Being Vegito By Lady AngelFiren Part Six: Vegita vs Goku

Trunks emerged from the shower after scrubbing himself all over till he felt clean. He shivered at the cool air breezing across the backs of his legs. For once he was glad for the fur that covered his legs, it kept him from shivering so much when he got out of the shower. He was cold despite the lavender hairs however, so he let his ki rise marginally to increase the temperature around himself. Pleased with the air, Trunks proceeded to dry himself off. He scrubbed himself with a fluffy white towel that was at least twice as long as he was tall. He wrapped it about his shoulders like a cape and considered what he might have looked like in royal Saiyajin armor had he grown up on Vegitaseii. He frowned, wondering again about the strange things happening to him. He heard Goten's feet pattering over the tiles long before he saw his best friend enter the bath house with a curious, rather vacuous smile on his lips.

Trunks immediately tensed up and drew the towel more securely around himself. He straightened his shoulders and let a controlled look creep into his features. He didn't want Goten to know that something was bothering him.

Goten blinked at Trunks and approached him, thinking still about what he could do for Trunks, something so he felt better. As it was, Goten figured as long as they were together everything would be perfectly fine with them. He immediately noted that Trunks was tensed up and staring at him like he had an extra head. Goten cocked his head to the side as he surveyed Trunks with extra curiosity.

"Gee Trunks, is something wrong with you?"

Trunks' cheeks immediately reddened though he fought the blush furiously. He knew Goten would sense something was wrong with him, even if he tried to hide it. Goten just knew him too well. It was kind of a shame that he hid sometimes, because it prevented Trunks from being the strong, emotionless warrior he was aiming to be. He had already blown his chances on that front, but he was still clinging to the thought that he could achieve anything he put his mind to. As it was, Trunks found himself blinking back at Goten and feeling like a deer caught in headlights. His voice cracked a little when he spoke.

"W-what makes you say that Goten?" Trunks pushed his chest out with pride. "Nothin's wrong."

"Oh, ok Trunks. Well I wanted to know if we can spar today. Cause we were supposed to do lots of sparring when we came in here, and we haven't done a thing! Big brother told me that you can't get any stronger if you don't train. we should fight Trunks!"

"No way Goten. I'm way stronger than you. remember? You can't even hurt me at all."

Trunks was only reminded of his misfortune by stating this, however he wouldn't be caught dead passing up a chance to look superior to Goten.

"Well. yeah. but can't we spar anyway? I really wanna fight. and what if we forget how to become Gotenks? Maybe we should do it just to make sure we still can?"

"That's stupid Goten, of course we can. Now, if you didn't happen to notice, I'm in a towel here. I've got to get changed."

Goten looked a little confused, Trunks never had any trouble strutting around naked in front of him before. In fact, taking baths together had been something they both enjoyed very much until Vegita caught them doing it at one point and told them that sharing a bath with another warrior is stupid. After that they had decided to only do it at Goten's house, because Chichi was just happy they were cleaning themselves at all, she could care less if they shared.

"Uhm, Trunks. can I ask you something?"

"Well yeah, of course. I know way more than you, its not like I'm gonna ask you anything."

Trunks was still holding the towel tight around himself, It pooled on the floor around him thanks to the excess material, and the whole picture, aside from being adorable, made him look quite short.

"Ok. well then, can we go home?"

Trunks froze at hearing that. NO way. Vegito was out there in the real world. His mother was out there. she would find out about the weird fur. what would she say? He shuddered to think of Bulma wailing about her son being a furry freak. And of course Trunks imagined that Vegita would have an opinion on what happened to him, even if he was completely absent save through Vegito. Vegita's influence still hovered close over Trunks' shoulder. He never forgot to consider what his father would have to say about the things he said and did. He continued to act according to the guidelines Vegita had set for him, despite his lack of presence.

"Why would you wanna go home Goten? Its way cooler here without anyone to tell us what to do."

"Well. it was fun at first and everything, but. you're acting all weird. You keep making me play by myself and you won't spar with me. did I do something bad Trunks?"

Trunks felt his guts wrench at that commentary. Goten was noticing. he was feeling alienated even. this was bad. Trunks hated to hurt Goten in any way. He couldn't stand to see Goten cry, he hated if Goten was made unhappy. For all that Goten was gullible and easily manipulated, Trunks knew he was also innocent and deserving of honesty. Sure, that never stopped him from lying when he didn't have an answer to something Goten asked about, that was different. What was important was that Goten's confidence in Trunks' general prowess remain intact. And he couldn't start thinking Trunks didn't like him either, that kind of doubt could only do harm.

"You didn't do anything bad stupid. maybe I just don't feel like playing for now."

"But you haven't felt like playing the whole time we've been in here. That's months!"

"Well. well. so!? How come you always need me to keep you entertained, huh Goten? Can't you think of something fun to do by yourself?"

"Nuh unh Trunks. Playing alone isn't fun. Big brother told me that when he was little he had to play all alone except for his dragon Icarus, and that mommy got mad if she saw Icarus at all. He said it was lonely and boring and that having a bestest friend like you is a lot better. And he was right trunks! Its way funner when we do stuff together. but I think its better if we play out in the real world with everyone else. In here there's nobody to play pranks on."

"Goten, lemme explain, ok?"

Trunks sat down on the spot, adjusting the towel so that nothing furry protruded.

"See. you know Vegito?"

"Yeah, he's gonna be my replacement dad, I can't wait to see him!"

"NO! No he isn't gonna replace your papa, Goten. Dummy! Don't you get it? We have to wish to get our real dads back, we have to wish for that on the Dragonballs when they can be used again. Nobody wants Vegito to stay around except you. Nobody else likes him cause he's a big stupid dumbhead and we aren't going to talk to him."

"But-"

"But nothing. Anyway, the reason we can't leave here is cause I don't wanna see stupid Vegito."

"But Trunks that's not fair! I do want to see him! Why do we always have to do what you wanna do? Can't we do something I wanna do for once? I think we should go home. I miss big brother and my hair is getting in my eyes cause its too long."

Trunks had to stop and consider this. This was something Goten wanted. Goten wanted to go back home and see Vegito and Gohan and the rest of his family. and Trunks knew perfectly well that it wasn't an unreasonable sort of request. Why was it so hard to make a decision then? If Goten wanted it.

"Well. maybe."

"Really Trunks!?"

"I said maybe, not yes."

"Cool! Neat-o! Thanks bunches Trunks!"

Goten leapt forwards and glomped tightly onto Trunks. He wrapped his chibi arms around his best friend and squished them tightly together, a happy grin in his eyes. Trunks was totally caught off-guard by the hug. He raised his arms automatically to push Goten off him and the towel fell from them, forgotten for a single, crucial moment. It was just long enough for the material to slip completely down to the tile floor below.

Trunks froze in shocked panic as Goten pulled back from him, curious as to why he was suddenly tensing. He immediately saw the fur that grew plentifully on Trunks' arms, legs and, by this point, a few other places as well. Goten's face crinkled in confusion. He inquisitively leaned forwards, peering closely at the lavender hair. His brows lowered as he thought hard about what could possibly cause Trunks to grow fur. Finally he raised a hand and let his small fingers run over the smooth stuff with a careful attention to the feel of it on his skin. He withdrew his hand slowly and let his gaze crawl up Trunks' chest to his face.

Trunks was paralyzed with embarrassed shock. His face should have been red, but it was pale with his fear. The sensation of being 'found out' slithered awfully through him and a twitch started in his eye, but he quickly raised a hand and rubbed his face with it, willing the small tremor to desist. Trunks slid his fingers back through his hair and met Goten's stare nervously. He tried in vain to swallow the lump in his throat.

"Hey Trunks. how come you have fur?"

Goten blinked obliviously back at Trunks, awaiting his response with the sort of patience that calm people seem to possess at the strangest of times.

Trunks gulped and gave Goten a wide-eyed look. He felt like he was going to fail at this. at dealing with this whole situation. He was scared that he would let his father down for being weak, or let Goten down by trying to lie to him and keep him from knowing how freaked out he was. He trembled with uncertainty, but his lips quickly pressed into a firm line and he lowered his eyes and his brows. His face shifted seamlessly into a displeased frown.

"Its nothing Goten. don't worry about it."

"Ok Trunks. does that mean I'll get fur too? Big brother doesn't have fur and neither does my dad. I mean. he didn't when I met him. I guess he could have grown some. but your dad has no fur either, and I know humans don't. How come you do?"

"I said forget about it, ok Goten? It has nothing to do with you!"

Goten grew a pout on his lips and Trunks sweatdropped, feeling bad now for being mean to Goten when he was just trying to help. Well. he should just. know when not to help. Yeah. Then there wouldn't be any problems at all. If Goten weren't always sticking his nose where it didn't belong then nothing like this would have happened in the first place. Except. Goten had nothing to do with why fur was growling all over Trunks, and if he did, the lavender haired boy sure didn't know about it.

Goten peered at Trunks thoughtfully. He hated to make his bestest bud mad, Trunks was lots better to hang out with and play with if he was happy. Goten let his hand slide over the hairs and he was surprised when he felt muscles shift beneath his fingers. Trunks was pushing himself to his feet and trying, obviously, to get out of the awkward confrontation he was currently faced with. Goten quickly laced his fingers with Trunks' and yanked on his arm.

"Don't leave Trunks. I just wanna know what's going on. can't you even tell your bestest friend in the whole world? Is it a bad thing?"

Goten had this look on his face. like he was ready for anything and he'd stick by Trunks the whole way. The lavender-haired boy felt confusion sloshing merrily through his guts and he settled back down into a sitting position beside Goten. He sighed in a manner far beyond his slight years and let his shoulders slump. Meanwhile Goten was fidgeting ceaselessly with curious energy. He waited as well as he could force himself to wait, trying to be a good listener like Big Brother taught him. It was awfully hard to be patient when you wanted to know something so badly.

Trunks looked hard at Goten, studying him seriously. "Goten. I don't want you to tell anyone about this. ok? You can't even tell Gohan, cause he sucks at keeping secrets. You gotta promise you're not gonna tell."

"I promise Trunks! I triple promise! Wait. how come? Will you get in trouble?"

"I don't know."

"Well did you do something bad?"

"I don't think so."

"Then how come nobody can know? Big brother says I'm not supposed to keep secrets Trunks. I don't want him to get mad at me."

"Oh yeah, Gohan's real threatening Goten." Trunks frowned belittlingly at his friend. "I mean you can't tell anyone because I don't want anybody else to know. See. when we got in here I saw it. it was just a little bit of it at first and I didn't think it was important, but now its all over and my dad might think its stupid looking. he might not train with me anymore."

"But Trunks. remember Vegita's not here anymore. him and my dad turned into Vegito. I like your fur Trunks, its pretty and soft and stuff. Can I pet it?"

Trunks gained a nervous look on his face. He didn't think his fur was pretty at all. he thought it was stupid looking. Why did Goten always manage to find the weirdest things to talk about? Trunks stretched out one of his arms, running his fingers over the soft hairs. He met Goten's wide, excited eyes and caved, allowing the other boy to touch him.

Goten grew happy and his curious fingertips sought out Trunks' forearm. They slid experimentally over the thick fuzzy fur and Goten's expression became the epitome of delight. He petted Trunks' arm until the older boy snatched up his fingers and tossed them off.

"I'm not a kitty Goten. you gotta stop that now ok? And its super important that you don't tell anyone at all about my fur. just don't. I'll be really mad at you if you do."

"OK Trunks. Sure, I promise I won't tell anyone at all. So. are we going home?"

"Well. er. I thought we were staying."

"But Trunks *whine* I really wanna leave! I miss big brother!" Goten rubbed his face and sniffled dejectedly. Trunks sweatdropped as his heart practically broke for Goten and he hesitantly gave the younger boy a hug. He shivered at touching his friend, he was scared Goten wouldn't like him for the fur. Now that he felt safe and assured of Goten being on his side, he was certain that Goten's happiness and well-being should be his main priority. Trunks put his forehead against Goten;s and looked at his eyes as they sometimes did when they spoke and nobody was around.

"Kay Goten, lets go home right now then. but I'm not going to go see Vegito with you. so don't even ask. I have lotsa work to do when we get out, I have to make sure nothing's wrong.. you know, cause of the fur. Scientific stuff, you're too dumb to understand."

Goten smiled at Trunks and bound him in a bear hug. He wrapped his legs around Trunks' waist and his arms around Trunks shoulders and he squished their cheeks together with a bright grin. "You're the coolest friend in the whole wide world Trunks. lets get our stuff and go, I don't wanna stay here one more minute!"

==========

Gohan got himself a nice evening snack after brainstorming a few more ideas for his résumé. He was thinking hard about what kind of job would suit him. Unfortunately he was still drawing blanks. He felt like he simply didn't have enough experience with humans on a daily basis to take advantage of his options. Therefore the demi-saiyajin decided that Bulma would be the absolute best possible resource for him. Dende knows Chichi would be no help, and from the looks of things Vegito was also out. Gohan picked up the phone in the kitchen, hoping his mother was soundly enough asleep that he could make his call uninterrupted. He dialed Bulma's personal cell phone number and shrugged into a comfortable position against the refrigerator. It hummed pleasantly through his back as ringing sounded over the line.

"Hello? Bulma Briefs speaking, can I help you?" Came Bulma's voice over the phone after a few rings. Gohan opened hi mouth to speak. He tripped over his words the first time around, however he managed to get his sentences out on his second try.

"Hi Bulma, this is Gohan. I was wondering if you might be able to help he with something? I know its late, I hope I didn't interrupt anything."

"No, not at all Gohan, good to hear from you. Your mother doesn't know you're up I take it? Pesky woman, she really doesn't know when to quit with her badgering. anyway, what's up?"

"Well, you see I was writing out a résumé for myself.I want to find a job. Vegito. well we had a talk, him and I. I think I'm old enough to work. I'd like to see what its like, and I bet I'd be a pretty good employee as long as I stay far away from anything edible. Do you think I could use a computer to get a few copies printed out? And maybe you could read it over. just to tell me if there's something horrible on it?"

"Oh Gohan of course. wow I never even thought about that before, but sure, you're plenty old to be getting a job. Do you have any idea where you're going to apply? I would offer you a job here at CC, but I think it'd be good for you to get out and meet some new people. Staying holed up with your mother all the time isn't going to get you anywhere in life."

"Great, thank you so much Bulma, I don't know what I'd do without you. When is a good time to come over? Er. have you seen Vegito around? He left without telling me where he was going earlier."

"Oh that muscle head is hanging around here, figures. He's probably eating me out of house and home as we speak, but I guess that's saiyajins for you. You can stop by whenever you want, in fact, if you come right now then you could surprise your mom when you get a place to work. She'd like that. And I think I could use some of your blood for the work I'm doing, I need more saiyajin examples of blood to compare to Vegito's. I'm having a tough time making progress, but hopefully I'll get it sooner rather than later. Oh, one of my timers for a test is up, I've gotta let you go. Talk to you soon Gohan, bye!"

Bulma's voice disappeared, leaving Gohan with a quiet line against his ear. He hung up the phone and floated silently through the halls back to his room. He gathered together the papers he'd been working on and he capsulated them all, stuffing the tiny carrying case in his pocket.

He wandered to his window and peered out across the dark grass that lay not too far below. Moonlight sprinkled the tips of the dewy green blades, giving the whole yard a sparkly, surreal sort of look. Gohan sighed, trailing a finger down the closed window. He flipped the lock open and let cool night air wash over him. The woods close to his home smelled lovely in the late evening. Moisture clung around him and the sounds of crickets, frogs and owls filled his ears. Gohan closed his eyes and smiled out at the world beyond his window, feeling thankful simply for his existence. For all that he worried constantly about what to do with himself next, Gohan liked the times where things were almost sedimentary in their calm. He appreciated the absence of a threat to the earth. He admired all the millions of tiny creatures for their will to exist in a place as complicated as his planet. Finally Gohan stepped up to the windowsill and floated out into the nighttime. Leaving his bedroom on the ground below, he rose up into the clouds and headed for CC.

========

Vegito was frustrated that there was no gravity room for him to play in, and this was making him cranky at best. He was finding it more and more difficult to keep himself in check. It was as if simply possessing great power made him want to use it all the time. He needed to get a grip over himself. The saiyajin fusion was currently in one of the CC guest rooms, peering into a dresser mirror at himself. Something was. off. He felt unbalanced.

Well that wouldn't do at all. No sense in the most powerful being in the universe losing control over his control. Yes. something like that.

He headed out of the small room and made his way towards the impossibly intricate terrarium in CC's second building. This room belonged to Bunny and her husband. It was filled with creatures that were both rare and endangered, it contained a complete ecosystem, balanced and controlled in almost every way. Every species of plant and animal that inhabited the massive space was countered by some other plant or creature. Nothing thrived without enemies, and nothing existed that was completely in danger. Vegito keyed in the pass code to enter. As Vegita he had little to no interest in this place. Certainly Goku had never spent much time in here either. However, the curious sense that inhabited Vegito's demeanor gave him the feeling that he might like to spend some of his time surrounded by the flora and fauna here. It might be a good meditative place, somewhere that he could really relax in, somewhere that he could strive for balance in. If his surroundings were any help to his work, then this place should be perfect.

Vegito pushed his way through some thick brush. He could sense many different living things, their energy lent him more of the peace he craved. He craved blood and battle too, but in a different way. This was satisfying a deeper sort of hunger in him.

He trotted over the grass, staying out of the way of insects and bird's homes so as not to bother with them. Finally he found himself a nice rock to settle on. The sound of rushing water was faint here, just a background sort of noise, calming in and of itself. He crossed his legs and inhaled the humid air around him, letting his body relax. Slowly a silent, stony calm descended, and it was as if he simply was not there at all.

Vegito let his mind wander. It was a confusing place to be, his body was solid and singular and decided, but of the two personalities inside him, it seemed that one of them was much more dominant than the other. He felt more as though he were Vegita than Goku. He knew Gohan had been disappointed that he was nothing at all like the boy's proper father. He hadn't acted that way on purpose, it was less thoughtful than that. He had simply felt like being Vegita at the time. He did not resent part of himself. did he? This was so confusing. where was the innocent, happy-go-lucky creature that he should be? Why was he plagued by worry and aggression when he should be laughing and enjoying his power? What had become of Goku? Where was Kakarot when he was needed? Classically late again? Or would he surface at all? Perhaps he needed to be Vegito longer to experience who he would really become in the future. Maybe he was both Goku and Vegita and he just didn't realize it. He had to try and think over himself here. Goku was dense, that means he could be just as dense, he could be holed up in the eco-system-in- a-box for no reason at all except that he wasn't seeing the whole picture. No matter. right?

Vegito felt anger surfacing because he had no answers to his questions. He immediately forced the red sentiment away, telling himself to breathe and be calm and to find his balance. Find his center. He breathed deeply of the air around him and let the rage settle for several moments. When he was able to think over his anger once more he proceeded to ask himself just why he was so easily angered. Bulma had explained that he was apparently suffering from an overload of testosterone. Well, ok, that would be likely to make anyone rather cranky. No matter, he should maintain control over himself at all times.

Vegito grumbled when he realized he was thinking like Vegita again. Truly, if he was Vegita, then was this the prince's specific concern? Was the prince of all saiyajins really worried about whatever might have happened to Kakarot?

Yeah. he was.

It was easier to see things in black and white values now. Meaning, it was easier to tell which things he did that were extensions of Goku, and which were extensions of Vegita. If he thought about himself, he felt like he was Vegito, he certainly didn't feel like he was still somehow Vegita. It was a very confusing sort of predicament. How to find your center when you aren't sure what its supposed to look or feel like.

Vegito calmed himself yet again, disappointed with how easily he was disrupted by his own musings. He allowed his control over his power drop slightly and a definite warmth enveloped him as his energy rose to a visible level. A soft glow filled the air around the saiyajin. He felt flickers of anger licking and teasing at his conscience. Rage, Saiyajin power. raw energy. This was dangerous. he could destroy himself easily, along with everyone else on the planet. But neither of his halves had ever had any conflict with being powerful enough to be destructive in the past, why worry about it now? Besides, there were more important things going on at the moment.

Vegito realized that a smile had curled his lips unconsciously when he let his ki level rise. He shifted excitedly, feeling a burning, bubbling energy in his guts. This energy urged him to move, to exercise his powers and muscles. He wanted to stretch and flex his body to its limits. Everything inside him demanded that he do something. Sitting here was pointless when he could be having fun making things go boom.

He felt Goku now, inside himself he felt that uninterrupted heat that signaled the powerful third class warrior. With it came a calm sense. With it came the ability to keep himself in check. Vegito found his energy beaming strong, but the rage and desire to destroy was simply not a part of him for the moment. However, he found that he felt torn yet again. This meant that Goku was more in control of Vegito's immense strength than Vegita. Impossible! Before there was Vegito, Vegita had been the epitome of self-restraint! Yes, he had purged far more planets and destroyed far more lives than most, but he grasped his power with an iron fist and he never crushed any creature that he did not intend to destroy initially. Goku was, of course, much less inclined to think about the repercussions of his actions. How then, was it possible that his.lesser half possessed control over the power hidden deep within him? He tried to keep his rage at bay well enough to think back to fighting Buu.

At the end it had been both halves together, definitely Vegito in full. the battle was simply too intense for only one or the other half to be dominant. But. all the many hours of fighting before that. Always there was that smile on his lips. always that feeling of being the immoveable, indestructible warrior. And that was a feeling that Vegita never experienced in his time, not even close. There was pride, yes, vast pride that stretched over Vegita's psyche and became his driving force in life. But pride was not indestructibility. That was found only in the most innocent of creatures, those who continue existing after their bodies are gone from the earth and their souls are floating through Otherworld. That sort of invincibility is possessed by great heroes. such as Goku. The will to fight like a tank. The ability to plow through enemies unscathed, riding on intentions alone. Vegita's will bent to his pride and his cunning, Goku's will bent to his heart, granting him ultimate control over Vegito's power.

Vegito considered this from a new perspective. He was not schizophrenic here. he was one being. One creature amongst many in the universe. Maybe he needed to lower his ego some. let himself feel balance by accepting that the part of him which was governed by Vegita's feelings could not tap into his true power without accepting himself completely. Vegita had never been very good at accepting himself in life. He was never good enough for himself, at least until he achieved Super Saiyajin. Goku and Gohan ascending to level two killed that particular bought of self-assurance easily enough. That had left Vegita bitterly furious with himself for being unable to ascend. So trying to think of himself as more of a person and less of a god might be the best way to go here.

Vegito nodded to nobody in particular, letting his eyes slide open. This was going to take some getting used to. The woman could try serums and stupid antidotes for anger, but he knew it would ultimately be his own choice to stay calm and accepting. He had his work cut out for him. Perhaps the first thing he should do is get someone on his side. but not tell them about what was going on inside himself, definitely not. Just. someone to trust. Goku was good at trust, he would just have to force himself into it.

Vegito felt a lot more sure of himself now that he knew he could find balance. He exhaled and looked around, deciding to take his leave of this place while the getting was good. He rose and toed his way through the foliage to the door. It slid shut behind him and he was faced with the normal CC walls instead of greenery and buzzing bugs. He yawned and headed back to the main building to get some sleep.
End Part Six To Be Continued.

Wow. I wasn't even planning all the internal stuff I packed into this part, but I hope everyone enjoyed it none-the-less! I received so much commentary regarding Vegito's strange behavior, that I thought I would give you all a little peek into him. Did it answer some of your questions? Was it overly vague? Too confusing? I am still unsure about this part, I was afraid I was completely going off on a tangent with my musings. Hope its working for you! Oh! And Trunks' secret is out of the bag! Goten knows! Fortunately Goten's not overly judgmental. *glomps Goten* well, that's all for now, all comments and suggestions are welcome, good or bad.

Lady AngelFiren