Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Unconditional Bonds (revamped) ❯ Settling ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter Seven: Settling

Vegeta awoke. His vision was blurred but nonetheless he tried to turn his head to look at his surroundings. His neck, however, didn't seem to want to cooperate, being much too stiff for the endeavor. He groaned, and with a great effort pulled himself up. His whole body ached, and his head felt like it would split in two. But beyond the pain he felt weak, exhausted, and terribly hungry.

He didn't recognize the room he was in nor could he remember how he got here. The last thing he recalled was running through a forest. Closing his eyes he thought about it for a moment. He got flashes here and there of being carried through the air, being placed in this bed, and thanking someone. The prince surmised that he must have been terribly injured to allow anyone so close. He looked down at himself to take stock; he was healed, clean, and his training clothes were gone, replaced by...He smirked. Well at least now he knew who had saved him. He was dressed exactly like Piccolo save the cape and turban.

"That's right he has that handy trick of pulling clothes out of thin air," he muttered to himself. He immediately regretted speaking, his throat was raw and his mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton. He swallowed trying to alleviate the pain, but it did little to help and, if anything, made it worse. `How far did I let myself go?'

Vegeta knew he needed to get up, knew if he was going to feel better that he'd have to eat something. Even so, he didn't want to move, didn't even know if he could. Thus began the inward battle on whether or not he should drift off back to sleep or fight the courageous fight and get out of bed now.

Fortunately, the decision was made for him. The door cracked open and a timid looking Dende walked in.

"You're awake."

Vegeta shot him a nasty look.

"And you're in good spirits too, I see."

An incoherent grumble.

Dende chuckled. "Well at least you're alive. We were worried there for a minute. I bet you're hungry. I'll have Mr. Popo bring you some food. If that's okay of course, I wouldn't want to startle you." He said the last part while suppressing a grin.

Vegeta sneered.

"Why in the hell would that startle me?" his voice was hoarse.

"Oh no reason." Dende smiled sweetly and walked out. Moments later Mr. Popo came in.

He approached the man on the bed slowly as if he was afraid the Saiyan would run away like a frightened rabbit.

Vegeta stared at him with a raised brow watching as Mr. Popo very slowly set a copper tray down at the side of the bed, brimming over with various meats, fruits, and vegetables. He was happy to see that there were two large glasses and two pitchers, one filled with water and the other some sort of juice; his throat was killing him.

"If you need anything more, just ask."

Vegeta nodded, and Mr. Popo backed out of the room his hands held up in defense.

`What the hell is his problem?' Vegeta thought to himself while eyeing the food. Without hesitation he dug in. So engrossed in the meal, he didn't notice the tall Namek enter the room.

Piccolo studied Vegeta as he ate. He looked a great deal better and he was gorging himself, a positive sign. Satisfied, he chose to stay in the shadows and simply observe for a little longer.

Vegeta finished down the last of the water and pushed the empty tray away. He lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling trying to block the on-coming rush of reality. He couldn't run anymore, well not yet anyway, he was still too weak. `I'm weak on many levels, though, am I not?' This thought opened the dam to the flood of anguish that was awaiting him. He squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for it to consume him.

"You want more?"

He jolted straight up in bed and berated himself soundly. He should have noticed the presence of another person in the room and he completely missed it.

Piccolo smirked, "So edgy."

"Yeah well, habit of late I'm afraid." Vegeta said softly, it still hurt like hell to talk.

The green one frowned. He cursed Bulma under his breath.

"Still hungry?"

Vegeta shrugged, which meant yes.

Piccolo turned his head to the door and was silent a few moments. He then turned back to the prince, "It's on its way."

The prince grunted in response and settled down into the bed, trying desperately to fight the pain.

A comfortable silence descended on the room. It wasn't broken when Mr. Popo returned with a fresh tray. With an inclination of his head, Piccolo thanked him, in which the gardener bowed in return, leaving the two in peace.

Vegeta finished this tray just as quickly as he finished the first, yet this time he left a few scraps on it. He admitted he felt better now that there was food in his stomach. Physically, anyway, but mentally he felt drained, and emotionally he felt dead. He glanced in the Namek's direction, wondering why he was still standing there, and wondering why he didn't mind.

Piccolo sighed.

"Listen, Vegeta, I hate to be the bearer of reality, but I have to ask you this."

The Saiyan's dull eyes stayed on him unwavering, emotionless.

"The others are worried about you."

Vegeta snorted.

"If they were so damn worried about me, why didn't they look for me for more than two days?" He looked away as if he regretted saying that out loud.

Piccolo nodded.

"Yes, I know. But if it makes any difference the majority of us only found out yesterday what had," a short pause, "occurred. If I had known sooner, you probably wouldn't be in such bad shape."

Vegeta didn't say anything. He didn't want to say anything to humiliate himself further; he was already ashamed of himself. Piccolo shouldn't have had to nurse him back to health like a sick babe.

The Namek read the Saiyan's silence and continued speaking, "Some think you're dead."

The prince's mouth set in a grim line.

"Perhaps it's better this way."

He felt his chest clench at Vegeta's statement. `Damn them all,' he thought.

"My point is," he sighed, "is I know you weren't wanting to be found. So do you want me to contact them or not? The reason I ask is your belongings, I believe, are at Goku's. Why they sent them there is beyond me. If you want them I'll have to tell them you're okay."

Vegeta was silent, Piccolo almost thought he wasn't going to respond, but finally he heard a quiet whisper, "I don't want to see any of them, especially her."

The taller man nodded.

"I understand."

Vegeta continued, "But I don't want my possessions left at that stupid bastard's house either. Who knows what he'll do with them, and no offense, but I can't run around in this," he motioned towards his clothing, "for the rest of my days either."

Piccolo grinned.

"Well why not, it's a step up from spandex. At least now you look respectable."

"No I don't, I'm dressed like you."

"Hey, I could have put you in one of those robe-dress things that Dende wears, how would you like that?"

Vegeta somehow managed a small smirk.

"Point made."

"Thank you." He crossed his arms. "All right then, I'll have your stuff brought up here."

Vegeta nodded, "What will you tell them?"

"That you're dead and I want to riffle through your things."

That earned another small smirk.

Piccolo shrugged.

"I'll tell them you're safe but that you need some time on your own, and visitors would be very unwelcome at this time."

Vegeta nodded in approval.

The rest of the day went along without incident. Goku delivered Vegeta's things to Kami's Lookout, wanting very badly to see the Saiyan Prince, but Piccolo wouldn't have it.

"Aw, come on Piccolo, just for a second. I just want to see with my own eyes that he's okay. Nothing against you, but I want to talk to him face to face. I think he's still mad at me."

Piccolo sneered. `And he has reason to be,' he thought darkly.

"Goku," he intoned, "I told you he's okay. He just needs some time. This wasn't the greatest news in the world for him. Leave him in peace, all right?"

Goku looked greatly disappointed.

"Well," he sighed, "if you say so. Bulma will be glad to hear that he's all right. This really shook her up. I don't think she expected him to run off like that."

The Namek all but snarled with contempt, "Yeah, I'm sure it rattled her real bad. Now if you don't mind, Goku, I have a world to help look after."

Goku's eyes widened momentarily. "Oh yeah, I keep forgetting how busy you are now. Heh, sorry about that." He gave one of his classic goofy grins and scratched his head. Turning in preparation to blast off for the sky he said,

"See you later, Piccolo. Tell Dende and Mr. Popo I said hi."

"Yeah whatever, see you."

And with that the Earthly Saiyan took off for home.