Yay, I'm back, and within a reasonable time period! Woo!
...yeahiknowit'sstillabitofastretchbutheyatlestyou didn'thavetowaitmonthsbeforeigotthisout.
Okay, anyway, I know I promised some action in this chapter, but seriously, there were some key points I had to build on whether I like it or not. If you're gonna blame anyone, blame my faulty timeline.
Replies to Guest Reviewers:
Narmeen: Bro, do I even have to say anything to you? You're awesome, eh? Yes, yes, I'm aware that cuntflab isn't a word, and I'll try to work on the length of each chapter. Sorry, you gotta endure another long chapter, eh?
Jonathan: Gracias por tu comentario. Voy a tratar de mantener mi fecha de liberación periódica a partir de ahora. Solía buena traducir, por cierto.
Guest: Thank you~! I'll try to keep up the high caliber in the following chapters~! :)
Cutiepie: Haha, I understand what you mean. I wish their paring was canon,eh? My imagination's getting there. I'm starting to actually delve into the plot more, so ideas are coming from everyday interactions. Hahahaha, maybe I should! I'm sure being an author would be an amazing occupation! Thank you for your continued support!
IMPORTANT:
There's like a swear word or two in this chapter, and themes and ideas revolved around sex. Don't read if that could offend you.
DISCLAIMER:
I do not own the DBZ universe, including characters, places, and ideas. I'm not writing this for profit, merely for enjoyment.
Please read and review! If you like the story, don't be afraid to favorite it, yeah? Every interaction with you guys seriously makes me happy! I reply to every review~! :D
~CHAPTER 9: RESISTANCE AND PERSISTENCE~
BULMA'S POV
I charge up my ki from my leaps and bounds of inner power, and send it to my legs so that the energy courses through it like waves. As my vision turns a beautiful, but familiar, shade of blue, I lean down and get ready to sprint, giggling a bit in anticipation to the adrenaline rush I'm sure to experience. The Saiyan across from me grinds his foot into the soil and grass in suspended action, but soon realizes I'm in position. He raises his hand in the air and opens his mouth to produce understandable sound, but I'm too far away to hear it, therefore I disregard his words and eye the important stuff. Bracing my body, I study and speculate the man's hand with great focus, and as soon as the limb comes sailing down, I push off the ground with a powerful leap and begin.
Immediately, the speed is blinding. There's no acceleration, no build up to the momentum that my body undertakes, it's just there. The wind crashes through my body as another leg quickly and meticulously follows up each step I take with no spent time. Every time my foot collides with the ground, a miniature explosion (Or what seems like it) is left in the wake of my shoe, showing how forcefully I was pressing against the ground to get to my much familiar goal. My fatigue, however silently creeps up on me, so I peer forward to see where I reside in the familiar path of trees.
One second, the finish line is 100 meters away. Another second, it's right under my foot. I smirk, waiting for the ever-familiar voice to ring out.
"5.71 seconds! Well done, Bulma!"
Stopping the flow of ki in my legs, I slam my heels against the floor to obviate myself from sprinting any further, but unfortunately end up skidding a couple of feet extra, much to the dismay of my sneakers. (Who've experienced quite a bit of trauma once we started training.) "You're getting real good at this!" Goku's cheery voice resonates through the area. I wait a second before nodding, gathering my breath. Although I'm certainly not as tired as when I first started, sprinting 100 meters really does take out the air in me, especially when I do the enhanced sprint. I grab my water bottle from off the ground, walk a little bit down the ridiculously familiar path of trees, sloppily leaning on one of the trunks and pouring some of the soothing liquid down my mouth almost avidly.
It's been 9 days since the dinner party and the whole "relationship" incident. Ever since then, Goku's been constantly checking up on me, whether it is by phone calls or voice messages sent via our necklaces. I could never seem to go a day without contact with him. Even if training were called off for whatever reason, he would be meticulous about sending a "Hey there, Bulma! Just calling in to say hi!" etc. in compensation. While the gesture is something most women would be jubilant about, it's unfortunately making my love for the married man grow and sprout.
Which, considering my situation, is in no means a good thing.
But it's not like I could stop it, after all. When he said he would further our relationship to the highest point possible, he wasn't joking. Even now, he's simply gazing at me while I lean against the trees, obviously checking if I was all right and observing everything I do. I mean, something isn't right with Goku, but I'm not sure if it's negative or positive. I mean, for example, usually I'm the one who catches myself sneaking a quick peek at Goku's perfectly sculptured face or body, but now his eyes seem to be on me twenty four seven, the thought of which causes my heart to beat faster and my cheeks to burn brighter.
Obviating from bursting out in a fit of spontaneous giggles, I quell my consistent thoughts, since dwelling on the matter won't change a thing and cover up my bottle. I saunter back to Goku, whose face lights up minutely as he sees me making my way over. For some reason, he looks at me a bit longer then usual before speaking. "Good job! You did excellently today."
I tilt my head. "Did?" Wondering what time it is, I break out my necklace and peer at the time. "What? It's already 5:32?!" …Well, it's kinda understandable since we spent at least 3 hours honing ki (In which I'm now able to blow up a rock by simply placing my hand on it), around an hour working on offense and how to attack (In which I now know the basic attacks, such as how to punch and how to kick, as well as some more challenging moves which only my flexibility could allow. I can also punch through 11 boards of wood.), and another hour working on basic speed and endurance (Without the ki enhancement, I run the 100 meters in around 13.49 seconds. With it, my time whittles down all the way to 5.71). Regardless of my progress, I've only one dominant thing on my mind. "We need to go home soon to watch the sunset!" I frantically run up to our bags and pick them up, hurling Goku his and grasping onto the strap of mine tightly. I click my tongue in exasperation and I'm about to tell Goku to call over Kito'un, but suddenly a thought crosses my mind. "Goku…" I start with a rising pitch. "When will you teach me how to fly?"
He peers at me, a small pout of confusion on his lips, and then his face contorts to that of someone saying 'Ah ha!' "I forgot about that, didn't I?" His voice quickly turns mordant. "Well, certainly you don't think I could teach you right at this moment so you could fly back now, eh?" He plays. My face reddens out of embarrassment to Goku hitting the hammer right on the head of the nail. "I'll teach you when you get better control over your energy, okay?"
I pout my lips and look down to the floor sighing, purposefully acting dejected. "Aww…really? I was looking forward to seeing how it felt to soar through the air with the wind cruising through your hair and gently caressing your cheeks, letting the journey to whatever destination you had to be at a joyful one." I drawl, trying to convince Goku to teach me despite the obvious reasoning behind his answer and the arbitrary cause behind mine. Seeing as Goku won't budge, I peer down at the ground and kick a rock across the earth. "Tsk…alright, fine. I guess it's better then nothing." I gloomily mutter.
When I bring my head back up, I'm surprised to see Goku staring at me intently, of which almost makes me recoil. Waiting there for a couple of seconds, Goku's eyes get increasingly more intense the longer they're peering at me and almost forces me to speak up. "Y-Yes?" I murmur, when I see his gaze refuse to detach. Goku doesn't answer me in the slightest, even after I wait, so eventually I just turn around to avoid his eyes. "Alright then, don't answer."
Suddenly, I scream as strong arms wrap around my waist and lift me, snuggling me up to a warm, broad chest almost possessively and straddling my legs around a torso, soon positioning a hand under my bottom to keep me in place while the other remains firmly around my waist.
…Are you serious?
While closeness isn't something I'm that badly accustomed to when it comes to Goku, this, however, me straddling him, sends all the blood to my cheeks and sends my heart into the exact opposite of cardiac arrest. My reaction could possibly be because I haven't had this experience in a while, or maybe just simply because he holds onto me tighter then usual and purposely grinds my body into his, pulling my face mere inches away from the other. Either or, it causes fireworks to go off in my head and heart. "Goku, wh-" I try.
He interrupts me before I can say anything more. "You said you wanted to feel how it's like to soar through the air, right?" He levitates himself slowly, as if letting me get used to the change of height and making me understand there's nowhere to go unless if I'm in his arms. In fear of falling to a painful death, I instinctively coil my hands tightly around Goku's torso and grip his shirt desperately. Goku, noticing my panicking, looks straight at me and smiles so warmly, his face so close to mine that my blush, which I've been managing so well over the months, intensifies.
Ugh, what this man does to me could be recorded under the dictionary for the definition of uncontrollable!
I can't help but meagerly smile and nod my head at his words. He continues. "Then here's your chance." He brings his head down and gently knocks it with mine. I'm warmed by the sweet gesture.
"Thank you." I sincerely utter, of which Goku merely laughs and turns his head away to look in front. He takes off, and almost immediately I'm hit with a heavenly breeze. My hair's tossing to and fro around my frame, the wind sailing through it effortlessly, and my clothes blow back strongly against my curvy form. The wind feels amazing blowing against my body, and I can tell that Goku's going slower then usual just so I can enjoy the feeling more.
There's just something about this situation that makes me want to let go of everything as just relax. Something deep within me reacts with this, being curled up into my (One sided) love's arms, having the breeze caress me, looking down at the memorizing landscape from a view only a bird would be lucky enough to bestow, all of this just makes me forget all of my problems and just enjoy life. It's quite a sensation, and one I wouldn't change regardless of the treasurable riches I could gain in return.
Like requited love, for example.
…Shut up.
Just when I was ready to go limp and lull myself into a sleep from the heavenly ambience, I see the lighting of the city break its way out from the forest and sigh, disappointed. I glance over to the direction where the sun should be, and find up not a moment too late. "Thank god…" I murmur.
Goku, who was accustomed to my silence, tilts his head down in slight surprise to my sudden outburst. "Is something wrong, Bulma?"
I shake my head and give out a smile. "No." I point to the descending sun. "We made it just in time."
His smile breaks out. "Whoa, thank god indeed! I was afraid we were gonna miss it or somethin' cause I was going too slow and all." I revel in the short amount of time I have left of our flight, letting my body soak in as much wind and fresh air as it can get before we pass through the "pollution barrier" that haunts the city like a cloud of death. Once breaking the barrier, Goku floats in close to the Capsule Corp. and hovers right above the roof, a good 20 or 30 meters above it. He nears the top of the highest point of the building, our daily eating place, and gently drops my legs on there, positioning both his arms around my waist to catch me should I trip or fall. Understanding that I have steady balance, he removes his hands and takes a seat next to me, eyeing my bag in avidity, a large, goofy grin on his face.
I giggle mirthfully at his countenance. "I've got it." Plopping down next to Goku, I zip open my bag with suppressed enthusiasm and pull out the box holding the cheesecake ebulliently. I take off the plastic cover and bring out a serving knife, picking up one of the slices and put it on a plate, handing it to Goku, whom accepts it with no hesitation. Immediately, he digs in my bag and pulls out a fork without my consent, pointing it at the cake. He attacks it ardently.
While Goku's slice is mercilessly devoured, I merely serve myself mine, take out the other fork, and start to chow down with attention to my manners, decorum which Goku, who's now licking the plate to get the rest of the icing off, seems to lack unreservedly. But that's why we love him.
That's why I love him.
Done with my slice, I place it on the floor besides me, then look at Goku's face. Reaching over to his face, I wipe a little bit of icing from his cheek and place it in my mouth with a small giggle. He watches my hand intently, and upon me putting the icing in my mouth, laughs a bit and leans back. "So, I can't even clean myself without you. Haha, thanks Bulma."
I take Goku's empty plate from his hands and put it on top of mine. "No problem. And Goku, you couldn't do a lot of things without me." I poke at him high-spiritedly.
Goku shrugs, a small smirk (Yes, smirk.) on his mouth and turns away. "True, yes, but you wouldn't even be alive to help me should I've not been there for you."
I pout, knowing I'm caught with no way out of this verbal defeat. "…Touché." I mutter. Goku laughs, understanding that I've given up. He clenches the necklace on his neck gently and peers at it for half a minute, a habit I've realized he's been accustomed to performing.
"So…" I analyze. "You're quite fond of that necklace, huh?"
He pivots to me with suppressed surprise. "Of course! It's real amazing, Bulma, and it's so useful when I want to get in quick contact with you." I nod my head, pleased that my creation is being enjoyed. "Not to mention, it also comes with many other features, like the camera for instance. I've been taking…say, snapshots for my own collection of you during training."
I feel the temperature rise in my head, my checks painted with a small tinge of pink. However, it's hard to let an opportunity slip by like this without playing a bit. I smirk "Is that because I'm so beautiful that you absolutely need recollection?" I elbow him slightly in his side.
"Maybe." He pokes me back. I swat his hand away with a giggle, oblivious to the setting sun, which Goku has to point out to me. "Look."
"Ah! I almost missed it." I say, laconic due to the wanting in my body to watch the sun set in silence.
You know, it's a common sight, one I've seen for the past, say 2 months without break to my daily routine, yet the beauty of such a sight is never hindered. The explosion of colors, the scintillating sun being dulled but not shut out completely, the memorizing transition from day to twilight, then twilight to night…there's just something about it that can never be replaced, something which makes me eager to just sit there and stare for as long as I'm able to get a fleeting, fugacious glance, memorized. However, the sun quickly descends.
Disappointment swarms my insides when the large star makes its way down, breaking the horizon and leaving the sky a dark azure. I turn away from the sky and sigh, then adjust my view to Goku. Much to my surprise, however, he's already staring at me, palm up and head in it, idolatry in his eyes. "You're real attracted to the sun set, eh?" I giggle.
"I can't help it. It's just so beautiful!" I reply jubilantly. Goku turns away and mutters something under his breath. I'm not able to pick up on the exact statement so I drop it. We stay in silence one more, just merely listening to each other's heart beat (Well, I am. You don't expect me to know what's going on inside a head like Goku's, now do you?) before he raises his voice again.
"You're getting really good, aren't you?"
"Um…excuse me?"
"I mean, training wise." He quickly adds before I can make any assumptions. I nod my head, shrugging my shoulders.
"I guess. I really couldn't have done much without you."
He turns to me and grabs my hand, flipping it over so the palm's hid from view and stroking the skin with his other hand. I can only gape at the affectionate gesture. "Nah, I think it has more to do with your hidden talent then anything else." He rotates his head in an upward tilt, pondering things. Without looking me in the eye, he rambles on. "I mean, you've gotten down the controls of your energy faster then anything I've seen before. Even Gohan, for christ's sake, wasn't able to practically master his control of energy in a mere day. Think about it for a bit. " He continues. "Plus, you use your energy in ways I've never seen before, applying it to different body parts separately to strengthen certain parts of your body at given times…it's brilliant, really." The stroking of my hand becomes rhythmic. "Not to mention the physical aspects of you, huh? That sprinting speed's getting real impressive, and while we haven't focused much on it, those punches and kicks you threw during basic recollection really packed a punch." To this, I recoil back slightly, confused as to why he's bringing this up randomly. "I've said this before and I'm gonna say it again, but you're amazing Bulma. Practically good at everything."
Well, now he's just being a stick up, that cunning little monkey.
Nonetheless, it's impossible to stop the grin from creeping up on me. "Oh, why thank you!" Hah, time to play a bit! "We'll see if my skills come into play with some…" I think of a way that we, as in Goku and I, would never be together, and think simply, sexual! "…other forms of training, shall we say~?" I playfully tilt my head and give a sultry wink, making out a sly chuckle to toy with him but make it obvious at the same time that I was joking. Much to my surprise, however, instead of replying with a simple "Okay" or a smile, Goku looks down and, I'm being serious here, blushes.
Blushes.
Okay, so maybe the colored area's like the size of a peanut and the saturation of a rotting apple or something, but I mean…Goku? Blushing? The ridiculously naïve Saiyan warrior who's never stepped outside of the innocence of a 5 year old is seriously reacting in less then innocent ways to something I said or did?!
Man, do the wonders never cease with this guy? I could practically start a goddamn series just documenting how Goku's interactions with me have changed over the past two months.
"I…uh…I guess. Just…heh…merely stating the truth." He meagerly replies. I can't believe my eyes or ears. What's the man's problem, for heavens sake?
Well then, remind me never to make sexual jokes around Goku again.
"Uh…are you okay?" I lean my head over to his, checking what's wrong, worriedly.
He nods, almost breaking out of his odd act, and ruffles his black hair a bit. "Oh, um, yeah, I'm fine." His blush deepens the tiniest bit, causing me to widen my eyes. "I was just thinking…you know… back to the dinner party and how beautiful you looked then and how breathtaking you arenow."
…
…Holy dragon balls.
Did I just hear that right?
Did I see that correctly?!
Did Goku just say I look…beautiful and breathtaking while his blush intensified?! Goku?!
Am I delirious? I must be delirious.
I mean, the dinner party was one thing. He could've just been overwhelmed by the food or something, I don't know. But again he compliments me?
Regardless if my mind went over what just happened, I find my body stuck in powerful abeyance, not able to move or to say a word. A blush suddenly explodes on my cheek from the outrageous compliment. (I mean, if any compliment about looks comes from Goku, then hell yeah it's gonna be outrageous.)
I look down avoiding Goku's eyes, biting my lip to prevent a smile from breaking out. "That was unexpected coming from you…" I meagerly whisper, not able to produce anything else.
We sit there, avoiding each other's eyes before Goku suddenly stands up, pivots on his feet and sighs. "Sorry about that. It just kinda…came to my mind and I…"
My eyes widen a bit and I shake my head. I bring my feet up and stand upright as well. Taking some steps ahead, I place my hand on Goku's shoulders and turn him around with surprisingly no effort. "It's alright!" I smile warmly, showing him he didn't do anything. "You just made me too happy, and bewildered, might I add, to respond."
Goku's smile comes back like a plague. "Really?" I nod exultantly. "Oh, thank goodness! I was afraid I insulted you or something."
"Pfft! For calling me beautiful? Hell no, Goku." I ponder things for a bit, and disconnect my eyes and arms from his body. "Well, I might as well return the favor…" He tilts his head to the side awaiting my words anxiously. "…You look…and you've always looked, really handsome…" I murmur quietly.
…Wait, what?
Did I just…I just said that, didn't I? I can't believe I just said that! My control over my emotions is slipping further and further the longer the days go by! I bring my eyes hesitantly up to Goku's face to observe how he's fairing.
The blush is back and stronger then ever.
…Somebody…somebody help this guy. I'm used to this shit. He, on the other hand, is probably going through more inner turmoil then me at this moment.
"R-Really…?" he murmurs bashfully. "I…I didn't know…" This guy is so innocent, it's unbearable! Don't tell me he was completely oblivious to his amazing physical appearance, the reason why whenever he strips himself of his shirt, my legs go weak and my mind obnubilates, up until this point! I grab his hand gently and drag him back to our eating-place, plopping down and tugging his form to the ground with me. He complies.
"Of…of course, Goku! I've told you once-a-many times, eh? You're generally one of the best looking guys I've ever seen." Actually, the best, but he doesn't need to add that to his bank of knowledge, now does he? "Why do you think girls are all over you when we go out?" I sigh. Maybe he'd understand what I'm saying if I give some outer opinions besides my own.
"I don't care about other girls. I only care about you."
Uh…what?
Well…that was unexpected. Not to mention he got over his coy state within seconds.
"I…I wasn't implying that you did, I was merely saying that I've gotten more then enough comments from females that you look like some kinda god-"
His voice drops low, and a rather…say, un-Goku-like edge, almost to the point of husky,replaces his usual cheery and jubilant tone. "So what? Do you think that matters to me?"
"Uhm, no, but it's important that you-"
"Look Bulma, I don't give a damn about what any other girls think if you have an opinion about me as well." His voice comes out rather…harsh, an angry tinge to the end of it.
…Er…Would now be an appropriate time to faint? Because now's looking like a really appropriate time to faint.
Why…why is he using such language? I mean, 'damn' isn't a profanity necessarily, but it's certainly not something I would expect to slip out from Goku's lips, of all people. I guess I just keep forgetting he's a male in his twenties, huh? Not to mention what he's saying, after all, is so ridiculously possessive in a way, it merely brings the fact back to mind. I mean, goddamn, I knew we were close, but to completely disregard what all the other girls are saying because I too have an opinion about him…? Sheesh! I mean, what about Chi-Chi, his own flippin' wife?
…Not like it's a bad thing. Hell no, I wouldn't change my position with him for anything in the world. Except, of course, if I would actually be allowed to be in a relationship with the one I love.
…Anyway, time to reply, flummoxed or not.
"Uh…I guess, but I you know that I'm not the only one who's got an opinion-" I don't get far.
"Bulma, do you think I'm good looking?" He inquires, a less then innocent twinge to his tone. I'm taken aback by how different he's acting.
"Of…of course I do-"
"Then that's all that matters to me." He then proceeds to lift my hand from the ground, turn it over so the palm's touching his hand and the back's showing, and, much to my shock and bewilderment, plants his lips on the exterior of my skin.
…
Okay, hold the goddamn phone! Who the hell is this man in front of me, and what the fuck has he done to Goku?!
Is he… is Goku seriously kissing my hand at this present moment in time?! Is this happening, or have I finally crossed over the fine line to the point of insanity and hallucinations?! Cause if that's the case, I'll just go and jump off my roof right now!
Honestly, completely truthfully, what the hell happened on that night of the dinner that suddenly boosted our relationship up to the point of kissing each other's body parts?! Is there something I'm missing here, did something happen on that night or the nine days following that I've overlooked?! Some kinda pact that we made that allows a married man to kiss his best friend's hand?!
It's been quite the conflict raging inside of me for the past few months. The battle of the heart and the mind carried on as Goku did each and everything that he did, staying strong, both sides pushing equally as fierce to assume control over my better judgment. Now, however, it's my ardent heart leading over my brilliant mind. I can't stop him from doing this, even if it's the most logical thing to do. Right now I'm trying to resist as much as I can, but the second consciousness inside of me prevents that with all her might. I know this isn't right. For god's sake, I know everything we're doing isn't right! So why am I unable to push him away when I'm fully aware of that?
His lips disconnect after an extended period of time, before he looks up to peer at my face. His countenance takes away the breath from me; it's just so… so different. His eyes are lidded and heavy, a glimmer in them I've never seen before, something more strained and intense then what I'm used to Goku displaying, his lips parted slightly, breathing in deep, heavy gatherings of air. I'm locked into place, unable to pull my hand outside of his, his eyes gluing my body to the floor.
Suddenly, however, Goku's snapped out of his odd trance like someone waking up from a coma. His eyes grow big and he gasps, dropping my hand like it was on fire and leaping up away from me. "I…I'm so sorry Bulma! I have no idea what came over me!" My outrageous blush and a tie between embarrassment and excitement ties up my tongue and prevents me from making any noises whatsoever. Goku pivots on his feet to face away from me for the second time today and just continues on rambling. "I hope I didn't scare you. I was just overwhelmed by your kindness and beauty and…I mean, I read in this book once during Master Roshi's training…" No wonder. "…that a kiss on the hand was a way to show someone you love them and all…And I really love you, the most out of all our friends." I prevent the instinct to jerk.
So, you're saying he still considers me as a friend? There's a first, a man who doesn't want me in any definition of the word. I sigh dejectedly, still not able to summon a syllable. Goku lowers his voice to a hush. "I didn't do anything I'm not supposed too, right? Did I offend you again? Was that out of line or disgusting for you-"
He's clueless as to what he's doing. He has no idea what a kiss on the hand means. And suddenly, my mind snaps back in control.
That's when my tongue unfreezes and I'm able to speak once more.
I decide to make this right. "It… wasn't disgusting, and it certainly didn't offend me…however…" Seriously, I might as well tell him, remind him, that he's performing actions that could come back and bite him in the ass one day. "Remember a while back, the day I gave you that necklace…?" I speak to his back. He whips around to show his attentiveness and nods in affirmative. "Well…as I said that day, we're…we're only friends Goku." His eyes slit dangerously, causing me to swallow my saliva, slightly perturbed. He opens his mouth to speak, but I cut him off instantaneously. "And, we're not supposed to do these types of actions together if you're married, which you are." My mood oscillates between being utterly sorrowful and unreservedly hopeless, a bitter combination.
He clicks his tongue in confusion. "We can't kiss each other's hands?"
I sigh. "No, Goku. That's a gesture of romantic love, not love between friends, something a girlfriend and a boyfriend, and in your case, husband and wife, should only undertake. As I said before, I'm not in the kind of relationship where you could do something like that to me and it would be acceptable." Each word stabs me through the heart.
He sits down again and looks to the floor. "I'm not even allowed to kiss your hand? Even if Master Roshi's book said so?" He murmurs. I nod, despondent. For a small while, Goku remains perfectly silent, pondering things, but suddenly speaks up, obviously trying to lighten the mood. He laughs mirthfully much to my surprise, awing me at the point that he's able to get over things so quickly. I, however, am stuck in the limbo of my own regret. "Fine, but I don't like it! Therefore, I'll find other ways to show you I love you!"
…He's so goddamn innocent.
Heaven knows how he was able to pull such a face before.
He rises to his feet once more and stretches his arms behind his back nonchalantly, stretching out the limbs and his back until he sees fit. After uncoiling, he pulls out his necklace from under his shirt and looks at the monitor. "Whoa, look at the time! 8:21 already!" I peer around and notice, indeed, it's pitch black around us. "I need to get home before Chi-Chi castrates me! We have dinner waiting, and both Gohan and Chi-Chi hate it when I'm late."
…Way to pour lemon on the wound there, buddy. Not only do I have to push away my own love, he's got a family waiting for him at home.
Obviating from the possibility of Goku figuring out I'm not in the best condition emotionally, I put on an ebullient smile, masking my disappointment to the best of my ability. "Oh, of course! It is pretty late."
He grins, sauntering over to me and grabs my hand, pulling me up. Once placed firmly on the floor, I bend down and pick up all of our items, throwing them in my bag in insouciance. "Well then…" Goku's verbalization breaks out. "I'll see you tomorrow, eh, Bulma?" I nod, keeping the fake grin etched on my face, fighting back the urge to scream out in frustration and drop to the floor crying. Goku doesn't pick up on it, however his back already facing me. "Alright, see ya tomorrow!" He takes off powerfully, leaving me behind to stare at him making his way to his family, something I could never be a part of. I peer at this back, watching him fly off.
I know it's for the better that I told him off about the kiss, but…it has me wondering why my heart would resist so strongly against my mind during that whole situation. As if it has something it knows that I don't in my entirety, it ardently pushes on, telling me what to do and avidly instructing me in every situation it can. And I suppose it's not a coincidence that whenever I ignore its pleading, whenever I obdurate its cries, my mood almost mercurially flips on me, slamming my happiness to the bottom of the emotion pile and making it unreachable for days. I convinced myself then that pushing him away was what's best for him, but…
Isn't it about time I start thinking about myself for a change?
Once Goku's away from my vicinity, once no one's around to overhear me, I allow the desperate scream building up inside of me to burst out of my mouth as I anathematize my ever growing fickleness and disregard to my own feelings, a single tear escaping from my eye and rolling down my cheek.
GOKU'S POV
I take keen awareness of my surrounding, building up a solid defense protecting me from the surrounding ki's in my area. It's quiet, an unsettling sensation during the middle of a battle, but one I'm rather used to.
I feel one of the kis make a move, and quickly adjust to stop it. A foot comes sailing my way, soon being revealed as Gohan's. In retaliation, I grab his limb, sent back a couple of inches from the massive blow, and throw him on the ground with a grunt. Gearing up, I thrust my foot forward and slam it into his ribcage violently, the shock wave emanating a couple of moments later. He lets out a small cry of pain and is sent flying through the air at blinding speeds, through the commodious garden. As soon as my assail was launched, however, a large gathering of ki began to charge up, and once my foot disconnected with my son's side, is launched straight for me with a battle cry in the form of a beam. No time to dodge, I quickly position my arms behind and focus my energy into the palms of my hands. "Ka…me…ha…me…" I wait for the column of light to get closer, and as it takes a good 3 seconds, I deduce my opponent's rather far away. "Ha!" The energy explodes in a tremendous beam of light and is send towards the yellow/purple ki cluster coming straight for me. Judging by the colors, it's bound to be Piccolo's attack. The bright blue Kamehameha over takes Piccolo's assault instantaneously, dissolving it and shooting the rest of the way towards my enemy. I hear a couple of incoherent words spew out from the Namekian's mouth, and see his form appear from behind a bush. He dodges my attack with lightning speed, then gears up to attack me again. For some reason, his rapid motions reminds me of a certain girl who's been laying in the back of my mind, and how I could use some elements of how Piccolo fights to train her. It's a sudden thought, but it leaves me completely off guard.
Behind me, Gohan launches a surprise attack, and prepares to smash his hand into my face. Caught defenseless due to my thoughts, the fist collides into my cheekbone powerfully and sends me sailing through a tree. I skid onto the floor, but quickly hop up to avoid greater damage being dealt to me.
Am I goddamn stupid?! To think of such things during the middle of a battle is something even I have to agree is ridiculously idiotic! Keep your act and focus together, Goku, or you're gonna regret it!
Which reminds me, on the topic of Bulma, I need to ask Gohan something.
…Goddamnit Goku.
Once more, I tune up my senses and lock on to any kis in my vicinity. Much to my surprise, the two kis, which temporarily team up against me, rush forward to meet me. I look up and find two arms sailing for my body. Quickly, I raise my hands up and catch them both, pulling them forward to gain control. Close enough, I get a grip on both Gohan and Piccolo's heads, and once my grasp's strong enough, I smash their skulls together fiercely. Dizzied from my attack, they remain in place, groggy. I leap up, flip around, and mightily drop kick both of the males. As their forms fly separately, I rush forward and get in front of Piccolo's. Well, time to try something out. If Bulma can use her energy in such odd ways, why can't I?
Charging up ki to my arm, I find holding the energy there without pulling it out for an attack unbelievably hard, considering my experience with my own energy, and even becomes painful. While my mind tries to maintain control over the ki, my body resists against it powerfully. It's all I can do to hold the energy there for a couple of seconds, the agony in my arm growing. Before I can do more harm to myself then Piccolo, I drop my elbow on the Namekian's stomach and draw out a surprisingly audible cry from him, the point of impact reverberating from the force of the collision. Piccolo's form soon smashes into the ground and digs a couple of feet under, uprising dust and rubble, and I'm left gaping at how powerful this technique actually is.
And now, for my question.
I quickly transmit to Gohan before he can crash into anything and knock himself out before I'd have time to inquire. Catching his flying body, I'm hauled back a bit by the speed I sent him spiraling in. Recovering, I place the boy on the floor, showing an occasional inch of mercy, but actually for a different motive then joining as a team against Piccolo.
Still recovering from my attacks, the boy's a bit delirious, but nonetheless exhibits confusion to my actions. "What's up, daddy?" He remarks, wiping some blood of his mouth.
"That punch you threw before… the one that connected, I mean. Did you charge up any ki to your fist to land something that powerful?"
Gohan looks at me, flummoxed, still taking care of some dirt that graced his outfit. "Charge up ki to my hands for a punch? No, dad, I've never heard of ki being used like that."
Which means neither has Piccolo…Bulma really is something else, then. Not to mention such an idea came to her head as the first way she could hone her energy, and I think the blow I landed on Piccolo shows it's more then enough effective. "Has anyone you've ever fought done that?"
"Nope."
I cross my arms against my chest. "I see…Then, Gohan, I think it's time to call it a night, eh? It's 10:24 PM." I declare. Gohan pouts dejectedly. "Piccolo, we're done! It's time for Gohan to go to bed!"
"But daddy…I want to stay up with you!" I pat the boy on the head.
"It's best you get your rest. I'm planning a trip for us soon, and you're gonna need a lot of energy for it."
"…A trip? Of what kind?"
"A training camp in the mountains. That's what kind."
His face lights up. "Awesome! I've always wanted to go to the mountains!"
I nod, and grin ebulliently at my son's joy. Right around this time, Piccolo nears us, clutching his stomach. "What the hell…was that…Son Goku…?"
"What the hell was what?" Gohan chimes in. I smirk, and send to boy off to bed.
"It's nothing that concerns you. Go, Gohan, let us adults talk, okay?" Once more, Gohan's frown comes back, but supposedly reminding himself of the trip we're undergoing soon, flips one eighty, grins, and waddles away to the door of the house adorably. My cheek throbs, however, reminding me that there's nothing adorable about the boy when he's serious.
Piccolo and I stand in the massive outdoor garden, him eyeing me suspiciously. "You heard me." He grumbles. "Where did you gain such power in such a short amount of time?"
I beam. "I learned it from someone, and you're never gonna guess who. Let's go inside my room and talk, shall we? I've a lot to tell you, regardless if you inquired about the move or not."
Piccolo, once we're inside my room, me settled down on the bed, and him preferring, as always, to reside on the floor, wastes no time in interrogating me. "Well then? Out with it." Comes his immediate demand, obstinate regarding the issue at hand.
"Well, I've actually a lot to tell you, huh?" I remark. He tilts his head in slight confusion, as if ushering me to continue on. "Let me just fill you in for now, and then I'll explain in detail about the move." I cough a bit, clearing my throat. "For the past two months, I've been training Bulma, as a way not only to get close to her, but also to gain an extra hand during the battle against the androids." Piccolo is taken aback, looking at me with bewilderment in his eyes.
"Are you serious?!" He bellows, flummoxed. "You honestly believe that wasting some of your precious training opportunities to help a weak little brat develop her skills by the tiniest margin is actually going to aid us during the battle to come?!"
I slit my eyes and snap at the Namekian sharply. "Bulma is not a brat, Piccolo! I'd appreciate it if you'd stop beating her down!"
He shakes his head, exasperated, and clicks his tongue. "Fine. Just get on with it."
I calm myself down, questioning why I was so quick to snap in the first place. "So, as I was saying, I've been helping Bulma get stronger, and you wouldn't believe how good she's getting. Especially at energy control and managing her ki. She actually got down the basics in a day, much less 20 minutes."
Piccolo leers at me suspiciously. "And how would a human girl have such a latent talent hidden under her exterior?"
I smirk, happy to praise Bulma whenever I can. "You see, she has a very special energy layout. You know how our energy gathers at our core, the middle of our body, as does everyone else?" Piccolo merely nods. "Well see, Bulma's energy is split up into three places. Some resides in her arms and legs, but the majority of it lies in her mind." My words apparently obfuscate the Namekian.
"How is that possible? I've never heard of such a phenomenon."
"Bulma's special, Piccolo. That's why I told you all along not to belittle her." I continue on, getting to the real good stuff. "So, because her energy lies in her arms and legs, it not only gives her extra strength there and an energy boost when necessary, it makes moving ki there easier and quicker." Piccolo nods slowly, putting the pieces together. "And because the majority of her ki lies in her mind, it makes the energy easy to manipulate and facilitates the gathering and sending process altogether. Not only that, it gives her a natural affinity for energy control, therefore boosting up the amount of ki she holds now, even though her body might not match her level of power under her exterior. As well, for when she gets stronger, her true potential will suddenly burst out and become accessible."
"…That's amazing." Piccolo murmurs. "And all of this is hidden under a mere woman who's never fought but a battle in her life…" I smile, Piccolo's finally starting to show a marginal amount of respect for Bulma. Suddenly, he's snapped out of his awed state and coughs a bit, ridding himself of the embarrassment of admiring the girl's talents. "Regardless, how far have you gotten with her?"
"Well…" I start. "She's able to, as I said before, manage her ki with outstanding ease, and even developed a new technique for it, which I'll get to later. As for physical abilities, she's nearing that of a professional athlete, but still needs some work. She's able to punch through around 11 wooden boards and sprint the 100 meters in around 13.5 seconds, obviously nothing compared to us, but she's getting there." I remark. "Her handling with the Nyoibō's also improving."
Piccolo looks up, pondering things. "And how long have you been training her again?"
"Around 2 months, a bit less."
"For a human, and a girl nonetheless, that's highly impressive."
I smirk. "We haven't even gotten to the best part. Remember how I said she's come up with a different way to use ki?" Piccolo hums in affirmative. "Well, what she's done is, she's taken her energy, and applied it to different parts of her body without pulling the ki out into a tangible form."
Piccolo tilts his head, slightly confused. "What use would that do, then?"
"Well, see, when you do that, the energy is used as a…power up, let's say. It strengthens whatever part of the body you've applied it to if you're able to hold the ki there properly. I tried the technique during our battle outside when I landed that elbow in your stomach." He nods, subconsciously bringing his hand to his abdominals. "However, it's rather difficult to hold. To maintain the energy in one place without seemingly 'using' it makes your body think you've finished with the ki and tries to send it back to it's starting place. Resisting against such a force burns like hell, and weakens your resolve to keep the energy there." I smile a bit as I speak my next words. "How Bulma was able to get the hang of it within a day is completely besides me."
"And are you sure it's effective?"
I smirk once more. "Should you really be asking me? I mean, you're the one who took the blow."
Piccolo glares at me maliciously. "Shut up, you damn monkey."
"Anyway, Piccolo, there's something I'd like to speak with you about." I announce. "It's about something that happened with Bulma today. You know, regarding our relationship and all."
He sighs. "Son Goku, I am not your consultant. I'm merely a spectator in our stratagem of some sorts, and cannot actually manipulate the events that conspire. While I might be able to aid you in some situations, love and everything surrounding it is not my forte in any definition of the word."
I grimace a bit, needing to let go of everything I was holding during my time on Bulma's roof, and requiring an emotional relief, not to mention clarification on what happened. "Then…could you listen to me, not as a spectator, but as a friend?"
Piccolo, noticing my drop in valor and growing diffidence, ponders things for a bit on the floor, mumbling remotely to himself. Then, much to my surprise, stands up, prances over to the bed, and sits down on the sheets for the first time ever. I grin. "Thank you."
He scoffs, but turns to me with the smallest smile I've ever seen displayed on a face. However, it's the first, and quite possibility last, sight and expression of passiveness I'd ever see on Piccolo's countenance, so I savor the image. "Just get on with it."
"Alright." My smile dies down. "We have this tradition, Bulma and I, that whenever training is over, we'd go onto her roof and watch the sunset while eating some homemade strawberry cake." Piccolo rolls his eyes caustically. "So today, we were doing just the same thing, but…" I rub my head sheepishly, and bite my lip. "Today was a bit different. Well, let me go back to the beginning…" I ponder things for a bit, then realize something. "Wait! I need to ask you to do something."
Piccolo tilts his head, and inquires with a sigh. "Yes, Son Goku?"
"Don't tell anyone about this, okay? I'm only telling your because I trust you."
Piccolo scoffs once more. "Trust is a feeble concept, Son Goku. But fine, I'll maintain this as a secret."
"Great! Okay, so back to the story. Remember that dinner party, the one that happened around 9 days ago?" I receive not a single signal from Piccolo, so I carry on without waiting. "Well…I caught Bulma walking down the stairs all dressed up and the sight of her…it kind of…took my breath away, you know? With her hair tied up perfectly and her form being highlighted in that dress-"
Piccolo interrupts me. "Are you saying that…you thought she looked… beautiful?!" His facial features are strained with disbelief. "You, of all people picked up on the physical attributes of a female?!"
I nod. "Not only that, this strange…avidity kind of swept my body and took over my mind. Ever since that day, the only thing I've been able to think of, mainly, is Bulma."
Piccolo's face could be the definition of bewildered. I mean, I could take a picture of him, and bam, you'd see his face there, right in between "bewaring" and "bewitch". "For Kami's sake…Goku…you…you're physically attracted to the female."
I recoil. "…A-Attracted? What do you mean by that?!"
"…Well, continue on with what you were explaining, and I will deduce later the probability of the preciseness regarding my hypothesis."
"Oh, um, sure." I murmur. "Well, anyway, today after training, we were eating cake on roof like always, and as I've been tending to do as of late, I kind of got carried away while gazing at her. Well…We were joking around, and she made this poke at me, but…the face she made then, with her mouth in a genuine smile and her eyes lidded and everything…it made me remember back to that same dinner party, and made me realize that Bulma's beautiful wherever she is. I don't know why, I just kinda…had an epiphany."
"…Continue. I know that is not the full extend to your tale."
"Mm, true that." I sigh, biting my lip. "So, it got to the point where…I don't know, my face felt flushed, and my heart kind of picked up in speed, and all of a sudden it was difficult to look and respond properly to her. After she asked me if I was all right, it was all I could do to explain to her what was wrong, and that was as, I said before, I was overtaken by my realization of how goddamn beautiful she is."
"I see…" Piccolo mutters thoughtfully.
"She was so shocked by my words, however, it made me think a bit. I mean, is it that she has some sort of complex, or is it just odd that it came from my lips?"
Piccolo crosses his arms and legs, closing his eyes minutely, before he slowly reveals the irises again. "Goku…" I notice he didn't use "Son" this time. "You do understand that you are usually blatantly oblivious to the beauty of anything, right?"
"Yeah." I clench a bit at the covers beneath me. "I mean, beauty just wasn't something I would pick up on. It's not like it was compelling. I mean, I always knew Bulma was good looking, but…but not overwhelmingly gorgeous. As of late, as I've been spending more time with her, everything she does is enchanting to me."
Piccolo clicks his tongue. "You're really changing, Goku." I nod, not processing whether that's a positive thing or a negative. "But she does not know that, and still considers you to be that innocent boy she met in the mountains. You, of all people, remarking about anything's beauty would obfuscate even the most stoic people, especially if it is them you are talking about."
"…Was I really that oblivious regarding everything? As far as I'm concerned, these odd reactions only happen when I'm in the presence of Bulma. I look over to Chi-Chi, for example, and I don't get that…that rush of emotions. I don't get anything! Of course, I know she's not ugly, per say, and does have some good looking features, but it's just…it's not like when I'm with Bulma."
Piccolo freezes. "Clarify what you mean by rush of emotions."
I gulp. "Well…I don't know how to explain, so maybe if I continue on, you'll understand." Piccolo nods, placing his head into the upstretched palm of his hand. "So, after I told her she was beautiful, Bulma's face turned red and she got real shy all of a sudden. I thought I had done something wrong, so I quickly became dejected, whipped away from her, and tried apologizing." I grin a bit, remembering her reaction after that. "She became more flustered, and turned me around with her hand, of which the contact kind of sent lightning down my shoulders, and explained how it was fine, that I merely made her too happy to respond."
"And…?" Piccolo inquires.
"Well…she said something that shocked me at the time. She said that I'm, of all people, considering her beauty, really handsome, and I've always been." I lick my lips, them becoming slightly dry from my constant onslaught of words. "Initially I was shocked, to say in the least. I couldn't believe, in the slightest, that someone actually thought I was good-looking. I mean, I'm a man who grew up in the mountains, not some model or whatever." I shake my head. "But then, she didn't stop there. In order to validate her claim, she explained how many other girls have told her indeed that I'm handsome, as if her opinion wasn't enough for me." I shake my head, and peer over to Piccolo, who's listening intently with his eyes closed. "I…I don't know what happened after that. I kind of…lost control over my emotions, really. It angered me when Bulma actually thought that other's opinions about me ranked over her own. Not only that, this…wave of possessiveness overcame my senses and…just…"
"I understand. Continue."
"Well, I told her that I didn't care about anyone else, only about her, and if she had an opinion about me, it's the only one that would sway me in any way. She was taken aback for a few, but continued on, trying to tell me to take notice about what other people thought of me. As she persisted more, this…this heat, built up in my heart and in my lower torso. It's not the first time I've felt this, however, it was the most powerful and overwhelming, and it completely took over my course of action." I fidget with my fingers a bit. "After I'd gotten enough of Bulma trying to disregard what she thought of me, I…I needed her to know that her opinion is the most important to me, always was, and always will be. I asked her if I was good looking, only her, filtering out everyone else's thoughts, and she quickly answered affirmative." I bite my lip. "And that's just when everything kind of snapped inside of me. A strong, ardent desire filled me that was unstoppable. My mind filled up with Bulma, my hands wanted to hold her, my eyes wanted to look as long as I could…Because of this, I just had to get closer. What I settled for was gently caressing her hand and laying a kiss on the skin. I even had to quickly cover up the reason for doing so with reading the action out of some book Master Roshi gave me."
Piccolo can't help the laugh from bursting out of his mouth. "You have really changed, haven't you? It's amazing what a single female can do to the most innocent males. Hah, to think that you, of all people, would start processing situations like a man."
"But…she…she pushed me away, Piccolo. She said that what I was doing wasn't the actions a friend, but of a lover, and therefore inappropriate. She said I should kiss Chi-Chi's hand, and Chi-Chi's hand only. What I was surprised the most by, however, was the…the hurt in her eyes, the agony she tried desperately to hide, as she said each and every word, as if saying what she did pained her."
Piccolo nods his head. "Which means she said what she did, not on her own accord, not in the aid of her feelings, but rather for yours. Do you understand, Goku? She thinks that you merely regard her as a friend, not of something more. Therefore, she felt as if she's taking advantage of you if she'd let you do such things when you're deceived that it is what friends do."
I gape a bit. "So she pushed me away for…my sake?"
"Yes." Piccolo bluntly replies.
I can't believe it.
Guilt floods my senses and takes over my heart rapidly like a tsunami of negative emotions. She hurt herself for my sake? Why? Why did she put her feelings on the line for me?! Then what does that mean? That smile Bulma put on before I left …was that fake? Was that a mere cover up to mask the fact that she was devastating herself inside? Goddamnit, Bulma! Start thinking about yourself, for a change!
"Then what about the desire?!" I lean forward and desperately grab Piccolo's shoulders. "What did that mean, Piccolo? What did all of those emotions, the sudden rush of desire, the kiss…what did that all mean?!" I hear my voice crack a bit from exerting my vocal cords so much.
Piccolo quickly swats my hands off of his body, and smirks. "Well, Goku…You are most certainty reacting like any male to a good looking female. You…you're getting…Kami help me…how do I explain this in semantics you could understand…?"
Pleading for answers, I reply hastily. "Just use any words you'd like!"
He nods. "You are quite desperate, I see? Surely, I'll try. You, Goku, as I said before, are attracted and by Bulma. But unlike what I meant before, your passion and avidity is stronger then most people's."
"…Again, what do you mean by attraction?" I inquire hastily.
"It means you're body is evoking interest, pleasure, or liking for someone or something. In this case, it's Bulma."
"I…I'm kind of confused." I murmur.
"Well…you lovecertain aspects of everything, but you seem to like everything about Bulma. Not only her looks, which even I have to agree are highly above average, but her personality, her actions, everything. You love her as a package."
"So I love her a friend, but I'm starting to see past that or something?" I inquire.
"Possibly, most likely. It does seem that your innocence is still at play and you regard her as a friend of the highest position, but the mentions of heat and desire you've told play against that and say something more…ardent is at work within you. I do see another type of love swarming in you when you think of Bulma, even if it's not fully developed."
I stay silent for a bit. "What do you mean by 'another type of love'? I thought I loved everyone, but Bulma a bit more." I look down, eyeing the creases in the bed sheets like they were some revolutionary sight.
"…Goku, there are mainly three types of love. Love between family, which is what you feel withGohan, love between friends, which is what you feel with Krillin and the like, and love between…lovers, really, which is what you should feel with Chi-Chi, but could feel with Bulma."
"…I love Bulma as a wife?!" I bellow, flabbergasted.
"…Not yet, Goku. But it's becoming a very possible situation."
I stay still for a while before suddenly collapsing back onto the sheets of the beds. My mind reels from the breakthroughs and realizations that were brought to my attention today. I know my love for Bulma's growing, yes, but I thought "love" was meant for friends. Now, it could actually get to the point where my feeling could pass friendship and move on to something else? Something more…romantic? I mean, how long will it take? How many things does she have to do for that line to be crossed? It's a thought that leaves me perturbed but jubilant, flummoxed but rapturous, and honestly, I really have no idea what to feel or how to react.
It's merely too much of a trial simply questioning why this suddenly exploded into action. Could it be because of the time I'm spending with Bulma, or could it be something else? Maybe I've just matured suddenly, and I'm having that reaction with any woman who's outstandingly beautiful. Certainly, I think it not to be true, but it is a possibility. With everything I thought I knew about myself and my relationships turning fugacious, I wonder if all of this is happening for the better. Maybe I should fall in love with Bulma. Maybe romantic love is what we need. I know I'm already married, and I know I already have a child but…shouldn't I follow my heart instead of a silly childhood promise which I upheld because of a misunderstanding? Shouldn't I do what my grandpa told me from all those years back? From my days on that planet I spend a year on after the Frieza battle to now, his voice still rings in my head.
"When the time comes, marriage is something you should always be careful with. Girls will deceit you in many ways to gain your hand in marriage, whether it be for your good looks, which I'm sure you'll gain, your power, or your money, heavens sake, if you even get a job. Just…make sure you marry someone who you really, honestly, truly love, someone who's been there for you the whole time, someone who you hold closer to you then anyone else."
Before…I thought that it made sense. I thought I knew what he meant, that the phrases he strung together were processed correctly in my mind. I actually believed that my interpretation of the speech was the one I would go by, I was so confident into my speculations and determinations. Now I know there's nothing farther from the truth.
I open my mouth and groan desperately. "I just don't understand, Piccolo. Is this a good thing?"
"Certainly it's a good thing, Goku. Not only for our stratagem, but also for you. It's not a bad thing to become closer to a friend."
"No…I mean…is it a bad thing if soon, I'd come to love that friend?"
"While you're currently in matrimony, correct?"
"…Yes."
"…I can only say one thing, Goku. As I brought up before, I'm not experienced in these situations, and merely know the technicalities of them. But…" He sighs, placing his hand on my shoulder, a look of suppressed sympathy in his eyes. "Follow your heart, no matter how cliché it seems. You need to determine yourself who you really want to be with. Bulma, or Chi-Chi."
"…But…! That means…"
"I know, Goku. You need to choose."
I stay silent for a little while. "What if…remember that training trip I was planning for you and Gohan, as well as me, to go on to the mountains?"
Piccolo tilts his head. "What about it?"
"What if I invited Bulma along? Then, I could determine what I truly feel for her over the duration of the trip."
Piccolo pulls a "not bad" face. "Not too shabby of an idea, Goku. However, would Chi-Chi agree with such a maneuver? I understand you guys have been on the edge lately with each other regarding Bulma."
"I'm sure if I plead hard enough, she'll let me bring the girl along." I remark with certainty. While Chi-Chi might be harsh and unforgiving, if I act docile and kind enough, I'm sure the nicer side of her could come through.
"Alright, then I have no reason to disagree."
"And…Piccolo…?"
"Yes, Goku?"
"Is it…is it alright to be so elated about the current unfolding of events?"
He sighs. "Of course, you fool."
I stay silent for a bit. "Piccolo?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"…Anytime."
Yeah, it's not exactly a happy chapter, eh? Well, the plot will start to thicken as of next time, so there won't be many sweet little moments starting one or two chapters from now. Anyway, hope you enjoyed! Leave a review if you liked it, and don't forget to favorite!
