Vegeta woke to arise from the soil at nightfall, sitting up to take his first breath of the night air, when he sensed the companion beside him.

"Vegeta," Vegeta tensed apprehensively at the address, hoping to hear an indication that Kakarot was the same Kakarot he remembered from all those years ago, "why was I sleeping in dirt?"

Vegeta sighed heavily in disappointment. "It's how we rest, Kakarot."

"We...who?"

Vegeta lowered his chin to give his companion a withering glare through the thick darkness and across the gap between their crates. "I think you know."

Throwing a leg over his crate, Vegeta climbed out with a dismissive air. He needed to find out what went wrong. If Kakarot was going to remain of that foolish mind, Vegeta would need to avoid speaking to him in order to have decent company for the next few centuries.

"Wait, Vegeta." Goku said, his hand lightly grasping Vegeta's shoulder and stilling him in his stride.

Vegeta turned his head reluctantly, though once Goku's naked body pressed flush against his flesh, his reluctance disappeared. "What?"

"I want to try."

Vegeta raised a brow curiously, turning to face the hesitant, yet enthusiastic smile of his partner. "Try what?"

"It's my turn."

Goku's smile turned up into a smirk before he moved in to kiss Vegeta hard. His lips swept across Vegeta's as loose grains of soil fell from the movement of their faces and bodies, which the vampires both ignored.

Vegeta gasped as Goku's hand reached up to sweep across Vegeta's cheek and through his hair. His hand fell tenderly on the back of Vegeta's neck as he deepened the kiss by prying his tongue into Vegeta's mouth. As Goku pressed Vegeta towards the stone wall of the basement, Vegeta knew exactly what Goku wanted, and decided it was only fair that he reciprocate after last night. He would only willingly do so for Kakarot.

The two vampires panted to catch their breath, Goku licking at the congealing blood on Vegeta's neck one last time before he pulled out and separated from his dazed lover still leaned against the stone basement wall. The thrum of footsteps occurred at the top of the stairs, alerting the pair of another presence before they had a chance to speak another word to each other.

"Prince Vegeta?"

"Not now, Nappa." Vegeta ordered with irritation. "Come back later for your orders."

The retreating pounding of steps satisfied the naked vampires enough for them to sigh in content as they began retrieving their clothing from the only piece of furnishing in that basement aside from their crates, an antique bureau.

"Will Nappa be returning to Vegetasei with us?" Goku asked as he pulled his arms through the sleeves of his shirt.

"Ye-" Vegeta began before abruptly stopping himself to peer suspiciously at Goku. "I don't believe I told you about Vegetasei." He paused and narrowed his eyes further. "I know I didn't tell you about my plans to return there together."

Vegeta gasped as his eyes widened in realization, causing Goku to smirk at his enlightened expression.

"Kakarot?!" Vegeta glared at Kakarot, even as a smile eased across his face. "When did you-"

"When I woke up." Kakarot answered with a nonchalant nod towards his crate.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Vegeta growled at his slyly smiling partner as he finally began dressing himself.

Kakarot quoted Vegeta's earlier remark with an accusing raise of his brows. "Maybe not yet in this life?" Vegeta smirked, stepping into his pants, as Kakarot chuckled. "Congratulations, Vegeta. You finally got me to submit."

Vegeta's smirk triumphantly widened. "You were eager enough to comply."

"You used my vulnerable state of mind to dupe me, you cocksucker." Kakarot accused, even as a smile lit his face.

"Never would have needed to if you weren't such an unreasonable, stubborn bastard."

Vegeta eyed his half-naked companion heatedly. His eyes widened in interest as Kakarot's muscles flexed while he stepped into his pants and pulled them to his waist. Gods, that man was amazing, even more beautiful when he was immortal. And he belonged to Vegeta. Vegeta smiled slyly as he met Kakarot's equally lewd gaze. "Don't try telling me you didn't like it."

"Who said I didn't?"

Vegeta chuckled victoriously before gliding into his lover's arms to engage in a bruising kiss of a long-awaited reunion. Knowing he was kissing Kakarot, truly Kakarot, made the other man's lips feel all the more softer, all the more familiar. It was really him. There was no doubt, no confusion, no baffled human on the other side of the kiss. Vegeta knew that Kakarot felt exactly as he did. Kakarot was just as hungry to indulge in his lover, until their frantic lips were pulled apart prematurely by Vegeta's harsh push against Kakarot's chest.

"We need to leave here." Vegeta said, catching his breath. "The humans know what we are."

Kakarot frowned and nodded in agreement. He headed to the stairs, but paused abruptly with a grimace of discontent. "Snake tried to eat me."

"Yes, I know."

Kakarot glared. "Huh."

"We'll have to deal with her later, Kakarot." Vegeta said as he reached the stairs and gave his lover an insistent push, "right now, we have greater problems. We need to leave."

Kakarot padded up the stairs with Vegeta in tow, where Nappa stood impatiently awaiting his orders. He and Vegeta were finally reunited, but they had much to do if they wanted this reunion to last beyond one night. Securing passage to Vegetasei unharmed, while Piccolo was on their trail and the humans were aware of their existence, would be a challenge.

At the docks, Vegeta scanned the faces of late-working sailors, searching for one who would be standing alone and vulnerable. It would be nice to feed after securing his passage to Vegetasei. Hopefully, he would find a victim who would be tasty, but he doubted it. Sailors were never the best blood, if his recent mass feeding prior to arriving on these shores were any indication.

He watched as a pair of men talked and laughed, gossiping as they passed a bottle back and forth and remained unaware of Vegeta's presence, but unlikely to separate anytime soon. He watched another man, who was busily loading cargo onto a ship, his back and forth trips so hurried that he probably wouldn't notice Vegeta until he was already upon him. Vegeta sneered to himself at the limited options. Anyone else he was seeing was too visible, too out in the open for attack. He hoped Kakarot was having better luck with his feeding, at least, at the shore.

Then, Vegeta's eyes widened and a smug smile formed on his face as he recognized the approach of a familiar presence from behind.

"Searching for your next victim?"

Vegeta looked over his shoulder to give the other man a taunting smile. "The selection seems limited here. Are you offering me a meal?"

The husky laughter approaching finally caused Vegeta to turn and face his opponent.

"Over my dead body."

Vegeta frowned at the sight of Piccolo, armed with weapons of holy powers and looking so confident and full of himself. The hunter must've been ignorant enough to assume Vegeta had never faced or killed a hunter before. Vegeta was well aware of how powerful and challenging they could be. Still, Vegeta was certain that Piccolo could cause him no harm. If Piccolo wanted something done 'over his dead body', Vegeta could accommodate him.

Vegeta quickly hid his displeasure with a smile. "That's the idea."

Vegeta lunged for Piccolo with inhuman speed, aiming his teeth for the exposed flesh of Piccolo's neck. Yet, as fast as Vegeta was, it seemed Piccolo was more than prepared for the initial attack. Vegeta doubled back in realization, just in time to avoid making contact with the silver chain around the hunter's neck.

Piccolo gasped and stumbled backward after noting Vegeta's sudden, close proximity, but a smug smile crossed his face as he realized why the vampire missed the opportunity to harm him. Piccolo crossed his arms and readied his fingers near his wooden weapons as the vampire growled at him.

Vegeta narrowed his eyes at the irritating hunter. Then, something occurred to him after a moment of facing off in silence. In his prior experiences with hunters, the attackers always came in groups. The weaklings never had the nerve to face a vampire one-on-one, but they did well with riling up an angry mob of humans. However, no one was emerging from behind the distant tress, or from the corners of the buildings surrounding them along the foggy docks. Piccolo seemed to be alone. As Vegeta closed his eyes and focused his other senses of hearing and psychic sensitivity on his surroundings, he realized his observation was correct. Vegeta laughed.

Piccolo growled and bared his teeth upon seeing and hearing Vegeta's laughter. The vampire had to have realized Piccolo was alone. But that wouldn't stop Piccolo. He had a goal to accomplish.

"You're either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid."

Piccolo smirked. "How about we leave it at 'incredible'?"

Vegeta chuckled. "What happened? The humans turned against you, because we owe it to you that we made it to sunset without a single attack on the castle?" Vegeta laughed knowingly as Piccolo glowered back at him, answering the question with his eyes. "You truly have an obsession with Kakarot, don't you? You want him so badly that you had to see him in action before you could even kill him? Your kind is so pathetic."

"Where is Kakarot?"

Vegeta began circling Piccolo slowly, discreetly eyeing him for any signs of weakness or openings for attack, and laughed, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Piccolo narrowed his eyes at Vegeta and shifted his stance so the vampire couldn't get behind him. He knew exactly what Vegeta was planning, but he had no intention of dying that night.

Vegeta bared his teeth at the hunter, yet grumbled to himself in frustration. Piccolo was getting to be a real thorn in his side. Hiring a ship and a crew was going to be impossible for him at the moment, but at least Kakarot wasn't near the hunter, seeing that he was the target. As long as Vegeta prevented Piccolo from seeing Kakarot, he concluded that they would survive another day unharmed. Because the hunter clearly wanted the chance to confront Kakarot, but it didn't look like they would be moving anywhere this night.

Kakarot was standing in the shadows, behind some trees, watching a pair of young lovers sharing passionate kisses on the beach down below. They were preparing to make love, which left them both incredibly vulnerable, and incredibly tasty. He could already smell their arousal flavoring their blood. Kakarot didn't see any problem with getting his fill while Vegeta hired a ship. But suddenly, his eyes went wide as Vegeta's voice echoed through his head.

Kakarot glared instantly as he understood the threat and turned his back on the beach. "Damn Hunters."

Kakarot stormed off, intent on joining Vegeta in taking down the hunter once and for all, but his lover's voice thundered between his ears again, warning him to stay away. Usually, Kakarot would ignore a request like that. But between Vegeta's threatening tone and solid reasoning for wanting Kakarot to stay away, he had to obey the voice and busy himself with the task which had previously been Vegeta's. Of course, seeing that he had to stay away from the docks, hiring a ship could prove to be quite a challenge. Kakarot smirked. He was always up for a challenge.

"I'll get us a ship, since you're so busy playing with my admirer." Kakarot laughed at the irritation he sensed from his lover as he hurriedly made his way to a nearby tavern. But then his playful attitude quickly became serious. "Don't finish Piccolo off yet, Vegeta."

As his lover growled and groaned his objections in his head, Kakarot tuned him out. He knew Vegeta would follow his instruction, regardless of how much he disliked it. He never let Kakarot down when he wanted to kill something. And as the village tavern was coming into sight, its oil lamps filling the blackness of the night air over a rickety wooden sign, Kakarot had to shift his focus. This place was very familiar to Goku, and Kakarot knew it was the second best place in town to find a reliable sailor, or at least to enlist help of some sort at night. Most people still awake at this hour would gather here, and hopefully, none of them yet knew about Goku's transformation.

Krillin was feeling hopeless and defeated. He hadn't talked to the others all day, and dealing with this vampire catastrophe alone was proving more difficult than he thought. He spent the day worried over what would happen to Goku. He was still miserable over finding his friend Yamcha dead, only to have to return to the scene and finish his friend off himself. Then, things only got worse for him as he had to do the same thing to Bulma, while she'd been actively walking and talking, yet equally dead.

That one was even harder to live with. Sure, he saved the old man's life that night, and he should have felt good about that. But no one else in town held the honor of completing the murders of two of their close friends. Krillin worried who else might be next. Or even, if it could happen to him. With a shaky breath, Krillin shook off that terrible thought and took a hefty swig from his mug.

"Don't finish it all at once. That's a waste of good ale."

Krillin quirked a brow as he lowered the wide mug from his face to view the angelic mien that matched that sultry voice.

The woman who had spoken was already looking away from him, seemingly disinterested after the offhand remark she'd made, but Krillin couldn't help but stare at her. He'd seen the refined, confident blonde woman in the tavern before, usually in the company of a handsome young man who Krillin could only assume was her husband. Her beauty had attracted his eye more than once, even while in the company of another man. But this night, she was alone.

Krillin gulped as he determined to speak to her. "I-I like this ale, and..." Krillin sighed heavily as the woman turned slightly to frown at him, "I kind of need it tonight."

"Need it?" The woman raised a skeptical brow. "Had a bad day?"

Krillin laughed. "You could say I've had a few very dark days."

"Really?" The impassive woman suddenly sparked with interest as she scooted closer. "Dark how?"

Krillin felt a smile pull at his lip. "I'm Krillin, Krillin Roshi. What's your name?"

"Lazuli. Gero."

She looked irritated by the introductions, so Krillin hurried to answer her question. Except, he didn't know where to begin. Krillin wrung his hands together, bracing them against the tabletop as he debated what to say to the lovely, yet intimidating young woman. He couldn't ruin his chances now and tell her about the vampire and the killings. He would sound crazy.

"Krillin!" As a hand clapped on his shoulder harshly to accompany the disruptive, yet friendly voice addressing him, Krillin jumped.

Krillin looked over his shoulder with wide eyes. "G-Goku!"

"Hey," Kakarot laughed as he took the seat beside Krillin and smiled at Lazuli, "I haven't seen you in a while!"

"Go-Go...ku?" Krillin felt his heart race at seeing his old friend looking so healthy and jovial, not at all how he had expected to see him after hearing from the old man that he'd been acting and feeling out of sorts.

"Who's your friend, Krillin?" Lazuli asked, eyeing Kakarot up and down with a lewd gaze that struck a chord of jealousy in Krillin.

Kakarot smiled back at the beautiful woman. It was obvious that he had caught her interest, but he wasn't fishing right now. He needed Krillin, no matter how delicious that woman's lips, or her skin, or her blood might taste.

"I'm Goku!" Kakarot smiled wider at Lazuli before looking at Krillin. "Goku Son! Krillin, you didn't tell me you had a girlfriend!"

Krillin fought to hide the fierce blush he felt rising to his cheeks. "I-we-I just met her! Miss Gero was curious about what's been so dark in our lives as of late, Goku. Care to fill her in for me?"

As Krillin's eyes narrowed suspiciously at Kakarot, Kakarot laughed it off and explained with a hand rubbing at the back of his head. "Well, they say there's a vampire in town. But I don't really believe that."

Lazuli gasped. "Vampire?"

"Yeah," Kakarot chuckled as Krillin grit his teeth at Goku's unexpected blatant reply, "one of our friends died, she was just really sick, and then I started feeling sick-"

"You don't look sick at all to me." Lazuli stated.

Kakarot fought to hide his smirk as he cast a furtive glance towards Krillin. "That's what I told them!" Kakarot flexed a bicep and smiled. "I'm healthy and feeling strong as ever."

"I don't get it, Goku." Krillin grumbled. "I thought you were locked up. How did you get out?"

Kakarot lowered his voice to a whisper. "Well, that's the thing. You can't tell anyone you saw me here. I kinda ran off before I was supposed to. I need a place to hide out for the day."

"Goku!" Krillin slapped the table and gaped at his friend. "You're still supposed to be locked up?! Why are you out? The vampires are real! If Mr. Piccolo says you're in danger, you're in danger!"

Kakarot fought his desire to scowl at the mention of Piccolo's name as a look of anxiety crossed his face instead. "I can't go back in there, Krillin! I can't stand being locked up like that!"

Krillin groaned and exchanged a wary glance with the enrapt woman in their company. She seemed sympathetic to Goku's complaint. Maybe that husband of hers kept her locked up similarly. Maybe she'd just recently made an escape as well. Whatever her reason, when she placed her hand on top of Krillin's, he was willing to do whatever she said.

"Krillin, you should help him."

"Please, Krillin?" Kakarot presented Krillin with his most pleading smile.

Krillin looked at Lazuli, then Goku as he thought with a dubious frown. Lazuli's fingers squeezed around his and he sighed in defeat. "The old man's not going to like this, Goku."

Goku smiled and then winked. "Don't worry, Krillin. It'll be our secret. Thanks, Miss Gero."

Lazuli shook her loose blonde strands over her shoulder to hide her smile. "No problem. I know what it's like to be locked up, too. My father never lets my brother and I have any fun."

Krillin smiled at Lazuli, a new hope forming in his mind. Maybe the man she was always with was just her brother. She definitely didn't talk like a married woman. Krillin could still have a chance with her.

Kakarot stood to his feet. Now that he had Krillin roped in, he needed to ditch the woman. Time was of the essence. Too much time had already been wasted, and the night only lasted so long.

"Thanks for your help, Miss Gero." Kakarot smiled at her while giving Krillin a nudge. "But we better get going now if we're going to avoid being seen out here."

Krillin grimaced and reluctantly rose to his feet. "Aw, do we need to leave so soon?"

Lazuli smirked. "Are you going to miss me, Krillin?"

While Kakarot chuckled from behind him, Krillin flustered, heat rising to his face. "I...yeah. I hope to see you again soon…Lazuli."

Lazuli smirked, her eyes softening slightly as she gave a shallow nod. "Certainly. Watch out for those vampires." She snorted in amusement. "Good luck, Goku. Hope they don't lock you up again too soon."

"No." Kakarot chuckled and rubbed his head again. "Hopefully not."

As he turned to head out the door of the tavern with Krillin following, Kakarot smirked. Sometimes, he amazed himself. This was going to work out perfectly. One day, he'd have to find a way to repay Krillin for being such a reliable friend.

Vegeta pursed his lips in displeasure, glaring at the hunter who proved to be more resilient than Vegeta expected. Every move Vegeta had made to attack, the hunter seemed prepared to counter. Never in his immortal life had Vegeta encountered such a frustrating nemesis. Of course, Vegeta accounted his difficulty to the fact that he was limited by Kakarot's demand.

If he could move in for the kill, this would be so much easier. But disarming and incapacitating a hunter while leaving him breathing was something Vegeta had never attempted before. It was proving more difficult than the kill.

"I will kill your lover, you know." Piccolo taunted, pacing alertly in front of Vegeta in preparation for his own strike. "He is your lover, isn't he?"

"Yes." Vegeta smirked. "An excellent one. Are you sure you're trying to kill him, or maybe I should keep you away for another reason?"

Piccolo grunted in disdain. "Hardly. The only time I plan to spend with Kakarot will involve stringing him up, draining the blood from his body, and making him scream."

"Not a bad description of what he and I do together. Again, are you sure you're not interested?"

As Vegeta chuckled at his expense, Piccolo growled. He thought he saw an opening and darted forward, but the vampire was too quick to catch on to his intention and immediately adjusted his position to prevent Piccolo's success.

Vegeta could sense that Kakarot was ready. He couldn't wait to see what his love had provided for their way home. But first, he needed to rid himself of Piccolo. Intending to draw the hunter in, as he'd done with other hunters before, Vegeta relaxed his stance, providing an opening for the hunter to make his move.

"Ooh. Almost had me there." Vegeta smiled. "But I don't have all night. Let's end this already."

Piccolo's eyes lit at the sight of Vegeta's movement. "With pleasu-"

Piccolo's words were cut off with a grunt as Vegeta immediately struck at him, striking the hunter in the back of the neck so hard that the man was knocked unconscious in a single strike. Vegeta scowled as he watched Piccolo's listless body fall to the ground. How much he wanted to kill him. But he'd made a promise to Kakarot, even if he never spoke the words. His mate deserved some sort of gift for his return to immortality. Summoning all his willpower, Vegeta turned away and disappeared into the night, intent on finding Kakarot.

Krillin grunted as he stumbled to follow Kakarot, whose long, hasty, uphill strides in the darkness were hard to match for the much shorter man. Frankly, Krillin didn't understand Goku's hurry.

As he huffed and puffed his exertion, Krillin finally glared at Kakarot's back. "Goku! Slow down!"

Kakarot came to an abrupt halt, not bothering to turn around as Krillin ran into his back, not until after he heard Krillin huff irritably behind him.

"Krillin!" Kakarot said with wide eyes as he spun to face his friend. "Hurry up!"

"What's the hurry?" Krillin grumbled.

Kakarot turned and increased his stride again, knowing Krillin would continue to follow. Once his back was to Krillin, he rolled his eyes. On his own, he could've reached Vegeta over an hour ago. But on foot, time was wasting away. He could already feel the warning tingling of daybreak's approach. Of course, he couldn't tell Krillin that reason for his hurry. He was just relieved that he could sense Vegeta nearby. When he finally spied the unique silhouette of the handsome vampire in the distance, Kakarot sighed in relief.

As Kakarot came to a stop, slowing gradually rather than the abrupt stop he'd made earlier, Krillin exhaled heavily. He decided that his windedness would wind down now that their frantic pace had finally ceased. But just as Krillin felt his heart rate slowing, the sight of a shadowy figure in the distance made his heart rate increase again for an entirely different reason.

Krillin gasped. "Goku! Look out!"

When Kakarot stepped forward, towards the vampire prince who smiled at the sight of Goku, yet frowned at Krillin, Krillin shuddered. Something wasn't right here. He couldn't just abandon Goku though, no matter how much he wanted to run for his life.

"Goku!" Krillin hissed desperately, wishing his friend was within reach so he could pull him away from the vampire. "Goku! It's Vegeta! He's the vampire."

As Kakarot met Vegeta face to face, Vegeta narrowed his eyes at Krillin. "What's he doing here?"

"Aw, Vegeta," Kakarot laughed jovially, "Krillin's my friend!"

"Goku, you can't be serious! You brought me here to meet Vegeta?!"

Vegeta scoffed. "Kakarot, what are you doing? We don't have time for this."

Kakarot turned to smile widely at Krillin. "Krillin can help us, Vegeta."

Vegeta raised a brow and finally took a closer look at Krillin, making the small man feel even smaller under the vampire's scrutinizing gaze. Vegeta crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at Krillin. "How?"

Krillin gulped and looked pleadingly to Goku. He wished his friend would understand the danger here. But Goku seemed far too at ease for Krillin's comfort.

"Krillin already promised me he'd help me find a place to hide out for the day. I told him how I escaped and people could be looking for us."

Vegeta snorted. "And did you tell him we require being kept underground?"

Krillin sputtered. "Uh...uh..."

"No," Vegeta glared reprovingly at Kakarot, "I think not."

"Vegeta!" Kakarot tensed and smiled at Krillin, but this time Krillin could see the falseness in his smile.

"Goku?" Krillin felt his lip quiver as he looked at his longtime, closest friend in a new light. "Don't tell me you...Vegeta didn't...?"

"Sorry, Krillin." Kakarot shrugged and smiled slyly. "I haven't been completely honest with you."

Vegeta chuckled. "One of Kakarot's greatest assets. He's an incredible liar." Vegeta narrowed his eyes at Kakarot. "I wonder how you convinced him to come."

Kakarot smiled slyly at Vegeta, before turning his attention to Krillin's worrisome visage. "I can help you, Krillin, if you help us. When we wake safely at nightfall, if you have a ship prepared for our departure in the evening, I'll get you that woman. The one from the tavern." When Krillin's eyes widened, Kakarot smirked. "You know I can."

Krillin blinked at Kakarot. "Get her for what?!"

"For you. To show my appreciation."

Before Krillin could respond, Vegeta growled and pushed Kakarot aside. "We don't have time for your way, Kakarot. We're doing this my way."

Kakarot grunted at the hard impact of Vegeta's shove, but chuckled dismissively as he looked to Krillin. "Sorry, Krillin. I tried. But Vegeta likes to have his way."

Krillin's eyes bulged as terror seized him while Vegeta stormed towards him. This couldn't be good. He didn't want to end up like Nappa at the castle - some soulless goon serving the vampires' every whim. Frantically, he shook his head as Vegeta's dark eyes met his. "No!"

"Human," Vegeta's eyes became blacker and larger to Krillin as a faint feeling came over him, almost like the sensation of falling. He knew he was stilling standing, but his control seemed to be slipping. His ability to speak his own mind, to move where he wanted to, to even feel the terror that should have been pervading his reasonable mind, seemed to disappear. When Vegeta continued speaking, it was as if nothing but the vampire's deep, lulling voice existed.

Kakarot smiled as he watched Vegeta mesmerizing his human friend. Perhaps he should have felt bad for Krillin, but Vegeta would do Goku's old friend no harm as long as he did what he was told. And the sight of his mate working so skillfully, so impressively, was too enticing for Kakarot to overlook for any other reason.

"Do you understand?" Vegeta asked as he finished instructing the dazed human, pulling back to scrutinize his understanding. As Krillin nodded, Vegeta added, "are you capable of doing all I asked?"

"Of course he is, Vegeta." Kakarot interrupted as he strode towards the other two with a confident smile. "I wouldn't have chosen him if he wasn't. Krillin is perfect."

Vegeta inclined his chin towards Kakarot. "So that hunter scumbag will remain ignorant of our location and when we wake we will have passage across the sea. Think it'll work?"

"Of course. Krillin knows men at the docks. And he'll have all day to secure our ship and crew with Nappa keeping the mob distracted by guarding our vacant castle basement." Kakarot snickered. "Besides, Piccolo won't come after us during the day anyways. He wants to fight me, not murder me in my sleep."

"Don't be so cocky, Kakarot. Letting your guard down is what killed you the last time. I won't see that happen again."

As Vegeta reached forward to place his palm softly against Kakarot's cheek, Kakarot closed his eyes and relished in the sensation. He could never tire of Vegeta's touch. After more than two centuries together, Vegeta was like a part of him. Kakarot had no idea how Vegeta had survived so long on his own.

"G-Kakarot," Krillin stared at the pair in awe, "you and Prince Vegeta...?"

The question on Krillin's lips lingered as Kakarot pressed his lips softly to Vegeta's, inadvertently answering Krillin's unspoken question as Krillin gawked at the romantic display.

When their lips separated, Kakarot smiled at Vegeta's blissful visage, before turning to Krillin. "The sun will rise soon, Krillin. You need to find us a safe place underground." Kakarot smirked. "Maybe if you do well, I'll still provide you with that tavern wench."

Krillin became flustered, until Vegeta added, "or if you don't succeed, if you let anything happen to Kakarot, I will take her for myself."

"I'll-yes!"

Krillin skipped nervously in the direction of a place he knew, near the docks, where light could not permeate the dark basements. He didn't know if it was his fear driving his need to fulfill their desires, or his hopes of actually having Lazuli Gero see him in a better light, or something deep-rooted that had taken a hold of him moments ago, which he couldn't fight if he wanted to. Whatever the reason, he was determined to find the vampires a place safe enough to rest below ground and remain hidden during the day.

Kakarot watched as Krillin disappeared over the edge of the hill. Then his eyes flitted to Vegeta, who was watching stoically after their disappearing recruit as well. Kakarot smiled to himself as he stepped closer to Vegeta, planting his lips softly against those of a surprised Vegeta, who was drawn from his concentration to meet Kakarot's serene gaze. Kakarot removed his lips from Vegeta's, inhaling in sweet anticipation as he dropped slowly to his knees.

Vegeta tensed. "What are you doing?"

Kakarot pried his fingers into the laces at Vegeta's waistband, licking his lips. "I want to taste you."

Before he managed to fumble the ties loose, Vegeta's fingers were petting through Kakarot's fine, black hair. In a sudden motion, Vegeta gripped the spikes of hair tightly, twisting the strands as he pulled his lover to his feet. Kakarot hissed through his teeth as he was forced to stand and Vegeta's fingers twisted more harshly through his hair.

"I want to taste you, too." Vegeta hummed as his eyes met Kakarot's wincing expression of pain. "But now is not the time."

After Vegeta's fingers eased from his hair, Kakarot dropped his chin. "Vegeta."

"The sun is rising, Kakarot. We need to follow your little friend and make sure we have a secure place to rest for the day."

Kakarot glared at Vegeta, never having liked it when Vegeta gave him orders. One fleeting glance over his shoulder, though, confirmed exactly what Vegeta was suggesting. A peek of light was already showing on the horizon. They were out of time.

Vegeta smiled at Kakarot's irritated expression. He could behave like a petulant child sometimes. After all his years on the Earth, it was amazing Kakarot hadn't learnt patience. "Later, Kakarot."

Vegeta's promise eased Kakarot's spirits when he met Vegeta's eyes again. His first night back hadn't been so bad, albeit a lack of feeding. Kakarot nudged Vegeta playfully with his shoulder as he passed by to follow after Krillin. "Alright, but I haven't fed at all."

Vegeta trudged after Kakarot. "Your minion is good for more than securing passage and a place to sleep, isn't he?"

Kakarot chuckled, and Vegeta joined him. Soon, they would be resting, only to wake to a new night with the intent of leaving this land for good. That was, as long as Krillin succeeded during the day, and everything went according to plan.