Vegeta's Secrets

Chapter 1. Opening Old Wounds

It was a fairly average day on planet Earth. Vegeta was training in his gravity chamber, as usual. He was punching the air, destroying robots Bulma had designed to help him train, and working up a satisfying sweat.

He was just about to slam a robot into oblivion when something caught his attention. He stood up straight with a fizzling robot still in his hand. He closed his eyes. There was a strange energy in the distance. It was coming in Earth's direction at a remarkable speed. Once he recognized the energy, his eyes flew open; his stomach sank. There was only one person who could have an energy like that. But it was impossible! Kakarot had stolen his victory and sent Frieza straight to hell where he belongs!

Vegeta crushed the already demolished robot in his fist and gritted his teeth. He knew the other fighter would sence it soon enough. He quickly left Capsule Corp. deciding not to tell his wife. Surely she would want to come stand on the sidelines and give him something else to worry about during the fight. He estimated where the ship would touch down and flew at neck breaking speed directly there. Kakarot was not going to be the one to deal with this... Not this time...

To his dismay, the big oaf himself was already there waiting. Without a word Vegeta landed next to him. Goku was scowling up at the sky where the distinct energy felt strongest.

"You felt it too, huh?"

Vegeta crossed his arms and looked away. "Of course I did, Kakarot. I'd have to be dead not to notice Frieza's presence..."

"Yeah... I'm not sure how, but he must have been training really hard. He feels stronger than ever."

"It doesn't matter. This time I'm going to kill him. Understand!?"

"Sure thing, but I'm still going to do my part."

Before long the distinct glint of a ship was visible in the sky. It was one of Frieza's alright... Vegeta and Goku both powered up to super saiyan blue as the ship touched down a few yards away. You could cut the tension with a knife... Slowly the ship entrance opened. The silhouette of a small figure appeared. The two saiyans were about to strike when a young woman stepped into the sunlight.

She was beautiful and delicate. Her skin and hair white as snow and her eyes a deep purple. Vegeta's stomach sank once again. His breath caught in his throat. He knew this woman. She hadn't aged a day since he last saw her. She wore a dark blue dress and an armored chest plate. It reminded Vegeta of a dress his mother had worn once when he was very young.

"What the hell?" Goku kept his voice low and tightened his stance. He was obviously unsure of what to make of this woman.

From behind her, a young man a few years older than Gohan appeared. This man was a Saiyan without a doubt. His black hair stood on end and a tail was wrapped around his waist. He wore the armor of the Frieza Force but didn't have a scouter.

The two arrivals slowly approached Vegeta and Goku until they were mear feet apart. They all looked at eachother for a few moments then Vegeta decided to be the first to speak.

"Lyra... It's been a long time." He crossed his arms and grinned through his teeth. "What's a slave doing with a body guard? Don't tell me you've somehow come into power."

She said nothing. Instead, the young man approached and handed Kakarot a paper.

"It's an invitation. The Empress has come to make a peace agreement between Prince Vegeta and what's left of the Frieza Force."

Kakarot blinked at the paper in confusion. Vegeta began fuming. He ground his teeth and balled his fists. "This is preposterous! How does a bastard slave become Empress!?"

"I'm tired..." The woman finally spoke. Her voice was small, almost inaudible. "Please. Allow me some rest and I will happily explain everything tomorrow..."

Without an other word, Lyra and her supposed body guard turned and went back onto their ship.

"Vegeta, can you explain any of this?"

Kakarot had the expression of a confused dog. He looked at Vegeta who was still grinding his teeth.

"Take me home and I'll explain what I can there."

Kakarot put his fingers to his forehead and a hand on Vegeta's shoulder. In an instant they were transmitted back to Capsule Corp.

"So what gives, Vegeta. Who is she? How do you know her? Is she as big of a threat as I think she-"

"Slow down, Kakarot..."

Vegeta's features relaxed. He made his way to the bar and poured himself a stiff shot of bourbon. Knowing Kakarot was never one to drink, he simply poured him a glass of water and the two sat in silence for a moment.

"This is a long story that I've never even told my wife... I'm not proud of my involvement with that woman... If I give you the answers you're asking for then you need to keep your big mouth shut!" He shot Kakarot a hard look.

"... Sure, Vegeta. Whatever you say... so... what happened?"

Vegeta downed his drink with one gulp and closed his eyes." About seven years before you and I first met... Lyra was a slave on Frieza's ship. She is his bastard sister from an affair King Cold had with a Saiyan woman a long time ago... "

"Oh. So that's why we thought she was Frieza."

"Yes, idiot. That's why... After I had been informed that Freiza was the one responsible for the death of our entire race... In a fit of rage, I decided I would make him pay, but i wasn't sure how... That same night, when I had returned to my chamber, Lyra was there cleaning..." Vegeta started to sweat. His face turned red and he shut his eyes tightly.

Kakarot looked at him with genuine concern. "Vegeta, you're a different person now. Whatever happened... That isn't you-"

"Shut up! I know that!" He put a hand to his forehead. He could feel tears welling up but he refused to cry in self pitty. Especially in front of Kakarot. " I... took advantage of the situation... Frieza was on a distant planet with an invasion crew. I knew she didn't know how to fight so I... I beat her... Badly... She was a bloodied mess before I was done, but I still wasn't satisfied... I was just so furious!..."

Kakarot knew Vegeta was cruel and murdered many innocent lives before he came to earth, but his guilt suggested something worse... Whatever it was, Kakarot knew he would never be that man again.

"I'm not going to spell it out for you Kakarot! I knew it was too much..." Tears began to fall in spite of his efforts against them. "I knew it was a horrible thing and I knew she didn't deserve it..." He looked up at Kakarot. His eyes held so much shame... So much guilt.... Kakarot didn't know what to say. "I just made her take it! She kept crying out for her brother to save her... I made her take it..." Vegeta clung to Kakarot's gi for dear life. He pressed his forehead against the larger man's broad chest.

"... When Frieza found out what I did he sent her to a different sector... One with a Doctor that was skilled enough to... Cure her ailment..." He looked up into Kakarot's eyes. " He murdered my child! On top of all the other Saiyan lives he took he murdered my child! I didn't even have a chance to ask her if she would raise it... What if she wanted to keep it and he forced her to destroy it..."

"Hey, Vegeta. Everything will be ok..." Goku was at a loss. He didn't know what to do. He gave Vegeta a hug. Normally he would be torn in half for such a thing, but tonight... Tonight Vegeta was in desperate need of a friend.

He couldn't stop shaking for almost an hour, consumed by his guilt. Goku comforted his friend the best he could and didn't leave until he was sure he would be ok. They agreed to accept Lyra's invitation. Vegeta would take the opportunity to express his regret to her for what he did. He hoped his blasted pride wouldn't get in the way of the well deserved apology...

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Let me know what you guys think! I have a lot of plans for this story and I think you'll like them :3