Hey. Thanks for all the nice things. Kalebxdd was nice enough to beta read this again.
Part 2
God, it hurts. I feel like a dumbass lying on a muddy ground under the damn pouring rain.
The guys in the North were much more organized than I thought. I should rather say that I didn't give them a single thought before flying head first to them. They were only weak humans after all, why bother?
There were many of them and they were well armed. I still wonder where they found all their weapons by the way. They were everywhere at once. Getting rid of most of them was easy at first but then the rest fled away and hid in the mountains. Up from that moment things went down hill. Whilst I should have left them behind considering that the nearest villages were safe, I couldn't stop myself. I was fueled with an uncontrollable rage and they were only rats challenging me. I needed to chase them in those damn mountains. A completely idiotic move, I have to admit it.
I couldn't afford to just drop a ki blast on the area as I would have annihilated any form of life down there, so I had to go on a real hunt. I spent days there trying to flush them out and I hardly caught a handful of them.
I've acted patheticly, I realized that. I saved these guys from the Androids three years ago, didn't I? I'm not human but I'm not God either. Maybe, Mom was right when she said I should let humans deal with their own kind. I feel confused and I wished Gohan could be there to tell me what to do. Yet, he's no longer here.
When I ended up giving up my senseless tracking I oddly urged to see Bulma. I needed to talk with someone about all that mess. I have barely slept and eaten in days but instead of taking some rest in the closest town, I made the decision to fly straight back to the Capsule. I hadn't the slightest doubt I could do it because, hey, I'm not like any human being. I need no rest. I need no one.
I should have known better. I'm a dumbass. Reality caught me up as harshly as the ground when I crashed. I must have dozed in flight without even knowing it.
My whole body hurts now. I don't even know where I am and I feel drained. My sight is getting blurry and I no longer have the strength to struggle to my feet. Maybe, the best thing to do is to lay there and wait for my body to regain some stamina. If only that goddam rain could stop pouring on me and turn the ground into a compact mud. I'm soaked and cold. I'd like to forget everything and I close my eyes. I hear Gohan's voice whispering in the distance. Or, is it Gohan? I don't know. My mind blacks out.
It's not raining anymore. Not only that, but I'm no longer lying on a hard damp ground. I'm now lying on a soft mattress. I open my eyes and they meet a ceiling. I'm in a house. Someone must have found me and brought me back in a shelter.
"Are you gonna die?" a little voice asks me.
I turn my head. Gohan's eyes are staring at me with an obvious curiosity. His daughter is kneeling next to my bed with her elbows resting on my mattress as she studies me with care. How long has she been there watching me?
"Not yet," I groan.
She purses her lips. "You can't die anyway," she states.
"Everyone has to die," I object.
She has a slight frown and I realize I shouldn't talk like that to such a young child. It seems that no one has ever told her that truth so far. Her hesitant look only lasts a blink though. "Sure. What I meant was that no one could kill you. You will only die when you'll be very old," she concludes in a matter-of-factly tone.
I roll my eyes at that. I sit up with caution, testing my every muscles and bones one by one. "How come I'm here again?" I ask.
"I don't know. Someone took you there. They said they found you in the countryside near Satan City. Grandpa was mad and we took care of you," she answers. "What happened to you? Did some villains try to kill you?"
My ribs ache and I rub them. I'm wearing a clean T-shirt with Satan's silly smiling face on it and boxers. I find out that the boxers are fresh and clean too and I don't know if I like it. I inspect my injured arm. Someone bandaged it from my wrist to my elbow. It doesn't hurt that much though. Besides it's the left arm, so it might not be a big problem to handle the sword.
"Did you kill them?" the little girl insists, snatching me out of my examination.
"The villains? Huh, I killed most of them. The other ones ran away," I answer absently.
She smiles to me. I have a pang as she looks so much like Gohan at that moment and I can't help but smile in return.
"I have food for you. You must be hungry," she claims. She takes a tray resting next to her on the ground and places it on my lap.
As usual, as soon as my eyes fell on the food my stomach spasms in anticipation. "How long have I been there?"
"You've been asleep in that bed for almost two days," she says.
Damn. That's a lot. Bulma is going to be worried sick. I start eating like a pig. I can't prevent it. The little girl watches me with eyes wide open but I feel she's more curious than shocked. As a matter of fact, everything about me seems to fascinate her.
"Are you gonna stay for a little while? I wanted to show you how good I am at fighting, remember?" she resumes after a moment. Her voice is shy and hopeful but I hardly notice it.
"I can't. I have to go," I splutter.
"Why?" she replies with some disappointment.
I glance at her. Only then, I realize how sad she looks. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. "My mother. She's waiting for me to come back home," I explain.
Her eyebrows lift in astonishment. "So you got a Mum? What's her name? Do you have a Dad too?"
Her childish questioning catches me off guard. It makes me aware of how much she cares for me although she's never seen me before. Her eyes sparkle in admiration and I feel uncomfortable with that - More uncomfortable than usual, I mean - because her eyes are so much like Gohan's. "My mother's name is Bulma and my father was killed by the Androids when I was only a baby."
She nods with a stern face. "My Dad too was killed by the Androids when I was baby."
I feel bad at that reply and I don't know what to say but she ends up smiling at me. "You avenged him though. You killed the Androids and you avenged him. You avenged your Dad too."
Her statement sounds weird when I think about it. I don't like that talk with Gohan's eyes staring at me. It makes me frantic and I need to end it. I clear my throat. "I have to take a shower, now," I claim while putting the empty tray aside and struggling out of the blanket.
She stands up as to clear my way. "You have all your clothes there. You left your laundry behind last time you came by," she explains by pointing at a pile of clothes on a chair.
"Great. Will you leave me alone, now?" I suggest with a colder voice than I intend to.
"Sure. I'll tell Mum and Grandpa that you're awake," she replies.
She takes the tray and walks out of the room. She keeps peeking at me until the door is completely closed. As soon as she's out, I sit back down on the bed. I still feel dizzy and weak. Nothing a hot shower can't spell out.
Hot water is a godly sensation. I might get used to it. I feel much better after the shower though not exactly on top. I get rid of Smiling Satan's T-shirt and slip into my fresh clothes. Then, I take a glance at the mirror. I freeze at my reflection. It's the first time I see the result of Videl's haircut and I almost forgot about it. I look different with my short hair. It's much better than the wild mane I had before and it makes me aware of how crazy I used to look. Videl did an amazing job. I beam at myself.
A knock at my door interrupts my self-admiration. "Come in," I growl.
Videl enters the room. She watches me standing in front of the mirror with some amusement. "You like what you see?" she asks jokingly.
I grin at her. "Yeah. I hadn't the opportunity to see myself with that new haircut so far. It's good. Thanks."
She crosses her arms. "I told you I wouldn't screw up. You can trust me."
I nod. "I won't forget that. Where is my stuff? I have to go back to my mother."
Her smile fades away and she keeps silent for an instant. I'm expecting her to ask me to stay a bit longer like she did last time. I can hear the trigger in her brain as she's thinking about the best way to speak about Gohan and Pan again. I know she craves for me to share some memories of Gohan with her and her daughter as if we were part of the same family. I cringe in anticipation.
Instead of that, she replies softly. "Laundry again. Especially your jacket was so muddy and filthy I couldn't let you go with that thing on. It won't be long to be over. Come have a coffee in the kitchen. By the time you drink it, everything will be ready for you to go."
I ease at this reply. The time of a coffee will do. After that, I'll fly away to Bulma.
"How do you feel?" she asks as we walk along an endless corridor leading to the kitchen.
"Pretty good. I think I understated my need for sleep and I crashed quite stupidly on my way back from the North," I explain.
"Huh. I know how it turns when you think you can take it all," she mumbles.
The way she speaks has me fathoming she isn't referring to me and the way I crashed down but to Gohan and the way she lost him. I can't prevent myself from objecting. "Gohan's sacrifice wasn't pointless."
Just when we come into the kitchen, she turns to me with a disbelieving face. "You said that before but how can I know it? You won't tell me about him and you."
I sigh and look away from here. "He was my teacher. He trained me until his death and allowed me to become what I am. Thanks to him, I could live further and grow stronger to kill the Androids eventually," I growl.
Through the window the sky is still grey but it's not raining anymore. The sight is gloomy nevertheless. Videl doesn't say anything and I can hear her handle the coffee maker.
"He taught me how to fly," she resumes after a while.
I focus back on her. She's standing in front of me with her back leaning against the counter. "Which allowed me to teach it to Pan," she adds.
I don't feel comfortable to speak about Gohan right now but for some odd reasons it doesn't hurt as much as it did the last time I met Videl. I sit on a chair while she turns back to her coffee.
"Not every human can fly. It demands skill and experience in Martial Arts. Pan could do it as she was only four. It was a bit scary," she carries on while cramming the coffee into the coffee filter.
"You shouldn't be scared. I assume you realized that Gohan was someone special, so it shouldn't be surprising for you that his daughter got extraordinary abilities too," I tell in an attempt to soothe her obvious worry.
She turns the coffee maker on and joins me sitting at the table. "It doesn't scare me. What scares me is that I don't know at all what it's all about. I don't know what to expect and I don't know what I should tell her. I wish Gohan could be by her side to reassure her and to teach her. Like he taught you," she claims.
I blink. Her words are warming my heart in a painful manner. "Gohan was great at reassuring and teaching. I'm not like him," I mumble.
She looks me right into the eyes and it feels like her clear orbs are digging straight into my soul. "You're right. Gohan wasn't a coward. What are you running from?"
Her hint at my so-called cowardice offends me but deep down I know she's somehow right. I can't answer her question though. I can't even find any proper reply at her hurting speech.
She stands up slowly and goes back to the coffee maker. "Gohan once told me that he was only half human. He told me his father was from another race. I didn't believe it at first but obviousness wasn't long to change my mind. Are you like him?" she asks as she pours the coffee into cups.
I'm stunned to find out she knew the truth from the beginning. There's no use in denying it further. "Yes. Our fathers came from the same people. We are…were the last," I sigh in weariness.
She puts my cup on the table. She doesn't seem surprised by my answer. I assume she'd understood long ago. "That's why you're both great fighters I presume. What about your human side, then?"
I ponder about her question. My Saiyan side gave me my power. My human side… Well. "My human side was what lead me to protect Earth instead of destroying it, I guess."
"Ho. I thought Gohan lead you to that," she shrugs while sipping her coffee.
I rub my forehead in annoyance. "I don't know. Whatever. Do you think my clothes are dry by now?"
She bits her lips and I feel she fight her urge to keep arguing. "I'll go and see that," she says instead.
She gets up and exits the kitchen leaving me behind. I'm relieved to be alone again. I don't know why she disturbs me like that. It's like I stumbled across a forgotten piece of Gohan left on Earth. For some reasons I picture exactly why Gohan fell for a girl like her. She's strong. I mean, not with muscles and energy, but strong inside. Only someone like that could support someone like Gohan and bring him a true relief.
All these musings hurt. I have to leave this place. Everything here is disturbing. I stand up and walk to the window. My gaze gets lost into the sight of the town making out on a cloudy sky. Down below me is the Town Council courtyard. I hear regular noises there and I looked down. Pan is playing in the yard.
I frown when I realize that she's playing a sword's brawl with a stick of wood. She's wearing a scarf and a worn out coat. Her outfit hampers her every move but she doesn't care. She's spinning the stick in large gestures and attacking some invisible foes, dodging their imaginary strikes by hopping aside. I can hear her little screams each time she throws a blow.
At some point, the stick hit the ground and gets splintered. She bursts out of laugher at the sight. Her laugh sounds exactly like Gohan's.
"She's playing Great Savior," Videl's voice whispers next to me.
I shiver. I was lost into my scrutiny and I didn't notice her coming back. She's now standing next to me. "It's you she tries to imitate in her game. I'm sure you did the same with Gohan when you were her age," she adds.
I look back down at the little girl. She left the broken stick behind and keeps fighting with an imaginary sword copying a swordsman's gesture.
"You can't leave without letting her know you go," Videl sighs.
I remember how Gohan used to leave without any warning when I was younger. I remember how disappointed I felt each time I found out he was gone without me noticing. He always did it that way because - just like Videl said - he didn't want us to get involved in a fight with the dreadful Androids. Yet, there is nothing left to fear and no reason to leave without goodbye. Videl is right. I have to say goodbye to Pan. Hell, this kid isn't just any kid. As insane as it sounds, it's Gohan's.
I grab my jacket Videl brought back and slip in it. Then, I grasp my bag and my sword. I turn to her and smile. "Thank you, Videl. I'm not surprised Gohan fell for you," I tell her.
She nods shyly. I can say my words touch her. I mean them. I really feel grateful to her but I wouldn't be able to explain why. "I might be back visiting you," I add.
"Whenever you want. Goodbye Trunks," she replies with a soft voice.
I open the window and I jump through the frame. As soon as I land down the courtyard, I can see Pan's eyes lighten instantly. I can't prevent my lips from twitching in a smile.
"Wanna see how I can fight?" she exclaims with cheers in her voice.
I rest my bag and sword on the ground and take a fighting stance. I enjoy the glee in her Gohan's eyes when she watches me. "Okay, but take it easy. I don't want to be hurt," I reply.
She throws a blow directly into my stomach. I don't dodge it on purpose. Mistake. The kid is much stronger than expected and the hit takes my breath away. I double over and I can hardly avoid tumbling down.
She stops her acting on the go. "Did I hurt you for real?" she asks in concern.
I almost choke as I chuckle while being out of breath. "It's okay, my fault," I cough.
She walks to me and her little hand rubs my arm in comfort. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it," she apologizes. I pat her hair. "My, you're very, very strong," I praise her.
She grins in jubilation. "I train hard, you know. One day, I'll be like you." Her features are soft and goodness shines through her face. Just like it did through Gohan's face. He would have loved to be the father of this child.
"Is that it? You want to be like me? I saw you playing swords with that stick," I answer.
She blushes and hides her mouth in her scarf in embarrassment. "It was only a stick of wood. I broke it," she stammers.
I contemplate her childish manner for an instant. Then, I pick up my sword. "There. Take this one. That way you'll be able to play swordsman for real," I say by handing it out to her.
Her eyes widen in disbelief and she gaped. "Take it," I encourage her since she remains motionless.
Her hands are trembling as she grabbed the sheath. She's surprised by the weight at first but she doesn't let it drop. She brings it to her eye level and studies it with amazement. "Do-Do you mean I can keep it?" she asks hesitantly.
"Yes. Just take care of it. Do you think you can do it?" I say.
As her stupor fades away she beams at me and nods forcefully. "Oh yes. I will. But what about you? You won't have a sword anymore," she resumes with concern.
I smile and grab my bag. "I don't need it any longer,"
Her eyes drift to my bag and back to my face. Her beam drops. "Are you leaving?"
Her little face is stern and sad as she's standing with the oversized sword still in her hands. I crouched down to be at her level and stroke her silky hair. "I told you I have to go see my Mum."
She holds the sword closer to her chest like something precious and lowers her head. "Will you come back?"
Her voice sounds like she's about to cry and I run my dumb on her angel's cheek in order to catch her tear in flight. "Of course, I'll be back. I want to check out what you're up to with the sword."
She looks up at me and grins both in pride and joy. "I'll wait for you and I'll be stronger then," she promises.
I stare at her black shiny eyes while she's speaking. Gohan's eyes. I realize I spent my whole life fighting with rage and I never gave a thought as why I was doing all this. In my mind it had always been be out of revenge but revenge has never been the true reason. The true reason stands right in front of me. Gohan knew it from the beginning but he hadn't time to teach me this last lesson. There's no point in fighting for life if you don't know what life's about.
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