Inner Workings of My Mind
Chapter 10
Gohan entered the Capsule Corporation ship dripping wet. There had been a conveniently placed lake that had allowed him to wash off the yellow blood of his enemies before returning to the ship.
The sight of Vegeta digging through the fridge in their kitchen greeted him. Gohan's stomach rumbled causing the Saiyan Prince to glance up from his rummaging before he returned his concentration to what he deemed more important. Food. However, Gohan did hear Vegeta mumble a reluctant "about time you got here, brat" through his mouthful of food.
Gohan ignored the grumblings and mutters of the Saiyan and grabbed a towel from a drawer and quickly dried his hair. He carelessly tossed the damp towel onto the counter and sat in a nearby chair. His tail wrapped securely around his thigh in a comforting position as he fingered the black bracelet on his wrist.
Should he remove it? Was it really worth sacrificing control of his emotions to gain control of his ki? The young hybrid contemplated the events of that day and shivered as he remembered the feeling of ripping apart the Bentol Brothers and the loss of control. The disconcerting fact was that Gohan couldn't decide whether he hated or liked the feeling of absolutely letting go and giving into his emotions and desires.
Vegeta observed Gohan with sharp eyes as he rapidly devoured his meal. He had the distinct feeling that he knew just exactly what Gohan's thoughts were focused on. "You should keep it on," the Prince of Saiyans said bluntly without preamble.
Gohan looked up, startled out of his thoughts. He tugged roughly at the bracelet which showed to results of the strain of superior Saiyan strength. "Why should I?" he asked somewhat rebelliously.
Vegeta rolled his eyes and the childish display. "You need to remain control of your ki, and that bracelet is ideal for doing so, kid."
Gohan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Yeah. But, I don't want to lose control like that ever again, Vegeta," he said. He combed his hair roughly with his hands. "That was terrible. I don't like killing."
Vegeta shrugged. "It happens, brat. Especially when we have to protect ourselves. It is unlikely that we will run into situations that cause you anger that often. The benefits of controlling your ki outweigh the loss of emotional control."
"But, what if I keep lose control? I don't want to hurt innocents, Vegeta!" the hybrid exclaimed, his agitation and distress increasing. "The bracelet doesn't even seem to be helping that much!"
Vegeta sighed slightly. Dealing with emotional teenagers was not his forte. "The Namek and I can reign you in if you ever lose control, Gohan. In case it has slipped your attention, I have also ascended to the second level," the prince declared as a cocky smirked spread across his face. "Plus, I don't think you realize the full extent of the benefits that the bracelet has provided."
"Huh? Benefits?"
"Surely you have noticed how chaotic your ki was the last couple of months. Even though training regularly has helped you maintain a large amount of control, your ki still wavered until your put that bracelet on. Bulma told me how your ki reading wasn't stable when she read it from the scouter when you were experimenting.
"When your ki fluctuates a great amount and for a long period of time, it will eventually begin to take its toll on your body. If you don't wear that bracelet there will be plenty of negative results."
Gohan leaned back into his chair. "Yeah, I thought it was odd how it fluctuated slightly," he recalled. "Do you know why my ki has been this way, Vegeta?" Gohan asked the older Saiyan.
Vegeta smirked. "I thought that it was rather obvious, brat."
Gohan frowned in confusion. "Obvious?" he repeated.
"Loss of ki control, mood swings, increased temper, violent and aggressive tendencies, your tail grew back," Vegeta listed off the symptoms. At Gohan's continued look of confusion Vegeta's smirk grew. "You're going through puberty, kid."
Gohan's eyes widened in astonishment. "Puberty!?" Gohan asked incredulously. "Puberty doesn't make people want to attack others, Vegeta!"
"Not in humans. But, you're a Saiyan. Saiyan puberty is quite rapid and violent."
Gohan's head fell into his hands. Great. He was a wild, hormonal, Saiyan teenager.
The next day, as they were rapidly traveling through space back towards Earth, Gohan reluctantly asked Vegeta the plethora of questions swirling around in his mind.
Vegeta smirked at the young hybrid's reluctant questioning and curiousity. He was going to enjoy the embarrassing conversation ahead.
Gohan shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot before asking his question. "What exactly makes Siayan puberty so different from that of humans?"
Vegeta sprawled in a chair and settled down for a long explanation. Gohan settled down in a nearby chair and intently focues of the Prince of Saiyans.
"Saiyans grow into their body in a much shorter period of time and it occurs in stages, unlike in humans. Fortunately, for you, it won't last longer than two or three years. Unfortunately, it's going to be absolute hell.
"The first stage is when your hormones fluctuate and then increase rapidly. It affects your temperament, mood, and energy levels. You become easily agitated and restless. Because of the violent nature of Siayans, you are more prone to acts of aggression and violence. In fact, you desire it. You have already been experiencing this stage with the regrowth of your tail and your insane mood swings. Fighting frequently helps to quell the side effects of this stage.
"The second stage involves your ki and closely overlaps with the first stage. Generally, when it comes to ki fluctuation in a Saiyan, losing control for two or three years would not be detrimental to your health. However, because of your large amount of ki and your recent advancement in super saiyan transformations, loss of control can greatly affect your health within less than a year. You have also been experiencing this stage and that bracelet will control your ki.
"The third and final stage is mainly that of physical changes and you have not yet began this stage. The final stage will signal the end of Saiyan puberty and will last about a month. It is aggravating and painful. You will experience immense growing pains and you will obtain your maximum height. You will also gain a large amount of muscle mass, your ki will stabilize, and your ki may even increase slightly.
"Also, there will be other minute physical changes. Your incisors will lengthen very slighty and sharpen, your tail fur will darken to a dark brown, your appetite will increase to even greater heights, and your sense of sight and smell will increase. And finally, any telepathic abilities present will manifest itself."
Gohan looked bewildered and the influx of information. "Wait-what? Telepathic abilities, Vegeta?!"
Vegeta smirked at the young half-breed's expression of confusion and disbelief. This was becoming very entertaining very quickly.