01/01/2011 - Chapter 1 - Updated
It seems I've forgotten about this old friend who was in need of a serious revamp.
Spelling, Grammer and plot have been updated.
Expect updates on all the following chapters with a new one coming soon!

Not again the tall man thought to himself. This was quickly becoming a routine. For a full two weeks now he had woke long before the sun rise. Cold and tired Goku slowly rose from his bed trying carefully not to waken his wife. He slowly crept down the hall to the kitchen, making sure that he did not disturb his sleeping family as he did. He poured himself a glass of water and quickly drank the contents. He could not understand why he could not sleep as of late.

Ever since he had defeated Buu he had felt like a part of him was missing. Goku tried to do what he had always done in the past which was shrug it off and move on with his next challenge. However, that was now the problem; there was nothing left to challenge him. He had just defeated what was considered the most powerful evil force that the universe had ever seen. The closest person he had to a challenge was Vegeta, but even their sparing matches had become repetitive and pointless to him now. And the Prince was aware of this. Goku gave a smug grin. The frustration he seen in Vegeta's face was rather amusing; however at the same time he could not help but feel guilty that he was not giving the prince his full attention, but in his current state of mind he could not help it. He knew Vegeta would be on his doorstep bright and early again today demanding that they train like he now did every day. For the first time in his life, (That he was aware of anyway) Goku could not care less about training, he just wanted to get some good old fashioned sleep. Even the most powerful of Saiyans need their beauty sleep, and a lack of it for two weeks straight can take its toll on anyone.

Goku was shook from his thoughts by the sound of a door opening and footsteps walking towards him.

"Oh Gohan I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you" he said to his eldest son.

"It's ok dad I was awake anyway" Gohan replied

Goku was surprised by this, he had been as careful as possible to be quiet, his wife was an angry woman at the best of times, and if she was woken before her time, the rest of the family knew to stay out of her way for the remainder of the day.

Gohan walked over and sat down beside his father at the kitchen table. "Well you look like you could do with a bit of company" he said.

"You should go back to bed son, is Videl not coming over later today?"

Gohan put his head on his hands and said "Your right I had completely forgot about that"

Goku giggled, his son as bright as he may be, had always been able to make him laugh with his lack of remembering the important details. "Well you're going to need all the sleep you can get son, I'll see you in the morning"

Gohan looked up at him and smiled "I'm glad your home dad, I missed you so much when you were gone."

Goku put his hand on his son's shoulder. "I missed you too son, but don't worry, I don't intend on going anywhere soon."

"Goodnight dad" he replied as he walked off towards his bedroom.

Goku stood from the table and walked over into the living area and lay down of the couch. He started to think as to how he was going to manage through the day with the little to no energy he had left. He was completely exhausted and it was such an alien feeling to him. As he lay there he thought of the old days, when every day brought him a new adventure, how himself, Krillin and Bulma would get themselves into all kinds of trouble. He also remembered how happy he was when Gohan was born, apart from himself he had never known such a happy child, always with a smile on his face, always playful and ready for adventure. All that felt lost to him now. Was he to stay at home with his family and grow old for the rest of his days? The very thought made him feel ill. No matter how much he loved his family he could not change the fact the he was a Saiyan. Nothing was going to change that, and nothing was going to change that he always was going to have the burn for battle and challenge.

As the hours past and darkness slowly turned to daylight Goku could hear the birds staring to sing. Soon his wife would be up, rustling about in the kitchen and chasing Goten about the house trying to get him clothed and washed. Goku decided he would go for a quick fly around the mountains to get some of the cold air to shake his tiredness before his family woke.

He went to the wash room and lifted yesterday's clothes and put them on. He would only be gone for a short time, no need to worry about getting a new outfit. As he walked outside Goku closed his eyes and took in a deep breath of the early morning air. He felt slightly better already, the smell of morning dew was all around, the birds sang and there was a cool breeze. Goku almost didn't want that moment to end, but it didn't last long…

"KAKAROTT…"

Goku fell to the ground in shock as a harsh voice in front of him shouted his Saiyan name.

"Get up you clown" Vegeta said with a grunt

"Vegeta!" Goku yelped "What in the name of Kami are you doing here at this time of day?"

"We have business Kakarot! You have not been taking our training seriously; did you believe I would not notice? I will not stand for it any further." Vegeta declared in his normal angry tone.

Goku gave a heavy hearted sigh and just stared at the man before him. Not once did the prince blink or take his eyes off the lower class Saiyan. Goku could see the anger and frustration in Vegeta's eyes and he knew he would not be able to talk his way out of this one, however for his body's sake he had to try.

"Listen Vegeta, I'm sorry but I'm just not up to this today." Goku said calmly in a tired voice

"Nonsense, you're a Saiyan!" Vegeta snapped.

Goku stood, rubbing his bruised rear. He looked at Vegeta once more who still had not shifted his cold stare. Goku, realizing that nothing on earth was going to calm Vegeta, especially when he was in such an aggravated mood, he gave a nod to Vegeta to signal that he agreed to train.

"Humph" Vegeta snorted as he raised his Ki and took to the sky.

Goku followed a few seconds later, barley able to keep up with the older Saiyan. Goku was getting increasingly annoyed at himself for his lack of strength. Not to mention Vegeta's temper was growing rapidly as he noticed that Goku was slacking behind. He stopped in mid-air and waited for Kakarot.

"If you're fighting skills are as good as your flying is today Kakarot, then you may as well go home now" Vegeta said in a smug laughter.

This only annoyed Goku further and he replied: "Last time I checked you're the one who has trouble keeping up with me Vegeta!"

What came next Goku was totally unprepared for, even though he should have seen it coming a mile away.

"How dare you Kakarot! I've had enough of your insolence!" Vegeta roared.

His Ki burst into flames around his body as he surged towards his target. In that moment Goku's body was sent hurdling down to the plains over which they hovered as Vegeta's powerful fist collided with the taller Saiyan's stomach. Vegeta stopped and watched in amazement as Goku helplessly flew into the side of a mountain at speeds faster than light. If it could have, Vegeta's jaw would have hit the ground as Goku collided with the earth.

"Kakarot has never made such an amateur mistake like that before. He never lets his guard down; usually a head on attack is futile."

The prince stood and waited for his opponent to rise. Several seconds past and there was still no sign of movement amongst the dust and rubble. Vegeta closed his eyes and searched the immediate area with his mind, expecting to sense Kakarot closing on his position with a sneak attack. There was no such attack. He opened his eyes and gasped once more as he seen a bruised and bloody Goku at the base of the mountain struggling to get on his feet.

"IMPOSSIBLE!" he stuttered "That attack was nowhere near powerful enough to do that much damage to him"

Vegeta clenched his fist in rage and flew towards the younger Saiyan.

"WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT KAKAROTT? YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THAT ATTACK WAS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO EFFECT YOU THE WAY YOU ARE LETTING ON!"

Goku coughed and spluttered some nasty contents from his empty stomach as he tried to speak, but he was cut off as Vegeta continued his rant.

"YOU'RE NOT EVEN TRYING TO FIGHT ME YOU COWARD, YOU ARE A DISGRACE OF A WORRIOR!"

Goku managed to look into the eyes of his angry opponent and very weakly murmured

"I'm done, just leave me alone Vegeta, I'm not going to fight with you anymore"

Goku's attempt at standing failed as he fell back to the hard hitting ground. His breathing heavy as he struggled to remain conscious.

"What are you playing at clown? Enough of this! Get up!" Vegeta demanded.

It took another couple of seconds for Vegeta to realize that something was indeed wrong with Kakarot. "Must I do everything myself? " Vegeta grunted. He approached the fallen man and lifted him, carrying him to a nearby river. He lay him down again by the riverside and splashed some water over his face, rubbing away the dirt and blood that covered it. The cold water was refreshing to Goku's pained face. Through blurry eyes he could see Vegeta supporting his neck with his arm and cleaning the dirt out of his wounds with the other.

"Ve…Vegeta" Goku whispered.

"Hush Kakarot, rest now" The prince said in a calm voice.

Goku thought he was dreaming, he could not believe it was the same man. Was this his rival for years who was now being so gentle with him and tending to his injuries? Yet two minutes ago He was ready to pound the life out of him. Goku's vision was blurred, his muscles ached and his head felt like there was a small badger inside it burrowing its way through his brain. However all the pain felt insignificant. This totally uncharacteristic change in character on Vegeta's part had him stunned. Goku had only ever seen this side of him once before, it was just before he died at the hands of Frieza when he had opened up his heart to him. Goku never thought he would see it again, let alone have Vegeta care for him in such a way. None of it made sense but all he cared about in that moment was that Vegeta's soft gentle touch was enough to keep him there forever.

"I understand Kakarot"

Goku just about managed to open his eyes and looked at the Prince. Only to see Vegeta staring back down at him with gentle eyes that seemed to say it all, words not necessary. Goku raised his hand and brushed it along Vegeta's face; he didn't know what had possessed him to do such a thing, it just felt right at the time. To his shock Vegeta embraced his touch and held his hand against his face with his own.

Inside Goku's head there was a fierce battle going on, one side of him screaming for answers as why all this was happening? Why Vegeta had changed so suddenly? The other half hoping for it to continue and to never end.

Goku could not understand it; he had never felt this before, he had no idea where it was coming from, but it felt natural. He wanted Vegeta, and he wanted him now. From what he could tell, the prince felt the same way, though he could not be certain as nothing like this had ever happened between them before. Get physical now and ask the questions later, that's what Goku instincts told him now. It was almost as if somebody else was in control of his body and emotions, he had never imagined ever having urges like this towards another man, let alone for Vegeta, and yet now it felt like he had always had these feelings for him.

"Rest Kakarot, you're no good to me in this state"

What did he mean by that? Goku tried to respond, but before he could Vegeta had let go of him and jumped to his feet as he sensed somebody coming their direction.

"Your son is here Kakarot, he will take care of you now" Vegeta said as his cold and heartless manor returned, before he took to the sky once more and was gone.

As Goku watched the prince fly away he wanted to scream NO come back, don't leave me, but Goku could barely move never mind chase after him. The weeks of sleepless nights had finally taken over, fatigue and tiredness now claiming Goku's body. While his mind started the difficult task of trying to understand exactly what he had just happened between himself and Vegeta.

"Oh My God Dad what happened to you?" Gohan cried in shock as he seen his father in a heap by the riverside.

"I'm taking you home, common lets go" Gohan said lifting his father gently, heading in the direction of home.

For the short journey home Goku's mind was in a completely different place altogether. His thoughts on what had just happened, and why it had to end so quickly. Or did he even want it to happen again? That question did not take long to answer. Goku had to experience it again, he had to experience more, and this was to be his next challenge.

To be continued…