Hey! I'm back with another chapter! Thanks for the reviews.. this chapter will be very long, and I'll probably update in a couple of days, or a week. Oh, and Noctorro reviewed with an interesting point.. the reason Goku wanted the 'killer' to pay with his life, is because he blamed so much of the guilt on himself. He'll chill once a couple of days pass.. well, enjoy this chapter! It has a lot of important details that are very significant to the climax and the rest of the story.

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The wind continued to brush against his orange gi, giving it a freezing atmosphere. Goku's eyes were still fixed at the frozen grass; as if his pupils were unable to move by some unnatural force. Pain was still clawing at the pit of his stomach, practically numbing his mental state. The saiyan had no idea what to do next; how long the prince would be unconscious. He had lost tremendous amounts of blood; and even for a saiyan it would take long to recover. The bitter aroma of blood still invaded his nostrils, and it was sickening. Just to think.. a murder took place just a couple of feet away..

An unnerving feeling came over him just then; that there was something he could do. But what? Goku couldn't sense any unfamiliar ki; let alone one of a cold murderer. It wasn't like Goku could go catch the killer.. but then, the realization dawned on him. The only thing he could do besides wait, was go visit the prince. Maybe he could even calm down Bulma and Trunks a little; get them to relax. With this new determination and desire, he found himself standing on his two feet, already putting two fingers at the center of his forehead.

Bulma sat on the chair, unable to move anything at all. Her whole body felt numb, but she didn't know if it was because it was cold, or because of the utter shock she possessed. Maybe both.. She looked despairingly at her young son. How heavenly he looked in the light; his purplish pink hair waving with every shudder he gave, his eyes so filled with tears it made his face shimmer with light. Tears were already seeping through her eyelids again.. it wasn't fair. All of this had come too fast, -- Vegeta's blood everywhere, hardly any pulse, his arm was almost dislocated from his joints. All this, and having to wake up her innocent son, having to corrupt him to pain, sadness and fear. It just wasn't fair! How the hell could this happen? To her husband.. the prince of a warrior race.. second to Goku in strength, but still the most powerful fighter in the universe. She cried painfully; her sobs echoing in the deserted hallway. The only things that filled into her ears were the consistent beeping noises of the machines that tried to keep Vegeta's life in order. The doctors, trying desperately to try and save his life without it slipping into the horrors of death. The fear she was feeling pounded into her heart; making every breath she took a struggle to keep her sanity.

Footsteps ran down the hallway, as if in a sudden hurry. Despite her frustration at the moment, the blue-haired woman couldn't help but let curiosity take over, and her head snapped up to look. A familiar orange carroty colored gi appeared in front of her astounded eyes -- She felt like laughing. How many years had she known Goku and still hadn't gotten used to the Instant Transmission? Bulma looked straight up into his onyx eyes; how pleasant they were. No matter how difficult the situation seemed to be, Goku always had a defiant look in his eyes; with a little hint of optimism despite what was happening. The stubborn eyes narrowed slightly, as if analyzing Bulma's emotions. Words tried to escape from her lips, but sound was impossible. Distress was too involved in her heart to make any form of conversation.

"Hi.. Bulma.."

His voice had somewhat snapped her out of the daze she was in; but then again, only Goku could pull off something like that. The almost widowed scientist fought back tears that were threatening to fall out; and hell, how easily and how much she wanted just to let go, just to cry until she couldn't anymore. But the past had taught her otherwise; she had to be strong. A sigh escaped her parched throat, and she finally tried to talk.

"Who did this.. Goku?"

Her voice faltered, half mixed with panic and sorrow beyond reason. Sobs and gasps penetrated her body until it shook uncontrollably. Paranoia now dulled her senses, everything was getting blurry because of the tears that watered her pupils.

Goku felt the guilt start to claw at his heart and it was beginning to get the better of him. No! He had to stop blaming himself.. after all, he didn't know Vegeta would get murdered.. or did he? Goku shook his head and tried to shake off the horrifying visions, and tried to answer Bulma's difficult question. He took a deep breath.

"I don't know Bulma.. but I'm going to figure it out.."

Damn! Why was his voice so filled with rage? He needed to chill.. to calm down. But it felt as if something was blocking his return to his common sense. Whimpers could be heard now from not only Bulma, but Trunks as well. He must've been overhearing the whole conversation contently, because until now, he hadn't uttered a single word.

"M-.. Mr. Goku.. I-is.. My dad gonna be ok?"

Goku had heard this exact same tone of voice from Trunks before.. perhaps when the news of Vegeta's death from Buu was too much for him to bear.. yes, that was definitely it. He remembered Trunks' hard time to focus on the task ahead -- fusion. Goku clenched his fist and he felt his muscles tighten with hatred, yet calmness at the same time. A wry smile formed on the full-blooded saiyan's lips.

"Of coarse Trunks.. your father's a pretty tough guy. He wouldn't die from small injuries like this.." Goku wished he could've convinced himself of the statement he had just said.. His eyes drifted from the small boy, to the clever Bulma. Her lips quivered with anxiety; twinges of her eyes and mouth were forming. Goku knew what he had to tell her, and at least it would help her a lot.

"Bulma.. go home.."

Once again, the daze she was caught up in disappeared. Her pupils contracted as she thought over the statement the saiyan just made. Her lips stopped quivering, her eyes stopped watering, and her body stopped shaking. A very exhausted smile gave way onto her face, making her look ten times more tired.

"Alright.. I'll.. g-go.. home.."

Goku nodded; Bulma was a very clever person indeed. Goku knew she understood the seriousness of the circumstances that were ahead. Without anymore words, gasps, or sobs, Trunks gradually took hold of his mother, and slipped her behind his back. They both, without further hesitation, ascended into the sky getting farther away every second that passed. The saiyan breathed a sigh of relief; finally maybe Bulma and her son could relax.. at least for the moment.

The silence was subtle now.. not one sound punctured the stillness and tranquility of the moment. Even though the thought of the close murder stayed fresh in his mind, everything was peaceful now. Finally, for what seemed like eternity everything was so calm.. too calm.

A door slammed shut loudly, making Goku jump. He looked into the condescending hallway where a man with a white, plain coat was walking hurriedly towards Goku. Goku stood up, a frightening excitement tearing up his mind. The man, who was identified to be Mr. Johnson, (Goku read his name tag that was in his left breast pocket), stood firm and strong as he was about to bare the news.

"Where is Bulma and her son?"

Goku stood stiff as well, ready to answer any question that was directed towards him.

"They went home.. how is Vegeta?"

Mr. Johnson's glasses sparkled with insolence.

"I'm sorry.. I can only tell that to Ms. Briefs and Trunks.."

"No! You don't understand! I'm Vegeta's.. friend. Tell me please.. I have to know how he's doing."

The doctor shook his head, holding up his hand in protest.

"I'm sorry mister.. you don't have any proof that you even know Vegeta. Now, I'm afraid I will ask you to leave-"

"No! Damnit! You tell me right now how he's doing or suffer the consequences!!"

Goku raised his clenched fist in anger, and was about to punch when --

He saw the fear and helplessness of the doctors eyes.. the utter stunned expression on his face. Goku lowered his fist, his face lessening with contempt. He couldn't believe what he was about to do.. was he really losing it? Realization came over him.. he was about to hurt an innocent person! He backed away in shock.. the doctor slowly gaining his breath back.

Goku ran towards Mr. Johnson, a look of total apology outlining his features.

"I'm so sorry! I.. I've been in a lot of stress lately.. are you ok?"

The doctor gave Goku a look of agony and abhorrence.

"L.. l.. listen sir.. I don't know who the hell you are, but fine I'll tell you what happened to my patient. He almost dislocated his right arm.. it's going to be injured for awhile. The amount of blood loss is amazing.. the fact that this guy is even alive is a miracle. The number of broken bones count up to 15.. a quantity of his ribs are fractured, his left ankle is totally broken, and mainly his shoulder is busted. But.. he will be fine after a couple of months."

Goku smiled gratefully. His instincts had been right.. Vegeta was going to live after all.

"There is something puzzling you should know.."

Goku's mind snapped back from his thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"The time of the attempted murder happened around 12:13 am.. it's puzzling to think this man actually managed to stay alive four hours later.. he must have a very strong will. Either that, or he had a strong desire to live."

Another grin took residence on the saiyan's lips. Vegeta had been strong alright..

***

Death.. he had almost experienced death. The shadows that would one day consume everyone, almost consumed him. The light at the end of the tunnel.. it had all felt so close. Cloudy figures appeared in front of him, shattering him from the state of unconsciousness that he held. He noticed eyes were on him and his vision was very blurry.. a person was beginning to become clearer.. A familiar orange gi penetrated from the murkiness.. a voice sounded from the darkness.

"Vegeta?!"