Heart of Gold
Vegeta was lying in bed with a beautiful woman sleeping at his left and he couldn't sleep. It wasn't the beauty of his wife but that specific talk between him and Goku that kept him awake because that conversation had always haunted him, though he doesn't know why. Goku…why him? Why was it that stupid saiyan could attract so many people to him when to me he's so weak! What is it about him that makes people laugh and cry? Feel good and bad? Vegeta could have gone further down the road with his thoughts but a stirring next to him and the lady murmuring his name softly disturbed his lonely walk and he found himself back in the dark room, with the moonlight trying to pry its way through the curtains and into the single bedroom. The name was being called out again, this time a little bit more loudly and the saiyan prince turned to the direction of the voice and saw two bright blue eyes glittering at him.
'Is something wrong?' the lady asked gently, her hands going to her husband's rock-hard chest.
Vegeta grabbed hold of her hand and inwardly marveled at the slimness of it, the softness, so real it felt like he was actually holding a piece of silk the Japanese made and still do. But something was nagging at him when he first made contact with the hand. It felt used by someone else as he could sense the weariness of the lines in her hands. Yet he disbelieved it, at least for now, and replied, 'No, just go to sleep, Bulma.'
'Okay,' was the simple reply. That was when he knew something was going on. Normally, Bulma would keep on nagging him until he would tell her everything. On the other hand, like now, she would just talk a little bit and submit to him on occasions.
Another stir occurred and a pattern of steady breathing told the thoughtful and suspicious saiyan that she was sleeping. He closed his eyes and slept, though not as peacefully as Bulma.
The next morning, Goten, his girlfriend, Anna, Trunks and Pan, went out shopping for the day while Bulma was busy talking to Videl and Gohan about their successful marriage. Vegeta was training hard in the gravity training capsule, which could also be used as a space rocket.
Sweat dropped off his cheeks in tiny runnels that made up all the small puddles on the red hard floor. An occasional energy blast would be released, only to be encountered by another one.
Again, Vegeta's thoughts drifted from the training to the saviour of the earth, Goku. He thought of the way Goku fought his enemies and considered copying it so he could beat Goku. But that'd be cheating. A saiyan warrior does not win by cheating but by pride and training; lots of training.
That stupid fucking baka. When is he going to stop defending the world that didn't even think of thanking him or wondering who saved them from countless deaths? When was he going to realize that the earth is nothing but an ungrateful dustball? Then again, it was typical of Goku to be like that. Ever since he was a mere little boy, he had done wonders for the earth and was just grateful that everyone he knew and saved wasn't hurt but safe and happy. And it was typical of Vegeta to kill everyone in sight like a rabid dog when he was younger. Vegeta had a very different lifestyle from Goku. His was more military like, living in single cells that each had about 5 males occuping them. Each morning there were would be training from their senseis and each afternoon there would be cruel and hard tests to examine and boost their fighting skills and tactics. Vegeta had the topspot but when he arrived here on earth, Kakkarott stole it. Now was the time to beat him. Yes, to savour the victory of defeating Goku in an honourable battle was a feeling that made Vegeta shiver in excitement.
He thrust out a clenched fist and let out an energy blast. It flew off straight away as what Vegeta bid it too. Then the robots nearby were ready to deflect the energy blastoff of each other and target it back at him. Vegeta made another one but too late did he realize how tired he was. Training from dawn to noon was beginning to take its toll on him. Vegeta let out a frustrated snarl and attempted to materlize another one. It was successful but it had poor strength and the energy ball bulleting towards him was pushing hard against his just made one. No! I won't lose! I can't!! Dammit!!
Vegeta's chest burned as he breathed and put forth more power than it was needed. Two energy balls collided with each other with a bang and Vegeta's eyes widened when it was all white.
The explosion caught Bulma's attention and she turned just to see a column of smoke rising to the sky.
"Vegeta!!" She dropped her cup, hastily running to the spot where the smoke came from. Videl and Gohan flew there, taking Bulma with them. But Goku was the first one to be there and he was searching through the rubble to see the person hiding underneath it.
"Vegeta! " Goku shouted, throwing huge metal plates over his shoulder carefully as he sensed several other ki approaching behind him. Gohan came to his father's aide but before they could start looking for him again, there was a muffled shout from below and a long arm suddenly shot out of the gray pieces, surprising the Sons a little bit.
'Ah! what's that?!' Goku shouted, falling back.
'Uh… Dad. That's an arm.'
'Oh.' Goku's face blushed slightly but remembering the hapless man, he gently pulled the arm but Vegeta was already helping himself up. With a great deal of effort, he finally managed to reach the surface and fell, weak and weary. His chest heaved and he was gasping between intervals of breathing. Vegeta looked at Goku, then at Gohan and finally sensed that everyone was watching him.
'Damn people!' He whispered hoarsely as he strove to get up. Goku came forward to help the saiyan prince up but was refused. There was an arrogant expression on Vegeta's face as he shoved Goku's offered hand out of the way and he erected proudly. Unfortunately, his strength gave out on him and his knees buckled. All Vegeta saw was Goku again helping him.
