AN:Hey everyone! Here's the forth chapter. I had heaps of fun writing this one! There's a twist in this chapter that I had planned from the beginning and it's a good one. Also, if you haven't figured it out by now, the writing in the italics is thought speech. Enjoy!
Vegeta lay in bed a lot longer than he usually did after waking, thinking about yesterday's fight and the strange mood that had him in it's grip later in the afternoon.
He was yet again unnerved by the strange effects this damned switch was having on him. Self doubt had never been an a characteristic he entertained before and the thought of even Bulma hearing these thoughts made him feel ashamed. He was the Prince of all Saiyans for Kame's sake!
He'd always prided himself on the ability to adapt, to take in his stride whatever was thrown his way. This was no different. He would look at it as another challenge, something to overcome and to conquer.
Charged with this, he got up out of bed and was determined not to let one more second of this day be wasted on such thoughts.
He realised how hungry he was when he smelt something cooking in the kitchen and his stomach growled angrily at him. He hadn't eaten since Kakarrot had insisted that they all eat at the lookout. What the idiot hadn't thought of was the fact that only three people lived there and only one of them actually ate. There had only been enough food to keep Vegeta from collapsing and he cursed the earth for making him so soft he had to eat so often. After that, he'd been so absorbed in his thoughts that the idea of food had completely escaped him.
Bulma's voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. The saiyan garbage disposal is eyeing your breakfast. If you don't get here soon...
To most of the occupants of the rather large table, it seemed that Vegeta had appeared out of thin air. He punched Goku's arm as it snaked to steal one of his plates. "That's mine, clown," was all he growled before starting to eat.
Goku just shrugged and turned to Goten's plate.
"Goku, you will not steal your son's food!" ChiChi yelled. Bulma noticed how much more relaxed she'd become about the body switch. It was very odd seeing ChiChi look at Bulma's husband with an annoyed but somewhat fond look. To be honest, she didn't like it one bit.
Vegeta shot a curious look at her sensing her mood, but he was probably to distracted by his hunger to realise what the cause of it was.
A moment of insight told Bulma that ChiChi probably felt the same way as her and she smirked.
Oh well, two more days and the whole thing would be over. Everyone would go home and she would have her husband all to herself. This made her feel a lot better.
"Hey mum..." Came the soft hoarse voice of her son interrupting her stream of thoughts and she stared down at her son and suddenly felt guilty. She'd hardly spent anytime with him on account of the Dragon Radar and seeing those little blue eyes pleading with her made Bulma feel quite bad.
"What is it?" She asked gently. He was at the stage where affection was not cool but still wanted.
"Can I go to New Namek with dad and Goku?"
She stared down at her son closely. It was only now she a faint trace of mischievousness and mentally laughed. Always up for an adventure with his best friend following him, no matter how dangerous it could be.
Bulma spared a glance at her Goku and Vegeta, trying to figure out what roles they played in this. They both seemed unaware of this little exchange but with their advanced saiyan hearing she doubted they missed it.
"Well?" She asked them and they both looked at her innocently. For once, Vegeta wore the expression well but Goku...didn't. "You know very well what I'm talking about."
"Oh, come on Bulma! It will be good for them, besides it's not like we're sending them off by themselves."
Suddenly ChiChi became very active in this conversation. "You want to take Goten to a planet full of Piccolos?" She screeched at Goku who was wearing a sheepish expression on his face.
"It won't even be dangerous! I can't sense any significant ki in that area of space. No one there even comes close to Goten and Trunks's power, let alone Vegeta and I."
Bulma listened and shook her head. There were a few flaws in Goku's argument. Had he totally forgotten that some fighters could suppress their ki, just like him? Or was he conveniently leaving that detail out?
The latter. But the boys will be safe. I swear on it.
Bulma looked over at her husband and knew he was telling the truth. She turned to the younger woman. "ChiChi I think Goku is right. Besides, whoever made the wish was pure of heart. If there is a battle, I doubt that it will result in anyones death."
ChiCh looked downright furious for a second then seemed to give up. "I suppose you're right, they will be safe with my Goku." She looked at him again with a look of... Love?
Though she knew it was irrational, she couldn't help the jealousy that reared up and she tried to squash it before it registered on her face. Just two more days...Two more days... She chanted.
Vegeta looked at her in amusement and she glared back angrily. He thought it was funny, did he?
Let's see how funny it is if I hold certain privileges from you when things are back to normal, my prince.
His smirk turned into a scowl as she spoke to him but his thoughts came back to her almost smugly.
Woman, the privilidge is all yours.
Bulma felt a wicked smile cross her face as she retorted.
Let's see if you feel that way, in say, oh I don't know, maybe a week.
She smiled in triumph at Vegeta's expression made all the more amusing by the fact it was actually Goku's face using it.
Goku cleared his throat and looked between the two of them and Bulma was glad only Vegeta could read her mind, no matter who's body he was in.
"So, when is the trip?" Bulma asked a little too enthusiastically.
Luckily Goku took the bait. "Well, I'd say in the next half an hour or so."
"Are you taking anyone else?" She asked out of real curiosity now.
"Well I was talking to Piccolo and Dende about it and they both seemed keen."
Vegeta snorted. "Why don't you make it a damn holiday and invite baldy too, Kakarrot?"
Goku grinned back at him a little sheepishly. "I did ask Krillin if he wanted to come too, but he still remembers what happened last time he was on New Namek."
Goku thought back on the vicious battle he and Vegeta fought on the planet against Frieza's older and equally as evil brother turned machine. The battle itself had been tough but Goku looked back at it with a warrior's fondness.
It was the first time the two saiyans had fought side by side. Even after they'd defeated Cooler and thousands more of him took his place, he had been relieved at not having to fight the battle alone. They'd even managed to take six more of them out before being completely overwhelmed.
"It will be good for Dende to see his people again, but what about Earth?" Bulma asked dragging Goku from his memories.
"He said something about Earth being safe for a day."
Bulma raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, because the perfect moment to strike wouldn't be when the Earth's best warriors are off planet."
"Don't worry Bulma. Gohan, Krillin, Tien and Yamcha are still going to be here." Goku assured her.
Vegeta could hardly contain his laughter at the earth's 'defence'. Besides Gohan, most of them wouldn't stand a chance against a real threat. However, if such a thing happened, he was sure that the weaklings could hold their own for a least a day.
"Bulma, I don't suppose you've got any of those useful Capsulised Food Packages around?" ChiChi asked.
"Of course I do, with a saiyan for a husband who knows when I might need one?" Bulma walked over to the pantry, getting out a handful of small capsules that contained enough food for one saiyan.
"How long do you think you guys will be gone for?" She asked Goku, working out how many they would need. Good thing Piccolo didn't eat.
"Maybe a day or so." He took ten capsules from Bulma and put them in the pouch he kept on his belt.
"A day, Kakarrot?" Vegeta scoffed. "I say we will be back by lunch. Whoever made this wish is clearly an idiot and I will pound them into the dirt for ever pulling this little stunt!"
"Vegeta! Behave yourself! Haven't we already discussed this?" Bulma warned him.
"Enough with your lecturing, woman!"
"Hey guys, I hate to interupt your marital quarrel..." Goku interrupted.
"Mind your own buisness!" They both yelled at the same time.
Man they are scary! Goku thought and decided to leave them at it. Eventually they both calmed down and Goku decided it was time to leave.
"We'd better leave now Vegeta."
"Whatever, Kakarrot."
Trunks and Goten both grabbed Goku and he put his hand on Vegeta's shoulder, ignoring the look he got from the saiyan prince for the action. "Bye Girls!"
Look after my Goten for me, Goku. Goku heard ChiChi tell him as they disappeared.
Piccolo let go of Goku when he saw that they had arrived at New Namek. Instant Transmission felt as if someone had pulled his whole body through a small hole. Without the pain, he added as an afterthought.
He looked around. The planet seemed to have recovered well from the events that had nearly destroyed it some time before and he was glad. Although this wasn't the original Namek, he still felt a sense of homecoming at being here.
Goku, Vegeta, Goten, Trunks, Dende and himself all stood outside a small village. In a small field there stood about ten Namekians who had stopped farming and were now staring at them apprehensively. One of them seemed to recognise Dende and he said something to the other Nameks and they all relaxed, turning back to their farming.
Goku walked back to the one who was still looking at them without hesitation. "Hi, I'm Goku from earth. Can you tell me where elder Maury is please?"
"Hi Goku, we've heard great things about you. My name is Cargo and I will gladly lead you to the Elder. It seems you've got yourself quite a problem."
"What do you mean?"
Everyone behind Goku rolled their eyes.
"That's not your body, is it?"
Realisation hit Goku's face and he rubbed the back of his neck, the gesture being made with Vegeta's body making the two boys laugh. "No it isn't! I keep forgetting about it actually! How did you know?"
"You're ki is fractured." He said as if it were obvious. "So is his." He said, turning to Vegeta and added, "you've changed a great deal since we last met."
Vegeta didn't say anything. He didn't recognise this particular Namek but he knew who he was. He must've been one of the Namekians he killed on his quest for immortality.
Cargo then turned to Dende. "The new guardian of Earth. It is very risky, leaving your planet."
Dende blushed but stood his ground. "The Earth is safe. I have not left it unprotected."
Cargo nodded in approval. "Well, I will take you all to the Elder now. I take it you can all fly?"
Goku nodded and Vegeta snorted. Goten and Trunks had taken to the sky and were now in some kind of race.
They all flew up, following the Namekian. It seemed to take forever because they were going so slow but they finally reached the next village. They landed next to a white dwelling of some kind and again the farmers stopped their work and starred at them.
Cargo noticed and explained. "It's been a long time since we've had any outsiders visit our planet but you're the second group to appear in seven of our days."
"Yes, we know." Goku said. "It's the reason that we're here. We think that these visitors are the reason for what happened to us."
"Think, Kakarrot? We know! It's the only possible explanation!" Vegeta was angry that they were wasting time like this. He turned to Cargo. "Just take us to the damn elder. The sooner we find those responsible, the better!"
"Vegeta, there's no use in getting angry. We still don't know why they made the wish in the first place. They might've had a really good reason!"
"A good reason?" A vein popped out on Vegeta's forehead as he yelled. "Can you think of a good reason for this, you clown?"
Luckily, Piccolo intervened. "I hate to say this Goku, but Vegeta is right. Although the wish was granted to an innocent, it's obvious the wish was made to throw both of you off." Piccolo was doing his best to stop the fight turning into a full blown argument. "Thankfully, whoever made this wish also severely underestimated the both of you."
Cargo gave a sigh of relief when the situation seemed to be under control and led them all inside of the strange building.
They walked inside, then down a long hallway. Cargo motioned for them to stop halfway down and opened a door to their left. "This way."
Goku walked in and was shocked by what he saw. He'd met Elder Maury several times before and although Goku knew he must have been old by Namekian standards, nothing could have prepared him for what he saw. The elder had rapidly deteriorated since Goku had seen him last. His skin was a very dull grey green and deep crevices were etched in his face. He seemed to be confined to the chair he was sitting in because he looked so weak. What had happened to him?
Maury laughed, but it was a peaceful sound. "Nature happened, my friend. Welcome back to Namek."
"How did you do that? Read my mind." Goku asked, amazed. He thought that only warriors with a connection and the mates of saiyans could do that.
"It is one of the many things I have picked up in my old age but I can only read those with pure hearts."
Goku saw Vegeta smirk out of the corner of his eye.
"Then you know why we've come." Piccolo stated.
"Yes and I'm sorry but I cannot help you."
"And why the hell not?" Came Vegeta's angry reply.
"Because the pure hearted stranger who sought out the Dragonballs did not wish this upon you."
Bulma smiled in triumph. The Dragon Radar was not finished but it wouldn't be long now. She'd finally solved a problem that had cropped up just after the boys had left.
She looked at the miniature masterpiece and was amazed again at her own genius. This ones range went twice as far and it was more compact, she thought as she remembered what a clunker the last one had been.
Her thoughts drifted to what might be happening on New Namek. Surely they had figured out who was responsible by now.
As soon as she thought this, she felt her husbands energy suddenly appear out the front of Capsule Corp. And boy was he pissed.
Bulma put the Dragon Radar down gently and rushed out the front, eager to find out what had happened. Before she even got there she could hear Vegeta yelling in Goku's voice.
"...are an idiot, Kakarrot! He was obviously lying!"
Bulma heard Goku trying to calm him down, but with no sucess.
"But he wasn't lying, Vegeta. You're just too angry to see it."
By then Bulma had reached them and realised what was going on. "You didn't find out who did this?"
"It turns out whoever made a wish on the Namekian Dragonballs didn't wish for this." Goku said, pointing to Vegeta then himself.
"You're like a child! You'd believe anyone if they were half convincing!"
Bulma had to admit her husband was right. Goku did believe anything. She'd once used the expression, 'men are from Mars and women are from Venus' and Goku had looked confused and replied, 'then how did everyone get to earth?' Bulma had nearly died of laughter.
But this time she couldn't ignore the conviction in Goku's eyes. "Who did you speak to?"
"Maury and boy is he getting old."
Bulma nodded. then it had to be true. She'd gotten to know the Namekian pretty well during his stay at Capsule Corp and knew that Maury wouldn't lie about something this important- or at all. "Then we're back to square one." She sighed.
Trunks and Goten ran past them on their way into Capsule Corp, probably up to no good.
"What are you two up to?"
"We're just..." She heard Gotens little voice then a dull thud.
"Goten!"
"Owie Trunks, that wasn't very nice!"
"We're... playing hide and go seek!" Trunks finished unconvincingly.
Bulma grimaced. No doubt she go to bed tonight and find a rubber spider in her bed. Those two were always up to mischief...
Then like a lightning strike, she realised what had happened to her husband and her best friend.
"Boys!" She shrieked, causing the two older saiyans to flinch. "Get you butts in here... NOW!"
AN: There you go! Those little brats. Don't worry, they'll pay dearly.
Unfortunately the next chapter will be the last. I only intended this story to be five chapters so it's nearly the end. I've had so much fun writing this story!
I purposely made Maury into a new Guru, because I liked Guru and they killed him. I figured that Maury would eventually age and turn out like Guru anyway.
Please review! I really appreciate any feedback.