Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any other the characters from it. I do, however, own my own personal ideas and my own characters. Please ask before you use them.

Author's Note: There is some sexual innuendo in the beginning of this story. I do NOT support writing anything that actually describes sex acts. That is smut, and I don't write it. Still, this story is NOT intended for children. It is rated M for a reason, and if you are not of an appropriate age, you read this story against my wishes. Also, before I even start, I would like to point out that while I support gay relationships, I do not generally write about them. This will not, at any point, turn into a Goku x Vegeta fic. Any evidence you might twist to the contrary is simply not what you think it is. Don't misconstrue my writing! Ok, I've bored you enough. Read the story!

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"Boy!" Vegeta looked up from his bed, where he had been sleeping. It was late, he was tired, what the hell was this about?! The door to his small room slid open to reveal a drunken Talra, one of Freiza's top generals. The big man was 6 feet and 250 pounds of pure muscle, and right now that muscle was intoxicated and in the mood to play with its favorite little toy. Vegeta backed away as Talra staggered into his room, his breath reeking of his favorite liquor. This was bad. Vegeta was as strong as any 7 year old Saiyan could be, but he was really no match for a full-grown, fully-trained warrior. He slipped beneath one of Talra's outstretched arms, making for the door, but the big man's bulk was there, blocking him. Vegeta began to panic, backing towards a wall as Talra advanced. He could almost feel the man's hands on him, groping at his small, toned body as he struggled to free himself.

"Hey! Pick on someone your own size!" The shout from behind Talra was like a voice from heaven, saving Vegeta from Talra's drunken meanderings. The hulk turned to face the owner of the voice, Vegeta's older sister Aspara. Despite her words, she was hardly the same size as Talra. Standing at 5' 4" and weighing no more than 110 pounds, the 15 year old was not an intimidating sight. She was scowling, her clenched fists held in a guard position before her face and her lean body tensed for attack. A grin spread across Talra's face as he lumbered toward the teenager, his arms outstretched. She dodged him nimbly, ducking back out into the hall. Talra followed her, stumbling into the hallway and hitting a wall. Aspara glanced back in at Vegeta, her eyes scanning him quickly to make sure he was ok before turning her attention back to the drunken man wandering towards her.

"Vegeta, get back to sleep. You need to train tomorrow, bright and early. I'll take care of General Talra." Vegeta opened his mouth to speak to his sister. To thank her, to stop her, anything! But she shut his door with a tap at the touch pad outside his room. Vegeta stared at the steel that slid out and blocked his view of where his sister had just been. He could still hear her outside, enticing Talra to follow her, saving her little brother from a night of horror… sacrificing herself to keep him safe. He sank down where he stood, pulling his knees into his chest and schooling himself not to cry. "Crying never helps anything, Vegeta, you hear me? Stay strong. You are a prince! Don't let 'em see you break down." A tear dropped from Vegeta's eye, despite his best efforts to hold it in. A sob hitched his breathing, and before he knew it, he had begun to cry. As long as no one saw… it was ok. As long as no one saw…

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As long as no one saw… Vegeta looked up as the bathroom door rattled, Bulma's voice sounding from the other side.

"Vegeta? Are you ok? You've been in there for a while, are you sick?" Her voice held concern, wondering what was wrong with her husband. He almost never got sick; he was so strong… But he had been acting oddly recently, disappearing for long training sessions in the gravity room, not emerging until late, not even for meals.

Locked within the bathroom, Vegeta hurriedly dried his tears and calmed his breathing. When he was sufficiently composed, he unlocked the door and emerged from his sanctuary. Bulma was staring at him, her features at once curious and concerned. He pretended not to notice, walking past her towards the king-sized bed they shared. Sleep, that blessed oblivion he escaped to every night, was what he sought. Only in that blissful state of unconsciousness could he run from his haunting memories, but they had been growing worse lately. Now they plagued his dreams, interrupting his night and keeping him from the rest he needed. His sister wandered in and out of his nightmares, her haunted screams echoing in his ears when he woke.

He had never told Bulma about his sister. He had never felt the need to bring up those painful memories and tell his wife of the sibling she would never meet. But it felt like a betrayal of Aspara's sacrifice not to tell her. She had surrendered herself night after night, day after day, to keep him safe. And what was he doing to her? Denying those memories was like denying her existence. How shameful. How thankless of him to lock away those memories for his own comfort and happiness.

Vegeta could not live like this, but he didn't know how to stop it. He wished that he could forget about Aspara, and hated himself for his selfish wish. She had sacrificed everything for him; her time, her training, her freedom… everything. But how she haunted him… It was maddening! And the looks he got from Bulma and Trunks… Even his young son knew, understood that something was wrong with daddy, and he copied his mother's pitying gaze. Perhaps he did not understand what he was doing, but Vegeta couldn't stand the pity. He had to get away.

Vegeta blinked, grabbing hold of the thought that had just flitted across his mind. He had to get away. It was so simple, why hadn't he seen it before? The answer to his solution was staring him in the face. Just get away! He needed time away from the pitying looks and the prying stares at his back. He needed time to clear his head and just train. Perhaps a trip to the mountains to live in seclusion for a while and gather his thoughts. Or perhaps… Grabbing his phone, Vegeta dialed a number almost without thinking and pushed send before he could stop himself. Yes it was rude to call people at 3 am, but he was certain this particular person wouldn't begrudge him a few moments of time.

"Hello?" The voice on the other end was groggy and sounded as though its owner wasn't quite awake.

"Kakarot?"

"Vegeta?"

"Of course, fool, who else would it be?"

"Um… no one on accounta no one else calls me that name." The voice wasn't so groggy now. Kakarot apparently woke quickly. "It's 3 in the morning…"

"I'm aware of that." Vegeta didn't quite know what to say. How could he phrase this request without leading to awkward questions?

"Um… what's up?"

"I need a… Uh… How would you feel about… Ah… Do you want to train with me?" Vegeta was not used to stumbling over his words, and he was all too aware of Bulma's eyes on his back, burning with her unasked questions.

"Right now?" Kakarot's voice sounded shocked.

"No, fool, not right now. Tomorrow… for a couple of weeks. I wanted to go away, get to somewhere more natural, like the forest or the mountains or something. Look, do you want to come or not?" The last words were harsh, gruff, back to Vegeta's normal tone of voice. There was a pause on the other end as Kakarot thought that over.

"Um… yeah, sounds like fun! I have to ask Chi-Chi, of course. Ooo, can I bring marshmallows?" Vegeta felt his face sink into a frown.

"This isn't for recreation, Kakarot, I intend to do serious training!"

"Yeah, but you NEED marshmallows if you're camping. It's, like, a rule."

"FINE! Bring your damn marshmallows, I don't care! Are you coming?"

"Yeah, I'll go!"

"Fine. I'll call you tomorrow." Vegeta started to hang up the phone, but stopped as he heard Kakarot's voice sound from the other end.

"Vegeta? Why did you have to call at 3 in the morning? Is everything ok?" Kakarot's tone was softer than usual, curious. Vegeta could practically feel his concern; he loathed that tone.

"Yes, Kakarot, everything is fine," Vegeta snapped. "Sorry for waking you. Go back to sleep." And he hung up the phone. Bulma was behind him, waiting for an explanation, but he offered none, keeping his back to her as he laid down to sleep. She laid down on her side of the bed, snuggling up to his back and draping an arm around his broad shoulders.

"You going camping, Vegeta?" Her voice was soft in the gloom. He made no reply, merely shifted his pillow beneath his head. She patted his chest gently, somehow understanding. "I love you." Vegeta put a hand over hers, grasping the cool fingers lightly in his own.

"I love you too."

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Ok, that's it for chapter one! Reviews and criticism are appreciated; flames are not. This is a new genre for me, and I'm kinda putting my new style out there. If you liked it, let me know. If you didn't, let me know (but be kind!). If you have questions... let me know! I would be happy to answer any and all questions personally through email or in the next chapter if you don't want to leave me your email. But there will only be a next chapter if someone likes this one! I don't waste my time and effort on stories no one likes. Luv y'all bunches!

Aseku