Dragonball 1/2

Chapter 21: Vegetta the Teenage Girl

The buzz of teenage chatter filled the air as Vegeta strode down the hallway, her new feminine form cutting a sharp silhouette against the sea of students. Her eyes, keen as a hawk's, darted from face to face, searching.

Where is she?

A flash of blue caught her attention. There. Bulla stood surrounded by a group of laughing friends, her vivacious energy drawing others to her like moths to a flame.

Vegeta's jaw clenched. Too exposed. Too vulnerable.

She moved with purpose, her steps carrying the weight of countless battles. As she approached, the laughter died away. Silence fell over the group like a heavy blanket.

Bulla's eyes widened. "Ve—sis! What are you doing here?"

"Ensuring your safety," Vegeta replied, her voice low and intense. She scanned the faces around them, cataloging potential threats. "You shouldn't be so... unguarded."

A boy to Bulla's left shifted uncomfortably. Vegeta's gaze snapped to him, narrowing dangerously.

This is ridiculous, she thought. I'm a warrior, not a babysitter. And yet...

"I'm fine," Bulla insisted, rolling her eyes. "You don't need to hover."

Vegeta crossed her arms, acutely aware of how different the gesture felt in this form. "I'm not hovering. I'm protecting you."

"From what? Algebra?"

The group tittered nervously. Vegeta felt a surge of irritation, both at their fear and at Bulla's flippancy. Doesn't she understand the dangers that could be lurking?

"You can never be too cautious," Vegeta growled. "A true Saiyan—"

"—is always prepared for battle," Bulla finished, sighing. "I know, I know. But this is high school, not a battlefield."

Vegeta's fists clenched at her sides. "Every place is a potential battlefield."

---

Vegeta's eyes locked onto the boy standing closest to Bulla. Her voice cut through the air like a blade. "You. Step away from her. Now."

The authority in her tone was unmistakable, carrying the weight of countless battles and hard-won victories. The boy's eyes widened, fear flashing across his face.

"I... I was just..." he stammered, taking a stumbling step backward. His gaze darted between Vegeta's fierce glare and Bulla's exasperated expression. "We were only talking about the math homework."

Pathetic, Vegeta thought, her lip curling. No backbone at all.

"Leave," Vegeta commanded, her stance radiating barely contained power.

The boy didn't need to be told twice. He muttered a hasty goodbye and scurried away, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste to escape.

Bulla let out a frustrated groan. "Seriously? Was that necessary?"

She grabbed Vegeta's arm, her grip surprisingly strong. Vegeta allowed herself to be pulled aside, curiosity momentarily overriding her irritation.

What now? Vegeta wondered, bracing for the confrontation she sensed brewing in Bulla's eyes.

---

Bulla's eyes flashed with anger as she dragged Vegeta into a quiet alcove. "What is wrong with you?" she hissed, her voice low but sharp.

Vegeta crossed her arms, chin tilting defiantly. "I'm protecting you, as any warrior should."

"From what? Algebra?" Bulla's words dripped with sarcasm. "This isn't some intergalactic war, it's high school!"