CHAPTER ELEVEN:

CHAPTER ELEVEN:

The pounding was insistent, and it was beginning to drill a hole in Kakkarrot’s head. Groaning in protest, he tried to shut the noise out….only to come in contact with a familiar warmth and scent.

~ Hm. Second night in a row. ~ He mused silently.

He could get used to this stuff. He opened his eyes and chuckled lightly at how cute his roommate looked all snuggled up at his side. His even breathing and peaceful visage was too tempting to resist. Leaning down, he brushed his lips against Vegeta’s parted lips, stiffening slightly as Vegeta stirred, turning onto his side as he now faced the wall.

“Knock! Knock!” came a voice, as the sound of the door opening shook him awake from his musings. Getting up with a start, he quickly pulled the covers over Vegeta, effectively hiding him as he slipped into his boxers quickly.

“Hey, Kakkarrot. Are you awake yet? It’s time for early morning round-ups.” Gohan said, walking into the darkened room. “Ah ha! There you are! Sorry if I woke you up too early, but you know….Flint….”

“Yeah, I know.” Kakkarrot said hastily, shooing Gohan out of the room. He didn’t want his friend to notice the mess or Vegeta in his bed for that matter. “Could you give me a few minutes? I have to get changed here.”

“Okay…I will just wait for you…hey!” Gohan said, raising an eyebrow at the way Kakkarrot looked. “Is that…chocolate?”

Kakkarrot flushed as memories of last night filled his mind again. ~ Oh, Gohan, you have no idea. ~

“Umm…yeah….so?”

“Why are you covered in chocolate?”

“No reason. Let’s just go, okay? I gotta go take a quick shower anyways.”

“But…Where is your roommate?” Gohan asked sharply, looking quizzically at the other still-made bed. “You can’t tell me he is awake already. If I know Vegeta, he probably…”

“He is not here!” Kakkarrot said sharply, scowling now at Gohan’s persistence. Didn’t the guy ever get a hint? Seeing the puzzled glance that was thrown his way, he continued hastily, “I mean, I haven’t seen him. I just woke up and…he was gone.”

“Oh.” Gohan said, a frown now lighting up his handsome face. “I guess I will have one of the officers check around for him…”

“No!” Kakkarrot shouted, his mind racing a-mile-a-minute. “Uh…Don’t worry about it. I am sure he will turn up sooner or later. You know how he is.” He finished quickly, stealing a worried glance at the stirring figure beneath his blankets. Grabbing a change of clothes and his bathroom needs, he tugged on Gohan’s arm and pulling the puzzled boy out of the room, he spoke in as calm a voice as possible, “I hope we aren’t too late. Wouldn’t want to keep Flint waiting now, would we?”

“Umm…”

“Oh! I forgot one more thing. Could you wait for me, for just a sec?” Kakkarrot said, not waiting for Gohan’s reply as he darted back into the room.

Walking up to the bed again, he got down on his knees and stared at Vegeta with reawakened thoughts and eyes, drinking in the sight of the boy he was going to miss in a few months. Leaning forward and with a soft whisper of ‘good-morning’ he brushed his lips against Vegeta’s forehead, placing his finger against the soft lips and then with lithe grace he jumped back up to his feet and left the room, forgetting the second most important thing he had to do.

Vegeta twisted and turned restlessly, trying to figure out his way of the most god-awful maze. He could see the end of the maze and the lone figure standing there waiting for him. He was close, he could almost reach him, but just when he thought he had gotten to his destination, the figure would seem to be even farther away. Growling in frustration, he tried to run, but then his feet got tangled in something that looked like creeping vines. With a snarl, he tried slashing through the thick ropes, but it seemed to choke him, binding him, preventing him from reaching his destination. With a desperate cry, he called out to the figure,

“Kakkarrot!!”

With a jerk, Vegeta jumped off the soaked pillows, clenching his fists tightly against the sheets as his eyes darted frantically around.

~ Kakkarrot? Where was Kakkarrot?! ~

He was alone in the room. Alone amongst the tousled sheets, filled with evidence of their lust-filled activities last night. Getting up quickly, he winced at the dull ache in his groin, smiling to himself that it was all worth the pain. Pulling off the sheets, he began to tidy up the room, noticing that it was almost time for the early morning round-ups, which meant two cold hours of jogging around the stupid Home grounds again. Stuffing the dirty linen into the laundry bag, he remade Kakkarrot’s bed with cleaner sheets. Smiling (he couldn’t seem to stop doing that), as he picked up Kakkarrot’s dumped uniform, he began to fold it neatly, when he noticed the official-looking letter that lay on the floor.

Bending down, he picked it up, intending to put it back amongst Kakkarrot’s clothes, when he noticed his name finely printed on the envelope. Feeling his heart thud painfully against his chest, he opened the letter with trembling fingers, wondering silently what it could possibly be about. Unfolding the white paper, he read and re-read the letter over and over again, his face draining of color as the words seemed to jump out at him in fury.

Vegeta swallowed tightly, clenching the paper into a rumpled mass in his tight fists.

~ How could he? How could he do this to me?! Who the fuck does he think he is?! ~

With an angry growl, he kicked out the laundry bag, dumping out the carefully placed dirty linen onto the bed he had so lovingly made. He stalked to Kakkarrot’s closet and with a sneer, he began yanking out his carefully hung uniforms, dumping them unceremoniously to the floor.

“You fucking bastard!! I hope you are happy, Kakkarrot!” He yelled in anger, rushing over to Kakkarrot’s books and tossing them angrily against the wall. “Just a little going away present, Lieutenant! After all…I am fucking incompetent!! Arrrgghhhhh!!”

Finally expending out all his frustrations and anger, he collapsed onto the floor in a heap, tears of hurt and pain falling silently down his cheeks. He couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t just the fact that he was required to leave, but the stupid reasons for the transfer. Incompetence? Incompetence at what?! He had basically sunken low for the bastards in this building, swallowed his pride, given up his little free time to help Kakkarrot’s friends with their little odd jobs here and there and for what? Just to have Kakkarrot request his transfer?

“Damn you! Damn you! Damn you to hell, Kakkarrot!! Damn you for doing this to me!!”

He remembered Kakkarrot’s tirade last night and he felt his anger well up again. All he seemed to care about was his stupid ranking in this place. Everybody else’s feelings could go to hell, just as long as he kept his reputation in place. God forbid anyone ruin Lieutenant Kakkarrot’s blemish free record.

Sitting up, he wiped away the tears from his face and solemnly began packing away his few belongings. He had to report to his new sleeping quarters in a few minutes and he had no time to waste.

Kakkarrot ran down the names of his new recruits again. Another busload had come in early this morning and he was now staring at a whole new bunch of whiny, sniffling crybabies. Groaning inwardly, he stole another glance at his former squad wistfully. Major Flint had made him in charge of the new recruits, giving his old squad to a newly promoted Lieutenant, who looked anything but secure in his new position. Tucking the notepad underneath his armpits, he began to address his new squad, going through the normal protocol in automated tones, as his mind roamed to the events of last night.

There was no doubt in his mind that his feelings for Vegeta were a whole lot more than just friendly curiosity. He was really beginning to have a soft spot for the temperamental boy. His vitality, his smarts and his contagious deviousness, seemed to be a perfect match for his own temperament. Sighing softly, he closed his eyes, letting the memories of how good it had felt with Vegeta flow through his body creating a dull heat and flush to his nether regions.

“Ahem! Kakkarrot!”

“What?!” He snapped in anger, irritated at having his wonderful thoughts interrupted.

“Well, excuse me for breathing.” Trunks said, feigning shock as he waved his hands in mock surrender. “Just wanted to remind you that you are supposed to be heading towards the cafeteria for breakfast…unless you want your squad to attack you with their rabid hunger.” He sniggered lightly, as they both stared at the group of exhausted boys.

“Fine.” Kakkarrot said, smiling softly at his friend. Turning towards his team, he yelled out, “All right, guys! Time for breakfast!”

He was unable to stop the grin that flickered through his face as the boys rushed towards the cafeteria and the smell of fresh coffee. As if on cue, a cup was shoved into his hands as Gohan appeared out of the blue with the delicious drinks. Nodding in gratitude, the three boys strolled silently, and making themselves comfortable on one of the many stone benches that graced the large estate, they looked out across the lush lawns as the early morning sun made its way out of the large trees, bathing its soft orange glows across the landscape.

“Hmm…beautiful.” Trunks said softly, sipping the dark drink and hunching himself within the large green jacket.

“Yeah...” Gohan agreed, nodding at his companions.

Several quiet minutes passed as each boy enjoyed the relative peace and quiet. They would have to go back to their daily activities in a few minutes, but for now, they were content to enjoy the serenity and scenery.

“I never did see your roommate this morning, Kakkarrot. Where is he?” Gohan asked suddenly, making Kakkarrot choke on his drink.

“Umm…he is…”

“I saw him going into the junior quarters this morning…seemed to be packing his whole knapsack or something.” Trunks said carelessly, not noticing the now pale face of Kakkarrot.

“What is he doing in the junior quarters so early?” Gohan asked puzzled. “Did you send him there for something, Kakkarrot?”

By this time, Kakkarrot couldn’t trust himself to speak.

~ Oh, my God! Vegeta…he must have seen the letter! Kuso!! ~

“Ka-Chan? Are you alright?” Gohan asked, looking at his friend in worry. Trunks also stared as well, now realizing that Kakkarrot was looking rather sick.

“I am sorry, guys. I have to run. There is something I have to see…umm…check.” Kakkarrot said quickly, tossing his coffee cup into the nearby trashcan as he headed briskly towards his quarters. Silently he hoped and prayed that he wasn’t too late. He had to explain to Vegeta.

~ Oh, please, Vegeta. Forgive me. ~

“So you are the famous Private Vegeta.” The captain said, grinning smugly at the stoic-looking boy in front of him. “Welcome to your new home.”

Pushing the door open, Vegeta was led into a much smaller room (compared to Kakkarrot’s) filled with two double-bunk beds and a single table and two chairs and some closet space for the boys to stuff their clothes in. Three pairs of eyes watched his entrance with interest as the captain addressed them.

“All right, men. This is your new roomie. Make him feel at home.”

“Yes, sir!”

The door shut firmly behind him and the boys stared at each other before a voice Vegeta thought he had gotten rid of, spoke up,

“Huh, huh. It’s Vegeta. Huh..huh…”

~ Great. I am stuck with acne boy. ~

“Hey, Vegeta!” Yazuha said in glee, jumping out of his top bunk position and landing in front of the smaller boy, taking Vegeta’s knapsack away from him and placing it on the lower bunk beneath his own. “Welcome to our version of ‘Animal House.’”

“Hiya, Vegeta!” Akira said, smiling in greeting as he focused his attention back to his sketches.

Vegeta stared at his new roommates and groaning inwardly, he mustered a weak smile in greeting.

“Don’t worry, Vegeta!” Yazuha said, excitedly. “We are gonna have loads of fun.”

~ Yay. I can’t wait. ~ “Sure.” He replied flatly, allowing himself to be dragged into the room.

Kakkarrot almost collided with several of his fellow officers in his hurry to get to his room. Muttering quick apologies and ‘excuse me’s, he finally got there, jerking the door open in a hurry and gasping in horror, shock and growing fury at the mess in front of him.

“Whoa! Did a tornado go through here or something?” One curious officer asked, sticking his head into the room.

With a growl, Kakkarrot pushed the nosy boy out and with a curt, “Stay the fuck out of my business!” he slammed the door shut.

Kakkarrot grit his teeth in anger as he began picking up the dumped clothes and uniform. He could understand Vegeta’s anger, but for what? If he had seen the letter, that was understandable. All it had really said was that Vegeta was to move out of the senior quarters due to the availability of space in the junior quarters, at least that was what he had told the officer at the administrative desk to write down in the memo. There really was no need for Vegeta to destroy his property like this.

“Fuck this!” He snarled angrily, stuffing the dirty linen into his laundry bag.

“Fuck what…what the hell happened here?!” Gohan asked sharply, stepping into the room.

“Can’t I have my own privacy anymore?!” Kakkarrot asked in frustration, about to really lose his patience with all the intrusion.

“What did that little fuck do here, Kakkarrot?” Gohan asked again, ignoring the retort.

“What do you think he did?” He snapped in return, bending down again to pick up some more of his tossed items.

“That’s it, Kakkarrot! You cannot allow this to continue.” Gohan said curtly, frowning at his friend.

“What are you talking about?”

“You know what I mean, Kakkarrot. You have to punish Vegeta. I don’t care how you do it. But you cannot allow him to get away with this. This is an insult to your authority and if you won’t do it, then allow me.”

Kakkarrot stared at the determined look on his best friend’s face and sighing in resignation, he agreed half-heartedly, “Fine, Gohan. I will punish him.”

“Good. You are doing the right thing, Ka-Chan. Vegeta needs to be put in his place.” Gohan said softly, placing a reassuring hand on the tense shoulders.

~ Oh, he is in his place all right. ~ Kakkarrot thought miserably. ~ Right here in my heart. ~

Office of the Administration