AN: Greetings, one and all!
Omnimalevolent: You know, I'm still getting used to negative, but constructive, criticism. Two years I've been on and no one has really bothered. Yeah, the occasional person has offered such advice but they never came back so the lesson was gone. I guess your pen-name (even if there aren't any stories attached to said name yet) is quite true, innit? Okay, fine, I acknowledge any and all crappiness. Doesn't make it easier, but I try. Glad it makes you happy. Meh, I dunno. Thing is, fanfiction, as with all fiction, is all down to personal taste. Now you might find my work clichéd or crap or overdone or maybe even a little good, while another might like the sap and general OOCness. So I don't really know what to change. The story was finished before I began uploading it and I don't have time to rewrite it the way you want it. I have two jobs and many unfinished fics that need attention. And as far as I'm concerned, I like very much so what happens in this one.
I like to call it graduation because I wasn't sure what else to call it. But it is the school of hard knocks, hehe. And maybe Saiyans did have schools…or they were too busy beating the shit out of each other…
Well, I like the sword! It's a replacement for the now-forgotten nyo-bo! I think Kakarot really understands now how Vegeta thinks and he's trying to make up for everything he's said and done wrong over the years. Maybe I'm giving him some credit? However, I blame fanfiction for making him stupid. He actually isn't that dumb in the series…more naïve, yes, but never actually stupid and its NOT fair that he's 'OOC' when he's being a little above average. There are very few GOOD fics with a stupid Kakarot. If you've just come to the world of Dbz fanfiction, I suggest you go find the privately owned sites where the work is screened and not every idiot can just post. It's a privilege to post on the Saiyan Hideaway and that's where all the good fics live (including mine). And guess what? In the best fics, Goku isn't a moron. He does have a brain, he does reason and he does use big words! No, I'm not ranting at you, but at the fucking stereotypes that fans lump on characters and get upset when authors try to look at things differently.
'Decorum' means honour in Latin. Thought it apt. Ever heard of the saying Dulce et decorum est pro patricia mori? It means 'it is sweet and honourable to die for your country. There's a poem that ends with these lines:
My friend, you would not tell with such zest
To children desperate for some ardent glory
The old lie:
Dulce et decorum est pro patricia mori.
Its one of the saddest war poems ever written…if only I could remember who the hell wrote it…
Glad you liked the ending…I wonder why so many people thought it was the last chapter…
Spruceton Spook: I adore you! Thank god you review so kindly! Maybe I'm just shallow…anyway, I like that word 'mooch'. I picked it up from my editor…and Vegeta could make a splendid pillow, if you could just get him to lie still long enough. He smells nice and all…I'm glad you pick up all the word twists…that dragonball in the washing machine is one of my favourites. I'm honoured to update every Sunday knowing that you genuinely appreciate my work and all the hard work I put into it. Here's another chapter!
J-Girl: Aw, thank you! I truly hope I can inspire you to write. I'd be more than happy to beta and help you out. Writing is my one great love, my passion and my reason for getting up everyday and I'm so happy that I can inspire others to do the same. I'm quite proud of my work, most of the time, and thank you for reviewing. Good luck with your fanfiction, whichever direction it takes!
John Perry: Happy birthday for last week! showers John with senzu beans best of luck for the year! I'm so sorry that it seemed like an ending! A lot of people thought it was! There're still a few chapters to go and I want to bring closure to things first. It would have been really crap to just end it there. No spar, no trip home…
Kevornman: Ah, I assure you won't ever stop. I'd go mad if I did…I'll be around for a long time. But thank you for the super cool review.
Chuquita: The name 'Sanzo' comes from my Saiyuki manga! I love it so, and it is based on the same legend that DB is based on! Really worth a shot. Its also quite a short series; its 9 volumes, as opposed to GTO which is 23! Waaah! That's going to be a whole months tips to buy! But its one of my favourites. And Naruto as well…I have the manga up to volume 30 on computer. Where would I be without anime and manga? I'm currently watching Full Metal Alchemist and reading Love Hina. So glad you liked the chapter, this one is one of my favourites. There are a few more to go, but not many.
And I've downloaded so many of your stories! I'm working my way from 100 down and I just finished Kakaroujo! Ah, the cuteness indeed. Of course, as it stands now, Goku has long broken Rule no 1. And which story has all the rules in them? Thank you for the audio clips, much appreciated! And I can't wait for part 3! Turles must assist Kakarot-san in the quest for Veggie (and Veggie baby!)! But there will be more losers than winners if the two Saiyans do admit their feelings…poor Bulma.
And Veggie is a great teacher! And the sword/medallion part is one of my favourites…but the sadder parts are coming up now.
Brolly: Spoilerer!
Zo: Eh?
Yami Persephone: Ah, thank you kindly for the plot-bunny restriction devices! whips huge needle out of back pocket Brolly baby, come here…
cue Brolly flying very far very fast
Ah, haha…I'll have to get him tonight when he sleeps. Damn bastard hogs all the sheets and I'm so skinny he doesn't even know I'm there sometimes. I love that word, "Squee!" it's so descriptive! No, no sappy 'dying in arms' crap. I did that once before and I now nauseate myself whenever I read my older works. I dig Sasuke from Naruto, but Naruto himself and Kakashi are my favourite characters! And Onizuka from GTO rocks too, I've got the first 6 volumes. I also bought Saikono but its so majorly depressing that I can't watch it too often. My next step is to get Trigun. There's no adult swim here or Toonami but I do know of YYH and Inuyasha. Veggie is the best badass in anime/manga and NO ONE can contest. Viva Veggie!
Lenora: Vegeta Muse! Be nice to Lenora! She's your biggest fan, isn't she? Don't worry; I've pulled out of my writer's funk and I've decided to stay…we'll see what I can put up here next. And Sirius lives! He's here in South Africa catching a tan!
M-Python-Girl: That's really wonderful to hear! Sometimes short and sweet is best. Here you go, another regular update!
Clarobell: cue bugged-out eyes from Zo, Brolly and new muse That's a lot of updates…uh, but here's one! You know I try to update every Sunday, right? We're about four or five chapters from the end so don't worry…who knows what might happen?
Viper-Vegeta: Aw, I will miss you greatly while you are off-line but I hope to see you again soon! I really like that last chapter too…maybe its because I'm a sentimental fool sometimes. Damn me to hell…
And in closing from me
holds up shiny, official looking paper
Squee! I got my drivers licence! First try too! I'm so proud of me! Oh, and I have another muse! He kinda just stumbled in the other day, and Brolly feels threatened, but he's just my muse, not my lovable spank monkey, like Brolly. Muse, step forward!
Guybrush: waves brightly Hi! My name's Guybrush Threepwood and I'm a mighty pirate!
cuddles Guybrush
He's a highly lovable character from the rather obscure Monkey Island game series but he's really sweet and has almost exactly the same voice as Funimation Goku!
Brolly: growls with tail lashing Weak little human…I'll tear your skin off your back and eat it on toast.
Guybrush: Eep! hides behind Zo Save me from the maniac!
Brolly! Behave yourself or you're on the couch!
Brolly: sulks
Aw, don't do that…
sigh
I also killed some fics…my regulars will notice that three of my older stories have been taken off. I find them embarrassing and crap but I will be replacing them with newer, better works. Maybe I'll do double updates on Sundays from now on…who knows? Not me!
Anyway, on with the fic!
Chapter Thirteen:
Welcome home
"Let's spar, Kakarot. It's a whole new game now."
I watch Kakarot flare into super Saiyan three, and it never ceases to amaze me where he gets all that damn hair from…
After I power up he's the first to attack, but he's much sneakier now. He comes from my left, knowing that I've been slower on that side ever since he damaged my eye so long ago when I was Oozaru, and he dodges my belated punch just to jump up and headbutt me under the hinge of my jaw. Cheeky bastard. No matter though; my arm grabs around his neck and pulls him off-balance, my foot moving to trip him up. He falls to the side and I go with him, my knee dropping right into his solar plexus and slamming all the wind out of his chest. He wheezes, then grabs my knee with both hands, jerking to the side and rolling me off. As I fall he grabs my ankle and stands up, dangling me upside down.
"Is the teacher learning anything?" he taunts, swinging me from side to side. I smirk and swing my arm, flinging out a wall of sonic energy that makes him let go. My hands take the fall and I flip backwards onto my feet, falling back into stance.
"Don't shit me, Kakarot; those are my moves and you know it."
He gets up from the snow, all wicked grin and blonde hair. "Ah, so you caught me. Call it tribute, if you will. So…we gonna get going again, Grampa?"
This spar is such a bad idea when it comes to my health, but I don't care. I can't leave this world without having a last, good spar with the best rival I've ever had.
"Come along, brat; we're just getting started."
He grins and I mirror it, this time leading off with a hard left cross that cracks across his jaw and snaps his head to the side. But he's the one with the outrageous power, always has been, and out of nowhere a boot chunks into my stomach before a punch uppercuts my jaw. My retaliation is a simple kick to his kneecap, making his right leg buckle and distracting him enough that I can flip behind him and deliver rabbit punches to his kidneys. But Kakarot, the devious baka, simply somersaults forward, his feet kicking up into my now fractured lower jaw before he uses his windmill trick to knock my feet out from under me and slam me back-first into the ice. With all the breath knocked out of me and blood beginning to trickle from my split lower lip, I pant and try to get back my wind. Kakarot leans over me and waves with one hand, the other on his knee.
"Gonna pant at me until I give up?"
Oh, I know it's a cheap shot, but my leg snaps up and my foot sails across his face as I roll backwards and get to my feet.
"You know me, Kakarot; I'm never down for long."
Kakarot rubs his nose and grins at me. "I know, Vegeta, and I've always counted on it."
I take up my favourite stance then beckon with my fingers. "Hn. Foreplay's over, Kakarot. Now the real fun begins."
KKKKKKKK
I'm kinda sad that everything's over.
I might have been against this at one stage, and I might have wished to go home in the beginning…but how different things are now. I easily could stay and do this for another month and keep building my strength.
And when Vegeta said he was going to make me stronger, I had had no idea that my power would increase exponentially like this! Our first spar without energy constraints was the best I've ever had! And Vegeta enjoyed it too, I could just see it.
But he looked rather trashed afterwards…maybe I went a little overboard. Super Saiyan three doesn't chug my energy like it used to and I can hold the form for twice as long now.
I told Vegeta to go rest and he did. He didn't look too good…like he was in a lot of pain. I don't remember landing any excessively hard hits but he waved it off and told me that he just needed to sleep for a little while.
We've left our training grounds behind and are now half-way home. I can't wait to show everyone how strong I've gotten! And I can't wait to take Gohan and Goten training. Maybe Vegeta will come along and help me train them. I'm not sure that I can do as good a job as he can.
And speaking of which, I really owe him a big thank you. I'm going to go dragonball hunting the night we get home, and we'll be able to go for breakfast at the royal palace on Vegeta-sei! I know that it would make Vegeta really happy to have his home back.
I'm just so glad that the two of us finally sorted out our differences. I've wanted him for a sparring partner since the day I met him and now he's that and so much more. I've had many teachers in my past, but none like Vegeta. No one has been so ruthless and so careful with my growth. He's given me the most rounded training possible and taken the time to explain why or how something works.
And then we became friends…it was quite sudden, but in a way it's been building for a while. We just needed to get all the bullshit out of the way. The first four or five days were the hardest because that's when he believed that he needed to piss me off to get me to do anything. I had to have a temper tantrum and say horrible things that I regret now before we understood what was wrong.
Vegeta's mellowed out over the years and I now count myself lucky to have the greatest warrior mind in the universe as a friend.
Vegeta's my friend…maybe best friend. Nothing more and nothing less.
VVVVVVV
The capsule ship lands on the back lawn of Capsule Corp and I open the ramp. There are our families waiting for us, and if I'm not mistaken, Chichi looks most relieved. I did warn her that Kakarot wasn't going to have an easy time...Kakarot and I don't even get a chance to walk onto the grass before we're attacked by various lumps of demi-Saiyan. I look over Trunks' head to see Bulma, who smiles and nods once. Kakarot laughs as Goten clings onto his neck and Gohan, abandoning any 'older brother' restraint, wraps his arms around his father.
It's good to be home.
Bulma and Chichi usher us into the house where there's a massive lunch laid out for all of us. The wives of Saiyans know that food is always the best way to welcome a warrior home.We dig in, and the boys ask us about our trip. What did we do? What did we see? How did daddy (Kakarot) get so strong? The kids should know better than to ask questions during a meal, and we tell them to wait until we're done. They pout at their abrupt dismissal, which makes us all laugh, Kakarot snorting coke through his nose and getting it all over me. I smack him upside the head, fondly of course.
"Baka!"
He laughs and slaps me on the back and sends my face into my pile of sushi. I snort as I pull my face out of the maki and handrolls, trying to at least look pissed.
"Dammit, Kakarot! You made me mess up my favourite meal!"
Bulma smiles and hands me another platter while I wipe rice off my nose. "Well, I'm glad to see that you two are getting along so well."
I growl as I poke Kakarot in the upper arm with my chopsticks. "Can't help it. The man is impossible to dislike."
Kakarot grins at me before knuckling my head. "And the Vedge-head is also likable when he pulls the stick out of his ass!"
Chichi and Bulma giggle, much to my embarrassment, and Goten and Trunks snicker behind their hands but at least Gohan has the decency to keep a straight face. We manage to get through lunch without any further mishaps and after being asked to relate our adventures, we agree to do so. Between the two of us we tell the story of the last month, Kakarot using his tail to pick Gohan up in demonstration and earning himself a round of applause.
Finally, the Sons decide to go home, and Kakarot gives me a wave and a smile before he puts two fingers to his forehead and disappears. Bulma turns away from the front door and heaves a sigh.
"As much as I love the bunch of them, I'm glad they've left so we can have some time together. I missed you so much, Vegeta."
She wraps her arms around my waist and rubs her face into my neck. I sometimes forget how much I like close contact despite my hardass exterior. I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull her close.
"Missed you too, Bulma."
Trunks, always one to spoil the moment, tugs on my shirt to get my attention.
"Dad, how are you feeling?"
The sudden reminder of my heart problems pulls me down to Earth and I feel my face fall. I can't lie to the kid, I won't. I did enough lying to Kakarot and I don't want to make my conscience feel even worse. I let go of Bulma to rest my hands on Trunks' shoulders.
"I finished with Kakarot earlier than I thought…I might have two weeks or so, but I'm not entirely sure. If I avoid any stress of any type, I should be around for a little while longer."
Trunks nods and looks at the ground, his small fists clenching at his sides. "It's…it's my big spelling bee thing tonight at school and I was hoping that –"
"I'd come? Of course, Trunks. Watching you outsmart everyone always makes me proud."
He grins up at me and flings his arms around my torso, standing on his tiptoes. "Thanks, dad! I promise I'll do well! I've gotta go speed-read the dictionary before we go!"
He dashes up the stairs and Bulma gives me her 'you softy' look. "I know I've said it before, Vegeta, but it's going to be so hard when you go."
I look at my feet, not knowing what to say. I have no reassurances or promises. I've done what I can protect my family in my absence. I'm going to die and there's nothing I can do to stop it or reverse it. Bulma hugs me, clinging on tightly.
"I'm sorry; I should stop reminding you about it. Let's just enjoy the days we have left, okay? It's been a wonderful twelve years, Vegeta, and we can always pick up where we left off in Otherworld."
I sigh into her hair and close my eyes. I know my family will be fine; they've had warning and have already begun to make peace with the inevitable. I worry about Kakarot; he hopes that we can become weekly sparring partners. He asked me if I'll help him train Gohan and Goten. So many promises I'll have to break, promises that I'm desperate to keep.
We made our peace too late…and I regret not doing it sooner. I feel as though I'm going to miss out on a great friendship, the sort I've always wanted but never been brave enough to create.
Kakarot, I'm so sorry…
"Vegeta? Are you letting your mind drift again?"
I blink and look down at Bulma, then smirk. "To the untrained observer, woman, I appeared to be daydreaming, but in truth, I was actually multi-tasking."
She smirks back and tugs me by the hand. "Yes, of course, dear, I believe you. Come, we'd better get changed for the spelling bee. You can't go in your combat armour."
I follow her, my tail swinging behind me. "Why not?"
Oh, I've asked her this question so many times, and she's always come up with a smart retort.
"Because, Prince Vegeta, your ass belongs to me. No other woman may have the privilege of staring at what is strictly mine."
"Rightly said, Lady Bulma."