A/N: I'm back dear readers! Here's part 25.

A word of warning: There are crude words and content that may offend some people. Meaning: foul words and sexual content. So if you're a minor or you hate these things, please do not read.

Warning: mild yaoi content.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Except a few DBZ Mangas, DVDS, cards and a toy Vegeta. And this idea.

Old scars and open wounds

The blast radius was beyond their expectations. The impact tossed them across the walls of the ship then towards the control bridge, despite the distance they had managed to cover; believing it was sufficient enough to stay clear of the explosion. The distance barely gave the ship a fighting chance, a miracle it stayed intact and functional after all that; yet it did. Both Saiyans breathed a sigh of relief, collapsing readily in the location the blast left them; catching their breath as they did, finally realising just how exhausted they were.

They stayed as they were for a few minutes, allowing the moment to relax after their ordeal. Vegeta not bothering to care that he was resting against Kakarotto, or the hand around his waist holding him close. Kakarotto shifted himself, arching a little closer to the controllers with his free hand, opening the side compartment. Vegeta turned his head, curious; then he saw it, Kakarotto's scouter. His tail bristled as he connected the dots with this sudden knowledge, so that was how Kakarotto found him on Earth; sneaky bastard.

Kakarotto noticed and smirked. "Well played for us both, eh?" Kakarotto wrapped his tail around Vegeta's bristled one, his arm bringing the growling feline closer to himself as he tapped on his still working scouter, opening a communication channel.

"It's me. We got off safely… we should be back at base in about 10 days or so. Yeah we're fine. She's fine too."

"Get your hands off me, Kakarotto!" Vegeta growled in his frustration as Kakarotto not only kept him close but also detained him on the floor along with him, making it impossible to get up without a fight.

"Hear that? She's definitely fine. … How many? That many traitors!? I'll deal with them when I get back... I'll fill you both in on what happened later" Kakarotto removed the scouter.

"They sabotaged the communication systems… we don't know if the other 14 planets are safe. We'll stop at planet 204 for repairs and replenish the supplies… and check it out, see if we've succeeded or not" Kakarotto added.

"Fine. Now get off me" Vegeta shoved Kakarotto off with an elbow to his ribs, getting up when the hand loosened its grip on him; Kakarotto's tail however, stayed. Vegeta quickly released them with a quick sway of his tail.

Kakarotto sat up as he watched Vegeta set the ship on auto pilot, inputting the co-ordinations of their destination. None were a surprise anymore. He followed Vegeta as he made his way to the ship's rejuvenation chamber; stepping up close, behind him.

Vegeta paid no attention to the taller Saiyan, opting to check the two tanks instead; both were in working condition. Good, they had to use them. "The tanks are still working, get inside. You smell like overcooked meat" Vegeta turned in time to see Kakarotto strip off his armour, the burn marks on him now glaringly obvious and black; it must have hurt. Vegeta turned away from the sight, hating the feeling of regret and anger he felt.

"You're half pan-fried, yourself. Undress and get in" Kakarotto stood in his naked glory; he was in no hurry to enter the tank.

"I don't need you to tell me what to do" Vegeta scowled as he started removing his own clothes, the whole time aware of the pair of eyes watching him. Saiyans were hardly a shy species; Vegeta was no exception till recent events with a certain Saiyan, especially that Saiyan.

A pair of arms enveloped around his shoulders, pulling him back towards a broad chest. A tail mirrored the man's arms as it coiled around Vegeta's waist, the man lowered his head as he kissed the neck of the one he held in his arms. A soft sigh of relief escaped his lips as he turned his attention from the neck to the cheek, moving his right hand upwards as he gently turned Vegeta's face towards him. A gentle kiss and Vegeta surrender to the tenderness Kakarotto displayed towards him, his emotions flowing through him like a tap; he gasped as he felt Kakarotto's relief, desire, frustration and to his surprise… pain and fear… as well as one he could not describe other than affection.

It was another two hours before either of them used the rejuvenation tanks.

Too tired to shut his mind, Vegeta growled as Kakarotto once again invaded his privacy via their link. He landed in front of him, the setting again was Mount Paozu. This time however, both men silently regarded each other at a safe distance; Kakarotto no longer surprised to see him.

"So Earth's really gone, I didn't think the Tuffle would attempt to take us down along with the planet" Kakarotto spoke casually. "He was an overachiever, a wonder he didn't realise there was another ship"

"Hn, I modified it to evade you. If I had known where you've hidden your scouter, it would have been different" Vegeta relaxed slightly as he crossed his arms. "I do not fault the Tuffle, for his need for revenge. He just went too far in his need to settle a blood debt. Just like you" He glared at Kakarotto.

Kakarotto snorted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with his accusation.

"You already knew" Vegeta sneered.

"Not too long ago, I had suspected for some time but even I found it too bizarre to consider the possibility. You're not my Vegeta, are you?"

"No"

The disappointment on Kakarotto's face was no surprise, one that could not be helped.

"I knew… but I just had to hear from you"

"Well now you know. So we can stop this fucking charade" Vegeta turned away from Kakarotto. The latter however, approached him, making Vegeta growl in warning. Kakarotto ignored it as he invaded Vegeta's personal space, making him face him.

"I chased you across the galaxy and again when I lost you, both back on Earth. You know very well it wasn't a charade, I went after my mate!"

"Bullshit! None of your actions justified your claims! You saw me as a conquest and a whore, your bite nothing more than basic instinct!"

Both men growled as they glared the other down before Kakarotto relented, surprising Vegeta with a tight embrace he never saw coming.

"Gomen" Vegeta blinked a few times "Could we start over… Vegeta?"

"What…?"

"Let's start over. Make it right this time" That sentence brought Vegeta back to reality.

"Let go, Kakarotto" he said it slowly and too gently for his own taste, removing Kakarotto's hands from him. "It's not going to work; this 'love' between us never existed. You can't bring back the past. I'm not 'that' Vegeta."

"You think I don't know that? He died in my arms, if anyone knows he's dead; it's me!"

"Then drop it, Kakarotto! I won't play the role of a dead prince!"

Without warning both Saiyans powered up to Super Saiyan, tempers flaring as their ki soared; indicating each other's emotions, frustration being the strongest and underneath that; grief and sadness was present as well. They were not as angry at each other as they thought they were, but they needed an outlet; some way to vent their frustrations, and what better way to do that than to spar.

It was a lot different sparring as two Super Saiyans than it was in their physical bodies as Kakarotto and Serori. There was no need to hold back as they fought to their hearts' content; without any fear of permanent damage or death.

And it felt great.

Kakarotto had not bothered restraining himself as he struck Vegeta brutally from the back, sending him crashing across the solid ground, into a boulder; crashing it into debris. Giving his all into their battle, just the way they both like it. Vegeta charged his ki as he burst through from the debris Kakarotto had tossed him into. He himself had not spared any punches or kicks as he let loose a rain of energy bullets at Kakarotto.

They fought on land and air, refusing to be defeated by the other. Dodging and returning blows that would have caused massive damage had they fought outside their link.

Finding an opening in Kakarotto's defense, Vegeta doubled axed him, sending him into the river. Vegeta waited for him to surface; preparing for Kakarotto's next move, but none came. Vegeta scouted the area, unable to sense or detect him in a dream world where kis were of no significant.

"Kakarotto!?" Vegeta dropped his transformation; he lowered himself as he searched from the water's surface, hovering over as he tried to see beneath the flowing river, looking for an outline of a person or a glow if he was still in his Super Saiyan transformation. A hand grabbed his ankle in a split second, pulling him down into the river. Vegeta gasped, unprepared for that sudden attack; he instinctively swam to the surface for air, forgetting that he could not drown in this world despite its realistic settings.

Kakarotto followed him.

Vegeta growled in his face as Kakarotto broke the water's surface. Kakarotto smirked, falling backwards into the water as Vegeta decked him once in the face.

Still in a playful mood, his frustrations sated from their spar; he pulled Vegeta in after him, capturing his lips in another kiss as they drifted slowly with the current; neither of the two caring where it took them even as they washed on the shore.

Kakarotto reached under Vegeta's spandex top, caressing a nipple as they began another round of sparring with their tongue. Vegeta sighed, allowing Kakarotto an opening as he overpowered Vegeta's senses, coaxing him into a love play.

Vegeta arched as he felt a finger lightly teasing his sphincter, before he felt it push in. His breathing quickened as he felt it move, stroking his inner walls before it was joined by another. He almost lost his mind right there and then as he voiced out a moan of pleasure, at Kakarotto's skilled hands… but not his Kakarotto...

It was enough to bring him back to reality… a fact he held some regret for as he moved a leg, positioned it against Kakarotto's forearm before gently pushing it away; resulting in the loss of the two fingers stimulating him.

"… Why?" Kakarotto could not hide his hurt at the rejection. "Did it have to be 'him'? I know you're not my Vegeta… but you knew you didn't you? You knew I fell for you before I knew the truth… so why? You held some feelings for me too or you wouldn't have allowed this far… So why!?" Kakarotto hugged Vegeta to him, choking on his words.

Too proud to apologise, Vegeta held Kakarotto back, allowing him to vent his frustrations. Kakarotto wasn't wrong; Vegeta had allowed himself a moment of self-indulgence… at the thought that maybe, if he had chosen to stay. What would his life scenario be like… he would still be in a female body… He would be with three Saiyans and here was a Saiyan, Kakarotto who wanted him before and after all the shit they've all been through; the time it took for him to realise. They might even have children one day.

On the other hand, what about the family he had left behind. Bulma, Trunks... his Kakarotto. His own words returned to him, hammering him hard 'You can't bring back the past' That's right… there wasn't going to be anymore pure-blooded Saiyans but himself and Goku. His choice was made, it would leave him with some regret but he would not regret his choice. Nothing in this universe was meant to be his, nor was he meant for Kakarotto.

Making Kakarotto understand however, might be harder than any test or trial he had ever faced in his life.

"They're back" Raditz felt two kis approaching their base, it had to be them.

Nappa raised an eyebrow. "What? You could tell without your scouter?"

"I'll explain later, let's go!"

Raditz and Nappa rushed to the docks, close to 12 days had passed since Kakarotto had contacted them and they were anxious to see how they were doing. The ship docked an hour later, both Kakarotto and Serori had returned. Kakarotto gave a thumb up, earning himself stares from his brother and Nappa before they returned the gesture.

"We did it… both Planet 204 and 183 are safe, all 14 planets are in the clear." Kakarotto confirmed.

Loud cheers could be heard in the background. Kakarotto and Vegeta were too exhausted to even notice the crowd other than the two Saiyans in front of them.

"Our communication system and all networks are back on track, but we lost connection with all 14 planets. We'll have to send technicians there once we're able. We've lost all the pods and most of our ships. They estimated around five years before all the damages could be fixed…"

Kakarotto nodded, too tired to do more than listen as Raditz and Nappa gave him the reports.

"Let us rest first, talk to me again tonight ok?"

"Go on, we'll send food up later" Nappa shooed them as Raditz did the same to the crowd, telling them to get back to work.

Vegeta had not bothered stopping Kakarotto as he led them to his room, too tired to care whose bed he slept in. Both of them drifted off to sleep the moment they hit the soft bed, Vegeta snoring softly in contract to Kakarotto's thunderous snores as he draped his arm over Vegeta's shoulder, his broad chest pressed against his back.

Vegeta slept through it all, too exhausted to bother.

...

He found dinner as well as a fresh set of clothes waiting for him when he got up; alone. Kakarotto's side of the bed was cold, that meant he had left more than 30 minutes ago, maybe even hours. He ate before taking a shower, noticing the tracker on his wrist gone whereas it was still on during their return journey. That meant it was removed while he was asleep, and he had not stirred from it.

He had just about finished dressing himself when Kakarotto returned to the room. Neither of them said anything for a while, until Kakarotto broke the silence.

"I had to sift out the traitors from my army. There were so many I couldn't believe it. I didn't kill all of them" he added when he noticed Vegeta's questioning look. "Only those who were directly involved and dangerous" he cursed. "Many of them fought alongside us, I can't believe they would turn on us despite our peace treaty"

Vegeta allowed a few moment of silence before he spoke.

"I want to talk to you and yes it's somewhat related. I'll be blunt. I want to discuss the matter of the yearly tributes you demanded from those eight planets."

"Somehow I knew that was going to come up sooner or later… come with me" Kakarotto offered his hand but Vegeta crossed his arms, indicating he would walk on his own and not take Kakarotto's hand.

Kakarotto accepted his choice as they walked the familiar walkway, towards 'that' room; the room Kakarotto denied everyone entry to. Kakarotto unlocked it, opening it wide enough to allow both of them in before locking it again.

"Before the war started, Vegeta and I had plans to build a place for ourselves. During the war, our privacy was a tent. He didn't make it to enjoy what we could have had but I kept his memories and our promise here"

"And what of the promises you made to those who fought with you, side by side during the war? What did they mean by you 'weren't like this before'? And what of the tributes, more accurately the yearly sacrifices you demanded!? Were they part of the deal!?" Vegeta demanded an answer.

"No, they weren't. But I think what you're really asking is why I demanded the tributes?"

"You know damn well what I mean" Vegeta spoke through gritted teeth.

"They chose to serve Freeza over their freedom. As far as I'm concerned if they like her rule that much then I'll give them the same treatment and rule them the same way they prefer. As for the women..." he paused... that he did not have the answer to. "Who the hell cares" he shrugged it off.

Vegeta was not satisfied. "Because they're woman or because they reminded you of Freeza. Is that the reason?"

A pause answered his question, so his guess was right. Kakarotto was symbolically killing Freeza over and over, using the women as substitutes. That would explain his lack of empathy and his hatred, how he looked at them and himself on their initial meeting; like properties, objects he could destroy without the need for compassion.

"Shut up already! I don't fucking know" Kakarotto brushed his hair back, frustration evident on his face. Maybe... but he wasn't sure.

"You were once slaves yourself, Kakarotto! Have you forgotten that too!? Is this your way of getting even, the victim becoming the victimiser!? You're no better than Freeza!" Vegeta almost snorted, so this would be the time to recall a saying 'pot calling kettle black'? Who was he to judge, he had not done much better then either; but he understood Kakarotto on a level most didn't. He himself had walked the same path once.

Kakarotto was on Vegeta in an instant. Using his hands he pinned Vegeta down by his wrists, glaring down at him as he did. "What the fuck do you know! You weren't there when all this shit went down! You don't know half the shit she did to us! Who gave you the right to judge!"

Vegeta hissed as his wrists were held firmly to the bed. He looked up, matching Kakarotto's glare with one of his own.

"I lived half my life as a slave to Freeza's mastery, I lost everything and everyone, my own planet was destroyed! Your own Vegeta was a gift to her from the king as well, wasn't he!?" Vegeta took a guess at the possible similar between them. "I know exactly what I'm talking about!" Vegeta hissed, his tail bristled in his fury.

Both men panted heavily in their attempts to calm themselves, their tails going back to it's original size. Vegeta ceased his struggles against Kakarotto's hold and he in turn relaxed and removed his hands. They sat on the bed, facing away from each other; deciding to stop before their argument escalated further.

Sufficiently calm, Kakarotto shifted closer; Vegeta did not move away.

"Tell me what happened to him, to you and the war" Vegeta voiced his request softly, not willing to start another shouting match; bringing himself to Kakarotto's level as he remembered his own nightmares and demons.

Vegeta felt him shift closer, bringing him closer towards him. "Kakarotto" Vegeta was about to voice a complain when Kakarotto turned him around, silenced him gently with a finger to his lips and a nod.

"Open your mind to me, Vegeta... I'll show you... so you can see. I won't know the words to describe it" Kakarotto brought them closer till their temples rested against each other. Vegeta was reluctant; for him to open his mind... to trust Kakarotto wholeheartedly with the risk of him prying information from him.

"Vegeta... It'll be alright" A gentle reassurance and Vegeta was almost convinced the Saiyan in front of him was the Earth Saiyan he knew; Son Goku, Kakarotto. One Saiyan, and yet, he was two sides of the same coin. Vegeta relaxed himself as he opened his mind, placing his trust in Kakarotto; hoping he would not betray that trust.

To be continued ~

Hi everyone, managed to squeeze in some time again :)

As always I hope you all enjoyed it. And don't forget to let me know what you think.

I hope to see you all again soon ~