Falling Short
Chapter 2: When Wondering Is Not Enough
Vegeta wandered outside. He wouldn't admit that he was bored, though. He simply wanted to make himself familiar with the area. Most of it had been taken up by the Nameks--there were small tents and shelters everywhere. They cast the Saiyan prince cold, accusing glares as he passed. He scowled. I fought and died fighting Freeza, and they still think I'm his lackey. It's rather insulting.
From the far side of the yard he could hear the sounds of someone fighting. Cumber and Kakarot's son, he realized. For lack of anything better to do, he investigated.
The two boys were sparing, as he'd expected. Cumber was slowly being pushed back. It wasn't surprising, really; Gohan's power level was enormous, and he had much more intensive training. Vegeta watched for a moment, watching both their styles and abilities.
Kakarot's son definitely has the same style as that Namek, he thought, crossing his arms. And he's not even fighting at his full potential. He's more powerful than his father. His lips pressed into a tight frown. Which means he also has the power to become a Super Saiyan. But he hasn't reached it yet. Is it because he hasn't trained long enough? Or is there some other boundary he hasn't yet passed?
The battling children broke apart, gasping and exhausted but still grinning. They sat down on the grass and wiped the sweat from their faces and necks. Only then did they notice Vegeta's presence. Though Cumber was pleased by their audience, Gohan eyed him cautiously.
"I need you to answer something," Veget said, crouching in front of him. He was surprised by his own level tone--usually he resorted to less polite forms of gathering information. But then, questioning a boy who didn't trust him, especially Gohan, was a different matter than he was accustomed to. He would have to be careful.
"What is it?" Cumber asked immediately. He, at least, would be helpful.
"Kakarot." Direct honest was his best chance now. "I want to know the circumstances of his becoming a Super Saiyan."
Gohan gulped. The memories in all their horrible detail became clear on his face, and he lowered his head. "It…was just after Krillin was killed," he answered quietly. "By Freeza."
The prince considered this. "Tell me more."
Gohan was hesitant, so Cumber spoke in his place. "It was his anger, Prince Vegeta. When Krillin died, Goku's anger turned him into a Super Saiyan. Then he told us to leave."
"And that's all you know?"
"Yes, sir."
Great. That doesn't tell me anything. He stood. Anger can't be the missing piece. I would have found something that obvious by now. "Keep working," he said vaguely as he moved away. "Tomorrow night you'll get your first lesson."
"Yes, sir."
Sir. Vegeta smirked as the sounds of fighting resumed behind him. That boy…for whatever reason, he looks up to me. He'll be useful when the time comes. His sensed tingled momentarily, and he raised his gaze to the Capsule Corps building that dominated the area. Through the kitchen window on the second story he could see Bulma and Koan, conversing as they finished the breakfast dishes. The latter was watching him. For a moment he simply stared back--there was something about her dark-eyed glare that caught his attention. It was almost alluring, the untouchable way she carried herself. She was at the same time proud and cautious--like a princess with too many secrets. Though the analogy made him frown, it stood in his mind. Which led to another line of cognition.
She's the last one.
Even if Gohan had children someday, they would only be one fourth Saiyan. The same went for Cumber. And when they died, along with their parents, there would be none left. The Saiyans would be bred into extinction, and soon.
Unless….
"A prince and a princess, huh?" Vegeta mused aloud, staring up at the form in the window. Then he scowled. "Ridiculous."
The next day Koan took a tour of the Capsule Corps headquarters where Bulma and her father worked. The electronics didn't impress her--she'd live too long on Namek to appreciate modern conveniences. She was more interested in assisting Dr. Briefs with his newest spaceships. The almost manual labor-like task gave her focus and confidence. Dr. Briefs was pleased with her quick obedience and strength, and hired her on the spot.
That evening, once her work had been completed, Koan prepared dinner with Bulma's help. When the two boys didn't show up, however, she was forced to go looking for them. "They're probably still practicing," Bulma assured. "I don't blame Gohan for coming here--I'm sure fighting is the last thing Chichi wants to see him doing right now."
"I guess I'll take it out to them, then." She put both dinners into a basket. Then she added the extra dinner she'd made for Vegeta. He'll show up eventually, she reasoned. On the way out Bulma handed her a first aid kit, and insisted it be taken. Frowning, she agreed.
When Koan reached the far edge of the Capsule Corps lot she was surprised to find no one there, nor could she hear any nearby fighting. She questioned one of the Nameks as to their whereabouts. "That Saiyan man took both children to the edge of the city," he explained. "Cumber said not to worry, but I sent Baiba with them anyway. Dende just went to tell you--didn't you see him?"
"No, I didn't." Her tail tightened reflexively around her waist. "Please tell me, where did they go?"
The Namek pointed south. "That way. I imagine you'll find them quickly--they left to train."
Of course. But Vegeta…. "Thank you." Koan took to the air with her huge dinner basket, and started off in the direction he pointed. He may be a prince, but he doesn't know anything about training a child. He could kill him if he's not careful.
As expected, finding the group wasn't difficult. A fierce, hot wind was blowing from the city's southern border, originating from a pair of powering-up fighters. Koan quickly identified them as Cumber and Gohan. Facing them was Vegeta, arms crossed and face calm. Nearby, the Namek fighter Baiba watched.
Koan landed beside her one time teacher. "Baiba, what is this?" she demanded.
"Vegeta said he'd test them," he replied.
As they watched, the prince decided it was his turn to show his power. He uncrossed his arms and clenched his fists. The wind picked up once more. The spectators were forced back by the sudden explosion of energy as he gathered his spirit. Koan stared, amazed at his strength. Because of all the power levels around Namek it had been difficult for her to estimate the extent of his ability. Now it was easy to see why the prince had thought himself a Super Saiyan.
The battle began at a pace Koan almost couldn't follow. Gohan attacked first, followed closely by his comrade, taking Vegeta head on. They exchanged blows for what seemed only as an instant before Cumber was sent tumbling head over heels.
"Don't," said Baiba before she could move. He nearly had to restrain her physically from running to her son. "He wanted this, and he needs to finish it by himself." Even as he spoke, the boy struggled to his feet and reentered the battle, only to be rejected soon after.
"I can't stand this," Koan muttered, her fists tight at her side. Vegeta was laughing, mocking the efforts of his young opponents. "This isn't training--it's just for the sake of his ego."
The Namek sighed. "You know better than I how Saiyans are, Koan. They don't need training to gain power. They need pain."
"Of course I know." Her fists relaxed, and her voice dropped. "I know where a Saiyan's power comes from."
Vegeta scowled as Cumber hit the ground again. No, he's no good. He's had good training, but he's not strong enough--not fast enough. He hasn't been trained hard enough. Time to fix that.
As soon as Cumber joined the fight again, Vegeta knocked him down. "Stay out of this, runt," he snarled, focusing on Gohan. Kakarot's son was stronger than the last time they'd battled, and he found himself almost struggling to keep up.
Cumber attacked once more from behind, distracting Vegeta just long enough for Gohan to land a lucky punch to his face. Blood ran from his nose; the taste of it on his lips drove him mad. "That's it," he sneered. "You're finished."
Vegeta bought himself some time by kicking Gohan in the head, which sent him tumbling. Then he turned on Cumber. Guided by his anger he pummeled the boy with his fists, driving him back. Cumber was no match for the conditioned prince, and was quickly felled. But he wasn't done yet. With determination the boy began climbing to his feet.
By that time Gohan had resumed his assault. Rather than continuing to monitor two opponents, Vegeta pinned Cumber to the ground by stomping on his tail. He didn't even flinch as the child wailed in pain. Then, to end the match, he released a powerful spirit attack on Kakarot's son. The blast was just enough--and at a close enough range--that Gohan was thrown to the ground. He sat up groggily. "You said no blasting," he muttered, even as he smiled a bit.
"I lied," Vegeta grunted. He looked down at the boy he still held captive. Cumber was curled in a tight ball, whimpering in pain as tears rolled down his face. The prince released him--immediately Cumber recoiled his tail and kept it pressed to his body.
"You're not good enough," the prince said, glaring at his would-be student. He might not have been heard, but he continued. "You're weak. I won't help someone who's weak." Then he moved away, seating himself on a nearby rock to clean his face.
As soon as the match had ended Koan ran forward and dropped to her son's side. He was trembling in pain, stilling recovering from Vegeta's cruel attack. "Hush now, Cumber," she soothed, pulling the child close to her. "Lie still."
"I'm…okay, Mom." Cumber slowly relaxed and sat up with some help from her. Already she could see dark bruises swelling on his skin. "I asked him to."
"I know." She glanced at the Saiyan man briefly. "I won't interfere, Cumber. This is your decision." The words pained her, but they had to be said.
Cumber smiled. Though he was badly beaten and discouraged by his elder's words, he grinned in appreciation of his mother's understanding. She'd seen that look before, and it filled her with a mysterious kind of pride. I guess this is the right thing, she thought as she helped to clean the blood from his face. Though her instincts told her that she should have demanded a less violent lifestyle for her son--she did not want him to share the Saiyans' fate--she warmed quickly to his excitement and joy. She could take that spirit from him no sooner than she could take him from herself.
Baiba brought Koan's dinner basket to them, which the children gladly devoured the contents of. Afterwards, she insisted that they wait for her to treat them before they resumed their training. Both reluctantly agreed.
Once Koan was finished, Baiba volunteered to continue Gohan and Cumber's training for that evening. "Thank you," said Koan gratefully, smiling as the two boys moved away with their teacher. She retrieved her basket and moved toward Vegeta. She handed him a cloth, which he grudgingly accepted to clean his face. "I brought you some dinner."
Vegeta regarded her almost warily before seeing for himself. His hunger quickly overcame his disconcertment, and he made short work of the meal. He didn't offer any thanks; she didn't expect any. "You didn't have to," was all he said.
"I know." She seated herself at his feet. "You didn't have to." When he gazed at her questioningly, she explained. "Helping Cumber. You could never understand how much that means to him."
The prince snorted. "It sounds like you're insulting me."
It's the truth. "I meant no disrespect," she said, at the same time wondering why she owed him such politeness.
"Save it," Vegeta replied, watching the trio that continued to practice. "I'm not doing this for Cumber, you know."
"Yes, I realized that, while you were fighting." Koan sighed. "It's an excuse to fight Gohan, isn't it? You're keeping track of his strength."
"Don't misunderstand. It's not for him, or Kakarot, or anything like that. Until Kakarot returns, his son and I are the strongest warriors on the planet. As long as I can stay ahead of him, I'll never be left behind."
Koan nodded vaguely, returning her attention outward. In the end, I guess that's all he really cares about, she thought to herself. He hasn't changed at all.
I wonder what she's thinking. Vegeta glanced down at the female seated at his feet. She appeared to be idly watching her son's training, but he knew she had something in mind. He could tell by the backward glances she cast his way, and that damn inquiring expression; as if she didn't quite believe he was the right person. Like he was someone else. He hated that look.
Her tail twitched. The movement immediately attracted his attention like a wolf to a rabbit. He missed his tail. He didn't feel quiet right without it--always just a bit off balance. More than that, without it he could pass for a human, and that was the biggest insult of all. He hated being dropped to their level, a common man. He deserved better than this.
Koan's tail continued to sway back and forth casually. Again Vegeta's interest was gained, and for several minutes he could think of nothing else. He resisted the temptation to touch it. Several times he cursed his own foolishness, only to wonder at its unusual black coloring. Had he ever seen a tail that color? Something stirred within the back of his mind, like a memory that refused to surface. It was just at the tip of his brain….
Koan stood abruptly, her tail bouncing a bit. "It looks like they're finished," she said, indicating the approaching trio. She retrieved her basket and glanced back at him. "Are you ready?"
"Of course." The Prince stood, only a bit fatigued from his brief training. He took to the air without waiting and started back, the other following.
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