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Survival of the Fittest	By : 2dragonkat Category: Dragon Ball Z > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 11967 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ and its characters, they belong to Akira Toriyama. The only parts that do belong to me are the plot and the twins. I also do not make any profit/money from this either.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
Chapter 11 – "Familial Spats"

WC: 3,107

AN: I apologize for the delay in this update but it was out of my control. Life is extremely busy and taxing for me at the moment. I won't bore you with the details but suffice to say that what little free time I have has recently been devoted to sleeping and staying healthy. Writing and editing everything I have written has been on the back burner for a while. I found some time this weekend to tie everything together to get this update up. I hope to get back on a more regualr schedule but things are really up in the air. So I'll say sorry now for any future delays. Thank you for your patience.

"What do you mean you're going to destroy the humans?" Goku said bewildered, leaving his father's side to stand in front of King Vegeta and Brolli.

"It's exactly like it sounds moron." Brolli said sharply, glaring hard at Goku. "This planet is a perfect place for us to make a new home. All we need to do is to get rid of the current tenants."

"You can't do that!" Goku shouted.

"We can, and we will." Vegeta's father spoke up softly, but firmly, leveling Goku with a glare.

Goku felt himself getting angry, something he was afraid to do but he was helpless to stop it. Everything had been going so well, but now it was ruined. And who did they think they were? These Saiyans thought they had the right to just kill off a whole population so they could have somewhere to stay? Vegeta gently placed a hand on his back and Goku closed his eyes, reeling himself back from exploding and doing something he would regret later. He opened his eyes and gave his mate a relieved smile before directing a frown at Vegeta's father.

"You can't do that. I've sworn to protect this planet and its people. And believe me, none of your people stand a chance against me," he said softly, glad that Vegeta was supporting him.

The King sneered, looking like he wanted to tear Goku apart. But he wouldn't back down; no matter how scary the man looked. It was a battle of wills for a while, he and his father-in-law staring each other down. But eventually King Vegeta looked away with a sigh.

"Why do you protect these weaklings? They're not your people," the king said, eyeing Goku.

"This is the only home I've known. These people have made me who I am. Maybe they're not my people by blood but they are my people in spirit," Goku said evenly, standing tall and proud, his mate's hand resting on his elbow.

King Vegeta sniffed haughtily, but there was a glimmer of something in his eyes. Respect maybe? Whatever it was it made the man back down from their fight. He seemed to relax in his chair, glancing from Bardock to Brolli before addressing Goku again. "Very well. We will not kill these creatures. We'll find a different home. But for now my people will stay here. We've traveled long and far, and we are in need of rest."

Goku glanced down at Vegeta, silently asking for his opinion on the matter. His mate returned the look before nodding slightly. Through their bond he felt the comforting stroke of his lover, reassuring him that the Saiyans would be no threat to Earth. A Saiyan always honors his word, and if King Vegeta said they would not kill the humans, they would not kill the humans. Still, Goku wasn't going to let his guard down until there was some resolution to the situation. He had a growing family and a planet to protect. They would take priority over his own species.

Goku smiled at his mate and then turned the smile to his father-in-law. "Sounds good to me. Maybe there's some way we can help you guys find a new home while you stay here?"

King Vegeta gave him a small smirk and Goku felt like he had made progress with the man. He was incredibly intimidating, probably had to be because he was king. Still, he was Vegeta's dad and having his approval was important to Goku. He didn't really know why, but it was. He looked over to his own father, smile widening at the proud look the man was giving him. Goku hadn't realized how much he missed not having a father. Now that he had one, it was the greatest feeling in the world.

He turned his gaze to Brolli, who stood to side of their conversation, cradling his broken arm and looking at both him and Vegeta in confusion…and sadness. Goku still felt a little angry at the guy since he had tried to hit Vegeta, but he was weaker then both of them, so he didn't feel that threatened. Besides, the sadness in his eyes pulled at Goku's sympathy. He glanced down to Brolli's broken arm, an idea coming to mind.

"Hey, why don't you guys come to our place? It's breakfast time so I'm sure everyone's hungry. And we could give Brolli here a sensu bean to heal his arm." Goku offered.

Vegeta glanced up at him, glaring lightly. He was probably frustrated at the idea of cooking for so many Saiyans. But he just huffed in that way which meant he agreed to the terms. Besides, at the mention of breakfast a chorus of hungry stomachs sounded, shaking the very earth beneath them. Goku laughed at the noise, hand scratching at the back of his neck, his father mirroring the action.

"Well it doesn't seem like you guys are objecting." he said lightly, wrapping an arm around his mate's shoulders.

The three men before him exchanged glances and then nodded at Goku. Just as he was about to gather everyone up and use his Instant Transmission to get them to the house Goku remembered two people who still needed to be introduced. "I almost forgot about the kids." he said sheepishly to Vegeta, chuckling as his mate's eyes widened and a blush stained his cheeks. Looks like he wasn't the only one so caught up this family reunion that he forgot about the twins.

Goku turned and waved an arm at the bushes where Takeo and Keigo still hid. "Hey boys! Come on out and meet your granddads!" he shouted.

"Daddy," Keigo cried, bursting through the foliage and flying towards them, Takeo hot on his tail.

Goku happily opened his arms, a bright smile on his face at the sight of his sons. But as Keigo got closer his smile fell. His youngest son looked really upset. Keigo plowed into his chest, pulling an 'omph' from his mouth at the impact and knocking him back a few steps. Goku wrapped his son securely in his arms, eyes widening at the tears in the boy's eyes. Takeo landed beside him, looking up at Goku with worried eyes.

Vegeta was suddenly beside him, running a hand through Keigo's hair and placing a hand on Takeo's shoulder. "Keigo, what's wrong?" Vegeta asked. His voice was thick with worry, and Goku could feel through their bond how uncomfortable and anxious Vegeta was at the sight of his youngest son crying.

Keigo huddled against Goku's chest, mumbling something incoherent into his shirt. "What was that?" Goku asked softly, gently pulling Keigo away so they could hear him.

"Trunks is gone," he wailed, burying his head into Goku's shirt.

Goten softly landed in front of his parents' house, taking a deep breath to try and steady his racing heart. He had gotten the phone call he had been expecting a few minutes prior. His papa had virtually screamed into the receiver, enraged at finding out Trunks had left Earth with no warning. The sensu beans were gone too. All Goten had told his papa was that he would be over soon to explain everything. Although at this moment, Goten didn't even know where to begin.

As he approached the front door slammed open, his papa standing menacingly in the threshold, arms crossed. The very air around him crackling in anger. Goten just took another deep breath and moved forward, slipping past his papa and into the house. The door slammed once more after he had entered the home. Goten cringed at the sound of wood cracking from the impact. He slowly went into the living room, stopping just short though when he saw who was inside.

Three men he had never seen before sat around the room, and all of them were Saiyans, two of them looking almost identical to his parents. His Uncle Radditz sat by one of the men, looking up at Goten with kind eyes. Goten turned towards his papa who had followed him into the room, wanting to ask what was going on. He was met head on with an intense glare from the man and he decided to wait to ask his questions. His papa needed an explanation first.

The three Saiyans sat grouped together at one end of the room so Goten took a seat as far away from them as possible, on the window seat by the front of the house. His father was also present. Goten gave a weak smile towards the man, but the gesture faltered when it wasn't returned. It seemed both of his parents were upset with him. Goten settled his hands in his lap, rubbing them against his pants as they got sweaty. His papa came to stand right in front of him, blocking most of Goten's view of the rest of the room.

"What the hell is going on?" Vegeta said slowly, darkly, his fingers tapping on his bicep in a manner that told Goten his papa was thoroughly pissed. He had only seen the action a handful of times.

"I'm not sure where to start..." he replied softly, ducking his head.

"I don't give a damn! Start anywhere. Just start before I do something we'll both regret." Vegeta replied, taking a very deep breath after he spoke, like he was holding himself back.

"I stole the sensu beans," he said, figuring it was the best place to start…well, at least the safest place to start.

"Why?"

"Because I wanted Trunks to have them. I wanted to know he would be safe and protected." Goten cringed as he said this, knowing that mentioning Trunks would start the core of this discussion, and it was something he just wasn't ready to explain yet.

"And why would Trunks need them?" his papa prompted slowly, no doubt knowing why but wanting Goten to say it.

"Because he'll be traveling in space."

"And why the HELL would he be doing that?"

"Because he's always wanted to."

Silence met his answer, and Goten chanced a look up. He found that his papa's expression hadn't changing… actually, he looked more annoyed.

"You're going to have to do better than that. Why is Trunks traveling in space…and without you?"

Goten ducked his head again, wringing his hands together as he tried to figure out how to explain it. "It really is true that he wants to Pops. He's always wanted to explore and meet new races. And I don't want to do that, not really. So he went by himself."

Goten watched as his parents exchanged glances. Goku looked worried while Vegeta looked pissed. He also heard a shifting of weight from one of the couches. It sounded like one of the Saiyans was moving. Goten saw his uncle's shocked face a moment later leaning pass his papa's stature.

"When will he be back?"

"I don't know."

"WHAT?"

"He'll be back before our next heat."

"WHAT? But that's years from now. Are you telling me he won't be back for years?" Now Vegeta looked worried and furious at the same time. It was a strange combination on his face. He tended to only show one emotion at a time.

"Yes."

"Why in seven hells would you two want to be separated for so long?"

"Because we need to be."

"I don't understand. There's no reason. You two are soulmates. You'll both be happiest when you're together."

"Will you shut the hell up about us being goddamn soulmates!" Goten felt his barely contained emotions spill out. His whole body shook with the effort to restrain them but it was too late. That stupid word broke the dam.

"Goten, what in the world is going on?"

"Kami Dad, I am so sick and tired of this stupid soulmates thing. Just because we're meant to be together doesn't automatically mean that we'll be happy."

"But you are."

"Shut up Pops. You don't know anything about how we feel. No one does. Everyone just assumes that we're happy and totally fine. But we're not. Everything is not fine and we're not happy."

"Goten…I don't understand."

"No, of course you don't Pops. Not you. Everything is just fucking perfect for you, isn't it. You've got your perfect soul mate bond with dad and you have your perfect sons. Nothing could possibly be going wrong in your perfect little world now could it? Everything is just fine. Because that's how it's supposed to be. Being soulmates makes everything better doesn't it?"

"How dare you. My world is not perfect." Vegeta shouted, taking a menacing step toward Goten. One of his hands shook, like he wanted to slap Goten. Out of the corner of his eye, Goten saw Goku duck his head down, looking ashamed.

"Oh isn't it? You've got dad and you two are so fucking happy together it's sickening. You're so in love and happy. And then you have Takeo and Keigo, your ideal and loveable sons. You've got uncle Radditz back. There's no one trying to destroy the world. Gohan is happy. Obviously with everything going so well you assumed that Trunks and I were perfectly fine as well."

"Goten, what's wrong with you?" Goku asked brokenly.

"What's wrong with me, Dad? What's wrong with me? I'll tell you what's wrong with me. I'm not happy. I'm so far from being happy I don't even remember what it feels like."

"Goten…" Goku had taken a step toward him, his hand reaching out. Goten just turned his glare on the man.

"No don't you dare. Don't you dare try and comfort me. We're long past that point. I'm going to get this out now, and explain it in such simple terms even you two, who are so happy with your soulmate shit, will understand.

"It has always been 'Goten and Trunks.' Never one of us on our own. We've always been together, always. And people always see us and talk about us like we're a set instead of two individual people. Do you know how awful it is? I can't even think for myself. I'm always thinking about Trunks. Would he do this, would he do that, what he likes, what he hates. I never, ever think about what I would do, or what I like. It's always about us. Always, always, ALWAYS 'Goten and Trunks.'

"Do you know what it felt like when we bonded? Nothing. I didn't feel a good goddamn thing when it happened. There was no contented feeling, no elation, no other happy emotion you and dad use when describing your bond. There was nothing. Because we weren't two individuals coming together. We were just 'Goten and Trunks.' Nothing fucking changed.

"You have no idea what it's like for us. We try and be happy around all of you, we don't want any of you in your perfect little 'soulmate' world to worry. How could any of you understand what it's like? You can't, because you're all so fucking happy.

"We don't talk when we're alone, did you know that? We go home and we just don't talk. There's absolutely nothing to say. I already know what he'll say and he already knows I'll laugh at his joke or I'll agree with his opinion. It's so boring, knowing these things but having no way to fix it. We already know everything about 'us'. And we know absolutely nothing about 'who we are'.

"We don't know who we are. I can't tell if I like anything because I like it, or because Trunks does. He can't tell if he hates anything because it's his opinion or it's mine. It's always been us, always 'Goten and Trunks.' And he couldn't put up with it anymore.

"So you wanna know why he left Pops? He left because of me, because of this stupid bond that we have. He left because he wants to find out who he really is, and he can't do that with us attached at the hip all the time. And you wanna know why I didn't go? Because I didn't want to. Because I want to find out who I am and I sure as hell ain't doing it in space.

"For the first time in our lives we disagreed on something. For the first time. We were not going to let this opportunity escape us. Our relationship isn't working, it was doomed from the start. But if this can help, in any way, we're going to do it. Because we're miserable. I hated the idea of spending the rest of my life like this. There was no excitement, no elation, no completion because of our bond. There's nothing.

"So yeah, Trunks left. We needed him too. Because it just might help this miserable bond we're stuck in.

"Just because we're soulmates doesn't mean we're meant to be perfectly fucking happy like you."

Goten stood huffing and puffing after his tirade, glancing between his papa and his dad. They stared at him, stunned into silence. He didn't expect anything different. He and Trunks had been hiding their problems from everyone. His parents wouldn't understand and they didn't need to know. This was their problem and no one else's. And nobody but them was going to be able to fix it.

He stayed in the room for a few moments longer, locking eyes with his uncle Radditz before gazing at the three men seated together. Goten wanted to know who they were, wanted to know why they were here and a variety of other things. But he wouldn't ask, he couldn't. Not after what he had said. His parents needed time to adjust to the news and he needed to get away from this house. This perfect little house with its happy little family inside. Goten needed to get away, before he got any more upset.

"I'm leaving soon," he spoke up softly, glancing at his dad and then his papa. "I don't expect to be back for a while. I want to travel around the world, learn more about cooking and stuff. It's the only way I can think of that will help me find out who I am."

With that said he walked from the room. In the main hallway he glanced to his right, seeing his younger brothers standing near the stairs, holding hands and looking sad. Keigo was even crying. He tried to give them a smile but couldn't muster it, so Goten turned from them, hoping he didn't hurt his little brothers too much.

Goten opened the front door and took to the sky. Never once looking back.

AN: Dang, I'm just laying it on thick. And it's just going to get worse before it gets better. But I'm not holding anything back since this is the last full DBZ story I plan to do for a long, long while (I'm pooped). So stay tuned for more drama, suspence and dare I say it....smut. Who's doing the smexing next chapter? Will Vegeta thrash Goten for being snippety? Will Goku ever get food in his belly? Just what the hell is going on?! All of that and more in Chapter 12 : "Down to Business"

Next time, on Survival of the Fittest:

"You have some unexpected guests and need answers."

"Actually I need sensu beans. But you're right about the guests part."

"So you don't want answers to the questions you have?"

"Umm, what questions would those be exactly?"

"Come now Goku, I thought you were smarter than that. Your questions are obvious. Why is your brother alive? What will the arrival of the Saiyans mean for you and yours? What should you do to appease that which the Saiyans seek?"

"Oh... well... yeah those are questions I have. What are the answers?"
- 10
- 11
- 12
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Survival of the Fittest