Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Tasting Bliss ❯ Pins and Needles ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama. It is owned by Shonen Jump, Toei Animation Co. Ltd. Shuisha Bird studios and released by Funimation. This fanfiction means no harm to the manga or anime. Only the plot is my idea and is for entertainment only. This story is based on the movie Fusion Reborn, and contains dialogue from it.

 

A/N: This also exists as a stand alone story, but I felt the need to incorporate it into my Goku and Vegeta story to see what it would be like.

 

Mountain of Needles

 

By Starbearer TM.

 

***

Once glimpsed by their sons, two saiyans slowly regarded one another. A certain shyness had eclipsed the moment, dousing their heated passion as effectively as a splash of frigid water. Neither one wanted to admit to the other they had sensed the ki of Trunks and Goten one moment only to have it dissipate by the next. Vegeta and Goku released one another, heavy silence hanging thickly and uncomfortably between them.

 

In an attempt to quash his fury at having their mood spoiled, Vegeta bit down hard on his tongue. Blood seeped around his lips as his fangs sank into the soft flesh. Though it would heal in a matter of moments he suspected some deep trauma had infected Kakkarot. Next to him Son Goku drew up his knees to his bare chest and folded his arms around them. In all the time he had known Son Goku, Vegeta was never aware of Goku having shame in his naked body in front of anyone, let alone his own family. So what was the cause of his shyness now?

 

Vegeta meanwhile made no attempt to cover his body, rather he shifted over to prod Goku's quivering shoulder with a long finger. He coughed, "They were bound to know sooner or later, Kakkarot."

 

"I… I'm sorry Vegeta," Goku whispered, thankfully turning his head slightly to one side to peer at Vegeta. So caught up in passion had he been that it seemed of little consequence that Vegeta's blood red fur encased a hard muscular body. The tip of a furry crimson tail lightly lashed against Goku's bare back, voicing Vegeta's frustration despite his attempts to hide it.

 

"Did you think I didn't know about them?" Vegeta interrupted, sidling up to Son Goku and sliding his arms around the larger Saiyan possessively. Gou accepted the rare moment of pure comfort the Prince was offering, relaxing into the curve of his lover.

 

His lover. At the thought, Goku's bare skin washed from its usual light peach to a steady shade of pink. Mostly concentrated on his cheek, it was a rare sight to Vegeta, and all the more endearing and troublesome. "What will they think?"

 

"Merely that we were afraid of what they were hiding," said Vegeta. Son Goku still hugged his knees, rocking back and forth. Vegeta cursed under his breath, and reached over to grab Goku's discarded pants. He draped them over Goku's shaking shoulder, respecting his companion's need to come to grips with the reality that there would be more consequences then just Chichi's rejection of their bond. Like ripples resulting from a stone cast in a pond, the true implications of their impact were just spreading to the once placid distant reaches of their now combined pool of life. Other stones and obstacles in the way of the ripples would either deflect or absorb the waves, deconstruction or constructively interfering in their wake.

 

Son Goku tugged his pants down from his shoulder, shifting from his huddled crouch only to slip them on over his bare skin. Slowly he stood up, then turned to see Vegeta finish rucking up his pair of form fitting blue leggings. Goku still struggled to clothe himself, his attempts only showing the need to cover something Vegeta thought was shame.

 

"You have nothing to be ashamed of, Kakkarot," Vegeta replied. His sable hair flickered in the cool breeze, swirling over his soft furry back. Now his tail threshed impatiently behind him, and he crept on now booted feet towards the edge of the clearing.

 

"I know but…" Goku trailed off. He tensed in anticipation of what was to come. The meeting with Chichi hadn't gone well as he'd expected, but he was not sure he could face disappointing more of his family with reality.

 

"Trunks, Goten, come out now," Vegeta gruffly shouted, cupping a gloved hand to the side of his mouth. Quietly two figures ducked around the shade of a tree where they had been watching the whole time. Son Goku turned quietly to look towards his younger son, clad in bluejeans and a loose layered assortments of t shirt and sweatshirt. Most of his hair lay askew of his face, his dark eyes searching with curiosity rather then anger towards Goku. Next to him moved Trunks, his blue eyes glistening with shock and fear.

 

"You should learn to mask your energy better then trying to hide from me, Trunks," Vegeta answered casually, turning his gaze on his son. Goten shoved his hands in his pockets while Trunks rested his hands at his side. His lips moved in silent words, struggling to find ones that would form the phrases he wished to utter.

 

"Dad," Goten said quietly, seeing his father awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. "We didn't want to interrupt anything but… um… I was um worried about you… and well…"

 

"I can explain," Goku lamely spluttered.

 

"The truth is we were scared that you two wouldn't understand…" Goten started and then chuckled, kicking the ground with a sneakered toe. "But guess there's no worry for that now…"

 

"Goten, you're NOT helping," Trunks shouted. Goten glared back at him, his eyes gleaming black with annoyance.

 

"Well why should we have ANYTHING to hide now it's all out in the open!" Goten retorted.

 

"I've known you two were involved for months, Trunks. I'm no idiot," Vegeta laughed deeply, smirking at his son. Trunks gritted his teeth, his pale skin almost chartreuse with the hot blood rushing to his face and spreading all over his body.

 

"Then why didn't you SAY anything, Father?" Trunks snapped. "You… all this time Goten and I were… and to find… this?"

 

"It's our choice, Trunks. This has nothing to do with the relationship we share as father and son. What has transpired between your mother and me is NOT your concern…" Vegeta started.

 

"The HELL it isn't!" Trunks spluttered. "How long… how long?"

 

"Trunks, easy," Goten urged, moving over to rest his hand on the other's shoulder. Angrily Trunks gritted his teeth, and fixed Vegeta in a cold freezing stare.

 

"Trunks, I'm sorry," Goku started.

 

"Dad, relax. I've known about you and Mom on the rocks for years. You can't hide it. And I'm not surprised," Goten interrupted, struggling to diffuse the crackling tension mounting with each moment. Invisible waves of hostility passed between the space separating Vegeta and his son.

 

"Father, do you have any idea what this means? I know Mom's been seeing someone on the side, but I didn't think that you…" Trunks blurted out.

 

"Trunks, enough," Vegeta snapped. "You of ALL should comprehend the nature of this. Considering you've chosen Kakkarot's younger brat as your lover!"

 

"I… I…" Trunks spluttered, backing away. Vegeta made no move towards him. Rather he stood with his hands at his side, waiting for his son to calm down. Quickly Goten rushed to Trunk's side, gripping his lover's shoulders and spinning him to face away from Vegeta. He designated himself as peacemaker, struggling to keep a lid on Trunks temper. Forcing his face into Trunks he insisted, "Trunks don't you see it's better this way? I mean they were bound to know. And we can't go sneaking around like this!"

 

"Trunks, say what you're thinking, son. I'll not have you slinking around like a coward in the shade if you have something to say to me, say it like the son of a Saiyan!" Vegeta demanded, striding up to stand behind Goten.

 

"Father, what about BRA! Didn't you even THINK what this would mean to her? How are we going to explain this to her when she asks where Daddy is? Don't you even CARE?" Trunks exploded. Though he fought to push away from Goten, the younger son of Goku held him by the upper arms fast. He threw his arms around Trunks, clutching him close to his body.

 

"Is it any better to lie to her and pretend things are well with your mother and me when they aren't? I refuse to run. As I said before, what affairs happen between your mother and I are NOT yours!" Vegeta gritted, glaring at Trunks. Lavender hair quivered as Trunks struggled to break Goten's grip. Yet Goten held fast, sealing him in an embrace meant to restrain as well as support.

 

"Let them explain Trunks. It's better that way! We at least owe them that. After all weren't you afraid this was the reaction your father would have when he learned about…" Goten asked.

 

"Please," Goku requested, moving over to the three Saiyans clustered around the edge of the clearing. "You wanted to explain to us about your choices, it's only fair we all talk about this…"

 

"Trunks, for me?" Goten whispered into his ear. Still quivering with unknown emotions, Trunks buried his face in Goten's shoulder. Son Goku wandered up to Goten, resting a hand on his shoulder while he held out his hand to Vegeta. The Super Saiyan four grunted, and let Goku seize his hand.

 

"All right," Trunks whispered, lifting his head from Goten's shoulder. Through tear filled eyes he regarded Vegeta, not with hatred, but sorrow and the desire to comprehend. Vegeta grunted, pulling Goku away and standing apart from the two boys.

 

"C'mon, I think we can all use something to eat," Goku answered, hoping food would serve as an icebreaker to what they were about to discuss.

 

"Trunks, son," Vegeta grunted. Goten stepped back and let Trunks go. Brushing tears from his eyes Trunks blinked at his father.

 

"Father… you… you knew about me and Goten and said nothing? And you knew about Mom… it is true that she's…"

 

"I'm no idiot, Trunks," Vegeta repeated, arms crossing his furry chest. Goten moved over to his father Goku, who was keeping one ear to the development while retreating to the shadow of his cabin. Pots and crockery rattled as he struggled to find food.

 

"Goten," Son Goku whispered.

 

"Dad it's okay. I put two and two together, though Mom said I sucked at math. Trunks and I were scared shitless you and Vegeta would explode. He's not pissed at you, just confused and hurt. I'm just… relieved," Goten whispered, lips close to his father's ear. Both of them darted about as Vegeta confronted Trunks, in their quest to find something left for four confused Saiyans.

 

"I know, but Trunks…"

 

"It'll be okay, Dad. I promise. I support you in whatever you decide," Goten nodded sternly. Goku smiled his thanks, letting a sigh escape him.

 

***

 

A full hour later the four Saiyans sat around a renewed fire, tended by Son Goku squatting next to Vegeta. Trunks huddled next to Goten. Quietly Goten intertwined his fingers with Trunks, reaching out to accept the bowl thrust forward by Vegeta. Ever in his ascended state, Vegeta sternly regarded his boy while Goten placed the bowl into Trunks knees.

 

"It's Saiyan culture," Vegeta explained, reclining on one knee to Trunks left. Son Goku arranged other cooking vessels around his fire pit, suspending some from a framework he'd constructed that had served his grandfather well so many years before. Among the coals he had placed foil wrapped potatoes and tubers to roast. Simultaneously a large pot burbled with a stew assembled from the leftovers of his and Vegeta's hunt that morning. Suspending on a long chain from a transverse bar, it was heated by the flames. The transverse bar rested on two y shaped upright iron support poles. Not till now did Goten notice the holes dug in the ground for them on either side of the fire pit.

 

"Saiyan culture? Father why didn't you tell me?" Trunks demanded. His hands quivered, holding onto the bowl between them. Small ripples appeared on its liquid surface, blurring the reflection of his troubled coutenance.

 

Pressing his lips together before he continued, Vegeta growled in his throat. "I tried to, but you had little interest in ALL aspects of Saiyan society. You were too busy trying to either evade your duties as Capsule President, or figure out what your existence on this planet meant. Are you ready to comprehend now?"

 

"But Bra…" Trunks trailed off. He turned his attention back to the stew, prodding it with a spoon Goten pushed into his hand.

 

"She will know the truth, as she is entitled to. But first you will listen to me. It was no mystery to me regarding you and Kakkarot's brat…"

 

"his name is GOTEN," Trunks snapped, shoving a spoonful of stew into his mouth. Angrily he swallowed it, glaring at his father.

 

"Trunks, I know this is hard to understand, but it's better to have it all out in the open now," Goku said tentatively. Trunks snapped his attention to Goku, irritation rather then fury in his eyes. Goku could sense that Trunks wasn't furious at him, rather frustrated at his lack of comprehension of things he felt Vegeta had hidden from him.

 

"Maybe, but… Father… did you always KNOW you were attracted to…"

 

"I knew for a while," Goku confessed. All eyes turned to him, and Vegeta blinked at him shocked.

 

"Explain," Vegeta grunted, narrowing a sapphire gaze on him.

 

"Well," Goku confessed, sitting down Indian style next Vegeta. He rested his hand on Vegeta's furry shoulder and regarded Trunks huddled next to Goten. Already Goten wrapped his muscular arm around Trunks slumped shoulders, willing him to comprehend and listen. Anxiously they tensed, waiting for Goku to make clear what had become as murky as the stew he ladled out for each of them. Staring into the broth, Goten listened to his father's explanation.

 

"It was around the time I fought Janempa in Otherworld. After Majin Buu…"

 

Goten's eyes widened and he said, "You mean when everything went crazy and Trunks and me fought that psycho general?"

 

Trunks spluttered, choking on his soup with violent coughs. Goten slapped him hard on the back and Vegeta flinched in frustration, shaking his head. He shot Goku an acid glare, and was relieved when Trunks finally rasped, "When we fused and felt you both fusing! Why didn't you tell us more about that? Does he mean that you two…"

 

"No," Vegeta snapped. "Kakkarot, you do realize this is news to me!"

 

"Is it really?" Goku whispered.

 

Memories spun from Goku's words, and they all listened to his confession. Of a time suspended between sudden death and something else:

 

Within a vast mountain of spiked spheres they sought refuge. Son Goku and Vegeta bled bright from the multiple wounds crisscrossing their battered bodies. Shreds of cloth fluttered in the harsh biting wind of hell. Held alongside of him, Vegeta laxed in Goku's arms. Around the larger saiyan's neck was wrapped Vegeta's left elbow. Strangely the proximity of the prince alongside him was comforting, even though he was a former enemy. It had been ages since Goku had physical contact with anyone other than brief kicks or blows landing in Otherworld.

 

Even if Vegeta called him rival, Goku called the Prince otherwise. Despite the pressure of that revelation he rejoiced to share Vegeta's company again. Such memories were links to the previous existence Goku sorely missed. Only Vegeta seemed solid and real to Goku in the phantasm warped world that became Janempa's plaything. Goku had seen spheres of polished rainbow glass fuse out of nothingness, and replicas of himself shooting back. Vegeta served to ground him in reality.

 

"Maybe it's because Vegeta was once a ghost," Goku thought to himself as he lowered Vegeta gently to the clearest place among the giant sized burrs of needle mountain. When all this was over he guessed that Vegeta would dissolve and vanish, to join the legions of punished souls in hell once more. Naturally the thought of this stung Goku because he loathed thinking of his friend suffering as a fluttering ghost of his former self. Immediately Vegeta squirmed, and Goku let the Prince lightly drop to his side while he knelt alongside him.

 

"Don't touch me!" Vegeta snapped.

 

Bracing himself on his hands and knees Vegeta pushed himself up. He turned his face downwards. Somehow Vegeta always felt the need to refuse help. Aching bones hurt far less then the wounds to his pride, Goku reasoned. Every muscle of Vegeta's body quivered, bearing witness to the struggle to mask emotions from his erstwhile rival.

 

Through clenched teeth Vegeta gritted, "Why don't you just let me be, Kakkarot!"

 

"Vegeta…" Goku started to say. He bit back his next words when he saw the Prince's back heaving up and down. Wet spots appeared just under the Prince's bowed head, and Goku shivered.

 

"What hurts even worse… is that you've grown stronger, while I've… remained the same," Vegeta half sobbed.

 

Another pang of familiarity pulled at Goku's gut. Immediately he answered, "It's… only natural that there'd be a gap between us. You've got to understand I've been training in otherworld all this time…"

 

To this Vegeta said nothing, squeezing his eyes tightly shut. Only once before did Goku remember seeing Vegeta shed tears and he felt his mind dragging him down the corridor of memories to Namek. Where he stood over the Prince's shattered form laying vulnerable in the shadow of Freeza. Torn between joy at reuniting with his friends and concern for the Prince, Goku wasn't sure if he still hated Vegeta. To see him reduced to this was a fate he wished on no one. A litany of past misdeeds spilled from the Prince's trembling lips despite Goku's efforts to stop him.

 

With those halting words Goku's heart melted, and he understood. Just like the understanding that had dawned when they had first fought. If but for the grace of Kami that could have been him… so many similarities. Goku found himself reliving that tangible pain and couldn't stop himself from offering what words of comfort he could, "But… I'm even more amazed that you've remained so strong after not having a body to train in!"

 

Bitterly Vegeta cut him off, his words like a slap in the face, "Don't you DARE try consoling me, Kakkarot!"

 

Goku exhaled, realizing that was the worst thing he could have said. He kicked himself inwardly for yet again blundering with words. Propping himself up against an upright slab, Vegeta rested his aching bones.

Even though Vegeta had slain many in his short lifetime, piling bodies on top of his tally as a Majin, Goku found it within his heart to forgive the Saiyan Prince. Since that moment when he glanced up to see Vegeta's white boots drop before his gaze he knew his friend was back to his former self. Gut instinct told Goku Vegeta had his prideful reasons for accepting the taste of power to surpass him.

 

"I know I know," Goku laughed, trying to mask his hurt.

 

"Do you think there's any hope of defeating him?" Vegeta mused, snapping him back to the reality of their present.

 

"I admit he's one of the most powerful beings I've ever fought. But there's once chance we can," Goku admitted. Eyes turned towards Vegeta he knew what he was about to suggest would probably be rejected, but he hoped Vegeta would see the necessity. Ever since he had seen the Metamorese there was one possible solution. The difficulty was getting the prideful prince to admit it. Yet if their positions were reversed would Vegeta offer the same? Most likely not.

 

"Are you crazy? He picked us apart!" Vegeta spluttered. Through their fights Goku had learned intimate details of the Prince's life that only Bulma herself would know. The bond between hated enemies forced an intimacy almost that of a lover. Goku shivered. In his own way Vegeta had bared his soul during their clash after Babidi's spell.

 

Something about this method tantalized Goku. Was it out of selfishness to want to know more about Vegeta's past that he was about to voice the alternative? Because Fusion would merge them in a physical being as close as lovemaking. Goku shivered at the thought, and took a deep breath before saying, "C'mon Vegeta it only lasts a half hour!"

 

"You don't mean…?" Vegeta gasped, his eyes wide.

 

Goku inwardly chuckled to see the narrowed slits of Vegeta's angular eyes in such a shape other then a frown. Though he had to admit he couldn't tear his eyes from Vegeta's stern features that burned their way into his mind. The gleaming hatred in Vegeta's eyes almost resembled the passion that Chichi had once held for him before…

 

"Fusion," he whispered.

 

"You know better then that!" Vegeta returned. Again Goku flinched as if he'd been backhanded. Why did Vegeta's rejection sting so much more then usual. Slumping his shoulders Goku felt his hopes again dashed. Sometimes he wanted to scream in frustration at Vegeta's stubbornness.

 

Still he pushed on, his voice insistent, "Isn't it worth the risk?"

 

"I'd rather die then join with you, you clown!" Vegeta retorted. Goku saw the brick wall slam up, and knew this was getting him nowhere. Here Goku offered to share of himself and offer Vegeta a chance to fight WITH him and he was again refused. Just what impelled Goku to keep giving of himself to someone who frustrated his friendship at every turn? Something flickered in Vegeta's eyes, and Goku realized it was fear. Hurt pride to rely on anyone's help especially Goku's.

 

Goku could only laugh at this. Shaking his head he sniffed, "You're already dead, Vegeta! Didn't you say you'd rather face anything than…"

 

"NO! Don't you DARE ask me again! Not in a MILLION YEARS!" Vegeta snapped, shoving himself off the slab and slashing the air with the sweep of one arm. Wouldn't Vegeta take ANY chance to become powerful? Even the Majin, but he would outright refuse Goku's offer born out of goodness. Perhaps that was what hurt Goku the most. Mercilessly he felt the surge of power and screamed to Vegeta to watch out. Thousands of shards of needles slashed through them like razors.

 

"Vegeta are you okay?" Goku cried, when the attack ceased.

 

"Do I LOOK okay!" Vegeta grunted back, struggling to rise. Goku's hand automatically extended to help but he was not surprised when Vegeta slapped it away.

 

"Don't TOUCH me!" Vegeta gritted.

 

"I know.. I know. It's been a while since we've seen each other. No sense in fighting the whole time," Goku found himself saying with fondness. Vegeta's expression was stoic in response to these words. He realized then how much he'd missed Vegeta's crankiness.

 

Suddenly Vegeta's words once venom laced drifted back to him, "Here we are Kakkarot! Just you and me! Isn't it GLORIOUS!"

 

Uncomfortably Goku squirmed and realized he was guilty of the same crime: the need to push beyond his limits. Goku had taken exorbitant liberties to train in exotic places instead of returning home to his family. All the times he delayed returning or said he was on a mission was he really being selfish?

 

"I guess that means Fusion's out. We'd better get out of here, because this place won't last much longer," Goku suggested. Vegeta shakily stood, his back presented to Goku, head bowed. Through the ripped spandex Goku watched the twitching muscles of his back speaking the words Vegeta suppressed.

 

Said Vegeta firmly, "I refuse to run! If I do, it'd be hell…"

 

"Grab hold of my hand," Goku offered, again reaching out with his long fingered hands to touch Vegeta's arm.

 

"If I run life's a hell, and if I die, life's a hell," Vegeta intoned, shaking his head. Back and forth his cone of spikes swished. Every aspect of the Prince filled him with a sense of urgency, and he found himself suddenly wanting so badly to comprehend Vegeta that moment. It hurt him to see Vegeta like this, and Goku suddenly realized why. They were alone. The last of their kind, against incredible odds. Few else could comprehend the exhilaration and ecstatic joy that ran through their veins at the thought of a fight to the death.

 

Again the shoulders rose and fell, before Vegeta softly broke the silence, "I've only one choice then. I'll do it, I'll do the stupid fusion!"

 

Inside his well muscled chest, Goku's heart skipped beats. The mask had cracked and the armor had fallen, something he had never dared hope in a million years. Excitement of Vegeta's acceptance overrode his sense of urgency, and Goku scolded himself for such selfish glee. Just what form this opening up would take puzzled Goku. Why did his knees tremble in anticipation?

 

Why did his tongue knot as he whispered, "Vegeta…" with a half silly smile on his face. Why was he so happy that Vegeta wanted to share Fusion when he knew how much pride Vegeta ate to 'degrade' himself. Then Goku felt sadness. Only when pushed to the wall did Vegeta accept, not because he truly wanted to open himself up to Goku.

 

Again reality interceded the awkward moment, and Goku snatched at Vegeta desperately. He heard the whooshed grunt of Vegeta's surprise in his ears the moment he touched his forehead. Inside his brain closed a circuit, and reality fizzled out. Molecules turned to energy, and he clutched Vegeta tightly. Using the technique the Prince once hated Goku again saved the Prince. Although he knew Vegeta would be furious for suddenly snatching him away, he consoled himself with the thought of Fusion.

 

Vegeta despite being coerced had agreed. His heart again leapt at the mere thought of finding answers to questions he didn't even know he had. Fusion meant melding together in a seamless whole. Neither would be the same after it was done.