Chapter Ten: Doubt sets in

Goku and Claudia were enjoying breakfast in their new suburban home. The sprinkler was on, Goku's new puppy was rolling on the lawn, it all seemed so perfect. All that was missing were some toys on the lawn and a barbecue with burgers grilling, in preparation for lunch with their perfect neighbours. To Claudia, Goku seemed perfectly happy. A little quiet sometimes, but otherwise, happy. She liked him just as he was. Loyal, obedient, quiet, great with people, supportive and a total push over. In other words, perfect husband material.

But inside, Goku was incredibly unhappy. It had been six long months since Vegeta had left, and he felt more and more miserable with each passing day. It was like a cancer…no, worse. It felt like death. A slow, agonizing, painful death. Not only did he regret his horrible last words to Vegeta, but he was starting to wonder if he was actually doing the right thing. He wasn't happy with Claudia. He'd loved Vegeta. He'd just had a crush on Claudia, since he was too scared to tell Vegeta how he felt. He knew, deep down, that he would have been far happier with Vegeta. He'd always been happier around the older saiyan. They were best friends. Now, he had nothing left, except a constant ache in his chest and permanent depression.

What the hell is holding me back? Goku wondered, as he munched on some toast, staring out the window. Goten and Trunks seem so perfect together, and as for Piccolo and Gohan, well, they match like a set of dragonballs. So what am I waiting for? Claudia is no different from Chichi. Well, to be honest, she's worse. She's so possessive, and insecure, and jealous and petty and selfish. What did I ever see in her? What the hell was wrong with me!? I wish I knew why I still chose her over Vegeta, even though Vegeta gave me a chance to be with him. Claudia just drags me to all her parties as though I'm some ornament, the trophy boyfriend. To make things worse, the gang doesn't want anything to do with me. Even Gohan has given up on me. They won't spar with me, and they won't even answer my calls. Trunks and Goten told them about my final talk with Vegeta, and they are all mad at me because of what I did to Vegeta. I don't blame them. I deserve no better. Vegeta means so much to all of us, and now, we've all lost him because of my selfishness, my stupidity. Trunks and Gohan have been especially hard on me. They told me that until I bring Vegeta back, and apologize to him and make it all okay, they will not acknowledge my existence.

I'm tired of living this fallacy.

I'm tired of smiling all the time, when I feel like I'm dying inside.

I'm tired of acting happy when I just want to cry.

I want him.

I want to be with Vegeta.

I can't live like this forever. I know now that I can't love anyone like I love Vegeta.

I still love him.

I don't think it's possible to ever stop loving him. After all, he was my first real love.

I think that it's time to cut free.

It's time to go fix things, and bring him home.

I should say sorry.

Sorry for breaking his heart, for making him cry, for making him leave, for tearing him apart.

I should say sorry to my friends, for erasing them out of my life.

I should say sorry to my sons, and ask them to take me back as their father.

I have so much to do, so much to repair.

And it's not going to happen if I just sit here.

It all ends now.

"Um, Claudia?"

"Yes, sweetie?" she buttered a piece of toast, and bit into it while looking at Goku. He just fidgeted in his seat. He knew that she would break up with him after this, and he wasn't looking forward to the one-sided screaming match that was to come.

"How do you feel about aliens?"

"As in, little green men?" she smiled.

"No, as in me."

She put her toast down and stared at him.

"You? Why, are you an illegal immigrant?"

"Er, no, not that kind of alien. You see, I'm a saiyan, from planet Vegeta. I came to Earth as a baby, and –"

Two hours later, he'd explained everything.

" – And considering how most people feel about aliens, I had to lie to you about my family and friends. And about myself. Didn't you ever wonder why I'm so strong, even though I don't work out? And why I never let you see me naked? My tail stump is still there. So, that's the real me."

She blinked once or twice and stared at him.

"You're kidding right?" she laughed weakly.

He shook his head, and grinned.

"Nope."

She stood up, and drew a breath.

Goku cringed. He knew what was coming.

"YOU FREAK!!!"

Goku's ears rang. Not even Chichi had been able to hit notes that high. Claudia grabbed a butter knife off the table and waved it around, to ward Goku off, even though he wasn't moving towards her or anything. Goku wanted to laugh at the panicked expression on her face.

So he did.

"STOP LAUGHING!" she shrieked.

But Goku kept chuckling, as he walked out the room and upstairs. He got all his stuff together (it wasn't much), picked up his Great Dane puppy, and went back into the kitchen. He gave her a cheery grin. Man, it felt so good to be getting out.

"Oh, and by the way. Call me Goku. I'm not your Kakarot any more. Bye Claudia, nice knowing you!"

And with a friendly wave, he teleported away.

He arrived back at his old home, and smiled properly for the first time in months, as he breathed in the clean forest air. He was unhappy in the city, and this forest air smelt like freedom to him.

"Much better, hey Vegetto?" he asked his puppy, putting it down on the grass. It barked, and wagged it's thick tail, then ran off, chasing a butterfly.

Goku watched it go, then walked up the path to his door. He took the key from underneath the pot plant next to the door, lifting the massive one hundred kilo clay pot easily. As he opened the door, he noticed that his friendship box was sitting on the windowsill. Vegeta must have put it there during his last visit. It had been protected from the rain, and was still in good condition. Goku carefully picked it up and went inside his home.

An- yes, Goku is free! Much joy abounds. On Monday's installment, there will be much happiness too! On a slightly sadder note, once this story, and a few others are finished, I will be updating far less often, because I'll be studying for my finals. So, from about august to September, expect me to be very quiet. But, I have about 6 stories that still need to be uploaded, all with lots of yaoi goodness! And then…I have a gap year! An entire year to do what I love most – writing fan fic! And my reviwers…if I could meet all of you and say thank you in person, I would. This story has had 96 reviews, and I'm so glad to see that it is doing so well. Also, I'm glad other people agree with me that it makes sense for gohan and piccolo to be friends with Vegeta. In like half of the movies, Vegeta and piccolo always end off together, and I think gohan looks up to Vegeta. So there.

Veggies boo – yes, poor Vegeta. Orphan at six.

Musaka14- if I had my way, I would dedicate my life to writing and updating. But, well, reality gets in the way of fantasy.

TheTrueSilver = your wish has been granted

Goleta = I think you are one of the finalists for the Person-that-hates-claudia-most trophy.

A Paler Shade of Blue = words cannot expres my gratitude. So I'll simply leave it at thank you, before I start waffling…

Chibi-dbzprincess = she will die most painfully, do you mind if I throw hydrochloric acid in? I hadn't thought of it! Thanks!

dc-sais = yes, lonely Vegeta.

Lina = oh yes, I can! Artistic liscence. But don't worry, there is going to be more where this came from.

I'm kinda in a rush now, so thanks to all the reviewers! See you Monday!