Chapter 9
How Many More?
Moments converge, slamming into one another.
Sliding
Slipping
Smudging reality into a malleable paste.
This is where we are.
This is who we were.
Today is present, confused and swirling around itself.
Frieze fired furiously, blinding all who watched. His blasts multiplied and grew like a brilliantly charged atomic cloud. The earth rumbled from the critically massed charges. Vegeta was lost within the fire, waves of debris and heat obscuring his form from view. Gohan, Krillin and Yamcha watched breathlessly. Piccolo bared his teeth, clenched his fists and waited, growling his frustration.
Frieze stood transfixed by his own fireworks. He knew he'd launched the most deadly ki possible, leaving little or probability for survival. A grin slid across his pale, stretched face. He loved killing Vegeta again.
"Nice show. Too bad it was wasted you stupid bastard."
Vegeta's voice rumbled from directly behind Frieze's ear. The strange villain spun but it was too late as the prince's fist plunged into his face, tearing circuitry, flesh and metal simultaneously. Vegeta pulsed with his Super Saiyan powers, his ki was so highly charged it crackled and popped.
"You…you BITCH" Frieze's speech was impeded by the wounds inflicted by the might Saiyan's fist. Vegeta merely laughed at his enemy's desperate attempt to insult him. His laugh was low and melodious. He'd dreamed of this day – the day he would avenge the annihilation of his people, his planet, his father, his identity, himself.
Vegeta threw a tremendous, swift roundhouse kick to Frieze's head sending him flying into a nearby tower of rock. A sickening crunch met their ears; internal damage had to be imminent. The enemy rose slowly, wiping his mouth. Up to this point, Vegeta had surprised him. Even shocked him. But no more. From this moment forward Vegeta would pay for injuring him. His miserable life would be payment enough.
"Cooler! I'm a bit busy here. I want you to get rid of those…people" he waved his hand in the fighters' direction. He had said, "people" like it was a scourge, a disease.
Chi Chi sat up straight on the sofa. It was still pitch black out. She thought she'd seen a small figure floating near the doorway. Her pulse pounded wildly in her ears, her blood rushing through her veins because it was being hurled forward from her madly beating heart. She tried to focus on the figure but it was blurry.
"Chatsou? Is that you?"
It disappeared instantly. Chi Chi clutched the afghan to her chest trying to relax and calm down. The fright had thrown her body into almost shock state. It was nothing, she told herself. But she didn't feel convinced. It was something. What - she had no idea. She lay back down uneasily. She'd try to get back to sleep. Yes, she needed more sleep.
Goku bounded through the entrance to the sleeping quarters. Since Chantisu had become pregnant, he had slept even less than before. He usually only needed about four or five hours. Now two or three sufficed, his energy raged on spurring him to greater heights of fitness and mastery in the training space. He didn't miss the sleep, in fact, he rarely felt tired.
He didn't see Chanti. Maybe she was sleeping. He peeked into the curtains round the bed. The sight that met him frightened him. She was there all right – she was tossing in pain and her brow was totally soaked with sweat. She smiled wanly at him.
"Oh Goku. I'm glad you're here."
A sharp pain ripped through her abdomen. He felt it. Christ, that was some of the worse pain he'd ever encountered. He doubled over and struggled his way to the side of the bed.
"Is it the baby?" he asked grasping her hand.
She nodded, unable to speak through the contraction. He willed his mind to separate from hers. There was no way he could help her if he was right there in the trenches with her. He stroked her forehead and felt their connection fade slightly.
Bending to her ear he whispered, "Don't be afraid. I'm here. We'll get through this." She nodded again. Her body began to relax. She lay back on the pillow.
"We'll need towels, hot water and clothes for the baby."
Goku flew through the chamber gathering the list. He didn't want her to face another contraction alone. He felt bad enough that he hadn't sensed she was in labor before. He flashed back to her side. Goku raised a glass to her lips.
"It's just water. You look like you need some."
She smiled her thanks and took a sip. Pushing the glass away she rose again, her face screwed up in agony. She never cried out. She was a Saiyan and while pain wasn't pleasant, a warrior needed to tolerate it.
Goku reached for her hand. She grabbed it and squeezed as the contraction pushed down on her like a vise grip. Chanti breathed rapidly, almost panting. He noticed the change immediately. She nodded her head to the foot of the bed.
"Now Goku, get down there."
He leaped to the end of the bed and stood looking for the entire world like a kitten that had been dropped off in the middle of the freeway. She would have laughed if the situation were not so serious.
"He's coming. I can feel it."
It was all she could get out. Goku tried to ready himself; crouching down and prepared to do whatever it was that people did when a baby was born.
"I can see it! I can see his head." He reached down and petted the wet, warm hair.
"Hi. I'm your daddy. Come on now."
Chanti started to cry silently. Goku was so gentle, so kind, everything she never thought a Saiyan could be. And he was the father of her child.
Chantisu grit her teeth and bore down. There was no way she was going to endure this one more minute.
"The head's out. Stop! I think I need to turn him."
She panted, holding off the urge to push.
"Okay, Chanti push. Go for it."
Growling wildly in her throat she gave a mighty push and she felt the shoulders pass and the rest merely slipped right out.
"She's out! She's out!"
"She?!"
Tears streamed down Goku's face as he placed his precious, perfect daughter on his mate's stomach.
"Baby girl." Chanti kissed her tiny wet head. Goku quickly covered her with a towel.
"She's gorgeous. Just like her mom."
He kissed her quickly and wiped his face, finally feeling the tears.
"Goku, we need to tie the cord."
He looked for something to use. She handed him a clothespin from the night table.
"Won't it hurt her?" His face was full of protective concern.
"No Honey. She won't feel a thing."
He gave her a quick look to make sure. Chanti nodded.
He clamped the cord.
"Once it stops throbbing, then you cut it."
"What?!"
She took his hand. "It's okay. You can do it. I promise she'll be fine."
Then a pain took her over.
"Chanti! What's wrong?"
She answered as best she could through gritted teeth, "Afterbirth."
His face was full of concern. He'd never seen a baby born before. He had no idea what to do. He lifted the baby from her, giving her a moment to get through the pain.
He cradled her in his arms and looked into her tiny face. She was wailing lustily. He smiled.
"It's okay, baby. Daddy's here. You go ahead and cry."
He marveled at her minute features. Her face carried the graceful curve of her mother's nose, her eyes were pitch black like his. Definitely her mother's chin and there was no denying the wild shock of black hair came from him. Quickly counting, yes, all twenty there. She was truly perfect.
"Goku, cut the cord. We need to get this finished."
Chantisu was all business. Saiyan women didn't fool around when it came to childbirth Goku supposed. He lifted the cord and shot the tiniest ki blast through it, severing the cord instantly. He wrapped baby girl in blankets and set her gently on the extra bed.
Returning to Chanti's side, they finished what needed to be done. The afterbirth came fairly quickly and the new family was able to rest together.
"What will we name her?"
Goku furrowed his brow in concentration. He played with her miniature fingers.
"She needs a pretty name. She's so pretty."
Chanti smiled at him. He was so proud of her. And he didn't mind her being a girl at all. In fact, he seemed to delight in it. He let go of her fingers to see what she'd do.
"How about Toshi?" Chanti suggested.
Goku looked at his daughter again. "Well, she does look just like us both."
Chanti could see him rolling it around in his mind.
"What do you think, Toshi?"
The baby gurgled in response and sucked her fist.
"She likes it!" Goku laughed. "Toshi it is."
Thanks to all who send feedback. It's appreciated.
BTW Toshi means "mirror image".
Goku's Girl