Thanks for your reviews! I really appreciate your comments/ideas :D

Moving right along! I can't believe I just started this story less than a week ago. I'm kinda obsessing over it right now; I want it to be perfect. My mom's in town right now, so I will probably not update for several days, or more. Ah, well... So it goes!

Chapter Two

Looking back, I see that I couldn't admit it to myself then. The idea of being gay wasn't something that scared me; it was the idea of loving someone other than Chichi. I had only loved one person romantically in all my years... And it had never been a connection on a deep, personal level, maybe because I never took the time to really think about what I was doing. I loved her, she loved me... At the time, it made perfect sense to me for us to be together.

But things change. Eventually, the walls that we hide behind break open, and the truth comes out. Lies do us no good in the end, and they certainly don't bring us happiness!

----

I felt a little hot, and my breathing was becoming ragged as I struggled with my thoughts. This was unfamiliar territory... The more I tried to convince myself that I respected Vegeta as a warrior, and loved him in exactly the same way I loved everyone else, the more I wondered. This compact, perfectly built man standing in front of me was undeniably beautiful, his face smooth and devoid of any lines or wrinkles. His eyes were coal-black and currently narrowed in annoyance.

"...Well, Kakkarot?"

Vegeta was waiting for my response. Did I have one?

Not really, but it didn't matter anyway. There was no point in worrying; life would go on like it always had. Vegeta and I were friends... It had taken so long to reach this point, and I wouldn't want to do anything to ruin it. I loved being his friend. So... Relax, I told myself. No worries!

After taking a few deep breaths to calm myself, I grinned at him. "No idea, but I'll figure it out!"

He growled at me, instantly letting me know that I was being ridiculous with my mood swings. "...Well, then. In the meantime, would you perhaps care to continue our spar?" He asked in his typically arrogant way. Once a prince, always a prince, I thought with some amusement.

"Sure thing! Let's do this." I happily leaned into my battle stance, staring him down and more than ready to forget everything else. He obliged, coming at me with a series of kicks and punches. I blocked every single one, and he growled again, powering up. I did so as well, and lost myself in the fight.

----

Much later, Vegeta and I collapsed side by side in the meadow, physically worn out. It had been a terrific battle, and I felt exhilarated.

"Wow! It's been a long time since I've been challenged so much!" I exclaimed, turning on my side to look at him. "Vegeta, you sure are improving!"

He gazed into the sky, a smirk forming on his face. "Clearly. One of these days, Kakkarot, I will catch up to you..." His eyes clouded over, and he looked lost in his memories. They obviously brought him pain, for he furrowed his eyebrow and clenched his fists. I wished I knew what he was thinking, and without stopping to consider it, I reached over to take his hand in mine.

"It's okay, 'Geta..."

He snatched it away, glaring at me. "What the FUCK! Don't you ever touch me again!"

I swallowed nervously. Oops. Vegeta looked downright furious. Why had I taken his hand? I should have known what the reaction would be. "Sorry.... I, uh, saw you were in pain.. Just wanted to help.."

"In all the time you have known me, have I ever once asked you for help?!" Vegeta exploded, breathing heavily. "No, I have not. I do not want nor need your help, and I never will. My past is my own, and I will bear the burden alone! I am not some damn charity case! Don't you ever bring this up again." He stormed up into the sky and flew south and out of sight.

I closed my eyes and sighed.

Vegeta was so easily pissed off. I knew his past was terrible. I didn't know the details, and I doubted I ever would, but I wished that he would lean on me when he was down. Friends were there for each other. I wanted to be there for him.. He made everything so difficult!

I stared into the patch of sky where he had vanished, hoping he would reappear. No such luck, and I found myself studying the clouds. Ooh, there's a Vegeta-shaped one! Hair and everything! I laughed, and then sighed. There was no one around to talk to.

Oh, right. Chichi and I had to discuss the divorce tonight with the boys.. Crap, what time is it? The sun was hidden behind some clouds, but I figured out by its position that it was getting close to seven. I didn't want to risk being late!

I went for a quick dive in my favorite waterfall in the forest, cleaning off most of the dirt and blood. Next I air-dried, using my energy, and looked over my gi carefully. Eh, it was clean enough... There were some rips and tears, but what else was new?

I teleported to the front door of my house, and realized sadly that it was no longer mine. Chichi deserved to keep it, though. She really had put up with a lot from me. And I, her, I had to remind myself. Like Vegeta had said earlier, it took two people. No one was blameless. Still.. this sucked.

I continued to stare at the door, not really wanting to go in. Suddenly, it flew open, and Goten stood there with a gigantic smile on his face. "Dad!"

"Heyy, buddy!" I hugged him tightly, my heart sinking. I did not want to hurt him anymore than I wanted to hurt Chichi. This evening was going to be worse than I had thought.

We walked inside, and Chichi was setting up the table. She looked at me briefly. There was a steely glint in her eye, and I saw that she was still determined to not show any emotion to me, or the boys. "Hello," She said in a monotone. "Please sit. I made the boar you brought home yesterday, and it will be out in a moment."

"Sure." I gave her a smsile, which she returned. Goten looked from one to the other, looking nervous. It was not hard to tell that something was up.

Gohan arrived, hand in hand with Videl. Chichi walked over to Gohan and gave him a big welcome, then narrowed her eyes at Videl. It wasn't that she had anything specifically against Videl, but this was the woman who had taken Gohan from her. That was enough.

"...Actually, I wanted it to be just you, Gohan. Nothing against you, dear," Chichi said icily. "But this is really a family matter. You understand, right?"

"Mom!" Gohan protested, taking an embarrassed Videl's hands in his own. "Videl IS family! And we have something to tell you guys, anyway." He and Videl gazed into each other's eyes, and Chichi bit her lip in anger, stalking back into the kitchen.

"No worries, son." I clapped a reassuring hand on Gohan's back, and he smiled gratefully at me. "Would you like to tell us now? We have news, as well, but.. it can wait!" I was more than happy to wait.

"Okay." Videl smiled at me, but her eyes flitted over to Chichi's back, which was rigid. Gohan noticed her discomfort, and held her close. "Mom.. Dad... Goten.. "

"We're engaged!" They announced together, in a singsong voice.

Goten squealed and leapt over to hug them.

"That's GREAT!" I grinned and hugged them as well. "Oh, you two... I'm SO happy for you!"

We celebrated for a few minutes before we realized that Chichi had not come over to announce her congratulations. She was still in the kitchen, her back to us. We stared at her uncertainly, and finally she turned around and walked stiffly over to us. Her face was red with tears.

"Congratulations."

"Oh, mom." Gohan knew that Chichi hadn't been ready to give him up. But he was a grown man now, capable of making his own decisions. Nonetheless, Gohan had always been very conscious of her feelings, and he felt terrible. He grabbed her and held her in a hug for a few moments. I reached out instinctively, rubbing her back.

This was too much for Chichi to deal with. One marriage was ending, another was about to begin. And her own son...She burst into fresh tears, shoved out of Gohan's grip, and fled upstairs to the bedroom. We heard her agonized sobs, and it made my chest ache.

Gohan and Videl looked at me, none of us knowing what to do. She didn't want to be comforted.. My eyes started to fill with unshed tears. Nothing I do is ever good enough... Goten ran upstairs, wanting to help.

"What was your news?" Videl asked.

"We're... getting a divorce." I answered, my tears spilling over.

---

That night, I slept in the forest. I fell asleep quickly, emotionally worn out.

My dreams centered on Chichi and were both heartbreaking and exciting. I think it was because one important chapter in my life was ending, and I didn't know what was going to happen next. All roads were open... Except one. The road to Chichi's heart was closed, for good.

What do you think? Goku is certainly mood-swingy, but...how would you feel in his situation? Still, no worries. Happiness is on its way...in the form of a Saiyan prince ;)

Please r & r! I would really love to hear your thoughts.