Chichi's Torment
Part 3
Three Saiyans flew into the night, their power trails leaving a wake against glittering stars.
"Are all these tests necessary?"
"Yes, Goku. Now be still already!" Bulma poked him with another needle.
The Saiyan snorted. "I'm beginning to feel like a pincushion!"
"Your fever ran pretty high last night, Goku" Chi Chi reminded him. "It's better to be cautious."
Bulma nodded, looking at overhead slides. "I don't see anything abnormal. But that high fever concerns me. Has it been the only one?"
"Yes" Chi Chi replied.
"I'm afraid not" Goku contradicted her.
"What! You didn't tell me?"
"I didn't want to worry you" he looked at Bulma. "Usually I get the fevers at night."
Bulma frowned. "Can you stay at the corporation a couple of days?"
"No, I don't think that's a good idea!" Chi Chi was agitated.
"Vegita's here?" Goku asked.
"Of course. But I rarely see him. That shouldn't be a problem for you, especially now."
Goku took Chi Chi's hand. "No, I guess not. Besides, I'll still need a sparring partner to stay in shape."
Chi Chi laughed nervously. "I'm not jealous, just a little paranoid."
Soft lips brushed her forehead. "Trust me, okay? We can handle this."
****
Vegita went through his paces in the gravity room. He didn't need an update, he could _feel_ Kakarot. Still, curiosity got the better of him. Powering down, he hit the switch to 'normal g'.
He mused. _What brings him here? I must find out..._
Trunks stood outside the door when it opened, surprising him. "Eh?"
"Sorry to startle you, papa" the young man told him.
Vegita threw a towel over his shoulders. "Hm. I sense Kakarot is here. Why?"
Trunks blinked, taken aback by his response. "That's what brings me here. Tests are being run on the serum and mom wants to make certain Goku-san has no adverse reactions."
Vegita lifted an eyebrow. "He is having problems?"
The young man was stern. "Don't get your hopes up. The tests are _only_ a precaution since the serum has never been tested before. While he stays here-"
Vegita couldn't hide the predatory gleam in his eye. Trunks paused again.
"Don't even think it, father! I'll be watching you. _Very_ closely. He's being monitored for treatment, and I won't allow anything to ruin his progress!"
Vegita snorted. "I need no 'watching', boy. We're all adults here. And so" he smiled briefly, "I think I'll say hello. After all, Kakarot's going to be here for awhile."
Trunks eyed him. "I'll be watching" he repeated.
Vegita walked past him, annoyed. "Move, Trunks. I'm going to get dressed."
The demi-saiyan observed him bound down the hallway. _I know you, father. If I have to fight you myself I will._
****
Another day of tests passed uneventfully. Chi Chi visited the majority of the day at Capsule Corporation, but she had a home to maintain. Trunks walked her outside.
Chi Chi-san, he looks like himself again" Trunks commented.
She smiled at him. "If you had asked me weeks ago, the answer would be different. But it's true" she pecked him on the cheek. "I have you to thank."
Trunks blushed a little. "Me? What did I do?"
Chi Chi sighed. "If it weren't for the information Gohan told me, we could well be divorced by now. It's funny, even through the pain I still couldn't believe he would deliberately hurt me."
Trunks smiled a little. "And he never would" his face darkened. "No thanks to father."
Chi Chi frowned. "I'm surprised he's shown so much restraint. Goku's been here for two days and he hasn't appeared."
"I had a talk with him. Maybe he got my message."
Chi Chi was pleading. "Trunks...if he slips" she couldn't finish.
He hugged her. "I won't let it happen."
****
Goku pushed himself in the gravity room. He was in his element again, perfecting himself for fighting.
The powerful form careened and slipped through the air, bounding off walls. Ki blasts ricocheted everywhere. His eyes closed as he moved, instinct taking over his body.
_Kami, this feels good. To move, to be free, to feel..._
Vegita stood outside the chamber, watching him from the observation deck. His tail whipped in agitation.
_Beautiful. All that power, mine to tame. Would that I could take him now, but..._
"I thought I'd find you here."
"Eh?" Vegita turned suddenly. "Trunks. What do you want!"
The demi saiyan smiled. "Oh, nothing. Just out for a walk" he looked through the glass panels.
"Goku-san looks well, doesn't he?"
Vegita snarled. "Don't taunt me, boy!"
"I've never seen him and Chi Chi-san happier."
"Enough!!"
"Haven't you greeted him yet? He's asked about you" Trunks was smug.
Vegita stalked off, tail bristling behind him.
****
Trunks met up with Goku in the rec area.
"He was here."
"Hai, Goku-san. We had a little conversation."
Goku sighed, wiping his face with a towel. "About me again?"
"Not really" Trunks lied.
"I sensed him outside the tower. He still hasn't spoken."
"Considering everything that's happened a little control is welcome, don't you think?"
Goku considered. "Things are different now, Trunks."
"Not so very different at all" a familiar voice stated.
They turned. Goku stared at the approaching Vegita. _Damn, too preoccupied to sense him-_
Vegita smiled at his discomfort. It was encouraging. "Hello, Kakarot. I would've spoken earlier but circumstances dictated I wait."
Goku nodded. "Agreed. You've shown remarkable restraint."
A smirk. "Did you expect any less?"
Black eyes smouldered with hidden fire. Vegita glanced over the perfect body recently wet from the shower. Water still ran in rivulets down the rippling chest. Goku's baggy sweatpants clung to his bulky curves. Vegita had sweet memories of those curves. _I will break you then melt you..._
Goku felt a buzzing heat in his head. Not like before, but it was there. The serum muted it into background noise, making it more tolerable. More importantly, his mind was still his own. But seeing the Saiyan Prince again wasn't as easy as he'd hoped. The lithe and well muscled body clad in blue spandex and white battle gear was so...Those handsome, aristocratic features he dared not touch now. Oh Kami, Vegita still looked _so damn good..._
Trunks watched them silently.
"So ah...Vegita. Have you kept in shape?" Goku asked absently, after a pause.
"Ha. The Prince of Saiyans is _never_ out of shape" Vegita rejoined. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I'll need a sparring partner."
"Hmpf" Vegita glared at his son. "You mean they trust me that far?"
Goku clapped a hand on his shoulder, ignoring the tingle he felt. "Don't be ridiculous, okay? Meet me here later on tonight."
Vegita nodded, glancing briefly at his shoulder. Obsidian eyes burned on him a second longer than necessary.
"Very well. Until then" he turned and went out.
Trunks watched Goku pull on a shirt. _I'd better call Goten and Gohan._
****
Goten and Gohan flew towards the Corporation an hour later.
"You know dad is gonna be pissed" Goten shouted in the wind. "He hates feeling confined."
Gohan sighed. "Well, it can't be helped. Vegita's a virus. You don't beat a virus by letting it run wild."
"But what are we supposed to do, anyway?"
"Trunks seemed concerned after their first meeting. We'll know more when we get there."
"I'm glad mom didn't come. It would have seemed like piling on."
"True. We don't need any more scenes, that's for sure."
****
The three friends walked through the complex. The majority of the offices were closed, but a few maintenance people waved as they went through.
"So what's our story? That we're here for dinner?" Goten asked.
Trunks nodded. "They're going to spar tonight. If Goku-san can get through the physicality of it...then maybe all my fears are unjustified."
"What did you see earlier?" Gohan wanted to know. "Clearly, you aren't convinced the serum is doing its job."
Trunks paused a moment. "It's working...but I still can't shake the feeling we're overlooking something."
"Like what? Did Vegita make any overtures?"
"Actually, no. Not directly."
Goten frowned. "You think he still has designs on dad?"
"I'm sure of it. When I approached him at the observation deck he was positively _mesmerized_ looking at Goku-san."
"But the serum _is_ working, right?"
"It's slowing down the tide" Trunks admitted. "Let's make sure the dam doesn't break."
****
It was the first meal they'd shared in a while. The company dining hall was open twenty four hours. As usual, Goku's legendary appetite amazed everyone. Some of the cooks came out just to stare.
"Glad you boys could visit" he said, stuffing between mouthfuls.
"Yeah, dad, well-" Gohan nearly laughed as Goku inhaled a chicken.
"Mnmpf. Nubt bad. Pass me that, please?" he pointed at a leg of lamb, then paused.
"Oops. Need something to wash it down with" he promptly glugged down a pitcher of tea.
Trunks _did_ laugh. Things at least appeared to be normal. He handed over the plate of lamb.
"Goku-san, aren't you going to leave any for us?" he teased.
Goku continued to talk and gag food down. "Welb. The cumfks are bringinning out mure food" he all but swallowed the lamb in one piece. The others gawked in stupefication.
"Geez" Goten stared. He never got used to it. "Dad, someone would think you hadn't eaten for months!"
Goku sucked up a bowl of noodles. "Clmpf. It's not that bad, Goten. This is good, you should try it!"
Goten snatched a bowl quickly before it was grabbed. Gohan laughed. "It's a miracle he didn't eat your hand, bro."
"At this rate he'll be too fat to spar" Vegita interrupted, walking into the dining hall.
"You'll join us?" Trunks was hopeful.
Vegita sat down casually. "Of course. That is, if Kakarot doesn't eat the plates and table as well" his voice held an amused tone.
"Hey, Vegita" Goku waved a ham hock at him.
Gohan looked for any signs. _So far so good._
Trunks signalled for the cooks to bring more food. Everyone ate in silence, tension running high under the circumstances.
Vegita ate quietly, avoiding their eyes. _Look at them. Watching me like some lab animal._
Abruptly he glared at Gohan. "What are you staring at!"
"Nothing. I had to put my eyes somewhere."
"Well don't put them on _me._ I'm not a bug for you to dissect."
"No, you're a rat's ass" Goten stated.
"Lighten up everybody" Goku commented. They all stared at him.
"We've been through a difficult time requiring adjustments for everyone. Frankly, I'm looking forward to the future. Shall we focus on that instead?" he surveyed their eyes.
Vegita did look at him, then. The creamy throat was tempting, flexing with soft strength. _One kiss to savor..._
CHINKKK!!
Vegita stared in horror at his hand holding a shattered tea glass.
"Hey!" Trunks handed him a napkin. "You alright? You didn't cut yourself!"
Goku put down his food momentarily to stare. He quickly looked away.
Goten and Gohan exchanged glances.
****
Goku stretched and prepared himself for the sparring. The incident at the table disturbed him more than he let on.
_You're sprung tight as a coil, Vegita. And I know why. But no matter what we may have shared, I'm sworn to Chi Chi!_
"Dad?"
"Hmm?" he spun from his reverie.
"Didn't mean to sneak up. Do you mind if we watch the sparring session?"
Goku glared, annoyed. "Why not? That's the purpose of your visit, isn't it?!"
Gohan sighed. "We hoped you wouldn't notice. It's just that-"
Goku turned his back. "Am I that weak, Gohan? Was I supposed to fall into a trembling heap at the sight of Vegita? Is that what you came to see?"
"Wha? No, I-"
A snarl. "Disappoint you? The sweet sap of a father who always smiles! The one who needs to be rescued from himself?!"
Goten gasped. "It isn't like that! We love you, and were worried."
Goku closed his eyes in pain. "I know. But I'm committed to your mother. Remember that, before you assume otherwise."
Goten held his arms. "We also know you fight something that could devour you without a trace."
Dark eyes snapped on him. _"What??"_
"You asked us once if our blood burned. We didn't understand at the time-"
"I won't have this discussion, particularly now" Goku growled, pulling away from Goten. His tail lashed wildly.
Gohan sighed. "All right, dad. It isn't important. Do you mind if we stay a while?"
Goku waved them in dismissal. "Do what you want."
****
Vegita smiled inwardly. He had to thank the idiot that left the intercom system open in the gym area.
The lithe form stretched and contemplated.
_Sweet kami, I'll relish bending his will. You love me yet, Kakarot, and I will tear the truth screaming from your throat._
****
Gohan, Goten and Trunks sat in the second level observation tower. Circular glass panels gave an even better view of the gravity room than the lower levels.
"Well, at least we've got good seats. No popcorn, though" Goten attempted humor.
Gohan gave a wan smile. "Maybe we _are_ overreacting. After all, nothing's really happened when you think about it."
Trunks nodded in distraction. "I hope your right. I just have a feeling things could get pretty intense down there tonight."
****
It was time.
Vegita and Goku entered the room on opposite sides, their bright orange gi suits a match. Goku's sash was red, Vegita's blue. They took their fighting stance.
Vegita grinned ravenously. /Greetings, koi. I will pound you into submission./
Goku checked up a little in surprise. /What??/
/Ahh. You expected the serum to eliminate our kata link?/
Goku gritted his teeth, crouching low once more. /Whatever. I won't be distracted by stray thoughts./
They moved in a little closer, preparing to charge. Vegita's burning eyes held Goku's.
/We always did fight first, koi/ Vegita's tail waved tauntingly. /to sweeten the fire.../
Goku growled at the memories. /Shut up!/
In the tower above sat three perplexed demi saiyans.
"What they hell are they doing?" Trunks stared with the others.
Goten shook his head. "I don't get it. They're just...staring and crouching."
"HYEAAIIIIIII!!" Goku launched himself first. Vegita faded out and reappeared behind him, double fisting his back. Goku crashed into the floor.
"Well, it's started finally" Trunks replied.
Goku backflipped up, launching a double kick into Vegita's gut. The Saiyan Prince careened off the ceiling. Goku lunged at him again, but Vegita disappeared before he made contact. Goku stared about the chamber, snarling in frustration.
/He's here...damn his tricks./
WHAPP!!
A tail slapped across his face. Once. Again. Three times.
Goku grabbed at air. Vegita was transmitting all around him at once, slapping him with his tail.
/Where the hell did he learn this?!/ Goku wondered as the strokes sent delicious shivers down his thighs.
/No...Kami, what's going on!?/
WHAMM!!
A hard fist to the jaw crashed him against a wall. He bounced to the floor. Vegita smirked, levitating above him.
"Had enough, Kakarot?"
Goku felt a haze enveloping his vision. "You want to fight that way? Fine. _Two can play!!"_
Before Vegita could dodge Goku hit him with a flying head butt. He somersaulted over the stunned Saiyan Prince in mid air, snapping his tail around the firm waist and whip shooting Vegita into the opposite wall.
Goku smiled ferally. "Like that, Vegita?!"
Vegita's eyes were coals. /Oh _ yes,_ koi./
Goku paused, gasping. A rippling wave of pleasure washed from his tail to his groin. /Kami, I better not try that stunt again.../
/Feeling good, are we?/ Vegita taunted, flying in slow circles around him.
Goku circled as well. /Go to hell./
Vegita launched himself and transmitted out at the last second. Goku struck at the air in frustration. Potent scent frayed his nerves.
"You dirty-"
_slap slap slap slap slap slap slap!!!!_
Vegita was in front of him. And behind. And above. Tails were everywhere, strapping him with licks of fire. His chest. His thighs. His backside. His belly. His face.
/Gods...going to/ Goku transmitted out to get respite.
****
"Have you seen anything _like_ that?!" Gohan stammered.
Trunks was wide eyed. "No...father must have practiced that maneuver in secret."
"Incredible" Goten agreed.
****
Goku reappeared down on the floor, kneeling. He was breathing heavily.
/I know what he's doing. Mantra level five...got to calm my body down.../
Vegita reappeared nearby. "Are you ready for another round?" his voice was cool with no inflection. He folded his arms.
/He's got to be affected too.../
Vegita grinned. /Yes, but I'm prepared./
Goku glared, flushing red. "Try this!!" he spun himself like a cyclone.
"What?!" Vegita stumbled back as Goku's tail struck him in rapid succession as he twirled. Vegita howled like a banshee as he was lashed, finally transmitting out once more.
Goku stopped spinning. He looked about the chamber.
/Better look for another sneak attack.../
Suddenly he sensed a fist, grabbing it and hurling Vegita to the floor.
"UGGHHH!!" Vegita skidded to a violent halt, finally. He looked up from his sitting position.
Goku was about to gloat when another sweet wave raked his body, threatening to make him blow right there. His groin was burstingly tight.
He swore, sweat breaking out on his forehead. /Gotta stop this tail stuff.../
Vegita finally spoke. He was heaving as well. "May I suggest we call truce?"
Goku could only nod breathlessly. "Truce" he floated down.
****
"Damned strangest fight I've ever seen" Trunks commented.
"I never thought tails made a weapon. Guess there's a first time for everything" Goten shrugged.
"Using your tail like that isn't wise" Gohan reminded them.
They fell silent at the implication.
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