Tainted
Chapter 11: Shadows on the horizon
Pairings: Goku/Vegeta
Disclaimer: I don't own so don't ask
WARNINGS: This is about male/male relationships, if you have a problem with that then I suggest that you go elsewhere.
Notes: Hello Everyone! Well, this it, the last and final chapter of this story. Thank you to all for sticking with this and for encouraging me to continue when I thought that doing this and be a full time mother twice over with a new baby. A very special thanks goes to Kewla, V, and Red. They had been with me since 'Come back to me, Come back to us'.
Hail to the Pixelgoddess for a fabulous job at making me look good ^_~
Now, enough of my chatter on with the story. Enjoy!
/ Thoughts /
:: Telepathy ::
~oOo@oOo~
The room fell deathly silent - it was over. Isha still worked frantically trying to restart the Saiyan prince's heart. Bulma reached over and grabbed her friend's busy hands.
"He's dead, Isha. Let him go," Bulma weakly said as her tears fell. Isha bowed her head in defeat, not knowing what else to do.
"No!"
Goku dropped to his knees and clung to his mate. He sobbed loudly onto his still chest. "Nononono. . .please, Geta, don't leave me. . .don't leave us," he pleaded.
The others watched helplessly as Goku poured out his grief. No one moved until he gave an agonized scream and collapsed.
Isha immediately turned her attention to Goku. He was clutching his large stomach, his teeth clenched in pain. She pulled him away from Vegeta, stretching him out along the floor.
"Yamcha, help me get him into another room," Isha ordered. Piccolo glared at him and shoved the scarred human out of the way. As far as he was concerned, Yamcha was partly to blame for protecting his brother for so long. He bent down to gently lift the warrior, taking him away from his deceased mate. Being repeatedly abused then having his lover die right before his eyes was too much of shock for the earth-raised Saiyan.
Isha set about examining Goku when the Namek carefully placed him on the bed in a nearby bedroom. He was having contractions. Isha prayed that she could get them to stop, if not the twins would not survive being born this early.
~oOo@oOo~
Bulma sat at the dining table nursing a cup of coffee, her feet propped up on a nearby chair. Trunks was next to her, leaning back with a blank look on his face.
The fighters had finished checking the building and now they were making themselves at home while they waited for word of Goku's condition. Isha refused to move him before he was stable. Krillin and Yamcha were talking quietly. Piccolo was outside meditating, with Tien not far away.
Every one else was in the living room waiting. After several hours Isha emerged from the upstairs bedroom.
"How is he?" Bulma asked, afraid she already knew the answer.
Isha dropped into the chair across from her, exhausted. Gohan placed a cup of coffee in front her.
"Well, the good news is his contractions have finally stopped," Isha said taking a sip of the dark liquid. "The bad news is that he's in a coma. I'm afraid that with everything that has happened - the kidnapping, rapes, Vegeta's death - he is not going to survive giving birth," Isha explained.
The fighters gathered in the kitchen, speechless. They had not considered that Goku could die even after he had been rescued. Now that harsh cold reality was hitting them in the face. It had been hard enough to lose Vegeta. Even though the Saiyan prince had tried to kill them when he and Nappa first came earth, over time they had accepted him. The test of the acceptance came when the full-blooded Saiyans bonded and mated.
The news was shocking at first but the gang came to understand that the couple needed each other. They still couldn't accept that Goku would die since Vegeta had. It couldn't be true - their long time friend was still alive and breathing, that had to count for something, right?
However, there was an issue that was bothering Isha. Bulma had filled her in about Saiyans including their mating rituals. "I don't understand is why Goku isn't dead." Isha wondered.
"Simple," Bulma said before downing the last dredges of coffee. "Goku holds on because of the twins."
"What about using the Dragonballs?" Krillin said, panic rising in his voice. "We can't just let him die!"
Bulma shook head. "It won't do any good to keep Goku alive with the Dragonballs. He can't survive without Vegeta and he's already been revived once. We have to keep him alive until the twins are born - other than that, there's nothing more we can do."
Losing Goku the first time he had died was hard but he was able to return. It was harder when he died at Cell's hands because he refused to return, but because of his heroism (and the fact he lied about getting Bulma to date the older Supreme Kai) he was alive again. But now, now it seemed all hope was lost. Even Vegeta wasn't going to get another chance at redemption.
~oOo@oOo~
Four months later, Goku delivered healthy twin boys. He never woke from the coma and quietly slipped away from life on the delivery table. Isha had done everything that she could to resuscitate the warrior but nothing worked.
Bulma and Chi-Chi tried to comfort the wailing babies but they couldn't. It was as if the children knew that their 'Mother' was gone. No soothing words could calm the exact replicas of the universe's strongest warriors.
Bulma knew how proud Vegeta had been of siring the next generation of Saiyan warriors. Goku would have loved them no matter what. She and Chi-Chi took over the care of the twins. Since Chi-Chi had lived so far away in a secluded area, Bulma thought it best for her to move into the Compound. She was actually glad when her friend accepted.
Goten stayed there to keep an eye on things until his mother came back or when she needed a break from the newborns.
~*~*~
The sky was dark with rain descending on them the day they buried their friend. Soft cooing was a mild distraction as Bulma and Chi-Chi tended to their charges.
The burial was on a mound beneath a large shady tree. Both Goku and Vegeta loved to spend time alone under big trees such as this one. The Z fighters were all grief stricken. They had lost their friend - someone who had brought them all together with a kind heart and gentle smile.
It was time to pay last respects. The pallbearers began lowering casket into its' final resting place. The group went by throwing dirt on the closed box for the second time in four months. They left heading back to Capsule Corp. The rain had finally stopped.
Gohan turned back to look one last time where his Father and Vegeta were buried. He stared wide-eyed as he caught the familiar sight of orange and royal blue material. Trunks walked over to his friend and put his hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, let's go."
Gohan looked back to see the shadows on the horizon but he saw nothing. He and Trunks took off in the air together, easily catching the others, while trying to hold back their tears.
~*~*~
Once the gravesite was empty two figures looked down at the head stones. One read:
Here lies Vegeta, Prince of the Saiyans Beloved Husband, Father, and Mate
"You know they could have left off the beloved part," one voiced objected, slightly insulted.
"What are you complaining about? They mean well," the other voice said.
"Hn."
The pair was looking down at the other epitaph.
Son Goku Kakarott Savior of the World Beloved Husband, Father, and Mate
"Well they do. Besides, just imagine how they're going to feel when they find out."
The smaller of the two smirked. "Then I guess it's a good thing that you know people in high places, Kakarott."
"Gomen it took so long - otherwise I would have died sooner. Do me a favor would you?" Charcoal orbs looked expectantly. "Don't ever leave me again."
"Promise."
"Good. Now, let's go and fetch our children, Geta. I'm ready to go home."
Vegeta smiled. A real smile. For once in his miserable life had something worth smiling about.
~ owari ~
A/N: Well, tell me what you think and feel. You know I love hearing from all of you. Did it turn out how you expected or was it a complete let down? Don't forget to click on that little blue button. Until next time, take care and be safe ^_~
Arch-Nemesis
Chapter 11: Shadows on the horizon
Pairings: Goku/Vegeta
Disclaimer: I don't own so don't ask
WARNINGS: This is about male/male relationships, if you have a problem with that then I suggest that you go elsewhere.
Notes: Hello Everyone! Well, this it, the last and final chapter of this story. Thank you to all for sticking with this and for encouraging me to continue when I thought that doing this and be a full time mother twice over with a new baby. A very special thanks goes to Kewla, V, and Red. They had been with me since 'Come back to me, Come back to us'.
Hail to the Pixelgoddess for a fabulous job at making me look good ^_~
Now, enough of my chatter on with the story. Enjoy!
/ Thoughts /
:: Telepathy ::
~oOo@oOo~
The room fell deathly silent - it was over. Isha still worked frantically trying to restart the Saiyan prince's heart. Bulma reached over and grabbed her friend's busy hands.
"He's dead, Isha. Let him go," Bulma weakly said as her tears fell. Isha bowed her head in defeat, not knowing what else to do.
"No!"
Goku dropped to his knees and clung to his mate. He sobbed loudly onto his still chest. "Nononono. . .please, Geta, don't leave me. . .don't leave us," he pleaded.
The others watched helplessly as Goku poured out his grief. No one moved until he gave an agonized scream and collapsed.
Isha immediately turned her attention to Goku. He was clutching his large stomach, his teeth clenched in pain. She pulled him away from Vegeta, stretching him out along the floor.
"Yamcha, help me get him into another room," Isha ordered. Piccolo glared at him and shoved the scarred human out of the way. As far as he was concerned, Yamcha was partly to blame for protecting his brother for so long. He bent down to gently lift the warrior, taking him away from his deceased mate. Being repeatedly abused then having his lover die right before his eyes was too much of shock for the earth-raised Saiyan.
Isha set about examining Goku when the Namek carefully placed him on the bed in a nearby bedroom. He was having contractions. Isha prayed that she could get them to stop, if not the twins would not survive being born this early.
~oOo@oOo~
Bulma sat at the dining table nursing a cup of coffee, her feet propped up on a nearby chair. Trunks was next to her, leaning back with a blank look on his face.
The fighters had finished checking the building and now they were making themselves at home while they waited for word of Goku's condition. Isha refused to move him before he was stable. Krillin and Yamcha were talking quietly. Piccolo was outside meditating, with Tien not far away.
Every one else was in the living room waiting. After several hours Isha emerged from the upstairs bedroom.
"How is he?" Bulma asked, afraid she already knew the answer.
Isha dropped into the chair across from her, exhausted. Gohan placed a cup of coffee in front her.
"Well, the good news is his contractions have finally stopped," Isha said taking a sip of the dark liquid. "The bad news is that he's in a coma. I'm afraid that with everything that has happened - the kidnapping, rapes, Vegeta's death - he is not going to survive giving birth," Isha explained.
The fighters gathered in the kitchen, speechless. They had not considered that Goku could die even after he had been rescued. Now that harsh cold reality was hitting them in the face. It had been hard enough to lose Vegeta. Even though the Saiyan prince had tried to kill them when he and Nappa first came earth, over time they had accepted him. The test of the acceptance came when the full-blooded Saiyans bonded and mated.
The news was shocking at first but the gang came to understand that the couple needed each other. They still couldn't accept that Goku would die since Vegeta had. It couldn't be true - their long time friend was still alive and breathing, that had to count for something, right?
However, there was an issue that was bothering Isha. Bulma had filled her in about Saiyans including their mating rituals. "I don't understand is why Goku isn't dead." Isha wondered.
"Simple," Bulma said before downing the last dredges of coffee. "Goku holds on because of the twins."
"What about using the Dragonballs?" Krillin said, panic rising in his voice. "We can't just let him die!"
Bulma shook head. "It won't do any good to keep Goku alive with the Dragonballs. He can't survive without Vegeta and he's already been revived once. We have to keep him alive until the twins are born - other than that, there's nothing more we can do."
Losing Goku the first time he had died was hard but he was able to return. It was harder when he died at Cell's hands because he refused to return, but because of his heroism (and the fact he lied about getting Bulma to date the older Supreme Kai) he was alive again. But now, now it seemed all hope was lost. Even Vegeta wasn't going to get another chance at redemption.
~oOo@oOo~
Four months later, Goku delivered healthy twin boys. He never woke from the coma and quietly slipped away from life on the delivery table. Isha had done everything that she could to resuscitate the warrior but nothing worked.
Bulma and Chi-Chi tried to comfort the wailing babies but they couldn't. It was as if the children knew that their 'Mother' was gone. No soothing words could calm the exact replicas of the universe's strongest warriors.
Bulma knew how proud Vegeta had been of siring the next generation of Saiyan warriors. Goku would have loved them no matter what. She and Chi-Chi took over the care of the twins. Since Chi-Chi had lived so far away in a secluded area, Bulma thought it best for her to move into the Compound. She was actually glad when her friend accepted.
Goten stayed there to keep an eye on things until his mother came back or when she needed a break from the newborns.
~*~*~
The sky was dark with rain descending on them the day they buried their friend. Soft cooing was a mild distraction as Bulma and Chi-Chi tended to their charges.
The burial was on a mound beneath a large shady tree. Both Goku and Vegeta loved to spend time alone under big trees such as this one. The Z fighters were all grief stricken. They had lost their friend - someone who had brought them all together with a kind heart and gentle smile.
It was time to pay last respects. The pallbearers began lowering casket into its' final resting place. The group went by throwing dirt on the closed box for the second time in four months. They left heading back to Capsule Corp. The rain had finally stopped.
Gohan turned back to look one last time where his Father and Vegeta were buried. He stared wide-eyed as he caught the familiar sight of orange and royal blue material. Trunks walked over to his friend and put his hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, let's go."
Gohan looked back to see the shadows on the horizon but he saw nothing. He and Trunks took off in the air together, easily catching the others, while trying to hold back their tears.
~*~*~
Once the gravesite was empty two figures looked down at the head stones. One read:
Here lies Vegeta, Prince of the Saiyans Beloved Husband, Father, and Mate
"You know they could have left off the beloved part," one voiced objected, slightly insulted.
"What are you complaining about? They mean well," the other voice said.
"Hn."
The pair was looking down at the other epitaph.
Son Goku Kakarott Savior of the World Beloved Husband, Father, and Mate
"Well they do. Besides, just imagine how they're going to feel when they find out."
The smaller of the two smirked. "Then I guess it's a good thing that you know people in high places, Kakarott."
"Gomen it took so long - otherwise I would have died sooner. Do me a favor would you?" Charcoal orbs looked expectantly. "Don't ever leave me again."
"Promise."
"Good. Now, let's go and fetch our children, Geta. I'm ready to go home."
Vegeta smiled. A real smile. For once in his miserable life had something worth smiling about.
~ owari ~
A/N: Well, tell me what you think and feel. You know I love hearing from all of you. Did it turn out how you expected or was it a complete let down? Don't forget to click on that little blue button. Until next time, take care and be safe ^_~
Arch-Nemesis