(AN: Hiya folks! I'm terribly sorry about the delay. Life's been hell.
First my comp dies on me and makes me lose this entire fic, then one of my
brother's best friends dies in an accident, and then I got into sophomore
year and found myself in an extremely tough AP class. Well, I'm back to
writing Watashi, and I hope my loyal reviewers won't be too pissed at me!
*meekly offers Mirai and Vegeta as a sacrifice*
~Annclaire)
Chapter Twenty-One: Shut Up Is Not One Word
Vegeta rolled his eyes and smacked the taller Saiya-jinn on the side of his head, with a harsh, "Get /off/ me, Kakarrot!"
Ignoring the blow, Goku merely crushed him tighter to his chest, beaming happily and bouncing a little on his heels. "You're back, you're back!" was his repeated squeal, and even Goten hung his head at his father's antics. Well, tried to hang his head anyway. Meanwhile, Trunks's feet had given out from under him, and he was sitting on the ground, gazing in a mixture of wonder and disbelief at his father.
"Yes, I'm back. Get over it," the Prince of the Saiya-jinn snapped, squirming free of the other man's grip. "We have more important matters to attend to.." His dark eyes glanced almost casually towards Automa and Hanic, who were both looking thunderstruck.
"Shit, but By-" Vegeta's unforgiving words cut the female of the two androids off, his eyes like two pools of black ice.
"Whatever /he/ said to you both are all lies. That bastard will never know what he's up against until he's dead." He fixed his glittering gaze onto Hanic, who, to the surprise of the onlookers, obviously gulped. "Now, was I incorrect that I saw /you/ attempting to snap the neck of /my/ son?"
"That was him!" Goten piped up from where he was still being held by his ebony locks by Automa, and earned an almost bored look from the Prince before a sudden blast blinded them all.
A shriek then deafened them, and suddenly the younger son of Goku was free from restraint, immediately crawling in Trunks's direction.
When everyone could see again, Automa was standing stock-still, gazing at the place where her humanlike hand had, only moments ago, been gripping a Saiya-jinn's tendrils. Vegeta's blast had taken her hand clean off, without any damage to Goten's messy mane.
Even as the female android fell to her knees with a shocked sound of pain, Vegeta turned back towards Hanic. "Now, as I was saying."
"Guess I'll have to hear it later but our dearest acquaintance who we both know and admire is calling," Hanic interrupted, and, sidestepping Trunks and Goten, who were both still on the ground, grabbed Automa by her good arm, and, as Automa had done while escaping Pan's wrath, they both disappeared.
"Your mom really needs to learn how to get those androids to stop doing that," Goten grumbled to his best friend as he attempted to help his companion to his feet.
Despite his weakness, Trunks rolled his eyes and even managed sarcasm. "Oh yes, Goten, I'll mention that to her in the next meeting of Figure Out How to Screw Over the Androids."
"Right, the FOWSOA meeting.... Wait, wait a second.." Trunks snickered as Goten mock-glared at him. "Shut up! Just shut up! I figured it out before a slap, didn't I?"
"Just barely," the lavender-haired man replied before weakly smacking his friend on the shoulder as they both stood, leaning against each other for support.
"You know, I feel like I should have said ouch or something, but that really didn't hurt, so I can't."
"Shut up."
"Is that like the most used word in the dictionary or something?"
"Goten.shut up is not one word.."
"I knew that-" Goten halted in mid-sentence when he realized that that weak voice had come from the rubble that Gohan and Krillin were stuck under. "Shit, Gohan, are you okay?"
"Just get this all off us.and we both will be," came the equally weak voice of Krillin. "And I'm fine too, thanks for asking."
Trunks and Goten glanced at each other before starting over to the rubble where Gohan and Krillin were half-buried.
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The two friends glared at each other.
"So.neither of us like the guy that the other thinks we liked, agreed?" Bra commented at least, making Pan blink.
"What?"
"I don't like Goten, and you don't like Trunks." Bra's tone of voice betrayed the fact that she was trying to be patient with her friend.
"Oh, right! Exactly." Pan frowned as Bra rolled her eyes.
"You've been hanging out with Goten for far too long. His stupidity is infectious."
"Hey! I am not being stupid!"
"Fine, you're a ditz then!"
"F-no I'm not!"
"Good Kami.." Another roll of the blue-haired girl's eyes, and the two were back to bickering.
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Goku immediately tackled Vegeta again, hugging him as hard as the Saiya-jinn could.
"Bulma is going to be so happy!" he fairly yelled, his beam stretched from ear to ear.
"Damn it, Kakarrot, get off! In case you haven't noticed, your younger brat and my son are trying to get a building off your older brat and the monk," the prince drawled, attempting to shove Goku away to no avail.
The taller Saiya-jinn blinked and released him, looking over to see Trunks and Goten attempting to do exactly that. "Oh, right. Let's go help them!" Without further ado, the Saiya-jinn scurried over. It was only Vegeta who noticed the way Goku's entire frame was shaking with exertion even before he began to help the two young men with the building.
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To the surprise of all the Nameks, Mirai threw back his head and roared with laughter that held both delight and relief in the sound. "I knew he couldn't be dead! There's no way in hell some android was going to kill my father!"
Some of the younger Nameks laughed with him, although their dark eyes watched him curiously, wondering why he was so excited.
Ignoring the looks, the swordsman continued to laugh, blue eyes lifted towards the sky. Things were definitely taking a turn for the better.
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Dende breathed an audible sigh of relief as he felt the battle end, and opened his eyes to see Jurokugou watching him anxiously.
"Is Juunanagou all right?"
"He's hurt, but he'll live," the small god assured him, to which the red-haired android only gave a relieved smile, his bright blue eyes shadowed with anxiety.
Without a word, Jurokugou began a hasty jog in the direction of the place where five Saiya-jinn, one android, and one human were.
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Meanwhile, Rayne slipped into her long awaited bath, sighing in relief as the hot water assuaged the pain from her bruises. With a start, she realized she had seen Goku, Goten, Gohan, and Trunks, but not the two female Saiya-jinn or Mirai.
A frown flickered on her lips as she decided to ask Goku the next time she saw him. Right now, she was going to relax and enjoy the bubbles..
With a content sigh, Rayne sunk into the bubble bath, her eyes closing as she relished the serenity of the moment.
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"Thanks," Krillin wheezed as the building was destroyed by a casual flick of Vegeta's wrist. He sat up, wincing, as Gohan followed suit. The former monk blinked and at last did a double-take. "V-Vegeta?"
The Saiya-jinn in question snorted and ignored the incredulous look before glancing around. Only then did a hint of concern flicker across his weathered face. "Well, where's Bra?"
"She and Pan are in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. They'll be out by tomorrow," Goku explained breathlessly, just before the Saiya-jinn mumbled something inaudible and began to slump to the ground, his face suddenly stark white.
"Kakarrot, what the hell is wrong with you?" Even as he snapped at his fellow Saiya-jinn, Vegeta grabbed Goku's shoulder and kept him from crumpling to the ground.
"Dad!" Gohan scurried forward and offered his father a supporting arm even as he winced at the soreness of his own frame. "Are you okay?"
Goku's eyes were vacant for the moment as his visage shifted from pale to a grayish hue before he took a shuddering breath and steadied himself. "I guess it's not very smart to fight twice in a couple hours after you've been in a coma for five years," he acknowledged with a lopsided grin, leaning heavily on Gohan. "I just need a nap, I think."
"You were in a coma for five years?" Now that Gohan was there to support the taller Saiya-jinn, Vegeta stepped away from him, a scowl marring his face. "That would explain why you didn't go Super Saiya-jinn for such a long time."
Even as Goku began to explain what had happened to him, Trunks studied his father's appearance. Vegeta, Prince of the Saiya-jinn, hadn't changed much in the past twenty years, save the lines on his face that suggested decades of fierce scowls. His ebony locks pointed skyward, as always, but there was a slight droop to several tresses, as if too weary to point totally aloft. No white hair yet betrayed the Prince, but somehow Trunks had the feeling that it was only his father's fierce will that kept his hair from telling his age to the world. His clothes were ragged and filthy, unmanaged and probably the same clothes he had been wearing when he had vanished so many years before.
Any further observations were paused when Vegeta's figure blurred. Tears had sprung to the eyes of Bulma's son, but he didn't dare let the tears spill from his eyes as he folded his arms against his chest and spoke to his father for the first time in twenty years, once Goku finally fell silent. "Do you know how much Mom is gonna bawl when she sees you, Father?" His voice shook only a little, but he managed a slight smirk, one to make his father proud.
Vegeta raised an eyebrow and smirked in response. "Of course. The woman always does cry at the stupidest possible moments. Hopefully she'll see this-" He motioned towards his tattered clothes, "-and start to scold me about my outfit until she's wept too much."
Trunks winced briefly, a ghostly echo of his mother's scolding filling his ears as he considered what his mother would say upon seeing the state of her husband's clothing.
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Bra glared at the invisible barrier, her frustration obvious in her flushed face as she decided to have words with Goku once she got out of this stupid place. How the hell was she supposed to get stronger if she couldn't fight against Pan?
Grumbling to herself, the blue-haired girl turned and flew off in the direction opposite of the fake Kami's Lookout, ignoring Pan's surprised shouts for her to stop. Maybe, out in the eerie blankness, she could find something to fight.
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Mirai finally managed to stop laughing and smiled at the people of Namek. "I'm sorry, it's just that everything has been so horrible, and to learn that he's alive is incredible!" he explained, the smile staying fixed on his face.
It was really too bad that he was on Namek and not around Bulma to see the expression on her face when Vegeta strolled into the remains of Capsule Corporation.
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"Juun!" The concerned call made several of the Saiya-jinn's heads turn to see Jurokugou actually running to his friend's side, a look of concern on the giant's face as he placed a supporting hand on the forgotten android. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Juunanagou mumbled, having sat there watching the group, forgotten and rather glad of it. He wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his lips and forced a composed smirk upon his face as he attempted to reassure the redhead that he was all right. "Just a bit banged up."
In a seemingly effortless motion, Jurokugou pulled the brunet to his feet and wrapped a supporting arm around the smaller man. "Well, Bulma will have to check to see if you've injured anything mechanical."
"Wonderful," was remarked in a dry tone as Juunanagou ignored the rest of the group, leaning lightly against the other android.
Goku, who was still leaning against Gohan, smiled as Dende appeared in their vision soon after the scene, the Namek slightly out of breath. "Let's get back to the sanctuary." He still looked tired, but less pale than earlier.
"Sounds like a marvelous plan to me," Juunanagou muttered sardonically, but everyone ignored him. Well, except Krillin, who shot an annoyed glare at him, but that was expected.
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"Bra!" Pan yelled in frustration, but her best friend had been lost to the eerie whiteness. The part Saiya-jinn shivered as she realized she was alone in this very creepy place, and couldn't help but mumble unhappily, "Thanks a lot, Bra.."
Fiddling with her orange handkerchief, the daughter of Gohan stalked in the direction of Kami's Lookout. Maybe she'd find something to train against there.
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"Mirai!" Bulma yelled in frustration, ignoring the looks Marron and Kun were giving her. "You stupid bastard!" She continued to yell at the microphone as the blonde and the Chinese young man carefully backed away.
"I think I need some coffee," murmured Marron to Kun. "Want to come with me?"
An eager nod affirmed that sentiment, and the two quickly disappeared from the room, leaving Bulma still cursing out the lavender-haired swordsman who had taken her teleportation ship.
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"Dad, where have you been?" Trunks murmured once the others were preoccupied with chatting amongst themselves as they began the march back to the sanctuary.
A small frown formed on the Prince's lips, and he shook his head. "I'll tell you, Bra, and Bulma at the same time," the dark-eyed man declared, earning a despairing groan from his son.
"But Bra won't be out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber until tomorrow, and then I have to go in!"
"Come on, brat, didn't Bulma teach you any patience?" growled Vegeta, but there was a decidedly wicked smirk on his face as he tormented his son, who simply groaned once more.
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Krillin limped alongside his fellow warriors, not meeting anyone's eyes. He had been completely useless during the battle, and the failure ate away at the little pride he had left. Was he going to end up as the comic relief that hung out in the background and cheered the Saiya-jinn on?
Tears of disappointment filled his eyes, seemingly unnoticed by the group. He had been a failure in the past, unable to save the woman he loved, and now he wasn't any better to Goku than another useless bystander.
"Krillin?" The soft call turned the aged monk's head to find Dende's dark eyes gleaming with sympathy. "Could you walk with me? We folks of the shorter persuasion need to stick together."
"Sure," the former monk agreed, summoning a smile from somewhere within him as he slowed his hobbling walk down so that he and Dende were at the same pace.
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Bra was totally lost. This, she decided, was a bad thing as her blue eyes flickered around the annoying whiteness.
"Pan!" No answering call met her ears, and the half Saiya-jinn growled, clenching her fists as she glanced around once more. Well, she might as well do some exercises. Without further ado, she began to do jumping jacks, humming a tune to herself as she did the warm-ups.
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"Juun?" Bright blue eyes met identical eyes as the android glanced up at his best friend. A moment of vulnerability revealed that Juunanagou had been injured far more seriously than he had let on. His sarcastic smirk was gone, replaced by a tired look of pain.
"What is it?" Another trickle of blood escaped his mouth, and he coughed quietly, earning another troubled look.
"You're not all right. I'm getting you to Bulma right away," stated the gentle giant, and before the other android could protest, Jurokugou scooped him into his arms and began a quick-paced march in the direction of the sanctuary.
Juunanagou opened his mouth to protest, but coughed instead, letting his eyes slide shut as he wondered when he had grown so weak that the android bitch had been able to take him down so easily.
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Goten trotted to the left of the group, one hand pressed to his bleeding cheek as the other rubbed the back of his neck. He really wished his cheek would stop bleeding. It was really annoying.
Sighing as warm blood seeped from between his fingers, he slowed his trot down so that he could chat with his brother and his father. Maybe they'd have something interesting to say.
"You may have to get stitches for that," commented Gohan, his dark eyes quickly taking in the gash as his younger brother made a face.
"They're not sticking a needle in me, thank you very much."
"A needle?" Goku's horrified yell made both of his sons jump. "Where?" His frantic eyes flickered around in search of his most feared enemy as both Gohan and Goten groaned.
"Oh lovely, it's the same stupid Kakarrot," they heard Vegeta grumble, followed by Trunks' soft snicker.
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Mirai blinked, finally remembering why he was standing in front of the Nameks.
"Oh, right. Sorry, but Goku needs a favor, in case you can't guess why I've come," he stated, offering them all a sheepish smile. "Would it be all right if in a couple days we use your Dragon Balls?"
The assembled blinked, and the oldest Namek at last smiled. "Certainly. But, why don't you want to use it right now?"
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"How are you doing, old friend?" Dende asked, smiling gently at the former monk and noting how time and hardships had aged him.
"Old indeed. I'm just an old fool. A useless, doddering fool," stated Krillin with a sigh. "I was useless during the fight, and my own grandchildren treat me like a stranger."
"Well, you are a stranger to them," the Kami interjected mildly, walking at an unhurried, sedate pace. His tiny green hands were lost in the folds of his clothing, but his eyes were filled with the same empathy they always had. "It may take some time, but they'll warm up to you."
But Krillin wasn't listening, and his eyes were distant, reliving an old memory. A wistful smile toyed with the former monk's lips, and he murmured softly, almost to himself, "I wonder if Goku's ever felt as weary as I do now. I wonder if he's simply wanted to close his eyes and let his spirit take him back to the woman he loves."
"Krillin, please." Dende's voice was pained, but Krillin was too far gone to hear the agony in his friend's voice, his dark eyes blank as they gazed at a sight long ago lost.
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Rayne let the warmth soak into her flesh, healing the aches and pains as she closed her eyes and half fell asleep, a slight smile toying with her lips. Maybe she'd be able to cajole Mirai into letting her taste some of his drink.
Her eyes flew open as she realized something. She hadn't seen Mirai in a long time. Where on earth was the 'old man'? She wanted to be up to some hoodlum mischief to torment him with the next time she saw him.
Another thing to ask Goku about, she supposed, letting herself relax back into the bubble bath. After all, she couldn't let his absence deter her from a perfectly enjoyable bath.
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"Dad, there's no needle. Goten was just complaining because that's what the doctors will use to stitch the cut on his face," Gohan explained, restraining a sigh as the horrorstruck look gradually vanished from his father's face.
A goofy grin replaced the terrified look, and Goku looked relieved. "So no needle?"
"No needle," his sons chorused.
"Good," the Saiya-jinn replied, grinning the same silly smile as he turned his eyes in the direction of home. If there was a weary glimmer to his eyes, neither son noticed it.
However, Goku planned to have a nice, long talk with Krillin once they got back to Capsule Corporation.
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Trunks glanced at his father, once more taking in the altercations of the Saiya-jinn's appearance. Through his ragged clothing, the half Saiya- jinn could spot silver scars on his chest and arms, many that had not been on his frame twenty years ago.
Where had his father been all these years? The half Saiya-jinn's curiosity was killing him, but he didn't dare ask his father after Vegeta had already told him when he would give the answers.
So Trunks continued to walk beside his father, without a clue. Biting back a sigh, the lavender-haired man wondered what Bra was doing at the moment.
- TBC -
*meekly offers Mirai and Vegeta as a sacrifice*
~Annclaire)
Chapter Twenty-One: Shut Up Is Not One Word
Vegeta rolled his eyes and smacked the taller Saiya-jinn on the side of his head, with a harsh, "Get /off/ me, Kakarrot!"
Ignoring the blow, Goku merely crushed him tighter to his chest, beaming happily and bouncing a little on his heels. "You're back, you're back!" was his repeated squeal, and even Goten hung his head at his father's antics. Well, tried to hang his head anyway. Meanwhile, Trunks's feet had given out from under him, and he was sitting on the ground, gazing in a mixture of wonder and disbelief at his father.
"Yes, I'm back. Get over it," the Prince of the Saiya-jinn snapped, squirming free of the other man's grip. "We have more important matters to attend to.." His dark eyes glanced almost casually towards Automa and Hanic, who were both looking thunderstruck.
"Shit, but By-" Vegeta's unforgiving words cut the female of the two androids off, his eyes like two pools of black ice.
"Whatever /he/ said to you both are all lies. That bastard will never know what he's up against until he's dead." He fixed his glittering gaze onto Hanic, who, to the surprise of the onlookers, obviously gulped. "Now, was I incorrect that I saw /you/ attempting to snap the neck of /my/ son?"
"That was him!" Goten piped up from where he was still being held by his ebony locks by Automa, and earned an almost bored look from the Prince before a sudden blast blinded them all.
A shriek then deafened them, and suddenly the younger son of Goku was free from restraint, immediately crawling in Trunks's direction.
When everyone could see again, Automa was standing stock-still, gazing at the place where her humanlike hand had, only moments ago, been gripping a Saiya-jinn's tendrils. Vegeta's blast had taken her hand clean off, without any damage to Goten's messy mane.
Even as the female android fell to her knees with a shocked sound of pain, Vegeta turned back towards Hanic. "Now, as I was saying."
"Guess I'll have to hear it later but our dearest acquaintance who we both know and admire is calling," Hanic interrupted, and, sidestepping Trunks and Goten, who were both still on the ground, grabbed Automa by her good arm, and, as Automa had done while escaping Pan's wrath, they both disappeared.
"Your mom really needs to learn how to get those androids to stop doing that," Goten grumbled to his best friend as he attempted to help his companion to his feet.
Despite his weakness, Trunks rolled his eyes and even managed sarcasm. "Oh yes, Goten, I'll mention that to her in the next meeting of Figure Out How to Screw Over the Androids."
"Right, the FOWSOA meeting.... Wait, wait a second.." Trunks snickered as Goten mock-glared at him. "Shut up! Just shut up! I figured it out before a slap, didn't I?"
"Just barely," the lavender-haired man replied before weakly smacking his friend on the shoulder as they both stood, leaning against each other for support.
"You know, I feel like I should have said ouch or something, but that really didn't hurt, so I can't."
"Shut up."
"Is that like the most used word in the dictionary or something?"
"Goten.shut up is not one word.."
"I knew that-" Goten halted in mid-sentence when he realized that that weak voice had come from the rubble that Gohan and Krillin were stuck under. "Shit, Gohan, are you okay?"
"Just get this all off us.and we both will be," came the equally weak voice of Krillin. "And I'm fine too, thanks for asking."
Trunks and Goten glanced at each other before starting over to the rubble where Gohan and Krillin were half-buried.
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The two friends glared at each other.
"So.neither of us like the guy that the other thinks we liked, agreed?" Bra commented at least, making Pan blink.
"What?"
"I don't like Goten, and you don't like Trunks." Bra's tone of voice betrayed the fact that she was trying to be patient with her friend.
"Oh, right! Exactly." Pan frowned as Bra rolled her eyes.
"You've been hanging out with Goten for far too long. His stupidity is infectious."
"Hey! I am not being stupid!"
"Fine, you're a ditz then!"
"F-no I'm not!"
"Good Kami.." Another roll of the blue-haired girl's eyes, and the two were back to bickering.
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Goku immediately tackled Vegeta again, hugging him as hard as the Saiya-jinn could.
"Bulma is going to be so happy!" he fairly yelled, his beam stretched from ear to ear.
"Damn it, Kakarrot, get off! In case you haven't noticed, your younger brat and my son are trying to get a building off your older brat and the monk," the prince drawled, attempting to shove Goku away to no avail.
The taller Saiya-jinn blinked and released him, looking over to see Trunks and Goten attempting to do exactly that. "Oh, right. Let's go help them!" Without further ado, the Saiya-jinn scurried over. It was only Vegeta who noticed the way Goku's entire frame was shaking with exertion even before he began to help the two young men with the building.
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To the surprise of all the Nameks, Mirai threw back his head and roared with laughter that held both delight and relief in the sound. "I knew he couldn't be dead! There's no way in hell some android was going to kill my father!"
Some of the younger Nameks laughed with him, although their dark eyes watched him curiously, wondering why he was so excited.
Ignoring the looks, the swordsman continued to laugh, blue eyes lifted towards the sky. Things were definitely taking a turn for the better.
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Dende breathed an audible sigh of relief as he felt the battle end, and opened his eyes to see Jurokugou watching him anxiously.
"Is Juunanagou all right?"
"He's hurt, but he'll live," the small god assured him, to which the red-haired android only gave a relieved smile, his bright blue eyes shadowed with anxiety.
Without a word, Jurokugou began a hasty jog in the direction of the place where five Saiya-jinn, one android, and one human were.
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Meanwhile, Rayne slipped into her long awaited bath, sighing in relief as the hot water assuaged the pain from her bruises. With a start, she realized she had seen Goku, Goten, Gohan, and Trunks, but not the two female Saiya-jinn or Mirai.
A frown flickered on her lips as she decided to ask Goku the next time she saw him. Right now, she was going to relax and enjoy the bubbles..
With a content sigh, Rayne sunk into the bubble bath, her eyes closing as she relished the serenity of the moment.
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"Thanks," Krillin wheezed as the building was destroyed by a casual flick of Vegeta's wrist. He sat up, wincing, as Gohan followed suit. The former monk blinked and at last did a double-take. "V-Vegeta?"
The Saiya-jinn in question snorted and ignored the incredulous look before glancing around. Only then did a hint of concern flicker across his weathered face. "Well, where's Bra?"
"She and Pan are in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. They'll be out by tomorrow," Goku explained breathlessly, just before the Saiya-jinn mumbled something inaudible and began to slump to the ground, his face suddenly stark white.
"Kakarrot, what the hell is wrong with you?" Even as he snapped at his fellow Saiya-jinn, Vegeta grabbed Goku's shoulder and kept him from crumpling to the ground.
"Dad!" Gohan scurried forward and offered his father a supporting arm even as he winced at the soreness of his own frame. "Are you okay?"
Goku's eyes were vacant for the moment as his visage shifted from pale to a grayish hue before he took a shuddering breath and steadied himself. "I guess it's not very smart to fight twice in a couple hours after you've been in a coma for five years," he acknowledged with a lopsided grin, leaning heavily on Gohan. "I just need a nap, I think."
"You were in a coma for five years?" Now that Gohan was there to support the taller Saiya-jinn, Vegeta stepped away from him, a scowl marring his face. "That would explain why you didn't go Super Saiya-jinn for such a long time."
Even as Goku began to explain what had happened to him, Trunks studied his father's appearance. Vegeta, Prince of the Saiya-jinn, hadn't changed much in the past twenty years, save the lines on his face that suggested decades of fierce scowls. His ebony locks pointed skyward, as always, but there was a slight droop to several tresses, as if too weary to point totally aloft. No white hair yet betrayed the Prince, but somehow Trunks had the feeling that it was only his father's fierce will that kept his hair from telling his age to the world. His clothes were ragged and filthy, unmanaged and probably the same clothes he had been wearing when he had vanished so many years before.
Any further observations were paused when Vegeta's figure blurred. Tears had sprung to the eyes of Bulma's son, but he didn't dare let the tears spill from his eyes as he folded his arms against his chest and spoke to his father for the first time in twenty years, once Goku finally fell silent. "Do you know how much Mom is gonna bawl when she sees you, Father?" His voice shook only a little, but he managed a slight smirk, one to make his father proud.
Vegeta raised an eyebrow and smirked in response. "Of course. The woman always does cry at the stupidest possible moments. Hopefully she'll see this-" He motioned towards his tattered clothes, "-and start to scold me about my outfit until she's wept too much."
Trunks winced briefly, a ghostly echo of his mother's scolding filling his ears as he considered what his mother would say upon seeing the state of her husband's clothing.
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Bra glared at the invisible barrier, her frustration obvious in her flushed face as she decided to have words with Goku once she got out of this stupid place. How the hell was she supposed to get stronger if she couldn't fight against Pan?
Grumbling to herself, the blue-haired girl turned and flew off in the direction opposite of the fake Kami's Lookout, ignoring Pan's surprised shouts for her to stop. Maybe, out in the eerie blankness, she could find something to fight.
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Mirai finally managed to stop laughing and smiled at the people of Namek. "I'm sorry, it's just that everything has been so horrible, and to learn that he's alive is incredible!" he explained, the smile staying fixed on his face.
It was really too bad that he was on Namek and not around Bulma to see the expression on her face when Vegeta strolled into the remains of Capsule Corporation.
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"Juun!" The concerned call made several of the Saiya-jinn's heads turn to see Jurokugou actually running to his friend's side, a look of concern on the giant's face as he placed a supporting hand on the forgotten android. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Juunanagou mumbled, having sat there watching the group, forgotten and rather glad of it. He wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his lips and forced a composed smirk upon his face as he attempted to reassure the redhead that he was all right. "Just a bit banged up."
In a seemingly effortless motion, Jurokugou pulled the brunet to his feet and wrapped a supporting arm around the smaller man. "Well, Bulma will have to check to see if you've injured anything mechanical."
"Wonderful," was remarked in a dry tone as Juunanagou ignored the rest of the group, leaning lightly against the other android.
Goku, who was still leaning against Gohan, smiled as Dende appeared in their vision soon after the scene, the Namek slightly out of breath. "Let's get back to the sanctuary." He still looked tired, but less pale than earlier.
"Sounds like a marvelous plan to me," Juunanagou muttered sardonically, but everyone ignored him. Well, except Krillin, who shot an annoyed glare at him, but that was expected.
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"Bra!" Pan yelled in frustration, but her best friend had been lost to the eerie whiteness. The part Saiya-jinn shivered as she realized she was alone in this very creepy place, and couldn't help but mumble unhappily, "Thanks a lot, Bra.."
Fiddling with her orange handkerchief, the daughter of Gohan stalked in the direction of Kami's Lookout. Maybe she'd find something to train against there.
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"Mirai!" Bulma yelled in frustration, ignoring the looks Marron and Kun were giving her. "You stupid bastard!" She continued to yell at the microphone as the blonde and the Chinese young man carefully backed away.
"I think I need some coffee," murmured Marron to Kun. "Want to come with me?"
An eager nod affirmed that sentiment, and the two quickly disappeared from the room, leaving Bulma still cursing out the lavender-haired swordsman who had taken her teleportation ship.
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"Dad, where have you been?" Trunks murmured once the others were preoccupied with chatting amongst themselves as they began the march back to the sanctuary.
A small frown formed on the Prince's lips, and he shook his head. "I'll tell you, Bra, and Bulma at the same time," the dark-eyed man declared, earning a despairing groan from his son.
"But Bra won't be out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber until tomorrow, and then I have to go in!"
"Come on, brat, didn't Bulma teach you any patience?" growled Vegeta, but there was a decidedly wicked smirk on his face as he tormented his son, who simply groaned once more.
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Krillin limped alongside his fellow warriors, not meeting anyone's eyes. He had been completely useless during the battle, and the failure ate away at the little pride he had left. Was he going to end up as the comic relief that hung out in the background and cheered the Saiya-jinn on?
Tears of disappointment filled his eyes, seemingly unnoticed by the group. He had been a failure in the past, unable to save the woman he loved, and now he wasn't any better to Goku than another useless bystander.
"Krillin?" The soft call turned the aged monk's head to find Dende's dark eyes gleaming with sympathy. "Could you walk with me? We folks of the shorter persuasion need to stick together."
"Sure," the former monk agreed, summoning a smile from somewhere within him as he slowed his hobbling walk down so that he and Dende were at the same pace.
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Bra was totally lost. This, she decided, was a bad thing as her blue eyes flickered around the annoying whiteness.
"Pan!" No answering call met her ears, and the half Saiya-jinn growled, clenching her fists as she glanced around once more. Well, she might as well do some exercises. Without further ado, she began to do jumping jacks, humming a tune to herself as she did the warm-ups.
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"Juun?" Bright blue eyes met identical eyes as the android glanced up at his best friend. A moment of vulnerability revealed that Juunanagou had been injured far more seriously than he had let on. His sarcastic smirk was gone, replaced by a tired look of pain.
"What is it?" Another trickle of blood escaped his mouth, and he coughed quietly, earning another troubled look.
"You're not all right. I'm getting you to Bulma right away," stated the gentle giant, and before the other android could protest, Jurokugou scooped him into his arms and began a quick-paced march in the direction of the sanctuary.
Juunanagou opened his mouth to protest, but coughed instead, letting his eyes slide shut as he wondered when he had grown so weak that the android bitch had been able to take him down so easily.
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Goten trotted to the left of the group, one hand pressed to his bleeding cheek as the other rubbed the back of his neck. He really wished his cheek would stop bleeding. It was really annoying.
Sighing as warm blood seeped from between his fingers, he slowed his trot down so that he could chat with his brother and his father. Maybe they'd have something interesting to say.
"You may have to get stitches for that," commented Gohan, his dark eyes quickly taking in the gash as his younger brother made a face.
"They're not sticking a needle in me, thank you very much."
"A needle?" Goku's horrified yell made both of his sons jump. "Where?" His frantic eyes flickered around in search of his most feared enemy as both Gohan and Goten groaned.
"Oh lovely, it's the same stupid Kakarrot," they heard Vegeta grumble, followed by Trunks' soft snicker.
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Mirai blinked, finally remembering why he was standing in front of the Nameks.
"Oh, right. Sorry, but Goku needs a favor, in case you can't guess why I've come," he stated, offering them all a sheepish smile. "Would it be all right if in a couple days we use your Dragon Balls?"
The assembled blinked, and the oldest Namek at last smiled. "Certainly. But, why don't you want to use it right now?"
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"How are you doing, old friend?" Dende asked, smiling gently at the former monk and noting how time and hardships had aged him.
"Old indeed. I'm just an old fool. A useless, doddering fool," stated Krillin with a sigh. "I was useless during the fight, and my own grandchildren treat me like a stranger."
"Well, you are a stranger to them," the Kami interjected mildly, walking at an unhurried, sedate pace. His tiny green hands were lost in the folds of his clothing, but his eyes were filled with the same empathy they always had. "It may take some time, but they'll warm up to you."
But Krillin wasn't listening, and his eyes were distant, reliving an old memory. A wistful smile toyed with the former monk's lips, and he murmured softly, almost to himself, "I wonder if Goku's ever felt as weary as I do now. I wonder if he's simply wanted to close his eyes and let his spirit take him back to the woman he loves."
"Krillin, please." Dende's voice was pained, but Krillin was too far gone to hear the agony in his friend's voice, his dark eyes blank as they gazed at a sight long ago lost.
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Rayne let the warmth soak into her flesh, healing the aches and pains as she closed her eyes and half fell asleep, a slight smile toying with her lips. Maybe she'd be able to cajole Mirai into letting her taste some of his drink.
Her eyes flew open as she realized something. She hadn't seen Mirai in a long time. Where on earth was the 'old man'? She wanted to be up to some hoodlum mischief to torment him with the next time she saw him.
Another thing to ask Goku about, she supposed, letting herself relax back into the bubble bath. After all, she couldn't let his absence deter her from a perfectly enjoyable bath.
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"Dad, there's no needle. Goten was just complaining because that's what the doctors will use to stitch the cut on his face," Gohan explained, restraining a sigh as the horrorstruck look gradually vanished from his father's face.
A goofy grin replaced the terrified look, and Goku looked relieved. "So no needle?"
"No needle," his sons chorused.
"Good," the Saiya-jinn replied, grinning the same silly smile as he turned his eyes in the direction of home. If there was a weary glimmer to his eyes, neither son noticed it.
However, Goku planned to have a nice, long talk with Krillin once they got back to Capsule Corporation.
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Trunks glanced at his father, once more taking in the altercations of the Saiya-jinn's appearance. Through his ragged clothing, the half Saiya- jinn could spot silver scars on his chest and arms, many that had not been on his frame twenty years ago.
Where had his father been all these years? The half Saiya-jinn's curiosity was killing him, but he didn't dare ask his father after Vegeta had already told him when he would give the answers.
So Trunks continued to walk beside his father, without a clue. Biting back a sigh, the lavender-haired man wondered what Bra was doing at the moment.
- TBC -