Madness

Alternate- Dark Fourteen

So where to now? This planet is empty.

Vegeta licked the blood off his long bone claws, slow and luxurious. He growled at the dark's impatience. He sunk his talons into the tiny body of Earth's Guardian and picked him up, just looking. His heart had long ago stopped beating, but now dark purple blood ran down his hand. It was much different from Saiyan or human blood. Namek blood was sweeter, not as rich. And the older it was, the sweeter it got. He looked over at Piccolo's mangled corpse and sighed. He didn't want sweet. He wanted that fiery, rich, Saiyan blood.

The darkness watched him impatiently. Since it now truly held this piece of Vegeta, it sensed that desire. What are we doing? Your hunger is sated, your kills made. What more from this planet can you ask? Don't you want to start over?

Unable to answer, Vegeta shook his head. No, the timing wasn't right. Yes- Yes, he wanted to try again, but... It wasn't time. Something was missing. He needed to find something before he started over. It was a... a... He shook his head, growling angrily. Why couldn't he think of it? Well, of course, he couldn't really think at all since the darkness took that part of him away, but as close to thought as he could get. Vegeta paced, his fury growing. What was he looking for?

A faint tug in his gut led him to wander off, and he sensed that the darkness followed. Vegeta walked for a long time; he no longer had a perception of time, so he didn't know how long. There was a lot of light, but also many dark times. Finally he stopped, looking out across the sea. The sun was setting. The sky and the water looked orange.

Like... what He wore. He always wore orange.

Vegeta looked down. He missed Him. He wanted to see Him again so badly, but he wasn't ready. It was too soon. He had to find whatever it was he was looking for. Then he could go.

The darkness kept to Vegeta's shadow, glaring murderously at the light. What are You looking for? it hissed angrily. I will send You away whether You are ready or not! This is foolish!

Vegeta barked, not turning. He huffed and sat down. His mind was still totally at rest, nearly dead. Something deep inside told him to go Home. But where was that? His inner self, silent and sleeping, could not be roused, so he was helpless and alone. Vegeta stood and paced. What was Home? Where was it? It was not the white place in the clouds, nor was it the place with lots of machines, nor was it the large place in the wilderness. But Home was somewhere here... Wasn't it?

Come Home.

He closed his eyes tightly. What was this feeling? Pain? That wasn't possible. The darkness had taken that away when he fell asleep. But maybe he wasn't totally asleep. After all, he knew he had to go Home, wherever that was. If he was really asleep, the darkness would have let him start over. But he wasn't ready. Which meant he wasn't asleep.

Vegeta growled at the dark mass again, this time accusingly. It moved back. Why hadn't he fallen asleep!? The darkness had promised that pain would go away, yet something in his chest throbbed and ached. He looked around and began to walk again. He had to find Home.

Come Home. Please come Home.

Where was it!? Where was Home!? Vegeta gnashed his teeth furiously and let out a roar of frustration and grief. He had to go Home, but he couldn't find it! Vegeta ignored the darkness entirely now as the sun slid over the horizon to suffer through another night. Where was it, where was it, where was Home!? He began to run. The light returned, and again faded away. Frantically he searched. He had to find it... He had to go Home...

Vegeta didn't remember seeing those lights in the sky. He thought there was only light sometimes. The dark was in the other half of time. Wait... Wait, he knew what these were. They were- They were- stars! He blinked, surprised that he had managed to put a word to an image. Now he definitely knew he wasn't asleep. He was laying on his side, looking up at the stars. He could tell that his body had given out for now, but by the time the big light came back, he would be able to continue his search.

Are you lost? Can't you come Home yet? I really miss you. Did you get lost?

Vegeta wanted to answer, but he couldn't. The dark had taken him. So he could only listen and barely comprehend, something inside him hurting. Was it Him? Was that why he felt this pain? If he went Home, he wouldn't feel this...

I know you can hear me... But... Gods, I miss you. Come Home...

Vegeta felt moisture on his face and wiped it away. It didn't come from above him, no... Wait. It was coming from his eyes. There was more of it, too. This was what happened when someone was in pain, he remembered. So why did He make him hurt? Vegeta remembered that He had been a huge part of his life; the reason he even lived, come to think of it. He wanted to find Him and see Him again. But how? He'd... killed Him.

Home.

He'd killed Him.

Home!

Ignoring the protests from his body, Vegeta staggered to his feet. He knew how to get Home! He finally knew what Home was! The darkness watched him, feeling a wild ecstasy. Something in it felt... uneasy. What was this? Vegeta no longer felt. He was asleep, wasn't he?

Vegeta began to race back the way he'd come. He had to find the sea again. The darkness warped and protested behind him, confused and afraid. What was he doing? The Saiyan practically flew across the landscape. He reached the broad, sweeping ocean much faster than he'd left it, but he couldn't move again, and was forced to remain immobile on the ground. He had to get Home... He had to see Him... He had to go Home...

The dark wailed in terrified protest. He didn't know what Vegeta was doing, but it felt that it wouldn't like it. Now that Vegeta was asleep, however, it had no control over what his body did. It circled him, whirring and whispering. What are You doing? Tell me! I can make You leave, You know!

Vegeta shakily got up, his heart pounding madly. He was almost Home... Soon now... He'd be Home... He'd finally see Him again! Vegeta staggered forward, his eyes fixed on the water. When he reached the water, he almost collapsed, but kept going.

The darkness shrieked in alarm. What are You doing!? Stop! Enough! Are You trying to kill Yourself!? What are You doing!?

The water was getting too deep. Vegeta was struggling to keep his head above the water. Then he thought, why bother? He had to go Home, after all... The dark screamed repeatedly behind him as his head went under. Ouch, why couldn't he breathe? His body tingled strangely. A lot of bubbles were going up from his mouth. It was so weird. His body shook and fought against whatever was happening, but he could hear His voice now! He could hear Him!

Is that you? Oh, you're almost here! Just a little longer. Then I'll finally see you again!

Despite his body protesting violently to this, Vegeta was happy. He was almost there. Almost Home. It was getting so dark. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep...

~HOME~

Vegeta blinked open his eyes, feeling warm and very comfortable snuggled down into big, strong arms. He looked up. Goodness, he could actually think again. His mate stared down at him, somewhere between laughter and tears. "Hi, Vegeta," Goku breathed. "I thought you'd never show up, ha ha. It didn't follow you, did it?"

Vegeta looked around. Their friends and family were all gathered around, watching him happily. "I... No, I don't... think so." Speech was so weird. It felt very foreign, considering it had been months since he'd spoken with his actual voice. He sat up. "Where are we?"

"Otherworld," Goku replied with a shrug. "King Yemma decided just to stick everyone here together instead of splitting us up, which would have normally happened. You and Piccolo might have wound up in Hell, but we convinced him to let everyone stay together. I'm really glad you're finally here." Goku hugged him tightly, but Vegeta frowned even as he returned the embrace. Something wasn't... right...