Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or have any rights to it.
Eighteen had been gone for a few hours now, and Gohan knew she wouldn't be back for a while, so he decided to stack the odds in his favor. While he did enjoy teasing the android he still knew she was dangerous and did not want to throw is life away.
Eighteen now had him tied to the bed by one leg. She would usually untie him when she returned. The lock on the chain was simple, and Gohan knew he could pick it if he could just find the right tools.
Scouring the bedside drawers, he was able to find one of Eighteen's hairpins. Perfect! He twisted the hairpin into the desired shape and successfully picked the lock. Once free, he began looking for senzu beans.
He had seen Eighteen put the senzu beans in a nearby chest of drawers. After opening and closing a few drawers, he spied the familiar brown sac. When he took it out and looked inside, there were only three beans left.
Only three beans left…sorry Korin. He decided to take one and leave the other two. He placed the bag back where it was and returned to his place on the bed, hiding any evidence of him having escaped.
Eighteen set out early that morning. She was worried about Gohan, as well as her brother's growing suspicion.
Her thoughts were racing about what she should do. Gohan's starting to regain his strength, and he's being a total pain in the ass…but I don't want him to…no! I can't think like that. He doesn't mean anything to me.
"Leaving already sis?" The lights turned on to reveal Seventeen sitting on the couch. "I skipped out on sleep so I wouldn't miss you."
Eighteen placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. "I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. I don't need you watching me all the time."
"I never said I was watching you all the time. You're being defensive. So, where are you off to at this early hour?"
"I've told you so many times, I'm going off to be alone." Eighteen's voice showed irritation
"Alone where?"
"Why would I tell you?"
Seventeen shrugged. "In case I need to come find you. Besides, Gohan's little friend is still out there. I just thought you might want to fight him if he comes along."
"I could care less about some brat."
"Why are you so obsessed on alone time anyway? This is something completely new."
She let out an agitated growl before turning away from him. "It's my business. I'm leaving now."
Seventeen watched quietly with a sour expression as she left the house. Oh no you don't! I'm going to find out what you're hiding.
As Eighteen flew through the air, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being followed. She looked back, but couldn't see anyone there, but when she continued, she had that same feeling. Feeling the weight of someone's gaze, she decided to change course.
Seventeen raised an eyebrow from his hiding spot on the ground. She doesn't want anyone to follow her. What kind of place is she going to? Has she been keeping some humans from me, or is there a dirty little secret she feels ashamed of?
Landing in the middle of a forest, Eighteen decided to continue on foot. If someone is following me, I'm more likely to find out in here.
The sound of a snapping twig caught her attention, but when she turned around, Seventeen had hidden behind a tree for cover. She walked another few hundred feet before picking up a similar sound again.
"Come out!" Turning around, Eighteen fired a ki blast at the trees, flushing her brother out of hiding.
"You're crazy sis," said Seventeen as he landed in front of her.
"You were following me!"
"Only because you couldn't tell me what your big secret was."
"Stop it!" Walking up to her brother, she slapped him across the face. "Leave me alone!"
Seventeen turned back to her with a grim expression. "You've changed Eighteen." He then took off to leave her alone.
Trunks opened the window to his room to breathe in the fresh air. Turning back to check for any signs of his mother, he determined that the coast was clear before taking off.
He wanted to go find Gohan in spite of what his mother had told him.
Flashback:
"Why can't I go mom? I have to know what's happening with Gohan!"
Bulma shook her head. "It's far too dangerous. Even Gohan only visited Korin Tower once every few years. It's also dangerous for Korin since his tower is exposed. If the androids follow you, you'll be putting him in danger as well."
"But I'll be careful mom. I'll make sure non of that happens."
"My answer is final. You're not going out there. We can thoroughly question Gohan when he gets back to us."
End
As he flew, Trunks kept a vigilant eye out for androids. He didn't want his mother's fears to come true. Glancing left to right, as well above and below him, Trunks saw that there weren't any androids in the area.
He was soon nearing the tower, remembering the site from when he was younger. He noted that this area seemed hardly touched by the duo since there were no big cities, towns or any significant human populations in the area.
When he finally reached the tower, Trunks took one last look in every direction before making his vertical ascent. He reached the top within a few minutes, and was greeted by Korin; the cat always seemed to have a smile on his face.
"It's been a long time since Gohan brought you here Trunks. How are you?"
"I'm okay Korin, and it's great to see that your still safe, but I'm very worried about Gohan."
"Ah yes, that's why you snuck out without your mother's permission." He chuckled when he saw Trunks wince. "Don't worry, I won't tell."
"So do you know where he is?"
"Sort of. I can't pinpoint his exact location, but he feels fine. Though I think it's best that you don't go looking for him. He's fine, so he should return on his own. He's probably just having a little trouble recovering. The senzu beans don't work as well as they used to, so it would take time."
Trunks looked somewhat disappointed. "Thanks Korin, but can you tell me where he is anyway?"
"I won't since I know you'll risk your life by going out there."
Trunks grumbled. "Fine." He then took off to return home before his mother woke up and found out he was missing.
Gohan smirked when he heard Eighteen entering. He had a special surprise planned for her.
"Wake up Go…Oh you're already awake." Eighteen freed his shackled leg as part of the routine, then went to get Gohan some breakfast, however, what he did next shocked her.
Leaping to his feet Gohan transformed into his super saiyan state. His smirk grew wider when he saw the shocked look on her face as he started to advance on her.
Oh crap! He must've been playing around with me. I…I don't think I can beat him at full power…he's go that…that weird transformation. Instinctively remembering his powerful transformation, Eighteen back away into a wall. Why did I have to let it get this far? I should've raped him from the start instead of even starting that whole Jackie thing. Now he's gonna kill me!
Now that he had recovered, Gohan felt powerful. However, a bewildered expression crossed his face when he saw the state Eighteen was in. She was scared of him; scared of the power he had displayed earlier.
Gohan then felt somewhat guilty. This isn't good; I didn't want to scare her. I wanted her to react like she normally would. I have to do something now.
Eighteen shut her eyes as Gohan reached out to her, but opened her eyes in shock as he pulled her into a hug. As she stood there in his arms, she looked up into his teal-blue eyes and watched them fade back to their original black color.
"I never meant to hurt you. I just wanted to surprise you...and protect myself in case something went wrong."
She smiled and promptly kicked him in the shin, eliciting a grunt. "That's for scaring me."
Gohan then leaned in closer, touching his forehead to hers, and staring intently at her beautiful eyes. I know she's in there somewhere. She's been hurt and afraid. I want to…help her.
Eighteen took the cue from him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes as they brought their lips together. However, feeling uncomfortable with their current position, she walked him back and pushed him onto the bed without breaking the kiss. Her skin tingled as she felt his hands move to her waist.
Gohan flipped her over and moved them further up the bed until her head was on the pillow. He couldn't ignore the definite bulge in his pants. As he continued to kiss her passionately, he began rubbing his crotch against hers.
Eighteen knew what he was doing. What she didn't know were his motives. Could this be an attempt to reach my humans side or does he just wanted to dominate me after I took him hostage.
All her doubts were quickly pushed aside by his tongue as he forced its way into her mouth and wrapping around her own tongue. The android tried to fight it off, but it lost out to the woman. I don't want it…I don't want it…I want it.
He felt her legs wrap around him, keeping him in place and making sure he finished the job. Arching his back, he stared down at her. She was breathing heavily, and some hairs were in her face. He could see the wetness cause by the sweat on her forehead. He wanted her…he had to have her.
She looked up at him as he loomed over her. He was panting and sweating, which made him look hotter. There was a feral look in his eyes; it made her hairs stand up in anticipation.
"What are you waiting for?" She batted her eyelashes, and licked her lips in anticipation.
Abandoning all reason, Gohan dove back into it and locked lips with her again.
Mr. Popo looked down on the Earth with dismay.
"I miss him too," said Korin as he walked up behind him.
"Hello Korin," said Mr. Popo, turning around to his old friend with a smile. "It's good to see someone from the old days."
"Likewise Mr. Popo. I take it you know what's been happening with Gohan."
"Indeed. His powers are failing him. They were okay in the early years of the androids' reign, but now they've stopped increasing."
"I thought Gohan simply couldn't push himself as hard as he used to, but there's something else at work. The fact is if he didn't challenge the androids so much, he wouldn't have had this problem at all. It's related to the dilemma I'm facing with the senzu beans."
"The beans are loosing their ability to heal right?"
"That's correct Mr. Popo. They're powers are dependent on the health of the planet, and the planet is suffering under the androids. With weaker and weaker beans to rely on, Gohan hasn't been able to heal himself as thoroughly as he thinks. He might feel fine, and the beans might be able to bring him back up to his old maximum, but his saiyan powers are supposed to increase dramatically with each healing."
"So his injuries are never completely healed?"
"The physical ones are, but the flow of ki throughout his body is disrupted and his body's ability to channel handle the ki is diminished as a result. Nowadays, most of the power Gohan gains is siphoned away and rendered unusable. His body just doesn't have what it takes to unleash that power. If he did, he could easily destroy the androids thousands of times over."
"Is there any way for us to help him out?"
"A full power senzu bean would do the trick, but we won't have one of those any time soon. Other than that, I don't know of anything short of the dragonballs that could fix him up."
"I'll have to meditate on this. Maybe I can contact someone in other world for information or advice."
"That would be a good idea Mr. Popo. I'll need to take extra care of the senzu plant. If the world's population gets too low, it might die. In fact, the only thing keeping it alive now is the vast amounts of untouched forests that androids have left alone."
The two friends then decided to talk about other things. They didn't want their first meeting in years to be filled with depressing conversations. Mr. Popo had found many new secrets within the lookout, while exploring so there was a lot to talk about.
It was now evening and the last rays of the setting sun fell on the sleeping couple. They were fully clothed and had fallen asleep above the covers, but rested peacefully in each other's arms.
Eighteen was the first to stir and upon noticing the time, shook Gohan awake. "Gohan! Gohan!"
Gohan groaned groggily and opened his eyes. "What time is it?"
"It's already evening. Brother will be furious with me. I've got to get home."
"You've left late before, why is this time different?"
"I don't know…he just seemed more agitated this time."
Gohan followed her to the door and placed a hand on her shoulder. His eyes softened as he felt sympathy towards her. "Will you be okay?"
"Gohan. Maybe I am what you say I am, and maybe now…I feel like finding out more about it. Will you wait here for me? Feel free to use the kitchen and shower, just please wait here until I come back."
Gohan pecked her on the cheek. "Don't worry. I'll stay, just be careful."
She nodded before reluctantly taking off.
Though she wouldn't admit it, even to herself, she was somewhat scared of what awaited her at home. She had slapped her brother, a man who never, ever liked being hit in the face. He was stronger than her, and could easily hurt her if he snapped.
As such fearful thoughts consumed her she arrived at home. Bracing herself for the upcoming confrontation, she cautiously opened the door. The sight behind it, made her jump.
Seventeen was standing right there, and he was fuming. He had spent the entire day brooding over his sister's behavior, and the slap she had given him.
"You were gone all day again."
"You could've gone out to kill people without me."
"I would have if I hadn't been so preoccupied by the fact that my own sister slapped me just because I was following her! What the hell happened to you Eighteen?"
"I'm sorry Seventeen. I was just upset about you following me. I mean, we do have to have some secrets don't we? I'm allowed to go off on my own and hang out by myself."
"So there is a secret?"
"No…just a secret spot where I go off to by myself. It's like a field, there's nothing special about it. I just go there by myself."
"More lies?"
"No!"
"How would I know? You've lied to me a few times already."
"Are you saying you don't trust me?"
"Yes I don't trust you!" And arrogant smirk then appeared on his face. "Is it a boyfriend?"
Eighteen shook her head violently. "NO!"
Seventeen chuckled. "We'd better hope so for your sake." He then turned to go upstairs. "Oh and you will be here tomorrow for killing people, right?"
Eighteen nodded. "I will." She was too intimidated to say no.
"Good. I'll be in my room then."
When Seventeen slammed the door shut Eighteen relaxed and hung on the door for balance. She would have to miss seeing Gohan for most of the day if she wanted to convince her brother that she was still the same person.
I hope you liked this chapter as well as my explanation for what's happening with Gohan's powers. Since I'm going to be working extra long on the last chapter of 'Odd Affection', I'll probably continue to update this story instead.
