I know I just posted an update, but I've got this one typed up and ready to go! I was planning to wait about a week so I could get Chapter 39 together in the meantime, but I decided to go ahead and post this. Honestly, I received some pretty bad news recently. Feedback that comes with updates is something I always look forward to! It makes my world a little brighter, so I decided I wanted to go ahead and post this because I would love that right now.

The next chapter will be up as soon as possible! Thanks to everyone. I hope you all have a great weekend!

"You're sloppy!" Vegeta had been successfully dodging each one of Gohan's punches, noting how rigid the boy had become in the few months that had passed since their last fight. "Focus!"

"I am!" Gohan growled, swinging another failed punch. His eyes, which were already a deep shade of brown, had turned completely black with rage. His face glistening with sweat as he fumed. He was so pissed off, and the fact that he hadn't landed a single blow on Vegeta despite his efforts only added to his temper.

"You aren't concentrating!" Vegeta hissed, delivering an open-palmed slap to the boy's shoulder. It was hard enough to blow him back, Gohan flying into the tile below. "You're thinking too much!"

Gohan, who had landed sprawled across the tile meters away, pulled himself to his feet and let out a frustrated gasp. "I told you that already - I know!" He looked down at his hands now. "It's all I ever do, Mr. Vegeta!" His tone less fierce with each word that came out, the boy let out a tired groan. "It's all I can do! All I do is think!"

Vegeta had been putting in such little effort that he hadn't even broken a sweat, but he reached for a towel to drape around his shoulders regardless. "The only thing on your mind during a fight should be your strategic plan." He rolled his eyes, sensing very well where this conversation would quickly go. "Didn't you say you couldn't stop thinking about wanting to fight? Enjoy it!"

"That's just it! I want this so bad, and I just can't! I can't do it!"

"What do you mean by that?" Vegeta snapped.

"I can't!" Gohan repeated. "I don't want to feel this way! I don't want to hurt people!"

Vegeta was making his way to Gohan now, studying the boy's posture as he went. The kid was sitting on the floor, slumped over as he continued staring into his open hands. He seemed as if he were warding off tears, which Vegeta would have found repulsive if it hadn't been so uncomfortably concerning. This concept of guilty fighting was a recurring theme that he had seen nonstop since first meeting Kakarot's son. And, while it offended the pride Vegeta took in his culture, it was obvious now that it was much more than simply a weak cowardice. This boy appeared to be in pain. As much as he hated this type of conversation, there was an underlying duty that had been engraved into Vegeta's core from birth. While his planet was no more, he had been a prince once. Despite the standards he set for his race and the expectations he had, he still cared about his people. Apparently, this also went for the half-breed children of lower-class soldiers…

"Look." Vegeta sighed, running a hand through his spiky locks as he tried to think of the words to use. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to seek relief through physical means…" As he said it, the saiyan couldn't help but think that this sentence could have a very different meaning depending on context, and he had to concentrate to prevent the image of Bulma's inviting hips from soiling his mind.

"But, I can't…" Gohan repeated. "I… I don't like not being in control! I don't like that it's all I want, no matter how much I try!"

Vegeta groaned.

"I don't know what's wrong with me…" Gohan continued. "It didn't used to be this bad… but now it's getting worse every day!"

Was he really that naïve to not understand what was happening to him? Vegeta's jaw clenched. For the millionth time he couldn't help but feel his gut well up with resentment for Kakarot. Not only had the man impregnated his wife and then left her despite knowing what type of turmoil awaited her body, but he'd also shown the same neglect to his living son! The boy had already been showing signs of his age during the Cell Games. Kakarot had plenty of opportunity to give him a head's up! And he hadn't even done that!

"I just feel so…" Gohan started again, seeming to be unable to stop now that the words had begun flowing.

"You feel the saiyan DNA in your veins." Vegeta interrupted, dropping the towel he had been holding. "How old did you say you were, again?"

"Almost thirteen." Gohan replied, not understanding what age had to do with anything.

"Thirteen. And this doesn't register with you?" Vegeta was hinting, biting his lip. Fucking Kakarot! Why was he getting handed the unpleasant aspects of parenting, while Kakarot got to blissfully train away in the afterworld, without any worries at all?!

"I…" The adolescent started, his eyes wide. He was beginning to feel foolish, but none of this was lining up with him. What did nearly being thirteen have to do with his violent impulses?

"Okay. Listen to what I have to say, because I'm not going to repeat it." Vegeta announced, confirming just how little the boy truly knew. He took a deep breath, wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible. "All saiyan infants are born with the survival instincts required to do well in battle, and these reflexes are trained and utilized at birth."

Gohan blinked forgetting his own turmoil momentarily. Getting a lesson on saiyan upbringing had been the least of his expectations, and he was suddenly quite intrigued.

"It's not until the age of thirteen that the true metamorphosis begins. This is when the saiyan transforms from being one who essentially acts on mere instinct, to a true warrior. Understand? It's our anatomy, boy."

"Oh." Gohan blinked his wide eyes again. So thirteen really did have significance…

"Our muscles expand. Our bones grow. We reach full height, and our absolute potential is awakened." Vegeta, who was obviously uncomfortable, was talking at such a quick pace now that Gohan had to listen carefully to make out everything being said. The boy raised his hand, as if he were sitting in class and wanted to ask the teacher a question. Vegeta, who was summoning enough mental energy as it was to only give this talk, grit his teeth at the interruption. "What?"

"Um.." Gohan cleared his throat. "You said full height?" His eyes running up and down the prince's frame.

"Right." Vegeta crossed his arms and took a step back, a scowl crossing his already irritable face. "I'll have you know that I was starved half to death throughout the duration of my own transition, so it goes without saying that my growth was inhibited!" It was just another item to add on the list of reasons to hate Frieza so much. Being short did run in his family, but he could have easily grown a few more centimeters if Frieza hadn't prevented him from it! His mood had grown even more sour to be reminded of such a time. He had been receiving the majority of his beatings at thirteen... "You'll tower over me, just as your father did. But have no doubts, boy. I will always be superior to you – in class, in strategy, and in wit."

Jeez! Gohan sucked his tongue to hold back from reacting. He supposed that this insult was relatively called for, considering he had been the one to point out Vegeta's height. But still – how was he supposed to have known that it was such a sensitive subject to the narcissistic man in front of him? Vegeta acted as if he were incapable of any type of flaw! Gohan never would have said anything at all if he'd known…

"Anyway!" Vegeta barked, turning his back to the adolescent now. "Your hormones are surging with the change. You've got saiyan genes coursing through your blood, and it's impairing your senses. It's only natural that your instincts are flaring up! It's what you were built to do! As you age and your transition completes, your body chemistry will equalize once more. The impulses you complain of will subside, but the skills and experience you gain during this period of fight will linger for the rest of your life." It was then that he turned back around, pointing an accusatory finger at Gohan. "But that is only if you stop fighting it, and let yourself give in! So cease now with your resisting and let your body drive its course!" And, with that last sentence, he begrudgingly felt that quoting Bulma was most appropriate at this time. "If not, you're going to drive yourself crazy."

Gohan's mouth had dropped open, but he was unable to form words. It was so odd – in that moment Vegeta was less insulting or irritating than he'd been during any of their recent encounters. "So… I'm not a bad person for wanting to destroy you?" He asked dumbly. Conveying it in a sentence didn't do much to sooth his concerns, but understanding that there really was physiological reasoning behind everything was such a relief that the boy was suddenly fighting back tears.

"Jeez… Stand up, boy! Don't start getting so poignant!"

Gohan stood then, wiping his hands off on his knees as he did so. Vegeta turned away from him once more, heading for the door. "I'm hungry. You stay in here and work on focusing your energy. You're clearly still too worked up to be of any use to me in a match! And remember what I said – stop resisting!"

The boy didn't argue or hesitate in raising his ki. If Vegeta knew one thing well, then it was the saiyan race. If he said this feeling would pass with time, then Gohan was obliged to trust him. He'd do anything to relieve himself of his symptoms! If that meant he needed to allow himself to fight, then so be it. And, as his energy began to rise, Gohan had to admit that it was starting to actually feel good!

Vegeta shook his head as he stepped out of the Gravity Room and into the house. What he had chosen not to mention were all of the other aspects that transitioning had on the body, and he hoped the boy understood enough now to figure the rest out himself. "Kami," The saiyan grunted, shaking his head. "I really hate the number thirteen…"

.

The sun had already fallen in the sky when the house's intercom system began to chime with that annoying ringing sound. Vegeta, who had been in the living room when the call came in, walked to the closest monitor to accept the call.

Bulma's face came up on the screen, looking worn out and concerned. "Vegeta?" She said, he voice sounding just as exhausted as she looked. "Is Gohan still there?"

"He's been training all day." Vegeta nodded his head in the direction of the gravity room. "He hasn't come out since I left him alone."

"Oh, okay. I was starting to get a bit worried!" The Bluehead put a hand up to her cheek, her brows softening with relief.

"He's fine. Clearly he is understanding what it means to exert his energy, so I'm letting him."

Bulma's eyes suddenly flared, her blue orbs piercing through the screen. "So you haven't even checked on him?"

Vegeta scowled back, noting the irritation in her voice. "Of course not! His father is a saiyan! You don't interrupt a saiyan during training unless they ask for it!"

Bulma twisted her nose at this, glaring into the monitor. "That's fine and well, as long as he doesn't turn into you and stay in there for a week! Now, I'm exhausted and I've been waiting for Gohan to get here for hours so I can go home without leaving Chi-Chi alone! You get in there and tell him to come back right now!"

With that, her face disappeared as the call suddenly ended. Cursing under his breath, Vegeta turned away. Clearly someone appeared to be in a nasty mood… It was amazing how easily she could get him to do her bidding, for he suddenly found himself heading to the Gravity Room despite his opinions. He was readying himself for the potential reaction Gohan might have upon his entering the room, but Vegeta didn't bother to knock before walking in. "Alright, listen up." He began. "Your mother wants you-"

But he wasn't able to finish. A moment later, and Gohan was at his face, a fist coming into direct contact with Vegeta's jaw. He had expected Gohan's fury, but that was still pretty good! It had caught him off guard! Vegeta couldn't help but to let out a husky laugh as he caught another punch with his hand, his eyes brightening with stimulation.

It was obvious that Gohan was feeling better – his coordination had tremendously improved from how it had been earlier that day. The boy whipped around Vegeta, attempting to blow a kick to his rib. Letting out another laugh, adrenaline settling in, Vegeta slapped the leg away before it could collide with his body. "Is that all?" He taunted, stepping deeper into the room as he continued dodging the kid's attacks. This time around it was actually taking concentration to avoid the boy's blows! He was actually starting to feel a bit winded!

"I still haven't forgotten what you said about my father!" Gohan growled. The black in his eyes carried a faraway tone, and it was clear that he was lost in concentration. His voice shook as he spoke, this time quivering with confidence rather than lack of control.

"Your dad was an idiot!" Vegeta teased, flying up into the air to avoid a beam of ki that Gohan had sent his way.

"Take that back!" Gohan barked. In a flash of gold he became a super saiyan, his dark eyes now bright with fury. He began his charge at the saiyan prince, letting out a primal yell of rage as he flew. "It's not funny! I can't forgive you!"

"I didn't ask for your forgiveness, boy." Vegeta replied, a grin still plastered on his face. This was exactly what he had been waiting for – a real sparring match with someone of capable power! It was starting to feel good! He was about to transition to a super saiyan himself, but Bulma's tired face suddenly flashed across his mind. She was waiting for them, and he couldn't allow himself to keep going. With a sudden change in demeanor, the saiyan quickly dropped his smile. He had initially been encouraging this to escalate, but he needed to end it before it continued any farther.

Gohan was yelling again, flying straight at him with pure resentment in his eyes. Vegeta glared back, readying himself. The boy had pent his energy up for much too long, and he was really enjoying this! Vegeta needed to put a stop to it before the kid lost complete control.

Suddenly Gohan disappeared from sight, and Vegeta whirled around just in time to block a kick aimed at the back of his head. Vegeta grabbed the boy's leg, yanking him around like an angry rag doll. He landed a firm blow in the kid's stomach before tossing him to the floor with a curse. That had been close – the boy was fast. He was panting now, trying to catch his breath, lowering himself to the ground beside the boy.

Gohan seemed stunned, laying in place with wide eyes. Disbelief that Vegeta had managed such a thing.

"When you get overly cocky, you set yourself up for surprise." Vegeta spat, still catching his breath. "That's enough for today! Your mother needs you home."

Sobered and blinking, Gohan's hair began to darken back to its naturally black hue. His eyes brown once again, processing what had just occurred.

"Come back tomorrow for another round." Vegeta panted. The endorphins swirling in his core made him want to laugh once again at how fulfilling it was to have a good spar, but he was fighting back the urge. Bulma was waiting for them.

Still looking bewildered, the adolescent pulled himself to his feet. Without speaking a word, he began to make his way for the door. A lot had happened that day, and he didn't like admitting how much better he really did feel to have let the tension out. He was feeling good…

Really good…

Vegeta watched the boy leave, and he returned to the living room so he could take a seat on the couch. Upstairs Trunks was asleep, having been soothed to bed by Mrs. Briefs. He was completely alone in a silent house, with nothing but the thoughts of what had just happened in the Gravity Room. His muscles were trembling with the craving for more, and he smirked as he attempted to clear it all from his mind. He'd get his match soon enough. For now he needed to calm down…

It had been a long day without her, and he was eager for Bulma to return home. He wouldn't want to go out and say it, but he was curious for the update on what had occurred with Chi-Chi while she'd been gone. And in return he had quite the story for her!

I hope you enjoyed this one. As I said, I will get the new chapter up as soon as possible. I may have to travel in the next few weeks, so I am not sure how the timing will work out. I will have it up as soon as I can. Thanks again to everyone who continues to read and offer feedback. It means a lot to me.