Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ In'lar-Anth - Through Darkest Destiny ❯ Storm on the Rise ( Chapter 11 )

In'lar-Anth - Through Darkest Destiny

Authors: Rogue & DarkSerapha

Email: neko_jin_rogue@yahoo.com & DarkSerapha@gmx.de

Warnings for this chapter:

violence, lime, non-con lime, blood, hints on abuse and rape

Pairings: Vegeta x Son Goku, Zarbon x Son Goku, Zarbon x Jeice

Disclaimer: We solemnly swear we are up to no good! Therefore we own neither Dragonball Z nor all the songs used in here or else the world would be a far darke... angsti... eh… better place. No money is being made with this. Damn.

'…' = thoughts

Intro

"Are you ready?"

Hey, Mr. Seeker, hold on to this advice
If you keep seeking, you will find
Don't want to follow
Down roads been walked before
It's so hard to find unopened doors

Are you ready?

Are you ready?
For what's to come...

Oh, I said, are you ready?
Are you ready? ...For what's to come

Hey, Mr. Hero Walking a thin, fine line
Under the microscope of life
Remember your roots, my friend
They're right down below
'Cause heroes come and heroes go

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one
Count down to the change in life that's soon to come
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one
Count down to the change in life that's soon to come
Your life has just begun
Life has just begun
Life has just begun
Life has just begun

Are you ready? Are you ready?
For what's to come...Oh, I said, are you ready?
Are you ready? For what's to come
Oh, I said, are you ready?
Are you ready? For what's to come
Your Life has just begun
Life has just begun
Life has just begun

("Are you ready?" by Creed)

In'lar-Anth - Through Darkest Destiny

Chapter 11: "Storm on the Rise"

~ ice-jin mother-ship, tenth floor, medical bay - regen-tank-room ~

Vegeta

I opened my eyes to a curtain of thick green liquid and grimaced. I had used these things too much. I was supposed to be strong enough to avoid them. But then again... it was so rare for another Saiyajin to put me in one of these things. My mind drifted to the cause as I reached up and pressed the inner release mechanism that caused the healing enzyme to drain. Son. He had nearly gotten himself killed the day before. My eyes narrowed as I ripped away the oxygen mask.

'Why the hell should it matter to me? He's a worthless, classless, moron who brings nothing but trouble wherever he goes! He deserves whatever he gets if he's not savvy enough to see it coming!' But it did matter... I growled in annoyance.

'I must be a fool! Imagine! I actually killed two soldiers, two Chordats! For the likes of him! Growing fond of someone like...' I cringed and stopped at that thought.

'Fond? Absolutely not! He is annoying!' I stepped out of the tank and retrieved a towel, drying the liquid from my skin and glancing over at the tank that was still occupied. I may have had more surface wounds but his had been much more severe. His stomach looked to have healed relatively well. I must have slept longer than necessary. It seemed that no timer had been set and there was no doctor to be seen who would have wakened me once my cycle ended. I sighed in dull irritation and turned to examine him a bit closer.

Son Goku

I did not sleep the sleep of the faithful. Instead, my rest was haunted and I could find no solace. Too much had happened these last days. It kept coming back to me, hovering before my inner eyes, taunting me with something greater that I could not yet see. Recent memories kept getting mixed up with older ones.

In my dreams I wandered a landscape of warped and mismatched images. I saw glimpses of my most ferocious battles again; the most dreadful things in my life. In between them was the bright light that Bulma's machine emitted when it exploded right into my face and threw me into the past. Next I found myself in a city, void of all life, and I could hear Cell laugh in the distance. I saw Jeice sitting on the street... no, it was the floor of an endless room. The floor was metallic and tinted rusty red with blood. The red-skinned warrior sat there alone and I didn't really know why I expected to see Vegeta's beaten and bloody body somewhere... instead, Jeice turned and I saw that it wasn't Jeice at all but Vegeta himself and he wore the majin sign on his forehead. His eyes narrowed at me and hate radiated from him, a hate so cold and deadly that it scorched my very soul. I stepped forward, wanting to talk to him, to bring back the Vegeta I knew, but he turned away from me and suddenly my surroundings exploded. The world zoomed away and I found myself in space, over a planet that was breaking apart. I felt a cold presence nearby and turned to see Frieza floating right next to me. The changeling was in his perfect form and he grinned horribly at me. Half of his face had been smashed, yet he didn't seem overly disturbed by it.

"Isn't it beautiful?" he asked and pointed to the planet as it slowly fell apart. The image shifted before my eyes, in one instant it was Namek that died beneath me, or was it the earth screaming its anguish in mighty earthquakes? Then it shifted. Suddenly the planet was red and its core was melting and somehow I knew it was Vegeta-sei... but then it turned blue and the seas boiled and I heard the dying screams of humanity as earth met its final judgement. I watched with wide-eyes, but before I had a chance to mourn or scream or swear revenge, the stars zoomed in and danced around me, turning into two dark eyes thousands of miles away, yet so close. They sparkled with something unseen and unsaid and I realized that I was looking into the distant eyes of the saiyan prince. Eyes that were normally so cold and hard now gazed at me with something like open curiosity. I stood in a black void bare of anything, only emptiness surrounding me. I was lost but those eyes in the distance never let me go. Suddenly their expression changed. They were... accusing me.

I looked around. Nothing. Everything was gone. Somehow I knew that this was the future. I had destroyed it by doing whatever I did in the past. I had destroyed everything. It was all my fault. I had killed them all with my own two hands just because I had been too fucking weak... too dumb... too stupid to leave when there was still time. I felt something behind me and whirled around to find... Vegeta standing there. MY Vegeta. The Vegeta I knew.

"Vegeta...! It is you! You are alive! Thank Kami, I thought I lost you too!" I couldn't help but pull him into an embrace, though I knew how he hated it when I acted so emotional. Surprisingly he didn't push me away. He... He almost leaned into my embrace. His head sank to lie on my shoulder and I could feel something funny vibrating through my body. Finally I realized that it came from him, that he was purring soothingly against my chest. It was wonderful and it instantly took away my feelings of shame and pain.

"Vegeta...?" I asked in astonishment, looking down at his flame-like hair. The darkness of the void had lightened and I found myself on a meadow with lush grass under my feet and a bluish sky above me, birds chirping through the sweet smelling air. The sun was just setting. He stepped a little away from me, looking up into my eyes. I swallowed hard. Those weren't the eyes I was used to. They weren't cold or void of emotion. They were warm and sympathetic and almost smiled at me. In this moment my heart flew towards him. He could have asked anything of me and I would have done it just to make sure he never stopped smiling like that. It made me remember that one moment in time... right after we had fused... After Boo was defeated... When he smiled like that at me and raised one thumb, showing that everything was alright. For the first time in my life everything really had been alright.

I looked at him tenderly. Somehow I was not afraid. He never spoke to me. Instead he smiled wider, invitingly. I let my gaze glide over his handsome features, his muscular yet lithe frame, his sharp regal face, his streamlined spikes. He was a creature born out of fire and steel and he was perfect. I nearly couldn't breathe because of this perfect vision bathed in the light of the setting sun. I closed the space between us and looked down at him. Was he finally back to what I had wanted him to be? Would he accept me? Respect me? Or even... I did not know what I wanted him to be. I realized that he was a mystery and that that was what fascinated me about him. But... I wanted... I wanted... I did not have words for what I was feeling and my heart began to race. I knew that if I did this right the future could be saved. If I did this right everything would be okay. And yet... I was afraid. My heart was pounding too hard. What if this was wrong... what if he laughed at me...? There he stood, perfect... Just one step away... I nervously licked my lips. Suddenly his eyes opened again and I retreated a step. The meadow vanished and was replaced with darkness, held at bay by only a flickering fiery light. He stared at me and his gaze had grown cold and penetrating. Finally he opened his mouth to speak to me.

"You are stupid. You are unworthy. It's all your fault. You did not do what had to be done because you are weak. I will never respect a weakling like you!" He growled and stalked nearer while I shook my head in denial and continued to retreat.

"No... Vegeta... no... I didn't mean to..."

"You are a traitor! A disgrace to our race! You never do anything right! You are a third class baka and you'll never be worthy!" Tears sprang to my eyes as the words sank in and his face twisted into a feral grin.

"You are so weak, you can't even defend yourself. How could you defend anything else?"

"But... Vegeta... I can, I did... I tried to... please don't..."

"You are unworthy of your power. You are no better than Frieza, no, you're worse because you are weak. And weaklings always are used. Hasn't anybody taught you that? I was taught a long time ago." He stepped nearer and grabbed the gi I was wearing.

Vegeta

Grudgingly I admitted to myself that he was a fine specimen. I had noticed that the first time I ever laid eyes on him... which had been in yet another regen-tank. Everything that had happened directly after that was what displaced the fact and blocked it away. I chastised myself for being so insincere with my own thoughts. I was honest in everything else, why not this? He was very good looking and handsome and he had such a soft carriage. He was not one of these hardened warriors even if he had the skills. He was soft spoken and pliant and yet he was undeniably Saiyajin. He proved it to me when he fought me so savagely on the way to the purge. I wondered if I was just buying into his act and berated myself for the chance that that was exactly what I was doing. But he had not truly done anything to back up my suspicions. He had done nothing that any other would have in his position these last days and he was strong, strong enough that he might not even have to worry about retribution from me. It galled. 'A Saiyajin who was stronger than the prince of his race.' My face softened slightly. 'And yet he would fall prey to anything on this ship no matter his strength because he is so...' I wasn't even sure what to label him. I let my eyes travel over him again and had to acknowledge that there was an attraction. I had thought about it on Asora-sei that night with his tail in my hands but I had been so unsure of him that I did not seriously entertain the idea.

Now... Now my future was just as unsure. I stepped closer and considered that train of thought. What had I risked my life and well-being for? He was going to be my sole Saiyajin companion on the upper decks despite anything else and, even though I sent Radditz back to his post, I did not want to stand on my own when I was so greatly outmatched there.

I stepped back again as I came to a decision. I had spent enough time on the upper decks to be realistic. If anything… he could at least be a distraction if not an ally. I'd played a few games before when it suited my moods; I knew I could handle him easily enough but absently wondered just how he would react when he figured out what he was in for up there. I knew all too well what to expect and I had no intention of settling for it. Never mind that I had no idea how to avoid it. I took in his features once again, thinking very seriously, ignoring everything else. I didn't mind at all. There was something about him that was very appealing despite how badly we got along. I still did not understand that. He got under my skin so easily and yet I could still stand his presence, even welcome it. A distraction for the both of us then. I would gain my own enjoyment and his strength and he would gain solace as he was forced to become acclimated. He was Saiyajin. I would keep the company of my own kind.

Son Goku

With harsh movements he tore my gi apart until I was standing naked in front of him. I blinked. That was not Vegeta... it could not be... why would he do something like this? "What…? Stop! Why…?" I stared at the figure in front of me which suddenly blurred. I could not see it clearly anymore. It was taller... taller than me... was that green skin? No... no, he was smaller... and red-skinned... No, how could I think that, he was small but more pale…No... huge... I didn't know who it looked like... who was it? I retreated slowly, trying to make sense out of this and watching those cold, merciless eyes that had not changed despite the other shifts. The being stared at me.

"Stop? No. You were too weak to save the others, to weak to save anyone. You were not there. You stood aside. You allowed it to happen. This is your punishment because you didn't prevent it."

I couldn't even get a grasp on his words. I didn't understand. I was shoved back with brutal force and landed on my behind, staring up at him as he towered over me. Suddenly it was Vegeta again, staring down with utmost disdain and hate blazing from his eyes.

"You betrayed me! You said you would protect me, but you weren't there! You are a liar and a traitor! Now take your punishment!"

"No..." I whispered, "Please no...Vegeta... I'm sorry... I would have done anything... I didn't want you to die, really... I... I'm so sorry that I was too weak to save you... Please... don't..." He threw his head back and laughed.

"I died, yes... But you think that is the worst of it?? You don't even know half of the truth! Dying is nothing compared to this!" Then he was at me, kicking me and hitting me, clawing his fingers over my naked body till blood dripped from many wounds. I found I couldn't raise one hand to defend myself. It was as if all my strength had been taken from me. Deep inside I knew why. Because I deserved it. So I just stayed there and whimpered as his beating reduced me to a bloody pulp. Finally it stopped and I dared to open one eye. He stood there, looking down at me, smiling strangely.

"It is time that I defeat you, Kakarott."

"What...?" I felt an icy shiver run along my spine at those words and his voice took on a strangely dual quality, as if two or more persons were speaking at the same time. I was on my knees, staring up at him, not understanding. Strangely my body did not hurt anymore but, when I looked down, there was a large wound was in my stomach that gushed dark red blood. He stood over me and I did not know whether he was going to attack or... protect me? But... he had given me that wound... hadn't he? I couldn't remember.

Pain flared to life... Agonizing pain! I screamed, blood bursting from my lungs. I had never ever felt so much pain in my life.

Vegeta

I frowned again. How could he truly be as innocent as he seemed though? He couldn't be so naive and have made his way to Vegeta-sei from... wherever he came from. My grimace grew darker. I still didn't know anything about him besides what he had shown me in his foolishness. Again I wondered if I had been utterly taken in by him. Fooled completely. I had a feeling that the knowledge I was missing was crucial, that there was some sort of connection that I needed to understand. A connection to what? Between him and Frieza? That was still my first belief. Well. I would find out. If we were going to play then it would be by my rules. I would find out. I had complete confidence in my skills.

I noticed that he now held himself very rigid in the tank, he seemed ill at ease. He twitched and bumped the glass with his arm as if... He was having a bad dream. I smirked caustically. The fool was having a scary dream in his tank. I considered letting him get himself out this time if he began to drown again but he would probably just break the tank like he had the last time. He was too strong. He shouldn't be so strong. Perhaps he had been enhanced somehow... Enhanced off planet and sent back... no records of him, no identification, nothing...

A sharp suspicion came back to me again and I growled, thinking over all the little confusing details I had learned about him. All the strange things he had said. That he hated the lizard. That Frieza was "traitorous and without honour". Those things were given knowledge already, everyone knew that. But that Frieza had not seen his face "yet"? And it was unknown just how he had appeared in the first place. He had been desperate to come on the ship... but he had little common sense and understood even less about his surroundings. His whole demeanour made you want to dismiss him as inconsequential. It was wrong. He had to have come here for a reason. I reclaimed my belief that he had come to meet Frieza. It almost made sense. I would find out.

Son Goku

The pain burst through me. It was excruciating, twisting my insides. My brain felt as if it would explode any moment. I writhed on the floor, screaming hoarsely. Heat coursed through me, burning me, searing me... I needed something to end this pain, I craved... I wanted...

Suddenly something touched my shoulder and the pain just stopped. I lay still, almost disbelieving, then I opened my eyes and looked up to see... Vegeta.

"Hush Kakarot. Nothing will hurt you anymore." My eyes opened wide in astonishment and I straightened to get up.

"Vegeta?" Our eyes met and I was so close to understanding something fundamental, something... something...

And then I woke up.

I knew it when that strange feeling subsided and the real world manifested around me. I was floating... the feeling was not so unfamiliar anymore but it was still strange. I slowly opened my eyes... my sight was blurry and green and I panicked for a moment before I recalled where I was. I still didn't like it though. It was too restricted. It reminded me of a coffin or a cell and I didn't like either... I had always hated being unable to move. The memories of what happened came back to me. I would have liked to investigate my wounds.

I remembered the pain in my stomach when that damn bug had stung me and I wondered whether the venom was out of my body and whether I could move now. I needed to move! I realized that my restraints where not hard but elastic and brought my hands up, relieved that I could. I started to feel around my prison, to see whether I was able to get out of here. I needed to get out! Through the glass and the fluid I could see a blurred figure. That had to be a doctor! Why didn't they let me out? I pounded against the glass.

Vegeta

I blinked when he suddenly moved inside the tank and realized how long I had just been standing there looking at him. Cursing, I blanked my features and let my thoughts go. There was a dull thud as his knuckles rapped on the glass and I raised an eyebrow. He didn't even know where the internal release mechanism was. With a sigh I stepped forward and pressed the release, causing the tank to slowly begin to drain. I had had to put him in and now I had to get him out again! Ridiculous. As the machine readied to open I strode away to retrieve a new uniform, leaving the baka to remove himself from the cylinder... if he was able to even do that, tsking in slight annoyance as I walked away.

~ 10th floor ~

Zarbon

I sauntered easily down the corridor, smiling and lost in thought. I had woken late today to the wonderfully comfortable warmth of my still sleeping ruby, though, Jeice hadn't woken up quite as peacefully due to my customary early morning aggravation. I supposed I must have really worn him out and he hadn't been braced for the injury. But where the chip was concerned, he was functioning just fine. Frieza had certainly been pleased and I was more than pleased. I knew things about little Jeice now, after that little mental session, that would have taken ages to figure out the hard way. I breathed deeply, in a very good mood and looking forward to seeing my next conquest. I had planned to be there when the healing cycles ended and had sent the doctors on other errands but it was late enough that I wondered if the two monkeys would even still be in the medical bay. I had not seen them on the upper decks. That would leave the training facility. There was little else that the Saiyajin spent their time on... unless they were hungry. I was looking forward to giving Son Goku an initiation of his own since Frieza had given his permission to do as I pleased, but that would have to wait. I was to find and collect prince Vegeta for his painstakingly planned experiment. Though yesterday had been marvellously enjoyable, it had been relatively mild with Jeice. Today would likely be much harsher considering the stunt the prince pulled in the cantina yesterday. I looked forward to it. It had always been pretty rough with Vegeta. He never let it be anything else.

~ medical bay ~

Son Goku

Finally something shifted and clicked and then the green liquid began to slowly ebb away until it had vanished completely. I ripped the mask away from my face and it rose to the upper end of the cylinder. The door clicked and then a hiss was audible as it opened and the chamber decompressed. I immediately pushed it open the rest of the way and stumbled out, glad to be out of that prison cell and drawing in the not-so-very-fresh air of the ship as if it was the most wonderful summer breeze. When my vision had steadied and my knees stopped shaking, I looked around. The medical bay was completely devoid of inhabitants. There was an open door to another room, though. Hesitantly I stepped towards it, noticing a towel on a shelf nearby and using it to absentmindedly dry myself of that slimy, slowly evaporating healing fluid. Looking down I saw that my wounds were gone and I was completely healed. I tied the towel around my waist and stepped through the door - to be greeted with a full backside view of a very naked saiyan prince that left me both breath and speechless for a moment.

Vegeta

I straightened as I pulled on the pants of my uniform, my tail snaking itself through the hole in the back with practiced fluidity. I knew he was there though he had yet to speak. I had heard his wet padding feet all the way from the tank.

'Hn. Perhaps now would be the perfect time to start.' I thought smugly. Turning to look over my shoulder at him, I noted he wore a slightly dazed expression. I smirked at him letting my tail snake back and forth a bit and then snapping it through the air, while raising a quizzical eyebrow and cocking my head to the side.

"What is wrong with you? Did the venom go to your brain or do you see something of interest?"

Son Goku

I couldn't help but let my eyes roam over that compact frame so lusciously displayed to me. I had seen Vegeta without clothes before. I had never been hindered by ningen prudish sentiments about clothing and I had never understood what could be wrong about nudity, a state obviously natural to us or we would have been born with clothes on. I had nothing against clothes of course, they were useful and, in some terms, pretty nice - like spandex, which was useful and accentuated the body in a way that made it look even more delectable... Errm.

My thoughts were drifting askew. What I meant was - I didn't mind a nice view when I got one and was honest enough to admit that Vegeta's body was a sight to behold. Way back, it had not mattered anymore than that to me but when we grew closer it had started to... appeal to me. But it wasn't natural anymore... it was loaded with guilt. I was a married man... and men did not go after men anyway. Not to speak of the fact that the object that drew my gaze seemed to hate me with a passion yet unrivalled.

Vegeta... for so many years I had strived for his respect and then I found myself attracted to his body. I did not understand it and so I pushed it back, pushed back that incident when we had been so close and I thought... I thought... I didn't know what I felt. I thought my feelings were nothing, stupid, probably some reaction to the fusion or something. I dismissed them. I only wanted him to accept me. To stop... hurting me. Nothing more. But now... his younger self was an entirely different thing. He was... so open, compared to the Vegeta of my time. So... unprejudiced. He did not know of our rivalry... he did not... hate me as his older self did, at least that's what I wanted to believe. He didn't seem to like me much either, but he had treated me so differently... and looking at him now I couldn't help but recall my earlier dream, the nightmare. They were so similar and yet so different. In my dream it had been my Vegeta, the one from the future, but…

I shouldn't... I should not look at him like that. It was foolish. Another part of my dream flashed by and I shivered as the coldness of that future void engulfed me for a split second. I was already too involved here. The last thing I needed was... No. It was only a reflex. Only a distant memory. Only his body, if anything at all. This wasn't the man I knew. This wasn't… I wouldn't even think that way. It had screwed up my world once. I would not allow it a second time. Maybe if I ever returned to the future... but Vegeta's cold hateful eyes, which haunted me even in my dreams, appeared before my eyes. No. Never. He had made that perfectly clear. And I should not... it was wrong. No. I raised my gaze, realizing that he had turned and started speaking to me. When I made sense of his words I couldn't help but blush hotly. My eyes darted to the floor. I mumbled something incoherent and walked past him to where another uniform was laying, keeping my eyes everywhere but on him. This was complicated and bad enough without added problems. I would not...!

Vegeta

He blushed brightly and it made my smirk deepen as he stepped by, unwilling to make eye contact now. Hn. This was too easy. He stopped between me and the shelves to choose a set of clothes and I suddenly received a whiff of that sweet scent. It caught my attention quickly and I did not comment on it this time but I did take a step closer just to be sure. It was definitely him. I stretched out my arm and held my hand, palm up, before his chest.

"If you insist on getting in the way, the least you can do is pass me the rest of my armour." I chuckled lightly at his expression at the brush of my arm on his skin.

"What's wrong, Son? You look as if you've been in the sun too long. Only... there's no sun here." I teased him.

Son Goku

Since I was so inclined to look everywhere but at HIM I was kinda taken by surprise when he got in my way. I blushed even hotter when the contact sent a jolt through me. I was still so caught up with my dream... my eyes widened. I couldn't recall that he had ever touched me outside of a fight! Not voluntarily... not when I was conscious! He must have touched me yesterday... I recalled vividly how it had felt to be gently carried... how he had... stripped me... I was sure that my blush really was rivalling the sun in its intensity right now.

"Umm... sure..." I mumbled, reaching out and handing the amour to him. He had protected me. He had brought me here to be healed. Why had he done that? He did not even like me...

"Ummmmh... by the way, thanks for... saving my life..." I kept my eyes strictly away from him, turning my back to him as I said it. I tried to get that insistent blush under control as I proceeded to where the other suit of armour sat. I realized that I would have to let go of the towel. I shrugged and let it fall to the floor, then leant forward to grab the spandex suit. My tail was having its own way as per usual, swishing agitatedly behind me. I would really have to concentrate on correcting that.

Vegeta

I paused, not expecting his hesitant thanks, and frowned before snorting and shaking it away.

"Baka. Saiyajin blood is wasted too much on these ships. I was not going to stand by while more..." I trailed off when he bent over to retrieve a set of armour and his tail lashed, the fur ruffling out and resettling again. Yes, there was a definite attraction making itself very obvious as he flaunted that pert ass of his. I stiffened reflexively and was sure that a flush brushed my own cheeks for just an instant.

'Well that certainly took less effort than I thought it would,' I thought with sarcastic humour, 'And here I thought I would have to convince him'. I shook my head, amused, and wondered what he would do this time if I grabbed hold of his tail again. I was just thinking about finding out when my heightened senses picked up the sound of footsteps from the corridor outside the medical rooms.

Son Goku

I pulled the spandex up, wriggling my tail through the narrow hole in the back, and flattened out the creases. I turned to finally look at Vegeta, fully inclined on saying something to relieve the awkward tension in the air. But then I registered the expression on Vegeta's face. He looked as if he was listening intently.

"What's up? Something wrong?" I asked him, trying to make my voice sound relaxed.

Vegeta

Hn. I pulled my shirt and armour on and pushed the distracting thoughts away, I couldn't afford them right now. I was suddenly feeling the need to be on my guard again. This was not the time for taunting and fun. It occurred to me that Son and I were the only ones here. Where was the staff? The ship would have been on lockdown during the night shift and there should have been more casualties from the fight yesterday. On top of that, I could not forget the fact that I had broken one of the strictest rules on the battleship. I suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Someone's coming." Was my simple answer, as I moved to sit and drag on my boots.

Son Goku

Vegeta sounded tense. I suddenly recalled the events of the night before. The fight... my hand went down to my stomach, where the wound had been. There was just a small scar there now, I had seen it when pulling up the spandex. I recalled... Vegeta standing over me... and there had been... I frowned... there had been bodies on the ground. Cold broken eyes staring at me from an impossible angle. Dead... they had been dead… I realized that this was much graver then what I had first thought. I didn't know... had it been Vegeta who killed those men? Or... had it been me? I couldn't remember everything from the fight. It had been so fast. I had had to be so careful not to show my strength...

"What... what happened yesterday?" And why was he so anxious about someone coming? Would there be... consequences?

Vegeta

I glanced up at him as I struggled to tug one boot into place.

"Just a few broken rules and you trying to kill yourself. Nothing important." I sneered lightly.

"No one will miss a little freshly diplomatically immune sushi." I caught myself and forced my muscles to relax. No. It had been chaotic at best. There was no reason to assume that it was known that I was responsible. I didn't need to worry about that yet. There was no getting around it in the long run, for now I had no reason to be paranoid. I killed them and I was not the least bit regretful of it. But there would be hell to pay if I was found guilty. Oh well. There was always hell to pay for one thing or another. I still was at a loss as to why I went to such lengths. I usually kept such a good handle on the bloodlust.

Son Goku

"You killed them, didn't you?" I asked him quietly. Why would he do that? But then again, when I first met him he had ruthlessly killed his own cohort. He was not one for mercy or a conscience. Why did I assume that he was just as tamed as the Vegeta of my time? This was a merciless killer who was used to purging planets. I shivered slightly at the thought but the reality of it just wouldn't come to terms with my image of him carefully cradling me and taking me to the medical bay... of him protecting me. How could he be so different in so many ways? Just what the hell had changed him so much?

"Will there be consequences?" I pulled up my boots and just when he was about to answer I could hear steps from outside nearing our location. Someone had entered the other room.

Zarbon

I approached the regen-station, my boots clicking on the tiles, seeming loud to my ears on top of the silence that hung in the air while the doctors were absent from their posts. The ship was still mostly secured because of a few other skirmishes during the night. When a fire like that was started it was hard to put it out completely. I stepped into the med-rooms and glanced into the back room where the monkeys had been the night before, but the room was empty. On the floor, though, was a pair of damp tracks. Oh good. They hadn't gotten out much earlier.

"Hello, boys." I called and stepped further into the room.

"Awake already?"

Vegeta

He seemed to catch on faster than usual and I was about to give another sarcastic reply when Zarbon's lilting voice echoed in the other room. I grimaced and my lip curled to show off one white canine. Shit. Why was he here? I pulled on my other boot rather violently and stood. If Zarbon was here that meant that he was either sent by Frieza or he was on an errand of his own. Either way I was not looking forward to him.

"There are always consequences." I finally answered Son in a low voice.

Son Goku

I immediately identified the voice. Zarbon! I had quiet mixed feelings concerning the mysterious Repta-jin. He had saved Vegeta from Jeice and he did punish the red-skinned warrior, but he had irritated the hell out of me too. Vegeta tensed up even more at the voice. I knew that they did not like each other. Why was Zarbon here? Vegeta said there were always consequences. Was this the cause of Zarbon's presence? I knew it had been my fault. I had started the whole damn thing by acting as foolishly as I had. It had been Nappa's reaction to my behaviour that set off the whole occurrence and, though I still didn't know how it could have evolved into that fight so quickly, I knew that I had to take the blame. After all, I had been dumb enough to underestimate the bug-warrior... and had stupidly gotten myself hurt. Technically it had not been me who had killed those men but I was the one to blame.

"Is he here because of yesterday?" I asked Vegeta urgently, trying to keep my voice low. If there was going to be punishment I was inclined to take it alone.

Vegeta

I always stood by my actions whether I had to or not. It was a matter of pride and strength. I tsked and straightened, righting my armour.

"Who knows. Perhaps, Perhaps not. It does not matter." I said gruffly but I glanced over to the side of the small room where a second door stood. The least I could do, if the reptile was looking for me, was make him work for it. I considered it for a moment. Why should I make anything easy on him of all people? I huffed wryly.

Son Goku

I dismissed Vegeta's words - his usual what-the-fuck-does-it-concern-you rubbish - and instead concentrated on the look he was throwing towards the second door that let out of the room. My gaze shot between that door, Vegeta and the door to the other room where I could hear Zarbon getting nearer.

"Go. I will deal with him." I hissed and unceremoniously shoved Vegeta towards the exit.

"I'll catch up with you later."

Vegeta

My attention snapped back to Son and my eyes narrowed, angry at the abrupt touch but even more at what he said.

"What?" Did he just say what I thought he said? What business was it of his?! My features fell into a glare and I growled, shrugging off his grip. I did not need anyone to cover for me! I had nothing to hide from! What made him think he could interfere?! As if he would make a difference. If it was known then it was known. Nothing would change that. What favours did he think he could do me?

Son Goku

He growled at me and I realized that I had made a mistake. He never took it well when he felt he was being pushed and he might think that I was implying that he could not deal with this himself.

"I am your bodyguard, Vegeta... oujisama. Let me deal with it." 'Besides I started it and I will take the consequences. Better me than you. For the sake of the time-line... This wasn't meant to happen. Those deaths probably weren't meant to happen. Damn...'

"This is not worth your attention, oujisama. You don't want to deal with this right now, do you? It can wait for later. It was my fault after all." Zarbon was nearly here. It was now or never. I urged him on.

I had always known how to talk him into something. All it needed was a little caressing of his ego… I normally wasn't willing to do that but this was a special case.

Vegeta

That sounded very similar to what I had just been thinking. It was true. 'It's not like this can't wait. If that was why Zarbon was here then let him search for me. If not... Then I don't care anyway.'

I wanted nothing to do with the raptor. I snorted. And it *was* Son's fault. All of it. I stood there for another moment, just glaring at him, but then I drew up with a haughty smirk.

"Fine." Turning, I strode calmly and collectedly out of the second door. If Zarbon had not been intent upon me then he was intent upon Son anyway. I stepped out into the next room and continued on slowly. I could hear their voices in the other room but I didn't listen. I didn't want to know. I was about to leave that room as well when I paused and growled at myself.

Zarbon

There was no reply and I glanced around again but still there was no one about. I pouted, thinking that I must have missed them only by a few minutes. I sighed and then I saw another door toward the back which the wet tracks led to. I held off the disappointment for another moment and began striding casually toward the back room. Might as well be thorough before I had to begin searching the rest of the ship.

Son Goku

It seemed like the longest time while he studied me, scowling, his eyes boring into mine. Then he nodded and I breathed in relief. I didn't even look at him anymore but, instead, turned and headed for the other door to distract the Repta-jin. Behind me the door hissed shut and I knew that Vegeta had gone. I concentrated on the task at hand, dismissing any thoughts of the prince. I had to solve this. I stepped into the other room, my face calm, but my tail betrayed me yet again by swaying nervously. I had after all no idea what was about to happen.

"Zarbon." I greeted him with a nod, striding past him and towards the rack with the towels. My hair was still slightly damp.

Zarbon

I was surprised when Goku suddenly appeared from the doorway and walked by me, offering a curt greeting. I paused, watching him retrieve a towel and begin to dry his still dripping, damp locks.

"Well, good morning." I greeted with a smile.

"Feeling better? I heard you had quite an injury last night. Those bug stings can be nasty." I conversed cheerfully, hungrily taking in his tall trim form beneath the armour and that damp, lashing tail. It was so nice seeing him again especially when I knew he was mine to take at my leisure. But for the moment...

"You haven't happened to have seen Vegeta, have you? I have a little errand I need him to accompany me with." I said this lightly as I strode closer to the handsome Saiyajin.

Son Goku

I shook my head, purposely dismissing him for the moment.

"No. When I woke up he was already gone." My tail lashed again nervously, I never did have much practice lying and I didn't look forward to the talk I was going to have with the Repta-jin in a minute. Finally my hair was dry and up to it's normal mess. I turned to look at Zarbon who had come much closer.

"About that fight yesterday…"

Zarbon

My smile slipped slightly. Already gone? Then I would have to search for him still and I knew that the prince would not make himself easy to find. It was enough to make me lose a bit of my good mood, but as long as I was going to be delayed anyway... I leaned closer to the Saiyajin.

"Yes? You got quite a nasty wound. There was blood all along the hallway, and all over the cantina. It was such a fortunate thing that the prince chose to take pity on you, wasn't it? It would have been a shame. Not a pleasant way to go, bug venom. Having your body shut down around you while you are conscious to feel it all... Right up until the last moment when it becomes excruciatingly painful and begins to dissolve your organs. At least, that's what I've heard." I trailed a finger down his spandex clad chest as I spoke with a casually teasing tone.

"What a loss." I smiled widely.

Son Goku

"Errr..." This wasn't going like I had planned it to. I had already forgotten how damn intimidating the man could get. I had the suspicion that this was not your daily warrior-camaraderie...

"Err. Painful, yes. Listen Zarbon, I don't want to be unfriendly but... could you maybe keep your hands off me?" I decided to take no chances and stepped back.

"About the fight... I just wanted to say, it was all my fault. Don't blame Vegeta..."

Zarbon

I was surprised but I supposed I should not have been. He pulled away and I held up my hands disarmingly, flashing a charming smile.

"My apologies, Goku. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. My, my. What a loyal bodyguard you are." I rumbled with amusement.

"What do you mean, anyway?" I frowned and then my brows rose in over-exaggerated realization, explaining in a patient yet mocking manner.

"Oh. You are from the surface so you may not be aware of these things yet. It is a very grave thing to kill one's fellow soldiers. Especially on board the ship. It is one thing that is not tolerated. How would we keep ranks if everyone went around killing everyone else?" I asked him with a concerned frown.

Son Goku

Damn... I had feared something like that...

"But it wasn't Vegeta's fault. He did it just to..." To what? To protect me... why? So many unresolved questions.

"I take the full responsibility for this. If you have to punish someone, then punish me for it."

Zarbon

I positively lit up at this suggestion. What a novel thing to say! Circumstances had certainly changed between these two since the first time I saw them together. It took me aback for a second. This was not good. Not at all, but the point was moot by now. I was ready to take full advantage of such a gesture.

"You would take the prince's place for punishment?" I asked in amazement.

"Even though I have witnesses accounting to what happened? Even though he would never give you anything in return? I'm touched, Goku. Are you sure you could do something like that?" I advanced on him again. This was just too good.

Son Goku

I didn't like the looks he threw me but I had offered it and I would stand by my word. Just what did punishment mean in these surroundings anyway? Judging by Jeice it meant getting beaten up badly. I could deal with that. I deserved it for my foolishness. I returned Zarbon's gaze firmly.

"Yes. I will take the blame for my actions. It was me who caused the fight and I will carry the consequences." I stood straight as he advanced nearer, somehow sure that he would hit me now. I braced myself. Yes. I was stronger than Vegeta. To me it would be only a minor injury. I just would have to fake the pain.

"Deal on me what you would have dealt on Vegeta."

Zarbon

Oh! I couldn't take it! I laughed at that. Bright and cheerful laughter as I caressed a finger down his perfect cheek, enjoying the look of shock. His tail lashed uncontrollably behind him and thumped against the regen tank that we stood next to.

"Unfortunately, that is impossible. You cannot take Vegeta's place, but I will do as you ask." Lightning fast, I caught that whipping tail and squeezed mercilessly. His whole body tensed and I slammed him back against the tank as his knees began to buckle. I loved these saiyan tails so much. They were such a treasure.

Son Goku

He smiled oddly at me and then he threw his head back and laughed. It was then that I decided that he must be a lunatic. Whatever other things he might have done... he was a complete freak. I backed away but it was too late. In one swift movement he had caught my tail that still lashed unguarded behind me and I felt a pain so intense that I couldn't help but let out a small cry as it shot up my spine. I fell to my knees, my whole strength lost in a split second. He held onto my tail, squeezing mercilessly and I gasped as my vision darkened.

"Aaaaargh... what are you... doing...? Stop...!"

Vegeta

I stood at the next doorway in discontented indecision and growled at myself again. Why the hell should I care? It was not as if he was important in any way. There was nothing to him beyond those damn questions that kept coming up and his looks. Nothing. But he had shown himself to be useful to me time and time again. Inconveniently, I forgot all the nuisances he had caused thus far as I tried to convince myself to just walk away.

'It doesn't matter. I must be insane. If it doesn't happen now then it will another time. Why should I stick my neck out for him when it will make no difference?' I huffed angrily. Because I had done it already. Because he had done it for me.

'Damn him!' I still did not move. I didn't want to. Why should I? It was completely irrational. I didn't even know if Zarbon had just continued on to look for me. Then I heard what sounded almost like a distant yowl.

Zarbon

I grinned down and crouched to look him in his eyes.

"But, Goku, you asked for this." I dug my fingers into the soft fur of his silky and limber tail and pinched it hard between my nails, loving the way he reacted to such a small action. It was easy to make them cringe as long as you didn't over-stimulate their pain receptors.

"You asked me to do to you what I would have done to Vegeta. Well. I have done an awful lot to Vegeta. Just where should I start with you? I think it will be much easier to break you. Just as much fun, though. You got away from me too many times already. Come on, Goku. You wanted it. How about a little participation?" I squeezed again, and seized his mouth as it gaped open, swallowing his cry. I greedily lapped at his lips and slid my other hand down the tight fabric that barely concealed his body from me. I nudged his legs apart and knelt between his thighs, my smile spreading as the fire in my stomach spread outward. Finally. He tasted so delectable and the heat that poured off of him... Purely Saiyajin. I had missed that fiery heat. His heart beat wildly in his chest and his blood sped in his veins making the heat rise even more as he blushed so brightly.

Son Goku

I yowled when he pinched my tail yet again and then suddenly I felt his mouth close over mine. My eyes snapped open and I protested angrily but he had me in the palm of his hand - literally. He kept such a strong grip on my tail that I was unable to do anything against his actions. Still I refused to simply submit. I struggled with as much force as I could muster but he laughed cruelly and squeezed again, making me scream out in pain. It all became too clear now! Those moments, when he had come so near! It had not been unintentional at all! How could I have been so blind? So stupid?? He hadn't even concealed it very well! That time when I woke up to find him hovering over me... and when I had been drugged and he had me trapped against the wall... everything clicked into place. This was what he had been after all the time!! I had just been too naive, too inexperienced. Never before had I encountered a situation like this! What did he mean? He spoke about Vegeta! He said he would do to me what he did to him... NO! He... he.... Finally he released my mouth and I spat out angrily.

"You bastard! What have you done to him!!?? Keep your stinking fingers off me or you will pay!" I glared at him angrily but he just laughed and tugged on my tail, making me shriek yet again. Damn! I knew I should have been more careful but it had been so long since my tail had been used against me! I had forgotten how terrible the pain was - how helpless it rendered you. I had been through many injuries and had endured pain beyond all measures, but this... was something else. It seemed to be directly connected to the brain and it didn't take any delays. It hit, fully and brutally. My body was in white hot agony. Heat was all around, especially where he touched me though his fingers seemed to be ice-cold. I had to get away! This wasn't what I meant when I said I would take every punishment he wanted to deal on me!

Zarbon

I shifted how I was pressed against him so that my thigh pressed securely against his groin and chuckled again, sliding a slick tongue along his strong square jaw and nipping roughly.

"I've done whatever I liked and I will continue to do so. What will you do, Goku? You are mine. I plan to have a lot of fun with you. You and Jeice will keep me busy for quite some time. Now, be a good boy and don't make me damage you too much." Then I glanced up at the regen tank behind him.

"Actually... Never mind." I grinned and let my sharp teeth scrape across his skin, leaving red marks, and then I slid to the sensitive neck just below as my free hand slid over powerful muscles and down the cleft of his ass. He was so solid and firm, his round buttocks tensed in my squeezing grip as I acquainted myself with his body. He was just as heavenly in real life as I imagined he would be and finally I had him in my hands. I would not let go this time.

Son Goku

I just couldn't believe his gall!

'His? I don't think so!' I was about to tell him just what he could do in my opinion when he squeezed again and then proceeded to lick his way down my throat. I whimpered in pain and then gasped as his tongue left traces of liquid fire on my skin. Where did all this heat come from? Why did I feel so strangely weak? Even with the tail I should have been able to put up more of a fight. My arms felt too heavy to even rise. But I couldn't give in! I couldn't let him do just as he pleased! It was horribly clear in my mind just what he intended. He was about to do to me what Jeice had tried to do to Vegeta.

Jeice... he said he and I would keep him busy! As if we both belonged to him! What did he think he was doing, claiming ownership like that? And just what the fuck had he done to Vegeta? Was he the cause for the prince's uptight behaviour? For his closed-off ness? His hate? Vegeta had been so tense whenever Zarbon was near. Why had I not seen it earlier?

I gasped again as he adjusted his weight and pressed against me. To my horror I could feel my body go pliant at his touch. No! Anger rose. NO! I would not allow this! I was stronger than him! Fuck him! I had to... I could not let this happen, no matter what!

"Fuck you! You bastard! Get away from me!" I struggled and then pushed against him with all the might I could muster - which wasn't exactly much at the moment. Damn... I clenched my teeth at the tremendous pain that shot up my spine. I had endured worse than this! I was not that weak... I could not... I had to be strong... The pain was so terrible that dark spots danced across my vision and I knew that if I had to handle much more I would probably pass out. No telling what he would do to me then! No! I struggled more fiercely, trying to push back the agony, trying to suppress it. Strong! I needed to be stronger!

Vegeta

It wasn't until after at least two screams struck my ears that I finally lost my common sense. I couldn't stand it. Those cries lit a burning rage inside me and I snarled, turning and bolting back into that room. I would not allow this! I would not allow Zarbon to touch him even though I couldn't stand up to him. I knew that he could swat me down easily but those rational thoughts bled away in the face of the sounds coming from the regen-room. I powered up to my maximum as I ran through the two rooms and into the last. I had grown stronger since I had last dealt with Zarbon but I had never been able to match him before so there was no reason to assume I could now. But still it didn't matter, it didn't even occur to me. The only thing that I thought about was that I would kill him!!

I burst into the room and what I saw made my blood boil and the rage took over completely. In the blink of an eye I was across the room and grabbing the Repta-jin by the throat. With a roar I ripped him off of Son and threw him across the room to smash into one of the regen tanks, shattering the glass and twisting the machinery. I didn't stop there, I was after him as soon as the glass jingled to the ground. The shocked reprobate took a moment to recover as I continued my furious assault on him.

Zarbon

I had just begun to enjoy myself thoroughly, despite how my victim writhed and wriggled. But it was tiring having to keep a firm grip on that tail. I was about to begin my routine of punishment when I was hit from behind, strong hands catching and nearly crushing my throat in an iron grip. I stiffened but before I could defend myself I was tossed like a rag doll. Shaking my head I felt glass shards dripping off me and my sight cleared just in time to see an enraged Saiyajin lunging at me. It was all I could do for a moment to catch his assault before I was able to gather my energy to me.

"Vegeta!! You little worm!! You should know better than this!!" I took a few impressive blows, they were stronger than I expected, but then again, I hadn't powered up yet. I caught his fist in front of my face and stared into his wildly feral eyes. He was enraged. But that was too bad. He knew better than to attack me. He knew better than to try and take me on. I would crush him for this!

I slammed my knee into his stomach and he threw his leg out at me with another snarl but I caught it and slammed him down into the ruined machine that he had first sent me into.

"Fucking little shit!! I'll rip you apart again!!" I yelled angrily. The prince was up and back at me but I was ready this time. I was stronger, older, more experienced, and calmer. He would not stand a chance but that never stopped the foolish monkey before. Then I remembered Frieza. I could not hurt the annoying little bitch - too much. Restraining myself I caught Vegeta again and threw him with all my might, using his own momentum to slam him into yet another regen tank. This one exploded in a rain of shards and shrapnel and sparks.

Son Goku

I blinked in surprise and had an odd feeling of deja-vu. Above me stood Vegeta, fists clenched tightly at his sides. Snarling furiously. Protecting me from Zarbon!!

Before I had time to think he shot forward and after Zarbon who had crashed head-first into a regen-tank. He recovered quickly though and caught Vegeta's attack. My tail still hurt terribly from the abuse it had been through but the rage drew me up and about in no time. I sprang to my feet just in time to see Vegeta impact with yet another tank as he was thrown aside by a mighty blow of the Repta-jin. He had come to my aid and now he was being hurt! Why did he come back anyway? I had told him to get away! I didn't care about hiding my strength anymore. I snarled and growled angrily. I would pay Zarbon back! He had gone too far and I was severely pissed!! My energy rose around me, lifting my hair up, my aura sizzling and cracking dangerously around me. Once I felt that I was charged up enough, I flew at the green-skinned bastard who had tried to subdue me and who had hurt my prince! He was just about to go after Vegeta when I met him midway, my fist connecting solidly with his jaw and sending him crashing not only through another tank but through the wall behind it and the next room's wall as well for that matter. I stood huffing and breathing hard, still shaking in sheer rage, glaring through the sharp-edged holes in the metal walls.

Vegeta

Wrathfully I heaved the heavy metal off of me and lurched from under the pile of rubble. That asshole! That slithering snake! I would kill him! I pulled free and growled but it faded as soon as I saw Son, charged, crackling with ki, and enraged, slam into the raptor. I stopped and stared as Zarbon crashed through the wall and I heard yet another crash that was undoubtedly the next wall. I stared at Son in his glory, whose ki glowed so hotly that I could actually feel it. It made my stomach twist and my blood pound at the same time. How could he be so powerful?! Adrenaline raced through my veins and it suddenly seemed to scorch me from the inside. He looked magnificent, like a true Saiyajin warrior. He was...

I shook my head and blinked a few times, consciously retaking control of myself. But the rage did not drain away. It shifted to include the interference. This was my fight! I chose it! He was stepping in my way! I tossed the warped metal away and it made a ringing clank as it skated, squealing, across the metal tiles and catching Son's attention.

"Baka! What the hell do you think you are doing?!"

Son Goku

Startled I looked around when the shifting of metal debris caught my attention. Vegeta's harsh words didn't really surprise me, not after all I knew of him. This was so typical of him! Not that I wasn't thankful that he came to my rescue, but his usual arrogance pissed me off sorely.

"Excuse me? If I remember it right I was the one being attacked by this bastard!"

Vegeta

I growled low and my eyes narrowed as I stepped forward.

"And you were doing so well at fighting him off, weren't you? You should be grateful that I was even willing to sully my hands for the likes of you! I could have left you to him without the slightest remorse! Now get out of my way! If you can't defend yourself then leave the battles to real warriors! He is mine!" Somewhere in the back of my mind I felt the nagging knowledge that I did not match Zarbon but it did not matter in the slightest to me. It had never stopped me before. I would fight to the end. What mattered was that another was interfering with my prey. My fight. I had chosen it. It did not matter why anymore. I was too worked up and energized to think on it. I squared stubbornly against the all too powerful Saiyajin and my anger rose even more at the intensity of the aura that blazed around him.

Son Goku

I had not ascended yet. Somehow a small part of me had managed to keep my anger under control enough to at least stop me from being that foolish, but my energy rose again at the implied insult Vegeta was throwing at me. So I had been a bit naive about Zarbon's advances! But how was I supposed to know that he was such a pervert? To be honest I had to admit that I might have guessed earlier, considering the all too plain clues he had given me, but then again nothing like this had ever happened to me!

"Well, thanks a lot for helping me back out there, but I think I'd like to take my revenge on my own! It was, after all, my tail that was being mishandled here and not yours!" Said appendage waved about angrily, bristling, the fur crackling with static energy. I glared at Vegeta and yet couldn't help but feel a bit of remorse. Who would have thought that he would ever come to help me? Why did I argue with him now? He had saved me…

Vegeta

I lifted my chin haughtily and eyed the almost glowing creature before me with disdain.

"As if you didn't bring it upon yourself in the first place! Are you sure you didn't *hand* your tail to him? Maybe you wanted his attention?" I sneered.

"You've done little enough to avoid attention of any sort up to now! I must be a fool to stick my neck out for someone like you. You've brought me enough trouble without this and now you dare to block me in a fight?! Sit down, Son! You are in my way!!" My ki crackled as it soared higher with the ferocity of the anger and boiling blood rushing through my veins. I was not going to stand aside for the likes of him! No matter who he was or why he was here or how strong he was. I stood above my peers, but at that exact moment I felt as if his immense presence overshadowed mine. I could not stand for that.

Son Goku

What? What the hell was he implying? Was he actually saying that it had somehow been my fault? I couldn't really think of anything I had done... the tail? He was probably hinting at that incident on Asora-sei. I growled low.

"I don't know what you mean! I've done nothing of the sort! And you don't seem to be up to Zarbon anyway! He was knocking you around like a punching bag! I can and I will take him down! It's you who should back down and stand aside!" My tail bristled like a bottle-brush and I growled again, feeling uncharacteristically aggressive. A waft of the scent I had noticed on Asora-sei caught my nose now and I sneezed. It made me feel even more hot and dizzy. I felt the urge to... fight Zarbon... for Vegeta? Why was that? What did Vegeta have to do with it...?

Then I remembered what Zarbon had said. That he would do to me what he had done to Vegeta. I had almost forgotten about it throughout the whole ordeal. I frowned. Did that mean... I could not think of any other meaning, and my anger rose tenfold. I would kill the fucking Repta-jin!! It was getting hard to keep control on my energy. I had to! There was still a slim chance that the time-line was not too screwed up yet. But if I killed Zarbon it most definitely would be! What to do??

Zarbon

I was stunned and it took some time before I was able to force myself to try to get up. What had hit me? I heard the voices of the monkeys but they seemed very far away. I shook my head and looked around but they were nowhere to be seen. Then I realized I was no longer in the regen-room. What? I looked up and saw the hole in the wall and my eyes grew wide. How dare he! How could a monkey be strong enough to do something like that to me?! I grit my teeth in a feral grimace and pulled myself to my feet. That fucking monkey was just full of surprises, wasn't he? Little whore! If he thought that he could toss me around like I was nothing then he had another thing coming. I would teach them both a lesson that they would never forget! I could hear their raised voices through the broken walls and growled. They were arguing about something. My body clenched and tightened and my ki rose grimly.

I smirked to myself as my energy began to shift. I would teach them what happens when I am taken lightly. Son might have taken me by surprise but I would not be disappointed this time. I always got what I wanted! With a yell, my body warped and grew, becoming larger and more scaly, my ki rocketing higher. I snarled as my greater form took over while the little simians continued to yell at one another.

Vegeta

I leapt forward so that we stood face to face and glared upwards into his stern features, a derogatory sneer twisting my grimace. 'I am not weak! I was never weak!' I stared up challengingly at him and breathed deeply, a dark, angry rumble rising from the depths of my chest.

"Make me!! I would love to see you try! I stand aside for no man!" My hand snapped onto his uniform front and dragged him down until we were nose to nose.

"You think you can make me? I'll have you on the ground before you can even make the first move." My challenge was clear as day and somewhere way back, behind all the anger and the pounding of my heart, I knew I had lost my temper again but, damn it, I didn't care!! I didn't even know what had set me off this time. We glared into each other's eyes, teeth glinting, nostrils flaring, a standoff that I was not willing to back down from no matter what. His ki rippled against mine and the warmth of the clash made me almost shiver but I pushed it away. I could scent the anger from him and his diligent refusal to back down... and that sweet, yet spicy smell suddenly seemed very strong, making my nose itch. My growl heightened instinctively.

Son Goku

I swallowed and normally I would have backed down. Ten years, hell, even five or two years ago I would have backed down, would have tried to calm Vegeta... would have put on the mask of the cheerful moron. But things had changed. He had pissed me off one time too many. I would not play on his conditions anymore. He had played with me, played with my feelings... he had insulted me one time too often.

"Oh yeah? Well, watch me make you, then! I told you to go away! I would have been able to handle this on my own. But you just had to come and cause more chaos! You can't even start to fathom how much damage you might have done!" We both stood in front of the hole in the wall, both tails bristled out, fists squeezed tightly, glaring at each other. Somehow, it struck me how stupid this was and how very uncharacteristic for me. That was when I registered that scent wafting by. It made me growl. It made me want to pounce Vegeta. It made me... aggressive! And then... something changed. Something in that scent struck a chord and I blinked and suddenly saw the scene in a new light. Saw how Vegeta was shaking from raw anger. I understood that it was not intentionally directed at me but at Zarbon. Speaking of whom…

Zarbon

As soon as my energy reached its full potential I roared and crouched down, diving gracefully through the holes in my, now, much larger form. I touched down inside of the regen-room, bracing myself for the attack... but the monkeys were not even looking in my direction anymore. They were glaring at each other as if nothing else existed around them. My lip curled upward showing gleaming sharp fangs and I stood and lunged toward them. If they thought that I was beaten…! That I was not a threat anymore! Then they had another thing coming!

Vegeta

"I'll act however I please!!" I snarled. A sudden movement caught my eyes and they locked onto the huge ugly lizard that was coming at us. Reflex took over. I let go of Son's shirt and my hand fisted again swinging to meet the abominable interruption.

Fucking *everything* seemed intent upon throwing me off lately!

Son Goku

"You're as stubborn as a mule!" Suddenly Vegeta moved and my gaze followed, my reflexes kicking in, following suit. I would not stand back behind him! We both extended our fists... to block the path of an extremely angry - extremely ugly? - Zarbon coming our way... it seemed like everything moved in slow motion all of a sudden.

Zarbon

They were completely absorbed in throwing insults at each other. It would be supremely easy to take them out and then I would have my own fun with them both. Frieza would not mind if the prince was a little tenderized when I presented him. It would make him more manageable. I drew back my clawed hand and was about to strike when they both suddenly turned in the middle of their argument and struck faster than I would ever have thought possible. I hit the deck hard and my head bounced on the metal floor, my sight swimming as I struggled to remain conscious. Shit-faced monkeys...! My thoughts bled together as I tried to shake the cobwebs from my brain.

Vegeta

I snarled and my rage shifted once again. Zarbon!! Daring to do what he did!! I would kill him!! I raised my arms and bellowed as crackling ki flowed into my hands, creating a huge blast in record time. I raised it up and single-mindedly hurled it at the abomination that had plagued me for so bloody long.

Son Goku

I stared at my fist, then at Vegeta, then at Zarbon who was writhing in pain on the floor. Slowly a small grin rose on my face. So. We had argued about who was going to take him down - and had ended up both doing it. Vegeta used that precise moment to hurl a ki-blast at Zarbon. Typical. He just had to add another one, didn't he? But then again... if what Zarbon had said was true... he owed Zarbon a great deal more than I did. So he had probably been right all along.

Vegeta

I stood there, chest heaving, staring bloody murder down at the form that still twitched spasmodically. Then I blinked and my breathing slowed down. My attack had done more damage than I would have thought it could have. Zarbon was more powerful than that... wasn't he? Slowly I calmed as the scorched figure on the ground stilled, the tiles around him were blackened and smoking. Shit. What...? Did I really do that?

I looked over at Son who seemed just as surprised as me and I relaxed a bit more, the tension bleeding from my shoulders. I... I had lost it again. What was wrong with me?! Damn it!! I looked back down to the lizard that was beginning to shift back to his normal state. He was out cold. One blow. It had taken one blow! True... it was a combined punch between the two of us, but still... I drew up and straightened, clearing my throat and glancing at Son before looking back to the Repta-jin. It didn't seem real or possible but it obviously was. Frieza's second in command was beaten so easily…

"Let's get out of here. There will be hell to pay." I stated simply and turned, walking stiffly through the back room again.

Son Goku

I blinked in rapt fascination, first at Zarbon - I only guessed it was him because of the clothes - who started to shift back and then because of the look of awe and surprise on Vegeta's face. He suggested that we take our leave and I agreed wholeheartedly. We hurried out of the medical bay and down the corridor.

"Where are we going??" I asked, a little breathlessly, which was odd because normally this should not have caused me so much as a stir. But then again, I was still feeling that odd weakness that had hindered me back with Zarbon.

Vegeta

I strode back through the empty rooms, with Son following. Where? I had not exactly thought that far yet. I just wanted to be away from the scene. I was not running. Just making myself scarce. Yeah. You couldn't run on a battle ship. Everything always caught up to you at some point. How had my life gotten so fucked up in such a short time? Everything had been fine up until that purge... up until I met Son. I exited into a hallway on the opposite side of the infirmary from where we had entered and paused.

"I think a stroll would be about right now. Might as well relax while we can." I said and then turned toward the direction of the ships interior.

Son Goku

A... a stroll? As far as I knew, he was wanted for murder and together we had just taken down Frieza's right hand man! How could he be so casual about it?

"But... aren't they going to search for us? What's going to happen to you when they find us?" I said 'you' deliberately. I didn't really care anymore what happened to me, I realized. It was all so fucked up. I was stranded here, and everything just got worse and worse. Maybe... maybe this time was better off without me, one way or another, and since seemingly no one had thought about getting me back... my shoulders slumped and I sighed. Did they really not miss me? Not search for me? Were they glad they were rid of me? I could not believe it... I could not be sure... but...

Vegeta

I tsked and kept walking.

"What do you care? You have your own problems to worry about. I suggest you stick to them. I refuse to cause myself anymore damage on your behalf." I grimaced. It didn't matter anymore. I could see no way to recover from all that had happened so far. First Frieza and now Zarbon. There was no way to avoid either of them. I still couldn't believe that the Raptor had been felled so easily. But... it had been a long time since I had had to face him. Had I grown that much stronger? Or was this idiot just so powerful that it didn't matter? He couldn't be a natural warrior. He had to have been enhanced somehow. It was a troubling realization but… I could handle it. I could handle it just fine. 'Hn.'

Son Goku

We reached another part of the ship that I had not been in before. The light here was dimmed and the air was much more humid. I thought I was able to hear small blubbering noises behind the doors. Walking faster I closed on Vegeta, turning slightly to look at him. There was still this question nagging at the back of my mind.

"Vegeta... I still don't understand what happened back there. What is going on here? Why did Zarbon... do that? Is this some sort of... disease…? Or something…? First Jeice and now Zarbon?"

Vegeta

I did not slow down my stride. Not in this section of the ship. Not after what I did yesterday. These halls were noisier than the normal ones because of the water re-circulators that hummed and bubbled behind the walls, but my keen ears caught Son's voice clearly. I figured it was safe to assume that at least some of these Chordat knew of me by now. I did not want to deal with any more of them. His question struck me, grabbing my attention, and I turned to look at him incredulously.

"What?" Was he kidding me? I started to say something else but then snapped my jaw shut. The childish confusion on his face was absolutely stunning. He had to be joking.

"Where the hell did you come from? How...? Don't you know anything?"

Son Goku

"Please... why don't you just simply tell me... you've kept on confusing me. I've asked you so many times, but you would never just come straight out and answer me. What's going on on this ship?!" I looked at him almost pleadingly. I was so sick of not knowing. He strode along quickly and I noticed that he threw nervous and cautious looks around. Suddenly I realized that I actually heard water. This must be the decks where the fish-men stayed! And Vegeta had killed two of them yesterday...

Vegeta

My brow furrowed as I looked at him but then I heard a wet slapping sound up ahead, around the bend...like fins. I halted abruptly and stuck my arm out to keep Son from continuing on past me. The sounds continued, coming closer to the bend. Crap. I caught Son's arm and drew him into a side passage that crossed the fish decks rather than skirting the outer reaches of them. I hadn't wanted to go further this way. I just wanted to keep moving until I could think of something but still nothing came to mind. I spoke low, letting go once I was sure he would follow, distractedly listening for sounds of pursuit.

"It's a game. Haven't you ever played hunter and prey as a cub?" I asked him. How could he not be able to figure out something so simple and obvious?

Son Goku

He led me another way when sounds indicated that we had been about to run into one of the occupants of this deck. "A game?" I looked incredulously and disbelievingly. How was I supposed to believe that this was some sort of… recreation? He had to be kidding me.

"Hunter and prey? You mean... this is all just some sort of... fun?" My voice clearly carried my disbelief. A game like what kids play? No. I definitely saw no resemblance. We walked quickly and stealthily through bluish corridors. The further we got, the more humid the air was and then I noticed that water had started to trickle down the walls. It didn't seem like corrosion but rather intentional since it was running along carved channels in the metal.

Vegeta

"There's not much to keep soldiers occupied when they are cooped up on a ship in the middle of a black vacuum so they play games with each other."

I found myself explaining it offhandedly as I listened intently to the sounds echoing around us. I changed directions a few more times but we still ended up too far astern of where I would have liked to be. Instead of trying to double back I took us up a level. It would be easier to get back to the normal decks this way than any other. At least it wasn't the Lower Grashnar level.

"Hunters... and prey. It changes constantly. If a soldier cannot learn to play then he loses. It is the extent to which you lose that can be... uncomfortable." I glanced over at him again.

"You... are lucky to have survived this long. It is a breach of conduct to kill one another's fellows but Saiyajin are not counted in that rule. Countless Saiyajin die when they come on board and are separated. It is considered great sport." I spat on the ground, a bitter taste welling up in my throat along with a righteous fury.

"Only teams thrive here."

Son Goku

"Killed...?" I couldn't believe what he was telling me. So basically anyone who was weaker than you was game? And Saiyajin were considered a great prey?

"And this game... it includes... well... that sort of thing...? Ya know... what Jeice and Zarbon tried... to do?" It was just too strange. Never before had I encountered something like this. I couldn't even imagine it. Hunting others down for fun! Doing such... things to them! Killing one another! And all of it... as a sort of sport? This was so barbaric!

Vegeta

I grimaced at the mention of those two.

"It is a matter of control and will. The game is whatever the hunter wishes it to be. Jeice does not play anymore. He tried to play with a hunter and is a lamed pet now." I growled.

Son Goku

I slowed at this statement. So that was what I had been missing! That was why Vegeta had scowled like that when we met Jeice on the upper decks. So... Jeice had been punished... in a way I could never have imagined. The ghostly memory of awful screams haunted my mind for a few moments and I had to violently shake them away. The upper decks. Was there another meaning I had yet to decipher? If Jeice was a... a pet now... and he was there... but... if the upper decks were bad then... Vegeta had been reassigned too. If it was what I now suspected, then why had he asked Frieza for the permission to take his associates with him? He would have known... wait. He sent Radditz back immediately after that. So that meant... did he want to protect my brother by sending him away? Suddenly many of the hints and innuendos that had passed made a whole different sense.

"Jeice... has lost a game...? And the hunter... was Zarbon? And... he was after me because...?"

Vegeta

I eyed the passageway as we walked and Son attempted to piece his mind together. A faint vibration almost seemed to make the air hum. Just a few more meters and there would be a corridor leading back in the direction I preferred. The halls had changed a lot over the years. I remembered being a foolish cub, wandering these halls. Before the Arcatroids moved into the inner decks. The walls now had a bubbled texture that made it seem much more organic than metallic. My tail snapped back and forth in agitation. I was beginning to get a whiff of the acrid smell of the hive now. Suddenly there was a sharp buzz and I drew up short, pushing Son sideways into a small alcove alittle off the ground, sliding in with him, my hand on his chest to press him into the far corner.

"Because he felt like it." I hissed quietly.

Son Goku

I might have commented on that but Vegeta clamped one strong hand over my mouth, leaving me with only the choice of either mumbling angrily or biting him. I did neither when the sudden buzzing increased. I could hear *and* feel the vibrations of some passing insectoid warriors. My tail on the other hand refused such restraint and thumped angrily against the walls of the narrow alcove. It was only then that I realized the position we were in. The alcove was merely waist-height, meaning we were more laying then sitting inside it, and Vegeta was crouched half over me for lack of space. In order not to have any legs sticking outside he actually had to get quite close to me. I blushed as he shifted. I couldn't help it. I knew I should not even start to think that way. Resolutely I forbid myself to even start to start to start... and then Vegeta shifted again uncomfortably and his tail got closer to my face. That scent I had noticed time after time on him caught me full on and I inhaled it deeply. It made me slightly dizzy but it was also... strangely comforting. Before I knew it I had started a low purr. Mildly I wondered at it but couldn't quite focus enough to truly think about it. If I could have, I would have thought about the fact that I had never done that before. I hadn't even known that I could purr.

Vegeta

He stiffened in my grip but I was not about to let up my hold. It was one thing to meet one of these things in a brawl. In their own territory it was completely different and, though Son had the vaccine in his blood still... I didn't. These insects tended to be highly territorial and dangerous that way.

I was practically... No, I *was* crouched sitting on top of the baka's lap, waiting for the creatures to pass by, but I didn't think much about it. His tail was thumping nervously and with each movement I nearly flinched. He was going to tell them right where we were! I shifted, turning as well as I could and slowly eased my arm out, keeping my precarious balance on him. I grimaced and snatched onto the tail just as it was about to thump the wall again, effectively trapping it. Immediately Son's body went rigid but fortunately he had the presence of mind to stay still. I would not have done such a thing if he had not forced me to. *He* was the one who could not seem to control his tail.

Son Goku

My eyes snapped open wide and my breath hitched when my tail was suddenly gripped and held. It hurt for the tiniest moment. The appendage was still sensitive from the brutal treatment it had been subjected to earlier. I turned my head rapidly, looking at Vegeta who's forehead was wrinkled in concentration as he listened to what was going on outside. The buzzing just wouldn't vanish... It seemed like the bugs were holding a little conversation right outside our alcove. Unluckily, the weakness that had been ebbing on and off chose this exact moment to strike again. It was odd. It had to be some after-effect of the insect's venom, but then, why did it come and go like this? I had the distinct feeling that, instead of running around and getting into mortal danger, I should rather lay down somewhere because the dizziness seemed to grow worse. I couldn't really breathe. The air was so thick with Vegeta's scent... and that warm hand circling my tail felt so very different from when Zarbon had handled it... my heart beat so rapidly... and the position I was in was more than uncomfortable. I shifted slightly, resulting into one or two tight involuntary squirms against Vegeta's body and a sharp tug on my tail that made me almost yowl. The feeling was close to pain... and yet... different somehow. I had never before felt anything similar.

Vegeta

After a moment he tried to shift again and I turned to pin him with onyx eyes. I tightened my grip on his tail only fractionally and he stilled. The damn bugs weren't leaving! Why the hell were they taking so long?! I... I didn't like being stuck here. How the heck did I get stuck in this position with this man in this situation at this time with his bloody tail in my hand! He stared at me wide eyed over my fingers and my own eyes widened when his tail suddenly wound around my wrist and he seemed to relax somewhat. His eyelids lowering slightly. The vibration in the air grew stronger and I inhaled sharply when I realized that it wasn't the walls... He was purring! With narrow eyes I leaned just that much closer to make sure. I couldn't help a wry smile as his warmth bled up through my clothing and into me. I would have chuckled if it were not so dangerous. So he was enjoying this? He really was a glutton for punishment. That sweet scent came back, mixed with the acrid bug smell and I had to force myself not to sneeze as our little corner suddenly grew uncomfortably warm. I shifted slightly, a little more than necessary, just to see what his reaction would be.

Son Goku

It seemed Vegeta was nervous too because he shifted and squirmed. This brought me into a very unwelcome situation. I... I really should not feel... but... argh!! If he just would stop that! I felt the blush creep up my neck and over my face to the roots of my hair. Damn it! Why did he have to be so close? I was over this! It was wrong! It had been a stupid mistake! This wasn't even the man I... ! Why did he have to grip my tail so hard!? I wasn't going to run! I had no intention of getting myself a second shot of that venom! I was getting the idea that he was deliberately trying to cause me as little comfort as possible! But that touch... it was so... and the warmth of his body pressing to mine...

I couldn't stop the purr from strengthening. And then I realized to my horror that my tail had curled around his wrist without waiting for my consent.

My gaze locked with Vegeta's and we looked into each other's eyes. I was... enthralled. Those liquid depths held so much fire... so much passion and life. So unlike the eyes of the other Vegeta. Those eyes were cold as hell frozen over, the flame having died a long time ago. I caught my breath. What should I do? This... this proximity caused me... well... if he didn't move soon he couldn't help but notice... Oh god! Why must my body betray me so?

Vegeta

His eyes stared into mine with a distinctly trapped quality and I revelled in it. I breathed calmly and slowly and his warmth and scent seemed to wrap around me. That sharply sweet tang that clung to his scent rose and filled the small space. He had done little but piss me off since I met him... but I couldn't quite figure out why half the time... and I was *far* from pissed right now... Damn he smelled good. I kept hold of his gaze as I considered him yet again. He was prey if there ever was any. He wanted to learn about the game. I had the urge to give him a demonstration right here and now but he was *frightened* prey. The stiff fearful scent was strong over it all. It made a growl want to rise up in my throat but I held off. Now was absolutely not the time to let the wrong instincts take over. Once we were away from here though... I decided that I would definitely have fun playing with him. He might be strong... but he seemed so unbelievably innocent. It would be easy to... use him, maybe bind him to me, secure his loyalty. I liked that idea. And if what I feared awaited me... why the hell not? I had nothing to lose anymore and anything to gain.

Son Goku

Just when I thought that I could not bear it anymore, that something had to give under the strain... just then he turned and let go of my tail and before I knew it he was gone. Now I noticed too that the sounds outside had vanished. A hand appeared at the entrance of the alcove, impatiently waving me out. I sighed and followed. I just did not know what to make of this strange man. In some things he was so alike to the prince I knew and in others... just what had that been right now? I... could it have been... no. I must be imagining things. He would never... I sighed again and sped up to catch up with Vegeta who was almost running along the corridor now. I had not a single wish to stay here longer than absolutely necessary, too.

We left the hive-level quickly and climbed up a narrow ladder, that led to another level. This one was almost pitch black and we had to really use our natural night-sight to find our way around. Luckily we only crossed the outer part of this level and quickly we found ourselves in an almost normal environment, compared to the ones we had been through up till now.

Vegeta

Crossing through a corner of the Drakian decks, thankfully without having to deal with any of the night-crawlers - at least one positive effect of the lock-down, we now stood in more natural surroundings near the engineering decks and I found that I actually had to think about where we were going now. I glanced back at Son who looked as though he were keeping his distance from me and smirked slightly. So easy. I could still smell him strongly and it made the fur on my tail crawl and tingle. Well. Where to from here? I would be systematically hunted down. There was no doubt. What should I do in the meantime? I glanced up. The upper decks were only two floors up, I thought to myself. I wanted nothing to do with them. I wanted to be down in the training arena beating the shit out of those weaklings, working out some frustrations or.... Where would I be least likely to be found? I glanced back at Son who was still breathing a little roughly, his shoulders slumped abnormally. Ah, yes. He still had that antitoxin in his blood stream. It probably reacted with him almost as badly as the actual poison had. I nodded to myself and led the way. It was all too easy to get to the upper decks from here.

Son Goku

I felt pretty dizzy. Damn, just what was wrong with me? Shouldn't the effects of whatever they gave me have worn off by now? I staggered slightly and had to lean on a wall for support. Vegeta scowled at me impatiently and then proceeded to lead the way. I gazed around curiously, somehow recognizing our surroundings... oh! The Upper decks! Why the hell was he leading us here? We were bound to be caught... no. He was right. We could not run forever. This was a spaceship. They would search it section by section. Our only chance for escape would have been to get off the ship, but that would be impossible by now. All the hangars were bound to be watched and taking off would be nearly impossible anyways. I staggered again. I had the distinct feeling that I was forgetting something... something important... but what? My head was so full of buzzing. Finally we reached the level of the quarters that we had inspected yesterday. If only I'd known then... it was all my fault. I had been so stupid... if I had not had that completely fuck-headed notion to start that ramble in the cantina, none of this would have happened. How could I have been so stupid? Figures. I had to go back to the past to finally screw up completely to prove that everything Vegeta had ever accused me of was right.

Vegeta

He had grown increasingly clumsy as he followed me, his scuffing footsteps making too much noise. By the time we reached the right level he looked as if he might fall over. I frowned darkly at him. What was wrong with him? He had been fine earlier.

The room was only down the hall and thankfully the carpet would muffle the noise. I grimaced and grasped his arm, drawing him away from the wall. I had no idea which of the rooms here had been assigned to him and I was not going to leave him here to show my position. I half led, half steadied, half pulled him down the hall to the door. Further down came the sound of another door opening and hurriedly I dragged him inside my rooms. The larger Saiyajin was practically leaning on me, not that I exactly minded the feel of his warmth. His scent seemed even stronger suddenly and it made my thoughts hazy as I concentrated on it. Dazedly I shook my head, trying to make the thick feeling on my tongue ease.

"What is wrong with you?"

Son Goku

If not for Vegeta I might not have been able to go on. Whatever was happening to me, it was happening fast. I didn't know whether it really was an after-effect of the venom. I felt so hot... and my senses seemed to be unnaturally sharpened. I could smell every single being that had crossed these corridors for hours and over it all, overwhelmingly, there was Vegeta's scent, that musky strong scent that was so very much the prince. With every deep gasp I breathed it in and it did strange things to me... I practically clung to him now and he was dragging me along. If not for him I would have fallen to the floor. Finally we entered some door. Raising my heavy head I recognized the rooms through a blurry haze. Vegeta's quarters. They probably wouldn't search for us here immediately. Maybe. Hopefully. Relieved, I sighed and, in the process, nearly lost my last bit of balance, leaning heavily on the one holding me up.

"I... I don't know... It must be the venom... I... can I please sit down...?" I really tried to keep myself from this weakness, knowing how much Vegeta would despise it, but I could not help it.

Vegeta

His explanation made no sense. The toxin should be gone and the antitoxin should not cause anything like this. He had awakened from the regen tank only a short while ago. He should not be in this condition when nothing had happened to him. He had been so strong earlier. His ki had crackled with energy. Now he was dependant upon me just to stay upright. If not for me he would have fallen out in the hall for whoever was passing by to find. I would be surprised if they couldn't follow his scent alone but there were not too many with such keen Saiyajin senses anyway. The strength of his scent was making even me dizzy and an irrational sense of protectiveness flooded me. He began to slip from my grip and I growled, catching his waist and pulling his arm over my shoulders, lifting him up so that I carried most of his weight as I crossed the room. After entering the bedroom, I stepped in and stopped. Frieza's garish colours felt like a physical slap but after an instant I pushed it away and kept going. I shrugged Son unceremoniously off of my shoulders and onto the large plush bed.

Son Goku

Before I knew it I found myself on my side on a fairly fluffy bed. To be precise, it was extremely fluffy. The thick cushions nearly suffocated me. But I didn't have the strength to do anything about it. I couldn't even wonder how I got here... oh... right. I looked up and there he was. Vegeta brought me here. He... something was wrong with this picture... Why would he do that...? After all I had done...

"Ve... Vegeta..." I was so out of breath Dammit, what was happening to me?

"I'm sorry... I caused so much trouble... I didn't mean to... please, you gotta believe me... " I started to drift off. I was just so tired. Maybe a little sleep would get me back to my old shape. Yes. That would do it. Slowly my eyes slid close.

Vegeta

I stared down at the prone form that almost instantly lost consciousness. Son was laying half on his side with his legs curled up giving his spandex clad ass the nicest emphasis and his tail was twitching lightly. I had to crush the urge to reach out and stroke the fluffy thing.

'I am not Jeice or Zarbon to take advantage of the defenceless!' I turned away irritated at myself for even considering. The colours of the room caused bitter bile to rise in my throat that banished all improper thoughts anyway. He had apologized for the trouble he caused? Well, much good it did now. I looked back at him, his body rising and falling in a steady rhythm. What had happened to him? If he died and left me with nothing but a corpse to keep me company I was going to be pissed. Carefully I reached out and caught one firm hip, rolling him onto his back so that he would not suffocate in the downy pillows, and sat down, leaning against the bedpost at the foot of the bed. I felt pretty tired again myself. Too much had happened recently. I didn't like the stress. I sat there in silence looking at the sleeping warrior and thinking about what I could possibly do now. Wondering what I would have to survive once Zarbon or someone else happened to stumble onto me again.

Son Goku

I was lying on the floor, unable to move. A living corpse. I could not even breathe. Imprisoned in my own flesh. I lay in a large puddle of blood and a shadow loomed over me but I could not see its owner. There was another body lying close to me and I narrowed my eyes to see what it was. Then I recognized the familiar black hair and my eyes widened impossibly. Vegeta! No! What happened? There was blood all over him and he did not breathe either. Was he immobilized like me or was he... was he... The shadow over me moved and suddenly I could see a figure step over to the unmoving body of the prince, bending down. Slender fingers took Vegeta's chin, tilting it upwards so that I could see his broken eyes staring at me. Dead.

Oh god... Oh god... No... Those icy white fingers jerked and the head snapped back, the nape of the neck breaking like dry wood. He killed him! That bastard... that monster... he killed him and I was not able to save him! Somehow I knew that it was all my fault. He would never return, and that bastard had killed him. Silent tears were running down my face as I was forced to watch this. My hate filled, tear-stained eyes travelled up that form, from the three-toed feet upwards, always upwards... but when I came to rest on the face... it was not who I had expected.

Vegeta grinned, his face smeared with blood, blood that dripped down his whole body, tinting his white gloves a stark crimson, and he kicked the body in front of him, creating an awful hollow thud. I could not... He was... he threw his head back and laughed and the sound roared in my ears, echoed in my head, my whole body vibrated, my soul was torn apart at this sound, no, Vegeta, no...

"VEGETAAAA!!!"

Jeice

I had been standing in the hallway, silently off to one side, just standing there for a moment. Then I had continued on, quietly, slowly. I did my best to stifle the limping but my body still hurt despite the few hours I was allowed in the regen tank this morning. I had to take myself to it when I woke against the wall in Zarbon's quarters and I had to take myself out of it at the appointed time. If I stayed in longer he would know and I would not be allowed to use it anymore. I had just been on my way back to my room when I saw them.

I still didn't know what I should do. Vegeta was here... Zarbon had gone to search for him earlier and I could only assume that he had not found the prince yet. I almost wished that I hadn't seen. He had been half supporting the bodyguard as well. I felt a stiff disgust. So Vegeta played his own game with his bodyguard. It looked like Son Goku had lost. My throat tightened bitterly. He had not lost as much as I had. I wondered how Vegeta would go about it, if he followed in his mentor's footsteps… I quickened my pace to my room and stepped inside. There I stood still again. When Zarbon came back... He would know. He would know that I knew. It was irrational but I feared it all the same. I shuddered. Frieza... would know. He knew everything. The back of my neck felt icy cold and I had to force myself not to reach for it. They would know... and they would punish me for not telling. Again. And why shouldn't I tell? I grew angry suddenly. Why shouldn't I? It was all his fault. It was his fault I was here. It was all Vegeta's fault that I suffered this... this... I sobbed when I felt a stirring heat in my loins and a flush on my cheeks at the thought of it, my lungs began to heave in anxiety over my own response before I managed to stop them. Resolutely I steeled myself and reached for the comport that was imbedded in the console on the wall.

Vegeta

I still sat, my eyes closed, meditating, trying to find a semblance of composure. I had thought about it and I could find nothing to keep me from believing that my punishment would be anything less than miserable. I knew that, honestly, it would probably take a very long time to heal from whatever was done. Just like the last time.

Then my thoughts were ripped from the blank calm by the sound of my name being screamed right next to me. I was instantly on my feet and scanning the room for enemies. There was no one. My eyes shot to Son. What the hell?? A fleeting dry comment occurred to me. 'Well, he's still alive... And screaming my name in his sleep. To think! I haven't even had to do anything to him yet.' My sarcasm was sharp but the incident was amusing all the same. I stepped up to the bed and leaned over it, studying the twitching figure uncertainly.

So troubled. He seemed to attract nightmares. My brow furrowed as I knelt on one knee on the bed and started to reach for him. If I didn't know for a fact that these rooms were soundproofed, I would have been paranoid that someone might come to investigate that scream. Bah! He could scream all he liked and no one would know. Not here. But my ears and nerves could not take it if he continued like that. 'If he was going to scream he should at least have a reason', I thought wryly as I leaned closer, intent on shaking him awake.

Son Goku

My eyes followed a single, perfect crimson drop that escaped that familiar mouth. It rolled down lush lips, over a rectangular chin, down a curved throat, and then fell from the muscled torso that was bent over its prey. The figure bent down further, dipping another finger into the puddle of blood around the body and brought it to its lips, licking the digit clean thoroughly. I was doomed to stare, powerless. Then the living Vegeta straightened and turned to me, taking two steps towards my unmoving body. He knelt down before me, taking my face in his hands. His skin was clam and cold like that of the dead. My heart pounded rapidly, but I was unable to move, unable to escape that icy cold, lethal stare from the depths of that lightless soul. He looked at me for the longest time until I thought we would stay like this for all eternity. Then he spoke.

"It's your fault. You killed him. Don't blame me. You killed them all." And with those words the room around us lightened and I could see bodies all around, some whom I knew and many that I did not. I saw Gohan, his body nearly torn to pieces. Goten, seemingly pierced by a giant fang. Kuririn, pale and bloodless, but otherwise unharmed. Piccolo, oddly twisted. Yamcha, a hole in his chest... they were all dead. All were dead, and it was my fault. Vegeta smirked and let go of my chin.

"You are so pathetic. You are worthless. It's all your fault." And with that he turned and started to walk away. After three steps he was already far away and after ten he was slowly vanishing in the far distance. In the precise second that he disappeared, I suddenly felt that I could move again and I jolted upright. Finally the tears started to flow that had been entrapped so long. I crawled towards the body beside me, burying my hands in the soft black hair that was tainted and made stiff with blood, cradling the unmoving body to my chest desperately. My eyes locked with the broken eyes of the saiyan prince and I embraced his cold remains, burying my face in those bloody spikes, crying for all I was worth.

"Please forgive me, Vegeta, forgive me..."

~ to be continued ~

Outro

Rogue: *stalks out of the shadows to glare about the dusky corner* We've had an interloper in our midst! A mindless drone of the light world has pressed its blunt little unenlightened opinion upon us! *flashes cats teeth* "If you do not know what I am talking about, I shall expound. Someone had "In'lar-Anth" removed from ff.net for violating the NC-17 rule. My loyal readers know that that is not true, much to all of you's disappointment. Because of this, my angel and I have been quite irritated. We are now expanding. Our stories will be posted more places soon and "In'lar-Anth" will be back up at ff.net soon."

DarkSerapha:*slowly melts from the shadows feather for black and white feather like some sort of ghostly appearance* Not only "In'lar-Anth" but several other of our stories have been removed, from both mine and my lovely koi's account. But do not fear. We will not be beaten so easily. You can already find us on adultfanfiction.net, and other places will follow. Also, my dearest companion has started her very own web-blog and web-site to give us a sanctuary if needed. You'll find her at http://www.geocities.com/neko_jin_rogue/

Rogue: *smiles self consciously* Yes. On my website will be a listing of new fiction sites and hosts which I am starting to post at. My blog is http://roguevegeta.blogspot.com/ if anyone cares to look. It is still very modest and new. *shrugs* We are also working on a Compendium which will contain details of In'lar-Anth which may not be fully addressed in the fic. This is an extremely long fic so far, so there is plenty of into to put in it. If there's anything that needs be addressed, you can bring it to our attention and we will input it.

DarkSerapha: We did already address that on our yahoo-list, of course. if you want to join, go here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Inlar-Anth/ It's free, after all, and you would not want to miss on anything, would you? *smirks* Anyways, the compendium will probably be posted bit by bit - or maybe in one big bout - we haven't decided on that yet. Will you enlighten them what topics we already have, koi?

Rogue: Ah. Well, that is quite a list. We have, so far: The Game The role of Saiyajin on the battleship Awa...... erm... actually... hmmm, I can't really go into that just yet. We haven't gotten to that in the story yet. *grins conspiratorially* um... there's quite a lot that can't be mentioned yet... The hierarchy of Saiyajin on Planet Vegeta will come into play as well. We will also explain the different races on the battleship and the hierarchy there. An detailed description of Control Chips and their uses... There's all sorts of things to address.

DarkSerapha: And adressed they will be. Well, we haven't updated for a while - many many things have been eating up our precious time in real life. But the next chapters are already mapped out and should be coming as soon as we get around to edit them. We'd like to thank Ranilos for yet another of her wonderful detailed reviews. Reviews are what keep us alive. Thanks to all who reviewed! Also, we'd like to announce a very special and rare happening. Something that is almost too fantastic to believe. You know what I am talking about, my lovely neko...

Rogue: *eyes light up* Of course. How could I overlook something so spectacular? *turns to readers* What we are talking about is THE YAOI-CON in San Francisco this coming October! That's right! The YAOI-CON!! To all those who love lovely bishounen, the Yaoi-con will be in California from the 17th to the 19th and... Your Dark Angel and Sadistic Neko will be there together for the first time!

DarkSerapha:*smiles and leans to her koi's side, purring* Isn't it unbelievable? You can meet the authoresses in person - if you want. I simply can't wait. This angel will tire her wings out to fly over there, but it will be well worth it.

Now... one more thing. Our updates seem to take longer and longer.. that's because Real Life makes more and more demands. And this will even increase over the next months until the Con. So please bear with us. We will continue this, even if it takes a while. Also, we are regularly posting shorter stories in between, because we need the necessary distraction from time to time. if you can't wait, you might want to check out those. My koi has written a wonderful short one shot named "Change", and together we have posted an angsty and lemonish little continuation that is already completed named "Phobia".

Rogue: Yes. We might at times take a little longer to post, but we will be working on it. Hopefully, after the Con, we will be able to get back to a more regular schedule again. Until then, we will be doing our best. I WILL say this. *smirks* We are coming up on what you all have waited for. That's right. The next three chapters are going to be pivotal. We know you will love them even despite the wait.

DarkSerapha:*smiles and snuggles into her demon's embrace* Yes, you'll love them, just wait and see. A lot of things will happen. The first arc of "In'lar-Anth" will be completed soon. Yes, you heard right. The first arc. There will be several. We are not getting tired of telling you that this is the story that only starts where others end..

Rogue: *grins* Yes. That first Saiyajin lemon is only the beginning. *smirks - tail wags teasingly* We'll see you soon...

DarkSerapha:*slowly pulls her demon into the shadows* now.. until the next installment... there's things to do... *smirks as they vanish where they came from

Rogue: *slinks up to angel smiling slyly* Oh yes... things to do... *curls tail around angel's waist, wings draping her in shadow* So many things... Come love... October awaits us. I just can't wait... my lovely heaven's host.