Raylin: This is just to tell all of you suspicious people out there that I
don't own DBZ or any other best-selling series of any kind. So would you
stop sending your lawyers to my front door!
Chapter Eight
Earlier. . .
I flew over the plains with incredible speed. I was looking for dinner, preferably a fish. A column of smoke caught my eye. One of the small villages was on fire!
I zoomed over to find the troublemakers. Hovering above a large house was the sight I had been hoping to see for the last 3 years. Part of me had also been dreading it, but that part quickly disappeared as the image laughed evilly. I narrowed my eyes at him. Cooler.
"I bet you don't remember me," I said bravely. There was no quiver in my voice, no sign that I was quailing with terror inside.
Cooler thought a moment, then bowed. "Of course I remember you, princess," he said.
"Good. That means introductions will be short."
"Very short, princess."
We were at a draw. Chaos swam around us, but all of my concentration was on Cooler. I was writhing inside with impatience, but I didn't want to give my defense.
"To quote a wonder book and movie, 'My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.'" I said, powering up to first level. Cooler laughed.
*At the Son's*
"Now why would Raylin power-up to get a fish?" wondered Keecha. She focused her scouter on Raylin's location.
"Gohan, Kisike and Amanda. I think you had better come look at this," said Keecha as she pulled up the information on her computer screen.
"Why is she Super Saiyan?" asked Gohan.
"I think we had better find out," said Amanda.
"Me too," said Keecha.
"Me three!" said Kisike. They shouted at Chichi where they would be as they walked out the door and flew off to help Raylin with whatever trouble she was having.
*Back to the standoff*
"What makes you think I killed your parents?" said Cooler.
"To get to me and my power," I said coldly. This time, Cooler did not laugh.
"So. You finally figured it out."
"Soon enough to return the favor."
"I taught you everything you know," laughed Cooler. "So why don't you just come home with me?" He was giving me a chance to stop this before it even started. I took the opportunity and broke it in half.
"You think you've taught me everything I know? Try this on for size!" I yelled, firing a smaller and less powerful ki blast than my normal blasts. I didn't want him to see how much power I had.
Cooler dodged it easily. I acted surprised, then crestfallen but trying not to show it. Cooler got that familiar glean in his eyes and he fired random ki blasts. They were easy to avoid, but I pretended like they were the hardest things ever thrown at me.
When Cooler was sure he had me in checkmate, he floated in closer to me. I understood why he didn't want to kill me. My power was valuable to him and therefore, so was I. He would probably maim me after this deed. If he was still alive after I was done with him. And I would not be done with him until he was dead.
*Somewhere close by*
"Where is it?" wondered Kisike.
"Okay . . . a little to the left, wait, some more to the right. Okay, that way!" Keecha had become temporarily lost.
"Onward, my trusty steed!" said Kisike to Nimbus. They had been taking turns flying and riding.
"Hey, what's that?" said Amanda, pointing to a line of darker air on the right.
"Something's on fire! We had better go help them," said Gohan.
"But what about Raylin?" said Keecha, but the others were already speeding away.
"Wait up, you guys!" said Keecha and they paused. After she had caught up with them, they sped towards the inferno.
*Back at the ranch (Not really, it's just I was intoxicated with westerns as a child. Bad memories.)*
"Why don't you give up this little escapade and come with me?" asked Cooler. He had a demonic look in his eyes and I refused to go within 20 feet of him. Every time he got closer, I moved away. I know what he could do.
When he got close enough for maximum hurtage, I let loose a kamehameha. It was aimed at his head and got his chest instead.
"So. You've been staying with them," said Cooler. He seemed unaffected by it, but I could tell he was hurting. "Is that the best you have?"
"Not nearly," I said. I powered up to SSJ and watched his eyes widen. "See?"
His eyes narrowed. "I see. Two can play at that game." Very powerful ki blasts shot from his hands. I could dodge them, but not without difficulty.
I now wished I hadn't have been so eager to go SSJ; he could see the full extent of my power. I fired multiple kamehamehas and one hit him in the leg. I could see the blood and burnt skin.
"Not so cocky now, are ya!" I shouted. He began one of his special moves and I grew concerned. I had known all of his moves and their weaknesses three years ago.
While I was trying to think and remember, Cooler fired his shot. It was aimed a little to the left.
'Go left! LEFT!' screamed my brain, but I hesitated. Part of my mind said, 'Right. It's not real. Go right.' I swerved right and felt . . . . nothing as the illusion brushed through me. There was a blast of rushing air on the left.
Before I had a chance to catch my breath, Cooler was throwing countless ki blasts. I got hit once or twice, but it wasn't serious.
'Defense is pointless. Attack and be done with it!' echoed a memory of the past. I think it was my father.
I set up for my specialty attack, the Earth blow. It was like the hill I had made on my tenth birthday, only more controlled. I thought hard about what I wanted to do. This move took away a bunch of my strength, but it would be worth it if it killed Cooler.
The ground started to shake and rumble. A low grinding came from within its depths. Cooler glanced down, surprised, and then looked back up. He thought it was a simple earthquake. I would have to show him otherwise.
Pebbles started spewing out of a large crack in the dirt. I reached for the ground with my mind and pulled. A large spike of rock shot out of the earth, aimed straight for Cooler. He didn't notice until it was right on top of him. Or rather, below him.
A normal person would have been shish-ka-bobbed straight through the chest, but Cooler was quick enough to only be gouged in the leg. I realized then that I had no hope of winning this. I may be the princess of Earth, but Cooler was stronger and more experienced than I.
"Not today!" yelled a very heroic, very ridiculous voice. "I will defend this maiden in distress and by the power of the moon, I order you to surrender!" Kisike had crept up behind us. Keecha, Amanda and Gohan were right behind her.
"Can you hang in there for a few more seconds? Maybe minutes? This weirdo might rake longer than the punching bag. But not much longer," said Amanda.
"Are you hurt?" asked Gohan.
"I'm fine. I just haven't killed him yet," I said, motioning to Cooler.
"So we see," said Keecha.
"Let's kick some purple BOO-TAH!" yelled Amanda.
"Yeah! Nail kitty!" screamed Kisike as she charged into battle.
Cooler shrugged his shoulders and fired blasts at Kisike and Amanda. They easily dodged them and dive-bombed towards Cooler.
"HAHAHAAAA!!!! Insane rush!" yelled Kisike. Cooler focused on her instead of watching Gohan.
Gohan was busy forming a mega large, mega huge, and mega powerful kamehameha, something that would take out Cooler without any other means of assistance. Keecha stayed by him, guarding. Gohan was so wrapped up in the energy ball that he wouldn't be able to block himself, much less see the blows coming.
I saw through their ploy and tried to distract Cooler. He would remember soon enough to look at Gohan.
"Hey, bubble brain! Yeah!" I yelled at Cooler. He turned and Kisike disappeared. When he looked back, she was gone. Cooler didn't mind that though. He still had Amanda to deal with.
"Yah yah YAH!" she yelled as she threw punches and kicks everywhere. Cooler caught almost every single one of them.
"Arggh!!" she yelled in frustration. Then she went into a mode I had never seen before. She seemed peaceful while fighting, kinda like a deer or something. She was faster and stronger than before, but she had that quality of serenity. Meanwhile, Cooler was getting hurt.
Amanda stared at her hands. I could understand why. If I had suddenly found out this hidden power, I would have been mad at myself for not letting it out sooner. Kisike appeared behind Cooler and punched his back. There was a hollow thud as it hit his ribs. While Cooler caught his breath and fought Kisike and Amanda, Gohan was reaching the extent of the ki blast. Keecha moved out of the way as fast as she could when Gohan's face told her he was ready.
"Piggies!" she screamed. Apparently, this was the code word for 'Get away! Fast!' because both Kisike and Amanda broke off and split into different directions. I saw Cooler look around, confused. He would see the kamehameha! I threw a ki blast designed to paralyze him. It would take a lot of my power, but I needed him to die.
"Eat dust!" I yelled, forming a large ki blast and shooting it. Cooler dodged it . . . and jumped straight into the path of the oncoming Megakamehameha. There was a gigantic blast of light and I felt a piece of bloody skin hit my upheld arm. It was too much. The last blast had taken almost all of my ki and I dropped to the ground. I was drained, both spiritually and physically. I faded into the darkness right before the ground caught and embrace my torn, ragged body.
I woke, feeling stiff and beaten. I moaned softly as I sat up and looked around for the others. I was sitting in the middle of a crater. The entire village was gone. Well, it wasn't gone, just in another form. Ashes.
"Hey." A voice was behind me. It was warm and friendly.
"Hey," I said back. Gohan was standing up and looking exhausted. His clothes were undamaged, but he looked about ready to collapse. It was the way he carried himself that really got my attention.
"You okay?" I said.
"Yeah. Just a little tired."
"Understandable."
"Yeah."
We were silent for a few minutes, and then Gohan said, "Have you seen the others?"
"Nope. I only just woke up."
"Oh."
Another pause of calm, then we both started talking at the same time.
"Gohan, I was so scared. I thought something happened to you-"
"Raylin, I thought you were dead. I wanted to hurt Cooler so bad-"
We both stopped. It was a rather awkward moment. I refused to look at Gohan. He might see my very red face. My eyes wandered to the various rocks, but there were none.
"Raylin." Gohan's voice was thick with emotion.
I bit my lip and tried to look at one of the random mountains.
"Raylin," repeated Gohan softly. He touched my chin and my face moved with his hand. I was now looking directly in his warm, inviting eyes. For an instant, I thought about how he seemed taller. Then my mind was back to the real world.
Gohan brushed my hair away from my face with gentle hands. My skin trembled at his touch. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation of being so close to him. I felt the warmth of his breath on my cheeks as he pulled me close. Tenderly, ever so tenderly, his lips were placed against mine. I kissed him back and we stood there for a moment, our lips mixed together. We broke apart and I put my head onto his vest. It was still warm from the kamehameha.
I realized I had nothing to do, no goals to achieve. I had beaten Cooler with the help of my friends. That had been the only goal of my life. I guess I could go back to being princess of Earth, but that seemed boring compared to the past three years I had spent with the Sons.
"Shhh. It's okay. He's gone. Remember? You don't have to be scared anymore," whispered Gohan.
"Whoever said I was scared?" I mumbled. I could feel Gohan smile. He put his arms around me and I let the dam holding the tears for the past three years back break down.
When I was finished, Gohan's shirt was soaked and I couldn't cry anymore. We just stood there, hugging each other. It was partly because we needed something to lean against or else we would collapse, partly for the feeling of another living being in this wasteland.
"I don't think I've ever seen you cry. See? Was that so bad?" said Gohan.
"You haven't. And not really. At least not as bad as breaking my leg in training," I murmured.
"I remember that. You and Amanda were fighting over . . . over me."
"Except you weren't supposed to know."
"Kisike never could keep a secret."
At Kisike's name, I started tearing up. She was gone. Ashes and smoke.
"We might have a slight problem," said Gohan, pointing up.
"Hey guys! Okay, break it up you two. Amanda might see it and go-"
"What is going on here?!?!?!" yelled Amanda. She sounded almost exactly like Chichi. It was scary.
Gohan and I quickly split apart. My ankle gave and I collapsed. Gohan rushed to my side.
"You said you were okay!" he accused in a worried sort of voice. He started checking my leg for cuts and scrapes.
"I thought I was," I winced.
Amanda stared, horrified, at the amount of attention I was getting from Gohan. She was speechless.
"Amanda, you can get territorial after we get home, but until then . . . " Kisike left the threat hanging. To me, she said, "Can you fly?"
"No. I used all of my power right before the big boom."
"Can you fly, Gohan dearest?" Amanda was being sickeningly sweet.
"Uh, no. And I am not your dearest," said Gohan.
"Figures this would have to happen at the worst time . . . " muttered Kisike. "K, this is how it's gonna be. Amanda, I don't trust you with helping them fly. You would let Raylin drop and probably hit on Gohan. So I'll carry both of them." She powered up the SSJ1 and grabbed Gohan with one hand and me with the other.
"Up, up and away!" she said. We flew into the sunset (A/N:I have always wanted to say that!), leaving the ruins behind us. Amanda flew a little behind, stewing over Gohan and I.
"Hey, Mom. We're home," said Gohan. Chichi rushed out to us
"What happened?" said Goku.
"Well, we meet Cooler and now he's 'Hotter'. As in a ash-hot," joked Kisike.
The adults made us sit down and tell the entire story at least three times. I was given a senzu bean and then told to rest to rebuild my ki level. I was ushered to bed by a very bossy Chichi. The others had to explain themselves and everybody was in a bad mood because of empty stomachs. I listened to them talk for a while, then drifted to sleep.
I awoke to hear birds outside my window, making my headache hurt even harder. I sat up and instinctively ducked my head. I looked for the bunk, but it wasn't there. I looked around. I was not in my normal room. Instead, I was in the guest room.
Gohan was sitting in the corner, reading a book.
"You're awake!" he said, jumping to his feet.
"Ugh," was the response. I felt horrible. I probed my ki level and everything was full up. I could do better physically, but the current state could manage.
"Feel better? You only slept, what? A week?" Gohan joked, but I could tell he had been worried.
"Yeah. Much better, thanks. You?"
"I'm good as new."
An uncomfortable minute followed.
"Well, I'd better go tell everybody that you woke up." He stood up.
"Maybe not yet." I stepped closer to Gohan. He looked he wanted to run and stay here at the same time. It was like a fascinated deer looking into the headlights of a car.
Amanda burst through the open door.
"I came as soon as I heard voices," she gasped.
Gohan and I exchanged a nervous glance.
"Look, Amanda. I know you have a major crush on Gohan and think he's reserved an all, but . . ."
"He's mine," said Amanda. Blind Amanda.
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"No, he's not."
"Yes, he is!"
"Stop! I am not yours, Amanda. I don't really care what you think, but I am not yours. And Raylin, I can argue my own side. I don't want you two to fight anymore. Please?" said Gohan.
I glared at Amanda and stopped talking. Amanda looked daggers at me.
"Would you mind leaving the room, Raylin? I need to talk to Amanda alone."
I nodded my head sharply and walked quickly out of the room. After a pause, I went to the kitchen, where I was greeted enthusiastically by Chichi. She made me a large lunch and watched me eat all of it. When I couldn't fit in anymore, I started for the training room.
The G-Fighters were all practicing except for Keecha, who was in her room reading. I was welcomed to practice, so I did. It turns out I was in worse condition than I had thought. My muscles were weak from lying still for a while. I was still sore from the big battle and needed about an hour to get through warm ups.
Around noon, I drifted back by the guest room. Gohan and Amanda weren't there, so I checked the kitchen again. Amanda was sitting at the table, watching Gohan eat.
"Another serving, please!" he said to Chichi. She scooped some more rice out of a pan and into his bowl and poured a nice sauce on top.
I looked closely at Amanda. She seemed the same, but every time she looked at Gohan, her eyes were different. They didn't go misty or lovey-dovey like before. They just looked with no sign of romantic interest at all. Right now, she was looking at him, which was understandable. He was eating twice the amount of food than he usually does and at a greater speed. I actually timed him and he swallowed and entire banana in 3.7 seconds. And the three seconds was only because he had to peel the fruit.
All of the G-Fighters walked into the room silently. Kisike looked like she was ready to burst to talk, but Keecha kept a firm grip on the duct tape that was covering Kisike's mouth.
"We have the understanding that you have beaten Cooler," said Piccolo solemnly. He was more formal than ever.
"Yes. With the help of my friends." I didn't know where this was going, but I wasn't going to leap into anything.
"Haven't you stayed here only to train for this battle?"
"Yes."
"Will-" Piccolo was interrupted by a loud ripping noise.
"What he means to say is, Will ya stay here with us?" said Kisike.
I pondered a moment. "Yes."
"Yippee!" yelled Kisike. "This calls for a celebration!" She picked up a random can of whipped cream out of nowhere and started running around the room, spraying everybody. She especially loved making a pile of whipped cream on top of Krillin's head. It was tough work dragging him down, but she finally managed it.
I laughed with the rest of them, happy to be home. Funny, how I used to consider home as my palace. But what they say really is true. Home is where the heart is.
(A/N: Turns out Krillin is allergic to whipped cream . . .)
Chapter Eight
Earlier. . .
I flew over the plains with incredible speed. I was looking for dinner, preferably a fish. A column of smoke caught my eye. One of the small villages was on fire!
I zoomed over to find the troublemakers. Hovering above a large house was the sight I had been hoping to see for the last 3 years. Part of me had also been dreading it, but that part quickly disappeared as the image laughed evilly. I narrowed my eyes at him. Cooler.
"I bet you don't remember me," I said bravely. There was no quiver in my voice, no sign that I was quailing with terror inside.
Cooler thought a moment, then bowed. "Of course I remember you, princess," he said.
"Good. That means introductions will be short."
"Very short, princess."
We were at a draw. Chaos swam around us, but all of my concentration was on Cooler. I was writhing inside with impatience, but I didn't want to give my defense.
"To quote a wonder book and movie, 'My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.'" I said, powering up to first level. Cooler laughed.
*At the Son's*
"Now why would Raylin power-up to get a fish?" wondered Keecha. She focused her scouter on Raylin's location.
"Gohan, Kisike and Amanda. I think you had better come look at this," said Keecha as she pulled up the information on her computer screen.
"Why is she Super Saiyan?" asked Gohan.
"I think we had better find out," said Amanda.
"Me too," said Keecha.
"Me three!" said Kisike. They shouted at Chichi where they would be as they walked out the door and flew off to help Raylin with whatever trouble she was having.
*Back to the standoff*
"What makes you think I killed your parents?" said Cooler.
"To get to me and my power," I said coldly. This time, Cooler did not laugh.
"So. You finally figured it out."
"Soon enough to return the favor."
"I taught you everything you know," laughed Cooler. "So why don't you just come home with me?" He was giving me a chance to stop this before it even started. I took the opportunity and broke it in half.
"You think you've taught me everything I know? Try this on for size!" I yelled, firing a smaller and less powerful ki blast than my normal blasts. I didn't want him to see how much power I had.
Cooler dodged it easily. I acted surprised, then crestfallen but trying not to show it. Cooler got that familiar glean in his eyes and he fired random ki blasts. They were easy to avoid, but I pretended like they were the hardest things ever thrown at me.
When Cooler was sure he had me in checkmate, he floated in closer to me. I understood why he didn't want to kill me. My power was valuable to him and therefore, so was I. He would probably maim me after this deed. If he was still alive after I was done with him. And I would not be done with him until he was dead.
*Somewhere close by*
"Where is it?" wondered Kisike.
"Okay . . . a little to the left, wait, some more to the right. Okay, that way!" Keecha had become temporarily lost.
"Onward, my trusty steed!" said Kisike to Nimbus. They had been taking turns flying and riding.
"Hey, what's that?" said Amanda, pointing to a line of darker air on the right.
"Something's on fire! We had better go help them," said Gohan.
"But what about Raylin?" said Keecha, but the others were already speeding away.
"Wait up, you guys!" said Keecha and they paused. After she had caught up with them, they sped towards the inferno.
*Back at the ranch (Not really, it's just I was intoxicated with westerns as a child. Bad memories.)*
"Why don't you give up this little escapade and come with me?" asked Cooler. He had a demonic look in his eyes and I refused to go within 20 feet of him. Every time he got closer, I moved away. I know what he could do.
When he got close enough for maximum hurtage, I let loose a kamehameha. It was aimed at his head and got his chest instead.
"So. You've been staying with them," said Cooler. He seemed unaffected by it, but I could tell he was hurting. "Is that the best you have?"
"Not nearly," I said. I powered up to SSJ and watched his eyes widen. "See?"
His eyes narrowed. "I see. Two can play at that game." Very powerful ki blasts shot from his hands. I could dodge them, but not without difficulty.
I now wished I hadn't have been so eager to go SSJ; he could see the full extent of my power. I fired multiple kamehamehas and one hit him in the leg. I could see the blood and burnt skin.
"Not so cocky now, are ya!" I shouted. He began one of his special moves and I grew concerned. I had known all of his moves and their weaknesses three years ago.
While I was trying to think and remember, Cooler fired his shot. It was aimed a little to the left.
'Go left! LEFT!' screamed my brain, but I hesitated. Part of my mind said, 'Right. It's not real. Go right.' I swerved right and felt . . . . nothing as the illusion brushed through me. There was a blast of rushing air on the left.
Before I had a chance to catch my breath, Cooler was throwing countless ki blasts. I got hit once or twice, but it wasn't serious.
'Defense is pointless. Attack and be done with it!' echoed a memory of the past. I think it was my father.
I set up for my specialty attack, the Earth blow. It was like the hill I had made on my tenth birthday, only more controlled. I thought hard about what I wanted to do. This move took away a bunch of my strength, but it would be worth it if it killed Cooler.
The ground started to shake and rumble. A low grinding came from within its depths. Cooler glanced down, surprised, and then looked back up. He thought it was a simple earthquake. I would have to show him otherwise.
Pebbles started spewing out of a large crack in the dirt. I reached for the ground with my mind and pulled. A large spike of rock shot out of the earth, aimed straight for Cooler. He didn't notice until it was right on top of him. Or rather, below him.
A normal person would have been shish-ka-bobbed straight through the chest, but Cooler was quick enough to only be gouged in the leg. I realized then that I had no hope of winning this. I may be the princess of Earth, but Cooler was stronger and more experienced than I.
"Not today!" yelled a very heroic, very ridiculous voice. "I will defend this maiden in distress and by the power of the moon, I order you to surrender!" Kisike had crept up behind us. Keecha, Amanda and Gohan were right behind her.
"Can you hang in there for a few more seconds? Maybe minutes? This weirdo might rake longer than the punching bag. But not much longer," said Amanda.
"Are you hurt?" asked Gohan.
"I'm fine. I just haven't killed him yet," I said, motioning to Cooler.
"So we see," said Keecha.
"Let's kick some purple BOO-TAH!" yelled Amanda.
"Yeah! Nail kitty!" screamed Kisike as she charged into battle.
Cooler shrugged his shoulders and fired blasts at Kisike and Amanda. They easily dodged them and dive-bombed towards Cooler.
"HAHAHAAAA!!!! Insane rush!" yelled Kisike. Cooler focused on her instead of watching Gohan.
Gohan was busy forming a mega large, mega huge, and mega powerful kamehameha, something that would take out Cooler without any other means of assistance. Keecha stayed by him, guarding. Gohan was so wrapped up in the energy ball that he wouldn't be able to block himself, much less see the blows coming.
I saw through their ploy and tried to distract Cooler. He would remember soon enough to look at Gohan.
"Hey, bubble brain! Yeah!" I yelled at Cooler. He turned and Kisike disappeared. When he looked back, she was gone. Cooler didn't mind that though. He still had Amanda to deal with.
"Yah yah YAH!" she yelled as she threw punches and kicks everywhere. Cooler caught almost every single one of them.
"Arggh!!" she yelled in frustration. Then she went into a mode I had never seen before. She seemed peaceful while fighting, kinda like a deer or something. She was faster and stronger than before, but she had that quality of serenity. Meanwhile, Cooler was getting hurt.
Amanda stared at her hands. I could understand why. If I had suddenly found out this hidden power, I would have been mad at myself for not letting it out sooner. Kisike appeared behind Cooler and punched his back. There was a hollow thud as it hit his ribs. While Cooler caught his breath and fought Kisike and Amanda, Gohan was reaching the extent of the ki blast. Keecha moved out of the way as fast as she could when Gohan's face told her he was ready.
"Piggies!" she screamed. Apparently, this was the code word for 'Get away! Fast!' because both Kisike and Amanda broke off and split into different directions. I saw Cooler look around, confused. He would see the kamehameha! I threw a ki blast designed to paralyze him. It would take a lot of my power, but I needed him to die.
"Eat dust!" I yelled, forming a large ki blast and shooting it. Cooler dodged it . . . and jumped straight into the path of the oncoming Megakamehameha. There was a gigantic blast of light and I felt a piece of bloody skin hit my upheld arm. It was too much. The last blast had taken almost all of my ki and I dropped to the ground. I was drained, both spiritually and physically. I faded into the darkness right before the ground caught and embrace my torn, ragged body.
I woke, feeling stiff and beaten. I moaned softly as I sat up and looked around for the others. I was sitting in the middle of a crater. The entire village was gone. Well, it wasn't gone, just in another form. Ashes.
"Hey." A voice was behind me. It was warm and friendly.
"Hey," I said back. Gohan was standing up and looking exhausted. His clothes were undamaged, but he looked about ready to collapse. It was the way he carried himself that really got my attention.
"You okay?" I said.
"Yeah. Just a little tired."
"Understandable."
"Yeah."
We were silent for a few minutes, and then Gohan said, "Have you seen the others?"
"Nope. I only just woke up."
"Oh."
Another pause of calm, then we both started talking at the same time.
"Gohan, I was so scared. I thought something happened to you-"
"Raylin, I thought you were dead. I wanted to hurt Cooler so bad-"
We both stopped. It was a rather awkward moment. I refused to look at Gohan. He might see my very red face. My eyes wandered to the various rocks, but there were none.
"Raylin." Gohan's voice was thick with emotion.
I bit my lip and tried to look at one of the random mountains.
"Raylin," repeated Gohan softly. He touched my chin and my face moved with his hand. I was now looking directly in his warm, inviting eyes. For an instant, I thought about how he seemed taller. Then my mind was back to the real world.
Gohan brushed my hair away from my face with gentle hands. My skin trembled at his touch. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation of being so close to him. I felt the warmth of his breath on my cheeks as he pulled me close. Tenderly, ever so tenderly, his lips were placed against mine. I kissed him back and we stood there for a moment, our lips mixed together. We broke apart and I put my head onto his vest. It was still warm from the kamehameha.
I realized I had nothing to do, no goals to achieve. I had beaten Cooler with the help of my friends. That had been the only goal of my life. I guess I could go back to being princess of Earth, but that seemed boring compared to the past three years I had spent with the Sons.
"Shhh. It's okay. He's gone. Remember? You don't have to be scared anymore," whispered Gohan.
"Whoever said I was scared?" I mumbled. I could feel Gohan smile. He put his arms around me and I let the dam holding the tears for the past three years back break down.
When I was finished, Gohan's shirt was soaked and I couldn't cry anymore. We just stood there, hugging each other. It was partly because we needed something to lean against or else we would collapse, partly for the feeling of another living being in this wasteland.
"I don't think I've ever seen you cry. See? Was that so bad?" said Gohan.
"You haven't. And not really. At least not as bad as breaking my leg in training," I murmured.
"I remember that. You and Amanda were fighting over . . . over me."
"Except you weren't supposed to know."
"Kisike never could keep a secret."
At Kisike's name, I started tearing up. She was gone. Ashes and smoke.
"We might have a slight problem," said Gohan, pointing up.
"Hey guys! Okay, break it up you two. Amanda might see it and go-"
"What is going on here?!?!?!" yelled Amanda. She sounded almost exactly like Chichi. It was scary.
Gohan and I quickly split apart. My ankle gave and I collapsed. Gohan rushed to my side.
"You said you were okay!" he accused in a worried sort of voice. He started checking my leg for cuts and scrapes.
"I thought I was," I winced.
Amanda stared, horrified, at the amount of attention I was getting from Gohan. She was speechless.
"Amanda, you can get territorial after we get home, but until then . . . " Kisike left the threat hanging. To me, she said, "Can you fly?"
"No. I used all of my power right before the big boom."
"Can you fly, Gohan dearest?" Amanda was being sickeningly sweet.
"Uh, no. And I am not your dearest," said Gohan.
"Figures this would have to happen at the worst time . . . " muttered Kisike. "K, this is how it's gonna be. Amanda, I don't trust you with helping them fly. You would let Raylin drop and probably hit on Gohan. So I'll carry both of them." She powered up the SSJ1 and grabbed Gohan with one hand and me with the other.
"Up, up and away!" she said. We flew into the sunset (A/N:I have always wanted to say that!), leaving the ruins behind us. Amanda flew a little behind, stewing over Gohan and I.
"Hey, Mom. We're home," said Gohan. Chichi rushed out to us
"What happened?" said Goku.
"Well, we meet Cooler and now he's 'Hotter'. As in a ash-hot," joked Kisike.
The adults made us sit down and tell the entire story at least three times. I was given a senzu bean and then told to rest to rebuild my ki level. I was ushered to bed by a very bossy Chichi. The others had to explain themselves and everybody was in a bad mood because of empty stomachs. I listened to them talk for a while, then drifted to sleep.
I awoke to hear birds outside my window, making my headache hurt even harder. I sat up and instinctively ducked my head. I looked for the bunk, but it wasn't there. I looked around. I was not in my normal room. Instead, I was in the guest room.
Gohan was sitting in the corner, reading a book.
"You're awake!" he said, jumping to his feet.
"Ugh," was the response. I felt horrible. I probed my ki level and everything was full up. I could do better physically, but the current state could manage.
"Feel better? You only slept, what? A week?" Gohan joked, but I could tell he had been worried.
"Yeah. Much better, thanks. You?"
"I'm good as new."
An uncomfortable minute followed.
"Well, I'd better go tell everybody that you woke up." He stood up.
"Maybe not yet." I stepped closer to Gohan. He looked he wanted to run and stay here at the same time. It was like a fascinated deer looking into the headlights of a car.
Amanda burst through the open door.
"I came as soon as I heard voices," she gasped.
Gohan and I exchanged a nervous glance.
"Look, Amanda. I know you have a major crush on Gohan and think he's reserved an all, but . . ."
"He's mine," said Amanda. Blind Amanda.
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"No, he's not."
"Yes, he is!"
"Stop! I am not yours, Amanda. I don't really care what you think, but I am not yours. And Raylin, I can argue my own side. I don't want you two to fight anymore. Please?" said Gohan.
I glared at Amanda and stopped talking. Amanda looked daggers at me.
"Would you mind leaving the room, Raylin? I need to talk to Amanda alone."
I nodded my head sharply and walked quickly out of the room. After a pause, I went to the kitchen, where I was greeted enthusiastically by Chichi. She made me a large lunch and watched me eat all of it. When I couldn't fit in anymore, I started for the training room.
The G-Fighters were all practicing except for Keecha, who was in her room reading. I was welcomed to practice, so I did. It turns out I was in worse condition than I had thought. My muscles were weak from lying still for a while. I was still sore from the big battle and needed about an hour to get through warm ups.
Around noon, I drifted back by the guest room. Gohan and Amanda weren't there, so I checked the kitchen again. Amanda was sitting at the table, watching Gohan eat.
"Another serving, please!" he said to Chichi. She scooped some more rice out of a pan and into his bowl and poured a nice sauce on top.
I looked closely at Amanda. She seemed the same, but every time she looked at Gohan, her eyes were different. They didn't go misty or lovey-dovey like before. They just looked with no sign of romantic interest at all. Right now, she was looking at him, which was understandable. He was eating twice the amount of food than he usually does and at a greater speed. I actually timed him and he swallowed and entire banana in 3.7 seconds. And the three seconds was only because he had to peel the fruit.
All of the G-Fighters walked into the room silently. Kisike looked like she was ready to burst to talk, but Keecha kept a firm grip on the duct tape that was covering Kisike's mouth.
"We have the understanding that you have beaten Cooler," said Piccolo solemnly. He was more formal than ever.
"Yes. With the help of my friends." I didn't know where this was going, but I wasn't going to leap into anything.
"Haven't you stayed here only to train for this battle?"
"Yes."
"Will-" Piccolo was interrupted by a loud ripping noise.
"What he means to say is, Will ya stay here with us?" said Kisike.
I pondered a moment. "Yes."
"Yippee!" yelled Kisike. "This calls for a celebration!" She picked up a random can of whipped cream out of nowhere and started running around the room, spraying everybody. She especially loved making a pile of whipped cream on top of Krillin's head. It was tough work dragging him down, but she finally managed it.
I laughed with the rest of them, happy to be home. Funny, how I used to consider home as my palace. But what they say really is true. Home is where the heart is.
(A/N: Turns out Krillin is allergic to whipped cream . . .)