Oh, boy! O~O
Chapter 13: Fangs and Musings
The day after the talk with Cole, Gohan and Videl went back to class with a new drive, and a coffer fresh full of useful knowledge that would serve them in the future.
It would be good to say that everything went well. But that would be lying. Word had spread of what had happened with Videl the day before. The whispers were overwhelming. Had she owned advanced hearing she would have snapped by then. Her only companion was Gohan, who seemed to be getting a similar treatment. Really, those guys were asking for it. The day Gohan couldn't take it anymore, it would be a day of broken limbs. Just because he was quiet and nice it didn't mean his patience was eternal.
Uh-huh, and another thing not so good that Videl noticed that day for the first time, was the leering looks some of the older saiyajins gave her. It was unsettling, but she had Gohan to look out for her, as much as that thought made her feel weak. It was exciting in a way though. The whole "damsel-in-distress-waiting-for-her-hero" feeling was a [pleasant?] change of roles for her. But she wouldn't complain. Her hero was right there for her.
Videl had been given permission to use the shower room when it was empty, after much arguing and explaining to the academic authorities. She had refused to bathe with all the people there because, in her exact words, "it was against her culture". The final straw to get her way had been when she asked the director what he would feel like if some foreigner stepped on his traditions like they were garbage. That shut him up on the spot, so he gave her permission to use the room for a limited amount of time when all other students were in their classes.
Gohan had long since gotten used to it. At first, the stares had seemed too much to bear and he thought he was going to lose it. But after a while, the commotion began to wear off; he was not on show anymore. Heck! He was even ignored!
However, the vest'harians, first-class-in-all-their-glory-who-you-should-bow-before-and-kiss-the-soil-they-stepped-on, in their tendency to repel outsiders were taken aback at Videl's rejection, since they couldn't understand how somebody in their right mind would turn down such "embodiment of perfection". The arrogant ningen thought so highly of her that she had to have the shower room all for herself? Why couldn't she take a shower at the same time as all the others? And what about the tailless half-breed running after her all the time?
Pathetic.
And never mind all the attention she was getting from sensei Avocco, like she would ever be a match for any of them. Hmph. She and her constant questions on how to make a move stealthier, or a punch more powerful. She was becoming a damn good strategist on her own. Of course! With all that extra work and being given full clearance to the Palace training grounds. To the Royal chamber nonetheless!
It was said that the Princess was a technological genius and she had enhanced Ou's training chamber wonderfully. It was also said that the half-breed was in a first name basis with the little prince and the princess. Even with the crown prince! What had that blasted planet done to the Legendary!? It was unheard of! Hmph.
Oh there they came now, oblivious as ever. Couldn't they tell that vest'harians could see through their façade of nonchalance? It was a skill pounded since birth on a saiyajin to allow no emotion to show through. The masters of stoicism couldn't be fooled so easily.
It stung.
Especially that day when there was tail training. All tailless students were made to the side. Curious There seemed to be a considerate handful of them at Vest'har. Gohan just excused himself and went to the yard, Videl following suit.
In the beginning, he didn't care that he didn't have his tail anymore, but since his arrival on Vegeta-sei everybody had made it such a big deal that he was now almost depressed about it. It was those radical mood swings that kept Videl running to the library from time to time, getting all the information she could from Cole. And it was in that time that Gohan had taken upon himself to take her training to the next level. She had already learned the ki transmutation he had started to teach her in the first days. She had an amazing amount of self-control, and it seemed that Avocco's hard regimen had paid off, since the Satan girl was stronger, faster, had better reflexes and a sharper mind.
It was that last one that got Gohan to teach her the basics of ki induced telepathy. Since Videl owned more ki than strength, she was able to do this. Of course, it was hard in the beginning, as she was a good emitter but not as good a receiver. This kind of telepathy though was not conversational, but kind of like transmitting a feeling or an impression to the other person, which meant they could not communicate clearly, like the kind there was in a bond.
Videl got to see just how much the situation got to Gohan, since he was becoming restless, introvert and she could start seeing some hints of aggressiveness. But of course, Videl was not the only one to notice his changes, since so did everybody who was close to him. Even the children refrained from ticking him off for fear of what he might do. They had been told to never mess with an angry Gohan. However, in all of Gohan's aggressiveness, he didn't seem to get back at his attackers. He just let it all come his way, swallowing his anger and pride, unconsciously feeding off of it, like the flames would slowly, but surely, consume the woods, later exploding into a hellish conflagration, to leave behind only charred remains and ashes.
~*~
Sweat droplets hit the smooth floor of the gravitized room, falling from their temporary perch on the lone figure's hard-set jawbone. The gravitron had been running for several hours now, at first, with the intention of serving to the daily royal squabble. Now, after Ou had been called back to his responsibilities, Vegeta trained in solitary.
His clenched fists sliced the heavy air with relentless determination in their quest to hit an imaginary opponent; moving with feline agility, gracefully twirling and flipping in the air, roundhousing the empty spot to his left, only to land soundlessly on his left foot. He took a deep breath to cool the burning sensation in his lungs, before taking stance to start his personal kata. All the while, his movements seemed more mechanical, his mind traveling away from his body, if the glazed, faraway look in his passionate eyes was any indication.
He mused over his present situation. It was curious, he thought, how no matter where he was, he seemed to be doing the same thing over and over again. He always found himself working like a madman in his quest for strength, his pride making him yearn for more power. To be the best had always been his goal, even if the objective of gaining that power had been twisted in the decades spent under Furiza's rule.
But times change, and with it, so do people. He nodded unconsciously to the empty room, the only sounds being his ragged breathing and the taps of his black boots against the special alloy that made the floor and walls. Yes, people change. He changed. Or did he?
He was molded into the ruthless mass murderer he had become, into an image of the being he had grown to hate the most since his childhood years, since that very same monster destroyed his home, his people, his kingdom, his destiny.
Nevertheless, since he set foot on Chikyuu, oh yes, the pathetic mud ball the ningens called home, he had started to change. Why was it? What was the cause? Was it watching the admirable display of bravery from the fighters that vowed to protect it? How they willingly sacrificed their petty lives to save millions, who hadn't even been aware of the danger they'd been in. Was it the fact that he had finally accepted he was alone in the universe? The only saiyajin of pure blood left after Raditzu's demise at the hands of the namekujin* and Nappa's death at the hands of himself. Yes, Kakarotto was genetically a pureblood, but he was not aware of what it was to be a true saiyajin. He lost that the day he fell off that ravine and hit his head as a child, the day he lost his programming and his untainted memories.
Was it because of that?
But then again, another curious thing he had noticed was that, somehow, some of Kakarotto's enemies seemed to be pulled to his side sooner or later. Living proof of that were the bakayarou* desert bandit, Yamcha, the three-eyed ningen, Tenshinhan, the namekujin Piccoro, the female jinzouningen*, Juuhachi-gou* and finally himself. What was it about that battle magnet Kakarotto that gave him such transmuting qualities?
A flawed step caused a twist of a calve muscle and for him to almost get reacquainted with the floor, grimacing in pain after he caught himself. He grunted and shook his head, as if that would make his thoughts fall back in their original path. It was proving to be somewhat harmful for his health when his thoughts wandered, trying to figure out the kind hearted saiyajin; being it mentally as well as physically.
So, yeah, he had changed. He felt as if the Vegeta that first went to Chikyuu was a completely different person. Uh, well, he HAD been a different person then
A pause in his movements left him in a perfect punching position.
He'd been a person who grew up without a choice, a person who was taught that emotions were a weakness. A person who learned, the hard way, that developing attachments could be his downfall a person who was so consumed by hatred and self-loathing, that it was pitiful. How he hated pity! It made his blood boil just to think about it. But even though he had been such a dark character then, at least he had been free.
'That's right Vegeta. Keep telling yourself that.' A patronizing voice, very similar to his own, seemed to float in the back of his thoughts.
He gritted his teeth with excessive force until they ached. Damn it! He couldn't fool himself! Then why did he feel like he had to question his present life? Why was he trying to find an excuse to justify his past life, when he knew that it had been wrong?
He hated the life with Furiza, that much he was certain. But he couldn't deny he'd enjoyed it at times, and it was scary how many those times were. He had hated it because Furiza had destroyed his life, his fate. The perfect picture his people had knitted for him since before his very birth; and he felt compelled to fulfill that destiny they had bestowed upon him. He had to prove his worth by becoming what they needed, what they wanted him to be.
Standing at ease, he frowned at the floor.
But if he had had no regard whatsoever about anybody else, what they thought or wanted of him, why was it he had felt obligated to please them? Wasn't a monarch supposed to order his subjects, not be controlled by them? He had always thought himself a saiyajin of honor, even if that honor had been somehow supple on one of the sides. So his honor dictated him to do so. Even though a child, Furiza's training had not tarnished his people's teachings. He had stuck to them like a lifeline, since it was those teachings that kept his pride alive, and with his pride, himself. It was his duty to salvage the last vestiges of his culture and bide by them until the scythed skeletal wraith claimed his tainted existence.
He barely knew what a carefree life was like. Even life on Chikyuu wasn't completely carefree.
Chikyuu
Now that's where he learned to live. That's where the Kais finally compensated him for the Dantesque life he'd had. Yet it was not enough. It was not his true home. It was not what he remembered it should feel like. Then again, it was CHIKYUU he was thinking about, though THIS Vegeta-sei was his home. It had its differences, but it was Vegeta-sei wherever he looked at it. But this planet wasn't what he remembered either. It had his father and it had his people
Was this how it would have been like, had Furiza never come along? No. It was rather unlikely. Even they had had a Lord Furiza.
So, was this his true home? Was it supposed to feel like this? Slightly out of place? He hated to admit, even to himself, that he was troubled about what could happen. After all, he didn't know anything about ruling a planet, not in a fair way actually. All he ever knew was war and fighting, since he was taken many years before his proper training in ruling had started. Now that he thought about it, what kind of prince had he been claiming to be all along when he didn't even know what it took to rule?
He always had a kind of rivalry with his father, but the truth is he admired him. With the qualities he possessed over the man, he still looked up to him, wanted his approval, even if his sire's attitude sometimes annoyed him to no end. He was selfish and hypocrite, willing to do anything to get what he wanted as long as it didn't damage his image. Very strong in his beliefs, which also made him tend to bureaucracy. It was not the fact that his father was like that what annoyed him, but actually, that everybody thought him perfect in every way, idolizing him; not knowing the old bastard was a master at pulling the strings when he wanted to.
But in the end, he was his father, and damn had he missed him!
He knew Ou was pleased with his return, and so was he. And even if he had told his father he didn't know if he wanted to stay, now he was having second thoughts about wanting to go back.
~*~
Videl woke up that morning to the nicest source or heat she'd ever had in her life. The scent was just a bonus. Mmmm! (^ ^) It felt so nice! In fact, she liked it so much she had to get closer to whatever was giving off so much heat. Scooting over a bit, she realized something was helping her move
Videl's eyes flew open to come face to face with Gohan. He was sound asleep and, for a change, was facing her. But that's not all that got her attention. No. It was the fact that he was topless, again, what seemed to put a pause in the gears of her mind. Oh. Kami. Her mouth opened on her own. What was helping her move on the bed was the arm he'd wrapped about her! 'Ok. Breathe. You've woken up close to him in the past.'
Yeah, but not to him holding me, half-naked and making that odd sound!
That was the stupid voice in the back of her head that seemed to disagree with everything she thought in a first basis. And indeed, it was then that she understood why she had thought the heat source was anything but Gohan. It was the sound he was emitting. Not snores, not heavy breathing alone, but a soft rumbling that
Soothing.
Hn. Where had she heard that before? She got closer. No, it was not coming out of his mouth. It was coming from his chest. Her hand came up cautiously to touch the part in question. It was vibrating.
He was purring.
Not only that, he felt very hot to the touch too, like he had a slight fever or something. Her mind began wandering. Were saiyajins also related to felines? She couldn't help but giggle at the mental picture of Vegeta with a Persian cat like tail and whiskers.
Gohan stirred and dazedly opened his eyes, only to find Videl inches from his face. He wasn't surprised, since it was like a habit now. So he just resorted to stare until sleep wore off. Videl waited until his eyes had cleared to speak.
"Ohayou*. Sorry to wake you up." He just grunted, still not moving.
"Um, can I have myself back?" Videl inquired again pointing to his arm looped around her waist. Gohan looked down, then looked back at her and blushed lightly, taking his arm away.
"Gomen." He said at last.
"S'ok." She answered while stretching, at the same time concocting some plan to get the bathroom first today. "It's not like it hasn't happened before."
"What time is it?"
"Around middle day. We were up training until very late." She turned to him casually, still with no intention of getting up yet. She figured if today was going to be anything like the last free day, she was in no rush of getting up. Gohan still hadn't moved from his position, he remained staring at Videl.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked him.
"I feel strange. Was I doing something odd?"
"Well, you were purring. And you're very warm." She answered truthfully but in a mischievous tone. Gohan immediately went beat red.
"Um, well, purring is not a strange thing. I do it all the time." He said in a little voice, suddenly finding a fiber in the sheet awfully interesting.
"Yeah, riiiiight. How come I've never heard you until now?"
"Well, because it's usually when I'm asleep and feel really comfy and contented."
"Mmm, interesting. I'll have to remember that for future reference." Videl teased cocking an eyebrow. Gohan left the fiber alone at last and instead buried his pressed hands between his thighs.
"What about the warmness? Are you feeling sick?" She saw him smile.
"I don't get sick. I'm a saiyajin remember?"
"Well, guess again, smart boy. You might not get sick on Chikyuu cause you're a saiyajin, but you might get sick on Vegeta-sei."
"Well, that makes sense. But I don't feel sick." He said finally looking up at her. "But my temperature's been rising lately. Sometimes I get so hot I think I'm dehydrating."
"Figures. You've been exhibiting your muscles for so long I was starting to think you were "subtly" trying to seduce me." She said again, making quotation marks with her fingers. Gohan looked at himself and blushed again, covering himself self-consciously. She tried to keep her face straight, but fell miserably into peals of laughter.
"Videl! Don't do this to me!" She heard him whine through all the ruckus she was making.
"Sorry. It's just that" Gasp. "You're so funny to make fun of. No really, I was just teasing. You should know better by now."
He pouted. "Now you're putting the blame on me? No way, miss. And later you whine and bicker when I get back at you. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk." He taunted too.
"Well, I can't say I didn't enjoy the view. Now THAT would be a sacrilege." She admitted with a smile that was immediately rewarded with his grin. Videl suddenly sat up straight, gapping in shock at him with wide eyes. She came close to him and pinned him on his back still looking at him in bewilderment.
"What?" he asked suddenly frowning.
"You You You have" She stuttered pointing slightly at his face.
"I have what?" Now he was getting worried.
" Fangs."
His eyes opened wide at the revelation. "Really?" he asked, getting her off him and running to the mirror to confirm her words. Effectively, his superior canines were longer and sharper than before, giving them the impression of dangerous fangs that were not overly large, though still intimidating.
"Oh, man!" He groaned, shifting his face one way and then the other. "Why me? This means I'll be coming of Age soon."
"Gohan." The boy turned back to her with a questioning look, only to encounter reddened cheeks and roaming eyes couldn't seem to leave his anatomy below his neck.
"Um, you're only wearing your underwear." She answered her tone lowering with every word she said.
Gohan looked down to find he wearing his white briefs and nothing else. He blushed too but found she was still looking at his body. Quickly composing himself, he figured it was as good as any a time for payback. So he just walked up in front of her and, fist on his hips, said in a casual voice.
"I'd tell you to take a picture, but we don't have a camera at hand. But since you seem so fascinated, I'll be a good boy and let you have a very good look." He turned about slowly, so she could see almost the whole picture. "Maybe you'll want to touch too?" He went on reaching out for her wrist. She gasped as he pulled her to her feet in front of him, then laid her hand on his chest and flashed his sharp canines in a teasing smirk.
"Had enough?" he asked again and she just nodded, not being able to take her eyes off his face, specially his fangs. Then he let go.
Almost as a second thought, he came close to her and sniffed once, before frowning and turning to make his way to the bathroom.
Namekujin = namekian
Bakayarou = bastard
Jinzouningen = artificial human (literally); android
Juuhachi-gou = number 18
Ohayo = Good morning ( ß I think I've done this one)
*nervous laugh* Hi. Um. How've you been? Missed me? Uh-huh. I guessed so. Well, I actually have no excuse for taking so long, but I'll repeat it: I am a busy person.
I don't know what happened with this chapter. I had a really bad time writing it, because at first it didn't want to come out. So I just left it in the drawer for a week or so and then started again. From three days before, you wouldn't believe the inspiration I got. I have almost the whole next chapter written, as well as others (*cough*thegoodparts*cough*). The next chapter should be out sooner since I only need to revise it.
Well, I really hope you liked this chappie too. Originally, my favorite part was in this chapter but I decided to wait for the next and make you wait a little longer. Cause, the next chapter is the one lots of you have been waiting for. Chapter 14: "Gohan snaps." Mwahahahahaha!!!
Special thanks to:
RedDawg (Don't worry, THAT is coming very soon ^_~ and yes, I've noticed the pace too but I plan to fix that soon. Have patience), perrin (God, I'm blushing!), jurgen (hiyaa hunk! ^_~), David, BeyondLSD, Jetforce9000 (long time no read! I still don't know but I'll tell you what I decide [though I want to!]), Darkheart81 (Really? I hadn't seen that one coming. *whistles innocently*), secretlife, lia (tsk, tsk, tsk. You'll just have to wait ^_^), Vejita (Thank you! *vows*), jackie (another impatient one. Well, you'll just have to wait, cause that's coming!), WeirdSister (girl, you're gonna make me conceited! Though thanks all the same), D-chan, Golden Cheetah (yep *sniffs* poor Gohan. But not for too long ^_~), naomi, PrincessZelda002, KK, Andromeda of the Moon, damn, Katie West (hey! Long time no read! Where've you been?) and Cait.
Now push there
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