I don't know why I failed to notice or address this for so long, but I haven't been putting a disclaimer in my story. I don't think any of you care and all of you realize I don't own this, but it's a quibble that is unnecessary so...
Disclaimer: I don't own a thing mentioned in this story.
Chapter 11: Doldrums and Hellish Memories
It seemed like the expansive training zone on Grand Kai's planet daily turned into a post-apocalypse war zone. Every evening, when all the fighters retired from a hard day of intensive training and sparring, the planet would be filled with ruined landscape. A panorama of splintered trees, craters of varying size, shattered boulders, and torn patches of earth stretched as far as the eye could see. Then, by some miracle, all the battle damaged that had plagued the land only a night before would vanish.
No one except the Grand Kai and his superiors knew why this was so. Some say it was because of a special blessing or enchantment, cast over the land because this planet was really meant for rigorous training. Others say it was the work of the Grand Kai and some helpers that magically patched up the damage, seeing as they were very capable of doing this. Frankly, no one actually cared that much as to why it happened. Honestly, if anyone had experienced half of what any of these fighters from the four corners of the universe had experienced, they would understand. When you experience a lifetime of powerful megalomaniacs and tyrants trying to take over or destroy whichever planet you are residing on, and then turn up in Other World when you die to be trained by the overseers of the universe, something like this really seems small in comparison.
It was indeed a normal day in Other World as all the fighters were starting their day. Some partook of breakfast, purely for pleasure and for the comfort of the memories of a past life. Others, realizing that a dead man doesn't need food, got right to training. Goku was definitely one of the former rather than the latter. As a Saiyan, you never really lose your gargantuan appetite, and Goku was no exception. No day would be complete without rigorous, intense, torturous training, and three square meals a day. Nope. Not for the Saiyan in their ranks.
"Hurry it up! Is it really necessary to eat so much food? Your body doesn't even NEED food anymore! I swear Goku, your damnable appetite really tests my patience at times." Goku mercifully swallowed before answering.
"Aww, cool it Pikkon! Why don't you warm up with Olibu for a few minutes? He's almost as strong as you with your gear on."
"Bah, you know I'm going to need all my strength for you when we spar. I'm the ONLY one here that can even make you sweat. You could still wipe the floor with me if you really powered up."
"Aye gno wer the bwesh mash for eegth utherg, bwah u neegth to chaallungth yer shragegishing."
"Swallow your food, man! Are ALL you Saiyans so uncivilized?"
"Sorry Pikkon. I was saying that I know we are best paired up with each other as sparring partners, but you need to challenge your strategizing skills more. We'll grow accustomed to each other's styles if we only spar with each other."
"Hmmm, I suppose you're right. I'll warm up with Olibu for a bit then."
"Sure, take your time. I'll find someone else to spar with and just stay powered down." The Saiyan was now wiping the residue from his face and assessing the dirty dishes before him. Pikkon nodded and flew off to seek Olibu as a sparring partner. "Whew! That was a good start to my day. Now I guess I should get limbered up and find that new guy that West Kai was talking about. He looked like he had some tricky moves on him and his ki felt pretty high."
Shin was busing overseeing the trainees and he flew from sight to sight, providing encouragement and constructive criticism to the many faces. As he settled into his usual thinking spot, his face barely hid the grim thoughts contained in his head. Kibito, his subordinate, was hardly fooled by his master's charade. It was actually pretty obvious when something was weighing heavily on Shin's mind. He always had a kind spirit about him, but a lingering seriousness never left his countenance. If it was even possible, his most grim expression became twice as serious when he was troubled. This was such an occasion.
"What bothers you, Lord Kai?"
"Ah, Kibito, the vexation of my transparency has yet again revealed my thoughts yet again. I am simply concerned about the training. At this rate, the best fighters we can single out for the training of my ancient ancestors is only Goku, Pikkon, and Olibu. One or two of the other fighters might surprise me in the latter part of the year, but I have my doubts. Something else that bothers me is that the actual effectiveness of the training depends on the individual. Everyone will naturally receive power according to they're own potential and there is never any consistent power up. The probability of a dramatic enough improvement to ensure victory is slim. I realize that we have more capable fighters on Earth to choose from, but our chances don't look so great with or without the inclusion of them. Gohan and Vegeta are probably around the same general level as Goku, give or take a small power level difference, so Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, and Pikkon are our best options. Still, I fear it might not be enough."
"But Master Shin, they are among the most powerful fighters in the universe. Few have ever reached a power level or prowess in combat as advanced as them. They even outmatch you, as improbable as that seems. There must be hope in them, plus the many fighters we have at our disposal as well." Shin could only chuckle at Kibito's words, partly at the high opinion of his superior's power he conveyed and also because of the seemingly uneducated optimism.
"I appreciate the high regard you have for me and the fighters I choose, but you are not fully aware of the magnitude of Neeros' power. You may have been able to sense his power from the galaxy you were tending to, but I was mere feet from him when he unleashed every ounce of it. It was unbelievable at such proximity. I will never forget that day." His face become distant as the memories came rushing back like a fresh nightmare to plague him.
"You monster! I never thought I would ever call my own blood such a thing, but that is all I can think of to describe how you are acting." Shin looked upon the ruined bodies of his comrades littering the whole area. There had been no mercy spared upon a single victim of Neeros' wrath.
The dismembered bodies and puddles of various colored bloods merging into one ugly hue was the testament of his sheer power and ruthlessness. These bodies hadn't belonged to mere run of the mill soldiers, but to fighters capable of taking out an entire planet in one shot. Neeros simply stood in the self-proclaimed glory of his moment of triumph. Every single person who had dared to challenge, doubt, or ridicule him lay torn at his feet. He reveled in the authority his power gave him and the bloody testimony of all who defied him. Now all that was left was to lick the freshly spilled blood from his fingers. The sweet taste of there forced submission only fueled his ecstasy. He simply WAS a god and there would be no arguing about it. Those who dared to would face this same fate.
"Monster? You wound me, my brother. I thought you would be proud of your brother being assertive. The door doesn't open itself for those who don't knock. You remember those words that you always told me when we were younger? I am simply putting them into practice." His voice was hard and condescending. There wasn't a single shred of compassion left in it. The revelation hit Shin like the force of a sack of bricks and he shuddered. "Ha! Look at you! You are so pathetic in your dogmatic thinking and your pitiable regard for life. You said you had come here to save me, but it is I who will do the saving. I will save you and all of creation from your delusions and create a world built in my image and my own ideals. I only spared your life because you are my brother. Why can't you understand me? You were always the only one who did understand me, and here we are now. You are betraying me like everyone else."
"You are the one who is deluded! No one did anything to you to deserve such a hand of retribution. You have lived in your own world of insecurities and paranoia for so long that it has become reality to you. The only one betraying you is yourself."
"Silence! Do not talk down to me like I am a fool! You'd best turn your head from me if you cannot stomach my new regime. Unless, you'd rather not see me at all and would like the same escape I provided for those traitors?" A wicked smile darkened Neeros' features. "Well my brother? What shall it be? It's just you and me and it's your turn to pick the game we play." Shin slowly looked at Neeros with a mixture of disbelief, pain, contempt, and fear.
"You. Are. Not. My. Brother." His fist clenched as he spoke, drawing blood. Neeros simply grinned in amusement and insane glee.
"So be it. I'll make it quick. You are family after all." He extended his hand and it glowed a soft yellow. It should have been a comforting glow, but it only meant death to those who looked upon it. "Say goodnight. I'll remember the good times, though they were few."
Shin was broken from his reminiscing as a hand touched his shoulder. He turned to see it belonged to Kibito.
"You had spaced out Master. I think it is time to meet the Grand Kai in the war room. We have to discuss the new developments with the others."
"Very well. Let us join them." He took flight with Kibito in tow right behind him.
"Master." Shin turned his head to acknowledge his subordinate.
"Yes, Kibito?"
"There was nothing you could have done. Your brother became what he became of his own accord. Only he can be held responsible for his choices." Shin faced ahead of himself to hide his face. A single tear was shed from his eye and then no more.
"Thank you, Kibito." The remaining minutes of the flight was spent in silence.
"Hey Trunks! Whatcha wanna do?" A hyperactive Goten chased after the stoic son of Vegeta.
"Well, if you calm down, I say we watch a movie. We've been under scrutiny for so long, it would be a good idea to lay low for while. That last prank was too close for comfort."
"Yeah! I agree! There's just one thing. What does scrutiny mean?" Trunks face-palmed at his friend's average intellect. It actually wasn't so much that Goten was slow. He just wasn't as focused as Gohan was and therefore excelled at the typical rate of a seven year old. Trunks, on the other hand, was already a few years ahead of Goten although he attended public school for social interaction. His being born into a highly intelligent family and the constant influence of them just left it inevitable that something would rub off on him.
"It basically means that we are being watched very closely and inspected. They're suspicious of us pulling that last prank."
"Oh, okay. Let's watch a movie then. Whatcha got in mind?" Trunks was already busy pulling a dvd from the shelf.
"This one is good. It has lots of action and cool scenes." He was pulling it from the case and popping into the dvd player as he said this.
"Cool. I've never seen it before."
"You'll probably like it. It's pretty exciting."
"If you say so." At that moment, Bulma popped in to check on them.
"Well, what have we here? Are you two going to actually settle down for once? A movie huh? Just don't watch it too loudly, okay?"
"Yes Mom."
"Okay, Ms. Bulma."
"Oh, just Bulma will do, Goten. I know that's probably improper, but it makes me feel so old. You two be good now." She smiled as she left them.
"Okay." The two boys answered in unison. Suddenly, her head popped back into view. A concerned and inquisitive look painted her face.
"I hope that movie is appropriate for children of your age."
"Don't worry mom. It just has action scenes and some fighting. There's nothing...dirty in it."
"Okay, but I can watch you at any time on camera. You better be telling the truth. There are some things you don't need to see yet, even if your dad let's you watch R-rated movies with him." She gave him the squinty eye that only a disciplining mother could do.
"Yes mom." Trunks was eyeing her with an annoyed look that clearly said 'get out of my hair, mom'.
"Alright. You told me it was okay so if it's not, you'll be in trouble for not just watching it, but showing it to Goten." She left it at that and left the two boys to watch the movie in solitude.
"So Trunks, do you think big brother will be done when this is through?" The opening credits were starting to play, and some scenery appeared with the changing names on the screen.
"I don't know. Maybe. It was you guys' usual shopping and visiting day, but it looked like Dad wanted to talk to him about something and spar. It could take a while, but wait! It's starting!" The two boys sat in silence as the images on the screen held them captive.
It was a raging inferno in the GR as Vegeta and Gohan traded blows. The high concentration of energy caused sparks to fill the air and raised the temperature of the room. Several smoking spots remained as testament to the many deflected ki blasts that the wall had absorbed.
"I don't know how you did it so quickly, but you've bumped it up a notch since we've last met. I haven't had this much of a workout in a long while." He blocked several punches from Gohan before throwing a kick that was nimbly caught by Gohan. He threw the Saiyan prince in hopes of crashing him into the wall, only to have him quickly reorient himself in time to land on his feet.
"Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment." A mocking smirk painted his features as he waited for Vegeta's next move.
"Don't get too cocky, brat. I haven't been relaxing while you've been gone." He launched back at Gohan with renewed vigor and speed, taking the younger Saiyan by surprise.
"Fast!" Gohan barely had time to register the charge and barely managed to bring his arms up in defense. Vegeta peppered Gohan with a barrage of lightening quick punches. His normal style of brutal and fast strikes was showing as Gohan fended off straightforward jabs and palm strikes. Unpolished though it was, it effectively kept Gohan on the defensive. "He's as unrelenting as usual, but such a full frontal assault will always betray one's defenses in the long run."
"Well, are you going to do anything or just dance around the room? Where did all that aggressiveness from earlier?" Gohan's eyes narrowed as he zeroed in on Vegeta's fist winding back.
"There." Instead of blocking the powerful punch more akin to a brawler than a martial artist, Gohan easily sidestepped it. Not giving him time to register his mistake, Gohan drove an open palm into the Saiyan prince's chin. As the force of the blow knocked Vegeta's head back and left him dazed, Gohan commenced his own full barrage into his exposed defenses. He sent a punch into his unprotected stomach then another into his face as he hunched over from the blow. Not one to let up after a few hits, Gohan unleashed more fast strikes into Vegeta's stomach before knocking him across the room with a roundhouse kick to the head. Vegeta kicked off the wall before crashing into it and launched himself like a bullet at Gohan.
"You hit like a girl! I thought you said you had improved! You're a waste of my time!" Gohan was locked into another defensive position as Vegeta began to more strategically launch his blows. It may not be his general style to fight with finesse, but he could muster it when the occasion called for it. More and more blows were slipping through Gohan's defenses as Vegeta fooled him with feints thrown in when least expected. Gohan quickly dodged a faux punch, only to be hit by a kick that had been waiting for just such an error. As Gohan was sent flying by the kick, Vegeta charged towards him, intending to follow up his attack. He never finished it as Gohan launched a ki blast he had been hiding. Being knocked away simply a ruse to buy him time to gather energy. Not giving time for him to recover, Gohan phased in next to Vegeta and hammered both fists into him, the blow sending him crashing into the floor.
"I stand corrected." Vegeta managed to grunt out his retort as he painfully rose from his beating. Although it looked like Vegeta had been severely wailed on, both he and Gohan were still only goofing around. The blows would only mean a few minor bruises with no major aches or pains. After brushing himself off, he assessed Gohan for a few moments before a smirk filled his face. Gohan knew that Vegeta would never outright smile at him, but when his eyes shined the way there now while he smirked, it only meant he was pleased. It was probably the closest thing to affection that Vegeta could muster.
"What? Are you having that much fun?" Gohan allowed a smirk of his own to grace his features.
"It's good to see your Saiyan fire has returned. We are still relatively equal in strength, but you fight with much more enthusiasm than the pitiful effort you mustered last time. May I ask what rekindled it?"
"Well, I tried to look back and realize why I trained only just to do it. I realized that a long time ago, I started fearing that the responsibility of others safety was solely up to me. I was afraid that if I couldn't do everything by myself, that I would let people die like I have before. I only wanted to keep them shielded behind a wall while I took all the blows and kept any threat away. I began to train just to train. The mentality I had was 'training makes one stronger so I need to train, then train some more'. I had lost any real goal to achieve and there was no pride in my work. I simply did it because if that's what I need to do, then I just have do it." Gohan took a breath just to gather his thoughts.
"Then I realized that I had lost all my goals and needed to make new ones. I trained out of fear and not because it was important that I get better and push my limits. I lost the drive from taking pride in protecting my ideals and ensuring a future where I could prove myself. It was actually Videl that made me wake up. She can be pretty persuasive when she needs to be."
"So let me get this straight." Vegeta took a moment to find his words but couldn't hold back an amused grin. "After everything you said, the bottom line is your mate inspired you? That's rich!" Vegeta let out a deep belly laugh at the prospect of a woman kicking Gohan in the right direction.
"Hey!" Gohan had turned a deep red after his submission to Videl became the target of Vegeta's amusement. "If you had a girlfriend that could zanzoken behind you, leave an after-image, then top it off with a ki blast to your face, you tell me she wouldn't get what she wants!" At this Vegeta looked up in shock then laughed even harder, his deep bellow of a laugh filled the room.
"So she forced you to see the error of your ways? It's too much! The son of my greatest rival is whipped into shape by a woman!" Vegeta had started to calm down, but tears of laughter glistened in his eyes as his chuckles subsided into small snickers. "Such a woman is a worthy mate for a Saiyan. You have chosen well brat."
"Yeah, I guess. A woman that could kick my butt is pretty sexy."
"Spoken like a true Saiyan. Now what do you say we continue? There's no way I'm going to lose to the son of Kakarrot." Vegeta quickly transformed into a Super Saiyan.
"I'll think I'll take you up on that challenge." Gohan also powered up then lowered into a stance. The two titans clashed as another intense round ensued.
Meanwhile, fun of a different kind was taking place in the living room of the Briefs establishment. It was the kind that only two mothers with active Saiyan kids and a lot of catching up to do participated in.
"I swear! It's a wonder I haven't had any trouble with Goten flying out the window in the middle of a conversation. Gohan is STILL doing it even though I've scolded him about ever since he could fly, but Goten doesn't. He might jump out the window to play outside, but what else can you expect from a seven year old boy?"
"That's true, Chichi. A human seven-year-old boy would do that any day of the week, let alone someone whose half-Saiyan. That's too funny though. As much of a fine, intelligent young man Gohan is, his old habits are still hard to kick. You should count it a blessing that you struggle with a bit of childish behavior though. Trunks is our little resident prankster and his big headedness is second only to Vegeta."
"That's true. I suppose it could be worse."
The two women enjoyed their chat for another hour or so before Gohan and Vegeta emerged from the GR. Their ritualistic post-spar refreshment session was calling.
"How did it go, guys?" Bulma sipped on her tea as her sweaty mate passed her by.
"Hmmph. It was adequate, I suppose. His prince won't have to exile him for slacking off, this time."
"You're just sore because I was gaining the upper-hand towards the end."
"Silence! If you speak another word, I will take ALL of these sandwiches and drinks for myself."
"Ack! Fine." The Saiyan prince smirked at his small victory. The Son family may always best him in fighting, but he would always have the last word.
"Don't fill up on too much Gohan. Bulma has invited us to dinner while we are here." Gohan looked at her incredulous over a mouthful of sandwich. He washed it down with a chilled soft drink before answering.
"Is there even such a thing as a Saiyan filling up on too much?" Vegeta nodded his agreement as he took another bite out of his 'snack'.
"Now don't debate the little details with me. It's my job to remind you of things, even if you might know already. I wouldn't be a mother if I didn't."
"Yes mom." Gohan hung his head in defeat. Vegeta just snorted at the submission and Bulma hid a chuckle.
"Actually guys, I think we could use your help." Bulma spoke up after finishing the last drop in her cup. The two Saiyans turned in her direction at her words. "When you finish up with your snack, me and Chichi wouldn't mind if you lend a hand in setting the table and food preparation."
"Out of the question woman." Vegeta turned his nose up at the request for assistance. "It is beneath the prince of Saiyans to assist women in the kitchen." Bulma's eye twitched at her husband's insolence.
"I suppose it's beneath you to sleep in your own bed for a week? We can also forget our special on the weekends for a month. Maybe we'll really find out what's really beneath you if I refuse to fix the gravity room when it malfunctions?" Bulma stared down her prideful mate with her arms crossed. She had a smug look on her face, as she knew she had pushed all the right buttons.
"Bah! Fine woman! I will help you in your ridiculous kitchen 'work'."
"I see you have your mate well under control. What about you Gohan?" She laid her level gaze on Gohan and her silent glance spoke volumes.
"Sure thing, mom." He obediently went to the cabinet with plates and glasses, preparing to set the table without hesitation. There was no need to complain. A very dented, but never dying frying pan would be the only answer for his grumbling. Vegeta rolled his eyes yet again.
"Ridiculous. Two of the most powerful beings in the universe, reduced to household aid under the compliance of women. The universe is ending." The irony of the statement hit him as soon as it left his mouth and the whole room became solemn. Though it seemed like drudgery right now, moments like these may well be in short supply. He would have to remember to enjoy the time that could be vastly running out. Frieza's long and brutal hold over him had taken the ability to enjoy life away. He didn't want to lose it, now that it seemed to finally be back. His anxiety had the memories rushing back to him as it was only yesterday.
The backhanded slap that Frieza had dealt Vegeta may have been a puny blow in the scheme of things, but a slap from an extremely powerful being was simply brutal to a child. A young Vegeta held his tongue as he rose from the floor. The slap may have hurt like hell and have been a blow to his pride, but he would not lash back or retort. Frieza would simply put him back in his place, whether through more physical abuse or a psychological attack.
"Do you understand why I hit you, Vegeta?" The question was left to hang in the air as Vegeta wondered how to respond. "There is no shame in not knowing why. I probably would not know why if I were in your position." The statement seemed sympathetic, but the smirk on Frieza's face held anything but sympathy. The amused sneer held nothing but contempt for the young Saiyan.
"I don't know why, Lord Frieza." Frieza chuckled before a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
"The answer is quite simple. You do not know your place, so before you develop pre-conceived notions of who you are, I am educating you right now. As long as you serve me and live under my captivity, you are nothing. When you go on a mission, you go to further my will and not for your own personal enjoyment. When you sleep, it is to strengthen your body to be used as my tool. When you eat, it is only to nourish your body so that you will have the strength to serve me. When you take in the education that your tutors provide for you, it is not for your opportunity. It is so that you are more useful to me. You enjoyed that last mission too much, so I am putting you in your place before there is any lasting damage." Even at that young age, Vegeta could muster a formidable stoicism, but the future that Frieza had lain out for him hurt too much to remain emotionless. He flinched ever so slightly.
"It is not my intention to sound impertinent, Lord Frieza, but am I not to enjoy the one thing that wasn't taken from me? Is the thrill of a good fight to mean nothing to me?" Frieza turned back to face the young prince and Vegeta prepared himself for another blow.
"Do not misunderstand me. I find nothing wrong that a savage, flea-bitten monkey like you doesn't enjoy beating the stuffing out of an opponent." Vegeta said nothing, but his fists clenched and his tail movement became more agitated. "Just never forget where it comes from. I have taken you in, but you belong to me. Everything about you is at my disposal, mind, body, and soul. I can throw you away, with all the other trash if I wanted."
"Is there nothing at all that will please you then!" Vegeta's emotions soared as he was belittled. He didn't care much for the admiration of the lizard-man, but it was the only admiration he could get.
"Only that you expect nothing and do your part as a soldier and tool. What love you were meant to receive died with your father and your race. But, perhaps you can find some companionship in your caretaker and your lower-class subordinate? Dense though they are, they are monkeys just like you. HA!" He left Vegeta to stew as he laughed at his own humor. Vegeta was tempted to nail the back of Frieza's head with a ki blast as he retired to his chambers. He knew he would probably be severely beaten or even executed, so he wisely chose not to attack him.
"One day Frieza." It was barely above a whisper and he turned to walk a few paces before he continued. "You will die at the hands of a Saiyan, and I will be free."
He was broken from his recollections as Bulma asked him to find an ingredient Chichi needed. No one had even noticed he had been lost in thought and chocked up his expression to just his normal grouchiness. He handed his wife the seasoning without a word and departed to the library. He would probably catch hell for it later, but he helped for a few minutes and Gohan could cover for him. A deep sigh escaped his lips as he allowed himself to be brought back to the past.
"Would you be proud of me, my father? Do I dishonor you and our race with my peaceful life on Earth?" Vegeta knew the answer would be no. There was no honor in despairing for the rest of your life over things lost. He just couldn't shake the insecurities that his hard life had given him. The weight of responsibilities that being royalty gives was something his father was constantly preparing him for, but once his race and home was destroyed, there was really nothing left to live for and he was plagued with the dishonor of serving his father's murderer.
Over the years of serving under a cruel tyrant, he found his worth in superiority and the future death of Frieza at his hands. Although Saiyans never falter from killing if needed, Vegeta's bloodlust became something akin to the savage days when Saiyans lived as unsophisticated brutes. Ruthlessness in combat was the key to survival, but it was taken to the nth' degree. In some small way, killing had become a release and outlet for the abused Saiyan prince.
Then Kakarrot had to come along. He shook Vegeta's world to the very foundations. Where was the killer bloodlust and savagery of a hardened Saiyan? Where was the fear of weakness and the drive to be superior? What made him strong enough to decimate the world ten times over and be gentle enough to hate hurting a fly? Yes, it was true that a lot of his ideals were shaped by living on earth, but what enraged Vegeta was that he knew that Kakarrot's more honorable twist on the Saiyan love of fighting was right. If he was honest with himself, his desire to get stronger was purely bred from a sense of vengeance, first reserved for Frieza and then for all else who crossed him. Then his desire to defeat Kakarrot and outdo him replaced his thirst for vengeance. It wasn't until he had a family of his own, that he realized that all his ideals were wrong.
"To think that idiot was right all along. I wasted so much time only desiring to destroy and to take life, but I was so much weaker in every way. If I had only known that I could be as strong as I am now if I had let go of my hate, I wonder where I could be now? Well, there's no use wondering about the past. I won't let this go to waste."
"Trunks! Goten! Time for dinner!" Bulma peaked into the room to see that the credits were just starting to roll. "Well, it looks like that movie was just long enough. You guys ready?"
"Are you kidding mom? I'm starving!"
"Yeah! Me too!"
"Spoken like a true son of a Saiyan. Well, get washed up and come to the table!"
"Okay!" They answered in unison.
It had been a long day, but it had to end. They all said their goodbyes and the Sons left for home. Gohan sat on his bed and let out a deep breath. It was amazing how even when one has the stamina to run around the world twice, an afternoon out shopping and visiting friends could be tiring. He blamed in the fact that his family and friends were nothing close to normal. Still, tomorrow was a big day! He would be spending a year inside The Room of Spirit and Time once again. He had to be rested for the challenge of training hard and making sure Videl didn't kill herself. It was a good thing the day didn't end any later than it did!
"Night Gohan!" Goten was crawling into bed and turning out the lamp beside him.
"Night squirt. I'm going to be gone for a whole day for training, so be good and take care of mom. Think you can handle it?"
"You bet! Mom won't even know you're gone, because I'm gonna be helping so much!" Goten gave Gohan an enthused grin that only little children knew how to do. His cuteness made Gohan laugh.
"Sure thing bro. Now let's get some rest." He turned to switch his lamp off and settled comfortably into his covers. An invigorating nights rest was soon to engulf him.
"Just one question before we sleep."
"Sure kiddo."
"Trunks told me it wasn't necessarily a bad word if used historically." Red flags waved themselves in front of Gohan's face and he sat up.
"What word?" He feared what was going to happen and hoped Dende was watching him. Unfortunately, the teen Namekian WAS watching him. With amusement, that is.
"What does bastard mean?" All time seemed to stop as Gohan processed what was happening at this very moment.
"Bastard? Bastard? My seven year old brother knows the word, BASTARD! How am I going to explain that to mom!"
"Gohan? What's wrong?"
"Oh, uh, it means someone born before their parents got married. No, it's not bad if you don't use it as an insult. No, you can't use anyway, because people think of it as an insult and will get offended. No, you can't say it in front of mom because she will kill you, kill me, and then I'll kill you. Does that answer all your questions?" Goten tilted his head to the side in what would have been an adorable display of contemplation, if the situation wasn't so awkward.
"Yeah. I'm good now. Night Gohan!"
"Night squirt." Gohan muttered as he settled back in his bed. "So much for sleep. I'm going to have nightmares after this." Sleep did indeed overtake Gohan, and he did indeed have nightmares of Chichi killing him for not protecting Goten's ears more thoroughly.
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Authors Note: Well, this update was a little sooner (haha). If some of you have a problem with the mild quality of Vegeta's prickly nature, keep in mind that Vegeta has come to terms with his demons sooner than in the series. It just works better for my story. So is he still going to be arrogant and sometimes too prideful? Yes. What would the headstrong prince be without those attributes? He is simply past that malicious streak he used to have. Thanks again to everyone who enjoys this.