Thinking of You

Part 9

Vegeta walked in the back of the pack, his hands shoved in his jacket pockets. The others ahead of him laughed and cheered like they were high school students, and he wanted none of it. He was still reeling from what had happened between him and Goku just a few minutes ago. The touch, the shared contact, the closeness between them. Vegeta still felt Goku's strong hands on his own. His mind told him to ignore Goku's advances, as they most likely meant nothing more than a simple crush and would never grow to be anything more. But, something else in Vegeta told him to accept Goku's advances. He wasn't sure what part that was, but he figured his body wouldn't lie to him.

I once thought I knew Kakarot better than anyone, Vegeta thought as he brushed past two girls holding a stuffed bear bigger than the both of them combined. It appears I was wrong. He's more of a mystery than I thought. How the hell could he like me? I hate him! Or...I used to hate him. Gods, what it happening to me!?

The last person who had ever gotten close to Vegeta was his brother, Tarble. Growing up, the two were inseparable. Two brothers born to a powerful kingdom. Tarble was younger, so he had always followed Vegeta around like a lost puppy, begging to play games with him. Vegeta had hated having a brother at first. All the attention was taken from him, and that was not something he wanted to allow. Tarble grew on him, however. Eventually, the two were stuck together like glue. They had even woken up early one morning to sneak out of the castle, playing childish games with the lower-class fighters. Their father had not taken kindly to that.

Tarble was a polite and gentle Saiyan, lacking the initiative to fight and lacked the aggression of a pure-blooded Saiyan. Vegeta, on the other hand, was a brute when it came to fighting and competition. He was power-hungry and had an insatiable lust for control. Despite this, the two loved being around the other. But, due to Tarble's kind nature, their father had banished him from Planet Vegeta, to some remote planet Vegeta was unaware of. It had crushed his heart to have his only friend taken from him because of a trivial matter of strength, but over time, Vegeta had forgotten about him. His mind still flicked to Tarble every once and a while, whenever something triggered a memory of him. Tarble was the only other living thing Vegeta had formed a bond with, which was another reason why he was so distant towards making a close connection to Goku.

I fear that us getting close would only result in him being taken from me, Vegeta thought, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he watched Goku laughed loudly with that girl. Chi-Chi. That was her name. She seems to like him. Chi-Chi giggled at something Goku had said, leaning to rest her head on his arm. Vegeta tensed, suddenly feeling...angry? He shouldn't be angry. Chi-Chi was simply expressing her joy to be around him. But...they were awfully close. And Goku was laughing and smiling like he had won the lottery. Let them be, Vegeta told himself, shaking his head. It does not bother me. I have no interest in Kakarot.

But this women seems to have an interest.

Without realizing what he was doing, Vegeta stepped forward and grabbed Goku by the arm, pulling him back. Goku stumbled, turning his head to look as Vegeta with raised eyebrows. Chi-Chi gave Vegeta a confused look, her laughter ceasing.

"I'm borrowing him for a minute, keep walking." Vegeta grunted, gripping tightly to Goku's sweater sleeve.

"Oh. Uh...okay." Chi-Chi said, though she still looked unsure. She shrugged it off and hurried forward to catch up with Bulma and the others.

"Something wrong, Vegeta?" Goku asked, tilting his head to the side.

"No, you idiot." Vegeta snapped. "Stay beside me. I don't like that women."

"Why? She seems nice." Goku said. "What's not to like?"

"She seems chummy towards you. Do you like her?" Vegeta asked, keeping his gaze straight ahead.