Younger

A good three hours later, Gohan returned home with Piccolo, Trunks, Yamcha, and Krillin with 18, who had somehow managed to drag along her brother.

The group believed Gohan's story, but seeing the miniature versions of Vegeta and Goten with their own eyes was quite another thing. No one dared voice aloud their true thought of ardently wishing Goku were there.

Piccolo approached them with a concerned scowl to examine their ki levels, and 17 gaped at them with a low whistle through his teeth.

"The first one to make a joke dies," Vegeta growled at them, his bristled tail switching stiffly. Goten's narrow glare expressed his agreement, but everyone shook their heads.

"Ain't nothin' funny about that," Yamcha assured them, suddenly ashamed of his vain thoughts of regretting his own younger years.

"I didn't say it," 18 told the group flatly, getting a discrete elbow in the arm from Krillin.

"I cannot even..." Trunks had paled a bit, wondering what in the name of creation they were to do.

"It's awful, isn't it?" Videl averted her eyes from Goten as well as Vegeta, who she'd came to consider also as her brother-in-law.

Vegeta's gaze leveled at Trunks. "I suppose that made your mother's day," he commented sarcastically.

"No, she's quite upset," Trunks reported, "She and Grandpa are busy scoping out the nearest precious material mines."

Goten and Vegeta exchanged a confused glance, as their separation had gone badly, and Bulma still held some residual bitterness.

"Ohmygod!" Pan exclaimed suddenly, "Please say no one told Grandma."

The newly arrived group looked uneasily at Android 18. "Well, actually..." Krillin nervously scratched the back of his head, giving Vegeta a good excuse to turn his slitted death glare on 18.

"I hope that fulfills your quota for annoying me, Madam Number 18," he hissed with disdain.

"No," 18 replied simply, her cold eyes unwavering, "The one as a mother. If it were Marron?"

Vegeta said nothing, and while the others were reading over Gohan's shoulder, 17 leaned down between the mini Saiyans' ears. "I'd be worried about you, too," he whispered. Vegeta watched him suspiciously and Goten looked up at the black-haired Android in wonder. Did they have facial expressions? "It's been a long time since I kicked anyone's ass," 17 said aloud, bringing at least a forced smile from Goten.

Trunks' phone rang and he picked up hastily. "Yeah?" A hush fell over the room.

"I think we found it," his mother announced excitedly. Trunks turned on the loudspeaker. "We only found two mines on the continent," she continued, "An abandoned gold mine that's been condemned since World War 1, which is out. We found more info on the L'enzi, and they consider gold useless because it's too soft."

"And the other one?" Trunks paced impatiently, aware of all eyes on him.

"The other is a diamond mine, just West of the Kasumi mountain range," Bulma told them, "They're fond of diamonds, and it's still open. Your grandpa heard a news report on the mining crew, supposedly victims of a freak accident, but we can guess what really happened to them. It's almost certain we found her, or it. Probably the diamonds are also prized for lasers. I'd to get a look at its technology." She hesitated. "You plan on attacking tomorrow morning, then?"

"Yes, at dawn," Trunks confirmed, "It seems their powers are weaker then."

"Alright," she sighed anxiously, "For God's sake, be careful."

Trunks hung up. "Well, you heard. I'd like to check out the engine, too, after we've destroyed that creature." The current sight of his father and his best friend had his jaw locked in cold anger.

"I wonder if--" Gohan began, interrupted by a loud noise outside. They looked out the windows in time to see a mangled red car screech its brakes as it practically crash-landed in the yard. A furious ChiChi jumped out, followed by Ox King, who'd held on for dear life during the ride. How the large man even managed to fit in the car was a mystery, but he was now running after his impetuous daughter as fast as his heavy legs could carry him.

"ChiChi, please, be reasonable!" Ox King pleaded, causing the onlookers to wonder if he wasn't just a little tired of that.

Armed with am M15, an AK-47, and a few cartridges slung over her shoulder, two belts holding several grenades, a Colt on one hip and a .45 automatic on the other, complete with more magazines and bullets, and a backpack containing the gods knew what else, ChiChi marched to the door and yanked it open without knocking. By her ferocious expression, all that was missing were red eyes and fangs.

"Let's toast this bitch!" she growled through her teeth, making some smile, and others face-palm.

"If it asks you if you're a god, you say yes," 18 calmly reminded her from the scene in Ghostbusters.

"Kami help us," Goten groaned, hiding behind Vegeta and Gohan.

"Wow." 17 leaned close to admire her ammunition.

"Don't encourage her," Ox King exclaimed in desperation, "Gohan, would you mind...?"

The elder Son brother knew the music. "Mom, I've seen soldiers leave for the Middle East with less ammo. You're overdressed, and you aren't going."

"The hell I ain't!" ChiChi rushed over to take Goten and Vegeta one in each arm. "Look what that bitch did to my babies."

"Mom!" Goten protested, mortified. His face reddened, and Vegeta looked as though he wished the ground would swallow him. Actually, they both looked and felt so since they woke up in horror that morning.

Gohan and Videl intervened with Yamcha to remove her military arms, to her father's relief.

"I bet you don't even know how to use any of that," the ex desert bandit commented.

ChiChi smugly opened the door and upholstered her Colt. "Place your bet and name my target," she challenged.

"A hundred zeni for the little bird feeder on that tree branch." Yamcha pointed at a Maple tree about ninety meters away.

"You got it." First looking through a pocket monocular to make sure no birds or other creatures were near it, ChiChi put it back and steadily cocked, aimed, and sighted the revolver. One loud fire left the group's ears ringing, and the small birdseed ball shattered. She reholstered the smoking Colt and held out her hand to Yamcha.

17 grinned, deciding he liked ChiChi.

Sighing, Yamcha took out his wallet and last thin bill, grudgingly handing it over. "There goes my date," he muttered, scowling. Many of the others smiled despite themselves, loosening a little of the tension. But not for all of them.

Gohan turned to Vegeta. "This will sound a little backwards, but you guys really need some... well, re-training first. Why don't we do that outside with Piccolo-san?"

"I had the same thought," Piccolo confirmed. Their dramatically low ki levels actually scared him. "I don't know how much you'll recuperate in one day, but we'll do all we can."

"That does sound backwards," Vegeta agreed, scowling, "But we'll need every second."

Goten nodded dully. "I'm at about the level when you taught me to fly."

"At least you were able to ascend," Vegeta pointed out moodily, "I remember you saying so when I saw you do it," he reminded Trunks.

"Yeah." Trunks scuffed his shoes uncomfortably.

"You, too, Trunks," Piccolo added, seeing a sore subject resurface, "This time, keep competition out of it." He sensed his twofold role of master sensei and referee.

"Me, too," Pan insisted, still troubled that her uncles looked to be no older than herself.

"Everyone who trains," Piccolo settled, "In groups."

"I don't need to train," 17 said to his sister's pointed look, "Wanna target practice?" he asked ChiChi, but 18 pulled him by the ear outside with Krillin.

"I'll lend you a gi," Gohan offered Trunks, who accepted. Both were uneasy, as much for the next morning as for the training itself.
*
Wisely, Piccolo trained with Vegeta, Goten, Gohan, and Trunks aside from the others, and the long, grueling hours turned out to be as tense and trying as he'd guessed.

The two in question were actually making admirable progress considering their situation, but predictably, none was good enough for Vegeta.

"If you channel your mind power, the rest will follow," Piccolo told him again, even his and Gohan's patience beginning to wear thin.

"What do you think I'm doing, a dance?!" Vegeta snapped furiously, "I've ascended countless times before! Why can't I get it back?!"

The rest of them, including Goten, were heavily silent with their own thoughts. They all knew the answer, as did Vegeta himself; but at what price? Goten despaired.

Discretely Trunks tapped Goten's shoulder. "There's no other way, Goten," he said quietly, understanding his resistance. Gohan nodded his agreement.

"He'll never forgive me," Goten replied, distraught, but frowned. If they didn't get back to their normal forms, they were screwed being not screwed. Seriously, he thought, what kind of relationship could they expect to have as such? In all logic, they were bonded mates, and in a Saiyan bond there was no turning back. However, it was like they'd gone back in time before such an idea would even occur to them. The night before, they'd been as virgins. But there was no choice. If their bond was authentic, it would remain intact. Wouldn't it?

"Goten?" Trunks' voice brought his attention back to the present. "Look, I told you before, I respect your decision. I don't want anything to go wrong for you, either. That's why we have to try."

Piccolo observed quietly, levitated in lotus position and pretending to ignore them, but approved the strategy.

Goten bit his lip, a thousand voices from both Vegeta's mind and his own screaming at him at once, but he knew Trunks and Gohan were right, and acquiesced grimly.


"I've had it!" Trunks yelled at his father, playing his role, "You know what your problem is, Dad? You're acting as much like a child as you look. If you hadn't raised me in competition with the Sons, you wouldn't have that problem. But I guess you were right about that in some ways." The fire was lit.

Vegeta stared at him, glowering incredulously. "Who the hell do you think you're talking to?! I don't care how I look or how old you are. I'm your father, and you will address me as such!"

Now for the gasoline. Goten swallowed hard, but followed his lines. "Never mind, Trunks," he spat, copping a disgusted tone, "He'll never make it and we all know why." Staring into the eyes of the one he loved, he had a good idea of what seppuku was like as he forced himself to taunt, "It's normal that you can't turn Super Saiyan like I did at only seven. Or six? It doesn't matter. I'm the son of Goku, and if you had to affront me, you wouldn't have a prayer."

Vegeta heard his words, and could see from whose mouth they came, but for a few seconds that seemed an eternity, a whole empty lifetime, he felt the color drain from his face, rendered mute in shock. The one and only being in the universe to whom he'd become close enough to bond, to share the same soul, had turned against him. The entire world crushed his chest as his own world ceased to exist. If that was what was meant by having one's heart broken, more exactly ripped from his chest cavity and stomped, then that was it. He drew breath while some worthless piece of meat pumped his blood, but inside he was spirit-dead. He felt this invisible yet prominent life being wrenched from his soul to leave behind but a shell, then all was numb. Should it not then be painless? No, there was yet something else. The eyes he'd sworn he loved now only mocked him, twisting the knife in its fatal wound. When reality hit him, there came fury. This... traitor... before him would pay, with all that he himself just had.

Vegeta released a blood-curdling scream as he suddenly but vaguely remembered how he'd first ascended. Rage in its purest form that made him understand Gohan's fear of it now had taken him over, similar to the oozaru transformation. But there was no such fear. Hatred. Hatred of all that was, of the entire universe and each pathetic being in it. Pure, undiluted hatred of all who took the form of all who'd taken everything from him. Goten's face became Frieza's, who'd killed his father before his eyes and destroyed their world and people at nearly this age, who'd humiliated and killed him next; the sonofawhore's minions, all whose encouraged mocking over so many years still lived as voices in his head that WOULDN'T SHUT UP; the Androids, specifically the nothing of a girl who, after his ascension, had proven to him that his best was not good enough, but they were both the same; Kakarot, the happy imbecile who'd proven the same, always with his kind, wise, holier-than-thou airs; his view of him had changed with his revelation, but he saw it no longer. All he could see was a red haze at feeling the vengeful fire shooting through his veins. Sure, there was a terrible, searing pain. He welcomed the pain, just as he welcomed the sight of his flowing blood that made it visible. It proved that he was alive, here and now doing as he existed to do. The anger made him feel alive as well, the same cold anger and hatred that allowed him free reign to kill without remorse the countless numbers of weak, pathetic people who had done nothing to him, but why would they deserve to have and enjoy all that had been so coldly taken from him? No. No remorse.

He was aware only of the blazing flames, and of the glowing, golden light around and within him that accompanied the satisfying contact of his fist to flesh, the delectable sight of blood from the wounds he caused, the yet more satisfyingly dull crack of bones breaking beneath his fists and kicks. Of course, his opponent of a thousand faces fought back, but he/they... what did it matter?... was losing. However, just before dealing his final blow of death, he wanted to see and feel the fainting life in the face of... Goten??

Suddenly sure that he was going to be sick, Vegeta stopped cold. He remembered what he'd said, but at the same time as each blow would strike with the intent to kill, it was a part of himself he was killing. He felt a wave of dizziness and dropped to his knees beside Goten, who he'd defeated. He couldn't.
Suddenly aware of vaguely familiar voices around him, his dazed sense of irreality slowly faded.

"Vegeta, you did it!" Goten's weak but triumphant voice declared happily. He was flat on his back and severely bloodied, his arm twisted at an unnatural angle, his other arm holding his cracked ribs that made speech and breathing painful.

"...Huh?" The golden light around Vegeta disappeared as reality slowly came back to him. He watched Gohan running back outside, where he knelt beside Goten and pushed a senzu bean into his mouth. In an instant, he sprang back up, healed, and threw his arms around Vegeta's neck.

"You made it... you got to Super Saiyan! I knew you would," Goten exclaimed happily, hesitating at feeling no such enthusiasm from him. At the incoherent, betrayed look in Vegeta's eyes, his smile faded, realization dawning on him. He could see it all. "I'm sorry, Vegeta. You know I didn't mean a word I said. Someone had to make you angry, so you could get there." The words didn't seem to register, and he recalled being told that it was an extreme trial by fire for the preceding generation. It was hell.

Goten vaguely heard Piccolo, Gohan, and Trunks agree to call it a day before leaving the two of them alone outside.

"Vegeta?" Goten turned his face to him, his own fearful now. Their bond allowed them to feel the same things as the other. "You know I didn't mean it? Neither did Trunks or Gohan. I didn't want to, but we saw no other way. You understand?"

Vegeta nodded slowly. He knew it, as a fact. But all that he'd felt, though grossly distorted, he'd really felt, and it had all seemed real. So many things from the past, all blurred together, all that had changed in him for the better forgotten, and Goten... fucking hell, he could have killed him!

Quickly he pulled away to turn to the side, certain that his stomach was about to go into reverse. He leaned over in wait for the acid to burn its way up, but it did not. Something was happening, though. His chest was tight, and an equally tight lump rose in his throat. To his own astonishment, his vision blurred wet, and instead, he broke into quiet sobs. Quiet but violent, that caused his whole body to shake. Goten held him tightly, which ironically made him sob harder.

Goten held him wordlessly and protectively, unable to stop his own tears. At this point in time, they were only seven at most. That was a rude experience for anyone, and just the reminder of the day before was sufficient reminder that they experienced things at their regressed ages.

If nothing else was gained, Goten was able to give him what he'd never had. Thought of in that way, it gave them at least one glimmer of hope, even if it was snuffed out by a sea of gloom.
*
Training and plan of attack had rendered everyone weary that day, and glad for dinner time, Saiyans and humans alike. It had become evident why the elder generation had to wait until well into adulthood for ascension, which made the demis grateful for genetic evolution. Thus, Vegeta and Goten were unusually silent, and mostly left alone.

Though he could now turn Super Saiyan without the trauma, Vegeta avoided the Android twins just the same. However, later on, he and Goten were confounded when ChiChi returned from shooting target practice with 17 after all, both of them in good spirits.

Eventually, curiosity got the best of Vegeta, and he approached 17 when he inevitably saw him standing alone. "I don't get it," Vegeta confronted him suspiciously, "It doesn't look like you were dragged here by force, so why did you come here? Why would you care?"

17 considered the mini version of Vegeta, with many questions in his mind that he did not ask. "Hm... Stuck in a body younger than you really are, against your will for someone's personal use, undoubtedly treated as you appear... I guess you could say it hits home."

Vegeta watched the Android for a moment to contemplate his reply, then walked away to return him his personal space.

The sun had begun to set and the guests were ready to leave, plans agreed upon. "They're staying here tonight," Gohan reassured ChiChi concerning Goten and Vegeta when the matter was questioned.

"I assumed so," ChiChi clarified, lowering her voice, "I meant... you know, sleeping arrangements?"

"Oh. Uhm..." Gohan looked embarrassed, scratching his head.

"How about in the sink?" Goten suggested sarcastically, disliking being discussed as though he weren't present, as well as being tired and weary. "Like you lack for space. Either room is fine." There was enough tension between them, the last thing they needed being nit-picked.

"I think she meant separate ones, for tonight," Gohan specified as Vegeta entered the living room, followed by Krillin and the Android twins.

"What?" Vegeta demanded, much offended by what was overheard.

"Really," 17 cut in unexpectedly, "Do you remember they shrunk a bit, but their brains are the same? I think they're smart enough to notice what isn't."

"I guess you're right," Gohan acknowledged, telling Goten and Vegeta, "Sorry. I meant no offense."

The matter was settled, and they again looked at 17 in surprise. "Thanks," Goten told him sincerely. Vegeta nodded to him. 17 held up a peace sign and followed the rest of them out, leaving those who remained to realize just how tired they were.
*
Videl showed Goten and Vegeta to one of the spare rooms, and brought them each a pair of Pan's pyjamas. "I'm sorry they're girl's," she lamented, though one could not tell, and it wasn't the true reason for her sadness, "Maybe wear them lower?"

"They're fine," Goten assured her, "Thanks, Videl."

She left a small lamp on for them to change. "Tell us if you need anything. Goodnight," she bade them, closing the door behind her.

They changed mechanically into the cotton PJ's, sitting up on the unfamiliar pillows in quiet tension. They'd spoken very little since their training.

"We should get to sleep," Goten said finally to break the heavy silence.

"Yeah." Absently Vegeta slid underneath the sheets and turned off the lamp.

Goten followed suit, but noticed him only staring blankly at the dark ceiling. For the first time since they'd been together, he didn't know what to do or say, if anything at all. Whatever it was, he knew, would be wrong. Several minutes clicked by, and Goten glanced at him, seeing him glance back before both looked away again. Vegeta had similar thoughts, he realized, and bit his lip. Would he not at least hold him?

Goten felt tears sting his eyes, wondering if things would ever be the same, and if Gohan's motive for suggesting different sleeping arrangements hadn't been as they'd assumed. He thought he would surely Crack, then felt Vegeta's arm slide hesitantly around him. He turned to do the same, then clung tightly to him. Whatever be their forms, it was the same familiar embrace.

He gave him a soft, hesitant kiss while Vegeta calming petted his hair, their tails entwining automatically. They knew what the tingling was that shouldn't seem odd, but it was uncomfortable and disheartening. Bonded they remained, but what used to seem natural was now disorienting. Goten had become like Vegeta and the latter like himself, and now they were just lost. What they felt was numb, and neither could be false. They let go and turned their backs to sleep like sad bookends, knowing that their song had changed. *
***
TBC in Chapter 6...
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Soundtrack:
Numb, Evanescence:
http://youtu.be/eUUXx49WMy8