Seeing Things Clearly

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 4: The Story

Thanks again for all the reviews! I'm glad you're enjoying this fic and the comments really do help, I mean after all it is pretty scary moving away from the normal fics I do to one like this. I hope you like this chapter!

"What do you mean 'he's blind'!" the king roared as he slammed his fist onto the table, splintering the wood "I will not have a son that bears such a weakness!"

The doctor that had broken the new to the king shook with fear as he watched the king rage about his 'pathetic' son's weakness. Suddenly the king's eyes shifted onto him and the man flinched.

"Get out of my sight!" the king spat and the doctor ran out of the room thanking whatever Gods had decided to spare his life.

Back in the throne room, the king turned to look at his son, born only 10 minutes earlier. The boy was sleeping and all outward appearances would fool even the most perceptive of people into believing that he was perfectly healthy, but he was not.

The young Prince Vegeta had been born blind.

It was by no means the boy's fault that he was blind, for all Saiyans are conceived with no fault to their bodies or abilities, problems can only occur whilst the child grows inside of its mother. In this case it had been a small rebellion of the third class soldiers. The group was small, but large enough to take down the solitary guard on duty. They had barged into the throne room, expecting to make demands to their king but had found the queen there instead.

It is a well known fact that when a Saiyan female is pregnant, all o their power and ki ability is drained by the child so that it can develop healthily, thus leaving the female defenceless.

The third class soldiers had advanced on the queen, who was quite late in her pregnancy, mere weeks away from giving birth. She had fought against them the best she could, but without her mate to defend her, it was futile. When the king had returned from negotiations with Frieza, he had found his mate in the hands of the soldiers, being held captive.

After denying their demands they had sliced the queen's throat without another thought. The king had disposed of the traitors without another though now that his mate was more than likely dying, before rushing her to the infirmary, where frantic efforts were made to try and save her life and the babies.

It was determined around an hour later that the queen would not survive, but their son would. The king had watched his mate die in his arms with his son lying by his side before it had been broken to him that the Prince may have faults to his body, and then the news had come forth that the boy was blind.

The king sneered down at the boy beside him. The baby yawned before blinking blearily and trying to look around the room. The king huffed at the boy's futile attempts and his sons young eyes fixed onto his own. This kid was sharp, that's one thing he could give him. The boy could focus on sounds and pinpoint their location – he was smart. Had he not promised his mate as she died that he would not kill him, then the boy would be dead, but he supposed that so long as the boy could be somewhat useful, then he would tolerate his existence.

Years passed and the Prince adapted to life without sight. He would use his ki, sound and his hands to find his way around and by the time he was 2, anybody could be fooled into believing he was perfectly normal. Prince Vegeta was not afraid of making mistakes in his direction and so walked confidently giving away no hint of his weakness. Only those close to the royal family knew of it, but so far they had been lucky enough to hide it from Frieza.

A fateful day came when Vegeta was three earth years old. He had been training with Nappa, who by now wasn't much of a challenge with several guards and his father as spectators. It was a well known fact that the king despised his son and young Vegeta felt no fondness towards his father. That was why the next actions of the king were not a surprise to those watching.

King Vegeta raised his hand into the air, forming a ki blast in his palm. He knew that his son would not detect it as he was too focused on the fight at hand to listen for it and he was not wearing his scouter, as part of his training.

The blast was thrown forward where it rushed toward the Prince, colliding with the back of his head, singing his neck and sending him tumbling into the nearest wall. The wall collapsed on contact, burying the Prince under a pile of rubble.

The king released a deep laugh as his son struggled out of the rubble. His eyes were clenched shut as he shook his head trying to rid himself of the dizziness coming on. He never once uttered a word or moan of complaint. It was how he had always been, ever since he had been born. The boy hadn't even cried on removal from his mother, which had shocked the doctors to no end – at first they had thought him dead!

The Prince opened his eyes and gasped loudly as he was attacked by a blurry flurry of white spots which cleared to reveal a blur of colours. The Prince quickly looked around the room as the pain in his head grew and the dizziness became overwhelming. He fell to the floor grasping his head in pain and whimpered slightly, trying to muffle his pain.

The king stopped in his tracks as his son cried out in pain and spun around, half expecting the boy to be dead. His eyes widened as he took in the sight before him. Young Vegeta had never cried out before, not once in his short life. The king ordered for the doctors to fetch him to the infirmary and two hours later the Prince walked shakily from the room still grasping his head with one hand.

"Are you alright boy?" the king asked gruffly, the smallest edge of emotion to his voice

"…" Since he had been born the Prince had been very quiet and withdrawn, preferring his thoughts to conversation

"I asked you a question!"

"I'm … fine … father" Vegeta struggled, looking for the correct words as his eyes traced over the kings features

"What is wrong with you boy?" the king asked suspiciously "You seem … distracted"

Normally when they spoke, young Vegeta would look straight ahead, finding no need, since he couldn't see the king, to look at him. Now however, the Prince was looking straight into his fathers eyes with an almost confused expression on his face.

"I am tired"

"Then go to your room and rest boy" the king ordered "Do not think I will be this lenient in the future"

He watched as his son walked out of the room stumbling a little and stopped at the door, looking left, right and then straight ahead down the three hallways before turning back to his father.

"Problem?" the king asked coldly

"I…" the Prince growled, angry that he would have to admit such a thing "I cannot … find my way"

"What!" the king asked, shocked at the boys statement – he had always know where he was, but then again, he was unconscious when they had brought him to the infirmary and so he may not be aware of his location.

The king's expression calmed and he crossed his arms across his chest.

"You are in the throne room boy"

"…"

"...well are you leaving or should I withdraw my offer for rest?"

"I cannot find my way father" the boys back was to him and the king could see his son shaking with frustration "I … I need an escort"

"What do you mean you need an-"

The king's words died in his throat as he took in the sight of his son. The boy was red faced fro embarrassment and shaking with obvious frustration. He had never been lost before because he had learned the palace through learning to move, gradually mapping it out. For a three year old his son did have a lot of pride.

"I will escort you then … but do not expect this in the future boy"

"I know" was the only reply

Before long they reached young Vegeta's bedroom. The boy bowed lowly in a typical sign of respect and thanks that all are expected to do to the king and made his way inside, stopping and staring in the room a while before moving to the bed and uttering a Saiyan word to shut down the automatic lights.

An hour or so passed when the king was approached by one of the doctors who had dealt with Vegeta earlier. The king was standing outside the prince's room looking in on his sleeping son through the slightly ajar door.

"Sire?" the doctor greeted "May I have a word"

The king nodded his approval and in the next few minutes heard the news that changed everything.

Prince Vegeta could see. His son had looked at him for the first time today.

With a smirk the king turned and walked from the door. He had been told that Vegeta sight may not be permanent, but it would be strong for at the very least 20 years. With one thought still lingering in his mind, the king made his way to the throne room.

'Maybe this kid isn't such a waste of space after all'

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"So you were born blind?" Piccolo asked

"Yes" Vegeta replied

"Why didn't you ever tell us?"

"Was it relevant?"

"I suppose not"

"So what now?" Yamcha asked

"Now I'm gong to bed" Vegeta replied "I have an early morning sparring session with Kakarot"

"Not that!" Yamcha shouted angrily "You know what I mean! … What will you do now that you can't see?"

"Idiot!" Vegeta hissed

"What?" Yamcha defended "I didn't say anything wrong!"

"I'll be fine!"

"You can't say that Vegeta" Tien protested "Things are diff-"

"Thing – are – not– DIFFERENT!"

"Vegeta!"

"No!"

The Prince stormed out of the room and up the stairs.

"What was all that about?" Yamcha asked

"Maybe you should think about it" Bulma replied "Did you see him falter once on his way out? Or on his way in? Or at all other than that once today"

The Z Warriors once again fell silently to their thoughts as the prince lay upstairs pondering on how he could get these idiots to understand. One thing was sure though. He would always see things clearer than they would.

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Until Next Time!

Clarobell