The long-awaited day of Gohan's departure had arrived.
Gohan had spent the last few days packing up his belongings, reminiscing about the countless memories made within the walls of his childhood home. As Sunday arrived, the day of his departure, he gathered his family to bid them farewell before embarking on the next phase of his life.
"Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad. Bye, Goten. I've given you the address; you're always welcome to visit Videl and me anytime," Gohan expressed, his voice tinged with a mix of anticipation and sadness as he prepared to leave.
"Please behave, son. I'll miss you a lot," Chi-Chi said, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.
"I'll miss you too," Gohan replied, his emotions evident in his voice as he hugged his mother tightly.
"Hey, Gohan!" Goku exclaimed, a mischievous glint in his eye. He raised an arm, poised to test his son's reflexes with a playful punch. Gohan, anticipating the move, skillfully evaded the blow.
"Try again, Dad! You might be lucky!" Gohan teased, as they shared a lighthearted moment, embracing each other before parting ways.
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Later that afternoon, Goku ventured into the woods, his usual training ground. Engaging in his routine, he mulled over the decision he had made earlier in the week—to reach out to Vegeta and suggest training together.
Summoning his determination, Goku retrieved his cell phone. Navigating to his contacts list, he located and selected Vegeta's name. As the phone rang, Goku patiently awaited a response. After a brief moment, the familiar voice of Vegeta greeted him on the other end of the line.
"Kakarot?"
"Yeah, it's me," Goku replied, a hint of agitation in his voice.
Vegeta's voice cut through the line, his question sharp and direct, "Why did you call me?"
An awkward silence filled the phone's receiver. Goku hesitated, unsure of how to navigate the conversation. The longer he stayed silent, the more he felt the need to break it before Vegeta sent him to the Other World with a scathing remark.
"Uh... How have you... been lately?" Goku wiped his forehead and noticed that he was sweating.
"I've been okay," Vegeta replied, the brevity of his response leaving the atmosphere tense.
"That's good, I guess," Goku replied, struggling to find the right words. Normally, he'd be enthusiastically babbling about the first thing that came to his mind. Talking was something he was nearly as skilled at as fighting.
"Why did you call me, Kakarot? Certainly not to know how I am, or am I wrong?"
"Well, actually…" Goku fell silent for a few seconds, attempting to find the right words.
Uninterested in a prolonged and fruitless conversation, Vegeta sighed with resignation. "I'm getting off the phone." He moved the cell away from his ear, only to hear a sharp cry from the receiver.
"Wait! Vegeta?" Goku called out.
Vegeta, audibly irritated, replied, "What is it?"
Goku's voice took on a hint of uncertainty as he asked, "Are you going to be busy tomorrow?"
"Why? Do you want to spar?" Vegeta inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Uhm, yes, exactly," Goku confirmed, scratching his head.
Vegeta's impatience surfaced in his sharp tone as he asked, "And why did it take so long for you to say it?"
"Uhm... I do not know," Goku responded, his uncertainty evident.
"You do not know?" Vegeta pressed. He narrowed his eyes, studying Goku's reaction.
Another awkward second of silence lingered between them.
"Anyway, I'm not available, sorry," Vegeta stated, his tone firm and unapologetic.
"Huh? What do you have to do?" Goku inquired, attempting to pry into Vegeta's plans.
"None of your business," Vegeta retorted, shutting down any further inquiry from Goku.
"Don't complain if I become much stronger than you, as if I wasn't already now," Goku remarked, injecting a playful challenge into the conversation.
"How dare you? This is all to see, you understand, Kakarot?" Vegeta responded, his words carrying a mix of irritation and competitiveness.
Silence hung in the air, as both Saiyans remained temporarily mute.
"I'm getting off the phone now," Vegeta declared, signalling the end of the conversation.
"No, wait."
Beep, Beep, Beep. Vegeta ended the call, leaving Goku alone with the disconnected line.
He really hung up! What a guy!
Goku sighed and began stretching.
As Goku stretched, he couldn't shake off the thought of sparring with Vegeta. Despite the Saiyan Prince's abrupt dismissal, Goku's eagerness for a friendly bout lingered.
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I can't believe Kakarot had the nerve to say that. If there's one person who can truly infuriate me, it's him. How dare he talk to me like that? I hate him.
"What's the matter, dear?" Bulma asked, noticing Vegeta's flustered state. She raised an eyebrow, her gaze fixed on Vegeta.
"Nothing. Why?" Vegeta replied, attempting to downplay his irritation. He crossed his arms, a subtle defensive gesture.
"You're more nervous than usual," Bulma observed, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. She leaned in, studying Vegeta's face intently.
"Tsk," Vegeta clicked his tongue, a sign of his frustration and annoyance. He averted his gaze, a clear indication of his reluctance to discuss further.
"Listen, I won't be home for dinner tomorrow as I have a company dinner with the members of the board of directors. I'll make sure you have dinner ready, just heat it in the microwave, okay?" Bulma informed him, offering a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, woman, I certainly won't starve for one night," Vegeta retorted, his tone a mix of sarcasm and defiance.
"Trunks, instead, will be having dinner with Goten at Chi-Chi's and Goku's," Bulma added.
"That brat is always spending time with Kakarot's son," Vegeta grumbled, his irritation evident.
"Strange life, isn't it? Amazing how their fathers hate each other (or rather, it's you who hates Goku), and they instead get along so well, isn't it?" Bulma remarked, highlighting the irony in the situation. She raised an eyebrow, emphasising the contrast.
"Yeah, life is really wonderful sometimes," Vegeta sarcastically exclaimed, his tone dripping with irony.
Bulma walked away, laughing to herself, and returned to her lab, leaving Vegeta to his thoughts.
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During the night, Vegeta pondered over the call with Kakarot. Despite having no particular plans for the next day, he wasn't inclined to readily agree for various reasons. Firstly, he didn't want to appear immediately available to Goku's requests. Secondly, he aimed to avoid repeating the same weird situation of the last encounter. And thirdly, he sought to maintain a sense of control, deciding when and if he would see Goku, not the other way around.
As he replayed the conversation in his mind, Vegeta dwelled on Goku's words: "Don't complain if I become much stronger than you, as if I wasn't already now"That clown is right, Vegeta admitted, though begrudgingly.
He acknowledged that Goku was stronger, and the only way for him to improve was to face Goku in combat. Only then could he learn his moves, his strategies, and ultimately push himself to improve. As much as Vegeta despised admitting it, having a formidable opponent was the key to their mutual growth.
Despite his reluctance, Vegeta decided that the next morning, he would reach out to Goku, agreeing to meet and train together. With this resolution in mind, he turned off his cell phone, placed it on the bedside table, and drifted off to sleep.
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Vegeta rose to the brightness of the mid-morning sun. He turned his face and saw that Bulma was not in the bed.
She must already be working.
He picked up his cell phone, powered it on, and checked the time—9:30 a.m., a notably late hour for the Saiyan prince. Ordinarily an early riser, even on Sundays, he would typically be up by 7:00 a.m.
As he prepared to head downstairs, a reminder flashed in his mind: he needed to text Goku. Navigating to their conversation, Vegeta carefully crafted a message, blending agreement with an air of indifference.
From Vegeta:
Hey!
Goku was already at work, toiling in the fields and feeling a bit bored, when he felt his cell phone vibrate in his pants. Curious, he retrieved his phone. As he checked the screen, his eyes widened at the name of the sender, surprised by the message he was about to read.
What could Vegeta possibly want after yesterday?
Deciding to satisfy his curiosity, Goku responded to the message.
From: Kakarot 🤡🥕
Hey Vegeta, what's up?
From Vegeta:
If you still want to spar, let's meet today at the usual spot at 5:00p.m. Got it?
Goku read Vegeta's message, a surprised grin forming on his face. It seemed that Vegeta had reconsidered, agreeing to their sparring session. Goku quickly replied, expressing his eagerness to meet later.
From: Kakarot 🤡🥕
Ah, I see you've changed your mind :) that's fine with me. See you later.
As the afternoon unfolded, Goku couldn't help but ponder the reason behind Vegeta's choice of a late meeting time. He guessed that Vegeta might have had prior commitments earlier in the day. Regardless, Goku eagerly prepared himself for the upcoming spar, looking forward to the training session with Vegeta.
"Hey Chi-Chi, I'll probably be late for dinner tonight," Goku informed his wife, scratching his head nervously.
"Why? Where are you going?" Chi-Chi asked suspiciously, crossing her arms.
"Ehm...I…Vegeta asked me if I would go and train with him," Goku answered, shuffling his feet and avoiding direct eye contact.
In reality, he was the one who had proposed it to Vegeta first, but Goku decided to gloss over that detail in his explanation to Chi-Chi.
"And of course, you agreed to that!" Chi-Chi exclaimed, raising an eyebrow and tapping her foot impatiently.
"Eh, yeah. Please don't be mad," Goku added, hoping to ease her frustration.
"It's always the same story. I can't take it anymore! Go ahead, punch each other all you want. I don't care if you get hurt afterward," Chi-Chi expressed her frustration, waving her hands in exasperation.
"Thank you, Chi-Chi," Goku said, giving her a warm hug and a reassuring smile before making his way out.
As he made his way to the meeting place, he marvelled at the beautiful sunset, its rich colours creating a peaceful atmosphere. Taking a deep breath, he shut his eyes, fully embracing the moment, pondering the upcoming showdown. Despite some initial doubts, a sense of excitement welled up inside him as he anticipated another opportunity to measure his strength against Vegeta. The promise of the impending battle strengthened Goku's determination, filling him with resolve as he landed on the agreed-upon spot for their training session.
I hope he is in good shape, he thought.
Soon after, Vegeta also reached the appointed location.
The tension between the two Saiyans was tangible as they stood face to face, both eager to push themselves to the limit once more.
"Hey, Kakarot," Vegeta greeted as he landed. "Are you prepared to lose?" he taunted, locking eyes with Goku, the competitive spirit evident in his gaze.
"That's yet to be seen, Vegeta!" Goku responded with confidence.
"In words, you are good. Show me what you can do," Vegeta challenged, his stance ready and determination etched on his face.
"As you wish, Vegeta," Goku replied, acknowledging the challenge.
A harsh, white aura surrounded the two, their bodies seeming to fade from place, meeting at the midpoint with a loud crash, their fists pushing against each other. Growling, Vegeta kicked off the ground, throwing his body away from Goku's, firing multiple blasts of golden KI from his palms, each deflected by Goku's own blasts. Goku chased after Vegeta's steps, pounding a fist into his torso, sending his body to the ground.
Vegeta swiftly regained his footing, a determined scowl on his face. He extended his hand toward Goku, launching a barrage of energy blasts that burned Goku's skin upon impact. Goku, despite the pain, couldn't help but laugh, embracing the smoke that escaped from his wounds.
"Why are you laughing, Kakarot?" Vegeta growled in irritation.
Goku wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth and flashed a defiant smile. "I just love a good fight, Vegeta. And we have just started!"
"You'll stop laughing in a while," Vegeta threatened.
Vegeta's scowl deepened, and an intense silence fell between them.
As the smoke cleared, Goku and Vegeta locked eyes, the intensity of the battle reaching its peak. Goku could feel the heat radiating from Vegeta's power, and a surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins.
With a burst of speed, Goku closed the gap between them, launching a flurry of punches and kicks. Vegeta expertly dodged and countered, the sound of their blows echoing in the open space. The sky above seemed to crackle with energy as the two warriors unleashed their full power.
Goku's movements became a blur as he evaded Vegeta's attacks, his reflexes honed by years of training. Suddenly, Vegeta vanished from sight, reappearing behind Goku with a swift kick. Goku staggered forward, but before Vegeta could capitalise, Goku twisted in mid-air and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick.
The clash continued, the landscape around them taking a beating from the shockwaves of their energy-infused strikes. The intensity of their rivalry fueled the battle, and neither warrior showed signs of holding back.
Amidst the chaos, Goku shouted, "Vegeta, you've really stepped up your game! But so have I!"
Vegeta smirked, "Don't think you're the only one who can improve, Kakarot. I'll surpass you!"
The battle between Goku and Vegeta reached a fever pitch. They clashed in a flurry of rapid punches and energy blasts, creating shockwaves that shook the surrounding landscape. The sky crackled with bursts of energy as the Saiyan warriors pushed each other to their limits.
Soon they turned into Super Saiyan.
Vegeta, fueled by his Saiyan pride, intensified his attacks, aiming to overpower Goku. Goku, however, responded with remarkable agility and countered each move with his own impressive techniques.
The intensity of their clash only heightened, and both warriors were pushed to their limits. Sweat dripped from their foreheads, and their breathing grew heavier.
In a climactic moment, Goku unleashed a powerful Kamehameha wave, and Vegeta countered with a Final Flash. The two energy waves collided, creating a blinding explosion that illuminated the darkening sky.
There was the brightest of lights where the two Saiyans stood, the explosion powerful enough to send the both of them flying and crashing in their original forms, unable to hold the Super Saiyan form any longer. Their bodies lay on the ground bruised, beaten, and bloodies, their clothes a torn up mess. Neither of them could move…
"V-V…ege..ta," Goku mustered whatever energy he had left to speak. "Shall we take a break?" he suggested, catching up his breath.
"If you are tired and want to rest, go ahead, I could continue until tomorrow," Vegeta said, still lying on the ground. He, too, wanted to rest for a while, but he did not want to give satisfaction to his rival.
"Come on, let's get behind those rocks, we destroyed everything here," Goku said as he stood up.
After a few moments of hesitation, Vegeta also stood up.
The two Saiyans moved a short distance away from the battleground and sat down against a rock wall, side by side.
The evening had settled in, and Goku looked up at the sky. The once fiery battleground was now calm, bathed in the soft light of the stars. The full moon hung luminously over head, casting a gentle glow over the landscape.
They stood in silence for a few minutes looking at the sky still recovering from the clash earlier. Then it was Goku who broke the silence.
"You know, Vegeta…," Goku's gaze softened.
"What is it, Kakarot?" Vegeta's arms were crossed, and he maintained his usual stern expression.
"I was reminiscing... about this place. It's where we clashed for the first time."
"Yeah, so what?"
"Back then, I had a tough time. I didn't know if I'd make it out in one piece." Goku's expression became more serious. "If it weren't for Krillin, Gohan, and Yajirobei, I might not be standing here today."
"Are you trying to make me feel guilty?" Vegeta's eyebrow raised.
Goku shook his head. "No, not at all." He smiled gently. "But back when we fought, I couldn't help but be fascinated by your strength."
Vegeta uncrossed his arms, a subtle change in his stance. "I still don't understand why you spared my life, even though I was trying to take you out by any means necessary."
Goku sighed, grappling with the complexity of his own feelings. "I can't explain it myself. I just felt the urge to fight with you again. And deep down, I felt it was wrong... that's it... I don't know how to explain it, but there was a force inside me that held me back. Maybe, I had realised deep down that you weren't as bad as you were trying to prove. Perhaps your actions were more a result of the circumstances you found yourself in since childhood than your genuine desire to cause harm."
Vegeta listened in silence, absorbing Goku's words. There was a vulnerability in Goku's admission, a willingness to open up that struck a chord with Vegeta. It felt like Goku was peering into his very being, seeing beyond the facade of pride and arrogance.
"I have all the evidence to the contrary," Vegeta replied dryly, attempting to maintain a sense of distance.
"No, it doesn't! Of course, I am not saying that you have been the example of righteousness over all these years. But look at you now. You've made some progress. You have a family, a wife, and a child to take care of. Did you ever think you would change so much since you first set foot here on Earth?" Goku turned to look at him, and noticed a certain embarrassment in Vegeta's face.
Vegeta's stern expression softened for a moment as he replied, "Must have been your influence, what should I tell you."
Goku chuckled at the acknowledgement.
As they delved into conversations about the past, Vegeta, known for his pride, hesitated to break this unexpected closeness. To his surprise, he realised that he was actually enjoying Goku's company. It marked a significant departure from their usual interactions, where discussions revolved around battles or power levels. For the first time, their conversation explored profound aspects of their lives.
"Listen, Kakarot…," Vegeta's gaze was fixed on the moon. "Since that time you spared my life, I've always been driven by a desire for revenge. I wanted to make you pay for the humiliation I endured. You became my fixation; every training session was fueled by the need to surpass you, defeat you, and ultimately, kill you."
He took a deep before continuing. "However, during the battle with Majin Buu, I came to realise the vast difference between us. You're a natural-born fighter, and I reluctantly admitted that you are the strongest. Now that I'm aware of it, that vengeful feeling has faded away."
In the quietude of the evening, Goku found himself immersed in Vegeta's revelations. It was a rare moment of vulnerability from the Prince of all Saiyans, and Goku couldn't help but feel a sense of connection. He listened intently, absorbing each word as Vegeta shared his journey from seeking revenge to a newfound acknowledgment.
As Vegeta spoke, Goku's gaze lingered on the contours of Vegeta's face, the moonlight casting subtle shadows. He noticed the intensity in Vegeta's eyes, the furrow of his brow, and the nuanced expressions that accompanied his words. It was a moment frozen in time.
In that moment, Goku felt an electric shiver coursing through his body. It was a sensation that surpassed rational thought, guiding him solely through the impulses of his heart.
"Vegeta, I…" Goku, driven by an unexplored impulse, leaned forward, bringing his face closer to Vegeta's. Their faces were now within inches of each other.
As Goku inched closer, Vegeta could feel the warmth radiating between them, his own heartbeat echoing in the silence. His body seemed to lock up. All he could do was stare back at Goku, trying to calm down his breathing.
He would not ever dare…
Vegeta's eyes widened as Goku's lips met his own. His body tensed. The unexpected sensation sent a jolt through him, breaking through the walls he had carefully built around his emotions. The kiss lingered for a moment, a silent exchange of emotions that spoke more than words ever could. The intensity of the moment left Vegeta in a state of shock, grappling with the unfamiliar feelings welling up inside him.
And nature around them froze.
Goku's lips brushed against Vegeta's with a gentle, tentative touch, like the soft whisper of a breeze.
Fuck. He couldn't yell, curse, complain, anything. All coherent thoughts that flitted through his head melted away as he kept on shaking at the thought...of Kakarot...kissing him.
The first thought that sprung into his mind was how gentle, and tender it all was. Heat rose to his face and everywhere else, and all he could sense was the taste of Goku in his mouth.
He felt Goku's lips as soft and plump. It was a shy and sweet moment, filled with unspoken emotions.
Vegeta, left breathless by the unexpected kiss, could only manage to utter a soft, "Kakarot," as Goku withdrew from the brief intimacy. Goku, his gaze heavy-lidded and face flushed, had lips slightly parted as he caught his breath. The intensity of his stare locked onto Vegeta's eyes.
Vegeta regained self-awareness as if he had awakened from a dream and returned to reality.
Horrified, he slapped Goku clean across the face.
"OW!" Goku's neck snapped left. A glowing hand mark appeared on his right cheek. "What did you do that for!"
"What do you mean, what did I do that for!" He hugged himself, trying to stop the shaking. "What the fuck was that about?! What were you doing?!" Vegeta shouted.
"I don't know why I did. I just felt like doing it, that's all," Goku replied, trying to justify himself.
Vegeta, his usual composure rattled, retorted, "You just felt like doing it? Do you realise the nonsense you're spewing?" The tension in the air was palpable as they grappled with the bewildering turn of events.
"I mean Vegeta, I don't feel like making a big deal out of it now," Goku replied, trying to calm him down. "And then ... if you didn't like it that much, you should have resisted. You could have hit me before or something," Goku added, provoking Vegeta's fury.
Oh my god, this idiot really makes me angry.
"I...I wanted to see how far you would go, that's all," Vegeta said as he folded his arms and looked away from his rival.
Goku looked at Vegeta, disbelief etched across his face. "Really? You wanted to see how far I would go?"
Vegeta, still flustered, shouted. "Yes, indeed!"
He couldn't shake off the feeling of confusion and irritation that lingered in the air.
Then they both stood up, avoiding eye contact.
"Also, didn't you realise that you just cheated on your wife?" Vegeta urged, his words cutting through the awkward silence that hung between them.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Goku replied, his brows furrowed in confusion. He looked at Vegeta, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words.
I can't believe I have to explain these things to this primitive.
"Exactly what I said. You're married, Kakarot, and yet you just kissed me like that. Are you so indifferent to your wife's feelings?"
Goku listened to him silently.
"When you are married to a person it is only with that person that you have to share intimacy, kissing and whatnot, otherwise it is cheating," Vegeta tried to be clear and infuse him with guilt.
Goku's face turned serious as he processed Vegeta's words. "I... I didn't think of it that way. I just acted on impulse, without considering the consequences. I had no idea it could be that bad. I'm sorry, Vegeta."
"And it did! Look, I'll pretend it didn't happen, that it was just a bad dream. Don't tell anyone about it, I wouldn't want Bulma or Trunks to find out about it."
Vegeta's stern tone made it clear that he wanted to keep this incident between them.
Goku nodded, feeling a weight of remorse settling on his shoulders. "I won't say anything, Vegeta. I messed up, and I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. I don't want to cause any trouble for you or your family."
"Good! I'm going to leave now," Vegeta concluded as he ascended into the air and headed for home.
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Vegeta's thoughts raced as he flew through the sky, the wind rushing against his face. The events of the day replayed in his mind like a tumultuous storm. His pride, his principles, everything seemed to have taken a backseat in those moments of vulnerability. The image of Goku's face, the unexpected kiss, and the subsequent confrontation lingered in his thoughts.
His rival's words resounded in his mind…"If you disliked it that much, you should have resisted".
It's true, why couldn't I resist? But I will find an explanation for it, you can swear by it, Kakarot.
As he approached Capsule Corporation, Vegeta's determination resurfaced. "I won't let this distract me," he muttered to himself, a steely resolve in his eyes. He had a family to attend to, an image to uphold, and he couldn't afford to let this incident destabilise the life he had built on Earth.
Back at home, he headed for the bedroom. The room was shrouded in darkness, the only source of light being the moon filtering through the curtains.
The bed was empty so Bulma had not yet come home.
She is probably still busy with that ridiculous company dinner. Just as well, he thought.
After all the events he had no desire to meet her gaze. Bulma was smart and knew him well, surely she could have noticed something.
So, he took a shower, went downstairs to eat something, and headed off to sleep.
But he tried in vain. His mind kept thinking about what had happened. About that kiss. To Goku's words that resonated in his mind like a jackhammer.
Stop, please leave me alone, Kakarot!
Vegeta sat on the bed with his hands in his hair as if he wanted to chase those thoughts away.
Damn. He got up and headed for the balcony. He thought some fresh air would clear his mind.
He opened the glass door and stepped outside.
There was a light breeze that made the summer pleasant. Vegeta closed his eyes and let it wash over him. He breathed deeply. He was convinced that in the following days he would forget all this. Yes, everything would return to the way it was before.
With this conviction, he went back to bed and shortly thereafter fell asleep.
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After the fight with Vegeta, Goku also headed home. He slowly opened the front door. He turned on the light and saw that there was a post-it note taped to the refrigerator door.
"Hey, dear, dinner is in the microwave."
He let a smile escape. He thought he was grateful to have Chi-Chi in his life. She cared for him, and even though she sometimes railed against him, he knew she loved him. It was at that moment that he pondered over Vegeta's words and a sense of unease creeping into his thoughts, "Didn't you realise that you just cheated on your wife?"
And at that moment he felt like shit.
Never in his life would he have wanted to make Chi-Chi suffer. She did not deserve it. But he did not know that what he had done was so serious. Then again, he had been a child growing up in the forest and did not know much about the customs of the Earth, especially when it came to relations with the opposite sex. He cursed himself for this. He was not the type to keep things hidden, but he had made a promise to Vegeta and would not talk about it with her or anyone else.
The weight of guilt still lingering, Goku climbed into bed beside Chi-Chi, careful not to disturb her peaceful slumber. As he gazed at her sleeping form, a mix of emotions churned within him – regret, remorse, and the determination to make amends. His hand gently brushed against her face, a silent plea for forgiveness lingering in the air.
"Please forgive me, dear," Goku whispered softly, though he knew the road to redemption wouldn't be easy. With a heavy heart, he closed his eyes, vowing that the lapse in judgement would be a one-time occurrence.
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