What was that jerk criticizing now? His posture? Who the hell cared if he was hunched over! Growling an insult under his breath he lifted the weights and straightened himself out as he continued to run along. If the guy was going to bust his ass over every little thing fine, better him than Shu he supposed. And it would make things all the more satisfying when he got a chance to finally fight Krom. "You mean Kiton? I didn't forget him you jackass, just been too busy," the Saiyan grunted, stumbling slightly as the weights shifted and he fought to keep balance. The load hadn't seemed too pressing when he'd begun but once in motion it was beginning to hit Takeshi just how heavy the gear was. Bringing up Viral struck a nerve and he nearly stopped in his tracks to scream at Krom, instead letting out a load, frustrated groan and pushing himself harder instead. He couldn't be mouthing off and shouting if he wanted Shu to get better, no matter how pissed he got it would only hurt his brother. The hell was he supposed to do with this heat though? Glaring at the Elite, Takeshi huffed before slamming his foot down behind him and taking off as quickly as he could manage, trying to focus on his training instead of letting his anger boil over. The jerk did help remind him though that maybe they should go and see Kiton later, the guy was definitely going to be lonely sitting all by himself. Not that he expected him and Shu to be great company but hey, it had to beat having none right?

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"N-No, that's not what I'm saying Viral, not at all! I'm applauding your tenacity! No one else could endure what you have!" Were he flexible enough Vegeta's foot would be planted firmly between his teeth right now. Just when he thought for a second he might be breaking ground his efforts blew up in his face. He had to keep trying though, now was the best and perhaps only chance to finally clear the air between them. What the Beastman said next made his heart catch in his throat, his arm raising only on instinct to block the swipe from Viral. It was the first time since this all began, since [i]ever[/i] that Viral had been vocal about his inner struggles. Rather, the first time he'd said it in so many words. There was no way he was seriously proposing being with the Saiyans was a better alternative... Was he? Was mindless, hate fueled warfare really an alternative to what he had now? 

"You don't mean that! You're free, free to do whatever you wish, to do what you choose! You would never have that choice with the Saiyans! No one does under them!" Not Takeshi, not Shu, not the twins or Kabocha or Yumi, and certainly not Viral. Blocking another punch Vegeta winced as claws raked against his cheek and left three gouges along it, stepping back and quickly wiping at the blood that began to spill. "They didn't give you those collars because you had choice, Viral. They gave you them to make you a mindless soldier! Is that really any better than this? Being with us?!" It was an alternative that Vegeta absolutely refused to accept. The fact that Viral even suggested they had provided so poorly for him made his stomach churn uncomfortably and his blood boil - but not out of anger. Had they failed him so badly that he truly meant that? Had [i]he[/i] failed that badly? Negligence didn't even begin to cover his conduct and he'd tried to make amends, though in retrospect he'd done so while expending the least amount of time possible. As if Viral was just a side project, not a living being. 

"Come on Viral... Take that back, what you said. You know you're better off with us than them," Vegeta argued weakly as a smile wavered upon his lips. Slowly approaching with hands extended as though asking for something he continued, "You're more than a babysitter, you're part of this group! You always have been! And I was wrong to try and send you off, I knew it then and I know it now but I could never admit it to myself. I was wrong and I realize it, your place is here with us! And as for your purpose... Your purpose is to fight with us, with all of us. Isn't that enough? To be fighting with friends for the greater good? What more do you possibly need?"