Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I own not- Dragon Ball Z or any of it's characters. Only Danny is mine. And Uzume… obviously.
Thanks to all the people who reviewed! *Hands out Choco cookies* On with the story…
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"Kakarotto?" Vegeta called through the door leading to Goku's room. When Goku didn't answer, Vegeta entered without knocking, glancing around the room. "Kakarotto, where the hell are you?" Goku was not on his bed, at his desk, or at the windows.
"V-vegeta?" Came a strained, tired voice from the bathroom. Vegeta walked towards the bathroom and found Goku slumped against the sink. Sweat covered his entire body, a cup lay on it's side in the floor where the water it had contained was now soaking the small rug in front of the sink. Goku was gasping for air, his eyes closed, his face contorted into an expression of agony. Vegeta frowned, placed an arm under Goku's shoulders and helped him to stand. He managed to get the ailing saiyan to his bed where Goku then collapsed. "Vegeta… c-could you…" Goku trailed off and curled up on his side. Vegeta understood all to well, having suffered the same problem last night. He went to the bathroom and filled another cup with water. He didn't know why it worked, but for some reason, water seemed to ease the pain. Goku took the water gratefully and drank it down in three quick gulps. "Thanks…" He crumpled the cup and tossed it on his desk.
"Kakarotto… I…"
"Came to apologize?" Goku smirked and managed to sit up on his own.
"Absolutely not. I…" Vegeta, for once in his life was at a loss for words. Goku's smile widened as he was still catching his breath and he nodded, assuring the older man that he understood what was trying to be said. Vegeta coughed uncomfortably and nodded once before walking out of the room. Goku chuckled and let himself fall back on his bed…
"I'm glad to see you making an effort, Vegeta." He said to the ceiling, "But not everyone understands what you're not saying…"
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"Be right with you, Danny." Uzume calls over her shoulder as she helps Mr. Reeves into a recliner and instructs a fellow worker on the elderly mans current state of mind. Danny sat quietly at the breakfast table as the frazzled Uzume came toward her.
"You look tired, dear." Danny smiles and pushes a bowl of soup to her friend and caretaker. "I got you some soup from the kitchen."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it," Uzume is already spooning in soup as fast as she can. "I haven't had anything to eat today… skipped breakfast." She stops long enough to gulp down a glass of water next to her. "So, you wanted to talk to me about something, right?"
"Yes. It's about… well, Vegeta." Danny lowered her eyes causing Uzume to giggle before slurping down more soup.
"I thought so. I heard you two arguing this morning… Luckily I got out of there before it turned into a war!"
"Oh honestly, I was just trying to make a point." Danny scowled, but there was no real anger behind the expression.
"I'm just kidding. What'd you want to know?"
"Well, anything you could tell me really… I just, I don't understand him. I was hoping you knew more about him." Uzume nodded and tipped the bowl to her lips, finishing her lunch.
"Actually, I asked Goku the same thing when they first arrived here. He was very distant… still is. Though, I think he's gotten used to me." Uzume laughed a little, "Man, he was even crankier day one."
"I can imagine. I wasn't to happy about coming here myself." Danny's posture straightened and she frowned thoughtfully.
"Yeah, I know. But it was even worse for Vegeta. Here was a guy who had spent his entire life determined not to be dependent on anyone… See, he was super strong when he was young. I don't mean body-building strong. I mean, 'kill you with one punch' strong." Danny raised an eyebrow. "I'm serious. He and Goku had… super-natural powers from what I understand."
"And where did you get this information?" Danny asked, clearly skeptical.
"From Goku. He isn't strong anymore, but he still has a couple of powers." Uzume sipped at her water, turning the near empty glass in her hands. "Those have faded since I first met him though. And by now… with the heart disease… I'm sure it's more of an effort for him to move than a normal senior."
"So what does that have to do with Vegeta? It still doesn't answer the biggest question." Danny leaned back in her chair. "Why is he the way he is? What is it exactly that makes him so distant?" Uzume looked down at her hands and shifted in her chair.
"Danny… from what I know… Vegeta hasn't had an easy life. He's had defenses up since he was very young. Never really had a childhood… he was taken from his home… from his parents." Uzume shook her head and looked into Danny's eyes, "I don't know if I should be telling you this. You're my friend, Danielle, and I hope you're not angry… but I can't just talk about Vegeta as if he were already gone." The young woman's eyes filled with tears, "I don't even want to think about it… I've been with Goku and Vegeta since they arrived here. How can I… How will I ever be able to say goodbye to those guys?" Uzume sniffled and wiped tears from her cheek with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry… it's just hard…"
"That's all right, dear. I understand." Danny reached across the table and placed her hand over Uzume's. "It must be very hard for you… I will talk to Vegeta myself." Danny stood and looked down at her caretaker. "I think that you were right not to tell me. It's only proper that I hear it from him… by earning his trust."
"Danny… perhaps Goku could tell-" Uzume also stood up, placing her empty water glass inside the equally empty soup bowl.
"No. I've realized something, thanks to you." Danny smiled, "I don't just want to know about Vegeta. I want to know him as the person he really is. And when I do get to hear his story, I want it to be spoken from his lips…"
"Good luck," Uzume smiled sadly, "Just remember that… they don't-"
"I know that." With that, Danny turned and walked to the entertainment room to see Vegeta sitting alone by the bookcases, his head in his hands.
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A/N- My word, I have never written a worse chapter! You'll have to forgive me. I might take this down and write it over. I haven't been able to get my ideas onto paper recently… *sighs* All I ask is that everyone be patient while I get my scrambled thoughts in order. ^^ If you're not too disgusted with this pathetic attempt at writing, you could leave me a review. Some motivation would help. ^_~ Ja ne!
