Madness

Chapter Nine

"We don't have senzu to spare," Goku said, rubbing his neck. Bulma had been right; there was at least one fracture or break in every one of Vegeta's bones. "How the heck is this happening? And why?"

"His muscles are constricting so powerfully that it's breaking him apart," Bulma guessed. "That must be why he's moving so oddly all the time. But... how? How is he not feeling any pain?"

"Don't know. I mean, I don't feel anything; our link still has that much of a connection." Goku felt ill at just the thought of how painful that would be. Come to think of it, he did know. In his first battle against Vegeta...

Vegeta slipped off the table, coming back to Goku's side. Now that he knew, Goku saw the strange way Vegeta moved. "Oh, Vegeta..." He sat down and held the smaller Saiyan close. "How did this happen? He hasn't been doing anything strenuous enough to even begin warranting that."

Piccolo thought deeply for a moment. "He shivers," he murmured. "Vegeta's always shivering; his muscles are constantly constricting, and he's getting stronger..."

"What?" said Bulma. "Stronger?"

"Haven't you noticed, Goku?" the Namek asked. "He's stronger than you and the boys combined at this point."

Goku's stomach lurched oddly. He looked at Vegeta, who stared at him passively. "Begeta... N- No, I haven't noticed. But... holy... yeah, he is."

Even with Vegeta's broken energy, he was physically far superior to even Goku. The thought was a chilling one. If he were to be angered or frightened at this point... Goku's chest was tight. Vegeta was, in this moment, the most powerful being in the Northern Quadrant. Maybe in the Universe.

"D'ah! Vegeta! Stop it!"

Goku came back to attention and gently pulled Vegeta's hand away from his mouth. No damage had been done- yet. Piccolo silently handed the muzzle Goku. Goku made a face and sighed.

~Timeskip brought to You by another night of Shrek the Musical...~

Despite his strange predicament, Vegeta seemed happier than usual. But the breaks were becoming worse. It was beginning to change Vegeta's appearance, and not in a positive way. Frankly, it was terrifying. A misshapen beast roamed the halls of the Lookout by night, silent and watchful. Goku had taken to sleeping in the day and keeping Vegeta company. Piccolo often joined them.

One night, Goku noticed a pattern in Vegeta's wanderings. He wasn't moving aimlessly about; he had set up a detailed patrol. When he questioned Piccolo concerning it, the Namek replied, "I have noticed. He's regained some of his old habits. He was always wandering around at night. It stopped around the time he started showing symptoms, remember?"

Goku nodded. "Do you think...?"

"We can't jump to conclusions, Goku, nor can we expect this to end prettily. I mean..." Piccolo's eyes had a slightly haunted look. "Look at him. This will worsen, and we don't have many senzu."

Vegeta glanced at them upon hearing this. He trilled softly to get their attention. Snagging Goku's gi with his teeth, he dragged his mate along the corridor. "Ok, ok, I'm coming!" Goku said. "What do you want?" Vegeta led them to one of the spare rooms. He released Goku and began searching around, sniffing. Eventually he found what he was looking for. Vegeta hissed and tossed something out before coming back.

Goku picked up a bag full of senzu beans. "Whoa. Where did these come from?" He looked at Vegeta, who looked rather pleased with himself. "Thanks, Vegeta." He rubbed Vegeta's head. He opened the bag, but immediately noticed an odd smell. It wasn't necessarily a bad smell, just not the one he associated with the beans. "Where did you get these, Vegeta?"