Lime's POV
My heart was pounding in my chest as I clutched onto Gohan's neck before he took off, feeling a little more than nervous about this sudden situation.
It wasn't that I was going to back down by any means, no way; but I couldn't help but admit that I was a little afraid of the possible scenarios of would could happen. Gohan would be alright, I was more than sure, thanks to his half-saiyan blood; but I couldn't help but feel worried for myself, thinking that maybe I'd just be a burden to this whole rescue mission.
Before I could voice my concerns, all my previous fears melted away instantaneously at Gohan's words; and I admit, I felt a lot better despite the fact that we were going into a danger zone.
It didn't take long before Gohan and I spotted a fire truck speeding through the long road. Unfortunately, it was still too far away to reach the burning house—which meant that we both would have to be there first.
'Let's hope it at least makes it after we try and save everyone.' I thought as we got closer, a sinking feeling forming in my stomach.
Gohan and I finally landed near the house, practically a few feet away from the flaming home but enough so that the people outside couldn't have seen us swoop down.
Gohan carefully put me down on the ground and we wasted no time and ran towards the burning house. When were finally in front of it, Gohan ran in first. After a couple of seconds I also ran inside of it, remembering to cover my mouth with my hand as to not breathe in too much ash.
We had completely ignored the people outside protesting for our safety.
The moment I stepped in, the entire home was covered in soot and floating ashes. It was too hot inside, almost suffocating so. There was a fire in the kitchen from where I could see; all the cupboard were know a ashy black color, and the flames had already reached the table, setting it on fire.
I turned to the sudden rustling down the hallway, ready to help if needed.
Gohan came out of it, holding what looked like four adult people on his back. He held up with his free hand two fingers despite the soot and beads of sweat on his face. It looked like a peace sign but I could clearly tell he was holding up a number two with his fingers.
'He must be saying that there are still two people inside.' I nodded my head at him, giving him a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder when he shot me a worried look.
I'll be fine. I sent him a pointed look. You've trained me for a long while, there's was no need to worry about me.
Gohan, albeit hesitantly, nodded back and continued onwards out the door, as I quickly ran to the nearest room upstairs. My eyes widened when I saw to children huddled close to each other, eyes widening in fear as dry tears covered their faces.
They were both girls, one looked about Goten and Mikan's age while the other child looked like she was a little younger than the first one.
My heart ached to see their faces, and I quickly said to them, releasing my hand from my mouth, "I'm here to get you out. Just hold onto me."
Relief was shown on their faces, and they immediately climbed to my side and clung to my hips, arms wrapped around my shoulders and neck, as I supported them by wrapping an arm around their waists.
I spared no time, exiting the room just at the fire had finally reached the stairs. My eyes began to grow watery, and I felt as if I could no longer bear the heat inside. But managed to finally reach outside, thank kami, where I saw Gohan running anxiously towards me.
Gohan's POV
I saw Lime coming out with two other kids, and I couldn't help but sigh in relief when she flashed me a reassuring smile. When the woman, who I deduced was the mother, saw them, she ran up to the small group[ and started hugging them, crying at the same time.
My eyes softened at the sight. They looked just like my family back when Dad was still alive.
I felt a pang of sadness strike me, but then felt an even greater emotion of happiness emerge. I felt a small hand touch my arm and looked to see Lime shooting a small, sympathetic smile. I managed one of my own, thanking her with a small nod.
She somehow seemed to know what I was feeling before I even voiced them to her; maybe it was because I was easy to give away, but I liked to believe it was because of our deep connection with each other.
We'd been through alot together, our paths intertwined by the horrific actions of Cell all those years ago. We had both lost people we deeply cared about at one point, and even now, we still suffered (though much less than before) from the memories of those days and the "what-if scenarios" that used to plague our heads daily.
But as we got to know each other better and learned how to lean on each other not just as friends, but as allies, we became stronger in the end.
Hopefully, we'd be able to stay that way for a long time.
"Where's Joshua?!"
Snapping out of my thoughts, I turned the woman's sudden outburst. Dread quickly filled me when I saw the familiar flash of fear on her face.
"What's wrong miss?" I asked calmly, trying to help her do the same. But she just kept on franticly shaking, motioning towards inside the building. By then tears began to appear at the corner of her eyes, as she watched helplessly at her burning home.
"My baby is still in there!" she yelled, clasping her hands together, and was immediately surrounded by her family when her face paled.
My heart dropped for a moment, as I stood there, unable to believe that Lime and I had missed someone. My gaze flickered to the burning building, narrowing my eyes as I desperately attempted to locate the missing child. It didn't even take me a second to locate the faint ki. Second floor. Left side.
Just as I was about to announce that I would be going in, it seemed as if Lime beat me to it.
"I'll go in there in there and save the baby Miss don't worry!" I turned around and saw Lime heading back in the house. If it was even possible, my heart had sunk even more.
"Lime!" I exclaimed with wide eyes, fighting the back the urge in me to go in the building and tell her to wait outside.
My eyes flickered to the family beside me. No, it was too much of a risk. I'd be able to bring them in and out in a heartbeat if I were able to move fast enough; but then there'd be suspicions on me if that family noticed that I suddenly disappeared, and came back with Lime and the missing child no less.
All of this was such a risk, but even I had to reluctantly admit that Lime was the better option.
I clenched my fists.
I'd just have to stay put in have faith in Lime's abilities, even if she was human.
'There's no point in stopping her anyways.' I thought. Knowing her, she'd be too stubborn to let me argue with her.
"I'll be fine, Gohan!" She yelled back, and I watched, covered in soot and hair most likely a disheveled mess of dark locks, as she went inside. The flames were starting to grow stronger, and I heard a part of the house collapse, smoke arising from it.
I clenched my teeth, using all the willpower I could to hold myself back. No need to worry about Lime, she can do this. You know she can.
A sudden, and very familiar voice however, immediately broke me from my thoughts. It didn't even take me a moment to realize the voice; just the sound of his natural happy-go-lucky tone in his voice was enough to confirm to me that it really was him.
It still, however, caught me off-guard.
"Hey Gohan, long time no see son!"
Lime's POV
It didn't take much longer before I reached the last child, a small toddler who was crying softly to himself, huddled in a far corner that had yet to be touched by the flames. My heart ached for the forgotten child, a boy who looked up at me with teary dark eyes, bright blue hair sticking out in different directions; but time was ticking, and I had to act fast.
Taking him in my arms with whispered reassurances and making sure that there was nobody else left (for sure this time), I raced down to make my way outside.
When I was about halfway down the stairs, my right shoe began to catch fire, and I managed to shake it off in panic long enough that it diminished. However, it only caused me to carelessly step on a flame in the next floorboard; it burst upon my touch and the heat consume the soles of my foot.
I held back a scream, immediately wincing at the sudden burn. Tears began to blur my vision, but I somehow held them back.
As I was about to step on the last few floor boards, one of them fell, catching on fire instantly below. Full on fear overtook me for a moment, my breathing constricting as the heat became hotter to the point where I believed that I couldn't take it.
'You can do this...save the child, you can't just leave him here.'
Holding the baby in my arms protectively, I managed followed the way I came while dodging the flames on the floorboards of the house. Thankfully the flames hadn't yet touched the entrance door, and I sighed in relief at that, quickly making my way towards it.
Never had I ever thought I would miss the cool air as much as I did that day, when I finally made my way outside. Despite being covered in sweat and ash, and having an extremely painful burn on my shoe, I was relatively fine; for now, at least.
Immediately looking at the child in my arms, I noticed that he was surprisingly...alright. No burns, no cuts; there was soot all over his clothes, but barely any on his face or body in general.
"Thank kami," I whispered, smiling faintly at the toddler who merely gurgled at me as if his life hadn't been in danger a few moments ago.
Upon my arrival, the family immediately swarmed the child in my arms, thanking me profusely as I managed to somehow stay steady when they all hugged me individually. Suddenly, my head began to pound, and I immediately placed my palm on my temple, groaning. Since when did my head start hurting this badly?
"LIME!" Gohan running towards me, clearly concerned as he held my shoulders, scanning my body for any serious, visible injuries.
Not too far away, I heard a fire truck siren getting closer to where we were. That was good. They were going to come and help that poor family and everything was going to be alright for them.
I tried to shoot a reassuring grin at the demi-saiyan's direction, but the attempt was in vain. In an instant, it was if my energy had been completely drained, and I suddenly felt my body become weak. And then I felt...tired?
"Gohan..." I managed to let out before my eyes began to subconsciously close.
I didn't feel the way my knees seemed to buckle under me, or how my body abruptly began to fall onto Gohan's chest. It all just happened in a blur; all I could recall later when I awoke was the feeling of my eyes shutting as I immediately succumbed to the realms of slumber.
Sorry it took me a while to finish this chapter. SOOO glad it's finished anyway plz read this chapter and review it!
I'll be posting the 3rd chapter sometime soon with Lime explaining why she and Gohan are seeing each other and training together!
Anyway thanks for reading this story! :D
- Casey10rok
[Edited: 1/14/2017]