Maintaining

By Pixelgoddess

Summary - Vegeta's life has begun to fall apart, his control slipping away. Will Goku be able to help him hold on, or will he become another victim of Vegeta's past? Yaoi - G/V, Yuri - CC/OC

Disclaimer: Of course I don't own them. Honestly. How could you think that? I am a goddess, not an extremely wealthy Japanese man.

Pairings: Goku/Vegeta, Chichi/OC. (Okay, okay, I don't like original characters either, but I think you will forgive me. Besides, she won't mess with your favorite Saiyans at all.) Maybe some other pairs if the mood strikes me.

Warnings: Yaoi, Yuri. Smut. Violence (later), rape (later), angst (right away). A disgustingly cheerful Goku. A nice Chichi.

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Chapter 3 - Regret

Goku was joyous. This felt so great! He and Gohan had been sparring for hours, testing their limits, forcing their ki to skyrocket to new levels. Piccolo had shown up and the battle had turned into a free-for-all.

He had thought his decision to stay in Otherworld was the right one, given the circumstances at the time. He'd regretted leaving his family and friends behind, but he still thought it was necessary. He was sorry he had left Chichi alone with two young children, but their friends had helped.

However, since he'd returned he'd begun to question his choice. He saw now what it had done to his family. But now - well, now he was back for good. He'd repair the damage he had done. After all, he had learned some useful things while he was dead. He had also made some good friends who convinced him it was better that he stay with the living.

Piccolo saw a grin cross Goku's face and quickly took advantage of his distraction, hitting him with a ki attack that slammed the Saiyan to the ground. Gohan saw his chance and flashed behind his mentor, hammering him to the earth below. The Saiyan and the Namek lay side by side stunned and panting with exhaustion. Gohan lowered himself to the ground by their feet, smirking, and shook hands with himself in a victory pose.

"Owww..." Goku moaned, as he tried to sit up on his elbows. He gave up and fell back with a moan.

"I won?" Gohan asked in shocked disbelief.

"Looks that way, kid," Piccolo groaned, not even trying to move.

Goku's stomach picked that moment to rumble.

"Honestly, Son. How do you ever finish a battle?"

"It's not my fault. It's my metabolism," Goku complained, rubbing his belly.

Gohan stared at his father with wide eyes. "Metabolism? Dad, do you even know what that means?"

"Ha ha. Very funny. Of course I do," Goku mumbled, eyes closed.

"You got it from Vegeta, right?"

Goku growled in mock-annoyance. "You know Gohan, you need to be punished for not showing your father the proper respect. And I know the perfect punishment..."

"Daaaddd...." Gohan was shocked - his father NEVER disciplined him.

Piccolo turned his head and stared at the Saiyan in surprise.

"Go catch some fish for our lunch. I'm hungry."

Piccolo snickered.

Gohan blinked in disbelief. "Fish?"

Goku grinned and twitched his tail. "Fish. Now. Go. Food."

"Sure Dad," Gohan said laughing, and flew away.

Goku sighed in contentment, hands behind his head.

"I really missed this, Piccolo."

"Hn."

"Gohan seems really happy with Videl. I'm glad he found someone."

"Hmmm."

The pair remained in quiet contemplation, Goku watching his tail swaying.

"Piccolo..." Goku began, softly.

The Namek turned his head to look at his friend.

"...Will he...will he ever forgive me?"

Piccolo sat up to look at the worried Saiyan. "I don't understand, Son. Who?"

Goku sat up and drew his knees to his chest. He kept his eyes to the ground. "Gohan. I...shouldn't have...I should have..." He looked up at his friend. "I really messed up with Cell, didn't I?"

Piccolo made a deep sigh. "What do you want me to tell you, Goku? Yeah, you messed the poor kid up. You should have come back when you first had the chance. You didn't and Gohan blamed himself."

"That first year was hell. He's still got issues. He wants to help people - partly because that is the kind of person he is, and partly because he thinks that's what you want him to do. But he is also terrified he'll fail again. Somehow Saiyaman solves that problem for him. I don't think he will ever be comfortable fighting any other way."

Goku buried his face in his hands. "I didn't realize he wouldn't understand."

"He understood then, and he understands now. The kid is brilliant, after all. But Son, the knowing and feeling are two different things. Logic doesn't apply to emotions."

"He gets his brains from Chichi..." Goku murmured, wrapping his arms tightly around his legs, his tail lying on the ground over his feet.

"Look Son," Piccolo reached his hand to his friend's shoulder. "He does forgive you. But that doesn't mean it hurts any less. You have to remember that he looks up to you and will do anything for you. Just be careful you don't abuse that trust."

"I won't," he whispered.

"Good." Piccolo suddenly punched Goku in the face, then grabbed him by the collar and pulled him so they were practically nose-to-nose. "Because if you hurt Gohan like that again, I will kill you myself - again," he snarled. "Do I make myself clear?"

"C-clear," Goku stuttered, shocked.

"Just remember that." Piccolo let go and got to his feet, offering Goku a hand up. "Gohan will be here in a second."

Goku grinned and wiggled his jaw around, making sure it was still working right. "Ow, Piccolo."

The Namek smirked and turned to help Gohan with his catch.

TBC

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