Madness

Chapter Twelve

Vegeta's POV

Why haven't they left? He's just sitting up there on the Lookout. Gah, He has no plans to leave, no matter what I say. Stubborn baka. They're all going to get killed. I'm so close. As soon as I find HIM, this will all be over.

Why am I looking for HIM? HE hasn't called me in a long time. What am I doing? What is the point of this? I don't understand; my host is fighting against me. But why?

Normal POV

Vegeta pulled himself into shade, panting from exertion. He'd long since lost the ability to walk, but he still managed to be a decent murdering machine. He saw an infected person walking around slowly. With a growl he came rushing out of the dark and bodyslammed the human to the ground. There was a spout of blood as Vegeta ripped the head off. He was too tired to continue dismembering the corpse, or to dispose of it, so he slid back into the dark and cleaned the blood off of his nasty talons. The taste helped keep him awake. He looked up at the moon and just existed for a moment.

Another person moved in, looking at the oozing body in confusion. Vegeta huffed softly and went out again, killing him in the same fashion. Two others saw the attack and countered against Vegeta. Their deaths were quick and quiet as well. Vegeta didn't come away completely unscathed, however; he noticed a deep stab wound just below his sternum. When had that gotten there? Blood gushed out of it slowly. It was thick and black in the dark. He ignored it for the time being and went on. Curse his body for not working properly. He didn't know why he could no longer stand or sprint the way he used to. It made the killing so much more effective and easy. Now he practically crawled his way through the city, deformed and slow.

He was so hungry... But he had to keep going. He was so hungry... But he was alone. He was so hungry, hungry, hungry...

~Timeskip~

Goku knew for a fact that, without Dende, he would have lost his mind so long ago. He couldn't believe how precious the Namek's company had come to be. It was Dende who made sure he got up every morning, Dende who kept him fed, Dende who gently convinced him into an uneasy rest every night and never left his side. The Guardian could feel the struggles that Vegeta fought through and kept his anxious mate on the same page.

"It's getting harder and harder for him," Dende whispered one night as the looked up at the stars. "I don't think he can walk anymore. His body is so broken. I feel that... something is watching him. It may be the entity Vegeta spoke of. I guess we'll find out, because Vegeta's crazy if he thinks we're leaving without him." Dende made a face. "Oh, wait."

Goku laughed softly, the first time in a long time. "Oh, gosh. If we're to the point of making crazy jokes, then we're all doomed."

"Probably," replied the Namek with a grin.

Vegeta's POV

Hungry... So hungry... Feed... Alone... Feed...

Come to me, little one. For I give rest, I cure hunger, I end all misery and fear.

You're a bastard, you know that? A sick little son of a bitch. I come to no one. You want me? Come and get me. I don't think anyone else will; they're hiding or dead. Let's finish this.

Normal POV

Despite his body's resistance, Vegeta rose to his feet. He couldn't totally straighten himself and didn't try. His head and arms hung limp and low, shoulders hunched. Now it was just a matter of waiting. How long this... thing would take to arrive, he wasn't sure. But he was ready. He was more than ready for this nightmare to end. He was ready to put this thing to sleep and go down with it...

~Timeskip~

Something was happening. The rain kept falling, and the sun almost didn't seem to rise. Goku could feel a cold seeping slowly from his core to the rest of his body. He could barely find the strength to eat. Dende never left his side as he slowly weakened to the point where he almost gave up on stumbling out of his room in the mornings. "He's dying," Goku mumbled, staring out at the rain. "He's not gonna make it. It's so quiet... It's coming for him. It'll take him down or he'll just drop. I can feel it."

"We can't give up hope," the Guardian said firmly. "Vegeta is strong. He can conquer this, just as he has everything in the past."

Goku let his head hang low as a tear slid down his cheek. "But, Dende, he's alone. I don't know if he can do this by himself, but he's the only one that can make it stop." He wiped his face and sighed. "I guess... we'll know in a day or two. Maybe he'll just fall asleep and this will all be over."

"No." Dende squeezed his wrist. "Don't think that way. Bulma's still working on something that might just help Vegeta. She's not giving up and neither can you. Especially you, Goku. If you give up, it really is over. You can't just lay down and die, especially when we're so close. Vegeta wouldn't want you to give up either, now would he? He'd smack you for even thinking about surrender. Goku, he's close to getting what he wants, I know it! Ever since I tried to help him all that time ago, I can... It's almost like what you have with him, but not on so intimate a level. He's so close. He's waiting for this thing now!"

Goku glanced at him. "Really?"

The little Namek nodded excitedly. "Yes. And it's coming. But Vegeta will win! He has a plan. I don't know what it is, but he's got a plan, and knowing Vegeta, it'll be brilliant."

Vegeta's POV

In. Out. In. Out. Come on. Don't make me wait. YOU want this as much as I do. Can YOU feel it? The moon's on the rise. That's when YOU'll come to me, isn't it?

I don't know what's wrong with me! Forgive me, Master, I can't control myself anymore! I need YOUR help! Make it stop! Make me sleep!

Normal POV

Vegeta huffed softly, feeling the dark literally swirling around him in slow, hypnotic movements. Yes... It was coming. He bared his teeth in a bloody grin, the mist of his breath like smoke. He stared into the dark, daring it to take him. At this point it was nearly a physical substance standing ahead of him and it slowly moved forward. His hunger swelled and he growled excitedly. The figure slowed even further. Vegeta laughed breathily. It had no idea what was coming. So close... It was almost over... This hunger, this pain, this need... His broken body shook with desire. So close...

*Almost there, kiddos... Oh gosh... We're almost done here... Holy shit... I'm so scared.*