Authoress' Note: Yes, it has been quite a while since I last wrote one of these sniplets, but this time, it is one that will explore a complex, horrid relationship between a man and a demon.

Yes, that's right: I'm writing a story regarding Kakarot and his demon/pet thing Youzi.

Youzi: I am no pet, you simplistic and naïve writer. I am a chaotic, demonic presence you do not want to anger.

A/N: And technically, you have no say in how I utilize your character, so unless you want me to tie-dye your fur pink and neon green, you deal with how I handle these notes.

Youzi: *Slinks away.*

A/N: Yeah, that's right. Go back into your little box.

I did use some references from Tales of Berseria (not spoiling the scene if you never played it), Yu-Gi-Oh Abridged Episode 81, and my own personal experiences that explain Kakarot's inner turmoil dealing with a demon that just wants his soul.

~Chibi Mirai Gogeta

Kakarot's Despair

One-Shot

Death.

The parting of life and the eternal rest of those who had breathed their last breath.

For a warrior from an alien world, Kakarot should be used to the bloodshed and merciless killing; however, it was through those who had tortured and forged a rift of distrust that made the Saiyan kill more than necessary. The fact that his kind had guided him down the path of genocide made it more of an excuse to abandon those that he had once shown mercy and permitted to live without penalty.

Then, there was the demonic monkey named Youzi who drove the final nail to the coffin, and he truly persuaded Kakarot to abandon all semblances of mercy towards mankind. The manner in which the demon had suggested playing games with his prey had made killing all the more enjoyable. For a time, Kakarot thought nothing of the way he toyed with the lives of others—making their last moments of life a nightmarish hell on their way to the grave.

And yet, when Kakarot saw the picture on the ground days ago, he saw the love shining in the little girl's eyes—the eyes that shone with eternal admiration towards a man whose life was snuffed out in a blink of an eye. Such thoughts of anyone else holding love made Kakarot jealous that his son did not see him in such a way he would have liked.

No, Karot had been abducted and brainwashed. The son that Kakarot once knew was gone since the child became cold and distant due to the traumas he had witnessed—the senseless death that no kid should ever see at a tender age.

'Your boy is a lost cause you know,' Youzi glanced over Kakarot's shoulder as the latter sat in the darkness of the void of sleep that surrounded them both. The demon's hands dug into the man's shoulders almost though trying to tear him apart slowly piece by piece.

Kakarot glanced over his shoulder and said nothing to the demonic presence. He did not need reminders that he had royally screwed up and caused a great deal of psychological damage not only to his family, but to those who bore witness of how he treated others with a lack of respect. Worst of all, he had caused immeasurable psychological damage to his wife who had to restrain him whenever he acted out.

'If you didn't care for your wife, I would have made sure I cut the fetus out of her stomach and let her watch while the life bled out of her as I tear the precious life apart...'

"I won't let you ever touch them," Kakarot snapped, not liking what Youzi was referring to as another 'game' opportunity.

'It's a shame that you are nothing like Raditz and Trunks,' the demon continued. 'I've seen the way you watch them and yearn for that kind of life you used to have with your eldest son. A pity he's been tainted with hatred just like you have been.'

Kakarot had to admit that he was envious of how Raditz raises Trunks properly. The young man used to have that same kind of relationship with Gohan—Karot—before he was abducted.

A memory flickered into existence and Kakarot saw his wife smiling warmly with a basket of laundry at her side. Gohan, long before he lost his innocence, was working on his homework underneath a tall oak tree. The sunlight shimmered as the faint memory made tears run down Kakarot's cheeks. A part of Kakarot yearned for the days of the past at their old home before it was decimated by Chille's forces.

"I... I never wanted this..." Kakarot muttered as the memory faded away, being replaced by his grandfather being erased by Chille himself. Even now, the Saiyan was filled with regret for his former actions.

'If your grandfather was still around, he would hate you for not even bothering to save him...'

The idea of Grandpa Gohan, the old man who had taken him in when he was an infant hating him made Kakarot all the more uncomfortable. He had taken his childhood for granted and had accidentally killed his grandfather without realizing it until he was older. The man had every reason to hate him if he was still around, to condemn his soul to the deepest bowels of hell for all eternity.

"Grandpa... he... he didn't..." Kakarot stuttered, trying to find the words to defend the memory of the man that no longer existed. There was no way that the man would hate him for what he had done, right?

'You allowed him to slip that crown on your head,' Youzi's voice tickled Kakarot's right ear, 'You permitted him to use it as a form of punishment that you never needed...'

"I didn't know..." Kakarot whimpered, tears streaming down his face from the pain he allowed to wash over him without mercy. He had always tried to ignore the discomfort he carried, but now, Youzi was reminding him of the man he had looked up to as a boy.

'You didn't even get a chance to apologize...'

Kakarot gasped in horror at those words. No, he never apologized to his grandfather for killing him. Then again, he never had the chance to do so considering that the man left just as he appeared. When he did see his grandfather for the last time, he had no idea that he would see him get destroyed like that.

'And I hadn't even discussed how you killed your wife yet when you were reunited with her prior to running into General Tao...'

"No..." Kakarot did not want to hear another word. He did not want to recall Chichi's death. It was bad enough seeing her die two different ways, he did not want that demon using her demise to his advantage.

'What's wrong? Don't tell me you rather forget how she died because you were an idiot...'

"No! I know I killed her, but I don't want you holding that over my head!" Kakarot pleaded against the demon who seemed to be gaining traction on obtaining what he truly desired from the Saiyan.

His soul.

'Then, there was the fact that you let me die. You have no idea how much I suffered because of those mutated tigers tearing me apart while you did nothing to help.'

"I... I couldn't... I was in a cage... I wanted to save you..."

'Liar! You could have tried bargaining with those men, but you were weak...'

"I... I'm sorry..." Kakarot felt guilty. He had thought of the demon as his only friend after he became alienated from the humans he killed. He had ignored his grandfather's warnings, permitting himself to get more and more tangled in the web of deceit that Youzi wove to entrap the younger warrior. "I... I'm a monster... I am no better than a demon..."

'If you are truly sorry, then give me what I desire...' Youzi commanded, his voice almost like a siren's call. 'Give me your soul, and I will ensure that you will never need to feel any more pain as long as you live...'

Kakarot was almost prepared to give Youzi what he wanted. He felt guilt—so much so that it would be easy to give up and no longer care what happened.

However, Kakarot suddenly woke up in surprise when he felt a small hand pull on one of his locks of hair. He growled in discomfort, but then, he saw the small child's blue eyes staring back at him.

Baby Trunks laughed happily while Kakarot untangled the boy's grip from his hair. He held the child from a distance and studied the baby almost though trying to find something wrong with him.

Instead, Kakarot saw the innocence of a child staring straight back at him—pure and untainted from hatred. While the world itself was facing damnation for all of the misery, hatred, and coldness of mankind, this child had something that Kakarot had nearly forgotten about.

Hope.

How long had Kakarot permitted himself to wallow in despair when there were others who still believed in the future of the world? He had been blinded by hatred—hatred that was misplaced upon him and made him think that everyone was going to betray his trust.

Baby Trunks babbled in baby talk while the man felt the hatred inside lessen slightly from the child's interactions. Kakarot knew that the child did not do anything wrong, and yet, he had killed other children, even infants like Trunks, without mercy. The thought of killing his nephew sickened him.

'Well? Aren't you going to give it to me?' Youzi asked impatiently.

'No,' Kakarot growled lowly, causing the baby to pause almost though listening to the silent exchange between man and demon. 'You can ask me to do whatever the hell you want, you can even ask me to kill innocent lives that are not related to my family, or the soldiers that have made my life a living hell... but if you ever threaten anyone that I cherish, I will find a way to drive you out of my mind and body, demon.'

'Fool! You will never be rid of me!' Youzi warned angrily, not liking the response from the suddenly defiant Saiyan.

'I know there is a way, and I would sooner find it than allow you to destroy what family I have left!' Kakarot countered, his eyes burning with determination. 'Raditz, Turles, Seleriak, Karot, Chichi, my unborn child... mom... I won't let you hurt any of them!'

'You say that now, but sooner or later, you will give in...' Youzi spoke with promise before his voice faded away.

Kakarot held Baby Trunks as the infant giggled happily in his grasp. Even though he was holding his nephew in his grasp, this boy reminded him of Gohan.

Karot.

'I... I have to find my son,' Kakarot thought silently to himself. There was no guarantee that he would be able to make amends with those he had hurt in the past if he continued to allow himself to suffer alone.

Youzi could threaten to take away absolute control of his body and actions; however, the demon could not if he had those he cared about at his side.

Fin