Part One -Continued

    An array of colors arranged intricately on a canvas, each shade conveying a meaning, of peace and wonder. The tones danced freely in the sky, gliding idly to the music of Mother Earth. Their leader was the bringer of life, the counterpart of the moon. The sun performed its musical composition as it took a bow, slowly leaving the stage, and the bright colors of the world following suit.
    He laid back with his body sprawled on the roof before sitting up abruptly, ebony eyes fixated on the scene before him. He growled, returning to his previous position and shaking his foot impatiently.      `Stupid sun. It doesn't have to be so slow.'
      He looked up, relieved to find that the heavens had darkened, thousands of tiny lights beginning to appear. He sighed, wearily surveilling, waiting to find what he had been looking for.
`It's here. I can feel it.' Soon, more and more stars appeared, until it seemed they would rain down
on the world. Then, they finally emerged, and he knew it was time.
    He looked down across to the empty yard. He hoped the woman would realize their meaning.
      ______
Soft grunts whispered into her ears.
Symphonies of desire, frenzied strokes, fingers kneading, flesh rubbing.
Another grunt, another moan.
Glimmer of crimson, cherished taste of knowledge.
Bliss of union.
      ______

    It was the same dream, again and again. That wasn't technically true. They were different dreams, but they felt like they belonged together. Three diamonds floating in a calm sea, a towering brown tribe that protectively covered her.....and making love in shadows of scarlet. She didn't know why, but she felt that the dreams were somehow connected -a part of something large and very important.  And she hadn't told anyone, not about the dreams or Vegeta's proposal. She
felt that both things were private and for the latter, secrecy was essential.
    “Mom! Mom!” A young Trunks burst into the room excitedly. “Mom, it was so coo-“ He stopped immediately when he noticed his mother was still in bed. He cocked his head to the side. “Did I wake you up?” Bulma shook her head, and smiled.
    “No, I was just thinking. Where's Chi-chi?”
    “TRUNKS!” The angry woman stomped into the bedroom, glaring. “How dare you wake up your mother! You know she was tired!”
      “So-sorry, Chi-chi.” Trunks laughed nervously and gave his mother a sheepish grin. “I didn't know she was still asleep.” He looked toward the window, sighing in relief for the distraction from the fiery woman's wrath. “Look, there's Goten now!” He rushed over and pulling the windowpane down, stuck his head out to yell. “HEY GOTEN!!! LET'S COOK THAT FISH UP!!!” It was then a soaked Goten came into view, a fish trailing behind.
    “Yeah, yeah, I'm coming...” The younger friend frowned. “Why did I have to do all the work?”
 Trunks chuckled, watching as his best friend walked up to the glass. He grinned, resting his arms on the sill.
    “Because,” he shrugged. “I'll give you one of my toys.” An eyebrow rose.
    “That doesn't work anymore, Trunks. I'm not seven.” He grinned again in response.
    “Yeah, and it didn't work at nine or eleven either, did it?” The demi saiyan sulked.
    “Shut up.”
    “Aw, come on, Chibi. Don't get mad it me. So you got a little wet, are you going to die?” Goten shot him an angry look.
    “No!”
    “So then what's the problem?”
    “Fine!” He tossed the large fish into the air. “You cook it!”
    “Goten!!” The teenager leaped out the window and scrambled to the spot his best friend stood. The carp landed on him with a thud. “You big jerk!” He rose slowly, wiping the grime off his pants.
The response echoed back at him.
    “YOU'RE THE JERK, TRUNKS!” Bulma watched as Trunks wiped the rest of the dirt off and picked up the carp, grumbling to himself as he left. Both women chuckled at the scene, as Chi-chi made her way to the bed. They had spent most of the day planning at the Son house, making arrangements for the big day.
    “Ready to finish up? We just have a couple more things to decide...and one of them is....” The raven haired woman pulled out a magazine. “Dresses!”  Bulma smiled, watching amusedly as her friend showed her the choice designs. Outside, she could see smoke arising from a small fire, and the silhouette of two laughing boys.
    “You know what? It seems like such a nice night, maybe we should go outside and roast marshmallows with the boys.” Bulma sighed happily. “It would be like being kids again, and it looks so relaxing...”  Chi-chi sighed at the sight and set the magazine down.
    “Alright...let's go make smores.”  The mothers trudged up the hill, carrying bags of snacks in their arms.  The foursome ate, and the smell attracted a nearby Saiyan. Goku joined them, and after eating, the group lay on the grass and observed the night sky.
    “Look at all the stars.” Goten squinted, and used his finger to point out different shapes. “Trunks, let's play connect the dots.”  His friend snorted, but agreed.
    “Whatever.”  Goku stared at the sky.
    “There are so many stars tonight....I wonder why.”
    “Guess it just depends on the night,” his wife answered back lightly.
    “Yeah...” He looked toward the west and pointed. “See those three? They seem to shine the brightest.”
    “They do!” The raven haired woman sat up. “Look Bulma, aren't they beautiful?!”  The scientist nodded.
    “They're so bright. Maybe it's part of a constellation,” Bulma said, turning her focus to the two boys who were already asleep in the grass.
    “Goku, could you carry the boys inside? I'll clean up after them.” Chi-chi stood and began to pick up the wrappers scattered by the fireside, while her husband carried the teenagers inside. She finished cleaning and glanced back to her friend, surprised to find her still observing the sky.
    “Bulma, are you coming inside?”  Bulma answered softly, her eyes fixated on the oddly aligned stars.
    “Actually, I think I'm going to head back home...and if it's alright with you, can Trunks stay here?”
    “Sure, but why do you need to leave so early? It's only seven.”  She nodded.
    “I know. But I need to speak to Vegeta.”
    “Oh.” Chi-chi began to walk home. “Alright.” Although the woman wasn't sure what was occurring, she figured the heavens had something to do with it.
      ______
    He felt disappointed. Not only was the night half over, but Bulma hadn't even bothered to come home. She must of felt it -it was so strong. But it was a sign...it meant the bond wasn't intended to happen. He had worked so hard to become worthy, striving to reject the evil that tried to worm into his soul on a daily basis. She was the one that prevented him from giving in, and it was she who had invisibly led him where he knew he needed to go -even though he wasn't there yet. He couldn't yet say he was a moral person....he barely knew the difference. But he knew that if there was anytime to join permanently with his woman, it was now. If he had done so when he had first taken her as a mate, it would have been too soon, too much contrast. Adjusting from the life of an enslaved warrior to a free, solitary man was difficult, and even moreso when he had someone to accompany him.
    Yes, he needed someone to be there, he needed to learn what friendship was, but he could not yet give up his new life. He could not give up his freedom, to do whatever he please, whether it was good or bad, nor could he join with the woman in the early stages of their relationship if he had not known who he was. So he lived with her, developed a life with her, but he had also had his own destiny. He had learned her ways, but he could not be like Bulma, he could never live as if he did not know the extent of what evil could do. He knew what it did, and at one time, he relished in that life. But he also needed to know if he could give it up entirely -if he could continue without looking back, without returning to such temptation. Buu was the ultimate test, and he needed to become strong enough so that no matter what side he chose, he'd be able to survive.
    In the end, he had learned he could live for others.
    But maybe now was the time for his ultimate punishment, maybe this was the time to pay for past deeds. And what better way than to have him remain alone forever. She understood him, but not completely, not the way it was meant to be. She hadn't yet lived his life as he was to live hers. And although she was as close as anyone would ever be; to him, they weren't tied, they weren't one. It was what he wanted the most, what his heart would never allow him to ache for until now. Being with her was not enough anymore, and he needed to become her, become a part of her soul.
    The only thing his custom required of him was to have his mate decide the right time. He had pushed his pride aside enough to let her know that he was willing, and had forgotten his pride enough to let her know that he wanted to, that he was ready. If she would choose the only time royalty was allowed to form bonds, then they would be destined to be each other's for eternity. And after a lifetime of waiting -for they only appeared at half a Saiyan's lifetime- the three stars of Vegetasei had finally arrived and he had received his omen. And the only thing he was missing was his mate. One who had chosen not to come.
    He had not moved from the roof, instead, he had kept a watchful eye on the heavens and on the house. He sat up and quickly looked around. He sensed she was here, but she was not alone. He couldn't tell who it was, but she was not alone at all! He levitated into the air, detecting the exact location of Bulma. He flew slowly, carefully scanning the woods beyond the compound. He came upon a clearing, and he quietly set foot on the ground, making sure to stay a few feet back.
    Behind a tree, he observed his mate talking to a man dressed in robes, but what caught his attention was Bulma's attire. She was in a simple long dress, and although he didn't know much about fashion, he knew this was somewhat less than what she would usually wear. The dress didn't look costly or extravagant, yet it looked as if it were made for Bulma, and only Bulma. It didn't matter. The cost, the color, the design. What made him realize he had been holding his breath was the fact that the dress and the small crown of flowers on her head made her look...natural and more beautiful than he could ever imagine. She had known, and she had felt it.
      _____
    It was a short and private union. The celestial bodies were their witnesses, any vows said were uttered by heart, and their first, long awaited joining was complete. The second rite took place after their legal coupling, with Vegeta explaining to Bulma the importance of the joining of their souls. She readily accepted and after making love in the mists of nature, and relishing in each other's essence, their link was finalized.
    It was no longer Bulma or Vegeta; it was a combination of Bulma and Vegeta, Vegeta and Bulma. No longer were they alone...or unknown.