A/N: Hello anyone who's reading this:) Finally the 3rd part, woohoo! And it's all thanx to Jyasumine, my beta reader (visit to her page jyasumine.deviantart. com (without the spaces, stupid edit wontlet me write the whole address) she hadn't offered to be my beta this story wouldn't have been out for a while
Anyways, more Saiyajin stuff comming! Be pwepawed...ooo yesh..
Disclaimer: All characters andworlds are copyright to their rightful, oh so awesome, owner - Toriyama Akira-samabowsSO don't sue me! I've got soooooo much stuff to buy,I can't spend little money I have on court or other things
Ok, on with the story & have a nice reading!
The Prince of Air by schu-was-here
03. Of pride and confused demi
He was in pain.
A lot of pain.
He struggled to force his brain into consciousness, striving to remember what happened to him to make him feel like this.
There was someone talking. Low, gruff… that must be Piccolo… and strong, silky and demanding…Vejiita? What could those two, of all people, possibly be talking about?
'Maybe about what I can't remember…'
He had to know what happened. Some nagging voice in his brain told him he had to get his ass out of bed.
But it hurt like hell to move even one muscle. So he started with his eyes.
He would've groaned if his vocal chords didn't burn so much, instead he let out a frustrated breath, his eyes tight shut.
Kami's Palace. No mistake about this pristine white ceiling. Why did the all infirmary ceilings always have to be white? Didn't they know that opening eyes after blacking out and getting smacked right in the brain with so much light effing hurt!
Trying again and getting the same result, he gave up for now. He wanted to sleep.
Denied.
/Gokuu! We have to talk/
/Ah… Kaio-sama… I'm tired. Something happened and I can't even move./
/That's what I want to talk about! Don't you remember anything/
Gokuu thought, not very hard though. It hurt to think right now.
/Ah, sorry, last thing I remember was talking to Piccolo./
/Then you don't know…/
/What I don't know? Kaio-sama, did something happen when I blacked out/
There was a low murmur somewhere in the background.
/Gokuu-san. It's me, Kaiobito./
/Eh? Even you wanna talk? What's going on? What happened/
/Gokuu-san, I know it may be hard for you, but I need to tell you. You didn't just black out. When you were talking to Piccolo, you looked at the moon and transformed./
Gokuu paled.
/Oh no! I… I didn't… did I hurt…/
/Unfortunately, Gokuu-san, you've almost destroyed the whole archipelago where you've been living for the past year./
/No! And Uub/
/He's the one you should be thanking. He managed to damage the moon and thus ended the transformation./
/Thank Gods/
/Don't thank us, thank him. He's used almost all of his energy to stop you. But now Dende's taken care of him, and he is fine. He decided to return to his parents./
/But… but he'll hate me! I've destroyed his home/
/Gokuu, what about the dragon balls? You can wait six moths and use the second wish to bring them back. They had died only once, during Buu, so it won't be a problem for the dragon./
/Yes and I shall make sure Lord Enma won't send their souls into cleaning or Hell./
/Thanks Kaio-sama, Kaiobito/
/Eh, there's only trouble with you Saiyajin…/
/Heh…/
And then he fainted.
----
Vejiita was furious.
He wanted to beat that fucking bean stalk into a bloody pulp.
'What the fuck does he think he is? What does he know about Saiyajin that allows him to make decisions about my people!'
'Nothing!'
He was the Prince, he was the only one that could decide if their tails were good for them or not. And that bloody Namek had no right to claim that Kakarotto was stupid to wish them back, it wasn't his business. In Vejiita's eyes, that was the best thing that third-rate could've ever wished for. Except maybe for wishing Vejiita-sei back, but then again, what was the point in recreating a planet that would stay empty? Most of the dead Saiyajin's souls have been probably already cleansed and living their new lives. They couldn't be brought back anymore to populate the globe.
But back to the Namek. Vejiita had a hunch that he suspected him, that with having his tail back, he would use his newly acquired power to once again pursue Gokuu in his one-sided race for being 'Number One'.
Once, maybe, but now Vejiita no longer had that need. He has had acknowledged his rival as the stronger one – the burst of overwhelming power from just three hours ago being proof enough. As much pride it cost, he admitted it this to himself and carried on with his life. Mind you, he never gave up on trying to overtake his own limits, driving himself farther and higher. That was just a Saiyajin thing.
After Buu had been destroyed, he never ceased in his training. At first it was in his GR, but after about two years of silence, Gokuu suggested sparring together. He was reluctant at first, having to train with the one who made him admit to being second best. But Gokuu had seemed set on making the prince agree - he'd used almost every way his brain could muster to drag him for some sparring – delicious food made by Chichi after, fishing before or just the chance to beat the shit out of him during. When that didn't help, he even tried taunting him but that backfired awfully. Never taunt a prideful Prince of Saiyajin. Never. Vejiita didn't want to see or speak to him for three months, before he had to literarily whine at GR's door for Vejiita to come out and forgive him.
And in the end, they spent most of the two and a half years before the Tournament and Uub on sparring every other day.
It somehow happened that the hate towards Gokuu had disappeared, or at least diminished. Sure, he was still pissed that he was the weaker of the two, but the anger was directed mostly at his own limits. And he was constantly irked by the other's 'pat-on-the-back-that-was-a-good-one' or 'you-really-got-me-with-this-one', until he'd snapped one day and told him, in no uncertain terms, to go fuck himself with the pitiful human small-talk and stop disrespecting him with it.
After that Gokuu had been sad for an hour or two, but since then Vejiita has had an almost Saiyajin-like sparring partner – he finally stopped going 'easy' on him, which nearly always left Vejiita panting for air under what was once a boulder, all bloody and hurting. 'Almost Saiyajin-like' because Gokuu still insisted on pulling him up when he was too tired to do it himself at the moment or friendly pats on the back.
They didn't talk much when they were together. Vejiita having nothing to say in particular and Gokuu always having this distant look on his face. It made the prince wonder about what the other Saiyajin was thinking of, but usually the rumbling of his, but mostly Gokuu's stomach, would end the session for them. They would fly away, each in his house's direction, or Gokuu would IT them, either for dinner at his place, or with Vejiita too weak to fly on his own, to CC.
Vejiita was pulled from his thoughts when he saw Gohan walking gingerly over to the Namek. It looked like they were talking about him, Gohan glancing nervously in his direction.
Then he realized that it must've been the brat, who made the green-bean try to persuade him about the tails. He should've known, Piccolo wouldn't give a damn. The brat was just using him to take care of the nasty talk with the bad and scary Vejiita. Fucking coward! Not enough guts to confront him? Just like a fucking weakling human!
Disgusting.
"Um, dad?" Trunks and Goten walked over to him, Trunks' tail wrapped securely around his waist, Goten's swishing behind him. Hn, just like an airhead he was – so trusty with his surrounding, not taking any precautions.
"What?" he snapped, still pissed about Kakarotto's oldest.
"Uh, not that I don't like the idea of having extra powers from the tail, but do we really have to keep them?" Vejiita shot him a glare. Trunks felt his heart stop, but continued, sweating. 'Oh shit.'
"I… I mean, it'll be a bit strange having tails, don't you think? You know what mom had always said that we're going to attract attention and people are going to…"
He didn't get to finish as a rock-hard fist collided with his face, sending him flying a good ten feet away. Goten stood there, shocked. Piccolo and Gohan turned their attention to the prince.
"Vejiita-san, why…?"
"Have you no pride!"
Trunks pulled himself to his elbows, blood beginning to trickle from his mouth, staring in shock at his furious father. 'Damn, I knew he'd react like that…'
"Submit to humans!" Vejiita, fists shaking by his sides, rage and power rising up, just before Super level. "I don't care what the stupid weaklings think about you! And you shouldn't either! You are not one of them! You're Saiyajin! And a Prince no less. So start acting like one!"
Piccolo didn't comment. Gohan on the other hand…
"Vejiita-san, you're being selfish! Maybe you don't care, but that doesn't mean that Trunks, or any of us agree with you." Vejiita snarled at him, but Gohan stood his ground – he had to make him understand.
"Don't you realize it will complicate our lives? Your own daughter got laughed at school because of it, it will make her only unhappy if you make her keep it. Do you want that?"
"What are you trying to say? That she's ashamed of who she is?
"Vejiita-san!" As usually the prince just had to be stubborn. "Maybe she has Saiyajin blood but she and we all live on Earth. Bra is young, she's being influenced by what surrounds her. Maybe she doesn't want to be different from her friends. Have you thought about that? Maybe she wants to fit in, to have a normal life. Having a tail certainly won't help her with that."
"That's your line, isn't it?" Vejiita spat viciously. "Always whining about fighting and trying to act all human. You're a pathetic excuse for a Saiyajin. You have the most potential and still keep on wasting it, struggling to suppress it so you can feel more 'normal'. More human." The words hit Gohan. Hard. Every one of them dripping with venom, born from old envy and… disappointment.
"I can't believe you're Kakarotto's brat." Gohan's ki spiked. He couldn't hold his anger any longer and with a rapid burst of power, threw himself at Vejiita. But the prince dodged the fury-blinded attack and, ascending to SSJ2, sent his knee into Gohan's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He kicked him again, sending him unconscious into Piccolo's waiting arms.
The Namek shot Vejiita a hateful glance but did nothing about the prince – this was a Saiyajin problem and he would not get himself involved anymore. It was bad enough he let Gohan make him question Vejiita - he regretted this now. He was concerned with Gohan's family's problems, but this was something more than that and he didn't have the right nor will to participate.
"What's going on?" Gokuu appeared at Vejiita's side, with an expression of utter bewilderment as he tried to take in the situation. Dende had just finished healing him when he felt as sudden spike of ki. He wanted to see what was happening and then he felt Gohan's power level suddenly drop. He became worried and IT'd, but his son wasn't hurt, just unconscious, and Piccolo was looking after him.
But why did Vejiita attack his son?
"Nothing's wrong," said Vejiita, dropping out of SSJ2 and crossing his arms. He sneered at Gohan, then his son. "Except that your brat is a complete disgrace to you, Kakarotto. And mine to me."
Trunks finally pulled himself up, Goten by his side, and looked shamefully at the ground.
"Huh?" Gokuu was still confused.
"Never mind, Kakarotto." Vejiita turned to face the taller Saiyajin and smirked. "I never thought I'd be able to say it, but I'm proud of you."
Gokuu's jaw dropped. Trunks' and Goten's eyes became as wide as platters, and Piccolo snorted – this was new.
Vejiita hmph-ed. "You're finally acting like a true Saiyajin Kakarotto. With our tails, we'll be even stronger. Good job on wishing them back." He then turned and jumped into air, blasting away to CC. He had to check if the GR was fixed.
Gokuu couldn't believe it. Has he just been praised? By Vejiita? He looked to Piccolo, who just shrugged. He picked Gohan up and went to put him in the shadow of the palace.
"Um…dad?" Goten was still shocked with the whole situation – he'd never believe he would ever hear Vejiita telling his father something nice.
"Goten, what happened? I have no clue what's going on." Goten sighed.
He really didn't mind having his tail. In fact, he liked it. He remembered how useful it had been before his mom cut it off. He could grab on to tree branches or pick some sweets with it so Chichi wouldn't notice. But how was he supposed to say that except for him and Vejiita everyone hated having it back. Well, he didn't really know about Pan, Chichi wouldn't let her talk to him about it, but he had a feeling she would find it as fun and functional as he had. But still, it was a problem. "Dad, listen…"
20 minutes later
"I… I didn't think it would be such a big deal." Gokuu hung his head. They were sitting on the ground. Goten sat with his legs sprawled before him, his father sat Indian-style, face in hands. Trunks was sitting a few feet away, with his knee drawn to his chest, chin resting on it. His tail lay motionlessly behind him. "I really didn't mean to upset anyone. I thought it would be fun to have the tails back, since they're pretty useful." Goten smiled at that. Ms. Bulma told him once how his dad had relyed on his tail when he was young.
"I know, dad. You'd never do anything to upset anybody."
Trunks didn't speak during Goten's story. He felt miserable. Vejiita's words hurt him like never before, and yet he knew he deserved them. He has betrayed his father's trust for the first time in his life. But was it even worth it?
When he stood up to him, he didn't even know if he believed in what he was saying. He said it just because some part of him told him that he was supposed to do it, while the other wanted to just shut up and agree with Vejiita. He really didn't know if having a tail bothered him, but he knew it did his mother and Bra. And he did what he knew was expected of him – as a future, supposedly responsible head of CC and as a caring brother.
But what about his own feelings? What did he think about it?
He really didn't know. He was so confused by now, that he no longer recognized his own needs from the needs of others'.
There was the side of him that wanted to do what would make his family happy. The realistic and logical part. It told him he should adjust and play along to what his mother had prepared for him – that it would make him feel content.
Then there was that other part – his Saiyajin one. He unconsciously preferred it to the other, because it could give him a life he wanted – freedom, the fulfilment his instincts craved and Goten. If he gave in he could stay with him the way they were now – they would spar and become even more powerful together. He would enjoy life the way he knew running CC would never allow him.
But the logical part kept nagging him that it wasn't reasonable to keep going like that. That he had to grow up and stabilize his life. A job, a family, kids… just like every other human being.
He wasn't human, the wild side told him. He wasn't meant to be like humans. That wasn't his nature. But he lived among them – he has had to adjust. He couldn't. He had to. It would kill him…
Human or Saiyajin?
They were two different species, but Trunks was and felt like both and although he knew he had to choose, he didn't, couldn't. For the first time, his courage had failed him.
Why couldn't he be more like Goten? His friend seemed to ignore his human side and do what he felt was right for him. He acted on instinct – logic has never been his strong trait.
And it made him happy. Why couldn't Trunks be like him? Why?
"Trunks! I'm talking to you, snap out of it!"
Trunks' head snapped as he realized Goten has been trying to get his attention for the past minute.
"Huh?"
"I was asking if you really think that having our tails is a bad thing, like you said to your dad. Do you really think that?" Trunks was dazed by the hope he saw in his puppy-eyed friend's face. Goten really cared about his opinion but he also wished for Trunks to agree with him. Sighing inwardly, he shook his head.
"Nah, Chibi, I don't really think so… it's just…"
"See, Goten!" Gokuu beamed, his tail waving contently. He jumped up – yup, he was ok now, thanks to Dende. He smiled at Trunks. "I'm going to Vejiita. I want to ask him something. If you want I can tell him you didn't mean what you said earlier."
"No, Gokuu-san. I'll tell him that myself." Trunks wasn't sure he's made the right decision – he still was so confused, but the look on Goten's face, his whole excitement and delight in having his tail back made Trunks give up and give in, if only a little bit. At least seeing his friend radiating happiness and grinning like the idiot he was made Trunks at ease.
It couldn't be wrong when it made Goten so happy.
"Ok then. I'm off!" and with that the large Saiyajin was gone.
Goten suddenly lunged at Trunks, and caught him in a bear hug.
"Yeah! We're gonna keep the tails! Cool!" Trunks managed to free himself of the crushing arms and smiled.
"What are you talking about? Just because I was thinking of getting rid of it, you would still keep yours, wouldn't you?"
"But that wouldn't be fair! We're a team and we should be equal, you know?" Trunks felt a pang of guilt in his heart. How could he even consider not having his friend in his life? "And besides, how would we look if we fused? Half-tailed? And the combos just wouldn't be as awesome, you know!"
Trunks laughed and ruffled Goten's wild bangs, earning a big smile from the other.
Yes, this was right. He could feel it his thoughts starting to clarify – what he really wanted was the goofy demi-Saiyajin before him.
With him he would be happy.
>> Yeah, since I've a beta, it'll hopefully go on without such long brakes... Keep your fingers crossed ;