Chapter Twenty-Nine
Vegeta lay quiet and still on top of Goku with his head on Goku's chest, listening to the strong heartbeat that sat beneath the pale muscular flesh which he stroked lightly with his finger, deep in thought. Goku lay fast asleep, his arms holding onto Vegeta loosely even in sleep, snoring lightly.
Sighing, Vegeta closed his eyes and went over the events that had just occurred, trying to make sense of it all.
Earlier…
Sat with his back against one of the stone huts, Vegeta watched as Moori and the Earthlings sat in a circle a few feet away, answering questions about his culture and enquiring about their guardian of Earth. Goku sat with them, not asking anything but listening intently, Vegeta quietly admiring his bodyguard from afar.
He really was so very beautiful.
Tilting his head, Vegeta watched the vapid array of emotions that crossed his bodyguard's face as he listened. He smiled lightly. The confused one was the best…adorable.
A shadow fell over him and he looked up to see Nail stood beside him, looking down with a slightly agitated look on his face. "You need to come with me".
Vegeta stood, folding his arms. "Oh? Where to?"
Nail looked around cautiously. "I can't say…I just need you to trust me".
Vegeta raised his eyebrow considering then nodded, going to follow Nail. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Goku rise from the circle, looking over with concern. Discreetly, Vegeta shook his head "no" then carried on, following Nail to the outskirts of the village.
Once they reached the outskirts, Nail hovered to take off when Vegeta stopped him. "Whoa there. I'm not going any further without my bodyguard unless you tell me why I should follow you?"
Nail hesitated before turning to Vegeta in mid-air. "I suppose that's fair…the Grand Elder sent a message to our village, asking to speak to you personally".
Vegeta flinched, taken aback. "He does? But I thought he was too sick?"
Nail nodded. "He is. But he says it's important that he speaks directly to you". Beckoning, he flew off, Vegeta following quickly, catching up easily.
The two flew for a while, neither speaking, comfortable in the silence till they came to a large hut, situated on a tall thin mountain base. Nail landed, walking to the entrance before standing to one side, gesturing towards the open doorway. Vegeta hesitated before walking towards, looking around confused before seeing a hole in the ceiling, floating towards it, landing inside to see a huge Namekian sitting before him.
Vegeta stared up at the gigantic Namekian before him before bowing slightly. "My Lord, I am the Prince of Saiyajins Vegeta".
The Namekian Elder breathing heavily, seemingly trying to catch his breath before speaking. "I know you Prince Vegeta. I am Grand Elder Guru, thank you for agreeing to see me".
Vegeta nodded, relaxing slightly. He sensed no malice from the being in front of him, his curiosity getting the better of him. "I understand you are ill? If you wish, I can have the best doctors we have here to…"
The Elder waved his hand at Vegeta, cutting him off. "This is most kind of you, however it is too late for me. I have accepted this and resolved to make the most of my time left" He coughed slightly, wheezing as he tried to catch his breath. "Which is why I asked you here…"
Folding his arms, Vegeta raised his eyebrow but said nothing. His estimation of the Namekian race had gone up since meeting the Elder Guru. He could respect a race that accepted the inevitability of death and instead of weeping and whining about it, actually did something about it before their time was up.
Elder Guru hesitated before speaking, choosing his words carefully. "You and your companion…Kakarotto was it? You're both in grave danger".
Vegeta visibly flinched, suddenly defensive at the mention of Goku's name. "Danger?"
"Yes". The Elder shuffled, trying to make himself more comfortable. "There are people close to you who have malicious intentions. They seek to overrule you in favour of their overlord".
"Overlord? Who?"
"I believe your Father has had dealings with him in the past which have soured their relationship…his name is Frieza".
Vegeta's heart leapt into his throat as his stomach plummeted. Frieza. Who hadn't heard the name? "Frieza's behind the assassinations? But why?"
Guru shook his head. "I do not know. You must find the ones who have infiltrated your trust and get them to confess".
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Vegeta closed his eyes and put one hand on his hip. Damn it! Ones…plural?! "What does this have to do with Kakarotto?"
Elder Guru sighed heavily, his demeanour saddening. "Kakarotto cares for you deeply…His love for you is boundless. The lengths at which he will go to save you are no longer bound by simple formalities…he would give his life for you and smile while he does so".
Vegeta felt his face heat up, looking away. Hearing someone else say it so boldly was a little…overwhelming.
Guru smiled. "Do not be embarrassed…it is rare to find a love so pure in this galaxy…it is nothing to be ashamed of". His smiled dropped just as quickly as it appeared. "But your love for each other will be tested in the near future…Kakarotto will sacrifice himself for you Prince Vegeta. And you will have a decision to make".
"Decision? What decision?" Vegeta frowned and stepped forward, feeling protective.
"Alas, that is another thing I cannot tell you…but you will know when the time comes". Guru shifted, placing a hand on his chest as he struggled to control his breathing. He smiled sadly. "I am sorry I cannot tell you what you truly wish to know…however it will all make sense in time"
Vegeta nodded in understanding, slumping as he sighed. "I understand…there are some things you can't say". He smirked, looking up at the Elder. "Besides, wouldn't be much of a challenge if I knew everything would it now?"
Elder Guru laughed heartily which dissolved into a small coughing fit. He smiled once he calmed. "Amusing. You Saiyajins are definately tenacious". He straightened in his chair. "It has been an honour to meet you Prince Vegeta".
Bowing respectfully, Vegeta smiled back. "And it has been my honour to meet you Grand Elder". He stood and made to leave when a glint caught his eye, making him look up. He blinked and stopped, staring at surprise at the dragonball placed on top of the Grand Elder's chair. The dragonball shone like the sun with one star in its centre and was at least three times bigger than the one Goku possessed.
"Before I go…forgive any disrespect but…is that a dragonball?" he said, pointing to it over the Elder's head.
The Grand Elder blinked then looked up, reaching up to pluck it from its pedestal. "Why yes…it is…you know of the dragonballs?"
Vegeta stepped forward. "Yes I do…the Earthlings I came with have their own on Earth, one of which is in Kakarotto's possession". He hesitated before continuing. "May I ask…could you teach me about them?"
Guru blinked for a moment then smiled widely. "Of course".
Vegeta thanked him then sat, listening intently as Guru imparted his wisdom.
Heaving a sigh, Vegeta turned and buried his face in Goku's well-toned chest, inhaling his calming scent. When he had arrived back from his talk with the Elder Guru, Goku had been waiting for him, standing stock still and looking at the sky in the same place the whole time Vegeta was gone, according to Raditz anyway. When he'd touched down, Goku had practically run up to him, a look of relief as well as apprehension plastered on his face. Before he could bombard Vegeta with questions he had held up his hand, shaking his head slightly to indicate he didn't want to talk. The two had then walked back into the village, meeting up with the rest of the group before heading back to their ship to rest.
Having their questions answered, the Earthlings had agreed to head back to Vegeta-sei in the morning, Vegeta waiting until they'd reached their room before telling Goku what had happened, Goku staying quiet until Vegeta had finished. They had talked for hours about what the Elder had told Vegeta, trying to eliminate the people who were least likely to be in league with Frieza and discussing their new found knowledge about the dragonballs. Eventually, Goku had insisted they go to bed, his voice brooking no argument and the two had slipped under the covers, Goku falling asleep almost instantly.
Feeling a hand slip into the soft spikes of his hair, Vegeta looked up to see Goku looking down at him sleepily. "Still awake? Have you slept at all?"
"No…" Vegeta leant up slightly to look at him fully. "Did I wake you?"
"Nngh not really". Goku rubbed an eye with the heel of his hand as he tried to stifle a yawn, Vegeta smirking at his cuteness. "You should really try and sleep Vegeta, it's a long trip back".
"Then I'll sleep then", he answered, sitting up fully as he looked down at Goku. "Aren't you worried?
"Mnnngh about what?" Goku answered, still attempting to fully wake up. Vegeta huffed about to retort when he stopped, watching Goku as he sat up and yawned, looking at Vegeta with lidded sleep filled eyes. He smiled and leaned in kissing Goku's cheek chastely. "Nothing…go back to sleep Kakarotto".
Goku smiled back then fell back onto the bed, snoring lightly. Vegeta chuckled and leaned down, stroking the bangs back from Goku's face as he slept, taking in features. His smile disappeared as the Grand Elder's words echoed in his mind.
"Kakarotto will sacrifice himself for you Prince Vegeta…"
Vegeta frowned and leaned in, cuddling Goku protectively as he kissed his forehead. No. No matter what happened, Goku was going nowhere.
Vegeta would make sure of that.
Short one this time, hope that's ok. It just felt strung out otherwise, I don't really like changing scenes mid-chapter ^_^;;
Oh! Quick note, I have a new fic out, Too Good To Be True. Its a GokuXVegeta yaoi fic (obviously heh) but its set modern day. It might not be as updated as frequently as this is but it wont get left to the wayside (I promise!) Go check it out!
Reviewer Replies
Killua17 -Thank you! Hope you enjoyed it!
cara9001 - Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it ^_^
Axya - Yay Piccolo! Don't worry, he's sticking around for the foreseeable future hehe :D Glad you liked it! XD
DBZRocks153 - Don't worry, Vegeta will confess (at some point!) Though its got to be at the most dramatic, hair-raising moment of course! Glad your enjoying the fic!
And that's it! Please don't forget to review and comment! Thanks for reading!
