Goku adjusted his bootstraps and grabbed his bo-staff. He was ready. He walked out of the hut ready for the fight, he had to be. He looked up at the gray sky, thunder and lighting sparing across the mountains. "That can't be good", he said in a worried tone. With the adrenaline already pumping through his veins, he started sprinting towards the battlefield. He could take Kinto-Un (his flying cloud) but he was much too eager. He decided to jog to the battlefield to clear his mind and use it as a warmup.
Goku adjusted the strap on his chest and swung the strap sideways to grab his bo-staff. He used it to propel himself forward faster, to zig zag between rivers and creeks. He found a nice leafy tree and climbed it's trunk, he needed a good view of the battlefield. It was unfamiliar territory for him; the Bellypoke lands AND war. He was used to working alone, always solo. He was the first there. He checked the terrain for good spots, somewhere high with good visibility and not too many weak spots. He assumed he'd be doing all the heavy lifting and needed a spot where he didn't have to watch his back. He spotted a hilltop right across from the creek. It was perfect, he claimed it as his spot.
Leaves rustled. Goku immediately shifted his body against the tree to hide and take a look at the friend or foe that was quickly approaching through the leaves.
"Hey Goku! It's me! Come down I need to talk to you before you leave.", she whispered. It was Bear, his soon to be bride.
In one single hop Goku landed crouching next to Bear. "What are you doing here, Bear? It's dangerous.", He said as he stood.
"I know... but you left without saying goodbye and you're going to be my husband and all...", Bear smiled shyly. She stepped closer to Goku, making him shift his body away from her. He still wasn't used to her affections. She smiled, and didn't mind his indifference. "I just wanted to say goodbye is all. Is that alright?".
"Umm... yeah, I guess that's alright." Goku stepped back. "Well, goodbye Bear." He said as he gave an awkward bow.
Bear jumped on Goku and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. "I mean a REAL goodbye, silly. You're gonna be my husband. I need to give you a proper goodbye".
Bear's face was now inches away from Goku's. She was waiting for him to kiss her but when he didn't, she pressed forward and kissed him. Goku was extremely uncomfortable with this closeness and jerked his face back and gave a well meaning, but flat smile.
"Bear, you need to leave now. You're one of their biggest targets." She looked at Goku with great disappointment, but she understood. It was dangerous for her to be out in the open like that before a battle, given who her father was. She was being silly with all this romanticism. Goku was going to marry her, but not because he'd fallen in love with her. He'd made a promise to her father. He wasn't ready to kiss her goodbye in the way she'd hoped for but they had the rest of their lives to work on their relationship.
It was love at first sight, well, for her anyway. Her father was on his deathbed when he made Goku promise to bring peace to the Bellypoke Village by fighting in their war. He was also concerned for his only daughter in a war-torn village. Who would protect his precious daughter after he was gone? Only Son Goku would do. He practically forced Goku into agreeing to marry her. At first the poor guy didn't even know what the word "marriage' meant, but after much needed clarification and lot's of pleading from her dying father Goku finally agreed. No, he'd PROMISED to marry her. She felt a little bit guilty, but this was probably the only chance she'd ever have to be with a man like him. Bear was not going to give up THE Son Goku due to some minor details. She smiled, Son Goku would fall in love soon enough.
"Okay Goku, I'll leave now. But when you get home from this battle... I'm going to make you fall in love with me." She said confidently as she gave him her best smile. She was the most beautiful and feminine woman in her village, many men had fallen in love with her already. Bear was confident Son Goku would be no different.
Goku swallowed hard thinking about Bear's words. "Uh-Okay. I um... I uh.. I'll... uh. Goodbye, Bear." He was nervous. Bear looked like she wanted to eat him and he didn't exactly feel the same way. He'd never even thought about having a girlfriend and now he was engaged to this woman he barely knew. Goku hoped for his sake that he did fall in love with her on his return.
Bear started to walk away but paused and took one last look at Goku and smiled before she took off sprinting, disappearing into the woods. It's still early enough that she'd make it back home safe, he thought. And then paused at the idea of "home". His home was here and there, but now... home would be with this woman. He felt his stomach turn, panic set in. Well, there's nothing I can do about it now, I made a promise and I intend to keep it, Goku finished his thoughts. After a moment, he cleared his head and stepped forward. No fear. He was ready for battle.