Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Power and Fiery Passion ❯ Departure ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter 9: Departure

 

 

With the day of their departure fast approaching, Ryujin continued to encapsulate both equipment and supplies to carry with them on the ship. She had an idea that was slowly congealing in her head, about claiming this planet for the Saiyans, using its inhabitants to repopulate their race, and possibly harnessing this amazing capsule technology for themselves, then selling it to other planets, thus stabilizing their economy. But it was only an idea, to be presented to her beloved only at a much later date. She had also heard tales of these magical items called dragonballs, which she though would be well used by wishing any fallen Saiyans not yet reborn back to life, adding to their numbers of full-blooded warriors.

 

The day before they were due to leave, she sealed up her space pod and launched it, watching as it faded out of sight. She turned to find Vegeta watching her. "There goes our herald. Are you ready to go tomorrow?"

 

"Of course, excepting that this will be our last night here in a real bed."

 

Ryujin smirked. "I could always put that in a capsule as well..."

 

Vegeta returned her smirk and drew her close to him, claiming her lips with his own.

 

"You realize that no matter how many capsules I stuff with food, we're going to have to stop for supplies along the way."

 

"Of course. I can make my existence known to the universe." He reached out and pulled her close, his arms wrapping naturally around her waist, his tail twining with her own.

 

“We're going to be cooped up on that ship for 8 months. Are you sure you won't need a better sparring partner than I can provide?”

 

Vegeta raised an eyebrow. “What are you getting at, Ryujin?”

 

“Only the fact that toward the end of that time I will be getting very heavily pregnant, bitchy, and even more irritable than I already am, as well as not being able to put up as good of a spar as I would normally. Perhaps you might consider bringing Kakarott along? He has been your only subject for many years, and it might do him some good to be around his own kind.”

 

Vegeta snorted. “Leave that idiot here with these stupid humans. He would be worthless on the trip, and drive the both of us insane.”

 

“I think that `idiot' means more to you than you admit, even to yourself, Vegeta. And we both know he's not truly soft-headed, it's just that stupid mask he wears—that he has had to wear to `fit in' here. And he will be useful when I can no longer spar, and at least present you with some sort of challenge, which I, even currently do not.”

 

“Do not presume to tell me what I think or feel, woman.”

 

“I am your mate. You have granted me the right to speak my mind around you.”

 

“You should not voice it so much,” he replied. `Or so accurately,' he added mentally. “I will think on it, woman. That is all. Now come inside.”

 

* * *

Chichi had just finished the dishes when she heard a sharp rap on the door. “Who could that be at this late hour?” she groused. Reaching the door, she opened it. “Vegeta.” She frowned, her lips in a tight line. “What do you want?”

 

“I am here to see my son, woman. He is in your keeping?”

 

“Well, yes…” she faltered. Vegeta had only been by once since Bulma's death, and that was when he had dropped the child off there.

 

“And are you intending to keep me from my own son, woman?” He didn't bother to hide the threat in his tone. It was no secret that he and Kakarott's harpy shared no love.

 

“No, I will not keep you away from your own child, Vegeta. But you should come by earlier in the day. He's asleep now.” She stepped aside to let him in before closing the door and leading him down the hallway to the nursery. Quietly, she opened the door and walked over to the crib. Quickly checking on him, she turned to Vegeta. “Please try not to wake him. He's very fussy in the evenings and it's hard to get him to go to sleep.” And with that, she turned to leave.

 

“Woman,” he called softly. Chichi paused and turned at the doorway. “Tell your husband I wish to speak with him.”

 

Chichi paused and frowned slightly in confusion. Vegeta's voice seemed softer, gentler somehow, the tone not one she had heard him use before. She watched as his tail uncurled from his waist and he used the tip to stroke the baby's soft cheek. It seemed… affectionate. She hardly believed Vegeta was capable of such an action, until she saw Trunks' small, lavender tail reach up to coil around his father's brown one. It was then that she left the doorway, disgusted by such an obviously alien thing.

 

When Vegeta had dropped the baby off a few months ago, he had demanded that she not remove the child's tail, and she had complied with his wish. But the child was in her household, and the only reason he still had his tail was because of the checks she had started to receive monthly from Capsule Corp to pay for the child's upkeep and to compensate her for his care. Frankly, it disgusted her, but she would do what she had to if it kept the money coming in.

 

 

After the harpy left the room, Vegeta reached down and picked up his son, tails still twined. Cradling the infant against his shoulder, he started a low, rumbling purr. `My son, you will have a kingdom to inherit. You will know your race, your people, your lineage. And even though you are a half-breed, you are my eldest, and in a few years, being half-breed won't matter so much. You will have my crown after me if you so desire it.'

 

His purr abruptly stopped when he felt Kakarott enter the room.

 

“Being a father's great, isn't it?” Goku smiled, seeing the baby asleep on Vegeta's large shoulder with their tails twined.

 

“Children are important, Kakarott. They carry on our legacy.” Turning, he placed his son gently back into the crib, stroking him with his tail when he fussed slightly.

 

“Chichi said you wanted to speak with me?”

 

“Yes.” He covered the baby with a blanket and turned to face his rival. “Let us go outside, Kakarott.”

 

After exiting the house, Vegeta gazed up at the stars. It would be the last time he'd see them for a while. “Ryujin and I are leaving tomorrow.”

 

“What? Why?”

 

“There is a colony of Saiyans on a new planet that is very much like our old homeworld. They heard rumors of us, Kakarott, of our Ascension. She was sent here to take me back to them. I am a Prince. My place is with my people.”

 

“There's a new colony of Saiyans? That's… That's wonderful, Vegeta.” He smiled, but didn't bother to hide the sadness in his eyes. “I'll miss you.”

 

Vegeta paused, eyeing his friend. He again debated his course of action before finally committing. “I would like for you to come with us, Kakarott. It will take us 8 months to get to this planet, but I think it will do you much good to be around your own kind.”

 

“Well… Gee, Vegeta, I don't know. Were you planning on ever coming back? I mean, I don't want to just abandon Gohan or Chichi…”

 

“I have plans to return here, yes. I must fetch my own son, after all. But you are not obligated to do anything, Kakarott. Your presence has been requested. Whether or not you accept the invitation is completely up to you. Ryujin and I are leaving at noon tomorrow. These are for you to use, should you decide to come with us.” He handed the larger Saiyan several storage capsules.

 

“Thanks, Vegeta. I'll think about it. And whatever I decide to do, I'll come see you before you leave tomorrow.”

 

Vegeta nodded, then turned and shot off into the sky, back toward Capsule Corp.

 

* * *

A chill ran through Ryujin's body as Vegeta withdrew, intensifying her afterglow. She rested on the box she was bent over for a moment, unwilling to get up and start moving around again. Strong hands stroked her tail and she shuddered in pleasure. Standing up, she turned and leaned into her mate, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as she captured his lips in a kiss.

 

“Hey, Vegeta? Ryujin? Are you in here?”

 

Goku's call from the upper floor interrupted their kiss, and any leftover afterglow was instantly nullified.

 

“Horrible timing, as usual. Get dressed. I'll go meet him.” With that, Vegeta gave her one last, quick kiss before straightening his training gear and heading upstairs to intercept their visitor.

 

“Hey! I'm here! I've decided to come with you. Chichi's not too happy about it, but I told her I'd only be gone maybe a couple of years. And she'll be okay without me. It's Gohan I'm worried about. I'm gonna miss him. I hope you don't mind, they came with me to see us off.”

 

“Hn.”

 

“Where should I put my capsules?”

 

“Put them on the console for now, Kakarott. We'll take them downstairs before we take off.”

 

Ryujin emerged from the lower floor and followed the two males outside.

 

Gohan embraced his father, tears welling in his eyes. “I'm gonna miss you, Dad.”

 

“I'll miss you too, son. You be good, study hard for your mom and keep up your training with Piccolo while I'm gone, okay?”

 

“Okay, Dad.”

 

“Hey, kid,” Ryujin called.

 

Gohan looked up, and caught the scouter that was thrown to him. He looked at it in confusion before looking back up at Ryujin for an explanation.

 

“Put it on and press the button when you want to talk to your dad. I fixed it so it calls the command center on the ship.”

 

“Really? Awesome! Thanks!” He grinned and gave Goku another hug. “I'll still miss you. Love you, Dad.”

 

“I love you too, Gohan.”

 

Standing, Goku turned to his wife. “Are you sure you want to do this, Goku? You could always just stay here…”

 

“I'm sure, Chichi. And don't worry. I'll be back before you know it.” He gave her a soft kiss on her forehead before waving to the baby in her arms. “Bye-bye little Trunks. Be good!”

 

Trunks looked up at Goku, back to Vegeta and Ryujin, then to the gravity chamber/ship behind them and frowned. They were all leaving him behind.

 

Ryujin eyed the child's lavender tail. “Is that your son?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Noticing the baby's frown, Ryujin smirked. “He takes after his father.”

 

Vegeta snorted and headed back toward the ship. Ryujin and Goku followed, sealing the outer and inner doors behind them before joining him in the command center and buckling into their seats.

 

Gohan and Chichi backed away from the ship as the engines started to rumble, bracing themselves against the wind that was kicked up as the ship lifted off. Slowly, it picked up speed and altitude, until it finally faded into the bright afternoon sky.