The Yamcha Series

author: FireCracker
(Italic copy bordered by_underscore_)
Archive? You\'d better.
Pairing Goku/Vegeta/Yamcha

A/U -Goku makes the evening news. Continuation of MIDNIGHT MADNESS.

The Howling

The z gang had gathered over at Master Roshi\'s for a dinner party. The music was good, the food was better, but the usual stragglers were late again. Trunks answered the doorbell.

\"Hey, Yamcha. What\'s up with you!\"

The bandit grinned. \"Everything\'s cool, Trunks. I know I haven\'t called about our sparring sessions lately.\"

The demi-saiyan waved him in. \"Yeah, I was beginning to think you were ducking me.\"

\"Nah, not me. Where\'s everyone? I hear the music.\"

\"Down in the rec room. Chaotzou went crazy with the cooking, we\'ve got loads of food. Our new garbage disposal is clearing away all excess debris.\"

Yamcha laughed, his face incredulous. \"Garbage disposal? What in heck are you talking about?\"

Trunks cracked up. \"The living garbage disposal, a certain saiyan!\"

\"Goku! I should have known...\"

The two men headed downstairs. Trunks snickered as they joined the party.

\"You know it, Yamcha. He wouldn\'t miss the first plate handed out!\"

****

Yamcha said his hellos before glancing over at Goku. Everyone was engaged in lively conversation, eating, or playing pool. The large screen monitor was on but no one seemed to notice.

He smiled gently in the direction of his lover. As if sensing him through the crowd, Goku stopped eating and glanced over his way, warmth sparkling in his dark eyes.

The bandit went over to the table. \"Hey, Goku.\"

The saiyan gave him a thumbs up. \"You look good, Yamcha. Have some food!\"

\"Sure-\"

Someone slapped his back hard. Tien. \"So, the mystery man graces us with his presence, hmm?\"

Yamcha made a face. \"Now what are _you_ talking about!\"

The bald warrior grinned, shrugged. \"Hell, you\'ve dropped out of sight the last couple of weeks. I thought you\'d gone off planet or something.\"

Yamcha snorted. \"Oh, fun-eee. Like you couldn\'t pick up a receiver and call.\"

Master Roshi shouted over the din. \"Hey, everybody, check this out!\" he sat eating on the couch, watching the large screen monitor.

Bulma waved frantically. \"Yeah, cut the music. This is wild, check out the news!\"

Gohan carried his plate over. \"What\'s all the excitement?\"

Even Piccolo floated over out of curiosity. \"News? Why\'s that important now?\"

Roshi grunted, annoyed. \"If you\'d all shut up for two seconds, you\'d know. Now everybody, get over here!\"

Yamcha sensed someone behind him, feeling the small hairs on his neck bristle. He spun around. Vegeta. The saiyan prince glared at him wordlessly.

\"Got something to say?\"

\"Nothing that you could handle.\"

\"Don\'t bet on it.\"

\"Hey, you two!\" Goku shouted, sensing trouble brewing. \"Come watch this.\"

Vegeta gave Yamcha a sidelong glance as he sidled past. \"We\'ll be talking eventually.\"

Yamcha snorted. \"Count on it.\"

****

Even Choutzou came downstairs to watch with everyone, putting his endless cooking on hold.

\"What\'s so special about the news tonight, guys?\" he piped up.

\"Find a seat and squeeze in, little guy\" Tien told him. \"Seems like a local story has become national news!\"

Chi Chi settled in a nearby chair near Gohan. \"What could it be, though? I haven\'t heard anything.\"

\"Ah, probably a promo for a new movie or something-\" Krillen shrugged.

\"QUIET!!\" Roshi bellowed, pointing at the screen.

A network logo flashed across the screen, fading into a local scene taped earlier. The news media was on display everywhere, talking to crowds of people. Several vans had motion cameras giving zoom views of multiple interviews.

\"Hey, everybody, isn\'t that Rickman\'s Park?\" Gohan was surprised.

\"Sure is\" Goku answered. \"But what\'s the commotion, I wonder?\"

A well coiffed woman in a red pantsuit faced the camera. :This is Melanie Richarson, Television news 13. Here in South City, we\'ve gathered at Rickman\'s Park to investigate reports of strange sightings as of late...:

\"Sightings of what?\" Tien wondered.

:Numerous reports over the last few days claim the existence of a so-called \'wolf\' man. Eyewitness team has spoken to several locals for their opinions...:

Krillen made a face. \"A wolf man? C\'mon!\"

The cameras panned to several groupings of citizens, all in some state of agitation and excitement. Another reporter phased in.

:And this is Ken Dodson, on the spot live. This group with me claims to have seen a strange creature lurking about the area at night. Excuse me, ma\'am, do you have any information?:

A tall, harsh looking blonde nearly grabbed the microphone.

:It was terrible! My husband and I were taking a stroll two nights ago, and we heard some strange noises like an animal nearby.:

:Did you see anything?:

:Not at first. We thought maybe someone\'s dog got loose, so we cut across the park into some open area. The next thing we knew, there was a loud growl, and this...this THING runs out at us!:

\"Are these people serious?!\" Roshi couldn\'t believe his ears.

Trunks chuckled. \"A \'thing\'. Yeah, right.\"

Dodson frowned. :You called it a \'thing.\' Could you describe it?:

The woman shook her head in amazement. :Frankly, we freaked out. The thing leaped from the bushes and crouched on the ground. It looked like a man, but wasn\'t. It had red eyes, and all this wild hair-:

:Ma\'am, your story is fantastic-:

:It\'s no story! The creature\'s hair was black and spikey...it had a tail, too! It snarled at us with sharp teeth...:

:What happened then?:

:What do you think happened? We ran like hell!:

Dodson faced the camera again. :This is just one of the amazing stories we\'ve received down here. Now over to Gary at our other location. Take it away...:>

Another group of people being interviewed flashed the screen. A bearded, heavyset man in a grey suit spoke.

:Thanks, Ken. And I have more eyewitnesses here-:

\"More goofballs, if you ask me\" Tien snorted. \"Boy, people have too much spare time on their hands!\"

:This is Gary Iberson, continuing with the story. These good people live in the immediate area, and also claim a sighting. And your name, sir?:

Gohan pointed in shock. \"Hey, that\'s old man Hackershack!\"

Chi Chi scolded him. \"Gohan, I\'ve told you to stop calling him \'old man\'-\"

\"SSSHHH!!\" Roshi shushed them. \"I want to hear these screwballs.\"

Yamcha frowned at a memory. He glanced about the room, noting Vegeta had moved up and was watching the screen intensely.

An elderly couple edged up into the camera. Iberson pointed the mike their way.

:Now you\'ve seen the creature as well?:

The old man answered first. :That\'s right. We thought living in a quiet, rural area would be safe. Normally not too much happens around here. But the other night I was scared witless!:

:What happened?:

:Been livin\' out in these woods for fifty years now. I\'ve heard stories and legends, but-:

:Sir, if you could just get to the point-:

Withered hands waved around wildly. :Went fishing three nights ago, about four in the mornin\'. Anyways, I hear some splashing in the marshes. All of a sudden this wild thing flies up outta the water, red eyes glowin\' like hot coals. So I got my gun and shot at it!:

Murmurs in the crowd. Iberson stared in shock. :Did you hit it?:

:Don\'t think so, but it dropped low and swam off. I could see a tail waving over the water, leavin\' a wake.:

:When the creature popped up...did you see it\'s face?:

The old man pulled his chin. :Yeah...it was young...big. Real muscular, with all this black spiky hair a stickin\' up all over.:

His wife piped up. :Tell them about the teeth!:

:Oh, yeah. It had big fangs, hanging down, like this: he pulled his lips and made a gesture.

Chi Chi shook her head. \"This is the most ridiculous-\"

Yamcha rested his chin in his hands. \"No medication.\"

The reporter spoke to the group he was interviewing. :You all have similar stories?:

\"What a load of bull...why are they making this a national story?!\" Krillen wanted to know.

\"Yeah, it\'s probably some geek running around in a costume, looking for publicity\" Bulma sniffed.

\"Maybe\" Vegeta said shortly. They turned and stared at him.

\"What do you mean?\" Krillen asked. \"You don\'t seriously believe this, do you?\"

The saiyan prince shrugged. \"Not necessarily. Watch the rest.\"

\"I still say it\'s a hoax!\" Chi Chi insisted.

\"Chi Chi, will you please be quiet?\" Roshi pleaded. \"Someone else is talking-\"

:And you, madam. What\'s your story?:

Another woman, a punker with orange hair and black lipstick spoke up.

:Man, I don\'t scare easy, but that thing wigged me out!:

Tien jerked a thumb at the screen. \"I bet the creature ran first!\" Gohan and Chatzou snickered.

Goku scratched his head. \"What\'s the point of these fantastic stories? I don\'t get it.\"

\"I don\'t either\" Bulma commented. \"Besides, nobody does orange hair anymore.\"

Piccolo finally commented. \"Let\'s just say their credibility leaves a lot to be desired. Where\'s the proof of this so called \'wolf\' man?\"

The punker pointed at the camera. :I say it\'s a conspiracy by the government...I bet they got human experiments running around out there!:>

Vegeta sneered. \"I suspect she may be one of them. Arrula, I\'ve never heard such nonsense in my life!\"

Roshi laughed. \"That\'s for sure. The only thing running wild here are imaginations!\"

Gohan looked over at Goku. \"Dad, do you really think there\'s a wolf man in the woods?\"

Goku snorted in disdain. \"That\'s highly unlikely, to say the least. I put it in the same category as the tooth fairy.\"

Trunks agreed. \"All I see are a bunch of people standing around telling stories. They haven\'t proven anything!\"

Bulma agreed. \"Yeah, that woman is nutso\" she waved circles around her head.

\"Maybe so, but it wouldn\'t be the first time the government has lied\" Yamcha pointed out. \"Not that I believe these fruitcases.\"

Another man grabbed the mike. :I seen it, too. The wolfman walked right up and shook my hand!:

:Everyone, please calm down. Surely you\'ve reported these sightings to the police-:

A rawboned teenager squeezed into the camera shot. :Damn right! That freak shot laser eye beams at me. I barely escaped with my life!:

\"He \'escaped,\' all right\" Tien agreed wholeheartedly.

\"Kami!!\" Chi Chi held her head. \"What a bunch of idiots!\"

Iberson tried to gain control of the unruly mob, in vain. He made a motion to his crew.

Tien held his sides in laughter. \"I\'d be embarassed covering this story!\"

More wild claims were shouted from the group as the telecast turned into chaos.

:It\'s another alien invasion! Remember what happened a few years ago?!:

:It could be a missing link!:

Trunks rolled his eyes. \"The missing links are all at the park!\"

:Nah, some dude just forgot to shave.:

:I winged it with my moose rifle! It howled and ran off in the dark...:

\"Lunatics\" Piccolo stated.

:I seen him swingin\' from a tree!:

Another old man pushed his way forward, pulling at his collar. :See right here? Dang wolfman bit me in the neck! I gotta get rabies shots-:

\"More moronic by the minute\" Goku commented, annoyed.

\"Yeah\" Yamcha pouted. \"Why do they let all the patients out at once?\"

The transmission was cut and returned to the main news station.

\"Thank goodness\" Roshi sighed. \"I\'ve had enough stupid for one night.\"

Chaotzou pointed. \"Wait, there\'s more.\"

After a brief announcement and commercial break, the news anchor appeared at the studio location.

:This is news anchor Reme Fitcharles, station 13. Due to a developing situation at Rickman\'s park, our crews found it necessary to redirect the signal back to our main station-:

\"Those people are nuts\" Gohan said, munching a chicken leg.

:Although no proof exists currently of this supposed \'wolfman\', authorities are concerned there could be a correlation between this recently reported phenomenon and the verified sighting of giant creatures seen rampaging outside the Keenland District two weeks ago...:

Pairs of eyes trained on the saiyans in grim silence. Chi Chi and Gohan stared, confused.

\"What\'s with you guys?\" Gohan was curious.

\"That\'s what I want to know. What happened?\" Chi Chi demanded.

Roshi waved her off. \"Wait. This may be important, catch the rest of it.\"

\"Hah?\" Chi Chi stared at the continuing telecast.

:The ongoing investigation has revealed no clues as to the purpose of the assault, only descriptions of large, ape like creatures. Their whereabouts are currently unknown, and speculation about their origin continues. Officials caution that the ape sightings are not officially recognized by the military, although interviews are being conducted as we speak. Environmentalists estimate the monstrous behemoths have caused approximately three million dollars in damage .:

Gohan stared wide eyed at his father. \"Dad-\"

Goku\'s face was closed as he stared at the screen. \"Not now, Gohan.\"

Trunks glanced over at Vegeta. The ouji curled a lip.

\"Well, boy? You have something to say?\"

The demi-saiyan sighed. \"I don\'t know.\"

\"Then stop staring.\"

Bulma coughed. \"Ah...punch, anyone?\"

****

Chi Chi frowned at her estranged husband. \"Goku. Why has the party gone dead all of a sudden?\"

The tall saiyan sat back, his mood clearly ruined. \"Nothing. Forget it, Chi Chi.\"

\"No, I won\'t forget it! Are you telling me those idiots are worth ruining the party over?\"

Bulma intervened. \"Uh, Chi Chi. Didn\'t you hear about the giant ape attack awhile ago? It was on every major network.\"

The brunette shrugged. \"I was out of town, and there were intermittent power outages in my father\'s neighborhood. So what about the giant apes? Are they real?\"

Trunks swallowed, choosing his words carefully. \"They...ah...were seen by a lot of people, although there doesn\'t seem to be any documentation-\"

Chi Chi folded her arms in annoyance. \"So in other words, more crackpots claim to have seen something that doesn\'t exist.\"

\"No\" Roshi interrupted. \"Chi Chi, don\'t you remember _anything_ about the rumors of giant apes from years ago?\"

Goku and Vegeta glared at him.

Dark eyes looked around in thought. \"Vaguely. But supposedly the ape disappeared, right? Is this what they\'re reporting again, the same creature?\"

\"Yeah\" Tien was sullen. \"But for the time being, I don\'t think we have anything to worry about.\"

Krillen rolled his eyes. \"Except for the \'wolfman.\'\"

Gohan piped up. \"If there is one, we need to capture it before it hurts somebody!\"

Roshi waved his hands. \"Just a minute-\"

\"ABSOLUTELY NOT\" Chi Chi pointed at him. \"Gohan, you listen to me. Under NO circumstances will you go after it. If some creature is running around in the woods, let the authorities handle it. We don\'t even know if it\'s real!\"

\"But mom-\"

\"Gohan\" Goku frowned at his son sternly. \"Your mother\'s right. Let\'s not get carried away here.\"

Chi Chi huffed. \"I\'m surprised you actually agree with me on something!\"

Goku glowered at her, his features darkening. \"Don\'t start.\" Their friends exchanged anxious glances at the obvious tension.

\"Look, kid\" Krillen clapped his shoulder. \"I mean, come _on._ Have you seen a wolfman? I know _I_ haven\'t!\"

\"Uh...no?\" Gohan shrugged.

\"Nor anyone else with a lick of sense\" Tien added.

****

Goku went upstairs to refill his plate. Quiet feet followed him. Preoccupied with loading up on food, the saiyan didn\'t notice until a hand brushed his shoulder. Startled, he nearly dropped his plate.

\"Yamcha! Don\'t do that.\"

The bandit smiled. \"Sorry. It\'s just that I\'m concerned about you.\"

\"Me? What for?\"

A sigh. \"The descriptions those doofballs were giving...seemed awfully familiar.\"

Goku piled potato salad on his plate. \"How so?\"

A warm hand covered the saiyan\'s. \"Look at me, please?\" the voice was pleading.

Goku put down his plate immediately. Soft eyes flashed at his lover. \"I\'d love to.\"

The bandit blushed, his voice dropping. \"Cut it out, will you? What I mean is...I was thinking back to that night...\"

The saiyan smiled seductively, edging forward. \"Oh?\" a thumb traced Yamcha\'s lower lip. \"Which one?\"

Yamcha pulled the teasing digit down. \"For Kami\'s sake, someone could walk in!\" he hissed.

Goku shrugged. \"Don\'t worry. I\'d hear them before they got to the kitchen. Now what\'s bugging you?\"

Dark eyes bored into the saiyan. \"The creature they were describing sounded an awful lot like...you.\"

\"Me?! Are you insane!\"

\"The eyes, the hair...I remember how you looked that night after you returned from the storm.\"

Goku shook his head in disbelief. \"Look. I told you, I almost never go out at night! And why the hell would I be running around in the woods, much less scaring people!\"

Yamcha paced. \"I know you run for exercise.\"

Goku threw his hands up. \"During the day!\"

The bandit eyed him carefully. \"I know it sounds fantastic, but the descriptions...it just seems like too much of a coincidence.\"

\"My thoughts exactly\" a deep voice rung the air.

Both men turned in surprise, too engrossed in their conversation to notice they weren\'t alone.

\"Vegeta!\" Yamcha spat his name like a curse. \"What\'s your trip, man? You like listening in on private conversations?\"

The ouji watched him boredly. \"Hardly. I\'ve merely come to get another beer.\"

\"Get it and go!\"

\"Baka. You don\'t order me around!\"

Goku stepped between them. \"Cool it! There\'s a party downstairs, and I don\'t want anything to spoil it. Is that clear?\"

\"Whatever\" Vegeta rummaged through the refrigirator. \"I _am_ concerned about those bizarre reports, however.\"

Goku folded his arms. \"Well, I\'m not. I\'ll tell you the same thing I told Yamcha. Why would I be running around in the woods frightening people? It\'s ridiculous to even suggest!\"

\"Hn\" Vegeta glanced at the fuming Yamcha. \"Your boyfriend here is justifiably worried.\"

\"Go climb a tree, monkey!\"

Eyes like coals burned dangerously as Vegeta\'s tail puffed. \"Our buisness will be settled at a time of my choosing, onore. Right now Kakarot is my main concern.\"

\"Nice to know we have a common interest.\"

\"Do you want me to leave the room?\" Goku was sarcastic. \"I\'ve a party to join downstairs!\"

The ouji looked him over with open curiosity. \"Kakarot, are you certain about not being oozaru the last few days?\"

Goku settled somewhat. \"Hai, don\'t you think I\'d know?\"

Black eyes narrowed. \"Would you? Think.\"

Yamcha stared at both of them. \"Hey! What\'s the deal...do you know something, Vegeta? Spill it!\"

The ouji smiled slowly. \"As you may have noticed, \'control\' and \'oozaru\' don\'t exactly go hand in hand. The other phase is far more unpredictable than the were-ape.\"

\"Oh no\" Yamcha was crestfallen. \"That means-\"

\"It means nothing!\" Goku snatched his plate angrily and stormed past them. \"Stand here and speculate all you want, but I\'m going back to the party. If you want to believe a bunch of hairbrained yahoos on tv, that\'s your buisness!\"

The two men watched him leave. \"You all but accused him!\" Yamcha pointed at Vegeta.

The ouji folded his arms and continued to stare at the door. \"Time will tell who\'s right.\"

****

It was a quiet ride home in the car for the Son family. Gohan was restless.

\"Hey, can I turn on the radio?\"

\"What station?\" Goku asked.

\"Oh, I don\'t care. Anything with some good music.\"

\"I\'ll do it, Goku, you\'re driving.\" Chi Chi adjusted the dial.

BZZRRTT. :...And on the local front...people everywhere are relaying fantastic stories about the so called \'wolfman\' ...:

Chi Chi rolled her eyes. \"Not this again! I\'ll try another station-\"

BZZRRTT. :...Speculation continues to run high this evening over the actual existence of a man wolf creature seen lurking in the woods outside of South City...:

Chi Chi angrily moved the dial again. \"Why don\'t these idiots give it up-\"

:...Our station downtown has been bombarded with emails from concerned citizens, many of whom are out purchasing occult items known to repulse wolf like creatures...:

\"Man, everyone\'s coming apart!\" Gohan commented.

Goku was angry. \"Talk about ignorant!!\"

Chi Chi muttered, trying the dial once more.

BZZRRTT. :...And scientists deny the possibility of such a creature evolving at this juncture. Over the next few weeks, we will interview various evolutionists with their own theories...:

Another flick of the dial.

BZZRRTT. :...Local authorities plan to have research teams comb all isolated areas and recommend citizens use caution and common sense, especially at night. The hotline number for any reported sighting is...:

Chi Chi turned the radio off. \"It\'s hopeless!\"

\"They\'re going to start a full scale panic!\" Goku insisted. \"Are they crazy? How can the media be so irresponsible!\"

\"Maybe it\'s a publicity stunt\" Gohan replied. \"But what if there really _is_ a wolf man?\"

\"Gohan, that\'s ENOUGH!!\" Goku yelled, his temper blown. The demi-saiyan cringed on the back seat.

\"Sorry, dad...\"

\"You didn\'t have to yell at him!\" Chi Chi shouted. \"He didn\'t do anything. What\'s wrong with you, anyway?! You\'ve been angry ever since the party!\"

Goku bit down a retort and stared ahead in silence.

****

When they got out of the car, Goku tossed Chi Chi the door keys. \"Go on inside.\"

Chi Chi blinked. \"What?\"

\"You heard me. I\'ll be back later.\"

Chi Chi stood in front of him. \"Oh no you don\'t, mister. I know _exactly_ what you\'re planning on doing!\"

Gohan\'s eyes lit up. \"Dad! You\'re going after the wolf man, aren\'t you? I want to go!\"

Goku stared at his son in exasperation. \"For the last time, there isn\'t any wolf man! Now go inside with your mother!\"

Gohan protested. \"But dad, I want to help-\"

Goku covered his eyes. \"Look. I just need some time to be alone. That\'s it! No adventure, and no wolf man. Got it?!\"

Chi Chi was silent a moment. _Something\'s really got him on edge._ She turned to their son.

\"Gohan, go inside. I need to talk to your father a moment.\"

The demi-saiyan looked both his parents over and chose the lesser of two evils. \"Okay\" he said glumly, taking the keys.

****

They waited for Gohan to go inside. Chi Chi rounded on Goku once more.

\"What\'s your problem? Really?\"

Goku stared up at the evening sky. Deep oranges and purples were rapidly fading to black.

\"Chi Chi...I just need some space for a few hours.\"

\"Space? How much \'space?\' You yelled at your son and nearly ruined the party-\"

Goku wondered how he ever felt anything for her. His blood was beginning to boil.

\"I didn\'t ruin anything. You\'re overreacting again.\"

\"Yeah?! You think I\'m stupid, mister? I know you\'re having an affair!!\"

The saiyan repressed a snarl. \"Say what?\"

\"You heard me. I know you want to run off and be with your little girlfriend-\" her eyes glazed with anger. \"You\'ve been away more than ever, especially the last few weeks!\"

Goku grabbed his wife by the arms and shook her, his hold on sanity tenuous. \"An affair? That might be a good idea, Chi Chi...thanks for the suggestion!\" his tail bristled and lashed as he shoved her back. She stared, too stunned to reply.

Goku smirked coldly and turned from her, his eyes hard as flint. \"Leave me alone\" he growled, and bounded off into the woods.

A tear fell silently down her face as a hand covered her mouth. _What have I done?_

****

_Rage. Boiling, seething, rage. He ran gracefully, his movements fluid and inhuman. Muscles flexed and propelled him with strength and speed. He was hot, so hot..._

Another form of similar ability pursued, but only to observe. Suppressing his power, he matched the fierce saiyan stride for stride.

Goku approached a small stream and removed his shirt and boots before diving in. The waters were cooling, soothing the ache in his troubled soul...

He looked high above at nocturnal skies. A multitude of stars sparkled in majestic splendor. His lips curved in a small smile.

_Beautiful. I wish every night could be like this._

The powerful figure splashed about, swimming in lazy circles before returning to shore. Goku sat in the tall grass, his face tilted upward in peacefull relaxation.

A shadow watched him.

Goku purred, his tail undulating on the ground. Dark eyes closed in complete contentment. He felt really, really good. The crisp evening air was fresh, razor sharp in his nostrils. New grown grass and the scent of water tickled his senses...his blood buzzed with heat, surging with sweet power and sensation.

Muscles rippled as he stretched, feeling the night caress his skin...

The observer prepared to move, his suspicions correct.

Goku growled and abruptly ran off into the deep wood, temporarily leaving his unknown companion behind. A companion named Vegeta. The saiyan ouji stepped from behind a nearby tree, muttering a string of curses.

\"Third class baka\" he hissed. \"Kuso, you\'re out of control!\" he followed the other saiyan\'s trail in the dark, making prodigious leaps through the forest.

****

Two men were trudging along about three miles downstream, taking a shortcut home. One was tall and heavyset, with a shaggy red beard. His companion was a few inches shorter and chunky, his sandy brown hair stuffed into a bill cap. They were dressed in workman\'s gear.

\"Got your flashlight, Clem? I can\'t see a damned thing!\" the short man complained.

\'Yeah, Gethro, hold on. Wasn\'t sure if this battery was workin\' or not\" he pulled it from his work pouch.

\"Hmmpf. Works okay now. An hour ago I couldn\'t get it to do anything!\"

\"Good deal. We shouldn\'t be out here too long, with that wolfman running around.\"

Clem rolled his eyes in disgust. \"Come on. What, we live in the dark ages or something? Stop talkin\' like the rest of these hicks around here!\"

They sloshed through a shallow marsh. \"You don\'t believe the reports on tv?\" Gethro was incredulous.

Clem waved it off. \"No. Buncha geeks telling wild stories, gettin\' everybody worked up for nothing.\"

\"I suppose you\'re right.\"

A loud splash nearby. Clem spun around. \"You hear that?!\"

Gethro squinted in the general direction of the sound. \"Yeah...could be a deer or something. Throw your light on it.\"

The burly man tilted the light ray across the water\'s edge. A figure skulked through water reeds and bounded up a nearby tree.

\"What the?!\" Clem pointed. \"You see what I see?\"

Gethro peered closely. \"If I didn\'t know better...looks like some clown sneaking around trying to scare us.\"

\"Yeah, but did you see him jump clear up into that tree?\"

\"He\'s probably wearin\' them athletic shoes with the air pockets or somethin\'.\"

Clem stalked over to the tree. \"Yeah, well I\'m gonna pop his pockets!\"

Gethro followed him, slamming ham sized fists together. \"Leave a piece for me, Clem.\"

The big man waved his flashlight up the tree, illuminating it with a wide beam of light.

\"STUPID HICK! THE JOKE\'S OVER. NOW GET YOUR ASS OUTTA THAT TREE!!\"

There was a brief rustling sound before a figure dropped down from a high branch.

\"Get your butt over here, simpleton\" Clem waved the flashlight. Goku stalked forward, hips swaying with feral grace, his tail swishing in defiance.

\"Let\'s get a good look at this inbred\" the big man aimed the beam directly at Goku\'s face...

And promptly backed away in terror. \"HOLY SHIT...IT\'S THE WOLFMAN!!!\"

Gethro was already running off into the dark. Clem stumbled after him, dropping his flashlight. Goku stared as they disappeared from sight. Perplexed, he looked about.

\"What wolfman? I don\'t see or smell anything\" he scratched his head. \"Hmm. Maybe it\'s true after all. Guess I\'d better clear out before that thing heads this way!\"

With a casual shrug he raced off into the night. Minutes later Vegeta leapt into the small grove, his tail sweeping gracefully behind him.

He sniffed. \"Dammit, Kakarot, now what? This foolishness complicates matters. Now you\'re running around like a wildman, feeding their idiotic frenzy. Bah! If necessary, I\'ll drag you home myself!!\" with animalistic power, he sprung to the treetops in hot pursuit.

****

Goku growled, revelling in the night, his power. Sounds, scents drove him wild. He flipped through trees with moves an olympic athlete would envy. Soon he found himself running agaIn, with no destination in mind. A few small homes were scattered about on a low hill. Realizing his thirst, Goku bounded over a wooden fence and padded over to a small well. As he lowered the bucket on a rope, he heard a dog barking.

_Shimatta, that\'s all I need. Just wanted a quick drink..._

He held the bucket to his lips and gulped quickly. A large german shepard headed his way, barking loudly with teeth bared.

Goku smiled and stood his ground. When the dog got within ten feet he halted, ears flattening. The saiyan crouched, a feral growl on his own lips, fangs bared in challenge. The dog yowled and ran. Goku laughed.

\"Bad dog!\"

The commotion didn\'t go unnoticed. From inside the stone house, two men and a woman poured out with firearms. Goku watched them curiously.

The woman pointed, her print housedress flapping in the wind. \"Ya\'ll see it? That devil thing over by the well!\"

A muscular young man with curly hair cocked his weapon. \"Don\'t know what it is, ma, but it\'s looking to get shot!\"

An older man squinted in the dark. \"Be carefull, boy. That thing scared Magnum off, and he don\'t spook easy. Take the first shot, and I\'ll follow you.\"

Goku turned to leave. _I don\'t need this..._

A bullet cracked in his direction. The saiyan swore, leaping into the air out of reflex.

\"I think I winged him! He\'s runnin\'!\"

\"RARRRGGHH!!\"

\"What the?!\" the family spun at a new sound. The woman shrieked. \"LOOK, IT\'S ANOTHER ONE!!\" she waved her pistol and fired.

\"Earth scum!!\" Vegeta snarled, bounding across the yard. From a short distance away, Goku started in shock and recognition.

\"Vegeta, what are you doing here?!\"

\"WOLFMEN!!\" bullets sprayed everywhere while the saiyans jumped over log piles and low brick walls.

The woman raced back towards the house. \"I\'m calling the cops!\"

\"Oh great!\" Vegeta slapped away another bullet. \"Kakarot, see what you\'ve started?!\"

\"What _I\'ve_ started?!\" Goku caught a handfull of shells. \"Who the hell told you to follow me?\"

\"They ain\'t natural, the bullets don\'t even hit \'em!\" the elderly man yelled.

****

Reinforcements had arrived in the form of nearby neighbors. Like a calvary charge they burst from their homes bearing pistols, rifles, and even old musket guns. One man was desperately trying to light an old cannon behind his barn.

Goku and Vegeta found their athleticism tested as lead hailed from every direction. They bounced around like frisbees in a skeet shoot.

\"Chikusome!!\" Vegeta roared as he simultaneously caught shells and dodged them. \"I should just blow up this whole idiotic village!!\"

Goku bolted for the forest as he stretched into an extended leap. \"Old habits hard to break, \'Geta?!\"

Vegeta flashed after him into the deep wood. \"I should have stayed at home!\"

****

The saiyans pressed on at a frantic pace for half an hour. Goku finally slowed and dropped from a tree branch. He glanced about briefly and took off running again.

\"Kuso!!\" Vegeta yelled, tackling him from behind. \"Enough of this nonsense!\"

They rolled around on a grassy pathway before Goku scrambled free from Vegeta\'s grip. \"Are you crazy? What do you think you\'re doing?!\"

Vegeta crouched in an offensive posture. \"Be still a minute!\" he commanded, tail lashing in anger.

Goku growled, his own furry coil fluffing in challenge. \"Excuse me? I go where I will!\"

The ouji snarled softly. \"Have you been going out at night the last few days?\"

Feral eyes blinked in confusion. \"I think so. What buisness is it of yours?\"

\"I\'m making it my buisness!!\" with blinding speed, Vegeta jumped the taller saiyan, slamming him to the ground and pinning his arms down.

\"Let go of me-\" the two saiyans rolled end over end, growls and snarls punctuating their struggles. Goku attempted to bite, but Vegeta blocked his attempts.

\"Feeling wild, are we?\" the ouji taunted, grabbing the crotch of Goku\'s pants, eliciting a loud yelp. His other hand held a broad shoulder firmly on the ground.

The taller saiyan squirmed, fangs clacking together in anger. \"Vegeta, I\'m warning you-\"

Grinning savagely, Vegeta yanked down the baggy pants just past Goku\'s hips. A thick erection popped high in the air.

\"My, my\" Vegeta taunted, grabbing the pole of flesh in his fist and squeezing it. \"No wonder you were running around like a lunatic!\"

Goku arched back, gasping. \"S-stop!\"

\"I think not\" a hot mouth plunged down on the swollen shaft, pulling it hard with loud suction.

Goku thrashed, his hips yanking erratically. \"Va-Ve-getaaa...\"

The ouji sucked him like a madman, his fine jaws hollowing out with each sweet stroke of the tongue. Goku howled and shrieked like a pure loon, his cries of delight frightening game for miles around. Strong hands fisted thick raven hair loaded with leaves and sticks.

He was done. Hours of heightened arousal finally exploded in a sticky flood that bathed his ouji\'s face even as he sought to capture every drop.

Vegeta licked in satisfaction, his tongue lapping up splattered puddles on Goku\'s belly. \"Hn...\"

Goku lay on his back dazedly, eyes slitted as he stroked Vegeta\'s hair lovingly. His breathing was ragged as the broad chest heaved in relief.

Vegeta eventually reared back to a kneeling position, observing him carefully.

\"Kakarot, are you all right?\"

Goku sat up and nuzzled, their faces buried in masses of raven hair. \"Better, thanks to you.\"

Vegeta purred, his eyes closed. \"Your training begins later this week.\"

Red eyes burned on the ouji. \"Why?? I thought that wasn\'t an immediate concern-\"

\"It is now. You cannot run around like this, out of control.\"

A growl. \"I\'m _not_ out of control, I just wanted to be alone for awhile-\"

\"Hai, alone and terrorizing stupid ningens in the dark.\"

Goku lifted an eyebrow. \"Oh? Have _you_ looked in a mirror recently?\"

Scarlet eyes narrowed. \"Huhh. Now idiots will be everywhere. I\'ll have to find a remote spot where no one has seen or heard of a \'wolfman.\'\"

Goku pointed at him, snickering. \"Make that...wolf _men!_\"

\"Whatever! Now come-\"

Both saiyans suddenly jolted, sniffing gentle breezes. Tails stiffened and bristled at the sound of dogs barking nearby.

Goku yanked his pants up. \"What the frack?\"

Vegeta sprung to his feet. \"Trackers. Perfect!\"

Voices were heard through the thickets. \"Run \'em through here...the scent\'s strong!\"

\"On it...Roo\'s got the trail!\"

Goku was moving. \"I\'ve seen this movie before!\"

Vegeta followed, looking behind. \"Hai, enough is enough.\"

The saiyans streaked through roughhewn pathways dotted with mossy rocks. Their pursuers were getting closer.

Goku grinned wickedly at Vegeta as they ran. \"Hey, \'Geta...want to have some fun?\"

The ouji licked his lips in anticipation. \"I\'m all ears.\"

****

Their hunters were well organized. A group of ten men with high beam lamps stormed through the woods behind a group of bloodhounds. The dogs were relentless, picking up speed.

\"Yo, Rick! Cut \'em loose!\'

\"Got it\" a tall man in a blue flak jacket released the leash locks, setting the hounds free. The dogs scattered in a forward pattern, howling like mad.

A chubby guy in lumberjack gear pointed. \"We\'ve got \'em...I\'ll bet the news people will give us an exclusive for this!\"

\"Shut up, Steve, we gotta catch \'em first!\" another man bellowed.

\"Over there!\" someone in an orange reflective vest yelled.

\"Load up. And shoot anything that ain\'t a dog or man!\" a crusty commando type shouted.

\"They treed \'em, Len!!\"

****

It was true. The dogs had circled around the base of a huge oak tree, barking like mad. The men cocked their weapons and approached cautiously.

\"I\'ll turn up the lamp\" Len pointed his high powered lamp, illuminating the entire glade.

One in the group nudged him, pointed. \"Look...see? Something\'s up there with glowing eyes!\"

They all saw. Gleaming among thick branches were two sets of blazing orbs, their hellish hue unnatural and eerie.

From up above, Goku whispered in Vegeta\'s ear. \"They have high powered rifles.\"

Vegeta considered. \"Hn, those things could cause some nasty cuts and burns.\"

Goku purred sinuously, his tail brushing the ouji\'s back. \"Are you ready?\"

Vegeta gave a dangerous smile, his eyes low. \"Hai, I can handle it!\"

****

The dogs were pulled back. One of the men cautiously approached the tree, motioning for the others to wait.

\"I\'m gonna send a shot. Stand ready!\" he pointed and fired into the uppermost branches.

Inhuman roars rocked the glade as two raging saiyans sprung from the tree, fangs bared. Savage eyes glinted hellishly as they crouched, black manes blazing in the wind. Their tails were up and stiff.

The man fell back in horror, fumbling with his rifle. \"HOLY MOTHER OF...WOLFMEN!!\" he fired again, point blank.

All hell broke loose. The oozaru jumped over his head and landed squarely among his companions, who opened fire in sheer panic. Rounds of bullets flew everywhere, making the previous skirmish look like pellet play. Trees, shrubbery, water and stone were laced with rounds of ammunition.

And all the while the oozaru screeched and roared, slapping away stinging projectiles while leaping away from direct shots.

\"RUARRRGHH!!\" Vegeta landed a flying kick with impossible speed, bowling over two shooters. Goku likewise felt the flow of dark rage boil his blood. He jumped their nearest attackers, knocking them down with open handed blows. Rifles skittered across rocks and grass. The hounds entered the fray, sweeping over the saiyans in a surge. They were seized by the scruffs and tossed high in the air, landing awkwardly on their rumps. The pack went yowling into the deep wood.

The man called Len staggered to his feet, shaking hands gripping his handgun. \"I\'m gonna send you back to hell!\" he bellowed, firing again. Goku dove below the shell that cracked over his head and charged. Len tossed down his weapon and attempted to run, but was easily caught. A blow to the head knocked him out cold.

Nearby, Vegeta sat on a boulder, licking his lips contentedly. He surveyed the war zone littered with unconscious men. \"Not a bad night\'s work\" he purred, his tail doing lazy circles.

Goku stood over his last victim and stretched, ruffling his own tail out.

\"Arghh...what a night\" he couldn\'t suppress a smile.

Nor could Vegeta, who liked what he saw. _All the time I felt this in you. Hai, one day I\'ll get those dragonballs, and then we\'ll talk seriously about ruling the universe._

\"Kakarot, come here.\"

Goku leaped over to him. \"What?\"

\"I suggest we leave here as quickly as possible and head home. As the ningens say, we now have a...\'situation\'.\"

Goku nodded, looking over the carnage. \"Yeah, I\'ve had enough of being shot and screamed at for one night.\"

The finely planed face of the ouji tilted up at him. \"Even a saiyan must learn to direct his instincts. You are completely out of control, Kakarot. Your transformations are erratic, and I suspect the rut is aggravating matters.\"

\"Look who\'s talking. You changed, too!\"

A growl. \"Hai, this oozaru is spontaneous and unpredictable. It can be suppressed, but only at times.\"

Goku sat next to him. \"Vegeta...how can I control it, then? Any of it? I can\'t fend it off if I don\'t see it coming.\"

The ouji stood up. \"There are triggers, such as rage or sexual desire. Any form of excitement that activates your hormones will bring about the change.\"

Goku eyed him suspiciously. \"Hmm, you weren\'t angry when you came after me...so that must mean...\" he grinned slyly, wrapping an arm around the tight waist. A thick tail coiled the ouji\'s thigh snugly.

Vegeta pushed off. \"Fool! This is exactly what I mean. We have to get out of here right now! These idiots will be waking up soon enough.\"

The tall saiyan sighed, scratching his shaggy head. \"I suppose you\'re right. But we\'d better split up.\"

\"Hai\" Vegeta moved away momentarily and paused, smirking over his shoulder.

\"Kakarot.\"

\"Nande?\"

\"You were beautfiul tonight. Pure saiyan\" and with that, the ouji flew off like a shot. Goku could only stare at his ki trail before taking off himself.

****

Goku approached his home quietly. _Maybe I should go in through the window. It\'s late, and everyone\'s probably asleep._

Silently he floated to the bedroom window and slipped inside. Sure enough, a familiar form was curled tightly under a maze of blankets. Goku wanted to laugh.

_Kami, she\'s always cold...in more ways than one._

He didn\'t realize she was playing possum. Dark eyes peeped over the sheets as Goku walked over to the bed in darkness.

Chi Chi bolted up abruptly and hit the wall switch. Goku gawked at her. \"Wha?\"

\"All right, mister-\" the words choked in her throat as her eyes bulged in fright.

\"IT\'S THE WOLFMAN!!\" she screeched, and promptly fainted. Goku caught her before she fell. Seconds later he heard fists pounding on the door. Gohan.

\"Mom! Are you okay in there?\"

Goku pressed against the door. \"It\'s okay, Gohan.\"

\"Dad? You\'re back! What happened?\"

\"Your mother had a nightmare but she\'ll be fine. Go to bed, I\'ll see you in the morning.\"

\"Okay\" Goku breathed a sigh of relief when he sensed his son\'s ki retreat.

He laughed softly at his unconscious wife, secretly enjoying her fear. _Wolfman, my ass._

****

Chi Chi cautiously opened an eye. A slim hand patted around, over and under the blankets. She felt a familiar shape at her side.

_What happened last night? That thing was here!_

She blinked and sat up slowly, staring at her sleeping husband. _Did Goku chase it off? I have no idea what\'s going on._

Just then, Goku stirred. Chi Chi shook him gently.

:\"Goku! Are you awake?!\"

Sleepy dark eyes tried to focus. \"I am now. What\'s all the excitement?\"

\"That thing was here last night!\"

Goku waved a dismissal. \"Come on, Chi Chi. I wanna get more sleep\" he flopped over. She rolled him back to face her.

\"This is no time for sleeping. Get up! That creature could still be around here-\"

Goku edged up on an elbow, annoyed. \"Yeah, right. A creature.\"

\"That\'s right, mister. We have to call the authorities!\"

The saiyan stared at her calmly. \"Uh huh. And what are you going to tell them?\"

\"Exactly what happened! That I was in my home, and the wolfman came through the window-\"

Goku smirked. \"Keep going.\"

\"And that he tried to attack me and I screamed.\"

\"That it?\"

She appeared confused. \"Well...I think so. I fainted after that.\"

Goku sat up slowly, holding back a laugh. \"Look. You\'ll be lucky if they don\'t have you locked up as a crank.\"

She glared, folding her arms. \"You think this is funny?\"

\"Hilarious. Now let me get back to sleep.\"

\"I don\'t understand your attitude!\"

The saiyan snuggled into his pillow, smiling. _If you only knew..._

****

The wolfman obsession dominated the news media over the next two days. Non stop reports and so called \'eye witnesses\' fed the mania that swept through South City. National broadcasts were given every hour on the hour. The president mentioned the possibility of an alien invasion during the state of the union address.

Yamcha stopped by the Son house for a much needed visit. He was relieved to find Goku alone.

The bandit hugged his saiyan tightly in the living room. \"Hey. I\'ve missed you\" lips brushed softly.

Goku sighed against the warm mouth. \"Let\'s go in the kitchen. Gohan\'s visiting a friend, but I don\'t know when he might get back.\"

\"Lead the way\" Yamcha was pulled down the hallway.

****

They enjoyed a snack of coffee and doughnuts. Yamcha shook his head in disbelief.

\"They\'ve gone crazy over this \'wolfman\' stuff. You can\'t get away from it! It\'s in the papers, the radio, on tv...\"

Goku nodded in resignation. \"There doesn\'t seem to be any end in sight.\"

Dark eyes were keen on the saiyan. \"Interesting. Now the official story is two \'creatures\'.\"

Goku didn\'t look at him. \"I heard.\"

Yamcha just stared patiently, stirring his coffee.

\"Stop looking at me like that.\"

\"Tell me the truth. That was you all along, wasn\'t it?\"

\"Yamcha-\"

Hands rubbed Goku\'s arms. \"Hey, this is me, remember?\"

Soft smile. \"Sorry. So much is going on lately.\"

Yamcha ruffled the thick hair. \"I\'ll bet. Where\'s Chi Chi?\"

\"She\'s staying over at Capsule Corporation for a couple of days.\"

\"Goku, now what?! She just got back into town!\"

The saiyan leaned back in his chair. \"Chi Chi had a \'wolfman\' sighting up close.\"

Yamcha covered his eyes. \"Kami. You didn\'t...\"

Fangs cracked together. \"You think I\'d hurt her?!\"

The bandit let out a long breath. \"No, but I also know you can\'t control yourself at times.\"

\"Nothing happened! I just came in through the bedroom window and she freaked.\"

Dark eyes narrowed in suspicion. \"You hadn\'t changed back.\"

\"No\" Goku admitted.

\"What about those recent sightings? Were those people attacked like everyone says?\"

The dark head hung low. \"Yes, but no one was seriously injured...\"

\"Goku, you\'ve got to get help. Somehow, someway-\"

Soft growl. \"Vegeta recommended that my oozaru training be stepped up.\"

Yamcha stared at his cup. \"I see. Well, if you think he could help, by all means...\" the tone was sarcastic.

Goku almost smiled. \"Yamcha, come on. Who else could help me with this?\"

A hand rubbed his. \"Vegeta isn\'t the solution to everything. Tell me, is he the other so called \'wolfman\'?\"

Onyx eyes widened. \"You suspected that all along?\"

Yamcha kissed his hand. \"Knowing what I do about you, it seemed like a logical assumption. But I\'m more curious as to why you two were running around together in the woods!\"

Continued)

The saiyan\'s temper flared. \"Look, it wasn\'t like I said, \'hey Vegeta, let\'s run around and scare some people after the party!\' Use your head, for Kami\'s sake!\"

Yamcha sipped his coffee again.\"Still, you were together. Funny how that just seems to happen.\"

Goku tapped his fingers on the table. \"He followed me. It turns out he didn\'t trust my word any more than you.\"

Yamcha winced. \"It\'s not like that, Goku. At least with me. Trusting you is one thing, trusting what you can control is another. Can you understand?\"

Sad smile. \"Hai, I suppose. And in this case you\'re both right.\"

Yamcha grinned. \"You look so kawaii\" his voice deepened with passion. \"Are you doing anything later today?\"

Goku thumbed his lower lip. \"You have something in mind?\"

****

Chi Chi and Bulma stared in stupefication at the barrage of \'wolfman\' coverage on a large tv monitor. Trunks walked into the executive conference room area.

\"Any news? Or should I say, any _other_ news?\"

Bulma blinked. \"No, I think I\'m going blind from this. They must have covered every \'wolfman\' angle there is!\"

Chi Chi gulped her beer. \"They say there\'s two of them now.\"

Trunks sat next to her, glancing at the coverage. \"Yeah, I heard. This story must be making some people\'s careers, that\'s for sure.\"

\"Did you know one of them broke into my house?\"

The demi-saiyan stared. \"What?! Were you attacked?\"

\"Well no...in all honesty, I have no idea what happened. I screamed and passed out. When I woke up I was in bed, and Goku was there.\"

Trunks frowned. \"I don\'t get it. Did Goku chase it off?\"

Chi Chi shrugged in confusion. \"I suppose, but he didn\'t seem anxious to talk about it.\"

Bulma shook her head. \"Weird.\"

****

Vegeta decided to pay a little visit of his own. He flew over to the Son house, hoping to find Goku alone. What he found was an empty house. Hovering outside, the ouji could sense the absense of all ki.

Dark brows pinched together. \"Where could he be? Perhaps I should come back later.\"

Resolved to do so, the prince streaked off into bright blue skies.

****

The saiyan in question was doing quite nicely. He and Yamcha sat near the same lake of their previous tryst.

Yamcha threw pebbles at the sparkling waters. \"Looks like the authorities did a good job repairing the landscape around here.\"

Goku nodded in agreement. \"Yeah, it\'s pretty amazing...although those hillsides are gonna look strange for some time.\"

The bandit stretched on his back, yawning. \"So when has Vegeta decided to start training you?\"

\"In the next couple of days. He seems to think it\'s urgent.\"

Yamcha stared at the sky. \"Much as it pains me to admit it, I agree with him.\"

Goku frowned. \"I\'m tired of everyone making me sound like some sort of maniac.\"

Soft eyes were on him with meaning. \"What would you call this situation? We barely stopped you from destroying a small town. People have been attacked. South City is in a state of panic, and the nation is on alert.\"

Goku was crestfallen. Yamcha placed a hand on his thigh. \"Hey. I\'m still here, you know.\"

Small smile. \"I\'m glad, because I\'d really hate to be alone about now\" he leaned into his bandit, rubbing noses.

Yamcha couldn\'t suppress a smile. Busy hands massaged the saiyan\'s chest. \"You\'ll never be alone as long as I\'m around. Besides, I can\'t keep my hands off you.\"

Goku purred, rolling on his back. \"Hentai.\"

****

Vegeta flew about aimlessly, some instinct telling him that Goku was somewhere in the vicinity. He flew west in a wide arc.

_There\'s no point in flitting about like this. I may as well head back-_

An image flashed across his mind suddenly, along with a burst of familiar ki. Vegeta blinked, stunned at what he sensed.

\"No way!!\" he shouted in denial, altering his course like a shot.

****

The two erstwhile lovers were making up for lost time. Yamcha\'s shirt and shoes were off, and Goku was down to his sash and gi pants. They rolled about in the grass, embracing and kissing fiercely. Yamcha finally came up for air, his bright smile flashing.

\"You know this is the first time you haven\'t jumped all over me?\"

Goku nuzzled his neck. \"Give it a minute\" he rubbed his groin against Yamcha\'s thigh.

\"Not this time around. You\'re mine!\"

\"Hmm?\" Goku found himself on his back, pressed into the thick grass. Yamcha grinned devilishly, grinding his crotch against the saiyan\'s erection. The saiyan arched with a hiss of pleasure, his tail thumping the ground.

\"Like that, do you? Well, that\'s not even a warmup. We\'ve got days to catch up on\" the dark head dipped low.

****

Vegeta\'s sharp eyes saw the scene below as he rapidly approached. _I\'ll rip his balls off and stuff them down his throat._

Yamcha glanced up casually. \"I think we have company.\"

Goku growled, staring at the closing ouji. \"Couldn\'t he come back in about three minutes?!\"

Vegeta landed in front of them with all the force of a thunderclap, his tail puffed like a furball.

Yamcha nestled his head in the saiyan\'s crotch like a pillow. \"I do believe he has something to say.\"

Fists clenched, the ouji glared down at them, eyes glazed in rage. \"Chikusome!! Stupid ningen...how dare you?!\"

Goku attempted to sit up. He felt too good to argue, anyway. \"What\'s the problem, Vegeta?\"

The ouji snarled at him. \"Problem?! You still insist on playing with this, this-\"

Yamcha curled against his saiyan, wrapping a forearm around a thick thigh. \"Actually, we were _about_ to play. You\'re interrupting.\"

Vegeta nearly stepped on his head. \"Don\'t tempt me!\"

\"Back off!\" Goku growled, pushing his leg back. \"What do you want? If you\'ve come to fight-\"

\"I came to talk to you about your training. Fighting\'s always an option\" he bared his fangs.

Goku flashed his own hardware. \"Not interested, Vegeta. There\'s still time.\"

Yamcha waved the ouji off. \"You know what they say, all work and no play.\"

Obsidian eyes fired lethally at the bandit. \"Oh, I have something special in mind for you. But that can wait.\"

\"I\'m trembling.\"

A sinister grin. \"You should be. Kakarot, the moon will be full in two days.\"

Goku settled somewhat. \"Will you trust me for once? All I have to do is stay inside.\"

\"I\'ll see to it\" Yamcha assured sarcastically.

Vegeta ignored him. \"Remember the time factor. You\'re cutting it too close!\"

Goku sat up. \"I know what you\'re getting at, but that\'s not a problem right now. I\'m fine.\"

Vegeta stomped a foot, his tail puffing again. \"Fool! Are you going to wait until it\'s too late?!\"

\"You can stop talking in code, Vegeta\" Yamcha sat up also. \"I know you\'re referring to the rut.\"

Dark features flushed. \"What do you know of it?\"

\"Goku and I have no secrets.\"

Sly grin. \"Ah. So you\'re prepared, then?\"

\"That\'s enough\" Goku told him.

Vegeta\'s mood seemed improved. \"Well, then. This situation has suddenly resolved itself.\"

Yamcha stared in confusion. \"What are you rattling about?\"

The ouji laughed coldly. \"Why nothing. By all means, do continue.\"

\"We intend to\" Goku replied shortly.

Vegeta looked over his shoulder as he turned to go. \"I\'ll never forget last night.\"

Yamcha turned red. \"What the hell?!\" he glanced at Goku in surprise.

Goku glared at his fellow saiyan. \"He\'s running a load of bull, don\'t fall for it!\"

\"Hmm\" Yamcha frowned in thought. \"Hey Vegeta!\"

The ouji halted in mid stride. \"What is it now?\"

The bandit tapped his chin. \"Funny thing. If last night was all that...why is Goku here with me now?\" he laughed out loud.

Vegeta gave a frigid stare of black ice. \"There will be a full moon in two days\" he repeated strangely, before taking off.

Yamcha could only stare in stupefication. \"What was that supposed to mean?\"

Goku said nothing, following the ki trail as it disappeared.

****

Trunks and Tien were playing a friendly game of pool over at Master Roshi\'s. Tien whooped as he got in a good shot.

\"There you go. Beat that, if you can. Three on a side shot!\"

Trunks sniffed. \"Yeah, yeah. Just you wait-\"

Roshi and Krillen made their way downstairs. Trunks motioned them over. \"Wanna join the game?\"

Roshi chomped on a bowl of chips. \"You boys go on, I want to watch the news.\"

\"Whatever for?\" Krillen wanted to know, his expression pained. \"There IS no news except for the \'wolfman\'.\"

Tien shook his head as he lined up another shot. \"Yeah, I\'m burned out on it. They\'ve run news coverage into the ground.\"

Roshi sat on the couch and activated the remote. \"There\'s one thing you boys are forgetting...there\'s evidence now that the creature _could_ exist. And that worries me..\"

Trunks nodded, leaning on his pool cue. \"I know what you mean. Something about this whole deal has bothered me from the beginning.\"

\"Maybe we should do something, like check it out ourselves?\" Krillen suggested, reaching for a pool stick.

Roshi thought a minute. \"Maybe. Where in blazes is Yamcha?\"

Tien snorted. \"Who the heck knows? I barely see him anymore.\"

Krillen snickered. \"Maybe he\'s got a new girlfriend!\"

Trunks poked Tien in the ribs. \"It must be good...he\'s always glowing now. And did you catch him at the party the other night? He could barely move!\"

\"Yeah, that is strange\" Krillen commented. \"I know he\'s not out of shape. Why does he look so tired all the time? Something must really be wearing him out!\"

\"Well, DUH\" Tien stared at him. Trunks rolled his eyes.

Roshi shook his head. \"That boy\'s a bit thick.\"

****

Yamcha felt deliciously weary. He stretched full length against his lover, the sun warm on his back.

\"Aahh....well, at least you let me be seme for once.\"

Goku purred, his chest a rumble of sound. \"You never complained before\" a thick tail wound around Yamcha\'s waist possessively.

Fingers stroked rippling muscle, exploring every dip and curve. \"You seem calmer for some reason, Goku. Less pent up.\"

Lazy yawn. \"Maybe being outside last night helped...I felt fantastic this morning. Usually I\'m always agitated.\"

\"Do you think all those years of repressing has something to do with it?\"

\"Maybe. I never analyzed it, to tell you the truth.\"

Soft kiss. \"Not to touch a sore subject, but what about the rut? Aren\'t you almost...I mean...\"

Goku ran his hands over Yamcha\'s ass. \"I can sense it, barely. Just a tingle right now.\"

\"Goku! Was Vegeta right?\"

A growl. \"Don\'t worry about it. Does this mean you\'ll be with me when it happens?\"

Yamcha slid to a sitting position, startled. \"I...I\'m not sure.\"

Goku loosed his tail from the tight waist and waved it in Yamcha\'s face. \"Think it over\" his voice was silk. \"Then I will taste your blood. Would you consider bonding with me?\"

Yamcha\'s mind raced in confusion. This was unexpected. \"Goku...I don\'t want any decisions made when you\'re in such a state of mind. I mean, how would I know it wasn\'t just the heat making you do that?\"

Liquid orbs of ink nearly melted his resolve. Goku pouted, his features shaded under thick hair.

\"That\'s the saiyan way...we only offer ourselves under such circumstances.\"

\"But I\'m human!\"

\"You\'ve had your romance. Now decide!\"

Yamcha blinked in disbelief, his mood rapidly deteriorating. \"Listen, bud. You don\'t ask to mate with me one minute and order me the next! We\'re having fun...why ruin it?\"

Dark eyes narrowed dangerously. \"You play with me?\" he grabbed his lover by the biceps and squeezed.

\"I didn\'t mean it like that\" Yamcha gritted his teeth against the pressure. \"And I\'m really getting tired of your weird moods!\"

Goku released him immeditately. \"Your choice\" he pushed Yamcha off and stood up.

\"What the hell?!\" Yamcha glared up at him. \"Who do you think you are, anyway?\"

Goku pulled on his clothes. \"My behavior bothers you. Fine.\"

Yamcha sprung to his feet. \"Oh, no you don\'t! You aren\'t turning this around-\"

\"Yamcha, look. I\'ve got things on my mind, and training to do.\"

The z warrior angrily tugged on his pants. \"I\'ve got news for you, Goku. You don\'t dismiss me, okay?\"

\"I\'m not. But time is short.\"

Yamcha laughed in amazement. \"You\'re something else! Not too long ago you said you couldn\'t commit to anything, and now you want a mate. If you ask me, it\'s your hormones talking again.\"

Goku closed the sash at his waist. \"Maybe to some degree, but that\'s not my only reason. You know I only stay with Chi Chi because of Gohan.\"

Yamcha stared at the lake. \"So you want a promise, is that it?\"

A broad thumb traced his mouth. \"It\'ll do for a start...until I get my life in some semblence of order.\"

\"Goku, I love you. But I\'m not staying on the sidelines indefinitely. Gohan\'s only nine. Do you think I plan to sit on my hands until you decide to leave Chi Chi?\"

The saiyan jutted his chin high in challenge, dark eyes blazing. \"Easy enough for you to say, you don\'t have a family...and if you love me so much, why not wait?\"

\"Within reason. Do I look like an idiot, or are saiyans just crazy?\"

\"I\'ve heard humans are somewhat fickle.\"

\"Consider the source\" Yamcha snapped back. \"Anyway, I just may deliver an ultimatum of my own.\"

The saiyan stared in curiosity. \"Oh?\"

\"If you want an answer from me, get control of that oozaru stuff. There\'s no way I\'ll commit wondering if you\'ll go on a rampage every night.\"

Goku yanked the closures on his gi shirt in anger. \"Anything else you want me to be? Or not?\"

Yamcha folded his arms. \"Those are my terms.\"

\"Just a bit of history for you, Yamcha. I\'ve lived on this planet most of my life. Have I killed any innocents?\"

Yamcha shook his head soberly. \"No. But as you said, there were certain restrictions you lived by. What if that isn\'t enough anymore? Can you honestly say that? What worked during childhood may not satisfy you now.\"

Goku sighed. \"We\'re getting nowhere with this. I\'ll see you later\" he turned to go. A hand clapped his shoulder.

\"Just remember, I\'m on your side\" Yamcha nodded sincerely. \"No matter how things turn out.\"

\"I know.\"

****

The next day was relatively quiet. Chi Chi returned home, still full of unanswered questions about the \'wolfman.\' It became the main topic during dinner for the Son family.

Gohan found it all exciting. \"Gee, dad. Did you really see that thing?\"

Goku grinned sheepishly. \"Well...ah...sort of. Your mother was screaming when I arrived upstairs.\"

Chi Chi tapped her fork on the table. \"But there\'s something I still don\'t get. The wolfman climbed in the window, right? After I fainted, there wasn\'t even a hint of a struggle! What happened?\"

Goku stuffed his face with mashed potatoes, stalling. _Great. Why won\'t she let this go?_

\"Well, mister? Did you kill it, or is that thing still running around out there?!\"

The saiyan gulped his food. \"Chi Chi, you know I try to avoid killing-\"

\"Just tell me what you did!\"

\"Yeah, dad, don\'t leave us in suspense\" Gohan goaded. \"Bet you got him real good, huh?\"

Goku tossed his son a sloopy grin. \"I guess. Let\'s just say he really disappeared!\"

\"But did ya beat him up?\"

\"I put him away. I don\'t expect him to return any time soon!\"

\"And what?\" Chi Chi was hanging on her chair. \"Did you see the other one?\"

Goku gave his best innocent expression. \"Other one?\"

Chi Chi rolled her eyes. \"Yes, of course! Haven\'t you heard that there\'s TWO of them?\"

\"Wow\" Gohan\'s eyes went wide. \"I think we should go after them before something else happens!\"

\"Gohan, eat your peas\" Chi Chi pointed. \"I\'ve heard enough of that nonsense!\"

Goku stuffed his face again, shovelling food at frightening speed. Chi Chi eyed him disapprovingly.

He glanced up from his plate. \"What?\"

\"You\'ve told us a lot of nothing, Goku. I want to know...what you did!\"

\"I threw him out the window, okay?!\" Goku blurted. \"Anything else?\"

Chi Chi resumed eating. \"Hmpf. You could have told us that from the beginning.\"

****

Vegeta flew high above the Himalayas, enjoying their majestic beauty.

_Few things are a joy on this world, but there are truly wondrous sights of nature to behold._

He circled wide, looking for open areas devoid of small villages. _On this side of the world it is still daylight. Time is of the essence, I feel my body beginning to burn. Kakarot is playing with fire. That ningen isn\'t serious, I can feel it. Love is on his lips and fun is in his mind. Saiyans have no use for such frivolous flights of fancy. Kuso! If you weren\'t so addled by his looks and body you\'d see the truth, Kakarot._

Dark features contorted in anger. _The final chapter has yet to unfold. We\'ll see who gets what, Yamcha!_

Smiling grimly, the ouji flared across the eastern horizon.

****

Goku paced, feeling nervous and irritable. He was full of pent up energy looking for direction. The \'wolfman\' fever was finally showing some signs of abating with the news media. Now if only his wife would stop obssessing about it...

_Odd_ the saiyan thought silently as he watched a movie in the family room. _Why the hell couldn\'t she tell it was me? Did I freak her out that bad?_

He sensed a familiar ki approaching. Gohan peeped in the doorway.

\"Hey, dad. I was thinking...maybe we should get everybody and go after those wolfmen-\"

Goku sighed in exasperation. \"You\'re driving me crazy with this, Gohan!\"

\"But dad, the police haven\'t been able to catch those things-\"

There was a loud crash outside, startling both father and son.

\"There\'s something outside!\" Gohan began, turning to run out. Goku stopped him.

\"Wait! Check the house out, and make sure your mother is okay. I\'m going outside.\"

A quick nod. \"Okay. Can I come outside and help?\"

Goku scooted him out. \"Go!\"

****

Goku ran past Chi Chi, who pointed at the front door in hysteria. \"I\'ll bet it\'s the wolfman! He\'s come back!!\" she ran upstairs. Goku didn\'t waste time answering her as he bolted out into the dark.

Keen eyes peered around the yard. _Strange. Don\'t see anything..._

Saiyan senses kicked in. On the slightest of breezes, he caught a scent. And a sound. Curious, Goku walked quietly over to the logpile. Shivering and whining was a small dog, its leg trapped under a small stock of wood. It whimpered piteously as he approached.

\"Hey, fellow, what happened?\" Goku patted the furry head as he lifted the wood. The dog licked his hand. Goku noticed the trapped leg was bent at an odd angle.

_Probably broken_ he mused.

\"Hey, dad!!\"

\"Hmm?\" Goku glanced up as Gohan ran his way.

\"Oh!\" he stared at the dog. \"He made all that noise?\"

\"A log fell on his leg. I think it\'s broken.\"

Gohan patted the dog also. \"Maybe we should take him to a vet. Do you think he belongs to anyone around here?\"

Goku looked the animal over. \"It\'s hard to say. He isn\'t wearing a collar.\"

\"I\'ll pick him up!\" Gohan reached underneath. Goku grabbed his arm. \"No, wait! If he has broken bones, you\'ll make it worse by picking him up. I\'ve got a better idea. Go in the house and get a senzu bean from the pouch on the nightstand.\"

\"Okay!\" Gohan was off like a shot. Goku settled next to the whimpering dog, attempting to calm it down.

\"It\'s okay...we\'ll get you fixed up in no time, fellow.\"

The saiyan sighed, his thoughts wandering. A gentle tickle, a warmth that wasn\'t heat raked his skin, seeped to his bones...

_Feel weird...but good_ he glanced around, finally looking up...

Goku vaguely heard a growl not his own in the background. He ignored it. Something much more fascinating, far more captivating, held his attention.

The full moon.

Slowly his tail uncurled from his waist, fluffing thickly. The small dog growled again, his ears flattening. Goku glanced briefly down at it.

\"Quiet\" he snarled. The dog whined again, lying flat on the ground. Moments later Gohan returned.

\"Got the sensu, dad, and...\" he paused, looking down at the distressed dog.

\"Why\'s he acting so strange?\"

\"He has a broken leg, what do you think?\" Goku\'s voice sounded odd to his ears.

Gohan peered at him in the dark. \"You okay, dad? You sound kinda funny...\"

The saiyan coughed. \"Yes, I\'m fine. Give the dog the senzu already!\"

\"Yeah, sure\" Gohan kneeled. \"Take this. You\'ll feel better.\"

A warm muzzle licked his hand and scooped up the bean. Seconds later the dog wobbled up, his tail swishing.

\"All right!\" Gohan laughed, moving to pet it again. The dog barked at him and ran off.

\"What? Why did he do that?\"

Goku pulled his son back as they stood up. \"Let him go, Gohan. Remember, we don\'t know anything about the dog. He could be half wild for all we know.\"

\"I guess you\'re right\" the little mop top glanced up. \"Boy, isn\'t the moon pretty-\"

\"Inside, Gohan!!\" his father abruptly pushed him across the yard. \"And don\'t look at the sky!\"

\"Dad, I don\'t understand?\" a confused Gohan scuttled to the front door.

\"Just do as I say!\" Goku all but shoved him inside.

****

Chi Chi almost laughed when they told her. \"You mean, a little dog made all that noise?\"

\"Yeah, mom, it was funny. His leg was busted, but the sensu fixed him right up!\"

Chi Chi flopped on the couch. \"Well I\'m relieved it wasn\'t the wolfman.\"

Goku glanced at the front door. \"Is that all you have on your mind?\"

\"No, it isn\'t. Why do you keep looking at the door?\"

\"Nothing\" he rubbed Gohan\'s hair. \"All right, midget. Time for bed.\"

Gohan grinned. \"Okay\" he went to hug his mother.

\"Goodnite, Gohan. And don\'t play your radio too loud, okay?\"

The boy beamed. \"Okay. \'Nite, dad!\" he waved and ran upstairs.

Goku grinned. _My one bright spot._

Chi Chi observed him strangely. \"Goku, we need to talk about our marriage.\"

\"Why\" his voice was unusually harsh.

She paused at his tone. \"I don\'t want to fight about this-\"

\"We won\'t\" he said shortly, still standing by the door.

Chi Chi grew concerned. \"You don\'t sound like yourself...are you sick?\"

Goku felt his forehead. \"No...I just need...to get out!\"

\"What\'s that mean?\" she pressed, moving towards him. \"You want a divorce?\"

He shook his head impatiently. \"I meant outside! It\'s too warm in here.\"

She touched his forehead. \"You seem to be running a temperature. Maybe you should go to bed. It\'s late, and we can talk in the morning.\"

Goku nodded, his entire body bursting with sensation. \"That sounds good, Chi Chi. I\'ll go on up\" he walked slowly up the stairs. His wife stared behind him, some instinct filling her with dread.

_Something else is wrong besides our marriage...and I fear what it might be, Goku._

****

He couldn\'t stand it. Goku stretched across the bed in an attempt to force his body to relax. It didn\'t work. Mentally he was in a shambles, his thoughts wild and unfocused. That sweet tickle returned with a vengeance. Without thinking he glided off the bed and opened the window, looking at starlit skies.

And the moon.

_Yessss_ a keening growl rumbled as his tail lashed about. Breathing became ragged rasps in his throat. Heartbeat and pulse hammered his skull, pounded his ears.

\"Ruarrrghhh....\"

Power spiked as the saiyan bounded out the window. Goku ran like the wind, instinct guiding his movements. The power was delicious, ravishing. He embraced it as it surged through him, ripping away all sanity...

Chi Chi had fallen asleep on the couch downstairs. A blaring announcement from the television woke her up with a start.

She rubbed sleepy eyes and stared at the screen. \"What in the world?\"

A local news anchor appeared. <>

Chi Chi stared slack jawed at the sight. The rampaging behemoth swatted military planes and stepped on tanks. Soldiers barely escaped with their lives, either by parachute or on foot. Weapons of every sort were fired at the creature, to no avail. Massive jaws belched fire everywhere.

Chi Chi felt cold shock creep down her spine. The simian being seemed terrifyingly familiar. _Years ago...dad told me about a creature like that destroying the tournament palace. But why this, why now?_

Unnerved, she ran to the kitchen and dialed Capsule Corporation. Shaking hands barely held the receiver.

bzzz. [Hello?]

\"Bulma! Do you have on the news?!\"

[Yes. It\'s insane!]

\"We\'ve got to do something!\"

[Like what, Chi Chi?! The military is there now!]

\"What\'s all that noise in the background?\"

[Chi Chi, it\'s a madhouse here. Vegeta\'s yelling and I can\'t hear myself think.]

\"Who else is there?!\"

[Who isn\'t? Piccolo, Tien, and of course Trunks. Wait, Krillen and Yamcha just walked in. Everyone\'s talking at once!]

\"What, are they going to fight that monster?!\"

[They\'re talking about it. Vegeta and Yamcha keep arguing, and now Trunks is mad.]

\"They need to get going, then!\"

A click, then another voice.

[Hang up, woman. Stop wasting our time!!]]

\"Vegeta, you\'ve got to go after that ape thing!\"

Silence. Chi Chi stared at the receiver. \"Hello? Hello? she tapped the dial pad in confusion before slamming the phone down.

\"The bastard hung up on me!\"

****


The z warriors flew like rockets through the night, their thoughts grim. Even the normally playful Krillen had a dour mood.

Trunks glanced over at Vegeta. \"Father, can we trust you this time?!\"

Vegeta stared straight ahead as they flew. \"Hai, this ends tonight. I warned the fool! He has no more control than a baby!!\"

\"But why did he ignore your warning?\" Tien shouted.

\"I don\'t know all the circumstances that caused his change.\"

Krillen shook his head. \"This is crazy. First all that \'wolfman\' stuff, and now this!\"

\"Who has the device?\" Piccolo wanted to know.

\"Me\" Trunks yelled. \"And there won\'t be a repeat of last time, either!\"

Yamcha was strangely silent.

****

Carnage. Chaos. Words didn\'t adequately describe the path of destruction oozaru Goku left in his wake. Bloodied and injured soldiers were everywhere. The land was nearly destroyed, razed to its bare bones. Smoke and the stench of firearms filled the air. Fires erupted from destroyed machinery and artillery, lighting the skies in an eerie orange glow.

\"PATHETIC FOOLS, THIS MISERABLE MUDBALL IS MINE.\"

The were ape seized a fighter plane and hurled it into the night skies. The z warriors intercepted it as they arrived on the scene.

\"Incoming!!\" Tien bellowed.

\"Slow it\'s flight!\" Piccolo shouted. Vegeta wasted no words, blasting the tail section with a null beam. The plane stopped its dizzy tailspin and stabilized, flying off into the dark.

\"Good save\" Krillen commented.

\"Of course\" came the haughty reply. \"Our next situation will be considerably more challenging\" he pointed below.

\"RUARUURRGHHH!!!\"

\"I will get his attention, Trunks! You know what to do\" Vegeta flew ahead of them all.

The demi-saiyan nodded grimly. \"Yeah, we don\'t need two oozaru for the price of one!\"

****

The ouji darted across black skies, teeth clenched. It took every ounce of willpower and training he had not to transform himself. The moon spoke softly, demanding the beast within be set free. Sweat burst on his brow.

_Not...this time...I am Vegeta, an elite! Trained and bred...I will not give in!!_

The compact figure did an impossible dive earthward, straight for his monstrous target. The mammoth were-ape nearly knocked down another plane when Vegeta flew directly over his head.

\"Kakarot!! Cease this rampage. I, your ouji-sama of Vegetasaii, command it!!\"

The ape lifted his head up to stare, giving an earsplitting roar in response.

In turn Vegeta let out a piercing, gutteral howl that was heard for miles. His tail bushed and stiffed, even as the dark flame of hair grew, shagging out...

Piccolo held his ears. \"What the hell?!!\"

Trunks flew above them all in anger. \"That\'s it!!\" he hurled the solar device high. Blinding light burst from it in all directions, creating confusion for miles around. The militia froze, stupefied by the strange turn of events. The attack was suspended.

Far below the glowing rays stood a bewildered oozaru, his savage fury held at bay by the weird cry. Slowly he lowered his arms, shrinking in size and changing...

Likewise Vegeta resumed a look of normalcy, his black mane returning to more typical porportions. Red eyes darkened like fire to coal. Goku fell from the sky, plummeting to earth like a comet.

The z warriors hovered above. \"Now comes the difficult part\" Tien observed.

\"What\'s difficult? We\'ve got things under control\" Yamcha commented.

Piccolo nodded. \"Yeah, but now we\'ve gotta get him out of here, quick!\"

****

Vegeta landed near the fallen saiyan. Goku was face down over cracked earth, unconscious. The ouji shielded the prone figure, intending to get out of there quickly, but the military had other ideas. Tanks trained in his direction with turrets aimed in deadly intent.

From above, the z warriors dived down to assist. They were peppered with \'friendly fire\'.\"

\"The idiots!\" Tien yelled. \"They\'re shooting at us!\"

Piccolo snorted as they scattered. \"Circle around and swing low, if you can get past the shells!\"

Krillen flew alongside Yamcha and Trunks. \"I never thought I\'d see the day when I was regarded as an enemy!\"

****

Vegeta glanced around at the approaching tanks. He gave an affected smile at the loudspeaker warning.

**YOU THERE. BACK AWAY FROM THAT MAN, OR WE\'LL TAKE YOU BOTH INTO CUSTODY.**

Vegeta laughed, hurling his head back defiantly. \"Like hell, ningens. None command me!\"

**THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING. STAND OFF OR GET SHOT. YOUR MOVE!**

\"Indeed\" Vegeta gave a catlike grin, crouching to pick up Goku. He prepared to spring...

**OPEN FIRE.***

...and shot up like a comet, carrying his precious burden. Shells and rockets followed his path as the ouji soared out of sight.

Tien spied them from his vantage point nearby. \"There they go...let\'s get out of here!\"

\"Agreed!\" Piccolo sped upward, avoiding another shell himself. The others escaped as well, their speed too much for the pursuing hardware. Soon they were out of sight entirely.

Trunks flew alongside his father, concern etched over his features.

\"Father! Do you think they got a good look at Goku\'s face?\"

Vegeta shook his head. \"Ile, I doubt it. The darkness and distance prevented a clear cut identification. Besides, I shielded his appearance when he landed.\"

\"Where to now?\" Krillen wanted to know.

\"The lookout shelter I built in the Himalayas.\"

\"THE HIMALAYAS!!\" they all shouted.

Vegeta grinned. \"Hai, this country is too hot right now. And Kakarot\'s training will begin in complete isolation and secret, whether he wants it or not!\"

Yamcha edged up in his flight. \"I have to agree with you, Vegeta-\"

Dark eyes looked him over. \"What, no hysterical arguements?\"

\"This situation is more important than our differences, Vegeta.\"

The ouji nodded quickly. \"Hn. You surprise me\" he looked ahead and said no more.

****

Flying into the dawn was an amazing experience. Krillen never got over the sensation of actually flying through \'time\' from darkness to full blown daylight. Tien whistled at the majestic mountain range they approached.

\"Beautiful\" he saId shortly. \"Where\'s the lookout, Vegeta?\"

\"Not far\" the ouji pointed west with his free hand. \"That way.\"

The group sailed in a wide arc near a desolate valley destroyed by natural erosion.

Piccolo approved. \"Good choice...an oozaru could do little damage to this area.\"

\"Unless he goes after the mountains\" Yamcha tossed in. Vegeta glared at him.

\"That hillside over there is the entrance. Follow me\" he darted ahead with the still unconscious Goku.

****

It was an impressive setup. The lookout was well stocked with food. Generators fueled refrigiration units and air filtration systems. The restroom facilities were roomy.

Krillen noticed some devices locked in a case. \"Handcuffs, Vegeta? You planning on doing something kinky?\" he teased.

Yamcha inspected them through the glass. \"That better not be the reason!\"

Vegeta laughed at them all. \"Bakas. Those are ki restraints, for emergency use only.\"

Piccolo glanced down the hallway at the room Goku occupied. \"Can\'t handle it alone?\"

\"Don\'t taunt me, namek. Those restraints expand to any size.\"

Trunk\'s eyes went wide. \"Oh, I get it! So if Goku freaks...they\'ll still be effective.\"

A grim nod of satisfaction. \"Correct.\"

A loud moan interrupted their conversation.

\"Sleeping beauty awakens\" Tien pointed at the sound.

****

_He was awake, and yet asleep. Primal force unrestrained. It was wondrous, the flush of blood, the feeling of power..._

\"Kakarot,\"

\"Rrrrrrgh.\"

Goku\'s friends stood at the bed Vegeta placed him in earlier. Bedsheets wrapped the muscular form in a tangle. A velvety black tail coiled out slowly, sweeping across the bed.

Piccolo observed it and frowned. \"I know how to put an end to this!\" he nearly shouted, lurching forward and pulling it.

Vegeta snarled. \"Namek, are you insane?!\"

Before anyone could react, the furry appendage curled tightly around the green wrist. Stunned, Piccolo tried to pull himself free but couldn\'t.

\"What? Impossible!\"

A collective gasp as Goku abruptly lunged at the namek, his hands choking Piccolo by the throat.

TIen and Yamcha tried to pull them apart. Krillen stared in surprise, making a startling observation.

\"He\'s still asleep, guys!\"

\"Idiot!\" Vegeta yelled at the namek. \"You don\'t grab a saiyan\'s tail in his sleep!\"

\"Goku, let go\" Yamcha said gently, still attempting to pry the tight hands free from Piccolo.

Sleepy eyes blinked in confusion. \"Hai? What...what\'s going on here?\"

\"You were asleep, Goku\" Tien explained carefully. \"Now let Piccolo go.\"

In shock, Goku stared at his friend who was now nearly purple. He loosed his hands. \"Sorry...I don\'t understand?\"

Piccolo coughed, nodded.

Goku rubbed his head. \"Kami, my skull is killing me. But...what\'s going on? Where are we? And why am I wearing pajamas?\"

He received only concerned stares and silence. Yamcha sat next to him on the bed.

\"Goku, don\'t you remember what happened last night?\"

Jet eyes went blank. \"Last night? No, I don\'t think so. Not after Gohan and I rescued a dog trapped under our log pile.\"

Tien observed his friend cautiously. \"So...you went outside?\"

Goku winced at his headache. \"Where else? I recall sending Gohan inside because of the moon...and...\" he stared in apprehension, yerking his head around.

\"Wait...what is this place? And why the hell am I in bed?!\" the confused saiyan felt himself.

Trunks cleared his throat. \"Goku...we brought you here...there was an incident last night...\"

Vegeta pushed him aside. He couldn\'t take anymore. \"Kakarot, you went oozaru again. This is a remote lookout in the Himalayas.\"

Goku gawked. \"The himalayas?\" Yamcha squeezed his hand.

\"It was necessary, Goku. You can\'t stay in the states right now.\"

The saiyan swallowed, absorbing his words. \"It\'s bad, isn\'t it?\"

Vegeta nodded, grim. \"Very.\"

Goku closed his eyes in pain. \"I could feel it...an attack. Rage...\" his eyes snapped open as he grabbed Yamcha, shaking him.

\"Did I kill anyone?!\"

\"No\" Krillen reassured him, edging up. \"But the military will be looking for you now.\"

\"I see\" the saiyan was subdued.

\"We\'ll get you through this, Goku\" Trunks encouraged. Yamcha nodded, resting his hand on a broad shoulder.

\"All of us.\"

Vegeta coughed. \"Kakarot, you will remain here while I train you. Period. No more arguments.\"

Goku nodded grimly. \"Agreed. You were right, Vegeta. My pride was costly.\"

Obsidian eyes softened. \"Saiyans have that tendency. However, this situation can be rectified.\"

Goku tore his eyes away momentarily. \"Piccolo and Krillen, can you cover for me with Chi Chi and Gohan?\"

Krillen smiled. \"I\'m sure we can come up with something.\"

\"I\'ll talk to Gohan\" Piccolo assured him. \"Of the two, I think he\'ll be easier to convince.\"

\"Thanks\" Goku sat back, his mind awhirl.

\"I\'m staying here while you train\" Yamcha insisted.

TIen stared. \"Huh? Whatever for, Yamcha?\"

\"He isn\'t!\" Vegeta replied.

\"Yamcha...Vegeta\'s right\" Goku sighed. \"There\'s no point. If anything goes wrong he\'s best equipped to handle it. And if we need any help...you know where the lookout is.\"

Yamcha eyed Vegeta warily. \"Are you sure? I mean-\"

Vegeta turned his back. \"He must be trained. You\'re wasting your time.\"

\"I agree\" Piccolo chimed in. \"Yamcha, your strength is all but useless here.\"

The bandit glared at him. \"You never were tactful.\"

\"No, but I tell the truth. Frankly I wish I could have ripped that tail out by the root!\"

Goku smiled strangely. \"I\'d surely remember that...once it grew back!\" he enjoyed the look of discomfort on the namek\'s face.

Piccolo gave a gutteral grunt. \"I hope you\'re joking.\"

****

The two saiyans watched their companions leave just outside the lookout entrance. After the streaks of ki disappeared over the horizon, Vegeta sidled alongside Goku. His tail stroked the broad back gently.

The dark head tilted down a little. \"Vegeta\" Goku said softly.

Black eyes were warm on him. \"We begin tomorrow morning. You\'ll need to eat and sleep well tonight.\"

Goku turned his ouji around. \"Will this training work?\"

Vegeta eyed him strangely, nose flaring. \"What kind of question is that? I already told you about the difficulty factor. Don\'t expect miracles.\"

Goku sighed. \"I don\'t, but...I have a reason for wondering. Last night I sensed you wanted to change, despite your training as an elite. It just makes me wonder what hope I have.\"

Vegeta grimaced at the memory. \"But the point is, I _didn\'t_ change. Don\'t misunderstand, Kakarot. The best analogy I can think of is this...picture the oozaru as a beast, which it is. Your training is the leash. The proper amount of control is needed to hold it. Pull the leash too tight, and your instincts rebel and take over. Let the leash go, and your soul is buried. Either way you lose, but for different reasons.\"

Goku was solemn, turning to go back inside. \"The balancing act you mentioned.\"

Vegeta followed him. \"Aye, like a tightrope. And the longer that form is maintained, the greater the strain to contain it.\"

The tall saiyan considered. \"What about the smaller version?\"

\"A strange compromise. At times you will control it, and at other times it will control you. As I said, it\'s far more unpredictable than the were-ape.\"

Warm fingers traced a curvy shoulder. \"Let\'s get something to eat.\"

****

The pair ate a hearty meal in the pantry. A strange silence stretched until Vegeta broke it.

\"There are other matters to speak of, Kakarot.\"

Goku glanced up at him. \"Such as?\"

Soft growl. \"The fact that our time is close...hadn\'t it crossed your mind?\"

Goku sipped his drink. \"It\'s a bit hard to focus on that. After all, I\'m only an international fugitive.\"

Vegeta smirked. \"Still have a sense of humor, I see. Not that it changes anything.\"

\"I\'m here for training, Vegeta.\"

The ouji sniffed. \"Liar. You think I haven\'t noticed the change in your scent?\"

Goku still didn\'t look at him. \"We\'re not here to dwell on that.\"

A warm hand brushed his thigh under the table. \"Yes Kakarot\" Vegeta rolled the last syllable of his name roughly, emphasizing the \'o\'. Goku stared at his plate, ignoring the shiver down his spine at the deep inflection.

The ouji noticed the slight flinch. He stood, sliding over behind the taller saiyan seated at the table. Strong hands massaged the broad shoulders. Vegeta leaned forward and whispered in his ear.

\"Kakarot\" he repeated in a low and lusty tone, his voice deepening. Goku\'s tail ruffled in respose as it straightened.

\"Stop it, Vegeta. Tomorrow\'s gonna be a long day.\"

The ouji slipped into his lap, wrapping his tail around a thick bicep. \"Huhh, I\'ve waited to do this for days.\"

Goku trembled, the rich musky scent rolling across his tongue as he inhaled. The compact, well muscled body radiated heat and spice through the blue spandex of his battle suit. Hands that attempted to push the ouji away ended up embracing him instead...

The next thing Goku remembered was rolling on the floor with his arms wrapped around Vegeta, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. After a few minutes of groping under the table they came up for air.

Vegeta licked his lips slowlly. \"Hai, this training will have an interesting start.\"

Goku struggled from underneath. \"That\'s enough, Vegeta...\" he panted, heaving. The thick mop of hair was disheveled. Vegeta rubbed his groin against a tight erection.

\"What\'s this?\" he purred, splaying his legs wide over the taller saiyan. Goku gasped as practiced hands slid across his chest and hips.

\"Hentai\" Goku growled.

Vegeta kicked off his boots. \"Oh, you don\'t know the half of it...\"


THE END