"Gohan-kun!?"
After my initial shock wore off I did the first logical thing that came to mind. I threw my arms around him and held him as tight as I could. It just seemed right because, I guess somewhere deep inside I was afraid that, if I didn't reach out to him now, he'd just disappear and I 'd be alone again.
"Sheesh Juu-san, I'm happy to see you to, but a little air would be nice."
It took me a few seconds to come out of my reverie and focus on his words. Of course by that time he was already turning rather red, whether it was from lack off air or my sudden physical contact I'm not sure, but I did know that if I didn't back off soon all the blood was going to rush to his head and he'd probably have a brain hemorrhage.
"Gomen Gohan-kun, but it's just been so long since I've seen anyone. I thought everyone was dead even you." I ended in a whisper as I released my grip and stepped back, right into the inner wall of the false tree that concealed us.
"Look there will be plenty of time to talk, just not here, those Hounds will be back and I don't want them picking up your scent just because we sat here reminiscing all day."
And with that he led me further into the tree. I held my ki ball high to illuminate our way, but as it turned out we only had a few feet before we came to a smell hatch in the ground. He knocked twelve times in an odd woodpecker like pattern, and then there was faint click and the sliding of a great deadbolt that had secured the hatch. It opened a few seconds later to reveal a wary face of a young man.
"So this is the great Juuhachi-gou," he said with a voice filled with undisguised awe.
"Not if were still out here when her pursuers return"
As if to punctualize Gohan's statement the Hounds wailing cries returned, growing steadily louder. A look of fear crossed the young boy's face and he disappeared down the hatchway.
"Ladies first." the ever gentlemanly Son gestured to the ladder that would separate me from the Hell Hounds.
I quickly swung my legs down and onto the ladder descending as quickly as I could. Just because the Hounds were following my scent didn't mean they wouldn't be more than happy to catch Gohan, after all, fresh meat is fresh meat.
I looked below me and saw the ground not more than three feet away so I jumped. Landing solidly I waited for Gohan to follow in his descent, which he did only a few moments later.
"Come on, it's just a little further" Gohan motioned the boy to stay and guard the door, which he did reluctantly though reluctantly. I must say I was rather flattered, although my resistance group was very effective, but I had no idea that any of us were actually known by name.
Then again, I thought as I followed Gohan down the dim passageway if he were a member of this resistance cell, then there was probably a good chance that he had told stories of all the members of the old senshi.
All further thoughts were abandoned as we came to a set of heavy iron doors. He easily pushed them open and I instantly became speechless, for the sight I beheld was truly incredible.
It took my eyes a few seconds to adjust to the brightness in comparison
the dim tunnel we had just traveled, but when they did what I witnessed
was incredible. As far as I could see there were people, men women and
children, young and old alike. It may not seem strange or amazing to those
who had not lived during the occupation, but those of us who had were used
to seeing all adults as slaves to the Demons Lords, the old who could no
longer work for their Lord were taken out and butchered. There were even
rumors they their remains were used as rations for the other slaves, knowing
what I do I wouldn't be surprised. At birth all children were taken form
their parents and placed in orphanages, where they were all taught how
to be *good little servants* completely loyal to their masters.
But here there were so many people, free people, it seemed impossible.
Even in my resistance group, all were slaves escaped at one time or another,
except myself. You could tell the difference just in the way they walked
these people held their heads high, life in their eyes. Not like the slaves
I always saw always keeping their heads down, trying their best not attract
attention, never making eye contact, lest their overseers see that their
spirit is not yet broken.
The ceiling was domed and at it's apex would probably reach a height of around fifty feet. Before us was a great staircase roughly hewn out of the same stone the rest of the cave was made out of, it descended down to into a great sunken courtyard where all the people were. The noise was also incredible especially for someone who had a warriors sensitive hearing.
"I'm guessing you like it." Gohan said, obviously observing the way I stared
"Impressive" I said sliding back into my normal impassive demeanor.
"Why don't we take a little tour, I'm sure I can find something that will spark your interest."
I knew Gohan was in no way fooled by my attitude, it seems strange to say considering how different we seem, but he's always been one of the few people I really feel comfortable around. I guess it's could be an inherited trait of likeability from his father or perhaps it's because, if it weren't for him, I would still be soulless murderer.
I followed him down the great stairway long fight of stairs, judging by the smoothness of all the walls and the ceiling I'm guessing that the entire cavern had been created by ki. So that's how Gohan managed to hide so many people, he probably made this place as soon as he realized the severity of our situation. There used to be a town nearby, he probably just evacuated the entire populace here before the demons arrived, considering I hadn't sensed them outside he must have got a hold of some of those ki shields Bulma had been working on before they came. All things considered, it was very impressive that he could hide so many people for so long, especially from beings like the Hell Hounds.
Before we had even reached the last step, those who were not actively working began flocking to Gohan. I noticed that a good portion of them were young women, many of which were doing their best to flirt with him, a hard task considering the nativity of the Son men.
"It would probably take days to show you the entire city because there
are all the civilian quarters, and an extensive network of tunnels, that
we can use to get to basically anywhere within a hundred miles of this
place. In fact the entrance we just used is one many escape routs I made
in case we were ever discovered." He began leading me down one of the larger
passageways, the young women, finding that he was completely ignoring him
left one after another, until we were finally left alone, at least as much
as we could be considering how many other people were around us.