The last vow

Chapter 16 - Raditz

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It was early in the afternoon. Raditz left the soldiers' dining area, following Nappa closely.

''We could have brought him a piece of bread, don't you think?'' he said to the huge Saiyan in front of him.

The latter shrugged his shoulders.

''Eight days. He's seen worse, you know that. You remember the time on planet Traffla, we spent almost two months feeding on leaves. It sucks, but he'll survive.''

''I know he'll get through it, that's not the point. I just thought we could have sneaked something back to him.''

Nappa stretched his left arm, sighing. Raditz knew he wouldn't admit it, but this morning's training had cost him a few torn and painful tendons.

''You know the guy. He would have put everything in the trash anyway. He doesn't need our help, and even less our pity.'' said the giant.

''He must look like shit. I heard Zarbon bragging about Frieza allowing him to participate in the beating.''

''If it was Zarbon who did the beating, then his pride paid far more than his bones.'' Nappa laughed.

Raditz grimaced. Thinking about Zarbon's slimy, blue fists crashing against his jaw made his stomach churn.

''It's been five days of famine. He must barely be able to open his eyes at this point.''

''No matter how he feels at the moment, he will be better when he hears about what we have to say.'' Nappa added, rubbing his fist.

The long-haired Saiyan felt a shiver of excitement run down his spine. During lunch time, he and Nappa had caught part of the conversation between Guldo and Jeice, two members of the Ginyu Force sitting close to them. What they had learned had encouraged them to quickly finish their meal and leave the cafeteria to head at the medical unit. They absolutely had to share the information they just got with their prince.

At the medical unit, they were soon directed to a bed in the back of the room, a small space surrounded by white curtains. Raditz, impatient to see if Vegeta would be alert enough to welcome and listen to them, shot one of them open.

Speechless, he stopped abruptly.

Vegeta had gotten out of bed. He was wearing workout shorts, doing push-ups on the floor. His body covered in bandages was glistening with sweat, clearly indicating that this was not his first set.

''Damn, here I was, thinking I'd find you on your deathbed.'' Raditz said when he saw him. ''Frieza was in a good mood? Did he spare your bones this time?''

Nappa passed the curtain too. He crossed his arms on his broad chest and looked satisfied when he saw his sovereign was not as damaged as he thought he would.

''We were misinformed. We thought you had received a starvation sentence.'' he added. ''Unless you have developed a new technique to resist hunger. If so, you must show me how to do it.''

Vegeta did a final set of five push-ups and stood on his feet, proudly blowing air through his nostrils. He turned to face them, smirking. He was out of breath and clearly not in the best shape, this type of exercise usually not being strenuous for him.

''You have not been misinformed.'' he replied, stretching. ''Maybe I'm more resilient than you thought. Now tell me what the hell are you guys doing here?''