author: FireCracker       KLee624820@a...

(Italic copy bordered by_underscore_)  

Archive? You'd better.

Pairing  Goku/Vegeta

A/U -Vegeta sees his future. A shocker based on the episode SHOWDOWN.

Games of Desire

They battled across the desolate landscape in a clash of will and 

power. At the beginning the earth saiyan got in a round with his 

first level kaioken, until Vegeta matched that with his own fighting 

ability and speed. He wasn't impressed.

"I was hoping for a good fight, Kakarot. Is that kaioken all you 

have?"

It proved to be a rash assumption as the battle progressed. The 

fierce earth saiyan grew stronger still, and Vegeta found himself 

battered. Stunned and enraged, the ouji went to his most potent 

attack. He had never been bested in battle, yet sensed the outcome of 

this particular fight was by no means assured. His gallic gun was 

matched and overwhelmed by the third class soldier's beam. Infuriated 

beyond reason, he eventually freed himself from the blast and 

returned to the battlefield, taking pause.

_What manner of saiyan is this? I must know his weaknesses as well as 

strengths. He speaks like a soft earthling, yet battles like a true 

saiyan warrior. There is more to know!_

"Kakarot, hold."

The angry earth saiyan stopped his assault and paused. "I'm not 

Kakarot. The name is Goku!"

The ouji snorted. _Brain damaged fool._ "Enough of that. We must 

speak more."

Goku was still somewhat swollen in size from his kaioken times 

four. "There's nothing to talk about, Vegeta! You've come to destroy 

the earth and I plan on stopping you!"

Vegeta folded his arms and sneered. "Hn. Again I extend my offer, 

Kakarot. Join me in ultimate power. The universe would be ours to 

rule."

Goku stood tall. "No way. Besides, I've seen what happens to your 

partners. They seem to have a short life expectancy!"

Vegeta nearly laughed. "I'm not accustomed to being refused, Kakarot. 

But there is no hurry here. I plan to leave tomorrow-"

Goku pointed at him. "You'll leave today!"

"I think not. No harm will come to your earth while you decide."

"Don't think to blackmail me. We'll finish this battle here and now!"

Vegeta only smiled and paused, observing him. "As I said, you have a 

day. Think it over seriously."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I must destroy you. Without your tail you have no chance 

against my oozaru."

Goku crouched again. "Like hell..."

Vegeta looked him over slowly once again. "Until then" he abruptly 

flew off leaving a stunned saiyan warrior.

****

Goku tossed and turned all night, reviewing his options. Death held 

no fear for him, but he didn't want his home world to suffer. He 

sighed, looking over the sleeping form of his wife.

_Chi Chi's been so unstable since Gohan's illness...her treatment 

doesn't seem to be helping. And Gohan...how am I going to care for an 

autistic son by myself?_

He growled, angered at the entire situation.  _I'm just tired...so 

tired of it all. Tired of being the hero, always smiling and happy, 

the one everybody looks up to. Bull! I never asked for their 

adoration. Sometimes I just want to be...wild. I feel urges I can't 

act on, but the nightmares won't go away. Maybe I'm crazy. Maybe I do 

need to get away. I sure as hell don't seem to be helping my family 

here._

Fists clenched at his sides. _Fighting keeps me sane. It's what I'm 

best at, what I love to do...Chi Chi never could understand that, 

understand me. I don't want to be restrained, I never asked to be 

human...I'm _not_ human! Some life. Nothing but a caretaker for 

everybody except myself._

A small smile lit his swarthy features. _But something about Vegeta 

fascinates me. He's so regal. Was he really serious about ruling the 

universe?! He must be crazy. No one has that kind of power...do they?_

Fingers ruffled the thick mop of hair in thought. _He was testing me. 

I must have passed, or else he wouldn't want me to join him. But join 

him in what exactly? I almost got the sense he was hinting something 

else when he said I could have anything I wanted. He's...graceful. 

Powerful. And obviously intelligent. His eyes are so dark and full of 

fire. What I wouldn't give to be able to cut loose like that, feel 

such passion. I don't know why, but his darkness draws me to him. 

There's a kinship I don't understand myself...hell, I don't even 

trust him!_

The saiyan sighed. _There are many things I never wanted to examine 

too closely, but being around saiyans...has affected me. The universe 

is so large.  What an adventure it would be! New experiences, 

fighting...and maybe more?_

Goku walked over to the window and stared serenely at the stars. 

_This could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Something in me is cut 

off here, and I feel...connected to Vegeta somehow. It's insane, but 

true._

Deep eyes closed to slits. _And damn, he's so fine._ Goku abruptly 

shook his head, cutting off the stray thought.

_Don't even go there!!_

A broad smile spread over his features. His decision was made.

****

Vegeta rested quietly in the regeneration chamber of his pod, 

reflecting on future possibilities.

_This is a critical juncture for all my plans. These humans are 

troublesome, despite their relative lack of power.  But the earth 

raised saiyan...I have never seen his like. He is an enigma to me. 

Perhaps the injury caused memory loss? If so, he can be 

recovered...power such as that cannot be wasted on this futile 

backwater world, and despite his mealy words and soft beliefs, he 

fights like a true saiyan warrior. No one has ever overpowered my 

gallic gun, and I would know him better. If the fool hadn't let them 

remove his tail, he most likely would have carried out his mission by 

now. I deem him worthy of serving me. He will join me or be 

destroyed, for I cannot allow his freedom with my back turned. No, he 

is saiyan yet, although he thinks himself an earther. They have 

butchered and restricted him, caged his blood. But I will set it 

free._

The saiyan no ouji stared at his healing hands. _Tomorrow, Kakarot. 

The nonsense ends, for I feel the fire that rages your soul._

****

The early dawn was quiet, displaying a majestic kalidescope of 

rainbow color. A solitary figure of enormous power stood rigidly on 

an isolated hilltop, waiting.

_Come to me, Kakarot. Come and embrace your destiny. There is nothing 

for you here._

The saiyan prince smiled grimly. Off in the distance, a trail of ki 

headed his way.

"I knew you wouldn't disappoint me."

****

Goku landed in front of the ouji. Vegeta stood before him, arms 

folded.

_He's beautiful, a wild thing, and doesn't even know it._ "So, my 

friend. Have you considered my offer?"

Icy eyes glared at the ouji. "I've considered much. I need answers, 

Vegeta. You claim to be prince of saiyans-"

Vegeta snorted. "'Claim', baka?! Your prince stands before you, a 

super elite! You dare question my status, you third class skirka?!"

Goku nodded. "All right, then. I want your assurances that you won't 

harm earth-"

"You aren't here to make demands of me, Kakarot."

"Just remember, you owe me. Krillen would have finished you if I 

hadn't interfered."

A snort. "Don't remind me of that bald headed fool. I could care less 

about him or any other inhabitant of this wretched mudball."

"Then why bother with me?"

Vegeta looked into eyes as deep as his own. "You are not of this 

world, Kakarot. Injury has robbed you of your memory, your heritage."

Goku nearly laughed. "What, you think I need a caretaker?!"

Vegeta paced around him. "I would classify you as a 'diamond in the 

rough', so to speak. You have vast potential, unlike any saiyan I've 

ever encountered. I dare say your potential may rival mine."

Goku felt a strange rush of pride. "You...mean that?"

Vegeta smiled at the ground in thought. _Ah._ "I have no reason to 

lie, Kakarot. And know this...I've never offered a full partnership 

to anyone, not even Nappa."

Goku frowned. "I guess not, since you killed him!"

"I admit my temper got the best of me, but Nappa is too valuable to 

lose."

"What are you talking about?"

"He has been wished back."

Goku gawked in stunned amazement. "You're lying! There's no way-"

"Thank your friend, the namek. He inadvertently wished back everyone 

on earth who recently died from violence. If you recall-"

"I do" Goku thought back. _When that alien goon squad destroyed that 

small town..._

"And there is more. Your brother lives as well."

"No way! The time limit on the dragonballs-"

"I temporarily obtained the blackstar dragonballs and used them to 

restore him. He's most anxious to meet you."

Goku snarled, fangs bared. "I'm not eager to see him!"

Vegeta smiled at the reaction. _Just below the surface._ "Kakarot, 

think. He merely did his mission. There was nothing personal 

involved."

"He kidnapped my son!"

"Orders. He didn't want to. Stop thinking like an earther for a 

second. Feel with your instincts, sense his motivations as a saiyan!"

Goku shook his head in confusion. "No...I can't..."

"I have observed your capacity for forgiveness. Why doesn't that 

extend to your own blood?"

The tall saiyan faltered. "I...it's different-"

"How? You had no qualms killing him with the aid of the namek!"

"He was a threat!"

"Aye, but you were quick to see him dead, more so than the other so 

called 'enemies of earth' you've faced. Do you know why?"

Goku was sullen. "No. In any case, it doesn't matter now."

Vegeta continued triumphantly. "Treason of the blood is punishable by 

death for saiyans, although such an extreme is rare."

"That's bull! I wouldn't have killed him if he weren't so ruthless!"

Vegeta lifted an eyebrow. "As you were? A human would have hesitated, 

and perhaps be slain in indecision. Despite your ties, you 

mercilessly did what was necessary to protect your family" Vegeta 

grinned wolfishly. "Pure saiyan."

Again Goku felt a bizarre flush of pride, his blood racing. _Am I 

crazy? Killing my brother is nothing to be proud about!_

Vegeta observed his facial expressions. _The shell cracks, Kakarot. 

Your fury is like a beast on a leash._

"Meet with him, then make a final decision. There is no resolution 

from a distance."

Goku folded his arms, thinking. "There's so much I still don't 

understand" he murmured, as if to himself.

The ouji found himself holding his breath. _This one is mine, he must 

be. Such power, and yet so unaware of his true self._

"Understanding comes with exposure, Kakarot. Look at me now."

The two saiyans stood in silence, twin flames of jet hair flying in 

the wind.

Goku stared. _My family is here, but it isn't. His eyes speak the 

truth, and I'm drawn to him. Something deep inside I can't explain..._

Vegeta stared. _Come, my earth bound saiyan. I will guide you, 

release the fire in your blood. Together we'll forge a legend our 

ancestors could only dream of..._

Time stood still for long moments. Finally, Goku took a deep breath 

and answered the ouji.

"Vegeta, I'll gladly join you."

A warmer than human hand clasped his own. "Excellent" the dark eyes 

sparkled in triumph. "Come."

"What now?"

A smirk. "The first order of buisness is growing your tail back..."

THE END