Author: FireCracker KLee624820@aol.com
        Pairing Goku/Vegeta/Radditz/Nappa

        A/U -Goku learns what it really means to be Saiyan.

        Monkey Moon Part 7

        ****

        Chi Chi peeped through the door after about an hour. Her saiyan was out like a light,
        his powerful form buried under several blankets.

        I'm not going anywhere near him until he gets over this insanity.

        She quietly closed the door once more to a soft click.

        ****

        He was dreaming again. A flat, barren landscape with endless terrain stretched in
        front of him. Some distance away lay a huge chest. Goku approached it with
        curiosity, looking about in confusion.

        "What's this? Another weird dream?"

        Curiosity got the better of him as he reviewed the chest. There were no locks or
        clasps anywhere.

        "Odd. Maybe I can open it."

        Goku pulled the latch with all his legendary strength. It didn't budge. He blasted the
        chest with ki, kicked it, chopped it with his hand. Not even a dent. In desperation he
        picked the huge box up and heaved. It hit the ground with a tremendous crash,
        leaving a massive gouge in the cracked soil. The seal didn't break.

        The perplexed saiyan stared, hands on hips. "What's this thing made of, anyway?!"

        Losing interest, Goku waved a dismissal at the object and turned to leave.

        "Where are you going, Kakarot?!"

        Goku spun in shock and surprise. From out of nowhere stood his brother, Raditz.
        Silver armor gleamed like polished light against the endless gloom.

        Goku gawked. "Why didn't I sense you? And where the hell am I?!"

        Raditz shrugged. "Inside yourself, Kakarot."

        "Again with this? I've had enough lessons for one day."

        "This isn't a lesson. I see you tried to open that chest" the burly saiyan pointed.

        Goku snorted. "Yeah, the idea's a bust...nothing I do affects it."

        "You give up too easily."

        "So what? I don't have time for this crap. Me and Chi Chi were having a good time!"

        Raditz tapped the chest absently. "Hn, did you ever taste her blood?"

        "Only tonight."

        "Like it?"

        Goku smacked his lips in memory. "Hai, well enough...her blood's different than
        yours."

        "Ours" Raditz emphasized.

        "It's thin...sweet. Not thick and spicy like yours, Raditz."

        "Huhh...I might like a taste myself."

        Goku stood in front of him, growling. "Don't even think it" his tail bristled.

        Raditz leaned into him. "A challenge, brother? I made no claim to Chi Chi. Why so
        angry?"

        "I don't know!"

        Raditz glanced at the chest again. "Aren't you going to open it?"

        "How do you suggest I do that? Nothing I've done has worked!"

        "You use the wrong key" another voice sounded.

        Goku spun at the new yet familiar voice. Dumbstruck, he saw himself approach. Or
        so it seemed, for this saiyan was nearly his mirror image. But unlike himself this one
        bore an intriguing scar.

        "F-father?!"

        Bardock smirked and paused, observing his son. "Why do you stand here, talking
        to yourself?"

        Goku stared. "What are you talking about? Raditz is here."

        "Where?"

        Goku turned, seeing nothing but empty terrain.

        "I don't get it...he was here a moment ago!"

        "So you say, Kakarot. Now open the chest."

        Goku stood stubbornly to one side. "If that chest is so damned important, open it
        yourself!"

        "I can't."

        "Surely you aren't that weak, father."

        Bardock scowled. "Are you challenging me, whelp?"

        "Maybe" Goku was insolent.

        Bardock crouched in attack mode, his tail uncoiling and free. Goku matched his
        stance, waiting.

        "If this is another stupid test, I'm up for it."

        "You talk too much."

        "HAIYEEAHH!!"

        Goku launched himself high, his foot striking nothing but air. Awkwardly he landed,
        sailing past Bardock untouched.

        "What the hell?! I know I hit you!!"

        "My turn."

        Bardock somersaulted with blinding speed, his moves precise and lethal. A double
        fist struck Goku's skull, driving him into hard soil like a divot.

        "Ha! It seems you underestimated me, Kakarot!" Bardock laughed.

        Goku blinked, his head throbbing as it poked above the ground. "Wrong...you've
        underestimated ME!!" he blasted up and clear, spraying rock everywhere. Bardock
        shielded his eyes from flying debris.

        "You're strong."

        "Always have been" Goku didn't apologize, hovering above him. Bardock stared up
        and shrugged.

        "You're hardheaded...arrogant in your ability. Good."

        Goku blinked in confusion. "What?"

        Bardock floated up to face him. "I wished to see my son under the mask."

        "What are you talking about?"

        "The simpering human ways you were raised with concern me."

        "That's hardly my fault, father. My own people abandoned me on earth."

        Dark features flashed with pain. "Damn you, Kakarot...I tried...wanted to find you!
        But King Vegeta didn't believe the son of a third class was important enough."

        Goku glanced away momentarily. "I know. I'm sorry, too."

        Bardock shook a fist. "I was arrested for defying his imperial orders."

        Goku floated down slowly. "What did you do?" curiosity replaced anger. Bardock
        joined him.

        "I stole a light ship...they're several times faster than the pods. I knew the
        coordinates of your location."

        Goku couldn't help but grin. "My father, the renegade."

        Bardock smirked. "Hai, not even the King keeps me from my own. I nearly made it
        off planet before I was discovered."

        "Were they hard on you?"

        "Nothing I couldn't take. Six months later I was released with a warning."

        Goku touched his face. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

        "You're my son, Kakarot. I was willing to do anything necessary to get you back.
        Regretfully it didn't work out."

        Goku hugged him. "I don't care...these strange dreams are helping me learn a few
        things."

        Bardock paused a minute. "You need to open that chest."

        "Again with that. Whatever for? It doesn't look special to me."

        "You'll never be complete without opening it."

        "I can't get it to open!" Goku yelled in frustration.

        "You can" a female voice sounded now. Both saiyans turned as Kaliope approached,
        her curves clad in brasstone armor. Long spikes were twisted down her back in a
        braid.

        Goku stared at her again, speechless. "You're still beautiful, mother. I remember the
        last time."

        She winked at him. "Hai, my youngest. You're about to make a life altering decision."

        Bardock stepped up, frowning. "What does he mean, 'the last time?'"

        Kaliope walked around him slowly, coiling tails. "Stop growling, it's nothing!"

        "Hn!" he looked her over slowly. "I was somewhat late arriving at jungle run..."

        "He attended me, Bardock. It was his place to do so, you know that."

        Bardock watched his son closely. "Indeed."

        Goku nodded. "No one came near her, father. I saw to that!" his eyes were wild,
        remembering her luscious flesh unclothed.

        Kaliope laughed. "Hai, many were put off by Kakarot's appearance. No doubt they
        thought he was you!"

        Bardock's tail puffed, his instincts warning. "I still want to know about this 'last time'
        you referred to, Kakarot."

        Goku was taken aback, choosing his words carefully. "I made certain no one
        attempted her. We seemed to be drawing a great deal of attention-"

        "And why would that be?!" Bardock was getting agitated, tail lashing.

        "Father, you don't think-"

        "I'm not a fool, Kakarot!" he snarled, moving forward. "I've seen how you look at
        her!!"

        "Bardock!" Kaliope shouted.

        "Quiet, slakka. I know you!"

        "He's fine like his father" she purred, slapping his face with her tail. The dark saiyan
        growled, momentarily distracted by her scent.

        "Krukka" he murmured, turning his face along the furry whip.

        "What's wrong with calling her beautiful, father?" Goku snarled. "It's a fact!!"

        Bardock leaped for him. Kaliope squeezed between the two.

        "Enough! There was no offense..."

        Goku purred, eyes glazed. "Shimatta, you still smell good!" he blurted without
        thinking, running his nose along her neck.

        "You push me, boy!!" Bardock cracked sharp fangs in anger, reaching around his
        mate. Kaliope shoved him back.

        "Her skin-"

        "Stop smelling her!!"

        Kaliope wedged them apart. "Bardock, think! This disproves our fears about his
        instincts, ne?"

        Dark eyes lowered on her. "Maybe...but the proof doesn't need to be this clear."

        "If I did something wrong I apologize" Goku said to them both, not really sounding
        apologetic at all.

        Bardock pulled a stick from his pocket and chewed it. "Ai, you're saiyan all the way,
        boy...but beware. I broke your brother's nose when he tried for it."

        Goku blinked. "I'll consider myself warned."

        Kaliope sat on the chest, tapping it. "You have the strength to pull this open,
        Kakarot."

        "Why don't you call me Goku?"

        His parents laughed.

        "Bah" Kaliope spat. "I'll not call my own son a human name!"

        Bardock pointed. "Ridiculous. You've delayed this long enough. Open the chest!"

        Goku pulled his hair. "Are you both crazy? I may as well be talking to myself. I've
        tried. The damn thing's too tough!"

        The chest suddenly rocked, rolling about on dry soil. Light erupted from within,
        cracking the case like an egg.

        "What the fug?!" Goku stood back, shielding his eyes from the glare.

        A deafening explosion wracked the air as a figure suddenly appeared from within.

        Goku fell silent. He faced a duplicate of himself, down to the orange gi suit.

        "What insanity is this?!!" he bellowed, pointing at the other 'Goku.'

        "No madness, only truth" Bardock nodded. "You'll face yourself here once and for
        all.."

        "I...don't get any of this" Goku stammered, still staring.

        "You wouldn't release me, so I came out myself" the other said.

        "What bullshit crap is this. You aren't me!!"

        "Oh, but I am, Goku. Call me Kakarot."

        "Whub...wha??"

        Kaliope shrieked in mad laughter. "Hai, game over!! The mask is broke, my son is
        free!"

        "What are you talking about?" Goku asked her in confusion.

        "Clueless" Kakarot shook his head. "You've embarrassed our parents long enough."

        "I sure as hell won't argue with some fake image."

        Kakarot crouched to attack. "Image, am I? I guarantee if we fight, you'll feel my
        blows!"

        "So you say" Goku snorted. "Why should I fight what isn't real?"

        Kaliope pointed at Kakarot. "You can't refuse. Defeat him if you can!"

        "Mother, none of this makes sense."

        "COWARD!!" Kakarot attacked suddenly, striking Goku with a flying kick. He went
        crashing into the earth face first. The stunned saiyan held his reeling head as he stared
        up.

        "What the fug??"

        Kakarot smirked down at him. "Surprised? I said you'd feel it."

        Goku raised to a knee, adrenaline fuelling his rage. "Okay, clown. You'll pay for that
        cheap shot!"

        A ki ball formed at his fingertips, blasting his double in the gut. Kakarot shrieked as he
        sailed high in the air, clothes smoking.

        "Laugh that off, asshole" Goku snarled, standing up.

        'Kakarot' suddenly halted his mid flight tumble, straightening up and firing back. Goku
        duplicated the gesture. Potent bolts of ki crashed together, illuminating the bleak
        landscape in weird shadow.

        Kakarot closed once more, his face a mask of insane fury. He pummelled Goku
        mercilessly, allowing him no respite.

        "I want my life back, maggot!!"

        A good distance away, keen saiyan eyes observed the battle dispassionately. Kaliope
        curled next to Bardock as they sat on an outcropping, tickling his nose with her tail
        again.

        "Hn, this is enough to make me forget the fight..." the dark saiyan purred dreamily,
        crushing her close.

        "Later, Bardock. Our son fights his greatest battle!"

        Bardock managed to contain himself somewhat as he glanced up. "True. This may
        take some time, though. Goku is very resistant."

        Kaliope looked up as well. "He's a shell, a persona that never was. For years he's
        smothered Kakarot, held him at bay-" her words were cut short by a deafening crack
        and blinding flash. They shielded their eyes.

        Far above, Goku and his shadow fought, neither holding sway. Desperation and
        conquest defined their every move. Perverse hatred poisoned their hearts as saiyan
        blood boiled beyond reason. Blows rained with no seeming cease.

        "Goku fights defensively, yet he won't yield" Bardock observed.

        "Hai, he and Kakarot have even stubborness!"

        The combatants paused, appreciating the good fight in true saiyan fashion. No
        quarter was asked, none given. Cold smiles curled their lips in anticipation of the next
        round.

        'Kakarot' abruptly dropped from the sky, landing near Kaliope and Bardock. Goku
        floated high above, perplexed by his actions.

        "What's he up to?"

        Goku alighted down as well. "Hey! Let's finish this."

        ***********