Three days have passed since Vegeta's last interaction with anyone. His knuckles had been bleeding nonstop since the first day and his legs were unaturally colored from all the bruises. A few times, a mechanical target blew up which sent metal shrapnel digging into the prince's flesh. However, Vegeta's motivation of revenge for the Androids numbed any pain he inflicted on himself. Food and rest were not necessities for Vegeta in the last 72 hours of intense training, though he did take a fifteen minute feasting break while practicing one arm push-ups. A special fluid he drank gave him artificial alertness to replace his sleep and continue his training. What else was a better pass time as he waited for Dr. Brief to construct his space ship?
Although the Saiyan could endure the special workout much longer, he was more eager to see ship's progress. As the thought returned back into his mind, Vegeta sent out a final energy wave at the remaining robots, ending the two day long session. The little clothes he had on were soaking in sweat.
I've better check up on the old man. Wouldn't want him screwing around when there is work to be done.
Vegeta walked towards the exit and pressed the button to leave the room specifically designed for him. A room he spent most of his time on Earth in.
As he walked out the doorway a towel and water bottle awaited him at his feet. It was always good to have a mother-in-law. Vegeta bent down and grabbed both items, draining the bottle over his head and using the towel to wipe away the mixture of water, sweat, and blood away from his face.
The mother-in-law gets a gold star for this. Vegeta noted to himself, the cool water giving him the best sensation since his training began. He let the bottle fall to the floor and swung the drenched towel over his shoulder.
Vegeta took his usual route down the hallway, but instead of his first stop being the shower, he opened the door to the lab. The room was dark and the light from the hallway reflected off a large metal object inside. Quickly, Vegeta found a switch and flick it up, revealing the space craft. Although a bit surprised to see nearly all the ship's exterior already up, it was what he had expected of the scientist. So far, the physical appearance seemed to match Vegeta's description. Basically, it was a remake of Vegeta's ship when he used to in search of Kakarot after the slick bastard disappeared.
Spherical and standing on all four of the legs, the old man should be done in no time. All of the ship's fused silica glass windows were installed. The gaping hole under the Capsule Corp. 4 logo was where a vanadium pressure door was going to be installed.
Noted. Vegeta thought.
As planned days before, Vegeta disclosed all the aspects of the ship while the doc listed them on a pad. The majority of the spacecraft would hold the training room, fit with a gravity simulation machine build in the middle. Other parts include a 4ft x 4ft container filled completely with dinocaps. The insides of the capsules will ranged from water, food, sleeping mats, gadgets, kits, and communicators. A special opening inside the ship would be used to dispose of any waste or trash.
"When will it be finished?" said Vegeta to the person behind him. Without even looking or paying attention, Vegeta naturally sensed Dr. Brief.
"Ho, there. You must have eyes in the back of your head!" Dr. Brief chuckled, clapping Vegeta on the shoulder. The cat, Scratch, resided on the grandpa's shoulder and hissed at the prince.
"Ahem." Vegeta ignored the feline and physical interaction. "Oh yes, I'd say the lady will be ready to set off in two days, at max." Dr. Brief answered, who then patted the cat on the head.
"You've make significant progress." Vegeta replied. His version of 'Good job!'. "However, you haven't put the pressure door in. I'm expecting to see it in and working by tomorrow." After taking one final standing inspection of the craft, Vegeta exited the room for a much needed late night shower.
/
Early in the morning, the same nightmare from days before crept back into his mind as he slept.
He had woken up when he tossed himself too hard. The sheets were twisted off the bed and pillows were scattered. He immediately sat up in the bed, as he always did with the nightmare after waking up.
Bulma. He thought. I miss you. The three words he always hated to admit to himself, but of which always came into his mind after waking up. No matter what, it was her. She was always the first thing in his mind when he woke up.
Even with the bad dream, Vegeta wasn't into giving breaks, not even to himself. After only a mere four hours of sleep, he was ready to throw himself back into training. Vegeta glanced down at the capsule from Bulma setting on the table next to his bed. Still, it wasn't time for him to open it. Not yet.
Vegeta skipped dressing himself and settled with his sweatpants to train with. He opened the door to the hallway and headed down to the chamber.
His new training routine was driven by the sheer thought of anything that haunted the prince's past. Vegeta cried out with every punch he threw. One knee collided with the flying target, sending it with sparks to the ground. Another blow from his foot added a crater to the rock wall, joining the hundred other ones. At the rate Vegeta was at, his limbs would rub away from all the beatings they gave. The bandages that once covered his wounds were now strips of cloth lying on the floor.
A buzzed sounded off on the gravity machine's screen which indicated someone calling. Vegeta walked over to answer. He rarely used the thing, which was a good thing. He warned them not to interrupt unless the request was urgent.
"Who calls?" Vegeta asked, holding down the speaking button. "It's Trunks, Vegeta. You need to get out her-" Dr. Brief was cut off. What in the hell?
With no hesitation, Vegeta snatched his finger from the button. Shit, not my son. Several things began to rush through his head as he ran towards the door. Did something happen to his son? Could it have been the Androids? He promised to Bulma he wouldn't lose their son! Were the Androids already out there while he imprisoned himself in the gravity room? Vegeta bolted out the exit.
His shoes clapped against the vinyl floor of the hall ways. Vegeta's nerves were preventing him to sense life forces straight. "Trunks!" The prince yelled. He was nearing the middle of the mansion. As he swung the corner, no one was in sight. No one in the kitchen. Not the dining room.
"Ahh!" It was a scream from the blonde one. Vegeta turned his head towards the closed doors behind him.
They must be outside! Vegeta recalled what the doctor has said. He rammed through the main doors, nearly taking them off their hinges.
"Where is my son?!" Vegeta rushed over to the two of them looking down at something in the yard. Mrs. Brief began clapping her hands. "Oh how sweet!" She squealed. Vegeta's shoulders slumped. Why the hell is she happy about? He grunted in confusion. Dr. Brief twisted his head around and smiled. "You're finally here!" Vegeta was baffled. "Why did you call so urgently? Was there an attack? Where did they go? I'll fu-" Still blinded by his restless protection of his son, Vegeta didn't notice the perfectly unharmed baby boy standing in front of him.
"Don't worry, everything is fine." Dr. Brief interrupted. "I called because, look! Trunks is taking his first steps!" Just as Dr. Brief said, Trunks, in a diaper and Capsule Corp. t-shirt, was trudging around in the grass, with fists stretched out to his sides.
Mrs. Brief giggled as she snapped another picture. Vegeta surprisingly calmed down. Just as he did when he found him days earlier. His tensed fists fell down to loose hands. He's safe, Bulma. The prince said to himself. Now that Vegeta knew Trunks was safe and sound, Vegeta turned his attention and head towards his father-in-law.
"Old man, you know never to call for me unless it's something important!" Vegeta spat. Dr. Brief chuckled and put a proud palm on the Saiyan's muscular back. "Isn't this important? Look at the boy. You must be a proud daddy!" The scientist motioned towards Trunks.
With a natural snarl on the kid's face, Trunks bravely looked up at his father. Almost as if he took pride in what he had accomplished, and Vegeta noticed it. He always heard from the Brief family how many traits Trunks inherited from Vegeta.
"Honey, what do you say? Let's celebrate! Tomorrow we're going to throw little Trunks a party for his first steps. How fun!" Mrs. Brief cheered. "Oh mind me, I need to make plans." The woman scurried away with her heels clicked against the walkway.
"Great idea, darling. Vegeta, why don't you and Trunks spend a little quality time together? I'm sure he misses his daddy with all the time you spend in that torture chamber." Dr. Brief suggested with a smile. Vegeta was slightly taken aback. They seem so oblivious and sentimental, but they also do a decent job at raising Trunks when he chooses not to. Hell, Vegeta didn't care, Trunks did take his first steps and he was proud of the boy.
After the old man left to follow his wife inside, Vegeta looked down at the lavender hair child. He'd already walked his way to Vegeta's knees.
Perhaps I could take an hour or so for this 'celebration' tomorrow. But then back to training. And maybe I could have a sparring partner this time. The prince gazed down at the boy and placed a noble palm on his small head.
"Just wait, my son. If you're old enough to walk, you're old enough to train."
(a/n) School came back in session this week, so I'm sorry for putting this up so late! Thank you for the reviews and for continuing to read, everyone. This chapter probably wasn't the best of what I've had so far, so again, sorry D: The next chapter will be better, I promise. Also, the last half of this chapter was kind of cluttered and such, just so you're aware that I know it too.