Second Chances: New Dawn

That blast should have been enough to distract that psycho long enough for me to get Kakarot somewhere safe. She's lucky that it wasn't a harmful blast I shot - I could if I wanted to. But I didn't want Bulma getting caught up in it. But if she weren't there, I would have killed Chi-Chi when I had the chance. To think she was going to kill Ryo and Shin...two completely harmless and defenseless creatures who had done absolutely nothing to provoke her to take such an extreme act as the one she pulled there at Capsule Corp. And to think that she calls me a monster.


Kakarot told me a few hours after we got home that the twins were incredibly active. And I'm sure if his ribs could talk, they would concur with him whole-heartedly. He said he wasn't feeling well, and decided to go lay down in our room. It is now a quarter after midnight and I have not seen him since. I don't know why but, at the moment my stomach is in knots. I've got a feeling this is going to be a long night...


I can only hope I'm strong enough to face it alone.


****************


Goku woke up shortly after Vegeta finished his late-night journal entry and had just settled into bed for the night, still feeling uneasy. Apparently, the butterflies hadn't gone away yet. But their number increased tenfold after Goku, sounding desperate for air and a little frightened, made the proclamation to his mate that he - in his own words - was leaking... Just as sleep gripped him lightly, Vegeta seemed to stiffen, the nervous something in him finally snapping and causing him to sit up, wide-eyed. The lights came on then, and there was Goku hands holding his belly, with a pained look on his face as he tried to relax and look at his lover. But he merely sat there, frozen over, leaving Vegeta to wonder: Could this be it?


"Kakarot?" asked the Saiyan Prince, now sitting at bedside next to Goku and trying to keep him from curling up.


The silent Saiyan could only reach over and grab hold of Vegeta's hand, squeezing it, then managed to take a deep breath to steady himself. He collapsed into Vegeta's arms, nearly on the verge of tears. "Ungh...Vegeta. It...it hurts. I think..." the larger Saiyan heaved forward, pinching his eyes shut and drawing another breath."...it's time. Please, help me - I...can't do this alone..."


His prince was quick to embrace him and kiss his forehead. Vegeta could feel him shaking in his arms Poor Goku was in pain, suffering, and he wanted so badly to rid him of such a crippling ailment. But pain, he knew, was just another part of the birthing process, just like the way Goku would come to give birth...like that of a female. "I won't let you go through this alone, Kakarot. Everything's going to be fine."


It was a known fact on our homeworld that the process of a male giving birth was identical to that of a human woman. The reproductive makeup was nearly the same as well - with the only difference being the lack of a vaginal opening. When a Saiyan gave birth, the infant emerged through an opening able to accommodate such extreme measures. The opening was located a few meters behind the Saiyan's testicles, which would be covered for protection.


Everything was merely identical. Except for a difference in gender, male Saiyans and human females went through the same exact process of childbirth. I should know...


That's how I was born. Through my father.


****************


It was nearly 2 am in the morning and Vegeta had walked up and down the hall with Goku more times than he could count. According to one of the books Goku had bought some time ago, walking helped ease the pain of a contraction. He would take Goku by the hand and put his arm around him to lead him, then they would slowly walk around the spacious living room, stop, then walk up and down the hallway. They just concluded one such cycle and took a seat on the couch, with Goku laying in his lover's lap.


Vegeta took a damp washcloth from the water bowl sitting on the table next to him, squeezed it to a mere dampness, and patted Goku's flushed face. "Just take it easy, Kakarot. Tell me how your doing."


Goku cupped his hand against the prince's as the cloth cooled his cheek. Even in this time of struggle, he was able to smile. "I'm hanging in there. How do I look?"


There was a smug grin on the prince's face as he inched closer to his mate until they were nose to nose. Vegeta's eyes narrowed. "That's my baka. How do you look? Like shit." he wittingly said, only to claim Goku's warm and soft lips in a deeply passionate kiss.


Goku returned the lop-sided grin, his eyes beginning to grow heavy with much needed sleep, his fingers running through Vegeta's hair. "Well...at least your honest. My prince..."


Goku drifted off to sleep some time later, there, where he wanted to be, and with the one he wanted to be with.


******************


The morning dawn is almost upon us as we travel through what seems like an endless gauntlet that's been placed before us for no other reason other than the testing of our loyalty. And not once have I turned my back and ran. I've stayed by Kakarot's side. I can almost see the light at the end of this ever-changing trail.


Things shifted into high gear no more than an hour ago. Kakarot having made it clear to me verbally, and physically - that his contractions were getting more frequent and quite strong. Hell, it's a miracle I can still move my right hand. I believe we are at what is to be the apex of this mountain we've been scaling for hours. Everything is ready. Now it's just a matter of time.


His journal entry was suddenly interrupted by a screaming of his name from the bedroom. Goku's voice nearly sent chills up Vegeta's spine and he quickly abandoned his journal to check up on his lover. Goku was lying on the bed covered by a durable plastic sheet, looking to have reached his limit and reaching out to Vegeta. His prince was there within seconds, kissing him, cooling his face, and holding his hand. "Kakarot...it's going to be ok. Your going to be ok. Can you tell me what's wrong?" Goku looked longingly into his eyes, with the pain of the moment not having drained his wit and happy-go-lucky attitude. "It's time, Vegeta. I'm...ready."


**************


On October 10th at exactly 6:30 am, Kakarot gave birth to our first child, a boy, named Ryo. He looks incredibly like me - which could be a good thing or a bad thing. Then, five minutes later, our second son, Shin, entered the world. Kakarot says he looks just like him, right down to the big confused but happy eyes. I can now say in all honesty that no sort of training could have prepared me for this experience. And, unlike a battle which only satisfies the hunger of my ego, this battle - both painful and beautiful -has satisfied me as a whole. While it is in a Saiyan's nature to be a ruthless warrior, right now I'm just about the complete opposite of that. There is no greater rush than this.


Goku, tired but overjoyed, was holding little Shin, wrapped up in one of the two nearby towels, and could only stare at the little one in awe. His big eyes, full of so much wonder and excitement, nearly made Goku's own eyes blur with tears. Shin gazed up at his father, a curious look on his face; beneath his fingerstips, Goku could feel Shin's little tail moving - could it be a sign that he was happy? Goku kissed the baby boy's forehead and cradled the miracle in his arms.


Vegeta sat next to him, holding baby Ryo as he sucked on his thumb and just stared, up, at the face looking back at him. Vegeta could feel an instant connection already, the ties that bound them never to cease. This was his flesh and blood. The prince stuck out his index finger, with Ryo's tiny hand reaching out to grab and hold it. Vegeta was left all but breathless, seeing that Ryo's entire hand could fit on his finger. The little boy, seeming to know perfectly well that he was safe and a part of the man holding him, gently squeezed his finger. Blinded by the luminous light of it all, Vegeta - once cold and ruthless and loving only to fight - realized in that moment that there were other ways to feel alive.


He gazed over at Goku and Shin then. This is what made him feel truly alive. Being here, with Kakarot, and now, his son. He was a Saiyan, that he absolutely would not deny, but now that the twins had been born, he would no longer fight for the mere sake of cheap thrills. The Prince of Saiyans would now fight for the ones that meant more to him than life itself.


Kakarot. Shin. Ryo. He would fight for every single one of them, rehardless of consequence. He would protect them, or die trying.


"Awww...I guess Ryo's found his first toy hm Vegeta?" Goku chuckled.


Vegeta grinned. "I suppose he has. Huh?" he sensed a feeling of wetness on his finger and looked down, only to see Ryo sucking on his finger! "Ok...that's ok. Just be gentle ok?"


Goku leaned over to tickle Ryo's cheek with his finger. "I don't think you have to worry Vegeta. These little guys won't have teeth for a while. See? Just a mouth full of pinky gums." Shin yawned, stretching his little arms out. Ryo did the same some seconds later. "Aw, look Vegeta. They're sleepy. But..." Goku's eyes swelled with tears. "They've got no where to sleep. What are we going to do?"


Ryo found his way in Goku's arms, Vegeta put his arm around him in a consoling manner though, no doubt brimming with anger over the fact that Chi-Chi was the reason why the brothers had no where to sleep, nothing to wear, and nothing to play with. "Don't cry Kakarot. Everything's all taken care of - I've got a plan. Stay with them while I go call Bulma."


Vegeta raced off to the living room.


He could only hope he wasn't too late, that Bulma was still home and not off somewhere fixing or building something. But the static of the video phone, and the silence, was making Vegeta anxious and impatient - no matter, he would take matters into his own hands if need be. And just when he thought all was lost, Bulma's usually energetic voice called his name.


"Vegeta? Oh, Vegeta, your ok! How's Goku, is he alright?"


"I've had a long night but I'm fine. Kakarot is doing well, a little tired, but well."


"Good, good. After what happened last night I'm not surprised to hear you had a long night - that was utterly insane!"


Vegeta contemplated for a moment. Should I tell her? I should...but then what if it gets around and Chi-Chi finds out? Grrr...fuck it. Let her come. I will simply kill her! "It was but, that wasn't the reason why I had a long night. Kakarot gave birth, Bulma."


Expecting the blue-haired woman to erupt in hysterical happiness, Vegeta braced himself for the worst. But, his bracing had been all in vain. "Your serious? My gosh. But, how can that be when he was only seven months along?"


"I am. That's a common misconception among us Saiyans and humans. While a human gestation takes nine months, a Saiyan gestation period takes only seven due to the fact that the rate of growth far excels that of a human. So, while he would be considered early in human terms, he was full term according to his Saiyan blood."


The tiny video screen filled with Bulma's big eyes. Blue, blinking eyes. But Vegeta expected her to be nothing less than confused. It was only natural. "I get it now...I think. That's amazing! So...tell me all about it. What did we have there, Vegeta?" Bulma asked with a smile.


"Before I tell you I want you to keep this between you and me, alright? If word gets out, there's a good chance Chi-Chi would find out. Anyway. We have two boys. Ryo - the one Kakarot says looks just like me. And Shin - the one I say looks just like Kakarot. They're...beautiful. And...they have nothing. Bulma..."


"Vegeta...I don't mean to be the observant one right now but, this is the first time I've seen you emotionally hurt. I completely understand, really. Don't you and Goku or the little boys worry - Bulma Briefs is on the case! I'm on my way out ok?"


"Alright. Thank you. I owe you one."


****************


Bulma was standing at the door in no less than thirty minutes, not holding anything Vegeta was expecting to see. Perhaps it was all still in the car? He allowed her in and offered her a seat on the couch. "Uh...where's all the baby stuff? Don't tell me..."


Bulma pulled something from the breast pocket of her jacket and winked in her former lover's direction. "You should know me by now Vegeta. Keep clear..." she warned only to throw the capsule to the floor where it exploded into everything from cribs, clothes and toys to food and formula, bottles and diapers! Indeed, the prince should have known her by now. He could merely smile at her in appreciation.


"My father created several of these capsule's for a friend of my mother who is due to give birth any day now. She's poor and doesn't have much so, it was the least we could do. But I'm just glad I could help you and Goku. Speaking of which, can I see Goku and your little boys?" she cooed, hands together in a praying manner. Vegeta led her down the hallway.


Ryo and Shin were bundled in a few old, blue undershirts Goku would usually wear with his normal training gi and nestled against his chest as he layed there on his bed, simply watching them sleep and completely unware that he had a visitor...until she tapped him gently on the shoulder. Goku, shaken from his reverie, looked up for a moment, smiling immediately once looking into Bulma's eyes. "Bulma!" he chimed in a soft whisper. His friend had a seat on the bed next to him and gave him a congratulatory embrace. "Hi Goku. Vegeta was kind enough to tell me everything; I came here as fast as I could; aww...Goku. So these two adorable boys are Ryo and Shin. Goku, Vegeta, they're adorable. And their little tails. Can I hold them?"


She was handed the brothers, who were immediately nestled in her arms. Her maternal instincts kicking in, Bulma gently rocked the twin boys back and forth in his arms as they continued to sleep peacefully. Vegeta sat at his lover's side, and watched along with him. Bulma looked down at Ryo, placing a soft peck on his cheek. "So you must be Ryo. Your quite the cutie little one, yes you are." She turned her attention to his brother. "And you must be Shin. You know, your just as cute as your father. You too Ryo. And I have a feeling both of you will grow up to be just as strong as your parents. You boys are lucky to have such strong parents..."


Goku and Vegeta were both beet red, rousing a little chuckle from their friend. "It's true you guys. Ryo and Shin are both lucky to have you two, just as you two are lucky to have them. And because I care about both of you, I want to help out in any way I can. Giving you guys advice, supplies, babysit, anything. Just ask me. And I'm sure everyone else will be willing to help out as well...because we all love you both." a tear in her eye, Bulma returned the brothers to the arms of their respective parent so she could wipe the tear from her cheek.


"Thank you Bulma. Vegeta and I really do thank you, from the bottom of ours hearts. Should we need anything, you will be the first one to know."


Bulma gave both Vegeta and Goku a hug and their boys each a kiss on the cheek before heading to the bedroom door, preparing to see herself out and leave the new parents be. "Before I go, I just want to tell you both that I really am happy for you, and remember, if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call me. Take care you two. Bye-bye Ryo. Bye-bye Shin."


The dawn that was birth had rose, both as birth of new life and that of new beginnings. And like the golden sunlight outside their home, this new beginning shined down on both Goku and Vegeta from above, warmed them both with new purpose and ties to one another. They had grown closer from this long and tumultuous journey, together, from the first time they had planted the seed that was their offspring, to now, each of them holding the fruits of their labor. The brothers, Ryo and Shin, the next generation of Saiyans. Indeed, both the Saiyans known as Vegeta and Kakarot had done their fallen brothers proud, but with more to fight for now than ever before, neither Goku or Vegeta, contrary to their Saiyan brothers, would no longer fight for the thrill, but for the ones they loved. And that, to them, was the only thing now worth fighting for.