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

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

        Monkey Moon Part 8

        "Enough lecturing, Kakarot. You're getting long winded" a new voice sounded nearby.

        Goku could only stare with his good eye. Stalking regally over the bleak horizon came
        Prince Vegeta, fully donned in ornate armor of purest gold. The seal of Vegeta
        gleamed on his chestplate. A white cape fanned behind him, set off by matching boots
        and gloves.

        "Va...va...Vegeta??" Goku stammered. The Prince halted, observing his wounds.

        "You're a mess, Goku."

        Goku blinked. "You never call me by my earth name!"

        "Calling you Kakarot twice is too confusing" he indicated the suddenly silent oozaru.

        Goku tried to smile, but his jaw ached too badly. "You look great, Vegeta. But I don't
        get it, why are you here in this...place?"

        "I've been here for years" the ouji answered offhandedly, then shouted up.

        "Change back, fool! I won't say it twice."

        "BUT MILORD..."

        "Shut up. Just do it!"

        Kakarot shifted, dropping down to normal size. Vegeta tapped his foot impatiently.

        "I'm tired of waiting. Either defeat him or yield."

        "I was about to defeat him" Kakarot complained.

        "And what's this buisness about being stronger than me? You dare speak that way of
        your Prince?"

        Kakarot shuffled his feet nervously. "I meant no offense, only-"

        Vegeta snapped his fingers. "I could make you burn..."

        Kakarot screamed as a circle of flame suddenly licked at his legs.

        The Prince snapped his fingers again. "Or I could make you freeze."

        Kakarot shivered as ice held him in place. "Ap-p-p-ologize" he chattered. The ice
        suddenly disappeared.

        "Much better."

        Goku rolled to a sitting position in stupefication. "What, you're a magician now?"

        Vegeta glanced over. "I'll brook no insolence from low trash."

        "My son's a bit anxious to find his way" Kaliope supplied, entering the scene.

        "Hn" Vegeta eyed her. "I have a vested interest as well. You are quite lovely."

        Kaliope bowed slightly. "Thank you, ouji...my son has but recently regained his true
        saiyan power. He's having a difficult time making the adjustment."

        "Then let the transition be quick."

        "What about our fight? It still isn't done!" Kakarot shouted.

        Bardock shushed him. "Why resume, fool? All battles aren't won with noise and glory
        at the end. Look at your opponent!"

        Goku stared at them all, his eyes going dull. "I get it now...this is hell, and everyone
        wants a chunk of my soul."

        Vegeta stood over him, cape billowing gently. "You never understood me. From the
        time we first met I knew that a partnership would be beneficial to the both of us."

        Goku squinted at him. "At the price of earth..."

        "I cared nothing of earth, but you intrigued me. You were a third class with the power
        to defy me. It was a rare occurance."

        "Glad to know I brightened your day. Don't think I've forgotten how you tried to kill
        Gohan."

        "He was never a target. When we talked in the valley, I could feel the power flow
        between us. So did you, although you turned me down."

        Goku fell silent. It was true, he'd never dwelled on the strange feelings the regal prince
        invoked.

        "That's in the past."

        "Yet you allowed me to go free when Krillen would have ended it there. Haven't you
        ever asked yourself why?"

        "I told him that I was a saiyan too. You were different, Vegeta. I admit that. I wanted
        our fight to continue at a later date."

        "Impressive" Kakarot nodded. "Perhaps the me in you isn't so weak after all."

        Goku ignored him. "We were the last of our kind. Why would I have you killed?"

        Vegeta's dark eyes glowed with a strange light. "There was no other reason?"

        Goku's head dropped in exhaustion. "Maybe. Right now I want to leave this loony
        bin."

        "Your insolence won't help" Bardock told him. "Acceptance is the only way out of
        here."

        "Acceptance? Of what?"

        Kakarot stepped up and extended a hand. "Me. Your true self. Make the move now,
        Goku."

        Goku looked at the anxious faces. "Is this really true?"

        "I want you back as well, Kakarot" Vegeta said without inflection. "I've seen glimpses
        when your guard was down. Make the decision and come to me."

        Goku staggered to his feet. "I can't beat you, Kakarot. I know that now. More
        importantly, I know why ."

        Kakarot extended his hands. "Come. Enough false conflict and self deception."

        "Agreed" their hands locked. Goku felt an odd brilliance erupt from his chest. Reality
        faded away briefly in a haze of white.

        I can't live my life a lie...I won't!!

        A crashing peal of thunder erupted in his ears. He blinked to find himself standing tall
        next to his parents on the barren terrain. There was no evidence of his battle with
        Kakarot anywhere on the unbroken landscape.

        "What? All that damage we did disappeared?" Goku felt himself all over, sensing his
        strength returned. His wounds and injuries were gone.

        Bardock smiled, clasping his shoulders. "I'm proud of you, Kakarot. You made the
        right decision...the only  decision."

        Goku took a deep breath in gratitude. "Thank you, father. But there's no damage
        from my battle with Kakarot."

        Kaliope laughed gently. "The only battle was within yourself. You had the rare
        opportunity to see what lay hidden beneath."

        "Why do I get the feeling you two knew how this was going to turn out?"

        Bardock winked. "A secret, boy."

        Kaliope embraced her son. "You and Raditz must go with the Prince now."

        "I don't follow you, mother. By the way, where is Vegeta?"

        "He waits with great anticipation, son" Bardock replied. "You'll have some interesting
        decisions to make once you get back."

        "The universe is a large place, Kakarot" Kaliope continued. "Despite having a family on
        earth, it will no longer be enough for you. The restlessness you contained as Goku
        can't be held now as Kakarot."

        "Am I so different?" Goku asked.

        "To yourself, no. But you have awareness now that can't be taken away. Friends and
        family will notice the change in you."

        Goku stared off into space, thinking. "Many things are clear to me now. Urges I
        couldn't explain, desires I suppressed because they weren't acceptable on earth..."

        "You adapted as any intelligent being would to survive" Bardock told him. "There was
        no longer a Vegetaseii for you to live on. I've always regretted that for you."

        Sad smile. "That isn't your fault, father. I'm just glad we had this chance to be
        together."

        Kaliope kissed him. "Most pleasing is your reconciliation with your brother. The two of
        you are closer than you know."

        "The mind touch helped bridge the gap, mother."

        "There is still more, as you will discover in the future."

        Goku paused, wondering at the strangeness of her words. "Sounds mysterious. What
        now?" he looked about at endless nothingness.

        "Go that way" Bardock pointed to the brighter western horizon. Goku stared at the
        unbroken line of land.

        "What about you?"

        "That way is for us" he pointed towards the eastern horizon that dissolved into dim
        gloom.

        Goku felt an odd tightness in his chest. "I don't want to leave you like this."

        "We'll be fine" Kaliope assured her son. "Whenever you need us, just come here."

        "But it isn't enough...I don't want..." tears erupted unbidden as Goku shuddered.
        "Dammit, it isn't fair!!"

        He fell to his knees, banging the ground in frustration with his fists. Twin pairs of arms
        crushed him close.

        //Our sons are strong, Kakarot. Show the universe what you're made of!//

        Goku collapsed against them both in emotional exhaustion. Kaliope purred in his ear,
        a strange singsong he hadn't heard since he was an infant. Shapely hands stroked his
        face gently.

        (Hush little baby, don't you cry...mama's gonna give you a good brain pie...)

        ****

        Goku jolted to awareness, sitting up in bed. He touched his tear streaked face and
        shivered.

        Did that really happen?

        He sighed, gathering his wits and emotions. Kami, this is worse than going on an all
        night bender.

        The tall saiyan staggered to the bathroom, wiping his eyes clear. "Need to wash up"
        he murmured, pulling at the door. It wouldn't open.

        "What the hell?" irritation cut through fatigue and confusion. Then he remembered
        what happened earlier. Chi Chi had locked herself inside.

        Don't tell me she's still hasn't come out. "Chi Chi...are you okay in there?!"

        A pause. His wife's sleepy voice cracked through lack of use. "Goku? Get away from
        the door!"

        "I want to apologize for last night."

        Momentary silence as she opened the door with a click. "Are you yourself again?"

        "Hai. Come out, please. We need to talk."

        Chi Chi observed his strange expression. Something's changed in him.

        "Okay, but not too long? Gohan will be up soon and I need to fix breakfast."

        ****

        Chi Chi waited patiently for Goku to gather his thoughts. She noticed the thick tail
        waving gracefully as he paced.

        I'd forgotten how good he looks with that. It almost makes him seem...primitive.

        "Chi Chi, I've learned a few things about myself recently."

        "Hmm?" she blinked in distraction. "Sorry, I was daydreaming."

        "I know I acted strangely last night...in fact, some of my behavior has seemed
        strange for some time now."

        "Raditz and I covered some of that."

        "He told me."

        "Goku, I've never forgotten you're an alien. All things considered, I think you've done
        a remarkable job adjusting."

        "But it's different now. I'm no longer alone."

        Chi Chi blanched. "What do you mean? You have family and friends here!"

        "I love you and Gohan, but I never felt complete, like a real person. I thought being
        seen as a hero would fill the void in my heart. It doesn't."

        "But what are you saying?" she dreaded an answer.

        Goku smirked oddly, folding his arms. "My life is my own, now."

        She blinked, taking refuge in anger. "Like hell, mister. We have a son to raise!"

        Wild spikes tossed in defiance. "You shout at me, woman? I suggest you try being
        more polite!"

        Chi Chi spluttered in shock. "You...wha...what?"

        "I'm not a child. I tolerated your temper before for Gohan's sake."

        "How dare you speak to me this way?"

        "You deserve it. My son won't see me as weak."

        "Are you crazy? Gohan doesn't think you're weak!"

        "Nor will he have the chance. I need to see my prince and talk things over."

        "Vegeta? What's he got to do with anything?"

        Goku stretched, ruffling his tail. "All things change, Chi Chi...I'm thinking of spending
        some time off planet."

        She stood in his face now. "What have they done to you?"

        "No one's done anything."

        "I see your face, and words come out. Nothing is making sense! You aren't my
        Goku!"

        "Either Goku or Kakarot is acceptable to me."

        "Well it isn't to me! Your place is here on earth."

        Shockingly, he laughed. "Now that's interesting...a saiyan who belongs on earth. A
        strange world I couldn't understand, yet chose to defend."

        Chi Chi was muted. "You still aren't making sense. This is all ancient history!"

        "History revised. I know far more about myself now, Chi Chi. It's impossible to go
        back to the way I was."

        Chi Chi fought tears. "But I want my husband back-"

        "Oh yes, the happy buffoon. The one who shrinks when you shout, Chi Chi?"

        "No, I never thought of you that way."

        "You did. I often heard your friends remark how 'cute' you were, humiliating me in
        public."

        "No!! I don't care what they said-"

        "It hardly matters now because that won't continue. I think it's time you treated me
        differently."

        "Ba-but how?!"

        "For one, no screaming. You'll address me like an adult or I swear I'll ignore you."

        She bit her lip bitterly. "Go on, 'Kakarot!'"

        "You've never called me that before..."

        "Why not? You're acting like a damn alien anyway. Whatever's happened has turned
        you against me!"

        Goku thumbed her lips. "I'm not against you, but understand me here. I won't be the
        person you're accustomed to."

        "Why the hell not? What did I miss here?!"

        "I've had a series of dreams inside myself. There was much information locked away I
        didn't know about. These dreams allowed me to view my life in a different light."

        Chi Chi's throat went dry. "But...why those dreams now?"

        Goku looked about the bedroom. "I'm not sure...I have a suspicion it may have come
        from an outside source."

        Chi Chi's mind raced. "I knew it...they've poisoned your mind with visions!"

        "Hardly-"

        "Now I see the plan...Raditz came here as a front, while the others messed with your
        head!"

        His answer was shocking. "If so, then they have my gratitude. I feel like I've
        awakened from a dream, Chi Chi. Who would choose blinders over the truth?"

        "A woman who wants her husband back!" Chi Chi pleaded desperately. "This is
        insane. I should go there and-"

        He grabbed her. "No you won't. I've got some final arrangements to make anyway."

        She didn't like the sound of that. "Arrangements? What the hell's this now?"

        "I already told you I might spend some time off planet."

        "And I already told YOU that we have a son to raise!"

        "You'll do a good job, I'm sure."

        "Have you hit your head again? Listen to yourself! What kind of father abandons his
        own child!"

        "I'd never abandon Gohan. He's more than welcome to join me when he gets older."

        "FOOL!!" she slapped him, hard. "You love your family, all right...like background
        noise you tolerate!"

        He touched his face where she slapped him. "It's fairly common for saiyans to be
        raised by one parent or another relative."

        "This is earth, and Gohan's half human! I don't want to hear any more nonsense!"

        Goku turned away from her. "It isn't nonsense. Since saiyans are telepathic we don't
        need to be in constant contact like humans. I could check on Gohan anytime I
        wished."

        Chi Chi noticed he only said Gohan. "And how do I fit into this neat picture you've
        painted?"

        "I've always gone with your wishes in the past. Now you'll go with mine."

        "Like hell, mister. I don't care if you are a newborn saiyan, nobody orders me
        around!"

        He laughed. "I do care for you..."

        "I'm your wife! Stop talking about me like a friend!"

        Goku paused before answering. "Like you treat me, instead of a husband?"

        "Where are you getting these ideas?"

        "From reality. You mistake me, Chi Chi. Just because I never complained doesn't
        mean I approved."

        "I see, mister high and mighty. So, are the subjects of the realm worthy of your
        presence now?"

        "Cute" Goku growled, moving away. Chi Chi jumped in front of him.

        "Wait. What are you going to do?"

        *********