Chapter 7: Reversal

Just one more step. "Go", Goku said. "It's okay." Vegeta stared at him, and….

…went back to him until he stood in front of him. Goku was about to ask for the reason why Vegeta didn't go through the door, but Vegeta was faster. "You said to me: Decide with your heart", he said softly. "Well, I have. Thank you for your offer, Kakarott."

Vegeta smiled. He lifted his arm and placed his hand flatly on Goku's chest. It was too late when Goku realized what he was up to. A ki-ball formed in his palm, glistening light blinded him and then he was smashed backwards against the wall. Through blurred vision he saw Vegeta, still with that odd smile on his lips, then his body detached from the wall and he fell down forward.

While falling he heard the other say: "But I cannot accept it." The words echoed in his head, then he hit the floor and lost consciousness.

The warrior looked down on the lifeless body with an indifferent gaze. He knelt down next to him and made sure that the other was knocked out. Enma Daio watched the scene with interest and was now curious about what was going to happen next.

Vegeta stood up and looked at him. "Bring him to heaven. And don't dare to let him see me again."

Enma wasn't going to comply, instead he asked: "Why did you do that? He was being serious."

"But I cannot accept that", Vegeta said.

"Why?"

At first it seemed like the Saiyajin wouldn't answer to this at all, but then he replied: "My pride, maybe? I won't let him save me. That may not be the only reason, but that does not matter now. I just want to say goodbye, then I'll return to where I belong."

Enma nodded and Vegeta again knelt down beside Son Goku's lifeless body. "You always fall for it", he muttered, referring to their fight when he'd been under Babidee's control and had also knocked Goku out. Then he shoved his hand beneath Kakarott's neck. "Baka." He pulled up the other's head and then kissed him goodbye.

Eventually he ended the kiss and whispered: "So long, Kakarott. Somehow, I'll miss you." There was a short pause. He stroked the black hair. "I will never forget what you did today." He had finally understood that Son Goku had meant every single word. This incredible proof of love which Goku had been ready to bring, had finally convinced him. "And do never come back."

Then he let go of Goku's head and stood up. Aloud he said: "I cannot believe that I, the prince of all Saiyajin, declined his offer."

"I can't, either", Enma said much to Vegeta's surprise. He opened his book and read in it. "Stay for a moment, Vegeta, okay?" Vegeta stayed, after all he didn't have any more time to loose. He had forever.

Enma cleared his throat after a while. "Well, I must say, this was surprisingly selfless of you. I don't know if it really was your pride or your feelings for Son Goku, but in any case, you brought a sacrifice when you declined his offer."

Vegeta rolled his eyes and snarled: "Just rub it in, won't ya."

Enma threw a destructive glare at him and said: "Despite the fact that you claim to be evil, a lot of people were here when you died. Your wife, her parents, Mister Satan, Videl… and some more. All of them part of the z-senshi, nevertheless quite a lot of people who wanted to see you in heaven."

"Do you have a point or are you just trying to bore me?" Vegeta sneered, even though he was a little surprised that so many people had spoken up for him. The only thing he did not know what WHY he was told that.

"Quiet!!" Enma roared, which impressed Vegeta only fairly. "My point is, that this was a great, selfless act… It was hard for me to send you to hell, and after Goku begged for your salvation so passionately… what I want to say is that this was all I wanted to see, Vegeta. My proof that you've changed. Right now I decided, that you may go to heaven with Son Goku. From now on, you're officially one of the good guys."

The Saiyajin didn't like the last sentence all too much, but then he realized what Enma had said. He inhaled deeply and asked: "That means, I can go with him?"

Enma nodded, well aware that he wouldn't get a thanks from Vegeta. "Well, 'go' is the wrong word… did you have to knock him unconscious? Either you wait until he awakes or you take him with you like this."

Vegeta grinned smugly. "Ah, I'll drag him along." He marched over to the unconscious man and gathered him into his arms unceremoniously. "Well, so long, Enma!" he grinned and disappeared through the gate.

"What a disrespectful fellow.."

Next Chapter: Alone with you