Crossroads

Chapter 9

A week passed and Goku was beginning to get a little bit more comfortable with his new surroundings, bountiful "housemates", and random, rigorous routine at the castle. It reminded him a little bit of the army, at least for his part to play in his new home, but everything surrounding him was so wholly unlike the army that it was difficult to stand by the comparison. Besides, for all he knew he was going to be leaving soon, so he didn't want to get too comfortable. Dr. Buro had mentioned that Prince Vegeta would be heading out to Earth sometime this week and Goku hasn't heard anything more about it since. The thought has been heavier on his mind than he wanted to admit, not that he has anyone to talk to about it.

Raditz and Bardock both came back from vacation a day or so ago and he's been able to see them in passing, and assumed they'd be able to hang out on occasion in the future. His family quickly introduced him to some of their colleagues, and he wasn't sure he would have met them if not for his connections, since most people at the castle walked hurriedly and kept to their own friendships, but he was grateful that his circle was growing with their help, even if his normal cheery attitude couldn't be dulled by his own, now heightened, insignificance.

After all, some of the Saiyans in the castle ignore him entirely, snub their nose at him in passing, and/or are altogether generally less than inviting, but that sort of thing never affected Goku much and he, while having the capability to make friends easily, didn't rely upon them to keep him happy. He focused most of his time on his new job and training opportunities and the rest of it on exploring the surrounding city and eating lots of good food.

It was a busy day, as it seemed to him that most days at the castle are, and he had just sat down and began eating lunch with Zuko when they both received a transmission requesting that all the Prince's bodyguards meet Hanes and Jero at their usual spot. Goku mumbled around his food that he wasn't done eating and began stuffing everything down as fast as he could. Zuko agreed in similar fashion, and then there came music, soft at first, but growing loud and proud.

Zuko grinned at Goku as he heard the music, swallowed his bite and said, "Fuck, we have to hurry!"

The music was unlike anything Goku has ever heard before, and he turned this way and that to see where it was coming from, not understanding Zuko's sudden change of mood. Then the whole castle went into an uproar. Even the barracks of the army never got this excited, but excitement was clearly what was filling the air as surely as the music was professing. Everyone started cheering, even the servants, and people everywhere started running amuck.

Goku turned to Zuko and asked him, "What's going on? Where's everyone going?"

Zuko laughed as he stuffed the last of his lunch in his mouth, gathered his things, and stood up to head out of the cafeteria, "They're going to get ready, of course."

"The King is home!" Someone cried and Goku looked around in awe at the joy on everyone's faces.

It's the first time he's been home since declaring the war to be over and Goku was struck with many questions and wondered briefly if he would get the chance to see him up close. Why hadn't anyone mentioned he was on his way back before today?

Zuko was smiling just as broadly as everyone else as he explained, "There's going to be some party in the castle tonight!"

"Party?" Goku wondered, following him and dodging people as they moved to a less congested area, heading to the location of their impromptu meeting, "I thought the others were kidding about that. Are we invited?"

"Everyone's invited! They can't regulate those things! Besides, we're part of the Royal Guard, Goku! We're expected to be there!" Zuko practically skipped his way along the halls, and he turned and pointed at Goku, saying, "You'll probably have a new uniform to wear, too, hopefully they put it in your room, already."