Chapter 8
After Vegeta's indiscretion and the following forgiveness offered by the younger Saiyan, Goku had thought that things between him and the elite would return to normal...but he couldn't be farther from the truth. Vegeta's cravings reached a new level of compulsion, one that he forcefully turned into violence. To Goku, it seemed the prince was trying too hard to fight through the frustrating tension. Instead of leaving when the urge got too strong to ignore, Vegeta channeled all the uncontrollable energy into a more tolerable and acceptable form...hate.
Goku could tell that the anger present in Vegeta's fighting style wasn't directed at him. The prince didn't even blame the other for the situation, but rather, seemed almost apologetic over taking his rage out on the kinder man. But the royal wouldn't give in.
I messed things up again...
Goku winced at the memory of the fight before the bonded Saiyan sated his instincts. He'd gotten so mad at Vegeta for leaving all the time, but now looking back, it was the best strategy. He had made his sparring companion feel like a coward for avoiding the situation. Goku felt a guilty pit in his stomach open like an old sore...had he manipulated the prince into staying through the fight? Did he back Vegeta into a corner, pushing him so far to where the only option was to lash out and slake his hunger? He did want to be with Vegeta, just not like this. There was too much anger and pain to make this acceptable for either of them.
So with each day's battle and the ferocity ever rising, Goku simply let the prideful Saiyan tear into him. He'd fight back as much as needed to not be accused of placating the other, but he really wasn't into the fight. It wasn't about practicing and developing their inherited talents anymore. Their sparring sessions had morphed into a desperate battle for Vegeta...to prove he wasn't a coward that couldn't control his own body.
Then it happened. Vegeta was once again forced to flee Goku's presence or risk violating the man a second time.
Somewhere among the chaos, the prince managed to develop a new technique, one that was similar to Goku's instantaneous movement, just not quite as fast. Still, it had severely caught the taller warrior off guard. Apart of this new ability was that Vegeta's ki seemed to completely disappear for a moment, until he chose to strike, making him unable to follow.
To Goku, it was maddening...Vegeta would dissolve into thin air, then reappear behind him with a crashing knee to the back of his head. By the time Goku had turned to retaliate, the shorter man was gone, only to suddenly bury a fist into the unprotected stomach. Even as the assaulted began to cough up blood, Vegeta's compassion was trampled by the thrill of a perfectly executed attack. Quickly rounding on the injured, he threw an unrestrained upper-cut punch which connected to Goku's jaw with a sickening crunch.
The force of the blow sent the third-class flying towards rocky outcropping. Vegeta watched the body sail away from him with the same sort of satisfaction of an executioner...that is, until his deep seated instinctual protectiveness bubbled to the surface of his conscience. Sparring with your mate was one thing, but being responsible for major bodily harm? Perhaps even death?
Without further thought, Vegeta sped off towards Goku. Just as the unconscious was to crash against the jagged cliff, the royal appeared behind him for protection with his shoulder catching the impact. His body did nothing to slow Goku's momentum and the collision sent the two spinning through the air to slam down on soft soil. Vegeta's back dug a trench in the damp earth as they skidded for half a mile.
The next sensation the older man became aware of was the raw sting on his back...and the weight of Goku's body on top of him. A low groan slipped from the raspy throat as Goku slowly returned to consciousness. He could feel Vegeta's warm hands on him, gently pushing him from laying where they crashed. Once clear, the royal rolled out from under the other to lay beside him and account for his injuries. A deep gash in his shoulder from ramming into the rocky face and a scraped and bloody backside were the extent of Vegeta's damage.
He looked over to his companion, who was also checking the condition of his own body. Vegeta winced inwardly as Goku gingerly rotated his jaw with the aid of his palm, sending popping sounds snapping through the air.
"You alive?" Goku's eyes slid over to the voice's origin, regarding the other Saiyan coolly. After a moment of glaring at Vegeta, the younger man nodded slowly, mumbling only one word.
"Yeah." Vegeta allowed his eyes to finally meet Goku's, hoping that his sparring partner would take notice of the apologetic expression the prince wore. Thankfully, the more forgiving nodded again in annoyed acceptance just before a round of violent coughing shook Goku's frame, making him sit up. A thin trail of blood wormed it's way from the corner of his mouth down to his bruised chin.
Vegeta didn't have a chance to stifle the oncoming desire as it struck without warning. The sight of Kakkarrot's blood, the fight or his heavy scent in the air...whatever triggered this turn of salacious impulses, it struck hard and fast.
Before rational thought could prevail, Vegeta had already sat up and leaned over to Goku, running his tongue up the side of his mouth. The decadent taste of bonded blood exploded the sovereign's senses and allowed a heady moan to echo against the other's cheek. Without a moment lost, the instinct driven Saiyan had let his tongue slide along the soft lips, coaxing them open for a deeper kiss. But before his lust won over his actions, Vegeta pulled back after realizing the kiss wasn't being returned.
Slowly, opening his eyes to look questioningly into the other set, he found Goku already staring at him with wide eyes. The more disturbing part was the raw emotion buried in the younger's gaze. Startled confusion, residual irritation from his beating and fear. An unhidden fear that shook the prince to his usually unreachable core. His bonded mate feared him.
Years ago, Vegeta would have done anything, including selling his soul, to have his rival cower before him, full of unadulterated terror. Now it was completely different; fear was not on the list of what he wanted from his mate. Ever.
Vegeta backed away from Goku quickly, just as fast as if he'd been slapped. He stood up jerkily but never broke eye contact. The guilt riddled Saiyan tried to form a verbal apology, yet for several minutes, no adequate words came to mind. Vegeta suddenly began to look about him as if he was lost, not quite remembering how he got here or why.
"I...I don't how what's wrong with me...why I can't...can't control myself..." Goku could only watch as his closest friend began spiraling downwards into a panic attack. "I'm s-sorry...I just can't do this anymore..." Finally words found their way to Goku's lips, but it proved to be too late. The prince turned and blasted off, leaving only a fading blueish streak and a bewildered Saiyan in his wake.
The orange clad warrior got to his feet slowly, his muscles condemning all movement with each excursion. He turned to contemplate the recently dug trench behind him. Staring blankly, he began to really wish he hadn't reacted that way to Vegeta kissing him. So cold...so unwelcome when it was quite the opposite. Not like it was exactly all his fault...his partner had switch moods so rapidly it made Goku's head spin. One minute he was trying to tear him into pieces, then saving him from suffering more injuries...then advancing on him licentiously.
He could just guess what the prince saw in his expression. True, Goku was a bit nervous...hell, scared to let Vegeta satisfy his needs again. A dark bite of fascination chewed on the Saiyan's reasoning...would Vegeta be gentler or more brutal next time? Would there even be a next time? His heart panged with a painful edge at remembering the other's words.
"I just can't do this anymore..." Goku wasn't totally sure what the royal had been speaking about, but it didn't sound promising. He did he mean he couldn't spar with the bond carrier anymore? Couldn't stand to be around him?
"I'm s-sorry...I just can't do this anymore..." A sudden zip of panic shot through Goku's mind...Vegeta wouldn't hurt himself...would he?
"I just can't do this anymore..."
With each time that the phrase repeated itself, the third-class fell more and more into blackened despair. What if Vegeta decided to end his life over something so manageable?
Swiftly, Goku took control of his stormy senses and reached out to find where the prince had gone. He easily tracked Vegeta moving in the same direction as he fled, which unnerved the younger Saiyan even more.
He's not even trying to hide from me...somethings very wrong...
Goku stared at the path Vegeta had taken, when he felt the other's ki halt it's motion. A few tears glistened at the corners of Goku's eyes at feeling the dark emotion that rolled off the elite's unguarded ki. Hopelessness...unbearable pain...dismal loneliness... Goku bit his lip in shared sadness as he raised two fingers to his forehead. He had to do something to stop Vegeta's suffering and he was afraid he was running out of time.
Speeding across the distance, Goku materialized a ways away from the other man so as not to startle him into making a deadly mistake. He cautiously kept his own ki low enough to be undetectable, taking refuge in the branches of a tall oak. The Earth-raised Saiyan exhaled a relieve breath as he saw Vegeta leaning against another shady tree about a hundred meters away. Goku let his eyes roam over the other's body, heavy with concern. No fresh injuries...self-inflicted or otherwise.
While Vegeta may have been healthy physically, it was quite obvious his mental state was nothing short of a mine-riddled battle ground. The taller warrior had only wished to make sure his friend was alright but watching the pure anguish presented through his body language was painful for him also. Goku could just imagine how different a mind set the prince would be in if only he'd held that kiss a minute longer. Yearning to tear away the layers of miserable guilt, one by one. Each kiss, each wanting glance...each second of warmth from his touch smoothing over the compact Saiyan's skin would release Vegeta from his unquenchable torment. Goku was sure of it.
But fate decided to throw a twist into the ridiculously simple solution. Now, all Goku could do was watch over his desire, hurting right along side the other.
For many minutes, Vegeta seemed content to lean back against the tree, eyes closed in deep regret. Slowly his arms came up to cross over his chest, holding tightly to keep the rage and lust caged within him. His face steadily contorted from that of a sorrow-filled boy to an insanely livid man reminiscent of his time spent as Majin. Vegeta fell to his knees, thunderously screaming his malcontent. Each word was punctuated by the hammering force of Vegeta's fist as he leaned forward and took his aggressions out on the soil.
"FUCK!! NO MORE OF THIS! FUCK IT ALL TO HELL!!" With his rant coming to an end, the prince stopped his assault on the ground beneath him, resting on his arms and panting for breath. After a calmer moment, Goku watch his friend rise back up to kneeling on the grass, his head lax off his shoulders. Gloved fingers ran through the up swept raven hair then down along his face in order to compose himself more in the manner befitting royalty.
Then Goku saw a change in mood. It was so sudden and uneventful at first that he could have missed it entirely had he blinked. Vegeta's expression minutely returned to the dolor of before, yet there was more to it...a pained yearning that grew stronger by the second. His eyes slipped close as his fingers trailed down to slide sensuously over parted lips.
A perverse sense of foreboding opened up a pit in Goku's stomach. He knew that he really should leave immediately before witnessing something so private, but the slight of those white gloves journeying over the royal face had the younger man cemented to his perch in the tree. What he wouldn't do to go to Vegeta and replace his hands with his own; yet being uninvited left him with only the option to watch the luscious display.
Vegeta groaned softly; Kakkarrot's scent still lingered on the white fabric and had found it's way to the acute sense of smell. Slipping each fingertip between his teeth, the royal removed his gloves and cast them aside carelessly. Momentarily, a hand dived into the thick hair just above his ear, then quickly brushed down his cheek to alight on his lips once again. Vegeta's other hand grazed over the side of his face, unable stop an inaudible single word from flowing over his tongue.
Goku's breath hitched as he bit his lower lip in order to remain undetected. Even with the distance between them and no sound given to confirm his assumption, he knew exactly what one word Vegeta had let slip.
Kakkarrot...
As the one hand stayed to caress his wanting lips, the other purposely slid down over his jaw to lightly fist in his shirt collar before continuing the path down his chest. The gliding palm gained momentum, smoothing over the rigid muscle of his abdomen just before plunging under the waistband to firmly grip the hardness underneath.
Vegeta let his head fall backwards as a deeper, more tantalizing moan echoed off of the surrounding trees. Heavily craving the pacifying effects of a release, the bonded Saiyan pulled himself free from the fabric constraints and began a meticulously heated stroking.
Goku's hand flew up to cover his gapping mouth before a similar utterance was let free. His own body reacted too precisely to the impossible scene before him; his desired mate wantonly pleasuring himself. The third-class's vision switched between the gratification on Vegeta's face and the movement below. His own body trembled with restraint; fighting against the urge to be the one touching, kissing, and stroking.
Goku watched as ungloved fingers trailed up the side of the other's face to fist tightly in his own hair. Another shock of lust poured into his bloodstream, remembering Vegeta's fingers tugging on his hair a few weeks earlier. He smirked through the haze of passion in his head; he'd have to keep the prince's penchant in mind for the next time they were together.
A longer, more intense moan snapped the hidden Saiyan out of his reverie and back to focusing on Vegeta. Every muscle was tense with a fine sheen of sweat glistening on the surface of them. It was obvious that this spectacle was drawing to a close as the pace became more frantic, soft moans grew in volume to a dull roar. And with a final few intense strokes, the royal Saiyan screamed out his temporary release from the bond.
Observing that perfectly toned body constrict with profound pleasure almost proved too much for the other man. Goku bit into his finger, trying to avoid adding his outcry to Vegeta's. His eyes never left the other's form, watching him wade through the diminishing waves of solace. All to quickly for either's liking, sensibility came back to the sated, beginning to put himself to rights. Vegeta sat backwards to lean against the tree again with a heavy sigh.
"I wish you were here, Kakkarrot..."
Eyes widened at the surprising confession while a million questions piled into Goku's brain. Vegeta wants me? And not just for the bond...but wants me? Why is he resisting it? Why cause himself so much agony over something he won't let himself have? A sharp pang of guilt shot through his sensitive heart. He doesn't know I want him...he thinks he'll only hurt me.
Movement below again caught his attention as Vegeta stood up and prepared to finish the flight home. Drawing himself closer to the tree trunk as to not be seen, Goku was riveted to peering at the compact form, one full of self-loathing and disgust as it lifted itself up into the air and sped off. The younger Saiyan didn't move from his hiding spot until the body became a faint blue speck on the horizon.
He jumped down from the branch and strode unintentionally over to the spot Vegeta had once occupied. It seemed almost surreal, the whole scene replaying in his head. If he had only had his epiphany before Vegeta succumbed to appeasing his instincts...
Goku shook his head, realizing that he probably could have been with Vegeta this whole time. What a waste...waste of passion...waste of time... Well no more. Goku thought as a plan began to unfold in his mind. No more could he stand on the sidelines watching Vegeta suffer needlessly. He'd find a way to prove that there could be a more gentler, more caring side to the insane cravings Vegeta was forced to endure.
Only minutes after leaving the wooded area, Vegeta arrived back at Capsule Corp landing quietly at the rear garden. He couldn't decide whether he wanted privacy or to seek out his former mate to help him sort things out. He knew the decision had been made for him upon seeing the woman gardening at the far end of the open green space. Bulma was kneeling over a flower bed with her back to him, so he was sure she hadn't noticed his arrival. Walking over to her, Vegeta smirked as he turned his head to the side while taking in a good long look at her backside, a quick little memory flashed into mind.
They'd had a fight...over something stupid as usual. Bulma had given up on winning the argument and stomped out of the house to got do a relaxing bit of gardening. He'd been perfectly happy with her leaving, until he thought up something else to yell at her about. Swiftly finding her bent over a carrot patch, he stormed up to continue his tirade. But something stopped him from the verbal whipping...something that made his blood pump faster and his breath quicken.
Before he could gain control over his movements, Vegeta had knelt down behind her and began running his gloved hands up over her hips. Startled and angry at first, she quickly gave in to both Human and Saiyan desires, letting him take her on a grassy little hill, obstructed by a few trees. The smell of the damp dirt on her hands, and the fresh air drove their compulsion for each other to new heights, until hours later both lay on the ground, finally sated.
Vegeta grinned at the vivid memory. Bra's conception. Their relationship had always been so undefined, unrestricted and he found himself wishing for it once again. Vegeta would have given anything to go back to the safe confines of that relationship...back to having a mate that wanted to be with him.
"I know what you're thinking about, you dirty Saiyan..." Bulma tossed a glance over her shoulder to the surprised royal standing silently behind her. "Don't look so surprised...I've spend enough time around you and Goku to know how to sense others." Vegeta grinned again at the odd sort of flattery as she began gathering up her tools. "How was sparring?"
The hollowness that had temporarily been banished returned with nervousness accompanying it. Vegeta really didn't want to confess the events over the past few weeks, but if he was to get any solution, it would have to happen.
"I..." He stopped short of his admittance, where was he supposed to start? Hearing the the flat, depressed tone in his voice, Bulma abruptly dusted off her hands and stood to face him.
"What is it Vegeta? What happened?"
"I can't spar with Kakkarrot anymore." She gripped his biceps as lovingly as she could, giving him all the support he needed through the simple touch. Something had happened alright; it left Vegeta's emotions raw and unprotected. Something bad...
"Why? I thought things were okay between you two." Vegeta turned his face away from hers in guilt.
"I can't risk hurting him again." Bulma fully caught the last word's meaning.
"Again?" He nodded slowly, confirming her fears. At a loss for words, she firmly pulled her former lover to her in an embrace. "What happened?"
"I lost control and...forced myself on him." He felt her breath hitch at the brutal thought.
"Is Goku okay? Did he get mad?"
"No. he says he forgives me...though I don't know why."
"Because he's your friend, Vegeta. Goku's not going to hate you for something you can't control."
"I can't trust myself around him. He barely survived last time, and that was only because I took him home and got a Senzu from his brat. What would happen the next time I lost my control? Hell, it almost happened today." Bulma sighed.
"So what do you plan on doing?"
"For now I think I'll stick to training in the gravity room and away from Kakkarrot." She felt the hesitation in his voice and waited for the Saiyan prince to continue. "But for the more long-term solution...I was hoping you could help me." Her first reaction was to reply sarcastically, as he never asked her for anything. Taking, yes, and more frequently demanding things from her, but never asking.
"What do you have in mind?"
"Remember that day in your lab when you told me you gave me the transfusion of Kakkarrot's blood? You mentioned something about studying my blood to see if the effects are reversible. Do you think that's possible still?" The blue-haired woman shrugged.
"I live with an alien that fathered my children...anything is possible Vegeta."
A/N ~ Hmm...do you think the bond can be reversed? Tune in next week! Until then...send me a review, pretty please?
