"Should I be concerned?" The younger Namekian asked, glancing up at Piccolo who stood with the same stoic expression and arms crossed in front of his chest as always. He scrutinized the air in front of him, sensing the feeble energy of Vegeta slowly coming their way.
"No, no need. He's probably only here for a Senzu bean." Piccolo dismissed flippantly, nevertheless intrigued by what might have happened to Vegeta to make him fly all the way to Kami's lookout.
The two waited patiently for the Saiyan to finally make it to the platform only to watch in shock as he collapsed, almost naked, to the ground. The two glanced at each other, equally confused before Dende ran over to help.
"Are you alright, Vegeta?" The young Namekian asked, kneeling next to the man.
"Do I look alright to you?" He shot back vindictively, his glare like daggers. Dende recoiled at the intensity, looking to Piccolo for help.
"That's no way to ask someone for a favor." The elder stated, making no move to go to his aid. Vegeta groaned, both from his insufferable situation, and from the sudden pain in his chest. As the intensity radiated out from his chest and throbbed into his left arm, Vegeta could no longer contain the scream of pain.
Dende ignored the man's bad attitude and figured ridiculing Vegeta for his temper was like trying to make a fish learn to walk on land. He raised his hands above the Saiyan and called upon his healing powers, losing himself in the sensation as he tried to search through the man to find the problem. Dende struggled for a bit, his exertion evident on his face, and lowered his hands in disbelief.
"I'm not sure what's wrong with him." He mused, dumbfounded.
"Aren't you some magical healer? Heal me already!" Vegeta barked impatiently, but Dende ignored him as he spoke to Piccolo.
"I couldn't sense anything physically wrong with him. However, when I tried to discern the eb and flow of his spirit, I couldn't seem to navigate through!" He stated incredulously. Piccolo raised an eyebrow at him.
"What does that mean?" The elder asked.
"Well, I've actually been reading a lot into Hindu spiritual remedies. There are some really great books I think you would also enjoy…"
"Get to the point!" Vegeta interrupted through another vault of pain.
"Sorry! Yes!" Dende apologized, realizing he was distracting himself. "Yeah, so, in Hindu culture, there are points of the spirit called chakras, and if they're imbalanced you can show signs of physical illness. And, without proper spiritual care, you can end up with some serious problems. Now, with most people I can navigate their minds as easily as navigating their bodies, assuming under ideal situations. Like if someone has too many stress knots or swelling I get bogged down when trying to heal…"
"Spit it out already!" Vegeta Roared.
"Sorry! I, uhm, I'm not an expert on chakras, but I can try my best!" He squeaked out.
Dende set to work trying to undo the disorder of Vegeta's mind enough to make it something he could work with. Vegeta slowly began feeling like himself again, breathing a little easier and eventually being able to sit up straight. After several minutes Dende lowered his hands and exhaled deeply.
"How does that feel?" He asked sincerely. Vegeta opened and closed his left hand, still not a hundred percent, but certainly getting there.
"A little more should do the trick." He replied and waited expectantly.
"I'll try, but I don't think I'll be able to return you back to normal. The mind is complicated and not easy to mold as you please. It needs to be trained in other ways, like meditation, art, and philosophy."
Vegeta grumbled something in annoyance under his breath.
"Wow," Dende commented, having to strain a little harder, "your chakras are just so disorganized. It's no wonder you're in so much…"
Pain. Agony. Blood oozing from him shoulder. Blood pooling in his mouth. He couldn't feel his legs.
Whatever you do, save the prince!
Bright light directly in his eyes. The smell of fire filling his nostril. The taste of blood drowning him.
Dende yelped and suddenly found himself sitting in a daze several feet from Vegeta, who was also staring at him in bewilderment. The prince almost immediately composed himself, the same glower set in his face as he began to stand.
"Thank you for the treatment. I'll be on my way." He stated over his shoulder, walking for the ledge. Dende blinked a few times.
"Wait! You're not healed yet! If you go out there it'll just keep happening!" Dende yelped out, having rushed over to the Saiyan and was now gripping his wrist. Vegeta glared at the little green hand, and then down at the little green man.
"Please! Human medicine isn't going to cure you, and neither is surgery!" He continued, a hint of desperation in his eyes. Vegeta sized up the younger, remembering the circumstances in which they'd met and relaxing just ever so slightly.
"Fine. What do you have in mind." Vegeta stated, turning to fully face the young Namekian. Dende's face lit up, not at all expecting Vegeta to listen to him.
"How about we start with some meditation?" Dende offered with a smile. Vegeta weighed his options. Sit through a dumb meditation exercise? Or go home and possibly experience another heart attack? He considered the two for a moment before he remembered something.
"Are you sure this isn't the same disease Kakarot had just before we faced the first two androids?" Vegeta asked, folding his arms.
Dende's expression sank just a touch and he shook his head. "I'm afraid not. This isn't anything I've dealt with before. I've never seen someone's mind so isolated. I'm sure meditation will help, even if it is one step at a time."
Vegeta scoffed and began heading towards the building.
"Before we begin, I do have something I'd like to add." Piccolo suddenly interjected.
"Yeah? And what could that possibly be?" Vegeta bit out, turning just in time to have a pile of fabric hit him in the face.
"Put those on, you shameless monkey."
A blood vessel suddenly became prominent on the Saiyan's temple as he clenched his hands into fists. Vegeta was just about to let loose a barrage of insults when his hand flew to his chest and he was on the ground once more writhing in agony.
"That was uncalled for." Dende chided as he rolled up his sleeves and knelt next to the Saiyan once more.