Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Price You Pay ❯ Epilogue ( Epilogue )

Insert standard disclaimer here.

 

The Price You Pay: Epilogue

 

Almost another year had passed and the android threat loomed over them with a sort of finality. The Z Senshi threw themselves into training with a vigor they'd lacked during other battles. Kami remained hopeful as he turned his attention to the Capsule Corp headquarters. Goku wasn't the only ace they had to play any longer.

 

From his post, the green alien could barely make out the roar of the GR equipment. Now that Vegeta had Ascended, he pushed himself to be readier for the androids than any of the other Earth warriors. He wasn't allowing himself the mistake of complacency. This time around, he had more to defend than his pride.

 

Kami leaned heavily on his wooden staff as he watched everything unfold from the safety of his marble palace. He smiled to himself, happy he was away from the other inhabitants of Heaven. They could never know the things he'd done. He'd broken more than a few rules with his tampering.

 

Though he could never directly influence the behaviors of the people he protected, Kami had long ago mastered the art of subtle manipulation. He particularly favored using premonitions and dreams. And, he admitted modestly, he was very good at it.

 

Kami let his thoughts wander. Everything had worked out, thanks to a few minor technicalities. One of the little-known perks of being a guardian was being in control of every incarnation of his planet and its citizens. It had been only too easy to continue manipulating Bulma's dreams from the safety of this dimension. Despite her tough facade, the woman would never have made it through her ordeal on Vegeta-sei without Kami's preparatory intervention.

 

The Namekian squinted as he turned his attention back to Earth. Bulma was sauntering onto the lawn between her home and Vegeta's training center. She was wearing a sun hat and a tube dress, typical attire during the summer months, and slowly pulling Trunks in tow. The boy was developing as quickly as normal Saiya-jin children, already stumbling across the lawn as he learned to control his balance on unsteady legs. Bulma smiled at him and mumbled encouragements with enthusiasm.

 

Sensing his family's presence, Vegeta eased himself to the cracked floor of the GR and walked to the control panel, powering down the machine. He was training in over 500 gs now that the walls had been reinforced with titanium. Sure, he could survive the thing crumbling down on him, but it would take too long to rebuild the machine if it were destroyed. Not to mention what Bulma's reaction would be. The small building was worth a fortune.

 

Bulma waved at the Saiya-jin through the thick plexiglas of the GR's circular windows.

 

Earth's guardian continued to watch as Vegeta exited the GR and approached his family, scowl firmly in place. He would never admit it, but Kami knew Vegeta took pleasure in the short interruptions.

 

The Saiya-jin King picked up Trunks and effortlessly tossed him ten feet into the air. Trunks laughed and Bulma screeched at her mate to be more careful with the child. Their son may have been sturdier than the tiny female, but Trunks's mother wasn't taking any chances. Vegeta grinned mischievously and carefully placed the lavender-haired toddler on the ground. He would concede this small thing to her—he'd already started training the child in secret anyway.

 

Vegeta looked his mate up and down, a new sort of grin washing across his face. Bulma blushed scarlet and mumbled something along the lines of, “Not in front of Trunks!” then adjusted the length of her skirt. The Saiya-jin warrior only laughed and smacked her, not so delicately, on the ass. Bulma glared at him and looked around, hoping no one had seen them.

 

The couple made their way back to the Briefs residence, Trunks in tow. He was walking faster this time, trying to be strong like his daddy.

 

When they finally made it inside, Vegeta took a glance out at the yard, sensing that someone was watching. When no one was found, he looked up at the sky with narrowed eyes. Kami turned away. He knew that Vegeta's acute Saiya-jin senses would be hard-pressed to detect his temporary intrusion, but he wanted to avoid the scrutiny nonetheless. Vegeta was exceptionally protective of his family.

 

Kami smiled again.

 

It was worth it. It was all completely worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note:

 

I would like to take a moment to thank each and everyone of you for sticking with this story. You guys are awesome! Your continuing reviews and feedback have always inspired me to not only update, but be a better writer. Without all of your support, I never would have finished this. From the bottom of my Vegeta-loving heart, thank you!

 

As an aside, I do plan on continuing with revisions and editing where necessary. The story line will remain the same, but I hate finding typos and things that are easily corrected. Apologies for all of the update notices but I want this fanfiction to be as perfect as possible. I have been working on it for nearly eight years, afterall. (Let's hope the next one doesn't take quite as long.)

 

Until my next fic, adieu!