Of Two Hearts

Chapter 4: Pressure Ensues

Carefully, almost invisibly, fall had made its way to the kingdom and disappointed the ones who had not wished for summer's end. The colorful leaves had fallen; the usual chilly breezes and the signs of people dressing warmer had truly come at last.

Today was just another usual day, as serene and plain as the calm seas.

Or it should have been.

Chi-Chi placed a wisp of her dark hair behind her ear and stared down thoughtfully at her calligraphy again. She smiled wistfully and sat back against the wall, looking over her work so far. Yeah, it was all right.

Closing her eyes, she sighed, remembering the last time she was with Goku. That time alone with him… It was magical to her. All she did for the few moments she was with him was care for him, but it felt so nice to do it.

Many vivid pictures of Goku and his reactions stayed in her mind, like they were burned in there.

Another sigh.

At Chi-Chi's side, Talim gazed up at the older girl adoringly. "Your writing is so elegant, Princess. Nothing like mine at all. You're so great." She smiled a smile that could place even the toughest person into submission. "I hope to be as pretty and good as you are when I get older."

Though tinted cheeks would have followed praise, Chi-Chi merely opened her eyes and looked down. No, you don't, she thought, but instead smiled weakly at Talim.

The young girl tilted her head in confusion. "Princess? Is something the matter? Lately, you seem to ponder about something, and sometimes I think you worry about something."

Chi-Chi glanced away as she reached for her reed brush. Great, even a child had noticed that she had daydreamed about Goku.

"It's nothing," she answered softly, and continued her calligraphy.

Accepting it as true, Talim returned to her studies as well, but not for long as she observed Chi-Chi out of the corners of her eyes. The only sounds in the Study Room were the gentle swishes of the reed brushes dancing across paper, until Talim spoke.

"You know what, Princess? I can read the waka you're writing. It's very pretty."

It was an accomplishment for someone of a young age to be able to read Chinese characters, and this fact proved impressive to Chi-Chi. "Really?" she asked Talim.

"That's wonderful."

Talim nodded eagerly. "I can read it to you." She bent over to study Chi-Chi's paper and read aloud:

"Since our first meeting,

My love has been more profound

Than that of others,

Though it matches not the hues

Of the cloth from Shikama." (1)

The dreamy look melted off the younger girl's face suddenly as she perked up with a new interest. "You speak of Prince Vegeta when you write that, don't you?"

Chi-Chi smiled softly. "Hmm," she mused. "It's something more…"

***

At the throne, Vegeta looked up at the Ox-King, interested in what he was saying right now. Earlier that morning, Vegeta had been attending to other matters that the Ox-King ordered him to take care of, but now he was making a very interesting offer.

The Ox-King chuckled heartily as he pointed to the battlefield below outdoors. "I'm sure you've heard of the annual tournaments I hold and how they arouse the people. It's a very interesting and entertaining event, one that the best men dream of entering. I'm glad to hold one while you're here, Vegeta."

Vegeta folded his arms across his chest, nodding. "Yes, I've heard of the tournament… I want to enter."

The Ox-King's smile faded into a frown, and his happy face was replaced with an incredulous look. Then he laughed, causing Vegeta to frown and twitch.

"Don't be silly, my boy," the Ox-King laughed. "You know the prince's safety can not be risked."

This time, it was Vegeta who had the soft laugh. He smirked arrogantly and looked the Ox-King in the eyes. "May I remind you that I come from a line of strong warriors, exceptional fighters, and I am the son of King Vegeta. Trust me, Sire, my fighting skills would be a sight to see."

The Ox-King remembered what Vegeta said was true, and just imagining the battles was a pleasure to him. He smiled. "You're right."

Then he gave Vegeta a serious look. "You may enter the tournament, but do heed my word. You are at risk for many things, fatal injuries being one of them. Do not die, for Chi-Chi will be so unhappy."

Vegeta gave a sharp nod and turned to leave.

When he rounded the corner, he stopped to see the second turret in the distance, where Chi-Chi and Talim were.

But it wasn't Talim that Vegeta cared about right now.

Chi-Chi…

Vegeta frowned. His wife-to-be was behaving in a peculiar manner, and it had come to his attention. Chi-Chi never seemed very happy to merely be with him, and it seemed she busied herself to avoid situations where she was alone with him.

Vegeta also noticed she spaced out frequently, and it was rumored that she had a concern for a certain slave.

If it keeps going like this, she might actually fall for this 'Goku', Vegeta thought.

Therefore, he is an enemy and must be eliminated. If I rid him, he'll be out of her sights for good.

With that thought turning into a goal, Vegeta continued walking, seeking to make it come true.

***

Clothes, books, shoes, silk material, and other objects flew frantically behind Chi-Chi. She continued to look thoroughly through every place in her bedchamber. The clinking of cups accompanied the sound of bedspreads and blankets shuffling.

Chi-Chi leaned back away from her bed and felt her heart race harder than it ever did before. "No," she whispered in despair.

She threw the pillows off her bed and ran her hand along the cool surface underneath. "No, where is it…?"

Talim watched Chi-Chi ransack her bedchamber, and was almost scared. What on earth was Chi-Chi doing? Talim had never seen her behave this way before.

She saw Chi-Chi head over to her closet and roughly pull the large, wooden shutters apart. She frowned as Chi-Chi threw herself in there, searching for something once more.

What on earth is going on with this woman? Talim wondered. Should I ask?

After a few moments of searching, Chi-Chi backed away from the closet and spun around, gasping slightly; her hands flew to her face suddenly. "Kami, no," she whispered, her face going pale. Only gravity kept her from swooning.

She fixed her disbelieving eyes on the small girl looking up at her, worried. "Talim…?"

Chi-Chi walked over to her and knelt to her level, placing a hand on each shoulder. Talim looked into her eyes as she responded shakily, "Yes, Princess? What ails you? What is it that you seek?"

Chi-Chi sighed nervously and then looked at Talim, biting her lip. "My necklace… The same one I received on my birthday, and the very same one my mother passed on to me. It's gone, and I don't know where it's at."

Talim's brown eyes grew huge with concern and she tensed. "Oh…"

Chi-Chi nodded, confirming this crisis as true. "I can't afford this. That's the only physical thing I have to remember my mother by, and I can't imagine what will happen if my father finds out."

Talim nodded as well, and then an uneasy look crossed her face. "That will be bad, Princess, but wouldn't it be a worse dilemma depending on the necklace's location? Depending on where you lost it…"

Chi-Chi gently squeezed Talim's shoulders, and the girl watched her hang her head. She was about to ask "What?", but she heard Chi-Chi mumble, "Wait… I know where it is…"

This was bad. Talim would be the first person to know that she had been sneaking off to go see Goku. That's the last place she had her necklace. She swore she hadn't heard it slip out of her kimono, but it did, and she didn't even notice as she changed for bed that night.

"Where is it, Princess?" Talim asked.

Her head still hanging low, Chi-Chi answered, languid, "My little messenger girl… It's at the Slave Headquarters, near the farthest wall. Please don't ask how it got there, but I now know that's where it is."

Talim's eyes dilated with surprise, and she blinked. Surprise was written all over her face. Then she nodded and stood straight and tall. "As your messenger girl, I'll retrieve it for you, Princess. You don't have to worry about me. I'll be careful, and I know how costly it is if the necklace is seen."

Warmth surrounded her as she received a grateful hug from a very relieved Chi-Chi. After a word of thanks being said, Talim grabbed a goatskin pouch filled with a few coins and headed off to the Slave Headquarters.

It wasn't a problem for Talim to exit the palace and skip along the cobblestone path leading to the grassy area of the Slave Headquarters. As the younger sibling of a top guard, she had the freedom to wander in this area, in addition that her father is a shogun.

It also was a common sight to see children playing around outside, so that assured Talim of not being suspicious.

However, that idea dwindled as she neared the Slave Headquarters. The laughter and happy voices of the children faded away. Slightly nervous, the girl entered the headquarters and remembered Chi-Chi's guidance. "The farthest wall," Talim whispered to herself over and over.

She searched carefully, still being cautious to the fact that any slave could return at any time.

Finally, Talim guessed it was near the futon against the wall farthest from the entrance. Her guess proved accurate as she spotted two goatskin pouches, similar to her own, lying on the futon.

"I've found you," she whispered, opening one of the pouches. The bluish gleam of the sapphire indicated she had found the necklace. She closed the pouch and was ready to switch it for her pouch of a few silver coins.

"Talim?"

Uh-oh.

Startled, Talim jumped as she spun around. She immediately dropped the pouches and leaned back against the futon, losing her balance. Her worried eyes looked up at the guard on horseback near the entrance.

"Um, 'Nii-chan!" Talim sputtered.

Wakaru looked down at his sister, confused and suspicious. "What are you doing here?"

"Well," she started, trying to feel for the correct pouch under the blankets behind her. She was hoping her talking would distract Wakaru from noticing.

"'Nii-chan, I'm only playing a game with the other children. I think one of them hid in here. I'm seeking him. You know, the children hide, and I seek? The other children are in the farther area of the village, and you know just as well as I do that I can't go there alone."

Wakaru sighed sympathetically. What could he tell her now? It was a sacrifice that she has more than other children, but less privileges? It wasn't her fault. She was born under such circumstances.

"I know, Sister. You're a child, and children need to play, but do remember that these slaves have work to do and only gave you things to be nice and send you away. Did you do your lessons?"

Talim nodded, and slipped the pouch she grabbed inside her tunic. "Um, I don't think Taro is here…" she said, referring to one of the playing, village boys. She left the empty facility and looked up at Wakaru innocently.

He shook his head, smiling, and fished a piece of wrapped chocolate out of his pocket. He bent over and placed it in his sister's small hand. "Here you are. Now be a good girl and stay out of trouble. If you see Taro, tell him to stay out of here."

"All right," Talim sighed, feigning disappointment, and walked away. It was okay if Wakaru told her to leave the Slave Headquarters. She had accomplished her mission and there was going to be no more worries.

***

The sun was slowly beginning to disappear behind the mountains when the men who trained for the competition started to head home. Some had stayed longer in the fields to train into the night, but others were truly tired and called it a day.

Goku was one of those men who had stopped for the day. Well, he wasn't really that tired, but something far worse and irritating was bothering him.

Beads of salty sweat stung Goku's eyes as he forced himself to limp back to the Slave Headquarters. He growled through his clenched teeth, angry at his stupid limp.

Earlier, he had been meditating in the tallest trees in the forest. When he had heard a sudden noise, he teetered backwards, startled, and lost his balance, falling out of the trees.

His quick instincts saved him from death, but it couldn't prevent this terrible, bloody gash in his leg.

I don't believe this. I was so focused, and then I jumped over a noise… Probably a stupid animal or something, Goku thought angrily.

He would have taken the Nimbus as a ride back to the Headquarters, but he believed walking on his leg would strengthen it.

Once he got back, he immediately crashed onto his futon, only to groan and move aside the two pouches he had left there earlier. One contained special plants Shi Lu gave to him in case he got wounded in his training, like today. The other was halfway filled with the few coins he had to pay tax with.

However, as he moved the pouches aside, he noticed they didn't feel the same. One didn't feel the same. Goku grabbed the unfamiliar pouch and opened it. Curiosity was written all over his face as he gently lifted the item in the pouch.

What was such an expensive piece of jewelry doing here? How did it get here?

Goku blinked, looking over the necklace. It seemed familiar. Oh! Goku's brows shot up as he remembered. Chi-Chi wore this the night she went to visit him.

She must've dropped it. That's not a problem, he thought. I'll give it back to her. But first, I'm going to get some water for this leg…

Goku groaned as he swung himself off the futon and retrieved two water buckets in the corner. He headed out to the watermill behind the Headquarters, just as some other slaves came in.

***

As soon as Talim felt it was safe, she retreated to Chi-Chi's bedchamber and closed the doors behind her. The pouch she held closely to her chest was leveled down to her side as she sighed with relief. She was curious when Chi-Chi spoke.

Chi-Chi sniffed the air, confused, and then looked at Talim. "Do you smell that? There's an aroma in here… It smells like mint or potpourri."

Talim's eyebrows wrinkled in confusion, and she sniffed the air as well. The aroma was very strong where she stood. Suddenly, fear jumped into her heart.

She opened the pouch…

No!

Talim's eyes widened as she gazed into the pouch, motionless, invulnerable to Chi-Chi's questioning. There in the pouch was not the necklace, but medicinal herbs. She had gotten the wrong pouch by mistake!

Talim's statue-like figure was worrying Chi-Chi and she shook her gently, only to stop and have the same wide-eyed expression.

"Talim…"

The horror-stricken girl could only meet Chi-Chi's eyes for a moment, before she quickly spat, "P-Princess, I… I apologize. I tho-thought I had the right one." On and on, she rambled about her encounter with Wakaru and her ways to avoid suspicion.

Chi-Chi couldn't blame Talim; only a sick feeling churned in her stomach. Her only chance to redeem herself was placed in the hands of a child-a child who didn't deserve this pressure-and was in vain.

"I'm so sorry," Talim concluded, almost brought to the point of tears. Would this mistake ruin her reputation as a good messenger girl? Her only chance to impress Chi-Chi was shattered.

She looked up at her, concerned. "Is it possible to get the necklace back? Or is all hope lost, Princess?"

***

As a carefree man would, the royal Prince Vegeta strolled peacefully among the people. He stepped out for a moment of fresh air, breaking away from the stuffiness of the palace, and had then decided to just take a walk.

Secretly, he was aiming to find out more about this Goku that Chi-Chi had nearly spoken of publicly.

Vegeta was closer to the Slave Headquarters, but his steps slowed as he heard voices---angry voices.

"Can you believe it? Here we all thought it wasn't possible, but it is!"

"Satoshi is right! The princess's necklace is on the property of Son Goku! That knave!"

Outside the tents, Vegeta raised his eyebrows curiously. The necklace was with Goku? This could be Goku's undoing, and Vegeta hadn't even planned it at all. This was sounding good to him, but he frowned. He had no proof that the necklace was in Goku's possession or how it got there.

"Gentlemen, I warned you from the start! I always thought that Goku was a bit strange, and here it turns out that he desires our future empress!" an angry voice rose from within the tent.

"Yea! That scoundrel Goku is trying to take Princess Chi-Chi away!"

More sounds of anger, harsh words, and swearing buzzed about, until a new voice spoke.

"Hold your tongue! Yea, Goku is a strange lad, but how do you know he is to blame? Perhaps it is the Princess who came to him!"

Shouts of disagreement followed this statement.

"You fool! The Princess would never stoop to that level! She has more sense than that! Goku is to blame! He's trying to take away our princess so Prince Vegeta may not rule! Can't you see this is a trap?"

Vegeta listened harder at the men's uproarious conversation. The light from many lit candles showed the men's silhouettes. Obscene gestures and middle-finger salutes accompanied their swearing and bitter talk.

But that was to be ignored. Their talk was the most important thing! Vegeta had no idea that the fellow slaves hated Goku. Then again, the necklace was discovered tonight.

Meanwhile, Goku was returning uphill with the two buckets filled with water. He heard commotion as he got near the Slave Headquarters. Goku smiled. They must be celebrating. They do deserve a break after training so hard, he thought.

But what Goku was about to see was very different from a party.

He neared the Headquarters, not noticing Vegeta on the opposite side, but stopped in his tracks suddenly. Was he hearing this right?

"This must be settled now! We've fallen for Goku's trap! He is only out to steal the princess and he must be stopped! Someone who commits such a crime should be put to death!"

"Yea! Kill Goku!"

"It only makes sense! The Gyuu-Mao dynasty must continue with Princess Chi-Chi's marriage to Prince Vegeta. Any obstacle must be eliminated, and Goku is that obstacle. Our daimyo would never allow such a vile creature as he to live on his estate."

"True, true! The competition coming up will determine who will be the samurai, but Goku wins the praise of our daimyo already! If only they knew how deceitful he was. He deserves to die!"

Goku blinked. Where had this sudden anger come from? What were those men talking about? Goku ignored reason as he carried the buckets of water inside the Headquarters.

A piercing silence followed by scornful glares was on display as Goku walked by the men. He spotted the necklace, dangling midway out of its pouch, on his futon.

Oh.

Goku felt everyone's eyes on him as he retrieved the item that had caused such furious talk. He slowly backed away, his eyes cast downward, as he exited the facility. He sensed that someone tried to trip him, but he merely sidestepped it and left.

Once he was alone, Goku looked at the necklace in his hand. How could such a beautiful and small thing cause so much trouble? Those men wanted to kill him because he has it! Goku knew he could defeat those men even with a single Kamehameha wave, but then he'd be a murderer…

Even then, he didn't want to risk the condition of his leg.

I have to go away for a while until those people calm down, he thought.

***

Goku had retreated to the docks in the village, where he was the first time he came here with Chi-Chi. The big fishing boats rocked gently on the cool waters that lapped up against the pier's wooden supporting poles.

The dock was very large, and would be a decent spot to hide for a while.

Goku reached for the ropes holding the ships to the pier. Sliding down to the sandy shore, he noticed a huge indent in the wall, much like a rounded cave, where the fishing nets were kept. An even larger net kept the others from falling out.

The colors would blend in perfectly with his clothes. It wouldn't be so bad to stay out here, he guessed. The fishing nets stock was pretty big, and there was water and fish to eat nearby.

No one in the village would really recognize him, unless they probed really carefully at his clothing.

Just as Goku was about to settle in, he heard a faint noise, and it was coming his way. The sound of a walking horse meeting cobblestone was growing louder and louder. Goku quickly grabbed a net and rushed toward the water.

He couldn't afford to look like a suspicious criminal wandering at night. If he could fake catching fish, he'd be okay.

Yeah, right.

"Sir, what do you think you're doing? The fishermen have already captured the catch in the evening."

Goku looked up. He recognized that voice.

Wakaru looked down at him, frowning, from the pier. "Oh, it is only you, Goku. What are you doing in this part of the village?"

Goku put away the fishing net and motioned for Wakaru to come to him. Wakaru looked around him, frowning again. He was supposed to be on night patrol, not talking. However, he did as he was requested.

He tied his horse to a wooden stake and slid down to the shore near Goku. "I don't have much time for small talk, Goku. What's going on?"

"Please don't get angry, but…"

Goku took out the pouch with Chi-Chi's necklace in it and showed it to Wakaru, who sighed. "Yes, reports like this have been coming around lately," he said. "As you know, I'm on patrol, so I should tell all reports…"

Goku seized Wakaru by the shoulders frantically. "No, you mustn't! Please don't! I promise you it's not what it seems!"

Wakaru's eyes narrowed with confusion. "I don't know why I believe you, but I do…"

He sighed, hanging his head, running his hand through his hair. "This isn't easy. According to reports and proof, I should report you right away, but in this case, I just feel something else. As if you wouldn't be the type of person to do this.

I could be put to death for not doing my job, but it's better for a man to die for a good cause than an innocent man to die in a dilemma."

He looked up at Goku. "So, I'm not going to report you until I have complete evidence. Right now, these reports just sound like a bunch of foolish, angry rumors. That means you don't have to hide out here."

Goku frowned. "But they're still angry at me, and there's no guarantee what they'll try to do. I still need to remain from their sights until this whole thing calms down."

Wakaru rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I'll tell you what. You can stay in my quarter. It's too big even for me. In return, you must help me with my duties. I assure you will not be seen."

Goku's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh, no. I am another mouth to feed…"

Wakaru waved his hand to dismiss the question. "I'll hardly know you're there. One more thing: If this were to somehow escalate to more trouble, do remember that I'm on your side. And Shi Lu as well."

Goku nodded. "Thank you."

***

Later that night, Wakaru was returning to the Officials in charge of filing reports. They waited near the back entrance of the Ox-King's palace. The pathway of stairs behind the door, ajar, was lit with a faint torch.

Wakaru stopped his horse near the men, and knew they were about to ask him about reports, but a new voice spoke from inside the pathway.

Chi-Chi descended the stairs, looking at the Officials. "My father wishes to speak to you. And where is Soi?"

There were supposed to be three Officials waiting, but there was only two standing there. "He's out circling the front quarters," one of the other men answered. "He'll come up with Wakaru."

Then they left to go see the Ox-King, which Chi-Chi was grateful for, because now she could talk to Wakaru in peace. She closed the back entrance door behind her as she waited for Wakaru to put his horse in the stable.

Wakaru pulled Chi-Chi to the other side of the entrance, away from any windows.

"So, what's the report?" Chi-Chi asked him, worried. "I keep hearing things about Goku, and they don't sound good."

Wakaru sighed. "I'm telling you, it's a mess, my lady. Many people have different thoughts about Goku, who is believed to attempt to take you away… He owns one of your greatest treasures, and others are furious with him. They want to kill him."

"Kill him?!" Chi-Chi repeated in horror.

Wakaru nodded. "Yes, my lady, but I did not report this to the Officials. I had an interesting conversation with Goku at the docks. I believe he isn't to blame, unless complete evidence is in my hands. However, he's still in great danger. I hid him in my quarter so he may avoid capture and death."

"Is he there now?"

Wakaru glanced at Chi-Chi curiously. There was that look in her eyes again. "Yes, my lady, he is there… I'm going to lock up for the night, so don't be there too long."

***

A faint light from a candle, and the restless look on Goku's face greeted Chi-Chi as she entered Wakaru's living quarter. Remorse welled up in her stomach as she laid her eyes on Goku. She had never seen him so worried and it seemed…almost afraid.

"Goku?" she whispered.

He looked up at her, and his face seemed to brighten a little bit. He watched Chi-Chi as she sat in front of him, her concerned gaze on his leg.

Goku looked down there as well. Most of his leg was bare, except for several bandages, dyed with dried blood, wrapped around his wound.

"Is it all right?" Chi-Chi asked, looking up at him now.

Goku nodded, and then reached to his left to grab a pouch at his side. He held it out for Chi-Chi to take, but she was busy doing something else. Unwrapping the bandages from around his leg, she was careful not to touch the wound with her bare hands.

She did not believe him when he said he was fine. Not when it was looking like this.

Next, she took out a pouch of her own, containing the very herbs Goku couldn't find earlier. She ground it up into a powdery substance, and added water to it to make it like a paste.

She said nothing as she applied it to his leg, and then ripped off parts of layers of her kimono and wrapped it around his leg. The beautiful material circled Goku's leg twice.

Once she was done treating his leg, Chi-Chi took the pouch from Goku. Goku smiled, looking down at his leg. "Now it feels better, and it's pretty too."

Chi-Chi couldn't smile at Goku's humor now. She opened the pouch and was immediately surprised to see her necklace in there. Her eyes returned to its sorrowful state as she took it out and put it on.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I'm sorry for bringing you into this. I risked your life and caused everyone problems, but mostly you. I… I just feel terrible right now. I'm so sorry, Goku. Are you angry?"

She wouldn't be surprised if he was. It was her necklace that got him where he was right now. It was because she hadn't been paying attention that he had to hide. Would she hear something like, 'What do you think? If you had been more careful, I wouldn't be here!'

Would he even want to look at her? Be with her? Chi-Chi hung her head, awaiting Goku's answer.

Kami, that sad look on her face made Goku just want to take her in his arms and… What was he thinking?

"I'm not angry," he answered gently. "Actually, in a way, this happened for a good reason. Everything happens for a reason, I think. This way, we've become closer, don't you think?"

Chi-Chi looked up at him, confused and silent, her eyes moist with tears. "What are you talking about? I was never allowed to be with you in the first place."

"I know, but you did it anyway. You came to see me anyway. Why did you do it?"

"Simply because…" she trailed off, her voice becoming nothing more but an inaudible whisper. "I love you."

Chi-Chi raised her head to look at him, her eyes shining with a mix of desire and sorrow. A shade of pink tinted her cheeks. "I love you," she told him once more, making this declaration sounding strong and true.

There it goes again. That word. Love. The word that Goku just didn't quite understand. Wakaru had mentioned something about Chi-Chi loving Goku a while ago, but Goku was still lost.

However, Chi-Chi was intent on helping Goku understand.

She scooted a little closer to him, giving him a shy glance to read his emotions. He sat there, clueless as ever. Chi-Chi stared down at her hands in her lap as she blushed furiously now.

"Um, there's something I want to show you," she whispered. "It's a part of my love for you…"

Goku nodded, not really understanding, but he found himself curious when Chi-Chi came even closer to him. Only a few inches separated their bodies, Goku noticed, as he looked down.

He looked up when he felt Chi-Chi's arm come around his neck slowly, first the warm skin of her arm brushing his neck, and then the silky material of her kimono's sleeve following, sending a tingle down his spine.

Goku glanced at her arm. Why was she trapping him? He wasn't going anywhere. This was a part of love, huh? Goku guessed.

He tilted his head curiously, unknowingly creating the perfect angle for the next sign of affection.

His nose twitched slightly as he smelled Chi-Chi's natural scent. Why… Why did it smell nice suddenly?

Chi-Chi couldn't resist a gentle smile in the midst of her shyness as she saw the adorable look on Goku's face. It was the motivation she needed to lean in closer.

Her fingers gently combed through Goku's hair, as she brought her head to his.

Softly, she kissed his lips, never minding if it was perfect or not. Her first kiss simply brought her unspeakable feelings.

Goku's eyes had been fluttering closed, as he tried to suppress the many feelings swarming in his body. He had gotten so warm, and even more tingly than when Chi-Chi got close to him.

He didn't know what this was, but it was very nice to him. Usually, he wanted to avoid strange things, but not this strange thing.

Something possessed him, it seemed, as Goku felt he wanted more of this. He leaned into her, thus deepening the kiss, and causing a moan out of Chi-Chi. Her moan was a very nice sound to Goku's ears suddenly, and he intrepidly brought his arms from his side to the small of Chi-Chi's back.

He gently pulled her against him, his body meeting hers, as Chi-Chi rested in his lap.

The feel of her body against his, the mere touch of her skin pressed against his… It brought out a new side of Goku.

Suddenly, something in his mind snapped, and he pulled his lips away from Chi-Chi's. He shook his head and realized he had been panting softly. His heart also began to pump harder, as if he had been training hard.

Goku looked down, and then realized Chi-Chi was still in his lap. He averted his eyes from her figure that would reduce him into a stuttering fool. Guilt embraced him as he tried to erase what just happened out of his mind.

"No…" he whispered. "I shouldn't be kissing a princess."

Though Goku had grown up under very different circumstances, he soon learned the customs and culture of other places, this one included. He simply knew: if your name didn't follow the title of 'Prince', you should have no relations with the princess.

Chi-Chi shook off her desire to continue this very auspicious act, and brought her hand to Goku's face. Her fingers gently grazed his cheek. "Don't talk like that," she whispered. "We're going to get married. I'll work it out, I promise."

Through the crack of the door, a dumbfounded Official on horseback nearly gasped. He had been circling the front quarters, but when he stopped by this one, a forbidden sight came to his eyes.

"Dear Kami," he whispered, shaking his head as he rubbed his eyes. He wanted to make sure he saw what he really saw.

Yes, it was true.

He shook his head again, his mouth hanging open. "Outrageous… I-I must report this to Sir Wakaru right away…"

To be continued….

Chapter Five: A Glimmer of Hope

A/N:

(1) This waka, which is Japanese poetry in general, is actually derived from a book called Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa. The woman who writes this, Otsu, is reflecting her love for the swordsman warrior, Miyamoto Musashi, whom she has not seen for five years at the time. In the Tokugawa and Meiji Eras, Shikama was a city in which beautiful, expensive and high quality clothes were found and purchased.

Gogirl: I thought people wouldn't be surprised that Veggie was Chi-Chi's fiancé. After all, a princess can only marry a prince... But oh well. I'm happy to know I surprised people. Yes, there will be more G/CC fluff. I can't exactly say what happened to Goku. Just stick with me. Another fanfic? Yay! Finding Goku, LOL. Someone likes Finding Nemo... You know I'll be there to read it!

SsJ ChiKa: Yeah, ff.net can screw up like that sometimes. Yes, having a job can be evil sometimes... But hey, when you got to go to work, you've gotta go. Hopefully, you'll find the time to keep reading fanfics.

Carrie: Thank you. I thought people would despise the V/CC insert, but I guess not. ::sighs with relief::

Moon girl16: Thanks.

Lady Kouga: Thanks. n_n

Lady Thundera: So you liked V/CC too? Oh, that's good. I was kinda worried some G/CC shippers wouldn't be too happy. You're not the only one getting suspicious about this story. I'll have to be sneakier when I write... Yep, I changed Vegeta's personality. I like him this way too. Some people just don't get it when I say this is AU and Goku isn't as strong anymore. Actually, this is late DB than DBZ, so yeah...

The manga was the 42nd and last manga, but it didn't express Goku's birthday month very much like the episode "He's Always Late" does. Goku was having a flashback about his life and the subtitles on my tape indicated it was early summer in the evening when Grandpa Gohan found Goku. I assumed early summer meant early June and went from there.

Lady Athena X: Thanks. I think there will be lots of things people won't see coming in later chapters... and they're going to want to hurt me for it. I like straight love triangles. Not being very original with V/CC, G/CC, but what the heck. This is some twisted fairy tale I'm writing, hm?

No name: I did.