AN: Comfortably Numb is owned by Pink Floyd. The needles are owned by Bulma, much to Goku's relief. Sorry about the melancholy nature of this chapter, it's gonna provide a nice contrast soon. ;) I also believe in generally not using the Japanese terms, because there is a whole world of nuance lost in translation. However, I will use "Sensei," because "Master" sounds too much like a slave deal to me.
"Four minutes until sequence Vegeta-4 will be activated." Hearing the computer's metallic, impersonal voice caused Vegeta to growl in irritation at the length of time required. Four minutes? That is four minutes he could be using to train and become stronger than that third-class idiot! Unfortunately, as the artificial gravity had to remain off for the time it took to load the program, Vegeta couldn't even do isometric exercises. And, worst of all, this was four minutes where his mind wasn't preoccupied with training.
He wasn't sure exactly what had possessed him to roughly kiss Bulma. Correction, he was sure. Lust, passion, desire, those emotions were the few that had been encouraged by Freeza. Bulma had always called him a cold, unfeeling man, but she couldn't have been further from the truth. Vegeta didn't care for people; he cared for achievement and power and Freeza stoked the flames. After all, what is bloodlust without the lust?
Perhaps he had been stuck on this planet too long, or perhaps he genuinely found Bulma attractive. It didn't matter. The seeds of passion were rooting themselves into his body and mind, and he welcomed it. It was another release, another outlet, another goal. She obviously must feel the same, Vegeta mused, with the passion she had kissed him.
"Three minutes until sequence Vegeta-4 will be activated."
Then again, maybe the woman did more than just lust after him. When he awoke from his medicine-induced slumber, he found her lying there, asleep. She must have been monitoring him, to ensure his safety. That was unnerving, for someone to care about the Prince? She played it off, but her eyes betrayed her. Caring, kindness, and a genuine desire for a recovery shone through.
"Two minutes until sequence Vegeta-4 will be activated."
Yes, that unnerved the Prince. Passion, he understood. Love and caring? Better for it to be beaten out than become a weakness.
Over on Kame island, Krillin stood, hands on knees, panting. That last Kamehameha wave had drained him of all his excess energy, and now he barely possessed enough to stand. But, giving in would mean he was finished. And Krillin was never finished. "Kaaaa….mmmmeee…"
"Krillin! Come over here and take a look at this girl. Man, that's got to be surgery, but I don't care!" Groaning, Krillin reabsorbed the energy in his palms.
"Sensei, please. I must become stronger!"
"And you think you're going to do it by falling over dead?" Roshi stood, and walked to the edge of the island, sunglasses flashing in the light. "Didn't I teach you when you were a kid that rest was just as important as training?"
Krillin's respect and irritation warred within him for a response. "Yes, Sensei. I understand."
"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, there's a blond waiting for me."
Retiring to his upstairs room, Krillin laid back on the futon mattress laid out. His body was drained, but his mind was active, preventing him from sleeping. He closed his eyes, and allowed the thoughts to overtake him. If I do, no, that won't work. How about? Bah, why do I even bother? I can't keep up with Goku, or even Gohan. Piccolo's got me beat, and much to my regret, even Vegeta. It's just a show I put on. Freeza killed me, and would have again if not for that kid. I remember when I could at least see Goku's movements. Now, I have a hard time watching him walk. How did I go from Z-fighter to cheering squad?
But that kid said that we all die fighting the androids. And I can't sit back and wait for others to do it for me! I won't die because I was too damn lazy to train! It may be just a pretty show I put on, but I won't sit back. I can't. I might be useless to them, but I won't be to myself. Krillin sighed, he wasn't usually quite this melancholy, but the realization of one's mortality usually caused a bit of self-doubt.
Vegeta snorted. Can't this thing go any faster? He leaned his head against the metal boundary of the gravity room, and waited. A steady, faint pulse of music started up as he thought back to when he was injured, and Bulma took care of him. He allowed the flashback to grip him, and drifted back to the past.
The music was stronger now, and through his closed eyes, he could hear Bulma faintly singing to him.
"Hello, is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me. Is there anyone home?"
Restlessly, he shifted, the feeling of being bound to the bed causing him to try to break free of the straps. Unfortunately, he was not strong enough yet, and his flailing around was only aggravating the injuries.
"Come on, now, I hear you're feeling down. Well, I can ease your pain, get you on your feet again."
Ease his pain? She had a senzu bean? Hardly. And he was not keen on allowing these Earth doctors access to his body.
"Relax, I need some information first, just the basic facts. Can you show me where it hurts?"
It's just the woman? She's been around the rest of the weaklings enough to know how to take care of an injury. Fine, I'll concede. That feels nice, a cool damp cloth. It must be this haze I'm in that makes her voice sound so soothing.
"There is no pain, you are receding. A distant ship's smoke on the horizon."
"Wo…ma…" Oh, I can't talk. Darn oxygen mask. I just want to close my eyes again.
"You are only coming through in waves. Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying."
Reaching up with his free hand, Vegeta pulled the mask off his mouth. He relaxed back again, while Bulma continued to prepare a needle for use. Between the medicine and injuries, he was hardly lucid, and started singing in a stream of consciousness. "When I was a child, I had a fever. My hands felt just like two balloons. Now I've got that feeling once again." Bulma turned back around, eyes shining with concern as she looked down on the proud warrior. She silently urged him to continue. "I can't explain, you would not understand. I have become, comfortably numb."
His eyes closed, and Bulma gathered up her supplies. When he felt a cold swab on his arm, he opened his eyes, and his pupils dilated at the needle she held. While he wasn't Goku, he still didn't care for needles. After all, who wouldn't be afraid of a device that allows the weakest of people to swiftly insert something into your bloodstream?"
Holding his eyes steady, Bulma attempted to ease his nervousness. "OK, just a little pinprick. There'll be no more…"
"AHHHHH!"
"But you may feel a little sick." Vegeta could only close his eyes as the nausea passed over him. After the initial wave, he began to feel remarkably better. "Can you stand up? I do believe it's working, good."
Another energy wave crashed through the water as Krillin continued his training. He felt useless, but that wasn't going to discourage him. "That'll keep you going through the show, come on it's time to go." That rest had recharged him physically, but he was still down mentally. "When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse, out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look, but it was gone, I cannot put my finger on it now. The child is grown, the dream is done, and I have become, comfortably numb." The guitars faded, and Krillin prepared for another attack.
"Vegeta-4 activated in 3…2…1…Vegeta-4 is now activated." The sudden push of gravity against Vegeta's body snapped him out of his flashback, and caused a snarl to rise to his lips. Comfortably numb, indeed. He would not allow that. And as yet another wave of bots came after the Prince, the screen faded out.
AN2:
Kaji: Thanks. Your story yanked that one out of left field; I do think it inspired me to do one of my best works.
SSJTom: You're so sweet. You'll get a cameo at least in an upcoming chapter.
Coming soon: Bulma's pissed about Vegeta's hot and cold
mood swings, and double meanings abound!