~ denotes thoughts

CHAPTER SIX:

It was a very quiet walk to the famous ‘Hole’ at the Home. The two senior officers held the passive boy between them, each wondering why he hadn’t pulled a tantrum yet. The ‘Hole’ was one of the highest levels of punishment anyone could receive. Situated in the very last building on the large estate, the ‘Hole’ was a tiny steel walled room with only a tiny slit at the door for light. For anyone who had been there, it was not a fun experience to say the least. Most of the boys barely made it in there for an hour, some fainting at the first moments of getting there at all. Coupled with the intense feeling of claustrophobia, the room could be extremely cold at nights and on hot summer days, it could reach as high as a hundred degrees.

The officers and Vegeta arrived at the building and were led into the tiny hallway that led to the room itself. Vegeta, who had relatively kept his mouth shut throughout the long walk, began to sense the enormity of the situation. From the outside, the door looked like it led to a dungeon and his sense of security and toughness was beginning to fade fast. Licking suddenly dry lips, he tried not to show his growing nervousness as the officers released him.

“Private, you may go into the bathroom to wash your face and do whatever else you have to do. After that, you will strip and hand over your uniform to me.” Captain Mitch said, wincing inwardly at the extra humiliation the boy had to go through.

“What the hell do you mean by strip?! I am not going in there naked!” Vegeta yelled in anger, feeling his frustration build at an alarming rate.

“Those are our orders, Private. Now do it or we will do it for you!”

“NO! You will have to drag me in there!” Vegeta growled, bracing himself for a fight.

The two officers glanced at each other in slight worry and fear, but then frowning, Mitch said calmly, “Please, Vegeta. Don’t make this hard for all of us. Just do as you are asked and it will be over in no time.”

“Fuck you, too!” Vegeta screamed as he made a mad dash for the silent officer, clutching his throat as he began choking the helpless boy.

Captain Mitch was startled at the outburst and seeing that his companion was about to collapse from lack of air, he got out his baton and with a good swing; he gave Vegeta a good whack at the back of his head. He watched as the hysterical boy finally collapsed onto the ground, regretting the fact that he had had to use force. Nodding to his fellow officer, they both removed Vegeta’s uniform, leaving him completely nude, and then unlocking the door to the tiny room; he was dragged and dumped into the steel prison. Locking the door shut, Captain Mitch sighed wearily, and walking to his desk in the hallway, he sat down and began his long wait.

“How long do you think he will last in there?” the other officer asked softly, still rubbing his throat.

“I dunno. He looks like a tough one. Just hope he knows what’s good for him, and snaps out of his attitude problems, before he dies in there.”

Kakkarrot blinked at the whiteness above his head and for a minute as he thought he had probably died and gone to heaven, before slowly realizing that he was staring at the ceiling in his room. He tried to remember how he had gotten onto his bed. The last thing he remembered was Vegeta nearly dismembering his hands and then…

~ Kami! Vegeta! ~

Getting off the pillows in a hurry, he winced as his arms protested the movement. They felt like they were tied down with extra weights and his head was pounding relentlessly. Suddenly warm hands pressed against his forehead and he jerked around in a hurry, staring straight into questioning blue eyes.

“You are finally awake.” Trunks said softly, brushing his hands across Kakkarrot’s forehead.

“What…what…where is…Vegeta?” He asked through parched lips, as he stared at the empty and clearly not slept in bed. What day was it? What time was it?

“Here drink this.” Trunks said, pushing the cold glass of water to his lips, watching as the taller boy drank the contents greedily. Waiting until he was done, he removed the cup and then trying to stall for time, he began pushing Kakkarrot back against the pillows. “You need to rest. You are kind of ti…”

“Cut the bullshit, Trunks. Where is Vegeta?” Kakkarrot snapped, a frown creasing his brows.

Trunks’s brow furrowed in a scowl as well. Why this sudden concern for the Private all of a sudden? Was something going on that he didn’t know about?

“He was sent to the ‘Hole’, Kakkarrot.” He replied curtly.

“What?!” came the stunned reply. “What for?!”

Trunks gave a quick recount of the events that had happened and watched as Kakkarrot’s face went from shock to anger to something that looked close to pain. Trunks fell silent, knowing what the other boy was going through. Kakkarrot had spent some time in there as well. Three days to be exact, and according to many officers, the longest time spent in there by anyone. He had been sent there in his earlier years here, at a time when all the horrible treatments he had received had come to a hilt. Kakkarrot had finally snapped and had attacked one of the senior officers then, causing the same Major Flint to keep him locked in the claustrophobic room. It had been a humbling experience and Kakkarrot would not have wished that on anyone else.

“How long…?” he asked softly.

“This is the second day, Ka-Chan.” Trunks answered quietly. “According to Mitch, he has refused to eat or anything and he is showing no signs of wanting to admit to his mistakes.”

Kakkarrot clenched his teeth in anger and frustration. Why was Vegeta being so damned stubborn? All he had to do was apologize, even though a chip of his pride would be removed, at least he would spare himself the suffering.

“What kind of a foolish pride is that?” Kakkarrot asked, looking at his best friend for answers.

Trunks shrugged and replied quietly, “I don’t know, Ka-Chan. I don’t know.”

Captain Mitch shook his head in amazement. Three days now. Three days and counting. Kami! The boy was tougher than he had thought. He had reported the events to the Major and the burly man had toughened the punishment, now adding that Vegeta was allowed only a meal a day. Mitch had felt that was pushing it too far and so he had tried to slip some of his own food through the hole in the room to the now eerily silent boy. That was what scared him the most. Vegeta hadn’t yelled, or screamed since the day he had been kept in there. He knew the boy ate because the plates were always returned empty, but apart from that….nothing. He had tried to talk some sense into him, but he had gotten no response.

~ God! I hope he isn’t dead! ~

Meanwhile, in the room itself, Vegeta was crouched against one of the corners of the steel room, his eyes shut as he trembled slightly from the cold. He knew it was night again, because the temperature of the room had dropped dramatically.

~ I guess it must be three days now. ~ He thought to himself, feeling a bit smug at the realization that he had survived this long. He was now on one ration a day, and he had devised a plan to conserve the murky cold food for as long as he could. He silently appreciated the little extra stuff that the officer brought, knowing that the little attention he received meant a lot to him. But there was still a slight pain that seared through him as he thought of his commanding officer and roommate. For a brief moment, they had been locked together in combat, the thrill of a good fight coursing through his veins, making him feel alive again. He had felt the heat of the other boy; he had inhaled the exotic scent of his sweaty skin as they had strained to finish the other off. The memories of that brief moment when their bodies had touched, sent another ache to his nether regions, forcing himself to stifle his groan and to squeeze his eyes shut, clutching the steel walls in hopeless desire and need.

He felt the hot tears prickle behind his eyes. He knew that Kakkarrot had disliked him from the get-go. The contempt in his eyes, the days he would be ignored and avoided like the plague. He had put up the arrogant front in the presence of the taller boy, hiding the dull ache that filled his chest each time he was rebuffed. He tried to tell himself that he didn’t really care what Kakkarrot thought about him, but he knew that it was a terrible lie. Swiping his eyes angrily, he sobbed silently into the cold wall. He wanted so much to please the other boy, to make him take notice, to see that they were equals, despite the stupid ranking. For the past week, he had tried to make it early to his squad formations, had begun doing odd jobs for his friends even. He knew he was acting like a desperado, but he couldn't help it. There was just something about receiving a smile or a good comment from Kakkarrot that always made him feel like mush on the inside.

~ At least, I will be gone in three months and then I will never have to see his face again. ~ He thought, wondering vaguely why that did not make him feel any better.

“I don’t get it Kakkarrot. Why are you doing this?” Gohan asked, watching the pacing boy in bemusement.

It was almost midnight and they were still standing outside Major Flint’s office, waiting for the bastard to finally let them in. Kakkarrot had dragged him here for a reason and he couldn’t quite fathom the logic behind it. About to ask the boy another question, the door to the office finally opened and a tipsy Major greeted them.

“Whhaa…is it?” he mumbled, trying to maintain his intimidating composure.

The two boys stared at him in disgust and swallowing the acid that had risen to his throat, Kakkarrot replied curtly,

“Sir. I am here to request permission for Private Vegeta’s release.”

“Private…oh…you mean Funnyman. Mwhahaha!! NO!” He snapped, about to shut the door in their faces again, when a black boot stuck itself in the doorway and blocked the attempt.

“I am sorry, Major.” Kakkarrot said slowly, in a voice so cold that Gohan stared at this new side to his friend in surprise. “You are about to violate the code of conduct, sir. A student is only allowed to spend a maximum of one or two days in Solitary confinement. Private Vegeta is about to spend his fourth day in there and I refuse to allow it.”

Gohan was now gaping in shock. This was definitely a side to Kakkarrot he had never seen.

“Captain Gohan! You stand there and listen to this baka insult me?! I want you to have him court marshalled! You hear me?!!”

Gohan grit his teeth and then looking sharply at the drunk man, he replied in a toneless voice, “I am sorry, Major. But the Lieutenant is right.”

Kakkarrot gave a small grateful smile to his friend and then turned back to the now shocked expression on the older man’s face.

“All you have to do is sign this here, sir.” He said, shoving the permission slip into his hands. Getting a pen from Gohan, he placed it in the Major’s hand and waited patiently. The Major looked at the stoic faces in front of him and felt a small twinge of fear creep up his spine. Playing his last trump card, he said smugly,

“And if I do not sign?”

“If you do not sign, sir, I will have no other choice but to brief the General about your conduct with some of the new recruits and of course…. your drinking habits.” Gohan answered calmly, unable to stop the smirk that was on his face.

“All right! I will sign the damn papers!” The Major grumbled in consent, scribbling his initials on the paper. “If this incident ever leaks out of here, I will make sure you both disappear into oblivion. Understood?!”

“Yes, sir!” The boys saluted smartly, grinning at their victory, before heading towards the lonesome building behind the school.

Kakkarrot couldn’t explain the rationale either. He could have just let the matter go and let the cocky bastard die in his own waste, but he had found that difficult to do. His mind screamed that he was only doing it to clear his conscience, after all he had taken up the boy’s offer to fight and he had been punished for it. His heart, however, screamed of something else. Perhaps it was the one time he had heard Vegeta cry or the giddiness and excitement of the fight they had had, he would never know. What he did know, was that, he had begun to care for the fool and he knew that was definitely against the rules in his book.

“Hiya, Mitch.” He greeted the dozing Captain, who snapped awake in a flash, noticing his visitors.

“Thank Kami! You guys have come to get him, right?!”

The boys grinned at the relief that was plastered all over the other officer’s face and then followed the practically leaping boy towards the steel door. Kakkarrot felt his hands get clammy with sweat as they approached it. It had been a long time since he had been in here, but it never failed to give him a sense of déjà vu all over again. The sound of the jangling locks and bolts further gave him cause, as he felt a slight tremor flow through his now feverish body. Swallowing tightly, he forced himself to stare at the door, gearing himself for the sight he was able to witness.

“HOLY SHIT!” came the sharp cry from Mitch, as the three boys took in the sight of the pale and sickly-looking Vegeta who was still crouched against the wall, sleeping or dead. The stench from the room was too much and Mitch asked shaking, “Is he dead?”

Kakkarrot couldn't speak. His whole body had gone into a state of numbed shock.

~ Kami, Vegeta. What has that bastard done to you? ~

Walking into the room, not caring about the stench or the mess, he crouched beside the still body and shook it gently. “Vegeta?” he called out softly. For a moment, he was ignored, before dull, red rimmed and sunken onyx eyes turned around slowly to stare at him sightlessly. Kakkarrot felt like screaming in anger. Those taunting, sharp, piercing orbs of blackness were gone. Instead a weariness, resignation and emptiness filled them. Unable to stop himself, he reached for the other boy’s face and caressed it softly, feeling his chest tighten with an emotion he couldn't define, as he brushed the now limp strands of hair away from his eyes. Staring deeply into the dull eyes before him, he said quietly, “I am taking you out of here, okay?”

Not expecting any response, he lifted the slight figure into his arms and walked out of the room. Turning around to face the other two officers, he begged with his eyes. Not needing him to say the words out loud, Gohan and Mitch nodded in understanding. Smiling gratefully, Kakkarrot wrapped the shivering body with his jacket and then stepped out into the cold night air.

A few officers were still awake as Kakkarrot walked into the building with his burden. They all nodded in silent greeting and understanding as he made his way to the showers. He had to give Vegeta a bath. To be honest, he stunk.

Fortunately the showers were empty and stepping into one of the stalls, he gently dropped the limp figure onto the tiled floor, frowning as he faced a dilemma. There was no way he was going to give Vegeta a shower with his clothes on and he knew that Vegeta wasn’t going to do it by himself. So engrossed was he in his thoughts, he completely forgot that he had his hand on the tap and with an unconscious yank, a douse of icy cold water gushed out onto their bodies making Vegeta howl in pain and emitting a surprised gasp from Kakkarrot. Vegeta flailed around like a fish, trying to stop the descending water and in the process, he grabbed a fistful of Kakkarrot’s shirt, pulling him into the shower and causing them to fall clumsily to the shower floor.

“Dammit, Vegeta! My uniform is all wet!” He screamed in irritation, turning the shower towards warm/hot, as he felt the shivering body hang desperately onto him for dear life. Feverish black eyes stared at him in fear and confusion and Kakkarrot felt like a heel for his outburst. “I am sorry, Vegeta. I didn’t mean to yell at you.” He said softly. “Here. Let me help you.”

Grabbing the soap and sponge, he began to scrub Vegeta down gently, no longer caring that he was getting soaked to the skin. It was kind of difficult to do a good job, because for starters, Vegeta had refused to get off him and secondly, he found himself getting hopelessly aroused by the friction that was being caused from the smaller boy rubbing himself against him.

“Please, Vegeta. I have to give you a good shower or you will stink like hell tomorrow.” He muttered out weakly, as Vegeta stared at him with a look that clearly meant that he had no plans to release the taller boy any time soon. Sighing in resignation, he began scrubbing again, feeling his face heat up as he felt Vegeta burrow his head against his chest and press himself even closer to his already taut body. Gritting his teeth, he scrubbed faster, pushing Vegeta back a bit, to crouch down. His face went a bright crimson as he came face to face with a very erect piece of flesh. Swallowing, he shut his eyes and began to scrub blindly, working his way around muscled thighs. Accidentally brushing against the swollen flesh, he heard Vegeta moan softly, and raising his head sharply, for fear he had hurt him, he flushed as he stared at the look on Vegeta's face. Through the cascading water, Vegeta's eyes were hooded, his lips slightly parted as his face had also gained some bright spots of color.

~ Kuso! ~

Standing up abruptly, he quickly rinsed Vegeta down and switching the shower off with more force than necessary, he said in a strained voice,

“All done. Here.” He said, tossing a towel to the shivering boy. Vegeta tried to stand on his own, but not having moved anywhere that much for three days, it was extremely difficult. Kakkarrot watched as a bit of Vegeta’s stubborn nature showed through as he tried to make it out of the bathroom by himself. Bracing himself, he strode up to Vegeta and lifted him up, earning a frustrated growl and scowl from him. Smiling softly, he led them down the empty hall and into their room and shutting the door firmly behind them, he placed Vegeta gently on his bed.

Going through Vegeta’s uniforms, he found his sleeping outfit and silently began dressing the boy, trying very hard not to stare into those eyes that were watching his every move. Feeling ridiculous as he fretted over Vegeta, he pulled back the blankets and tucked the unresisting boy within the sheets, knowing that he probably looked silly. Making sure that Vegeta was comfortable enough, he turned away and began stripping out of his own soggy uniform, not really caring if Vegeta watched or not, although, his cheeks burned at the fact that he was being watched.

Slipping into his own bed, he turned out the lights and faced the wall trying to will sleep into claiming him. For several minutes, the only sound that filled the room was the slow ticking of the clock. Kakkarrot was just about to finally give in to his weariness, when he heard the softly spoken words.

“Thank you.”

He froze for a moment, not sure of what to do, before that strange warmth flowed through him again. Allowing the smile to reach his voice, he replied quietly, “You are welcome.”