[Disclaimer]: I do not own the rights to any of the characters in this fanfic, nor do I claim them. The idea, however, is mine.
AN - This is going to be a SM/DBZ crossover, though the DBZ-verse is AU. Some things may be arguable, but just wait for the note at the end. ^_~ This is just a working title for now … It may change. Enjoy your read!
Whatever It Takes
Chapter 1: A Blessing in Disguise
A woman with her raven-colored hair pulled up into a bun was preparing dinner, humming while she bustled around the kitchen. She heard a tiny sneeze from behind her, and smiled. Stirring the contents of one pot, and then dumping chopped vegetables into another, she turned around and then giggled softly at the sight she saw. Her toddler was covered head to toe in flour.
"Why aren't you in the room with your Grandfather, young man," she lightly reprimanded, picking up her son. She frowned slightly; wondering how in the world her son had gotten flour all over himself in the first place, but then just shrugged it off. Adjusting the baby on one hip, she walked into the living room, glaring at the sleeping man who was supposed to be watching her son. "Dad," she exclaimed.
"Just give me five more minutes, ChiChi," he mumbled in his sleep, then resuming his loud snoring. ChiChi sighed, however decided to just let her father sleep. She walked over to the stairs and cleared her throat.
"Gohan," she called up the stairs. "Gohan, come here!" Soon a young, teenage boy came bounding down the stairs. He had grown a lot over the year and a half since his brother's birth. He stood barely taller than his mother, and his short spiky hair stood straight up. He brushed aside a lock of black hair that fell into his eyes, only to have it fall back into place.
"I'm studying, Mom, honest," Gohan exclaimed. His gaze shifted slightly towards his brother, who was wiggling about, and amusement danced in his eyes. "What happened to Goten?"
"The reason I called you down here, is because I think you deserve a break from your studies, Gohan," ChiChi stated. "That, and I'd like for you to clean up your brother and watch him for a while." She gave him a small smile. "Your Grandfather was supposed to be watching him, but he fell asleep, and Goten got into some flour."
"Sure, I'll watch him, Mom," Gohan replied, taking his brother from her. He tossed Goten into the air and caught him, earning a warning look from his mother. "Sorry."
"Thank you, Gohan," she exclaimed. "I don't know what I'd do without you." A shadow passed over her face, however she regained her composure and smiled at her sons. "Dinner will be ready soon." With that, she turned and walked back towards the kitchen. Gohan watched his mother walk away, and then turned his attention back towards Goten as the toddler tried to eat his hair.
"That's not very good to eat, Goten," Gohan said with a laugh. "Let's get you cleaned up." As he was walking towards the bathroom, the phone rang. "Could you get that, Mom?"
"Sure Gohan," came her muffled reply. She wiped her hands on the dishtowel, and then picked up the receiver. "Hello?"
"ChiChi," a man's excited voice exclaimed. "ChiChi, it's time!"
"Krillin, Krillin," she stated. "Krillin, settle down! What are you talking about?"
"It's 18," he replied. "She's having the baby!"
"What," ChiChi said incredulously. "Why didn't you say so in the first place? Which hospital are you in? Have you called the others?"
"We're at West Capitol Memorial," he replied. "And everyone else probably already knows because, well, 18's kind of … excitable." He laughed nervously as 18 screamed in the background. "See what I mean?"
"I'll be there soon, Krillin," ChiChi replied with a slight smile. She hung up the phone, and then returned to the stove, turning off the burners. "Gohan, come here!" She turned to him as he entered the room. She sighed wearily as she saw that both her sons were soaking wet. "I'm not going to even ask how that happened," she stated. "Give Goten to me, and go wake your Grandfather up. Then go get changed."
"What's going on," Gohan asked as he handed Goten over to their mother.
"18 is having her baby, and we need to go to the hospital," ChiChi replied.
"Oh really," Gohan exclaimed. "That's great! I'll go get Grandpa."
"Thank you, sweetie," ChiChi said, before climbing the stairs towards her bedroom. Five minutes later, the quartet was standing out in the front of the house. The Ox King had pulled the car up to the front, and ChiChi was strapping Goten into the baby seat.
"Mom, can I fly ahead to the hospital," Gohan asked hopefully. "I can feel 18's ki, now, and I'm sure the others can, too. They'll be wondering what's going on, and I can lead them to the right hospital." ChiChi finished her task, and then turned around to look at her son.
"Gohan," she began. She stopped when her eldest son turned his face down, looking at the ground. She smiled, and then placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yes, you may, Gohan." He snapped his head up, and smiled.
"Thanks, Mom," he exclaimed. He hugged her, and gave her a kiss, then blasted off into the air. After a couple of minutes, he let his mind wander. "I can't believe the baby's coming already," Gohan thought, speeding up slightly. "I wonder if the baby will be a girl or a boy?"
"Gohan," a voice called out to him. Gohan looked over his shoulder and smiled.
"Hey Yamcha," he exclaimed, stopping for his friend. As Yamcha drew closer, Gohan began to fly again, matching his speed. "So, you sensed it too?"
"Yeah," Yamcha replied. "Who'd have ever thought Krillin would be a father? I'm sure he's going to make a great one, but I still can't believe he settled down so quickly. And to top that off, with 18!"
"You still don't trust her," Gohan asked, looking at Yamcha from the corner of his eye. "I think she's a good person. It wasn't her fault Dr. Gero programmed her the way he did. And Krillin loves and trusts her, so we should accept her, if we haven't already."
"Don't get so serious, Gohan," Yamcha replied, waving his hands. "I think 18's a great girl, and I'm just glad she's made Krillin happy."
"Sorry, Yamcha," Gohan said. "It's just that Krillin was … is Dad's best friend. I guess I just got a little defensive."
"That's understandable, kid," Yamcha stated. "Goku is Krillin's best friend, and you did the right thing." He grew quiet and chuckled, as he got a good look at Gohan. "Boy, I guess I should stop calling you kid! You're growing up." Gohan looked over at him and smiled.
"Yeah, I guess I am," he replied. The two speed up slightly, as the hospital came into view.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Krillin paced back and forth along the waiting room, nervously awaiting the announcement that his child had been born. Every time the door opened, he would look up, however it was never for him. He sighed, finally taking a seat. He wanted to be in the delivery room, however the glare 18 had given him sent him running. He closed his eyes, thinking to himself.
"I still can't believe this is happening. After all her resistance, we're together, and now we have a family. But I should be in there with her, not out here!" Krillin stood up and began to walk towards the delivery room however he stopped as he heard 18 scream at the doctor. "Maybe that's not such a great idea after all," he stated with a sweatdrop.
"Krillin," Gohan yelled as he entered the waiting room, followed by Yamcha, as well as Tien and Chaotsu. "Krillin, has it happened yet?"
"Nope, 'fraid not, Gohan," he replied. He looked up at his friends and smiled. "I'm glad you could all make it. Where's your mom, Gohan?" As if on cue, ChiChi came rushing into the room holding Goten, with the Ox King in tow.
"Krillin, congratulations," she exclaimed. "Do you have a son, or a daughter?" The Ox King walked towards Krillin and clapped him on the back, sending the smaller man falling forward.
"Congratulations, Krillin," he boomed. "Where's your new bundle of joy?"
"18 is still delivering," he replied, picking himself up. ChiChi was still standing near Krillin, and as he stood brushing dirt off his pants, Goten reached out towards him. ChiChi smiled and allowed Krillin to take the baby from her. "How are you doing, big guy," Krillin asked playfully, bouncing him up and down lightly. "You look like Goku more and more each day."
"Krillin, I wish that Goku was here for this day," ChiChi stated. "I'm sure he'd have liked that."
"He is here with us, ChiChi," Krillin replied with a smile. "Just not physically. To me, your presence is the next best thing." She smiled at him warmly, and took Goten from him as the baby began to fidget. The group looked towards the door as they heard a man and woman arguing. Seconds later, Bulma walked into the room, holding Trunks, followed by a brooding Vegeta.
"I don't know why you even tried to argue about coming here, Vegeta," Bulma stated, one hand on her hip, the other arm supporting Trunks. "If you think, for one moment, that I was going to let you stay at home and train, while someone who's considered family is in labor, you're crazy!"
"Oh shut up already," Vegeta barked. "I'm here." Bulma smiled satisfied at him, and then turned towards Krillin, giving him a brief hug.
"Well," she prompted. Krillin cringed slightly. He knew what was coming.
"18 is still in delivery, Bulma," he began.
"Then why in the hell are you standing here, Krillin," she demanded. "Don't you know that 18 needs you more now, than any other time?"
"You don't understand, though," Krillin argued. "There's just no reasoning with her! She didn't want me in there."
"I don't understand how another woman feels while she's in labor," Bulma asked. "You're talking to me, Krillin. I was in labor for eleven hours giving birth to Trunks, so don't even say it!"
"E-eleven h-hours," Krillin asked in awe.
"Yes, and that one," she began, jerking a thumb towards Vegeta, "tried the same thing you're pulling, but it didn't work! Now you march yourself in there right now, and you stay by 18's side, even if she doesn't want you there!" They all turned towards the door as a woman cleared her throat, and Krillin rushed over towards her.
"Nurse, how is she," he asked excitedly. "Has 18 had the baby yet?"
The nurse slowly nodded her head and smiled. "Yes, sir. You have a baby girl," she replied. "You can see your wife and child now. They're on the first room to the right." A huge smile broke out onto Krillin's face, and then he rushed through the double doors. The nurse turned towards the group as they began to follow. "I'm sorry, but you'll all have to wait here." The nurse gave an apologetic smile, and then left.
"Well, baldy's brat is born, so I'm leaving," Vegeta stated from where he was leaning against the wall. He glared, daring for someone to protest, and when no one said anything, he turned towards the exit and left.
"You didn't really expect for him to stay, did you," Krillin asked from the door. The group looked back towards him, and he stood by the double doors, holding the baby in his arms. "I'm not really supposed to have her out here, but I know how much you wanted to see her, and 18 is asleep."
"Oh, Krillin, she's beautiful," Bulma exclaimed as they gathered around him and the baby. "And she has a lot of hair for a newborn. If I ever have a daughter, I hope she's just as beautiful."
"Thanks, Bulma," Krillin replied with a smile.
"What's her name, Krillin," Gohan asked.
"Well, 18 and I already decided on names, and since we had a girl, we're going to name her Masumi," he replied. He looked down at his daughter and smiled. "Say hello to your family, Masumi." The baby yawned, and Krillin gently smoothed back some of her dark hair.
"Krillin, you'd better take her back inside, before 18 wakes up and worries," ChiChi suggested. "We can see Masumi later." He nodded his head, and then took the baby back to the recovery room. When he got inside the room, 18 was sitting up in the bed.
"Oh, you're awake," he said, surprised. "Were you waiting long?" She shook her head, and then he walked over to the bed. "Do you want to hold her? We have a baby girl."
"I know," she replied. "They told me it was a girl before I passed out … Krillin?" He looked up, meeting her gaze. "I'm … sorry for the way I acted, earlier. I just didn't want you to see me, looking weak. I've only known how to be strong, and nothing else."
"18," he stated, "I would never think you were weak. I love you too much." She trailed a hand down the side of his face, and then brought his face closer to hers, kissing him softly. As they parted, he smiled at her. "Now take your daughter. She wants to be held by her mother."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
High up in the heavens, the protector of earth, Dende, looked down in the direction of the hospital, a smile on his face. "It's finally happened," he stated softly, to no one in particular. "I wish I could have been there for you, Krillin. You were my friend, as well. May you have a prosperous life, and happy family."
"I'm afraid that may not be possible, Kami," a voice said from behind him. Dende spun around, and a taller figure stood in the shadows. Though the figure was hidden, the person was obviously female.
"How did you get to this place, undetected," Dende asked, no hint of fear in his voice. "I can sense some good in you. Who are you?"
"My name is of no importance, for now," she replied. "I move through the streams of time like a fish through water. That is how I got here."
"What is it that you want, here," Dende asked.
"The child just born may cause a threat to this world," she replied. "Though she is only an infant, she will grow to bring chaos all around her."
"That's not true," Dende exclaimed. "Why are you saying such things?" A wind passed over Kami's Lookout, billowing the woman's long hair in the wind. She gripped the staff she held tighter.
"The wind has already changed, don't you feel it? The impending doom," she asked. Dende stood still, extending his senses.
"I feel nothing but peace," he replied. "You are wrong."
"We shall see," the woman replied. "I shall return in a year, Kami. If the child's powers have not reawakened, I shall let her be." She stepped back into the depths of the shadows, and was gone.
"What am I going to do," Dende asked silently, a lone tear trailing down his face. He looked back down towards the hospital, a sad look on his face. "You have all been through so much already. I hope you can endure one more loss."
To Be Continued . . .
I know the androids don't have ki, but in this fanfic, 18 is (turned) human. I was told by a reliable source she and 17 become human later anyway, so I'm just speeding it up a little. Don't forget to leave a review!