Kawaii Valentine
"Goten!"
"Hmm…."
"Hey
come on squirt wake up" Goten groaned again and snuggled down
further into his covers he turned over pretending not to hear Gohan.
"I'm sorry to break the news to you Goten but it's morning"
Goten pulled the covers further over his head Gohan laughed every
morning was the same he knelt on the floor and delved under the
covers to tickle his young brother, he heard him giggling from under
the covers. "Come on get up now or do I have to use
force?"
"Stop! Please stop!" Goten laughed
Gohan
pulled the small boy out from under the duvet by the leg he laughed
at the upside down half asleep helpless boy dangling in mid
air
"Hurry up and get ready for school," he put his
brother on the floor "Go on scat"
He shooed Goten who
giggled and ran into the bathroom, Gohan began rummaging through
Goten's drawers and closet he pulled out a long sleeved top and a
pair of trousers to match. He straightened out Goten's sheets and
laid the clothes out on Goten's mat just as Goten came back in.
"I
picked your clothes out"
Goten rolled his eyes
"I'm
not wearing that…."
"Yes you are"
"Aw…
Gohan do I have to?"
"Yeah Mom says you've gotta look
smart today"
"Where's Mom?"
"She's
downstairs cooking your breakfast"
"Great I'm starving!"
He went for the door but Gohan grabbed him and pulled him
back
"Not so fast, get dressed first"
"Oh but
Gohan I'm so hungry…."
"Well then the quicker you get
dressed the faster you can get your breakfast" Goten took off
his pyjama shirt and pulled the other one on struggling to button it
up "So who's your Valentine Goten?"
"Huh?"
"It's
Valentine's day today you're not telling me you don't have a
Valentine"
"What you mean a girlfriend? No way! Girls
have fleas"
"Fleas? How great it must be to be seven and
blissfully unaware" He smiled at his struggling young brother
before getting down on one knee to help Goten with the buttons on the
shirt "Where's your school satchel?"
"Hung on the
end of my bed"
Gohan picked it up and looked inside
"Is
it packed?"
"Yeah all apart from my lunch" Goten
did up the trousers took the satchel from Gohan he ran out of the
room "Race ya down to breakfast!" Goten jumped the stairs
two at a time and arrived in the kitchen at about 90 miles an hour
"Wow Mom smells great!"
"Good Morning Goten"
The little boy grinned and sat at the table his stomach making a loud
grumbling noise "You are so much like you father" She put a
plate down in front of him "Now eat up like a good boy"
She ruffled his hair while he began throwing his breakfast into
his mouth as fast as he could. Gohan came into the kitchen and sat
down as Chi Chi put his plate down on the table.
"Morning
Mom"
"Morning Gohan did you get much studying done last
night?"
"Er… Yeah a bit"
"I won't be in
this evening I'm going out with Bulma and Vegeta so I want you to
stay in and watch Goten"
"On Valentine's day?!"
Goten's
facial expression changed to a mischievous grin
"What's wrong
did you have plans Gohan?" Goten asked
Chi Chi gave Gohan a
suspicious look and waited for him to answer
"No! It's just
well oh never mind fine I'll watch Goten tonight"
"Good,
oh Trunks will be staying tonight too since Vegeta and Bulma are out
this evening as well and rather than order a babysitter I told Bulma
you'd watch him for her"
"Trunks is gonna sleep over?"
asked Goten excitedly
"Yes I thought you'd like that idea but
you two are not going to stay up all night just because it's a
Friday"
Goten gave Gohan another roguish look
"Sure
Mom like Trunks and I would cause any trouble"
"I know
you're a good boy Goten and I can trust you"
He gave his
mother a cute innocent grin that made her melt every time, even if he
was in trouble he just gave her that look and she forgave him. Goten
finished his breakfast off and got down from the table Chi Chi handed
him his lunch and he put it in his satchel which she then put over
his head.
"Gohan is going to take you to school this morning
and he'll pick you up as well, I have a lot to do today so I don't
have the time"
"Sure thing"
"You're such a
good boy aren't you my little Goten" Chi Chi had that tone in
her voice that was always there when she was babying Goten he just
grinned at her Gohan rolled his eyes and got up.
"Thanks Mom
that was great!" Gohan picked up his own satchel and looked down
at his little brother "Are you ready squirt?"
"Sure
am see you later Mommy"
Chi Chi loved it when Goten called
her that she bent down and kissed Goten as he straightened up from
putting on his shoes by the door.
"Don't be late home
tonight"
"Sure Mom"
"Have a good day at
school boys"
Gohan closed the door Goten lifted his fingers
to his mouth and whistled before shouting
"Flying
Nimbus!"
The yellow cloud came from the sky screeching to a
halt by Goten the small boy got on and sat down Gohan took off the
nimbus cloud following him. Goten loved flying he couldn't wait till
he could fly like Gohan when he could he was going to go flying all
the time, he pictured himself flying around with little wings he
grinned to himself. It wasn't long before he could see his school
they landed out of sight and Gohan walked him around the corner they
stopped outside the gates Gohan bent down and hugged the small
boy.
"Have a good day I'll be back at 3:30 sharp to pick you
up so be ready." Goten nodded "And Goten come out of there
alive ok, don't get killed by any girls"
"Don't be silly
Gohan I'm a Saiyan a girl can't get one over on a Saiyan"
Gohan
nodded and stood up
"Go on then Trunks is waiting for
you"
Goten turned around Trunks was stood not to far away
with his arms folded Goten waved but Trunks stayed leant against the
playground wall
"I'll see you later Gohan!"
He ran
over to where Trunks was Gohan smiled at his innocent little brother
he could remember being that age only things hadn't been so peaceful
he was grateful that Goten was getting a better childhood. But he
thought again Goten was having to grow up without a Dad, that must be
awful he thought before heading off to school himself. Goten and
Trunks walked slowly across the playground heading for the door but a
girl with little bunches dressed in a little blue dress stopped
them
"Hiya Goten!"
"Hi Rika your dress is
pretty"
Trunks nudged Goten a little
"Thanks I'm glad
you like it Blue's my favourite colour! What's your favourite colour
Goten?"
"Umm…. I like blue too," Trunks nudged
him again "But I like orange better"
"Oh ok well I
was wondering if you wanted to hang out at lunchtime?"
Goten
looked at Trunks for guidance the older boy shook his head
"Sorry
no I can't maybe another day ok?"
"Sure ok bye
Goten!"
"See you"
Rika ran off and Goten looked
at Trunks he was confused
"Why couldn't I hang out at
lunchtime?"
"You've got to keep them running around
every boy knows that you don't want to end up getting fleas, some
times you've got to break their hearts like that it's just the way
the cookie crumbles"
"Oh ok…."
Goten was still
confused but Trunks was a whole year older so surely he would know.
The corridors were full of little girls all dressed in their best
dresses with their hair done up with pretty ribbons. What are they
trying to prove? Thought Goten.
"Hey Trunks why are all the
girls dressed up?"
"It's Valentine's day"
"What's
so special about it"
"Well people give out cards asking
to be your Valentine and if you say yes and you become their
Valentine you have to marry them. So all the girls are dressed pretty
cos they're looking for husbands. Be careful Goten when you're
talking to girls today, if I were you I'd try to avoid them all
together"
"Oh I will" said Goten
He was
suddenly terrified by the thought of having to get married at seven,
another girl approached them she looked a little flushed and she
wouldn't look at them she had her hands behind her back.
"Hi
Trunks…." she said bashfully
Trunks looked at Goten he
leant closer to Goten to whisper to him
"Watch carefully
Goten"
"Umm…. Trunks I made this for you" The
embarrassed girl handed Trunks a card the older boy seemed suddenly
quite afraid he stared wide eyed at the card in his hand all the
other kids in the corridor were looking at the girl and then at
Trunks. "Well I'll see you later Trunks"
The girl ran
off and Goten switched his eyes from the red card in his friend's
hand to Trunks' face.
"Umm…. Trunks…."
The older
boy opened the card and Goten stood on tiptoes trying to read what it
said.
"To Trunks,
Be my Valentine!
If the answer is yes
meet me next to the pond at lunchtime,
Lot's of
Love
Kako
xxxxxxxxxx"
Goten gulped he felt just as
afraid as Trunks he looked up at Trunks
"So?"
"So
what?"
"Well what're you going to do?"
"I'm
not going to go"
"You're not?"
"No! I don't
want to get married you should know by now girls have fleas"
"Yeah
I forgot"
"If I go she'll wanna hold my hand and
stuff"
Goten shivered at the thought another boy approached
them
"I saw the whole thing Trunks, are you going to say
yes?"
"No"
"That's a relief I wouldn't be
able to be your friend any more if a girl touches you, you get fleas
and then you can't have any friends anymore. As soon as you get a
girlfriend that's it and you'd have to get a new best friend
Goten"
Goten didn't like that idea at all, Trunks stuffed the
red heart shaped card into his pocket
"Come on Goten let's
get to class"
"Wow Trunks you are so cool how can you
stay so calm?"
"I'm older it's easy when you know how to
deal with those situations"
The other boy was in total awe of
Trunks, Trunks pulled Goten's sleeve as he started walking and the
smaller boy followed leaving the other boy behind. The arrived in
their class room which was busy, their class was a mixture of boys
and girls of different ages ranging from 7 to 9, Goten was one of the
youngest in the class there weren't many 9 years olds so Trunks was
one of the oldest. Goten sat down at his desk and realised there was
a little tray stuck on the front every desk had a tray with his name
and a little heart on it, but they were all empty it didn't make any
sense. Their teacher came in and hushed the class shepherding all off
the excitable girls to their seats, once everyone was seated the
teacher addressed them. Their teacher was a youngish woman with long
dark hair that was always tied back she wore neat little glasses and
always had a tidy and executive looking suit on.
"Good
Morning Class"
"Good Morning Miss Chaiyo" the
children replied altogether
"Now as you know today is
Valentine's day and as you can see at the front near the door we have
a little mail box. This has been here for the past week for everyone
to post their Valentine's in and today I'll give them all out to
those of you who are lucky enough"
She opened the mail box
and pulled out a bag delving inside she pulled out a blue envelope
she read it and began walking down the class, Goten realised she was
looking at him she stopped by his desk and deposited the envelope in
his tray, she pulled out another letter and once again dropped it in
his tray then a third card was dropped in his tray.
"Ooh you
are a lucky boy Goten"
Trunks was looking at him with a smug
look on his face but his face dropped when Miss Chaiyo dropped a card
into his tray, she darted around the room dropping letters and cards
of all different colours and shapes into the trays. She put a couple
on her desk Valentine's from her secret admirers, Goten hadn't
written any Valentines. When the bag was half empty she went over to
Goten and dropped another two Valentines in his tray he put his head
on the desk. Five? One would be bad enough now I have to marry five….
Trunks said I only have to marry them if I say yes…. Oh brother why
me? The bag was almost empty now and nearly everyone in the class had
had one…. But Goten had now received seven Miss Chaiyo pulled out
the final Valentine someone had spent a long time over it she looked
up and smiled and made her way over to Goten again and put it in his
tray.
"Well 8 in all Goten that's not bad you truly are the
loveable young rogue of our class, you've clearly got a thing or two
to teach us all." She looked up at the class "Ok you've got
five minutes to have a look at your Valentines or longer in Goten's
case"
Goten pulled his assortment of Valentines onto his
desk, the first one was from Rika then there was from Mimi then one
each from Kyoko and Ryoko the twins. There was one from Megumi in
class D, Ami had also sent him one the seventh was from Kayiti she
was also in class D but the last one caught his attention. It was the
nicest looking of all his Valentines someone really had put a lot of
effort in but when he opened it there was no name.
"Goten
Chou
kiete
tamashii ware ni
kaeri keri
You are my little Kawaii
Valentine.
And you always will be.
xx"
What on earth?
Why send me a Valentine and not tell me who they are?
The
mysterious anonymous Valentine annoyed Goten for the whole day he sat
thinking about who could have sent it, he drifted into a daydream
staring out of the window the bell went for lunch but he didn't move
he just stared out of the window.
"Hey Goten!" He
snapped to reality when Trunks shook him "Did all the sop get to
your head or somethin it's lunchtime"
"Huh? Oh
right!"
He got up and scooped up his Valentine's depositing
them in his satchel before going out into the playground with Trunks
to eat their lunch. But even while he was eating he was miles away
Trunks nudged him
"What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing"
"Yes
there is you're just staring into space"
"He's in love,"
said Taku
"Huh?"
"Goten's in love…."
Repeated Mati
"Yeah" said Trunks "You're in love
alright the look in you eyes is unmistakable"
"You
really think so?" asked Goten getting worried
"Yep and
it looks like a pretty bad case to"
"Is there a cure?"
Taku asked Trunks sounding genuinely concerned for Goten's well
being
"I don't know I think Goten's to far gone to be saved,"
Trunks shook his head "And he's only seven too…. It looks like
I'm going to have to get a new best friend…. Taku how would you
like the job?"
"Hey!" said Goten "I am not in
love! I don't want fleas and I don't want to get married
either"
"He's in love and he doesn't even realise it…."
said Taku shaking his head
"Yeah…" said Mati sadly
"It's so sad and Goten was such a good friend too"
Goten
was horrified by the fact that his three friends were talking as if
he wasn't even there
"Hello I'm still here I haven't touched
a girl yet and I'm not going to so you don't have to worry"
"No
you haven't…. Yet there's still the rest of the afternoon to go"
said Trunks putting his hand on the smaller boy's shoulder "And
the time will come"
"It's not going to happen!!"
shouted Goten
He was beginning to get angry about the whole
ordeal the mystery Valentine had been bugging him anyway and now his
friends were giving him up as lost he wasn't in love he was sure of
it.
"Whoa alright calm down Goten" Trunks sat Goten back
down "It's ok just watch yourself you're in a weakened state and
they could strike at any moment. Kako came up behind the boys and
tapped Trunks on the shoulder
"Umm…. Trunks?"
He
jumped up brushing his shoulder where she had just touched him and he
ran off leaving the three boys with Kako she smiled before running
after Trunks
"Trunks wait! Be my boyfriend!"
The bell
went again and the children all filed back inside Miss Chaiyo was
talking when she noticed Goten staring out of the window
"Earth
to Goten"
"Huh?" he replied still half in his
daydream
"I know you're the most popular boy in our class but
I would appreciate it if you could pay attention"
"Yes
Miss Chaiyo"
"Thankyou"
She went back to
teaching again but slowly his attention drifted out of the window she
sighed.
"Goten…." he looked at her "That's it
paying attention both eyes focused on lesson"
The other boys
were grinning at Goten by that time all the boys in the class had
been told that Goten was in love but the biggest question was who
with? Once again his attention wandered.
"Goten!"
He
jumped to his feet startled by Miss Chaiyo
"Yes!"
The
Class erupted with laughter at Goten who had no idea why he had
jumped to his feet
"Goten there's a place for lover boys in
my class and that's at the front come here" He obediently went
to the front "You can stand there facing the class and they can
make sure you pay attention while I teach. I know it's difficult to
concentrate when your heart is fluttering like a butterfly but you'll
have to learn to cope with it"
The other boys in the class
sniggered Trunks found it quite funny as well, all the girls in the
class who had sent Goten a Valentine sat visualising themselves as
the one Goten was day dreaming about. While he stood there he ran the
words of the Haiku in the anonymous Valentine over in his head he
nearly died of a heart attack when the bell for the end of school
went he went back to his desk and picked up his satchel swinging it
over his head as he left Miss Chaiyo stopped him, she put her hand on
his shoulder.
"Now Goten I hope when you come back on Monday
you'll have this out of your system and be back to normal, you're
such a sweet boy I'd hate for you to get in trouble"
He
nodded and left the classroom she smiled after him, Trunks was
waiting for him as he got out of the room. Trunks didn't say anything
but his face said it all he found Goten's little episode quite
amusing.
"Stop laughing Trunks"
"I'm not"
"You
want to"
"It is funny Goten, I can't believe my best
friend is in love can I be the best man at your wedding"
"I
am not getting married!" snapped Goten
"Ok ok I'm
kidding"
Trunks knew how much this whole thing was winding
Goten up they got outside Gohan was stood talking to Bulma they saw
the boys and waved. Bulma came down to Trunks' level
"Did my
little man get any Valentines?"
"Two"
"Two?!
Well aren't you a little charmer"
"Two's nothing Goten
got eight"
Gohan went wide-eyed Bulma was shocked too
"Well
there's not much you can say to that really" said Bulma "Come
on Trunks in the car you'll see Goten later"
The driver
opened the door of the sleek black Capsule Corp car
"See you
later Goten!"
He got in Bulma got in to the door was closed
and the car pulled away, Gohan look down at his little brother eight?
That's unreal….
"Well let's get going squirt"
"Yep!"
They
went around the corner where they had landed in the morning Goten
whistled again
"Flying Nimbus!"
Once again he climbed
on the cloud and the two brothers headed home they arrived quickly
and Chi Chi was already preparing dinner.
"Hi Mom we're
home!"
"Hello boys have a good day?"
"Mine
was average Goten's had a great day he got eight Valentines"
"Eight?!
Sounds like your father he was always popular with the girls when he
was a boy"
"You included huh Mom"
Chi Chi
ignored Gohan's comment
"Well don't' stand there like that
Goten let's see them"
"Do I have to show them?"
"Yes
come on who are they from?"
Goten took a breath showing them
to her as he recalled the names
"Rika, Kyoko and Ryoko, Ami,
Megumi, Mimi, Kayiti"
"That's' seven who was the
eighth one from?"
"I don't know there's no name on
it"
"An anonymous Valentine! How romantic let's see
it!"
Goten pulled out the mysterious Valentine and handed it
to his mother she read the Haiku
" Chou kiete
tamashii
ware ni
kaeri keri
That's the most beautiful thing I've ever
heard" she repeated it
"The butterfly having
disappeared,
My spirit
Came back to me.
That's the sort of
thing your Father would come out with" she sighed
Gohan
sniggered at the thought of Goku saying something like that Chi Chi
glared at him and Gohan slowly retreated from the kitchen. She then
turned her attentions back to Goten.
"Well it does sound as
though you have a secret admirer who is very serious about their
feelings they've tried very hard with this Valentine, you should keep
it safe and one day you may find out who sent it. Oh this is
exciting! My little Goten's first love!"
Goten rolled his
eyes there was that word again, love, he shuddered thinking about it
he went up the stairs and lay on his mat.
"You alright
squirt?"
Gohan came in and knelt down on the floor beside
Goten's mat
"Am I in love Gohan?"
"I doubt it….
You don't even know who sent you that Valentine that is the one
that's got you worked up isn't"
"Yeah"
"Don't
worry about it you're seven years old love isn't something you should
be concerning yourself with."
"I don't want to get fleas
Gohan! I don't want to get married either"
"You won't
and you don't have to, really Goten calm down"
The three of
them sat and had dinner together and then Goten went back up to his
room again he lay on his bedding mat with the Valentine in his hand
he looked at it he heard someone ring the bell he hid the Valentine
under his pillow and ran down the stairs. Gohan opened the door
Vegeta was stood there looking unimpressed as always Trunks was just
in front of him with a small bag over his shoulder and his mat under
his arm.
"If he causes any trouble just hit him with
something"
"Umm…. ok…." said Gohan a little
unsure if Vegeta was joking or not
Chi Chi came down the stairs
ready to go out
"Right now" said Chi Chi preparing to
issue orders "You two are to be in bed by 8:30 at the latest and
you are not to give Gohan any hassle"
"We won't"
said the two boys in unison
"What Gohan says goes ok?"
"Sure
have a good time Mom" Gohan gave Chi Chi her coat and bag and
began shepherding her towards the door.
"There are some
things in the fridge snacks and things, you two are not to have
anything after 8:00 or you'll never go to sleep and Gohan try and
study a little ok?"
"Yes Mom see you have a good time
bye"
Gohan finally ushered his mother out of the door where
Vegeta was waiting for her impatiently and closed it.
"Right
boys it's 7:30 so you'll have half an hour to stuff yourselves"
"Can
we have a mid night feast Gohan?"
"Yeah can we
please?"
"I'll think about it, now go and get into your
pyjamas you're losing valuable snacking time"
The two boys
scampered up the stairs and into Goten's room Trunks rolled out his
bedding roll next to Goten's before going into the bathroom to
change. Goten changed in his bedroom he finished just as Trunks came
back in the two boys looked wide eyed at each other they were wearing
identical pyjamas.
"That's a little more that spooky"
said Trunks
"Hey whatever I'm hungry let's go!"
"YEAH!
Race ya!"
Gohan heard the boys race across the landing and
bound down the stairs skidding across the kitchen floor and he heard
a thump as the pair of them collided with each other and the fridge.
He got up and went through to the kitchen where they were both sat
dazed on the floor rubbing their heads.
"You two are a right
pair" He pulled them both up and opened the fridge door "Take
what you want but you can't have that"
"Why
not?"
"Because I want it"
Gohan snatched
something quickly from the fridge before either of the two small boys
could react and then he left them in the kitchen again, Goten and
Trunks took a few things closed the fridge door and went upstairs
again. They sat down on the bedding mats and laid out their kitchen
raid spoils the two little Saiyans were impressed with their stash.
Trunks picked out a few things and left the but then picked up
everything else and put it on of Goten's drawer in the drawer were
the other seven Valentines Goten had received,
"Hey Goten how
come there's only seven cards here when you got eight?"
"The
other one is over here I was trying to figure out who sent
it"
"Didn't it have a name on it?"
"No…."
Goten pulled it out from under his pillow, Trunks knelt beside Goten
and took the Valentine from him he studied flipping it over in his
hands he opened it a read the writing Trunks smiled. "Any ideas
who could have sent it?"
"Yeah"
"Really?!
tell me"
Trunks put the card down
"You really don't
know?"
"No…. Please Trunks who sent it?"
Trunks
put his left hand on Goten's and smiled
"I did…."
Trunks
put his other hand on Goten's right shoulder to hold him still while
he leant in and kissed Goten's cheek softly. Goten felt his cheeks
heat up as he blushed but he didn't push his friend away he revelled
in the unexpected but tender moment, he lifted a hand to his flushed
face then touched Trunks' face to draw him away and smiled. There was
a knock at the door
"Ok boys come on bed time" Gohan
came in and picked up the food scattered across Trunks' mat he put it
to one side "At midnight you boys can come down and have your
midnight feast ok?"
"Sure!"
"Yeah you're
the best Gohan!" said Goten who was still blushing slightly.
Trunks got under his sheets and Goten snuggled down under his,
Gohan smiled and turned out the light closing the door behind him. It
was silent for a moment then Goten felt Trunks take hold of his hand
gently
"Night Trunks"
"Sweet dreams Goten my
little Kawaii Valentine"
