I woke up, surprisingly, early the next morning. Earlier than Tien, who usually is up at sunrise. It looked to be a couple hours past sunrise and he was still fast asleep. He seemed to finally have a peaceful, content look on his face. I smiled at our position in the bed. My head was on his shoulder, my right arm was draped over his abdomen. His right arm was under my head and wrapped around my shoulder. His other arm was cradling my arm. His face was turned toward me, as if at some point, he woke up during the night and watched me sleep.
I really didn't want to get up and end up waking him up. As luck would have it, there was a soft knock at the door. Gohan opened the door and poked his head in. "I'm sorry for waking you, Miss Alicia, but Dad went to meditate and, well…"
"It's alright, Gohan. I was already awake. Come here and tell me what you need and I'll see what I can do to help. Okay?" I gently rolled over and out of Tien's grasp. Unfortunately, Tien still woke up.
"Wha… What's going on? What time is it?" Tien rubbed his eyes to get the sleep out.
"It's about eight o'clock in the morning, Mr. Tien."
"Gohan, stop with the mister. I appreciate the respect, but stop. If makes me feel old," he grumbled. "Where's your dad at, buddy?" Tien sat up and looked at Gohan.
"He said he was going to go meditate today. He felt like something big was going to happen today."
"Well, Gohan, what was it that you wanted? Are you hungry?" At his shy nod, Tien and I chuckled. "Alright, kiddo, what would you like to eat? Pancakes or what?"
"Pancakes sound great!" He shouted excitedly. "Can I also have some eggs, and sausage and oatmeal and…"
"Whoa, pal. Tell you what. Go do your chores and Alicia and I will start cooking breakfast. You've got a tall order for such a small guy to fill and we need to change as well." Tien ruffled his hair and stretched.
"I'm not that small," Gohan grumbled. "Yes, sir. Thank you!" He tackled us in hugs and flew out the door.
"If he would have tackled me any harder, he would have broken me in half," I chuckled. "I'll have to talk to him about it later. Let's get breakfast going. I know Yamcha's going to need some greasy food to nurse his hangover."
"Right. I'll do eggs and sausage and other meats and you do the pancakes, oatmeal and hash browns?" Tien grunted as he stretched.
"Sounds like a plan. I'll go in to Goku's house and you can cook in here. That way we can stay out of each other's way." He turned around so I could change. "Ya know how Gohan said that Goku felt like something different was going to happen?"
"Yeah? What about it?" He raised an eyebrow at me.
"I feel it, too. I can't tell if it's a good or bad thing, but I feel it. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. I don't know."
Tien pulled me into a hug. "Well, if Goku is feeling this way, then I don't think you are being paranoid. Maybe it involves you, but it's hard to say until it happens. Try and relax. And we'll go from there. No use getting worked up for possibly nothing."
"I know you're right. It's hard to not focus on it," I pushed him away. "Alright. Enough of this mushy crap. Let's get cooking."
I went out the cabin door and into the yard. Piccolo was meditating, Krillin was chopping wood, Gohan was stacking, and Yamcha was gathering water at a sluggish pace. As I went into the Son's house, I yelled a quick greeting. I received many "hellos" back and a loud groan.
I headed straight for the kitchen and began to put ingredients into a very large pot for the oatmeal. With that started, I turned on some music and started to mix the pancakes.
"Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell.
Jimmy Rogers on the Victoria up high.
Mama's dancin' with baby on her shoulder.
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky,
The boy could sing, knew how to move everything.
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for…
"Black velvet and that little boy's smile.
Black velvet with that slow Southern style.
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees.
Black Velvet if you please."
I began to dance with the beat and let the music flow in my movements. I jumped hearing someone clearing their throat. I did NOT want to turn around and see who walked in. I knew I had to turn around eventually, so I decided to get it over with.
I came face to face with Tien. We were both blushing at this awkward situation. Since neither of us could think of anything, I turned back to the stove to turn the pancakes and hash browns. "Umm… Did you need something, Tien?" I asked nervously while blushing in order to break the awkward silence.
"Uh… Yeah… Could we keep the meats in the oven to keep warm?"
"Yeah. Here." I flipped the switch to turn the oven on to warm. Stepping back to let him place the meats into the oven. He leaned down and whispered, "Nice moves."
"No one was supposed to see that. Don't you DARE tell everyone else. Do you realize how embarrassing that is for me? That was not cool in the least bit." I huffed.
Tien chuckled and hugged me from behind. "I promise not to tell anyone. I did enjoy it and when I made that comment, I meant it as a compliment. I'm sorry if you thought I was being mean."
"It's fine. I'm just not used to having an audience. Get the guys to wash up. Everything here is about done. I made enough for Goku, too. That is if he's back. I guess we could send Piccolo to get him."
"Yes, ma'am." He let me go and went to get the guys.
Gohan came running in and washed his hands. He gave me a big hug with the cutest thanks. I chuckled as I responded, "You're welcome sweetie."
I had Gohan set the table. The other three men came in and took their seats. As I set the last platter of sausage on the table, Piccolo and Goku popped up behind me, unknown to me.
"Wow! Smells great, Alicia!" Goku suddenly stated, making me jump in surprise.
"Good gods, Goku! Will you quit doing that? I'm starting to think you're doing that on purpose just to scare me. And if what I suspect is right, all I have to say to you is this: You are a butthead."
"I'm sorry. I was focusing on Gohan's energy. I didn't even check how close you were to him. Did you make enough for me?" He smiled and gave me his usual mannerism.
"Of course, I made enough for you. Go wash up. Then…" He vanished and was sitting at the table, ready to eat. "Next time, someone tell me to save my breath. Dig in!"
After eating, there was a chorus of thank yous aimed at me. "Thank Tien, too. He cooked the meats." Tien nodded as he was thanked. Gohan gave both of us a hug for making the food.
As we went outside after Krillin and Yamcha did the dishes, I pulled Goku aside and asked him how close Gohan was to breaking the barrier to this Super Saiyan transformation.
"I think he's right there. I just don't know what needs to be done or said to get him to pass it."
"Well, I have an idea, but I don't think any of you guys will like it." I nervously looked up at him.
"Uh oh. What's your idea?" He raised an eyebrow at me.
"Put me in some sort of danger. Remember how protective of me he got after Yamcha blamed me for Tien dumping water on him? I'm willing to be a catalyst for him. It'll help in the long run."
"I don't know." Goku turned and called each of the other guys, minus Gohan. One the four other men gathered, "Alicia thinks that the best way to get Gohan to transform is to put herself in danger."
"Absolutely not! There is no way I'm gonna allow that! Are you nuts?" Tien fumed.
"Tien, you know as well as anyone of how protective and attached Gohan is of me. I'm willing to be the catalyst, just don't know how or what kind of danger I should be in. What do the rest of you think?"
"From what I have observed and since you are willing, I say let's give it a shot." Piccolo put in his opinion.
"I'm for it." Krillin said thoughtfully. "Just remember, this is your idea to do this."
"I wouldn't suggest it if I wasn't sure that I wanted to do this. What do you say, Yamcha?"
"No. I don't like it at all."
"Alright. So we have two votes for 'yes' and two votes for 'no.' Goku, you are the tiebreaker. What do you think?"
"Honestly, I don't know. It probably would help him, but at the same time, I don't want you to get hurt. You realize that it's a huge possibility, don't you?" Goku looked into my eyes.
"I know that and I also know that no matter how injured I get, you guys will stick around in order to take care of me. We need Gohan to transform and get to the next barrier. I'm thinking that once he transforms, take him into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and train like crazy to get to the next barrier. Hopefully by then Vegeta will be back to train Gohan to that level." I said determinedly.
"Alright. I guess that would work. What are we gonna do to you to get him to transform?" Goku asked skeptically.
"Well, I… Uh… Haven't quite got that figured out. Do any of you have any idea of what we could do to get me in danger?"
"I'm not a part of this. I really don't like this idea." Tien huffed and walked away. I had a feeling our first major fight was going to happen today or tonight… Great.
I got a unison, "No clue," from everyone. I sighed. They were not helping in the least. "Alright. Everyone go train. I'll go talk to Tien and try to calm him down. Then I'll start lunch."
I followed Tien to the edge of the waterfall. We stood next to each other, uncomfortably, for quite a few minutes.
Before I opened my mouth to ask him what he didn't like about the idea, he began to speak. "Don't try and persuade me. Ya know, Gohan isn't the only one who feels protective of you. I don't like the idea of you getting hurt. I understand that it will be the best bet for a sooner transformation than in your show, but that doesn't mean that I like it. Did you know that Vegeta made me promise to protect you to the best of my ability? I don't intend to break that promise."
"Hey, I don't like the idea, either, but I don't see any other way to get it done. Vegeta will understand if I explain it to him. I don't want you to break your promise, but I know this is, most likely, the only way to get it at this point. How else can we get him to transform?"
He sighed, "I don't know, but I understand that it needs to be soon. I'll think on it. I still don't like it."
"I know and if you want, I'll explain it to Vegeta. You ask me often enough if I trust you, now it's my turn to ask you to trust me. Can you do that?"
Tien groaned. "I really hate it when you throw my tactics back at me. Alright, alright. I'll go along with it. Promise me that you'll be careful."
"I promise to try to be as careful as I can be." I looked into his eyes and saw his worry and concern. As heartwarming as it was to see that concern, I couldn't help but think this would put a strain on our friendship.
Suddenly, the sound of an air-car sounded in the area. Tien, the others and I turned as it landed and a smiling Bulma exited the driver's door. "Where's Alicia? The Dragonballs are active again!"
Tien and I shared a glance and joined the others, who gathered around Bulma. "So who's going to go hunt them down? Goku? Wanna go relive some our old adventures?"
"Normally, Bulma, I'd say, 'of course,' but with our training still going on full speed, I'd better just transmit to them. May I have the radar, please?"
"Sure. Be careful and hurry."
Gohan ran to me and hugged me tightly. I could feel tears and he was saying something that no one could understand, due to being said into my chest. I pulled him away and spoke softly. "Gohan, can you say that again and dry your eyes?"
He sniffled, "I said, please don't leave us. I love you and I know Dad and Mr. Tien love having you here and… And what about Mr. Vegeta? Are you really going to just up and leave without saying goodbye to him?"
"Gohan, we've talked about this before, remember?" I realized that this could be what pushes him enough. "I don't belong here. I'm sure you are big enough to tell Prince Vegeta goodbye and hug him for me, right? I know I'll never forget any of you, but…"
"NO! Don't you know how happy you make us? We are a team that ONLY YOU were able to bring us together like a real team. You CAN'T leave!"
"Gohan, that is enough." Goku warned him in a low, disapproving voice.
"No, Dad. She obviously doesn't care enough about us to stay in order to make sure her plan works!" The ground started to quake as Gohan's power level rose to an amazing height. Everyone but myself took a few steps back.
"Alicia, you need to get back." Krillin advised me nervously.
"No. He's not going to harm me. He's just throwing a temper tantrum like the little boy he is." I said this rather harshly. "I've told him before that I can't stay here and that I don't belong here."
"I am NOT a little boy! How can YOU just up and LEASE US?!" Gohan was surrounded by a sudden golden aura.
"There's part of our hero." I said softly. "Go, Goku. The sooner you get back, the sooner you can train him to control this level." I said with a smirk and walked into the cabin. I was followed by Tien.
"Did you seriously just pick a fight with the strongest eight year old on the planet just to get him to transform? Not a smart move."
I looked out the window and watched as Gohan gazed at himself in absolute awe. He was getting pats on the back from Krillin and Yamcha, while Piccolo and Goku looked on with pride. "You know as well as I do that Gohan's power is unlocked, mainly, by his emotions. I didn't know that he'd get so upset by the thought of me leaving so soon. Especially after Goku and I both talked to him about it. But I just kind of went with it. It was last minute to 'pick a fight' with him, but it work. Vegeta might be returning at any time and now Gohan can work on getting to that next barrier."
"Ah, I see. I guess that was one way of doing it. Probably the safest way for you to bring it out. Are you alright? I know you care about all of us, otherwise you wouldn't have warned us about what's to come in more detail than that boy. So… Are you okay?"
"I think I will be. I'm sure he understands that I didn't mean it the way it came out. I was only to push through that barrier. I just hope he doesn't hate me. I know what I said was harsh, and he's just a kid, but…" I sighed deeply.
"He's a good and forgiving kid. He'll forgive you. Sooner than you think." Tien pulled me into a hug in order to reassure me.
"Thanks, Tien. He's a smart kid, too. Come on, let's make a celebratory meal for him."
Song: "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles
To the guest who told me to, "Get rid of the stupid songs because they are distracting to the story." Sorry to disappoint you, but the songs aren't going anywhere. Music is a HUGE passion of mine and music constantly being played is EXACTLY how I live my life. So that's how I'm going to write MY story. If you wish to write a story without songs, that is YOUR RIGHT, because it's YOUR STORY. So, in other words, I am choosing to keep the songs. Plus it seems like no one else has a problem with them.