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Beauty of the Beast Chapter 4 By chibi_vegeta Goku had followed through on his threat to make breakfast; he'd had to pester Vegeta and finally insist before the ouji would allow, but he'd outdone himself, he thought. He wiped a napkin over his mouth and smiled across the table at the prince, who was still eating distractedly. Vegeta hadn't voiced a complaint, which was pretty high praise from him, considering. Goku took up his glass and gulped down another quart of milk, almost asking, but biting his tongue. Finally the lithe saiya-jin prince deigned to comment. "This isn't half bad, Kakarrot." He scowled at his plate as he swallowed the last forkful. "What is it?" "It's called French toast, Vegeta." Goku grinned at him, pleased that his ouji had enjoyed the meal; he'd been nervous while preparing it under the silent scrutiny of the slighter man. "Hn, wouldn't know French if it bit me in the ass…" Vegeta finished another huge glass of milk himself, then stood and stretched. "Arigato, Kakarrot." A slight smile quirked his lips. "It was good. I'll do the dishes…" Goku blinked at him in surprise, still not used to this…this relaxed side of Vegeta; it was almost disconcerting. "All right, Vegeta." He was struck with an idea. "I'm gonna go get my stuff, ok?" Vegeta rolled one shoulder in a shrug as he filled the dishwasher. "Don't take too long, Kakarrot." He tossed another of the curious smiles at Goku. "I want to get some real sparring in today." He watched as the younger man brought fingertips to his forehead and vanished. ~Anything to touch him. Damn him…~ Vegeta's fingertips tingled at the thought. He had thought this would be a simple matter: bring the big beautiful baka out here and more or less simply take what he wanted. But it hadn't worked out that way; Vegeta had found himself wanting more than mere coupling. He scowled as his hands scrubbed a saucepan clean. His tail twitching in agitation, he suddenly realized that he was acting as though he were afraid. ~Afraid of what? That oaf?~ No, not afraid of him, not exactly, but afraid of something…Ebon eyes went vague as he searched himself for an answer, hoping it would provide him some peace. He did want more, but how much more? Could he actually give himself to this idiot? He growled again to himself, ~He's not an idiot, he holds back…Maybe if I can finally see through to him, the real him…~ Vegeta felt the presence gathering behind him and turned as the subject of his confused thoughts reappeared. He blinked in surprise as the man immediately dropped to one knee before him. "Zannendearu, Ouji-sama…" Goku trained his eyes on Vegeta's booted feet, hugging a parcel to his chest. "I never meant to disrespect you, Vegeta." His eyes traveling up to meet the prince's, he brought up the small package and offered it out. "May I?" Vegeta could only stare at him a moment, taken completely by the sight of the warrior: his sculpted body encased in sleek black spandex, the unruly mass of jagged velvet that shaded his fine but strong features, the devotion that shone in equally velvet eyes. It only took a tiny effort to dismiss their surroundings, to forget their turbulent past, to see him kneeling before his ouji on Vegeta-sei. "H-hai…" It was all he could manage under the impact of the larger saiya-jin's behavior. Goku ducked his head again and silently held out the bundle, the spikes of his hair proving a difficult temptation to overcome for the prince. Vegeta gently took the small flat package, his fingers betraying him and brushing lightly over the backs of Goku's hands. ~Did he just…tremble?~ Vegeta slowly unfolded the thin leather scrap that wrapped the unexpected gift, revealing a small leather-bound book, the binding intricately carved with images of horses and battle. He stared for a long moment, amazed at both the craftsmanship and the gesture. "Are you going to open it?" Goku grinned up at him expectantly, seeming entirely comfortable with his kneeling position. "Hn…" Vegeta opened the cover slowly, paging to and reading the title aloud: "Sun Tzu; The Art of War." He flipped through a few pages, skimming the philosophical text, astonished at the thought that had gone into the simple gift. Goku watched him, still kneeling, a hopeful smile tilting the corners of his mouth. It blossomed into a grin as he watched the ouji's expression; he felt a dart of joy, knowing he had pleased the prince. Vegeta stared sightlessly at the pages, caught up in wonder, but feeling the weight of the other's gaze. He blinked down over the edge of the book into Goku's eyes, seeing a strength there, a courage of conviction. "I…I don't know what to say, Kakarrot…" Goku smiled up at him still, his voice intoning softly. "Inside the cover, Vegeta…" "Hmn?" Vegeta flipped the book closed, then opened just the leather cover, again surprised: this time by flowing elegant handwriting, nothing at all what he would have expected from the large warrior kneeling before him. He again read aloud, without forethought: "To the Prince of War, always my Ouji-sama, Kakarrot." Vegeta swallowed hard against a sudden stinging behind his eyes, disconcerted at the words, knowing they would not have been written if they had not been sincere. "W-where did you get this, Kakarrot?" he stammered, silently cursing himself, closing the book tightly to suppress the tremor in his hands. "It was with my stuff, Vegeta…I brought it…" Goku found himself the one blushing this time, the small gift having been meant as a thank you but now seeming to bear so much more. Vegeta's tail flick-flicked at his waist; he was rendered mute for a moment, then gathered himself and bowed at the saiya-jin before him. "Arigato, Kakarrot," he began formally, but the sting returned to threaten his eyes, the lump forming again in his throat rendering his words far softer and more truthful than he'd intended. "I will treasure this…" He turned brusquely and strode from the room, leaving Goku to stare after him. ~Vegeta…~ The desire he'd slowly been kindling for the saiya-jin prince over the last several years burst into flame. Goku was left struck with a yearning that he had no resolution for; he only knew that he would not willingly give up this fragile new thing that seemed to be coming to life between them. -------- The ouji stroked his fingers over the intricate leather cover before placing the book carefully to one side of the hearth in his study. There was a tightness in his middle; his pulse raced as his emotions were sent spiraling. ~He signed it…'Kakarrot'…~ He suddenly realized the words had been written long before the small altercation earlier. It touched him deeply, this offering of self by the wayward warrior; he didn't know what to do with this wellspring of feeling. ~There is so much more to him than I realized,~ the prince mused, staring blankly into the blackened ash of the fireplace. ~I thought I wanted him, his body, his passion…and I do, I do…~ Vegeta shook his head and closed his eyes tightly. ~But the more I discover about him, the more I want…want…Kakarrot…All of him…~ "Hey, Vegeta!" The call saved him from his own whirling thoughts, a welcome relief from confusion. "I thought you said you wanted to get some sparring in?" The prince again shook his head to clear it, then stepped back into the kitchen, folding his arms and assessing the younger saiya-jin with a sharp gaze. ~Hai, Kakarrot…I will know you…every inch of you…~ *** They had ranged back and forth across the valley of the caldera, exchanging blows from fists and feet, dodging and blocking, the hours-long spar leaving them both drenched in sweat but gleefully wanting more. As the sun seared directly overhead they called a mutual halt, both heaving slightly to catch their breath. "I dunno about you, Vegeta," Goku rubbed his stomach, "but I could use a snack…" "Hn." The prince smirked across at the 'saiya-jin tapeworm'. "All right, Kakarrot, let's get some lunch." He knew better than to argue with the larger saiya-jin's stomach. After mowing his way through a few dozen sandwiches and more milk, Goku stretched and propped his elbows on the table. Chin in palms, he stared across at his ouji. "I think that was pretty good this morning, Vegeta; I swear I feel a little stronger…" He traced a fingertip over the surface of the table, smiling. Vegeta could only sit and stare in return, momentarily caught up in the depth of the black velvet eyes across from him. He came to himself with a start, blinking. "It is good to get out of that room, ne?" His lips quirked again in that curious smile. "Besides, I can't let you continue to surpass me…" Goku tilted his head in an almost puppy-like expression of curiosity, frowning slightly at the prince. "Vegeta, I may be stronger in terms of raw power, but you…" He shook his head. "You are refined, Vegeta, no one can match your control, your precision…" He flashed a grin. "I'm still able to kick your ass, though." Vegeta snorted lightly. "Baka, you have your work cut out for you…" His voice was gruff, though he couldn't help but smile when confronted with the other saiya-jin's grin. Goku's eyes brightened. "Hey! Will you teach me to use a sword?" Vegeta blinked, wondering where he had gotten the inspiration for that, then remembered the set over the fireplace. He scowled. "Kakarrot, do you mean to tell me that you, champion of Chikkyu--" Vegeta couldn't help smirking--"have never learned to use a blade?" The prince almost laughed; it was ridiculous. Goku's cheeks darkened as he darted a glance at his ouji. "Iye, Vegeta," he frowned. "I never had the opportunity…Come on, please?" Vegeta paused and suddenly scowled, not really amused by the fact. Goku sensed his disapproval but interpreted it as impending refusal. Not wanting to give the prince an opportunity to say no, he kicked his chair back and grinned ferally. "Don't make me fight you for it…" Vegeta's scowl twitched up at the corners. Gaining his feet and folding his arms over his chest, he assumed his haughtiest expression. "Please, Kakarrot." His chin lowered and he grinned. "I am the Saiya-jin no Ouji; I know my duty…" He jerked his head toward the other room. "Fetch them." "Yatta!" Goku grabbed the prince by his shoulders and shook him lightly. "Arigato, Vegeta!" He darted from the room. Vegeta laughed as he followed, shaking his head and crossing the portico to move down the steps. "Bakayaro…" *** "No no no, Kakarrot…" Vegeta ground his teeth and placed his hands over the other's, shifting his fingers and thumb. "I've told you a dozen times, don't curl your thumb; you're asking to have it sliced off." "Sorry, Vegeta." Goku frowned down at his grip on the cloth-wrapped hilt. "It just feels weird…My hand wants to do it…" "Then it's your hand we'll train first." Vegeta stepped back and raised his own weapon. "Hajimeru!" he snapped, lunging forward and slapping Goku's blade with his own. The larger saiya-jin was pressed back, forced into retreating under the fury of the attack, barely able to keep his weapon up in defense. He resorted to dodging and trying not to trip; that finally failed him and he ended on his rump in the deep grass. Vegeta stepped close, placing one booted foot in the middle of his chest, and pressed him flat, the sword blade coming to rest lightly against his cheek. Goku looked up and met the prince's gaze, dazzled by the primal glitter of the hunter in those deep obsidian eyes. ~He could kill me right now…cut my throat…~ He swallowed audibly against the cool kiss of steel against his skin, tensed, frozen in place by his own vulnerability. He stared up into pools of hungry black: this was Vegeta, this was the man who had sworn to end his life by his own regal hand, who had in fact tried to kill him on more than one occasion. This was Vegeta, his ouji, the only other of his kind in the universe; this was his…friend. The last rays of the setting sun silhouetted Vegeta's features, leaving half his face shadowed, the other lit with gold and bronze, the black flame of his upswept hair seeming to catch fire. ~Kami…He's so beautiful…~ Goku met the prince's gaze evenly, slowly tilting his head back and leaving his throat fully exposed, never breaking the lock of ebon to sooty velvet, his voice soft. "Jishu, Vegeta…" Steel stroked slowly over his cheek, gliding serenely down to leave a cool lick on his collarbone before being drawn slowly away. Vegeta lifted his foot and offered his hand, simultaneously flipping the sword around to press its tip into the grass. "You did well, Kakarrot." He tugged the other man to his feet. "Though you were dead about five times…" The prince laughed and turned to watch the sun gather itself to the horizon, his palms resting on the reversed hilt of the sword, a distant look in his eyes. (Flashback) He was six. Just barely a toddler by saiya-jin standards, but expected to pull his own weight, expected to train and work and become stronger. He strove so hard to please his father, reveling in praise when it came, devastated to disappoint. As Vegeta knelt at his father's feet, the saiya-jin Ou reached down to ruffle the upswept locks of hair so much like his own, his gruff voice warm and affectionate. "Now watch again, danji…" King Vegeta brought his palms up across his chest and braced them an inch apart, then lowered his head and concentrated as a small ball of glowing red ki formed. He grinned at his son as the light from the sphere of energy lit both their faces, drawing his hands slowly apart. The ki elongated, twisting and spinning to form itself into a glowing ruby blade, bright golden sparks traveling up and down its length. The small ouji bit his lip and watched with a scowl, sensing, or trying to, the way his father called the sword into being. He startled as the Ou spoke again. "Now you…" He blinked up at the burly man, his tail twitching in apprehension; he must get it right this time. Vegeta slowly copied his father's movements, his diminutive frown deepening as he concentrated. "Empty your thoughts." The Ou's voice was low and encouraging. "See it in your mind, then simply express it through your ki…" His eyes locked onto the glowing ember between his son's palms. "That's it…" Vegeta nearly trembled with the effort, small beads of sweat forming along his jaw, closing his eyes as he drew his hands apart, his teeth bared with determination. King Vegeta held his breath as the small ouji's ki spark slowly flattened, spiraling between the little palms. ~That's it…Careful…~ He could feel it, the blade forming, could see the glow and flash from behind closed eyelids. Vegeta pressed that last extra bit, his will hardening, a soft grunt of effort sounding in the silence. He felt it solidify, become real, and looked up in awe at his father and grinned. "Joushubi!" "Hai, boy." The Ou reached out and tousled his son's hair once again, watching as the blade was released to dissipate in small waves of energy. "You make me so proud, shisoku…" The ouji beamed under the praise. "Papa!" He launched himself into the saiya-jin ruler's arms. The Ou laughed and hugged his son tightly… (Return) As the prince mused on one of his few happy memories, Goku regained his feet and stood silent, feeling the intensity of the saiya-jin prince. He waited long moments as they watched the last deep purple bands vanish from the diamond-dusted sky. Finally Goku stepped close, drawn to him, and rested a hand on Vegeta's shoulder. ~He's so warm…Fiery…~ Vegeta turned at the contact, a sad but contented smile gracing his mouth, his voice rough. "Want to see something?" He looked up at Goku, dim starlight rendering them both in shades of night. The other saiya-jin's eyes glinted with some turbulent emotion; he seemed to take long moments to even realize the prince had spoken. When it came, his response was hushed, as if afraid to disturb the night. "Hai…" He smiled and squeezed the ouji's shoulder. Vegeta turned, outlined in the whisper of starshine, his eyes traveling over his companion. ~Kuso…What is happening?~ He felt something building between them, a restless, wild thing. The curious smile flashed in the darkness. He didn't know what this was, but he was done fighting it; it felt too right, too instinctive to deny. He was going to take his time, savor it, wallow in this. "Watch, Kakarrot…" Vegeta brought his hands together in a gesture that hadn't been repeated in decades, smiling grimly as he formed the ki blade, raising his eyes beyond the glow to meet the younger saiya-jin's gaze. Goku was astonished, his jaw loose, eyes wide. He knew ki could be formed; Krillin's Destructo Disc was proof enough of that, but this… It was beautiful, a dazzling katana formed of glowing ruby red, lethal and graceful beyond words. "V-Vegeta…" The prince smiled at him and spun the sword in his hand briefly, polished ebony eyes reflecting the clash of golden sparks as it sliced the air. "It's nearly useless…" Compared to the power they both wielded now, the energy blade was a child's toy. "But it's beautiful, Vegeta…" Goku stepped closer, almost reaching reflexively for the sword, but smart enough to realize it would hurt like hell if he did. "Hai, Kakarrot." The saiya-jin prince swept his hands wide, dissipating the blade, plunging them into starlight again. He didn't know what to say. Goku's faint scent tickled in the back of his nose; he leaned forward in unconscious desire for more. "Can you show me how, Vegeta?" Goku peered earnestly at him through the darkness. This was one more thing he might share with Vegeta, another point of contact between them. The prince nodded, only the shift of inky spikes against lesser darkness signaling his movement, his voice hushed. "Go ahead and try it, Kakarrot…" He brought his palms together again, resurrecting the glowing blade. "Feel it form…" Goku watched, rapt with fascination as he sensed the control his ouji exerted: the thin shaft of ki broadened, flattening and glowing to life once again. "I'll try …" He brought his hands together and concentrated, summoning the required ki effortlessly, but finding the shaping of it difficult. As he drew his hands apart in imitation of the prince and focused on drawing it out, a dull pain seeped through him. "Is it supposed to hurt, Vegeta?" He grunted as the strange pain sharpened. "Hurt?" Vegeta scowled. "Hell no it shouldn't hurt…" He watched as the length of undulating ki began to spiral and twine between Goku's hands. His frown deepened as alarm crept into his chest. "Let it go, Kakarrot!" Goku's face twisted with strain; panting for breath, he felt the power inside him flow too quickly, building dangerously. "I- I can't!" He growled with effort. Finally, desperate to stop the impending explosion, he brought his hands back together with a scream, snuffing the ki form out and howling as the backlash detonated in his face. Back to Guest Fiction Main Page / Chapter 3 / Chapter 5 |