Chapter Seven

Vegeta howled, grabbing the nearby table and throwing it. It cracked against the wall and fell in a crippled heap onto the floor. He paced back and forth, snarling and huffing. Why couldn't the stupid boy understand! He was supposed to stay here! A deal was a deal, and he couldn't just let him go every time some idiot was dying! Vegeta glared at the orb, tempted to kick it out the window, but instead sighed heavily and slumped to the floor, rolling the enchanted object into his hands.

"Show me Kakkarot," he said. The orb shimmered and focused in on Goku's room. The saiyan was lying in his bed, head tucked in his pillow, shoulders trembling. Vegeta closed his eyes and dropped the orb, letting it roll away into a corner.

"I'm such a fool," he whispered.

Goku started as he heard someone knock on his door. He hoped it wasn't Krillin or Chichi again, who'd looked dumbstruck as he'd hurled himself into his room and refused to let anyone in. He already felt guilt creeping up on him at his actions.

"Come in," he said, wiping hurriedly at his eyes. He flinched as Vegeta stepped in, instead of the gargoyles he'd been expecting.

"What do you want now?" he muttered, looking away. The prince stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. Finally, after a few seconds of what appeared to be honest indecision, he stepped forward and held out his hand. Goku stared at it momentarily, confused, before tentatively giving up his hand. Vegeta pulled him up and held Goku's hand in his own, stroking it with leathery hands. Goku felt his hand go slightly numb and tried to ignore the heat crawling up his face. Suddenly, the prince turned Goku's hand over and pressed a small object into his palm, closing it, and releasing him. Goku blinked and opened his hand, gasping when he saw a green senzu nestled in the middle.

"Vegeta, I…"

"Three days," the prince said. Goku blinked.

"What?"

"I'll give you three days. You can heal your father and oversee his recovery for three days. Then you must promise you will return." Goku's face broke out into a brilliant smile, and before Vegeta could react, the saiyan had wrapped his arms around Vegeta's chest, enveloping him into a hug.

"Thank you so much Vegeta! I promise I'll come back!" He pulled away, grabbed a coat from the closet and opened the window, whistling for his companion cloud. Without a look back, he threw himself out of the window and shot out over the forest on the nimbus.

The ride back to the village was prompt, but every minute felt like agony to the impatient saiyan. It wasn't until he caught a glimpse of the thatched roof of his house that he allowed the nimbus to slow in descent. Goku leapt off the cloud before it had even reached the house and threw himself at the door. He yanked it open and released a cry of surprise when he collided with a larger body.

"Goku?" Goku looked up to see Turles, his features frozen in shock.

"Turles!" Goku exclaimed. Excited as he was to see his older brother again, he glanced towards his father's room. "Turles, how is father? I saw him – is he sick?"

Turles said nothing, staring at Goku as if he were a mirage, and finally managed to work out his brother's words.

"I… yes… he seems to have caught the Sleeping Death. Goku, how did you escape?"

"The Sleeping Death?" Goku asked, squeezing past his brother's frame and heading toward his father's room.

"It's what the villagers call it." Turles followed Goku, never leaving the young saiyan from his sight. "Goku, look at me. Look at me!"

Goku felt a hand grab his arm and was whirled around to face his anxious brother's face. "What are you doing here? Have you escaped? How did you know about father?"

As the questions spilled from Turles' lips, Goku gently removed his prying grip and smiled reassuringly. "I'll explain everything in due time, but I need to see father first. Is he in his room?"

"Yes… yes of course. He's in his room."

"Thank you."

Goku turned and made his way down the hall, pausing momentarily before opening the door. The room was dark despite the open blinds and light pouring from a cracked window. Bardock lay beneath a thick layer of sheets, a wet rag plastered over his sweating brow. Goku rushed to his side, gently touching his cheeks. They were burning.

Bardock murmured at the touch and peeled open his eyes. He blinked groggily.

"Turles, get me some water would you? My throat feels like sawdust."

"Father? It's me, Goku."

Bardock's eyes fluttered and he looked around until his gaze fell on Goku. He stared for a while, recognition dawning on his face.

"Goku?" he whispered hoarsely. "What are you doing here? Did you escape? Did that monster try to hurt you?" Goku could see Bardock trying to push himself upright and quickly placed a hand on his chest, urging him to stay down.

"Shhh stay, father. I brought you a senzu. Here, take it." Goku fished out the senzu from his pocket and placed it against the sickly man's lips. "Can you chew it?" Bardock accepted the bean and began slowly chewing it, face contorted in discomfort, before finally swallowing it. For two agonizing seconds Goku feared he was too late, but seconds later, the color began to seep back into his father's face, the bags around his eyes disappeared, and his sat up, wide-eyed and healthy as Goku had last seen him.

"Goku…" Bardock hesitated, and suddenly threw his arms around his son. Goku hugged him in return, the two of them simultaneously laughing and crying. When they had finally calmed, Bardock rose to his feet, pulling Goku up after him.

"Great Kami it's only been a few months, and yet you've grown so much," Bardock said fondly. Goku smiled, glancing up as Turles joined them in the room.

"Father!" he exclaimed, rushing toward Bardock. The two saiyans embraced before Turles turned to his brother with a wide-eyed look. "How did you do this, Goku? Did you manage to steal a senzu as well?"

"I didn't steal it," Goku quickly said. "Vege- I mean, the beast let me have one."

"The beast?" Bardock narrowed his eyes. "What did he ask of you in return? Does he want me to come with you as well?"

"No, don't worry. He allowed me three days to heal you, then I will have to return."

"I don't understand," Bardock said frowning. "Why would he do that? What does he want?"

"Nothing," Goku said, smiling. "He's really a nice person once you get to know him."

"He's not a nice person, Goku," Bardock warned. "He threatened to kill us all if I didn't send you to him. You are a captive."

"It's not so bad," Goku assured him. Suddenly the door opened and shut, and the heavy stomping of boots announced the third member of the house.

"Turles? Where's the damned ax? Don't tell me you left it in the forest again?" Goku grinned, following the voice into the main room. Raditz, dressed in a pair of light trousers and shirt, his long thick hair tied back, glanced up and started in shock, dropping the basket of groceries he'd been holding.

"G… Goku?" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here!"

"I'll explain everything soon. But first, do you guys have something to eat? I'm starving!"

After dinner was prepared, the family of four gathered at the table to eat as Goku proceeded to explain everything that had happened to him, leaving out the prince's true identity.

"So he did try to kill you," Bardock muttered darkly.

"Only once," Goku said, defending the prince. "And it was a long time ago. He's much kinder now."

"I don't know," Raditz said. "I don't trust this guy. He's too volatile to me. And it explains what happened in that forest. A monster like that should be gotten rid of immediately. He's a danger to all of us!"

"He's not dangerous!" Goku insisted. "He just wants to be left alone!"

"Look, never mind that," Turles interrupted. "Is there any way you could stay here? You said you've been sparring with him. Maybe if he tried attacking we could all beat him back together. Then you wouldn't have to go back there!"

"No," Goku protested. "I'm going back."

"Goku," Bardock protested. "Please."

"I want to go to the village," Goku said abruptly. "I want to see everyone again." Bardock sighed, but nodded.

"Alright, just… come back early. I want us to spend as much time together as we can."

"I will," Goku promised. He left the house and began walking down the road, kicking at the occasional pebble in frustration. 'Why don't they understand?' he grumbled to himself. 'Vegeta is a good person! He's a bit rough but…' He sighed and rubbed at the nape of his neck. 'Oh well. I don't need them to think like I do.'

"Goku? Is that you?" Goku turned to see Master Roshi and a young, dark haired woman.

"Master Roshi!" Goku exclaimed with a smile.

"What happened to you!" he asked, approaching. "You disappeared for months! Your brothers refused to say anything about where you'd been."

"Well, I've been staying somewhere else for the time being."

"I see," Master Roshi rumbled. "Seems you've gotten stronger as well."

"You could tell?" Goku asked, surprised.

"Of course. I'm sure I taught you about ki detection, Goku. Don't tell me you've already forgotten everything I taught you."

"No way!" Goku emphasized. "It's thanks to you that I've been able to get this far."

"Mmmm that's better," Master Roshi nodded satisfactorily. "But it's good to have you back then."

"Actually, I'll be going back in a few days," Goku admitted. Master Roshi raised his eyebrows.

"You're going back? Where? Goku, where have you been?"

"It's complicated," Goku sighed. "So who's she?"

"Don't try to divert the topic, Goku," Master Roshi muttered. "This is Launch. She's recently come to stay at the Turtle Dojo to help me out."

"Oh really? That's nice," Goku grinned.

"Nice to meet you," Launch said, smiling. "You must be the Goku Master Roshi is always talking about. He has very high hopes for you."

"Really? Thanks!" Goku exclaimed. Master Roshi crossed his arms, grumbling.

"Well, you should come back when you can. We'd all thought you died, you know. I could still sense your ki, but it was faint, and only because I knew it well. Either you've been unbelievably far, or there's something blocking your chi." Master Roshi began heading toward the village and Goku promptly followed.

"Huh… you're right," Goku muttered. It explained why no one had ever sensed Vegeta, despite his enormous ki level. "So how have things been since my absence?"

"Not very good," Roshi admitted. "Freeza has been more ruthless than ever. He captured Emerald City not three weeks ago, and is marching this way as we speak. He's been recruiting all the best fighters willing to serve him, and killing those who resist. The rest are enslaved and forced to serve under his cruel empire. I know your father and brothers will fight him, but there is nothing they can do. We must leave this place, or hope for a miracle."

"Why has he been allowed to go this far?" Goku growled. "Isn't there anyone strong enough?" Master Roshi shrugged.

"Once maybe. But almost all the Saiyans have been wiped out. Freeza may not admit it, but everyone knows he fears the Saiyan race more than anything."

"Really? Why?" Goku asked, surprised.

"The Saiyans have an ever-growing potential. Their strength is nearly limitless, given enough training, and the Moon Transformations would create terrifying beasts."

"But there hasn't been a Moon Transformation since Kami destroyed the moon two hundred years ago," Goku said.

"And rightly so. When the first Saiyans populated this land, they were the most fearsome, destructive creatures ever known. Every full moon, they would grow into gigantic beasts and destroy everything in their path. They drove humans and Namekians alike from their homes, and it wasn't until Kami destroyed the moon that the saiyans were able to live in greater harmony with the native people. I use harmony loosely, of course. The Saiyan kings took what they wanted and killed the rest, driving out the Namekians and conquering lands and races across the known world. Their greed was relentless, and their reign ruthless, but even then peace and prosperity governed the lands. The Saiyans knew they needed farmers to till the soil, and workers in the cities, so under promise of peace, the people were allowed to live freely. This Freeza is something different. He is a monster the likes of which this world has never seen. He is ruthless, and cold as ice. He cares nothing for profit or prosperity, only death and destruction. He may not even be from this world."

Goku listened to all of this with growing apprehension. This Freeza was a far worse threat than he had imagined. If he wasn't stopped, Freeza would conquer the entire world, destroying everything. Every person.

"I'll stop him," Goku declared. Master Roshi stopped dead in his tracks and stared incredulously at his former pupil.

"Stop him? Goku, even I know I'm not match for that thing, and while you have grown stronger, I admit, you are still nowhere near that monster's strength."

"Don't worry," Goku grinned. "I won't be the only one fighting him. And I still have time to train."

"What do you mean?" Roshi demanded. "Are you saying there is someone out there as strong as you? Where exactly were you, Goku?"

"You'll find you soon," Goku promised. "I need to go home now, but I'll see you soon! Tell everyone I said hi!"

With that, Goku launched himself in the air and flew back to his home, which, with a sudden jolt, he realized hardly felt like home now. When he arrived, he opened the door to find his father sitting alone in the dining room, reading a book and nibbling at a dumpling.

"Goku, you're back early," Bardock said when Goku entered.

"Where are Raditz and Turles?" Goku asked, glancing around.

"They went to chop some firewood and hunt for tonight. Idiot boys wouldn't let me come along – they're convinced I still need to rest," the saiyan grumbled. Goku grinned, taking a seat beside his father.

"They just care about you, dad. But I have something I need to tell you, and it might be best that Raditz and Turles aren't here. What I tell you now you can't tell anyone, understand?"

Bardock leaned back, taken by surprise but nodded. "I promise," he swore.

"Good," Goku nodded before continuing. "The beast in that castle isn't just a beast. He's the prince Vegeta."

"He's the what?" Bardock exclaimed, nearly jumping out of his chair.

"The Saiyan Prince, Vegeta," Goku repeated. "He was cursed because of his bad deeds to live as a beast until he repented his crimes. He is very powerful, and I know that if he knew what Freeza was doing, he would help us stop him immediately. There is no way he would let that monster take over his kingdom."

"The prince," Bardock echoed, unbelieving. "Well that explained where he went missing, alright. But how do you know he'll fight? He's been hiding for all this time. Why would he fight now?"

"Because I'll ask him to," Goku said. "Vegeta has a lot of pride, so he doesn't want anyone to see him how he is now. He knows that no one would believe he is the prince, and no one would fight for him. I don't think he knows how much of a threat Freeza is. He's been alone there for over five years now, hiding from the world. I know he will fight with me."

"I see," Bardock breathed. "Is he strong?"

"Very," Goku said. "I don't know if it's because of his form, or if he was always that strong, but he taught me a lot, and we sparred together for several months. I'm sure the both of us have become even stronger now. It's only a matter of time before we're strong enough to fight Freeza."

Bardock said nothing, only looked strangely at his son for a few moments. "What?" Goku asked, noticing the look. Bardock shook his head, smiling.

"Nothing. Only… you talk very fondly of this prince. I've never heard you speak so highly of someone before."

"Uh, really?" Goku stammered. "Well, he's a good person, and powerful. I've never met anyone like him."

"It's just like you to find the best in people, Goku," Bardock said with a soft smile. "I can't say I'll ever like the man, neither as a beast nor as a saiyan, but you seem to like him enough, so I can only hope this plan of yours works. And you can count on me to fight by your side."

"Thanks dad!" Goku exclaimed. "I'll return tomorrow. The sooner I get there, the sooner we can begin training for Freeza's arrival. And after that, I'm sure I'll see you guys again. Maybe Vegeta will even let you visit."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Goku," Bardock laughed. "We've yet to see if we survive any of this."

"Oh we will," Goku promised. "We'll send that ice demon back to where he came from."

As Goku divulged all of this to his father, Raditz stood outside the cabin, listening quietly. He'd lowered his ki enough to keep from being noticed, and remained absolutely silent through Goku's recounting. When Goku had finished speaking, Raditz slowly lowered his armful of wood and snuck out from behind the house. From there, he flew south a hundred kilometers. The further south he traveled, the colder it became, strangely enough, but Raditz continued on. He flew over ruined ghost towns, barren farmland, and frozen deserts, until he reached a huge encampment that stretched over miles of land. Thousands of white tents were pitched along the mass of land, and soldiers in distinct armored outfits monitored the encampment by the hundreds. As soon as Raditz landed within the encampment, he was surrounded by two-dozen soldiers, all armed to the teeth and regarding him threateningly.

"Name your business here," one of the soldiers barked. He wasn't human, but he wasn't Namekian either. Raditz narrowed his eyes.

"Best you get those out of my face unless you all want to die," Raditz threatened calmly. The soldiers tensed, but did not back down. Suddenly, a large figure cut through the ring of soldiers.

"Raditz? What are you doing here?" Raditz looked up and nodded at the huge, purple-skinned soldier.

"Ginyu," he greeted. "I'm here to see Lord Freeza. I have some information that might be of interest to him."

"What kind of interest?" Ginyu prodded. "The lord doesn't see just anyone."

"Tell him I have information about the missing Prince Vegeta."

.:Author's Note:. Welp. Here's an update!

Comments and critiques are always appreciated,

- Kerrigas