Dragonball: Rewritten

Chapter 4

Something changed in Goku, and Kami didn't like the fact that he had no idea what caused it. The last two weeks of his training with Mr. Popo showcased Goku's unusual behavior: inability to concentrate, unable to stay still, requesting to fight more rather than meditate or ki train, his disappointment and frustration when Kami turned his requests down, and his general demeanor. Goku still joked around, still asked his usual million questions, ate voraciously, giggled and bounced and smiled, just like he always did with his infectious innocence and energetic disposition. But there was a difference. An obvious difference, because while Goku answered his questions about his feelings with a head tilt or a shrug or a "yep, I'm fine," Kami noticed a very telling sign from Vegeta.

A look of guilt.

It was during one of Goku's training sessions with Mr. Popo, Kami found the opportunity he was waiting for: Vegeta sitting on the steps, slumped over and alone, watching his fellow Saiyan practice ki control. He held his chin in his palm, elbow resting on top of his thigh.

Kami made his way over, stopping right beside him. He watched Goku practice qigong in coordination with ki sensing. Mr. Popo instructed every step of the way, offering gentle encouragement and corrections.

"Tell me, Vegeta," Kami said, noticing in the purview of his vision the Saiyan startling in place. He folded his arms behind his back. "Did you and Goku have a disagreement of some sort?"

The Saiyan's ki stayed calm, informing Kami of the truth in his answer of, "No."

"Hm." He kept his attention on Goku and his choppy movements through a difficult movement pattern. "Then you must not be the cause of his change then."

"He's fine."

"Funny. He says the same."

"Because he is."

"Is he now?"

"Yes."

He finally turned his head to Vegeta, who remained on the steps of the Lookout's building, no longer slouching but sitting up tall, proud and poised, like the prince he claimed to be. Dark eyes glared right at him, a challenge in that gaze, daring him to say the contrary, eager for a fight. A gaze Kami found Goku sporting more and more. A gaze he held more often than he did as a child.

His ki stayed calm, though, a ki that grew stronger every day and usurped every ki Kami had ever felt his entire lifetime so far. But by the way Vegeta looked at him, how he covered up for Goku like this, the gesture quelled his fears and pushed them at bay, for now. The Saiyan clearly bonded, or at least began to bond, with Goku, just like he hoped would happen.

Kami turned his body fully to him, staring down at Vegeta. "I see." He flickered his attention to the furry tail around Vegeta's waist, and said, "When the next full moon occurs in 3 days time, do not transform."

Vegeta startled again. He covered up his shock with another glare, asking, "Why?"

"It is not my place to say." He turned from Vegeta back to Goku, who sat on the ground, panting hard and wiping sweat from his forehead. "That is his story to tell."

Kami watched as Mr. Popo helped Goku up, his tone encouraging and gentle as ever. Goku smiled and laughed, scratching the back of his head as he replied. But when Mr. Popo turned his back to him for a brief moment to pick up Goku's power pole for him, that smile disappeared, revealing a weariness that aged Goku more than he actually was. The smile returned the instant Mr. Popo handed over his pole.

He almost missed Vegeta's soft grunt. "Fine."

A rustling of clothes and footsteps retreating away. Even without looking behind him, Kami could feel the intensity of Vegeta's glare, zeroed in on the back of his head.