Author's Note: Well I would first like to thank everyone who reviewed, I appreciate the kind gesture and feedback. I would also like to thank jakeup for informing me that Chichi was in fact not the first woman to compete in the tournament, thank you again, because I haven't watched Dragon Ball in a while I seem to have forgotten that Nam fought a girl who striped in order to distract her opponent and about the time limit situation, well I am keeping it even if it was introduced until the Tournament before Buu. Anyway, I am very pleased to announce that the 'mushy' parts of my fic will not be as lovey dovey as the previous chapter. However, be warned that my sequel will be Gohan+Videl and I assure you it will have romance. Alright, I hope I haven't bored you to tears, because chapter 9 is here!
Disclaimer: I will not and will never own anything related to Dragon Ball Z, however the ideas represented in this fic are all mine! (Side note) If I did own Dragon ball Z Gohan would definitely be the star!
Life and Death by Lourdes-Sunrise-Princess
The crowd's whistles and cheers were all mentally blocked from Gohan's mind the only thing that seemed to process in his mind was what he was seeing unfold right in front of him. His mother had her arms tightly wrapped around his father's left arm; obviously cutting off any blood circulation that was left.
They looked so different.
So ….happy?
He had never seen his mother so happy before, not even when his father came back from the dead on countless occasions. His father; although he held a firmly lost look on his face, you could clearly see how content he appeared. His features were less aware, his body was relaxed and for once the goofy grin was not there-but instead there was a gentle smile.
Was it because he wasn't born yet?
Why did his presence always mess up everyone's life?
Shaking his head to rid himself of such foolish thoughts he calmly walked over to the newly engaged couple. 'Even if I am a nuisance, I must complete what I came to do.'
' Cell, your going down!'
** ** ** ** **
The hallways of the tournament building were currently empty. A short fifteen minute break had been given in the heat of the moment between Goku and the Ox Princess. The only sound that echoed throughout the hallway was the sounds of footsteps, creating an eerie rhythm that created the perfect auditory illusion. Pitch black eyes stayed in an upsetting position, freezing anyone in their path. Sharp pigment green ears framed the face of a seeking Namek.
Only time could tell what he was up to now.
This side of him anyway.
** ** ** ** **
" Wow, what a hectic day, huh folks?" The announcer asked and chuckled as he recalled the death threats, the proposal, what could possibly happen next? "Alright next we have Yamcha versus Ma Junior" The audience clapped in anticipation.
The crowd quieted down as Ma Junior stepped up and stood their with his arms crossed nonchantly. But where was Yamcha? They waited a minute, then two, then three…..
" Uhh would Yamcha please make your way up to the fighting ring" The announcer said in slight panic " uhh if Yamcha can not make it to the ring in ten minutes to compete I am afraid the match will have Ma Junior as it's immediate winner"
** ** ** ** **
" What!?!" Krillen shouted as he looked left and right silently hoping his scared friend would appear around the corner.
" Goku" Chichi said gaining the full-blood's attention as he tried to forget about the numbing pain in his arm. The girl sure could be possessive when she wanted to be.
" What is it Chichi?"
" Why isn't Yamcha here, I saw him right before the break" She insisted sure of what she was saying.
" I don't know Chichi" Goku replied in a dejected tone. " I can't even sense his ki, I think I'm not concentrating hard eno-"
" No Goku" Kohaku cut in " Yamcha's ki is undetectable"
" Are you sure?" Tien questioned.
"If you concentrate, you will be able to tell me" Kohaku snapped impatiently, this was a waste of time they needed to find Yamcha and fast!
" Alright enough sensing, let's split up and look for him with our eyes!" Krillen explained in a rush.
Gohan held Goten close as he searched the condensed and dark hallway. Why did he have a feeling that Yamcha's disappearance was not an innocent trip to the restroom. Now was not the time to think about it, he needed to find Yamcha, before Bulma decided to have a panic attack.
That certainly wouldn't be pretty.
** ** ** ** **
That ki it was familiar, it was huge yet tamed, and was rising very dramatically. Goku, Tien, and Krillen all ran towards it, that was the signal. Kohaku had found Yamcha, as they neared the increasing energy they heard the distant yet strangely familiar cry of an infant. They finally noticed the outline of their twelve year old friend. He seemed to have his face down, and the shadows covering his face from the naked eye didn't allow them the ability to see his expression.
" Kohaku we felt your Ki waver, did you find Ya-" The monk was unable to complete his sentence as he was left speechless by what he saw next. There was Yamcha battered and bruised. However, what shocked the Z-fighters was what was embedded in both of the bandit's shoulder's keeping him firmly positioned to the wall like a sick picture that had just been framed: two sharp and dense silver swords.
If it weren't for the fact that Gohan had experienced much worse injuries, he was sure he would have had the same look of disgusting indifference on his face as his father now had.
" Guys I now this will be painful, but we need to get him down and give him a sen- I mean medical treatment" Kohaku said firmly. 'That was close, that would have really made me look suspicious, I'm not suppose to know about Sensu beans'.
" What kind of bastard would torture someone like this" Goku said through clenched teeth.
That certainly was a major shock! He had never heard his father swear before, angry maybe but 'bastard', he only prayed to Kami that this wasn't a sign that indicated he had changed to much.
" Kohaku is right" Tien spoke harshly. Damn his throat had dried. " He doesn't have any fatal injuries, but he definitely won't be able to fight"
" What about a sensu bean?" Krillen questioned.
" The numbness would still be in effect" Tien explained. " He has been in this position to long"
Tien was indeed correct. The blood that was seen all over Yamcha's body was dry. Also as informed by Goku, Yamcha didn't smell of fresh blood. Right now however, one thought ran through the minds of the four companions. Who had done this?
Gohan was sure it wasn't Cell, this wasn't his style. He tended to go for the guts and death in an instant deal. But that only left one person.
Piccolo
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, truthfully it was rushed and not well done in my opinion. Well, Yamcha is officially out of the tournament, but can Gohan's mind handle the fact that his mentor and best friend would do such a thing? Find out and remember to review!
Going on to other news, my sequel is underway and it is all thanks to all of your votes. Now the sequel to Life and Death will be called Quality over Quantity and will be a Gohan+Videl fic. However, it will not only be romance it will be a mix of genres and I have also posted a sneak peak on my profile page so feel free to read it and you can even comment on it in your review, if you truly want to. Anyway I think I'm going to get some Zzz because I studied all night for an English test and I'm pooped.
Anyway Read and Review!
~Lourdes-Sunrise-Princess~
