Chapter five: The Naked Saiyan Chef

Vegeta called Bulma the next day to explain what was happening. She surprisingly understood the whole situation, much to Vegeta's relief.

"Well, it was inevitable."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Vegeta, walking around the corridors as he spoke on his mobile, almost tripping over Dulce.

"Stupid cat!"

"What?"
"Not you, Bulma. Kakarot's pet."

"Oh. As I was saying, you two are the last of your kind, it makes sense that you'd want to stick with each other, and I have a pretty good feeling that you'll be happiest together. So I really don't mind. It's your life, isn't it?'

Vegeta sat down on the couch next to Goku, who was busy scratching Gogeta's ear.

"I'm glad that you understand. I just feel bad about leaving Bra."

"It's not like you're never going to see her again."

Vegeta watched Goku rubbing the dog's belly, and smiled to himself as the dog's foot scratched the air.

"True."

"I think that maybe you should come over this afternoon and pick up the rest of your stuff. And you can say goodbye to everyone properly, including me. We might have divorced when Bra was two, but we're still good friends, aren't we?"
"Of course we are. I swear, you women always need reassurance."

Bulma's laugh echoed into Vegeta's ear.

"That's just how we are. Won't you try bringing Goku over? I'd like to see him."

"I'll try, but I can't promise anything."

Vegeta concluded the call, then snapped his phone shut. Goku was still scratching the dog.

"So what did she say?"
"You know her. She's more understanding than we think she is. She didn't have a problem at all."

"Great!"

"I was planning on going back there today just to pick up my stuff and say goodbye to everyone. You want to come with? They'd love to see you."

Goku looked at the floor.

"I can't"

"Why, Kakarot?"
"I can't explain why. You'll have to trust me on this."

Vegeta frowned slightly, but didn't press Goku for answers. Everything was going well at the moment, and Vegeta didn't want to do anything to disturb the peace. He got up, and put a hand on Goku's shoulder.

"Fine, whatever suits you. Don't eat before I get home, you hear? I'm making dinner."

"Kay, Geta."

Vegeta stopped in the doorway, his back to Goku and head turned slightly, so that he could see Goku from the corner of his eye.

"Geta?"

Goku gulped. Maybe it was too soon to be starting with nicknames. But Vegeta smiled and waved.

"Bye, Kaks."

Goku blinked, as Vegeta left.

As soon as Vegeta had flown away, he promptly fell back onto the couch and stared at the ceiling.

Kaks?

Vegeta managed to get to Capsule Corp in one hour, travelling at top speed through the tops of the clouds. He landed on the Capsule Corp lawn, and greeted his family. They helped him to sort all his stuff and pack, and they had lunch together, after Mrs Briefs promised Vegeta sushi for starters and lasagne for main course. Vegeta spent the day there, and comforted Bra with the words "daddy will be back soon, promise" and by sundown, he was ready to go. All his stuff was put into capsules, and all he had to carry was a briefcase filled with them, and a massive picnic basket in the other hand, filled with goodies from the Capsule Corp main fridge's, and some other things Vegeta had got from the cellars. As he took off, waving to everyone, he thought about things on his way home.

So my wish came true after all. I'm living with Kakarot, just as I'd hoped. Maybe I can drop the tough guy act now. There's no reason to hide behind that façade anymore. Kakarot knows that I'm capable of being pleasant and likeable. After all, if I didn't want to be there, I wouldn't have gone. I was so surprised when he asked me to live with him! Okay, fine, I'll admit that it was a hint more than an outright question, but the point is that he asked me. Only now do I realise that I was lacking the sort of companionship only he can provide. I still think that we forged a bond of sorts when we were fighting the Buu's. I wonder if he's ever thought of that. Anyway, I'd better hurry home, before he starts getting worried about me!

Vegeta tightened his grip on his two packages, smirked, then burst into super saiyan, and burnt gold across the sky as he blasted home.

Goku was arriving home from training Uub later than usual. But the kid had made a breakthrough, and Goku had gotten carried away with testing out Uub's new strength. As he landed outside his door, he couldn't help grinning. For the first time in a long time, his house looked like a proper home. The lights were on, jazz music floated softly though the house and Goku smelt something magnificently tasty. He pushed the door open, and saw Vegeta disappearing into the kitchen.

"Hey, Kakarot!" Vegeta called from the kitchen, and Goku followed him. He saw Vegeta was bent over, looking in the cupboards for something.

"Hey, Vegeta. What you doing in the cupboards?"

"Looking for your spices. Where do you keep your spice rack?"

Goku reached up, and took it off the top of the fridge.

"Thanks."

"No prob. What are you making? It smells awesome!"

Vegeta shrugged, as he started chopping up some spearmint, the smell making Goku even hungrier.

"Oh, nothing much. Just ostrich fillet in a glazed Italian fig sauce for starters…"

He opened a pot, checked inside then closed it, but not before the smell could dart up Goku's nose and tease him.

"Then for main course, I was thinking maybe roast chickens stuffed with herbs and berries, with swordfish steaks stuffed with Danish feta, topped with jalapeno sauce wrapped in foil and baked, with fresh vegetables, and maybe some angel hair pasta on the side."

Goku licked his lips.

"And for desert?"
"You'll love this. White and dark marbled chocolate mousse, as well as fresh sorbet in a chocolate wafer basket, with raspberries, and to finish off, home made crème brulee. Nothing spectacular. I brought the ingredients over from Capsule Corp."

Goku grinned, as he tried to sample a sauce simmering on the stove in a frying pan. But Vegeta rapped him hard over the knuckles with his wooden spoon.

"No, Kakarot. Let me warn you at the start. No one touches my food before its put on the table! So take your fingers out of my fig sauce."

Goku retreated from the stove with a hurt look on his face. Vegeta grinned back at him over his shoulder while he cut up butternut at high speed.

"Oh, cheer up, Kakarot. I assure you, its worth the wait."

Goku sucked his sore fingers.

"I have no doubts that its gonna be delicious, but how long before we eat?"

Vegeta calculated in his head.

"Oh, I'd say about forty minutes."

"WHAT?!"

"Hey, give me a chance.  I only just got home twenty minutes ago. I've still got to do all the vegetables, and season all the meat."

Goku stood next to him, and watched Vegeta chopping mushrooms.

"Can I help?"

"True Saiyans cook alone, Kakarot. I prefer to do things my own way."

"Oh." Goku looked crestfallen.

"But, you could keep me company. I'd really like that." Vegeta said quietly, giving Goku a sideways glance. Goku blushed, and hopped up onto the counter, propped his head up on his hands, his elbows on his knees, as he watched Vegeta work his magic.

After a few minutes of silence, only disturbed by the banging of pot lids and the sound of knives thudding against chopping boards, Goku interrupted Vegeta.

"Hey, Geta?"

"Mmm?" Vegeta stirred the jalapeno sauce, but listened to Goku.

"What's the special occasion? You can't tell me that you cook like this every day. Actually, I didn't know that you could cook."

Vegeta smiled to himself, as he put the lid back on the saucepot.

"Bulma's ditzy mother taught me the basics, the rest I taught myself. I swear, that woman has a crush on me. Well, I just thought I'd celebrate my new home and house mate. I'm not very good with words."

Goku leaned back against the tiled wall.

"This is a side of you that I never thought I'd see. I mean, I've known it was there all along. It's just that I've only seen the brick wall that you hide behind most of the time. I can't wait! Living with you is going to be the best thing ever!"

"When I get on your nerves, you have to tell me. I tend to do that without realising it."

"Hey, you know I'll always be honest with you. But I'm warning you, I can be quite a slob."

"I'm not a neat freak either, but I keep my space tidy. I like to be able to find clean socks when I want them. Just don't wake me up before ten in the morning. I'm a notorious night owl. I usually sleep at around one or two. My brain only slows down around that time."

"So, we're agreed. You'll ignore my sloppiness, and I'll let you sleep until ten. Deal?"
"Deal."

Goku looked at Vegeta, then chuckled.

"There's no need for you to cry, Geta. I didn't know you were that happy to stay here!"

Vegeta poked Goku carefully with the tip of his long knife.

"Dumbass! I'm chopping onions! I can't help it that the damned things make me cry. And watch it, I'm armed."

Goku raised an eyebrow.

"With a kitchen knife?"

Vegeta smirked.

"Which is currently positioned right over your heart. Believe me, your heart is so big, I can't miss it. You might have trouble finding mine though. Now, shove off, and wait for me in the dining room. The fresh bread is almost done. Come on, move it."

Goku kept chuckling, as he hopped off the counter, and strolled off to the dining room.

"That Vegeta. I never knew he had a sense of humour." Goku mused, as he walked into the dining room. Then he stopped in the doorway, and his jaw nearly dislocated from dropping so fast. He turned around, and saw Vegeta behind him, carrying a basket of fresh hot bread.

"You did this? You set all this up?"
Vegeta nodded, blushing a little as he looked down into his breadbasket.

Goku looked back at the dining room table. A while ago, he'd bought a little wooden four seater, but it certainly wasn't just a little table any more. Vegeta had thrown a black tablecloth over it, and put little white candles on it, floating on water in glass holders. Velvety red rose petals were scattered all over the table. Goku wondered where the crockery had come from. But it was stunning. The plates were white and square like the type some sushi restaurants use. Goku sat down, marvelling at the decorations. He picked up the black fork next to his plate, and turned it over in his hand, admiring the smoked steel. He supposed that Vegeta had brought the stuff with him from Capsule Corp.  The red, white and black theme was stunning. Goku felt his mouth watering as he watched Vegeta bustling around, bringing the starters to the table, lighting the candles with ki and making sure that everything was just right. He eventually sat down, looked at Goku, and gave him a nervous smile.

"Well, I hope it's okay. Dig in!"

Goku spread his napkin on his lap, and picked up his knife and fork.

"This looks incredible, Geta."

"You're just saying that."

Goku looked at the little stack of ostrich fillet medallions on his plate, drizzled with a sweet fig sauce, and decorated with herbs and artistically cut vegetables. It reminded Goku of French cooking. He almost didn't want to eat it, it looked so pretty.

"No, I'm serious! This looks like something out of those complicated cookery programmes that I watch. I've got my own Jamie Olivier!"

"I'm not a pretty boy."

"But you are a brilliant cook."

"Don't get used to it. It's only for special occasions."

Vegeta smiled over his glass of red wine. Goku picked up his glass, and leaned it towards Vegeta.

"A toast. To Saiyan friendship."

"To our friendship." replied Vegeta, gently clinking his glass against Goku's. They both sipped, not taking their eyes off each other. But, as the smell danced around Goku's taste buds, he had to tear his eyes away from Vegeta, and he started to appreciate the food before him.

Half an hour later, which is eternity in terms of Saiyan eating time, Goku put down his knife and fork, and leaned back in his chair, plate scraped clean and a contented glow on his face. He patted his stomach, and looked at Vegeta expectantly. The Prince got the hint.

"Ready for dessert, Kakarot?"

"Of course! Man, that was the best meal, ever, Geta! You're the best cook I've ever met."

"You're far too kind. I'll be back in a second."

He put his napkin on the table, and quickly disappeared to the kitchen. When he was out of Goku's sight, he did a little victory jump, one arm in the air, he was so pleased by Goku's response.

He thinks I'm the best! Alright!

But, Vegeta regained his usual calm and dignified state, picked up the deserts and went back into the dining room. Goku had already topped up their wineglasses, with the Shiraz that Vegeta had taken from the Capsule Corp wine cellar. Goku had to swallow, to prevent the drool from leaving his mouth, as he watched Vegeta put the deserts on the table. He couldn't wait for Vegeta to sit down, so he could dig in. Vegeta was feeling pretty pleased with himself. Usually, Kakarot just ate anything at top speed. But to see him eating slowly, savouring every single mouthful…now that is an achievement in itself. Vegeta grinned. He took his food as seriously as his training, and he'd really pulled out all the stops this time, and it had worked.

Goku picked up his spoon, and looked at Vegeta, eyebrows raised.

Vegeta nodded.

"Go for it, Kakarot."

Vegeta watched as Goku tasted the chocolate mousse, and a smile lit up the older Saiyan's face when he saw Goku's delighted response. Goku looked up from his delicious dessert just in time to catch the smile, and his eyes widened considerably. He quickly swallowed his mouthful.

"Geta…you've got dimples!"
Vegeta touched his fingers to his cheek.

"I do? I've never noticed.".

"You should smile more often. You have such a great smile. It lights up the whole room."

And Goku meant it.  Vegeta just blushed slightly, and smiled around his spoonful of lemon sorbet.

Goku didn't really want to finish his meal, but all good things had to come to an end. When the last cherry had been swallowed and the final spoonful of mango sorbet slipped down the throat, Goku got up and started stacking bowls. Vegeta also got to his feet and picked up the stack of bowls, but Goku stopped him.

"I'll tidy up, Geta. You've done enough."

"No, it's fine, Kakarot, really…"

"It's the least I can do. Please?"
"But –"

"No buts. You go relax, you've done quite enough. I'll meet you in the lounge."

Goku gently tugged away the bowls that Vegeta was holding and grinned at him. Vegeta looked like he was torn between helping and relaxing. Goku gave him a gentle nudge towards the lounge, and he gave in. Goku watched him go, then started stacking the plates, the remains of their first ever dinner together. 

When Goku walked into the lounge, he smiled. Vegeta was curled up on the one end, his legs tucked underneath him and a cushion supporting his head. Goku settled himself two feet away from his friend, and Vegeta's eyes opened slightly.

"Hey."

"Hey. I was just snatching a few seconds of sleep. It's been a long day." Vegeta's eyes were half-lidded, and he yawned.

"Understandably. You wanna go to bed?"
Vegeta shook his head, then stretched like a cat in a sunbeam.

"No, I'm fine. I'd rather sit here with you."

Goku thought for a moment, while Vegeta got up and changed the music, putting on a chilled blues CD.

"Geta?"

"Mmm?" Vegeta flicked through Goku's sizeable collection of cds.

"I'm glad you're here. Usually, I come home, feed the animals, feed myself, then waste a couple of hours watching tv until I fall asleep. But now, I don't feel lonely anymore. It's good to have company. I never knew having you around could be so great."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Vegeta turned around, a frown in place.

Goku realised that he'd just said something rather ambiguous.

"Don't get me wrong! I've always thought very highly of you, but I never thought that you could be so…normal."

"You say that as though it's a bad thing." muttered Vegeta, folding his arms and glaring at the floor. Goku laughed nervously.

"I've really put my foot in it, huh? Okay, let me explain myself. First of all, you don't mind me calling you Geta, do you?"

"No…I like it." said Vegeta, looking slightly happier. He sat down on the opposite end of the couch from Goku.

"I call you that because I consider you a good friend. I've liked you as a friend since the whole Majin Buu fight, and I'm just surprised by this gentler, kinder, nicer side of you. I've only seen the arrogant, cold face of your mind. For once, you aren't making snide comments, or ignoring me. I was so shocked when you crashed into my life yesterday, and although you've only been here for a short time, I'm feeling happier.  You have no idea how good it feels to come home to someone else besides my cat and dog. You've brought life to this house of ours, Geta. You've made it a home."

Goku stretched out, and rested his hand on Vegeta's shoulder, and squeezed.

"So, don't ever think that I think you're just a cold-hearted bastard. You're just great as you are."

Vegeta hesitantly shifted closer, and rested his hand on top of Goku's.

"Nobody's perfect, Kaks. Least of all, me."

"Well, you come pretty close, in my eyes."

"Crazy Kakarot."

An – I need to find out something…what the hell is a doujinshi!? I know that it's a sort of comic, but can some one tell me what they are?

Thanks.

No time for shout outs, I'm running on very little time today.

Sorry guys. But it is greatly appreciated that you have left such stunning reviews.