Chapter Three: Skydiving

It has just occurred to me that it's going be hard to find Kakarot if I can't sense him. His ki goes up and down, but as soon as I start going towards it, it drops. He's obviously training Uub, which explains the fluctuations.

I pause, and float in mid-air for a few moments, my famous frown in place and my arms crossed. I call it my "thinking stance."

I could just go up to the Lookout! Of course! Why didn't I think of it before? Fortunately, it's close by. A quick burst of speed, and I'm practically there. I corkscrew up and around the pole, and in seconds, my black boots thud onto the Lookout. I haven't even taken ten steps when a familiar gruff voice greets me. 

"And to what do we owe this special visit, Prince Vegeta? It's not often that we get royalty up on our humble Temple." I smirk.

"No autographs today, maybe another time. " My voice drips with just as much sarcasm. I look him up and down.

"I'll never understand you and that cape. Does it help you get girlfriends, or is because it makes you feel important?"

"What do you want here, runt?"

I cut the sarcasm. Although the Namek and I can continue in this manner for hours, now is not the time. Besides, I'm not as scathing as usual.

"Well, beanstalk, I was looking for Kakarot, and I figured that the best place to do it would be from up here. If that's okay with you, that is." I couldn't resist getting in a last jab. But his smirk is quite a remarkable one. I know my fangs are quite long, but his are permanently extended, which makes for great smirking.

"Do as you please. I daresay you've got ants in your spandex."

"It's not spandex, dammit! I have never worn that stuff. It's actually Duratex, a product of Capsule Corporation. So there."

Piccolo shrugs at me, head tipped slightly to the side.

"It looks like spandex to me, just like that stuff aerobics instructors wear. Besides, have you stopped wearing it because you aren't as toned anymore? Gaining a little weight there, midget?"

I snort derisively, and start walking around the edge, my eyes sweeping around the landscape.

"Bullshit, dear Namek. My body is as perfect as it was twenty years ago. I just haven't had an occasion to don combat armour for the last decade and a bit. It's no fun wearing combat gear when there's no one to fight."

I've walked halfway around the Lookout, and I still haven't found him. I stop for a second when I hear a low chuckle coming from the Namekian.

"What's so funny, pointy ears?"

"You are. Vegeta the ageing warrior. No wonder you're looking for Goku. You're bored."

"Don't act like your days are a whirlwind of excitement. And at least I'm not boring. The only exciting things that happen up here are the times when Popo trips over a broom or you forget to put your turban on in the morning." I look away from him, and continue looking for Kakarot.

"Don't get so touchy, Vegeta. I was just going to say that I'm also bored. It's been ages since anyone has been up here."

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself. If I had known that you wanted your ass kicked, I would have come up here and done a good job of handing you your green ass on a bed of senzu beans."

Piccolo grunted, swung his cloak around him and stalked off into the Temple muttering something in Namekian, and probably saying something that isn't particularly flattering. I shrug.

"Touched a nerve there, I think."

I finally spot Kakarot, and grin when I recognise that blue gi ensemble of his. For some reason I prefer the orange outfit, but maybe that's because that's how I always remember him. Besides, I've worn it once. Thank the heavens that Vegetto had my gloves and boots though. Hmm, it would have taken me the better part of a day to fly to him from Capsule Corporation. This is much quicker. I look back at the palace, and see old Grumpy Green Bean leaning against a pillar in the shadows, his usual introspective self. Shame, I give the guy a really hard time. Maybe Kakarot and I should come up here for lunch or something. I give him the thumbs up, and get a single finger in return. I know he doesn't mean it, so I laugh, wave and dive off the Lookout. I decide to do some freefalling. I haven't done it in ages. I close my eyes, spread my arms out and cut off my ki, allowing gravity to take over instead.  It feels wonderful, as the winds glide over me and tug at my hair. I haven't had this feeling of freedom in ages. I missed the adrenaline rush. But maybe it's time to put on the ki brake. I slowly open one eye, then both eyes fly open.

"SHIT!!!"

I opened my eyes just a little too late.

WHAM!

"What was that?!"

"I dunno, Uub. Let's go check it out."

Uub and I flew towards the small mushroom cloud, where we were sure we heard the noise come from. We come to a pile of smashed rocks, about two hundred metres away. It seems that something crashed down into the hill and got buried by the rocks. I can see a leg sticking out a bit, a black boot attached to it.

"Hey, are you okay?" yells Uub, hands cupped around his mouth. There was a groan as the person tried to get up, but they gave up. I can detect a very low energy signal, but it's familiar.

"Vegeta? Is that you?"

No answer, but I know it's him.

"Hang on, we're coming! Uub, help me shift some of these rocks, and be careful."

Uub nods, and we set to work.

"You know this guy?"

I nod.

"Yeah, old friend of mine."

I gingerly lift rocks off until he's uncovered. I hunch down next to him, turn him onto his back and lift him up slightly.

I look over him, checking for injury. I can't see any severe external injuries, but he might have a few cracked ribs.

His eyes try to open, but his eyelids probably feel like slabs of concrete. He drags them open, and I can see he's trying to focus on me, and he looks a little confused.

"Hey…Kakarot," he rasps.

"Vegeta! You idiot! What did you do that for!?"

He grins lopsidedly at me.

"Nice to…see you too."

A smile, then he passes out in my arms, head dropping to the side. I loop my arm under his legs, and lift him up.  Uub walks in front of me with a hand on his chin.

"I wonder what happened."

"Yeah, me too. But he'll be fine. I'm going to take him home and put him to bed. He just needs a nap and he'll be okay."

Uub nods, and I smile.

"Maybe when Vegeta's healed up, he'll show you a few new tricks. He's really powerful, and smart too."

"He's kinda short."

I chuckle.

"You're so lucky he can't hear you. Never underestimate some one because of their size. You'd be surprised at what Vegeta can do. I'll see you soon then."

"Kay, Goku."

I watch as Uub flies away, then I concentrate and teleport home.

An- oh, the glories of having no work…back to writing! I thought Vegeta's entrance into Goku's life should be dramatic.

And since I have no work…I can do shout outs! My email was jammed, so some review alerts didn't get though.

I seem to have a mostly female audience…It's hard to tell with the sign-in names…but who can resist that magnificent Vegeta?

I'm also changing the name of this story, because it doesn't fit too well. SO please don't think a techno gremlin has possessed the story.

So…

Ozuma's girl – Yes, he has big feet. But you know what they say…big feet, big…. Hehehe.

Lenora – yes, it's the usual fluffiness I seem to write a lot of.  Thanks!

Ramen-eki-no-tame-ni-KatChan – you of the long name… . they are cute…don't worry, more shall come, and its going to be twisty. (not twisted. That's another story coming up soon)

Clarobell: Yes, Goku did get a surprise!

Gutterball : I'm glad you caught the joke. Ten review points for you! (It's an imaginary system. But no harm in it!)

Quoth Aurora – I just needed a title, but I didn't think it through. As for Monster, yes, she has incredible talent, and if she ever got a contract…fiction will never be the same again.

Drek Rak'stom – bear with me. It's categorized like that for future chappies. But my loyal readers already know whats coming. I hope that you stick around to see more! It's always good to have new readers.

Goleta – It is nicer to have them as friends. I once made them enemies, and it wasn't very cool. Maybe that's why Vegeta's curse wasn't as successful as Goku's Priorities. And this one is doing well to, considering its only been up for three days.

Dragon's lair: when Bra was about two or three. I mention it somewhere in the next chapter I think. Don't worry, it was amicable.

And I'm glad to see that you respond to each other's reviews, and that even if I fail Biology and Geography, at least I have the readers to keep me going.

I'm not looking forward to Monday, getting my exams back…grr.

Mental note: stop treating story as though it is a personal diary! Shame on me, and my six personalities!

Review of the chappie:

It was a tie:

"The dragonball is in his pocket."

Ha! And you say you can't do humor! That was just...insightful. – Gutterball

It was short but sweet! WOW Goku has BIG feet!! Ne! And you know what THAT mean's!!?!! ' heh heh... forget I said that! I'm hyper this morning so! I WANT MORE! WE! – Ozuma's girl

(for pointing out the obvious…)