Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Attachments Detached ❯ Chapter 19 ( Chapter 19 )

Chapter 19

Bulma grinned and brought her head up to watch as Vegeta's eyes rolled around in their sockets. She gave a sharp intake of breath as the black eyes locked with her blue ones, filled with such desire. No one had ever looked at her with that in the very depths of their eyes. It had always been lust, not want and need rolled into a possessive longing. "Vegeta…."

At the sound of her hushed, soft voice he seemed to snap out of it, struggling twice as hard to escape from her, to control himself. Bulma clung to him, stopping her ministrations. "No, Vegeta! You want it as much as I do and I don't understand why you don't just accept it! I swear I would never hurt you!"

The pleading note to her voice slowly stilled him. He gazed into her eyes intensely as he struggled with some kind of explanation. "I know you won't hurt me."

Bulma leaned back some, though still keeping a hold on him. "Are you afraid you'll hurt me? Is that what happened?"

His eyes snapped into hers with a fury that she found breathtaking. How could be so angry and so beautiful at the same time? It was like a fascination with a storm, finding beauty in the savage and untamable lightening and thunder that swirled around like a maelstrom.

She buried her head into his chest again. "If that were true, that you would hurt me, you would have flung me into a wall by now, Vegeta." She nuzzled into him and then raised her eyes to again look at him. "Who knows what will happen when Frieza comes. Look at Kakarott and ChiChi. He's gone now. All she's left with are memories. What if you leave me with nothing?"

His eyes roved her, wondering at the vulnerability she was showing him. The last time she had shown it, she had not known it was he. Now she very well knew, and she knew he could throw all she was offering right back into her face. He removed one hand from her now lax hold and traced her cheek. "You wouldn't have 'nothing'. We have lots of memories."

Bulma shook her head. "You know very well what I mean." She suddenly leaned up, again taking his lips in her own. They held his own as possessively as his arms were now holding her waist. He gently lowered them both onto the bed, wrapping his legs around her own and not breaking the kiss that he felt he was floating on.

She shivered as his tail curled from his waist to brush her thigh, roving up and down her body; the fur of it tickling her and sending anew the shivers of pleasure. Growling lightly through the kiss, he rolled them over, so that he was on top. Bulma moaned at the vibration of the growl as her hands sought out the flesh underneath his clothes, cursing the bane of spandex.

Vegeta chuckled at her aggravation, the reasons for not doing this with her leaving him further and further behind, until he wasn't sure why he hadn't wanted to in the first place. He used his tail to stroke her body, to feel every curve, as his lips roamed across hers, his tongue soon joining the exploration. He tore his gloves off impatiently, wanting to feel her-gods, she was so warm!

She was still struggling with his clothes as he reached around and easily removed her own, tearing them off her with movements that jerked them both, somehow managing to still keep up all the other things he was doing to her. He loved multitasking.

She growled and finally broke the kiss, her blue eyes stabbing into his like icicles. "Vegeta! That's hardly fair!"

He smirked, pushing himself onto his hands to get the full affect of her naked body beneath him. "I'm just making memories."

He chuckled at her frown as she again tried to pry the bodysuit off. "How in the world do you get this thing OFF?"

He winced slightly at her raised volume and rolled his eyes, heaving a sigh. "Like this." With one expert movement, he reached to the back of his neck and pulled something. The whole suit loosened from his body and Bulma tore through it as eagerly as a child would a present. Bulma sighed in sudden relief and put both hands on his chest, reveling in the heat emanating from him.

Vegeta couldn't stop the shiver as her fingers lightly teased his skin, tracing invisible patterns of torture that had him purring and snarling at the same time. He kept his wits and his control about him as he repaid her for every single shiver, every single moan, and every single loss of his sanity.

Soon, however, the game progressed to where neither Bulma nor Vegeta cared much about control. It became instead, a test of how much they could pleasure the other.

<~>

Yamcha drank the rest of the coffee that ChiChi had made and grimaced at Piccolo. "That may be true, but we still need to figure out what to do about the dragonballs."

Piccolo hissed breath through his teeth as ChiChi voice broke through their conversation. "Dragonballs?"

Yamcha chuckled nervously and turned in his seat on the couch facing Piccolo's own chair that he had taken to look at ChiChi, who had just reentered the room to offer them some dessert. "Um, what dragonballs?"

Piccolo groaned, resisting the urge to slap his own face as ChiChi frowned and entered the room fully. "The ones you mentioned, Yamcha. I've heard something about them. In fact, I think my father once had one in his possession. Now, what are you doing with them?"

Yamcha sighed and motioned ChiChi to sit down. "This conversation goes no further than this room. Our-guest is a bit impetuous, if you will. Piccolo doesn't quite trust him."

ChiChi nodded her agreement. "I really think you're judging him harshly. He's just-different; annoying, but different."

Yamcha nodded. "But we can't take that risk. It's too great of one and we've already taken too many: bringing him here, hoping he'll fight for us, etcetera. You know what the dragonballs do when they're all joined?"

ChiChi nodded. "You get any wish you want."

Piccolo spoke up then, deep, quiet voice commanding attention. "Almost any wish. What we're trying to decide it what to wish for. The dragonballs don't have the power to destroy Frieza and save us all a lot of trouble but they do have the power to resurrect someone who has died within a year."

ChiChi gasped, the implications hitting her like a ton of bricks. She suddenly found it difficult to breath and could faintly hear someone calling her name. She vaguely sensed someone beside her and flung herself onto him, letting go of tears she had been keeping in for the sake of her company.

Yamcha looked pole-axed as he suddenly found himself holding a mass of sobbing female. He looked wide-eyed at Piccolo, who only shrugged to show that he knew even less about human females than Yamcha.

Yamcha patted ChiChi's back awkwardly and waited until the woman had sat up, sniffling and apologizing profusely, before continuing. "No, no. It's perfectly all right. I'm just an ignorant prick for not thinking about what that would mean to you; how much that would mean to you."

ChiChi shook her head, "You also don't know the whole story…." She bit her bottom lip. "Vegeta told me I'm pregnant." She dug out the crumpled piece of paper that she carried with her everywhere and handed it to Yamcha.

Yamcha took it with a raised eyebrow. As he read it, the other brow rose to meet its match. He handed it Piccolo, who had a similar reaction. Any reaction at all from the stone-faced being was a testament in itself. The words were simple, but their meaning was-deeper for someone like Vegeta, and all who had read them realized this.

'You are a unique woman. Kakarott left you with child. As I respect him, so that respect transfers to his mate.'

Yamcha nodded to Piccolo. "We use the dragonballs to get him back."

Piccolo repeated the gesture. "When?"

Yamcha bit his lower lip in thought. "Well, I'm sure you can feel how much Vegeta's power has grown. I don't think it's just the lack of collar either. I think that rumor that a Saiyan who comes back from a near-death experience is stronger is true. Vegeta's come back at least twice and his power is enormous.

"With that one year he'll be training, he should be strong enough to take on an army of Friezas. We'll resurrect him right when Vegeta enters the Room of Time and Spirit, that way Kakarott can take his place in the room and get in his own year."

Piccolo tilted his head to one side. "Two people can be in the room at one time."

Yamcha shrugged. "I'd rather be safe than sorry. We have problems aplenty right here and I want one of them on the outside. We have the time to do it."

ChiChi frowned. "Are you going to tell him?" She pointed back to the guest room Vegeta resided in for the moment.

Yamcha looked at Piccolo and shook his head. "If he found out about those dragonballs…. We just don't trust him. He'll see Kakarott when he gets out. By then, the dragonballs will take a year to recover so all our fears can be put to rest."

ChiChi raised a brow in disapproval. "I think you're putting your distrust in the wrong person, but you guys should know best." She looked around for a second. "Has it been an hour yet?"

Piccolo waved a hand to negate that question. "They'll come out when they're ready. They know how important this is."

ChiChi and Yamcha both nodded, neither wanting to-interrupt the Saiyan Prince again.

<~>

Bulma smiled as she snuggled into Vegeta's side, glad that he didn't try to squirm away again. Of course, this bed was smaller than his own at Krillin's. "I should call Krillin and tell him everything's okay."

Vegeta snorted. "Woman, that is not the thing you say afterwards."

Bulma rolled her eyes; then raised her head to look at Vegeta with a pleased grin. "You just called me woman." She frowned. "Although I would prefer my name."

Vegeta grinned back, eyes dancing with arrogance and the leftovers from their activities. "Yes, I have managed to finally elevate your title. You should thank me."

Bulma slapped him lightly on the chest, rolling over so she was half on top of him.

Vegeta felt Bulma cuddle against him again and grimaced. The bed was way too small. Why in the world did they make a bed so small?

Bulma's words interrupted his thoughts. "Vegeta, this may be-I mean, don't-" She let out an angry sigh and pushed on his chest until she was level with his eyes. He raised a brow at the scowl on her face. Why in the world did they make women so confusing?

"What are you going to do after you kill Frieza?"

Vegeta paused, all her unfinished sentences making sense. He narrowed his eyes at her. She was asking-for what? He relaxed his scowl slightly. "Take his place."

Bulma nodded slowly, lowering herself back down to his chest and placing both of her hands there with her head. "So you'll be like Frieza?"

He stiffened, outraged that she would even think such a thing, let alone say it aloud. He had the insane urge to shove her off him. "No-"

She cut off his angry retort. "But you'll go around killing people, purging planets, enslaving whole races-"

His angry movement underneath her silenced her. "What do you want, woman? We've released our urges. It ends there."

Bulma felt a smile touch her lips even through his cold, angry words. Her hands began to caress the dark, firm skin underneath her. There was no way he could say he didn't care. Not with what they had just done; with the way they had done it. "I'm just saying that no one out there will care about you. They will all fear you, but there will be no respect. You won't have a true home, drifting around in space." She let the pause fill the air, until she was sure he would say something, before speaking. "You could vanish."

She heard the confusion in his voice as he scrambled to keep up with her words. "Vanish?"

Bulma nodded, turning her head to kiss the rippled abs lightly, feeling small tremors as she did so. "Disappear. You take care of those that come with Frieza; take care of Frieza, and then you just vanish."

She felt a hand run through her hair slowly. "And how would I vanish?" The words were low and husky.

"There's plenty of room to get lost in Capsule Corporation."

The hand stilled and moved, leaving a cold place on her head. "You want me to give up my glory?"

She felt a pang in her chest. "Didn't I just give you glory, Vegeta? Didn't you hear your name on my lips? I certainly felt it. I'll never be able to settle for less than what we did. If you want glory, I can give it to you every night, any time you ask."

There was a long pause from the man she lay on and her fingers idly traced the paths his muscles made. The silence lengthened until she was sure he was going to just get up and leave. Then his hand returned to her hair, trailing through it and then coming back up, ruffling it softly.

There was no answer, and Bulma choked back the pain that centered in her throat, tightening it till she couldn't draw breath. What the silence meant she had no idea, but she did know it meant that she would have to wait, till after Frieza. Perhaps Vegeta himself didn't even know the answer.

Sighing quietly, she levered herself up and took his lips again with her eyes closed, not wanting to see anything that would break her heart. He would be gone for a whole day, a year to him. She would make these memories last.

<~>

So it was that two and half hours later, Bulma and Vegeta exited the guest room at ChiChi's house and entered the living room, where three people waited impatiently on them.

Piccolo was the only one who dared to speak up, "You're an hour over."

Vegeta smirked, crossing his arms arrogantly over his chest while Bulma moved past him to sit on the couch beside ChiChi. "I don't remember agreeing on any time but tonight. Is it dawn already?"

Piccolo snorted and Yamcha quickly moved to forestall him. "Nevermind. You need to get in that room."

As Yamcha rose and Piccolo, ChiChi, and Bulma followed his lead, Vegeta held out a hand. "I have one more thing to do now that I am able."

Yamcha, for some strange reason, felt a stab of panic. "W-what?"

Vegeta cocked his head curiously at Yamcha's apparent hesitancy. "I would give Kakarott a decent burial. He died a warrior's death and will be honored in the Saiyan tradition."

Ah, now he knew why he was nervous. "And how do you bury your dead?"

Vegeta's eyebrow rose. "Well, we do not bury. We build a funeral pyre. The warrior's ashes will spread over the very ground they battled on. Burying is left for those of our kind who have dishonored our race, so their face may never be seen. Radditz will be buried."

Yamcha gulped and felt rather than saw Piccolo shift behind him. "Well, you see, here on Earth we bury our dead, traitor or not…." He trailed off, but Vegeta didn't need what was left unsaid spoken.

"You buried Kakarott with a traitor?" The voice was low, yet full of threat, as were the eyes that were currently pinning Yamcha where he stood.

Bulma winced and moved to stand in front of Vegeta quickly, momentarily blocking his view of Yamcha. "He didn't know, Vegeta, and meant no offense by it. I'm sure we can do your rites again. We can just-dig him up and give him the proper Saiyan rites, okay?"

Vegeta narrowed his eyes at the woman who was obviously trying to soothe down his temper. He smirked suddenly, throwing off all in the room, and shrugged. "Fine. We do it now and then I'm off to this room. You, Yamcha, and ChiChi will go get Krillin and stay hidden until I get back, then we go to meet Frieza…." His glare Yamcha's way as the man started to protest let the other know he hadn't forgotten this slight. As long as his orders concerning this were followed, he would conveniently forget about it.

Yamcha swallowed nervously. "S-sure."

Bulma though, was not being fooled and leaned in close to hiss in his ear as they all filed out. "You baited him!"

Vegeta chuckled, "As I'm sure you know, woman, since you seem to understand the technique." Not able to say anything in retort, Bulma could only sulk.

ChiChi picked up shovels that lay against the house, but Vegeta motioned for her to leave them there. ChiChi nodded and put them back.

Yamcha agreed to carry ChiChi and Vegeta toted Bulma, muttering something about her needing to lose weight that earned him a healthy smack he only smirked at. Within what seemed a few minutes, but had the land they flew over covered by night, they landed on the darkened battlefield, flattened vegetation still evidence of the struggle.

Vegeta lowered Bulma to the ground and both went solemnly to the marked grave. Vegeta immediately set to work, removing the dirt with gloved hands. As Yamcha bent down to help him, Vegeta whirled on him and snarled. Yamcha wisely backed off.

Bulma bit her bottom lip, watching the tedious progress Vegeta was making and moved as Yamcha had to help him. Yamcha moved to stop her, but she evaded him and bent down on her knees to scoop the dirt up with her hands. ChiChi moved to do so also and Vegeta stopped neither woman as they soon made quick work of the digging and uncovered the orange clad form underneath the dirt.

ChiChi immediately stiffened and Vegeta caught his mate's eyes and moved them circumspectly at her. Bulma nodded and rose, taking ChiChi by the shoulders and gently but firmly moving her away.

Vegeta knelt down, taking up the body in his arms, frowning as he felt something within him rise up, wanting nothing more to rage and tear the whole planet down around him. The feeling of the tiny ki inside Kakarott's mate stilled him. He would train the brat for his bodyguard. He owed Kakarott at least that for putting up with him for so many years.

He turned on his heel, still knelt down, and laid the body gently on the unbroken ground. Rising, he looked around for a bit before Yamcha, realizing what he was looking for, moved to his side a bit and yanked up a stick underneath them. He held it up silently and Vegeta nodded his approval, moving to yank another stick out for the makeshift pyre.

Everyone retained the solemn silence as they all moved to help, Vegeta begrudging none of them the right to build Kakarott's final resting place. In a shorter time than would have taken had Vegeta done it himself, they had the pyre ready.

Vegeta again moved to Kakarott's body, bending down and reverently picking it up, gently setting it down on the pyre, which uttered one soft groan before accepting the body in its folds. ChiChi and Bulma both stood staring at the orange-clothes man solemnly, clinging to one another in mute grief, as Yamcha and Piccolo took up positions on either side of them.

Vegeta stepped back, taking in not only Kakarott's final resting place, but the devastation all around them. He stifled a tired sigh and again moved to the body, pulling something out from his left breastplate and setting it beside Kakarott's head, stepping back once again.

From his place beside Bulma, Piccolo raised a brow at the orange, bloodstained cloth and then grunted in recognition of the bandage Kakarott had used on Vegeta. He didn't realize Saiyans could be so-sentimental. Maybe Yamcha hadn't been that far off.

They all stood in silence before Vegeta finally raised a hand, breaking the darkness of the night by lighting a small ki ball in his palm and lobbing it gently to hit the bottom of the pyre.

ChiChi let out a sob that half ended on a wail as she watched the fire quickly consume the pyre and Kakarott. Right now, the fact that he was going to be resurrected was far from her mind.

They watched the body and pyre until the entire structure was reduced to ashes. Bulma finally let go of ChiChi, who turned to a bewildered Yamcha and soaked his shirt with her tears. He knew of nothing else to do but awkwardly pat her back.

It could have been the sudden loss of light that caused Bulma to see unshed tears in Vegeta's dark eyes as she approached him, for when he turned they were as dry and emotionless as ever. "I must go train now. See that you follow my instructions."

Bulma silently nodded. "I'll see you in a day."

Vegeta returned the nod and looked at the Namek, ignoring the other Z fighter and the weeping female still clinging to him. "Take me to this room."

Piccolo nodded, face faintly twisted with displeasure at the command, and took off, Vegeta close behind.

<~>

Bulma sipped her tea, stealing concerned glances at ChiChi, who was drinking her own tea with dry eyes and a tiny smile of her face. Bulma was torn between concern for the sudden change in ChiChi, grieving for Kakarott, and missing Vegeta for all of the ten minutes he had been gone.

She heaved a ragged sigh that made ChiChi focus her attention on the other woman, trying to make her face appropriately sober. "Are you okay?"

Bulma's eyes snapped from where they had rested on her tea to see ChiChi vainly trying to hide a big grin. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

ChiChi shook her head, purposely ignoring the question. "You won't even notice the day go by. Yamcha and Piccolo will come back from getting-" a slight pause, "-whatever it is they're getting and then we'll all go to- What was his name?"

"Krillin," Bulma answered, not missing the pause. "What are they getting anyways?"

ChiChi studied the tealeaves that lined the bottom of her empty cup as if they could tell her what the future held. "Supplies. Things we'll need. Stuff like that."

Bulma nodded absently, thoughts drifting toward what Vegeta was doing and away from the vagueness of ChiChi's answer. She was actually trying to calculate the conversion of one minute of her time to-well, whatever it would be for him.

"Are you going to just sit there, or would you like to see your friend brought back?"

The gruff voice jolted her out of half-formed thoughts of trying to form a relationship between ninety-six thousand three hundred and sixty minutes per year and two thousand six hundred and forty minutes per day.

She turned and raised a brow. "What are you talking about?"

ChiChi interrupted whatever the Namek was going to say by jumping up and literally dashing out the door to the waiting Yamcha. "Yes!"

Piccolo rolled his eyes at the enthusiastic female that darted past him. "I'm talking about your Kakarott. Or should I say her's."

Bulma jumped up, wearing an incredulous expression. "What? What do you mean? He's dead! I saw his dead bod-" She trailed off as memory overtook her shocked mind. "The dragonballs…."

Piccolo nodded and moved aside, an arm extended to show that she was to lead. "The sooner we get outside, the sooner you can see him alive."

Bulma dashed outside and Piccolo again rolled his eyes. He was glad at that moment that he was asexual. Females were a bother.

Bulma gaped at the seven globes that Yamcha stood beaming over. She met his black eyes and her mouth opened, unintelligible sounds coming from her throat. "Bu-Wha-Ho-?"

Yamcha smirked in triumph. "The Great Bulma Briefs at a loss for words! I should get a kiss on the cheek for such a brainy idea, eh?"

Bulma's head lowered to the ground slightly, her blue bangs covering her eyes. "You're right, Yamcha. You do deserve a kiss."

The coy way the words were expressed left Yamcha totally open for the right hook that caught him across the jaw and sent him sprawling to the left. He cradled his red cheek as he looked at the heaving Bulma in shock. "What was that for?"

"My Kami, you're an idiot! You let Vegeta think his best friend was dead? You let him go into that time-space thingy for a whole year with the knowledge that Kakarott's dead and never coming back? What were you thinking? Or were you, Mister Hero-"

A green hand on her arm had her lurching around to swing a fist in Piccolo's direction. The Namek moved his upper body out of the way with a look of distaste, letting her go and piecing her with a sharp gaze. "We did what we thought best; nothing less, nothing more. Vegeta will either understand that, or he won't. Not telling him about it might have been lack of foresight on our part, but we cannot be sure of his intentions."

He continued as she opened her mouth to protest. "You will always be biased on that point. We didn't know what he would do if he knew of the dragonballs and their powers.

"Besides, we needed someone on the outside while someone else is on the inside, just in case, and we feared 'Prince' Vegeta would demand Kakarott be with him in the Room."

Bulma stopped and took a deep breath, noticing that Yamcha was brushing aside the hand that ChiChi was offering to him and working his jaw in order to ease it as he rose. "You're right. It was a lack of foresight. I'm afraid you'll have to take it up with Vegeta. You might want to mention that I've already paid back Yamcha for it."

She turned back to Yamcha, who looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Call the dragon already. Wish him back."

Knowing he was not going to be getting an apology for his apparent slight, Yamcha turned to the seven spheres with a barely audible grumble. He straightened his shoulders and threw his arms dramatically into the air, earning himself a snort from the Namek. He turned his head slightly to glare at the green man behind him who had his arms crossed. "Do you mind?"

Piccolo cocked his head to one side. "Yes."

Yamcha growled. This was just not his day. "Shenlong! Come forth and grant my wish!"

An answering rumble came from the land around them and everyone looked around nervously. Considering the sky was already the dark, the group didn't have to be further awed by the sudden onslaught of night. The beam of light that shot out of the glowing orbs to light the whole sky like a beacon was quite enough.

The beam focused itself into a line that stretched and flicked across the sky as if straining itself on some invisible leash. Even those that had seen the dragon before gave an admiring gasp as the light dimmed to reveal a green and yellow creature coiling above them as if preparing to strike. His red eyes locked on the small figures before him and his booming voice shook the ground beneath them as the fur on the sides of his face waved languidly, as if underwater.

"One wish will be granted you. Speak mortals!"

Yamcha stared up at the dragon with mouth agape until he felt a sharp nudge in his side. He started and looked over at the green alien who stood restlessly beside him. "We don't have all day, Yamcha."

"Oh, yeah." Yamcha smiled, looking up at the dragon. "Shenlong, we wish…." He stopped, looking back at Piccolo. "What am I supposed to say?"

Piccolo couldn't help smacking himself on the forehead with a green palm. His voice came out slightly muffled from beneath his hand and sounding none-too-happy. "We wish that Kakarott would be brought back to life."

As Bulma and ChiChi both made slightly impatient noises, Yamcha turned back to the equally impatient dragon. "Quickly, mortal! I do not have all eternity."

Yamcha scratched his head. "Actually…."

He shrieked and jumped in the air as both Bulma and ChiChi screamed, "MAKE THE WISH!"

He turned to them, noted the furious glares, and decided two angry women wasn't worth a debate with the Eternal Dragon. "We wish-"

"Yamcha! Wait!"

All four people on the ground froze in place, eyes wide in shock. Even the dragon seemed to pause to consider the otherworldly voice. Yamcha finally swallowed his suddenly dry throat and spoke up. "K-Kakarott?"

"Yeah. It's me! I'm talking to you through this catfish-like guy named King Kai. Cool, huh?"

Another voice sounded, higher in pitch, but much angrier. "Hey! I'm not a-catfish, whatever that is…. Get to what you wanted to say, Kakarott. This is a long distance call. Get it? A long distance call?" Snickers and chuckles followed.

"Uh, yeah, real funny King Kai…." He did not sound as if he found it amusing in the least. "Anyways, I just wanted you guys to reword your wish…."

Yamcha scratched his head. He seemed to be doing that a lot with these Saiyans. "Oh-kay. And?"

"And what?"

Piccolo let out a soft curse. "And what do you want the wish to be? Spit it out already!"

"Oh yeah! Let's see. I want to bring back me and Radditz, so-"

"Are you crazy, Kakarott? He killed you! He's a murderer! He would've destroyed this planet if not for Yamcha and Piccolo!" ChiChi's glee at hearing her lover's voice flew out the window in the face of Kakarott's seeming naivety.

"I know. But me and Vegeta killed lots of people too. I think Radditz couldn't help it. I'm sure if I just talk to him, he'll see what I meant earlier- Is Vegeta there?"

Bulma spoke up this time, sounding as skeptical as she felt. "No…."

"Ah, good. I think Vegeta just got in the way. Without him Radditz may listen. Besides, I'm strong enough to handle him now." There was a significant pause. "He's my brother, ChiChi."

ChiChi's eyes searched through the others, realizing that Kakarott seemed to only care about her approval in this. She was already having his child. Maybe…a brother…. "Okay, Kakarott." Her voice was soft and breathy. She feared she would regret this.

"Alright! Thanks, ChiChi! You're the best!" The voice was so happy; everyone on the ground couldn't help smiling with it. That was the effect that was Kakarott. "Okay, wish for everyone killed in the battle between me, Vegeta, and Radditz to be brought back to life."

Yamcha blinked. "Did you have help with that, Kakarott…?" He ignored the huff from ChiChi as Kakarott answered.

"Well, King Kia helped a bit…."

Yamcha nodded, once again facing the dragon, who looked to be tapping his talons in the air and looking peeved. "You heard him, Shenlong. That's what we wish."

The dragon came to attention, studying something in the air above the humans. The long pause made everyone suck in a nervous breath. "Your wish has been granted. I bid you farewell." With that final goodbye, the dragon coalesced back into a beam of light, gathering into a ball in the sky. The ball grew in brightness and everyone covered their eyes against it. When they were able to see again, seven streaks of light that were the dragonballs took off through the air.

ChiChi waited what seemed an hour but was probably only five seconds before tapping a foot on the ground. "Where is he?" She sounded like she was going to break into hysterics right there.

"Behind you, silly!" Two arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a chest she gladly melted back into. Everyone politely looked away as Kakarott leaned over, grabbing ChiChi's lips in a kiss that made her knees buckle.

He suddenly released her and spun her around so fast she had to cling to him to keep on her feet. His face was beaming as two black eyes twinkled at the female before him. "You're pregnant!"

ChiChi nodded, lowering her head shyly only bring it back up in surprise as Kakarott grabbed her up by her waist and spun her around, whooping to the night sky. ChiChi added her own squeal, mostly in shock.

"Um, Kakarott. Hate to ruin the reunion and good news, but-Radditz?"

Kakarott set down ChiChi quickly, holding her by the shoulders as she swayed slightly, a dumbfounded look on her face. She feared all that spinning would shake the baby right out of her. "Oh yeah. Where is he?"

As if in answer, all five turned as a sudden grunt sounded in the air, followed by the form of Radditz appearing on the ground just behind them, sitting on his butt as if he'd been unceremoniously dropped on it and blinking in confusion. "What the-"

Kakarott pushed ChiChi near to Bulma, quickly walking toward his brother and kneeling down beside the still-dazed Saiyan. "Hey! We wished you back. You were dead. So, what do you say? Want to try again?"

Radditz slowly focused on the orange-clad man before him, his face settling into a glower. He tried to rise, but Kakarott's hand on his shoulder kept him down. "Come on! Don't be like that! You're my brother…. I'd like to get to know you. We're Saiyan. We should compare notes!" He beamed brightly at the other.

Radditz's brows rose to the widow's peak that reminded at least Bulma distinctly of Vegeta. "Are you crazy? I killed you! Tried to kill the Prince! You should be executing me for a traitor!" It seemed all he could say at the moment. The trip from Hell back to reality and his brother's attitude was seriously throwing him off.

Kakarott chuckled. "Vegeta asks that all the time." His face went serious. "That was before. This is now. You're getting a second chance." As Radditz's face became more set in an angry grimace, Kakarott pressed down on his shoulder. "Listen. That's all I'm asking. Don't throw this away. You can surely sense my power. I died and came back. I'm stronger."

Radditz sneered, trying to pry his shoulder out from under the hand that held it so he could stand and trying at the same time to ignore the fact that Kakarott was keeping him down with one hand. "You forget. I died too. And I'm back-"

Kakarott shook his head, eyes briefly closed as he interrupted Radditz. "I was stronger than you from the start. Now the gap's been made bigger. Kinda like if you and I went Oozaru."

Radditz paused then, his face falling slightly. He mulled over the words, doing small calculations in his mind and frowning as he found Kakarott, surprisingly, right. "So just kill me. Don't toy with me."

"Why not-"

Kakarott turned his head, cutting off Yamcha's angry retort. "Why don't you guys go on inside. Me and my brother need some time."

As Yamcha opened his mouth to angrily retort, Piccolo grabbed his arm and steered him into the house, the two women following closely behind with half-worried, half-angry looks at Kakarott and Radditz.

Once they were in the house, Kakarott turned back to Radditz. "Brother-" He paused, gathering words. "-when me and Vegeta were with Frieza, he made us do awful things. Our planet was destroyed-" a hitch came to his voice involuntarily, "-by Frieza. Vegeta knew this, but he didn't just attack in a blind rage. He decided to wait. Obey Frieza for the time being and wait to be stronger and defeat him.

"Our hand was forced when Frieza tried to hurt our friend, the blue-haired one, Bulma. I don't know what the King was like, but I know the Prince is nothing like him. He can't be. I don't think Vegeta ever had any intention of forcing you to do anything. He'd act like it, but that's only because he's kinda sensitive."

Kakarott stopped to chuckle at Radditz's incredulous expression. "Don't tell him I said so either. He'd be really angry."

He continued. "The reason I don't kill you is the same reason I follow Vegeta. I don't follow Vegeta cause he's my Prince. He is, and I respect him for that…kinda. I follow him because I like who he is. I don't kill you, because I like who you are."

Radditz tilted his head; seemingly interested in the perspective Kakarott was showing him. "Who am I?"

Kakarott grinned brightly, lighting up the night sky with the smile. "When I look at you I see someone who's never given up, who won't be pushed around by anyone, and who'll risk anything to be free." He frowned. "But I also see a person who doesn't know what it is to be free. You have no idea of the definition of it until you've been imprisoned."

Radditz frowned slightly, turning it to a sneer. "You don't know who I am…brother." The infliction on the last word was mocking.

Kakarott tried with his last line to reach his brother, praying to whatever gods listened that he could at least get him to try it. "I don't want this place destroyed. You may hate it, and it may bring nothing but bad memories to you, but I, myself, love it because my son will be born here. Vegeta loves it because his mate loves it.

"Neither of us wants anyone to be enslaved by Frieza anymore, brother, but he'll continue to do so until he dies. We want to kill him. Radditz, we just want to be free. Surely you understand that. Help us be free."

The last words surely struck a place inside Radditz. It was true, and he was shocked that Kakarott could be that intuitive. He did want to be free. He looked into his Kakarott's eyes, gasping as his brother opened up his mind, letting him see and experience what slavery was for himself.

He felt slightly violated at the sudden pulling in of his consciousness into Kakarott's, but it vanished under the onslaught of image after image, beating after beating. Of rising to be knocked down, of hiding in shadows and running through light, of whispering in the dark; never able to shout or walk without looking over a shoulder.

He could see how it had affected his brother, though he kept it well hidden. There was a shrinking away, a pulling back of anything good, as if when he showed it, it would simply disappear. It was why he had clung so tightly to his mate, why he hadn't even hesitated. To hesitate would be to lose everything, because nothing was safe in his world.

Radditz slowly pulled out, blinking at his brother and seeing black eyes welling with tears. Kakarott turned his head slightly, trying to hide the sight. Radditz knew he was used to hiding it. He didn't let anybody see the pain hidden away. And he's just let the brother who had killed him see it all. He felt-honored…and undeserving.

He didn't have any idea what freedom meant. How could one who had created his own prison call himself enslaved by another? He had enslaved himself….

He took a deep breath, lowering his head to give Kakarott the privacy to wipe tears away from his eyes. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Kakarott…I don't think I can change-"

He heard rather than saw Kakarott's soft smile. "I hope not. I certainly like you the way you are!"

Radditz looked up, locking eyes with his brother. "I don't-"

Kakarott quickly shook his head. "They understand. Look, Vegeta and I destroyed whole galaxies! I think if they can accept Mr. Grumble, they can accept you. You're much more polite!"

Radditz paused; then threw back his head and laughed. He hadn't laughed in years…. "Blackmail!" As Kakarott gave him a curious glance, Radditz shook his head, smirking. "And here I thought you knew who I was!"

Kakarott shrugged, not getting his brother's point. Oh well. "Come on! I'm starving! Let's go beg ChiChi for some food! She makes the best in the universe!"

Radditz rose as Kakarott's hand lifted from his shoulder, wiping and inspecting his clothes. Kakarott wrinkled his nose. "Before Bulma can tell you, you need a bath!"

Radditz glared at his brother and was left glaring at his back as Kakarott happily danced around and into the house. Radditz followed, and a few minutes later was introduced to Kakarott's appetite.

A/N: Well, well. See? I always please my reviewers. Note that I said REVIEWERS. Don't review, no pleasure for you! Lol Hm, I hope I got Radditz right. Remember, I'm staying away from that other story with B/V and G/CC and Radditz. So, expect the unexpected. Hn, like you could actually do that! *rolls eyes* Next chapter: Vegeta and the long day. (Long Day is a very good Matchbox 20 song I recommend!)

Ah, I have a plug for all of you! Go read Elbereth in April's Deception. It's a very well written A/U like this one. Frieza vs. the Saiyans. But what's this about Vegeta and Kakarott being-brothers? A good combination of angst and humor with a twist of romance for B/V lovers. Hm, so find out!

Maria S: Sure I'll wish him back. Especially since so many people like him. I may even come to like him…. Wow! Fanart! *_* Um, Vegeta all nekkid, or nearly naked. Emphasis on perfect arms and chest! If not, well, Vegeta kicking Kakarott's *beep* is always nice! lol

Elbereth in April: ^_^ Thanks again for the plug! What's wrong with him? You want me to list it. I was a psychology major too! Lol Anal? Masochistic? Sadistic? Wow, I don't even think he went through all of Erikson's stages! Lol Anyways, next chapter should reveal it!

JadedBest: Actually, I was in a bad mood, Yamcha just showed up in the middle of it. I think I was listening to stupid music at the time. You know, Devo, "Go Monkey Go"…or something. Your brother sounds pretty cool. Except for the whole Gohan thing. But-nobody's perfect! ^_~ "Aren't they wonderful?" Still think bf's are wonderful? Lol

Susan: Wow! You are like, the coolest reviewer or something. You review everything! Caffeine…. No, the new story was inspired by my first buzz…. Ah, Radditz was requested back…. Sorry! Lol Heehee, jeez. Krillin? Golly. Where is he? He's doing a Kakarott…. Heehee Don't worry, I forgot about the RoTaS….

Mousey7891: Cool! Faster connections are awesome! I just need more HD space for my stuff! 130+ mp3's will do that! Lol Who is Orlando Bloom?

Sheena: Finish soon? Nah! I've still got Frieza then…. Ah, you'll see. The real twist comes soon…I think it's soon at least. And God bless you! Here's hoping the next chapter isn't so late!