C&C craved! P~L~E~A~S~E~!!!!!!!!! <//_~)>

 Yamcha walked down the street in front of Capsule Corp. His head was down and his shoes scuffed the street as he went past. There was nothing for him there. Bulma didn't want him. He sighed again and looked up as a woman accepted flowers from her boyfriend and threw her arms around him happily. "Valentines day. Hrmph! I wonder if there's a Valentines equivalent to Bah Humbug."

 "Hey Yamcha!" Krillin waved and trotted up, flowers in tow.

 "Hey." He put on his ‘fools' face and grinned, "Those for your giiiiiiirl?"

 "Heah. . . Uh, yeah. . . you think she'll like them."

 "Sure! They're from you right? She'll love them!"

 The little monk nodded and took to the sky, and Yamcha let his mask fall.

 "At least someone's enjoying this holiday." He flopped down on a park bench and sighed. Who was
he kidding? Everyone would be enjoying this holiday! Goku and Chichi, Goten and Trunks, Gohan
and Piccolo. Vegita and Bulma. That one hurt. It didn't seem fair that he was alone. Puar had offered
to shift into a date for him but he was too proud to let the little shape shifter know just ‘who' he was
in love with. "Love." Yeah. Hopelessly and forever in love. With the one person who was least likely
to ever even smile at him much less love him.

 "And now it's Valentines day." He sighed, "and I'm alone."
 
 

 Vegita woke up to find Bulma in his room, "What the Hell are you doing here?!"

 She pouted prettily and batted her eyes, "I AM your lover, right?"

 The Saiyan growled, longing to yell at her, ‘you are my possession! Like my boots or my gloves!
An incubator for my children, nothing more!' But he knew if he told her that it would be the end of
the Saiyan line. Bulma wouldn't allow him anymore children and Trunks had taken a male for a mate.
If Bra followed along those lines then he would need another child. And a willing mother. Since
Goku was the only other Saiyan left, reproducing with another male was completely out of the
question. So he just grunted and pushed her off of his bed.

 "Ouch!"

 "Leave me alone."

 "You're so cranky in the mornings! Do you know what day it is?!"

 He though a moment, ‘anniversary? No. Birthday? No.' He shrugged.

 "It's Valentines day!"

 "Yeah? So?"

 "So this is the day you give your loved one flowers and chocolate and snuggled with them."

 "So?"

 "So?!" She fumed, "So come on! Lets go out!"

 "Why?"

 "Because I'm your lover!"

 "Lover and loved one are not the same." He challenged as he dressed.

 She made those disgusting puppy dog eyes and pouted, "Don't you love me?"

 "No."

 The sweet act was gone in a second and the real Bulma shown through, and began throwing things
around the room.

 Vegita sighed and flew out the window. //What a bitch.//

 "Vegitaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come back here you. . . you. . . TEME!!!!!!!!!"

 The Saiyan closed his eyes and shot toward the edge of town. The park there was usually fairly
empty this time of year.

 As he landed he noticed only one man, sitting alone leaning back against a tree feeding the ducks
and squirrels bits of his sandwich. He gave a sound that reminded Vegita of a kitten's mew and
began talking to the little beasts around him, "Go on. Take it. I'm not hungry today."

 The man's back was to him. Vegita couldn't place the ki though. It was familiar, but too strong to be
anyone he had met before, yet it was soft too. The animals felt its kindness as sure as he did.

 "It's Valentines day you know."

 Vegita tensed, //again I hear Valentines day, Hn! waist of time.//

 "Not that it matters for me. You know what? Valentines day is my least favorite day of the year."

 //Hn?//

 "All it does is remind me of how alone I am. All of the people I know have someone. Hell Their
KIDS all have someone, And the one person I could love has someone too. Guess it wasn't meant
to be ne?"

 Vegita felt something twinge in his chest. He knew how this man felt. Valentines day only reminded
people who hadn't found their soul bonded of how lonely their lives were. It didn't seem right. And
from what he had seen here, people of Earth were obsessed with right and wrong.

 "Wonder what they're doing for valentines day. Hm? He doesn't seem the type to celebrate love.
Maybe they just had a nice morning in bed together and. . . Gods I don't want to think about that."
He wiped the crumbs off of his hands and sighed, "No more guys, you ate it all."

 The animals sniffed around him a moment more and then walked away. He chuckled softly, "And
now I'm really all alone. Some special day."

 Vegita frowned and stepped forward, ignoring the man to walk to the pond and stare out over it.
What did he care about a ningen's feelings of inadecquecy? He was a Saiyan. Ningen were nothing
but flies to be crushed between his palms.

 A sharp gasp made him turn to face the man, "Vegita!?!"

 His face remained for the most part passive, but his eyes widened a fraction as he turned. "Hn.
What are you doing here?"

 The man lowered his eyes, "Nothin'. Why aren't you with Bulma, it's Valentines day."

 "Hn. Stupid ningen custum."

 Yamcha nodded, "Yeah, but not to those who have someone to celebrate with."

 "Bakas all of them."

 "But happy fools."

 "Blinded by needless emotion."

 "Weren't you ever?"

 "No."

 "Oh." Yamcha stood and dusted himself off, "Well. . . you wanna come to my house?"

 "Why?"

 "To celebrate the stupidity and uselessness of Valentines day?" //And so I'm not alone.//

 Vegita looked at the tall man and frowned, "Why don't you go to Bulma. She's alone."

 "I don't want Bulma. She's a self absorbed slut who just happened to choose me for a little fun. It's
over between us, like that anyway. Has been for a while."

 "Hn." Vegita didn't know why but hearing that was a comfort to him.

 "So do you want to be alone together or what?" His mask was back in place.

 Vegita shrugged, "Why not."

 "Ok." Yamcha nodded and took the shorter Saiyan's hand then began to walk.

 Vegita looked down at their joined hands in surprise then back up at Yamcha. He thought of pulling
away, but the warmth was nice, and the way Yamcha had begun to stroke the soft skin of his hand
made him want to purr.
 
 

 Yamcha gasped when a familiar figure walked by him to the pond's edge. "Vegita!?!"

 Cold eyes turned to meet him and Yamcha panicked for a moment. //How much did he hear?!//
"Hn. What are you doing here?"

 Caught staring he averted his gaze and answered, "Nothin'." Then he took a deep breath and forced
himself to ask, "Why aren't you with Bulma, it's Valentines day."

 "Hn. Stupid ningen custum."

 //Don't I know it. But if you were my Valentine. . .// "Yeah, but not to those who have someone to
celebrate with."

 "Bakas all of them."

 "But happy fools."

 "Blinded by needless emotion."

 "Weren't you ever?"

 "No."

 "Oh." The theif's heart broke into a million tiny pieces and fell out onto the ground at the Saiyan
prince's feet. Still, one last try . . . "Well. . . you wanna come to my house?" //please don't say no
please don't say no please don't say no!//

 "Why?"

 "To celebrate the stupidity and uselessness of Valentines day?" //And so I'm not alone.//

 "Why don't you go to Bulma. She's alone."

 Yamcha felt like he'd be sick, "I don't want Bulma. She's a self absorbed slut who just happened to
choose me for a little fun. It's over between us, like that anyway. Has been for a while."

 "Hn."

 //Oh, I forgot, why would you care? You don't love anyone, Bulma included.// "So do you want to
be alone together or what?" He carefully schooled his face into a silly grin while he cried inside.
Whatever happened he couldn't cry in front of the Saiyan prince. Never!

  "Why not."

 //Yes?. . . he said yes!// "Ok." On impulse he reached down and took up the Saiyan's hand. Holding
it as they walked. He was walking on air when Vegita didn't pull away. //I'm holding his hand! I'm
holding his hand! It's so warm and rough and I'm holding him hand!//

 "Where are we going?"

 Yamcha reined in his joy, "Just past Goku's forest."

 "Why not fly then?"

 "I like walking."

 "Hn."

 Yamcha looked away, shamed, "I know, I'm a baka right?"

 Silence answered for a moment then, "Walking builds your leg muscles."

 Yamcha's eyes got moist and he smiled down at the young prince, "H. . . hai."
 
 
 
 

 When they reached the tiny house it was getting late. The sun was setting to the west. Yamcha
pulled Vegita up to sit on the dome roof and watch it with him.

 "What is the point of this?"

 Yamcha sighed and looked out at the awe inspiring scene before them, "It's beautiful."

 "And?"

 "Haven't you ever just appreciated something? Without having a set path to follow for it? Just
admired something for it's beauty and grace?"

 The Saiyan thought a moment. "No."

 Yamcha smiled and nodded in understanding, taking a risk, he scooted in closer to Vegita and set
his hand down right behind his back, arm almost touching him, "Try it."

 Vegita rolled his eyes but looked out at the sky. The bright colors that flooded it. He felt so small in
that moment. As if he didn't matter. For the first time he didn't feel like the center of his world was
himself. Almost on accident he lay back and rested on Yamcha's arm.

 Yamcha took a slow breath and smiled. Not saying a word, just. . . feeling.

 "Is this what you ningen do all day?"

 He chuckled, "I wish! We have jobs and families. . ." His voice tappered off then, "Well most of us
have families."

 Vegita was oddly curious, "You got one?" A slight rumbling movement told him the human was
trying not to sob.

 "No."

 "What happened?"

 "It was a long time ago."

 "So?"

 "Why the sudden interest?"

 Those deep black eyes just watched him until he cracked, "Far as I know I had no mother. My
father sent me to Earth when our planet's coming destruction became clear to him."

 That caught Vegita by surprise. "You aren't human?"

 The scared one laughed and shook his head, "No. No I'm not human."
 
 

 "That would explain the power level."

 "Huh?!"

 "You forgot to block it at the park."

 "Oh."

 "What planet?" Even as he asked it though he knew the answer.

 "Vegita-Sei."

 "Saiyan."

 "Don't act so surprised." He grinned, "I've got the hair, the eyes,"

 "The tail?"

 "Hide it under my gi. I'm not as witless as they all think. I choose to be seen that way."

 "Why?"

 "Dunno, I don't want all of the hassle I guess. I'll stand up for my beliefs, I'll die for them, but I don't
want to fighting, the constant battles to prove who's toughest, to tell you the truth I don't care."

 "Why are telling me this?"

 Yamcha stood and slid down the roof followed closely by the other Saiyan. "Well, because you're
my prince right? I guess you have a right to know how many of your people survived. And that
Goku isn't the only. . ."

 "Yamcha."

 "Huh?" His eyes shot up, wide, "You called me by my name!"

 "Hn." He folded his hands over his chest and looked up at the other man carefully.

 "Vegita would you. . . could we be. . . friends?"

 This was something he hadn't expected! Vegita locked gazes with Yamcha and licked his lips, "You
aren't like Goku."

 "Huh?"

 "He befriends anyone and everyone he can, but you choose your friends very carefully don't you."

 "I. . . yeah. I guess I do." He lowered his eyes and felt an embarrassed blush slip over his cheeks.

 "Why me?"

 "Wha. . .?"

 "Why not Bulma, or Kakorotto? You are close to them, but why ask ‘me' to be your friend."

 "I told you I don't like Bulma, and compared to me Goku is just a kid. Yes I'm older than him. By
plenty. And most of all because I like you."

 Again Vegita found himself off guard. "Like me?"

 Yamcha nodded and turned away, moving to open his door, "I know, it was a stupid idea, sorry."

 "Ok."

 He spun around in surprise, "Huh?"

 "Ok."

 "You. . . You. . ."

 "I will be your. . . friend."

 Yamcha smiled softly as the words fell from the little Saiyan's mouth, "You've never had a friend
before, have you."

 "I didn't need any."

 Yamcha grinned at that, "Sorry I've been so sappy today man."

 "We all have our days." He shrugged and walked passed Yamcha into the house. "I'm hungry."

 Yamcha nodded, "I'll fix dinner."

 "You cook?!" The prince looked nonplused at the thought.

 "I live alone, it's that or starve." He looked up and laughed, "And before you say it, no, I am not a
womanizing Tramp and I can't just have my lady friends cook for me because contrary to popular
belief Bulma was one of the three women I've ever dated and the relation never lasts very long."

 "I wasn't going to say anything."

 He chuckled and shrugged, "Had to get that off my back anyway."

 Vegita just leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, "Hn."

 "Come give me a hand."

 When the Saiyan looked up his eyes bugged out, Yamcha stood there with a frilly white apron over
his orange Ji. "You look ridiculous."

 "I'll take that as a complement." He smiled and winked, "Come on, mix these eggs in with the stir fry
in that pan there."

 "You want me to cook?"

 "I'll show you what you don't know. It's easy."

 "So you say." Vegita approached the pan as if it were an enemy and Yamcha covered his mouth to
stifle a giggle, "It wont bite ‘Gita!"

 "‘Gita?"

 The saiyan blushed and shrugged, "It just came out."

 "Hn."

 "Do you. . . do you mind? I won't use it if. . ."

 "I don't mind. . . Yam-chan."

 Yamcha stared a moment then burst out laughing, this was going to be a Very interesting friendship.

<Part 2>
 

After dinner, the two men went to the living room. It was small and had only a bookcase which held the TV, radio  and video game systems and a beaten down looking leather love-seat.

 Yamcha flopped onto the tiny sofa and Vegita squeezed in beside him, accepting the glass of sake
the other offered. "A toast." Yamcha slurred, already a little tipsy.

 "To what?"

 "Friendship and. . ." He thought for a moment then decided, "The complete annihalation of
Valentines day."

 Vegita nodded with a smirk and tipped the glass back, draining it in one gulp. "More."

 Yamcha chuckled and handed him the bottle, sipping his own glass quietly.

 The silence was a warm one. Not uncomfortable or strained, just calm and relaxing. Once they
finished quite a few bottles both Saiyan were loath to end their evening.

 "Bulma will wonder where you are." Yamcha said quietly.

 Vegita sat the empty bottle down so hard it shattered and the other man jumped in surprise. "I don't
care! I despise that sniveling leech! If it weren't for the children I would leave without a second
glance, but I can't."

 "‘Gita." Yamcha put his arm around the angry man and soothed him, "Come on. It can't be that
bad."

 "No, it's worst! She expects me to love her just because I fucked her, just because I actually care
for my son. I can barely stand being around my daughter because Bulma's raised Bra to be just like
her!  Doesn't she realize there is a difference between fucking and making love?!"

 "I've never heard you talk about it before."

 "I claimed her to breed. The Saiyan race needs to be re-established."

 "So you traded your happiness for your people?"

 "Of course! I'm am a prince. My duty is to my race. I come second." He froze then and thought of
Goku, "Always second."

 Yamcha smiled and patted his back, "If it's any consolation I could beat Goku with my eyes shut
and hands tied."

 "Why hide such power?"

 "Why flaunt it. Like I said, I don't care who's toughest. I'm happy being where I am and who I am.
Besides. You and Goku always fight because he keeps getting stronger. I. . . I don't want you to
hate me."

 "I don't."

 Hope filled the wide, wild eyes, "Honto ne?"

 "Honto."

 Strong arms grabbed the startled prince closer and Yamcha squeezed him tightly, "I don't hate you
either."

 "Well that was an odd conversation."

 "Well, it's part of being friends, you're allowed to make no sense whatsoever."

 "Really."

 "Yep."

 Vegita grinned again, "Then I was wrong."

 "Huh?"

 "You must be friends with everyone you know, I rarely hear anything sensible from you."

 Yamcha slid of the couch clutching his chest, "You made a joke! Oh my God! It the world still
spinning?!"

 "Hn." The Saiyan folded his arms over his chest and closed his eyes, "Baka."

 "Yeah but you like me any way don'cha!"

 "Hn."

 "I'll take that as a yes." Yamcha stood and took Vegita by the arm, pulling him into a standing
possition, "Come on, we gotta get you home."

 "Don' have a home."

 Yamcha chuckled, "Ok well let's get you back to capsule corporation then, ok?"

 "Why?"

 "Because."

 "S'not a reason."

 Yamcha snickered, "You said snot!"

 "I did not!"

 "Yes you did! I heard it, you said snot!"

 "Baka."

 When the finally reached Bulma's, Yamcha fumbled with the door nob and he and Vegita tripped
into the room. The lights flickered on and a very annoyed Bulma stood on the landing watching them,
"Where have you been?!"

 "Hi Bulma, Me and ‘Gita were just sharin' some sake."

 "I can see that."

 "Oh Come on! We aren't that drunk! I'm not wording my slurs yet."

 Vegita and Bulma both rolled their eyes and the Saiyan prince helped his new friend to his feet. "He
is staying the night."

 "Oh I couldn't do that." Yamcha argued.

 "Yes you can. You are not walking home in the dark in this condition."

 Bulma did a triple take, "You care?"

 Yamcha smiled, "We made a pact! We're buddies now, right ‘Gita?"

 "Hn."

 "He's still warming up to the fact."

 "Uhuh. . . ok, we'll ah. . . you can take the couch. Vegi-koi, come to bed."

 Vegita lay down on the carpet under the couch and fell asleep.

 "Why you little. . ."

 Yamcha smiled and held Bulma back softly, "He kinda had a lot to drink Bulma, maybe you should
let him sleep it off."

 "I. . . Ok. I guess you're right."

 "Of course I am." Yamcha nodded and stretched out on the couch, "‘night Bulma-chan."

 Bulma giggled softly at that, "Good night Yami."

 "Ug! Don't call me that!"

 When she had left Vegita muttered, "‘m not drunk."

 Yamcha patted his shoulder, absently fingering the spiky hair at the nape of his neck. "I know, but it
got you off the hook."

 "For now."

 "One day at a time ‘Gita. On day at a time."

 "Fine." He rolled over and grinned wickedly, "Yami-kun."

 Yamcha smacked him with the throw pillow, "Don't call me that!"

 Vegita paused a moment.

 "What's wrong?"

 "You just hit me."

 "Yeah?"

 "With a pillow."

 "Yeah?"

 Another gleam came to the Saiyan's eyes and he snatched the pillow from Yamcha, bashing him
over the head with it, "Take that! Yami-kun!"

 "Why you. . . ! Yamcha jumped to his feet and a super sonic pillow fight followed.

 Once they had thoroughly trashed the place and had fallen exhausted to the floor Vegita blinked
owlishly and turned to Yamcha, "Did I just do that?"

 "You had a LOT to drink."

 "Yam-chan?"

 "Hm?"

 "This friend thing."

 "Yeah?"

 "I've never had a. . . friend before."

 "S'ok, we can learn as we go."

 ". . ."

 "What?"

 "Whatever we do together, no one else will know right?"

 Yamcha grinned, seeing where this was going. "Yeah ‘Gita. Anything we talk about or do together
in private I take to my grave unless you say otherwise." He patted the flustered prince on the back
and soothed him carefully, "No one will ever know that you ever played like that ‘cept me ok?"

 "Promise?"

 "Yep."

 "Thank you." He took Yamcha's hand solomnly, "sleep well Yam-chan."

 "Sleep well ‘Gita."
 
 
 
 

 When Bulma came down stairs the next morning she found feathers strewn all over the living room, the down filled couch cushions were ripped to shreds and on top of the biggest pile of feathers lay Yamcha and Vegita, sleeping off their hangovers.

 "WHAT DID YOU DO?!?!?!" She screeched.

 Vegita just sat up and glared at her but Yamcha sprang at least seven feet into the air and landed on
his face.

 "Wha?! Wha'd I do? Oohhh my head!"

 "Hn. Baka." The other saiyan winced a bit at his own headache but said nothing.

 "OUT!"

 "Wha?"

 "BOTH OF YOU GET OUT OF MY SITE!"
 
 

 Both men knew better than to stick around after what they had done. Yamcha, oddly enough, was
laughing like a mad man as they ran from the house.

 "What is so amusing?!" Vegita growled, still suffering from their night of drinking.

 "Just having fun ‘Gita." He grinned wildly and tossed out a capsule car before them.

 "The situation is slightly tense to find fun."

 The other saiyan just grinned and opened the side door, "‘Gita, the wise man goes through life never
knowing a tense situation, but the happy man spends his life getting into and out of them."

 "Then you are much too happy."

 "I agree." Yamcha chuckled as they began the drive, "But it's the only way I want to be."

  When they arrived at the local store Vegita frowned, "What the Hell are we doing here?"

 Yamcha rolled his eyes, "If you think back two very hungry Saiyans ate all of the food and drank all
of the sake in my house last night." He reminded his prince, "I need to restock."

 Vegita frowned but nodded.

 "Haven't you ever been shopping before?"

 The shorter man shrugged. "No."

  Yamcha sighed, "Well come on ‘Gita-kun, you have a lot to learn."

 "Wha. . ." Before he could say anymore Vegita found himself being dragged into the shopping
center.  Yamcha took up a cart and whistled as he strolled through the food filled isles. "Ok, I need
this and this. . . and. . . wait I have a coupon for that! Yosh!"

 He looked around him and found Vegita looking at the candy display curiously. "‘Gita?"

 "What are these things?" He mused, poking one of the brightly colored wrappers.

 "That's candy. Sugary stuff."

 "You eat it?"

 "Uhuh. You want to get some?"

 Vegita nodded and Yamcha scooped up a handful of white chocolate bars, "What are those?"

 Yamcha grinned, "My favorite! You'll love them trust me! Come on, we have all of the food stuffs,
now we need to get some. . . Vegita?" He looked around but the Saiyan had vanished. "Vegita?
Where'd you go?"

 A grunt answered and Yamcha followed it to the pets section where Vegita was crouched before a
huge aquarium holding a giant constrictor snake.

 "Vegita?"

 "Why is this here?"

 "It's a pet."

 "Pet."

 "Yeah, you buy it and take care of it, like a child almost, part of the family."

 "Do you have a pet?"

 Yamcha shook his head, "Never."

 "Hn."

 Yamcha laughed, "Come on ‘Gita. Lets pay for this stuff and go."

 "That is why you've been took that man's wallet when we first got here."

 Yamcha could feel his face getting red, "Anou. . ." //I wish I could just slip into the floor and
disappear. "Yeah."

 "Aa."

 The Saiyan warrior watched in mute amazement as his prince turned and walked away, leaving it at
that.
 
 

 Later, back at the house, Yamcha was unpacking the groceries when Vegita spoke. "That snake."

 "Huh? At the store? What about it?"

 "It didn't belong there."

 "Yeah, it's sad the way they try to tame wild things into what they want them to be. Humans are
funny that way. Such a strong need to prove their superiority."

 "I am like that snake."

 Yamcha stopped and turned, the light of the open fridge casting a glow around his body, "‘Gita?
Why would you say that?"

 "I don't belong here."

 "Well, I know it isn't home, but humans aren't so bad, they grow on you after a while."

 "Will they try to tame me also?"

 "I. . ."

 "Put me in a cage?"

 The look in Vegita's eyes was so unsure, so different from what he showed the rest of the world.
Yamcha couldn't resist the urge it gave him. He closed the refrigerator and walked up to Vegita,
embracing him tightly.

 "Earth is so different from Vegita-Sei." Vegita hugged Yamcha back, allowing his vulnerable side to
show only to the man he had come to trust these past couple days. The only man on that miserable
little blue planet that he could truly call friend. "I fight because it is a familiar thing. Rage, anger, no
matter what planet you're on a punch is a punch, a kick is a kick."

 "There's other things that are the same." The taller man insisted.

 "What?"

 Yamcha sighed, "Like. . ." He paused, what WAS the same? The land of Vegita-Sei was more
fertile, the water more pure and technology far more advanced, the trees different and the people. . .
the people. . . "Me."

 "Hn?"

 "I'm the same as on Vegita-Sei."

 Vegita swallowed harshly and looked up at the other man.

 "You can rely on me now too, not just the fighting. I'm the same as I was on Vegita-Sei. I didn't
forget like Goku, I have always been what I am now."

 "I. . . T. . . thank you."

 "Hey," Yamcha chuckled and kissed his forehead, "What are friends for?"

 Vegita offered him a rare smile, "I am just starting to find out."
 

<Part 3>
 

A week later Yamcha slammed into the Briefs residence, "'Gita! Yo! :Gita! Come 'er! You won't beleive it!"

The prince walked out of his training room grouchily, "Aren't you ever quiet?"

"No, now guess what!"

"Hn."

"We won!"

"Won what? Who?"

"My baseball team! We're in the final game of  the world series!"

"That's good?"

"It's great! Excellent! I can't believe we made it, You can' tguess how hard we worked for this! It's my life long  dream 'Gita!"

"Have you told Bulma and Goku yet?"

Yamha shook his head, "i wanted to tell you first! I'm so excited! Vegita you have to come!"

"He can't." Bulma smiled walking into the room.

"Huh? But it's the biggest game of my life! Why not?"

"It's our anniversary."

The saiyan's huge smile fell, "Oh."

His prince glarred at the onna  but had to admit she had just cause. "I'll tape it."

Yamcha nodded, "I . . . I gotta go practice. See ya 'Gita."

He nodded and closed the door slowly then imidiat;y set the VCR to tape the game that night.
 
 

Vegita was awakened by the shrill ringing of the telephone. He snatched it up and slammed it on the dresser before growling,
"WHAT?!"

 "Anou. . ."

 "Out with it!"

 "Are you Mr Vegita?"

 "Hai."

 "Do you know a base ball player named Yamcha?"

 Ice trickled up his spine, "What happened?"

 "I ah. . . we're at the hospital he. . ."

 Vegita slammed the phone down without hearing the rest and shot off toward the ningen hospital at a speed he had never
before traveled.

 He slammed through the doors and the nurses at the station all stared at the very intimidating man, "Yamcha."

 "Room 240."

 "Hn."

 He entered the room quietly and walked up to the bed in much the same manor. Yamcha lay there pale in his sleep, a hard
white cast covering all of his left arm.

 "Are you mr Vegita sir?"

 He turned to find a man wearing a uniform similar to Yamcha's sitting in a chair in the corner.

 "Hn."

 "He hasn't woken up yet from the surgery."

 "Surgery?"

 "There was an accident at the game. One of the stadium lights toppled onto the stands. He got everyone clear but it landed right on his left side. His arm was so mangled they had to operate. He won't ever play baseball again. I haven't told him."

 Vegita kept his face blank even as his heart fell for his only friend, "He loves that stupid game."

 The man nodded and lowered his head, "I know, we all do, can you. . . none of us feel close enough to him to tell him. . . he
talks about you all the time. You're his best friend, could. . . could you. . ."

 "Hn." Vegita nodded and turned to the bed as the other man gratefully left.

 "‘Gita?"

 He walked to the bedside and took the cast covered hand into his own, "Baka."

 "Yeah." He chuckled painfully, "‘m the only guy I know who could get clobbered by a one ton set of lights in the middle of a
baseball game."

 "Hn., I shoul have come."

 "You were busy."

 "Does't matter." Vegita waited expectantly.

 "What?" Yamcha laughed at the look on his friend's face, "You want me to yell and cuss and make you feel like shit?"

 "Bulma would."

 "‘Gita." Yamcha smiled, "If you haven't noticed yet, I'm not Bulma."

 "Aa."

 "Vegita?"

 "Hn?"

 "You're hurting my hand."

 He realized how tight he had been holding onto it and immediately let go.

 "Thanks."

 "Does anyone else know yet?"

 "Only the ones who were at the game. No one we know. No one was free. You know, this was my big game. The
championship."

 Vegita looked carefully into his friend's eyes.

 "Not that any of you had to come." He added quickly.

 "Hn."

 "Such a demanding vocabulary you have Vegita."

 "Baka."

 Yamcha laughed but it was cut short as his body spasmed in pain. "Ooh that hurts."

"Don't move baka! You'll hurt it more."

"Did the doctor talk to you?"

"One of your teammates filled me in."

"When can I play again? Gotta start working for the rematch!"

The Saiyan prince had never been more afraid, not fightin Freezer, not watching his people die, not facing Buu, but this fear was for Yamcha's feelings, which would undoubtably crumble at his news.

"Why aren't you talking?"

". . ."

"Oh come on it can't be that long!" He teased good naturedly.

". . ."

"They're taking me off the finals the year aren't they?! Damn it!" He started to sit up, "Itai! Owowowow!"

Vegita hurrily settled him back in.

"Man I was being scouted for th major leagues in America! Damn! Now I'll have to wait another year!"

". . ."

"A year still isn't so bad 'Gita."

"Not a year."

"Well unill next season."

"No next season."

"What? Is the team disbarring?"

"Your arm. . ." He swallowed hard and continued, "It was crushed beyond repair. You'll able to use it, but not to pitch, and not to bat. It would be to much for it."

"Just for a little while though right? A sensu bean and I'll be back to normal."

"Sensu heal Ki depletion and minor injurries. It can't help you with this."

"But. . ." Yamha's eyes grew wide as he realized what Veita was trying to say. "No."

He nodded.

"NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" The Saiyan began to struggle and doctors and nurses ran in quickly, shooing Vegita out and pumping him with tranquilizors.

"Yamcha." The Prince dashed away his own tear and watched his friend's struggles lessen until he was asleep. "I failed you."
 

After Bulma tracked Vegita to the hospital and realized what hd happened she called the Son house immidiatly. Soon everyone was there waiting for Yamcha to wake up. They all had to wait outside the room though, only Vegita stayed  at the bedside, keeping a constant vigil.

"How could this have happened after all of the monstes we've fought?" Bulma sobbed and watched th etwo men through the glass observation window.

Goku was clueless but managed to hide it behind a smile, "it'll work out."

Gohan hugged Piccolo and buried his face in the tall Namek's chest.

"it's alright Gohan." He hugged his lover back gently, "He is stronger then we knew."

Goten nodded, "Since he can't sheild his power level  completely while he's been drugged , there's been a dramatic increase."

"He's stronger than Goku and he's almost unconsious." Trunks nodded.

"I thought Goku was the strongest being in existance."

"Obiously." Piccolo said coolly, "Yamcha has guarded his secret well. Even from the eternal dragons."

Bra looked up at her mother, "Mom?"

"Yes honey?"

"Why is dad so sad?"

"Yamcha-san is your touchan's best friend Bra." Her voice cracked, "He loves him very much."

"How could we not have noticed how close they had gotten?" Chichi frowned.

Krillan shook his head, "We haven't been in contact with eachother for a while. Not since the dragonballs were destroyed." He pressed his forehead to the glass, "Bulma, Vegita doesn't look too good."

She nodded, "Yamcha asked him to go to the game but I made him stay behind. He blames himself for what happened to Yamcha. He is the first real friend Vegita ever had and He feels like he's failed him."

"Someone should talk to him." Piccolo stated.

All eyes swung to Goku.

"Hey, wait a second. . . I don't. . ."

"Goku get in there and cheer him up!"

"Yes Chichi."
 

The Saiyan opened the door and quietly slipped inside to stand behind the prince of their thin population, "Vegita. . ."

"Go away Kakarotto, I have no wish to fight you now."

"I don't want to fight either. How are you doing?"

"Better than he is."

"He'll pull through Vegita."

"Address me properly." He growled, eyes never leaving the pale figure on the bed.

Goku looked up at the window and the others motioned fantically for him to go along with it. He sighed in resignation. "He will be fine Sire."

"Define that word Kakarotto. He has lost the ability to do what he loves the most and his best friend failed to protect him."

"You couldn't have known."

"But I should have been there."

"Don't should yourself. It won't help. . . your highness. You need to be stong for him. So that he has someone to lean on when he wakes up."

"He will not wish to see me when he wakes. "

"Vegita, friendship doesn't turn on and off at whim. He will need you." Goku turned to leave. "An if you care about him at all you will be there this time."

    The Saiyan Prince stared at the doors as they closed. Glarring holes into the other Saiyan's back.

    A twitch of the hand he held brought his attention back to his friend. "Yamcha."

    "Wasn't a dream. . . was it 'Gita." He rasped.

    Vegita poured a drink and helped him sip it to moisten his throat.

    "Th. . . . thank you."

    "For what?"

    "For being here." He smiled, "And for being my friend." Then he closed his eyes again and Vegita did something none of the group had eve dreamed to see him do. He began to cry.

<Part 4>
 

  Yamcha sat up in the Hospital bed, his arm in it's cast, "Oh come on!" He yelled at the doctor, "Couldn't I just have some real clothes at least?! I'm exposed it this thing!"

    "I am sorry but no, now sleep."

    "I've slept for the past five days!"

    "Well you need it. I'll be back in an hour to check on you."

    ""Well can I at least see 'Gita?"

    "Visiting hours are over."

    "Oh  give me a break!"

    "You already have one."

    The Saiyan's eyes narrowed and as the doctor walked out he aimed a very consentrated ki blast the burn off his clothes.

    "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

    The ball player laughed happily, that had helped to improve his mood considerably. "thbtttttttt!"

    "That was mature."

    He turned and his smile grew, "'Gita!" He leaped out of bed and glomped the smaller man as best he could with one arm.

    Vegita's eyes widened when he saw Yamcha's gown fly open over the  man's shoulder, revealing his firm ass. "You're exposed."

    "Wha. . . GODDAMIT!!"

    The Saiyan rolled his eyes and tossed his friend a bag of clothes.

    "How did you. . ."

    "You argue very loudly."

    He laughed and slipped the clothes on gratfully, "Man 'Gita I don't what I'd do without you."

    "Hn."

    "Aa."

    "Grrr."

    Yamcha laughed again, "You think we could hold a whole conversation in mono sylables?"

    "Mm."

    The ball player's eyes shone and Vegita didn't care if he was being so playful in front of the hospital staff. All that mattered was that Yamcha was smiling again.

    He sat back down on the bed and motioned for Vegita to sit with him, "I missed you! How did you get in after visiting hours?!"

    "Flew in the window."

    "I'm glad you did!" Yamcha smiled, "I was going stir crazy!"

    "Baka."

    "Sure, I'm a baka now am I?"

    "Always."

    "Hmph!"

    Vegita touched the cast, "Painful?"

    "Nah, it's fine. Hey! Wanna sign my cast?"

    The Saiyan prince took the pen with a sigh and scribbled a quick message. He was really worried about Yamcha. He was trying to draw the attention away from himself by acting silly but he was in real pain.

    Yamcha looked at it quizically, "'Yamcha, axtia  neeca, Vegita.' What is that supposed to be?"

    "It's Saiyan."

    "What's it say?"

    "Nice Butt."

    Yamcha burst out laughing and Vegita smirked. "I can't believe you wrote that on my cast!"

    "Who'll know?"

    Yamcha took Vegita's hand tightly in his own, "You try so hard to make my happy 'Gita. Why?"

    "You are my friend."

    The ball player nodded.

    After a long silence, Yamcha just watched him until Vegita finally asked, "Hn?"

    "I was just realizing something."

    "Aa?"

    "You aren't my friend."

    The prince could feel his heart break, "What do you say?"

    Yamcha kept his hold on Vegita's hand, "I feel much more for you than friendship."

    "Yam. . . cha." Vegita blinked as the other's face grew nearer.

    "I. . . I think I. . ."

    "Yes?"

    Their lips me and Yamcha put his arm around Vegita's shoulder the draw him closer. The Saiyan swept his arms around his friend tightly and plunged his tongue deeper, despirite to taste more. When they parted they could only stare at each other, "Did we just. . .?"

    Vegita nodded, stunned.

    "'Gita I'm sorry! I didn't . . ."

    Vegita held his hand to Yamcha's lips and his own parted slightly as he bent to claim another kiss.

    "Dad how is he. . . Oh SHIT!"  Trunks stared at his father who was sprawled half over the ball player.

    "What? What happened?" Bra darted under his arm and froze, "Why is dad giving mr. Yamcha a tonsilectomy?"

    Yamcha blushed, "Anou. . . that. . . we didn't. . . I mean we're not. . . it just happened!"  he tried to assure the young royals, "I mean. . . that is . . ."

    "Get lost." Vegita growled.

    "Yes Sir!" They both rushed out the door and Yamcha turned to stare at his Prince.

    Vegita held his eyes captive. "You kissed me."

    The warrior blushed and stammered, ". . . well I. . . I didn't. . . well I did but. . ."

    "Do it again."

    "Wha. . .?" Before he could finish Vegita had pulled him in again. When he pulled back Yamcha was blinking sleepily with a funny little simle on his handsome lips, "That was nice."

    "Mm." He agreed.

    Yamcha touched his smooth face and smiled, "Why did you do that?"

    "I choose you."

    "Choose?"

    "For life."

    The ball player waited a moment as that sunk in, "You. . ."

    "I love you."

    "I. . . I thought you believed love was silly."

    "Bulma's is. It's an obsession and missplaced, but this is not."

    "Wow. You actually said like, two sentances in one breath! Do you want to sit down? Did you hurt yourself?"

    "Hn. Baka."

    "What if I asked you to shut up and kiss me?"

    Vegita snatched him close and pressed his lips deep to Yamcha's again. When they came up for breath the other Saiyan just smiled and nuzzled his neck, "Good answer. Really good answer."

    "Will you accept my court?"

    "You wanna court me?!"

    "It is traditional."

    "O. . . of course I accept!"

    Vegita smiled, "You make me very happy."

    "And you to me 'Gita. I really couldn't have gone through this without you."

    "You will never be alone again."

    "So. . . wanna sneak me out of here?"

    "You aren't well yet."

    "Oh come on! I'm a Saiyan!"

    "No."

    "Come on 'Gita!. . . Hey, what's your full name anyway?"

    "Vegita Xantos Kahn."

    "Why didn't you tell Bulma? She should have your last name."

    "She is not my life partner."

    Yamcha cuddled closer into Vegita's warmth and practically purred.

    "What is your Saiyan name. Do you remember?"

    "Yameracha . That's all I remember."

    "Will you have my name?"

    "Shouldn't you court me first?" He teased.

    Vegita paused, "I. . ."

    "I was kidding Vegita, I would be honored to hold your name."

    "*sniff* It's a kodak moment."

    Yamcha yelped and shot a very powerful ki blast and Goku, Piccolo, Gohan and Krillin all hit the deck. "Woah! That could have hurt!"

    Krillan looked at the destroyed window and wall, "They're going to make you pay for that."

    "How. . . How long have you been standing there?"

    Gohan smiled and batted his eyes, "Will you accept my court? You make me sooooooo happy!"

    This time Vegita almost attacked but Yamcha held him back, "Please. . ."

    Goku slapped his son upside the head and then smiled at the two of them, "He was only playing. We're all happy for you. Can't wait to see the kids."

    "K. . . kids?" Yamcha swallowed hard.

    Goku nodded, "Full blood Saiyans are all male, so the men are equipt to have kids."

    Yamcha's wide eyes turned to Vegita, "D. . . do you want. . ."

    "In time." He grinned, "Not now. I want you all to myself for now."

    "Aaawwwwwwww."

    Vegita rushed the group, shoving them out, "Get OUT!"

    Yamcha was still in a daze when the prince returned to his side.

    "Yameracha?"

    "I. . . This is so much so fast!"

    "Shh." He smiled, "I know."

    "I love you."

    "Hn." Vegita grinned and hugged his new beloved close. "Baka." He chuckled and kissed him good and deep.

    A gasp made them turn to the doorway where they saw. . . "Bulma!"

<Part 5>
 

    "Bulma!"

    "You. . . you kissed him!"

    Vegita just looked at her, still holding Yamcha very possessivly in the circle of his arms.

    "Yamcha you. . . Vegita. . ."

    "It just sort of hapened Bulma. . . I'm so sorry I. . ."

    Bulma thwacked him in the head and grinned, "About time baka."

    "W. . . what?"

    She held her fingers in a victory V and smiled, "Oh I've known about you two since Valentines day, you basicly screamed 'I'm in love!'"

    "But we didn't. . . I mean, we just. . ."

    She shook her head, "That's because you're men. Hmph. Never admitting you like eachother until both have been hurting. Bakas."

    "But. . . so you're not mad?"

    She grinned and kissed Vegita's cheek, "To tell you the truth, I figured out after Trunks that it wouldn't work, but he needed kids and the sex was good so. . ." She shrugged.

    Yamcha looked at Vegita's disbelieving face and broke out into laughter.

    "Hn." The prince kissed him, effectivly shuting him up. When they looked up again Bulma was leaning against the wall smiling. "You want something?"

    "No."

    "Then leave."

    She shrugged and turned to go, "Oh the doctor says Yamcha can leave now." She closed the door and waited. . . 1. . . 2. . . 3. . .

    "YAHOO!!!!!!"

    Her lips turned up in amusment and she walked away.
 

    Yamcha almost tipped the bed over in his haste to leave it. Vegita was pulled along with him and up into a big, one armed hug. "Yes! I'm going home!"

    "You are crushing me." Vegita pointed out breathlessly.

    Yamcha quickly loosened his hold but didn't let go. "I want to go home 'Gita."

    The prince lifted his chosen into his arms and lept out the window. Bulma could take care of the doctors. Yamcha just wanted to be home, and Vegita wanted his beloved to know peace. In close to no time at all he landed softly outside the saiyan's door and toed it open. "Yamcha, we're. . ." He smiled, the saiyan warrior had fallen asleep. "Hn, chibi baka." He lay the tired fighter on his bed and covered him softly, placing a light kiss on his nose.

    Puar was waiting for him in the living room, "He's ok? Did they say he could leave?"

    Vegita nodded, "Don't let anyone in."

    The cat nodded, "He needs his rest."

    "Aa."

    "Vegita?"

    "Hn?"

    The little creature smiled, "Thanks."

    He just shut the bedroom door and slid into bed with his saiyan. The other immidiatly currled closer to him and the prince took him into his arms. //He will suffer with his wounded arm, but I will see that he never wants for anything. He will become a Prince of the Saiyans//

    "'gita." The 'prince' in question mumbled softly.

    "Aa."

    The warrior smiled and kissed his prince's nose sleepily, "Happy Valentines day."

    Vegita nipped his collabone and grunted. "Hn. I am begining to approve of that stupid ningen custome."

    "Me too 'gita." Yamcha yawned, "cause now it isn't lonely."
 
 

~Owari (for now)~