Madness

Chapter Fourteen

"Goku, eat something, please," Bulma cried, hugging her best friend as tightly as she could. "It's been days... You can't do this to yourself."

Goku remained with his head on his knees. He hadn't stopped shaking and crying since Vegeta's death. It had worsened when they had been told that Vegeta's soul never showed up in the Otherworld. It was as if he had never existed but in their minds and memories.

All Bulma knew was that Goku had hidden the body and went to it at night, seeming to vanish off the face of the Earth. He always came back just as the sun peered up from the horizon, but she knew he wasn't eating. She didn't know whether he drank when he was away, but he hadn't died from dehydration yet, and it had been almost two weeks.

The human continued to hold Goku. "Goku, where is he? We need to-" She held back a sob. "We need to give him a proper burial."

Goku shook his head and, for the first time in almost two weeks, spoke: "Mine." His voice was deep and rough from crying and disuse.

Bulma wiped her tears and walked away. "I thought you should know... We're leaving in two days. We're going to Namek; they've offered to let us stay as long as we need. We're not coming back to Earth. So, if you want, and depending on the condition of his body, you can... you- you can bring V- Vegeta." She bit her lip, dashing away another tear. "I know you guys had something special, but remember that he was my husband once too. I still loved him. I know what you're going through." She left Goku alone to watch the evening clouds shift quietly through the orange sky.

When the first star peeked open a sleepy eye in the heights of the darkening sky, Goku stood and slipped through the window. He flew slowly and quietly to the place where he and Vegeta met, where they had fought their first battle, where they mated, and where Vegeta now slept. He wasn't allowed to be in this place if daylight shone down upon it. Goku landed, making only a whisper of a sound. Wind gusted through the rocks and greeted him in quite whistles. Everything here seemed to have Vegeta's voice.

He went into the little cave and sat down beside Vegeta. Despite the many days that had passed, Vegeta's body had not even begun to decay. Goku was comforted by that realization. Maybe... the little Prince really was just asleep. After all, he'd gone so long without it. He ignored the fact that Vegeta no longer breathed or had a pulse. He was just sleeping. He'd awaken when he was ready.

Goku said nothing, for he had nothing to say. The darkness whispered into the silence around them. It sounded so much like him. Goku realized how lonely he was. Normally the planet buzzed with all the little pieces of energy from the seven and a half billion inhabitants, but now, with the exception of himself, Bulma, Dende, Krillin, Piccolo, his sons, Trunks, Yamcha, Mr. Popo, and Tien, the whole world had gone quiet. All that was left was the dark. He thought deeply as he sat there beside his mate.

"Vegeta... I wanted to ask you something." He looked at the prone figure. "Bulma said we're going to Namek in a few days. Do you want to come with us? Or... do you want to stay here? I think I have to go with them, but if you want to stay here, I'll try to as well..." He sighed. "Let me know when you decide, ok? I love you."

The night crept by, and when the waning moon rose near the height of its path, Goku brought Vegeta out into its light. He held Vegeta's head in his lap and stroked his hair as the moon slowly moved across the sky. It was a beautiful night. There hadn't been any rain for quite a while. Every day and night so far had been clear and beautiful. The air smelled almost too clean with the lack of humans and pollution. Maybe someday he would come back to visit, but... He held Vegeta close. No, there were too many memories. Even this place was almost too much for him to bear. But he felt that Vegeta should sleep here.

Goku sighed unhappily when he saw the horizon growing brighter. Oh, how he wished that the nights could be longer. He didn't want to go back. But he picked up Vegeta and took him back into the cave, settling him in a comfortable position. "I'll see you this evening," he murmured, gently pressing a kiss to the cold forehead. "I love you."

He began the flight back to the Lookout, alone.

~Timeskip~

Goku watched silently as they finished loading the space craft. Krillin looked at him over his shoulder. "You ready, Goku?"

The Saiyan glanced at his feet and shook his head a little. This was his home. He didn't want to go. And Vegeta never had answered him. He looked up at his friend, eyes filled with tears, and shook his head again. Goku swallowed hard and whispered, "Can I... do something? I'll be... right back."

They'd become almost used to the slow, measured way Goku spoke now. Bulma nodded. "Take your time."

Goku flew away, terrified. He wasn't supposed to go there in the day, but he wanted to see Vegeta. He had to. He knew that he'd be forgiven. He wouldn't disobey without good reason. He landed in the wasteland and made his way to the cave. Goku paused just outside. "V- Vegeta...? I- I'm sorry, but I had to come." He went inside and froze.

There was no body. Nothing at all.

"No." Goku looked around frantically. Had someone come and taken him!? The thought filled him with a rage he'd never felt before. No one had the right to touch his Prince! No one! With a roar, he sped away, back toward the ship. Of course they'd taken him! If Vegeta wasn't here, then he had no reason to stay!

He landed, still filled with a bloodthirsty anger. A small crater was left at the violent landing. The survivors turned quickly at the loud impact. Goku's hair threatened to burst into gold. "Where is he?" the Saiyan hissed in a voice scarcely his own.

"Goku...?"

"Where's Vegeta?" he barked. He strode forward with a mind set on murder. How could they do this to him? How could they take away his most beloved possession? "I know you took him! Where is he!?"

Someone walked in front of him, blocking his way. Goku, blind with rage and tears, almost backhanded them out of his path. However, his hand was smoothly caught. Gloves? Goku thought. None of his friends wore gloves. He blinked to clear his vision.

The first thing he saw was gentle, smiling eyes. They were as black as the night, but still held a sparkle. Dark, fiery spikes of hair. A tight blue fighting gi. And snow white gloves. When it all came together, and he took a step back, he saw that a Saiyan stood before him. The full-blooded, wild, temperamental, proud Prince of all Saiyans, Vegeta.

The silence was palpable. Goku felt as if he was dreaming. A tear fell down first one cheek, than the other. No, this... He had to be dreaming. Vegeta was still asleep. He was sleeping.

Vegeta slowly shook his head. His eyes were so bright. He let go of Goku's hand, which fell limp at his side. No one seemed to have the ability to move. Goku squeezed his eyes tightly, positive that he was dreaming, or worse, hallucinating. He choked down a sob. When he opened his eyes, Vegeta was still there. The Prince reached out and touched his face. Goku exhaled shakily as he felt a real glove with a real hand inside it brush away his tears. He laughed softly, disbelievingly. "This is impossible," he whispered.

Vegeta smiled, shaking his head. He put his other hand on Goku's heart. Then he took his hand and moved it to his own chest. A gentle, rhythmic thump stirred under Goku's hand. Vegeta brought Goku's head down a few inches and stood on his tiptoes, planting s soft kiss on Goku's lips, which were salty from his tears. "Vegeta?" Goku whispered. He gripped the little hand in his tighter.

Vegeta nodded. He laughed breathily and began to lead Goku towards the ship. Everyone else stood in shock. Goku, however, was ready to scream with ecstasy and joy.

Vegeta had answered, and he had said yes.