Three days passed and it was a warm Friday evening. Things progressed in a sort of routine. Vejita hung around training and what not while the boy went to school. Every now and then some of the Earth Saiyajin's friends would show up, hoping to go out or something. It was strange, Goku found himself asking permission from his new friend, who seemed to be pleased with that. Still, everything went smoothly. The group had gathered again at Meijin Roshi's island to relax for the weekend. The hot days were finally showing signs of shifting into fall, the night's coolness lasting longer in the wee morning hours.
Bulma and Yamcha were on the couch, watching whatever came on, enjoying the pleasure of one another's company. Roshi sat in an armchair nearby, sipping at a frothy beer. Krillin sat in the other armchair, bored as hell, and only slightly satisfied with the made-for-TV movie about a young couple in love. Maron hadn't come, instead deciding to go out with some handsome idiot named Brad.
Vejita sat cross-legged near Roshi's chair, his back straight as he studied Kakarotto's movements rather than the idiotic movie. Goku was sprawled out across the floor, more than bored with the television. Normally he'd be up and outside, training or something, but he was enjoying the feel of Vejita's eyes on him.
Just then Chi-Chi stepped through the front door, a solemn look on her face.
"Hey, Chi. What's wrong?" Bulma asked, sitting up as she noticed the look on her friend's face.
The raven-haired girl stepped over, taking a seat beside her best friend on the couch, "I screwed up again."
Krillin got up for just a second, only to switch off the TV, "What happened?"
"Well, it's Rio. I guess I shouldn't have even went after him." She said, keeping her eyes on the coffee table, seemingly amazed with the perspiration dripping from Yamcha's soda can.
Bulma sighed, knowing full well what she'd meant. Chi-Chi hadn't been truly interested in Rio Senshu. She'd only been interested in his looks, wanting nothing more than to enjoy a single night with the soccer captain.
After noticing that everyone was staring now, waiting for her to speak, Chi-Chi reluctantly went on, "Well, you know how he's been hanging around for a while? Last night while we were out he told me that he'd looked up some information online about rewards for pointing out aliens."
"What the Hell are you saying?" Krillin asked, his tone growing louder.
"I'm saying Rio's going to… He's going to turn Goku and Vejita in for a reward." she said, looking to Goku for a reaction. His expression was that of innocent concern for her. Of course, Goku was always like that.
"When?"
Everyone turned to Vejita, the gruff voice getting their attention quickly. His eyes were narrowed, his eyebrows slanted in an expression of annoyance and slight anger.
"Tomorrow morning." Chi-Chi said as she began to sob.
"Where are you goin'?" Goku asked as Vejita stood.
"We've got to take care of this boy before he talks."
"No," Goku said, quickly standing, "We can't do that."
Vejita bared his teeth, "Are you challenging your… Me?" He growled, correcting himself before he said something he'd regret.
Goku's eyes narrowed slightly, "Jita, Rio doesn't know what he's doin'. He thinks he's doin' right. We… Humans are always told ta report an alien if ya spot one. It's not his fault."
"Like Hell it isn't! If he tells, we'll be forced into battle and more lives will be lost! Is that what you want?" Vejita bellowed.
"What? Are you saying you plan on killing him?" Bulma piped up, the only one of the bunch brave enough to do so at this point.
"No shit." Vejita muttered, keeping his eyes on Goku's.
"If we stay calm and friendly, maybe they'll leave us alone. It's not like we're hurtin' anybody, and I've lived here my whole life." Goku explained, his expression softening.
"That's nonsense." Vejita said, muttering again.
"Well, at this point it's the only thing you can do." Krillin said sadly. He'd always feared something like this would happen.
"It's not the only thing. We'll have to fight them off until we can steal a ship, and then, were out of here." Vejita said, leaving out the part about blasting them all for the Hell of it. Kakarotto would surely disagree with that.
"Jita," Goku said, nearly whispering, "I can't leave Earth. It's my home."
"So, you're saying we turn ourselves in? Sit here and wait for them? I can't do that. You can't do that." Vejita said, trying to keep calm, his voice staying somewhat steady.
"I… I know," Goku whispered, dropping back down to the floor, muttering, "Shit."
Eyes were wide, never had they heard Goku curse. This really was serious.
"Goku, maybe you should leave. Just for now anyway, maybe you can come back in a year or something after everyone forgets." Krillin said solemnly, realizing this was no time to be selfish.
"No. This is my home. I'm not leavin'. Maybe… Maybe if I go to them before Rio says anythin'" Goku said in a near whisper, speaking his thoughts aloud.
"That… That just might work," Bulma said, "They'd never expect that. You could say that after hearing a lecture at school, you'd thought it'd be best if you let the government know of your… Uh, race."
Everyone's lips curved slightly in a hopeful smile, the plan was a fairly good one.
"That's nonsense! I'm not turning myself in, and I'm not leaving you." Vejita said, beginning in a growl, ending calmly, looking his fellow Saiyajin in the eyes.
"Then do what you want! No one said you had to follow my brilliant plan." Bulma screeched, hands on hips.
"Hn, I will then. Kakarotto " he said, beckoning the boy to follow him as he stepped outside.
"We don't know one another, got it? I'm going to steal a ship and get out of here. Hopefully they'll let you go and I'll return for you-"
Goku interrupted, "Jita, I'm not leav-"
"Enough!" Vejita barked, interrupting as well, "You will if there is no other choice. Things may go well and I can return and we can simply move to a different city, but they can just as easily go bad! And I will take you off this planet rather than watching you die. Got it?!?!"
Goku winced slightly at the explosion of anger and irritation, but let a slight smile creep onto his face, "Okay, Jita."
Vejita's expression softened, "Right. So, we don't know one another. Don't even speak of me, it will only get you into more trouble. Understand?"
Goku nodded, still smiling.
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No more than an hour had passed. The mood was solemn and Bulma and Krillin found that tears were stinging at the backs of their eyes.
Vejita had hurried to the hotel, getting together all of his belongings, including his bike, and bringing them back with him. Goku insisted that everything be kept in his room, with his stuff. The idea of their clothes lying together, the bike parked beside his bed, it was so very comforting in a strangely intimate way.
Vejita had changed into his Saiyajin training uniform again, navy bodysuit with white gloves and boots.
"I'm sorry to see ya go." Roshi said, rising to his feet to stand with the others as they said their goodbyes to Vejita.
"Yeah, I know we weren't too nice, but we just didn't know you." Bulma said, forcing a smile to her lips.
"Well, I'll be going." Vejita said, looking to Kakarotto, nodding before he turned to step out onto the porch.
"Wait!" Goku suddenly exclaimed, hurrying upstairs. Rushing into the bedroom he'd shared with his best friend for so long, Goku proceeded to dig through Vejita's belongings. Soon he found what he was looking for in the pocket of a pair of faded black jeans.
Trampling back downstairs, he nearly tripped over himself, rushing to Vejita, "Here, take this with you. Just in case I don't see ya ever again."
Vejita refused to even consider never seeing the boy again, instead concentrating on what Kakarotto was handing him, the candle. He took it, deliberately allowing far too much contact between their hands. It was the best he could offer as a meaningful goodbye. The small, melted mass of scented wax fit easily in his palm, the wick having broken off some time ago from his constant handling of it when he was alone.
Goku loved the ever so momentary lingering of the older man's hands on his own. When the connection was severed he realized that was it. They may never meet again. For some reason this was weighing hard on his heart, his soul. Unable to hold himself back, he practically lunged forward, wrapping his arms around the slender, muscular yet compact form of his friend. His companion. The only other being in existence that understood him completely.
Vejita was shocked, but allowed the boy's touch, just like he always did. In fact, he even offered his own touch, letting a hand slide along Kakarotto's back, rubbing comfortingly. He was even more shocked, however, when the boy pulled back and he saw that those beautiful onyx eyes were watered, adding a crystal shine to them.
"Don't be so sentimental, Saiyajin don't cry," Vejita said, nearly inaudible, being sure that only the boy heard his words.
After receiving a slight nod in reply, the boy having gotten some control over his emotions, he added in a slightly louder tone, "We shall meet again, Kakarotto." With that, Vejita blasted off, tucking his only treasured possession into his left glove.
