Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ To Hell Together ❯ Part 5 ( Chapter 5 )

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Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ characters.

Warnings: Yaoi - G/V.

To Hell Together by chayron (lttomb@yahoo.com)

Part 5

Vegeta woke to loud noises coming from the kitchen. He turned his head in the direction of the kitchen cautiously. He had to close his eyes quickly because of the bright light coming in through the window. He concluded that it was noon, and he had slept for a full twenty-four hours. Suddenly Vegeta felt that he was starving. He looked back to the window. Kakarott had done some cleaning. He could actually see out the window. And how had he managed not to wake him up in the process?!

Vegeta heard noises coming from the kitchen again. He heard another voice. Kakarott was talking with somebody… Trunks! It was Trunks' voice! He was here! He came to see him! Vegeta slowly got up from the bed anticipating pain, but realised that moving wasn't causing as much discomfort as he expected. Those Senzu beans really worked wonders. Some clothes were neatly folded on a chair near the bed. They were his from Capsule Corp.

Vegeta brushed the unpleasant thoughts away. The main thing was that Trunks was here! And that meant he had forgiven him! Dressing was a bigger challenge than he had thought. It didn't hurt to stand, but standing and moving was a different story. He dressed carefully, and once dressed he went to the kitchen.

What Vegeta saw, stopped him dead in his tracks. His son had his hand on Kakarott's arm… Kakarott was laughing at something. And so was Trunks… Trunks' smile was the widest he had ever seen… Vegeta felt the world spin. His sight blurred.

"Vegeta!" Goku was on his feet as soon as he felt a sudden rise in Vegeta's ki. He was shocked. Vegeta almost went Super Saiyan and only after two days! But what shocked him more was that Vegeta seemed to be exactly the same as the evening before. He looked like he was going to attack him. Vegeta's piercing glare chilled Goku's soul. Goku winced inwardly. He'd tried so hard. What had he done wrong this time?

Goku didn't move, and Trunks slowly stepped behind Goku. He had no idea what had happened, but he was sure that if his father attacked, he knew of only one safe place… behind Goku's back. And then Trunks jumped as his father's gaze fell on him. He crouched and stepped even further behind Goku.

Suddenly Vegeta's ki dropped, and he turned around and left the kitchen. Goku and Trunks stared at the place where the enraged Saiyan was standing only seconds before. Everything had happened so fast. They let out the breath they had been holding.

"Stay here," Goku said to Trunks and went after Vegeta. Trunks nodded, his huge blue eyes going back to normal. He sat back at the table and waited for Goku to return.

Vegeta sat on the bed, his head in the hands. He was rocking back and forth slowly, his breath returning somewhat to normal. Vegeta was in pain. Never in his life had he even slapped his son. Except sparring of course, but that's absolutely different! But Trunks had thought he was going to attack him! And he looked to Kakarott to protect him! Protect him from his own father...! Kakarott was quick… Vegeta shook his head. No, that's stupid. Kakarott's too stupid. He couldn't be doing it purposely. He heard Kakarott's footsteps slowly approaching him. Not now. Vegeta stood up and went to the door.

"Vegeta, stop." Goku tried to make it not sound like an order. He was afraid that Vegeta would snap again. Or just plain leave. And Goku didn't want him to leave in the state he was in. Vegeta wasn't stable. What had happened in the kitchen wasn't the one he expected.

Goku took a good look at Vegeta. Vegeta was in emotional turmoil. He was almost crying. Goku tried to stop the prince from leaving again. He didn't intend to use power, but if he needed to… "Vegeta, come back, please."

Vegeta didn't react. He was slowly but stubbornly walking away and outside. Goku made up his mind. He caught up with the prince and stood in front of him, blocking his way. Vegeta simply went around him. Goku took Vegeta by his arm and turned him back towards the house. "Sorry, but I can't let you go."

Goku guided Vegeta back to the bed. The entire time, Vegeta didn't say a word. He didn't even try to get away. It was like he wasn't even there. Goku was afraid. "What happened?"

Vegeta sat quietly looking at the floor.

"I thought you would like to see Trunks…" Goku mumbled apologetically, sitting beside Vegeta.

Then Vegeta laughed. Goku felt shivers going down his spine. The laugh had not startled him. It was the tone… There was so much sorrow and pain in it. Goku looked at the other Saiyan. The sight was disturbing - Vegeta's shoulders were slumped, he seemed to be so tired. Goku gingerly took Vegeta's chin and lifted the prince's head up to see his eyes. "What's wrong?"

Suddenly the everyday cold mask fell. Goku saw various feelings washing through those normally insensitive and impassive eyes. Vegeta was shivering. "I…I … you… Trunks…" Goku leaned forward afraid to miss even a word the prince had to say. And then the moment passed. Vegeta's teeth chattered, cutting off any possible words or explanations. The mask was back, solidly in place. Goku sighed in resignation and let go of Vegeta's chin.

"The food is ready. Join us if you feel up to it," Goku said, going back to the kitchen. But on his way he stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes were wide in disbelief. He turned back to Vegeta who still sat on the corner of the bed. "Do you think I am molesting your son?!"

Vegeta almost fell off the bed. The outburst had taken him completely by surprise. He felt Kakarott staring at his open mouth and immediately closed it. "If I had been thinking even a moment about that, you would already have been dead! And I am sure your idiot friends would have helped me!" Vegeta watched as Kakarott's face changed colour several times before going back to normal.

"Okay…" he was relieved. "Because I was really starting to get nervous…" Then he just smiled sheepishly with his hand behind his head and proceeded to the kitchen.

Vegeta shook his head in irritation then went outside to the infamous bushes. But he stopped short at the sight around him. When did Kakarott have the time to clean up the place? It was obvious that the man was capable of more than just fighting. Not that he thought the earth raised Saiyan was useless…

Vegeta inspected the yard. It was a beautiful grass clearing surrounded by forest with mountains in the distance. There was an old stone well and lots of decorative trees around the yard. It was nice. Nice and green. And quiet. There was just the wind in the leaves of the trees. Weeping birches. And lime trees. Vegeta breathed deep.

Vegeta joined Goku and Trunks for the meal. He watched his son out of the corner of his eye. "Why aren't you eating?"

"I'm not hungry, Dad. I ate before Goku ITed us here."

"How is your mother?" Vegeta asked, looking back to his plate.

"She is very busy. The house is under construction."

The tip of Vegeta's tail twitched nervously at his waist. "How was school today?"

Trunks shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Like always; nothing special happened." Trunks watched his father, a bit surprised. It wasn't because Vegeta seemed to be calm now. Trunks was used to his mind blistering mood swings. And it wasn't because his father was asking him simple questions. After Buu their relationship had become much closer. It was strange that his father was talking so near Goku. "Will you come back?"

Vegeta's breathing hitched, and he pretended to be very interested in his food. "I have to talk with your mother first," he said after several seconds of silence.

"Where are you going to stay? Can I visit you?"

Vegeta finally pushed his plate away and looked at his son. "Stop talking nonsense! Of course you can see me! I'm not dead! When this moron," Vegeta snorted in Goku's direction, "leaves me in peace, I'll let you know where I am going to stay."

Trunks nodded, smiling. Goku noticed that Vegeta's tail ceased its anxious twitching.

The rest of the meal consisted of Goku talking with Trunks about sparring, fighting and Goten, and Vegeta was just listening in silent irritation. Later, Trunks went outside to cut some flowers for Bulma.

"I want to talk with my son," Vegeta said as soon as Trunks left.

Goku looked at him, confused.

"Alone."

Goku's face held a wary expression. He turned his head to the window, seemingly very interested in the tree outside. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that."

"What?! Do you think I would hurt my own son?!"

"Actually, I don't know what to think..." Goku mumbled softly, inspecting some spots on the window with his fingers.

"Like always..." Vegeta snarled and went to the door to the living room. Kakarott followed him close. Vegeta stopped and pushed him back into the kitchen. But the movement caused more pain than moved the big man.

"Vegeta, I won't leave you alone with Trunks!" Goku shook his head, catching up with the prince.

"Moron!" Vegeta growled, looking at Goku. "I won't do anything!"

"Call him, or something, when he's home..." Goku offered, refusing to bargain further. Vegeta's eyes sparkled dangerously, and Goku felt discontent. He didn't want to make his prince unhappy.

"Baka! Baka! Baka!" Vegeta angrily chanted before going back into the kitchen.

"I'm sorry," Goku apologised one more time. He was glad Vegeta had reacted much calmer than he'd expected. "Are you full? Bulma sent a cake. You can have it for dessert."

Vegeta just hissed at that. "Stop treating me like a child! I don't need a nanny! A dessert..!" he snarled at a surprised Goku.

"And what's wrong with that?" Goku didn't get Vegeta's point. He looked at the cake, took the knife, and cut it into two pieces. "You really don't want any?"

Vegeta was silent. Goku sighed and cut one peace in a half then gave one part to Vegeta. "Let's go outside with Trunks," Goku motioned.

===

Goku and Vegeta sat at kitchen table. Trunks had left twenty minutes before, and it was darkening already. Goku puzzled his brain over what to do now. Even eating wasn't interesting anymore. "Do you want to watch TV?" he finally suggested after thirty minutes of biting silence.

"No."

"Okay…" Goku sighed as he leaned back in his chair and looked at Vegeta. He noticed a roughness under Vegeta's shirt. He had almost forgotten! "I'll change your bandages."

"Touch me and you're dead!" Vegeta growled, taking a swig from his beer. He put his can on the table, slowly took off his shirt, and began to unwrap his bandages. But soon he had to stop. Kakarott had bandaged him firmly. He needed more strength then he had thought, and it hurt too much.

Goku didn't say anything. He just moved closer to Vegeta's chair. Vegeta started to growl. "Stop it, Vegeta. I don't like that sound," Goku said, frowning. He was glad Vegeta didn't protest when he started removing the bandages, but was annoyed when the prince's growling increased. Vegeta's wounds were healed. Goku traced his hand over Vegeta's back. There wasn't a scratch on his healthy tanned skin. The pain he felt was coming from not completely healed ribs and joints out of place. Goku smelled Vegeta and promptly scrunched his nose. "You don't need any more bandages, but you could do with a bath." Goku smelled Vegeta again. That smell… There was something…

"And is there a bath?" Vegeta asked, leaning forward to grab his beer can. His growling stopped. He yelped as his now free ribs protested against the sudden movements.

"No, but there is a lake near here," Goku said, absentmindedly watching Vegeta's flame-shaped hair.

Vegeta thought a moment. It would be a good idea. He really felt sticky.

"Listen, I didn't hurt Trunks deliberately. We were just sparring. There were just some bruises. And there already gone," Goku said nervously, still behind Vegeta's back. Vegeta was silently watching the can in his hand, but his tail had begun to twitch in agitation. Goku was afraid. Did Vegeta really think him capable of doing that?! It couldn't be! He had to reassure him! "Of course he told you about that…" Goku was unnerved by Vegeta's starting growl. "Do you think I could have hurt your son intentionally?" Vegeta didn't show any sign of reaction. Goku felt like the pressure in the room would crush him. "Okay, I'll never come close to Trunks again." He rubbed his palms together distractedly. "But… If you though I was hurting Trunks, why did you let him train with me?"

"Why?! Why?! Why?! Do you really want to know why?!" Vegeta was on his feet, eyes blazing as he faced Goku. "Because he asked me. Because I was pissed off by his constant blabbering about you. About your amazing feats. About your power. About how he wanted to fight against a Super Saiyan Three! Because he is obsessed with you! Because of how he looks at you. Because of how he smiles at you. Because he wants to be with you more than he wants to be with his own father!"

Vegeta was shaking uncontrollably, his tail lashing wildly behind him. Goku just stared at him, his thoughts spinning in a whirlwind. Everything Vegeta had said, he'd meant. He could see it in his unguarded eyes. There was so much sorrow and pain. And jealousy.

Vegeta stood still for several seconds, undecided about what to do. With a frustrated growl, he shot through the door.

Goku was left sitting alone in the kitchen with his head in his hands. That's what all this was about. Vegeta was jealous of him. Goku was surprised. No, astonished. Vegeta had never showed a lot of affection for his son. Suddenly Goku realised something. Vegeta had come a long way. Before Buu, Vegeta hadn't understood that he could lose Trunks. Yes, Mirai Trunks was killed while fighting Cell, but Vegeta hardly considered him as a son. Rather, he was enraged with the fact that the green spotted being had dared to raise his hand against royal blood. But while fighting Buu, he must have realised that he might never see Trunks again. Goku remembered how Vegeta had been angry and desperate when he had saved Satan instead of Trunks. Everything seemed to be clear. Goku got up from the chair and went to Vegeta.

Vegeta was asleep. He was lying on his bed, the room lit by the feeble light of a few candles sitting on the bedside table. Goku moved closer and saw something that amazed him. Vegeta had been crying. There were wet tracks on his face. Goku blew out the candles and went to his own bed. But that night he found hard to sleep, and when he did sleep he dreamed. And they weren't nice dreams.

TBC