Five years have passed since Tien has baby-sat for any of his friends. The tall, three-eyed warrior and his constant companion, Chiaotzu, have moved to the northern mountain region, just up the mountain from a mining town, one of the few in the nation. With a gracious loan from Bulma, he decided that he'd like to build his own martial arts school. Well, after word had spread throughout the mountainous region that a former World Martial Arts Champion was training in those parts, aspiring martial artists came to train under him. Of course, Tien being the type of man he is and remembering guiding Gohan in his meditation practice, he couldn't and wouldn't turn anyone who was serious about training and learning the way of the martial arts away. The pair had decided to teach both the Crane style and the Turtle style of martial arts. There were good things about both of the styles that the two former Crane pupils felt that balanced each style out. The ethics of the Turtle with the advanced techniques of the Crane were exactly what Tien wants to leave behind when he dies his second and final death.
The tall master leans over the table, studying the blueprints of his dojo, making sure it was going to be built the way he sees it in his mind's eye. Suddenly, a greeting from an unknown baritone voice calls out to him. Looking to the clear, blue sky above him, spotting a young man and the former champion gives the newcomer a smile. After feeling his chi, Tien realizes it's Gohan, almost all grown up. "Gohan! This is a surprise. Look at you, all grown up. Good for you. You look and feel more like your dad than the last time I saw you."
As Gohan lands, he beams at the bald man and gives him a hug. "Bulma and Mom says that a lot. It's been too long, Tien." The son of his first true rival looks around. "So, this is where you've been hiding. Wow, this is a beautiful place. What are you building?"
"A dojo of my own, Gohan. I came here to train a couple years ago, and people started showing up for guidance in their own training, and I just couldn't turn them away. So, I'm building a school. You didn't fly all this way from Mount Paozu just to visit, did you?" He raises his eyebrow in skepticism.
"Well, no, not exactly. Since you've moved up here, no one has a phone number for you, but Bulma knew the general area you're in…" The young man bows his head sheepishly, and fidgets with his fingers. A nervous habit he's picked up in the absence of his father.
"Why were you needing to get a hold of me? There hasn't been a big threat to the planet since Bojack, right?" The elder sternly asks.
"No, nothing like that. It's just, ummm…" The teen won't look the scarred warrior in the eye.
"It's just what, Gohan? Why are you so nervous with me? You've known me for, what? Ten, eleven years? Talk to me, kiddo. Remember how easily we talked about why I fight? I'm no different now than I was then. What do you need from me, Gohan. I'll help however I can." He places his hand on the kid's shoulder. "Just ask me, bud."
"Well, Mom and I need you to baby-sit my little brother tomorrow. We have an interview and I need to take an entrance exam for Orange Star High School in Satan City. Grandpa has to help his village get ready for the Frying Pan Festival, Bulma and Vegeta are busy, and Krillin is getting Kame House ready for the arrival of his baby."
"What about Piccolo?" Tien finds it hard to believe that the Namek wasn't watching him.
"Well… Last time Piccolo watched Goten, Goten may or may not have lit Piccolo's turban on fire, accidentally, and Piccolo refuses to look after him until he's not mad at him anymore."
"And we both know how well Piccolo can hold onto a grudge."
"Yeah, so then I remembered when you watched me back when Grandpa Ox was sick and Dad was still in space, and I suggested that maybe you would be able to watch him. Don't tell Krillin or Bulma, but I liked when you watched me. Kinda wished you'd have baby-sat me more, but there wasn't a need for it once Dad was back."
The older man throws his head back and laughs. "I didn't have a clue what I was doing when I watched you that first time, but by the end of the night, I think you taught me more than either one of us realized. You taught me how to care for a child, and that even though you are Goku's son, you are not Goku. That's when I realized why you ran to me when Vegeta first arrived."
"Is that why you apologized to me that night?"
"Yeah. I let my anger and grief at losing Chiaotzu again take over. Plus, I had the thought of you are Goku's son, so you must have his battle courage. I never took into account that you were five years old then, and hadn't fought at all until that day. You were rightfully scared out of your mind. I'll watch your little brother tomorrow. I need a break from all this building before I get too stressed about it. Tell me about your brother. You said his name is Goten?"
"Yeah, and if you think I look like dad, you're in for a shock. Mom says Goten looks exactly like dad when they were kids. He's even got dad's hair style! He loves exploring the mountainside, being outside. He's four now. He's very happy and has a short attention span like dad. Fair warning, him and Trunks are best friends and he tends to be subconsciously mischievous. He doesn't exactly know how to think his actions through, if you know what I mean."
"He's four, he's supposed to be mischievous. I know how those actions usually play out. So, he likes to explore. What else does he like to do?"
Gohan smiles. "He loves to play pretend. His favorite past time at home, though, is hearing stories about our dad. Mom won't tell him stories, just Krillin, Bulma and me. I'm sure he'll love hearing about you and dad from when you guys were younger."
Tien simply smiles at his young friend. "Oh, I've got stories about your dad that you would never guess about. What time do you need me to be at your place?"
"Actually, would you mind coming back with me? Mom wants to be 'normal' and drive into town. So, we'd have to leave before the sun rises." Gohan rubs the back of his neck. "I know this is super last minute, but Bulma and Vegeta backed out at the last minute. Something about the boys put worms in his boots while he was in the shower at their last sleepover and he hasn't exactly calmed back down."
"Oh, man. So, he hasn't calmed down and hasn't handed out punishment yet? I hope those boys are scared out of their minds. Yeah, I can come with you. Chiaotzu had to make a trip out east of here." The tall man rises into the air and smiles at the eldest son of Goku. "Besides, I'm kinda intimidating to a toddler, might help him get use to me if he sees you and me having conversations and joking around."
"Yeah, I remember when you landed on the battlefield against Vegeta and Nappa. You were the only guy on our side that I was kinda scared of. That third eye and your bulky build are straight up scary to a kid." Gohan laughs as he rises to be eye to eye with Tien.
The large man throws his head back and laughs. "I've been told that a time or two. Why do you think I really don't go anywhere without Chiaotzu? He eases the scary factor of me. I think the only kid who was never afraid or intimidated by me was your dad."
Gohan smiles sadly at that. "I don't think dad was afraid of anything. He's so strong and took every enemy he faced head on. I wish I was more like him."
"Gohan, I've seen fear on your dad's face, more than once. The first time was when he faced Piccolo at the World Martial Arts Tournament. Your parents had just gotten engaged, and the whole gang wouldn't leave your dad's side as he fought. He feared that Piccolo would attack and harm all of us outside of the ring. When your mother was pregnant with you, your dad came to see me. Not sure why he came to me and not Bulma, Master Roshi, or Krillin. He was afraid that he was too stupid to care for a baby. That he was too strong to hold you. I remember telling him that you would be just as strong as him and he shouldn't worry so much, because if he overthought it, he'd miss the important things in your life. The last time I saw that fear in his eye, it was just before he stepped into your fight with Cell. He knew more than any of us that you could defeat him, but he forgot that you were in a whole new transformation and that you didn't know how to handle the rage and apply it to battle. When Cell got in your head, your dad was so afraid that you'd give up and end up dying. That's why he stepped in when he did. He refused to LOSE YOU. Do you get what I'm saying, Gohan? He was always afraid of you being hurt by him. I think that's why he chose to stay dead this time. He didn't want you in another life-or-death battle. He wanted you to have the chance to truly love the martial arts like he does. You were thrust into fights at a very young age. I know that he didn't want that for you, but I know that Piccolo was the one who pulled you into all of this."
"Dad was afraid of me getting hurt? That explains why he didn't want me to see him fight Vegeta and Frieza. I never realized that." Gohan and Tien speed up.
"Gohan, Goku was most proud of the fact that he was your hero. I think all of us are your heroes to a certain level, but we all could plainly see that he was on the highest level for you, rightfully so. Every little boy idolizes his father before any other man in his life, but you idolized and respected all of us. I promised you almost ten years ago that I would always have your back, and I never break a promise."
The rest of the flight was in silence, Tien mentally preparing for the youngest of his friend's children, while Gohan thought long and hard on the elder's words. As they land in the front yard of the lone, quaint home, a truly mini-Goku comes running out in greeting to his big brother. Tien has always been proud of the fact that not much can rattle him, but he blinks in utter shock at how much little Goten looks EXACTLY like his deceased friend. Sure, Gohan told him that he looked like him, but he never expected the resemblance to be THIS strong. Tien stands quietly by and simply observes the brothers interact. Getting a feel for this little boy that he's about to meet for the first time.
"You were gone for a long time, Big Brother. Where did you go?" The little boy asks putting his small hands on his big brother's cheeks.
"Well, Goten, I had to fly a long way to go get Tien, here." Gohan turns to the bald man. "Goten, this is Tien. He's going to watch you while Momma and I go to the big city tomorrow. He's a friend of Daddy's and mine. I met him when I wasn't much older than you. Tien, this is my little brother, Goten."
"Hello, Goten. It's nice to meet you." The former champ smiles kindly at the small child. The young boy buries his face in the neck of his older brother. "I know I look kinda scary, but I'm not as scary looking as Piccolo, am I? I promise I won't hurt you, kiddo."
"Come on, Goten. I've known him a long time and he's babysat me before."
Hearing this, the toddler perks up. "He did?! Was he fun?"
Gohan beams a smile at his baby brother. "He sure did. We had so much fun." The big brother leans in, as if telling his brother a secret. "He's a better babysitter than Krillin and Piccolo combined."
"No way!" Goten turns to the stranger with excitement in his eyes. "Did you really watch Big Brother? What kind of fun did you have?"
"I really did, Goten. We had fun outside, played in the bath, and if I remember correctly, I even helped him with his homework. Big Brother here told me that you like to explore the area, I bet we could have lots of fun doing that."
Just then, Chichi comes outside. "Oh, good! You were able to come. It's so good to see you. I'm sorry this was so last minute. I think I'll need you to write down your new phone number, Tien. It's no good to be hiding the way you are from us. We never see you anymore."
The tall man chuckles at the petite woman's antics. "Kinda hard to have a phone number at the moment, Chichi. I'm in the process of building my future home. But as soon as it's all finished, I'll give you the number for it. Bulma knows where I am if anyone needs me."
"Your new home? I hadn't heard anything about this! What exactly are you building? And how did you get that kind of money? You gave your tournament winnings to Goku the year you won." Some things never change. The wife of Goku always needs to know everyone else's business.
Tien smiles with pride. "I'm building a dojo of my own in the Eastern Mountains. I want to teach the next couple generations how to defend themselves. A mix of the Crane and Turtle styles, since they tend to balance each other well. I already have a handful of students. Who knows, maybe after college, Gohan might want to come learn from me. I'd be honored to have him."
"Absolutely not. Gohan is going to be a scholar and provide for his family! You karate bums are all the same in that aspect."
"Chichi… You were a 'karate bum' right along with us. Besides, I said after collage. So, if he couldn't find a job the right fit for him and his family, I'll hire him. I'm planning on have a few dozen students, and could see him truly happy teaching others martial arts." Tien turns to Gohan. "Last resort, of course, but it's an offer that will always be on the table."
"Really, Tien?! That sounds perfect! Please, Mom, can teaching at Tien's dojo be a last resort career for me after college? Pretty please?"
The ox princess firmly crosses her arms, turning her glare to the former champ before dropping her gaze to the grass. After a few moments, she looks up at her eldest son. "I'm okay with this being a back up plan for you on one condition. You are NOT allowed to slack on your studies from now until you graduate." She sticks her hand out to her son. "Do we have a deal, Gohan?"
The teen's eyes widen in shock. His mother is actually AGREEING with this? Without a second thought, he handed his baby brother to Tien and shook his mother's hand. "Agreed. No slacking of my studies until college graduation."
Little Goten's mouth is wide at seeing them coming to peace with the biggest argument between them that he'd ever known. He turns to see the bald man had a similar expression on his face. The boy giggles and taps the man's chest, gaining his attention. "You got them to stop fighting about Big Brother. Thank you!" Tiny, but strong arms wrap around Tien's neck. "I like you. I promise I'll be good tomorrow." The four-year-old pulls back from the hug. "Did you know my daddy? Will you tell me about him?"
"Sure will, kid. I knew him not long before he won the big tournament. I've fought alongside him ever since."
"Alright, boys, it's time to eat and get to bed. Gohan and I have a long day tomorrow and Tien is going to need to get as much sleep as he can get."
Tien follows the family of three into their home. Remembering where it's located, Tien goes to the bathroom to wash his hands. As he turns into the room, he notices that he's got a little shadow. Goten is already following the new man like a duckling.
"Are you washing your hands before dinner?" The little boy asks, tilting his head to the side.
"I've got a lot of dirt and other gross stuff that I can't even see on them. I don't want to eat dirt. Do you?" The tall man playfully smirks and looks down at the boy as he washes his hands. Goten giggles and shakes his head. "Well, you better wash up, too." Tien looks down and sees a little dragon step stool. He nudges it with his foot. "Come on, kid. It'll make your mother happy."
The small Goku look-alike made a sour face, in true childlike manner. The tall, bald man chuckles at the toddler's antics as he finished washing his own, taking the pristine white hand towel to dry them. The boy tilts his head all the way back and asks, "Do I gotta?"
Tien covers his two main eyes with one hand, trying not to bust out laughing. Somehow, Tien is both glad, and slightly bummed that his didn't witness this with his fallen rival. After taking far too many deep breaths than he cares to admit, the former Crane student looks down at the little boy and simply asks, "Do you really want your mom upset with you over not washing your hands?" He pokes his head out the door, and sees Gohan just outside the door. The veteran warrior smiles and winks at the teenager. Pulling his head back in, Tien squats down to little Goten's eye level. "Wanna know a secret?" The little boy perks up and quickly nods his head in pure excitement. "When your momma gets mad, she makes me nervous."
"Are you afraid of Momma?" Goten's big, black eyes sparkle in glee and his smile gets impossibly wider. How the big man wished in that moment that he would have gotten serious with Launch and had a family of his own. If having a family meant all these happy moments, like now, with Trunks, and even clear back when Tien watched Gohan that first time almost ten years ago, then that never before wanting a family has officially become his biggest regret. There was no chance now because he hadn't had any contact with her in close to twenty years.
"A little, but don't tell anyone. Not even Big Brother." Tien holds up his long, thick pinky trying to get the small boy to, not only play along, but more importantly, learn to trust him.
Goten looks up at him, the happy boy's face goes super serious. I'm talking his father's battle serious face. His big brother has shared with him that the men of the Son family never make a promise lightly, nor have they ever broken a promise. This man before him was a big, strong man who is friends with not only his father, but big brother, too. Goten knows he is about to make his first promise to someone outside of his mother and brother. Looking deep into Tien's eyes, Goten wraps his tiny finger the best he can around the thick finger of the big man's. "I promise not to tell anyone, not even Big Brother or Trunks, your secret."
"Good. Now wash up, kid. We don't want your mom's great cooking going cold, do we?"
"No way!" The boy exclaims while he hurries to wash his hands and eat. He is half-Saiyan, after all. He's always hungry, just like his deceased father.
Tien chuckles as he exits after the boy and joins Gohan in the hallway. The teen smiles brightly at the normally serious man. "Ya know, Tien, I've only been around you a few times in my life, and I remember being afraid of you because of your physical presence, but I admit it always surprises me to see how much you change around kids. Thank you for some how knowing how to gain Goten's trust, without needing me to ease him into it."
"Believe it or not, Gohan, this third eye does more than enhances my rugged good looks. It allows me to observe others closely and get a read of their personalities and understand how to interact with them the best. Your little brother… Man, I know you warned me to how like your dad he is, but I never thought it was at that level. It's like your brother is the reincarnation of your dad, but I can tell that he isn't, at least not completely. I don't know how, but I feel we haven't seen the last of your dad on this plain of life."
The rest of the night went smoothly. Tien and Gohan watched the sunset silently, little Goten already in bed. "Tien, what do you think Dad's doing in Otherworld?"
Tien smiles warmly. "Honestly, Gohan, I know he's training like crazy. Not just because he enjoys training, but he misses you like crazy. You breaking into that ascension was his proudest moment of you, but knowing him the way I do, it also drove him crazy to know someone was stronger than himself. That's what always drives your dad to new heights in his training and his strength. He was so proud of you, Gohan. Not just your strength, either. He was so proud of how smart you are. As all of us are of you. I meant what I said that night when I watched you. You have an endless amount of potential, in everything. Your intelligence, your heart, your skill of martial arts, literally anything you dream of for your future you can not only grasp it, but crush it. All of us have your back. That's why I offered you to teach at my dojo as a last resort. You are a humble, country kid. Personally, I think you'd be happiest there, but I understand you have other goals in mind. You're going to not only pass that entrance exam tomorrow, but you are going to set a new standard for that school."
"Man, that's a lot pressure, Tien. So many of our group of friends have put so much on my shoulders after I defeated Cell and Dad died. Dad was the only person who didn't put pressure on me and knew how to calm me down enough to focus." Gohan looks off into the horizon.
The elder leans back and observes the next generation of the group. He had to admit, Gohan has always had a lot of pressure put on him, by all of them. Except from Goku. Goku had the ability to ease away anyone's stress. Tien closes his main eyes and makes a mental link between the two, making Gohan twitch at the intrusion. Easy, Gohan, it's just me. Your dad had an odd ability to ease all of our worries. Without him around, we've all lost that balance. Show me. Show me how he'd take all of the pressure we put on you. I'm sorry for being one to put more pressure on you.
It's okay, Tien. You don't put near as much pressure on me as most of the others do. You want to see me succeed and have happiness. Dad just wanted me to be content and happy. He'd take me fishing, swimming. We'd hike the mountain and just enjoy the beauty of the world. The night before big tests, like the one I have to take tomorrow, he'd just tell me stories of his adventures of his younger years. Completely distracting me from the pressure, always reassuring me that I knew the material, telling me to trust myself. Did Dad ever tell you that I asked him to tell me his side of when you two first met?
Tien smirks. This was Gohan's best quality. He passionately learns all he can of every situation, he HAS to understand all sides of the story. Seeing the youngest hero relaxing his posture, he wants the young man to continue to share with him. I've never talked to him about that night, so I've never heard what he remembers. What'd he say?
Gohan smiles and chuckles. He remembers walking the forest path late at night and seeing the light of your campfire. He hadn't met anyone in his travels at that point that would refuse to help him, so he thought whoever was camping out there would give him some food.
Tien starts chuckling. Well, most people would help a child in the woods in the middle of the night, but at that time in my life, well, I wasn't a good person. I can only imagine what was going through his mind when I attacked him.
Yeah, he wasn't prepared for it, that much was clear. He didn't understand at the time why you would attack first and ask questions later. He admired that in you later. How straight to work you had gone, but he was ashamed that your skill had caught him off guard. He learned then to always be on guard but doesn't look like he's on guard. Then Tanmen found Dad under that tree and helped him and he revealed what he discovered about your… Gohan turns to look about Tien. "What exactly WERE you doing back then? I don't think you've ever said why you were conning those villages."
Tien sobered up pretty quickly. "Tao had come to the Crane Dojo a couple years before that to see where I was in my own training, which was almost complete. He wanted me to prove that I could handle the end goal of assisting him in dividing and conquering the world with scams. That spree when your dad stumbled upon us, was my test. That's why I attacked Goku. I couldn't allow him to live and warn others of what we were doing. We hadn't heard from Tao when to stop the job or anything, later learning that your dad had defeated him, so we decided to stop until after the tournament. So is was basically my tryout for a job to join Tao."
Gohan nods in understanding. "Helpful hint, don't make a mental link with Goten. Piccolo says his thoughts are too sporadic to make a link and he doesn't react well to the intrusion. I better go to bed. Thanks, for listening to me, Tien. I feel better about tomorrow already. Goten warmed up to you so much more quickly than anyone else." Gohan looks back to the sunken sun and rubs his neck. "Do you think if… If I hadn't caused his death… Do you think dad would still be proud of me?"
Tien throws his arm around the teen and gives him a small squeeze. "First of all, there was no one who was more proud of WHO you are, Gohan, than your dad. You were his world." The veteran fighter gently turns Gohan's head to look eye to eye. "Do you believe you killed your dad?"
The teen looks away, tears forming in his eyes, answers, "Yes." It was so softly said, Tien could barely hear the admission. "If I hadn't become so arrogant… If I wasn't getting off on the fear Cell had of me… If I had only LISTENED to ALL of you… Dad would still be around. Goten would know his father. You wouldn't have lost your friend."
The master shifted around to sit in front of the boy. He had no idea he felt so guilty. Taking his head into his hands, Tien closes his eyes and touches his forehead to Gohan's. Images from the cliff from the fateful day with Cell flashes to life in the forefront of both men's minds. Gohan can hear the berating Piccolo yells at his father. But Tien is watching both Gohan's fight and ready to step in if Piccolo physically attacks the still battle exhausted Goku. Cell bloated, preparing to explode the bomb in his body. Goku screaming for his son to run away. The fear of losing his only son clear in the father's voice. "Listen, there's not much time left and there's only one way to save the earth now. Good-bye… friends." Gohan, your father CHOSE to step in when he did. It wasn't just about saving the earth. He was saving US. But he wanted you happy in life. He wanted you to thrive. You didn't kill him. Cell did. He trusted you to learn from your mistake. He loved you more than anything. You didn't kill him, Gohan.
Gohan pulls away, breaking the connection. "Thanks for showing me that, Tien. I didn't know why he stepped in. I always thought it was because I was too immature and arrogant to finish it. I failed my father. I didn't listen to him. Good night, Tien." The teen walks away.
Tien looks to the sky above him. "Goku, if somehow you can hear me. Gohan needs you. He needs to know you don't blame him for your death. Be with him in spirit tomorrow. He's so imbalanced now. He's taken so much onto his shoulders since you've been gone." He stands up, and walks inside. Chichi has the couch set up for him. He lays down and covers himself. Being left alone with his thoughts, Tien remembers the essence of life his fallen comrade had. If Goku had known how much Gohan blames himself, he wouldn't have stayed gone. But any other soldier in a war who falls in battle, stays dead. Their group of friends were an exception to the rule, simply because of the knowledge of the Dragon Balls. By all rights, all of them should be residing in Otherworld, but they aren't.
Creaking floorboards break through Tien's thoughts. Slowly sitting up, ready to protect this family from any threat, he looks in the direction on the noise. Sighing, the former conman rises from the couch and walks over to a little boy. "Goten, you should be asleep. What's wrong?"
"I had a scary dream and Big Brother has a very important day tomorrow. I didn't want to wake him up after he talked to daddy." Tien can see tears in the young tot's eyes and fear.
"Do you always go to Big Brother when you have a bad dream?" Tien whispers to him.
"Yeah, but Momma said that if I have a bad dream tonight, I have to be a big boy and try to be brave." Goten explains while rubbing an eye.
"Come on. You can sleep on my chest. I'll scare away anything that comes after you." The big man picks up the copy of his friend and holds him to his chest and walks back to the couch and covers up. "Go to sleep, buddy. I've got you. See you in the morning."
The next morning, Chichi and Gohan quietly move around the house, trying to locate the youngest Son. Gohan comes down the stairs and sees his baby brother in the arms of the large, three-eyed man, both fast asleep. The teen smiles bright as he turns and goes back up the stairs to his near hysterical mother. "Mom, I found him. Get the camera and follow me. We need evidence to show everyone."
HOLY COW! 5492 words in this chapter. Thank you to those following this series of one-shots.
On August 6, 2021, I partook in a One-on-One Video Chat with John Burgmeier, (The Funimation voice actor for Tien, Shigure, Kurama; and head script writer for Funimation). Remember how toward the end of COL I had said I had received some encouragement from an unlikely source. Well, the end of August 2020, I had a chat with him, and he told me to "Keep up with my writing. Keep doing it."
Anyway, on August 6, I took the chance to thank him for his encouragement. I'll admit, it was a fantastic chat. Catching up from the year, etc… As much as I truly think I caught him off guard, because he didn't know what to say in regard to my appreciation, at first, but he recovered in the BEST way EVER! He started giving me advice. Though I think he thinks I'm younger than I am, but HE freely gave little old me ADVICE on WRITING. Who am I to deserve that?
In conclusion, I HIGHLY recommend any of you who are familiar with the U.S. Funimation dub of anime, take the opportunity to chat with those voice actors. After this second conversation, I feel like John and I may form a friendship, eventually. But if he doesn't want a friendship with me, I'm perfectly ok with that. I'm the type of person who doesn't force anything on anyone. I don't like making anyone feel uncomfortable.
I know he's not going to read these stories, but he built up my confidence when I really don't know if I'm a good creative writer. But you, yeah, you reading this right now. YOU can tell me if I'm a good creative writer. That's why we ask for you to review. Let us know what is working in our stories that you find entertaining. Tell us if something is unclear and leaves you confused. All I ask, is you tell the writer's RESPECTFULLY.
Be kind, stay safe. I love you all.