Chess

Disclaimer: I don’t own DB/Z/GT or any of the characters found in this fic. They are the property of TOEI ANIMATION in Japan and FUNimation in the U.S.A.


I also do not own the song or lyrics One Night in Bangkok by Murry Head.

I had no idea that the song was actually part of a larger stage show named ‘Chess’ written by Benny Andersson, Bjor Ulvaeus and Tim Rice. Which I own no rights to either.

I am not making any money from this work of fanfiction.

A/N- This is actually a G/V get together fic. However, some of the other pairings may surprise you. :) I think there’s only one cannon couple in here. Obviously VERY A/U.

I hope this is a fun read for anyone who may be interested in such a combination. (DBZ/chess (the game, not the play.))


Beta’d by Hoshi. Thank you Hoshi! (And thanks to rdk and chibi_vegeta for catching a few others).

Rating – PG13 – or at least that’s what I was hoping for.

Warnings – OOC, A/U, mentions and kisses of M/M, mentions and kisses of M/F, chess, foul language, some minor roles of OC’s.

Maegerakawaii – I think shy Radditz is adorable also. :P Don’t want to say too much about whether or not Goku and Vegeta make up and ruin it.

Anz! Ah – yes – Bardock. There’s a surprise there. :)




Round 14


“Hey Krillan,” Goku said as he knocked on the door to his friends’ room. He heard quiet footsteps a moment before the door opened.

Krillan held a finger to his lips. “Ssssh,” he jerked a thumb towards one of the beds. “Yamcha didn’t get in until the sun got up,” he told Goku. “What can I do for you buddy?” he asked as he stepped out into the hallway, keeping the door propped open an inch with the heel of one foot.

Goku lowered his voice, “Did you want to go with us tonight?” he asked.

“I thought contestants were allowed only one guest,” Krillan said, one eyebrow raised in curiosity.

Goku rubbed the back of his head while he grinned. “Yeah, but I am pretty certain I can get Mr. Shore to skip that formality for the last night.”

Krillan grinned. “You probably could. However,” and now he blushed, “I – I have a date tonight.”

Now it was Goku who raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “Yeah?” When Krillan’s only confirmation was a shy nod he continued. “Who?”

Krillan looked down at the floor and fidgeted a bit before he answered, “Jane Laurel.”

Goku couldn’t help the bark of excited laughter before he sobered, remembering who was still sleeping. “Wow, Krillan!” he said excitedly, “When did that happen?”

“Last night after most everyone left from the Ox King’s castle,” Krillan said as his eyes grew distant with memory. Then he shook himself back to the present. “We talked for a long time.” Krillan smiled now. “She’s very smart.”

Goku nodded. “Are congratulations in order?” he asked.

Krillan shook his head. “Why? For a first date? Come on, man.” he said.

Goku chuckled quietly, but stopped when he noted Krillan’s mood change slightly. “What’s up?”

“Last night…” Krillan started. He hesitated as he looked both directions down the hall and finding it clear he continued, “Last night, I saw you kissing that alien Prince,” he finally said. He noted Goku’s posture stiffen and hurried to state – “I was shocked at first,” he looked down at his feet before he continued, “That’s one of the things Jane and I talked about. Please don’t be upset,” Krillan begged, “But I – I want you to know I am okay with it now. It just came as a surprise.” The shorter man finally raised his head so he could see Goku’s reaction.

Goku was quiet for a moment, chewing his bottom lip in an unfamiliar gesture of nervousness as he thought about what Krillan had said. “By the time I had figured my um – persuasion – we had grown apart some,” his gaze drifted to a spot on the wall before he continued, “And there never really was a very good situation to just pop into a conversation with a ‘by the way, I am gay, but don’t tell anyone, because it might hurt my family’s company’,” he looked back at Krillan. “I didn’t mean to keep it a secret from people I care about. Sorry.”

Krillan waved him off, “Don’t worry. I got over it quick.” Now he smirked. “I think the one you’ll have to worry about is passed out,” Krillan snickered.

Goku sighed in relief, “Yeah…well, after tonight, I am hoping it won’t be too much of a secret,” now it was Goku’s chance to grin.

“Oh?” Krillan asked.

Goku settled down before saying, “Well, I hope. I did some silly things last night. Bulma has been working with me to figure out how to fix them,” he admitted, “But most of the fixing is going to have to be on my part.”

Krillan crossed his arms as he thought. “Well, I wish you the best of luck,” he unfolded his arms and slapped Goku on the shoulder. “Go get ‘em. Or should I say ‘him’?” Now he chuckled, “Sorry, lame! But I am still getting used to it!”

Goku chuckled in response, “Yeah. So, now that that’s cleared up – you’re more concerned about my sexual preference than the fact I could be an alien?”

Krillan’s smile widened. “Oh, that,” he waved his hand, “I am sort of relieved…”

“Relieved?” Goku asked, puzzled by the answer.

Krillan nodded, “Yeah, I was always trying to keep up with your jumps in strength. Now that I know you aren’t human – well, I have an excuse to not be as strong as you are.”

“Oh,” Goku sobered a bit at this insight into his friend’s thinking. He didn’t know how to respond though.

“Relax, Goku,” Krillan said as he turned to go back into the hotel room, “You’re still my good friend. This new knowledge I have about you doesn’t change that.”

Goku nodded happily as Krillan waved good-bye and said, “Have a great time tonight!”


~o0o~


Goku popped his neck as he walked towards the table set up with the Chess set – mentally trying to prepare himself for what could be a very intense evening. He could so kick himself for the way he had overreacted the night before.

Things had been done and said now that he couldn’t take back – he’d just have to find away around the walls, boulders, what-ever-you-wanted-call-the-monumental-obstacles he’d created. Just be yourself – had been his sister’s parting advice. She and Eddie were going to be running a little late. Goku would have welcomed their company, but in a way he was happy to have to face Vegeta on his own.

Goku paused, taking a big breath and letting it out slowly before he approached the table. Vegeta was already seated with his back to Goku. One more mental shake and a quiet, “Just be yourself,” encouragement to himself and Goku came around the side of the table where he was to be seated. “Good evening, Vegeta,” he said in greeting while holding out his hand for a welcoming shake.

Vegeta seriously considered ignoring the hand held out in offered greeting. He made sure to make that abundantly clear with both his eyes and his hesitation before gripping his opponent’s hand powerfully. “Goku,” he said, mentally chuckling at the slight discomfort that flittered across his challenger’s face before he let go. It certainly hadn’t been enough to hurt a fellow saiyan, but he hoped the grip was enough to let Goku know he wasn’t going to sit back and let this game go by in weakness. He wasn’t prepared for Goku’s come back – nothing much, at least to those around them – they wouldn’t have been able to feel or see the way the younger man’s fingers tickled his palm as their hands parted.

Vegeta mentally snarled even as the fur on his tail rose and then settled in a different reaction entirely. Either the man was trying to play against a sexual weakness he perceiveD or hoped were present, or he was trying to apologize. It was difficult to tell and Vegeta decided to play the safest bet, staring the other man in the eyes as he sat in his chair, hoping to convey a ‘I felt it and am not falling for it,’ response.

Goku knew it wasn’t going to be easy – he couldn’t say things that needed to be said with all the spectators around – but that hadn’t been much of a hand shake, no matter what angle one looked at it. It conveyed strength, that was for certain, but it also conveyed a defensiveness – had he really hurt Vegeta’s feelings that badly? He had to guess so as he sat, his dark gaze caught by the intense and equally dark gaze of his opponent.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! As I am certain you are all aware, this is to be the last night of the tournament. I want to thank everyone in advance for coming to this little get together,” Mr. Shore began. There were several chuckles around the room from the audience at his modest term of ‘little’.

“Tonight, for our final round, we have Goku Briefs.” There were several cat calls and much clapping in response. “Ah, popular as ever I see,” Mr. Shore winked at Goku in a side joke and familiarity Vegeta did not appreciate – it set his teeth on edge. “And Prince Vegeta. A surprise and welcome addition to this year’s tournament.” Mr. Shore bowed his head in acknowledgment of Vegeta’s title and apparent skill at the game.

“For our other guests, please let me remind you, there is a hefty sum to be won and it would be considered bad taste to try and distract the players while the game is in progress. Observation is welcome, but please keep socializing to the dinning hall. Thank you!”

A server stepped up to the table as Mr. Shore walked away. “Would either of you care for something to drink before the game starts?” he asked.

Goku really wanted to undo the button at the top of his shirt and have a stiff drink. He frowned, “Water, please?” Neither wanted to convey nervousness or a lack of respect to his opponent.

“For me, as well,” Vegeta stated.

They both sat as the server walked away to fulfill their requests, Goku looking away quickly after Vegeta caught his gaze again. The damn things the other man could say with his eyes alone made Goku want to squirm in his chair.

The crowd continued to murmur amongst themselves, oblivious to the non-verbal chastising Goku was receiving, as they waited for the game to proceed. “So, uh, Vegeta…what are you going to do after the game?” Goku finally asked, hoping to distract the prince.

Vegeta folded his arms over his chest and shrugged. “Probably pay Ox King back for sponsoring me, and then go home. There is nothing to keep me here,” he said.

Goku frowned at what Vegeta said without saying it. Paying the Ox King back meant Vegeta thought he was going to win. That parting shot about ‘nothing to keep me here’ was just – upsetting.

Before he could respond their waters arrived. Goku nodded his thanks as both competitors sipped at their drinks. Vegeta kept his eyes trained on him, which Goku found slightly disturbing. “Look, I am sorry…” he was shrugged off before he could continue.

“I don’t think this is the place for that,” Vegeta said as he sat forward.

Another server came to the table, shifting uncomfortably before asking, “Are you ready to begin?”

“Yes,” Vegeta stated. Goku sighed unhappily before he nodded his consent.

Goku managed to mentally shake himself out of his slump within the first dozen exchanges. He joked slightly with a couple of the observers while Vegeta made his moves, talked while making some of his own decisions. Smiled when Eddie and Bulma finally showed up. “About time,” Goku said as Bulma bent to kiss him on the cheek.

“Going that well, huh?” Bulma asked as she straightened.

“Too early to tell,” Goku replied, interrupted by a growl from Vegeta indicating it was his turn.

“Ah, I see,” Bulma looked over at Vegeta, wishing dearly she could just stick her tongue out at his behavior.

“We have thirty-one minutes left in this first phase, Goku…please stop wasting time. If you feel you are going to lose this game, go ahead and forfeit now,” Vegeta stated, gaining vicious pleasure as it looked like the rib had hit exactly whom it had intended – Goku’s sister. He chuckled as her date for the evening pulled her away from the table before she could verbally lash out at him.

Goku’s brows drew together as Eddie pulled Bulma away. “Relax, will ya?” he asked of Vegeta as he turned his attention back towards his opponent.

“Hn,” was Vegeta’s reply as Goku made his next move – and took his rook.

Goku set the captured piece down on his side of the table while trying extremely hard not to smile in premature triumph. He really wanted to rub Vegeta’s nose in it though.

Vegeta assessed the table and made his move – capturing one of Goku’s pawns.

Things settled down verbally between them, although Goku continued to look to the crowd, mostly Eddie and Bulma who had returned, for mental buoyancy. Goku thought Vegeta was too casual about losing pieces. Vegeta noted Goku tried to protect his pieces too much.

Goku played the game in his usual manner – carefree and letting the crowd and folks around him distract him. Usually, it wasn’t a big deal as he’d also be able to get his opponent to participate in the banter and socializing. He would be able to look back at the board during his turn and figure out what had changed and what his opponent’s plan was.

Not Vegeta – the prince was single – mindedly focused when playing the game and apparently very difficult to distract. When they reached the timed portion of the game, Goku realized he might have seriously underestimated Vegeta’s determination. Sure, he could see where Vegeta had moved his pieces, but he hadn’t been able to figure out what the prince’s plan was.

Vegeta was very smug and not ashamed to show it when he made his last move, “Checkmate,” he sneered at the crowd as they grew silent. He sat back and let his pleasure in Goku’s defeat settle into his body language rather than his facial features.

Goku’s eyes narrowed at Vegeta as Mr. Shore came to the table, “We’ll take a hour break…”

“Half hour,” Goku almost snarled while glaring at Vegeta.

“Um…” Mr. Shore turned his attention to the prince. “Do you agree?”

Vegeta waved a hand in a manner that was more relaxed than usual. “Whatever. A half hour is fine.” Then he leaned forward. “Or we could just start the next game now,” he almost purred at Goku.

Goku was about to agree when Bulma stepped up and interrupted, “Goku – I need to talk to you,” the urgency in her voice saying how very much she didn’t think her sibling had a choice in the matter.

Goku sat back. “Half hour,” he repeated before he stood to follow his sister.

Once they were out of the main hall Bulma turned on him. “What’s the matter with you?” she asked.

“Did you see him? He was gloating over the fact…” Goku began.

“And you are playing straight into his type of game. Knock it off,” Bulma said as she pulled some lip-gloss out of her purse and began to apply it without the aid of a mirror. “Stop playing by the strings he’s pulling, Goku,” Bulma said as she put the make-up away.

Goku sighed heavily. “It’s just so…difficult,” he finally admitted. “I can’t play the way I usually do,” he told his sister, “I don’t understand the way he thinks about the game and I can’t distract him or get him to loosen up.”

Bulma’s lips tightened as she took a moment to think. “Well, he had you at a disadvantage,” she finally said. “You played most of the game your way before you realized he wasn’t going to react to the strings you were pulling. You had to change tactics in the middle of the game. Maybe…” she hesitated as she thought further.

“Maybe what?” Goku asked desperately.

“Maybe you can throw him off by starting the next round playing with an attitude similar to his? All game, no fun? I think that might get him to wonder what you’re up to.” Bulma smiled. “Might just be enough of a distraction – what do you think?”

Goku smiled back with a little bit of teeth showing. “I think it may just work…although I’ll have a difficult time being such a tough nut.”

Bulma rolled her eyes. “Don’t you mean ‘asshole’?”

Goku shrugged. “He has cause to be a jerk this evening and it is my fault.”

Bulma sighed and nodded – disappointed that her brother would admit that so freely. “Okay. Of course, you realize, if you do win, this thing goes into a third game tonight.”

Goku rubbed his hands together as he turned to head back towards the table. “Looking forward to it.”

Bulma rolled her eyes at her brother’s back as she followed him to the table. She noted Vegeta looked as though he hadn’t moved from his spot, and while the game wasn’t happening, everyone seemed to be avoiding him. She could attribute that to the condescending look he’d given the crowd when he won the first game. No one here wanted to be made to feel lower than the rest of the group. She smiled as Eddie came to stand next to her. “How’s it going?” she asked.

Eddie shrugged before he looked at her. “As well as can be expected when the winner is acting like a prick,” he whispered so he wouldn’t be overheard.

“Ah,” Bulma responded. Yes, she could see where many of these folks would be insulted by Vegeta’s gloating. Many of them had been contestants before this evening. Vegeta’s behavior towards the other opponent that had made it this far in the tournament could be considered a slap in the face to the rest of them. She clenched her fist as she really hoped her brother would win the next round, but not for the sake of winning – it might bring his highness down from his high and mighty attitude.

“Are you both ready to begin?” a server asked, shifting a bit nervously around the contestants.

“Yes,” Vegeta stated. At Goku’s consenting nod the server started the timer.

Vegeta moved his king’s pawn forward and sat back. He raised an eyebrow as his opponent looked up at him – and then continued to look at him. Found his tail wanting to twitch as Goku continued to stare at him as the seconds continued to click down on the timer. Just about the time he was about to shift uncomfortably, Goku reached for a piece on the board and made a move – without ever taking his eyes off of him.

Vegeta’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the game while trying to figure out what Goku’s sudden shift in attitude was about. It could be that he was a sore loser – after all, the man hadn’t lost a single game so far this tournament. Or it could be he was finally taking him seriously. Vegeta found he liked that idea much better than the first. Something about Goku being a sore loser didn’t sit well with what he knew of the other man.

Still, as the game wore on, the continued unwavering attention directed at him began to make Vegeta uncomfortable. Goku’s game had changed – that much showed as he took his black bishop – the man wasn’t holding onto his pieces as tightly.

The crowd slowly began to make its way from the main hall to the dining hall as the intensity between the two contestants continued. Many of them unable to handle what they thought of as sustained antagonism, some of them worried the game might actually turn into a real fight – something that had never happened. These tournaments were supposed to be fun.

Goku found himself in a zone – similar to his frame of mind at a martial arts fight. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to socialize with many of his associates – they just became an ignored distraction as the game progressed. When the timed round came he found himself making moves and tapping the timer without even looking at the board directly – everything he needed to know could be found in his opponent’s body language or facial features – the prince wasn’t as stoic as he liked to portray. “Check,” he said as he tapped the timer.

Vegeta frowned and looked around the board, hoping his opponent had left him something to work with. He almost snarled as he realized he only had one move left to him and after that Goku had the game. He moved his rook to block the check.

Goku moved his queen forward. “Checkmate,” he said as he set his piece down, the contact with the board making a decisive clicking noise. He smirked as Vegeta looked up. He didn’t know what he had been expecting in response, but the slowly growing grin over Vegeta’s features wasn’t it. For reasons he couldn’t explain it made Goku want to blush and rub his suddenly sweaty palms dry on his pants. “What?” he finally blurted.

Vegeta’s grin lessened to a smile. “I like a man who can change his tactics when the need arises.” Goku’s change in play had said many things to Vegeta. The man could admit to himself when his normal game wasn’t working. He was willing to put aside feelings when the need arose. He was able to exclude friends and family if he had a goal in mind. “Well played, Goku. Shall we continue?” Vegeta asked as he started setting pieces back on the board.

“Oh,” Goku said, automatically starting to put the pieces back on the board as well, forgetting the fact there should be a break in the game while one of the servers set up the board instead. The prince’s tone of voice had somehow become much more intimate than Goku would have thought possible and the way Vegeta had lowered his gaze wasn’t so much admitting to anything as it was acknowledgement of his well played game.

Many more folks drifted away as they realized they weren’t going to get their normal break between games. A server rushed over to start the timer as Taul realized what was happening and sent her over quickly.

Other guests drifted back to the game as it started, but left quickly as they realized the intensity hadn’t left the table – rather it had increased and changed in a way that made all of them feel awkward. Bulma peeked her head out every now and then from the dining hall, but decided to let Goku continue his bizarre form of apology on his own. It seemed to be working and she certainly didn’t want to distract him when he was obviously doing something right.

Goku found he really enjoyed the game that was being played. More so than he would have thought. With all the other guests deserting the main hall and the servers blending into the background like they should, it seemed like it was just the prince and himself. And Vegeta was able to say the most astounding things with just a look or gesture.

Vegeta found he enjoyed the way Goku responded to his not so subtle hints, but was able to continue a challenging game all the same.

Goku blinked as he watched Vegeta – well caress the bishop he’d just captured. That was the only way he could think to describe it. When he looked at Vegeta’s face he was assured it wasn’t a simple gesture on the prince’s part and he grinned in response. That was a language he could most certainly understand and reciprocate.

Taul was beginning to become alarmed – scratch that – he was appalled at the obscenity he was witnessing. If one of the guests came back he didn’t know what he’d do other than hope they wouldn’t make the same connections he was to the players’ actions. He was starting to think if things continued between the prince and Goku at the current pace the pieces may need to be run through a dishwasher before they were ever used again.

Perhaps the pieces weren’t actually getting dirty, but they were being used to insinuate very dirty things. Washing them would be more for his peace of mind than anything else. He was beginning to wonder when the first sixty minutes of the game would be up. Perhaps the timed portion of the game would cool them off.

Vegeta smirked across the table at Goku. If the man – sayian – was capable of doing half the things his imagination was implying by his abuse of the chess pieces…Vegeta adjusted not so subtly in his seat.

Goku’s eyes narrowed as he licked his lips while he unbuttoned the top three buttons on his shirt and then undid the cuffs as well. The game itself had just become boring. He was much more interested in the game Vegeta was playing. Especially if it involved the various uses of ice cubes the prince had been so bold in demonstrating.

Taul almost had time to sigh in relief as the timer indicated the timed moves of the game should begin. Instead he gasped as it seemed to be some sort of signal for the game to end – without a clear winner. He groaned to himself as the table, board, timer and pieces were tossed to the side by both opponents who seemed to be – well…they wouldn’t really go that far, here…would they?

Guests started filing out of the dinning hall at the ruckus they heard, all fearing a fight had broken out. At first glance it looked that way; both players were on the floor grappling with each other, rolling around, knocking into chairs, just about the time one of them seemed to have gained the upper hand and was about to pin the other the tables would turn – sometimes literally.

Bulma finally made her way past the crowd – got one good look at what was happening and decided she needed to break this up before any real was damage done – mostly to the crowd’s poor minds.

Goku was smirking down at Vegeta as the prince got a leg wedged so they could flip again. He distracted Vegeta from doing so by locking their lips together – totally oblivious of the crowd of spectators that was forming. He chuckled into the kiss as their tongues twined and Vegeta purred. It tickled his tongue – he liked it; began wondering what else Vegeta could purr around…

Goku yelped as something very cold hit him very quickly. Vegeta growled.

They both turned to glare, their profiles dusted white as Bulma continued to spray them with the fire extinguisher. Goku ducked his head away. “Okay! Enough!” he yelled when he thought he wouldn’t get a mouth full of icy foam.

Bulma pulled the nozzle of the extinguisher back, but didn’t put the thing down. “You’re certain? If you can’t control yourselves, I’ll do it again,” she said, tapping her foot.

Goku looked down and snarled quietly as he adjusted his weight so he could stand without putting pressure on Vegeta in hurtful places – he smirked as the prince shifted in order to rub up against him as he moved. “Yeah, yeah…we’ll find some place more appropriate,” he said as he held a hand out to aid the prince in getting up.

Vegeta gripped Goku’s hand, seriously considered pulling the younger man back down so they could continue where they had been so rudely interrupted. He sighed, deciding this wasn’t the place for it – a bed would be very nice. “Don’t ever do that again,” he said as he stood, glaring at Ms. Briefs.

Bulma shrugged. “Well, I would hope not to have to,” she said cheekily.

Goku smirked as he looked Vegeta up and down. “Come on, your Highness. I think we should get you out of your clothes.”

Vegeta grinned. “Ah, I like your plan. My place or yours.”

“Oh, get out of here!” Bulma pointed the extinguisher at them threateningly.

Goku chuckled as he fled the scene. “Don’t come back to the room unless you want an eyeful!” he warned over his shoulder at his sister.

The fire extinguisher made a loud ‘ka-thunk’ as Bulma dropped it to the ground. She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “You can stay at my place,” Eddie offered quietly and then blushed.

Bulma smiled at him sweetly. “Thank you Eddie. I’d like that very much,” she said as she held out her hand. Eddie took it and they made their way around the mess the two men had made.

Taul looked over up as Mr. Shore came into the room. When Mr. Shore looked over at him, he held out his hands in a gesture to indicate there wasn’t much he could have done. “Was there at least a winner?” Mr. Shore asked.

“I think they both were,” one of the servers said. Then she closed her lips up tight as she realized that probably wasn’t the answer her boss was looking for.

Taul shook his head as he looked back to Mr. Shore. “There wasn’t. They hadn’t been a single move in the timed part of the game.”

“So the pieces just went everywhere?” Mr. Shore asked as he looked around at the mess in the main hall. At Taul’s nod he sighed. “I guess we split the winnings evenly then.”

Taul’s shoulders slumped in relief. That had been easier to settle than he had feared.