Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ A Scrap of Hope ❯ Lessons ( Chapter 4 )

ANOTHER WEEK LATER

Goku stared down at the tray of food, his appetite completely gone, as always. He looked away as the kids he was supposed to study with nicked his food like they always did. He'd never tell them but he was grateful for it - that way he didn't have to find other ways to get rid of it. They thought they were playing tricks on him though. They thought he was fun to annoy. After all, he was an grown-up in a class full of children. First they had been curious and even a bit respectful, but they had soon found out that he was nothing like the other adults they knew. After a while they would usually get bored with nagging him though, since he never reacted. Never talked, never did anything but just sit there and stare at the floor or out the window. Even his training had been mechanical. His teachers had said he showed a lot of promise - they'd been impressed with his memory for kata-movements, but he still had difficulties channeling ki - and no one knew why. And - he just didn't put any effort into learning it.

Vegeta set aside the latest report from the medics and picked up the reports from Kakarot's trainers. Slowly, a scowl formed. It seems I need to pay a visit to my little scrap. The boy isn't improving his ki, and that is my most desperate worry at the moment. The boy has the power to do what I need him to… but he MUST learn to control it!

Midday-break was over and Goku hadn't eaten again. No one noticed, because the others stole his food. Back to training… Back to yet another failure. He walked to the gym, trailing behind the kids aged 8 to 15. He started his usual schedule, designed specially for him. Warm up, some running, then katas, katas, katas and more katas, for fluidity and agility.

Vegeta called in several of the palace servants. Moments later, they scurried away to do his bidding. He went to the training area, watching from a balcony high above the grounds. His little pet was easy to spot among the children, and he watched. He would see if the trainers had spoken truth.

Actually, this was the part of the training Goku liked best. They'd trained him for this even back when he was a slave, for both fighting and pleasuring he needed to be able to move flawlessly. It was easy for him to remember even the most complicated kata. And he loved this because it meant his body moved in a trance, his mind completely at peace with its surrounding; he was able to forget everything. He moved, he danced, he flowed from one complicated figure to the next, performing even the most complex kata flawlessly. Vegeta watched from above. Yes, as the instructors say, he excels at this. He waited. Soon enough, they will be ready to work on ki. And then, I will see what he's learned over the week. They said he has trouble understanding in various classes, but most have attributed that to his past. Yet, he was a fighter. He should not have trouble in this! But, they say he does. I will see.

All too soon, the kata- part of the exercise was over and they moved on to the ki-channeling. Goku hated to break out of his peaceful state of mind, but the trainer had been iron on this. He joined the children over at the blast-area. The trainer showed them, yet again, how to form a ki-blast, balancing it on his hand before letting it fly to the intended target. One by one, the children copied him, some with more, others with less effort, but all of them manage to create a ki-blast. Then it was his turn. He stared at the trainer who stared back. He sighed, stretching his hand out and concentrating, though he knew it was no use. Why do I have to try again and again? Why is this so important anyways? Can't he see that I can't do it? As always, it didn't work.

But this time the trainer didn't allow him to go back in line. He didn't know why but the trainer told him to try again. And again. All the others were staring, whispering. He grew nervous - the trainer grew more and more angry. The rather burly man yelled at him, saying that he was a baka, that he should be able to do this. He shook his head, intimidated, not wanting to continue - Please, just leave me be. It'll hurt me, like it did that first time… it's just too much… I'm scared… I can't control it… - but he didn't stop yelling, and the children were beginning to laugh at him. He cringed, hands coming up to shield his ears but the mocking sounds were everywhere, mixing with half-forgotten memories of his past… Stupid, good-for-nothing Saiyan… not even fit to be fucked and thrown away… look, the filthy monkey… only pretty for an animal... doesn't have any feelings... Finally he couldn't take it anymore. With a scream his hand came rose and a huge ki-blast erupted from his palm, not only throwing the trainer and his pupils to the ground like rag-dolls, but also destroying the whole area where the target was located.

High above, Vegeta smirked as the area was destroyed. I knew the boy had the power. Power enough to handle…. He turned from that thought with a wrench, making a mental note to comment on the boy's control, then proceeded leisurely to his room. He tossed the cloak aside, yanked off his boots, and curled up on the bed. He'd missed his bed this last week, missed sleeping at all because he had been trying to find a backup escape route - in case his Scrap was not enough. Moments later, he was fast asleep, his mind eased by Kakarot's display.

Goku panted hard, eyes unfocused, not knowing what happened. He looked up, wide eyes taking in the destruction. The trainer checked on his other pupils, who threw odd gazes at the strange young man. The training was called off for the day - the grounds would need repairing before any more training could be done there. Slowly, he walked back to his room, entering it and freezing in his tracks as he noticed his master fast asleep on the bed.

The prince rolled over, his arm dangling off the bed. His tail flopped once or twice, then fell off the bed, twitching happily.

Goku hesitated, not sure what to do. Unconsciously scenting the air, he noticed a rather odd smell - odd, but not unpleasant. His first idea was to turn back and leave the room, but his master looked so peaceful… Almost against his will he stepped over to the bed, looking down at him. Kneeling, he took a closer look. The tail fascinated him yet again. Crawling nearer, he slowly got up on the bed, investigating the tail more closely.

Vegeta dreamed chibi dreams... chasing butterflies. His tail twitched merrily, freezing as he froze in the dream to pounce.

Goku almost smiled as the tail-tip twitched. His own tail thumped the bed repeatedly. He yawned, feeling more exhausted than usual from the strain that was put on him. Curling up beside his master, he yawned again, not really wanting to fall asleep here, but the atmosphere was so relaxing. Without his noticing, his tail sneaked out to twine around the prince's as he fell asleep.

Vegeta mumbled blearily, pinning Kakarot to the bed. Goku mewled quietly in his sleep, snuggling into the body so nice and warm above him. Vegeta's eyes popped open. "Hn. Kakarot." He sleepily stroked younger man's sides possessively, before grabbing a handful of his pillow's hair and drifting off again. Said pillow purr-chirruped slightly, tail coiling tighter around Vegeta's.

"Mmphrm?" Vegeta's eyes popped back open. Something has my tail. No my tail is... no, that's… What's that noise? Sense slowly filtered back into a pleasantly sleep-numbed brain. Fingers fisted in the hair, his tail wrapped firmly around the other's. Both were yanked at the same time an angry growl started.

Goku's eyes flew open as both his hair and tail were yanked cruelly, yelping short-breathed. Instinctively he tried to get away, resulting in him hurting himself even more.

Vegeta was purring now, a low, dangerous rumble that wasn't quite a growl. "My pretty, pretty little pet. DON'T mess with my tail." Again, Vegeta yanked on the other's tail with his own, before coiling his tail tightly around it, pulling from base to tip in one long, smooth stroke. "You will have to be punished for that."

Goku whimpered, totally helpless in his master's grip, especially since he'd been starving himself - and yet... finally, this he was treatment he was used to, these... these were safe grounds after all... "Y.. Yes, Master... I deserve punishment, Master…"

Vegeta ripped Kakarot's loose shirt away, then stopped all movement. His hope was much thinner than he should be, nearly to the point he'd been when Vegeta had found him. His eyes widened in both horror and anger. "What. Have. You. Done. To. Yourself?"

Goku whimpered, cowering in front of his master, eyes squeezed close tightly, knowing he had earned the displeasure of the master. I mustn't... I have to please... but I don't know what this one wants, he's so confusing!

"Answer me, Kakarot. What have you done to yourself?" Why am I even asking? It's so obvious he's starving himself. This isn't good! How can he help me if he's so stupid he does this?

"I... I'm sorry, Master. I didn't mean to displease you."

"I thought I told you to eat! You haven't been. It shows." Another savage yank on both tail and hair pulled the younger man across his body to throw him on the floor on the other side of the large bed. He pointed to the cabinet, which had been kept stocked even though he didn't stay in this room now. He'd ordered it, thinking the young scrap he'd rescued would be constantly eating smallish meals and snacks until he regained his strength. How could I have been so wrong about him? He's Saiyan. He should be constantly hungry! '"Eat."

Goku yelped in great pain as his hair and tail were yanked mercilessly. Crawling on all fours to the cabinet he started to eat, fear showing in his eyes. He stuffed food into his mouth, trying to swallow even though his stomach revolted against the unwelcome filling. More and more he had to force himself to take another bite, only iron will keeping him from throwing up immediately. He ate, casting fearful gazes over to the bed and fearsome Saiyan on it.

Vegeta watched as Kakarot's feeding became slower and apparently more and more painful. "Enough. Come."

Goku instantly ceased his attempts at eating, swallowing hard a few times, trying to keep the food down and not vomit like he had so often lately. He crawled back to the bed, fearful yet obedient, wide eyes watching anxiously for any sign of what his master wished of him.

"How someone can treat himself as badly as you do and still be powerful enough to do what you did in the training room is beyond me. I would think you are doing it strictly to avoid what I have planned for you," the prince snapped, scooping up the younger man's tail again, petting gently, "but you so obviously want to please."

Goku looked up, shivering, almost involuntarily calming as his tail was handled, unable to resist the kind treatment. "Master… what is it you want of me? I only live to please you." His voice was as anxious as his expression.

Vegeta sighed, wondering again if his hastily thrown-together plan had a chance of succeeding. But I have to try. I can't… I won't go down without a fight! And, there is no one else. I could not even get a low-level soldier to help me. I had given up. He regarded the young former slave. He doesn't even realize he was freed the moment I took him from that cage and brought him home with me. That he has a choice, does not need to do what I tell him. All he wants to do is please me… and he isn't.

"Then I expect you to obey my orders. You will eat, Kakarot. You will train. Your body is not... pleasant to look upon, and I would have it so." And that answer should satisfy him for now. It's what his actions have lead me to believe he expects of me, anyway. If he only knew… but… it's too soon to tell him. Gods, what horrible irony.

Goku's gaze shifted to the floor. He felt almost broken, yet somehow deep inside he felt an odd contentment. He had a purpose now. Clear orders he could follow. And a purpose meant a reason to live. I would almost rather die, I think. I can't though. My Master wishes me to live… He nodded minutely, still kneeling in front of Vegeta, his many years as an abused slave having more meaning to him than the last few weeks of this man's strange mix of kind cruelty. "Yes, Master. I will obey."

"Good." Vegeta continued with the absent petting of his little scrap's tail, finally noting its condition. "Your tail is still in poor shape. Haven't you groomed it at all?" He began grooming the matted fur. Poor Scrap, I've scared you almost to death, haven't I?

Goku started to purr brokenly, half because he couldn't resist doing so even if he wanted to, and half because he knew it would probably please his master. "I'm sorry, Master…" I swear, I will do better from now on.