Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Ten no Ai ❯ Part 2 ( Chapter 2 )

"So......what took you?"

===

|Damn!|

I hoping our little tumble would make him forget. I keep my eyes closed so he would think I dozed off, as I've done once or twice after our more intense sessions.

"Koi.." he presses on in a slightly annoyed tone.

|Just let it go!|

He was in such a ....good mood I think wistfully. But now I can hear his usual irritability creeping in. Bleeding through our once glowing post orgasmic state. I know what it means to make him of all people cranky.

I shake myself and open my eyes slowly as if rising from sleep.

"Huh?..Oh they[1] didn't have anymore of that kuripa[2] stuff you seem to like so much, so I had to go somewhere else to get it." I say this while still covering my eyes. So I don't have to look at him as I utter this...

"I guess it took longer than I thought" I say grinning and putting an arm behind my head.

My old nervous habit. It seems to come at the oddest times.

"Hn" is all he says as he moves to stand.

At least he'll leave it at that. I know how testy he gets when I'm out of his sight...even for a little while.

Can I blame him?

|I can't believe I'm doing this!|

We've been together such a short time and I'm already keeping things from him. Just as I had with Chichi. I'm sure she knew it, and I bet Bejiita does too.

Why do I feel so guilty!? I haven't done anything!

...I haven't.

===

We pick up the food strewn all over the floor and put it away. I somewhat regret having been so hasty about knocking them off the table as I picked up the eggs. Yolk and broken shell pieces oozing out of a new rip in the blue carton.

|So much for omelets|

I'm still a little annoyed he too so long, but at least he brought me my kuripa.

Minutes pass and not a word is spoken. Kakarotto seems oddly silent today. Then it struck me. In all the weeks we've been together here, we haven't really left the house. We've barely even trained. My time up here with him has been more like an extended honeymoon of sorts. I suppose I should see what this place has to offer. We should both get some air. I don't think it does me or my usually energetic mate well to be indoors so much.

"Ne..Kakarotto, we should get out a little. We haven't sparred in a while. Maybe you can introduce me to all these other fighters here? I'm itching for a good fight and I'll enjoy pounding them into the ground!"

Perhaps heaven won't be the bore I envisioned. I heard Pikkoro felt the same and went on a rampage. I chuckle to myself at that.

But Kakarotto only looks up for a second and then back down at the can of corn he held in his hand.

"Aa" was all he said.

"Don't sound too enthused."

"Heh! Gomen. Well while I was out there I heard that Grand Kai is having another tournament. Everyone should be there. So you'll have an opportunity to, I guess size everyone up."

|He finally says more than two words|

"Hn." I say, smirking at the promise of a good all out battle.

"Ikuzo!" [3]

===

|Man fate is really against me today|

I should be happy.

There's a new tournament. New fighters, new opportunities.

I should be excited.

It's a beautiful day and I'm here with my new mate.

But then, he is here too...

===

When we arrive there's already a huge crowd of people gathered around a podium. All sorts of fighters, ranging from every species, shape, color, and size. My warrior's instincts tell me which of them will be complete pushovers and which might actually take some effort. But I try not to put too much stock in it. I've been burned too many times because I've underestimated the enemy. One person is particular, I think as I glance at Kakarotto.

As we walk over to join the large group, my mate freezes in mid stride. Only for a fraction of a second. I'm probably the only one who noticed. We come to stand with everyone else. I look over to my far right to see an almost giant man with curly blond hair. I look back at Kakarotto. His face takes on a strangely guarded expression as he steps closer to me. The smile that the blond man shot towards my mate dissolved all at once. Then he looked down at me. He started at me with widened eyes for a few seconds. Then, he smiled.

I'm not sure exactly what all that meant but I WILL find out.

===

An oddly dressed man with a huge beard and sunglasses approached the podium after a few minutes.

"That's the Grand Kai eh? He's looking well" I heard someone whisper to my left.

"Well I'd like to thank ya'll for comin' here ta-day! We've got a special treat! Now, as you know this millennium's tournament will start next week. The rules will be the same. But THIS taah-m! Instead of one, the top three fighters will receive these metals." He holds them up to the sun for the crowd to see. One was gold while the others are silver and bronze.

|I'm not impressed| I cross my arms over my chest.

"But the TOP winner, will be awarded and EXtra special praa-z!" he says while tweaking his mustache.

"Oooh!" the crowd says in unison.

|Kami so easily amused!|

"Aah..maybe he'll promise the winner a private training session like last time?" a slightly nasal voice pipes up.

"Naah! maybe an all expense paid trip to Praxis [4] I hear it's nice this time of year" a tiny voice chimes in.

The other fighters each go into their own theory of what the "EXtra special

praa-z!" will be.

I suppose travel would be nice.

I look up at Kakarotto to see what he thinks of all this. He should be excited as always at the prospect of some new challenge. But he is completely silent. Completely motionless save for occasional blinking. He stares straight ahead almost blindly.

|What's going on..?|

I look around at all the chattering fighters and spot that guy again.

"So Oripu what do you think the prize will be? Money? If you win would you lend your 'ole buddy some dough?" a petite, blue skinned man says to him nudging his leg with an elbow since it's all he can reach.

|Oripu huh?|

He doesn't even appear to be listening as he continues to stare at me from the corner of his eye through a curtain of gold tresses. He smiles at me almost shyly.

|I think he's interested in me|

Well he has good taste, I add smugly.

I didn't realize how right I was.

I look back to my mate again. He's looking to the right from the corner of his eye with a not so pleased look on his face.

"OKAY!! Does that sound good to everybody!!?" Grand Kai nearly yells over the microphone drawing my attention back to the podium.

"YEA!!" the crowd cheers.

"Good! Then we'll me back here in one week's taah-m! Have a good day and goooood luck!" With that, he turned and left holding a large radio on his right shoulder. Everyone dispersed.

I also turn to leave when that same guy begins to walk towards us. Before a word can be uttered, I feel a hand on my shoulder and suddenly I'm back in the house.

Damn that technique! I whirl around to look at my mate.

"What was THAT all about!?" I ask crankily.

He turns away from me.

"I want some answers! Who was that!"

"No one."

"Start talking!"

"He's nothing. Forget it."

"Bullshit!"

It sure didn't look like nothing. Now I wonder if this Oripu was looking at me or at my mate, who was now leaning against the counter. His head turned away from me still.

I see yelling won't do. I calm myself and walk over towards him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Tell me," I say in the softest voice I can muster. But restraint isn't one my strong suits.

"He's not important."

"That's not what I asked you Kakarotto."

He remained silent for a long while. Neither of us moved. He took a deep breath. He still does not look me in the eye.

"We have..had a history"

My sweet, soft tone faltered.

"What?"

"It was a long time ago."

I felt the anger rise in me at an alarming rate. My hand on his shoulder squeezing and digging into his skin rather than comforting.

"You have thirty seconds to improve my mood."

|What am I saying!? Am I really so possessive? If it was so long ago and we've only recently become mates it has nothing to do with me..|

"No! You're wrong. It has everything to do with you!" he shouts, finally looking a me.

My grip on him loosens and we both sit down on the floor for the second time today.

"What..happened?"

"Well...."

===

<i>

I stand alone, leaning back against an old tree staring out at the river. Not really seeing it as I thought of Bejiita and home for the tenth time that day, that hour. I have plenty of friends here. But I don't feel like seeing any of them. That way I don't have to put on a show or...

"Gokuu?"

I look up to see the owner of the voice behind me.

"Oh! Oripu hi!" I say too cheerfully.

He just looks at me for a moment and stands next to me. A little closer than necessary.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Hm? Oh its nothing" I say turning back towards the river as if something really interesting was there.

I can feel his gaze on me. I guess he's not buying it. He looks at me for a while.

"You're home sick aren't you?"

I don't meet his eyes. I say nothing. But my silence must have clued him in that he'd hit the nail on the head.

I finally look up at him with a sad little smile. I was never very good at hiding my feelings. Which is why I chose to be alone here in the first place.

"I know how you feel. The first few years here are the worst. It gets better with time. But you have a special case. You chose to be here."

"How did you know?" I ask a little surprised.

"I think I overheard Kai oo sama say so."

"Hmm."

"It sounds like quite a sacrifice. You must have left behind of lot of people you love."

"Yea."

|One in particular|

"Do you miss them?"

"More than I can bare" I admitted. Deciding to open up to him. Maybe he can help me get through this.

He moves a little closer.

"Me too. I miss Hireru even after all this time. Again it usually gets better over the years. But there are times when it's just so unbearable."

"I couldn't have put it into better words myself."

I continue to stare out at the sparkling water. It almost looks like liquid gold from the sun's light.

"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him" he adds scooting even closer.

His proximity is making a bit uncomfortable. I begin to move away until he walks in front of me and I feel his hand cup my cheek.

"You're so much like him. You even look a little like him. It's almost like he's standing right here."

My eyes widen as I get his meaning and he bends down to press his lips to mine. He moves the hand cupping my cheek to the back of my head deepening the kiss. He closes what little space there was between us and molds his much larger body to mine. Sandwiching me between him and the tree.

I could have broken his hold at any time but...it had been years since I felt the touch of something other than my own hands. Who knows how much longer it would have been? I wonder. I find myself responding to his touch and returning the kiss. I hesitantly wrapped my arms around his waist. This seemed to be all the encouragement he needed. He moved from my mouth to attack my throat with numerous little kisses and nips.

"Uuh..." a little breathless moan made its way from the back of my throat. I shut my eyes. Ashamed at myself for doing this, but needing it at the same time.

"I missed you...Hireru, you're still just as beautiful..as always" Oripu whispers in my ear. I squeeze my eyes tightly shut. Trying my best to hear Bejiita's voice in my ear; whispering something sweet and obscene. Bejiita's hands roaming over my body. Bejiita untying the belt at my waist. Bejiita stroking my burning flesh. Bejiita swallowing me whole. Bejiita's mouth and tongue making me pant and moan. Not Oripu.

I try so hard to imagine this is my love pleasuring me. Not another delusional man whose separation from his loved one has driven him to temporary insanity. I try to imagine this is Bejiita's dark locks I'm tangling my fingers in and not Oripu's golden ones. Somehow I do this and still go on hoping his touch will help me forget.

Help me forget all that haunts me day after day.

Help me forget that Bejiita's not here.

Make me forget.

If even for a little while. </i>

===

I kept nothing from him. I told him everything. Even the thoughts in my head as it happened all those years ago. Well to the best of my memory anyway. During my story I'd seen Bejiita's face go through several expressions. By the end, it went back to his tried and true enraged contortion.

"What the HELL does that have to do with ME?!"

|Wow he's possessive...is my ouji jealous?|

"I told you. I was lonely, I needed someone" I went on as if uninterrupted. "He was lonely too, it seemed right at the time. "

===

"Did he trick you or try to force you?" I realize how silly that must sound. Considering Kakarotto's phenomenal strength.

|Would Kakarotto really do that?|

"No. I wanted it."

|Maybe he would|

"I didn't know how long I was going to be here. I might have been smiling when everyone else was around, but at night...it was a different story. I didn't have to pretend then."

"For the first time in my life I realized fighting and training wasn't enough. I needed my friends, my family."

"Most of all I needed you. But I settled for Oripu. I always felt guilty. Seeing him again today didn't make it easier."

===

I just look at him. Angry and shocked. But..I have gone through a similar predicament in a way. When I took Buruuma as my mate when at first I didn't love her. It was to ease the ache of loneliness and mainly to be close to the one I loved and was obsessed with. I did it as an excuse to be near him while hiding behind the lie of another opportunity to beat him and prove myself. It was never really about rivalry. I wanted him. I want him and that at the time was the next best thing.

Somehow I am not angry. This occurance has shattered my angelic and perfect image of Kakarotto. But I think how I see him now is better. He seems so much more tangible, so much more real to me. That knowledge only makes me love him more even though I didn't think it possible.

He looks at me warily, as if expecting a harsh word, or for me to lash out violently. But it never comes. Many years ago I might have done just that. But time has changed me a lot.

"I...understand."

Silence.

He stares at me wide eyed, as I move closer and hug him. Cradling his head in my arms. Against my chest so he can hear my heartbeat.

"Kakarotto...I understand."

It's amazing. Out of all the things he said. All the time that had gone by where he talked and I listened, these few words seemed to have eased the pain behind his eyes and took away the guilt he'd been carrying all this time.

I can feel him finally relax in my embrace and breath normally.

After a few minutes he took another deep breath and began again.

===

"I thought of you often...all the time." But knowing I could only see you from up here, living happily with your wife Buruuma and son made me that much more frustrated and angry. With myself more than anything. I knew the fact that I couldn't be around you my family or friends anymore was my own fault. I believed I was doing the right thing by staying here."

"All I could do was watch from up here. I felt like a kid who'd been grounded and had to watch his friends have all the fun from behind the glass of his bedroom window."

|I can't bring myself to tell him just how much I watched him. I saw him bond with his son over the years. Watched him train like a man obsessed. Watched him go through his day-to-day routine. Watched live his life, eat, sleep, shower. Watched him make love to his wife.

How I envied Buruuma.|

I know it's perverse. But I couldn't help it and it only made me want him more.

I finally came out if my trance like silence.

"I wish he hadn't given me this thing!"

"What thing?"

I reluctantly pulled free of his warm arms and got up to pull a round silver disk from the bottom drawer in our bedroom. I came back and showed him what I meant.

"It just looks like a mirror" he says.

"Show me.." the disk began to emit a bright blue light, "Kai oo sama." An image of the Kai appeared in the center of the disk. He was squabbling with the West Kai yet again.

|Will those two ever stop fighting?|

Curious, Bejiita scooted closer.

"Show me Bejiita" I say to the disk. A picture of his handsome face appears. The image moves as he moves.

"This is how I was able to see you. It was a little present from the Grand Kai. He "took a lah-kin to meh" and gave me this." I say mimicking his accent as best I can. We both stare into the mirror as it pans up and down Bejiita's body.

|I forgot the disk is linked to the holder's thoughts!|

"So, just how much did you watch me exactly?" Bejiita asks coyly.

|Kami he must hear every thought in my head!|

I say nothing but the crimson on my cheeks is answer enough.

"Hn. Ecchi."

I turn an even darker shade at having been found out so easily.

I wouldn't go into the details with him. Maybe another day.

TBC

===

[1] The "they" refers to Heaven's Market, kinda like the Dagastinos or A&P of the afterlife.

[2] "Kuripa" Bejiita's new favorite food. It's like hell's version of rock candy. It's very hard and very sweet. (Like Bejiita was in part 1 of the fic :P)

[3] "Ikuzo!" A punchy way of saying: let's go!