Disclaimer: Dragonball Z and related characters are copyrighted by Bird Studios/Shueisha, Toei Animation. Licensed by FUNimation Productions, Inc.

Author's Note: Yeah, I know it's been forever since I last posted anything, but I've been busy with classes and my fic ideas have been few and unsuccessful. -_-; The potential sequel to "Saiyan Striptease" didn't work out, so I've given up on it. I have a different fic that might work out okay, so I'll see how that goes. And to the anonymous person who challenged me to do a female fic? I'm attempting to do a fic in which Vegeta has to survive both a PMS-ing Bra and Bulma, but that is still in the very early stages of development, so I'm not sure if it's going to be successful. At any rate, this post is an attempt of mine to write DBZ poetry. I think it worked out fairly well, but it's still strange to see Vegeta and Goku talking in rhyme. You'll understand when you get there. J

Time Period: The "just-after-the-Buu-Saga" time period.

Unexpected Friendship

It was just another sparring match;
no different from the rest.
But this time after Goku won,
Vegeta snapped and left.

He flew off far into the woods,
mad and shamed at the same time.
His pride had just been crushed and torn
for what seemed the millionth time.

"I'm the Saiyan Prince!" he shouted.
"All should bow before my feet!
And yet there's still that third-class boob
that I can never beat!"

He touched down into a clearing,
filled with self-pity and shame,
prepared to brood 'til the day's end,
but someone called his name.

"Vegeta," Goku said to him,
concerned for the small ouji.
Vegeta turned to look at him,
and Goku said, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what!?" Vegeta screamed.
"Sorry that I'm so weak!?
Sorry you let me waste your time!?
Sorry for what, you freak!?"

Goku brushed aside the insult;
he could not be misled.
He knew Vegeta far too well,
and so he softly said,

"I'm sorry that I upset you.
I'm sorry that I'm this strong.
I'd give up my extra power
if it meant we'd get along.

"But I know you need the challenge;
it's an aspect of your soul.
You always need something to beat.
You always need that goal.

"But try to vary what you do.
Spend more time with your wife.
Surpassing me can be a goal,
but don't let it rule your life.

"I need you as an opponent—
you test me to no end—but
I like you as a person too
and I want you as a friend."

"I have no friends," Vegeta said.
"I'm a Saiyan to the end.
Emotions are great weaknesses,
and so is having friends."

"Many things have changed," Goku said,
"since our homeworld was destroyed.
We can enjoy great times of peace
and fight what we can't avoid.

"I always like those times of peace,
but I am a Saiyan too.
I love the challenge of a fight,
like our last match against Buu.

"He killed everyone, remember?
Yet his power we defied,
and we beat him, both you and I,
working side-by-side.

"We're the only two Saiyans left
Stronger than any could dream.
We can be beaten separately
but not when we're a team.

"You have always looked so lonely,
like no one understands you.
Third-class or not, I'm a Saiyan
and I think perhaps I do.

"We can fight and spar together,
but we could be even more.
Forget for once our differences
and stop always keeping score.

"We can understand each other
like no human ever could.
So please, let go of your hatred.
Let's stand together like we should."

Vegeta didn't say a word.
He would not meet Goku's eyes.
He seemed filled with much confliction
and definitely surprise.

They both stood awhile in silence,
then Goku, on a whim,
put his hand on Vegeta's shoulder,
and Vegeta . . . he let him.