A/N: Sooo, I revised chapter 6 btw. Sorry about that, I just wrote and posted during a 48hr shift when I couldn't sleep. BUT good thing is, I revised. The overall story didn't change, but if you do happen to look back hopefully it is an easier flow and things. Sorry, again. Anyway, not much too note. I've been swamped at work, which isn't always a good thing for my line of work. BUT.

Warnings: Triggers can trigger you. Same as always at this point.

Totally A/U. VegetaxKakarot. I don't own DBZ, Vegeta would be adorable if I did though.


Kakarot's grip on the counter hadn't slackened since Vegeta had invited his father through their front door.

King Vegeta had placed himself on the middle stool at the bar, after Vegeta led him into the kitchen and Nappa was sitting on the right stool. Kakarot was standing pressed against the sink, his hand gripping the countertop with enough force that if he pressed down in the slightest it would snap.

Vegeta had busied himself with the cooking, and making small talk with the two unexpected and unwelcomed visitors.

"You'll be happy to know, your power levels are close to each other." King Vegeta said suddenly, after a prolonged silence, and moved to place the scouter on the bar. "That was how we had to find you." He explained with Vegeta looked over at him with a quirked brow.

"Oh?" Vegeta asked then smirked at Kakarot, "wanna bet who is stronger?"

Kakarot rolled his eyes, "no, thank you."

"Scared?"

Kakarot rolled his eyes again, sighing in annoyance as he finally let his grip go and crossed his arms.

"How long of a visit are you making, Father?" Vegeta asked turning his attention back to his father.

"I don't know, Vegeta, only a week or so." He answered with a small shrug, "how long have you two been here?"

"Not very long," Vegeta answered, "only a week."

The King nodded, "it is a nice... uh, house." He said with a small smile, looking at Kakarot as well. Kakarot just stared back, his strain obvious.

Nappa cleared his throat after a moment, "we came to Earth to ask you, uh, both... For help." He started and leaned against the countertop.

"Excuse me, what?" Vegeta asked, facing them both head on, Kakarot's face darkened as he looked at Nappa.

"We need help, our forces need help. We need to defend our home planet."

"How?" Vegeta asked, "from whom?"

"In general, right now. Other species are believing we just went into hiding and have now come back to take over the galaxy." Nappa explained, speaking somewhat slow as if he was scared to bring it up.

The King sat with a straight back and looked straight at Kakarot, "and seeing as someone brought us back, we thought it seemed only fitting that they be the ones that help us fight off the ones trying to destroy us."

"Did you?" Kakarot sneered his voice rough as the anger seethed through him.

Vegeta reached out, placing a hand on Kakarot's shoulder, but for the first time ever it seemed Kakarot did not relax or pull back. Not in the slightest.

Nappa continued with a small sigh, "it would be helpful, if you two would come back. And help us keep claim of our world, our planet."

"It's not our planet," Kakarot said, "why should we help you?"

"It is where you are from," The King answered, his anger growing.

Kakarot smirked, having felt the power increase of course, "you think you can threaten me? Me?" He asked with a nasty smile, "do you know what I am capable of?"

The King's eyes flickered to Vegeta, in a way that let Vegeta know he wasn't the strongest of the two. In a way that left Vegeta know his father had fucked up. "I am not trying to threaten you, I am just stating a fact."

Kakarot waved his hand, "I don't care for you, you're not my King. Not one bit. You never have been, you never will be." His words came out in a growl, his energy rising, "so why should I risk my life for a planet I have no ties to?"

"Your family is there!" Nappa said hurriedly, "don't you care about them?"

Kakarot lifted a brow, "my family is dead." He said through a hiss of anger before turning and walking out of the kitchen headed towards the door.

"Kakarot," Vegeta said turning towards him, lifting his arm as if he was reaching for him, "stop, right now."

Kakarot stopped looking back over his shoulder. The expression on his face tight and straight anger, "not today, Vegeta." Was all he said, and stepped outside taking off.

Vegeta stared after him with wide eyes, his hand falling to his side in shock.


Vegeta had called everyone he could think of, everyone besides Bulma, and he wasn't sure if it was because that is where he thought Kakarot would be and he didn't want to know, or if he didn't want to have the argument with her about the two of them just up and leaving.

Up and leaving, everything was supposed to be different here and nothing was. Nothing at all.

Vegeta picked up his beer, taking a drink as he stared at the phone and pressed dial. Well, here goes.

"Hello?"

Vegeta cleared his throat, "hey, Bulma it's Vegeta."

The other end was silent, and Vegeta closed his eyes, "he's not here, ya know."

"I figured he was," Vegeta admitted, "have you heard from him, at all?"

"No, I got a call from Roshi and Piccolo that you were looking for him, for two days huh?"

Vegeta sighed, "yeah, he left during dinner. He was mad, my father is in town and asked us for help and Kakarot got upset and just left." Vegeta leaned on the counter top with a heavy groan. "I can't make him happy, Bulma."

He heard the other end of the line breathe out a soft noise, "Vegeta, I don't know what to tell you.. It's just Goku, he's really fickle and the only thing I have ever seen him give his all to is fights. And incase you haven't noticed, that's been the bulk of your relationship."

Vegeta chuckled quietly, "yeah, that is true."

"It's not fair to you, ya know?" Bulma said, her voice growing softer, "not at all, you deserve better. And I know, with the whole bonding thing - it is all different, but maybe now is the time to call it quits, take your own time and go help your father with whatever it is."

Vegeta blinked, he could hardly believe that Bulma was saying this. "I uh-."

"I know, I am just offering you some real advice." Bulma interrupted him, "time for you be okay, too, ya know?"

"Yeah," Vegeta whispered and he looked towards the door with a deep frown, "I love him."

"I know you do."

"I can't even feel him anymore," Vegeta said quietly, his eyes closing, "it's like he cut himself off from me."

"What did you Dad need?"

"Help defending the planet," Vegeta answered and finished his beer. "Hey, uh, I don't wanna put you in the middle of this Bulma, but I'm gonna go. I have to go, it's my planet." He stood up as he said that, "if you happen to see him, soonish or at all, just ya kno-?"

"Yeah," Bulma answered the cut off question.

Vegeta nodded and told her their address before he hung up the phone, he looked around the dark bottom floor his eyes flashing to the door as if he expected Kakarot to come running through it. But, even if he did what would Vegeta say to him?

Vegeta walked upstairs packing a bag, and he grabbed a few items from his side of the closet taking them downstairs. He set the items on the counter, opening the light orange bag and placed in the stack of books he had gotten Kakarot for their anniversary.

He had wanted to celebrate this one right, since their first was kinda pushed aside with the loss of the baby. He had found 1st editions of a lot of Kakarot's favorite books over the last couple months and had been buying them, now he put them in the bag and sat down at the counter with a blank piece of parchment.

Kakarot,

You're gone. You've left me, yet again, during a time of need. I'm used to it, by now, but it still hurts. It is like living with a hollow hole inside my chest. It is the worst pain, anyone has ever handed me.

I can't help but think you have no idea how to love someone because you are shit at it, baby boy.

And that's okay, now, it is time for me to move on I guess but more than that it is time for me to let you be free. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do, but before I do that there are few things I want to say first.

I read all your favorite books, all the ones with the creases in the spine because you read them so many times. Fountain Head, I had to read twice, it was hard to get through but it spoke the most. That's probably why you like it so much, it is the most honest book about people and their expectations. I tried to be the guy, the person you wanted. I tried to piece so much of myself from your favorite characters, I think I lost me.

I know some call it character development but the amount I "developed", Kakarot, is almost unhealthy.

I stopped taking trips to places because you never wanted to go, I even stopped training... Training Kakarot, that was my whole life. It's been almost a year since I've done any type of training. When did I become this person, this person that I am not to try and please you.. Because it still isn't working, because you're gone.

I don't know if you're aware that not only you lost a child, but I did too. Me. And as far as I can remember I reacted to it one night, in yes not my best type of way - I can admit, but you ran from me without even trying to understand. And ever since then I kept it all locked away. But during those two months that you were gone, you left me in our house alone.

With his room done up and your scent everywhere. I had to be alone. And now here I am, no word from you and I am alone.

And instead of being upset, I am worried. I want you to walk through that door, right now and I want to wrap you in my arms.

Kakarot, you are my whole life. Not because you have to be, but because you are. By the time you read this letter, I'll be gone. I have to go defend our planet Kakarot, and by the time you read this letter you will already have felt the change.

I can't make you love me, as much as I can... I won't allow myself.

If I can ask one thing of you, it is this: Never lose your spirit, baby boy, and always be happy.

Happy Anniversary; Always and Forever Yours,

Vegeta.

Vegeta scrawled his signature across the bottom of the paper, and enclosed it in the envelop before putting it in the bag with the books and sitting his keys on the counter next to it then he stood up and grabbed his bag, walking out the front door.

He looked up at the sky with a small smile, and reached behind him his hand wrapping around his tail and with a deep breathe he jerked the tail off with a grunt. It laid limp in his right hand and Vegeta dropped it down on the porch and walked out into the street, taking off and flying to meet up with his father and Nappa.


"Prince Vegeta," followed a knock on the door. The door Vegeta was staring at with a glare, "Prince Vegeta?"

"What!" Vegeta snapped, and he watched the door being pushed open.

A servant of his father's stood before him, offering a deep bow. "E-excuse me, Sir." She whispered and looked back at him. Vegeta continued his glare, not moving and he watched her straighten up quickly, "I uh, I have news from the capital."

"Obviously," Vegeta growled out, his anger at an all time high, "well, spit it out!"

"R-right!" She all but yelled her body shaking, "th-the fighters from Planet-5793 will be here within 3 days."

Vegeta gave a curt nod and the girl scrambled out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her. He turned back to the wall of mirrors, and started his next set of workouts. Energy workouts.

Vegeta's power level had increased drastically since being back on his home planet. He had not only continued to push himself until almost death each day, but he had also maxed out each day making the only way possible for him to gain more power was to almost die so he could come back stronger.

Now, he was so powerful he feared he wasn't able to control it anymore. He didn't know if he wanted to, and even if he did he didn't know if he knew how. He stood in the middle of the room, gathering his energy and with a burst he went Super Saiyan Blue. He stared at himself in the mirror, the waves of his power coming off in burst making the ground vibrate beneath him, the walls shaking with each individual wave. He smiled at himself, and with another burst of energy he felt the change happening.

He watched his energy swirl around him and shoot out of him with suddenness, the crackle of a firework sound seemed to keep popping around him, "ahhh!" He screamed, his hands in fist as the energy tore through his body his hair became almost whimsical in a sense, the air from the energy making it blow as it softened his eyes were a piercing ice blue and his hair a platinum white. His body felt tighter, more tense as the muscles bulged and Vegeta stretched slightly, letting his body get used to the feeling of it, his arm coming up so fast it made him blink.

What? He stared at his body, it was moving the moment he thought it. It was moving so fast it was almost hard for him to watch the movements only really seeing them after they happened. He was right. Vegeta thought, his body quivering. Kakarot was right, all I needed was agility training.

Vegeta powered down his base form, and when he moved it was just as fast. He was moving as if he was teleporting places, he didn't even need to power up anymore. He could move faster than any of his opponents in the world, this is what he had needed.

He stared down at his hands and collapsed down to the floor on his knees his thoughts drifting to Kakarot. It had only been a week, not near enough time to move on.. He knew that, but he sure did miss him. Vegeta ran a hand over his back as if reaching for his tail, he missed him. He couldn't help but think about the books, the letter, their house. He wanted to know if he was okay, he wanted to know if he made it back home alright, but more than that he needed to know. He needed to know Kakarot was okay.

"Vegeta?" Nappa asked, and Vegeta jumped up to his feet whipping around to look at Nappa in question.

"What?" Vegeta snapped and watched as Nappa took a step back.

"The feast is starting soon, are you going to join us?" Nappa asked, his hand on the door behind him.

Vegeta nodded, "I'll take a bath and be there shortly." Nappa gave a slow nod of his own and left the room quietly, leaving Vegeta alone again.


Kakarot woke with a start his body quivering and he blinked looking around trying to place himself. Bed. He thought, and pushed himself up reaching to his left for Vegeta, he needed comfort the dream he had was terrible. His quivering hand slipped over the cold bedding and he froze. Gone.

Kakarot closed his eyes with a small huff, and grabbed the pillow hugging it tightly as he buried his nose against it and took a deep breath, Vegeta.


Vegeta was busy ignoring everyone as he made his way through the castle ignoring the claps on his back, ignoring the whoops and hollers, ignoring the drinks being thrust and spilled over him. "Father," he said when he finally made his way to the celebrating King.

The King looked up, his smile wide, "my son!"

Vegeta gave a short nod, "we need to talk," he said with a strained voice, and the King stood up looking at him with a curious look as Vegeta led the way outside the castle, stepping outside into the dark night air.

"What's the problem? Don't want to celebrate?" The King asked with a smile.

Vegeta gave a small grunt, watching a few people go past them and then scanned the area slowly and when he was sure they were alone he turned to The King with a glare. "Want to know what the drunk Nappa just told me?" Vegeta demanded his anger flaring instantly. "This was all a set up!"

The King stared at him, silent.

"This whole thing, you just wanted me back here?" Vegeta demanded, backing his father against the castle wall. "You ruined everything," Vegeta growled, "and I am going to kill you."

He was powering up as he said the last part, his father standing still as he stared at him. "You're what?" The King asked through tight lips.

"I'm going to kill you," Vegeta growled out, his power raising. Then it dropped, suddenly, "what?" He hissed, trying to power up again looking around he felt drained. He felt as if his whole body had shut off.

"What were you saying?" The king asked his tight lipped face turning into a smirk, and he tapped a finger against Vegeta's head.

And then Vegeta felt it, a crown of some sort. "What is this?" He demanded trying to take it off his head.

"It's a crown, when you wear it I control you." King Vegeta answered, staring at his son.

Vegeta continued trying to pull the crown off, "you don't control me, no one does!"

"Someone does," King Vegeta answered, "me." He snapped his fingers, and Vegeta felt two sets of hands on his body, holding him still. "You're my puppet, you will do everything I ever desire and no one will save you. You made sure of that, didn't you?"

"You gave him freedom, freedom from a doomed relationship. I knew as soon as you two landed on Earth things would be strained, I put the poison in the food you took with you. The offspring he was sure to bare you, wouldn't have lasted, that is why he was so sick through his pregnancy. And you, son, I know your mind all too well."

The King smirked at Vegeta his teeth catching the moonlight. "You were going to blame yourself for the unstoppable, as you did. And take out the anger you intended to keep bottled up on him and drive him away." King Vegeta gave a fake frown and continued, "you did this to yourself, you ruined your own relationship, you drove him away, you entertained an idea because of your Saiyan pride to your home planet and he left. I knew I had you the moment he flew away, I practically felt your spirit crush."

Vegeta was seething, his breath coming out in short harsh burst as he fought against the hands, and then he felt it. Something grab a hold of him and he stopped fight, stop trying to fight, he just stood there.

"Take him to the dungeons," The King said with a nod and turned walking away from Prince Vegeta.


The weeks passed slowly for Vegeta he could feel himself withering away in the dark dungeon, he had almost killed himself twice since being put in there four months ago, while trying to get the crown off.

He felt like his will was gone, he felt himself shrinking into nothing. He was barely present in his own mind now, now that his father had him chained up so he couldn't hurt himself anymore. And he honestly felt bad for the person having to feed him, he would anyway, if he had any feelings left. Vegeta had stopped eating so every other day a guard have to pour soup down Vegeta's throat making sure he got some type of nutrition and didn't die, that way, either.

All Vegeta had was pictures in his mind, images that seemed to be from ages ago. Years ago, a lifetime ago of Kakarot. That was the only thing keeping him pushing forward, was Kakarot.

"Vegeta!" The King snapped his fingers as he came into the cell. "Vegeta!" He snapped his fingers again and Vegeta rolled his head towards the King. "We have a mission for you," he said and nodded towards the guard, the guards moved forward and took Vegeta's hands down from their suspension.

Vegeta sagged tiredly, and was drug out of the dungeon by the two guards up through the servants quarters. "Get him cleaned up, and show him to the chambers when you're done."

Vegeta watched his father walking away as he was sat on the ground, Vegeta's head rolled back against the wall and he drug his eyes to a guard, "what is the mission?"

"I don't know, Vegeta." The guard answered, he felt like he recognized that voice and he turned to look at the guard better, the guard was filling the tub with water and when it was running at a temperature he seemed to agree with he turned towards Vegeta, "can you undress yourself?"

Vegeta gave a heave, pulling himself off the floor and gripping the wall tightly as he started to support himself. "I can help you," the guard said, Vegeta blinked and gave a wave it wasn't like he was wearing much anyway, a thing pair of pants and a white tank.

He pulled the clothing off of himself with much effort and started towards the tub, he almost smiled as he saw the steam coming off the water, he hadn't felt warm in a long time. "I'll get you some food." The guard said quietly and Vegeta watched as he threw the door open to the bathroom, "now shut up, I'll be right back!" He yelled dramatically and Vegeta looked over to see the guard looking around the door before shutting it and stepping out.

Vegeta slipped into the warm water, his body going under completely and all he did was tilt his head back so he could breathe. He laid still, letting the warm water clean and soothe his muscles. This was the first time he had out of his chains since the day he was put in them, this was the first time he was given any type of freedom.

He assumed his father figured he was broken now, and Vegeta had to admit he wasn't too far from broken. He laid back, shutting his eyes as his body relaxed drifting off to sleep.

"Vegeta!" The guard said stirring Vegeta from his slumber, and Vegeta looked up at him, almost shocked as he felt hot water being poured over him.

"I let you sleep as long as I could, Prince," the guard said with a frown, "here, eat quickly then we must go." Vegeta looked down at the towel and saw steak and bread wrapped up, he quickly made a makeshift sandwich and started eating it. The guard crossed the bathroom, back to the door leaning against it and looking down.

"How do I know you?" Vegeta asked, staring at him closely.

"Childhood friends," the guard answered without looking up.

Vegeta frowned deeply, uncertain as he looked at the man, he had no memory but then again most of his memories over the last four years have become distant and bleak. He stood, shoving the rest of the sandwich in his mouth and stepped out of the tub using the towel to dry off as he looked over the clothing set out before him. Battle armor.

Vegeta pulled it on in silence and then he looked back at the guard, "ok."

"Vegeta, is the real you in there still?"

"Yes." Vegeta answered quickly.

The guard nodded, "let's go." He said quietly and opened the door, Vegeta fell into step behind him keeping his face and mind as clear as he could.

"There he is!" King Vegeta greeted Vegeta with a smile. To which Vegeta just stared back, assuming that was how broken Vegeta would look. "Perfect, isn't he?"

The hall stared at Vegeta and the king without any words, and King Vegeta stood to circle around his son.

"We have a mission Vegeta, and a pod with the instructions, are you ready?"

"Yes, King Vegeta." Vegeta answered almost like a robot and received a smirk from the King. Vegeta followed as learned as he walked that Nappa and a few others would be with him, to make sure he not only did the task but that he was back in the pod. He also learned the pods were programmed for two stops, Planet 667 and their home planet any attempt to go off course would result in the pod blowing up. He also learned that the crown on his head would only allow his power level to get as high as it even needed for the task, which Vegeta would soon find out meant he didn't need to power up at all.

Vegeta spent the next 7 months doing the bidding of his father and their board of adviser without any hesitation, most of it was basic stuff and he was shocked to find very little killing was involved, he was given his old rooms back which he spent many of the nights searching for the scent of Kakarot that he knew still had to be there, and his only friend someone who claimed to be an old childhood friend.

But, Vegeta couldn't remember them. Which he found the longer he wore the crown the more he lost himself. He was slipping away, memories distant and he hadn't a dream about Kakarot in a month or so.

Vegeta was being stripped of everything, he was being molded into a robot.

Vegeta looked up at the sound of a knock on the door, the guard peeked his head in, "hey, it's time."

Vegeta stood up from the chair he had been in and stretched his arms, "is the real Vegeta still in there?"

Vegeta stared at the guard, "yes, barely."

"Hold on to him." The guard said seriously and pushed the door open leading the way down the hallway. Vegeta followed silently, curious about the question, it was only the second time the guard had asked him that question the first time was when he was let out of the dungeons for his first mission.

Then Vegeta saw it, the reason why he was asked. Kakarot.

In the middle of the entrance hall stood Kakarot, Krillin, Piccolo and Gohan. Vegeta stared at them, his step faltered slightly but the guard cleared his throat and Vegeta fell right back into step. They stopped at the top of the stairs, and Vegeta looked down over the banister, his father was actually nervous. He could feel it, he also saw the scouter on his ear was turned on. Vegeta could feel their power levels of course, and even though they were suppressed he could tell they were much stronger than before.

"Where is he?" Piccolo said, looking around the grounds.

Vegeta was staring at Kakarot, his mind trying to fight against himself. He wanted to run out and grab him, grip him tightly but he couldn't move. He was standing still. Krillin was demanding attention now his voice throwing out threats, but Vegeta was staring at Kakarot. He could tell Kakarot was searching for him, for a feeling of him but with this crown on Vegeta was invisible.

"Can you take it off?" Vegeta asked so quietly it was hard to imagine he had spoke at all.

The guard nodded, "but as soon as it is off, we are going to have a fight."

Vegeta nodded, "I will handle that." The two started down the stairs and everyone looked at him as he walked down the stairs, Vegeta was looking at his father without a glance at the others.

"What is on his head?" He heard Krillin whisper.

"A crown?"

"Why is it blinking?"

"That's not Vegeta in there, not anymore."

Vegeta? Vegeta almost jumped, it had been a long time since he had felt Kakarot near him and just as long since he had heard his voice. Once thing he had come to learn over the last few months was that their bond was forever, just because he broke off his tail and they couldn't successfully mate any longer, they were still bonded. It was like Kakarot's skin was singing to him, and Vegeta felt like he was being drug towards him.

Hey baby boy. Vegeta answered, his face keeping hold as he joined the men surrounding his father, standing in the middle. Daddy got himself in a bit of mess.

What? Kakarot asked, he was staring at Vegeta, where is your power?

The crown. Vegeta answered, his eyes were quivering and could feel a small tremor shake through his body it was hard to fight through it to talk to Kakarot.

And he could tell Kakarot understood that because he felt the other leave his head and almost sighed in relief but kept his composure.

"He is right here," King Vegeta said, standing up and Vegeta felt the restraint being lifted. He could power up now, he glanced at his father and saw him holding the remote. "And I'll tell you what he is going to do." He was continuing as he lifted the restraint almost completely, Vegeta powered up to SSJ Blue without a hesitation his body shaking with the freedom coursing through himself. It had been so long.

"He's going to kill you, all." The King hissed and Vegeta stepped forward, towards the four fighters.


"In my life, the compromise...
I close my eyes. It's all the same."

-Sick Puppies, It's All The Same