In Your Dreams: Chapter 40

Goku silently followed behind Vegeta as they left the lab. He'd noticed right away that something had left the older man flustered, though since he wasn't even sure what Bulma had been testing for earlier, he didn't have a clue as to what the problem could be.

Black eyes watched as a royal tail unraveled from its' owner's waist in favor of thrashing back and forth in the air. Vegeta's back was straight and ridged, and if Goku listened closely he could hear the other Saiyajin muttering under his breath. Up until this point the younger man had chosen to remain quiet, but when it became obvious Vegeta was leading him around in circles with no obvious destination in mind, he decided to speak up.

''Hey, what's wrong? What did Bulma say?''

Goku frowned in annoyance when his mate just kept on walking. Apparently he hadn't heard his question; or if he had, he was ignoring him. Huffing in annoyance, Goku jogged ahead of Vegeta and placed himself in front of the older man. The prince almost walked right into the other Saiyajin, and Goku had to place his hands on Vegeta's shoulders to get him to stop.

The other Saiyajin blinked and his eyes snapped up from the floor. He appeared slightly surprised, as if he'd completely forgotten the younger man was there; though the expression was quickly masked by Vegeta's usual scowl.

Goku's brow furrowed as he repeated his earlier question. ''What did Bulma say?''

Vegeta turned his head in every direction, apparently checking to make sure no one was around. When his attention once again focused on his mate, he finally spoke for the first time since leaving the lab, though his voice was low and quiet.

''You're going into heat, Kakarotto.''

For a long moment an awkward silence stretched on between them, but Goku finally snorted and laughed when the information finally sunk in. The younger man let his hands fall from the other man's shoulders and he instead crossed them over his own chest as he chuckled.

''No I'm not! I don't feel anything like I did in the lab. Bulma messed up.''

Vegeta's brow twitched in annoyance when his mate, still chuckling, turned and began to walk away. He quickly reached out and grabbed onto the other's shoulder before spinning him back around to face him. Goku blinked at him in confusion when he caught the older man's serious expression.

''Don't be dense, Kakarotto! What you experienced in the lab was a chemical induced heat. It is nothing like a natural heat. While I admit I don't know much about it, Bulma believes this will progress in stages until you reach the peak of your cycle. You're only in the beginning stages right now.''

Goku still looked unconvinced, and he shrugged the other Saiyajin's hand off his shoulder and took a step back before speaking. The small gesture sent a small pang of hurt coursing through Vegeta's chest.

''Ok.... What exactly made you suspect anything was different anyway?''

The prince said nothing, but he let his eyes wander upward to Goku's glittery hair. This didn't go unnoticed by the younger man, and his face turned red as he struggled with an explanation.

''Oh, that doesn't mean anything! The girls were bored and so was I!''

Vegeta rolled his eyes. ''That isn't the only thing that made me suspicious. Your scent has been changing over the past couple of weeks... and you've become less interested in sex and more interested in touchy feelies. In all the years I've known you, you never cared much for prolonged contact outside of sparring... and more recently, sex.''

For a long while Goku was silent. Vegeta could tell he was rolling this information over in his head, and after careful thought, he seemed to accept that his mate was right.

''Well... I guess I have been feeling a little different lately...''

The older man nodded. ''How so?''

The other Saiyajin shrugged and looked uncomfortable, almost embarrassed. His tail slowly wound around his leg before unraveling again, only to repeat the process a second later.

''I dunno...Kinda tingly, I suppose. And I've wanted to be around Pan and Bura more.''

Vegeta grinned and folded his arms over his chest. Everything was definitely making more sense to him now. ''That's because you don't feel threatened by them. And you're enjoying the comfort social grooming provides. It's perfectly natural. However...''

The prince's eyes once again moved to his mate's hair, and his nose wrinkled in distaste.

''That has got to be fixed.''

Goku pouted when Vegeta grabbed his wrist and began dragging him down the hall. ''But Pan worked really hard! And I kind of like it!''

Though he didn't stop walking or even look back, a shudder visibly made its way up the older Saiyajin's spine. ''I'll pretend you didn't say that.''

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As the days passed Goku's scent continued to become stronger. In fact, it had become so prominent that even humans were able to smell it. Bulma had followed the scent trail all the way out to the backyard one day, and both Saiyajins were caught off guard when the women buried her nose in Goku's hair and inhaled deeply. When Vegeta had pulled her away and demanded an explanation, she had explained that she'd been driving herself crazy trying to figure out where the sweet smell was coming from, and she was pleased to have finally discovered its' source.

However, Goku wasn't exactly thrilled when Bulma described the scent as a cross between strawberries and roses with a slight hint of something spicy. Even worse, after taking another whiff of him, the blue haired woman had run off to her lab in an attempt to duplicate the smell. Apparently she thought it would make a nice aroma for a candle or something.

Vegeta thought it was amusing at first, but he soon grew tired of everyone sniffing around his mate, and it wasn't long before he began sending small blasts of ki at anyone who wandered too close.

As far as Goku's behavior went, not much had changed since his heat first began. The younger Saiyajin was still seeking out the company of Pan and Bura, both of which were aware of his current condition, and he even visited ChiChi when the girls weren't available. He always made sure her husband wasn't around though. He simply didn't feel comfortable around the man while he was in this condition, even though the human male seemed to be allergic to Goku's strong scent. Whenever the younger man was near, Victor would begin sneezing uncontrollably.

Needless to say, he made himself scarce when the Saiyajin visited anyway.

There was something different though. Goku purred. A lot.

While this was something the Saiyajin had done before, Vegeta noticed that it was happening a lot more lately. Goku would purr whenever someone touched his hair or tail, he'd purr when he was eating something particularly enjoyable, he'd purr while he was bathing... hell, he even purred in his sleep! This strange new occurrence didn't bother Vegeta much. In fact, he found the sound soothing and would often answer with a purr of his own. However, the combination of his mate's scent and rumbling purr only served to attract more attention from others, and that was making the prince edgy.

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A few days later Vegeta was toweling the sweat from his forehead after some solo training in the GR. He'd just returned to the kitchen to get some water and a snack when Bulma walked in.

''Kakarotto isn't in here, in case you needed another sniff for your candle project.''

Bulma face took on a pinkish hue before she stuck her nose in the air and crossed the room to where Vegeta was currently blocking the fridge. She shoved him aside and began gathering the ingredients she'd need for a sandwich.

''I know he isn't here. He went to the lake with Gohan and Goten today. I'm surprised YOU didn't know that.''

The prince snorted and turned away as he took a drink from his water bottle, and he placed a hand on his hip as he mulled this information over in his head. He hated to admit it, but Bulma was right. He should have known that. Kakarotto hadn't said anything to him though... not that he needed to report his every action... Still he was in a delicate state right now, and precautions needed to be taken to ensure he was safe.

''Earth to Vegeta!''

Vegeta growled when an elbow was jabbed into his ribs, and he whipped his head around to glare at Bulma. ''What?!''

''I asked if you wanted me to make you something too! Man, what's got your panties in a bunch today?!''

''Hn.'' The Saiyajin thought about that. He was feeling a little tense today, though he wasn't sure why. Kakarotto was safe with his sons. Though they would be aware of their father's state, their family bond would ensure they protected him from any potential suitors. His mate was in good hands.

However...

Vegeta set his water down on the counter and turned back to Bulma, who had begun making several sandwiches despite never receiving an answer from him.

''Where's Trunks?''

The woman only shrugged as she focused on spreading mustard over a bun. ''I haven't seen him since early this morning. Can't you sense him?''

The prince had already begun searching for the demi-Saiyajin's ki before Bulma had even finished talking, and he felt his hackles rise when he finally located it amongst three other elevated energies.

''FUCK!''

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It was times like this Vegeta wished he had learned the Instant Transmission technique from Goku. Despite ascending to a Super Saiyajin and burning a large amount of ki to hasten his flight, the prince still felt as if it were taking an eternity to reach his destination.

Back at Capsule Corp he'd sensed Trunks' ki amongst those of the Son family, and based on the ever growing amount of power the group was emitting, his son was not a welcome addition. Vegeta could easily feel the hostility between the demi-Saiyajins, and as the lake finally came into view in the distance, the prince could visually confirm that there was a nasty battle going on. Two golden bodies were darting around the area, clashing against each other and exchanging heavy blows with both fists and ki. One glowing figure remained stationary off to the side, and as Vegeta got closer, he could see that Goku was being held against this person.

The prince growled as he released another wave of his power, and the shockwave he emitted made his presence known amongst the battlers. Trunks and Gohan came to an abrupt stop in mid-air just before smashing into each other, and all sets of eyes turned toward him as he hovered several feet away.

Vegeta turned his teal eyes toward the ground, and he was pleased to find Goku unharmed. A golden haired Goten was standing guard beside his father. One arm was wrapped protectively around his sire's waist while the other clutched a glowing ball of ki, which was pointed at Trunks.

The prince's angry eyes darted back to his son and Gohan. They were each breathing heavily and were sporting some rather nasty looking cuts and bruises, but neither appeared to be seriously injured. However, that could have changed very quickly had he not arrived when he had.

Vegeta hovered closer to Trunks, his tail thrashing. His lip curled back into a snarl when the demi-Saiyajin crouched into what appeared to be a fighting position. Did he mean to challenge him? It was obvious the boy was here for Kakarotto.

''Boy, you'd better power down now if you know what's good for you. You can't beat me.''

For a moment the older Saiyajin thought Trunks would attack him, but the younger man only turned his head to the side and spat out a mouthful of blood before dropping his Super Saiyajin transformation. Vegeta nodded to show his approval and motioned for Gohan and Goten to do the same, which they did when they felt the threat had been neutralized by the prince's presence.

The three Saiyajins slowly lowered themselves to the ground without a word. Vegeta placed himself between his son and his mate in case of an unexpected move and folded his arms over his chest.

''I think it's clear what happened here, but I want to hear it anyway.''

When Trunks only frowned and glared at the ground, Gohan spoke up instead.

''I'll tell you what happened. Goten and I were enjoying a quiet day of swimming and fishing with our father when Trunks came charging in out of nowhere! He ignored me and Goten and just went stalking toward Dad like he was some sort of prey or something. Dad started growling at him and told him to stay away, but when he kept coming, I just felt like I needed to kill him!''

A growl bubbled up in Gohan's throat before he could continue, and he cast Trunks a glare so intense it would kill a lesser man. ''So I told Goten to stay with Dad and I attacked Trunks. I didn't have a choice, Vegeta!''

The older man held up a hand to silence the demi-Saiyajin. ''I know that, Gohan. No need to get worked up again. A member of your pack was threatened and you did what your instincts told you to protect one of your own. I'm proud of you. Both of you.''

Gohan and Goten visibly relaxed, and they appeared to puff up with pride from the compliment.

Vegeta frowned when he turned his attention back to Trunks. His son was still glaring at the ground, and based on his tense stance, he could attack again at any moment. It was best he get him away from Kakarotto.

''You three go back to Capsule Corp and get cleaned up. Bulma will have food there. Do not mention this incident to anyone.''

Gohan and Goten nodded, silently understanding that they needed to leave. Goku lingered on the ground for a moment after the boys had taken to the air. He hadn't said a word since Trunks first attacked him, and he still seemed at a loss for words as he stared at the demi-Saiyajin as if he were a complete stranger.

''Go on, Kakarotto. We'll talk later.''

Goku's eyes moved to Vegeta, and he only furrowed his brow before hovering off the ground to meet Gohan and Goten, who were waiting for him several yards above. After hesitating for only a second longer, he gathered his ki and blasted away. His sons were quick to follow, and all three were specks in the distance within seconds.

Now Vegeta could focus only on Trunks, who seemed to have visibly relaxed now that Goku had gone. Part of him wanted to destroy the boy for daring to go after his mate, but at the same time, he understood his son's inner conflict.

The prince was just about to speak when the demi-Saiyajin finally broke the silence.

''I can't control myself around him.''

Vegeta noted Trunks' shaking fists, and he was surprised to discover unshed tears within those blue eyes when the younger man finally raised his head.

''Father, I can't control myself...'' he repeated. ''I know in my head what I'm doing is wrong, but whenever I see him... or smell him... Kami, his scent is... is...''

''I know, boy. Relax.''

Trunks looked up at his father in surprise. ''You know? Know what? I keep trying to mate with him! How can I relax?! This is Goku we're talking about here! He... He looked so scared and I didn't care! I just wanted him! I would have killed to get to him!''

The demi-Saiyajin fisted his hands in his hair and growled as his frustration grew. ''Even now he's in the back of my head!''

Vegeta took a deep breath through his nose before slowly exhaling. He could still smell the lingering scent of his mate, and a wave of desire washed over him. If he'd been a younger man with less control, he probably would have acted on his instincts long ago, despite whenever objections Kakarotto might have had. He knew what the boy was going through.

For the next hour Vegeta took his time explaining everything he'd learned about a Saiyajin's heat cycle to Trunks. He'd explained to his son why he was feeling the way he did toward Kakarotto, and that it was completely natural. In any other situation Vegeta probably would have killed or seriously injured anyone who dared steal what was his, but this was a special case. It was obvious Trunks didn't really want to take Goku, he just couldn't help himself. His Saiyajin side was strong, and despite the trouble it caused, a sense of pride still welled up inside of Vegeta.

By the time he'd finished talking, Trunks seemed much more at ease with himself. The guilt was still there, but not quite as intense as it was before.

''So... I should leave for awhile? Until the heat is over?''

Vegeta nodded. ''I think it would be best. I'd rather take Kakarotto away instead, but Bulma needs to monitor him this first time. I think it's necessary in case anything goes wrong... and I'm hoping perhaps the woman can come up with a way to lessen the effects on Kakarotto and others during his heat. I doubt he enjoys humans smelling him as they pass him on the streets.''

Trunks grinned at that. ''I understand. Do you think you can get Mom to pack me a capsule house and some clothes to last me until this is all over? I don't think I should go to Capsule Corp myself...''

''Of course. Just stay here and I'll be back within the hour.''

The younger man nodded and shuffled his foot through the grass. ''Thanks.''

''Hn.''

To be continue...