Chapter 6: A decision of heart
Thanks to their Saiyajin powers it didn't take them long to reach the path of the dead. The gate to Enma's room was only a few more steps ahead, and Vegeta marched towards it.
Goku landed right behind him and grabbed his arm. "Vejita, wait! We gotta talk!"
"What's there to talk about?" the other asked. "We are going in there and then you get your sorry ass in-"
"NO!" Goku yelled and Vegeta fell silent. Softly, the younger added: "I won't go without you."
Vegeta shook his head angrily. "Are you really that stupid? There's a reason for me to be here in hell, baka! I have killed, I was more cruel than you fool could imagine in your worst fantasies. How do you think did I become a Super-Saiyajin? I had a pure, evil heart!"
"Emphasis on had!" Son Goku replied. "You may have been evil, but not any more! You have changed, that must count too."
"Don't tell me, tell Enma Daio!" Vegeta roared. "Nevertheless, his decision was made and he won't change his mind. Just because I have to stay in hell, you don't have to do the same. So go AWAY! Get lost!"
Son Goku staggered. Tears welled up within him but he fought them down.
Vegeta snarled: "Are you deaf?? Get lost! Fuck off and never show your face in this place again!!"
Goku lost his composure and yelled back at him: "Do you hate me that much that you need to get rid of me that urgently?? Would you rather spend the rest of eternity all alone than with me??" Now he fell to his knees and something rolled down his cheeks and dripped onto the ground. The very thought that Vegeta would rather be alone than with him hurt so much, so much…
He wrapped his arms around himself and cried, releasing all tension he had built up during the last few weeks. For what seemed like an eternity he knelt there on the floor, and was sure that Vegeta had left a long time ago, disgusted with his sudden outbreak.
Then he heard a gentle voice: "Baka." He lifted his head in amazement and found the not so angry anymore face of the prince, who knelt before him. For a moment there was something… could it be that Vegeta had been smiling? Then he said: "You were my only friend on earth, Kakarott. As much as I hate to admit it, I respect you and I… like… you…" Goku chuckled against his will, because Vegeta had such a hard time admitting this. Then the other continued: "You don't belong here. I do, but not you. If you really want to do me a favor then go back to your family."
Goku closed his eyes for a moment and the last few tears fell down his cheeks. Now he had proof that Vegeta was indeed worried about him. He smiled his famous Son-Goku-smile and said in relief: "Arigatou, Vejita." He couldn't believe his eyes when Vegeta lifted his hand and wiped away a tear on Goku's face with his thumb. Then, when he noticed what he was doing, he quickly removed his hand and stood up.
"Get up, crybaby", he said, as if the moment before had never been. "Now c'mon. I'll escort you to the gate."
Goku allowed the other to pull him to his feet, wiped over his face with the back of his hand and was dragged over to the gate. Still he did not plan to go alone. Energetically, and absolutely fearless, Vegeta pushed open the door, so that everyone in the room winced. "GOD DAMMIT!!!" Enma yelled loud enough to startle even Goku. Only Vegeta seemed unimpressed.
"Enma!" he yelled disrespectfully and Goku couldn't help throwing an admiring glance at the prince. Enma turned his head to look at both Saiyajin knowingly. Almost like he had expected them to show up. Of course Vegeta didn't notice that and stepped over to the huge desk to position himself in front of it. He pointed at Goku with a nod of his head. "That idiot doesn't know what's good for him. He wants to return to heaven."
"Actually…", Goku muttered meekly, but was entirely ignored.
"I told him he can go back!" Enma said. "But you cannot come with him."
"Umm, you two, I'd like to say…." Goku tried again.
Vegeta folded his arms across his chest and scoffed: "Pha! I didn't plan to anyway! Who cares about heaven, I surely don't. Come on, Kakarott. Go."
"BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO!!!" Goku screamed. "This is still my decision!" Vegeta opened his mouth to say something, but this time the younger stopped him. "Uh-uh! Now I'm talking!" He turned to Enma and asked politely: "Enma Daio-sama, isn't there any way to take Vegeta with me? I don't want to leave him!"
Enma sighed. "I told you it's not possible. Sorry, Goku, but I can only let one of you pass."
"But I…" Goku stopped when he realized what Enma had just said. "One of us? What do you mean??"
Enma sighed yet again and explained: "There is this flaw… I shouldn't have mentioned it in the first place…" Of course he realized pretty fast that he wouldn't get any more peace before telling about it. So he growled: "Well, there is a possibility to let Vegeta go to heaven. Someone from there would have to… take his place."
"What?" Vegeta gasped.
And Son Goku asked dumbfounded: "That means, if I agree to stay here, he may go?"
Next to him Vegeta hissed: "Whatever you are thinking right now, Kakarott, forget about it!!"
But Son Goku was already hooked. This was a possibility to get Vegeta into heaven. This was what he had been looking for! Okay, he'd never see Vegeta again, but to know Vegeta would be happy with his family… that was enough for him. He was absolutely ready for such a sacrifice.
Enma shook his head and said: "This stupid rule hasn't come to use since a while now… usually those who must stay in hell have no one who would be ready to change places with them. Son Goku, you saved the world so often, you don't know what expects you down there… restless eternity without sleep, without change, without… food! All your enemies will come to haunt you!"
Son Goku ignored this and said to Vegeta: "I am entirely serious now. I am taking your place in hell, you may go."
Vegeta stared at him. "No! No, I will not let you do that, I won't accept this! I don't need your damn pity!"
Goku grabbed Vegeta's shoulders to look into his eyes. "This is not pity! And listen to me. Forget about your pride and decide with your heart! Do you want to spend eternity here in hell? I do not mind, I can meet Piccolo and chat about old times with him, I find friends everywhere. But you will be lonely forever! Don't you ever want to see your family again? Bulma and Trunks and Bra?"
Vegeta fell silent. It was obvious that this was really hard for him. The threw a questioning look at Enma who nodded silently. Vegeta looked over to Goku again and asked: "Would you really do this for me? You should think this over."
"I would do this for you, yes. Because I believe in you. Go, I bet Bulma is already waiting for you."
Vegeta stared at the other stunned for what seemed like forever, then he took a step toward the gate which led to heaven and started to move slowly toward it. Son Goku watched him with a smile on his lips. He was completely aware what he was giving up here and for whom. And he was sure that Vegeta was worth it. When the prince was only one step away from the gate, he stopped and looked back over his shoulder for a last time.
Just one more step. "Go", Goku said. "It's okay!" Vegeta stared at him, and…
Next Chapter: Reversal
