Chapter 21: The Dangers of Ignorance

As Goku and Krillin touched down at the forest's edge, the dense canopy above cast dappled shadows across the woodland floor. Shafts of golden sunlight pierced through the thick foliage, illuminating patches of emerald greenery and casting a summery haze over the scene. Krillin's eyes darted nervously around, his senses on high alert as they awaited the arrival of Goku's enigmatic mentor.

Suddenly, Vegeta emerged from behind a towering tree, his presence announced by the rustling of leaves underfoot. With an air of nonchalance, he took a bite from an hourglass-shaped fruit, the juices dribbling down his chin as he chewed. "There you are, Kakarott," he remarked, slight impatience in his tone.

Krillin's reaction was immediate and visceral. He leaped about ten feet into the air, his eyes widening in disbelief as he confronted Goku. "V-Vegeta?!" he blurted out, his voice bursting with disbelief. "Your mysterious mentor is... is… Vegeta?! Goku, come on! Of all people…"

Goku's clueless grin widened as he nodded enthusiastically. "Yep, it's 'Geets."

Meanwhile, Vegeta finished the fruit and casually tossed the core aside, his gaze fixed on Krillin with a mixture of annoyance and disdain. "Listen, cueball," he addressed Krillin, his tone firm and unwavering. "I'm only agreeing to this one time and only because Kakarott made it seem like the whole damn universe was about to implode over it. I need this distraction removed immediately, so that my training partner can focus his mental energy on the training with me that he swore an oath to complete."

Krillin stumbled backward, his eyes darting nervously between Goku's goofy grin and Vegeta's stern expression. Stammering, he struggled to form coherent words, overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events. The tension in the air was overwhelming as the three men stood in the dappled sunlight, the forest around them alive with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. He looked to Goku again, alarm in his eyes. "G-Goku, did you tell Vegeta the things that I told you?" he stuttered.

Goku nodded, but frowned slightly. "Yeah, but I guess I wasn't able to recount it in a sensical way. That's why Vegeta thinks the only way to get to the bottom of this is in person. But don't worry, I'm sure he'll have no problem figuring out what the root of the problem is, just like he did for me!"

Vegeta, arms crossed over his chest, shot a skeptical glance at Krillin. "Well, human, spill it. What's got you jumping around like a flea on a hot plate?" he demanded, his voice sharp and commanding. "Keep in mind, I'm only agreeing to fix this for you because you're distracting my training partner."

Krillin swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Vegeta's piercing gaze bearing down on him. Gathering his courage, he took a deep breath before blurting out, "It's about... my f-fear of meeting girls!"

Vegeta slightly rolled his eyes. "Yes, Kakarott mentioned that. My question is… why? You see, in Kakarott's case, his fear of female anger stems from some form of social anxiety. His brain mixes up the signals for social hostility with the signals for actual physical danger, causing him to cower when an aggressive woman makes him the target of her latest random rage. Cowering from a woman is disgraceful behavior in saiyan culture, so I'm helping Kakarott retrain his brain to stand his ground."

Krillin blinked and then his eyes widened. "F-Female anger?"

Vegeta chuckled. "Yes. You know Kakarott's former mate, the Ox-Princess? Not all Earth women have her personality, but some do. The ones with a saiyaness-like temperament are the type that saiyans like Kakarott and I are most attracted to. Thus, it is critical for us to know how to properly react. But that's beside the point. We're not talking about Kakarott's issues right now, we're talking about yours. And, according to Kakarott, it's not just feisty women that you're afraid of, but all women. Correct?"

Krillin nodded sheepishly, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as he admitted, "Y-Yes, that's right. I'm just... scared of them, all of them. But at the same time, I'm attracted to them like a magnet…"

"So, you feel a push and pull, it seems," Vegeta mused, beginning to pace around Goku and Krillin. "Magnets aren't just attracted to things. They're attracted to opposite charges but repelled by same charges. It's almost like you have two opposing forces acting on you. Because of that, you feel torn."

"Yes! Exactly! But why, I mean, I understand why I'm attracted to women. That makes perfect sense from an evolutionary perspective, but why am I also afraid of them at the same time? It's torture!"

Vegeta's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "Interesting," he mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Fear of the unknown, perhaps? Or maybe some unresolved issues from your past?"

Krillin shrugged.

"Tell me about your childhood experiences with people of the opposite sex."

Krillin rubbed his chin, thinking. "I mean… I grew up among lots of other boys. All the adults were male monks. I only ever saw women in passing outside the monastery, but never really talked to them much. I never got to know any actual women until I met Bulma and Launch," he explained.

"Ah, ha!" Vegeta declared, pointing at Krillin, then Goku and back again. "There, you two have something in common. Neither of you had much exposure to females until an advanced age in childhood, whereas I myself was suckin' on a titty within seconds of birth. Women are by no means strange or mysterious to me because I was plenty exposed to them in my formative years. Now, Kakarott's fear of women is by no means as bad as yours, but that is perhaps his saiyan nature acting as a buffer for him."

Krillin's face went beet red at Vegeta's mention of certain bits of female anatomy. "I-I-I…"

Vegeta regarded him with an analytical demeanor and looked around, using his eyes to pan the area. "What's wrong now, Krillin? I don't see any girls here, but you're acting like you're surrounded."

Krillin swallowed hard, his embarrassment nearing peak levels. "I-I'm sorry, Vegeta. It's just… I've never really talked about this before, like, out loud and… it feels weird," he bashfully admitted.

"Pfft," Vegeta retorted. "Sounds like you're a flaming virgin, but we can fix that. Now, before Kakarott and I agree to actually commit time to this, I need to know one thing. Let's say, you overcome this fear and find a girl that you like who also likes you. How, then, do you consummate this new relationship? It's important for you to know the basics of physical relations before actually attempting them."

Krillin thought he was going to pass out from embarrassment. "G-Goku, why… what is he…?"

Goku's eyes brightened. "Oh, I think 'Geets is referring to the thing where you put your wiener between her legs. Right, 'Geets? Yeah, that's the best part. I did it lots with Chi in the first year. Feels great!"

Vegeta snapped and pointed straight at Goku, an approving look on his face. "You got it, Kakarott."

As the saiyans discussed the birds and the bees in front of him, Krillin's embarrassment reached its zenith. Unable to handle the situation any longer, Krillin's cheeks flushed scarlet, his ears burning as he struggled to maintain his composure. But as Goku and Vegeta continued their matter-of-fact banter on the topic, Krillin's mortification overwhelmed him completely, causing him to faint and hit the ground with a thud.

Goku stopped mid-sentence with a gasp and rushed to Krillin's side, fanning his face. "Krill, you okay?!" He looked to Vegeta and then jumped up. "Wait here, 'Geets! I-I'll be right back!" He raced through the forest to a nearby stream and cupped some water in his hands, carefully flying back to avoid spilling any. Kneeling by Krillin's side, he lightly sprinkled his face to help him come to again.

The human fighter gradually regained consciousness, blinking rapidly as he tried to reorient himself to his surroundings. The first thing he saw was Goku hovering over him, water dripping from his hands.

"Krillin, are you okay? You fainted when we were chatting with Vegeta," Goku said worriedly.

Krillin sat up, a bit disoriented, but relieved that the embarrassing conversation seemed to be over, at least for the moment. "Yeah, I'm okay," he muttered, rubbing his head. "Just got a bit overwhelmed, I guess."

Vegeta, standing nearby with his arms crossed, scoffed. "Pathetic," he muttered under his breath, though loud enough for Krillin to hear. "If you can't handle a simple conversation about what you fear, how do you expect to react to the thing itself when the time comes? We have a lot of work to do."

Krillin's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and irritation at Vegeta's comment, but he forcibly pushed those feelings aside. He knew he needed to address this issue, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. "I know you're right, Vegeta," Krillin replied, his voice more confident now. "I appreciate your help with this, really. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to overcome this fear, I swear."

Vegeta eyed him skeptically for a moment before nodding curtly. "Good. We'll start by addressing the root of your fear and then work from there. But please, try not to faint again. It'll only slow things down."

Krillin nodded, determination shining in his eyes. "Yes, okay."

"You can't shy away from mere discussion," Vegeta warned. "Talking through the problem is how we uncovered the root of Kakarott's fear. So, tell me, what do you think your problem is?"

Krillin shook his head, his eyes downcast as he struggled to articulate his feelings. "I... I'm not sure," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've just always felt... inadequate around women."

Vegeta's gaze relaxed, understanding flickering in his eyes. "I see," he said, his voice surprisingly soft. "Well, fear can be a natural response to the unknown, but it's important to realize women are just… people, like anyone else. The differences between us and them are very much exaggerated by those who don't know what they're talking about. Men and women are different, to be sure, but the chasm is not so vast that the other side can't be reached. Females have fears and insecurities of their own, you see."

Krillin nodded slowly, absorbing Vegeta's words as if they were a lifeline in the tumultuous sea of his thoughts. "I... I'll try to remember that," he murmured, a small spark of hope igniting within him.

"Alright, now sit cross-legged and straight-backed," Vegeta directed, pacing around Goku and Krillin again. "Get yourself comfortable and start with some deep breaths to calm your nerves. Focus on your breathing. We'll have to address your obvious fears of physical intimacy another time, since this upcoming meeting with a girl obviously won't lead to that immediately. There is time for that later. Right now, you just want to focus on getting through this upcoming encounter, correct?"

Krillin nodded, his determination resurfacing as he followed Vegeta's instructions. Sitting cross-legged with his back straight, he closed his eyes and took a series of deep breaths, letting the calming rhythm wash over him and slow his heart rate. With a confident pair of saiyans offering guidance, despite his reservations about Vegeta, Krillin started to feel a newfound sense of resolve stirring within him.

As he focused on his breathing, he made a silent vow to confront his fear head-on. No more fainting, no more avoiding the issue—he was ready to tackle it. Krillin knew he could overcome his crippling fear. He had overcome many other challenges in the past. With that thought in mind, he opened his eyes, meeting Goku and Vegeta's gaze. "I'm ready," he declared, the words firm and resolute. "Let's do this."

…

As Goku and Vegeta made their way back to Capsule Corp, the atmosphere between them was lightened by a sense of accomplishment. West City stretched out endlessly on the horizon, but they had no problem identifying their destination when it came into view. Goku glanced sideways at Vegeta, a grateful smile on his lips. "Hey, Vegeta," Goku began, his tone earnest, "thanks for helping out with Krillin back there. I know it wasn't easy for him to open up about his fears, but you really made a difference."

Vegeta waved a dismissive hand, but there was a hint of pride in his expression. "Hmph, don't mention it. I couldn't let your friend continue to be a hindrance to our training, especially when it was something so easily remedied. I understand now, however, he was freaking out because it felt like an impossible task to him and he thought he was just… for lack of a better analogy, floating in space with no sense of direction. Tricky problems like that can make people feel alone, like there's no one to turn to for help."

Goku nodded thoughtfully, his appreciation for Vegeta's insight growing. "You're right. It's easy to feel lost when you're facing a new challenge by yourself. But thanks to you, Krillin knows where to go from here. He was pretty skeptical when he found out it was you who'd be mentoring him, of all people. I'll bet he never would've guessed you'd be the one to help him overcome his fear of meeting women."

"Well, I'm just glad the whole ordeal didn't take more than thirty minutes."

As they approached Capsule Corp, the bustling cityscape of downtown West City came into view, its towering skyscrapers gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. Goku's expression brightened at the sight of their destination. "Looks like we're almost there," he remarked, quickening his speed.

Vegeta followed suit, his gaze fixed on the sprawling metropolis beneath them. "Yes, so let us not waste any more time and get right down to it. I trust you're ready to push me to the limit again?"

Goku grinned, excitement coursing through him at the thought of getting some physical action in. The orange-clad saiyan felt fidgety from a lack of rigorous exercise. "Absolutely! But let's not skip the stretching. The harder you train, the easier it is to end up with a nasty injury. Like Bulma said, we gotta keep taking all the necessary precautions until the dragon gives you a clean bill of health."

"Of course, that's always a necessary precursor to any physical training session," Vegeta agreed.

As Goku and Vegeta descended onto the well-manicured lawn of Capsule Corp, their feet touched down with practiced ease. The cool breeze of the afternoon air swept past them, carrying the distant sounds of the city. With purposeful strides, they made their way towards the imposing structure of the Gravitron, their minds already focused on the intense training session that awaited them.

Upon entering the Gravity Room, the saiyans wasted no time in preparing for their workout, each focusing on their own personal prep routine. Vegeta began a series of arm stretches from wrist to shoulder. His movements were precise and controlled, the muscles in his arms flexing with each stretch.

Goku followed suit. As Vegeta switched into leg stretches, Goku continued his warm-up, loosening his lower body muscles. He bent forward, reaching toward his toes and feeling the stretch in his hamstrings.

Vegeta gracefully lowered himself into an effortless split, his leg muscles offering no resistance.

Goku straightened up. As he looked over at Vegeta, he could not help but be impressed by the prince's remarkable flexibility yet again. It never ceased to amaze him how effortlessly Vegeta could contort his body into such demanding positions. As he watched Vegeta, his mind wrestled with inner thoughts. He admired Vegeta's strength and flexibility, marveling at the prince's impressive yet compact physique. Somehow, Goku could not shake the urge to reach out and touch Vegeta's body, if only to feel the rippling muscles beneath his fingertips. He tried to push the thoughts aside, but he felt them gnawing at him. Lost in admiration, Goku almost forgot about his own routine. But then, a bright idea sparked in his mind, causing his face to light up with excitement. "Hey, 'Geets!" he exclaimed, turning toward Vegeta with enthusiasm. "I got an idea. How about we mix up our stretching routines a bit? Back in Ox City, I saw the students pairing up to help each other stretch and increase the resistance. What do you say?"

Vegeta raised a skeptical brow, his expression guarded as he listened to Goku's proposal. "No thanks, I like my routine as is," he replied dismissively, effortlessly transitioning into a side split. "But if you need added resistance for yours, maybe turn on the gravity?" he suggested, a hint of amusement in his tone. "I've noticed you seem a bit stiff and your flexibility could use some work, to be honest."

Goku's face fell slightly at Vegeta's refusal, but he was not one to give up easily. "Aw, come on, Vegeta," he pleaded, padding over to Vegeta in his seated position with a hopeful glint in his eyes. "I have always wanted to try it. It could be a fun way to switch things up and challenge ourselves even more."

Vegeta glanced up at Goku and raised a brow. "Uh, Kakarott, I really don't think doing different stretches is the key that'll finally push me through to Super Saiyan power. We should probably focus our efforts on the aspects of training that will actually make me faster and stronger, like sparring."

Goku's enthusiasm dimmed slightly at Vegeta's response, but he understood the prince's priorities. With a nod, he conceded, "You're right, Vegeta. We shouldn't stray too far from our main objective." Despite his disappointment, Goku could not help but admire Vegeta's unwavering focus on their training goals. Just as he was about to relent and return to his normal stretching routine, another spark of an idea took hold in Goku's mind. "Oh, but um… I think you're right about me being a bit stiff. Yeah, I think your routine must be much better than mine. Maybe, you can show me some tips and tricks?"

Vegeta arched an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes at Goku's unexpected request. He regarded Goku for a moment, assessing the sincerity in his expression. The prince found it odd that the bigger saiyan appeared to be sweating slightly, but then he remembered that they had just gotten inside from a hot summer day. Finally, he relented with a barely perceptible nod. "Fine," he conceded, his tone begrudging but not unkind. "I suppose a few pointers couldn't hurt. But don't expect me to hold your hand through it like some weakling." With that, Vegeta resumed his side split, motioning for Goku to join him.

Grinning eagerly, Goku settled into a seated position in front of Vegeta, mirroring the other saiyan's movements as best as he could. As he stretched, Vegeta offered subtle adjustments and pointers, his guidance precise and efficient. Goku soaked up every word for a minute, yet his focus started to waver as his eyes were drawn back to the prince's own pose. "Kakarott, don't look at me, look at yourself. See? Your leg is shaking slightly. I just told you how to fix that," Vegeta suddenly said.

Goku's cheeks flushed slightly at Vegeta's admonishment, realizing he had been caught staring once again. Errgh, this would be easier if Vegeta didn't habitually wear such tight clothes, he thought to himself. He drew his brows together and averted his gaze, refocusing on his own form momentarily. He winced in pain as he tried to replicate the prince's pose. "Man, I suck at this, Vegeta," he complained aloud. "Look, my muscles are tighter than Capsule Corp security. But for you, there's practically no resistance at all. I bet you could easily cross your ankles behind your head if you wanted to, huh?"

Vegeta chuckled. "I guess."

"Yeah, I'll bet you could also lie on the floor facedown, raise your legs in the air, curl your spine, and sit on your own head," Goku mused. "Man, I always wondered how some people could do that."

Vegeta's face pinkened slightly and he transitioned his side split in the opposite direction to avert his gaze. "I-I mean, maybe…? Can't imagine why I'd do that though. I think it'd look pretty stupid."

Goku jumped to his feet, leaning over the smaller saiyan with an intense look in his eyes. "I don't think it'd look stupid at all. When the circus people do that, everyone oohs and aahs. Show me, please!"

Vegeta shifted uncomfortably under Goku's intense gaze, his cheeks flushing a deeper shade of rose. He opened his mouth to protest, but Goku's pleading expression softened his resolve. With a resigned sigh, he relented, albeit reluctantly. "Fine," he grumbled, casting a wary glance around the Gravity Room to ensure no one was peeking through the windows. "But just this once and you better not tell anyone."

Goku's face lit up with excitement as he eagerly watched Vegeta prepare for the seemingly impossible feat. With a deep breath, Vegeta did a handstand and lowered himself onto the floor on his chest, his movements fluid and controlled. With remarkable flexibility, he lifted his legs into the air, curling his spine back and settling his feet on the ground beside his ears. With each movement, his muscles flexed and strained a bit, but he maintained an air of composed determination. Finally, he achieved the impressive contortion, his knees and shins resting flat on the floor as he sat on his own head.

Goku's eyes widened in awe as he watched Vegeta's impressive display of flexibility. "Wow, Vegeta, that's incredible!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his admiration. "I'd be dead if I tried that!"

Vegeta could not help but feel a swell of pride at Goku's praise, despite his initial reservations. He rolled out of the ridiculous pose, finding it somewhat hard to breathe in. Then, with a smug smirk, he replied, "Of course it is. Now, are you satisfied? We have training to do, remember?"

"Wait, wait, um yeah… just one more thing," Goku blurted, stammering as his heart started to race with excitement. "What about th-the other thing I said? Can you cross your ankles behind your head while lying on your back? That would be so cool to see!" he blurted, talking a mile a minute.

As Vegeta returned to a sitting pose, he threw his head back to laugh. "Oh, Kakarott! Ha ha ha! You're not serious. That's a thousand times easier than what you just asked me to do," he pointed out, amused.

Goku drew his brows together, as if issuing a challenge. "Well, if you can do it, then prove it. Come on, Vegeta, where's that saiyan pride? Do it, do it, do it!" he insisted, bouncing from foot to foot.

Vegeta's smirk widened at Goku's challenge, his competitive spirit ignited by the other saiyan's taunts. With a dramatic roll of his eyes, he grudgingly shifted his position, lying down on his back with a fluid grace. As Goku watched with bated breath, Vegeta lifted his legs into the air, spreading them to make room for his arms and torso to fit between them as he settled into the comfortable position with his ankles behind his head. The maneuver was effortless for the prince as he relaxed into the easy pose.

Goku's eyes widened in amazement as he watched Vegeta effortlessly accomplish the feat. "Whoa, Vegeta, you're unbelievable!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his awe. "You really can do anything!"

Vegeta smirked triumphantly, a smug satisfaction evident in his expression. "No shit," he declared, his tone laced with pride. "Now, are you done being amazed or do you have any more ridiculous req…" The prince interrupted himself mid-sentence and sucked in a gasp when Goku materialized over him, the larger saiyan's hands pressing down on the backs of his knees. The Earth saiyan's face was flushed red in a frenzy, causing Vegeta's eyes to widen in alarm. He tried to lower his legs, but Goku weighed them down, keeping him stuck in the odd position. "Kakarott, what are you doing?! Don't touch me!"

"J-Just real quick, 'Geets… I wanna see what kinda other neat stuff your body can do," Goku stammered, sweat dripping from his flushed brow. "Relax your muscles for me, will ya? Please, please, please!"

Vegeta's eyes widened in alarm as Goku pressed down on his knees, keeping him locked in the awkward position. Despite his protests, he found himself unable to break free. "Kakarott, this isn't funny!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and embarrassment. "Get off me this instant!"

Goku's face was flushed with excitement as he leaned in closer, his eyes alight with curiosity and, perhaps, a strong hint of something else. "Pretty please, Vegeta! I really, really, really wanna see what other neat stuff your body can do," he pleaded, his voice earnest yet laced with desperation. "Come on, just relax your muscles for a minute. Come on, please! I promise it won't take long!"

Vegeta gritted his teeth in frustration, his cheeks burning with embarrassment at the absurdity of the situation. With a resigned sigh, he begrudgingly relaxed his muscles, allowing Goku to do his idiotic examination. "Just hurry it up, okay? We need to get started," he complained, feeling a mixture of annoyance and begrudging amusement at his foolish rival's relentless curiosity.

However, every last hint of amusement was gone in a wisp when he felt one of Goku's hands move from the back of his leg to the back waistband of his tight spandex. He heard a snap as the base of his tail was released from its confines, Goku's large hand rolling his pants back from his hips. In a stunned stupor, the saiyan prince peered through his raised legs and blinked as he saw his bare ass exposed to the light of day. Adding exponentially to his shock was something applying light pressure to his most private area.

"K-Kakarott…?" Vegeta uttered, fear overwhelming him. "What… are you…?"

Meeting eyes with Vegeta, Goku gave him a big reassuring smile. "Oh, don't worry, Vegeta! I was just going to see what it's like to put my wiener in you. I bet it would feel really good, don't ya think?"

Vegeta lay frozen in shock, his muscles tensed and his breath caught in his throat as he processed the unexpected turn of events. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation, but he found himself unable to move or speak. Every fiber of his being screamed with disbelief, his thoughts swirling in a chaotic whirlwind of confusion and astonishment. Time seemed to stand still as he grappled with the reality of what was happening, his expression a mask of stunned incredulity. "Your… w-wiener…?"

"Yeah! Let me show you," he blurted.

The pressure increased suddenly and Vegeta tightened up defensively. Suddenly snapping out of his shock, Vegeta's expression twisted into one of fury and indignation. Without a moment's hesitation, he unleashed a powerful burst of ki energy directly at Goku's face. The blast struck with unerring accuracy, searing across Goku's features and singeing off one of his thick black eyebrows in a burst of smoke and sparks. A fierce growl escaped Vegeta's lips as he glared daggers at Goku, his eyes blazing with a potent mixture of rage and betrayal. "How dare you touch me, Kakarott!" he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "I'll make you regret ever laying your filthy hands on the Prince of all Saiyans!"

Goku stumbled backward, his balance faltering as he fell onto his backside, hissing in pain as he clutched his singed brow. The burnt smell wafted through the air as he winced, feeling the stinging sensation of the ki blast scorching his skin. "Ow, Vegeta! You could've taken my eye out!" he cried out. He shot an incredulous look at Vegeta, his brows furrowed in frustration. "Gee, what's your problem?!"

Vegeta's eyes blazed with fury as he scrambled out of his contorted position on the floor, his movements fueled by intense rage. Yanking his pants back up, he leaped onto his feet, his muscles tensed and ready for action. His gaze locked onto Goku with a fierce intensity, his expression twisted in a blind rage that seemed to consume him entirely. Every ounce of his being screamed with anger as he glared daggers at Goku, his mind clouded by the burning fury that surged through him at what Goku had tried to do.

As Goku noticed the sharp change in Vegeta's demeanor, his cheeks turned a slight shade of blue, a clear sign of his growing apprehension. "V-Vegeta, what's wrong?" he blurted out, his voice brimming with concern. He could not fathom what had set the usually composed prince off. It had been a harmless test, or so Goku thought. Yet, the intensity of Vegeta's rage was overpowering, leaving Goku feeling alarmed. "Come on, it's not that big a deal!" he tried to reason, his tone pleading as he attempted to diffuse the tense situation. "I was just curious! You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt you!"

Vegeta's muscles tensed, his ki surging with unrestrained fury as he prepared to unleash his full wrath upon Goku. His livid mind screamed for vengeance, for retribution against the perceived audacity. But as he locked eyes with Goku, he noticed the genuine confusion etched into the other saiyan's face. It was a look of honest innocence, devoid of malice or intent to harm. In that moment, a wave of astonishment washed over Vegeta, replacing his rage with profound incredulity. How could Goku, the seasoned adult warrior who had defeated Frieza, be so utterly clueless about the meaning of what he had just tried to do? The prince's hand lowered slowly, his attack aborted at the last possible moment. He took a step back, his features softening as he realized the extent of Goku's ignorance. "You… really don't understand what you just did wrong?" he uttered in disbelief, struggling to process the bizarre turn of events.

As Vegeta's fury subsided and he stood there, visibly astonished, Goku remained frozen in place, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. He cowered slightly, expecting the imminent attack that never came. Unshed tears glistened in his eyes as he shook his head in earnestness, his voice barely above a whisper. "I-I don't... I didn't mean to... I just wanted to see..." His words trailed off, choked with emotion, as he struggled to articulate his thoughts amidst the overwhelming tension. Despite his formidable strength, Goku's vulnerability in that moment was readily visible, his innocence laid bare for all to see.

Vegeta's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the bizarre encounter. Lowering himself into a squat, he ran his hands over his face and through his hair in frustration, his thoughts a tumultuous whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Finally, with a deep breath, he stood up, his expression still etched with anger but no longer consumed by blind rage. With determined steps, he approached Goku, grabbing him firmly by the wrist. Without a word, he began to drag the bewildered saiyan towards the lower level of the Gravitron and into the nearby bathroom. He thrust the man in front of the mirror. "Wash your dick with soap and warm water. And I mean thoroughly! In, under, and around the foreskin," he directed.

"B-But why…?"

"Do as I say!" Vegeta roared, leaning forward to turn on the warm water. It flowed in a heavy cascade from the faucet. Goku hurriedly grabbed the soap and started following Vegeta's every direction. As soon as he was done, Vegeta threw a hand towel in his face. "Now, dry it off and put it away!"

The moment Goku did so, he was again yanked by the wrist and forced to follow Vegeta back up to the first level and then out the Gravitron door. "Are… you g-gonna tell me why you're so upset?"

"Shut up!"

…

In Bulma's lab, the air was filled with the soft hum of machinery and the faint scent of metal and chemicals. Bulma, her brow furrowed in concentration, stood before a holographic display, her fingers dancing across the interface as she manipulated complex equations. Aloha, her assistant and fellow scientist, leaned in beside her, her eyes scanning the intricate formula projected before them.

"So, this is the formula the computer generated when I asked it to model the effects of the Earth being split in two," Bulma explained, gesturing to the holographic projection. "But no matter how many times I run it, I keep hitting a dead end. It's like there's something missing and I just can't figure it out."

Aloha studied the formula intently, her gaze narrowing as she scrutinized each line of code. After a few moments of silence, she snapped her fingers, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. "I think I see the problem," she declared, pointing to a specific section of the equation. "Right here. You're neglecting to account for the gravitational forces exerted by the moon during the split. It's throwing off the entire calculation."

Bulma's eyes widened in realization as she followed Aloha's finger, examining the section of the formula she had overlooked. "You're right," she exclaimed, a note of excitement creeping into her voice. "How did I miss that? Thank you, Al! With this correction, we might finally be able to crack this problem."

As Bulma and Aloha delved into revising the formula, their focus was abruptly shattered by a deafening explosion that rocked the laboratory. The force of the blast sent them tumbling from their seats, the holographic display flickering and sputtering in the chaos. As the dust settled, Bulma's heart pounded with fear as she beheld the sight before her: the laboratory door blown off its frame and a furious Vegeta standing in the shattered threshold, his expression contorted with rage. Gripping Goku firmly by the ear, he hurled the bewildered saiyan to the floor before Bulma, his voice dripping with venom.

"What the hell is wrong with him?!" Vegeta bellowed, his eyes white with fury as he loomed over Goku, who scrambled away, a confounded expression plastered on his face. Bulma's mind raced as she struggled to make sense of the situation, her eyes darting between Vegeta and Goku in disbelief. What had transpired to provoke such an explosive reaction from the saiyan prince? With a ferocious growl, Vegeta stormed past Goku, his footsteps echoing ominously against the metal flooring of the lab. He seized Bulma by her lab coat, yanking her forcefully to her feet with a strength born of pure fury. "I need a fucking explanation!" he roared, his voice reverberating off the walls of the now-chaotic lab. Bulma winced at the intensity of his grip, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to comprehend the sudden onslaught. "Who, on your gods-forsaken planet, raised Kakarott to remain ignorant to the most basic tenets of courtesy governing physical relations between two people?! Huh? Was it you? Was it Krillin? How about this 'Grandpa Gohan' bozo? Answer me, woman! Who did it?!" His words came out like a thunderous barrage, each syllable laced with seething rage and frustration.

Bulma's mind raced as she tried to formulate a response to Vegeta's outburst, her thoughts tumbling over each other in a frantic attempt to make sense of the situation. Before she could utter a single word, however, Aloha, sensing the urgency of the moment, crawled to Vegeta's feet and gripped his lycra pant leg with trembling hands. "Please, Prince Vegeta," she implored, her voice quivering with fear but tinged with determination. "I don't understand what has happened, but I want to help. Please, take a deep breath and try to explain what has you so upset!" Her words hung in the air, a plea for reason amidst the chaos that threatened to consume them all. Vegeta's gaze flickered down to Aloha, his expression momentarily softened by her earnest appeal. Gradually, the prince released Bulma's coat from his grasp and took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with the effort of reining in his overwhelming emotions.

After a few moments of trying to calm himself, Vegeta furiously pointed to a very discombobulated Goku before meeting eyes with Bulma. "It's Kakarott," he spat, his voice seething with barely contained rage. "You have known this insufferable idiot since you were both children, correct?"

Bulma gulped, her blue eyes wide with confusion and concern. She nodded slowly, feeling the weight of Vegeta's intense gaze upon her. "Y-Yes," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Again, Vegeta took another deep breath, his chest heaving with the effort to contain his fury. "I need to know who raised Kakarott and was responsible for his education from the time that you met him onward," he demanded, his voice cold and menacing. "That sorry motherfucker has a lot of explaining to do."

Bulma's heart sank as she realized the gravity of the situation. She wrung her hands nervously, trying to gather her thoughts. "Who? I-I think it was M-Master Roshi?" she replied tentatively, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "G-Goku went to train with Master Roshi on his island, yes. Roshi was Goku's master after his grandfather passed. He took both Goku and K-Krillin on as his students."

Vegeta's eyes narrowed dangerously as he processed Bulma's words. "Master Roshi," he repeated, his voice dripping with disdain. With a frustrated growl, he turned away from Bulma and strode purposefully toward Goku, who sat on the ground nearby, his expression a mixture of confusion and apprehension.

"You have truly managed to outdo yourself this time, Kakarott," Vegeta muttered under his breath, his tone laced with disappointment. He fixed Goku with a stern gaze, his eyes burning with intensity.

Goku looked like he was about to cry as he leaned backward away from Vegeta. "I-I…"

As Vegeta's frustration mounted and Goku's distress worsened, Bulma's concern reached a fever pitch. Despite her own fear and confusion, she gathered her courage and stepped forward, her voice trembling but resolute. "Vegeta, what happened?" she asked in a pleading yet heavily-concerned voice, her eyes darting between the two saiyans. She could not bear to see Goku so distressed and Vegeta so enraged without understanding the cause behind their tumultuous emotions. Deep down, she knew that whatever had unfolded must be addressed and resolved before it spiraled further out of control.

Vegeta closed his eyes, a mix of powerful emotions passing over his face as he struggled to explain. Beneath his fierce exterior, a storm of frustration, disappointment, and a hint of sorrow swirled within him. He battled to contain the tempest raging within, each emotion vying for dominance over the next. The weight of his own anger and Goku's bewildered innocence bore heavily upon him. For a moment, he felt the crushing burden of responsibility pressing down upon his shoulders. With a heavy sigh, he opened his eyes, the intensity of his gaze softening ever so slightly as he prepared to articulate the turmoil stirring within him. "In the Gravitron… Kakarott tried to fuck me. He didn't even ask permission first."

Bulma's mind practically imploded upon hearing Vegeta's revelation, her pupils shrinking to the size of beads. "What?!" she cried out, her voice overflowing with disbelief and shock. Her eyes widened in utter incredulity as she struggled to comprehend the gravity of Vegeta's words. The disclosure rocked her to the core, shattering her preconceptions and leaving her reeling in a maelstrom of confusion and disbelief. This unexpected twist in the already tumultuous situation sent her mind into a frenzy as she grappled with the implications of what she had just learned. "What… what do you mean that he tried to…?"

Vegeta rounded on her furiously. "I. Mean. He. Tried. To. Put. His. Dick. In. Me. And. Didn't. Even. Think. To. Ask. If. It. Was. Okay. First!" he blared, spelling it out for her through gritted teeth.

Bulma's face turned icy blue and she cast a glance at Goku, seeing his singed brow. All the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Overcome by a torrent of conflicting emotions, she was unable to contain her anguish. She approached Goku, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice trembling. "Why would you do something like that, Goku?" she asked, her tone a mixture of sorrow and accusation. Her heart felt heavy with betrayal as she struggled to comprehend Goku's actions. She searched his eyes, desperate for an explanation, a glimmer of remorse, anything to ease the pain that gnawed at her soul.

On the verge of tears himself, Goku opened his mouth to try and muster an answer.

"Because he doesn't know any better!" Vegeta blared, startling Goku, Bulma, and Aloha all at the same time. He pointed furiously at Goku's face. "Look at him, look into his eyes. He, honest to gods, doesn't understand what the fuck he did wrong. At the ripe age of twenty-… whatever he is, he has no idea you need permission to initiate a sexual encounter with someone. What I need to know is how this happened!"

Bulma's brows furrowed angrily as a sudden realization washed over her, her mind racing to connect the dots. "Roshi... it must have been Roshi," she muttered, her voice coarse with disgust and indignation. She turned to Vegeta, her eyes flashing with righteous anger as well as guilt and sadness. "No one talks about this much because he's otherwise very wise and talented in the martial arts, but Master Roshi... the truth is, he's a sick pervert," she spat, her words heavy with contempt. The weight of betrayal and anger settled in her chest, fueling her resolve to confront the source of Goku's ignorance head-on. "If anyone taught Goku that type of behavior and omitted any discussions on the topic of consent, it was him…"

Aloha's eyes widened in shock, her hand flying to cover her mouth as a gasp escaped her lips. "M-Master Roshi...?" she stammered incredulously, her mind struggling to process the revelation. "You mean that thin old man who was at the barbecue the other day?!" The realization hit her like a ton of bricks, casting a shadow of doubt over her previous impressions of the elderly martial arts master. She could not believe that someone she had recently encountered could be capable of such reprehensible behavior.

Bulma's anger dissipated like a wisp of smoke in the wind, replaced by a profound sadness. A tear trickled down her cheek, leaving a glistening trail in its wake as she nodded in affirmation. "He... did some things to me... when I was fifteen," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of painful memories that she had long buried deep within herself. The epiphany laid bare the scars of her past, reopening old wounds that had never fully healed.

Vegeta fell silent for a few moments, his mind reeling as he processed Bulma's heartbreaking revelation. Her words hung heavily in the air, casting a somber pall over the room. "I see," he finally uttered, his voice laced with a newfound resolve. His gaze drifted down to one of his clenched fists, his jaw tightening as his features contorted into a grimace of determination. In that moment, a fire ignited within him, fueled by a potent mix of anger and disgust. He swore to himself that he would never allow such injustices to go unchecked, not while he had the power to fight against them.

Feeling the weight of Bulma's pain, Aloha stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her mentor in a comforting embrace. Bulma's shoulders trembled with silent sobs as she allowed herself to finally release the flood of emotions pent up inside her. Tears streamed down her cheeks unchecked as Aloha whispered soothing words of comfort, assuring her that everything would be okay and that they would find a path to healing together. In that moment of vulnerability, Bulma found solace in Aloha's embrace, grateful for the unwavering support of her loyal friend and colleague. With each word of encouragement, a flicker of hope ignited within her heart, reminding her that she was not alone in her struggles.

As Vegeta turned to leave, his jaw clenched with decisiveness, Bulma broke from Aloha's embrace and reached out to him, desperation etched into every line of her face. "Please, Vegeta," she implored, her words filled with raw emotion. "Don't do anything rash. We'll meet with my parents, discuss the best course of action, and figure out how to handle this. I beg you, trust me on this." Her voice cracked with emotion as she spoke, her gaze locking onto Vegeta's with an intensity born of desperation and fear.

Vegeta's frustration simmered beneath the surface as he spun back around, facing Bulma and Aloha with a steely glare. "Alright, fine," he growled, his voice laced with a begrudging acceptance. "I'll dare to trust you on that. But what about Kakarott?" he demanded, his gaze narrowing as he pointed an accusatory finger at Goku, who stood nearby, still visibly shaken by the events. "He's still completely clueless. He needs... to be educated," insisted the saiyan prince, his tone filled with urgency. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him as he grappled with the reality of Goku's profound ignorance, knowing that action needed to be taken to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.

Vegeta's gaze softened slightly as he turned to face Goku, observing the torrent of emotions swirling within the other saiyan's face. With a deliberate inhale, he forced himself to relax, the tension in his muscles easing just a fraction. "Kakarott," he began, addressing Goku directly, his voice firm yet tinged with an undercurrent of patience, "do you understand yet what you did wrong?" Despite the frustration lingering in his words, there was also a silent plea for Goku to comprehend the meaning of his actions.

Goku shakily wiped his face with the back of his hand, his eyes downcast as he addressed Vegeta. "Um," he began, his voice trembling. "Y-You're mad because I touched you? I'm sorry, Vegeta. I just got really excited and... I'm sorry!" His words came out in a rush, tinged with regret and genuine contrition as he struggled to articulate his feelings. Despite his usual bravado in battle, Goku's demeanor now was that of a chastised child, his shoulders slumped and his gaze haunted by his horrible mistake.

"No, Kakarott," Vegeta gently corrected. "It's not about simple touching. If you had come over and tapped me on the shoulder, do you think I would have reacted the same way?"

Goku shook his head.

"That's right," Vegeta explained. "I don't know how things work on Earth, but on Planet Vegeta, sexual intimacy was a sacred thing. You have to be very careful with how you approach it. It takes years of learning proper social cues, and the rules of courtship are practically endless. Rule number one is never you dare to initiate a sexual encounter with a person whose permission you haven't received first to do so. Permission comes first before you even think of laying a finger on them with erotic intent. Understand?"

Goku sniffled a bit, but then nodded his head. "O-Okay, I won't do that again."

"And that's not all. You just put yourself at risk, Kakarott. I haven't been cleared of the virus yet and sexual contact is one way in which it can easily spread. Body fluids. That's why I made you wash your dick, so you wouldn't get infected. Sexual encounters with new partners come with risks, some of which can cost you your life. Sex should never be approached in such a casual manner. It's a big deal."

Goku straightened up, nodding fervently.

Vegeta turned his attention to Bulma, pointing to Goku. "If you don't want me to go slaughter this Master Roshi on the spot, then I'll need you to do two things for me. One, appoint a knowledgeable person to teach Kakarott what he needs to know ASAP and, two, log into your security system and erase all of today's footage from the Gravitron. That's where this… unfortunate event took place."

Aloha raised her hand. "Prince Vegeta, I'm the new Systems Engineer. I can do that right away under your supervision, if you'd like. Also… well, I received a very comprehensive sex education in school. I'd be happy to put together a curriculum and teach Goku what he needs to know personally. I actually have extensive experience tutoring other students throughout my school career. I'll cover everything you want me to, from the importance of consent to the risks of STDs to the science of reproduction and more."

"Good, you're hired," Vegeta said. "And I'd like you to show me this curriculum before you get started."

Bulma stepped forward. "Vegeta, I'm so sorry this happened! I feel partly responsible."

Vegeta's shoulders fell. "Hmph, well, then I suppose that I'm sorry for frightening you," he said, looking around, "and also breaking your laboratory. I'll help clean it up if you call me back in later."

Bulma tearfully shook her head. "No need. I can take care of it."

"Come," Aloha softly proposed, "we have to go to the West Tower for the backup drives. I can use my new Blue Access Card to get us in. We'll delete the whole day's footage and then go take a breather before we figure out what to do next, alright? One little baby step at a time." She approached and gently took Vegeta by the wrist, her touch providing a subtle anchor amidst the chaos.

Vegeta glanced at her, a mix of frustration and determination etched into his features. He nodded in reluctant agreement, acknowledging the necessity of their immediate task despite the turmoil raging within him. "Fine," he grunted, his voice curt but devoid of the earlier fury, as he followed her out of the busted lab. With each step, his mind churned with thoughts of retribution and justice, yet he found a semblance of solace in the prospect of taking action, however small it may be.

As they made their way toward the elevators, Vegeta stole a glance back at Goku and Bulma, who remained behind, their emotions raw and clearly discernible in the dimly-lit lab. Goku sat on the floor, his head bowed in shame and his face buried in his hands, while Bulma knelt beside him, her hand resting gently on his shoulder as they grappled with the aftermath of the explosive confrontation. For Vegeta, leaving them behind was a bitter pill to swallow, but his immediate priority was to mitigate the damage caused by Goku's foolishness before addressing the deeper-rooted issues at hand.