A/N: Skip said there will be lots of sex in this later. Just thought you'd like to know. By the way, Chib Chib..haha! >D
Chapter 6: Oblivion
"Father?" Trunks called through the door after knocking twice, "Father...?" Hesitantly he opened the door and took a peek inside. There on the bed was the Saijin prince, silently resting. Trunks watched him for a moment before turning to leave, and then, he felt the oddest sensation lingering in the back of his mind. His instincts were screaming at him, telling him there was something off about the situation. The demi-Saijin looked back at his father and noticed something he had not seen the first time - the fact that his skin was pale, especially for Vegeta. "Father?" Trunks asked in a louder voice, stepping toward the prince. He tried to push the worry that invaded him away because he truly didn't have a reason to worry - as of yet. Trunks reached out to nudge his father and wake him but when he made contact with the other man's skin he could only gasp, 'So cold!'
Fear began to seep into his entire being and he shaked Vegeta roughly, shouting, "Father! Wake up!" Tears began to gather in his eyes instantly..he had just lost Bulma! He was not going to lose Vegeta as well! "Father!" Trunks frustratingly called out, panic threatening to overcome him. 'No! I must not panic! I must not...uh..uh...shit! Think Trunks! Damn you, think you idiot!' the purple-haired Saijin tried to calm himself, 'Okay, okay...heartbeat! Yes!' Frantically Trunks felt around Vegeta's neck, searching for a specific spot where he'd be able to feel a heartbeat - if there was one. He couldn't seem to find it or..or there was nothing to find in the first place. Trunks shivered at the thought and nearly cried in relief as he felt a slight thump-thump against his fingertips. 'Thank you god! Thank you!!' Trunks silently screamed before rushing to gather Vegeta in his arms, wrapping a blanket around his form in an attempt to warm him. He raced downstairs and out the door, blasting off to the nearest hospital. He knew Vegeta should have gone to the hosptial last night, he just knew it.
The morning sun blinded him so he adverted his gaze downwards so he was looking at his father. His expression was definitely not of the norm - it looked as if he was completely and utterly relaxed, and he had known for his father to sleep with his scowl still on. 'Oh god...father, why!?' Trunks found himself pondering as they were nearly there, 'Please, just hold on!' He landed carefully in front of the hospital, earning quite a few gasps and doubletakes from the morning crowd. Ignoring them he ran through the front doors and starting yelling, "I HAVE AN EMERGENCY!" This caught the attention of quite a few people. "SOMEONE GET ME A DOCTOR!" Trunks screamed at the top of his lungs. He was NOT going to lose his father, not NOW. 'Father, please, hang on!' the demi-Saijin thought, his hold tensing a bit. A doctor, followed by some nurses and a stretcher, came running down the hallway towards him. "What is it?" the doctor called out as they approched. "I...I..." Trunks stuttered, not sure exactly what the problem was..Vegeta had refused to tell him last night. He rushed towards them and set his father down on the stretcher, removing the blanket for them all the while.
The doctor paused for only a second as he examined Vegeta before turning and asking Trunks, "What happened?" The young man rubbed the back of his neck, answering honestly, "I don't know." The doctor moved and began to push the stretcher towards, most likely, the E.R., "Boy, I'm serious, I need to know what happened.." Trunks nearly shouted at the guy, "I told you! I don't know...last night he came home and when I asked him he wouldn't tell me, but that's my dad for you...damnit! Always so damn stubborn, it always almost got him killed!" They entered a room and the doctor starting cleaning himself up, "Yeah, well, we'll take a look." Trunks paced worridly, trying to restrain his tears, 'Father...why?' The doctor began by cutting up the guaze Trunks wrapped around Vegeta last night, and when he pulled it back he could only gape. His first thought was, 'Why isn't this man dead!?' Upon further examination of the Saijin's body however, he noticed that though the wound was extremely fatal in apperence, the fact that astounded him was that it was healing quite well. As he was continuing his diagnosis, he abruptly gave a startled cry, causing Trunks to turn his attention. "What is it!?" the young man asked while he raced over to the doctor. "He..he..." the man was almost too startled to speak, "He has a tail!" Trunks gave a relieved sigh, 'That's all...?'
"Yes, well, you see..my father is a Saijin," Trunks explained in a hushed tone, "And Saijin's have tails." The doctor gave a quick nod, finishing his examination before answering some of Trunks' silent questions, "His heart beat is steady, though it isn't as it should be. He's lost a lot of blood, and that wound...I'd like for you to find out all you can about how he got it. I'm glad you brought him in, his condition could have worsened if you didn't..you see, he's in a coma." Trunks' heart sank and he swallowed slowly, his throat becoming dry, "A coma?" The doctor nodded before turning and giving instructions to the nurses. After Vegeta was cleaned up and cleared out of the room the doctor turned his attention back to Trunks, "You look familiar, what's your name?" Trunks cleared his throat before answering, "Trunks, Trunks Briefs." The doctor's face fell instantly, "Oh my...you're the son of Bulma Briefs, aren't you?" He nodded. The doctor sucked in a breath, "And she just passed away a few days ago, didn't she?" He nodded again. The doctor suddenly realized the amount of stress the entire situation must be having upon a young man of his age, "I'm so sorry, Trunks. Look, my name is Dr. Patel, if you need anything you only need to call. I'll make sure you'll be able to see your father whenever you like, you just get that info about his chest injury, alright?" He nodded once again. "Alright, I've got to go..got things to do, you know, doctor stuff. Look, I'm really sorry, just hang in there!" Dr. Patel tried to cheer him up before jogging off to another part of the hospital, leaving Trunks by himself.
After finding where exactly they had placed Vegeta, Trunks raced up to his room immediately. Stable...thank god...at least he was stable. The young man took a seat next to the bed, whispering, "Father please, I cannot bear to lose you now..." The pale form made no indication of movement other than the extremely slow rise and fall of each passing breath. "Father..." Trunks choked out as tears welled in his sky blue eyes. He bit his lip for a moment before sighing, "I uh...I'm going to run home real quick and get some things. I'll be back soon, dad, just hang on." Trunks turned for the door and he looked back at the full-blooded Saijin for a moment, "Feel free to wake up at any time, even while I'm out." After a moment of staring he closed the door shut and headed down the hallway. After leaving the building he flew off in an instant, intending to return as soon as possible. Without the sun in his eyes he was able to keep a better handle on his flying and within a few moments Capsule Corp came into view.
He sighed as his feet touched the cement of his doorstep and as he turned to open the door when he suddenly felt ki behind him. Trunks, rather jittery, jumped at the sudden detection and he turned to see who it was. "Hey Trunks," Goku said in a rather soft voice, his eyes having circles under them as if he hadn't had much sleep. "Oh..hey Goku," Trunks replied in a flat tone, a little curious as to why the older man was dropping by. Trunks looked at the door and took a breath to ask Goku if he'd like to come inside, but the Saijin was quick and he asked his question first. "How's Vegeta doing?" Goku asked, sucking in his breath and clenching his muscles. Trunks sighed, bit his tongue, and looked at the ground, feeling tears come to his eyes, "Oh, Goku..." The full-blooded Saijin felt his blood run cold, and a feeling of quivering nervousness pitting in his stomach. Trunks took a moment before he looked back up at Goku, "He's in the hospital. In a coma." There was a moment when nothing was said, and nothing moved. And then Goku suddenly shouted out, "Shit! Oh, shit! This is all my fault! SHIT!" His hands fisted in his hair and he pulled until the strands threatened to break, and for some reason his eyes felt as if they were burning. Trunks blinked a few times until the initial shock wore off, "Goku! Goku! Wait! What!? This is your fault...?? What!?" Goku turned to the purple-haired man, "Damnit! Yes! I...we...last night Vegeta and I had a fight! Shit! I knew something was wrong, goddamnit! I knew it! I knew something was wrong!!" Trunks stood mute and unable to move. "Oh god," Goku kicked the ground in frustration, wishing that it was himself that he was kicking, "Oh god! I'm so sorry, Trunks! I'm so sorry!"
Trunks collapsed to the ground, staring off into space. Goku knelt down next to him and grabbed his shoulders, "Trunks, you've got to listen to me! I'm sorry! It was a mistake! Last night was...insane! Vegeta, he..attacked me for no reason! Went ballistic; out of control! I tried to stop him, Trunks, but he just...just wouldn't; and he kept pushing all the right buttons and, and..and I just..." Trunks snapped out of his daze to glare at the black-haired Saijin, "You nearly killed him!" Goku opened his mouth to reply but the youth pushed him away, "My mother's dead and you don't have enough self control to stop yourself from taking my father from me as well!?" Trunks was beginning to fall into hysterics, "Just leave my family alone!" The demi-Saijin threw open the door which slammed into the wall with damaging force. "Trunks! Listen to me! Please!" Goku shouted, his eyes burning again, "I never wanted this! Never! You know that! You know I'd never want any of this! Trunks..You know I want to help! I'm sorry, I really am!" Trunks spun around, seething, "Well, being sorry doesn't do anything about it!" Goku sighed shakily and gave a bitter nod, "I know." Trunks glared at the older Saijin, and in that instant he looked exactly like his father. Goku's tightly knitted eyebrows began to relax at the sight and he realized just how emotionally exhausted the young man must be, "Trunks. Please, listen to me..I know this will sound crazy but..I will find a way, and I will make it better. I swear to you." The purple-haired man rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Whatever; like promises to me can make a difference to my father." Goku looked down thoughtfully for a moment before he said, "Alright. I swear to Vegeta, to the Saijin race, to his royalty, to his - and my own - ancestors.. that I will make this better, and make it right."
Trunks seemed to review this over for a moment, and then he approached Goku in a few quick strides. Suddenly he grabbed Goku by the collar and pulled them face to face. Trunks hissed venemously, "If you so dare to break this promise...so help me Goku, I may be weaker than you, but I will make you regret your words. Never dare to swear by those things unless you truly mean it. I know my father would kill you if you so dared to break a promise sworn by those things." The taller Saijin was surprised by Trunks' behavior so he was only able to give a small nod in response. Trunks released him with a sigh, his expression turning to sadness once more, "Good....well..I'm going to get some things. I'll be back in a moment if you wish to wait for me, I'm going to go back to the hospital to watch over father." Goku gave another nod and watched the young man take off towards his room. Being left alone, Goku searched for a place to sit while he waited, and he finally took a seat at the table in the kitchen. He hunched over, crossing his arms and closing his eyes. He sat with a lingering sensation that he was going to vomit due to his trembling stomach, but he concentrated on breathing to avoid it. With each unsteady inhale and exhale he became more and more aware of a scent that was around him. It was definatly masculine, an older smell in some sort of way, but very pleasing nonetheless. He felt himself grow calmer the more he focused on it, and he realized that it was familiar. Familiar...and...calm....
'...I hate you, Kakkarot.'
Goku's eyes snapped open as he suddenly knew that this was Vegeta's scent that was giving him a sense of peace. After a few moments of contemplation he then decided he would have to see Vegeta immediately and uphold his promise. The sound of approaching footsteps made him rise from the chair he was sitting in and Trunks came around the corner with a backpack slung over his shoulder. He nodded to Goku and the full-blooded Saijin nodded back, and then they were on their way. Neither spoke a word on the trip to the hospital but when they landed Trunks spoke softly. "I'm sorry about earlier," he murmured just loud enough for Goku to hear. "Hey," Goku replied, just as soft, "You have been through a lot recently. A lot that you shouldn't have to. It's okay, really, Trunks." The demi-Saijin sighed as he nodded, looking down at the floor as they headed for Vegeta's room. They entered the room which was exactly the way it was when Trunks had left it. The purple-haired young man set his bag down out of the way and took a chair next to the bed. Goku stood next to him, examining the full amount of damage he had done. 'My god..he's so pale,' Goku thought, his stomach clenching to the point where his muscles nearly trembled, 'Oh, Vegeta..I'm so sorry. I should've stopped you, but now I don't know what to do.' The urge to vomit started crawling up his throat and Goku quickly spun away. "I think I need a glass of water," he choked out before racing out the door, leaving Trunks alone and a bit confused.
The black-haired man quickly took a few gulps of water from the water fountain, trying to catch his breath which had mysteriously left him. He gripped the water fountain on either side as he hunched over, gasping for air. Why did it hurt him so to see Vegeta like this..? Why did he feel so bad...? Forcing his eyes shut, Goku tried to think of a way to follow through with his promise. He sighed, knowing a public hallway was not the best of places to think things over. Sluggishly he walked back to Vegeta's hospital room, hoping he could resist the urge to vomit if it ever arose again. He entered again, offering Trunks a weak smile, which was returned just as weakly. Nearly shaking, Goku walked around to the other side of the bed to stand beside Vegeta. He clenched his teeth as he swallowed, trying to resist the sudden desire to touch the older man. He only wanted to caress his forehead, run his hand through those dark brown strands, to soothe the hurting prince - but he could not. Carefully, Goku took a seat on the bed next to the comatose figure. He stared for quite awhile at Vegeta's face, not blinking, not moving. "I'm going to go..get something to eat," Trunks declared after an indiscernable amount of time; the young man slowly getting up and leaving the room.
Once Trunks was gone Goku released a deep sigh and let his body tremble. "I'm sorry, Vegeta," Goku whispered, letting his hands take the prince's smaller ones. They were cold, icy cold, and stark white to match. The black-haired Saijin felt his chest heave as he rubbed his hands against the other ones, hoping to warm them. Warmth slowly began to spread into the icicles of fingertips, Goku then noticing how defined Vegeta's hands were. For how small he was proportioned, the prince's fingers were rather long, and the skin exceedingly smooth, of course, Goku knew this was because Vegeta always wore gloves. A well of emotion worked it's way up through Goku's body, causing him to shake. His vision blurred as he leaned over, carefully encasing the Saijin prince. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, warm wetness trailing down his cheeks, "I'm so sorry, Vegeta. I...it's just....why do you hate me so? I'm sorry..that I can't be what you want me to be...I'm sorry, Vegeta..." He held onto the smaller hands tighter than before, "I just...I care about you, Vegeta...I wish that you'd see that. I've always wanted us to move on...be friends...at least....I don't understand how I've failed you...is it truly because I'm third-class? Vegeta....I wish....you could see that..I've worked so hard to get where I've got, as have you. Though I think if it comes down to who deserves it, it's you...." Shapes turned into blots of color as more tears escaped. "It's been years.." Goku choked for a moment, trying to resist a sob, "..and you still hated me just as strong, if..if not more..." He blinked, pushing hot tears down his cheeks, "I never understood what you wanted from me! What have I done? What haven't I done? Why do you hate me, Vegeta??"
The sob he had so desperatly tried to restrain tore itself from his throat, "You are my prince, Vegeta! You are the last of my kind, and no one can replace you!" He turned his head sharply and wiped his face against the sleeve of his shirt, his breath shuddering, "You told me once, that you wanted me to feel humiliated, like you have." Goku slowly rested his head on Vegeta's forearm, "If it would please you, my prince, I would gladly take all your humiliations and put them on me. You do not deserve this pain any longer." He sighed softly, closing his eyes, "And I've caused you so much pain. So much pain that you regrew your tail. That is..unforgiveable." Even quieter, almost a whisper, "I..am unforgiveable."
Then he thought again of what he said, 'If it would please you, my prince, I would gladly take all your humiliations and put them on me. You do not deserve this pain any longer.' Yes..he could...! Of course! Vegeta wanted him to feel humiliation, and he wanted himself to feel triumph. The very least Goku could do was give him that. And maybe, with the power of a triumph, it would give Vegeta the strength to wake up, the strength to continue living, if not for himself, than for at least Trunks and Bra's benefit. Goku took a deep breath, hoping that he was making the right decision, and that this wouldn't make things worse. But then again, he had a promise to fulfill. One to make things better, not matter what. He promised Trunks he'd find a way, and he had.
With his eyes closed, he plunged himself into Vegeta's psyche without a second thought. The material world dissapated as his mind connected with the prince's. No permission was granted for this act, but with the sole intention to do good, Goku didn't care about the prospect of a bad consequence. The senses became voluntary actions, only to be felt when desired. His body was long gone, and it was only him, and Vegeta. But as he searched for the other man's inner voice, he only found silence. Where he should've been able to envision some fragment of a topic Vegeta would be dreaming about, consciously or not, there was only darkness. Dark and still was the landscape of Vegeta's mind. Deep, endless, but not calm in the slightest. It was the type of enveloping ink that a child experiences when they had just been taught of what the Boogie Man is. And just like that child, Goku wished for a night light. Some shining beacon of hope. But there was none, and when the seconds became minutes, Goku also felt like that child. The longer you stayed in the dark, the more likely it was that this whatever or whatevers were going to get you. He turned, thinking to escape back to the safety of the hospital room to ponder a new strategy, when a memory of Trunks' voice flared up, 'My mother's dead and you don't have enough self control to stop yourself from taking my father from me as well!?' He stopped his motions, staying within the recesses of Vegeta's subconscious as another reminder came to him, 'If you so dare to break this promise...so help me Goku, I may be weaker than you, but I will make you regret your words.'
Goku turned around again, and with determination, marched further into the darkness.
Chapter 6: Oblivion
"Father?" Trunks called through the door after knocking twice, "Father...?" Hesitantly he opened the door and took a peek inside. There on the bed was the Saijin prince, silently resting. Trunks watched him for a moment before turning to leave, and then, he felt the oddest sensation lingering in the back of his mind. His instincts were screaming at him, telling him there was something off about the situation. The demi-Saijin looked back at his father and noticed something he had not seen the first time - the fact that his skin was pale, especially for Vegeta. "Father?" Trunks asked in a louder voice, stepping toward the prince. He tried to push the worry that invaded him away because he truly didn't have a reason to worry - as of yet. Trunks reached out to nudge his father and wake him but when he made contact with the other man's skin he could only gasp, 'So cold!'
Fear began to seep into his entire being and he shaked Vegeta roughly, shouting, "Father! Wake up!" Tears began to gather in his eyes instantly..he had just lost Bulma! He was not going to lose Vegeta as well! "Father!" Trunks frustratingly called out, panic threatening to overcome him. 'No! I must not panic! I must not...uh..uh...shit! Think Trunks! Damn you, think you idiot!' the purple-haired Saijin tried to calm himself, 'Okay, okay...heartbeat! Yes!' Frantically Trunks felt around Vegeta's neck, searching for a specific spot where he'd be able to feel a heartbeat - if there was one. He couldn't seem to find it or..or there was nothing to find in the first place. Trunks shivered at the thought and nearly cried in relief as he felt a slight thump-thump against his fingertips. 'Thank you god! Thank you!!' Trunks silently screamed before rushing to gather Vegeta in his arms, wrapping a blanket around his form in an attempt to warm him. He raced downstairs and out the door, blasting off to the nearest hospital. He knew Vegeta should have gone to the hosptial last night, he just knew it.
The morning sun blinded him so he adverted his gaze downwards so he was looking at his father. His expression was definitely not of the norm - it looked as if he was completely and utterly relaxed, and he had known for his father to sleep with his scowl still on. 'Oh god...father, why!?' Trunks found himself pondering as they were nearly there, 'Please, just hold on!' He landed carefully in front of the hospital, earning quite a few gasps and doubletakes from the morning crowd. Ignoring them he ran through the front doors and starting yelling, "I HAVE AN EMERGENCY!" This caught the attention of quite a few people. "SOMEONE GET ME A DOCTOR!" Trunks screamed at the top of his lungs. He was NOT going to lose his father, not NOW. 'Father, please, hang on!' the demi-Saijin thought, his hold tensing a bit. A doctor, followed by some nurses and a stretcher, came running down the hallway towards him. "What is it?" the doctor called out as they approched. "I...I..." Trunks stuttered, not sure exactly what the problem was..Vegeta had refused to tell him last night. He rushed towards them and set his father down on the stretcher, removing the blanket for them all the while.
The doctor paused for only a second as he examined Vegeta before turning and asking Trunks, "What happened?" The young man rubbed the back of his neck, answering honestly, "I don't know." The doctor moved and began to push the stretcher towards, most likely, the E.R., "Boy, I'm serious, I need to know what happened.." Trunks nearly shouted at the guy, "I told you! I don't know...last night he came home and when I asked him he wouldn't tell me, but that's my dad for you...damnit! Always so damn stubborn, it always almost got him killed!" They entered a room and the doctor starting cleaning himself up, "Yeah, well, we'll take a look." Trunks paced worridly, trying to restrain his tears, 'Father...why?' The doctor began by cutting up the guaze Trunks wrapped around Vegeta last night, and when he pulled it back he could only gape. His first thought was, 'Why isn't this man dead!?' Upon further examination of the Saijin's body however, he noticed that though the wound was extremely fatal in apperence, the fact that astounded him was that it was healing quite well. As he was continuing his diagnosis, he abruptly gave a startled cry, causing Trunks to turn his attention. "What is it!?" the young man asked while he raced over to the doctor. "He..he..." the man was almost too startled to speak, "He has a tail!" Trunks gave a relieved sigh, 'That's all...?'
"Yes, well, you see..my father is a Saijin," Trunks explained in a hushed tone, "And Saijin's have tails." The doctor gave a quick nod, finishing his examination before answering some of Trunks' silent questions, "His heart beat is steady, though it isn't as it should be. He's lost a lot of blood, and that wound...I'd like for you to find out all you can about how he got it. I'm glad you brought him in, his condition could have worsened if you didn't..you see, he's in a coma." Trunks' heart sank and he swallowed slowly, his throat becoming dry, "A coma?" The doctor nodded before turning and giving instructions to the nurses. After Vegeta was cleaned up and cleared out of the room the doctor turned his attention back to Trunks, "You look familiar, what's your name?" Trunks cleared his throat before answering, "Trunks, Trunks Briefs." The doctor's face fell instantly, "Oh my...you're the son of Bulma Briefs, aren't you?" He nodded. The doctor sucked in a breath, "And she just passed away a few days ago, didn't she?" He nodded again. The doctor suddenly realized the amount of stress the entire situation must be having upon a young man of his age, "I'm so sorry, Trunks. Look, my name is Dr. Patel, if you need anything you only need to call. I'll make sure you'll be able to see your father whenever you like, you just get that info about his chest injury, alright?" He nodded once again. "Alright, I've got to go..got things to do, you know, doctor stuff. Look, I'm really sorry, just hang in there!" Dr. Patel tried to cheer him up before jogging off to another part of the hospital, leaving Trunks by himself.
After finding where exactly they had placed Vegeta, Trunks raced up to his room immediately. Stable...thank god...at least he was stable. The young man took a seat next to the bed, whispering, "Father please, I cannot bear to lose you now..." The pale form made no indication of movement other than the extremely slow rise and fall of each passing breath. "Father..." Trunks choked out as tears welled in his sky blue eyes. He bit his lip for a moment before sighing, "I uh...I'm going to run home real quick and get some things. I'll be back soon, dad, just hang on." Trunks turned for the door and he looked back at the full-blooded Saijin for a moment, "Feel free to wake up at any time, even while I'm out." After a moment of staring he closed the door shut and headed down the hallway. After leaving the building he flew off in an instant, intending to return as soon as possible. Without the sun in his eyes he was able to keep a better handle on his flying and within a few moments Capsule Corp came into view.
He sighed as his feet touched the cement of his doorstep and as he turned to open the door when he suddenly felt ki behind him. Trunks, rather jittery, jumped at the sudden detection and he turned to see who it was. "Hey Trunks," Goku said in a rather soft voice, his eyes having circles under them as if he hadn't had much sleep. "Oh..hey Goku," Trunks replied in a flat tone, a little curious as to why the older man was dropping by. Trunks looked at the door and took a breath to ask Goku if he'd like to come inside, but the Saijin was quick and he asked his question first. "How's Vegeta doing?" Goku asked, sucking in his breath and clenching his muscles. Trunks sighed, bit his tongue, and looked at the ground, feeling tears come to his eyes, "Oh, Goku..." The full-blooded Saijin felt his blood run cold, and a feeling of quivering nervousness pitting in his stomach. Trunks took a moment before he looked back up at Goku, "He's in the hospital. In a coma." There was a moment when nothing was said, and nothing moved. And then Goku suddenly shouted out, "Shit! Oh, shit! This is all my fault! SHIT!" His hands fisted in his hair and he pulled until the strands threatened to break, and for some reason his eyes felt as if they were burning. Trunks blinked a few times until the initial shock wore off, "Goku! Goku! Wait! What!? This is your fault...?? What!?" Goku turned to the purple-haired man, "Damnit! Yes! I...we...last night Vegeta and I had a fight! Shit! I knew something was wrong, goddamnit! I knew it! I knew something was wrong!!" Trunks stood mute and unable to move. "Oh god," Goku kicked the ground in frustration, wishing that it was himself that he was kicking, "Oh god! I'm so sorry, Trunks! I'm so sorry!"
Trunks collapsed to the ground, staring off into space. Goku knelt down next to him and grabbed his shoulders, "Trunks, you've got to listen to me! I'm sorry! It was a mistake! Last night was...insane! Vegeta, he..attacked me for no reason! Went ballistic; out of control! I tried to stop him, Trunks, but he just...just wouldn't; and he kept pushing all the right buttons and, and..and I just..." Trunks snapped out of his daze to glare at the black-haired Saijin, "You nearly killed him!" Goku opened his mouth to reply but the youth pushed him away, "My mother's dead and you don't have enough self control to stop yourself from taking my father from me as well!?" Trunks was beginning to fall into hysterics, "Just leave my family alone!" The demi-Saijin threw open the door which slammed into the wall with damaging force. "Trunks! Listen to me! Please!" Goku shouted, his eyes burning again, "I never wanted this! Never! You know that! You know I'd never want any of this! Trunks..You know I want to help! I'm sorry, I really am!" Trunks spun around, seething, "Well, being sorry doesn't do anything about it!" Goku sighed shakily and gave a bitter nod, "I know." Trunks glared at the older Saijin, and in that instant he looked exactly like his father. Goku's tightly knitted eyebrows began to relax at the sight and he realized just how emotionally exhausted the young man must be, "Trunks. Please, listen to me..I know this will sound crazy but..I will find a way, and I will make it better. I swear to you." The purple-haired man rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Whatever; like promises to me can make a difference to my father." Goku looked down thoughtfully for a moment before he said, "Alright. I swear to Vegeta, to the Saijin race, to his royalty, to his - and my own - ancestors.. that I will make this better, and make it right."
Trunks seemed to review this over for a moment, and then he approached Goku in a few quick strides. Suddenly he grabbed Goku by the collar and pulled them face to face. Trunks hissed venemously, "If you so dare to break this promise...so help me Goku, I may be weaker than you, but I will make you regret your words. Never dare to swear by those things unless you truly mean it. I know my father would kill you if you so dared to break a promise sworn by those things." The taller Saijin was surprised by Trunks' behavior so he was only able to give a small nod in response. Trunks released him with a sigh, his expression turning to sadness once more, "Good....well..I'm going to get some things. I'll be back in a moment if you wish to wait for me, I'm going to go back to the hospital to watch over father." Goku gave another nod and watched the young man take off towards his room. Being left alone, Goku searched for a place to sit while he waited, and he finally took a seat at the table in the kitchen. He hunched over, crossing his arms and closing his eyes. He sat with a lingering sensation that he was going to vomit due to his trembling stomach, but he concentrated on breathing to avoid it. With each unsteady inhale and exhale he became more and more aware of a scent that was around him. It was definatly masculine, an older smell in some sort of way, but very pleasing nonetheless. He felt himself grow calmer the more he focused on it, and he realized that it was familiar. Familiar...and...calm....
'...I hate you, Kakkarot.'
Goku's eyes snapped open as he suddenly knew that this was Vegeta's scent that was giving him a sense of peace. After a few moments of contemplation he then decided he would have to see Vegeta immediately and uphold his promise. The sound of approaching footsteps made him rise from the chair he was sitting in and Trunks came around the corner with a backpack slung over his shoulder. He nodded to Goku and the full-blooded Saijin nodded back, and then they were on their way. Neither spoke a word on the trip to the hospital but when they landed Trunks spoke softly. "I'm sorry about earlier," he murmured just loud enough for Goku to hear. "Hey," Goku replied, just as soft, "You have been through a lot recently. A lot that you shouldn't have to. It's okay, really, Trunks." The demi-Saijin sighed as he nodded, looking down at the floor as they headed for Vegeta's room. They entered the room which was exactly the way it was when Trunks had left it. The purple-haired young man set his bag down out of the way and took a chair next to the bed. Goku stood next to him, examining the full amount of damage he had done. 'My god..he's so pale,' Goku thought, his stomach clenching to the point where his muscles nearly trembled, 'Oh, Vegeta..I'm so sorry. I should've stopped you, but now I don't know what to do.' The urge to vomit started crawling up his throat and Goku quickly spun away. "I think I need a glass of water," he choked out before racing out the door, leaving Trunks alone and a bit confused.
The black-haired man quickly took a few gulps of water from the water fountain, trying to catch his breath which had mysteriously left him. He gripped the water fountain on either side as he hunched over, gasping for air. Why did it hurt him so to see Vegeta like this..? Why did he feel so bad...? Forcing his eyes shut, Goku tried to think of a way to follow through with his promise. He sighed, knowing a public hallway was not the best of places to think things over. Sluggishly he walked back to Vegeta's hospital room, hoping he could resist the urge to vomit if it ever arose again. He entered again, offering Trunks a weak smile, which was returned just as weakly. Nearly shaking, Goku walked around to the other side of the bed to stand beside Vegeta. He clenched his teeth as he swallowed, trying to resist the sudden desire to touch the older man. He only wanted to caress his forehead, run his hand through those dark brown strands, to soothe the hurting prince - but he could not. Carefully, Goku took a seat on the bed next to the comatose figure. He stared for quite awhile at Vegeta's face, not blinking, not moving. "I'm going to go..get something to eat," Trunks declared after an indiscernable amount of time; the young man slowly getting up and leaving the room.
Once Trunks was gone Goku released a deep sigh and let his body tremble. "I'm sorry, Vegeta," Goku whispered, letting his hands take the prince's smaller ones. They were cold, icy cold, and stark white to match. The black-haired Saijin felt his chest heave as he rubbed his hands against the other ones, hoping to warm them. Warmth slowly began to spread into the icicles of fingertips, Goku then noticing how defined Vegeta's hands were. For how small he was proportioned, the prince's fingers were rather long, and the skin exceedingly smooth, of course, Goku knew this was because Vegeta always wore gloves. A well of emotion worked it's way up through Goku's body, causing him to shake. His vision blurred as he leaned over, carefully encasing the Saijin prince. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, warm wetness trailing down his cheeks, "I'm so sorry, Vegeta. I...it's just....why do you hate me so? I'm sorry..that I can't be what you want me to be...I'm sorry, Vegeta..." He held onto the smaller hands tighter than before, "I just...I care about you, Vegeta...I wish that you'd see that. I've always wanted us to move on...be friends...at least....I don't understand how I've failed you...is it truly because I'm third-class? Vegeta....I wish....you could see that..I've worked so hard to get where I've got, as have you. Though I think if it comes down to who deserves it, it's you...." Shapes turned into blots of color as more tears escaped. "It's been years.." Goku choked for a moment, trying to resist a sob, "..and you still hated me just as strong, if..if not more..." He blinked, pushing hot tears down his cheeks, "I never understood what you wanted from me! What have I done? What haven't I done? Why do you hate me, Vegeta??"
The sob he had so desperatly tried to restrain tore itself from his throat, "You are my prince, Vegeta! You are the last of my kind, and no one can replace you!" He turned his head sharply and wiped his face against the sleeve of his shirt, his breath shuddering, "You told me once, that you wanted me to feel humiliated, like you have." Goku slowly rested his head on Vegeta's forearm, "If it would please you, my prince, I would gladly take all your humiliations and put them on me. You do not deserve this pain any longer." He sighed softly, closing his eyes, "And I've caused you so much pain. So much pain that you regrew your tail. That is..unforgiveable." Even quieter, almost a whisper, "I..am unforgiveable."
Then he thought again of what he said, 'If it would please you, my prince, I would gladly take all your humiliations and put them on me. You do not deserve this pain any longer.' Yes..he could...! Of course! Vegeta wanted him to feel humiliation, and he wanted himself to feel triumph. The very least Goku could do was give him that. And maybe, with the power of a triumph, it would give Vegeta the strength to wake up, the strength to continue living, if not for himself, than for at least Trunks and Bra's benefit. Goku took a deep breath, hoping that he was making the right decision, and that this wouldn't make things worse. But then again, he had a promise to fulfill. One to make things better, not matter what. He promised Trunks he'd find a way, and he had.
With his eyes closed, he plunged himself into Vegeta's psyche without a second thought. The material world dissapated as his mind connected with the prince's. No permission was granted for this act, but with the sole intention to do good, Goku didn't care about the prospect of a bad consequence. The senses became voluntary actions, only to be felt when desired. His body was long gone, and it was only him, and Vegeta. But as he searched for the other man's inner voice, he only found silence. Where he should've been able to envision some fragment of a topic Vegeta would be dreaming about, consciously or not, there was only darkness. Dark and still was the landscape of Vegeta's mind. Deep, endless, but not calm in the slightest. It was the type of enveloping ink that a child experiences when they had just been taught of what the Boogie Man is. And just like that child, Goku wished for a night light. Some shining beacon of hope. But there was none, and when the seconds became minutes, Goku also felt like that child. The longer you stayed in the dark, the more likely it was that this whatever or whatevers were going to get you. He turned, thinking to escape back to the safety of the hospital room to ponder a new strategy, when a memory of Trunks' voice flared up, 'My mother's dead and you don't have enough self control to stop yourself from taking my father from me as well!?' He stopped his motions, staying within the recesses of Vegeta's subconscious as another reminder came to him, 'If you so dare to break this promise...so help me Goku, I may be weaker than you, but I will make you regret your words.'
Goku turned around again, and with determination, marched further into the darkness.