Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Stealing Time ❯ Distant Revelations ( Chapter 5 )

Stealing Time

Chapter five

"Uugh." Vegeta rose slowly feeling extremely groggy from a bad nights sleep. The room was still shrouded in darkness from the curtains being drawn but it was clear by the clock the day had started without him. One of his hands came up to rub vigorously at his eyes to clear his vision. Throwing off the blanket he found himself still dressed from the night before.

"What a nightmare." His voice came out rough and cracked. Images played in his mind of yesterdays events, his strange dreams, the voices, feeling sick and the recent nightmare. All of which were basically the same. His self being locked in total darkness and alone but surrounded at the same time by people or things he couldn't see. Hearing nothing but his own voice rambling on about things he didn't understand. It was all too much, and costing him precious sleep which would inevitably ruin him later on.

Vegeta scooted to the edge of the bed letting his feet hit the floor. "Damn this!" He slammed his hands down on the mattress and stood himself up. "I have to get control of this before it takes control of me." He walked into the adjoining bathroom but stopped before entering. It was faint but his ears caught the sound. "Voices." For a moment he panicked, thinking the voices from his head had returned, but straining to listen he could tell they were coming from downstairs. With slight relief the Saiyan made a b-line for his bedroom door and yanked it open. There were two people speaking, both familiar. As he got closer to the end of the hallway near the stairs he immediately recognized his son's and Gohan's voices.

"Kakarot's boy, what's he doing here?" Curiosity getting the better of him Vegeta crept as quietly as he could down the stairs stopping midway to listen in on the conversation.

"Sorry I couldn't make it last night, I got hung up you know."

"It's okay. I know how busy you are, Gohan. I'm not sure how my dad is feeling now," Vegeta's ears pricked up at the mention of himself. "I kinda bailed on him last night." Trunks looked away to avoid showing his slight blush. "Guess my anger just got the better of me."

"Hm, like father like son huh?" Gohan teased and the two shared a brief laugh.

'Rrr.' He calmed himself to listen more as Trunks continued.

"Lets hope not. I mean, I love my dad but some of his personality traits I'd rather not inherit. Sometimes I even wonder if we're truly related at all."

'Insolent child!' Vegeta letting his annoyance get the better of him, accidentally banged his fist against the stair railing. 'Damnit.'

"What was that?" Gohan asked having heard the thud and the two turned towards the noise and found Vegeta descending the stairs looking as bitter as ever. "Speak of the man, he's got good timing." Vegeta joined the two in the living room and stood in front of them waiting for an explanation. "Trunks thought I should come over and see how you're doing." Gohan explained. "I heard you've been sick."

"Well you've heard wrong. I feel fine, so you can go." He pushed past them and headed into the kitchen. The two exchanged discontented looks before following after him.

"I think I should check you over anyway, just incase. It'll only take a minute." Ignoring the noise of protest from Vegeta, Gohan placed his medical bag on the table and took out what he'd need to examine the Saiyan. He approached the spiky haired male who, in turn, retreated back a few steps. Gohan sighed.

"Please dad." Trunks tried to suade the man into cooperating.

Vegeta only narrowed his eyes at his "so called son" who questioned their blood line. "Fine just get it over with." But he gave in to avoid further confrontation and to be rid of both boys. He didn't need this first thing in the morning not after the night he had. Gohan closed the gap between them once again and proceeded to give Vegeta a basic check up.

"Well everything seems alright." He announced once the procedure was complete.

"Like I said." Vegeta scoffed crossing his arms.

"Are you sure. Yesterday you were half asleep or completely out of it most of the time. You barely ate dinner and-"

"Well it doesn't matter now." The prince hissed becoming all the more annoyed with his son. "It was yesterday, as you said, I'm fine today." He retorted with mock in his voice and satisfied with the crushed look on Trunks' face he made his exit.

Gohan gave Trunks an apologetic look knowing himself at first hand how hard Vegeta was to deal with. "Just give him some space. You know how Vegeta feels about weakness and if being sick is one of them then it's understandable that he'd try to hide it from you."

"I guess." Came the half Saiyans defeated reply. "Thanks for coming anyway."

"Anytime. I'll see you around." Gohan took his things and left from the kitchen's back door.

Trunks went after Vegeta, seeing no sign of him in the living room, he headed upstairs. "So much for thinking he'd changed over night." 'Right because my little tantrum really got through to the mighty prince of Saiyans.' Stomping up the stairs a determined Trunks headed straight for his fathers room. He stopped outside the opened door and cautiously looked in not wanting to catch his father in a private moment. "Ehem.." He cleared his throat knocking lightly. "Dad, I need to speak to you." He waited and got no response. Deciding to just walk in he was stopped short by Vegeta suddenly appearing in front of him.

"What?"

"I.. uh.." Trunks stumbled at a loss for words surprised by his fathers quick appearance.

"Haven't you harassed me enough?" Looking into those piercing black eyes and the tone in the Saiyans voice left Trunks tongue tied. "Hmph, suddenly the boy can't speak. Funny, only minutes ago you had plenty to say to Kakarot's boy." Vegeta waited crossing his arms again. "I don't have time for this, and shouldn't you be going to school?" With that he turned away from his silent son and closed the door in his face.

Anger suddenly replacing his confusion, Trunks punched the wall in front of him. 'Damnit! Why does this keep happening?' He walked away going back down stairs grabbing his bag from the couch on his way out the door. 'Every time I try to open my mouth he shuts me up before I can even get my point across.' "And I let him!" He slammed the front door on his way out. Not wanting to be any later than he already was, the half Saiyan took to the air flying quickly towards the school.

'He must have heard what me and Gohan were talking about before he came downstairs. Way to go Trunks now your father thinks you're ashamed of him.' "And why should that bother me it's partially true anyway. He's the one that makes me feel less than, everyday. Why should I have to suffer in guilt when he doesn't?" 'Because I love him that's why.'

"Ah shut up brain." Ending the mental battle with himself he picked up speed and continued to school.

________

"Forgot how nice the weather was up here." Goku stretched his arms behind his head placing his hands on the back of his neck. Letting the cool winds blow back his mess of hair. Since the times had become more peaceful there wasn't any real reason to go up to the Look Out anymore. Other than to admire the nice view looking down through the clouds onto his beloved earth or an occasional visit to his friends. Piccolo however had his own reasons for being there frequently. "So, you come up here alot?" Goku turned his eyes in the direction of his stoical companion who stood to his left, arms crossed and eyes closed.

"Yeah, force of habit I guess." Was his gruffly reply.

"Ah I see. Can't help watching over the earth even when there's no trouble huh."

"Nothing life threatening anyway."

Goku dropped his arms and looked fully at the Namek now a smile spreading across his face at the sarcastic remark Piccolo had just made. "Hahaha, yeah, I guess that's true." Suddenly his tone became serious. "There really are a lot of problems down there... ones we can't stop no matter how much we'd like to."

The sudden change in his friends behavior forced Piccolo to open his eyes and stare at his comrade. "You sound as if there's something more than concern behind that."

"Oh," Goku laughed nervously scratching his head. "guess I was thinking out loud. It's nothing."

"Mhm." Returning to his previous position Piccolo reveled in the feel of the cool breeze and the peace and quiet of the look out. Its usual inhabitants, Mr. Popo and Dende, were busy within the large white walls of the building a few feet behind them. He let his high frequency ears pick up on the sounds coming from miles below them on earth. At the moment things were peaceful and that's the way he liked it.

"Um, hey Piccolo?"

"What is it?"

Goku hesitated a moment not sure how to begin asking his questions. "You... you and Gohan are happy right?"

Piccolo's face registered curiosity for a moment before returning to its usual aloof expression. He answered tightly with a simple, "Yes."

"So how'd you do it? I mean- well, you're not the most likely pair I guess, and you managed to find each other."

"What are you getting at Goku?" Piccolo started walking away from the look outs edge, Goku following behind him. They stopped to sit on one of the white stone benches in front of the building. "I have the feeling you're thinking about something and its not myself or Gohan. So just get it out already."

"Heh heh, guess you got me." His smile waned as he rested his elbows on his thighs leaning forwards in his seat. "Its Vegeta." Piccolo made a sound indicating he somehow already knew that. "I guess lately I've just been feeling kinda alone- not lonely you know cause I've got the boys and you, my other friends but-"

"But after a while it's not enough." The Namek finished the Saiyans thought. Goku looked at Piccolo surprised that he knew how he felt. "I've been there myself Goku. Why do you think my relationship with your son stopped being a just friends thing."

"Oh yeah?" The young Saiyan listened with complete interest as the other spoke.

"Once you start realising that you are alone in this world, you seek out a companion. And it's usually the person you think about the most when you are feeling alone. The one that makes you feel more than one emotion when you're around them. Someone that gives you a sense of purpose in life." He paused before continuing. "...That's how you know incase you were going to ask."

Goku stared in complete shock and awe. "Wow. That was really deep Piccolo." He placed his chin in the palm of his hand and thought Piccolo's words over for a moment. After processing it, he immediately thought of Vegeta. The other Saiyan did bring out the best and worse in him at times. Made him feel more emotions in a few minutes than anyone else he'd ever encountered. When they weren't together Goku would often find himself wondering where Vegeta was and what he was doing. Needing to talk to him or just be in his company. Despite Vegeta's ongoing attitude towards him. 'Its true then. I'm- I'm in... love with Vegeta.' He stared out at the blue sky that was littered with puffs of white clouds. One of those white fluffs taking on the form of Vegeta's head. He blinked a few times but the image remained, his was face fully concentrated on his revelation.

"Goku?"

"Oh sorry. I was just thinking about something, what you said."

"You mean about Vegeta?"

Goku nodded solemnly. "I always knew I cared about him in some way, ya know, but anything more serious just seems really farfetched at this point. He is Vegeta after all."

"Follow your instincts Goku, they've never let you down before."

"That's true I guess but, there is a first time for everything." He laughed awkwardly at the thought of pursuing Vegeta, his life long rival. "But if I don't do something I'll never know and it's better then going the rest of my life not knowing what could have been."

"Hn."

Goku stood turning to face his friend. "Thanks Piccolo, you really helped. Gohan's pretty lucky."

Even though he didn't respond Goku knew what Piccolo would have said. "And hey, could you not tell anyone else what we talked about. I don't want anything slipping out getting to Vegeta or anything. It might ruin it all before it even starts."

"Sure."

"Alright. I'll see ya around and thanks again." On his way over the edge he waved a final goodbye before free falling back to earth.

__________

Vegeta, satisfied with himself after having run his son off for the little comment he'd over heard, took himself into his bathroom getting ready for his shower. 'That'll teach the little punk to respect his superior.' Couldn't have said it better myself. "Huh?" He froze midway to the shower knowing what he'd just thought wasn't of his own doing and it was a sign. A sign that it might happen again. 'No. I just have to be strong and ignore it.' So he did, thinking nothing of it as he stripped down leaving a trail of clothes to the shower. He pulled the glass door open, turned the hot water on and stepped in sliding the door back over. Standing under the hard spray he closed his eyes letting the water cascade over him. He stood there for some time hoping it'd wash away his problem and he could have a normal day.

Letting out a long sigh and stepping back from the water leaning himself against the back wall. "Stupid son having the nerve to speak ill of me and to one of Kakarot's sons of all people!" He should be punished. They should all be punished. Vegeta's eyes snapped open but he didn't move. 'I'm not thinking this, it's not me!' But it is you Vegeta, it's all you. "No. I'm not like that anymore." He could feel the heat in the shower rising but it wasn't from the water. He slid down to the shower floor knees drawn in as he tried to breathe through the surrounding steam. You can't escape the past Vegeta, you can't change who you truly are. Let me help you. The last words echoed in his mind seeming so familiar. Like the night before but said with more animosity. Vegeta suddenly felt suffocated and the air inside had become thinner. Reaching up a blind hand he pulled at the shower's door and slid it open a bit. The outside chill immediately mixed with the steam both battling each other at the doors opening, one to get in the other to be released.

He could feel himself slipping away more and more as if his own mind were becoming someone else’s. He tried standing to get a hold of himself but the headache was starting to form. "Aah." He sank back down instead pushing the door open more, attempting to crawl out of the shower but he stopped halfway. His expression had changed from fear and panic to a sneer. The look in his eyes showed amusement and laughter. Slowly the prince stood stepping naked and dripping from the shower. He glanced around the bathroom walking away from the shower to stop at the mirror. He eyed himself with a smirk. "Finally free." His voice came out in a whisper sounding low and more sinister than normal. He turned and headed into the bedroom letting out a laugh as water trailed behind at his feet.

__________

"Hey T' over here!" Goten shouted across the crowded school corridor during the switching of classes. Trunks had just gotten into school and finished up in the office explaining why he was late. Of course he had to lie a bit saying his father was really sick, not that these secretary's truly cared, as long as they got an excuse. He found Goten at the other end of the hall making his way towards him. "Hey where have you been? You missed first period and if you were skipping without me I'll-"

"I wasn't skipping Goten, though I kinda wish I had."

"Hey, what happened?" Both boys fell in step with each other going up the hall towards their next destination.

"I thought maybe my dad would have been different after last night. After what I said to him."

"What would give you that idea? Vegeta's not one to just change over night, heck, no one is really."

"I know, but when I got home he had cleaned up everything so I just figured he felt bad about my getting upset. I wanted to thank him and apologize but he'd already been asleep. And this morning-" Trunks tossed his arms in the air and dropped them back down heavily against his sides for emphasis on just how bad things were. "I think he over heard me and Gohan talking and I kinda said something I shouldn't have. Now he's mad again and who knows for how long. I just set myself back more and haven't even taken a step forward."

They both turned a corner separating briefly to let someone else by. "That sucks... Hey what was my brother doing there?"

"Well he was supposed to be giving my dad a check up to see if he were really sick or not but of course Vegeta made a big fuss about it."

"Oh."

"Gohan said he's fine, though, from what he could tell but I'm just not sure myself." Goten placed an arm on his boyfriends back rubbing it lightly. It was all he could offer at the time, since so far most of his encouragement had failed in working out for the other boy and his words of comfort weren't much to go on. The bell sounded again as a final warning for hallway stragglers and the two said their goodbyes going into different classrooms.

___________

An excited Vegeta blasted out of Capsule Corp with a look on his face that couldn't mean anything but trouble. He flew quickly towards West City eager to reek havoc anywhere he could. He started by landing right in the middle of a busy street.

"Huh- hey outta the way!" A man in a passing convertible yelled, fist raging in the air. Luckily he missed the Saiyan who laughed it off. The next few cars however swirved avoiding the nut standing in harms way.

"What the?" The man jerked his car away crashing into another, which crashed into another and so on.

"Aaaaah!"

"The hell is his problem?"

Screams were heard with embittered shouts and threats from this vehicle and that. The sound of metal hitting metal filled the destructive Saiyans ears. "Hahahahaha.." Vegeta gave a haughty laugh but stopped once sirens were heard from approaching police cars.

"What do you think you're doing buddy?" One of the officers got out of his car but before he could even take a step Vegeta, with a malicious grin, flared up his ki knocking the officer along with others and a few vehicles a short distance away.

"Hahahaha!" He flew away from the scene flying overhead low enough for pedestrians to see. They gasped and ran yanking their children with them. Vegeta scouted out the area for something else he could enjoy. Seeing a group of small children buying ice cream from a cart he raised a hand firing an energy blast at the little white cart.

"Aaaa!"

Kids screamed and one small boy began to cry but no one was hurt. The cart, however, was totaled and ice cream seeped out of its remains like blood from a wounded body melting on to the concrete sidewalk.

Vegeta flew on going higher this time. "Yes," he gave an out of character turn so he flew with his back facing the ground and face up towards the sun. "This is how it should be. Nothing but fear plastering the faces of every being on earth. Caused only by me." Just as he geared up for another victorious laugh a sharp pain shot through his head. "Ugh, no damnit! I'm not ready to go back I can't." He tried to shake it off but that only made the Saiyan dizzy and losing his concentration he crashed into a nearby tree. "Oof!" His petite but masculine figure tumbled down between leaves and branches. Small scratches marred his face until he fell from the tree hitting the ground hard.

It only took minutes before he rose on hands and knees a low buzzing sounded through his ears as he let his head clear and eyes refocus. The raven haired man lifted his head, eyes darting every way with confusion as to where he was and how on earth he got there. He couldn't seem to remember anything that had happened after he'd stepped into the shower.

"Wha- what's happening to me?" He sat on his knees staring down at his hands with fright filled eyes. In the distance he picked up on the sound of commotion coming from a few meters away. He looked up in that general direction but of course only saw trees around him. "What have I done?" He stood angry now at his own confusion. "How the hell did I get hereeeee!?"

Not too far from where he stood Goku flew lazily through the mid morning sky and jerked himself to a stop having heard the cries of a familiar voice in the distance. "Vegeta?" He had spent most of his morning pondering what Piccolo had said and going over his own feelings trying to sort it all out. It appeared he'd been doing that a lot these days, coming to the same conclusion every time. He loved the other Saiyan and the only thing he could do about it was try and see if Vegeta would return the feelings. Not wanting to waste time he used his instant transmission getting to Vegeta's place in the woods faster. Once he arrived there he found the small fighter facing a tree both hands gripping either side of its trunk.

"Ve- geta?" Getting closer he could see the mans body shaking vigorously.

"Why is this happening to me? Why won't you just leave me alone?" His voice was low and almost as shaky as his body. Goku wasn't sure if Vegeta was talking to him, someone else or to himself. He walked right up to the mans back placing a hand on his shoulder and Vegeta jumped up spinning in the direction of his assaulter.

"Whoa! it's just me ar-"

"Stop!" The look on the Saiyans face startled and frightened Goku but he didn't back away. "Just go away.."

"But Vegeta."

"Go awaaay!" Vegeta grabbed the side of his head shaking it back and forth frantically. Then without warning he took off to the sky, so fast in fact, Goku would have missed it had he turned his head or even blinked.

"Vegeta wait! Vegetaaa!"

'Something's not right here.' Too concerned to care what the other man wanted Goku followed after him anyway but kept his distance so as not to alarm or anger the prince further.

Glancing back, Vegeta noticed the other man still following after him. "Damn that Kakarot can't he take a hint?" Vegeta pushed himself to fly faster in hopes of losing his follower but it proved to no avail. Goku remained right on his heels. 'Rrr' Vegeta tried losing him by going down in to West City, weaving in between buildings and cars.

"What the heck is he doing? Doesn't he know that's dangerous." Goku sped up himself hoping to catch Vegeta and stop him before he caused any damage. People on the streets screamed at both of them. Cars honked horns and the drivers and passengers shouted from their windows. All the while Vegeta could feel a rush coming over him from somewhere inside but he forced himself to suppress it. He looked back again finding Kakarot still at it but when he turned around he smashed right into a large stone building. "Vegeta!" The last thing he saw before blacking out was the sky and a small bit of black hair.