I was really quite fascinated by his story. After all, the last time I had really, seriously talked to him was just after the Cell games. I think it really changed him, not only the huge increase in power, but he also learned that the greater the power you have to more responsibility it carries. I just wish he hadn't had to learn it the hard way, after all it was his irresponsible use of power that got his father killed. And even after the battle was over he still carried the heavy burden of caring for both his mother and young brother. He had really become so much more than I think any of us had anticipated, I mean it was one thing back then to have power, but now he had the knowledge to use it most effectively. It's obvious just by the way he has handled the invasion, holding back and biding his time for the right opportunity. I probably would have just ran headlong into battle to help Krillian, I would have been killed and unable to help this world. But even though he has many more people he cares about, he still allowed the inevitable to happen to them knowing he couldn't help, and instead choose made a difference where he could. And now we finally have the opportunity to avenge all that we have lost.
"Juu-san what's wrong?"
"Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry Gohan-kun I must have been dozing off, you were just talking about going to Satan City, right?"
"Um, no that was about ten minutes ago, I was just explaining how I modified the reactor to provide enough power for both the shield and our own uses. And how could you be tired, I thought you and unlimited energy?"
"Well normally yes, however just like any power generator my internal reactor requires something with which to create the power. I need a few ounces of uranium every fifteen years of so, unfortunately I needed a new supply last year and, with the war on, it was impossible to get a hold of any. Instead I really on my human backups eating and sleeping like everyone else, it's not as efficient a use of time but it keeps me going."
"Didn't Gero make you to be perfect, I mean I thought you were completely self sufficient."
"Well he did have A very large store of uranium in his lab, at least enough to keep Juunana-gou and myself going for at least a few hundred years. He probably figured your father would be dead before we ran out, whether it was by our hand or just old age."
"Yeah well, I guess he finally got what he wanted, even if the final cause wasn't of his design." Gohan sighed, suddenly looking twice his age. I looked into his eyes, sad eyes, they had seen so much even in the tenderest years.
"Perhaps we should take a break and continue in the morning when we can all focus better on this situation." Iyana suggested in her quiet voice.
Neither she, nor Larou had said anything this whole time. Then again, I suppose they already knew the story very well.
"Perhaps you are right, but I think it's up to Juu-san."
"Hai, I could do with some sleep, it's been a very long night for me, and for us all I'm sure." I replied suppressing a yawn.
"Very well then, Iyana will show you to your room. Larou and I still have some work to do."
I nodded my thanks before rising from my seat and heading to the door. I looked back at Iyana who was exchanging a few quiet words with Gohan; eventually she nodded in agreement with him and walked towards me. "Come it is a long way and I do not wish for you to get lost."
She led me straight down a single long twisting passage into the heart of the city. As we progressed I noticed many changes, instead of the dull gray of stone the tunnels down here were much more colorful, sometimes painted different colors in small areas. Every thirty feet or so the was a curtain in the side of the passage, which provided privacy for those on the other side.
"This is our residential area," Iyana quietly pointed out. "Every one of these," here she gestured at another of the hanging cloths, "is a home. They are admittedly a little small, but there is room for everyone here."
As we continued walking we came to a place were the homes were much closer together, and I assume much smaller within as well.
"These are the one person rooms. Now, seeing as all the unoccupied rooms are very far away, and we do not wish for you to get lose your way in the morning," Here she stopped before one room, "You will be staying in Gohan's room. To return to the council chamber it is just straight down that passage," here she pointed down the one we had come. "I hope to see you refreshed and ready to continue in the morning." With this she turned and went back the way we had come.
I have to admit I was a little nervous as I entered the small room, after all this was Gohan's private space and being there alone kind of made me fell like an intruder. The room was dark so I felt around the walls near the door before finally stumbling upon the light switch. As light flooded the room there was only one thought that came to my mind.
'It' s so empty and gray, it seems almost like a tomb.'
And indeed the room was seemingly bare but for the small cot which rested in the farthest corner and a small dresser on the other side of the room. I've never really felt comfortable letting my guard down enough to sleep in an unfamiliar room, so I decided to get acquainted with what little there was. I decided to checkout the dresser first, what with the cot already being rather straightforward and seemingly trust worthy. The drawers contained nothing more devious than a rather bad tie, although what purpose he had for such an unnecessary article of clothing for, especially down here, I'm not exactly sure. That was until I tried to pick it up. It, along with a number of handkerchiefs, was wrapped around something hard and rectangular. I gently began unwrapping the precious bundle to reveal a small picture frame. Although the glass was splintered causing a spider web-like effect across the photo, I could still recognize the picture. It had been taken the day after the Buu incident; Bulma had everyone gathered at Capsule Corp. for a big victory celebration party. Late at night, less than an hour before the party broke up, she had everybody get together for this picture. I still remember it like it was yesterday, Vegeta was complaining and Chichi had the hardest time getting Goku away from the food. It took twenty minutes before everyone was together and the picture could be taken. I can even see part of the chicken leg Goku's got hidden behind his back. I cannot help but smile when I see Krillian trying to put his arm around me, it's almost ridiculous how different we, are even in height, but somehow every difference makes me love him more. Made me love him more. I almost forgot he's dead; they're all dead even Dende, without whom, the Dragonballs cannot exist. There is no way to bring them back this time; I have to win this one on my own.
'But I'm not alone, no anymore. I've got Gohan and this entire city, with which, to fight these Demons. Yet still, I'm not sure that even this will be enough.'
Right now I think sleep would be a blessing, so I carefully wrap the frame up again and put it away. I cross the room over to the cot which, although it looks steady enough, I have had some bad experiences with its kind before. I cautiously lower myself onto it, and miraculously am not immediately dumped onto the floor.
'Gohan is rather heavy, I suppose he would have to get a very sturdy cot to support him.'
Even though I knew I was probably in the safest place in the world,
I still couldn't help but have a few nagging doubts. After all, Golgotha
will stop at nothing to find me, just because the Hell Hounds lost me doesn't
mean that he will just leave. He will continue searching this forest and
the surrounding area until he finds me. But worrying will not help I need
sleep. I close my eyes and put all thoughts aside, eventually I am rewarded
with a gentle slumber.