CHAPTER TWELVE:

A week flew by quickly as Vegeta settled down in his new surroundings. He found himself reluctantly becoming friends with his boisterous roommates. Even acne boy didn’t sound so bad, come to think of it. Despite his annoying voice and disgusting habits, he was pretty much a decent human being. Yazuha and Akira were more his type, loud and petulant, both boys could put up with Vegeta’s mood swings, which seemed to have become more erratic these days.

Vegeta was still finding it extremely hard to get over what Kakkarrot had done to him. Fact of the matter was, he rarely saw the Lieutenant. Since the squad had been assigned a new commanding officer, Vegeta only got a chance to see Kakkarrot during early morning round-ups and that was from a distance away. He missed the taller officer and it killed him slowly every day that he was so close, yet so far from the boy he had shared his most intimate moments with.

The nights were the hardest for him. He would sometimes find himself waking up in the middle of the night, flushed with images in his dreams of Kakkarrot, and turning automatically to his left to check for him, only to come face to face with a snoring Mizuno (acne boy), who seemed to drool all over himself. Vegeta would curl up into a fetal position, moaning softly to himself as he worked away the frustrations that would have built up through the day. He always felt embarrassed after doing it and he always had to change his sheets quickly before his roommates woke up to avoid the questioning glances he was sure to get.

KABOOM!!

Vegeta stared blankly at the flash of lightning that illuminated the darkened room. It was raining badly outside and the sound of thunder nearly gave his asthmatic roommate a heart attack.

“Fuck! I hate the rain.” Mizuno said gruffly beneath the comfort of his blankets.

“You would, you cry baby.” Yazuha said lightly, smirking at the shivering boy. “Hey, Vegeta, are you asleep yet?”

Vegeta debated silently on whether or not to answer, but eventually he answered curtly, “Not anymore.”

“Sorry, if I woke you up.”

“Whatever.”

Silence reigned for several more minutes as the wind picked up dramatically, causing the trees to lash its branches angrily against the windowpanes. Another flash of lightening made Mizuno whimper underneath his blankets and the sound of another ear-splitting thunder made the boy cry out in fear.

“Jesus! Mizuno, could you put a lid on it!” Akira yelled out in frustration. “Some of us are trying to sleep!”

“Sorry.” Mizuno mumbled weakly, raising his spiky short locks out of the sheet and giving an apology-filled look to his companions. “It’s just that…I…am scared…”

“You are always scared.” Yazuha said bitingly.

“Sorry…”

“Hey, Vegeta. There is a question I have been meaning to ask you since that day at the lounge room.” Akira said suddenly, interrupting Mizuno’s apology.

Vegeta stiffened, knowing what the question was going to be. He watched as Akira sat up in his bunk and leaned over the iron support, looking down at him with interested and curious eyes.

“Is it really true? Did you and the Lieutenant…you know…”

“Know what?” Vegeta snapped angrily, not really wanting to talk about anything that had to do with Kakkarrot at the moment.

“Well…you know what I mean…” Akira said hastily, his face getting flushed.

“What Akira is trying to blab out, is, if you and Lieutenant Kakkarrot really had sex together.” Yazuha finished, leaning over his bunk bed as well and staring at his bunk- mate in curiosity.

None of the other boys really knew that much about Vegeta. He was as quiet and uncommunicative as he was vocal and passionate about authority in general. And so it was a rare thing to actually get the scowling-faced boy to open up about anything.

Vegeta stared in dumb shock at all the eyes that were now pinned on him. Shifting uncomfortably within his sheets, he thought about shutting his eyes and completely ignoring them; but then again, Kakkarrot had hurt him and it was only fair. He didn’t care if word got around or not. He was only telling the truth after all. About to open up his mouth to give an answer, the boys suddenly jerked up in alarm as the door burst open with more force than necessary. The shadow that walked into the room was unmistakable and Mizuno slunk back under his sheets not wanting to experience the man’s wrath.

“I see we are all awake now, aren’t we?!” Major General Flint barked out in clipped tones, with a smug look on his face. “ I do believe it was lights-out over an hour ago, but since you boys seem to enjoy some late night activities, I have just the thing for you. Get the hell up and meet me in the front lobby in five minutes!!”

The boys all jumped off their beds in a hurry, dressing up in their daily uniforms, wondering what the hell Flint could possibly have them do in this god-forsaken weather and night.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Kakkarrot doodled idly on his notepad, not realizing he had been scribbling the name ‘Vegeta’ over and over again. He reached for his coffee absentmindedly, downing the black liquid in a gulp. He was supposed to be studying for his upcoming exams in a few weeks. Hopefully, he would pass and be given the scholarship to any college of his choice. However, studying was the last thing on his mind right now. The past week had been hell to go through. He, who had always looked forward to coming back to his room for some peace and quiet, never seemed to take pleasure or joy in that simple routine anymore. He was used to seeing the smaller boy across the room, cuddled up within his blankets every night. The amazing scent and presence of Vegeta haunted him day and night and he could only watch his ex-roommate from afar helplessly, wanting to touch him, to feel, to taste him again, if it meant only one last time.

He had heard the news about Vegeta’s shortened sentence and he had felt crushed as Trunks had blurted it out to him. In two weeks, Vegeta would be gone and things would be back to their normal boring state. Shaking his head in amazement, he wondered when his life here at the Home had suddenly become so boring to him. He hadn’t really given it that much of a thought. It wasn’t until Vegeta had come to the Home, into his life, did he fully understand the dull existence of this place. He needed to get out of here. He needed his…freedom. He felt too restricted in his need for conformity and authority. He needed space. He needed…

~ Vegeta. ~

KABOOM!!

Wincing at the loudness of the thunder, he slid another glance at his sleeping friends. They were in the large library as all three of them had decided to do a little studying together. In just a few minutes, Gohan and Trunks had blacked out with exhaustion. He could hardly blame them. Some new recruits in Trunks’ squad had attempted to strangle several other officers and they had to fight their way through the angry mob of boys, resulting in suspensions, detentions and God knows what else.

~ I would give this whole thing up for you. ~

Kakkarrot jerked up at the stray thought. Would he really give up everything here for Vegeta? It was stupid. There was no way he could let that happen.

“Punish him, Kakkarrot.”

How? Vegeta had gone through hell so far and he had only added to his misery. Why prolong it any further? Nearly snapping his pencil in agitation, he concluded that the best cause of action was to ignore the boy until he left; the least he could do was say goodbye properly.

“I tell you, Flint has finally lost it.” An officer said, walking into the quiet study hall, dripping wet from head to toe.

“What do you mean?” Another one asked, as several heads shot off their books.

“He has several recruits in this god-awful storm, doing push-ups and running in their bare feet around the grounds and you know how muddy this place gets during a storm.”

Kakkarrot asked sharply, “Do you know the recruits?”

“Beats me. But whoever they are, one of them is about to collapse from what looks to be a heart attack.”

Not waiting to hear anymore, Kakkarrot jumped out of his seat, waking up his companions in the process. He had a nasty feeling that he knew who the recruits were.

“Wait up, Kakkarrot!” Gohan cried out, shrugging into his raincoat, as he and Trunks raced after the disappearing boy.

~*~*~*~*~

Mizuno was not doing well at all. He was wheezing very badly now and to top that, the combination of rain and the cold did not do much for him. He was shaking so badly that even Vegeta had to stop.

“Please, sir. Let him go back up. He isn’t doing too well.” Yazuha said earnestly, pleading with the scowling Major.

“Please sir!” Akira begged as well.

“I do not recall asking or telling any of you punks to stop, now did I? Get off your lazy butts and keep on with your push-ups or you will all be spending a week in the ‘Hole’!!”

Vegeta grit his teeth. That was it. He couldn’t take anymore of this man’s bullshit and he had had enough.

“Mizuno cannot continue, Major! He is about to collapse here!” He spat out angrily, clenching his fists as the bigger man spun slowly around to face him.

“Well. Mr. Funny-man seems to have gotten control of his mouth again. I guess we will just have to clip it shut, won’t we?” Turning to Akira and Yazuha, he continued, “Fine! Take the wimp to the sick bay or something before he messes up my boots! And the two of you are excused too. It seems we have someone ready to take over your place as scapegoat.” He finished with a sneer, turning back to face a very pissed-off Vegeta.

Yazuha and Akira lifted the limp Mizuno towards the sick bay, giving quick reassuring smiles to their roommate.

Vegeta watched as the two boys walked away and then with a growl, he faced the smirking man in front of him.

“You bastard.”

“Hn. Is that the best you can do, Private? I guess I will have to brush up your insulting skills. Alright, private…give me your best shot.”

Vegeta stared blankly at the Major for several minutes before realizing that the older man was daring him to hit him.

“Well?! What are you waiting for?! Too chicken to hit me? Or maybe I should spell it out for you! Come on and HIT ME!!”

And before Vegeta could blink, he felt himself flying through the air and then landing painfully on a slush of mud, rubbing at his now aching jaw. He tried to see his way through the downpour as he staggered back up to his feet, when he felt another blow at the small of his back. Grunting in pain, he collapsed to the muddy ground again, his mouth filling with the murky liquid. Spitting it out angrily, he tried to rise to his feet, when he howled out in agony as he felt a heavy boot press firmly upon his hands.

“I guess you need your ears cleaned out, Private!!” Flint spat out, increasing the pressure and grinning in satisfaction at the accompanying cry. “You will never make a good soldier, Vegeta!! And do you know why?! Because it is fags like you that give us a bad name!!”

Vegeta shook his head, feeling the hot tears of anger and humiliation flood down his cheeks. The pain was too much; he could practically feel his bones cracking. Just when he thought his hands were going to be completely crushed, he felt himself dragged up and now face to face with his nemesis.

“You are nothing, Private. A good for nothing…..FUCK!!” The Major yelled as Vegeta had suddenly kicked him in the groin.

Vegeta staggered weakly backwards as the Major released him. He watched through the blinding rain as Flint grabbed his aching balls, grinning smugly in satisfaction.

“You are so dead, Vegeta…” Flint began.

“I don’t think so, Major.” Vegeta said curtly. In a swift move, he spun around and gave the older man a roundhouse kick onto his back, causing him to fall painfully to the muddy earth. Not giving Flint a chance to get up, Vegeta jumped onto his back and began stuffing his face into the murky waters, yelling his frustrations and anger as he forced the man to drink the bitter tasting liquid.

“You bastard!! You stupid, useless piece of shit!! How do you like it now, huh?!! Eat this!! This is for all the shit I had to put up with!!” Vegeta slammed his face into the earth as he spat each sentence out. “This is for my friend, Mizuno!!” SLAM. “This is for keeping me locked in that hell-hole!!” SLAM. “And this….this…is for what you did to Kakkarrot!!” And with every last bit of strength in his being he slammed his fists into the Major’s face, watching as the older man grunted in pain, before laying completely limp on the floor.

Vegeta sat on the lying man’s back for several minutes, gathering precious air, before finally rolling off him weakly. His whole body ached and all he wanted to do was just find a nice warm bath and soak in it and never get up….

“You little fuck!!”

Vegeta stared in amazement and shock as the Major had now somehow risen up again. The man’s face was now a bloody mess, thanks to Vegeta’s blows, and he was not a very happy camper to say the least. Vegeta tried to raise himself up, he didn’t think he had anything left to give.

~ God, I am so screwed. ~

Through the cascading rain, he watched as Flint removed his baton, raising it above his head. Vegeta shut his eyes, waiting for the painful blow, knowing that at least if he died, he had shown the bastard a thing or two, when suddenly a loud cry was heard.

“THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH, MAJOR!!”

Major Flint froze his movements in mid-air as the loud command was heard. Swiveling around quickly, he came face to face with about ten senior officers, all looking at him with mixtures of disgust and hate on their faces. In the lead was Lieutenant Kakkarrot, who looked like he was about to burst a blood vessel. The Major darted fearful and worried eyes to each boy. He was supposed to be in charge of all these officers, but somehow, he knew he was way beyond controlling them now. Kakkarrot looked especially upset. The Major had never seen the boy this mad before. He had a deadly still calm about him that made him very, very uneasy. Clearing his throat nervously, he dropped his baton back into his waist belt and turned to face the scowling officers.

“You can handle him from here on, boys. I think Private Vegeta, here, needs to be punished for his actions.” He said in a slightly shaky tone, noticing that none of the officers made a move towards the smaller boy.

“I am sorry, Major.” Gohan said sternly. “But I am afraid you will have to be escorted to the General’s office. You have been reported to the higher authorities and you are to address the board of staff first thing tomorrow morning.”

Ignoring the angry sputter from the now red-faced Major, Gohan continued in his flat tone. “Captain Mitch and Smith, please escort the Major to his quarters, where he is to remain until further notice.”

“Yes, sir.”

Flint looked at the stoic officer in disbelief. This could not be happening to him. He was a decorated war veteran. He couldn’t allow these young fools to treat him this way. He was their commanding officer for chrissakes! “You little fucks!! All of you!! I trained you all and this is the way you repay me?!! Fuck you all!! You ungrateful pieces of ….”

The remaining officers filed after the screaming Major, leaving Trunks, Gohan, Kakkarrot and Vegeta in the heavy downpour.

For several minutes, no one made a move to break the tense silence, as the enormity of the situation slowly sank in. Finally, Gohan broke the silence, approaching a dazed-looking Vegeta.

“We are sorry about that, Private.” He said gently. “I hope your wounds will heal quickly and you can forgive the Major’s….”

He stopped his sentence when he noticed that his words weren’t exactly sinking into Vegeta’s ears. Spinning around, he noticed with a dawning comprehension that Vegeta was staring straight at Kakkarrot and that the taller boy seemed to be caught in the staring match as well. Coughing and smiling softly to himself, he yanked Trunks by the arm and said jovially,

“Well, then…see you guys later…umm…whenever you are done staring each other down.”

And ignoring Trunks’ protests, Gohan pulled him into the building, leaving Kakkarrot and Vegeta alone in the pouring rain.