Iba's notes and shiot: Well...I was in a very good writing mood, or "in the zone", when I did this chapter. Though I don't have much to write, the words are flowing out and making the chapter longer than it should be O_o. Since school is coming around, I'll get back to my monthly updates. I'll shut up now, read and enjoy.
It was a great achievement for Hotaru when she managed to stay awake until 6 am in the morning, with no sign of Gohan whatsoever. Dr. Tomoe was rather surprised when he found his daughter still sleeping in the middle of the day. He began to question himself whether it really was a good idea to bring Hotaru out here or not.
After Hotaru had finally gotten up to return to the beach, Tomoe curiously went into his daughter's temporary room. The carpet was clean, except for a few pieces of clothing here or there. Her bed was made, he noted as he sat down on the sheets.
Things were going on that his own daughter had refused to tell him about. But there was one thing he did know about, and that was the Senshi of Silence. Hotaru's other self that occasionally possessed her, when provoked, or unconcious. As little as he knew of current events he could be damned sure it had something to do with it.
Dr. Tomoe was pulled out of his sea of thought when a gentle, melodious tune found it's way to his ears. He turned to Hotaru's nightstand. Apparently, this tiny silver box was emitting the sound.
Hotaru had awoken around eight pm, the sun was preparing to set, and people were leaving the beach. Everyone knew that the evening was shark feeding time, and it was unsafe to enter the water anymore today.
She was still a little groggy, and had trouble telling if the ocean she was looking at was real or not. Hotaru soon found herself with bare feet in the sand, as the oncoming night slowly cooled the air. She blinked at the sinking ball of fire to only realize that she was looking directly at a shadow.
Gohan hovered just inches above the short rolling waves with his arms folded, and a somewhat saddened look on his face.
Hotaru bowed her head. There was no escape. If Hotaru just kept on running from him, he would keep on catching up to her. Then how many more times would this happen before Gohan finally caught her in his web? There was...no other choice left. It was better to just give up now instead of living in fear.
She spread out her arms, submitting herself. "Just do it already," she said, and lifted her head. Her eyes burned with fear, that could easily be sensed by him.
Still silent, Gohan looked down and shook his head.
What was he doing? He came here to kill her, so he should just do it. "What are you waiting for? Come and get me!"
This time, he dropped his arms to his sides, and made no further gesture.
"You have me now, just do it!" Hotaru felt her eyes begin to water. "Hurry, before you provoke the Senshi again!"
"Hotaru..." Gohan said, in an unexpected tone. He began to lean forward, and slowly moved toward her. "I..." He held out his hand, as a ball of energy grew.
Hotaru swallowed, trying to hold her stance.
Gohan closed his hand and the ball vanished "...can't do it." He leaned backward in mid-air to pull away from her a bit. "I tried, and tried. It would be the right thing to do, to kill you, right? To stop your otherself from getting out. But when you are as you are now, you haven't done anything wrong."
She breathed, in not relief, but disbelief. "Gohan..."
"I mean....I can't take the life of an innocent...but who am I to judge who lives and dies first place? Dammit." His feet landed on the soft sand.
Hotaru fell to her knees and started to sob. "What in the world are you saying?" She put her head in her hands and let the hot tears run down her fingers.
"It's just that..." Gohan knelt down beside her, and put his arms around her. "I'm sorry."
Hotaru shrunk in his hold.
"I'm sorry I threatened you. I'm sorry I frightened you. I'm sorry that I had to humiliate your friend..." he trailed off.
Gohan tightened his embrace. "I can understand if you won't forgive me..."
She couldn't answer. All Hotaru could do was bawl on his shoulder.
Well erm...Yeah, I never feel right about putting romance in my story, because I'm not to sure if I can do it very well... Well....what the hell do you guys think? Review...