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

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Chapter 3
Bardock ran into Kakarot on his way towards the dining hall but the look on his son’s face communicated more than talking. Kakarot did pretend not to see him in an attempt to get away as quickly as possible and, as soon as he could, he sped off. Bardock couldn’t make sense of his thoughts before he left, so he shrugged it off for now as he was pointed in the direction of the extravagant room and told to stand at the King’s table and not to sit until the King arrived and told him to do so, which was fine, he’s had an enjoyable and relaxing day so far, a little standing and waiting around wouldn’t hurt him.
He wondered, though, what could be the meaning of his son’s parting. There must be something else going on that he hasn’t considered yet. ‘All in due time,’ he told himself, but it didn’t make his curiosity any less demanding.

“Your Highness,” an all too familiar voice called from behind the King, who entered his chambers to shower and change before his dinner with Bardock.
King Vegeta was undressing and he didn’t stop even for a moment, but he looked back at him and smirked. He said, in a silky way, “I didn’t know that you were in here…”
“I tried to catch you outside of the training grounds, but you had already left, your Highness,” Rori replied as he approached him, with the same smoothness in his voice, “Who was that young man you were fighting for all that time? Was that Kakarot?”
King Vegeta chuckled and, removing the last of his garments, he asked, “Why are you so concerned?”
Rori put his hands on his shoulders as the King heated up the shower as fast as possible, and he leaned in to kiss his neck. “I’m not concerned,” He replied.
“Then that’s settled,” the King answered and quickly got in, shutting him out of the shower as he said, “I must get ready quickly.”
Rori sighed, impatient with being put off so frequently recently, “Another dinner I can’t attend?” He asked sarcastically.
Vegeta thought smugly, ‘Why would you attend any of my meetings?’ but he only said, over the rushing of the water, “They’re more boring than you think and I know how quickly you can get tired of things.”
“Fine, your Highness, have it your way,” he replied, testily but before he left he opened the curtain to the King’s shower and kissed him sensually.
“Later,” The King promised, and Rori grinned at him, satisfied with that, and left.

The King entered the dining hall abruptly with six guards and several servants filing in behind them. He greeted Bardock warmly and Bardock smiled at him and bowed low. The King told everyone to leave, except for the kitchen workers, who cleared the table of unnecessary utensils and expensive looking decorative pieces and made it shorter and more accommodating for their meeting.
The servants asked their King for his drink of choice and he asked Bardock for his opinion, to which he stated casually that wine would do nicely. The King agreed, and after the red, aromatic but strongly alcoholic juice was poured, the King told Bardock to sit where he chose while he took his designated seat. Once they were settled and the room was entirely cleared of the others for now, King Vegeta proposed a toast to Bardock, to which the man could not deny the pleasure of, and then they drank from their cups.
King Vegeta began, “I’m sure you’re wondering why I did not invite Kakarot to stay and dine with us.”
Bardock replied, “Naturally, Sire.”
King Vegeta hid a smirk behind his glass for a brief second. He explained with a regal air, “Our sparring session went very well,” and he looked Bardock square in the eyes as he added, “But I’m sure you knew that it would.”
Bardock assessed that the King knew something that perhaps he did not. In fact, he began to realize that this whole thing was more planned out that he had originally figured it might be and he began to wonder what he could mean by it all. The answers, however, weren’t far from his mind, if only he wished them. He answered, “I have pushed him very hard over the years, Sire,” and remained content in hearing him out instead of prying for the information.
King Vegeta cleared his throat and said nonchalantly, putting his drink down, “I don’t doubt that, especially considering the circumstances.”
Bardock knew then that something else was on the table for discussion and he asked boldly, “Forgive me, your Highness, but if you could clarify on what circumstances, exactly? You see, I don’t like beating around the bush, and I have heard that you are much the same.”
King Vegeta smirked at him and they held each other’s gaze for some time. Finally the King answered, but he spoke in low, even tones, and although they were alone, he still wished for no one to hear him, “I should like to think that you are more than well aware of our predicament. In fact, if my father hadn’t had such confidence and affection for you, I wouldn’t have even considered bringing Kakarot out here in the first place. Then again, you’ve made quite a reputation for yourself even before you became involved with my father.” A flicker of the King’s eyes in Bardock’s direction told him what he’d only ever wondered, and the King smirked and said, “Yes, I’m talking about your affair with him,” and Bardock’s heart pumped wildly, but the King cleared his throat once again and added, still speaking quietly, “Moreover, I know about your trip to Planet Kanassa, and I know of what you have seen, but not because he told me, no, he never actually told me about your powers or your relationship,” King Vegeta squared up with him, making himself completely understood, and he gave off the air that this information was confidential, and that he anticipated it to remain as such, while he continued to explain, “I know because I saw the two of you, and I heard about your visions from your own mouths, and I know because other men from other planets have seen it coming, and it has come to my attention that I can no longer ignore it for it is coming true and coming soon.”
Bardock remained silent for some time, processing everything as calmly as possible. Embarrassed wasn’t the right word to describe his emotions. It’s been a long time since anyone has been more foresighted and clever than he. King Vegeta watched his face as he considered his words, knowing he threw a lot at him, what with revealing that he knows about hidden secrets, things that, from what he can tell, Bardock hasn’t told either of his sons about. King Vegeta’s patience at the moment was lasting more than it usually does but it shrunk the longer it took him to reply.
Finally, perceiving he must say something, Bardock said, “Not a day goes by that I don’t wish to have him back, or that I don’t wonder if I could have done anything to stop it, but with this power comes only the opportunity to prepare for the future, and not necessarily change it.”
The King listened to what he said and heard it for the truth in it. He knew that their love affair was a genuine one, hidden for very obvious reasons, and he presumed his loyalty to the crown. From there he determined that there was nothing that he would be denied and nothing hidden from him and so he stated simply, “Kakarot must move into the castle, where he will go under extensive training.”
“Your wish is my command, your Highness,” and with that Bardock smirked, almost laughing at how silly the request was and the irony of it all.
King Vegeta glared at him and still Bardock chuckled. “He is unwilling to part with you,” The King added, not understanding what was so funny, but not wanting to bother with it at the moment.
“He will do as he is told, my Liege,” Bardock stated, but he included, more to the point, “Besides, I think it’s more in his interests than he would admit, even to himself.”
To that the King quirked a brow, but he ignored that comment as well and only asked, “Would you not consider doing the same?”
“…” Bardock hesitated, and then he read the King’s mind. ‘With you in the castle, training along with my recruits, we could surely create an army the likes of which will crush any enemy.’ Upon hearing that he said, “If I may, your Highness, let me just say that in our situation, your elites are just… not going to cut it.”
King Vegeta stared at him in awe. He thought that his powers were true but he hadn’t considered the implications of them. He hoped he’d catch him too off guard to read his thoughts. At the same time, he was aware of the possibility of it, and instead of getting angry he answered, without batting an eyelash, “How so?”
Bardock rocked uncomfortably in his chair for just a moment, looking down at his full glass of wine before looking into the steely eyes of the young King once again. He said to him, “In a duel against a man that has supremacy, only a handful will be able to put a stop to him. The rest would be wasted lives.”
“Hn,” King Vegeta’s mind began to wonder at the visions that Bardock has seen, but he asked, to the point, “Who, then, is supposed to fight him?” and his pride swelled inside of his chest.
“Kakarot, my Liege, and you,” Bardock answered.
King Vegeta dropped his guard for just a moment and said quietly, “I thought that you would enter this fight, Bardock,” and there was a hint in the tone of his voice of hope to hear an affirmation as he added, “after all, you played such a large role in our greatest win as a race, and; to think that Kakarot might be the one to fight him… what type of power does he have?!”
Bardock knew well the fight against Frieza, things panned out much differently than they did in other timelines, judging from what his son has seen. Bardock took his baby son (Kakarot) out of the ward, stopping him from being sent off to Earth, and he was able to reach the King through telepathy before he was killed, and by the time he got to the bar, everyone was willing to believe him when their King showed up to confirm his story. (**) When Frieza arrived, he was surprised by the greeting of the majority of the Saiyan race, and he decided to deceive the King and said that the Prince was already near death, but his plan of rendering him helpless backfired, and King Vegeta turned into a Super Saiyan at the thought of his son dead and was able to destroy him right then and there. Bardock saved the young Prince before anything could happen to him once he realized Frieza’s lie due to his own powers. The only thing that brought the King down from his state of generous strength was the sight of Bardock and his young son. Planet Vegeta was never the same. Bardock would never forget that day.
The third class war-hero realized he has not answered him and he sighed, taking another sip of his wine, before he admitted, “Your Highness, I’m afraid I won’t be here.” There was a certainty in his gaze as he spoke of his own demise, and though a hint of sadness could be sensed in his voice, there was also pride and deep consideration in him.
King Vegeta was stunned and could not hide his regret at hearing such news. He knew that Bardock would not toy with him about such a thing, and his heart ached for Kakarot and Raditz, and he wondered what made him think of such a thing before recollecting himself to the moment. He said, “What better reason do you need? You must move in. I’ll have any affair you need settled done right and quickly.”
Bardock considered the situation and wondered what to do from here, but he knew that the young King was impatient and such a position calls for quick judgement, so he smiled at him and replied, “I must confess, I am obliged by your offer and you leave me no choice, but, I would like to know that my place here will be one of use to you, my Lord.”
King Vegeta smiled and raised his glass to Bardock, speaking in a boisterous voice, “By all means, you have my word,” and they clanked glasses, and his tone returned to a quieter one as he said, “A man who my father enjoyed the company of exclusively is more than welcome in these halls as more than a guest, and given these newer predicaments, you have more right than reason to live here, in my opinion. Besides, do you think that I am ignorant of the blue prints you’ve been making?”
Bardock smirked and his cheeks became a shade of red, though he was not completely surprised, he asked still, “How was it that you gained that information, I wonder?”
The King smirked, “Raditz does not have a wagging tongue, I assure you, and I believe you know that, but when I ask, he tells. How I hear wind of it in other ways is my business.”
“Well, it’s settled then,” Bardock laughed, and as King Vegeta joined him in his own victorious chuckle, Bardock could see a little bit of his father in him, and a little bit of humility instead of pride. The reserved nature he lived by was only casting shadows over his inner self, and Bardock smiled to himself as he considered his son’s happiness over all of their struggles.
It was then that the King called for his servants, and a minute thereafter that their feast actually began. Bardock understood, now, why Kakarot could not be involved, but he never imagined that the topic up for discussion would have been what it was, and so soon. The rest of their evening was spent pleasantly, in spite of the fact that there were heavy thoughts looming over both of their heads. Kakarot would have to learn about this eventually, and so would the rest of their world.
(** For anyone wondering about Tora- He was the big factor of alteration- he was too concerned with Bardock to leave him and go to planet Meat, regardless of who ordered the job, and so he stayed, and he visited Kakarot, and saw that he was troubled, and when Bardock awoke, he told Tora everything, and with his added intelligence, they began the altered events which came about in this universe.)

Kakarot avoided everyone for as long as his own desire to keep to himself outlasted his curiosity, which was only the one evening. So the next day he approached his father in his lab and asked him what the King wanted to talk about. The answered surprised him.
“You’re moving into the castle,” Bardock said flatly, peering at one of his many charts, “so am I, next week. We will have to say our good-byes to Tora, for now, son.”
“So! You’ve decided this?!” he asked, not expecting to hear him say that exactly, and without an explanation.
“Calm down,” Bardock said as he rolled his eyes at his son, “What are you upset about? This was going to happen eventually.”
Kakarot plopped down onto a couch not far from him and said, “I don’t know, I’m just nervous…”
“What’s making you nervous?” Bardock wondered aloud, his son still doesn’t know about the battle he’s been preparing him for, so why is he so on edge?
He admitted sweetly, “He won’t like me at first…”
Bardock laughed and said, “You don’t know what he’ll think of you. Just because the other Vegeta felt that way for a little while, doesn’t mean you two are doomed to the exact same fate.”
Kakarot wondered at his father before he asked, more intuitively, “Why were you so willing to let him uproot our lives here?”
“Because he is my King and I respect him and I am happy to do as he asks,” he answered convincingly, still putting most of his attention on his project. Truth told he knew that life was too short to be upset about something so silly. It was an offer he couldn’t and wouldn’t have refused regardless how the King had asked him.
“There’s something else going on, father,” Kakarot determined, and he asked, “You’re just going to leave all of this here?” and he stood back up and walked around, admiring his father’s handiwork and years of study.
“The King is going to see to it that everything I have and own that I deem worthy follows me there. He already has a workplace lined up for me, as well,” he stopped gazing at his work and put a hand on his son’s shoulder, “Don’t worry about those things, Kakarot, they’re just things, they’re not important.”
Kakarot eyed him, and then he wondered aloud, “Well then what does he want with me?”
Bardock laughed and let go of him, “He wants to train you, to have you fight for the Kingdom and for our race’s sake,” he explained coolly.
“We have enough soldiers in the Saiyan army,” Kakarot denied him sound reason in that reply and guessed, “It must be something else.”
Bardock did not reply. He thought it best that the King be the one to break the news to his son, seeing as how he’s been lying to him for so long already. He didn’t plan on having that conversation with him if he could help it, at least not right now, anyways. He is his child, after all, and the happiness of his sons’ is most important.
Kakarot wondered at a few more questions which begged to be answered before giving way to the fact that the decision has already been made. It was going to be a long week.

It’s been a long three months. Between going from doing as he pleased most of the time, to showing up to schedule training exercises and sometimes even scheduled meals, Kakarot was dizzy with unnecessary “responsibility.” No one was breathing at his back, barking orders at him (most of the time) but people were treating him strangely, and he heard only some of the curious gossip they were spreading about him.
Some of the Saiyan’s claimed that Raditz got his family special permission to live at the castle. (Otherwise, why would two third-class’ move in?) Others said that it was Bardock, who used to come to the castle while the former King was alive, who got them in. (Though some knew and revered Bardock, many had no idea what role he played in the battle some twenty years ago, his own legend falling behind with the turning of time in the elderly.) He was, however, surprised to hear that many people do know his father’s name from not only his battle history, but his science genius as well, and Raditz was very well liked, so it left a good reputation for the youngest son and while many people debated on whether or not Kakarot was going to be staying long, they stuck to avoiding him for the most part.
He got to see his father some of the time, but he’s been busy, too. King Vegeta set Bardock up with some of his best scientists, and together they’ve already managed to blow up one of science departments and begin production on some new equipment for training, Bardock’s baby, the subject of his extensive blueprints, the Gravity Machine that Kakarot saw in his visions of Goku. Bardock decided he’d take the genius credit for this one in this timeline, all he needed was a little help and persistence from the others, which was working perfectly now that he’s been given a competent crew, and they should have it up and running in no time.
Kakarot hasn’t seen the King for some time, though, and it was bothering him, but he let it be for now. He knew that eventually they would cross paths, and that every time they do, Vegeta must be getting closer to realizing who he is. Still the King seemed to be out of reach and knowledge entirely, except for when the servants spoke of their duties to him. So, when he saw him approaching during his scheduled training time, accompanied by his brother and several other guards, he was more thrown off than he would have liked, and it wasn’t just because it was unexpected. His heart leapt at the thought of speaking with him and every time he saw him he grew a little more attached and he truly didn’t know how to act around him.
“Kakarot!” King Vegeta hailed him, and the young man stood up quickly just to bow on one knee before standing again to attention.
“Your Highness?” he asked, and though his voice sounded boyish and simple, he looked him straight in the eyes with consideration.
The King saw the look and he smirked at him. He enjoyed having the upper hand and element of surprise over Kakarot. Seeing him now he does seem stronger already, and he couldn’t wait to test that strength. He told him in a commanding tone, loud enough for any of the others who were using the training facility to hear, “You are to battle these men one at a time,” he gestured, referring to the guards, “and defeat them all. They will draw straws to determine who will be first to fight you.”
Kakarot understood him immediately. This was a true test of strength, and he was determined not to fail, in fact his only desire was to impress him, and he wondered where his resolve was coming from. He considered the attention with a pleased mind and said, “Your Highness,” before bowing to him.
               Raditz threw his brother a glare before going for his straw. He did not wish to enter this fight, it was something the King made him do, and he wasn’t happy about it. He knew Kakarot’s strength, even if he didn’t. The other men, who didn’t know any better, drew as well, until at last the first to fight him was determined, and it was none other than Nappa, the biggest, and rumored to be strongest, of the entire crew.
               The spectators, Saiyans who were also using the facility when the King arrived, went to one side of the arena, the side opposite their King and his guards, and they waited for the interesting match to begin as Kakarot and Nappa wasted no time in stepping into the middle of the floor.
               “Just because you’re Raditz’s kid brother doesn’t mean I’m gonna take it easy on you,” Nappa, a huge, beastly man, taunted him.
               “Don’t worry about me, General,” Kakarot shot back and smiled cheekily.
               The King noted the almost instantaneous difference in the eyes of the young Saiyan and he was enthralled by him. He had seen it before, during their fight, but upon second glance it was even more alluring. The firm gaze in his dark eyes was absolutely driving him nuts. Never in his experience has he met another fighter with such a way about him. He truly has the ability to turn his aggression off and on at will, a very powerful and uncommon thing to be found in a warrior, especially in a Saiyan. He’s noticed, too, in his careful watch of the young man since he moved in, that his natural temperament is one of such odd sweetness, that he must think with an open mind and honesty that differs so wholly from his battle tactics, it’s baffling.
               The fight had already begun while King Vegeta was musing over the young man, and it didn’t take but five minutes for him to realize that Kakarot was simply playing around with Nappa.
               “End it already,” the King hummed, crossing his arms.
               All the guards stood around confused except for Raditz, who saw it coming, and Nappa thought at first that he was talking to him, but he soon found himself knocked out cold, and wouldn’t realize what happened until hours later (then he will wish he stayed asleep in his anger and embarrassment).
               The men who watched were in shock, and the King called off the rest of the fights with a confession of his boredom. (Actually, he knew that Nappa was the strongest of them, and to make them all fight Kakarot after that would be pointless.) Then another man who’d gone unnoticed from across the way stood up and announced that he wished to fight.
               Upon Kakarot’s glance behind him to see who it was, he beheld the same man from the Coronation who had intervened their first meeting in the dance hall, and realized only then that it was also the same man who had looked him up and down on his way out of the castle wall those few months ago. Rori.
               King Vegeta felt nervous about letting Rori fight Kakarot for some reason. Although he hadn’t expected Nappa to be beaten so easily and Rori is easily a far superior fighter than him… he half-joked, hiding his anxiety with a general air of indifference, “Is this necessary, really, Rori?”
               Rori grinned at him and bowed, “If it would please you to see a good fight, my Lord, then yes, by all means, allow me to entertain you.”
               King Vegeta licked his lips in anticipation. This fight would prove to be far more interesting. “Fine,” he replied, “Let’s see it.”
               Raditz was afraid for Kakarot but he didn’t dare to speak as Rori took up space in the center of the ring, which was now formed by many people who stopped in to see what was going down in the training center today. News like this always spreads quickly. All the spectators began to holler, one after the other, rooting for Rori to win. King Vegeta merely crossed his arms over his chest and smirked. It was a win-win for him, either way, although Rori might be a bit difficult to deal with afterwards if he loses.
               Kakarot was trying his best to assess the man in front of him, but he saw that he was a more calculating fighter than the others, and he guarded himself quite well. There were practically no openings in his stance and Kakarot stalked him looking for the right moment to strike.
               Blood splattered the floor as Rori wiped it with his face, sending him skidding across the ground by his cheek as his boot crushed his head. Rori hopped off of him and took a few steps back to look at his handy work. To his surprise Kakarot, who was shaken and very injured, got up after some effort, and took a stance against him for a second round.
               “Well, you’ve got some spirit in you, that’s for sure,” Rori chuckled and he indulged him with another opportunity of fighting him.
               ‘Stay down you idiot,’ Raditz thought as he clenched his fists and his knuckles turned white.
               Kakarot was much more on guard this time, and when he let out his next attack, a rather large, quick blast with impeccable aim, Rori never saw it coming and could not dodge it, and he fell to his knees in pain. Enraged, he attacked Kakarot head on.
His power was immense, something the younger Saiyan had only felt in fighting with his father. He reached deep down and summoned more strength as his will pushed him through the muscle tearing punches Rori was dealing. Kakarot fought back, and though he struggled, he refused to give up. It doesn’t matter that this man is the King’s lover; he will find the strength to defeat him.
The battle waged on and eventually even Bardock showed up to watch the show. King Vegeta noticed him arrive, but his focus was on the scuffle in front of him. He wasn’t sure who would win, and he was beginning to wonder if he should intervene. Kakarot was on what seemed to be his last leg, but his determination was unwavering, and in his eyes there was both control and a quiet, relentless mindset.
               Rori had given up taking it easy on him and was now giving it his all. He couldn’t believe the young man wouldn’t give in and he couldn’t believe the power he still has, which seems to grow out of nothing but desperation. He became tired of fighting him, and irritated that he couldn’t seem to squash him, so he decided he was done with being made a fool of by a third-class. Each of Kakarot’s punches were doing more damage than he would ever admit and the fact that he wasn’t backing down and admitting defeat was darkening Rori’s thoughts.
               King Vegeta sensed a shift in their fight after a few more brutal rounds, and he glanced over at Bardock, who stood watching attentively with his arms crossed over his chest, but there was a small smile on his lips. The King wished he knew what Bardock was seeing, because, if he is seeing things correctly, Rori’s intentions are to go in for the kill. The King hoped the man could maintain control, but he wasn’t so sure that he would hold anything back in an attempt to assert his dominance.
               Kakarot spun around to land a back-swinging kick, but his leg was caught. He didn’t even have time to struggle to get free before Rori put a hand up and charged up a very powerful ki-attack, meant to maim him, if not do away with him for good.
               The King took in a deep breath, and he would have yelled for the fight to stop, but at that moment, Kakarot powered up an attack of his own and both men blasted one another, Rori from the top, and Kakarot from the bottom, at pointblank range. The light was blinding, and almost everyone got sent flying backwards into the padded walls.
               The King shielded his eyes and held onto his breath as the dust from the destruction settled and he saw only one figure standing. He shuddered silently as he released his breath and saw Kakarot standing amidst the rubble. The young man walked over to Rori, and many of the men thought that he was going to kill him, the way Rori had tried to do him just moments earlier. Instead he waited until the taller Saiyan regained consciousness, and he offered him his hand.
               As Rori came to, he realized how close he’d been to being killed. Kakarot’s aim was a little off and he knew that it was done on purpose. He spared him; even though he knew Rori had tried to kill him. The man was angry in his confusion, and not as forgiving, and he glared at him and slapped away the offer of assistance before standing on unsteady legs.
               Rori turned to his King and bowed, shakily, his eyes cast low, but did not he speak to any other man as he left, limping but stubborn, on his way to a regeneration tank. His pride was wounded far more than any damage done to his body, but the damage was great, and he wasn’t sure he could make it there alone, but he’d be damned if we wasn’t going to try.
               King Vegeta was beside himself; torn between who to show more emotion towards, but he knew better than to run off towards Rori and make himself look weak for the man, and he only looked over Kakarot briefly before he said, “Well done,” and despite the fact that he tried to hide it, there were many emotions on his face. Then he dismissed his guards to do their own things and headed towards Bardock, who he asked to speak with privately as he passed him by. Bardock followed.
               Kakarot bowed to the King but it went unnoticed, and all the spectators ran to him to give him their account of the battle, for they were far more impressed with him this day than any before, and any curiosity or dislike they may have felt towards him melted away out of respect for his power and his gentle ways. Raditz was astounded by his little brother and stood by listening to everything that was being said.
Kakarot realized that he had made a name for himself without thinking about it, and wondered what trouble it would bring him in the future. He honestly wished to lay low, but he could see now that his options for remaining out of the spotlight were limited, and as long as the King wished to push him to his limits, he would continue to gain in reputation.
               The King stepped quickly, taking what seemed like random turns this way and that, which lead them to one of his offices, a place where he knew no one else would be, and no one else would enter or hear them speaking. He turned to him immediately upon closing and locking the door and he asked, getting right to the point, “How did you know he was going to win that fight besides being able to see the future?”
               Bardock chuckled at him and replied in mock conceit, “Because I taught him everything he knows, your Highness.”
               The King growled, “The missions that Saiyans used to go on have stopped since nearly the day he was born! There’s no way he could have more fighting experience than my elites.”
               “If you say so, your Highness,” he laughed.
               “How dare you!” the King threatened, clenching his fists.
               Bardock remarked testily, a small snarl on his lips, “What are you so mad about? You wanted him to win, didn’t you? And he did, didn’t he? What do you want from him when you aren’t even going to tell him what he’s training for? Or are you embarrassed that it was Rori who got beat? Why didn’t you end it sooner? You knew Rori was trying to kill him.”
               King Vegeta slapped Bardock for his blatant disrespect. Then he turned away and thought long and hard about everything he had said. Suddenly words burst forth and he began speaking without even thinking about it, practically ranting to him, “I was going to stop it until I saw the certainty on your face! You think I wanted Rori to fight him! If I had it my way I’d keep them both as far away from each other as possible, as I’ve been trying to do. Rori already doesn’t like him! And why haven’t you told him about this? You’ve known for how long, now?! Why does he think you’ve been training him so hard this whole time?!”
               “I am sorry, your Highness…” Bardock said, fighting off the urge to hold onto his cheek. His ear was ringing but he remained still, not at all surprised by what had just happened, and he watched his King calm down and sort through his emotions with practiced skill, like a sociopath.
               King Vegeta couldn’t imagine why he’d just shared all that information with him. Is it because he thinks he can trust him, or because he has to? Or is it because he just lost his father less than a year ago and Bardock reminds him of him, and the comfort in being able to share petty affairs with someone who cares. King Vegeta put off those thoughts and turned back to him with a different look in his eyes, and he asked, “How did he get such strength? He’s not like the other warriors. I’ve been watching him closely since he moved in. He just… doesn’t make sense to me.”
               Bardock realized his King was doing a lot more deliberate thinking about his son than he was trying to lead on. ‘So, Rori doesn’t like Kakarot, huh,’ Bardock mused, ‘I wonder why.’ Perhaps the King is not so much upset that Rori lost as he is that Kakarot is a third-class with power he is attracted to. Could it be that he is beginning to consider Kakarot as something more? Or is this all in Bardock’s head for now? Bardock said, realizing he’s been quiet for too long, “Kakarot isn’t like them because they have been hardened by those missions and they fight out of battle-lust and anger. Kakarot fights out of need and desire, the way it should be. I only told him what I thought he should know, until the right time came along, just like you’re withholding of informat-”
               King Vegeta put his hand up which halted his speech, and although Bardock was smirking, Vegeta scowled at him as he considered everything, and he asked, “Then what’s your excuse for being so good a fighter? Clearly it’s in the genes, somewhat.”
               Bardock turned his nose up at his King slightly and replied, “It’s just in my blood. I love to fight for the pleasure of it, and Kakarot mirrors that interest earnestly, which naturally made it easier for me to push him without having to give any rhyme or reason. I never thought I was that great of a fighter, anyways, I always used to say ‘it doesn’t take a lot of brains to know how to fight,’ Sire.”
               King Vegeta couldn’t help but laugh a little at that, and he replied, “I see, and so Kakarot’s a man like you, with brawn and talent but no direction.”
               Bardock smirked, and understood that it was meant as a joke, a very good one, (he was a mess before he went to planet Kanassa and the death Frieza, with no regard for anyone but himself and those closest to him. Wayward and taciturn, he often went into battle regardless of status or probability of winning,) and he replied, “I trained Kakarot, to answer your question, but he’s had other mentors, as well, and besides, I didn’t make him so kind. Actually, he got hit on the head as a young boy, and it rewired him or something, turned him into an angel. He’s still all Saiyan, but he’s got more of a gentle heart than I’ve ever met with in one of our kind. He’s just… different, but I’m convinced that’s the way he was meant to be.” Kakarot’s mentors include every fight he ever got into as his alter-ego “Goku”. He can call upon every detail and every emotion, though some not at will, and not with as much finesse, and some emotions were just too much. In that timeline, too, he’d got hit on the head as a baby, and he changed, which makes Bardock think that this was something that was meant to happen to him, and that his goodness was meant to change their lives, forever.
               King Vegeta brooded on those words. He’d heard Raditz saying something similar about his characteristics, his simplicity. The King couldn’t fathom such a man, though he now lived in his home. He must get to know Kakarot better. ‘How, though? Oh, forget it,’ he thought, wearily.
               Bardock, who was listening in on his thoughts, smirked and said, “I just thought of something. Kakarot would be an excellent sparring partner for you, my Liege.” King Vegeta’s eyes lit up but he raised his brow and gave him an incredulous look as Bardock continued. “It makes sense, really. If you two are supposed to be fighting our enemy together anyways, why not learn from each other now, while you’ve got the chance. It could only help.”
“On one condition, Bardock,” King Vegeta replied, agreeing rather hastily to the idea, “I wish for you to join us as well on occasion, if you can be spared from your project. I want to see if you’ve still got it.”
Bardock bowed and smirked with his face towards the ground before coming back up and he said, “As you wish, my Liege.”

The King had plenty of time on his hands for the rest of the evening but he struggled with how to spend it. Eventually he went to see Rori in the regeneration tanks after several hours went by and he still hadn’t come out. When he walked into the room, he ignored everyone else, and went up to the screen where Rori could be seen, still out cold. The doctors told him nervously that they had found him a few halls over, and they had to drag him here. He would not make a speedy recovery, and would likely be in the tank for more than just a few more hours. The King didn’t respond.
He was… impassive. He knew that he shouldn’t be here, it will undoubtedly cause Rori to think something more of their relationship than need be, but he couldn’t help it and a part of him knew that if he didn’t come visit him, others would think him incapable of empathy, which would be worse than if they thought him to be in love. He does care for the man, and this was sort of his fault, but he only remained for a short time before he turned right back around and left.
King Vegeta smirked to himself upon thinking of Kakarot and he wondered where he is at that moment. He could always get Raditz to go get him, but he figured he has some time, and that he ought to go and speak with him face to face, with as little attention brought to them as possible.
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A.N. Psst...Tthere's another chapter available to read after this one right now! I'm gonna try to post two at a time :)
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Uncertainty and Pride