My Gift To You
Dead.
The word seemed to silence the room, the gloominess of it causing everyone to become awkward, any conversation ceasing as nervous eyes addressed the speaker, praying that whatever was said next was not going to relate to them.
Vegeta glanced at the ground as he awaited his turn to stand next to the elaborate wooden coffin, a human tradition apparently, a last goodbye of sorts. He glanced up again to see it was his turn to go forth and pay his respects. Swallowing hard, he slowly crept forward, his footsteps steady, heavy, the sound of his boots squeaking on the polished floor exceeded only by the barely stifled sobs of Chichi and Bulma. He passed the solemn figure of Gohan, noticing the tear stains on his shoes, before finally reaching the coffin. Leaning forward, he looked at the still body of his fallen friend.
‘A stab wound…’ he clenched his eyes shut with anger and regret. ‘The strongest being in the universe, stronger than any known fighter, even I, slain by the blade of a knife, a simple human weapon’ Vegeta could feel his anger rising. ‘A saiyan, a full blooded saiyan being killed by a human weapon. ‘ He opened his eyes again ‘It’s pathetic! It’s ludicrous!’ Vegeta brought a hand forward to pick up the limp wrist of the still form before him, staring sadly at the wound, no longer bleeding but never going to heal.
‘Suicide….. suicide they said.. found his DNA and fingerprints on the knife.. had to have done it in the early hours of morning… bled to death before sunrise..’ the voices of the police and the paramedics repeated in his head.
"Kakarot…" Vegeta whispered, clenching his fists as he spoke out loud for the first time in hours. "It wasn’t supposed to end like this…."
‘No, it wasn’t supposed to end like this. You were supposed to die by my own hands, so I could take the blame for your death, the only way I would want a friend to die.’
"My only friend…."
‘My friend, my only friend, killing himself!!? What did he want to die for, when he had everything to live for!!? It couldn’t have been suicide, it couldn’t! You were more noble than that Kakarot, less selfish than that too!’ he wiped away a single tear with the back of his gloved hand before walking away, this time the sound of his boots exceeding the sobs of the bereaving wife. He walked continuously, leaving the building without a glance back. Nobody followed him. He finally stopped when he knew he was alone, with only the cold winter air for company.
"You were murdered Kakarot, I refuse to believe you would do this! And I will avenge you, I will hunt down your murdered and rip his heart from his chest so he can suffer the same fate as you, for you are the only person who would do the same for me Kakarot.. my friend.."
Goku shook his head as he watched the sad scene from heaven.
"No Vegeta, can’t you see? I wasn’t murdered, but I wasn’t selfish either! I did this for you, to give you all you’ve ever wanted. To be the best. And now Vegeta, you are the best, and I will never get in your way. There is nobody left on Earth stronger than you Vegeta. Be happy, my friend…"
Vegeta looked up, tears growing in the corners of his eyes. He fell to his knees, staring at the sky, diamond sparkles glittering on his cheeks.
"Kakarot….."