Slipping into the Shadows
Hey there folks, I know I haven't updated in absolutely ageees but like I see all the time; I'm sooooooooo busy. With exams coming at me left, right and centre; I've had no time for much. But in my spare time I've got this story out. I'd like to aim it into an angst/dark kind of fic. :) Well, I hope you enjoy and don't be too confused at the start!!
Haunted
"Did you kill them?"
Her voice rose and she slapped him hard across the face. The shadowy figure's face fell to the side violently but still, he did not topple over from where he was knelt down. "I asked you a question you worthless piece of crap!"
Her sharp voice echoed around the large, dark and empty room. The small amount of light which crept into the shady area illuminated her, somewhat, beautiful face. Although, age had taken its toll on her skin, and though still soft, had wrinkled a little. Her blue eyes narrowed, yet sparkled with wetness as she stared into the eyes of the person opposite.
"I asked you a fucking question." She sneered through gritted teeth as her eyes began to well-up more. The pure sight of him made her want to puke.
"You haven't changed at all, Bulma." It was spoken smoothly, yet there was a hoarse feature to the voice. The gloomy figure, certainly a man, stood up tall from where he was knelt down. The man towered over the blue-haired beauty causing her to step back in caution. With the only light coming from the nearby fire in the corner, Bulma felt a little worried that she couldn't really see the person in front of her.
Her eyes widened.
"Y-you did kill them!" she choked up, staring into, what she guessed to be, his cold eyes. With curled fists, Bulma began continually hitting his chest violently. "You're a horrible monster!!"
"Why else are you here, Bulma?" he said in monotone. It was as if she wasn't even hitting him, as though she was powerless.
But then again... she was.
"What is your purpose?"
She stopped hitting him and wiped her eyes. Her chest rose up and down as her panting became louder and louder, tears still streaming down her soft cheeks. "Did it feel good?" she stressed out, her eyes becoming wide. "Did their blood on your hands feel that great?" Bulma then grabbed the scruff of his torn and bloody shirt. "Are you so fucking proud?!"
"You're boring me now, Bulma. Don't make me dispose of you." He spoke coolly as she watched him, fear glistening in her aged eyes. "Tell me why you're here. I'm becoming impatient."
"Fine." The scientist growled at him. "I just wanted you to know this;"
She could feel his skin-deep glares scorching holes into her pale features as she paused. He released a long breath, so she took this as a warning of withering patience. The blue-haired woman shook under the pressure, but she refused to crack and returned the intense stare. If Bulma could see him properly, she swore he was smirking at her, Nonetheless, in amusement.
"Continue... please."
"I just want you to know that you won't be here terrorizing Earth, destroying cities, killing innocent people... Hurting children! We're going to stop you, just remember that. Even if there are only a few of us left. Trunks, Krillin... Even Yamcha, those three are gonna' plow you into the ground."
"Is that all?"
She narrowed her eyes. "You're reign of terror will be over."
For one last time, he laughed. "Goodbye Bulma..."
Ten years earlier
Adjusting his shirt, not a crinkle not ironed, he released a deep breath. His polished shoes shone a reflection mirroring the bedside lamp and his blazer, which hung limply on the chair opposite, waited for the nervous young man. His tie certainly did not hang loosely around his neck, but was somewhat strangling the poor teenager.
The person in the mirror smiled back nervously at him as he fiddled with his top button. If it were up to him, he'd have the top button undone. In fact, he would not even be wearing a suit, but normal clothes such as his ever so comfortable gi.
"Gohan dear, are you done in there?" A female voice asked from outside his bedroom door.
"Nearly, mum." He answered, still not tearing his eyes away from the mirror as he continued to attempt to loosen his tie.
"You better not be taking off that tie, young man!" her voice became stern, and Gohan could almost picture his mother standing right next to him with a scowl. Sometimes it amazed the teenager at how fast the woman's mood swings took place.
"I'm not," he lied through his teeth.
Seeing as he was as useful as a chocolate fireguard at tying a tie, his mother had not so gracefully done it for him. She had groaned and scolded him, for he was a young man now and shouldn't have needed his mother to do it for him. But still, it was more than obvious that the woman clearly enjoyed the fact that her 'little boy' still needed her.
With a sigh, Gohan focused into the mirror again. Then something caught him by surprise, behind him on his left, there was... something there... like a shadowy figure. Confusion fogged his sight and he speedily turned around. His eyes widened in shock, and then narrowed in doubt when he noticed that nothing was there. Facing the mirror again, the young man merely brushed it off as his imagination and left the room.
"Big brother!" greeted an enthusiastic, young voice as soon Gohan had walked through the door.
"A heh, hey squirt!" Gohan replied, a little taken aback. "How's my favourite little brother doing?"
The child pouted and folded his arms. "Alright I guess... But these clothes are real bad." He emphasized this by squirming around uncomfortably in his own suit, a smaller version of his older siblings.
"I know what you're saying, Goten. I feel as though I'm being choked by this stupid tie." He agreed. "Anyway, where's dad?"
Goten shrugged. "Dunno'"
Suddenly, Gohan felt two arms fly around his neck. Scowling, he grabbed the two arms roughly and went to flip the person over his back.
"Gee Gohan, don't be so paranoid!" the person laughed, obviously a girl.
"Oh! Videl!" His cheeks grew red from embarrassment as he let go of her arms. Thankfully, he had done no damage to her them. Sometimes being a fighter had disadvantages, especially when paranoia seemed to kick in every once in a while. But lately he had been getting strange feelings.
Strange, strange feelings.
For example; he could have sworn that he had begun seeing things. Every once in a while he would see the oddest of things. They appeared to be nothing more than blurs or quick flashes but still... he felt that he was being followed or worse; that his family was in danger.
Videl kissed his neck and frowned as she leant her head on his shoulder. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
"And gee, what are you wearing?" she continued, pulling away from the teenager and looking at him properly, hands on hips. This caused another blush from the young fighter. "A suit? Is your mum serious?" She snickered. "Look at you!"
"Videl, are you going like that?" Goten asked the elder girl as he tugged at her white polo shirt.
"Sure am. As much as I like Chi-chi, I'm not wearing a dress to some party. I'm happy with what I'm wearing and I'm sure that everyone else there won't be in frocks and suits." She said, gesturing to her simple white shirt and jeans. "The last time I went to a party with you guys, Chi-chi made me wear that hideous dress and dance in front of everyone."
"I danced too." Gohan piped up.
"Exactly." His girlfriend scowled. "We looked like idiots."
"I thought our dancing was cool, and besides, this party will be different than the last. The last party was dedicated to defeating Buu."
"And?"
"And I think this party will be that little bit more laid back. Mum was going nuts with the fact that dad wasn't there. Now that she is watching him like a hawk today, he'll have to come. Hopefully, no arguments will arise from that!" He grinned triumphantly and folded his arms as though he had discovered something life changing.
"Aaaaa huh." Videl wasn't all that impressed. "I'm still not dancing."
With that she left the two half-Saiyans.
"Are all girls weird, Gohan?" Goten asked innocently, an eyebrow raised in confusion.
"I think... so."
"Aha! Dad! There you are!" Gohan cheered, walking up to the older Saiyan who was staring out of the window in the kitchen. But still, it seemed that the young half breed couldn't leave his tie in peace and continued awkwardly pulling at it. "Man, argh, I really hate it when mum makes us wear this stuff, don't you?" After a minute and still with no reaction from the man, Gohan poked the fighter on the shoulder. "Daaad?"
"Huh?" Goku jumped, tearing his eyes away from the window. "Oh ahaha! Hey Gohan!!" he laughed, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry about that! Just zoning out!"
"You sure you're 'kay?" Gohan asked, sending a look of confusion at the fighter.
"I'm great!!" But after a moment Goku let out a sigh and turned back to the window, leaning on the side. "No... You're old and strong enough to understand..."
"Huh?"
"I've been feeling like something is going to happen. I'm just a little worried." Just as Gohan was about to ask something, his father interrupted him. "And no, I don't know why."
"Perhaps it's the fact that things are finally going so right now, and you're just worried that it's going to end." Gohan suggested with a faint, understanding smile. "Sometimes I get a little concerned that suddenly everything is going to just crash and burn, that another threat will come. Not meaning to sound arrogant, but how much stronger can a threat get now? The Saiyans, Frieza, Cell... Buu, it's all going to have to end somewhere."
Goku stayed silent, but turned around and put a hand on his son's shoulder.
"I'm just saying; one day it'll end,"
"And then we'll all be happy." Goku finished for the teenager, who responded with a firm nod and determined smile. Another sigh sounded and Goku stared at his son intently. "Gohan, we've never really had this talk but-"
"Gee Dad, I already know about the birds and the bees..."
"No, no, no!" Goku laughed, removing his hand from the shoulder. He then folded his arms as his smile faded into a serious frown. "Gohan, this may... sound a little weird. But –but" The Saiyan took a deep breath.
"Dad..." Gohan breathed out.
"Did you ever find it hard? Y'know killing, hurting, did it ever make you feel... down?"
"I... don't understand. Where has this come from? Are you asking me if I felt the weight of responsibility? That I was taking someone's life away and felt bad about it? They were bad guys, weren't they? I felt the strain but it had to be done..." The teenager rubbed his temples and frowned.
Goku stared at his son in silence.
"Are you scared that this might be haunting me or something?" Gohan's eyes narrowed somewhat. "Did mum put you up to this? Bulma maybe?" The hybrid attempted to shoot his father an angered look, but released a long breath of exhaustion. The light twitch of a smile returned to him. "Dad, I'm fine. I just don't like the fact that people are talking about me like that. Y'know, it makes me feel like a bit of an outcast."
"Sorry Gohan," he apologised, receiving a light nod. "But you gotta' know we've been a little worried about you, even Videl has explained that you've been extra stressed with classes, homework and junk. But I'm also concerned with why you haven't been training. This isn't like you, son."
"Dad..." Gohan sighed again, fiddling with his tie uncomfortably. "I... I'm thinking about stopping martial arts."
"W-what! But Gohan!" Goku gasped, throwing both hands on his son's shoulders roughly. "You can't stop, you're amazing! And besides, don't you love it?"
"And... I don't really want to be a scholar."
"So what do you want to do, you can't be Saiyaman all your life." Goku said with a puzzled expression.
"Something peaceful although I haven't made my mind up yet... But after school I want to take some time off and explore the country –no, the world!" Gohan replied excitedly, a large grin over-coming his features, and in a faint whisper he continued. "Maybe even the universe..."
"The universe?!" Goku repeated.
"Yeah, dad. Maybe you could come with me and we'll go together... Maybe Goten too, but how awesome would that be?"
"Ahah! Wow Gohan!" Goku chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "You sure have this planned out, don't you?"
"Yeah," Gohan admitted, mimicking his father's action by also scratching the back of his head. "I thought it'd be nice if we could do something together. Ever since I was young we never really did much together. So I thought travelling would be quite cool."
The conversation with Goku got Gohan thinking. Was everyone actually talking about him? Why were they talking about him? They had no reason. True, he had been a little over whelmed with his school work. Who wouldn't be with Chi-chi as a mother? And now that his dad had mentioned it, what would happen if another threat did appear? Should he train? Well now that Gogeta was obtainable, what would be the point?
Gohan sighed, so many questions...
He just wished that all the possibilities of a threat would just disappear.
Sitting on the chair in his room, Gohan rocked back and forth, the habit seemed to be too hard to kick for the Saiyan. Everybody else went a little while ago to the party but he stayed behind at the house, as Gohan requested, so he could get a little work done before he left. He wouldn't usually offer to do that, but some pretty hard exams were popping up all the time and he didn't want to disappoint his mother of course.
"Science is so boring and this is so hard..." Gohan said to nobody in particular. He stood up and pulled at the tie once again, realising a long, dragged out sigh. "I guess I'll do it later." He then groaned, accepting defeat.
He walked up to the mirror and stared at his reflection brushing a hand through his dark spiked hair. He was seventeen already and off to college in a year's time. He had a girlfriend, he was top in his class and had a loving family... what more could he want?
He didn't know, but there was something. He felt somewhat empty, like something needed to happen, like he wanted something...
"Argh," he grumbled, looking down. But upon glaring upwards back at the mirror. He noticed it again. There was something there! But this time it was more than a flash, more than a blur. It was there behind him. Not moving. "Wha- Wha! W-who are you!!" the teenager gasped, shooting backwards. It stood –no floated behind his left shoulder in a long grey gown, a hood drooping over its head. Long brown hair laid upon its shoulders and the chin, which could be seen, was slightly pale.
"Hello, Gohan Son. I'm glad we have finally met. I've been watching you." It then spoke.
"W-watching me?" repeated Gohan, walking closer to the mirror. "Tell me who you are!"
"You have been chosen."
"Grr!" the Son snapped. "Who the hell are you?! What's going on?!"
"We'll meet again, Gohan Son. Please be ready, you're my favourite..."
Then it faded away.
Gohan stood there, his chest rising up and down. "Wh-what was that?"
Hmm... Actually, this is quite long for a first chapter. Well, I can't promise any updates soon, but I'll try. =D, thanks for reading.