Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters
Nappa and Dr. Briefs had done what Vegeta had asked. They had informed all the Saiyans of Cooler's defeat, and Dr. Briefs welcomed them all into his home for a celebration and to rest before the journey back home. As much as the doctor wanted his daughter to stay, he knew that her family needed to return to Planet Vegeta right away. Now that the last superpower of the PTO had been destroyed, they'd have to dismantle any stragglers. Besides, this wasn't goodbye forever. Dr. Briefs planned to visit her as long as he was permitted. Nappa seemed to think he would be. After all, if it wasn't for Dr. Briefs, those documents would still be untranslated.
The house was fairly quiet, but soon it would become lively. Dr. Briefs and Nappa sat together just feeling relief that Tights, Celen, Bulma, and Vegeta were all there, safe and happy with each other. Dr. Briefs spoke up first. "I never thought I'd see either of them ever again," he told the man. "I should have done so much differently."
"You and me both," Nappa replied, thinking back to how shocked Celen had been when he saved his life. "I was a horrible father." A sigh escaped him before he offered an understanding grin. "If we can get back on track, I have no doubt both girls will with you. Just if there's any other Earth-shattering secret, I'd tell them now."
Dr. Briefs snorted. "Nothing of the sort, not anymore. Everything is as it should be."
Nappa nodded, but his eyes went outside, chancing a glance at Raditz. His daughter was sitting by his side with Prince Tarble. They were all sitting with their legs crossed, Cella telling some kind of animated story while Raditz stared at her with a serious gaze. He couldn't even imagine Raditz's pain. Nappa had lost his mate so long ago, but Kalina had helped him. Later, he was able to push those feelings off because his focus became protecting Vegeta and Raditz the best he could on Frieza's ship. He saw those two and even Kakarot as his own, looking after them after so long. It pained him to know that Raditz was going through hell.
The doctor seemed to understand the train of thought and felt guilty. "I shouldn't have said that. I wasn't thinking. Will he be okay?"
"Probably not for a while," Nappa admitted. "Losing one's mate is awful. It was a horrid feeling, and I wasn't even close with my mate. I'd say it's more painful for him, like it was for his father. It's a good thing his has his daughter and the prince, his nephews too, and brother. They won't let him withdraw."
"I overheard them saying something about Raditz staying on Earth," Dr. Briefs stated, surprising Nappa. "I haven't said anything, but I came across Tarble telling the king he would be also. Tarble asked me for a job."
Nappa's expression softened. "If that's what they need, then we'll support it. Besides, travel will reopen soon. Will you be returning with us?"
Dr. Briefs shook his head. "Look, I haven't forgotten what I've done. The travel ban just got lifted a little bit ago. My actions put Bulma, Vegeta, and their son in danger. Even if I'm forgiven, I think everyone still needs some time. It seems it's going to be a bit of an adjustment for everyone, and I won't put that on Bulma or Tights right now. I doubt they even know what they want to do right now."
"You're right about that," Nappa agreed.
At that moment, they heard laughter from both Celen and Tights and looked to see them coming down the stairs. It was heartwarming to see them together knowing that they had been separated, living in hell. The joy they radiated was infectious, and both men found themselves smiling beside themselves.
The couple joined them in the living room, practically tossing themselves on the couch in relaxed positions. "So," Celen spoke up, "what are we all talking about?" Tights giggled beside him and shook her head.
"Nothing you need to worry your pretty, little head over," Nappa jeered with mirth. Celen's eyes narrowed, and his father laughed.
"You're lucky I'm happy, old man," Celen retorted, smirking when his father rolled his eyes. He stretched out and added, "God, can I just sleep for the next ten years? I'm exhausted."
"Don't think that's how the human, or Saiyan for that matter, body works," Dr. Briefs challenged. "But you still have a few hours before the other Saiyans get here."
Celen and Nappa picked up a few new energies outside, and the former general took a peek, noticing that some Saiyans had already arrived, and they would be familiar faces for his son. "Actually, some just got here. Kid, why don't you go and greet them?"
A tired sigh escaped the Saiyan man acting like a boy right then. "Fine, fine," he replied, excusing himself from his mate.
When Celen got outside, there were two figures speaking with Raditz, Kakarot, and the others. All went silent as Raditz met his eyes and murmured something to the two. They turned around abruptly, and Celen's breath caught. He knew those two. They were his buddies when he was younger, his sparring partners before he separated himself from the original Saiyan lifestyle. "Rhudaba, Onior…you guys…I-"
"I honestly didn't believe it," Rhudaba marveled, eyes wide. "You're really alive!"
"Now I really regret us missing that celebration a while back," Onior stated, approaching Celen and throwing his arms around him. "I don't know what to say."
Celen chuckled nervously, awkwardly accepting the hug. Was Onior really the guy he used to pummel in the past, the two of them starting fights every time they saw each other for practice? The Saiyan figured he'd have to get used to everyone's shock and these new reactions. He returned the hug, still shocked when Rhudaba joined in.
Well, he mused, beats being a traitor.
With the defeat of Cooler, all the Saiyan reconvened at Capsule Corp. It was a day of victory, and as such Dr. Briefs and his wife called their caterers. The news was spreading over the Earth, Vegeta, and the universe that the Arcosians and the Planet Trade were no longer a threat. All around the globe it was a great celebration.
At Capsule, all were drinking and being merry. Even Raditz had allowed himself to indulge and relax a little bit despite his grief. There was music and dancing, and Bulma and Tights marveled at how reminiscent it was of their childhood. Their parents had always thrown such lavish parties, and Bulma had been to young to attend, mainly staying up all night with Celen until exhaustion took her. As a teenager, things had change, and Bulma was forced to the stuffy events. This time, though, the atmosphere was light and they were enjoying themselves, chatting and laughing together as if the two sisters were never separated.
On the dance floor, Goten surprised Bulla by showing her that he actually did know how to dance. The princess was interested to learn where he acquired that skill, but decided not to ask and possibly ruin the moment. Gohan was with Videl and Trunks with his mate, too. It seemed that everyone was enjoying the festivities.
All but one.
Tomaren, once again, was waiting outside. It bothered him greatly that he still felt the overwhelming urge to kill despite having contributed to his mentor's end. It made no sense to him that he cared for so many in that room now, and yet if he were to go inside now he would most likely destroy them all when they were supposed to be reveling in their victory.
Apparently, someone noticed he wasn't inside. Tomaren was caught off-guard when the eldest of the Saiyan princes approached him, his flame-shaped hair practically glowing in the light of the half moon. "Why aren't you inside?" Vegeta asked coolly. "You deserved to be a part of this."
Tomaren looked back, and Vegeta could see the conflict and apprehension in the half-Saiyan's eyes. "I'm fine out here," he replied curtly.
Vegeta turned and looked up at the sky, standing beside the assassin. Tomaren wasn't sure why the prince had come to him, but he wondered if it was like Nappa said during the last gathering. He wondered if Vegeta was feeling anxiety over being in a crowded room. His thoughts were proven incorrect, though, as Vegeta said, "I never got to apologize for my actions towards you the day you were going to attack the house."
"You did what you had to do," Tomaren replied. "I would have destroyed them otherwise. Just forget it."
The prince's lips quirked quickly into a sad smirk before his expression returned to stoicism. He took a seat on the ground, and oddly enough Tomaren followed suit. "I remember my time with Frieza clear as day," the prince admitted. "It was a hellish time, however short-lived. Frieza seemed unbeatable, as did many of his warriors. I was trying very hard to defend myself and keep my pride as a Saiyan intact, but the truth is that I was actually terrified and never believed that I'd ever be free."
Vegeta looked to Tomaren with hardened eyes and continued, "When I grabbed your tail, I knew it would incapacitate you. You never had the training Saiyans undergo to protect their tail or get used to the pain. Still, I hated that that was the only thing I could think of to stop you. Frieza…he oftentimes used my tail against me, tortured me, and it still haunts me to this day. I do not wish that to be how you and I interact, and so, Tomaren, I feel the need to say that I am sorry. It will not happen again."
Tomaren took in Vegeta's tensed form and could feel that this wasn't the only issue he wished to discuss. Still, the Saiyan was not worried in the slightest. Actually, there was a small part of him that actually seemed thankful that the prince came to have this talk with him. Tomaren was still getting used to these forming bonds and the concept of family. If he thought about it, the prince was actually his uncle, like his father was to Trunks, and we was trying to bridge a huge gap because he related. "I know Frieza was much different than his brother. How did you break free of it all?"
The prince chuckled wryly and shook his head. "After all this time, I'm still not completely free. Frieza nearly broke me, tried to make me surrender my Saiyan heart and become his destroyer. I would have fallen into it, too. I was almost completely there to begin with, and it was difficult to come back from that and adjust. The way he tortured me was so physically and emotionally damaging that I was on my last thread of sanity by the time I was rescued. When I woke up in my own bed on Planet Vegeta with my mother, father, and doctors around, I panicked. Anytime someone approached me, I was ready to kill them. My relationship with my father is still strained to this day, and I still have moments where I'm not at my best capacity, especially off-world."
Tomaren still hadn't gotten the answer he was hoping for. "How did you come back from it?"
Vegeta answered by glancing back at the building behind them. "All the people in there." Their eyes met, and Vegeta's shone with some unknown emotion Tomaren didn't recognize. "I know you're worried about being in a crowd, what instincts will come about, but we can all handle ourselves. You're one of us, Tomaren, and you deserve to be in there. We couldn't have done any of this without you."
Leaving it at that, Vegeta got up from the ground and dusted himself off before heading to the door. He cast Tomaren one last knowing glance, the other Saiyan lost in thought over his words. During the last celebration, Nappa had tried to convince his grandson to join them, but Tomaren could not bring himself to do so. This time, though, the assassin stood up and met Vegeta at the door. The prince smirked at his nephew, leading him into the house.
Goten and Bulla hadn't stopped dancing to the music. They were making up for lost time, all the balls the princess had to attend and the school dances Goten had gone. It was still so surreal sometimes that Bulla was finally in the arms of her intended after so many years of speaking over just a video device, bonding with a man who lived worlds away. The separation of the worlds had made it seem even more impossible that they would ever have moments like this, and Bulla knew she had to revel in these dances because it could be their last for a while. Once she returned home, she knew she'd be feeling the separation all over again.
"So, what are you going to do about school?" Bulla asked casually, making conversation. Goten had missed so much of it training and helping them against Cooler. She was sure he had a lot of work to make up. It also didn't sit well with her that he'd be seeing that witch again, the one who communicated their plan to Cooler, not being all the bright enough to know what was to happen.
"School?" Goten repeated before scoffing. "Honestly, I never really cared for it. Mom was the one who put a lot of weight into grades and such. I pretty much just coasted. I'm telling you, Bulla, I never really belonged here. I don't plan to stay."
Bulla blushed, getting his insinuation. "Does that mean what I think it does?"
Goten smiled at her and nodded, tightening his grip on her. "I spent years desiring to be by your side," he told her, "and now that I am, I have no intention of leaving it. I'm going back with you tomorrow. I already spoke to everyone about it. Bulla, I'm staying with you. We waited this long to be together, and now I just can't wait to start our life together in our rightful home on Planet Vegeta."
His speech brought Bulla to tears which she managed to blink back. In her joy, she laughed and threw her arms around her intended, holding him close. Goten hid a smile in her her hair. He felt overjoyed by her reaction. He had no doubt that she would be elated that he wanted to stay by her side. Still, a part of him had felt nervous. Though his feelings weren't new, being in a relationship was. And, not only was he in a relationship, but he was courting the Princess of the Saiyans. As much as everyone respected his father, Goten knew he was unknown and would have to earn the people's respect.
He would do whatever he had to do to make things work.
Of course, Bulla knew his train of thought, and she didn't want him lingering on all of the complexities now. To distract him, she kissed him on the cheek. Goten blushed, but he didn't pull away. He actually rather liked having any kind of contact with his princess.
Tomaren was finally inside, sticking close to the prince. He felt very awkward being around both strangers and those he had come to know. This was all new territory for him. He grew even warier when the prince reconvened with his mate, the two exchanging a quick kiss as he wrapped his arm around her. They were standing with Tomaren's mother and father.
The assassin was hesitant to be around his mother. She was just standing there, unsuspecting of the thoughts that raced through his mind. Tomaren had thought he was past moments like this, but it seemed now that he didn't have a target, he was back to picturing all the ways to murder the woman. It was causing his anxiety to skyrocket, but he managed to hide it the best he could. Besides, Tights was standing beside his father, so Tomeran chose to focus on him, the prince, and the prince's mate, his aunt.
"So, you're returning to Planet Vegeta tomorrow, huh?" Celen questioned. "We're thinking we should, too, to just…I don't even know really. I really feel that we have some unfinished business with the king. Can we hitch a ride?"
Bulma nodded. "Yeah, we have quite a bit to do when we get back. This was sort of last minute, and our responsibilities are waiting for us."
"I'm so proud of you both," Tights stated. "I know the life of a royal isn't easy." She looked to her son and smiled. "Are you going to come back with us?"
The energy around Tomaren darkened as much as his expression had. He glowered down at the floor and said, "I don't know what's left for me. I've made plenty of enemies, and now Cooler is gone. I don't really know what to do."
"You can always come with us," Tights told her son. "We have a lot to think about first, obviously. We don't know if we'll reside on Earth, Vegeta, or possibly even rejoin the Galactic Patrol. We're just as lost, now."
Tomaren shook his head vigorously in protest. "You wouldn't say that if you knew what I was thinking," he admitted solemnly. "I still feel this need in my blood to kill you." His tormented eyes met his mother's, and hers reflected surprise. It was the first time Tomaren felt true helplessness in his life, an emotion that never filled his soul. His eyes became misty, his vision blurring a bit. He loved this woman standing in front of him, finally knew what that meant, and yet his mind, heart, and instincts were at war over this very issue. If he stayed near her, he didn't think he could stave off the instincts forever, and no amount of knowledge or love would save either of them.
He was afraid, no terrified, that he would kill her.
"I can't be with you," he practically wept. He could feel both his mother's and father's concern and something else that he would have mistaken as pity if he hadn't known any better. He closed his eyes, unable to look at them. "All I can picture, even now with my eyes closed, is where her vitals are, how I could remove her heart cleanly, and crushing it in my hand, and it's devastating. I want…but it doesn't matter what I want because I cannot be trusted around her."
"You need time to adjust," Vegeta stated. His abrupt claim caused Tomaren to open his eyes, and Vegeta was standing in front of his parents. "You've been through a great deal of trauma, and being free of your tormentor will not just make it all go away. On Planet Vegeta, there are doctors now from many different planets, who specialize in treatments for Saiyans who suffer from PTSD symptoms so long after dealing with Frieza and his family. If you come back with us, you can investigate those treatments yourself, plus I'm sure my son will be happy if you return with us. Consider coming back with us."
Tomaren was still torn. He wanted to accept the prince's offer, but at the same time he didn't trust that any of this would make a difference. He was still a killer with insatiable blood thirst. Was it truly a good idea to go anywhere with any of them, especially without some sort of mission to follow? As if hearing his thoughts, the prince spoke up once again.
"The class system doesn't exist anymore," he said, "but I intend to honor your father's request to mine." Tomaren appeared a bit perplexed, and Celen's mouth dropped open slightly in shock. "Tomaren, I want you to return with us, and I want you to train our soldiers. Teach them everything you know."
Uncertainty flickered in the killer's eyes. "You want me to train them to be assassins?"
"No," Vegeta clarified. "I want you to train them to fight against assassins."
Once again, the Saiyan prince had surprised Tomaren. The half-Saiyan had no idea what to do, had been trying to figure it out the majority of the day. After sparring with Trunks, he had gone off alone for a while trying to make sense of all of this change that would take place. Tomaren was not anything but a creature of habit. With Cooler gone, he was in an unfamiliar world. Prince Vegeta was offering him a place in spite of it. He was giving him a choice, something Trunks had been trying to convince him he had. In this one choice, Tomaren was being offered help, a mission, and a home. The fact that Vegeta had mentioned Trunks helped make Tomaren's decision easier. He owed Trunks his life and service.
That is why he found himself accepting the offer.
Celen's pride in his son poured off him in waves, and Tomaren could feel it. He didn't notice his father mouthing a silent "thank you" to the prince or Vegeta's nod of acknowledgement. Trunks showed up, making sure everything was okay after sensing many different emotions including his cousin's initial apprehension. "What's going on over here?"
Tomaren turned to face Trunks and stoically told him, "I will be going with you all to Planet Vegeta tomorrow." He noticed his cousin's excitement, felt it and saw him smile. It made him a bit uncomfortable, but he continued to inform him of his new position. "Your father has offered me a job to assist with training the soldiers."
"That will be a great job for you," Trunks approved, still smiling. "You did a great job with Thia. It's thanks to you she was able to stand up to her brother."
Tomaren felt his face heat up, especially when his mother and father were staring at him. Vegeta cut through the tension. "Then I know I've made the right decision."
"Hey, Tomaren," Trunks called earning his cousin's attention. "Do you remember the hunting trip I mentioned?" Tomaren nodded. "All four of us should go together after we get settled in back home, you, me, and our fathers."
Trunks's suggestion took Bulma and Vegeta by surprise. They knew about their son's irrational fear of blood. Bulma had figured it out ages ago after Trunks had stopped showing interest in going with Vegeta and Tarble. He had taken to wearing a pair of gloves while working in the medical wing which was expected, but sometimes it extended to training also. He had always carried a handkerchief on him to clean his hands.
It was Vegeta's turn to be proud of his son. He didn't know what happened on the ship or during the battle with Inone, but whatever it was led him to get over the fear he'd held since he was a teenager.
A new chapter was starting in everyone's lives.
Speaking of, Tarble came up to the group, his timid nature returning only slightly. "Trunks, can I talk to you alone for a moment?"
"Sure," Trunks replied, waving to the others. "I'll be back."
Vegeta nodded and looked to his brother. He already knew what Tarble was planning to discuss with Trunks. Though the two hadn't discussed it, Dr. Briefs surprised Vegeta by telling him how Tarble had asked him for a job. He was strangely thankful to the doctor for giving his brother a position. Tarble was an amazing inventor like Bulma, and he deserved to do what he enjoyed.
He knew his brother was staying behind for Cella and Raditz. His general had already discussed his resignation with him and Kakarot. It was bittersweet, but both Saiyans knew why Raditz was doing all of this. Besides, Gohan and Videl were planning to live an Earthling lifestyle. Someone needed to watch after them.
The older prince nodded to the younger, and Tarble smiled sadly. He truly appreciated his brother's support. He only hoped that Trunks would be just as accepting. They two of them had been raised like brothers, so close in age. Honestly, the two had been inseparable as children. This would be a huge change for both of them.
"So, what's up?" Trunks asked kindly after they got outside. "It seemed pretty serious."
"Trunks…" Tarble began, uncertain. "I…I'm not going back."
This took his nephew by surprise. "What?"
"Raditz and Peppan were planning to retire here," the prince explained, not meeting Trunks's eyes. "He doesn't want to go back. Cella…she doesn't want to leave her dad alone here. I have to stay."
"Wow," Trunks replied quietly after a moment of silence. "I…I can't say I'm surprised by your choice, but I didn't think… I kinda don't want to return without you."
"I know," Tarble replied. "Cella and I plan to visit, but Trunks, you know me. I don't belong on Planet Vegeta. Part of me feels like I never did. I know it's ridiculous, but I need to figure out what I'm meant to do, and I think I can figure it out here."
"It's not ridiculous," Trunks stated sincerely, prompting Tarble to finally look at him. He could feel that his nephew was sad, but he was happy for him. "I hope you figure it all out here. To be honest, I never really understood why you never felt like you belonged there until I learned more about my alternate self. Maybe, in another life, you were somewhere else like I was, and that caused this feeling. Just know whoever that version could have been, you aren't him. That's what I learned on Cooler's ship."
Tarble shurgged, but nodded. "You could be right. So much is different than what would have happened. In any case, now that the bad news is over, I was wondering…Cella and I may have already mated, but we plan to have a wedding here at some point to make it official on paper and all. We don't want to have a ceremony right away because we need to settle in, but when we do, would you be my best man?"
"You don't even have to ask," Trunks said in response, beaming. "I would be honored."
The two exchanged an emotional, awkward hug, both trying to hold themselves together. They patted each other's back, both shedding a tear and trying to play it off. Trunks pulled away and quickly wiped his away. "Now, get back to your mate," Trunks ordered, waving his uncle off.
Tarble nearly choked on a laugh before he nodded and started walking away. When he stopped in the door, he called Trunks's name. Trunks looked over, his uncle facing everyone inside. "This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
"It won't be so bad," Trunks assured him. "That just means we'll have to make an event out of it every time you come home." Tarble smiled at that and then walked back into Capsule Corp., Trunks watching until he was out of sight.
The prince caught himself wondering if all of the goodbyes the next day would be as emotionally charged as that one. He was guessing it would. After all, no one could really explain all of the emotions that surrounded the aftermath of this war or the freedom that came with it. No matter choices were made, one fact would remain.
They were a family, united, and they'd get through it all together.
A/N: As you all can see, we're winding down to the end of the story, four chapters left. However, I've been debating on giving you the good news, and I've decided it's time. A really long time back, I decided that the story does not end here. After this story, there will be another, and I'm super excited for it :) I was going to wait to tell you when I posted the last chapter, but I'm just too excited that it's almost time. To get updates or ask me questions about this and other future projects or anything else, please follow me on DeviantArt and Tumblr too! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!