Welcome to Chapter 2 of Kokuhaku! Yes, I will finally stop stalling! Sorry it took so long, but for some reason Fanfiction.net wasn't working for me- I couldn't upload any documents. Hopefully the wait wasn't that horrendous o.O
Okay, here's Kokuhaku, chapter 2! But first, a recap of chapter 1:
((You don't get it, do you!? They're willing to sacrifice their lives to help us, and your stubborn ass is preventing us from winning!)) Okiri snapped, sweat pouring down his face.
Juujen stared at his counterpart for a minute, the internal battle visible on the demi-human's face.
The renewed Gohan narrowed his eyes in concentration. ((This ends here.))
Gohan heard the heart-wrenching cry, and a surge of anger and power shifted into his hands, forcing itself against Cell's ki.
The android realized his mistake too late, as his energy was enveloped in his adversary's. Eyes growing wide, he roared in shock and anger as his body was torn apart- cell by cell…
As they watched, his arm slowly fell to his side as he collapsed into the crater far below.
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Kokuhaku: Chapter 2
Death in Light
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"What we have done for ourselves dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
~Albert Pike
The troop carefully skimmed the crater's bowl, trying not to fall flat on their faces (Krillin, however, didn't succeed and ended up the first to reach Gohan as he slammed into the dirt about 4 feet away). Yamcha was second to arrive, and he gingerly lifted the battered demi-Saiyan.
Gohan's chest slowly rose and fell as he murmured, "For Earth, huh?"
The surrounding men laughed, beaming down upon the small boy. Gohan shifted slightly in Yamcha's arms, adding, "I'm so… tired…"
"I think we all are." Goku grinned, a strange clash with the dirt and blood that covered his face. "Guess it's time for a visit to Dende, huh?"
"Mmm…" Gohan nodded, although it came across as a weak movement of the head since he was too tired to do more. Soon, he was apparently asleep.
The assembled warriors lifted into the air, in no rush to get there- not like they had the energy to rush, anyhow.
Goku glanced over at his son, commenting, "Guess that fight really did wear him out. Ah- let him sleep. We'll be at Dende's soon, anyhow."
"Your son's growing soft already, Kakkarot." Vegeta growled, arms crossed even in flight.
The younger Saiyan grinned at his elder playfully. "You're one to talk. Gohan's stronger than both of us, now."
"We'll see how long that lasts." The Saiyan Prince snapped, twisting in mid-flight and blasting off in the opposite direction.
"Where's he goin'?" Krillin inquired, finally catching up with the group- 18's body was a lot heavier than it looked. Tien flanked the shorter human, holding Trunks's limp form.
Yamcha shrugged. "I don't think anyone knows how that guy thinks."
Settled in Yamcha's arms, Gohan was considering whether he should let himself fall completely asleep or not. Sure, he looked asleep, since he had heard his father comment about it, but he was much too on-guard to fall asleep. His mind, however, was beginning to shut down. Fatigue seemed to be getting to him.
Okiri and Juujen, Gohan's 'alter-egos', had remained together for the moment, as they always did when he wasn't in a life-threatening situation.
He had always been aware of the two sides of his personality, but they never showed themselves until the fight between Goku and Raditz. Alone and scared, his four-year-old self had been torn between fear and anger. One side of him was absolutely terrified, whilst the other was seeking blood for the screams of pain heard outside. And it wasn't Raditz doing the screaming.
Honestly, he hadn't a clue how his 'alter-egos' had made up their names. As he was sitting in that pod, he had taken to talking to himself, and suddenly he had two names. "Okiri" was the more blood-thirsty ego, while "Juujen" was the easily scared, kind side. Later, after finding out about his half-alien genetics, he had assumed that Okiri was his more Saiyan-ish side and Juujen was the mostly human side. Eventually, Juujen agreed with Okiri that Raditz had to be stopped, and when they combined Gohan became a whole new person. Honestly, he hadn't a clue what happened after that. All he knew was he woke up in the wilderness with an extremely cranky Piccolo.
In his first battle with Nappa, Gohan had frozen on the outside. Krillin and Piccolo had been beaten pretty badly. And Gohan mostly blamed himself- whenever he entered a battle, it seemed Juujen and Okiri manifested themselves and absolutely refused to cooperate. For that, Piccolo was killed.
Gohan had never understood these features of his mind. They never showed up until he was in a fight, and then they only complicated things.
It was ironic, he was talking about them as if they were invaders. But in actuality, they were him, and 'he' was just the combination of the two. Too strange.
His random musings were interrupted by the question of sleep once more. Heck, he was too tired to open his eyes anymore.
A bemused chuckle interrupted his thoughts as a familiar presence encircled his conscious. ((Don't bother, kid. You did great.))
Piccolo, who had been tailing his fellow warriors to avoid direct conversation, was slightly concerned by Gohan's reply. The boy's mental voice was weary, barely audible. ((Thanks, Mr. Piccolo. Sorry I…))
((Don't even try to say it. You know how much I hate apologies. You did better than I ever imagined, and that is not something to be ashamed of.))
((Heh. If you say so…)) The child's voice became silent for a moment, before adding, ((…I'm so tired.))
((Just keep resting. We're almost to Dende's. But kid?))
((Hn…?)) Was the weak reply.
((Keep talking? It's all I ask.))
This earned a shallow laugh. ((Seems everyone is testing my endurance today.))
~*~
Piccolo felt slightly more at ease as he landed at Kami's lookout. Gohan was still talking (albeit begrudgingly) even though the urge to sleep seemed to be growing.
It was understandable. He was just a kid, right?
That was the part that worried him. Sure, they were used to being exhausted after a fight; Goku couldn't even move after the first bout with Vegeta- or so Gohan had told him after he had been revived.
But Goku was a seasoned, full-grown warrior; Gohan was merely a child. Could his body handle what had just occurred?
Pah, the Namekian growled. If Vegeta was here, he'd smack me upside the head. The boy is half-Saiyan.
But a final, somber thought at the back of his mind unsettled him more: He's half-human, too.
((Mr. Piccolo, what's wrong?)) Gohan interrupted. The weariness of the demi-Saiyan's voice still concerned him.
Should I tell Dende? Piccolo wondered. No… Look at me, fretting like that Kami-awful Chi-chi. He'll be fine. Besides, Dende's almost done healing 18. Gohan's going to be healed and I'll feel like a fool!
Recalling Gohan's inquiry, he responded, ((Nothing.))
No response came.
((Gohan?))
Concerned, Piccolo continuously delved deeper into his student's mind, strengthening their link. Immediately, a ghostly mist of unease seemed to coat his skin, illusions of pain brushing across his senses; he shivered involuntarily at the feelings.
Pressing past this apparent side-effect, he silently beckoned the demi-Saiyan, straining to hear a voice that he feared wouldn't come.
He nearly jumped as a fearful voice shouted, ((Mr. Piccolo!))
((Kid… What's…))
Gohan interrupted, his tone sounding out of breath. ((I can't… breathe… Mr. Piccolo!))
Unconsciously, Piccolo called aloud for Dende, but before he could give fair reason for his outburst Gohan disappeared.
Disappeared…
The phantom pain, the frantic call, the presence of the demi-Saiyan… They were gone.
He was gone.
Piccolo finally seceded to letting go, opening his eyes. It was over so fast…
Blinking past his shock, cursing himself, he quickly reminded himself that Gohan would be revived very soon.
Ironic, even after surviving the actual battle, warriors were falling.
~Finis Chapter 2~
Hmm- I killed Gohan twice in the same day. Geez, I'm mean to my favorite characters! I killed him in Serendipity, too o.O So mean… Oh yes, I have a question for you guys for chapter 3. I'm planning a fight with Gohan and Paikon versus some of Hell's lower characters. Would you like to see the interaction between Paikon and Gohan at the beginning, or would you prefer that I skip to the important parts? Tell me your opinion in a review/e-mail- if no one says anything, I'll just leave it out ^^ Ok, reviewers!
It seems 4 of my reviews didn't even show up. So, I'll post them (I got em through e-mail) so you guys can know what I'm talking about. The 3 that were posted won't be repeated, since I'm too lazy ^^ my comments will be in italics
Sam- I continue, I continue! Even if it did take 2 weeks o.O
DBZ Chick- You are a person of few words ^^
Simba-rulz- Wow, that was awesome! Update soon!
Thank you! Hehe, you have more words than DBZ Chick at least!
Gohan-angle- That was so cool! I really enjoyed it, the best part is when everyone joined and say their part. And Gohan with his split personality. I enjoyed it. Please update ASAP.
I was worried that the split personality thing would confuse people, but I guess you didn't mind, did you? It wasn't updated ASAP, exactly, but it was updated, right? ^^
Saiyagal- that was good. I liked it. Creative names and plot, I've never read anything like this.
Thank you. Of course, Okiri and Juujen were Japanese, so it wasn't exactly creative, but oh well ^^ Thanks for the review.
The Verve- heh… now I'm reviewing this one right after reviewing your other one. Hehehe well all I can say is that you write really good stories and that you have good ideas.
Yay! I have 2 constant reviewers now! I so happy ^^ Thanks! Hey cool… I'm on your favorite authors list o.O Woow! That's a first!
Alex Ultra- Woah, I had to think about that review for a moment, but after reading your bio I understand :P Thank you Alex, and Alex Ultra o.O
Wow, I got more reviews in 1 chapter of this than 3 chapters of Serendipity o.O Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter- even if I killed off Gohan- and I'll get the next chapter up ASAP! I hope it won't freeze up on me again, though *Crosses fingers*