AN: The B/V relationship will start to progress in these next few chapters. Just thought I'd let you know. [By the way, Polka Dot, you bring up a very good point. Yes, five years IS a "massive time jump", and I first had considered filling it in. I didn't, though, because the fillers would just be mini-adventures, like in the real Dragonball. I also considered not having time jump at all, but with what's happening I need the characters to be fairly mature. So, there's the pathetic explanation of my laziness. -_-]
Disclaimer: Refer to previous chapters…oh, and see if you can spot the phrase that was in a Star Wars movie. (The later trilogy; not episodes I and II.)
Though Thick and Thin
Chapter Eighteen: You Just Don't See
Goku stared defiantly at Vejita, waiting for his question to be answered. The prince hadn't been giving him straight answers; except for the fact that Vejita forced Goku's history upon the kind warrior- not waiting nor having the patience for subtleties. Vejita looed stonily back- almost lazily, an observer might add. Taking his time to answer this particular question, Vejita's eyes noticeably flicked from Goku to the rest of the "group". His eyes passed over Kuririn and Muten Roshi carelessly, but when he gazed upon Chi-Chi, Goku saw a flicker of interest. Surprising himself, Goku growled softly, the vibrations coming from deep inside his throat. Vejita's attention was brought back to "Kakarott", and Vejita smirked.
"Hmm," Vejita chuckled, amused. "Most peculiar…yet strangely fitting, I might add. Quite."
Goku struggled to stop the growl, and blinked as it abruptly transformed into a purr as Chi-Chi touched his arm lightly for comfort.
"It's okay," she whispered so that only he was supposed to hear. Supposed.
Vejita's smirk returned. "Ah, the irony," he murmured. Buruma, who had been watching the exchanges between Vejita and Goku, glanced inquisitively at Vejita. Having felt that someone was looking at him, Vejita turned his head and stared at Buruma, raising a single brow as if to challenge her. She quickly looked away, a slight blush staining her cheeks. Vejita scowled; what was that woman trying to do? "Understand" him, or some other Chikyuu-jin crap? Vejita stared at her, and this time the situation was reversed- she looked, scowled, and turned away. Needless to say, Vejita didn't blush. He just furrowed his brow silently, making a mental note to figure this woman out. "Understand" her.
'Ha, not such "Chikyuu-jin crap" now, is it, Vejita?' He pushed his subconscious thoughts away, and re-refocused his attention on Goku. Apparently, no one had noticed his and…that woman's…silent exchange.
"V-Vejita?" Goku voice brought Vejita back to earth as he stared at him.
"What?" Vejita said, starting to get more than a bit annoyed- though his annoyance might've been directed at himself, too.
"Er- you never answered my question."
Vejita's brow furrowed. "And what question was that? …Oh, never mind. I…" Vejita shook his head. "The reason I came here, correct?" Goku just laughed a bit, seeming to suddenly have gotten over his timidity with Vejita.
"Yup. Y' know-" At that point Vejita snapped at Goku to "shut the hell up", so Goku did just that.
"I came to gain an ally." Goku just blinked, and Buruma rolled her eyes while the three others looked on dutifully, Chi-Chi still standing beside Goku.
"Honestly," she muttered. "He came to get your help, Goku. Though," and Buruma shot a glare at the prince, "he would never admit it."
Buruma was a bit surprised at herself; she was never exactly a judge on character. Her ex-boyfriend, Yamucha, taught her that lesson well. But somehow, she felt as if she knew this Vejita- knew him as no other person did. That she could understand him. She heart fluttered, how romantic! She stole a glance at the arrogant Saiya-jin, and her thoughts were dashed by the glare he was giving her.
'Well, his social skills could certainly use some refining…' Buruma huffed.
"Who says? I do need your help, Kakarott, but I'm not pathetic like that woman makes me out to be." Vejita said as he rolled his eyes. "Have you ever heard of Frieza?"
"Erm…does it have to do with food? Y'know, like those refreberaters…"
Vejita scowled. "Refrigerators, you idiot. But, no, Frieza is not a food, or an object to store food within…though it would be rather amusing," Vejita muttered under his breath. "Frieza is considered the most dangerous being in the universe. He has committed numerous violent acts; the worst being mass genocide…which has, by the way, been committed a myriad of times and counting…"
"Holy shit." Vejita's sensitive ears easily picked up the curse that was mumbled by the blue-haired woman. He hid his smirk.
"Frieza enslaves all those strong enough to become warriors- if they resist, he kills them." Vejita shrugged. 'Though I'm still not completely sure about the validity of calling that monster a 'he'.'
"So…what does this have do you with you and me?" Goku scrunched his nose.
"You and I, baka." [AN: Just think…Vejita giving a grammar lesson! Now that's strange.] Goku just blinked and nodded blankly. "…I'm getting to that." Vejita held up his arm, and Goku, Buruma, Chi-Chi, and Kuririn observed the small tattoo-like mark branded upon it. It was some sort of symbol; no one could quite make out what it was or what it stood for. Seeing their looks of confusion, he added, "Freiza gives all his slaves a mark like this; to identify them." Vejita scowled, and continued. "Yes, I am a slave of Frieza; or at least was. But-" –and Vejita grinned sadistically- "that's all going to change…you see, I want your help in defeating that monster."
Goku just blinked (again).
"I cannot do it myself; there are too many guards and such…cowards," he spat out. Then he grinned wryly. "But, with the help of another of my race- one of the thirs class, but still a Saiya-jin- and myself, Prince Vejita," Goku made a "hm" noise, and Buruma raised her eyebrows whilst flattening her skirt; seeming nonchalant about it all. Really, her mind was buzzing with thoughts and a tint of confusion- but she wasn't going to give Vejita the pleasure of knowing that. Never. "We shall overthrow Frieza and the Saiya-jins shall once more be known as the greatest warriors in the universe! …Well, I suppose they would have to be half-Saiya-jins." Vejita looked a bit ill at the very thought. 'Damn it, why couldn't a female Saiya-jin survive? Weaklings…'
At this, Buruma looked pensive and sighed softly; Chi-Chi furrowed her brow and looked over at Goku; Kuririn opened his mouth to speak, but then decided against it because Goku spoke for him. (Muten Roshi just blinked and frowned, then looked thoughtful and nodded approvingly at Vejita's hair. Kuririn, who was the only one that caught the nods, rolled his eyes. 'Ha! Being bald is better than having that sort of hair.')
"Okay. I'll help you." 'It is, after all, the right thing to do,' thought Goku. He spoke aloud again. "But I will not take part in starting a new empire of- er, Saiya-jins?" The word rolled off his tongue uncomfortably. Vejita snorted.
"Fine, Kakarott. I'll get you to see reason another time. Meanwhile…take me to a location fit for my training needs."
~
Vejita snorted as he looked at Capsule Corporation. "This is where I'll be training?"
Buruma huffed. "I'll make you a gravity chamber. Goku trained-" Vejita informed her that he didn't care where "Kakarott" trained…rather rudely, actually. (But what's to expect?)
"Well, Prince, it would do you some good to take a few leafs out of Goku's book sometime."
Vejita stared. Who did she think she was? "Excuse me, Princess," He said in the same mocking tone, "But I don't think you're in any position to tell me what to do."
Buruma threw up her arms in exasperation. "You don't get it, do you?! Vejita, you just don't see!"
"See what." It wasn't even a question; it was like a demand. Buruma didn't even hear.
"And the others…I don't know! They…they…" she sighed angrily and stalked off.
Vejita just stared. "What the…?"
AN: Well, this chapter was rather hard to write, for some odd reason. But- I'm starting to further and further into the story! Next time, a heartfelt [yeah, right] discussion between Vejita and Buruma- Vejita, of course, being a rather unwilling participant.
--hazelwand