Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Unconditional Bonds (revamped) ❯ Unwelcome Conversations ( Chapter 12 )

Chapter Twelve: Unwelcome Conversations

`Ha ha...well look who cracked.'

"Shut-up."

`My, that went better than planned I must say.'

"Must you?"

`Yes, I must.' A lyrical laugh. Piccolo scowled at the sound of it, Nail was always so annoying when he was right about something. The Namek growled.

`Oh now, such anger. I thought you would have been in a good mood considering last night. Oh by the way, I hope you appreciated the guidance, I knew you didn't have a clue about what you were doing, so I decided to help.'

"So that was you and not Kami. That's somewhat of a relief."

`Yes, I thought you would be relieved by that information. Kami felt his guidance would have been invasive.'

"Oh, but you were just fine with it."

`Why yes. For a Saiyan he has a nice body...very nice,' the voice all but leered, `I personally prefer Namekians, though. Still, it was a good show.'

Piccolo's eyes flew open.

"What! You were watching?!?!"

`Duh. How else was I supposed to guide you. If I let you do it on your own terms, you would have ripped him in two-'

"Stop it! Gods, must you be so graphic?"

More of that lyrical laughter that drove Piccolo insane.

`Oh calm down. I'm just messing with you. I'm respective of your privacy.'

"The hell you are!"

If Nail heard the statement, he chose to ignore it.

`So tell me,' he asked, `How does if feel now that you've jumped the fence?'

Piccolo stood up and started to pace quickly, as if his hurried steps would somehow throw his talkative counterpart out of his head.

"You're really starting to piss me off."

Nail chuckled to himself, enjoying every second. Although, he was more or less just a small part of the Namek who calls himself Piccolo, every once in awhile when the tall warrior had his defenses down, he could break through and speak. This happened to be one of those times.

`Since when does my speaking not piss you off, Piccolo? Really, you need to loosen up, I'm only trying to have a bit of fun.' The chuckling stopped. `Seriously though, I'm proud of you.'

Piccolo rolled his eyes. He nearly spit out a nasty remark, but Nail cut him off.

`Stop it. I know it sounds stupid, but I am. You've come a long way. You gave in to your emotions and it didn't backfire on you like you thought it would.' He paused, changing gears slightly,`From what I've gathered, Vegeta actually warmed to the idea. He seemed somewhat upset when you said last night shouldn't have happened.'

"Did he?"

`I thought so, yes.'

"Hmm...well at least I wasn't the only one who picked up on that." Piccolo continued his pacing. "Needless to say, I didn't anticipate his reaction, I thought he was going to kill me. This changes everything." He let out a breath, "It will never be the same between us."

`Is that such a bad thing?'

He stopped and looked into the night sky.

"I don't know, Nail, it could be. I value the friendship we have, more than you know."

He felt Nail try to make a comment at that declaration, but cut him off. "Yeah, believe it or not, I can hide some things from you. I only wished it worked so well with Kami." He grumbled at the thought, but pushed it aside. "I honestly don't want to lose what we had."

`What if you could build upon it, make it something more?'

"Perhaps." He sat down. "All right, I admit that my previous impression of this kind of union was a bit close-minded."

`Oh please, you were downright hypocritical. `I'm not gay,' he mocked,`damn does that Saiyan sure looks good spandex, but I'm not gay.'A good-natured chuckle, `I'd dare to say that you were a bit homophobic. As I told you, Earth is unique in that it's one of the few planets to have such intolerances.'

"So I've been told."

`It's not an issue. You were fighting what came naturally to you. You had to have known this. This was one battle you were sure lose.'

Although Piccolo would never admit it, this was one of the few times he appreciated Nail's presence. Having someone there to support his actions eased his mind, if only a little.

"I'll admit I still find it weird. You have to keep in mind that I was born and raised here and the concept's still new to me. But I'm managing," he surprised himself with that statement. More emotional fodder he'd have to deal with later, but at least this one was positive.

Shrugging it off, he continued, "Putting all of this aside, I'm more worried about Vegeta. I've never been in any sort of bond before. Well there's Gohan," he considered, "but I see him as more of a son. I certainly felt that I had a great hand in raising him," He leaned against a nearby tree, "but other than that, I have gone out of my way to live in solitude, no thanks to you." He didn't allow Nail time to comment; he continued on. "But Vegeta just got out of a bond that lasted over a decade. I'm not so sure he's ready to just jump into another one. He said himself that he found all of this confusing."

`Ah, but did he not also say that you opened his eyes? Besides, I think the words he used were `a bit strange'. You felt his confusion, he never told you of it.'

Piccolo's ears perked.

"What do you mean? He said he was confused. I could have sworn he said something about not expecting this to come from me of all people."

`No, he never said that. You felt it. You're beginning to form a bond with him; you're already picking up on some of his feelings. Keep this up and you'll be able to read his thoughts.'

"Mind reading? I was under the impression it didn't work that way."

A short laugh.

`Namekian bonds and Saiyan bonds are two different things. Our bonds are much more advanced. We not only can feel each other's emotions, but we can read each other's minds, and speak to one another telepathically.'

Piccolo scoffed. Advanced, please. As if they were talking about technological warfare. Nail was overly proud of his Namekian heritage. As such, everything was more `advanced' or more `civilized' than Earth or any other planet for that matter. He rolled his eyes. So Saiyan and Namekian bonds were different. Were they compatible was the more important question.

`I don't see why not. You're not the first Namek to bond outside his race.'

Piccolo nodded, then it fully dawned on him what they were talking about.

"Wait a minute. Bonding? You mean last night began the bonding process?" A million questions burned through his mind.

At first Nail was overwhelmed by it, but then the younger Namek felt Kami's calming reassurance. The elder did not speak for he felt that Piccolo would shun him and even possibly reverse his open behavior just to spite him. He soothed Nail's mind and urged him to continue to guide the confused warrior on. Nail hesitated a moment, then began the long and arduous process of explaining the whole bonding system.

Piccolo listened intently; finally after a good hour, he spoke out loud.

"So, is this all one sided?"

`Hard to say. You need to give it time; it's still in early development. Besides, Vegeta needs to fully come to terms with his life first. He has already taken the initial step in admitting that his past bond has been severed. It has been so for awhile now, but there are loose ends that must be tied up. Honestly, Piccolo, I think he's okay with the idea.'

Piccolo nodded, this was still all too strange for him. Part of him wanted to choke to death on all of the mawkish notions he had been feeling of late. Yet, the other part was inexcusably rhapsodic, an emotion he had never felt before. After awhile, he thanked Nail and politely closed his mind to him. Nail, in turn, politely made no protests.

The Namek closed his eyes, gathering his thoughts. He had unknowingly begun to bond with Vegeta, not something he really regretted. Just to test this newfound development, he sought him out with his senses. First, he detected Vegeta's ki, something he had always been able to do. Vegeta was where he had left him, in the field underneath the Eastern Mountains. He delved deeper within himself and found a link that had not been there before. Slowly, he began to touch upon it. He was somewhat surprised at the new sensations he felt. Not only could he detect Vegeta's whereabouts but he could sense that Vegeta was in good health, alert, and very, very annoyed. Downright angry in fact. Upon sensing this he felt another ki. He couldn't help but smile. He got to his feet and without wasting a second, leapt into the air; this was something he didn't want to miss.

"Aw come on, Vegeta. I was just trying to play with you."

The prince tightened his hold around his intruder's neck.

"Ack...Vegeta...ack...you're choking me."

"That's the idea. I should snap your neck for your sneak attack, Kakarott!"

Goku was helplessly stuck. Vegeta had his arm wrapped securely around his neck and had locked one of his legs with his own. If Goku made any sudden movements the elite could easily apply pressure that would lead to a most uncomfortable experience.

"Look I'm sorry," he gasped. "I won't do it again, promise."

Vegeta unceremoniously let go of his prisoner. Goku stumbled forward, nearly landing on his face.

"Jeeze, you're awfully grouchy."

The Saiyan sneered.

"When people try to jump me from behind it doesn't exactly put me in the best of moods. Now what in the hell do you want?"

Goku, suddenly forgetting that he nearly had been killed, grinned.

"Oh nothing, I just wanted to see how you were doing. I felt your ki and decided to stop by and say hi."

Vegeta mentally slapped himself; he had forgotten that Kakarott lived only a few miles from this location.

"Well you've said it, now go away."

"Oh now. Stop being such a grump. We were really worried about you. Piccolo said that you were in bad shape. We all tried to visit you, but he said you needed your rest."

Vegeta silently thanked the tall Namek. He had been told that after a few days of his initial arrival, the other Z fighters had stopped by the Lookout with the intention of seeing him. However, Piccolo had sent them on their way while the heart-broken Saiyan Prince sulked in his room.

Now the Namek wasn't here to shoo anyone away. However, he could feel him approaching, and with an amused demeanor no less. Vegeta blinked...amused? Realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Well, well, another unexpected development. But he'd worry about that later. Right now, he wanted to get away from this fool, but not without some information first.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Without loosing the goofy smile,

"Well that's good to hear. I was concerned there for a moment; I couldn't sense your ki anywhere. I admit I should have looked longer, but I was worried about Bulma too. I was kinda torn," he said shuffling his feet.

Vegeta shook his head, wondering for the thousandth time how such a twit could be so powerful.

"I figured," Goku persisted, "you were tough enough to be okay on your own, Bulma on the other hand is a little fragile."

The prince could not hide the contempt on his face. The younger Saiyan backed up.

"Woah, calm down. I didn't mean to say anything to make you angry."

Vegeta was seething.

"Your stupidity is absolutely amazing! Do you ever think before opening up that trap of yours?"

"Well-"

"Shut-up. Just shut-up." The shorter warrior turned away from the other man trying to get a handle on his emotion. Emotion; just one. He no longer felt pain or sorrow, just anger.

Goku, not one to listen to directions, spoke nonetheless;

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned Bulma. But I will say that she was relieved that you were okay."

The prince scoffed.

"Well that lifts the load from my shoulders."

"You know she still cares about you. Her feelings may have changed for you, but she still cares what happens. She thinks you hate her," Goku eyed the shorter Saiyan intently. "Do you?"

Vegeta looked up at the sky, silently willing his annoying visitor to go away...It wasn't working.

"Well do you?"

He sighed deeply, without turning he finally spoke; figuring the only way to get rid the empty-headed moron was to answer him.

"I hate what she did, Kakarott." He looked over his shoulder. "But no," he sighed, "I don't hate her. As much as I want to I can't." His brows drew together, "I'm extremely angry with her, though. And because of what she did she destroyed everything between us. It's over, for good." He turned his attention back to the sky, "She needs to know that in case Billy doesn't pan out for her. Our bond is severed and can never be re-formed. I hope she understands that. She'd better be happy with the choice she's made," he said coldly, "because now it's too late if she ever gets the notion in her head to feel otherwise."

He didn't mention that, in a way, it was a relief that it was over. It was an ending to a slowly dying entity that led to a rebirth. Inwardly, he was glad it happened, for it released him. It had opened his eyes, mind, and his senses. Still it was a slap in the face that could have been approached completely differently, but he wasn't about to share any of this with the low-level behind him.

Goku nodded.

"I understand how you feel."

Vegeta greatly doubted this, but kept his mouth shut.

"I'm not going to lie to you Vegeta, I thought you'd try to go after Billy. I know you don't want to hear this right now, but he's a really great guy and Bulma's happy. I'm not trying to say she wasn't happy with you, but she's not like Chi-Chi. She's not strong like that. She did love you, I know it," he nodded his head earnestly. "But she couldn't handle having a warrior as a husband." He shrugged, "You know, someone who may die at any giving moment. It's like being married to a cop, I guess, you never know when they might catch a stray bullet and die in the line of duty. Bulma needed something more stable, someone who wouldn't put his life on the line or leave months at a time to fight some horrible enemy light years away."

Vegeta couldn't help but snicker at the analogy. However, he had to admit it was a decent one, given the situation. This was one of those times he thought Kakarott actually had a functioning brain.

"Plus he has a really nice car."

Then again, maybe not.

He rolled his eyes.

"Listen Kakarott, is he really as nice to her as you say he is?"

"Yeah," he nodded looking thoughtful. "A tad of a goof, but he falls over his feet for her."

"And she's happy, truly happy?"

"Yep."

Vegeta shrugged.

"Then I have no reason to go after this Billy." He said the name for the first time without any emotion. "Just tell her to keep in mind where we stand. She has made her decision, now she must stand by it."

Goku nodded.

"I will." He walked over to stand by Vegeta. The prince seemed agitated by this movement but that didn't deter the Earthly Saiyan. "She'll be happy to hear that you aren't out for blood. Trunks will be glad to hear that you're okay too."

Vegeta quickly looked over at the man standing next to him, he had wanted to ask about his son, but not directly. He had been wondering about the boy for the past two weeks, but needed to sort through his own wrecked mind first. So he jumped at this opportunity.

"How is he?"

Goku's grin seemed to waver.

"He doesn't like this, Vegeta, not one bit. Goten said something about him wanting things to be the way they were." The younger Saiyan's voice went from flighty to serious, "He's really worried about you. He wanted to see you, but Bulma wouldn't let him come to the Lookout, she thought you would turn him away and she didn't want him to feel rejected."

Vegeta couldn't help but shake his head, his mouth turning down angrily.

"Never." His eyes narrowed, "I would never turn away my own son."

Goku looked more than shocked at this statement.

Vegeta sneered, insulted.

"How cold do you think me, Kakarott?"

"No, it's just that I didn't think you cared all that much, you never act like it."

Vegeta's eyes lit dangerously. A new voice drifted through the air, instantly setting his nerves at ease.

"You're awfully rude tonight, Goku."

The taller Saiyan spun around.

"Who's there?"

Vegeta chuckled darkly.

"It's Piccolo, you idiot. He's been standing there the last 15 minutes."

Goku's keen eyes finally focused on the figure in the shadows, it was indeed the Namek, but his ki was masked. He looked at Vegeta amazedly.

"Wow, how did you know he was there? His ki was completely pushed down and he didn't make a sound."

A small smile tugged at the prince's lips.

"I have my ways."

Piccolo walked forward, wearing his own dark smile.

"Well, seems like you girls are having a nice chat. I'll leave you in peace." He looked at Vegeta.

"I'm returning to the Lookout, Dende has contacted me and said my presence is needed. I would have said something sooner, but I didn't want to interrupt such a lovely conversation."

Vegeta smirked despite himself and nodded. Piccolo gave a curt nod in Goku's direction and took off in the air; the prince wouldn't be far behind him.

"What was his problem?" Goku asked looked blankly in the direction Piccolo had flown off in.

Vegeta shrugged.

"Stupid people tend to piss him off, I wouldn't worry about it."

Goku looked perplexed, but he shook the feeling and looked back at the Saiyan Prince standing next to him.

"So what are you going to do?" he asked, "Stay up at the Lookout?"

"I don't see why that is a concern of yours," he sneered, "but yes, for the time being." He glanced at Kakarott, his face slipping into his familiar scowl.

"Well now that you've managed to put me back into a foul mood, I think I'll be leaving. See to it that you relay to Bulma what I have said. I'd do it myself but I'm too pissed at her to see straight."

Goku nodded, Vegeta grunted and without warning blasted off into the sky. He flew at break neck speed to catch up to the Namek. Piccolo sensing him, slowed down. When the Prince caught up to him, a small grin crossed the green man's face.

"I'm surprised you didn't kill him."

Vegeta smirked.

"I was tempted to. But I wanted some information."

"Trunks?"

Vegeta nodded, impressed that Piccolo had been able to pick up that much conversation. He then wondered if it was conversation he had picked up on or something else.

"I think I'll pay him a visit tomorrow," he stated, "he deserves to know what's really going on."

Kami's Lookout became visible in the distance. They quickly changed their flying pattern and sharply turned upwards, flying in a vertical line to reach the top. When they landed, Dende was there to greet them. He needed Piccolo to oversee a certain part of the western hemisphere; apparently there was some sort of problem Vegeta didn't pretend to understand.

The still new guardian of Earth needed Piccolo's, or more precisely, Kami's guidance in this matter. He shrugged and walked towards inner walls searching for something to eat. Like magic Mr. Popo appeared and assured him food was on its way. He stretched his limbs, admitting to himself that he liked being waited on hand and foot. It was the first time since he was five years old that he was actually treated like royalty. Not that it really mattered. He had learned quickly how to fend for himself; you learn such things living under Frieza's wing. But it was nice to be served for once.

The food was brought, and Vegeta quickly began to devour the sea of dishes in front of him. Piccolo finally entered the room, looking a bit wan.

"Problems?" The prince asked between mouthfuls.

Piccolo plopped down in a chair.

"Dende's a good kid, but he has a lot to learn. You don't try fixing something that's not broken."

Vegeta raised an eyebrow.

"He thought the shield around the western hemisphere looked a little thin so he tried to strengthen it and ended up tearing a giant hole in it instead."

The Saiyan chuckled.

"He'll learn."

Piccolo looked thoughtful, he nibbled here and there off one of the many trays. Although he didn't need to eat, he could. Not something he did too often, but when there was something brewing in his mind he had been known to pick up a fork.

Vegeta let the Namek contemplate in silence while he concerned himself with filling his stomach.

Piccolo finally spoke.

"So what are you going to do?"

Vegeta looked up at him and finished chewing his food before leaning back in his chair. He too, now bore a thoughtful expression.

"I don't have the slightest. I thought about leaving the planet, I know several nice spots where I could settle nicely, even rule if I wanted. Unfortunately, I'd probably be hunted down. I'm not that well received in many places thanks to my career with Frieza and the Planet Trade. Not that being hunted down would be so bad," he mused, "it certainly would keep me busy, plus there would be plenty of people to fight."

Piccolo chuckled; Saiyans' were so single-minded when it came to battle. But he had to admire their dedication.

"However," Vegeta continued, "I'm not in a hurry to repeat my last stunt with Buu if anything should get out of hand. Not to mention I have a son as well as other ties here." He shot a quick glance in the Namek's direction. A warm feeling spiked through the taller man's body and he had to fight to suppress a smile. He spoke;

"You could take Trunks with you."

Vegeta nodded.

"I've thought of that. But it wouldn't be fair to him, though. To uproot him like that- take him from his friends," he shook his head, "no, I couldn't. This is the only place he's known as home. And as much as I'd like to spite her, he needs his mother."

Piccolo raised a brow and cocked his head,

"So are you going to take him every other weekend, or some shit like that?" He didn't care for human customs; he thought them ridiculous and impractical. It showed in his tone.

"Better yet here's another question," Piccolo offered thinking that perhaps there was another way Vegeta could have his revenge. " Aren't you entitled to half of everything she owns? She is your wife, you should be a very rich man."

Vegeta shook his head.

"No, she was my mate, not my wife," he stated. "We never got married, it was one of those, `lets not do it and say we did,' type of things. I thought it was a ridiculous ceremony and she never wanted to legally snare up the corporation if anything did happen. Funny," he scoffed, pausing.

"What?"

Vegeta looked up at him, "At the time she was talking about the unlikely event if she died the corporation would go directly to her descendent. If she were married it would have gone to me, and I didn't want anything to do with it." He tipped his chair on its legs. "Anyway, she called me her `husband' and I occasionally would call her my `wife' so she could save face in front of her colleagues. So it all worked out, I didn't have to do a stupid Earth ritual and she could hand Capsule Corp. directly to Trunks in the event of her death without lawyers breathing down my neck. Seems as if I would have gone through with it, I could take her to court and sue her for everything she has. And as appealing as that sounds, I have no use for such things." He tipped his chair forward again, "Let her keep her damn corporation and all of her filthy money. But I'll be damned if I let that bitch take my son from me."

Piccolo grinned; he liked what he heard. Apparently Vegeta wasn't interested in monetary supplements, he just wanted what was rightfully his. It was then that he began to feel drowsy; it had been a damn long day. He got up, Vegeta setting his black eyes on him when he did so.

"I'm turning in. Don't destroy anything."

"Ruin my fun."

Piccolo chuckled and began to walk past the Saiyan. He got a whim. He let his right hand brush the Saiyan's cheek and quickly combed it through his black flame of hair on his way to the door. Vegeta shut his eyes, enjoying the sensation, when he opened them the Namek was gone.

"Sneaky bastard," he muttered under his breath.

He too stood up and went to his own bed after playing with the thought of following the Namek. Better not to rush things, not quite yet anyway.