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Uncertainty and Pride	By : TristaML Category: Dragon Ball Z > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1864 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or anything of the sort and I make no money from writing this piece of fanfiction

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
Chapter 16
King Vegeta woke up as his pod began to empty of the healing fluid and his heart fluttered as he remembered everything little by little, even up to the last minutes of the battle.
Brolly is dead. So is Bardock. The moon was destroyed by some freak occurrence. Where is Kakarot? What has been happening? How long has it been?
His head rushed with other thoughts and questions which only time could answer. He slowly opened and stepped out of the pod and immediately he turned to see that Kakarot was there beside him, still recovering in his own pod, and that it says he has another day left before he is completely healed. Vegeta’s mind whirred and his heart thudded. He wanted to see him open his eyes, he wanted to talk to him, but even as he wished for those things, he knew that he didn’t know yet what he would say to him even if he was awake.
After assessing that Kakarot would be up and well soon enough he sighed and turned away, and then he remembered that he now has to resume Kingship, and that he can no longer pretend to have anything more important to do. The very idea was strange, though he was feeling oddly at peace, even with the knowledge that half of his men had it in their hearts to kill him.
In his sudden eagerness to carry on, even still, in his father’s footsteps, he hung around for only another few minutes, sorting out some emotions and finding a quenching of certain interests before he decided that it was time to see the others and find out the extent of the damage the drama of Brolly has caused.
It was admittedly difficult for him to leave Kakarot alone, awake or not, still he left, and upon quitting the room, he found that several of his closest guards were standing right outside, Nappa included. They were surprised to see him and smiles came over their lips. They fell to their faces. They had just been inside to check on him an hour earlier, and they didn’t expect him to be so alert so soon.
It was clear they were excited and nervous to face the powerful King. They jumped to their feet at the sound of his voice, which was as stern as ever, with a hint of his usual vanity but no longer laced with any scorn. They revered him now more than ever and they escorted him everywhere he went, and as they walked with him they filled him in on all of the things that have been going on in the castle since their return. Vegeta strode at a leisurely pace as he listened, and he saw, with no small amount of pride, that each and every one of his subjects stopped what they were doing and bowed to him as he passed. It was the strangest feeling. He knew, somehow, that at least some of them now hold him in high regard, and finally esteem him as their proper leader. In this way he carried on for some time as he assessed the damage to the castle and was told everything he wanted to know, and when he was pleased enough with their account of things he called for Jetome and Ivony, knowing they would give him more details than the others.
They seemed to run to him in record time upon his request to see them, which pleased Vegeta very much, and he received them in his dining hall where he ate, and they were served as well and he listened to everything that had to say.
Ivony was holding her composure well, but Vegeta could see the tears forming in her eyes and noticed how she blinked them back when she thought he wasn’t looking. Jetome spoke with the same gallantry as ever, but his tone held a little bit more a quiver today than it ever has. Vegeta wondered, ‘Is their heartbreak because of me? Surely they would not have been so torn up had I died? No, it must be because we all lived that they are so emotional,’ but the truth of the matter was never fully disclosed and Vegeta’s mind wandered.
He soon realized he hadn’t paid hardly any attention to anything they were saying, since he was too busy reading their expressions, until he heard something mentioned which the other guards had not had to gall to speak of. Then was the heaviest information brought out into the open, which were the weighty accusations of certain of his men and women which wished to do away with his line.
Jetome and Ivony did not bother to tell the King that they were on his side, for they believed that if the King had any distrust of them, he would tell them so straight away, and they knew they had done nothing wrong. Still, as uncomfortable as the situation was, they told him everything, when they learned of it, who they’ve spoken to on it, which Saiyan’s they trusted, and what they knew about those that they did not trust.
Rori’s name was brought up, and information was exchanged that Vegeta had only dreamed of knowing before, or only entertained could be the truth. Rori was, indeed, the very circulator and curator of the dastardly plans against him. Vegeta was silent for the most part during their stories and wondered many things he did not voice for his mind was attentive but kept straying elsewhere.
Hard memories came back to him, and his reasons for killing Rori seemed to suffice for so much more, now, and now he could see why the whole of his men were upset with him over it; half of them wished for Rori to be their new King, and the other half knew no wrong-doing in him, and were left completely in the dark on both accounts. Vegeta struggled to focus as he thought of how strange, now, Kakarot’s arrival on the scene was, and, if Rori had used the moon against him, which will be occurring in only a few weeks’ time, how differently things might have turned out. He silently thanked his father for instilling in him a high degree of pride, for it was that very pride that saved him in the end, for what would a King’s judgement be worth if he had entered into a Merger with a cheating, coveting, and ill-tempered lover?
Jetome cleared his throat and added at Vegeta’s constant silence, “We made no final efforts, your Highness, to take care of the opposition to the crown. We are not sure we have pinpointed all of the traitors and we wanted to know what you would have us do with them. Although, I will add that there have been several suggestions documented for your convenience.”
The King only nodded, and he wished to ask them more about other things, but he was too worried about if he ought to speak so soon on them.
Jetome went on to say, “Raditz has been a great help on this, and a great ally to us, my Lord, though he only found out recently of the deception. His character is as everyone says; one of virtue and devotion.”
               Vegeta looked at him queerly, suddenly perking up in great interest, and he asked, “How recently did he learn of the ordeal?”
               Jetome replied, “Well, your Highness, he was the one who went after Rori that morning, not the other way around. He confessed that he only saw his treachery, and did not think any further before acting. You can imagine his confession, heartfelt as it was, as he felt such great turmoil in being the cause of the murder of your one-time lover, regardless of good reason, and the reason, too, being a difficult one to bring up in casual conversation.” The look of shock on the King’s face was clear enough and Jetome knew he ought to continue explaining what he knew, so he said, “He overheard certain details of Rori’s plan, the parts we have since shared with you, and he was… well… very wrought on the matter, and he acted against his better judgement, and admittedly told us that he did not know who to turn to.”
               “I see,” King Vegeta answered but he kept the rest of his thoughts to himself.
Ivony told him on her own accord, “You may not know, also, that Raditz led those who would fight alongside of you on the battlefield against Brolly. He stood up to him, and, if I may say so, he ought to be rewarded but we couldn’t come up with anything suitable for such a loyal subject.”
“Hn,” the King replied, thoughtfully, “I have something in mind,” and at the mention of one brother he brought up the other, as casually as he could, “What of Kakarot?” he asked, and then, feeling silly about even saying anything, he added in awkward nonchalance, “What do you know of his part to play in all of this?”
Ivony, who paused and gave him a peculiar gaze, shot a sly glance at Jetome, before she answered, “We know him not, my Lord, no better than you I’m sure. We figured we’d leave him up to you, as well. He has been a person of interest amongst the men in the castle for some time, but he says little and he tells even less by what he does say.”
Vegeta saw the exchange between his two friends and turned a shade of pink, unnecessarily embarrassed, and he said, “Indeed…” but thoughts of Kakarot were too heavy on his mind to say much else.
Ivony asked him sweetly, “Do you not have feelings for him? Or should I say, have you not judged him for yourself already, my Lord?”
Jetome added, knowing she could be punished for saying such a thing, and also knowing that Vegeta is less likely to respond negatively if both of them are of the same opinion on the matter, “I daresay he likes you, my Lord.” The King looked away, but Jetome went on insistently, “If I could have your permission to speak freely…?”
Vegeta held a great sense of respect for Jetome and, because he wished for nothing else, he nodded at him to say what he will, but soon grew nervous as he listened.
Jetome said, “From what I could see of your last battle with him, after Brolly was destroyed, Kakarot was most unwilling to challenge you. He does not wish for dominion over you in any way and… circumstances being what they are, surely he could have battled you, and certainly he is a worthy adversary, but, and this is only my opinion, I do not believe that he wishes to be in enmity with you. And, if I am to be perfectly blunt, I do not believe that there is any other man of more power or stronger will which would do better for you, and I should like to think that you favor him as clearly as I have noticed that he favors you.”
Ivony smiled at Jetome and threw her hand out to grab onto her King’s as she said, in a moment of boldness and certainty, “Would that I could hear those words spoken by you! Would that you could tell us there is something going on between you two!”
Surprised by their forwardness and sidelined by his trembling heart, Vegeta answered wistfully, “To say that would only be a small part of admittance to what my feelings are towards him.”
Ivony burst into tears and clutched Vegeta’s hands tight. She sobbed, “It’s a dream come true! He is a choice surely your father would praise! Bardock’s son! And both of you are Super Saiyans- Golden Warriors!”
Jetome smiled and thought of many things to say, but at the embarrassment on Vegeta’s face he changed the subject, “Bardock is another issue I could not find a suitable conclusion for. What could possibly be done to honor him? I feel I should tell you, my Lord; Raditz has not been himself…”
Vegeta’s face was warm with a heated blush as Ivony wept, but she began to calm down and pull away. Vegeta couldn’t help but realize that nothing is final, yet, nothing is finished. So what that he admitted his feelings for Kakarot, they still have much to sort out. The brothers have only just lost their father. Brolly has only just been destroyed. Everything has changed.
Vegeta realized that he didn’t want to think about the topic which had been brought up. It hurt him to know that Raditz and Kakarot were in such pain, and even more so to think that he might have been able to stop it.
He finally said, “This has been quite enough. I think that I will leave our discussion on that note for a while and not be too hasty about all of my decisions. Some things must change around here, starting with me. I am aware of that. I can guarantee you both that your sentiments have not fallen on deaf ears. I will no longer be too consumed to run the castle, or too removed to ignore making decisions. There is much to do and there will be much more to plan and look forward to in the future. My mental block has lifted. The dark hand that tried to play mine is no more and I no longer fear my own ability to make the wisest choice. I appreciate you both, and I ask for your secrecy on the topics of our delicate discussion. If you will both continue to help as you already are I will appreciate you all the more, and reward you as well, of course. But for now I must put first things first. I will go see Raditz soon, but for now I have some tasks for you. Where is Banin, for that matter? And there’s another man I wish to be brought to the castle immediately, though I do not know where to find him, so I will need your help.”

Banin was summoned by the King later on that day, and he was more uneasy by the moment as he followed orders to see him in one of his personal conference rooms, where he now waits for his arrival. What could the King possibly want with him? He shed tears on the battlefield and did nothing worthy of ay praise, so the discussion which will follow their meeting cannot be assumed to be one of praise. What could the meaning of it possibly be?
Of course, Banin wasn’t stupid, he knew that the conversation of his Merger with Raditz has yet to be properly deliberated and that, among other things, he has been more knowledgeable than others about the crumbling structure within the castle…
As a whole, he doubted that any good would come from a tête-à-tête with his King at this point, then again, he only knows so much about him.
His heart, however, was with Raditz more than anything else at the moment, for he’s known him some time, but has never seen him behave so despondently.
“His Majestly, King Vegeta,” A burly voice spoke, and it was Nappa, as he was opening the door to the spacious room and announcing the King’s entrance.
Banin bowed, taken aback by the suddenness and sharp timing of the King’s arrival and the swiftness of his step. The keenness in his eyes, however, has always been there, but seldom have they been so piercingly upon him.
“That will be all, Nappa, thank you,” King Vegeta spoke, taking his seat, quickly, and he commanded, “Sit down, Banin.”
               Banin did as he was told but he did not reply, because he has not yet been asked a question.
               Vegeta studied his face for just a few moments before saying, “I have no doubt that you are unsure why I might wish to see you, of all Saiyans, on such short notice, so let us put an end to the mystery. You were at Bardock’s house the night before Brolly’s arrival, were you not?”
               Banin’s face brightened in his surprise and he answered, “Indeed, I was, your Highness.”
               “Yes,” Vegeta nodded, “Tell me, was there anyone else staying the night, anyone other than the three men of the Son family?”
               Still in a state of shock, Banin replied, “Yes, their good friend Tora was there. He stayed the whole night with us…”
               Vegeta thought he saw some sort of reminiscence go through Banin’s eyes, and he could not fathom what he may be thinking. He cleared his throat to get back Banin’s undivided attention and said, “Tell me, do you know where he might be right now?”
               Banin squirmed a little in his seat before answering, “I left him in Bardock’s house and I have not seen him since. I was not looking for him on the battlefield, but I have no doubt he was there.”
               Vegeta suddenly realized that Banin was more than just nervous to speak with him on such matters, and he quickly gauged that he thought he was in some sort of trouble. The idea made him smile, and an even queerer gaze crossed through Banin’s features as he noticed the gesture, and he wondered what was going on. The King chuckled, “Enough, I see I’ve frightened you. Well, I have more questions for you still, as long as you’ll loosen up a bit. I’m tense enough for the both of us, you see, and seeing your discomfort is making me testy.”
               “Your Highness! I’m sorry!” Banin blurted out, embarrassed, and he explained himself, “Please do not think of me as unpleasant company- I will tell you anything you’d like to know- I hope that any information I can give you will be useful!”
               At that Vegeta smirked, and then asked him, “Really? Is that so? Well then, tell me about Bardock’s house? And about what happened early that morning?”
               Their conversation went on for some time. Vegeta wanted to know every detail of the night before, of the men involved, the conversation that had been carried on, and the process each man went through for their part, but even for as much as Banin knew- which was trifle- Vegeta heard enough to go on and could gather the rest for himself.
               He listened intently to everything Banin had to say, which turned into vast concerns about Raditz and sentimental opinions over Bardock as well, though he’d only known him so briefly. Vegeta saw the holes in his story, and he realized that they were due mainly to his feelings for Raditz, which caused him to see and think and hear of nothing else.
               Vegeta urged Banin to speak so gently after a while that soon Banin began telling him of all of his fears and his knowledge, even things of Rori’s treachery from times before the late King had died and people believed the Prince to be in love. Vegeta enjoyed their chat and learned that Banin is still the same clever man he’s always known him to be, and he took his opinion higher than he let on. Banin is a very well respected Saiyan amongst the courts, which is why so many of them were angered by his involvement with Raditz, a second class, but Vegeta understood Banin perfectly now. He saw in him the humility of life, and the good graces to know right from wrong and when and how to follow his own instincts.
               Vegeta’s heart began to bend towards Kakarot as Banin’s was imposed on the pitiful state of Raditz, and he thought of the unsettled business between them and the undisclosed desires stirring with him. Vegeta checked himself back into reality before Banin noticed he wasn’t paying attention, and from there, after the King got all the information he desired, he thanked Banin for his time, and promised they would speak again, after he’s gone to see Raditz.
               Banin’s face shined at that and he answered, “It would be his wish to see you, my Lord, as soon as you are willing.”
               The King only nodded and with that Banin left, and briefly wondered why he’d just poured his heart out to the King, and why the King even bothered to listen.

Raditz awoke to the strange sensation that he was being watched and he jumped up in the bed, startled when he saw that he was and who it was.
The King sat in a corner, drinking a cup of coffee, barely to be seen or noticed in the dimly lit room. It was impossible to tell the hour, or if it was day or night, because the glow of the window came out in red rays at almost all spans of time, and even the very steam from his King’s coffee couldn’t be any more foretelling, for surely the King deserves a little pick me up, and Raditz did not doubt that there was some booze in that cup, for he could smell it. Nevertheless, he squint his eyes in lingering monotony as the hot mist could be seen coming up and whishing around the King’s calm breathing.
“Do not be alarmed by me, Raditz,” Vegeta said in a soothing voice.
Raditz shifted in his bed, sweat dripping down his chest. His dreams were nightmarish, and he hardly felt rested. He wondered where Banin was at the moment, but figured it didn’t matter.
“Sire,” he whispered, and then swallowed hard, his voice at this moment was not quite as strong as his normal tone, and his throat was coarse from crying. He thanked his luck that the light was dim enough in the room so that the King couldn’t see the lines of tears which stuck to his face or the puffiness of his eyes. “It’s good to see you are better,” Raditz sighed gently, trying his best to be cheerful, but his nose was stuffy and his whole body ached. How long has he been sleeping off and on like this now? Why wasn’t he there when the King first awoke?
Vegeta took another sip from his mug and only nodded at that comment, but he said, “I wanted to speak with you but I had heard you were not well...”
Raditz hung his head as emotions surged through him, and he wondered when they would lose their edge and tried his best to keep his composure, but he could not will himself to speak, for he feared the failing of his own voice and he trembled in the bed.
Vegeta knew Raditz’s disposition better than he could possibly say, so he spoke on what he thought might help, if anything, and opened up to his longtime friend, admitting, “There’s something I must tell you...” At that Raditz lifted his eyes to the King, but remained silent, and Vegeta explained, “You may have been in tune to the circumstances surrounding your father and mine, about their being involved…”at that Raditz nodded, and began to speak but Vegeta silenced him and explained, “It was, at one point in time, a secret well hidden from almost everyone. I found out the certainty of it as a young man, but I never said anything before because I never sought to expose either man, nor did I see anything evil in the relationship for Bardock, in my father’s opinion, was to be held in the highest of regard.”
Raditz burst into tears as he heard the King tell him of something he’d only ever wondered himself. He’d heard how Tora would tease his father over the King, but he never believed any of it! How could he never have accepted that it was true! He never thought for a moment that his father was actually in love with the late king! How terrible are these days! How did his father bear such a burden in silence for so long? How wrong of him to hate with such justification while his King now attempts to sooth his heart?
Suddenly Vegeta had an epiphany, and although he still detested the very fact that both men are gone, he knows he has to accept it. He spoke aloud to himself, and therefore to Raditz, saying; “Don’t you see? When one left, the other had to follow.”
For the first time in his life Vegeta saw the irony of existence, and felt the sudden warmth of its afterglow in his soul. He could perceive how the universe does make sense and how it isn’t fair all at the same time. Vegeta felt a sudden peace coming over him, although his heart could not be fully cured of its ache, still he said, “Now that they are gone I am forced to reevaluate my relationships with those who remain at their urging, something I had once sworn there was no need of doing. We, as people, are forced to move on, and I wish to start now, by being more open with you. Frankly, Raditz, Bardock will be so sorely missed, that I…” Vegeta stood up and went to the bed. He put a hand out onto Raditz’s leg and squeezing gently he said, “A man’s time must come- a warrior’s death- is honorable and just-” he tried, but he couldn’t say exactly what he meant.
Raditz cried quietly as he tried to gain composure, and even though it was hard, he poured his heart out all the same, “I’m so sorry, King Vegeta! I never meant you any ill-will. Just your being here means the world to me! My father said a lot of things to me over the years, things that I would deny in my stubborn youth, but I see his wisdom now. He told me once that I should never be ashamed of my affinity towards you, and that because of our past together, you and I share an understanding… and I feel we truly do and that there are no words to articulate our relationship best, for I am a friend of yours, and I even consider you as family. I hope you can forgive me for lashing out the way that I did.
“You see, you were right all along, you kept me out of the thick of it for my own good, and whether I wished to be of service to you would not change the power of those services, or the effects of them. I have been so privileged, especially by you, and I’m happy overall… My father would want for me to be. I know that much. He would want the same for Kakarot, and for you, surely you must know that.” He shook his head and wiped his tears as Vegeta only listened. Then he said, much to Vegeta’s surprise, “He always spoke of his death to me, alerting me to the inevitability, though I had no vision of it, and no wish to entertain the thought before. Still, because of his gentle ways and subtle hints, I am not totally sidelined by it. I am the eldest child. I will be strong for Kakarot and when Saiyans bring up my father’s name my chest will swell in pride and honor and not indignation at the loss of his presence, for such a state of mind would be selfish and destructive. Never did I think I was grown until now. It just hurts, but he always used to say that ‘Wounds heal if you let them,’” and with that he laughed, and then added, “For so long I imaged myself to understand your pain, and for that long, I was so far from it. You bore it all so well. Surely you are the strongest amongst us. Surely you must know that your reign is not by mistake.”
Vegeta smiled at him, tempted by his speech and grabbed a hold of his hand. He said to him, “I know, also, that you would fight to keep me in my seat. I have been told of your efforts against Rori, and I am pleased enough. However, I should hope to avoid any future disasters by us sharing something more of an intimate council of events from now on.”
Raditz laughed, but he couldn’t think of anything to say, so he bowed his head, and finished drying his tears.
Vegeta let him go, got off of the bed, and turned back to his coffee, which is now cold. He didn’t care; he brought it to his lips to try it anyway. No amount of liquor was going to fix his stomach as it churned into impossible knots.
Raditz asked his King, “Is there something else on your mind, my Lord?”
“Yes,” Vegeta sucked in a breath before he dared to ask, “Are you not wondering how your brother is fairing?”
Raditz said, feeling a little more lively and moving a little in the bed as he prepared to get up, “Kakarot,” Raditz smiled, “I have to tell you something else, while we’re airing out our laundry. It’s about Kakarot, he’s…he’s had certain feeling for you for what seems like forever, since he was sixteen, I think. It’s my understanding that he avoided you for so long for that very reason, though he never said those words to me exactly, or confessed his feelings in any way. It’s the only thing that makes sense of his actions. I even tried to keep him from you at one point in time.”
Vegeta turned fully towards him, surprised and amused. He asked, “Why didn’t you tell me before? Did you not think I would consider him?”
“Well,” Raditz replied honestly, surprised by the question and its implication, “He’s a third class, so no, and besides, he’s my little brother, I have some inclination to protect him from getting his heart broken.”
“Hn,” Vegeta smirked in reply, and after considering his words he said, “Were you not afraid, then, of him telling me so? Did you think I would use his proclamation against him for my own pleasure, and then send him home in broken pieces without remorse because I have no heart, as the men of the castle say?”
Raditz said “No!” immediately to such a statement. “I will admit, part of me was amused by the idea of him pining after you, yes, and the idea of you turning him down stuck me as what was most logical, but I didn’t think anything more of it, really, and any thought that I had beyond that was simply a brotherly consideration of Kakarot’s best interests. He is, after all, a third-class and you are King. I’m a second-class about to enter a Merger with an elite and Saiyans everywhere are freaking out.”
Vegeta smirked and chuckled to himself, and he asked, “Why are you bringing this up, since you believe yourself so educated on the matter?”
“Well,” Raditz sat on the edge of the bed and answered thoughtfully, “I suppose a part of me is wondering if you do return his feelings, and the other part of me is concerned about what you will do with him if you don’t. Not that you would hurt him on purpose, my Lord, but it would hurt him. Besides, you can’t pretend to be wholly ignorant of what I’m suggesting. I saw the two of you the other night… you seemed to have a partiality to him then.”
Vegeta turned to hide his smile, but for some reason he did not blush. He thought about the question for a moment and then finally he said, “You know me, Raditz, I am not a sentimental man. There was even a time when I thought that I wasn’t… the kind of man who loves at all.”
Raditz figured then that he was right, and that the King was going to deny any true fondness for his little brother, and he listened closely to what he was sure would be the cause of Kakarot’s broken heart.
Vegeta went on to say, “When I met Kakarot I was angry with him, through faults of both yours and his misrepresentations. I had, however, no intention of beating him up or caring for him in any particular manner. I simply had the urge to meet him, for both of the reasons which brought about my previously mentioned contempt. Since I have met him… I have learned much about myself, so much that I cannot go back on. I have learned much about life, so much that I can no longer tread on in the same way as before.” Vegeta sighed and explained, opening up his heart to Raditz, “I cannot go on without having him in my life. I must confess to you that I do love him, for he has shown me a side of myself I never knew existed, and had it not been for the events which unfolded, I would certainly have taken much longer to accept my desires, but there is no denying my feelings for him and no point in fighting it, as Bardock once told me.”
Raditz was all in awe to hear those words, but after a moment passed he jumped out of bed and ran to the King, gripping him in a bear hug and squeezing so tightly, the King swatted Raditz off of him with the swoop of his tail. “I’m sorry, your Highness! I shouldn’t have done that! But I just couldn’t be happier for you! Would that the late King was here to hear you say that!”
“Enough!” Vegeta pushed him away, embarrassed by himself.
“You haven’t told him yet,” Raditz presumed, and he sat back down on the bed, feeling exhausted again. He smiled lazily, and the turn of his cheeks felt foreign to him for he’s been crying so long, but he welcomed it, as he said, “This doesn’t have anything to do with his power, now does it?”
Vegeta smirked and replied, “Of course it does, but that’s not all there is to it, and that’s not all there is to him. You were always speaking so fondly of him, you know. You’re a big part of the reason I wanted to meet him so badly, you and the way you smiled whenever you brought him up and how interesting a man he seemed, even from afar. There’s something about your family, I think, something in the bloodline that I believe ought to be mingled with mine.”
Raditz began to cry again, both in joy and sorrow, and Vegeta sat with him for some time, giving him the security of company, even though there was nothing he could say to stop the tears. Raditz began to lay out every confession he had to the King; his knowledge of the traitors, his battle with Rori, his conversation with Ivony, and it was clear he felt terrible for not mentioning it sooner, and just as he begged the King that he would never again keep him in the dark on serious matters, he promised tighter communication.
Vegeta smirked and told him that he approved of the upgrade and that, as he promised before, he intended to keep Raditz more in the loop from now on.
After a few more minutes went by with Raditz calming down now, a man reported to the room. When he entered, tall and strong, he turned at the sight of Vegeta and bowed to the King, whom he’d never met before, but the King was sure who he was, even as Raditz jumped off of the bed, hollering, “Tora!” Raditz was shocked to see him and overwhelmed by the comfort just his face brought him and he pulled him in for hug which made Tora want to cry, though he tried his best to stay strong in front of his friend and the King.
Vegeta had sent the invitation for him, but this was the first time ever meeting him, and the intelligence and grace he saw within Tora were unmatched by even some of his elites. Vegeta regarded him highly, as he knew that this is a man that Bardock revered, and he is the only other man who knew of Bardock’s powers. He is certainly a man he’s heard much about over the years; and who has been spoken of very fondly by Raditz. Vegeta saw the genuine nature of their relationship just by the subtle passing of a few gentle moments. Emotion could be found in Tora’s eyes and Vegeta now recognized what emotion they held, and felt comforted that Tora came for the good intention of taking care of Raditz and Kakarot. Vegeta nodded at the Saiyan, who nodded back in the utmost respect, and assured Vegeta through that simple gesture, that he would relay everything he ought to, while reassuring the King that his Commander is in good hands.
In truth, Tora was surprised when he got the invitation, caught up in his own sorrow over Bardock’s death and confusion over the impact of their fight with Brolly. Of course, he had been in the battle, but he was swatted away early on, and fell between some rocks. When he stirred, he sensed the blutz waves of the artificial moon, though because he could not see it, he had not transformed. He did see, though, through the cracks of the rocks, that the King and Kakarot were going at it, and that the King was out of his mind. That’s when he let out a blast which destroyed the moon with what power he had left, before blacking out and waking up hours later, still hidden between fallen debris.
After going back to Bardock’s house to recuperate, he spent his time moping about, weeping, and fighting off his anger. He was surprised when several guards stopped by calling for him. After reading the very private, knowledgeable, and convincing letter from the King detailing his request and his reasoning’s, he couldn’t refuse the invitation to stay at the castle and take care of the sons of Bardock during their time of grievance. He wouldn’t have had it any other way. It is during this delicate time that he was supposed to break to Raditz all of the details of his knowledge of Bardock and his ways, and gently explain to him why he was left so out of the loop, while helping him plan his mergament, which the King decided would take place on the night of the full moon which Rori had initially hoped to use against him.
The two men stayed together, while food was sent to Raditz’s room, and they spoke for hours on end, sorting everything out. Never before did Raditz feel so touched and alive.

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Thank you so much Ct Sama! I really appreciate that :D
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Uncertainty and Pride