Of Two Hearts
Chapter 26: Desires Revealed
Many emotions were set abroad. An establishment of unity was the source of the wavering secrets of many hearts. The secrets couldn't be held in any longer. The sentiment was again at hand. The beginning of joy and sorrow: a marriage confirmed.
The beginning of joy…
***
"This might be our last time together, Goku…"
"…What?"
Goku blinked confusedly as he looked over his shoulder at Chi-Chi. The two were having a talk out on Chi-Chi's balcony in the early afternoon. There was something important Chi-Chi felt she had to privately tell Goku, and by the quiet tone of her voice, Goku figured this wasn't good. And judging by her words just now, Goku felt sick already. Their last time together?
He glanced over at Chi-Chi again. She was leaning against the balcony's railings, and there seemed to be a nonchalant atmosphere about her. Strands of her dark hair fell into her eyes that were mindlessly staring out at the fields below.
"Um… our last time together?" Goku meekly repeated.
It couldn't be true. There had to be something that he missed, but he heard her words clearly and understood what they meant. He continued to look at Chi-Chi, waiting for an answer or clue.
"Oh… No, I don't mean it like that," Chi-Chi finally said, shaking her head and waving her hands for emphasis. She stood up straight and her hands folded behind her back. In a clearer voice she continued, "I mean that this might be our last time together in a while because soon, we won't have any privacy."
That was a relief. For a minute, Goku thought she had said those words to foretell an upcoming fate, such as death or the very scary prospect that they couldn't see each other again. However, there was still some confusion about the explanation. He asked why.
"Otousan is giving a speech to the kingdom later on," Chi-Chi explained. "He will finally proclaim that you will be my husband. No one has to worry about me getting married anymore. However, the servants will constantly bombard and follow us."
She frowned a bit. "I know it's their duty to help us with the wedding preparations, and it means that we won't able to see each other as often, but… Oh, I don't know. I'm going to miss you, I suppose. As silly as that sounds, considering we're about to spend the rest of our lives with each other…"
"I'll just visit you tonight," Goku said.
"If you can make it, I will look forward to it."
Goku frowned. "If I can make it?"
Chi-Chi nodded. "Otousan warned you that the wedding preparations would be hectic. It's truly a lot of work, and remember that these servants are going to be with us very often. Add those things together and you will see that you'll grow tired."
She sighed heavily, thinking of the arduous tasks that awaited them. She wasn't looking forward to never having a moment of peace. Still, she knew it was a part of having fame and a royal title. Unfortunately, this status would belong to Goku also. But it was because of him that happiness would ensue the tasks. She glanced his way, and she shyly smiled. It was amazing. Goku was just standing there, his wild hair swaying in the wind, his eyes full of concern. This was the way he looked everyday, yet it was amazing that each time she looked at him, she found more reasons to love him.
She sighed softly this time, and turned her now flushed face away. "I can't believe we're doing this…"
Goku looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Just a minute ago, she seemed forlorn and thoughtful. Now she was speaking to him quietly and looking away shyly, blushing like a giddy schoolgirl. Odd.
"Doing what?"
"Getting married," Chi-Chi answered softly. "It still amazes me how far we've come, despite our predicaments. We made it all this way together. My childhood dream isn't so distant now. We worked really hard to finally get here."
She paused, glancing down at Goku's hand lying casually at his side. Gradually, her hand reached for his. Once they had held hands, Chi-Chi looked at Goku tenderly and smiled. "But it's worth all this hard work to have the greatest treasures…"
Goku looked up at her, his eyes soft and quizzical.
"Each other," his lover finished.
***
Inside the palace rushed many busy maids, back and forth. There was a lot to do to prepare for the Ox-King's speech concerning Chi-Chi's marriage to the kingdom. The place had to be spotless, everything clean and in order. The people presented had to be dressed in the finest clothes. But that was hard to do when one of the main people, the princess, was nowhere to be found. One of the maids ran down the hallway to reunite with the others, who had also been searching for the princess. The breathless maid reported back to the one who had sent her out. "She isn't anywhere outdoors, Natsuko. Could the princess have gone missing again?"
"What?" Natsuko anxiously retorted. "This can't be happening. The only times Lady Chi-Chi disappeared was when she was with Sir Goku."
"But this time, Sir Goku is on the kingdom's premises. Wherever he is, Lady Chi-Chi is sure to be there."
The youngest searcher of the group, Talim, looked up at Natsuko soberly. "Miaka is right. Our problem is that we have been splitting up and searching everywhere else but the simplest place: the princess's bedchamber."
The other maids appeared thoughtful, and Talim added, "Well? I would be in my chamber if I were her. Her room is where she is most of the time anyway…"
Eventually the maids heeded the young girl's suggestion and followed her upstairs. The group headed down the hallway to the destined location. With the bedchamber's door wide open, they could see the silhouettes of Goku and Chi-Chi plastered against the sliding doors leading to the balcony.
Smirking, Talim rolled her eyes. "I knew they would be together and in a spot where we should have looked at first."
Natsuko shrugged. "I am just glad we have found the princess unharmed. Talim, please remind her of the task at hand and bring her to us. We're going to wait on the first floor."
The girl nodded and paced into the room to the balcony doors. She gently knocked on them, bringing her presence to Goku and Chi-Chi's attention. Goku turned and slid open the doors, smiling at the visitor behind them. "Good afternoon, Talim."
The preteen curtsied and then looked smugly at Chi-Chi. "My, my, Princess," she said teasingly, with a shake of her finger. "I'm highly disappointed in you. It's near preparation time and here you are playing around with Sir Goku."
Chi-Chi rolled her eyes with a smile of her own. She glanced at Talim, who looked like a mother scolding her child, and sighed. "All right, all right. I'm coming…"
Before leaving, Chi-Chi whispered to Goku, "I told you we wouldn't have any privacy."
"What was that?" Talim asked.
"Nothing, my dearest maiden," Chi-Chi answered sweetly as she left to join the other maids waiting for her. When she was out of sight, Talim looked up at Goku. "You should prepare for the afternoon ceremony as well, Sir Goku. It will start soon. My brother will help you if you need it, and will be waiting for you and the princess."
Goku nodded. "All right."
He began to walk away, but he was stopped by Talim's voice. Turning back, he looked at her questioningly. The girl smiled at him. "Good luck with everything. Please take care of my older sister."
Goku looked confusedly at her. "Your sister?"
"Well, not really," Talim murmured. "It only feels like it…" She gazed at Goku with solemn concern. "What I mean is… Please take care of the princess."
Goku smiled, understanding, and gave her a thumbs up. "You've got it, kid."
Talim returned the smile and saluted him with a thumbs up as well.
The next hour was spent making sure Goku and Chi-Chi were looking their best. They had taken thorough cleansing rituals, were polished to perfection with the best care products possible, and dressed in the finest clothes that were found for them. For Chi-Chi: a rose-colored kimono with a burgundy obi and a matching flower to be worn in the hair. For Goku: a black overcoat worn over a blue undershirt, and a black hakama. Extreme effort was put into making the two appear 'perfect', and a word of caution was advised to them: remain clean lest they wish to put all the hard work to waste.
Goku and Chi-Chi were finally reunited with Talim and her brother who was, as predicted, waiting for them on the palace's first floor. Wakaru grinned when he saw the final results of being prodded and being cared for so long. He bowed before the princess first. "My lady, you look ravishing, but don't you always?"
Chi-Chi just politely smiled. Wakaru bowed a second time before Goku. "You look nice today, Sir Goku."
Chi-Chi stole a glance at Goku and added with a smile, "Very."
Goku rubbed the back of his head, blushing a bit. "You think so? The maids tried to dress me up in all kinds of clothes, but I ended up wearing these, which are a little uncomfortable. They tried to give me a bath too. I can bathe myself…"
Wakaru grinned. "You don't like being pampered by lots of lovely ladies?"
"No," Goku said honestly. "They tried to comb my hair too, and lay it down back and flat. It just stuck itself back up."
Chi-Chi laughed and ruffled Goku's hair. "Your hair is impossible, but it's also very adorable, just like the rest of you."
"All right, all right, everyone looks so adorable, but the ceremony is going to start soon," Talim reminded everyone. "We should make haste and leave."
Wakaru nodded. "She's right. Lady Chi-Chi, Sir Goku and my dear sister, Talim, I will escort you to the emperor."
The ceremony was held on the highest floor of the palace at a balcony that overlooked a large portion of the kingdom. There awaited the Ox-King and his right-hand man, Oseibo.
While Wakaru and Talim led the way up many flights of stairs, Chi-Chi noticed Goku was lagging behind and that he hadn't said a word at all. He looked away, and there was worry on his face. Chi-Chi took Goku's hand and squeezed it gently. "Goku, you're not nervous, are you?"
His dark head bobbled up and down, and Chi-Chi smiled a bit. "Look at me, Goku."
He lifted his head up a little and gazed at Chi-Chi with uncertainty. "Don't worry about this. We can do this," she encouraged him. "We don't have to do anything else but stand alongside my father and maybe say a few words. It's nothing. Do you remember the Tenkaichi Budokai?"
Goku nodded again and Chi-Chi laughed softly. "Well, this is a lot easier than that. Our performance is just being here while my father speaks."
Chi-Chi looked up to see they had reached the palace's higher floor. She looked at Goku again and gave him a quick and reassuring kiss to erase his fears.
"Let's do this."
***
Oseibo and Ox-King turned when the group had finally made it. Ox-King smiled when he saw Chi-Chi and Goku. "There are my two favorite people. You both look wonderful. It's just about time to start the ceremony. You two know what to do, don't you?"
"Yes," they both answered, and Ox-King seemed pleased. He took a peek through the curtains leading to the balcony, and then looked at his daughter and future son-in-law. "All right then. Let's do this."
He nodded at Oseibo, who went out onto the balcony first. He quieted the crowd and gave the Ox-King's cue: announcing his presence. The crowd remained quiet no longer as they cheered for their emperor, who laughed heartily at the praise. "Good day to you, Nihon! I thank you for your enthusiastic cheers and praises, but do know that this isn't about me. Today I have called you here for a very special reason. On this seventeenth day of September in the year 1622, the princess of your country has found herself a suitor!"
The crowd has happy to hear this. The people knew that this was what Ox-King always wanted, and whatever made Ox-King happy made them happy. Hearing the crowd's delight pleased Ox-King. "Yes… Please welcome Princess Chi-Chi and her suitor, Sir Goku!"
Again, the crowd applauded as Chi-Chi and Goku emerged from behind the dark curtains. Goku stood at the Ox-King's right, alongside his right-hand man, Oseibo. Chi-Chi stood at Ox-King's left and smiled up at her father. Ox-King smiled back and faced the crowd again. "The long search for an excellent suitor is over. Beside me stands the man I have deemed worthy to take Chi-Chi's hand. Yes, I'm telling you that my daughter is going to marry this fine young man, Son Goku. I would be highly grateful if you came to their wedding, which I will inform you more about later on."
The crowd stood still, listening closely at Ox-King's words. Some of the people were fine, while others seemed suspicious. Didn't Ox-King hate Goku, the very same one who had turned into a giant ape and killed many people? To them, something was very wrong.
Ox-King continued cheerfully, "This isn't going to be very long. The reason I called you here was to announce the wedding of the princess. Goku is a fine young man that is very worthy of her, and I hope that you all will treat him well. After all, he is royalty now. So once again, please give an applause at the very news I just told you."
This time, the applause and cheers weren't as strong as before. The news they heard brought joy to some people of the crowd, and disappointment to others. It also brought out another thing:
The beginning of sorrow…
***
The sun was beginning to gradually fade into the night when the ceremony was over and everyone was going back to their normal schedules. Chi-Chi was in her bedchamber, changing out of the fancy attire she wore for the ceremony. As she was dressing into her other kimono, she heard her stomach growl rather loudly. Surprised, Chi-Chi placed a hand on it. "Hm. Well, it's no wonder since I skipped the morning meal. Thank goodness it didn't growl during the ceremony…"
She finished getting dressed and then wandered downstairs to the hallways. She was casually strolling to the kitchen, but something sidetracked her: She heard voices speaking her name, and they were coming from a room that honestly was not for everyday use.
Suspicion was in the air. People talk about other people all the time, but this little chat didn't sound very friendly. And the door to that reclusive room was nearly closed, as if it was some secret place. The place was dimly lit as well. Something didn't seem right. Chi-Chi stepped closer to investigate, and she pressed her ear to the door. The words of one man came into focus, and again, Chi-Chi heard her name.
"This is ridiculous, gentlemen. The whole ceremony was ridiculous. All of this fuss over Princess Chi-Chi's marriage… How could Ox-King let this happen? He's allowing his daughter to defy his law by letting her marry Goku! Only someone of royal blood can marry a princess! What happened to Prince Vegeta?"
"I don't know," another voice spoke. "But I do know that I do not want Goku for a leader when the emperor dies. There is something about him I just don't like. I don't trust a character like that. So what if he endured all the tests and training? He must have cheated somehow."
"He cheats his way through everything!" exclaimed a younger voice. "He cheated in the fight with Piccolo at the Budokai, he cheated in the emperor's tournament, he cheated in every fight he had here! How can the emperor allow such a deceitful man to have his daughter?"
"It's called mind control," the second man answered. "Goku has somehow convinced the emperor that he should have Chi-Chi, and it wouldn't have been a problem because Chi-Chi was already in love with him. There was nothing good about him, so he had to resort to mind control to win both of them over!"
From behind the door, Chi-Chi stared down at the floor, taken over by complete anger and surprise. "Backstabbers," she whispered hotly. Her hand clenched into a trembling fist.
"What you are saying is true," the first man declared. "The princess is a foolish girl for believing him. She's so blind to actually love such a fool! I knew there was no way that woman could be so perfect. She was smart, athletic, beautiful… perfect. But her weakness is Goku. Her imperfection is shown through the stupidity of falling in love with that menace, Goku!"
"Goku can't worm his way through this, but somehow, he already has… That liar… Why does he get to feel good now?"
A familiar voice spoke this time, "I know… People are beginning to forget who Goku really was. He is still the same man who caused all of Edo's troubles. The tournament, the war, the massacre of innocent people by the giant ape, the high alert status we had, training more soldiers while our families sat back in worry and fear… It was all because of that damn, no-good, dirty menace, Goku!"
I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! Chi-Chi thought with fury. Her body trembled with an overwhelming wave of hatred. Her face was red with anger. She didn't care if they talked bad about her, but she wasn't going to sit back and let them say that about Goku.
Suddenly, the door swung open with such speed that it slammed against the wall behind. That startled the group of surprised men who thought they had been talking secretly. A few gasps rang in the air, and the men gazed at one very pissed off princess.
"Are you finished yet?" Chi-Chi inquired sternly, her voice raised. "Are you finished talking about how Goku and I supposedly ruined everything? I won't apologize! I won't apologize to any of you; YOU all are backstabbers, liars, manipulators!"
Out in the hallways, Talim and her brother, Wakaru, were strolling by. They were on their way to the kitchen to help deliver supper, but Talim stopped in her tracks suddenly. Curiosity and concern was etched on her face. Her expression had a hint of anger, one that Wakaru noticed.
"Talim?" he asked slowly.
"Listen, 'Nii-chan," she whispered. "There's a commotion somewhere. Someone speaks with great anger. It… It sounds like the princess. Come with me." Her small hand grasped Wakaru's, and she pulled him closer to the door, where they could hear everything more clearly.
Chi-Chi crossed her arms to hide her trembling from such an intense hatred she didn't even know she was capable of feeling. Glaring at each of the men, she continued her tirade, "I'm surprised, enraged and disgusted with each of you! YOU all are the liars! You claim loyalty to the kingdom and the royal leaders, yet you talk of us behind our backs!"
She pointed at Oseibo. "Especially you, my father's right-hand man! How dare you smile and pretend to be such a loyal follower, when deep down, you can't tolerate my father and me! I don't care if you or your friends speak so harshly about me. I'm willing to accept that you don't like me, but don't you EVER speak that way about Goku or my father!"
She paused to take a few breaths, still glaring at the men all the while. All they could do was sit there, speechless. They never knew Chi-Chi had a side like that. Wasn't a princess supposed to be polite, elegant, and soft?
"I'll never forgive any of you!" Chi-Chi hissed. "Mark my words on this day, I will never forget any of you and I hope that you learn a lesson so severe. Perhaps I won't be the one to teach it to you or punish you, but it will come to you."
One of the men had the nerve to retort, "What? You'll go cry to your father? It will be your word against ours!"
"Shut your damn mouth," Chi-Chi muttered through clenched teeth. Once again, that tiny voice of reason kept her back from beating the hell out of each one of them. "I didn't give you permission to speak! I can't believe you would still speak this way to me. Some loyalty… I never want to see any of your faces ever again. If you want to talk more garbage, then do it off the premises!"
She turned and briskly walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her. She looked up, surprised to see the incredulous pair of Talim and Wakaru staring at her. She said nothing and continued to walk, but she was stopped by Wakaru's voice. "My lady, I heard everything these despicable men said. I won't stand for such slandering and traitorous behavior! Let us present this case to the emperor!"
"Yes," agreed Talim. "We'll help you, Princess. We'll make sure those evil men receive the punishment you spoke of!"
Chi-Chi turned back. "You don't have to do this. Don't involve yourselves in something trivial like this. It isn't worth it."
Wakaru stepped back in surprise. "Trivial? My lady, these men might commit a crime rooted from their disloyalty! This can't go without a say. Let's discuss this over supper. These men won't get away."
"They won't get away, but this needs time. I don't want to talk about this right now. I lost my appetite, and I need to be alone right now…"
***
Goku was sitting in a tree, contemplating his past and how far he had come since his days as a carefree boy. His back leaned against the sturdy trunk of the tree, and he turned his head to the east. Rays of the setting sun warmed his face, and he smiled a bit, as a tender memory came to him. He vaguely remembered the time he spent with his grandfather, Gohan. He was a great man, teacher, friend, and provider to Goku. He was a great man, raising Goku with morals and responsibility. Though Gohan was a bit eccentric, he had a good heart.
He was a great teacher, passing everything he knew down onto Goku. He exposed Goku to the wonders most boys enjoy: hunting, fishing, learning how to be a good fighter. He taught Goku how to fight and fend for himself, and in the future, how to fight to protect others.
Gohan was a great friend to Goku, never too old to get down and play with him. He was there to brighten Goku's day and offer his kind heart to listen whenever Goku was in need of something. He was a great provider for Goku, keeping him when he found him in the woods. He provided everything Goku needed when he was being raised. He may not have given Goku a big house and lots of money like other people had, but he supplied Goku with love, and that was all he needed.
He was there to tend to the wounds Goku got when he trained. He was there to shelter and protect Goku from harm, to sleep with him whenever he felt afraid, to hold him when it was cold, to let Goku sleep in his arms after they stargazed…
Goku smiled, as he also remembered the times he and Gohan would watch the sunset, and talk about anything and everything. It was truly a sad thing that Gohan was gone. But Goku knew this sorrow wouldn't last forever.
He was glad to have met Bulma, and the journey they had together that led him to meet another great teacher, his best friend, and future wife. He remembered all the fun times he had with Kuririn, playing and training on Kame Island with him and Master Roshi, even if he was a pervert.
He was grateful to have met that cute, little girl at Frying Pan Mt. so many years ago. Who would've known that he was bound to the dark-haired princess and that they were destined to be together?
Goku closed his eyes, thinking of the people that were most important to him. He had really grown and come far with these people, especially Chi-Chi. She had taught him so much and gave him several things no one else could. And now he was going to spend the rest of his life with her.
He smiled sadly, thinking of his grandfather. "Look at me, Ojiisan," he whispered, with a hint of a laugh. "I'm a man now. I'm getting married…"
He wondered what Gohan would say to that, and if he would attend the wedding if he could. He wondered what if all his friends could come to the wedding too. He wanted to share his joy with them. He wanted them to see what a wonderful person Chi-Chi was. He wanted to show them how she changed his life for the better. He wanted to show---
"Goku?"
He shook his head in confusion. What? Where was that voice coming from? He looked around and then down to the ground. He saw his fiancée gazing up at the trees, her hand coming up to shade her face from the sun. "Are you up there?" she called to him.
"Yeah. I'm coming down," he answered, and jumped from branch to branch until he reached the ground. He looked at her curiously. By looking into her eyes, Goku had the feeling Chi-Chi was distracted by something. But he had no idea of what happened earlier between Chi-Chi and the traitorous subjects.
"Is everything all right?" he asked cautiously.
Chi-Chi tore her thoughts off the earlier matter, and nodded a bit. She wasn't here to think about what happened. She was here to ask Goku a very important question concerning their future. Chi-Chi glanced at Goku, and felt her face grow warm. She wasn't sure if she was blushing from how handsome Goku looked in the sun's last rays, or from the reason she came to see him.
"Um…can I talk to you? I want to ask you something," she managed to whisper calmly, despite the way her heartbeat was gaining speed right now.
"Sure, Chi. You know you can ask me whatever you want," Goku simply replied.
Then why am I scared beyond belief? She thought, and then breathed deeply. "Um… I'm not sure if I ever told you this, Goku, but it's always been my dream to be a wife. But I didn't want to be anyone's wife. I wanted to be yours. You're making this part of my dream come true and I thank you for that."
Goku tilted his head. He had a feeling this wasn't what Chi-Chi wanted to discuss with him. He urged her to continue with a question. "This part? Are there other parts to your dream?"
"Mm-hmm," she murmured, her hands clasping together, her thumbs playing with each other. She bashfully glanced his way. There was still an uncertainty on her face, which Goku noticed.
"Well? Are you going to tell me?" he asked. He wondered what in the world could make her behave like this.
Chi-Chi finally looked at him, only to realize her eyes bounced off him again. Shaking her head slightly, she forced herself to look at Goku. However, she couldn't force herself to stop her face from reddening. Continuing shyly, she said, "I've been thinking about what the future has for us, Goku. I know we're going to be together for the rest of our lives, but our lives don't have to be shared with just each other, you know…"
Goku's facial expression turned into one of confusion. He tilted his head again. "Hm? What are you saying, Chi-Chi?"
His blushing fiancée managed to quietly reply, "What I'm saying is… The Son family doesn't have to be just the two of us. I… I want your thoughts on making our family bigger someday…"
She glanced up at him timidly, and sighed softly when she saw the perplexed look on Goku's face. She proceeded to explain things a little further. "One reason I thought of repairing your grandfather's home and adding onto it is…well…I thought we wouldn't have to be by ourselves for the rest of our lives."
Goku nodded. It seemed he had that part down. Blushing deeply, she went on to finally ask the real question.
"What I'm trying to ask is… How do you feel about having a child someday?"
There. She had finally mustered all her courage and asked the question. Now it was time to hear the answer. Chi-Chi looked up at Goku, slowly and expectantly. Her heart was pounding so hard that she thought her chest couldn't contain it.
Goku looked at Chi-Chi too, his eyes wide and full of surprise. He recoiled slightly, as if he were stunned. His mind was racing with questions. Chi-Chi wanted what now?
Then, he tilted his head for the third time, and his eyes softened. Gazing at his fiancée quizzically, he whispered, "A child?"
To be continued…
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Seclusion and Confrontation