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All of My Hate	By : TristaML Category: Dragon Ball Z > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 7494 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or any of it's characters and I do not make any money from writing this piece of fan fiction.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
::: Indecisive :::
I… I can’t gather any of my energy. I’m so weak… Wait, I’m seeing… a vision! There are too many. It doesn’t make any sense. Is that me and Vegeta?! We look so… different, but the same. What could this mean?
There’s Renjiamori and Gohan…?
Wait. Why do these images come and go so quickly? There’s Vegeta, my Vegeta. He looks so tired, but at peace. Why is he looking at me like that? Like he’s never seen me before?
Jeremel… Jeremel…He’s… Oh, why do those visions take so much out of me…?
Goku began to come to, and his head throbbed, and then he realized all of what has happened, that he was in grave danger, along with his son and Vegeta. He has been captured and ki cuffed, and Jeremel was laughing to himself as they floated above his mansion, watching the scene below.
“Let me go!” Goku screamed and struggled in his hold against his chest, but to Jeremel, it was like a kicking ten year old. Goku watched in horror as Vegeta roared and stampeded, crushing anything in his wake and taking down much of the house in his anger. Goku feared for Gohan’s life, but the boy seemed to be hiding, if not out cold somewhere in the danger zone. In all honesty, Goku didn’t know how Gohan hasn’t already transformed and he began to wonder why he hasn’t either, but he figured it must be because of the ki-cuffs.
Jeremel breathed into his neck, and Goku could sense his excitement as he asked him darkly, “Are you ready to leave this mess behind and die on the planet that you claimed as home, just like my ancestors died without regard or warning?”
“Mine did too, Jeremel, or did you forget?” Goku still struggled to get free, and his voice came out in between jerks, “You want to become the next Frieza, huh? What happened to all the good you’ve done for so many?”
“Hm,” Jeremel replied, his thoughts consumed by the past and enthralled by the present. He said, “It doesn’t suit me. It was simply a means to an end. Renjiamori is Prince to that throne anyway, I could never have what he had, and what he had never amounted to much, he was still an empty shell of a man; a man with no purpose, no people, and no true goals.”
Goku stopped his fighting for a moment, out of exhaustion and intense consideration to the situation. He said, “Jeremel, just because your plan didn’t work out doesn’t mean that all of these people have to die, too! They did nothing to you!”
“No, they didn’t, I know,” Jeremel answered, his eyes watching Vegeta with a grim fire, and he explained, “Just like my people did NOTHING to King Vegeta! It should have been ME who died, not THEM!” He shook Goku in his hold and began to speak with ugly notes, “Don’t you see! I put Renjiamori out of his misery. He was fighting a losing battle all of his life, and he couldn’t even have Vegeta in the end. Now, Vegeta will not be able to have you the way I lost the ones that I loved.”
“It doesn’t have to be an eye for an eye, Jeremel!” Goku cried, “You can find peace in other ways! Vegeta has! Vegeta used to be just like you! He wanted everyone to fear him and feel his pain! He wished for nothing more than destruction and chaos! But he’s changed now, Jeremel! You can, too!”
In his eyes there was consideration, but he replied angrily, dismissing any sense Goku might have made, and he growled, “I don’t want to change! I’ve seen that side- I’ve done it- and it does nothing to satisfy me! You could never understand! That’s why he loves you- don’t you get it!” He referred to Vegeta, and as he spoke his power was fluctuating at a high point, threatening to consume them all and burning Goku just from touching him. In Jeremel’s blurred vision he threatened, “I think I changed my mind! I could crush you now and I think I will! Never mind heading back to Earth, I’ll make him watch me kill you here, and I already know what will happen… He won’t even try to stop my plans from here on out! He’ll wish he’d been the one who died, and I will spare him, and let him live with his torment for the rest of his long life, until at last he’s the only one alive who’ll miss you.”
Goku couldn’t deny the feeling of dread and panic threatening to overtake him. He didn’t know how to plead with Jeremel, and defeat, at this point, seemed promised.
Vegeta, who had been struggling to regain control, was moved by Jeremel’s words, and he heard the whole thing with his large ears of strong hearing and a burning began to char the blackened heart in his chest. Inside of him something snapped. His voice bellowed up toward the sky as he laughed in hysteria. As he called out to Jeremel in words Goku thought he’d never hear from him again, Jeremel paused to listen, “I see you now, Jeremel. Yes,” he chuckled, “I see that you are a mighty warrior, from two great and powerful races!”
Goku’s heart raced as he began to fear. Jeremel wondered at the marvel Vegeta is. With the influence of so many moons he should have never been able to gain any type of consciousness, in fact, he rather hoped he’d destroy himself along with the planet while he was gone, but he was speaking, and he was fully aware, Jeremel was impressed and made it a point to hear him out.
Vegeta bellowed, “Perhaps you had the right idea all along!”
No, Vegeta, please, Goku’s heart begged.
Vegeta didn’t heed his cries, in fact, he didn’t even hear them. Under the influence of the moons, there was too much power within him, and he was struck with a notion that couldn’t be ignored. The forces within him waged and they wished for war, and he knew of only one way he could have it. Vegeta cried, “How would you feel about joining with me?! Alone, you’re something yes, but together- together like it should have been with my father; we alone can create and mold this universe into our own, with no holding back!”
Gohan began to rouse as Vegeta’s speech echoed through the shaking lands. The world was being crushed under so much unleashed power coming from both Jeremel and Vegeta. The very ground was shaking. Gohan began to fear the worst as he heard their conversation unfold.
Jeremel retorted, interested in his offer, “What makes you different, Vegeta?! Why join me?!”
Vegeta was laughing still and Goku couldn’t believe the words he’d just spoken, and the ones that continued to come from his mouth as Vegeta added, “I am not my father. Besides!” He hollered in amusement, “I could give up the simple life… for a life like this! Ha!”
Goku’s heart wrenched and he went limp in Jeremel’s hold, unable to speak, unable and unwilling to comprehend what Vegeta was suggesting.
Still, Vegeta was saying, “I know about purging, you do not. I know about pirating. You do not. We could force them into contesting us! None will prevail! What do you say, Jeremel?! We can take this back to the Earth, if you wish, and I will deal the final blow.”
“NO!” Goku cried, drained and heartbroken.
Jeremel considered his words, and he liked them very much, but Vegeta would have to prove himself, and there was only one way to do that. He said, “Fine! A fine proposition! Shall we take our baggage there, then, and be rid of it once and for all?”
“Vegeta!” Gohan revealed himself, and as Vegeta turned his large head to him, he seemed to only regard him as the pestering ant Jeremel referred to him as, and whatever Gohan might have said left his voice and he looked on at the Prince in dismay.
“Gohan!” Goku whimpered in Jeremel’s grasp, there was some hope that Gohan could help. His son in alive and well but Goku is unable to fight and unable to stop any of this from happening. His willpower grew weaker as he fought to regain some degree of confidence.
Jeremel laughed, “You’re still here, I see! Why haven’t you transformed?! No matter.” Within a moment, Jeremel was there, and he put a hand on Gohan and said, “I’ll take you to Earth myself, if you wish.”
Gohan gulped, allowing himself to be grabbed as he was staring at his father in those cuffs. How could this have happened? This is his fault.
Vegeta stomped over to them and stared Jeremel down. He engaged him, “Are you ready?”
Jeremel put a hand on his furry foot as Goku rested against him, and said, “Never has there been a time riper than this,” and they were off and on the Earth within mere moments.
::: Forgetmenots :::
Goku’s vision was almost surreal. They were back on Earth, the sun is shining in the crystalline skies, but here he is, still ki-cuffed, and Jeremel was holding onto his arm tightly now. He had shoved Gohan, and the young man had taken a few stumbling steps away to keep from falling and was now standing in front of them wearily, and Vegeta, who was quickly turning back into his normal Saiyan-sized self, was standing on the other side of Jeremel, intent on destroying the Earth.
How could this have gone so wrong?
Vegeta took a few steps forward and kicked the shit out of Gohan, sending him flying before bumping along the ground, and he yelled, “Go, boy! Didn’t you say you had something to do! You’ve lost your place in this fight! You better hurry, though- your time is running out! I hope ‘whatever it is’ was important!”
Jeremel hummed in approval and crossed him arms. Gohan stood up shakily and wondered if Vegeta was serious. He looked it- he sounded it- his eyes were every bit as intimidating at this moment as they were when he first battled him at the tender age of six and his voice snapped in the same harsh bitterness. Is this truly what Vegeta’s life has led up to? His demons- are they verily inescapable? Is there no hope of healing for the forlorn? Gohan could linger no longer, and he left quickly.
Before Jeremel could intervene, Vegeta turned his fists to Kakarot and pummeled him, sending him into the ground a few yards away. In Jeremel’s pleased surprise, he allowed their fight to continue. Kakarot couldn’t fight him back, after all- Vegeta must have truly cracked. He watched as the Prince roared into Super Saiyan mode, and lunged towards the helpless man, who rather seemed to have gone lifeless, there was little spark in his eyes, if any, and he seemed uninterested in even attempting to defend himself, probably because he couldn’t.
Vegeta’s eyes held fire and ice in them, scalding and temperamental, yet emotionless and still. He jerked Goku up by the collar of his shirt, assessing him as weak and a nonthreat, before letting him drop to his knees in front of him, sneering in his disgust.
In that moment, Goku felt a shift inside of himself, and he felt hopeless and lost, and right there, with tears in his eyes, he looked up at Vegeta from his bent and scraped knees, bearing himself as one who is defeated and as he spoke, the tears rolled down his cheeks, and he said softly, “I’m so sorry, Vegeta. I failed you.”
Vegeta reached down a hand with swift unseen movements, and a loud crack was heard, and Jeremel, who could only see Vegeta’s back and Goku’s legs, thought that it must have been Goku’s neck and was more than content; he was impressed.
Then, as something thudded, and hit the ground, Jeremel wondered at what was going on since Goku’s body was still upright. It was the neck-ring. Vegeta destroyed the ki-cuffs on Kakarot’s wrists, as well, and he bent down and whispered to him, “You don’t need these. You can make your own, remember?”
In the instantaneous, simple, tick of that second of their existence there was so much going on, so much to say, so much to feel, so much to think about, yet so much to do, and so much understood, and so much to right, that as Goku stood up off of the ground and Jeremel’s eyes widened in horror, the thought that he would soon die wasn’t even completely thought out in his mind before he found himself in his own personal set of ki-cuffs, much different from the ones that he had placed Goku under.
He knew, now, beyond a doubt, that he had lost. This battle is over. Vegeta outsmarted him, and Goku would finish him off.
He was sent soaring through the air, until he hit a massive wall. He was being pressed against and locked onto the side of a mountain with ease and at the Saiyan’s approach, Goku lifted up a hand, ready for execution, but inside, as always, he was torn between right and wrong.
He heard Bardock’s voice, loud and clear, as he said to him at that moment, Do not spare his life. Do not waste your words. You gave him a chance at reconciliation. You must learn to accept that not everyone has Vegeta’s intelligence and discretion, and not everyone will do good things in the universe with a second chance. If he truly wishes to be the next Frieza, he will surely come back the same way that Frieza did. You risk the lives of other’s by sparing his. Do what you must and do not remorse in it. This is a fight meant to have an end.
Time stopped for the three of them as Goku, hand in place, ready to strike, hesitated. Finally Goku answered, “I cannot end your life, Jeremel. It’s not in me.” He couldn’t explain it. It just isn’t who he is. He was still unable to deal the final blow.
“But I can,” A stern and calculating, yet young voice said from behind them, and both Goku and Vegeta turned to see Gohan approaching.
“What will you do?!” Jeremel cried out, “We made a deal!”
“Yes, but our plan has been compromised, and I’m not in the habit of letting go of loose ties- No- I burn them off.”
Goku was stiff upon listening to Gohan’s speech and he knew his son, now, to be crueler than himself. Gohan went on to say in resolve, “There is no bridge to cross over, by the way, when you get to the other side. There is no atonement. There is no relief. You will suffer, deservedly so. You do not honor yourself, much less those you fought for. There is a reason our kind is extinct, and those left behind do not deserve to live their lives in pity and defeat because of the monster that life and death have created out of you.” No sooner than he finished his speech he stabbed his hand through Jeremel’s chest and then withdrew his arm with a terrible jolt, twisting around his insides, and in true Vegeta-fashion, he swiped his head clean off his shoulders just for good measure.
The three stood in silence at the gore for some time, before Gohan turned to Vegeta and said in finality, “I can no longer pretend to be as good as my father, as cunning as you, or as wise as Piccolo. You have proven to me today that no amount of learning your ways will make me as clever and,” he looked at Goku, “no amount of following in your footsteps, father, is going to make me as kind and forgiving. But,” he said, taking in a deep breath, “I have learned so much… So much about life and about myself that any amount of restlessness I once knew will be quelled for quite some time, I am sure of that much.”
“Gohan,” Goku said, quietly, but he knew not where to begin.
“I am going to gather the dragonballs and wish everyone back to life that Jeremel has killed from this fight. Then I am going to reflect some more on what I’ve done. I promise I’ll seek out both of you when I am ready, but right now, I have a lot to think about.”
As he turned to leave Vegeta growled at him and said, “You will stay and hear out whatever we have to say to you, now, and perhaps, then, you will spend more time thinking about consequences before you make decisions.”
“Vegeta,” Goku said, suddenly heavy-lidded and drained, “Let him go. I know how much he wanted this, the happy ending, the one we just fought for, and almost died for.” Goku turned to his son, who looked bewilderedly back at him, noticing the streaks of dried tears on his face, and he listened as he said, “I’m not angry with you. What you did was brave, and,” he added, reflecting on what Bardock said to him, “and very Saiyan of you- Very Vegeta of you, actually.”
Gohan’s heart was as joyous as it could be. His father once again surpassed his expectations and is more understanding than he could ever imagine.
The truth is that Goku knew Gohan’s thoughts. Goku had read Gohan’s mind and he saw, in his mind’s eye, the many situations where Vegeta saved his life, and specifically, the time Vegeta killed Guldo, point-blank, riding them of an enemy, someone to never cause them strife again. Goku began to understand that Gohan has his own mentors, and that he must answer for his own choices, and he realized for the first time that he is a father, after all.
Goku explained, finally showing honesty and emotion to his son, “It’s okay to wonder about who you are. I wonder about that, too.”
“I know, Dad, I heard his voice in my head, too, your father, my grandfather, Bardock. He told me the same thing he told you. I had to make a choice.”
Goku nodded at him and then he turned to Vegeta, though he still spoke to Gohan, and he reached for Vegeta’s hand. As he held it in his fingers gingerly, he explained, “All those years ago when you asked me about me and Vegeta… I had already realized what you were saying, I just didn’t want to admit it. I never really knew there was a point before I met Vegeta, son. I never understood what it was all for until that day on Namek, up against Frieza, when everything was explained to me from another perspective. It all made sense, somehow,” His expression changed and he spoke to Vegeta and said, “You were meant to find me and I was meant to save you, to save you from what Frieza tried to convince you was yourself, so that we could be better, and better one another. Without you, Vegeta, none of this would be possible.”
Gohan smiled and left without delay.
Vegeta avoided eye contact and tore away from Goku’s hold. Where once upon a time, Goku would have felt a cold-distancing between them, now he understood that there was no separating them, and he listened as Vegeta explained what he didn’t need him to anymore. He said, “Jeremel was right… about what I would have done had you actually been killed and there was no getting you back.”
Goku laughed a little and replied, “I thought you were seriously going to destroy the Earth. I thought it was over, for sure. The thought of… you…”
Vegeta shook his head and turned back to him, trying to behave nonchalantly, he said, “I had to do something to stop him. I had to beat him at his own game. It’s the oldest trick in the book and the most underestimated, in my experience. I knew that if he’d let Gohan go on so stupid a contract, he’d hold me to my word. He wanted to see if I could go through with it, it was the only way I could get close enough to free you… and seeing you in those cuffs… reminded me of when I used them against you. I know it was cheap, not at all your style…”
Goku smiled, “Thank you for teaching me that.”
Vegeta didn’t respond and he wouldn’t look at him. Goku closed the distance between them and brought a hand to Vegeta’s cheek. He pulled his face up to look at him and he saw the vision he’d seen earlier, right in front of him. Vegeta was looking at him like he’d never seen him before and they both sensed the strong feeling of déjà vu.
“You think I don’t care, or that I don’t show it, but I do and I always have,” he finally admitted, “Kakarot, I chased after you for nearly a year and I’d only met you a couple of times back then, before all of this. I wanted you back, with me, even if I didn’t understand it myself. I thought that I had made it a little too obvious how I cared, because everyone of your friends knew that no matter where you go, I would try to find you. I would never give up.”
“Ah,” Goku smiled as he kissed him, “But there’s nowhere I would go without you, Vegeta. You know that.”
Goten and Trunks came zooming in from the sky and saw their fathers kissing for the first time. They hollered and whooped and cried out in so many mixed emotions that even Vegeta laughed alongside Goku’s wide-grin and easy-going mirth. The boys saw the body of Jeremel and cried out in glee and disgust, dancing together, like they were seven and eight again, at the death of their nemesis. Goku and Vegeta held onto one another and enjoyed their victory dance for some time before answering any questions and then finally heading back to Caps. Corp.
By the time they got there Gohan had already summoned the dragon and made his first wish to bring back all the planets and the people that Jeremel destroyed. Everyone began to cheer and cry out as Renjiamori and Piccolo appeared right before their eyes.
“QUIET! What is your second and final wish?” Shenron asked, bored with their constant need of him.
Gohan was staring at Renjiamori and he muttered, “I don’t have any other wish...”
“What was that?” Shenron’s voice boomed angrily.
Renjiamori’s smile beamed at Gohan, and, going in for a hug, they latched onto one another unlike either man had ever been held before. The moment lasted forever and ended too soon, and Renji grinned down at him.
Vegeta spoke up and yelled, “Dragon! I have a wish.” Goku looked at him curiously, as well as everyone else at Capsule Corporation who has gathered in their absence and/or wished to see them and the dragon.
“Let’s hear it,” Shenron growled.
“I wish for a great and prevailing monument dedicated to both the Likor and the Saiyan races to be built on Nartal, open to public viewing, true to our ancestry with artifacts and records, both to let our people rest in peace, and in hopes of restoring vigilance to other kinds of people, in order to forever dispel any others who might attempt to tread on the balance in this universe again.”
Shenron paused thoughtfully before he said, “It shall be done.” His eyes glowed red and after some time he spoke, “I have fulfilled your wishes. My work here is done.” And he vanished, and the dragonballs floated high in the sky and then went their separate ways, turning into mere stones.
Renjiamori ran to Vegeta this time and clung to him tightly, Vegeta held on, surprising many who watched. There were no words they could speak that could explain their gratitude to one another and thankfulness at the results of their estranged reunion.
Goku’s heart warmed at the sight and when Renjiamori let go, Goku approached him, and put a hand on his shoulder. He said, “It’s been one hell of an interesting adventure, Renji. Is spending a little time with you always this fun?”
Renji laughed and pulled Goku close, “The pleasure is truly mine, Kakarot,” he smiled at him as they released one another. He explained, “I got to know your father, you know! I think you’d be surprised how similar you two are!” He turned to Vegeta and said, “I got to meet yours, as well. He couldn’t be more proud of the man you have become.”
The last of the thin ice guarding Vegeta’s heart shattered, and the warmth he felt inside melted away all of his hate and he finally felt like he has done something worthy with his life.
Renjiamori was saying to him, “I met with my family as well, all as a gift to the atonement that I tried to make in my lifetime. The words that we spoke with were both sweet and bitter, since I knew I would be coming back, my time is not yet up, I see. I have been given a second chance, just like you were, and I intend to do good things with it.”
Gohan stood by and for the first time realized that in order for them to be happy together, Renjiamori would have to love him back, and for the first time he considered that maybe he didn’t. Maybe Amori’s plans and goals will have nothing to do with him, even after all of this and Gohan’s imposed will upon his life. He knew that he couldn’t make him love him if he didn’t love him already, and that he might have to let him go, but he wouldn’t let him leave without first telling him how he feels, even if it means breaking his own heart at the answer. Now, though, is not the time and he receded into the shadows.
Huntre stepped forward and cried out loud amongst the crowd demanding cheers for those who destroyed Jeremel and everyone shouted and offered their respects, their gratitude, and their services to the five men.
Goku’s stomach rumbled, interrupting everything, and he laughed and scratched his head, saying, “I’m hungry.”
Everyone laughed, though some only gawked, and Bulma said she would have the cooks put on a feast, invited everyone inside, and left to get to work.
::: Wind it down :::
All the men sat at the dinner table and laughed and joked around. They all asked questions as the story was explained in bits and pieces by Trunks and Goten and sometimes those actually involved, though unnecessary parts were left out, and plans for the future were talked about more vehemently than the events that preceded their celebratory dinner. Everyone was in good spirits.
Goku and Renjiamori talked as though they were lifelong friends, and Vegeta listened with his head in one hand and a small smirk on his lips in contentedness. Bulma wondered at the scene before her, but the joy in her son’s voice and the voices of all her friends often scrambled her thoughts into simple happiness at the pleasure of the moment. Gohan watched as Renjiamori talked, but avoided eye contact with him from across the table, as he sat next to Trunks and Goten, who chatted more amongst themselves and Huntre and the other men than anything. Piccolo watched the scene from the balcony, and weighed in only on himself as he considered how close they had all been to being killed, again.
Gohan, antsy and uneasy, snuck off to join him and closed the door to quiet the roar of the party inside and also to restrain other prying ears from listening to their conversation.
Piccolo turned to him and smiled. It was the only alone time they would get in a long time Piccolo suspected, and he said, simply, “Thanks, kid.” Gohan went in for a hug, and Piccolo smiled down at him, and held him with one arm for a brief moment before they both let go. He added smugly, “I always knew you had it in you.”
Gohan smiled, “I wasn’t so sure… aaand… I didn’t make all the right choices, either. I know that.”
“That doesn’t matter- look who you’re talking to. Vegeta knows that, too, that’s why he did what he did. Do you think that it was easy for him to make you and Goku believe he had turned on you? No,” Piccolo shook his head and looked out at the moon, “I think not. I think Vegeta made a decision out of desperation, just like you, and he executed his plan to gain the upper hand, in spite of whoever he may hurt in the process because he knew the end would more than justify the means.”
“You’re right, Piccolo, but,” Gohan frowned, “He did it for us. I did it for me.”
“Maybe, at first, but you had everyone else in mind, too. You went back when you were needed the most. You figured it out, and listened to your gut, and that’s what counts,” Piccolo smirked at him and then sighed and said, “When you were young and I first trained you, I spent so much time teaching you how to dodge, but I never took the time to teach you how to attack. I knew you already had it in you,” Gohan smiled and laughed at the metaphor and a weight was lifted off of his shoulders. Piccolo added for good measure, “Everyone fights for their own reasons, with their own style and approach, and their own goals in mind. Your goal was an honorable one, that’s why we won, because it was Jeremel’s time, and yours, to prove to yourself you have what it takes. The universe is a better place with you in it. We all know that, Gohan. Whatever choices you make, I will be here to support you.”
“Thank you, Piccolo,” Gohan nearly sobbed, but he held it at bay until he could get away, which he did silently and discreetly. With Gohan off to solitude, Piccolo left to his own sanctuary where he could now reflect on himself since he is no longer needed.
Renjiamori was more aware of Gohan than the young man thought, and he saw him go to the balcony and then he watched Gohan leave Piccolo and head to the gardens below, where they had spoken what seems like now to be so long ago. Renji knew in his heart he could not miss this opportunity to speak to Gohan alone and that his head wouldn’t be in the current conversation even if he tried, so he excused himself and went outside on what seemed like his own path.
Only Goku and Vegeta knew his destination, but neither man knew his true purpose for they couldn’t suppose exactly where Renjiamori’s feelings for Gohan could lie, and they hadn’t considered asking him themselves. Goku wondered loudly about desert and Vegeta inquired about a stiff drink with a rather testy temperament. It merely surprised everyone when Goku agreed to the idea and they all laughed all over again, and wished to join them, and the merriment commenced for some time in the Briefs’ household.
---
Amori did not run up to Gohan in impatience once he found him, seated on a well-placed bench in the center of the vast garden. He was looking up into the stars in deep thought and Renji watched him patiently and couldn’t help that he was smiling to himself as he did, and he wondered if he should interrupt him at all.
Finally he decided that standing in the background was never his thing, and he approached the young man with all the air and confidence of a Prince, saying, “It’s a gorgeous night, isn’t it? I’m glad that I got to come here, after all. It’s a beautiful planet.”
Gohan stood and turned to him as he waltzed up to stand at his side. His heart was racing and his thoughts were both clear and cluttered. All he replied was, “You never intended to actually visit us? You were just going to stay on Nartal?” Gohan couldn’t stand how informal he sounded, like he didn’t care at all!
Amori smiled and replied, “That depended on how meeting up with Vegeta went, but,” he laughed, “all’s well that ends well, after all.”
Gohan laughed both because he enjoyed the irony and because he didn’t know what else to do or how else to reply. He knew he had to say something so he blurted out in good neutral humor, “Nothing ever goes according to plan!”
Renjiamori sensed his discomfort and smiled to himself in understanding. “Gohan,” he began gently, “I came out here while you were alone so that I could speak with you… alone.”
A soothing calm came over Gohan in that moment and he no longer wondered if Amori was talking to him out of courtesy. He rid himself of the tension in his shoulders and the butterflies in his stomach if only for a moment as he asked, “What is it?”
Renjiamori looked deep into his eyes as they stood together under the night sky and he thought long and hard on what he should say, first. But, what seemed like forever was merely a moment because he couldn’t help but simply begin with, “I’ve never met anyone like you before, and I feel like a simple thank you just doesn’t suffice for the situation at hand.” A serious tone took over his voice as he said, “I died. I thought it was over. Then I met with so many people I thought I would never have the pleasure of knowing. I watched the battle you waged. I heard everything.”
Gohan’s heart wretched as he wondered what was to come next, but Amori spoke again, softly but yet proudly, with vitality and passion, and he said, “You brought me back to life, Gohan, and I must confess, I began to have feelings for you even before I died and I am so touched I don’t know what to say. But how could I tell you I had feelings for you, then?! And how can I make sense of such an emotion at a time like this?! Who am I to fall for the son of my ex-lover’s lover?”
Gohan interrupted him quickly, “Renji,” but that was all he said, and he put a hand up to his chest to really touch him for the first time.
Renjiamori said, “If love is real than this is surely it, and your father will not begrudge me and Vegeta will not judge me for wanting to have you as my own from now on.”
“There’s no one else I could ever be with, Renjiamori!” Gohan cried, suddenly, filled with emotion as tears welled up in his eyes, “There’s no one and nothing that could keep me from you!” he wept, and, instead of an intense and electrifying kiss, Gohan cried in his arms, and Amori shed his own tears as he held the young man tight and he wondered how he’d ever gotten so lucky. Gohan has already proven himself to be worthy and Renjiamori’s natural inclination to love him only grew as he witnessed his struggle from beyond the scenes.
Amori soothed him with beautiful words and a gentle touch. He promised him everything and he intended on delivering, they would work out the rest as they go. For once, he saw a future with a young man who is witty, intelligent, bright-hearted, and kind; someone who, above all else, loves him back.
::: Bucket List :::
“I’ve finally figured out this mind reading trick, Vegeta,” Goku hummer over breakfast. Vegeta glared at him and he explained, “Just thought I’d let you know.”
Vegeta stopped glaring and he smirked at him and said, “Just as long as you share with me all the interesting stuff, I’m sure I can remain more amused than concerned…”
Goku laughed, “Naaa, I think I’ll share with you anything disturbing as well, it’s only fair.”
“Spare me,” Vegeta rolled his eyes.
“What if it’s about you?” Goku laughed, he loved smiling at him, especially when he was trying hard not to smile himself.
“Who’s to say anything you tell me is true anyways? You ultimately have the power there, Kakarot, and in consideration of that fact I’d rather you tell me nothing at all.”
Goku grabbed his side in a quick tickle, just to make him jump and turn to him. Vegeta told him to stop but there was a strong attraction in his eyes. Goku said, “I wouldn’t try to trick you… not to the point where you embarrass yourself.”
“That’s good to know, but not good enough!” Vegeta blurted out, swatting away another attack from the younger man. Goku was laughing and Vegeta was trying to seem irritated when Gohan came into the kitchen.
They hadn’t expected anyone, it was early, the sun wasn’t even up, but they had barely slept and were hungry again.
Goku said hi to his son and to their surprise Gohan sat down at the table with them.
Vegeta asked, “Have you not slept?” with a quirk in his brow.
Gohan blushed and sheepishly replied that he hadn’t. He only said, “Renjiamori and I have been up talking since dinner last night. I actually came in here for a snack before we go to sleep, but I heard you talking…”
Goku read his mind and knew that he was weary about many things and satisfied with most other events. He is in love with Renjiamori and Renjiamori feels the same. Now, though, he must face his wife, his daughter, and his family and friends, and explain his choice and live with the results.
Goku realized that things would be quite different for some time, but he believed in his heart it was all for the best. He smiled at Gohan and said, “I know what you’re going through; I have to go through it, too. If it helps, I’m going to give Chi Chi all the reward money, which should make her happy, and I’ll always support you, no matter what Videl decides.”
Gohan looked alarmed and asked, “Are you reading my thoughts?! Please don’t do that!”
Vegeta chuckled and Goku laughed and said, “Sorry, it’s just happening so naturally now.”
“Wow, so there’s no lying to you then, huh?”
“Unfortunately,” Vegeta scoffed and Goku laughed. Gohan smiled at them both and grabbed some of the food they said they weren’t going to finish before heading back to Renjiamori to finally get some rest.
---
The next day, Renjiamori sent Huntre and the other soldiers back to Nartal to start settling things there before he returned, but he told them nothing of his personal plans. He would visit Nartal in a month’s time, but he would not be staying. For the next year he agreed to live on Earth with Gohan into order to spend time with Vegeta and Goku, and to get to know everyone in Gohan’s life, settle affairs, and prepare for the parting of ways.
Gohan, of course, decided to go with him back to Nartal to live in his home and work on any projects of their hearts desire for the good of others. They also made their own private plans. They didn’t wish to go straight to Nartal, instead, Renjiamori promised to take Gohan’s restless soul on an adventure; they were to explore the universe before they settled down, and it was the foremost thought in Renjiamori’s mind as they faced their next task. It was an exciting affair to be certain, but there were so many things to deal with first and Gohan was ready to get it all over and done with.
Vegeta and Goku had already told Bulma everything first thing in the morning, and she declared she knew it all along, but Goku knew from discerning her thoughts that though she had her suspicions, she had heard first by listening in on Goten and Trunks, and that she was hurt, but not as surprised as she thought she would be. She asked them about Renji and Gohan and Vegeta explained to her more than Goku thought he would. Still, he smiled to himself as he listened to their conversation and was impressed by how well they communicate. Bulma asked them if they were going to leave, and they said they may visit Nartal again, but gave no other information on the subject. Bulma was satisfied by noon and had much to think about and let them go help Gohan break the news.
By the time they got to Chi Chi and Gohan and Videl, the news had already been broken and both women were crying and yelling at Gohan as he held his daughter in his arms. Renjiamori looked on in concern from the sidelines, and welcomed the other men’s arrival.
“GOKU!” Chi Chi screamed, “You come over here and talk some sense into your SON!”
Goku did come closer, close enough to put a check in Chi Chi’s hand for more money than she ever thought she’d see, and he told her, “Gohan can make his own decisions, Chi Chi, just like I have to make mine.” A stern but honest look from her husband and a glance behind him at Vegeta told her everything, and she shut herself off inside her house for some time.
Videl took Pan and did the same. It would be several months before the women came around to speaking terms, but a little smooth-talking from Bulma helped with the turn-around immensely, and eventually they were able to talk things over with their respective men civilly.
There wasn’t a time that went by without regard to the wonders of the Earth and the enjoyment of the company while Renjiamori and Gohan still lived there. Goku and Vegeta made it a point to take some time off from training to be with them, as well as Goten and Trunks, and enjoy the simple things in life. Even after only eight months Vegeta could see a settling in Gohan that brought about both wisdom and maturity and he was happy to see that he has found what he was looking for, and that he was no longer so bothered by the constant need to be in approval of his father.
Renjiamori had come more into himself than he had ever known, both since he was trespassing for once on the kindness of others and because he knew now what it was like to care about and be involved in someone else’s affairs. Since he had reached his plateau, he handled all circumstances with grace and a steady guiding heart and hand, and made transitions easy for everyone.
Goku and Renjiamori grew to love one another very deeply, perhaps even in a way like to that of Gohan and Vegeta’s mutual respect and admiration. They spoke often of the past, since Renjiamori was much more apt to telling it in his quirky ways, and they laughed more than Goku could ever remember laughing with another friend.
Vegeta took Gohan aside on many occasions just to spend time with him. He finally told him many things Gohan thought he’d never be brave enough to ask about, much less get an answer for and he talked well of Kakarot, even when everyone could hear him.
As the time grew closer and closer for them to be parted Goku began to become very upset by the idea of saying goodbye and Vegeta, Goku knew without asking, felt much the same. Renjiamori and Gohan agreed but never mentioned it to the two, and when the day came for them to leave, they were annoyed and saddened that neither man had come around, and it was due time for their scheduled launch.
Gohan and Renjiamori said their goodbyes to everyone else, packed everything, and were ready to go, but they lingered longer than they had planned as they searched and searched for the other’s ki.
Gohan gave Renjiamori a strange look and said, “I should have known they would do this.”
“Do what?” A voice asked as two bodies appeared from thin air.
Gohan and Renjiamori could not have been more taken aback, not only were they dressed in different attire, but they had small packs on them as well, and they were smiling, as if they knew something that they did not. “Dad! What’s going on!?”
Vegeta smirked and said, “You thought you two could plan a secret trip around the universe and not invite us?”
Goku laughed as their eyes lit up.
“You can’t be serious Vegeta?” Renji asked, “You… wish to go with us?”
“Why not? It’ll be fun! I’m up for it!” Goku beamed his beautiful smile.
“Hey! Wait for us!” Goten and Trunks came running up with their own things and hopped inside. Renjiamori cheered and laughed heartily while shaking his head at Vegeta and the mocking deceit he’d pulled. He was thrilled to have the company of them all; the ship was more than big enough, and he didn’t really want to say goodbye so soon anyways.
Gohan felt silly, in his hopes to see his father he hadn’t even realized that Goten and Trunks hadn’t come around yet. In all of his wildest dreams he never imagined they’d all be doing this just for fun. He couldn’t have been more pleased.
Goku laughed and started heading inside the ship after everyone else had already gone in and he turned and waved good-bye to everyone watching.
::: :::
“AH! VEGETA! I just had the most horrible dream!” Kakarot gasped, sitting straight up in the bed and he turned to his lover to wake him up.
As Vegeta roused he scrunched up his nose and begged Kakarot to go back to sleep, telling him that it could wait until morning.
“No, no, listen,” Kakarot said exasperatedly, “I have to tell you about my dream or I won’t be able to sleep...”
Groggily, Vegeta rolled over onto his side towards him, and without opening his eyes, he asked, “Why do you keep calling it a dream if it was so terrible?”
“Because it… it wasn’t a nightmare, really…”
“No, this is a nightmare,” he replied, irritated.
Kakarot sighed and shifted in the bed as well, getting onto his side, too, to face Vegeta as he spoke, though Vegeta’s eyes remained closed. He began, rambling quickly, “I dreamt that you were abducted by Frieza as a young boy and that you had another lover, and went through all these terrible things! Planet Vegeta was destroyed, but somehow I had escaped, and you found me, and we kept fighting terrible foes over and over and over again…”
Vegeta peered with one eye open at him and stared with a thoughtful and curious gaze before saying, “That doesn’t sound so abnormal…” He closed his eyes again.
“But it was worse… We… we had a hard time communicating, and it took years for us to tell one another that we cared for each other.”
“What?” Vegeta yawned, “Kakarot, please, you’ve been training in the sun too hard. Go to sleep.”
Kakarot rested his head back down on the pillow and said, “It worked out, though, in the end, we ended up together.”
“Of course we did,” Vegeta replied, but his voice was laced with his irritation. The King could feel his lover’s gaze and he opened his eyes to Kakarot’s pouting at him through a sideways glance. Vegeta couldn’t help chuckling at him. He sat up for just long enough to press their lips together firmly and Kakarot smiled into the kiss, feeling more at ease. Vegeta said, “It’s like you always tell me; it’ll all work itself out, in the end.”
- 20
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All of My Hate