Of Happier Times
A Songfic by Majin Cloud

Disclaimer: I don't own DragonBall Z, i'm merely a great fan. And I don't own Nine Inch Nails, but sometimes I wish I did. Please don't sue!

'The Day The World Went Away' Nine Inch Nails


The crimson blood flowed ardently from Vegeta's eye. Sight clouded, arms gone limp, and legs giving way. Moments passed as he felt himself slipping away.
Vegeta knew his last moments were slipping closer to him. The portentous ending was near. He could sense it in every fiber is his being.

I'd listen to the words he'd say
But in his voice I heard decay

His head flamed of blood. Little words came to mind. Fair deference. To him? Or from him? Thoughts were far to clouded to make sense of it. Seemingly to him, regret billowed from his wound as unyieldingly as the blood. He tried to remember.

The plastic face forced to portray
All the insides left cold and gray

The memory swept over him degaged.
He found himself lying next to his mate. Bulma wrapped herself around him for warmth. They both lay nude. Only themselves and the thin bedcovers were the cold enemy.
Bulma nuzzled him, 'I love you, Vegeta.' She whispered.
He did not speak, only closed his eyes to the words, the words he dismayed. It only left Bulma to wonder.
Why can't he say it, she thought. Does he not love me? I was so sure. Is he only using me?
Vegeta slid out of the bed and slowly put his clothes on.
'I cannot love you,' he said faintly. 'Not now.' He slowly trailed off, taking his words with him as he left Bulma's bedchamber.

The pain surged through his body and he doubled over, recovering from the memory that hurt so much.

There is a place that still remains
It eats the fear it eats the pain

A cough traveled up. Mouth now tasted of copper. He heard sounds around him, but couldn't make them out. Is that my enemy? Damn him! I thought I was stronger than that, he thought. Of course, he always thought that.
Or was it an ally? Perhaps Kakarot; coming to his side, for his final moments. He hoped not. Bulma? Could it have been she? He was unsure. It hit him, like a bat to a ball. Of happier times, there were none. He surged his last efforts forth, for he knew Bulma was near. Not by ear or by eye, but by faith and feeling.
A cough came from deep within his chest, 'I love you.' Words from the heart, first and last from the heart.

The sweetest price he'll have to pay
The day the whole world went away