Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Downward Spiral ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter One

A/N: Just a warning, the story contains some mature topics such as self-harm.
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ.

“You're not even trying Kakarott!”

A sharp blow struck Goku hard in the neck. It took all his strength to stay in the air and not black out from the intense agony; his breath left him instantly and his stomach rolled over from within him, causing the sick to rise in his mouth. What ever happened to `just a friendly sparring match' that Vegeta promised? His anger rose within boiling in his veins with rage and annoyance. Damn! This was just like him - the Saiyan Prince was taking this way too seriously! Fine, if he that's the way he wanted it . . .

Goku stood still mid-air; his dark eyes searched around for Vegeta, as they found and fell upon the arrogant expression covering the Prince's face, he realised how annoying Vegeta could be. He began fidgeting wildly as he fought to keep his ki under control. There had to be a way to get even with the royal brat. He had the perfect idea - he knew a way he could really get under Vegeta's skin and win . . . A sarcastic smile spread over his lips as he gave a small wave. Quickly he brought his two fingers to his forehead and vanished from view.

Now where'd he go? A low growl emitted from Vegeta's lips almost like a purr, his tail lashed behind him in wild annoyance. He was glad that they'd wished back their tails now, it not only gave them extra power but it made Vegeta all the more confident, reminding him of life on his home-planet. Goku had only agreed to the wish though because he felt it important, that if they ever had to fight a villain as strong as Cell they'd have some extra power, it'dbeen so long since they fought and defeated Cell though that their training was becoming more and more casual, fun and more like a hobby than a chore.

Vegeta's eyes quickly shook from their distraction and began searching for Goku. “Kakarott! Stop cheating! Instant translocation isn't allowed!”

He received no reply as all that followed was an eerie silence; it was if even the birds, animals and wildlife had become deadly still, as if mocking the Prince and his angry comments . . . His obsidian eyes glanced downwards to the ground; the roaring river was the only thing that dared to move, not even the powerful wind touched the miles upon miles of fields and woods. Where had Kakarott gone?

Sensing a ki from behind him he spun around to face his foe. Emptiness.

“Don't play games with me! Show yourself!”

He searched again with his onyx eyes; the dark black sky above camouflaged the entire outdoors, leaving only the half moon and thousands of stars on show. Vegeta pushed a hand through his hair trying to concentrate. Far away he could sense something. Goku. His energy was getting stronger . . . Suddenly Vegeta was plunged forward as a powerful ki blast struck him hard in the back, hitting him hard enough to do some damage. The burning on his back was excruciating. Flying around he faced a smiling Goku with arms extended forward and smoke coming from his hands.

Damn it! Why did that baka have to attack him from behind? Only a coward would do that!

“Oh . . . It's on now.”

Goku laughed. “Yeah? Well, we'll see who wins.”

Goku dived forward his arm raised in a defensive position as Vegeta came diving full-speed towards him; delivering a flurry of kicks and punches aimed mostly at Goku's head and shoulders, Vegeta's assault made sure to give Goku no chance to guard - taken aback Goku began blocking as best as he could, each punch and kick landing safely in the comfort of Goku's awaiting hands. Goku smiled - it looked like Vegeta was losing, it'd teach him to be so cocky!

Vegeta snarled, this wasn't working; he'd have to try something else . . . His eyes lit up as he spotted a weakness in Goku's blocks; when Vegeta would kick at the sides of hid head, Goku left the front of his face undefended, giving Vegeta the perfect opportunity to hit. Spotting his chance Vegeta sent two strong kicks to Goku's head, blocked as expected with a confident grin from his enemy. Seizing the moment Vegeta sent a powerful punch right at Goku's face, hitting his nose directly.

Blood poured down in great gushes over Goku's body, covering him like a warm blanket. A terrible crunch echoed in his hearing as his vision went black; he glanced down, dizzy and light-headed and saw his orange gi red with blood. The black night and sliver moonbeams made the blood look almost black.

“Well - looks like I win.” Vegeta scoffed.

Folding his arms Vegeta dropped back down, leaving a weak, astonished and shocked Goku trying to gather his thoughts. Vegeta landed on the ground below quickly. Goku remained in the air dripping blood . . .

Man that hurt! What was Vegeta playing at? Okay, there was no chance he was going to let him get away with that! If he wanted it rough than that's how he'd get it, and Kami Goku would enjoy it! He waited until Vegeta began walking in the direction of Goku's house until aiming an attack - if he hit just right, he could draw some blood from Vegeta too, but not cause any serious damage - he needed to get even and that stubborn, cheating Prince needed to be taught a lesson too. He aimed a powerful ki ball at the Vegeta's shoulder and shot.

Sensing the energy he spun around trying to block the attack, his reflexes were too slow as the ball hit him exactly where Goku aimed. He flew backwards and skidded against the ground, the burn on his back aching as the friction rubbed on it. Eventually he came to a stop, gazing up at the bright light of the moon.

As he stood up he realized the attack had torn his blue, tight-fitting suit, leaving his shoulder and right part of his chest exposed to the night air; blood trickled down over his skin as Vegeta's gloved hand rushed to press against the wound caused by Goku, he pressed hard to stop the blood.

“Thank you so much for that Kakarott!” He shouted up at the sky. His voice burnt his throat as livid rage consumed him.

Goku laughed and punched the air. He definitely shown Vegeta what for! Best thing was that Vegeta hadn't won again either! His tail waved behind him as he spun in a circle and looked down, leaning his hands on his knees. “No problem - at least now it's a draw! Call it quits?”

“For now!”

Vegeta cringed as he moved his fingers from the wound, looking at it he could tell that it wasn't that deep, Goku had only drawn blood to get even and not to inflict serious injury, which was lucky, but the large circle-like gash was weeping a lot of blood . . . He gave a sigh as Goku flew back to the ground and began to advance near him. At least Goku was happy enough, despite a possible broken nose.

Taking a closer look at his wound, he flinched at the sight. Hardly any damage except -. Shit! His clothes were torn badly andhis chest was totally revealed. No way - just great. Underneath his shoulder wound were many scars and cuts, not obtained in the sparring match. Goku's blast had to rip his clothing, didn't it? The last thing he needed was Goku's idiotic questions and ramblings, `How did you get them, `Geta?' `Why haven't you healed them yet, 'Geta?' . . . and the best thing was that Goku had no right to make a big deal (though he surely would), as it was his entire fault!

Baka - thought Vegeta.

Goku walked up slowly, holding his nose injury the way Vegeta held his shoulder only trying to keep his head steady. His face was bloody, but under the red a goofy smile could be seen, no way could Goku be proud? Neither of them won and they were both injured!

Vegeta shook his head, ignoring his cuts and battle wound, he acknowledged Goku with a nod and gave a sincere suggestion. “Hold your head back, it'll stop the bleeding.”

“I know it will, Master Roshi got nosebleeds all the time and that's what everyone told him.” He gave a slight laugh at the memory. “I remember this one time that Yamcha had to fight some invisible guy and -. You know what? Never mind, `Geta.”

“Just put your head back.”

“I will in a minute! I don't want to do that until I've made sure your okay. Your bleeding as much as I am, I just want to see that I didn't do too much damage to you - Kami!” He jumped back like he'd been given a fright. “What the HFIL happened to you!”

Vegeta glanced down - Goku wasn't as stupid as he gave him credit for. To think he actually noticed what lay on his chest. Great, as if his day wasn't going well already, this was perfect, just perfect.

Underneath the gash Goku had made, Goku noticed what looked like hundreds of slashes and deep cuts etched in Vegeta's skin, some had reopened under the pressure of the ki blast, some were healing well and throughout all of them were many, many scars scattered around.

“ 'What happened?' ” Vegeta repeated Goku's words with a touch of menace, “You hit me with a ki blast -.”

“Don't give me that bull! I ripped your shirt yeah, and that gash you got your hand over I did that too, but all those? I never did them! They look self-inflicted! How far down do they go? How far around do they go?”

“They stop above right above my stomach and stop right at my sides, there are none anywhere else on my body except my chest.” Vegeta sighed, he pressed his hand tightly against his shoulder wound, as if trying to comfort himself. His tail tightened around his waist. This wasn't a conversation he wanted, and it was far from important - Saiyans sustained plenty of injuries in battle, why should these be any different? Kami, he wished Goku would leave the subject alone.

“Did you do them, Vegeta?”

“No, I had unprotected sex with a porcupine.” He examined Goku's face closely, he knew the naïve fool too well, and as usual his suspicions were correct. He let lose a groan of exasperation and added -. “Of course I did them, moron!”

“But why?”

“Why not?”

Goku's face was the epitome of confusion and pain. He came close to Vegeta and dropped his hand onto the unhurt shoulder, holding him reassuringly despite Vegeta's growling protest. He didn't understand, but something was obviously wrong, for Vegeta to hurt himself like that, something had to be wrong.

“I don't get it Vegeta, why would anyone want to hurt themselves? Do you enjoy it?”

Vegeta glared into Goku's eyes and struck his arm away from his, wincing as he moved. “What do you think I am? Some sort of masochist! Of course I don't bloody enjoy it! What the HFIL do you think I am?”

“Then why do it? I don't understand . . . I - you. Why? It looks like it hurt.”

“I don't have to tell you anything! You don't understand! You think I do it for pleasure!”

“If you'd explain it though, maybe I'd understand . . . I've never known anyone who does that, and that's not exactly something that appears in conversation. I didn't even know people did hurt themselves. . . ”

“It may not appear in conversation, but self-harm isn't abnormal Kakarott.”

“There's a name for it?”

Vegeta gave a low scream and turned away. Kami! What was Goku thinking? Did he think that he was some sort of freak? That it wasn't normal? `There's a name for it?' who says that unless their disgusted or confused . . . Kami, this was why he wasn't going to tell Goku. He wouldn't understand!

“Vegeta wait!” Goku flew forward and blocked Vegeta's path, Goku's house was near by and no doubt Vegeta was going to go there to clean his wounds before leaving. Goku reached out to Goku and placed his hand on his shoulder again, this time Vegeta seemed almost comforted. “I guess I said something wrong. I'm sorry. You're not going to talk to me about this though, are you?”

“No.” Giving a sigh, he turned his head and moved out of the way, escaping Goku's soft hold. He had to change the conversation some how; he couldn't talk about this much longer. He nodded in the direction of Goku's house. “If we go in there your harpy mate will freak out and probably attack us. You have a broken nose she'll kill me for and I have a bloody shoulder that she'll blame you for. We'd better go to Capsule Corps.”

Goku seemed fazed; it was like Vegeta was a sheet of glass and was looking right through him. Capsule Corps. Bulma! Goku's mind raced as he snapped back to reality and looked at Vegeta's cuts. He moved a hand to touch them and pulled back realising Vegeta probably wouldn't appreciate it, he was curious though, he had too many questions and he hurt so much knowing something was wrong with Vegeta and he didn't know what. He wanted to pull back the rest of his clothing and see the rest, see if they needed some sort of healing and how bad they were . . . If he hurt this bad about his friend, Kami would know bad Bulma would feel. . .

“Does - does, Bulma know -?”

“Of course not! You know full well that we broke last year after Bra was born so she hasn't seen my body obviously, besides I never harmed myself when we were together because of the reason that she'd see.”

“Yeah, but your still friends with each other, and you still live there in Capsule Corps . . .”

“So? That means nothing. You live with Goten, but he doesn't know all about you and he never sees your body, does he?”

Goku scratched his neck nervously. “Yeah, I guess. What about Trunks though? What would he think if he ever -.”

“He's nine, baka! He wouldn't understand and he's so young he'd believe whatever I'd tell him, his sister's barely a year old so that's not even worth mentioning.” He paused as Goku struggled for something else to say. “Look Kakarott, we are going to Capsule Corps. I need to get changed thanks to you, and you need your wounds healed.”

“What about yours?” Goku pleaded.

“If I ask that onna to heal my shoulder then she'll see my cuts. We may no longer be an item but Bulma doesn't know about what I've been doing and she never will, I don't want to hurt her. You're not going to tell her anything either. There is no reason why anyone ever has to know, is there?” He paused.

“You know, it's been so long since we had a real battle Vegeta. . .The last real powerful person we had to fight was Cell, and ever since then we've had peace, no one and nothing has come to Earth to fight us. I thought you and me and our sparring would be fun, you know, a taste of a real battle? I never thought I'd find out something like this from them. Vegeta you need help! Please, talk to me! If not me then Bulma, she knows all about illnesses and problems and things, she could -!”

“No one's ever going to find out! No one! You hear me? This is secret and it stays between you and me! It's not important and it's not a problem! There is no reason why anyone should . . .” He shuddered. Goku froze as Vegeta began walking away, leaving his sentence unfinished.

“If that's what you want Vegeta, I won't tell anyone.”

“Thank you.”

Goku sighed and followed him. “But you know, secrets are never secret forever, sooner or later -.”

“I don't need a lecture thank you.”

“If you ever want to talk -.”

“If I ever want to talk then I know where you are . . .”

Goku gave a hopeful smile, he'd always be there for Vegeta, even if he didn't understand what was happening. . . Somehow though, he knew that wouldn't be enough. . .