Nowhere: twnty-one
The reemergence was a rather quiet one as the gravity of the situation was somehow palpable. Excitement was there, as well as curiosity, but a solemn mood overcast it all. There were many questions lurking, almost wishing to not be answered. The initial happiness was jaded as the unconscious figure lurched, shivering. His transport looked at him in worry and supported his form. The smaller man was trembling, and Kakkarot did not approve. A groan, a spark of awareness, and then Vegeta heaved - emptying his stomach of whatever bile resided there. Dark liquid spewed forth onto the tiled ground, Vegeta's form shaking as the remnants dripped from the corner of his mouth and bottom lip. Somewhere in the background, someone complained about the stench.
Carefully, he was carried away to rest. The black-haired man tucked him in as he watched with brows knit and worry filling him.
Death.
He smelled too much of death.
Vegeta slept in a warm, comforting darkness. He awoke hours later in an unfamiliar place. His eyes looked across the hazy ceiling, and slowly he sat up in order to examine his surroundings. The room was large and painted a soft, pale blue. It was sparsely decorated with a vase here and there. He inhaled deeply, but smelt nothing of the humidity that had plagued him for so long.
Pulling the white sheets away from his body, he got out of bed, slowly padding his way towards what appeared to be the exit.
During this time, a band of friends were discussing the very man who had just roused. His physical state brought some distress, and theories about his disappearance were casually bounced back and forth. An outskirt at the edge of the conversation, a man named Krillin, happened to glance to the side when something caught his eye.
"Guys," he spoke up, trying to gather their attention, "Guys look..! It's Vegeta..."
A good distance away, the brunette walked in the direction of the ledge. Abruptly, he stopped and collapsed to his knees as his frame was wracked with sobs.
As one, they rushed to his side.
"Vegeta!" Kakkarot called out, fearing the worst, "Vegeta, what's wrong?"
"Kakkarot?" a stunned reply, and then he turned to see it with his own eyes, gaping. Tears streaked across his bleary-looking face, dark puffy bags under his eyes. Courage came to him, and he spoke again, "Kakkarot, am I in Heaven?"
Goku's eyes widened in surprise, and he faltered only for a moment, "What? Heaven? No.."
Vegeta wiped away some tears with the heel of his hand, "I'm not dead? Kakkarot..?" The other Saijin joined him on the ground.
"No, you're not dead, Vegeta," he said softly. He was about to inquire more when the shorter man burst into nervous laughter.
"You must think I'm stupid," Vegeta's voice nearly cracked, and his throat constricted as his gaze returned outward, "but... it's.. it's so beautiful."
"What?" Goku was confused.
"The sky!" Vegeta said as another sob was ripped from him. Tears ran down his smiling face. "Let this be real," he pleaded, he prayed, "Please, let this be real."
Goku, at once, realized that something was very, very wrong.