Chichi's Torment
Part 2
Three Saiyans flew into the night, their power trails leaving a wake against glittering stars.
Trunks lifted his head in the wind suddenly. "Hey, you guys. Feel that?"
Goten looked over the horizon. "Ki. _Very_ powerful. It could only be..."
Gohan pointed. "That way. Let's check it out!"
****
The three half saiyans halted over a valley. Two figures sat back to back on a cluster of boulders, their tails twined. Orange gi suits made them easy to see in the evening glow.
The three stared as they hovered high above.
Trunks was puzzled. "What's going on? They aren't moving."
Goten nodded. "No conversation either. They're...just sitting there like statues."
Gohan was grim. "Time to find out" he dropped down.
Down in the valley a conversation _did_ take place. Telepathically.
/Our children watch./
/I dread this encounter, Vegita./
/Really? I rather relish the opportunity./
/Keep your cool, please? I won't fight my sons!/
/Hmm. Kakarot, you are too soft on those boys./
/And Trunks is a hardened warrior?/
/Hmpf. If only I'd had more time with him./
Gohan, Goten and Trunks alighted near them. They still didn't move or acknowledge their presence.
"Vegita, we want answers" Gohan demanded, his eyes hard.
The Saiyan prince smiled darkly. Slowly he reached up and stroked thick shocks of raven hair. Goku closed his eyes. Their tails curled tightly as he reached behind his back and clasped Vegita's other hand.
The three young men gasped. Goten blew up, balling his fists.
"Can you at least keep your hands off each other long enough to talk?!!"
"Mind your place, boy" Vegita warned. "We came here to be undisturbed. Now what is it you want?"
"What the hell are you doing with our father!"
"Ha! You speak as though I dragged him off. What do you _think,_ Goten. Have you any conception of what it means to be full Saiyan?" he licked his lips for emphasis.
"You disgusting pig."
Goku opened his eyes slowly. "Goten. No more insults. You came here for a reason."
Goten swallowed, his voice bitter. "Why, dad? Are you insane? How long did you expect to hide the truth from mom! From _us?!_"
A pause. "Perhaps I am insane. I never planned to betray your mother-"
"It just happened" Gohan spat. "Is that the excuse?"
"I still love her. Both of you need to know that."
Vegita growled.
"How...how can you still say that?!" Trunks was dumbfounded. "You're here with my father!"
Goku was strangely serene. "Because it's true. Something drew me away from her. Something powerful that I had no control of."
Gohan eyed them both. "What? You mean to tell us this is a 'sex' thing?!"
Vegita laughed out loud. "Baka!!"
"You misunderstand me, Gohan" Goku replied. "I was...compelled."
"And contrary to popular belief our relationship is not open for inspection" Vegita added. "You came to ask me a question. Ask it, and then leave!"
"You're in a poor position to be defensive, father" Trunks snapped. "Your culpability-"
"Don't preach to _me,_ brat" Vegita hissed. "Were your blood not polluted you would understand!"
"You conspired to destroy a marriage!"
Goten moved forward. "It's true, isn't it? We know what happened, Vegita! Trunks already told us."
"Told you _what,_ you brainless twit. We're both adults and full blooded Saiyan. I chose him, he chose _me._ What more need be said?"
WHAPP!!
Stunned, everyone stopped. Goku cuffed Vegita in the head, hard. The Saiyan Prince hit the ground with a thump.
"Kakarot?! What means this!!" he sprung to his feet.
Goku looked at him. "No insults, I said."
Vegita snorted. "We'll discuss it later. But for now" he turned his attention to the young men once again.
"For now we want to know. Did you try to seduce father intentionally?" Gohan insisted.
Dark eyes sparked with fire. "It is mutual and exclusive. We didn't 'fall' together all at once. It happened by degree."
"And you were certain to encourage it!" Trunks shouted. "Oji-San, can you speak freely?"
Goku opened his eyes again, dreamily. "Of course. I sense your concern but it is unwarranted."
Goten whispered in his brother's ear. "Look at him. Its like he's _high!"_
They gasped again. Vegita spoke softly in Saiyan and scratched Goku's chin. He arched his head back and purred. A furred tail waved gently in the air.
Trunks was redfaced. "Why don't you just put a collar around his neck!"
"Hey!" Gohan shouted, fists clenched. "Stop that! Father, what's wrong with you?! Whatever he's done, snap out of it!"
"HAAAIIIII!!" Goten powered up in rage, his hair turning golden. Trunks and Gohan spun in surprise.
"What?!" Vegita had no time to dodge as a flaming Saiyan comet crashed into him. Their momentum sent them past Goku into a nearby hillside. The impact blasted a huge crater that spewed debris for hundreds of feet.
"Trunks!" Gohan shouted.
"On it!" Trunks powered up as well, flying into the fray. Gohan went up to his father in dismay. Goku was seemingly oblivious, his eyes closed once more and smiling.
Gohan shook him. "I'm taking you home. You're not in your right mind."
Dark eyes snapped open. "Let go of me."
Strong arms pulled. "No. If necessary I'll force you."
Goku eyed him evenly. "Oh?" his tail bristled, standing stiffly away from his body.
Gohan noticed it. "Please, dad. Don't make me fight you!"
Soft snarl. "It would be regrettable, no?"
Gohan's voice was hard, now. "Remember, I have a special power."
"I know. But don't threaten me, Gohan. I have aspects you aren't aware of. If Vegita agrees to return I will go."
Gohan shook him again. "His home isn't ours! He's done something to your mind!"
Goku stood and looked at the skirmish between Vegita and Goten. "I'm not...sick. Be patient" he spoke no more.
Gohan balled his fists in frustration. "All right. But we aren't leaving without you."
****
Goten punched and kicked Vegita in rapid fire succession. The Saiyan Prince smiled as he blocked. Trunks levitated helplessly from above.
_This whole scene is crazy. If I help Goku, I hurt father!_
"Goten, stop! This isn't solving anything" he shouted down.
Goten whaled away, backing Vegita against a cliff. He looked up at his friend with a smirk.
"Don't worry. I'll finish off this old man soon enough-"
BAMM!
A boot to the gut sent Goten careening into a sheer rock wall. The imbedded Saiyan strained to free himself.
Vegita laughed. "Stay there a bit, boy, and think about what you do!"
Goten swore, blasting himself loose. "Frick. Walked right into that one!"
Vegita flew at him. "You'll walk into more, you baka! How dare you attack me in such a craven manner?!"
Trunks dropped down between them before they could collide. _"Wait!!"_
Vegita pulled up first. "You seek to spare your friend?"
"Saved from a freak who wants my father?"
"Stop it, both of you!" Trunks shouted. "Father, I have a proposal."
Vegita lifted an eyebrow. "This intrigues me, boy. What?"
"Come back to the Kami house with us. Please."
Vegita frowned. "What will that do?"
"Maybe if you...talked to Chi Chi it would soften the blow, make her understand?" his bright eyes were pleading.
Vegita stared at him hard. For a moment it appeared as though he'd refuse.
"Hm. Perhaps it would be for the best. We've never gotten along but I don't wish her to suffer unduly. Let us go."
With that, he flew down towards Gohan and Goku. Goten alighted by his friend.
"Does he always make decisions just like that?"
Trunks nodded. "Always."
****
Vegita landed beside Goku.
"It appears an audience is required of me. Trunks believes I should explain our situation to your...wife."
"And she's still his wife, despite your attempts!!" Goten yelled at him. "Don't count a victory yet!"
Smirk. "Touchy, aren't we? Nothing's been decided, so calm yourself, brat!"
"Vegita-" Goku warned, glowering at him.
Vegita stroked his face. _"Shimatta,_ koi. Don't be upset. But these children do vex me at times."
Goku immediately calmed, leaning into his caresses. "They mean well, Vegita. Besides, they have every right to be angry."
Gohan could barely contain himself. "A condition must be met first. Both of you restrain yourselves in front of mother. You will _not_ flaunt your relationship to her face. _Understood?!_"
Goku's face darkened. "Another threat, Gohan? Understood."
"Vegita?"
A snort. "Very well. Now let's go!" he held out his hand to Goku. It was immediately clasped. Without a second look back they took off into the atmosphere, startling the three younger Saiyans. In a flurry they flew behind.
"Can...you believe that?!" Trunks stammered. "It's like he's chained!"
"Makes me want to puke" Goten snapped. "Dad was so strong willed and proud...what's happened to him?!"
Gohan was grim. "The question is...how do we get him back?"
****
The group landed at the front door. Gohan repeated his warning.
"Remember what I said" he glared at their clasped hands. "Control yourselves!"
Vegita released Goku. "You know nothing of true fire, Gohan."
Dark eyes shifted. "Are you alright, dad?"
Goku glared back. "As well as can be expected."
Trunks and Goten exchanged glances. _Into the breach._
****
Chi Chi and Bulma turned as they heard the group enter the house from the living room. Chi Chi bounded to her feet at the sight of Goku.
"Get him OUT of here!!"
Bulma grabbed her. "No, Chi Chi, wait-"
"I won't wait. He has the gall to bring his 'boyfriend' to my house?!"
"Mom, please" Goten pleaded. "Calm down if you can!"
"Goten, why are you and your brother doing this? Haven't I had enough pain?!" she collapsed against Bulma, eyes tearing.
Gohan looked pained. "No mom, that's not why they've come-"
Goku stepped forward. "You have every right to hate me. But please listen..."
Chi Chi laughed coldly. "You're a Saiyan, all right! Anything goes? Do what you want and explain later? I don't want to hear it!"
"Then perhaps you will hear it from _me"_ Vegita stated.
She curled a lip at him. "Talk to the other animals in the woods. You belong with them!"
Trunks winced. "This isn't going to work" he whispered to Gohan.
The Saiyan Prince moved toward her, fire in his eyes. "You dare speak to a prince that way?"
"You hold no title here. This is earth!"
"Bah. Small pleasures there are to be found on this mudball!"
"You're supposed to be explaining!" Trunks reminded him.
"Then let this woman behave in a civil manner. I haven't come here to be insulted."
"Oh, that's IT" Goten's body language was obvious. He wanted to fight.
"Not again!!" Bulma held her head.
"You expect her to be civil when you've ruined her marriage?!" Gohan stammered. "Your arrogance is ridiculous, Vegita. If anything you should come here with your tail between your legs. Literally!"
Vegita raised an eyebrow. "Typical low class. Now listen, Chi Chi. Though we've never been close, I don't wish you pain. Goku was...desirable to me. While it's true I once regarded him as an enemy, our fusion against Buu ended _all_ my doubts, for I saw into his mind."
"So what's this? Your revenge because you couldn't beat him?"
For a moment Vegita hated her. He calmed himself visibly. "While our rivalry was genuine, so was our rapport. We are of the same race, same specie. Our thoughts are complementary-"
"Stop" Chi Chi held out a hand. "Don't tell me anymore!"
"You married an alien, woman! Did doubts never cross your mind?"
Chi Chi paused. "I...what do you think, Vegita?! I nearly passed out when I learned he had a tail. But we loved each other. Once" she looked at Goku.
"Still" he replied, returning her gaze.
"Are you playing with me here?!" she exploded. "Don't presume my feelings. You want Vegita? He's all yours!!"
"Wait, Chi Chi-" Goku reached for her.
"What are you doing?!" Vegita demanded. Goku dropped his arm, frowning in confusion.
Chi Chi froze. She exchanged looks with Bulma.
"Goku...what's wrong with you?" she finally asked.
"Nothing. I'm tired of everyone asking me that!" he snapped.
Vegita smiled and said nothing.
Dark eyes narrowed on the Saiyan prince. "YOU!"
"What, woman? I just told you-"
Chi Chi cold cocked him across the jaw. Vegita hit the ground, startled. He rubbed his sore chin.
She stood over him. "Not bad for a 'low class' earth woman, you think?!"
"I've had just about enough of this!!" Vegita regained his feet. Goku jumped in front of him.
"Don't touch her. I mean it!"
"I don't fight weaklings, Kakarot! You know this."
Bulma whispered to her son. "Trunks, what the hell is going _on_ here?"
"He's...father has some kind of hold on Goku-san. We don't know how to break it."
"I wasn't too weak to knock you on your Royal ass, Vegita!" Chi Chi shouted.
"A lucky blow, woman. Nothing more. In any case I only came here as a favor to my son."
Chi Chi stared at Goku's blank expression, then looked helplessly at her sons. Gohan put an arm around her.
"Mama, listen. There's something you need to know-"
"Not now, Gohan. Vegita, clear out. You aren't welcome!!"
"Fine by me, woman. Kakarot?"
The tall Saiyan frowned again. "No...I've got to make her understand. Go on, Vegita."
The Saiyan Prince clearly disapproved. But he recovered immediately.
"Very well. I shall expect you later" he flew out without another word.
****
Chi Chi stared into space a moment. Goku gripped her arms.
"Please listen to me-"
POW.
Chi Chi clocked Goku on the jaw with an uppercut. The large Saiyan landed on his butt as the others stared in surprise.
"Just to show I'm not partial" she stalked out of the living room.
Goku immediately jumped to his feet and ran after her. "It won't end like this! You've got to listen to me!"
Gohan moved forward but Bulma grabbed him from behind.
"No, Gohan! The two of them need to talk. _Alone."_
"But-"
"Mama's right, Gohan" Trunks sighed. "We'll...have to come up with a way of freeing Goku-san."
Goten looked pained at the direction his father ran. "But what if he doesn't _want_ to be freed?"
****
Goku slowed his pace upstairs. Chi Chi had locked their bedroom door.
"Stay away, Goku. I mean it" her voice was muffled through the other side.
He grabbed the door handle and tested it. Locked tight.
"Open this door, Chi Chi. Or I'll tear it off!!"
"You wouldn't dare!!"
WIthout preamble Goku ripped the door cleanly off the hinge and set it aside. He stormed through.
Chi Chi leaped to her feet across the bed. She picked up a small stool.
"Keep your distance. I won't hesitate to throw this!" she swore, eyes flashing.
Goku almost smiled. _Kami, I love this hellcat._
"I would never hurt you, you know that. Just put the chair down, please?"
She put it down, defeated. "You've already hurt me. Sliced my heart open. I feel as if...I'm bleeding on the floor" she rushed him suddenly, pummelling his chest.
"Why. _Why??"_
He winced, her words cutting him like a blade. Dully he raised his forearms to block her frenzied blows.
"So sorry...please" he stumbled, falling back on the bed. "I've ruined everything."
His open remorse stopped her. She stared, unresolved rage shaking her slight frame. There was a moment of quiet as they both thought of how to begin.
"Goku."
The handsome Saiyan looked up at her from his seated position on the bed.
"Did you ever love me? _Truly_ love me?"
He nodded. "Of course. I married you, didn't I?"
"Because I tricked you!"
"But I still wanted to do it. I've never gotten you to understand that."
She faced the wall. "There's much I don't understand. I want to know...why Vegita? Is it because he's the only other Saiyan left?"
"No!"
His vehemence startled her. She spun.
"Did I satisfy you?"
His eyes went round. "Of course you did!" he stammered. "Why would you even assume-"
Her eyes narrowed. "Why couldn't you come to me? Was it something else you wanted you felt I couldn't give you?"
Goku swallowed. "Not exactly. The relationship with Vegita...just happened."
"What kind of bullshit is that?!"
A sigh. "What I mean is...it was spontaneous. We were sparring one day and suddenly realized we were attracted to each other. One thing...led to the next."
Chi Chi felt her anger blaze once more. "I see...so you both got _so_ hot you just lost control. Then what!"
Goku looked away. "It...continued."
"For how long!!"
"Several weeks. We met in secret. But I never...at the time I thought it would stop of it's own accord."
"Fool!" she shouted. "It didn't stop because you didn't WANT it to. Do you take me for some kind of idiot!"
"No" he was subdued. "I didn't know how to tell you. I was afraid of what you'd think."
"That's the first thing you've said that's made sense so far" she snapped, then eyed him curiously as a thought occurred.
"What is the nature of your relationship? Besides sex?"
Goku's face flushed, and not from embarrassment. His tail whipped about wildly. "I can't resist him."
She stared in disbelief. "What does that mean?"
"It means" his fangs flashed. Dark fire ringed his eyes. "Grrrnsn. When I look in his eyes...something changes in me."
Chi Chi stood back. Goku looked alien, strange. Animalistic.
"What are you staring at!" he growled at her, tail thumping the bed.
Suddenly she was afraid. "What's he done to you?"
"He's done nothing! I'm fed up with that question. Why do you all ask it!"
Chi Chi attempted to gather her wits. _Kami, is something going on here I missed?_
"Is Vegita...forcing you to have a relationship?"
"No one forces me to do _anything!!_" he all but roared. "I wanted to explain, to make you understand...my Saiyan heritage."
She approached him cautiously. "Do you love him?"
Goku growled.
"Answer me!"
"No. Yes! I don't know. We share a kinship."
Tenatively, she reached out and touched his forehead.
"You don't have a fever."
He calmed a little. "Why would I, Chi Chi? I fully acknowledge responsibility for this."
She stared into his eyes. "What do you want from me? A divorce?"
He stood, holding her. "No. I love you. Please, let's work through this!"
She slapped him hard. "Are all Saiyans psychotic? You cheat on me but you want to stay. You love me but you love Vegita. Get out of my sight, fool!!"
He held his ringing jaw. "I married _you,_ not Vegita. My family-"
Chi Chi grabbed his tail suddenly and squeezed. _Hard._
White agony washed over Goku, rippling in waves. Crying out, he fell to his knees.
"Now know the pain that _I_ felt that night, Goku."
"Chi Chi...why?" he gasped.
She had no time to answer as footsteps raced upstairs.
****
Gohan and Trunks burst into the bedroom. They stared at the prone Saiyan on the floor, his tail firmly held by Chi Chi.
"Mama, stop! What are you _doing?!"_ Gohan shouted, freeing the furry appendange.
"Are you trying to kill him?"
Stunned at her own action Chi Chi stared at nothing as she limply let go.
"It's over."
"Never. I'll never give up on us, Chi Chi" Goku groaned, struggling up.
Trunks eyed him closely. "Goku-san...would you come with me? Please?"
The tall Saiyan stumbled forward. "What do you want, Trunks?"
Trunks saw the pleading look in Gohan's eyes. "Just...let Gohan talk to her."
"There's nothing left to be said, Trunks" Chi Chi told him.
"No, mama. I disagree. Give me a minute and I'll explain" Gohan replied.
Goku turned around. "I have to-"
Trunks gave him a gentle push. "You're out on your feet. Later, Goku-san. Come, let me take you downstairs."
The demi-saiyan threw an arm around Goku, supporting his weight as they left the room. Goku never took his eyes off Chi Chi.
****
Chi Chi stared out the window.
"Gohan...It's over between your father and me. Please accept that."
"We can't" another voice. It was Goten.
She turned to face both sons. "Is everyone insane? Why are you taking his side now!" her dark eyes sparked.
"We...thought it was a simple case of cheating at first too, mom" Goten supplied. "But now we're not so sure."
Her eyes were keen. "Explain!"
"We think father is being controlled by Vegita."
She sat slowly, blinking. _It suddenly makes sense..._
"Go on."
"Vegita may be taking advantage of the fact dad remembers little of his Saiyan heritage. Add to the fact that he planned this seduction..."
Chi Chi thought absently. "His answers were so...contradictory and senseless. I thought he was just avoiding responsiblity to regain my trust."
Gohan sighed. "We've seen it up close. It's pretty sickening."
She snapped to at that. "What? How!"
Goten balled his fists. "Vegita pets him and he purrs. He speaks Saiyan and dad follows his leash. I nearly pounded him into the ground for it!"
Gohan coughed at the exaggeration. "We talked to Bulma-san about a possible plan to free papa, or at least get his mind clear."
Their conversation stopped momentarily at a loud commotion coming from outside. Chi Chi ran to the window.
"What in?!!" she stammered, eyes wide in shock. In the back yard stood Bulma, Trunks, Vegita and Goku. They were arguing and pushing.
Well at least _some_ of them were arguing and pushing.
Chi Chi went white. Trunks was squeezed between Goku and Vegita, while Bulma pounded Vegita on the back. The demi-saiyan was attempting to push Goku and Vegita apart. Vegita shoved back while Goku reached for him. Bulma yelled and cursed.
"Masaka!" Chi Chi shouted. Her voice nearly failed her.
"Come on, let's go!!" Gohan shouted, leading the way.
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