Author's Note: I'm back with the second to the last chapter of this ficcy of mine! *starts crying* I really don't want this to end... that's why there's going to be a sequel! Although I still don't know when I'll start working on it. Anyway, let's see... I'm prompt with this new chapter! But I'm sure I'm going to get some... violent... reactions to how this chapter will turn out. Now, I'll move on with the comments and all, as this will be the last chapter before the death-defying epilogue (Did I use the right adjective? I wanted to connote that it would be REALLY shocking...).

Lous - Yes, those were Eiyu's memories, but I never said that it was Gohan having a "fight" with his mother. And I know how it feels, as I'm personally inclined towards Eiyu as well. But well, you'll just have to see how it turns out!

Goku's Daughter - Here's a "soon" update! I hope you like it! *grins* About Videl and Eiyu being "married," it will be answered in this chapter by Eiyu himself. I know it's sad, but it'll get sadder... I guess.

Kioko-sama - I'm afraid that's what I've been living with... bad cliffhangers. Ask those who have read the original version of Renascimento, they nearly KILLED me for the cliffys. *shudders* Anyway... you think Eiyu is Gohan? Well, that's for me to know and for you to find out!

Silver Shelter - Why did Eiyu have that flashback? Because... because... because I wanted him to! *forces a laugh* But seriously, all will be revealed sooner or later... in the sequel, perhaps?

Aya-chan - *gasps* Your speculation is... astounding. I told you that last night, remember? And then we talked it over, and you figured things out, eventually? By the way... *sarcastic tone* thanks for throwing my brain into the waste basket, you fourth class "prince" of a dead race. *snorts*

SSJ Goddess Chico - Update soon? Here you go!

I suppose that's it for now, ne? I will now step aside and let you read this new chapter --- which actually part two of the previous one, but it took me quite a while to write. ^___^;; If you have questions, you know what to do. Review. That's how it goes around here... and to those who have reviewed, thank you so much for doing so!

Fueled by Anger, Driven by Despair
Chapter Fourteen: Circumstances, Decisions, and Farewells

This chapter is specially dedicated to Aya-chan,who will be celebrating her birthday on December 21st.


"How are you feeling?"

Terrible, Eiyu wanted to reply badly, but he forced a smile instead and pretended that he did not hear anything from the conversation that took place between Videl, and the man she loved, Gohan. Softly, he answered, "Stronger and better than the last time I was conscious, believe me. But don't worry; I'm alive and well, and that's all that matters."

"You scared me for a while back there! I thought... I thought I was going to lose you, and I didn't want that to happen. Not to you, Eiyu... because you don't deserve it. Someone as wonderful as you are do not deserve things like this to happen, so much more, death."

Stop pretending that you care for me! his mind screamed angrily, and the smile that was planted on his features turned painful as the internal struggle took place, the struggle to keep his anger locked up inside of him so as not to blow up on the woman who captured his heart. He loved her too much that he didn't want to hurt her by raising his voice at her in his anger and frustration. "I'm not going to get killed by a tiny bullet," he told her. "It'll take more than that to get rid of me."

Videl smiled back, her sapphire orbs glistening. Her eyes then fell on the flowers she left him earlier that day. "I hope you liked the flowers. Actually, I had no idea what to get you, so I asked Gohan to help me. He suggested that we --- well, I --- bring you Japanese roses instead of the usual ones that I was planning to buy, as they are plentiful at this time of the year. They're very lovely, too, so I agreed." She paused to smell them. "It's funny. I don't remember Gohan having a lot of knowledge regarding flowers... I mean, I thought that all he knew about them were their scientific names. I'm just being silly and forgetful, I suppose."

The other's raven eyes, however, narrowed drastically when Videl mentioned that Gohan chose to get him Japanese roses as a get-well-soon offering. During his life as a treasure hunter, which included looking for artifacts that his clients wanted to acquire, he managed to come across a flower-exporting planet. The exporting base of that said planet --- to his amazement --- had a catalog of nearly all the flowers in the entire galaxy, plus the meaning of their names. Japanese rose... Japanese rose... if I'm not mistaken, it connotes a ho---

"Time to say goodbye now, madam," a well-groomed nurse interrupted as she burst into a room, holding a folder with one hand and the other twirling a pen --- a mannerism of hers, definitely. "Visiting hours are over, I'm afraid. Please, just come back tomorrow; I still have to do a thorough check-up on Sir Nakasone here..."

"Yes, thank you," Videl replied curtly before she turned back to Eiyu and smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. If you're lucky, we'll be able to get you out of here already and you'll be able to be home in time for the festivities," she finished with a wink.

"Do take care of yourself, Videl. I... I'm going to miss you."

"You sound as if we won't be seeing each other ever again," she commented with a giggle. "Don't worry, I will take care of myself, but only because you were very particular of that. But seriously, I'll be back here tomorrow, with Gohan and the kids, most probably---"

"Madam---"

"--- so get yourself ready for a long day. I'm sure Goten and Trunks are going to be as hyperactive as always," Videl finished. Then, she took her coat, slipped it on, and smiled warmly. "I'll be on my way now. Take care of yourself and make sure you get a lot of sleep."

And with that, she left the room.

"Thank you!" the nurse breathed in exasperation, and she was all over her patient in no time, checking if he was ready to leave the hospital the next day. Eiyu, on the other hand, leaned back against the soft pillows and got himself comfortable --- after all, he was sure that the check-up would take a long while. However, he could not stop himself from staring at the sweet-smelling Japanese roses, nor could he stop himself from thinking about Videl and Gohans' wedding that was to take place very soon.

"Excuse me," he called out when the nurse was about to leave the room, making the woman stop short on her tracks and face him with a partly irritated expression on her features. Confusion replaced that irritation soon after, however, as Eiyu politely asked, "May I borrow a pen, please? And if you would be so kind, may I ask for a piece of paper?"

Goten was in an unusually bright mood the next day, to the astonishment of everyone, including his best friend, Trunks. When he was asked what made him acquire such joy at a seemingly normal day, he simply told them that Eiyu would be checking out of the hospital already, and he was happy.

"You've really grown fond of him, haven't you." It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

The other nodded enthusiastically. "Well, Trunks, let's just say that I'm happy that the person who I now consider my big brother is going to be with us once again. I don't care about Oniichan anymore --- he doesn't care about me anyway. What's the point?"

Trunks did not have any objections to that, because he himself preferred Eiyu very much over Gohan, as the former was a thousandfold kinder compared to the other. "The only downer is that Videl is going to file a divorce for her to be able to marry your brother," he pointed out darkly, which wasn't supposed to be necessary, but he found himself doing it.

And immediately, Goten's jovial mood shattered.

The trip to the hospital seemed to take eternity after that, and both teenagers had sullen looks on their faces. The older of the two attempted to pull off a couple of jokes to brighten up the atmosphere, but Goten managed to ruin all the punchlines by a statement or two about the upcoming sacrament. Knowing that it was pointless, Trunks shut himself up.

However, their glum empressions were replaced by confusion and curiousity when they arrived at the hospital with the soon-to-be wed couple, Gohan and Videl. Something definitely happened that caused the nurses to run about, in panic, and it didn't take long for Videl to spot the woman who dealt with Eiyu just the other day.

She paled, even more than ever. "Madam... I'm sorry, but he... he's gone."

"What?!"

"No, I don't mean it that way," she said hastily upon seeing their extremely startled reactions that appeared violent, in a way. "He's not dead. He... he left. We don't know when, we don't know how. Nobody spotted him, and we didn't know he was gone until this morning, when I went to his room to check up on him, as you were going to take him home today." She paused to swallow as she reached into the pocket of her blouse, pulling out a neatly folded piece of paper. "He left this, though... I didn't read it, I promise!"

Quivering lightly, Videl took the letter --- she knew what it was almost immediately. She looked at her companions with uncertainty as she fidgeted with it, and in no time, she decided to open it, as the other three urged her silently to do so, with meaningful nods. She expected a short letter, with merely a heart-wrenching quote or something of that sort, but it was totally contrary to her expectation.

She quickly shooed everyone away, suddenly defensive of the piece of paper she had in her hands. She told herself to remain composed, to stay strong... but she began to grow uncertain if she could keep up with that as she read the letter, which was the only thing she had left of Eiyu Nakasone.

Dearest Videl,

I'm such a coward, and I'm afraid that's all I'll ever be. I have traveled far and wide, searching for treasures, risking my life for money --- I am brave, in that way. But deep inside, I am truly a coward. I can't face the woman I love, so much more tell her what I truly feel inside.

I know the truth, Videl. I... I heard you and Gohan yesterday, I was awake when you had your talk just outside my room. In all honesty, it broke my heart into two, hearing those words... that you were going to marry him.

There's no need for you to get a divorce filed. We had our wedding at another planet, and it was only for name's sake. I did that because I knew that if you'll manage to get Gohan back, you're going to choose him over me --- yes, I knew that right from the start. But still, I did not stop you when we came face-to-face yesterday. I wanted to stop you, Videl... I wanted to change your mind. But I know it's useless to do so, because it would stop you from being happy. Your happiness matters so much to me, Videl... that's why I offered to help you with your revenge, that's why I married you, even if I know that you don't love me, and you never will. Your heart had always been and will always be with Gohan, and there's nothing I can do to change that.

This face... this face has been both a blessing and a curse. A blessing on your part, a curse on mine. Despite of that, I'm glad. I'm glad to have known you, Videl. I'm glad that I managed to make a difference in your life. I'm glad that I managed to give you back the life you had before everything came tumbling done. I'm glad that I made you happy... somehow.

I am not asking you to love me; I am not even asking you to remember me. There is just one thing I want to ask of you... I want you to take care of yourself. Don't misunderstand me; I'm not saying that you're a weak, fragile young woman who needs to be looked out for and protected. You're strong, stronger than I will ever be. But this world is a cruel place, and you'll never know what will happen to you, what dangers await you.

Do take care yourself, Videl.

And... kindly tell Goten to behave himself, or else he's going to get himself in trouble --- and I tell you this, the sight won't be lovely.

Love defies all reason, endures all pain... waits, persists, and lingers forever. I don't know where I'm going, I don't know where I'll be, but one thing's for sure: I will definitely not forget you. You will forever remain a part of my life, a part of myself, a part of my heart, as the one woman who struck right through it, and as the one woman who I love and will ever love.

Best wishes.

Eiyu Nakasone