bulma. There was much to think about, there was much going on in his life, including Freeza, and his wish to destroy him. He only hoped that she would help him when she woke, perhaps he would wait longer to offer her the deal that had been brewing in his head as of late. If he truly cared about her, he would have to let her go. He was the Prince, no matter how much he loved the woman, or how much he would be willing to sacrifice for her, he still had obligations to the crown and his people. And he could not forsake them for a woman who only hated him at the moment, no matter how she actually felt, and would probably only allow herself to hate him for the rest of his life.

He sighed, he had his people, his empire, and his rebellion to think about, he could not be distracted by this. It was no use though, he would always be distracted by her, but once she was free, perhaps she would stop affecting him so. Then he would need an heir…but he didn’t want to think about that, right now all he wanted was this woman and he would have no other woman in his life beside her. He could get an heir by other means. Vegeta was so lost in thought that he too didn’t notice when he fell asleep, sliding down the glass to sleep in a sitting position. He fell into troubled sleep, both from his unrequited desires and his upcoming future. Both of them slept, ignoring the night, and didn’t even notice the suns as they came up to greet the morning.