Ahem... for those of you who are still here... THANK YOU FOR BEING SO PATIENT WITH ME!!! My family dragged me away from my house for a week on a 'family vacation' grumble... Well, now that I'm back and less sleep-deprived, I can continue giving you what you deserve... MORE SECRETS, PROMISES AND LIES!!! blink blink... whoa... double meaning...

Chapter 17: Success

The sun had completely disappeared from view. The stars began to appear in the sky. The clouds had completely cleared, leaving the weary travelers to gaze up in wonder at the infinite beauty outside of their own little kingdom.

Tents were pitched, fires lit, and almost everyone had gone to sleep. The few that were still awake lounged around one of the campfires talking.

Gohan nudged Pan, who had fallen asleep in his lap. "I'm going to go put her to bed." He sighed, picked up his daughter, and walked into a nearby tent. Videl laughed softly.

"It's been a very tiring day for her. I think she's going to sleep well tonight." She glanced across the campfire, where she could just see her brother-in-law contentedly catching up with his girlfriend. Paris' head was nestled in the crook of his neck, and his arm rested around her waist. Baby Goku was sleeping in one of the tents nearby, so Paris had some time to herself. They had talked for a solid three hours, and now were both starting to get tired. Gohan returned from the tent, and sat down next to his wife.

"Isn't this wonderful? It's so great to see him this happy again." He whispered, watching Goten tenderly start to caress Paris' long brunette hair. Noticing his brother was watching him, Goten smiled and winked.

Trunks, who had been playing lookout for the last two hours, returned from his post, and sat down at the fire, rubbing his temples.

"Any sign of him?" Gohan asked.

"No, not yet..." Trunks mumbled. Goku had still not returned from his battle with Vegeta. "It must have been some battle..."

All of a sudden, Gohan, Goten and Trunks' ki senses went off, and they all jumped up and faced the direction Trunks had just come from. What had been nothing but air before had become Goku, standing there with the first two fingers of his right hand on his forehead. His shirt had been ripped clean off and his pants were torn in several places. He was covered with scratches, bruises, and mud. Despite his physical condition, Goku wore his best Son grin and laughed, his hand forming a quick victory sign for all to see.

"Goku, where have you been?!?" Hearing her husband's laugh, Chi-Chi burst out of her tent, and glared right in his face, her hands on her hips.

"Aw, don't worry, Chi. I'm fine!" Goku tried to comfort her.

"Look at yourself, Goku!!! You're a mess! And I'm not mending those clothes, I hope you know!"

Goku's grin quickly vanished, replaced by a pleading apologetic expression.

"Oh come on, Chi-Chi! I'm sorry I was gone so long, but Vegeta was a really tough opponent."

"So you beat him, didn't you, Otou-san?" Goten cut in anxiously.

"Well... ah..." Goku rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"YOU LOST?!?" Goten's mouth dropped open, not able to believe his father had actually lost a fight.

"No!!! I didn't lose, but I didn't really win either..." He laughed. Goten fell flat on his back.

"What does that mean, Otou-san?" Gohan asked.

"Well, Vegeta and I were evenly matched the whole time. We fought for as long as we could, but eventually, we were just too tired. Vegeta said we would meet again to finish this, and then he just flew off."

"So... my father is alright?" Trunks asked uneasily.

"Yes, I think he'll be just fine. When you get back, you just be sure to tell him to watch out, because the next time we meet, I won't go so easy on him!" Goku chuckled.

"Well, that is if I ever do go back..." Trunks muttered, displaying a faint smile.

"What?!?" Goten cried. "You... you mean you might stay here, and live with us?"

Trunks smiled and nodded. "I feel my place is here with all of you."

"SUGOI!!!" Goten cried, and proceeded to jump around joyously. Trunks laughed.

Everything got quiet after Goku's abrupt return. Chi-Chi had calmed down, and gone back to bed. Goten and Paris had decided to call it a day as well. Gohan had awakened Dende so he could heal Goku. Once Dende had finished and fallen asleep once again, only Goku, Gohan, Trunks, and Videl remained in front of the flames. Trunks had found a long stick, and used it to amuse himself by poking the logs in the fire. No one talked. They were all too tired. Suddenly, the rumble of Goku's empty stomach broke the silence.

"Ah... Hey guys, is there any food around here?"

King Vegeta burst through the main door, taking no notice of the dozens of maids who tried to tend to his wounds.

"Just leave me alone..." He muttered. The maids backed off nervously. He continued to stumble up the stairs toward his quarters.

"Otou-san! Are you all right?" Bra clung to his arm, attempting to get an answer out of him.

"Get off me! Why are you even still awake at this hour?!?" He pushed his daughter off, causing her to fall backwards. Bra shut her mouth and stared at her father, who slammed the door to his bedroom, causing it to fall right off its hinges. "Somebody get me a new door..." He ordered.

Prince Vegeta came bursting out of his room at the sound of the door breaking.

"Otou-san! You have returned." He bowed respectfully. "So you took care of those dirty rebels with no problems, correct?"

"No, my son... This Kakarot... This Goku has proven to be stronger than I anticipated..." He spat upon saying the commonly used name of his most hated rival. "He disrespects our race by calling himself something other than the name he was born with!"

"I agree with you, Otou-san. Kakarot must be put down." Prince Vegeta clenched his fists.

"In due time, my son. We shall have our revenge in due time. But until then, you and I will train night and day. We will prepare for the day when we storm their little hideout, take back young Nappa, and end their pitiful rebellion for good!"

"Yes, Otou-san! Kakarot will pay for his treachery with his life!" Prince Vegeta cried victoriously.

"Oh no, Vegeta. Kakarot will not die just yet. We must wait for the opportune time... For remember, my son..." The king smirked. "...there are things so much worse than death..."