"Awakening"
Chapter 4
Dripping wet in the pouring rain Gohan stumbled a few steps before catching himself. Eyes narrowed he shot a murderous look back at one of the guards that had been assigned to get them back to the academy before Commanders Nappa returned.
Smirking. "Don't even think it kid." The older guard warned shoving him forwarded once more. "Get moving!" Shivering jaw clenched tight stopping himself from saying anything that would only make matters worse for himself.
From a sidewards glance Gohan caught Ruin shooting his own lethal glare back to the guard that had been assigned to him. Their wrists were bound too tight, pinching the skin underneath and they were treated like common criminals being forced to march up the main street.
It was humiliating for both cadets. The only thing they had on their side was the fact that it was late and spectators were sparse. The few that were roaming the streets didn't have a problem with calling out abuse and laughing making it that little bit more unbearable. There was no doubt in their minds that the guards were getting a real kick of making it as unpleasant as they possible could for the teenagers.
"Do you even know who my father is?" Ruin growled as he was roughly pushed forwarded. Beside him Gohan rolled his eyes. It wasn't the first time since they had left the Golden Arms that he found it necessary to let the guards know of his status.
"Do I look like I even CARE kid?" the guard scoffed as they approached the academy's gates.
"I'll have you know my FATHER-"
"Shut IT!" They grabbed their bound arms and led the cadets away from the dormitories.
In a short time they found themselves being shoved into separate cells with a solid wall dividing them both, "Now be good kiddies." The guards laughed at the venomous look shot their way from Ruin and Gohan.
"I don't think they liked that." One mocked, causing both guards to burst into laughter, a cold throaty laugh that ground at your very core, before they both disappearing altogether behind a metal door as it slid shut isolating the boys.
Dark hair weighted down curled at the tips dripping hindering his vision even more than it already had been when he had hit his head. Gohan unsuccessfully tried to blow the wet locks away from his dark eyes, frustrated annoyed at being unable to do the simplest of tasks. Feeling drained and powerless with the ki rings bound so tightly around his wrists. He frowned at the predicament he now found himself in. How in the hell was he going to explain this to his family?
Soaked to the skin, bitterly cold and unable to do a damn thing about it as he looked around the small enclosure. He was trapped in this nightmare knowing full well that once Commander Nappa had got through with the others he was going to skin them alive. He sighed. There was nothing else he could do but wait.
Shivering Gohan resigned himself to the inevitable. He turned to position himself so he had full view of the access to the cells. Sliding to the cold ground. Knees bent he tilted his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. Uncomfortable as all hell, he surrendered himself to his fate.
"Wait till I get OUT of here!" Ruin screamed. "You're dead-meat HALD-BREED!"
Wearily shaking his head, eyes closed sick of it all. "Put a sock in it Ruin."
"Piece of SHIT! That all you'll ever BE! You'll never amount to ANYTHING, you'll see!" Ruin yelled through the invisible shield that prevented them from escaping. Ruin was pacing like a wild animal. He wanted nothing more than to reach into the next cell and go another round with the half-breed to teach him a lesson, one he would never forget.
With a heavy sigh exhausted and feeling nauseous with the begging of a giant headache thumping away, Gohan blinked opened his dark solemn eyes, downcast. Glancing around the uninviting cage he found himself in when his sights suddenly snapped back to the door. Everything was a slight blur, but he saw movement. A form approached him.
"Get up!" The guard growled pressing something next to his cell ZAP the invisible shield was gone. Apprehensively Gohan pushed himself up to his feet and stood warily not knowing what to expect when he was roughly snatched and pulled forcefully out of his cell."You're in for it now kid! Commander Nappa is ready for you." The guard growled.
"Get my FATHER! You can't do this to ME!" Ruin screamed from his cell as Gohan found himself being led apprehensively back through the door once again.
"Where are we going?" Gohan asked over his shoulder becoming anxious with each step. Laughing, the guard ignored him and continued to escort the boy forcefully through the long tunnel that would eventually lead them though to the covered arena, the size of a small football field back home.
Gohan's eyes narrowed with an underline of fear concern in unable to focus on anything solid with his ki blocked, he was powerless. But then he guardedly found himself being lead right up to his commanding officer who was waiting for him in the centre of the arena.
Within seconds he found himself facing Nappa's vast muscular frame towering over him. It sent a chill, "Commander." The guard bowed and presented the teen.
"Go!" Nappa snapped. Gohan glanced apprehensively between the two. His commander's eyes were fixed glaring menacingly down on him. By the look of it Gohan knew this wasn't going to be good. His heart started to pound with each beat. "Guard the entrance. This could take a while," Nappa growled. "I don't want any interference." He explained never removing his eyes from the boy, shrewd and calculating.
Arms still bound Gohan jumped as Nappa reached out snatching him spinning him around aggressively. Eyes darting in front of him, wondering what is going to happen. "What are you doing?" Gohan demanded to know.
"I've decided you needed a few lessons on what happens when you piss ME OFF!" Gohan was released from his bounds. He spun out with the powerful influx of ki that bounced back, but in the same instant Gohan found himself flat on his back. Dazed, blinking with a bloody nose. He felt the blood run into his mouth, spitting. His eyes grew wide blinking at suddenly seeing Nappa right up close glaring in his face. All of a sudden he was lifted up and tossed into the air as if he weighed nothing.
With a loud and painful grunt Gohan landed hard on his back winded, blinking no time to waste he rolled out of the way as Nappa's foot came crushing down on where his head had been the previous second.
"You little piece of SHIT! Thinking you can embarrass ME twice in one DAY!" The giant Saiyan growled angry and embarrassed at having to leave the banquet over a common pub brawl and one between his cadets at that. He was going to teach this half breed just how much he hated being humiliated in front of their king.
What the fuck? Gohan found himself dodging and blocking powerful blows as they came flying thick and fast, relentlessly pushing him back only to be too slow and sent flying by a powerful fireball. He was quickly growing frustrated at being on the offensive. Bouncing hard, skidding back along the sandy ground unable to stop. Wincing he felt the rage swell inside of him, agony, eyes slammed shut clutching at his scorched flesh and broken ribs, hissing. The air reeked of burning flesh. Unyielding, unbending, he bit down hard on his bottom lip holding back from crying out loud, open wound bleeding spilling freely through his splayed fingers.
Sneering stepping forwarded on the advance. "Go ahead! I dare YOU! Give me your best SHOT!" Nappa yelled filled with hatred rage he beckoned him on. He loomed over the wounded boy on the ground struggling, egging, motioning for the teenager to strike back, fight him. He wanted nothing more than to see this little PUNK to beg and plea for him to stop. He was nothing but trash anyhow, pulling down the proud name, race, of Saiyans.
Gohan struggled to stay focused, squinting through the blinding pain, slowly painfully climbing to his knees resting catching his breath. Everything hurt. His lungs burned and all he wanted to do was to collapse and let the darkness to take a hold of him. It would be so much easier that way. It was taking everything he had to just stay conscious. He struggled unsteadily to his feet. It was just though sheer willpower that he was this far. T-shirt ripped and drenched in his own blood his chest rising and falling just with the effort it took to stand.
Unsteady on his feet, swaying trembling. "No…I- I won't." He breathed, straining to stay focused under heavy lids as he kept his eyes on Nappa's cold hard orbs. He was no fool. Gohan knew once he retaliated he would be kicked out of the academy; something his commander was calculating on, hoping the kid would lose his temper. Not willing to dishonour his family he steadfastly he held his ground unwavering determined dark orbs refused to slip into the darkness that called beckoned him. "I won't fight!" He said chest rising and falling in pain.
"Why you little PUNK! I'll show YOU!" One powerful arm raised, one giant fist staring him right in his face. Gohan braced himself knowing full well he wasn't going to be walking out of there tonight.
"NAPPA!" In an instant the giant Saiyan found himself flying back toppling over with the force of a powerful ki blast. He landed flat on his face as fire rapidly spread throughout his body, engulfing him. Shakily he lifted himself up off the ground only to collapse back onto his knees clutching his arm, pain, agony. Streams of blood ran down from his dislocated shoulder. He knew for a fact that the attack was meant as a warning otherwise he would be dead right now. Dazed, baffled he watched as Prince Vegeta with venom set in his narrowed eyes that were fixed on him and steadily approach with only one mission on his mind.
Confused "High-Highness?"
"Gohan?" Goku called. Frowning alarmed he rushed up to his son. Seeing the boy collapsed as his knees gave way beneath him, but before Gohan could even hit the ground strong arms caught him.
"Get the boy to the infirmary!" Vegeta ordered not taking his eyes of his prey.
"What are you going to do?" Goku asked lifting up his son shifting him in his arms with Gohan's head slump against his father's broad shoulder semi conscious and covered in blood. The stench of blood and scorched skin was strong hitting the earth Saiyan's nostrils making him see red. This was his son.
"GO!" Vegeta barked not used to being questioned.
Narrowing his sights shifting from Nappa to Vegeta and back again, it was a look that suggested this was far from over. Tightening his protective hold around his son Goku turned, stoically from the scene behind him leaving Vegeta to deal with the other Saiyan, who was paling fast in the merciless presence of the powerful prince. "I-I don't understand- What's it to a prince?" Nappa stuttered stumbled.
"For now... it's everything." Vegeta growled quietly, eyes flashed, darkened dangerously. This was it Nappa thought. He was going to die.
Moments later a bloodcurdling cry bounced off the walls of the arena only to fall upon deaf ears as Goku exited the tunnel with one single objective. His heart skipped a beat as he felt his son's ki begin to slip. He needed to get him to the infirmary and now.
…
Videl peeked around the corner into the abandoned lobby glancing back over her shoulder, finger pressed to her lips. "Shh …come on. No one's there." She whispered.
"This is stupid!" Al grumbled crouched down low with his back pressed hard against the wall, eyes fixed on the target above him with Spooner opposite him, doing much the same.
"And your plan wasn't?" Videl growled defensively.
"Mine wouldn't have involved stripping off ALL of my clothes!" Al hissed, pissed off and cold.
"Hey! You're the one that suggested it!" Videl was quick to remind him.
"I didn't think you would ACTUALLY take me up on IT!" Al barked back wrapping his long spandex pants around a security camera.
"Shhh!" She growled. Al rolled his eyes refraining from looking back at the bitch.
"How many of these things are there? Anyone one would think they couldn't trust us cadets." Spooner chuckled pulling his muscle-bound undershirt over his head following Al's lead.
"There had better not be any more. I'm down to my underpants!" Al hissed descending to the floor once again feeling naked.
"And heaven forbid if we get to see your scrawny ass!" Videl scoffed over her shoulder before slipping into the now abandoned surveillance room and over to the monitoring systems.
"AL!" Spooner growled reaching out tackling the smaller boy back, preventing him from reaching out and strangling the girl.
Seething, seeing red. "Let me at her! I want to rip her lungs OUT!" Al growled eyes locked on Videl only few metres away in the small room franticly working on erasing taps.
"Forget it!" Spooner growled tightening his grip on Al pressing him hard against his chest and refusing to let go.
Shrugging her shoulders indifferently, not taking her eyes off her work. "I'd let him at least try… We all need a good laugh."
"Right she's sooo fucking DEAD!" Forcing the boy back, powering up growling. The need to stay quiet had long gone out the window with Al's temper flaring.
Frowning and at the end of his tether. "Calm DOWN!" Spooner ordered.
"SHHHH...! Both of you! Do you want us to get caught?" Videl spat eyes narrowed and focused only on cracking the code that would disable the alarms and open the dormitory's front doors. She wanted nothing more than to turn around and slap the pair of them, with the racket they were making. It was just pure luck on their behalf that the dorms were a low concern with security high over at the palace. The banquet and all of its officials and dignitaries from around the galaxy were invited and they needed all the manpower they could muster. Leaving them pretty much unsupervised except for the basic security systems they had installed around the campus.
"No one is getting killed!" Spooner growled under his breath glaring down at the smaller teen in his strong grasp.
"Just a little?" Al pleaded glancing over his shoulder up at their new found friend, puppy-eye. "pleeeeeease…..?"
"No." Spooner shook his head, unwavering.
"Aaaagh... Come off it!" Al growled frowning not at all happy.
"You can't kill her!" Spooner re-enforced his point by tightening his hold mildly, surprised for a small guy Al sure was strong.
"I'll keep it clean." Al promised being more than hopeful, batting his eyes back at the taller teen for extra good measure who just shook his head. Sulking, Al turned back to the girl narrowing his eyes. "Fine, but her butt is mine."
"You wish." Videl said still focused on what she was doing.
"Videl! You're really not helping!" Spooner growled before turning his attention back to the smaller boy struggling in his grasp. "Are you going to behave or do I have to get rough?"
He sighed. "Fine," Al shrugged out of his grasp, "I'll behave." He sulked.
"Good." Spooner turned to Videl keen to get moving. "Do you even know what you're doing?"
"It can't be too difficult." She said not skipping a beat as her fingers danced over the keyboard. "They don't come across as very creative."
"Or maybe they don't think were stupid enough to face court-martial for breaking out of the dorms after Nappa has forbid it." Spooner suggested glancing back over his shoulder guardedly.
"Or there is that." Videl smirked. Spooner chuckled shaking his head amused and glanced back at Al who was busy mumbling something under his breath.
Al was scheming of ways to get rid of the evil bitch that was out to ruin his life. It couldn't be that difficult if all those books he read was anything to go by, scratching his chin. "I need a toad?" He thought.
"How's your eye?"
Frowning looking up, being pulled away from his dilemma. "Huh?"
"Your eye… How is it?" Spooner asked pointing to it.
"Oh." Al gingerly touched his black eye shrugging his shoulder. "It's stings a bit." He pouted recalling the incident.
"It was pretty impressive the way you got that huge guy down and started beating him over the head with the service bell."
Al smiled proudly, eyes lit. "Yeah it was."
"I don't think I have ever seen anything like it before in my life." Spooner nodded releasing a heavy sigh, "It's a shame it had to be one of guards though." He said sympathetically.
Al's smile slipped frowning. "Yeeeeah, that part sucked!"
"I've GOT it!" Videl cheered as quietly as she could. They all hurried and stepped out of the room in time to see the front doors slide apart.
Wiggling his brow seductively, "Not just a pretty face." Spooner grinned only to have it slip as Videl flipped him the finger as she pushed passed him.
Not hanging around Videl headed for the doors. Al leaned closer to a confused Spooner and whispered. "I don't think that was meant as a compliment. Gohan does the same thing to me whenever I wake him." Spooner raised a questioning brow. Al just shrugged his shoulders. "I don't think he's a morning person." He explained.
Nodding in understanding Spooner and Al followed a determined Videl out. "My roomies the same," Spooner commented. "But it's his tail you have to watch out for." Al raised an inquisitive brow. "Nothing like that!" Spooner growled.
"Oh, just wondering."
…
Once outside they snuck quietly over to where Videl had seen Commander Nappa lead Gohan. "What do you think he's going to do?" Al asked concerned for his friend. Guardedly looking around them they quickly snuck across the academy grounds.
"It's a bit late for him to rake out the arena, don't you think?" Videl growled sarcastically as they hide low behind some bushes near the entry to the arena.
"I know that smartass." Al hissed crouching with Spooner quickly coming up next to him kneeling, peeking over the hedge and scanning the area.
"Can't you two just kiss and make up?" Spooner commented, hoping for a truce, but with the lethal look shot his way he didn't believe it was possible.
"It will be a cold day in hell before I-" Al began
"Okay, okay! I'm sorry I even mentioned it." Spooner growled, his hands raised surrendering. He shifted looking between them seriously, "So how are we going to do this? There are bound to be more security cameras down there." He said motioning towards the tunnel that led to the arena. "I'm as proud as the next guy but there's no way I'm stripping down to my jocks for this." Al, already there and shivering in his Saiyan version of bright comic boxers shot him a glare. "Sorry, Al."
"Whatever." Al growled rolling his eyes.
"It's a shame." Videl frowned.
"It's a shame I'm not down to my jocks? Is that a proposition?" Spooner smirked amused.
"No. It means I'm running out of ideas." Videl sighed madly thinking of how they were going to do this.
"Oh..." disappointed. "If we had a scouter we could tell how many there are." Spooner cursed himself for not thinking of it sooner.
"Pity Gohan's not here. He could do that without a scouter." Al thought out loud.
"Stupid if Gohan was here we wouldn't have to be doing this!" She reminded him.
"I knew that! I was just saying." Al spat back.
"Is that true?" Spooner asked.
"What?" Al turning to taller male, confused.
"That Gohan can detect others without a scouter?" Spooner replied curiously.
"Yeah, apparently he and his father can do it." Al explained.
"I'll have to get him to teach me." Videl said with Spooner nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, count me in on that."
"But it doesn't help us now does it?" Al sighed.
"No, it doesn't." Spooner growled poking his head over the hedge. "Shh …someone's coming." Crouching lower he glanced back at the other two doing the same. He turned back waiting only to be surprised when he did see someone. "Shit!"
"What?" Videl whispered watching the guy disappeared down the path.
"Didn't you see who it was?"
"I did. It's the guy Gohan and I saw over at the Golden Arms the other night." Al explained frowning puzzled.
"That was the prince." Spooner explained seeing the stunned expression on both faces in front of him.
"What are you talking about?" Al growled
"Just what I said, "turning his attention back to the path, "that was prince Vegeta."
"You're kidding me?" Videl asked doubtfully.
"I swear that's him. My dad works over in the palace as an advisor to the king and I've seen him before, a long time ago but there's no mistaking it. It's him." There was stunned silence as they all tried to figure where this new piece of information fit into the equation.
"I'm at a loss. What would a prince be doing at a pub?" Videl asked.
"Maybe he was thirsty?" Al wondered. "But from what I remember he didn't think much of it. Mind you it does taste bitter-"
"Will you shut IT! I doubt the prince went there for a drink. He could do that back at the palace. No he was up to something. You said the guy was wearing a cloak or something that covered his face?"
"He was. It was all creepy the way he kept it hanging over his eyes like some sinister mastermind that wants to capture your soul. Then he puts it in one of those BIG red jars so he can pickle it and then eat it later." Al recalled sending goosebumps down his arm just thinking about it.
"You know you really gotta stop reading those books." Spooner said worried.
Shocked. "How do you know about them?"
"Gohan mentioned it to me the other day when you got that parcel from your dad and raced past us to the dorms." Spooner explained.
"Oh yeah... I remember that." Al recalled. "The Shower Of Death." Shivering with just the thought. "I couldn't take a shower for a week after that." Frowning. "Well that was until Gohan dragged me down there and- "
"Eh?"
"It's the name of the book dad sent me." Al explained with Spooner nodding a little less confused than he was before.
With her mouth agape, unable to believe the two. "GUYS! Have you forgotten what we are doing here? What would the prince be doing at a pub and here?" Videl growled glaring at the pair.
Both boys squirmed under her glare. "Okay maybe he was waiting to meet up with someone?" Spooner added.
Videl frowned. "Yeah, but with who and why?" Spooner shrugged his shoulders. He had no idea. "Damn, it only creates more questions." She cursed.
"Hey, can you hear that?" Al growled turning back to the entrance once more.
Lying low they all watched lost for words seeing commander Nappa appear struggling with each step. He was all bloody, clutching his chest with one arm while the other lay limp at his side. All three turned to each other wide eyed not saying a word until the coast was clear of anyone in hearing range.
"What the hell is going on?" Al asked.
"I don't know but this just keeps getting weirder." Spooner says watching Nappa disappear. "You said Nappa took Gohan down there right?"
"I know I did." Videl insisted.
"Then what if he's hurt or worse?" Al said about to spring to his feet when Spooner held him back. "What?"
"I wouldn't jump to any conclusions just yet." Spooner growled guardedly.
"But you saw HIM?" Al growled pointing to where Nappa had disappeared. "What if the prince is using others for target practice?"
"Don't be stupid!" Videl growled. Al shot her a lethal glare.
Spooner shook his head. "Listen, we don't know. Maybe it's just a big misunderstanding? We still don't know for sure if Gohan is really down there."
"He is I saw him." Videl augured.
"Yeah, but is he still there that's my point?" Spooner tried to explain.
"We can ague to the sunrise. I'm going to see." Al growled growing impatiently."He could be down there needing our help?"
"What about the security camera?" Videl reminded him.
"Screw the camera!" Al snapped spring to his feet only to be caught by Videl this time.
"You CAN'T! You'll get us all in trouble." She augured frowning in two minds about what to do.
"And we're not already?" Al growled yanking his hand free from her and headed for the entrance with Spooner following his lead when they heard someone yell.
"HALT! What are you doing out here?" Raditz called frowning at seeing not two but three cadets now as Videl stood warily. He was still on duty when passing the academy he grew suspicious on seeing movement in the grounds.
They watched swallowing hard as the large Saiyanjin came into sight. "I asked you a question." He demanded arms folded standing commandingly eyes lowered on all three.
Videl glanced apprehensive over her shoulder at the two boys swallowing hard wiping her hands on her jeans. "Umm…it's like this…well..." and so she went on to explain everything.
…
In the infirmary the earth Saiyan stood watching over his son floating in the DNA gel inside of one of the many rejuvenating tanks that lined the wall. He turned from the tank that one of the Tuffles had said to put his son in to the other Tuffles in the room. Noticed three other tanks were in use.
Goku watched as the handful of Tuffles worked the nightshift keeping eye on each of their patients' stats. An older Tuffle was fussing over his own son's tank. "My-oh-my..."
"Is there something wrong?" Goku asked concerned stepping up to the man taking in the stats report.
"Could have been." The older Tuffle said.
Frowning not liking the cryptic reply. "What do you mean?"
"I've had to adjusting the DNA settings so that it is compatible with your son's own. He's a hybrid you say? Human?" He asked without looking up from his work.
"That's right." Goku said looking down at the unreadable marking on the tiny screen.
"You see these tanks were only made with Saiyan DNA any other species wouldn't survive under the harsh process."
Before Goku could put another word in the old man quickly added. "That's why I'm adjusting it the dosage your son's body can take. Because he's part Saiyan his body should be able to adjust just nicely. But it's going to take longer."
"So he'll be fine?" Goku wanted a clear answer.
"He should, with the low dosage that he's receiving now. It's just going to be a slower process. We'll just have to keep an eye on him that there no adverse reaction."
Worried, Goku turned back to his son finding himself wishing he had a Senzu Bean on him. It was so much simpler than seeing his son in one of these things. He remembered years ago being in one just like it. He knew his son could sense his surroundings, but whether he would be able to comprehend any of it at the moment was still unknown.
He had taken a beating and things were looking bad right up till the time he stepped through the doors of the infirmary. It made the Earth Saiyan furious that someone would do this to his son and single him out like that, and he knew why too. It was the same reason it had always been. He was starting to wonder if it was such a good idea to come to Vegeta-sie with his son always being harassed and his wife locking herself away not talking to him.
He stepped up to the tank. His dark eyes looked for any facial expression that showed that his son knew he was there, a response of any kind. The teen remained motionless, locked in a world that separated them both. It was only the oxygen mask, his life line that broke the illusion of his son peacefully sleeping and all the horrific injures that were tattooed over his young body.
Using his parental bound Goku transmitted for his son to stay calm and giving him reassurance that all will be well and to stay strong. It didn't take long before he felt a weak tug from the other end of that same bond. It quickly brought a small smile to the Saiyan's lips. His son could sense him.
At that moment he was interrupted from his thoughts. Glancing over his shoulder he saw prince Vegeta stride in, rubbing at his strained neck and looking as stern as ever. He doubted the guy had ever laughed in his life.
Vegeta raised his hand dismissing the concerned looks from the Tuffles in the room as he entered seeing the splatter of blood on his royal uniform. "It's not mine." He growled. Understanding they returned nervously to their work curious as to why he was even there.
"Did you kill him?" Goku enquired turning to face the prince as Vegeta stepped up next to him with his eyes glued to the tank in front of him.
"No, but he'll be more careful about how he conducts his duties next time." Not willing to elaborate any further. "How's the brat?"
"Stable. They're not sure how his body will coupe with the Saiyan DNA."
"Is that going to be problem?" Vegeta turned to the older Tuffle in charge.
"Your Highness" The older man bowed respectfully. "At this stage his responses are all on mark. It just means it will take longer for his body to heal than it would if he were a full blood." The Tuffle quickly explained curious as to why the prince would even care.
"I see." Vegeta frowned turning back to the boy annoyed that he couldn't be out sooner when he noticed something else, out stretched hand, pointing. "Why's he still wearing his pants? Why isn't he naked?" he demanded to know. Disappointed, unfazed by the looks he was receiving from the boy's father and the other Tuffle.
A single raised brow from Goku before it quickly deepened into a frown. Taken back with strange query the older Tuffle replied. "There was no need Your Highness. The injuries are not below the waist."
"Never mind!" Impatiently waving off the lame excuses Vegeta found himself sadly disappointed. He was hoping to see so much more. The perverted he is.
"Can I ask why you are even here?" Goku asked curiously seeing how the prince was so focused on his boy. A little too focused for his liking.
"No you can't."
"Has Gohan done something wrong? Is that why you here?" Goku pushed wanting answers.
Vegeta frowned not liking Kakarrot's tone. And what was with all the questions anyhow? He didn't have to answer to anyone. He was the prince for Kami's sake. He wished the baka would just leave. "There is no need for your presence. You can go!" He dismissed Goku altogether, indifferent to the other Saiyan's reason for been there in the first place.
Shoulder shifted back showing off his full impressive height. Eyes darkened narrowing down at the granted expression of the prince. "I don't think so." Surprised and taken back at being talked to like that, Vegeta raised a superior brow as the earth Saiyan had the gall to contain. "I'm not going anywhere until you answer me." Goku warned fully facing the prince now, challenging him. The room quickly chilled as the Tuffles backed away not wanting any part of the fight that was brewing.
The prince's eyes narrowed and locked met with the same determination. Leave it to Kakarrot to be a complete baka to challenge him. If planet Namek had taught him anything about the younger Saiyan was he never did understand when to quit. Not in the whole time they were stuck on that godforsaken planet fighting Frieza and his henchmen. This was a look he couldn't ignore. If it was any other time Vegeta would admire that in another warrior but not this time. Not when the other Saiyan threatened to get in his way.
"Are you challenging me?"
"If that's what it takes to get answers from you." Frowning Goku replied. "If you have an issue with my son then you can take it up with me!"
"I don't think so." Vegeta smirked mockingly. "You shouldn't flatter yourself so highly coz to be honestly you just don't do it for me." He scoffed.
Confused Goku lowered his dark eyes. He's mind slowly comprehend the prince's words. Bit by bit it was all coming clearer, becoming alarmed. "You want my son to be your c-consort?" He stuttered finding it impossible to believe.
Slightly amused, a satisfied smirk curled onto the tips of Vegeta's lips enjoying the others reaction. "Nothing as high a status as that." The prince said their eyes locked with Vegeta watched as it slowly registered in Kakarrot's eyes exactly what he wanted with his son. Goku's eyes widened in shock until rage quickly took over narrowing his dark eyes into slits of fury. But before he could express any kind of contempt he had on the matter they both turned as the room exploded alive with the sounds of others.
"What's the meaning of THIS!" Vegeta demanded arms whipping to his side fist clenched watching the storm of Saiyans rush in. He immediately recognised Raditz as the baka's brother before his eyes turned to see one of the cadets he recognised, almost naked. He raised an inquisitive brow but refrained from asking before turning his sights on commander Raditz who had stopped.
Glancing between his younger brother and his nephew in the healing tank concerned "Kakarrot?" Raditz frowned at seeing things were far from right, farther than he had first been told. Turning to the prince, quickly remembering his place he clenched fist pressed it to his breastplate bowing with the others behind following him. "Excuse me Your Highness, but I had reason to believe my nephew was in trouble."
"So you came here?"
"Yes," Glancing over to his brother. "Someone had seen Kakarrot with my nephew head over here."
"What of them?" Vegeta growled pointed at the three cadets behind him. Videl glared back not letting herself be intimidated by the prince while her colleagues bowed their head low.
"They are friends of my nephew sire." Raditz glancing back over his shoulder sending a warningly glare back at Videl to be more respectful in front of their prince, one that she ignored.
"Hump!" Annoyed Vegeta turned to the Tuffle. "How long until the boy recovers and can be out of here?"
Nervously the older alien hastened his reply. "Another five to six hours Your Highness. It's difficult to say."
"I wanted the boy brought to me as soon as he wakes. Do you understand?"
"Certainly sire." He bowed as the prince went to take a step to leave.
"I won't let YOU!" Goku delivered taking a challenging step closer his eyes locked.
The only sound was that of the stunned gasps from the surrounding audience. Vegeta's dark orbs lowered to the hand that prevented him from leaving, clutching his forearm with conviction. Dangerously narrowing his eyes lifting to meet the challenger, "You think you can stop me?" Vegeta asked in a low steady voice what could only be described as deadly.
"Yes." Goku growled not releasing his hold not even when his brother Raditz took a step forward in alarm.
"Kakarrot! What are you doing?" He snarled concerned for his younger and foolish brother.
"I'll fight you before I let you touch him!" Goku vowed.
"Is that so?" Vegeta growled yanking his arm free from the taller Saiyan. "You're a fool. It's been years since we were on Namek." Eyes locked. "You're not the only one that can become the legendary Saiyan Kakarrot."
"Really? How about we put it to the test then?" Goku smirked. His dark eyes lit with something all Saiyan know all too well – the thirst to battle and the hint of something else just grazing the surface? Was he mocking the prince?
"Kakarrot don't!" Raditz growled eyes shifting between the two alarmed.
"Fine! Let's settle this in the arena." Vegeta growled biting back his rage. "When I triumph you will surrender your son over to me!"
Goku's brows pinched, second guessing for split second eyes narrowing hardening seeing Vegeta smirking knowingly. Undermine his confidences for that spit second, seeing the prince as overly confident.
"Who says you're going to win. Like you said it's been a long time since we were on Namek and a lot has happened." A small calculatingly smirk touched Goku's lips. "I wouldn't want to seriously hurt you Vegeta so if you like you can back out now. But either way YOU will leave my son alone!" The last part was delivered as a state of fact. No room for discussing.
Vegeta's whole expression twisted, jaw clenched but he kept his temper in check feeling his blood boil. He was trying to prevent himself from doing anything that might jeopardise the boy's health before he even got his hands on him by blowing up his baka father and the infirmary right here right now.
"Sunrise!" He snarled. A look passed between them, one that could kill, before Vegeta abruptly turned with his red cloak whipping behind him as he pushed his way furiously passed those obstructing his path. "Better have your family send the boy to my chamber after your demise." He growled through clenched teeth before disappearing leaving them all in stunned silence.
Until. "Are YOU fucking CRAZY! How hard did you hit your damn head!?" Raditz growled snatching his younger brother by the arms getting his attention.
Goku's lips curled into confident smirk and with a gleam in his eyes. "I won't lose."
"What? I can't believe THIS?" Raditz growled running his hand over his face unable to believe his baka of a brother.
Goku turned to his son, seemingly floating in the healing gel looking so vulnerable inside the tank."Don't worry I have it all under control." He said to anyone that might be concerned, but on a private note between his son and himself he vowed. I won't let him hurt you
"I have to agree with Commander Raditz sir. You can't beat the prince. Everyone knows he's the strongest if not in the attire universe. Spooner said taking a confident step forward with his two friends at his side.
Stepping away from the tank and facing Spooner Goku grinned ruffling the boy's hair. "You are all friends of Gohan aren't you?" He asked with a questioning brow raised.
"Yes sir."
"I'm glad." He nodded frowning when he realised Al was only in his boxers. "What happened to your clothes?"
Blushing profoundly. "Eh, umm...they're back at the academy sir." Al stumbled over his words, reframing from making any eye contact with the good looking commander.
"Ahh..." Goku nodded completely lost now.
"It's a long story." A bashful Al shrugged trying to cover up feeling more self conscious than before.
"I guess it would be with you three being out of the academy after what happened over at the Golden Arms tonight. Doesn't curfew start at midnight on weeknights? "
"Well we kinda snuck out." Spooner half heartily explained
"I saw Nappa take Gohan into the arena." Videl explained. Goku nodded frowning at the name. "So we decided to break out and see if he needed our help." She explained getting a small smile to curl on her friend's father's lips. Goku was pleased to see his son had good friends that would risk court-martial trying to protect him. He watched as she stepped past him and up to the tank and placing a hand on the glass. "How is he?" she asked without turning around eyes only on Gohan and his wounds that looks so painful as they slowly healed.
Smirking, knowingly she must like him a lot he stepped up placing a hand on her shoulder getting her to look back up at him. "My son is strong. He's got through tougher times before, and your name?"
Evil bitch from hell if you had asked Al who pushed past her to be nearer the tank to see his friend. He deliberately knocked into her so she had to step away granting him more room.
"Videl Satan." She said glaring back at Al who ignored her.
Scratching the top of his head, looking thoughtful, thinking. "Satan? Hmm..." Recalling hearing that name from somewhere before when his attention was yanked away by his brother growing more impatient by the second.
"I can't believe you would challenge prince VEGETA? What would were YOU thinking?" Raditz growled with everyone looking up at him.
"I had no choice in the matter." Goku growled defensively watching his brother pace the room.
Raditz abruptly stopped turning to his brother gobsmacked. "There are always choices!"
"Not this time. Didn't you hear him he wants Gohan!" Goku raised a brow putting his point across watching as Raditz eyes lit with enlightenment.
"Ahh..."
"Ahhh is right!" Goku growled.
"What would he want Gohan for?" Videl asked curiously as the adults turned to her.
Clearing his voice Goku turned to his brother for support. "Ehh… shouldn't you guys think about going to bed?" He asked hopeful with Raditz nodding in agreement, both not wanting to have to explain the situation that Gohan had found himself entangled in. Spooner knowing all too well the ways of the palace and its affairs stepped over and reached out tugging on Videl's sleeve for her to follow.
"Come along Videl, Al. We should get back."
"And how are we going to do that?" She growled not liking being dragged away from Gohan's side, especially when he needed her.
"Uh…" Spooner bit his lip. Good question.
Raditz exhaled, "Come on I'll make sure you get back no questions asked." He growled. "I'll talk to you later brother!" With a stern look that only promised more wars of words on his return. The larger Saiyanturned to the small boy in front of the tank not showing any signs of moving. "Well?"
"Eh?…oh umm yeah, sorry." Al said quickly scrambled to steeping in line with the other two. Goku stepped over and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Thanks for coming. I'll let him know." The earth Saiyan said, smiling. Al nodded glancing over his shoulder before leaving Goku alone. He turned back to the tank with his hands on his hips, troubled for his boy's future. Seeing his unconscious son eyes closed seemly obliges to it all. "You going to wish your old man luck?" Goku smirked before turning. "Five or six hours you said?"
Warily the older Tuffle looked around. "Yes, I'll get word out when he wakes."
"Thanks. I appreciate it." Goku nodded grateful with a small smile before stepping away and out of the room leaving them to look after his son as he went off in search of his father Bardock. Though going unnoticed in the background in he's soundproof surrounding emerged deep in healing gel a slight movement goes unseen by others, a flinch a frown...a clenched fist.
Father...
TBC…
A/N: ... BIG thanks goes to my editor Vegeta-sire ;)
Sorry for the delay again guys. I just have very little spare time these days (pouts) ...Anyhow, I thought I would post this now before I go and change things again. Wasn't completely happy with this chapter ;) ...Cringes... anyhow, I hope you get some enjoyment out of it...
Next chapter... there is a whole lot going on and a lot more action and the chapter might be a little longer. Gohan will emerge from the tank so we'll see what he thinks of all this and what he has to say to Vegeta. ;) The king also has some plans of his own for the cadets. They're going on a little trip sometime soon. Can't be good ;) We will see a little more of Chichi in upcoming chapters. Oh and just thought I would pre-warn you also that I'm thinking of killing off two characters later on ;) Both will have an impact on Gohan on some level. I know for sure that I'm killing one of the main characters off...guess who ;)
And if you have ideas of what you would like to see don't hesitate, tell us. I'm interested to hear what you have to say, and you never know, it might happen well some of it. I already have something up my sleeve that Jade had asked ;)
Thanks again GUYS! I enjoy hearing from all of you even the ones that threaten me lol! I'm off to answer my e-mails now ;) and of course some of thestinger questions hehehe... ;)
Cya! ;)