Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Stealing Time ❯ An Altered State of Mind ( Chapter 8 )

Stealing Time chapter eight  

Envy/self loathing Playful/crazy Anger/hatred Sad/confused Loving/fatherly  

An Altered State of Mind

Before the sun finished rising a bedraggled Saiyan prince had already been wide awake. He'd spent most of the night pacing his room. At one point he'd lay in bed forcing himself to get comfortable but never succeeding. He even went down to the kitchen and tried warm milk. His throat clenched, cringing with every sip of the liquid finding his taste to be indifferent to the beverage. He finally gave up his attempts at sleep and sat awake in the seat of his window. Letting the cool night air brush past him. He dozed off a few times then but would jump out of his slip into slumber minutes later. Now morning was here and he'd have to face another day. The only plus to that miserable night was no nightmares had come and no voices were heard.

The Saiyan pried his eyes away from the morning sky with its bright orange and yellow hughe swirling with blues and purples. Letting out a deep sigh he ran a hand down his exhausted face. Forcing himself up from the window seat he stumbled towards the bathroom. 'This isn't good if Trunks sees me like this- if anyone sees me like this, they'll know something's wrong.' He gets over to the sink splashing cold water repeatedly on his skin.'But how can I hide it, I can't stay locked up in this place all day. They're already suspicious of me. Playing hide and seek will only make it worse.'

He dried himself with a hand towel and placed it back over the bar it'd been hanging from. Walking back out into the bedroom his body swayed a bit suddenly feeling weak and drained from lack of sleep. He managed to make it to the bed taking a seat before anything else could happen.

"How can I put up a disguise when I can barely function?" He breathed in deeply to clear his mind and layed back onto the comforting blanket beneath him. In the quiet of his room he could hear Trunks out in the hallway. The bathroom door shut with a loud click and the sound of water running through the pipes was the next thing to be heard. Vegeta could remember the thickness in the air of last night, when he'd left his son standing at the bottom of the stairs but anything before that his mind drew a blank.

"Again I'm losing track of time and can't recall a damn thing except for waking up in strange places. What if I said something to the boy I shouldn't have?" Sitting himself back up he decided whatever went on between them the other day he'd find out soon enough. Most likely during another of their morning confrontations. The least he could do for himself was be prepared for it. So he went to shower himself just as his son was doing at the moment. Lately it seemed that all he and the teen did was argue when they came in contact with each other. The more recent spouts Vegeta wasn't even sure what they were arguing about. 'Ha! And what's so great about being a parent?' He questioned the words of countless fathers around the world.

............

Trunks stripped himself of his night clothes, underwear included, and sat down on the edge of the bath tub. Gentle little drops of water hit his bare back because the shower was running but the curtain hadn't been pulled over to keep the water in. The young Saiyan sighed heavily resting his hands on his knees. It had been a long night for the boy. Most of it he'd spent lying awake worried and trying to figure out why his father was acting so strangely. Wondering what it was Goku saw the other doing but wouldn't tell him. He and Vegeta have had their differences before and their times of falling out but now, now Vegeta was just not all there.

'Ah dad why won't you talk to me?' A hand ran through his uncombed mop of lavender hair and he stood. Stepping into the shower and yanked the curtain over roughly to get out some of his frustration. He stood under the warm water, head tilted upwards letting the liquid wash over him.

............

Vegeta stood in his shower, head tilted up towards the nozzle that sprayed warm water over his face. He had been thinking about Trunks trying to come up with a plan. He was messing with the idea of apologizing, which wasn't something he did often and didn't plan to start. His real goal wasn't really to make the boy feel better but to keep him from suspecting anything. He figured he could play the loving father if it meant keeping his secret.

Backing out of the water he slides the glass door over reaching out for his towel on the bar against the wall. "It shouldn't require this much work and thinking just to get through a morning." He grumbled to himself as he exited the shower turning off the water on his way.

It doesn't have to be this hard Vegeta.

The Saiyan froze hearing another all too familiar voice in his head. 'So much for hoping they were gone for the day.' Because he recognized this voice as a more gentle sounding one he decided to ignore it or try his best to anyway. He wrapped the towel around himself and walked over to the sink looking up into the mirror. The cuts on his face had healed a bit since the other day, his liquid bandages washed away. Running a hand over his chin, he checked to see if he might need a shave soon. He didn't of course.

Let me out and I can help you get through this.

Apparently his mind wasn't going to let up playing tricks on him. So glaring into the mirror at himself, as a way of communicating with... himself Vegeta spoke. "Listen I don't know what the hell is going on here but I'm damn tired of being used as a puppet. Leave me alone!" He stared at himself hard and waited for the mental reply. Nothing came and he felt suddenly foolish and turned away from the mirror, leaving the bathroom all together.

'This is insane, now I'm talking to myself literally in more ways than one.' He managed to get dressed in a rare pair of black jeans and white tank top, leaving his feet bare. Fixing the unslept in bed, just when he'd thought his words had chased the voice away-

You're not strong enough Vegeta let us help you.

"Rrr." He threw the sheets around with more vigor this time and forced himself to ignore the words again.

You can't get away from us that easily, it's already too late. Just let us help.

He stood up straight throwing the pillow down at the top of the bed. "Help with what!? I don't know what you're talking about I don't need anyone's help for anything!" Not realising what he was doing, Vegeta started messing up the bed spread now instead of fixing it. Frustrated with himself and those damn haunting words. How dare they call him weak! How dare they say he, prince of Saiyans, would need help with anything! He didn't even know exactly who they were.

Denial is going to be your downfall Vegeta.

The Saiyan froze in his deconstruction of the bed looking frightened.

Don't be stupid too. You should know by now we can hear your thoughts. We are your thoughts.

Out of the blue a sharp pain struck through the Saiyans mind and he snapped around quickly-

Outside in the hallway Trunks heard a sudden crash and ran towards the source, his fathers bedroom. Without thinking he yanked the door open. "Dad what happened?" Quickly surveying the place he found a broken lamp, that used to be on the bedside table, lying on the floor and Vegeta not far from it. The small Saiyan was slowly getting to his feet shaking his head gently. "Dad...?"

Looking at his son Vegeta gave an eerie smile then looked away form the boy towards the mess. "It's alright son, I just backed into the table by accident and the lamp fell." He knelt down and started cleaning the broken pieces up placing them on top of the bed.

Trunks watched in quiet fear, fear of saying anything wrong that might set his father off and from having just seen what he did. That uncharacteristically reassuring smile. It was close to the same one he'd received the night before when he'd found his father in the hall on his way from the den. Swallowing hard he wet his lips forcing himself to speak. "A- are you sure that's all?"

Without looking at him and still picking up small pieces Vegeta responded. "Of course, now go get ready for school I'll be down soon."

"O-okay." Without anymore question Trunks did as he was told leaving the door open behind himself. In a confused daze he picked up his back pack that had been dropped in the hall on his sprint to check on Vegeta. He slowly made his way down the stairs taking a quick glance back at the bedroom. 'Am I dreaming or did I just wake up in another world?' He dropped his bag off at the bottom of the stairs and went into the kitchen for a quick breakfast. 'He was so calm and and he smiled at me.... again!' Taking down a box of flake cereal from the cabinet. Trunks worked his way around the kitchen grabbing a bowl and spoon then some milk. 'This is all getting too weird now, one minute he hates me then he looks happy to see me. If he's not yelling he's being suspicious.' He unconsciously prepared his cereal as he thought and put everything away. Taking a seat at the table he ate. 'Something has to be really wrong with him. Maybe I should stay home today and see if I can find out.'

The boys head began to hurt a little trying to figure out what could be going on. So he decided to let it go until his dad showed up and then he'd get some answers. He didn't have to wait long before he appeared at the door way with a small trash bag in hand carrying the remains of the lamp. Trunks watched him dispose of the mess into the larger trash can sitting by the back door. 'Well better now than never.' Putting his spoon down the teen cleared his throat waiting for his dads attention. When the smaller Saiyan finished his task he looked to his son standing where he was, arms crossed waiting.

"Uh, I know you're probably tired of hearing this by now but are you feeling ok?"

For the second time that day and third time that week Vegeta smiled at him. This time it was more of a sneer like there was an unsaid meaning behind it. "I've never felt better." Was the reply that matched the sneer. Satisfied with that he went to the sink to wash his hands.

'So he says, but something’s not right.' Trunks joined him at the sink dropping off his emptied bowl of cereal. He stole glances from the side of his eye at the man standing beside him. 'He looks the same and sounds the same but something- something about him is different.'

"Problem?"

"Uuh." It startled Trunks when Vegeta suddenly faced him, having caught the boy staring.

"Don't you have school or something?" He walked away from him shutting the water off.

"Actually I was thinking of staying home today... with you."

Vegeta froze where he stood. 'No I can't let the boy hang around all day it might break my hold on this body.' During Vegeta's minor freak out in the bedroom he managed to get free of the Saiyan's mind and was now in control. Something every alter wanted and would do whatever it took to keep it. "You can't, I won't have my son failing or missing days for nothing."

"But dad I-"

"No buts, you're going and that's that." After confirming his stand on the issue the alter got out of there as fast as he could heading to the bathroom in the hall. He could already feel himself losing his hold on the body and he wasn't ready to let that happen. The same headaches Vegeta had been receiving were now coming down on him. "No not yet." Unlike the others he truly meant to help the host form of himself and that would take some time to accomplish. As the pain grew he leaned over the sink supporting himself. It was obvious Vegeta was struggling with something deep inside and unconsciously formed each one of them for reasons he himself didn't even know. It wasn't the first time an alter managed to get free but this one planned on making his stay last a bit longer. Looking into the mirror, as Vegeta had done earlier, he spoke to the image. "Not just yet."

Out in the kitchen Trunks was sulking over his dilemma. 'I should have pushed harder to stay. Why? Why do I let him control me like that?' He slammed both fist down onto the little kitchen table.

"Was it a bad table?" A joking voice came from behind him. Trunks turned his head to the familiar intruder.

"Hey Goten." He straightened up moving away from the table. "Give me a minute and we can go." He said in a very obvious tone of misery.

"Morning not going so great?" Goten approached and placed a hand on the other boys back rubbing it gently. Trunks just shook his head in response then moved from his boyfriends touch to face him.

"You know what your dad said last night about Vegeta acting weird and all." Goten nodded. "I'm starting to witness it myself and its freaking me out." He moved away from the table leaving the kitchen. Goten followed Trunks out into the living room to retrieve his back pack. Vegeta was no where in sight. "Hang on a sec." Trunks ordered Goten who was waiting at the front door. He planned on showing Goten just what he meant, placing his hands over his mouth he called through the house. "Dad! I'm leaving!"

Not far away in the bathroom Vegeta heard this and grit his teeth still struggling with the pain in his head and to keep his hold on the body. "Damnit." Forcing himself up he breathed in deeply to try calming down so as not to raise suspicion in his son.

Goten and Trunks waited a minute and Vegeta appeared looking a little worn but he wore another queer smile. "Goten I didn't know you were here, well you two enjoy your school. I'm heading out to train." He lied. The boys gave him queer looks themselves but Vegeta paid them no mind. He turned away disappearing up the stairs to get away from the watchful eyes. Once Vegeta was out of sight Trunks joined Goten at the door.

"See what I mean."

"It was a little freaky, he actually remembered my name." Goten joked but it was clear on Trunks' face he was in no mood to laugh. "but it wasn't so out of the ordinary." They left the house Goten closing the door after them. "Maybe he just felt bad about something and is trying to make it up to you."

"Yeah maybe. He was kinda nasty last night.. but then again when is he not?" Goten already began walking away from the capsule home but Trunks was hesitant to move. Still afraid something bad was going to happen and he needed to be there incase it did but what could he do? Once Vegeta made up his mind about something it stuck and the last thing the teen wanted to do was aggravate the man further. Especially if this odd behavior was Vegeta's way of apologizing to him. After one glance at the home he ran to catch up to his boyfriend. They hadn't gotten a few feet away when they sensed a small ki coming towards them and immediately recognized it.

"Hey dad." Goten said with a smile as if he hadn't just seen the man moments ago at home. The adult Saiyan landed beside the boys.

"Hey son, Trunks. Don't you two be late for school now."

"We'll try not to."

"Are you going to see my dad?" Trunks asked hopefully before Goku could take off again..

"Yeah actually." He scratched the back of his head. Wondering why Trunks seemed so anxious. "Why, is there something wrong?"

"I'm not sure. That's why I need you to watch him for me."

"Don't worry about it Trunks I won't take my eyes off him, I've been worried about Vegeta myself."

"Thanks Goku we'll come straight home from school this time. Let's go Goten."

"Later." He watched them both take to the sky to speed up their trip.

'Something must have happened to make Trunks so cautious like this. I'd better get there now then if it's that serious.' He wasted no time sprinting off to get to Capsule Corp.

...............

"Urh... aaaah!" Vegeta was clutching at his head trying desperately to fight the throbbing pains. He collapsed to his knees on the floor in his bedroom. His breathing came out in harsh gasp. 'Is this what it feels like when we're trying to come out?' Alter Vegeta could feel himself losing his hold, the original Saiyan was waking from his mental slumber and wanting his body back but the alter was trying hard to keep that from happening.. "Don't fight me... you're not ready yet."

The sudden sound of the doorbell ringing through out the home interrupted his mind struggle. Vegeta's yells and cries of pain halted, he stilled himself trying to keep quiet and listen.

"Vegetaaaa! Its me."

'K-kakar- Uugh.' Grabbing his head in pain he used the bed to help himself off the floor. 'Why's he here?' He straightened up closing his eyes tightly to try and relax his mind. He forced his breaths to come out evenly, breathing in deep and letting it out slowly. Opening his eyes he realized that Vegeta was no longer trying to come back to his own mind and body. 'The sudden start of the doorbell must have broken the struggle between myself and Vegeta.'

Feeling a little better he relaxed now. "Perfect. Now I can start reparing the mess he made. Starting with you Kakarot."

Downstairs Goku had let himself in when he didn't get a response. "Vegeta are you in here?" He wandered into the living room looking up the stairs for any signs of life. "Vegeta?"

Said person appeared at the foot of the stairs moments later, fully dressed now in casual wear, staring down at his unexpected guest. Vegeta descended the stairs slowly making a lump form in the other mans throat. Goku moved aside for him when Vegeta made it to the bottom of the stairs. "For a minute I thought you might not be home, I hope you don't mind my coming in." Goku followed the silent man into the kitchen.

"Of course not you're always welcome here." Was the Saiyan prince's reply.

Goku's eyebrows quirked up in shock and disbelief. "Really?"

"Really." Vegeta repeated. Once in the kitchen Vegeta went into the refrigerator fishing for something to eat. It had been awhile since Vegeta actually ate anything and it was doing a number on his physical state. Goku stood by lingering in the doorway a bit uncomfortable. His mind was still trying to process what his former rival had just said and how he'd said it. He watched Vegeta mull around in the fridge for minutes wondering what the other man was doing. His question was soon answered when Vegeta reemerged.

"I'm starving, care to join me for breakfast?" He asked backing out from the cool air and bright light of the refrigerator.

"Huh?!" Now Goku was even more dumbfounded by the request.

"Huh?" Vegeta mocked. "Unless you've already eaten, which I'm sure wouldn't affect your decision either way, I asked.. if you... wanted to join me... for breakfast." He said each few words slowly so the other would understand this time. Even though he knew why Goku was so bewildered, he was being nice to him in a way the original Vegeta rarely or ever was. The alter had to make sure not to lose Vegeta's way of speaking though, even if that meant being a bit rude and sarcastic. Otherwise it might give it away to Goku that something’s not right.

Coming out of his awestruck state Goku replied finally joining the other man in the kitchen. "Yeah sure I'll eat with you, if you really want me to."

"Good." Vegeta took his items over to the counter nearest the stove and started laying them out.

'No wonder Trunks was so freaked out before. Vegeta's obviously not himself, but is this a good or bad thing?' He watched for a few minutes trying to determine Vegeta's new behavior. The other Saiyan noticed this, it was almost a dejavu of Trunks earlier when they were at the sink. He had to do something to advert that questioning gaze.

"Are you going to stand there gawking or are you going to help?"

"Oh right." He laughed awkwardly.’ Well he seems pretty much the same aside from the sudden niceness.' He went over to help prepare whatever it was Vegeta had in mind for breakfast. From the looks of the food Vegeta had they were going for simple eggs, bacon and crescent rolls. Goku took the package of rolls and popped the little container open. He let a small chuckle slip out of his mouth from what he'd just thought.

"What?" Came Vegeta's dry reaction.

"Nothing really, just didn't take you for the cooking type is all."

"Well I've seen Trunks do this enough times to be able to figure it out for myself, thank you very much."

"Alright, no need to get defensive." Goku smiled to himself again while peeling the triangle slices apart and placing them on a baking pan. Vegeta cracked the eggs a little sloppily from lack of practice but he managed to keep the shells out of the bowl. He glanced over at Goku briefly before speaking.

"By the way Kakarot, I never did... thank you for the other day."

"What!?" Goku froze in his actions of putting the pan of bread into the hot oven.

"When you.." Even for the alter getting this next word out wasn't as easy as it should have been. It was even harder than saying the thank you. "helped me out in the city."

"Thank me?"

"That's what I said." Irritance was starting to flare up inside of him at the others simple mindedness. But he couldn't let that get to him right now or he'd risk losing his mental hold.

For the third time that morning Goku was completely taken off guard by Vegeta's words. "Uh... no problem." He stared blankly at the oven door for a few seconds before straightening back up. He watched Vegeta starting to make the eggs and other things, baffled at how this morning was turning out. Something about all of it just didn't fit, it was almost like he were dreaming and could wake up any minute. Then Vegeta would go back to the cold bitter little man he was but it didn't happen, not yet anyway. 'I'd better be on my guard, this could all be some ploy to hide something from me. Vegeta just hasn't been himself lately.'

____________

At the high school Trunks sat fidgeting in his seat. The algebra instructors words drifted around his ears but never really made it inside. Trunks was distracted elsewhere glancing from the clock to the large open window across the room. It was almost time for lunch and he wanted to call home. If no one answered, the teen planned on sneaking away from the school to check on his dad. He'd spent the entire morning worrying and wondering if Goku was really keeping an eye on him.

'Come on time speed up!' He urged the hands on the clock to move faster but they're progression was as slow as ever. Sighing at the lack of his mental powers to speed up time he turned his focus back on the teachers lesson.

____________

After breakfast Vegeta suggested training for awhile and Goku warily agreed. Not wanting to wander too far from Capsule Corp Goku suggested the spaceship chamber for their location. Since it was only a few feet from the house incase anything happened.

They'd been going at it for an hour just messing around. Not like their usual training sessions where Vegeta would keep trying to up the battle by increasing power or using dirty tricks. He didn't seem to be fighting with any malice like he normally did. Not that Goku wasn't happy about this, it was all just too good to be true.

'I don't know what happened to suddenly change Vegeta's behavior but I'm starting to worry now.' He easily side stepped a simple predictable attack from the other. 'If there's anything Vegeta's serious about it's a good sparing but this- is actually getting kinda boring now.' He continued to fight despite his growing worry and boredom.

"What's wrong Kakarot tired already?" Vegeta asked stopping his assault in mid-air. Before he could get out his usual mocking cackle he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head.

"Well not exactly. Vegeta I-" Goku paused in his words when Vegeta suddenly glided down to the ground holding his head as if he were in pain. "Vegeta are you ok?" Goku dropped down himself landing a few feet away.

Vegeta was down on his knees now slowly looking up at the questioning Goku. "I-I'm fine just.. feel a little dizzy." Goku took a few steps towards his companion but Vegeta quickly lashed out at him shoving the taller male away. "Don't! Uugh." The pain in his head was beginning to increase and he sat back away from Goku. His eyes were closed and his head down as the alter tried to stay calm to keep in control. 'Not now, you can't come back now' His face was contorted in pain and Goku watched in confusion not wanting to get any closer incase Vegeta really lost it.

"Are you sure you don't want me to help you?" He asked. 'Agh, I knew this was all too good to last.'

Goku's words were a scrambled mess in Vegeta's ears as he lost focus on where he was and what was going on. He started crying out as the pain continued to batter down on him and Goku, despite his previous orders, ran over kneeling beside the other man.

"Vegeta? Vegeta!" He shook his shoulders a few times being pushed away again but he fought the meager assault off and stayed by Vegeta's side. The small Saiyan lied down on the floor now pulling his legs into his stomach as he tried whatever he could to stop the discomfort in his body. Not knowing what else to do Goku picked the smaller man up with ease, bridal style and carried him out of the redness of the chamber. 'What the heck is going on?'

His eyes squinted in the sudden sunlight once he got outside. Vegeta was fidgeting in his arms grabbing at his head and yelling incoherent things. "Its o.k. I'm gonna- well I don't know what to do but I'll think of something." He tried reassuring him in the same way he would have with his children. Getting into C.C he left the door open rushing Vegeta to the nearest place he could set him down, the living room couch. He placed him down gently then left for a moment to get a cold compress.

"Aa-aaah!" Hearing Vegeta's screams from the other room made him rush frantically, snatching ice from the freezer dropping cubes to the kitchen floor in his carelessness. He filled a plastic bag with the ones that managed to go in. "This is crazy." Running the bag back out to the living room he froze momentarily seeing Vegeta trying to stand and leave. "Hey what are you doing? Sit down." He quickly stopped the other from going anywhere and lied him back down placing the bag on his head. Goku noticed the older Saiyan was panting and sweating, looking almost sick.

"I know! I'll call Gohan maybe he can help." Vegeta seemed to be in a world of his own as if Goku weren't even there. With his new revelation Goku grabbed the phone and called his sons celphone number not wanting to leave Vegeta alone. While it rang he leaned over the other Saiyan getting a look at his condition. "Vegeta? Can you hear me? What's wrong, what's happening to you? I need to know." He watched in horror dropping the phone as the older Saiyan's eyes rolled up into his head, closing his lids going unconscious. "Vegeta? Vegeta!"

_____________

Trunks ran from the classroom towards the pay phone in front of the school building. When he got there it was already being used by some other kid. He looked to be Trunks' age and wore sunglasses even though they were inside, he had on blue jeans and a green t-shirt, standing in a very relaxed position like he didn't plan on moving for awhile. "Great." Trunks mumbled and his shoulders slumped in aggravation. He waited a few minutes, hoping it wouldn't be much longer, while the other boy talked and laughed like he was having a pleasant conversation with a girlfriend on the other end.

"Oh yeah, hahaha that sounds like a good idea."

Trunks sighed angrily and tapped the boys shoulder. The other teen gave him a quick glance of question. "Are you going to be much longer?" Trunks asked trying to keep his voice as pleasant as possible. The guy gave him the one minute finger and went back to conversation. One minute turned into two and soon three. Not being able to take this boys ignorance anymore Trunks shouted. "Will you get lost!"

Startled, the boy gave Trunks an angry glare but the one he received from the half Saiyain was much worse. "Gotta go talk to ya later." He rushed out to whomever was on the other end. "Here you go." He gave Trunks the phone and ran off.

"Finally." Sighing he hung up the receiver then picked it back up and dialed home. The phone rang a few times before the answering machine picked up. "Damnit!" Hanging up he stood by thinking of possible reasons why no one answered. 'Maybe they're out training or something, my dad did mention it before I left... Or they're in a part of the house that can't hear the phone ring. Yeah that might be it.' He checked his watch and saw that lunch was already in progress. He weighed the option of calling again and leaving a message if no one picked up still. "No. I'll have to come back another time, Goten's probably wondering where I am." So he left the phone and started walking towards the cafeteria.

By the time he got to the lunch room the place was completely packed with loud hungry teenagers. Some just running around yelling to goofy friends. Others in line getting trays of food. Some just standing against the walls talking on celphones or to friends. Finding Goten in the mess wasn't hard though. Trunks knew he was usually one of the first people in the cafeteria so he could get the good food. One quick look and Trunks found him already seated at their usual table with two trays full of food. The teen smiled at just how much his boyfriend could pack away. He spoke once he got close enough to the table getting the others attention. "I'm guessing that foods not for me." He joked.

"Hey T' what took so long. You get in trouble?" He pulled out the small blue chair for Trunks to sit in next to him. "And actually I did get this for you but I wouldn't have minded eating it if you couldn't make it." He slid the tray over to him.

"Thanks, actually I was trying to call home but no one answered." Trunks replied to the previous question staring blankly at the selection of food Goten brought for him. Typical, it was all grease and a can of fuzzy water, soda, it wasn't Trunks' ideal lunch but that's basically all they served at the high school.

"Oh yeah that's weird isn't my dad there? I get Vegeta not picking up but." He trailed off biting the tip of a pizza slice.

Trunks played around with a french fry dangling it over the ketchup like dipping the fry in would be suicide for it. "I figured they were just outside and couldn't hear it ringing." He dropped the potato stick in the pool of red and ate it. "At least that's what I hope is going on."

"That makes sense and didn't Vegeta mention training this morning? When he's with my dad that's probably all they do and possibly for hours. You could go call again though if you want, I don't mind."

"No I'm gonna stop worrying and try getting through this day with my head straight on. I almost did get in trouble a few times during classes staring at the clock and drifting off. The last thing I need is to be stuck after school in detention."

"That's the spirit and trust me my dad wouldn't let anything really bad happen to Vegeta."

_____________

A dull throb sounded loudly in a steady beat through Vegeta's unconscious mind. On the outside Goku watched him writhe around in pain strain showing on his features. "Don't worry Vegeta you'll be alright now, the doctors will take care of you." His words came out more high pitched than usual. Even though he was there for the other Saiyan Goku still hated being in the hospital even if it was to visit or meet his son for lunch. Vegeta, however, didn't hear a word of it lost in his own mind.

We told you you couldn't handle things on your own anymore

So damn stubborn you never could listen and take orders

The small Saiyan was once again in the blackness of his mind surrounded by those same doors only this time they weren't moving. He stood in the center of a large white spotlight looking completely frazzled.

"Why is this happenig to me? What do you want!"

Hahahahahahahaha

What's wrong Vegeta are we making you crazy

If you'd just let us help

Let us out!

"No...no, no! No!" Covering his ears Vegeta fell to his knees shouting over the noise of laughter and each voice trying to speak over the next. The noise started dying down and fading away along with each door one by one and the spotlight disappeared leaving Vegeta in the silent darkness.

Both eyes blinked hard remaining closed. The Saiyan prince tried to pry his eyes open but they were both as heavy as lead. Not panicking he tried moving parts of his body and to his relief all his limbs were functioning, so he wasn't dead or paralyzed. 'So where the hell am I, and what happened to me?' He heard quiet voices muffled by something and tried to listen in.

"Well this isn't really in my field but from what the doctor says and by Vegeta's chart he's fine."

'Kakarot's boy?'

"But he was fine one minute and screaming the next, he can't just be fine." Goku complained.

'And Kakarot.'

"Maybe he just over exerted himself. You did say you two were training right?"

"Yeah but it wasn't anything intense."

'I must be in the hospital then, damnit! How the hell did this happen?' Forcing his eyes open this time no matter how much it hurt or how much the light stung he did it. Turning his head slowly in the direction of the voices he found out the others were just outside his room door. 'Perfect. I have to get out of here before they come back in.' He struggled to sit up through the pain and yanked the tubes and cords from his body. Thankfully no one had removed his clothes for one of those awful hospital gowns. Vegeta slid out of the bed and stood on weak legs but walked himself over to the window none the less.

"It might have been caused by lack of sleep or food maybe just dehydration but whatever it was, dad, his stats are fine now."

As quietly as he could Vegeta opened the window and steadied himself on the ledge then took off. From outside the door the two heard the sudden noise of the city below and rushed back in.

"How'd this window get open?" Goku asked.

"Where's Vegeta?" Gohan pointed out.

"Darn he must have waken up and left. I might still be able to catch him."

"Dad!"

"Thanks for everything Gohan but I gotta go." Goku took off out the window after the other Saiyan at top speed.

Sighing Gohan stared out the window after them. "Hope you find him dad." He whispered to the air then closed the window back. "Guess I'd better tell the doctor his patient fled the room.. literally." He shook his head in disapproval of the whole situation on his way out.

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A/N: Another apology for the loooong waited update, it won’t be the last. Its not my fault these things don’t just come out of air, but wouldn’t it be great if you could hook your mind up to the computer and let the stories type themselves….. Yeah. LIH (laughing in head, it makes more sense than lol because is anyone ever really laughing out loud, seriously?) Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter keep reviewing, or start reviewing, and wait patiently again for the next chapter hopefully it won’t take as long. I appreciate ya!

-Linkin