The
Bonded
Epilogue Part Two
"It's not hostile, I know it." It was Trunks who spoke, gesturing to
his words with one hand. He looked at the others expectantly from his place on
the nondescript white sofa. In just under an hour they had managed to gather the
warriors who were not present at the reunion and now everyone was there, crammed
into the small living room of the Kame House.
Vegeta stood behind his mate's seat, back to the room as he gazed out of the
open window. "How can you be sure?" he asked without looking back.
"Can't you feel it?" Trunks asked in return. "That power may be
strong, but it isn't malevolent. I know." Heads nodded throughout the room
in agreement, but Kririn hesitantly supported Vegeta.
"We can't be positive." He was pacing up and down his living room
floor, eyes fixed on the ground. "We've never had a peaceful visit from
space. Remember Freezer?" In his pacing he passed the second sofa in the
room and his wife tapped his arm. She ordered him to sit and he obeyed, mumbling
embarrassedly to himself.
"Actually, you're wrong, Kririn," said Goku cheerfully, his eyes lit.
"We could know for sure if I go check."
"Instant transmission," said Piccolo dispassionately.
"Yeah!" Pan took an excited step towards her grandfather. "That
would be perfect! Would you take me? I'd love to see it … you know, whatever
it is."
"No way." Videl shook her head resolutely. Pan opened her mouth to
complain but she cut the grown girl off. "We don't know if it's safe.
Vegeta and Goku should go - they're the strongest, and they can protect
themselves if anything goes wrong."
Vegeta didn't turn, but his mouth bent into a smirk. "Why not?" He
glanced over his shoulder at Goku, who nodded. "We'll leave tonight."
"Don't you need some time to prepare?"
The saiya-jin Prince shook his head at his son's mate. "All we need is each
other." The room paused for a moment at the implication of the simple
sentence, but it was broken by Goku's carefree voice.
"It's settled, then." He paused for a moment while everyone looked
towards him. "The rest of you find somewhere unpopulated. If all goes well,
we'll meet you there."
"Wait." Vegeta turned, his eyes flicking around the room. "Kakarotto,
Trunks, Goten. There's something you should know."
Inquisitive, the group looked to him. Vegeta's eyes drilled into those he had
named as he stepped forward and crossed his arms. "You all know that the
bond allows one to know when his mate is suffering, physically or mentally. This
will also apply on the battlefield." He paused, allowing time for his words
to sink in. "Be prepared: when one of us is hurt, the mate will be crippled
as well. If one of us dies, anything could possibly happen to the mate. Don't
take any stupid risks, we can't afford it. This power is strong, be on your
guard. Understand?"
Tersely the members of his audience nodded, completely ignoring the rest of the
group.
"Good." Vegeta glanced out the window to the dimming sky, then snorted.
"We need to leave soon." His head turned and he demanded, "Kakarotto.
Come with me." They exited the room as the others stared on.
"Well… I guess we just hold tight and wait, for now," Kririn
murmured under his breath.
When they were alone again in the kitchen, Goku asked, "So what is it, 'Geta?"
The saiya-no-ouji's eyes closed tightly for a moment. When he opened them, he
stared at his mate with a piercing intensity. "I shouldn't need to say
this, Kakarotto, but I know how you get on the battlefield. You swore you would
give me anything I wanted if I came here. I did, so fulfill your end of the
bargain. I want your life."
Goku stared at him without comprehension.
"Give your life to me. Put it in my hands. Let no one take it other than
myself. Do not give it to the power we face or to Earth. Do you understand? No
one may have your life but me." His voice was a rough emotional rumble as
he spoke to his bonded mate. "You may not die."
A grin grew on Goku's face as comprehension dawned. "You want my life,
Vegeta?" He paced forward, decreasing the space between them to mere inches.
Closing the last of the gap he wrapped one arm low around Vegeta's hips and one
over the muscular shoulders. Vegeta's hands held his waist. "Take it. It
was yours the moment we mated."
They kissed, deep and intimate, sealing the promise. When they broke, Goku's
gaze stole over Vegeta's head and out the open window. "We should go,"
he murmured, then lightly brushed his lips over Vegeta's hair. Without further
words they turned to rejoin the group.
"We're facing five large powers and a few smaller ones. If their ki doesn't
rise too much when they power up, it should be ok. Gohan, Goten, Trunks,
Piccolo, Pan, if you want to, and Makuno - get yourself to the side. We'll come
to you, so be prepared to face the stronger forces. If you're careful and brave,
Makuno, you'll be ok … just stay near your father. The rest of you'll have
your work cut out for you - you'll be facing around ten warriors. Head out just
after we leave. And remember, no one attacks until Vegeta or I direct it.
Everyone got it?"
Calls of "ok!" and "got it, Goku," were his response.
With a smile, Goku nodded. "Wonderful. Good luck, everyone."
The group of warriors, mixed ages and races with Vegeta and Goku side by side
before them, stood on the front law of the Kame House. The setting sun reflected
on the sea and sand, highlighting the martial-artists in red and gold. Tension,
apprehension, and anticipation sung in the air.
After a short, silent pause Goku turned to his mate. "You ready?" he
asked excitedly.
Vegeta nodded and smirked.
Goku's right hand rose and he extended two fingers over his forehead. Eyes
staring ahead unseeing his mind searched and then locked on to the rapidly
approaching force. With a smile to the group, Goku grabbed Vegeta's hand in his
own. Their forms flickered and then faded completely, beginning the speed of
light journey to the alien new power.
The life of a saiya-jin was not easy and never peaceful. The race was a warrior
race, the people were fighters. And now, the only two remaining pure-blooded
member of the race were leaving to confront a power possibly greater than they
were while their offspring waited for the challenge to come to them. Both pairs
knew that their relationship could possibly become a weakness. Both pairs knew
they might be faced with death. But like every saiya-jin, they were warriors,
living for battle. And they were the bonded. Vegeta and Goku, Trunks and Goten
… together as mates they would meet it. Whatever it was.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~