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Gone	By : TristaML Category: Dragon Ball Z > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 10329 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Fifteenth Chapter

“Who are you?” Goku asked as they hovered in mid-air a good distance from the others.

“A warrior from Planet Vegetasai,” Dunduil responded quickly, not sure where this man was planning on taking this conversation. He had already sized this “Goku” up a million times and any way you look at him it doesn’t make sense. He didn’t look like any type of “Legendary.”

“What business do you have here?” Goku was short with him, more able to get his words out with this man than with Von, that’s for sure, despite the intimidating look of him.

“I’m looking for the Prince of Vegetasai, but I’m told he isn’t here?” Dunduil set a shrewd stare on the smaller man in front of him. He just didn’t look like he would put up much of a fight at all if challenged. Dunduil didn’t believe all the rumors, he hadn’t heard enough, perhaps.

“He isn’t,” Goku remarked, and asked him another question, “What will you do now?”

Dunduil’s eyes brightened in a grim way as he pondered that question, “What would you have me do, my Lord?”

Goku wasn’t expecting that, he caught an undertone in the man’s voice but couldn’t be certain of its meaning. “I would have you leave, start your life with these people elsewhere.”

“Sire,” Dunduil flew a few inches forward, coaxing him, “Why not take up the crown and be our King? There are many rewards that come with it,” he chuckled. “Has Von not mentioned that an heir must be born?” He grinned at him and Goku didn’t understand. Dunduil pointed down to the people below, “You must bear a full-blood son to continue your line and rule amongst our people, you may choose as you wish.”

He seemed delighted by the idea but Goku was repulsed. It’s not that he doesn’t like sex, just that he would never do anything like that, and he wasn’t interested in any of these people, especially not like that and just, the whole thing was wrong. Von never mentioned that. He told Dunduil, “I am not the King and that will not happen.”

Dunduil stopped his maddening grin and looked deeply into Goku’s eyes. He knew there was no way he could make any sort of assessment of him in his current state. He would have to actually see him in battle if he wanted to know what this guy was all about. “It doesn’t mean anything to you that we came all the way out here, in the middle of nowhere, just to crown you as our new Royal?”

“I thought you said you came for Vegeta?” Goku exchanged.

Dunduil noticed how he didn’t call him by his proper title and it came off so quickly, as though it wasn’t in error at all. He responded, “I do have personal interests in meeting our Prince. Nevertheless, you are my King, if you would be, and therein lays a certain duty and loyalty.”

Goku knew he was lying through his teeth, expertly so. “You hold no duty to me, Dunduil, not you, not Von, not any of you,” he said.

“You cannot refuse the crown,” Dunduil flipped his hair back out his face and watched “King” Goku ponder his words.

The words that Von would not say have been said, and Goku asked why he believed that to be so.

“You would have to fight for it, and lose,” Dunduil explained shortly, wondering why he didn’t have this common knowledge.

Goku laughed, shrugging his shoulders, “Okay.”

Dunduil knew he didn’t understand, otherwise he would not have said that. He went on to reveal, “To fight is to fight to the death. To lose is death. There are no other rules.”

Goku didn’t understand why such a stupid law would exist. He told Dunduil that and asked him, “What sense does that make?”

“Why would a Royal not wish to rule?”

Goku didn’t understand the connection entirely; he’s not a “Royal,” and he doesn’t wish to rule.

Dunduil, frustrated, carried on, “If a Royal amongst our people was in question than he would have to prove his abilities to lead, conquer, and to survive. Naturally he would be pit against the best of the best in an attempt to overthrow him. There has never been a case where a Royal did not wish to take his crown, but there have been cases when the Royal who took the crown was not strong enough, or perhaps, more often, when another line thought that they could add up to the Royal’s power.”

“So you’re saying it’s just a technicality?” Goku wondered aloud, finding these things so strange to learn.

“No, death has been performed by the hands of the Royals in case of some Saiyan’s beliefs in their own might, and also by other elites of a different line that wish to rule over a weak King during their time,” Dunduil concentrated on what he was saying, seeming to remember information that goes with those stories the more he carried on.

“Why is it necessary?”

Dunduil was more and more curious about the man in front of him as the conversation went on. This man was supposed to be “the Legendary,” wasn’t he? He didn’t seem to even have a clue. Finally Dunduil explained, touching a little more on what Goku was trying to get at, “What if for some reason there was a monarchy that overcame us because our King, and the Royal’s, for whatever reason, weren’t strong enough?” He waited for Goku to say something, maybe give him a hint that he knew what he was referring to or that he understood but Goku did not say or do anything. “Then our people and our planet would suffer, that’s what. And if there was someone out there of our kind that was strong enough to overcome the monarchy and save the people, then he should have rights to the crown over the Royals.”

“You’re talking about me?” Goku finally thought he got it.

Dunduil couldn’t believe he was being asked that question, he responded, “By all means, Sire, you should have the crown. There is no one here who would fight you for it, although, perhaps, our Prince might.”

Goku could tell Dunduil was annoyed with him but that didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to give any information away to this man, not if he could help it. He told Dunduil, “I don’t mean to disappoint you by refusing to participate, but I refuse to participate. You and Von can manage things from here.”

“You don’t think the Prince would just hand over the crown to you, do you?” Dunduil couldn’t stop the words from coming out of his mouth. This Saiyan they call “Goku” was audacious in his own ignorant sort of way.

Goku shook his head, “You’re not listening to me, and I will not say it again. I’m not your King.”

Dunduil angrily told him, “I bet your hiding this from the Prince, aren’t you? I bet he doesn’t even know we’re here.”

Goku’s power began to rise and Gohan picked up on it immediately, staring up at the sky, trying to connect with his father and see what was going on. Goku let Gohan know everything was okay through their link and was grateful for his interruption at that moment, it allowed him to relax and rebalance himself without getting carried away. “Why are you trying to bait me?” Goku finally asked.

Dunduil was surprised by him and became flustered. He told him, “I’d just like to see a little bit of the power that destroyed Freeza.”

Goku shook his head at him and replied honestly, “Then this conversation over.” He flew away after that without a moment to spare, leaving Dunduil behind to stare at traces of the lines of his face in the sky.

---

Gohan watched as Von was bombarded by a petite little girl, whose hair was just as smooth and black as his and whose eyes were a stirring green. She ran into his arms gleefully and Von hoisted her up into the air before meeting her forehead with a kiss. He held her on his hip, kissed her hand sweetly and called her, “Lune,” with a huge grin as they twirled gracefully in circles as though dancing for just a few moments.

Gohan remembered hearing that name before, and it struck him with a notion and the realization that this was his daughter. He didn’t know what to say about the scene in front of him, a part of him was happy about it, a part of him a little unsure what to think. It was clear to see the relation between the two as Von looked up and into his eyes, Lune curling closer to him, relaxing with her legs dangling freely from his hold of her.

Gohan hadn’t even gotten the chance to really talk to Von after that night, despite his efforts, and now he was once again reminded that there are other people in his and Von’s life. He wondered if Thelel was the mother, and noticed Von coming up closer to him.

“Lune,” he said to his daughter, “Sgijit jit Oqijimdif Gohan. Prince Gohan, this is my daughter Lune.” Von seemed to have a nervous but proud smile, not sure if he should have introduced the two by the distant look on Gohan’s face, but he was very much interested in Gohan, and did not want to push him away or leave him left out.

“Hi, Lune,” Gohan said warmly, “You’re very pretty.”

Lune looked at Gohan coyly before shying her smile away into her father’s chest.

Gohan gathered some nerve and came out with it, “You know; I have a daughter around your age, Lune.”

The girl turned back, intrigued, “You do?” Von looked surprised to hear it, too, but he resisted his urge to enter the conversation, more interested in listening. The only thing Von could think of to say was ‘I didn’t know you had a daughter?’ but obviously, Gohan didn’t know he did before today, either. It would be silly for him to say such a thing.

Gohan nodded, “Her name is Pan. She’s three.”

“I’m four,” Lune said, wiping hair from her eyes and now more welcoming to Gohan. She acted much older than four in Gohan’s opinion, and she was taller than a four year old, too, but he figured she got that from Von.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” Gohan smiled, taken with her in any case. Pan would love to meet her, and so would Bura.

The little girl smiled and Von said, “What do you say?” She thanked him and said the same, mumbling some of the words incoherently.

“There you are!” A brisk and angry voice came up from behind Gohan and he stepped aside as a woman approached them heatedly.

“Calm down,” Von’s said, irritated at her. He turned his body slightly to the side, away from the vehement woman.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for her! How long have you had her?” Iseri wanted to swear she was so upset. Lune always thought it hilarious to run off at the most inopportune of times and she was good at it, too.

“She’s fine, she’s with me, what does it matter?” Von shrugged, clutching the child to him a little tighter.

“Alright,” Iseri shook her head, tired of chasing after the four year old in the first place. She said, “Come with me, Lune.”

Lune held onto Von and Von intercepted again, “No, she’s fine right here and when she’s ready she can go play with the other children.”

“Are you out of your mind? Play with the other children?”

“You don’t let her have enough fun, Iseri.”

“Oh, well, fine,” she stomped off, irritated at Von, as usual.

Gohan remembered seeing her at the house with the elders the first day they all met. She was a good looking woman, with a pretty face a fine figure and nice, soft-looking hair. He began to ask, “Is that-”

“No,” Von anticipated that question and was quick to answer, “No that’s not her mother.” He was very serious about that answer. He said, “I can explain later,” he hoisted his daughter up in his arms and whispered something in her ear in their language. She giggled and kissed Von on the cheek. He set her down and she ran off to join the other kids to play.

Von took a step closer to Gohan, if only to reinforce the idea of them actually hanging around one another this time. He wanted to say so many things to Gohan and then again he didn’t want to say anything at all, he only wanted to communicate one body to another.

“I guess there’s a lot we don’t know about each other,” Gohan said breaking the silence between them, his voice overpowering every shout and cheer from around them.

Von was nearly dumbfounded by the intensity that comes over him whenever he’s around this young man. He knew it wasn’t just Horunta, although it was becoming more prominent every time he came by, Von has dealt with others in that stage before and he could tell Horunta wasn’t the same as the type of pull that currently gravitates between them.

He went to grab Gohan’s hand but suddenly the young man looked up into the sky at his father and Dunduil and his face tensed with concern. Von looked up and could not tell what was happening between the two, he stared harder as a juvenile attempt to understand.

Von glanced down to find that Gohan was staring back at him now, and he tried not to feel silly for obviously having missed something. He wondered what Gohan had detected and how, he knew that the young man hadn’t focused on them for no reason. He never doubted the strength and talents of King Goku or his family for one moment.

Having lost his initial nerve to bring them closer together by hand Von said, “I bet you’re wrong about that,” with a small smirk and the very idea of his suggestion drove Gohan crazy.

---

Goku never really thought about any of this before, Vegeta being a Prince, his Prince and his people and their heritage having actually meant something at one point in time. He felt like he was going over the same information over and over and that it was somewhat of a waste of time but he was comforted in his own solitude for now. He supposed that since he never considered his station among their people, he never considered Vegeta’s either, and therefore he held no reverence in it.

He quietly mulled over the fact that things did seem odd on his part for Vegeta to be out of the picture as conveniently as Dunduil implies. He wondered what Dunduil had to say to Vegeta, and knew that Vegeta probably wouldn’t care to hear it.

Goku tried his hardest to reach Vegeta. He couldn’t sense any danger during his attempts, so he knew he was safe, but as far as any sort of connection to the Prince, there was nothing. It was not a fun feeling, to be missing a link from someone whom he’d always been able to find first and foremost. Vegeta’s presence screamed out to him like attempting looking upon the sun for the first time, it was a blazing fire in his mind, translucent and humming, almost a vibration in his spirit as he focused upon it. Not to feel it at all anymore was disturbing but Goku knew, somehow, that it was not completely lost.

“Goku,” Piccolo found him standing beside a great waterfall and came up right behind him. Goku didn’t even notice him it seemed, either that or he just didn’t think anything of it.

“What’s up Piccolo,” Goku asked, a little more cheerily than Piccolo expected.

“Dunduil didn’t have much to say?” Piccolo asked with a playful smirk on his lips.

Goku smiled at him, knowing he heard every word, he changed the subject, “What are we supposed to say about Vegeta, Piccolo? Do you still think they shouldn’t know?”

Piccolo was a little proud to know that Goku was still taking his opinion into consideration but even his own perspective has changed and he responded, “I don’t think they can all continue to travel through space in groups like that forever, if they need to know about Vegeta, one or some of them will have to go find him, while the others stay here. How does that sound to you?”

“Not too good and chances are they would never find him,” Goku frowned a little, “Damn.”

Piccolo frowned too and questioned him, “Why can’t you sense Vegeta?” Goku just shook his head at him but Piccolo understood that Vegeta had shut the link between them down. He might have known.

“How are Gohan and the boys? You must have thought they’d be okay, huh?” Goku smiled at Piccolo, knowing he’d left the scene for one reason or another.

Piccolo didn’t know how in depth Goku’s readings were on the matter and wasn’t about to embarrass himself further. He told him, “Your son is stronger than me, isn’t he?” referring to Gohan.

Goku just smiled and let that drop. He enjoyed listening to the rushing of the waters, the loud claps of the waves much more powerful than they appear by the way they journey to the steady pool at the bottom. He sighed to himself and attempted to will away personal thoughts of Vegeta.

He decided to open up a little bit to his longtime friend, knowing Piccolo already has certain details about his relationship with Vegeta. Piccolo listened, never motioning as Goku spoke and he accounted for himself with, “I was always the bad guy to Vegeta, no matter what I did or why I did it. I spared him, he didn’t like that because he felt like I pitied him. I beat Freeza, he didn’t like that because he’d suffered under his hand, not I. I’m just some third class who had no interest in Saiyans or my past, he hates me for that because he is my Prince, and I have defeated him.” Piccolo understood that Goku was referring to his current situation where he would, no doubt, look like the bad guy once again to Vegeta and he was right.

Admitting these things finally caused Goku to realize what had bothered him all this time. It took him a few moments longer to continue than it had for him to begin but he said, “And yet I have lost to him all at the same time.

“He anticipated my every move from day one. He expected me to say and do and react the way that I did. He knew it all along. Just because of how he used to be and who I thought I was… You could say he played me, but really I just tried to fool myself…”

Vegeta had never expected Goku to love him in the first place. He always knew that Goku would eventually push him away. He unfailingly brought Vegeta’s premonition to pass by turning him down with no real logic other than the fact that it couldn’t work between them. When Goku turned him down, Vegeta left without an argument. Not only did he leave his sight, but the planet.

Vegeta had thought about it before… Vegeta must have tried to deny his feelings for Goku at one point but he no longer could. Even with the foreknowledge that Goku wouldn’t reciprocate, Vegeta attempted to love him. The images burned him up inside.

            As well as he knows Vegeta, Vegeta knows him, Goku understood that, now. He was beginning to see how they really could be together, that is, if Vegeta would ever forgive him and if Goku could ever find him.

            “Goku,” Piccolo interrupted reluctantly, he didn’t imagine Goku had much else to say, he pretty much nailed it, “how are you going to find him? You can’t IT all over the place, can you?”

            “No,” Goku shook his head, “It doesn’t work like that. I need to have a familiar image of a specific place in my head; it can’t be so broad spectrum. There may be a way I can work on that though,” he shrugged. “Maybe I can ask Von if he could help, he said he was good at tracking people and he’s been following Vegeta practically all his life.”

            Piccolo frowned but then immediately agreed with him, “Yes, Von would jump at the opportunity to prove himself to you anyways.”

            Goku thought about what Piccolo was saying. He knew he only wanted him out of his hair but he questioned whether or not he should send Von off on a mission right now, considering his budding relationship with Gohan and also his relationship to the people. How would they react to finding out that Von was about to leave them all behind to the care of Dunduil and what would Dunduil have them do while Von was gone if Goku didn’t get involved?

            This idea was beginning to be less and less of a good one, Goku thought. Not to mention the fact that he felt like he was ruling from behind the curtains by deciding what he was going to have Von do in the first place (he guessed he just assumed Von would be interested but the implication of his leadership made his queasy).

            Piccolo explained, “I know I seem abrasive about it, but consider this: what if you were to leave behind Von and Dunduil in your attempt to find Vegeta? Whether we notified anyone of your absence or not, what if you were gone longer than expected and something happens?”

            “I thought you said Gohan was stronger than you, and I think you can take them, Piccolo,” Goku gave his two cents and due credit.

            Piccolo disagreed, “Vegeta always did say you were too naïve. What if they manage to hold Gohan captive somehow, maybe during his transformation, and they used him against you or me?”

            Goku wondered if that was possible or probable. He shook his head about the whole thing, “I know, Piccolo. I’m uncertain of what they want with me, too. I can’t be sure they don’t have their own agenda, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been tricked.” He laughed a little and said, “I can’t even be sure finding Vegeta and telling him about them is a good idea. What will Vegeta do? What will they? There’s no way we can know.”

            Piccolo was grateful to be able to talk to Goku like this after how worried he’d made him recently. It seems that Goku really has been doing a lot of thinking on this instead of floating through. Finally Piccolo said, “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

            Goku nodded at him, a small smile on his lips and Piccolo disappeared to his sanctuary.

            ---

            Von licked his lips; he could smell Gohan so plainly he wanted to point it out to him, but not while other people were around. The aroma is captivating and thought-provoking and Von couldn’t believe what an idiot he was for not kissing him when he had the chance. It’d been hit or miss since then, every time Von had a free moment, Gohan was gone, and vice versa. He didn’t think he could keep running around in circles with the young man, and he wasn’t about to walk away for a third time.

            Gohan didn’t know where to start when it came to Von and honestly he could just stare into his eyes all day. He knew that Von was daring and was half expecting him to wisp him off somewhere, but he figured now wasn’t exactly a good time for a get-away with the reunion of their people being so recent. He heard Von saying, “Walk with me,” and he fell into stride with the other man, both taking slow deliberate steps. They moved side by side through the people who were playing music, dancing and playing games together. They held their hands behind their backs, fingers locked or one hand held by the other, but their faces were turned toward one another and they never seemed to take their eyes elsewhere if they could help it.

            If someone was backing up without looking or came upon them too fast Von would put out one hand, whether it was on his side or on Gohan’s, and he would block anyone that got mindlessly too close. When he was talking to Gohan no one came up and interrupted them, and Von began to introduce some of the new people in the crowd from a distance and point out who was friends or family with whom.

            Gohan smiled at Von, smitten, the whole time. He was funny, constantly making side-comments and causing others to stutter when they talked to him, only ever with a light heart. He made everyone laugh if he could help it. Gohan still couldn’t believe they were getting a chance to talk only just now, after a whole month, but he couldn’t say he was listening to every word.

            His thoughts were clouded as he watched Von’s lips move in natural yet seductive formation, and though he knew a part of it must be Horunta, a part of him was starting to not even care anymore and just give in. Gohan knew Von wasn’t stupid; he was catching on to Gohan’s decreasing enthusiasm in what he was sharing with him and he could sense his distracted thoughts bending in another direction.

That was okay because Von wasn’t interested in talking much either. He gave up words altogether in the middle of a sentence and kept on next to Gohan, still connecting their gaze. Gohan seemed to get a little bit more nervous now that Von wasn’t trying to distract him but he couldn’t even glance away from the taller, broader, gorgeous man. Von seemed to feel the exact same way, though he managed to catch others from falling into them and deny any to pass between them effortlessly.

            Gohan didn’t need Von’s protection, but there was something about the other man’s willingness that he favored highly. He didn’t want to be in the middle of everything with Von, he wanted to be very alone with him and very private.

Von could sense the changes in Gohan, he didn’t know if it was the subtleties on his face, or the small differences in body language, or if he was just making it up in his own fervent imagination, but for some reason he could tell Gohan wanted to go somewhere with him away from all of this.

Von went to grab Gohan’s hand but stopped short as Gohan ceased to walk forward. There was a shift in the atmosphere again and he saw, out of the corner of his eye, King Goku appearing out of nowhere.

“Von,” Goku smiled at him and his son, who was standing a step behind Von, “Gohan, let’s talk.” He motioned for them to take the lead and Von nodded at him, turning direction to head over to his space ship.

“Dad, what did that guy have to say?” Gohan asked his father as they followed close behind, curious if he’d learned anything and wondering what had gotten him heated during the conversation.

“Well, not much,” Goku smiled at him, “I actually wanted to ask Von a few more questions about this whole thing.”

They came upon a more spacious area, the backside of Von’s ship, and the General turned around and complied, “Yes?”

“How do you know Dunduil?” Goku asked quietly, knowing many of these people were much too distracted to pay attention to this conversation, and also that Dunduil and a few others had gone off hunting to blow some steam not too long ago, so they weren’t in ear-shot.

“All you need to know about Dunduil,” Thelel interrupted as she stormed through, “Is that he’s nobody. He’s just an asshole with a stupid face,” hurt reflected in her eyes though she never looked directly at any of them, throwing her gun into the dirt she kept on going. She’d seemed as though she came by to see Von, not knowing the King was there, but got caught up in the question and knew that though she didn’t need to be there, she also couldn’t help herself.

Von’s face grew grim at her disdain and he waited a moment more before explaining, Goku figured he was choosing his words. He told him, “Dunduil is a much respected Elite Officer, his family was highly regarded. He actually lived on Vegetasai before it was destroyed and has travelled with us since the beginning.”

“Why does he have a problem with you?” Goku considered the past between these people is probably just as intricate as anyone’s, and he wasn’t sure he should be asking about it.

Von was not as quick to answer Goku’s questions as he had been previously. He got around to saying, “He thinks he should have been the one to lead our people.”

“Do you mean, as King?” Goku wondered.

“No,” Von shook his head, “He’s not foolish enough to challenge the Royals. He wishes to have my position over these people,” Von gestured around him at the campsite. “He believes it should have been him that led them to find a new home. He thinks he could have done a much better job than I ever have. Of course, now that we’re all here and Prince Vegeta is not- of which it is very much an interest of ours to meet him- he thinks I’ve failed them all.” Von didn’t show his support ye or ne of that theory, he just stared at Goku and waited for another question.

“Why does he think he should have been the one to lead them?” Goku asked. Von hesitated to answer and Goku wasn’t sure what the pauses were about.

The dashing Saiyan asked, “Why doesn’t he?” He stared calmly into Goku’s eyes, “He’s older, more experienced, he actually lived on Vegetasai during the old Kingdom and served the former King, he’s one of the strongest of our men…”

Goku began to understand why Von had shoved so much information at him the other night. Von needed to give him an overview of the situation and try to establish some background information so that Goku understood them better. His voice lowered in his awareness and he inquired, “Why wasn’t he the one to lead, Von?”

“He almost was,” Von admitted to him. He stepped out a foot into the dirt and from there a weapon sprang from the ground, he caught it expertly. Goku hadn’t even noticed it covered by the sand. “I was a third his age when my father died, and I was told I must lead them on, it was what I had been trained for. It was my duty and my right to lead them since I was closest next to the Royal House. If my father were still alive, he would be the one leading these people and Dunduil never would have had a chance.”

There was a moment when Goku didn’t think he was going to say anything else. Three people came up from behind and bowed to them, passing through, right over the spot where the sword-like item once laid, and carrying on beyond the ship. Von managed to find his voice again, “I was uncertain and at first I refused altogether, halting our mission, though those wiser continued to work in their area of expertise towards our goal of survival and contact with our Prince and his men. For nearly four years I denied my place amongst the people, until one day,” Von’s eyes were as brewing storm clouds, “I decided to step up. A year later we were in full force focus on our Prince.

“During the period of my indecisiveness Dunduil attempted to convince anyone and everyone that he should take over in my stead. He even got me thinking that he was a better choice. Actually, there were many that were convinced of it, but the elders refused to allow it, and in the end it is they who sway the population’s decisions. They held off for as long as possible, just long enough for me to gather my wits and resolve to do what was intended of me.”

“I see now,” Goku nodded at him. Von was so young when all of this happened and this feud has been going on for years.

“Dad,” Gohan spoke quietly and Goku nodded at him, too.

Goku looked over at Von and confessed, “I’m sorry, Von, I don’t know where Vegeta is.”

Von looked like he half-expected that but he didn’t understand. He was dying to ask him how that was even possible, and where he could have gone, and if he was coming back, and if he even knew anything at all but the more he stared into Goku’s eyes, he knew Goku didn’t have any answers. Von made a sharp, short turn away as he thought and none of them said anything for a while.

Goku debated whether or not to out right ask for Von’s help but he didn’t really think he should. It was his fault that Vegeta had left and he should no sooner ask for Von’s assistance than go take care of the situation himself. He went from being stuck in one crisis to another. (Honestly he didn’t know why he was hesitating- didn’t Von explicitly say he was looking for the Prince as that was his mission, and did he not ask Goku to help him with it if he could?)

As Von was zoning out a realization struck him, and his eyes fell back upon his King’s with an unspoken understanding. Goku got a chill from the look he received from Von and waited for the man to say what was on his mind. Von was slow to interact with him as he said, “Vi kapuf gijin.” (You love him.)

            “You know I don’t understand,” Goku’s heart began racing upon hearing those words and he was nervous for their explanation.

            “You don’t think he’s coming back, do you?” Von’s deep voice moved.

Goku knew that wasn’t what he’d said but he couldn’t still his emotions any more than he liked. He didn’t say anything to Von but Von didn’t need him to.

            The taller man frowned, finally allowing himself to be a little upset about his predicament and the way things seemed to be turning out. All these long years and he was off by just a hair.

How long has it been since Vegeta was on planet? Could have only been less than three years ago, he knew. What was he to do now? Search for him? Leave the people to Dunduil while he gallivanted all over the universe looking for traces? Or he could send Dunduil to go after him and hope he has some luck. Or maybe he could ask King Goku to help him, though he already had. Perhaps King Goku would not, for personal reasons, and who is he to ask his King for anything, much less twice?

A swift change in the direction of the air and Goku decided to settle that topic and raise another one. “Gohan,” Goku said to his son, “Go back to Bulma’s, would you, I’d like your help with something.”

Gohan nodded but didn’t want to leave. He glanced in Von’s direction before taking off. It as a good thing Von hadn’t looked until Gohan was in the sky, otherwise the young man might not have flown off at all.

Von couldn’t help but watch him as he exceeded the distance within moments. He turned to fully face his King and asked, again, “Yes?”

“I just have a few questions,” Goku smiled gently at him, uncertain of how exactly to continue.

“About Prince Gohan,” Von interrupted, politely, urging him to continue at his will.

Grateful for his insight into his thoughts, Goku said, “You noticed.”

Von smiled, he could not help it, and said, “Sire, I would be a fool to have not.” His tone became a bit more serious and he told Goku, “I talked to him the first night we met a little bit about Horunta but, there’s only so much I can say.”

“Horunta? That’s what it’s called?” Goku would have never guessed and never known what to call it, and considering the fact that he understood exactly what Von meant, he was excited to hear the information.

Von looked surprised at hearing for a second time someone ask about something was that second-nature to his people. Von briefly bobbed his head up and down at him and explained a little more, “Gohan’s very close, he may wish to keep his distance from us, but he will need someone.”

Goku, again, knew just what he meant by that. He also knew that Von was very interested, though the man didn’t admit it or act as though he might be. He just stood there and waited for another question from Goku or comment or something. Goku wasn’t sure what else to say, it was Gohan’s decision what to do about it, not his. How did his questions go from so many to so few? Finally he said, “When will we know?”

Von shook his head, “We won’t. He will,” he huffed into the air once, as though it was from the heat of the day and went on, “Once he does start to feel it getting to the breaking point he will track down someone, anyone, subconsciously, usually the person closest or easiest to get to. Sometimes someone most often thought about or that he finds himself daydreaming of for whatever reason.”

“What if he’s here when all of this starts happening?” Goku asked lightly.

“I,” Von stumbled, “Your Highness,” he looked off to the ground for a moment or two, “it would be unwise of him to be amongst all of us if at all possible. There would be fights for him and a chain reaction.”

Goku wondered on these things for a moment, “Gohan is very strong, Von.”

Von put his hand up, “I don’t mean to interject but I do mean to inform. The fight would not involve Gohan directly. It would include anyone affected by him fighting for him, not against him. Gohan would put up no fight in this case to the victor.”

That didn’t really make any sense to Goku, he’d pretty much been more or less normal… Well, hadn’t he been saying just the opposite? Actually he could barely recall some of that time, and honestly he knew he was fighting himself moment for moment against relinquishing all control to his inner, shadowed desires. He nearly lost himself in his thoughts, which were consumed with the need for Vegeta’s presence in his life. Besides, Goku couldn’t say he was actually fighting Vegeta.

What Von was saying did make sense the more he thought about it. It hadn’t affected him as greatly as it may affect Gohan and wow, how he’d been affected. Goku began to understand that Vegeta had more personal control because it had not been his first time. Vegeta gave him strange looks sometimes and commented about his transformation taking longer than he expected. He also mentioned he was actually impressed with him and the way he seemed to have a handle on himself, though Goku knew the whole time he’d been slipping (and damn if he hadn’t been carried away in the end by a different force.)

Gohan would be more or less helpless to those whims as they consume him one by one, and more importantly he needed someone he could trust and someone that could fulfill him. That’s why his son had been so interested in Vegeta all this time, his body was willing him towards its goal and he had a solid relationship with Vegeta, he even loved him, for what it’s worth. Maybe he wasn’t in love, but he loved him. Goku felt like he understood now.

“Sire,” Von lodged his thoughts where they were, “It is nothing to worry yourself over,” he smiled gently at him as Goku’s eyes met his.

Goku smiled back at Von, but so much has still been left unsaid.

---

Vegeta found himself sitting alone in his space ship while Fronshir went off to whoknowswhere to get some fuel with nothing to pay for it. Vegeta had opted to stay on the ship and moreover to be left alone and completely separate from these problems, though they were his to begin with. He wasn’t sure how Fronshir planned on handling the situation and he didn’t want to be involved in any case. The less these creatures know the better and the sooner they can leave this place. If only one person goes down there, maybe they’ll be more willing to help, plus Vegeta didn’t think anyone at all would do him any favors.

Really, he wasn’t considering it much, when you put it in comparison with other thoughts. Even a fleeting idea to ask Fronshir of his past seemed to flicker through his mind every so often, but he wasn’t thinking much of that either. He decided he would rather keep himself to himself and leave Fronshir the same and none-the-wiser. The thought occurred to him a few times to question why the other man had been left to sabotage in the first place, bringing about their predicament, but then he reconsidered the story Fronshir told him and figured it could have been something to that tune and decided, over and over again, not to question that event any more than he had anything else.

Maybe he just didn’t want to give himself away so he remained reclusive about the entire ordeal. A part of him, even if just for a split moment, still wonders why he even brought the man on board with him in the first place. Though the longer Fronshir stayed the less and less he became annoyed with him. That didn’t stop Vegeta from ignoring the other man and it didn’t warm him up to do any sort of activity together other than eat every once in a while, and the occasional ESP training.

Vegeta found himself in a lackadaisical state lately and he wondered what had come over him and when it had started and how long it would last. Was he in some type of shock? It didn’t feel like shock, in fact, he wasn’t so inclined to say anything was wrong with him, other than he just didn’t feel like himself. He wasn’t acting like himself, which wasn’t to say he wasn’t thinking like himself or doing his usual thing, but for some reason, there was something shifting within him that he didn’t understand and he didn’t really question, other than an unnoticeable whispering wonderment.

Perhaps he was going through some sort of phase with his past involvement with Kakarot where he’s numbed himself from all emotion for the time being. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? But none of these things were things he spent very much time concentrated on, not in particular. The majority of his thoughts drifted on through his head without much of a second glance at all, never leading anywhere, never solving anything, never coming to the surface, just beneath it, if anything.

Vegeta was tired, yet wide awake at the same time. He asked himself, not for the first time, what he had planned on doing about the fuel in the first place. His thoughts never got around to considering Fronshir and the trouble he may be having. All seemed well that was to be concerned with from his vantage point, which wasn’t facing anything other than the bleak inner walls of his ship.

He could see Goku’s face and his smile like a photograph on a projector which lit up the wall and he wondered why his thoughts could omit some things yet never anything to do with him. Vegeta felt drunk. Maybe he was hallucinating or getting some sort of side effects from landing on this particular planet? He couldn’t say and didn’t care. What did it matter anyways?

“Well, Prince Vegeta,” Fronshir stood behind him. He entered the ship so quietly Vegeta never turned around and even now he refused to grant him any sort of response. Fronshir went on, “All is well I’ll have you know.”

Vegeta didn’t really care one way or the other, whether he has fuel or whether he was stranded. He still felt stranded even with fuel and any of power sources he may posses.

“Well, I’ll start the ship up, then,” Fronshir was smiling, an award winning smile, Vegeta didn’t even have to look to know. The man revved up the engine and took her off as soon as she was able.

Vegeta didn’t care how he’d managed, or what it cost or what Fronshir had done while he was on whatever planet that was. He wanted a clean separation from this man when they finally did reach their destination and Vegeta wasn’t planning on letting it take seven more months. No, more like five, four if he could help it, then he could bring back the silence and maybe then he could think.

Till that time he knew he could manage keeping to himself. It came natural, after all, having kept others at a distance for so long. Fronshir could stand beside him all day but Vegeta would not gift him with his company.
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