Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ To the Stronger ❯ 4 ( Chapter 3 )

Author's Note: A big thank you to all my faithful reviewers! Ages: Vegeta and the twins are 14. Almost all the teenagers in this story are, because I wanted them all in the same classes, which meant they needed to be in the same grade level (Freshmen). Vegeta's brother is 7 years older, or 21. That puts Bardock in his early 40's and Sarah in her mid 30's.

Chapter 4

They sat in the stands of a huge stadium. All the closely packed, cheering people made Vegeta uncomfortable, but he didn't let on. The lesser fighters had already competed, and now they were getting down to the main event. The two final fights were Muten Roshi vs Piccolo and Amigasa vs Anzu. The Saiyans led off.

"That Anzu's pretty good," Radditz commented.

"Ooh!" Kakkarot groaned sympathetically as Amigasa hit the ground. "Ouch!"

Vegeta glanced over to where the other two fighters were waiting their turn. "That guy's green."

"That's Piccolo. He's Namekian," Radditz explained. "He's one of the favorite tournament fighters in Japan."

"Oh." Namekian. That was interesting. "And the old guy?"

"He came out of retirement for this fight. He's just been teaching recently, according to the program."

Vegeta narrowed his eyes. He'd root for the Namekian.

"And the winner--Anzu!" the announcer proclaimed. "Next up-Muten Roshi vs Piccolo!"

Vegeta could see right away why Piccolo was famous. That Roshi guy was really quite good, but no match for the green alien. He'd have to root for the Saiyan in the final match, though. He owed it to his fellow countryman.

Kakkarot didn't see it that way. He kept cheering for Piccolo. But Radditz was for Anzu, as was every other Saiyan there that he could see. The humans seemed more mixed.

In the end, the Saiyan won, but it had been a close thing. He only achieved a ring out, not a knock out. Kakkarot sighed. "I'd love to fight that Piccolo some time."

"Hn." Vegeta smirked. "Let's go."

They looked at him blankly. "Go where? They have to do the winner presentation thing yet."

"Backstage! Do you want to meet him or don't you?"

"But they won't let us backstage," Radditz said.

"They'll let me. I remember Ani coming home bragging once cause he got to go behind the scenes at the last Tenkaichi Budokai as much as he wanted. Cause he's the King."

"Cool!" They jumped up. "Let's go!"

They made their way through the stands to the lowest level of the arena to the guard blocking the way backstage.

"Prince Vegeta." He flashed a medallion he always kept in his pocket-his official signet of rank. He'd never done anything like this before, but he was pretty sure it would work.

The guard, a huge third-class Saiyan, bowed and let them pass. Vegeta hid a grin as they walked in.

Piccolo was standing alone in a corner at the back, wiping blood and sweat away with a towel. He watched them approach-three teenage Saiyan boys, looking just a little awed. Why did they want to bother him?

"Hi!" Kakkarot, his usual cheerful self, grinned widely and gave a half-salute. "This is Prince Vegeta and my brother Radditz, and I'm Kakkarot, son of Bardock."

Piccolo's eyes rose. The Saiyan Prince? He gave a sketchy bow from the waist, figuring he'd better be polite. "Pleased to meet you."

"That was a great fight," Kakkarot gushed.

"Yeah. Well, thanks." He thought, `Why aren't they bothering the winner? I'm not even Saiyan.'

"I've kept track of your fights for a long time now," Kakkarot continued. "You've got style."

Radditz looked embarrassed. Piccolo half-smiled.

"If you're ever bored and wanna spar, just stop by Bardock's house!" he offered eagerly.

At that Piccolo laughed. "Kid, I'm a professional. I've got all kinds of grown men wanting to fight me."

"How may of them are Saiyans?" the Prince asked. The other two looked at him.

`He has me there. Most Saiyans only want to fight other Saiyans.'

"The Prince is very good," Radditz spoke up. "You might be surprised."

Saiyan warriors on the fighting circuit were very serious, blood-thirsty, proud, and racist. And almost impossible for humans-and one Namek-to beat. Still he was just a kid. But-a Prince. He'd probably been training since birth. "I'll think about it."

"Great!" Kakkarot grinned some more.

`That's one weird Saiyan,' Piccolo reflected.

"Then we won't take up any more of your time." Radditz pulled his brother away.

The Prince stared at him for one last moment. Piccolo stared back. Then he turned and followed the other boys.

_______ ________ _______

They got home in time for lunch. Then Bardock said it was time for their day's training.

Vegeta didn't feel any differently about Bardock. How could he? But today he was going to pay strict attention. He'd try not to think about Ani at all.

Bardock watched the three boys as they warmed up. His sons seemed to be getting along with the Prince. Maybe he was judging him too harshly. Sarah seemed to think so. He sighed. "Today we're going to start learning what's known as the Kaio-ken technique. It's going to take a long time to perfect, but I think you boys are up to it."

Kakkarot caught on to the first lessons the fastest. He was always a quick learner-well, when it came to martial arts, anyway. Radditz was always more hesitant. As for Vegeta-he wasn't trying the movements out himself. He was just watching. He stared so intensely it was making him decidedly uncomfortable.

"You've watched enough, Vegeta," he said finally. "Try it out."

The boy did so, and got every move perfect. Bardock was unsure how he should feel about this. Well, he should feel proud. Vegeta was his student. "Good. Practice a little longer, then that'll be it for today."

_______ _______ ______

They had a large breakfast that Vegeta didn't eat very much of, then he checked himself in the mirror one last time, gathered his stuff, and followed the twins out the door. Sarah waved goodbye. She had looked with approval at his black jeans and black and midnight blue Saiyan shirt.

They flew to school. They landed on the sidewalk and entered the building with lots of other teenagers-too many for Vegeta to feel comfortable. And far too many of them of were humans. He knew he was wearing his haughtiest, most disdainful expression, and he was no longer entirely sure that was best, but he wouldn't have been able to change it anyway. He stuck close to Kakkarot and Radditz.

The twins helped him find his locker. They had a good 17 minutes before first bell rang. They looked around for their friends to introduce him to.

Nappa spotted them first and came ambling over. "The girls are over there," he said, nodding to Vegeta. They went to join them.

"Hey," Radditz got their attention. They turned to smile at the boys.

Radditz pointed at the two humans. "This is Chi-Chi and Bulma."

"Hello," the girls greeted him, curious who he was. The boys hadn't been allowed to tell many people that he was coming to live with them before the fact, for security reasons. Or at least that's the excuse they were given. But the secret had leaked out (when he was registered) that the Prince would be starting school there with this new semester.

Then Radditz waved at the two Saiyans. "This is Mame, and Sarada." Mame had black hair down to her waist and a saucy grin. Sarada's hair was almost brown and cut in a short bob. She was small and more delicate-looking, but both were Saiyans, which meant strong and athletic.

"Ladies, this is Prince Vegeta."

The girls' eyes got big. Mame and Sarada looked at each other, then bowed. People turned to stare. Then Saiyan after Saiyan drifted over, staring.

"Is that the Saiyan Prince?" someone asked.

"Yes, this is Prince Vegeta," Radditz intoned formally. Then the whole group bowed. Some drifted away, some stayed to stare in avid curiosity, and some pressed forward, hoping to be introduced. The humans watched in confusion from the sidelines.

Kakkarot took over then, happily introducing everyone. One by one, they'd stand in front of him and bow. Most would make some comment or other. Vegeta looked each one over carefully, trying to file them away in his memory, but it was becoming a blur. He felt a growing sense of wonder and unreality. Nothing like this had ever happened before.

Bulma observed it all with narrowed eyes. It figured. A great looking, intelligent seeming guy-and he was not only Saiyan, but Saiyan Royalty. She was surprised he'd spoken to her and Chi-Chi at all.

When the bell finally rang, people started scattering, with last lingering glances over their shoulders. The friends looked at each other, bemused.

"So. We head to class when the bell rings," Radditz explained. "Um. Vegeta, you and I and Sarada all have geometry first."

"So do I," said Bulma and Chi-Chi simultaneously.

"So do I," said another voice. They turned.

Radditz grinned. "Hey, Retasu."

Retasu bowed to Vegeta, then smiled at everyone. "Hey. I couldn't get around the crowd." Mame gave him a flirtatious glance. He took her hand.

"How big is this school, anyway?" Vegeta asked.

"There's what-103 people in our Freshmen class. So about 400 people between the four grades."

Vegeta walked between Radditz and Bulma on the way to the classroom. Retasu kissed Mame quickly and followed them. Sarada and Chi-Chi fell in to step beside him.

Vegeta snuck a glance at Bulma out of the corner of his eye. He'd never seen anyone like her before. He imagined her surrounded by white mist, wearing a pale white gown, with the sun glowing off her blue hair and making her blue eyes sparkle. Like a goddess. He swallowed hard, pushing the thought away. It was a stupid image, anyway.

When they reached the math room, they all sat down in the first two rows. Vegeta looked around the room. He and his new friends were sitting in the corner closest to the door. In the other corner across the way sat another small cluster of people, all human. In the middle of the back row was a cluster of Saiyans. In between their groups were 2 Saiyans and a lone human.

Radditz leaned over and whispered to Vegeta. "Those humans in the corner are part of the anti-Saiyan group."

Vegeta frowned at them.

"And those Saiyans in the back row are the main anti-human faction. They don't like other Saiyans who don't share their view, either."

Vegeta turned around in his seat and looked them over. There were 4 of them, 3 boys and 1 girl, very haughty looking, fashionably dressed, with an aura of danger. Vegeta disliked them on sight.

The leader caught him staring and sneered at him, not realizing who he was. Vegeta smirked with a small burst of new confidence, refusing to be intimidated by anyone not a brother or a sensei. The boy nudged the one next to him and motioned to Vegeta.

This boy did know who Vegeta was. He was torn between instinct and arrogance, but ritual won out. He stood up, then bowed. "Prince Vegeta."

The leader turned a sickly green color and bowed, too. So did the other Saiyans who hadn't bowed to him yet in the hallway. The anti-Saiyan gang looked frankly disgusted.

"Names?" Vegeta asked them.

"Negi," said the leader.

Negi. . . "You Tamanegi's son?" Vegeta asked. Tamanegi was one of the leading members of the Saiyan Council.

"Yes," he answered proudly.

"I'm Ohitashi." That was the one who had known his identity.

"Nametake," said the other boy.

"I am Kyabetsu." She was magnetically beautiful, fine and proud, cold and harsh, and she knew exactly how beautiful she was. Vegeta was not attracted to her.

The teacher chose that moment to enter the room. "Please be seated, everyone," she said. "Welcome to the first day of Spring Semester, and my geometry class. I am Mrs. Conner and those books lying on every desk are yours to enjoy for the duration."

Vegeta half-smiled. Another nice-seeming human.

"Now I'm going to call roll. Since this is math, I want you all to answer with your favorite number."

Favorite number? Vegeta's forehead wrinkled. A number was a number. How could you have a favorite?

Vegeta listened for the names of the anti-Saiyans. They were James, Teresa, Laura, and Kurillin.

"Prince Vegeta?" Mrs. Conner called.

He picked a number. "One." It seemed like a good choice.

"Bulma Briefs?"

`Briefs?' Vegeta wondered. `Could that be Briefs as in owners of Capsule Corp. technology?'

"Zero," she answered.

When the teacher was writing on the board, Vegeta turned around and whispered, "Are you a Capsule Corp. Briefs?"

She smiled. "My dad's the President."

His eyebrows went up and he turned back around. She wasn't sure what to make of that reaction. She wrote, "So what do you think of the Prince?" on a piece of paper and passed it to Chi-Chi.

"Good looking, but too sure of himself," she wrote back.

"Why do you think that?"

"Didn't you see the way he was receiving all his subjects this morning? He was eating all that up."

"Yes," Bulma wrote thoughtfully. "But I think that was because it was new. Otherwise he would have been at least a little bored. He seemed kind of shocked by it all."

"So what do you think of him?"

"I think I'd like to get to know him well enough to make up my mind."

Chi-Chi smiled.

In the back row, more note passing was going on. "He's wearing jeans," Negi began it.

"I hear he's staying with Radditz and Kakkarot," Ohitashi added.

"Those two human-lovers!" Kyabetsu wrote indignantly. "They'll taint him!"

"He just whispered something to that stuck-up, brainy Bulma," Nametake wrote in disgust.

"We're going to have to be a guiding influence. Bring him back to the path of right," Negi decided.

"Death to humans!" Kyabetsu underlined this twice.

"Saiyan superiority!" Ohitashi wrote with several !!s.

"May the best race win," Nametake concluded.

Another bell sounded the end of class. Negi quickly approached the Saiyan prince. "We wanted to invite you to eat lunch with us."

"He'll be eating with us," Radditz interrupted with an insincere smile.

"I think the Prince can speak for himself."

Vegeta already knew he'd be too tense to eat. "Lunch," he said. "Wanna spar?"

Everyone blinked in surprise, but no Saiyan ever turned down a spar, and the teachers had been unsuccessful in preventing them from breaking out during the day.

"Sure," Negi replied.

"Come on Vegeta, we can't be late," Radditz insisted. Their group put Vegeta in the middle of it and left.

"You don't want to get mixed up with them, Vegeta-sama," Retasu advised.

Vegeta shrugged, privately agreeing. "I have to put them down before I can back out."

Radditz looked worried. They went back to their lockers, where Kakkarot joined them. "Your next class is with Kakkarot," Radditz said.

Vegeta would have rather stayed with Radditz, but went with Kakkarot and Nappa. Halfway there they met up with Mame and Bulma again. "Biology?" They both nodded.