CHAPTER SIXTEEN- The End

B-Bastard shot me. Vegeta spat out blood as he shakily held the gaping wound with his hand, feeling the blood spurt out like a hose. His golden hair darkened to the black auburn color, as his eyes changed to their ebony black.

"Ve-Vegeta. It wasn't supposed to be you. It was supposed to be me," Goku whimpered, lifting the prince's head.

"Ka-Kakarott." More of the red liquid poured from his mouth at his attempt to speak. "I-I'm sorry," he whispered hoarsely. "F-For Gohan."

"What?"

Vegeta's eyes closed, breath coming out short and raspy. His heartbeat was barely felt under Goku's fingers. Not another one. Please. Don't take another one.

Rain suddenly began to fall from the sky, splashing onto the burnt city, onto the two Sayians. It matted down their usually wild hair, sticking it to their scalps. It washed away the blood on the older Sayian's face, and the tears off of the younger Sayian's cheeks.

Goku felt a hand on his shoulder, and he looked up into the eyes of the Namekian. "Piccolo?"

"Are you alright, Son?"

"No. We have to save him. I-if he dies too, I'll never forgive myself-"

"Son, this isn't your fault."

He didn't reply, just wiped the remainder of the red liquid on the prince's face. "Do we have any Senzu?"

"Yes."

"With you right now?"

Piccolo was hesitant before answering. "No."

"Oh God, he's going to die. Even if I teleport, it won't be long enough. Damn it!" Goku let Vegeta slip from his hands, and splash onto the sidewalk. "Please. Not him, too. Not another one. I can't take it!"

"Goku, pick him up and let's teleport. Even if he doesn't make it, we have the Dragon Balls- Mr. Popo finally has them gathered."

The Sayian looked up at his friend, and smiled for the first time in a long time. "The Dragon Balls…?"

Vegeta laid on the hospital bed for the second time, shivering and whimpering in his sleep. His fellow Sayian watched over him, occasionally giving his chi over to keep the prince alive.

"You're going to okay, after all," Goku whispered, wiping the sweat away with a cool wash cloth.

Dende came bustling in with a Senzu and looked down at Vegeta with concern. "How can I get him to eat while he's unconscious?"

"Give me it."

"Excuse me?"

"I said give me it!!" Goku yelled, swiping the bean away and popping it into his mouth. Quickly, he chewed it, mashing it up as well as he could. Without hesitation, he opened Vegeta's mouth and covered the prince's lip with his own, forcing the chewed vegetable into his throat.

The wound quickly healed and the blood flow ceased. His hear rate increased significantly, and breathing became normal. Slowly, Vegeta opened his eyes and widened them in in surprise when he looked directly into two deep brown eyes, feeling Kakarott's lips on his. Gently, he shoved the younger Sayian away. "Kakarott…?" he muttered, forcing himself up.

Immediately, Goku embraced Vegeta in a hug, nearly crushing him. "I couldn't save him, but I saved you."

"What the hell are you talking about? Stop hugging me, damn it." He tried to push him away again, but failed. What happened? Where am I? Everything is so hazy…Kakarott, he was there… "Kakarott, what's going on?" He returned the embrace, suddenly feeling safer than he had in a long while.

"I saved you, Vegeta. I couldn't save him, but I saved you."

He…saved me? "Right. You saved me," he mumbled in agreement, not quite sure what was going on, and no longer caring.

THE END

To be continued…

~AUTHOR'S NOTE~ I know this ends kind of suddenly, with a lot of things left unsaid and unanswered, but this seemed to be the only way to end. And besides, that's what sequels are for!!!! I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it, and thank each and everyone of you for your great reviews!!!!!!

Oh and if you think I should make an epilogue, then tell me so.