Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Unforgivable ❯ Misunderstanding ( Chapter 49 )

"What do you mean, I'm fired?"

"Fired. You are no longer my employee." Vegeta frowned when Kuroichi looked to the floor, his whole self seemingly suddenly dispirited.

"I see." The younger Saiyan bent to pick up the pot he'd dropped. He placed it carefully back on the stove before walking quietly past Vegeta.

Vegeta turned to watch him. Kuro walked until he reached their room. He paused there, one hand reaching out to rest on the door for just a moment before he continued to his room. Vegeta smiled. He probably just needs a bit in that bizarre creation of his to readjust. He turned to look at the kitchen. "This is a special day… my turn to cook."

He fired me? I don't… he… I thought… Kuroichi sprawled across his bed. He'd left the door partially open, could hear the rattling of pots and pans. Vegeta was cooking. He hadn't cooked since showing Kuroichi how to fix his favorite dish. I guess I don't need this uniform then…

He got up, ripping off the outfit he wore. At the closet, he pawed through the clothes to get at the small box in the back. I didn't think… this is… From the box he pulled a slightly faded, formerly neon-green T-shirt and a somewhat worse for the wear pair of pants. He could hear Vegeta now, singing something. He couldn't recognize the words, decided the man was singing in Saiyan. He really is… happy about this. He said… he said… NO! No. I can't let myself think about it. I can't… I will just… I'll just…

Vegeta paused his singing to test the sauce, his nose wrinkling. "Ach! Not yet. Needs more…" The song started again as he moved to the spice rack. I have not heard my own language in far too long. No one has… I should have taught the boy. I should have tried to teach Goku… Kakarot - DAMN IT! TOO MUCH PEPPER! - when I realized he didn't remember it. Now, even I am not sure… if I do!

He'd stopped singing, unable to remember the words of the song. It had been drummed into him since early childhood, even Raditz and Nappa had sung it on Frieza's ship to ensure he would remember it. "Ah!" The melody resumed, a soft, lilting song thoroughly NOT in keeping with his usual character.

He wasn't happy with some of the substitutions he was having to make in the traditional Saiyan meal - but Vegeta-sei was gone and there was no way to get some of the ingredients he needed. He made do with what was in the very well-stocked pantry, continuing to rehearse his song. He had to have every word, every note, perfect. He wanted to have it perfect, since the meal wouldn't be.

Vegeta searched through the cabinets, making a horrible amount of noise in his search for the tray Kuroichi usually used to deliver his snacks. He set it carefully, the fine wineglasses they had never used, the crystal dishes. He'd bought them because of their similarity to ones he'd used as a child, then had them stamped with his family emblem. The dishes had never been used… but today was a special day. Today, they would make their debut.

At last it was ready. Vegeta sent one uncertain look down the hall - Kuro was taking longer to adjust than he'd anticipated - then shrugged and picked up the loaded tray. A gentle smile graced his face as he began the song again, carrying the tray to Kuro's room. He nudged the door open with his hip, entering quickly as the door swung out of his way.

The tray crashed to the floor, song dying on his lips. "No…" Vegeta sank to his knees in the midst of the remains of a traditional Saiyan betrothal dinner. "Kuro…"

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Jewel: *contemplates evil muse*

Vegeta: *too rabid at the moment to make sense*

Goten: What? I thought you were making my life miserable now!

Goku: No… what happened? *turns pleading puppy-dog Son eyes on Muse*

Muse: *blinks*

Muse: *blinks harder*

Muse: *discovers he is not immune to the pleading puppy Son eyes*

Muse: DAMMIT!

Jewel: *blinks* You can talk?

Muse: *scowls*

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It was raining. Of course it was raining. His life had just fallen apart again, after all. He shut the door, popped the capsule, and kept his mind occupied on putting his things away. Once he had everything arranged, he found himself yanking it all back down to be stuffed back into the capsule. All but the small box. That he left next to the bed where it belonged.

His rent was paid up, had been kept paid up. He had kept the small apartment as a backup. I guess I just knew. I knew I'd need it. I don't think I'll stay here very long. I've money enough to move… and this place has bad memories.

Emotionally exhausted, he fell across the bed.

Vegeta stood, slowly taking in the mostly stripped room. Everything Kuro had bought was gone. Everything he'd given the man had been left behind. He made his way slowly to the dresser, righting a fallen picture. He stared at it a long moment, and then began the process of searching out Kuro's ki. He must have misunderstood. That has to be it.

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Muse: *is too put out at discovering he is not immune to pleading puppy Son eyes to create more*

Vegeta: *is now frothing at the mouth*

Goku: *is happy he's not dead* I was worried! And 'Geta's coming for me! *spins Muse in a circle*

Muse: *squawks indignantly. Blinks. Purrs and fondles Goku*

Goku: Meep!

Vegeta: *sends Muse flying with a well-placed punch*

Goku: *glomps Vegeta* THANK YOU!

Muse: *plots revenge*