Vegeta's tragic past
Vegeta woke up with a start, sitting bolt upright. His eyes were wide with fear as he looked around the dark bedroom. His breathing was jagged and uneven as he attempted to calm himself down. Sweat covered his body. It had just been a dream… a horrible nightmare. Vegeta jumped a little as he felt two arms wrap around his middle from behind. He turned quickly to see Velvet sitting up behind him, looking up at him with concern. With a sigh of relief, Vegeta allowed her to take him into her arms. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face into her neck, still breathing heavily. Velvet rubbed his back as she held him close.
"Vegeta… what happened? Are you all right?" Velvet asked softly. Vegeta nodded slowly, his hold on her tightening a bit. Velvet choose not to ignore it. She pulled him back a bit and looked into his eyes. Even in the darkness, she could see he was upset. She gasped as a tear fell onto her arm. Looking back up at him, she frowned sadly. He had never been this upset before… not since his mother's death… Velvet decided not to pry… he would tell her when he was ready. She lay down and pulled him down beside her before holding him close again. With another sad sigh, Vegeta drifted into a restless sleep once again.
When Vegeta woke the next morning, he was still extremely tired. He hadn't had such a sleepless night in ages… He realised that Velvet still had her arms around him and he sighed, snuggling into her comforting embrace just a bit more. Vegeta was startled a bit as Velvet moved a bit. He looked up at her and saw her smiling back.
"Sorry… Did I wake you?" Vegeta asked quietly. Velvet smiled and shook her head.
"No… How did you sleep?" She asked as she gently pushed his bangs from in front of his eyes. Vegeta groaned a bit and buried his head into her shoulder.
"Terrible…" He admitted. Velvet pouted.
"Aww… Poor Veggie-chan…" She said softly. "So… what actually happened last night?"
"Oh…" Vegeta said with a bit of sadness in his voice. Velvet frowned as he moved out of her hold a bit and lay on his back.
"Are you okay?"
"Uh… yeah… I guess…"
"Do you want to tell me what's wrong? Or would you rather not?" Velvet asked as she stroked his forehead. Vegeta continued to stare at the ceiling.
"I'd rather tell you, actually…" He told her with a slight smile. Velvet smiled back.
"Okay…"
"It was a dream… like a memory…"
"What of?" Velvet asked as she propped her elbow on the pillow and rested her head on her hand. Vegeta sighed and Velvet couldn't help but sadden at Vegeta's answer…
"My little sister… Falony…"
A young Prince Vegeta burst into the room, gasping for breath. The eleven year old looked around frantically. With a quiet groan of despair, he ran out and tried the next room. It took four or five tries until Vegeta found the right room. He gasped a little as he looked around. Against the far wall, on a large bed, lay his mother. She looked exhausted but happy. King Vegeta stood by the edge of the bed, smiling down at her. A few doctors and nurses stood around the bed, making a fuss. Vegeta walked over slowly, step by step, gulping down his anxiety. Aphrodite noticed him and smiled before beckoning to him with her free hand. As he got closer, Vegeta saw a bundle in her arms, all wrapped in white blankets. Vegeta's eyes widened and his jaw dropped open as he finally stood beside the bed and saw it. Large, blue eyes that stared at him in wonder and curiosity. A tiny nose and small mouth which seemed lost on the fresh, round face. Tiny arms reached out for him as he leaned closer. Vegeta was surprised by the sudden tear in his eye as he smiled at the bundle - his new baby sister.
"What about… Morrigan? Or Chase?" One doctor suggested. Aphrodite shook her head.
"No… That doesn't fit…" She said as she looked over at the cot by her bedside. Prince Vegeta was still leaning into it, smiling uncontrollably as he chatted non-stop to the new-born, who simply stared back with her large eyes. Aphrodite smiled.
"Well… How about… Jewel? Or Phoenix?"
"Phoenix is a better name for a little boy…" Aphrodite sighed. Vegeta looked over at his mother at that comment.
"What about… Falony?" He suggested quietly. All the doctors, King Vegeta and Aphrodite looked over at the young prince. He looked back down at the baby. Aphrodite smiled again at her son.
"Falony… I like that… Vegeta and Falony…" Aphrodite mused out loud with a smile. Vegeta smiled back at his mother.
"Did I do good? Did I help?"
"Yes, Vegeta… you did…"
"One year old already!" King Vegeta proclaimed happily. "Our daughter is already one!" He smiled. Aphrodite laughed.
"Indeed. Time is passing all too quickly!"
"Do you think she'll be okay at the gathering?"
"She'll be fine…" Aphrodite smiled. "Vegeta wants to challenge some of the females… For practice, he said…"
"Practice?!" King Vegeta laughed loudly. "Oh my, that boy is quite eager! He has to wait until the next full moon to actually get a mate!"
"I know… but he wants to face one or two females…"
"And who will be at the gathering?"
"Um… I can't remember everyone but there is one little girl that might be a candidate for fighting Vegeta... She's one year younger than him… but she can keep up with most of the adults in the top ten..."
"Really? My, my… that IS impressive… The others are all at least your age…"
"Yes.. Catryani is her mother… Her friend and training partner is the same age… Miyagi is her mother…"
"Really?!" King Vegeta stroked his beard in thought. "Hmm… Maybe these two young ones would be the best choices…"
"Hey mom! Hey dad!" Vegeta greeted cheerfully as he strode in, Falony on his shoulders.
"Oh Vegeta! We were just talking about you…"
"Really?"
"Yes… we've decided to let you battle at the gathering… There are two young females your age…"
"Really! D'ya hear that, Falony?" Vegeta beamed as he looked up. His little sister's head poked into view and nodded with a smile. Vegeta laughed happily as his father left to arrange the matches…
"What do you mean I can't see her?!" Vegeta cried in despair. The doctor shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Prince Vegeta, but she is weak and resting at the moment… You should go to the gathering…"
"No! I want to be with Falony! I want her to be okay!" Vegeta yelled, holding back his tears as he worried for his little sister.
"Prince, please… In this condition, it would be better to leave her…"
"No!" Vegeta yelled. "I know she wants me beside her! She'll get lonely and-…"
"Vegeta!" King Vegeta yelled as he entered the corridor where Prince Vegeta and the doctor argued. Vegeta neglected to bow.
"Father! He won't let me see Falony! I want to see her!"
"Vegeta, you're little sister is ill… It would only upset you…"
"I want to see FALONY!" Vegeta yelled again. King Vegeta sighed and turned to the doctor.
"Let him in… Vegeta is very close to his sister… Let them be together for a little while…" King Vegeta ordered before turning and leaving. The doctor scowled before stepping aside. Vegeta glared at the doctor. If looks could kill, the doctor would be no more than ashes… Vegeta opened the door in front of him and walked in. He gasped. At the back of the empty room on a bed lay Falony. Tubes stuck out of every visible patch of skin and there was even one up her nose. Vegeta walked over slowly and knelt beside the bed. Falony opened her eyes slowly and looked at him. With a cry of happiness, she sat up and threw her arms around her big brother's neck before crying loudly. Vegeta wrapped his arms around her and comforted her as best he could…
"Not bad!" Vegeta laughed as he watched his little sister float a few feet off the ground. Her fists were clenched and her tongue stuck out in concentration. She opened one eye and fell out of the sky with a squeal. Vegeta caught her, laughing.
"I did good! Huh, Vegeta?"
"Yep! You sure did…" Vegeta laughed as he ruffled her hair. Falony whined a bit and fixed her hair. Vegeta laughed again. Despite being almost three now, Falony was no taller than she was when she first became ill. She was even frailer though, skinnier and weaker looking. Still, Vegeta cared for her 24/7.
"D'ya think daddy will let me go on missions soon? And fight the bad people?"
"Maybe…" Vegeta smiled. Falony laughed happily. Another voice rung through the air.
"Yo! Vegeta!"
"Kakarotto!" Vegeta greeted his friend with a smile. Falony ran over to Kakarotto and jumped into his arms. Kakarotto hugged her.
"Hey Falony-chan! Whatcha up to?"
"I'm learnin' ta fly!" She beamed. Kakarotto laughed.
"Really? Whoa… You're almost beating me with your training now!"
"Yup! I'm faster than you and Vegeta-chan!" Falony giggled. Kakarotto grinned.
"No you're not!" he laughed as he tickled her. Falony giggled uncontrollably.
"Big brother! Help me!" She pleaded. Vegeta rolled his eyes and smiled.
"Kakarotto… you're being cruel again!"
"Come and stop me…" Kakarotto smirked as he stopped. Falony giggled and jumped out of her arms. Kakarotto looked over at Vegeta, who winked knowingly. Kakarotto slapped a hand on his forehead.
"Run, Falony-chan!" Vegeta laughed.
"Oh no! Falony has escaped! I will have to try and catch her now!" Kakarotto said with a smile. Falony giggled and ran over to Vegeta, clinging to his legs as he stood up.
"Vegeta-chan! Help me!" She laughed as Kakarotto walked towards them both at an alarmingly slow rate, his hands raised like claws. Vegeta looked down at her.
"Oh no… It seems like… Yes, I've been taken over too…" Vegeta pretended to fall down. Falony squealed and ran. Vegeta got up and copied Kakarotto, both of them chasing her about the open field. Falony made a dash and hid behind a clump of the tall grass. Vegeta stopped and blinked. Kakarotto did the same.
"Wait, where did she…"
"I honestly don't know… What are we, blind or something?!" Vegeta groaned as he looked around frantically. Falony sneaked round behind them as they looked for her.
"Vegeta, maybe she's hiding in the tall grass…"
"Maybe.. But I doubt - Ah!" Vegeta yelled as he was knocked to the ground. He looked round to see Falony sitting on his back, giggling like crazy. Kakarotto was also laughing. Vegeta smirked.
"You didn't see me, Vegeta-chan!"
"Why you little…" Vegeta laughed. Falony shuffled up a bit and hugged her brother tightly round the neck, still giggling.
"You're so silly, Vegeta-chan…"
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!"
"Huh?! What?!" Vegeta sat upright and looked around frantically. As Vegeta put on the light at the bedside, he paused and blinked a few times as he looked down at the tiny crying saiya-jin that sat beside him. Vegeta smiled fondly as he pulled her closer. Falony, only just noticing that Vegeta had woke up, cried all the more.
"Vegeta-chan! I had a bad dream!" She wailed into his stomach as she clung to him. Vegeta lifted her onto his lap and tucked the sheets around her,
"Shh… don't worry… It was only a bad dream… I'm here, Falony-chan…" Vegeta said softly as she continued to sob in his arms. He breathed a sigh of relief. That had scared him out of his sleep like a bucket of cold water… He looked down at Falony again and lifted her chin up to look at him. "Are you okay?" He asked. Falony sniffed and nodded slowly. Vegeta smiled and lay back down. Falony lay beside him and nuzzled into his side. Vegeta wrapped his arms around her before turning the light out and stroking her forehead until she fell asleep. With a smile, Vegeta also drifted in a peaceful slumber.
"Well, how does it feel to be four?"
"Not any different… I'm still too small…" Falony said quietly as she looked at herself in one of the mirrors in the bathroom. Vegeta dried his face and let the towel hang around his neck a he knelt down beside her. He put a hand on her shoulder.
"It's not size that matters… it's your strength and your personality…"
"I won't get a mate when I grow up… I'm not pretty… and I'm not very strong…" She almost whispered. Vegeta sighed.
"That's simply not true. You're very strong and you're a very pretty girl… You'll grow up to be beautiful and all the boys will be fighting to win your heart…" Vegeta smiled as Falony turned to him, her bottom lip wobbling a bit.
"Really?
"Yes… I'll just be sad to have to let them take you away from me so that they can take good care of you…"
"NO!" Falony burst into tears and hugged Vegeta tightly. "I'm not getting a mate! I'm staying with you forever and ever! I want to take care of you so you never get hurt and never ever have to cry! I don't ever want you to be unhappy!" Falony wailed. Vegeta smiled as a tear ran down his cheek. He hugged her tightly.
"I won't ever be unhappy… I'll always have you, won't I?"
"Yes, you will! An I'll make sure you are always happy! And we'll never be apart!"
"Even when you have to get a mate?"
"I don't want a mate! I want you, big brother!"
"Alright…" Vegeta smiled. Tears flowed from Falony's eyes.
"Promise me we'll be together forever and ever! Promise me, Vegeta-chan!" Falony said firmly as she pulled back to look her brother in the eye. Vegeta smiled and nodded.
"I promise. We'll be together forever, Falony-chan…"
The intruder crept silently through the house. After weeks of surveillance, he had learned who slept where. He made his way to the prince's room. The prince slept soundly. Curled up beside him lay the young princess. Four years she had been living… It was going to be her last year… the saiya-jin walked silently round to her side of the bed. Unsheathing a sharp blade, the intruder raised it above his head. The little princess shifted in her sleep and the blade dropped. Vegeta's eyes shot open as a terrible pain shot through his heart. He gasped in fear and shock as a thick, sticky liquid showered over his face. Quickly turning the light on, Vegeta nearly threw up at the sight. Falony lay on the bed, her eyes wide open and tiny, choked gasps escaping her throat. A lethal slice cut the length of her small, frail body. Her face was cut open on the right side. Blood spurted freely from the slash. Vegeta's eyes burned with anger as he saw the figure at the bedside. In a matter of seconds, Vegeta had the intruder against the wall and the sword fell from his hand. Vegeta took one look and grabbed it.
"You fucking bastard! What the fuck have you done?!" Vegeta roared as loud as he could, his voice hoarse. The figure smirked cruelly.
"I did what Frieza would have wanted…" he spat. Vegeta's body froze at the mention of that… monster. Vegeta stared in the face of the male, who simply carried on with his cruel sneer. Vegeta's rage shot through the roof and with a cry, something happened to him. The intruder's eyes widened. Vegeta's hair formed thick spikes and turned golden. His eyes seemed to fade before returning as a sea green colour. His tail also blasted golden and the aura that radiated matched this colour. The intruder literally trembled. "S-super Saiya-jin…" He stuttered. Vegeta scowled, narrowing his eyes menacingly. With a cry of anguish, Vegeta rammed the sword through the saiya-jin, impaling him and skewering him to the wall. A flow of blood erupted from the saiya-jins mouth. Vegeta looked over at his blood soaked bed, where his still living sister lay, gasping for breath. All Vegeta's rage dissolved as his power dropped and his appearance regained it's normality. Only deep sorrow and devastation remained. He walked over and knelt by the bed, taking Falony into his arms. Tears flowed freely from his eyes, which burned like a fire. His throat was a dry as a desert. Vegeta hugged her close.
"Falony… Oh Falony…." Vegeta voice trembled as did his body. A soft touch on his cheek caused him to look at the tiny body.
"Vegeta-chan… I'm… scared… I don't want… to…" Falony choked on her own blood as she struggled to speak to her brother one last time.
"Don't speak… you'll be okay… I won't let you… Falony?"
"Vegeta-chan… I will… always… be with you… forever… I love… you so… much…" Falony's mouth lifted in a small smiled as her eyes watered over. She reached her hand up and touched Vegeta's cheek ever so softly. Vegeta gasped as her hand fell slack and dropped down beside her, her head falling limply to the side.
"Falony? Falony?!? FALONY!!!" Vegeta yelled loudly, hugging the limp little body in his arms. Vegeta's body shook with such a force as a pain like none he had ever experienced ripped his heart apart…