Part 8

There isn't much time, Kakarot. We must find the prince and leave this planet.

Kakarot stared. How do you...?

The old man walked past him and calmly set the coordinates, pushed the button, and with a roar of power, the ship rose straight up into the sky and set off toward the northern hills.

Watching the old man's fingers flying over the console, the young Saiyan had a sudden feeling of deja vu. The old man turned and smiled as the ship hurtled toward its destination.

You should power down and save your energy, Kakarot. This form takes a lot of energy out of you.

Power down... He frowned for a moment, and then, with an expression like a child who has just found a treasured toy, returned to his normal form.

The old man was nodding. We'll be there soon. He moved close to Kakarot, and peered up at him.

He reached up and touched the young man's head where blood had coagulated. You hit your head, didn't you.

We were ambushed...

You certainly were. Ahhh... The ship was beginning to descend, and the old man guided it to the ground. Here we are.

Kakarot jumped on the platform and with a whir, it dropped open like a gaping mouth.

I'll be right back! he yelled to the old man, who had stepped out of the ship. Kakarot burst into the air and disappeared from sight.

The old man stroked his whiskers for a moment, closed his eyes and smiled. A few minutes later, three figures soared over the trees, Nappa holding onto the prince. They touched down softly.

Who the hell is this? Nappa demanded as he glared at the old man.

Kakarot stared from Nappa to the old man to Vejita, who was growling quietly.

You don't know him?

The old man held up one hand. We have no time to explain...

That's right! Kakarot cried, whirling to face the prince. Frieza is going to blow up the planet!

Nappa roared.

It's true, Kakarot said. He turned to Vejita, pleading. Please, sire. We have to hurry.

Vejita was scowling. I'll hear more of this. Get me into the rejuve chamber.

**********

Kakarot sat watching the prince in the rejuve chamber, hands clasped in front of him. Vejita's eyes were closed as the heailng fluid gently lifted him. The old man had disappeared inside the ship, which was hurtling into space at breakneck speed. Nappa was stuffing his face. He strolled in waving a huge roasted leg of some poor beast that was now contributing to the giant's molecular makeup. Nappa had shunned the rejuve chamber and showed a remarkable capacity to heal, even though he was still massively bruised. Kakarot thought he was just showing off.

Aren't ya gonna eat, kid?

Kakarot shook his head and leaned forward, elbows on his knees, fingers tented in front of his mouth, eyes glued to the prince's form. His time was nearly up.

Nappa gaped, showing a mouthful of half-chewed meat. Not...not hungry? Kid, you continue to surprise me. The giant peered in at Vejita. Time's up. Let's get him outta there. He threw the meat on a table.

Nappa pushed a button and the fluid drained out. Kakarot turned the wheel and pulled the oxygen mask from the prince's face. Coughing, the prince stepped out of the chamber, leg healed, bruises gone, leaning on the door. He scowled at the two men, flexing his muscles, feeling his renewed strength.

Get my clothes, Nappa, and quit staring. You've seen me naked before.

But Kakarot hadn't and he turned his head away, blushing.Vejita grinned and pulled on his battle suit. Get geared up, Kakarot. You'll move much better when you're not hindered by those baggy clothes. Nappa, get him a battle suit.

Sure thing, prince. The big man left.

Vejita snapped on his gloves and looked at Kakarot with one eyebrow raised. Ready to fight, Kakarot?



Vejita sat and yanked on his boots. You didn't think we were just going to run away, did you?

Sire, you can't...

Vejita growled as he stood, advancing toward the young Saiyan. Kakarot stepped back one pace.

Every battle we survive makes us stronger, Kakarot. I can feel new strength, I can feel...I can FEEL... With clenched teeth and fists, Vejita roared and the power that burst from his body nearly overwhelmed the younger Saiyan. Rushing forward, the prince grabbed Kakarot by his shirt and hauled him toward him.

And you will tell me how you transform, Kakarot, he hissed, his breath warm on Kakarot's face.



With a snarl, Vejita shoved the man away and stalked out, jostling Nappa as he entered the room.

Nappa stared after Vejita's retreating form. Huh. What's up with him? The giant thrust some clothes into Kakarot's arms.

We're going to fight Frieza, Kakarot said. And I didn't think he should yet.

A slow grin crossed the big man's face. His moustache twitched. All RIGHT! he cried, and ran out to follow the prince, leaving Kakarot behind, blinking.

Kakarot stripped out of his clothes and pulled on the battle suit. The tight blue spandex fit like a second skin, the armor was light and strong. He pulled on the boots but shunned the gloves and then stared at his reflection in the door of the rejuve chamber.

I'm not a kid anymore, Nappa, he whispered to himself.

Of course you're not, Kakarot.

He wasn't startled by the old man's voice because he had seen his reflection as he silently entered the room.

Kakarot faced the man. Who are you? he said quietly.

The old man stroked his whiskers. Why don't you just call me Master for now.

Kakarot's eyebrows drew down and he growled low in his throat.

Just for now. It will all become clear later. But now isn't the time.

Kakarot clenched his fists. When will the time be right? he said, voice deadly quiet.

The old man smiled through the white whiskers. Soon. But for now, the prince is right.You must try to stop Frieza. He turned to walk out of the room. Maybe this time it will be different, he said so quietly that Kakarot didn't hear.

*****************

The ship came to a hovering stop and four men watched the screen bring Frieza's distant ship into focus.

Do you think he knows we're here? Kakarot asked.

Of course he does, Vejita snapped. He has all the time in the world. We're no threat to him. The prince grinned darkly, tail switching. Or so he thinks. Old man! Keep this ship at a safe distance from Frieza's ship. If we don't return... The prince looked from Nappa to Kakarot. If we don't return, then I suggest you find a safe haven somewhere else in the galaxy.

The prince wrapped his tail around his waist and entered the escape hatch, followed by his two Saiyan warriors. The door shut, the outer hatch opened and the three strongest Saiyans on the planet flew out to meet Frieza.

The old man watched grimly from the bridge — the proud prince, the strong, terrible giant and the young fighting genius. Could those three do it? He blew air out between pursed lips.

I hope so. I hope so.

***************

Three blazing ki trails streamed out behind the warriors, curling in on themselves as they rocketed toward Frieza's ship. Space seemed to warp around them, the stars were a blur. Kakarot felt his blood heat up with excitement. They were going to battle that monster Frieza! The prince, his bodyguard and...

Me! Rolling over, he nearly whooped with delight.

There was a flash of sun on metal and Frieza's ship was suddenly a dot in the distance. Vejita came to an explosive stop. He hung suspended in space, one knee bent, tail twitching violently, teeth and fists clenched.



Nappa and Kakarot were silent, watching him. Then, in a blur of motion, the prince wheeled on the young Saiyan, hooked his fist over his armor and hauled him forward.

The short lesson, Kakarot, he hissed. Vejita's fist knotted a hunk of Kakarot's uniform and he pulled him close. Their noses nearly touched. The prince could feel Kakarot's heart beating a tattoo against his fist.

How do you do it? What makes you go super Saiyan?

Kakarot's mouth went dry and he licked his lips. The prince's breath was warm on his face. The reality burst into Kakarot's mind — he knew what it was now. He had more power than the prince and had risen to a height no other Saiyan had. It was unbelievable! How could it be? But it was — the prince was jealous!

When...when I remember how they killed Fasha, he said quietly. When I felt... He stopped. Onyx eyes stared into ebony. When I felt your pain. When I knew they were torturing you.

Their lips were nearly touching. Kakarot's breathing became ragged. He blinked, eyes narrowing to focus.

The prince roared, grabbed a fistful of Kakarot's hair and yanked his head back.

What did you feel?! Pain? Anger? Hate?

The young Saiyan's head was bent back unnaturally, throat exposed. He swallowed, eyes drifting shut, whispering.

Vejita suddenly let go, shoving him hard. What the hell... Love?!

Kakarot reeled back, slamming to a stop in a fighting pose. Panting, growling, ready to fight, his eyes narrowed dangerously.

Grrr... yessss, LOVE! Love for the woman who raised me. And those bastards killed her! Grrr... Eyes flashed green momentarily, returned to black.

Vejita and Nappa stared silently. Energy crackled around Kakarot's body, blue streaks snaking into space. His voice was deadly quiet. Love for my prince. And they tried to kill you... His aura blazed red, energy split off, crackling, blazing in an inferno. The two warriors backed up.

Grrrr...arrrrr! LOVE for my home, Fasha, my father! All taken from me!

With a roar that shook the heavens, Kakarot's body blazed, THOOM! With a wrenching scream, he turned gold in an explosion of energy that blew Vejita's hair straight back and caused Nappa to throw up an instinctive block.

he shrieked and exploded into space.

KAKAROT!! NO! Vejita screamed. Shimatta! Catch him!!

Vejita was suddenly in front of the young Saiyan, who pulled up short and squared off. Nappa followed, but remained uncharacteristically silent, watching the exchange.

Get out of my way, Vejita, Kakarot snarled. The prince gasped.

It's rage, baka, not love that makes you transform!

Kakarot roared and the power coruscated around him. What the hell do you know of love?! You've never loved anyone in your life, have you? HAVE YOU? He sneered at the prince, chest heaving in anger. If it takes rage alone, then why haven't you transformed? Tell me that!

Vejita's mouth worked soundlessly, eyes blazing.

You don't know anything about it, Kakarot said quietly. You can't even imagine the kind of anguish I feel. You don't know what it is to love. To love and lose someone... to not be loved when... Kakarot stopped and stared, eyebrows drawing impossibly close. His eyes narrowed. The second passed.

One corner of the prince's mouth turned up briefly then turned down in a scowl as Kakarot flew forward with one fist clenched in front of his face.

Go ahead. Try it, Kakarot said as he threw a fake punch at the prince. Vejita dodged it, glaring dangerously.

Nappa yelled and began to rush the young Saiyan.

Heel, Nappa, Vejita snarled. I can handle this. His eyes never left Kakarot's smirking face.

You want to be a super Saiyan? Maybe if you get enough HATE in your heart, you can do it. You sure as hell'll never find love. Kakarot attacked in a blur of motion, punching the prince in the stomach, who doubled over with a grunt. Grabbing Vejita's body, Kakarot drove a knee into his gut and then elbowed him right below the hairline. Before Vejita could recover, the raging super Saiyan grabbed Vejita's hair and yanked his head back. He threw an arm around the prince's neck and squeezed.

Hate me yet? he hissed in the prince's ear. He put a knee in the middle of Vejita's back and tightened his grip, bending the prince backwards. Remember this? You did this to me once. He pressed harder into the prince's back. Do you want to kill the bastard who killed your father? That same freak who's going to blow up your planet?

Nappa yelled, clenching his fists.

Can it, the prince croaked, struggling.

C'mon, Vejita. Get real pissed, Kakarot whispered in the prince's ear. The muscles bulged as he tightened his grip even more, shutting off Vejita's oxygen.

Nappa roared and lunged for Kakarot, who calmly raised his free hand and shot a blast of energy that sent the giant somersaulting end over end.

You're out of your league, Nappa, Kakarot said quietly. This is between me and the prince. He smiled coldly. You're going to black out pretty soon, Vejita. Time to pour it on. C'mon. Do it for me. The sarcasm wasn't wasted on the Saiyan prince. His eyes rolled into his head and with a final gulp of air, he shrieked and burst free in a blaze of red energy.

Anger burned in the prince's eyes as his blazing ki pulsed, chest heaving taking in great gulps of air. Kakarot laughed. That's the way, prince. You think you got free by using your power? I let you go. You can't beat me. I'm unbeatable. Unless... The smile disappeared from Kakarot's face and with a shout he attacked. Kakarot pummeled the prince, kicking and punching, grabbing his hair, and swinging him in an arc that sent Vejita flying into Nappa. But the young Saiyan was relentless. He transmitted behind the two warriors and kicked out with both feet, sending the prince in one direction and Nappa in the other. Both men recovered and attacked, but Kakarot punched Nappa in the face while kicking Vejita in the gut. Using speed that whistled loudly in the still air, he lunged at Nappa, head-butting him, then circled around so fast that he seemed to disappear and grabbed Vejita's leg, whipping him around in another arc that sent the prince flying.

Vejita recovered and slammed to a stop, wiping blood from his face. His battle suit was torn at the knees; he was raging with anger.

You mad yet, prince? Kakarot called. Sensing Nappa coming up behind him, he raised his hand and back-fisted the giant, whose nose crumbled under the iron knuckles. Kakarot sighed. Give it up, Nappa. Haven't you figured out what I'm trying to do?

Blood spurting from his broken nose, Nappa pinched it shut. He cocked one eyebrow at the golden teen.

Just stay out of it. We don't have much time left. Kakarot tipped his head in the direction of Frieza's ship. It was so close now that they could see the multicolored lights rippling along the rim.

he groaned. He looked at Vejita who was trembling with rage and Kakarot who still hadn't taken his eyes off the prince. I get it... He backed off and nursed his nose.

We don't have the time, Kakarot mumbled and launched himself at Vejita. The young Saiyan transmitted all around Vejita, who gasped, turning one way and then another, unable to track his movements.



With whistling speed, Kakarot appeared in front of the prince, grinning. Vejita backed up and Kakarot disappeared again. The prince was still backing up when the golden Saiyan appeared behind him. Kakarot whispered, Here I am, and grabbed the prince's tail. Vejita melted in pain.

Nappa cried, watching the exchange.

Kakarot let go of Vejita's tail and the prince wheeled on the young man. How dare you! he spat. Kakarot disappeared again, reappeared behind the prince and grabbed his tail again, with the same result. He held on a little longer this time and then let go.

Vejita was panting. You son of a bitch, he growled, turning. Kakarot disappeared a third time and reappeared behind him, but this time, he grabbed Vejita around the neck and whipped him around so that he was facing Frieza's ship. The prince's eyes widened.

His lips brushed Vejita's ear as he whispered, He's here, prince. It's now or never.

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