Book II: Fate's Repose
Chapter 2
Vegeta went in search of his brother, not wanting to waste any time getting to the new namekian planet. He felt out the boys ki as he strode through the castle, missing a step when he located him on the far side. Opposite the royal halls.
Where her room was located.
He paused at the steps, looking up them for a moment before shaking himself out of whatever had come over him, and briskly started up the stairs. He froze at the top. The familiar sounds enveloping him, the sight of her doors, down the hall, almost made him turn around and leave. Vegeta clenched his hands at his sides, taking a deep breath before starting forward. His heart thumped in his chest the closer he got to her room, his eyes riveted to those set of doors. He half expected them to be thrown open any moment, the woman walking through to greet him with a smile. He faltered again, the image popping up in his mind, making him swallow. Vegeta let out a slow breath, closing his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again. He searched again for his brothers' ki, pinpointing it a moment later. He took a step in the direction before he froze, his eyes widening.
Why was his brother in the woman's room!?
Vegeta stood there staring at the old oak doors for a moment before squaring his jaw, marching up to them and flinging them open. His gaze zeroed in on his brother, slowly getting up from the bed, holding something in his lap. Vegeta glanced around before returning his gaze to his brother, narrowing his eyes. He slowly closed the doors behind him, crossing his arms as he walked across the room.
"What are you doing in here?" he asked harshly, a muscle jumping in his jaw.
Vegeta's brows furrowed a moment later when he noticed the desolate look in his brothers' eyes, his face slightly puffy. The boy looked like he'd been crying. He watched Tarble sit back down on the side of the bed, sniffling breaking the silence a moment later.
"Why are you crying boy?" the King asked, feeling a tightening in his chest as his brother raised sad eyes to his.
"She was like the mother I never had," Tarble admitted, briefly meeting Vegeta's eyes before glancing back down again.
Vegeta looked, studying the dress in his brothers' hands before looking away, swallowing. He didn't look over when Tarble began to speak once more.
"She was like...she was my sister and friend. She was my surrogate mother when I needed her to be, she was my big sister when I needed..." Tarble stopped, sucking in a shaky breath. "I miss her!" he squeaked out, his hands clenching around the dress in his lap.
Vegeta closed his eyes, listening to his brother softly sob over the woman who had, according to him, taken many rolls in his life. Vegeta swallowed hard, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Why don't you care!?"
Vegeta's head snapped up at the question, staring at his brother. Tarble was standing beside the bed once more, the dress balled in one fist, his face set in fury. He took a step towards Vegeta when the man remained silent.
"Why don't you care that she's gone!" Tarble practically yelled. "Why...why do you act like you don't care!?"
"I do," Vegeta whispered, but the boy wasn't listening to him. Tarble slung the dress onto the floor, taking another step towards him.
"You don't!" Tarble insisted, his hands balling into fists. His tail started waving madly behind him, his eyes snapping. "You don't care!"
"I do care goddammit!" Vegeta suddenly exploded, his hands raising to his waist. "Do you think it's easy for me brother! Do you!"
Vegeta started pacing, his tail snapping furiously behind him as he went from the wall to the chair, back and forth. "You know nothing!" he snapped, looking over at Tarble in fury. "You know nothing of the pain I've been going through, having to watch my mate be buried! To see her die by one of my own! Someone I trusted!" Vegeta stopped, trying to get his anger under control as his power started rising. He vaguely noticed Tarble step back as static started racing down his body. His body began to shake, and he gritted his teeth, closing his eyes.
"You know nothing," he stated again, his voice low. Vegeta let a few haggard breaths out, before lifting his head and meeting his brothers' eyes. "She was my mate," he said softly, his tail slowing to a stop behind him as he gaze around the room, not really seeing anything. "And before this week," Vegeta said, slowly looking back over at his brother, "I believed I would never see her again."
Tarble blinked at him for a moment, before his eyes went round.
"What do you mean?" he asked softly, scrambling over to his big brother.
"What do you mean Vegeta!?" Tarble asked again when the King stayed quiet.
Vegeta looked around once more, before picking up the dress off the floor and setting it on a chair. He studied it for a moment before turning away, striding towards the doors.
"Come on," he stated firmly, "we have things to do."
Tarble ran after him, a little breathless with trying to keep up. "What do you mean big brother, when you said before this week? What happened!? What's going on!?"
Vegeta paused before going down the steps, turning his head away from the window on his right, when he realized that had been the one him and Gena had flown from, when he took her to see her sons. He turned slightly, studying his brother.
"I might have found a way to bring her back," the King stated softly, before facing forward and going down the stairs.
Tarble excitedly followed, shooting questions at him left and right the whole way to the throne room.
Vegeta stared at the ceiling, folding his hands behind his head. After a long meeting with the others, they had decided to forgo going right then, figuring morning would be just as good. After all, it had been a hell of a day! Kakkarot stated they would be better prepared with adequate rest. Vegeta hadn't said anything, seeing the wisdom in the man's words. They all knew he would rather be heading out right then, instead of waiting however long it would take them to get ready in the morning. They knew he would rather be holding his woman in his arms this moment, instead of waiting months before possibly getting to see her again.
Vegeta closed his eyes, swallowing passed the lump in his throat. He refused to think about the possibility of this not working. Of his fathers' words being true, and they couldn't bring the woman back. He felt his chest tighten, opening his eyes to gaze at the ceiling once more. His mind kept whispering to him not to put too much hope in those magical orbs, that it could be just a fickle dream of his fathers. Vegeta slowly let a breath out, turning his desperate thoughts towards more pleasant ones. He pictured the woman in his mind, could smell her scent wafting in his nose, the soft curves of her body nestled next to him. He sighed, almost reaching over to put his arm around her. But the phantom smells and feelings went away after a few seconds, just a memory that kept playing in his mind. Vegeta suddenly sat up, throwing his feet over the side of the bed. His hands clenched in the fabric of his pants, staring at the floor for a moment before getting up and striding barefoot towards his balcony. He flung the doors aside, stepping out. His gaze went to the moons shining down on them, studying them for a moment before blasting off, his trail disappearing within minutes. He was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice the person following him.
He landed in a clearing, his brows furrowing as he walked to the boulders situated in the middle, vaguely registering that this was the same clearing him and Gena...when he had realized how he felt...Vegeta pinched the bridge of his nose, softly sighing. He leaned back, his tail unraveling and softly swaying behind him. His ears twitched a moment later, listening as someone landed a few yards away, near the tree line. He didn't look up, recognizing the damn energy signal.
A moment later footsteps echoed softly around the field, shuffling in the dirt as the person made his way towards the King.
"What do you want?" Vegeta asked wearily, letting his shoulders droop somewhat.
He didn't give a rats ass if the man saw it. Should be leaving him the hell alone, dammit!
Vegeta heard the warrior take a breath, slowly letting it out before he spoke.
"I was worried, my King," Bardock stated softly, his feet shuffling in the red dirt as he moved to the opposite boulder, leaning his shoulders against it tentatively. He tail flicked behind him, the tip waving back and forth.
Vegeta finally opened his eyes, still pinching the bridge of his nose as he glared at the saiyan studying him.
"I've told you and your meddlesome family, I'm fine!" the King growled, his lip curling in agitation.
Bardock looked away, studying the ground as he nodded slightly. They stayed in silence for several minutes, before the sound of the warriors' voice had Vegeta opening his eyes once more.
"I know what you are going through sire," the older soldier whispered, his focus on something to the far left. Vegeta studied the man, not saying anything. Bardock finally looked over, meeting his Kings' eyes.
"I too lost my mate," he said softly, holding Vegeta's gaze until he looked away, clenching his jaw.
"I grieve for her still," Bardock admitted, shifting his gaze to stare up at the moons. He watched them rotate in the sky, soon hovering above them, the night lengthening as they stood in silence. Bardock looked back down at his King, not saying anything for several minutes. Vegeta had his eyes closed again, a muscle jumping along his jaw.
Bardock looked away when he saw the King open his eyes once more, wrapping his tail around his waist. He hesitated slightly before continuing.
"You are nothing like your father, sire," he stated, watching a small smirk appear on Vegeta's face.
"Yes," Vegeta said, his voice condescending, "the man's weak."
Bardock nodded slowly. "There is that," he agreed softly, "but that's not what I'm talking about."
"Well, then what are you talking about dammit! I'm not going to sit here and play games all night," the King stated firmly, straightening from the rock and taking a few steps towards the lake, staring at it for a moment before turning away from it.
Bardock watched this, not commenting. He paused slightly before hesitating, swallowing. "May I speak frankly sire?"
Vegeta scoffed. "Thought you already were!" he snapped, narrowing his eyes as he studied the terrain around them. He finally looked over at the warrior still leaning against the rocks, an exasperated sigh coming out of him as he waved his hand, not saying anything.
"You are nothing like your father," Bardock repeated, "because he needs companionship. You do not," he stated, watching his King eye him through narrowed brows.
"What are you talking about?" Vegeta asked, narrowing his eyes.
Bardock took a breath, letting it out on a sigh before continuing. "Your father...he needs the approval of others. He needs to know that he's wanted. The man craves attention," Bardock paused, studying his King. "You do not," he whispered, watching as Vegeta slowly walked towards him.
"I mean no disrespect sire," Bardock said quickly, noting the slight rise in the man's ki. "I just wanted you to know that we know how your father is, I served under him for years, as have my sons. But you sire...are so much more worthy of the title King."
He stopped, letting Vegeta study him through narrowed eyes, the man's tail swaying slightly behind him. Bardock swallowed, hoping he hadn't offended their true King.
Vegeta suddenly smirked, amusement shadowing his eyes as he held the warriors gaze. He looked away, something akin to peace settling behind his breastbone. It made him...more at ease to know he had the support of his people.
"I just wanted you to know that my King," Bardock whispered, after several minutes of silence passed. Vegeta turned, standing in profile to him, not saying a word.
A moment later the King grunted, finally looking over and meeting the soldiers' eyes.
"Do you all share this opinion?" he asked softly, watching the man slowly nod, never losing eye contact. Vegeta turned away once more, a silent sigh coming out of him.
The quietness of the night descended on them, neither saying anything for awhile.
"What was her name?"
Bardock's head jerked up at the question, having been studying the red dirt underneath his feet. He studied Vegeta for a moment, swallowing with difficulty as thoughts of his mate surfaced.
"Menolly," he whispered, closing his eyes as the familiar name passed his lips.
He opened them again when he heard the King grunt, meeting Vegeta's eyes when he looked over.
"Did she die a warriors' death?" he asked, his voice low. Bardock softly smiled, his eyes losing focus as he thought of the woman, and her fiery attitude.
"Yes," he whispered, taking a breath. "She lost her life in battle. When Frieza was still trying to overtake us, she got into a skirmish with some of his men. And I'm proud to say, she took out quite a few before she finally met her end."
He saw Vegeta's lips slightly move, not a smile, but not a frown neither. Bardock sighed, letting the memory of that day go, when he had brought home the body of him mate, Kakkarot only having been a cub at the time, Raditz a small boy. His thoughts turned to his boys.
"You know," Bardock suddenly said, gazing off into the distance. "Me and my clan have served under King Vegeta for centuries," he stated, his thoughts still on his sons. "We have served loyally in battle, never questioned our position in the ranks." He finally looked back over at his King, noticing Vegeta was watching him intently, his tail having stopped behind him. "But I've never seen such loyalty as my sons show to you sire," he admitted, "Those boys would do just about anything for you King Vegeta, and I do not blame them," Bardock stated softly.
"You have such loyalty from me as well," he stated, meeting Vegeta's eyes. Bardock stood, arching his spine to get the kinks out, slapping his tail to do the same, letting out a huge sigh before turning away.
"I would not want to induce the wrath of my sons," Bardock stated, only half joking. "Especially when it came to your Queen. Those boys take loyalty to a whole new level with her," he chuckled, glancing behind him.
Vegeta was still standing in the same spot, watching him walk away. Bardock stopped, not being able to make out what was in the Kings' eyes.
"Sire?" he asked softly, tilting his head a little. He stood still as Vegeta started towards him, tensing slightly when the man put his hand out.
But all the King did was lay a heavy hand on his shoulder, patting it for a moment before moving away. Vegeta met the warriors eyes.
"You have my gratitude," Vegeta stated softly, crossing his arms back and taking a step away from the man.
Bardock nodded, a small smile emerging on his face. Vegeta narrowed his eyes at him. "You tell anyone we had this 'heart to heart', I'll kill you," he stated softly, eying the man.
Bardock chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "O...Okay," he stuttered, a little apprehensive about the look the King was giving him. He averted his gaze, clearing his throat. He missed the amused smirk that appeared on Vegeta's face, turning away and taking a few more steps towards the tree line before blasting off, not looking back.
Vegeta watched him go, lowering his head after a moment and sighing, eying the lake for several seconds before turning away from it, a small smile appearing on his face.
"Soon," he whispered, thinking about the coming days. "Soon woman, you'll be back here, experiencing this with me once more," Vegeta stated softly, his heart thudding slightly at the prospect of seeing his mate again. Holding her in his arms once again, smelling the scent that only came from her, knowing that she was his, and always will be.
He ignored the still lingering doubt, that it could possibly be too late. That there really was no such thing as these 'dragonballs'...that he would never see the face of the woman that kept him from the brink of destruction, every damn day.
Vegeta blasted off, heading back towards the castle, feeling the soft rays of the moons shine down on him as he landed on his balcony, gazing up at them for several minutes, before going back into his rooms, softly closing the balcony doors behind him.
He laid back on his bed, taking the same position as before, on his back, his hands tucked beneath his head. He stared at the ceiling for a moment before closing his eyes, finally falling asleep, a soft smile gracing his features.