Chapter 7: Jungle Run

Goku carefully laid the last of the dragonballs on the ground, grinning happily. Finally! He had spent the last two days running around looking for them and some had been particularly difficult to locate. His favorite four- star ball, for example, had been in the belly of a particularly mobile shark and it had taken him *ages* to track it down.

-----

When Goku brought up the issue of marriage, he had been surprised by Vegeta's response.

"This 'marriage ceremony' is an Earthling custom." The oujo sniffed. "I am the Saiyan no oujo, I will be Hunted in the traditional Saiyan mating ritual."

"Hunted?" Goku was visibly confused. Isn't that another name for courtship? What the hell has he been doing all the while?

"Typically, the mating ritual is held during a Jungle Run. Unlike the Earthling ceremony where a horde is invited, this is intensely private." Looking to the moonless night sky, Vegeta sighed softly. "The pair participates in a hunt for wild game at dusk. Usually the hunter should be the one to bring down the prey to show he can be a good provider. After sharing a light meal, the hunter gives the hunted a short head start before giving chase. When the hunter captures the hunted, the game still is not over; he has to defeat the other in a fight. Only then can he claim his prize." She turned to stare intensely at him now. " Since you have initiated the mating ritual by indicating your interest in me, you are the hunter."

A loaded pause.

Vegeta crossed her arms with a frown. "One reason why I was hesitant to your advances was because the hunter is typically the dominant partner in the relationship." A twitch in her eyebrow was the only outward sign of her tension in such an admission. The proud oujo *hated* not being in control.

Goku immediately hugged her reassuringly, knowing the cause of her distress. "We will be equals in our relationship." Vegeta stiffened in surprise, looking at him warily. "Is not the dominant position something any male desires?"

"I am not any male." Goku grinned confidently. "It is common in Earthling marriages for both partners to be equal."

-----

The wishes made, Shenlong faded and the dragonballs flew off. Goku twisted his neck to look curiously at his newly regenerated tail. A rich brown furry appendage with black markings waved behind him, seemingly with a mind of its own. Grinning in elation, he concentrated on Vegeta's ki.

Vegeta had been about to head to the Gravity Room to train when a searing pain shot up her spine. Gasping, she fell over heavily and lay groaning on the floor for a few minutes before struggling up. What the fuck? She growled in annoyance and she ran her hands down her spine frantically for the source of the mysterious pain. Her hands came to a halt at the base of her spine and she stiffened, stunned. Could it be?

A lushly furred tail snaked round her waist in a familiar movement. Vegeta purred with delight as she stroked the rich reddish brown fur and her face lit up with a stunning smile. Shimatta! She had missed her tail immensely and cursed the bakayaro who cut her beautiful tail off daily. Clutching the furry appendage lovingly, she rubbed the waving tip against her cheek.

Goku appeared at that point and stood transfixed by the sight. Vegeta looked at him, crowing in delight. "My tail came back! Did you do this?" She pounced on him like a cat, purring loudly.

Sitting astride the fallen Saiyan, the oujo nuzzled happily into his neck, her hands kneading his chiseled chest. The fallen warrior lay back, dazed. Wow.

"I've wished back the moon too. Tonight." Goku gasped out breathlessly.

Vegeta gave him a deep, searing kiss before looking into his eyes mischievously. "Well then, we'll have to rest." Her voice dropped to a throaty purr. "We have a busy night ahead." Her full lips curled naughtily, eyes glittering, promising.

Leaping to her feet, the nimble oujo bounded away. "'Geta! Waait..." Goku sighed.

-----

When Goku reached their bedroom, Vegeta was already curled up and asleep on their new bed. She had moved in right after her decision. Friends had been slightly surprised but the passionate oujo did nothing in half-measures. Goku smiled warmly as he remembered her heated and crafty defense against his ex-wife. What a woman! It was hard to believe how much his life had changed in the past week since she moved into his life and heart.

As the late afternoon sun cast slanted rays of light into their bedroom, Vegeta yawned and blinked sleepily. What was she doing asleep in the afternoon? Oh yeah.... She turned over and propping herself on her forearms, tickled her soon-to-be mate on the nose with the tip of her tail. Goku wrinkled his nose and tried to flip over but Vegeta would have none of that. She pounced on him and started bouncing violently. "Wake up baka!" Goku yelled in alarm and thrashed wildly, throwing both off the bed in a tangle of sheets and limbs.

"BAKA!" Spitting and hissing, Vegeta pulled herself free, her tail lashing through the air angrily.

"Gomen!" Goku rubbed half-lidded eyes blearily. "But you shouldn't have woken me up that way..." He grinned at the sight. "Do you know you look like an angry cat, 'Geta?"

"I do not!" Vegeta huffed, nose in air and tail puffed indignantly.

"Meow!"

Vegeta was extremely tempted to cuff him on the head but held her temper. "C'mon, let's go. We still have to drop Gohan off at Bulma's."

-----

Bulma stared at the Saiyan pair curiously as she held Gohan's hand. "You want me to watch Gohan for the night while you two ... hunt?"

Vegeta was dressed in her a deep purple spandex outfit while Goku was wearing his usual orange and blue gi.

Vegeta shook her head impatiently. "Not just that. It's a Saiyan thing."

"Nani?"

Vegeta only gave an enigmatic smile before grasping Goku's hand and IT-ing off. Bulma clicked her tongue in irritation. "She never explains anything!" Gohan looked up at her. "Did you know 'tousan and 'kaasan got their tails back?" Bulma widened her eyes, visions of rampaging oozarus coming to mind before she remembered with relief that Piccolo had destroyed the moon some time back.

-----

A swift kick to the boar's head sent it crashing into a nearby boulder and the soon-to-be dinner gave a final convulsing twitch as the two Saiyans strode over. "Neatly done." Vegeta noted approvingly. Goku was about to gather wood for a fire when she laid a small hand on his arm. "There is no need."

Slicing deftly with her ki, Vegeta handed a bloody hunk of meat to her wide- eyed companion. Goku was initially a little repulsed but strangely found the metallic scent of the blood compelling. Accepting the meat, he bit hesitantly. The blood flowed thickly over his tongue, arousing his senses and he soon found himself tearing hungrily into the remaining raw flesh.

"Good ne?" Vegeta gave a rich chuckle as she bit neatly into her own portion. "Saiyans have more ... robust appetites then the delicate humans. We find blood heady, stimulating."

They ate in companionable silence as the setting sun dropped below the horizon, gazing at each other. The sky darkened from a rich orange and ember to purple but they took no heed. As the moon rose, both Saiyans could feel a stirring in their blood. Nostrils flared as senses heightened in sensitivity. Though it was now almost fully dark, they could see as clearly as if it were day. A cool breeze blew, wafting numerous scents.

Goku breathed deeply. He had never felt so alive. It was almost like getting high on alcohol - the heady, lightheaded feeling - but without the dulling effects. His body tingled and he felt ready to take on anything. As the moon rose further, drenching the landscape in its pale light, his blood felt hotter and the gentle Earth-raised Saiyan never felt so wild and savage. Goku started to tremble slightly in anticipation, but of what? Looking at the dark princess in front of him, he could see the same changes overcoming her though she was not as badly affected.

"Easy...remember the meditative techniques I taught you before we left?" The oujo was finding it difficult to remain calm herself as the familiar, exhilarating feeling washed over her. "Breathe...focus...focus..." Her onyx eyes glittered darkly and her tail lashed agitatedly behind her.

Goku closed his eyes as he tried to center himself. However, the pale moonlight was affecting him badly and he gave a low growl as his muscles started to bulge. Vegeta started in alarm as she saw dark fur sprouting. Reaching out with her mind, she clamped down firmly on his impulses. Tense minutes went by as Goku struggled with foreign urges, Vegeta a comforting, guiding presence in his mind. Finally, he managed to calm down sufficiently and he opened his eyes with relief to note that his skin was no longer furry.

"I didn't know you can do that."

"I am royalty. Stronger telepathic abilities were bred into my line long ago." Vegeta gave a feral grin. Slinking sensually up to him, she gave him a playful nip before bounding off.

Goku stood there stunned for a while, then his instincts took over, and growling in response to the challenge, loped after her.

Vegeta ran through the darkened forest, occasionally leaping up into the trees. She weaved easily through the broad branches, her tail providing not only a counterbalance to her movements but an additional limb as she leapt through the foliage, as nimble as the simians the Saiyans resemble. Goku was not as used to his tail since he had lost it a long time ago and she laughed wickedly as she heard him stumbling and crashing noisily a few times.

She crouched hidden on a branch until he was just under her, then she jumped down behind him. "You've got to try much harder than that to catch me..." She smirked and pinched him on his butt before fading back into the shadows. Goku spun around, snarling in irritation. He could smell her spicy sweet scent hanging in the air like a beacon but she was too fast and agile for him.

The pair had been running for hours it seems; time seem to stand still and their whole world narrowed down to just running. Hunting and being hunted. Vegeta leapt up higher onto the thinner branches, where the larger and heavier Saiyan would be hard pressed to follow. The slender Saiyan sat on her haunches as she looked down, panting slightly. She may be more faster but he has more stamina and he was starting to wear her out. Through the gloomy, speckled darkness, she could see a pair of glittering eyes.

Lips curled up in a confident smirk, revealing sharp canines, Goku leapt upwards. Unfortunately, the branches higher up were too thin to support his weight and he crashed back down. Snarling in frustration, he need not look up again to know that she was gone, her mocking laughter echoing in the cool forest air.