Gohan and Bardock were at the table, mountains of dishes surrounding the two, signs of their now sedated ravenous hunger. Marcus and Cindel had welcomed Bardock into their house without question when Gohan had brought him to them asking if he could stay. And when they found out he was Gohan's grandfather they were bustling with questions, but decided to wait until the two were in a more talkative, less 'eating-anything-in-sight' mood.
Gohan's looking better than he has since we found him… Cindel mussed as she picked up the dishes and brought them to the sink to wash. He's actually laughing now, and it seems like this grandfather of his is doing him a lot of good. I wonder where he came from…Cindel shrugged, and giggled as Marcus came up behind her. She smiled blissfully as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck affectionately.
"And how are you doing today love?" Marcus laughed as she 'bumped' him in response.
"Oh I'm doing just fine dear." She said sweetly as she turned in his arms so she was facing him. She smiled up at him, then looking over his shoulder she smiled again. She saw into next room, Gohan and Bardock talking, both of them with smiles on their faces. "What do you think of that?" She motioned her head past her husband at the two.
Marcus's smile brightened and he nodded, not having to turn around to see what she was pointing at. "I think it is wonderful, I am so glad that he is finally experiencing some form of happiness at last."
Cindel nodded, still watching the two. She suddenly broke out into a fit of laughter as Bardock, in a rage of laughter, whacked Gohan so hard on the back he fell forwards, crashing into the table.
"God that was funny!" Bardock still clutched his side as he laughed; wiping a few tears away from his eyes he reached down and helped Gohan up. "Wow…I can't believe my son had the same fear of needles as I do…" Bardock sat back down still smiling. "God I wish I would have known my son, but from what you say, at least he lived a great life, and left you behind to show for it." Bardock winked, making Gohan blush slightly and lower his head.
Gohan stood up suddenly, surprising Bardock a bit. "I think I'm going to go out for a bit, I need some time alone…"
Bardock nodded, thinking. I really don't think it's a good idea for him to go off on his own like that…but I guess it's his decision…"Well if your going off to think a while, then I think I'm going to bed, I'll see you in the morning ok?" Bardock stood up and walked back towards his guest room. He stopped at the entrance to the hallway, one hand on the wall as he glanced back at Gohan again. "And don't forget, we got a lot of training to get started in the morning, so find at least some time for rest, ok?"
Gohan smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, I'll get enough rest, and as for the training…" Gohan gave Bardock a quick wink of his own. "I think you're the one that needs rest."
Bardock laughed and turned away, making his way back to his spare room.
Gohan waved to the snuggling lovebirds that were also making their way back towards the bedrooms, no doubt not to get some energizing sleep. "I'm just going out for a bit, I need some time to think."
Marcus had his arm around his wife's shoulders; he had previously been whispering something into her ear that had been making her giggle and nod. Marcus wheeled around, bringing Cindel with him as he turned towards Gohan. Cindel laughed again, clutching his side so she didn't lose her balance and tip over. Marcus brought his arm from around her shoulder and slid it down to around her waist; he leaned to the side and held her up lopsidedly supporting her as she leaned on him, still trying to stop giggling. "Ok Gohan, try not to stay out too late!" Cindel could only nod at what her husband had said and wave her goodbyes at Gohan as Marcus spun the back around again and started to make off towards their bedroom.
Gohan smiled as he watched the two go back the hallway, Marcus kicking their door open and turning around, pulling his now dead weight wife in after him. Gohan chuckled as he turned away and opened the door; but just as he was about to close it he heard a loud crash and an annoyed Bardock scream for some peace and quiet. I think I'll just leave them alone. Gohan snickered to himself as he shut the door and turned away, glancing up into the night sky.
Gohan took a deep breath, letting his lungs fill with the cool night air. He smiled to himself and stretched backwards, his arms reaching high into the air, his back cracking and popping, sending shivering sensations down his spine. God…I love cool nights like this…so calm, peaceful, not a care in the world. Gohan floated slowly up into the sky. After he was higher in the air he blasted off in a random direction, enjoying the feel of the wind cutting through his hair and whipping his clothes against his body. Well…things are starting to get a little better…but things are still so wrong. I just hope Bardock can help me…Gohan glanced around him, the bright moon above him, and the reflecting aura of it shining up at him from the ocean below. God this planet is so beautiful…I can't let anything happen to it…it's so like home…Gohan shut his eyes, trying to stop the few stray tears that made their way down his cheek. Home…
The bright sunrise filled the horizon with golden light. Birds up at dawn awoke and began to sing their wake up songs to the world. The last few stray night animals scurrying back to their dens as the world awoke to the day. The previous night had been filled with much thought for Gohan. He had flown all over the world admiring little things like water falls, images, the illuminating white glow of cities caressing the dark valleys in the night. Daybreak found Gohan now sleeping comfortably, if slightly restless on the couch in the living room of Marcus's home.
Gohan yawned, opening his eyes partially. God it feels early…Gohan closed his eyes again, bringing his arms high above his head, his back cracking and popping as he stretched. But now it's time for training. Gohan smiled as he came fully awake. "I just hope Bardock is ready for this."
"Ready for what may I ask?" Gohan swiveled his head to the side, looking down the hallway, just in time to see Bardock come out of the bathroom. He was wearing a pair of loose blue boxers, scratching his head as he yawned. Bardock brought his hand away from his head and shook it furiously, droplets of water spraying all over the walls and floor. "Nothing like a shower before a good hard day of training!" Bardock smiled and flexed his muscles, stretching his arms behind his back. His chest and abdomen solidified, the many battle scars over his body almost looked to be growing. Bardock relaxed, his arms coming back to his sides as he shook himself one more time heading back towards his room. "Get ready Gohan, we're going to begin very shortly." Bardock rounded the corner and entered back into his room to change.
Gohan leaned his head back against the pillow, smiling lightly. "He's quite the guy." Gohan brought his knees to his chest and kicked out; flipping over as he landed smoothly on his feet, facing the couch he was previously sleeping on. "I really don't need a shower…I bathed in the lake last night. I just need some…" Gohan's thoughts were cut off as he felt a surge of energy in the back of his mind. He couldn't tell what it was, or how far away it was, he just felt a flicker of a massive power. "Food…" That must have been Bardock I just felt…Gohan shook off the feeling he felt as he heard movement behind him.
"Good morning Gohan! I'm glad to see you waking up instead of dragging yourself through he door." Cindel moved around Gohan, patting him on the shoulder as she made her way to the kitchen, already beginning the chore of preparing breakfast for the five residents of her home. "Seriously Gohan, you should really stop staying out late like that, even your grandfather went to sleep at a reasonable hour.
"Gohan!!" Gohan turned back to the hallway, laughing as a small blond haired girl latched herself onto his leg.
Cindel smiled again. "And when your not here all day, and your out all night, you barely ever get to see Loralee."
Gohan smiled and dropped his gaze back down at the blond haired child, still stuck fast to his leg. "You miss me Loralee?" The girl nodded against his leg. Gohan smiled fuller. "Then I'll just have to stick around here more often huh?" The girl hugged his leg harder and looked up at him. Her sapphire eyes shinning up as she smiled at him.
"Uh huh." She answered simply, soon detaching herself from his leg to jump into her father's arms, who had just come from the bathroom and was now sporting a set of baggy pants and a white shirt. His hair was still damp, but soon would be dry from the heat of the mourning sun.
"So what do we have here?" Marcus made his way over behind his wife, Loralee cradled against his shoulder. He kissed Cindel on the side of the neck. She smiled and tilted her head back, her hands still moving on their own, continuing with their labor of preparing breakfast. "Mmm, looks good hun, keep it up."
"You better make extra." Came a voice from the hallway. "Sayins eat a lot as you already know, and since Gohan and I are going to be training all day, I should warn you we are going to be famished by the time we get back." Bardock made his way out to the kitchen area, giving Gohan a proud smile as he sat down. "So how was last night Gohan? Find any answers to the questions and emotions that are disturbing you?"
Gohan gawked slightly, then shrugged, still not used to Bardock knowing so much about him so soon. "Not really, I just enjoyed the night. This planet is an extremely beautiful place." Gohan nodded thanks as Cindel placed an over filling plate in front of him, and began to help himself to the bountiful mounds of toast, eggs, cream, cakes, and a few very tasty things that he wasn't quite sure the origins of.
Bardock likewise began to eat heartily, nearly jamming the food down his throat before his teeth could chew it. Bardock paused momentarily, glancing again over at Gohan with approval on his face. "Well hopefully with the training we will be doing now, you will become more in sync with your body, and the strain and questions you seek answers for will become more clear and handle-able." Bardock gave him a reassuring smile and went back to his eating.
Gohan paused, a piece of toast dangling dangerously close to slipping between his fingers as he considered these words. Well hopefully he's right. Gohan shook his head lightly and brought the toast to his mouth, taking a hefty bite and continuing with his meal.
After the two Sayins had consumed nearly all the food, leaving just enough behind for the other three who had up to this point been trying not to stare at the way the food just disappeared when it got too close to either of their hands. "Um, c-could you pass the um…um…" Cindel had tried to make a stab at getting some of the toast, but right before her eyes she saw it dematerialize into the mouths of the two hungry Sayins. "Um, I think I'll just go make a bit more…" Cindel pushed away from the table, and turned away to prepare more for her and her husband and child. Those two…Ohhh Cindel huffed quietly to herself as she moved about the kitchen. Just wait, they are the ones doing the dishes!
Bardock pushed away from the table moments after Cindel had left the room. He stretched his arms up in the air, sighing in delight. "That was great!" Bardock patted his stomach contentedly. "I haven't eaten so well in a long time. I can't wait for supper tonight!" Bardock glanced over at Gohan to see how he was faring, and smiled broader as he saw Gohan just finishing his last sweet cake and pat his stomach. "Well ready to go Gohan? We still have a long day ahead of us."
Gohan nodded his head as he stood up. "Well let's get to it Bardock!" Gohan patted Loralee on the head, making sure she knew he'd be back before her bedtime and waved bye to Marcus.
Marcus paused from his eating, waving to the two. "You two have a good time."
"And be careful!!" Came Cindel's remark from the kitchen. She wasn't presently in the room, but she still heard everything. "Don't kill each other, and try to get home early enough for supper! I don't want to go through all the trouble of making everything all over again when you two get back, you hear me?" After a few seconds without a response she glanced around into the eating room that only held Marcus and her daughter eating quietly. Oh those two! Cindel narrowed her eyes and went back to cooking double time, pouring her frustration into her hands, moving faster and harder than she normally did. Maybe there won't be any dinner waiting for them!